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topknot32 · 7 months ago

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Miami (5/5)

Rio/OFC

summary- the short and sweet conclusion to this Rio & Olivia mini series.

warnings- none

word count- 2.2K

Chris kept quiet the entire drive back to the house, and Olivia didn't have the courage to try and break the silence. He hardly even acknowledged her presence when she came out of the restaurant a few minutes after he left in anger. Olivia knew from conversations with Beth how sharp the edge of Chris's anger could be, but she'd never experienced it firsthand. It stung so badly when they pulled into the driveway she considered taking the cash she still had in her purse and getting a cab to a hotel.

What he was asking of her was a lot, and the fact that he refused to even consider sparing her friend in return made Olivia's own anger flare up. She had to get word to Beth, or get home before Chris could send out an order to one of his goons.

When they pulled into the driveway, Olivia jumped out of the car before Chris even had it in park. She hurried across the driveway as fast as her heels would allow, and a few seconds later she heard the sound of his quick steps on the pavement behind her. "Olivia," he said, his tone hiding none of his frustration.

She pushed through the front door and paused, listening for any sign of the boys. Laughter trickled in from the front living room, and she headed that way before Chris could catch up.

"Olivia, stop," he said as he shut the front door.

Still she ignored him. She found Sofia and the boys watching a movie on the enormous theater screen, and she tried to wipe the stress from her face.

"You're early," Sofia said.

"It's been a long day, and I'm just so tired," Olivia said, forcing a smile. "Come with me, Kai."

The toddler popped up out of a pile of blankets on the floor. "Hi, mama."

"Hi, honey, let's go. Time for bed."

He stood and ran over, wearing a new set of pajamas they'd just bought that afternoon. Olivia took his hand and turned to find Chris standing just inside the living room with his hands resting behind his back. "What are you doing, Olivia?"

Olivia picked Kai up and said nothing, walking straight passed Chris toward the stairs that would take them to the bedroom. She knew he was following her. He didn't try to hide the sound of his footsteps, and panic was building in her chest. He'd admitted his feelings for her, but if she didn't agree to stay, she was a liability. Their location, their business, all of it was at stake if she opened her mouth.

When they were out of earshot of Sofia, he spoke again. "Please don't do anything stupid."

Tears started to burn at the backs of her eyes. "Your toothbrush is in the bathroom on the counter," she said to Kai as she set him down inside the bedroom. "Go get started and I'll be in in a second."

Kai ran off, leaving her alone with Chris who shut the door behind him as he entered.

"Are you going to let us leave?" she asked, her voice trembling ever so slightly. She couldn't face him, so she stared a hole in the bathroom doorframe.

"Not tonight."

Her stomach lurched. "I won't say anything about where you are."

She heard him let out a sigh, and she turned to see him holding the bridge of his nose. "That's not my concern."

"Then why can't we go?"

"You're not running off in the middle of the night alone with a kid. You can sleep here and we'll talk about this in the morning."

He turned to leave, but she called his name before he got to the door. "My mind isn't going to change about Beth," she said, and he froze. "Please don't make me choose." She thought he might try to get the last word in, but instead he walked out.

Despite the stress. Olivia slept like the dead for several hours after climbing into the king sized bed with Kai. She'd tucked a chair she found in the hall beneath the door handle and made sure the glass patio door was locked, and since she hadn't slept much since leaving Detroit, she was out like a light as soon as her head hit the pillow. But before the sun came up, she was awake and anxious. She laid beside Kai for a long time, staring out the massive floor to ceiling windows at the ocean. Without waking the toddler, she climbed from the bed and made her way over to the sliding glass door that led out to the balcony, grabbing the satin robe she picked up from the lingerie store the day before on her way.

The smell of the salty air was refreshing, and she stood at the railing watching the waves come and go. This could all be hers if she just cut out a piece of her soul and fed it to the wolves, but Olivia didn't think she could do that. There was something between her and Chris, something she didn't want to give up, but she didn't see any other way. They'd done a lot of illegal stuff back in Detroit, and a few people ended up dead, but not because of choices she made.

"Can't sleep?"

Speaking of the devil himself. She should've known, and maybe a part of her did because she wasn't all that shocked to hear a voice in the dark.

"Can you blame me?" she asked, and turned to find him sitting in one of the patio chairs wearing a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled up. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, his hands clasped together over his stomach. She couldn't see his face. "What are you doing out here?"

"Oh, you know, a little soul searching and what not."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. If she wasn't so mad at him she might've laughed. "Any self discoveries?"

Chris chuckled, and she wished she could see his face more clearly. "I guess I'm wondering if anyone is capable of forgiveness, or if it's something you're born with."

"And what brought on that line of thinking?" she asked even though she knew.

"You did."

She took a few steps toward him. Their anger seemed to have dissipated, and for the moment her fear was at bay as well. He met her gaze as soon as she stepped into his line of sight, but he quickly looked down at his hands.

"I know I'm asking a lot of you," he said, and he sat up in the chair and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I guess I didn't consider that exactly what it was I wanted you to give up was the reason I wanted you to stay in the first place."

"And what's that?"

"Your humanity, the fact that you're a good person, Olivia." She didn't know what to say to that, so she kept quiet. "Come here."

She considered refusing, but it felt like they were actually making progress, so she closed the distance and stood in front of him. "What if I told you that I had a change of heart?"

"About Beth?"

He stared up at her with soft eyes that made her want to cave. "Mhm."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because there's nothin' left for me there, and I know that if I made you choose, you wouldn't choose me."

That stung, and it showed on her face. "Not because I wouldn't want to."

"It's okay, babe, I wouldn't blame you."

She reached out and took his face in her hands. His eyes closed as he leaned in to her touch, and she took another step forward so she was standing between his legs. His hands slid up to rest on the satin of her robe.

"You'll leave her be, forever? Annie and Ruby, too. No changing your mind, no tricks or blackmailing."

The internal struggle was written all over him. He didn't want to concede, and the stubborn part of him that usually reared it's head right now was clawing at the surface. "If you stay," he said.

A bubble of hope formed in her chest, replacing the heat and anger with something that felt good. "I need more commitment than that." She pulled a hand from his face and held out her pinky. "Pinky promise."

Chris stared at her for a second before shaking his head and laughing. "You're serious."

"There's nothing more serious than a pinky promise."

Finally he returned the gesture, but kissed her knuckles before releasing her hand. "I promise."

Olivia smiled. It spread wide across her face, and the hopeful feeling in her chest grew even bigger. She felt like she'd just won the lottery. She could keep everyone back home safe, but at the same time she was getting him, too.

She kissed him softly before taking a few steps back. Chris stood and followed her lead, and once they were back in the bedroom, she slipped off the robe leaving her in a satin short and tank set. He tugged off his sweatshirt, exposing his naked torso, and together they climbed into bed, careful to not disturb a still sleeping Kai. Chris stretched out on his back, and Olivia curled into his side with her head on his chest.

For a while, Olivia laid there and thought about what life would look like here. The more she came up with, the more excited and nervous she became. This was a different level of crime than she'd ever participated in before, but she knew she could do it. Like Beth, the mundane life wasn't for her. She couldn't spend her days cooking and cleaning and carpooling. The last eight months of quiet normalcy had nearly bored her to tears, but that was over now.

She sat up enough to see Chris's face to find he was staring up at the ceiling. She pressed a kiss to his lips, and curled back into his side. She could t wait to get started.

TWO MONTHS LATER

Chris sat by the poolside with his phone in hand. There were dozens of emails he'd been putting off answering, but they couldn't be ignored any longer. His connections were working on the construction of a brand new warehouse about an hour outside of Miami, and they were waiting on him to sign the checks. Metaphorically of course.

The villa was busy today with a few of Mick's friends, and he'd thrown a party the night before so some of the guests still lingered. There were several women sunbathing in and around the pool, most of them he didn't recognize, but Chris didn't have the patience to engage in their sorry attempts at catching his attention.

When he opened up his inbox, pulling up the most recent one, he found it'd already been replied to. Chris furrowed his brows and read through the response and viewed the attached files. It sounded like him, and followed the encryption and code necessary to send anything over technology, but he definitely wasn't the one who sent them. He started to stand from his chair, but felt a pair of hands slip over his shoulders from behind, the palms coming to rest on his chest. The smell of her jasmine perfume told him exactly who it was.

"I see Mick's birds of paradise are keeping you entertained," Olivia whispered in his ear as she pressed a kiss to his jaw.

"Who?"

The sound of her laugh warmed his insides. "As if you haven't noticed the nearly naked women in front of you."

He turned in his chair to see her clearly to find her barefoot wearing cut off shorts and one of his t-shirts. "Mama, if I wanna see somethin' worth lookin' at, I'll come find you."

The milky skin of her neck flushed red, and he smirked. Chris held up his cellphone. "Did you respond to these?" She was the only one with the passcode.

Olivia took the phone and scrolled. "Mm, yeah, while you were playing in the pool with the boys. Mick's been teaching me."

That surprised him, but he found that he liked the way it felt. He took her wrist and dragged her down to press a kiss to her lips. "Thank you."

She waved a hand like it was nothing, but it wasn't nothing to him. "Of course."

Chris took her wrist and dragged her around so she could slide onto his lap. Having her here was already so much of an asset to him, he didn't know how he did it on his own before. She kept both boys on a tight schedule with their tutor's and schooling, but also managed the entire staff within the villa. Before he had to think about all of it constantly, every thought leading into a new task, but now he actually had time to breathe.

Chris didn't think he needed a romantic partner. And after getting shot by Beth and nearly dying, he was committed to swearing off women in general. They clouded his judgement, made him act out of character and focus on things that weren't important, but Olivia was always in his peripherals of doubt. She wasn't as forward as Beth or as outgoing as Annie. She was more reserved and observant, and somehow she'd captivated him.

He'd come to Miami full of hate and rage and scorn for the way it all fell through in Detroit, but now he had his family back. All of it. And as he sat there holding the woman he loved, he knew he'd do anything to hold onto it, and to her.

#rio good girls #manny mayans #manny montana #netflix good girls #good girls fic #annie marks #beth boland #rio fic

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technicallymaximumkitty · 9 months ago

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playlists

I made playlist for hazbin hotel characters

charlie, vaggie, alastor, angel dust, husk, niffty, sir pentious (bonus adam)

❤️ Charlie ❤️

❤️ Humility, gorillaz

❤️ Lights, ellie goulding

❤️ Gateway to the stars, skeleton staff

❤️ Cry baby, melody martinez

❤️ Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows, Lesley gore

❤️ KK bubblegum, animal crossing

❤️ Charlie’s inferno, the handsome devil

❤️ The exorcist, calypso

❤️ Space unicorns, parry gripp

❤️ Out of my league, fitz and the tantrums

❤️ Heathens, 21 pilots

❤️ Devil town, cavetown

❤️ Rat, penelope scott

💜 Vaggie 💜

💜 Saint benard, lincoln

💜 Angel with a shotgun, the cab

💜 I wouldn't mind, he is we

💜 Hell’s coming with me, poor man’s poison

💜 Mary on a cross, ghost

💜 Notion, the rare occasion

💜 Butch 4 butch, rio romeo

💜 Training wheels, melody martinez

💜 All the good girls go to hell, billie eilish

💜 Soku eye, gorillaz

💜 Spear of justice, toby fox

💜 Roar, katy perry

💜 Raincoat, studio killers

🧡 Alastor 🧡

🧡 Twisted, missio

🧡 All eyes on me, or3o

🧡 Our love is god, heathers musical

🧡 Animals, maroon 5

🧡 Dismemberment song, blue kid

🧡 Animal cannibal, karen skladany

🧡 We'll meet again, vera lynn

🧡 Terry's taxidermy, teddy hyde

🧡 Christmas kids, roar

🧡 Arms tonite, mother mother

🧡 The hunting song, tom lehrer

🧡 Necromancing dancing, bear ghost

🧡 Happy face, jagwar twin

🩷 Angel Dust 🩷

🩷 Epoch, the living tombstones

🩷 Say amen (saturday night) panic! At the disco

🩷 Bad romance, lady gaga

🩷 Candy store, heathers musical

🩷 Grrrls, aviva

🩷 Take a hint, victorious cast

🩷 Bubble gum bit*h, marina and the diamonds

🩷 Baby hotline, jack starbur

🩷 Weak, AJR

🩷 Bad habits, steve lacy

🩷 Vending machine of love, the stupendium

🩷 Front street, will wood and the tapeworms

🩷 Control, halsey

🤎 Husk 🤎

🤎 Let me down slowly, alec benjamin

🤎 Dirty harry, gorillaz

🤎 Ghosting, mother mother

🤎 Hand me my shovel i am going in, will wood and the tapeworms

🤎 The good, the bad and the dirty, panic! At the disco

🤎 The gambler, kenny rogers

🤎 Let's get this over with, they might be giants

🤎 Cats, dogs, and rats, rare americans

🤎 Your gonna go far kid, the offsrping

🤎 Pardon me, he is we

🤎 Coffee, jack starbur

🤎 Look who’s inside again, bo burham

🤎 Tennessee whiskey, chris stapleton

🤍 Niffty 🤍

🤍 Girlfriend, hemlock spring

🤍 Body, mother mother

🤍 Bill waterson, lemon demon

🤍 The masochism tango, tom lehrer

🤍 The red means i love you, madds buckley

🤍 Cell block tango, Chicago musical

🤍 Runs in the family, amanda palmer

🤍 Killer queen, queen

🤍 Hello kitty, avril lavigne

🤍 Pretty little psycho, theexorcist

🤍 Cannibal, kesha

🤍 Barbie girl, aqua

🤍 Curses, crane wives

💛 Sir Pentious 💛

💛 Love like you, steven universe

💛 Give and take, poor man’s poison

💛 Oh klahoma, jack starbar

💛 I’ll rust with you, steam powered giraffe

💛 Mr blue sky, electric light orchestra

💛 Hidden in the sand, tally hall

💛 Egg and soldiers, cosmo sheldrake

💛 Rhinestone eyes, gorillaz

💛 Man made objects, lemon demon

💛 Under my skin, jukebox ghost

💛 Bang!, AJR

💛 Secrets, one republic

💛 Savior of the skies, the cog is dead

🩵 Adam 🩵

🩵 Main character, will wood and the tapeworms

🩵 Stick it to the man, school of rock

🩵 Eighth wonder, lemon demon

🩵 Verbatim, mother mother

🩵 They’re only human, death note musical

🩵 American idiot, green day

🩵 5/4, gorillaz

🩵 Punk tactics, joey valance and brae

🩵 Kiss me son of god, they might be giants

🩵 DONTTRUSTME, 3OH!3

🩵 blood//water, grandson

🩵 Another way out, hollywood undead

🩵 Modern day cain, I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

#hazbin hotel #hellaverse #charlie morningstar #alastor #angel dust #niffty #hazbin hotel husk #sir pentious #vaggie hazbin hotel #character playlist #songs

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celestial-vapidity · 1 year ago

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Ok fine, I'll make playlists for every route. Here's Donna's! Hey @shortstrawberry come yet yall juice!

I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie (How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me [...] I will possess your heart)

Gnaw by Alex G (Dry your eyes, I won't tell your mother, she won't ever discover the things you kept under the covers, and please don't cry)

Going to Georgia by The Mountain Goats (The most remarkable thing about coming home to you is the feeling of being in motion again)

Riches and Wonders by The Mountain Goats (We write letters to each other, invent secrets to confess to, I learn foreign terms of exotic endearment by which to address you)

Ghosting by Mother Mother (I've been ghosting alone, ghost in your house, ghost in your arms)

Piazza, New Your Catcher by Belle and Sebastian (Oh, elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze, a trail for the devil to erase [...] I love you, I've a drowning grip on your adoring face)

Sarah by Alex G (She loves me like a dog, and when we mess around I'll let her know the truth I found)

Local Honey by AL Riggs (Nothing sweeter than local honey, nothing sadder than a local death)

Butch 4 Butch by Rio Romeo (The music we make is unnatural, but it sounds just like falling in love)

Underground by Kimya Dawson (I cannot disguise the fact that I'm nervous when we are together, and so I fantasize that the nights will get shorter and the days will get better)

Sex with a Ghost by Teddy Hyde (I'm having sex with a ghost, cause she knows I'm alone)

#resident lover #resident evil #donna beneviento #re8 #re8 village #my post #my mixes #resident evil village #Spotify

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bengiyo · 1 year ago

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Mood Indigo (2019) Ep 6 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

Last time, Kamuuda passed away. Kido has decided to stay with the company out of a sense of loyalty to Kijima and Kamuuda. Mean things were said, but it’s hard to turn away from someone you know so well. I was moved by everyone’s performances.

I do not like rude people at funerals.

Last Episode: to the Other Side that Exists

I suspected Rio was going to have to finish Kamuuda’s book.

Ah, so Kido’s engagement is off. Now I’m curious who he has a daughter with later.

You know, I’ve never been in a complicated, intense relationship while I went to a funeral, so I’ve never felt the desire to do it afterwards.

This man is happy that they fucked in from of Kamuuda’s photo. I’m certain that old man is probably pleased with his work.

Oh, Kido, you just left that man as a ball of nerves and avoided him? Come on.

There’s a whole daughter and a wife now.

Seems like Kuzumi and Kijima have been together for a bit now if Kuzumi is a salaryman.

That’s right, Kido. You lost your making-out-in-a-cab privileges when you flaked out on him after the funeral.

“Call me if you need anything.” Bro, are you going to even answer??

Oh good. Haru didn’t notice Kido.

“Deep in my heart the flame is still there because it was never put out.” I’m so over this man. Fuckboi behaviors. You have a wife and a child. Go home.

Living together is very serious. I’m glad to see Kuzumi again.

How dare they not let me see Haru and Rio kiss.

Final Verdict: 9, Highly Recommended. This was an excellent prequel that I think genuinely elevates the original work by giving us insight into how Kijima became so messed up. I also appreciated the frank and earnest way this show approached male-male desire and the physical realities of intimacy. I like as well that sexuality doesn’t seem to be the primary issue here insomuch as it is about who feels free to be who they are and how the constraints of expectations plague these characters. I’m glad I finished this before getting deeper into Only Friends, because I will be thinking about the kids of m/m intimacy allowed to be shown on platforms like YouTube and TV.

#mood indigo #pornographer #the novelist #japanese bl #bl series #Ben watches

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whitesandtoursandtransfersja · 4 months ago

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artemiseamoon · 3 years ago

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If This Is Our Destiny 2

Past! Angel x F reader ** | Future? Manny x F reader **

⚠️Warnings: flashback to the night of the attack, some anxiety, Angel Reyes 🙄

** woc/black/bipoc f readers to the front bbs. Anyone can read tho. You can image her as an OC ‘Princesa’ as well if that’s your preference 😁 many options to choose from.

An: I’ve never really been into the idea of someone calling me ‘mama’ or ‘ma’ but only one man can now (jeez thanks Rio)

Fic info || previous || next

Gif credit to the owners 💕

- Flashback, 2 months prior -

You close your eyes and take a slow deep breath. After a few seconds, you return to lighting the candles. Looking across the way, you notice all the guys are around the pool table, taking stock of ammo and guns.

Bishop eyes the supply. “You gonna burn through these boxes in 30 seconds.”

Turning around, your eyes scan the bottles on the shelves, you have an idea. Grabbing two from the shelf, you turn back and place them on the counter. “How about fire with fire?”

Angel, Ez and Bish all turn back and look at you. Bish nods, “yeah.”

- Flashback over -

“Hey ma, you good?” You come back to the present moment and find Manny leaning over the counter, those deep brown eyes observing you. His voice washes over you like a smooth drink. “You wiped that glass down three times, where’d you go?”

“Oh, sorry. “

You put the glass and towel down. After a quick scan of the room, you confirm you and Manny are alone. He’s still leaning over the counter, eyes fixed on you.

Dropping your voice to a whisper, you move closer to him, “Since the attack, sometimes I have these moments. Bits and pieces of it come back. I think I’m still processing it.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Shit,” you rub your forehead, “is it that obvious?”

“Nah,” Manny shakes his head, “the first time you live through some shit like that, it’s hard to shake. Be easy with yourself.”

You smile, “thanks Manny.”

“You know I got you,” He stands upright and straightens out his shirt and kutte, “it's late Princesa. How you gettin’ home?”

You’ve developed a habit of getting lost in his eyes. It was too easy to become distracted by Manny: his voice, the way he held himself, those eyes, his long dark eyelashes, his lips, his cheekbones, his jawline, even the little silver stud in his left nostril…Manny was a work of art.

It’s not until you see a smile dance on his lips that you realize how long you’ve been staring. Pulling yourself together, you reach under the bar and grab your bag and jacket. "My car is still in the shop, so I’ll call a cab.”

You slip your jacket on then scan the bar once. It was clean enough. You thought the Santo Padre guys were messy, but the Yuma chapter took messy to a new level; it was like clearing up after a bunch of frat boys. Rude, handsy, disrespectful frat boys at that.

You thankfully had less incidents than the other women, thanks to a mix of kicking one in the balls and Angel and Ez coming to your defense. They nearly beat those guys to death, the post drama aside, most of the Yuma dudes backed off after that.

The only other incident happened a week and a half ago. You were bending over to pick something up off the floor and felt a greedy hand grab at you. Manny walked in just as it happened and ripped the asshole away from you. Chapter brother or not, he made it clear, you weren’t to be touched.

You flash Manny a smile, “I’m so glad you’re not like the others, seriously. I’ll be right back.”

You make a quick stop at the crappy excuse of a bathroom. After washing and drying your hands, you order a car and head toward the front door. You hear some hushed voices in Templo as you pass, it’s Bishop and Hank.

This is the third late night Manny walked you out. It was sweet, and as long as Angel wasn't around, you'd let him do it as much as he pleases. As you both descend the stairs, Manny makes an offer, “You know what, forget the cab. I’ll drop you off.”

“Yeah?” You ask with a smirk.

The idea of riding on Manny's bike while you hold him has crossed your mind many times. You were never bold enough to ask though…then there was Angel…he’d freak the fuck out if he ever saw that. The times you caught him watching you and Manny, it was like a blood vessel was going to burst any second.

“That is way better than a cab, I’ll take you up on it.”

Manny’s eyes light up at the sight of your smile. After a second or two, Manny sits on the bike and starts it up. He hands you the helmet, “come on ma.”

Riding on the back of Manny’s bike is exactly how you imagined. He feels good. This feels good. It’s like you were meant to be here. Hold him tight, head resting comfortably against his shoulder as you ride. You want this to last forever.

Somewhere near the halfway point of reaching your place, that ghost you can’t shake pops into your mind and suddenly you remember how it felt with Angel. You blink the thought away almost as fast as it comes. Not tonight. You wouldn’t let Angel Reyes haunt you tonight.

When you arrive at your apartment, Manny parks the bike and walks you to your door. You fiddle with your keys, knowing what you want to ask, but not sure if you should ask it. You lower your gaze, trying to figure out just how bold you were feeling.

Manny leans against the wall, “About that night,” you look up, fixing your eyes on his, “I didn’t know you were in there. Shit, “he shakes his head and stares past you, “I think about it you know. You could have been hurt…or worse.”

You grab his forearm. “Hey, we didn’t know each other Manny. I don’t blame you for that. It was inner club shit and I happened to be inside while it went down.” You give his arm a light squeeze. “How was I supposed to know we’d meet.”

The guilt in his eyes is quickly replaced by something else, something lighter, more relaxed. The moment that smile returns to his lips, your heart beats faster. In his normal chill demeanor, Manny relaxes further against the wall, “Yeah, you're right.”

“I am.” You reply and squeeze his arm once more before letting him go.

Manny watches you lift your hand, then his eyes float back up to yours. Feeling a surge of confidence, you soon say the words that have been lingering on your lips. Sure, you spend a lot of time thinking about the consequences of this, but you want this, you want Manny. And all his flirting, sexy smiles, lingering glances, the way he gently touches your arm and shoulder; it all tells you he feels the same.

“Um, so - “you pause, breathing into it, “would you like to come in?”

You wait for a yes, it doesn't come.

The night suddenly feels too quiet. Like it’s taunting you for being so forward and reckless. You notice the tension in his brows, he’s thinking something, but not saying it.

“Sorry, never mind. Thank you for the ride though.” You turn to your door quickly and put the key in. When you hear the click, you push it open and rush inside.

“Wait, hold up, “Manny follows you inside and closes the door gently behind him.

Still not looking back at him, you hang your keys on the hook and flip on the lights.

“Manny, really, it’s fine. Just forget it happened.” You talk with your hands, walking toward the kitchen to get away from him. You hope he’ll turn and leave, then you can sit with your embarrassment alone.

“Nah, hold up,” Manny catches up and gently grabs your hand. You don’t pull away, instead you turn to face him, “I’m feelin' you, Ma,” Manny holds your hand tighter, his eyes soft on yours, “but, you and Angel, that's gotta be done. For real.”

“We are.” You stare up at him, feeling confused. “We’ve been done for months.”

Manny doesn’t say anything. You can tell by the way he’s looking at you that he wants to believe you, he really does, but doesn’t. The sweet free feeling of being on his bike is now gone. The air in your apartment suddenly feels thin.

“Did,” you take your hand away, “did he say anything to you?”

Manny gently lifts your chin with his fingers, your eyes meet his, “he may have a different idea of being done Princesa.”

“Fuck,” you break eye contact. Manny gently caresses your cheek, then takes his hand away.

You cross your arms and pace, anger building in your body, imagining all the shit Angel could have said in your mind. Angel Reyes imploded things; he blew shit up. He had a real talent for it. Sadly, this isn't the first time you heard something like this.

Manny stands behind you and rests his hand on your left shoulder, “I’m going to head out. Unless you want me to sit with you for a while?”

“No, it’s okay,” you sigh and face him, “go home. It’s really late.”

You couldn’t be mad at him; Manny was looking out for himself and didn’t want to get involved in anything messy. You and Angel were the definition of messy and you’ve been trying your hardest to change that.

“You gonna be alright?” Manny asks, drawing you into a hug. You relax against him, taking in his scent and the way he feels.

You close your eyes. “I’ll survive.”

The hug lingers for a while longer. You don’t want to let go, Manny doesn’t either. When the hug finally breaks you miss it already. You walk him to the door and wait until he rides off to go back inside.

It takes 23 minutes. 23 minutes and 11 seconds before you give in and send a text. You were fuming by this time and what comes out of you is a brick wall of a text; a purge of sharp words and every curse you could think of. It feels good, it feels really fucking good. Until you read it over. Then, you feel defeated.

Even after leaving his ass for the 2nd time almost 4 months ago, he still had a hold on you. Enough of a hold to make you a rage filled teary-eyed mess as you texted him. It was supposed to be easier four months out, right?

Though you hated him right now, you did care about him, loved him, loved his family. Angel was maybe the most damaged person you know, and you had to remind yourself, love or not, history or not, it wasn’t your job to fix him or soothe his wounds. You delete the very honest, very scathing text and write something else.

{You: We need to talk. Free tomorrow?}

Three dots appear instantly, it makes you wonder if he felt you texting him. You two had a weird ass connection like that. The three dots linger a while, with his new name in your phone, ‘do not text’

{Angel: is this your stubborn ass way of asking me to come over?}

You roll your eyes and almost smile, almost.

{You: No. I mean talk, literally.}

Three dots appear, then vanish.

{You: Tomorrow, I’ll stop by. Around 8? Just please wait for your groupie sex fest until after I leave. I don’t need to see that shit.}

{Angel: It could be me and you, querida, like old times.}

You write something, delete it, then pause. He doesn’t write either. You put your phone down beside you on the bed and rub your face with your hands. Your phone buzzes.

[Angel: fuck this texting shit, I’m coming over.}

“Oh my god,” panicking, you quickly type telling him not to come. Then you dial his number and call. He doesn’t pick up. Knowing Angel, he was likely on his bike, speeding over here right now.

Your suspicion is right, a knock arrives at your door only 21 minutes later. You don’t want to open the door, but you know him, he’s obnoxious and will knock until you do.

When you open the door, the first thing you notice is how tired he is. He leans against the doorframe and stares down at you. It’s near impossible to look away, the tall strong figure you knew so well, that beard you love, those tattoos: he’s even wearing the backward cap and sleeveless t-shirt combo you loved. Asshole, he did this on purpose.

Angel’s hungry gaze moves over your form, then lingers on your bare legs. “You put that one on for me?” He asks with a smirk.

You glance down and realize what shirt you’re wearing. It was a simple, oversized band tee. The shorts you have on underneath are hidden by the length. When you changed your clothes, you just pulled one out without looking. It was Angel's favorite too.

“It’s for me,” you grip the handle tighter, “I told you not to come over.”

Angel shrugs, “ phone died.”

You roll your eyes, knowing he’s lying and try to close the door. Angel blocks it, steps inside, then closes it behind him. He smells like beer, cigarettes and leather.

“Angel -”

“I knew you missed me, I could tell by the way you look at me from the bar, all heart eyes and shit.”

“You’re delusional. And an asshole.”

You head toward him with the intention of opening the front door. As you pass him, Angel grabs your arm and slips his free hand behind your head. Before you can protest, Angel leans in and crashes his lips against yours.

With wide eyes you watch him kiss you. You can feel your body reacting, despite telling it not too. You always loved the way it feels, being pressed beneath him.

Your hands are flat against his chest now, for a brief moment you slide them down, feeling his muscles. Your eyes start to close, you almost give in - almost.

You push him away with a shove and step back, putting distance between your bodies. Your heart is pounding now, you take a moment to catch your breath. Angel’s kisses, just like the rest of him, were sinfully seductive and addictive. One taste has the power to regress all the work you’ve done.

You don't want that. You want better. You need better.

Angel responds as expected to the rejection. He steps back, doing that thing he does with his head when he’s pissed. “Yo what the fuck?!”

“We don’t kiss!” You bark at him. “Angel, we are not a couple, we’re not lovers…we’re not even friends right now. You can’t pull shit like that!” You take another step back and cross your arms, shielding your body from him.

Angel sucks his teeth and brushes you off.

“That’s really fucking rude, you know that right?”

“Shit, like you care. "Angel hissed venomously. He paces at the other end of the hall. “You fucking broke up with me, remember?” Angel walks away and heads into your kitchen.

I can’t fucking believe this guy. Cursing under your breath, you follow him inside and find him opening your fridge, his back toward you.

“You fucking confusing you know that?”

You can barely believe what you’re hearing. “ME? How the fuck am I confusing, Angel? I’ve stayed away from you for months! I don’t text you, even when you text me. We only see each other at the clubhouse. I ignored your late-night drunk calls. How the fuck am I confusing?”

With fast angry steps, you storm toward the fridge and slam it shut before he can grab anything. The act of aggression surprises him, he takes a step back and stares at you.

Your body is almost shaking with anger now. The tense expression on his face melts to something else, amusement. He chuckles and leans into the nearby counter.

“You cute when you’re all pissed off and shit.”

“Oh my god.” you take a deep breath and rest your hands on your hips, “everything's a joke, isn’t it?”

“Not everything.” He tilts his head to the side and smiles. When you don’t, he leans over and smiles wider, “come on, where is it?”

He’s not going to ease it out of you, even though he almost does. You keep control of your expression. The bastard was charming. And this has worked in the past. But you don’t want to get stuck there, you want to move toward the future. A future that might have Manny as part of it. You step around to the other side of the counter and rest your hands on the surface, trying to sort your thoughts.

“Querida,” Angel walks over to you and grabs your shoulder.

“Don’t call me that.” You lift his hand and move a few steps away.

Angel stays where he is and lowers his head, “You know what I was doin' when you texted?”

You raise a brow, “Fucking your problems away?”

Angel chuckles, “naw. I was layin' on the couch, watching that shitty Novela. The one you used to watch with me. I had me thinkin' about you and shit…. about us…about tryin' again.” The vulnerability in his eyes almost melts your heart. But you stay strong. “How's that shit go…third times a charm or whatever? Don’t you wanna see if that's true?”

The weight of this words plus spending all day on your feet hits you all at once. You go to the table and sink into the chair closest to the window. Angel doesn’t say anything, he alternates between staring down at his feet and you.

You take a breath, exhale, then speak, “If we ever find our way to each other again, Angel, it will be as friends. Just friends. Remember that? I miss that version of us. Everything was so easy. So uncomplicated.”

Angel rubs the back of his neck, eyes cast down. You know if he could, he would light a cigarette right now. But he seems respectful of your no-smoking rule. Eventually, he mutters, “I fuckin miss you. This shits got me all fucked up. You think this is easy?” He glances over at you from under his brows.

“For you? Easier. You just drink, smoke and fuck to bury it.”

He scoffs, “It’s not even like that, not all the time. You don’t see all the times I go home alone or fucking drive out to the middle of nowhere just to clear my head. The shit never works by the way.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Angel.”

“I gotta see you every week, without being with you. Don’t get me started on those Yuma motherfuckers. Flirting with you and shit, like I’m not even there. Especially that skinny fuck with the stupid neck tattoo…his ass properly making friendship bracelets with Ez right now.” He shakes his head.

You suppress a laugh and store away the ‘i miss you’ you can't handle that right now. “You jealous? Ez can have friends you know.”

Angel pulls out the chair across from you and sits with a dramatic sigh. You stare at each other in silence.

You speak first, “I wish you didn’t come over. I had a long ass day and this -" you pause and rub the bridge of your nose, “let’s just do this then.” You open your eyes, “I hope one day we can be friends again; I would like that. But I could never be your girl again, ever. We tried and each time it failed. I don't want to be that person who keeps going back to a fucked situation.”

He’s quiet, eerily quiet. His brown eyes are heavy with pain, anger, and something you can’t name.

“I’ve been hearing you telling people we’re together or hinting at it. You can’t do that. I’m not property. I’m not yours. I was going to ask what you’re telling people but honestly, I’m way too tired Angel. I can’t even - “

He abruptly pushes back in the chair and stands. Cursing under his breath, he glares down at you. “I fucking knew it. Who is he?”

Your eyes locked on his, you lean over the table, “my personal life is no longer any of your business, Angel. You are not allowed to ask that.”

When you don’t back down, he kicks the chair. You rise to your feet.

“No! That is not happening here, you are not breaking my furniture. Go, leave!” You point to direction of the door.

He’s got the look of a wild animal now, chest heaving. He takes a step back, then another. Angel turns and leaves the apartment; you hear the door close behind him followed by his bike roaring up the street.

…

The next morning

Tired isn’t enough to describe how you feel right now. Your eyes float over to the closed door of Templo, they’ve been in there for a while now. Manny arrived at the early end, though he said good morning and greeted you with his usual smile he felt distant.

Angel barreled in on the border of being late, he walked in without acknowledging you, which was fine, you didn’t want to look at him either. You try to keep yourself busy and focus on getting through the day.

When the meeting ends, the door slides open, and members start to refill the room. Some make their way to the bar, and you start putting a few beers on the counter. Your eyes follow the Reyes brothers as they walk out and through the front door, followed by Manny.

The new hire, whose name you refuse to remember, also Angel’s newest poor coping habit, rushes through the door.

“I’m so sorry I’m late. My alarm - “

Narrowing your eyes at her, you step back as she walks behind the bar. “I’m taking a break.” You say and leave her.

Stepping outside, you linger off to the side and watch as a black van pulls up before Ez, Angel and Manny. A man gets out with a middle-aged white guy with a ton of luggage. The scene before you becomes even more bizarre when you notice a kid. When the door opens again, you duck back inside and head to the bar.

When Manny, Ez and Angel don’t return, a knot forms in your stomach. It’s likely Alvarez sent them on a job. Everything was already tense and though your mind doesn’t want to go there, you feel yourself thinking the worst. What if your name came up? What if Manny and Angel had a confrontation?

Working on autopilot, you hand off a few more drinks and hope for the best.

Tags? Ask below

Taglist so far: @obsessedasusual @mrsmontanalol @okimreadynow @po3ticb3auty @minordeffects @rosey1981 @bugngiz @bport76 @90sisthenew80s @kaykaysuh

#Angel Reyes #manny Mayans #Mayans Mc #mayans fic #manny x reader #angel reyes x f reader #fic: if this is our destiny #black reader #woc reader

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k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9 · 3 years ago

Photo

FAITH NO MORE!!! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!!! by Gloria Cavalera

January, 1993.....Zyon was about a week old when our friends, Faith No More swaggered into Phoenix's Club Rio for a show. This was an event we couldn't miss! We were solid friends and their new record was taking over the world like a virus..swiftly encompassing every crack on the face of the Earth. FNM infection was spreading and it eventually breezed through our front door!

I got on the phone and lined up passes. Now, what to do about Zyon? I couldn't leave him home without us.....he was so fresh! Max and I came up with the idea to call our trusted limo driver, George from Lebanon, and hire his car to be our home for the night! We could tuck Roxane in there to watch Z-MONEY and we could rock out!! The limo could park in the backstage area and all would be great! Roxanne was 10 years old and would be fine with George. Max's sister, Kira, loved FNM, so we swooped up a ticket and pass for her too and she could accompany Roxy, and also watch Z.

We cruised in all happy and excited to see the guys. Limo parked at the back and Max and me inside raging! After the show was over, we ripped it up a bit in the dressing room and Max was like "Let's go party at our house! I have plenty of booze!" After much convincing that we were ready to bash, Mike and Billie said they would cruise up.

We had given the guys our address, but they went to the wrong house. After all it was after 2:00am and dark out. They spooked the neighbor's, I guess, because someone called the police and said there were burglars in the yard!! Dana went outside and found Mike and Billie wandering down the street, of course no one knew the police were on their way!

I was in bed with Zyon, exhausted from going out so recently after giving birth. Dana was in charge as Max was rambling around still searching for nonexistent party favors. Mike, Billie and Dana were outside when the red lights blared around the corner, siren screeching. The cops went up to the guys and started questioning them. Dana was adamant that they were rockers looking for fun and not cat burglars, about to pile drive a neighborhood. "Oh yeah, sing something.." one of the officers said to Mike. This left Mike a bit surprised as you can see by his expression.

Max, in his delirium, managed to snap some photos, as Dana told him to grab the camera and Kodak the moment. He couldn't find alcohol, but thankfully he found the camera and was able to save this moment for all, my Students!

After much discussion, the police believed them and drove off in search of real crime! Mike and Billie called a cab and headed to their hotel, all dreams of a party quite squashed... Me?? I woke up the next morning and laughed my ass off after hearing the story! Max had a hangover and Dana had a big smile!!! And Z??? He was just growing...

#Faith no more #Sepultura #Max Cavalera #gloria cavalera #90's #black and white photography #photogtaphy #text #billy gould #mike patton #cops #Phoenix Arizona

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roxy206 · 2 years ago

Note

Fic Titles Game, Brio:

If I didn't wait

A Thousand Waves

Okay my Brio is SO rusty, but let’s see …

if I didn’t wait

Maybe a Sliding Doors-esque AU where there are two timelines. The split in them is when Beth goes to the warehouse: in one timeline she does leave the pearl necklace & in the other she doesn’t. The pearl timeline is canon compliant & the other timeline diverges from canon

In the non-pearl timeline, Rio doesn’t pay Beth a visit & they don’t start washing cash. Annie winds up picking up a side job as a cleaner at the hospital & when Dean claims to have cancer, but isn’t giving Beth details, Annie breaks into his chart & finds out that he’s lying. She tails him one day & then blurts the news to Ruby, unsure what to do. They decide to tell Beth & then Beth confronts Dean, hiring a divorce attorney the next day

The whole Sharpie cap issue still comes up & once the girls make sure Beth is in the clear, they have dinner to celebrate. Annie & Ruby decline when Beth wants to get another round of drinks, but Beth isn’t ready to go home. She stops by a bar & is surprised to see a familiar face

She finds herself in the back of a cab, Rio’s hand creeping under the hem of her dress before they arrive at his building

Ultimately when Rio offers to bring her into the business she doesn’t want to get her hands dirty. But she likes to conspire with him in the early mornings

A Thousand Waves

In some distant future where I’ve finished writing How We Operate … a year later Beth “tricks” Rio into a vacation

They’re in an established relationship now, but they’re both busy as fuck & shit keeps coming up every time they try to make plans. Beth is sick of quickies, even if they’re good as always & Rio prioritizes her pleasure. They find themselves at each other’s throats more often, & not in a hot way

So Beth books a trip under the guise of a job. Rio sees through it, but he goes along with it. They spend a week uninterrupted on the beach, ignoring all their problems until the penultimate day of their trip. They haven’t talked about what’s going to happen when they get back & all the same stressors are still there, all of their obligations waiting for them. They have a tense dinner & Beth wants to go back to the hotel to pack, but Rio convinces her to go for a moonlit walk along the beach. And then he shocks her by saying they should move in together & that might help solve some of their problems

Oh & there’s smut in every chapter obviously because it’s them & they’re on vacation

#fic title game #kimmy answers #literally so rusty

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apotatomashedbybts · 3 years ago

Text

All Tints Of You & Me

Pairing: painter!Min Yoongi × reader (f)

Genre: Fluff, strangers to lovers au

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I personally don't know anything about Brazil carnivals and most of the data are collected from internet. Many places and characteristics are made by me and are fully fictional. This fic is yet to be re-edited.

Warning: none yet

Word Count: 5.1k+

Banner: made by me

Posted on: 02.01.22

[Summary: Stranded alone by a lone highway of Brazil the only way to reach your destination was hitchhiking. Luckily enough you got a lift from a cute boy named Yoongi whose destination was also the same as you - The Rio Carnival. ]

Author's note: This gift was created through @bangtansecretsanta and is for @minyfic . Hi Yus! I am your secret santa 🥺 I am Anwesha, or you can simply call me Nesh! It's been so fun and fulfilling to get to know you! I hope that we will continue to keep in touch!

[Part Zero]

[Complete fic will be posted soon! Please visit again!]

There's a saying that goes 'the tortoise spoke before thinking'. Obviously you were the tortoise here and you definitely acted before thinking it through now that you were standing outside the International Airport of Brasilia after a long long 22 hours of air journey from Cape Town with your bank account almost saying to spare itself.

Letting out a deep sigh you ran your hand through your messy hair that hadn't touched water since you left and not to mention you stank because of the very same reason.

You huffed and got out of the perimeter of the airport. You were hungry to say the least and the haversack on your back felt heavier than it was supposed to. Before coming out of the airport you had checked the cafes and restaurants inside it and to save yourself from embarrassment and further money loss you had turned back and got out of there before you could have second thoughts.

You had already spent almost a quarter of your savings for the flight ticket and even that was the cheapest flight you could find. But that wasn't your biggest concern now – which was, was the question that how were you going to reach Rio De Janeiro which was almost 1100km from where you were located right now.

"Stupid, stupid!" You scolded yourself for not thinking about the possible outcomes of leaving your home in a whim.

You dragged your tired body and after walking a few metres you found a small local restaurant which served full course meals at, what you thought, was affordable enough.

While waiting for the food to arrive you began searching for cabs and other transports that could take you to Rio before the carnival began.

You scrolled through all the options only to be disappointed at the fact that you were in no position to spend a thousand dollars behind a bus or cab fare. Train could have been an option if you had enough time in hand.

Your expression must have been pretty distraught because it caught the eye of the owner of the restaurant. So when you were paying the bill, which was roughly 15 dollars, she peered from behind the counter and stood up pushing her thick rimmed glasses more towards her eyes to give you some complementary refreshments and asked in broken English, "First time here?"

With a tired smile you nodded a yes.

"Thought so. Many people come here during this time of the year, for the carnival." She put some candies in a paper bag and while handing it to you she continued, "But that's really far from here. Are you here to visit places nearby? I can arrange place for you to stay!"

"Ah.. no actually," you scratched the back of your head and replied hesitantly, "I am here for the carnival too. But now I don't know how to get there and I am short on money too," you told her your problem before you could decide whether you could trust her or not.

When you refused the bag she was giving she smiled kindly and said, "These are on the house. I know how difficult it can be for solo young travelers, that's why I opened this affordable restaurant. You see, I have a son about your age who is always travelling to different places and he used to complain," she smiled looking at you through the opening on the top of her glasses as if she was saying something silly, "he still complains, about how food is costly in many places. So I opened this place a few years back and I am more than happy to be of help!"

You were still sceptical but decided not to judge her since she hadn't done anything scammy yet.

For the small while you put the bag in your haversack she kept looking at you doing so and when you finished doing it she said, "The only way I can think of right now for you is hitchhiking. Many people travel all the way from here as a roadtrip to the carnival! May be some can give you a lift!"

You looked at her, processing and imagining all the possible scenarios in the split second and blinked. Seeing you speechless the lady in her 50s said as if to convince you, "I know this might seem dangerous but many people do so here! If you know how to hitchhike then it shouldn't be a problem for you!"

On any other day, in any other situation, in your hometown, with lots of money in your pocket, you would have probably laughed at the lady for giving you such a ridiculous idea but given the situation you were in hitchhiking seemed to be the best option.

Sensing you had taken her suggestion into consideration the lady asked carefully, "Should I pack you some food if you get hungry on the way? You might not get food this cheap on the way."

You laughed innately and with an enthusiastic yes you nodded.

Paying for the packed food you threw the haversack on your back and thanking the lady you got out of the restaurant to go to the highway.

Upon reaching the highway all you could see was a long pitch road coming from an oblivion and disappearing into one. Surprisingly enough you couldn't see a single vehicle in this blazing noon.

After waiting for about ten minutes you started seeing cars, trucks magically appearing from both sides of the roads.

You were quick to put your hand upwards with your thumb pointing towards the direction where you wanted to go.

But as magically the vehicles appeared on the road they disappeared just as 'magically' ignoring your desperate thumb signals.

You huffed and kicked stones in frustration as the road became empty again. You felt sweat trickle down your back and you beat yourself up mentally for wearing a black leather jacket over your black straight leg cotton pant and black shirt.

"What was I drinking when I chose this outfit?" You released another set of frustrated sigh and sat on a big rock by the road to wait.

After about ten minutes of waiting and wiping sweat off of your forehead you noticed a medium sized white coloured motorhome emerge at the horizon amidst the trembling heated air.

You immediately got up and stood in the ideal hitchhiking position.

You didn't know what you were expecting but you certainly didn't expect it to move past you leaving your hopeful face to turn into a dejected one.

You didn't have the heart to watch the motorhome leave so you let your tired body sit in a squatting position like a ragged doll and hid your face on your knees.

"I shouldn't have done this! Now what am I supposed to do?" Tear droplets formed in your eyes even though you tried hard not to cry in the middle of nowhere.

What brought you out of the state of being sad was the sound of a slow car and you turned only to see the motorhome backing towards where you were.

Stopping in front of you the driver rolled down the hazy window of the passenger seat and there was a cute boy with blonde hair peeking through the window.

"Where to?" He asked.

"To the Rio carnival! If you are not going there then it'd also be fine if you drop me somewhere nearby!" You yelled, making sure your voice reached him.

He opened the door of the passenger side on the right of the motorhome and said with his deep voice, "Hop in!"

Your face lit up as soon as you heard that phrase.

You were quick to get in and he signalled you to keep the haversack in a compartment above the lounge seats which were located just behind the driver's seat.

While you kept the bag you quickly looked around the inside of the motorhome and felt quite amazed at how beautifully furnished the interior was. It was very much evident from the outside but the interior surpassed your expectations.

As soon as you sat back on the passenger seat he started the engine.

"Thank you for the lift! I can't thank you enough for this honestly! My ears were dying to hear those words!" You exclaimed as soon as you hit the road.

His face barely showed any expression and to your gratefulness he just gave a small nod and said, "It's nothing really. And I am going to the carnival anyways."

He paused for a second then giving you a quick glance he asked, "By the way, why were you trying to hitchhike on this bypass road instead of the highway?"

"Oh that," you started replying as if you completely understood what he said then suddenly realising what he just asked you, you screamed with shock written all over your face, "what?"

"It's just two of us here. There's no need to shout. I can hear you completely fine." He said calmly, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Sorry.. it's just that I didn't realise that it's the bypass road.. Now that I think about it that must have been the reason why the road is so deserted." You replied as if you had uncovered a big mystery.

A light chuckle left his lips, "Well, you are quite lucky that I take this road every year since it takes less time than the highway to reach the carnival. We will reach there in 16 hours through this road whereas the highway takes almost 20 hours."

"I should thank my luck then." You smiled while pretending to sit comfortably on the seat.

"Wrong answer. You should thank me." He replied seriously.

"Right.. thank you…" You looked at him dragging the word 'you' to know his name.

"Yoongi." He replied and shifting the gear he steered the wheel turning left u-turn on the road.

"Thank you Yoongi. My name is Y/n by the way." You smiled.

His lips curved into smile barely noticeable and giving you a small nod he continued to drive.

May be it was for the tiresome journey you had so far or may be it was the inside of the motorhome being so comfortable that despite the unpleasant weather outside you had dosed off.

When you woke up almost 2 hours had passed and you woke up with your head still dizzy for sleeping so much.

Stirring in your seat for a while you sat up and saw that your seat was inclined backwards. You did not remember doing that, so you looked at Yoongi.

"Thanks to your sleeping I didn't need to turn on the music system." He spoke with a straight face.

"I was going to thank you for inclining the seat but now I wish to take that back." You replied narrowing your eyes at him realising what he meant.

"It wasn't me who was snoring though!" He defended himself.

Not finding any words to reply to his remark you let out a hefty sigh and turned to look outside the window.

You could feel him smiling behind your back and you were supposed to be angry but somehow you found him cute and didn't actually believe that you were at a point of bickering within a few hours.

You had spaced out for a few minutes when Yoongi's voice brought you back, "So, where are you coming from?"

"Ooh! Someone seems interested in me." You cooed.

"Not really. But it's better than travelling with a complete stranger." He blinked several times while still looking forward at the road.

It would be a lie if you say that you didn't want to know about him too and his reasoning seemed fair enough so you replied, "I am from Cape Town. Well not proper Cape Town. But a beach town near it. Have you heard of the famous Queen's Bay Beach? I live somewhat near to that area." Gaining a nod from him which implied that he had heard of the beach you asked, "Where are you from?"

"I am from Daegu." He looked at you and seeing your lost expression he said, "It's in South Korea."

"Wow, that's pretty far! You come here every year for the carnival?" You asked with big eyes.

"Yup. I have been coming here for three years now. It's pretty amazing!" He smiled.

You nodded and replied enthusiastically, "I have seen so many videos! That's why I kind of ran away from home to come here!"

"What?" For the first time you heard his voice go up. "So you are telling me that soon I have to take part in a chasing scene with the police?" He asked with a worried expression.

You laughed and putting the phone on charge you replied, "Well, if you wish to!"

"If it gives you a clearer idea then let me tell you that I'll drop you at the nearest town because I do not wish to participate in a cat and mouse run with the police!" He increased the speed by 5km on the motorhome.

"Look at your face!" You couldn't control your laughter and nearly fell on the front because you were laughing so much.

Once you stopped and looked at still confused Yoongi you said, "It's nothing like that."

"It's not?" He asked, visibly calming down.

You watched him as he brought down the speed to it's initial state and looked forward at the road while saying, "I did run away but from the suffocating life there. It was getting to my head… the same monotonous routine with nothing to look forward to as if I am a winded doll. So one night I decided to get out of there, quit my job and boarded the first plane I got. I know that I have to go back but I want to take in as much as possible to cherish. My family knows so you don't have to worry about that." You glanced at him and with an embarrassed smile you said, "Silly, isn't it? Other people go through so much more."

Even though you didn't want it your eyes felt moist.

"Ah! Why do I have to be such a crybaby?" You scolded yourself mentally and wiped it while facing your window, trying to be discreet.

"I don't think it's silly at all." You turned at Yoongi's words.

"It doesn't matter if you are going through something that is considered as more painful or less painful. It's you who is feeling it in the end and you are allowed to react to it however you want. As long as you get up and continue living a good life for yourself you are winning. Of course you are not allowed to murder someone even if you are sad though." He laughed and then continued, "But I hope you find something to look forward to and cherish and love in the few days you are on your taken vacation." He smiled widely.

At that moment, against the 3pm sun, you thought that was the most beautiful smile you have ever seen.

Realising you had been silent for far too long and your heartbeat was picking up pace you said, "Wow! You are not so bad as I thought!"

Yoongi let out a dramatic sigh, "Ah! I am stained with such misconceptions again! I guess that's what my life has become."

After a silent second he looked at you and both of you bursted out in fits of laughter.

About half an hour later Yoongi stopped the motorhome at a nearby market to buy some extra groceries for dinner. After buying everything needed you hopped in the motorhome again only for it to be stopped near an almost empty gas station.

"We will be stopping here for half an hour so if you need to take a shower then you can do it. The shower is in the back and towels are in the cabinet next to it." He told you before getting out of the vehicle and disappearing inside the in&out of the gas station.

Taking off your jacket you smelt yourself by bringing your shirt close to your nose. You immediately regretted doing it making a disgusted face and thought, "No wonder he told me to take a shower."

Taking out a comfortable pair of pajamas from your haversack you made your way towards the shower.

You were just in the middle of shampooing your hair with your eyes closed when you heard Yoongi's shocked voice, "Oh shit!" which made you open your eyes and you saw him a few steps away from the shower turning his back towards you.

It was just a fraction of second that he took to yell an apology to you and almost run away after closing the sliding plywood gate that separated the washroom section from the rest of the motorhome – whose existence you had failed to notice prior.

After getting out of the washroom you looked around only to notice Yoongi strolling outside near a patch of planted flowers with iced Americano in his hand.

You got out of the motorhome to have a walk yourself knowing that the longer journey is yet to be travelled.

Awkwardly you walked up to Yoongi and muttered a small hi when he noticed you from afar. He waved back at you and spoke as you reached by his side, "I am very sorry about earlier. But you should have closed the door!"

"Yeah, of course! I have made this motorhome myself, isn't it? So I should know everything about it!" You retorted back and looked away.

You were right and Yoongi realised that sooner than he would admit. So he apologized again, "I am sorry. I should have showed you."

You looked at him and noticing the unintended pout on his lips you laughed. He was too adorable to stay mad at so you replied, "I am forgiving you this time. Next time I am not sure."

He smiled and asked, "Do you want coffee?"

"No, I'm fine." You thoughtfully replied. You have to save every penny you could.

But Yoongi insisted, "It's my treat. Consider it as an apology coffee!"

You thought for a second. You were craving for coffee, you won't lie, so you nodded in agreement and he went inside the in&out after telling you to wait there.

You sat curled up on your seat as Yoongi hit the engine. Strangely it felt good to be on the road. You sipped on your coffee and watched the sun setting behind the city.

You looked at Yoongi and asked, "Are you going to be at the festival for all the four days?"

"Nope," he answered, "there's going to be a body painting competition at the carnival on the first day. I am professionally a painter so…" He shrugged dismissively.

"No way!" You squealed and keeping the coffee in the cup holder between the seats you sprang up to sit straight.

Before Yoongi could react to your squeal you exclaimed excitedly, "A painter? Oh my God! That's so awesome! I would have never guessed that you are a painter."

Yoongi chuckled at your excitement and asked, "Then what did you think I do?"

"Well, nothing in particular. Maybe a spoiled brat?" You teased while pretending to think hard.

"Hey! That's not fair!" He protested.

You laughed, "Sorry sorry. In all honesty I didn't think anything… Just a sweet guy who gave me lift." Your words trailed slowly in the end and you didn't know why you were saying so.

Yoongi rubbed his nose a little, may be to hide the blush that was trying to take over his cheeks and replied, "That's a good thing I guess."

"To be completely honest, I am here for the body painting competition as well." You stared at the long road ahead.

"So.. you are a painter too?"

"No no.." you scratched the back of your head as if you were going to say something embarrassing and said, "It's actually something I wanted to do for a long time. I want to be a model for the body painters."

You turned at him with a quick motion with your palms put together and eyes closed together and talked as if you were pleading, "Please do not judge. I am not a weirdo! I just wanted to be part of this experience!"

You opened one of your eyes at the sound of Yoongi laughing and you looked at him properly and confusedly.

"I didn't say anything. And it's not something that makes you a weirdo or a pervert." He said after he stopped laughing.

"Many people join the festivities because it's fun! You are no different." He said and lighted the headlights of the motorhome.

"You are more chill than," you got cut off in the middle by Yoongi's words, "I seem I would be?"

"Y-yeah. Kind of. But after spending just a few hours with you I have realised that you are a really good person." You replied smiling.

"I wouldn't tell that about myself but thank you I guess."

You swivelled the passenger seat to face him and asked in a serious tone, "But tell me can I participate in the competition if I don't have a painter partner!?"

Then as if coming to a realisation you asked, "Do you already have a model? If not I can be your model!"

Seeing your expectant expression he explained softly, "This year the criteria have changed. The pairs are not predetermined anymore. Once you sign up as either a model or a painter you'll be assigned randomly."

With a small 'oh' escaping your lips you turned your seat around and looked outside falling into a deep silence.

You thought you had prepared yourself for such event. Painted by an unknown painter, revealing yourself to a complete stranger, you thought it was easy. But it was easy as long as you were far away from it with just the idea of it. To think that you were closer to it made you feel anxious. In a corner of your heart you really wanted to be painted by Yoongi – mostly because you had begun to know him as a decent person and the rest was probably because he made you feel safe.

You didn't know how long you had been clutching your hands in anxiousness; what brought you back to reality was the sound of radio that Yoongi had just turned on.

It was the local news channel saying something in Portuguese.

After listening to it for a minute Yoongi turned it off and muttered to himself, "It's going to rain soon."

Just then a long string of lightning bolted through the dark cloud that had formed in the sky in the meantime.

Yoongi stepped on the accelerator and said, "I hope you don't get dizzy easily."

Luckily you didn't get dizzy throughout the way that Yoongi had run the motorhome like a mad horse. You were also quite surprised that there wasn't a single police car mobile behind you for speeding. Perhaps no one wanted to deal with the weather.

After two hours of driving without saying anything Yoongi slowed down near a village-like town when the rain had just started to fall in small droplets. Finding a small deserted field just by the road Yoongi parked the motorhome and leaving a long sigh he smiled at you, "This is our stay for now. We can continue on the road once the rain stops."

He got off the vehicle and switched on the jacks and wheel blocks to make it the permanent site. You got off the vehicle following him and watched what he was doing like a curious puppy.

When he finished he flipped his hair away from in front of his eyes that got wet from the drizzle of rain and smiled at you, "We are done for now. Let's go inside."

"Was he always this beautiful or is the rain just playing with my mind?" You thought as you stared at Yoongi who was waiting for to head inside with him with his almost set hair and white loose tshirt sticking to his well-built body because of the raindrops.

"I want to stay here for a bit." You said smiling.

"Okay then. Don't stay out for too long. There are wild animals out there." He replied jokingly and went inside.

As soon as he entered the motorhome you sat down covering your face. You knew this feeling all too well – you were crushing on Yoongi.

"Ah! I am doomed. This is going to be difficult." You mumbled.

Soon the buzzing sound of rain took over the surrounding along with the overwhelming scent of the fresh rain soaked earth. You breathed chest-full letting the scent take over your lungs, your mind. The feeling of the drizzle of rain on your body passed a feeling through your veins that made you happy, that calmed you down. You let the rain wet your entirety with open arms, welcoming it in your embrace with your eyes closed.

Unknown to you Yoongi watched you from inside the motorhome through the window with a faint smile on his lips.

"So adorable." A thought passed his mind and to quickly dismiss it he called out to you, almost nervously as if he didn't know what to do to bury his thoughts.

"Coming!" You shouted and made a small run towards the middle gate of the motorhome that Yoongi had left open for you.

You were dripping wet so you tip toed quickly across the lounge and kitchen area towards the washroom. Upon reaching there you took out a towel from the cabinet and began drying your hair.

Yoongi had already changed his clothes and was cutting vegetables that he had bought earlier at the market to make dinner.

You didn't want to drench the floor anymore so you asked Yoongi, "If you don't mind can you please pass me my haversack?"

Yoongi turned his head and with a slight bow he said, "Yes ma'am," and washing his hands he gave you your haversack from where you kept it earlier.

You folded your arms and glared at him, "Are you mocking me again?"

"What? No! That was the most respect you gave me till we met so I thought I should reciprocate!" He flashed his gummy smile at you and went back to cutting ingredients.

"R-right?" That was the only word you could muster as a tingling sensation spread throughout your stomach.

Trying to ignore it you knelt down and looked through your bag for another set of pajamas. You looked through it several times but couldn't find any.

Seeing you going through your belongings so many times Yoongi asked, "What happened?"

You looked at him with a worried expression and replied, "I haven't brought any extra set of pajamas to wear! Only a extra pair of shorts and two sets of outwear that I can't wear now!"

"Ah! What am I gonna do?" You whined to yourself and sat there blankly staring at the bag and then as a result of wearing the wet clothes for too long you sneezed.

"Bless you." Yoongi replied instinctively and going over to one of the cabinets above the lounge seats he brought out his bag.

"Here." He tossed one of his many black shirts to you. You grabbed it and hesitated for a bit, "Is it okay for you to give me this?"

"Of course. That's why I gave it to you. And it's clean so you can wear it." He assured you.

"Thanks." You replied softly and closed the washroom door to change into your shorts and his shirt.

As soon as you closed the door you stopped for a moment and then let out a silent scream while grabbing your head and jumping in tippy toes.

You thought you were going to go crazy with your heart beating so fast. Taking a deep breath you looked at your red face in the mirror and smiled shyly.

"Calm down you stupid bitch!" You placed a soft slap on your cheek and then doing a finger gun at the mirror you stripped to change your clothes.

Yoongi turned to look at you with his lazy eyes which, you thought, got bigger as they laid upon you, as you came out from the washroom in his shirt.

The shirt was a bit loose on you and reached upto you midthigh – a perfect fit, according to you.

"Comfy?" He asked pointing at the shirt.

You grinned at him and replied, "Very!"

Giving you a slight happy nod he said, "There's a hairdryer in the basin cabinet. Feel free to use it."

"You are being too kind to me." You pouted and went back to bring out the hair dryer.

"Well, my art teacher used to say that I should always treat my guests like God." He shrugged and went back to cooking.

"That's too generous. Not every person is worth that." You tried to argue.

"You are right but I don't judge anyone unless I am given a reason to." He replied while putting the pot of noodles down from the stove.

You found yourself speechless yet again. He was too good to be true and that wasn't helping your case in any way.

After finishing drying your hair you brought out the food you got from the restaurant earlier and put it in the microwave to reheat while Yoongi turned the lounge chairs to face each other and unlocked the dining table that was attached to the side of the motorhome.

The rain was still falling relentlessly making the field you parked a muddy puddle. You watched as the rain drops trickled down the window shield, on the front glass leaving trails of water drops behind it only to be joined by the coming water droplets.

After eating you suddenly fell the urge to sleep– after such a long straining journey that's what you probably needed.

You looked over at Yoongi after washing your hand who was putting the dishes in the sink to wash them.

You immediately grabbed his shoulders and said, "Let me do this at least. You should get some rest!"

"It's fine! I'll do it." He protested but to no avail. You had already grabbed the gloves.

"I said I'll do it." You smiled as if giving him a warning, to which he replied suppressing his smile, "okay! Suit yourself."

While you did the dishes he brought out the Murphy bed that was attached to the wall by the side of the lounge chairs.

By the time he was done setting the bed you had finished cleaning the dishes. So you sat on one side of the comfortably.

Closing all the doors and windows of the motorhome Yoongi turned on the air conditioning system and climbed on the bed.

He laid down after switching off the lights and pulled over the thin sheet over him and said in a tired voice, "Get some sleep while you can. We have a long way to go."

to be continued...

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coeurdastronaute · 3 years ago

Text

Footy 9

Previously on Footy

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You took all of your meds?”

“You’re worse than your mother, you know that?” Jake groaned and pressed the button on the elevator a few more times, as if it would make it descend any quicker.

“Just wait til she gets here.”

“I can go to these sound checks and fittings myself, you know?”

“And leave me all alone and bored?” Clarke shook her head, following her father quickly through the lobby of the hotel.

“Don’t you have some girlfriend running around here somewhere? I thought it was her job to entertain you?”

“It is, and she’s sorely lacking, though I’m going to give her a pass since she’s here to win an Olympic medal, again.”

As they made their way to a cab, Clarke watched her father soften and relax, and it was true, remission looked very good on him. He was someone who needed a bit of purpose, and to be trapped in a body that wouldn’t cooperate was exhausting to him. She wasn’t prepared to ruin this moment for him, except that she was always so dreadfully worried suddenly. It was easy to see why her mother fret over him. But he was stronger now, and usually much more aware of the limits of his body. They just happen to know him well enough to know that he’d push it.

Part of her couldn’t believe that she was at another Olympics. She hadn’t thought about coming back, let alone cheering for someone else in a soccer game. But here she was, three Olympics later, fully ready to cheer for her newest favorite player.

“You know, she has a good chance to win again.”

“Is that your expert opinion?”

“I’ve been watching a lot of film of other teams,” he nodded, scrolling through his phone. “Germany and Brazil are going to be brutal, too. It’s going to be a slugfest in the quarters with how these groups have panned out.”

Clarke sighed and watched Tokyo pass outside, excited to potentially steal Lexa for a few excursions, excited to experience the city, excited to see it all happen with a little ball of worry forming in her gut. Her girlfriend wasn’t a fan of losing, nor was she particularly well-versed in it.

“You’re really excited to commentate, aren’t you?” Clarke smiled as her father removed his glasses and carefully tucked them in his shirt pocket.

He gave her a grin and nodded.

“It feels good to be involved in this again. It feels better to give some weight to the women’s teams. Everyone’s so nice to me when I meet with the coaches as well to ask them questions and observe practices.”

“Wow, everyone’s nice to you. Must be a real change.”

“I didn’t think anyone remembered me,” he shrugged. “It’s nice.”

“It wasn’t enough that I happen to date a girl who has been obsessed with you since she was born?”

“I might be completely stripped of my titles if anyone knew that I’d coached her on a few moves.”

“You might,” she agreed with a chuckle.

They took in the wonderfully magic city around them, bustling with movement, speeding past, even when they sat still. It was beautiful beyond compare.

“We used to have fun traveling for stuff like this, when you were a kid, remember?” Jake asked. “Your mom would join us or leave early and we’d do all the stuff she wouldn’t like, like candy--”

“And ice cream. And a few shows I probably shouldn’t have been to.”

“And too much time around all of the players.”

“Hey,” Clarke interjected, “They taught me how to shotgun a beer.”

“Much too early for your mother’s liking.”

They both shared a laugh and sighed at the fond memories. For a moment, Jake looked at his daughter, amazed by her and everything she did and who she’d become, grateful to have so many memories with her that she could hold tightly to if need be. She’d long since grown up from the little girl who he impressed with a fancy dinner when they were at the French finals, or who he let run all around Rio, relatively unsupervised. She had her own place, her own career, her own motives, her own heartbreaks, her own victories. There was a full-fledged human he enjoyed more than ever.

“Lexa can join us for dinner tonight, can’t she?”

“I’ll have to double check. If you’re going to be there, I’m sure she’ll clear her calendar,” Clarke rolled her eyes.

“You’re not going to be bored while I do my tests and fittings and stuff?”

“Like I haven’t spent most of my life waiting for you to finish,” she shrugged. “I plan on going on a little adventure myself and finding you after.”

“Please don’t eat too much junk.”

“I was trained by the best.”

XXXXXXXXXXX

For the first time in what felt like years, Lexa appreciated the quiet. It felt like an actual barrage of people talking at her in nearly every language on the planet, while she shook every single hand thrust in front of her, no matter what she was doing. Even when she was done with the obligatory training and studying, even after the meetings and press conferences and interviews, she spent a lot of time with her family, savoring their time away from home.

It didn’t hurt that Mia was over the moon happy, and her sister was just as excited to explore, or that even Indra, so normally stoic and business-oriented, was relaxing. Lexa let them enjoy it while she ran around. Soon she was going to have to go into her work mindset and they knew it, so she wanted to get some kind of memories.

There was dinner with the Griffins, there was dinner with teammates, there was breakfast with her family, there was dinner with everyone to prepare. She was full and tired and ready for the quiet.

But tonight, no one was going to bother her. It had been explicitly stated as such.

The candlelight was a nice added touch, she grinned to herself. And even though they were in the hotel room, and even though they were just wearing sweatshirts and socks, and all manner of lounging around clothes, Lexa was happy she’d asked for candles. She was also insanely happy Clarke’s parents elected to get a suite to share and decided to spend the night on the town to celebrate being out and away from cancer treatments.

Happy to be away from the Village, happy to be with her girlfriend, happy to be sitting quietly, Lexa watched said girlfriend greet the room service and smiled to herself. It wasn’t lost on her how it felt like she could breathe finally.

“I’m so hungry. Please give me all of the food immediately. One bite,” she groaned as Clarke carefully placed it between them on the coffee table.

The windows around them were dark, while the city itself was a nightlight, all manner of neon and skyscrapers. Lexa just wanted the arm glow of the candles as her girlfriend joined her on the floor.

“Are you really going to go through a bulking phase in the off season? I don’t know if I can keep up.”

“Probably not too much, but a little, yeah,” Lexa nodded before taking a huge bite. “It’s way better than shredding.”

“It all sounds rather painful.”

“Maybe I’ll just skip it all and take up yoga with you.”

“Are we going to be those people who do couples yoga?”

“Maybe. Is that too gross?”

“Yeah.”

Lexa couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t long before Clarke got into her animated way of telling her about everything that happened during the day they were apart. She told her about spending time with Anya and Mia, about being invited to lunch by Mr. Nash and his kids. She told her about her mother and father, and watching him work again.

“So your dad enjoyed himself then?”

“Like a pig in shit,” Clarke chuckled before taking a sip of wine. “Talking about the sport he loves, non-stop, for hours, while wearing a fancy suit, seeing all his old friends, schmoozing new ones. He was very, very happy.”

“I caught a few segments with him in it. He’s doing a good job.”

“This has been a fun trip so far.”

Lexa nodded in agreement, though she suddenly remembered how torn she felt, to see everyone, to be everywhere at the same time.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so-- I don’t know, busy? It’s just been--”

“You’re forgetting that I am very used to this type of schedule in my life, and am an adult who can entertain themselves.”

“I did happen to forget you’re the daughter of an Olympian.”

“I’m going to tell him.”

“Please don’t.”

Clarke eyed her girlfriend, earning a smile. They were quietly at ease and it felt so much nicer that the break-neck speed both had been operating at for the past few days, weaving in and out of each other’s lives, passing through for brief spurts and disappearing again.

“Are you nervous for tomorrow?”

“Always a little bit of jitters before the first game of the Olympics. Actually, almost every game. But,” she shrugged, “I’m going to play as good as I can and hope it’s enough.”

“Are you nervous for any other reasons?”

Lexa groaned, tossing her head back dramatically while Clarke enjoyed it thoroughly.

“Listen, I slept with her once and we never have to speak about it again,” she decided. “I can’t believe I told you.”

“You don’t want to look bad in front of your ex though.”

“She wasn’t my ex!”

“You never told me how many other girls on your teams you’d slept with.”

“None. I know better than to repeat my mistakes.”

“Evidently I don’t,” Clarke teased. “Getting in bed with another footballer.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

The pair watched each other over their dinner and shared a laugh at the other’s expense. It was easy to fall into the rhythm, even as the night grew laster and they grew more full and more tired.

“Are you sitting with the rest of the family tomorrow?”

“Yeah, my mom is joining too, and then Dad will be with the other casters doing interviews and stuff.”

“I might be fairly busy the next few days.”

“I’d hope so,” Clarke shrugged, moving around the coffee table only to straddle her girlfriend. “Winning games and such.”

“I’m happy you’re here.”

“I got a new jersey and everything to wear.”

“Really?” Lexa grinned. Hands went to hips and held tightly there.

“Yeah. Wanna see?”

All she could do was nod.

Clarke moved toward her room and Lexa scrambled to look over the back of the couch until her girlfriend appeared in just her Olympic jersey. If she hadn’t been a patriot before, Lexa was certainly on board now.

There was a multitude of things on her mind, even though they were settling, but Lexa hopped over the back of the couch and made her way to Clarke’s private side of the suite and closed the door behind her.

XXXXXXXXX

“These were always my least favorite,” Abby sighed as she adjusted in her seat.

“Going to all of the games?” Clarke asked, furrowing as she found Lexa running around the field for warm ups.

“The Olympics. It’s incredibly stressful.”

“More than others?”

Her mother nodded and took a drink, sipping against the heat that was settling in the high afternoon of the host city.

“I feel like I get nervous for all of them,” Clarke chuckled, settling back as she watched the warmups. “But I also think she’s the best so there’s nothing she can’t accomplish.”

“I used to think the same thing about your father. Still do,” Abby grinned.

Befor Clarke could press for more, the large family that somehow raised Lexa appeared, descending the stairs and finding their seats, all decked out in identical uniforms. Gratefully, Clarke accepted the hugs and greetings of the people that raised her favorite person, noting that Lexa spared no expense to fly them all out and put them up in a hotel, to buy dinner and souvenirs. No one else might now how desperately she sought to repay this invisible debt she thought existed between herself and these people who loved her.

“I didn’t expect such a big group,” Abby whispered after letting them all pass toward their seats in their row.

“Lexa keeps a small, but mighty group of supporters.”

Mia stood on her seat, bracing herself on her grandfather’s shoulders and began shouting immediately. Her face was painted and she was absolutely thriving.

She had to have known where the tickets she purchased were located, but as if on cue, or perhaps she had heard the tiny voice screaming above all else, Lexa looked over, jogging toward the side that they were sitting. She couldn’t come much closer, but she pointed and waved and smiled widely.

“I’d say her first Olympics are going well,” Abby chuckled, watching the little girl. “You looked like that at your first, too.”

“Much different face paint,” Clarke reminded her.

“But just as loud.”

Clarke shook her head at her mother’s memory. There was a different kind of warmth that settled in her chest as she watched Lexa taking a few practice shots. She was certain it must have been love.

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