#Shakira Don’t You Worry

[lesbiancosimaniehaus]

The tongue thing is so sweet to me, because my chihuahua used to do that when she fell asleep on me. I think it was a sign from her bc I’ve been missing her a lot.

[inthedayswhenlandswerefew]

Where Will All The Martyrs Go [Chapter 3: The Ones Who Died Without A Name]

Series summary: In the midst of the zombie apocalypse, both you and Aemond (and your respective travel companions) find yourselves headed for the West Coast. It’s the 2024 version of the Oregon Trail, but with less dysentery and more undead antagonists. Watch out for snakes! 😉🐍

Series warnings: Language, sexual content (18+ readers only), violence, bodily injury, med school Aemond, character deaths, nature, drinking, smoking, drugs, Adventures With Aegon, pregnancy and childbirth, the U.S. Navy, road trip vibes, Jace is here unfortunately.

Series title is a lyric from: “Letterbomb” by Green Day.

Chapter title is a lyric from: “Holiday” by Green Day.

Word count: 6.1k

💜 All my writing can be found HERE! 💜

Let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist 🥰

The Tahoe runs out of gas just west of Ashland, Ohio, coasting to a stop along the shoulder of State Route 96, sapphire skies and cotton ball cumulus clouds, emerald fields of Swiss chard and beets slowly being nibbled bare by deer and rabbits, the inheritors of an abandoned earth.

“Well, that’s it,” Baela says, offhand, blasé, as if it’s not a disaster. You’ve sorted this out, it didn’t take long: there are people who aren’t allowed to panic. If they do, it’ll be like a dam crumbling, and the flood will burst through to drown everything, like when Noah’s wrathful God decided it was time for the world to start over. Baela can’t panic. Aemond can’t panic. And maybe you can’t either. Rio gives you a skeptical look—Are we really about to walk to Oregon?—and you slap his thigh encouragingly as you climb over him and out of the Tahoe.

“Everyone gets a gun,” Aemond says as he starts distributing them: Rugers for Rhaena, Baela, and Helaena (although she winces as she obediently takes the revolver, immediately tucking it away into her burlap messenger bag), .22s for Daeron and Aegon, Remington 12 gauges for Jace and Rio, who gives you his M9. You’re better with it anyway. Aemond’s Glock 20 is in a handmade leather holster he took from the cellar of the house back in Distant, Pennsylvania. Luke, still a potential zombie, will not be armed; but Aemond slings the strap of a .22 over his own shoulder for in case Luke recovers.

“Safeties on, right kids?” Rio goes down the line checking everyone’s gun. “Remember what we practiced, use your sights, don’t go pointing the barrel at anyone unless you’re okay with blowing a hole in them. The noise is risky, but getting bit is worse, so use your best judgment.”

“I don’t have any of that,” Aegon says, grinning.

Rio grabs Aegon’s sunburned face roughly and smacks a kiss onto his cheek. “I know, Honey Bun. Don’t you worry. Stick close and I’ll do your thinking for you.”

You spy it up the road a ways on the right, half-obscured by tree limbs: a white and orange sign, a logo shaped like a diamond. “Oh my God. It’s a Stewart’s.”

“A what?” Aemond asks, squinting at the sign. It’s late afternoon, and soon the sun will be sinking into the west like a drowning man through deep water, and like all prey animals you are restless without the promise of shelter.

“A Stewart’s Root Beer. They used to sell hot dogs and barbeque and all these neat soda flavors like key lime and black cherry. We had one where I grew up. That was the fancy place. You knew it was a good day if you ended up at Stewart’s for dinner.”

Aemond considers you, that subtle ceaseless curiosity. “We can stay the night there.”

“I thought we didn’t want to waste any daylight, Aemond,” Jace jabs as he helps Luke—miserable but presently human—out of the Tahoe. “That’s what you said when I wanted to check out that Barnes & Noble, Aemond.”

“What the hell do you need books for?” Aegon says. He’s grabbing clear CD cases out of the center console of the Tahoe. He pounds on the eject button and then punches the CD player when he realizes he won’t be getting that particular disk back. “Oh, you bitch! I had Shakira on there!”

“I would like to preserve my ability to read at higher than a fifth-grade level. I wouldn’t expect you to understand. I was going to work for Sullivan & Cromwell, you know.”

“And now you’re a jobless loser just like me. Isn’t life funny?”

“You can’t be serious,” Baela says to Aegon, his arms full of CD cases. “You’re going to carry all those to California? You don’t even have a way to listen to them.”

“I’m not leaving my mixtapes.” Aegon shoves them into a U.S. Army backpack he found at Fort Indiantown Gap and then hoists it onto his back with a grunt.

Aemond tells Jace: “We only have a few hours until the sun starts going down. We don’t know what’s up ahead. We should take advantage of a safe place to sleep if it’s available. Getting caught out in the open after dark is the worst case scenario.”

“Whatever, Aemond. It’s your call. Everything is your fucking call.” Then Jace plods out into a field of rabbit-ravaged Swiss chard to relieve himself semi-privately, his back to the Tahoe.

“Hey, Chips Ahoy,” Aegon says, taking the folded-up map out of the pocket of his shorts, mint green plaid. “Want to tell me if there are any nuclear power plants near our route so we can steer clear of them and not get irradiated?”

“Uh, well, I don’t exactly have them all memorized…” You examine the map, hoping the black-ink cities will jog your memory, trivia you catalogued years ago, snippets you’ve heard from your fellow seamen. “Perry’s in Cleveland. We won’t be anywhere near that one. Fermi is up by Detroit.” You hesitate as your fingertips skate past Chicago. “Braidwood, LaSalle, and Byron are someplace between Chicago and Peoria, but I’m not sure where. And then there are a few others around the border of Illinois and Iowa. West of that, I don’t know. Rio?”

“Cooper’s in Nebraska, dead east of Lincoln. That’s all I got.”

Aegon is nodding, making notes on his map with a glittery forest green gel pen. “Cool, cool. If I don’t end up eaten or a zombie, I can look forward to being a sterile, glow-in-the-dark mutant.”

Luke frets: “What if we accidentally drink contaminated water or something?”

“Then you die an agonizing death, kiddo,” Rio says. “Your cells dissolve and you turn into human Jello and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.”

Luke swallows noisily. “Awesome.”

“You might just get cancer if the dose is small enough,” you tell him. Luke does not seem pacified. Rhaena gives him a sip of warm Coca-Cola from a plastic bottle from the Wawa.

Jace comes trudging back to the road, zipping up his khaki chino shorts. “Alright, are we ready?”

Helaena is gazing solemnly out over the fields of green leaves, red roots that grow like arteries into the soil. “We should try to find antivenom.”

“Antivenom?” Aemond asks, distracted as he makes sure nothing of importance was left in the Tahoe. The keys are still dangling from the ignition; you won’t need them. There’s no breathing the Tahoe back to life. There’s no returning to Aemond’s house back in Boston. There is only the West, beckoning you to cross rivers and plains and mountains to join her, and to do it as people did two hundred years ago, no cars, no phones, no escape hatches. The only way out is through.

“For the snakes,” Helaena says.

Aemond stares at her. The stitches in his face are dissolving as the flesh weaves back together, jagged maroon scar tissue, beautiful savage ruins, landscapes of improbable survival. “Helaena, antivenom has to be refrigerated. Even if we miraculously found some, it wouldn’t be useable.”

She nods, eyes wide and glazed, still peering into the fields, into the earth.

~~~~~~~~~~

A hand brushing the loose strands of hair out of your face, a whisper through the dissipating indigo of sleep: “Guess what today is.”

You startle awake and yelp as you bolt from your assailant. Aegon is watching you without any shame whatsoever. People are laughing as they gather up supplies so you all can get moving again, brushing teeth, arranging hair, drinking glass bottles of Stewart’s soda found last night in crates in the storeroom, snacking on bags of Utz chips. Sunlight is streaming in through the windows; specks of dust glimmer in the air like comets through the inhospitable void of outer space.

Luke says from where he is sitting on the floor, his arms and legs tethered: “Hopefully the day when somebody’s going to untie me.”

“It’s my birthday!” Aegon announces.

You’re still blinking at him, disoriented. “What…?”

“Aegon, I told you,” Aemond says, sipping a bottle of Stewart’s key lime soda. “It’s not your birthday. It’s not the 23rd.”

“It’s the 20th, right?” Rhaena says.

Rio looks to you, bewildered. “Isn’t it like the 25th?”

“We’re still in June?” Luke says. Now Aemond is hacking through his ropes with a hunting knife from the cellar in Distant, Pennsylvania.

“Your hand is healing up. Your color is good, your temperature is normal. I guess we can officially declare you human for the foreseeable future.”

“I knew it,” Jace says, combative so no one will see the desperate relief underneath.

Aemond examines your hands next, calloused over where the heat of the transmission tower burned the skin. There is no pretext for needing to tend to them any longer, no antiseptic or ointment or gauze. Aemond nods somberly at your palms, as if he isn’t entirely happy to pronounce them cured. His hands linger on yours for slow, unnecessary seconds.

“So what are we going to do special for my birthday?” Aegon presses eagerly.

“We’re going to walk between ten and twenty miles towards California,” Baela says.

“That’s not a birthday activity!”

Daeron groans as he inspects the screws and bolts of his compound bow. “Aegon, it’s not your birthday!”

“Shut up. You can’t even apply to get a credit card.”

“No one can get a credit card now! Currency is worthless!”

Rio offers you a cherries and cream soda. You take it and say: “Aegon, how old are you? On today, your alleged birthday?”

He hesitates. “That’s not the important part.”

Aemond smiles as he tells you, mock-whispering: “He’s thirty.”

“Thirty?!” Rio exclaims. “That’s like, an actual adult age. Marriage and a mortgage, shit like that. What were you doing before everything went insane?”

Aegon gestures vaguely. “I was considering a number of opportunities.”

“He was living on my couch,” Aemond says.

Rio shakes his head, grinning. “No job? No school? No nothing?”

“I wasn’t doing nothing. I played a lot of golf.”

“He was totally doing nothing,” Jace says. “I was in my third year of law school at Harvard, Baela was getting a master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, Rhaena just started an Anthropology PhD, Luke was getting a master’s in Screenwriting at Boston University—he was going to be very sad and very broke, but still, he had a plan—and Aegon was doing…nothing.”

“I’ve never had a real birthday party before,” Aegon tells you; and there is something in his murky blue eyes that is tremendously sad, wounded, childlike. “I might not get another chance.”

“What do you want to do?” Now people are alarmed, skittish glances and mouths open to object. You are encouraging him.

“I don’t know yet,” Aegon says. But he’s glad you bothered to ask. You can see it on his face.

It’s not until several hours later—after noon, the sun high and blazing, everyone’s unpracticed feet aching and blistering in their shoes—that Aegon experiences a revelation like the angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary or Sir Isaac Newton extrapolating gravity from an apple falling on his head. Aegon’s epiphany appears in the form of a bowling alley in Shenandoah, Ohio called Luxury Lanes. It is remarkably unluxurious, a nondescript black rectangular building with a few doors in the front, one small tinted window on each, and no other openings. To Aegon, it is an oasis in a desert.

“I want to go bowling!”

“Aegon, we’re not going bowling,” Baela says, breathing heavily but trying to hide it, her hands massaging the small of her back. Aemond is watching her worriedly. Baela is the only person not burdened with carrying any supplies beyond her hammer and shiny new Ruger—and she resisted this accommodation at first—but still, she suffers more than anyone.

“Once again, it is my birthday—”

“Aren’t bowling allies soundproofed?” Rio asks Aemond. “You know, so they don’t get noise complaints?”

“Uh, I guess so…?”

“It’s kind of a fortress, isn’t it?” Rio continues. “Not many ways in or out. We wouldn’t be seen or heard. Might be a good place to stop for the night. ”

“Yeah!” Aegon says. “Right, Aemond?”

Aemond looks at you. It takes you a moment to figure out why. “I think the bowling alley is a good idea,” you tell him. “It’ll be safe, assuming we can clear it. And Aegon can have his party.”

Aemond is skeptical. “A party?”

“Survival isn’t just about not dying. It’s also about holding onto the things that make us human.”

“Like bowling!” Rhaena says excitedly. “It’s preserving a tradition! And I used to be so good at bowling. I bowled a 250 game once.”

“I have no idea what that means,” Aegon says, still delighted to have her on his side.

“There’s a sign for a Walmart maybe half a mile up the road,” Daeron points out. “We could search it for supplies and then double back here.”

Aemond polls the audience. Everyone agrees.

Shenandoah is tiny, rural, religious, and out of the way from the major highways. The Walmart doors are chained shut with padlocks, and amazingly no one has taken that as an invitation to drive their car through them or otherwise shatter the glass yet. Rio is honored to be the first. He takes the butt of his Remington shotgun and punches through the glass of the locked doors, kicks away loose shards, whistles and shouts to lure out any zombies. A dozen of them come reeling out of the aisles and towards the doorway. Daeron shoots down most of them with his compound bow. Rio kills two with the butt of his Remington, his new favorite toy. Aegon, the birthday boy, uses his golf club to beat in the skull of a teenager who is still wearing glittery pink nail polish and fake eyelashes. According to her nametag, her friends and family once called her Raelynn.

Inside the Walmart, Jace and Aemond take one side of the store, you and Rio the other, doing a quick sweep to make sure you didn’t miss any undead employees or customers waiting for the chance to sink their teeth into you. And when that’s done, you begin shopping.

The shelves are probably two-thirds empty, but there are still treasures to be found. You push carts through the aisles and fill them with candles, lighters, Chef Boyardee, Doritos, canned soup, fruit snacks, tuna pouches, 5 gum, bottles of Snapple, socks and underwear, hair ties, t-shirts and shorts, Kleenex tissues, pads and tampons, toilet paper. Baela finds some cute maternity dresses. Helaena picks through the pharmacy for useful medications, Aemond shadowing her with a baseball bat in his hands and his Glock at his waist.

“Chips, they got Cheddar Whales!” Rio exclaims, tossing several boxes into your cart.

“I miss grocery stores,” Rhaena says as she climbs the shelves to get the last box of Teddy Grahams.

“I miss going to the mall and getting Auntie Anne’s pretzel nuggets,” Aegon commiserates. Then he stumbles upon the liquor aisle and his eyes light up like high beams. “Aemond!”

Aemond appears—perhaps a bit flustered—and deliberates for a while as he browses the selection, Aegon waiting anxiously, before he decides: “Since it is allegedly your birthday, you can drink tonight. And you can pick one other person to drink with you. But only one.”

“Rio,” Aegon says immediately.

“Come on!” Daeron whines.

Aegon is already putting bottles of Captain Morgan rum into a cart. “Sorry. Illegal. Underage.”

“I’ve helped you butcher countless zombies, but I can’t drink?!”

“Just Say No, as Nancy Reagan would tell an innocent child such as yourself.”

Jace strides over, sly and playful, gnawing on a Twizzler. “Aemond, were you over there rummaging through the medicine aisles again? What do you keep looking for? Condoms?”

There is an awkward silence, an extremely awkward silence. Aemond glares at Jace. Jace’s eyes go wide.

“Oh, I, uh…I was definitely joking. But…congrats on the possible future sex!”

“I already checked,” Luke tells Aemond apologetically. “You know condoms were the first thing to get bought up or looted everywhere.”

“Okay, great,” Aemond says quickly, willing the conversation to be over. There is blood, hot and mortified, flaring in his cheeks. He was thinking of you, he had to be; the only other single woman here is his sister, and obviously that’s not an option.

Jace takes another bite of his Twizzler. “Just pull out, man.”

Baela, incredulous, gestures to her belly. “Because that worked out super well for us.”

“I told you to stop riding me!”

“Yeah, a whole two seconds before you impregnated me with your super-swimmer Michael Phelps sperm.”

“Please don’t make me listen to this,” Luke begs. “I’m starting to wish I really was bitten.”

“Don’t you know all the tricks to not getting someone pregnant, Aemond?” Jace says. “Wasn’t that going to be your specialty? You wanted to be a vagina doctor? So don’t you know all the mysteries of the vagina, Aemond?”

“He was going to be an OB/GYN,” Baela says, unamused.

“Really?” Rio turns to Aemond. “Why would you want to do that?”

“So he gets to look at pussies all day,” Aegon says morosely, as if heartbroken that such a path is inaccessible to him.

“That’s not why,” Aemond insists, mostly to you.

You smile. “I didn’t think so. What’s the actual reason?”

“Interns do rotations in different departments so we can figure out what we enjoy and what we’re best suited for. I knew within two days of my OB/GYN rotation that that’s where I wanted to be. Giving birth is the only life-threatening trauma that is necessary for humanity to continue. I wanted to help people get through it as safely and painlessly as possible.” Then his gaze darts to Baela. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make it sound worse—”

“No, it’s okay, I’m very much aware. It hurts like hell, people die. Believe me, I’d be thinking about that even if you hadn’t said it. I think about it all the time.”

“I have an idea you’re not going to like.”

“What?” Baela says. Aemond nods to the nearest shopping cart. “No way. You’re not going to push me around in one of those.”

“I believe it’s an adequate solution until an alternative appears.”

She sighs. “I’ve lost my body, my career, my society, my parents…must I lose my dignity too?”

Aemond winks. “Only when you’re too tired to walk.”

“Alright, Aemond. I realize you’re under the impression that this is a favor. So thank you.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“Let me give you a favor in return.” Then Baela begins shooing everyone except you and Aemond out of the liquor aisle. “Grab anything else you want, we’re leaving in five minutes! Jace, come look at the baby clothes with me…”

When the two of you are alone, Aemond says: “I really hope that didn’t make you feel too weird. I’m not someone who gets uncomfortable about the…um…the subject matter in general. But I wouldn’t want you to think that I was trying to…I don’t know. Assume anything or pressure you into something that you weren’t already open to. Obviously I like…um…I mean, enthusiastic consent is essential, and I just…I would never try to convince anybody or…you know what, I’m just going to stop talking now. Okay?”

“Aemond, I’m fine. I didn’t think it was weird.”

“It’s a compliment,” he confesses, flushing pink again, touching his chin, perspiration gleaming at his temples.

Now you have to show interest so he knows you’re on the same page. You’ve never had to think this way before, you’ve never liked anyone enough to play the game. “So hypothetically, if someone didn’t want to get pregnant but there were no condoms, pills, etcetera…what are the options?”

He looks at you, pleasantly surprised. “Well, there’s the rhythm method. It’s not perfect, but it’s been around forever and is reasonably reliable if done correctly.”

You are only vaguely familiar. “We didn’t get a lot of sex ed down in Kentucky.”

Aemond chuckles then leans in, a mischievous curl of his lips, a craving in the crystalline river blue of his eye. He grips the shelf above your head, his arm a canopy. His voice is hushed. The front windows of the Walmart face west where the sun is setting; golden light floods in to illuminate the store. “Is your cycle regular?”

“It is, actually.” This should be embarrassing, but it’s not; it’s exhilarating. You’re imagining him seeing you, touching you, unearthing secrets you’ve never been tempted to share with anyone else.

“So if we imagine it like a circle…” He draws one on the back of your hand, invisible, mesmerizing, blue-white lightning crackling up the path of your metacarpals, wrist, ulna and radius, humerus and clavicle, descending ribs like the rungs of a ladder to jolt the sinus rhythm of your heart. “The start of your period would be Day One.”

“Okay,” you say, hypnotized as his fingerprint skates in an arc across the bumps of your knuckles.

“Ovulation doesn’t happen until around Day Fourteen. You might have noticed some increased arousal and…wetness. Clear in color, elastic consistency.”

Your eyes are trapped in his face, smooth skin, jagged scar tissue. You tease him back, stepping closer. You can hear people snickering in the next aisle as they eavesdrop. You don’t care about them, and neither does Aemond anymore. “Now that you mention it…”

“That’s nature trying to trick you into reproducing. Day Fourteen is crunch time. Once ovulation occurs, the egg is only good for up to twenty-four hours. And then the rest of the cycle you’re effectively useless, as far as making miniature humans is concerned.”

“Wait, you’re telling me people can only get pregnant one day a month?” This seems improbable. “How has the species managed to survive this long?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that,” Aemond admits. “Depending on the health of the specimens, sperm can survive up to five days inside a woman’s body. And it’s difficult to tell exactly when ovulation occurs. So, in practice, there’s basically one week a month when you’d want to avoid a man…completing the act, if you will.” He’s still smiling, taunting, famished, imagining the same scenes you are. You know this with a categorical certainty, as if you’re reading his thoughts like stark stripes of distance on a measuring tape. “And that’s also the week when your hormones are demanding you have sex, inspiring you to make all sorts of impulsive yet extremely consequential decisions.”

“Don’t I know it,” Baela laments from the next aisle, and there is a rupture of wild giggles.

“Anyway.” Aemond lifts his finger from the back of your hand and you have to stop yourself from reaching for him as he recedes from you. “There’s a basic overview.”

“It was very educational.” You follow him out of the liquor aisle.

“I’ve used the rhythm method for years,” Rhaena says as everyone makes their way towards the front of the store with their carts. “Clearly that’s just anecdotal, so don’t think I’m officially endorsing it. When I’m in my fertile week we add condoms. Well…we used to. Back when we could get them.”

“Ugh, I hate condoms,” Baela grumbles.

“We can tell,” Aegon says.

“I hate the way they feel, I hate the way they smell…”

“They’ve never bothered me,” Rhaena says. “I don’t notice that much of a difference. And it can be fun to try different kinds.”

“Are you on drugs?” Baela whirls to you. “Seriously, what is wrong with her? I’m right, aren’t I? Condoms are awful.”

Rio gives you a cautious look, uncharacteristically reticent. He’s not going to be the one to reveal it. He doesn’t know if it’s something you’re willing to share. But if anything is going to happen with Aemond—and you want it to, already you know you want him—then it’s something you think you should be honest about. You want him to know about you. You don’t want to have to create some false version of yourself to wear like a pelt, heavy, smothering, something that will inevitably need to be taken off.

“I am regretfully not qualified to say.”

“You’ve never used condoms?” Baela asks, a bit dubious.

“I’ve never done any of it.”

Everyone freezes at the defunct checkout counters and turns to gawk at you. “No sex?” Jace says. “No nothing?”

You shrug, smiling a little self-consciously. “I made out with a guy once.”

“The Marine from Corpus Christi?” Baela asks. They’re obsessed with him, they’re convinced there’s some lore to be excavated, translated, displayed like a relic in a museum. There isn’t. Sometimes people pass in and out of your life as seamlessly as shadows or sunlight, no weight, no indentations, nothing to recall or relay. He existed and then he didn’t. He was an airplane drawing contrails in the sky that faded before the blood red fire of dusk filled the horizon.

“No. Someone from home. Just a guy, not even worth mentioning.”

“Girl, you gotta fix that, soon, pronto, like yesterday.” Jace seems genuinely horrified. “You can’t die a virgin.”

“You really can’t,” Daeron adds, and Aegon pretends to be distraught over the loss of his youngest brother’s virtue.

“That’s what I’m always telling her!” Rio says.

“Not everybody wants to have sex,” Helaena murmurs as she records today’s findings in her spider notebook.

“True,” Jace concedes. “And that is totally legit. Mother Teresa, Queen Elizabeth, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Joan of Arc, Sir Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla, the Jonas Brothers for a while, all great people. But Chips is not celibate by choice, correct?”

“Buddha had a wife and son,” Aemond says, preoccupied. He isn’t looking at you now, which is concerning; he’s peering down at where his hands grip his shopping cart, his brow creased with…what is that? Unease, disapproval, concern, thoughtfulness, fear?

“It’s not some big thing,” you backpedal. “I don’t have a hangup about it, I just never met a guy I liked enough, and enlisted men, they’re…well, a lot of them are taken, or cheaters, or idiots. Or all three.”

“Not to worry, Chipper.” Aegon claps a hand on your shoulder; and you aren’t sure if it is his purpose to break the tension, but he seems to have that effect regardless. “If you ever wish to be initiated into the art of lovemaking by a slightly below average and entirely unintimidating penis, I’d be thrilled to assist you. I love condoms. But in their absence, I am the king of pulling out. 100% success rate. Zero bastard children running around to my knowledge.”

“You should give Jace lessons,” Baela says.

And the last thing Aegon takes from the Walmart is a green battery-powered Toshiba CD player so he can blast to his mixtapes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Flickering candles lining the middle lane, drinks and snacks strewn across the tables, Rio’s Moonbeam propped up so it’s aimed at the disco ball still hanging from the ceiling from a time before the dead started devouring the living. Daeron is at the end of the lanes to reset the pins after each player’s turn. Helaena is keeping score in her notebook; Rhaena is currently in the lead by a massive 80 points. Aegon is wasted, dancing on a table and crunching Cool Ranch Doritos beneath his bare feet, his blonde hair flopping. Each time it’s his turn to bowl, Aegon has to roll the ball down the lane with two hands like a child. Rio, several shots deep but unable to feel much shy of half a bottle, is singing along with him to Cruise by Florida Georgia Line, but it’s really more like shouting, each sentence an off-key monstrosity that makes you laugh.

“Baby, you a song, you make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise!

Down a back road, blowin’ stop signs through the middle, every little farm town with you!

And this brand new Chevy with a lift kit, would look a hell of a lot better with you up in it!

So baby, you a song, you make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise!”

You cleared Luxury Lanes easily; the only difficult part was figuring out how to get into the area called the pit where, in normal times, felled pins were mechanically collected and sorted. There were two former employees roaming around back there in their tattered uniforms, snarling and drooling blood. Both were rapidly neutralized.

Someone always has to be by the front doors, watching through the small tinted windows for signs of trouble, whether from zombies or living humans. Aemond is currently on guard, nursing a Snapple. According to the bottle, the flavor is called Takes 2 To Mango. You grab your own Snapple—plain and simple Lemon Tea, no charming gimmicks—and walk over to join him.

“So now I guess it’s my turn to say I hope that conversation didn’t make you feel weird.”

He smiles politely, glancing out the window. “No, I’m completely fine.”

“Good. Because I don’t want you to look at me differently than you would any other girl, like I’m better than them, or worse than them, or like there’s anything wrong with me, because it really isn’t something I consider to be paramount to my identity, and people always seem to get all twisted up about it, but it’s a pretty boring story, I just…”

“You’ve never liked someone enough to take the risk. I get it. I don’t think you’re a freak or anything.”

“Okay. Good.” The next song on Aegon’s mixtape is Shaboozey’s A Bar Song. Jace is dancing with Baela, spinning her around as she giggles. With Rhaena’s coaching, Luke bowls his first strike. You rest your head on the door as you gaze up at Aemond, the phantom of a smile on your lips. “I might like you enough.”

And he says as if it’s the worst thing in the world, a plague, an infection, an apocalypse: “You’d fall in love with me.”

It hurts, of course it does, this flippant rejection. He burns you, he cuts you, he stitches you up with no anesthetic. You try not to show it. “You’re…confident.”

“No, I don’t mean because of anything specific I would do, it’s just…it’s natural to form a certain…attachment. To the first person you’re with. It leaves an impression.” Not an impression like a first judgment, superficial and swift; an impression like an imprint, a hollow, a prehistoric fossil that is preserved through eons. “That was already true before. And everything is more intense now, because life is so…” Aemond takes a while to settle on a word. “Precarious.”

You say like a challenge: “Are you still in love with the first girl you slept with?”

A shadow that ripples through his face, a flinching he tries to hide. You shouldn’t have asked. Still, you feel like you need to know, like you’ll run out of oxygen if you don’t. “I think I’ve gotten enough distance from it to realize that she wasn’t…wasn’t good for me in a lot of ways. It was an unconventional situation. But I still carry all these pieces of her around with me, yes. I don’t think that will ever go away.”

“Aemond,” you say gently. “Who was she?”

He is evasive, smirking. “It’s a cliché.”

“Was she a patient? That’s very Grey’s Anatomy of you.”

“No. She was my professor.”

An older woman, wise and experienced and captivating and sophisticated. He’s cut you again, a blade slicing effortlessly through veins like soft butter. “Oh. From med school?”

“Undergrad.”

“You were really young,” you say, a little startled.

He nods. “I was eighteen when it started. I was this shy, insecure, friendless freshman, she was married with two kids around my age. And it was off and on, but there was never anyone else for me, she took up too much space in my head, in my chest, like I couldn’t breathe unless I knew we were okay.”

“It went on for seven years?”

This seems to stun him, hearing how much of his existence she bottled like a terrarium. “I guess so.”

Is she dead? Missing? Safe somewhere with her husband and kids? “Is she…gone?”

His gaze drops to the floor. “Yeah.”

“Did you see it happen?”

“I was the one who killed her when she turned.”

It’s indescribably horrible; you don’t know what to say. “Aemond, I’m…I’m really sorry…”

He is abruptly nonchalant, the blue of his eye cool and dispassionate. “Look, I’m not prepared for this to be anything more than casual. And I don’t think casual is really in the cards for us. So it’s probably best to leave it alone.”

“Right,” you agree numbly, not meaning it.

“We’re headed different places, I’m going to California, you’re planning to end up in Oregon, it’s just…a bad idea to muddy the waters, I think.”

“Because I haven’t done this before.”

He shrugs ambiguously. “It’s a contributing factor.”

“Well you seemed pretty interested before you found that out, so.”

“I don’t mean to offend you.”

“You aren’t offending me. You’re disappointing me.”

Now Aemond is offended. “By trying to protect us?”

“No, by saying you don’t think I’m a freak when you clearly do, and by having some savior complex, or a whore-Madonna complex, or whatever’s going on in your head, it’s always such a mystery to everyone else.”

He downs the rest of his Snapple and shoves the bottle into the nearest trash can. You hear it thump against the bottom, no garbage bag. “Alright. This was fun.”

“Maybe you’re afraid of making a mistake, just like I always was.”

“Maybe I don’t want to have to teach you how to do everything,” Aemond snaps.

“I taught you how to shoot.”

“The fact that you don’t realize how wildly different those two situations are proves you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Okay, bye. Sorry about your zombie girlfriend.”

Aemond glares at you, shocked, furious. “That was so fucking low.”

It was. You regret it. But you can’t bring yourself to tell him that. You flee to the far end of the bowling alley and sit alone at a table draped in shadows. After a while, Rio notices and ventures over to see what’s wrong, a bottle of Captain Morgan swinging from one hand. He’s tipsy now.

Rio sighs as he takes a seat beside you, reaching over to rub your back. His hands are large and indelicate; what he means to be comforting is more like getting manhandled. Sometimes he leaves bruises, but it’s not his fault. Nature gave Rio the body of a killer. If anyone is going to survive the zombie apocalypse, it’s him. “What’s going on, Chips?”

Your voice breaks as you say it; tears sting in your eyes. “I hate caring about people.”

He bursts out laughing. “Yeah, it’s the worst, isn’t it? But once in a while it works out.”

“Bryan.”

And now he knows you’re serious. You have his full attention, large dark eyes fixed on your face, lines etching into his brow beneath the artificial starlight of the disco ball. “What are you asking me?”

“We can’t leave them and walk to the West Coast ourselves, can we?”

“I mean, technically we could, but it would be really stupid. Everything’s so much easier with ten people. And also I think I’d have to kidnap Aegon and take him with us, I love that little dude. Why? Do you really want to leave them?”

“No.”

“I figured.” He offers you the half-empty bottle of Captain Morgan.

“I’m not drinking that.”

“Come on. It’ll take the edge off.”

You look at him. Rio looks back, smiling now.

“I’ll watch out for you,” he says. “And if you get bit I’ll shoot you dead, no hesitation, swear to God. I remember our promise. I won’t let you die alone.”

“You’re a good guy.”

“I know.” He nudges your arm with the bottle of Captain Morgan. “A few swigs won’t hurt. It’ll help you sleep.”

You take the bottle, twist off the cap, drink down amber-gold poison that burns like gasoline, like fire.

[misspelledwordswizard]

the chain reacts to reader dancing belly dance like Shakira

that's all

aIt would be a good way to earn some rupees now that I think about it

Oh yes, that was so much fun to write! some were a little platonic, others not so much, Wind's completely, of course. Thank you for the request, I hope you like it!

The Chain needs money. That’s the problem we’re currently dealing with, and everyone thought of something they could do to make up for our lack of rupees. Some offered to search for rupees in the grass, easy but time-consuming. Others thought of offering their services in the village near where we were. The lack of money is so worrying that we can’t even pay for the inn, so we’re camping nearby. 

I wanted to help too, of course, but when I tried to say something, they didn’t listen, saying that I didn’t need to worry, that they would deal with it. While everyone dispersed through the village, leaving me to “explore”, I decided that I would go against what I was told and get the money myself. Stubborn? A little. 

In the end, there wasn’t much I could do anyway, I would get bored quickly. Rummaging through my things, I found the perfect object to use, which would allow me to at least try to get some rupees, while I could still have fun.  I found a place where I could change into a belly dancing outfit that would also help to attract the attention of others. 

While looking for a place to perform in the center of the village, I came across a man who was doing something similar to what I wanted to do, but with music. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I asked him if I could perform alongside him, using his music to dance to, which he agreed to. 

Soon I was performing a belly dance, the sound of the coins on my waist synchronized with the music being played, and my surroundings began to fill with curious people, some of whom gladly helped by leaving a few rupees. Everything was going well, until I saw a familiar blonde approaching. 

Four 

The shorter man approached where I was performing, squeezing through the crowd with great difficulty. Finally, when he could see me clearly, his eyes widened in surprise. 

I thought about stopping to explain myself, it was a bit embarrassing, but I was already very focused on this whole thing, and in the end, it was working. He moved closer to me, until he was right next to me, so I could hear him more clearly. 

— What are you doing? What’s all this for? – He asked, so that only I could hear. 

— I’m getting rupees! I had to do something to help with this, so I’m using one of my skills. – He opened his mouth, but nothing came out, his cheeks taking on a pink hue as he looked away. 

— That’s... pretty clever, actually. But you don’t have to put yourself out there just for the money! 

— It’s okay, I like it! And it’s been a while since I’ve been able to do something like this, so I’m having a great time. 

He looked at me for a moment, looking almost indignant, but then he smiled and sighed. 

— Okay, but I’ll stick around then, to make sure everything’s okay. 

Hyrule 

The boy walked through the crowd, confused about what all the fuss was about, until his eyes landed on me. The poor guy turned so red he looked like a tomato, he stood there, motionless, staring at me while I was still dancing. He stayed like that long enough to worry me, if he hadn’t reacted soon, I would have had to stop the dance to check on him. 

He blinked rapidly, coming out of his trance, then approached me shyly, embarrassed by the attention he gained from the others for doing so. He used such a low voice that I had difficulty understanding. 

— Hey, why are you doing this? Not that you don’t look amazing! You’re very pretty, I mean, you’re very talented, but why do this now? 

The poor guy looked totally nervous. I imagine that in his era it wasn’t common to see women with such “vulgar” clothes, especially dancing in such a different way in front of several strangers. Or maybe that was only done by a certain type of women. 

— Oh, I’ve managed to get us some rupees! Don’t worry, this is just an artistic performance. 

That seemed to calm him down a bit, still without reaction, he went to a more secluded corner, where he could stay and wait for me to finish, so that I wouldn’t be alone. 

Legend 

— What the hell is this? 

The blond man complained, not caring about the attention that was turned to him, he looked at me with a sullen face, judging me to the core, with his arms crossed, waiting for an answer. 

— A belly dance performance. – That was all I replied. 

— And for what? Are you trying to get the attention of the entire kingdom? 

— No. I’m trying to make some money. 

— Hasn’t it been made clear that you don’t have to do anything? 

— But I wanted to, it’s fun, I was bored and wanted to help. 

He snorted, but didn’t respond again, contrary to my logic. I thought he would leave in a huff, but to my surprise, the hero just stood there, watching me as I continued to dance. Well, I guess it’s okay to tease him a little more. 

— Are you enjoying the view? – I said, with a mischievous smile on my lips. 

— I am. 

He said, making me gasp in surprise and even making me lose focus and stop for a moment, while I processed his answer, which made him laugh. 

Sky 

The hero of the skies emerged from the crowd, his eyes wandering until they stopped on me. He was visibly confused as to what I was doing, tilting his head to the side in doubt, until he approached and asked. 

— What are you doing? – His tone was not judgmental, just curious and somewhat enchanted by the movements my body was making. 

— It’s belly dancing, I’m performing to try to earn some rupees. 

— Sounds fun! Can I stay and watch? – He asked, seeming excited about it. 

— Sure, I’d love to have you here! – I replied smiling, his support made me want to continue even more, the activity that was already fun in itself became even better, because now my dear friend was there, praising and having fun with me. That thought made me blush, something I hope Sky doesn’t notice. 

Time 

One felt butterflies in my stomach when I saw the tall man there, in the middle of all those people, watching me while I danced without any shame. I automatically thought I would get a scolding for doing this when I was explicitly told that I shouldn’t. However, it had been more of a suggestion than an order per se. 

The man in armor remained there, standing, watching me with a serious face while I continued dancing, trying my best not to lose focus with his gaze and end up making a mistake in some movement, which didn’t work out as well as I had hoped. 

I considered the idea of ​​stopping and getting out of there as quickly as possible, dragging the Old Man with me to avoid confusion, maybe that was what he wanted. Before I could finish this line of thought, I heard a muffled laugh coming from him, which caught my attention. 

Time smiled at me suggestively, as if laughing at my nervousness, knowing very well that he was to blame for it.  He then just walked over, bent down, leaving a few rupees in the small box I used for that, and left, without saying anything, leaving me more confused than before. 

Twilight 

I could see, out of the corner of my eye, the Rancher looking at me among the others, his gaze fixed on me, but he didn’t seem surprised or bothered, just interested in the dance. 

Without worrying too much about it, I continued with my movements, following the beat of the music, moving my hips fluidly just as I had learned. But a part of me couldn’t help but ignore the presence of the blond right there, watching me like a predator watches its prey, which started to distract me more than I would have liked. 

Twi approached, smiling sideways, getting closer and closer, until his lips were close to my ear and he could whisper something for only I to hear. 

— It really is a mesmerizing dance, I would love to see it more often, in a more private way, though. 

He spoke, sending shivers down my spine, and then walked away, leaving me standing there, frozen. I stopped the dance, too shocked to concentrate on it, as I watched him walk away from the place as if it were nothing. 

Warriors 

Shortly after seeing the Captain’s neatly styled blond hair, I could hear whistles and cheers coming from the crowd, with the voice easily unidentifiable as his. He continued to compliment me and act like I was some kind of celebrity, while giving me suggestive looks and laughing. 

I just rolled my eyes, holding back my laughter as he continued to do his provocative antics, drawing even more attention to himself, leaving those around him not very happy with him. 

Wars kept up this repetitive and annoying way, motivated to get my attention, but it was fun to watch him try, so I just let him continue while I danced. 

It wasn’t long before the others started to get annoyed with the blond, telling him to be quiet, which didn’t do much good, so soon he was being kicked out of there, which he couldn’t help but get a good laugh out of me. He whispered things like “you’re killing it!”  as he walked further away being pushed away by some men, which made me just shake my head, rolling my eyes with a smile, and continue dancing. 

Wild 

The Champion’s long golden hair came into my field of vision, drawing my attention to him, who seemed fascinated by my movements. He smiled, excited to see me dancing, and seemed to have quickly understood why I was doing this. 

He applauded along with the crowd, when a song ended and I stopped dancing to catch my breath, then he approached me, with difficulty as other people did the same to leave their rupees. 

— That was amazing, I didn’t know I could dance so well, that sounds hard. 

— Yeah, a little bit, but once you learn it feels natural. 

— Okay, you have to teach me how to do that later. I’d rock it in a gerudo outfit, and I’d make money on top of that. Oh, we could even dance together! – He suggested, excited about the idea, making me laugh. 

— Sure, I wouldn’t mind having company. If you want to stay and watch, I’ll do it for a while longer. 

He nodded excitedly, very interested in the dance itself and how majestic I looked while I was doing it. 

Wind  

The boy looked at me with a sparkle in his eyes as I danced, making me laugh. He approached me without caring about the others who were watching, very motivated to know more about the dance itself. 

— Wow, that’s so cool! Can you teach me? Can I dance with you? What’s that called? – The blond asked me a lot of questions, while I kept dancing and smiling at his excitement. 

— It’s called belly dancing, yes, I’ll teach you, and if you want to dance with me now, I’m sure it’ll be a fun addition, kid. – I joked, answering his questions and ruffling his golden hair. 

He got excited, soon standing next to me and trying to copy my moves, of course, it wasn’t very similar, but he was having fun, and that was more than enough for both of us. And the people watching thought it was cute too, which earned us a little extra money, so it was all profit. 

[sugarcubepancakes]

Songs I Think That AoT Characters Would get Turnt to at the Club

Eren Yeager - Dragula by Rob Zombie

Doesn’t even have to be drunk yet, but you know he’s got his hair down and is using his entire body to head bang during the chorus. Just make sure you stay back or you’ll get hit!

Armin Arlert - I Like It by Enrique Iglesias ft. Pit Bull

If you don’t have the bouncing energy, then I wouldn’t follow Armin to the dance floor for this one! Does he look ridiculous? Of course, he’s bouncing around while dancing. Does he look adorable doing it? Oh, absolutely ❤️

Mikasa Ackerman - Umbrella by Rihanna

Y’all remember that Tom Holland video? You might have to buy her a few drinks first but she’d absolutely light the club up with her moves!

Erwin Smith - Hips Don’t Lie, Shakira

Tell me this man would not get plastered and absolutely demolish everyone with his slutty lil moves to this song. Go ahead, lie to me and to yourself.

Hange Zoe - SexyBack by Justin Timberlake

I just know Hange would absolutely be feeling themselves to this song. Just don’t get too close, lest you wanna put on a show for everyone else 😉

Levi Ackerman - Let it Rock by Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil Wayne

Sweet Levi, who’d normally dance so fluidly with you to marimba or jazz, completely let’s loose in the flashing lights with this song playing in the club.

Jean Kirstein - Circus by Britney Spears

Honestly he’d jam to any Britney song, and I wouldn’t doubt he talked you into learning a few routines to impress everyone at the club with. This song included!

Connie and Sasha - London Bridge by Fergie

Listen I don’t make the rules, they come as a duo when it comes to clubbing. If there’s a stage or a table top to dance on, you can bet that’s where y’all are gonna dance! Don’t worry though, one of them will stay on the ground to make sure the other two don’t fall 😉

These are all just my opinion but let me know what you think! <3

[pedriscroquettes]

congratulations – pablo gavi

summary: a jealous gavi doesn’t help you move on.

warnings: toxic dynamics, cheating (reader is starting to move on but not necessarily in an established relationship), angst, asshole!gavi, & penetrative sex

listened to te felicito by shakira ft. rauw alejandro

you should’ve known that the dynamic between pablo and you would lead to nothing. even his friends warned you to end things before it was too late. even your gut kept telling you to leave before you fell.

but you never listened. your best friend said it was your worst trait growing up, it still was.

after about the fifth month of meaningless but wonderful sex you had managed to catch feelings for the midfielder. at first you decided it was best that you called things quit but then you got your hopes up like all the past couple of times with different people. he had started to take you out to eat, accompanied you to get groceries, and even got you a jersey with his name on the back. of course you didn’t know he had done the same to the other two girls he was sleeping with.

although you did end up finding out two weeks later at your birthday party. the birthday party that pedri had thrown for you. you vaguely remembered being so tired of wearing the mini dress you had gotten the day before and headed straight for your guest room where you kept your home clothes. instead of finding a comfortable hoodie you found gavi deep inside your now ex-friend.

pedri had to stop you from strangling the sevilla native that night.

pablo had blown up your phone for the next couple of days telling you how sorry he was. apparently he had forgotten how well you had gotten to know him because you recognized the texts as the same ones you had made for him whenever he had hurt pedri’s feelings. after about the second week his calls and messages started decreasing and soon enough you had blocked him on everything.

.

the next time you’d see pablo wouldn’t be months later but under different circumstances. pedri had been there for you throughout the whole ordeal and somehow both of you had managed to develop some sort of connection. you weren’t sure if what you felt for him was romantic or not but what you did know was that you were ready to move on. even if it was with gavi’s best friend.

you had walked in hand in hand with the canarian to the party anna, robert’s wife, was hosting simply for fun. it didn’t take long till you noticed pablo with a beer in his hand speaking to alejandro. quickly you shifted positions with pedri so that your back was now facing gavi instead of your face. pedri notices and instantly his eyes grow wide at the sight of his teammate’s glare at him.

“i think he wants to murder me.” pedri whispers.

“don’t worry, he’s all bark no bite.” you murmur.

you couldn’t help but turn around and look him straight in the eye. he had managed to somehow keep his good boy image in front of everyone else but not to you or pedri. you almost wanted to congratulate him with the way he had managed to play the role of innocent teenager this whole time. you also couldn’t help but resent the way his lips formed into a grin as if he was thinking the same thing.

you needed to head to the nearest bathroom, quickly.

“hey, i’m just gonna go to the bathroom real quick. i’ll be right back.” you calmly told pedri.

the walk to the bathroom isn’t confusing nor long. you’d been over to anna and robert’s house plenty of times as they both always hosted an event for everything. you figured the bathroom they had in the basement would be best as no one else would be down there and you would have all the privacy needed to do.. well you didn’t know exactly you just wanted to get away from pablo’s threatening stare. he had been watching you as if you’d suddenly become vini jr. over night.

somehow the thudding of your heart is too loud to hear footsteps behind you. it isn’t till you go to wipe your hands that you see his reflection in the mirror in front of you. your mind is too hazy to come up with an idea to flee and part of your mind also doesn’t want to leave so you stay still. you wonder what he can possibly have to say to you right now.

“never took you for a perv.” you turned around to face him. “oh wait, i do recall you being very turned on having sex in my house with another girl.”

“i was drunk and high.” he tries to defend himself.

“pedri’s been high and drunk at my house and he’s never been balls in deep another women in one of my rooms.” you argue.

“so you’re comparing me to him now?” he scoffs looking away for a second before bringing his gaze back to you.

“no i’m not because it’d be an insult to him if i compared you. you’re not even half the man he is.” you try to insult him the best you can.

you think that if you can hurt him well enough he can feel the same way you felt on your birthday.

“you deserve better.” is all he could muster out.

“yeah? like who? you?” you laugh. “you didn’t even care to tell me you were fucking other people! i couldn’t gotten an std or some shit.”

“okay first i always use protection. second we weren’t even together but if you gave me a chance i could give you what you want. pedri can’t give you that.” he tried to reason.

“can you get it through your thick skull that i don’t want to give you a chance. after we met i told you that i didn’t like being lied to.” you tried your hardest to maintain your confidence in front of him. “the first thing you did was lie to me.”

“if i had known that i would’ve hurt you i wouldn’t have done any of the things i did.” he whines.

“it’s funny because all your friends, god even fucking robert, had warned me that you were only going to hurt me. i ignored them obviously because we were only having sex so i didn’t think their warnings to me.” you paused wanting your words to sink in. “you just treated me like any other one of your hoes and you want to know the worst part? i thought i was receiving the treatment i deserved. that eventually you would start putting my feelings first. but you know how it ends.”

“i’m sorry.” you wanted to believe him but he had caused so much damage with his lies you didn’t know what to do.

you just scoffed at his words remembering how you felt after finding out you weren’t the only woman he was sleeping with. you remember pedri thinking you had done drugs by how red your eyes were but you had to explain to him that it was just because of all the crying you had done. it was embarrassing really.

“i need you.” he begs.

no, you don’t. we don’t need each other, you want to say but you can’t.

“fuck off gavi. i’m finally starting to form a connection with someone and now you want to apologize for everything you did. leave me alone.” you try your hardest to not let your emotions overtake you right now.

you want to seem confident and aggressive but the tears forming in your eyes are one slip away from betraying you.

“pedri doesn’t know anything about you.” he stepped closer to you causing you to be trapped between the sink and his body. “does he know how your moans sound like or the way you grip the closest thing around you when you get eaten out?”

your body shudders at his words suddenly remembering how good he made you feel. he was an asshole but at least he knew how to fuck.

“i bet he hasn’t even touched you yet. no, he doesn’t have the guts. he’s a gentleman but i’m not.” he slowly creeps his hand on the buttons of your shorts. “tell me to stop and i’ll leave you alone right now.”

“stop, don’t ruin what pedri and i have” are the words at the tip of your tongue yet you don’t say them.

“don’t stop.” you regret the words as soon as the come out but you don’t say anything.

it’s a matter of seconds before gavi’s lips are on yours and you’re reciprocating all his wet kisses. he quickly places you on top of the counter and doesn’t waste anytime taking your shirt off. he spends a good minute admiring the way your black lace bra fits you perfectly. although that doesn’t last very long because his fingers unhook your bra and a second later it’s laying on the floor.

“you look perfect.” he murmurs.

a couple of months ago you would’ve loved to have heard that come out of his mouth but not anymore. not after all the lies.

“she the fuck up and fuck me pablo.” you state.

he takes the hint and doesn’t waste too much time on foreplay. unbeknownst to you he manages to leave a couple of hickeys here and there before he starts unbuttoning his pants. you really just want him to hurry up, you’d been down here for several minutes and hoped no one would notice your absence.

“woah, don’t you have a condom?” you ask bewildered.

“i’ll pull out. i did it all the time.” he says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

now it’s your turn to not waste anymore time so you pull him closer to you. he carefully pulls your panties to the side before looking you in the eyes as if asking if it was okay. you simply nod and he kisses you again. the kiss isn’t like the others it’s sweet not agreesive and tender unlike the tough ones he gave you. although your pulled away from your thoughts as you feel him enter you.

you gasp at the feeling and so does he. he fits so perfectly and you realize that you’ll probably never get over him. gently he places his forehead against yours and kisses you once more before thrusting harder into you. he starts to set a slow and steady pace and soon your gripping his forearms. the way his hard length dragged into your walls made your eyes roll in ecstasy.

“fuck, you feel so good around me.” gavi barely manages to say.

you feel guilty at how good it feels to have him inside you. he makes you feel complete, a feeling you’re sure no one else will make you feel. you also feel bad because you’re sure that you’ve broken the soap holder that fell in the process of gavi placing you on the counter. but none of that matters to you right now because gavi is making you feel like the only person in the world.

his thrusts start getting harder as he gets closer to his release and the way you pinch harder into his forearms makes him hiss. he can’t tell if he’s in pain or pleasure, he decides on the latter. he loves being inside you but most importantly he loves pleasuring you and he doesn’t think twice if bringing his hand down to your core. he slowly starts circling your clit and you’re sure you’re about to cum.

“let go for me.” and you do. you cum and at that moment you realize that he will always have the uttermost effect on you.

“fuck, my dick is soaked.” he quickly pulls out of you, to your dismay, and releases on your leg.

you both take a couple of minutes to come down from your high and regain your breathes. you conclude that this is the best quickie you’ve ever heard but that feeling doesn’t last long as you remember where you are and who you came here with.

“wish pedri could see you right now. all fucked out because of me.” he’s smirking.

and it clicks. he didn’t miss you.

“oh my god has this all been some sort of sick game to you?” you scoff before grabbing the toilet paper nearby and wiping his load off of you.

“what?” he feigns confusion.

“you only fucked me because you’re intimidated by pedri, right? you’re not known as the teams starboy, he is. this was the only way you could get back at him. all your friends are right you’re an asshole and a sicko.” you quickly dress yourself ready to head back to the party.

“no that’s not-” but you don’t bother to let him finish you quickly head out and ignore all his pleas behind you.

when you get back to the party you head straight for pedri, who at first is delighted to see you but his facial expression quickly changes. he gently grabs all your hair and places it to the right side of your neck. your eyes widen.

“figured you don’t want anyone else here to see that mark on your neck.” you’re surprised at the calmness in his voice.

“pedri i-”

“it’s okay. we don’t have to talk about this here. just find another ride home i think i’ll be drinking a lot today.” he turns around and heads for the kitchen.

you can’t help but just stand there mortified. you want to go home but you don’t have a ride and no one will want to leave the party early. you curse yourself for getting yourself into this situation. but most importantly you curse gavi, the person who managed to break you. the man you wish you had never met. and the man you had to congratulate because even after this he’d still be viewed as the golden boy to his teammates.

[pretentiouswreckingball]

1,4,16,19,and 20 :) (I didn’t see u posted this before and I’m so sad I missed it!!)

It’s okay don’t worry!!! Thank you for sending me an ask regardless though 🥹❣️

1. A song you liked as a child

I have many but I remember liking Shakira a lot so here it isss

4. A song you’d put on a playlist for a character you love

This song features in my only wolfstar playlist I have which is for one of my fics and i think it fits Remus’ vibe in said fic

16. A song that makes you think of an old (or current) crush

I don’t remember having a crush but i think this song gives crush vibes

19. A song that makes you emotional

The lyrics of this song are very powerful and gives me hope too, very vibey too

20. A song you’d put on a playlist for the person who sent you this ask

Great song of one of the greatest bands in latam so you might like it!!!

[babydollmarauders]

MEDIA MANAGEMENT — JACK HUGHES (PART EIGHTEEN)

previous: seventeen

next: nineteen

notes: very short, i’m so sorry! i’m trying to get through the next few chapters fast 😭 pictures 4-6 are from @edjtsbytrin because she’s been a godsend and been texting screenshots for me to use!

y/ndevils00

liked by jackhughes, pally_18, and 197,150 others

y/ndevils00 happy happy HAPPY game day to every devils fan!! our boys got their THIRD STRAIGHT WIN TONIGHT!!

CAN I GET AN OH YEAH?!

tonight my second favorite team won in a 4-0 SHUTOUT against the rangers! which gave schmido the torpedo his FIRST playoff shutout! WHAT A GAME!

uncle pally got the first goal THIRTY-NINE seconds into the game! I AM SO UNBELIEVABLY PROUD OF HIM!!

u-haula got TWO goals tonight! i know i’m shocked too.

and of course, my best friend number one (yeah, he’s back to number one!) got a goal tonight! GO BESTIE!

i’m so incredibly proud of (most of) this team and i can’t wait to see them win this series! LET’S GO, BABIES!!

i’m tagged pally_18, ehaula, dawson1417, jackhughes, nicohischier, john.marino97, and akiraschmid93

user65 that pic of nico hugging jack 😭 PLATONIC SOULMATES

jackhughes why that picture? what have i done to piss you off?

y/ndevils00 so much

jackhughes like what?!

y/ndevils00 well it wasn’t cutting your hair, that’s for sure

jackhughes AFTER PLAYOFFS

y/ndevils00 okay. then you can sleep on the couch until AFTER PLAYOFFS

pally_18 thank you y/n! love having you there with us!

y/ndevils00 thank you! it is my job 🫡

ehaula you’re shocked i scored??

y/ndevils00 i feel like this is a trick question

dawson1417 I’M BFF NUMBER 1 AGAIN!! YAY!!

y/ndevils00 you deserve it!!

john.marino97 watch your back

y/ndevils00 @/john.marino97 play nice off the ice!

john.marino97 @/y/ndevils00 no.

user27 the schmid head bumps…. excuse me while i cry

y/ndevils00 no shame in crying! i did!

nicohischier “most of”? who are you not proud of?

y/ndevils00 nice try! i’m not about to incriminate myself!

trevorzegras it’s smith and wood. she’s been complaining to me all series.

y/ndevils00 @/trevorzegras THIS IS WHY MOM DOESNT FREAKING LOVE YOU

nicohischier @/y/ndevils00 well that’s not nice. @/trevorzegras i’m sure your mom does love you

akiraschmid93 thank you y/n! brooke told me to remind you about lunch tomorrow?

y/ndevils00 you’re so welcome, shakira! tell brooke to text me!

lhughes_06 LET’S GO!! 🔥

y/ndevils00 i will get you on that ice, smush! mark my goddamn words!

trevorzegras they’re your second favorite because we all know ducks are your first!

y/ndevils00 wrong.

jamie.drysdale @/y/ndevils00 we’re not?

y/ndevils00 @/jamie.drysdale i’m so sorry princess, you’re not :( but you’re my favorite ducks player, don’t you worry!

_quinnhughes it’s the canucks

y/ndevils00 @/_quinnhughes correct!

trevorzegras @/y/ndevils00 YOU LIKE THE CANUCKS OVER THE DUCKS?!

y/ndevils00 @/trevorzegras of course! the canucks have my favorite hughes!

jackhughes @/y/ndevils00 babe, i play for the devils

y/ndevils00 @/jackhughes i know <3

lhughes_06 @/y/ndevils00 i play for the devils too?

y/ndevils00 @/lhughes_06 well this is awkward….

[bellaireland1981]

1k Celebration! Summer Pool Party Playlist

Details: 

I just hit 1000 followers!!! THANK YOU!!!! This is truly mind blowing and humbling and I am eternally grateful to all of you who follow, read my stories, interact and just like to geek out over these Top Gun hotties with me! I cannot even thank you enough for all of your support and encouragement. I have met so many incredible people on Tumblr and in this fandom. I know we recently hit some dark days but even in the not so great times, it’s important to remember that there are still awesome people here and it’s not all dark days. SO…. to celebrate this milestone and to hopefully bring back some fun, happy, bright, and sunny days…. I am hosting a Summer Pool Party Writing Challenge! Let’s kick off summer with our favorite aviators! 

Rules:

You can sign up for as many Songs as you’d like! 

Message me with your song choice and who you’re writing for!- I will update the list so everyone knows what’s still available! 

18+ Only! Minors DNI

You can submit for a series, one shots, mood boards, drabbles, etc… The point is to HAVE FUN!

Must be appropriately labeled (Smut, Angst, warnings, Fluff….etc)

HAS to include SONG in some shape or form (i.e. in the title, included in the story, lyrics in the story, etc.) 

General:

Your creations are due by July 31, 2024! Tag me @bellaireland1981 and #1kPoolPartyPlaylist  in your work so that I add your link to the Challenge Page! 

Playlist: (Note: If you have another summer/pool party themed song in mind that isn’t on the list– message me! We can add it)

Walking on Sunshine- Katrina & The Waves

Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffet

Dance the Night- Dua Lipa

I Don’t Want This Night to End- Luke Bryan

Summer- Calvin Harris

Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus

I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston

One Margarita- Luke Bryan

Southbound- Carrie Underwood

I Ain’t Worried- OneRepublic

The Sound of Sunshine Going Down- Michael Frani and Spearhead

Made You Look- Meghan Trainer

Summer Days- Martin Garrix - ( @bellaireland1981 - Bradley x Reader)

Shut up and Dance- Walk the Moon

Summer Love- Justin Timberlake

I Was Made for Loving You- Oliver Heldens

Can’t Stop This Feeling- Justin Timberlake

Let’s Get Loud- Jennifer Lopez

Addicted to You- Shakira

1999- Prince

House Party- Sam Hunt

Hot Stuff- Donna Summer

Good Vibrations- Beach Boys

Love Shack- B52’s

Cake by the Ocean- DNCE

Sweet Home Alabama- Lynyrd Skynyrd

Dancing Queen- ABBA

Heat Waves- Glass Animals

Toes- Zac Brown Band

Summer Girls- LFO

Under the Boardwalk- The Drifters

California Gurls- Katy Perry - ( @startrekfangirl2233 Phoenix x Reader)

Kokomo- The Beach Boys

Watermelon Sugar- Harry Styles

Cruel Summer- Taylor Swift

Hot Fun in the Summertime- Sly and the Family Stone

Summertime Blues- Alan Jackson

(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay- Otis Redding

Summer in the City- The Lovin’ Spoonful

Hot in Here- Nelly

When the Sun Goes Down- Kenny Chesney and Uncle Cracker

I Don't Know About You- Chris Lane

Let's Have a Pool Party!!!!!!

[kenyatta]

NOT LONG AFTER she started, Uber deactivated Barbosa’s account out of the blue. So she switched to renting one on Lyft from the same guy. Now she drove as “Shakira.” When the Lyft app prompted Barbosa to confirm her identity by scanning her license, she texted the guy she was renting from: What now? He sent back a photo of Shakira’s ID. Oh. She was real. He paid Shakira a fee each week. Driving without a license, under the table on a tourist visa, loaded Barbosa with stress. One night, Barbosa picked up a passenger at 2 am and he tried to kiss her. She had to fight him off and left him one star on the app; she didn’t want to risk calling the cops. Another time, she was pulled over for having her lights off. Barbosa froze as the officer strode up to her window, worried she might get her car towed and end up in jail, or even—who knows?—deported. She showed the cop her Brazilian driver’s license, and said she’d left her American one at home. He let her go. In WhatsApp groups, and while waiting for riders at Logan Airport, Barbosa chatted up other Brazilian drivers also renting accounts. They traded tips about driving without papers, the nuances of the fuzzy don’t-ask-don’t-tell status quo in a country that hasn’t passed comprehensive immigration reforms in more than three decades. Far from an ICE officer on every corner, she heard, if you kept your head down, didn’t drink and drive or pick fights, you could manage. [...] One of her customers left their wallet in her car. She followed the woman’s convoluted instructions to return it, driving to two far-flung locations over two hours. Miffed, at one point Barbosa opened the wallet. She looked at the woman’s license, blonde with blue eyes. Barbosa snapped a picture. She thought the woman might tip her or at least say “thank you” for having wasted two hours, unpaid, to do her a favor. Instead, the woman was rude and short, giving Barbosa the push she’d been looking for. “I said, yeah, now I’m going to use this.” Over the next few weeks, she would click through the driver onboarding process on both Uber and Lyft, reading over the steps to create her own account, mulling the risk. Finally, lying in bed on Christmas night, the first one she’d spent without her family, it was time: She opened her phone and scrolled to the blonde woman’s license. Barbosa uploaded the license to the Uber app. She used the woman’s name but her own insurance and registration. She entered her own iCloud email and phone number and set her own picture—brown hair, brown eyes—on the driver profile. She made up a Social Security number, submitted the application, and went to sleep. The next day, Uber approved the account. Like that, Barbosa was in business for herself.

[bubbleonice]

Mashed up tarot reading for your favourite celebrity couples.

This is a mashed up reading, I will be doing this type of mashed up updates from time to time so you can keep up with your favourite celebrity couples. About their challenges, issues, if they are doing well or not. I will still do detailed readings for some of these, so don’t worry. 🥰

Harry Styles and Taylor Russell

Chris Evans and Alba Baptista

Henry Cavill and Natalie V

Bill Skarsgard and Alida Morberg

Alexander Skarsgard and Tuva

Carloz Sainz and Rebecca Donaldsen

Lewis Hamilton and Shakira

Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner

[shakira-fan-page]

''Don’t You Worry'' has reached 300 MILLION streams on Spotify.

- This is Shakira’s 23rd song to achieve this on the platform.

[lasirenatarot]

Could you do a reading on Lewis Hamilton. There were rumours about him & Shakira (which I highly doubt) ...

Ohhh, this one will be long bc I want to find out about the Shakira stuff👀

Lewis Hamilton:

Question 1: What is going on in his life currently?

Cards: justice; knight of wands; 2of wands; 4 of swords; page of swords; judgement

He’s thinking about 2 equally good options he has to choose from, that probably is about work.

He may be having a hard time leaving the past and past successes behind, hard time getting used to the fact things are not the same anymore. (Probably work again) Things may be out of his control and he needs the trust the Universe, or God or whatever u’d like to call it that he will get what he deserves even if it’s not the same thing he tought he wanted. He needs to keep it 100% real with himself and decide what he does not need anymore in his life, he may be thinking it’s better to follow a new career path idk? Im not saying he will, but I am getting that he is definitely considering it.

He might be quite petty and more cut throat with his words these days and not have a filter on what he says to ppl, he needs to be more careful with that for his own good tho. He seems quite energetic and ready for new adventures, travel etc while at the same time resting, healing and thinking things thru. He may go on a holiday retreat or sth to clear his mind.

Question 2: What is going on in his love life currently?

Cards: 9 of pentacles; 9 of swords; 5 of swords; 6 of wands; 2 of swords

Lololol it’s funny that it’s getting shown in the cards, basically his very well-off financial situation is helping him enjoy his life to the fullest currently; his main/base needs are fulfilled (yk what😂); he is having a lot of options to choose from;

Someone ( a fling possibly) is not having the best interest when it comes to him, may be using him for attention, trying to taint his reputation. He might win this “argument” against this person and get away without losing anything, but it might feel somewhat demoralising for him.;

He may be currently realising his past mistakes when it comes to love; he probably has some anxiety/worries around the topic of relationships (commitment issues?). He probably needs to find balance between his love life&professional life.

To finish the reading i pulled few oracle cards:

What is the dynamic between Lewis and Shakira?

- Nothing we have not already suspected honestly😂

From his side I feel it’s just random meetings, more like business/friendship, nothing serious. She seems like is more open to dating him (although I doubt she actually likes him fully), starting sth with him in order to find solace, move on from her ex.

Idk, to me it looks like they both are using each other (and they both fully realise that); briefly, strictly business, good PR, nothing serious from both sides. If something IS going on tho, again, nothing serious, probably hooking up, although I don’t see it in the cards..🤷🏼‍♀️ /posted on july 27, 2023/

[vampirequeen019]

I apologize for the tardiness. This is chapter 5 of the story.

Art made by my dear friend, @ivii20 .

Tags for this story: Light Angst, sad themes, self-destructive tendencies, depression, symptoms of depression, happy ending.

Second Date, Second Chance.

Chapter 5.

Trust that everything will be alright.

*You are tuning in to WEXA. The most popular music station of the moment.*

*And this is your program, “The Rhythm of Music”. A program specially made for people who likes music regardless of its genre.*

*I’m your radio host Alex Santiago and today we will have a special segment called “Second Date”.*

*Did you go on a first date with that person you found special and want to ask for a second date? Don’t worry, we’ll help you.*

*Or did you have a first date that you thought was unforgettable but for some reason you didn’t get a second one? We can help you with that too.*

*All radio listeners who call will enter a raffle for an all-included romantic dinner at the “Marseillaise” restaurant. A limousine will pick you up and your companion at your home and take you to your destination.*

*Good luck to all.*

*Let’s start the program with two songs that I believe, without fear of being wrong, are the favorites of many. After these songs we will start with the segment “The Second Date”. So get ready, radio listening friends.*

*And here they are, for all of you, Elley Duhé with “Middle of the Night” followed by Dua Lipa with “Levitating”.*

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

“I’m sorry Jack, you are very nice and attractive but the truth is that your real date shouldn’t have been with me.”

“I don’t understand Sophia, what do you mean by that? Was I a joke or a dare that your friends asked you to do?”

“Calm down Jack, remember you’re on air. I’m sure Sophia has a good explanation for what she just said. Isn’t that right, Sophia?”

“That’s right, Alex. Jack, the truth is that the one who should have been on that date with you is my sister Rose and not me. Rose had an accident and now she is at home convalescing. She asked me to take her place because we look alike and most of our acquaintances say we could pass for twins. Since it would only be once because she would show up at the next date, I agreed to go in her place. But you’re very nice and cute and you don’t deserve to be lied to, that’s why I’m telling you the truth now. I’m sorry Jack, really.”

“Well Jack, there you have it. I’m sorry that was the answer you got.”

“Don’t worry Alex, I wanted an answer and I got it. Thanks for the help. Goodbye”.

*Now a few messages from our sponsors and when we return more music with Shakira and BZRP, “Music Sessions #53, and Reik featuring Rusherking, “A mi Lado”.*

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

*Welcome back to all our radio listeners to this your program “The Rhythm of Music”. For those of you who are just joining us right now, I am your radio host Alex Santiago and today we have a very special program because we have a segment called “Second Date”.*

*We already heard several of our radio listeners telling us about their first dates and their reason for wanting to go on a second. Some were successful and others not so much.*

*Now we have here one more radio listener who wants to tell us his story and why he wants a second date.*

“Go ahead pal, you’re on air.”

“First of all, thank you for accepting my call. Unlike the people who called to ask you for help on a second date, I’m not the one who wants to ask for a second date, I’m the one who didn’t show up for the date. But it is not the second one but the first one”.

Alex was shocked by what this guy was saying but he didn’t say anything and let him continue.

“I’m a sergeant in the ******* army, and on the day that was supposed to be our first date, I was called to the military base for an emergency. A helicopter came for me and I headed to my destination. I was out of the country for a year and just returned yesterday. I was unable to communicate with anyone for reasons I cannot discuss on air. But in all this time I never stopped thinking about her for a single moment. I have been longing to see her again and explain to her the reason for my absence.”

“I understand. First of all, thank you for your service. But explain to me better, are you in love with her? How did the both of you meet? Is it something you can tell us?”

“We met at my half brother’s farewell party. My younger sister organized it and invited my half brother’s friends and her friends. I didn’t know there would be a party because I hadn’t been there in a while and just arrived a couple of days back because I had a vacation permit. So during the party I would be on the second floor of the house and the party would take place on the first floor.”

“Everything was going well. I wouldn’t have to interact with anyone if I didn’t want to. About an hour after the party started, while I was in the studio library, the most beautiful being I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and will meet in my entire life entered.”

“She was perfect”, he laughed a little and continued. “She is perfect. When she entered, she was amazed by all the books on the shelves and immediately went over to look at them.

At first I was upset because no one should be in that part of the house. But seeing her get so excited about the books my annoyance passed and gave way to fun watching how she looked like a little girl in a candy store. She thought aloud when she read the names of the books that I couldn’t resist anymore and spoke up to let her know that she wasn’t alone there.”

“Her reaction was so lovely. She gave a little jump and a little scream. When she turned to look at me, God, I felt the ground move. I was completely blown away. As cheesy as it sounds, it was love at first sight. I decided right then and there that she would be my wife and the mother of my children. When I introduced myself and extended my hand to greet her, I felt an electric current go through my whole body and apparently she felt it too because her eyes widened and she immediately removed her hand from mine”.

“I tried to start a conversation with her but she was very nervous and only gave me short answers. So I thought that talking about books would be a good excuse to talk and get to know each other better.”

“It was a good idea because it gave us the opportunity to talk not only about books but also about ourselves and get to know each other better. Everything she told me seemed interesting to me. All of her is interesting.”

“We spent the whole night until the morning of the next day talking. At no time did I feel that we lacked topics to talk about. That same morning we kissed for the first time and God! It was magical! I felt it in my whole being. We only kissed but I felt like we had connected more intimately than if we had made love.”

“To have left her side without us having the opportunity to start a relationship devastated me enormously. The only thing that motivated me to continue and keep doing my work was the fact that when it was finished, I would be able to see her again. I can only imagine how it affected her the fact that I left without telling her.”

“That’s why I dared to call your program. I want to talk to her and explain what happened. I have not dared to call her for fear that she will hang up on me or that she won’t know who I am and does not answer me. My cell phone number changed when I left but hers is engraved in my memory.”

“If you could help me with this I would be eternally grateful.”

“Oh wow. It is a story that frankly I did not expect. But of course my team and I will help you in whatever way we can”.

The producer signaled to Alex and he nodded in understanding.

“My producer has the cell phone number you gave him at the beginning of your call and he is dialing it right now. But tell me your name first and her name.”

“My name is Sesshomaru Taisho and her name is Kagome Higurashi.”

There was the sound of a phone ringing and a girl’s voice answering the call.

“Yes, hello?”

“Hello, good afternoon. Could I speak to Miss Kagome Higurashi please?”

“This is her. Who do I have the pleasure of talking to?”

“My name is Alex Santiago and I’m calling from WEXA radio station. This is the radio program, “The Rhythm of Music”. How have you been?”

“Um, fine? Sorry, I have no idea what’s the reason for your call and I’m a little confused about it. It is not common to receive these types of calls.” She laughed nervously.

“Of course, my apologies. First of all, do you have a few minutes to talk? I would like to explain to you the reason for my call and I would like you to listen to me until the end. As I said before, I am from a radio program and it will be on air.

“Yes of course. Please continue”.

“Today we have a special segment in the program called “Second Date” and radio listeners call us asking for help. We help them talk to the people they had their first date with and find out if they want to go on a second one.”

“I imagine that with this, you get an idea as to the reason for my call. I have a person on the other end of the call who would like to ask you on a date. This person told us that you and him met at his half-brother’s farewell party and that you spent the whole night talking and getting to know each other better on the second floor of the house where the party was held."

On the other end of the call, they heard Kagome gasping in surprise.

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

Kagome gasped in surprise and brought a hand to her mouth. Her breathing became agitated. She had to get to her dorm as soon as possible. She ran to her dorm door and opened it. She hurriedly got in and locked it.

She had to sit down because her legs couldn’t hold her anymore. She ran to her bed and sat down. She took a deep breath and asked, “How do you know about that?”

The radio host of the show said, “You can call me Alex, Kagome. I don’t just know that. I also know that it was love at first sight for both of you and that you are soul mates. After all, he hasn’t been able to forget you in all this time.”

“He? What do you mean by 'he'?”

“I’m talking about Sesshomaru, Kagome.” Alex said.

Kagome squeezed her cell phone as a tear rolled down her cheek. “How…” She cleared her throat. She felt a huge lump there and struggled to swallow. “How do you know his name, Alex?”

“Because he’s on the other end of the line and he wants to talk to you.”

Kagome, it’s me. Sesshomaru.” A small sob was heard on the other end of the call.

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

In the radio station booth where the program was taking place, both the producer and the assistants and Alex himself were completely silent. What should be done in these cases? Stay on air or let them continue in private?

Alex turned to his producer to see if he should continue on air or let them talk in private. The producer signaled for him to continue on air. Alex nodded and continued to pay attention to the conversation. He was willing to help them if necessary.

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

“Se-Sesshomaru.” Before Kagome could say anything else, Sesshomaru cut her off. “I know this may be sudden but I’d like to talk to you, Kagome.”

“Why now Sesshomaru? Where have you been all this time? Why didn’t you show up for our date?” Kagome asked him, squeezing his phone a little with one hand while the other gripped the edge of her bed in an attempt to stay calm.

“That’s why I want to see you and talk to you, Kagome. I want to explain everything that happened, the reason for my absence and why I didn’t show up for our date that day a year ago”.

“A year and two weeks ago. But who counts the time, right?” She knew she was being a bit sarcastic but she couldn’t help it.

Sesshomaru sighed. “You are right, one year and two weeks. Please allow me to explain everything, Kagome.” His voice was pleading.

“Sesshomaru, I…” her voice cracked a little. “Many things have happened since you left.” She took a deep breath, preparing herself to tell him what happened in his absence.

“When you didn’t show up for our date,” she began. “I thought maybe there was a good reason why you didn’t show up. I waited for you for more than three hours at that place. I don’t even know why I waited so long for you.” She giggled a little, running a hand through her hair. “Then I went home. While there, I replayed the events leading up to the failed date in my head over and over and over again.”

“The next day I did not show up for work. I knew I couldn’t work like this and I slept all day. That was the first time I had nightmares. As the days passed they became more frequent. I could hardly sleep, not to mention eat, I was hardly hungry. I was like this for a couple of months. By then, it was so bad that my best friend had to do an emergency intervention to help me. I was self-destructing and I hadn’t realized it”.

“I went to therapy with a psychologist and was diagnosed with mild depression. They gave me treatment and with the help of my loved ones I managed to get out of it.” She finished with a sigh.

“I’m so sorry you went through that because of me, Kagome. Just, let me explain everything that happened. Why I left without telling you anything.” Sesshomaru told her in a pleading tone.

Kagome was about to reply when Alex interrupted them. “Kagome, the production of the show and I, would like to give you guys a chance to talk calmly and in private. I think the two of you deserve to clear things up between you. The ending will be decided by the two of you, but I honestly think it’s worth hearing what Sesshomaru has to say.”

“So we decided to give you guys a dinner date at an exclusive restaurant, all paid for of course. Limousine transportation included. You just have to accept to talk to Sesshomaru,” Alex concluded.

“There is something else you need to know before I give you my answer, Sesshomaru.” Kagome was nervous but she didn’t want to lie to him so she told him the truth. “I am in a relationship with someone, Sesshomaru. He is a good guy and he helped me a lot. When I needed it most, he was there. I’m actually engaged to him. Just a week ago we got engaged and I don’t think it’s right for you and me to go on a date.”

Kagome wanted to accept the invitation, she really did. She needed to know what really happened, but she was afraid that her feelings for him might be reflected in her eyes when the two of them were finally facing each other.

“Give Sesshomaru a chance to explain everything to you, Kagome. I assure you that you will not regret it. Just tell your boyfriend that it’s important that you talk to him.” Alex intervened before either of them could say anything else. The producer gave him the good job sign with both of his hands.

“Kagome. I don’t care that you’re engaged. I still want to talk to you. Please just say yes.” Sesshomaru begged.

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

Sesshomaru felt like he was floating on clouds as he heard Kagome speak after not hearing her voice in a long time.

He thought that perhaps she had changed her cell phone number but he was glad when he saw that she hadn’t. That meant he had a chance to talk to her.

The feeling of floating among the clouds was diminishing at Kagome’s words. She had suffered because of him, of that he was sure. He felt his heart clench as Kagome told him everything she had been through.

If only he had had time to tell her, to explain why he would not show up. But his father did not give in, he didn’t give him permission to make a call or send at least a message explaining why he would not show up for the date. If he had done it, things wouldn’t be the way they are right now. Kagome wouldn’t have suffered so much because of him and she wouldn’t be engaged to another man.

He cursed his father in every language he knew. Thanks to him, his life was turned upside down. If he couldn’t convince Kagome to talk to him and clear everything up, he’d beat him to a pulp regardless of whether he was his father.

He felt how his heart had broken when Kagome told him that she was engaged to someone else. But he would not give up. She wasn’t married to her fiancé yet, so he still had a chance to do something. And he definitely would, even if it meant involving his father to do it.

He listened as Kagome sighed, and held his breath. Kagome had to agree to that date. He asked the heavens for a chance to make things right. That was all he needed, to be able to talk to her, he would take care of the rest.

“Alright. I agreed to go on that date, but I swear to God if you don’t show up you won’t hear from me again, Sesshomaru.” She said it with a tone of finality.

Sesshomaru's heart lurched in his chest. She said yes. She had said yes. He turned his gaze to the sky and thanked for the opportunity.

“Thank you Kagome. I promise you will not regret anything. I won’t let you down, I swear.”

~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~•~~~•~~~~

At the radio station everyone was celebrating Sesshomaru's success. They didn’t know him and yet they wanted it to work between him and Kagome.

“I’m glad you agreed to give Sesshomaru a chance, Kagome. The both of you deserve to clear things up and be happy.” He straightened up in his chair and continued speaking. “My producer will talk to you about the details of your dinner date. Thank you very much for calling the show and allowing us to help you, Sesshomaru. And thank you Kagome, for agreeing to talk to him.”

The two thanked him in the same way and were transferred to talk to the producer of the program to finish up the details of where their date would be.

On the other side of the production booth, Alex Santiago ended the program with more music.

TBC.

Link to the previous chapter:

[pernillecfcw]

when you get this you have to post 5 of your top songs you actually listen to then send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers.

Thank you for asking me @vivalachampions

Tagging : @formationlapsz @faye01mcfc @thiagodasilva @rainbowcaptainarmband @josesa @johnstonesfc @mountmasns @azpiiicueta @chelseafcb @cesarazpiliceuta @daly-daily @inejghavertz @fancybelieverdinosaur @midnight-ramblingswfc

( no worries if you don’t want to do this )

[theweirdkidinside03]

Trending Hits of 2022: Harry Styles’ As It Was ruled the year

1. As It Was - Harry Styles

2. Heat Waves - Glass Animals

3. Left And Right (feat. Jung Kook of BTS) - Charlie Puth

4. We Don’t Talk About Bruno - Encanto Cast

5. Anti Hero - Taylor Swift

6. Unholy - Sam Smith & Kim Petras

7. Super Freaky Girl - Nicki Minaj

8. Betty (Get Money) - Yung Gravy

9. About Damn Time - Lizzo

10. First Class - Jack Harlow

11. I’m Good (Blue) - David Guetta & Bebe Rexha

12. abcdefu - Gayle

13. Enemy - Imagine Dragons & JJD

14. I Like You (A Happier Song) (with Doja Cat) - Post Malone

15. Made You Look - Meghan Trainor

16. Bam Bam (feat. Ed Sheeran) - Camila Cabello

17. Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa

18. because i like a boy - Sabrina Carpenter

19. Hold My Hand - Lady Gaga

20. Sunroof - Nicky Youre

21. Light Switch - Charlie Puth

22. Yet To Come - BTS

23. Boyfriend - Dove Cameron

24. Bad Decisions - benny blanco, BTS & Snoop Dogg 

25. Late Night Talking - Harry Styles

26. Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez

27. Oh My God - Adele

28. Woman - Doja Cat

29. Let Somebody Go - Coldplay & Selena Gomez

30. The Joker & The Queen (feat. Taylor Swift) - Ed Sheeran

31. Middle Of A Breakup - Panic! At The Disco

32. One Right Now - Post Malone & The Weeknd

33. The Outside - twenty one pilots

34. I Hate U - SZA

35. Sacrifice - The Weeknd

36. WYAT (Where You At) - SB19

37. PINK VENOM - BLACKPINK

38. Don’t Wake Me Up - Jonas Blue & Why Don’t We

39. That That (feat. SUGA of BTS) - Psy

40. Glimpse Of Us - Joji

41. Celestial - Ed Sheeran

42. Hold Me Closer - Elton John & Britney Spears

43. HOT - SEVENTEEN

44. Muli - Ace Banzuelo

46. Amazing - Orange Rex Country

47. Bones - Imagine Dragons

48. So Good - Halsey

49. Fast Times - Sabrina Carpenter

50. Bejeweled - Taylor Swift

51. Potion - Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa & Young Thug

52. Blow - Jackson Wang

53. Out Of Time - The Weeknd

54. Calm Down - Rema & Selena Gomez

55. Stay With Me (feat. Justin Timberlake, Halsey & Pharrell) - Calvin Harris

56. Where We Started - Thomas Rhett & Katy Perry

57. Falling Back - Drake

58. Maybe You’re The Problem - Ava Max

59. Churchills Down (feat. Drake) - Jack Harlow

60. Million Dollar Baby - Ava Max

61. Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat

62. Nail Tech - Jack Harlow

63. Make You Say - Zedd, Maren Morris & Beaux

64. tears in the club (feat. The Weeknd) - fka twigs

65. DON’T YOU WORRY - Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta & Shakira

66. Sharks - Imagine Dragons

67. When You’re Gone - Shawn Mendes

68. COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer

69. Honest (feat. Don Toliver) - Justin Bieber

70. Copped Up (with Roddy Ricch) - Post Malone

71. Gasoline - The Weeknd

72. Forever My Love - J Balvin & Ed Sheeran

73. Loser - Charlie Puth

74. Music For a Sushi Restaurant - Harry Styles

75. The Loneliest Time (feat. Rufus Wainwright) - Carly Rae Jepsen

76. Lift Me Up - Rihanna

77. It’ll Be Okay - Shawn Mendes

78. When I’m Gone - Alesso & Katy Perry

79. That’s Hilarious - Charlie Puth

80. SUBSTANCE - Demi Lovato

81. Don’t Let The Light Go Out - Panic! At The Disco

82. Lost Without You - Kygo & Dean Lewis

83. Every Summertime - NIKI

84. Part Of The Band - The 1975

85. I Ain’t Worried - OneRepublic

86. Are You Entertained (feat. Ed Sheeran) - Russ

87. psychofreak (feat. WILLOW) - Camila Cabello 

88. Dueles Tan Bien - Bruses

89. Easy Lover (feat. Big Sean) - Ellie Goulding

90. ex i never had - LANY

91. Me, Myself & I - 5 Seconds of Summer

92. Like This - Marshmello & 2KBABY

93. Love It When You Hate Me (feat. blackbear) - Avril Lavigne

94. Humankind - Coldplay

95. Words (feat. Zara Larsson) - Alesso

96. 2step (feat. Lil Baby) - Ed Sheeran

97. Dangerous - Madison Beer

98. I Lost Myself In Loving You - Jamie Miller

99. For Your Love - Gunnar Gehl

100. Can’t Handle It - Brevin Kim