#She's raised an incredibly cool kid

[mooseyspooky]

I feel like Linder would be so fuckin delighted if I mailed her a copy of vampire Johnny

[tea-cat-arts]

I'm willing to at least hear out most of the "xyz plot point is heavily tied to abc cultural context" brands of posts but the "wwx isn't meant to be read as morally gray" and "the western fandom made up Sizhui being wangxian's son" brands of post make me feel like my cultural ignorance is being used to gaslight me

[lightblueminecraftorchid]

I love learning ASL it’s so good. Makes me happy to learn it. I’m so glad my university has classes for it with professors actually steeped in Deaf culture.

[tender-rosiey]

maybe jelly — gojo satoru x f!reader

a/n: gojo getting jealous? 👁️👁️

you arrive at jujutsu high, as you prepare for your guest lecture. you’ve given these talks before, but this time, something feels a little different—satoru is acting strange.

not that he’s ever normal, but today he seems extra…dramatic.

“you’re going to kill it, babe,” satoru says, draping his arm over your shoulders as you walk toward the classroom. his blindfold hides his eyes, but you can feel the intensity of his gaze, more focused than usual.

“you okay?” you ask, glancing at him with a teasing grin. “you seem a little... off.”

“me? off? never,” he replies, lips pulling into his trademark smirk. “just making sure no one gets too cozy with my brilliant wife. gotta make sure these kids remember you’re taken.”

you roll your eyes playfully, “I think everybody and their mother know that, satoru.”

time passes by, and now, you stand at the front of the lecture hall at jujutsu high, wrapping up your talk.

the students seem genuinely engaged, and one in particular, a young sorcerer named ren, is practically bouncing with enthusiasm, asking follow-up questions.

“and how did you manage to seal that curse without any physical confrontation?” ren asks, his voice brimming with admiration and curiosity.

before you could respond, satoru appears at your side with his usual confidence, his presence instantly commanding attention, “well, she is the wife of the gojo satoru. kinda comes with the territory,” he interjects, flashing his signature grin.

you shoot him an exasperated look, “I’m pretty sure my skills had something to do with it.”

satoru leans in close, nuzzling against your cheek affectionately before pulling back slightly. “oh, of course, sweetheart. you’re amazing, but it doesn’t hurt to be married to the strongest sorcerer around, right?”

ren blinks, clearly caught off guard by the interaction.

he glances between you and satoru, his expression a mix of confusion and awe. “I wasn’t aware you were married,” he mutters, his gaze flickering between you and satoru as if trying to process this new information.

you smile and give satoru a jab into his ribs that he takes like a champ, “yeah, he likes to remind people. it’s kind of his thing.”

satoru, never one to miss an opportunity to make a grand statement, leans down and places a soft kiss on the top of your head.

his arm slips casually around your waist, “just keeping things clear. y'know, in case anyone forgets that I get the honor of calling you mine.”

ren tries to steer the conversation back to his question, “so, about the sealing technique…”

satoru cuts him off again, stepping slightly in front of you with a playful yet firm stance.

“hey, hey, let’s not bombard her with too many questions now. she’s been on her feet alllll day, talking about all the cool stuff she’s done and showing everybody just how badass she is.”

you roll your eyes but can’t suppress a small smile. stepping around him to face ren again, you continue, “ignore him. the technique I used requires focusing on—”

satoru clears his throat dramatically, pulling you back to his side and wrapping his arm around your shoulders, eyes boring into the poor boy even through his blindfold.

“you know what I think? I think my lovely wife deserves a break. maybe some alone time with her handsome, strong, and incredibly talented husband?”

you raise an eyebrow at him, your tone teasing. “handsome and humble, I see.”

satoru’s grin widens, and he leans down to whisper in your ear, “I can be both when it comes to you.”

you are about to retort back, but then you remember that ren is still here.

you turn to the boy with a smile and assure him, “anyway, ren, if you want to chat more about techniques, we can catch up later. after my husband gets over himself,” you hiss at the man who raises his hands in surrender.

ren, now visibly flustered and unsure, mumbled, “uh, I’ll… catch up with you later then. thanks for the talk!”

ren dashes out the room, slamming the door behind him. you tap your feet against the ground for a few minutes, before you elbow satoru again.

he stays standing up, chest puffed out and a big grin plastered on his face. you deadpan as you stare at your husband, “you really couldn’t help yourself, could you?”

satoru shrugs nonchalantly, still holding you close. he hums, giving you a kiss on the forehead, “what can I say? I don’t like sharing. besides, you are the wife of the strongest sorcerer; it’s important to make sure that’s clear.”

you roll your eyes, but you can’t help but smile helplessly at your husband. your fingers find their way through his hair making him instantly melt. you giggle at your puddle of a husband, “you’re so lucky I love you.”

he tilts his head slightly, his eyes softening as he looks at you. “I love you more, soooooooooooo—”

“oh my god, I get it,” you laugh as you try to push him off. he resists with a whine as he nuzzles his face into your shoulder. you yield and let the silence fill the room.

he hums softly as you both sway mindlessly.

“but y’know,” you pull back slightly, smiling up at him, “you really do like to make an impression.”

he chuckles, his eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and mischief, “just doing my part to ensure everyone knows how lucky I am and how lucky they should feel to be in the presence of my extraordinary wife.”

he intertwines your left hands together and raises them slightly, showing off the rings. the sun makes them shine quite brightly, and it makes you sigh with a smile and satoru let out a huff of laughter.

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do not copy or plagiarize

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[sadandyetverysexy]

Dp x Dc au: Normal is Good

Okay so hear me out— i see lots of “you can’t control Danny he’s a wild child” premises and like, I agree, I love that, but JUST hear me out. Danny who is just entranced by being treated like a NORMAL KID.

I think for best results this should be done with de-aged Danny so he’s a bit younger, but it can def work with regular Danny too.

Danny winds up running around Gotham for one reason or another doing INSANE SHIT to try and help or just survive and his family is out of the way. The explosion, Bad Fentons, etc— and one of the bats picks up Danny. This can be a dad!Jason, or dad!Dick, or classic Bruce Adoption. But they see this little shit running around and are like “no fucking way, not on my watch you little maniac”

Now, a lot of people use the “Jazz practically raised Danny” card, and I love that card and fully support it, but she was also a kid. With no other parents to consult. Who was raised by the Fentons originally and def has no clue what normal parents are like. So she probably didn’t exactly measure up to how a kid is MEANT to be raised. So Danny still had an incredibly strange childhood that just was Not Normal, but I feel like we see Danny with a deep desire to be normal. He doesn’t even really like being a superhero that much, he just wanted to be a kid.

So he gets bat adopted, and Danny is just functioning how he did growing up with the Fentons, which is No Restrictions Do What You Want. And then his bat dad (using Jason for this) is like “No. It’s Bed Time.” And Danny. Danny is ALL for that. He’s bewildered. Mystified. He’s not grumpy about being told what to do at ALL, because he’s just so shocked.

“You’re serious? You’re fucking dead-ass serious? It’s bed time? Oh my god this is so cool. I’ve never had a bed time before! This is great!” Because this is the first time he’s EVER been treated like a normal child by a parental figure. He just got sent to bed. Wow.

Having a parent who is in charge of keeping him healthy and actually enforces Danny taking care of himself is kind of cool.

“Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you.” And they won’t try to eat him back? Fuck yeah, he’ll eat his vegetables!

“No you aren’t allowed to go out at 2 in the morning, go back to bed, you have a doctors appointment for your yearly checkup tomorrow.” oh ancients, Danny has always heard other kids complain about not being allowed out at night, but to have himself told he can’t? This is so weird. And he’s never been to a yearly check up before!

“Brush your teeth before bed” “I can’t get cavities, I’m dead!” “Ya know, for some reason I don’t believe you. When was the last time you went to the dentist? Are you sure you can’t get them?” Danny has 7 cavities.

The first time Danny gets to actually use the “my dad said No” excuse, he is ECSTATIC. Jack and Maddie have LITERALLY never told him he can’t go out somewhere. Ever. He’s in a whole new world where he doesn’t have to fight ghosts, or be a hero, or anything and he loves it. He has a normal kids room without deadly weapons in it and normal kid hobbies and a fridge full of normal food and a parent who enforces a bed time, and it’s weird as hell and it’s great. Normal is pretty damn good, he has no clue what Sam and Tucker were always complaining about. Shits sweet.

[starsjulia]

baby fever // alexia putellas

a/n : maybe it’s because i’m ovulating, but i feel like im having withdrawals from my child (i don’t have a child)

warnings : none!!

“Alexia,” you said, flopping onto the couch dramatically, your phone clutched in one hand. “Look at this baby. Look. Isn’t this proof we should have one?”

She glanced up from her iPad, one brow raised. “That’s the fifth baby you’ve shown me today.”

“Because they’re soooo cute! And we could have one!” You shoved the phone under her nose, showing her a TikTok of a giggling infant in a tiny onesie. “Imagine our baby. They’d have your eyes, my—”

Alexia cut you off with an amused smirk. “We’ve talked about this, cariño.”

“No, you’ve talked about logistics,” you shot back, sitting cross-legged beside her. “I’ve talked about how I want a baby, like, yesterday.”

She sighed, setting the iPad down. “I’m not saying no. I’m saying it’s a big decision. And with everything we have going on—your work, my schedule—it’s not the right time.”

“Then I’ll carry!” you declared, your voice rising with excitement. “You can keep playing, and I’ll do all the hard parts. It’s perfect!”

Alexia blinked at you, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve… really thought about this, haven’t you?”

“For months,” you said earnestly, grabbing her hand. “I don’t care about logistics or timing. I just know I want to do this with you.”

Her gaze softened, but there was still hesitation. “I’m not against it, amor. I just want to make sure we’re ready. Both of us.”

You groaned, flopping backward into her lap. “If you won’t listen to me, I’ll get backup.”

Alexia frowned. “What does that mean?”



————————

It meant enlisting Mapi and Ingrid.

“Finally!” Mapi said when you brought up your idea at training. She threw her hands in the air dramatically. “I’ve been telling Alexia for years she needs to let loose a little. Having a baby is perfect.”

“Right?” you said, clutching Mapi’s arm. “Imagine her as a mamá. So nurturing, so responsible—”

“And terrifying,” Mapi added, smirking. “Disciplining kids with that captain energy? Iconic.”

Ingrid chimed in from beside her. “Honestly, we’re on board. Do it, and we’ll be the godparents.”

“You’d have to fight Mariona for it,” you teased.

Mapi scoffed, draping an arm over Ingrid’s shoulder. “Please. I’m already the cool tía. It’s a done deal.”

Ingrid smiled softly, giving you a nudge. “Besides, we think you’re for perfect carrying the baby. You’re already glowing just talking about it.”

“You get it,” you said dramatically, pointing at Ingrid like she’d solved world hunger. “Why can’t Alexia see it?”

“Oh, she does,” Mapi said knowingly. “She’s just pretending to be logical about it. She’ll come around. Trust me.”

—————————

The breakthrough came at a team barbecue, thanks to Ingrid and Mapi’s nephew, little Liam, who’d stolen your heart the moment you met him.

“You’re so perfect,” you cooed, holding him close as he gurgled in your arms. “The cutest baby ever.”

Across the yard, Alexia watched you from a distance. Mapi elbowed her lightly, smirking. “You’re staring, capi. You look like you’re about to cry.”

“I’m not crying,” Alexia muttered, though her gaze softened as she watched you bounce Liam gently.

“You’re thinking about it, though,” Ingrid said, stepping up beside them.

Alexia sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just—”

“You’re overthinking,” Mapi interrupted. “Classic Alexia. Look, you’re already a leader. A protector. It’s who you are. Being a mom? You’d be incredible. And (Y/N)? She’s ready. You can see it in her face.”

Alexia didn’t answer, but her thoughtful expression spoke volumes.

Later, as you cradled Liam, Alexia finally approached.

“Look at him,” you said, smiling as Liam giggled and reached for her. “He’s perfect. And soon, he’ll have a little friend. Isn’t that right, Ale?”

Alexia raised a brow. “What?”

“Our baby!” you explained, beaming. “He’s gonna have a friend, and they’ll grow up together, and it’ll be so cute.”

Alexia reached out hesitantly, letting Liam grab her finger. She froze, visibly melting at the tiny hand gripping hers. Mapi and Ingrid exchanged smug looks from across the yard.

Alexia sighed, her voice quiet. “You’re really not letting this go, are you?”

“Not a chance,” you said, grinning. “Come on, Ale. Let’s do it. I’ll carry, you’ll be the hot football mum, and Mapi and Ingrid are already fighting to be the godparents.”

“We’re winning,” Mapi called from nearby, raising a beer.

Alexia laughed softly, shaking her head. “Fine.”

Your eyes widened. “Wait. Fine?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling at your stunned expression. “But we’re doing this properly. No rushing.”

“Whatever you say, mamá,” you teased, setting Liam in his stroller before throwing your arms around her. “Let’s go make a baby!”

“That’s… not how it works,” she said, pulling back slightly.

“Oh, right,” you said, blushing. “I knew that.”

Her laughter was warm as she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. “I can’t wait to see you glowing, amor. And for the record… Mapi and Ingrid are not automatically the godparents.”

“We’ll see about that!” Mapi shouted, earning another laugh from both of you.

As Alexia’s hand rested gently on your stomach, you knew everything was about to change. But for the first time, it felt like a change you were both ready for.

[dissapointu]

you are so QUICKK 😧😧!! this is real talent! may you please do arcane characters reacting to their partner with a love for singing??

OKAY OKAY, ipersonally love this one Mamas.

Jinx

“WAIT. YOU CAN SING?!” Jinx immediately demands a private concert. She’ll sit crisscross on the floor, eyes wide like a kid, yelling, “DO THE HIGH NOTE! DO IT!” And if you’re shy? Oh, she’ll fix that real quick. She’ll grab your hands and start twirling you around like, “C’mon, babe, we’re making a musical!”

Also, she absolutely wants you to sing during her chaotic explosions. “Nothing says boom like a ballad, right?”

Vi

Vi finds out you can sing, and she’s floored. Like, totally stunned. “Wait, you never told me you were this good.” She’ll act all cool about it, but the second you start singing, her cheeks turn pink, and she’s just like, “Oh, okay, so I’m dating an angel now?”

She’ll tease you sometimes, though, like, “Not bad, babe, but I can definitely do better,” and then she belts out the worst off-key note you’ve ever heard.

Sevika

Sevika is the definition of lowkey obsessed. She pretends it’s no big deal, but you catch her watching you with this soft little smirk whenever you sing. “Not bad,” she says, but the way her eyes stay glued to you? Yeah, she’s in love.

Also, she’ll tell anyone who’ll listen. “Oh, yeah, my partner? Killer voice. Better than any of those Piltie performers.” If you ever sing her to sleep, she’s done for. Total simp mode unlocked.

Silco

Silco is SHOCKED. Like, he didn’t expect this at all. He’ll raise an eyebrow and say something like, “A hidden talent, hmm? Fascinating.” But deep down, he’s super impressed and maybe a little emotional.

If you’re singing in private, he’ll quietly sit and listen, his sharp features softening ever so slightly. He won’t admit it, but he loves the peace your voice brings to his otherwise stressful life.

Vander

Vander is SO proud. “You’ve got a voice that could stop a fight in its tracks,” he says with a grin. He’ll encourage you to sing whenever you feel like it, even if it’s just humming while you’re both cooking.

He’s also the type to suggest performing at The Last Drop, like, “C’mon, they’d love you!” And if you do? He’s in the front row, cheering louder than anyone else.

Ekko

Ekko is IN AWE. “Yo, how did I not know you could sing like this?!” He’ll immediately start making plans for you to perform at one of his Firelight gatherings. “You’d totally kill it on stage.”

If you’re shy, he’s super supportive. “Okay, okay, what if you just sing for me? No one else, promise.” And if you sing to him while he works on his gadgets? He’s melting on the spot.

Jayce

Jayce is your #1 fan. “Babe, your voice is incredible!” He’s the type to hype you up SO MUCH it’s almost embarrassing. He’ll make sure everyone knows you’re talented. “Yeah, my partner? Total rockstar. No big deal.”

He’ll also 100% try to duet with you. Spoiler: he’s terrible, but he doesn’t care because you’re laughing, and that’s all that matters to him.

Viktor

Viktor is absolutely enchanted. The first time he hears you sing, he just stares, blinking like, “That was… beautiful.” He’s not one for grand gestures, but he’ll quietly hum your songs while he’s working, and if you catch him, he’ll blush and be like, “You’re contagious.”

On tough days, he’ll ask you to sing to him, his head resting on your shoulder as he murmurs, “You make everything feel lighter.”

Caitlyn

Caitlyn is blown away. “Darling, your voice is stunning,” she says, completely captivated. She’ll encourage you to sing whenever you feel like it, even suggesting you try performing in Piltover. “I could arrange something, you know.”

She also LOVES when you sing to her while she’s relaxing. “You’re my personal lullaby,” she says with a soft smile.

Mel Medarda

Mel isn’t even surprised. “Of course, you’re a talented singer. Why wouldn’t you be?” But when you actually sing for her, she’s completely mesmerized. She’ll sip her wine, eyes fixed on you, and murmur, “You should perform for the entire council.”

She’ll commission a full orchestra just so you can sing with them. “You deserve the finest accompaniment, my love.”

Ambessa Medarda

Ambessa is so nonchalant about it, but you KNOW she’s impressed. “You’ve got a nice voice,” she says, as if it’s no big deal. But the next time you sing, she’s sitting up straighter, arms crossed, totally focused.

She’ll casually mention it in conversation, like, “Yes, my partner is a singer. No, you can’t book them. They’re mine.”

Cecil B. Heimerdinger

Heimerdinger finds your singing fascinating. “The human vocal range is truly remarkable!” He’s full of weirdly specific compliments, like, “Your pitch is mathematically perfect in the upper registers.”

He’ll hum along with you in his adorable, squeaky way, and if you sing while he’s working, he’ll call it “a most delightful soundtrack.”

Salo

Salo plays it cool, but he’s secretly super impressed. “You’ve got some pipes, huh?” He won’t say much, but the soft smile on his face while you sing says everything.

He’ll also tease you sometimes, like, “I should start charging people just to hear you.”

Scar

Scar is HYPED. “You’re a singer?! That’s so badass!” he will demand a private concert and cheer like a maniac after every song. “Encore! Encore!”

If you ever sing while he is working, she will totally get distracted and start singing along, turning the whole thing into a random jam session.

Maddie Nolen

Maddie is your BIGGEST FAN. She’s recording videos of you singing, posting them everywhere, and hyping you up like, “Look at my babe absolutely KILLING IT.”

She’ll also try to harmonize with you, even if she’s awful, just because she wants to join in the fun. “Okay, I’m bad, but I’m here for the vibes.”

Lest

Lest is quietly enchanted. She doesn’t say much, but the way her eyes soften when you sing says it all. “Your voice suits you,” she murmurs, his tone full of quiet admiration.

She loves listening to you sing while you’re doing everyday things, like cooking or cleaning. “It makes the world feel a little brighter,” she says softly.

TL;DR: They’re ALL obsessed with your voice. Whether they’re cheering, bragging, or blushing quietly. you’re THEIR star.

[princesskenny1998]

One Piece | Monkey D. Luffy x strawhat!reader ~ Attraction, PT.1

It was a lazy afternoon aboard the Thousand Sunny. The sun shone brightly through the windows of the galley, casting a golden glow on everything. The crew had just finished a hearty lunch, and now, most of them were lounging about, relaxing in various parts of the ship. Some of the crew were enjoying a game of cards, while others were reading or chatting among themselves.

You, however, found yourself sitting with Nami and Robin at the dining table, nursing a half-finished drink and enjoying the casual conversation that was unfolding.

"Okay, but seriously," Nami began, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her chair, "who do you think is the most attractive guy you've ever met?"

You raised an eyebrow, sensing this was one of those light-hearted moments where the crew could share opinions about things that were a little more personal than usual. "You're really asking that kind of question now?" you asked, teasing Nami with a grin.

"Come on, don’t act like you haven't thought about it," Nami responded with a wink. "Me and Robin are always talking about good-looking men. This time, it’s your turn. Who is your pick?"

Robin, sitting beside you, simply smiled faintly, her hands folded elegantly in her lap. "I’m curious too," she added in her soft, almost amused tone.

You chuckled, leaning back in your chair as you thought about it. Of course, the world was filled with handsome men, but picking the most attractive one? Now that was a tough challenge.

"Alright, fine," you sighed, acting like it was a serious decision, though in reality, you already had a clear answer. "Well, there’s always Eustass Kid. He's got that bad-boy vibe, and I’ll admit, I don’t mind a little arrogance now and then."

Nami rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Kid? Please. He’s all muscle and no charm. He barely smiles."

You shrugged, a grin playing on your lips. "Fair enough, but still... Then there’s Sabo. He’s got that cool, collected demeanor, and let’s not forget—he's got a heart of gold. But, if we’re being honest, he’s a little too serious for my taste."

Robin gave a small chuckle, clearly enjoying the conversation. "It’s true," she added, "Sabo does carry a sense of duty with him that can be a little intimidating."

You nodded thoughtfully. "And there’s Shanks. I mean, come on. The guy's a walking legend, right? He’s got the charisma, the leadership qualities, the swagger—he’s got everything. But…"

"But?" Nami prompted, leaning forward slightly. "There’s a ‘but’?"

"Yeah," you said, looking both of them in the eye. "I think the most attractive man, the one who truly takes the crown, is someone who’s right here. Someone who might not get enough credit for it."

Nami and Robin exchanged curious glances, clearly intrigued now.

"Who?" Nami asked, her tone a little sarcastic but also expectant.

You smiled, feeling your heart beat just a little faster as you said it: "Luffy."

Nami blinked, staring at you as if you'd said something utterly nonsensical. "Luffy?" she echoed, her voice rising with disbelief. "The same Luffy who’s constantly making a mess of everything, who never seems to know when to stop eating, and who always acts like a five-year-old? That Luffy?"

You could feel the heat rising to your face, but you didn’t back down. "Yes, Luffy! Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean," you said, leaning forward as if to emphasize your point. "Luffy is ridiculously good-looking, and I swear, he knows it. He’s got that effortless charm, that thing that draws people in without even trying. It’s like… he can be so carefree and innocent, but also—when he wants to—he can turn it on and be incredibly... attractive."

Robin raised an eyebrow and let out a small, almost amused chuckle. "I think I understand what you mean, but… are you sure it’s not just the admiration you have for him as the captain?"

You shook your head, the excitement in your voice growing. "No, no! It’s not just that. Sure, he’s a great captain, but there’s something about his presence that’s just magnetic. He has this way of walking into a room and instantly making everyone feel at ease, like everything is going to be fine just because he's there. And he has this kind of… subtle confidence, you know? Like, he’s completely aware of how good he looks, but he doesn’t flaunt it."

Nami gave you a skeptical look. "You’re seriously telling me you think Luffy’s good-looking?"

"Yes!" you said, almost a little too loudly. "I swear, it’s like he has this unspoken confidence about him. He doesn’t need to try to be attractive, it just comes naturally to him. And it’s not even just his looks—it's how he carries himself. There’s something about the way he’s so carefree, but then, in the blink of an eye, he can switch to being completely serious and commanding. He can be both a childish goof and a damn sexy man at the same time!"

Robin was quietly laughing now, but Nami seemed a little more skeptical, raising an eyebrow at your enthusiasm. "I still don’t get it. I mean, Luffy’s got somewhat of a nice body, sure, but… his personality doesn't exactly scream ‘heartthrob’."

You couldn't help but grin. "Oh, Nami, you just don’t get it. He doesn’t try to be anything. That's the thing! He's so real, so honest, so Luffy. And that’s what makes him so damn attractive."

You took a deep breath, your voice lowering a little, the words coming more naturally as you gushed. "Look, I know this is going to sound crazy, but sometimes when Luffy smiles at me, I swear my heart skips a beat. He doesn’t have to say anything—just his smile, his eyes—there’s this warmth in them that makes him look like the most amazing person alive."

Robin’s smile widened, clearly entertained by your fervor, while Nami just shook her head, clearly not convinced.

"I’m telling you," you said with absolute confidence, "Luffy is the hottest guy I've ever seen. Hands down. He’s the one who—"

Just then, you felt a familiar presence looming behind you. A shadow fell over your face as you froze, a sudden awareness of a certain someone’s proximity hitting you like a ton of bricks.

Luffy’s voice came from just behind your ear, smooth and teasing. "You really think I’m hot?"

You froze, your eyes wide as you immediately realized what was happening. Luffy was standing right behind you, his smirk somehow managing to be both casual and devilishly self-assured. He leaned forward slightly, his breath warm against your ear as he repeated the question, his voice dripping with playful confidence.

"You really think I’m hot?"

Your heart skipped a beat, and you could feel your face turn crimson. You immediately clammed up, caught completely off guard. For a moment, you couldn’t find the words. How in the world were you supposed to respond to that? The guy you’d just been gushing about was now right behind you, acting like he hadn’t heard a thing.

"I—I… uh… Luffy!" you stammered, turning around in your chair to face him. "Wha—What are you doing here?"

Luffy grinned even wider, clearly enjoying your reaction. "Just heard you talking about me," he said with a playful wink. "I thought I’d come see what all the fuss was about."

Nami was biting her lip, clearly trying not to laugh, while Robin’s amused chuckle only made you feel even more embarrassed. You could feel the heat of your blush spreading down to your neck, your words failing you as you struggled to come up with something to say. You had no idea how to handle this situation.

"I didn’t mean—" you began, but Luffy just leaned even closer, his face dangerously close to yours, his smile never faltering.

"Are you sure you want to take it back?" he teased, his tone low and confident, and for the first time, you could see the layers of his playfulness mixed with something undeniably... alluring.

You were so caught up in his gaze, in his teasing smirk, that for a brief second, everything else faded away. Luffy was everything you had just described—confident, handsome, playful, and yet, there was something undeniably charming about how unintentional it all seemed. He didn’t need to try to be anything, and that was what made him irresistible.

You gulped, finally managing to squeak out, "I—uh—I think you’re really hot, Luffy. Just… just like I said!"

Luffy raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying every moment of your embarrassment. He finally pulled back with a laugh, the playful tension breaking. "Well, thank you. You're hot, too," he said, grinning broadly.

Nami burst out laughing, unable to contain herself any longer, and even Robin was suppressing a giggle. You, on the other hand, were absolutely mortified, your face as red as a tomato.

Luffy turned around, strolling off with his usual carefree gait, leaving you to try and regain your composure.

"You’re hopeless," Nami teased, still laughing as you slumped back in your chair, face burning.

"I swear," you muttered, half laughing at yourself, half still trying to recover from the embarrassment, "I’m never living this down."

But deep down, as your heart settled back into its normal rhythm, you couldn’t help but smile. Because, yes, Luffy was hot. And somehow, you had just confirmed it to his face.

[charlosvibesonly]

Fuck, Marry, Kill

Lando Norris Imagine

You and Lando Norris have known each other since your rookie years in Formula 1. Both of you, born in the same year, had your paths intertwined from the very beginning. But you were never friends. You were far too shy and reserved to go talk to him. He was the popular, cool kid. It never bothered you. You had a goal - to race in Formula 1.

But being shy wasn’t without consequences. Any conversation you had with him was curt and to the point. You thought you were being professional, but Lando considered you an arrogant brat. He joked about you with his friends, while you stayed unaware of his dislike towards you. You climbed the ladder of your racing career fast. It was 2019, and you were already being called the hot shot. Maybe it was your temperance or your discipline, but there was a seat in Red Bull waiting for you. Later during the day, you stood at the edge of the paddock, eyes scanning the bustling scene as you spotted Lando chatting with a group of his friends. Taking a deep breath, you approached, determined to be cordial. You had heard the news earlier that day—Lando had signed with McLaren. It was a big deal, and despite your rocky history, you wanted to congratulate him.

“Hey, Lando,” you said, trying to sound friendly. “Congratulations on signing with McLaren. That’s huge.”

Lando turned to you, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh, Y/N. Didn't expect you to come over here. Thought you were too busy basking in the glory of your Red Bull seat.”

You frowned, taken aback by his tone. “I just wanted to congratulate you. It’s a big step in your career.”

He scoffed, crossing his arms. “Yeah, sure. I bet you’re here just to rub it in my face. 'Look at me, I’m with Red Bull,' right?”

You felt a surge of anger rising within you. “What? No! I was genuinely trying to be nice. But clearly, that’s wasted on you.”

Lando’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of irritation. “You’ve always been condescending, Y/N. Acting all high and mighty.”

Your fists clenched at your sides. “I’m not condescending. I was being professional. But you—you're just a dick.”

His eyes narrowed, and before you knew it, he gave you a slight shove, pushing you aside. “Watch your mouth.”

You stumbled, barely keeping your balance. Anger and shock coursed through you, but words failed you. All you could do was glare at him, feeling a mix of rage and hurt.

He turned away, already dismissing you as he rejoined his friends, leaving you standing there, seething and speechless.

Your mentor, Claire Bennett, had been watching from a distance, her keen eyes catching the tail end of your confrontation with Lando. She saw the way he pushed you, the hurt in your eyes, and the way you stood there, fuming but silent. Claire had always been protective of you, understanding the challenges you faced in such a high-pressure environment.

After you walked away, she made her way over to Lando, her expression stern. “Lando, a word?”

He turned, slightly surprised to see her. “Claire. What is it?”

“I saw what just happened with Y/N. That was uncalled for,” she said, her voice firm.

Lando shrugged, his irritation still evident. “She was being her usual arrogant self. Acting like she’s better than everyone.”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “Arrogant? Lando, Y/N is one of the shyest people I know. She’s always been reserved, not arrogant.”

He scoffed. “Reserved? She barely talks to anyone, and when she does, it’s always curt and to the point. She acts like she’s above us.”

Claire shook her head. “That’s not arrogance, Lando. That’s her way of coping. Her parents were incredibly strict, pushing her to be the best, but never allowing her to be herself. She’s had to deal with a lot of pressure and loneliness.”

Lando frowned, skepticism clear on his face. “So what? I’ve had my fair share of pressure too. But I don’t go around acting like I’m better than everyone else.”

“She doesn’t think she’s better, Lando. She just doesn’t know how to open up. She doesn’t have many friends in the racing community because she’s always been so focused on proving herself,” Claire explained gently.

He shook his head. “I don’t buy it. She thinks too much of herself. And you know what? I’m looking forward to putting her in her place on the track. Here in F1, we’re equals, and she’ll see that.”

Claire sighed, realizing she wasn’t getting through to him. 

Your relationship with Max Verstappen had always been one of mutual respect. Both of you had demanding parents and were driven by a need to prove yourselves, always striving for perfection no matter the personal cost. Max was often quiet and reserved, but he was always there for you, offering guidance when you needed it. The time you spent together during promotional events and in the paddock became something you looked forward to, and before you knew it, you found yourself developing a crush on him. You were thrilled when he won and worried sick when he crashed. Meanwhile, your own performance was strong, with successful qualifications in Q1 and Q2 in all your races so far, making the team happy.

One evening, after heavy rains canceled the practice sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix, a group of drivers, including Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, Max, Carlos Sainz Jr., Lando, George Russell, and Alex Albon, decided to hang out at a bar. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to unwind and have a couple of beers.

As the night wore on, Lando saw his chance to corner you. “Hey, how about we play ‘Fuck, Marry, Kill’?” he suggested, his eyes glinting with mischief.

There were a few reluctant glances, but eventually, everyone agreed. Lando started with George. “Alright, George, your choices are Charles, Alex, and Y/N.”

George, who had never particularly enjoyed your company, chuckled. “Marry Charles, fuck Alex, and kill Y/N.” The table erupted in laughter, but you dismissed it as George trying to be funny.

Next, Lando turned to Max. “Your turn, Max. Charles, Daniel, and Y/N.”

You felt your cheeks getting hot. Despite it being just a game, you were anxious to hear Max’s answer. Max smirked slightly. “That’s easy. Marry Daniel, fuck Charles, and kill Y/N.”

Your heart dropped at his words. Max thought he was being respectful, not wanting to make things awkward for you. Daniel added, “Watch out, Y/N, he might take you out in the next race,” prompting more laughter from the group. You managed a weak smile, but the comment stung. Lando noticed your discomfort and smirked, seeing his opportunity.

“Alright, Y/N, your turn,” Lando said, turning to you. “But let’s change it a bit for you. You only get to choose ‘Fuck’ or ‘Marry’.” You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, your heartbeat quickening. “And your choices are pretty easy,” he continued, dragging out the suspense. “Max... and Max.”

You felt the bottle in your hand slip and fall to the floor with a clatter. The other drivers processed the implications of Lando’s question, and your eyes met Max’s, who looked confused. Embarrassed, tears began to well up in your eyes. You tried to leave, but Lando grabbed your hand and stood up, stopping you.

“Come on, Y/N, finish the game. We’re only having fun,” he said, his face close to yours. You could see the merciless gleam in his green eyes. Reluctantly, you sat back down, tension hanging thick in the air.

Max kept glancing at you, unsure of what to say, while the other drivers moved on to discuss other things. You felt exposed and humiliated, your crush on Max now painfully obvious to everyone.

As the night came to an end, everyone started leaving the bar. You took a deep breath and approached Max, trying to find some comfort in his presence. “Max, can we talk for a moment?”

He looked at you, his expression softening. “Y/N, just forget about it. It was only a game. Don’t worry.”

His dismissive tone made your heart sink further. “Yeah, sure,” you mumbled, watching him walk away. Standing outside the bar, the tears you had been holding back finally spilled over. The humiliation mixed with the pain of possible rejection was too much to bear. You needed answers. You needed to confront Lando.

Spotting him a few feet away, you called out, your voice shaky but determined. “Lando, why do you treat me this way?”

He turned, a smug grin on his face. “What do you mean?”

“Cut the bullshit, Lando,” you snapped. “Why do you always go out of your way to make me feel like crap?”

He laughed, the sound grating on your already frayed nerves. “I love finally breaking that arrogance of yours.”

Fury surged through you, and you shoved him. “You’re such an ass,” you spat, turning to walk away. But before you could take more than a few steps, he grabbed your arm, pulling you back with a grip that hurt.

Your back collided with his chest, and he leaned down, whispering in your ear, “Never do that again.”

You struggled to break free, but his grip only tightened. “Maybe I really like you, Y/N. And I don’t like Max taking you away.”

You froze as his words sank in, your mind racing. Lando likes you? This couldn’t be real. His lips brushed your ear in a quick kiss, sending a shiver down your spine.

He let you go abruptly, and you stumbled forward, turning to face him. His smirk was still there, but his eyes held a different intensity.

“The fun has only begun,” he thought, walking away and leaving you standing there, bewildered and shaken. Now that your secret was out, Max started seeing you differently. He began spending more time with you, sharing quiet walks along the tracks and watching sunsets together. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, he turned to you with a shy smile. “Would you like to go out with me, Y/N? On a real date?”

Your heart skipped a beat. “I’d love that, Max.”

To avoid unnecessary media attention, you decided to go to a bar, finding a quiet booth where you could talk in peace. As you settled into your seats, Max looked at you, his expression sincere. “I’m sorry for walking away so abruptly that day. I was surprised, and I didn’t handle it well.”

You smiled softly. “It’s okay, Max. I understand.”

Relief washed over his face, and he leaned in closer. Before you knew it, your lips met in a gentle kiss. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in that moment. But little did you know, Lando had been watching you all along. He never drank but kept turning a bottle of beer in his hand, his eyes dark with resentment. His attempt to expose you had backfired, and he hated that you got what you wanted.

After the date, you were on your way back to your hotel when you saw Lando in the lobby. You had been avoiding him, but there was nowhere to run now. He approached you with flowers in his hand. “For you, Y/N. I’m sorry for being such a dick. Let me make it up to you.”

You took the flowers, hoping to escape quickly, but Lando had different plans. He grabbed your face and kissed you, completely catching you off-guard. People in the lobby began to recognize both of you, and before you could react, he took your hand and rushed you to the elevator.

“What the hell was that?” you demanded, your voice a mixture of anger and confusion.

In the confined space of the elevator, Lando stepped closer, towering over you. “I told you, I don’t like Max taking you away.”

You looked up at him, searching for honesty in his eyes. “Do you really like me, Lando?”

His expression softened, and he nodded. “Ever since I laid eyes on you.”

Lando left after dropping you off at your room, but the damage was already done. By morning, pictures of the two of you in the hotel lobby were trending, igniting a frenzy among fans and the media. You woke up to a flurry of messages and missed calls, your heart sinking as you realized the implications.

Later that day, Max confronted you, his face a mask of hurt and confusion. “Y/N, what is this?” he asked, showing you the photos on his phone.

“It’s not what it looks like, Max. Lando just kissed me out of nowhere. I didn’t want it,” you explained, desperate for him to understand.

Max shook his head, his disappointment palpable. “I don’t know if I can trust you now. Maybe it’s best if we end things here.”

“Max, please—”

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I just can’t do this,” he said, turning and walking away, leaving you standing there with tears welling in your eyes.

Determined to confront Lando about his actions, you made your way to the paddock. As you approached, you overheard him talking to George, laughing about the plan he had concocted.

“I told you, George, it worked like a charm. Max is out of the picture,” Lando said, chuckling.

Anger flared within you, and you stepped forward. “So this was all a game to you?”

Lando turned, surprise briefly flashing across his face before he smirked. “Oh, Y/N. I didn’t see you there.”

“You’re a real piece of work, Lando,” you spat, turning to leave.

But Lando followed you, grabbing your arm and pushing you into a dimly lit room nearby. Your heart pounded as he leaned in, his breath warm against your ear. “Your heart’s beating fast, Y/N. Fuck, marry, or kill? Lando, Lando, and Lando.”

You tried to calm down, but his proximity made it difficult. He brushed his thumb over your lips, his eyes dark and intense. “Kill you, asshole,” you said, breaking free and shoving him.

He caught your hands, his grip firm. “I told you, Y/N, never do that. Max is good, but what we have is so much fun. Don’t you think?” He smirked, his words dripping with mockery.

Your cheeks burned.

As you walked away from Lando, you called back over your shoulder, “Stay away from me, Lando.” 

Days passed, and the tension between you and Max eased somewhat. Max had discovered the truth about Lando’s antics. One evening, he approached you with a softened expression. “Y/N, I know what Lando did. I’m sorry for not believing you sooner.”

You looked at him, relief washing over you. “Thank you, Max. I never wanted things to be this complicated.”

Max sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I forgive you, Y/N. But... I’ve noticed the way you look at Lando. There’s something there, isn’t it?”

Your eyes widened in surprise, but you couldn’t deny it.

A few days later, you found yourself at the same bar where Lando had started the game that changed everything. Sitting alone at the bar, you spotted him, his expression unreadable. Gathering your courage, you walked up to him.

“Fuck, marry, or kill me?” you asked, your voice light but your heart pounding.

Lando turned around, a smile tugging at his lips. “Aren’t you being arrogant to think I’d want all three with you?”

You laughed, the tension between you easing. “Maybe,” you replied, stepping closer to him.

His hands found their way to your waist, pulling you closer. “Maybe kiss you first.”

[coffeeshades]

credits to the gif maker!

LOVE IS COMPLICATED - PART VI

—echoes of desperation

summary: the trials and tribulations of falling in love or two idiots who can't get their shit together.

pairing: pedro pascal x actress/singer!reader.

word count: 4.2k

warnings: 18+ (minors dni). mentions of sex. angst!!! cursing, age gap, mentions of drugs and alcohol. asshole!pedro maybe? no use of y/n, if i missed something please let me know!

a/n: hi everyone, happy reading <3

masterlist!

October 19, 2019

Newport, Rhode Island

The crisp autumn air greeted you as you arrived at your friend Jennifer's wedding. The historic estate, bathed in the soft golden light of the setting sun, seemed like the perfect backdrop for such a special occasion. The large, opulent estate, adorned with seasonal flowers and fairy lights, buzzed with the excited chatter of guests.

Daniel was by your side, his arm casually draped around your waist. You’d opted for a classic blue dress, elegant and understated, which seemed to enhance the sparkle in your eyes and the quiet grace in your movements.

Jennifer greeted you with her usual infectious energy and a hug that felt like a balm to your nerves. “You two! I’m so glad you could make it!”

The ceremony had taken place 40 minutes earlier, outside in the estate's lush garden, under a canopy of white roses and twinkling lights. And now the reception was in full swing. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air.

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't have missed your wedding for the world," you replied, returning her hug. "Everything looked amazing, and you were absolutely stunning in that dress."

She beamed at the compliment, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

"Congratulations, Jen," Daniel said, raising his champagne flute. You looked at him, his brown eyes shining with genuine happiness, and smiled. Jennifer took notice of this and grabbed your hands in hers, squeezing them tightly. "Thank you both so much for being here," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "And who knows, maybe you two will be next to tie the knot."

Both of you laughed at the suggestion, but you couldn't help but feel a warm flutter in your chest at the thought. A strange warm flutter, something you haven't felt in months; sadness, perhaps?

No, it couldn't be.

For the past six months, everything with Daniel has been nothing but perfect. He's been the perfect boyfriend: supportive, caring, and always there for you. You couldn't imagine being with anyone else right now. So the idea of marrying him didn't seem too far-fetched at all. On the contrary, it made perfect sense. So this feeling of unexplicable warmth and ache must've been nerves and excitement, nothing else.

The time for your speech arrived, and you took a deep breath as you were handed a microphone. The room fell into a respectful hush, the chatter and clinking glasses fading as the guests turned their attention to you. You glanced around, taking in the elegant decor and the sea of faces, many of whom you recognized. The soft, golden light from the chandeliers cast a warm glow over the gathering, and the atmosphere was filled with anticipation.

You adjusted the microphone slightly, feeling its cool metal against your fingers. You didn’t feel nervous; instead, a calm confidence washed over you. After all, you were good at this—pretending you were the best.

“Good evening, everyone,” you began, your voice clear and steady as you introduced yourself. "I have the distinct honor of speaking about our beautiful bride tonight.”

The crowd responded with polite applause, and you smiled, taking a moment to find your rhythm. "Jennifer," you continued, “where do I even begin? From the moment I met her, I knew

she was someone extraordinary. It’s not just her infectious laugh or her incredible talent that stands out, but her heart. Jennifer has a way of making everyone feel like they’re the most important person in the room.”

A soft chuckle rippled through the audience, and you saw Jennifer’s cheeks flush with a mixture of embarrassment and pleasure. You continued, weaving in anecdotes about your friendship, each story punctuated by a touch of humor and warmth. Laughter filled the room, and you finally caught Pedro’s eye momentarily. He was sitting at a table near the front, his gaze soft and attentive. The first time you saw him that night was when you arrived at the ceremony; he was already deep in conversation with someone.

You couldn’t quite read his expression, but you felt a flicker of emotion as your eyes met for a brief second. As you moved towards the more emotional part of your speech, your tone grew softer and more reflective.

The room cheered and applauded as you wrapped up your speech. Jennifer got to her feet and walked to the front, her eyes glistening with emotion. You stepped down feeling a sense of relief. The reception continued with lively music and dancing. You and Daniel enjoyed the evening, laughing and dancing with the other guests.

The joy of the celebration was palpable, but it couldn’t completely erase the tension you felt every time you glanced in Pedro’s direction. Exhausted from all the drinking and dancing and seeking a brief reprieve, you excused yourself to the bathroom.

"I'll be right back."

You give Daniel a quick kiss, his hands coming to rest on your waist.

"All good, baby?"

"Marvelous," you reply before slipping away from the crowd and into the quiet sanctuary of the bathroom. Its marble countertops gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights, the delicate scent of lavender soap mingling with the faint aroma of champagne and floral bouquets from the reception. You stood by the sink, staring at your reflection in the polished mirror, your fingers tracing the edge of the elegant marble as if it could ground you amidst the chaos of your emotions. You took a deep breath, trying to calm the flutter of unexpected anxiety in your chest.

The silence was briefly interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Well, so much for peace and quiet.

The door creaked open, and Pedro walked in with his usual confident stride, albeit slightly unsteady. His suit was pristine, the dark fabric impeccably tailored to his frame. Yet the disheveled state of his dark hair and the slightly rumpled collar of his shirt betrayed a night of indulgence. The contrast between his polished exterior and the evident effects of alcohol made him appear both charming and vulnerable.

Pedro’s eyes softened as they settled on you, taking in the sight of your dress—a stunning creation that clung to your form in all the right places, the deep hue accentuating your features. He stepped closer, his gaze lingering with an almost palpable mix of admiration and regret.

"I was looking for you," he said, his voice low and filled with a hint of longing. "And I saw you come in."

He locked the door behind him, the click echoing in the quiet room.

“You look incredible,” he said, his voice carrying the telltale tone of someone who had enjoyed a few too many drinks. “But then again, you always do.”

The compliment hung in the air, unacknowledged. You kept your focus on the sink, pretending to be absorbed in the intricate patterns of the marble. Pedro’s gaze remained fixed on you, sensing your reluctance and frustration.

“Not going to say anything? I come all the way in here to tell you how amazing you look, and you give me nothing,” he said, his tone a fragile blend of irritation and desperation. The words cut through the silence, revealing the cracks in his façade.

You remained silent, and the quiet only seemed to fuel his frustration. Pedro leaned against the wall, his posture both defiant and defeated. His eyes were filled with a mix of sadness and exasperation, reflecting the weight of the emotions he struggled to keep in check.

“What’s with the silent treatment?” he pressed, his voice barely more than a whisper. “We used to talk about everything, and now you can’t even respond to a compliment?”

The tension crackled like electricity in the confined space. Pedro’s dark and aching eyes betrayed the vulnerability he usually masked with confidence. He took a step closer, closing the distance between you with a sense of urgency.

“Is this how it’s going to be, then?” he asked, his voice a tremulous echo of desperation. “We’re just going to ignore each other until it all blows over again? pretending like everything’s fine when it’s clearly not.”

His proximity made your heart race; the warmth of his body and the intensity of his stare were both electrifying and suffocating. The room, once a refuge of privacy, now felt like a cage closing in on you, amplifying the emotional turmoil swirling between you.

"If I remember correctly, we already had this conversation," you finally said, your voice steady. “You come and go as you please, and then you act like nothing happened. How am I supposed to handle that?”

Pedro’s eyes filled with regret as he reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as they touched your arm.

"I’ve been trying to move on, like you told me to, but it’s impossible when you’re always on my mind." His touch was hesitant, the warmth of his hand a stark contrast to the coldness you felt inside.

As the minutes ticked by, the two of you remained locked in this intense, silent exchange. The muffled sounds of the party outside felt like distant echoes, drowned out by the gravity of your shared history and unresolved feelings.

Pedro’s eyes, dark and glassy from the alcohol, bore into yours as he closed the distance, his body pressing lightly against you. You could feel the heat of him, the scent of whiskey clinging to his breath, mixing with something familiar—him. Your pulse quickened, the rush of emotions swirling uncontrollably as you met his gaze.

“You’re drunk,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady, but it came out softer than you intended. The barrier you’d built so carefully maintained was beginning to crumble under the weight of his presence.

“And you’re beautiful,” he murmured, his breath grazing your skin. The way he said it, with that low, gravelly voice, made your heart stutter.

You wanted to hold onto the anger, to remind yourself of the hurtful words exchanged and the distance you had fought so hard to maintain, but his nearness was intoxicating. The warmth of his body, the brush of his fingertips against your arm—it was all too much. His scent, the alcohol, his desperation—it clouded your judgment, making everything hazy.

His gaze flickered over your face, searching for something you couldn’t name. “Do you love him?” he asked, and though he didn’t say Daniel’s name, the weight of the question nearly took your breath away.

You froze, refusing to answer, instead turning your head to the side, your eyes seeking solace in the marble counter or the door—anywhere but him. But Pedro, in his drunken determination, wouldn’t let you escape so easily. He gently tilted your chin up, forcing you to face him, his fingers warm against your skin.

“Look at me,” he whispered, the words barely a breath. “Tell me.”

Your eyes, betraying you, flickered to his, and in that moment, you felt everything unraveling. The years of history, the on-and-off again, the unsaid things—they crashed over you, threatening to drown you in their intensity.

“Pedro,” you managed, your voice shaky. “You’re drunk. Stop it.”

He ignored you, his eyes locked on yours, filled with a rawness that made it impossible to turn away. “No,” he insisted, his voice low and thick with emotion. “Answer me.”

The weight of his words pressed against your chest, squeezing the air from your lungs. You could feel your eyes starting to burn, the overwhelming need to cry pushing at the edges of your control. His touch was maddening—pulling memories to the surface that you’d spent so long trying to bury.

“Tell me, princesa,” he said, his voice barely a whisper now, the nickname slipping from his lips like a plea. “Do you love him?”

Your breath hitched, and for a moment, you couldn’t speak. The question lingered between you, suffocating the space; the answer too painful, too heavy to voice.

Finally, the words came, slow and trembling, barely louder than a breath. “I don’t know.”

The admission hung in the air, fragile and heartbreaking, and you could see the way it struck him, deep and unguarded. For a brief second, his hand dropped from your chin, and the look in his eyes—the sorrow, the regret—cut through you like a blade.

But still, he didn’t move. Neither did you. The gravity of everything left unsaid, everything unresolved, weighed too heavily, pulling you both into a moment from which there was no easy escape.

“Would it change something if I said no?” you asked, your voice sharp, cutting through the charged air between you both. The words were cold, edged with bitterness, the hurt simmering just beneath the surface.

Pedro’s reaction was instant—he grabbed your face with both hands, rougher than usual, though not enough to hurt. You didn't feel afraid; he could never make you feel as such. His grip was desperate, trembling slightly with the weight of everything unspoken. His eyes, though hazy from alcohol, searched yours with an intensity that made your heart pound harder. He was trying to find an answer, a way to salvage something, but you weren’t done.

“Would it change something, Pedro?” you pressed, your voice rising as you spit out the words like venom. “Would it? If I said no, would that make all of this—" you motioned between the two of you, your chest tight “—would it make this easier? What if I told you I don't love him? What if I told you I still think about you all the time? What would you do?”

Each question hit him like a physical blow, and you could see the pain etching itself deeper into his face with every 'what if' you hurled at him. He didn’t respond, but his grip on your face tightened, as if he could somehow hold onto you through the force of his hands alone. His silence only fueled your fire.

“No,” you finally said, your voice trembling but firm, “it wouldn’t matter because you're too late, Pedro. It wouldn’t change a damn thing. You think saying something now and asking me these questions will make up for all the times you left, all the times you didn’t say anything? We’re broken. And it’s too late to fix it.”

Pedro's breath was uneven as his fingers dug into your skin, not with malice but with a desperation you hadn’t seen in him before. His face crumpled for a brief second, his lips parting like he was about to say something—something big, something important—and you stopped him.

"Don't. Don't say it, not now," you whispered. "It wouldn't change a thing, so don't."

You were suffocating under him, until a sudden banging on the door jolted you both out of the moment. A voice called from the other side, followed by impatient knocks.

“Let me go,” you said, your voice trembling but resolute. The words were for more than just this moment. You needed him to release you—not just physically. But in that bathroom, right then, it felt like the only thing you could control.

Pedro didn’t move at first, his hands still gripping your face as if he couldn’t quite let go. His thumbs grazed your skin, and for a moment you saw the flash of something behind his eyes—fear, maybe, or regret—but then it passed, replaced by the same helplessness that had filled the space between you for years.

“Let me go, please,” you said again, softer this time, but it felt like more than a request. It was the final thread holding the two of you together, and cutting it felt both terrifying and necessary.

His hands slowly dropped, the warmth of his touch leaving your skin cold in an instant. It felt appropriate, almost painfully so, that this was how it ended—here, in a bathroom at a wedding, with a banging door and the realization that no matter how much you wanted it, there was no going back.

You turned away, your body trembling, unsure if it was from the confrontation or the emotional weight pressing down on your chest. The moment felt fragile, like something you needed to step away from before it shattered completely.

You weren’t sure if it was the right decision, but in that moment, it felt like the only one you could make because someone else was involved now, and the consequences of continuing down that path were too great to bear.

November 10, 2019

Los Angeles, CA

Pedro’s day had started much like any other, but there was an added weight hanging over him, like the prelude to something significant. He woke up to the sound of light rain tapping against his windows, a rare occurrence in LA and a subtle reminder of the calm before the real storm—the Mandalorian premiere later that evening. He spent some time with his nephews, who had flown in for the event. They were excited about the premiere, already talking about how "cool" their uncle looked as The Mandalorian—though he couldn't show them much yet.

The early afternoon was a blur of preparations: phone calls from his team, final wardrobe checks, and trying to keep his mind from wandering too much into places he didn’t want it to go. Places that involved you.

He chose a classic black suit with a beige shirt, effortlessly tailored—the kind of look that made him feel composed, even when he wasn’t. The nerves were creeping in.

As the car pulled up to the red carpet, Pedro felt the energy shift—flashes of cameras, the buzz of fans, all converging in one chaotic, yet intoxicating, atmosphere. His nephews were with him, their excitement helping ground him. For them, this was magic; for him, it was part of the job. But he couldn’t deny the thrill of it—the anticipation of seeing the first episode on the big screen with an audience.

And then, there you were.

You stepped onto the carpet in a buttery yellow dress that made you look radiant—warm, untouchable, yet familiar in a way that left him breathless for a moment. The dress was soft and flowing, but the way you held yourself was sharp, like you had an invisible armor. He could tell you avoided looking at him at first, but when the group photos began, there was no choice but to stand next to each other, cameras clicking, people cheering. You posed for pictures together, smiling for the crowd, playing your parts.

Pedro could feel the space between you—so small, yet it felt like a chasm. The cameras didn’t catch that. He stole a glance at you as you laughed at something the director said during the photo op. You looked happy, at ease. He wondered if you were.

Inside the theater, the atmosphere was electric. The cast and crew gathered on stage for a brief panel discussion before the screening. Dave talked about the legacy of Star Wars and Jon about the vision of the show. Pedro listened, nodding along, just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it all.

When it was your turn to speak, he watched you, waiting, unsure of what you’d say. Your voice was steady, confident as always, but then your words shifted.

You spoke about him.

“Pedro is... well, he’s a scene-stealer, as you’ve all seen from the trailers,” you joked, earning laughter from the audience. “But seriously, finally working with him has been one of the highlights of my career. His dedication, his talent, his kindness—it’s inspiring. I’m lucky to share this with him, and I hope we get to keep doing this for a long time.”

Pedro’s heart swelled at your words. He wasn’t sure if you meant it or if you were just saying what the audience wanted to hear. But for that moment, he let himself believe it was the truth. That you did still care, even in this small, professional way. But then again, this was your new normal—co-workers, partners on-screen, and nothing more.

December 25th, 2019

Perth, Australia

Christmas in Perth was like stepping into another world, a sun-drenched, easy-going atmosphere that felt miles away from the traditional snowy scenes of the holiday season. Daniel’s family welcomed you with open arms, not that you were expecting any less. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, fresh seafood, and eucalyptus from the trees outside, creating a kind of domestic vibe that you hadn't realized you craved until you were in the middle of it.

Daniel was relaxed too—his racing season over for a few weeks now; he was finally at ease, the stress that usually clung to him gone. You spent every moment together, just soaking in each other’s presence. He even traveled with you to your last film shoot, attending your workdays like you had attended some of his races, a seamless give-and-take in your relationship that made everything feel, well, easy.

It was bliss.

On Christmas Day, after the exchange of gifts and an extravagant lunch, you received a call from your mom. You sat on the veranda, watching the cicadas buzz lazily in the midday heat, and spoke to her about how things were. She asked about Daniel, about his family, and about how you were doing with everything. You promised to visit soon, reassuring her that you were fine, happy, even.

But later, as you scrolled through Instagram, something pulled you out of that happiness, if only for a moment. A post from the Rise of Skywalker premiere a couple of days ago, you assume—a photo of Pedro and Oscar standing side by side, their smiles broad, their laughter captured perfectly in the shot. Pedro, inexplicably, was wearing... pajamas? Or maybe a robe? It was such a bizarre choice, so utterly him, that you couldn’t help but laugh aloud at the sight of it. The sound surprised you, breaking through the blanket of serenity you'd wrapped around yourself. But the pang that followed was sharper, unexpected. You scrolled past quickly, trying to ignore the ache it left behind.

•••

As New Year's Eve approached, the festive atmosphere grew louder, more carefree. You found yourself caught in the whirl of it all—the parties, the lights, the endless laughter—but always with Daniel by your side. On the night itself, amidst the dancing and celebrations with his family and friends, you received a call from Oscar and his wife. They both wished you a happy new year, their voices warm and full of affection. You exchanged pleasantries, caught up for a few minutes, until Oscar, in his usual thoughtful way, asked gently, “Have you heard from him?”

You paused, knowing exactly who he meant. “No, not really,” you said, your voice steady, but there was a crack in it that even you could hear. “But it’s okay.”

Oscar hesitated on the other end. You could feel his discomfort, the weight of watching two people he cared about drift into something neither of you could quite name. “I’m sorry,” you told him quietly, not sure why. Your words were soft, almost lost in the noise of the party around you.

��It’s no one’s fault,” he said, trying to comfort you, but it didn’t land quite right. There was a shared understanding, though—one that didn’t need words.

The conversation ended soon after, and you returned to the celebration, but it felt like a weight had settled back onto your chest, one that hadn't fully disappeared, no matter how much love surrounded you.

Later that night, as the party raged on downstairs, you and Daniel snuck away to your room, laughing softly as you closed the door behind you. The moment between you shifted quickly, from playful to urgent, as his hands found your skin and yours found his. It was quick, hot sex—an eruption of need in the midst of celebration. Afterward, he whispered, “Happy New Year,” his breath warm against your ear, and you nestled into his arms, letting yourself be wrapped in the comfort of his embrace.

But as you lay there, the world outside falling quiet, that familiar ache gnawed at your chest again. No matter how happy you seemed or how full your life felt, the longing never fully disappeared. It clung to you, a ghost from the past, waiting in the shadows for moments like this to remind you it was still there.

You wished, as you lay in Daniel’s arms, for the ache to go away with the old year. To leave behind all that hurt, all the unanswered questions, and move forward into the new year with nothing but joy.

But deep down, you knew that wasn’t how it worked.

a/n: a like, reblog or comment, anything is very much appreciated <3 next part coming very soon!!

[keeryhours]

naked in manhattan - robin buckley

Robin Buckley x Best friend! female reader

Masterlist

Stranger Things Masterlist

2024 Promptmas Masterlist

Summary:

You share a hotel room with your best friend Robin on a band trip to NYC, and things get exciting.

Warnings:

Smut (18+), fingering, oral (both f receiving), underage drinking, reader is conflicted about her sexuality

Word Count: 3.2k

A/N:

I’m posting out of order, but here’s my second fic for The Twelve Days of Promptmas event by @littlexdeaths ! Prompt: “mistletoe mayhem”.

—

The excitement in the air was palpable as the bus slowly made its way through the busy streets of New York City. Snow was falling outside and buildings were decorated with lights and garland. It felt like a winter wonderland.

“Holy shit,” your best friend, Robin, said, her face pressed against the bus window. “I can’t believe we’re actually in New York.”

You adjusted your clarinet case at your feet. You had spent weeks excited about this band trip, and now it was finally here. You couldn’t believe how lucky you were to get to visit the city.

The bus rolled up to the hotel - it was much nicer than you’d been expecting. The Hawkins High marching band filed off the bus, the band director leading everyone into the lobby.

If you thought the outside of the buildings were decked out for Christmas, the inside of the hotel lobby was something else entirely. Tinsel and garland spread around the large room with marble floors, a giant grand Christmas tree sitting right in the middle.

“Wow,” you whispered, taking it all in.

“This is so cool!” Robin exclaimed, taking your hand in hers. She turned to you, her eyes shining and a smile on her face. “I’m so glad we’re here together.”

“Me too!” You told her, squeezing her hand in return.

The band director began handing out room assignments and hotel room keys. You crossed your fingers you’d be assigned with someone you actually liked, since you weren’t allowed to choose.

When you were given your room assignment, you practically screamed in excitement. Robin looked over your shoulder, seeing you had somehow been paired together.

“Yes!!” She yelled, wrapping you in a hug. “I’m so fucking excited. This is going to be the best trip ever.”

You and Robin separated long enough to grab your luggage and instrument cases, then you were piling into the elevator with some other kids from band. You rode up to the 10th floor, walking down the carpeted hallway to room 1006.

“This is us,” Robin said, scanning the card and pushing open the door.

The room wasn’t big but it was nice. Plush carpeting covered the floor, a floral wallpaper on the walls. A king size bed sat in the middle of the room with a TV and mini fridge across from it. Two comfortable looking chairs sat in the corner with a table between. A large glass window covered the wall behind them. The bathroom was directly to the left of the door, a huge tub and glass shower inside.

“This is amazing,” you said, looking around your accommodation for the weekend. You and Robin stored your luggage against the wall and collapsed down on the incredibly soft bed, exhausted from the long ride.

After you both had a shower and ate dinner in the hotel restaurant with the rest of band, the two of you retired back to your room for the night. You were sitting cross legged on the floor facing each other, talking.

“So, I brought something,” Robin said, wiggling her eyebrows.

You raised yours at her. “What?”

She reached into her bag and dug around, before pulling out a bottle of tequila. “Ta-da!”

You laughed hard. “Oh my god. You did not sneak a bottle of tequila on our band trip.”

Robin smiled mischievously. “I absolutely did. Steve got it for us. Want to take shots with me?”

“Um, absolutely.”

Robin didn’t bring shot glasses, so you used the styrofoam coffee cups provided by the hotel. Robin poured you each a shot and you downed it, making a face.

As you drank together, you felt your cheeks flush, both of you feeling giggly and light. Robin had the cutest blush when she was drunk-

Wait, what?

You didn’t think about Robin in that way. You didn’t have feelings for her, she was just your best friend. You didn’t have feelings for girls in that way. Right?

After six shots each you were both pretty drunk, laughing and gossiping and talking about anything and everything.

“Oh my god,” Robin said, barely able to talk through her laughter. “So Steve starts flirting with this girl, right?” She gets lost in a fit of giggles again. “And the girl literally throws her ice cream at him!”

You busted out into laughter. “No way!”

“Yes! I swear to god!” Robin pours two more shots, handing you your cup. You both down them again.

“Oops,” Robin giggled as she spilled some of the alcohol down the side of her face.

You don’t know what made you do it, but you leaned in, licking the excess alcohol off her cheek. Robin’s eyes went wide as you sat back, and then both of you fell into another fit of laughter.

“You’re so cute when you’re drunk,” Robin said. She looked down at the bottle in her hand, like she was suddenly shy. Robin was never shy around you.

“You think so?” You felt like you looked like a mess. You were sure your hair was all disheveled, and you were dressed in your old pajamas, a t-shirt and pair of sweatpants. You definitely didn’t feel cute.

“Of course I do.” Robin looked back up at you. “Have you ever kissed a girl?”

The question caught you completely off guard. Your eyes widened, a blush creeping onto your cheeks. “No.”

“Would…you want to?”

You opened your mouth to answer, but no sound came out. “Uh…”

Robin immediately backtracked. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Forget I said anything, I don’t know why I-“

“I would.”

Robin stopped cold. “You would?”

“Yeah…why not?” You felt your whole body blushing, feeling like your skin was on fire.

A smile spread across Robin’s face. “I got something else.” You watched her curiously as she dug back in her bag - pulling out a hanging mistletoe. “I snagged this from the lobby,” she admitted sheepishly.

You laughed. “Oh my god, you’re so cheesy.”

She smiled, holding the mistletoe above both your heads, between you. “Now we have to kiss. It’s the law.”

You couldn’t wipe the dopey grin off your face as you both leaned in. Your eyes fell closed as you neared Robin’s face, and then you were feeling the softness of her plush lips against yours.

She raised her hand to cup your cheek as you kissed, and it’s like the world fell away around you. You couldn’t think about anything but how her lips molded to yours, the way she smelled and tasted like her fruity bubblegum from earlier along with a hint of the tequila. Her tongue ran across your bottom lip, and you opened your mouth, your tongue meeting hers.

You moaned into the kiss, surprising yourself. Robin moved closer, her hand moving to tangle in the hair at the back of your head. You leaned backwards as she crawled over you, kissing you deeper.

“Robin…” you said, not wanting her to stop but feeling conflicted. You had never had feelings for girls before, but Robin was making you feel something you’d never experienced, and it scared you.

“What?” she asked between kisses to your soft lips.

“This is wrong…”

She pulled away a little, looking at you with concern. “How is it wrong?”

“I don’t…I don’t like girls in that kinda way…” You weren’t sure if you were trying to convince Robin or yourself.

Robin buried her face in your neck, placing a gentle kiss there. “You know it’s okay to like girls and boys, right?” She murmured into your ear. “If you want to do this, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

Her words made your heart race in your chest. You did want this, you knew deep down. You were just terrified. Robin pulled back again to look into your eyes, and you feared she could see the conflict in them.

“Seriously. It’s okay to want this,” she repeated. “But if you don’t, just tell me. It won’t change anything between us.”

You thought for a second. “I…I want this.”

Robin smiled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

She leaned in again, slowly this time, and when you felt her lips pressed to yours once again, everything felt right. She kissed you with a passion you had never experienced from the guys you had kissed. You ran your fingers through her short hair, moaning into the kiss and not even caring anymore. She returned the moan, her tongue meeting yours again.

“Do you want to move to the bed?” She asked, breathless.

“Yeah, yeah that would be better,” you giggled. She helped you up and you sat down on the bed, Robin crawling back over you again as you laid back. She leaned over you on her left arm, her right hand trailing up your side and grasping at your breasts over your shirt.

As you made out, you got more and more turned on, wanting Robin to touch you everywhere. She must have had the same idea, because she began pushing your t-shirt up your body.

“Can I take this off?” She asked, reluctantly pulling away from your kiss-swollen lips.

“Yes,” you breathed out, sitting up to help her get the clothing off. You were left bare chested, and Robin’s eyes locked on them as you reached for her shirt to remove it as well.

You had never seen Robin like this. Your eyes went wide and you tentatively reached forward, grabbing at her breasts and rubbing your thumbs over her hardened nipples. She hummed at the feeling, her eyes falling closed.

“Have you ever done this with a girl before?” You asked.

“No, but I’ve always wanted to,” she admitted. “…Especially with you,” she added sheepishly.

You smiled back at her. “You’ve had a crush on me, Robs?”

She blushed, looking away. “Yeah, for forever.”

You placed your hand on her cheek, turning her head to look at you again. “I always thought you were beautiful.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” You leaned in to capture her lips with yours again. “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

Robin blushed even deeper. She looked so cute with her cheeks tinged red, her lips wet from kissing. Your kisses. You pulled her back for more.

Robin leaned over you again, kissing down your neck and chest until she was wrapping her lips around one of your nipples. You gasped, but it turned into a moan as she began to suck on it, running her tongue in circles around the bud.

“Robin,” you moaned, your fingers tangling in her hair again. She moved to the other one, sucking gently. Her hand wandered down your body to the waistband of your sweatpants. Her hand dipped beneath the fabric of your panties, and you gasped again as you felt her fingers against your clit, beginning to rub slow circles.

“Is that okay?” she whispered against your skin. You nodded vigorously.

“Yes, please don’t stop-“

You could feel her smile against the skin of your chest. “Can I take them off?”

“Yeah, yes,” you breathed, wanting more of the way she was making you feel.

Robin hooked her fingers into the waist of your pants and panties and pulled them down together, exposing you completely to her. Her eyes widened as she looked at you, and you suddenly felt self conscious.

“What?” You asked, hoping there wasn’t something wrong or that she found unattractive about your body.

“I just…” she started, eyes locked on your body. “I’ve never seen a girl naked in person like this before.”

“Me either,” you said, blushing slightly. “I feel like you’re overdressed, though.”

Robin giggled. “Want me to take these off?” She asked, hooking her thumbs into the waist of her own pants.

“Please,” you confirmed, and she slid the clothing off her body while holding eye contact with you.

God, she was even more beautiful like this. Seeing her completely naked had your heart beating wildly in your chest, and you couldn’t help reaching out to touch her, running your hands all across her smooth skin, her breasts, her ass, over her stomach and down to her core, running your fingers through her folds and feeling how wet she was for you. It was so much different than being with a man, you felt a little out of your depth.

But evidently you were doing something right with the way she closed her eyes and moaned, looking absolutely ethereal. She laid on the bed next to you and reached her hand over to do the same to you.

Before you knew what was happening, she pushed you over and was back on top of you, kissing her way down your body. When she reached between your legs, your thighs were trembling with anticipation - you hadn’t had many guys want to go down on you, usually they only wanted it themselves. But now Robin was placing kisses on the inside of your thighs before licking a stripe through your folds, causing your back to arch off the bed. “Oh!”

“Feel good?” she asked from between your legs, before licking over your clit.

“Fuck, yeah,” you said, voice breathless as you felt the most intense pleasure. Sex with guys never felt like this.

You could feel her smile, and she wrapped her lips around your clit, sucking gently before running her tongue around it again. You felt her finger at your entrance, and she pushed it inside, pumping it in and out as she ate your pussy eagerly, like she had been dying to do this for ages.

“Oh my god Robin,” you moaned, hands grasping at her hair. “How’d you learn to do this?”

She pulled away long enough to giggle - “Just a natural, I guess-“ and then she was diving back in. She licked at your pussy greedily, drinking in everything you gave her. She added another finger, pumping them into you and curling them up so they hit a spot deep inside you that had you seeing stars.

It’s like she knew exactly what to do to bring you to your high. You felt it building quickly, thighs trembling around her head as she lapped at your core, paying special attention to your clit. “Tastes so good,” she remarked, moaning as she ate your pussy. “Just like I always imagined.”

“Robin…I’m…”

She grabbed onto your right thigh with her free hand, squeezing it tightly as she buried her face in your pussy, nose pressing against your clit when she would lick lower before moving back up to suck on it again. She moved her left hand from your thigh and trailed it up your belly to pinch at your nipples. “Cum for me, babe,” she encouraged, pumping her fingers faster and sucking hard on your clit.

That pushed you over the edge and you came hard, holding her face to your pussy as you grinded against her tongue and moaned so loud you were sure your bandmates could hear on the other side of the wall. “Robin! Fuck, Robin, oh my god!”

She drank up your release greedily, riding out your high until you were so sensitive you were pushing her away. When she looked up at you, her mouth and chin were covered in your wetness. She collided her lips with yours and your tongues tangled together, tasting yourself on her tongue.

“That was so fucking hot,” she said, breathless. “I can’t believe we just did that.”

“Me either,” you giggled, still feeling light and bubbly from the alcohol. You grabbed her shoulders and pushed her over, an adorable squeal coming from her mouth. “Now it’s my turn.”

Her eyes were wide as you kissed your way down her body, over her breasts, licking over her peaked nipples as you went. You kissed down her stomach, goosebumps peppering her skin as you moved. When you were laying between her legs, you realized you didn’t exactly know what to do, but you were eager to try.

You took an experimental lick along her folds, tasting her slick on your tongue. Her pussy was already soaking wet from what you had done together, and she tasted like heaven. She moaned above you, hands tangling in the bedsheets. “Ohmygod, feels so good,” she said, which only encouraged you to do more.

You licked lightly over her clit, gauging her reaction. She arched her hips up, wanting to feel more of your mouth on her pussy. You obliged, sucking on her clit before licking between her folds. She tasted so sweet, nothing like you had expected pussy to taste, since most of the guys you’d been with had no desire to go down on girls. They were missing out.

You pushed two fingers into her hole, curling your fingers the way she had that felt so incredible. Robin tangled a hand in your hair with the other still in the sheets. “Good?” You asked her, and she nodded quickly.

“Yes, please please don’t stop,” she begged, body writhing beneath your movements. You didn’t dare stop, loving all the sounds you could pull from her as you devoured her just as she had done for you.

“I’m close,” she said, hand trembling in your hair, and you could tell she really was by the way she began to grind her hips up against your mouth, her moans becoming higher and more desperate sounding.

“Already?” You teased, before quickly wrapping your lips around her clit again. She let out a high “Oh!”

“You have no idea how turned on I was doing you first,” she admitted, her voice completely breathless. “Shit, I’m gonna cum, babe-“

You cut her off by sucking hard on her clit, and then she was practically screaming, calling your name over and over like a prayer, pulling on your hair and writhing beneath your mouth. You rode out her high, lapping up all of her wetness.

When you were done, you collapsed on the bed next to her again. You were both breathing heavily, in shock about what had just happened between you. You looked to the huge window at the side of the room, seeing the snow pouring down heavily.

“Wanna take a bath together?” You asked her, wiggling your eyebrows. You wanted to keep being close to her, didn’t want this to end and be a one time thing.

“That sounds amazing,” she said.

You ran a bubble bath for the both of you, sitting in the giant tub together. You explored each other’s bodies with your hands in the tub, kissing and laughing. That night you slept in bed together, cuddled close.

You were woken bright and early by the band director pounding on the door, and you groaned, your head aching from the alcohol the night before. The memories of what happened between you and Robin came flooding back, and you were suddenly terrified everything would be awkward now.

But Robin woke up with a smile on her face. “Hey, beautiful,” she greeted.

“Hey,” you said back, a nervous smile on your face. She reached over, grabbing your hand.

“I was thinking…” She began.

“Yeah?”

“Would you…want to be my girlfriend? Maybe?” She looked at you with hopeful eyes, and it made you feel warm in your chest.

“Yeah,” you said, squeezing her hand. “I’d like that.”

[scoupsakakitty]

Closer Than Ever | idol!Dino x Reader | fluff

Dino hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind.

It had been months since the last concert in Seoul, where he’d met Y/N for the first time after the show. Vernon had introduced him to her and Sofia, and while he’d tried to play it cool, Dino knew he’d failed miserably. There was just something about her—her quiet confidence, her sense of humor, the way she made him feel at ease despite the chaos of their world.

She’d lingered in his thoughts ever since. And, from the way Vernon and Sofia smirked every time her name came up, Dino had a sneaking suspicion he hadn’t been as subtle about it as he thought.

What he didn’t know was that Y/N had been thinking about him just as much. Something about his boyish charm and genuine warmth had left a lasting impression on her. Even though she wasn’t deeply immersed in the K-pop world, Dino’s presence had made her want to learn more—not about the industry, but about him.

Now, in New York, Dino and Vernon were on their way to Sofia and Y/N’s apartment. The excuse was simple: catching up. But Dino couldn’t ignore the flutter of nerves in his chest as they climbed the stairs to the apartment door.

Sofia opened it before they could even knock, her face lighting up. “You’re finally here! Come in, it’s freezing out there.”

Vernon stepped inside first, pulling Dino along with him. The apartment was warm and cozy, just as Dino remembered it. And there, sitting cross-legged on the couch, was Y/N.

Her face lit up the moment their eyes met. “Hi,” she said, standing to greet them.

“Hi,” Dino replied, his voice a little softer than he’d intended.

Sofia rolled her eyes playfully. “Alright, alright. Let’s not make this awkward. Come on, we ordered pizza.”

The four of them settled into an easy rhythm, laughing and talking like old friends. But every now and then, Dino’s eyes would wander to Y/N, and he’d catch her looking back at him. Each time, his heart raced a little faster.

“So,” Vernon said, breaking into the conversation with a casual grin. “What are you two doing tomorrow night?”

Sofia raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“We’ve got a concert,” Vernon replied. “Thought you might want to come.”

“A concert?” Y/N asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Yeah,” Dino said, finally finding his voice. “It’s our last show in New York. It’d be great to have you there.”

Sofia smirked knowingly. “I’m in. What about you, Y/N?”

Y/N glanced at Dino, her lips curving into a smile. “I’d love to.”

————————————————————————————

The next night, Madison Square Garden was packed. Dino stood on stage, the energy of the crowd fueling him as they performed hit after hit. But despite the bright lights and deafening cheers, his focus kept drifting to the VIP section, where Sofia and Y/N sat.

When “Aju Nice” began, Dino and Vernon exchanged a quick glance. This was their moment. As the song’s infectious rhythm kicked in, the two of them jogged down the stairs and into the crowd, heading straight for Sofia and Y/N.

The audience went wild as Dino reached Y/N, his grin wide as he held out his hand. She laughed, taking it, and he spun her around in a playful dance before stepping back and continuing the performance. The moment was brief, but the spark it ignited was undeniable.

————————————————————————————

After the show, Dino found Y/N backstage, leaning against a wall as she waited for Sofia. His nerves were in overdrive, but he forced himself to walk over.

“Hey,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

She looked up, smiling warmly. “Hey. You guys were amazing tonight.”

“Thanks,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Did you have fun?”

“Are you kidding? It was incredible,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “I wish I could go to more of your concerts.”

Dino’s heart skipped at her words. He hesitated for a moment before stepping a little closer, his voice low but steady. “That’s something we can change, you know.”

Her eyebrows raised slightly. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he said, his lips curving into a small smile. “If you’re up for it, we could… I don’t know, stay in touch. Maybe get to know each other better.”

Y/N’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she smiled, her voice soft as she replied, “I’d like that.”

Dino’s grin widened, the weight in his chest lifting. “Good. Because I’ve been wanting to say that since Seoul.”

She laughed lightly, her gaze holding his. “Took you long enough.”

“Better late than never, right?”

“Right,” she agreed, her smile growing.

And as Sofia and Vernon rejoined them, Dino couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t just the end of another concert—it was the start of something much more.

————————————————————————————

[thehereticdiaries]

A (Not So) Meet Cute: Chapter Three

Chapter Summary: You're beginning to fall into a new routine with the members of Stray Kids. A phone call from the police stops you dead in your tracks.

Warnings: Descriptions of stalking, reader has a ton of anxiety (rightfully so), cops

Series Masterlist

A/N: will my MCs ever find peace? probably not.

When you woke up the next morning, you doubted that Seungmin would actually walk you to work. After all, why would he wake up early just to be your escort? You went through your routine as usual, making sure to double and triple check that your phone was charged and the charger was in your bag before heading out.

“Morning.” You jumped as you exited your apartment building. Holy shit, Seungmin was really waiting for you. He leaned against the back of a bench across from the entrance, eyebrow quirked in amusement. He wore a mask again today, but went without a hat.

“Oh my god, Seungmin, you didn’t have to get up early just to walk me to work.” You held your elbow in your hand, feeling guilty for burdening the idol. 

“I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to.” The corners of Seungmin’s eyes crinkled and he stood properly to brush his knuckles across your cheek. You gaped at him, suddenly feeling warm despite the cool autumn breeze. 

“Oh, um, okay. If you’re sure. The bus stop is this way.” You led the way to your usual stop, the bus arriving not long after you. The commute honestly wasn’t bad, yesterday had been a fluke. 

“I haven’t been on a public bus in years,” Seungmin mentioned as you found open seats. You raised your eyebrows.

“Really? I guess that makes sense, though. It’s safer for you to have a driver.” You could only assume that being on public transport had too much risk of being recognized.

“Technically, I’m not allowed to use buses.” 

“Are you going to get in trouble because of this?!” You scolded with a glare. Seungmin shrugged in response, completely unbothered with his little act of rebellion. You shook your head, turning back to your phone to scroll on Instagram for a bit. You angled your phone toward Seungmin when you noticed him looking over your shoulder. Fifteen minutes and four stops later, you stepped off the bus and made the final ten minute walk to the bookstore.

“I’ll be back later to walk you home,” Seungmin said as he held the door open for you.

“But-”

“No ‘buts’, see you later.” He nudged you into the store and went back the way you had come from. You were left baffled once again, but pushed it aside to focus on your shift.

Over the next week, every member of Stray Kids walked with you to and from work. Seungmin showed up the most out of everyone. It felt like overkill, but they wouldn’t accept any arguments from you. Today’s shift dragged on with how little there was to do. Everything was clean and stocked, there were hardly ten customers in the 3 hours since your shift started, and you’ve closed and reopened TikTok at least five times. The soft classical music playing over the store radio threatened to lull you to sleep. You were jolted out of your stupor by your phone buzzing on the counter.

“Hello?”

“Good afternoon, this is Officer Jeong. May I speak to Ms. Y/N L/N?” A serious-sounding man asked curtly.

“This is she.”

“Ah, hello Ms. L/N. I am calling on behalf of Detective Keng. She has some new information regarding your case and would like to call you today to discuss,” Officer Jeong explained. 

“Oh! Of course, I finish work at 3pm and should be home around 3:30,” you told the officer. He hummed, keys clicking swiftly in the background.

“That should work perfectly. Detective Keng will be finished with a meeting at 4pm, so she will be able to call shortly afterward.” You quickly wrote down the detective’s name and the time she’d be calling on a sticky note.

“Okay, thank you for letting me know, Officer.” You exchanged polite goodbyes and hung up. Cool, now that you were incredibly anxious, the next three hours of your shift should go by much more quickly.

You predicted correctly. After finishing the call with Officer Jeong, the afternoon flew by in a blur and soon enough Seungmin appeared to walk you home. You told him about the upcoming phone call and your subsequent anxiety while you sat on the bus.

“Do you want me to stay for the call?” Seungmin offered, albeit a little hesitantly.

“Honestly, that would be really nice. Are you sure, though? You sounded kinda nervous.”

“I’m sure. I just haven’t been in your apartment yet and I didn’t want to invite myself in, y’know?” He assured with a smile hidden behind his mask. Back at your apartment, Seungmin sat on your loveseat, watching you pace around your kitchen. He tried to get you to sit down and relax while you waited for the detective’s call, but you needed to do something to release your pent-up anxiety. Why didn’t Officer Jeong tell you if it was good news or bad news?! Finally, finally your phone rang. You rushed to sit next to Seungmin as you put the call on speaker.

“Hi, is this Y/N L/N?” A woman’s voice asked.

“Yes, I’m assuming this is Detective Keng?” 

“It is, I see Officer Jeong was able to talk to you earlier. I’ve been looking into Cho Siwoo, the man that harassed you, and I’ve found some information that may be disturbing to you,” Detective Keng stated. A pit of worry gnawed at your stomach.

“Before you continue, I have a friend with me. Is it okay if he listens to our conversation?” You were terrified of having to deal with this alone.

“That’s quite alright.” You sighed quietly in relief. “Now, Mr. Cho has been living with a friend for several months. We interviewed his friend, and searched the apartment. Ms. L/N, it appears that he has been following you far longer than we expected.”

“What?” An icy chill creeped its way into your bloodstream. Seungmin scooted slightly closer to you, resting a hand on your knee. 

“He has photos printed of you in a Ziploc bag amongst his other belongings. Some of these photos date back to April.” 

“Bu-but it’s October now,” you stammered. Seungmin tightened his grip on your knee, but you moved his hand to hold in your own. 

“I’m very sorry to tell you this, Ms. L/N, but he’s been watching for a very long time. There aren’t any photos of the inside of your apartment, nor any of you in compromising positions. But we’ve found that Mr. Cho has a reputation, and with that comes respect from others on the street.”

“What does that mean, exactly?” Seungmin interrupted. Detective Keng sighed tiredly, which only made you more nervous.

“It means that he has access to information. Ms. L/N, do you have somewhere you can stay for the time being? I’m afraid your apartment isn’t safe at the moment, not until we’re able to confirm who all of Mr. Cho’s associates are.” Panicked tears fell down your cheeks. You didn’t have anywhere else to go, all you had was this apartment. The closest family member to you was still at least three hours away. You couldn’t just leave.

“Yes, ma’am, she does,” Seungmin answered in your silence. You stared at him, wide-eyed, but he kept his gaze fixed on your phone. 

“Good. I’ll need the address. I would advise against walking anywhere alone for now. I promise you, I will make sure you and your home are safe again,” Detective Keng assured. The sharp edge to her voice confirmed her commitment. She gave you the number for her work phone, should you need anything, then ended the call. A sob wracked your body. Seungmin pulled you so you sat between his legs, both legs over one of his knees, and wrapped you tightly in his arms. You trembled violently in his hold.

“Why did you tell her I have somewhere to stay?! I hardly have friends in this city and my family is hours away, and I can’t afford–”

“Y/N,” Seungmin cut off your rambling, holding your face in his hands and forcing your eyes to meet his. “You’re staying with us.”

“What? No, Seungmin, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Good thing you’re not asking. I’m telling you, you can stay with us,” he insisted. 

“Have you even asked the others about this? Even if you say I can, what if they say no?” Seungmin rolled his eyes, pulling out his phone and starting a call on speaker.

“Hey, is everything alright? You’re normally back by now,” Chan answered after a few rings. 

“No, actually, a detective called Y/N about her case. That guy’s been stalking her for months, Chan. Her apartment isn’t safe.” You bit your lip, tears still streaming silently down your face. Seungmin guided your head to rest on his shoulder and exhaustion washed over you.

“Holy shit, are you serious?” You could hear the others shouting in the background. “Guys, please, I need you to be quiet. This is important.”

“I wish I was joking. The detective said she should stay somewhere else while they continue their investigation. Thing is, she doesn’t have any family close by.” He was baiting Chan and he only felt slightly guilty about it.

“She can stay with us,” the leader offered without hesitation. 

“That’s what I told her. You believe me now?” Seungmin directed the question at you. 

“Wait, am I on speaker? Y/N, I promise no one would have an issue with you staying here,” Chan confirmed. You hated that you were being such a burden to them. They have enough on their plate as-is. But you didn’t have much of a choice.

“Okay,” you whimpered in a voice so tiny, it squeezed at the hearts of both Chan and Seungmin.

“We’re gonna get some stuff packed for her, then head over. I’ll call for a car.” 

“Good, I’ll see you both soon.” Chan hummed in acknowledgement. “And Y/N? I know what you’re thinking. You are not a burden.” You inhaled sharply, digging yourself further into Seungmin’s neck. He ended the call after another hasty goodbye.

For the next few minutes, you sat in silence to stave off your impending panic attack. Seungmin's chest vibrated as he quietly hummed the melody to Stars and Raindrops. You repeated the grounding exercise that Jisung showed you several times in your head. Now, with your panic dampened down to a nagging anxiety, you were suddenly very aware of the position of Seungmin’s hands. With the thumb of his left hand, he rubbed soothing circles on the nape of your neck, and his right sat patiently on your thigh. 

“I’ll grab a suitcase,” you muttered, hoping your hair hid your reddened face as you moved to your room. Unfortunately for you, Seungmin was a very observant man. He smirked, but chose not to say anything. He offered to help you pack and you immediately refused. Your soul would have literally left your body if he accidentally caught a glimpse of your underwear. You rolled your suitcase and duffle bag into the living room once you finished, pausing to sling your bag across your shoulder.

“I called Dohyun, he should be here soon.” Seungmin stood and plucked your duffle bag from your hand. “Let’s get down to the garage.” The car pulled up right as you stepped out of the elevator. Dohyun tossed you a sympathetic smile after you slid into the backseat. Seungmin sat next to you and nodded to Dohyun, who promptly began the drive back to the dorm.

All of the Stray Kids members have seen your apartment, but this was the first time you’ve been to their dorm. Honestly? It was much cleaner than you anticipated, considering eight young men lived here. Actually, the furniture and decor were really stylish. Jisung and Chan were the only ones in the living room. The leader stood to help with your luggage but paused when he noticed your red, puffy eyes. 

“I’m so sorry this is happening to you.” Chan wrapped you in a firm, comforting hug. You gripped the back of his t-shirt to ground yourself and fight back a fresh onslaught of tears. “Is there anything you need right now?”

“I just really want to take a nap.” You reluctantly pulled back so he could guide you to the couch. You allowed Jisung to bring your head to lay on his lap. He carded his fingers through your hair and the tension slowly melted from your body. You vaguely felt a second pair of hands tuck a fluffy blanket around you before succumbing to sleep.

Permanent Taglist: @furfoxsake22 @babygirlskz98 @miniverse-zen @holly-here

Series Taglist: Open, send an ask or comment to be added!

[rayaverra]

Jealousy Unleashed // Luke Castellan

pairing: luke castellan x fem!reader

genre: angst

request: Hi, could you do Luke castellan x fem reader where the reader makes Luke jealous? Thank you!

summary: you and Luke had an argument, and now you try to break his silent treatment by making him jealous.

warnings: probably language

wc: 1k

notes: I had many ideas of how to approach this, but I decided to make it a bit angst. hope you like it :)

english is not my first language, so there may be mistakes.

・❥・༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶・❥・

You and Luke were a beautiful couple, but just like all couples, there was problem in paradise. You didn't argue a lot, but when you did, oh boy! You were both too stubborn and, above all, too proud to admit your wrongs. This time was no different. After a stupid argument (that neither of you remember the cause of because it probably was something stupid), Luke was giving you the silent treatment. He had done this before, but he never lasted longer than a few hours because neither of you could go very long without talking to the other. But this one had been going on for almost two days, and you wouldn't let it pass.

You were at the bonfire sing-along with the Apollo cabin, blatantly talking and laughing with anyone who wasn't Luke. When he attempted to get your attention from across the bonfire, you glanced at him, then turned back around to continue your conversation with Charles.

Luke crossed his arms, gritting his teeth. "Stay calm," he thought to himself. "She's just talking to Beckendorf. He's like four years younger than her."

Just when he started to cool off, you stood up from your seat. He watched as you walked your way to Nick, a boy from the Athena cabin, closer to your age. His blood started to heat up.

In all honesty, you were just talking to him to piss Luke off. It was an awful thing to do—you recognized that—but maybe he needed to suffer a little before you forgave him. Plus, maybe this would make him break his silence and actually talk to you instead of glaring like a little kid from across the room. If Luke wanted to hold a grudge, you would too, and you knew he wouldn't apologize unless you took action.

And of course, you refused to be the one to apologize first.

The Stolls walked over to Luke, picking up immediately on their brother's increasing anger. Connor poked Luke's arm and almost jumped back when Luke gave him a look of murderous rage. "What do you want?" Luke snapped, looking over Travis' shoulder as you leaned toward Nick a bit more. "I'm a little busy, as you can see."

"Totally!" said Travis, rolling his eyes.

"Maybe you should just apologize to her instead of glaring at the back of her head while she talks to Nick." Connor said, glancing over his shoulder at you.

"Who isn't exactly ugly, by the way." Added Travis, reminding Luke how most of the girls at camp consider him attractive.

"You don't know her like I do, so you wouldn't understand. Now go do... whatever you were doing, I told you I'm busy." Luke waved them away with his hands and returned to his previous activity of glaring at his girlfriend, arms crossed, and a childish pout on his lips.

"Yeah, busy pretending you don't care about your girlfriend while pretty boy over there is making openly flirtatious comments towards her." Connor nudged him.

"If I were you, I would apologize now, before she and Nick get even cozier over there," Travis pointed towards you and Nick, who were sitting incredibly close. He had one hand twirling a stand of your hair, the other resting close to your knee.

Luke was furious; in a cartoon world, he would've turned red, and steam would've come out of his ears. He quickly made his way over there before you could even blink, forcing himself in between you both and sitting down right there. He leaned into you, wrapping an arm around your waist, before turning his head toward Nick and raising his eyebrows.

"That looked like a nice conversation, mind if I join you?"

"I don't think it would make much of a difference if I said no," Nick said. The smile he had on his face while he was talking to you had vanished.

Luke smirked, shaking his head. "Nope," he replied, taking your hand in his. You didn't protest; you knew this was his way of saying he was sorry and that the real apology would actually come out soon enough, that is, when Nick stood up and left. Except, Nick stayed in his seat, narrowing his eyes.

"You're not a very good boyfriend, are you, Castellan?" Nick fired, and, oh gods, you could almost see a vein flickering in Luke's forehead. "Since when do you control who your girlfriend talks to?"

Luke pulled away from you, clenching his jaw. His fists tightened, and his eyes narrowed with fury. "Watch your words, Anderson. You're treading on thin ice." He warned, his voice low and dangerous.

You leaned forward, placing one hand on his shoulder and using your other one to relax his tight fist. "Hey, cool it down," you said softly. "This isn't the time for a clash."

Luke visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping as he gave you a small smile, grabbing your hand tightly.

Nick stood up, a smirk on his face. "Well, that's adorable. A girlfriend having to calm her boyfriend down from murderous fits of rage. How cute."

You held Luke's hand tighter, and his previous anger was replaced with a smirk of his own. "Think whatever you want, Nick, but at the end of the day, there's one thing I get to do, and you don't," he said in a triumphant voice.

"And what's that?" Nick asked with the minimum interest.

"Kiss my incredibly beautiful girlfriend." Luke said, tangling his hands in your hair and pulling you towards him, pressing his soft lips to yours. His inner self did a victory dance when you deepened the kiss, your own hands moving to his cheeks.

"You're such an asshole sometimes," you told him when you pulled away. It wasn't a lie; even Luke himself knew it. But he didn't really care, and neither did you.

He had gotten Nick to walk away and had gotten you to forgive him, all in one shot. Plus, he made out with you, which was always a bonus.

[lovelytsunoda]

sleigh ride // lance stroll

summary: christmas has never been his holiday. but she adores it, and he wants to make this christmas one that she won't forget.

pairing: lance stroll x fiancee!reader

warnings: marriage proposals, fluffy lance, it's super duper cheesy, lance quotes emily henry's "beach read", where can i get a lance

the snow fell down on niagara falls in scattered flurries, the waterfalls the town used as their namesake almost frozen solid in motion as they spilled into lake ontario. the sun was setting, with niagara-on-the-lake doused in an orange-pink glow as the couple ran out of the b'n'b, giggling hand in hand.

"lance, where are we going?" she giggled, mitten-clad hand clutched in her boyfriend's as he pulled her along the snowy sidewalk.

"just trust me, but you'll need to close your eyes." lance stroll insisted, turning to face her, pressing his warm lips to her rapidly cooling forehead. "we're almost there."

"if you say so." she chortled, closing her eyes and following lance as he guided her, gentle flakes falling against her knitted hat.

the breeze was cold, cutting through the many layers that they both wore as lance urged her forwards. her mind was swimming with all the possibilities lance could have come up with, but she couldn't settle on any.

christmas had never been his thing. he was raised jewish, and she had celebrated hannukah with his family before, so why would he celebrate christmas anyways? the answer was simple: because she enjoyed it. he could convince himself to embrace a little more of the christmas spirit than normal when she was around, when she insisted on putting that stunning tree in their living room, or buying elf ears for their dog.

"okay, you can open your eyes now."

she opened her eyes, instantly covering her mouth to stop the delighted scream from coming out and scaring the horses. sitting in front of her were two stunning black mares, towing a snow-white sleigh, decorated with white glitter and snowflakes, a plush throw blanket thrown over the bench in the back.

"lance, this is incredible!"

lance beamed, glowing under the streetlamps as he pulled open the metal gate door. "milady." he giggled, reaching for her gloved hand to help her into the sleigh.

she curled into him on the bench, lance fluffing the blanket out behind and over their bodies before the well-dressed man sat in the driver's seat of the sleigh flashed them a smile, and the horses began their slow trot down the cobblestones.

she slipped her gloves off, taking lance's cold hand in hers as she played with his fingers, head resting comfortably on his shoulder. her breath crystallized in the air, snowflakes falling into the sleigh and promptly melting on the winter mats on the ground.

lance himself was fidgety, the tiffany and co. box burning a hole in the pocket of his parka. he was so anxious about asking that he'd almost done it that morning, over coffee and croissants at breakfast.

but she deserved more than that. she deserved something meaningful, something special (not that there was anything wrong with a little bit of privacy and keeping it lowkey, he just wanted to have a great proposal story to pass down to their kids. after y/n told him that her father proposed to her mother by saying 'we need to talk', he vowed that his proposal would be special).

she turned her head, pressing a frosty kiss to his warm skin. "i love you, lance."

he smiled, burying his nose in the top of her knitted hat. " i love you more, pretty girl. i've got another surprise for you, if you're up for it."

she looked up at him, hair falling in front of her face, skin pink from the cold as she smiled back at him. "what kind of surprise?"

"you'll see. it's just around this corner, love."

the sleigh pulled up to a small gazebo, cords of string lights wrapped around the weathered wooden beams to light up the small space, now that the sun was behind the clouds, the last dregs of daylight hovering in the space between night and day.

lance got to his feet, opening the sleigh gate before the driver could even get down from his perch. with her long fleece scarf hanging down to her knees, she daintily descended from the sleigh, hand in hand with her boyfriend as he led her towards the gazebo.

the snow beneath their feet was dusted with deep purple rose petals, some small tea light candles on the steps. as they got closer to the gazebo, she could see the small lightbox letters, lit up in a warm, soft yellow as they got closer, spelling out two words.

marry me.

"oh, lance." she breathed, at a loss for words as she anxiously wringed her hands.

she could hear the wooden boards creaking behind her as lance sunk down to one knee, reaching into his pocket for the turquoise box. he rested the box on his knee, frozen hands shaking as he pulled it open.

"i really should have thought this through a little better. i'm cold as shit." he giggled nervously. "but i know christmas means a lot to you, and i wanted to make this as special as i could."

she gasped, hands coming up to cover her mouth as she saw the ring: a single princess-cut diamond resting on a silver band, two small pink gemstones holding the center gem in place.

"y/n, i'm head over heels for you, and i always have been. every morning i wake up next to you, and i think, this could all go away. the racing, the money, the fame, all of it. but as long as i had you by my side, i wouldn't care. as long as i had you, i'd be happy. because you make me so happy, y/n. you remind me of all the good in the world, all the reasons to keep going. in the words of emily henry, yes, i've read your romance books, 'when i watch you sleep, i feel overwhelmed that you exist'. man, she got that right. i feel overwhelmed with love, and with care. and some days, i wonder why you chose me when you could have had any man you wanted. y/n y/'l/n. pretty girl. love of my life." lance sniffled, wiping at the tear that was threatening to fall into his stubble. "will you marry me?"

"yes!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the clearing as she started to giggle. "yes, of course i'll marry you." her eyes started to sting, tears pricking the corners of her vision, so overcome with love for man on his knees in front of her.

she sunk to her knees as well, the frost on the gazebo cold against the knees on her jeans. she clasped lance's hands in her own, pulling him in for a gentle kiss before he slipped the ring onto her finger, foreheads resting against each other.

"thank you so much for saying yes. i can't think of a day in the foreseeable future that i don't want to spend with you by my side."

"oh, lance." she laughed through her tears of joy. "don't make me cry."

"i'm not trying to, my love." he laughed, tears pricking at his eyes. "god, i just love you so much."

"i love you more." she laughed, tucking her arms around him, pulling him in for a hug before glancing down at the sterling silver on her finger.

lance kissed her hairline, holding her close and breathing in her scent.

if this was every day for the rest of his life, then he was wondering why he'd waited so long to ask.

TAGS:

@libraryofloveletters @magnummagnussen @lorarri @httpiastri @cartierre @sidcrosbyspuck @scuderiamh @oconso @thatsdemko @silversainz

[powersandplanetaries]

I know that news stories about Indigenous people leading ecological stewardship movements are very charismatic and heartwarming, and if your heritage or culture inspires you to work towards better care for the environment that is incredible and extremely admirable, but we're clear on the fact that Indigenous rights and Land Back movements shouldn't depend on First Nations people being mystical Noble Savage, Closer To Nature poster children, yes?

Indigenous self-determination applies to the person who becomes a teacher because she wants to help fill a need in underserved northern reservations. It applies to the person who studies engineering because the job market is good and he likes cool cars. It applies to the woman who works a government job because it's a stable job with a decent salary on which to raise her kids, and the woman who works a government job because she wants to represent and be a voice for her people. It applies to the person who is a lawyer trying to correct the over-incarceration of First Nations people, and her son who wants to be a professional baseball player because he loves sports. It applies to the grad student who wants to bring traditional knowledge into field work, and the goth hairdresser who spends every weekend going to punk shows and anime conventions in the city. It applies to the person who considers themself Two Spirit, and the person who uses non-binary instead because they dont feel that umbrella term fits them. None of these examples are hypotheticals- these are all people I personally know, either friends or family friends or even members of my family. All of these people are equally Indigenous, whether or not they fit your image of what a marginalized people's priorities "should" be. They are not gone, and they are not "stuck in the past". Happy National Indigenous People Day. Do better.