#Star Map app

[terri-schmerri]

10 minutes ago in bullet points because I'm not writing a whole paragraph:

• me

• thinking about ORV

• have the silly idea to whisper "get lost Kim Dokja" at the brightest star I can find

• star dims until I can't see it

• apologise for angering the gods with my ORV reference

[cyanbugremix]

Jfc i just learned that Google maps and Google earth changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America even though they didn't have to follow Trumps executive order because they are not apart of the federal government (the federal gov are the ONLY departments/people who have to follow the E.Os) DO FUCKING BETTER GOOGLE

[teh-nos]

how much should i be paying my court astrologers btw? (am currently down to one due to an inauspicious alignment of mars and bubonic plague but hoping to hire another once things have settled down a bit.)

[luv4arinn]

Bayverse!Donnie headcanons bc his my bbg

Okay, lol, I really needed to let all of this out and just vomit all the ideas I’ve been hoarding about this man. I love him. I’ve adored him ever since the 2012 series, and that made me realize—I definitely have a thing for nerds. And glasses. Dear god.

I hope you guys like this!! Do you think I should do the same for the other brothers? Or maybe for the other characters? (I wouldn’t mind taking the risk and making headcanons like this for Rocksteady, hehe.)

Alright, bye!!

warnings: sfw & nsfw ( but not so explicit?) :p

- He’s a genius with confidence… until he isn’t.

Donnie is incredibly self-assured when it comes to his intellect and skills. He knows his worth and never doubts his ability to solve problems. Jumping out of a plane without a parachute? Easy. Hacking government security systems? A piece of cake. But confessing his feelings to you? That’s a whole different challenge.

This is where his anxious side kicks in. His brain, used to solving any equation, completely short-circuits when it comes to emotions. What if he misinterprets your signals? What if he ruins the friendship? What if you like someone else? Sure, he can design an exoskeleton in less than 24 hours, but love is a field where variables don’t always make sense.

If you think you can hide something from him, think again. Donnie notices everything. From the slight shift in your expression when you’re tired to the pattern of songs you repeat when you’re feeling down. (And no, he absolutely did not hack your Spotify, ahem—)

- That’s why, when you start falling for him, he already knows. In fact, he probably figured it out before you did.

He won’t tell you right away. Inside his head, there’s a storm of chaotic thoughts, organizing themselves into an ultra-detailed data table with every relevant piece of information. Give him a few days, and once his mind has fully processed everything, he’ll come back to you as a renewed Donnie—determined, confident, and ready to make you his.

- Donnie doesn’t just plan things; he breaks them down into a thousand strategies of action. His trash bin is living proof of the number of ideas he discards and reworks over and over.

Gifts? He’s not the type to grab something generic at the last minute. His gifts are so deeply personalized that they’ll make you feel like he knows you better than you know yourself.

Example: If you ever casually mentioned that you’d love to learn to play an instrument, he’ll build one for you—customized with enhancements. If you said you love the stars, he’ll create an interactive star map with the exact alignment of the sky on the day you were born.

Your birthdays, anniversaries, and any special dates are planned years in advance. It doesn’t matter if you’re not officially together yet—he already has ideas saved for when you are.

- Romance in his brain is an equation far too complex.

Donnie isn’t clumsy because he lacks intelligence; it’s because his brain moves too fast. His emotions and logic are in constant conflict, creating an ongoing battle between Confident Donnie and Nervous Donnie.

You’ll see him go from saying something with complete confidence to, “Uh, well… what I meant to say is… no, wait, forget it—” and then getting frustrated with himself because that definitely wasn’t what he had in mind.

But when he manages to organize his thoughts, he’s one of the most direct people you’ll ever meet. Once he crosses the mental line of “I’m doing this,” there’s no turning back.

- Gifts

He doesn’t believe in generic presents. Everything he gives you has a specific purpose. A bracelet that’s actually a disguised tracker (“For safety. Just for safety.”), or a stuffed animal that can record voice messages.

One day, you wake up and find a new app on your phone with your name on it. You open it, and it’s a virtual assistant designed specifically for you, complete with personalized reminders for the little things Donnie knows you always forget.

- Once he has you, you are his priority.

Once Donnie accepts his feelings and takes the step to be with you, he becomes the most devoted boyfriend.

He’s not excessively clingy or jealous like Raph, but his love is obvious in the time and effort he invests in you.

No matter how many projects he’s juggling, if you truly need his attention, he’ll give it to you without hesitation.

- Donnie needs physical contact, but his intellectual pride won’t let him admit it outright. Instead, he prefers to justify it with overly precise scientific explanations.

“Well, you see… my body temperature tends to drop faster than that of the average human, so it’s biologically beneficial for me to share contact with an external heat source.”

Translation: “Hug me. Now.”

If you confront him with something like, “Why don’t you just say you want cuddles?” he’ll turn bright red and start stammering, scrambling for excuses.

Don’t listen. Just climb onto him.

- Donnie can plan everything, but he cannot predict your spontaneous displays of affection.

If you surprise him with a kiss, his brain completely shuts down for 3-5 seconds before he can process it.

Unexpected gestures—hugging him from behind while he’s working, cupping his face in your hands, or kissing his cheek out of nowhere—leave him frozen, recalculating.

Sometimes, his first reflex is to adjust his glasses, only to realize that they have nothing to do with the fact that his vision just blurred from sheer shock.

NSFW

- He’s patient… but only to a point. Donnie will never pressure you. He’ll wait as long as you need, always making sure you feel safe and comfortable.

However… he’s already undressed you with his eyes a million times.

His mind is a machine of ideas and theories, and when it comes to you, he has imagined everything. Everything.

He tells himself he can be rational and controlled… but if you take too long, his thoughts will become a little more persistent.

- He’s not innocent. Don’t even think it for a second.

He may seem shy or awkward about relationships, but when it comes to this, his mind is a laboratory of hypotheses he’s dying to test.

He has analyzed you with surgical precision. He knows exactly how you blush, how you react to certain touches, which words make you tremble.

Do not underestimate him. He has read, he has researched, he has learned.

But nothing compares to the real thing. With you.

When he finally has you in his hands, his brain short-circuits.

No matter how many times he imagined this moment, nothing could have prepared him for the feeling of your skin beneath his fingers.

His jaw clenches, he exhales sharply, and his pupils dilate as if he’s just been electrocuted.

His entire expression changes—from his usual nervousness to something darker, more intense, starving.

- He becomes obsessive about memorizing every single reaction of yours.

He’s analytical. He will learn what you love and make sure to do it better every single time.

Eye contact and sounds. His drug.

Look at him. Don’t look away. Don’t ignore him.

If you dare to hold his gaze while he’s above you, he will completely lose himself in you.

Your voice, your moans, your gasps—they ruin him.

He needs you vocal. He needs to know he’s doing a good job.

If you get shy and try to cover your mouth, he will ask (or demand) that you don’t.

Kinky? Oh, absolutely.

Donnie lives to experiment. It’s in his nature.

Positions? All of them. But his favorites are the ones where you are on top of him.

He loves being dominated.

After spending his entire life controlling every aspect of his world, it’s a relief for his mind to surrender completely to you.

“Set the pace, beautiful. I’m in your hands.”

Toys? Oh, yes.

You can be sure he has researched every single thing about them.

But he won’t settle for the ones that already exist. No.

He will build his own. Upgraded. With precisely calibrated speeds and optimized materials.

“This one has five vibration levels, but if we increase the frequency by 15%, we could—”

May God help you if you walk into his lab at the wrong time.

May God help his brothers if they ever find out.

Dedicated and obsessed with you.

Donnie doesn’t do anything halfway. If he gives himself to you, it’s completely.

No matter how much time passes, he will always give his all to make you feel incredible.

He’s not a casual lover.

He is yours. And you are his.

“You are my greatest discovery.”

[onelinerbust]

The weight slammed down, the reverberation echoing through the gym. Kieran blinked, disoriented. One moment he was struggling with a measly 45 pounds on the bench press, the next… this. He looked down at his hands. Not his hands. These are thick, calloused, powerful. Veins snaked across his forearms like rivers on a map. He flexed, and a bicep the size of a melon bulged.

Panic fluttered in his chest, quickly overshadowed by an unfamiliar surge of confidence. He sits back up, pushing the weight away with ease. He looked around. The familiar, slightly depressing gym of the campus ini had seemingly undergone a subtle transformation. It's brighter, cleaner, and the air hummed with a different kind of energy – an energy of raw physicality.

Next to him, Daniel also sit back up with a groan that quickly morphed into a roar. He's doing the same thing - staring at his body with a mix of awe and confusion. But there's not much confusion in his eyes, more like… recognition?

"Did what?" Kieran asked, his own voice deeper, rougher than he remembered. It feels foreign in his throat. He feels like he's speaking through a megaphone.

"Dude," Daniel said, his voice a booming baritone that made Kieran jump. "Look at this! We finally did it!"

Daniel - no, Danny - flexed again, his chest rippling. "We finally look the part, man! All that work on the app... it paid off!"

App? What app? Kieran’s mind raced, trying to grasp what's happening. The last thing he remembered was messing around with that reality-bending app he found in some obscure forum. Chronivac, it said. He’d downloaded it on a whim, a late-night joke. It promised to alter reality based on user input, but he had dismissed it as some elaborate hoax. He had even drunkenly typed in his and Daniel's details and what kind of sick transformation it would be if they looked and behaved like two all-American douchebags, but he never thought this would actually happen!

Then, unexpectedly, the memories slamming into him like a tidal wave. Not memories of late-night coding sessions and rejected science fair projects. These are memories of packed frat parties, football victories, and… well, a lot of moaning and groaning from late night sexual conquests. Memories of being Kyle, the legendary party animal and Danny, the star quarterback

"Kyle, my man!" Danny clapped him on the back, nearly sending him sprawling. “Leg day next, yeah? Gotta keep these tree trunks strong.” He winked, and Kieran suddenly understood what Danny meant when he said ‘paid off’. Every woman in the gym are now looking at them, and not with the pity or disdain they were used to. No, these are looks of genuine… interest.

"Right, leg day," Kieran – no, Kyle – mumbled, trying to process the sheer audacity of what had happened. They are... them, but not them. He's still Kieran, with Kieran’s memories lurking beneath the surface, but he's also Kyle – a confident, charismatic jock with a life that seemed both incredibly appealing and terrifyingly shallow.

He feels this twinge of guilt for the life he left behind, the robotics club, the meticulously planned future. But that feeling quickly drowned out by a primal urge, a need to… dominate. It's in his blood, a fundamental part of this new, improved Kyle.

He stands up, his legs feeling impossibly strong. He looked over to Danny, this imposingly giant of a man is his best friend and also someone he really looked up to in terms of his dedication to the craft

"Let's do this," Danny said, a grin spreading across his face. Kyle sees his own reflection in the mirrored wall – messy long hair that he intended to let grow a bit more so it can become like a glorious lion mane, a chiseled jaw, and eyes that held a spark of raw, untamed energy. He smelled different too, a musky aroma that demanded attention and physique to back that up.. This is not Kieran anymore. This is Kyle Charmers, a fitting name for the charm he exudes with ease

They moved to the squat rack, drawing even more attention. A group of girls, dressed in tight leggings and sports bras, giggled and whispered as they passed. Kyle caught one of their eyes and give her a wink. She blushed and looked away, but Kyle sees the smile playing on her lips.

"See, man?" Danny said, loading plates onto the bar with effortless ease. "Chicks loves it and our bodies crave for this shit,:

Kyle swallowed, trying to reconcile the nerdy, insecure Kieran with the confident, almost arrogant Kyle. He still can sense the hum of the old Kieran in the back of his mind, the passion for circuits and code, the fear of social interaction. But the feeling is fading, replaced by the immediate, visceral thrill of being desired.

He stepped under the bar, feeling the weight settle across his traps. It's heavy, far heavier than anything he’d ever attempted before. But he didn't hesitate. He squatted, the muscles in his legs screaming in protest, but he pushed through, driven by a force he didn't understand but couldn't deny.

He stands up, the weight feeling almost light. He did it again, and again, until his legs burned and his lungs ached. Around him, the gym seemed to fade away. All that mattered was the weight, the burn, and the knowledge that he was stronger, better, more… him than he had ever been before.

After hours of intense workout, they're finally done. As they left the gym and walked towards the frat house, Kyle noticed a familiar figure sitting on a bench. It's Becca, the girl he had a crush on since freshman year. The girl who barely acknowledged his existence--- Kieran's existence. He stopped in front of her, casting a shadow over her.

Becca looked up, her eyes widening. A flush crept up her neck. "Kyle?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey, Becks," he said, his voice a low rumble. He ran a hand through his messy hair, a gesture that felt both natural and incredibly calculated. "Long time no see."

Becca stammered, "Wow, you… you look different, Kyle,"

Kyle smirked. "Yeah, we grow up after all. And....well, some things change." He leaned closer as he purposefully flexed his body a bit, the musky aroma of sweat and testosterone he exudes filling her nostrils. "So, what are you up to tonight?" He whispered seductively, almost like a predator lulling his prey with sense of safety

Becca bites her lip, her eyes flickering between his face and his chest. "Nothing much," she said, her voice breathless.

"Perfect," Kyle said, taking her hand. "How about we change that?"

As he leads her away, he glanced back at Danny, who gave him a thumbs-up and a knowing grin. Kyle grinned back. This is it. This is the life they had always dreamed of. The life they had created.

[wileys-russo]

forget me not (2) II l.williamson

part one forget me not (2) II l.williamson

"mum i need to go."

"leah no-" but her mums words were cut off as the blonde clicked end call, fingers flying against her screen until she found your contact, call after call declined until it stopped ringing all together.

she then moved to texting, sending message after message until the 'do not disturb' notification popped up and her stomach heaved, you never put your phone on do not disturb.

her guilt peaked even higher noticing all of the messages above those she'd sent to you in a panic, clearly prior to your graduation and worrying about her whereabouts.

(8) iMessages from; lover girl 💐 hey baby i just arrived, you were dead to the world when i left (shock x) i'm kind of nervous! they just handed out our caps and gowns, its feeling really real now. what if i fall over when i'm walking up?? someone just put that thought in my head and now it won't go away 🥲🥲 i can't wait to just look out and see your pretty face, you can always ground me even without trying💘💘💘 *three missed calls* less just called me, she's leaving soon so i hope you're up and showering! i know you're not the best texter in the morning anyway grumpy 🫶🏻 we have to switch our phones off and leave them in our bags now babe but i'll see you in a little while. still so nervous ah! your support means everything, i love you leah 🩵

even though leah knew you were upset, the fact you hadn't made any attempts to call or message her after her no show only solidified it further for her, the blonde selfishly sort of wishing you had to ease her guilt even just a little.

"fuck!" the girl swore as she threw her phone on the passenger seat, burying her face in her hands with a deep and prolonged exhale. "okay think leah, think." she mumbled to herself, fists balling and rubbing against her eyes until she saw stars, head thumping back against the headrest.

grabbing her phone again she winced seeing the multitude of other missed calls, from alessia, your mum, your aunt, your best friend, all worrying that something had happened to her for her not to show up, the sweet messages from your mum checking in if she was okay hitting her in the stomach in a different sort of way.

"alessia!" she realized, quickly hitting call on the girls contact, feeling like an idiot for not even noticing her friends absence and putting two and two together, this was a brand new low.

"come on!" leah grunted, calling the younger girl easily six times and each one going right to voicemail, finger hovering over your mums contact before abandoning that idea with a shake of her head.

"shit." leah swore again checking your location and noticing you'd stopped sharing with her, biting down on her bottom lip as her knee bounced and her fingers drummed against the wheel wracking her brain for anything.

"fuck me leah where did she say the celebration was afterwards?" the footballer mumbled to herself, eyes squeezing close as she tried to think back, unable to even remember you mentioning your graduation in the last few days, another nail in the coffin of realizing she had been an awful girlfriend to put it lightly.

a sudden spark of hope she grabbed her phone again, clicking into instagram and huffing when both you and alessia hadn't posted anything, searching up several of your friends and families accounts finding the same wall of silence in her way.

growing even more desperate leah clicked into an app she checked maybe once a year, only keeping her facebook active for the sake of her childhood friends.

"thank you aunty gillian, thank you!" leah whispered as a quick scroll of her feed showed your godmother had posted some pictures from the graduation and the post ceremony celebrations, a quick zoom confirming the restaurants name on a menu on the table.

without another seconds hesitation she was putting the address into maps, car roaring to life as she peeled out of the colney carpark at top speed, flying across town and swearing loudly as she seemed to hit every red light in all of london.

"williamson." she barked to the valet as she screamed to a halt in front of the hotel where the restaurant was, throwing the keys at the young boy who didn't even have time to say a word before she was pushing through the double doors and bursting inside.

"m'am im really sorry you can't-" the hostess tried to stop leah as she barreled past, ignoring her completely and hurrying into the restaurant. it didn't take her long to find your closest friends and family on a big table in the corner, alessia spotting her before anyone else did and eyes widening.

though as leah came to a screaming halt in front of them, the table falling quiet as they took her in, still clad in an arsenal tracksuit with wet hair and frantic eyes looking as you would have said had you been present, a hot mess.

"no auntie ava its alright, i'll handle it." alessia murmured to your mum as leah shrank under the scrutiny and harsh glares from your friends and family, nobody impressed with her no show even if they didn't know the full story.

"you need to leave, right now." alessia warned, grabbing the blonde by her bicep and pulling her away from the table, around the corner and out of view. "less please i can-" leah started as the younger girl held up a hand.

"i don't care leah. i've just gotten her to calm down after she's just spent twenty minutes crying in the bathroom after her big day!" alessia warned, leah taken aback by the venom in her teammates tone, the girl normally so sweet butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

but there was one thing your cousin didn't mess about with, and that was family.

"she cried?" leah deflated, voice barely above as whisper as the taller girl nodded. "yes leah she cried several times, she's heartbroken that her girlfriend didn't show up for her graduation. but rather chose to go to the same training we have four or five times a week, she saw on instagram." alessia growled, poking accusingly at leahs shoulder.

"nope." alessia held up a hand again as leah opened her mouth to pour out another excuse or hurried apology.

"i told you leah, i don't care. she deserves to enjoy the rest of her day, you've ruined enough and done more damage than you can apologize for in the two minutes you've got to leave before i let my brothers escort you outside." alessia warned seriously, jaw clenched and still gripping harshly onto leahs arm.

"but less-" "leah, go."

but right as your girlfriend was ready to get on her knees and beg alessia to get her even one minute of your attention, you came stumbling around the corner in search of your cousin.

"baby-" leah started, falling quiet with a hiss as alessia sharply pinched her and moved to put her body in between the two of you like your own personal security guard.

"you have some nerve!" you laughed, leah frowning at the slur in your voice and the way alessia hurried to catch your swaying body, shooting the older blonde a filthy glare over her shoulder as she steadied you and mumbled something in your ear.

"no i know. i'm done crying over her!" you responded, leah swallowing hard as her knees buckled with how much anger was ablaze in your eyes as your gaze moved back toward her.

"you're a little late." you mocked with a pout, voice dripping with sarcasm as your eyes burned holes in your girlfriends head, trained on her like lasers.

"bubba please if you just-" "don't leah, don't call me that." all the anger seemed to deflate out of your voice at that, the obvious hurt and betrayal in it wrapping around leahs heart and squeezing tight like a fist.

"i don't want to hear the excuses, or the apologies, i don't even want to look at you leah. i have never been so let down or dissapointed, hurt, angry, sad." you listed off every emotion which was wracking your body, pausing for a moment and swaying a little leaning into alessia more.

"i have been there for you, for everything leah. i was there by your side every day when you did your acl, through the rehab and recovery good times and bad. i didn't leave when you yelled, when you snapped, when you hurled insults just for helping because i knew you were hurting and you weren't lashing out at me." you shook your head as leah felt sick to her stomach.

"i was there for you during the world cup. i stayed in england to be there for you, watching my own cousin playing the tournament and living out her dream through a phone screen, not daring to mention the games because i knew you were devastated to miss it." you paused to swallow the tears which brimmed at your eyes.

"i have put up with a lot of shit leah, dismissed a lot of things because i love you. but this...this isn't something i can sweep under the rug and excuse because you're hurting and i want to support you. today i needed you, i needed you to support me and you couldn't even do that." you whispered, wishing you had another drink in hand for a spike of liquid courage which was bleeding rapidly out of the open wounds your girlfriends actions slashed you with.

clearing your throat you continued, tilting your chin up a little higher. "less already took me past our place and i grabbed a bag of stuff, i'm moving in with her for awhile. i don't want to see you, hear from you, nothing, until i am ready leah. i never thought you of all people were capable of hurting me like this, now please go." with that you turned around, stumbling slightly but catching yourself with a sharp inhale and marching back off to the table.

"no. leah you heard her, you need to leave." alessia's hands pressed against her chest as she tried to follow after you.

"like i said, you can go on your own terms leah, or i'll get my brothers." your cousin warned seriously, leahs mouth opening and closing before she gave in with a nod, turning and walking away.

~

"its another one for you!" you looked away from the football match your cousin was currently forcing you to watch, alessia appearing seconds after the bell had rung with another bunch of flowers as you got up with a sigh.

"she's consistent, you've gotta give her that." alessia shook her head as you took the flowers from her, perching herself on the arm of the lounge as your eyes scanned over the card.

"we look like we own a florist shop." your cousin commented, eyes roaming over the countless bunches of flowers littering the living and dining rooms.

"i've texted her telling her to stop!" you shook your head placing down the bunch with a deep seeded sigh, dragging your hands down your face. "what are you thinking?" your cousin asked knowingly as you wandered back toward the lounge, collapsing into it as she spun around on the arm to face you.

"i don't know." you exhaled honestly, face buried in your hands as alessia kicked you gently, looking down with a raised eyebrow. "its been two weeks and i miss her." you admitted honestly, sitting up with a slight grunt.

"but i'm also still really hurt and upset and there isn't an excuse under the sun she could make that would help that go away." you added on, grabbing a throw cushion and pushing your face into it with a scream.

"would you consider hearing her out anyway?" alessia asked, playing devils advocate as you looked back up with another sigh. "yes? no? maybe?" you groaned, laying back down on the lounge in a world of indecision.

"sounds like you want to. but you're a little scared of what that might mean? just hear her out, it doesn't mean you have to go running right back into her arms but it'll mean you're not sitting here wondering what it is she has to say." your cousin read you like a book with a small smile. "i hate that you're always right." you shook your head as alessia chuckled.

"just looking out for my little piccoli ravioli!" your cousin cooed, a grunt leaving your body as she dove on top of you, pinching your cheeks and shaking your head side to side before rolling off of you.

"you know i can very easily smother you in your sleep russo."

none the less you took her advice, reaching out to your girlfriend? ex girlfriend? you weren't even sure what the two of you were at this point given you'd had practically no contact for the last fortnight.

which is how you found yourself a few days later taking a deep breath, hand on the door to the coffee shop you'd agreed to meet up with her at, steadying yourself with a nod before you pushed it open.

you spotted her right away, her eyes trained on the door and hand raising to wave you over the very moment you stepped inside. "i got your usual, sorry the ice melted a little...i was early." leah started with a slight blush as you sat down, pushing the iced latte across the table.

"thanks." you gave her a small smile, taking a sip as an awkward silence settled between you two. "should i start? is that okay?" leah blurted out suddenly, knee bouncing nervously as you nodded and she exhaled shakily.

"i'm not going to waste your time making excuses or apologizing over and over or grovelling." leah started as you quirked an eyebrow and sipped at your drink, curious where she was going with this.

"i'm just going to be honest instead, get right to the point. baby i was a selfish blind asshole, to say the least. i took you for granted. i did not support you even a tenth as much as you did for me. i don't deserve you, i don't deserve a second chance." leah paused, meeting your eyes for a moment as you nodded for her to continue.

"i forgot about your graduation, i didn't care enough to remember despite all the little hints you left me that you shouldn't have even needed to. theres no nice way to say it, theres no excuses for it, no lies. i didn't prioritize you, i didn't respect you or your achievements or put your needs above my own when thats all you've ever done for me." leah sighed, fiddling nervously with her hands in her lap.

"i was so blinded by the joy of being back on the pitch, kicking a ball, being with the girls again. all i was focused on was making the roster for camp, returning back to glory and my captaincy and playing full games for arsenal again." leah admitted, neck and ears flushing hot with embarrassment.

"but nothing, not football not arsenal, not anything, should ever take priority over me being a good supportive life partner and girlfriend. you were right you have put up with so much from me, done so much for me, pushed aside your feelings and your problems to put mine first, and i couldn't even do that for a day when you've done it since the moment we got together." leah continued, shaking her head disappointed with herself.

"love there isn't enough apologies in the world that i can ever say to make up for it. obviously i am incredibly sorry, but you deserve better than words you deserve evidence and action and commitment." you were taken by surprise as leah suddenly stood.

"if you will please please please just come with me for a quick drive i have something for you." she hesitated for a moment before offering you her hand, a confused and skeptical frown on your face as you sized her up.

"its not more flowers, is it?" that caused a small smile to make its way onto the blondes face as she shook her head.

"no, no more flowers."

~

"seriously? leah this is all very weird." you shook your head as she pulled up outside your shared home, a place you'd not stepped foot in for just as long as you hadn't seen your girlfriend for, holding out a blindfold.

"i know i know i know. and i'm sure you don't right now which is completely valid, but i need you to just trust me and put this on." leah bit her bottom lip sheepishly as you sighed, giving her a hard look before snatching it out of her hand.

"no! i've got it." you smacked away her hand which tried to help, tying it up yourself as your heart rate sped up the moment your world was plunged into darkness.

"can i grab your hands? please?" you heard the car door open and flinched a little, nodding slowly as you felt leahs warm hands interlock with your own, pulling you up to your feet as the car door closed behind you.

"step, step, rock, puddle, another step, three more steps, gate." leah announced each reason for moving you, your frown deepening as you realised she was leading you around the side and toward the backyard, ears straining and senses heightened trying to work out what was going on.

"leah!" you huffed as you tripped and almost fell, strong hands steadying you as the blonde winced. "sorry...one more step."

"okay, i'm taking the blindfold off now." leah sighed shakily, and you felt her hands trembling slightly as they fumbled around clumsily with the knot on the back of the blindfold.

but persisting she finally got it, wincing as it slipped away and the sunlight struck you in the face. but that was nothing compared to how high you jumped at the large yell which sounded next, your hand coming to cover your mouth.

"happy graduation!"

"what? this is..." you trailed off, all of your friends and family and colleagues gathered around the backyard, fairy lights strung up in trees and a long table splitting the yard in half decked out with flowers and food and candles.

you tensed as leah grabbed your hands again, moving to stand in front of you with a smile. "i know i ruined your special day by not showing up for you. but you deserve to have your achievements celebrated in a way even half as big and special as you are, and everyone who knows you and loves you agrees, and they're here to show that to you." leah explained softly, another cheer ringing out from the crowd in your backyard as you both looked across with a laugh.

"you organised this?" you asked as leah nodded, letting go of your hands. "i'm not asking you to move back in tonight and forgive me right away. but i hope this is a step in the right direction to me showing you that you mean more to me than anything in the world, and i was such a fucking idiot to take that for granted." leah promised sincerely as your features softened.

"thank you." you caught her off guard by pulling her into a hug, admittedly melting into her taller form as you held one another tightly, your guests all turning back into their own conversations as music started up and chatter floated through the air.

"you're very very welcome. now go and be celebrated!" the blonde pulled away and gently pushed you toward the crowd, smile on her face as you nodded, turning and stepping toward your parents first who cheered and handed you a flute of champagne.

"did you know about all of this?" you tugged your cousin aside around an hour later once you'd made your rounds greeting and chatting with everyone, the sun setting as leah was busy setting up the catering she'd organised for dinner, lia by her side helping out as a fair few of the arsenal girls hung about, good friends with you through both leah and alessia.

"who do you think helped her grovel for forgiveness with the whole family?" alessia smiled knowingly, sipping at her drink. "the whole family?" you asked, eyebrows shooting up in surprise as your cousin nodded.

"mhm, had me gather everyone at your mums place and she stood in front of them all delivering a speech about how much of an idiot she is and how much you mean to her, and how first and foremost she wanted to make up for ruining your day, even if it didn't mean you'd take her back." alessia explained as you glanced at leah over her shoulder, a small smile curling into your lips at the way she helped your nephew dish up his food, chattering away to him and pulling silly faces making him giggle.

"was it brutal?" you asked with a chuckle, alessia wincing. "horribly horribly awkward. nonna ripped into her, then your mum, then my mum, then your brother, then my brothers, then-" alessia recounted as you cut her off with a laugh.

"okay okay i get it, we have a very tight knit family who clearly have my back." you smiled with a shake of your head. "we do. but they all agreed to come, and that when she's not being an insensitive stupid idiot leah is crazy about you." alessia spoke a little more softly.

"go talk to her." your cousin kissed your cheek, slipping her drink into your hand and taking your empty one, pushing at your back encouragingly as you sighed and let your feet lead you over to her.

"hey, can we talk?" you asked, leah practically dropping the plate of food in her hand with a nod, hurrying after you as you made your way up the back steps and inside, wanting a little more privacy than your backyard full of friends and family provided.

"is this all okay? is it too much? did i do too much? less warned me not to go overboard and i know i said no more flowers but obviously theres flowers here and i got catering from your favorite restaurant and it took me days and days to get everyone to agree to come and then-" tired of her rambling you leaned in, pressing your lips against her own and effectively silencing her.

"i-okay." leah blinked in shock as you pulled away, a small smile of amusement on your face. "first of all, this is very very sweet leah, its perfect." you assured with a firm nod, leah visibly sagging in relief.

"second of all...i want to come home, tonight." you held up a hand as the blonde perked up and opened her mouth, snapping it right closed. "this doesn't fix everything leah, i'm still hurt and its going to take time for me to trust you properly again" you warned as the defender nodded eagerly.

"but we can't work on things unless we're together, and i have missed you." you admitted quietly, the words scary to confess but knowing you needed to be honest. "i've missed you so much, like...so so much." leah breathed out shakily making you smile.

"but promise me one thing?" your hands came to cup her face as she nodded.

"no more apology flowers leah for like...a long time." you grinned as leah let out a laugh of surprise, hands falling to your hips and drawing your body into hers, eyes searching you face as you nodded knowing what they were looking for, her lips sweetly pressing a few times against yours.

"i promise."

[nasa]

Navigating Deep Space by Starlight

On August 6, 1967, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell noticed a blip in her radio telescope data. And then another. Eventually, Bell Burnell figured out that these blips, or pulses, were not from people or machines.

The blips were constant. There was something in space that was pulsing in a regular pattern, and Bell Burnell figured out that it was a pulsar: a rapidly spinning neutron star emitting beams of light. Neutron stars are superdense objects created when a massive star dies. Not only are they dense, but neutron stars can also spin really fast! Every star we observe spins, and due to a property called angular momentum, as a collapsing star gets smaller and denser, it spins faster. It’s like how ice skaters spin faster as they bring their arms closer to their bodies and make the space that they take up smaller.

The pulses of light coming from these whirling stars are like the beacons spinning at the tops of lighthouses that help sailors safely approach the shore. As the pulsar spins, beams of radio waves (and other types of light) are swept out into the universe with each turn. The light appears and disappears from our view each time the star rotates.

After decades of studying pulsars, astronomers wondered—could they serve as cosmic beacons to help future space explorers navigate the universe? To see if it could work, scientists needed to do some testing!

First, it was important to gather more data. NASA’s NICER, or Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer, is a telescope that was installed aboard the International Space Station in 2017. Its goal is to find out things about neutron stars like their sizes and densities, using an array of 56 special X-ray concentrators and sensitive detectors to capture and measure pulsars’ light.

But how can we use these X-ray pulses as navigational tools? Enter SEXTANT, or Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology. If NICER was your phone, SEXTANT would be like an app on it.  

During the first few years of NICER’s observations, SEXTANT created an on-board navigation system using NICER’s pulsar data. It worked by measuring the consistent timing between each pulsar’s pulses to map a set of cosmic beacons.

When calculating position or location, extremely accurate timekeeping is essential. We usually rely on atomic clocks, which use the predictable fluctuations of atoms to tick away the seconds. These atomic clocks can be located on the ground or in space, like the ones on GPS satellites. However, our GPS system only works on or close to Earth, and onboard atomic clocks can be expensive and heavy. Using pulsar observations instead could give us free and reliable “clocks” for navigation. During its experiment, SEXTANT was able to successfully determine the space station’s orbital position!

We can calculate distances using the time taken for a signal to travel between two objects to determine a spacecraft’s approximate location relative to those objects. However, we would need to observe more pulsars to pinpoint a more exact location of a spacecraft. As SEXTANT gathered signals from multiple pulsars, it could more accurately derive its position in space.

So, imagine you are an astronaut on a lengthy journey to the outer solar system. You could use the technology developed by SEXTANT to help plot your course. Since pulsars are reliable and consistent in their spins, you wouldn’t need Wi-Fi or cell service to figure out where you were in relation to your destination. The pulsar-based navigation data could even help you figure out your ETA!

None of these missions or experiments would be possible without Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s keen eye for an odd spot in her radio data decades ago, which set the stage for the idea to use spinning neutron stars as a celestial GPS. Her contribution to the field of astrophysics laid the groundwork for research benefitting the people of the future, who yearn to sail amongst the stars.  

Keep up with the latest NICER news by following NASA Universe on X and Facebook and check out the mission’s website. For more on space navigation, follow @NASASCaN on X or visit NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation website.  

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[rbbtruther]

We went out to try and see the comet tonight. As I was driving, a cloud like five huge arrows formed on the horizon. I wish I could have gotten a picture.

When we got to where we were going, I pulled out my Sky Mapping app and pointed it where the clouds had been. And I found Vega, which is part of the summer star region.

I wish you wouldn’t have gone, Liam. We miss you.

[glowettee]

the secret to taking notes that make you want to study ✧˖°

hey lovelies! mindy heree <3

for this post i'm superrr excited to share a guide on taking notes that make you want to study ✧˖° trust me, i know how overwhelming it can get when it feels like you're stuck in the middle of endless textbooks and dry lecture slides (honestly, we all have those days). so, let's transform your note taking into something delightful, empowering, and totally reflective of your unique self.

✧ finding your vibe first things first, bestie: the key here is to make your notes feel personal and inspiring. rather than sticking to a rigid system, i suggest mixing a little structure with a whole lot of creativity. here are some steps to help you set up your perfect note taking vibe:

choose your medium: even if it’s a cute pastel notebook, sticky notes, or a digital app with fun themes, pick something that sparks joy and invites you to open it up. i personally love notion + remnote + coda

establish sections: break your notes into clear sections. introduction, main points, and summary. this not only boosts organization but also gives you a gratifying sense of progress every time you finish a page.

add your signature touch: doodles, small illustrations, or even a decorative border can make a note feel less like a chore and more like a mini art project. i love using aesthetic symbols for my digital notes <3

✧ creating a study ritual i believe that great notes come from a relaxed and focused mind. try integrating these rituals into your study sessions to set a positive tone, this is really important if you want to make note-taking fun:

begin with a short breathing exercise or a moment of gratitude (think of it as your pre-study pep talk).

play some light instrumental music or your favorite lo-fi beats, or playlist. something to keep your mind in a creative zone without distractions. (i have a great playlist i made that i use for tackling assignments here: 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒸𝓀, 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒸𝓀, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒸𝓀! <3)

grab your favorite beverage (i’m a fan of herbal tea or a cute iced coffee) and make sure you're comfortable. a little self-care goes a long way!

✧ structuring your notes for clarity a well-organized layout makes reviewing notes less daunting and more interactive. and obviously so much more fun, consider using this format for a balanced + demureee approach:

start with a title and date: it grounds your notes and gives you a quick reference.

write a brief summary of the topic: in your own words, capture the essence of what you’re about to learn. just summarize it as best as possible

list key points: use bullet points, numbered lists, or even headers for different subtopics. tip: use cute symbols for bullet points

highlight examples: it can be a quote, a definition, or an application concept, mark these with a star or a cute icon.

close with a reflection: jot down any questions, what you found most interesting, or even a mini action item related to the topic. this is your space for self-talk and reflection.

✧ turning notes into interactive canvases (cause we need it) notes aren’t meant to be static pages floating in an endless binder. make them interactive to truly boost your study sessions:

include thought-provoking questions: ask yourself things like “what would elle woods do?” (lol, we love her <3) or ���how does this connect with real life?” to spark critical thinking.

add mini quizzes: at the end of each section, write one or two questions that challenge you to recall key points.

leave room for updates: as you learn more, come back and add extra notes, doodles, or even inspirational stickers (yes, just like in a scrapbook!).

✧ personal tips from mindy because i want you to shine in every note you take, here are my totally secret, fun tips to elevate your note routine:

secret tip #1: color with purpose choose a color palette that not only looks cute but also maps out different themes in your subject. use one color for definitions, another for examples, and maybe a sparkly tone for key takeaways. over time, these colors will trigger your memory (i promise, it really works!).

secret tip #2: integrate affirmations studying can be stressful sometimes, so why not lace your notes with a few tender affirmations? write a quick pep talk (like “i got this, bestie” or “every detail counts”) in a corner. it might seem small, but these little lines can boost your confidence when you need it most. and it's just so freaking cute <3 affirmations from you to you, is like a love letter to yourself, so just try it

secret tip #3: try mind mapping if you’re more of a visual learner, create mind maps instead of linear notes. start with the main topic in the center and branch out with related ideas and details. this not only makes your notes dynamic but also helps you see connections between concepts (ever notice how some subjects just click with a visual flow?).

secret tip #4: use digital tools creatively if you’re leaning towards digital note taking, like me, experiment with apps that support drawing, voice notes, and even embedded links. add images that resonate with the topic or short videos for a quick concept refresher. making your digital notebook interactive can really keep boredom at bay.

secret tip #5: schedule weekly note reviews set aside a bit of time every week to revisit your notes. treat it as a mini self-study session where you update, add reflections, or even reorganize sections for clarity. this habit not only reinforces your learning but also lets you see your own progress over time, like looking back on how far you’ve come.

✧ action items for the week (it's homework timeee) to wrap things up, here are a few steps to try:

pick one class or topic this week and redo your notes using one or two of these tips (maybe add a mind map or a quick quiz).

experiment with color coding: choose colors that resonate with you and assign them to key points or sections.

schedule a 10-minute review session at the end of the week to refresh and reflect on your notes.

share your progress with a friend or even a study group to celebrate little victories. accountability can boost your motivation!

note: note taking is a creative process that should feel as refreshing and inspiring as a new day. keep experimenting until you find what truly works for you. i hope these tips help you get excited about every page you write on.

xoxo, mindy

I made this amazzinggg playlist (as mentioned earlier in the post) and its specifically made to help you complete homework + assignments. i curated it to make sure its soft music to help you focus <3 love from mindyyy 🩷

don't forget, if you need personal advice, submit it here and i'll answer it as a detailed tumblr blog post <3: https://bit.ly/glowetteehotline

[redhandedstag]

❛ 004 , CRACKED POMEGRANATE . . . moody masterdoc template: 8 pages, single muse, used for keeping all of a character's information in one document. includes a title page with a list of contents, a "basics" page for the character's main information and their major character beats that have to exist in every AU they're in, a 2 page personality section (for paragraphs and lists alike), a 2 page appearance section (for paragraphs and lists as well), a connections page to showcase characters they know in every AU they're in, and a links section for related documents or links. this document is not mobile friendly due to the drawings it uses for the titles. if you intend on editing most of the images, you will need a PC and an editing software of some sort to get the gradient affect - apps with a "gradient map" effect will also work. the page is letter size (8.5'' x 11'') in landscape format. if you're using, please keep the credit in the "Links" section and consider a like and reblog. goes a long way to help creators out. model used: tanya ravichandran hexcodes for the images, darkest to lightest: 1b0000 - redblack 150000 - redblack 081f02 - green 3b241b - brown 651b29 - deep red b61936 - pinkred c4496c - pink bb9c50 - yellow fff5ce - yellowwhite HOW TO USE select the 'file' button. from there, you'll find the 'make a copy' button. click it, and then you can name your doc and go from there! do not request access. this doc uses a few tables so i suggest having some knowledge on how they work if you plan on editing anything about the appearance of them. i also recommend keeping your text around the same number of lines as shown in the template. it prevents the doc from going all wonky! to edit the images, select your own image and edit it within a separate software. be sure to maximize the gradient effect with the listed hexcodes above. click the original image and select the "replace image" button. i suggest making sure the images you want to add are a similar style to the original - make the cut-outs from the original into your own cutouts, make the full images from the original your own full images. the titles/hollowed text for each section are done using google drawings. if you'd like to edit them, double click the text, and you'll be in drawings. double click the first letter and change it to the one you'd like, and do the same with the other part of the word. photos in the 'connections' section are also created in drawings. they can be replaced by double clicking the picture, then once you're in drawings you can select the photo, select 'replace image,' and set it to the one you'd like instead. the pink star symbols/emojis are for inserting links. copy your link, highlight the star, click the little 'insert link' button beside the highlighter button, and insert your link. after that you should be good to go! if you have any questions or issues that arise, please let me know. have fun!

[ikiprian]

Barbara Gordon's Coding & Computer Cram School is a popular YouTube series. Tucker Foley is a star student.

Barbara Gordon's Cram School posts free online courses for both coding and computer engineering. Think Crash Course in terms of entertainment, but college lecture in terms of depth. Hundreds of thousands of viewers flock to it— students who missed a class, people looking to add new skills to a resume, even simple hobbyists. It’s a project Barbara’s proud of.

Sometimes, when she wants to relax, she’ll even hop in the comments and spend an afternoon troubleshooting a viewer’s project with them.

User “Fryer-Tuck” has especially interesting ones. Barbara finds herself seeking out his comments, checking in on whatever this crazy kid is making next. An app for collecting GPS pings and assembling them on a map in real-time, an algorithm that connects geographic points to predict something’s movement taking a hundred other variables into account, simplified versions of incredibly complex homemade programs so they can run on incredibly limited CPU’s.

(Barbara wants to buy the kid a PC. It seems he’s got natural talent, but he keeps making reference to a PDA. Talk about 90’s! This guy’s hardware probably predates his birth.)

She chats with him more and more, switching to less public PM threads, and eventually, he opens up. His latest project, though, is not something Barbara has personal experience with.

FT: so if you found, hypothetically, a mysterious glowing substance that affects tech in weird and wacky ways that could totally have potential but might be vaguely sentient/otherworldly…. what would you do and how would you experiment with it. safely, of course. and hypothetically

BG: I’d make sure all my tests were in disposable devices and quarantined programs to keep it from infecting my important stuff. Dare I ask… how weird and wacky is it?

FT: uhhh. theoretically, a person composed of this substance once used it to enter a video game. like physical body, into the computer, onto the screen? moving around and talking and fighting enemies within the game?

FT: its been experimented with before, but not on any tech with a brain. just basic shields and blasters and stuff, its an energy source. also was put in a car once

FT: i wanna see how it affects software, yk? bc i already know it can. mess around and see how far i can push it

BG: […]

FT: … barbara?

BG: Sorry, thinking. Would you mind sharing more details? You said “blasters?”

Honestly. Kid genius with access to some truly wacky materials and even wackier weapons, she needs to start a file on him before he full sends to either hero or villain.

[OR: Tucker is a self-taught hacker, but if he were to credit a teacher, he'd name Barbara Gordon's Coding & Computer Cram School! He's even caught the attention of Dr. Gordon herself. She's full of sage advice, and with how she preaches the value of a good VPN, he's sure she's not pro-government. Maybe she'll help him as he studies the many applications of ecto-tech!]

[rcmclachlan]

several sentences sun monday

I was tagged yesterday by the lovely @setmeatopthepyre, but I got in late last night and couldn't muster the energy to post.

Here's another flashback snippet from my yet-unnamed fic. This little scene takes place sometime between 7x10 and 8x01.

+

"Chris and I used to go to the Griffith's All Space Considered thing once a month, and one of the coolest things they taught me is that debris disks are found around stars with older planet systems." He pulled up the photo of Fomalhaut that he liked to look at sometimes. The disk was shaped like a giant, red eye, with the star acting as a pin-prick pupil in its center. "I mean, they can form if, like, asteroids crash into each other, too. This one is only 25 light-years away, but it's not in our part of the sky right now. We could look at Vega, though! Vega's got one, too."

It was second nature to open the Star Walk app, but tonight it felt almost superfluous, considering he could easily make out most of the constellations LA's light pollution normally hid. He held up his phone, slowly moving it until he landed in the Lyra constellation, a faded image of a harp superimposed over that patch of sky. He tilted his head so Tommy could see the screen.

"Very cool. Remind me to make you watch Contact at some point," Tommy murmured, reaching up to adjust the phone for a better look.

As Tommy studied it, his index finger started tapping almost thoughtfully against Buck's second knuckle, and then, haltingly, he covered Buck's hand on the phone case with his own and guided the phone leftward to a different point in the sky. Their fingers slid together. Buck wanted to throw his head back and howl at the sheer intimacy of it. He settled for gasping out a breath and chubbing up in his jeans.

Finally, the phone came to a stop, and on the screen the star map rearranged itself to accommodate the new position, and the image of the harp became a dog. Canis minor, it read.

Buck looked away from the screen and used their arms as a sightline to try and find the actual constellation in the sky.

"Is that your favorite? It's a good one. I love dogs."

Tommy's breath washed over his ear, dredging up goosebumps in its wake. "There's... there's a star in it."

"More than one, usually." Buck was loathe to break the hush of the night, but he couldn't help himself, so he split the difference to tease Tommy as quietly as he could, although it was probably drowned out by the pounding of his heart.

Where it held the phone up, Buck's hand began to shake, although he wasn't entirely sure why. He'd held up 50lb kettlebells for way longer. On the screen, the big, bright star in the dog's flank gained a name.

"I-Is it that one? Procyon?"

"No," Tommy said, just as quietly. "Not that one."

+

No pressure tags: @dadvans, @firehose118, @screamlet, @liminalmemories21, @beanarie, @geddyqueer, @leashybebes, @dharmaavocado

[ll7esxs]

General hc on why cod ghosts are the best characters in cod universe!

Warning: infinity auras you might get blind, also a lot of when words

When Logan looks into the mirror, He finds no reflection of him because there is only one logan in this world!.

When Rorke does push-ups, he is actually pushing the ground down!.

When elias visits your house, you will become the guest.

Kick wears sunglasses so he protects the sun from his eyes.

When keegan was born he named his parents.

When Keegan downloads an app, The app actually agrees to his terms and reading his privacy policy.

When graham bell invented the first telephone, he found 13 missed calls from Kick.

Hesh speaks, the words thank him for using them.

Merrick Coughs, the viruses get sick.

In school Teachers raise their hand when they wanna talk to logan.

As a kid Keegan plays hide and seek, the darkness hides from him.

Rorke jumps into the ocean, the fish start drowning.

Merrick stares at the sun, the sun puts on sunscreen.

Hesh takes a shower, the water gets wet.

Logan ties his shoes, the laces thank him for the privilege.

Rorke goes to sleep, nightmares get scared.

Elias plays chess, the king sacrifices himself.

Keegan takes a selfie, the camera apologizes for not being worthy.

Kick enters a room, the walls step aside out of respect.

Logan makes a wish, the shooting star thanks him for the opportunity.

Keegan whispers, thunder takes notes.

Rorke claps, earthquakes happen in another country.

Kick runs, the wind tries to keep up.

Merrick blinks, time pauses out of respect.

Elias gives directions, Google Maps listens.

Hesh plays a game, the controller follows his commands before he even presses a button.

Keegan sleeps, his dreams ask for permission to appear.

Rorke walks into a bank, the vault opens by itself.

Kick flexes, mirrors gain muscle.

Logan breathes, the atmosphere takes a deep inhale.

Merrick looks at a clock, it resets to his time zone.

Logan drops his phone, the ground apologizes.

Rorke walks into the jungle, the predators play dead.

Keegan plays poker, the deck shuffles itself in his favor.

Kick takes a nap, time slows down to let him rest.

Hesh watches TV, the villians act good out of respect.

Riley chases his tail, the universe spins backward.

Rorke snaps his fingers, gravity takes a break.

Keegan sharpens his knife, the blade gets scared.

Kick stands still, the Earth rotates around him.

Logan looks at the stars, they shine brighter to impress him.

Riley growls, nightmares wake up screaming.

Riley digs a hole, archaeologists discover a lost civilization.

Keegan puts on a mask, the mask feels protected.

Logan opens a book, the words read for him instead.

Rorke steps on a crack, the Earth apologizes and fixes itself.

Kick makes a call, the phone already knows what he wants to say.

Merrick loads a gun, the bullets get scared and try to run away.

They said everytime Elias tells a bedtime story to hesh and logan, the monsters under the bed fall asleep first.

Keegan walks through the fog, the mist clears a path for him.

Rorke throws a rock into the ocean, the tides change out of fear.

Kick blinks, camera shutters try to keep up.

Hesh whistles, birds stop to listen and take notes.

Merrick wears a watch, time tries to impress him by running faster.

Riley howls, werewolves Hide under their beds.

[honeydippedfiction]

New Beginnings {JB9}

Chapter 1 of Fatal Devotion

Synopsis: "New Beginnings" follows Y/N, a young woman who moves to Cincinnati to build her own career, free from the shadow of her famous NFL brother. She meets Joe Burrow, the star quarterback, and is drawn to him despite sensing something unsettling beneath his charm. As their connection deepens, Zariyah grapples with growing attraction and a creeping sense of danger.

Warnings: Supernatural Violence/Threats, Possessiveness and Obsession, Emotional Manipulation, Possible Gore/Violence

Themes: Identity and Self-Discovery, Power and Control, Alienation and Belonging, Dangerous Attraction, Duality of Public vs. Private Lives.

WC: 10.8k

Join my Taglists here or message me

• you DO NOT have my permission to copy my work, upload as your own, translate, or repost on any other website •

Y/N stepped off the bus and onto the bustling streets of Cincinnati. The brisk March air cut through her thin jacket as she pulled it tighter around her body. The city’s skyline loomed ahead, an eclectic mix of sleek modern glass towers and aging brick buildings that spoke to Cincinnati’s deep, storied past. The blend of history and progress mirrored Y/N’s own ambitions—leaving behind what was familiar for something new, something that would be entirely her own.

The noise of the city assaulted her senses—the honking of horns, the constant murmur of voices, and the occasional screech of tires on wet pavement. Yet, in that moment, to Y/N, everything felt oddly quiet. A sharp contrast to the constant hum of her previous life, where every move had been measured by the public eye, every success or failure compared to her brother’s. This was the beginning of something different. The start of her story, where she would no longer be Jelani’s sister but simply Y/N.

She pulled her phone from her pocket, glancing at the map app to double-check the route to her new apartment. Just a few blocks away.

Her chest tightened. There was a weight to the air—something that had clung to her ever since leaving her childhood home behind. She couldn't name it, but it gnawed at her. Maybe it was the burden of expectations, of being Jelani’s younger sister. The world had always defined her in relation to him. Jelani, who had become one of the star tight ends for the Cincinnati Bengals. Jelani, whose name was synonymous with success, fame, and the bright lights of the NFL. While his career soared, she remained in the background, waiting for the day she would be seen for who she truly was.

Now, in the heart of Cincinnati, the city where his fame had blossomed, Y/N had a chance to reinvent herself. She wasn’t just another football sibling. She was here on her own merit—entering the world of marketing, specifically in athlete endorsements.

The firm had been impressed with her resume: years of internships, degrees, and a unique understanding of the sports world. She had spent countless hours at games and training camps, learning about branding, public relations, and how athletes could leverage their platforms for personal and professional growth. This job wasn’t just a career—it was her opportunity to stand apart.

As she turned the corner onto the street where her new apartment was, the weight of it all hit her again. She stood still for a moment, letting the city buzz around her. This was it. This was her chance to step into the light on her own terms.

The building ahead was modern, with sleek lines and large windows that gleamed in the midday sun. It was exactly what she had imagined—a symbol of her fresh start. She walked inside, the cool air of the lobby hitting her as she swiped her keycard at the security desk. The receptionist gave her a friendly smile, and Y/N felt the slightest bit of relief, though her heart still pounded. She was nervous. Not just about the new apartment or the unfamiliar city, but about the unspoken weight she was carrying—one that had followed her since birth.

Her new life was waiting for her.

The elevator ride felt impossibly short, the familiar hum of the gears providing a strange comfort as it climbed higher. She exited the lift and stepped into her apartment—a clean, sparse space with light wooden floors and stark white walls. There wasn’t much to unpack—clothes, books, a few mementos from her old life. But for now, that was all she needed. Her fingers brushed against a framed picture of her and Jelani from years ago, a snapshot of their childhood before everything changed. She placed it carefully on the counter, then turned her attention back to the empty room.

No more shadows, she thought. I’m here for a reason.

---

The next morning, Y/N stood in front of the glass building that housed her new workplace, her stomach fluttering. It wasn’t the skyscraper that made her uneasy. It was the fact that today would be her first real step into a new chapter, where she would prove she belonged. She adjusted the blouse she’d carefully chosen—a simple but sharp professional look—and checked her reflection in the building's windows.

Inside, the office was a whirlwind of activity. People hurried through the halls, speaking on phones, huddling in groups, and rushing between meetings. The walls were adorned with posters of athletes in various product ads, each one a reminder of how far athletes could go with the right marketing behind them. Y/N found herself caught in the pulse of the office, the buzz of ambition and expectation filling the air.

She took a deep breath and made her way to the back office, where she was supposed to meet Mark, her new boss. Her footsteps echoed across the polished floors, the click of her heels an unspoken signal that she had arrived.

The door to the office opened just as she reached it. Mark stood on the other side, tall and imposing, his sharp features matching his no-nonsense demeanor. His gaze swept over her quickly before he gave her a curt nod. “Y/N. Welcome to the team. I’m Mark.”

She extended her hand, shaking his firmly. “Thank you. I’m excited to be here.”

Mark nodded but didn’t return her smile. “You’re not here by accident. We need someone who can think outside the box. Someone who gets the business, who knows how to navigate the world of athletes. Your experience speaks for itself, but I need results. You get me?”

Y/N held her breath for a moment, then smiled. “Absolutely.”

He appraised her for a moment longer before nodding. “Good. We’ve got big things planned. Let’s see what you’re made of.”

After the meeting, Y/N decided to take a walk. The fresh air of the city was a welcome reprieve from the tension she felt from her first real conversation with her boss. As she walked through downtown, she couldn’t help but notice the city’s rhythm—the way the streets seemed to hum with activity, the way the buildings stood as silent witnesses to the endless hustle of life.

She passed by the stadium where the Bengals played, a towering structure that had been the backdrop of so many memories, both hers and Jelani’s. The familiar sight tightened something inside her, and she pressed forward, determined to leave those ghosts behind.

Her mind was racing when she spotted a coffee shop up ahead, its warm lights inviting her in. She entered, the aroma of freshly brewed espresso enveloping her as she ordered a latte and found a quiet corner by the window.

As she settled into the chair, sipping her drink, her eyes wandered around the room. Then she saw him. A man standing near the counter. Tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed casually in a gray hoodie, his presence felt like a weight in the air. There was an effortless confidence about him, but something more—a tension, as if he were waiting for something, or someone.

Y/N tried to focus on her coffee, but her gaze kept drifting back to him. There was something magnetic about him. She couldn’t pinpoint it, but it unsettled her, a feeling gnawing at her chest that she couldn’t shake.

She quickly turned her attention back to her latte, trying to calm her racing pulse. Maybe I’m just imagining things, she thought.

But when the man turned to leave, their eyes met. For a brief moment, their gazes locked. Y/N’s breath caught in her throat. His stare was piercing, intense, as if he were looking past her, through her, into some part of her she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

The man’s lips barely twitched, a small, almost imperceptible nod, before he pushed open the door and disappeared into the world outside.

Y/N shook her head, trying to clear the feeling that had settled deep within her. What was that?

She sipped her coffee again, but the taste was muted, the lingering unease clouding her mind.

Her arrival in Cincinnati was supposed to be the start of a new chapter. Yet, something about the encounter stirred a sense of foreboding. A feeling that perhaps, just perhaps, this was not a place where she could easily escape the past.

—

The hum of excitement filled the air as Y/N stood near the entrance of the Bengals’ stadium, her eyes scanning the crowd that milled around outside. The energy was electric, charged with anticipation. Fans roamed in Bengals jerseys, their faces painted in black and orange, while others clutched foam fingers and signs, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite players. Y/N, on the other hand, felt like a foreigner in this world.

Jelani had insisted she come to the game and the party after they win. “You should get to know the guys. It’s a different world from the outside,” he had said earlier that morning, sounding more like a big brother than a professional football player. But Y/N wasn’t sure if she belonged here. Football had always been Jelani’s world, not hers.

Still, she was determined to be open to it—after all, Cincinnati was now her home too, and this night was part of the new life she was building. She glanced at her phone, her thumb scrolling through a few texts. It was still a little surreal to be standing on the edge of a world that had always felt so distant to her.

As they passed through the security check, Jelani’s presence turned heads. People waved, clapped him on the back, and congratulated him on the win last week. He gave them a relaxed smile and a few quick words, the kind of effortless charm Y/N had seen countless times. But this wasn’t her world, not yet. She trailed behind him, a little out of place in her simple jersey and jeans outfit that contrasted sharply with the flashy outfits of others.

"Over here!" Jelani waved, spotting a few of his teammates gathered near a table in the corner. As they approached, he turned to Y/N with a grin. "You remember Tee and Ja'Marr, right? I know you’ve met them before."

Y/N nodded, offering a polite smile as she exchanged pleasantries with the two men. Tee Higgins was animated as ever, his voice booming as he laughed at something Ja'Marr had said. Ja'Marr, ever the charmer, offered her a warm handshake and a playful wink.

"You’re looking good, Y/N," Ja'Marr said, his smile a little too mischievous for Y/N’s taste. But she returned the smile with grace, feeling the familiar discomfort of being observed too closely.

Then, as she was about to respond, Jelani placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward a tall figure standing nearby, almost blending into the background. He was leaning casually against a column, his gaze distant and focused. As Y/N's eyes traveled upward, she recognized him immediately.

The guy from the coffee shop.

Her breath hitched slightly—of course, it would be one of Jelani’s teammates. The quarterback. The face of the franchise. The man everyone spoke about like he was the next coming of football greatness. His reputation preceded him. And though she’d heard countless stories from Jelani, seen his face on television, and read about his achievements, Y/N had never actually met him. Not in person.

"Joe," Jelani greeted, giving him a light slap on the back. "This is my sister, Y/N. Y/N, meet Joe."

Joe’s head turned, his eyes locking onto hers. His gaze was calm, measured, but there was an intensity in the way he watched her that Y/N immediately felt. It was subtle, but it was there—a flicker of interest that made her stomach twist in an unfamiliar way. She quickly extended her hand, trying to brush off the sudden spike of tension that rushed through her.

"Nice to meet you," she said, her voice steady but tinged with the quiet curiosity that now buzzed in her chest.

Joe reached out, his handshake firm but brief. "It’s great to finally meet you, Y/N," he said, his voice smooth, almost too smooth. He gave her a quick smile, but it didn’t quite touch his eyes. “Jelani’s told me a lot about you.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, wondering just how much her brother had shared. Jelani, for all his warmth, was fiercely protective of his family, and she doubted he’d spilled her secrets to his teammates. Still, she couldn’t help feeling slightly exposed under Joe’s gaze.

“I hope it was all good things,” she replied, her tone light.

Joe chuckled, his expression softening for a moment. “Only the best,” he said. There was an edge to his words that felt like a subtle compliment, but there was something else there—something she couldn’t quite place.

As Jelani spoke with some of the other players, Joe leaned slightly toward Y/N, his posture relaxed but deliberate. "So, what brings you to Cincinnati?" he asked, his tone casual, yet the question seemed to linger in the air longer than it should have.

Y/N glanced at him, a little taken aback by how personal the question felt. “Work, mostly,” she replied, forcing her tone to remain neutral. “I’m in marketing—athlete endorsements, that sort of thing.”

Joe nodded slowly, his gaze intense. “I know the game pretty well. The business side of things can get complicated, but it’s an exciting world. And it’s a big step away from what most people think when they see us on the field.”

She nodded, surprised at how insightful his comment was. Most people didn’t get it. They saw athletes like him as larger-than-life figures, unaware of the layers that came with the fame and the business behind it.

“I can imagine,” she said, her voice steady but thoughtful. “But I’m ready to dive in.”

There was a brief moment of silence between them. Y/N shifted her weight slightly, feeling the awkward tension start to build. Joe’s gaze never wavered, though. His eyes remained fixed on her as though studying her, trying to decipher something in the way she held herself.

"You seem… different," he said, as though considering his words carefully. “Most people would be... overwhelmed, I guess. With everything going on around here.”

Y/N tilted her head, slightly thrown off by his directness. “I don’t get overwhelmed easily,” she said, offering a small, confident smile.

Joe’s lips quirked slightly, his expression unreadable. "I can tell," he murmured, his voice low.

Before she could respond, Jelani called out to them, beckoning them toward the group again. Joe gave her a nod, and Y/N felt a shiver run down her spine as he turned back to join the conversation.

As she watched him walk away, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted in the air between them. It wasn’t just the intensity of his stare or the way he’d lingered around her longer than necessary. There was something... unsettling in the way he seemed to study her, as though he was trying to figure her out—or perhaps, trying to see through her.

Y/N shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts that crept into her mind. This was just part of the life she was stepping into. A part of the fame and the power that came with being around athletes like Joe. He was probably just trying to be friendly.

But deep down, something about Joe Burrow made her skin prickle with unease. There was something about him that didn’t sit right. And she couldn’t yet figure out if that feeling was instinct or just her own uncertainty about this new world.

—

The evening air was thick with the hum of excitement as Y/N followed her brother, Jelani, through the crowded hallway of the stadium to his car. The familiar scent of sweat, leather, and freshly popped popcorn still lingered. The buzz of victory filled the air, still crackling with energy after the Bengals' stunning win against the Chiefs. The stadium, alive with cheers and the electric buzz of fans, felt almost surreal. To Y/N, it was like stepping into her brother’s world—a world where success was measured in touchdowns and team victories, where the glow of lights and the adoration of fans was part of the daily rhythm.

Jelani, moving with his usual effortless confidence, was at the center of it all. He had just been a key player in the Bengals’ win, and now, his name was being shouted by strangers and teammates alike. His popularity was something Y/N had grown up with, but it never ceased to impress her. Her brother was a star—someone she’d always looked up to, even if she’d spent her life living in his shadow.

But tonight? Tonight, there was something different. Tonight, the atmosphere felt electric, even to her. She was caught up in the euphoria of it all, smiling with pride as she watched the team’s success unfold. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration rising within her. The Bengals had just pulled off an incredible win, and it was clear the team, and Jelani, were riding high on it.

"Ready to go?" Jelani’s voice cut through the adrenaline-induced haze, his arm slipping casually around her shoulders.

Y/N nodded, her smile wide and genuine. “Yeah, let’s go.”

Her brother shot her a teasing glance. “You sure you’re not feeling the buzz, or are you just playing it cool?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her composed demeanor.

“I’m feeling it,” she admitted, her voice light. “Just... trying to catch my breath, you know?”

Jelani chuckled, pulling her closer as they made their way out of the stadium and into the cool night air. "You're allowed to breathe easy, Y/N. This is our time to celebrate. We kicked some serious ass out there."

She laughed, enjoying the infectious energy of the night. “You definitely did. I’m proud of you, Jelani.”

His grin grew wider. “Thanks. Now, let's get you out of those dunks and into something more club-friendly. We’re celebrating tonight, and you’re coming with me.”

Y/N rolled her eyes playfully but felt a warmth in her chest. Jelani always knew how to lift her spirits, how to make her feel like she belonged even in the middle of all the glitz and glamour. She had never really been one for the flashy club scene, but tonight, with the win still buzzing in her veins, it didn’t seem so bad. If anything, it felt exciting. It felt like a chance to be part of something bigger than herself—for once, to stand in the spotlight beside her brother, not just as Jelani’s sister, but as someone there to enjoy the moment with him.

The drive back to her apartment was a blur of city lights and music, the soundtrack of victory playing softly in the background. Y/N sat back in the passenger seat, the warmth of the night outside against the cool comfort of the car’s interior. She could feel her pulse quickening, the energy of the win still vibrating through her. Tonight was different. There was a tangible sense of excitement in the air, and for the first time in a long time, Y/N let herself truly enjoy it.

When they pulled up to her apartment, Jelani gave her an exaggerated, pleading look. “Don’t take too long, alright? I’ll meet you at the club in thirty. You’re coming, whether you like it or not.”

Y/N laughed, shaking her head. “Fine, fine. I’ll be there.”

As she stepped out of the car, the cool night air greeted her, and she couldn’t help but feel a thrill run through her. She had just witnessed her brother’s triumph, and now, she was going to let herself enjoy the spoils of it all, even if it meant stepping into a world she wasn’t completely sure about yet. But tonight was about her brother’s success—and maybe a little bit about her own too. She was done hanging in the background. Tonight, she was going to make her own mark, at least for a little while.

As she entered her apartment, she couldn’t shake the feeling of excitement settling in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, this night would be more than just a celebration for Jelani. It could be the start of something for her, too.

She could hear her heart beating faster, the pulse of it aligning with the energy of the evening. The place was quiet, a stark contrast to the buzz outside, but it gave her a moment to center herself. She had a little time before she had to meet Jelani and head to the club.

She grinned as she walked toward her closet, ready to get dressed, ready to dive into the whirlwind of the night. The rows of neatly hung clothes staring back at her, and for a brief second, she felt unsure of what to wear. She had the dress she had bought earlier with Jade—a sleek, deep blue number that fit her like a glove, but was it too much? Too little? She didn’t want to stand out too much—this night was about celebrating her brother—but she also didn’t want to blend into the background.

Pulling the dress from the hanger, she held it up in front of her, inspecting the fabric. The way it shimmered in the light was almost mesmerizing. It was elegant, flattering, but not too revealing. Perfect. She smiled to herself, pleased with her choice. A little sparkle wouldn’t hurt.

As she slid into the dress, the soft fabric caressed her skin, and she took a moment to appreciate the way it made her feel—confident and poised, yet still very much herself. She glanced at herself in the full-length mirror and adjusted the neckline slightly, liking how it accentuated her collarbones without being too daring.

Next, she turned to her hair. Her natural curls were thick and wild, a tangled mass of texture that could either be her best feature or an unruly mess. Y/N had always loved her hair—her mother had always told her to embrace it—but some days it could feel like more work than it was worth. Tonight, though, she didn’t want to spend too much time fussing with it.

With a soft sigh, she pulled out her styling gel and cream, applying it generously to her damp curls. She worked her fingers through the strands, creating a natural, bouncy look. The curls framed her face beautifully, giving her that effortless vibe she was going for. She let it air-dry as she finished up the rest of her look. She didn’t need to go overboard with makeup either—just a little foundation to even out her skin, some eyeliner to bring out her eyes, and a swipe of gloss to finish. The minimal look felt right for the night.

Y/N caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror once more and grinned. She looked good, but it wasn’t just about the way she looked. It was about how she felt: confident, ready, and excited for what the night had in store. This wasn’t just about Jelani’s win anymore—it was her night too. A night to let loose and forget about the pressures of her own world for a little while.

She grabbed her phone and sent a quick text to Jelani, letting him know she was almost ready.

“Ready for this night out. I’ll meet you there soon!”

After slipping on her heels, she walked over to her small kitchen counter, where her purse was waiting. She gave herself one last glance in the mirror, adjusting the strap of her purse over her shoulder. The navy dress hugged her curves, the deep blue contrasting with her rich brown skin in a way that made her feel striking. It was a look that said she was confident, but not desperate for attention. And that was the way she liked it.

As she walked to the door, Y/N could feel a slight nervous energy creeping in. She wasn’t nervous about her appearance—she knew she looked great—but the club, the people, the scene…it was all still so foreign to her. Even though she had spent her whole life around athletes and celebrities, being part of that world, stepping into the spotlight, was another thing entirely. But tonight, she was going to embrace it. She wasn’t going to let herself feel like an outsider. She was Y/N. She was more than just Jelani’s sister. Tonight, she was her own person.

With that thought in mind, she stepped out the door, ready to meet Jelani and the rest of the crew at the club. The cool night air brushed against her skin as she made her way down the steps of her apartment building, feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Let’s see where this night takes me, she thought with a smile.

–

Tonight, the Bengals had pulled off a huge win, and Jelani was in high demand. The after-party was the same as always—loud, flashy, and filled with people who were only too eager to be seen with the right faces. Celebrities. Fans, Girls, everyone. Y/N felt like an intruder, out of place in a world where the rules seemed to be written in glittering contracts and whispered promises.

“Come on, Y/N. Don’t hang back,” Jelani urged, his arm casually draped over her shoulders. “You’re part of the family now.”

She nodded, but inside, she felt the usual discomfort. As much as she loved her brother, his life was not hers. She was still figuring out how to belong in this world—or even if she wanted to.

The club they entered was a far cry from the corporate events she was used to. The lights were harsh, flashing neon in every direction, the bass of the music vibrating through her bones. A wave of heat hit her as they walked in, the club packed with people, dancing, drinking, and laughing like it was the most natural thing in the world. The air was thick with perfume, smoke, and the scent of expensive alcohol. Y/N’s heels clicked loudly on the polished floor as they navigated through the crowd, her brother moving with the ease of someone used to the chaos.

The VIP area was elevated above the main floor, the seating plush and designed for one thing: status. Y/N’s eyes scanned the room, landing on a few familiar faces. Tee Higgins, the Bengals' wide receiver, was deep in conversation with a group of women, his charisma evident even from across the room. Ja'Marr Chase, the star receiver, was holding court at the center of a large circle, laughing and cracking jokes. But it was Joe Burrow, the quarterback, who drew her gaze.

He was standing near the edge of the VIP section, leaning casually against a railing, his intense eyes sweeping the room. He had the kind of presence that made people stop and take notice. His reputation as the franchise’s golden boy was well earned—charming, magnetic, and effortlessly cool. Tonight, he was the center of attention, but his eyes flicked over the crowd, scanning faces until they met hers.

Y/N felt a stir of something unexpected, a flutter of curiosity more than anything. She didn’t shy away this time; instead, she held his gaze for a beat longer than usual before looking away. She wasn’t here to get caught up in the allure of star athletes, but there was something magnetic about Joe.

As the evening wore on, it seemed Joe wasn’t quite ready to let her slip into the background. Y/N found herself cornered later that night, standing by a table of empty shot glasses, trying to blend in. She wasn’t used to these kinds of events, but the energy of the crowd didn’t feel as jarring now. Instead, there was a rhythm to it—a pulse that was easier to follow than she had anticipated. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a welcome distraction. She glanced at the screen—it was a text from Jelani.

Hey, you good? Come meet us over by the bar. Joe’s looking for you.

She raised an eyebrow. Joe? It wasn’t that she didn’t like him—he was charming in his own right. But it was also undeniable—Joe Burrow was a force, and there was something about the attention he attracted that had always made her cautious. Still, she was here now, so why not embrace the moment?

She made her way over, passing through the groups of drunk, dancing people until she reached the bar. The neon lights flickered above, casting everything in an eerie glow. Joe leaned against the bar with a drink in hand, his signature calm aura wrapped around him like a shield.

"Hey, Y/N. Finally made it over," he greeted her with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes but still carried a warmth that was hard to ignore.

“Hi, Joe,” she said, offering a smile that felt more at ease than before. “Jelani said you were looking for me.”

He chuckled softly, his gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary. “Not exactly. I just thought it’d be nice if we got a chance to chat. Haven’t had much time to really talk, with all the craziness going on tonight.”

She raised an eyebrow but couldn’t help feeling a little curious. “Well, you certainly seem to have a lot of people wanting your attention.”

Joe’s smile didn’t waver. “They always do. Comes with the job.”

Y/N shrugged, feeling more comfortable now that the conversation was flowing. “Must be hard, huh? Having everyone expecting something from you.”

Joe’s eyes sparkled with humor. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.” His tone was light, but there was something about him that didn’t seem like he was just saying words to fill space.

They chatted for a few more minutes—about work, the city, and the team—but this time, Y/N found herself more engaged. There was something about Joe’s laid-back demeanor that made it easy to be in the moment, even though he had the presence of someone used to being the center of attention.

“Are you going to the charity event next week?” Joe asked casually, swirling his drink.

Y/N hesitated. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

Joe raised an eyebrow. “You should come. Jelani and I will be there. You can’t pass up an opportunity to rub elbows with the city’s top influencers.”

She forced a smile but felt her curiosity piqued. “I’m not really into that kind of thing.”

Joe’s lips quirked into a half-smile. “You’re different. I like that.” His voice was low, almost to himself. But Y/N heard it clearly, and for the first time, she found herself considering the invitation.

---

The next few days passed in a blur of emails, meetings, and the usual flurry of post-game activities. But Y/N couldn’t shake the odd interactions she’d had with Joe. He seemed to find subtle ways to insert himself into her life. There were invitations to dinners, events, even a casual get-together with a few of his friends. At first, Y/N had politely declined, but it was getting harder to ignore his persistence.

“Come on, Y/N,” Jelani had said one evening after another invitation from Joe. “You know he’s just trying to be friendly. He wants to get to know you.”

Y/N didn’t hesitate this time. She could see the friendly side of Joe more clearly now, though something about his focus on her felt a little deeper, like he was paying attention to things no one else might notice.

As the invitations grew, so did her intrigue. And it wasn’t just his attention that caught her off guard. There were little things that intrigued her—the way his reflexes seemed unnaturally quick, like when he’d steadied her when she’d tripped slightly on the sidewalk. Or how his eyes would gleam in certain lights, like they were... too sharp.

And then there were the people around him. Everyone seemed to defer to him in subtle ways—quiet nods, respectful distance, even when he wasn’t speaking. It was as though they were all waiting for something.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized—Joe wasn’t just a quarterback. He wasn’t just a star athlete. There was something more to him. But for the first time, she wasn’t immediately putting up her guard. Instead, she found herself curious, drawn in, and eager to see where this would go.

Y/N stepped into her apartment that evening, feeling a sense of anticipation instead of unease. The city outside seemed to buzz with energy, and for the first time, she felt she was on the verge of something new. Something that might just change everything.

And Joe Burrow—his presence, his pull—was undeniably at the heart of it all.

—

The days seemed to stretch longer as Y/N continued navigating the world she had been thrust into. The strange pull she felt towards Joe Burrow refused to dissipate, lurking just beneath the surface of her thoughts like an itch she couldn’t quite scratch. Despite her reservations, her interactions with him were becoming harder to avoid. It wasn't that she didn't want to, it was more that the whole situation felt... off.

One afternoon, as she sat in her apartment working through some freelance projects, her phone buzzed with a new message.

Hey, Y/N. Joe and I are going to grab dinner tonight. Join us?

It was from Jelani, and as usual, he was playing the part of mediator, trying to bridge the gap between her and his teammate. She stared at the text for a long moment before typing a reply.

Thanks, but I’m fine. Maybe next time.

Her finger hovered over the screen, and she debated sending it. Was she really turning down an opportunity to hang out with two of the Bengals' biggest stars? But the idea of being in Joe’s company again, of being under the scrutiny of that quiet, calculating gaze, unsettled her. She had no interest in becoming another conquest in his long list of admirers.

As the minutes ticked by, her phone buzzed again.

Don’t be shy, Y/N. You’ll have a blast. We’re going to this cool spot downtown.

She sighed, knowing Jelani wouldn’t let up. She was already exhausted from dodging his invitations. She tapped out a reluctant reply.

Fine, I’ll go. But only because you asked.

Within minutes, a text popped up from Jelani: Great! Meet us at 8. Don’t be late!

The restaurant was a trendy downtown spot that Y/N had seen on Instagram but never thought she’d actually visit. The atmosphere was sleek, with low lighting and modern décor. It wasn’t exactly her vibe—too polished, too curated—but tonight, she wasn’t here to scrutinize every little detail. She was here to have a good time, to relax for once.

As soon as she stepped inside, she could feel the difference in energy. The low hum of conversations filled the air, but it was punctuated by bursts of laughter and the clinking of glasses. People dressed in high-end fashion lingered near the bar, swaying to the smooth background music, exchanging stories, and catching up. Y/N wasn’t used to this world, but tonight, she felt a little more at ease than she had expected.

Jelani waved from a table near the back, his usual carefree grin plastered across his face. And beside him, naturally, sat Joe.

"Y/N! Over here!" Jelani called out, his voice carrying easily above the low hum of chatter and music.

Y/N caught Joe’s eye as she made her way toward the table. His head turned at the same time as her gaze met his, and the way he locked eyes with her was strangely captivating. She couldn’t look away, even for a moment. His stare felt sharp, but not in a threatening way. It was like he was studying her, really seeing her in a way most people didn’t. She couldn’t help but feel the pull.

She waved back and made her way over, slipping into the seat next to Jelani.

“Hey,” she greeted, her voice more at ease now that she was settling in.

“Glad you could make it,” Joe said smoothly, his voice low and calm, like it was designed to make you lean in closer to hear every word. “Jelani tells me you’ve been keeping a pretty busy schedule. I thought we could change that tonight, let you unwind a little.”

Y/N offered a polite smile, settling back into her chair, allowing herself to feel a little more relaxed. “I wouldn’t exactly call it busy. Just keeping my head down, you know?”

Jelani laughed, clearly eager to keep the mood light. “Yeah, Y/N’s not really into the whole ‘nightlife’ thing. She’s more of a work-and-chill kinda girl. Not exactly the party animal, if you know what I mean.”

Joe’s eyes never left her. She could feel his gaze on her, but instead of making her uncomfortable, it made her curious. There was something about the way he was studying her that wasn’t invasive—just... thoughtful, like he was trying to figure her out in a way that intrigued him.

Y/N smiled back, not shy but unbothered by the attention. “Yeah, I like my downtime. Not really big on the whole clubbing scene, if that’s what you mean.”

Joe tilted his head slightly, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips. “I get that. Not everyone’s into the flashing lights and loud music. But, you know, sometimes it’s nice to step out of your comfort zone. Do something different.”

“I’m more of a ‘stay in and read a book’ type of girl,” Y/N joked, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, I won’t be the one causing a scene tonight.”

Joe’s smile was easy, his eyes still locked on hers. “Good to know. But even if you did, I think I’d find it interesting.”

Y/N’s stomach fluttered, but she brushed it off. “Well, I’ll try not to make any waves, then.”

Jelani cut in with a laugh, clearly trying to keep the conversation light. “He’s been talking about you non-stop since that first night, Y/N. I thought you might be a little more social with him by now.”

Joe laughed too, but there was something in his expression that was different now. Instead of sounding flippant, he seemed... sincere. “I’m just trying to get to know her better, Jelani. Nothing more.”

Y/N glanced at Joe, feeling a strange shift in the energy. He wasn’t being pushy, wasn’t trying to impress her with flashy compliments or charm. He was just... being real. And that made it easier to be herself. She didn’t feel like she had to guard herself around him anymore. It wasn’t about impressing him. It was about having a conversation, like normal people.

She cleared her throat. “I’m just not really looking to get to know anyone at the moment, if I’m being honest. Not in the way you’re probably thinking.”

Joe tilted his head, as if considering her words carefully. “That’s fair. But I think there’s more to you than meets the eye. There’s something about you, Y/N. You don’t quite fit into the mold. And that’s what I like about you.”

Y/N chuckled softly, not sure what to make of the compliment. It felt genuine, but there was also something deeper in his voice. “I guess I’m a bit of a mystery, huh?”

Joe’s eyes twinkled, and his grin softened. “You could say that. Most people would be soaking up the attention by now, but you—” he paused, as if carefully choosing his next words, “—you seem different. And that’s rare.”

Y/N’s curiosity piqued. She wasn’t used to being the subject of such focus, but there was something oddly flattering about the way Joe looked at her. He wasn’t making her feel uncomfortable; rather, he was engaging her in a way that made her feel like she mattered. And she liked that. She didn’t have to be perfect, didn’t have to pretend to fit into anyone’s expectations.

“Most people probably expect me to be all glamorous and outgoing. But that’s not really me,” Y/N said, leaning back in her chair. “I don’t think I’ve ever been someone who fits in with the ‘crowd.’”

Joe smiled, a slow, understanding curve of his lips. “I can respect that.” He let the words hang in the air for a moment before adding, “It’s rare to meet someone who’s so... comfortable in their own skin. Who doesn’t try too hard.”

Y/N’s eyebrows raised. She wasn’t used to being seen like this, like her self-assurance was something worth noting. “Well, I don’t really try to be anything I’m not. It’s easier that way.”

Joe leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, but there was no mistaking the weight behind his words. “That’s what makes you stand out. It’s why you intrigue me.” His eyes softened a fraction. “People like you don’t come around often.”

Y/N felt a shift in the conversation. Something had changed. The vibe between them was no longer casual—it was personal. He wasn’t just talking to her because she was Jelani’s sister or because she was in his orbit. He was genuinely interested in her. And for the first time, Y/N didn’t mind. She was curious too.

“Look, I’m not saying I’m some kind of mystery, Joe. But I do tend to keep to myself,” Y/N replied, giving him a half-smile. “I’m just not about the small talk. Not my thing.”

“I get that. Small talk is overrated,” Joe said, his voice suddenly more earnest. “But I think we could have a real conversation. I don’t need you to impress me. I’m just... interested.”

Y/N nodded slowly, her gaze steady. “Well, I guess that’s a good place to start, then.”

The dinner continued with more casual conversation—work, the city, the usual small talk—but there was an ease to it now. Y/N no longer felt like she had to pull back. Instead, she found herself enjoying the connection with Joe. His calm demeanor, his way of listening without interrupting, made her feel like she wasn’t just another person in the room. She wasn’t just someone he had to talk to. She was Y/N, and he wanted to know more about her. That, in itself, felt different.

The night went on, and Y/N found herself more relaxed than she’d ever expected to be. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. And maybe, just maybe, Joe Burrow was someone worth getting to know.

---

Later that night, as she walked back to her apartment, Y/N’s thoughts whirled. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but the more time she spent around Joe, the more her sense of unease grew. It wasn’t just his physical presence that bothered her. It was the way he made her feel like a puzzle he was intent on solving. Like she was just another challenge to conquer in his endless pursuit of control.

The city lights outside her window flickered as she sat on her couch, deep in thought. Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe she was just projecting her discomfort with her own unfamiliarity in this world onto him. But deep down, something told her that she wasn’t imagining the way Joe seemed to shadow her steps, always lingering just a little too close.

She could feel it in the way the air shifted when he was near—like something beneath the surface was waiting to emerge.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. A message from Jelani.

You good? You seemed off tonight. Joe likes you, you know? I think he’s just trying to be cool, not pressure you.

Y/N stared at the text for a long time before responding.

I’m fine. Just tired, I guess.

But as she set her phone down, she knew something was off. Joe’s interest wasn’t just about getting to know her. It was about something deeper—something she couldn’t yet understand.

And that scared her.

—

The night of the charity event arrived, and Y/N found herself standing in front of her bathroom mirror, examining the reflection of someone she hardly recognized. It had taken a lot of convincing from Jade—her coworker-turned-new best friend—for her to actually show up.

"You've got this, girl," Jade had said earlier, practically dragging her to the mall during their lunch break to pick out something that screamed "confidence." After much prodding, Y/N had agreed to buy the dress. It was a rich, royal purple, a perfect blend of sophistication and allure. The bodice, adorned with intricate appliqués over sheer fabric, hugged her figure like a second skin, while the structured corset detail added a touch of regal elegance. The satin skirt cascaded down in a liquid-like shimmer, with a daring thigh-high slit that hinted at both confidence and grace. It was a dress made to turn heads, to command attention, and to make her feel utterly unstoppable. Jade had insisted it was the kind of dress that would turn heads without trying too hard.

Y/N wasn’t so sure. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, especially not in a room full of people who knew exactly how to work a crowd. But Jade had promised her that it would be fun—fun, as if navigating this world of wealthy elites and NFL superstars could ever be considered “fun.”

With a deep breath, Y/N smoothed the fabric of her dress, stepped into her heels, and grabbed her clutch. She wasn’t sure if she was more nervous about the event itself or about the possibility of running into Joe. After all, the last time they’d spoken, she hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that he was watching her, studying her every move.

But tonight wasn’t about him. It was about carving her own space in this strange, celebrity-laden world.

The event was being held at a lavish downtown venue, a grand ballroom with sparkling chandeliers and polished marble floors. As soon as Y/N and Jade stepped inside, the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and soft jazz filled the air. People were dressed to the nines, their outfits perfectly tailored, their faces adorned with carefully curated smiles. The room was filled with sponsors, athletes, and influencers—all mingling and rubbing elbows like it was second nature. Y/N immediately felt a knot tighten in her stomach.

"This is your moment," Jade said, flashing a dazzling grin as she linked arms with her. “You look amazing. And trust me, no one’s paying attention to you. They’re too busy trying to get noticed themselves.”

Y/N managed a nervous smile, but the discomfort didn’t fade. She felt out of place—like an imposter in a world where she didn’t belong. Her gaze darted across the room, landing on familiar faces—Jelani, of course, surrounded by teammates and industry bigwigs, laughing and joking effortlessly. But it was Joe she found herself involuntarily looking for. And when she saw him, standing near the far side of the room, talking to a group of people with his usual confidence, something in her chest fluttered—unwelcome and uncomfortable.

"Jade, I don’t know about this," she muttered, looking for an escape route. “I feel like everyone here is looking at me like I don’t belong. Like I’m—”

"Stop," Jade interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "You’re Y/N. You belong anywhere you decide you do. No one is judging you." She grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, handing one to Y/N. “Drink up. Let’s just enjoy the night. I’ll be with you, okay?”

Y/N took the glass with a thankful nod, taking a small sip of the bubbly liquid. It was cold and crisp, and the bubbles made her feel a little lighter, like the tension that had been building in her chest was starting to dissolve, if only for a moment.

"Now," Jade said, leaning in conspiratorially. "There’s something I’ve learned about this world. You either sink or swim. But the trick is, everyone’s pretending they know how to swim. So, if you fake it long enough, eventually they’ll all think you do, too. Let’s just go mingle. I’m serious. One conversation at a time."

Y/N chuckled, despite the knot of nervousness that still clung to her. Jade’s energy was infectious—unapologetically confident, effortlessly fun. Y/N let her pull her into the crowd, trying to shake off her self-consciousness.

They made their way through the sea of well-dressed attendees, chatting casually with a few of the corporate sponsors Jade knew. Y/N found herself relaxing just a little, laughing at the small talk, nodding along to the stories being shared. She could do this. She just had to pretend like she was as at ease as everyone else.

“Hey, Y/N!”

The voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to find Jelani approaching with a grin. As always, his presence was easy, comfortable—he was in his element, fully surrounded by his teammates and friends. His eyes glinted with mischief as he pulled her into a quick hug.

“You look great,” he said, stepping back to appraise her. "I’m glad you came. See? Not so bad, right?"

“I’m surviving,” Y/N replied, her smile feeling more genuine now. The champagne had worked its magic, and she was starting to feel a little less like a fish out of water.

Jelani chuckled, then gestured toward the group of players nearby. “Come on, I want you to meet some of the guys. I’ll introduce you to Andrei and Sam. And Joe’s over there—he was asking about you earlier.” His grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Y/N’s heart skipped, but she followed him with a determined breath, reminding herself that she was here for a reason. She didn’t need to be intimidated. She wasn’t a bystander anymore. She was part of this world now, whether she liked it or not.

As they approached the group, Y/N couldn’t help but notice the way the room seemed to part for Jelani, how everyone immediately gravitated toward him. It wasn’t just because he was a star player; there was something about him that drew people in—a warmth, a magnetism. She followed him closely, her gaze briefly flickering to Joe as they neared.

Joe was talking to a few of his friends, but the moment Y/N stepped into the circle, his attention shifted to her. His eyes locked on hers, and for a second, the rest of the room seemed to fade away. He gave her that same slow smile, the one that made her feel like he could see right through her.

“Y/N,” Joe greeted, his voice smooth, his tone warm but knowing. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Of course,” she said, her smile cool but polite. “I didn’t want to miss out on a good cause.”

Joe’s smile grew, a glimmer of something unreadable in his eyes. “Well, I’m glad you came. You’ve been hard to catch up with lately.”

Y/N resisted the urge to glance around, to look for an escape. But Jade’s voice echoed in her mind—fake it until they think you do it for real. So, she smiled back. “I’ve just been busy, you know? Getting settled.”

Jelani clapped a hand on Joe’s back, pulling them both into the conversation. “Let’s grab some drinks. We’re gonna show Y/N how this event works—get her in the swing of things.”

The evening was just beginning, and Y/N knew she would have to keep her guard up. But with Jade beside her, and the champagne starting to loosen her nerves, maybe she could let go—just a little.

As the conversation swirled around her, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses melding together, Y/N felt herself slowly blending into the crowd. The night was young, and maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to navigate it without losing herself. But one thing was certain: Joe Burrow wasn’t going to let her fade into the background, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for whatever that meant.

The evening had drawn on longer than Y/N had expected. The charity event was buzzing with energy, everyone in their polished best, laughing and networking under the warm golden glow of chandeliers. Y/N, despite her best efforts to blend in, felt out of place among the crowd of bright, shining faces. Jade had tried to pull her into conversation after conversation, but each time, Y/N found herself retreating into her own head, the laughter and music around her muffled, as though she were watching everything from behind a glass wall.

She could feel the weight of expectations—of who she was supposed to be here, the sister of the star athlete, the woman with the right connections. But none of it resonated with her. She didn’t belong in this world of fake smiles and hollow compliments. The weight of the evening, the overwhelming noise, was starting to feel suffocating. She needed to step away, even if just for a moment.

After what felt like hours of mingling, shaking hands, and forced smiles, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. The event was still in full swing inside, but the noise, the clinking of glasses, and the constant hum of conversation had started to grate on her nerves. She needed a break—some quiet, some space to think, even if just for a moment.

As she excused herself from yet another group, she slipped out the back of the venue, grateful for the cool night air that greeted her. The city was alive around her, the hum of traffic distant but steady. 

Stepping outside into the cool night air, Y/N walked with purpose, her heels clicking against the stone steps of the venue as her feet take her through the quiet, stone-paved garden area of the venue until she found a small fountain nestled in the shadows. The coolness of the evening did little to calm her nerves, but the peacefulness of the space—a small courtyard with a gently flowing fountain in the center—was soothing in its own way. The stars overhead shimmered faintly, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale, ethereal light across the scene. The sound of running water was oddly comforting, and she perched on the edge of the fountain, resting her elbows on her knees and staring up at the sky.

She sat on the edge of the fountain, her legs tucked underneath her as she leaned back slightly, her gaze lifting to the moon. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and damp earth, and for the first time that evening, she allowed herself to breathe deeply, attempting to calm her racing thoughts.

But even as she tried to focus on the tranquil scene in front of her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. It wasn’t just the grandness of the event, or the overwhelming sense of being surrounded by people who were used to this world. No, it was the strange pull she felt every time her eyes landed on Joe. And now, sitting alone in the night, the feeling of being watched made her skin crawl.

Her chest tightened as she tried to push away the feeling that something was watching her. She shook her head. She was just being paranoid, right? There was no reason for her to feel so on edge tonight.

But the sensation grew stronger.

She turned her head slowly, a chill creeping down her spine as her gaze landed on the figure standing a few feet away, half-hidden in the shadows. It was Joe. She hadn’t heard him approach, but there he was, leaning casually against a stone pillar.  His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers immediately, a soft smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes… his eyes were trained on her, locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip. He stood at the edge of the courtyard, his tall frame silhouetted against the night sky.

Y/N stiffened, her muscles tensing instinctively. She hadn’t expected to see him here, outside, away from the crowd. He wasn’t supposed to be like the others, the ones who floated from person to person, always surrounded by admirers. Joe was always the center of attention, always a step ahead, but there was something about him—something that didn’t fit in with the rest of the night.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke, and the silence stretched between them, heavy and thick. The only sound was the faint rustling of the leaves above and the quiet trickle of water from the fountain.

"Mind if I join you?" His voice was smooth, calm, and oddly comforting, as though he belonged here, in this quiet space with her.

Y/N’s stomach flipped. She wasn’t sure if it was the weight of his presence or the fact that he’d followed her out here, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for more of Joe—more of that gaze that seemed to see through her.

Finally, Joe pushed off the pillar and took a few measured steps toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. “I didn’t mean to intrude,” he said, his voice low, but it held a warmth that made the night air feel less biting. “I just noticed you out here alone. Everything alright?”

Joe didn’t move closer, though she could feel his presence pulling at her like gravity. He was standing at a distance, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his jacket, his posture open but deliberate. There was something about the way he carried himself—calm, poised, but underneath it, there was an undercurrent of something more. Something she couldn’t quite place.

Y/N blinked, momentarily thrown by his words. His voice was soft, almost too soft, as if he were trying to draw her in, make her feel at ease, but she could hear the subtle edge underneath, the quiet urgency in his tone that she couldn’t ignore.

“I... I needed a little break,” she said, her words coming out a little more clipped than she’d intended. “Just some fresh air.”

Joe nodded, taking a few steps closer but never crossing into her personal space. He was aware, perhaps too aware, of the way her body subtly tensed as he approached. He tilted his head slightly, studying her with a mixture of curiosity and understanding.

“You look like you needed it,” he said softly, His voice was gentle, like he was trying to draw her out of her shell, and that sweetness made the tension in her shoulders ease just a little. “I can tell the crowds inside can be... overwhelming.”

Y/N forced a smile, though her insides were still tight. “Yeah. A little much for me. I'm not really one for all of... this.”

Joe chuckled, and for a moment, the tension in the air seemed to ease. He took a seat next to her, though still a few feet away, as if giving her the space she needed. But even with the distance between them, Y/N could feel the pull, the subtle gravity that always seemed to draw her in whenever he was near.

“I get it,” Joe continued, his voice low. “It’s a lot of fake smiles and small talk. But I think you’re handling it better than most.”

She glanced at him, her brow furrowed slightly. “What do you mean?”

Joe’s gaze shifted to her, his eyes sparkling under the moonlight. “You don’t seem interested in impressing anyone, and that’s... rare around here. People try too hard. But not you. You’ve got a different kind of presence.”

Y/N felt a flicker of discomfort at his words, unsure how to respond. She didn’t want to come off as rude, but she also didn’t want to let herself get caught up in whatever this was.

“I’m just trying to get through the night,” she said quietly, looking down at her hands, which were resting in her lap. “It’s just not... my thing.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” Joe said with a small, knowing smile. “I get it. Sometimes the noise just gets too loud, you know?”

Y/N tried to smile, but it felt forced. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that had her feeling so off-balance. Maybe it was the way he watched her with such quiet intensity or the way his every move seemed deliberate, calculated. Whatever it was, it made her uncomfortable in ways she couldn’t quite explain.

But he didn’t push her. Instead, he leaned against the stone next to her, close but not too close, just enough to let her feel the quiet power of his presence.

“You don’t have to fit in,” Joe said softly, his gaze intense yet comforting. “You just have to be yourself.”

There it was again—his way of speaking, so disarmingly genuine, that it made her question whether she had misjudged him. Maybe he was just trying to be kind. But something about it felt too perfect, too easy. His words, his calm demeanor—it was almost as if he had studied people like her before, knowing just how to make them feel seen, without asking for anything in return.

Y/N glanced away, needing space to breathe, but the air seemed to thicken between them. And then it happened—a subtle shift she couldn’t ignore. Her pulse thudded in her ears, and she felt the unmistakable heat of his gaze on her, like he was studying her more closely. She’d always been hyper-aware of her surroundings, but now, the sensation of being watched wasn’t just in her head—it was real.

The night air seemed to grow colder around her, but it wasn’t the temperature that made her shiver. No, it was the strange, sharp edge in the way Joe’s eyes glinted as they fixed on her. It wasn’t just interest—there was something deeper, darker, beneath it.

And then, it happened.

Her scent hit him.

It was subtle at first, just the faintest trace of something intoxicating. Something primal. But then it blossomed. The rush of her blood, the beat of her heart beneath her skin—Joe could hear it, feel it, even taste it on the air. His gaze flickered, just for a moment, to a deep, unsettling crimson and just like that it was gone. Her pulse quickened as her blood surged, and he could feel it—the pull of her life force, warm and vibrant, calling to something buried deep inside him.

His breath caught. He hadn't even touched her, hadn’t gotten close enough to claim her, but the need in him stirred, an undeniable addiction that he’d only ever felt in the presence of something rare. And she was rare—so uniquely, undeniably intoxicating that it nearly took all his strength not to reach for her. Not to pull her closer.

His lips parted slightly, as though a breath had caught in his throat. It wasn’t the way his heart beat—his heart didn’t beat—but it was that sharp, burning hunger in his chest. The smell of her blood, the subtle pulse beneath her skin, it was all he could focus on. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away, but his self-control was slipping with each passing second.

“Y/N,” he murmured, his voice lower now, almost a whisper as he struggled to regain some semblance of composure. “You don’t have to be alone out here. I’m here if you want to talk... or just... be.”

Y/N could sense the shift, feel it in the air between them—the tension thickening into something unspoken, something she didn’t want to confront. The words seemed too casual, too effortless. But his eyes… there was something about the way they gleamed now. She couldn’t tell if it was just the dim lighting or if there was something deeper lurking behind them, something that made her pulse stutter just a little.

Her instincts screamed at her to move, to get away, but she didn’t. Not yet.

She couldn’t explain it, but in that moment, she didn’t want to leave. There was something about Joe—something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. He was still Joe, the quarterback everyone adored, the man whose charm was as effortless as it was dangerous. But there was an edge to him now, a darkness that lurked just beneath the surface, one she wasn’t ready to face.

For a moment, their eyes locked, and the world seemed to fall away. The sounds of the party, the chatter, the music—it all faded into the background as the two of them stood there, suspended in time.

Y/N knew she should walk away. But as she stood there, caught in his gaze, she couldn’t seem to move.

Joe’s voice was low, almost like a promise. “Don’t worry. You’re safe here. With me.”

The words landed like a whisper in the night, and Y/N’s breath caught. Something inside her knew—deep down—that there was a reason she’d stepped outside tonight. And now, there was a reason she couldn’t leave.

Not yet. Not while he was still watching her with that look in his eyes.

JB9 Taglist: @lilfreakjez, @dasia21

Series Taglist: @lilfreakjez, @dasia21

[ranticore]

visored longwing harpies & the hall of faces

I did say there was no exclusive global culture on Siren shared by humans of a certain body type, and I lied, because there is One.

The early settlers on Siren were the unaltered human workforce of a certain megacorporation. While an almost unlimited budget was poured into the dodgy gene programs, since that was why they chose to settle a planet so far out of the reach of The Authorities, everything else was done pretty cheaply, including the settling itself. In order to map out their new home planet, incredibly cheap mass-produced aircraft were used by pilots. These aircraft could be made quickly and easily at the settlement site because they lacked a flight computer or any real sensors - or any equipment at all in the cockpit. Rather than a multitude of different equipment loadouts on an aircraft that would take time and effort to swap out or maintain, the pilots instead used these visors which were universally compatible with the one-size-fits-all aircraft. It's kind of like how it's easier to just carry a phone around with a calculator app than it is to carry a phone and a calculator, even if the phone app calculator experience sucks by comparison.

The visors were the real expensive kit, each custom built to a pilot's exact needs and flight style, and they were built to last. the aircraft fell apart in the following centuries but the visors remained, hyperlight plastic powered by the planet's native star, and something interesting happened. The remains of the first settlement were largely inaccessible to anyone but longwing harpies, and these harpies had the right head shape to fit the visors. Many of the pilots had filled their visors with video and photo files from home, from Earth, like a worker decorating his cubicle with photos of his family. Some had been decorated on the outside, as well, resembling birds. The harpies that found the visors obviously tried to use them. They found themselves experiencing visions of strange worlds, recordings of long-dead pilots and ATC, and found that each visor can interface with every other one, no matter how far apart. Each visor came with its own callsign, its own name, which has remained for thousands of years - and because of this, each visor is considered by the cultures of Siren to be a named character with a distinct personality (eg. the swan visor was cygnus2, it is known now as Signastoo)

I keep posting the map and it needs to be redrawn but essentially every red triangle is an ancient telecomm tower. These became the only remaining waypoints on the visors' HUD and mapping software, meaning that 1. a true global culture could emerge, with longwings gathering at these sites, and 2. visored longwings became the gold standard for navigation on Siren. In a world that is basically just water, that's a big deal.

There exist only a few thousand visors (about 3k I'd say). The unused visors are kept in the Hall of Faces, the ancient aviation bay at the first settlement in West. Because of how water levels and land structures have changed over the years, this building exists on a mesa that rises another few thousand feet out of the water, with sheer sides, and is utterly inaccessible to anyone but a longwing harpy. When a visored harpy dies, the visor is returned here. If you want to claim a visor, you need to hold an interview with one of the elders at the site, who will test you rigorously to see if you can inhabit the character of one of the visors. If not, too bad. If you do get it, it's yours until either you die or you do something considered 'out of character' for the wearer of that particular visor. It is DEEPLY discouraged to steal a visor off anyone because it would be largely impossible, given how they all can communicate (imagine a gigantic worldwide discord server where the location & name of every person is known at all times... the drama is likely insane but at least if someone steals a visor, everyone will know about it)

not every longwing desires a visor because it comes with a lot of responsibility alongside its automatic prestige, and you can't really give it up once you have it. also there's always the possibility of being diagnosed with a super annoying, glitchy, or hated visor character lol. but among the roughly 2700 visored harpies on Siren there does exist a global culture exclusive to them. they chat to one another long-distance, engage in closed-practice ceremonies where they all get high and look at videos of Earth, and essentially become a class outside the mundanity of normal life on Siren. to the rest of the population, they basically become telepathic wizards

Terwyef's visor (first pic) is called Scrappercharlee and is one of the more common models, tho it has been decorated over the years with extra bits. Scrappercharlee is a bit busted and half the HUD is missing. Miakef's visor (second pic) Signastoo is one of the very fancy and well-known ones, it's shaped like a swan's head and likely belonged to a high-ranking pilot who could afford a bit of frippery and showmanship back in the day. Birds do not exist on Siren and harpies are mammals so the swan itself is symbolically meaningless, but the bird-style visors introduce the idea of 'a bird' in the abstract, and this has been imbued with its own form of meaning by harpies.

[warriorcatsofficialfacts]

what's the second most Iconic Classic Warriors Map. five giants is already the best one but what's second place

if it's not seven years old minimum it doesn't count

*i can't actually verify that this is 7 years old bc it's privated apparently but i sure Think it is???

** every time i close the tumblr app to go check things i run the risk of getting any kind of interaction while i'm checking at which point the post writing feature will be forcibly closed and i will have to rewrite the entire poll again, because polls are not saved in drafts. i have typed this poll 3 times I'm Tired i don't want to do it again. You Know The One