#The Good: you reminded him of Ven

[voidedgear]

The fire splits apart as it rockets toward Kairi, and when she throws herself to the ground, they scream over her head. They’d been tracking her movements, so they'd arched down and crashed into the ground with a loud roar. The grass is momentarily set ablaze before the darkness that holds the spell together disperses, and the magical flames die down.

‘She was lucky,’ Vanitas thinks, ‘with that kind of movement, throwing herself to the side wouldn’t have put enough distance to escape.’

Still, what does it matter? Nothing the princess did would change how this was going to end. She’s the weakest link in the chain that connected the ones born on that light-filled island. Vanitas knows it, and he suspected that Kairi knows it, too.

This thought serves nothing but to increase Vanitas’ aggression. How dare she? How dare she exist as something so important to Sora? How dare she influence Vanitas through his connection to his “brother?”

If Sora ever managed to return, if he heard about this…

Well, Vanitas could easily recall the sheer panic he’d felt through their bond when Xemnas had taken the girl in front of him. He’d undoubtedly seek Vanitas out and fight with him. They would clash and find themselves strengthened in turn—if Ventus doesn’t take matters into his own hands first. Honestly, Vanitas would prefer the second to the first. He’s almost missing him.

If Kairi survives this, Vanitas has no doubt she’ll learn something from their encounter. If she survives.

He’s still one with the ground, speeding toward her when—

     “I’m not letting you hide from me anymore!!” Kairi screams out as her Keyblade blazes with magic.

For a split second, before the light’s intensity ramped up and seared him from the ground, Vanitas suddenly recalls something from before he and Ventus had been ripped apart. He’d been burrowing into his heart only to be surrounded by a vast light, a light that he had discovered to be just as vast as his darkness. Vanitas had never managed to forget that feeling.

A shadow cast onto the ground, surrounded by light, is not threatened when it is held in the grasp of such an even light. It is contained, cradled in warmth, all thoughts of spreading and infection forgotten in the sheer comfort of feeling whole. Surrounded by that sensation, Vanitas wouldn’t have minded an eternity entwined with that boy.

Then, Kairi’s light intensifies, and all is burning and pain. He halts in his approach, faltering and shaking as he tries to keep himself from getting overwhelmed. He’d been almost under her feet, but now he flees backward away from her. It’s not enough.

Vanitas snarls like an animal as he rips himself from the ground, unable to find any refuge from the princess’ light. He raises his hand in front of his face protectively, pupils contracting into narrow slits behind his helmet. Parts of it began to crack, the darkness that clothed him partially eaten away by the display. His bodysuit is eaten away around his shoulders, revealing pale skin that harshly contrasts the darkness he wears.

He'd been almost to her, and now he kneels there on the grass before her, his Keyblade at his side. He’s vulnerable, but he won’t be for long enough. Both his heart and body ache at the reminder Kairi had given him and his pain sharpens his focus.

This wasn’t even close to being enough to stop him. The cracks repair themselves as Kairi’s display of power fades. He’s lucky his helmet is so dark; it keeps his eyes from being blinded.

He lowers his arm and readies his blade again, raising it up with the tip angled downward.

There’s something beautiful about having this fight here, in the Land of Departure. He’d always imagined what it would be like if he’d gotten to come here instead of Ventus. It would have never been permitted, of course. Only Xehanort knew how to turn Vanitas’ pain into power. Eraqus would have eliminated him as soon as he discovered what he was.

Logically, Vanitas had no other place than at the side of his creator, no matter how much Vanitas might have hated him. Logic, however, is a poor substitute for emotion. Just being back here, seeing this beautiful world that is so unlike the empty graveyard he grew up in, just kindles the edges of Vanitas’ envy.

He’s glad he’d decided not to sightsee before picking this fight with Kairi. It would all just be a reminder of what he didn’t have.

“It’s gonna take more than a little light show to stop me, Your Highness.” Vanitas sneers at her, darkness enveloping the parts of his suit that had been eaten away, settling in, and repairing it faster than it takes to blink. “Why don’t I show you a trick of my own?”

The darkness he’d summoned quickly grows, wrapping around him, and he disappears from the girl’s sight. He’s a thousand particles rushing through the air, recreating himself behind the princess faster than she can breathe. Void Gear is already raised aloft by the time he reconfigures himself, and gravity begins to apply again.

“Too slow.”

He lets himself fall, swinging his arms down to let the weight of Void Gear slam down toward Kairi’s unprotected back. Particles of ice concentrate around the tip of his Keyblade, and a spear of ice shoots up from the ground as soon as his blade slams into it.

☄. *. ⋆ ┈┈┈ Kairi isn't entirely sure what she was expecting--maybe a nice long, meandering speech about darkness and its woes just like Xehanort especially loved--but this boy doesn't even pause at Destiny's Embrace shining into her grip--

She had the silly thought there'd be some sort of clue that he'd rush at her like this--his dark Keyblade clashing so horribly with her own, sparks of light and shadow bursting around them the moment of contact, showering over them in an insidiously pretty way--that there'd be some blatant clue to his next action and that's how Sora and Riku were able to so easily sweep away their enemies--

But there's none of that... in fact, it's like she's fighting against a powerful demigod that's throwing a tantrum and it's terrifying and unnerving, he's strong enough that her legs are burning from pushing all her weight into their interlocked blades, just so he doesn't crush her with his darkness all at once--

And she can't predict anything, because she doesn't think she can match his rage or pain.

The way he pours so much effort and hate into their battle despite hardly knowing her should be telling--yet it takes everything in Kairi to simply focus on standing and to not be swept away entirely by the hopeless gulf of experience between them, so she can't figure out why he's here and why she's being punished for something she doesn't know she did.

It's really unfair, she thinks with shockingly watery eyes as she becomes aware of the darkness writhing around the boy's fingers now--this is the sign she'd been looking for before, the telling clue that he's going to strike her hard and she should be getting ready for it--

(But she's fought very few on this nameless boy's level--Xehanort and Xemnas had made quick work of her graceful flailing when she tried before--Xehanort had even killed her by wrenching her away from her friends as easily as a doll pried out of a child's clenched fingers, so when her helmeted assailant bounces away she has no idea what he's capable of...)

The moment he flings himself back, she's left standing there among the silvery grass more than helplessly--trying so hard just to figure out what's coming next, she can't even imagine what she should be doing now....

Then he screams at her as he lashes out a fiery spell composed of shadow and crackling heat both, "Show me what makes you worth this!"

( What makes me worth this...? But I don't even know you!!! )

She doesn't have time to reply to his cry--that roaring fireball is going to reach her in seconds and he's oozed into the grass, seemingly gone all at once--

( Where did he go?! Where did he go?! )

She's panicking, she's aware of this--though she finds this breathless fear sharpens everything around her suddenly, the grass is abruptly crisp and made of a thousand shades of gray, the fireball is slowing in her mind's eye--and she doesn't know it, but this is adrenaline pure and intoxicating... she hasn't felt it pulse through her this powerfully before, because maybe she's aware this time no one is coming to save her.

If she can't save herself this time... it's game over. She knows that... so she has to at least try to fight!!

She throws herself out of the dark spell's way, a bit like she learned in school during all those (what she had once thought) silly little fire drills--

Whenever the fire marshals came to her elementary back then, they always told her and all her classmates STOP DROP AND ROLL and though she thankfully isn't burned by the whizzing flames, she finds the advice is helpful now--even if it forces her to stumble up clumsily, at least she got out of the way.

And then, without looking back, she's running hard, each frenzied footfall slapping the grass with enough force to crush it completely--and she hurries around their arena, skirting the edge of the hill as she scopes out the area--she knows he isn't gone entirely, that'd be way too easy...!

( He disappeared into the ground, like the Heartless do... like those Shadow Heartless do... )

Finally, she gets an idea--maybe she can do more than just react and run, maybe she can draw him out!

She bites her bottom lip nervously, yet even so she pushes on--darting quickly and gripping Destiny's Embrace too hard, then she strikes out the golden blade to her side and takes a deep, rattling breath--

"I'm not afraid of the dark--can you say the same about the Light?!" Kairi cries out suddenly--

She whips around--like an abrupt turn spun out by a dancer, like she learned to do when she was little and her parents signed her up for ballet classes that she hated, because she couldn't play with Sora and Riku as much as she used to and, despite quitting those lessons after a year, she's jarringly graceful in the way she twirls and settles quickly--

( How weird--it's not my lessons with Master Aqua or the training I worked on with Lea that's helping me now... it's my memories! )

Destiny's Embrace starts glowing brightly, encased in the same fiery Light from her heart and she flings its tip at the ground, buries the blade deeply into the grass and dirt and it sinks as if its clasping into a lock--she impossibly spins the elegant handle of her Keyblade and there's a distinct TICK, as if she's about to open a surreal, bright door they can't see--

"I'm not letting you hide from me anymore!!" She screams--

Light BURSTS from her Keyblade planted in the ground--the arena had been just a simple hill speckled with gleaming grass and wildflowers, but now the Light devours all of that... and, yes, the Light does burn and not in a soothing way either...

Kairi is starting to learn--albeit slowly and with great hesitation--the Light can heal, it can breathe hope into the darkest souls... but if it isn't treated kindly and if it isn't respected for all its splendor, then it will readily and without mercy turn its bright whimsy into something angry and scorching and white-hot, something that isn't as easy to carry as love and belief...

Kairi rips out her Keyblade, looking around for her newest enemy among the glittering battlefield they now clash over... the grass is beneath all this Light, like all the natural bits of this hill are now lost to them under a glassy sheen, and it becomes clear to Kairi she might never get to see shooting stars again... not if she can't find a way out of this quickly.

She's getting the sinking feeling summoning forth a wave of Light like this is a bit like poking at a raging, imposing bear and she's still just a little girl at the end of this...

[biasomnia]

DANDADAN SPOILERS

With this tinyyyy bit of info I am theorizing what the next arc will have as the interpersonal drama after tiny Momo. I currently call it “Okarun starts becoming popular and Momo has to work with Aira to keep everyone away from the dweeb they fell in love with bc everyone else besides them -and Jiji, maybe Vamola- don’t see past the surface level” aka “Okarun’s confessed so it’s Momo’s turn”

[wileys-russo]

dog whisperer (before the void blurb) II a.putellas, j.hermoso

part of the filling the void universe dog whisperer II a.putellas, j.hermoso

"mami he is too bouncy, he will knock her over!" alexia argued in a hushed tone, glancing to the door to make sure there wasn't a set of little ears listening in.

"she has met him a dozen times ale, your hermanita will be fine." eli reminded, not even looking up from the book she was reading as her eldest daughter scoffed.

"sí when he has been tied up or there are a million other people around for him to play with. mami she's too little he will hurt her!" alexia continued to disagree, crossing her arms and scowling.

"alexia, hija it is for a week and it is for family. angel will be here tomorrow, que es definitivo." eli warned firmly. "but mami-" a sharp look had alexia's words dying in her mouth as she signed, the pitter patter of small feet entering the room.

"i want angel to come! he's my friend!" you demanded, shooting through your sisters legs and skidding to a halt at the end of the bed. "lo sé fresita, and he will be here tomorrow." eli smiled while alexia rolled her eyes.

"hermana, ven aquí." your sister squatted down and pointed to the floor in front of her as you made your way over, her hands resting on your shoulders.

"now fresa, angel can be...too friendly sometimes. he can jump and bounce and bark and play rough-" alexia warned, glancing over your head as eli cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow, snapping her book shut.

"so he is going to stay outside, and you are only allowed to go and see angel if someone bigger is with you. like me, or alba, or mami, or-" alexia was cut off as you stomped your foot.

"no. angel is my friend, he's not staying outside what if it rains? he would get wet, thats mean!" you protested with a scowl, trying to wriggle away as your sisters hands tightened on your shoulders.

"nena angel will be fine outside. he has a comfortable bed and lots of toys and a water bowl and-" again she was cut off as you grunted trying to pull away. "no! no, no, no-" you chanted over and over, alexia letting you go at eli's warning.

"angel is not staying outside. mami, you tell her!" you ordered, turning toward eli who smiled. "we will see where angel wants to stay, he should get to choose hija no?" you settled at that, hesitating before nodding in agreement, alexia throwing her hands up in annoyance.

"angel isn't gonna like you if you're mean to him hermana." you warned your sister with a glare, smacking her leg and stomping your way out of the room in the most dramatic way a five year old could.

"watch the attitude pequeña!" alexia called after you as you turned and poked your tongue out, racing quickly away as she stepped menacingly toward you. "what?" the girl looked to eli with a frown who chuckled.

"she is exactly like you." eli smiled fondly causing her eldest to roll her eyes. "me? no thats all alba." alexia scoffed, shaking her head in disagreement.

"good! i don't wanna be like you anyway ale, you're mean to dogs!" you sang out from the living room, clearly still eavesdropping though out of sight.

"fresa." alexia groaned throwing her head back and coming to find you. "i thought we were going to the park?" your sister reminded as you scowled at her from the lounge, staying silent.

"you know, jenni will be there." alexia added on, watching your eyes widen slightly.

"really?" "really."

"lets go!" you changed your mind, smile plastered on your face as you jumped down and raced for the door, stopped in your tracks as your sister snagged the collar of your top.

"ale!" you whined trying to pry her hand off. "you need shoes tonto." alexia chuckled, spinning you around and gently pushing you in the direction of your bedroom as you sprinted away.

"and you have to wear socks with them fresa!"

~

angel sure enough arrived that next day though you weren't home when he did, out at a play date with a friend. you'd started to have quite the active social life now you were in your first year of school.

angel himself wouldn't hurt a fly on purpose, but the dopey chocolate labrador belonging to your tio was not aware of his own size, forever knocking things over and smacking into walls as he ran about too fast to stop himself.

he'd failed puppy school twice, and though he'd sit for a treat that was about all the lab would do, when it came to anything else he was seemingly as deaf as a plank of wood.

when you got home you were disappointed to see angel wasn't there, your sisters having taken him out for a walk in hopes to wear him out for the evening.

waving goodbye to your friend and her papi at the front door and ignoring elis' open arms for a hug you raced past her inside as your mami chuckled and grabbed the backpack you'd abandoned at her feet.

"mami where's angel?" you frowned sadly after searching everywhere you thought a dog could be in the house but coming up empty handed.

"your hermana's took him for a walk, they will be back soon. now how was your afternoon nena?" eli lifted you up and onto the counter, disappointment gone as you perked up and busied yourself rambling on and on about every single little detail of your day.

your sisters meanwhile were not having a good time.

to any onlooker who passed it would be hard to tell who was walking who, angel practically dragging alba who stumbled not to fall over as alexia repeated the commands given to her by his owner over and over with no luck.

"angel, stop. sit. slow down!" the footballer repeated, almost jogging to try and keep up as alba's hand started to go red from the lead tugging against it.

"and we have to do this for a week!?" the younger girl groaned, turning onto their street and breathing a sigh of relief as finally angel stopped pulling, eagerly sniffing around in the grass.

though when he began to turn in circles both putellas sisters eyes widened, wincing as the dog squatted and sure enough nature took its course as both girls spun to look at one another and spoke in unison.

"you're cleaning it up!"

you were midway through a very thorough recount of what you had for lunch when you heard the front door, head swiveling toward the source of the noise.

"angel sit! angel sit! sit!" alexia ordered, remembering her tio's instructions to get the lab to do so before his harness was removed, however all he did was pull and fight against her hold on the lead.

"estúpido perro de mierda!" the girl swore, giving up and just unclipping the leash as the dog raced off still with his harness on, nails clacking against the floorboards. "you said a bad word!" you yelled from the kitchen, alexia wincing as alba snickered.

"angel!" you cheered happily, laughing as he tried to jump up to reach you on the counter, alexia quickly scooping you up and pushing him away with her foot as he continued to jump and ignore everyones instructions to calm down.

"put me down." you grunted trying to wriggle out of your sisters tight grip as alba tried to wrestle angel into a sitting position with her hand on his collar. "he needs to calm down hermana, he might hurt you." alexia warned ignoring your request.

"no he won't he's friendly!" you defended the lab who barked loudly as eli shushed him. "he's too excited, mami i'm putting him outside until he calms down." alba grunted, struggling to pull the dog toward the back door.

"no! leave him alone." you huffed as alba too ignored you, throwing open the back door and pushing angel out, breathing a sigh of relief as he raced off to explore the garden and she pulled it close again.

"don't you kick me." alexia warned sternly as you dug your foot into her side, eli telling her to put you down as she did so with an eye roll.

"fresa no don't you open that-" eli's words fell on deaf ears as you reached up and flung open the back door, three pairs of eyes widening as angel turned and came sprinting over.

"angel sit!" you yelled with a hand up, silence falling as the dopey lab did exactly that, skidding to a stop right in front of you and sitting back on his hind legs. "did he just-" alba started in disbelief.

"lay down." you tapped your foot against the floor, alexia's jaw dropping as angel did exactly that, flopping down onto his stomach as his tail thumped excitedly against the deck.

"buen chico." you clapped happily, throwing your arms around his neck and giggling as he licked all over you, still remaining laying down as he rolled onto his back and you hugged him tightly.

"is he...listening to her?" alba questioned again, both her and alexia watching on gobsmacked as you ran off and clicked your tongue, angel racing after you as the two of you raced about the backyard in circles.

"sí, i told you both not to worry so much. it would seem your hermanita is a dog whisperer." eli laughed, resuming her dinner prep as you and angel started a lively game of fetch.

"do you think she knows that is not how fetch works?" alba couldn't help but chuckle watching as you'd throw a toy and angel would chase it, sitting by it happily and waiting for you to run over and throw it again instead of bringing it back to you.

"why does he listen to her? he would not do one thing alba and i asked him to on the walk!" alexia scoffed, eli calling both of them over to help her as they took turn washing hands and watching angel be uncharacteristically well behaved for you.

"i told you nena's, it would seem la pequeña is a dog whisperer."

"fres don't feed him. he has had his dinner!" alba warned later that night watching you grab a piece of steak and try to sneak it to the dog laid down at your feet, giving up with a frown and putting it into your own mouth instead.

"what if he's still hungry?" you questioned once you'd swallowed your mouthful.

"dogs are always hungry but if you overfeed them hija they get sick." eli warned as you seemed to accept that, nodding and launching into a very animated recount once again of what you did with your friend earlier, alexia listening along attentively as alba pretended to.

later that night it would seem your dog whispering ways had their benefits, the chocolate lab who refused to leave you alone dead asleep in the corner of the bathroom as you were struggling to keep your eyes open in the bath.

you jerked back awake as water rushed over your head, eli massaging the conditioner out of your hair and chuckling at your exhaustion, both you and angel having well and truly tired one another out.

the next part of your routine would normally be arguing with whoever was tasked to put you to bed about not wanting to go, forcing them to read you a story or watch something for as long as you could con them into letting you stay up.

but again barely able to keep your eyes open as you were changed into pyjamas you made no move to argue as eli lifted back the covers on your bed and slipped you in, blinking sleepily and exhaling.

the woman stepping out for two seconds to grab you a glass of water she couldn't help but smile as she returned to your room, angel curled up on the end of your bed as you'd wiggled your way out of the covers, head on his body as you lay almost upside down in bed together.

with a quiet chuckle eli grabbed a spare blanket from your wardrobe, laying it over the two of you and kissing your forehead as you stirred but didn't awaken, your mami backing carefully out of the room and closing your door, leaving it open just a crack so angel could get out if needed.

"mami we can't find-" alexia appeared in the hallway, eli putting a finger to her lips and nodding behind her at your door. "he's decided where he is sleeping." the woman smiled in amusement, alexia frowning curiously and pushing your door open a crack, peering in.

"dios mío she really is a dog whisperer."

though there were also some downsides to your bond with angel.

"ale. ale. ale. alexia!" the brunette jolted awake at the light slap against her cheek, sitting up so quickly she almost sent you flying off where you were sat on top of her. "pequeña? estás bien?" the midfielder asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.

"angel wants to go for a walk." you notified pointing down to the chocolate lab who sat eagerly on the floor with his lead in his mouth, your sister groaning tiredly and flopping down into bed, jenni stirring beside her but making no move to get up.

"come back in a couple of hours fresa, it is too early." your sister grumbled, covering her face with her arms as you huffed.

"he likes going early! theres birds to chase, its not as hot, theres more dogs around for him to play with, the beach is not busy, the sun is not too bright-" you ticked off the reasonings with your fingers.

"vale, vale, bien!" alexia's hand shot to cover your mouth, knowing full well once you set your mind to something there wasn't much anyone could do to change it.

"go get your shoes." alexia sighed in defeat as you wrenched her hand off and leapt off of her, hitting the floor with a thump and racing off as angel chased after you.

"jenni, levántate." alexia shook her girlfriend beside her who pushed her hand off. "she asked you to go for a walk amor, not me. but have fun!" jenni smiled, eyes still closed as alexia's jaw hardened, though before she could open her mouth to say anything you beat her to it.

"jenni has to come too!"

though the real downside of your bond with angel, was not understanding why you had to say goodbye once his week with you all was over, your tio due to come and pick him up tomorrow morning before you left for school.

"but why can't he stay? i'm his best friend!" you whined, arms locked tightly around the labradors neck. "because nena, angel belongs to tio danny. do you want to make tio danny sad if we tell him he can't come get angel? he has had him since angel was a puppy!" your mami explained gently as you sighed deeply.

"we will still see angel whenever we see tio danny, maybe we can ask him if he can come and take you to walk angel once a week after school. would you like that?" eli offered as you nodded, pout still permanently etched into your face as you pressed a kiss against angels neck.

"hey pequeña, how about we go to the pet store and you can pick out a special toy for angel to take home with him. that way he always has a reminder of you!" alexia tried next, heart breaking a little at the obvious sadness in your face.

"i think angel would like that hija." eli added on as you nodded in agreement, letting go of the dog and patting him on the head, giggling as he licked you and everyone else cringed, jenni and alexia getting up to take you.

~

"fres i think we have looked at every toy in the store at least five times." alexia sighed, jenni giving her a look where she was crouched down beside you. "i can't pick! can we get more than one?" you asked hopefully, your sister firmly shaking her head as you deflated.

"what about this one? it makes a funny noise!" jenni tried to help, honking the small burger as you shrugged, the girl changing tactics.

"you know chiqui, if you hurry we can get ice cream on the way home before the shop closes." jenni bribed as you perked up, frowning for a moment before grabbing a plush dinosaur and holding it up.

"this one!"

"you couldn't have said that a half hour ago?" alexia mumbled to her girlfriend as they followed after you, jenni pinching her with a grin making the brunette roll her eyes, grabbing out her wallet.

"woah." you exhaled, pressing your face to the glass of the rabbit enclosure, smiling at the little bunnies hopping around inside.

"ale can we-" you turned to your sister after she paid, taking both her and jenni's hands. "no." alexia answered before you could even finish the question.

"what about a-" "no." "or maybe a-" "nope." "but what if i-" "no."

"you didn't even let me finish asking!" you protested unhappily as jenni chuckled. "no pets hermanita." alexia smiled down knowingly at you as you huffed, letting go of her hand but still clinging tightly onto jenni's.

"but i looked after angel! why can't we get a dog?" you whined. "because owning a dog is a lot of responsibility, and you're still a baby." your sister's foot kicked at your behind sending you stumbling forward, jenni quick to help you catch your footing.

"i am not!" you glared up at alexia who grinned. "are too." she teased, hand shooting forward to press against your forehead as you let go of jenni's hand and launched at her.

"oh i am so scared." alexia mocked, easily holding off your swinging fists with her hand against your forehead as you grew tired and gave up with an annoyed grunt, dragging your feet as you walked inbetween the two older girls.

"can we get a dog?" "no." "a cat?" "no." "a bunny?" "no." "a turtle?" "no." "a lizard?" "no." "a bird?" "no." "a frog?" "no." "a chinchilla?" "sí!" "really?!" "...no."

"alexia!" you ran out of animals at that stage, deflating and dragging your feet even slower in protest, shaking your head at jenni's offer of a piggyback.

"you can have a pet rock?" your sister offered as you glared up at her. "a rock is not alive." you warned, jenni gasping from your other side. "fresita! that is not nice, you will hurt his feelings." she pouted holding up a rock she'd swiped from the ground as you merely gave her a silent deadpan stare.

"yeah alexia rocks aren't alive! idiota." jenni scoffed, throwing the rock over her shoulder and grabbing you, tossing you up into the air earning herself a giggle before placing you back down as you arrived to the ice cream shop.

"what flavor chiqui? chocolate? mint? rainbow?" jenni pondered sarcastically, both her and alexia already knowing all too well what you wanted.

"no! strawberry, duh." you rolled your eyes as jenni gasped and smacked her palm against her forehead making your sister smile.

"of course, estúpida!" she tutted, ordering for the three of you as you smacked away alexia's hand which tugged on your hair, the taller girl darting back as you swung at her time and time again.

"hey, ale!" you protested as she took a bite of your ice cream before handing it to you. "i had to poison test it!" the brunette defended as you scowled unhappily, snatching the cone off of her and stomping out of the shop.

"leave her alone, such a bully!" jenni shook her head, alexia knocking her shoulder into her girlfriends as they followed after you, the three of you taking a different route home.

"what if i find a pet? can i keep it then?" you asked hopefully as you arrived home and walked up the driveway, ice creams long finished as your sister paused and gave you a suspicious look.

"vale pequeña, spread em!" your sister gestured as you sighed but held your arms up and moved your feet apart, jenni watching on in amusement as your sister patted you down to make sure you hadn't snuck home a new friend.

"ew fres!" alexia winced, pulling out a soggy ice cream soaked tissue from your pocket as you shrugged, jenni collecting it from her and running it over to the trash bin. "alright, you're clean." your sister sighed once she was content you didn't have any sort of animal hidden on your person.

"i just want a pet." you pouted, kicking your feet and huffing unhappily, alexia frowning at the sad look on your face and kneeling down to your height.

"i know hermana, but like i said pets are a lot of responsibility." alexia reminded softly as you nodded, turning the pout to her and making her chuckle.

"that is not gonna work this time, we're not getting a dog." she pinched your cheeks and stood as you groaned, waiting for her to unlock the front door as jenni returned.

"how about a fish nena? we could start with getting you a fish?" "you can't walk a fish!"

[12amintoronto]

𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞 ... pedri gonzález x reader 💙❤️

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wc: 2.1k

summary: pedri has come home to you, his girlfriend, after a rough match v. atletico madrid ... still gutted about his club's loss despite having scored a great goal. fortunately, you, his gf, know how to lift his spirits like no one else can

contents: absolute fluff, sfw, comfort, female reader, established boyfriend/girlfriend, speaking spanish to one another (like little phrases and pet names), tons of physical touch

notes: gift for my bff - LOVE YOU BAE 🩵🩵

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confidence, nervousness, and excitement are all elements of matchday weekends - and earlier that weekend, pedri had come into that weekend feeling nothing but confidence in himself and in his team. he was given a sense that the training for this match in particular had paid off... both with teammates as well as on his own time.

not to mention the endless encouragement from his girlfriend whose reassurance helped him feel as if anything is possible.

despite all of this, two 45 minute halves plus extra time, and even a goal of his own, later away at the riyadh air metropolitano ... the outcome of it was a weight on pedri's shoulders. the 2-3 atletico madrid win was so discouraging, and the loss hit home only more acknowledging the fact that this is what'd caused barça's generous win streak to end... and had also distrupted the couple of clean sheets that the team had managed to maintain in the last couple of those matches.

it was only right for him to at least give a nod of thanks to his driver who brought him from point a to b - point b being home, where there was no sense of placelessness to him.

he tried to push away his negative post-match thoughts on his own as he had come in through the doors to the lobby of you and his' condominium, but he couldn't do it alone.

that was because he both wanted and needed your comfort. the girl who he constantly reminded makes him a better man with each passing day.

you, obviously a huge lover of barça yourself, were distraught by the match results ... though found yourself able to unwind somehow by looking on the bright side...

your boyfriend's brilliant goal and overall performance on the pitch...

finding solace in simple things that do not fail to ease the emotions a rough match outcome can wring out of one - you curled nearby the calm of the electric fireplace with a blanket draped over your lower half... dressed comfy, with a good book as company until your pedri got home. occasionally, well ... maybe each hour, you'd would revisit cute videos saved of you and pedri in your camera roll to hear his voice, and see his handsome face ... and body ... because the footballer's physique is to die for.

most of all, the opportunity to be where pedri found his place. it was not only in the kind atmosphere of their condominium that pedri could fall back, but into the arms and love of the girl that he shares that space with every day ... and is ever so sure about you being it.

finally, a moment you had been waiting for - to be pleasantly startled by the sound of keys turning in the unit door's lock, had come around. as satisfying as such a sound was ... it simply could not top the sound of the voice of the key's male beholder.

"pedri?" you called out quietly.

from a little distance that did not have to go a long way, a soft thud of the bags that carried pedri's belongings he kept for the away match could be heard, followed by the best sound.

"cariño..." pedri said, the tiredness mingling with his tone.

pedri's footsteps seemed to drag against the hardwood floor more and more with each one.

you encouraged him - "hey... ven aquí..."

with that, pedri's heart was already melting, as was yours, and both would fully once settled into one another, fulfilling the physical touch you two had not shared for about two days. he listened without hesitation when you beckoned him over to you.

pedri let out a small groan as he finally sat on the sofa close to you, and a quieter, but lengthier, sigh was drawn out of his breath once he managed to lower the rest of his body that was still upright, down... to lay his head in y/n's lap.

"that was..." pedri began, shaking his head. though your hand came down to caress his soft, black hair, slowly snaking way down to gently hold the nape of his neck.

"it's okay, pedri." you insisted, simply determined to comfort him after the match.

"it was not okay, cariño. our winning streak... over. all in the last few minutes lino and álvarez had to take it away from the club." he wanted to continue, but you stopped him from talking down on any more of this matchday's occurences.

you brought a finger to pedri's lips and shushed him. it was your way of reminding your boyfriend that the amount of opportunities in matchdays that are underway are so endless. "shhh."

he tried to fight you on it outside of a verbal context - furrowing his brows at the fact that you were shutting him up from any more deprecating talk about the match.

you laughed softly at his reaction - it was classic pedri, and you could tell the way that he was responding to you was almost reflexive in telling you implicitly how crazy you drive him. that blush had graced his cheeks and the bridge of his nose again, well enough that you could see it still while the sun was beginning to set.

"look at you, pedri."

"why don't you let me talk, though-"

"have you forgotten who is no. 1 on the league's table?"

pedri closed his eyes, still revelling in the feel of your gentle hand cradling his nape. "aha... that, i guess..." he played it off in his words as if him forgetting barça being six points clear of both real and atletico madrid was no big deal. "sí, sí..."

"the hunger your club has for winning comes almost naturally, now, look, you act on it very well, amor." you added.

"i have had better goals, you know..." pedri said, still blushing, now repeatedly tangling his fingers with the ones of your free hand, all the while admiring your nails that you had gotten done at the salon as of recently. he brought each individual finger of yours on that hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on each consecutively.

that made you smile. "see... look at the way you forget about the trouble when you just come home."

the spaniard let out a cute scoff at your words. "y/n..."

you continued, the thumb of your other hand now stroking his nape softly, the rest of your fingers staying still on him. "just relax, cariño. you know you are very resilient."

pedri gave you the heartwarming look that you could not ever get enough of, him making those doe eyes at you, the man was utterly smitten.

"sí. look, pedri- that is one of so many things i love about you... it is almost unique about you. you can bounce back from just about anything very quickly. see? you don't let that club hold you down... not for long, even."

pedri had an answer to that right away. right in this moment when he finally came home to you, he knew he had a reason to let go from the stress of losing a match.

"because of you."

"me?" you ask, as if you hadn't known the answer. well, had you? you knew well that you help pedri always improve his response to things like a team loss, but not to the extent that you're foundational to it. not just a part of it... but his foundation to keep going.

"i give my all on the pitch for you..." pedri affirmed.

"...you... mi princesa."

you thought to yourself... look who's doing all the reassuring talk now. that only mirrored your point - pedri being a super resilient guy. a trait you found incredible about him, and is one that certainly does him good in life... allows him to pull through.

to know that you fuelled that for him made it all the more sweeter.

"you are right. i saw your celebration~"

"ahahaaa, cariño..." he laughed blissfully, recalling the cele that he hit after his 28' goal - having made a heart with his hands and quite literally mouthing your name, all to the camera. he brought up one of his hands, positioning his fingers to execute half of a heart shape. "i know you were jumping up and down when i did that."

your free hand that he was holding with one of his had mirrored another half of a heart, and your fingertips joined to pedri's, completing the image. you could have sworn his blush got redder. you smiled down at him, and he smiled up at you in reciprocity.

"yes, you bet i was." you answered quietly, that followed by a sigh once you'd again taken in the sight of pedri resting his head in your lap... for good.

the subtle smile that turned the corners of pedri's mouth up was a reminder that you really are a force to be reckoned with. something as simple as a lie down, softly grazing the nape of his neck - a total weak spot of his - and exchanging a few words of necessary kindness, only sweeter when said in a way that rubs his spanish heritage that he takes pride in the right way.

your hand slithered way down to his back, slipping underneath the hem of his crewneck hoodie that sat at his lower back. you began to rub pedri there with utmost care, and it did not fail to elicit a content moan from his lips.

"mmh... no te detengas, cariño..." he whispered.

clearly he liked it a ton, telling you to not stop... to keep going. it was your treat after all... raining this comfort onto pedri. something so essential between the two of you anyways. "i won't stop, mi amor. you know how much i missed touching you."

you suggested an idea that would only make this moment an even bigger treat to the both of you. "i can give your back a massage, you know, pedri..."

hearing that immediately sparked this mischevious twinkle in his gaze that had been fixed on you since the moment he had laid his head in your lap.

"you know me very well... very very well..." he chuckled.

pedri shifted from the current position he was in... and stood up from the sofa, gesturing with a quick glance to you guys' bedroom, then back at you. the look... the idea of giving your boyfriend a proper back rub, relaxing him, was nothing short of appealing. as he backed up, you followed him into the bedroom... both of you climbing up onto your bed, sitting while facing one another.

both of you guys' pairs of eyes could not be torn from the other, though it was you whose gaze had really caught onto his hands, once he crossed them at the bottom of his crewneck, bringing his arms up along with the sweater to reveal his body toned beyond belief... the feeling of having to look away because the definition in his muscles - in this case, biceps, pecs, abs... all that.

he tossed his piece of clothing aside once he had completely undressed his upper half. he then brought his arms towards you.

"ven aquí, mi cariño...

...te extrañé."

you brought yourself in closer proximity to pedri, and he snaked his arms around your waist and squeezed you lovingly while your arms draped over his gorgeously broad shoulders... now sharing a hug that was heart to heart.

"i missed you too..." you mumbled as you buried your face into the crook of pedri's neck, the scent of his cologne off his skin was so good.

you both pulled your faces just a tiny bit back in order to look at one another, both of your smiles growing wider in synchronicity. pedri couldn't help but finally greet you the way he knew he should have when he came through the door, and pressed his lips into yours, for a couple seconds... just plentiful. his brown eyes met your own after the kiss, after your lips lingered close to one another's.

"lie down now so i can start, then?" you asked him.

"sí..." pedri whispered back, nodding ever so slightly. "you take care of me so well."

"this will have you feeling like yourself again so fast, babe."

"i already do..." he said looking over his shoulder to you a bit, as he positioned himself to lie down on his stomach... his back exposed, all yours to get your hands all over.

you simply smiled to yourself... for it showed that pedri sprung back to his determined self... confident in the man that he was on the pitch... in training... all for the sake of you.

[jessamine-rose]

*gasp* It's me ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

🍵 𝒲𝐻𝒪𝒟ℛ𝒜𝒩𝒦𝐼𝒯? ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚: A Yandere!H:SR x Reader Otome Game

✧ romanceable characters (© hoyoverse): Professor Veritas Ratio, "Your friend" Kakavasha, and "Gallagher" [for now]

✧ content warning: yandere themes, mentions of racial/species discrimination (your character is SEA/Filipino-coded), (y/n) uses they/them, the story takes place in a modern hybrid alternate universe where each planet (Belobog, Penacony, etc) is considered a country.

PLAY THE DEMO HERE (available for download on PC & Mac AND online play for any devices, though download is preferable to avoid pixellated graphics & misaligned textboxes)

You (name changeable) are a hardworking and full-pledged human cafe owner in Penacony City. Your Dreamjolt Cafe has been a go-to for residents and tourists alike. But your loved ones' lives took a sharp turn for the worst when you decided to take a much-needed vacation back to your homeland, Perlas. While your family eagerly awaited your arrival, you disappeared en route. Where did you go? How did this happen? Who did this? Was it...

☕ the prickly yet fascinating Prof. Veritas Ratio, your self-proclaimed avian-hybrid regular,

☕Kakavasha, your longest fellow human friend who always seems to have a secret or two;

☕ or Gallagher, your hound-hybrid roommate whose past is as peculiar as his loyalty?

☕ or are there two more you're forgetting?

... so...

𝒲𝐻𝒪 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝒾𝓉?

Please support this game by reblogging the post & sending asks/comments! I put a lot of time and effort writing, drawing, and learning to code for this. Thank you so much, my beloved yandere!H:SR community and of course, @dreamjolt-hostelry, for being supportive friends!!! - @beloved-brynn

✧ Characters, Background Art and UI Credits

Hoyoverse assets sourced from the-astral-express-archive. I just tweaked em a bit!

Canva freestock images... Haha...

✧ Intro video, sprites & CG art Credits

Me!!! Hi <3 I hope you enjoyed them! I can't believe yall made me learn adobe after effects a bit for this-

✧ Music Credits

The main menu theme (the first song upon booting the game) is made by @naraven!

The rest of the royalty free music soundtrack (such as the music used for the video above) is sourced from Vodovoz Music Productions!!! Please show the creator some love!!! I was actually vibing so hard while listening to them lmao

✧ (Fan)Story

lol hi again!!! man. i feel like Argenti.

If you wish to support my work and want to see more of this in the future, please buy me a coffee! So I can at least prove to my parents that my work is at least worth one dollar ;;;;

[requiemforthepoets]

spain ⟢ FA14

⟢ part three of this time, i’ll love you much better

𖤓 series masterlist ⟢ playlist ⟢ part four ☽

PAIRINGS: fernando alonso x ex-wife!reader

SUMMARY: everything was going well for jullianna: finally meeting her father, fernando, after twelve years and getting to spend some time with him. that is until a new person inserts herself into the picture.

REMINDERS: this is purely fiction, the way how the character is portrayed in my story does not reflect the person that is portraying my character in real life. always separate fiction from reality, and do not repost or copy my work in any way.

WARNINGS: no use of y/n, the parent trap inspo + plot, named side characters (except reader), twins switching places, poorly google translated spanish & french, inaccuracies with information, and minor typographical errors.

WORD COUNT: 10k

AUTHOR’S NOTE: this is a part 3 of my FA14 series that was inspired by ‘the parent trap.’ i’m so sorry if it took too long, but i hope you’ll enjoy this one! your comments/reblogs is highly appreciated. the taglist for this series is open, just comment or message me if you want to be tagged on the next part.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the sprawling estate, and Jullianna stepped out, eyes widening in awe. The house—no, the mansion, was even grander than the photos Sofia had shown her. The façade was a blend of old-world Spanish charm that Jullianna would often see in magazines, and it was blended with modern elegance—terracotta roofs, white stucco walls, and large arched windows that reflected the warm Spanish afternoon sun. The driveway was lined with towering cypress trees, and colorful bougainvillea climbing along one side of the building, adding a vibrant touch to the pristine exterior.

Before Jullianna could fully take in the whole grandeur of the place, a petite older woman with salt and pepper hair came rushing down the front steps. She was wearing casual clothes—a white loose shirt that is tucked in navy-blue jeans, and topped with a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Her face lit up with a radiant smile. This had to be Alejandra—it is Alejandra.

“¡Mi niña! Mi pequeña Sofía!” Alejandra exclaimed, her voice ringing with excitement as she hurried towards Jullianna.

Alejandra had wrapped Jullianna in a tight hug, arms surprisingly strong for someone her size. There was a hint of lavender scent soap clinging to her, and it almost felt like a comforting and familiar aroma that made Jullianna smile nervously.

“Hola, Alejandra,” Jullianna greeted, trying her best to hide her hesitation as Alejandra’s rapid Spanish filled her ears.

Well, Jullianna did catch bits and pieces of it—something about how grown-up she looked and how much Alejandra missed her, but the rest flew over her head. It was putting Jullianna’s basic Spanish knowledge that she learned a few years ago to the test.

Alejandra pulled back, holding Jullianna at arm’s length to get a good look at her. “¡Mírate! Eres toda una señorita ahora,” she said, beaming. Then, without missing a beat, she began firing off another set of questions. “¿Cómo fue el campamento? Have you made any new friends this year? Did you have a lot of fun?”

Jullianna blinked, trying very hard to process the torrent of words. But then quickly nodded in return, forcing a bright smile as she replied. “Sí, Alejandra. Fue muy divertido.” she hesitated for a moment, then added, “I did make a lot of friends this year.”

She clapped her hands together, clearly very delighted by Jullianna’s response. “¡Eso me alegra mucho, Sofía! I’m so proud of you, you’ve always been sociable.”

Jullianna bit back a nervous laugh. Sociable? Oh if only Alejandra knew.

“Ven, ven, entra,” Alejandra urged, already reaching for Jullianna’s bag. “Here, let me help you with your bags. How did you even handle all of these by yourself? Ay, niña, siempre tan independiente.”

“Ven, ven, entra,” Alejandra urged, already reaching for Jullianna’s bag. “Here, let me help you with your bags. How did you even handle all of these by yourself? Ay, niña, siempre tan independiente.”

Jullianna followed Alejandra inside, murmuring a quiet thank you as the older woman hoisted one of her bags with surprising ease.

The moment they stepped through the grand double doors, Jullianna was struck by the sheer scale of the interior. High ceilings were all adorned with intricate wooden beams, and sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the polished terracotta floors and elegant furnishings. The space was both luxurious and warm, with an undeniable Spanish charm in every corner of the house.

“Tu papá todavía está en Bélgica,” Alejandra informed her as they walked through the foyer, voice tinged with fondness as she mentioned Fernando. “But you don’t need to worry, he’ll be home right after the race. I’ll also inform him that you’re already home.”

Jullianna nodded, hiding her relief. “Okay. Thank you, Alejandra.”

They passed by a grand staircase that curved gracefully to the upper floors. Jullianna made a mental note of it, trying to remember the layout that Sofia had described. The last thing that she wanted was to get lost and raise suspicion.

“Deja tus cosas aquí,” Alejandra said, gesturing to a spot near the staircase. She smiled warmly. “I’ll go and prepare something to eat, I know you’re hungry after a long trip.”

Jullianna smiled back, grateful for the excuse to explore on her own. “Gracias, Alejandra. Suena bien.”

Once Alejandra disappeared toward what Jullianna assumed was the kitchen, she let out a quiet breath. This was her chance. She turned on her heels quickly and began making her way throughout the house, determined to familiarize herself with the layout.

Every room that she passed seemed to rival the last in terms of grandeur. The living room was massive, with plush sofas arranged around a stone fireplace and a large television mounted on the wall. Bookshelves lined one side of the room, filled with an eclectic mix of novels, biographies, and racing memorabilia.

The dining room was equally impressive, with a long wooden table that could easily seat twenty people. A stunning chandelier hung overhead, and the walls were adorned with tasteful artwork that reflected Spain’s rich culture, and a few expensive art pieces from famous painters that Jullianna can easily identify.

Jullianna then found herself wandering into a sunlit corridor that leads to what appeared to be a study. The walls were lined with trophies, medals, and framed photos of Fernando throughout his career. She paused as one framed photo caught her eyes—a framed photo of Fernando holding a baby in his arms. She quickly recognized the baby as Sofia—or herself, as everyone believed. Jullianna’s heart twisted slightly, she couldn’t deny the love that radiated from Fernando’s smile in the photo.

She didn’t know that there was a single tear that escaped her eyes, so she immediately wiped it away and shook herself out of her thoughts, and decided to move along. Jullianna eventually found the staircase that led to the upper floors, and step-by-step, she ascended, taking in the intricate wrought-iron railing and the soft runner underfoot.

The hallway upstairs was just as grand, lined with even more family photos and doors that seemed to stretch endlessly. “Okay,” she muttered under her breath. “If I were Sofia’s—my room, where would I be?”

She glanced at the guide Sofia had sent her on her phone, thankful for the clear instructions. A few doors down on the left, near the end of the hallway. When she finally reached the room, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Sofia’s room was very spacious and elegant, with a large bed draped in soft linens and pillows. One wall was entirely made up of windows, offering stunning views of the estate grounds. A walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom completed the space, it was very luxurious.

“Not bad, Sofia,” she muttered to herself. “Not bad at all.”

Jullianna took the time to roam around Sofia’s room, assessing every clothes and things she has, maybe judging a few outfit pieces that Sofia has. Their style when it comes to clothing is very different, both at the opposite end of the scale, but even though it’s not something that Jullianna would wear, she can make it work.

“Alright. You can do this, Jullianna,” she whispered, sitting down at the end of the bed. “You just have to keep it together. Breathe in, breathe out.”

The next day came. Morning light began to spill into the living room, the soft warmth brightening the white walls and casting a long shadow on the terracotta tiled floor. Jullianna walked in hesitantly, her steps light as she took in the scene. The large flat-screen television mounted on the wall was turned to a pre-race broadcast, showing a group of reporters passionately discussing the upcoming event. The whole room smelled faintly of fresh pastries and coffee, and the low hum of the TV added to the cozy atmosphere.

Alejandra was already seated on the plush white sofa, a wide grin spreading across her face when she saw Jullianna enter. “Sofia! Good morning! Come, come sit with me,” she said, patting the spot beside her.

Jullianna offered a polite smile, trying to suppress the nervousness bubbly in her chest. “¿Es…el día de la carrera?” she asked, recalling the Spanish words Sofia had insisted she memorize.

“¡Sí, exactamente!” Alejandra said enthusiastically, her face lighting up. “It’s the Belgian Grand Prix, and your papá will be racing today.”

Jullianna blinked, really unsure of how to respond. She hadn’t realized Formula 1 was so integral to Fernando’s life—Sofia hadn’t gone into much details about it during their swap planning, and in Jullianna’s defense, she’s not exposed in this kind of environment. But this was an opportunity to learn. She nodded and made her way to the sofa, taking a seat beside Alejandra.

On the coffee table in front of them, an impressive spread of snacks had been carefully arranged. There were small bowls of popcorn, sliced fruits, chips, and a plate of churros with a small dish of chocolate sauce on the side. Two glasses of freshly squeezed lemon juice sat next to the snacks, condensation dripping down the side of the glasses.

Jullianna glanced over the selection, noting how thoughtfully it had been prepared. She guessed that these snacks were all Sofia’s favorite treats.

“Alejandra, did you prepare all of these?” she asked, gesturing to the food.

“Claro que sí,” Alejandra replied with a proud smile on her face. “I always know that you love to nibble on something while we watch the race. Aren’t they your favorites?”

Jullianna hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Sí, sí. Gracias, Alejandra. It all looks very delicious.” she reached for a churro to keep up the appearance, dipping it in the chocolate sauce and taking a small bite.

Before long, the broadcast had shifted to the pre-race grid, and Alejandra’s excitement grew ever more. She pointed out the various cars and drivers as the camera panned across the starting line.

“Look, there’s your papá,” Alejandra said, leaning forward and pointing to Fernando’s green Aston Martin car. “He’s in eighth position today, it’s a good place to start.”

Jullianna squinted at the screen, catching a brief glimpse of Fernando’s face on the television as the commentator spoke about him. She nodded, hoping her feigned interest looked convincing. “That’s well…isn’t it?”

“Sí, very good,” Alejandra confirmed, her eyes glued to the screen. “¡Puede conseguir puntos desde allí!”

Jullianna tried to focus on the broadcast, but the flurry of information from the commentators was really overwhelming. They spoke rapidly, mentioning tyre strategies, DRS zones, and lap times—terms that meant nothing to her. She glanced at Alejandra slightly, who was fully engrossed, her hands occasionally clapping together in excitement.

As soon as the race started, the loud roar of engines filled the whole room, and the on-screen cars darted off the starting line like streaks of color. Jullianna leaned back into the sofa, watching as the camera cut from one car to another. Alejandra cheered every time Fernando’s car appeared, shouting words of encouragement as though he could hear her.

Jullianna, meanwhile, felt utterly lost. The cars all looked similar to her, their numbers and team liveries blurring together as they all zoomed around the circuit. The commentators’ explanations didn’t really help much, to her dismay. They had mentioned pit stops, overtakes, and track limits, but none of it registered in her brain.

During a commercial break, Alejandra excused herself to use the bathroom, leaving Jullianna alone in the living room. She seized the opportunity to grab her phone, quickly typing Formula 1 scoring system into Google. The first result explained that the top ten finishers earned points, with the winner getting 25 points and tenth place earning one.

“Okay,” she murmured to herself, scrolling further. “So, let’s see. Papá’s currently in P8, and it means that if he finishes in P8, he’ll get…four points?” Jullianna made a mental note, hoping that the information would stick.

When Alejandra returned, the race had resumed, and Jullianna did her best to appear engaged. She occasionally echoed Alejandra’s cheers, clapping along whenever Fernando completed a clean overtake. By the time that the race ended, Fernando had secured eighth place—started eighth and finished in eighth. Alejandra erupted in celebration.

“¡Lo hizo! ¡Fernando consiguió puntos otra vez!” she exclaimed, her happiness infectious.

Jullianna smiled, genuinely happy to see Alejandra so excited. “Estoy muy orgullosa de él,” she said, the words feeling a little bit more natural now.

Alejandra nodded, face still glowing with pride. “Tu papá es increíble. Siempre da lo mejor de sí.”

As Alejandra began tidying up the snacks from the coffee table, Jullianna leaned back against the sofa with a sigh, thoughts drifting away. Formula 1 was far more complicated than she had imagined, and the whole environment seemed very intense and all-consuming. She couldn’t help but think of how you must have navigated all of it, being married to someone like Fernando.

“It must take a lot of patience,” she thought to herself, her admiration for you growing.

She resolved to learn more about the sport. Jullianna knew that it was not just about cars, it was about understanding a significant part of Fernando’s life that she didn’t have the chance to get to know.

It has been a total of five days now of Jullianna being in Spain. The morning air was crisp, carrying a faint floral scent from the garden below as Jullianna sat curled up in a plush chair on the balcony. The blanket draped around her shoulders provided a sense of comfort, though it did little to settle the anxious thrum of her heart. The sunrise had been stunning—a gentle gradient of oranges and pinks melting into a clear blue sky, but Jullianna’s thoughts had been too preoccupied to truly enjoy it.

The balcony overlooked the sprawling estate, with its winding driveway framed by tall cypress trees. Jullianna’s gaze drifted to that driveway now, her stomach twisting into tight knots at the thought of Fernando’s arrival. She had not seen her father—Sofia’s father, in years, or perhaps, in Jullianna’s case, ever.

Her phone vibrated softly on the small table beside her, the screen lighting up to display the time. 9:07 AM. The sun was already high, casting golden light across the stone terrace. Jullianna sighed, stretching out her legs beneath the blanket. Just as she stood up, folding the blanket over the chair, the faint hum of an engine reached her ears. Jullianna’s breath suddenly hitched. She decided to walk towards the edge of the balcony, as she peered down, Jullianna saw an Aston Martin turn into the driveway, its polished surface glinting in the sunlight, and it came to a smooth stop near the entrance. As the driver’s side opened, there he was, her father that she had not seen in twelve years. Fernando Alonso.

Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as she took in the sight of her father—taller than she had imagined, his posture confident yet natural. Fernando was dressed casually, a plain white polo shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers. His hair was slightly tousled, and even from the distance, Jullianna could see the tired lines on his face, evidence of his grueling travel schedule.

The anxiety hit Jullianna like a wave, and she stumbled back from the railing, clutching her chest. Her breathing had quickened, and she immediately started the breathing exercises she had learned to overcome situations like this. In for four, hold for four, out for four, hold for four. She repeated the process, Jullianna’s trembling hands slowly steadying.

“Jullianna,” she whispered to herself, as if the name would ground her. “No. Sofia. You’re Sofia.”

Before Jullianna could regroup completely, a familiar voice broke the silence. “¡Sofia!” Alejandra’s cheerful call carried up from below. “Tu papá ha llegado. Ven, baja.”

The warmth in Martha’s voice was enough to make Jullianna’s chest tighten further. She took one last deep breath, trying to push down the storm of emotions swirling inside her. You’ve prepared for this. You’ll be okay.

“I’ll be right down,” she called back, trying to keep her voice even and cheerful despite the nerves clawing at her throat.

Jullianna glanced at her own reflection at the balcony door’s glass, smoothing her hair and adjusting her posture. Taking one final deep breath, she whispered to herself again, “Remember, you’re Sofia. Sofia Alonso.”

Then, she turned and headed back into the house, ready—or as ready as she could be, to meet the man that she had spent her whole life wondering about.

As Jullianna descended the stairs slowly, her heart was hammering in her chest. She could hear voices below—Fernando’s deep, commanding tone interspersed with Alejandra’s lighter and cheerful one. They were speaking in rapid Spanish, far too fast for her to catch every word. She tried her best to pick out phrases but only managed to catch something about a one month break. It was clear that they were discussing plans, but Jullianna’s nerves would not allow her to focus.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped, her feet rooted to the polished wooden floor. There he was, in the flesh—Fernando Alonso. His back was facing her as he gestured while speaking, the confidence in Fernando’s demeanor unmistakable—posture very relaxed yet purposeful. Jullianna found herself staring, taking in every detail.

This was the man she had seen countless times in photos, television, online articles, and in the news. The man Jullianna had imagined meeting more times than she could count, and now, here he was, standing just a few feet away from her.

Alejandra turned, her sharp eyes noticing Jullianna’s presence immediately. Her eyes brightened, and she called out cheerfully, “¡Buenos días, Sofia! ¿Ya te levantaste?”

The sound of Alejandra’s voice drew Fernando’s attention. He turned around, expression softening as his eyes landed on Jullianna. A wide smile spread across his face, and he greeted her in a warm, excited tone, effortlessly switching between Spanish and English.

“¡Buenos días, mi niña! I missed you so much,” he said, holding out his arms invitingly. “Come here, give your old man a hug!”

For a brief moment, Jullianna froze. Her emotions hit her all at once—a mix of awe, nervousness, and deep aching sadness she had not fully anticipated. This is him, she thought. My father. He’s real. He’s here.

Before she could second guess herself, Jullianna rushed towards him, wrapping her arms tightly around Fernando. The hug was immediate and overwhelming. She clung to him, burying her face into his chest as tears began to stream down her face. Fernando’s arms closed around her in a strong, comforting embrace.

Fernando chuckled softly, though his voice was filled with tenderness. “¿Por qué estás llorando, Sofí? Why are you crying, mi vida?”

Jullianna didn’t answer right away. Her emotions were too tangled, mind too flooded with thoughts to form a coherent sentence. She could feel the warmth of his hand gently patting her back, and his other hand lightly brushing her hair as Fernando tried to soothe her. Alejandra just stood off to the side, watching the scene with a pleased smile.

“Mira lo feliz que está contigo en casa,” she said softly, more to herself than to Fernando. “La casa es tan tranquila cuando ella no está.”

Fernando pulled back slightly, just enough to tilt Jullianna’s chin up with his hand. His smile was teasing, eyes glinting with affection. “You missed me this much, huh?” he asked, tone playful.

Jullianna wiped at her tears hastily, embarrassed by her reaction, but unable to stop herself from smiling. “I did,” she said, voice shaky but sincere. “I missed you so much, papá.”

His face softened at her words. Fernando used his thumb to brush away the last of her tears, shaking his head with a small laugh. “Well, I missed you too, princesa. But no more tears, okay? You’re going to make me look so bad.”

Jullianna let out a shaky laugh, nodding as she stepped back. She felt lighter now, though the weight of the moment still lingered.

“How was camp?” Fernando asked, leaning casually against the edge of a nearby chair. “Did you have fun? Or should I never send you away again?”

Jullianna laughed again, this time more genuinely. “It was great,” she said, careful to choose her words. “I made new friends this year and had a lot of fun. But I did miss being home.”

“Good,” Fernando said with a satisfied nod. “I don’t like when you’re away for too long. It’s always too quiet here without you.”

Alejandra chimed in with a laugh. ”¡Eso es verdad! I told her the same thing when she arrived from summer camp. La casa no es igu sin ella.”

Fernando glanced at Jullianna, expression turning more serious but still warm. “Well, I’m here now,” he said. “And I have a one month break before the next race in the Netherlands. So we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

Jullianna hesitated for only a moment before blurting out, “can I come with you?”

“Come with me?” Fernando blinked, clearly caught off guard by her question. “To the Netherlands?”

She nodded quickly, heart pounding. “Yes. I mean, it’s a whole month, and I think we should spend as much time together as we can. School hasn’t started yet, so…”

Fernando studied her with a curious expression, tilting his head slightly. “You usually hate traveling to races, cariño,” he pointed out. “You always tell me it’s too much flying from one country to another, and too chaotic.”

Jullianna swallowed, hoping her enthusiasm didn’t seem out of character. “I just…I think it would be nice to go, and I want to spend more time with you. One month is not enough.”

His eyes softened, and after a moment of consideration, Fernando nodded. “Alright, princesa,” he said with a small smile. “If that’s what you want, then you can come with me. But don’t blame me if you get tired of all the chaos.”

“I won’t,” Jullianna promised, smile widening.

Fernando just laughed, shaking his head as he reached out to ruffle her hair. “We’ll see about that.”

Lunch was set up on the sprawling terrace overlooking the estate’s lush gardens. The table was adorned with simple yet elegant dishes—grilled vegetables, fresh bread, and a flavorful paella that Alejandra had prepared earlier. Fernando sat at the head of the table, comfortably relaxed, while Jullianna sat on his right side, attempting to mimic Sofia’s usual confident demeanor.

Fernando glanced at Jullianna with an easy smile, breaking the silence. “So, Sofia,” he began, setting his glass down, “how about some karting later this afternoon? Just you and me. A little father-daughter bonding time at the karting circuit.”

The fork in Jullianna’s hand froze midair, scraping against the ceramic plate as it slid sideways. The unpleasant screeching noise seemed to echo in her ears, and she winced, immediately setting the fork down as she forced a smile.

“Karting?” she repeated, voice an octave higher than usual.

“Yes, karting.” Fernando nodded, clearly amused by her reaction. “I thought that it would be fun. It has been a while since you came with me, and you used to love it when you were younger.”

Karting? Oh no, no, no. This is bad.

Jullianna’s mind began to race. Sofia’s guide had not prepared her for this. The closest thing she had ever done to karting was bumper cars at the carnival, and even then, she was not that great at it. The idea of climbing into a real kart and navigating an actual track was enough to send her anxiety into overdrive. but Fernando was watching her, his expression warm and expectant. How could she possibly say no without raising suspicions? She swallowed hard, summoning every ounce of courage she had.

“Well…” she trailed off hesitantly, trying to keep her tone light. “I mean, sure. Why not? It could be…fun.”

Fernando’s eyes twinkled with delight at Jullianna’s response. “That’s my girl!” he said enthusiastically, giving her a proud smile. “We’ll head out in the afternoon. Who knows? Maybe you’ll finally beat me this time, huh?”

She let out a nervous laugh, avoiding his gaze as she fiddled with her napkin. “Maybe,” Jullianna murmured, heart pounding.

Okay. It can’t be that hard, right? It’s just like bumper cars…only faster…and on a track…with actual rules. Oh no, this is a disaster waiting to happen.

Fernando, obvious to her inner turmoil, continued talking, his voice animated. “We’ll head over in the afternoon once it cools down a bit. I’ll teach you a few tricks, and we’ll have a little competition. Sounds good?”

“Sounds great,” Jullianna replied, forcing another smile.

When lunch finally came to an end, Jullianna excused herself, retreating back to the bedroom under the guise of ‘freshening up.’ But in truth, she needed a moment to collect herself. Her nerves were already frayed, but reminded herself that she had survived switching places with Sofia and meeting Fernando. Surely, she could survive a few laps in a kart. What is the worst thing that could happen?

The car hummed softly as it sped through the quiet streets on its way to the airport. Fernando was in the driver’s seat, hands casually resting on the steering wheel, occasionally glancing in the rear view mirror to check on Alejandra and Jullianna, who were sitting in the back. Alejandra, always chatty, was in the middle of telling a story about one of her family members.

Jullianna, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. She tried really hard to focus on Alejandra’s stories, nodding at the right moments and forcing a polite smile, but her mind was elsewhere. Earlier this day, Jullianna had managed to sneak in a quick call with Sofia, desperate for guidance.

“You forgot to prep me about karting!” Jullianna had whispered urgently into the phone, pacing back and forth in Sofia’s bedroom.

Sofia’s voice on the other end had been rushed. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t think it would come up this soon. Okay, okay, listen carefully.”

What followed was a rapid-fire explanation about how to operate a kart. Sofia rattle off terms like throttle, apex, and breaking zones, leaving Jullianna guessing and more confused than ever.

“Wait, what’s an apex?” Jullianna interrupted, voice tinged with panic.

“It’s—ugh, it’s the inside curve of a corner where you need to turn. Just remember to break before you get to it, then accelerate out. That’s the basic idea.”

“Well that’s not basic at all, Sofia!” Jullianna hissed, glancing nervously towards the door to make sure that no one was eavesdropping.

Sofia sighed. “You’ll be fine! Just take it slow, follow papá’s lead, and don’t overthink it.”

Before Jullianna could protest any further, Sofia had abruptly said, “I gotta go! Dinner plans with—uh, never mind. You’ll do great, I promise!” then she hung up, leaving Jullianna staring at her phone in utter disbelief.

Now, sitting in the car, Jullianna groaned internally. She leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes in frustration. Thanks a lot, Sofia.

The rhythmic motion of the car and the faint hum of the engine eventually pulled her into a light doze. She figured an hour of sleep might help her reset, at least mentally.

Meanwhile, Fernando glanced in the rear view mirror, noticing Jullianna was resting against the window, face soft and peaceful in sleep. He smiled to himself, feeling a rare sense of contentment. It was not often they had uninterrupted time together, and he was really looking forward to the afternoon ahead.

As they neared the airport, Fernando lowered the volume of the music playing softly in the background. Alejandra, always the attentive one, leaned forward and whispered, “should we wake her?”

Fernando shook his head. “Let her sleep. She must still be tired, I’ll wake her when we’re boarding.”

The plane landed smoothly on the Asturias runway, the soft jolt waking Jullianna briefly before she drifted off to sleep again, only to be gently shaken awake by Fernando once they had fully disembarked.

“Vamos, Sofía, we’ve landed,” Fernando said softly, his voice a mix of excitement.

Jullianna blinked groggily, taking a moment to orient herself as she was ushered off the plane. The bright daylight of Asturias was a stark contrast to the dim interior of the cabin, and she shielded her eyes with her hand. From the plane, all of them moved seamlessly into a car that was waiting for them on the tarmac. The driver greeted Fernando warmly, and once everyone was settled, the drive to Llanera began.

The drive was peaceful and scenic, the lush greenery of Asturias that was surrounding them can be seen, looking like it came straight out of a painting. Jullianna was seated at the backseat, trying to appear calm despite the nervous energy bubbling beneath the surface. Fernando, sitting in the front, chatted with the driver in rapid Spanish, leaving Jullianna to her thoughts.

It wasn’t until they pulled into the gates of Fernando’s karting circuit that Jullianna’s attention snapped to the present. Her jaw dropped as she took in the sheer size of the whole place. It was not just a track, it was an entire complex. The main building loomed impressively, with sleek modern architecture that felt welcoming yet very professional.

“Wow…” Jullianna murmured under her breath, wide eyes betraying her awe.

Fernando turned around to glance at her, a smile tugging at his lips. “You like it, princesa? It was remodeled while you were away for summer camp. A little piece of home here Asturias.”

Jullianna nodded, unsure of what to say. Little? This is anything but little! As they all stepped out of the car, a group of staff members approached to greet Fernando, their faces lighting up with genuine enthusiasm.

“Ah! Buenos días, boss!” one of them said, before their gaze shifted towards Jullianna. “Hola, Sofía! Been a long time, huh?”

She smiled politely, nodding at them. “Hola!” she replied, voice steady despite the sudden knot in her stomach.

Jullianna could tell they assumed she was Sofia. Their warm, familiar greetings made her feel both welcomed and uneasy—uneasy because what if one of them picked up on something off? But she forced herself to focus, mirroring the relaxed but confident demeanor she had observed in Sofia during their time at camp. Once the greetings were out of the way, Fernando gestured for her to follow him inside.

“I had the track closed for today,” he explained casually. “Just for us, no interruptions.”

The weight of Fernando’s words hit her. No interruptions. No distractions. Just me and papá. The idea should have been comforting, but instead, it magnified her anxiety. Inside, a staff member handed Fernando a black bag, which he opened to reveal a pristine racing suit. He then handed it to Jullianna with a proud smile.

“Here mi vida. Go change, the fun starts soon.”

Jullianna took the suit gingerly, its fabric heavier than she had expected. “Where should I, uh, change?”

Fernando pointed toward a nearby hallway. “Second door on the left. You’ll see the sign.”

Nodding, she turned and walked towards the changing room. Thankfully, she found it on the first try. When she opened the door, Jullianna was greeted by a spacious and clean room, with a row of lockers lining one wall with a long mirror on the other. Jullianna held up the racing suit, inspecting it like it was some kind of puzzle—zippers, straps, and padding made it all look more complex than it probably was, and she just sighed deeply.

“Calm down, Jullianna. Calm down.” she muttered to herself as she set the suit down on a nearby bench. “This is fine, okay? Totally fine.” she then pulled out her phone and opened youtube.

How to wear a racing suit. Jullianna quickly typed it into the search bar, scrolling through the results until she found a decent one—a step-by-step tutorial. The video began, and she started to follow along, pausing frequently to ensure she doesn’t miss anything. She slipped one leg in, then the other, zipping up the suit carefully.

“Okay, alright…not too shabby. I think I can be a racer someday, huh,” she murmured, smoothing down the fabric in front of the mirror. “Oh who am I even kidding?”

The gloves and boots were next, and Jullianna paused the video again to double check everything if she had put them on correctly. By the time she finished, she was feeling a mix of relief and pride. I did it. To be sure with everything, she turned back to the mirror again, doing a quick once-over. The suit fits perfectly, hugging her frame without being restrictive.

“And one last thing…” she clicked on another video, this time, it was titled karting for beginners. The tips were pretty basic—how to start, use the pedals, and steer, but even those felt overwhelming.

“The things that I go through.” Jullianna grumbled under her breath, closing the youtube app.

Satisfied that she was at least presentable, Jullianna took one last deep breath, patting her own shoulder, and whispered, “good luck and don’t die.”

Jullianna stepped onto the track, the warm afternoon now casting long shadows over the asphalt. Fernando stood nearby, adjusting his gloves, excitement unmistakable as he began to explain the basics of karting.

“Alright, Sofí, I know it’s been a while since you last karted, but you’ll pick it up quickly,” he said, voice light and encouraging. “It’s like riding a bike—you don’t forget.”

She nodded, forcing a confident smile. “Yeah…just like riding a bike,” she repeated, though her nerves were humming.

Fernando led her to the kart she would be driving. “I brought out your own kart, and checked it.” he said, patting the side affectionately.

As Fernando explained the controls, Jullianna focused intently, trying to absorb every word as much as possible. “I know it’s been a while, but just a refresher, this pedal is for the gas, this one for the break, and your grip should always be at nine o’clock and three o’clock. Always ease into the throttle—don’t slam it, and when you’re cornering, don’t break too hard, just enough to control the speed.”

“Yes, papá, don’t worry. I got it. It’s not like it’s my first time driving a kart,” she said, chuckling nervously as her heart was beating rapidly.

Fernando crouched beside Jullianna’s kart, inspecting it one last time. “I’ll go easy on you first,” he teased, flashing her a grin. “But don’t expect me to let you win that easily.”

Jullianna chuckled again, still nervous, as she climbed into the kart. She adjusted the seat and gripped the steering wheel, hand slightly getting all clammy. Fernando handed her a helmet, which she slipped on carefully, ensuring it fits snugly.

“Ready to beat your old man?” he asked, stepping back.

“Ready!” Jullianna replied, voice muffled by the helmet.

Fernando climbed into his own kart, matching the ones Jullianna was on, and started the engine with practiced ease. Jullianna followed his lead, turning on the power and feeling a thrill as the engine roared to life beneath her.

“Follow me for a few laps,” Fernando instructed over the headset built into their helmets. “Get a feel first of the track, and then we’ll race.”

Jullianna nodded, gripping the steering wheel tighter as she eased onto the track behind him. The kart felt different than she expected—lighter, faster, more responsive. Of course she wobbled slightly on the first corner, foot instinctively slamming on the brakes.

“Easy on the break,” Fernando’s voice came through, calm and steady. “Let the kart flow through the corner.”

“Right,” Jullianna muttered, adjusting her grip. She tried again, this time pressing the brakes more gently and allowing the kart to glide smoothly.

After a few laps around the track, Jullianna began to relax. The initial awkwardness fading as she found her rhythm, her confidence building with each turn. The sensation of speed was exhilarating, with the kart zipping along the track like an extension of her own body.

“Good job, Sofí!” Fernando praised. “You’re getting it.”

Jullianna couldn’t help but smile under her helmet. She admitted that she was really enjoying herself. Once Fernando was satisfied with her progress, he pulled over to the side of the track and gestured to her to do the same.

“Alright, now for the fun part,” he said, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“What’s that?” Jullianna asked, even if she already knew the answer.

“The race,” Fernando replied with a grin. “We’ll do three laps, and the winner gets bragging rights.”

“Bragging rights?” she echoed, laughing.

“Trust me, they’re worth it.” he replied. They both lined up at the starting line, with Fernando counting them off. “Three, two, one, go!”

Jullianna floored the gas pedal, the kart surging forward. Fernando quickly took the lead, as expected, with his kart weaving effortlessly through the first series of turns. Jullianna followed close behind, determined not to fall too far behind. She focused on her technique, remembering Fernando’s earlier advice. Brake gently, accelerate smoothly, and stay on the racing line. Then, by the second lap, she was gaining on Fernando, and he was clearly impressed.

She laughed, her nerves melting away in the heat of the competition. Jullianna took the next corner perfectly, closing the gap between them. On the final lap, she saw an opening on the inside of a tight turn. Summoning all of her courage, she took the risk, slipping past Fernando with a bold move. With the finish line just up ahead, Jullianna pushed the kart to its limit, crossing first by a fraction of a second.

As Jullianna rolled to a stop, she pulled off her helmet, cheeks flushed and heart racing. Fernando parked beside her, laughing as he removed his own helmet.

“Well done, mi vida! Can’t believe you beat your old man!” Fernando exclaimed, pride evident.

Jullianna grinned, trying to catch her breath. “I had a good teacher.”

Fernando just laughed at her reply, and pulled her into a quick hug. “That was impressive. I’ll have to step up my game next time, eh?”

Jullianna felt really proud of her accomplishment. She had managed to hold her own, and for a brief moment, she forgot all about her nerves and the pressure of pretending to be Sofia. For now, she was just a girl spending time and having fun with her father.

After the race, it had been decided to take a rest for a while, and now, Jullianna is currently crouched next to the kart, nodding along as Fernando patiently explained the mechanics of the engine. He was animated, gesturing as he described how the karts power translated to see its speed, his enthusiasm contagious.

“You see this part here? This regulates the throttle response,” he said, tapping the side of the kart with a wrench.

Jullianna nodded again, her focus intense. “Okay, got it,” she murmured.

Her mind was still processing the earlier laps and how much she had actually enjoyed the experience. But just as Fernando leaned in to point out another detail, a high pitched shriek shattered the air, causing both Jullianna and Fernando to freeze. They exchanged confused glances before turning toward the source of the commotion—a young woman. She ran towards them at full speed, her excitement evident.

“¡Fernando! Estás aquí!” she squealed, voice shrill as she closed the distance.

Before Fernando could react, the woman threw herself into his arms, wrapping them around his neck and planting kisses all over her face. Fernando looked momentarily startled before managing a polite laugh, gently easing the woman off of him.

“Stephanie,” he said, tone a mix of surprise and mild discomfort.

Jullianna blinked, mouth slightly agape as she watched the whole scene unfold, processing everything even. The woman—Stephanie, looked young, probably a few years older than herself, with long, perfectly styled hair, and an outfit that screamed designer labels, which were all common brands but would not see you wearing. Jullianna could immediately sense the tension in the air, especially when she caught a glimpse of Alejandra standing off to the side, expression cold and disapproving.

Stephanie had finally decided to step back, with her hands lingering on Fernando’s arm as she beamed up at him. “I had no idea you’d be here today! You didn’t tell me you were coming home!” she exclaimed, tone overly sweet to Jullianna’s liking.

“I wasn’t planning to,” Fernando replied with a small chuckle, stepping subtly away from her. “This was a last minute decision.”

Stephanie’s gaze shifted to Jullianna, her smile widening in a way that made Jullianna’s stomach churn. “And who’s this cute little girl?” she asked, voice dripping with curiosity.

Fernando turned to Jullianna, placing a hand on her shoulder. “This is Sofía,” he said proudly. “My daughter.”

“¡Ay dios mío!” Stephanie’s eyes widened in an exaggerated display of delight. “I’ve heard so much about you!” she gushed, stepping forward and extending a hand.

Jullianna forced a polite smile, shaking Stephanie’s hand briefly. “Nice to meet you,” she said, voice carefully neutral.

“You don’t know how much I’ve been wanting to meet you,” Stephanie continued, words spilling out in rapid succession. “Fernando talks about you all the time! I wanted to visit you this summer, but you were at camp, and—oh, you’re even gorgeous in person!”

Yeah, bet you did do that. Thanks for the compliment, I totally got it from both papá and mamá, but mostly mamá.

“Thanks,” Jullianna said simply, overwhelmed by the onslaught of words and overly saccharine tone. At this point, she doesn’t trust herself to say more.

As Stephanie continued to chatter, Jullianna glanced at Fernando, who looked slightly uncomfortable, and then at Alejandra, who stood with her arms crossed, her disapproval practically radiating.

“So, what are you two doing here? A little father and daughter bonding time?” Stephanie asked, eyes farting between them.

What do you think, Cruella?

“Yes,” Jullianna replied quickly, tone more firmer than she intended. “Papá and I are spending time together.”

“Qué lindo!” Stephanie cooed, completely ignoring the slight edge on Jullianna’s voice.

Stephanie turned back to Fernando, launching into a story about something that happened while he was away. Jullianna could feel her own patience wearing thin. The day had been going so well, and now, this woman—stranger, had swooped in and disrupted everything. She tried to tune out Stephanie’s really annoying voice, but the exaggerated laughter and overly familiar gestures were grating on her.

Finally, Jullianna couldn’t take anymore of it. She took a step back, clearing her throat. “Excuse me,” she said, tone polite but curt. “I need a moment.”

Fernando looked at her with mild concern. “Sofí, are you okay mi vida?”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, forcing a small smile. “Just need some air.”

Without waiting for any response from Fernando, Jullianna turned and walked away, heading towards the quieter edge of the circuit. Despite walking farther away from them, she could still hear Stephanie’s annoying voice in the background, but it all soon faded as Jullianna put distance between herself and the group.

Upon reaching a shaded spot near a row of trees, Jullianna let out a deep sigh, sat down criss crossed and arms folded to her chest, and leaned back on the tree. The frustration bubbled inside her. This day was supposed to be about her and Fernando, a rare chance to bond with her papá, and now it felt like she was competing for his own father’s attention.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke her thoughts. Turning her head slightly, Jullianna saw Alejandra making her way over, her expression was soft but tinged with concern. Alejandra stopped beside her, tilting her head to study her closely.

“¿Estás bien, Sofí?” Alejandra asked, voice gentle.

Jullianna hesitated, glancing back towards the circuit where Fernando and Stephanie’s figures were still visible in the distance.

“I don’t know,” she muttered, word slipping out before she could stop them. She sighed heavily, deciding to just let it all out. “Actually, no. I’m not okay.”

Alejandra’s brows furrowed. “Is it Stephanie?”

She nodded, voice growing more animated as she began to explain. “She just…she just ruined everything. This was supposed to be papá and I’s day, and then that woman shows up out of nowhere, clinging to papá like some leech, acting like she owns the place. I don’t even know who she is in our lives, but I can tell that she’s not even genuine.”

Alejandra nodded slowly, lips pressing into a thin line. “I thought you might feel this way,” she said quietly. After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath.

“Stephanie,” Alejandra started, “is someone your papá met at a charity gala a few months ago. She was very persistent, made sure to stay in his orbit, always showing up where she was. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but it became clear to me that she was doing all of it on purpose.”

Jullianna’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her crossed arms.

“She began to visit the house not long after. Always unannounced, always with some excuse. She claimed she wanted to get to know the family better, but I could see through her act,” Alejandra continued, tone growing sharper. “She’s very good at pretending to be sweet, but underneath all that makeup and designer clothes…Está podrida hasta el fondo, mi chica. A manipulative woman who only cares about herself.”

Jullianna’s jaw clenched as Alejandra’s words sank in. “Does papá even know all about this?” she asked carefully, though a part of her already suspected the answer.

Alejandra shrugged, shaking her head. “Your papá’s not blind, but he can be too trusting. That woman really does know how to pull someone in, but I see right through her. She’s only after what she can gain from being with your papá—money, status, connections. Todo eso. Your papá is a kind man, but that makes him vulnerable to people like Stephanie.”

Jullianna blinked, she was stunned into silence. Her mind raced with questions, but one thing Alejandra said suddenly clicked in her brain. “Wait a minute. Alejandra, how old is she?”

Alejandra hesitated before answering. “Veintiocho,” she said, tone casual, as if trying to downplay it.

“What?!” Jullianna’s reaction was immediate, her voice was loud enough to make a few nearby birds flutter away. “That woman is twenty-eight?! She’s old enough to be my sister!”

“Yes, exactly.” Alejandra couldn’t help but smirk at Jullianna’s sudden outburst. “And she behaves like a spoiled child, that’s why I don’t trust her. Everything about her is calculated, from her clothes to the way she speaks. Esa mujer sabe jugar el juego.”

Jullianna felt her blood boiling now, anger mixing with her earlier disappointment. “And she’s been coming here? While I was at camp?”

Alejandra nodded again, folding her arms. “Almost every week. She claimed it was to ‘support’ your father, but I know better. That woman wants to attach herself to everything, and she’s made it clear she’ll do whatever it takes.”

Jullianna then looked back towards the circuit, where Stephanie was now all over Fernando, laughing at something her papá had said. The sight made her stomach churn.

“I can’t believe this,” she muttered, voice tight with frustration. “Todo el día está arruinado. I don’t even want to be here anymore.”

“I know it’s frustrating, mi niña,” Alejandra placed a reassuring hand on Jullianna’s shoulder. “But don’t let her ruin your time with your papá. That woman thrives on attention, if you ignore her and focus on what matters, she’s defenseless against you.”

Jullianna nodded slowly, though her anger and disappointment still burned in her chest. She looked back at the circuit, her mood now completely soured.

“I just want to go home,” she muttered. “I’m done with today.”

Alejandra sighed, giving Jullianna’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Come on, let’s head back. Necesitas descansar. Don’t worry about her, cariño. She’s not worth your energy.”

The journey back to their home in Madrid was subdued, the tension almost palpable in the air. Jullianna sat in the backseat, her face turned toward the window as the evening sun cast streaks of orange and gold across the countryside. Fernando glanced at her through the rearview mirror a few times, concern etched on his face, but he chose not to push it. Jullianna’s silence spoke volumes, and he didn’t want to risk saying something that might upset her further.

Alejandra, who was seated beside Jullianna, kept her eyes at the window, hands folded neatly on her lap. She had already decided that this was something Jullianna needed to process on her own. When they finally pulled into the driveway, Fernando parked the car and turned to Jullianna.

“Sofia, we were supposed to visit your abuelo and abuela today, but maybe we can do it some other time, sí?” his voice was soft, almost tentative.

Jullianna just gave Fernando a small nod, gaze still fixed on the floor of the car as she unbuckled her seatbelt. She then murmured, “okay,” before slipping out of the car and heading towards the house, with Fernando and Alejandra following suit.

Fernando sighed as he watched Jullianna’s retreating figure. “¿Qué le pasa?” he asked, turning to Alejandra. “She was fine earlier. Did something happen that I didn’t see?”

Alejandra hesitated, feigning ignorance. “I’m not sure, Fernando. Maybe she’s just tired, you know how moody teenagers can be—moods change so quickly. Give her some time, I’m sure she’ll feel better by tomorrow.”

Fernando nodded, though his worry didn’t dissipate. “Maybe I pushed her too much today,” he said, almost to himself. “It was supposed to be fun, but…”

“No, no, tranquilo,” Alejandra interjected, tone firm but kind. “This isn’t your fault. She just needs space right now, don’t overthink it.”

He ran a hand through his hair, brows furrowed. “I hate seeing her like this. She was smiling earlier, laughing even. Now…” he trailed off, shaking his head.

Alejandra offered him a reassuring smile. “She’ll be okay, Fernando. Trust me. Déjala descansar esta noche, ¿de acuerdo?”

As Alejandra turned to leave, Fernando called after her. “Wait, Alejandra, I won’t be home tomorrow. I have some things to take care of, but I’ll be back by the evening.”

Alejandra nodded. “Alright. I’ll take care of things here, don’t worry.”

“And…” Fernando hesitated for a moment. “Can you cook Sofia’s favorite meal tomorrow for breakfast? Maybe that will cheer her up a bit.”

She smiled. “Por supuesto, consideralo hecho.”

Fernando sighed, leaning back against the wall as Alejandra left the room. Despite her reassurances, a pang of guilt still lingered in his chest.

The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft patterns across the bedroom walls as Jullianna slowly blinked awake. She lay still for a moment, cocooned in the quiet of the house. The event of yesterday lingered in her mind, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. She groaned softly, pulling the blanket over her head.

A sharp knock at the door startled her. “Sofia,” Alejandra’s voice called out, light but firm. “Breakfast is ready. Come down soon, okay?”

Jullianna exhaled deeply and sat up, the blanket falling to her lap. She stretched, joints cracking softly in the stillness. After taking a few moments to gather herself, she slipped out of bed and padded over the door.

When she got down, the house was quiet, eerily so, as she made her way downstairs. The faint aroma of freshly toasted bread and coffee drifted from the kitchen. Jullianna noticed Fernando’s absence immediately and glanced at Alejandra, who was tidying the kitchen counters.

“Alejandra, where’s papá?” she asked, voice soft.

Alejandra turned, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “He left early this morning. Said he had something important to take care of, but he’ll be back by evening.”

Jullianna just nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to the table. The breakfast spread was simple yet inviting—fresh bread, tortilla española, slices of jamón, pan con tomate, and a small dish of olives. It was distinctly Spanish, and Jullianna assumed that it was all Sofia’s favorite. She sat down without a word, her stomach grumbling faintly.

As she began to eat, she glanced at Alejandra. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

Alejandra shook her head with a small smile. “I’ve already had my breakfast, chica. This is all for you.”

Jullianna nodded again, her focus returning to her plate. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the gentle clinking of pans as Alejandra washed up. Then, after breakfast, Jullianna decided she needed a distraction, something to clear her head. So she went back to her room and rummaged through her suitcase, pulling out a simple one-piece swimsuit. Over it, she threw on an oversized shirt that fell past her thighs, providing just enough coverage to make her comfortable.

The pool had been a quiet haven during her stay, and she hoped for the same serenity this time. As she descended the stairs, her mood soured instantly. Stephanie was in the living room. She was perched on the edge of a plush armchair, scrolling through her phone, legs crossed elegantly. The sound of her clicking heels on the floor must have been what Jullianna heard earlier.

Alejandra, who was arranging some magazines on the coffee table, caught Jullianna’s eye and gave her a look, one that said, I don’t know why she’s here, I didn’t invite her. Jullianna sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. Stephanie, of course, noticed her immediately and squealed in delight.

“¡Sofía!” Stephanie practically jumped out of the armchair, her excitement so exaggerated that Jullianna instinctively covered her ears. “Oh my goodness, I was hoping I’d run into you!”

Jullianna fought all of her urges to roll her eyes. Instead, she forced a polite smile. “If you’re here for papá, you’re out of luck,” she said, tone flat. “Papá won’t be home until this evening.”

Stephanie blinked, her smile faltering slightly. “Oh, well, I didn’t know that.” she quickly recovered, brushing a strand of perfectly styled hair behind her ear. “But that’s fine! I can wait. We can hangout, just the two of us for the meantime.”

Jullianna froze for a split second, Stephanie’s words sending a chill down her spine. “Je vais laisser tomber,” she muttered quietly under her breath, turning on her heel and heading for the pool.

Behind her, she heard the unmistakable sound of clicking heels. Jullianna groaned inwardly as she realized Stephanie was following her. She stopped abruptly at the door leading to the pool, turning to face the woman.

“What are you doing?” Jullianna questioned, trying not to sound snappy.

Stephanie gave her a puzzled look. “I’m coming with you, of course! It’ll be so fun! We can sunbathe, maybe take some selfies.”

Jullianna stared at her for a long moment before sighing heavily. “Sure,” she said finally, tone dripping with sarcasm. “Fun.”

Without waiting for a response, she pushed open the door and stepped outside, the warm sun hitting her face. The pool glistened invitingly, but the thought of spending even a second more with Stephanie was enough to sap any excitement she had felt earlier.

“Ay dios mío,” Jullianna muttered to herself as she still heard Stephanie’s heels clicking against the patio. “La journée va être longue.”

Jullianna placed her towel neatly on one of the sun beds, the fabric a stark white against the bright blue of the pool tiles. She adjusted it carefully, ensuring no corner was left out of place, before tugging off the oversized shirt she wore over her swimsuit. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Stephanie perched on a nearby sun bed, watching her with curious intensity that made Jullianna’s skin crawl.

With deliberate calm, Jullianna folded her shirt and set it next to her towel, ignoring the scrutiny. Without a word, she walked to the edge of the pool, took a quick breath, and leapt in, her body slicing through the water before surfacing with an intentionally big splash. The spray of cool water arched through the air, some of it landing on Stephanie, who let out an exaggerated squeal.

“¡Ay!” Stephanie cried, jerking backward as though she had been doused with a bucket of water. She reached for a towel, dabbing delicately at her face and arms.

Jullianna resurfaced, brushing her wet hair out of her eyes and blinking innocently. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” she said, voice dripping with mock concern. “I didn’t mean to splash you, Steph.”

Stephanie glanced at her, the corners of her mouth pulled into a strained smile. “It’s okay, cariño,” she said, though her tight grip on the towel showed her irritation. “Really.”

Jullianna suppressed a smirk, knowing full well that Stephanie was seething because one of her designer clothes was splashed with water. With a nonchalant shrug, she swam towards one of the floaties bobbing near the middle of the pool. She grabbed it, resting her arms on the inflatable surface as she turned to face Stephanie.

Stephanie had settled back on her sun bed, legs crossed elegantly as she faced Jullianna directly. Her eyes scanned Jullianna for a moment before she began to speak.

“So, Fernando had told me so much about you,” Stephanie said, tone saccharine. “I had no idea how close you two were.”

Jullianna raised a brow, tilting her head slightly as she tread water. “Well,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips, “that’s because we’re each other’s halves.”

Stephanie blinked, caught off guard by the response, but quickly recovered. She leaned forward, clasping her hands together. “That’s sweet,” she said. “I mean, it’s obvious how much he loves you. He talks about you all the time.”

Jullianna hummed, the sound of it almost dismissive. She rested her chin on the floatie, watching Stephanie with a calm that belied her irritation. Stephanie’s gaze flickered briefly, confidence faltering for a moment before she plastered on another smile.

“Actually,” she began, tone light, “while you were away at camp, your papá took me karting. It was so much fun, and—well, I hope you don’t mind, but he let me use your kart.”

The faintest flicker of annoyance flashed across Jullianna’s face, but she quickly masked it. “Oh, that’s fine,” she said breezily, waving a hand in the water. “It’s pretty normal for him to let someone ride my kart.”

Stephanie smiled, seemingly appeased, but Jullianna was not done. She let her lips curl into a sly smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’re actually number twenty-nine on his list, you know.”

“What…list?” her smile faltered.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Jullianna said, feigning surprise. She propped herself up on the floatie, her tone conspiratorial. “It’s just this thing papá does. Whenever someone new comes into his life, he always takes them to his circuit. It’s kind of his way of testing people, I guess. There was Paula before you, and then Francesca before her…honestly, I’ve lost track of the names. But if I’m not mistaken, you’re number twenty-nine, and twenty-nine is a lucky number.”

Stephanie stared at her, expressing a mix of confusion and growing irritation. “I…didn’t realize,” she said slowly, voice tight.

“Yeah, it’s just one of his quirks. I guess he really likes seeing how people handle themselves at the circuit, well in life, generally. Some do great, others…not so much.” Jullianna shrugged, pushing off the floatie and swimming lazily towards the pool’s edge. “I’m sure you’ve made your mark since papá decided to keep you around. But I always say, it’s none of my business if a man his age wants to make a fool out of himself. Although, maybe he’s changed and you’re the real thing, Steph.”

Pulling herself out of the pool, Jullianna stood, water dripping from her as she grabbed her own towel. She dried herself off slowly, the teasing smile never leaving her face as she glanced back at Stephanie.

“Oh, one more thing, Steph,” Jullianna said casually as she flung the towel over her shoulder. “If you’re planning on being with him in the long run, you’ll have to try a little harder. Papá’s got a pretty high standard when it comes to people he lets stick around.”

Stephanie’s mouth opened slightly, as though she wanted to respond, but Jullianna didn’t give her the chance.

“Well, it has been a pleasure meeting you, but I’ve got some things to do,” Jullianna said, turning towards the house. “Enjoy the pool, Steph. It’s all yours. Toodles!”

taglist : @qghosty , @seonghwaexile , @linnygirl09 , @tallrock35

[dilfl0v3rss]

cleaning day

summary: cleaning day with connie

cw: fluff

word count: 1.6k

── ⋅⋅⋅ ────꒰ ୨ ♡ ୧ ꒱───────

you loved saturday’s. it was connie’s day off and you had the whole day to get things done around the house. right now you were in the kitchen washing the dishes that were used to make breakfast. the smell of weed and cleaning products dancing in the air as you dried your hands off to go wake up your sleeping man for breakfast. connie was knocked out in the bed, laying wildly on his back in nothing but boxers and his gold chains sprawled out on his chest. he looked so peaceful, but today you were going to put him to work. you lightly tap his inked chest, blunt sitting between your lips as you watching him stir awake. “get up nigga, and hurry and eat your breakfast because you helping today.”

you balanced the blunt in your mouth as you spoke. standing with one hand on your hip while the other held onto a broomstick. connie stared you up and down. you looked so sexy when you were bossy. booty shorts squeezing your ass while your breasts peeked out the bottom of your loose crop top. your pretty pink scarf wrapped around your long knotless braids. the sight of you made his junior twitch in his underwear. “hellooo. boy i know you hear me. wake that ass up.” before you can tap him again, connie lightly smacks your hand away.

“i’m up mami damnnn.” his voice was so deep in the morning, making you contemplate whether you should continue cleaning or just say “fuck it” and spend the day in bed with him, but you quickly came back to reality. you already did that last saturday and you refused to let it happen twice in a row. plus, you hated cleaning on sundays. sundays were supposed to be days for you and connie to relax before having to go back to work on monday, and you fully intended on spending the entire day binge watching criminal minds with him.

“go eat” was all you said as you turned around to start sweeping the kitchen. before you got too far, connie gave your ass a hard tap, eyes practically glued to the sight of it jiggling from the contact. “and good morning to you too sexy”. you feigned indifference as you left the room, but your stomach was really doing flips. connie was just as sexy as can be at all times of the day.

by the time you finished sweeping the kitchen, connie was finishing up the rest of his plate, still in just his boxers as he puts it in the sink. “ima wash it later” he says quickly before you can complain. he knew you like the back of his hand. “aight well since i’m done sweeping you can mop this floor” connie nodded to your demand, walking towards the cabinet to grab some cleaning supplies before walking to the closet to get the mop. “unt uhh what you using to clean the floor?”

connie looked at you with a confused face, feeling that you should already know his product of choice. “you know i only use fabuloso mami.” he replied, holding up the container full of purple liquid with a smile. every time connie mopped an area, he used wayyyy to much product. a simply bottle of fabuloso should last at least a week and a half before you have to start watering it down, but when connie gets to it he can use up to half the bottle in a day.

the smell reminded him of when he was younger. the sound of old merengue music softly waking him. before long, his mom would bust into the door, fussing at him over how dirty his room was. she’d eventually have him get up to help her clean around the house. the smell of lavender fabuloso wafting into his nose as he would clean basically every part of the house with it until the end of the day. “ven aquí, chico loco. ayuda a mamá a hacer la cena.” his mom would say, apron on as she lightly shoved the wooden spoon towards him. “vale mamá”.

“don’t use too much baby. you be using damn near the whole bottle on just the kitchen” your voice coaxed connie out of his thoughts. “vale, mami” he mindlessly says before shooing you away. “i-i know i’m doin’ baby. and gimme my slides” he says, staring down at your small feet fitting loosely in his huge slides.

you raise an brow at his words before kick them off your feet towards him, waking to your room to get your slippers. as you slide your feet into your much better fitting slippers, you hear the music in the living room change, your 90s r&b being switched out for some of connie’s favorites. you were going to protest until you hear the familiar lyrics of one of connie’s favorite songs booming through the speakers. ashing your blunt, you made your way to the source of the music.

la vaca by mala fe played loudly in the living room as you listened to connie say the begining lines word for word. “ yo que estaba durmiendo en mi sabrosa cama. y me llaman para este tremendo tema, ah, ja, ja. c’mere mami dance wit me” connie only really loved this song because when you first met him you bragged about knowing a lot of spanish music.

you were embarrassed to say the least when the only two found in your playlist were suavemente and la vaca. connie didn’t judge though, singing both of them word for word in front of you to show that he knew them as well. he eventually taught you a bunch of songs he knew to widen your horizon. you smiled as you quickly made your way to him, holding each of his hands in yours as the two of you moved around quickly to the song. loud giggles can be heard as you watched connie get more into the song.

“pero ven acá tú, ¿y cuál es tu plan? ¡ay señorita! ven para-” he was so cute, but the two of you had a lot to do today. “okayyyy papa let’s get back to work” you cut him off. the need to get everything done today overpowering your yearning for some fun. “we can dance tomorrow if we get this done now.” connie frowned at your statement, not wanting to stop just yet, and before it ended, he quickly let go of you to add a song to the top of the queue. “un momento, mami…un momento…” connie mumbled his echo as you rolled your eyes, quietly waiting until you heard another familiar song begin to play.

you made a confused face as you begin to question your boyfriends choice. “you wanna clean to this? it’s softer than what we usually listen to.” connie takes your hand in his, placing his other palm in the middle of your back. obsesión by aventura playing softly around the house as he spoke. “we clean later. we bachata now.” he whispered calmly, the corner of his mouth slightly lifting as you looked up at him. you started smiling ear to ear as he moved your body to the music. this song always reminded you of your first date with connie.

he was driving you home, hand tangled in yours as the song quietly played through his speakers. you had no idea what was being said, but you liked it. you watched as connie sang along to the lyrics, much deeper voice portraying his own version of the song in a different pitch. he was so handsome. connie noticed you tapping your fingers to the beat on your thigh as he pulled into your driveway, instantly coming up with an idea for you to enjoy the song in a deeper sense.

“thanks for tonight, i had a great time boo.”you smiled before trying to leave the car, but before you can open the door, you were haulted by his hand squeezing yours. “of course hermosa…but it’s not over yet.” you watched connie exit the car, making his way to your side before eventually opening your door for you. “come on out mami. i wanna show you sum.” you take his outstretched hand as you exit the car as well.

“boy what you about to do?” connie shushes you before reaching into the car to turn the song up louder. “you dance?” before you could reply, you found your hand already in his with another strong hand in the middle of your back. “i-i don’t know how.” you panic, but you’re quickly soothed by connie lips on your forehead. “don’t worry i’ll teach you. just follow me.”

the two of you ended up dancing with the song on replay for about an hour, getting the hang of it within the first twenty minutes or so. before he let you go, connie made sure to walk you to your door, planting a light kiss on your lips. he looked into your eyes one more time. “ima see you friday, yea?” you look away, getting shy from the kiss. “mhm friday.” you haven’t forgotten the song since that day. labeling it as the song that started it all for the two of you.

“cmon hermosa just one dance.” connie whispered, gently pulling you from your thoughts. instead of fighting with him, you let the music take you as you looked into his eyes. muscle memory kicking in as you repeated the same steps he taught you that night. you knew the two of you weren’t going to finish cleaning today, but you didn’t care. feeling glad to dance the rest of the day away with the man you love. plus, there was always sunday.

[erynaster]

Hi! This is a request I've asked other writers on the site, but I'd love to see your take on the idea!

I'd like to request a Wednesday x Venom!Reader, with Wednesday discovering the reader's secret by following him around...

Love your stuff, btw!

Of course! And thank you. :>

________________

Venomous Encounters

Summary: You and your symbiote wind up in a different world, where you attempt to start a new life for the both of you.

Word Count: 1,762

Pairing(s): Male!Venom!Reader x Wednesday Addams

Warning(s): Slight gore, slight violence

A/N: This one turned out much better than expected. I hope you all enjoy!

"This is a stupid idea."

Your symbiote says in your ear, as you peer around a corner to survey a holdup taking place by the cash register.

"Since when were you my voice of reason, Ven?" You whisper back, taking note of the gun pointed at the head of the frightened cashier standing behind the counter.

"It would be unwise to do anything to draw attention to us right now. Need I remind you that this is not our home universe. Uncharted territory." The symbiote warns you with a tone of urgency.

You grit your teeth. "Yeah, you've got that right."

It was only yesterday when you and Venom had suddenly appeared in this new world, which was startlingly similar to your own. You were just leaping from rooftop to rooftop when all of a sudden a strange light had engulfed you and transported you in the middle of a dark forest. Finding your bearings, you had stumbled upon a town called Jericho, where you and Venom decided to lay low for the time being.

But now, you were hungry.

Very hungry.

Your symbiote's hunger was your own. And by now, it was running out of nutrients to sustain the both of you.

That was all about to change at this very moment.

"We've got no choice, Ven. It's now or never." You whisper, just as black goo begins to engulf your body, permeating through your skin and wrapping around each and every one of your limbs.

A long, black tendril shoots out and grabs the offender by the wrist, causing him to drop the gun in surprise. He turns in your direction, and his face pales in utter terror.

Where your face was was nothing but rows of sharp, white teeth, and as the man's eyes searched for yours, they found nothing but two blank white sclerae, the lack of irises quite disturbing. As he mouths wordlessly, you can feel your jaw open as three words escape your lips.

"We... are Venom."

Lunging forward, you give the man no time to scream as your jaw closes around his neck, your symbiote's hunger satisfied at last.

...

Wednesday Addams stands outside the convenience store, just in front of the police tape circling the establishment. Amidst the wailing sirens, a white-faced employee was testifying to a police officer that he had seen a hulking black monster rip off the head of a man right in front of his eyes, before escaping through the door and leaping out of sight in the direction of the forest.

Now, Wednesday loved a good mystery. And this was yet another one of the strange occurrences that have happened to the town in the span of time that she had been at Nevermore.

Monsters and murders were her specialty, apparently.

She walks over to the police officer, who was observing two men carry out a body bag coming from the establishment.

Noting the absence of a bulge where the head should be, Wednesday tears her eyes away from the corpse to speak with the cop.

"Which direction did he say the monster was headed?"

The cop jumps in surprise at being addressed, looking Wednesday up and down as though sizing her up.

Deciding that she was no threat, he nods, pointing in the direction of the woods.

"There, into the forest. You better stay indoors, miss. It's not safe out here tonight."

Ignoring the last comment, Wednesday heads in the direction that the officer pointed out, with all intentions of getting to the bottom of this bloody mystery once and for all.

...

"That was reckless! Stupid!"

Venom yells in your ear as you jump from branch to branch, your clawed hands finding traction as you heave yourself from tree to tree with surprising agility and stealth.

"Who are you to tell me I'M being reckless, Ven? You were never the subtle type, either." You retort, surprised at your symbiote's wary behavior.

The symbiote groans.

"We drew far too much attention with that meal! That place will be swarming with cops, investigators, reporters! It won't be safe to return!"

You stop your travel momentarily by leaping onto an overhanging branch, catching your breath for a moment as the black goo seeps back into your flesh.

"A pity. I really liked that town, it's small, cozy, quaint..."

"You can't possibly be thinking of staying, now are you?"

"You can't blame me. It'll be a chance for us to start over. Where no one knows our name."

"We are the Lethal Protector! We do not 'settle down'. We go where the wind takes us!"

You don't answer, now that the sound of rustling leaves caught both your attention.

"Someone's coming."

Venom morphs himself all around you once more, scanning your surroundings like a predator stalking its prey.

A figure wanders into view, inspecting a few broken branches that you had left in your wake. They linger for a moment next to the trunk of a tree, where claw marks could be seen etched upon its surface.

"Told you so."

Venom extends a tendril and quietly lowers you just behind the figure, and you land on the ground noiselessly. Standing six feet tall, you pose menacingly as you wait for the figure to sense your presence, and for a confrontation to begin.

The figure stiffens up, finally aware that they were not alone. In one swift motion, they draw a sword from seemingly out of nowhere and whip around, pointing it straight at your heart.

The two of you stare at each other, at a loss for words.

It was a woman. A young, dark-haired girl with pigtails, a pale white face, and an emotionless expression. There was something about her cold, expressionless stare that felt almost deadly, and this was something that you strangely admired, odd as though it was in the moment.

On her part, she didn't know what she was looking at. Of course, she had an idea of what to expect, but it was certainly not this. A hulking, black figure with rows of sharp, white teeth, with two blank sclerae for eyes staring curiously into her own. And though the sight of you would send just about anybody else screaming and running in the other direction, there was something about you that was oddly mesmerizing for her. Something intriguing.

She lowers her sword, letting it fall to her side as she looks you up and down, as though sizing up her opponent.

"... What are you?"

Venom smiles, opening up half of its face to reveal your own, causing the young girl's eyes to widen in shock.

"We are Venom." You say in unison, just as Venom starts to retreat back into your body, leaving you rather exposed.

The young girl continues staring.

"You're human."

You grin. "Well... mostly."

You didn't know what to do. Instinct was pulling at your every nerve, telling you that this woman was dangerous and that fleeing was the best option at the moment. But... you couldn't.

"Who are you?" You ask. "Where am I? What is this place?"

Her gaze turns cold.

"I think that I have the liberty of asking the questions first. You just committed a murder, and that blood on your hands gives you no right to be asking questions just yet. So I will ask you again. What are you?"

You sigh. Though it was in your very power to leave, you decided that it would be best to make fewer enemies and more friends, dare you say the word. And to do that you would need to cooperate.

"I am Y/N L/N. I am a human. And I have this parasite—"

"PARASITE?!"

"—sorry, I meant symbiote. I have this symbiote that lives inside my body, and he gives me all these powers that I have. I'd be dead without him."

"Damn right!"

The woman merely stares at you coldly, her eyes narrowing into sharp slits "Where did the two of you come from?"

You shrug. "Not here. We think... We think we may be from another universe, and that we somehow managed to wind up in this one. Don't ask me how, I'm just as lost as you are."

The young girl's gaze turns even colder, if that was even possible.

"Parallel realities, you say?"

You couldn't tell whether she believed you or not.

Taking the opportunity to speak up, you clear your throat and step forward.

"I didn't quite catch your name there, Miss...?"

She glares daggers at you.

"Wednesday. Wednesday Addams. And we're not done yet, Y/N. I still have some questions."

"Fire away." You sigh wearily.

"Why did you murder that man?" She shoots, her eyes glaring at you with full intensity by now.

You sigh.

"We had to. He was gonna shoot if we didn't stop him." You smile sadly. "It's... kind of what we do. Back home, we're the Lethal Protector."

"The what?"

At her words, Venom pops out his head next to yours, causing Wednesday to back away a few paces.

"The Lethal Protector! Protect the innocent! Crush the wicked!"

Wednesday stares at the grinning, toothy head suspended in midair next to you, before turning her gaze back to you.

"There are cops looking for you. They will find you if you're not careful."

Wait, was she letting you go?

"You're letting us go? Just like that?" You ask, hardly daring to believe it.

Wednesday nods.

"I see no reason to doubt your integrity as of yet, seeing as how you've demonstrated that your intentions are, for lack of better wording, not bad." She looks you up and down. "Take care out there."

She turns to leave, leaving you just as befuddled as you were when she came.

"Wait!"

You call out, causing her to spin in place at the sound of your voice.

"What?" She asks, sounding a bit annoyed.

You can feel your heart pounding in your chest. "Will I get to see you again?"

Wednesday ponders this for a moment.

"Don't count on it." She turns, walking in the other direction.

Venom engulfs you once again as she leaves, and you scale a nearby tree as you begin to make your way deeper into the woods.

"You like her."

Your symbiote purrs in your ear, it's tone sounding both accusatory and amused.

"Shut up. We just met. And besides, she was only trying to help." You retort, feeling your cheeks heat up.

"Well... I like her!"

Venom declares triumphantly, but your mind is preoccupied with other matters.

You really hope that you would see her again.

[listenheresweaty]

Reminder that Stirringjuice/Ven themself has said that TMC is not fetish content. Kister’s works are NOT an extension of what was described in the allegations document. If you don’t want to consume TMC content anymore, fine (best you don’t— not in a way that gives Kister money anyway), but don’t spread misinformation.

EDIT: after rereading Ven’s callout document and finally being able to access ALL the screenshots he attached, I have decided that I will no longer support him. I will not go back to supporting Alex Kister yet, but I cannot support a blatant ableist transphobe either. link to annotation doc: (not mine) https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vReErDatnpQ_h3W-WlqrmzmPN26-UyDwLVwBKmHV09WhVZtdZQM44HRxvoV0ZTz8Ho-NaBVKYxjNuha/pub

Things I will be addressing:

Why I do not support Ven (separate from other victims)

Stuff that Alex Kister DID do wrong, even if the allegations were exaggerated/faked/done out of malice

The allegations and victims themselves.

WHY I DONT SUPPORT VEN

First of all, this ⬇️ (scroll down its below the blue highlighted ss. Formatting issues sorry.). This is a ss of Ven’s (now deleted, now archived post) response to how many people are calling him transphobic for his transmisogynistic comments in his document, and how he had basically outed Alex. Instead of saying something like “it wasn’t transphobic — I had to out Alex— it was necessary for the victims/proof/whatever”, Ven just says that if Alex didn’t want to be outed or subjected to transphobia, he shouldn’t have been a “groomer” (Ven later says that he had misused the word “groomer”. Everyone that Alex had interacted with in a sexual or romantic manner had been an adult, and had fully explicitly VERBALLY consented.)

However. Even if your opponent is a bad person, you do NOT have the right to be transphobic. EVER. criticize them on whatever they’ve done wrong, hold them accountable in a balanced and civilized manner— etc. Being protected from bigotry/ not getting misgendered, privacy, legal counsel— these are all examples of RIGHTS.

When you start denying something based on whether someone deserves it or not, that “something” has become a privilege. By stating that his transphobia was excused because Alex is a supposedly bad person, Ven has stated that not being subjected to transphobia is a privilege. here’s the link: (takes forever to load the keep reading portion but it works for me) https://web.archive.org/web/20240317125855/https://www.tumblr.com/stirringjuicee/745117180204548096/alex-kister-and-actively-using-being-trans-to-lure

Screenshot of the post below, along with something from the callout doc (annotated by a tumblr user. The non-highlighted color text is the annotated bit.

—— ss from ven response (click. It IS An image it just looks like text)

—- now onto some more details.

Ven, or StirringJuice, made the first allegations document against Alex Kister. He had stated himself that he does not consider himself a victim, just a friend of the victims who wanted to spread the word. Ven starts the document off by describing his past relationship with Alex Kister. He also includes screenshots of text messages from Alex— which often contradict or have no relation with what he’s saying. This is why it’s important to look at the screenshots, guys! Most of the toxicity in Ven’s relationship with Alex stemmed from Ven’s refusal to honestly his boundaries or feelings. He told Alex that he was comfortable with the sexual comments, he told Alex that he was comfortable being just Friends with Benefits, and he told Alex that they were welcome to vent to him any time <- all of this is corroborated by the text screenshots that Ven himself posted.

In Ven’s text messages, we can see him suggesting that Alex gets a therapist. Great! Nothing wrong there. And then you actually look at the ss:

(Ven is the blue. These ss are linked in the callout document.)

First of all. You cannot force ANYONE to get mental help, regardless of whether you think it’s for their own well-being. If their behavior is harming you, leave. But even the worst people on earth deserve autonomy for these kinds of things. Ven literally states that he had FORCED Alex to get a therapist, and you can see him admit it in the messages above as well.

after these ss links (labeled part 9 in the doc), Ven hits us with this absolute banger:

“[Alex] then decided to go off his meds.”

Someone had already said this, but: YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY THAT TO OR ABOUT A MENTALLY ILL PERSON. EVER. REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, OR WHO THEY ARE. it’s an insult to every mental health community.

^ also, Alex gives a pretty good reason for going off his medication. Not that they needed to.

^highlighted text is Ven’s callout post. Purple text is a fellow tumblr user’s annotations. They have a whole post with these annotations. I’ll credit them when I’m done writing out my post. [clarification: the annotator uses “she/her” pronouns for Alex, Ven uses he/him. I use they/them because Alex was never publicly OUT as she/her before they were outed, so I’m not sure what to do]

Also: please go on the callout doc and see the “pt. 11” screenshots yourself. There’s a lot of them and I don’t want to add them here, but please go see them.

^Ven hears that Alex wants to start a new chapter with them (yknow, like redeem the toxic relationship they’ve had) and immediately assumes it’s in the romantic sense.

^Alex admits that they are not ready for a committed relationship, a good first step for smoothing over any toxicity.

^nothing else to add. Annotator did great.

^ text ss as listed under the “pt. 14” link

These are 3 out of 10 ss under the Pt. 15 link. Look at the text indicated to with the red arrow (drawn by me). Ven literally tells Alex that they “don’t understand anything ever.” They also tell Alex in a later ss (plz find it yourselves because I’m not posting all 10 photos) that they “don’t understand [their] own emotions.”

Maybe Alex was making an unhealthy decision by continuing to reach out to someone they clearly had an unhealthy relationship with. But these responses are borderline abusive, especially when aimed at someone who suffers from paranoia.

A huge chunk of the entire callout doc is Ven venting about his relationship with Alex. This relationship is not abusive, it is toxic on both sides. The fact that Ven put this much focus on these barely relevant details— even when the topic was the victims, not Ven himself— suggests that he did this out of petty vindictiveness. If the allegations are true, the victims deserved a BETTER PERSON and a BETTER FRIEND to share their story. Not someone who did it purely because it was en excuse to get revenge. If it wasn’t revenge, why add all these details?? (funny thing— the whole doc. Would be more believable if Ven hadn’t added all this stuff. He destroyed his credibility before even getting to the allegations).

the one below has more transphobia and general assholery than ableism.

^apparently once you are out of the closet, you are not allowed to go back or feel ashamed. Else you are lying and manipulative. Thanks, Ven.

I am done posting screenshots from the annotation document. Please, PLEASE read it in full. I will tag it in the comments. There are so so so many good points.

STUFF THAT ALEX HAS DEFINITELY DONE WRONG, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE OR FALSE:

(Orange text is annotator, black is original doc).

Venting to/ Relying on a minor fan for mental health support (I think it was Mitchie). That’s not good.

making allusions to suicide during their relationship with Ven. Joke or not, that’s unhealthy.

ALLEGATIONS/VICTIMS:

wont say much here because I’m getting tired. some people on Reddit have been pointing out that some discord ss (not the ones I’ve shown you, those were imessage ss) look faked because there is use of military time, which is not an option on discord apparently. Other screenshots seem to use different fonts as well, further indicating forged evidence. I have fact-checked none of this and can’t verify it (not that you should be relying on my word alone, anyway).

I do not support Mitchie, since they’ve been telling people to self-harm and/or commit suicide when they point out flaws in the callout doc. I don’t care what you’ve been through. There is no excuse for that.

As for the other victims.. I find their statements fishy. However, I will not disbelieve them until more has been cleared up.

[teaandfics]

“Empty creature from Ventus riven / To you the name Vanitas shall be given.”

Vanitas- it is derived from the Latin word of the same spelling and it means “vanity” and “futility”.

His name may have a meaning, but it holds little weight in the grand scheme of things. It has never really mattered to him. Not in any significant sense. It’s just another title, another leash, another thing. He couldn’t care less what it means.

In the end, the name would fade away alongside him. The return to nothing. That’s all he is, right? The absence of something.

No, that’s not right either. He is made of darkness, and that is something. Yet correlation does not beget causation, or however the saying goes. Just because he is physically something does not mean he is anything truly tangible.

Does something truly exist if it is borrowing its own being? If it’s borrowing a face, wearing a false name, breathing stolen air, using borrowed time, wearing false skin, living a stolen existence?

No, it doesn’t. It’s just as fake and empty as any other facade or mirage or what have you.

Perhaps his name is fitting.

Vain- he is vain. Why shouldn’t he be? He’s just as strong as the real people, and he’s a mere hoax. Either they’re pathetic or he’s great. Maybe both.

Futile- his existence is futile. It will start and end exactly as he knows it- with nothing. He was born from nothing- nothing original and his own, at least- and he will return there.

But really, it’s just as said before. It doesn’t really matter. Not in any significant sense. It’s just another title, another leash, another thing. He couldn’t care less what it means.

In the end, its meaning will be as empty as his existence. Vanitas will have a new meaning as the title’s, the leash’s, the thing’s owner evolves into something beyond its base definition.

Vanitas will mean empty, derived from the origin of the only being cursed with its monicker.

****

I don’t know if that was good, but let’s hope it made sense. I do have a few things I ought to explain (I guess).

First, to be entirely fair Vanitas traditionally refers to “a still-life painting of a 17th-century Dutch genre containing symbols of death or change as a reminder of their inevitability”. But considering the characters of BBS have Latin names, it felt more fitting to stick with that side of things.

Two, I’d like to personally thank The Buttress for creating “Brutus”. That song inspired this piece and I used the lyrics (though I took liberties obviously).

And three, a lot of this is another interpretation of Vanitas’ character file. Just pre-his defeat in KH3. I find his shift from BBS to KH3 so interesting, because he evolves past his pride (to an extent) and realizes he can’t just take over Ven anymore. He will meet his end either way. I also find it morbidly interesting how he just sort of accept and even seeks it.

All that to say that that’s why there’s some self-deprecative slights in there along side a few boasts. He wants things to end without really dwelling on why he’s so ready or if he even is ready. He’s just so used to things happening to him that it’s almost like learned helplessness. He can’t change it so he accepts it.

Mind you, I am biased because I love the light novels and their canon is questionable. Even so, I hope it’s at least understandable now.

[meltedbluecaterpillar]

Olfactophilia

ST☆RISH - HE★VENS

TW FOR SEMI SUGGESTIVE CONTENT! These are my personal headcanons on what I think the idols would wear. You do not have to agree with me. I just dislike how Broccoli always gives their character merch scents like; apple or lavender. They are adult men in an entertainment industry. They usually get promotional items so I think that they have preferences... But I also have a thing for exploring the world around me with my nose first. I hope you enjoy.

Quick explanation; top notes, middle notes, and base notes are the length of how long the scent will last when applied. Top notes; 5 - 15 minutes / Middle notes; 1 hour / Base notes; Max of 6 hours

Reiji Kotobuki

Le Beau Paradise Garden by Jean Paul Gaultier Masculine Cologne Around 130 USD // 20,094 Yen

So I picked this mostly based on my perception of Reiji. I think he is so wonderful and silly. And the design of the bottle reminds me of him in a way that I cannot explain. His canon scent/associated smell from what I have seen is usually… Grass? Earth and forest smell. Which is fine. But I think he needs something… Cuter? Reiji is a big clown character so I think that something akin to lawn clippings isn’t as fun and whimsical as he is. So I chose this! The top notes are ginger, mint, water notes (these are molecules combined to mimic the ‘scent’ of clean freshwater!) and green notes(grass usually)! This is to create a very fresh smell when it’s first applied. The middle notes are coconut, fig, and salt. I really like this for Reiji because it’s masculine but also it feels almost… Like a mature beach trip. If that makes sense. In a fun way! Lastly the base notes are tonka beans and sandalwood so it all fades down to this which is very warm. Please imagine visiting the lake after a drive with him and spending the whole day together until night time!~! That kind of scent.

Reiji is always looking for ways to get you closer…

Ranmaru Kurosaki

Eros Flame by Versace Masculine Cologne Around 115 USD // 17,219 Yen

Ranmaru usually has something ‘spicy’ or amber for his scent which actually makes sense to me. But again usually when they say spicy it’s cinnamon and only cinnamon… Which reminds me more of Xmas than it reminds me of a sexy man. So I picked Eros Flame by Versace because I actually have smelled this cologne in person. A long time ago I smelled it and it wasn’t for me personally. But I can’t deny it smelled good. The top notes are mandarin orange, Madagascar pepper (spicy!), chinotto(sour and tart fruit that is similar to an orange), rosemary, and lemon. So it’s very citrusy on top and the scent is almost like… Potpourri? So it's a nice bowl of fruit when he comes in to hug you. The middle notes are geranium, pepperwood, and rose so it’s very floral and gently mixing in with the lingering fruit scent! Which can be a little intense but the bite of the spice smell remains. The base notes are vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood, Texas cedar, patchouli, and oakmoss! Very calm and earthy smells with that hidden sweetness. I think it fits Ranmaru very well because he is very passionate, but there’s also a softness there!

Ranmaru wants to make sure you know that he likes you…

Ai Mikaze

MISSING PERSON by PHLUR Unisex Cologne Around 99 USD // 15,047 Yen

My original choice for Ai was Molecule 01 but I changed my mind. I like this much better. So my original choice was me viewing Ai Mikaze as physically what he is and not who he is which was very hurtful of me! MISSING PERSON is supposed to replicate the lingering scent of your lovers bare skin. It is intimate, but nonsexual. If I recall, Ai usually gets floral scents which actually does make sense for me. I just am not the biggest fan of the constant usage of lavender when it comes to idol merchandise. Ai is still a 'child' so... I will allow it. The top notes are bergamot (if an orange and a lemon had a baby that would be the smell), jasmine, and musk (powdery, sweet, feminine!). Imagine the person you love finally dry after a long and relaxing shower. The top notes are meant to imitate that, which I very much agree with... The middle notes are orange blossom, cyclamen, and neroli. These are all floral smells and as the top notes fade it's a lingering and pleasant smell that will leave you at ease. Finally, the base notes are white musk (more masculine!), white wood, and Australian sandalwood. As everything winds down you are left with a softness in the cologne that I really like for Ai. He is not just a machine made to replicate who once was. He is 愛!~!

As Ai grows and learns, you can see that he really is his own person...

Camus

The Omniscient Mr. Thompson by Penhaligon's Masculine Cologne Around 315 USD // 47, 747 Yen

This was also not my first choice but my first choice was so basic I forgot the name. This cologne is insanely expensive because the bottle is only 75ml for the price. Which isn't a lot but it is very strong... It is butler inspired, which Camus plays that role while on stage but also even outside of that the scent reminds me of him. In a good way! The top notes are lavender, pink pepper, and elemi (a type of amber with a pine smell!). It comes off as sweet and masculine. The scent tends to linger which it's like... "You will see me" if that makes sense. The middle notes are orris root (powdery earth smell), black pepper, and geranium. The pepper is back! But pink pepper and black pepper are different when it comes to colognes and perfumes. Pink pepper is more for a sweeter spice smell. Imagine a finely aged whiskey while black pepper is a biting spice meant to give you the feeling of intensity. So the middle notes are much warmer and mature than the top ones. Finally our base notes are vanilla, sesame, and oak! When it all fades down to the base as a whole... It's impossible to explain other than elegant. It is very strong scent wise but it fades quickly. So even before entering a room the smell is going to attract you. I am actually a very big fan of this one. I love almost every fragrance from this collection...

Camus knows that the smell will cling to your clothes when he's finished with you...

[yawarakaizai]

pmzai with an equally miserable s/o fem reader

ⵌ IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT

SENDER Reader (Fem) RECIPITENT PM Dazai Osamu (BSD) CONTENTS You sit and stare and wait for him to return to you. You've been bad and you've been good. There's nothing and no one that gives you purpose like he. NOTE reader+dazai are 17/18, implications of s/h, slight misogyny, death of parent, it's kind of angsty.. , soft couple, miserable couple, sui/cide mention+ideation COMPANY I'm Not Human At All

A/N ʚ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ɞ th is wa s har d to make b ecause i h ad sOOO OO m any ide as an d my playli st wa s feelin g good an d kept pla y ing song s th at g ave me diff fic ide as ;; th is is sad ,,, i do nt like sa d fics bu t ,,, this is kin d of a ven t? hehe FEE L FREE TO REQ UEST MOR E!

Your tender heart would care for an injured bunny rescued from a bear trap.

You'd nurse the animal as best you could yet it would always die.

Your father was a hunter. He earned your living costs by selling animal hide and what meat he'd have spare after covering what you'll need. Your mother died when you were a little girl.

You were as sweet as your mother.

Your father would tell stories of how She would gaze out on the winter sky and say to Herself, "My daughter will be as snow. Gentle and graceful, yet freezing to those who demand more of what perfect she is already."

When your Mother died, they put Her in a box full of pink carnations and orchids. Surely to counteract the smell of Her decaying corpse, to display Her flesh as something beautiful before her descent under soil to where Her bones will return and fertilise what surrounds.

Rural life in Japan was not for the weak. Which you were.

You picked up what your Mother left behind.

Tending to the chickens in their coops and shearing the sheep, you'd milk the cows and free the rabbits when Father wasn't looking.

Your hands plush with baby fat would clench around your rosary every night and pray like a good girl.

By the time you reached puberty, your features resembled your Mother more than ever before. Your figure changed and as did your father.

He'd sneer at the dress that fit you perfectly just two years ago. You'd become defiant and bold, a rebellious child.

" Father, but why? "

Your protests and argumentative nature would anger him. And now, you weren't a good girl.

Shouting battles always left you sobbing into thick pillows until your throat hurt.

It was at the age of fifteen did you find out what lies beneath your thin flesh and blue pulse.

You are made of bright crimson and spite.

At sixteen, you ran away.

It was impulsive. You forgot how and what happened. You don't want to remember.

Your calves ached and your feet blistered with pain from trudging up and down hills and farms.

You are a mixture of love and loss.

Everything is a blur, and sometimes you question whether running away was the wisest thing to do.

You had collapsed the moment you stepped foot into the city.

A sad, lost soul who ran away from her father.

You had been a..

" Very bad girl. "

The voice startled you enough for you to spill the batter all over your clean white apron.

" Osamu! " You cried out in disbelief, the boy laughing hysterically. " That isn't funny, knock it off. "

In a way, Dazai reminded you of those bunnies you'd rescue in your youth. He was caught and wounded by the claws of Life. And although you may cup his cheeks into your hands and tell him 'You're alive', he had already died before you were able to cradle him to your chest.

" I told you not to wake up early, Y/N! I should have known to not mention my fondness of crêpes to you. "

You felt untamed, wild hair brush against the bare of your neck before soft lips made contact with your jawline. A soft kiss pressing into what was cold. He was grateful to have you in his sad miserable life.

And even if you two were not perfect for each other, you'd both die to watch the world burn.

" I did it on my own accord. " You lied. " You did not. " He calls your bluff like air. You huff in surrender.

Setting down the metal bowl of paste, you turn to face him. You think of the horrors that his empty, black eye must have seen. His other eye, obscured by bandages, was a mystery to you. You respected him enough to not budge him about it.

" I wished to make you something special. "

You confess, certain he already knew your intention. Your boyfriend was simply smarter than many.

" I don't need anything. Coming home to you is enough, bella. '' His hand stretches to you like death.

Your eyes were not as bright as they were when you were little. They reflected the bad girl that you've become. The one that left her sickly impoverished father in treacherous conditions alone because her feelings were hurt.

" Belladonna. "

He'd pull you back into reality when he'd notice you slipping.

" 'samu. You've barely been coming home anymore, okay? Let me do this, just this once for you. " You snaked your arms around his waist and he mirrored your action, twirling you both out of the kitchen.

Dazai was inexplicable to you. He was a man your father wouldn't like. A man your Mother would hate. A man your younger self would despise.

You willingly moved into a shared apartment with the mafia executive after a few months of living in Yokohama. It was him to have picked you up from the streets. Sensing you were worth more than the muddied appearance you showed at that time.

Your one-time use turned into a second-time use, and your second-time use blossomed like a flower in Spring. You interested him.

You both intoxicated each other. Dazai was able to make you feel light. You felt weightless and as fragile as a butterfly. Weak, small and at his mercy.

" Then don't hide yourself away from the kitchen when I'm right here, love. "

By the time your spinning head focused on what was around you again, he had toppled you both onto the living room couch. He loomed over you, fully dressed in his mafia uniform, his stupid tie obscuring your vision until he tucked it between the buttons of his revere blouse.

" What would you do if I were to die? "

" Osamu. Stop that. "

You muttered.

You feel his life. The warmth of his body, the tender flow of blood heating his body as his finger traced patterns into your cheek. Your heart keeps beating.

" Answer me, Y/N. "

You didn't enjoy thinking of your partners demise. You wouldn't mind if you were to die.

The problem was, you didn't want to be alive for your boyfriends funeral, yet you didn't wish for your boyfriend to be alive for yours.

You loved each other to the point it became hate. Hate for how the other made living seem worth it.

Dazai had an eventful life. You did not.

You had no education whatsoever. According to the government, you did not exist. You had no birth certificate. You were no one. You lived hidden in this cramped apartment.

When Dazai was away, it was only you and your thoughts. Your thoughts were a dangerous thing.

" I think I would kill myself too. "

Your voice caught up on an unexpected crack. You were puzzled until your vision became glassy.

" Pretty baby. I'm sorry. " His apology was belated as you'd already begun to sniffle, he lowered his weight on you, turning to lay on his side as he pulled you in close, coaxing you into silence.

" Don't die, 'samu. Not here, not now. " Your sad little beg mused him.

Dazai was all you had left. You were most certain that if you were to part, you would die.

With Dazai, you were still inadequate. Without Dazai, you truly were nothing but a walking corpse.

He thinks that you are something weak and soft, with a fire raging in you that cried to be extinguished before it could spread.

You hush yourself to enjoy the feeling surrounding you. You feel Dazai's ribcage rise with each steady breath he takes. The beating of a heart is somewhere far deep in, and yours is jumping in your throat.

" Not now. " He repeated after you, and part of you wished to believe it.

There was something mystical about Osamu.

Something that warned you to not feed coal to the flame.

And that if you reached your hand in, you'd burn yourself on what was forbidden.

©yawarakaizai 2023 ﹒﹒ reblogs appreciated! requests open :3

[rosie-kairi]

*Crashes through window* I come bearing more au ideas. This is simply Organization Skuld.

Pick any inconsequential member and replace them with Skuld. Can you imagine the phantom trauma of her Marluxia and Larexene in a room together? Especially alone with Marluxia? Something feels both right and yet so painful like a physical wound weighing them down. And Skuld (I can't think of a good scrambled x name) being around Roxas it makes her tense going on solo missions with him is so hard. It feels so familiar but it hurts so bad.

Plus we would officially know where are all the union leaders are.

Can you imagine the possible reunion between her Lauriam and Ven when they regain their memories? And marveling at home big he got but he's still so small and so much younger? The more things change the more they stay the same.

Similar to the last ask when Skuld looks at Xion or Zexion or repliku she's reminded of different people and it's like she's drowning.

CoM goes a lot differently because it's all three of them plotting to overthrow the organization. And I think with Skuld Marluxia and Larexene might survive the castle and manage to get away. The three going rouge and meeting up with Sora and Co in a year.

But imagine Skuld is cold, harsh, bloodthirsty, cowardly nothing like the kind patient fearless union leader in the past.

Also anytime she is around Xigbar she wants to clock him. No idea why but she has the intense urge to remove his head from his shoulders.

But are you seeing my vision? Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Are hearing what I'm saying?

God the vibes in that organization would be acidic, even more than usual. Any room with Skuld and Xigbar in it concurrently is not a room you want to spend much time in. Which makes meetings very. Interesting.

The reformed vibes would be off the charts as well. Lauriam and Skuld staring at each other from across the room trying to connect each other's nobodies to the people they used to know. Ventus standing in the middle like "somebody please help me"

[crimsonwolfheadcanonsandsnippets]

You Can’t Expect Them To Always Pay Attention

(Prompt 2: Books. An AU where the Wayfinder Trio takes in the Destiny Trio when they’re young to train them to be Keyblade wielders. Day two of my writing challenge. This idea randomly popped into my head and suddenly I was in love with it. I may turn it into a series, but for now, just this little snippet that I hope the KH fans enjoy.)

Terra and Riku spar with their training keyblades, something that Terra made for the kids after they started training. Riku takes a risky gamble and it almost works, but Terra dodges just in the knick of time. He swipes Riku’s Keyblade out of his hand and slings Riku over his shoulder.

“Terra!” Riku fumes, trying to land a hit on Terra that will make him let Riku go.

Terra puts Riku down on his feet, then kneels down.

“You are going to make a great Keyblade Master one day, Riku,” Terra says with a smile.

Riku’s face lights up like a christmas tree, so Terra ruffles his hair.

“We should get to studying though. Physical strength isn’t the only thing that we need to be good at.”

“Today’s studying is about the Worlds, right?” Riku asks.

Terra nods, “I can help you with it if you find yourself struggling with something.”

Terra strands up straight and the two walk to Riku’s room to study. It only takes several minutes before something distracts them.

“Sora, come back here!” Aqua shouts.

Terra sees Sora running past, shortly followed by Aqua. Terra smiles, then turns his attention back to Riku, who’s also looking out the door.

“Focus on your reading,” Terra says gently.

Riku picks up the book again, but he doesn’t look happy.

“Why does Sora get to run around all of the time?” Riku asks.

“Because Aqua has a hard time keeping up with him, sometimes,” Terra answers. “Ven struggles with Kairi for other reasons.”

Ven’s been working on origami to give to Terra and Aqua while Kairi’s been doing her homework. He’s not been very successful, but he’s also been using it as a patience lesson for Kairi, which has been good. Even though he’s been having to remind himself of the lesson lately. Kairi’s been staring out of the window for the better part of thirty minutes. Ven’s been trying to give her some grace and only remind her occasionally that she has to get back to work, but she’s been ignoring him. Finally, he sighs and looks up.

“Come on, Kairi. I need you to focus on your studies,” Ven says.

Kairi’s staring out the window, watching Sora being chased by a very angry Aqua.

“You know what I want?” Kairi asks.

“To play outside?” Ven answers unsurely.

“I want to be able to go home someday. The place where my grandma lives,” Kairi answers, sighing.

“I know you have big dreams, but this stuff is important.”

Kairi turns to Ven. “Did you have to learn all of this stuff before going?”

“Yes, I did. I didn’t really remember it when I actually did go out but I did know it. Me not remembering is a large reason that Terra and Aqua had to save me.”

Kairi starts pouting, but she comes over to sit in her chair and picks her book back up.

“Thank you,” Ven says. “Now, do you want help?”

“Maybe once I’m done with the reading part.”

Aqua scoops Sora up and he starts laughing. All of the anger she had a moment ago melts away as she dangles him by his ankle, which only makes him laugh harder. She holds him properly for a moment, then puts him down on his feet with a hold of his hand.

“It’s time for studying,” Aqua says. “I know that you struggle with reading, so I’ll do the actual reading parts. Once you’re done, we can come out here and play. Does that sound like a fair deal?”

He nods, so they head on their way back to his room for studying. It takes a little longer since he keeps trying to escape once he learns that Kairi and Riku are outside, but they finally manage to get it done. Aqua lets him run and she walks to the training yard. Terra and Ven are already out there, sitting in the grass and talking. Aqua sits down beside them and Terra gives her a smile.

“Your terrorist actually finish his work for the day?”

Aqua nods, “Finally. It took forever and I’m exhausted from training and then having to run after him.”

“Maybe we should switch for a couple days,” Ven offers. “Make it a fun exercise for them.”

Terra shrugs, “Sounds like something that I would be up for.”

“Okay, maybe we can start that tomorrow,” Aqua says, “For now, let’s just enjoy them being able to act like kids.”

[lanternlightss]

hellooo my mutual. ur tags reminded me i had a bard in ven lap i never showed you(i think) here u go <2

helllooo my wonderful mutual !!! points at this so LOUDLY ?? oh my goodness !!!!!!!!!?!(

the way venti’s expression is just so so content, he is so happy to be right where he is,,, and the hands on bard’s !!! waist !!! holding him as close as possible, bard’s fond fond smile, that’s his silly wisp 🥺 and how he has a hand ruffling venti’s wing… ohhh this is just . So gentle and soft and Tender, how they curl around the other !!!!!!! envelop completely !!! cuddle and holding session today everyone very important. we can’t miss it, so sorry

[simplydannie]

Previous “The Meeting”

Based on @zephyrmars ask here!

Upon looking for his family, Floyd finds himself in the most unlikely places…and at the hands of two teens he didn’t know were set to change his life forever.

“Gone…. They’re gone…” Floyd stood at the center of the Troll tree… It now lay empty, not a single soul in sight… the Trolls were gone, all gone. Floyd fell to his knees. Did they all get eaten? Did they escape? His heart sank.

Branch… little Branch.

“I just left him… I thought… I didnt….” His colors began to fade. He looked around, he peeked inside the tiny homes…Everything was still here, nothing was taken, nothing was broken… they saw the opportunity and ran for it, they had too. Hopping down to the base of the tree he saw holes, giant ones. It seems in their attempt to retrieve them, the Bergens dug, and dug. Yes, they did escape.

“They have to be alive… I have to find where they went.” He said to himself. Getting up he ran out of the Troll tree before any Bergens saw.

For nearly 20 years he had roamed in isolation looking for his family, for any sight of Pop Trolls.. Floyds colors were completely gone, wasted, not a single dose of happiness left in him. He sat on top of a tree branch curled into a ball…the way he spent most nights…If 20 years of searching led him nowhere, then he was completely hopeless. Tears began filling his eyes like they did every night. That’s when heard the voice. Peeping down below he saw hooded figures, giant hooded figures…he’d never really seen anything like them before. They weren’t Bergens, their features were almost doll-like…

“You find any?”

“Nope. Seems like we’re all dry on this end.”

“Dammit. We’ll search another location tomorrow. These Trolls only have so much to where they can hide now.”

Floyd’s ears had perked up at the mention of Trolls. He had grown desperate by now, any mention of them was a hopeful one since all the villages he had run into didn’t have his family….Maybe, just maybe…

In the blink of an eye, Floyd flung himself from the top of the tree into their vehicle below. He hid from view of these giant creatures.

“Please, please, take me to my family.” He whispered to himself as the vehicle began to move…

That’s how he found his way in Under Rageous, that’s how he found himself trapped by two greened haired teens. Floyd had no idea where he was being carried too. All he could hear were the voices of the two figures…

“He doesn’t look so good Vels.”

“Doesn’t matter. A Troll is a Troll and a Troll means bitz.” He heard the female voice say.

Floyd stretched out his tiny arms to reach for the cloth that covered the trap he was in, but not luck… he pulled the tiny bars surrounding him, banging them hoping they’d budge, nothing, he was trapped…

“Are you sure about this?” He heard the male voice speak again.

“Stop it Ven. We’re doing this. Stay here.” Floyd heard her footsteps fade away. The Troll was curled into a corner when the cover was lifted. His eyes adjusted to the dim lights. Floyd was able to get a good look at the kid this time: stringy green hair under a purple beanie, pale, pale porcelain like skin. A doll like face, but covered in scars, a tired look in his giant eyes…He looked at Floyd with a sad expression…There were no words between them for a moment, just silence as they looked at each other.

“I’ve never met a REAL Troll.” The boy said. Floyd remained silent. “Why are you gray? They said Trolls have the prettiest colors, but you don’t have any.” A look of concern crossed his face. “Are you sick? Do Trolls get sick?……Do Trolls even talk? Do you even understand me?” He blabbed. Floyd couldn’t help but let a small smile cross his face….in some form or another, his curiosity reminded him of Branch.

“I understand you.” Floyd responded.

“Oh thank God! I thought I was talking to my own for a minute there.” The boy had moved himself into a corner far from view. “What’s your name?”

“…..Floyd. What’s yours?”

“Veneer! And the girl you saw with me is my sister, Velvet. She’s moody, but she’s nice enough.”

Silence passed between them again when Veneer finally asked, “Why are you all gray?”

“I….” It took a moment for the Troll to respond, to find the right words… “I just lost my colors…”

“You can do that?”

“When a Troll looses all sense of hope and happiness…Yes, it happens.” Floyd curled himself into tighter ball.

“Why are you not happy?”

“My family…I can’t find them.” The Troll buried his face into his knees. Veneer’s heart sank…He had a family. Trolls. They all had families. And here were Under Rageons taking them and selling them for their own personal gain. He glanced around, he was far from eyes, far from view. Opening his trap, Veneer reached inside and gently scooped the Troll up in his hands and placed him in the pockets of his red vest.

“What are you-“

“Shhh.” Veneer hushed him. He tore apart a section of the trap, making it seem as if the Troll had escaped. Veneer draped the cloth back over it. “Stay quiet.”

Within moments his sister appeared with a male Rageon beside her, a few years older than they were. “There it is.” She pointed to the trap Veneer still held in his hands.

“Nice one, Ven. Seems you have slowly proven yourself to our group.” The male Rageon responded. Veneer swallowed the lump that was in his throat, trying his best to hide the fear behind a smile. “Give it here.”

Hesitantly, Veneer reached over and gave the trap to the Rageon, “Those bitz are all ours! You know how much money this little Troll is going to- What the hell!” Upon uncovering the trap, he saw that it was empty, the little metal bars broken and bent, “Where is it! What the heck happened!”

“VEN?” Velvet glanced at him wide-eyed.

“He was there. He was there I swear! We…we both saw it.” Veneer replied.

“WELL IT’S NOT HERE NOW IS IT!” The male Rageon tossed the trap straight into Veneer’s face causing him to stagger back, his body began trembling in fear.

“It escaped. We’ll go find another one.” Velvet tried to intervene.

“DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO CATCH ONE ROAMING AROUND IN UNDER RAGEOUS! THEY’RE DAMN GONE AROUND OUTSIDE TOO! THIS WAS OUR CHANCE! YOUR STUPID BROTHER RUINED IT WITH HIS STUPID TRAP!” He shoved Velvet out of the way and made his way to Veneer, grasping him by the collar of his shirt. “YOU SAID TO TRUST YOU! THAT YOUR TRAP WOULD WORK! AND WE DID! YOU FREAKING IDIOT!”

SMACK.

He hit Veneer clear across the face.

SMACK.

He hit him again.

SMACK.

And again.

“Stop it!” Velvet jumped in just as he was about to hit another blow, hitting her instead. She held her face and winced at the pain it left her.

“Your brother has caused us enough trouble, he has lost us enough bitz. We’re done. You’re no longer part of this group. You work and fend for yourselves now! One thousand bitz! That’s how much you need to pay us back. If you don’t, we will find you.” With his boot he kicked dirt in both their faces. Veneer spat out blood as he felt a loose tooth somewhere inside.

“Vels! Vels are you okay?” He went over to his sister, checking her face.

“Me? You’re the one he let hell on!” She grabbed his face looking at him up and down. “God, it’s going to swell. We better get home and ice it now.” She grabbed his hand and began to walk away.

“Um, Vels…” Veneer attempted to speak as she dragged him down the streets of Under Rageous. They passed by various Rageons and Bergens alike. They scoffed and laughed as they saw his condition.

“Mind your business! Giant apes.” Velvet yelled.

“Vels…I have something I need to tell you…”

“Not now Ven. I just want to get home.”

“Vels you have to listen, and you can’t get mad….”

She stopped, she turned and looked at him, “Mad at what?”

Veneer pulled her into a dark, empty alleyway. He pulled her behind dumpsters away from any eyes, “Please, don’t get mad.”

“What the hell Ven, spit it out!”

He reached into his pocket in hopes he was still there…He was. Veneer wrapped his hand gently around Floyd, bringing him out he showed him to Velvet. Her mouth dropped. Her eyes moved rapidly between the Troll and her brother.

“You….YOU LIED!” She yelled.

“I had too. It didn’t feel right. He doesn’t look good. Just look at him Vels. And he has a family!”

“BITZ VENEER! WE LOST ON BITZ!”

“You know we would only see not even half of what we would’ve gotten for him. You know that!”

“WE OWE THEM BITZ NOW BECAUSE OF THIS VENEER!”

“Don’t worry about that…I have some saved up. Vel’s we need to make sure he get’s out of here. What if his family is here? We could help him find them?”

Floyd looked back and forth at the arguing siblings. They reminded him a lot of his own…He looked at Veneer. His face was bruised, his mouth bleeding, all because he wanted to save him. Protect him..

“Can I say something?” Floyd called up to them. Both Rageons glanced down at him, “Thank you. You, you didn’t have to do that.”

Veneer smiled, while Velvet scowled.

“Why do you always have to be like this Veneer?” She said.

“I can’t help it…He needs his family.”

Floyd smiled, but a sudden wave of nausea hit him. He fainted at the palm of Veneer’s hand. All he remembered hearing was the sound of the Rageon boy screaming his name.

The smell of warm food is what awoke Floyd. He opened his tiny eyes and found himself wrapped in a small cloth, a sock was made into a pillow for him. He find himself in a small home that reminded him a little bit of the single roomed Troll homes. Floyd heard bickering. He turned towards the small kitchen and saw both twins hovering over the stove.

“Garlic powder. Mom said garlic is good for the immune system.” Velvet said.

“Wasn’t it onion?”

“No garlic.”

“I swear it was onion.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s garlic Veneer!”

“…..it’s onion….”

Velvet threw a wooden spoon hitting the top of his head. Floyd found himself smiling a lot this day…something about these two just clicked with him. Perhaps it was just the feeling of being surrounded by a family like this for the first time in a long while, a family that reminded him of his own. He looked around and saw there was not sign of their parents or anyone else. Were they on their own? This young? He’d guess they were only about sixteen, maybe even fifteen.

The twins turned around to see he had woken up, “Oh you’re awake!” Veneer beamed.

“…Joy…” Velvet rolled her eyes and went to sit on a small couch they had. Veneer had found the smallest bowl and spoon they had.

“..Yeah that’s still kind of big.” He said placing the bowl in front of Floyd.

“It’s fine. Trolls can have a big appetite. It smells good.”

“Our mom would make this when we were sick, and you looked kind of sick. OH! Vels agreed you could stay as long as you needed too.”

“Don’t make me change my mind.” The girl had laid herself on the couch and closed her eyes.

Floyd smiled, “Thank you. I think this is the most rest I’ve had in the longest time.” He began taking sips of the soup when he saw Veneer eyeing him curiously. “What?”

“I don’t know if it’s just me, maybe it’s the lighting? But…You’re not looking as gray as you did when I first saw you. Is your color coming back?”