#This is where they just announce a season 2 right? RIGHT? (cries)

[usagi-cri]

The movie got canceled. At least they told us but.... ;w;

[5sospenguinqueen]

Lullabies Pt 2 | Max Verstappen x Singer! Reader

Summary: Max left without letting you fully explain. Nearly a year later, he realises he made a mistake when he thinks you're moving on.

Warnings: Swearing. Angst but also fluff. Redemption arc.

Female reader with various faceclaims (pics found on pinterest). Takes place in 2021 with slightly altered timelines.

Main Masterlist

prev.

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Oct

YourUserName just posted

liked by pierregasly, kellypiquet and others

YourUserName a huge thank you to everyone who came to my album release concert! 🥀 a huge apology to anyone who missed out but after such a phenomenal crowd this evening, i'm pleased to announce the GUTS tour coming 2022!!

11,998 comments

User1 a tour!!! release the dates/countries now please and thank you

User2 mother treating us

User3 okay but when she SANG The Grudge with the tears rolling down her cheeks, poured her whole soul into that

→ User4 omg yes, you could legit feel the pain in your own chest

→ User5 no no no because what about the gasp through her sobbing at The Stranger

User6 nobody can tell me that Obsessed wasn't written as a kelly piquet pov

→ User7 haha literally because y/n has never said a bad word about this woman but she is all up in her business 

→ User8 and all up in her likes too from what i saw

User8 not my delusional ass hoping it’s max and that the lighting just made his hair darker

User9 love how she’s still featured on the wags page despite her and max not being a couple for 10 months now

→ User10 legit. they post her more than kelly

User11 i bet max is kicking himself for letting her go now that someone else has realised how much she’s worth 

FutureF1Wag i need to know where f1 wags got that pic from because it’s SOOO much clearer than the one i got

User12 okay but where can i get a man like that because that kiss looks hawt!

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Nov

YourUserName just posted a new story

lilymhe have the best time, babe. brunch debrief tomorrow?

→ YourUserName 11?

→ lilymhe absolutely 

YourBestFriend oo look at you being treated right 

→ YourUserName i know. how sweet

they're sooo pretty as well

→ YourBestFriend you’ve had bigger though 

→ YourUserName don’t do this today 

→ YourBestFriend sorry. be safe. text me when you’re home 

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Dec

User1 max really said, just because i didn't want her doesn't mean anyone else can

→ User2 be serious, he clearly loves her. he just confused his priorities for a hot second

User3 the way these rumours have been floating since max and kelly went social media official though. like everyone has constantly said they're on the rocks since we found out about them

→ User4 literally. like i loved max and y/n but they've both moved on. people are just creating drama because they can't accept that max and y/n aren't together anymore

User5 no because y/n is literally max's forever after and nobody can convince me otherwise

User6 max and y/n are literally each other's one true love. kelly was just the poison apple that leads to their true love's kiss

User7 y/nstappen shippers rise!

User8 she's watching his races again!

User9 she watched him win!!

User10 @ YourBestFriend is just like us for real. you can tell she's been praying for them to get back together

→ User11 she's feeding us crumbs and we're lapping them up

User12 not red bull down here fighting with us in the trenches

maxverstappen1 just posted

liked by YourUserName, danielricciardo and others

maxverstappen1 FUCK YEAH! WORLD CHAMP! 🥇🇳🇱 a huge thank you to @ redbullracing for their support throughout the whole season. you made all of this possible.

7,330 comments

redbullracing what a season! here's to many more, champ

christianhorner so unbelievably proud of you! enjoy the celebrations

danielricciardo congrats, mate. couldn't be happier for you. looking forward to celebrating later 🍾

landonorris woohoo! my shirt is still wet from your tears

→ maxverstappen1 don't lie. you cried more than i did

→ landonorris true

mclaren well done, max! an amazing achievement

YourUserName congrats, world champ x

liked by maxverstappen1

→ User13 mama en papa

→ User14 not the best phrase to use when the reason they broke up is due to a miscommunication about having children 

User15 omg omg omg, not a drill, guys. the queen has commented. and max liked!! 

→ User16 user we may not get them back together but i’ll take the tiny trickles of friendship they give us

→ User17 same sis same 

→ User18 may our delulus come trululu

YourUserName just posted

liked by maxverstappen1, carmenmmundt and others

YourUserName so i may have just won my first grammy? my ultimate gratitude to @ lovelessofficial for taking a chance on me when no one else would, the biggest love to those who supported me before i deserved it, and a final huge thank you to the inspiration behind the album 💕🦁

9,556 comments

User1 miss thing, looks like you got more than just your first grammy

→ YourUserName it's definitely a nice collection ;)

francisca.cgomes so proud of you, minha linda 🌼

→ YourUserName couldn't have done it without you pouring wine down my neck, kiks

lilymhe that's my girl!!

YourBestFriend wow, look at that dress. it would look better on my bedroom floor

liked by maxverstappen1

lewishamilton amazing achievement, y/n. well done

→ YourUserName thanks, lewis. you raced so well this season

danielricciardo did somebody say celebratory drinks later? 🥂

maxverstappen1 congrats, grammy winner x

liked by YourUserName

→ lovelessofficial thanks for joining us for the celebrations

→ User2 max was at her after party!!!!

→ User3 over a year after their breakup and we might be getting them back together??

User4 the trophies in their house must be overwhelming 

→ User5 love that we’re talking like they’re already back together

User6 'the inspiration behind the album' is so shady and sweet haha, poor max. i love that he'll be forever reminded of how badly he fumbled

→ User7 what makes you think she's on about max

→ User6 um, she wrote the album after their breakup and used the lion emoji, which she always used in posts about him. read the room, babes

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Jan

YourUserName just posted

liked by victoriaverstappen, charles_leclerc and others

YourUserName happy new year's from me and my loved ones to you and yours (yes, he got drunk after this and ruined the rest of my photos)

13,441 comments

User8 omg omg omg omg!!!

User9 they're back together! they're back together! we win!

charles_leclerc beautiful couple. glad to see you both happy again

danielricciardo yuck. i haven't missed the pda

→ YourUserName you're just jealous you can't be our third

→ danielricciardo every day baby

maxverstappen1 i didn’t ruin them! they just become less pg

→ User10 woah, mr verstappen, we were not familiar with you

redbullracing our favourite trophy winning couple. can't wait to have y/n back in the paddock next month

maxverstappen1 looking forward to all that the future brings us, mijn mooie vrouw 🥰

→ YourUserName mijn lieve echtgenoot 💕

→ User11 um, the pet names!!!

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I know some people said on Danny’s that they wanted it to be longer but this are only planned as a duo series. Sorry, guys! 💕

Baby Fever Angst Series

Tag list

@bibissparkles @barcelonaloverf1life @rlalliehayes @dullypully @softtina @callsignwidow @lav3nder-haze @minkyungseokie @luvrrish @fall-bambi @evans-dejong @sadsierra2 @justdreamersdream @spookystitchery @dark-night-sky-99 @majusialikesfastcars @luckyladycreator2 @bborra @mrosales16 @reguluscrystals @tvdtw4ever @alwaysclassyeagle @gigicisneros @spanishcorndogs @thecubanator2 @goldenharrysworld @awritingtree @jxnellat @sbrn0905 @hc-dutch @buckybarnessweetheart @ironmaiden1313 @dreamercrowd @yourbane @reguluscrystals @peachiicherries @g-l-o-b-e-w-h-o-r-e @itsjustmyopinionf1 @evesfile @openthenyoor01 @princessria127 @hrrorflm @the-untamed-soul @nataliambc @oliviarodrigostan13 @sweate-r-weathe-r

As always, so sorry if I missed anyone. Thanks for all your support x

[gguk-n]

Transition (Charles Leclerc x Driver!Reader)

Part 2 of Replaced

Summary- After being kicked out of Ferrari rather rudely, Y/N must try to find a seat in the ever changing driver's market in the craziest year at Formula One till date.

{Reader's POV}

After leaving our home in Monaco, I spent the next couple of months regrouping with my team. I visited my family to clear my head; my mother always knew what to do in a difficult situation. She was the brains of the family. After a long and deep talk with her I realised what I wanted with the future. Number 1, I wanted to race in Formula One until I was 60. Number 2, I wanted a team that loved, valued and respected me as their driver. Number 3, last but not the least, I wanted to be paid more than what Ferrari was paying me.

Every team on the grid was open for picking except McLaren. Mercedes was losing their star driver, RedBull had to negotiate with Checo; the two teams I was eyeing right now. If I knew Horner and if I played my cards right, having a female driver on his team would change the dynamic and bring more spot light on the team. If Toto signed me, he would be replacing one iconic person with another; enough to make headlines.

The first race of the season hurt, I couldn't believe the next 24 races would be my last time in red, I couldn't fake the smiles. It hurt every time I saw Charles. We met for the first time since I left a day before Bahrain's media day. He looked as handsome as ever but his eyes held this deep seated sadness, you could see it. "Been a while" Charles almost whispered when our eyes met in the hotel. "It has, I've missed you" I replied. "I've missed you too" he almost cried out wrapping me in his arms. "The last few months were torture. You'll come home now, right?" he asked still holding me in his embrace. "Charles" I began, he pulled away, tears visible in his eyes, "I'll come back soon, mon tout. I need time" I mumbled. "How long will that be, mon cherie?" he asked. I wiped the tear that slipped out of his eyes, "The day I sign a team, I'll move back. I'll know my future and I'll finally be able to look at you without jealousy" I said. "OK" he nodded, kissing me for the first time since we met. "Je vous aime" he stated. "Je t'aime aussi" I replied back.

I finished P2 in the first race of the season. All the media and commentary were going crazy. It felt nice to finish P2. Max was fun to talk to post race during the cool down. He was always the more level headed one in our friendship. Max asked me about how things were between the two off us away from the prying eyes of the media who had already started to announce an imminent break up between the two of us. "He's been shit, since you left" Max spoke. "I'm sorry" I apologised. "oh no, don't apologise to me. I was just stating the obvious." he shook his head. "I heard you're talking to Horner" he commented. "Yeah, we're discussing but like I'm discussing with a lot of teams, honestly." I replied. "As you should, I think it would be fun....if we were team mates." he replied thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind terrorising Charles in a RedBull" I laughed.

The next few races were quite memorable with me on the podium for every race. It was a proud feeling, a bitter sweet one though. Charles only saw me at race weekends but that was the nature of the sport, didn't mean that I didn't love him any less.

The talks with RedBull fell through since I wasn't able to bring in the kind of sponsors they wanted and the dream of driving in one too. Mercedes was very iffy, where Toto wanted to bring a new driver on the grid; while I was still effectively seatless. But Susie was a smart woman, she knew having me on the team after the void Lewis would leave, would do wonders since I was the first and only female driver on the grid in a really long time and having me would bring the similar kind of publicity, if not the same.

After months of back and forth, and negotiating; Toto agreed bringing a junior driver in too early wouldn't benefit anyone. I would race for Mercedes for the next 2 years and if the options opened up I didn't mind letting Toto have his little fantasy. My announcement would happen in Monza, the home of the tifosi. The perfect time and place. I had moved back in with Charles after the contract was signed. I did not tell him that I planned to announce it in Monza. Charles was just happy to have me back.

Mercedes made the announcement just before free practise, effectively ruining any plans the media had, it played in my favour and I had a ball. "You love drama don't you" Charles laughed. "What can I say? I have a knack for the theatrics" I laughed along. "Quoting Chandler are we?" Charles muttered kissing me as he said it. The days leading up to the race were crazy. As both me and Charles got ready to get into the car he said, "Can't wait to see you in black. You look hotter in black anyways" "Hope to be your teammate again in the future" I nodded as we put our helmets on. Charles won the team's home race. I missed the podium by a smidge, but knowing my future was secure didn't make the loss saddening.

As Charles got down from the podium to meet me, Arthur handed him something. "I thought, whether I finish podium or not I'd ask you this but as a 2 time Monza winner sounds so much cooler." he rambled. "What are you talking about Charles?" I questioned. He got down on one knee, the crowd went silent. "Will you Y/N Y/L/N do the honour of making me your husband?" he asked. I had tears in my eyes, "Yes" I nodded. Charles slipped the ring on my finger and kissed me. I could taste the champagne on his lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss while pulling his hair. We pulled away to a lot of hooting and screaming. "Wow" Charles exclaimed. "That's the hottest thing you've done till date, I think I'm hard" he said. "I'm staking my claim." I stated. "I'm always yours, now and forever" he replied. "Can't believe we'll have two Leclerc's on the grid next year." I commented. "Can't wait to race you Mrs Leclerc" he said kissing me again.

[thedancingcostumeyoungadult]

A Season for Lovers part 4- S.R.

Words: ~6950 she's a beast folks

Parts 1, 2, 3

Warnings: 18+ only, minors dni, fem!Reader, fingering (fem receiving), unprotected piv smut, bitchy Spence, historical inaccuracy lol

~

Your head is spinning, the world around you reduced to the feeling of Spencer. The warmth of his skin that bleeds through his shirt, the rough graze of his stubble, his lips on your skin, he’s everywhere and it’s intoxicating. But you want more, your belly burns with desire and you claw at his shirt, needing him closer even as your bodies press flush together. 

“Spencer.” You rasp when you break apart to breathe, swept away moments later in another kiss. Speaking between feverish kisses, you fight the fuzzy haze threatening your ability to form words. “I want you, Spencer- please- I want more.” He groans, a low, gruff noise that sets your skin on fire as he pulls back a bare centimeter, his lips still dragging across yours as he begins.

“Angel-” 

“Please!” You implore, all traces of decorum gone from your mind.

“I can’t.” His breath fans across your skin as he dips his head to press another searing kiss to your throat. “As desperately as I want- As desperately as I need you-” Your hands clutch his shoulders as his lips drag along your jaw, his grip on you just as desperate as yours on him as you press your hips against his, your breath falling ragged from your lungs as your eyes fall closed. He groans against your skin at the pressure, nearly losing his composure as you move one hand to tangle in his soft curls. 

“I will not lay you down in the dirt, my angel.” Your heart nearly stops in your chest at his words, spoken just by your ear and followed by kisses suddenly turned from scorching to tender. His hand cups the back of your neck with his large, warm palm. “Every atom of my being cries out for you, but I want to give you everything that you deserve and that is not out here, in the dirt.” You suppress a small moan as his hand grazes your hip and it’s your turn topress a kiss to the column of his throat, lingering for a moment as you feel his pulse fluttering under your lips. You want to beg, throw yourself at his feet and plead for him to take you. But you don't. While the idea of having him for the first time right against the tree makes your stomach flip, he wants it done right, and you're happy to give him that. 

“All the sweeter for waiting.” You whisper, tilting back up to smile at him. He smiles tenderly back, his warm hands enveloping your face as he brings you into another kiss. This one is languid and unhurried, carrying the lingering promise of many more to come. 

“It will be, I promise.” One of his hands trails down to press against the small of your back, sending a fresh wave of warmth through your belly as he brings his lips close to your ear. “I promise.”

-

Spencer hates this part of the season, the part where he is expected to be seen at clubs and gatherings where he would be forced to hold a conversation with some of the most vexing people he’d ever met, and he spent his days hunting murderers. He had no patience for their catty remarks and artificial sincerity. The dance of respectability and ruthlessness designed to weed out those considered unworthy. 

Typically he would avoid the clubs altogether, but at the invitation of his future father-in-law, he feels himself obligated to make an appearance for at least an hour. The presence of Abraham Beaumont provided some respite, the calm sincerity of the older man mellowing whatever bullshit raunchy advice the men had to offer. Luckily, that cut the well-wishes at the announcement of his engagement mercifully short, allowing him to retreat to a table in the corner with his older companions. He found conversation with the two men surprisingly easy, spurred along by games of chess that they kept feigning surprise at losing, passing most of the hour comfortably.  

Unfortunately, a presence that he had not anticipated was that of one Alexander Fields, who saunters up a mere twelve minutes before Spencer’s allotted hour was up, sinking down in the one empty chair at the table. His stomach turns at the way Fields looks at him, a thin veneer of pleasantness unable to fully hide the chill in his demeanor. 

“Mr Beaumont, Mr y/l/n, Dr Reid, I hear congratulations are in order.” Spencer forces a smile, clenching his fist under the table as Fields gestures to the just-finished game of chess on the table. “May I?”

“Be my guest.” Spencer all but grits out, watching the other man reset the board. 

“I suppose it’s about time that I settle my tab.” Your father says, moving to stand. Mr Beaumont follows him, shaking his head.

“Have one more drink and we’ll be on our way.” He claps Spencer on the shoulder as he goes, adding on “Come join us when you’ve finished with this, son.” The dig is subtle, but Fields bristles just enough to tell Spencer that he’d caught it. 

“I won’t keep him long.” 

“I’m sure you won’t.” Some of the nerves leave Spencer’s stomach as he allows the persona he wears at work to slide neatly into place. This was just mind games, nothing more, and Spencer had a habit of winning those. 

Fields starts the game with aggression, looking at first to have the upper hand. But he’s clumsy, short-sighted. 

“Miss Y/N is a fine prize, Doctor Reid.” Spencer’s stomach turns again, revolted at the way he speaks about you as if you were not even a living being. “Shame you had to force her father to go back on his word to get her.” Spencer tamps down the part of him that wants to knock his teeth out for even speaking about you, speaking coolly. 

“You can’t fault a father for wanting the best for his daughter.” Bait. One of Spencer’s pieces falls.

“That depends on what you consider to be the best.” Another piece down and a bite at the line. 

“Or what she considers to be the best.” That one stings, Spencer can see it. He takes a rook, and the tide turns. “It’s strange, the way you speak about her, as if she were cattle.” A knight goes. “It makes me wonder what you see when you think of her.” The last pawn. “Actually I know what you see. You see a dowry and a way to secure heirs.” A bishop. “A means to an end. But what you have so spectacularly failed to see is the brilliant, charming, talented woman who outmatches you in every conceivable way, and I pity you for it.” Fields has practically forgotten the game, his jaw clenched so hard Spencer swears he can hear teeth grinding as he speaks. 

“Careful, Doctor Reid, I would hate for any unsuitable rumors to make their way around.” Sitting forward, Spencer fixes his gaze on his opponent. 

“I don’t know who you think I am, Mr Fields, but I am no child, and I think you’ll find I can do far worse than rumors.” He tilts his head forward, his gaze unwavering. “I would imagine, with how deeply you desire the approval of these people, that there are things that you would rather keep in the dark.” Fields quickly schools his face back to neutral. He’s good, Spencer would give him that, but his eyes betray him with the subtle flash of anger and fear. He has him.

Satisfied in his victory, Spencer stands from the table, pausing only briefly as he passes his opponent’s chair.

“Checkmate in two, by the way.” He barely registers the scrape of the chair behind him before a voice interrupts. 

“Careful, Mr Fields, no one cares for a sore loser.” Abraham Beaumont taps the end of his cane on the floor as he returns from the bar. “And we would hate to have to send a young groom to the altar with a blackened eye, wouldn’t we?” With a hardly dignified huff, Mr Fields disappears, allowing the older man to claim his vacant seat. He sets his drink down on the wood, gesturing to Spencer to sit back down.

“One more drink, lad, then we’ll cut you free.”

-

“And the flowers?” He leans forward, all sincerity and big brown eyes as he implores you to fill him in on every last detail of wedding planning. You giggle, leaning slightly away from him on the tiny bench before tilting back in, almost brushing your nose against his. 

“White roses and alstroemeria.” His grin lights up his face.

“Love and devotion.” He steals a kiss from the corner of your mouth. “Fitting.” Sunlight streams through the panes of the sunroom walls, bathing the room in the warm glow of late afternoon. Tucked in a corner, away from prying eyes, you’re as close as you dared get, turned perhaps a bit too far towards each other. Spencer’s hand rests between his knee and yours, absently pinching a fold of your skirt and rubbing it gently, needing to be holding something of you.

“And how’s-” You stop him, leaning away teasingly.

“I am not telling you about the gown.” His face falls into a sweet pout that you know better than to fall for, leaning after you with his pleading amber eyes. 

“Please?” You shake your head, trying not to laugh.

“It’s bad luck.” For propriety’s sake, you don’t kiss the pout from his lips, instead opting to press your fingertips to his chest, pushing him playfully back upright. He doesn’t let your hand fall, catching your wrist lightly and brushing a kiss to the fingertips that had just moved him. You slide your fingers along his cheek, cupping his jaw. “Only one more week, my love.” His hand covers yours, holding you as much as you were holding him.

“So soon and yet a lifetime away.” You take the quiet moment to admire him, the care with which he touches you, not as if you were fragile, but rather as though he was amazed that you were real. The thought brings something else to mind, something that Amelia had heard from her brother and passed along to you.

“I heard about what happened at the club last week.” His eyes widen in surprise and he sits up, keeping your hand in his but lowering it from his face as he clears his throat and shifts somewhat nervously. “About what you said.” 

“I’m sorry if I took it too far.” You shake your head, squeezing his hand where it rests on his knee. 

“No! Not at all I just-” You pause, searching for the words. “You see me, Spencer, as I am, not as a dowry, or a meal ticket, or a broodmare.” His shoulders tighten at the words, but you continue on. “You defend me as a person, not as property. You ask me a question and actually listen for the answer. My interests aren’t just things on a good wife’s checklist to you, and I wanted to thank you for that.” Propriety is forgotten as he gently cradles the back of your neck, resting his forehead against yours and hoping that he can convey all he feels in the simple touch. 

“You are so much more than what they think of you, my angel.” 

-

It’s strange, looking around your room now that it is nearly bare of personal belongings. Books, clothes, trinkets, most of your worldly possessions are neatly packed away, ready to be moved to Washington in a matter of days. Night is falling over the grounds of your family’s house, purple shadows deepening under a nearly moonless sky and you long to steal out to see Spencer, but tonight he wouldn’t be there. He’d gone back to Washington for a few days to put the final few things in order before the wedding. You toy with the worn edge of the book balanced in your lap, not really reading the words on the page, a small smile playing across your face. Spencer had given you this book before he’d left the summer you met, from the small personal library he carries with him practically everywhere. His handwriting dots the margins, little notes and thoughts hastily scrawled over several rereadings. It’s a nice little look into your genius’ brain, seeing what stands out to him, how he thinks.

On impulse, you snag a pencil from your writing desk and settle back into the window seat, flipping back to the beginning of the book. You read the familiar words with new eyes, adding your own ideas and responses between Spencer’s in the margins. 

You write until the oil in your lamp burns low and your eyes sting with exhaustion. Letting the book fall closed, you drag yourself up and deposit the book and pencil on the desk, crawling into your bed with a deep sigh. It’s bittersweet to think how this would be one of the last nights you would ever spend in this bed. Your fingers trail along the delicate embroidery lining your pillowcase, a lump forming in your throat as you contemplate the chapter of your life that is coming to a close. Everything that you’d known thus far, your whole life, soon to be left behind. 

But the next chapter is one that you and Spencer would write together, the idea of which fills you with such excitement that you can’t help but smile, pulling a spare pillow against your chest and tucking it under your chin, curling the rest of your body around it as you settle deeper under the covers. The future can wait until tomorrow. 

Tomorrow begins with a soft rap on your door, barely rousing you in time to sit up before your mother pops her head around the door, entering with a smile as she holds up a small but lovely arrangement of flowers. You know it’s from Spencer as soon as you see it, delicate pink alstroemeria and white bridal rose, the vase adorned with a silk ribbon. 

“He's back?” You can’t disguise the eagerness of your voice as she sets the vase on the table by a window, adjusting a wayward flower before turning to you.

“He delivered them himself.” Your feet are on the floor even before she continues, rushing for your dressing gown. Her next words make you deflate, your shoulders slumping slightly, “He couldn’t stay, only wanted me to give you this.” She offers you a small envelope, sealed with small circle of purple wax, which you quickly snatch up and crack open.

All my love for you, my Angel. 

-

You can’t help the way your hands shake as you smooth a flyaway piece of hair off of your forehead, the rest piled in ringlets atop your head. Small freshwater pearls dot the pure white fabric of your gown, framed by delicate scrolls of silver embroidery that trail down the skirt and train. More pearls adorn your throat and ears, glinting in the light filtering through the light curtains of your room. The final piece is the veil, snowy lace cascading down around your shoulders and pooling on the rug at your feet. Your mother appears in the reflection behind you, offering you a slightly teary smile before taking your hand, turning you to face her. 

“Oh darling girl.” She cradles your face in her hands, kissing your forehead and pulling you into a tight hug. You’d both already cried enough over the past few days, so the embrace was short, just long enough for her to give you a slightly bruising squeeze. “Are you ready?” She asks as she pulls away, and to which you reply with a smile and a nod.

“I’m ready.” 

It’s only a short walk across the street to the church, arm in arm with your father, your mother and Amelia trailing behind to keep your dress and veil out of the dirt. Your heart beats loud in your ears, drowning out all words as you step inside. 

The church aisle stretches in front of you, the dusty red of the carpet sits in contrast to the delicate white of the silk and flowers adorning the pews. Golden light filters in from the windows above, illuminating the otherwise dim space. A modest collection of people are gathered in the pews, Spencer’s team with the Beaumonts and some additional friends on one side, with your family and friends on the other. But in truth your eyes slide right past them, drawn as if by magnets to him. 

Spencer.

Your Spencer, his tousled curls lit up in a golden halo, sleek black suit perfectly tailored, looking at you as if you’d hung the very stars. Almost immediately tears spring to your eyes, streaking down your cheeks and as you draw closer you see his face shining as well, even as he smiles that giddy, boyish smile that makes your heart skip. 

Before you realize it, you’re down the aisle, handing your bouquet to Amelia and receiving a quick, slightly tearful kiss on the forehead from your father before you both turn again to Spencer. 

His hand is warm as yours is laid into it, gentle and comforting as he helps you up the final step to stand beside him. The minister begins, but you hardly hear him, so captivated are you by Spencer as he beams back at you, tearstreaks matching your own stretching down his cheeks. 

There’s confidence in oneself, and that you’re no stranger to, but the feeling in your chest as you look at Spencer, that’s new. It’s past satisfaction, past surety, it’s an absolute certainty, beyond all doubt, that this man, this beautiful, kind, brilliant man that you are marrying, is right. He is right for you now, and for the rest of your life.

“Doctor Reid, do you have the rings?” For the first time since you’d entered the sanctuary, his eyes leave you, glancing quickly down as he produces two gold rings from the breast pocket of his suit. He lays them on the pastor’s bible, careful not to let them slide off. The pastor blesses them as you wait almost patiently, the scant few moments it takes proving too long for your excitement. 

“Repeat after me…” The pastor’s voice fades away, replaced by the beating of your own heart, loud in your ears. By some miracle, neither your hand or your voice shake as you lift the larger of the two rings from the book, repeating the words you’d memorized weeks ago as you take Spencer’s hand again.

“With this ring I thee wed, with this body I thee worship, with all my worldly goods I thee endow.” You take Spencer’s hand, sliding the ring securely into place. He doesn’t let your hand fall, catching it quickly so the contact of your skin never breaks. Your eyes once again lock with his, every emotion you don’t have the words to express swirling in your chest, making you feel light as air. 

“With this ring I thee wed,” He lifts your hand, sliding the delicate gold band into place, “with my body I thee worship, with all my worldly goods I thee endow. Amen.” The people in the pews, whose presence you had all but forgotten, echo the word back. Nothing in the world could take the joy from your heart as you and Spencer turn to the pastor, quickly signing the marriage license already waiting for you. Then he takes your arm in his, pulling you as tight to his side as was acceptable in public, and you both, now as husband and wife, make your way back down the aisle. 

Though the ceremony was simple and rather short, what came after was anything but. You and Spencer emerge from the church to a chorus of cheers, whistles, and other joyful noise from the well-wishers gathered there. Your families trail behind you, joining in the din as they usher the newlyweds back to the Beaumont house. There is a feast laid out, a masterpiece of Lydia Beaumont’s own design, keeping your guests busy for the next few hours. You and Spencer sit beside one another, joining in various conversations happening around you but for the most part for you there is nothing but him, and for him there is nothing but you. 

Finally, it’s time for you and Spencer to go. He’d arranged a room at the grand hotel in town, just one night before you left on your honeymoon. He helps you into the waiting carriage, grinning wildly up at you as you pause, waving one last goodbye to your family, before climbing in after you.

-

You can see Spencer in the mirror, watching you with soft eyes as you root around in your hair for the multitude of pins holding it in place. One after another the pins clatter into the tray, but your hair remains up, much to your frustration.

“May I help?” His quiet voice behind you makes your eyes snap to his. He steps closer as you smile at him in the mirror, letting your hands fall to rest on the vanity with a nod. He returns your smile with one of his own, now standing directly behind you. 

You can’t help but watch him in the mirror, your eyes trained on his beautiful hands as they rise to your hair. A shiver runs down your spine as his fingers brush lightly up the slope of your neck. Gentle but sure, he begins to pluck the pins from your hair, the curls falling loose one by one. The sensation of his hands in your hair is heavenly, and you can’t help but let your eyes fall shut as you lean into the touch. 

Spencer hopes that he’s not shaking outwardly, but his hands feel unsteady as he buries them in your hair. His head spins as the soft locks run between his fingers as he carefully extracts the u-shaped wires from your updo, going slower than necessary just to prolong this intimate moment between himself and his wife. His wife. 

In the mirror he sees your eyes flutter closed, a contented look spreading across your features as he begins on the last section of pins. He almost falters, nearly too enraptured by the look on your face to focus on the task at hand. Your eyebrows relaxed, a small, blissful smile playing at the corners of your mouth as you lean against his hand. An all too familiar fire sparks to life in his stomach and he swallows hard as his brain conjures all the ways he could put that look on your face. 

The last lock falls around your shoulders as he pulls the last pin free, the relief drawing a soft sigh from you. Loathe to stop touching you, Spencer gently cards his fingers through the strands, carefully working out any tangles he finds. When he’s done, he sweeps it all off your neck and over one shoulder, his hand coming to rest on the bare skin at the base of your neck. Before he can overthink it, he ducks his head, pressing a slow, soft kiss to the skin below your ear. You gasp quietly, your eyes flying open to find him in the mirror, his eyes still closed as he kisses you again, moving down the side of your neck. 

“Spencer.” You sigh, letting your head fall back to rest against his shoulder.

“Yes, my angel?” He speaks against your skin, his lips raising goosebumps as he drags them across your skin, getting lost in your softness, the faint smell of lavender that clings to you. Your response isn’t comprised of words, instead you turn your face to his, nosing against his cheek until his lips meet yours. The both of you sigh contentedly as he shifts, kneeling at your side without breaking the kiss. His hand rests gently on your knee as the other slides into its familiar place on the small of your back. In turn you wrap your arms around his shoulders, gently pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. The low groan that escapes him only spurs you on, your fingers sliding up to tangle in his soft curls, the kiss quickly becoming fiery and urgent.

He wraps his arm securely around your waist and lifts you to your feet in one smooth motion, swallowing your small gasp of surprise in another fiery kiss. You’re a tangle of desperate hands as he undoes the buttons of your gown and you the ones on his waistcoat. Breaking from the dizzying kiss, Spencer steadies you with his hands at your waist while he presses his lips to your forehead. The loosened fabric of your wedding gown slips down your shoulders, the silk rustling as you drop your arms and let it slide to pool around your ankles. You can feel Spencer’s breath hitch in his chest when his hand comes to rest on your hip, now only covered by your fine cotton chemise. 

Your hand on his chest makes him straighten, warm amber eyes immediately finding your gaze. The small furrow between his brows eases as you give him a small smile, reaching up to gather your hair back over one shoulder. You let your eyes drop demurely to the floor as you turn, casting him a doe-eyed look at the last second, speaking softly as you do.

“Could you help me?” You don’t miss the way his eyes widen slightly, a smile breaking over his face.

“Of course, angel.” You cast him another smile as you turn fully away from him. A small pause turns into a long one, before finally you hear Spencer speak.

“Um?” He puzzles quietly, and you can’t help but laugh that of all subjects to stump the genius of a man it was women’s undergarments. 

“Have you never seen stays before?” You hear him huff at your teasing.

“Of course I’ve seen them.” He sounds downright grumpy and you crane over your shoulder to smile at him, watching him frown back at you as he mutters under his breath, his hand finding your waist again. “It’s the taking off that’s new.” You feel his hand find the laces and work the knot free as you turn back to face front. “Do I take it all the way out or just loosen it?” 

“Pull the laces all the way out.” As you feel the garment loosen your hands instinctively come up to hold it in place, clutching it to your breast as nervousness swirls up in your chest, making you shift your weight restlessly from foot to foot. Spencer notices as he pulls the final bit of lacing free, his hand lingering on your waist as he steps around to face you. His other hand gently cradles your cheek as he searches your face, his eyes soft.

“My love?” He asks in a whisper. It’s just Spencer, you remind yourself, your nerves calming as you look up at him. Giving him a smile, you relax your hands and the stays slip but don’t fall, prompting Spencer’s hands to reach out, ghosting feather-light over the straps before carefully sliding them off your shoulders one after the other. Your breathing is ragged, your chest heaving as the stays hit the floor with a soft thunk, electricity running in the wake of Spencer’s fingers as he trails them back up your arms. His gaze burns into you with an intensity and desire you’d never seen before, his eyes darkening as they run over your form, still covered by the nearly translucent cotton of your shift. Flickering up to meet yours, his eyes soften, and he reaches for your hand, using both of his to press your palm flat against his chest. You can feel the warmth of his skin through the soft cotton of his shirt and your body once again floods with that strange, insistent ache. 

You crash together like the tide, lips molding together as desperate hands wander into unexplored territory. His muscles flex under your palms as you drag them down his front and ball your fists in his shirt, tugging it out of his waistband and slipping your fingers underneath. He groans into your kiss as your fingers meet the warm skin of his stomach, his hand that had been trailing down your back flying down to grip the flesh of your backside, forcing a gasp of your own from your throat as he drags your hips against his. Your hands slide further up as he presses your bodies together, fingernails digging lightly into the skin. He lets you go for an instant, stripping his shirt off over his head in one motion before his hands return to your waist, pulling you back into the current as they wrap around you. Your hands explore unashamedly, trying to commit to memory the warmth of his skin, the sparse hair littering his chest, every plane and curve of his shoulders, you want to know it all.

Spencer’s hand dips even lower now, strong, slender fingers brushing along the back of your thighs through your shift and sending a jolt straight between your legs. Your whimper makes him break the kiss, his forehead resting against yours as you both gasp for air. One of his large, warm hands cradles your head, tilting your face up and away from his. You let your eyes flutter shut as he presses a tender kiss to your jaw.

“May I see you, Angel?” He speaks in barely a whisper, his lips dragging sparks across your skin as the aching in your belly grows almost unbearable and you gasp out a desperate “yes!”  

His hands are gentle but deliberate as they press against your thighs and slide upward, bringing your shift along with them. Your heart hammers in your chest as his lips meet your throat once more, blazing kisses down from your jaw and over your collarbone. His hands reach your waist and you lift your arms, his thumb brushing along the curve of your breast as he draws the garment up and over your head. The fabric falls to the floor with a soft rustle as his eyes find yours. Standing to his full height, he keeps his eyes on your face as he takes a half step back, his hands finding yours and tangling your fingers together. 

Finally, his eyes flit downwards and his jaw goes slack. You feel goosebumps break out on your skin as his eyes rake over your figure as if it were the last thing he’d see, the intensity of his gaze raising goosebumps across your skin. He looks for what feels like an eternity, surely committing the sight to memory as your skin burns for his touch. You slowly bring his hand to your side, shivering as his warm palm presses to your skin. His breath leaves him in one huff, his hand returning to the small of your back, dragging you forward and crashing your lips together. You both groan into the kiss as finally, at long last, your bare skin presses against his. It's the sweetest relief, like something you hadn't known you were missing being slotted into place. Your bodies fit together neatly, a matching pair finally united. 

His hands wander, exploring your soft curves with something that felt like reverence, light and curious but with an undercurrent of desperation. You scratch your nails lightly down his sides and he lets out a guttural groan against your lips, his hands grabbing hard at your hips, one then falling to knead the flesh of your ass. It's your turn to gasp and whimper as your hips press together and you can feel the hardness in his trousers press against your belly.  His lips leave yours, dragging down your throat and leaving tendrils of fire in their wake.

“Divine.” He follows the word with a scorching kiss. “Heavenly, oh angel-” He cuts himself off with a groan, his face buried in your neck.

His arm wraps securely around your waist and you let out a surprised squeak as he hoists you into his arms. Moments later he's settling you gently on the mattress, now dusting feather light kisses along your collarbone. He follows you as you lay down, his hand finding your waist as he buries his face against your neck, lavishing hot, wet kisses along your throat. He hovers above you, drawing desperate little gasps and whines from your lips as he sucks and bites at the skin of your shoulder, slowly traveling lower as his hand begins to wander up. 

Your back arches as his hand cups your breast, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as he brings his mouth down to meet your hardened nipple. The wet heat of his mouth enveloping your sensitive bud draws a high whine from you, to which Spencer responds with a low groan, pressing his face impossibly closer to you and sucking harshly. Your hips buck upwards as you wail, your hands flying to tangle in his messy hair. He lets out another rough groan as your hips brush his, pressing briefly against his straining cock. 

“Spencer, please!” You beg, desperate for something, anything, just more. Reluctantly he lets your breast fall from his mouth, quickly turning and peppering kisses all over the other one, making you giggle and squirm as he works himself out of his trousers. He relents with one last lingering kiss to your sternum as he kicks them off, finally raising his eyes to yours as he settles between your legs. You hold his gaze for a breathless moment before letting your eyes travel down. The sight that greets you sets your belly on fire and you feel your pussy clench in excitement. He’s achingly hard, thick, flushed, and leaking and fuck, you want him so badly. You can’t help but touch his cock, running your fingers lightly up the underside, causing his hands to grip desperately at your hips as he bucks forward a little. 

“Fuck, Angel.” There’s a rasp in his voice that you’ve never heard before, which combined with the uncharacteristic language makes you clench your thighs around him. 

“I need you, Spencer.” Your plea earns you a smile as he leans in to give you a sweet kiss.

“Just a little longer, sweet thing, I have to make sure I don’t hurt you.” As he speaks his hand trails up the outside of your thigh and over your hip, slipping between your legs. The pads of his fingers brushing against your sex makes you gasp, the sensation making your stomach drop. He slides his finger through your folds, drawing another needy sound from your lips. Nosing sweetly against your cheekbone, he whispers to you, low and warm.

“Do you touch yourself, angel?” Your cheeks burn as you nod, biting your lip against a whine as he teases through your slick again. His low chuckle as he presses a kiss to your neck does something strange to you, your thighs tightening around his hand. 

“Show me.” You choke a little at his words.

“What?” He lifts his face from your neck, kissing you softly between quiet pleas.

“Teach me how you like it, angel. Please show me so I can make you feel good. That’s all I want, just wanna make you feel so good.” The undercurrent of desperation in his voice sweeps you away and you find yourself reaching down to cover his large hand with yours, whining as his fingers find that sweet spot that makes your back arch and your toes curl. 

“Like that, Spencer, oh god!” He picks up your rhythm quickly, steady fingers working smoothly over your clit and drawing waves of the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard from your lips. Burning for more, you guide him further down, your breath catching as he follows your direction and slips the tips of two fingers into your warm pussy. 

Spencer is mesmerized, drunk on the sight of your breasts heaving against his chest and the feeling of his fingers sinking deep into you. You clutch at his wrist, pressing the heel of his hand against your bundle of nerves, desperately rutting your sex against him. He curls his fingers, moving with you, losing himself in you.

“Spencer!” Your shuddering cry sends a rush of heat to his crotch and he can’t wait any longer. He pulls his fingers from you, crashing his lips against yours to quell the needy whines of protest you let out. Still kissing you, he guides your arms around his neck as he climbs between your legs. You both let out wanton moans as his cock presses against your wet heat, your legs immediately wrapping around his hips as your arms clutch tightly to his shoulders. 

“Ready, angel?” A light, airy feeling floods your chest as he lines himself up and you nod desperately.

“Please, please, Spencer, I’m ready, please give it to me!” He pulls back, needing to see your face as finally, finally, he presses into you. Your reaction is immediate, eyebrows drawing together over heavy-lidded eyes, your mouth falling open in a sweet little o-shape as your back arches, drawing him even deeper until he’s fully buried inside of you.

“Do you feel that?” He whispers, nosing at your jaw as you pant for breath, the feeling of his thick cock holding you open forcing the air from your lungs as you cling to his shoulders. “You were made just for me, my angel, just like I was made just for you. We fit perfectly together.” You whine desperately as he rolls his hips ever so slowly, rocking into you. His fingers dig into the soft flesh of your thigh as he holds your leg steady over his hip. The next thrust sinks somehow deeper, causing you to let out a strangled moan as your nails dig into his shoulder. Your head rocks back against the pillows as he starts to go faster, each thrust forcing little gasps and mewls from you. His hand finds yours, tangling your fingers together and pressing a kiss to your knuckles before pinning it to the pillow beside your head. 

“All yours.” You manage, the words coming slowly to your pleasure-clouded brain. “All yours, Spencer.” His cock hits impossibly deeper as he stops holding back entirely, fucking into you like a man possessed. It’s all you can do to cling to reality as his thick cock drags heavy against your walls, pushing you ever closer to the edge.

“Kiss me.” He demands and you obey, pulling him into a surprisingly sweet kiss as your thighs begin to shake, your pussy fluttering and clenching around him. You break the kiss but stay as close as possible, your lips dragging over his as you feel yourself unravel, the coil of heat in your belly snapping and sending your whole body trembling as you cum with a broken cry. 

Spencer lets out a deep, rough groan as he follows you over. Each throb and twitch of his cock sends sparks through your core as he buries himself as deep as he can in your dripping pussy, your fluttering walls clenching as he pumps you full of hot, sticky spend. 

You don’t realize how tightly you’d been clinging to him until your arms give out, collapsing back against the pillows with a shaky sigh. Spencer goes limp on top of you as well, burying his face between your breasts as you both fight to regain your breath and your senses. Hazy warmth floods your body as you lay there, boneless and content, with the comforting weight of your husband pressing you into the mattress. Euphoria bubbles in your chest and you let yourself laugh, a giddy, breathless sound that makes Spencer raise his head, one eyebrow raised quizzically. Your shaky hand cards gently through his hair before your fingertips trail softly over his cheekbones.

“You kept your promise, Doctor Reid.” A grin breaks over his face as he raises himself to hover over you, your body jumping slightly as his hips grind against yours, his cock still buried in you. He kisses you sweetly, one hand brushing away the hair stuck to your forehead.

“I am a man of my word, Mrs. Reid.” He stays in you for a moment, the two of you sharing several sweet, lazy kisses before he slips out of you, sitting back on his heels with one hand braced lightly on your knee. You both let out a quiet groan as he does, but yours is quickly replaced by a soft inhalation as you feel his seed drip out of you. Spencer watches, transfixed, as your spent pussy throbs lightly, another round of cum leaking from you as it does. He gives your knee a squeeze, pressing a kiss to the inside of your thigh, then a few more up your stomach and chest until he reaches your lips. You sigh contentedly into the kiss, your hands once again finding his warm skin as he lays himself next to you. He guides you to lay your head on his shoulder, his arm wrapping around you and tucking you safely against his side. Your body still buzzes faintly, a warm glow encompassing the two of you as the sweetest sense of belonging settles in your body. This is the world set to rights, this little quiet space with your husband at your side, nothing of the world can reach you here. And you get to be there for the rest of your life.

~

Oml thank you all so much for bearing with me I know it's been literally months since I updated this but finally this chapter is done!! What did you all think?? I'd love to hear your thoughts and please remember to like and reblog!!

~taglist~

@nomajdetective @reidsbookclub @f-me-reid @spencer-reid-wonderland @dungeons-are-too-cold

A season for Lovers taglist

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[soggylampshade-11]

Dead Like Me.

Hi, I've recently binged School Spirits and I really like Wally Clark. There is a criminal lack of fics written for him, so I decided to write one of my own. This includes an OC of my own creation named Sabrina. I hope you all like it!

*Just a note, this takes place a couple years before Maddie's situation happens.*

Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 1

Triggers: implications of SA, language, violence

I was walking out to the parking lot after cheer practice when someone grabbed my arm. I’d stayed after practice ended to work through some routines with Coach Armstrong for longer than I thought because it was dark out now. So I cried out when the person pulled me under the bleachers.

“Chill, Sab, it’s me!” Zach Hines said, making me relax when I saw it was only him. “Hey, why are you still here?”

“I stayed after with Armstrong to work on some routines for this season,” I explained, watching him move closer to me in the cramped space. “Hey, whoa, what’s up? Personal space is important, my dude.”

“I love how you challenge me,” he grinned, continuing to come to me until my back hit the bleachers. “You look so good in these shorts, I love watching you cheer while you wear them.”

“Dude, Chloe’s my friend,” I said, trying to push him back from me. “You remember Chloe, right? Your girlfriend? About 5’9 with red hair?”

“I don’t want to talk about her right now. I want to talk about you going to Homecoming with me,” he said, ignoring what I said completely. 

He put his hand on my hip and trapped me where I was. “Uh, Zach, I think I should leave. Chloe’s my friend.”

He only hummed, pressing his body to mine and kissing my neck. I kept trying to get him off me, but he was so much bigger and stronger than me. He was the fullback for the football team. His hands were all over me and my heart was racing, fight or flight kicking in. I couldn’t run away from him, so I had to fight. 

“Zach, stop!” I cried, hitting his chest.

“You want this, every girl wants this,” he argued, banging my body back against the wood until I stopped moving. 

“I don’t!” I cried, my adrenaline keeping the pain from sinking into me as my spine repeatedly slammed against the wood behind me. “Zach! Stop it! You’re hurting me!”

“Shut up,” he hissed, continuing to push me until my head hit the wood so sharply everything went black. 

~

There was a surprising lack of pain in my body when I woke up. The sun was shining bright and there were a ton of strangers gathered around me. 

“What happened?” I asked, but none of the people replied to me or even acknowledged that I’d spoken. “Hello? Can you guys hear me? What happened?”

I pushed up into a sitting position and then stood, but they didn’t move out of the way. It was like I slipped through their bodies. When I turned around to look at them, I screamed when I saw my lifeless body laying where I’d just been. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” someone said calmly behind me, making me turn quickly to find a guy wearing glasses and a denim jacket. “Hi, I’m Charley.”

“What the fuck is happening?” I cried. “Why can you see me but they can’t?”

“Let’s go inside, it’s not very fun to be out here with all this,” Charley said, gesturing toward the school. 

“Why would I go somewhere with you?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest defensively. "I don't know who you are."

“Because I’m dead like you,” he replied, making me look at him incredulously. “You’re dead, you died under the bleachers and those EMTs announced it.”

“I’m dead?” I asked in a hoarse whisper, kneeling down by my lifeless body. “Holy shit, I’m dead.”

I felt Charley kneel beside me and place a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, this is the worst way to find out you died on campus. It’s, like, the absolute worst thing to find out when you wake up.”

“Sabrina Wellington, age 17,” one of the EMTs said, making me look over at him even though I knew he couldn’t see me now. “Principal’s on her way, the football field’s blocked off from students. We should get her out of here before they realize what’s going on.”

A lot happened at once after that. My body was placed in a bodybag, the EMT frowning as she zipped it up. A surge of panic rushed through my body, but Charley stopped me when I tried to follow them.

“Once you get to the end of the school boundaries, you get yanked back to where you died. That means you’d regenerate under here again and it hurts,” he said, sounding sad. “I’m sorry, you’re stuck here with us.”

“Us?” I asked distractedly, watching the EMTs carry my body away and load it in the back of an ambulance without the lights on when it drove away. 

“There’s a group of us who died here. We meet up in the gym everyday to talk,” he explained, gesturing to the building with his shoulder. “Do you want to come with me?”

Before I could say anything, I saw Trish and Ellery standing at the edge of the football field. “Can I find you later? I need to go talk to my friends.”

“They’re not going to be able to see you!” Charley shouted after me as I jogged over to them, but I just waved him off. “Okay, see you later!”

I hurried over to my friends and heard them talking. “I can’t believe she’s dead! She was at practice last night, barking orders like always.”

“Hey!” I cried, but they didn’t acknowledge me. 

“It’s like she didn’t know Alison was fighting to take over as captain,” Trisha stated with a giggle. “I guess the fight’s over now.”

“Ladies! Get to class,” Mr. Hill shouted, making us jump. “Don’t forget there’s also a grief counselor here for you if you need it.”

The two of them left me standing there in shock. I’d cheered with them since I was six years old. We’d been inseparable since then… but I think they hated me. What the hell? I walked slowly inside the building, feeling my eyes burn with tears 

I didn’t realize until I pushed open the double doors of the gym that I was going where Charley suggested earlier. There was a gym class happening, but I walked through it easily to join the group of people sitting in a  circle. 

“Is this dead kid AA?” I asked, standing behind an empty chair. 

A girl with dark, curly hair snorted at that and rolled her eyes. “Wow, never heard that one before!”

“Welcome, I’m Mr. Martin,” the man in a sweater vest said, standing up and gesturing to an empty seat. “Please, have a seat and join us.”

I nodded and moved around to sit in one of the folding chairs between a guy in a letterman jacket and the girl with dark hair. She was sucking on a lollipop and looked bored out of her mind. 

“Right, let’s go around and introduce ourselves to our newest member,” Mr. Martin said, sitting back in his seat. 

“Hi, we met this morning,” Charley said, waving at me with a friendly smile. “I’m Charley.”

The girl with the lollipop said, “Rhonda.”

“Sabrina,” I said, bringing my legs up onto the chair with me and wrapping my arms around them. 

“I’m Wally,” the guy in the letterman said, making me realize he looked really familiar. Like he read my mind, he said, “The one that the football field’s named after.”

There was a picture of him hanging in the hallway outside the locker rooms. The thought of the locker rooms made me flinch because I’d seen Zach standing by the doors last night. The feeling of his hands forcing me backward and the roughness of the wood digging into the bare skin of my shoulders.

“Sabrina? Are you okay?” Wally asked, drawing me out of the memory. “You disappeared for a few minutes.”

“Sorry,” I said, sounding a million miles away. 

“You get better at handling the memories,” Charley said gently, making me look over at him. 

I couldn’t imagine he was right, but I nodded my head anyway. The rest of the group was talking about something, but my focus wasn’t here. I was thinking about Zach trying to force himself on me and hurting me. He’d slammed my head against the bleachers so hard that it killed me. 

Then there was the way my friends talked about me this morning. My dead body was found underneath the bleachers where a guy I considered my friend killed me. A guy that I trusted tried to force himself on me then killed me. 

My chest drew tight and I knew I was going to have a panic attack. I was up and out of the gym, running until I was in the girls’ bathroom. I gripped the sides of the sink in my hands and looked in the mirror. 

I was wearing a silver moon necklace around my neck, there was a tube of abandoned cherry lip gloss in the floor, a couple bobby pins on the little shelf below the mirrors, and an empty soap dispenser on the wall. I could hear water dripping from the sink, the sound of water rushing through pipes in the walls, the sound of someone walking out in the hallway, and the distant squeak of gym shoes. 

My breath was back to normal, making me look at my reflection again. The girl in the reflection looked like me when I was alive, but I knew I wasn’t anymore. My eyes were glassy with tears and I wasn’t wearing makeup, so my freckles stood out against my pale cheeks. I busied myself with putting my hair back up to still my shaking hands. 

When I walked back out of the bathroom, Wally was waiting for me. He was sitting across from the door with his arms resting on his raised knees. 

“Hi,” he greeted, keeping the space between us. “You ran off and I wanted to make sure you were okay. I don’t want to crowd you or freak you out, but this is a lot to do on your own.”

“You mean finding out that a person you trusted tried to assault you then hit your head against the bleachers so hard it killed you and then finding out the girls you’ve known since you were six actually hate you is hard to do alone?” I asked, going over to sit beside him. “You just want to be my friend because I’m a cheerleader… was a cheerleader.”

“I’ve seen you cheer before, you’re good,” he admitted, cheeks flushing a little when I looked at him. “Not in a creepy way, in a ‘I watch the football games’ kind of way.”

A small smile found my face as I leaned my head against the wall behind us. “Thanks, I absolutely fucking hated it.”

“No way! I hated football!” he cried, making me look at him with my brows raised. “It was fun when I started, but my mom had insane ideas on what I was supposed to do on the field.”

“Same, my mom wanted me to go to nationals and get scholarships,” I explained, smiling humorlessly. “It turns out my entire team wanted to take away my captain title and give it to another girl. So, I guess I wasn’t as good at it as I thought I was.”

“That sucks,” he agreed, making me laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. “You have a nice laugh.”

“Don’t flirt with me. I just died,” I said, but I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. 

“I died in 1983, I’m allowed to flirt,” he replied, bumping my shoulder with his. “You’re going to be okay, Sabrina.”

“Brina, my friends call me Brina,” I corrected, turning my head to look at him. “And you’re my friend.”

“That’s presumptuous of you, Brina,” he said, smiling brightly when he turned to look back at me.

A genuine smile tugged at my lips, one bigger than the false one I’d used today. My life was over and I’d found out the people I trusted weren’t trustworthy. I cheered in the stadium named after the goofy guy beside me, but I think I liked him more than my living friends.

~

And that's the first chapter of my story! I'd love to hear y'all's input on it! Tell me what you liked, what you didn't like, anything really. I'm working on this as inspiration hits and have another 2 chapters ready to go. I hope you liked this one!

[ineffableandco]

✨Good Omens 2 Review✨

There’s so much to say I don’t really know where to start. After watching it I feel utterly and deeply satisfied. I expected this season to be great and I’m not disappointed. It goes beyond my wildest dreams. It’s just perfect. The cinematography, the music, the acting, the writing, everything is just top class. There’s drama, comedy, epic and it all blends in together very harmoniously to create a brilliant piece of television.

I remember being super excited when S2 was announced and when we got the first on set photos but it was nothing compared to the immense joy I felt when I saw my favourite angel and demon back on my screen. It was like meeting up with friends after a long time, it felt just right, like coming home.

I really love how vibrant the colours are this season, I find it extremely pleasing aesthetically speaking. I love that we get to see more of street where the bookshop is and simply more of the bookshop itself. And I’m sure there’s more to reveal. A round of applause for the people who worked hard to build all the various locations in a studio!

Regarding the story itself, I love how it is written and how it unfolds. It is very much about Crowley and Aziraphale but the other characters really have the opportunity to shine no matter the amount of screen time they have. One of my favourite things about S1 was the cold open in episode 3 so I’m thrilled that we get that in S2 with the minisodes. They were brilliant so a big shoutout to the talented people who wrote them!

Now about the characters, can we talk about how fucking amazing they are? I’ll start with Miranda Richardson’s Shax. I LOVE her, a perfect mix of comedy and badass. It’s in tune with Madame Tracy, her character from S1, despite them being two different characters.

In the “returning actor, different character” category Nina and Maggie are just fabulous, I just love them. I really love the wonderful dynamic the characters and actresses have.

As for the new characters, especially Mrs. Sandwich, Mr. Brown, and Pat, they may not have had that much screen time but they were just brilliant and really funny. Still in the new characters category, I am very fond of Muriel and Saraqael. Muriel because they’re the sweetest cupcake ever and Saraqael because the sass is incredible. So a big shoutout to these two wonderful actresses! And also a big shoutout to Shelley Conn for nailing the role of Beelzebub.

Now Crowley and Aziraphale, I didn’t think I could love those two idiots more than I already do but obviously I was wrong. And if anyone needed any more evidence that David Tennant and Michael Sheen are perfect for the roles then they should watch S2. I love how noticeable yet still subtle the changes in the characters and their relationship are. It’s just a natural progression. David and Michael already had incredible chemistry in S1 but in S2 it’s even more remarkable. Their off-screen friendship shines through and greatly contributes to making the connection between their characters even more genuine and believable. (I’ll write more about them/my theories later).

Now I’d like to quickly talk about two of my favourite things this season: the opening scene and episode 3.

That opening scene was everything. I didn’t expect to see Angel Crowley but what a delightful surprise! I cried because he’s just gorgeous and innocent. The pure delight and excitement he feels about creating stars is just so precious. I’m glad we got to see it and I really hope we’ll get to see more eventually.

Now episode 3 was just hilarious. The bits in Edinburgh had me in stitches. I’m beyond thrilled that David Tennant got to use his Scottish accent, it was music to my ears. And Crowley was just peak comedy. One of my favourite little details in that episode is the change in the telephone wallpaper, switching from the Union Jack to the Scottish flag. I see what you did there 👀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Overall, my mind is blown and my heart is half in pieces and half holding on as best as it can. This new season is a little gem. I laughed and I cried but overall my heart was filled with joy because I got to see my favourite characters again. I wasn’t worried about what this new season would be like but I’m still really pleased to see that it’s Good Omens at heart. And I’m sure Terry would love it. It is truly a labour of love. Made by people who love the story and characters for people who love them just as equally. But also people who love their craft and love to share it with people who are just as eager as them. There are so many details that are so meaningful. And the Easter eggs, I spotted a few of them and I know there are more for me to discover. I also want to give a big shoutout to the costume department who made the wonderful costumes they are truly marvellous. A round of applause to Peter Anderson Studios for their wonderful designs. And also a special mention to David Arnold and his team for the delightful music. The theme variation for the end titles of episode 3 have special place in my heart. Bless me bagpipes it was glorious!

And finally a heartfelt thank you from the bottom of my heart to the wonderful people who made it all happen. Lots of love and gratitude from me. ♥️

@goodomensonprime @neil-gaiman

[ike-mcswains-mortician]

15 questions for 15 people

[ thankyouuu @locke-n-k3y for the tag c: ]

1. are you named after anyone?

nope!

2. when was the last time you cried?

uhh earlier today. finals season is hell teehee

3. do you have kids?

right now? god no, but maybe someday! :)

4. what sports do you/have you played?

i did volleyball in middle school but i dropped it when the team got really toxic, and i haven’t done sports since lol

5. do you use sarcasm?

no. never. /sar

6. what’s the first thing you notice about people?

hmmm probably their hair or outfit, maybe body language too

7. what’s your eye color?

green! my friends have tried to gaslight me (/j) into thinking they’re blue but they are green hehe

8. scary movies or happy endings?

happy endings by far, i need fluff to distract from The Horrors

9. any talents?

i can memorize stuff really well. songs or speeches or stuff like that! friends think i’m super impressive for having eggman’s announcement from snapcube’s SA2 fandub memorized but that’s pretty easy lol

10. where were you born?

i’ll go pretty general and say the chicago area! :)

11. what are your hobbies?

i draw, read, persist through the horrors, write, play dnd, stuff like that! i’ve also gotten into collecting old vinyls!

12. do you have any pets?

no, unfortunately. when i get my own place though i wanna get a cat!!! :3

13. how tall are you?

5’6 heehee

14. favorite subject in school?

in high school it was english and history!! i now am majoring in english sooo yeah i like it a little bit

15. what is your dream job?

i would LOVE to be an editor!! or really just publishing in general :)

i do not have 15 people to tag LMAO so uhh i will just toss this to @thedndgoblinwholivesinyourwalls @marsomar @lumi-lyn @livingponcho @oakay @cookies-over-yonder and anyone else who wants to jump in /nf!

[stormyoceans]

Oh hello, I wrote this question not knowing if you would ever answer it or if it was an interesting question but here we are. You made my day, I adore your analyses. Thank you so much.

You seem so passionate about it, it’s so pleasing.

My thoughts were like yours: they had sex before but it was not extraordinary.

It’s really relevant what you said about the fact that Talay did not seem particularly shocked after waking up in the same bed with Puen. We know that he had a crush on a guy when he was younger as you said so we know that he can be attracted to men (and I do think like you wrote in the # that he is gay) but it obviously doesn’t mean that he had like sexual experiences with the same sex. However, his lack of huge huge surprise in episode 2 might imply that this situation is more or less let’s say “usual”.

Now about Puen, I definitely think that he tried to drown his loneliness in sex and that it was not successful because (as you said once again), he needs to have a connection with the person he slept with.

Exactly, I think that their sexual moments together are really great because they are so deeply in love with each other. It is a certain way of showing their love.

And yes you’re right, Talay is as attracted to Puen as Puen is for him, he is just less vocal and obvious about it.

I’m very exciting about their Our Skyy 2 episodes. I’ve read somewhere that it will be about their life in their universe, like a season 2. Maybe they will talk about their past…but overall I’m over the moon to see more about them.

Also, my only wish was to have a new JimmySea series for 2023 and here we are with Last Twilight. I literally cried when I saw the trailer during the live.

(PS: I appreciated that it was a long answer! As you can see, I wrote a long post too ! and never stop talking about them).

Have a good day or end of the day (It’s 01:25am I don’t know about you).

ANON IM SO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN AND TO KNOW WE HAD SIMILAR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS!!!!!

i always feel incredibly grateful when people ask me stuff or just talk to me about vice versa, because i really do love everything about this show, it’s my little source of comfort and joy and i could honestly talk about it for days, so im very thankful to have an excuse to do just that!!!

i've recently been informed by some very kind anons that gay talay is actually canon in the novel, so im choosing to believe that certain things (like the way talay reacts after waking up in bed with puen in episode 2) were deliberate choices from the show writers. it's also interesting to notice that there is another instance of talay getting drunk and waking up in bed with puen with no memory of what happened, which is in episode 4, after puen shows up to the bar where talay is meeting fuse and kita and talay takes all of puen's drinks because he doesn't want puen to get drunk again. funnily enough, talay seems more shocked now than the first time it happened, and part of it is definitely because this time around puen was actually lying half on top of him, but i also like to think that in the past talay never had a one night stand with someone he was close with because he didn't want things to get complicated, and things with puen were already becoming complicated enough at the time so he panicked at the thought he might have done something with puen that could ruin their relationship

also this is completely random, but when they meet som and prae towards the end of episode 2 i always thought talay and prae were a peak mlm vs wlw dynamic: did not know how to act, did not want to be there, would have much preferred to be matched with the person they originally got there with sfjlksdkfdsj

the mental health crisis intervention team currently in my room is also telling me that i cannot afford to have another meltdown like the one i went through when our skyy and last twilight were announced, but let's just say that IF I THINK ABOUT IT FOR TOO LONG I START GOING RABID AND CLAWING AT THE WALLS OF MY ENCLOSURE. AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE GONNA GET 2 (TWO!!!!!!!!) PUENTALAY EPISODES IN OUR SKYY THAT WILL PROBABLY EXPLORE THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND SHOW MORE ABOUT THEIR PAST IM GONNA START SCREAMING SHAKING CRYING WAILING WEEPING ALL OVER AGAIN THIS IS EVERYTHING TO ME

[bornredheadedme-blog]

Voting Blue in Trump Country

I live in rural Illinois and am virtually surrounded by corn and soybean fields. I am careful about speaking out loud about my voting choices out here since many lawns sport Trump 2024 signs. I keep hope, especially when my daughters noted a huge billboard, "Your Candidate is a Felon" while driving home from visiting family.

I really want to watch the debate tonight but simply looking at tRump's face and hearing his voice turns my stomach. I imagine his wife was raised in a home where the men were always in charge and women did what they were told. Her coming here and marrying someone wealthy, and who could bring her parents here from their home country makes perfect sense from the standpoint of someone who grew up under those circumstances.

I woke up November 9th, 2020 and at 5 am sat on the edge of my bed and cried. How could we go from the educated, genteel, family of Barak and Michelle Obama to the likes of a man who made ill manners and rude behavior the norm. Suddenly, it was okay to make death threats towards people who did not agree with him. A man broke into the home of Speaker of the House Pelosi and beat her husband in the head with a hammer, stating that his goal was to kill the Speaker. Why was this? Because #45 said that we were welcome to do that AND he would pay legal fees.

It seemed that mass shootings were becoming more and more commonplace and when the White supremacists marched in Charlottesville, and a man drove his car into the crowd of counter protesters, the "leader" of our country said there were nice people on both sides. It didn't matter that the White supremacists were marching to show their threatening strengths just like the KKK did during Reconstruction. They carried yuppie-style tiki torches instead of the sticks with oil-soaked cloth wrapped around them.

The lies that the campaign spews are so egregious that I can't believe no one has sued for libel. Even with the stats printed right in front of them, people believe that the economy has faltered and that unemployment is rampant, when in fact these issues are not real. His followers don't recognize the massive tax breaks he gave to millionaires and billionaires are what has caused the prices to skyrocket since none of the money these people have managed to squirrel away ever trickles down so us working stiffs still need to work 2 and three jobs just to pay rent. We shouldn't have to choose between rent and medical or food, but often that's the reality.

I'm retired and on a fixed income, fearful that what was enough is quickly becoming worth less with each passing month. Household groceries have doubled so I'm now forced to read the sale flyers each week and shop accordingly. Salads are becoming the go to dinner for our family of 4. But I like salads. I live in fresh produce country but the growing season is limited.

When my president, Joe Biden announced that he was withdrawing from the race, and Vice President Harris would step up, I was happy that such a strong, educated woman was in the new race. True to form, #45 began denigrating her, questioning if she was smart enough, cause you know, she's a woman and a Black one at that. He went after her because she is always smiling and laughing. When that failed, his VP choice, Vance, went after her because she was child-less. A childless cat woman.

Then when she selected Tom Welz for her running mate, his biography impressed me. In his heart he's a social worker, like me. He believes that kids need food and shelter more than they need the 10 commandments in their classroom. He served 24 years in the military, and Vance attacked him, accusing him of leaving his squad in the lurch right before they were sent overseas. Apparently one is never allowed to retire from the military. Basically, Mr. Welz puts Vance to shame with his miniscule military time in comparison. But in reality, Mr. Welz thanked Vance for his service.

I feel much better about the Dem ticket, especially since Kamala Harris is so brilliant and can out maneuver #45. I have great faith in this election and hopefully will be crying tears of joy the morning after the election this year, unlike 2016.

[sweetiesicheng]

s.coups - babysitting pt.2

word count : 739

i don’t remember how many people wanted a part two, but i made one :D part one (in case you’re interested)

-

"noona! my cousin is picking me up today!" one of the boys exclaimed as he stared out the window. "there he is!" he yelled and almost slammed his face against the window.

you laughed, "go get your stuff then. do you want to bring your painting home?" you asked him, looking at the dining table where some pictures were.

"can i leave it here? we can make it even better next week!" the boy exclaimed and ran into the kitchen.

all of a sudden, the boy hit the table by accident, causing water cups to spill.

"hey! my painting!" one of the girls cried out.

"it's okay! you can make another one!" one of the older boys said as another girl grabbed the nearby paper towels.

then, the doorbell rang. you quickly went to the front door and saw a familiar face from the windows.

you unlocked the door and opened it. "hi," seungcheol spoke up with a gummy smile on his face.

"hi, lifeguard," you greeted.

"hey, my name's seungcheol. remember?" he replied to your greeting. "gonna tell me your name yet?"

"surprised no one's told you yet. maybe i will," you said with a smile. "so you're b/n's cousin?" you asked.

"we just call each other that. i go to school with his older sisters and brothers," he mentioned. "b/n, hyung is here!" he announced, stepping inside.

"wait! i have to help clean up!" the boy replied.

"close the door behind you," you instructed and went back into the kitchen, where the kids were cleaning up the spilt water cups that had various colors from the paint. "go pack up, you don't want to keep your cousin waiting," you instructed the boy. "you guys, go wash your hands. you guys have paint all over them," you instructed the other kids. they immediately left to go wash their hands either in the kitchen sink or the nearby bathroom sink.

"here."

you looked up and saw seungcheol standing next to you with the paper towel roll in his hand. you took it from him and tore some more sheets off.

"thanks," you replied and continued drying the table. you dropped some more sheets onto the floor, letting them soak the paint.

"hyung! look at my picture!" his cousin exclaimed, pulling seungcheol is the side of the table where water hadn't reached yet.

"woah! this looks so cool!" seungcheol responded. "go wash your hands. your mom isn't gonna be happy if she sees paint all over you," he said to the boy.

"okay!"

"y/n unnie, do we have time to make more pictures? mine's all ruined," one of the girls frowned as she walked back over.

"we might have to wait next week. your dad should be here soon," you said to her, patting her head. "how about we color for a bit since that isn't as messy?" you suggested.

she nodded her head and proceeded to go into the living room. the other girl followed her while you noticed the other boy walking through the hall.

"so your name's y/n?" seungcheol asked.

you noticed him drying some of the table for you.

"yea, boring, am i right?" you replied to him and crouched down to wipe the floor, making sure it was dry before standing up and tossing the used paper towels into trash can.

"i like it. it suits you," he replied and also threw away the used paper towels.

you put the roll down on the table while seungcheol pushed the chairs in.

"gonna pick up b/n next week?" you asked him.

"got a shift at the pool. we still haven't closed for the season," he mentioned. "why?"

you shrugged, "maybe i'll bring the kids if the weather is warm enough for swimming."

seungcheol grinned, "are you just trying to see me shirtless again or something?" he asked.

"maybe i just need or want to see if anyone will take me on a date or something," you pondered.

"how about friday after school?" he suggested.

"how about five o'clock? i have to finish something," you suggested.

"how about i pick you up from your school?" he suggested again, both of you smiling at each other.

"unnie," you looked over and saw the kids peeking into the kitchen from the living room, "is he your boyfriend yet?" the older girl loudly whispered to you.

you smiled and looked back at seungcheol, "we'll see."

[38sr]

Welp, I Got Laid Off

Hey, everyone. I know I’ve been quite radio silent this month and well a lot has happened haha. As you’ve read from the title, yes, I’m no longer working at Marvel Studios due to layoffs. Although I was informed of this very early November, my last day was last Friday and this month has been a whirlwind. I know when reading something with layoffs in the title there’s gonna be a lot of questions expressing confusion and shock (I did the same thing these past few weeks). Some of y’all might be thinking: Woah wait! What’s gonna happen to the show you worked on? Rest assured, the production will aired as planned so please do support Spiderman Freshman Year once it’s out on Disney+ in 2024!

Why did this happen? Hmm, honestly I wish I knew too haha. Even if I had the full scope of what was happening, legally I wouldn’t be able to share that information. But I won’t lie that it really did suck when I got the news and it felt like the rug got pulled right from underneath my feet. I’m confused. What does this mean for the second season that was announced at SDCC 2022? I’m confused as well buddy! But again, I can’t say anything about what will happen to Sophomore Year (whether I had that information or not). If you want to see more of the show and same the same crew, please stream the fuck out of the show once it comes out while also supporting the insanely talented team that created the show. Watch parties, fanart, hashtags on social media, the whole gambit! Even though I don’t know what will happen in the future, I feel like our production is in a special situation where fans can really make their voices heard if they really enjoy the show and want more. That’s just my personal opinion tho haha. Whatever happens will happen so don’t take my word for it. What about you? Are you good? Have you found another job? Mmm, I’m doing a lot better than I was 3 weeks ago haha. Am I still upset about the situation? Of course. From my perspective, it really did feel like it came out of left field and unprompted. But I can’t change the past and have to accept what’s done is done. I’ve cried all the tears I could about it and I’m doing better now. As for if I’ve found another job yet, I’m lucky enough that I had freelance already on the side which will keep me afloat for a few months until I find another full-time gig. But yeah, I’m good.  Even though it’s not really the circumstances I would have chosen, in a weird way I see this as an opportunity to 1) finally take a rest after working non-stop since 2020 and 2) make use of the free time to further produce a current personal independent project I’m working on. 

While it sucks I lost my job, I want to welcome this change that might open a new door of possibilities that I might have never thought of doing before (or I have but never had the guts to go through with it). I don’t know. Life is weird...but I’ve just always notice for myself change always happens when I am comfortable and need a new challenge (and I will admit I was comfortable on Spiderman since it was an amazingly run production). I don’t know where I’ll go next....but all I can say is that I’m gonna look forward to the next chapter after I  stuff myself with all the NY-only foods once I go back home for holidays haha.

[kestrel-of-herran]

(1) I let my imagination run, and Heedo and Baek Yijin told me what they would've been like, what we didn't get to see at the end of the drama. You were right, these two took my hands and showed me exactly who they were. I saw Yijin giving Heedo driving lessons on a day off, him getting frustrated and her saying "didn't we promise to be happy when together" with a cheeky smile. I saw him taking her to see his mom, them spending a glorious weekend in that beach town again.

(2) I saw her having a conversation with his mother about how he carries burdens and chooses to suffer silently, his mom thanking her for being with him, saying she sees a light in her son's eyes when he's with her. Getting more serious and growing stronger in their bond, Yijin and Heedo made love, climbing the peak of passion that only such a first love can offer. I saw Yijin and Heedo doing long distance after they sorted their misunderstanding.

(3) Yijin works on an award-winning documentary covering Korean 9/11 victims stories, which accelerates his career growth. I saw Yijin on a video call in an internet cafe in NYC, crying a bit because of how much he misses her (like his mom cried for his dad). They work it out though, it just so happens that the universe always allows them to spend the first snow of the season (either in NY or Korea) together.

(5) I saw her winning an olympic gold medal in America, and this time he gets to be there because they're in the same country. Around this time, he's got the anchor job and will be returning to Korea. Heedo is about to retire to start the fencing academy with Yurim. Yijin pulls a few strings to secretly join the group of reporters interviewing Heedo after her last olympic win, where she announces her retirement.

(6) Heedo sees him, he takes the mic and asks if she will marry him, they embrace in the crowd, cameras flashing. Together, they are a beloved couple in Korea. Their kid is a spelling bee champ. Yijin keeps the pink pencil case in his work bag forever.

this is sooo lovely anon!!! i seem to be missing part 4 in my asks, i hope it's just a typo... thank you so much for sharing this!!!

[fanfictiondreamscape]

Alternate Endings (Pt. 2)

Title: Alternate Endings (Pt. 2) 

Genre: more angst, possibly more than the last part. this is your warning. 

Pairing: Victor Nikiforov x GN!Reader

Notes: This is a part 2 to the previous part, and I still used the angst prompt list from the aforementioned previous parts to form this piece.

With that said, I think that this will be the only part following the first unless I can find some way to continue the storyline. I intend to keep the ending somewhat depressing and sad, so I guess proceed with caution due to such. 

If you want something similar to this for any other character, please let me know, though! I may also mention that this went from a drabble, to a scenario, and now borders on an imagine - I can’t help that I got caught up! 

Part 1

Below the cut! 

You practically fell off the face of the Earth as soon as you left. 

Harboring all of the money you saved and deciding upon negotiations to make with your employer, you left Russia. You left Japan. You just...left. 

Travelling became a huge part of your life afterwards, and though many people had tried to regain contact with you, you ignored most of them - save for a few. Only Yuri Plisetsky and Yuuko Nishigori were available to your whims, but they were still advised to stay as quiet as possible regarding your whereabouts. 

You changed your whole appearance, changed your mindset, and even changed something as generally miniscule as your wardrobe. Still, as much as you did change and throw away, you couldn’t rid yourself of the many frivolous gifts that Victor had given you over the years. 

Some things you just can’t give up, but you knew that it would be fine. At the very least, you had something that would never let you forget about him. 

Victor, on the other hand, fell off the deep end. 

He had come across the note you’d slipped under his hotel room door and for the first time in a long time, he cried. A true mess was what Yuuri had come across, and as many times that he was able to help him through unconventional methods, this was nearly impossible. 

Victor didn’t leave Japan, but he did become so reclusive that even Yakov was extremely worried upon finding out about the occurrence from an offhand comment that Yurio made when talking to Yuuko over the phone before practice. 

Everyone around him saw the typically extravagant man become so dulled by misery that it became painful to watch. 

He didn’t even know where to start since he’d already tried to find you - looking everywhere that he knew you loved, everywhere that he knew you were often obligated to be at - but had failed to do so. 

It wasn’t until, when Yurio was free, that he overheard him and Yuuko talking at the front desk of the rink as Yuuri was warming up and he was getting his skates on. 

“Yeah, they’re in America right now. They just got a raise, actually - they were even thinking of dropping in when they get enough saved up,” Yuuko recollected, excitement dripping from her tone. 

“Well, they’d have to come by when Victor isn’t here. That would also mean that I’d be gone, but at least you could update me,” Yurio responded. He seemed more nonchalant about the whole thing, but Victor became hysterical. 

Granted, he did suppress what he could to eavesdrop further. 

“Of course! I am still a little worried about them, though - you remember how Victor had gone crazy trying to find them?” Yurio grunted in response. “Well, what if he decides to do something impulsive again and leave mid-competition?” 

The light-blonde teenager in front of Yuuko flinched at the thought. “That’s a good point...but we’ll never know unless it happens when it does.” 

A solemn chill fell upon the two, but the conversation split onto Yurio’s next routine and Victor left it to them. He stared wide-eyed, in pure disbelief, at the wall of lockers in front of him. 

“So they’re...(Y/n)’s in America....”

Ideas began to run through his head as the room became eerily quiet. Even Yuuri, who was sat in the corner and preferred a calm and quiet atmosphere, was perturbed by the sudden shift. 

“I know what I’ll do! Yuuri, skate if you want - I’m going to be out for a while,” Victor announced, generally resembling the flamboyant figure skating icon that everyone knew. 

He took his skates off and capped the blades, putting them into his bag and reaching for his cell phone and scrolling through listings. Katsuki was left dumbstruck, but he went on about what he was doing and decided to run through his routine a few times. 

Yurio had left by this point, and Yuuko was too far in the back to catch the tall man’s outburst. 

It wasn’t until the next day that he was extremely prepared and anyone who understood his issue was suspicious. Victor had hunted for every listing to America from Japan, and memorized the closest ones. Yuuko was the one person who was going to be there that he had to ask. 

“Yuuko, I must ask you something! Would you mind?” was Victor’s burning introduction, shocking the normally upbeat mother. She was a little taken aback at the bold attention grabber. 

“Mmm, yeah?” She tried to be as ‘typical’ as possible, considering that her suspicions were up now. She knew what was going on, she knew what Victor was burning for. 

“You said that you’ve been in contact with (Y/n), yes?” 

Yuuko deadpanned, eyes blank and dropping the facade that she was going to attempt to maintain. “I knew it. Listen, I know that you’ve been troubled since they left, and that they have been as well, but please - give them some more time.” 

Victor visibly deflated. He didn’t think it would work, really, but it was worth a shot. Maybe, just maybe, though.... “How about a hint? Is it hot? Cold? What is a landmark?” 

“No, Victor. Sorry.”

And he was back to his dejected being by the next hour. 

Victor was willing to annoy both her and Yurio, but gave up once they stood their ground with firm hold. “No. (Y/n) is fine, and they will come when they want.” It was always the answer, no matter who he asked. 

Daily, Yuuri would keep him company and skate to the best of his ability. It seemed to quench his troubles just a little bit before the up and coming competition season. 

Eventually, the Grand Prix rolled around again. Yurio was competing, as well as Yuuri, and Victor was there to maintain support for his ever-promising prodigy. 

Amongst the drama that had ensued, the two of them decided to take a break romantically and focus on the practice rather than devote too much issue to their worryingly stagnant relationship. 

It wasn’t until Yurio had pulled Yuuri aside when Victor was getting changed that he was let in on soem information that, had Victor heard, would send him into a frenzy. 

“(Y/n) wanted to me wish you good luck and let you know that they are here to watch. If you wanna talk, they’ll be waiting in the lobby.”

Yuuri almost faltered and told Victor, but decided against it. Your wishes were still high up, even if you two weren’t amazingly close. 

Sadly, Victor was still shaken and hurried. It was a large competition, and as much as he wanted to focus on the task at hand, you never left his mind. 

Over the year that you had fallen out of reach, he began to realize where he screwed up. Maybe he did like you at one time, but he let his own fears get the best of him and he fell to putting more of an interest to Yuuri. 

He truly loves Yuuri, but he truly loved you (romantically) at one point, and you slipped from his reach before he could manage to comprehend anything. 

So, upon making eye contact with a familiar pair of (e/c) eyes and an eerie copy of a blazer that he had given you as a birthday gift years ago, he was left idle. 

“(Y/n)?”

You sucked in a breath and shrugged, sighing afterwards and shaking your head. “Yep, it’s me. Hello, again, Victor.” 

Tears flooded his eyes as he ran to you, arms open and tight as his hug enveloped your frame. You didn’t reciprocate, not immediately at least. With obvious hesitance, you returned the hug, but pushed him away only a couple seconds later. 

“You’ve got a skater to support. We can talk later, okay?” 

“But, you’ve come back and-” 

“Victor. Go support Yuuri.”

He bit his lip, but nodded nonetheless and embarked to the rink. 

After the free skate, the next day’s events were prepared and everyone was sent out for the day. Yurio had caught up with you before heading to his hotel room, and Yuuri had popped in before he changed out of his costume, but Victor was most eager to meet you.

Upon seeing each other, yet again, in the lobby, the two of you parted ways but decided to meet at a restaurant in town. Yuuri would be dining with Phichit and some other competitors, and Yurio was with Otabek going sightseeing, so this was a prime opportunity. 

Silence loomed over the two of you, slow walking and sounds of nature overwhelming your senses. 

“So, you’re probably curious as to where I’ve been,” you began, breaking the tension as calmly as possible. You could have sworn that your heart was going to burst out of your chest if you let the quiet settle any longer. 

“Yes, (Y/n). I really have been.” Victor, for once in the time that you have known him, was quiet. He was never really afraid to speak to you about anything, but the way he was acting now let some of the more obvious pain show. 

“I’ve also been extremely worried. I never realized that you felt like that.”

You stopped upon the sentence, eyeing a nearby bench. Victor followed suit and looked down at you, eye contact being maintained. His gorgeous blue eyes were glassy and he appeared on the verge of tears. 

“(Y/n), darling, I never realized how much you actually meant to me. I was stupid. I- I really, truly did love you. I always thought that you were too good for me, though, so I tried to make the ideas disappear. It worked, but only for a while. I love you, (Y/n). Honestly, I really do, and...

“I don’t know how much longer I can endure this.” 

Your brows furrowed at his proclamation. The thought had never really crossed your mind, but you had always been drawn to his personality and how driven he was. You knew that he would do this, though, as he could also be notably daft regarding certain things. 

“Victor, I-.... Listen, I loved you at one point, but you found Yuuri. You found your match. You made your decision. Out of respect for you and him, I left. But I also did it to respect myself.

“I know my habits. I know that I can fixate, so I needed to get out of your hair if I wanted to feel better. So I did. I’m engaged now, Victor, and the person that I met is amazing. I thought that could have been you. But it wasn’t, and I’m okay with that now.” 

“You- you’re engaged?”

“Yes, yes I am. We haven’t planned our wedding date quite yet, but it is being discussed. The fact of the matter is simple: I knew what would happen if I were to stay, and as much as I love you, - platonically - staying here wouldn’t do me any good. Life comes, things change, and sometimes we just gotta give up.”

Silence fell on you two yet again, but it was interrupted by the slight sniffling coming from the tall Russian. 

“Victor, I came back not because I wanted to fight for your affection, but because I’ve been worried about you. I just want you to know that...I still do care for you, and I have still supported you and Yuuri. But what you want, what I wanted...that’s not possible anymore.” 

Pausing, you thought over your next words. Nothing was ever going to completely repair what was broken, but at the very least, you could try. 

“How about this? Here’s my new number,” you handed him a small slip of paper with the nine digits printed on it in your handwriting. “Let’s start talking again, and you can meet my fiancee sometime. Sound good?”

His mood nearly took a 180, but his demeanor was still sullen and sad. A weak smile crossed his face, and he responded in kind, “Of course. How about we go back to the group and enjoy dinner, though? You’re here again, and it’s more than I could ask for - but we have a lot of catching up to do.” 

[sailingintothenight]

“My everything.” T.H imagine.

Summary: A sleepless night after your baby is born.

A/N: Just a short imagine, hope you like it.

1 month ago and during a sunset in the season of the year that gave her name, Autumn Rose Holland was born in a warm room of a hospital in London, in a blissful and foggy afternoon in which the world of her mother and father was painted with beautiful colors again, announcing her arrival with a loud cry that showed her freedom and her desire to live until the doctor placed her on your chest for the first time.

Right there, her brown eyes — identical to her father's — sparkled with the glow of two small diamonds, treasures hidden behind her long lashes from the first time she opened her eyes and gazed, serenely, at her parents, and the new world around her.

But from that moment on, she cried, cried and cried from time to time.

2:54 am, London is submerged in a cozy dream, unlike you, and it seems unreachable for you as you walk through your dark room taking soft steps and soft bounces, holding in your arms a small human being created from a great love and blah, blah, blah, other nonsense things you used to believe before being deprived of such a necessary resource for your sanity and mental health. But you chuckle, numb from lack of sleep, tired, but at peace with yourself as her little head lies on your right arm and your left one gently caresses her back, wrapped comfortably in a white blanket with pictures of little elephants, just like the pillow in the shape of the same animal that Uncle Haz bought for her before she was born. You love her, you are crazy about her, even if the days became difficult and the nights were exhausting, because all the reward is in being able to hold her in your arms, warm and safe.

Tom calls her his angel, his princess, and at the time, it is an appropriate nickname for someone who cries to make her demands heard.

"Is she telling you a good joke?" Tom walks into the room, holding a bottle of warm milk in his hand.

His fluffy brown hair is tousled, eyes tired from lack of sleep, shirtless and in gray sweatpants that fall from his sculpted hips.

“35 minutes to make the milk?" You raise an eyebrow. "Why did you take so long? The milk is in the kitchen, not in another country."

"Sorry, darling." Tom apologizes as he hands you the bottle, sitting on the edge of the bed to watch his daughter stop crying the moment she feels the bottle against her pretty pink lips. "I think I closed my eyes and just fell asleep in the kitchen."

You frown, continuing to stroke Autumn's back, this time with the same hand that holds her head.

"In a chair? On the counter?"

At the sound of your voice, Tom's head falls until he almost hits his chest with his own chin, waking up from his light sleep before looking back at you.

"What? No. Standing. I didn't even know that was possible."

You chuckle, looking away to your baby who is enjoying a meal at 3 in the morning, resting peacefully, just like a princess, in your arms with eyes closed, body relaxed, arms outstretched to pretend to hold the bottle in your hand.

“Even dad can get a nap; you sleep whenever you feel like it… so, Where is mom's nap? I mean, I've slept an hour every night since you were born, the room is a mess like us, and my breasts hurt too much."

Tom chuckles.

"I can't help you with that, darling. In fact, I think that's exactly what got us into this mess."

"What?"

"Your boobs." Tom babbles, smiling wearily, eyes closed as he falls against the edge of the bed, only to stop holding his own weight when he can no longer bear it. “Your incredible, incredible boobs. They are amazing and I love them so much, but they were the temptation that brought us… a beautiful gift."

You shrug your shoulders, agreeing with him.

"They are amazing, and she is beautiful when she doesn't cry.”

"That's when I love her the most." Tom answers, and a second later, you both laugh in unison.

"Oh God. We are the worst parents making fun of her."

You laugh quietly while, asleep again, you leave Autumn in her crib near the bed before returning to it, pushing Tom slightly to wake him up and move, crawling on the covers until he falls on his side, taking advantage of the time that you still have until the baby wakes up again, just to repeat the cycle you have been living in since Autumn was born.

But life still feels good despite the fatigue and the occasional physical pain, because she was everything you never imagined you could have, more beautiful than you had ever dreamed of during the wait.

"Thank you, darling." Tom whispers, so close to you that you can feel his nose against yours, but you're so tired, and it takes you a few seconds to gather your strength to respond.

"Why?"

"For the baby, for loving me, for giving me a home. You two are my everything."

You smiled, sighing

"You're welcome, love. We are lucky to have you." You say, taking a breath to answer as you look at him: eyes closed, body finally relaxed after having her on his chest most of the day. He is a good dad, the best. "But still, the next turn is yours alone."

Tom chuckles, amused and surprised, looking blindly for the warmth of your body to pull you against him, tickling you slightly and that have you both laughing despite the absolute exhaustion, a few seconds before you both can fall into a deep sleep, finally.

[tricksters-captain]

Benedict Bridgerton / Anthony Bridgerton Imagines - Best Man Wins Part 3

AN: Here’s part 3! A little bit of a filler chapter but I promise things will start to pick up quickly!

(🎶🎶🎶) = Link to song

Overall Summary:  Entering a society you thought you had left behind, you find yourself in a tricky triangle with two gentleman you never thought you’d fall for.

This Chapter: A sibling rivalry like no other. 

(PART 1) // (PART 2)

Pairing(s): Anthony Bridgerton x fem!Reader, Benedict Bridgerton x fem!Reader

Word Count: 3,169

Warnings: None

Anthony reentered the Bridgerton house to see Benedict sat on the settee with Eloise and Francesca munching on some chocolates that Francesca had received as a gift that morning. 

“Benedict, may I have a word?” Anthony asked, pulling off his gloves as he entered the drawing room. 

“Go ahead, Brother.” Benedict said through a mouthful of chocolate. 

“Privately.” Anthony shot a look at his sisters to which neither moved. 

Benedict sighed as everyone in the family knew of the girls stubbornness and so he left the room with Anthony.

They entered Anthony’s study where Benedict sat down in the corner on a comfy chair and Anthony leant against his desk.

“What is it, Brother?” Benedict asked, popping a chocolate he had brought with him in his mouth. 

“What are your intentions with (Y/n) (Y/l/n)?” Anthony asked with complete seriousness. 

Benedict chuckled lightly as he leant forward. 

“What ever do you mean, Brother?” Benedict pondered. 

“I know you paid her a call today. And you danced with her last night.” Anthony informed his younger brother. 

“So?” Benedict couldn’t understand why his brother was being so serious. 

“Do you wish to marry this girl?” Anthony asked the same question as his mother had to him. 

“Anthony. She’s a beautiful woman. The most beautiful I’ve seen in a very long time. If I wish to spend time with her, it doesn’t mean I wish to marry her. Why are you so curious about this one? I’ve danced with many other girls before.” Benedict had an idea. He wasn’t stupid, he knew that Anthony had paid (Y/n) a visit too that day. 

“You haven’t sent flowers to a girl before.” Anthony stated. Which was the truth, none of them had. 

“Neither have you, Brother.” Benedict retorted. 

“Seems we have a situation here.” Anthony folded his arms across his chest. 

“Seems we do.” Benedict rose to his feet and mimicked his older brother. 

“I say...” Anthony sighs. “...We both can spend time with Miss (Y/l/n) if we wish and if anything comes of it then we shall see just which brother she prefers.” 

Benedict could see the mischievous glint in his brother’s eye. 

“But we do not let this get in the way of the family. If this spirals out of our control and comes between us then we both agree to leave the girl alone?” Anthony added. 

“Agreed.” Benedict held out his hand and the brothers shook on it. 

Surely this was just harmless courting... there wasn’t any wedding bells ringing just yet...

After a long day of suitors, you decided to flop on the settee with your book and curl up comfortably, munching on some of the treats that were brought to you today. 

“Oh sit up, (Y/n).” Your mother chided you as she went to leave the room. “It’s  unladylike.”

“There are currently no men in this house. I may sit how I please.” You argued as you popped another macaroon into your mouth just to irritate her. 

“Stop eating all those sweets too! We have another event to attend tomorrow night and you don’t want me instructing the tightening of your corset if you are bloated because of it.” Your mother called back before disappearing into the house. 

You groaned and pushed the pack away, taking only one extra. 

You felt the sun through the window find it’s way to your face, warming you. It truly was a lovely day outside and you had been stuck indoors the entire time. 

“Lottie!” You called out as you pushed yourself to your feet. 

“Yes Miss.” She appeared quickly as she flattened her skirt. 

“I shall like to take a stroll.” You announced, putting down the book that you had failed to read all day 

“I shall fetch your coat and cap, miss.” Lottie rushed out into the hall to which you followed. 

You tied your cap to your head and Lottie helped you with your coat before you left the house. 

You walked in silence, raising your head slightly to feel the sun as Lottie followed a short distance behind you. 

“Miss (Y/l/n)!” A girls voice cried out. 

You looked across the street towards the park where you spotted two young girls heading towards you. 

You recognised the both of them from the night before. One had the familiar chestnut hair of the Bridgerton family and the other a rather bright red head of hair. 

“I don’t know if you remember me, Miss (Y/l/n) but I’m Penelope Featherington.” Penelope lowered her head as she greeted you with a bright smile. 

“Of course I remember you, Miss Featherington.” You had some recollection of an orange haired tot. 

“Please call me Penelope.” Penelope insisted. 

“And you must call me Eloise. I remember how kind you used to be offering for me to play with you and Daphne when all I wanted to do was play with Colin and the boys.” Eloise greeted you with the same enthusiasm. 

“It’s pleasure to see you again, Eloise. And I must extend the same invitation, you both must call me (Y/n).” You were thankful for their warm welcome. Before this social season you were terrified no one would wish to speak to you after your fathers scandal. 

“You simply must promenade with us!” Eloise took hold of your arm as she guided you towards the park.

“How is your brother Colin? I remember how he used to pull Daphne’s hair and make her scream for your mother.” You couldn’t help but giggle at your childhood memories. 

“He is off seeing the world. He left after the last season and only seems to come back for a handful of weeks at a time.” Eloise explained. He had always been the naughtiest of the Bridgeton siblings yet the one who seemingly could always get away with murder. 

“And your sisters, Penelope?” You queried. 

“Still unmarried despite Mother’s attempts to sell them to then men of the ton.” Penelope mumbled to your enjoyment. 

The three of you laughed together as you walked through the park. 

“Mother has not stopped talking about you since she saw you last night. I believe she’s already written Daphne three letters insisting they come down to London earlier than they had planned.” Eloise told you as she squeezed your arm. 

“Oh goodness. I hope Daphne doesn’t trouble herself and rush down just to see me. We haven’t seen each other in lord knows how long.” You shook your head at Violet’s attempt to rekindle old relationships.

“11 years to be exact.” Eloise spoke up. You furrowed your eyebrows at her in curiosity and amusement. 

“Lady Whistledown.” Penelope explained for her. 

“That woman really does know everything, doesn’t she?” You chuckled. 

“Incredible woman, I think. I’ve searched for her but my efforts have resulted in nothing so far.” Eloise pouted at the idea she hasn’t been the genius to unmask the anonymous writer. 

You felt yourself shiver slightly as the wind blew past the three of you. The clouds had made the sky overcast and the wind had picked up sending through a chill. 

“You must come back with me and Penelope and have some tea to warm up. You can’t walk all the way back to your house in this cold. You can borrow one of our carriages.” Eloise took notice of your shudder and you couldn’t refuse in a polite way as she was right and so you found yourself at the Bridgerton house front door. 

“Mama! I have a guest!” Eloise announced loudly in the house which made you laugh again. Eloise hadn’t become any more ladylike than she had been as a toddler. 

“Eloise, you mustn't shout.” Violet had begun to scold Eloise as she exited the drawing room but her face lit up at the sight of you. 

“Miss (Y/l/n)!” Violet’s face shone as she announced your name. 

“Please, Lady Bridgeton, call me (Y/n).” You squeezed her hands as she took hold of your own. 

“(Y/n), I believe I told you to call me Violet.” She gave you a jesting warning stare and you nodded with a smile. 

“Violet.” You started. “I’m sorry to arrive unannounced, I bumped into Eloise and Penelope in the park and Eloise insisted I come back to warm up.” 

“No worries, my dear! No worries at all! I’ll have a fresh pot of tea brought up with some cakes and biscuits.” Violet guided you all into the drawing room to which you spotted Francesca playing the pianoforte. 

“(Y/n)!” Francesca paused her playing to greet you. 

“Oh my goodness. I thought Eloise had grown so much. Now look at you!” You gushed over the beautiful girl. “Both of you have blossomed into such beautiful women.”

“Thank you.” Francesca smiled warmly at you. “But I am not the seasons incomparable, that is you.” 

“As Whistledown writes.” You mutter. 

“As the reaction from the ton’s men last night proclaimed.” Eloise laughed along with her sister. 

“Still, I gather you’ve been busy today with callers.” You gestured to the flower displays around the room.

“Not as busy as your residence. I hear every man in the ton went to call on you today.” Francesca brushed off her own accomplishments. 

“I bet it’s exhausting. Constantly, ‘hello, oh yes thank you for the flowers that will die in a couple of weeks if not days, goodbye, hello, oh yes thank you, goodbye, oh hello, another man coming with the intention to enslave me as his wife’...” Eloise mocked the gentleman which made you burst out in laughter that you could not contain. 

“I’m glad to know you find my sister as amusing as she finds herself.” Anthony’s voice seemed to come from nowhere. 

You spun around to see him stood in the doorway. Just as handsome as he was earlier that day. 

“Lord Bridgerton.” You bowed your head in greeting to which he replied with the same.

“I was just coming to find my mother.” Anthony told you. “But I am glad to have found you instead.”

“Are you saying you’d rather see someone more than your dear mother?” Violet came up behind Anthony with a maid holding a tray of tea beside her. 

“There are very few people I’d rather see than you, Mother.” Anthony tried to charm his mother but she only responded with a ‘hmmmm’. 

You couldn’t help but smile at the exchange. 

The maid placed the tray down and Violet began to pour cups of tea.

“Tea, Anthony?” She asked her eldest who had been watching you as you sat down on the settee beside Eloise and Penelope.

“Just a small cup, please, Mother. I had intended to go to the club shortly.” Anthony sat himself down on the opposite settee, his attentions never leaving you.

You glanced towards the man and felt your cheeks flush slightly at his bold stare. 

 “Where has Benedict got too?” Eloise questioned her older brother. 

“I believe he is in the back garden getting some air.” Anthony responded, finally letting his attention move from you over to his sister. 

“It was lovely all day until just now, the clouds covering the sun suddenly made the temperature drop.” You spoke up as you took your tea from Violet. 

“It has been one of our colder starts to the season.” Violet sighed. 

“I don’t mind it being colder than usual. Saves me from sweating through my ridiculous dresses.” Eloise stated which earned a disapproving look from her mother.

“Eloise!” Violet scolded her quietly. 

“It’s quite alright. I must agree that conditions can become quite unpleasant in the summer when we are expected to look our best.” You were on Eloise’s side. It had been terrible working hot summer days in the thick second hand dresses you often wore as a lady’s companion. 

“I bet summer by the sea was enjoyable these past few years however?” Anthony asked as if he had read your mind. 

“Indeed. We were very fortunate.” You didn’t want to expand on the matter as your mother had warned you about speaking of your previous life before society. 

“What did you do all these years out in the country?” Eloise pressed but fortunately Violet cut in. 

“Eloise enough! (Y/n) has not been here five minutes, she does not need your interrogation.” Violet quietened Eloise to which you were grateful. 

You sent her a subtle smile which Anthony didn’t miss. 

He had too wondered what your life had been like after your father’s scandal but he knew it wasn’t his place to ask... yet. 

“I hear from Eloise that you sent Daphne news of my arrival?” You were the one to initiate change of topic. 

“Oh yes! Daphne has written back and has expressed just how terribly excited she is to see you again, Dear.” Violet smiled widely as she thought on the letter. 

“I can’t imagine just how beautiful she must be now after seeing Eloise and Francesca so grown.” You were excited to see your old playmate but you also felt nervous. Daphne had always been the pretty one, the clever one out of the two of you. After seeing the other Bridgerton daughters, you couldn’t even begin to picture what Daphne looked like now. 

“She was named her season’s incomparable, however, I fear that may not have been true if you had returned earlier.” Anthony placed his cup down and smirked mischievously at you. 

“It is a good thing that (Y/n) returned this year instead then.” Violet sent Anthony a sideways glance.

“Mother, may I steal our guest away for a tour of the house since she has not visited in such a long while?” Anthony had a playful look in his eyes which his mother never failed to notice. 

“If (Y/n) agrees to it.” Violet looked towards you. 

“That would be lovely. I was only just gushing over the wisteria from the house in Benedict’s bouquet earlier today.” You suddenly regretted your choice of words as you said them. It was awkward enough for you to have received flowers from both brothers only for you to mention it in front of everyone. 

“I assured Benedict you’d like them.” Violet only smiled warmly as Fran and Eloise shared a look. 

Anthony rose to his feet and offered you his arm. 

He lead you from the drawing you and began his tour.

“I must admit I didn’t expect to be seeing you again so soon.” Anthony smirked as you walked alongside him. 

“I simply ran into Eloise and Penelope in the park and Eloise insisted I visit and use one of your carriages to travel home.” You explained again even though you had mentioned it earlier. “If that’s still alright, of course.”

“I insist. The walk to your residence may not be very long but in the wind it can be disagreeable.” Anthony looked straight ahead as he spoke which allowed you a closer view at his side profile. He had a strong jaw and the curve of his lips was enhanced by the light from the window ahead which made you nibble down on your own. It was almost enough to make you forget it was rude to stare.

“I feel I must apologise for my intrusion. You had told your mother you were meant to be heading for the gentleman’s club. I fear I am keeping you.” You tried to keep from a silence falling between you two. 

“Believe me, Miss (Y/l/n), there is nothing I would rather be doing than this right at this moment.” Anthony glanced down at you with honest eyes. It caused your chest to tighten. 

“I must admit I find that hard to believe.” You tried to hide your smile as you tested the man. 

“Is that so?” Anthony cocked his eyebrow at you. “And what do you suppose I would find more interesting than spending this time with you?” 

“Oh boyish things I suppose. Watching boxing, gambling, visiting the theatre after hours.” You smiled as you listed off the events on your fingers. 

“Are you insinuating I visit the theatre’s after hours? I thought we had already discussed these matters earlier, Miss (Y/l/n)?” Anthony feigned hurt as he spoke. 

“Discussed? No. I’d say we approached the topic of your rakish reputation before my mother interrupted and you fled the house.” You were having too much fun with this. 

“Fled? Now that is where I have to disagree. I would never flee anywhere.” Anthony continued walking you through the house as you conversed. 

You spotted from a distance, the backdoor of the house was ajar and through the window you could see Benedict sat in the garden with a book and a pencil. 

Was Benedict an artist?

As you grew closer to the backdoor you suddenly felt a nervosa rise in your stomach. You didn’t think you were quite ready to speak to both Anthony and Benedict alone. 

“Do you suppose we should return to the drawing room before Eloise starts conspiring where we have gotten too?” You stopped in your step to try and turn both you and Anthony around. 

“You’re right. I don’t doubt she has already been gossiping with miss Featherington about our whereabouts.” Anthony turned on his heels and you both started back to the drawing room. 

“Will I be expecting to see you at the Helliwell’s ball the day after the next?” Anthony asked as you drew closer to company once again. 

“Yes. My Mama has already accepted the invitation so we will be attending.” You informed him. 

“Well, until then, Miss (Y/l/n).” Anthony stopped just before you reached the door to the drawing room and faced you. He pressed a light kiss to your knuckles and hovered your hand before his lips. “I must be off to the club now but I will send a carriage for you before I go.”  

“Thank you, Lord Bridgerton.” You nodded your head politely. 

“Please, it’s Anthony.” Anthony smirked at you, refraining from sending you a wink as he backed away. 

“Is that Anthony off, dearest?” Violet asked as you reentered the drawing room. 

“Yes.” You nodded. “Which does remind me that I must be off home before my mother worries I've been gone too long.” 

“Well, it’s been lovely seeing you, Dear.” Violet rose from her seat and embraced you warmly. 

“Thank you for having me.” You hugged her back with a grateful smile. “I will be back soon no doubt.” 

“I’ll be holding you to that.” Violet held her finger to you with a gay squint. 

You heard the horses out front and you knew this was your cue to leave. 

You bid farewell to Penelope, Francesca and Eloise before entering the carriage.

As you looked back at the house, you felt something arise in you. It was a worrying feeling. A worry that the attention from both the Bridgerton men was going to get you into trouble or worse...

(Next part soon!)

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[papers4me]

Fruits Basket Reboot: Analytical  Overview of the Anime

Fruits Basket’s reboot is one of most successful anime reboots since it has:

Amazing story that celebrates human weakness, digs into the depths of human identity & doesn’t shy away from depicting child trauma & abuse. Teaches the values of letting go & walking forward.

The author’s blessing, nostalgia factor from loyal fanbase.

Fixed scheduled 3 season comeback with 63 eps in total planned from the very beginning.

Finished source material with its ending approved by manga fans.

Anime follows the official manga ending.

The “slice of life/shojo” genre doesn’t need budget for fight scenes or big scale realistic animation for its lore.

All these factors contributed to its success, however, this doesn't mean the anime was a masterpiece. It is very good but had issues aren’t in the writing, but rather in the format, overall vision & its effect on characters’ depths.

1. Format:

a. ( Is Fruits Basket an episodic anime or a plot-driving story?) 

-The anime couldn’t decide how to adapt the manga content, should it follow it literally & combine two chapters together each time, or take the core plot & drive it by character, or focus on its vision or what? they KNOW that can’t adapt everything. They have 63 eps in total so they have good number of eps to do any choice. However, since the anime is advertised as “ a faithful adaptation” they wanted to cement this announcement in se01 & chose “character of the day” format. Once, the manga fans are assured & hooked, they can drive the rest wherever.

-Se02 was slightly less episodic (minus the beach arc which had perfect pacing). Afterwards, the yuki content was approached similarly to se1 but centered around “ episodic themes”.  Lots of characters arcs are pushed to se3 to keep the “mother” theme of se2. that’s why all eps ended happily minus few eps such as tohru’s nightmare ending in isuzu’s ep.

-Se03 is where the anime really had the biggest issues & couldn’t decided between keeping themes or rolling like a true well-written drama-infused story. Thus we see them trying to keep the episodic themes as long as possible in 5 eps & once ep 6 starts & they can no longer label a flowing plot into themes, they rolled into the climax. The entirety of tohru’s neglected issues outside of her role as a mother was condensed in one ep via audio narration, since ep 7 should drive akito into the climax spot, ep 8 is kyo’s & ep 9 is female antagonist vs female protagonist clash. The rest of the eps focus around wrapping the growth arcs of kyo, akito, yuki & tohru.

I wish they kept the episodic forma for se01 only. Se01 is episodic by design since you can’t maneuver around character introduction, but they should’ve let season 2 & 3 flow smoothly without imposing episodic themes that a junior high schooler could detect, simply because the theme will choose which character fits this ep & which must be cut. Hardly a smart decision for a drama-focused story. Example: Se02 post-beach arc, being “mother tohru�� themed meant the cut content of any “teenage girl tohru content”, focusing only on her role as a mother & shoving the rest of “tohru” into the unbelievably packed se03.

b. ( How the seasons are divided & which one is best?)

Lots of fans believed that: se1 (kyo focus), se2 (yuki focus), se3 (tohru focus), I don’t think this is the correct official anime format at all, but rather the fans wishful thinking, here’s why:

se01 isn’t kyo’s focus at all.  Kyo has ONE focused ep each season: se01:ep24, se3: ep9, & se03: ep8. He gets more screen time in se03 to deal with the aftermath of ep8 & to mark his growth & close his arc. But, yuki had more focused eps in se01 than kyo. Example, se01, ep 12, yuki tells the audience abt his dream of new friends, home & new self, sth he achieved gradually ever since that ep ended, thus, Kisa’s ep is a yuki centered ep as well as it marked the beginning of (a) “mother tohru” issues, (b) him deciding to join student council & get out of his comfort zone which is the beginning of “ new yuki”.

se2 is indeed a yuki centered season.

se03 is not a tohru’s focus at all, we still had (akito, shigure, kyo, kureno, momiji, isuzi, haru, machi, motoko, & more yuki) to start or finish their arcs & it is 13 eps only. tho, Tohru had a self-focused role at last which is good.

-I believe the following format better describes the anime’s seasons’ division since it is driven by themes:

se01: Life teachings for the youngsters, due to the direct format of advise given by mother kyoko thro her daughter to the characters/ audience.

se02: Life teachings thro a coming of age story. The trio are struggling to choose a future, afraid & burdened by their trauma’s. Yuki with the help of “mother tohru” , leaves the nest “youngster stage” & sets his foot into the future & struggles to: have fiends, express himself, face his parents, be honest with himself, form an identity & understand himself.

se03: Life teachings of mature issues to those who have already chosen wrong once or twice. bigger issues are presented such as: guilt, death, trauma, extreme self-loath, self-destructive tendencies (kyo), grief, lack of self-esteem, refusing to let go of the past, abandonment issues, constructed polite girl identity with false happy mask (tohru), superiority complex, false forced identity, sins & misdeeds (akito), other themes such as adultery, manipulation, passiveness & enabling can fit the other characters.

So, naturally, season 3 is the richest in content, extremely entertaining story-focused, plot-driven, multi characters depth, plethora of themes, issues & variety of fascinating character writing to distinguish between various arcs & wrap ups. Honestly, se03 carries the whole success since it IS the story of Fruits Basket ( a basket of different fruits & we get to hear/see them all, including the rice-cake!). Still, se03 suffered from the issues of pacing & format I mentioned above, plus condensed content due to short number of eps dedicated to 12 characters.

2. Overall Vision:

Tohru being the main protagonist carries the story’s vision, however, I think Taklaya-san wanted the vision to expand to all her characters. I duno abt the author’s true vision since I haven’t read the manga, but if I were to guess based on the overall story: it is “the acceptance of human weakness”. Yuki isn't the perfect prince, tohru isn't the angelic mom, kyo isn't the horrible monster. These assumptions are the OTHER characters’ perspective of them. Not their true identity or reality. We later even learn that the abusive akito herself, chose a healthier identity, the atoned family head. However, in the anime, characters’ weakness isn’t the center of the anime’s vision, rather its vision is abt the “nurturing effects of the mother figure”, which is supported by the writing as well, but shouldn't be the core driving plot. The anime is more centered around mothers & more narrowly guided. The characters’ weaknesses takes a second seat until the focus on the mother role is over. This does not affect tohru only, but all characters including yuki himself.

-Tohru being the female protagonist shouldn’t be angelic as this contradicts the core theme, thus tohru is given her own set of (human aspects):  trauma, frustrating character traits, faulty coping mechanism: the fake happy mask. Her role as yuki’s mother is only ONE part of her, as big as it is his life & as huge as it is from his perspective. It should NOT be what the audience can only see & feel from tohru. If it is, then Tohru is forever the 16 year-old mother of her peers, sth a normal teenager shouldn't, contradicting the basic existence of the human aspects mentioned above.

a. How does the overall vision being focused on “tohru’s motherly role” affect characters’ depths?

-For Tohru: In the anime, tohru being yuki’s mother lasted for 2 seasons, during that time, we are ONLY allowed to see HER from HIS perspective. Everything abt her human weakness is either vaguely hinted “ few scenes here & there” or pushed to se03. In se01 & 2, tohru is only allowed to act as a “teenage girl” in front of two male characters: (kyo & momiji):

How is tohru depicted in front of kyo & momiji? If you re-watch the anime, once tohru is around these two, her character is very different & she stops giving advice & instead “listen” to them. She is shown more lively & drawn younger & girly, asking more than talking, receiving advice, they both look at her as a normal girl with burdens on her shoulder rather than “savior/care taker”. Kyo complains to her few times abt that & calls her out on her self-denying antics, momoji takes a different approach & subtly provides chances for her to be a “teenage girl”: going to a hot spring & vacation. She opens up to kyo slowly in all her scenes with him, but while she doesn't open up to momiji, she allows herself to show vulnerability & throw her mask a bit in front of him (se01, ep12: she listened to his talk abt his mom, related to him, cried & hugged him with NO advice even tho she didnt tell him abt her mom), se02, she listened to his talk abt his sister, related to him, cried & gave NO advice even tho she didnt tell him she thought abt her mom).

The anime’s heavy focus on her “motherly”side, contradicts showing her as vulnerable & traumatized, hence her backstory lasted for 4 minutes in her own ep, se03, ep6. Later when she faces akito, tohru’s growth kicks in & she starts relating to her issues of abandonment but all this growth came from those 4 minutes of backstory in ep6. In ep9, in front of akito, tohru was depicted just like how she is depicted in all yuki centered eps, ( giving an advice, smiling, a hallow of light around her, the sun rises, the rain stops & she shines her kindness to heal the wounds). 

-For Yuki: In the anime, Yuki is shown seeking a mother & all the right monologues & issues are perfectly presented. However, his weakness isn’t only wanting a mother!! yuki is depicted as a prince by others, so a huge part of his growth is to leave the princely persona behind, which is sth that was not focused on in the anime. Outside of his issues on viewing tohru as a mother & wanting friends, yuki continued to be depicted as prince & wasn't much allowed the freedom of being “a normal teenage boy”. Machi narrated that part of his growth, motoko too, but it wasnt depicted much on screen & yuki continued to have dashing bubbles, sparkles, hair flowing on wind & extreme focus on beautiful face. Him becoming a dynamic character outside of his “finishing my tohru-mother confession to my friend” is very short lived. This would’ve easily been fixed if less attention was given to his “mom tohru” phase. He is more than “I used to look at tohru as my mom”.

-For kyo: In the anime, kyo never looked at tohru as a mom, hence from the beginning kyo didn’t fit the overall vision. Hence, all his issues are pushed into se03 when tohru’s “mom role” is finished. There is a reason we have ONE kyo centered ep in se1 & 2. it IS contradicting the current tohru-image of being a mom. Also, kyo’s thoughts are blocked completely for dramatic purposes but he didnt need to be absent from tons of eps which he was, even his growth ever since se01 finale is very subtle in order to not derive from tohru’s image as a mom. We have some scenes of kyo & tohru interacting, but they should be sparse se01, ep 23 (soup ep) or se02, ep2, or short scenes such kyoto scene or tohru’s worried abt her grandpa scene in se2, ep14. Most of kyo’s & tohru’s scenes aren’t solely romantic in their nature but they provide in depth peek into their true personality & identity as humans. With her kyo isn’t angry or annoyed & with him tohru isn’t bubbly with the “I’m okay” mask.

Side Notes:

There is no doubt that the anime was made with respect & love to the source material & the author. I can see this clearly & I don’t deny it at all. This isn’t meant to ridicule them at all. I respect them all plenty.

There is no doubt that the anime team were trying their best & if you like everything, then good for you, if you like some parts & don’t agree with others, then that’s fine. Criticizing is a form of loving, too. Just be respectful.

Preferences, tastes, visions, & outlooks, all differ from one human to another. This is normal & healthy.

The director or decision maker in the anime having different vision from the author is fine, too. After all, he’s a different person. His perspective & understanding of her characters is different. Disagreeing with him is fine. All medium of art are exposed to the audience perspective. I disagree with him on lots of creative decisions such as reliance on monologues, wide shots on intense moments, lack of zoom on facial expressions, most parallel scenes are very in the nose, need for exaggerated drama & over dramatic drawing of tohru & akito at times.

You can even differ with the writer herself on some parts of her writing, that’s fine, too.

I enjoyed this anime lots, it helped me make new friends, discuss lots of fascinating content, & practiced writing short critical reviews, which is sth I’ve missed from my college days!

I love the writing for the main male characters: Yuki & Kyo. I love their arcs so much! Yuki got the best focus on his core issues. Kyo, in particular surprised me as I used to think, due to the minimum content on him, that he’s only the secondary rival of the main male protagonist. But kyo’s story turned out fascinating & very psychological informed. 

Still, the anime is lacking to me for its depiction & presentation of women. The main female characters (Tohru & akito) are lacking realistic depiction of their core issues & time dedicated to that.  The focus on tohru’s mom role steals from realistic existence as a character on her own right. Akito is a villain for so long & her atonement is quick & her love story is quicker. Both females didn’t get to tell us their traumatic backstory in detail like the boys & they didn’t have enough focus on their human side.

Altho kyo had (1) way less screen time than yuki or even tohru, (2) his true backstory was only revealed in the climax, (3) his inner thoughts were blocked for suspense, he was written wearing his emotions on his sleeve from ep1, so, we grew to feel for him & dreaded what could’ve broken such endearing boy, hence, once it was shown we understood the psychological trauma that destroyed him. One third of the puzzle of his story was revealed each season gradually. (1) se01 (true form), (2) se02 (his bet with akito, knowing kyoko & loving tohru), (3) se03 (His whole backstory including the abusive father).

I wouldn’t say, I wish tohru was given the (yuki treatment) cuz then we’ll need more than 13 eps for se03, I just wished her story & emotions to at least be given the (kyo treatment): Divided into clear thirds (parts).

The anime is a lovely treat that I can recommend to lots of ppl with ease. You dont have to be into shojo to get into it, but it’ll undoubtedly trick you into its subtle main love story that subvert most shojo tropes. The other love stories are good as well, there’s a type of love for every fan!

There’s a number of platonic friendships which is very refreshing! 

My Final Verdict of the anime: Very Endearing as it tugs at my heart!