#a magic fierce and bright

[richincolor]

Title: A Magic Fierce and Bright Author: Hemant Nayak Genres: Fantasy, Post-apocalyptic, Action/Adventure Pages: 384 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Review Copy: Provided by publisher Availability: Available now

Summary: A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow.

Adya wants nothing more than to be left alone. Content to be loyal to no one but herself in the isolated jungles of South India, she dreams only of finding her lost sister, Priya, and making enough money to take care of their family. It’s too bad that her rare ability to wake electric machines—using the magic that wiped them out five centuries ago—also makes her a coveted political pawn. Everyone seems to believe that her technomancy can help them win the endless war for control over the magic’s supernatural source.

These senseless power struggles mean little to Adya. But when her enemies dangle news of her sister before her, she’s all too quick to leap at the chance to bring Priya home—even if it means teaming up with a rakish, disreputable thief in order to do it. With the threat of invasion looming ever larger on the horizon, Adya must reconcile the kind of person she is with the kind of person she wants to be and untangle the web of intrigue, conspiracy, and deceit that threatens to take all of India down with it.

Review: [While the text doesn’t go into explicit detail, there are scenes that include significant bodily harm, including the loss of a limb, and character death. There are also scenes involving human experimentation and torture, though most of that is implied/mentioned rather than shown directly.]

The world of A MAGIC FIERCE AND BRIGHT is a unique magic-induced post-apocalypse set in a fractured India on the verge of a total colonial takeover by the British. Author Hemant Nayak clearly had a lot of fun creating this world and populating it with all sorts of magical and mythological creatures. There is more than one type of magic, though I had some difficulty understanding the differences between them and the limits of their power beyond the technomancy that Adya herself practiced. It left me a little confused at points about what was or wasn’t possible in the setting, which was occasionally distracting.

I enjoy when characters who tend to focus most on their (and their family’s) survival end up swept up into greater scope plots against their will. Adya’s determination to protect her little brother and find her missing twin were relatable ways to help ground the fantastical plot, though I do wish we had been able to develop Mohan more deeply. Mohan isn’t on page for significant stretches of the book, which limited how often Adya herself could reminisce about Priya, and thus limited Priya's character depth as well.

In fact, character development was generally limited across the board. A MAGIC FIERCE AND BRIGHT has so much world building, plot movement, and location changes that there aren’t very many opportunities to really explore people or places in depth. This occasionally hinders the emotional impact of the story, like the discovery that the villain has turned a side character into a monster—we had exactly one on-page scene with the character beforehand. Sure, it was a surprise that the villain could do that with their magic, but it didn’t have the same emotional weight as it would have if we had more time with that character. Imral had a decent character arc, which I appreciated, and Dsouza had good banter with Adya but a woefully under-explored backstory. The motorcycle was endearing, and the resolution of the question of Priya was satisfying.

That said, A MAGIC FIERCE AND BRIGHT had a compelling, action-oriented plot. The characters moved from one set piece to the next, and many of the fights were memorable. I enjoyed seeing how the author would up the stakes or change up the pieces on the board the next time, and there were only one or two places where I felt the action faltered. If you’re looking for an action-oriented fantasy with spectacular fights, you’ll enjoy this. If you prefer your fantasy centered on deep dives into characters or magic, this may not be the best fit for you.

Recommendation: Stick A MAGIC FIERCE AND BRIGHT on your borrow someday list, though if you’re itching for some action/adventure this summer, bump it several spots higher. This book excels at keeping the plot moving though the magic-induced post-apocalypse with serviceable characters and a protagonist who is determined to find and keep her remaining family members alive.

Extras: Author Chat with Hemant Nayak

It’s the Librarian’s Fault! How the public library violently made me fall in love with reading and become a writer, a guest post by Hemant Nayak

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3.5/5

Book Blurb:

A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow.

Adya wants nothing more than to be left alone. Content to be loyal to no one but herself in the isolated jungles of South India, she dreams only of finding her lost sister, Priya, and making enough money to take care of their family. It’s too bad that her rare ability to wake electric machines—using the magic that wiped them out five centuries ago—also makes her a coveted political pawn. Everyone seems to believe that her technomancy can help them win the endless war for control over the magic’s supernatural source.

These senseless power struggles mean little to Adya. But when her enemies dangle news of her sister before her, she’s all too quick to leap at the chance to bring Priya home—even if it means teaming up with a rakish, disreputable thief in order to do it. With the threat of invasion looming ever larger on the horizon, Adya must reconcile the kind of person she is with the kind of person she wants to be and untangle the web of intrigue, conspiracy, and deceit that threatens to take all of India down with it.

Review:

A technomancer must team up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this dystopian story mixed in with Indian culture. Adya lives in a world where England is trying to conquer India. She is a technomancer and magic users are rare and being captured. All Adya wants is to find her lost sister Priya and make enough money to take care of her family. Adya's abilities make her a valuable asset and everyone wants her powers to help them win the endless war.... but none of that means anything to her unless she can get her sister. When news comes before her Adya will need to team up with the one rakish thief who gets under her skin like no one else to save her sister... but that means uncovering secrets and conspiracies. This one started off really fun but kind of got stagnant in the middle but did pick up in the end. Overall its a fun read and the magic and world was interesting to read about. I did enjoy Adya as a main character and i liked her interactions with her love interest, I kind of wish it was more fleshed out. I do think it would make an easy fantasy read and for anyone who is looking for a dystopian/tech magic story would definitely have fun with this.

Release Date: July 9,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[lifeofafemalebibliophile]

Book Review: "A Magic Fierce and Bright" by Hemant Nayak

“A Magic Fierce and Bright” by Hemant Nayak (2024) Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA Page Length: 384 pages (hardcover edition) Synopsis: Adya wants nothing more than to be left alone. Content to be loyal to no one but herself in the isolated jungles of South India, she dreams only of finding her lost sister, Priya, and making enough money to take care of their family. It’s too bad that her rare…

[howifeltabouthim]

'You learned your magic from a man,' Morgan said, 'and he taught you much. But no man knows how to fight like a witch.'

Lev Grossman, from The Bright Sword

[wiildroses]

tags drops 2/??

[ellievickstar]

Bloodied Bonds

A/N: This was...fun. I wanted to fit it all into one part but it was getting too long sooooo yeah.....have fun :)

Summary: When hanahaki disease festers in your lungs, how will your family help you while you hide it from your mate?

Pairing: Azriel x Reader, Rhysand x Sister!Reader

Warnings: Elain slander, dying

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There they were again.

Azriel smiled at Elain with those eyes…those eyes. And in your soul you felt the bond writhe with pain and clench in your chest. You remained still as you immediately brought your eyes to look at the ground beneath you. This hurt. This really hurt. A part of you wanted to deny it, wanted to believe that Azriel would remain faithful to you always, that he would stay true to the mating bond, something he desperately used to want before we got together.

Now, you were not so sure.

“Sweetheart…,” Cassian said from behind me, startling. He knew what you was seeing, saw it in his own brother’s eyes. Azriel may have always been a mystery to everyone else outside the inner circle, but his eyes — his beautiful hazel eyes — showed you everything you needed to know.

“I’m fine,” You waved Cassian off, bringing down shields on the bond, shutting out his emotions, the pain from it, and shutting yourself in as a stray tear slipped down your face, “I’m really fine,” You repeated.

Truth to be told, Cassian did not know what to say to you. After you had defended Azriel since you were kids, brought him to you and Rhysand’s mother, convinced her to take him in. Cassian did not know what could come over Azriel to internally betray you in this way. However as you began coughing Cassian was alarmed when you raced towards the kitchen sink and coughed out flower petals, one after another.

“What the hell-” He started, moving to pull back your hair as he observed what you had coughed out. Blood and petals coated the sink and as you choked them out one by one, slowly calming down, you waved your hand magicking it away. And it was then it hit him.

You were dying.

“Explain. Now.” He demanded. Looking away you mumbled.

“A few weeks ago after I first realised he loved her, I started coughing up flowers and my tears, my tears turned a gold colour. I asked Madja what was wrong. It’s a soul disease called hanahaki, caused by the betrayal of the heart and unrequited love. The tears were caused by the same thing, a unique symptom that is because of my magic due to being the High Lord’s sister. She said the flowers in my lungs will continue to grow until it suffocates me and I die. The star tears are just a symptom that causes physical pain, she doesn’t know if there will be any repercussions from it,” That’s all you managed to ramble out before you doubled over and heaved again, blood dripping out of your gaping mouth as you choked and coughed on the flower petals making their way up your throat.

Cassian was at a loss of words, on one hand he wanted to be angry, angry at you for keeping this from him, for not telling him sooner so he could beat the crap out of Azriel. On the other hand he was…devastated. You had always been like a sister to him, since he first met you as a kindred and fierce spirit when you were seven years old. The three of them had been twenty and Cassian had fell to his knees before the little girl with such a bright spirit, who dared to scream in Devlon’s face when he said females belonged in the kitchen.

Cassian had sworn to protect you.

And now, against a disease he felt helpless.

“Is there a cure?” He asked.

“Madja said there were two ways, either Azriel proves that he still loves me, which we both know won’t happen when he won’t stay away from Elain for more than a few hours, or I could have the flowers cut from their roots and removed, it’s a risky procedure and even successful all my feelings towards Azriel will be removed entirely, given the mating bond, she thinks it will be stripped from my soul. I….I wanted to wait.”

“So you either have your emotions robbed from you, make Azriel realise he’s an idiot, or die?”

You nod.

“Tell Azriel,” “I can’t!” You hissed, “We both know I can’t. He loves her, Cassian, I can feel it, I can see it, everytime he looks at her it’s like she’s the one who hung the stars and moon while when he looks at me that light dies!” You bang your fist on the table.

You point to where Azriel and Elain was far out in the gardens. His shadows no where to be seen, both blissfully unaware of what was going on inside with you and Cassian.

“He acts like she’s the one who went through countless of interrogation, of torture, when she got captured by enemies. He acts like she was the one who protected Velaris with Rhysand when she went under the mountain to be taken advantage of, when Amarantha held me down and tried to force answers out of me,” You let out another pained cry as you slid to the ground, “I have done everything for him, been through hell and back with him. And even after everything he still wants her, still wants to be with her, still doesn’t want me.”

Cassian brought you closer to him as he sat next to you and let you cry on his shoulder.

You cried and cried, and cried until there was nothing left. Cried until you couldn’t cry.

And when you finally fell asleep from exhaustion, Cassian glanced out the house to the gardens where his brother trailed Elain, and Cassian made a decision.

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“You told my brother!?” You shrieked. Rhysand and Cassian was now sitting around you in Rhys’s study.

“You told Cassian before me?” Rhysand shot back. You rolled your eyes as you scoffed, “Oh please I didn’t tell him anything I was throwing up flowers in front of him, not much I could do except explain.”

Shaking his head, Rhys sighed as he glanced at Cassian and they both shared a look. Narrowing your eyes, the tendrils in your mind crept towards your brother and the general, and surprise coated your face when you realised they had shut you out.

“Let me remind you what I do is my choice.”

“Not when your life is at stake,” Rhysand retorted.

So he had decided something against your will already. Of course, your brother who wanted to help everyone, your brother who thought you were his responsibility, his burden to bear. Your brother who claimed to value your opinion oh so much but then never, not once, ever considered how you feel in anything that had to do with you.

“He doesn’t care. I haven’t even been actively hiding it from him, it’s just that he’s never around to notice,” You said bitterly, “Did you know he missed my birthday? You all did. Because usually he’s the one going around reminding everyone the week before. Did you know our anniversary passed and I had waited for him all day just to realise he was with her?” Stray tears slipped down your cheeks as you tried to hold them back.

Crying meant that you were weak.

And you hated being weak.

That was when Cassian spoke, “Have Madja remove the flowers.”

Rhysand shot a look at him.

“She won’t survive otherwise. Even as we discuss this now she is running out of time, Rhys. Azriel’s infatuation with Elain is unforgivable and at least this way we can save her. Their relationship might never be the same but if Azriel is truly in love with Elain as she feels, then it is possible this way everyone wins.”

“I don’t want the male who almost killed my sister in my court,” Rhys bit out.

“Convincing Azriel that what he is doing is wrong will take too long. Maybe we should have interfered when it first started but now it’s too late. We can still save her, really save her. Not their relationship but at least she’ll live,” “And live with a bond that will eventually diminish into nothing?” “Maybe it’s better that way.”

Glancing between Cassian and your brother, your own inner turmoil seemed to be playing out in front of you as they discussed everything that you had not been able to come to terms with yourself. A part of you could still hardly believe that Azriel would do something like this, hurt you in this way when he himself swore that he would be loyal for eternity.

Mates.

A sacred connection that determined your equal, your partner in everything.

But your parents were mates too…and that did not work out well. So maybe it was time for you to let your mate go.

However, as you opened your mouth to agree with Cassian, to agree that maybe the best option would be to remove the flowers directly, the consequences of your feelings being stolen be damned, a cough climbed up your throat.

And as you coughed out bloody petals onto Rhysand’s office floor….everything went dark.

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It had all happened quickly, too quickly for Rhysand’s liking.

One moment he was debating with Cassian how they would save his sister’s life, the next moment as she was about to say something and he watched in horror as blood came out instead of words. Her eyes drooped and he raced to catch her from hitting her head on the hard wooden floors, and as his ears started ringing, holding his sister’s lifeless body in his arms, as he watched golden tears stream out of her eyes, he noticed there was someone screaming.

And it was not until his throat hurt, until his own throat burned, that he realised he was the one screaming, crying out loud for his sister who’s body seemed as lifeless as the one he had lost all those years ago.

“Get Madja!” He roared at Cassian, “Get her NOW!”

Less that a minute went by when Morrigan and Feyre came into the room, Feyre let out a horrified gasp as Mor took in the scene, freezing as she realised her cousin, her best friend, her only companion during the times after Eris and Keir, was in Rhysand’s arms, still and lifeless even as blood trickled out of her mouth and gold spilled form her closed eyelids.

Madja came shortly after, and Y/N’s body was moved to a different room for Madja to work, Cassian explaining what happened and the illness in Y/N’s body that was causing this. Morrigan took a few steps back, before she crashed into the wall of the hallway and let out her own sob.

And for the first time after Rhysand and Y/N had returned from the mountain, Morrigan wept.

Two days passed, and Y/N did not wake.

Madja estimated that they would have to make a decision within the week whether they would tell Azriel, or cut the flowers out.

And in those two days Azriel did not come.

It was only after Rhysand had asked him to meet, told him about Y/N did Azriel finally realised he had not seen his mate in days. That he had not even spent more than fifteen minutes with her in the past few months.

It was only after Rhysand said that Y/N was dying, did Azriel reach down the now cold and empty bond, and realise he had shut her out. And when he let his walls down, experienced the agony, the pain, the grief she felt even in her unconscious state, did Azriel regret.

“Why didn’t she tell me…” Azriel whispered.

“Because she heard you when I told you to stay away from Elain. I looked into her mind and I realised the day her disease started she went to find you, and you had been in my office, yelling at me that the cauldron had made a mistake, that you wanted Elain,” Rhysand laughed coldly. Even Rhys in all his beauty, his eyes were now red from sobbing, his voice hoarse from how he had cried, and cried.

“Good job, Azriel,” Cassian said from the doorway, “You got what you wanted. Your bond will no longer exist once she awakes…that’s if she survives even.”

“No….I don’t,” Azriel muttered, “Rhysand…what conversation?” Rhysand furrowed his eyebrows, “Are you really playing this game with me now? My sister is DYING! AND YOU WANT TO PRETEND LIKE YOU FORGOT WHAT YOU SAID!?”

Azriel’s eyes looked back and forth between his brother’s….when did he…when did he even get here?

Where was his mate?

Why did it feel like something just cleared from his head?

That was when Elain stepped in, holding a mug and what looked to be tea.

“Azriel, i heard your distress, drink this it will make you feel better,” She said softly, but as Rhysand’s eyes narrowed on the mug, it was Cassian who snatched it out of her hands, brought it to his eyes and shattered it on the already ruined hard wood floors.

“That was not just tea.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

And as Cassian lifted his head he declared, “As General of the Night court, I arrest you for illegal possession and use of aphrodisiacs. You are charged with attempted murder of the Princess of the Night Court. You are charged with manipulation and forced betrayal of the court’s spymaster,” And with a menacing grin Cassian said, “And you are charged because you bloody annoy me and you…what you have done today makes me want to rip you to shreds.”

A beat passed.

“That is….” Cassian continued as he glanced at Azriel, with each blink clarity seemed to return to the shadowsinger as he processed everything, as he remembered everything Elain made him do, as he remembered how he had hurt his mate, “That is if Azriel decides he doesn’t want to kill you first.”

Elain let out a scoff, looking down at the spilled tea and broken pieces of ceramic in disgust, “Azriel loves me. Azriel should love me not that disgusting slut of a female, she might be a princess but she is-,” “Mine.” Azriel interrupted.

“She was mine before you interfered. She was mine before you made me break her.” Azriel turned, no doubt to go find Y/N.

“Start counting your days, Elain, because now they are numbered.”

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Azriel taglist: @kemillyfreitas @going-through-shit @chessebookgirl

Part 2 here!!

Love, Ellie.

[denimbex1986]

'...“It’s fun playing bad, but actually he’s not,” the actor says, smiling as he reflects on his character, Crowley. “He’s a villain with a heart. The amount of really evil things he does are vanishingly small.”

...As it always has, “Good Omens” dissects the view of good and evil as absolutes, showing viewers that they are not as separate as we were led to believe growing up. Aziraphale and Crowley’s long-standing union is proof of this. The show also urges people to look at what defines our own humanity. For Tennant — who opted to wear a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Leave trans kids alone you absolute freaks” during a photocall for Season 2 — these themes are more important now than ever before.

“In this society that we’re currently living in, where polarization seems ever more present, fierce and difficult to navigate. Negotiation feels like a dirty word at times,” he says, earnestly. “This is a show about negotiation. Two extremes finding common ground and making their world a better place through it. Making life easier, kinder and better. If that’s the sort of super objective of the show, then I can’t think of anything more timely, relevant or apt for the rather fractious times we’re living in.”

“Good Omens” is back by popular demand for another season. How does it feel?

It’s lovely. Whenever you send something out into the world, you never quite know how it will land. Especially with this, because it was this beloved book that existed, and that creates an extra tension that you might break some dreams. But it really exploded. I guess we were helped by the fact that we had Neil Gaiman with us, so you couldn’t really quibble too much with the decisions that were being made. The reception was, and continues to be, overwhelming.

Now that you’re no longer bound by the original material that people did, perhaps, feel a sense of ownership over, does the new content for Season 2 come with a sense of freedom for you? This is uncharted territory, of sorts.

That’s an interesting point. I didn’t know the book when I got the script. It was only after that I discovered the worlds of passion that this book had incited. Because I came to it that way, perhaps it was easier. I found liberation from that, to an extent. For me, it was always a character that existed in a script. At first, I didn’t have that extra baggage of expectation, but I acquired it in the run-up to Season 1 being released… the sense that suddenly we were carrying a ming vase across a minefield.

In Season 2, we still have Neil and we also have some of the ideas that he and Terry had discussed. During the filming of the first one, Neil would drop little hints about the notions they had for a prospective sequel, the title of which would have been “668: The Neighbour of the Beast,” which is a pretty solid gag to base a book around. Indeed there were elements like Gabriel and the Angels, who don’t feature in the book, that were going to feature in a sequel. They were brought forward into Season 1. So, even in the new episodes, we’re not entirely leaving behind the Terry Pratchett-ness of it all.

It’s great to see yourself and Michael Sheen reunited on screen as these characters. Fans will have also watched you pair up for Season 3 of “Staged.” You’re quite the dynamic duo. What do you think is the magic ingredient that makes the two of you such a good match?

It’s a slightly alchemical thing. We knew each other in passing before, but not well. We were in a film together [“Bright Young Things,” 1993] but we’d never shared a scene. It was a bit of a roll of the dice when we turned up at the read-through for “Good Omens.” I think a lot comes from the writing, as we were both given some pretty juicy material to work with. Those characters are beloved for a reason because there’s something magical about them and the way they complete each other. Also, I think we’re quite similar actors in the way we like to work and how we bounce off each other.

Does the shorthand and trust the two of you have built up now enable you to take more risks on-screen?

Yes, probably. I suppose the more you know someone, the more you trust someone. You don’t have to worry about how an idea might be received and you can help each other out with a more honest opinion than might be the case if you were, you know, dancing around each other’s nervous egos. Enjoying being in someone’s orbit and company is a positive experience. It makes going to work feel pleasant, productive, and creative. The more creative you can be, the better the work is. I don’t think it’s necessarily a given that an off-screen relationship will feed into an on-screen one in a positive or negative way. You can play some very intimate moments with someone you barely know. Acting is a peculiar little contract, in that respect. But it’s disproportionately pleasurable going to work when it’s with a mate.

Fans have long discussed the nature of Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship. In Season 2, we see several of the characters debate whether the two are an item, prompting them to look at their union and decipher what it is. How would you describe their relationship?

They are utterly co-dependent. There’s no one else having the experience that they are having and they’ve only got each other to empathize with. It’s a very specific set of circumstances they’ve been dealt. In this season, we see them way back at the creation of everything. They’ve known each other a long time and they’ve had to rely on each other more and more. They can’t really exist one without the other and are bound together through eternity. Crowley and Aziraphale definitely come at the relationship with different perspectives, in terms of what they’re willing to admit to the relationship being. I don’t think we can entirely interpret it in human terms, I think that’s fair to say.

Yet fans are trying to do just that. Do you view it as beyond romantic or any other labels, in the sense that it’s an eternal force?

It’s lovely [that fans discuss it] but you think, be careful what you wish for. If you’re willing for a relationship to go in a certain way or for characters to end up in some sort of utopian future, then the story is over. Remember what happened to “Moonlighting,” that’s all I’m saying! [Laughs]

Your father-in-law, Peter Davison, and your son, Ty Tennant, play biblical father-and-son duo Job and Ennon in Episode 2. In a Tumblr Q&A, Neil Gaiman said that he didn’t know who Ty’s family was when he cast him. When did you become aware that Ty had auditioned?

I don’t know how that happened. I do a bunch of self-tapes with Ty, but I don’t think I did this one with him because I was out of town filming “Good Omens.” He certainly wasn’t cast before we started shooting. There were two moments during filming where Neil bowled up to me and said, “Guess, who we’ve cast?” Ty definitely auditioned and, as I understand it, they would tell me, he was the best. I certainly imagine he could only possibly have been the best person for the job. He is really good in it, so I don’t doubt that’s true. And then my father-in-law showed up, as well, which was another delicious treat. In the same episode and the same family! It was pretty weird. I have worked with both of them on other projects, but never altogether.

There’s a “Doctor Who” cameo, of sorts, in Episode 5, when Aziraphale uses a rare annual about the series as a bartering tool. In reality, you’ll be reprising your Time Lord role on screen later this year in three special episodes to mark the 60th anniversary. Did you always feel you’d return to “Doctor Who” at some point?

There’s a precedent for people who have been in the series to return for a multi-doctor show, which is lovely. I did it myself for the 50th anniversary in 2013, and I had a wonderful time with Matt [Smith]. Then, to have John Hurt with us, as well, was a little treat. But I certainly would never have imagined that I’d be back in “Doctor Who” full-time, as it were, and sort of back doing the same job I did all those years ago. It was like being given this delightful, surprise present. Russell T Davies was back as showrunner, Catherine Tate [former on-screen companion] was back, and it was sort of like the last decade and a half hadn’t happened.

Going forward, Ncuti Gatwa will be taking over as the new Doctor. Have you given him any advice while passing the baton?

Oh God, what a force of nature. I’ve caught a little bit of him at work and it’s pretty exciting. I mean, what advice would you give someone? You can see Ncuti has so much talent and energy. He’s so inspired and charismatic. The thing about something like this is: it’s the peripherals, it’s not the job. It’s the other stuff that comes with it, that I didn’t see coming. It’s a show that has so much focus and enthusiasm on it. It’s not like Ncuti hasn’t been in a massive Netflix series [“Sex Education,”] but “Doctor Who” is on a slightly different level. It’s cross-generational, international, and has so much history, that it feels like it belongs to everyone.

To be at the center of the show is wonderful and humbling, but also a bit overwhelming and terrifying. It doesn’t come without some difficulties, such as the immediate loss of anonymity. It takes a bit of getting used to if that’s not been your life up to that point. I was very lucky that when I joined, Billie Piper [who portrayed on-screen companion, Rose] was still there. She’d lived in a glare of publicity since she was 14, so she was a great guide for how to live life under that kind of scrutiny. I owe a degree of sanity to Billie.

Your characters are revered by a few different fandoms. Sci-fi fandoms are especially passionate and loyal. What is it like being on the end of that? I imagine it’s a lot to hold.

Yes, certainly. Having been a fan of “Doctor Who” since I was a tiny kid, you’re aware of how much it means because you’re aware of how much it meant to you. My now father-in-law [who portrayed Doctor Who in the 80s] is someone I used to draw in comic strips when I was a kid. That’s quite peculiar! It’s a difficult balance because on one end, you have to protect your own space, and there aren’t really any lessons in that. That does take a bit of trial and error, to an extent, and it’s something that you’re sometimes having to do quite publicly. But, it is an honor and a privilege, without a doubt. As you’ve said, it means so much to people and you want to be worthy of that. You have to acknowledge that and be careful with it. Some days that’s tough, if you’re not in the mood.

I know you’re returning to the stage later this year to portray Macbeth. You’ve previously voiced the role for BBC Sounds, but how are you feeling about taking on the character in the theater?

I’m really excited about it. It’s been a while since I’ve done Shakespeare. It’s very thrilling but equally — and this analogy probably doesn’t stretch — it’s like when someone prepares for an Olympic event. It does feel like a bit of a mountain and, yeah, you’re daring to set yourself up against some fairly worthy competition from down the years. That’s both the challenge and the horror of doing these types of things. We’ve got a great director, Max Webster, who recently did “Life of Pi.” He’s full of big ideas. It’s going to be exciting, thrilling, and a little bit scary. I’m just going to take a deep breath.

Before we part ways, let’s discuss the future of “Good Omens.” Gaiman has said that he already has ideas for Season 3, should it happen. If you were to do another season, is there anyone in particular you’d love to work with next time around or anything specific you’d like to see happen for Crowley?

Oh, Neil Gaiman knows exactly where he wants to take it. If you’re working with people like Gaiman, I wouldn’t try to tamper with that creative void. Were he to ask my opinion, that would be a different thing, but I can’t imagine he would. He’s known these characters longer than me and what’s interesting is what he does with them. That’s the bit that I’m desperate to know. I do know where Crowley might end up next, but it would be very wrong if I told you.

[At this point, Tennant picks up a pencil and starts writing on a hotel pad of paper.]

I thought you were going to write it down for me then. Perhaps like a clandestine meeting on a bench in St James’ Park, but instead you’d write the information down and slide it across the table…

I should have done! I was drawing a line, which obviously, psychologically, I was thinking, “Say no more. You’re too tempted to reveal a secret!” It was my subconscious going “Shut the fuck up!”

[a-lexia11]

Court and Pitch

Alessia Russo x wnba!reader

Word count:Around 13k

Warning:angst, use of the word “soccer”, light homophobia.

Based on this request.

Ever since joining the Los Angeles Sparks not too long ago, your notoriety has only grown. At just 22, you’ve become one of the WNBA’s brightest stars, lighting up every court you step on.

The fans have embraced you as a basketball phenomenon, and your name is constantly buzzing in the sports world.

You’ve earned the reputation of being one of the most fierce competitors and rookie in the league. On the court, you’re known for your confidence—no, scratch that—your cockiness, and everyone loves it. It’s like you thrive on the attention.

The world sees you as this larger-than-life figure, strutting across the hardwood as if you own every inch of it. And to be fair, you kind of do.

There’s no shot you don’t believe you can make, no defender you think you can’t break down. When you're on the floor, there’s an undeniable swagger in your step, a smirk that lets everyone know you’re in charge.

Take tonight’s game, for example. The arena is packed, fans decked out in purple and gold, chanting your name as the clock ticks down. The Sparks are up by ten, but you're far from done making a statement.

“Hey, get ready to watch some magic,” you say to Cameron, one of your teammates and friends during a time-out, grinning as you catch your breath.

“Y/N, you know they hate it when you talk like that, right?” Cameron laughs, shaking her head.

You shrug with a playful smirk. “They hate it because they know it’s true.”

As you jog back onto the court, the crowd roars louder, and you can feel their eyes on you, expecting something spectacular.

With the ball in hand, you dribble up the court, staring down the defender in front of you. She’s been hounding you all game, but you can tell she’s losing steam.

“Is that all you got?” you tease, smirking as you cross the ball from one hand to the other. “This is about to get embarrassing for you.”

Without waiting for a response, you hit her with a quick crossover, your speed catching her off guard. You step back behind the three-point line, and with a fluid motion, you launch the shot. The crowd holds its breath.

Swish.

The crowd erupts, and you turn toward them, blowing a kiss with a wink as you jog back down the court. The other team calls for a timeout, clearly rattled, but you just laugh as you high-five your teammates.

One of your opponents walks by, shaking her head. “You’re too cocky for your own good.”

You flash her a grin. “Confidence, baby. You should try it sometime.”

This is what everyone sees—the confident, cocky Y/N who lights up the court and plays like she has something to prove.

The fans feed off your energy, loving every second of your fearless attitude. You know you’re good, and you don’t shy away from letting everyone know it.

You strut back to your bench with determination, pointing up at a section of fans holding signs with your name on them.

But off the court? That’s a whole different story. You’re not the larger-than-life, trash-talking superstar when the final whistle blows.

Away from the bright lights and roaring crowds, you’re quiet, reserved, and—if you’re being honest—kind of shy. But no one sees that. Everyone just assumes you’re as outgoing in real life as you are on the court.

Only a handful of people know the real Y/N. Your teammates, your family, and your close friends know that behind all the cockiness and confidence, you’re just someone who wants to be understood for who you are, not for the fame you’ve gained.

But for now, you play your part. “Good game,” you say with a grin after the final buzzer, slapping hands with the opposing team.

They know it’s all in the spirit of competition, and they walk away with smiles despite the loss.

As you head off the court, the media rushes to you, microphones and cameras shoved in your face. You flash your signature smile, the one everyone expects, and prepare to play your role once again.

——

“Do I really have to go?” you asked, frustration seeping into your tone as you adjusted your outfit for the sports event in London tonight.

“Yes, you do,” Emma snapped, not even looking up from her phone. “And stop making this harder than it needs to be. We need to maintain your image.”

You rolled your eyes. “I’m just not sure why I have to go to every single event. I’d rather stay home and relax.”

Emma sighed, finally glancing up at you. “Because it’s part of the job. You’re not just a player; you’re a brand. And brands need to be seen. Now, can you please smile and pose for these photos? We need content for social media.”

She thrust her phone at you, expecting you to strike a pose. You forced a smile, trying to ignore the growing frustration in your chest. “Do you ever think about what I want? I mean, I’m tired of all this. It’s like I’m just a product.”

Emma’s expression hardened. “This is part of the deal. You signed up for this. Your career depends on it. You know how much is riding on maintaining this image.”

“I get that,” you said, “but I’m not just a brand. I’m a person. And right now, it feels like I’m being suffocated by all this.”

Emma’s eyes narrowed as she fixed the angle of her phone. “Well, we can’t afford to let your personal issues affect your public image. People expect a certain persona from you, and it’s my job to make sure that’s what they get.”

“Even if it means I have to keep hiding who I really am?” you challenged.

Emma’s gaze was cold. “Yes, even if it means that. It’s about protecting your career, not your personal comfort. We have to think long-term here.”

You felt a pang of frustration and sadness. “But why does it have to be like this? Why can’t I just be myself?”

Emma didn’t miss a beat. “Because being yourself isn’t always marketable. And right now, we need to focus on what sells. Just play your part tonight, and we’ll get through this.”

You sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing further. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”

Emma nodded, her expression softening slightly. “Good. I’ll make sure to get some great shots. And remember, just smile and engage with the fans. That’s what they want to see.”

As you forced a smile for the camera, you couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in a role that wasn’t truly yours. The pressure to conform was weighing heavily on you, and the freedom to be yourself felt more elusive than ever.

Upon arriving at the event, you stick close to your teammates, hoping to avoid conversations with strangers. The room is buzzing with athletes, journalists, and influencers, making it feel overwhelming.

You long for the quiet comfort of your LA apartment, where you can be yourself without the weight of expectations pressing down on you.

Standing by the bar and absently swirling your drink, you notice someone approaching. Tall, blonde, and instantly recognizable—it’s Alessia Russo, the star of Arsenal’s women’s football team. You’ve seen her play and know she’s incredible. But why is she coming toward you?

“Hey, Y/N, right?” Alessia smiles warmly, her tone casual and friendly. You feel a surge of nerves.

“Um…Yeah…it’s me Y/N, um… hi,” you stuttered, and you mentally slapped yourself for being so awkward.

The confidence you project on the court seems to vanish in this unfamiliar setting.

Alessia’s eyes light up with curiosity. “I’m Alessia. I’ve heard so much about you. I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m a big fan.”

You shift uncomfortably, feeling the weight of her gaze. “Um….yes I heard about you too and thanks… I guess,” you reply, trying to muster a smile but feeling awkward.

You don’t typically open up easily, especially not to strangers who seem to be interested in you because of your fame.

Alessia looks at you with a hint of amusement. “I didn’t expect you to be so shy. On TV, you’re so confident and fierce.”

You raise an eyebrow, puzzled. “What- um.. What do you mean?”

“Well,” Alessia begins, leaning casually against the bar, “you seem more down-to-earth than what the media portrays. It’s refreshing to see someone so genuine. I get it, though. People have certain expectations of you, right?”

You find yourself relaxing slightly. She’s striking a chord. “Yeah, people definitely have expectations. Sometimes it feels like I’m just a product, not a person.”

Alessia’s smile widens. “I can imagine. It must be exhausting always being in the spotlight. I’m glad we’re having this chance to talk. You seem really different from how you’re presented in the media.”

As you start to open up, you realize Alessia isn’t just another fan; she’s actually interested in who you are beyond the public persona.

The conversation flows more easily, touching on sports, hobbies, and personal experiences. You find yourself laughing and sharing stories you usually keep to yourself.

Alessia asks about your life in LA and your favorite things to do when you’re not on the court. “What do you do to unwind after a tough game?” she inquires, genuinely interested.

“I usually just stay in,” you say, a bit hesitant. “Watch movies or read. I’m not really into the whole party scene.”

Alessia nods, understanding. “Me neither, honestly. I’d rather relax at home than deal with the chaos of events like this.”

The more you talk, the more at ease you feel. Alessia’s genuine interest and easygoing nature make it easier for you to let your guard down. You start to enjoy the conversation and find yourself opening up more than you anticipated.

As the evening progresses and the event starts winding down, Alessia leans closer. “I really enjoyed talking to you tonight. I’d love to stay in touch.”

You hesitate for a moment, unsure if you’re ready to let someone new into your life. But there’s something about Alessia’s kindness and sincerity that makes you want to take a chance. You hand her your phone, and she grins as she types in her number.

“Text me anytime,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “I’d love to continue our conversation.”

You smile, feeling a mix of shyness and excitement. “Yeah, I will. Thanks for making tonight less overwhelming.”

As you watch Alessia walk away, you feel a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, you’ve found someone who understands you beyond the facade.

——

You did end up texting Alessia the next day—or more accurately, Cameron did it for you. After you told her you’d exchanged numbers with Alessia Russo, she immediately raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“So… are you going to text her?” she asked, lounging on the couch of your hotel room with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll do it” you mumbled, fiddling with your phone but making no move to actually open the message app.

Cameron narrowed her eyes, catching on instantly. “Uh-huh, sure you will.” She stood up and stretched lazily. “Hand it over.”

You blinked. “What? No way. I’ve got it.”

She was too fast for you, though. Before you could react, Cameron swiped your phone right out of your hands and darted toward the bathroom. “Cameron, no! Give it back!”

“Trust me, Y/N! You’ll thank me later!” she called, slamming the bathroom door behind her with a loud click.

You rushed over, pounding on the door. “Cameron, I’m serious! Don’t—open the door! You can't just text her!”

Inside, you could hear her typing away furiously. “Oh, relax. I’m just being your wingwoman, you’ll appreciate it. “Hey, Alessia…” she began narrating, laughing to herself.

“Stop it! I’ll text her on my own! Cameron, come on!” You banged on the door again, but the sound of her laughing only grew louder.

After a minute, the door creaked open just a sliver, and Cameron’s hand emerged, holding your phone. “There. Done. You’re welcome,” she said smugly as she tossed the phone into your hands.

You grabbed it, scanning the message she’d sent in horror:

*Hey, Alessia! This is Y/N. Hope you’re doing well :)*

You groaned. “You didn’t—”

Cameron grinned. “Oh, I did. Now you just sit back and wait.” She flopped onto the couch again, crossing her arms like she’d just won a battle.

You stared at the phone, heart racing. Moments later, it buzzed with a new notification. Alessia had responded:

*Hey, Y/N! So glad you texted! How’s everything going?*

Cameron shot you a look that said, “I told you so.”

You sighed, a reluctant smile creeping onto your face. “Fine, you win this round.”

You spent the next hour texting with Alessia, heart racing the entire time. Every time your phone buzzed, you’d glance at Cameron, who was sitting beside you on the couch, eagerly reading over your shoulder.

She was your lifeline, occasionally feeding you responses when you didn’t know what to say.

At one point, Alessia messaged, *Are you free tonight? Maybe we could grab dinner?*

You froze, staring at the screen, unsure how to respond. Your heart felt like it was about to jump out of your chest. You turned to Cameron, who had the biggest grin on her face.

“Oh. My. God,” Cameron gasped dramatically, clutching your arm. “She just asked you on a date! Alessia Russo wants to take you out on a date!”

“It’s not a date, Cam,” you said, trying to play it cool even though your voice cracked. “She just wants to hang out, you know? As friends.” You rolled your eyes, but even you didn’t believe what you were saying.

Cameron looked at you like you had just said the dumbest thing imaginable. “Uh-huh. Sure. 'Friends.' Y/N, she didn’t ask you to go play video games or grab a quick coffee. She asked you to dinner.At night.That's a date, babe.”

You flushed, trying to brush her off. “Whatever. It’s not like that.”

Cameron nudged you hard, nearly making you drop your phone. “Oh, come on, you're so oblivious! She’s a world-class soccer player who could hang out with anyone in London, but she's choosing to spend her evening with you. She’s definitely into you.”

You blinked at her, feeling your nerves spike again. “I mean… I guess? But what if it’s not that? What if she just wants to, like, talk about sports or something?”

Cameron burst out laughing. “Y/N, literally no one asks someone they barely know to dinner to talk about sports. She’s interested. Just admit it!”

You sighed, knowing she wasn’t going to let this go. “Fine. Let’s say it is a date—what am I supposed to do? I barely even know her!”

Cameron grinned devilishly, “That’s the whole point of a date! You get to know each other. Just be yourself. Except, you know, maybe a little less awkward.”

You glared at her, feeling heat creep up your neck. “Thanks for the pep talk,” you muttered sarcastically.

Cameron waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, come on, you know what I mean. Now hurry up and reply before she thinks you're ignoring her!”

With a deep breath, you typed out your response, letting Cameron proofread it before hitting send.

*Yeah, I’m free tonight. Dinner sounds good!*you sent, feeling a knot of anxiety in your stomach.

A few moments later, your phone buzzed again. *Great! I'll pick you up around 7. Looking forward to it.*

Alessia had added a little smiley face at the end, and your heart skipped a beat.

Cameron let out a high-pitched squeal. “I can’t believe it! Y/N has a date with a hot soccer player!”

“Cameron, stop!” you groaned, burying your face in your hands. “And I’m pretty sure they call it football here, not soccer.”

Cameron waved her hand dramatically. “Who cares what they call it? The point is, shy little Y/N is going on a date with a total babe! I have to tell the girls!” She started to jump up from the couch.

Your eyes widened in panic. “NO, CAM, DON’T!” You lunged for her arm, but she was already bolting toward the door, giggling like a maniac.

“You can’t stop me! This is huge news!” she shouted, running out of the room, leaving you standing there, horrified.

“Cameron!” you called after her, but it was too late. You could already picture the team group chat exploding with messages about your “date.” You sighed, rubbing your temples.

“Why do I even tell you things?” you muttered under your breath, already bracing yourself for the endless teasing you knew was coming.

——

After what felt like hours of trying on different outfits, you finally stood in front of the mirror, surrounded by half your team, who were far too invested in getting you ready. Each of them had an opinion, and no one could agree on anything.

“She has to look hot. It’s Alessia Russo, for crying out loud,” Aari said, holding up a sleek dress.

“No, she needs to be comfortable and herself,” Briana argued, handing you a more casual skirt and top combo.

“That skirt is cute,” Lex added, tilting her head in approval.

“No way, this dress is definitely cuter,” Aari shot back, shaking her head.

The entire process was exhausting, with voices overlapping and opinions clashing. You stood in the middle of it all, watching the chaos unfold, but deep down, you appreciated how much they cared.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternal debate, the team finally came to an agreement on a simple but cute outfit.

A soft, fitted top with jeans that weren’t too flashy, paired with a jacket. It was you—comfortable but still stylish.

“Alright, let me finish up your makeup,” Aari said, gently blending in the last bit of bronzer. “You’re almost ready.”

You took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that were creeping in. As soon as Aari finished, your phone buzzed on the counter. It was a message from Alessia:

*Hey, I’m here.*

Your heart skipped a beat. “She’s here,” you announced, your voice a little shaky as you stood up quickly.

Instantly, everyone sprang into action, helping you put on your jacket and offering last-minute advice.

“Okay, Y/N, you’ve got this!” Cam grinned, holding the door for you. “Good luck on your date.”

You narrowed your eyes at her. “It’s not a date,” you grumbled, tugging at your jacket nervously.

“Uh, yes, it totally is,” Briana said with a knowing smirk, while Lex added, “You’re literally going to dinner with a hot soccer player. If that’s not a date, I don’t know what is.”

Cam nodded emphatically. “Right?! I mean, it’s Alessia Russo. You’re going on a date with a superstar. How cool is that?”

You rolled your eyes, trying to suppress a smile. “You guys are impossible.”

“Just be yourself,” Aari added, giving you a soft smile as she handed you your bag. “That’s who she’s into anyway.”

“Exactly,” Briana chimed in. “No need to be nervous. You’re Y/N, the coolest, most badass rookie player in the WNBA. If she doesn’t fall for that, then she’s got bad taste.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at their supportive banter. Even though they were teasing you, their words meant a lot.

It reminded you that no matter how overwhelming the spotlight could be, you had a team of people who genuinely had your back.

As you stood by the door, the girls cheered you on with playful shouts of encouragement.

“Go get her!” Cam shouted, clapping her hands.

“Remember, confidence! But not too much of your court attitude, okay?” Aari teased with a wink.

Feeling slightly more confident, you smiled at them one last time before stepping out into the night.

Their cheers echoed down the hallway, and despite your nerves, you couldn’t help but grin as you made your way to meet Alessia.

As you stepped out of the hotel, you spotted Alessia leaning against her sleek car, scanning the area. When she saw you approaching, her face broke into a warm, welcoming smile.

“Hey,” she greeted softly, pulling you into a gentle hug.

“Hi,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper. She looked stunning, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, and she was dressed similarly to you, wearing a puffy jacket to fend off the cold.

“Shall we go?” she asked, opening the car door for you. As she fumbled with the handle, she realized the door was locked and let out a nervous laugh. “Oops, looks like I locked the car,” she said, her cheeks flushing slightly as she tried again.

You couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. “No worries,” you said, trying to hide your amusement. “It happens.”

Alessia finally unlocked the door with a sheepish grin. “Thanks for being patient,” she said as you slid into the car.

The drive was smooth and relaxed. With soft music playing on the radio, you chatted casually. Alessia seemed to sense your nervousness and went out of her way to make you feel comfortable, easing the tension with her friendly demeanor and occasional playful comments.

——

The restaurant Alessia chose was perfect—a hidden gem that felt almost like a secret retreat from the world. The dim lighting, soft jazz music playing in the background, and the cozy ambiance created an intimate setting that immediately set you at ease.

As you both settled into your seats, Alessia flashed a warm, reassuring smile. “So, tell me something I don’t know about you,” she said, her tone light and inviting.

You chuckled nervously, “I’m not great at talking about myself. I usually prefer listening.”

Alessia raised an eyebrow playfully. “Oh, come on. I’m sure there’s more to you than what we see on the court. What’s something you’re passionate about outside of basketball?”

You hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Well, I really enjoy painting. It’s a way for me to unwind after a tough game. Not many people know that.”

Alessia’s eyes lit up. “Painting? That’s awesome. What do you like to paint?”

You found yourself opening up more as the conversation flowed. “Landscapes mostly. It’s calming to recreate scenes from nature. It’s the complete opposite of the high-energy game.”

Alessia nodded, genuinely interested. “I get it. I have a similar escape with photography. It’s a different way to see the world and capture moments.”

The conversation effortlessly shifted between your shared passions and life experiences. Alessia was remarkably adept at making you feel comfortable, her genuine curiosity and empathy shining through.

As the evening wore on, you found yourself disclosing more than you’d planned. “You know, Emma, my manager, is really strict about my public image. She even told me I couldn’t come out or share anything personal.”

Alessia’s gaze softened. “That sounds really tough. I can imagine how exhausting it must be to constantly juggle who you really are with the persona you’re expected to maintain.”

You nodded, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability. “It is. Sometimes it feels like I’m trapped in this persona that everyone expects, and it’s hard to be authentic.”

Alessia reached across the table, gently placing her hand over yours. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I see you for who you really are—an amazing person who’s just trying to find their way amidst all the noise.”

The warmth of her touch sent a comforting shiver through you. “Thank you, Alessia. It means a lot to hear that from someone who gets it.”

As she stroked your knuckles softly, you felt an incredible sense of ease and connection. “You know,” Alessia continued, “the person I see now is so different from the confident player I see on TV. You’re genuine and kind, and it’s refreshing.”

You smiled, feeling more relaxed than you had in a long time. “It’s strange, but it’s also nice. I feel like I can be myself around you.”

The night continued in this intimate, relaxed manner. Alessia’s ability to make you feel at ease, her genuine interest in your life, and the way she saw past the public facade made the evening unforgettable.

It wasn’t just a dinner; it was a rare opportunity to connect on a deeper level, away from the pressures and expectations of the outside world.

As the night drew to a close, Alessia drove you back to your hotel, and, to your surprise, she even accompanied you to the lobby.

“So, when are you leaving London?” Alessia asked, her voice gentle but tinged with nervousness.

You glanced at her, feeling a mix of warmth and unease. “The day after tomorrow,” you replied.

Alessia fidgeted with her keys, her eyes darting around as if searching for the right words. “Well, um… would you maybe want to have breakfast with me tomorrow? It could be a breakfast date, or just breakfast. You know, it doesn’t have to be a date if you’re not into it.”

You stumbled over your own words, your nerves palpable. “Um… yeah, I’d love to. Whether it’s a breakfast date or just breakfast... I mean, if it’s a date, then that’s, uh, great too!”

Alessia let out a nervous laugh, her cheeks turning a soft pink. “Yes, it can be a breakfast date, just like tonight. Or, you know, like tonight’s dinner, but in the morning.”

You tilted your head, trying to decipher her words. “So, was tonight, like, a date?”

Her gaze dropped to the ground, and she mumbled, “Well, kind of. Or it could have been just dinner between friends. But, um, I was hoping it felt a bit more like a date?”

“Oh! No, it definitely felt like a date! ” you responded, your excitement bubbling over.

Alessia’s laughter was light and endearing, filled with nervous relief. “I’m glad you think so.”

A moment of awkward silence followed, with both of you avoiding eye contact. Finally, Alessia spoke up. “So, um, breakfast date tomorrow at 9? Is that good for you?”

You nodded eagerly, trying to mask your anxiety. “Yeah, 9 works great for me.”

“Perfect,” Alessia said, her eyes twinkling as she smiled. “I had a really lovely time tonight. I’ll pick you up at 9 then.”

She hesitated, leaning in slightly as if unsure, and then placed a soft, fleeting kiss on your cheek. Your face flushed bright red, and you could feel your heart racing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Alessia!” you managed to say, your voice a bit unsteady.

She smiled again, a little more confidently this time. “See you tomorrow.” With one last lingering look, she turned and walked away.

You watched her go, feeling both giddy and nervous. As you made your way to the elevator, you let out a deep, relieved sigh, your mind already racing with anticipation for the next day.

As you opened the door to your hotel room, your friends rushed in, their excitement palpable.

“How did it go?” Cameron asked, practically bouncing on her toes.

You grinned, recounting every detail of the evening. “It was amazing. Alessia and I went to this cozy restaurant, and we talked about everything from basketball to our lives outside the spotlight. She even asked me out for breakfast tomorrow.”

Cameron’s eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, you have a breakfast date with her? That’s incredible!”

The rest of the team crowded around you, their faces lit up with genuine happiness. “Tell us everything!” one of them exclaimed.

You laughed, describing how Alessia had been both charming and nervous, and how the evening had felt surprisingly comfortable despite the initial awkwardness. “She asked if it could be a date, and I was so flustered. I ended up saying it could be a date breakfast or just a regular one. It was really sweet and… kind of adorable.”

The room burst into cheers and playful teasing. “Y/N’s got another date!” Aari shouted.

Cameron, beaming, added, “I told you it was a date! I’m so glad you had a great time.”

Their enthusiasm was infectious, and you felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over you. Despite the nerves and the awkward moments, it had turned out to be a memorable evening.

“I’m really excited for tomorrow,” you said, smiling as you looked at your friends. “Thanks for being so supportive.”

“Of course! Now go get some rest—you have a big breakfast date ahead!” Cameron said, giving you a thumbs-up.

As you settled in for the night, you couldn’t help but replay the evening’s highlights in your mind, feeling grateful for the support and the unexpected connection with Alessia.

——

When Alessia got home, she immediately grabbed her phone and called her best friend Ella. Her excitement was palpable as she spoke.

“Ella, you will not believe how tonight went!” Alessia gushed into the phone. “Y/N is nothing like I expected. She’s actually really shy and so adorable. We had such a great time, and we’re going to have breakfast together tomorrow!”

Ella’s voice was filled with teasing delight. “Oh wow, someone’s smitten! I’m so happy for you, Alessia. You’ve got to tell me everything—what did you two talk about? Was it as magical as it sounds?”

Alessia laughed, her enthusiasm undiminished. “It really was. We talked about so much—her life, her struggles with being in the spotlight. She opened up more than I thought she would. It felt so natural and comfortable. I just can’t wait to see her again.”

After hanging up, Alessia settled into her bed, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the evening. She replayed their conversation, the way Y/N’s eyes lit up, and the soft laughter they shared. The anticipation of their breakfast date tomorrow made her smile as she drifted off to sleep, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment.

——

The next morning, Alessia picked you up promptly at 9, and instead of driving, you both decided to walk to the charming café she had chosen.

The crisp morning air was invigorating, and the short stroll allowed for easy conversation, setting a relaxed tone for the day.

As you walked side by side, you noticed how Alessia seemed to be both graceful and clumsy at the same time. A few times, she almost tripped over her own feet, her balance wavering with each misstep.

Once, she was so engrossed in conversation with you that she accidentally bumped into someone on the sidewalk. You both laughed, finding her small mishaps endearing.

When you arrived at the café, the quaint atmosphere was warm and inviting. The café had a cozy, intimate vibe, with soft lighting and comfortable seating. As you both sat down, Alessia's playful demeanor continued.

While reaching for her menu, Alessia’s fork slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. She quickly bent down to retrieve it, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Oops, sorry about that,” she said, her voice tinged with a nervous laugh. “I guess I’m a bit of a klutz this morning.”

You couldn’t help but smile, finding her genuine and endearing. “It’s fine. It just makes the morning more memorable.”

Alessia laughed, clearly relieved by your easygoing reaction. “I’m glad you think so. It’s nice to be with someone who doesn’t mind my little mishaps.”

As you chatted over breakfast, you felt yourself becoming more comfortable. Alessia shared stories from her childhood and football career, her animated gestures and bright smile making her stories come alive. You found yourself laughing and relaxing more with each passing minute.

“Tell me more about your childhood,” you asked, intrigued by her stories. “What was it like growing up?”

Alessia’s eyes lit up. “Well, I grew up in a small town, and football was pretty much the center of my world. My family was always supportive, and I had a lot of fun playing with my friends.”

As the conversation flowed effortlessly, you began to feel more at ease, noticing how Alessia’s clumsiness seemed to add to her charm.

She dropped her fork again, this time catching it with a laugh. “I guess I’m just having one of those days,” she said, grinning.

You shook your head, amused. “Well, I think it just makes you even more endearing.”

Alessia leaned in, her gaze soft and sincere. “I’m really glad we’re getting to know each other like this. It feels so natural.”

You nodded, a smile spreading across your face. “Me too. It’s been a really great morning.”

After finishing breakfast, you both made your way back to the hotel. As you walked and talked, her hand brushed lightly against yours. You hesitated, feeling a flutter of anticipation.

You longed to take her hand, to feel the warmth of her touch. Tentatively, your fingers inched closer, and with a mix of hesitation and hope, you gently intertwined them with hers.

She looked at you with a soft, knowing smile, her fingers lacing securely with yours as she held your hand tightly.

The gentle pressure of her hand against yours felt both exhilarating and calming.

Your cheeks warmed with a soft blush, and you smiled tenderly as Alessia swayed your hands back and forth, a quiet rhythm that felt intimate and reassuring.

Arriving at the hotel, you walked Alessia to her car.

“I really enjoyed our date,” you said, your voice filled with genuine warmth, still holding her hand.

Alessia lifted your hand to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss on your knuckles before drawing you closer. Her eyes sparkled with affection as she spoke. “Me too. I don’t want this to end. I want to spend more time with you.” Her voice was a soft, earnest plea as she let go of your hand, wrapping her arms around your waist and pulling you against her.

“Is this okay?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper, her breath mingling with yours. You nodded, a bit shy but eager.

“I don’t want to leave either, but you have training and I have interviews,” you said, placing your hands tenderly on her shoulders.

She sighed softly, her gaze steady and hopeful. “Are you free tonight?”

“Yes,” you responded with a gentle nod.

“How about one last date before you leave for LA? I can’t cook, but we could order some food and watch a movie at my place,” she proposed, her confidence growing with every word.

You felt her fingers brush softly against your back, and you leaned into her embrace, feeling the warmth and comfort of her closeness.

“I’d love that,” you whispered, your voice filled with sincerity and affection.

Your faces were inches apart, and you could feel the warmth of her breath on your skin. She leaned in slowly, her eyes searching yours for permission. You nodded, and with a tender, deliberate motion, she closed the distance between you.

When your lips finally met, the kiss was soft and tentative, full of the unspoken emotions you both felt.

You wrapped your arms around her neck, pulling her closer, and felt her arms tighten around your waist in response. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in that perfect, fleeting moment.

It was unexpected to share your first kiss in a parking lot, but the location didn’t matter as much as the connection between you.

When you finally pulled away, you gazed into each other’s eyes, sharing one last gentle kiss. You could feel her smile against your lips, a tender, shared joy.

“I’ll see you tonight,” you said softly, pulling away with a smile that mirrored hers.

“See you tonight,” she replied, holding your hand for a lingering moment before letting go. You walked back to the hotel, your heart full and your face lit up with a beaming grin.

——

“What about this one?” Alessia asked, scrolling through Netflix as you both looked for a movie to watch.

After breakfast this morning, you had faced Emma’s reprimand for not being where you were supposed to be.

You had lied about your whereabouts, and now you were overwhelmed with a schedule packed with interviews, photoshoots, and other work commitments for the rest of the afternoon.

You hadn’t even had a chance to fully revel in the joy of your amazing date and first kiss with Alessia before being bombarded with work and Emma's demands.

The girls had been curiously probing about your date, and when you shared the details, they erupted into cheers and squeals, especially when you mentioned the kiss.

Throughout the day, Alessia and you stayed in touch through texts and discreet phone calls whenever you found a quiet moment. Her messages and calls provided a welcome escape and made the day pass more smoothly.

Now, you were in her cozy living room, having taken an Uber to avoid burdening her after her grueling training session.

You had ordered sushi, and the two of you enjoyed it together, laughing and sharing stories. The ease of conversation and shared laughter made the evening feel special.

Currently, you were curled up on her couch, a soft blanket draped over your lap as you both searched for a movie to watch.

“Yeah, sure, why not,” you replied, settling in and getting more comfortable. You were nestled close to her, your mind lingering on the kiss you had shared.

As the movie played, Alessia inched closer, her arm sliding around your shoulders and drawing you nearer. You rested your head on her shoulder, feeling a deep sense of contentment and warmth.

You reached for her free hand resting in her lap and intertwined your fingers with hers. The simple touch was incredibly soothing, providing a comforting escape from the stress of your day.

When the movie ended, it was late, and you knew it was time to head back to the hotel.

“I’m going to call an Uber,” you said, pulling out your phone and preparing to arrange your ride.

“No, no, no, I’m driving you,” Alessia insisted, taking your phone from your hand and heading towards the front door to grab her car keys.

“Alessia, it’s really okay. You must be tired. I don’t want you to drive me; go rest,” you said, reaching out to retrieve your phone, but she slipped it behind her back, making it out of reach.

“It’s okay; I want to. Plus, it’ll give us a bit more time together,” she said softly, her eyes meeting yours with a gentle intensity.

She then cupped your face in her hands, leaning in and capturing your lips in a tender kiss. You responded by wrapping your arms around her waist, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss.

When you finally pulled apart, she looked at you with a smile and said, “Let’s go,” unlocking the front door and leading you outside to her car.

In the car, as you drove, the reality of parting ways began to sink in, leaving you with a bittersweet feeling. The time spent with Alessia had been a refreshing break from your usual struggles and unhappiness. She had seen the real you and made those few days in London unforgettable.

Noticing your somber mood, Alessia placed her hand gently on your thigh, her touch soothing. You couldn’t help but smile at her comforting gesture.

As you arrived at the hotel, Alessia parked the car and immediately pulled you into a warm embrace. You buried your face in the crook of her neck, savoring her warmth and the closeness.

“I’m going to miss you a lot,” you admitted, your voice muffled against her skin.

“Me too,” she replied softly, her voice filled with genuine emotion.

You pulled back slightly and kissed her. The kiss began tenderly but quickly grew more passionate as your lips and tongues danced together. The intensity of the kiss conveyed the depth of your feelings.

After a few moments, you pulled away, and she smiled at you with a mixture of sadness and affection.

“We’ll text and call each other, okay? It’ll be challenging because of the time difference, but remember, you can call me anytime. I’ll always be here,” Alessia said, her thumb caressing your cheek.

“Okay, and you can call me too. I’ll always answer,” you promised, leaning into her touch and giving her another gentle kiss.

After sharing a few more soft kisses, you reluctantly parted ways. It was getting late, and Alessia needed to return home to rest for her early morning training.

You began walking away, turning to wave at her. She waved back and blew you a kiss, which you caught with a smile.

Both of you were surprised by how difficult it was to say goodbye after only three days, but it was clear that these brief moments together had created a meaningful connection.

——

You’ve been back in Los Angeles for four weeks now, and saying that you miss Alessia doesn’t even begin to cover it.

You’ve been texting and FaceTiming every day since you returned, but it’s been tough because both of you are busy and the time difference is a constant challenge.

Still, you’ve made it work. You’ve managed to have virtual dates where she’s having dinner while you’re having lunch. It’s not ideal, but you’ve made it work.

“I think I prefer the ponytail,” you told Alessia as she got ready for her training session.

It was midnight for you and 9 a.m. for Alessia. You were laying in bed, feeling the heavy pull of sleep but wanting to stay awake to see her.

“Okay, ponytail it is,” she said with a playful grin, pulling her hair into a neat ponytail before turning back to the screen. “You know, I love how you always notice the little things.”

She smiled at you with that warm, familiar look. “You should really go to sleep, love. You look like you’re about to fall over. I don’t want you to be sleepy on my account.”

You both had started calling each other cute nicknames, though you weren’t exactly sure where things stood. It was casual for now, but there was a lot of affection between you.

“I don’t want to miss any chance to talk with you,” you said, your eyes fluttering closed despite your efforts to stay awake.

Alessia giggled softly, her laughter a comforting sound. “Well, when you wake up, you can call me and we’ll continue our little chat. I’ll be having dinner, and you’ll be having breakfast. It’s like we’re having a date across time zones.”

“That sounds perfect,” you said with a yawn. “Have a great morning, babe.”

“And you have a wonderful night, baby,” she said soothingly, her voice a gentle lullaby. “Sleep tight, and dream of me.”

You managed a sleepy smile before the call ended. As you drifted off, you felt a warm sense of connection, eagerly anticipating the next time you’d be together.

——

Tonight, you had a match and were warming up with your team. Alessia had wished you good luck earlier, but sadly, she wouldn’t be able to watch since it was too late in England.

On the court, you focused on giving a stellar performance, brimming with confidence and cockiness. Naturally, you won the game.

As soon as the final whistle blew, Emma pounced on you like a hawk. “Great game, but don’t get too comfortable,” she said sharply. “You need to sign autographs, take photos, and then we have the press conference.”

You tried to catch your breath, but Emma was relentless. “Seriously, Emma? Can I have a minute to breathe?” you asked, your frustration evident.

Emma fixed you with a hard stare. “No, you don’t get a minute. This is part of the job. The fans expect it, and the media demands it. You’re going to do it, and you’re going to do it now.”

You sighed heavily. “I’m exhausted. Can’t this wait?”

“No,” she snapped, her tone brooking no argument. “You’re the star player, and that means your time isn’t your own. Besides, think of it as practice for the bigger stage. We have to maintain appearances.”

Your patience was wearing thin. “I’ve got a few days off starting tonight. I really need this time to unwind.”

Emma’s expression hardened. “You can have your days off after you’ve done your duties. Want to enjoy that time? Then put in the work now and stop arguing with me.”

With a defeated nod, you headed off to handle the post-match obligations. The thought of those precious days off was the only thing keeping you going as you endured the endless rounds of autographs and photos.

——

“Congratulations on your win, baby! You were absolutely amazing,” Alessia’s voice came through, filled with admiration.

She had watched the game replay and was genuinely impressed by how well you played.

“You know,” she teased, “that cockiness on the court—it’s like you’re two different people. I love how you’re all fierce and confident out there, but so sweet and caring when you’re off the court.”

You smiled softly, feeling a wave of relief. “I can finally relax now. I have the whole week off.”

“That’s wonderful! What’s your plan?” she asked, stretching out comfortably on her bed.

You sighed playfully, “Well, my family is on vacation, so I’ll be on my own. I was thinking of just lounging in bed all week.”

Alessia’s eyes brightened as she suggested hesitantly, “Hey… maybe you could come to England? We could spend the week together. I only have one match and the rest of the week off… only if you want to, of course.

Your face lit up with excitement. “Yes! I’d love to come to England and see you play in person! That sounds perfect.”

Alessia’s smile mirrored yours. “I’d love that too, more than anything. I miss you so much, baby.”

“I miss you more, Alessia,” you said, admiring her through the phone. “Will you stay on the line until I fall asleep? I’ll book my plane ticket tomorrow.”

“Of course, I’ll stay with you,” she said warmly, turning onto her side as she gazed at you through the screen while you propped your phone up on your pillow.

“Goodnight, sweet dreams,” she whispered softly.

“Good morning,” you replied, knowing it was morning for her. She chuckled lightly as you drifted off, comforted by her presence on the phone.

——

You were navigating your way through the London airport, eager to meet Alessia. She had texted you that she was waiting for you in the parking lot, and you could hardly contain your excitement.

As you approached the parking area, you spotted her almost immediately—her bright blonde hair stood out even in the bustling lot. With a wide smile on your face, you called out her name. She looked up, her eyes lighting up as she saw you.

You quickened your pace, and she rushed to meet you halfway. She wrapped you in a warm, tight embrace, her arms holding you close as you giggled, feeling the weight of the past month apart melt away.

“It’s so wonderful to see you in person again” you murmured into her shoulder, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. You pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, and her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink.

“Wow, you’re even more stunning in real life than on my screen,” she teased playfully, her eyes twinkling with affection. You couldn’t help but laugh, her words making your heart flutter.

“Let’s head out,” she said, taking your suitcase with ease. You both walked to her car, and once you were inside, she started driving. The car was filled with a comfortable silence, only broken by the soft melodies of the radio.

As the car came to a red light, you felt Alessia’s gaze on you. You turned to her with a teasing smile, asking, “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing much,” she replied softly, her voice full of warmth. “I’m just so happy you’re here with me.” Her words made your heart race, and you felt a shy blush creeping onto your cheeks.

Feeling a rush of affection, you leaned closer and asked, “Can I kiss you?” Alessia’s smile grew even wider as she nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. You closed the gap between you, your lips meeting in a sweet, lingering kiss.

The kiss quickly grew more passionate, her tongue gently exploring yours. The moment was blissful until a sudden honk from another car startled you both. You pulled away, laughing together as you realized the light had turned green.

Arriving at her house, Alessia guided you to the guest bedroom you’d be sleeping in. You thanked her with a heartfelt hug before collapsing onto the bed, utterly exhausted from your journey.

Alessia chuckled softly and joined you on the bed, her presence comforting. As you settled beside her, you turned to face her, and she looked at you with such adoration.

You reached out, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss. Her hands traced soothing circles on your back beneath your shirt, and you felt a sense of contentment and love that you hadn’t felt in weeks.

After what seemed like an eternity of gentle kisses, you pulled back, feeling a bit uncomfortable from the long flight. “I think I really need a shower; I feel a bit gross,” you admitted with a sheepish smile.

Alessia laughed softly and guided you towards the bathroom. “Go freshen up, love. I’ll be here waiting for you,” she said, her voice filled with affection. As you walked away, you felt her eyes on you, and you knew that despite the exhaustion, this moment was everything you had been longing for.

That evening, you and Alessia were having dinner together. Of course, you had taken charge in the kitchen, since Alessia had admitted more than once that cooking wasn’t her strong suit.

The cozy atmosphere was perfect—the soft clinking of utensils, the warm lighting, and just the two of you enjoying a quiet evening. But there was something on your mind, a question you had been wanting to ask for a while.

As you played with your fork, gathering the courage, you finally spoke. “So... what are we?” you asked, your voice soft but curious, glancing up at her from across the table.

Alessia blinked, her face showing a moment of surprise as she considered your question. “Well... we can be whatever you want us to be, I guess?” she said, her tone gentle, though there was a hint of nervousness behind her smile.

You bit your lip, heart racing as you decided to go for it. “I was thinking... maybe we could be official?” You paused, feeling butterflies in your stomach. “Like... I’d be your girlfriend?”

For a brief second, Alessia’s eyes widened, but then her entire face softened into the sweetest smile. “I’d love that. I’d love to be your girlfriend,” she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Your heart felt like it was soaring, and without thinking, you leaned across the table to give her a soft, lingering kiss, smiling against her lips. When you pulled away, you couldn’t help but whisper, “My girlfriend.”

Alessia’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she giggled shyly. “And you’re my girlfriend,” she whispered back, her eyes shining with happiness.

You both sat there, grinning like fools, the warmth of the moment wrapping around you. Then Alessia added, “I can’t believe this is real. I’ve been wanting to ask you the same thing, but... I didn’t want to rush you.”

You laughed softly, reaching for her hand across the table. “I guess we both wanted the same thing.”

She squeezed your hand gently, her thumb brushing over your knuckles. “Well, I’m glad you said something first. I’m so happy right now,” she said, her eyes never leaving yours.

Dinner was momentarily forgotten as the two of you sat there, basking in the joy of finally making things official, unable to stop smiling at each other.

——

“Okay, baby, I’m going to go now,” Alessia called out, hurrying through the living room, grabbing her bag and keys.

She was clearly in a rush, her shoes tapping against the floor as she moved back and forth, double-checking that she had everything.

Today was match day, and though the game wasn’t until the afternoon, Alessia had to leave early for team prep and meetings. Her excitement was clear, but so was the usual pre-game focus.

“Alright, love. I’ll see you at the match later,”you replied from your spot at the kitchen table, casually eating breakfast. A small smile played on your lips as you watched her buzz around the room.

Alessia paused for a second, turning toward you. She walked over and placed her warm hand gently on the back of your neck, tilting your head up to meet her gaze. “Come here,” she whispered, leaning down to kiss you softly, her lips brushing against yours in a few quick pecks.

“Text me when you get there, okay?”she murmured, her breath warm against your lips as she lingered just inches from your face.

You smiled, kissing her back a little longer this time before pulling away. “I will. Promise.”

With one last look, Alessia gave you a bright smile, kissed the top of your head, and dashed out the door, leaving the house feeling a little quieter in her absence. The sound of the door closing echoed, and you were left sitting there, lost in thought.

Being with Alessia always filled you with this sense of peace and contentment. It was like the rest of the world and all its stressors faded away—no more work pressure, no cameras, no dealing with negativity or drama, not even the lingering thoughts of Emma. Just you, Alessia, and the affection you shared.

The match wasn’t for a few more hours, so you decided to spend the morning downtown. After getting dressed, you called an Uber and left the house, heading into the heart of the city for a bit of exploring.

After walking around for a while, you unexpectedly found yourself in front of the Emirates Stadium.

The sheer size of it caught your attention, and you remembered Alessia mentioning it before—how proud she was that they played some of their matches there and how they’d broken attendance records. It was a special place for her.

Out of curiosity, you wandered into the stadium’s shop. The store was packed with merchandise—scarves, mugs, and jerseys from various players. Your eyes immediately caught sight of a familiar name: Russo. Alessia’s jersey was hanging right there in front of you.

You walked over, running your fingers across the fabric, admiring her name printed boldly across the back. You couldn’t help but smile, thinking of her out there on the pitch, doing what she loved.

But then you hesitated. Was it too soon to buy it? You hadn’t been together for that long. Would she find it cheesy? Or maybe she’d feel pressured? You weren't sure how she’d react to seeing you wear her jersey so early in the relationship.

Then again, you wanted to show her how proud you were, how much you supported her, not just as a girlfriend but as someone who admired her talent and passion. After a moment of deliberation, you picked the jersey off the rack, holding it up with a grin.

Screw it, you thought. You were buying it.

As you made your way to the register, you couldn't help but imagine Alessia’s reaction when she saw you wearing her name. Would she be surprised? Happy? You hoped it would make her smile the way she made you smile every day.

——

Arriving at the stadium, you were immediately struck by the electric atmosphere. The place was buzzing, packed with men, women, and children all decked out in various jerseys.

Some fans were singing team chants at the top of their lungs, others laughing and chatting with excitement. As you scanned the crowd, a few Russo jerseys caught your eye, and it brought a smile to your face, knowing how proud Alessia would be to see her name out there.

Sticking to your promise, you quickly sent Alessia a text: "I’m here!" before heading inside to find your seat. The stadium felt even larger from the inside, and the anticipation building in the crowd was contagious.

Settling into your seat, you began scrolling through your social media, casually passing the time.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted into cheers, and you looked up to see the Arsenal women’s team emerging from the tunnel for their warm-up. Your eyes immediately found Alessia, her figure unmistakable as she jogged to the center of the field.

There was something about her that captivated you in that moment. Dressed in her training kit, she looked completely in her element, focused yet calm.

Her hair was tied up in a neat ponytail, and the way she moved was almost hypnotic. You couldn’t take your eyes off her—she was stunning, both as an athlete and as your girlfriend.

As Alessia stretched and warmed up, you noticed her sneaking glances toward the stands, scanning the crowd. It was obvious she was looking for you.

When her eyes finally landed on you, her face lit up, and you waved, feeling your heart skip a beat as she waved back with a huge smile. Her gaze shifted to your jersey, and for a moment, you could see the curiosity in her expression as she squinted slightly, trying to make out the name on the back.

She pointed at your jersey with a grin, giving you a thumbs up, and you knew exactly what she was thinking—she was hoping it was her name you were wearing. You smiled back at her, standing up slightly to show off the back, and she gave a little fist pump, clearly pleased.

With a playful smile, she blew you a kiss, and even from the distance, she could you her cheeks flush slightly as you caught it with a laugh before returning to her warm-up routine.

It was a small, intimate moment in the middle of a crowded stadium, but it felt like it was just the two of you.

——

The final whistle echoed through the stadium, marking the end of the match. Arsenal had won, and Alessia had scored two breathtaking goals. The stands erupted in cheers, fans chanting for their heroes as the players exchanged handshakes on the pitch.

After the formalities, the Arsenal players began their lap around the stadium, waving to the fans and stopping for photos.

Alessia made her way closer to your section, taking the time to chat with fans, especially the young ones. It was heartwarming to watch her interact with them—so sweet and patient, laughing with them, even signing shirts and taking selfies.

The kids clearly idolized her, and seeing that made your heart swell with pride. You couldn’t help but feel lucky to be hers.

From where you stood, you debated whether you should go over and talk to her. Part of you wanted to be close, but you weren’t sure if Alessia wanted to be seen with you in front of all these people.

You’d been keeping a low profile, not wanting to attract too much attention. Wearing a hat was your attempt at blending in, though you weren’t sure how much it actually helped.

Then there was the Emma factor. If she found out you were at an Arsenal match in a Russo jersey, she would flip.

The dating rumors would undoubtedly blow up, and with Emma so intent to keep your sexuality hidden, it could lead to trouble. Not for you, but certainly for her. You didn’t want to complicate things.

Sighing, you decided not to approach. Instead, you started making your way out of the stadium, feeling a little disappointed but knowing it was probably the right decision. Before leaving, you quickly texted Alessia:

*Heading back to your place now. See you soon*

As Alessia continued signing autographs, her eyes scanned the crowd again, looking for you. But when she didn’t see you, a flicker of worry crossed her face.

Where had you gone? Did something happen? Did you not enjoy the match? She tried to stay focused on the fans, but the nagging thoughts kept surfacing.

Once she finished up and made her way to her car, she switched on her phone and saw your message. Her brows furrowed as she read it.

You had left without saying goodbye. Confused and slightly concerned, she dialed your number immediately.

The phone barely rang before you picked up. “Hi, babe! Great match!” you said cheerfully, hoping to ease any tension.

“Thanks,” Alessia replied, though you could hear the worry in her voice. “But are you okay? Why did you leave so early? I wanted to see you after the match.”

Hearing her concern made your heart melt. “Oh… I didn’t know if you’d want me to come up to you with all those people around. You know how it is with rumors. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel.”

“Baby, of course I wanted to see you,” Alessia said, her voice softening. “I don’t care about rumors. Do you?”

“I mean, I don’t either… but with Emma and my contracts, I didn’t want to stir things up. You know how she is. I just didn’t want to get into trouble, but I really wanted to come up to you,” you admitted, feeling a bit guilty.

Alessia sighed, her voice affectionate. “I understand, love”

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I just didn’t want to cause any issues today.”

“It’s okay, I get it,” she reassured you. “I’m on my way home now, so I’ll see you soon, alright?”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll be waiting for you,” you replied with a smile.

“Good. And hey, next time, don’t hesitate, okay? I want you there,” she added softly, before hanging up.

As you hung up the phone, you couldn’t stop smiling. Hearing how much she wanted you there eased your worries, and you were already looking forward to seeing her again in just a little while.

——

When Alessia stepped through the door, she was immediately welcomed by the comforting smell of food cooking. Curiosity piqued, she wandered into the kitchen and found you standing by the stove, still dressed in her jersey, completely focused on preparing dinner.

You hadn’t noticed her yet, so with a mischievous smile, she quietly snuck up behind you, wrapping her arms around your waist. The sudden touch made you jump a little, nearly spilling what was in your hands.

“Ah! Alessia, you scared me!” you gasped, turning your head slightly to look at her.

She giggled softly, the sound warm and playful. “Sorry, love,” she mumbled with her chin now resting on your shoulder, her body gently pressed against yours. You were both the same height, and the way she fit perfectly against you felt natural, comforting.

Without missing a beat, she planted a soft kiss on your cheek. “By the way, my jersey looks so good on you,” she whispered teasingly, her breath warm against your skin.

You couldn’t help but grin. “Does it really?” you teased back, leaning into her slightly as she started to sway the two of you gently from side to side, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Mmm, yep,” she hummed. “But you know, you could’ve just asked, and I’d have given you one of my old jerseys,” she said with a cheeky smile against your cheek, her lips brushing against your skin.

You giggled, feeling your heart warm at her playfulness. “Too late for that,” you replied with a soft smile, enjoying the closeness.

“Well then, I’ll just have to get one of yours!” Alessia said, her voice full of excitement. “That way, when I come to the U.S. to watch one of your matches, I’ll wear it.”

Surprised, you turned your head slightly more to look at her. “You’d really come to one of my games?” you asked, the disbelief clear in your voice. None of your so-called friends—or even past partners—had ever made the effort to come to one of your matches.

Alessia pulled you in tighter, resting her chin on your shoulder again as she softly replied, “Of course I will. I want to see you play in person, not just on TV. We can be each other’s WAGs.” She laughed lightly, the sound making your heart flutter, as she nuzzled her nose against your neck.

You turned around fully in her arms, your face lighting up. “You really want to watch me play?” you asked, still amazed by how supportive she was.

She grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to see the cocky, confident Y/N on the field. Because the Y/N I know is shy and adorable.” She rubbed her nose against yours playfully, her gaze softening as she looked at you.

Your cheeks flushed at her words, feeling a little bashful. “You’re making me blush,” you said, lightly slapping her shoulder with a laugh, before leaning in to kiss her gently.

Alessia kissed you back softly, her hands resting on your waist as she smiled against your lips. When you pulled away, she brushed her thumb tenderly across your cheek. “You know, you don’t have to be nervous about me coming to your games. I’ll always be cheering for you.”

Her words melted your heart, and you leaned your forehead against hers, the warmth between you two undeniable. “I guess I just never expected anyone to actually want to come watch me play,” you admitted quietly.

“Well, I do,” she said softly, her gaze full of affection. “And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Hearing that made you feel a kind of happiness you hadn’t felt in a long time. Knowing Alessia was willing to support you in such a meaningful way filled you with gratitude and joy. You were already looking forward to the day she’d be in the stands, proudly wearing your jersey, just as you had done for her today.

After dinner, you and Alessia settled on the couch, cozying up together to watch a movie. The warmth and comfort of the evening were abruptly interrupted when your phone rang. You glanced at the screen and saw Emma’s name, which immediately made you sit up, causing Alessia to look at you in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” Alessia asked, her voice filled with concern.

“It’s Emma,” you replied nervously. “She never calls me. She only texts, and when she calls, it’s usually bad news.”

You answered the call and put it on speaker, so Alessia could hear too. Emma’s voice blared through the speaker, sharp and accusing.

“Y/N!?” Emma’s voice was full of anger, making your eyes widen in alarm.

“Yes?” you answered, trying to sound calm.

Emma took a long, frustrated breath before launching into her tirade. “Can you explain to me why I woke up to rumors about you dating a woman soccer player? It’s all over social media! How did you manage to get yourself into this mess?”

Your gaze darted to Alessia, who looked equally shocked. You tried to maintain a calm demeanor, though you were clearly distressed.

“I… um, I don’t know,” you said, trying to play innocent.

“So you have no idea how you magically ended up at an Arsenal game wearing an Alessia Russo jersey? And don’t even get me started on the picture of her blowing you a kiss on the field!” Emma’s sarcasm was palpable, her frustration evident.

You glanced at Alessia, who looked as if she was struggling to remain composed. She squeezed your hand reassuringly, her support evident.

“Okay, yes, I went to the Arsenal game,” you admitted. “But nothing really happened. We barely interacted. People can still think we’re just friends. That kiss was the only thing that happened.”

Emma’s tone grew even more hostile. “Oh, really? Because if you’d bothered to check social media, you’d see that there’s a picture of you two making out in a parking lot! Not only did you flaunt this relationship during the day, but you also lied to me about where you were this morning!”

“I… I didn’t know,” you stammered, feeling the tears start to well up. Alessia’s hand was still in yours, and her grip tightened slightly in a gesture of comfort.

“Do you have any idea what this means for you?” Emma’s voice was now a sharp, cutting edge. “No contracts, no sponsors. Your career is in serious jeopardy. Do you realize how screwed you are?”

“I—” you began, but Emma cut you off with a cutting edge.

“Save it. Don’t say another word. Just let me handle this,” Emma snapped before ending the call abruptly.

The sudden silence in the room was heavy. Tears began to fall as you felt overwhelmed by the weight of Emma’s harsh words. Alessia’s heart broke for you. She pulled you into her arms, holding you tightly and rubbing your back soothingly. For a while, you just let her comfort you in silence, feeling the warmth of her embrace.

“I’m really sorry,” you whispered after a few moments, your voice muffled against her shoulder as you snifflled.

“For what?” Alessia asked softly, gently pulling your face away from her shoulder so she could see your eyes.

“Everyone knows now,” you said, your voice trembling with concern. “I didn’t know if you’d be okay with everyone knowing about us. We never talked about it.”

Alessia’s expression softened, her eyes filled with affection. “I don’t care that everyone knows. It’s nobody’s business but ours,” she reassured you with a tender smile.

She was truly unbothered by the public attention. Her happiness with you was what mattered most to her. Being out in the open didn’t change that.

“And it’s absolutely not your fault,” Alessia continued, her voice firm but gentle. “I’m the one who kissed you in the parking lot. If anyone should apologize, it’s me.” She caressed your cheek softly, her gaze full of sincerity.

“No, it’s not your fault either… I’m happy you kissed me,” you said, managing a small, grateful smile.

Alessia’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with love. “I’m glad I kissed you too,” she said, leaning in to place the softest, most reassuring kiss on your lips.

She then took your phone and turned it off, placing it aside. “Let’s not worry about that tonight. Let’s just focus on being together and go to bed,” she suggested, gently helping you to your feet as you nodded and turned off the TV.

As you made your way to the hallway, Alessia paused and turned to you, a touch of nervousness in her voice. “Do you want to sleep with me?” she asked hesitantly.

You looked at her, a bit surprised by the question.

“I mean, just sleep together. Not anything else,” she rambled nervously, her cheeks flushing. “Though, yes, I’d like to… you know, in the future, if you want,of course! But for now, I just meant to sleep, to close our eyes together.”

You couldn’t help but smile at her endearing nervousness, finding her adorable. “Of course, I’d love to close my eyes with you,” you teased, making her giggle.

You followed her to her room, and as you both lay down facing each other, Alessia draped her arms around your waist, pulling you close. She kissed you softly. “Good night, baby,” she whispered, her hands soothingly rubbing your back.

Feeling completely relaxed, you whispered back, “Good night, babe,” before closing your eyes. You and Alessia drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, feeling more connected and at peace than ever.

——

The next morning, you woke up to the gentle sensation of soft kisses being pressed all over your face. You let out a contented hum, still half-asleep.

"Good morning," Alessia’s raspy morning voice greeted you, her face beaming with a soft smile as your eyes fluttered open to meet hers.

“I made you breakfast… well, at least I tried,” she chuckled, clearly proud of her effort. You giggled in response, but as she leaned in for a kiss, you playfully turned your head, causing her lips to land on your cheek.

“Hey!” Alessia whined, pouting a little.

“Morning breath,” you teased, smirking as you kissed her cheek in return before slipping out of bed. Together, you made your way to the bathroom to freshen up.

“I’ll wait for you in the kitchen,” she said, flashing you another one of those soft smiles, and you nodded, watching her leave with a warm feeling in your chest.

After washing up, you found Alessia in the kitchen. She looked up at you with that hopeful gleam in her eyes. “Can I have my kiss now, please?” she asked, grinning. You giggled and leaned down to press a soft kiss on her lips before sitting down at the table.

“Thank you, Less. This looks really good,” you said, grateful for her effort. You both ate quietly, enjoying the moment, but a sense of calm was soon interrupted.

After breakfast, you turned on your phone, and immediately, it blew up with missed calls and texts, mostly from your teammates and, predictably, Emma.

Your social media was flooded with the picture of you and Alessia kissing in that parking lot. Some of the comments were harsh, filled with judgment and nastiness. You sighed, feeling the weight of it all.

Alessia, noticing the shift in your mood, slid her chair closer and gently placed a hand on your arm. “Please, don't read those comments,” she said softly, her eyes filled with concern. “Don’t let them dictate how you live your life. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

Her voice was steady but filled with emotion. “No matter what you decide, I’m here, always. I know we’ve only been officially together for less than a week, but I care so much about you. I don’t want to lose you over this.”

Her words hit you deeply, making your heart swell. She was right—you had spent too long letting others control your life, dictate your happiness, and stifle who you were. That needed to change, and it needed to happen now.

“You’re right,” you said, finally feeling that resolve settle in. Without hesitation, you dialed Emma’s number. It was past midnight in LA, but you didn’t care. You knew she was awake anyway, probably plotting her next move.

The call rang a few times before Emma answered, her voice harsh and impatient. “Finally, you pick up. I’ve been calling you a thousands times! Now listen—here’s what we’re going to do—”

You cut her off, your voice firm and steady. “No, you listen to me.”

There was silence on the other end as Emma, likely shocked by your tone, waited.

“I don’t care about the sponsors, the contracts, or what the media is going to say. Do you hear me? Here’s what’s going to happen: I’m coming out, and I’m doing it today.”

You could hear Emma start to protest, but you shut her down before she could even get a word in. “No, shut up and listen. I’m tired of you controlling my life. I’m 22, Emma. I’m an adult. I’m done with this.”

“You’re going to ruin your career!” Emma’s voice was sharp, dripping with scorn.

You took a deep breath, the weight of your words heavy but resolute. “I’d rather risk ruining my career and be happy than keep pretending to be someone I’m not and stay miserable.”

“As your manager—” she tried again, but this time, you didn’t let her finish.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot to mention: you’re not my manager anymore. You’re fired.” The words spilled out with finality, and before Emma could respond with more venom, you ended the call and tossed your phone onto the table.

For a moment, there was silence. Alessia, who had been quietly observing, was staring at you, her eyes wide in admiration and surprise.

“Um… was that okay? Did I go too far?” you asked nervously, suddenly second-guessing yourself.

Without hesitation, Alessia cupped your face in her hands and kissed you deeply, her lips warm and soft against yours. When she pulled away, she smiled. “You were absolutely perfect,” she whispered, her voice filled with pride.

You smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. You were finally in control of your own life, and Alessia was right there with you, every step of the way.

——

“You’re going to put on a show for your girl tonight,” Cam teased with a grin, watching as you blushed at her words.

“Absolutely,” you replied confidently, heading onto the court as the match was about to start. “I plan to make it unforgettable.”

It’s been about a month since you came out and fired Emma. Initially, it was tough to manage with brand deals, media attention, and people talking about your personal life.

But over time, things settled down, and people moved on. Although you and Alessia still occasionally receive hate, you’ve learned not to let it bother you.

As you took your position, you glanced to your right and immediately spotted Alessia in the front row, just as she had promised, wearing your jersey. She gave you a playful wink, and you responded by blowing her a kiss. Her grin widened, filled with excitement and pride as she caught the kiss.

The match began with intense energy. You played with a mix of flair and precision, showing off your skills and determination. Every move was calculated to impress not just the crowd, but especially Alessia. At one point, you executed a particularly stunning maneuver, and with a confident smirk, you glanced in Alessia’s direction. She caught your eye and winked back, her teasing smile clearly enjoying your performance.

By the end of the game, you had secured a decisive victory. Your performance was not just strong but spectacular, as you’d promised. The crowd was buzzing, but your main focus was on Alessia.

As you approached the sidelines, you locked eyes with her, giving her a playful wink. She responded with a wide, teasing smile and a little wave, clearly thrilled by your performance.

——

Back home, as you and Alessia snuggled on the couch, you couldn’t help but reflect on the evening’s events.

“You were absolutely amazing out there,” Alessia said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

“Thanks,” you replied, your smile wide and satisfied. “I really wanted to make it a memorable night for you.”

Alessia nestled closer, her hand resting on yours. “You definitely did. I’ve never seen you play with such confidence and flair. It was like you were in your element.”

You sighed contentedly, looking into her eyes. “It feels incredible to hear you say that. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, to be this person. And having you here, cheering me on, makes it all the more special.”

Alessia smiled softly. “You’ve always been amazing, but now you’re truly shining. It’s like you’ve found yourself, and it’s beautiful to see.”

You nodded, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. “It’s true. For the longest time, I felt lost, trying to fit into other people’s expectations. But now, I’m finally being who I truly am. No more trying to live up to Emma’s standards or anyone else’s. I’m proud of who I’ve become, and I’m so happy to have you by my side.”

Alessia squeezed your hand. “I’m proud of you too. You deserve all this happiness and more. Seeing you so confident and joyful is everything to me.”

As you held her close, you felt an overwhelming sense of peace. Your life was exactly where you wanted it to be. You had a fantastic girlfriend who supported and admired you, you had embraced your true self, and there was no more negativity from the past.

For the first time in a long time, you felt genuinely happy and content, knowing you were living your life authentically.

FIN

[girlkisser13]

being married to aaron hotchner would include

• this man is SOO wholesome. the two of you have the fluffiest relationship.

• whenever he sees you, he can’t help but break into a full-on, sunshine-bright grin— it isn’t just a smile; it’s like he’s radiating pure joy.

• aaron tries hard not to talk about you too much around his team. however, they’re incredibly nosy, and he knows that once he starts discussing you, you’ll be on his mind all day.

• penelope's wallpaper is a picture of the two of you kissing (she ships the two of you soo hard).

• he isn't surprised when people hit on you— after all, you're stunning. but when they can see you’re with aaron and still choose to disrespect that, it completely overshadows any compliment they were trying to give you.

• if anything were to happen to you, he’d lose his mind and wouldn’t rest until you’re safe in his arms again.

• we already know aaron is fiercely protective, but with you, it’s even more evident. after losing haley in such a traumatic way, it’s only natural that he some deep-seated fears about losing you too.

• the moment he introduced you to jack, it was like magic— he took to you instantly, bursting into fits of giggles as he saw the genuine smile on your face. for aaron, watching this interaction unfold made his heart soar.

• you made it clear to him that you would never replace jack’s mother. you acknowledged that jack has a mother who, though not present, is still very much a part of his life.

• you assured him that you’d be there for jack in any way he needed, that you’d care for him and love him as your own.

• aaron could have dropped down to one knee and proposed to you right there after hearing that, the respect you had for haley despite never meeting her and the kindness in your heart was enough to melt him to the core.

• when he has to leave for a case early and doesn’t want to wake you, he always leaves a detailed letter so you know exactly where he’s headed and what’s happening.

• he often makes you breakfast before he heads out, driven by guilt for leaving so abruptly.

• whenever he’s paged in the middle of a date, he’s quick to apologize for the sudden departure but makes up for it with a flood of calls to stay connected.

• you're the only one he'll dance with.

• slow dancing might not be his forte, but he gives it his best shot. and though he’ll never admit it, if a faster-paced song comes on and he’s had a drink or two, he’s surprisingly pretty good.

• while he’s intense at work, aaron appreciates quiet, peaceful moments when he’s off duty. a cozy night in with a good book, a movie, or just enjoying each other's company without distractions would be his ideal way to unwind.

• every night he's home, he’s guaranteed to cuddle up with you, his head resting on your chest or nestled in the crook of your neck, while your fingers gently run through his hair.

• it's the closest thing to heaven he’s ever known. <33

[mcuamerica]

Waiting For You | Eris x Reader

For Eris Week 2024 - Day 1: Bonds | Bargains @erisweekofficial

Summary: Lucien and Tamlin bring Rhys's sister to Eris after Tamlin's brothers almost kill her. Eris finds out who his mate is.

Warnings: mentions of SA (nothing happens), canon level violence, torture, parental death (let me know if I missed anything!)

Dividers by @tsunami-of-tears for Eris Week.

Your mother and you were in a small cabin just outside the Illyrian war camp territory, waiting for your brother to show up after his training for the day. You’d spend a week as a family, minus your father, in the cabin. As you admired the river streaming below the small porch, you took in the fresh air. Out in the middle of Illyria, no males to bother you. It was wonderful. 

You let your wings spread out, admiring the way they felt as you took in the cool wind. Only, something was off about it. You furrowed your eyebrows as you looked around, knowing Rhys liked to play tricks on you all the time. While you were a fully grown Fae, you were still young and he was still teaching you a lot about being alert. This time, you were too late when your mother started screaming. Not in terror but for you to run.

Instead, you walked right back into the cabin only to see Tamlin’s brother, Xavier, with a dagger to your mother’s throat. Before you knew what was happening, another one, Neo, had one to your throat. “Hmm.. you smell devine… I should like ravishing you before I destroy these.. Precious wings.” He sneered. A cold chill went down your spine at his words. Your wings. Mother, please don’t let them take your wings. 

“You let her go.” Your mother said. A fierce female that wouldn’t let either of her children get hurt if she could help it. You let out a sob as Xavier pressed deeper into her throat. You scented the blood before you saw it draw from her neck. “Do what you want to me, but leave her alone. She’s innocent.” She said. 

“She won’t be for long,” Neo said, a shudder running down your spine as he nipped at your neck. Your magic was still new to you and certainly not as strong as Neo’s. Not to mention, his strength alone could hold you in his restraint for hours. 

“Do. Not. Touch. Her.” Your mother growled. A female protecting her young, that was all in your mother’s eyes. Suddenly, you had a terrible feeling neither of you would get out of this alive. 

“Oh, we won’t make you watch.” Xavier let out a low laugh. “But you…” His gaze turned towards you just as Neo shoved you into a chair. “You get to watch us gut your oh so loving mother to shreds…” 

“Why?” You asked, doing your best to keep your voice from shaking. “Why are you doing this? Rhys- Rhys is helping you!” You yelled. Too young. You were too young to understand any of this. 

“Rhysand is growing too powerful and close to our dear brother… so we need to show him just how powerless he is. Let’s start with you.” He said, running the dagger along your mother’s arm in a deep cut. 

Once they were tired of your screams, they put a gag in your mouth. And as your mother laid on the floor, blood flowing out of her, you couldn’t bear to watch anymore. But they made you, kept you awake just so you could watch them take her wings. 

The things they did to you next were unspeakable. Carving scars and words into your back, around your wings. Running their rough hands along your wings… your body. The only thing they didn’t do was rape you… but their hands on your body… it was terrible. 

And then they took their swords to your wings, shredding them and eventually peeling them from your back. Slowly. Their magic woke you long enough to view yourself in the mirror. Bruises covered in bright red blood along your once clean skin. Just hours before, your wings were intact and stretched out in the sun.. but now they were in the hands of your tormentors as they sneered. 

“I hope Rhysand sees this message… not that you’ll live long enough to know.” Xavier said, his laugh echoing in your head before delivering the final blow. And then everything was dark. 

Something wasn’t right. Eris could feel it in his gut, something was very very wrong. Someone was hurt… he just didn’t know who. Or why he felt this way. Still, he felt a tug on his heart, and he tugged back. Whatever that tug was needed an answering one. 

He didn’t know what it was until his brother… the one who had vowed to never step foot in the Autumn again, came stumbling in with Tamlin. And a bloody, broken body between them. 

“Xavier and Neo went crazy.” Lucien said. “They- they killed the High Lord of Night’s wife… and this… his daughter.. Rhys’s sister..” His words stumbled. “Eris, she’s barely alive.” 

Lucien looked at his brother, the one who wouldn’t take part in killing his lover. The one who he knew had a compassionate side of him. Begged him to help her. If she died… It was bad enough that the Lady of Night was killed.. But a future heir? The High Lord of Night might start a terrible war. Tamlin and Lucien set you on Eris’s table, both peering at him like deer in faelight. 

“Bring her in… and go find Renae. Quietly. Tamlin.. I suggest you go home and see to your brothers. The High Lord of Night will hear of this soon enough.” Eris ordered. Tamlin, the young prince he was, stumbled out of Eris’s private cabin and winnowed away just as Lucien went to find Eris’s trusted healer. 

“(Y/N)...” He whispered, his magic flowing to heal any wounds. Just as it did… the bond snapped. His eyes widened and he stumbled back, the pain that eddied down the bond was unbearable. How… how were you still alive? 

Eris let out a low growl at the thought of those males touching you. Hurting you. Like this. You were so young… just over 30 years old. And yet… they did this to you. 

He shook his head, stepping up to you again to heal whatever he could with his magic. His wards rang the bell that Renae and Lucien returned, and he sat aside as he waited for Renea to work. 

He told Lucien to go back to the Spring Court, check on Tamlin and not come back. Eris would be in deep shit when Rhys found out where his sister… his wingless sister was taken but he’d be damned if his little brother was caught in the middle of it. 

So, he had a messenger deliver the news to the Court of Nightmares, that the Princess of the Night Court was healing in Autumn, too fragile to travel, and to send an emissary of Night to watch over her. 

Azriel is the one who showed up, almost knocking down the door in the process. Eris growled as Azriel walked up to the table. 

“Step back, boy,” Renae said, looking up from her gaze on you. “If you want her to be healed properly, you will give me space.” She said. 

“We will have our own healers assess her.” He replied. 

“She can’t leave. Moving her here was a mistake enough. Another trip might be fatal.” She stated before getting back to work. 

“Why, Mother above, was she brought here?” Azriel asked, finally moving his gaze towards Eris. 

Eris’s lips were a thin line, hiding the swirling emotions… The pain you were feeling… “The heir of the Spring Court found out about his brothers’ plans. Arrived too late to save the Lady of Night, but found the Princess unconscious. My brother, in aiding his friend, brought her here. Because if either of them stepped foot in the Night Court, they would have died instantly.” Eris explained. 

Azriel let out a low growl, but paused when he heard a whimper come from your lips. 

“I have healed all I can for tonight. She needs rest. Do you have a bed?” She turned to Eris. 

“I will take her,” Azriel said, glaring at Eris as he gently took your broken, bruised, and bloodied body in his arms. Eris focused on restraining himself at the sight of another male touching you when you were hurt. 

“Second door on the right.” Eris ground out. He was shaking by the time he heard the door shut. “Will she survive?” He asked Renae. 

“She will… it will be a long healing process… but she will survive. When she wakes, she will be disorientated. I suggest that Illyrian stay with her, if she knows him well. A familiar, safe face will ease the pain of what she went through.” Before she left, she said she would be back in the morning to check on her, but to get her if anything else happened. 

You woke up screaming from the pain. Of course, it was the one time Azriel stepped away to relieve himself and Eris was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. His room. You were in his bed. Azriel, thank the Mother, had cleaned you of the blood. You had bandages in almost every spot on your body, the brace on your arm and leg a temporary solution until Renae could come to fully set them. 

Your screams… They were terrible. Full of pain, misery, and terror. Relentless horror. 

Eris knelt next to the bed, not daring to touch you in fear he might hurt you more. “(Y/N), you are safe.” He whispered, resisting the urge to cup your cheek. Gods… Your face was still bruised, your nose now slightly crooked from how terribly it was broken. 

Then your sobs started as you tried to move, but the pain must have been too much as your body slackened. Azriel burst through the door, shoving Eris aside as he took his place beside the bed. 

At Azriel’s voice shushing you, you quieted. Your sobs were soft whimpers as your swollen eyes searched for Azriel’s. Or so he thought… until your gaze landed on Eris. 

You couldn’t speak, but the way your eyes slightly widened… The slight tug on the bond he felt… He knew you felt it snap. You knew Eris was your mate. And you couldn’t do a gods damned thing about it. 

It took two weeks for you to be well enough to travel. In those two weeks, Azriel didn’t leave your side. And neither did Eris, no matter how many times Azriel said he wasn’t wanted. 

Azriel didn’t say that again when you corrected him. “I want him here.” You muttered, your voice still hoarse. No matter how much water you drank, the injury to your throat was a burden. “He’s helping me. I want him here.” 

When it was time for you to go back to Velaris, you told Azriel to go outside. Shadows included. You wanted a word with the heir of Autumn alone. So, Az did as he was told and went outside, but kept an eye on you through the window. 

“What can I do to thank you?” You asked, leaning against the cain Renae gave you, since your leg was still healing. 

“Nothing… You don’t have to do anything. I don’t want anything.” He said and shook his head. 

“You’re my mate.” You whispered, searching his eyes. “You have every right to claim me and keep me here.” 

“Do you want that?” He asked, a soft look on his face. 

You bit your lip, eyes glancing to the floor before you looked back at his face. “I will come back to you, Eris.” You said, reaching up your free hand to cup his cheek. “I promise.” You said. “I need… need to heal first.” 

“I’ll be waiting for you.” He said, a gentle hand wrapping around your wrist. “I promise.” 

With that, a tattoo formed around your forearm, and one on his. It was one of flame and shadow, but perfect for the bargain made for mates of Autumn and Night. “Thank you.” You whispered, then gave his cheek a gentle kiss. 

You made your way to Azriel, taking his hand and telling him to not ask about the bargain you just made. You would get enough questions about it from your brother. And all you wanted to do right now was go home… where the new High Lord of the Night Court awaited you… and you needed to say goodbye to your father and mother at their burial sites, since you missed their funerals. 

As you appeared in the Town House in front of your now smaller family, you couldn’t help but wonder how long you would have to wait to see your mate again. Or how long that bargain would last before it pulled you towards him again. What you did know, however, was that you didn’t care how long it would take. You would go back to him again. You would be with your mate. The male who healed you and helped you through the terrors of pain and loss in those initial days, even if they were now a blur in your mind. You would return to him. And he would be waiting.

Eris Masterlist

A/N: This is my first official Eris Week participation! I'm so excited! More to come throughout the week. I think you all will like it!

[fuckmycrane]

you should write a fic about neil cumming in his pants while eating pussy lol

— CW: 18+, smut! What the ask says. | Word count: 600+.

— a/n: Yeah I should. Anyways. I like answering requests lmao.

Neil’s short fingernails scrape the skin of your thighs, as he stares at your pussy with fascination. He licks his lips, darting his tongue slowly, savoring the godlike meal displayed wide open right in front of him.

“Are you gonna keep starin’ at my pussy or actually eat it?” You ask from the top of his bed, resting your head on the one pillow he owns.

Neil nods, licking a long, lazy stripe from your wet hole to your swollen nub, circling it with the tip of his tongue. His hand squeezed your thighs as if he was afraid you were going to magically disappear from his bed— all while his tongue was busy burying itself inside your pussy. Neil moans at the taste, loud and clear, completely delighted with your taste.

Your fingers brush his hair softly away from his forehead and his eyes— he’s like a dream. With bright eyes, Neil stares at you with his mouth attached to your clit, sucking it gently. The uncomfortable pressure of his hard cock against his boxers makes him mewl weakly against your core. The vibrations of his raspy voice make you grind your hips against his face.

Neil’s eyes roll back as you do so, enjoying how you never hesitate to use him to pursue your own pleasure. His head nods fiercely, wordlessly begging you to use his face as a toy to rub against.

You seem to pick up his silent request, chuckling softly as your free hand reaches for your chest, rolling a perky nipple with your thumb and index finger.

“You want me to rub my pussy on your face, pretty boy?” You ask breathlessly, moaning when Neil hums against your clit, sucking a bit more harshly.

Complying with eagerness, you yank his hair pressing his face against your cunt tighter. You rub his nose against your clit as he laps and practically slurps your wetness, sliding his tongue inside. Neil fucks you with his tongue with a skill that wasn't proper of the man from which you took his virginity.

His hips rut against the mattress as he leans forward to shake his head side to side with his tongue flat on your pussy, savoring it as if you were his last meal. The friction of the cotton duvet makes his cock throb, causing him to sweat and be more turned on than ever. Neil tongue-fucks you as if his life depended on it, whining all the while. It felt as though he was lost in heaven when your moans got louder and louder, your body praising his actions in its rawest form.

He is properly humping the mattress now, his face red and sweaty, suffocated by your heat— but not doing anything to stop it.

You come with a strained scream, biting your lips and closing your thighs to the best of your ability. Squeezing his head in between your legs— Neil could die happy right there.

While the aftershocks of your orgasm make your whole body jolt and shake, Neil lets out a choked, pathetic groan— his hips twitching and small thrusts faltering.

Panting, you raise your head from the pillow, looking at him with a frown. “Neil?” You ask panting, brushing some sweat away from your forehead. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah— yeah, I'm—” He replies in between ragged breaths. He untangles from your legs slowly, standing up and covering his crotch with his hands. “I need to use the bathroom—”

“Neil,” you call him again, prompting yourself with your elbows. “Did you—” Your eyes lower to his crotch, noticing the wet stain he is trying to cover. “Shit— did you come from just eating my pussy?”

With a wild blush, your boyfriend looks to the floor embarrassed, nodding.

“Fuck, that's hot.”

The dumbfounded look in his eyes makes you laugh, a laugh that turns into a sensual purr.

“Come here, big boy… I wanna clean you up with my tongue.”

— a/n: I would say send requests because I'm drinking but anyways, just fuck me.

[schoenpepper]

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty (Housewardens)

Intro: You're a wild little thing, aren't you? Let's see how the NRC dorm leaders deal with you, then.

Warnings: bad grammar, awful writing, not proofread, not much i think idk tell me if i should pop a warning somewhere, it's reaaally long

A/N: My goodbye gift before I die in college. Not that I'd be too busy though, my prof list isn't even complete yet. Hollywood lied to me about college it all sucks (not even started first day yet). Oh this was a request btw so I hope you like it anon. Even though I'm not sure I really followed through with the request I'm sorry.

Masterlist

Headcanon order (on the what he thinks of you part):

Fierce, reckless, territorial, soft to people close to you

You tried to tell Neige you weren’t interested in the National Arcane Academy Culture Fair, you really did. But your best friend is a lot less of a pushover than he seems to be, hanging onto your arm and pulling you right to the middle of the chaos. NRC is dark, dreary, and every corner seems to be black and covered with spiderwebs. Which, honestly, is quite the refreshing turn from the bright white glitter you’d gotten used to in RSA.

“Their science club is doing a cafe!”

The black-haired, starry-eyed boy points at a spot on the map. “It’s not too far from this place, maybe we can drop by and try out their treats.” he smiles happily. You look away (two years is not enough time to get used to the sparkles that magically appear whenever he beams) and sigh. “Where are the dwarves? Won’t they enjoy going to the cafe more than I would? I told you I was just fine sitting on a bench somewhere until the SDC.”

“Huh? Oh, you’re right. Where are they—” you pull him back as he turns, but not before he bumps into someone.

“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking…”

“Hm? It’s fine, oh hey, aren’t you that superstar on the news?”

The ginger is getting uncomfortably close to your friend’s personal space, so you get in front of Neige, shielding him from this nosy NRC student.

“Y/N!” Neige gives you a worried look, tugging on your sleeve, “I should apologize.”

“What? He said it’s fine already.”

“Ace, are you disturbing these visitors?”

At the sound of the new voice, the young man in front of you straightens up almost unnecessarily straight, back taut and expression nervous. A short student with strawberry red hair is accompanied by a tall student with glasses and green hair. The redhead seems very uptight, with the way he drags down this ‘Ace’ person to his level by the collar to chastise him from apparently ‘disturbing’ you. Neige waves from behind you, trying to stop them while making sure not to leave your circle of protection. “No, we bumped into him, it was my fault really.”

“Ah, I see,” he nods as he lets go of the other person’s collar, “my apologies that you had to see that shameful act. If you need anything, please let the culture fair committee members know, you will recognize them by this badge.”

“Cool, but we’re just going to the cafe. Thanks for the help, bye,” you cut the conversation short and pull Neige away.

“Y/N, that was very rude.”

You shrug, “What was I supposed to do? Didn’t you see that guy has an on and off switch for exploding like an active volcano? Did you want to be on the receiving end of his next outburst?”

“Don’t be so judgmental, Y/N, you barely know the person,” Neige sighs.

“I don’t need to know him.”

Exchange program:

It turns out that you did, in fact, need to know him. Neige somehow managed to convince you to sign up for an exchange student program between RSA and NRC, so you got sorted into Heartslabyul and the guy you insulted at the culture fair is now your housewarden.

Ace and Deuce are okay, if not a few cells short of a brain sometimes. You do enjoy getting caught up in their shenanigans whenever the dorm leader and his eight hundred something rules get a tad bit too stifling. At some point, their dumb (affectionate) tactics manage to work their way into your heart, so you begrudgingly call them friends.

You think Cater’s a good guy, if not a bit social-media-obsessed. You don’t mind having him nearby because he generally just chats about random things. As long as you manage to put up with him asking for a pic every once in a while, he’s not awful. Trey is a comforting presence. He may or may not have Pavlov’d you with the way he always has a sweet treat with him, making you calmer and more susceptible to behaving within his general vicinity.

Riddle is a whole ‘nother thing altogether; you make him mad. Er, madder than usual, at least. Something must be in the tea in Heartslabyul because you and the housewarden in the same room is a guarantee for a beheading. Usually you, but there have been a fair number of innocent victims who’d just happened to get caught up in your squabbles. Riddle is a flame and you’re a tankful of gasoline, always with a witty comeback or something else that’s sure to make every situation worse.

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

Think a dry, wooden cottage smack dab in the middle of the woods and a wildfire. That’s how you and Riddle get along. You’re hot tempered; pot, meet kettle. You’re sarcastic and snippy, traits that he most certainly does not appreciate. Every time he’s lecturing you about something or the other, you speak. And every word that comes out of your mouth makes him want to collar you.

…Another one? How did his dorm somehow get stuck with the most ‘act first, think later’ individuals? You give Riddle a headache, but don’t worry, he’s all too used to it. He will bail you out of trouble and every stupid situation you find yourself in, but also, he will assign you a 5000 word apology essay each time he does.

Riddle gets it. It’s a sign of disrespect when people touch your things without your explicit consent, and he’d get mad too if it was him in that situation. Does, however, do a double-take when he sees you tackle someone to the ground after you hear them insult Neige, screaming something about “your people”. Turns a blind eye.

Since…since when have you and that duo been so close? He’s not mad (for once). But he does feel rather…upset. You’re always such a spiky individual, so to see you almost melting into the couch, head on Deuce’s lap as he patted your hair and legs over Ace’s, it’s almost surreal. He’s not angry, no, but then why does he still feel unhappy?

Love story climax:

“I just don’t understand. Why do I feel so uncomfortable when I see Y/N together with other people?”

Trey hums from where he’s standing in the kitchen, letting Riddle know that he’s listening while whipping the bowl of cream.

“You’re smart,” Trey chuckles, “you’ll figure it out.”

Riddle rolls his eyes and looks back down at the chopping board, cutting off the top of another strawberry. It wasn’t an illness, but maybe if he diagnosed it like one, he could arrive at a proper conclusion. He mentally retraces his steps and every unpleasant feeling that had welled up inside him. He feels okay, good maybe, when he sees you. He gets mad when you retort while he’s trying to discipline you, but even then, he seems to have started to find it rather…cute? And he gets unreasonably anxious when you’re so close to your friends.

…No. No. Absolutely not.

Riddle Rosehearts is not in love with you.

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

You still make him mad, but now instead of being collared, you just need to coax him a little and this strawberry shortcake is ready to fold like a collapsible tent. Make it up to him by being sweet and loving him lots, okay? If it’s to other people, he doesn’t really care as long as it doesn’t get violent. You are exempt from the apology letters though, congrats (he thinks that time writing them could be better spent with him).

Riddle probably needs heart medication at some point, you’re going to drive him either insane or to his inevitable death. He gets a lot more protective of you now because you’re his partner, but please please please at least try not to get hurt. Or try to consider if you might get hurt before doing something. Or how about this, you call him up before you make any decision at all?! Yeah. Heart attack.

Honestly, he probably doesn’t realize that you have a tendency to be overly possessive and territorial of him. Riddle isn’t exactly the type of guy to frequently get love confessions (he should be), you know? So the only time he nottices is when you catch him in the middle of equestrian club meetings or something, and he’s just a step too close to some newbie. Tells you to keep it down and assures you, his love for you is real and unchanging.

Happy guy. He thinks he’s silly when he gets so giddy at the smallest things you do, like kissing the back of his hand, but he can’t exactly stop the somersaults his heart does whenever you’re being so affectionate with him. Regardless, it’s quite rude to make public displays of affection, so be reserved and try to keep it all in private. Will blush at every little thing until like, two years into the relationship.

“Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

Neige’s words are cut short when you tackle the hyena beastman to the ground. He looks at you, horrified, and was likely about to chastise you before you pulled out a familiar leather wallet from the beastman’s pocket. “Thief,” you hiss, “you picked the wrong students to mess with.”

“Tsk, [laugh with me].”

The hyena rolls around and you’re unable to control your own movements, rolling with him. You’re lying on the ground when the magic snaps but he’s already running away, Neige’s wallet in hand. “Oh no you don’t!”

You weave through the crowd of students and booths, trying to keep your eyes trained on the mop of caramel hair that was zooming farther and farther away from you. You finally spot him by one of the stages, where he sprints by a tall lion beastman who catches him by the scruff of his neck like a kitten. You come to a stop, panting lightly as you glare at the lion beastman. “Is this guy a friend of yours? He has something of mine, so you better have him give it back quick or I’ll—”

“Ruggie,” The lion yawns, “no stealing during the culture fair.”

“Finders keepers!”

“Ruggie.”

“Fine.”

You get Neige’s wallet back and immediately turn tail and leave. These NRC students are freaks (no stealing during the culture fair? then it’s okay to steal any other time?).

Exchange program:

Something something it’s better to make friends than enemies. While not a saying you’ve ever given a fuck about before, it’s hard not to care when it led you to where you are now. Due to a mass voting in RSA for whoever to send to the exchange program, you’ve been bolted out as the sacrificial lamb (that’s what you get for always picking fights). Savanaclaw takes you in because you wrestle one of their dorm members to the ground on your very first day.

Jack Howl is probably one of the closest things you’ll see to another RSA student in this place. You get along well with him because he doesn’t take your quips at face value (or rather, he doesn’t care for your insults and dry sarcasm). Ruggie takes a bit more getting used to, but he’s a really cool dude when you manage to keep all your valuables away from arm’s reach.

And Leona…he’s like a stray cat. And you’re also a stray cat. And you’re in the same dark alley, coexisting together. You ignore each other most of the time unless the other gets a tad bit too close. It’s not too bad when the boundaries are in place.

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

He’s too tired and sleepy most of the time to deal with your temper. Not as if you can do anything about it though, try as you might, you can never win against Leona. You can talk crap about how lazy he is or whatever, he doesn’t care, but whenever you even attempt to fight him you’re already subdued one way or another. Leona thinks you should pick and choose your battles well.

While Leona is a big believer of instincts, there’s a fine line between believing and charging in like a bull seeing red at the first tingle of a gut feeling. He’ll let out a sigh but still, he’ll fish you out of trouble and claim you’re bothering his naptime and he’ll totally leave you to fend for yourself the next time the consequences of your stupid actions find you (he will not).

He’s a lion, of course he’s territorial. So he understands your need to stake your claim on a certain place or item, as long as it’s not something he’d already claimed as his own. Leaves you about it. Territorial about people though? Same thing. Do as you will, he can’t muster the energy to care.

A low growl is emitted from his chest, pupils constricted into pinpricks, ears and tail stiff—Leona isn’t dumb. He knows that the instinctual actions of his body mean something, and in this case, it means he’s annoyed watching you be all buddy buddy with Ruggie. You, the little porcupine you are, laughing so easily with the guy you swore was your enemy, it makes him gnash his teeth in anger (envy).

Love story climax:

He can’t get you out of his head.

The few months you’ve been at NRC, you’ve started to become an existence that he didn’t mind constantly having around. He’d found you annoying at first, so why is it that now, just seeing you so happy with Ruggie is enough to drive him insane? He keeps his eyes closed but he can’t sleep. You’re still lingering in his vision, a hazy mirage by the moonlight of the savanna. Why can’t he stop thinking about you?

Why can’t he stop thinking about your hair and how soft it looked to touch? Why can’t he stop thinking about how incredible your skin would feel on his? Why can’t he stop thinking about your lips…?

Fuck.

Leona rolls over in his bed, burying his face in a pillow. Maybe if he suffocated to death he wouldn’t be haunted by thoughts of you. But, if you’re so willing to be close to Ruggie, why not Leona? He could be your…friend too. Do you already think of him as a friend? You tend to run to him with that stupid smile and chatter away even when he tells you to go away, is that a sign that you saw him as some sort of confidant? Whatever.

Leona’s not good with emotions, but he’s the farthest thing from a coward.

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

Okay wildfire, Leona likes it, but you need to tone it down a bit unless you want your ass handed back to you on a platter. No he’s not threatening you, it’s just that you should already know the folks in NRC aren’t scared of fights. No he doesn’t care that you’re not scared of fights. Stop picking fights. If you sass him back enough he will sling you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

There’s a reason why he always has one hand on you, whether on your hip or the back of your neck. It’s not because he’s a clingy kitty (stop teasing, he’s not a cat!), rather, it’s so he can easily stop you when a situation arises and you decide on something he wishes you didn’t decide on. Now that you’re in a relationship, he’ll sit you down and start a long discussion on why you should learn to think before you act.

Let’s get something straight, you are part of his territory, not the other way around. He’s just as protective and possessive of you as you are to him, if not more, so pretty much everyone knows to book it when they see you two together. Any poor soul who has a crush on either of you quickly get the picture.

Tsk, you’re so clingy (affectionate). Unlike most guys on the list, Leona doesn’t give two shits about other people, ergo, he doesn’t care when you kiss or touch him in public. In fact, he encourages it. Go ahead, mark him up. But if he reciprocates, he’ll tell you he’s just doing what you’ve been doing, so you have no right to refuse.

You knew it was instantly trouble when the person he bumped into had all the tells of a bad mood. You push Neige behind you while he apologizes profusely to the stranger. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there, I’m so sorry!” His words obviously went unheard because this annoyingly tall NRC student only grimaced, and you know from experience that when someone bares their teeth at you, it means they haven’t forgiven your pitiful apology.

“You can’t see where you’re going, hah, maybe I should squeeze you ‘til your eyes pop out? Maybe you’ll see it then?”

Let it be known that though you were half this asshole’s size, that did not mean you were going to take this lying down.

“Hey, back off. He said it was an accident.”

You feel Neige tugging on your sleeve. “Hey, Y/N let’s just—”

“I don’t care if it was an accident, I’m in a slump and you just made it worse, y’know?”

“Well I don’t care if you don’t care. You better back off before I take your slump and shove it down your stupid—”

Another unfamiliar figure approaches, this one shorter than the asshole, with purplish-white hair and glasses, yet somehow looking just as dangerous with the kind smile he has on. He gives the guy in front of you a very pissed-off look behind the carefully maintained grin. You think he might be trying to whisper, but it’s not very quiet.

“Floyd! I told you to sell the drinks while Jade and I are gone, what are you doing here?”

“Ehhh, but I didn’t feel like selling drinks.”

They’re gone before you even know what’s going on.

The interaction only cemented what you’d known before you even got here; everyone in NRC is a weirdo.

Exchange program:

Apparently, someone’s great idea for a prank is signing you up to be an exchange student to NRC. So, hurray.

You’re plopped into Octavinelle because the very reliable headmaster of NRC drew lots from some magical (rigged) thing. It doesn’t take you too long to realize that the quick-to-violence guy you’d met a little while back is one of the frontrunners of the dormitory. Thankfully, your second meeting has Floyd in a better mood than before, and he decides that you’re interesting before bestowing you your very own nickname; catfish. You do not appreciate it.

Jade is easy enough to get along with, you’ve discovered it’s good to just do as he says and as long as he has nothing to gain from it, he won’t torment you (too much). Though, he does make your hackles rise every once in a while because dear Seven he gives you the heebie-jeebies, even despite the perfectly polite thing he has going on.

Azul, it takes you way too long to befriend. He starts off avoiding you almost entirely, like you’re a contagious disease (if only you knew). You’re not the type to suck up to anyone, and definitely not the type to force close proximity with someone who seems to hate you, so you leave him alone. Eventually, one potion explosion, two torn contracts, and one messed up lounge later, you and Azul become acquaintances. Friends, maybe. Uh, tentatively.

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

Azul thinks you’re unnecessarily high-strung. Well, where do you get the energy to always be so combative and hot-tempered? He’d rather stay away from people like you when business isn’t involved. He’s one to always keep calm and cool after all, he doesn’t think he’d get along with you at all.

Your tendency to act according to your nature and intuition and just general however you feel like acting, it’s an enigma for sure. Azul prefers a plan and at least three other backup plans, so you running headfirst into any situation makes him sigh and take another step back from you. Sevens know it might be contagious (does not call you stupid to your face, but to your back? Absolutely).

The first time he saw you almost bite Floyd’s head off for just touching your things without your permission, it was enough for him to put another strike on his record. Oh dear, you really are a handful, aren’t you? Does not realize your territorialism extends to people until Jade showed him what happened to the last student that tried messing with one of the dwarves.

Azul thinks he needs new glasses. Is that you? Looking so sweet and cuddly with your friends? Really? He gets flashbacks to when you almost scratched his eyes out that time he tried roping you into one of his contracts. Now seeing you all clingy with that celebrity, he feels…uncomfortable. It must be because you’re acting strange (he’s not jealous, thank you very much).

Love story climax:

“Yeah their food is crazy good,” you grin at Neige, helping him choose a few items on the menu, “as long as the bill is paid, at least.”

While Azul is flattered at your actions to recommend the Mostro Lounge to your closest friend who’d dropped by for a visit, there’s an annoying, itchy, gnawing feeling in one of his hearts that makes him unable to sit still. He pushes your original waiter aside and approaches your table with his little notepad, shooting you the most charming smile he’s able to give. He taps his pen against the paper to get your attention. “Y/N, I’m so glad to see you stop by again. I assume you’ll have the usual?”

“Oh, hey Azul,” he does not fail to notice the way your tone gets softer with him, “yes please. And can you add some other dishes for my friend here? Maybe two or three of your most popular ones, just so he can try them.”

Azul nods, jotting down your order. Then, he places a hand over his chest, grinning, “Of course, and just for you, it’s free of charge!”

It doesn’t take him long to confess now that he knows you like him too.

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

Thinks it’s hot 100%, he will die on this hill. While he still doesn’t appreciate you constantly getting into fights with other people, seeing you angry is so interesting to him. Also, you turn down the sarcasm with him, so he can fully enjoy seeing you tear someone a new one. Will not stop you unless it’s beginning to get physical.

His hair is about to turn white. Except, it’s already white. Anyway, the point is that you stress him out very much, as you being reckless means you tend to get into situations that isn’t in his Plan A. Or B. Or C. He bails you out of trouble with a calm smile and an eloquent speech, and it’s usually enough to resolve the situation. This doesn’t mean he likes you having virtually no self-control or self-reflection skills though, you’ll have to have a long talk with him (communication is key).

Azul thinks it’s cute when you let him pop your personal bubble, and he’s very happy to watch you try to pick a fight with anyone who gets too close to either you or him (keyword being try, he does his best to stop any actual fights from happening). He doesn’t mind you seeing him as part of your ‘territory’, as long as he gets something in return (and you don’t get too suffocating).

Watching you curl up into him whether in public or private gets him flustered, but especially in public. Angelfish, the big bad businessman has a reputation to uphold, you know? Still, he can’t find it in himself to push you off when you’re just so adorable like this, knowing how feisty you typically are. Do try to save it for private spaces though, he would also like to cling onto you shamelessly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to!”

Something is off about the person Neige bumped into. Call it a gut feeling, or maybe it was the way the brown haired student was instantly alert, sweeping the white haired boy to a ‘safer’ distance before deciding on whether or not it was worth it to actually face you and Neige. You’re not sure what exactly is wrong, but your intuition is saying that this is not the kind of person your all-too-naive friend is supposed to fraternize with.

“It’s fine.”

His answer is curt, and he steers the other boy away immediately. You share a look with Neige, when you click your tongue and pull him along to find a map.

“They seemed nice.”

You hope there will not come a day when your friend is at the mercy of people with bad intentions, as it is very likely that he’d be eaten alive. “They seemed like bad news. Everyone here seems like bad news.” You reply, finally finding the botanical gardens where the cafe had been set up. You sit across from Neige at a table where some student takes your orders. Neige asks for a caramel macchiato with extra caramel and some macarons, and you opt for something a little less diabetic. “Don’t say that, Y/N. They didn’t even do anything to us, even though I was at fault for bumping into them. Isn’t that nice?”

You roll your eyes, “It’s nice that they didn’t, what, beat us up? Have higher standards, LeBlanche.”

“They seem like they’d make for good friends, that’s all,” he laughs softly.

“You think that of everyone.”

“Maybe you should give it a try.”

Exchange program:

Neige’s great plan to get you more “accustomed” to people is to throw you to NRC in the school’s newly-cooked-up exchange student program. You can’t stop him, because he really is only thinking of the best for you, but it doesn’t mean you have to like it, right? You get put in Scarabia because they have a lot of room.

Jamil is…okay. He’s a lot of things, but mostly, he’s not someone you’d ever find back at RSA. He’s a stressed out nanny most of the time, but there are a few moments when he feels more morally gray than people should probably be.

Kalim, however, you get along with splendidly. With him as your housewarden, you almost feel like you’re back with your normal circle of friends. Except Kalim is like, horrendously richer than them (and a bit more airheaded, though you think that could still be debated).

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

Sorry, but most of your sarcasm is going to bounce right off Kalim’s head. He will not notice it unless you’re really blunt about it, in which case, why? It’s not easy to be mad at someone who’s so genuine all the time, and being unnecessarily mean to him is just, well, mean. It’s best to just go along with him. You can’t win against this type of person.

Twinning! No, seriously, you’re two cookies cut from the same dough, with the exact same cookie cutter. You and Kalim are exactly the same in this kind of thing, and it drives Jamil absolutely insane. Sorry to say but whatever trouble you stir up you’re going to have to face yourself; Kalim is no help, he rarely even has to face the consequences of his own actions, much less yours.

Kalim is the kind of guy to unintentionally get too close, like, all the time. No he doesn’t mean it, but it also doesn’t help when your instincts go nuts because he borrowed a pencil without asking. He does notice that you’re very protective of your stuff, but he doesn’t really notice what he does most of the time, though he tries to respect your boundaries. Does not notice it translates to people.

Oh hey! You’re hanging out with Neige, that’s so cool, can he come with? No…? You want some time with your friend because he’s only visiting for a short time? That’s cool…yeah, he can give you guys space. It’s not very often that the Al-Asim heir finds something that makes him feel disappointed or upset, but this is certainly one of them. And the worst part is, he doesn’t even know why.

Love story climax:

You’re such a sight to behold.

Kalim wonders if Neige knows how lucky he is, able to touch you and hug you like he does. You don’t even fight back, only returning the embrace with a smile. There’s a sharp pain in Kalim’s chest and he wonders what he has to do in order for you to let him that close. He’s your friend too, isn’t he? It’s…so unfair.

“Kalim?”

Jamil approaches him with a worried expression. “Are you okay? You’ve been staring at the fountain for a while.”

He sees the change in Jamil’s face when he notices that it’s you sitting by the fountain. “I see.” The words make Kalim laugh. He rests his elbows on the railing and leans forward, resting his chin on his palms. Of course, Jamil would know. Jamil would understand. Jamil can see the blooming feelings in his chest that he himself took far too long to get.

He wonders if you know.

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

Being in a relationship does not make Kalim able to detect sarcasm. If you ever try to sass him, he will take it at face value. Anyway, now that you’re this close, it’s easier to understand that with his background, Kalim has never wanted for anything, and no one ever really says no to him. He has a tendency to not hear what you’re saying sometimes, only believing in what he wants to hear. You’re going to need to find some time to discuss this with him.

The only way that this would differ from when you were just strangers/friends with Kalim, is that Jamil is now kind of obligated to help you out when you find yourself in situations you can’t (and likely don’t want to) talk your way out of. At some point he just hypnotizes you to stay out of trouble, at least for a weekend, so he can breathe. Between you and Kalim, he’s probably about to overblot again.

Are you jealous? Kalim laughs it off and hugs you, promising he only loves you and no one else! It’s unlikely he understands the nuances, but Jamil assures you it’s better that way. Your protectiveness goes a bit unnoticed, if only because he’s used to bodyguards and being protected, and it’s also very unlikely that he notices your possessiveness.

Kalim lives for displays of affection! Physical touch, gift giving, words of affirmation—his most fluent language is every love language ever. You want to hug in the middle of a crowd? Sure, he might lose you in the throng of people, after all. Want to kiss? Why not? Make sure not to miss his lips, okay? Private, public, with an audience or alone, Kalim will love you and he will do it in a way that you will never doubt his feelings for you.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t—oh! You’re one of Vil’s friends, right?” Neige holds out a hand to the purple-haired boy for a handshake while you look on with a raised brow. “Um, Epel, I think, is what he called you?”

This Epel kid puts on a smile and shakes Neige’s hand, but it’s easy to tell it’s fake. He’s looking around nervously, as if to ascertain that no one sees him holding hands with Neige, and he takes it back as quickly as he’d put it out. “Right, I need to go, it was nice seeing you,” Epel laughs awkwardly and attempts to leave. He’s rooted in place once his name is called out by someone tall, blonde, and annoyingly pretty. You know from watching your friend’s works that this is the person who often played his rival; Vil Schoenheit. He does not give you the impression that he considers Neige a friend the way that Neige sees him go be.

“Epel, it’s time to go back for rehearsals,” he snaps at the younger boy, before putting on a perfectly practiced smile as he turned to Neige, “apologies for the trouble, we’ll leave you be now.”

And they walk away.

Your friend next to you is waving happily while you cross your arms.

(Clearly, that pompous-looking peacock has something against Neige.)

“It’s a shame, I wanted to introduce you to Vil, but he seems very busy.”

You scoff lightly, but at the very least, you try to mask your distaste. There’s no need for you to tell him that Vil likely hates his guts and the very dirt he steps on, not unless the other makes a move on it. “I don’t need to know anyone here,” you roll your eyes and hold onto his wrist, pulling him away, “let’s just find that cafe. Botanical gardens, right?”

“Right!”

Exchange program:

Due to a few…accidents, the faculty members of RSA have chosen you to represent the school in an exchange student program (they want you shipped off to NRC, like, bad). Pomefiore is the very lucky winner of the “which dorm should this kid be in” raffle, which means hell for you.

Epel is surprisingly funny. He’s probably one of the prettiest people you’ve ever met (and RSA is filled with pretty boys), yet his natural way of doing things is so crude, for lack of a better word. He feels good to chill with, and escape from all the prissiness that the dorm (and its housewarden) has to offer. Rook, though, you stay far away from. Sometimes when you’re alone, you feel like someone is watching you. And it’s probably him.

If there was anyone in this entire school that you absolutely loathe, it’s the world-renowned model actor blah blah blah Vil. He cannot stand your flippant attitude and you cannot stand his everything.

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

Vil does not know who Jesus Christ is, but I assure you that if he did, the name would be on his tongue 24/7. You don’t stand a chance in a verbal or physical fight with Vil, so you’ve learned to settle for making stupid comments behind his back. That he can still hear. He finds you very frustrating to work with, but he does love a challenge. You’ll learn to be more elegant by the time he’s done with you (you will not).

Part of the ‘does not give a fuck’ club. Whatever mess you find yourself in is your business, do you understand? He’s not one for spoon feeding, potato, so all your problems are your own to bear. Vil thinks that basing everything off intuition and instinct is straight up barbaric, but unfortunately for both you and him, you can’t be moved to Savanaclaw.

What are you, an animal? He can understand not wanting other people to touch your possessions, but must you hiss like some sort of raccoon? Fine, he’ll back off if he must. Your possessiveness of people doesn’t escape him, he just doesn’t think it’s any of his business. However, your actions now, in part, reflect Pomefiore which is under his rule and jurisdiction. Watch how you act.

It’s such an ugly feeling, and one that Vil refuses to define. And it’s Neige again, why is it always Neige? He knows you’re close but must you be that close? You’re always against people being in your ‘bubble’, so when he sees you all over that doe-eyed rival of his, it leaves him seething. Stop holding his hand, stop whispering so close to his ear, stop ignoring Vil…please…

Love story climax:

“Mira, Mira, who is the most beautiful of them all?”

Since he already knows the answer, why does he keep asking? Vil’s never pegged himself as a masochist. Then, what the hell is he doing to himself?

“Searching. The account with most comments tagged as beautiful, Neige LeBlanche.”

…Of course.

Why is it that Neige can get what he can���t have every single time? He works just as hard, doesn’t he? If not more. Neige is the protagonist, Vil is the antagonist. Neige is the hero, Vil is the villain. Neige is your best friend.

Who is Vil to you? Do you even think about him half the amount of times that he thinks of you? Is he a stranger? An acquaintance? A naggy dorm leader that you wish to avoid as much as possible?

He’s come second to your best friend one too many times.

He’s not giving up your heart, not to Neige, not to anyone.

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

Congratulations, you’ve been upgraded from annoying (derogatory) to annoying (affectionate)! While he doesn’t enjoy your cattiness too much, Vil does like a bit of bite. He’ll indulge you just a little, everything’s fine in moderation, after all. Just make sure you know when to tone it down, darling.

Vil is a responsible person, and he expects you to be responsible too. If you pick a fight all on your own, he has no qualms letting you face the consequences by yourself. But he’s not heartless. If it really is too much for you to handle, or if it’s not your fault, he’s more than happy to help you mediate things (or beat someone up idk).

Jealousy isn’t pretty, but he rather likes the color on you. This man is beloved by literal millions so you’ll have a hard time keeping him all to yourself. But if it’s any consolation, his love is all yours, alright? Vil wouldn’t mind a possessive lover just as long as you know your place. If you think of him as part of your territory? Well, why not?

Vil Schoenheit has a reputation to keep. He can’t just let you do whatever; he’s a public figure. So all your lovey dovey-ing will have to wait until you and him are behind closed, locked, chained doors with shut windows covered by heavy curtains, do you understand? If you do, then feel free to adore him as much as you want to. He will return your affection in kind.

“I didn’t notice you there, sorry!”

“It’s fine…gosh these normies are so clumsy, can’t even walk without tripping over their own feet…though I guess I’m not one to talk.”

Your sense of hearing has an impeccable range, at least, more than enough to hear this walking matchstick’s grumbling that he’d likely meant to keep to himself. You glare at him and push Neige back, rolling up your sleeves. This guy might be tall, but he’ll bend to your level with a nice kick at the groin. “What’d you call my friend, you blue-raspberry-flavored lightstick?”

“Y/N, stop it!”

He squealed, seemingly panicking as he backed away. “What the, I say a few words and you pick a fight irl? That’s so lame.”

“I swear to the Seven if another stupid word leaves your—”

“Threat detected.”

A cute, blue-haired (blue-flamed?) robot kid is pointing some pretty big laser guns your way, so you’re forced to take a step back, watching him slowly lower them. “Hello, please refrain from threatening my big brother, or I’ll have to annihilate you.” The kid warns you with a chipper tone of voice, but he’s glaring at you harshly.

“Y/N,” Neige whispers, “let’s just go.”

You weigh your options and decide that, even though you can probably take that six-foot gremlin, it’s very unlikely you’ll come out unscathed with the adorable death machine in the mix. You send the man one last glare while your friend pulls you away from possible homicide.

Exchange program:

The greenhouse going up in flames was definitely not your fault. Uh, totally unrelated sentence aside, you’ve been chosen to represent RSA to go on an exchange student program to NRC. Because no one from Ignihyde was at the meeting (physically), they couldn’t exactly turn you down. Most people ignored the panicking tablet, anyway.

Ortho is a sweetheart, you’ve found, when you’re not threatening to de-ball his beloved older brother. But the catch is that you can’t spend much time with him without also spending time with Idia. Which, ew.

Your housewarden is someone you barely ever saw. But you’ve taken it upon yourself to annoy him as much as humanly possible (no you’re not petty who said that), so you usually camp outside his door to spook him from ever leaving. This escalates to occasional talks through the door, which turns into him slipping you a controller, to him realizing you can’t play if you don’t see the screen, to actually letting you hang out in his room.

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

Make no mistake, Idia’s tongue is just as poisonous as yours, if not more. The combination usually leads to trash talk that once made Ortho splash the two of you with cold water. He thinks you’re funny, but you’re both petty so most verbal fights turn to you two swatting at each other like children.

Bro, don’t you have a strategy for every level? You can’t win if you just wing it all the time, y’know? Idia’s the type of gamer who spends several hours at a game’s wiki page just to find the best route to the finish line, so you being as you are kinda gives him a headache. And look, he’s not helping you out, okay? None of his business.

What…you chill in his room but don’t let him have some of your honey butter potato chips? That’s lame af, but like whatever. He notices the people thing when he sees you through one of the cameras (that he did not plant nuh uh) in school, about to commit murder because someone called Ortho things neither you nor Idia appreciate. Hey, he’s rooting for you.

It took him like three weeks just to be able to sit two meters away from you without you bitching about it, so Idia is, understandably, a bit peeved when he sees you practically when he finds you hugging Ortho. He shouldn’t be annoyed, it’s Ortho, for sevens’ sake! But it’s not like he can just stop feeling frustrated. He can’t stop feeling disappointed. He can’t stop feeling…wait, what is he feeling? Jealousy? No! Absolutely not!

Love story climax:

He has to look away when you turn your head, lest he get caught in the act of totally-not-staring. He tries to focus on the game and on the way his character is moving on the screen.

But why is it that he feels like it’s a waste of time?

He loves gaming! The online world is his passion, his everything. But when you’re sitting right beside him, he thinks he’d prefer to admire you, adore you, instead of beating his high score at Kingdom Odyssey: Rise of Dragonheart. He takes another peek at your pretty face, glowing by the light of the screen. Your features morph into one of excitement, and he feels his heart lightening too when he catches your bright smile.

“I won! You lost, suck it!”

He doesn’t even mind you gloating, because your smug smirk is just…

Ew. Gross. Blegh.

It’s like he got turned into a shoujo manga character right there. Idia turns back to the screen. “Dumb luck, noob. Next round it’s gg for you.”

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

He doesn’t fight with you as often…but he still fights with you. Nothing serious of course, but trolling each other has become as much of a love language as quality time is. Idia really does enjoy trash talking with you the most, if only because you turn it into a competition. When you lose, he makes you do something silly. Like uh, marrying his character in Sunfall Brookes…

Worry not! Idia, being the super awesome and totally cool genius he is, has whipped something up so that Ortho is behind you at every turn. He can’t support your stupidity irl most of the time, but having his little brother (who is fully equipped with deadly laser guns) back you up is probably good enough. So it’s fine, you’re fine, worse comes to worst Ortho’ll pick you up and fly you right back to your loving boyfriend (who may or may not be waiting to hear about your stupid actions).

While you do share your potato chips now, it seems to have become a bit more troublesome. Like, what do you mean does he love Moonkiss Eclipse the Magical Sparkle Girl more than you? Of course he loves you more (pssssst Ortho can you hide the body pillow before my s/o pops me into a body bag). Your main enemy will be the thousands of fictional characters that Idia loves, so good luck!

Idia’s not like, super great at public displays of affection. He’s not great in public, in general. Your clinginess and kisses and whatnot will have to wait until you’re back at either his or your room, ‘kay? It’s worth it though, you get to see a shy, blushy Idia with flaming pink hair.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“I AM FINE, HUMAN! YOU CANNOT INJURE ME WITH YOUR WEAK HUMAN BODY!”

Neige’s sheepish apology is met with a loud, annoying, obnoxious response. It makes you want to deck the green haired man in the face just for damaging your eardrums. “Hey, cut it out, will you? You’re loud,” you click your tongue, glaring at him, “and very annoying.”

“HOW DARE YOU CALL ME ANNOYING, HUMAN?! I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I, SEBEK ZIGVOLT, ONE OF MALLEUS-SAMA’S MOST LOYAL RETAINERS, AM A FIGURE OF—”

You figure you’re unlikely to get anything useful out of this student whose head seems very deep inside his own ass. Just as you’re planning your escape route (or how to get away with murder), a voice that successfully stops the blabber arrives.

“Sebek?” a beautiful horned fae intercedes from the sidelines, “I thought you were with Silver and Lilia.”

“MY LIEGE!”

This is probably your cue to leave.

With your hand wrapped around Neige’s wrist, you whisk him far far away from this school’s legion of freaks. As good as the eye candy (the horned fae) was, another word from the green weirdo is bound to have you arrested after socking him in the gut.

“Y/N? Where are we going?” Neige asks hesitantly.

“To the cafe,” you answer curtly, “then after that we’re going right back for your SDC practice, okay? I cannot stand one more second with all these NRC students around.”

Exchange program:

RSA held a very, very random name drawing for the exchange student program, and surprise, it’s you! And apparently, during a housewarden meeting, Diasomnia offered to be your dorm during your stay (no one needs to know Diasomnia’s housewarden wasn’t there).

You start sort-of acquaintances with Silver, but he’s actually an amazing antithesis to you. Since, you know, you’re always blazing in your fiery temper and he’s just…asleep. Maybe not antithesis. Anyway he’s a good friend.

Being in the same dorm as Sebek does not make you tolerate him more. In fact, you butt heads so much that Lilia’s assigned someone in Diasomnia to always be watching the two of you when in the same room. Lilia is cool, he’s cute, he’s super fun. You get along nicely with him once you’ve gotten used to being jumpscared.

Malleus, to be honest, you barely ever saw. He’s a bit stuck in his own world, and it’s not as if you cross paths often in your schedule. He’s more a bystander in your world before something (a fight with one of his retainers, you can guess which one) happens, and you finally manage to call him a ‘friend’.

What he thinks of you (before the relationship):

My, you’ve got quite some courage, saying those things in front of the Prince of Briar Valley. Malleus doesn’t mind though, in fact, he welcomes it. He sees it as a sign that you’re friends. After all, none too many would do as you do and sass him, saying such crude and bold words. As long as you don’t cross a line, the fae prince will smile with a ready retort in light fun.

He thinks your antics are amusing, to say the least. But you know that thing where his superiority complex kind of comes out every once in a while? Yeah, he sees you as entertaining. Kinda condescending. The good thing about this is that he doesn’t get mad at the situations you find yourself in, plus it only takes a snap of his fingers to clean up your mess. The bad thing is that you feel like half a court jester.

Malleus understands your natural instinct to claim some place and things as territory. He’s a dragon fae, after all, and those myths and legends of their greed do hold some degree of merit. This extends to people? How interesting. Watches on with amusement as you tackle a student to the ground for calling Lilia ‘weird’.

In all his years of living, this is the first time that anything has made him feel this way. There’s a bitter taste lingering on the back of his tongue, and neon green sparks curl and flicker around his fingers. It’s out of his control, he can’t help it; you’re so unbelievably unlike yourself right now it’s driving him insane. Why would you cuddle with Silver under a tree like this? Do you feel something for his knight? Thunder rumbles in the distance.

Love story climax:

“Beloved.”

The word is strange, weighing heavily on his lips. And yet, as he watches your sleeping figure, mind almost subconsciously erasing Silver from the picture, he finds it to be a word befitting of you. Lovely. “It will be dark soon,” Malleus whispers, and the prince is brought to his knees next to you if only so that you may hear his yearning, “it is best to return indoors and sleep there.”

Your eyes flutter open; you are a vision he cannot ever hope to erase from his mind.

“Sorry, I was,” you let out a soft yawn, stretching your limbs, “I got really tired from PE. Oh, I should wake up Silver.”

Malleus can’t help the lightning that zooms across his fingertips. You didn’t seem to notice the term he’d used for you, still addled from sleep. You’re focused on gently shaking his retainer awake.

It matters not, for you will be his soon enough.

(How could you ever hope to be more territorial than a dragon, dearest?)

What he thinks of you (in the relationship):

Being assertive and straightforward with your words is a great trait of rulers, beloved (yeah, in a relationship means he’s planning for marriage babe, keep up). Sass and sarcasm will have to be taken down a notch though, although he loves you, the faes in Briar Valley are old and not very accommodating of your hobby of wordplay. He does enjoy it, however, so feel free to speak as you wish when the two of you are alone.

In this kind of situation, he babies you a lot more. It’s not really condescension though, he believes that you can handle yourself especially since he now sees you as an equal. But Malleus is highly, if not overly, indulgent of the one he loves. Sees no need to change it unless something big happens. Is more liable to clean up after your messes, this time out of love.

Malleus thinks you’re so adorable when you’re jealous, with the way you get so fussy and protective over him. It’s not as if you really have a reason for jealousy, the prince is less ‘lusted after by many suitors’ and more feared. At least, that’s what he believes. So you only have Lilia and Silver to comfort you after a long day of fighting with his many many admirers.

Have a sense of decorum, dear, a public place is not suitable for displays of affection. Or so he says, but really, who is Malleus to stop you if you wish to be loving and sweet? He’ll melt faster than you can even say his name. He will have to hold back on reciprocating temporarily, but rest assured he has a mental tally and will be repaying you threefold once you’re in his private quarters.

[buildingmycottage]

I saw a post here on Tumblr once that went something like "in a world where god, Jesus, and the apostles are all men, that has to do something psychologically to women" and it made me think: The Netflix version of the show "She-Ra Princess of Power" is a show that is HEAVILY women centric. We know maybe three guys in power, King Micah (who, after his return from Beast Island, wasn't *really* in power), the head sorcerer in Mystacor, Hordak/Horde Prime. (please do correct me if I am wrong) The show, albeit about princesses, has the princesses have actual roles. Even the ones that are "weak" or perceived to be weaker than the others (read: Perfuma), are extremely powerful.

The two men whom we consistently meet in the show other than Hordak, Bow and Seahawk, are not the "macho man" in most shows. Seahawk sings an entire shanty as to how lonely he is and how he just wants to be friends with Mermista, and Bow cries and even hugs frequently all the other characters in the show. Both talk about their emotions and work through them in /relatively/ healthy ways (the Dragon's Daughters 1-3 will be sorely missed). My point being, is that the women in the show are shown as strong, beautiful, muscular, fierce, sad, frustrated, loving, traumatized, hurt, laughing, and more. They all have different body shapes/ types of bodies. There are three openly gay couples: Bow's dads, Spinerella and Netossa, and Catra and Adora. Incredible! In a kids show (and adults too lets be real) there are three openly gay couples. No one treats them any different. Bow is one of 13 kids of George and Lance. No one bats an eye. In fact, according to She-Ra Wiki page (https://she-raandtheprincessesofpower.fandom.com/wiki/LGBTQIAP%2B), so many characters are queer. Besides the ones listed above: - Scorpia and Perfuma are romantically involved - Bow is Bisexual - Glimmer is Bisexual - Mermista is Bisexual - Seahawk is Bisexual (dated Falcon) - Falcon is Gay - Lonnie is Poly and Bisexual (dating Rogelio and Kyle) - by extension Rogelio and Kyle are queer - Entrapta is bi - Jewelstar is trans - Peekablue is gender non-conforming - Double Trouble is nonbinary and there is MORE In the show, as there are a ton of non humans, almost any time we meet someone, she/her pronouns are used (see episodes when Best Friend Squad are in the crimson waste). Can't you see how amazing this is? A show where there are no one-dimensional characters, women are constantly having intelligent conversation with one another, women are leaders, women working together, openly queer characters, and a beautiful plot line where there's magic???? When the princesses work together, they turn into the colors of the rainbow and their powers are enhanced. Little girls are getting to see themselves as normal. Women aren't treated as secondary citizens. Hell, almost every Bright Moon guard we see is female. How would the world be different if shows like this were the norm? Where women are able to be magical, and they aren't dressed to show off their bodies? Where women's armor actually protects them? Where they grunt and are sweating after they fight? Where womens' love wins? Why can't this be normal? (Happy Pride!)

[nelkcats]

Captain Phantom

Since the ghost invasion of Amity stopped, Danny had become close to many of the ghosts he was once enemies with, so it was not uncommon to find him attending Ember concerts or competing with Johnny.

Then, it was also not uncommon to find him playing with Youngblood, who was always up for playing pirates. The halfa knew that the ghost boy was lonely and not all ghosts paid attention to him, so he made sure to play with him whenever he could.

Of course, he and Youngblood noticed that they could no longer play in his home dimension (too much risk; as much as the adults didn't see Youngblood, Danny preferred not to risk creating a second GIW), so they chose a random dimension to play pirates. The halfa even invited more ghosts to be each other's "crew."

When everyone agreed to the proposal, they traveled through a natural portal to the new dimension, they wouldn't stay too long for it to matter.

Happy with the arrangement, no one noticed how the people in the "new" dimension freaked out at the sight of two pirate ships floating in the sky, everyone on the ships were too busy having fun to notice. Batman grunted at the thought of another magical stupidity in Gotham.

Determined to explore the strange phenomenon, Red Hood and Nightwing offered to use the Jet to get to one of the ships, to which Batman agreed. When they reached the first ship, they found a fierce fight between...aliens? spirits? None of the brothers were sure, but they all glowed in a familiar green. It seemed that the pirate ships were clashing.

Jason was about to speak to draw the attention of the people in the battle, but before he could a boy with bright green eyes, white hair and a Captain's hat on his head came, he immediately noticed them and shouted, "Argh! Intruders!"

Dick swore he saw a boy in a Captain's hat (the rival ship?) pouting and about to complain about something but he couldn't pay any more attention to the event because the "crew" circled them and before he knew it they were tying them up with ropes (also glowing?) and calling them "prisoners". Dick wondered if he would have to jump off the plank, while Danny hesitated about what to do with his "prisoners", Youngblood didn't appreciate people interrupting their games.

[happilychee]

fairy tail dragon slayer headcanons pt. 1

♡ what the first gen and second gen dragon slayers eat is pretty self-explanatory. all of their elements are... somewhat tangible. sting and rogue though? they're still figuring it out. rogue wonders if he can eat someone else's shadow, and sting immediately volunteers himself. "for science!" he says. the result is that sting almost passes out. oops. he insists they try on their friends, much to rogue's displeasure. the results are that sting is the most susceptible, then yukino, rufus, orga, and minerva is the least susceptible to magic drainage. sting insists rogue tries to eat an inanimate object's shadow, and nothing happens to it, so they decide that's the way to go.

♡ when wendy eats air, the oxygen levels thin. she has to be careful or she'll cause her allies and enemies alike to pass out. when sting eats light, the area gets darker and darker. this is great for rogue, who starts eating the shadows, and they manage to balance each other out.

♡ sting insists that different types of light taste differently. his favorite is light from golden hour, right when the sun is dipping below the horizon. moonlight will do in a pinch, but it's so diluted that it takes way more of it to recover sting's magic. he also gets sick if he eats too much moonlight.

♡ pantherlily already has transformation magic and enhanced strength, and carla learns to transform so she can help wendy fight. the other three exceeds feel... a little left out. happy learns how to fly faster and for longer (though he still complains about lucy being heavy). lector goes to porlyusica and wendy to learn some stamina regeneration spells for sting. everyone is surprised when frosch, completely on their own, manages to learn an adorable light spell that creates floating pink bubbles. rogue can consume the shadows from them without worrying about draining frosch's magic, and he spends the entire afternoon crying about it.

♡ dragon slayers are a bit like crows. their way of bonding with someone is through gifting trinkets. natsu will bring lucy, erza, and even gray pretty rocks or seashells that he's found on jobs. wendy picks up a new craft or hobby every week, so the members of fairy tail are constantly recieving handmade accessories from her (gajeel helps during the metalsmithing phase). gajeel does not buy cute things for people. he is like a dad in the fact that, when juvia mentions she wants watermelon, he buys her 20 watermelons. walking math problem fr.

♡ laxus has mixed feelings about his more draconic features and habits. he's never loved his magic because of the way he got it, and the memory of his father basically torturing him as he inserted the lacrima will stay with him forever. he tends to suppress dragon instincts more than anyone else in the group, and they all scold him for it. on a rare occasion, laxus will give in and buy something shiny (like a hairclip) for wendy. she has a little jewelry box for them that she guards fiercely.

♡ cobra considers himself more of a flying snake than a dragon. he once drew a picture that sent everyone into a laughing fit. he prefers to stick with the old oración seis crew, but the guild dragon slayers are always happy to see him when he stops by with crime sorcière.

♡ sting, because of his heightened senses and his affinity for light, prefers nighttime. the day can often be overwhelming, and overexposure to bright settings and lots of people leaves his skin buzzing. he likes to sit in the dim guild hall, leaning against the cool stone wall, as the chatter of the crowd quiets down with the setting sun.

♡ dragon slayers all have the Bite instinct. some exercise a degree of control about it, and others go crazy with it. wendy will very gently nibble on erza or mira's arm when she's in the mood, and sometimes she does it absentmindedly. natsu, on the other hand, is an absolute menace. multiple of erza's armor sets have natsu-shaped bite marks on them. he tends to go after her the most because he knows he won't hurt her with the armor. when natsu's more calmed down, he will chomp on lucy's shoulder. gajaeel copes by eating all of fairy tail's silverware (mira starts buying ceramic spoons), but when levy offers her wrist to him he can't help it.

♡ rogue is another one who doesn't really bite people. he, very rarely, nips at frosch's ears, which causes the exceed to giggle. sting is a Biter like natsu, but with slightly more decorum. he really wants to go at it but will restrain himself because most people aren't willing to be treated like a chew toy. luckily for him, gray and cana aren't most people! because they both wear pretty exposing clothing, gray and cana have no qualms about showing off sting's bite marks on their skin. sting always turns bright red when they tease him about it.

♡ laxus and cobra don't really feel the Bite instinct due to being second gen, but cobra is a little shit and bites people for the fun of it. laxus is completely unbothered when natsu clings to him like a koala and gnaws at him.

[moonselune]

Heyyy, if you're cool with it, could you write how the ladies would actually if Tav took a pretty severe slash/blow for them in battle? Like they're distracted by something else and Tav rushes over, ignoring everything else, and takes the hit for them AND finishes off the enemy to protect the ladies? Bonus points if tav is all bloodied up afterwards and asks the ladies "are you ok? You're not too hurt, are you?" While they're just stood on the verge of passing out lol

ahaha I love this, I may have also slipped in a variation of 'ahahaha ur so pretty don't kys" into it

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Minthara:

The chaos of battle raged around you, the sounds of clashing steel and magical incantations filling the air. Minthara was in the thick of it, her sharp eyes focused on a particularly tough enemy. She didn't see the second attacker closing in from her blind spot, but you did.

Without a second thought, you surged forward, pushing through the pain and exhaustion that already weighed on you. Just as the enemy’s blade swung down, you put yourself between it and Minthara, taking the brutal slash across your chest. Pain flared through your body, but you gritted your teeth and finished off the attacker with a swift, decisive strike.

Minthara turned, her eyes widening as she saw you standing there, bloodied and panting. "Are you okay? You're not too hurt, are you?" you asked, your voice strained but full of concern.

Minthara's usual composed demeanor shattered. Her eyes, wide with shock and fear, darted over your injuries. "Foolish! Why did you do that?" she hissed, her voice trembling. She stepped closer, her hands hovering over your wounds as if she wanted to help but didn't know where to start.

You managed a weak smile, trying to reassure her. "Couldn't let anything happen to you," you said softly.

Her face softened, and she let out a shaky breath. "You… you risked your life for me," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of awe and frustration. "Stay with me. Don't you dare close your eyes."

Despite the pain, you reached out and took her hand. "I'm not going anywhere," you promised.

Minthara's grip tightened, her fierce determination returning. "Good. Now, let's get you patched up," she said, her voice regaining its strength. She supported you, her touch both gentle and firm, guiding you to safety.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Karlach:

The battlefield was a blur of chaos and bloodshed, and Karlach was in her element, blazing bright as she tore through enemy lines. But in her fervor, she didn't notice the enemy sneaking up behind her with a deadly intent.

You saw the danger and didn't hesitate. Ignoring the pain and exhaustion already gnawing at you, you sprinted towards her, throwing yourself between Karlach and the enemy. The blow hit you hard, a searing pain spreading through your body as you took the brunt of the attack. But you managed to turn the tables and finish off the enemy with a final, desperate strike.

Karlach spun around, her eyes widening in horror as she saw you crumple to the ground, blood pouring from your wounds.

"Are you okay? You're not too hurt, are you?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper as you struggled to stay conscious.

Karlach dropped to her knees beside you, her face a mask of anguish and fury. "Soldier what the hell were you thinking?" she cried, her voice choked with emotion. "You could have been killed!"

You tried to smile, though it came out as a grimace. "Couldn't let anything happen to you," you managed to say, your voice weak but sincere.

Tears welled up in Karlach's eyes, and she cupped your face in her hands, her touch surprisingly gentle despite her strength. "You idiot," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Don't you dare die on me."

Despite the pain, you reached up and squeezed her hand. "I'm tougher than I look, babe" you joked, though the effort made your vision swim.

Karlach let out a shaky laugh, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Yeah, you are," she said, her voice softening. "But you're not invincible. Now, let's get you some help." She lifted you with ease, her arms strong and secure around you as she carried you to safety. "Hang in there, love," she murmured, her voice filled with determination. "I've got you. You're going to be okay."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Lae'zel

The battlefield was a chaotic mess of clashing swords and roaring enemies. Lae'zel was fiercely engaged with a formidable foe, her movements a blur of lethal precision. However, she didn’t see the enemy creeping up behind her, poised to strike.

You though noticed the danger and rushed towards her, your instincts overriding any concern for your own safety. You threw yourself in front of Lae'zel, taking the full brunt of the enemy’s slash. Pain exploded through your body, but you gritted your teeth and pushed forward, using the momentum to drive your weapon into the enemy, finishing them off.

As the enemy fell, you staggered, blood pouring from the deep wound in your side. Lae'zel turned, her eyes wide with shock and fury as she realized what had happened. She caught you before you could collapse, her strong arms cradling you gently despite the ferocity of the battle around you.

"Are you ok? You're not too hurt, are you?" you asked, your voice strained with pain.

Lae'zel’s face was a mix of rage and something softer, something she rarely showed. Her hands, usually so strong and commanding, trembled slightly as she held you. "You foolish, brave creature," she growled, her voice thick with emotion. "Why did you do that?"

You managed a weak smile. "I couldn’t let anything happen to you."

Lae'zel's eyes blazed with a mix of pride and frustration. "You are a warrior, and yet you risk yourself for me. Do not do this again." Her voice softened. "Let us get you healed."

With a surprising tenderness, she lifted you up, her usual harsh demeanor replaced by a protective fierceness as she carried you to safety.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Shadowheart:

The battle raged on around you, with Shadowheart casting spells to protect your group and fend off attackers. In the midst of the chaos, an enemy slipped through, raising a weapon to strike her down. She was too focused on her spellcasting to notice the imminent danger.

Without thinking, you threw yourself between Shadowheart and the attacker, the enemy's weapon slicing deep into your flesh. You felt the blinding pain but pushed through, using your remaining strength to dispatch the attacker with a swift, decisive blow.

As the enemy fell, you turned to Shadowheart, blood pouring from your wound. "Are you ok? Please tell me you are not hurt." you asked, your voice weak but laced with concern.

Shadowheart's eyes widened in horror as she took in the sight of your injury. Her usually composed demeanor shattered, replaced by sheer panic and worry. "Oh, gods, what have you done?" she whispered, rushing to your side.

You could see the tears welling up in her eyes as she pressed her hands to your wound, her healing magic flowing into you with an urgency you’d never felt before. "Why did you do that? You should have let me handle it," she said, her voice breaking.

You reached up, cupping her cheek with a trembling hand. "I couldn’t let you get hurt. You're too pretty."

Shadowheart’s tears spilled over and a bitter laugh left her lips as she continued to pour her healing magic into you, refusing to let you go. "You idiot," she murmured, her voice filled with a mix of anger and love. "Don’t you ever do that again."

As the pain began to recede under her healing touch, you gave her a faint smile. "I’ll try not to," you said softly, your eyes never leaving hers.

Shadowheart leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I love you,"

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Hope you all enjoyed this- let me know what you think - Seluney xoxo