#and scattered through seasons 4 and 5

[kerryweaverlesbian]

Kicking my heels thinking about Dean giving Cas something to dress up in for a case in one of his giddy 'Cas is here!' moments and when he comes out Dean is all "sweet!" and "looking good!" and "give us a twirl!" so Cas turns in an awkward little circle with his bashful little 'getting positive attention from Dean' smile. And as Dean passes him to say "let's go get this [mashed up pop culture reference] son of a bitch" he pats Cas’s hip. This is real this is real to me.

[checkeredflagggs]

The Story of Us: Chapter 1

pairing: logan sargeant x famous!fem!singer

summary: logan and you have been keeping a secret from everyone but it might be time for it to come out

a/n: while I do my best on most of my works to be race neutral, this one is very very very self indulgent 🤷🏻‍♀️

a/n2: this is part 1 of 4/5, which will be released when they’re finished and I’m using pretty much everything from Taylor Swift

a/n3: I still don’t understand instagram so - no one but those that follow you can see a private accounts comments (even on a public post). Also I still hate twitter so I’ve replaced it with Bluesky

y/n_fanpage

liked by maxverstappen1, landonorris, charles_leclerc, and 10,293,833 others

y/n_fanpage: y/n_nation has been busy this past week with hints of what’s to come. Obviously midnight has something to do with her announcement! Thoughts?

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user1: NO. SHUT UP!!!

↳user2: NEW STUFF??? NEW MATERIAL??

↳user1: MOTHER IS BACKKK!!!

↳user2: I forgot that it’s y/n_nation that posts the announcements now 😭😭 I feel like I’ve missed so much stuff

↳user1: girl you better go back and check it out

charles_leclerc: cannot wait! Will definitely be on repeat in the garage

↳carlossainz55: yes!!

↳scuderiaferrari: already making room for it in the playlist!

↳user3: ok but this just makes sense to me!!

↳user4: right? Of course Carlos and Charles are y/n fans!

user5: another banger album on the way!

↳user6: album of the year!!

user7: 🤞🤞 fingers crossed it’s a love album

↳user8: oh my god same?

↳user7: like I love her other stuff so much but her love albums??? Next. Level.

↳user8: right?? Oh imagine being loved by someone who writes literal love songs for you

↳user7: not just love songs tho…Thee love songs!

alex_albon: new race day anthem loading!

↳logansargeant: 😂

↳alex_albon: I can’t be teammates with you if you’re not a y/n fan

↳logansargeant: biggest fan there is

↳alex_albon: well that’s not possible

↳lilymhe: no one is taking that title from us!

↳logansargeant: if you say so…

↳oscarpiastri: 🤣🤣

user9: tour tour tour tour!

↳user10: she’s hasn’t even released the album yet? Like Jesus…

y/n

liked by user, charles_leclerc, maxverstappen1, alex_albom, logansargeant, and 11,283,012 others

y/n: this is a no judgement zone, right? Right? Meet the newest members of the family — Snowball and Snowflake, Marshmallow, and Croissant!

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user11: I’m in love?

↳user12: you’re in love? I’m in love!!!

↳user13: they’re so cute!

maxverstappen1: You’re a cat mom too?

↳user14: still not over the thought that vroom vroom guys are in mothers comment section

logansargeant: good looking pups there!

charles_leclerc: it must be the season for new pets!

↳user15: ok but this seems desperate?

↳user16: oh I’m glad I’m not the only one to sense this

↳charles_leclerc: non! It is called shooting your shot!

↳user15: reads like desperation tbh

↳maxverstappen1: ha

↳charles_leclerc: I don’t think I like you anymore

↳user15: I’m not sure who you’re talking too or who should be more offended

↳charles_leclerc: yes

y/n

liked by logansargeant, landonorris, estebanocon and 13,297,934 others

y/n: We lie awake in love and in fear, in turmoil and in tears. We stare at walls and drink until they speak back. We twist in our self-made cages and pray that we aren’t — right this minute — about to make some fateful life-altering mistake.

This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams. The floors we pace and the demons we face. For all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching — hoping that just maybe, when the clocks strike twelve…we’ll meet ourselves.

Midnights, the story of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life, is yours now. Meet me at midnight

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user16: what??? Like what??

user17: did she seriously just drop a surprise album on us?????

↳user18: miss ma’am mother i know that the album is called midnight but that does NOt mean you have to drop it at midnight! I have classes tomorrow!

maxverstappen1: vigilante shit is on repeat!

↳redbullracing: we can confirm this ✅

↳charles_leclerc: bejeweled is where it’s at actually

↳scuderiaferrari: excuse us while we grab our rhinestones

↳maxverstappen1: it’s ok to admit you’re wrong.

↳charles_leclerc: I’m glad you’re being truthful!

↳maxverstappen1: 😑😑😑

user19: ok but mastermind??? What kind of groundwork are you laying girl??

↳user20: right??? She’s been writing love songs for years and there’s still nothing about who they’re for

↳user21: for real!!! She’s come out about a lot of her songs — illicit affair about yourbff and back to December being about yoursister — but she’s Never! Said anything about who the love songs are about!

↳user19: I’m convinced she’s in a long term relationship and they’re all about her partner!

↳user20: user53 your help is needed rn!

↳user53: oh god not again

↳user19: when im right im gonna laugh in your face

↳user53: uh huh sure you will

alex_albon: do we have to pick a favorite?? Can’t we just play it on repeat in it’s entirety?

↳lilymhe: we absolutely will be doing that

↳logansargeant: really? The entirety??

↳alex_albon: for someone who tried to say you were her biggest fan, this is disappointing behavior

↳lilymhe: it really is

↳logansargeant: 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

↳logansargeant: 🤣

oscarpiastri: my sisters have been screaming at me since it dropped

↳logansargeant: oops. Sorry about that man — know how that feels

↳hattiepiastri: we! need! a! signed! copy!

↳oscarpiastri: I thought you were just into kpop?

↳hattiepiastri: mom! nicolepiastri Oscar is being mean!

↳oscarpiastri: low blow.

↳hattiepiastri: 🤨🥺

↳oscarpiastri: …I’ll see what I can do

↳user19: 🧐🧐🧐

landonorris: I don’t know which one to choose as a favorite…

↳oscarpiastri: oh no

↳landonorris: which means all of them are!

↳oscarpiastri: does this mean…

↳carlossainz55: he will be singing the entire album at the top of his lungs, yes

↳danielricciardo: it won’t be good singing but it will be consistent

↳oscarpiastri: no

↳carlossainz55: yes

↳danielricciardo: yup

↳landonorris: go away muppets! Leave me and y/n and her album alone

↳oscarpiastri: 🤣🤣

logansargeant

liked by not_y/n, oscarpiastri, alex_albon, and 1,294,278 others

logansargeant: always a great feeling being back home — even better with new friends

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user22: new puppy??? Winter break did Logan good this year!

alex_albon: you didn’t tell me you got a new dog!

↳logansargeant: haha it’s technically not mine but sorry!

↳alex_albon: you got a new dog and didn’t tell me!! Me!!

↳logansargeant: 😂😂

↳lilymhe: he’s pacing right now, he’s in distress

↳logansargeant: sorry not sorry

↳logansargeant: would a visit with him help?

↳alex_albon: it is literally the least you could do

↳logansargeant: 😂 he’ll be at Miami

↳alex_albon: good!

user23: ummm?? Could I take the place of the puppy???

user24: I’m?? Jealous? Of a dog…

↳user25: big mood

↳used24: this is not where I predicted my life would be 10 years ago…

↳user25: no one ever does.

user19: am I gonna be attacked if I say something?

↳user53: potentially

↳user19: do you just have me on notifications??

↳user26: we alert them every time we see you post

↳user26: you scare us

↳user19: just because I’m always right doesn’t mean I’m scary

↳user53: ok let’s take it to dms.

↳user19: buckle up then buddy cause I’ve got it all printed out

↳user26: user53 is a real one 🫡 taking it for team

↳user19: 😡😡😡

↳user53: user19 come on. Explain your newest conspiracy

not_y/n: what a cutie! And he looks so well behaved

↳not_logan: why thank you!

↳not_oscar: gross guys. Keep it to yourselves please and thank you

↳not_y/n: why?? Want me to call you a good boy too??

↳not_logan: absolutely not!

↳not_oscar: eww 🤢 you’re solidly in the sister category and this is not game of thrones

↳not_y/n: 😜

↳not_y/n: speaking of — hotd season 1 binge before Miami?

↳not_logan: yes!

↳not_oscar: yes! — L

↳not_oscar: i guess that it’s a yes from us

y/n

liked by landonorris, oscarpiastri, maxverstappen1, and 16,294,923 others

y/n:

What keeps you up at night?

It’s a momentary glimmer of distraction. The tiniest notion of reminiscent thought that wanders off into wondering, the spark that lights a tinderbox of fixation. And now it is irreversible. The flame has caught. You’re wide awake.

3am is different from midnight — the sky is ever darker and the thoughts even more haunting. Things that would keep you up at one don’t at the other.

Midnights: the 3am edition is yours now

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user27: why? Would? You? Do? This? To? Me?? I just barely got over midnights?? And now I have to listen to 3am??

oscarpiastri: again? Didn’t we just go through this 2 weeks ago?

↳landonorris: WOOOO!

↳oscarpiastri: oh no 😥

↳logansargeant: you could show some enthusiasm? You’ve definitely said she’s one of your favorite artists before

↳oscarpiastri: she is. Lando’s version of her? Not so much

↳landonorris: so rude!

↳carlossainz55: I think it might be a self defense mechanism

↳danielricciardo: gotta save those eardrums somehow

↳landonorris: 😡😡

danielricciardo: Paris baby!

↳user28: I knew you were a man of taste!

↳yukitsunoda0511: he’s really not. The Great War is superior

↳danielricciardo: you wish

user29: ok but would’ve, could’ve, should’ve??

↳lilymhe: karma is still the superior song

↳alex_albon: bigger than the whole sky? Did you miss that song?

↳lilymhe: we’re breaking up. I can’t be with someone who’s top song isn’t karma

↳user29: sorry but you’re both wrong 🤷🏼‍♂️

user19: Paris???? Are you kidding me!??!? And The Great War?!??

↳user53: I’m gonna need you to take a deep breath

↳user19: I told you!

↳user53: yes you did. And, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I’m starting to believe you

↳user30: who are you and what happened to user53?

↳user53: I don’t know man. I don’t know

↳user53: however user19 might be on to something here…

↳user19: MIGHT?!?

↳user19: just you wait!

y/n_nation

liked by logansargeant, oscarpiastri, charles_leclerc, and 19,294,923 others

y/n_nation: pack your backs and get your tickets! Coming to a city near you, the Eras Tour is a journey through y/n’s decade long music career!

Starting in Miami, Opening Night is Monday, May 6…more

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user30: YES!!!

↳user31: omg omg omg omg!!!!

danielricciardo: already planning on it!

↳maxverstappen1: so lucky that opening day is immediately after the Miami GP!

↳danielricciardo: exactly! It’ll be nice to spend a few extra days in Florida!

↳user19: yes so lucky…

oscarpiastri: on the one hand I think my sisters would kill me if we didn’t go for opening night…on the other hand I don’t know if I can do a live show with Lando…

↳logansargeant: maybe you’ll get lucky and have separate seating?

↳oscarpiastri: one could only hope…

↳landonorris: you frickin muppets

↳hattiepiastri: seriously???

↳oscarpiastri: will work on it

↳hattiepiastri: yes!!

alex_albon: suddenly i feel like the garages will have a lot of extra guests…

↳lilymhe: what do you mean? I always planned on going to Miami!

↳alex_albon: does always mean 20 minutes?

↳carmenmmundt: it does actually!

↳georgerussell63: since when?

↳francisca.cgomes: for about the last 20 minutes!

↳pierregasly: hint received

↳francisca.cgomes: 🤭

user32: ok i need to be at opening night now…

↳user33: right? The chance to see all these drivers in person?

↳user32: AND to see y/n perform live?!? Dream come true

charles_leclerc: I am ready to fight the Ticketmaster

↳alexandrasaintmleux: yay!

↳user34: oh to have Charles leclerc fight Ticketmaster for you…

logansargeant

liked by not_y/n, oscarpiastri, alex_albon, and 1,214,223 others

logansargeant: last minute dates before the season starts

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user35: who? What? Where? When?

↳user36: A GIRLFRIEND?!??!!? SINCE WHEN????

alex_albon: first you get a dog and don’t tell me and now you have a whole ass GIRLFRIEND AND DIDNT TELL ME???? Where is the team loyalty?

↳logansargeant: …we’ve been together longer then I’ve been your teammate?

↳user37: what?? HOW LONG?

↳alex_albon: exactly! HOW LONG???

↳logansargeant: just over 10 years now

↳alex_albon: you were a baby?

↳logansargeant: I was nearly 14?

↳alex_albon: a baby!!

oscarpiastri: tell her to answer her texts

↳logansargeant: she said she’s on a strict no phone policy

↳oscarpiastri: I can see her on her phone right now

↳logansargeant: “oh it’s exclusively against Australians who mocked my cooking attempts”

↳oscarpiastri: 😑😑😑

↳oscarpiastri: whatever she made IT WAS NOT BANANA BREAD

↳logansargeant: “but you didn’t have to laugh at me!”

↳alex_albon: the Australian knows???

↳oscarpiastri: there are levels here albon. Gotta get on my level — childhood best friends

jensonbutton: you’ve never mentioned you had a girl, kid

↳logansargeant: ok but to be fair you’ve never asked?

↳jensonbutton: and you’ve never introduced us?

↳logansargeant: she supports from a distance — she also travels a lot for work

↳jensonbutton: kid…

↳alex_albon: DOES ANYONE BUT THE AUSTRALIAN KNOW??

↳oscarpiastri: my family knows

↳alex_albon: Logan…

↳logansargeant:😂

user38: that Florida sun does something amazing for Logan!

↳user39: is it the sun or is it the girl??

↳logansargeant: it’s not the girl

↳logansargeant: it’s my girl

↳user39: I am literally swooning right now good lord

user19: user53! I told you

↳user53: …yeah ok

↳user40: user19 I need the timeline I need the proof I need the receipts

↳user19: I’ve got you!

Bluesky

f1

liked by logansargeant, maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc, and 8,923,924 others

tagged: y/n, y/n_nation

f1: it’s time to be fearless! Miss Americana will be performing the National Anthem at the Miami GP the day before the start of her Eras tour!

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user41: oh my god!!! I get to see her twice???

↳user42: seriously??? I’m so jealous

↳user41: I don’t know which gods blessed me but I managed to get tickets to both!!

↳user42: you know I heard it’s good to sleep with your windows open…

maxverstappen1: y/n the Redbull Garage would gladly welcome you!

↳redbullracing: absolutely! You Belong With Us!

↳user43: …is the redbull admin playing wingman for max?

↳redbullracing: the grind never stops

↳maxverstappen1: thanks admin

↳user43: gotta respect that I guess

landonorris: I think papaya is more your color y/n!

↳user44: I think she might prefer a winner actually

↳user44: you know to match her 3 album of the year’s

↳landonorris: ok i let stand the bullying from my friends and teammates

↳landonorris: but im not gonna stand for it from you

williamsracing: i think we could have The Best Day with you and your fellow American y/n!

↳logansargeant: hey what?

↳alex_albon: that’s it? Gonna need more enthusiasm from the guy who “claims” he’s the biggest fan

↳lilymhe: yeah! Show off your American spirit

↳logansargeant: caw caw 🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅

↳y/n: stunning show

↳lilymhe: 🤯🤯

user49: did…did she just…

↳user50: respond to Logan Sargeant? Yeah

↳user49: ohmygod

scuderiaferrari: I do believe Red is your color y/n

↳charles_leclerc: we look best in Red here!

↳carlossainz55: and we have ice cream!

↳charles_leclerc: yes! Custom ice cream just for you

↳alexandrasaintmleux: and we’ll even have a puppy if you’d like a puppy play date!

↳charles_leclerc: yes leo is very well behaved

↳user51: the desperation stinks all up in here

user52: i am living for all the garages trying to get y/n to join them for the weekend

↳user54: my favorite part is the desperation coming from the drivers

↳user54: silly vroom vroom guys and gals thinking they could shoot their shot with y/n… liked by not_y/n

Private Messages

y/n_gossip

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y/n_gossip: breaking! Coming from unknown sources are apparently leaked photos from y/n’s private phone.

My questions are how was she hacked and who is the guy!

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Private Messages

Part 2

[lanf1an]

SEASONS lando norris x fewtrell sister pt.4 - january 7 2025

pt.1 pt.2 pt.3 pt.5 pt.6 pt.7 pt.8 pt.9 pt.10

Wordcount: 1936

The group was scattered across the slopes, each pairing off for a morning of skiing or snowboarding. Lando and Dylan had somehow ended up together after riding the lifts, and were carving through the snow in companionable silence. Lando had to admit Dylan was annoyingly good on a board, making it look effortless as he sped down the powdery trails.

At the bottom of the run, they paused to catch their breath. Dylan stretched his arms above his head, grinning. “Man, this is the life. It’s great you guys have been doing this every year.”

“Yeah, it’s the best,” Lando replied, adjusting his goggles. “You’re lucky you got the invite.”

Dylan laughed. “I guess I passed the test with her, huh?”

“Guess so.”

As they lined up for the next lift, Dylan turned to him. “Speaking of passing tests, she told me she’s thinking of taking that job in Japan. Pretty big deal for her, right?”

Lando froze. “Wait—what job in Japan?”

Dylan looked confused. “She didn’t tell you? It’s with her company. Some kind of high-level exchange position for a few months. She’s not sure yet, but we’ve been talking about it.”

Lando forced himself to stay casual, though his chest tightened. “You’ve been talking about it?”

“Well, yeah,” Dylan said. “If she goes, I’d probably go with her for a bit. There’s great boarding in Japan, so it’d be a win-win. But she’s still deciding.”

Lando didn’t respond immediately, pushing off as the lift began to carry them up the mountain. 

“She didn’t mention it to me,” he said finally, not wanting to admit it.

Dylan shrugged, oblivious. “She’s probably waiting until she decides for sure. I mean, she’s got you, Max, her parents—it’s a lot of people to think about.”

“Right,” Lando said shortly, staring out over the snowy landscape. — Later that evening, the group was lounging in the cozy living room of the chalet, the fire crackling softly in the background. Dylan was engrossed in a card game with Max and some of the others, leaving you and Lando alone in the corner, sipping your drinks.

Lando leaned closer to you, lowering his voice. “So... Japan?”

You blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“Dylan mentioned something about you getting a job offer in Japan,” Lando said, trying to sound nonchalant but failing. “You didn’t think that was worth mentioning to me?”

You sighed, swirling your drink. “It’s not set in stone, Lan. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it until I decided.”

“Decided what?” His voice had an edge now. “Whether or not to move halfway across the world?”

You frowned, defensive. “It’s an amazing opportunity, Lando. I’m not saying yes or no yet, but it’s something I have to consider.”

His jaw tightened, and he set his glass down a little too hard on the coffee table. “What about the season? You’ve always been there—well, mostly. I can’t imagine doing it without you around.”

Your expression softened slightly, but your tone remained firm. “Lando, I wasn’t at every race last season, and you were fine. Look at your results!” You gave him a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re a superstar. You don’t need me there holding your hand.”

He stared at you, his lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s not about needing you to hold my hand. It’s...” He trailed off, running a hand through his hair. “You being there—it just makes things... easier. Part of my routine I’m used to”

Your brow furrowed. ‘’Part of your routine?’’

“I just… It’ll be weird without you around. You’ve always been there.’’

The sentiment was sweet, but there was something about the way he said it that made your chest tighten. “You’ll be fine,” you said, forcing a smile now. “You’ve got Magui, and Max, and the whole team. You’re not exactly lacking in support.”

“It’s not the same,” Lando replied, his voice barely above a murmur.

Your hand froze mid-reach for your drink. You set it down instead, the clink of glass against wood sharper than you intended. “What are you saying, Lando?”

He hesitated, like he hadn’t expected you to call him on it. “I’m just saying… you’ve always been part of this. Part of my life, my career. You get it in a way that—” He stopped himself, shaking his head. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Try,” you said, your tone sharper than he expected.

His brows furrowed, and for a moment, he looked like the boy you’d known all those years ago—earnest, vulnerable, and completely unaware of how his words could cut. “I guess I just… I need you. You’ve always been there, and I don’t know what it’s going to be like if you’re not.”

“You need me?” you repeated irritated. “Lando, I’m not going to Japan to sit on a beach. This is my career. My chance to do something for me. Do you even realize how that sounds?”

His eyes widened in confusion. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just saying—”

“You’re just saying you want me to put my life on hold so I can keep holding your hand through yours and be part of your routine?” you snapped, the words tumbling out before you could stop them.

Lando recoiled slightly. “That’s not what I’m asking.”

“Isn’t it?” you pressed, you voice rising. “You’re asking me to stay, Lando. To stay and make your life easier, while I give up something I’ve worked just as hard for. Do you know how selfish that sounds?”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said again, but this time his voice was quieter, tinged with guilt. “I just— It’s not easy, okay? Doing this. And I thought… I thought you understood that.”

You stared at him, your heart pounding in her chest. “I do understand. That’s why I’m still here, isn’t it? That’s why I’ve always been here. But you don’t get to ask this of me, Lando.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, you thought he might argue. But instead, he nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. “You’re right,” he said finally. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, but the sting of his words lingered. “I know you didn’t,” you said softly. 

— Mexico, 29 november 2023

The shrill sound of tires screeching and the thud of impact echoed through the paddock speakers. Your breath caught in your throat as the screen showed Lando’s car slamming into the barriers, a plume of debris scattering across the track.

“Red flag. That’s Norris in the wall,” the commentator announced, their tone serious but calm.

You were already on your feet in the McLaren garage, staring at the screen with wide eyes. The replay looped, showing his car losing grip on the exit of a corner before careening into the barriers.

“Is he okay?” you blurted, your voice sharp with worry.

One of the engineers turned to reassure you. “We’ve got radio communication. He’s fine, just frustrated.”

The knot in your stomach didn’t ease until you heard his voice crackle through the team radio, muttering, “I’m okay, I’m okay. Sorry, guys.”

You exhaled, hands trembling slightly as you sat back down. He might be physically fine, but you knew how much this would rattle him mentally.

The energy in the hospitality area was buzzing with activity, mechanics and engineers rushing around to prepare for tomorrow. You made your way over to Lando, who was perched on a counter, still in his race suit, a bag of ice pressed against his shoulder. His helmet sat beside him, a little scuffed from the impact.

“You alright?” you asked, leaning against the counter beside him.

He shrugged, wincing slightly as the motion aggravated his shoulder. “Yeah, I’m fine. Car’s a mess, though.”

You shot him a look. “The car can be fixed. I’m asking about you.”

Lando glanced at you, his expression guarded but softening under your gaze. “I’ve had worse.” Then, with a self-deprecating chuckle: “Though I can’t say the engineers are thrilled with me right now.”

“They’ll get over it,” you said firmly. “They know you’re pushing to the limit—that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

“Yeah, well, limits don’t win races if you’re sitting in the wall during quali.” He leaned back against the counter, his jaw tight.

You didn’t let the tension linger. “Oh, c’mon, Lan. You’ve come back from worse. Remember last season? You started at the back of the grid and still finished in the points.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “That was different. I didn’t stuff it in the barriers first.”

You reached over, grabbing a nearby energy drink can and tapping it lightly against his knee. “Then tomorrow’s your chance to remind everyone what you’re made of. You’ve got the pace, and we both know you love a challenge. Besides,” you added, grinning, “you’ll make the highlight reel if you pull it off.”

That earned a real laugh from him, and he tilted his head toward you. “You think I’ll pull it off?”

“I know you will,” you said, your tone unwavering.

Lando sat there for a beat, then hopped off the counter, dropping the ice pack onto the surface. “Alright, then I guess we will see.” —  The garage was absolute chaos. Team members shouted and high-fived, celebrating an incredible recovery drive. Lando had fought his way through the field with surgical precision, finishing in a stunning P5. The relief and joy in the room were palpable.

Lando barged into the garage, his race suit unzipped to his waist, hair a wild mess from pulling off his helmet. He was grinning ear to ear, waving a bottle of champagne in the air.

“P5, baby!” he shouted, and the room erupted in cheers again.

You were standing with Max and a few others when he spotted you. “Oi, don’t act like you’re not impressed,” he called, pointing at you with the neck of the champagne bottle.

You crossed your arms, pretending to look unimpressed. “P5? Meh, could’ve been P4 if you’d overtaken Gasly one lap earlier.”

Lando strode over, uncorking the bottle with a loud pop and spraying it wildly, catching you and a few nearby engineers in the crossfire. You shrieked, laughing as the cold champagne hit your face and jacket.

“Alright, alright!” you yelled, holding up your hands. “You win, Norris! P5 is pretty damn good!”

“Damn right it is,” he said, grinning as he took a swig straight from the bottle, still dripping champagne. “You doubted me for a second, didn’t you?”

“Never,” you replied, swiping the bottle from his hand and taking a sip yourself.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “That’s mine.”

“Not anymore,” you quipped, handing it back to him with a smirk.

The atmosphere was electric, the team chanting and laughing around you both. It wasn’t long before the post-race interviews started pulling people away, but Lando lingered for a moment.

“Hey,” he said, leaning in so you could hear him over the noise. “Thanks for, you know, earlier. Couldn’t have done it without your support.”

You glanced at him, surprised at the sudden sincerity in his voice. “What are you thanking me for? You’re the one who clawed your way back.”

He gave a small shrug, “Yeah, but you’re always there. Even when I’m a proper idiot.”

You rolled your eyes, though your smile betrayed you. “You’re always a proper idiot.”

He laughed, holding up the champagne bottle. “Guess it works for me.”

“I guess it does.”

tl: @ash88-yep @lewishamiltonismybf @harrysdimple05 @lex2205 @il0vereadingstuff @martygraciesversion381 @joannaln4 @obxstiles

[tinyshyteacup]

Taglist: @kellynickelsgirl00 @dixonsbridexx @yikes-myguy @blackwidownat2814 @euqsia @lliteratii @imadisneyprincessiswear @satata @smashleywow @misspendragonsworld

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TW: cussing, angry early seasons Daryl, angst, explosions, mass extinction, nationwide destruction, descriptions of walkers (Zombies) , firearms, Shane is creepy (and maybe slightly ooc ?), mentions of past abuse.

Part 4

Dead Weight - Part 5

The Georgia sun beat down mercilessly as you trudged through the underbrush, your boots crunching on fallen leaves.

It had been three days since Carl was shot, three days since Hershel had reluctantly opened his farm to your group, and five days since Sophia had disappeared into the woods.

The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, a maze of trees and undergrowth that seemed designed to swallow little girls whole,

The search party had splintered into smaller groups, desperation mounting with each passing hour.

You wiped sweat from your brow, your clothes sticking to your skin in the oppressive humidity.

The CDC explosion felt like a lifetime ago.

Since then, you'd been operating on autopilot—helping pack supplies, taking watch shifts, and now searching for Carol's daughter alongside the others.

"She couldn't have gotten far," Rick insisted, checking his map again. His confidence had been wavering with each sunset that brought no sign of Sophia.

"We'll find her," Shane added, though the look he exchanged with Lori said otherwise.

You'd been paired with Glen for the day's search. The young Korean man had always been kind, offering quiet support without the prying questions others sometimes asked.

You appreciated his steady presence and the way he tried to keep spirits up despite everything.

"We should drink more water," Glen reminded you, gesturing at your nearly full bottles. "This heat is brutal."

You took a sip, watching as he studied the map Rick had given each search team.

"Should we head toward that creek?" you asked, pointing to a blue line on the wrinkled paper.

"Good idea. She might have followed the water." Glen nodded, adjusting his baseball cap.

"Daryl said kids tend to follow landmarks."

As you walked toward the creek, you couldn't help but notice Daryl moving through the trees about fifty yards to your left. He was searching alone, as usual, his crossbow ready and his eyes constantly scanning the forest floor.

Just the night before, you'd been gathering firewood near the edge of camp when voices drew your attention to the old stone chimney—all that remained of a house long gone.

"This isn't happening, Shane," Lori's voice was low but firm. "Not now, not ever again."

"You can't just flip a switch on this, Lori. What we had—"

"Was a mistake," she cut him off. "Rick is alive. My husband is alive."

"And what about before? You telling me that was nothing?"

"I'm telling you it's over." A pause. "And I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

You'd quietly backed away, not wanting to eavesdrop further.

You'd noticed Shane's eyes following you around the campfire, something in his gaze that made you uneasy.

Cornstalks swayed with the wind, as you prepared for another day of searching, their rustle brushing against old farmhouse siding and the quiet murmur of uneasy voices.

The group is scattered across the property—some pacing, some sharpening tools, most wearing fear like armor.

"We'll cover more ground if we split up," Shane announced, adjusting the rifle slung over his shoulder. His eyes lingered on you a beat too long.

"We'll take east toward the creek." Shane announced nodding in your direction.

"Glen, you and Maggie check the ridge. Daryl, you said somethin' about tracks heading south?"

Daryl scowled, chewing absently on his thumbnail. "I can handle it m'self. Don't need nobody slowin' me down."

"Everyone pairs up," Rick insisted, his voice raspy with exhaustion. The man had barely slept since his son had been shot. "That's the rule."

"I don't need no damn babysitter," Daryl spat.

Shane stepped closer to you, resting his hand on the small of your back.

You instinctively shifted away from his touch, but he didn't seem to notice—or chose not to.

"C'mon. I promised to teach you how to shoot today too."

"You're holding it wrong," Shane said now, moving behind you to adjust your grip on the pistol.

His chest pressed against your back as his arms enveloped yours, guiding the weapon toward the makeshift target he'd set up—an old can perched on a fallen log.

You stiffened, trying to create space between your bodies. "Thanks."

He didn't budge. "Relax your shoulders. Don't anticipate the kickback." His hands slid from your wrists to your shoulders, massaging slightly.

"Hey Shane, stop" you said quietly, stepping to the side. "I should focus."

Something flashed in his eyes—annoyance, maybe—but he stepped back with a forced smile. "Just trying to help."

The gun fired, the can flying off the log. You couldn't help the triumphant smile that spread across your face. "I did it!"

Shane's hand immediately returned to your shoulder, squeezing. "Natural talent. Knew you had it in you."

His smile seemed genuine, though something in his eyes remained calculated. "Few more sessions and you'll be outshooting everyone except me."

You subtly shifted away from his touch again.

He stepped closer, his hand finding your waist. "You know, it's good to see you smile. After everything I wasn't sure if—"

You moved away more deliberately this time. "More practice ? "

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Sure thing." He reached for your arm. "But there's no rush. We got time out here, just the two of us."

A sharp crack of twigs interrupted him. You both turned to see Daryl emerging from the trees, crossbow held ready, his face a mask of irritation.

"You two done playin' around?" he growled. "Thought we was looking for a little girl, not having a damn date in the woods."

Shane's posture changed instantly.

Straightening.

Territorial.

"We're covering our section, same as you."

"Ain't heard walkers gettin' shot," Daryl retorted.

"Just wasting a bunchcha bullets on cans while Sophia's still out there."

"Not all of us were born with a crossbow in our hands, Daryl." you shot back, annoyed at his dismissive tone, though secretly relieved at the interruption.

Something flickered across his face—hurt, frustration—before his usual scowl returned.

"Whatever. Found some tracks by the creek that might be hers. But don't trouble yourselves. I got it."

He turned to leave, but Shane called after him. "Hey! We're all on the same team here."

Daryl stopped but didn't turn around.

"Are we?" he asked quietly before disappearing back into the underbrush.

Shane shook his head. "Don't mind him." He moved toward you again.

You stepped back. "We should head back. Check in with the others."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "We've barely covered any ground."

"I thought this was about teaching me to shoot?"

"It is, but—" He ran a hand over his head. "Look, I'm just trying to look out for you. After what you found out... I figured you could use a friend."

The mention of your home hit like a physical blow.

You swallowed hard. "I appreciate that. But right now, finding Sophia is what matters."

The farmhouse kitchen was a welcome respite from the tension outside. The sweet smell of sugar and vanilla filled the air as you worked alongside Beth and Maggie.

"Daddy always said meringue was too finicky in Georgia humidity." Beth giggled.

"It's not exactly apocalypse food," Maggie added, cracking eggs and separating the whites with practiced ease. "But with all these chickens laying, we might as well use them for something."

"Back home, this is practically a national dish," you explained, not allowing yourself to dwell on the memory of home.

"Mum used to make it for every holiday."

The silence that followed was heavy. Beth squeezed your arm. "Well, now you can teach us. Keep the tradition going."

The screen door opened, and Hershel walked in, wiping his hands on a towel.

He'd just come from checking on Carl, who was finally back up and about.

"Something smells wonderful," he observed.

"Mr. Greene, I wanted to thank you. For the eggs, and... well ... for everything, really." You smiled at him.

The older man's face softened slightly. "Call me Hershel. And you're more then welcome dear."

"Though I hope you understand this arrangement isn't permanent."

"As soon as Carl's strong enough to travel, we'll—"

"And when they find Sophia," Beth interjected firmly.

"Yes," Hershel agreed after a moment. "When you find that little girl."

Dusk was settling over the farm as everyone gathered on the porch for dinner.

"This looks amazing," Dale exclaimed, admiring your dessert.

"Dig in," you smiled, cutting slices for everyone.

Carol accepted her piece with a weak smile, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "Sophia would've loved this. She had such a sweet tooth."

You wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a sympathetic squeeze.

"Has," Rick corrected gently. "And she'll get to try some soon. Daryl found something today."

All eyes turned to Daryl, who stood awkwardly at the edge of the group, looking uncomfortable with the attention.

"Aint much" he mumbled. "I'll be out mornin' at first light."

"You've been out there all day," Andrea remarked. "Don't you need to rest?"

Daryl scoffed. "I'll rest when we find her."

You moved through the group, handing out slices of pavlova. When you reached Daryl, he hesitated before accepting it.

"Saul this?" he asked suspiciously, poking at the dessert.

"Pretty much just sugar and fruit." You joked quietly.

He studied it a moment longer before picking it up and slurrping a piece from between his fingers. Something in his expression softened.

"S'good," he admitted quietly, sucking the remnants of the dessert off his fingers.

"Like this, girl. Arms straight, knees bent—don’t lock up. You ain’t dancing, you’re aiming.”

You nod, concentrating, biting your bottom lip. When you fire, the shot goes wide, and you flinch at the recoil. Shane chuckles, steps in closer—his large hands guiding yours.

From the edge of the nearby woods, Daryl lowered his crossbow slightly, eyes narrowing at the scene unfolding at the makeshift shooting range.

He'd been tracking a deer since before sunrise, following it across the eastern edge of the farm until the sound of voices had sent it bounding away.

Shane's body language set off warning bells in Daryl's mind.

The way the former deputy stood too close, the way his hands settled on your hips, the stiffness in your posture as you pulled away—it all read wrong.

Daryl's jaw clenched involuntarily. He knew that look in Shane's eyes—had seen it enough times in his own father's face, in Merle's face when they wanted something and weren't planning to take no for an answer.

He shifted his weight, debating whether to intervene. It wasn't his business.

He barely knew you, had barely spoken more than a handful of gruff words in your direction.

Yet something about the way Shane touched you made his skin crawl.

"Watching over someone?"

The quiet voice nearly made him jump. Carol had approached silently—a skill she'd perfected in her years with Ed.

"M'tracking a deer," Daryl muttered, not taking his eyes off you and Shane. "Lost it."

Carol followed his gaze, her expression darkening slightly as she observed the tension in your interaction with Shane. "He's been circling her since the CDC," she said quietly.

"Like a damned vulture."

Daryl grunted noncommittally, though his grip tightened on his crossbow.

"Lori shut him down hard," Carol continued. "Now he's looking for... consolation elsewhere."

"Ain't none of m'business," Daryl responded, though he didn't move away.

"No?" Carol's voice was soft but knowing. "That why you look like you're ready to put a bolt in him?"

"Man's tryin’ to impress her," Daryl scowled. "All that hands-on crap."

You fired again—another sharp crack of sound—and both Daryl and Carol watch you flinch and recoil sideways, your feet tangling in the grass. Shane caught your arm, steadying you with a chuckle.

“Easy, girl. Ain’t nobody expecting Annie Oakley.”

Your shoulders curling slightly inward, they could see you step away again as Shane reached for your arm.

"Shane doesn't handle rejection well," Carol observed. "Ed was the same way. Thought he was entitled to whatever he wanted."

Daryl's head snapped toward her. "He try something with you too?"

Carol shook her head. "No. I'm not his type. Plus..." She hesitated. "I think he knows better than to try with me. After Ed, I've gotten pretty good at spotting the warning signs."

She paused, before nodding in your direction. "She hasn't had that experience yet."

"She can handle 'erself," Daryl muttered, though he didn't sound convinced.

"Maybe." Carol's eyes were sad. "But sometimes it's nice to know someone's watching out for you."

Down at the range, Shane had moved even closer to you. His voice was too low to hear, but the tense set of your shoulders was visible even from this distance.

"She keeps telling him to back off," Daryl observed, an edge to his voice. "Dumbass doesn't listen."

"Some men don't," Carol said quietly.

Daryl finally turned to look at her directly. Something passed between them—an understanding born of similar wounds.

Carol had endured Ed's abuse for years, Daryl had grown up with his own father's violence. They both recognized the signs of someone pushing boundaries.

"You ever notice," Carol said carefully, "how she freezes up when he touches her? But when you're nearby, she seems... calmer?"

Daryl snorted. "Tch. Whatever."

"I'm just saying what I see." Carol's voice remained gentle. "When you found Sophia's doll yesterday, she was the first one to thank you."

"Don't mean nothing," he insisted.

"Maybe not." Carol shrugged. "Or maybe she feels safe. Safer than she does with him, anyway."

Before Daryl could respond, a sharp sound drew their attention back to the range.

You had knocked Shane's hand away more forcefully this time, your voice carrying clearly, "Hey Shane ... s-stop—NO."

Shane's posture changed immediately, his body language becoming more aggressive as he stepped into your space. "What's your problem? I'm just trying to—"

"Y'alright ?" Daryl called out, stepping from the treeline before he'd even realized he was moving.

His crossbow hung casually at his side, but his eyes were fixed on Shane with unmistakable warning.

Relief washed visibly over your face, while Shane's expression darkened.

"Just fine," Shane called back, his tone clipped.

"Dont look fine" Daryl countered, heading down the slope.

Carol followed a few steps behind. "Looks like she's done with her lesson."

You seized the opportunity. "We're finishing up. Actually, Carol, didnt you need help with the laundry?"

The lie was obvious, but you didn't care.

Shane forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Well, don't let me keep you then."

"We'll pick this up later." The threat was subtle but unmistakable in Shane's tone.

"Sure," you replied noncommittally. As Shane stalked away toward the farmhouse, you released a breath you hadn't realized you were holding.

"You okay?" Carol asked gently.

"Fine," you said automatically, then reconsidered. "He doesn't understand the word 'no.'"

Daryl chewed on his thumbnail. "Want me to make 'im understand?"

The words came out before he realized it.

You looked up at him, surprised by the protective edge in his voice. "N-no ... I can handle Shane."

"We could help," Carol suggested. "I could use shooting practice too. Safety in numbers."

"Walsh ain't gonna back off easy," Daryl warned, finally looking back at you. "Men like that, they think they're owed something."

"I'm not anyone's prize," you mumbled into the ground.

Something flickered in Daryl's eyes. "No," he agreed quietly. "Y'ain't."

Carol glanced between the two of you, a small smile playing at her lips despite the seriousness of the situation.

As the three of you walked back toward camp, Carol fell into step beside Daryl, her voice dropping so only he could hear.

"See? She feels safe with you."

"Stop," he muttered, but there was less conviction in his tone than before.

[javierpena-inatacvest]

Chapter 1- I D.A.R.E. You

Summary: After starting your new job as a 3rd grade teacher at Alma Pierce Elementary School, you meet a handsome Javier Peña who has been forced to come give a presentation to your grade. Although you've never met him, you're shocked to find out you may have more in common than you'd think.

Warnings: Mentions of Javi's past work for the DEA, mentions of death and grief, language, financial compensation if you were subjected to the D.A.R.E program as a child, Javi's family friends giving him sass

Word count: 6.2K

A/N: Post Season 3 Javi lives forever in my brain, as the first chapter of this story takes place in Laredo, May of 1997. This man deserves love, and boy is he going to get it.

Series Masterlist Next Chapter

“It’s your lucky day, Peña!” 

Javier glanced up from the pile of paperwork scattered across his desk to acknowledge the voice coming from the doorway to his office. 

“What do you want, Carter?” 

Javier's voice half grunted in response, his eyes shifting back down to the pile of papers on his desk. In his doorway stood his office mate, Detective Eric Carter. When Javier began his new position with the Laredo County Sheriff's Department 4 months ago, it took everything in him to keep from calling his new co-worker Steve. At a glance, he looked just like his old DEA partner. Tall, lanky, with a wiry head of blonde hair and bright blue eyes. 30 seconds into meeting Carter, it didn’t take long to realize looks were about the only thing he and Steve Murphy had in common. Eric Carter was a human ray of fucking sunshine, and his chipper demeanor was blinding Javier this early in the morning. 

“It’s your turn!” Carter replied in a sing-songy voice, slapping a red file folder onto Javier’s desk, covering the papers he had been sorting through. Javier picked up the folder and crinkled his brows in confusion. He turned the cover towards him, holding it just far enough away so that his squint trying to read its contents wasn’t too obvious. God, he just needed to give up and buy reading glasses already. 

As he got the folder just the right distance away from his face, he gave Carter a look that said absolutely fucking not. The folder read D.A.R.E school assembly lessons, with a picture of the Lion mascot giving a big thumbs up in his black D.A.R.E shirt. The office had recently been recruited by Laredo Public School District to start giving presentations to the Elementary schools, using the program aptly abbreviated for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. 

“Just take away the “R” and rearrange some letters and it spells DEA!” Carter laughed to himself. “It’s like it was made for you!” 

“No.” 

“Sorry Peña, you’re bottom of the totem pole this week. We’ve all done our time, and you’re the last one left in the office who has yet to go present. It’s not even that bad, you just basically go talk to these kids for an hour and tell them drugs are bad, don’t do them, yadda, yadda, yadda, you get the gist, and then it’s done. Piece of cake!” 

“I’m not fucking going.” Javier scoffed. “I have shit I have to get done.” Gesturing in annoyance to the piles of papers on his desk, now in disarray from the folder being thrown on his desk. 

“Not a choice, Mr. Peña.” 

A new voice passed by the doorway, and a much broader frame stood behind Carter’s. Chief Deputy Dean Morris, had joined the conversation, knowing that it wouldn’t end easily for Detective Carter if he kept harassing Javier about it. Morris was head of the department, and what he said, went. Coming from a background in the Air Force, Morris knew how “civilian” a position at a sheriff’s department must have felt for Javier after his time in the DEA. 5 years ago, it seemed fair to think that neither of them would have assumed paperwork, mundane training programs, and now, arguing over talking to 10 year olds about the dangers of doing drugs would have played any importance in their jobs. 

 “Right of passage. Ever since the school board dropped this on us last year, we’ve all done our time. Believe me, no one wants to do it, but like Carter said, today is your lucky day!” Morris’s voice oozed with sarcasm, knowing that Javier would absolutely hate every second of what he was about to have to do. 

“You lucked out on your day to go too, Peña. It looks like you get to go to the school with the hot teach-OW! Hey! What was that for?!” Morris had slapped Carter’s shoulder before he could get out the rest of his sentence. 

“Keep it in your pants, okay Carter?” 

Carter let out a huff of defeat. “I’m just saying, he could have gotten worse days to go…” 

“Just read from the notes, let the kids ask a couple of questions at the end and then you’re on your way. Easy peasy. When you get to the school office they’ll let you know where to go.” 

Javier opened his mouth to rebuttal, but before he could even get out a word, Morris held up his hand to stop him. 

“Not a choice. I’ll have Carter help you finish sorting paperwork, so don’t try to bullshit me and tell me that you have too much work to get done.” 

Javier let out a sigh of frustration that was a little louder than he intended it to be. His hands rested on his forehead as he rubbed the bridge of his nose before replying. 

“Fine. But this is one and done.” 

“Good man.” Morris reached over Javier’s desk and gave him a pat on the shoulder. He and Carter started to make their way out of Javier’s office when Morris turned his head over the back of his shoulder. 

“Carter’s right about the teacher, too. She’s a catch.” He winked and shut the door behind him. 

Javier gathered his things and made his way through the office, passing by Detective Carter’s desk. 

“Have funnnnnnn! Say ‘hi’ to the hot teacher for me!” Carter mocked, twinkling his fingers, waving at Javier. 

Without saying a word, Javier flipped him off, and kept walking. 

Settling into his truck, Javier set down his belongings in his passenger seat, and opened up the red file folder to see where his unexpected journey was taking him. 

This is fucking ridiculous He mouthed to himself as he cranked up the AC in the truck with one hand, and rummaged the other through the items on the seat. Reaching next to him, he grabbed and opened the folder, and grazed his index finger down the inside cover, where a schedule of schools, dates, and times were printed. At the bottom, he found 

5/27/97- Alma Pierce Elementary School, 12:00-12:30 pm, school cafeteria

 Javier’s heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. He read the line several times, re-checking the location and date to make sure what he read was true. 

Fuck. 

To any of his other co-workers who had been tasked with giving one of these D.A.R.E. presentations, the elementary school they were assigned to that day most likely held little to no significance. Of course, out of the 16 elementary schools in the Laredo Public School District, Javier was assigned to the one that held the most significance to him. 

The school that his mother taught at for her entire teaching career before she passed away. 

Since returning home from Colombia, Javier had been avoiding human contact like the plague. He had returned as somewhat of a “hometown hero” after his accomplishments with the DEA but couldn’t have felt further from it. He had become Laredo’s hottest topic. 

“What was it like to help catch Escobar?! The Cali Cartel?!” 

“We’re so proud of you, the DEA couldn’t have done it without you!”

“When are you going to come over and tell us all about Colombia? We want to know everything!” 

Each question, compliment and conversation about his time in South America was like a knife to his heart, slowly twisting with each word that came out of someone’s mouth. He could feel the guilt and burden of his time away growing heavier and heavier as he politely smiled through these conversations. 

But worse than the strangers who felt entitled to berate Javier about his time in Colombia, were his friends and family who he had been actively avoiding since returning home. Besides his father, Javier hadn’t seen anyone close to him since his mother’s funeral 8 years ago. It hurt Javier knowing that he had returned to Laredo a changed man, haunted by the things he had seen and done. His mother’s closest friends, those that she worked with at Alma Pierce Elementary School, had promised to fulfill Lucia Peña’s dying wish that they would look out for Javi and made sure that he came home okay. 

Well, Javier was home. He wasn’t quite sure how to break it to them that he wasn’t really okay. 

As he drove and parked in front of the school building, Javier’s heart began to beat heavier in his chest. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he started at the entrance to the school. He couldn’t decide if the feeling swirling around in his stomach was comfort or terror, knowing that Alma Pierce Elementary looked exactly the same as it did the last time he was here 9 years ago with his mother. 

He did know that part of that feeling definitely had to be terror, as he began to think about the fact he was about to be interrogated relentlessly by his late mother’s closest friends. Might as well sign these women up to work for the DEA- they were probably more terrifying than anyone Javier had encountered in his time working there. 

After a few more deep breaths, Javier gathered his things out of his truck and headed towards the main doors. Each footstep felt like he was walking through wet cement, questioning if it was too late to turn around.

Practically tip toeing in to the office, hoping to be as inconspicuous as possible, Javier let out a soft “Hi, I’m from the sheriff's department, I’m here for-“ 

Before he could even finish his sentence, the office secretary, a tiny and graying Señora Gutierez was thrusting her arms across the threshold of the office desk to wrap Javier in an impressively strong hug. 

“JAVIER PEÑA. I cannot believe it’s you! oh my sweet mijo, look at you! The older you get, the more like Chucho you look, dios mio! Why haven’t you stopped by?! We have all missed you so much, what have you been doing? It is so good to see you!” 

Here we go.

“Hola, Señora.” Javier half grunted from how tight he was being squeezed. “It’s nice to see you too.” 

“I have lots to ask but I know you need to go, or they will know that this old woman has been running her mouth, making you late.” Señora Gutiérrez began shooing her hand, as to send Javier on his way. 

Javier chuckled. He felt his body begin to ease slightly, letting the familiarity of friendly faces bring him a small sense of comfort. 

“I would hope after this VERY LONG time that you have not been to see your mamà’s dearest friends, you still remember where the cafeteria is?” She gave Javier a playful grin.

“Sí, Señora.” 

“Everyone will be so happy to see you, mi amor. Now go, or everyone will be after me for keeping you!” 

Grabbing his things, Javier made his way down the bustling hallway. Tiny faces stared up at his, as he shuffled his way towards the cafeteria doors. There, he was greeted by a sea of children chatting amongst themselves and 3 smiling faces, patiently waiting for his arrival. 

“JAVI!” 

Out of any of the faces he was bound to see today, these were the 3 he would recognize anywhere. The ladies who stood before him were the fellow 3rd grade teachers who had taught alongside his mother for almost 20 years. 

The ladies surrounded him in a bear hug, Javier quietly noting to himself that he had definitely reached his hug quota for the next several weeks. 

“It’s so good to see you, Javi.” The first of the 3 women spoke, her words sweet like honey. Linda Garcia was short and stout, her gray bangs brushing over the brim of her glasses as she looked up at Javier. Linda had always had a soft spot for Javi, and reminded him the most of his mother. 

“It’s good to see you t-“ 

“PENDEJO. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! WHY HAVE YOU NOT CALLED?! WE SWORE TO YOUR LATE MOTHER THAT WE WOULD TAKE CARE OF YOU, AND IF IT WASN’T FOR CHUCHO KEEPING US UPDATED TH-” 

“Maria, let the boy breathe, this is the first time you’re seeing him in years, and this is the route you’re going to take? Dios Mio.” 

Standing next to Linda were her 2 partners in crime, Maria Rogers and Estelle Lopez. 

If you didn’t know Maria Rogers, you would be shocked to see the ferocity that came out of such a tiny woman. Javier’s mother used to refer to her “el vòlcan”- a matching nickname for her fiery personality. 

Estelle, on the other hand, was one of the most soft spoken people that Javier had ever meant. If she had something to say, he knew it was time to listen. 

“Hi everyone, it’s really great to see all of you.” Javier meant it. As overwhelmed and flustered as he was, it brought him peace to know after the hell that these last 8 years had been, some things never change. 

“MRS. ROGERSSSSSSS. WHEN IS THIS GONNA START?! I’M HUNGRY AND I KNOW LUNCH IS AFTER THIS.” 

“BE QUIET, MICHAEL. YOU KNOW WE’RE STILL WAITING FOR ONE MORE CLASS. YOU’RE SO ANNOYING.” 

“AM NOT!” 

“AM TOO!” 

Chatter and fidgeting amongst the 3rd graders instantaneously increased, the crowd of children now growing restless. 

“Oi, these niños will be the death of me, thank goodness this school is almost done.” Maria mumbled under her breath, the other 2 teachers rolling their eyes and laughing in agreement. “We’re just waiting on one more class, but they should be here any minute.” 

Overhearing the conversations shouted across the cafeteria, Agent Carter’s voice wandered through Javier’s thoughts. 

“You get the school with the hot teacher!” 

Obviously, Carter was not referring to the 3 women who stood before him. Although he wasn’t one for crude office banter, Javier couldn’t help but wonder if Carter’s statement really held true. With a genuine curiosity and a slight smirk on his face, he leaned back, arms crossed and asked, “Yeah wait, there’s still four 3rd grade teachers right?” 

The women all shot him a look that took him aback, their eyes burning a hole though Javier. 

“Jesus, you men really have a one track mind don’t you. Yes, I’m sure all of your friends from the department have been more than happy to tell you about our new teacher who just joined us. She is a sweet girl, and I am sure she is sick of getting harassed by all of you.” 

“Maria, I was just asking a quest-“ 

“Javier Jesus Peña, I have known you since before you were born. Wipe that smug look off your face, I know exactly why you asked the question”. 

Yup, things haven’t changed a bit. 

Before he could retort, the cafeteria doors began to swing open, followed by a long line of children, and you. 

“1, 2, 3, eyes on me!” 

“1, 2, eyes on you! 

God, the amount of times you’d had to repeat that phrase as the end of the school year approached, you might as well have gotten it tattooed on your forehead. 

“Okay 3rd graders, we’re already 5 minutes late for our assembly, and I’m sure the other classes are not going to be happy that we’re holding them up, and probably making us late for lunch after” 

The chatter stopped. With only a few days left in the school year, you were running out of ammunition to keep your class’s attention. At least the threat of being late to unch would work for now. 

A little hand shot up from the middle of the line you were about to trail down the hallway, like a mother duck with her babies following in line. “What’s your question, Jaun?” 

“Do you know if it’s gonna be the same guy as last time? He was kind of scary.” Mumbles of agreement came from the voices surrounding him. The Laredo Sheriff's Department had sent in a slew of their employees each week for these presentations, and you had been convinced none of them had ever even attempted to talk to a child. Last week’s presenter, Martin, Michales, something like that, had spent the large time of his presentation talking about getting murdered by the Cartel, leading to tears from many of your students, and a prompt request to not have him back. 

“I don’t know sweetie, it seems like there’s someone new who comes every week, but I sure hope it’s not him.” The class let out a small giggle. These were the moments you loved about your job as a teacher, especially now that you had moved to an older grade where your kids finally picked up on your subtle jokes with them. 

You had been with your class since after Christmas break, filling in as a long term sub for a 3rd grade teacher on maternity leave. The job followed an impromptu move from Chicago to Texas after breaking off your relationship with your boyfriend (regrettably, almost fiancé)  of 3 years, who had been cheating on you behind your back for 2 of them. You felt like an idiot that you hadn’t seen it coming, but it still hit you like a ton of bricks. Paul had plenty of red flags, but your optimistic demeanor and the mounting peer pressure of watching your friends get married and start their own families made you feel trapped. It still stung to think you would have settled for a miserable life with Paul out of the fear you wouldn’t find anyone else. 

 Desperate to get as far away from Illinois as possible, you packed your bags and made the nearly 4 day drive down to Laredo, Texas. Laredo,  a strange choice to many, but made nothing but complete sense to you. Your best friend since the 2nd grade, Sarah Alverez, had moved to Laredo your Freshman year of high school, her father accepting an agricultural engineering position in ranching country. You spent every summer until college visiting her and her family, having nothing but the fondest of memories for a sleepy town outside of San Antonio. It was a stark chance from the hustle and bustle of Chicago suburbia where you had spent your childhood. Long, carefree summer days made you promise yourself that if you ever did leave Chicago, you’d find yourself here. Well, you had made good on your promise, but for reasons that still made your stomach churn in gut-wrenching knots. 

You and your class journeyed down the hallway to the cafeteria. Thank god it was a short trip, because you were far too tired to put up with the bickering and shenanigans the back of your line often seemed to plague you with. Just as you were entering through the cafeteria doors, you promptly turned around, your body facing the line as you walked backwards further into the cafeteria. “Isabella and Jorge, keep your hands to yourself! You two know you’re not supposed to be in line togeth-” Before you could finish your sentence, the back of your body collided with one behind you that you hadn’t seen since turning around to stop a near WWE smackdown in the hallway. You had bumped into kids more than once who weren’t paying attention to their surroundings, but it became very clear, very quickly, that the body you had backed yourself into was not a child’s. 

The body you had backed yourself into was much taller and broader than yours. Two large hands firmly, but gently grasped around the middle of your upper arms to catch you without stumbling backwards any further. An overwhelming scent of cedarwood and sage cologne filled your senses. This obviously was not one of your coworkers, either. 

“Oh my gosh, I am so sorr-“ you started to apologize as you came to face the body that had stopped you in your tracks. Your apology halted as you were met by incredibly broad shoulders covered by a navy blue suit jacket. As your gaze continued upwards, the shoulders were followed by a strong square jawline and plush lips, the upper covered with an impeccable mustache. Continuing up, you were met with the most beautiful, deep chocolate brown eyes, whose soft stare soon met yours. There was no denying that this man was devilishly handsome. Realizing that you had most definitely been starting too long, you restated your apology. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize you were behind me.” Your eyes shifted away from his and darted down to the floor. 

A small smirk formed on his face as he looked down at you. He didn’t realize it, but he couldn’t help it. You were wearing a yellow sun dress that hit just above your knees, covered by a light washed denim jacket. Your dress swayed beautifully as he watched you take your last few steps backwards, making him question himself if he let you run into him on purpose. You smelled like vanilla and something sweet that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Pink embarrassment flooded your cheeks as a soft smile on your face met his. He now too realized that he had been staring a little too long, and that he still had his grasp on your arms as you had turned around to look at him. 

“No it’s okay.” He let out a small laugh under his breath. “I just didn’t want you to go too much further and trip over anything else.” He gently let his hands leave her arms, and watched as she brushed a piece of hair out of her face and looked back up at him. 

“Should we go sit down now?!” A small voice shouted from your line, causing you to snap back to reality, realizing that you had a line of children still standing behind you. 

“Yes, sorry sweetie” you replied, brushing your dress down back into place. “You guys can go find a spot behind Mrs. Rogers’ class.” Your class passed by you, paying no mind to the interaction that just took place between you and the man you had just bumped into. 

As you watched your class pass by, you turned back around to find the man still staring at you, causing your heart to palpably beat in your chest. The same strong hands that had caught you were now extended in your direction, offering a handshake to introduce himself. “I’m Javier Peña, uh Javi, actually” as your hand met his, realizing how small they felt in his grip. “I’m from the Laredo Sheriff's department, I uh, I’m the one that’s supposed to be doing the whole presentation thing today.” Your hand stayed in his as you introduced yourself. God, his hands were something else.

His grip loosened as your co-workers began to move towards you. You began to realize how hot your face felt, knowing that you were flushed with embarrassment not only from almost falling into a crowd of 10 year olds, but from how awe struck you were by the man who had caught you.

The three women on your 3rd grade team had taken you in as one of their own when you started your job here. They had been more than happy to step in to help you with whatever you needed, including trying to set you up with every single man your age that they knew. With the exception of the parade of overly forward sheriff's department members who had been at your school every Wednesday. Those 3 had no problem telling those men to fuck right off and leave you alone (in the nicest way possible.) The ladies slowly crept closer towards you, sly grins stretched across their faces as they giggled like school girls. 

“OH, so it looks like you met our sweet Javier!” Linda said with over exaggerated enthusiasm. 

“Sweetie, you’re SO good with the technology around here, you know how us old ladies are. Maybe you could help him set up the video he needs for his presentation today?” You knew damn well these women knew how to press play on a VCR. You grimaced your face at Maria. While you couldn’t see your face, you were absolutely positive your expression was screaming “Oh my God, could you please make it any more obvious that this man is insanely attractive and you don’t need to add to the embarrassment after I already ran into him like an idiot?!” 

“Yeah, of course, I’d be more than happy to help!” You pointed towards the stage that sat in front of the cafeteria. “Just come this way and I’ll show you how to set it up.” 

Following behind you, Javier leaned his head down towards yours. “Must be the most complicated VCR set up I’ve seen in a while.” 

You let out a giggle. “Yeah, they're all very sweet, but not the most skilled with anything that has to do with technology. When our principal had mentioned the idea of us potentially getting a computer lab, they just about had a heart attack. Setting up the TV to play a video should be no problem.” You gestured towards the stage at the front of the cafeteria where the TV cart was kept for presentations. He followed behind you, keeping a respectful distance.  Not respectful enough to keep himself from staring at the curve of your ass in your dress as you walked up the stage stairs. 

“Do you have the tape you need to show?” Your words went in one ear and out the other. Carter and Morris weren’t kidding. He hated to admit that those idiots were right about anything, but God, you were beautiful. His gaze was locked on you as squatted down next to the VCR, ejecting its previous contents. It seemed in that moment that you very much both realized that when Javier stood in front of you, you eye level with his waist, staring up at him, dangerously close to his coc- 

“Uh, yeah, yeah sorry,” he shook his head slightly to snap himself out of the thought he was about to have. “Thanks.” he smiled sheepishly. 

“Well I’m no technology expert, but all you should have to do is press play wherever you need to, and you should be good to go! Let me just roll this cart out for you and we’re good for you whenever you’re ready!” You began pushing the cart out onto the stage, but before you could get anywhere, Javi had his hand over yours. 

“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure it’s probably heavy, I can push it.” He insisted. 

You raised your eyebrows and gave him a look that made him step away. 

“What, you think I can’t do it?” Defiantly, you pushed the cart out to the middle of the stage to prove a point, looking back at him and shrugging with an “I told you so” look on your face. Any other woman he had met would have thankfully given up the task, let alone offer to do it at all. At that moment, Javier Peña knew you were not just any other woman. And that- that terrified him in the best way possible.

 Just before you hopped off the edge of the stage to re-join your class, you looked up at him as he ran his fingers through his locks of thick, curly brown hair, trying to regain his composure. 

“Good luck up there, Mr. Peña.” 

Javier couldn’t even tell you what had happened in the 30 minutes that he was up on stage. There were many times throughout his career where he had stared out into a sea of blank faces as he gave a presentation about intel, informats, wire taps… but having the eyes of 80 9 and 10 year olds glued to his every word was an absolutely terrifying experience. Not because he was nervous about the judgment of a child who may or may not even be able to tie their shoes or wipe their nose, but because of what they may say about him to you. It took everything in his power not to stare at you the entire time he was up there, but every time he glanced in your direction, your face lit up with a reassuring smile. You had even given him a little thumbs up when he had successfully started the VCR, playing a clip of Daren the D.A.R.E Lion. 

As the presentation finished, the kids applauded and gave a unanimous “thank you!” prompted by the teachers. 

As your class gathered behind you to walk down to the cafeteria, Maria tapped your shoulder. 

“Take a picture, mija, it will last longer.” 

You were too busy staring at Javi to even notice that Maria was talking to you. Her words went in one ear and out the other. 

“Huh, what? Sorry, did you say something?” 

“I said, take a picture, it will last longer.” Maria laughed to herself. “I don’t think your eyes have left him once since you walked in here.” 

You hated to admit it, but it was true. You had known this man for less than an hour, and he already had butterflies dancing around in your stomach. God, what were you, 12?! Pull it together. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Maria.” Of course you did. If you were wearing pants, they would be up in flames. Liar, liar, pants on fire. 

“I’ll take your class to lunch today. I’ll be back to help stack all of the chairs in a few. I’m sure he could use some help cleaning up, and I’ve heard that VCR is really difficult to work.” Maria nudged you before she turned around to collect your class and parade them out of the gym. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” 

Trying to contain your excitement, you playfully rolled your eyes and shook your head. 

The other teachers and students left, leaving just you and Javi. He gathered his things that he had left on the stage and started to make his way back down the stairs. It took him a moment to realize you were standing at the edge of the steps, arms crossed over your chest, smiling up at him. 

“I’m sorry if the kids were rowdy. It’s been a zoo since there’s only a few days of school left.” You both let out a small chuckle. Now that you two were alone, you became very aware of how nervous you were.

“You did a really great job! Honestly, you’re the best person we’ve had since we’ve started doing these presentations. The guy we had last time, I can’t remember his name, something with an M?! Anyways, I don’t think he’s ever spoken to a child in his entire life, and there were definitely some tears.” 

Definitely Morris, Javi noted to himself. 

“Thanks, I uh- didn’t think I’d be so nervous to talk in front of a bunch of kids. I’m glad it wasn’t too bad. I should thank you for helping me with that video. Didn’t need to get my pride bruised in front of 10 year olds.  Also glad I didn’t make anyone cry.” 

You both let out small laughs, your cheeks revealing small smiles across your faces. While the silence between you grew, the distance between you began to shrink as you both subconsciously took a small step towards each other. 

He watched as a small wave of sadness flooded your expression. “Stinks that this is the last week of presentations before the school year ends. it would have been nice to have you back.” You looked at him with a half hopeful smile. You saw the same feeling reflected back in him as his brow scrunched and bottom lip entered a small pout. 

“Oh shit. Yeah, I uh, I guess I forgot it’s the end of the school year. That would make sense there wouldn’t be anymore presentations.” He rested one hand on his hip, as the other traveled through his thick, brown locks. You bit down on your bottom lip, stunned by his broadness and shoulders to waist ratio, which was made even more apparent as his fingers combed through his hair. His deep brown eyes met yours, melting you instantly.  “If I had known that you would have been here, I would have signed up to come a lot earlier.” 

Before you had a chance to recover yourself from the puddle you had just turned into, the cafeteria doors swung open once again. Maria was a woman on a mission. Her tiny, thin frame marched with purpose towards you both. 

“Oh good thing I caught you, amor! I was just thinking that I had something important to tell Javier before he left and I’m so glad you’re here to hear it too. Javi happens to be a dear familiar friend, and I was just telling him before the presentation how excited I am to see him and his father at my cookout this Saturday! I know you had mentioned you were thinking about going! You’ll be there, won’t you Javier? Aren't you so excited to come to the party this Saturday?”

Maria and Javier entered a silent stare down. Their expressions allowed them to have an entire conversation without speaking a word. 

There’s a party on Saturday? What are you talking about? What does this have to do with anything?

Dios Mio, Pendejo. Take the hint. I already invited her. She will be there on Saturday so you can see her again. Don’t mess this up. 

“Oh really?” You chimed in, perhaps a bit too over enthusiastic. “I wasn’t really going to know anyone besides the staff at school, so it would be nice to see another familiar face!” In all honesty, you were trying to find a way out of going before just now. Huge social gatherings of strangers weren’t really your thing, but if it meant it was a chance to see Javi again, you would brave it. 

“Oh yeah, the uh, the cookout! Yeah, uh, yeah, I’ll be there. It would be really nice to see you again, too.” Although Javier’s tone carried a tint of confusion, his smile was confirmed that his statement was genuine. 

“Bueno!” Maria clasped her hands together and shook her head in delight. “So you will BOTH be there on Saturday!” 

You could already feel your heart swelling at the prospect of seeing Javi again. 

“Oh and mija”, Maria turned towards you, your face lighting up, wondering if she had even more good news to deliver. “They need you in the office. Isabella and Jorge got into a wrestling match in the cafeteria and the secretaries needed to call their parents. Oi, these niños are like wild animals, summer cannot come fast enough!” 

“Of course they did. They might as well put WWE referee under our job description because it seems like that’s all I’m doing all day. It’s like herding feral cats.” you groaned. “Those two cannot be together next year…” 

Javi let out a snort. “Sorry”, he said, trying to contain his laughter. You joined in, realizing the ridiculousness of your statement. 

“Alright, well I guess that’s my cue to go. It was really nice to meet you, Javi. I’m really glad I get to see you again.” It took every ounce of strength in your body to move yourself out of the cafeteria doors. As you walked away, you turned once more to look back over your shoulder, to find that Javi’s eye’s hadn’t moved from your direction since you turned around. “See you on Saturday.” 

Even after you were out of sight, Javi still stood frozen, his eyes wide and jaw still half open. 

“Hola, earth to Javier, are you there?!” Maria interjected, waving her hand in front of Javi’s awe struck face. 

Snapping out of his trance, Javier began to speak, but was stopped before he could get out a single word. 

“Listen to me mijo. I want you to be happy. That was all Lucia asked for before she passed. So first and foremost, you are welcome.” Maria gestured, alluding to the fact that Javier owed her big time for what had just happened. “Secondly, she is a sweet girl. If you do anything to break her heart, so help me, I will come to the ranch and run you over with your father’s tractor. Understood?” 

“Understood.” Javier understood that this was not a threat, it was a promise. 

“Good. She’s a good one, Javier. She reminds me so much of your mother. Lucia would have loved her.” She reached up her hand to cup the side of Javi’s face, before bringing her other arm around him for a hug. 

Javier exhaled, trying his best to hold back the tears that were welling in his eyes. It was the first time since returning home that he felt a sense of relief and comfort fill his body. Maybe, he was more than the man he was returning home from Colombia. Maybe, the people who loved him before he left still loved him now, despite the person he’d become. Maybe, just maybe, someone else could love him for the new man he now hoped to become.  

[ange1sang]

going under

gallavich/ian x mickey, word count: ~996

summary: the first time mickey tells ian he loves him. ; canon compliant, set seasons 4-5, hurt/comfort, fluff, crying, sex

a/n: here's my contribution for mickey's birthday !!! a day late but i just moved yesterday and fell asleep trying to finish it so </3 here it is !!

Mickey's drowning in Ian. He isn't sure how but he knows he is, every last sense overwhelmed by the redhead above him.

The smell of his skin - soft, clean - and the smell of his cologne - strong, overly masculine - clings to his nostrils. The taste of his spit and sweat, spread over his lips like a thick layer of cheap chapstick. His skin is so hot beneath his palms it feels like he's pressed his hands to a stovetop. His voice buzzes in his ears, every breathy moan and groan and bit back curse word like a shot of adrenaline. And when he focuses his eyes on the face above him, it's like a too-hard hit to the head, the kind that has him thinking he's seeing God.

Ian's beautiful. He'd been gone for so long Mickey'd almost forgotten what it was like getting to see his face. Getting to see his freckles, count every little patch of them like stars in the sky. Getting to grab the back of his neck and pull him close enough that they're breathing the air straight out of each other's lungs.

It reminds Mickey of his very first nicotine high. Veins thrumming, stomach tingling, fingertips trembling. His bottom lip shakes, hands scrambling for purchase. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to shut out the dizzying feeling in the back of his head. His hands land on Ian's shoulders, nails digging into the freckles scattered across Ian's right shoulder, leaving behind little red marks that Mickey wishes would stay there forever.

"Gonna cum?" Ian asks, and he asks like he's teasing, but the strain in his voice gives him away. He's probably closer than than Mickey is. If this were a year ago, or even months ago, Mickey would've teased right back, would've poked fun and called Ian one of the dumb nicknames he seems to love so much. But right now his voice ties itself into knots, catches in his chest.

Ian leans down, kisses along his jaw. Open-mouthed and gentle, nudging his nose into Mickey's cheek like he's committing his scent to memory. Ian buries himself deep inside him, rocks his hips and presses as deep into Mickey as he can get. He's groaning through gritted teeth and Mickey could live off of that sound, could spend the rest of his life drowning in it like he's doing right now.

"Gonna cum, Mick," Ian murmurs into his cheek and his voice is so gentle that it rocks Mickey's world. "Want me to jerk you off?"

Mickey tries to nod, tries to do anything less embarrassing than what he can feel his body trying to do. It doesn't work. Ian reaches down between them, and a sob tears itself from Mickey's throat.

"Mick?" Ian asks, pulling back from his cheek to look him in the eyes. Concern shines through when their eyes meet, and it makes Mickey's heart squeeze in his chest. Because Ian's been so absent since he came back, eyes always half-lidded or open too wide, always focused on someone else or not focused at all. He's been so out of it, so drugged up and so fucked out that Mickey isn't sure a single one of his words has gotten through to Ian since he's been back. Ian pauses where he's pressed into Mickey, stops his movements in the middle of cumming even though his arms start to shake where they're holding him up. "Mickey?"

And as much as he'd rather drown, Mickey has to come up for air before he's totally smothered by Ian.

"I love you," he says, voice barely reaching a whisper. Hot, fat tears roll down his temples, and he crosses his arms over his face so Ian won't see them. His chest heaves even as he swallows back another sob. "You asshole. I love you. I thought you weren't coming back."

Ian stays quiet, but his body melts against Mickey, hands sliding down his sides and pulling him into a sweaty, sticky, uncomfortable hug. It's the sweetest way anyone's ever touched Mickey. He cries shallowly, and in doing so breathes in another mouthful of Ian's scent.

"I came back," Ian whispers, and it's all Mickey can do not to smack him upside the head. He settles for punching his shoulder weakly.

"Fuck you," he mutters. Ian's lips press to his temple and turn up to form a small smile as he kisses him there. It reminds Mickey of the smile he gave him when he visited him in juvie for the first time. His heart squeezes so hard in his chest it hurts.

"I love you too," Ian says, lips moving against Mickey's skin. He moves his head just enough to kiss his ear and then the trail of tears on the side of his face. "I love you too."

It sounds so easy when Ian says it, nothing like how the words tore themselves from Mickey seconds ago. It sounds like he was meant to say it. Mickey uncovers his eyes and Ian pulls back to look at him, to really look at him, for the first time since he's been back. He smiles, soft and sweet and freckly and dorky like Ian's been since the first time Mickey saw him, and the clenching in Mickey's chest lets up a little.

"Stay, then," Mickey mumbles, and it sounds pathetic. It's weak. It's like he's pleading. It's the gayest thing he's ever said. He can't find it in him to feel embarrassed or ashamed like he expects to feel.

"Okay," Ian replies, once again like it's the easiest thing he's ever said. He leans in to kiss him and it's like being able to breathe underwater. Mickey breathes him in, runs his fingers through his hair, swallows as much as he can get.

"I love you," he says right into Ian's mouth. It isn't easy this time either but it hurts less. He hopes one day it won't hurt at all.

[lttawnymadison]

TGCF Revised Version Afterword by MXTX

Since I kept seeing snippets of this, I wanted to read the whole thing for myself. I'd already bought the book on JJWXC and did an MTL for this. It's so wonderful that she's back and sharing new things and that the revised is finally done! - Tawny --------------------------------------------- The author has something to say:

Seeing the small red clay stove again.

———— Afterword of "Heaven Official's Blessing" 2022

■ Finally done!

Long time no see! It's another afterword starting with "finally." Without further ado, seasoned readers would know that I make substantial revisions. For instance, scenes like the Bai Feng Mountain Hunt and the ending recognition of Sizhui in the serial version of "Mo Dao Zu Shi" were not originally there.

The revisions in "Heaven Official's Blessing" are the most extensive of all my works. It was a huge project, as it is also the longest in terms of length, serialized over eight months. Due to poor health and other reasons, the revision process was interrupted for a long time before I picked it up again, and it sporadically took about five to six months over several years.

In the era of web novels, there are endless new entertainments, and honestly, not many people re-read a story. Plus, some problems in the serialized version are structural and can't be changed, but I still tried my best to address my regrets. After all, when I was serializing it, I was almost always in a feverish and sick state, barely pushing through. Additionally, I often enjoy comparing different versions of my favorite authors' works back and forth, finding pleasure in the process. So, for readers, discovering "Wow, this part has changed!" is like starting a new journey with Easter eggs in a second round.

■ The new revised version includes about 100,000 words of new content!

These 100k words are mainly concentrated in the latter half of Volume 1 and Volume 3, but there are plenty scattered throughout the text. For example, I fulfilled a promise to A-Hua, giving him several new outfits. Seeing A-Hua dressed beautifully in a new hairstyle to meet his gege made me happy.

In terms of the intensity of revisions, personally, I feel it goes like this:

Volume 1 and Volume 2 > Volume 3 > Volume 5 > Volume 4.

Additionally, the new version cuts some redundant words and plots that weren't very meaningful. However, I tried to keep all the original interactions between Hua Lian as complete as possible. If some minor interactions are missing, they weren't deleted but moved around.

***IMPORTANT NOTE!! MXTX's comments in the below section are about the differences between her first draft and the original 2018 version -- not about the original version and the newly revised version.***

■ One day, I suddenly dug out something.

An antique from 2017, a folder called "Heaven Official's Blessing Setting Collection."

Curiously, I opened it and read with interest.

● Comparing the original setting outline and the main text, the highest fidelity is in the main storyline between Hua Cheng and Xie Lian.

A-Hua, restored at a ratio of 1:100.

Hua's character setting is the most detailed, and virtually every point made it into the main text, including details like "ghosts don't like the sun, so Hua Cheng sometimes drapes a red cloth over his head"...

Points not used, listed a few:

As a child:

· After being saved from falling off a city wall, he foolishly followed a parade over and over again, grabbing people to ask, "Who is that? Who is that person?" People told him, "That's the royal son, the future Celestial God, the most outstanding Crown Prince of Xianle Nation ever!"

(This point couldn't be used because in the text A-Hua was held in the Crown Prince's arms after being saved)

· At home, he was often punished to stand or kneel, not given food, and wore old clothes, accused of stealing money. Whenever he argued with his family, he would stubbornly sleep in the Prince's temple overnight.

· Went to Mount Tai Cang to volunteer sweeping red leaves at Huangji Observatory, just to sneak peeks at his future wife happily swinging.

After becoming the ghost king:

· One of his hobbies is buying and building houses everywhere.

· Very protective of his leather boots, would (badly) polish them until they shone.

· To other devout followers of Xie Lian, he said: "You have good taste."

· Secretly prepared many betrothal gifts for his beloved god, wanting to marry him!

The character setting of Xie Lian as a teacher in the serialized version compared to the initial draft, the serialized text subtly differs. The initial draft was more... exquisite and elegant, very serious. The serialized text is more... humorous. I think perhaps because some plot points were tragic, Xie Lian thought he should be happier to make the readers more relaxed, so he drove me to adjust his mental state! But due to the spiritual oppression at that time, the character's depth was not enough, while in the new revised version, I hope he can show a more self-content state on the same core basis.

Excerpts from the unused original setting:

· Super easy-going. Easy-going means: if given fifty bucks, he would happily dress in drag and dance. Accepts haggling. Thirty bucks works. Twenty bucks too!

· The observatory is small, the house is broken, wants to grow flowers. Leaks during rain, so he uses a bucket to catch rainwater.

· Because he can't afford a caretaker, he cleans himself, and also feeds chickens. Chickens eat flowers. Keeps a cat.

· Completely engrossed in discussing serious matters, he unknowingly finished all the broken sweet dumplings!

● Water, Earth, Wind original setting:

The highest fidelity is the main line between Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, followed by the Water, Earth, Wind subplot.

The main conflict hasn't changed. Just... how could the original setting of Water, Earth, Wind be so dark and terrifying!

The character morals in the main text improved a lot, otherwise, the original Black Water would be sheer scheming + murderous! The ending for the Wind Master would have been more tragic.

The Venerable of Empty Words suddenly became an improvised character. It seemed like an ancient fable-like monster, making the main text more interesting than the original setting.

Overall, the formal version is a bit better written than the original draft.

● The unfortunate life of Lang Ying:

Lang Ying? Is there such a character? I don't remember!

Ah? It seems there was such a person, but I don't remember any of his plotlines.

This is most people's feeling towards the character of Lang Ying. It's not a delusion because he barely had any significant plot. In fact, any valuable scenes could have been replaced equivalently, so in the new revised version, I deleted this character.

But, in the 2017 setting collection, I suddenly found that I had actually opened a separate document for Lang Ying, and his role was defined as a "growing-type BOSS!"

I was silent.

And immediately opened the document, curious about my initial setting. A "growing-type BOSS," how did he become someone whose deletion went unnoticed...? (I even don't know how to address him!)

Who knows, perhaps out of excitement, I accidentally pressed the wrong shortcut, and somehow it became irreversible, leaving only an empty document for me to stare in disbelief. The once "growing-type BOSS" has now forever become a mystery!

This is the unfortunate life of the deleted Lang Ying.

· There was another document in the setting collection called "Swordsmith." I opened the document and read it with interest.

I was shocked. Because I completely forgot I had conceived this story. Why didn't I write it?!

Darn.

I know why I didn't write it. This story... it had no ending!

——————— Thus, the magical glimpse into the "Heaven Official's Blessing Setting Collection" concludes!

■ I like men with stories!

Maybe because I watched an outstanding work as a child. It was a memoir, the protagonist in the biography was gentle and affable, and the protagonist in the memories was cold and ruthless. The story was scattered with the poignant fragrance of white plum blossoms amidst bloody and stormy circumstances.

This almost perfect work deeply influenced my aesthetics, leading me to be most interested in the memory parts of characters in various works. Although many viewers prefer the present scenes, often asking when the memories will end, I actually find these intense and painful memories to be the most fascinating!

A story is the history of a character, as well as the key to their personality. A person with a story stands before me like a puzzle. The way to solve this puzzle is to understand their story. Because the biography makes one curious to know more about a character they like, loving them more now because of their past. When serializing "Heaven Official," my greatest pain initially was telling myself, "This time I don't want to write a memory slaughter," deliberately trying to avoid a structure similar to previous works, yet I still hadn't found a better way to express it, resulting in my deep dissatisfaction with the later part of Volume 1. I was also hesitant to fully commit to the memory scenes in Volume 2, and with the heavy mental burden, this part was very painful to write. When revising, looking at Volume 2 was almost unbearable, because I'm the type of person who, as a child, would immediately switch channels when a TV show's protagonist was about to be wrongfully accused or embarrassed. I couldn't help but knock on a friend's door and ask:

Me: Was the author suffering some kind of mental trauma at the time? This negative energy is too horrifying, the protagonist is so pitiful, I really admire anyone who could read through Volume 2 completely.

Friend: Do you even have the right to say that?

But the memory slaughter in Volume 4 was much freer, written in one breath, so the revisions for this volume were also the least.

So, will you still write large segments of memory slaughter?

Um, well, we'll see, haha, hehe...

■ Closing Remarks:

Lastly, I'll address the question some asked me, "Will the new revised 'Heaven Official's Blessing' be more torturous?"

Me: You're talking nonsense. 'Heaven Official's Blessing' is a sweet pampering story, thank you!

Acknowledgments:

Shi Nai'an wrote in the preface to "Water Margin": "On snowy nights, about five or six people listen to my storytelling; on rainy days, about seven or eight; on bright and sunny days, about ten. I read, everyone listens, and we are all happy, with no other thoughts." When I read this as a young person, I was delighted. What divine days! Writing first to entertain oneself, then to entertain others. Self-expression and self-acceptance are certainly primary, but the affection of others is also a significant positive feedback. Thus, first, I thank the steadfast readers who have accompanied me all this time. I've thought about just walking away amidst the noisy disputes; abandoning the account amidst the tumultuous world! It seems not bad. But looking back, I can't bear to leave some truly sincere readers.

I've had authors I liked disappear from the internet, and I always feel like a part of my youth has vanished, a feeling quite distressing, reminiscent of overly grand and harsh things like the tears of the era or the torrent of history. So, I want to accompany my readers as long as possible, hoping that the day of parting comes later. Perhaps I'm not good enough now, but I will strive to be better in the future. Or perhaps you've never truly understood what kind of person I am, or even completely misunderstood me, but as long as you genuinely like my stories, we can sit down and chat.

And, I must mention my friends, who can be described as having the courage of a hero. Long time no see, Teacher Changyang's illustrations are still as beautiful as those of a celestial being, I hope Teacher CAS can go to bed earlier and worry less, and Teacher Kuohao, who despite a heavy workload, still fully honored our agreement. The "Heaven Official's Blessing" radio drama is really fantastic! It reminded me of the original intention of writing this story, and I was very moved. If it weren't for the silent companionship and efforts of these old friends, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu might have stopped writing back in 2016, disappearing from the world of martial arts, and thus, "Heaven Official's Blessing" would not have been born. I look forward to retracing the paths we once walked together when gathering ideas. And many friends who reached out to help and encourage me, thank you for accompanying me through the snowy nights.

[strangersteddierthings]

No Regrets - Part One

Content Warning: mentions of main character deaths but these are temporary because this is a time travel two-to-four-shot and so, they start dead but then get better :3 Also maybe a whiplash warning? In that it starts off kind of dark for a story that's pretty light-hearted in the end.

Here's the first part of the threatened season 4 AU time travel fic where Steve gets thrown back to the moment in family video when Dustin and Max show up demanding the phones. Previously he was 5 years into a grueling apocalypse.

Part One🦇 Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six

Steve has lived his life in regret. Replaying scenarios in his head over and over late at night when sleep eludes him. And sleep is always eluding him these days, weeks, past five years. Steve hasn't known a day without regret since the day they failed to kill Vecna, the day Max almost died. The day Eddie did.

It's five years to the day today.

Steve spends endless nights thinking about how he'd change that spring break. It was the start of the end of everything. Eddie's death wasn't world ending for Steve. It was the end of a what-if. A maybe. But for Dustin. Oh God, Dustin. Who had blamed himself for Eddie's death, who was broken and then never able to get time to recover. To grieve.

Dustin, who pulled away from everyone, from Steve, because of it.

He's not dead, Steve knows, because he still hears his voice on the radio. Separated from the group but vital to their survival. He spread intel on Demo-creature movements, where safe spaces are, news from across the broken and destroyed America, and how to survive the hellscape.

There have been losses. Terrible, tragic losses.

Murray Baughman. Lucas Sinclair. Karen and Holly Wheeler. Will Byers. And those are just the ones he knows. A lot of people scattered to the wind when Hawkins became overran with the Upside Down and its creatures.

He's still two days out on this supply run. Two more days and he'll get to know who is still around. Who they lost this time. It's not always someone they know, but the horrors never cease, and Steve's been gone a total of three weeks.

"Hey," Robin breaks him from his thoughts as she leans over to whisper in his ear, "since you're gonna daydream, you might as well actually dream. Scouts say it'll be a while before we can continue moving."

"I'm not daydreaming, I'm thinking."

"Well, be sleeping instead. You'll be more useful with some rest," Robin pats her shoulder, inviting him to lean his head against it.

"Don't use my weakness against me. You know I love being useful," Steve sighs as he drops his head onto her shoulder.

"I know. It makes you easy to manipulate," Robin teases. He can hear the smile in her voice. "Now, shut up and sleep."

Steve grumbles under his breath. No real words, just grumpy noises as he does shift and get as comfortable as he can leaned against Robin. He is tired, and with nothing else he can be doing, he won't feel too guilty about it.

He closes his eyes.

He opens his eyes, blinking rapidly at the sudden brightness of the sun shining through the glass storefront of Family Video. Usually when he dreams of the past, the sun's never this bright. It's been years since he's seen the sun at all, with the red-black sky of the Upside Down looming above them constantly.

He takes a deep breath, basking in the fresh(ish) air of Family Video. How long has it been since he's taken a breath without his mouth covered by a mask, bandana, some cloth or another? Well, he's not really breathing without a mask on, his conscious self has one on, but it still feels good to fill his lungs and release. He has half a mind to jump the counter and go outside to repeat that; see if his unconscious mind will provide a difference in the air, if it remembers enough to do so.

"Hey Steve," Dustin says as he is stepping through the doors with Max at his side. It's then that Steve takes in where the dream has started. The doors have just opened, and Steve's looking partially over his shoulder, towards the doors instead of the TV as it plays the news of Chrissy's death on the screen. The world fades back into motion, instead of the slowness the beginning of his dream started as Dustin finishes his question, "how many phones do you have?"

"Are you seeing this?" Steve asks on autopilot, playing out the scene he knows, but he holds off from stating the someone was murdered part. He's tired of saying it.

"How many phones do you have?" Dustin asks with more urgency.

Steve takes in Dustin and Max while Robin explains the phone situation. It's been so fucking long since he's seen Dustin. Since Max was able to see him. God. He can't let this play out like normal. It's not going to fix reality, he knows that logically, but what would it hurt to live out his fantasy of getting a re-do while he dreams? Wasn't that what he was thinking about while awake?

He tunes back into the conversation when Dustin shoves his backpack across the counter, and then himself. Instead of whining about the tapes, he reaches for the pen and notepad they keep close to the till. "Hey, what's this about?"

"Max, fill them in while I do this," Dustin replies.

Max turns to him and Robin, who is eyeing both Steve and Max but listening. Max explains what Steve already knows. The lights going crazy, Eddie fleeing his own home, and that it might be Upside Down related.

There's a script here. Responses he has memorized because of how often he dreams this moment over and over. An answer Steve usually gives, but this time he finds he can hold his tongue. He doesn't have to speak. Doesn't have to follow the script.

"Okay," Steve says instead. "Dustin, what's the number for the Byers now?

Surprisingly, that actually pulls Dustin from the computer. He spins on the stool to give Steve a confused look. "What? Why?"

If he's being honest with himself, he's never really had this much control over his dreams before. Having this control makes him want to do all the things he's daydreamed about. To change the choices that fill him with regret and guilt. "I want to leave a message for Jonathan," Steve lies, "or talk to him if he's home. Give him a heads up that Upside Down shit might be going on again."

Dustin narrows his eyes at Steve, suspicious, "Jonathan?"

"Yeah. Jonathan," Steve says in his bitchiest voice. "Number, dude."

He can tell Dustin doesn't fully believe the lie, but he recites the number anyway.

"Thanks," Steve says as he scoots around Robin and heads to Keith's office to use the phone there. The first thing he does is call the police station and let them know that he saw Eddie Munson at Rick Lipton's place, up by Lover's Lake on Holland Road. The lady who answered starts to ask questions, Steve just says he recognized the trailer on TV as the Munson's and hangs up. He'll swing by later once everyone else has pieced together the Rick Lipton part of this all themselves. If Eddie's still there, he'll drag him to the station himself.

'Cause the thing is, Steve has thought of many scenarios. So many. And even if nothing else changes, this is the bit that will. Eddie cannot be killed in the Upside Down if he is in a jail cell instead. And if the police do follow up on his tip, then they'll take Eddie in for questioning before Fred dies. And that's.

Well.

Steve's living through the end of the world and that changes people. It's changed Steve. Once there would have been a time when allowing someone to die, knowing it was going to happen and not stopping it, would have filled Steve with guilt, regret, maybe even some self-loathing. But Steve's made enough sacrifices for this town. Lost enough of the people he loves to be jaded. Maybe even cruel. If Fred has to die to prove that Eddie didn't do it, then that's what will happen.

His next step is to call the Byers. It surprises him that Joyce actually answers with a hesitant hello. That never happens in the dreams.

"Joyce. I mean, Ms. Byers. It's Steve. Uhh, Steve Harrington," he says.

"Oh. Hello Steve. What, uh, what can I do for you?" Joyce's voice is still hesitant.

"Listen, the Upside Down is back. Or, like, it was never gone? I don't know. But I needed to tell you."

"Oh my God," Joyce sounds horrified, and Steve can hear Murray in the background asking questions. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Vec- sorry, it has already killed a girl. Max was a witness. Well, of the aftermath. But that's not important. What I need is for you to tell El that she's never been a monster and never will be. That everything has been the fault of One. And I think you should tell her Hopper is alive and you're going to rescue him."

There's not an immediate answer. A rustling sound and then faint voices he can't make out. She must be covering the phone with her hand as she and Murray talk. Or argue, knowing Murray. After a moment, Murray's voice comes through the line, "How do we know you are who you say you are?"

It's followed by Joyce shouting, "How do you know about Hopper?" and Murray quickly shushing her and some shuffling noises before Joyce says, "Okay. We're both listening."

"Look, I know you have no reason to believe me so I'll give you something that might serve as proof that I know things I shouldn't. When everyone gets back from the roller rink, be there for El. She's going to- to have a bad night, because of a girl that's been, like, bullying her at school. Then, I need you to get them headed this way tomorrow morning, because you gotta be gone then, too, but like. Be there for El tonight. There will be an incident involving a roller skate. So, if you believe me, call me back after that."

"How do we know you're who you claim to be, Steve?" Murray questions again, while Joyce says, horrified, "El's been being bullied?"

"I can't exactly prove I'm me. But call my house tonight after you've spoken to El and I'll answer. That's the best I can do. I... I don't know if Jonathan or Mike have my number, but Mike can call home and get my number from Nancy. That'll be proof, right? Or Will can get it from Dustin. Whichever."

"And how do you know about something happening tonight at the roller rink?" Joyce demands.

"I know more than I should. So, if the roller rink thing holds up, and you decide to at least hear me all the way out, call my house," Steve hangs up then, not wanting to get into a loop of explanation.

"Steve! Hurry up and come help people while I help Thing One and Thing Two!" Robin calls through the door and Steve takes a step towards the closed door to comply but he stops, hand hanging just above the doorknob. That's how the dream goes. That's what 19-year-old Steve would have done.

But that's a Steve that died five years ago, when the world ended, when the apocalypse started. Steve's not 19 anymore, though he must look it, a master of his own puppet. He's never sought himself out in a mirror when he dreams; he's too busy taking in everyone who has been lost to him in his waking life to bother with himself.

What does he want to do this time?

What does he want to do right now?

He leaves Keith's office to beeline to Dustin, pausing only to pat Robin on the shoulder. He slides around Max and comes to a stop beside Dustin.

"I already told you, I need this for-" Dustin starts to speak but cuts off with a squawk that sounds like a mixture of indignation and confusion as Steve just reaching out and bodily turns Dustin towards him. "Steve, this is important!"

"I know," Steve says and then hugs Dustin. Dustin doesn't hug back, but neither does he pull away. Steve knows he's missed Dustin, felt his loss for many years now, but holding Dustin now, feeling him solid and here feels Steve what he can only equate to grief.

Dustin lets himself be hugged for what is, undoubtedly, an awkward amount of time for him before he thumps Steve's back twice and says, "okay... You can stop now."

Steve lets go and turns to Max, who immediately puts her hands up, "No. Absolutely not."

He chuckles and steps around her. He won't force his affection on her.

Then he takes off the family video vest and sets it on the counter.

"Steve?" Robin asks.

"Sorry, Robs, I can't stay and help customers. I have some things I got to do."

"Steve, you cannot abandon me on a Saturday!"

He can't quite bring himself to feel bad for abandoning her. It is a shit thing to do but right now saving Eddie and Max from Vecna is more important. He's already wasting daylight, so instead of answering his gives her his best 'I'm so sorry' face and bolts out the door. All three of them shout after him but he doesn't slow.

He's got a list of regrets to change.

-

Tagging the besties and all the people that expressed interest when I posted the lil blurb about this. Sorry if I missed you!

@i-less-than-three-you @nburkhardt @afewproblems @skepsiss @music9009 @apomaro-mellow @soaringornithopter @reighnofdreams @eddie-munsons-lunchbox @sirsnacksalot @livelifeliketheresnotomorow @sageclipse @schnukiputz @mbloggotdeletedsothisismybackup @lumoschildextra @vampirestevie @alex-axolotl @juleswashere3 @yet-still-more-banched

[foreverisntenough]

- YOU’RE MINE -

Summary: While you daydreamed about his face an ocean apart, he had no idea what yours was about to do to him. With a twist of fate and the heat of summer, a new relationship would completely ransack his heart - Everyday heavy with the thought of one another, neither of you were going to let the unexpected love of your life go. You were going to be his, you were his, and you were going to stay his.

Warnings: This series will contain fluff, suggestive, smut love bombing, little sad, and kind of angst- not sure what else really… if i miss anything please lmk!

Note: I hope you like it! There will definitely be more parts (don’t know how many just yet though.)

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10

Chapter 11 - ‘You’re Mine’

The stadium was equally as rowdy after the match as it was before. Completely elated and electrified with the first Liverpool win of the season. Typically the families waited in the box for things to settle down and for the players to go through routine things like showers, brief game analysis, and then they would come up to them. Trent didn’t want that. He didn’t want the wait and he wanted you just to himself.

Saying rounds of goodbyes to friends Tyler and Marcel made their way out of the box, grabbing their coats, waving for you to come along. You followed in tow not really knowing your destination, no one filled you in how this all worked because it was second nature to them.

“I’m headed to the carpark, I’ll meet you there?” Marcel said to his brother which confused you.

“Yeah, just bringing Y/N to him then be there.” Tyler explained like you weren’t there and in turn filled you in on the plan. Tyler turned towards you as Marcel walked the opposite direction. “Trent just wants you alone, usually he pops up here but…” he just trailed off, not really interested in the details he’d be given about his brother’s desperation to see you.

“Oh okay. That’s fine.” You agreed, not really having any choice in the matter but giddy to be reunited with your man so soon. The walk was peculiar, it was like a red walled labyrinth. You went from the private level the box was on; seeing men in suits, pundits you recognized, a calmer environment, to corridors packed with the general admission, away fans scattered sparsely, images of Trent adorned on the walls caught your eye every so often. When you had been to Anfield before you’d ogle at him, but you were analyzing the photos to see how much he’s matured knowing the face well now. Tyler held his hand against your upper back to make sure not to lose you. His job to get you to Trent was almost complete. The oddest part of the maze was the end when you entered a bleak hallway downstairs with plenty of security guards, you could hear discussions about the game, some men yelling in what seemed like excitement, Tyler knew exactly where he was going but you were lost just tailing him.

While you snaked your way through Anfield, Trent cruised through his usual post match routine, showered off, packing up his things. He thankfully didn’t have any media duties to go do so he was attempting to slip out of the dressing room unnoticed and quickly. He failed horribly.

“Fresh trim, smelling nice, new tracky on…. Ooohoohooo” Dom called out knowing why Trent had pulled himself together a little more than he usually would after a match

“My boy!!! Come on now! Sneaking out to find Miss America” Andy yelling the new name you had been dubbed within the team.

“I’m not sneaking out! Just gonna go see her… relax.” Trent said tucking his wash bag under his arm, adjusting one strap of his backpack trying to shove his excitement down.

“Bro… you’ve been glued to your phone for weeks, you’re itching to get out of here.” Dom continued.

“We could all go up and meet her!” Curtis suggested and was immediately met with a disapproving look from Trent.

“Absolutely not. Had Ty bring her down here anyways, I’m not subjecting her to all the chaos.” He explained. That genuinely was what Trent was doing. As exciting and romantic he thought the whole reunion would be, he wasn't naive enough to think that this place wasn’t going to be a little overwhelming and he wanted to protect you. He wanted you just for him after the match. “I’m out lads” Trent said, already walking out the room waving over his head, back turned to the boys.

“We have to go see this right?” Curtis deviously looked at Andy.

“Absolutely” Andy replied with a cheeky grin planning to snoop.

Tyler and you stood against a wall making small conversation. There were people in the corridor around you that seemed to have reason to be there but you weren’t sure what the purpose was, some more security, and further down the way was the now more obvious clue to where you were; large red double doors; the club’s emblem plastered to them tipped you off….the home team’s dressing room but Tyler remained mum.

Looking at his phone, Tyler was getting impatient, Trent was taking so long and Marcel was messaging him non stop asking what the hold up was.

“Do you mind if I head out? Marc is getting pissed and I don’t want to hear him bitch the whole ride home. He’ll be right out, swear…. You’ll be okay?” He asked with such a soft smile you could tell he felt bad. Despite your raging anxiety you chose to lie calmly.

“I’ll be okay, thank you so much for looking after me today.” You giggled a little because he really did look after you.

“It was nothing. Honest. I’ll see you later.” He said leaning in for a hug.

“If I’m still waiting here in the morning, I may text for you to come bring me back to the airport.” You joked giggling a little in an attempt to suppress your nerves.

“Deal” he said before he tapped at your arm walking away. He was so big brother coded. It was nice and made you feel safe.

You leaned one shoulder against the wall, nervous that you might get questioned or in trouble for being down in this clearly very private area. You stayed put though, eyes assessing what unfolded in front of you, it felt like you were in a behind the scenes documentary for a moment causing you to imagine the player you were dying to see appear. You tried not to but your eyes kept reverting back to the red doors, praying for them to open. God, you were so on edge, any notification that appeared on your phone was causing serious heart palpitations, none of them from him yet.

You heard a door open behind you further away from the red one that held your gaze, but the noise of doors opening and closing has been non stop due to the traffic of people the entire time since you had first stood with Tyler so you ignored it, trying to look like you belonged, unphased, heart still palpitating.

It wasn't less than a moment later when your heart fully stopped. You felt warm hands slide around your exposed waist, a body pressed against your back, a familiar pair of plump lips ghosted behind your ear, a warm amber scent engulfing you.

“Who would ever keep such a beautiful, beautiful girl waiting for so long.” Hearing his sultry voice sent your body almost into shock, you wanted to cry. You grabbed his big hands on your stomach turning yourself around to face him staying wrapped in his arms. It was your Trent. You were back in your Trent’s arms.

“Oh my god, T!” you whined trying so hard to hold back tears. He pulled you tighter to him, his forehead pressing to yours. Your faces were so close you actually could barely see his. Your lips instinctively crashed into his. It was absolute heaven, you never felt more relief than you did in this moment, finally kissing him again. It was magnetic like before and following old habits it heated up quite quickly into more of a make out. You pulled away reluctantly hearing the people continue to rush around in the area.

“Sorry, sorry, I don’t even know if I can do that” you paused starting to get nervous given you were technically at his place of work “…you know here.” You said peeling your body away from him gesturing around you.

“Baby…” he cooed, his voice was so smooth now hearing it again in person, it was like dripping honey. “You can kiss me absolutely anywhere you want.” Grabbing at your body pulling you back to him. He kissed you sweetly again, pressing you to him.

“Fuck, I missed you so much.” His lips moved against yours. His head was completely gone having you back in front of him, his hands sliding down to your ass kneading it shamelessly. Before he grabbed you harder, stronger, picking you up, your legs coming to wrap around his waist, you smiled openly at the PDA blocking out your surroundings. Your nose brushed against his, your arms draped around his neck.

“Kiss you anywhere? Hmm?” You mused suggestively, placing another deep kiss on his lips. Your nails scratched at the back of his head causing him to purr.

Tucked behind a wall where the corridor rounded were the prying eyes of Andy and Curtis spying on the reunion. They were slapping at each other like children stupidly gawking at your appearance and poking fun at their friend and how he managed to pull this off. Taking mental notes on what to give Trent a hard time about when they returned to training.

“C’mere baby,” Trent kissed you once more before slowly letting you slide down his body back to stand on your own two feet.

“Never letting you go again.” He said, your eyes unable to break from his. You missed his gorgeous face now able to really see tiny freckles, a dimple in his smile, the warm hue in his eyes.

“Pretty, pretty boy” you cooed, stroking your hand over his high cheekbone before cupping his cheek. “Never. Ever.” You punctuated with another kiss.

He slid his hands up and down your arms, feeling your skin, his eyes inspecting every inch, taking all of you in, before his fingers dragged down to lace between yours.

“Coming home with me?” He asked a question he didn’t need to. You were impetuous to be anywhere near him tonight.

“Yeah huh” you nodded eagerly like a child.

“So you wanna go, beautiful?” He asked calmly, feeling anything but.

“Please” you gave him a devastatingly innocent look.

“Come on sweet girl.” He pulled you into his chest, arms wrapping tight around you, placing a kiss on your forehead. He released you a little squeezing your hand, keeping his intertwined with yours pulling it along with his arm to wrap around your waist, yours comfortablely but awkwardly bending with his. You leaned your head into him as you walked down the corridor towards the player’s car park.

“Baby, I didn’t even get to tell you how amazing you were tonight. Was such a good start, no?” You cooed, pulling at his arm, unable to take your eyes off him, proud of him.

“Yeah, was good. I just liked having you there. Did you have an okay time?” He asked sincerely “over here” he interjected, first directing you towards his car.

“Yeah, course.” You confirmed “so, do you blow kisses to every girl you bring, T?” you asked teasing but were quite serious needing to know because the little action had your stomach doing flips. You needed to know if it meant anything to him or not. He let go of you, resting his hand on his car leaning towards you, his face coming closer.

“Never. Would only do that for you.” He cooed before pressing his lips against yours softly. You just hummed pulling away finally taking a moment to look at a wider angle of your surroundings breaking from the tunnel vision you had just on his face. He was stunning, just jaw dropping beautiful. He was in a black Nike tech unzipped, opened, wearing a Liverpool t-shirt carrying his white Goyard wash bag. Everything about him was just so fresh, even the car he was leant on. It was sleek, the windows tinted almost opaque, everything matte black, not too different from his brothers although his was the latest Range Rover. His eyes bore into you watching you process the moment before interrupting your thoughts.

“Did I tell you how good you look?” His words laced with a little lust reaching out to pull at the hem of his jersey you had worn.

“You think?” You played coy swaying a little subtlety showing him your body.

“Don’t give me that, baby.” He rolled his eyes thinking of all the times he practically begged you to believe that he thought you were the most beautiful girl in the world. “Get in” he said, walking to the car door, opening it for you. You popped in eagerly. There was something kind of sexy about a man driving so you were preemptively turned on by the idea of Trent in the driver's seat. He got in soon after throwing his bags into the back seat casually. He handed you his phone, the Spotify app opened.

“All you, beautiful” he nodded implying you were going to be DJ. You hummed in agreement scrolling. You liked that he trusted you with his phone openly. It was a bare minimum thing but it felt reassuring. He pulled out of the car park with one hand on the wheel, you picked a song and your eyes grazed over the veins that appeared on his forearm but they were quick to drop to the sly tale buldge in his lap, the thought of him had you just about drooling. He smiled, catching your lude stare. You slide your hand over his leg, high up on his thigh, dangerously close to his dick. Your nails dug into his joggers playfully. You watched him grip the wheel tighter at the contact. Even the simplest touch from you had him collapsing.

You were pulling out of the stadium where it was dark but you could still see masses of people outside. With his free hand Trent grabbed at your hand stopping you from stroking your fingers against his inner thigh.

“Like it?” He said peeling your hand off him, his finger stroking across the ring with his initials he had gotten you. He then laced his fingers with yours, pressing the back of your hand to his lips holding it there.

“I love it. You didn’t have…” you were stopped mid sentence when a massive flash went off almost blinding you, your vision going white for a moment. You squeezed Trent’s hand hard in response, he lowered them from his lips as smaller shutters began to light up the car.

“Okay?” He asked calmly, ever composed.

“What the fuck. Insane… Is this normal?” You were utterly shocked, Trent just hummed a yeah to answer you. “Could’ve warned me a little, I feel like I’m going blind now.” You tried to joke but also were genuinely a little shaken. You blinked your eyes stunned trying to clear the white floating specs.

“It’s just like a thing when we leave, people wait around I guess for a photo. Sorry.” He apologized for something out of his control. You had driven out of the tightly lined streets surrounding the stadium when you managed to relax a little after the distress. You were quickly gathering what it was like to be in Trent’s world.

Your hand was back on his thigh, some J Cole song played through the car, you could tell Trent was absolutely exhausted. You didn’t pester him with more questions even though your head was filled with them, especially about the flash of photos taken leaving the stadium. You had been in the car for about 30 odd minutes when you got off a motorway pulling to a traffic light.

“Almost home” he broke the comfortable silence, leaning over to kiss your temple. His hand now resting atop yours. Maybe it was because you were also tired or because it was so dark but the roads seemed winding. He was taking a final turn onto his street when you reached over to place a kiss on his cheek.

“Tired?” You questioned simply in a soft quiet voice.

“Completely knackered” he replied in a similar tone. It almost made you sad but he spoke again before you could really dwell on it. “Glad you’re back with me though,” he assured you. Finally pulling into a long driveway, a massive house tucked far back at the end of it.

“Your house is so nice” you said plainly. Clearly you both were worn out as your conversation had slowed from flirting to just blank observations.

“It’s dark, you can barely see it, what are you on about?” He said with a familiar cheeky smile reappearing on his face.

“I can still tell!” You poorly defended your comment. He parked the car next to what felt like 10 others assuming there must be a lot of people here. He hopped out and came round to your door, opening it. He waited for you with his arms open.

“C’mere, yeah? Missed you so much.” He cooed, placing a kiss to your lips before letting you go, opening the other door to grab his things. You walked to the front of the house slowly, you because of nerves, Trent because he was sore. He unlocked the front door and gestured for you to step in first. A few lights were on and it was mostly quiet, but you could hear murmuring on a TV somewhere when you entered, a little surprised given the amount of cars. Trent dropped his bags immediately at the front door like a school boy, sighing. He grabbed your waist nuzzling into your neck but didn’t say anything.

“I don’t want to mess with your post match routine, so do what you have to do.” You spoke honestly not wanting to disrupt him.

“That include you?” He said toying with you before pressing a kiss behind your ear, his hand pulling at the waist of your pants only to let go and walk away.

“Hey!” You whined at the loss of contact and followed after him desperately. “Is ‘doing’ a girl usually a part of your routine?” You pretended to ask seriously with emphasis on the verb he had played on before.

“No, baby” he giggled entering his kitchen, grabbing a water, after offering you one silently.

“So do you just go to bed now or…?” You probed. He wasn’t talking much so you were grasping at straws at what to do. He wasn’t though, he was so cool and collected in the comfort of his home.

“Nah, my mind is racing right now, processing everything, minute by minute but my body is just done so I usually lay down. Go to the cinema room… any interest?” He spoke candidly at first and then a cheeky grin swept across his face before he asked about your interest level.

“Yuck! With you?” You pretended to be grossed out making a face playfully before he grabbed your waist ignoring you. You allowed him to push you around his house, walking with you in front of him, slapping at your ass on the way. He brought out such a childish side of you. You guys were mostly quiet knowing other people were home and it was late but giggles definitely echoed through the halls.

Trent collapsed onto a obscenely wide lounge chair, it was essentially a couch but he would say otherwise. There were a few of them tiered like a theater, framed jerseys hung on the walls, and the biggest tv screen you’ve ever seen in your life illuminated the otherwise fairly dark room. You sat on the corner edge away from him suddenly feeling your nerves take over..

“What you doing? Stop being weird and c’mere. I’m too tired to come and have to grab you.” Trent was cute but lazy, holding the remote.

“Stop! I’m nervous” you said embarrassed. He rolled his eyes before pouting his full lips, his puppy dog eyes sucking you in, silently begging you to come to him. You basically crawled across the chair before snuggling up into his side. His arm draped around you pulling you into him, your cheek laying on his chest. He pressed kisses to the top of your head and you gently placed your leg over his body. You were wrapped around him and had no intention of letting go.

“I never knew I would miss a cuddle this much” he muffled into your hair. “What do you wanna watch?” He said, holding you impossibly tight.

“I’m okay with anything. I just want to be close to you.”

“Yeah? Need you just a little closer, baby” he said pulling you further into his body. You nuzzled your face into his chest some more, shy at his sweet words.

“I’ve been watching this one show and…” Trent began to ramble, clear that now that his body could relax after the match, his racing mind was now spilling out. He talked so fast to you about something but it went in one ear and out the other unintentionally. You just looked up at him lost watching his perfect lips move, his big eyes light up, while you scratched your nails against the facial hair on his chin. Something you had quickly discovered that Trent had kept hidden from his media persona was just how nerdy he actually was. He was such a dork. You gushed over his beautiful animated face talked about something he knew way too much about.

“Like can you believe that?” His question caught you off guard.

“Yeah” you mused, still scratching his chin just yessing the pretty boy. Your head fell back into his chest, your hand too, your cheek squished into him more from the weight of his arm atop pressing into you. He would make small comments throughout the show filling you in about something important or who a character was but you were fighting to keep your eyes open. It was so warm and comfortable in his embrace. In a sleepy state, you pulled the hem of his t-shirt up, your nails now drawing over his abs absentmindedly. Although your thoughtless touch wasn't going unnoticed by Trent. He was starting to get hard just at your hands proximity to his cock but the patterns you were tracing on his skin slowed, stopping entirely as you dozed off pacified by his scent and his hand running up and down your spine. When you didn’t even hum a response to one of his questions, he leaned forward a little peering around you only to see your eyes had closed, your features now softened. You looked like an angel, he held you tighter kissing your head in disbelief at how he felt about you. You were all consuming.

“You’re mine baby, not letting you go. You’re absolutely perfect” he whispered to you, asleep peacefully.

“Bro, what a game though!” Marcel just about yelled walking into the cinema room. Causing Trent to snap his head towards the doorway, then quickly back to you, nervous his brother's voice might have disturbed you.

“Yeah, I thought it went well,” Trent replied in a much quieter, gentler tone holding you to him, his hand still rubbing your back.

“Shit, sorry,” Marcel said softer now, seeing you cuddled up not moving.

“You’re good. She’s been out. I was just working the hours in my head, she’s been up for ages.” His brows furrowed, face scrunching trying to do the math.

“Bless” his brother's thoughtful response surprised him but you seemed to have that effect on people where you just grew and grew seeping into their hearts.

“Yeah” Trent said just staring at you. His hand moving to tuck a piece of hair out of your face.

“We actually had a good time tonight, ya know?” Marcel filled his brother in on your time spent together. His heart warmed that you fit so nicely into his life and right now in his arms.

“This is actually the best I’ve ever felt post-match, not sure if it was the new fitness program or what…” Trent said trailing off trying to distract Marcel from seeing him be so tender, rapidly falling more for you in front of him.

“Yeah, that’s what it is…” Marcel rolled his eyes, the evident change in Trent’s routine wasn’t fitness it was tucked in his arms. Trent knew he was caught out but that didn’t stop him from continuing to pepper kisses on your forehead he thought were subtle. The boys fell silent soon avoiding the subject of Trent’s obvious feelings.

Eventually, Marcel headed to bed leaving Trent still completely intertwined and enthralled with you. The episode he was watching concluded and he decided his night should too. Contrary to what he first thought, Trent was okay just going to sleep with you in his arms but he wasn't going to let you sleep downstairs, you needed a proper bed.

“Baby” he whispered, placing light kisses all over your face but you didn’t budge, only further settling into him.

“Baby, come..” he cooed, attempting to peel your arms from his body. “Let’s go.” He tried speaking once more, finding a bit more success this time.

“Hmm?” You hummed lifting your head a little bit only to place your chin back down on his chest.

“Let’s go” he tried once more, this time your eyes more open fixating on him. It dawned on you staring into his darkening brown eyes that your hand was still under Trent’s shirt dangerously close to the waistband of his joggers.

“Where T?” you said sleepily but there was a little fire behind your tired eyes. His intention of just sleeping tonight was changing.

“My room.” He told you sternly but feigned a terrible effort to move you off him. He could easily just pick you up if he wanted. He instead conceded to your stubbornness that was laced with obvious desire letting you now play with the drawstring of his joggers.

“So you wanna sleep with me?” You mused, pressing your hips down into him. You rolled your body in to his, his hands stroking down your sides to grab the bottom of your top starting to fuss with it, teasing you.

“I want you in my bed.” He looked at you now with passion igniting behind his eyes before his lips came crashing into yours. You were like messy teenagers making out in his house, your hand more bravely slipping down into his pants.

“We’re going to bed now” pulling away, he sat up, taking your hand away and you off him, calming the steamy situation you were trying to start. You moaned, biting back trying to grab his lip with your teeth. He just shook his head at your lack of restraint but he was loving every second of it. Feeding his ego ravenously.

Standing up, he finally used actual strength to pull you up too from the chair. You stumbled a little bit still sleepy so he wrapped his arms around you to steady you only to start another heated kiss. Your hands pulling at his clothes, you remembered you were wearing fancy lingerie when you felt it absolutely soaked between your thighs. You moaned into his mouth.

“Gimme” you giggled greedily and childishly trying to get his shirt off, only for him to shut you down.

“Nah, baby. My bed now.” He said it so aggressively it should’ve felt hurtful or like an insult but instead it had you even more desperate for him.

He grabbed both your shoulders harshly and physically turned you away from him, his hand coming to grip your ass, his lips to your neck.

“Do you wanna go to my bed, baby?” You felt his breath on your neck, your pussy flutter. You tried to suppress a moan but failed miserably

“Yeah” you whimpered quietly, your hand reaching behind you to grab onto his body only to be swatted away. You walked out of the room obediently, he trailed you, his last name still on your back making way to his room had him struggling to focus on getting up the stairs. You two were fairly quiet navigating through the dimly lit house. You’d turn back to him looking for directions not knowing where you were going. He didn’t want to just tell you, having you under his command was getting him off.

•

Thank you for continuing reading! Let me know what you think 🤍

Next Part - Chapter 12 xx

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today's fish of the day is the Australian lungfish!

The Australian lungfish, or barramunda, known by scientific name Neoceratodus forsteri is one of the 6 surviving lungfishes of the modern world. The other 5 lungfishes are scattered to other sections of the world, one in South America, and the other 4 all living in Africa. As the name implies, this lungfish is endemic to Australia living in South Eastern Queensland, or for those who don't know the general areas of Australia, the upper right corner of the country. Living exclusively in slow moving streams, still waters, and various waterside banks living entirely in freshwater systems. This fish is primarily nocturnal, and almost entirely carnivorous. Its diet consists of: frogs, larvae, bugs, plant material, earthworms, fishes, small invertebrates, and anything else it can catch.  They are primarily bottom dwellers, and prey is caught directly in the mouth and then crushed multiple times, being positioned correctly by a bone called a hydroid apparatus. Australian lungfish have the most primitive of surviving lungfish feeding behaviors.

Australian lungfish are best known for their ability to survive dry seasons. However, unlike African lungfish, which can survive fully in droughts by submerging themselves into  This is done by submerging the body in the mud, and rising to the surface to swallow oxygen into a single dorsal lung. This lung is only supplementary, and the fish prefer to breathe through their 5 gills. Of the six lungfish, the Australian lungfish is the only one to not have two lungs, but rather a fold down the center of the single lung acting as a wall, which blood capillaries run through, allowing gas exchange. Unlike it's African counterparts, the Australian lungfish can not survive total water depletion, (other lungfish survive this by creating a layer of mucus around itself and living there for several years until water returns). Australian lungfish can survive several days out of the water, but can not do so unless it is in a moist environment, usually mud.

Fossil records of lungfish tell us that some of their first fossils can be found from 410 Million years ago, being the closest living relative to the tetrapod. The last shared ancestor between the lungfish and tetrapod was 420 Million year ago. Originally, these animals started as marine creatures, but sometime in the carboniferous the species became freshwater exclusive, around the same time that the last common ancestor to all remaining lungfish lived.  Australian lungfish in particular appear to have split off about 380 million years ago, and have remained virtually unchanged from their ancestors for over 100 million years, giving them the title of living fossils! 

Not only have they remained incredibly similar over the years, they have a long lifespan for individuals as well. A captive Australian lungfish named granddad was shown to live to 108 years (+- 6), with the expected lifespan of wild lungfish surviving at least 20-25 years after they reach sexual maturity. In Australian lungfish, similar to other lungfish species in the world, sexual maturity is reached in males after 17 years, and 22 years in females. Australian lungfish have elaborate courting rituals consisting of three distinct phases. The first phase is searching, where the lungfish will breathe loudly, making mating calls with its single lung. The second is called "follow the leader" where males will attempt to entice a female by nudging and rubbing snouts with her, often at the same time as competitors. The last stage is where two lungfish will descend to lay and fertilize eggs, females producing 2 eggs per spawning season. After breeding, the eggs are left to sink in the vegetation, as Australian lungfish do not nest or care for their young. This is unlike all other lungfish species.

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone!

[pearblossomrain]

here we go with another past midnight race recap:

first of all 2 saubers in q2 what the fck guys. also the verstappen penalty is wild i have never seen a 1 place grid drop?? if they wanted to hand out a penalty it should be a time penalty, no? oh well i'm not a student of the fia rulebook and they kind of do whatever they want so eh.

i'll cut this here once again because i ramble quite a bit oops 😅

● LAP 1 DRAMA. SO MUCH DRAMA. verstappen immediately leaping up to race leader (that's a man with a Vengeance) and norris following right after! aaaannddd there's mess at the back of the grid. i think hulk collided into ocon and colapinto (commentators: "that's crash 16 for williams this season" which wtf??) and took them both out, not that it helped him at all granted that they were all 3 literally the absolute last backmarkers. somehow tsunoda jumps up 4 places in the middle of everything?

● which brings out a safety car on lap 1. mein gott. and somehow stroll manages to collide into albon under a safety car. thank GOD they can both continue however because those 2 garages are run absolutely ragged 😭😭

● race restart! nothing much changes except piastri snatches back 4th from leclerc that he grabbed at the start and stroll retires after seemingly being able to continue after a pit stop.

● false start for hamilton? and tsunoda goes back down the grid after fighting with the saubers (never thought i would say that!) with his teammate all the way at the back due to i think spinning off?

● a mercedes pit stop for russell?? on lap 24 with no other pit stops in sight?? oh i don't know about that....fastest lap is rapidly bouncing between the 2 at the front and every time verstappen gets it i say "fork found in kitchen" to my friends 😂

● yellow flags because a....wing mirror fell off onto the track?? (apparently from albon) already quite ridiculous on its own but i would argue that the fia's handling was even more ridiculous with them only putting out yellow flags and refusing to do anything until bottas ran right over it, scattering debris all over the track and causing sainz and hamilton (who were both already having less-than-ideal races) to have punctures. and THEN they brought out the race's 2nd safety car leading everyone back to the pits.

● everyone started making their pit stops under the safety car, surprisingly including russell for his second and apparently he was Really mad about them putting him on hards again. whoops.

● second race restart!! with 10 seconds of my blood pressure probably spiking like hell because everybody was fighting for positions with each other due to i think a slipstream from verstappen? not sure again but that's what i heard from the commentary so i'll leave it to them.

● in other news, gasly carrying alpine's hopes and dreams is pretty high up in the order constantly fighting with sainz (until the end of the race) and zhou!! zhou guanyu is in the points!! its a miracle and one that i am incredibly thrilled by!

● PEREZ GOES OUT?? and so does hulkenberg, bringing out a 3rd safety car and a total of 5 retirements this race. sao paulo is being given a run for its money right now i fear 😭😭

● 10s penalty for norris?? for failing to slow under yellow flags?? look i am not mclaren's biggest fan (my beef is more with the organization admittedly) but i would have expected a 5s penalty. anyways he goes into the pits to serve it (not too sure abt that call...) and comes out dead last after being 2nd the entire time which. Yikes. [edit: it was a stop and go, sorry for the mistake]

● hamilton also picks up a drive through penalty and when he goes into the pits he asks if he can retire the car 💀💀 oh this man wants OUTTT of the season and of mercedes....he's going to turn up to ferrari at abu dhabi before sainz even packs his bags i fear.

● nothing much really changes up front but we got really close to a double sauber points which is INSANE honestly considering i thought they would end the season with 0 points? anyways we get a verstappen leclerc 1-2 which is going to delight the shippers immensely 😂 (i mean that in the nicest way possible) and a hilarious trio of an alpine in p5, a ferrari in p7, an aston martin of alonso who was actually very consistent throughout the race (i guess aston martin are not p5 in the wcc and him p9 in the wdc for nothing) and a SAUBER in p8 (not even p10!! he made p8!!)

overall, i don't really know what to say other than this was safety car paradise (i do wish it was the pretty green aston one instead though!) and that this podium is quite delightful with a lot of underdog drama which i admittedly always love! definitely will be watching abu dhabi next week because it's at 9pm for me which is perfect timing tbh!

(p.s. congrats to ollie bearman for winning the f2 sprint race, doriane pin for winning the f1a race and abbi pulling for winning f1 academy champion!! i love my parasocial children lots <33)

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

Sometimes I feel the shows world is… empty but at the same time has too much

In season 2 they put sentient robots able to feel actual emotions like they are something common enough for a teenager go make them

In the specials they introduce other magic systems like the cousins of the kwamis and then introduce things like Batwoman and super/Wonder Woman

Then in season 3 they introduce FREAKING ALIENS!!! (Bunnix said they exist) I wouldn’t be mad if they elaborated in those subjects

But they don’t, we don’t have meta humans in the rest of the show but season 5 finale, we don’t have magicians and we haven’t seen a flesh and bones alien (I think since I don’t know what Majestia’s whole deal is)

The origins episode and the backstory of the guardians and miraculous imply the existence of other monsters

We see a kraken, a fusion of a Sphinx with Medusa fighting Heracles, a dragon fighting a ladybug holder on medieval glass stain similar to the ones in churches, and then we see some unknown hero fighting a Evangelion like monster on the sea with a Japanese style

But we only have Akumas, Akumas and Akumas, and in special occasions we have Akumas but BIGGER or Akumas but R E D ,Where are those monsters in modern age? Some of the crossovers they had planned with other ZAK shows implied the existence of witches, fairy’s, ghosts and a giant snake monster

The world introduces the supernatural and science fiction but instead of using it we are stuck with miraculous

Why is no character using magic? Why isn’t there sandman or rhino like villains rooming the streets? I Can see post season 4 Gabriel doing what tombstone did in spectacular Spider-Man and turning criminals into super villains to get the miraculous or at least to make negativity higher through all of Paris by introducing super villains who are willingly evil AND have permanent powers

Or why isn’t there a evil wizard searching for the miraculous for power or a ancient evil the kwamis sealed searching to take revenge on Plagg and Tikki? Or just Gabriel using evil magic to summon a hunting hound monster to track the miraculous and the heroes have to find a way to defeat a enemy they can’t defeat by their usual way (their usual way is breaking the evilified object so the enemy just disappears)

They keep introducing weird things and concepts and do nothing with them, is like they tried to be Spider-Man in the “exists on a larger world full with heroes” and then proceeds to ignore all other Spider-Man things like having a rogues gallery and constantly facing magic and sci-fi threats

Heck I might even say he only did this to ride the Shared universe train marvel started but just like DC and the Dark verse, they failed (except for the Monsterverse, the Monsterverse is ETERNAL)

That's the weird thing about this show. It wants to be a simple good vs evil story, but it also wants to flesh out the universe for future spin-offs.

This is why I just can't stand the Miraculous World specials, because they don't do anything with the concepts introduced. The Miraculous scattered across the world, other magical artifacts like the Miraculous, and the goddamn multiverse are only used for what is glorified filler. A lot of these ideas could easily be fleshed out for their own seasons, but the show only wants the conflict to revolve around the heroes and whoever gets the Butterfly Miraculous.

If you want to expand your universe, you need to think about how this development will affect your story as well as your world.

[akiraarabella]

CAN WE ALSO PLEASE TALK ABOUT THIS SCENE?!?!?!

IT WAS NOT A KISS SCENE BUT IT WAS AS POWERFUL AS ONE!!!

Their THE KISS scene on season 3 episode 5 (yes i remember exactly dont ask why) it was REALLY powerful because it literally showed us the development between the two characters from them trying to kill one another (mostly Rayla) to saving each other and Callum expressing it such a beautiful way by his speech with "Because she's Rayla" Playing in the background was just TO DIE FOR!!!! it was emotional, romantic, strong! It was everything! It wasnt forced it was just there in the perfect time. I can never stop praising the shows writers enough istg. Even rn im listening to that ost in the background.

I cant lie bc it was adorable seeing these two being all lovey dovey with each other by kissing and hugging etc. But when season 4 begins, their relationship is just not there anymore. Yes there are bits and pieces but they're scattered everywhere. Callum reminiscing about her and their time together gives us half of the answer. Something happened that pulled them apart but what is it?

When he was looking out in the balcony to the sky, their theme was also playing at the background but so soft and so weak that you felt Callums' pain. It was a sad track, it was a tragic track. Raylas' memories were still there but not herself. And it made him so sad that the dude said it was NOT his BIRTHDAY but the ANNIVERSARY OF RAYLAS' LEAVING!!!! THIS BOY CARES ABOUT RAYLA MORE THAN HE CARES ABOUT HIMSELF!!!

From then on the relationship starts to have a second build up. Its like strangers to friends to lovers to strangers to ??? . The only difference of this build up compared to first three seasons is that there is already an established relationship, its just broken. So in a way they start again. Going on adventures, being there for each other in case either of them needs help. Callum doesnt let his feelings for her suppress his hurt which was also caused by her but little by little it starts to heal. It starts to fix.

Here we see Rayla admit to her mistake of going after revenge and leaving the most important thing she has behind (aka Callum obv) . Her admitting this out loud is so great to hear. Because she know she made a mistake and that mistake hurt Callum and she intends to FIX that mistake. She gives him the space he needs while also staying close enough in case he would need her. Just like Soren said "sometimes you need time to work through the weird, and then it'll work out or dont. The heart do what it do or dont what it dont"

And thats exactly what happens! With time the awkwardness becomes less and less and their hearts do the job. Their feelings for each other were never gone in the first place, and when they both finally realise that it just keeps getting better. In the form of saving friends (Zym and Soren) they remember how it felt working together which helps them get closer.

But even tho they act close their words are still apart. They dont admit it. They dont talk about it. They just go along with it. But then Rayla gets caught sneaking Runaans' bow. When Callum orders them to release her even without knowing the reason why, Rayla picks up what he's putting down. He trusts her, he doesnt push her to explain him anything because he knows that she will when she is ready. She sees that there is still a chance to make things just like before maybe even better.

(Also in this scene when they're going to the grand bookery and they cross this path, she says "its an old wound that's healing" I cant help but feel like its a parallel to their relationship. The wound of leaving for two years but now finally working through it. Its just perfect)

So yep after everything she admits it, which is also perfect because she was the one that made a mistake so she does fix it and she does it right.

"Im glad we could be here together, looking at the stars..." She says.

And Callum feeling the same way rests his head on hers. ITS JUST PERFECT AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! THE WAY THAT THEY STILL KEEP TALKING ABOUT STARS AND THIS WHOLE SCENE HAVING AS MUCH POWER AS THEIR KISS SCENE AND DARE I SAY EVEN MORE (i dont know which wins bc i was jumping around screaming when they kissed after Callums' poetic speech LOL it was ROMANTIC ALRIGHT?! 😭😭😭😭 SAME GOES FOR THIS ONE)

And the thing is that it'ss so easy to mess up. They could've gone for a route like "hey im back after two years of absence" "Oh hi its great to see you again" And its not just the characters and their relationships but also the world that you're telling to the audience. It is so easy to get it wrong ESPECIALLY if you are writing Fantasy. With so many kingdoms, dragons, elves and other species with also magic its very very simple to mess up. Im glad that they went this way with the story telling. Its more natural, more enjoyable and it just works perfectly.

ANYWAY IVE BEEN WRITING THIS FOR WAY TOO LONG BUT IF YOU MANAGED TO FINISH READING IT TILL THE END OMG YOU'RE A FUCKING ROCKSTAR IDK I LOVE YOU THANK YOU!!! 😫😫😫💕💕💕💕

[katyawriteswhump]

power of love 20/21 (yes, we're nearly there!!!!)

steve has powers/eddie lives season 4 fix-it fic. The end will be up later this evening, I absolutely guarantee it😝!

blurb: Steve has a habit of surviving near death experiences then getting sick for no reason. And Eddie and those fatal bat bites? After an impossible feat of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Steve, he’s mysteriously fixed. So, Eddie’s back to being banished, this time with Steve and Robin in tow. Eddie’s healing, but Steve isn’t… and life gets even more confusing, when Eddie develops feelings for Steve, which aren’t entirely unrequited.

(or, lots of angst, fluff, idiots to lovers, eventual smut and happy ending)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19

The Mindflayer’s looming large over Hawkins, its shadow turning earth to ash. There’s no time to fool around learning new magic tricks, and Steve’s fine with that.

He needs this to be over. He needs the people he loves to be safe. If he wanted pressure to perform, he’s sure as heck got it now. There’s even a crazy part of him that wishes he was going into the Upside Down to face Vecna solo.

But he can’t do this alone, any more than El can.

They all need each other.

Which is nice.

He and Eddie pick their way through the latest piles of earthquake rubble on their way to meet the others. When Steve stretches out a hand to help Eddie, he runs his thumb over the back of Steve’s hand. Blush after happy blush races across Steve’s face.

Dammit, even the prospect of another face-off with Vecna feels okay when you’re in love.

When they reach Robin, Hopper and the others, various police and army personnel crowd around. Eddie presses close to Steve’s side, and their fingers touch, tangle. They don’t drop contact. Not for a second. A speedy pulse bangs heavily through Steve. He can’t tell if it’s his or Eddie’s or they’ve simply combined into a single super-sonic, super-cool bass-beat.

After a ton of arguing, Hopper and some government agent woman, Stinson, agree to their plan. The one where they head into the Upside Down to flush Vecna out and open a gate to the other other dimension from there. Eddie, Steve and El gear up with flak jackets. Steve wishes he had an ax or something. He needs some kinda weapon to stow on his back, and the a-hole military won’t share their hardware with untrained teens.

They do, though, lend themselves. El, Steve and Eddie enter the Upside Down through one of the less fiery fissures, which Vecna has opened up all over Hawkins, accompanied by a platoon of mean-ass, armed-to the-teeth Marines.

Who attempt not to look miffed about riding shotgun to a teenage girl and two dumbass punks.

“He’s still weak,” says El quietly. She’s gotten Hopper glued to her side. He looks even meaner than the sub-machinegun he’s carrying. “He’s lashing out because he’s scared. I can sense it. This is a good t—”

She’s drowned out by the rat-tat-tat of bullets ripping into the pack of demo-bats that swirls from the skeletal trees. Eddie pulses Steve’s hand.

“Gonna be okay, Eds,” he murmurs. “I’m kinda hungry. They get within a mile of you, I’ll pull another Ozzie.”

“Not gonna lie—you looked pretty spitting blood.”

Eddie’s grin is classic—cheeks bunching up, eyes crinkling. Steve’s slams him with his best wtf face, that melts hopelessly into a dopey look of love: “You’re a freakin’ hero, Eddie Munson. You’re also a total freak.”

“You wouldn’t have me any other way, Babe.”

Babe? No. Steve really wouldn’t.

Red lightning flashes in Eddie’s eyes, though it seems a touch weedier than before. El, Hopper and half the Marines head toward the scattered remnants of the Kreel house. Eddie, Steve and the rest head to the Watergate. They pick their way between vines that seem decidedly less moist and squelchy, as if already shrivelling up.

“Any clue what’ll happen when we suck the Lake into the Upside Down,” whispers Eddie.

“Not exactly. I’m doing this on trust. They want Vecna gone. They’re older, more powerful than Vecna. The flood worked in the tunnels, and it didn’t take out anybody I didn’t want gone, so…”

When they reach the gate, the soldiers form a protective circle around them. Steve and Eddie stand facing, clasping both of each other’s hands.

“Remind me how this works again?” asks Eddie, voice wobbling. From the corner of his eye, he’s spotted the same pack of demo-bats approaching as Steve has. The marines take aim.

“Love,” says Steve, forcing his mind onto the business in hand. “You focus on who you want to protect.”

Eddie’s nose crinkles. “Are we allowed a smidgeon of hate? Still wanna make this bastard pay. I’d give anything to go back, to protect Chrissy somehow.”

Steve thinks of Chrissy. And Barb. A lump as big as a marble lodges in his throat.  He remembers that yell in the first flood: GET OUT OF MY TOWN AND STAY AWAY FROM MY KIDS. They were pretty damn angry, and it worked.

“Fine. Let’s make him pay,” says Steve. “With love, okay? Son-of-a-bitch will hate that. Let’s make some thunder of our own, huh?”

“You’re the boss, Thor.”

“Haha.” Steve likes that nickname nearly as much as ‘Babe’ and ‘Stevie.’

He’s barely attempted to concentrate when the swarm of demobats circle away in the direction of the Kreel house.

“El’s found him,” says Eddie. “Looks like there’s life in the old dog yet.”

“Right. We’re on,” says Steve. “Imagine everyone you ever loved is in danger, and—”

“—they kinda are, Steve.”

“Gonna be easy then.”

And it is.

The instant Steve closes his eyes, electricity fizzes where he clasps Eddie. That crackling fills his head and chest. “I’d do anything to protect them,” he whispers. “Anything. But mainly… THIS.”

The thunderclap is beyond deafening and feels like it radiates from Steve’s chest. A swoop in his guts syncs with the drag of water from the lake on the other side of the gate. He screams hoarsely, Eddie too, as it wells up like a spring in the dry wasteland. A jet of pure crystal soon punctures a hundred yards into the ashy air before crashing to form a tide. On dividing like the waters of the Red Sea in that story, it gushes around Steve, Eddie, and the marines.

Over the tumult, Steve yells: “Now we open the gate.” El was gonna take care of forcing Vecna into oblivion.

Then he feels the jolt, like a heavy slap around the head. And the booming-synth voice that he’s never heard before but that’s one-hundred-percent Vecna.

“You wanted to protect them, Steve? You failed. You know you failed. They’re going to die. You’re all going to die."

Seriously, is that the best you can come up with?

Steve’s back in that in-between realm, though the mists are blotchy and red, as if they’d gotten a rash, and… Oh great! Tentacle-boy himself—in the Freddie-Kruger-esque flesh—splodges toward him, reaching out to grab him around the throat.

Steve can’t move. Even before his throat is grabbed, he can’t hardly breathe.

Horror seizes him, snatches even his will to fight.

For all of a millisecond.

Then THEY’RE here too, he knows it.

“Back off,” they say.

Steve is too busy choking to speak, so the whole telepathic crap comes in useful. Jesus, you’re both giving me a headache! Sort this one out between yourselves, okay?

“With pleasure, my darling. He won’t last long where we’re sending him. It’s been a fun respite from eternity watching you grow up.”

“Right,” splutters Steve. El was right. Vecna remains weak. Even now, he’s fading into the fog, his grip faltering. The lecture he’s giving about Steve killing Barb barely nicks at his conscience. Also, rings kinda desperate.

Because his water guardian is yelling louder, a wordless scream that’s doing Steve’s head in.

WANNA GET BACK TO EDDIE! CAN YOU PLEASE BOTH FUCK OFF ALREADY?

“Hey, Babe.”

Eddie?

The pressure on Steve’s throat releases completely. Steve can’t see Eddie, though he sees Eleven somehow. She’s striding through the mists, arm raised. She flings Vecna toward the vast channel of fast-flowing waters.

“You think I wouldn’t follow you into hell and back, Stevie?” says Eddie. “Incidentally, I’m totally kissing you right now. In front of a platoon of scary-ass marines.”

Hot, sniggers Steve. Let’s open that gate.

Suddenly, Eddie is holding one of his hands. El clasps the other.

“Get out of my town and stay away from my kids,” whispers Steve.

They send the riptide blitzing through the flooded Upside Down, sweeping up Vecna and every last demo-beastie through a gate to Christ knows where.

final chapter: epilogue part 2 on AO3 and Part 21 the end on tumbl🥳

no pressure tags (not least because it's been months! @kal-ology @estrellami-1

[whoiskt]

Severance Episode 1 Thoughts

These are going to be scattered questions that I'm pondering.

Is Helly lying or telling the truth?

When she says she woke up in a "boring ass apartment" and found a night gardener, she is either telling the truth, meaning her memory has been altered, or she's lying, in which case leads to another question.

2. Has Helly been replaced with Helena?

Either innie Helly is lying because she doesn't want to reveal her status as an outie (she doesn't have much motive to do this, unless she's worried about the consequences telling the team might have) or she is not an innie anymore, and is just outie Helena coming down and "playing" Helly. This is supported by the photoshopped image of the team in a motorcade with outie Helena--this simply would not happen, there is no reason for an Eagan to sabotage their own company like that. If she really did flip to being anti-severance procedure, there's no way she'd ever return, but as we've already seen, outie Helena is extremely apathetic to innies so there's little chance she would have changed her mind on this. "Helly" pointed out there's no more cameras, and restating that there's no more microphones--they aren't needed anymore because she is a spy. She wants the others to speak openly so she can get their secrets herself.

3. Why did Irving come back?

To me it's perfectly understandable that Mark came back (although more on that later) because he'd want to seek out his dead wife, Ms. Casey. Although we don't know much about outie Dylan, it's understandable he'd come back because he might not even realize his own involvement in what happened. If anything, he would have been fired. But Irving, who spends all the first episode trying to leave, would be super aware of his involvement, and thus his innie's unhappiness. To me, this just confirms my season 1 theory that Irving's outie has purposefully become a severed employee to do his own investigation into Lumon. Although, the fact innie Irving doesn't recognize the testing floor is interesting, I thought outie Irving was meditating on that image because it's leaked through from innie Irving's subconscious, but instead it seems like outie Irving is trying to get innie Irv to remember it, so that he will investigate it down there.

4. Is outie Mark dead?

I suspected this when he went up the elevator and immediately came back down, but I thought that could be an editing/stylistic choice. However, the last time things faded to black. This is heavily implying that he's not going anywhere else. The next episode seems to be about outie Mark, which might imply that he's alive, but it also could be a flashback episode. He also might not be dead, but might not exactly be a free man either. Either way, it's super suspect, and I wouldn't put it above Lumon to kill outie Mark as a coverup, or even for Mark to kill himself, sadly.

5. How long has it REALLY been? Why now?

Even Mark is questioning the "5 months" number he was given, but there was probably a time skip of some length. This gives time for Lumon to spin the story both inside and outside. We have almost no information on the outside, but on the inside it's clear that they had to at least pretend to make some changes. If Helena is pretending to be her innie, she probably needed time practice that, but if she really did have 5 months, then how come she couldn't have come up with a better lie than running into a "night gardener"? If anything, I'm guessing it has been shorter than 5 months, rather than longer. I think they want to pretend there was a period of massive reforms, when there has not been any yet.

Furthermore, there's the idea that Lumon doesn't fully understand what occurred during the overtime contingency. Helly's stunt was very public, but it also was an event that seemed to be mostly attended by pro-severance people who aren't so worried about the morals and ethics of it all. Containing that situation seems well within the realm of possibility. So getting the four of them back as soon as possible would be beneficial to doing damage control in regards to what Mark and Irving did.

6. Why is there a child working at Lumon?

Mark W. mentions that his branch shut down. This coupled with Huang's employment could imply that Lumon is doing so poorly perception-wise, that no one wants to work for them anymore, leaving them to take who they can get--even if that means hiring a child. This, and a child could be more easily groomed into the cult that is Lumon. Perhaps Mr. Milchick started young too, which could explain his oddities. Only people born and raised in the Kier cult get to be in positions of power at Lumon.

[cuddlytogas]

it's possible I made an extended playlist to give context to the classical (non-technically speaking) music in OFMD, with the pieces listed in historical/chronological order, and in the context of their full pieces (mostly - I'm not literally going to put entire operas on there, but symphonies and concertos have mostly been finished)

and it's possible that that playlist is ten hours long

and it's possible you can find it on spotify right now, and that below the cut is the full chronology

(edit: corrections welcome btw!!!! i am by no means a music historian, nor have any higher level music education, just a lifelong association and interest <3 if you know better than me, PLEASE let me know so it can be more accurate!)

N: most of the Vivaldi pieces don't really have any dates I could find, so they're just sort of scattered through the first few decades of the 18th century. and yes, technically the opening Corelli isn't in there, but I think putting another La Folia in is important for the context of s2!

1700 - Arcangelo Corelli, Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op 5 No 12 "La Follia"

1703-6 - George Frederic Handel, Keyboard Suite No 4 in D Minor, HWV 437

? - Antonio Vivaldi, Cello Concerto in G Minor, RV 416

1711 - Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto No 11 in D Minor for Two Violins and Cello RV 565

1715 - Georg Philipp Telemann, Sonata for Violin and Basso Continuo in G Major TWV 41:G1

1718-20 - Antonio Vivaldi, The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor Op 8

Early/mid C18 - Domenico Scarlatti, Keyboard Sonata in F Major, K 107

? - Antonio Vivaldi, Oboe Concerto in C, RV 452

1720s? - Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor, RV 531

1727 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe, BWV 156

1725-35 - Georg Philipp Telemann, Concerto for Recorder and Viola da Gamba in A Minor TWV 52:a1

? - Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto in G Minor, RV 576

1730 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Orchestral Suite No 3 in D Major, BWV 1068

? - Antonio Vivaldi, Piccolo Concerto in A Minor, RV 445

? - Antonio Vivaldi, Trio Sonata in D Minor, RV 63, 'La Follia'

1738 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Harpsichord Concerto No 4 in A Major, BWV 1055

1738-9 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056

Early/mid C18 - Domenico Scarlatti, Keyboard Sonata in E Major, K 380

1741 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

1747 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Musical Offering, BWV 1079

1747-8 - George Frederic Handel, Concerto in F Major, No 16, HWV 305a

1773 - Mozart, Symphony No 25 in G Minor, K 183

1782 - Mozart, String Quartet No 14 in G Major, K 387

1795 - Beethoven, Piano Sonata No 2 in A Major, Op 2 No 2

1792 - Beethoven, Piano Sonata No 3 in C Major, Op 2 No 3

1780 - Mozart, Symphony No 34 in C Major, K 338

1786 - Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (excerpts)

1810? - Beethoven, Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59: Für Elise

1811-12 - Beethoven, Symphony No 7 in A Major, Op 92

1826 - Franz Schubert, Ständchen (Serenade) "Horch, horch, die Lerch!" D 889

1827 - Franz Schubert, 4 Impromptus, Op 90, D 899

1833-4 - Felix Mendelssohn, Lieder Ohne Worte, Book 2, Op 30

1835 - Frédéric Chopin, 12 Études, Op 25 (excerpts)

1838 - Robert Schumann, Kinderszenen, Op 15 (excerpts)

1838 - Franz Liszt, arr., 12 Lieder von Franz Schubert, S 558, No 9

1842 - Frédéric Chopin, Waltz No 12 in F Minor, Op 70, No 2

1871 - August Wilhelmj, arr., Air on a G String

1874 - Giuseppi Verdi, Messa da Requiem (excerpts)

1878 - Antonín Dvořák, String Sextet in A Major Op 48

1888-91 - Claude Debussy, Two Arabesques, L 66

1890 - Claude Debussy, Rêverie, L 68

1888, 89, 90 - Erik Satie, Trois Gymnopédies, Gnossienne No 5, Trois Gnossiennes