#and I'll celebrate all my victories along the way

[whore-ibly-hot]

Yan!Cage-Fighter x Fem!Reader

'Paying bills ain't easy'

18+ Minors DNI

Warnings: Toxic behavior, traditionally masculine roles, power dynamics, violence, murder, jealousy, subpar spanish, cursing, mentions of sex, description of unsafe neighborhoods.

(AN: I know I said I was working on the part two for the fae fic, and a fashion designer piece, but the idea for this guy hit me like a train. Apologies for any Spanish mistakes, I'm coming along in my learning!)

The sound of raucous cheering rings out throughout the crowd of the 'Dog Pit' Den, Harlem's most prolific underground fighting spot. Fighters from all over the city come here to try and earn a living wage. Backbreaking, degrading work, boxing, kicking, and spitting in the no-rules ring. A crack, a cheer, and the sound of a collapsing body, before the announcer yells that Matias Lopez has taken yet another challenger down. A sweaty, tanned man hops back and forth on his feet, arms raised in the air as he celebrates his victory.

"Ladies and gentleman, Matias 'The Mayhem' has taken down yet another challenger! You know what that means! Make some noise!" The announcer yells, and the room shakes with boos and cheers, the stomping of feet making the ground tremble. "Matias Lopez has won the 500 dollar Rookie Fighters Championship prize!" Another round of yells, and Matias spits on the ground. He makes his way out of the cage, kissing the rosary his mother always makes him wear, even when he's cracking skulls in an illegal cage-fighting circuit. To be fair, she doesn't know. He sighs, tearing his fist-wrappings off and running a hand through his sweaty locks. He changes out of his outfit, switching into a casual gray hoodie, a pair of sweats, and some slides. After reapplying deodorant, he hears someone outside. One of the guys who runs the 'Dog Pit' has come to give him his check.

"Yo, Matias, my man!" He greets, slapping a hand on Matias's toned shoulder. "Me and some of the 'execs' as we've taken to calling ourselves are gonna hit the club', you in?" Mattias, clicks his tongue, and shakes his head. "Nah man, not tonight. I gotta get home n' see my girl. I was supposed to be home earlier." He glances down at the floor. "Shit, alright man, here's your check. I'll see you later." Mattias nods as the man heads out, stuffing the check into his duffle bag, before sliding out the alley exit.

Matias and you have been dating for a little over a year now. Both of you met in a pretty rough part of town, he was working a day-job at a gas station, and you were a cafe worker. He'd come in occasionally, claiming that the gas station coffee just wasn't up to his standards. He scared you, at first. Mattias has a very tough exterior, tattoos and muscles, but an even tougher interior. He was kind of stoic when you first met, and you couldn't quite get a read on him. He wasn't outwardly flirty or affectionate, which is why it took six weeks of him stopping by the coffee shop for him to pull you aside and ask what he was doing wrong, and why you weren't picking up on his advances. You had explained, and shortly after that you began dating. It was only a month or so into dating when you had learned of his cage-fighting career, but he assured you that he was tough, and no guy was gonna hurt him. You both needed the money on the side, so you reluctantly agree. That's what leads up to where you are now, passed out on your couch, waiting for him to come home.

He heads towards your shared apartment as quickly as he can, taking the subway about 8 blocks east, before running up the fire escape to the flat's balcony. He knows you deadbolted the door any time past 8:00, and doesn't blame you. It's kind of a dangerous neighborhood, and he feels bad enough leaving his girl home alone as much as he does.

"Pobre mami, espero que no me haya esperado." (Poor mami, hope she didn't wait up for me.) He pulls up the window, making sure to slip in quietly, in case you had already gone to sleep. As he places one foot on the floor, the wood barely creaks beneath him, when he hears a soft groan coming from the couch.

"Matty?" You mumble, sitting up from the plush couch and rubbing your eyes, trying to make out his large silhouette. He sighs, tossing his bag to the side as he stretches "Hey, hermosa, did I wake you up?" He asks, looking at you with his usual hooded gaze. "I guess, I don't think I was asleep that long..." You run a hand through your hair. "How'd it go?" He smiles softly, chuckling. "You know me, baby, I don't lose." He sits on the arm of the couch. "Gotchu' five hundred dollars, gonna' get you something real pretty with it." You sigh, and shake your head. "You've got me plenty of gifts, what we should be doing is saving up for somewhere else to live." You explain. He shrugs. "Yeah, you right, you right. That's my bad." He puts his hands up in surrender. "Well, if you aren't gonna let me get you somethin' pretty, you outta lemme' take ya to bed." Before you can react, he scoops you up in his arms, causing you to squeak.

"Don't scare me like that, God!" You smack his chest, but your hand only bounces off his firm pecs. e chuckles. "Gonna' have to hit harder than that, mami." He flicks off the living room light as he carries you to your shared bed. He lays you down, gently this time as opposed to the times he throws you on the bed, usually to pin you down and tickle you, saying things like '¿Qué pasa, bonita? Solo empújame, no es tan difícil...' (What's wrong, Pretty? Just push me off, it's not that hard...). Sometimes though, his manhandling isn't that innocent. As you snuggle down into the bed, Matias strips off his hoodie, and you blush at the way the light coming in through the blinds hits his chest. He lets out a soft groan, as the plush mattress and soft bed sheets soothe his sore body. Matias bites his lips as his eyes trace over your sleepy form, and he rolls over onto his side, tucking an arm around your waist.

"Mmm, no Matias... m' too tired tonight." You whisper, your face scrunching up. Matias was never a very soft guy. Playful and devilish, sure, but soft? No. His hands were calloused from years of bruising skin and bloodying faces, working and scrounging every penny he can get to get a better life for himself. Deep down, he couldn't imagine placing these damaged, dangerous hands on something as soft and sweet as you. He could snap you in half if he desired, and the thought terrifies him.

"What, no baby... I'm not tryna' smash at-" He looks over at the clock. "Shit, 1:00 am already? Jesus Christo..." He turns back to you. "Just wanna hold you, mami." He presses his long torso up against the curve of your back, pressing his face into your curls and inhaling your scent. "You feeling okay?" You ask. He knows he doesn't. He knows he should have been home for you sooner, and it didn't help that he had to make a stop on the way back home.

He feels a sense of dread in his stomach. You won't ever know about the stop he made, you were asleep. Besides, he comes home late all the time. What you will learn about is your bloodied new co-worker being found with his skull smashed in, just a few blocks from the cafe. Due to the graphic scene he left behind, it's sure to be on the morning news. Matias hadn't expected your new friend to be working the late shift, but he was still on an adrenaline high from the fight, and god... he couldn't stand the idea of that bitch getting to spend more time with you than him. He wants to be home for you more, he does, but he can't. Still, that doesn't mean he's going to let any other guy fill that void. Hell no.

"I'm fine, Hermosa. Just sore from the fight, wanna' hold my baby." He whispers, placing a chapped kiss on the shell of your ear, making you flinch. "That tickles..." You giggle. He smiles, and squeezes you gently. "C'mon, stop being silly. Necesitas descansar, especialmente después de quedarte despierto para mí." (You need to sleep, especially after staying up for me.) He scolds. You roll over to face him, and tuck your head into the crook of his neck. "Love you, Matty." You sleepily coo, before drifting off in his arms. He freezes, his breath labored for a minute as he looks down at you. Even now, after dating for so long, he can't process the softness of you juxtaposed with the beatings he both takes and gives every other weeknight. It's a transition he sometimes struggles to handle. He feels a smile creep onto his face, and he curls your small form into him, practically cradling you against his broad chest. God, he'll take on an extra five challengers next time, all for you.

"Gonna get you a penthouse baby, real nice neighborhood too. Somewhere safe, somewhere that makes me feel better about leavin' you all alone..." He whispers, knowing you can't really hear him. "Better not have anyone but me over, no fucker's from work, aight'? I'll kick the shit out of any of em' just for you..."

[bumblebeehug]

A Way Into Your Heart

Summary: After a friendly night out, Natsu and Lucy connect under the street lights. Notes: I just wanted to write about them kissing. I have no other excuse for not writing on my last nalu week fanfic - I just wanted them to smooch for ten pages, so that's what I did! Ao3

***

Lucy was feeling hot. She was currently mushed between a fire dragon slayer and a very sweaty Ichya at the bar. The Fairy Tail guild had been invited to yet another event that they didn't deserve to go to. Even if they helped save Christina from getting destroyed by enemies, the town beneath the flying ship hadn't been as lucky. Still, Blue Pegasus were persistent that they had to thank Fairy Tail, so here they all were, crammed into a semi big pub in the outskirts of Magnolia, drinking and celebrating yet another victory.

"You okay?" Natsu leaned towards Lucy and whispered in her ear. The blast of hot air made Lucy sweat.

"It's weird that he doesn't smell bad," Lucy complained, adding a slight nod towards Ichya. As she glanced towards him she noticed that he was flaring his nostrils and bending towards her. She could only cringe. "He's smelling me…"

Natsu poked his head forward and gave Ichya a menacing stare. Sadly, Ichya was far too drunk to care. When Natsu's tactic to scare him away didn't work, he slid off the bar stool and pulled Lucy away.

"That creep," he muttered, placing a protective arm over Lucy's shoulders. "How hasn't he gotten locked up yet?"

Lucy let out a small giggle.

"It's not against the law to be weird. Plus, he's dating my great grandmother, he can't be that crazy."

Natsu huffed in response.

"Don't brag 'bout having a weirdo family tree."

Lucy stuck out her tongue. No matter how close they got, or how long their friendship lasted, Natsu would never stop calling her that. She wouldn't be surprised if he wrote R.I.P. Weirdo on her headstone one day.

On another note, Lucy was craving a new drink. She had only gotten halfway on her previous one since Natsu pulled her away, so after some coercion she got him to pay for her new one.

"I'll get us some seats," she said, pushing him back towards the bar, along with a small prayer that he wouldn't get carried away and confront Ichya. That could only lead to the fire alarm going off, best case, or worst, the bar turning into ashes, which would definitely ruin the festive mood. After scanning the tables she noticed a table for two where one guy had fallen asleep. The many empty beer glasses in front of him indicated that his night out was coming to an end. Lucy threaded over to him, careful not to bump into anyone with a drink in their hand. A sticky dress wasn't pleasant.

"Excuse me, sir?" Lucy spoke loudly in hope that he hadn't fallen asleep just yet. After a couple of pokes he finally looked at her. "Sir, could my friend and I use this table?"

The man looked like he was going through the worst kind of drunk — the kind where he'll wake up the next morning in a bush with his pants halfway down, wondering why his lip is hurting and soon learning that some other drunk guy tried to pierce it with a safety pin. He had left a puddle of drool on the table in front of him, and it was obvious that Lucy's words didn't connect. They had gone in through one ear and out the other. Still, she tried again, being sure to keep her distance, just in case.

"Could we have this table?" She shouted this time, finally hearing her own voice over the myriad of others. That seemed to go through to the man as well.

"Y-yearh…" he slurred, slowly standing up from the chair, knocking down multiple glasses in the process. Good thing they were plastic and not glass. "Hu… here ya' go sweetie…"

Lucy smiled politely as thanks. She wasn't exactly scared of drunk people — most of them were quite kind, and she knew that if anything were to happen, she'd have two guilds and all her spirits to back her up. Still, she preferred to not start a commotion. Natsu didn't have a reputation for staying calm and collected when people bothered her.

Luckily the guy left before Natsu came with the drinks. The table itself was disgusting, but it was nice not having to sit all crammed in between people in the bar. Besides, a waitress was quick to spot them, wiping down the table and bringing the used glasses with her.

"One pornstar martini for you," Natsu said, placing a pretty reddish orange drink in front of her, "and a whiskey on the rocks for me." Lucy smiled brightly.

"Thanks!" She picked up the rounded martini glass and held it up. "Here's a toast then, for a free drink!"

"And for finding a table," Natsu added, picking up his glass as well.

"And for Christina!"

"And toast to another victory for Fairy Tail!"

"Hear hear," Lucy said, giving Natsu's glass a small clink before finally tasting her drink. It was a delicious blend of sweet passion fruit, mixed with vanilla vodka and a splash of lime. She let out a squeak in delight — few things made her happier than an alcoholic drink where she couldn't taste the alcohol. They may be dangerous, but she saw no joy in consuming drinks with that bitter spiciness. "This is delicious! What's it called, did you say?"

"Pornstar martini!" Natsu leaned slightly over the table to ensure that he was heard.

"What a vulgar name…" Lucy muttered under her breath, confirming to Natsu that she had heard him. It sure was convenient that he had that excellent hearing — way less shouting. "How was yours?"

"Pretty good," Natsu said, "wanna taste?"

Lucy couldn't resist the offer. She knew she wouldn't enjoy it herself, but after drinking with Natsu for a few years, she learned that different whiskeys had different tastes. Some were quite sweet and fruity, others had nutty notes. With a tiny sip from this glass, she learned that he had gotten his favourite kind — the one with spicy and smoky notes. She made a face.

"Bleh! It's your type of drink, alright," she confirmed, sticking out her tongue to lessen the strong taste. The most she could enjoy whiskey was if it was as a highball or a whiskey sour — she avoided straight on the rocks as the plague. Luckily, she always had Natsu to drink them for her if she was served any.

"What an ugly face!" Natsu laughed, snickering at her scrunched facial expression.

"It's unnatural to be calm after drinking something like that," she countered with a sour face, trying to hide the smile in the corner of her mouth. "At least my drink resembles something edible instead of sharing more similarities with gasoline than a drink." This time Natsu was the one to poke out his tongue.

"Let me taste yours then," he dared her.

"Fine." She slid her drink over, watching him take a sip.

"Too sweet," Natsu said, contorting his face to further prove his point. "It's just sugar! Makes my teeth feel icky."

"It's not just sugar! It's fruity and sour and has that perfect amount of vanilla flavour to it. Don't pride yourself in having uncultured taste buds."

They always ended up bantering like this when they shared drinks, but Lucy found it to be pleasant banter. The kind she remembered when she woke up the next morning, earning a giggle, thinking of all the fun retorts that had been said. She knew that Natsu shared her sentiment, not letting his soft facial expressions go past her. Even when he tried to rile her up by blowing raspberries and feigning annoyed sighs, she could see how his eyes were squinted together into a constant smile. She never felt like she had to second guess their friendship.

Four drinks and three shots later, they decided it was time to head back to Lucy's apartment. Natsu wasn't as much of a lightweight as Lucy, but even he felt the effects from having one too many vanilla vodka shots. Plus, the constant blush on Lucy's face and her jokes that were gradually getting flirtier were enough for Natsu to close the tab for the night.

He stood up from his chair and swiftly helped Lucy up as well. She was still giggling at a joke she had said ten minutes earlier and was swaying like crazy once she stood up. As the pub was still crowded, Natsu held a tight and steady arm around her as they made their way to Makarov and Bob's table. Even though he'd never let anything bad happen on the way home, he felt like it was good to inform them that they were leaving.

"Natsu," Lucy called out, squirming around in his grip around her, trying to face his ear. "Doesn't Master Bob's head look like a chestnut?" She whispered silently, making sure not to be heard by anyone other than him. When her lips accidentally brushed against Natsu's earlobe he felt a violent shiver – a pleasant, but violent shiver throughout his body.

"I wouldn't tell him that though," Natsu answered, leading to a new fit of giggles from Lucy. After all, he agreed with her statement.

After giving the supposed responsible adults a heads up, Natsu could finally lead Lucy out of the premises. The cool night breeze was heavenly after having breathed the same air as at least a hundred other drunkards for hours. Some fresh air was precisely what Lucy seemed to need as well, since she sobered up quite a bit from just stepping outside. She was still clearly loopy, but at least she wasn't laughing like a crazy person anymore.

"Finally, some air!" Lucy exclaimed, stretching the one arm that wasn't glued to Natsu's upper body. He still hadn't let go of her – for all he knew, she could have been too drunk to walk straight. Though as soon as he noticed that that wasn't the case, he lightened his grip around her, settling for resting his arm over her shoulder. That way she wouldn't be out of reach if she stumbled and fell.

"Our friends really know how to party," Natsu said with a big grin. He really loved having fun with everyone – it was an unparalleled bonding experience in his eyes.

"Yeah they do," Lucy giggled, resting her head against Natsu's shoulder. "By the way, who won the shot contest before?"

"Cana 'fcourse."

"But she wasn't in the contest," she puzzled, furrowing her eyebrows in an attempt to piece it all together.

"You think she cared 'bout that?"

"Ah, of course not."

They continued walking in silence for a while. The pub they had been to was on the opposite side of Magnolia, though luckily Lucy's place was pretty much right in the middle. They hadn't walked on this side of Strawberry Street in a long time – last time must have been back when Lucy, Natsu and Happy had just formed a team and Natsu and Happy had taken her sightseeing in the city. Most stores and pubs were between Fairy Tail and Lucy's apartment though, so on this side there were mostly residents. Still, the river was as thrilling as always to a drunk Lucy. She managed to slither her way out of his grip four times, attempting to balance the ledge. Natsu, however, absolutely couldn't let her do that. He wasn't sober enough to tend to her like he usually could, so the risks were too high.

"Come on," she whined after being caught again, giving the o an emphasis. "I've never fallen in, you know that!"

"Yeah well that's 'cus I always catch ya'!"

Before Lucy could slip out of his half embrace for the fifth time, Natsu took a firm grip of her hand. Rough in his motion, he brought their hands up in front of her face, making sure she saw him holding on tightly.

"I'm not letting ya' go this time." His eyebrows weighed heavily on his eyelids as he tried to emphasise his annoyance with her. Of course, he wasn't actually annoyed, but if he looked like he was joking, Lucy would just giggle and continue struggling. He'd gone through this before.

Lucy wasn't blind. She saw the smirk in the corner of his mouth, but she decided to follow his lead this time.

"Fiiine." She quickly stuck out her tongue at him before she looked forward again. They had already gotten quite far, they'd be home in just under ten minutes.

It only took a couple of steps before Natsu softened his grip around Lucy's hand. With the new motion range she'd received, she swiftly changed the position, braiding her fingers into his. Another couple of steps and she felt a soft caress against the back of her hand. Natsu's rough, warm thumb, rhythmically moving. His hand was warm, she noticed. Well, of course it would be. It was Natsu after all. She rarely held colder hands, other than Levy's now and then when they were sharing excitement over a new book arriving in their library. Levy's hands however were small and soft, nothing like Natsu's. She was once again made aware of the fact that he wasn't just another girlfriend she hung out with – he was a man. Broad shoulders, big square hands, feet several sizes bigger than hers. Most days she wore heels, but when they were in her apartment, only socks on their feet, she noticed that she had to bend her neck a little bit further back when talking to him. He wasn't the tallest man, but he was over half a head taller than her.

Even with the cool breeze outside she felt her cheeks getting warm. She'd blame it on the booze if he asked her, but she knew very well that she was getting flustered. Natsu was a really cool guy after all, chiselled features and fierce, fiery eyes.

To distract herself she started swinging their hands. It started out mild, but soon enough she noticed Natsu was in on it and the swinging motion rapidly became comically big. Since Natsu didn't hold back on his strength he almost lifted Lucy up in the air on the upswing.

"Eeeek!" Lucy's high pitched shriek left Natsu in a fit of snickers, though he stopped swinging his arm.

Lucy had to find her balance again. Even if she wasn't wearing her highest heels, the ones she wore were thin and extremely wobbly on the cobblestoned path.

"To think that you'd be the one who would try to throw me in the river, out of all people," she teased, leaning her weight on him.

"Thought ya' wanted the lesson," he countered, leaning back. He couldn't help but love Drunk Lucy's cravings to be physically close. She never declined holding his hand or hugging him when she was tipsy, hell, she usually begged for cuddles. Though, to be fair, he hadn't exactly tried to hold her hand very often while sober, either, so she wasn't the one to blame for that.

Just then Lucy saw a familiar brick wall in the distance, dimly lit up by the sparsely placed street lights surrounding the area.

"Hey, we're home!" She started picking up the pace, eager to wash up and surround herself with her warm blankets. Soon they were in front of the building, and Lucy started digging for her keys in her purse. She just managed to get the key into the door before she turned around to say something to Natsu.

As soon as she spun her head around though, she got stopped in her tracks. Whatever she just wanted to say flew straight out of her head. He looked gorgeous. His hair was a bit messy from the long night, and his usual styled bang was hanging down over his forehead. The light from the street lamp behind him, made his hair lit up like a halo around him. And his face, she couldn't recall a time he had looked at her this softly. His lips were curved into a gentle, mild smile, and his eyes were practically sparkling. For a second it looked like he was going to say something, but it seemed like he had stopped himself mid thought. Instead his head tilted the slightest to its left, gaining an observing gaze. He was thinking of something, and she couldn't quite tell what.

Lucy looked like a puppy, Natsu realised. Her eyes resembled gemstones, glimmering between a deep chestnut colour and a lighter amber tone. He could stare at them all night, though, sooner or later she would probably want to go to sleep. For now though she had this questioning look to her. She was smiling, but her eyebrows were slightly raised, as if she was inviting him to ask her anything – tell her anything. He almost felt dizzy looking at her, her hair was giving this golden sheen, her skin looked airbrushed with that pinkish blush on the apples of her cheeks. She was angelic. Before he had noticed, he was hovering slightly over her. Had he gone a centimetre closer their noses would have bumped together.

Suddenly he got this urge. A question he had to ask her, something he'd never let pass his lips if he had taken one less whiskey tonight.

"Can I kiss you?"

The air between them stood still. In fact, they could swear the time stood still as well. Lucy was processing his words, and Natsu was waiting for an answer. A yes, a smile, even half a nod would suffice. And there it was. Lucy had wetted her lips.

She barely had time to take a breath before Natsu crashed his mouth against hers. For some reason she was surprised – she thought the moment had called for a soft, fluttery kiss, but soon her surprise was drowned in awe. After all, this was her very first kiss. She wanted to be in the moment. The initial crash had been the most forceful part. Natsu quickly adapted, moulding his lips against hers with a soft motion to it. One of his hands had been cupping her cheek when he first brought his face to hers, and now his other hand was on her waist, pulling her entire body closer to his.

Lucy, who felt like she was melting under his hot touch, was quick to wrap her arms around his neck in an attempt to hoist herself up, getting tangled up in his scarf. His mouth was burning hot, but just cool enough for her not to want to pull away, and at the edge of his lips she could feel his stubble scratching her. How could they have waited so long to do this?

She hadn't yet gotten the hang of breathing while kissing yet though, so soon she had to pat out. While panting for air, she noticed that Natsu was still bent over, giving light pecks on her cheek, continuing down, kissing a trail along her jaw. As he neared her ear he gave her a nibble, earning a giggle that could easily have been confused with a gasp to someone with an untrained ear. She could feel her entire body tingling, every fluttery graze from Natsu's lips leaving her with goosebumps. Did he know the effect this had on her? That she couldn't help but to get confused about what their relationship was currently. What were they doing?

When Natsu noticed that Lucy had catched her breath, he picked his head up from being buried in her neck. The eyes he earlier had compared to a puppy's glimpse, were now darkened in a seductive gaze. Her rosy, now plump, lips were slightly parted as an aftereffect of her panting, and he suddenly had to know what they tasted. They looked so soft, no – they were evidently soft, so certainly they had to be sweet as well. Her lip gloss, though smudged from him having mushed it around, made her look appetising.

Once again Natsu closed their distance, though this time he left his mouth slightly open. He just wanted to see if those lips really were as sweet as they looked. Lucy, who still was in a daze, having closed her eyes to invite him to further action, suddenly became aware of what he was doing. Natsu's tongue brushed over Lucy's bottom lip. She could feel her heartbeat pick up – she had never felt another person's tongue on her mouth. That didn't mean she didn't like it: if anything she wanted to do the same to him. Lick him, see what sensations he could give her, what she could give him.

On accident, Lucy's tongue met Natsu's. She was about to retreat it back into her mouth when she felt Natsu's tongue enter her mouth completely. The bodily reactions she had to his action was like nothing she had ever felt before – hadn't she known better, she would think she was about to get eaten. Devoured by the lust that had taken over their brains. Natsu tasted like smoke and whiskey, and she wondered if he could feel the aftertaste of the drinks she had had as well. Lucy quickly decided that she couldn't just be on the receiving side. She brought her hands to his head, did a combing motion through his hair that almost stopped Natsu in his tracks, and when he no longer dominated their combined mouthspace, Lucy pushed forward her own tongue. She started exploring his mouth, examining every single part of that grin that she found in all her happiest dreams. This was Natsu, no frowns, no barriers, nothing that kept space between them. They were melting together into one.

Natsu had been caught off guard when Lucy's slender fingers started combing through his hair. A motion he had always connected to being soothed while motion sick, was now edging him on, giving him the extra courage to go all in. As Lucy's tongue searched around in his mouth, feeling the sharp canines with its tip, Natsu started sucking hers in retaliation. Kissing reminded him of sparring, in a way – a balance between fighting for the upper hand and learning to give up when the other clearly was winning.

Their arms had been flailing around for the past five minutes, tugging and pulling at their partner. Lucy was busy holding on to Natsu's shoulders, sometimes trailing down to rest on his chiselled chest, but mostly finding themselves back around Natsu's face – cupping his cheeks, getting her fingers tangled up in his soft hair, drawing small circles on the back of his neck, all things that made Natsu feel like he was going insane. How could her soft touches have such huge impacts? But he absolutely wasn't complaining, he was soaking everything up, wanting to remember every detail. He was totally wrapped around her finger.

Lucy shared his sentiment, as Natsu's hands had been trailing down her waist, sometimes staying there in a massaging motion, sometimes going down further to grip her hips. Then she found him going back up again, cupping her face, bringing her so close that not an atom could pass by. She was obsessed. He was pressing his entire body against her, even putting a leg between hers, resulting in a very embarrassing moan from Lucy.

This entire time that they had been kissing, Lucy hadn't heard a single thing, being so wrapped up in their actions and in her own headspace. When she suddenly let her voice out, it was as if the bubble that had been around them burst. She could only take another few seconds of their smacking and panting, before she had to pull away.

"Oh my god, Natsu," she breathed, taking in the scene of the man in front of her. He, too, was panting, but had the air of being able to continue for eternity. His eyes looked even darker than usual, like they were in this limbo of determination and lust. He seemed to be waiting for her to continue talking. "We're still outside."

She almost smiled when she heard how stupid she sounded. Being outside wasn't the problem – kissing her best friend in a drunk haze was. Natsu seemed like he hadn't even considered the consequences of what they were doing. He just smirked as he answered.

"Then we'll go in." His voice was huskier than it had been earlier this night. Like a switch had flipped and some instincts were speaking, deep from his soul. Those words were all it took for Lucy to swing the port open from behind, falling back into the dim hallway that led up to her apartment's front door. Natsu immediately kissed her again, while simultaneously struggling to get the keys out of the keyhole. When he did manage, however, he didn't hesitate a second to hoist Lucy up so she was straddling his lower stomach. Lucy was quick on the notes, wrapping her legs around him so she wouldn't slide down when he carried them up the stairs.

As soon as they went through the door and threw off their shoes, Lucy jumped down from him. The kiss, that had been deep on their way up – lots of tongue and saliva, was interrupted as she took his hand and headed straight for the bed. Natsu was walking slightly behind, worshipping the sway of her hips and her sculpted back underneath that flowy red dress. He would have kneeled, hadn't he been following her footsteps towards his version of heaven – Lucy's bed, with Lucy in it.

The apartment wasn't big, so it took ten steps to stand in front of the bed. Lucy turned around, and Natsu's breath was once again taken away. He wanted to treasure her like gold, yet at the same time he wanted every piece of her. He wanted the privilege to touch her, feel her, know her. And as Lucy's lips turned upwards into a smile, he knew that she was allowing him. So he brought her face close again, accidentally bumping their foreheads together, like they had done many times before, and then he closed his eyes and gave her the softest peck on her lips he could manage. Their first kiss, outside of the apartment, had been rough and clumsy, experimental even. Now he just revelled in being allowed to feel those soft, warm lips that had been plumped up by his own doing.

And after that first peck, he gave her one again. Then a third time. Then he slowly brought them down on the bed, and then Lucy took the lead again. She figured that they could do a mixed style of kissing – no major tongue events, no extra saliva, but also no pecking. She held her mouth half open, sort of closing off any attempted entrance Natsu might want to do with his tongue, and instead softening her lips and tongue, making the make out style deep, but gentle. Natsu was of course quick on the notes and followed her lead, liking the mood it set between them. No crazy panting, no feelings of rushing, just them, there, kissing.

Now, even if Lucy could have done this all night, she realised something important. More important than the half-way relationship they had created this last half hour. Yes, she realised she was lying in bed with outdoor clothes. The realisation made her still, prompting Natsu to pause the kissing. He was still hovering over her, though their legs had tangled together, and now that he wasn't kissing her he realised Lucy's skirt had ridden up quite high. He swooped her sweaty bangs to the side.

"What's the matter?" He asked.

"We have to strip," Lucy said, crawling out of his grip and up, walking to her dresser.

"What?"

"Oh, Natsu, come on. Think! We've been to the pub in these clothes, it's disgusting!" Before Natsu could even register the fact that she first of all hadn't implied what he thought she implied, and then register that he had to change out of his clothes, Lucy had switched her dress to a night gown and taken off her jewellery.

"Right," he mumbled, surprised that Lucy was so composed, despite their situation. He certainly didn't feel composed. "Are my sweatpants in the drawer?"

"Yeah," she said, picking them up and throwing them on the bed. She wanted to brush through her hair before going to sleep – it helped it stay tangle free during the night.

Natsu took off his scarf and unbuttoned the shirt he was wearing. He didn't mind undressing in front of Lucy, but after tonight he felt like it was odd. His life had just changed for the better, yet they still had to eat, sleep, brush their teeth, go to the toilet – change clothes. It would be much better if he could just kiss Lucy non-stop, for eternity.

As he changed out of his dress pants and into his sweatpants, Lucy took a glance at him. He looked like a God with his physique, the perfect muscle definition and the tan he had left from the summer – she wanted to feel every crevice. Normally, she would have shaken off the thought and made some tea to cool her head off, but with alcohol in her blood and with the current situation, she allowed herself to be bold. She snuck up behind him, though she knew he could probably hear her footsteps. With a soft touch, she felt the dip where his spine was buried with muscle – starting at his neck and slowly following it down to his lower back, stopping once she felt the curve change from convex to concave.

She had never seen him this turned on. The entire room felt electric, and when she looked up from his back, she saw that he was watching her in his peripherals. It only took him a second to turn around and lock himself to her lips, and this time she was practically thrown onto the bed. He was eating her, lightly pulling at her bottom lip until he once again dove down in her mouth. If the previous kissing had been gentle and kind, this was the heavy stuff. A string of saliva connected their mouths when they pulled apart for a second, like it was telling them to get back in again. And they obeyed.

Natsu's hands were roaming Lucy's body, no longer stopping at the friendly zones. Her nightgown showed so much skin that he would have thought she wore it to seduce him, hadn't he known better. Luckily, that meant easy access to grab a handful of her ass, earning an airy moan from Lucy.

She, too, was busy feeling Natsu up. She consistently held him close to feel as every muscle on his back was working. When she felt company at his groin being rubbed up against her, she once again felt her voice slip out, though this time she stifled it by clawing at his back. That only seemed to edge him on more though, since the accidental rubbing started feeling more intentional.

Natsu started kissing Lucy's neck again, though this time he didn't leave dry, fluttery kisses, but rather a wet trail of saliva as his tongue travelled down towards her collar bones. Lucy felt like she was floating – he was warm, made her sweaty, yet he gave her goosebumps like he was paid for each shiver, searching everywhere on her body to earn a new one. As he settled on a spot right below her collarbone, just where the flesh of her breast started, she felt a sucking sensation. He was grabbing the skin in the area with his teeth, and Lucy wasn't sure if it was painful or the best feeling ever – perhaps a mix of both.

"God, Natsu," she breathed, feeling her voice waver as one of his hands held her waist tight.

Natsu, who must have decided that his hickey was finished, hoisted himself up. Lucy suspected he was having a hard time holding himself back, the sheen on his temples and his puzzled eyes giving it away. Without a word they seemed to have agreed to take a breather, Natsu leaning himself against the window while trying to compose himself, Lucy throwing her legs over the edge of the bed to gather her thoughts as well.

Though the silence was loud now that the room wasn't filled with their smacking and panting, it wasn't uncomfortable. It was ambiguous worst case, which Lucy didn't associate with bad.

"Look, I…" Lucy started, turning her head to face Natsu's. "I don't have any condoms."

Her face immediately turned red once she said it, and she regretted having turned to look at Natsu's reaction. His eyes widened and his mouth fell agape – had her implication been that horrible?

"Now that'cha mention it, me neither."

He laughed. Slowly at first, but when Lucy joined in they fell into giggles. It wasn't the end of the world, so there were no hard feelings. Though Natsu had a hard feeling that he had to deal with… He'd have to do it quietly in the bathroom before they went to bed.

Lucy turned around properly to look at Natsu again.

"I think we should… talk. About this." She looked serious again, but not in a stern or menacing way. "It's not that I don't want to do it. I do." Her face was blushing, but she continued speaking. "I just don't think it's a terrible idea to wait. At least until we're sober?"

Natsu nodded. Of course he could wait, he wasn't exactly fond of the idea of going all the way when they were this drunk and naive. He wanted her to feel into it, for her to be able to call their first night special.

"Yeah, let's do that. Should we go brush our teeth?"

Lucy let out a tired giggle.

"Yeah, I need some water as well."

As soon as they went back to bed, they realised that they didn't want to stop kissing just yet. After all, once you got the hang of it, it turned out to be easy to replicate.

[lixzey]

Hey! Maybe you could write Remus Lupin x Fem Reader seven minutes in heaven fluff;)

a/n: This is the longest work i've ever written, so I hope you enjoy it! Very special thanks to @lilmaymayy for betaing this 🫶

word count: 7.2k

seven minutes to forever

The Gryffindor common room was ablaze with excitement as the Gryffindors celebrated their recent Quidditch victory against Slytherin. Waterloo by ABBA blared from the record player—courtesy of your best friend, Lily Evans. There were streamers of red and gold, along with a large banner with the words Gryffindor painted in red. There was a large table with sandwiches, cakes, pasties, and Honeydukes sweets, as well as a huge bowl of very suspicious-looking punch along with bottles of butterbeer and firewhiskey scattered around.

James Potter, the star Quidditch captain, was being hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates as they chanted his name. Among the crowd, you spotted Sirius Black doing a little victory dance, while Peter Pettigrew was enthusiastically shovelling food onto his plate, and Remus Lupin was leaning against the wall with a small smile on his face, clearly enjoying the sight of his friends.

You turned your attention back to your friends, who danced along to the beat of the song. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight of your friends enjoying the night.

“Having fun, Y/n/n?” Lily asked as she twirled around.

“I am,” you chuckled, swaying your hips to the beat.

“You’re rocking that skirt, Y/n.” Marlene complimented.

You playfully rolled your eyes as you tugged on your skirt, still wondering how you ended up being coerced into wearing a form-fitting black leather skirt from Mary’s closet. “It’s awfully short, and it keeps riding up my thighs.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Y/n!” Mary chastised, swatting your hands away from the hem of the skirt. “You have the hips for it, and it makes your arse look good.”

You laughed and shook your head, knowing there was no arguing with Mary when it came to fashion. “Well, if you say so-” You were cut off by a tap on your shoulder.

“Hey, pretty girl.” 

You rolled your eyes at the sight of Sirius Black trying to flirt with you. Sirius Black, the notorious ladies’ man and troublemaker, had always had a way of getting under your skin. His cocky smile and arrogance made you want to roll your eyes and give him a piece of your mind every time he came near you.

"Seriously, Black, can't you give it a rest?" you snapped, crossing your arms and turning away from him.

“But come on, love, you can't deny that I'm the most charming bloke around,” Sirius said, flashing his signature grin.

Rolling your eyes again, you huffed, "Charming? More like insufferable. I've had enough of your sorry excuse for compliments.”

Sirius chuckled, unbothered by your rejection. “I'll have you know that I can be quite serious when the situation calls for it.”

You scoffed. “The only thing serious about you is your name. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than listen to your nonsense.”

With that, you turned on your heel and walked away, your friends trailing behind you.

“What the fuck was that, Y/n?” Mary asked with a raised brow.

“What? It’s not like I haven’t turned him down before.”

Mary scoffed. “Don’t tell me you still believe in finding your soulmate.”

You raised a brow at Mary. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“Well, I just don’t believe in that fairy-tale rubbish. Soulmates and true love—it's all a load of nonsense if you ask me,” Mary replied, shaking her head. “I just don't see how one person can be destined for another. There are billions of people in the world; it seems impossible that there's just one person meant for each of us.”

“Mary’s right,” Lily agreed. “And even if soulmates do exist, how do you know you'll ever find yours?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know; I just think there’s someone out there for everyone. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I like to believe in the idea of soulmates and true love. It gives me hope, you know?” 

“Come on, Y/n, be real. When the hell are you going to find the one if you keep turning down every guy who tries to ask you out?” Lily asked with an exasperated sigh.

You rolled your eyes, turning to face the redhead. “I don’t know; maybe when sparks fly?” 

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion, and when you turned to look, sparks were flying literally out of the record player. Remus Lupin stood there frozen, his cheeks flushing from all the unwanted attention on him.

Your eyes locked into his; you felt as if time slowed down around you and everyone else just faded from view.

“What the bloody hell happened, Moony?” James Potter’s voice rang out, snapping you out of your trance.

“N-Nothing, I-I’ve just pulled the needle too early.” Remus stumbled on his words, his eyes not leaving yours.

You couldn’t help but chuckle at Remus’ embarrassment, but you couldn’t deny the flutter of butterflies in your stomach. As the chaos of the common room continued, you found yourself stealing glances at Remus, who had turned back to the record player to fix the problem.

“Come on, everybody! Let’s play seven minutes in heaven!” Sirius announced, trying to redirect the attention away from Remus.

You found yourself being tugged along by Lily, who insisted that you join in on the fun.

“Come on, Y/n, it’ll be a laugh! Plus, who knows, you might end up with your soulmate in the closet.” Lily teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh, shut it, Evans.” You groaned inwardly, not liking the idea of being locked in a closet with someone for seven minutes, but nonetheless, you followed your friends into the centre of the room, where an empty firewhiskey bottle was set up in the middle of a circle.

“Okay, so whoever the neck and the base of the bottle stops at has to spend seven minutes in the broom closet,” Sirius explained, pointing to the closet near the portrait hole. “You go first, Prongs,” Sirius said, passing the bottle to James with a smirk.

James spun the bottle, and it miraculously landed on Lily, which made her scowl and cross her arms over her chest. “I am not getting in that closet with you, Potter.”

“Come on, Evans, I didn’t make rules.”

“Go on, Lils,” you urged, a sly smirk plastered on your lips. “Rules are rules.”

Lily’s scowl deepened as she glared at you. “Fine.” Lily stomped towards the closet, James trailing behind her with a wide grin while the rest burst into a fit of giggles and cheers—including you, knowing that Lily would hex James into the next century if he tried anything.

A little while later, James came out of the closet rubbing his cheek an effect you know so well—Lily had hit him with stinging hexes.

“You alright?” Marlene asked, trying not to laugh at the look on Lily’s face as she sat between the two of you.

“Shut up.” Lily hissed, rolling her eyes. “Potter called me carrot top!” 

“Alright, who’s next?” Sirius asked, trying to get the game going by spinning the bottle again. Your eyes followed the bottle as it spun around, anxiously waiting to see whether you were the next victim or not. This time it landed on you, and the other side was at Remus.

“My, my, my! Look who we have next!” Sirius announced loudly.

When the realisation set in that you would have to spend seven minutes with Remus Lupin in a small, hot, cramped closet, your cheeks flushed. Remus’s face began to match yours as the rest of the boys began to cheer—the girls even joining in—Lily had the same sly smirk you had just minutes ago.

“Go on, Y/n/n,” Lily urged, pushing you to stand. From the corner of your eye, you saw Remus stand up with a defeated sigh and make his way to you while the rest of the Marauders teased him.

Remus looked at you with an apologetic smile, his hand out, ready to help you up. You looked from your friends to the group and finally up to Remus, your eyes meeting his. Remus’ brown hair framed his face perfectly; he had long silver scars littering his face down to his neck, but he still looked as handsome as ever.

Remus crouched down beside you, his lips a few inches away from your ear, his hand out for you to take. “We don't have to do this, you know? We can just sit back down and let someone else-”

“No, no, it's alright, let’s do this”. You whispered back, taking his warm hand into yours. Everyone started to cheer, with your friends and the Marauders being the loudest of the lot. The two of you made your way into the closet.

“Go get some, Moony!” James laughed, his hands mimicking two people kissing, making Remus groan.

“Only seven minutes, love birds; use them wisely!” Sirius teased as you and Remus stepped inside. The moment the door shut, the two of you were plunged into darkness. You realised how small this closet really was; you were an inch away from being chest-to-chest with Remus.

You could feel Remus shifting in front of you, the air around you becoming warm with the close proximity. You tried to ignore the sight of his face in the dim lighting—chiseled jawline, strong nose, and brown eyes. Why the bloody hell did he have to be so handsome?

“Is it hot in here?” Remus asked, breaking the silence between the two of you as he fanned himself with his hand before fanning you as well. “Are you hot? I mean, you are hot-” You couldn’t help but laugh at what Remus had just said. Although you couldn’t see it, you knew his eyes had widened.

“S-sorry, I-I mean….” Remus stammered. The sound of your giggles made his cheeks feel warm. “I’m not exactly the smoothest bloke out here.” He chuckled nervously.

“Remus, it’s alright; I mean, it is a little stuffy in here.” you assured him, patting him on the shoulder.

“Yeah, it is,” Remus agreed before reaching into his pocket, pulling out his wand, and muttering, “Lumos.”

The light filled the small space and made you see the whole closet for the first time. If it were anyone else, you’d be panicking right now, but being with Remus didn’t feel as nerve-wracking.

“Sorry about this, Y/n,” Remus mumbled. “I didn’t think you would have wanted to be stuck in a closet with me.”

You chuckled, feeling heat rising to your cheeks. “It's fine, Remus. I know it's all just a game.”

“Thanks for coming with me here, I-“ Remus gulped, “I appreciate it.”

You raised a brow at him, a coy smile playing on your lips. “Remus, do you even know how many girls are wishing to be in my place right now? Merlin, they even call you the Casanova of Gryffindor tower!” 

“Okay,” Remus began to relax, now laughing with you. “But that's just because I'm nice—nice to girls who just so happen to find me cute. Plus, I mean,” he breathed. “It's not like I'd pursue anything with them.”

You cock a brow, your teasing smile only growing as he rushes to defend, “I mean—they're all nice right back to me, but—I just have my eyes on someone else.”

You felt your heart skip a beat at Remus’ words. “Someone else, huh? Who could that be?” 

“It’s just...” Remus hesitated, running his hand through his hair nervously. “I just feel like soulmates exist, you know? Maybe it’s stupid, but I can’t help it. I want to believe that there’s someone out there for me. Someone who gets me Someone who makes me feel... complete.”

Your heart pounded in your chest, and your mind was racing with questions. Were you just reading into things too much? Or was Remus trying to tell you something?

“I don’t think it’s stupid at all, Remus,” you said, your voice soft.

“I believe in soulmates too.” Remus looked up at you, surprised.  “You do?” 

You nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. But before you could utter another word, there was a harsh bang against the closet door, interrupting your thoughts.

“I don't hear any kissing in that closet! Come on, you guys, don't be boring! You have three minutes left!” James’ voice echoed, muffled by the closet door.

You and Remus exchanged a glance before chuckling and shaking your heads.

“You know we don't have to do anything, right? I would never want to pressure you into anything, wizard’s honour,” Remus assured, raising a hand.

You smiled softly at his reassurance. “Eh, it sounds like they want a show. Who are we to deny them of it?” Your cheeks begin to flush, your heart pounding inside of your chest. But his lack of response made you nervous about the forwardness of your comment.

“Maybe we could just...” you gulped. “Make it seem like it.” Remus’ brows knitted in confusion. “You know, just make sounds to make them think,” you explained, hoping he'd understand.

Remus nodded, the confusion leaving his expression. “Right, that's a good idea.”

“Follow my lead.” You chuckled, winking at him.

Remus smirked. “Alright, take the stage.”

Your eyes twinkled with mischief before you banged on the closet door and let out a loud moan. “Oh fuck, Remus!”

“Oh shit, Moony’s getting some!” Sirius’ voice rang out along with loud cheers from everyone else outside the broom closet.

Remus’ eyes widened, clearly not expecting that from you. You jerked your head at him, urging him to do the same.

Remus let out an exaggerated groan: “O-oh, yes, baby girl, so good!”

“Oh Merlin, yes, yes!” 

“Pinch me here,” Remus whispered, pointing to his neck. You obliged and pinched his neck lightly.

“Ouch! That hurt, baby girl!” Remus grunted. “You like it rough, huh, baby girl?”

“What in Merlin’s name are they doing?” Lily asked, horrified.

“They’re shagging, Evans; do try and catch up," Sirius said, mouth agape at the sounds coming from the closet.

The two of you continued to put on a performance, making kissing noises, grunts, thumping, and moaning from time to time.

And then, before you knew it, the door was being flung open by Sirius. “Time's up! Come on, you two lovebirds.”

Remus shot up, his face flushed. The two of you had your foreheads pressed together, hands intertwined, and clothes dishevelled. It felt strangely right, like connecting with Remus was something you were meant to do. He pulled you up, and the two of you walked out, avoiding everyone’s gaze, which seemed to be snickering. As soon as the two of you sat down, everyone didn’t waste time teasing both of you as you sat down.

“Remus, you sly dog!” James laughed, clapping Remus on the back.

“Wow, that was intense!” Peter chuckled, looking at you and Remus.

“Yeah, we thought the two of you had gotten lost in there,” Sirius added with a smirk.

“You slag, Y/n L/n!” Mary teased.

“Well, that was quite the show!” Marlene teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“I can’t believe you shagged Remus Lupin in a broom closet!” Lily rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

You let out a groan and buried your face in your hands in embarrassment. “Can we not talk about this anymore? Move on to the next ones, please!”

“There will be no next, Miss L/n.” A voice said, and everyone in the room fell quiet. You lifted your head from your hands to see Professor McGonagall.

The excited chatter turned to hushed whispers. Everyone in the circle quickly stood up, some nearly toppling over because of the alcohol they consumed.

“This game ends now. If there are any further disruptions, there will be consequences. Is that clear?”

“We were just having some fun, Minnie,” Sirius explained, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

“Fun is one thing, but disrupting the entire Gryffindor tower is another. I suggest you all clean up this mess and head off to bed,” Professor McGonagall ordered, her stern gaze sweeping over the room.

The room was quickly cleared of food, drinks, and decorations as everyone began to leave, grumbling and complaining about their fun being ruined. You helped Lily, Mary, and Marlene gather the streamers and discarded plates.

“Come on, Y/n/n, let’s head up,” Lily said, nudging you with her elbow. “I doubt Professor McGonagall is done giving her lecture for the night.”

 “Yeah, that was a bit reckless, don’t you think?” Marlene added.

 You sighed, feeling guilty for being a part of the chaos that had ensued. “I know, I know. I’m sorry, guys.”

“It’s okay; it was all good fun,” Mary assured

You nodded, trying to shake off the lingering embarrassment from the game and the moment you had shared with Remus.

“You sure? You’ve been quiet since you and Remus came out of the closet,” Lily teased, raising a suggestive eyebrow.

 “Oh, shove off, Evans.” You rolled your eyes, playfully shoving her.

The four of you made your way up to the girls' dormitory, still reeling from tonight’s high, when someone called from behind you. You looked back only to see Remus jogging up towards you. You looked back at your friends, who were smirking at you before they stepped inside the dormitories—but you knew that they’d be listening from behind the door.

“Uh, hi.” Remus smiled sheepishly.

“Hey, Remus. What's up?” you asked, trying to act unsurprised but feeling the butterflies in your stomach were saying otherwise.

Remus stopped in front of you, nervously scratching the back of his neck. “Hey, Y/n. I just wanted to say that I had a great time with you, uh, in the closet. I mean, we made a great team, putting on that show. And, uh, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to do it again? Not the closet, of course, but... hang out, I mean.” He stumbled over his words, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

You couldn't help but smile at his awkwardness, feeling a rush of warmth at the thought of spending more time with him. “I'd like that, Remus. I had a good time too,” you replied, feeling a strange flutter in your stomach.

“Great!” Remus grinned, looking relieved. “Um, maybe we could, I don't know, go for a walk by the lake or something? If you want to, that is.”

Before you could answer his question, the door swung open, revealing Lily, Marlene, and Mary peeking out from behind.

“Time to hit the hay, lovebirds!” Mary interrupted, a sly smirk playing on her lips.

Remus chuckled, trying not to be too embarrassed in front of your friends. “Uh, so what do you say?”

“A walk by the lake sounds wonderful, Remus. I’d love to.”

“Great, it’s a date then,” Remus replied, a smile lighting his face. I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast, Y/n?” 

“Yes, definitely; I’ll see you then.”

You turned to walk up to your friends before giving Remus one last look. “Good night, Remus.” You smiled, leaning against the doorframe, your friends grinning behind you.

Remus smiled, his cheeks flushing pink. “Good night, Y/n.”

As soon as you step inside, your friends start to squeal.

“Okay, is it possible for you guys to not embarrass the living daylights out of me?” You growled with a mock glare, trying to hide the smile you couldn’t fight as you stepped inside the bathroom to get ready for bed.

“I can’t believe it!” Lily said, jumping up and down in excitement. “You and Remus, a walk by the lake—it's like something out of a romance novel!” 

“Okay, okay, simmer down,” you said, rolling your eyes. “It’s not like it’s a date or anything."

"Yeah, right, we’ve never seen you smile like that before,” Lily teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

“It was just a walk by the lake, nothing special,” you insisted, shrugging your shoulders.

“Sure, sure,” Marlene said, rolling her eyes playfully.

“I hope he knows how lucky he is,” Mary added with a dreamy look.

“Should I go down and give him some pointers?” Marlene teased, earning a playful slap on the arm from Lily.

“You guys are insufferable, you know that?” You groaned, feeling your cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“Don’t pretend like you aren’t excited, Y/n,” Lily said with a wry smile.

“Fine, maybe I am a little excited about it,” you admitted, unable to stop a small smile from tugging at your lips.

“You should be, after all of what happened in the closet,” Marlene teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh, shut it. I’m going to bed before you all drive me crazy,” you groaned, rolling your eyes.

“Goodnight, lovergirl!” Lily called after you with a laugh as you climbed into bed, unable to stop a smile from spreading across your face.

As you settled into bed, you couldn’t stop thinking about the way Remus had looked at you, the warmth in his eyes, and the nervousness in his voice. You knew there was something there—something deep and unspoken, something that made you feel more alive than you had in a long time.

Meanwhile, Remus stood at the top of the staircase, staring at the door to the girls’ dormitories, a huge smile plastered on his facele.

“Oi, Moony! What are you smiling about, you lunatic?” James asked, approaching Remus with a confused look, Sirius and Peter trailing behind him.

"Nothing; I, uh, just had a good night tonight,” Remus replied with a shy smile. “I, uh, asked Y/n out on a walk by the lake tomorrow.”

James grinned, clapping Remus on the back. “That's great, mate!” James chuckled. “Finally decided to make a move, huh?”

Remus blushed and shrugged, feeling embarrassed. “I just had a really great time with her tonight, and I want to get to know her better,” he admitted.

“You've got it bad, mate,” Peter teased. “You’re already pining for her!”

“I wasn’t pining, I just...” Remus trailed off with a blush.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Moony,” Sirius chuckled, giving him a nudge.

“I’m happy for you, mate. I hope it goes well.” James smiled, giving Remus a pat on the shoulder.

“Thanks, Prongs,” Remus said, feeling grateful for his friend’s support.

“I’m happy for you too, Moony.” Peter smiled, clapping him on the back.

“What about you, Pads?” James asked, raising an eyebrow at Sirius, who rolled his eyes.

“Okay, I’m happy for you, Moons. But I’m the one that should be-” 

“Okay Pads!” James said, clapping a hand over Sirius’ mouth. “You’re happy for Moony!”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you loud and clear,” Sirius grumbled, playfully shoving James' hand away. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun too, does it?”

Remus laughed, feeling grateful for his friends and excited for his date with you. He couldn’t deny that there was something special about you—something that made his heart race and his palms sweat. Maybe, just maybe, you were the one he had been waiting for all along.

Maybe now he has somebody to love.

Surprisingly, Remus struggled to go to sleep that night; his smile was too wide and his dreams too big to relax and fall asleep. But eventually, his thoughts calmed down to imagining what the morning would bring, what her hair would look like, what she would wear, and what he'd say to her in class, finally allowing him to go to sleep.

The light slowly crept through the curtains of your four-poster bed, sunlight casting a warm glow over your face. You could hear loud shuffling from outside and stop at your bedside, the bed dipping down.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty!” Mary’s loud singsong voice echoed in your ears, making you groan in annoyance.

You turned your back at her, covering your head with your pillow. “Leave me alone,” you mumbled, still bleary-eyed.

“Get up, Y/n/n! We’re going to be late for breakfast!” Lily urged you, shaking your shoulder and yanking the pillow away from your head.

Groaning in protest, you reluctantly sit up and rub your eyes. “Fine, fine, I’m up.”

“Hurry up, don’t you want to see your soulmate at breakfast?” Lily teased, making Mary and Marlene snicker.

At the comment, your eyes popped open, meeting her knowing stare, eventually getting shy under her gaze, hiding your face in the pillow. She was right, so, albeit slowly, you pulled yourself up, dragging your feet to the bathroom to start getting ready.

You showered, washed, combed and dried your hair, brushed your teeth, and got dressed. You walked out of the bathroom to find your friends waiting for you, all of them giving you sly smirks as you walked towards them.

“What do you all have up your sleeves?” You asked, eyeing them suspiciously.

"Nothing; we’re just excited for you!” Lily said with a playful wink.

“Oh, please,” you scoffed, rolling your eyes. “Keep it down, you lot.” 

With your lips glossed, your long hair braided to the side, and your uniform smoothed out, you grabbed your bag and followed your friends out of the common room and down the spiral staircase to the Great Hall for breakfast.

You made your way down to the Great Hall with your friends, Mary and Marlene, linking arms while you walked alongside Lily, chatting and laughing as you made your way to the Gryffindor table.

As you entered the hall, your eyes scanned the room and landed on Remus, who was sitting with his friends. Remus glanced up at you and met your eyes, a smile spreading across his face. You felt a rush of warmth in your chest as you returned his smile.

From your fleeting glance, you were still able to see his dark brown curls perfectly framing his chiseled face. Merlin he was cute. A small smile formed as you hurried to your usual seat beside Lily, who was already looking between you and Remus, a tease on the tip of her tongue. But with your averting gaze and soft sigh as you began to load your plate, she swallowed any comment down with the flush of her pumpkin juice.

In Remus’ eyes, you couldn't look more beautiful. Your hair was vibrant and bouncing just like you, and you looked effortlessly beautiful, essentially strutting to your seat beside Lily after catching his stare.

“Mate, you're going to burn holes into her head if you keep staring.” James laughed, chewing on his first sausage of the morning.

“Oh, piss off, you hypocrite! You’re acting like you weren't staring at Lily just the same.” Remus scowled, lightly pushing James’ elbow off the table but laughing hard as it threw him off balance, Prongs’ fighting to stay on his seat, and the boys fighting to keep their boisterous laughter down.

“You’re looking at her like she took the moon out of the sky.” Peter pointed out as he shovelled some eggs into his mouth.

“You don’t understand; she’s just different,” Remus mumbled, feeling a warm flush spread across his cheeks.

“Oi, quit ogling at her. Stop being such a hopeless romantic and eat your eggs.” Sirius smirked, pushing the plate of eggs in front of him.

“Alright, back off, lads,” James intervened, swatting Sirius and Peter and grabbing a piece of toast. “He's nervous. A bloke can only handle so much. It’s not everyday that Moony is out of his wits.” Taking a bite of his toast, a sly smile crossed his lips as he watched the interaction from the corner of his eye.

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake, can we just have breakfast in peace?” Remus groaned, taking a bite of his toast.

James chuckled, knowing that he had hit a spot. “Alright, Remus, just relax. You don't want to scare her off before you even get the chance to talk to her properly.”

“You think I don't know that?” Remus hissed, feeling his cheeks heat up even more.

“Just play it cool, mate. You'll be fine,” Sirius reassured, clapping Remus on the back.

“Yeah, just be yourself, and she'll fall for you in no time.” Peter added.

Remus sighed, trying to ignore the butterflies that were dancing in his stomach. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this nervous around a girl, and it was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.

“Now,” James chuckled. “Eat the bloody eggs, Moony. We don’t want a cranky werewolf, do we?”

Remus couldn’t help but laugh, his cheeks still flushed. “Alright, alright,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Wanker.”

This caught the eyes of none other than Y/n, who was already staring at Remus, only starting to smile seeing him so in his element, laughing happily with his friends, hiding his blushing cheeks behind his scarred hand.

As you ate your breakfast, you found it hard to keep your attention on your food. Your eyes kept drifting back to Remus. A small smile tugged at your lips as you watched the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed and the way he ran a hand through his hair when he blushed.

Feeling a warmth spread throughout your chest, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement at the thought of your walk with Remus later that day. And the longer you looked at him, the more you felt butterflies in your stomach. You continued to sneak glances at him throughout breakfast, feeling your cheeks flush with warmth as he caught your eyes and smiled back at you. The moment felt surreal, but in the best way possible.

As breakfast came to an end, Remus stood up from the table, looking over at you with a warm smile. With a shy smile, Remus asked, “Can I, uh, walk you to class, Y/n?”

Your friends started giggling from behind you, making you flush in embarrassment, your cheeks nearly rivalling Lily's red hair. You turned to glare at them, only to see their smiles wide—wider than the Cheshire cat, if possible.

“Go on, give him an answer,” Mary urged, a teasing smirk on her lips.

Remus shifted nervously as he waited for your response. You turned back to him and nodded. “I’d like that, Remus.”

Remus smiled, relieved at your response. “Great.” He extended his hand to you. “Shall we?”

You nodded, throwing your bag over your shoulder before taking his hand to stand up. “See you later, girls.”

“Have fun, Y/n. Take your time!” Marlene called out, making you scowl and roll your eyes.

“Come on, Remus, let’s go.” You smiled, fighting the heat as it rose to your cheeks. You and Remus started to walk out of the bustling hall.

“Oi, lover boy!” James called out to Remus with a huge grin.

Remus groaned, refusing to look back at James. “Bugger off, Prongs!” 

You chuckled at his annoyance, his nose crinkled up, and his brows furrowing—which you find cute.

“Don’t forget protection!” Sirius yelled, laughing loudly.

Remus groaned even louder, his cheeks turning beet red, while you stifled a laugh.

“I’m going to kill them, as soon as they fall asleep.” he muttered, tugging at his scarf nervously.

You shook your head, laughing softly. “Don’t worry about them. They're just having fun.”

As you and Remus walked side by side on your way to your first class, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort and contentment. The world around you seemed to fade away, and for that moment, it was just the two of you sharing each other’s company, and before you knew it, you had reached your classroom.

“Thanks for walking me, Remus,” you said with a warm smile. “I’ll see you later?”

Remus smiled back at you and said, “Yes, I’ll see you later.” He sighed contentedly as you stepped inside the classroom, feeling his heart thump loudly in his chest.

Remus turned away and walked to his respective class, still reeling from the sight of your smile, when someone laughed from behind him.

“There’s our good old-fashioned lover boy!”  Sirius laughed at the sight of Remus, looking like a lovesick puppy—well, like a lovesick wolf cub.

“Merlin, Moony, you look like a walking tomato,” James teased, ruffling his hair.

“Leave me alone,” Remus groaned, feeling his cheeks flush even more. “I can’t believe you guys! ”

“You’ve got it bad, Moony,” Peter grinned. “It’s written all over your face.”

The taunting and teasing continued all the way to their first class—History of Magic—and as Remus took his seat, he couldn’t help but feel excited for the walk with you later, wondering what he could do to make it special for you.

What about a picnic? That’s nice; she would like that.

Flowers—every girl loves flowers, right? Maybe I can stop by the greenhouse and pick some up for her. Wait, what flowers does she even like?

Remus sighed, slumping in his seat. Of course he wouldn’t know what her favourite flowers were; hell, he didn’t know a thing about her yet. Remus felt hopeless; there was no way he could surprise you, unless...

“Prongs,” Remus whispered, tapping James on the shoulder.

“Huh?” James mumbled, half-awake.

“Can you guys help me with something?” Remus asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.

James yawned, rubbing his eyes awake. “What do you need?”

Remus took a deep breath. “I want to surprise Y/n later.”

James’ eyes widened. “You romantic son of a—Oi Sirius, wake up!” James nudged Sirius hard, jolting him awake.

“Where’s the dragon!? Where!?” Sirius exclaimed, bolting upright and nearly toppling out of his seat.

“Settle down, Padfoot. Remus is not going to surprise a girl with a dragon.” James rolled his eyes, making Remus huff in exasperation. “Moony needs our help with something; pay attention.”

Sirius blinked, his eyes unfocused, until he looked between Remus and James. “What's going on?” he asked, shaking his head to fully wake up.

“Remus wants to surprise Y/n today; give him some ideas,” James urged, nudging Sirius with his elbow. “You’re good at this sort of thing.”

“Oh, right. I’m quite the charmer, aren’t I?” Sirius yawned.

“Whatever, just help me,” Remus sighed, rolling his eyes as he leaned closer to the two of them.

“How about flowers?” Sirius suggested, “Girls love flowers.”

“Duh, we know that,” James said, rolling his eyes. “But which flowers?”  

Sirius shrugged. “I don’t know. Just pick some nice ones.”

“Brilliant idea, really helpful,” Remus rolled his eyes. 

James groaned. “This is going to take some serious planning,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Over the course of the class, the three boys huddled together and began to think of ways to help Remus plan a surprise for you. Together, they came up with the perfect idea for the picnic by the lake.

1. James will get the food from the kitchen.

2. Sirius will get a blanket and tea candles for that romantic feel.

3. Peter’s going to get the flowers.

4. Remus, just be Remus.

Later on, after class, the Marauders headed outside of the castle to start preparing for the surprise, leaving you none the wiser on what was going on behind the scenes. Throughout the day, Remus couldn’t keep the smile off his face, feeling the excitement build in his chest with each passing hour.

The sun began to set as evening approached, and students started to make their way back to their respective common rooms, some already getting ready to study in the library and some on their way to detention. When you reached your dorm, you found your friends waiting for you, already curious about how your day had gone.

“So, how was your day, Y/n?” Mary asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Yeah, what’d he say?” Marlene added, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

You rolled your eyes at their teasing, but you couldn’t deny the warm feeling that bloomed in your chest at the thought of your time with Remus. “We just had a nice walk to class together; nothing too exciting,” you replied, trying to keep your voice nonchalant.

Lily and the others exchanged knowing looks, clearly not buying your casual tone. “Alright, well, we won’t pry….yet.” Lily smirked. “Make sure to come back to the common room once you're done with your walk. You have to tell us everything.”

“That’s assuming there’s anything to tell,” you chuckled, feeling a familiar warmth spread throughout your chest. With that, you made your way to get ready for your walk with Remus, excitement bubbling inside you. You quickly freshened up and changed into a comfortable yet cute outfit—a pale pink sweater and some white jeans—making sure to look presentable for your time with Remus.

You waved your friends goodbye as you left the dorm, already looking forward to spending time with Remus and getting to know him better. You walked down to the common room, only to be stopped by James.

“Hi, Y/n.”

“Hey, James,” you smiled. “Have you seen Remus?” 

 “Actually, Mr. Moony has sent me to fetch you, my fair maiden.” James grinned before taking an exaggerated bow in front of you.

“If you’d be so kind as to follow me.” James held out an arm with a flourish, which made you laugh and roll your eyes.

“Alright, show me the way, kind sir,” you giggled, taking his arm.

James led you through the corridors, making jokes along the way. The two of you stopped at the courtyard, and James then turned to you.

“Go down to the beech tree; Remus is waiting for you there.” James smiled, winking at you.

“Thanks, James,” you chuckled, before making your way through the courtyard and down to the lakeshore.

As you reached the spot where Remus was waiting, you couldn’t help but feel a shot of warmth in your chest yet again. Remus was standing there with a smile on his face and a bouquet of pink and yellow flowers in his hand.

“Hi, you look beautiful.” Remus’ smile widened, his cheeks turning pink as he offered you the flowers.

You had to fight back a smile as his compliment made your heart skip a beat. “Thank you, Remus,” you said with a shy smile, taking the flowers. “Everything looks really lovely.”

Your eyes fell on the setup that Remus had prepared—a blanket spread out on the grass, tea candles placed around, and a small picnic basket beside it.

“Did you do all this?” you asked, feeling genuinely touched.

“Not entirely,” Remus admitted, smiling sheepishly. “My friends helped me, but I wanted to do something special for you.”

“Thank you, Remus. This is really sweet,” you said, feeling warmth in your chest.

You sat down on the blanket, and Remus joined you. The two of you started to talk and get to know each other better as the sun began to set. The air was filled with laughter, chatter, and the sound of nature around you. It felt like time was slowing down, allowing both of you to enjoy the moment and each other’s company.

As the evening turned to night and the moon shone brightly in the velvet sky, Remus took a deep breath, feeling a sense of contentment and happiness wash over him. He couldn’t deny that there was something special about you—something that made him feel more alive than he had in a long time. And in that moment, as you talked and laughed under the moonlight, Remus couldn’t help but feel as if he had found someone who understood him, someone who made him feel like everything was right in the world. And in that moment, he knew that you were someone he wanted to hold onto, someone he wanted to be a part of his life.

You looked up, meeting Remus’ eyes, and felt a sense of connection that you had never experienced before. Looking into his warm and gentle brown eyes, you just felt safe, and you knew that this was the start of something special, something worth holding onto.

“Thank you for tonight, Remus,” you said, feeling a sense of contentment in your heart.

“It was my pleasure, Y/N; you deserve it and more. I had a great time with you,” Remus replied, his eyes holding a warmth that made your heart skip a beat. “I was wondering...”

“What is it?” 

“Would you like to go with me to Hogsmeade on the weekend?”

Blood rushed into your cheeks at his question. Remus just asked you out to Hogsmeade! “I’d love to, Remus.”

Remus’ smile widened, and his cheeks tinged pink. “Great. It’s a date?” 

You chuckled softly. “Yes, it’s a date.”

As you both made your way back to the Gryffindor common room, the evening felt magical in a way that you couldn’t quite define. You stepped inside your dorm, and you were met with the squeals and teasing of your friends, who had clearly been waiting for your return.

“You’ve been gone for ages; you seemed to be having fun,” Marlene teased, nudging you playfully.

“Hey, stop it!” you laughed, playfully swatting her arm.

“It looks like someone had a good time,” Lily teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

You shook your head at their teasing, but you couldn’t deny the smile that remained on your face. Tonight had been different and special, and you couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

As you sat on your bed with your friends, the warm feeling in your chest lingered, and for the first time in a long time, you felt like everything was going to be okay.

And as for Remus, as he made his way to his dormitory, a smile remained on his face. The special night with you felt like a dream, but he knew that it was just the start.

Maybe you were the one he had been waiting for—the one who could tame the heart of a werewolf—the one who could make him feel more alive than he had in a long time. And the thought of spending more time with you, getting to know you, and making new memories together filled him with hope and excitement.

He went to sleep that night with a contented heart and the belief that you were the one he had been searching for all this time, the one he could see himself falling for. And as he drifted into sleep, he let the thoughts and dreams of you soothe him to a good night’s rest. 

Who knew a game of seven minutes in heaven could make you feel like this?

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[imsuperhungry]

the game

"I hope we can get off this bus soon—it smells awful in here," I said, covering my nose and making a dramatic gagging gesture.

"They never clean this place, no wonder," Maggie said, grimacing at the surroundings. "The seats are probably soaked in sweat. It's like they're trying to make the ride as unpleasant as possible. Ugh, I can barely stand it."  

Maggie's complaints about the unclean seats were a stark reminder of the uncomfortable ride I was enduring on my way to the next cheer game. As I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, I couldn’t help but hope that the game would be a success.

The six other cheerleaders and I were on the bus, heading to the game, while the eleven boys were on their way to play in the football match. We were representing our highschool team, the Eagles.

Maggie was sitting by the window, while I took the aisle seat beside her. I clutched my duffle bag, which contained my cheer outfit, pom-poms, and all the other essentials I needed for the game. As the bus bumped along the road, I glanced over at Maggie, who was staring out the window, lost in thought. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness for the game ahead.

"Psst, (y/n)!" I heard someone call out from across the aisle.

I turned to look at him with a smile, curiosity piqued. "What is it, Seb?"

"How about a bet?" he suggested, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. His eyes sparkled with a devilish glint, hinting at some playful trouble he was plotting.

"Sure, what do you have in mind?" I asked, intrigued by what he was about to propose. I leaned in slightly, eager to hear his idea and see what kind of challenge he was planning.

"If we win the match against the Lions, you’ll have to go out with me. What do you say? It’ll be a fun way to celebrate our victory, and I promise it'll be a great time."

I rolled my eyes playfully at him. Honestly, I should have expected this was just another one of his silly attempts to get me to go out with him. I couldn't help but be slightly amused by his persistence.

"Alright, why not? But just so you know, I'm only agreeing to get you off my back. Honestly, you're not even my type." I say with a giggle

He dramatically dropped his mouth open and placed a hand over his heart.

"I'm everybody's type!" he exclaimed, gazing directly at me.

"Not mine," Maggie chimed in from beside me.

I burst into laughter, which made Seb crack a smile as well.

"No, you just know you don't have a chance with me because you look like a rat." he said as he looked at Maggie.

It was Maggie's turn to look shocked, her eyes grew wide as saucers, and her mouth fell open in disbelief.

"Fuck you, Seb!" she shouted at him, faux anger in her voice.

"Nah, I think I'll go with (y/n)." he said, looking at me.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Maggie, who was laughing.

Before I had a chance to say anything, the bus abruptly jerked to a stop, causing Seb to tumble out of his seat and land in the aisle. He let out a surprised yelp as he scrambled to get up, while laughter erupted from the rest of us. 

"Damn!" he shouted as he picked himself up.

"Get the hell out my bus, you're here." the bus driver said, pointing to the building we had stopped in front of.

What the fuck is he doing?" I heard Maggie, looking out the window.

Following her gaze, I spotted what I assumed was their mascot—a tiger—dancing by the doors and waving at the bus.

“Dancing, you idiot,” Seb said. "Duh"

I giggled and began gathering my bag, ready to leave the bus like the other kids. As I walked down the aisle toward the exit, Seb came up behind me.I giggled and began gathering my bag, ready to leave the bus like the other kids. As I walked down the aisle toward the exit, Seb came up behind me.I giggled and began gathering my bag, ready to leave the bus like the other kids. As I walked down the aisle toward the exit, Seb came up behind me.

"Ready to wave those pom-poms for me?" Seb asked with a smirk. "When you're cheering, make sure to spell out my name and declare your love. We all know you’ve got a thing for me."

"Ugh, as if! No one wants you or your three-incher, Seb," I said, pushing him aside. I walked off the bus, leaving the driver to laugh at him.

We followed the mascot into the entrance of the school, making our way through the bustling hallways. The mascot, guided us to a locker room where we could change. Once inside, the room was filled with rows of lockers and benches, the air buzzing with anticipation. We quickly began swapping out of our casual clothes and into our cheerleading outfits, preparing ourselves for the upcoming game.

"Hey, do we just pick any of the stalls to use?" I asked Maggie, feeling a bit confused.

"That’s what I was planning on," she replied, as she started to open the door to an empty stall.

I made my way to the stall adjacent to hers and closed the door with a soft click. Inside, I stripped off my shirt and sweats, tossing them onto a nearby bench. I pulled out my cheerleading uniform from my bag, carefully unfolding it. With a quick, practiced motion, I slipped into the bright, cheerful outfit, adjusting it to fit comfortably as I prepared for the game.

Lastly, I applied a fresh layer of lip gloss, giving my reflection a final touch-up in the small mirror mounted on the stall wall. I then gathered my sweats, folding them neatly before stuffing them into my duffle bag.

The uniform was a vibrant pink, adorned with white cheetah prints on the skirt. The top featured our school logo, with a ribbon intricately tied into the design. To complete the ensemble, we were given stockings embellished with silky white bows.

I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the stall, searching for Maggie. As I navigated the bustling locker room, I accidentally bumped into another girl, who looked up at me with a surprised expression.

She was dressed in a red cheerleading outfit, adorned with a lion emblem on the top. Her long, black hair was pulled into a high ponytail, secured with a red ribbon that matched her outfit perfectly.

"Excuse me," I said, trying to maneuver around her.

"Hold on, do you cheer for the other team?" she asked, stopping me with a frown and a look of surprise.

I looked at her, puzzled, but decided to answer her question anyway.

"Uh, yeah, why? Does it matter?"

"No, I just wanted to let you know that you’re really pretty," she said, smiling warmly at me.

"Oh, uh, thanks. You do too," I replied, offering a quick smile as I walked past her towards Maggie’s stall.

She seemed... nice?

I knocked on the stall where I heard Maggie’s voice and asked, "Are you done in there?"

"Almost done, I just need to put my stockings on," she called out, her voice carrying just enough for me to hear.

I stood outside her stall, listening to the rustle of fabric and the sound of her bag zipping as she got ready.

When she finally emerged, she adjusted her skirt and gave herself a final once-over to ensure everything was in place.

"You ready?" I asked her.

"Yep, let’s go," she replied, flashing a confident smile.

_____________________________________

The air outside was warm and refreshing as we stepped out. The boys were already in the midst of their game, and the match was nearing its end, signaling that it was almost time for us to take the field and perform.

I’m not going to lie, I don’t know much about football at all; I just really enjoy cheering.

A referee blew his whistle, and all the players on the field halted their play, making their way to the benches to grab some water. We were ahead by 10 points.

Maggie sat next to me, and we talked about our dance and how it was going to go, the rest of the cheerleaders talked amongst themselves. I mentioned how I wanted to get ice-cream after the game and Maggie said she wanted to tag along; we might even invite Sebastian if he doesn't say anything that would drive me away.

Sebastian is a friend of ours, he kinda just tags along wherever we go.

I would be lying if I said he isn't kinda cute...

I looked up and noticed that the cheerleaders from the opposing team were starting to gather in a huddle, discussing their routine. Since they were set to perform before us, they were likely preparing and getting into the mood.

Maggie and I watched as the opposing cheerleaders lined up in a single-file line at the center of the field, each one positioned directly behind the other.

"L-I-O-N-S, here's a fact, we're the best!" the girl at the front shouted, waving her pom-poms energetically. I recognized her as the girl who had called me pretty in the locker room and watched as she led the rest of the cheer.

I zoned out, unable to focus on the cheer, as my mind wandered to what I wanted for dinner. Another girl started shouting a rhyme, but my mind kept drifting, making it difficult to concentrate.

I glanced at Maggie, who was watching the girls with an unamused expression. Sensing my gaze, she turned her attention away from them to face me.

"We could definitely do better than that," she remarked, glancing back at the girls with a critical eye.

I searched the benches for Seb, but instead of his dark brown eyes, I found myself looking into a pair of light blue eyes that resembled the sky.

I locked eyes with the boy for a few moments before quickly looking away, nearly forgetting about the girls' cheering in the background.

He glanced at me for a bit longer before chuckling to himself and then turned to chat with his friend, who was also looking my way.

When I finally spotted Seb, he was looking at me too. I waved, and he waved back. We exchanged a glance before one of the boys on our team tapped him on the shoulder.

He held up his index finger, signaling for me to wait a moment. Leaning in, he listened as his friend whispered something in his ear, causing Seb to shake his head.

His friend then glanced at me, winked, and mimed holding a phone to his ear with his hand.ar.

Seb playfully smacked his friend's hand away from his ear, and I couldn't help but laugh. Letting the boys bicker, I glanced back and noticed the girls had finished cheering as the crowd applauded for them.

A person I didn’t recognize waved us down from where we were standing and told us it was our turn to perform.

Our group quickly gathered, finding our starting positions on the field. The energy was electric as we aligned ourselves, each of us taking a deep breath to focus. The anticipation in the air was palpable as we readied ourselves to deliver the cheer, muscles tense and hearts pounding in sync with the rhythm we were about to create.

We burst into our routine, every movement sharp and synchronized. The rhythm of our steps, the snap of our arms, and the chorus of our voices blended together, filling the field with energy. Time seemed to blur as we flowed from one formation to the next, each cheer building on the last.

Before I knew it, we were in our final stance, breathless and beaming, as the crowd erupted into applause.

I stood back-to-back with Maggie, facing the crowd. One hand rested on my hip while the other held a pom pom high in the air, waving it energetically.

Soon after, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. I spun around to face Maggie and wrapped her in a big, enthusiastic hug.

We waved to the crowd and made our way off the field, returning to the bleachers to watch as the boys prepared for the remainder of the game.

I sat back down in my previous spot and told Maggie how great she had performed on the field.

"Hey," I heard a familiar voice say from in front of me. I looked up and saw Seb, grinning at me like a goofball. "You looked amazing out there," he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration. I felt a warm smile spread across my face as I thanked him, the sincerity of his compliment making my cheeks flush slightly.

"Thanks, Seb. You played really well too," I said, my smile widening. "Do you want to join me and Maggie for some ice cream after the game?"

"Ohh, is this your way of asking me out on a date?" he teased, a playful glint in his eye and a crooked smile tugging at his lips.

"Seb, it's a simple yes or no, you doofus," I said, giving him a playful glare.

"Well, if you wanted to go out with me, you could've just asked," he said with a wink, sliding his safety helmet into place.

"IT'S NOT A DATE, SEB!" I shouted after him as he dashed off to join the coach for a huddle.

I rolled my eyes and turned to Maggie, who was wiggling her eyebrows at me with a mischievous grin. "What was that about?" she asked, her smirk widening.

"Nothing! I was just inviting him to tag along with us," I said, trying to defend myself.

"Lies! I saw how nervous you were around him—admit it, you like him!" she said, shaking me by the shoulders with a teasing grin.

"What?! Me? Like him? Ew!" I exclaimed, scrunching up my face and acting grossed out by Maggie’s attempts to get me to admit my feelings for Seb.

"Oh, come on, girl, it's sooo obvious!" she squealed, her excitement barely contained.

I swallowed hard and glanced at her. Maggie’s smile was wide, and her eyes were locked onto mine with a playful glint. Her enthusiasm was almost palpable as she waited for my response.

"Okay, fine! I may or may not have a crush on Sebastian." I admitted, meeting her gaze with a mix of embarrassment and resignation.

"Oh my god, this is amazing!" Maggie gasped. "I could totally set you two up! I know he—"

"NO!" I interrupted, cutting her off with a frantic shout.

"Sorry, I just think we should wait before I say anything to him," I said, trying to calm the situation.

"Ohhh, so you're scared," she stated, her eyes twinkling with playful curiosity as she looked at me.

"What! No! I just—" I started, but Maggie’s unimpressed look made me falter. "Yes. I'm very scared," I admitted with a sigh.

"Why? You know for a fact he likes you back!"

"That's the thing, I don't. What if this is some kind of joke he's playing?" I said, the uncertainty clear in my voice.

"Girl, shut the hell up and ask him out," she said, fixing me with a determined look. "Either you do it today when we get ice cream, or I’ll do it myself."

I hesitated before answering, my mind racing with doubts.

What if he doesn't feel the same? What if this is just part of some cruel joke he's playing?

But then again, I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. There's also a chance he really does like me.

"Fine, I'll ask him out." I said as I sighed and rubbed my cheeks.

"Great! I’m so happy!" Maggie said, resting her head on my shoulder with a contented sigh.

I rolled my eyes and glanced back at Seb, who was smiling at me as the game started. I felt my face warm up, and I returned his smile, letting it grow a little. _____________________________________

I held hands with Maggie as we walked back to the front of the school. Our victory in the game had lifted everyone's spirits, and our moods brightened noticeably.

We were still wearing our cheerleading uniforms, but Seb and the rest of the team had changed into different outfits. Seb was on my right, while Maggie was on my left.

He was rambling about the adrenaline rush he felt out on the field.

"It's just, I've never so scared and excited at the same time!" he exclaimed.

"Seb, we get it. You love playing football," Maggie said, rolling her eyes.

"I do! I fucking love it!" he yelled again, his enthusiasm unabated.

"Alright," I began, "There's an ice cream shop just down the street, within walking distance, is that where we go?"

Seb and Maggie both nodded enthusiastically, which made me laugh.

We all walked hand-in-hand, heading in the direction of the ice cream shop.

_____________________________________

Maggie and Seb took a seat at the retro red table in the corner of the shop while I went up to place our orders.

Maggie wanted a "Candy Craze," which was essentially a heaping mix of M&Ms, chocolate pieces, cookie crumbles, and fudge piled on top of vanilla ice cream.

Seb just wanted strawberry ice cream—plain and simple, but incredibly good.

I told the cashier our orders, and she confirmed them, saying they’d be ready in 5 to 7 minutes.

I smiled and thanked her before heading back to my friends.

I’ve always had this rule: be kind to waitstaff, cashiers, and other retail workers. They deal with so many rude people each day; why not spread a little kindness?

I sat down next to Seb and across from Maggie, who were still engrossed in conversation.

I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through my notifications, feeling bored.

Snapchat...

News station...

Subway Surfers...

James? The fuck-

"Hey!" Maggie whisper-shouted, drawing my attention away from my phone.

"What!?" I whispered back, my curiosity piqued.

She waved her hand, signaling for me to lean in closer to the table, and I complied.

Then, she placed her mouth a few inches from my ear and began to whisper.

"I'm going to the bathroom for a few minutes," she whispered. "While I'm in there, I want you to ask Seb out." She pulled away and looked at me, her gaze intense and expectant.

I tried to protest, but she had already made her way to the bathroom, leaving me no room to argue.

When she left, I looked back at Seb, who was already staring at me.

"Listen, (y/n)," he began, his gaze steady. "I really do want to go out on a date with you. After all, we did win."

Oh, so he's going to ask me out instead? Alright then.

"Honestly, I really think I'd make a great boyfriend," he said with a grin, jokingly flexing his arms. "I've got the looks and the personality."

"Looks, sure. Personality? Eh," I said, jokingly." But since I agreed, I accept," I said with a smile. "I'll go out on a few dates with you."

His eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting me to accept after all the previous hesitation and rejection. A look of genuine delight crossed his face as he processed my response.

"Do—uh, do I have permission to kiss you?" he asked, his voice tinged with hopeful uncertainty.

"Why not?" I replied, gazing at him intently.

He leaned in, hesitating as he debated whether to kiss me, suspecting it might be a trap for some reason.

I rolled my eyes, realizing it would take forever if I left it up to him. So, I placed my hands on the back of his head and gently guided his lips to mine.

Our lips met softly at first, a tentative brush that sent a spark through both of us. His breath was warm against my skin as he leaned in closer, and the kiss deepened, growing more assured with every passing second. His hesitation melted away as our movements synchronized, the gentle pressure of his lips gradually becoming more passionate.

The kiss was a blend of sweetness and intensity, leaving us both breathless when we finally pulled away.

I gave him a small smile and excused myself, mentioning I needed to reapply my lip gloss.

I stood up from the booth and headed to the bathroom, just in time to see Maggie stepping out as I approached.

I bumped into her, sharing a quick giggle before I continued walking past her into the room.

I locked the door to the single-stalled restroom and stood in front of the mirror, frowning at the state of my lips.

My lips, once perfectly coated in a glossy sheen, were now smudged and slightly swollen from the kiss. The vibrant color had faded unevenly, leaving patches of gloss mixed with bare skin.

With a small sigh, I reached into my bag, ready to fix what had been undone. 

I reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek tube of lip gloss, twisting it open with a practiced motion. The gloss spread evenly, restoring the shine and vibrancy that had been lost. My lips appeared fuller, the gloss catching the light and adding a subtle, alluring sheen.

I walked back to our table and saw our ice cream sitting there, with a plastic red spoon sticking out of it.

I took my seat next to Seb and took a deep breath. 

“Did you have to run to the bathroom or something?” Seb asked.

“Seb!”

_____________________________________

I lay on my plush bed, my right cheek resting on the pillow and my face buried in the covers. Despite the comfort of the bed, I felt like an idiot with the huge grin stuck on my face.

My mind wandered back to the events of the day—Seb's kiss, his request to see me again, and the whirlwind of emotions that followed. The memories replayed in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile even more, replaying every detail of the moment.

Maggie's mom came to pick us up and drive us home since we didn't live to far away from eachother.

As I was drifting off to sleep, exhausted from the day's events, the ringing of the phone interrupted my peaceful moment. The sound cut through the blur of my thoughts, pulling me back to wakefulness as I groggily reached for the phone.

RING

I groaned and rolled out of bed, landing with a thud on the carpeted floor below.

RING

After a few seconds, I picked myself up from the floor and dragged my feet toward the living room, where the phone was still ringing.

RIN-

"Hello?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep.

"Hey (y/n)," came the familiar voice from the other end of the line.

"Oh, hey Seb. What's up?" I asked, feeling a surge of alertness as the sleepiness quickly faded away.

"I just got a question to ask you," he said.

"What is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Do you maybe want to come to my house tomorrow? I just found one of my favorite old movies, and I was thinking it could be our first date."

"Sure, what movie?" I asked, twirling the phone cord around my finger

"That's to find out later, it’s a surprise," he said, his smirk evident in his voice.

"Whatever, what time?" I asked, trying to keep my excitement in check.

"Around 8. I've got some errands to run tomorrow," he replied.

"Alright then, I'll see you then," I said, biting my lip and smiling

"See you then, cutie."

[rlqfpdl]

All I want is you

Apollo!Fem!reader x Jason Grace

Summary: You can’t help but admire Jason. Not knowing he’s doing the same.

Contains: fluff. Characters might seem a bit ooc.

A/N: I noticed the lack of Jason fics so hope you all enjoy this one. I had such fun writing it. Feedback is always welcomed and reqs are open <3

Word count: 1.1k

His skin seemed to glow perfectly, his eyes sparkled with the sun. His perfect silky blonde hair was a bit messy, like he had just woken up. Gods, it was flawless, like gold. His slightly tilted glasses made him look cuter than when he didn't have them on. If you didn't know any better, you would say you're enamored, captivated, charmed, enchan…

“Stop staring, you're drooling,” Will said, pointing towards the corner of his lip and casually continuing to eat his breakfast. You brought your finger towards your lip to confirm. How embarrassing, you thought. “I wasn't staring. I don't know what I could ever be staring at,'' you defended, avoiding Will's gaze. Suddenly, your plate was really interesting as you fiddled around with some pancakes. Smooth, gaslight your brother into thinking he's the crazy one. 

“Sure lover girl, let's pretend you weren't ogling at Mr. Sparky over there,” Will just knew how to push your buttons. Both of you being top healers meant you knew each other better than the rest of your siblings. Sadly, that also meant he knew your weaknesses all too well like a certain blonde he kept talking about.

 “He's way out of my league” you rebutted. You didn't give yourself enough credit. Most would assume you were a daughter of Aphrodite if it weren't for the distinct freckles and soft glow that every Apollo kid seems to have. 

“Yeah well, he likes you back. you guys just need to be a little less shy” he stated as if it were a fact. But it wasn't, well, at least not for you. Jason was just too handsome. Sure, the Aphrodite boys were too, and so were some of the Hermes boys, but Jason was just different in your eyes. It wasn't only about looks; it was his caring personality and how nice he could be. Not that it was a surprise, but considering he is the son of Jupiter you would have thought he would be a little more conceited. 

”You know, you keep saying that, but I don't see it. Plus I can't think of crushes right now; we have to prepare the infirmary.” both you and Will know that deep down, you wanted to believe that Jason liked you back but were always ‘too busy’ to talk about your feelings. 

Especially on capture the flag days, You weren't one to participate; fighting isn't your thing. You were half decent with a bow but just awful at playing, landing you with the amazing job of nursing everyone back to health. You would think people knew better than to slash each other to almost death, knowing that their desert privilege was on the line. But that never seemed to stop anyone from creating more work for the Apollo cabin. 

You sighed as you prepared some of the beds in the infirmary, having gauzes and ambrosia ready at your disposal. Singing softly as you worked, maybe you weren't blessed with amazing archery skills or astonishing arts abilities, but you had other skills in your favor. Like your voice and talent with the lyre. Most of the camp would agree that you were the best singer from the Apollo cabin, often leading the sing-alongs at the campfires or just singing sweet children's songs to the little ones at camp. 

Caught up in your singing and folding of sheets, you didn't hear the conch being blown or the screaming campers celebrating their victory or announcing their complaints over losing. So, to say you almost had a heart attack when you heard a soft voice call your name was truly an understatement. 

“Gods Austin you scared me,” you said, looking at your brother as he smiled softly, “Sorry you just have a patient ready for you, doc,” he said, smirking slightly as he was up to something. “I'll attend some; tell Will to take care of the rest” You turned around, not looking at your now creepily smiling brother. You started putting a little tray on one of the beds . Austin continued talking, “Oh but there is this camper who has specially requested for you,” he said as he dragged said camper towards you. “Okay well bring them up; i don't have time to attend everybody,” your voice started to faint as you looked up towards this oh so special camper that requested you. 

“I can come back at another time if you're too busy,” he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head with rosy cheeks, he was embarrassed. But now you sported matching red cheeks as you looked at him intensely in awe of his presence. “No, you fine Jason please sit” you gestured towards the bed. “I got nicked with a sword; it's not that bad” he explained, tilting his head, his voice was ringing in your ears like a charm.

“Can i touch your face” you mumbled as you began to study the small gash he had from afar. “Sure,” Jason stuttered a bit, his face getting a little bit redder. You softly touched his jaw, further inspecting his injury. “Well, it's not deep enough for ambrosia or nectar, but it's still kind of deep,” you stated grabbing a cotton ball with a pair of tweezers “I’m just going to clean it up and heal it ,” you said, your voice shaking a bit. Jason could only muster a hum as you placed a tiny amount of alcohol into his wound. He winced at the sting, but it didn't seem to bother him that much, especially with how gently you touched his face. 

Both of you fell into an uncomfortable silence, not knowing what to say, faces a bit too close to each other, entering in panic mode. Yet Jason built up enough courage as he whispered a faint “Your voice is so beautiful.” You couldn't help but look into his blue eyes, eternally getting lost in those precious sky-blue irises. Your faces got closer slowly, instinctively, as if it was the only way to respond. Trying to wrap your head around the boy's words truly left you speechless. But life decided to ruin this perfect moment as you heard someone speak. 

“I need some help with some Ares kids,” Will said standing there, clearly seeing he had interrupted something. “Right,” you responded brushing off nonexistent dust from your camp shirt and looking back at Jason. “Your wound should feel better now, let me know if it doesn't,” you said, all giddy at the thought of him coming back. He just nodded shyly, trying to say anything as you walked closer to Will but ultimately stayed silent. 

“Your voice is so beautiful, marry me Y/N” mocked Will as both of you walked towards the other side of the infirmary, punching his stomach, “Shut up” you whispered. Gods, Jason Grace might just be the death of you. 

[greentrickster]

What I really want to know is how Gabriel ended up working with Alya and Nino because, frankly, I'm 100% sure that it started out as a hostage situation and also that neither of the kids were the hostage. Seriously, just-

Gabriel, exhausted from another busy night of trying to help people and fight back against the Supreme's tyranny, using whatever secret passage he has to get into his lair (the one where his counterpart keeps Emilie's cryopod) but heavens forbid his son find out about and get involved in such dangerous activities, he could get hurt! And he's not despairing but he's tired, so just kind of walks in and immediately de-transforms so he can talk to Nooroo, because it always helps to talk things over with a friend.

Thus he walks into his lair, exhausted and totally focused on Nooroo, who just freezes in mid-air staring straight ahead, mouth open, "Uh... Gabriel...?"

"Yes, my friend?"

And the kwami points and Gabriel turns the way he's pointing, and there's Alya, tucked in a spot that would be easy to defend or hide in where she has a good view of the entrance but is hard to see from it, and, most importantly, phone out, up, and recording.

Dead silence as they all stare at each other.

Alya: "I'll admit, not the story I was expecting, but I can work with it."

Gabriel: "...I don't suppose I can give you a substantial amount of money to leave and pretend you never saw any of this?"

Alya: "Yeah, no, I want in."

Gabriel: "In? On what"

Alya: "On saving the world and getting rid of the Supreme, obviously."

Gabriel: "What?! Absolutely not, you- you can't be any older than my son, who is a child, I'm not endangering a child in this battle-!"

Alya: "Could you repeat that for me? Because it sounded a whole lot like, 'Why yes, Alya, absolutely post that video you just got of Hesperia turning into Gabriel Agreste on your blog'!"

Gabriel: "...you wouldn't. You'd ruin everything I've been working for, the only chance we might have-"

Alya: "Glad we see eye-to-eye, glad to be on the team, I'm Alya, where should I put my stuff?"

And then she drags Nino along to help out, because power's meant to be shared, right, and there's strength in numbers, and also we'll need Nino because someone's going to have to plan and DJ for their victory celebration when they finally win!

OoOoOoOoO

Alternative that could actually be even more fun: Nino's actually the first one to join the revolution with Gabriel just because he keeps accidentally getting caught up in Betterfly/Hesperia vs. Claw Noir and Shadybug shenanigans, to the point that it's just easier to recruit him officially than to let things continue as they are. Then Alya pulls exactly the same thing as in the previous scenario, except this time she's trying to find out what the bae's up to instead of get whatever dirt on Agreste she was after.

[onceuponaoneshotfanfic]

We’ll Always Have Chelsea

I'm Bright Baby Blue, Falling Into You

Chelsea!Roy Kent x Coach's Daughter!Reader

1.7k words

Warnings: Language, lying/sneaking around, no Ted Lasso characters except for Roy, extremely protective father, angst, maybe some slut-shaming

A/N: Thank you for all the love you've shown this story! Let's consider this a "mid-season finale" of sorts. I'm currently working on the second half of this story, and once it's complete I'll resume posting it. Feel free to send asks and questions about the Chelsea!Roy universe in the meantime; it seriously keeps me motivated!

(And thank you to @kissykissymouth for the chapter title!)

“Let’s go, Roy-o!” you shrieked from your seat as the announcers called his name in those booming voices that echoed through the stadium.

Katie rolled her eyes playfully as she clapped along with the roaring crowd. “You are the most obvious human being I’ve ever met, you know that?”

“I can afford to be obvious now,” you said with a smile. When Katie quirked a curious eyebrow at you, you leaned in close. “He asked me to make things official last night.” You sounded like a silly little teenage girl, all giddy and delighted over a boy, and you didn’t care one bit. “To be his girlfriend. To stay together even after I’m back at uni. That whole thing.”

Her smile was soft and genuine. “Oh, that’s so great!” she gushed as she grabbed your hand. “Now we can plan some real double dates. Go out on the town, all four of us.” Her glee faded as she studied you for a moment. “But what about your-”

“We’re telling him after the match.” For the first time since Roy climbed back out your window in the early hours of the morning, you felt confident in the idea of telling your dad. This wasn’t just a summer fling anymore; it was something real, something that would hopefully last.

And your dad was going to have to figure out how to deal with it.

Katie let out a low whistle. “Well, good luck with that,” she hummed, giving your hand a squeeze. “Let me know if you need help planning Kent’s funeral.”

You gave her a friendly shove and turned your attention back to the pitch, not bothering to hide the way you couldn’t keep your eyes off of Roy. In a few hours, your dad would know, and there would be no reason to keep anything a secret from anyone. You’d be able to come to every match and proudly wear Roy's name on your back, the way all the wives and girlfriends did, and wrap your arms around him when he emerged fresh from the showers. He could take you to post-match celebrations and charity events and any of the fabulous places a fella like him would take his girl. And you’d be able to bring him home, have him spend time with your family, properly introduce him to your mates.

As long as your dad didn’t kill Roy first.

~

After the match- a flawless 4-0 Chelsea victory, much to your relief- you lingered by Katie’s side to wait for the men to come out of the changing room. When was the last time your palms were this sweaty or your heart raced this fast? Every time a player walked out the door, your mouth went dry, wondering when it would be Roy. Somehow, you just knew that his sparkling brown eyes would be enough to calm all your nerves.

Jules emerged with a smirk on his face. After kissing his wife, he quirked an eyebrow at you. “Kent’s pretty jealous.”

“What makes you say that?” you huffed, pretending you weren’t utterly pleased at the mere mention of Roy's name.

Jules tugged on the sleeve of your kit playfully. “Apparently he doesn’t like that you wore my kit instead of his today.” He quirked his eyebrow. “Mumbled something about his girlfriend being unsupportive already.” His eyes shifted to a grinning Katie before returning to you. “Want to explain to me why the hell Kent’s calling you his girlfriend, princess?”

“Because she fucking is.” Roy smirked down at you, his fingertips twitching as he shot you a wink. “And at our next match, there better be a six on your back, gorgeous.”

You beamed up at him. “You were great today, Kent.” Fuck, you wished you could grab him and kiss that smirk. Next time, you promised yourself as the two of you batted your eyes at each other, probably making the married couple roll their own eyes. Next time you’d be wearing his kit, and you’d be able to greet him with a girlish squeal and a kiss. You’d get to finally be Roy Kent’s girl.

All you had to do was break the news to your dad.

“Your dad’s already in his press conference,” Roy murmured with raised eyebrows. “Should we… go wait in his office?”

There was that dryness in your throat again. “Yeah,” you managed, blinking rapidly. “Guess we should.” You offered Katie and Jules a tight smile. “We’ll see you guys later.”

“Good luck,” Katie called in a sing-song voice as you and Roy turned to walk down to the coaching offices.

Sure enough, your dad’s office was empty and dark. You flipped on the light and turned on his television, greeted by his face as he sat in front of the crowd of reporters. His normally stern expression was relaxed as he answered questions about the match, clearly glowing from such a great win. If there was ever a day to tell him that you were dating his completely off-limits star midfielder, it was today.

Roy leaned against the edge of your dad’s desk, next to the framed photo of you and your brother that sat by your dad’s computer. Roy took your hand and tugged you to stand close to him, pressing the tiniest kiss to your temple as his thumb stroked the back of your hand.

“It’s gonna be fine,” he whispered.

You gulped and nodded, keeping your eyes trained on your dad’s face. “I know.”

“-performed very well today,” your dad was saying as he picked up the water bottle that sat beside a microphone. “For goodness’ sake, the man scored two goals today. Don’t know what all this is about a slump. I hope all the fellas fall into this kind of a slump.” He chuckled good-naturedly and pointed off-camera. “Next question.”

“Moving on from today’s match,” a cautious voice called out. “Coach, what d’you have to say about those photos of Roy Kent and…” The reporter cleared his throat. “… your daughter?”

For a moment, your father’s face was bright red as he set down the unopened water bottle. “I’m sorry?”

Your blood ran cold while the reporter continued. “There are photos of them at a casino. They were with, uh, Jules and his wife.” He cleared his throat again. “They were quite cozy.”

“Fuck.” Roy squeezed your hand and tore his eyes away from the television. “I-”

“I don’t comment on my players’ private lives.” Your dad’s jaw was tight as he sat up at his full height. “Especially Roy Kent.” His laugh rang hollow in your ears. “If I commented on every rumor about that kid’s love life, I’d never have time to manage this team.” He moved to stand, not quite looking at the camera. “Now, if there’s no more football-related questions, I think we’re done here.”

Roy let out a low growl and switched the telly off. “Well, fuck.”

“You should leave,” you murmured, looking into Roy’s panicked eyes. “Seriously, Roy. This is so much worse than we thought. It might be better if you go.”

He shook his head. “Fuck no.” He let go of your hand in favor of wrapping his arm around your waist. “We said we’re doing this together,” he said slowly. “So, we’re doing this together. I’m not going to be the kind of prick who runs away when things get hard.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “And this is going to be so fucking hard.”

The two of you flinched when you heard doors slam and feet stomping. Instinctively, Roy removed his hand from your hip, but he stayed close enough for you to feel his warmth. A smart move, you had to admit. A smarter move would be for him to run away from Stamford Bridge altogether, to never speak to you again, but you were glad he stayed. Something besides fear swelled in your heart when you realized that Roy was sticking by your side, even in the face of your father.

Your father, whose raised voice you could hear down the hall. “Where the hell is my kid? And where the fuck is Kent?”

Your entire body trembled as his footsteps came closer, finally stopping in front of the open door of his office. His eyes widened when he took in the sight of you, standing far too close to Roy Kent in the office that held framed photos of your childhood and crayon drawings from over a decade ago. He stormed in, ignoring you in favor of grabbing Roy by his t-shirt.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Kent?” he barked. “All the fucking models and actresses in London, and you decide to shag my daughter?”

Roy shook his head frantically, hands up in defense. “Coach, it’s not like that-”

“Get the fuck out, Kent.” He released Roy and pointed to the door. “Before I take a real good look at your contract.”

You found your voice. “Daddy,” you said shakily. “Roy’s not going anywhere.” You reached down and intertwined your fingers with Roy's, ignoring the player's wide eyes. “We’re dating, Dad. Me and Roy.” You gave Roy’s hand a squeeze. “We-”

“One rule.” Your dad’s voice was low, filled with anger. “I had one rule for you hanging around here. No. Footballers.” He pointed at Roy. “Especially that one.” He shook his head at you. “What were you thinking?"

“I’m thinking I care about Roy and he cares about me.” You gripped Roy’s hand like it was a lifesaver. “And I’m thinking I’m an adult. You can’t tell me who I can and can’t date. I’m not sixteen anymore.”

Your dad’s eyes were full of rage and pain as he stared at you, looking at you like you were a complete stranger. “You’re sure acting sixteen, sneaking around behind my back.” He shook his head, eyeing Roy with disgust. “But you’re right. You’re apparently all grown up now. Do what the fuck you want.” He grabbed his bag from behind his desk and made his way to the door. “Besides, you’ll be back at school soon enough.” His gaze was steely, lacking any of the usual affection he sent your way. “And Kent’ll be back to his normal self. Once you're gone, he'll be right back to his models. Maybe then you’ll realize I was right about him all along.”

Taglist:@gee72sstuff@book-of-roses@kissykissymouth@emmy2811 @hart-kinsella @klaine-92@dearvoidgoodnight@misshall14@issieruby@royal-sunflower@kissmekent@itswhateveripromise@slaymybreathaway@darkmagazineblaze@larascorneroftheworld@infinetlyforgotten@caught-the-feels@rae4725@sisinever@cskidjgsjaoaknayan52782@dd122004dd@veryprairieberry@spacecluster@dark-academia-slut@her-fandom-sanctum@wosokirby @mmmgl29 @aadu2173

[chilahh16]

"I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime."

What would you do when you lost the very person that stood beside you all throughout everything? When things became shitty and the world seems to grapple you into failure anytime it gets.

Charles Leclerc was lost. The world seems to spin in black and white - toying with him as it continue its motion. The he now found no real happiness in the times where a smile and laugh should be there. He's a way into the dark and cannot find a light to guide him back.

He was no fool to not know when it all started - when everything came crashing down; and when he felt drowned. Who was he to forget when almost everyone that witness their story has yet to let go, and when everything reminded him of her. That beyond the talks of Formula 1, people still whisper of her name, the kindness, the warmth, and being the iconic woman that she is.

Everything's still etched in his memories. 2019 was a year where his hard work has paid off - all the sweat and tears poured in order to win on that fateful day was worth it. But it was her who made it all complete. Y/n L/n did not only cry for him as his car blazed along the finish line, she cheered for him loudly, repeating his name again and again as she jump in exhilaration. She yelled the words " He did it", "He's a race winner", and " He won, my Charles won". She ran towards parc ferme alongside his team exuberating elation and pride as he triumph. And as he exit his car, he ran towards them, hugging his team with her in it as they bask in his glory. But it was not the highlight of his win, it was when she guide his face-covered helmet toward her and kissed the place where his lips would be. They stood there, envelop in a bubble, as the circuit cheered for him. All Charles felt at that time was the pure burst of love he has for Y/n. He relish in the feel of her touch as her hands found their place on either side of his neck. It was not visible to others but Y/n saw the tears that ran down his cheeks as he stood victorious on that day's race. His eyes spoke volumes of what his quivering lips cannot and she smiled for him, understanding what he would like to convey.

" You're a race winner, Char. I am so proud of you." she whispered amongst the loud cheers but Charles heard her, causing his smile to widen.

" Thanks to you. I am here because you're with me. So, thank you for sticking by my side." he uttered though muffled by his racing helmet but, Y/n did not mind. She'll hear every single words coming from him as she finds his voice a cacophony of melody that somehow lulls her soul to calm.

" Go up there, Champ. Claim that top step." she urged as someone called Charles to the cool down room.

The hesitation was evident on those forest green orbs of his as he cling on her - hands tightly holding her in place. Gripping her waist and settling his face in the crook of her neck like his life depended on it. Y/n chuckled before she kissed the forehead of his helmet.

" I'll stay here so you can see me. You'll hear my voice cheering for you from that top step. Now go. You still have a trophy to get."

Reluctantly Charles let go as the determination in her eyes says everything. He walked backwards toward the room, eyes staring deep into hers as their distance widen. Even when the congratulatory pats and cheers echoed around him, his eyes never stray as he mouthed his declaration of love which she smiled at - his antics never failing to amuse her, before a fond look settled in her feature, answering him with utmost honesty and love.

' And I love you.'

It was after the celebrations that he was made aware of how proud and happy Y/n is of him winning. His teammates had teased him all throughout the night of how lucky he was. That no other driver has their woman jumping and cheering so loud that it can be heard from the grandstand. Charles can only smile and laugh to their stories but it was when Arthur showed him a video of Y/n hyping up and jumping inside his garage as he neared the finish line that he placed credit to the truthfulness of his teams statement. He truly is lucky to have her. And seeing how she is with everyone, doubled the love he has for the woman. He believed in God but is not one to pray. However, in that moment as he watched her walk towards him, an endearing smile set on her lips, he prayed that she'll stay beside him, always.

As he raced in his home circuit for the 6th time, it was her face that he sees. The conversations that they had before echoed in his mind as he pushed the car to its limit. To every turn, memories of her came and when he speed past the finish line, he saw her jumping proudly for him as her hands waved in the air knowing that he triumph not only in any race but in his home race. He exit his car and a wild smile showed as he raised his arms, further solidifying that he indeed won. He ran to his team clad in red and that is when his smile fell.

No longer was there a woman waiting beyond the barrier shouting his name and yelling as she proudly relish in his victory. No longer was there a kiss on his helmet nor the familiar warmth that came only with her. His first win in his home country did not taste as sweet as he had imagined before. Try as it may, she no longer stand beside him. A new figure occupied her space and no matter what he reasoned himself, he envy her. It is Y/n's rightful place, always has, always will be. But what is he to do?

The kiss he earned that day felt bitter as much as he would like to love it.

Charles indeed was right when he said he was stupid. Because looking at the now, he wish more than anything to once again hear her proudly cheer his name, see her jumping and exude happiness upon seeing him. He would of given anything just to get her back and see her with him as he came as the victor but, it has already been lost. That even attempting to follow her and get her back would prolly incur her wrath. Was it selfish to want her to be angry just so he could see and feel her again? Because he does not know what to do anymore. He had lost the woman he vowed to spend the rest of his life with. He had lost her. Lost her to death.

And as he stands on the top step that day, he let himself cry and crumble. With the country's anthem on the background, he remember his days with her. And as he raised the winner's trophy, his eyes did not linger on the people below, he stared through the sky hoping, praying that she can see him that day. It was a first that people of the world saw the vulnerability in Charles. Everyone know even without uttering anything. The win was for Herve and Jules but, it was Y/n's as well. It was hers and so much more.

Everyone realized, it may be that their love was fleeting but, it was a love of a lifetime. Hence, Charles will love her even when death parted them in this life. He'll continue loving her until they are together again. Because no matter what, she is for him as he is for her. Always.

[takes1]

Hi!!! I saw the Osamu x Reader post and as a Suna girlie it breaks my heart just a lil for Suna (very good stuff for Osamu and Reader tho, that was divine) but I was wondering maybe a slight part 2 for this where Suna gets his own happy ending? I say slight part 2 cuz Suna still has his heartbreak from the Osamu story but ends up with a different reader, perhaps? In my head it was Reader's relative who's much more of his type (relative part for slight drama, iykyk) but I'll leave that up to you!! For NSFW I'll also leave that up to you!! If that's not your cup of tea, you can ignore this ask, thanks a lot!!

hi!! thank you!! i def tried to take this in a slightly diff direction, just bc i was a little confused, but i kept the themes the same and the general prompt true to form! i hope this is alright! thanks for the request!!

warnings. sfw, alcohol consumption

info. angsty / hurt/comfort / timeskip!suna / very sad!suna / heartbreak!suna / previous relationship / suna not getting over breakup / misunderstandings / miscommunication / suna checking you out / happy ending / implied needy!suna / __ words

haikyuu collection. more here.

more links. my ao3. masterlist. requests open!

"Old-fashioned. Please," The man beside you was quiet. Raspy, in a young way, but carried an age's worth of reservation in what were so few words.

He was wearing a nice, linen shirt. Orange and yellow danced off of his Harry Winston watch, but it didn't compare to the glint in his eye as he turned to look at your equally classy style.

The name that breezed off of your lips a little too easy.

"Rintarou?"

Other voices from around the rest of the bar fell away. White noise to you- a loud, gray static to him.

His fingers felt ice cold despite not nursing a drink, a decision he regretted not partaking in sooner with the rest of his team, now.

The knot in his throat kept him from responding.

"Wanna start a tap?" The bartender slid his drink towards him. He eyed you when Suna didn't take it right away.

A brief glance between this tense scene was all it took to understand.

He offered his card between two fingers and took the seat next to you without a word.

"This isn't going to work out."

Three years. So many victories, so many trials-- gone. You swore up and down you never felt anything, even after you watched him break down into tears for an hour.

Your passive stare, completely impartial to whether he lived or died, was all the solace he got.

He must've cried for days. He almost didn't show up for graduation.

The twins thought he died.

Suna held an empty stare forward at the glossy counter- fingers circling the mouth of his glass, sometimes twirling it.

Drowning in vat of ice-cold water would be a warmer feeling than this eternal torture.

The memory of you walking out of the gym, holding yourself because you knew what you were doing, and now you had nobody to comfort you for your cruelty.

A shaky sigh fogged the cool glass on his bottom lip before he took a necessary sip.

Something kind, finally.

The heat that crawled down his throat eased your next words enough for him to bare through it.

"What are you doing here?"

Your sad attempt at trying to make conversation set him off.

His nose scrunched with the effort it took to try to pull himself together. Just your voice dragged him so far back into that deep, never ending spiral of insecurity and uncertainty.

His similarly-dressed team taking up space and sound on the other side of the bar was the first thing anyone was bound to notice. After winning a game, they usually went out for drinks- but just like every other time he was dragged along, he found himself not having as much fun as he ought to.

He grew weary of their energy and insistence that he get a girlfriend to cheer him up.

This quiet separation from the pack, his sulky demeanor, and the pain he wore on his brow was evident to even the bartender. He knew you could see it and hated himself for it.

"Celebrating," His voice was so quiet it took you seconds after to completely register it.

Watchful eyes waited for your expression to shift. It made you as uncomfortable as he wanted, but he couldn't keep the fortitude to enjoy it. He opted for his glass in time to watch his ice cube drop, shift in his drink. It looked fuller, now.

He brought the bitter thing up to his lips and handled it astoundingly well.

Your pretty eyelashes looked prettier when you looked away from him. Longer and fuller when you weren't facing him. That flawless makeup, caressed by the soft, warm light of the bar must've taken you hours.

You were different. He tried not to notice.

"How have you been?"

It wasn't an apology. His fingers slipped on the gathered condensation and he hesitated to take another sip so soon.

"Busy," He looked at your glittery shoulder when you faced him again, "You?"

There were a few moments of silence that he didn't notice. His low-lidded study of your little dress was soothing the burn in the back of his throat, a painful mix from needing to cry and the strength of his drink.

Part of him was relieved you hadn't let yourself go. You were a divine gift that any man would be glad to have, and his opinion, should be willing to break himself over.

The dress honored his useless devotion well.

Part of him would never forgive you for not throwing yourself into a pit of despair for your heartless words. His eyes hardened at once, now at the curve of your thighs that stayed crossed under the bar.

"Can you look at me?"

When his eyes shot up to meet yours, it felt like you were staring down a wounded animal.

The full weight of your decision dawned on you and you realized, all at once, that you had been wrong for years.

You hadn't spared him the way you convinced yourself that you had.

Something reminiscent of fear flashed across your face. He left you to think and chugged the rest of his whiskey. His ice clinked in the glass when he set it down and flagged the bartender.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Slipped out, a little too early, as you both watched the glass refill with golden-brown color.

He squinted down and you were grateful it wasn't a look directed straight at you.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," He snapped as soon as your company left.

With more time spent sitting next you, basking in your presence for the first time in so long, and his inhibition slowly fading, he felt himself start to get belligerent.

"I was-," You sighed, trying to control the frustration in your voice because you knew it wouldn't help, "I was trying to give you more options."

It was quiet for a long minute.

The hateful stare he kept on his own hand told you he was not convinced.

"I knew it would be tough on us, with you travelling for the team."

A tough brow softened, just a little. His thumb slid against the rim of the glass, thoughtful, about a better time. When he had something else to look forward to other than practice, or games.

"I didn't wanna put you through that. I didn't want- to make you choose."

His life was empty beyond the court. He couldn't imagine any scenario that would've played out to be worse than this. His face stung when he spared a sideways glance at your pretty face.

"So you chose for me," He rolled his cloudy eyes.

His words were like acid.

You couldn't swallow the lump in your throat. You turned from him, angry that he wasn't doing well, guilty that it had to do with something you thought was a good decision.

A big breath through your nose.

"And I'm sorry," You bit the inside of your cheek when he froze, "I really can't express how sorry I am."

The apology wasn't something he could rationalize as anything other than genuine, and heartfelt.

Confusion ran through him, made much worse by his buzz-- his eyes burned and he furiously wiped one eye. He had convinced himself you were secretly an emotionless, terrible person for doing that to him. The fact that you could possibly atone for it made him wildly uncomfortable.

His chair scraped when he pushed himself up to stand and face you. He kept one arm on the bar.

"I wanted to make it work!"

His version of loud was by no means actually loud, but it still startled you.

"And- you didn't," He was already back to a soft mutter, but it was wobbly when he kept talking, "I don't know what else I could've done, to be enough for you."

"You were enough," You instantly argued, "I just-,"

Another frustrated, teary sigh, "I didn't think I was."

It must've been muscle memory. Suna didn't realize he was wiping a tear from your face until his hand was already back down by his side.

He hated seeing you cry so much that it trumped his own lingering, maladaptive thoughts. Especially when you looked so good.

Your small, sad smile at his chivalry eased the weight in his chest.

He felt like he could breathe for the first time in years.

"You were everything to me," You admitted.

He had to take his seat at that. Closer, this time.

masterlist.

requests open.

[rems-writing]

To ensure your right-hand man's comfort

Pairing: gangster!Yunho × right-hand!reader

Summary: We really just need more mafia/gangster Yunho fics ngl. Also, this is not good at all so I'm sorry :(

Warning(s): mentions of guns, violence, gore, knives being thrown, gn!reader, soft!Yunho

Genre: Fluff with sprinkles of angst and crack to balance out the bloody scenario of this fic

Nets: @blossomnet @mirohs-aurora-society

I'm tagging @frenchkisstheabyss since she's a new moot of mine and I love her work

You and Yunho were laughing your asses off in victory as you drove away from the arson and bloodshed that you guys laid upon the location where your mission took place.

Well... Yunho was. You were sitting in the driver's seat, anxiously getting back home.

Your knuckles were white due to the tight grip you had on the steering wheel. Your anxiety grew even more when Yunho carelessly threw random bills out from the black duffle bag he kept in his bloodied grasp. Once you arrived home, both of you exited the car and made your way to the front of the large mansion he holes himself up in.

"Come on! Don't dilly dally! We should celebrate while the night is young!"

"You can do that. I'll be in my room."

Yunho's smile faltered and he sighed deeply before nodding firmly and watching you go up the stairs to your room.

He should've listened to his friend about tagging you along.

You've been Yunho's right-hand man for three years. You have been the backbone of his small yet dangerous gang and the reason why he smiles every day. Despite the grim setting you were working in, you never complained once. So he wondered why tonight was different.

You never necessarily complained per say. You've practically been desensitized to everything that goes on in the gang. From gun polishing to beating up suspects in order to get answers.

Let's not forget about all the times where Yunho got so angry that he would randomly throw knives at anything. It would range from vases to even the windows of the many cars he owned.

All of that you could easily brush past.

But when he personally asked you to be the getaway driver for tonight's mission, you immediately wanted to say no. You didn't hate driving.

You hated the anxiety that came with it.

Being a getaway driver was serious shit and you felt you weren't confident enough to pull this job off.

Yunho never knew that though. Why? It was simple.

You were afraid of Yunho getting angry with you.

As Yunho scrubbed the dried blood off his hands under hot water, he thought back to his conversation with his best friend Mingi.

"I don't know, man. Y/N is tough, but there have been times where they aren't so confident." Mingi said to Yunho.

"Oh come on! Have more faith in them!" Yunho exclaimed, seemingly baffled by Mingi's concern.

"I do! It's just... you don't really know what goes on inside their head. You just drop commands and they blindly follow."

"So?! What's wrong with that?"

"Have you ever considered that maybe they're comfortable doing everything else except that?"

"If they were uncomfortable with it, they should've told me!"

"That's the thing, Yunho... they're afraid that you might lash out at them if they spoke up against it."

"But they know I would never be angry with them!"

"Do they... do they really?"

The conversation ended there. As Yunho was hunched over the sink, he was deep in thought. He groaned in frustration and felt guilt creeping up on him.

He needed to talk to you.

You were sitting on top of your bed, knees folded up against your chest as you stared into the void. You were so lost in your anxiety that you didn't notice Yunho barging in.

He had a habit of doing that.

However, instead of flopping down on your bed like he usually does, the giant puppy instead hovered over you and placed a hand in your hair, his fingers lightly massaging your scalp. You looked up and grew concerned when you saw the guilty expression on his face.

"Is something wrong, Yunho?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

The softness and slight cracks in his voice made your concern turn into worry. You sighed and patted the spot next to you. Yunho obliged and sat next to you before pulling you into a hug.

You were shocked to say the least.

In all of your time being by Yunho's side, you have never this kind of proximity with your boss. The most he did was just pat your shoulder or head. So to be enveloped in the arms of the most dangerous gangster was slightly foreign yet deep down, you knew you needed this. You slowly returned the hug and froze when you felt a tear drop down onto your shoulder.

Was Yunho... crying?

"Hey. Tell me what's wrong."

"I should've known..."

"Known what?"

"That you were uncomfortable with being the getaway driver!"

Oh

So he figured it out.

"Yunho, it's fine -"

"You will listen to me and not say it's fine! Because it's not!"

The sudden exclamation made you flinch but you nodded slowly and let him speak.

"Look. You are the only one I trust with everything. And I am so grateful for that. However, I should've realized that you also have limits. I just thrust you into that position without asking you if you were ok with it first and I... I just..."

He hiccupped and hung his head in shame while you sighed quietly.

"Yunho, listen. You know that I would do anything for you. Ever since you saved me from dying on the side of that road after I was abandoned, I've been in debt to you. To have your trust is like winning an award at life."

"But in return, you should trust me! Y/N..."

He grabbed your hands and rubbed your knuckles with his thumbs.

"Are you afraid of my anger if you spoke up for being uncomfortable?"

"I wouldn't put it past you -"

"You do realize that I would never hurt the person I trust most, right? We are partners! If you don't like a certain task, tell me and I will assign you something else. Please just tell me... I can't bear the thought of you being so uncomfortable with something yet you push past it just so you can please me."

He leaned in and kissed your forehead.

"Promise me you will do that?"

"Only if you promise me to never assign me as the getaway driver ever again."

"Deal."

Yunho's heart skipped a beat upon seeing the genuine smile on your face. He ruffled your hair and grabbed you so you could sit up and lay against him while he sat up against the headboard.

"So... want to tell me how that hook up went with Mingi?"

"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?!"

"GIRL, YOU LOUD AS HELL!"

"I BLAME YOUR FRIEND!"

"FOR WHAT?! BEING SO FINE?!"

"Ok but like I never said that though."

"Mmm. Sure. Don't forget our little convo about how you found Mingi so attractive and sexy and that you'd do anything for him."

"Ok listen -"

Yunho simply laughed while you tried to poorly defend yourself.

This is what he wanted from you.

He wanted to ensure that you are comfortable, no matter what the situation is.

After all, gangsters do indeed have a heart.

[feedthefandomfest]

Comment Bingo: Dean Winchester Edition

Very simple rules: comment on a fic with the given tag in a particular square; repeat until you've completed 5 squares in a line

Very simple goals: encourage readers to comment on fics; encourage fandom writers to KEEP WRITING (about Dean)

🎉 to celebrate 500+ followers, here's a card for one of my all-time forever favorite characters; I haven't been super active in spn fandom for awhile, but every now and then a Dean craving hits; special thanks to @thomthinks for providing feedback and suggestions 💛

STEPS:

Download Bingo Card HERE (png) or HERE (jpg) or HERE (pdf)

Complete the tasks on the card, marking off each as you go, until you've completed 5 in a line (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal; center ♥️ is a free space)

POST your winning card (or list your filled squares) and tag @feedthefandomfest! Glory in your victory.

REWARD:

✨ victory badges ✨

New badge for this card, but here are examples from previous cards:

Tag me when you earn a bingo (or double, triple, quadruple... FULL CARD bingo) and I'll reblog a shiny badge with your name on it to commemorate the win.

FAQ:

Can I comment on tumblr or only on AO3?

Either one is great! This card especially is more designed with AO3 in mind, but some can be adjusted to suit tumblr as well, so I say go for it. Tumblr fics deserve love, too.

Can one comment count toward multiple squares if the fic fits more than one category?

Since the goal is for as many fics to receive comments as possible, try to comment on a different fic for each square.

Is there a time limit?

Nope! Take your time or set your own deadline, whatever works for you.

Do I have to record progress on the actual card?

Nope! If it’s easier to keep track in a different way, that’s fine. This is all very honor system, so if you say you earned a Bingo, we’ll call it a win 🎉

Some people have been tracking not just completed tasks, but the fics they read along the way, so that when they post a bingo, they can also promote the fics/authors in a little rec list. Not required, but definitely cool to see!

Can I adjust the task in a particular square to suit my comfort level?

Of course! If you deliver something in the spirit of the task, then it’s all good. Use your best judgement in constructing a comment that will make the author smile, and you can consider it a job well done.

In general, so long as each square has produced at least one comment, you’re golden and I salute you 🫡

Happy commenting!!

[hurpdurpburps]

Otherside Picnic Manga Yuri Club Special Story 9 English Translation

SPOILER WARNING: Takes place immediately after the events of File 10 - Sannuki-san and Karateka-san in Vol 3 of the novels.

Written by: Miyazawa Iori

Translated by: @hurpdurpburps

-

Chapter 9: Kozakura Mansion, Pizza Party

The intercom rang, and Akari was the first to stand up from the couch before anyone else could do so.

"Looks like it's here! Do you mind if I get the door, Kozakura-san?"

"Yeah, please do."

"Understood!"

Akari left the reception room, and soon after the sound of the front door opening could be heard.

"Yes! This way!" A loud voice calling out to the delivery person came through from beyond the closed door.

"That girl is full of energy," Kozakura said, half-amused.

"She sure is loud, isn't she?"

"Maybe doing karate makes you this way," Toriko chimed in, tilting her head to the side.

I wasn’t sure if everyone in this room - meaning Kozakura, Toriko, and myself – would be a match for Akari even if we combined our voices and all of the cheer that we could muster.

"I thought you were someone like that too when we first met, Toriko."

"Me?"

"I’d assumed you were one of those bright, cheerful rays of sunshine, so I was surprised when you didn't turn out to be like that."

"Hey, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

She had a fair point, but anyone would’ve thought the same after seeing her come on so strongly when we first met. She'd even tracked me down at my university.

In hindsight, the manner in which she’d abruptly gotten closer to me felt a bit off. And that was in addition to the fact that I knew that she was in illegal possession of a gun.

As such, it was curious how we ended up becoming good friends. If Toriko had reciprocated the sense of distance between us, we wouldn't be where we were right now.

"You’re really shy, aren’t you, Toriko?"

"I guess so."

"You were so quick to tell me to help out Akari and Natsumi, but you clammed up the moment you met them in person."

"That’s because I didn't know what to talk about."

"Well, neither did I."

"Sorawo-chan, didn't you notice that Toriko was shy when you met for the first time?"

"Not at all. Was it different when you first met her, Kozakura-san?"

Kozakura and Toriko shared a look.

"She didn’t speak much and just sort of smiled, so I thought, ‘She’s a quiet one.’"

"Ah, so she was in her usual shy mode."

"I was nervous, you know… I got used to you quickly, didn’t I?" Toriko said sheepishly.

"Yeah, you sure did, getting so close to me all of a sudden that I got scared."

"It’s as I thought after all…"

"What do you mean ‘after all’? I thought we got along pretty well right from the get-go, Sorawo."

"On the contrary, what was up with that? You didn't seem shy at all."

"Mmn- I just kinda thought, ‘It feels like I can get along with this girl.’”

"And why is that?"

"Huh? Umm."

Toriko suddenly looked at me with a shy grin on her face.

"Wh- what?"

"Nothing?"

"Seriously, what???"

While I was in my state of confusion, I heard Akari's footsteps return.

"Helloooo! Could you open the door, please!"

Being the one in closest proximity, I stood up and opened the door to the reception room, and Akari entered carrying a pile of pizza boxes and several bags of side orders in her hands.

"Huh, did we order this much?"

"It'll be fine as long as you eat up, Sorawo."

"No way, eat your proper share too, Toriko!"

"I'll be eating as well, so it's alright!"

That's right, I’ll need Akari to take one for the team today.

This afterparty was a victory celebration of sorts for defeating Sannuki-kano. Which was why we’d made an exception and invited Akari.

"It would’ve been nice if Natsumi could join us," Toriko said with a smile.

There you go, saying things like that again, even though you’d barely be able to hold a conversation if she were actually here.

"I totally feel the same way, but it seems she still has her hands full with work."

"Make sure you eat her share too."

"Got it! Thank you for the food!"

Kozakura squinted her eyes in response to Akari’s bright reply, as if she were looking at a blindingly-bright object.

I must have the same expression on my face, I thought to myself.

TL Notes

General note: I adopted a more 'literary' prose style to match the tone of the novels. Hence, the translation in this series will be significantly more liberal than my usual analytical posts. Feel free to ask me anything. Feedback regarding translation accuracy is also welcome.

No particular terms or phrases to point out for this chapter, but I did make a conscious effort to make everyone's speech patterns more distinctive because I wanted to more accurately reflect the dialogue nuances and corresponding lack of speaker signifiers in the original Japanese text as best as I could.

Do let me know if the conversations in this chapter are confusing to read.

List of Yuri Club's Otherside Picnic Short Stories [my translations]:

1. Shinjuku, The First Meet-Up (新宿、初めての待ち合わせ)

2. Hasshaku-sama Epilogue (八尺様エピローグ)

3. Ochanomizu, The First Afterparty (お茶の水、初めての打ち上げ)

4. Ikebukuro, Cafe Meal For One (池袋、ひとりカフェ飯)

5. Naha, After The Big Job (那覇、大仕事の後)

6. Ishigaki Island, A Dazed Vacation (石垣島、呆然のリゾート)

7. Mercedes AMG, The Backseat (メルセデスAMG、後部座席)

8. Otherworldly Elevator, On The Way Back (異世界エレベーター、帰路)

9. Kozakura Mansion, Pizza Party (小桜屋敷、ピザパーティー)

10. Ikebukuro Bookstore, Meet Up (池袋の書店、待ち合わせ)

11. Hannou, In The Car From The Station (飯能、駅からの車中)

12. TBD

[tnbc-thoughtsandheadcanons]

The Battle for Pumpkin King #5

Here are my thoughts on the last issue of the comic. After this, I'll be writing a full review looking at the series as a whole. As always, Spoilers under the 'Read More'!

The last competition for the title of Pumpkin King between Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie is designing and carving their own giant Jack-o-Lantern. It's clear that they must complete it on their own, even cleaning out their pumpkins, and will be judged by 5 Townspeople.

Edgar suggests for Oogie Boogie to break the rules (again) by using Lock, Shock, and Barrel, this time to clean out his pumpkin for him. He says if Boogie wins, he can continue using his Lair, even having it as his own. While they clean out his pumpkin, Oogie wastes time by talking to the Judges and even taunting Jack, who questions why he isn't dirty from cleaning his pumpkin.

Jack starts to have doubts about himself and wonders why he's working so hard while things come 'naturally' for Oogie. He is comforted by Sally, who tells him he workd hard because it's natural to him, too, and is giving his all.

Oogie sends some bugs and snakes Jack's way to bother him while he carves. Lock, Shock, and Barrel start throwing pumpkin guts at each other inside, which sends a flurry onto Jack's pumpkin. Thinking quickly, Jack meshes it to look like hair on the jack-o-lantern. In contrast, Oogie's pumpkin is a mess from the trio's mischief.

The judges (as we all know) choose Jack's jack-o-lantern unanimously over Oogie Boogie's, winning him the crown of Pumpkin King. Boogie is furious and stomps the winning pumpkin down, arguing with Edgar and claiming his Lair as his own. He officially ends his friendship with Jack and storms off. Elsewhere, Jack suggests using Oogie's mess for a pumpkin pie, along with the Mayor's suggestion of a party to celebrate his victory.

Edgar congratulates Jack on his winning and claims he will retire to the pumpkin patch since Oogie is now in his Lair. He lays with the pumpkins lamenting Oogie's loss and their wasted potential as a team, but now he can finally rest.

Oogie, now in Edgar's Lair, claims everyone is against him, and vows no one will ever cheat him again.

---

This comic was a LOT of fun to read and buy, much like Mirror Moon was. But I think I enjoyed this one more, despite TBFPK not having as extreme concepts. I will go into more detail in my full Review - keep an eye out for it! ;)

#5 was a great wrap to everything, showing us how Oogie ended his ties with Jack and what happened to Edgar in the end. Crazy to think the previous Pumpkin King might be one of the many pumpkins in the patch now, if he's not already long gone by this point.

It's interesting how Oogie was easily manipulated by Edgar, cheated in the competitions, yet feels betrayed and cheated HIMSELF after he loses. He gave up his friendship with Jack over a potential team-up with Edgar, only to lose THAT in the end(except gain his Lair). I can see why he would take control over the trio down the line, seeing as they indirectly caused his loss for the crown. I bet he forever holds that to them....

Also, very sweet little moments between Jack and Sally. I wonder how their friendship grew in this way. And I'm happy to see how Jack won his crown, it's fortunate it hadn't been Oogie(unless, without Edgar's influence, he would have wanted to rule Halloween Town...better? And possibly had a greater chance in the Competition without his help?)

I have a lot more to say about this series, so I'll start on the overall review soon. If you can, consider buying the Issues, or the Graphic Novel that comes out next month!!!

[grangerhater]

SINCE THIRD YEAR

pairing : james potter x reader

synopsis : you are drunk at a gryffindor party and you can’t stop thinking about your years long crush on your best friend

fluff

I'm in the midst of a party at the Gryffindor common room. The room is filled with students celebrating the end of the year. I spot James across the room, and my heart flutters. We've been friends since first year at Hogwarts, but I've always had a little crush on him.

As the party rages around me, I can't help but think about James. He's smart, funny, and kind. Plus, he's always been there for me, no matter what. As I watch him talk to a group of students, I feel a lump in my throat. Could he possibly like me too?

As I sit at the party, my head spinning from too many drinks, my thoughts drift back to the first time I felt something for my best friend.

It all began one sunny afternoon in the Gryffindor common room in third year. I was sitting on one of the plush armchairs, engrossed in a book, when James sauntered over, a mischievous glint in his hazel eyes.

I looked up as James approached, immediately noticing his mischievous glint in his hazel eyes. "Hello there" I said with a small smile. I wasn't surprised to see him approach. We'd been friends for years, and it seemed like he was always up to something fun. "What's up?"

Suddenly, James snatched the book out of my hand and ran away. I let out a surprised gasp and sprang to my feet, ready to chase after him. "That was my book!" I exclaimed, laughing as I ran after him out of the common room and down the stairs. This was going to be a fun game of catch, I just knew it.

My heart was pounding as I tried to keep up with James' long stride. "Give me back my book!" I cried, laughing as I tried to close the distance between us. He had a step on me, though, and he was teasingly out of reach.

I felt a pang of frustration as James slowed his pace, just to taunt me. I redoubled my efforts and managed to close the gap, finally grabbing his arm and pulling him to a stop. I was breathless, but victorious. "I got you!" I grinned, clutching my book tightly to my chest.

James laughed, reaching out and gently tickling the underside of my chin with his fingertip, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'll keep the book as ransom until you give me a kiss," he said, raising an eyebrow. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, but I knew that if I wanted my book back, I'd have to play along. So I leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, trying to ignore the way his breath caught in his throat.

I pulled away, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as I waited for James to respond. He was silent for a beat, then he smiled again and handed me my book. "It was worth it," he said, leaning in to whisper in my ear. My heart skipped a beat as I felt the heat of his breath on my neck. He was so close, I could feel his heart pounding against mine. I had to breathe in slowly and clear my head before I could respond.

I nodded nervously, trying to keep my emotions in check. I couldn't deny that there was a spark between us, and this was just the latest in a long string of playful flirtations between us. I wanted to say something clever, to let him know that I felt the same way, but I couldn't seem to find the right words. So I just smiled back and tucked the book under one arm, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach.

As I sat down at the party, I couldn't help but smile at the memories that were dancing in my head. It seemed like a lifetime ago that James and I were playing games like that in the Gryffindor common room. Now, we were both adults, but I felt the spark between us was just as strong as ever. I looked across the room and spotted James, laughing and surrounded by friends. I felt a small tug at my heart as I thought about all the years that had passed since that day in third year when we played this game of chase.

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice calling my name. I looked up to see James approaching, a warm smile on his face. He sat down beside me and grabbed my hand, drawing me into a tight hug. "I've missed you" he said softly, leaning his head against mine. I felt the weight of the years drop away as we held each other, the memories of our past and our present colliding in that moment. This was what I had been waiting for all these years, I realized. This was my moment with James, and it was everything I had dreamed of.

As James and I sat together at the party, I couldn't help but think about how perfect the moment was. We had grown up together, shared laughs, secrets, and experiences. We knew each other inside and out, and our connection was undeniable. The years of chasing, flirting, and teasing had finally paid off. Here we were, sitting together at a party, as adults, and my heart was full. I felt happy, comfortable, and at peace, there was no one else I'd rather be spending this moment with.

As the party wound down, James and I found ourselves alone in the common room. The warmth of the night air was tinged with a slight chill, but it was nothing compared to the heat I felt in my heart. We sat together on a comfy couch in the corner of the room, our hands intertwined, just enjoying each other's company. The feeling of his presence felt so familiar, yet new at the same time. I smiled at him, our connection deeper than ever before.

I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his for a brief moment, our eyes still locked on each other. When we parted, there was a spark in James's eyes that made my heart beat faster. I couldn't keep a smile from forming on my lips as he leaned in again for another kiss, his hand still on my arm. This was a moment I would never forget, and I savored every second of our shared affection.

After another moment of tender kisses, James pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. I felt the heat of his body against mine and the smell of his cologne mixed with the scent of his hair. I was so immersed in the moment that I didn't want it to end. As I let out a contented sigh, I felt his hands slip around my waist, pulling me close as his lips met mine for another kiss. No words were necessary. We knew how we felt about each other.

I let myself get lost in the moment, enjoying every second of James's affection. I lost track of the time as we shared another passionate kiss, our hands gently running over each other's bodies. Slowly, I became aware that the common room was beginning to empty and that we might be interrupted at any moment. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was James and I, in each other's arms.

I reluctantly pulled away from James, my breathing still coming in short, irregular breaths. I could barely believe what had just happened between us. The fact that he felt the same way about me and the ease with which we shared our affection, was thrilling. I knew I couldn't keep this moment inside me any longer. "James," I whispered, my hand brushing against his face. "I hope you know how much I've wanted this for so long."

James smiled back at me, his hazel eyes shining in the dim light. "You have no idea," he said, his voice low and rumbling. "Ever since we met, I've dreamed of being with you. I thought one day you'd make your feelings known, but I couldn't wait any longer." He took my hand and pressed it to his chest. "And now, at last, I have you." My heart fluttered as he pulled me closer to him, his arms wrapping around me and his body pressing against mine. The heat between us rose again, and I felt my body responding to his touch.

I let myself relax in James's embrace, my face pressed into his neck. His scent, a mix of cologne and sweat and musk, was intoxicating. I ran my hands over his chest, feeling his warm skin under my fingertips. I wish could stay like this forever.

[myadhdchronicles]

Navigating Life with ADHD: My Journey, Tips, and Hacks

Living with ADHD has its unique challenges, but it's also a journey filled with creativity, resilience, and countless small victories. I've learned to embrace my ADHD and discovered some invaluable tips, hints, and hacks along the way. In this blog, I'll share my personal insights and strategies that have made life with ADHD more manageable and even exciting.

1. Embrace Your ADHD:

Accepting your ADHD is the first step to managing it effectively. It's a part of who you are, and that's okay.

Learn about your specific strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD. You might be exceptionally creative or have hyperfocus superpowers!

2. Create a Structured Routine:

Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of stability and predictability.

Use digital calendars, planners, and reminders to keep track of appointments, tasks, and deadlines. I particularly like Sunsama, it is very ADHD-friendly. Habitica is good too, it is a gamified digital calendar that engages the ADHD brain much better than regular planners.

3. Prioritize and Set Goals:

ADHD brains can easily get overwhelmed by too many tasks. Prioritize your to-do list and break tasks into smaller, manageable goals.

Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

4. Minimize Distractions:

Create a dedicated workspace that's free from distractions.

Consider using noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, or white noise to maintain focus.

Learn what kind of workspace works best for you, it's not the same for every ADHD brain.

5. Time Management Techniques:

Use the Pomodoro Technique (working in short, focused bursts with breaks) to stay on track.

Set timers for tasks to prevent hyperfocus and procrastination.

6. Medication and Therapy:

Consult a medical professional to discuss medication options.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you develop coping strategies and improve executive functioning skills, but know your own ADHD brain because it does not work for all of them.

7. Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness practices can help you stay present and reduce anxiety.

Try meditation to improve concentration and self-awareness.

Meditation and mindfulness do not have to be the typical sit still and clear your-mind things they are for non-ADHD brains, for a lot of ADHD brains we need to move so something like knitting/crocheting, going for a walk, or sitting outside in nature with your dog are our forms of mindfulness and meditation.

8. Stay Organized:

Use color coding, labels, and file systems to keep your physical and digital spaces organized.

Daily checklists can be a game-changer.

Know your own ADHD brain and make your system one that works for your brain or organization will continue to be a struggle.

9. Don't Fear Mistakes:

It's okay to make mistakes. Learn from them and keep moving forward.

Perfectionism can be your enemy; aim for progress, not perfection.

Learn to let good enough be good enough, perfection does not exist.

10. Get Adequate Sleep and Exercise:

Prioritize good sleep hygiene; it can significantly impact your ADHD symptoms.

Regular physical activity can boost focus and mood.

11. Utilize ADHD-Related Apps:

Explore ADHD-focused apps designed to help with time management, organization, and focus.

Some popular options include Todoist, Forest, Trello, Clarify ADHD, Sunsama, and Fabulous.

12. Seek Support and Community:

Connect with others who have ADHD through support groups or online forums.

Share your experiences and learn from the journeys of others.

Living with ADHD doesn't mean you're destined to struggle. By embracing your uniqueness and applying these tips, hints, and hacks, you can take control of your life. ADHD has its challenges, but it can also be a source of creativity, innovation, and unique perspectives. Remember, you're not alone, and there's a vibrant community of people who understand and support you on this journey. Embrace your ADHD, and together, we can navigate the world with success and resilience. See you next time, ADHD Team!

[amber-michaelson]

The Missing Piece

Jake Sully x Avatar reader x Neytiri

Summary: at the end of the war they felt like something was missing till you came along

Read at own risk

Warning: none

You stayed behind after the war, you stayed behind to help rebuild their home, you may not have actually meet jake and neytiri but you admired them very much and it seemed as if ewya connected you to them everytime they passed or looked in your direction it felt as if there was a calling, a thread pulling you together I wonder if they've felt it to.

Jake pov

I sat silently staring up at the stars I could never get used to its beauty "what's wrong ma jake" I sighed knowing neytiri could see right through me "I just-' I paused 'I just can't believe it's finally over" I smiled over to her I don't know why I feel so sad "why are you sad jake" she asked sitting beside me "since the wars over I thought that would be it but I still feel a calling out there" I said looking at her "I know you can feel it to neytiri" she was silent just staring into the distance "what if ewya wants to tell us something" thoughts filled my head of possibilities "what if-" I stopped when neytiri put her hand over my mouth "I think I have an idea ma jake" she said standing up and offering her hand I took it standing up and followed her into the forest, she took me a little way from the soul tree and took me into a well covered cave "what is this place" I murmured and watched as she lit a touch to light up the walls where small drawings where littered here and there "this is our history jake my family's history" she said and gestured over to one drawing "a long time ago the chief was blessed by ewya and was given a second mate" she explained while glancing back and forth from me to the drawing "a second mate" I whispered "how can you be so sure" I asked.

Neytiri pov

He stepped closer and grabbed the touch searching for similar drawings "ma jake it is a blessing from ewya-" "but we don’t need another mate neytiri" he shouted "we have everything we need" he muttered throwing the touch into a puddle "ma jake you can feel the pull same as me we can't deny ewya" I said stepping towards him but he just turned and left "I hear you ewya".

Jake pov

I went back to the village and sat listening as everyone celebrated our victory, I loved neytiri but would it be fair to take another bond "why do you do this to me ewya" I said rubbing my face I feel the pull and everytime I'm with neytiri it feels as if somethings missing "I know this is strange ma jake" neytiri appeared next to me "but it's going to be good for us" she took my hand and held it tightly "all we need is the missing piece"

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎Few weeks later▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

I was muttering to myself as I wondered around the forest i just made it to a little clearing when I heard a twig snap and quickly hid behind a bush and watched

Yn pov

I walked into the little clearing and sat by the pond this is where I liked to come and think "I can feel you lurking" I murmured side eying the bush that shook ever so slightly "good instinct" I gasped standing up as jake sully emerged "I'm sorry I wasn't trying to be rude" I murmured all in one breath the pull was becoming stronger then ever "I remember you from the battle" he grinned stepping closer tell he was just a few feet away from me "you are quite the hunter" I blushed at the compliment "thank you and im yn" I smiled be smiled back and was aboutto speak when "jake" neytiri called from the distance "I'll see you around" he said before running off to see his mate I could finally breath.

Jake pov

She felt strange, like there's a connection between us like I have with neytiri "ma jake" "I think I found her" I interrupted neytiri stared at me for a second "found who" she said "the other bond" I murmured and grabbed her hand and led her just a ways from the clearing "there" I said and pointed at the lonely navi "I think I found our missing piece"

Yn pov

After meeting jake I've had more run ins with the couple as I was wondering in the village they would pass me and one of their tails would trace along mine or they would watch from a far as I helped around the village maybe they felt the pull too till they had enough and pulled me into the forest to talk I stared at them not knowing what to say I mean what could I say in this situation "yn we knew your our third bond" I avoided their gaze not wanting to face them "and we accept you" neytiri said lifting my face to look at hers "really" I murmured in relief "your our missing piece".

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