#as the man was literally seeing the red flags by this point

[thetimelordbatgirl]

Really love how the mother of Zoey101 Star, Christopher Massey, is trying to defend Dan Schneider with saying blame the parents, when by her own logic, she's taking the blame then for not only Christopher being an abuser but also her other son, Kyle Massey, for being a predator.

[batsplat]

Casey Stoner, Pushing the Limits

GP11:

GP12:

x

[masterhallmark]

Rant incoming

I feel like the problem with a lot of Disney's live action remakes (and arguably Wish) is they're trying to appeal to a crowd that no longer exists, namely the people who used to claim that the Disney Princesses were sexist.

All the interviews tend to include, "Well she's not chasing a MAN anymore" which...almost no one sees the princesses like that, anymore. Virtually NO ONE still believes the princesses are man-chasing sexist caricatures of women.

Cinderella is now hailed as an abuse victim who stayed strong long enough to get help to get out of her situation. Anyone who says she should have saved herself is basically regarded as a victim blamer. And it's very clear in the film she wasn't looking to marry the prince, she just wanted a night off. She was the only one who wasn't in line to meet him. She didn't find out she met the prince until he went looking for her!

Snow White is now hailed for her negotiation skills, ability to calm down after extreme stress (she had a moment of panic and had to cry for a bit, but who wouldn't after finding out The Queen hired someone to kill you?), and ability to take charge of a house of adult men. And again, she was an abuse victim, this time trying to escape ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS. While she dreamed of her prince, it was secondary to her main goal of SURVIVAL. There are also entire video essays about how Snow White gave hope to people during The Great Depression.

Everyone acknowledges that Ariel wanted to be human BEFORE meeting Eric. We all know she was a nerd hyperfixating on humans, and also standing up to her prejudiced father.

We understand Sleeping Beauty wasn't the main character, the Three Good Fairies were, AND PHILLIP WOULD NEVER HAVE BEATEN MALEFICENT WITHOUT THEM! He literally depended on them! WOMEN SAVED THE DAY! But even then, is it really such a sin for a girl to fantasize about romance and fall for someone with corny pickup lines?

We all understand Jasmine just wanted someone to treat her LIKE A PERSON. She rejected every Prince before Aladdin because they treated her like a prize. So why did they need her to want to be Sultan? How did that make her more feminist when she already wanted to be treated like an equal and have a say in her future? Is it only empowering if you want a career in politics?

We admire that Belle, despite living in a judgemental village, was kind to everyone (even though she found the village life dull), and her story teaches girls that the guy everyone else loves isn't always a good guy. What's sexist about teaching girls about red flags? And she didn't start being nice to The Beast until he started treating her with respect and kindness.

Do I really NEED to defend Mulan or Tiana? I think they speak for themselves.

Rapunzel was yet another abuse victim who just needed a little help to get out of her bad situation. In this case, she also needed to learn that she was an abuse victim, and that what Mother Gothel did WASN'T normal, much like many victims of gaslighting.

And don't get me started on the non-princess animals.

Perdita had a healthy relationship with Pongo to the point she was open to express her pregnancy fears to him, and was ready to TEAR APART Cruella's goons for daring to touch her puppies as well as adopting the other puppies. Like, she was so ferocious the goons mistook her for a hyena! She's basically that "I AM THAT GIRL'S MOTHER!" scene from SpyXFamily if Yor were a dog. She and her husband were a TEAM.....but they made a Cruella live action to turn her into a girlboss?! The literal animal abuser!? THAT'S the woman you wanted to put on a pedestal when Perdita was RIGHT THERE!?

Duchess kept her kittens calm after they had been catnapped and was classy as heck. Nice to everyone regardless of social class during a time period where that was uncommon.

Lady stood up to Tramp when she believed he had abandoned her and didn't really care about her. She found out he was a heartbreaker and was like, "Nuh uh. No. You are not doing that to me! You put me through enough."

Miss Bianca from The Rescuers was IN CHARGE the whole movie, and was willing to risk life and limb to save an innocent child. THAT TINY MOUSE TOOK ON ALLIGATORS! And she picked Bernard to accompany her because he was the only one who wasn't ogling her. And then in the sequel SHE DID IT ALL AGAIN! I wish I were as brave as her.

Like, the public haven't accused these ladies of being sexist caricatures since 2014 (Actresses and actors don't count, they're out of touch like the rest of Hollywood) yet Disney is operating under the assumption that the public still thinks that way, hence all the "sHe'S nOt AfTeR a MaN iN ThIs VeRsIOn" talk.

The live action remakes are trying to attract an audience that doesn't really exist much, anymore, and back when it did exist, was comprised mainly of people who didn't actually watch the films. The Disney princesses are no longer seen as sexist, and feminine qualities are no longer seen as weak or undesirable.

[berzahoes]

manifestation, baby! | tom blyth

summary: fans find out tom’s girlfriend has an old youtube channel where she reviewed the ballad of songbirds and snakes (and she definitely manifested her life)

an: the way i thought about this idea and quickly wrote it down so i didn’t forget it. i used to have an app that made those fake tweets but i’m just tired to make fake profiles 😭 maybe i’ll change it later idk

for the purpose of this imagine, let’s pretend tbosas book was published between 2017-2019

liked by zeglerslove, 444_bri and 35,377 others

tomblythxsnow apparently tom’s girlfriend has an old youtube channel where she reviews books and she reviewed the ballad of songbirds and snakes and she literally manifested her future 😭

lucymygf WHATTT WHATS HER CHANNEL NAME

tomblythxsnow it’s yn’s book corner. she hasn’t posted since 2019 ngl i need her to review a little life because that book destroyed me

nat76_ omg i used to watch her videos!! i’m still subscribed to her 😭 i remember only buying and reading the books she liked because i wanted to be her so bad

j4ckaszlol “if someone ever makes a movie adaptation of this book and casts someone attractive to play snow then i am sorry for the person i become” REALLLLL

graybairdsmockingjay dude the part where she said “i’m calling it now whoever plays young snow will be my boyfriend. movie studios always cast someone attractive as the younger version of a character!” MY JAW DROPPED SHE NEEDS TO TELL ME HER WAYS

“guess what rachel just sent me.” you heard tom say when he arrived to your shared apartment.

“wedding invitations?!” you gasped as you almost stood up from the sofa since you were watching reruns of criminal minds, but tom stopped you.

“no, it’s better!” tom sat beside you and showed you his phone. “why didn’t you tell me you had a youtube channel?” on his phone screen was your review of the ballad of songbirds and snakes, which had become a very popular video over the past couple of days.

you hid your face with a pillow and groaned. “don’t remind me. i just wanted to talk about my books and my family didn’t care. don’t watch it! it’s embarrassing!”

“i think it’s cute. aw look, your dog made a cameo!” he pointed at your old dog you used to have that walked into the frame.

“indi! no, come sit right here. oh . . . and she’s walking away. okay, anyways.” your younger self said in the video

“indi? why Indi?” tom asked you even though you were still hiding from embarrassment.

“after indiana jones. my dad and i loved those movies and he gifted me indi as a birthday present.” you confessed.

“love, don’t be embarrassed. i think it’s cute that you manifested your life according to the comments on instagram,” tom paused the video then cuddled up to you. “i won’t watch it if you don’t want me to.”

“it’s fine, i just didn’t think anyone would find it. we can watch it together.” you uncovered yourself and sat down properly to watch the video with tom. before he pressed the play button and together you watch your younger self review the book.

“i’ve read all the hunger games books at least four times and this one did not disappoint. but i do hope whoever ends up being cast as young snow is someone hot. i’m sorry it’s the rules! and they will be my boyfriend, i’m calling dibs.”

tom smirked at you. “if only younger you could see you now.”

“she would definitely think ‘wow, how did we pull this beautiful man?’ then be confused as to why the hunger games and fnaf is trending in 2023.”

liked by tomblyth, rachelzegler and 1,377,389 others

ynlovesbooks told ya. love you tomblyth ❤️

rachelzegler she is THAT girl

ynlovesbooks no u

everdeenx12 bestie he’s EVIL

ynlovesbooks he’s a walking red flag but my favorite color is red 😍

chamaletproblems pls tell me how you did this

ynlovesbooks i figured out who they were casting and kept him hostage until he agreed to be my bf

tomblyth true

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

Hiiii!!! Babes wow I’m so IN LOVE with the way you write soft Miguel!!! It’s the cutest effing shiz 🥹 I go very weak in the knees for a big grumpy indifferent man that is so dang painfully soft for their girl it’s such a huge turn on for my heart 😩 I also came to share that I’ve been imagining Miguel overhearing reader talk about how she’s never had a secret admirer and then a few days later she finds a red rose w/a lil note addressed to her. From a distance Miguel & Jess watch as she parades her lil rose around the others all smiley and Jess asks if he’s gonna tell her and he murmurs “let her have her little admirer” Like that mans got it baaad 😮‍💨

hiii!! omg stop it, that’s so fucking sweet!! thank you! and me too!! I love mean cold grumpy men that have a soft spot for their girl, like embarrassing soft and mushy for her!! it’s my weakness😩 that is the cutest idea. thank you for requesting, hope you like it💌

secret admirer

miguel o’hara x f reader

wc: 722

part 2 -> here

You were never usually one to receive spontaneous gifts from others, rarely one to have a secret admirer, so when you walk into your office and see a singular red rose with a small envelope attached, your stomach immediately somersaulted. 

A few days prior, you and Peter were talking about gifts and what he should get MJ for their upcoming anniversary, and then the subject of secret admirers arose. You mentioned how you've never been on the receiving end of those small romantic gestures and how you wished and hoped you could be at some point. To you, it was a simple flyaway comment, but based on Peter's solemn reaction, you couldn't help but think that he felt guilty.

You did ponder if Peter left it for you as a sympathy gift, but the red rose was a tell-tell sign that he didn't. So now, you couldn't help but wonder who gave you the flower. Who knew the passcode for your door? Who knew about your whereabouts? All these questions span in your mind as you walk into your office.

You reach for the rose, bringing the flower to your nose, softly breathing in its fragrant scent as you pick up the envelope. You place the flower down and glance around your office, looking through the windows to see if anyone's watching. Once you know it's clear, you open the paper and pull out the small note. 

' I heard you've never had a secret admirer before,

I'm glad to be your first. 

Spider-Man '

Even though it's tagged Spider-Man, it could be anyone. Literally anybody. Hundreds, if not thousands, of possibilities. But the one spider that first came to mind was Peter. You wanted to tell him about the strange coincidence and share your happiness about the situation. So you flag him down, rose and note in your hand as you search through HQ for him.

You finally spot him in the cafeteria with Jess and Miguel, talking over food and coffee. You hesitantly make your way over with a smile as you subtly wave over to him. 

"Sorry- sorry, do you mind if I borrow Peter real quick?" you ask, glancing between them all.

"Sure," Miguel softly smiles as he looks you up and down, noticing the rose in your hand. 

"Thank you, we won't be long. Hurry- come on," you say, tugging Peter's arm. 

"Alright, alright," he huffs, taking a final bite of his burger before placing it down. "What's so urgent anyway?" he grumbles, trudging after you as he adjusts Mayday in the Björn.

"You know how I mentioned the other day- about the secret admirer thing...?" you start, looking at him eagerly. "Well, look what I just found," you smile, showing off your rose and note. "I went into my office, and- and it was just sitting there, for me. A rose for me!" you excitedly gush, smiling widely. 

"No way?" he says, his joyful tone matching yours. "Let me see the note,"

As he reads through the letter, you glance around the cafeteria, your gaze honing in on Jess and Miguel, who were not so subtly staring at you. Suspicions rise when you notice them whisper to each other, heads together as if they're in cahoots.

"Hey Peter, can you do me a favour?" you ask, slyly leaning forward.

"Sure, what's up?"

"This might be really wrong, but I need you to do something for me. I need you to eavesdrop, please?" you say sweetly, hoping to mask the morally wrong favour you were asking.

"Seriously?" 

"Yes, please. And do it quick. Miguel and Jess- hurry,"

"Shut up then, so I can listen," he shushes you, chuckling.

He's quiet for a few moments, a slow smile creeping on his face as he listens in on their conversation. 

"What are they saying? Tell me," you ask, eyes keen as they dart around the room.

"I can't tell you..." he grins, shaking his head. 

"Why? Why not?" you playfully hound, gesturing with your hands. "Come on, please?"

"God, he's gonna kill me," he mutters. "All I heard was the end part... Jess said, 'Are you gonna tell her about the rose?' and then Miguel said, 'Let her have her little admirer. She needs it,' okay? That's all I heard,"

Your smile widens. 

The rose, it was from Miguel?

[kalims]

kiss your best friend | octavinelle

kiss your best friend and see how they react!

parts. one, two, three, four, five, six, seven

characters. azul, jade, and floyd

cw. red flagged eels

note. forgot that this lil' series existed oops. reader is yuu in floyd's

azul ashengrotto

full on yelps lmao

he's visibly shaking as he pushes you away with a gaping mouth that doesn't know whether to stay closed or question what the hell just happened.

if anything his glasses would've broken from the pink shade of his face and the steam out of his ears. but alas.. that is simply not possible realistically.

he's prolly like: what does this mean?! azuls tearing out his hair and grinding his teeth in his mind aggressively because let's face it; what does it mean? why on earth would you.. kiss him for no reason at all?!

you slump. "sorry, uhm,, let's just forget about this yeah?" you sigh. taking in his petrified face and shaking limbs as a sign of shock, and fear. you slap yourself in the face. stupid (name)

but azul peels off the hands on your face and displays a face that is a mixture of embarrassment and shyness. he just pulled out the courage out of his ass after seeing you upset.

and the last thing I want is you thinking that it is a mistake. he thinks. technically it is a mistake but... you get the point.

he doesn't know how to comfort you and just stands there like 🧍‍♂️

azul will start crying if you actually think it's a mistake.

jade leech

jade rn: 😲

you sure do know how to catch him off guard with the element of suprise. usually something as trivial as romance and,, kissing would have him tailing it out the room but he can say that was surprisingly pleasing.

pretends nothing happened to mess with you, literally enjoys your nervous glancing and distraught face.

🚩

but eventually tells you to warn him as you short circuit at the word 'next time' by the near end of his sentence. he really likes to mess with you.

joked aside he really does see whatever obsession ordinary humans have with the physical touch thing.. he can even say he feels a little greedy to keep you to himself.. you know maybe drag you to—

🚩🚩🚩🚩

oh well. to the unfortunate of others he seems way too happy. he's practically chasing everyone off with an eery smile behind you even if they so tried to converse with you.

here you got a happy, big, tall, scary, protective eel man who's obsessed in love.

floyd leech

it's insane how casual his response is.

and a little concerning to be honest, it feels like you guys don't even need a label to be doing whatever together. and it felt like that from the start 👁

he just smiles really wide, showing off his sharp teeth, picks you up and hugs you in the air with a joyous face.

which would have been cute if he didn't practically demand you for more!! if you had a hundred madol for every time floyd had started asking you for a kiss after the first one you'd be rich.

your lips actually feel numb and at some point you had started hiding because you are going to go insane if he asks for another. floyd is around the corner? you're shoving yourself into deuce's locker as you leave your poor friend to deal with floyd's; "have you seen shrimpy?"

you feel bad, of course. hiding from your practically boyfriend with no label but he really doesn't give you a break.

ahem 🚩 hearing "shrimpyy!!~" is like the omen for a tiring day.

we have a happy, big, tall, scary, protective eel man who's even more obsessed in love.

prank successfully failed??

[kingkrillin]

this dude: I hate misogynists this dude: talks down to and dismissively towards a trans woman just to shut her up and look less scared of women after being called out for blocking all the women, blocks her again to keep her silent

you transandrophobia chuds who keep harassing trans women are invited to meet me, another trans man, at 1340 tamiami trail, port charlotte, florida where we can talk about it. i promise* i won't deck you in the face.

[sepublic]

I remember hearing that Dana was inspired by True Crime, amongst other things and people IRL, when writing Belos. And it seems that contrary to the notoriety of True Crime fans, she actually understood the assignment.

Because she opted to demystify the serial killer as this dark, unusual psychology that operates outside of societal borders and rules, disturbed by some secret reason, and instead literally pull off the mask to reveal he’s just some white manchild who hates women and minorities to a violent degree, because he feels threatened by them and their ability to say No in his entitlement. There’s nothing special or unique about his motives.

He’s no exception to the status quo, he is it unmasked of the veneer of civility, he’s the lynch mob and the cop (all of whom inherit the violence of white supremacy and colonialism) and fittingly a lot of serial killers were clocked by women and PoC as dangerous, but cops —largely white men— dismissed their claims because look at this dude, he seems like an upstanding citizen! And that’s really how he got away.

And because his victims were people the system was less likely to believe because they both operated on the same biases, you see why a lot of cops who commit brutality are drawn to an institution where they’re given violent power over brown and/or queer communities who are labeled as ‘suspicious’, because they enjoy easy targets they know the system doesn’t care about, and are enraged by body cams and accountability.

It doesn’t matter if they’re intentionally bigoted, their support of an inherently bigoted institution makes them the same; Internalized biases and “I don’t see race” and all that. You see how Philip wanted to be a witch hunter —the prototypical cop who is not exclusively violent towards women but still has a clear slant— or colonial savior so bad, because his violence could be legitimized by the authority of the state.

He leans into it hardcore when he feels threatened by the presence of an outside girl who challenges the Christian narrative of Gravesfield, to the point of violence; It’s a position that validates killing anyone who doesn’t agree with him in general, hence Caleb and the Grimwalkers, but of course his and society’s biases slant towards women and PoC. And while it ultimately doesn’t matter whether he’s intentionally racist/misogynistic, it’s worth addressing that he very much does have the intention due to his blatant Conservative backdrop.

And seeing how charming Philip is and the portrayal of him as a little kid playing games in his youth, a perception Caleb might’ve still had which led to his death, I can see the direct line to families who find out their sons are school shooters and are in disbelief because he was such a nice kid! While ignoring the obvious Red Flags because white men are allowed to express these without being immediately scrutinized by the community, by having it brushed off. On some level cops don’t suspect him because he’s the same type of guy as them.

Part of that denial comes from the fact that he’s not an “unfeeling sociopath” who’s wired differently. Philip can feel empathy and guilt like anyone else, but he’s still a hateful prick and these aren’t mutually exclusive; Not when people can be perfectly selective about who they extend these feelings towards, or even do things in spite of these feelings, because other ones —anger and pride and hatred— exist and they choose to prioritize those. There’s an assumption that empathy and guilt inherently make you a good person, but they don’t; That ultimately comes from what you do about it, not how you feel.

You could even say Dana and the other writers wrote him too well, because true to life, we have a similar issue but on a micro-scale via the abstraction of fiction regarding a very dedicated fan base who loves to romanticize him and his actions, attributing his issues to some secret trauma in childhood, a young man failed by society! While also scrubbing him of his racism and misogyny and reliance on the status quo, to make him ‘apolitical’ and you can see the same not just with fans but also in society.

Because society doesn’t want to acknowledge serial killers as just the truth behind their white sons and the system that absolved and encourages them, because that would require them to admit their guilt in how they’re structured. Rather, they’ll say these men reflect some dark truth inherent to humanity, and don’t exist within a certain sociopolitical framework.

And so he was a ‘loner’ whose problems can be pathologized via mental illness, his trauma can be traced back to a specific incident in his youth he just couldn’t get over. So you see how school shooters are made into victims, how serial killers are also made apolitical and even alien to distance them from the status quo.

And then you can lean into how unusual they are by writing characters like Dexter or Hannibal Lecter, you can not just defend the system but feed into it via the commodification of their violence as entertainment and consumption, and thus fuel the white supremacy train by letting their violence towards women and minorities be praised as something fascinating and interesting and conveniently clean of bigotry. This is the dichotomy of the hypothetical, romanticized Fantasy Serial Killer, and the banal IRL Serial Killer.

Thus we have the same cycle of white men’s violence being praised and validated by the system, and white men feeling entitled to this fame as a delusional fantasy. Because you’ve never heard of a black serial killer; Because black people are violent, that’s just the way they are, right? But if white men are violent, this is sensationalized as somehow unusual and fascinating and worth dedicating countless books and shows and movies towards. Obviously.

And even going back to witch hunters, sometimes I wonder about the constant consideration of, What if witches did exist? What if they were evil? Things like The VVitch or The Conjuring series, which have some framing of the Salem Witch Trials’ IRL violence towards women as legitimate in another universe, because of Satanism’s genuine predatory threat towards women, and how evil women sacrifice theirs or others’ God-given gift of a child, and now threaten another white Christian family.

And again there’s the the demystifying of the real life witch hunter too when we have a historical reenactment declare verbatim that IRL witch hunters were motivated by economics and other banal factors, not by any genuine belief in the dangers of demons; And even in a setting where the demons were real, they were not the predatory threat IRL witch hunters made them out to be, and so their very real biases and ulterior motives still apply in cumulative insincerity.

Hence, the Titan correcting Luz by explaining Belos as someone who only cares about being the hero in his own delusion; The fascist wet dream of a hidden invader here to corrupt even young white men, an outside monster to vanquish and whose destruction justifies the state, when in reality the monster IS the state, and before he was even presented as a witch (much less the human truth), his system’s destruction was called for.

Ultimately, a lot of True Crime and similar narratives are criticized for focusing more on this apparently inevitable mystique behind the perpetrators, who warrant far more attention than their victims. So when the villain is an example of True Crime, it’s worth noting how the show is so much more focused on the ‘weirdoes’ he targets, on women and/or PoC. The lives of Luz Noceda and her friends, them getting along and their psychologies, are just so much more important, and it really isn’t about that guy, who is informed as much as he needs to be.

But again, the True Crime fans dilemma; People genuinely salty at the show for not focusing on their favorite serial killer and his troubled backstory, his tragic motives and Puritan repression. The framing of his murders and motives isolated through the lens of his violence on undeserving white men, and not on the out-group he is specifically targeting and has committed much more violence on, esp if you look at the narrative’s actual framing of his impact on our protagonists, but also other victims who are witches or demons, and even his own self-professed motives; Hence, ‘Fratricide Georg’ as a joke depoliticized of his colonial violence, a violence that is not just adjacent to but fulfilling racism.

Because he hallucinated only those white men out of guilt, but that’s his biased perspective and priorities; And so you see how this is contrasted with a refusal to empathize with people like the Collector or Luz, who are put into the same situations as his white male victims via shared cinematography, yet are just as rejected. Luz is only put into this situation as convenient to Belos’ narrative, the closest replacement to a white male human he can get, but again if this girl of color says No, he tries to murder her and even does.

Yet again, people take genuine, personal insult at the creator for finding Belos to be her least favorite character to write, while ignoring that she still found him necessary to the story she was trying to tell; She just found the framing and focus should’ve been shifted to his actual victims’ deep and meaningful lives, how they matter. So people hate that S3 cares more about Luz Noceda’s relationship with her parents of color, as well as her female mentor and demonic brother, or her queer relationship with her girlfriend, etc.

And even when they get a bone of white boy Hunter, it’s still not enough; Fans inevitably gather themselves into an almost frenzied state of personal victimization, rallying into harassment of PoC who criticize their portrayal and discussion around their colonial serial killer fave, organizing dedicated trends and months to giving their white men the focus they ‘deserved’, because this is just White fandom in general.

Look at the entitlement campaigns regarding Ben Solo or Billy Hargroves deserving better, these young white men violent to women and minorities. It’s just the same thing but on a micro-scale, at least filtered via fictional characters. But Jesus you see how internalized biases bleed into everything. You’ve never heard of a black serial killer and fandom doesn’t fight for characters of color.

[blackgirlwhowrites2k23]

Wusyaname? - Pablo Gavi

Summary: You were beauty personified; He just had to get your name.

A/N: Uploading multiple stories at once because I'm not on here as much as I want to be. Anyways, made it to med school! Sorry for taking so long, but the bills had to be paid😭. DC @cisqueenin

Trigger warning: Usage of Y/N 💀 --------------------------------------------------------------------

Camp Nou was alive. The rumbling, raging chants of "Barça! Barça!" roared through the stands, thunderous in a way that shook the entire stadium. Gavi jogged off the pitch, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The air was electric, buzzing with the energy of all their fans celebrating Barcelona’s decisive 3-0 victory. He was basking in the glory of it all—three points secured, one thanks to himself, his team soaring in the league.  

But something was off.  

He felt it throughout the game, but now he could focus more on finding the source. 

As his teammates jogged ahead, laughing and slapping each other on the back, Gavi found his thoughts drifting. It wasn’t like him. Usually, he was so so laser-focused after a game, replaying key moments in his mind or thinking about how he could improve. Yet, as he neared the tunnel, something tugged at him—a strange, unexplainable pull that made him turn around.  

His eyes wildly scanned the stands, now a sea of red and blue with flags waved high, their vibrant colors flashing under the floodlights. Fans shouted, their voices hoarse from screaming all the screaming they were doing. He was always so grateful for the support he received; he literally bled red and blue and thankfully, so do they. Some leaned over the railings, the rails seeming to mold under the force of the fans,  while others snapped pictures to immortalize the night.  

And then, he saw her.  

She wasn’t waving or calling out, yet he still felt like she demanded his attention. Instead, she stood in the midst of the crowd, near some familiar faces, her laughter carrying over the chaos. It was a deep, uninhibited laugh that sent a wave of electricity through him as she playfully shoved the shoulder of a friend beside her. Her radiant skin seemed to glow in the sunlight, and the way she carried herself—calm, seemingly untouched by the frenzy around her—grabbed his attention and left him a little breathless. More so then he was after playing a 90 minute match, if you would believe it. 

She wore a Barcelona jersey (thank God!) that draped casually on her body, paired with some equally loose fitting jeans that she wore amazingly (simple; but Kounde would be proud). She wasn’t trying to stand out, but somehow, she was the only thing Gavi could see. Her smile lit up her entire face, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she tilted her head back in amusement.  

Gavi blinked, completely caught off guard. He wasn’t the type to get distracted—especially not by strangers in the stands. It was rare that he even paid attention to the crowd at all. But there was something about her. Something different. Cliche, yes. But man was it true.  

His chest tightened, and he felt an inexplicable need to keep looking, to memorize the curve of her smile, the way her hair framed her face like a halo. She seemed so... alive, so full of energy and joy. So- 

“Yo, Gavi!”  

Balde’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Gavi blinked and turned, his heart racing as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t. It’s not illegal to look. He has eyes, he planned to use them.

Balde jogged over, a grin already forming on his face. His gaze followed Gavi’s line of sight, and the smirk deepened. “Ah, can’t say I’m surprised. That’s my girl’s best friend. They practically grew up together”  

“What?” Gavi’s cheeks heated instantly, and he quickly looked away, trying to act casual as he brushed the hair out of his face and then placed his hands on his hips. Real casual like. “I wasn’t staring.”  

“Sure, man.” Balde chuckled, his tone laced with mirth as he looked over Gavi. He clapped Gavi on the shoulder, the gesture light but teasing. “You’ve got good taste, though. My girlfriend is amazing, and you know what they say: birds of a feather flock together." He pauses to send Gavi a look as he rubs his chin, "I wonder what it says about me that we hang out together.”

Gavi rolls his eyes so hard that they almost roll out his skull. Maybe if they fall near her, she’ll help him put them back. “Ale, you’re hilarious. I’m surprised football is what you chose as a career and not comedy.”

Balde gives him a bright smile before he gets serious again. “She’s really cool. Not as cool as my lady, but her name’s [Y/N].”  

Y/N. The name lingered in Gavi’s mind, rolling around for a bit before settling into the back of his mind for later.  

“She’s not...” He trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence without sounding like he was definitely staring.  Which he wasn't.

“She’s single,” Balde answered, clearly reading his mind. “And no, she’s not like a crazy, obsessed fan, if that’s what you’re worried about.”  

“I didn’t ask that,” Gavi muttered, flustered.  

Balde shrugged, still grinning. “Come on, we’re heading out tonight. You should join us. We have an amazing win to celebrate.”  

Gavi hesitated. He wasn’t usually one for post-game outings, preferring to recharge alone after the intensity of a match. But it’s not like he had anything better to do. 

“Yeah,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Okay.”  

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next evening, Gavi found himself sprawled on Balde’s couch, a PlayStation controller balanced in his hands. The apartment was a whirlwind—conversation echoed off the walls, the soft hum of music played in the background, and the faint scent of takeout wafted from the kitchen.

Balde and his girlfriend, Nia, were cozied up on one end of the sofa, a blanket draped over their laps as they shared whispered jokes. Every now and then, their quiet laughter would bubble into something louder, making Gavi sigh dramatically.

Going out the day before hadn’t been as eventful as he had hoped. He had hoped to run into a certain someone, but of course he wasn’t so lucky. 

“Man, every time I hang out with you two, you guys make me feel like a third wheel,” he said, tossing the controller onto the couch seat next to him with a huff. “It’s like you’re doing this on purpose.”

Nia  tilted her head innocently, though her grin gave her away. “What do you mean? We’re just sitting here, minding our business.”

Gavi shot her a pointed look. “Oh, sure. Yeah, yeah. Can you maybe try a little harder at looking less in love,” He gestured vaguely at the two of them. “You’ve got a girlfriend, Pedri’s got a girlfriend, even Fermin is seeing someone. Meanwhile, I’m over here just... existing. Is it too much to ask for you guys to practice social distancing sometimes? At Least while your wonderful, single friend Gavi is over?”

Balde smirked, clearly enjoying his friend’s irritation. “You sound jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” Gavi shot back, sitting up straighter. “I’m just stating facts. Being the only single one here is starting to feel like a full-time job.”

Across from him, Balde’s girlfriend laughed, nudging Balde playfully. “Poor Gavi. Someone needs to get this boy a date before he loses his mind.”

“Don’t look at me,” Gavi said, throwing his hands up in mock defense. “You’re the ones rubbing your picture-perfect relationship in my face.”

Her grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well,” she said slowly, dragging out the word as if she were revealing a secret, “since you brought it up, I might actually know someone.”

Gavi froze, immediately wary. His eyes narrowed. “Oh no. Whenever either of you gets an idea something always goes wrong. I don’t trust this. At all.”

“Relax,” Balde chimed in, leaning forward to grab his drink from the coffee table. “She’s cool. And I know you’ve already seen her.”

“What?” Gavi’s brows knit together in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Balde’s girlfriend leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm as her grin turned downright devious. “The girl you just couldn’t stop staring at last night. You know, the one in the stands at Camp Nou?”

Gavi stiffened. His heart skipped a beat, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed his face. “I wasn’t staring,” he said quickly, his tone defensive. 

“Sure, Gavi,” Balde said with a knowing laugh. “We believe you. Totally.”

Gavi gives him a heat glare. “ And I can’t believe you told her I was staring.”

“He didn't have to tell me. I saw your love-struck puppy eyes from where I was sitting. You know, right next to her,” Nia corrects.

“ Yeah they were kind of hard to miss,” Balde adds, nodding sagely.

Ignoring Balde, his girlfriend continued, her voice warm and teasing. “Her name’s [Y/N]. She’s a good friend of mine. And, fun fact, she thought you were cute.”

Gavi blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “She... what?”

“She thought you were cute,” she repeated, her grin widening. “When I told her I knew you, she might have mentioned you seemed... interesting.”

“I’m not interesting,” Gavi muttered, though his attempt to brush it off lacked conviction.

Balde’s laughter grew louder as he draped an arm over the couch he and Nia shared. “You’re making this too easy. Look, just come out with us tomorrow. We’re all going to that spot downtown. No pressure or anything. Just a chance to hang out, get to know her.”

Gavi hesitated, chewing the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t sure if it was nerves, curiosity, or a mix of both, but the idea of seeing her again stirred something in him.

“I don’t know,” he said slowly. “What if it’s awkward? What if she’s nothing like what I’m expecting?”

“Then it’s awkward,” Balde’s girlfriend said with a shrug. “But I don’t think it will be. She’s great. You’ll see.”

Gavi groaned, leaning back against the couch as if the weight of their suggestion was too much to bear. “Fine,” he said after a long pause. “But if this goes horribly wrong, I’m blaming both of you.”

Balde grinned triumphantly. “You’ll thank us later.”

Gavi wasn’t so sure. But as he sat there, pretending to focus on the video game in front of him, his mind wandered back to Camp Nou, to the girl with the radiant smile and carefree laugh. Maybe—just maybe—this wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The trendy bar in the heart of Barcelona was alive with energy, its dim lighting and pulsating music creating an atmosphere that was kinda relaxing. But Gavi was anything but. He trailed behind Balde and his girlfriend as they weaved through the crowd, the mingling scents of cocktails and cologne filling the air. Despite his usual confidence on the pitch, he felt a twinge of nerves creeping in. His palms were sweaty. Knees weak. Something about Mom’s spaghetti. This wasn’t a stadium full of fans or a post-match interview—this was different.  

“There she is,” Balde’s girlfriend murmured, tilting her head toward a corner table.  

Gavi followed her gaze, and for a moment, his breath hitched. You were even more stunning up close. You sat with an effortless grace, your fitted blue dress hugging your figure and accentuating your skin. Your curls framed your face in perfect harmony with your glowing smile, which lit up as you laughed.  

“Annnnnd, you’re staring. Nia, I think we lost him, babe,” Balde teased in a low voice, nudging Gavi.  

“Shut up,” Gavi muttered, his face warming.  

“Come on,” Balde’s girlfriend urged, pulling him forward with a grin that said she wasn’t going to let him back out.  

As they reached the table, the laughter faded, and you glanced up. Your eyes met Gavi’s, and for a heartbeat, the bustling bar seemed to melt away. There was a spark in your gaze—a warmth that felt both inviting and disarming.  

“Y/N, this is Gavi,” Nia said, beaming.  

“Hi,” You greeted, your voice smooth and confident, carrying just enough intrigue to make Gavi’s pulse quicken.  

“Hey,” Gavi replied, feeling uncharacteristically tongue-tied. He extended his hand, and your grip was firm yet soft, grounding him in the moment.  

Her lips quirked into a teasing smile. “You play for Barça, right? Small club or something?”  

Gavi chuckled, the icebreaker easing the tightness in his chest. “Yeah, something like that. You’ve probably never heard of it.”  

You laughed, a sound so genuine it sent a strange flutter through him. He heard it being caused by others. But now it was caused by him. He definitely wanted to hear it again.

They settled into seats, the initial awkwardness dissolving as the conversation began to flow. To Gavi’s surprise, you weren't just witty—you were sharp, quick on your feet, and unapologetically yourself. You asked him about his career but didn’t linger on it, seamlessly shifting the topic to music, travel, and your own passions.  

Hours passed like minutes. The hum of the bar became a distant backdrop as they found themselves engrossed in their own world. At one point, you tilted your head and smirked. “So, do you always stare at girls from the pitch, or was that a one-time thing?”  

Gavi felt his cheeks flush, his laugh betraying him. “I wasn’t staring,” he protested weakly, though his grin gave him away.  

“Right,” you said, your tone dripping with mock disbelief. “Well, either way, I’ll take it as a compliment.”  

Your playful confidence was refreshing, and Gavi found himself smiling more than he had in weeks. With you, he didn’t feel the need to impress or filter himself. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt seen—not as Gavi, the footballer, but as just Pablo.  

—-------------------------------

As the night wound down, the energy of the bar mellowed, and the group began to disperse. Gavi instinctively offered to walk you to your car, feeling reluctant to let the evening end. The streets outside were quieter now, the cool night air carrying a hint of the sea as they strolled under the glow of Barcelona’s streetlights.  

“Thanks for tonight,” You said as you both stopped beside your car. Your voice was softer now, yet still laced with that same effortless confidence.  

“No,” Gavi said, his sincerity catching even him off guard. “Thank you. I’m really glad I came.”  

You smiled, your gaze lingering on his for a moment longer than felt casual. “Maybe we’ll see each other again?”  

The hope in your voice mirrored the flutter in his chest, and Gavi found himself nodding, a rare shyness creeping into his expression. “I’d like that.”  

As you climbed into your car and drove off, Gavi remained on the curb, watching the taillights fade into the distance. A small, unshakable smile tugged at his lips. For the first time in a long while, he felt a new sense of anticipation—like he’d found something worth chasing, both on and off the pitch.  

[crossfandomskylines]

In the Space Between Us: Chapter 1

OTHER CHAPTERS:

Chapter 1 I Chapter 2 I Chapter 3 I Chapter 4 I Chapter 5

Chapter 6 I Chapter 7 I Chapter 8 I Chapter 9 I Chapter 10

Chapter 11 I Chapter 12

Pairing: Glen Powell x OC

Summary: At Tanner Novlan's 4th of July barbecue, Gabby Summers finds herself unexpectedly face-to-face with Glen Powell—literally. What starts as a mishap quickly turns into something more as the two discover an effortless chemistry, sharing laughs, stories, and sidelong glances throughout the night. As fireworks light up the sky, Gabby wonders if their spark could be more than just a passing moment.

Word Count: 3.2k

Warnings: None.

A/N: This is my first fanfic that I've ever posted and there will be several more parts! Please let me know what you think with Hearts, Comments, and Reblogs!

The sky above Los Angeles was painted with the soft hues of an early July evening, just beginning to melt into a deeper blue as the sun dipped closer to the horizon. Tanner Novlan's backyard was alive with a festive warmth that matched the holiday. Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a soft glow on the gathering crowd. Laughter and chatter filled the air, blending with the faint melody of classic rock coming from a speaker nestled near the patio. The unmistakable aroma of barbecue wafted from the grill, where Tanner and Chord Overstreet stood, spatulas in hand, flipping burgers and ribs with practiced ease.

Gabby Summers strolled through the crowd, her nearly empty drink in hand. The warmth of the evening settled around her, making her feel slightly flushed, though she didn’t mind. She glanced around, catching sight of a few familiar faces mingling and laughing, each one immersed in the joy of the moment. 

It was her first time at one of Tanner’s famous Fourth of July barbecues, and she’d been thrilled to receive an invitation through his wife, Kayla. With the soft California breeze brushing her cheeks and the hum of excited voices, she felt like she was finally, truly part of the city's creative scene.

Just as Gabby was about to slip back inside to refill her drink, she collided with someone hard enough to jolt the cup in her hand. A splash of cold liquid hit her, and she instinctively looked down. The bright red punch from a solo cup now stained her white T-shirt, its American flag graphic damp and smeared with sticky crimson.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” The voice was deep and genuinely apologetic.

Gabby looked up, meeting the gaze of the man she’d bumped into. He had striking green eyes that sparkled with both concern and embarrassment, and his tall frame loomed over her as he quickly took in the mess. There was something familiar about his face, but she couldn’t quite place it, her thoughts still on the vibrant stain spreading across her shirt.

He grimaced, wincing as he took in the mess he’d inadvertently made. “I didn’t see you there. Are you okay?”

Gabby blinked, caught slightly off guard. “Yeah, I’m fine, just—" She looked down at the mess, managing a soft laugh. “Not exactly the look I was going for tonight.”

The man chuckled, his smile easy and a little sheepish. “I can imagine. Here, let me help you.” He held up his hand as if offering assistance, but hesitated, clearly realizing he couldn’t exactly clean the stain off for her. Instead, he gestured toward the house. “I think they’ve got some towels in the kitchen. Let me walk you over?”

Appreciating his awkward, sincere attempt to fix the situation, Gabby nodded, smiling as they headed inside.

Inside the kitchen, Gabby reached for a napkin to blot at the punch stain, though it did little to help. Tanner’s wife, Kayla, spotted them, her eyes widening slightly at the mess.

“Oh no, Gabby! Hang on, there might be a Tide to Go pen in the laundry room down the hall,” Kayla suggested, pointing in the direction of a nearby doorway. “Maybe that’ll do the trick.”

“Thanks, Kayla,” Gabby replied, smiling gratefully before heading down the hall with Glen close behind.

In the laundry room, Gabby took the Tide pen from the shelf and dabbed it against the glaring red stain, trying not to laugh at the hopelessness of the task. The stain had already set, bright and relentless, covering most of the front of her shirt.

“Looks like that punch doesn’t give up without a fight,” Glen said with a grin, watching as she sighed, inspecting the damage in the mirror.

Gabby gave up, a chuckle escaping her. “Well, it’s safe to say this shirt isn’t going back to normal tonight.”

Glen looked her over with an assessing gaze, and after a second, he shrugged, starting to unbutton his short-sleeved shirt. 

“Here,” he said, sliding it off to reveal a fitted white tank underneath. He held out the shirt to her. “Take this. Your shirt’s basically a lost cause, and you probably don’t want to head back out there looking like… well, like this.”

She blinked, caught off guard by his offer. “Really? I can’t just take your shirt…”

“Sure you can,” he replied with an easy smile, urging the shirt into her hands.

Hesitantly, she took it, feeling a little self-conscious but grateful. “Alright, if you insist. Thanks.”

Glen stepped outside the laundry room to give her a moment to change. Gabby slipped out of her damp, stained shirt, and as she slid Glen’s over her shoulders, she immediately noticed the faint, rich scent of his cologne—fresh and woody with a hint of something warm and citrusy. She could pick out notes of bergamot and amberwood, leaving a soft, comforting mix of crispness and warmth.

The shirt was loose, the sleeves brushing past her elbows, and she buttoned it up, tucking it into her light-wash denim shorts to give it a bit of shape. She took a final glance in the mirror, adjusting the collar and smoothing the fabric. It wasn’t her planned look, but somehow, it felt effortless and casual, with a charm that almost suited her more than the original outfit had.

As Gabby opened the door and stepped out of the laundry room, she found Glen waiting just a few feet away. He was leaning casually against the wall, hands in his pockets, and he straightened when he saw her.

“Thanks again for this,” she said, gesturing to his shirt with a shy smile. “I’m… well, I’m lucky you had a spare.” She paused, realizing something. “I just realized—I don’t actually know your name.”

He chuckled, a faint dimple appearing on his cheek as he extended a hand. “Glen. Glen Powell.”

The name rang a bell, but Gabby couldn’t place it immediately. She took his hand, her smile widening as his warm grip lingered just a moment longer than necessary.

“Nice to meet you, Glen. I’m Gabby—Gabriella Summers,” she replied, giving his hand a gentle shake.

“Gabriella,” he repeated, seeming to test the name with a slight smile.

She gave him a wry look. “At least I don’t look like I just lost a paintball match anymore.”

“Not at all,” he said, his gaze sweeping over her in his shirt. “In fact, I think you pull it off better than I do.”

Gabby laughed, warmth creeping into her cheeks. “You’re just saying that because you feel guilty.”

“Maybe,” he teased, shrugging. “But I mean it.”

They exchanged a smile, and for a moment, everything around them felt still, despite the faint sounds of music and laughter carrying in from outside.

“Shall we head back?” he asked, gesturing toward the door, though he made no move to walk ahead of her.

“Lead the way,” she replied, a hint of excitement bubbling up. She was starting to get the feeling that tonight might be more interesting than she’d expected.

As they returned to the party, Gabby and Glen quickly drifted back into the lively atmosphere of Tanner’s backyard. Glen stayed close by, occasionally stealing glances at her as she mingled with others, their earlier mishap now a quiet joke between them. Gabby found herself laughing more easily with each passing moment, almost as if the night had taken on a new lightness.

It wasn’t long before Tanner, who’d been tending the grill with Chord, noticed Glen’s unusual choice of attire.

“Glen! What’s with the tank top?” Tanner called over, smirking. “You out here trying to show off?”

Glen rolled his eyes, chuckling as he made his way over to where Tanner and Chord stood, flipping burgers and laughing amongst themselves.

“Long story,” Glen replied with a sheepish grin. 

He nodded toward Gabby, who was chatting with Kayla a few steps away, wearing his button-up shirt. “I, uh… spilled my drink on her by accident. Figured the least I could do was offer her my shirt.”

Chord raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Slick move, man,” he joked, nudging Glen. “Because that’s exactly how you impress a girl: by drenching her in fruit punch.”

“Smooth,” Tanner chimed in, barely holding back a laugh. “You should write that down. ‘How to win a girl over, Glen Powell-style: ruin her shirt, then offer her yours.’”

Glen gave a good-natured laugh, shrugging. “Hey, it worked, didn’t it?”

Chord squinted, giving him a skeptical look. “Did it, though?”

They all burst out laughing, Glen running a hand through his hair, looking both amused and slightly self-conscious. He glanced back at Gabby, who caught his eye and smiled, a hint of curiosity in her expression as she looked at him and then back at the three of them.

“Guess you’ll just have to see,” Tanner added, clapping Glen on the shoulder. “You should probably get back over there before she realizes you’re not really that smooth.”

Glen smirked, accepting their playful jabs. “You’re probably right.”

The evening slipped by in a warm, carefree haze as Gabby and Glen gravitated toward each other again and again. They’d drift off to chat with other guests, but soon, she’d feel Glen by her side, making some dry, witty remark that would have her throwing her head back, laughing. His charisma was magnetic; he had this way of drawing her in with just the right mix of humor and charm.

Their conversations flowed effortlessly as they started talking about film. Gabby mentioned how she’d moved to Los Angeles recently, hoping to get her start in the industry. Glen’s eyes lit up in genuine interest, sharing some stories about his own early days, bouncing between roles as an actor, writer, and even producer. His passion for his work was evident, and it sparked something in her, making her want to tell him more about her own aspirations, the kinds of films she wanted to make.

From film, they moved on to travel, comparing notes on cities and countries they’d visited or dreamed of visiting. Both had a fondness for Europe—Italy especially. She talked about a summer she spent in Rome, completely absorbed in the art and food, and Glen shared his own story of wandering the quiet streets of Florence, charmed by the city’s history and beauty.

When they discovered they both had a love for cooking, Glen’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “Alright, what’s your go-to meal if you’re trying to impress someone?” he asked, leaning in with an almost mischievous smile.

She thought for a moment, a small grin forming. “Pasta alla vodka,” she admitted. “I swear it’s the recipe my mom taught me, but I’ve added a few tricks of my own over the years. It’s usually a winner.”

He laughed, giving her an impressed nod. “I respect that. But next time, you’ll have to let me try it—then I’ll tell you if it really lives up to the hype.”

She rolled her eyes, smiling. “Only if you make something for me, too.”

Their banter was easy, and each passing hour only seemed to make the chemistry between them more tangible. Gabby couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed this much in one night, and every time Glen flashed that confident smile, she felt her cheeks flush just a little more.

At one point, she found herself by Kayla’s side as they refilled their drinks. Gabby tried to keep her voice casual, but curiosity got the best of her. “So… what’s Glen’s story?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder where he was talking with Tanner and Chord.

Kayla immediately raised her brows, a knowing smile forming. “What, you interested?”

Gabby’s cheeks reddened, but she shrugged, trying to keep her cool. “He’s interesting, that’s all. I’m just curious.”

Kayla chuckled, giving her a look that suggested she saw right through her. “Alright, well… Glen’s been in the industry for a while. He’s one of those guys who can do a little bit of everything—acting, producing, even some writing. He’s kind of having a moment right now. He’s been good friends with Tanner and Chord for years; they’ve worked together on a few projects. But as far as relationships go, let’s just say he hasn’t really been looking for anything serious lately.”

“Oh.” Gabby tried to mask her disappointment, even though a little twinge of it crept in.

“But,” Kayla added with a wink, “that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. And, well, judging by the way he keeps glancing over here, I’d say he’s at least a little interested.”

Gabby felt a mix of excitement and caution. Maybe Glen wasn’t looking for anything serious, but that didn’t mean tonight couldn’t be fun. After all, she’d just moved to LA and was open to meeting new people and making memories.

Meanwhile, across the patio, Glen was in the middle of a conversation with Tanner and Chord, but his gaze drifted toward Gabby as she laughed at something Kayla said.

“Alright, I’ve got to know,” Glen said to Tanner with a smirk, nodding in Gabby’s direction. “Who is she?”

Tanner glanced over, recognizing the interest in Glen’s voice. “Her name’s Gabby. She’s friends with Kayla. They met through a mutual friend and hit it off. Why? Interested?”

Glen laughed, but there was a spark in his eyes. “Not sure yet.”

As the night went on, Glen and Gabby found themselves side by side again. The conversations continued, but there was an added warmth between them now, a spark that lingered as they shared subtle glances and soft smiles.

As the evening began winding down, the air filled with a new kind of energy as Tanner announced that the fireworks show was about to start. Guests began to gather on the lawn, chairs and blankets spread across the grass as they looked up in anticipation. The barbecue’s earlier lively chatter had softened, replaced by a hushed excitement as everyone waited for the first burst of color to light up the night.

Glen spotted Gabby not far off, standing at the edge of the group, her eyes turned toward the sky. Without even thinking, he drifted over to her side, catching her eye just as the first fireworks burst into a spray of red and gold above them.

“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” he murmured, glancing at her.

She smiled, nodding, her gaze never leaving the display above. “It’s beautiful. And the perfect way to end the night.”

They stood side by side, close enough that their arms brushed as each firework exploded overhead. With each burst, the colorful lights reflected in Gabby’s wide eyes, casting her face in an ethereal glow that held Glen’s attention longer than he’d planned. He found himself caught up in her quiet awe, as if he were seeing the fireworks for the first time himself.

Another firework burst overhead, this one in a brilliant shade of purple, and Gabby looked over at him, catching his gaze. Her expression softened, and she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.

“What?” Glen asked, smiling.

“Nothing,” she replied, her voice warm and teasing. “I just didn’t expect tonight to go like this.”

“Me neither,” he admitted, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Not exactly how I usually try to make a first impression.”

Her laughter mixed with the faint crackle of the fireworks, and Glen felt something shift between them, a quiet understanding as the night grew darker and the crowd grew quieter. When the final firework exploded, painting the sky in shimmering gold, he leaned just a little closer.

“Hey,” he said softly, catching her attention once more. “Would you maybe want to go out sometime? You know, somewhere that doesn’t involve me ruining your clothes.”

Gabby laughed, the sound easy and genuine. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.

“I think I’d like that,” she replied, a smile lingering on her lips as the last of the fireworks faded into the night sky.

As the last guests began drifting out and the night turned quiet, Gabby made her way back through the house to say her goodbyes. She found Kayla near the patio, chatting with a few friends, and hugged her, thanking her for the invitation and a night she wouldn’t forget. After bidding farewell to Tanner and a few others, she turned to head out, only to find Glen standing nearby, as if he’d been waiting for her.

“Heading out?” he asked, his tone casual but his eyes warm.

She nodded, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Yeah, it’s getting late, and I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

“Mind if I walk you to your car?” Glen offered.

Surprised but pleased, she smiled. “Sure, I’d like that.”

They stepped out into the cool night, the hum of conversation fading as they moved away from the house. The quiet of the street was a stark contrast to the party’s earlier energy, and as they walked, Gabby felt the weight of the evening settle in—a mix of exhilaration and curiosity about where this unexpected connection with Glen might lead.

When they reached her car parked a few houses down, she turned to face him, a smile playing on her lips. “Well, thanks for walking me.”

“Anytime,” he replied with a slight grin. “By the way... about that date we talked about—mind if I get your number?”

She could feel her cheeks warm as she pulled her phone out, exchanging numbers with him, their hands brushing briefly as they made the switch. Just then, Gabby looked down and realized she was still wearing his shirt.

“Oh, I almost forgot—do you want your shirt back?” she asked, tugging at the collar, her smile sheepish.

Glen just shook his head, grinning. “Nah, keep it. Gives me a reason to see you again.” His voice held a playful note, though his gaze was sincere.

She chuckled, glancing down at the shirt she now realized she’d probably end up wearing to bed. “Alright, then. Guess I owe you one.”

As they stood there in the quiet night, an unspoken warmth lingered between them, both hesitant to let the evening end. Gabby took a small breath, then stepped forward, her movements soft but deliberate. She wrapped her arms around Glen, feeling the warmth of his frame envelop her in return. He held her gently, his hands resting on her back in a way that felt both natural and steadying.

The embrace lingered a little longer than a simple goodnight might warrant. She could feel the beat of his heart against her, steady and strong, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. The scent of his cologne, warm with hints of amberwood and bergamot, was even more noticeable now, filling her senses and adding an unexpected intimacy to the moment.

Glen’s hand slid just slightly, almost protectively, over her shoulder as they held onto each other. Gabby felt herself relax against him, the shared silence feeling more like an unspoken promise than a goodbye. As they finally pulled back, his hands stayed on her arms for a beat longer, as if reluctant to fully let her go.

“Goodnight, Gabby,” he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth she hadn’t heard before.

“Goodnight, Glen,” she replied, her gaze lingering on his as a small, shy smile spread across her face.

She took a step back, feeling the lingering warmth of his touch even as she opened her car door. He gave her a small wave as she settled in, his expression holding a softness that told her he’d felt it too—the spark of something just beginning.

[keepittoyourshelf]

Since the algorithm on my various socials thinks I actually want to see a ton of people simping over Rhys and ACOTAR, let’s get down to the bones of why that algorithm is fucked beyond all comprehension, shall we?

I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m pro-Tamlin, not in the sense that I approve of what he did, but from the place that I believe he’s worthy of forgiveness in the same way any of the men that SJM otherwise glorifies in her work is worthy of it for any of their transgressions.

I shouldn’t have to do a paint by numbers thing here to make this obvious, but based on the actual text written by SJM in her own words, Tamlin has objectively done nothing better or worse than Rhysand has.

The big complaint is his temper, of course, and pro-Rhysies love to bullshit about how the red flags were all over book 1 and SJM is such a master at foreshadowing.

He locked Feyre in a house against her will to protect her, when she clearly didn’t want to be caged. How is that any worse than Rhysand…drugging her and making her give him lap dances, in order to protect her, when she clearly didn’t want to be dancing naked in front of strangers?

Go on. I’ll wait for your rationalization.

Rhysand’s whole shtick was that he’s only playing the villain to keep Velaris (and only Velaris) safe…those fucks in the Hewn City can eat a bag of dicks, right? But tell me again how Tamlin is the really bad one for enforcing a tithe because it’s unfair to those who can’t afford it (fair point). But Rhysand chooses to save the one city in his court that has zero problems. Let’s let those that might already be suffering from poverty get kidnapped and tortured by a psychopath. That’s probably better than a tithe, right?

And let’s not forget how Tamlin mocked Feyre and Rhys at the High Lords meeting. While funny, it was in poor taste. At least Rhysand didn’t publicly mock Tamlin. He had the decency to do it privately when he went out of his way to go to a deeply troubled man’s house and, in the midst of an obvious mental health crisis, not only had the gall to ask for resources from a man that has no resources because his own wife fucking destroyed them out of spite, but proceeds to rub in his triumph over a man that has nothing left. Nothing to see there, right?

Even if you could ignore all of that (and you’d have to be willfully fucking thick to do so, which a lot of these people are), I shall leave you with Tamlin’s role as a spy for Hybern. That’s obviously supposed to be a real shock because TaMliN BaD at this point, so why would anyone believe him? It’s not like he had a really good explanation like Rhys gave when he murdered literal children and innocents just to ensure Amarantha didn’t know how noble he actually was. Right? RIGHT?! And it’s not like anyone would have a harder time believing someone who had played evil and done actually evil things for the “greater good” (a collectivist dog whistle if there ever was one) for fifty fucking years over the dude that suddenly goes bad after being a progressive and respected high lord for the same period of time? I mean, it’s not like we’re dealing with severe mental anguish and trauma here. That’s crazy talk.

Shadow Daddy does no wrong. Even when he does. Because reasons.

Those idiots on TikTok making stupid videos showing their bf’s being all shocked and I KNEW IT when Tamlin “turns” can chew glass along with all those dipshits selling mugs that say “Tamlin’s Tears” on Etsy right next to merch glorifying a man that literally gaslit his soulmate into believing that forced drunken naked lap dances were actually a good thing, when you think about it.

SJM isn’t a master of foreshadowing. She’s a sloppy writer of moderately entertaining fiction that has a kink for glorifying severely unhealthy behaviors without the benefit of a trigger warning.

Fuck off if you think that’s all okay and think that anyone that says Tamlin isn’t any worse comparatively is the crazy one. Projection is a real disorder. Look it up. Right after you order your 543rd Rhysand candle.

[tiazvni]

what about y/n that had to block eren in order for her to try and be with someone else. eren and y/n were never together but erens just possessive asf and they have always had something going on. like y/n goes to a party with this new guy and eren confronts her about it shortly after realising that she is there with a different guy.

i know it’s similar to other works you’ve done but just the thought of eren making y/n so weak just from his presence like ugh.

of course we all know how it ends tho :)

none of that might have made sense but i’m begging u. please.

give in | eren jaeger

words : 569

warnings : fem!reader, black coded, possessive!eren, toxic!eren, fwb!eren

eren seethed as he watched your most recent instagram story from his burner phone. dick jumping in his pants when a picture of you, so sweet and soft-looking, filled his screen, taken mere minutes before he pulled up outside of your house.

you were getting ready for a date - a juicy tidbit relayed to him by one of his sources - and he couldn’t stand the sight of you looking so pretty for another man. not when you just had his dick down your throat last week.

he shrugged himself out of his car and reached your front door in quick strides, knocking on the hardwood with a heavy hand. you shouted to him that you were coming! - double checking your appearance in your mirror before rushing downstairs to greet who you thought was your date.

but no, it was just your ex-friend-with-benefits.

“what the hell, eren,” you huffed, glaring at him with those beautiful brown eyes that drive him crazy. “i thought i told you to stop showing up at my house unannounced.”

“nah, fuck that. where the hell do you think you’re going?”

you choked on your breath. “excuse me?”

eren took a single step forward, crossing the threshold into your living room as he stared you down. his dark eyes narrowed as he looked you over - noting your sleek hair that reached your waist in waves, sultry eyelashes, glossed lips, thick body wrapped like a gift in a black silk dress, and dainty feet with painted toes strapped in the sexiest pair of heels he’s ever seen.

it’s almost like you were trying to kill him.

“you heard me,” eren scoffed. “you thought i wasn’t gonna find out about you trying to give my pussy away, hm?”

“my pussy doesn’t belong to you, eren.”

“like hell it does. you must’ve forgot the way i had you crying last week, mamas.”

you tried not to shiver at his words, clit twitching in your underwear as you wracked your brain for the memory of how you both got to this point. having gone from childhood friends to perpetual fuck-buddies, eren’s toxicity has been a recurring theme throughout the entirety of your life.

from the moment you let him fuck you after a smoke session for the first time, agreeing to a simple no-strings-attached deal, you should have known he would be the one to catch feelings all too quickly. but like the silly bitch you were, you forgoed all of his red flags solely because of the way he made your pussy sore during missionary.

but last week was the last time. never again would you give in to his control like he so craved.

“see, this is why i blocked your ass. you act like you own me the second i get the slightest bit of attention from another guy, and i don’t have time for it.” you shove at his chest, hardly moving him an inch back. “get the fuck out of my house, eren!”

“nah, strip for me.” eren licks his lips, unbothered by your words or your attitude.

your breath hitches as he moves another step closer, smirking at the sudden flash of desire clouding your doe eyes. he shuts your front door behind him, eyes never leaving yours as he shifted the locks on your door back in place, watching as each click made your body jump.

“let me see what you’re so eager to show him.”

um i WILL be making a part 2 to this. i literally wrote this during my lunch break at work — i hope it’s to your liking!! <3 <3

[mysticheathenn]

What's Toxic And Positive About You?

Hi, Hexlings!

Remember to take what resonates and leave what does not. This reading does not supplement your need to seek professional help.

Take your time when choosing your pile. Ask yourself the question and choose the picture that you can’t stop looking at. Listen to your intuition.

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Pile l:

Toxic Traits: (Tarot: Temperance (Reversed), Page of Swords, Ace or Pentacles (Reversed), Ace of Cups, 9 of Swords)

Pile l you have multiple toxic traits about yourself. Some of you happen to, unfortunately, be overspenders, and when overspenders I am not speaking about needing to buy things you need I am speaking about when you are not well let's say anxious, depressed, or just feel too many emotions and are always in your head you tend to release some of this stress by overspending but then complain about how you don't have much money or if not complain you panic after seeing the damage you have done which keeps you in a constant loop of always feeling down about yourself and hating life. You love to self-sabotage a lot in almost all areas of your life especially when things are going good for you. It's as if you don't want to be happy or even allow the smallest of sunshine into your life because something will snuff it out and the hope and positive feelings you had for that small light at the end of the tunnel now have left you feel empty. Another toxic trait that isn't too toxic it's just how you go about it which is being delusional. Some of you have delusions about everything but not in the sense of manifestation or trying to see the good in life, your delusions sometimes tend to be harmful because you like to give people the benefit of the doubt and constantly overlook red flags and signs. Not even just that but you may sometimes even gaslight yourself when it comes to not believing certain things to be true.

Positive Traits: (Tarot: 6 of Wands, Hanged Man, 4 of Pentacles, 7 of Cups (reversed), 2 of Swords)

Some of you are a walking contradiction. While you may self-sabotage, gaslight, or even tolerate bs from others at the same time you also don't tolerate bs from some people. It's as if you literally pick and choose which battles you decide to bring into your life. Let's take for an example you may not tolerate BS in your friend group but in romantic life or even career-wise you take everything little crumb like a good girl and then some. You also are patient and have determination/ambitions to see not only yourself win but others as well. There is no hater bone in your body pile l. You are also decisive on what you want out of life while sometimes you may face indecision for a large portion you know what you want and you won't take anything less. Again you are a walking contradiction, haha.

Pile ll:

Toxic Traits: (Tarot: The Hermit / 4 of Pentacles (Reversed), 7 of Wands, 7 of Swords, 3 of Wands)

As pile l, you have several constant toxic traits you show on the regular pile ll. When it comes to the hermit card some of you don't know how to be alone. You constantly need to be around someone because you need some sort of validation that either you are doing something right, to validate how pretty you are, or whatever insecurity it is that you have you like for it to be validated but not just that pile ll you just don't like being by yourself because you don't like to deal with the thoughts you refuse to heal. Then there is the other half when it comes to the hermit card that likes to isolate too much. You never leave the house, you cancel plans to the point I feel some of your friends stop inviting you places and you sometimes get mad because you still want to be asked even if you're going to say no. Another toxic trait is people pleasing, you lack the boundary and the vocabulary of the word no. You can't tell anyone no to the point where you don't see sometimes the damage it's doing to your life. Some of you do see this but have the mentality of liking to make others happy but....what about yourself boo?? Then there is the last of you who love to gossip, any and everything you always have the tea ready to spill to anyone who will listen. Your cup is either always empty to have it poured into with gossip or overflowing so you can tell someone. This energy is giving sometimes you are a hater, haha. Not all of you just a few.

Positive Traits: (Tarot: 2 of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, 8 of wands, Queen of Cups, 4 of Cups (Reversed)

You are emotionally mature. You have a handle over your emotions pile ll. Whenever someone pisses you off you can take a step back and assess the situation before it escalates. I have no clue why but I feel some of you may work in customer service. I felt this during your toxic trait reading but it didn't feel right to mention but now seeing your positive traits I definitely feel and sense you may work in a field where "the customer is always right." You are also resourceful and take initiative in your life. You don't sit around waiting for anyone to give you directions or what to do with your life, you just do it. If you sense you need a better routine you make the time to assess your life or if anything in general isn't working you can be honest with yourself (sometimes) and say this isn't working I need to change something. You also may have a knack for learning new things.

Pile lll:

Toxic Trait: (Tarot: Queen of Wands / 10 of Swords (Reversed), The Moon, 5 of Swords, 10 of Pentacles)

Your toxic traits aren't toxic pile lll they are more of you not seeing your worth. You allow people to put you down and speak to you anyway because you lack confidence. You lack boundaries and honestly, this pile gives me the vibe of depression. Some of you are just so tired that you allow certain people and aspects of your life to walk all over you. You don't fight back you just take it. You also don't believe that good things can happen for you with the 10 of cups. You have a hard time believing that anyone wants to do anything nice for you without wanting something in return. You also believe you are worthy of anything nice. A lot of this stems from possibly childhood if not childhood from trauma you have endured during your lifetime. You have been through the ringer and you just don't have much of a fight let alone a f*ck to give to anyone or thing. You also have issues with being seen. As I mentioned you lack confidence but I feel this is more so of a sense that you feel like a burden and you take up too much space. Some of you may be overweight and let the public cast their ugly words at you as if you don't deserve to live. *Hugs* There's always one pile I always need to hug in these readings. This time for once it's pile lll.

Positive Traits: (Tarot: 9 of Swords, The Magician, The Priestess, 2 of Swords, 2 of Cups (reversed))

You are highly intuned with your intuition pile ll I'm also seeing that you are a powerful manifester. 7 Rings by Ariana Grande just played in my head where she says "I want it, I got it." While you do go through mental issues and self-worth one thing about you that you don't lack is knowing that good things do happen in your life. I feel this pile might be my divinely protected pile. I feel some of you probably have watched others play in your face and also get what was coming to them. While I want to go into grave details about your positive traits pile ll your mental is really wanting to take over your reading. It's as if you don't believe you have any good traits. Yeah sure you may exhibit kindness here and there but overall you just see yourself as a regular human being just having common decency and manners that were taught from childhood. Again it's as if you are hiding or downplaying your good qualities to the point I don't even know what kind of person you are that's how bad you need are hiding.

That's all I have for everyone. I hope you enjoyed this reading. Until next time, stay safe and blessed.

[weepingtalecowboy]

Fanfic prompt :Everyone always makes the joke that Wild and Hyrule are the most likely to get kidnapped

But in their literal game mechanics and the lore of the games

Hyrule must run from anyone and trust nobody or someone could hand him over to ganon he definitely is really skittish about trusting anyone but when he sees someone help him he does trust them a bit more (he knows the concept of stranger danger and had to become a master at it or else it was game over)

Wild literally just has to throw a banana and you can almost always tell it is a Yiga even before you even pull out said banana (it is part of the game mechanics after all)

But you know who is the one who actually canonically is the most likely to get kidnapped and not notice it at any point during the entire process

Wind who has jumped on the boat of sketchy old man and pirates during both his adventures

Like he was extremely lucky that nothing ever happened to him

And he probably doesn’t know the concept of stranger danger because nobody on the island is a stranger or dangerous to him how would he even figure out if nobody is telling him about it or showing it

Like the first thing he does when the game starts is run up to a random girl who has fallen from a tree then she turns out to be a pirate and even if she has told him the truth about the kidnapped girls

You don’t jump on the boat of a pirate no matter how nice they seem (for all we know she could have orchestrated this situation to kidnap him and it is pure luck that she was just nice like that )

Essentially because later during the failed heist he gets throw across the sea he literally just wakes up on a different boat with no record of how he got there and instead of alerting anyone (because Wind fell island has a prison so he could have told the guards that a random guy had him on the boat and all that) he breaks fucking tingle out of the cell just to buy a sail for the weird talking boat and then continue on with just the two of them together (like I get desperately trying to save his sister but telling a guard or two that your sister got kidnapped and that you are saving her to make sure that at least a few people will know where you are like grandma definitely doesn’t know that you no longer are with the pirates)

And even more unhinged is the fact that tetra is not a good person at all she has interrogated a guy who wouldn’t sell her bombs which should have tipped Wind of as a red flag she has scammed a rich man out so much that he lives as a beggar with his daughter (also a thing that makes it more vague than ever to know what she would have done to his grandmother like a promise telling him she would bring his sister back safely is very dubious)

Also he canonically has repeatedly went to tingle's tower and asked him to translate the triforce charts (like that is tingle and nothing more has to be said)

Like Wind has the most luck known to mankind

It also somehow gets even worse because during phantom hourglass he and tetra are on the boat (which understandable because she proved that she is someone you can trust and a good friend)

And after waking up on a random beach the first thing you do is go into an old guy’s storage unit to get his sword (and somehow again not get mugged , kidnapped or trafficked because you never go somewhere alone when a single person is aware of it with no weapon especially when someone told you to go there )

Then he went with a different shady guy he just saved at the temple who genuinely looked like a problem in the making (and it was a problem in the making like I love linebeck he is a father figure for wind but also he did have the problem with his ex who wanted to kill him and he looked really shady and you would not have been able to escape if he did kidnap you because you are on the sea )

Like obviously Wind hasn’t learned his Lesson at any point in time because every time it went well

But with Yiga nothing goes well with them

He would probably hold hands with them as well and any other kidnapper would have a very easy catch

He probably joined the chain in less then a second without any form of self awareness (like everyone definitely was nervous with each other but not Wind he heard they said everyone else can sleep while another takes watch and planted his face on a pillow and was just out like that while everyone else was uneasy and didn’t sleep well or also took watch to make sure they won’t be killed in their sleep)

The chain really has to teach him that lesson (for the sake of like literally everything he has ever done because that luck will run out at some point)

Like Warriors definitely is seeing Wind go with literally everyone and not understanding why like that looks like a trauma response (it is just wind with over 12 years never learning about stranger danger and a big misunderstanding but also not really wrong )

[i-cant-sing]

Red Flags about my ocs:

Y/n, being cuddled very aggressively by Theodore: I think your red flag is that you stop me from going to work by cuddling me and telling me that I should just quit because you can take care of me.

Theodore, narrowing his eyes at you as he signs: and I think you're color blind but you don't see me pointing it out.

-

Y/n: stalking me, leaving me creepy messages and gifts, buying the bank and the police, and then kidnapping me, then revealing that you are a murdering mafia leader are all VERY RED FLAGS!

Dimitri, sips his vodka:

Y/n:

Dimitri, another sip: I think thats a beige flag.

Y/n, eye twitches: How?

Dimitri, smiles: I'm handsome, I'm rich, and I have a really cute son who you absolutely adore. They kinda neutralise the redness, no?

Y/n: nO-

Dimitri, pulls you into his lap and kisses you deeply, not minding you trying to scratch his face off: it's okay, little bee. You'll learn to love being covered in red in time. It is my favourite colour, after all.

-

Y/n: You have no red flags, Eros. You're perfect.

Eros: what? I'm not perfect. Of course, I have some red flags. Like- like what about the time I forgot to kiss you on your birthday morning?🥺

Y/n: that's because you went downstairs to catch the man who was trying to break in!

Eros: hm, what about the time I sold your car?

Y/n: and then bought me my dream car! Eros, stop, okay? The flag has literally never been greener.

Eros, sulking: okay, if you say so, my love.

Y/n: I love you, my green flag.

Eros, perking up and kissing you: more, always.

-

Magnus: hey angel, so earlier you mentioned that I may have some red flags? Do you wanna talk about them now?🙂

Y/n, seeing all the cult followers glaring at her and recalling how they promised to pluck your eyes out so that you can't see "red" anymore: ugh- um, y-yeah, I don't know what i was talking about Mag. I don't think I'm feeling well, probably that's why I was talking nonsense.

Magnus, concerned and grabbing your face gently: oh? Not feeling well, are you? It must be because of your hormones just ruining your body. I think another baby in you will balance your hormones out!🥰

[dykedvonte]

No but like imagine all female crew minus like Jimbalaya lol

I like this thought but like I imagine you mean Jimmy is also the only guy vs like everyone being girls with Anya.

Cause then it becomes how different women react to when something like this happens. Like I think Curly’s reaction would be different if Curly was a girl on a fully female crew. I think those behaviors and comments towards Anya Jimmy would make wouldn’t fly so much. Not just because Curly can tell they aren’t his usually “harmless” teasing but because there’s other women that are reacting. She’s seeing how bad those reactions are and is second guessing how much she let slide.

Daisuke would be a young woman, likely more conscious and aware of guys like Jimmy since she would be considered a party-girl. He’s like the guy you have to watch your drink around, gets to close and “accidentally” grabs or touches something, factors she would mentions to Curly. Swansea is an old gal, knows men that think they are owed something when a lady is nice to them or just because. She still has the same past and can see that selfishness in Jimmy, likely tells Curly to get some sense about her friend, not just for their sake but for herself.

Again, when I talk about Curly being marginalized gender wise and having that experience I don’t see it as her not getting it, but simply wanting to believe Jimmy is one of the nice guys… well nicer guys… well okay guys. And then she still has to think about that. Having all the other women point out all the signs makes her tip her rose colored glasses a bit, sees those red flags for what they are. I don’t think it’s easier for her but she’s more willing to act out of her feelings.

It would bring up a part of rape culture that doesn’t get depicted a lot of how woman can accidentally or even purposely enable it against other woman. Internalized misogyny, slut shaming and just the assumption of trust. Curly wouldn’t think it was Anya’s fault but she wants some type of hope to exist Jimmy isn’t that sort of man, it’s an internalized denial that slows her movements because this was a man she trusted, a man she had put her safety in, gave so many chances to to… she wouldn’t like thinking about it, but she has to as the Captain, as a woman and as Anya’s friend.

It’s a very harrowing situations especially because they are all women with one guy but it feel like it is resolved quicker and the horror aspects and context surrounding it centers on the crew slowly coming to see Jimmy as a figurative monster and the literal monster he is.