#based on our seats maybe more see them in the screen but
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im literally gonna cry almost exactly 4 years after first liking them i get to see txt in the flesh đđ
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Unhinged idea but the reverse harem autobot series has activated every single neuron in my brain
Imagine if the human was in a harem with the decepticons instead and the autobots want to save them, fearing you were being forced into the decepticonâs love (and totally denying the fact that seeing you naked on camera got their spikes painfully hard)
Giving you free reign other than that because my brain is full of the idea and empty as well AUDJSKDJDJDHF
Keep up the good work man, love your transformer fics !! :3 /pos
-Fae (if that isnât already taken ofc)
I so need to write more of these
Warnings : GN!Reader, cybertronian language is used as it's mainly from their POV, exhibitionism, noncon voyeurism, noncon recording
Minors do NOT interact! 18+ only
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You were spotted by pure accident, in fact it was truly a miricale in the first place anyone outside of the decepticons had seen you, but it was Jazz who raised the alarm that the cons had kidnapped a human that left the autobots fuel lines freezing up.
Out on a casual drive Jazz had spotted Knockout not too far away, the con in a line up ready to street race it seemed, but something was different.
And that something was the cute human sitting in the driver's seat. He managed to radio Prowl, swiftly telling him the situation, but by the time the cop bot arrived you and the con were gone. Which left them arguing the whole way back to base.
informing the others was a whole different matter.
"Why didn't you stop him!?" Ironhide shouts, followed by Prowl agreeing with him.
So much yelling and for what?
"Alright that's enough! Jazz, you did the right thing, you could have put the human's life in danger interfering alone."
"But, Prime-"
"No, Ironhide, we need to save that human frm their clutches, but we can't do that if they are harmed or killed in the crossfires or because Megatron doesn't want to let his 'prize' go."
Ironhide growls under his breathe, angry that Prime is right, even if it means someone innocent is in the decepticons grasp. Your safety is their biggest concern, who knows what the cons are putting you through or even doing to you! Them rushing in head frsit will just put you, and subsequently them, in more danger.
They need to get on that ship and survey the area and situation, then they can go about the safest way of getting you out of there with little damage. Maybe thats how Mirage ended up on the Nemsis, invisible to the decepticons that he was careful to walk around as to not alert them.
He has a live feed right to base, so they can see everything he sees while he looks around, sneaking into room after room, peering in and looking for the little human. After the fifth room he forgets it and walks down the hallway, being sure to move out of the way for any con on patrol.
"This is pointless, if we storm them and take them by surprise we'd get that human out for sure!"
Optimus shakes his head, "Not nessecarily, if we do then one of the cons could grab the human a flee."
Bee huffs, though its a mask to hide the worry he feels watching the footage of Mirage walking through the hallways of the enemies ship, listening to their conversations of Knockout and Breakdown
"Seems lord Megatron isn't too happy."
"Yeah, I wonder whos fault that is."
"Our sweetspark wanted out to walk around, how is that my fault!?"
Our?
Sweetspark?
Optimus doesn't take his optics off the screen, even as the whispers and worried words fill the air behind him.
"Did they take a human for themselves?"
"Oh primus, they are using them as a stress toy! That poor person is probably being tortured!" Bumblebee screeches.
Prowl and Ironhide glare at the screen, muttering under theirs breathes, wanting to beat those decepticons helms in.
Ratchet keeps his optics on the screen, scowl on his face, though he can't lie about the worry eating at his spark. Are you okay? He doesn't know enough about human's fragile bodies, so could he ensure you lived long enough to get to a medic who knew what they were doing?
The room quickly falls silent as a sound grows louder and louder. Heads turn back to the screen, watching as Mirage follows quickly behind shockwave, thankfully still undetected, but the sight that greets them leaves their intakes dropped open.
Megatron, with a servo around you, thrusting his spike as deep as he could make it go.
You're sobbing, overloading, begging for him to slow down.
"Aren't you being a bit rough with them? Surely, humans are too squishy for such treatment." Shockwave spoke, merely walking towards where he left his data pad, as if this was completely normal.
"They like it. Isn't that right, pet?" Megatron grinds his spike into you, smirking as you cry out.
"Yes! Yes! M'sorry I should've asked-fuck! Megatron, please...!" You throw your head back, sobbing as it appears you've overloaded again.
Megatron vents, but his smirk never falters.
"So cute like this, taking my spike like you were meant to."
"I told you humans needed more enrichment, they would not have left with Knockout had you given them things to do while we are all busy."
Megatron's face plate twists into a scowl "Silence, Shockwave, as leader they are my Conjunx Endura first, the rest of the ship is just their...consorts."
Mirage is frozen in his spot, unable to look away from you taking such a massive spike in your little valve, and the other autobots are much the same.
So this is how they are using you? But what Megatron said, they couldn't possibly courted a human, they hate humans! Unless its...no, they'd never go that far, would they?
Hot Rod glances around the room, hoping to not be the only one finding the scene before them hot, but he can't read them.
Maybe it's just him, but seeing your soft body mold to the shape of the spike fragging you so good gets his engines purring.
He shouldn't, this is wrong on so many levels and a complete invasion of privacy. But to see your valve overflowing with transfluid like this, it gets him going.
You whimper, your optics look glazed over as you barely manage to look up at Megatron, who can't help but coo at you.
"Have you learned your lesson, dear?"
You fall limp once more in his hold, though you nearly cry once he pulls you off his spike, letting the transfluid pumped into you drop out.
"I did...I'll ask you next time, I promise."
Megatron chuckles, tenderly rubbing his thumb across your cheek, looking at you in such a loving way.
"Good. Now, I have things to attend to, but since you need so much attention, I'm sure Soundwave wouldn't mind keep you occupied."
The blue mech stands up straighter, moving away from his work station and swiftly goes right passed an unamused Shockwave.
Your gaze meets his red visor, which seems to glow. His servos shaking slightly as he takes you from Megatron, uncaring for his leader and Shockwave to make their exit, leaving him with you.
Mirage, despite his illusion feels as though he's exposed, perhaps now is his chance to leave-
Soundwave doesn't get long with you before Starscream barges in, loudly demanding his Conjunx Endura though Soundwave is not amused.
Just when he was getting his alone time too.
Optimus can't take this anymore, comming Mirage to get out of there now.
"Skyfire, go to the Nemesis and get Mirage."
The large mech jumps at his name being called, his face plate bright blue as he squeaks out a 'ok' and rushes out.
Ironhide is beyond appalled, how could those cons do that to you!? But...oh, oh Primus he wants to hold you down and let you take his spike.
The shared thought among the autobots was 'does their valve feel that good the decepticons are willing to share them?'
But oh they want to find out.
Their spikes are pressing against their modest plating, watching such a moment like that was too much for them-
"W-wait I'm-ohhh...fuck!" You squeal, body shaking from your used hole being filled again.
The room is filled with the sound of all their heads snapping to the screen, Mirage didn't seem to have moved, unable to look away or even turn the camera off.
Faintly they can hear Starscream arguing with Soundwave (though it's one sided) as Soundwave gently works his spike into your used valve.
"How dare you, it should be my turn to use their valve!"
"They were given to me, so silence." Soundwave doesn't entertain more of Starscream, focusing on you and pleasuring you.
The doors open once more, giving Mirage time to slide out unnoticed, but just enough to see Breakdown, Thundercracker, Skywarp, and the constructions following suit before the doors close.
Just how many spikes were you taking?
Just how many times a day?
"I uh, I need to go drive- Right, patrol!" Hot Rod and Bee jump up, rushing out of the room in seperate directions.
"Prime?"
Prowl looks to his leader as the larger bot holds his helm in his servos.
Optimus can't face him, he can't face anyone! Why did he like that so much? He should be ashamed, disgusted, but oh Primus above you were quite the addicting sight.
He needs you.
Frag, he shouldn't be thinking like that.
"Optimus, what is our game plan."
Jazz's stern voice cuts through his thoughts.
"I won't be easy, but we need to tread carefully."
Surely it shouldn't be too hard to obtain you, right? It's for your safety after all.
#smut#spicy#đđđ#transformers smut#valveplug#transformers x reader smut#transformers Megatron x reader#transformers Soundwave x reader#transformers Megatron x reader smut#transformers decepticons x reader smut#transformers x reader#mdni
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business 101
pairing: csc x f!reader | wc: 1.3k genre/au: rival ceos, fluff, humor | warnings: none | rating: pg a/n: prequel to the contractual obligations universe // based on an ask for my 101 drabble prompt game!
The lecture hall buzzed with the usual pre-class chatter. The faint hum of laptops, the rustle of notebooks, and the occasional murmur of stress about looming midterms filled the air. You sank into your chair, flipping open your laptop to the blank document titled Business 101 Project.
âGroup assignments will be randomized,â the professor announced from the podium, his voice loud enough to silence most of the murmuring. âYour task: create a comprehensive business plan for a hypothetical company. Itâs due at the end of the semester. Creativity is welcome, but analysis and execution will determine your grade. Teams will be four people each, and I expect professionalism.â
When the names appeared on the screen, your heart sank.
Group 8: Choi Seungcheol, Jeonghan Yoon, Joshua Hong, Y/N L/N
You glanced around, spotting Jeonghan waving lazily at you with an amused smirk, while Joshua offered a polite nod. Then your eyes landed on Seungcheol. His lips quirked into a lopsided grin, the kind that spoke volumesâmostly about how annoying he planned to be.
âGreat,â you muttered under your breath, earning a chuckle from Jeonghan, who had slid into the seat next to you. Jeonghan and Joshuaâreliable, at least. But Choi Seungcheol? He caught your gaze and offered a cocky smirk.
Fantastic.
By the end of the first meeting, it was clear how things were going to go.
âWe need a solid foundation,â Joshua said, tapping his pen thoughtfully against the table. âLetâs start with a service idea and build from there.â
âSomething scalable,â you agreed. âLike a subscription modelâlow entry cost, high potential for growth.â
âThatâs boring,â Seungcheol cut in, his voice casual but gratingly dismissive. âWhy not focus on a bold product launch? Something with impact.â
âImpact doesnât pay the bills,â you shot back, narrowing your eyes. âWe need a strategy thatâs actually sustainable.â
âSustainable,â he repeated, leaning back and folding his arms. âSure. Letâs just settle for mediocre so we donât have to take any risks.â
âAnd crash and burn if it flops?â you shot back, unable to hide your irritation. âThatâs reckless.â
Seungcheol leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk. âNo risk, no reward.â
âNo risk, no grade either,â you retorted, your voice sharper than intended.
Jeonghan cleared his throat, breaking the tension. âI see this is going to be... fun.â He exchanged a glance with Joshua, who already looked like he regretted his life choices.
By the third meeting, the rivalry had reached critical mass.Â
âWho made you the CEO of this group?â Seungcheol snapped after you vetoed one of his flashier ideas.
âIâm not the CEO,â you retorted, jabbing a finger at the project outline. âIâm just the one who doesnât want us to fail.â
âFail?â he repeated with a mock laugh. âRight, because your ideas are so revolutionary. Letâs hear it for our subscription box for socks or whatever youâre pitching.â
You glared. âSocks sell.â
âNot as much as actual creativity,â he shot back.
Jeonghan sighed dramatically. âIâm this close to quitting college,â he muttered to Joshua, who nodded solemnly.
 This was now less a project, and more a battlefield. You and Seungcheol clashed over every detailâbudget projections, marketing angles, even the font choices for the presentation slides. Jeonghan coined the term âWednesday Night Warâ after one particularly heated Zoom meeting, where the two of you had yelled over each other for a full ten minutes before Joshua muted you both.
Despite the argumentsâor maybe because of themâthe project came together. By some miracle, your calculated planning and Seungcheolâs riskier ideas balanced each other out. When the group received an A, Joshua and Jeonghan looked ready to celebrate.
You and Seungcheol, however, couldnât even agree on that.
âI carried this project,â he said, smirking at you as the grades were handed back.
âExcuse me?â you said, turning to him. âIf you carried it, then I was the one steering so you didnât walk us off a cliff.â
âYouâre welcome for my bold ideas,â he replied.
âAnd youâre welcome for my common sense,â you shot back, storming out of the classroom before you could strangle him.
A celebration was inevitable. After weeks of late nights and endless bickering, Jeonghan declared a house party to blow off steam. You werenât in the mood for it, but Joshuaâs pleading eyes and the promise of free drinks eventually won you over. The house was packed, the bass from the speakers thrumming through your chest. You spotted Jeonghan and Joshua near the makeshift bar, both nursing drinks and chatting with friends.Â
Jeonghan greeted you with a sly grin. âAnd here I thought you were too good for us,â he teased, handing you a drink.
âIâm here for Joshua,â you replied, taking a sip. âNot you or him.â
âYou mean Seungcheol?â Jeonghan asked innocently, his grin widening when you glared at him.
Across the room, Seungcheol leaned against the counter, laughing at something someone had said. His dark shirt clung to his shoulders in a way that annoyed youâit was unfair how effortlessly attractive he looked, especially when you could practically feel him waiting to pick another fight.
When his eyes met yours, he smirked.
You shouldâve walked away, but instead, you marched straight up to him.
âAre you stalking me now?â you asked, crossing your arms.
âStalking?â he echoed, raising an eyebrow. âYouâre in my space.â
âYour space?â you scoffed. âPretty sure this is Jeonghanâs house.â
âSemantics.â
The two of you fell into your usual rhythm of bickering, the tension between you thick enough to draw the attention of Jeonghan and Joshua.
âTheyâre at it again,â Joshua remarked, taking a sip of his drink.
Jeonghan sighed dramatically. âWhy donât they just kiss already?â
Joshua smirked, nodding toward where you and Seungcheol stood toe-to-toe. âWait for it.â
Back near the bar, the argument had reached new heights.
âYou think youâre so much better because you play it safe?â Seungcheol taunted, his voice low but heated.
âAnd you think being reckless makes you a visionary?â you fired back, stepping closer.Â
âYou wouldnât know a bold move if it slapped you in the face,â he shot back, his tone biting.
âDo you ever shut up?â you snapped, stepping closer.
âDo you?â he fired back, his smirk daring you to do something about it.
The crowd around you began to thin as people sensed the escalating tension. Seungcheolâs jaw tightened, his eyes locked on yours. For a moment, neither of you spoke, the air between you crackling.
Then he grabbed your wrist.
âWeâre settling this,â he growled, his voice quiet enough that only you could hear.
âExcuse me?â you sputtered, but he was already pulling you through the crowd, his grip firm but not rough.
From across the room, Jeonghan raised his glass to Joshua with a knowing smile. âTold you.â
âBet you a round they donât come back for hours,â Joshua added, and Jeonghan laughed, clinking his glass.
Seungcheol dragged you into an empty room, the noise of the party muffled by the closed door. He let go of your wrist, turning to face you with a look you couldnât quite decipher.
âYou canât justââ you began, but the words died in your throat as he stepped closer.
âCanât just what?â he challenged, his voice quieter now but no less intense.
Your breath hitched as the tension that had simmered for weeks finally reached its boiling point. âWhat do you want from me, Seungcheol?â
He didnât answer with words. Instead, he cupped your face in his hands and kissed you. It wasnât gentle or tentativeâit was hungry, desperate, like heâd been holding himself back for far too long.
You froze for half a second before kissing him back just as fiercely, your hands tangling in his hair as the weeks of frustration and tension melted away into something electric.
The rest of the world disappeared. All that existed was the way his hands gripped your waist, the press of his body against yours, the taste of beer on his lips.
When you finally pulled apart, both of you were breathing hard, your foreheads resting against each other.
âThis doesnât mean I like you,â you whispered, your voice shaky but defiant.
Seungcheol smirked, his thumb brushing over your cheek. âYeah? Keep telling yourself that.â
#seventeen x reader#svt x reader#seventeen imagines#seventeen angst#seventeen#seventeen reactions#svt imagines#svt reactions#seungcheol x reader#scoups x reader#seungcheol fluff#seungcheol imagines#scoups fluff#scoups imagines#seungcheol scenarios#scoups scenarios#seventeen fluff#svt fluff#seventeen seungcheol#seventeen scenarios#svt scenarios#choi seungcheol#scoups#seungcheol fanfic#seventeen headcanons#svt headcanons#tara writes#kvanity#thediamondlifenetwork#mansaenetwork
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Hello⊠Uhm. This is my first time requesting, lol. I was wondering if you could maybe⊠do a part 3 to that one fluff thing with the reader liking Simon bigger in size? I adore it so far. You donât have to though! I was just hoping you could.
since the holidays have a lot of eating, i decided to make this christmas fluff
previous parts here (it's called "i like you big")
tw: simon has unhealthy eating habits
"since we have to be here over the holidays, we're doing a movie marathon. christmas movies only!" you announced cheerfully to the groaning task force. it was a rare night on base where everyone was together, and you wanted to spread some holiday spirit. "and i bought cookies." that got some cheers, thankfully. you took the cookies out of the locked cabinet, a necessity when surrounded by ravenous soliders, and set them in the common room near the tv. you went all out: sugar cookies, chocolate peppermint ones, raisins for price (as part of his old man tendencies), scottish shortbread, and british tea cookies for your favorite brits.
"cheers, love," simon murmured. you tucked your head to nod, afraid he'd see how easily the term of endearment heated your face. instead, you busied yourself setting up your favorite christmas movie (elf, of course) and passing out plates to everyone. it was self-serve, so you stood back as your task force attacked the table with a single-minded vigor you only saw on the battlefield. curiously, simon only had one cookie on his plate, a british tea one. you took your usual seat next to him on the sofa, grinning as soap and gaz started debating the reality of a human surviving the north pole in only tights.
"only one, si?" you whispered, nodding to his plate. at that exact moment, you heard his stomach grumble. he didn't have his mask on so you could see how his cheeks got a little pinker at the sound. "not 'ungry." you frowned. instead of replying, you reached for your own plate, taking one of each cookie until it was stacked full. his arm was around the back of the couch so you tucked yourself in further. the chocolate peppermint cookie was delicious, and you couldn't hold back the small moan you let out at the taste. simon stiffened by your side, uncomfortableness radiating off him in waves. "sorry. it's jus' so good." your mouth was slightly full, this time with the scottish shortbread. "bonnie, ye got shortbread?" soap asked earnestly. "yeah, i figured it would be nice to have a taste from home. not sure if you actually eat these or if it's just a stereotype but..." soap smiled wide with a boyish grin. "our thoughtful girl, gettin' cookies fer all of us. thanks, bon." you smiled back, tucking yourself further into simon as he hummed in agreement.
"plus, i think everyone deserves extra treats during the holidays. animals gain winter weight, why shouldn't we?" you added as an afterthought. price snorted in agreement. gaz made a comment to him that earned him a whack to the back of his head. you snuck a look at simon, who was staring off into the distance, ignoring buddy's journey on the tv screen. "si?" you nudged him a little. "s'ppose y'r right. an' y' put all this thought into these." you gave him a small smile that he returned, a rarity from your lieutenant. he shifted on the couch, leaning forward to grab two more cookies from the table, decidedly ignoring the scottish ones. he took a bite of the sugar cookie in the shape of a christmas tree and closed his eyes contentedly. "good, si?" he nodded, his shoulders loosening and his body sinking into the sofa. "yeah, love. real good."
this was short but the rest of them has been as well so i hope you enjoy :) this was also the first time i've written holiday fluff <3
#tw: eating habits#holidays can be hard with eating sending love!!!#also all of these men definitely eat like garbage disposals anyways#will eat anything you put in front of them#could be half baked they dont care#eating is sexy#tornadothoughts#simon ghost riley#simon riley x reader#simon riley x you#fluff#ghost call of duty#big boy season#big boy simon#christmas fluff#holiday fluff#cod 141#john soap mactavish#captain johnathan price#kyle gaz garrick
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"Diamonds are made under pressure, aren't they?"
Summary: It's about treading the line between 'diamonds are made under pressure' and 'bread only rises through rest', describing the struggles of two people that come with being described as one of the best drivers to ever exist and the smartest person in the room
Pairing: Max Verstappen x engineer!reader
Wordcount: 2k
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âDiamonds are made under pressure.â
This is a sentence, a one-liner, that has been thrown at (Y/N) through an off-sentence by a friend during one of their most stressful weeks of university. Ever since she lived by it. It was one of the mantras she retold herself over and over again during one of too many all-nighters, only accompanied by sugary energy drinks and crippling anxiety about her future if she doesn't get through this assignment on time.
In the end it all, meaning the late nights and early mornings in libraries, study halls and classrooms, was worth it, the grind she held through her bachelors in engineering got her a seat on the Red Bull Racing team in Formula 1. Ultimately, it brought her to her true love, Max Verstappen.
They have similar mindsets, after all, there is always room for improvement and why wait for it when you can do it now? So many people are counting on them anyway.
This is something they have discussed during late night talks. These started back then when he was in his third year with Red Bull and (Y/N)âs first.
Max was about to leave the factory after a long day of working on the new car for the upcoming season. He stopped when he saw a light still burdening in one of the offices. Being the environmentally conscious person he is, he wanted to turn it off. Good one, Max. Without you Red Bull would go bankrupt based on the energy bills alone.
Instead of an empty office, he was met with wide eyes. âUh, I apologize for running in like that. I thought somebody forgot to turn off the lightâ, the driver explained his sudden appearance.
After recovering from the initial shock of having her door thrown open out of the blue, (Y/N) was quick to put Max back at ease. âOh no, itâs fine. I guess it really is late. I just wanted to run the suggestions you made to the team through a simulation and see if the outcome really does change like you expect it to.â The young woman smiled tiredly at him before continuing punching some numbers into her computer and sipping on a can of Red Bull (the orange one is the best, you canât change my mind).
âYou donât sound convinced by my idea too muchâ, he noticed with a small grin of his own, âWas what I said not smart?â He still whacked his brain whether or not she was with the team he worked with today. He surely would remember, right?
âOh, I would know what you said word for word, I was with the other driver today. But Mike gave me the notes and why wait to put what you suggested to work when I can do it now?â (Y/N) winks at him.
âAnd still you think it wonât work.â And with that they started an in depth discussion about the outcome that is to be expected with the proposed changes. In the middle of another Maxplaining (Y/N) just turned her computer screen towards the man leaning against the doorway, proving her point she told him from the beginning of their conversation.
âWell, I guess you need to explain these results to me. Maybe over a cup of coffee?â
âI definitely need to, canât have our golden boy lack knowledge in the field of engineering. We want these Championship wins.â With that she packed her back. âI know a place thatâs still open.â
Born with that are many more discussions, partially very heated even, that could only be solved by getting one of the heavy textbooks out that (Y/N) still kept from her uni days. Sometimes held over coffee in softly lighted cafes around the world, later during dinners, which are only interrupted by waiters desperately trying to get their attention to jot down their orders, and in the end they continue them in the security that only their own four walls can provide.
One time during a race weekend the whole team had a bet going on about how long the two can keep talking about the same subject. After two hours they had to be stopped, both of them needing to follow their own programme points of the day. GP won the bet, having to listen to their conversations on a regular basis with no way to escape them, because they are vital with important key information. Still, it doesnât mean that they are exciting.
Now, three years after that initial meeting, three WDC and two WCC have been secured since. During that time the aspiring engineer decided to pursue a masters degree in technical engineering alongside her work in the team (or more like Christian offering her a whole ride paid by Red Bull after hearing her talking about this and knowing how much extra value this brings to the upcoming seasons).
The coupleâs apartment in Monaco starts to look more like a library than a living space for humans, textbooks and loose papers scattered over every available surface and the floor of their office. While the driver greatly admires his loveâs determination to get through her programme with the best possible grades, he starts to worry a bit. He has heard stories from her friends and family from her time at uni and what her study habits had looked like back then.
Hell, Max himself plants his ass for more hours on the sim than probably necessary, since there is always room for improvement. But seeing his girlfriend become a zombie version of the person he got to know was definitely not what he had expected when she signed up for going back to uni.
âSchatje? I thought you wanted to join me in bed?â Max asked (Y/N) tiredly, who is still sitting in her seat at the office desk while pouring over textbooks and a writing document on her laptop. His voice tells her that he already had fallen asleep, but something must have woken him up. Was she talking to herself again? She tends to do that when getting lost in her own world of equations and laws of physics.
âYes, I will be with you in a minute. Let me just write this down, I finally understood that conceptâ, the engineer waved him off absentmindedly, the other hand retracing a line in a book, which has been assaulted by differently colored highlighters.
But Max is nothing but a stubborn man and if life had taught him one lection then itâs to never give up easily. âCome on, itâs really late and all your smart thoughts will still be there after you get some sleepâ, he tried convincing her, moving closer and massaging the tension away from his girlfriendâs shoulders.
âI told you, Iâll be there in a sec. But a masters thesis doesnât write itself and I would deeply appreciate it if you would leave me be to finish this up.â Frustration starts to set in (Y/N)âs voice.
Max is not irritated by it at all. He had been the same, if not worse, to her in his most challenging moments of his career. He knows that he can be a harsh person, unfortunately even to his loved ones. But that also means he knows how to deal with harsh people.
âYou know what, Iâll put the kettle on and make us a cup of tea while you wrap this up and we meet again in the bedroom. Okay?â Softly spoken, the Dutchman proposes the idea to her.
(Y/N) canât really say no to this, knowing that her brain wouldnât be able to process and absorb much more information anyways. Still, there is a certain guilt gnawing on her conscience whenever she is about to take a break from her studies.
With puppy dog eyes the engineer looks up to her boyfriend. âCan you make it a hot chocolate, please? And maybe some of the cookies you brought home from the bakery?â Her small voice is enough to ask Max to do nothing short of a murder and he would say yes without wasting any thoughts on it. âOf course, Schatje. Anything for my smart and brilliant girl.â He presses a kiss on her forehead before disappearing from the office.
Not long after this the couple finds themselves sipping from their mugs with some calming music playing in the background and munching on some treats.
âMy love, I feel like when I talk to you now about the importance of taking breaks and resting, we both will have a dĂ©jĂ -vu,â Max says with a small smile.
He is not wrong. They actually talked about it a couple of months ago when Max had to be dragged off the sim, because he had been stressing himself out about a particular race way too much to consider it a healthy try to improve.
âI know, I know. Itâs just, being smart is not easy and I try to live up to the title of the clever woman in my family and in the team,â (Y/N) confesses quietly. The driver puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her further into his embrace.
âWhat do you mean, Schatje? What do you have to live up to?â Murmurs are whispered into her hair.
âIt can be hard, being the smart one. Because as soon as people catch on, they start expecting things from you. Suddenly, you are knowledgeable in every single subject available on earth. You become other peopleâs measurement scale. When they get something right and you wrong, they will rub it into your face.
You have to do great things, because they want you to do that. You will get pressured into using your intellect to the fullest extent, because otherwise they say your potential is wasted. Nobody wants you to do that, it would be a shame. Apparently to everybody and their mother.
This is why I sometimes hate to be the smart one. No one wants me to be average, they need me to be exceptional. Thatâs why I have to study hard and read everything there is on this subject. And diamonds are made under pressure, arenât they?â
Max understands the kind of pressure that is on her. He felt like that for the majority of his life, having to exceed the expectations of other people over and over again, because only meeting them just is not enough.
Either he is the best driver out there or he shouldnât even bother to try. That is something he had been told from his early days into his driving career. He lived by it like it was the only truth that mattered.
This was until he met her. (Y/N) showed him that trying is better than never starting. That his best will always be enough. Nobody has been born being a master in something. Failing is an important part of the way to perfection. Mistakes have to be made to improve, to learn what needs to be improved.
And he wants to show her that all of this also counts for her, too.
âDo you wanna know what Christian said to me a couple of months ago? âJust like dough, you can rise only if you rest.â You need time to recharge to be able to do your best. Letâs take the day tomorrow off, recharge our batteries and just laze around and snooze in a bit. After tomorrow, Iâll help you study.â
A study date with Max Verstappen is too good to say no to. Whenever he quizzes (Y/N), she gets a kiss for every correct answer. So the questions might get easier over time. Still, he motivates her to do her best while looking out for her water intake and food consumption and taking regular breaks for stretching her body or going for a walk.
Max is right, you need to rest to continue achieving greatness.
#max verstappen x reader#x reader#reader insert#max verstappen x you#max verstappen image#max verstappen x engineer!reader#max verstappen imagine#max verstappen fanfic
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winter-themed phone sex w/ Dave Lizewski? like, y/n and Dave had plans to see each other but then a snowstorm hits and both of them are stuck in their own houses, so they have phone sex?
*Ëâ· ÍÍÍÍâłWAIT I LOVE THIS ONE!!! A few years of a LDR has me basing this one on some experience... đ€
. ïœĄâ©Tags/CW: dave and reader college au, boyfriend!Dave, circa 2010s vibes, skype s*x, mutual m*sturbation, dirty talk, I think usually Dave is a sub but today I'm feeling surprising dom!Dave(oh the confidence you can find behind a screen...), belt kink, talk of spanking/choking/slapping, semi aggressive talk, d*ldo use, cozy end.
"So, I'll see you tonight after your last class?" Dave asks, pushing his glasses up and leaning against the wall near you to try to ask suave.
You've both just exited your last shared class of the day. You reach up and pull his hat down over his ears, knowing he's going out in that cold weather today. It's been freezing, but no sign of anything else.
"Yes! I'll be headed over to your dorm soon as my night class is done." You smile, fixing your own cold weather garments before leaning in to sneak a quick kiss.
Dave's eyes flutter behind his glasses as you kiss him, practically melting into your lips. He knows it's kind of embarrassing to kiss in front of all the other students trying to get out of their own for the day, but he also kind of likes than everyone can see someone as gorgeous as you being the one to kiss him.
You give his hand one last squeeze and head off so you aren't late to your next class.
You're checking the clock over and over, practically aching to get out of class. Night has set so early as it does in December, and from your seat by the window, you can see the flurries of snow getting larger. Everyone is rushing, packing up quickly to try to beat the snow, but by the time you get outside, there's already more than a few inches.
You fight against a wicked wind that blinds you in a cloud of white as you try to get to your car. Your cheeks burn red from the cold, and you quickly brush off as much of the heavy blanket of snow on your car as you can before it starts to fill up with white again.
You weren't one to keep an eye on the weather, but when you finally hop into your car, you check your texts, seeing a million from Dave asking if your class was cancelled or not. You crank the heat of your car and wait for it to warm up, taking a moment to call your boyfriend.
"Babe! All you alright? Should I call a snow plow to come save you?" Dave's voice is half alarmed, half joking when he answers.
"No, no, I'm fine!" You laugh and assure him, knowing your big truck has four wheel drive and you're not unused to this weather. "But I'm not sure I can make it over tonight..."
"I totally understand..." Dave says, despite the pouting tone in his voice. "But I'll miss you..."
"I feel the same way," you say, leaning against your foggy car window. "Maybe I can make it up to you later this weekend if the snow clears."
"Yeah," Dave says with a sigh, then begins again as if he's had an idea. "Well, hey! Maybe we could try out having one of those virtual dates if you can't physically come!"
"Oh really? And what does that entail?"You laugh, not someone who's super tech savvy yourself for these things.
"W-Well," Dave says nervously, unsure it this would interest you. "We could each set up a little dinner in front of a Skype call and watch each other through our webcams? Maybe watch a movie together if we hit play at the same time?"
You think for a moment. It actually doesn't sound like a bad idea, and it's not like you really have much to do when you get home either besides maybe study and bundle up from the cold.
"That actually sounds really sweet..." You say with a smile into the phone. "I'm going to drive home, but you get it all set up for when I get there!"
"You got it!" You can tell just by his voice how excited Dave is.
. ïœĄâ©
You finally arrive home, taking twice the time as usual from the low visibility and your cautious driving. You're lucky to have made it, there were a few cars on the side of the road having had swerved and gotten stuck in sudden snow banks. You pound your boots on the entrance mat, trying to get as much snow off them as possible. You shake a flurry off white off your body and peel yourself from your scarf, hat, and coat.
Finally, you're free, taking the time to send Dave a text about your arrival and your plan to make dinner then meet him for your Skype date.
You settle upstairs with a big mug of cocoa and a few slices of left over pizza finally, and get set up in front of your computer. The good news about dating Dave was that he had helped you completely outfit and build a PC that could do just about anything, despite the fact that you only really use it for school, YouTube, and the occasional minecraft server with him. He also had a webcam installed so that you could take your online classes as well, or give him a call if you felt the need.
You strip down to just a big comfy sweater and a pair of lacy red panties, happy that the webcam only sees your upper half. You made sure to turn up the heat in your apartment, so with the vent beneath the desk, you feel perfectly cozy after a rough time in the treacherous snow.
You quickly figure out how to use Skype once more, and before you know it, Dave appears on your screen. He's in his dorm room, outfitted with only the most prestigious nerdy memorabilia on the walls and shelves behind him. He looks more than happy to see you, giving a big smile.
"It worked! Awesome! You ready for our dinner date, babe?" His voice comes through your headphones, and for a moment, a chill runs down your spine as you remember how sexy you find it.
"Of course," you say with a smile and raise your plate and mug to the camera.
Dave does the same, showing a can of Coke and a bowl of Mac and Cheese. Then he pauses as if he forgot to mention something.
"Oh! Of course, our dinner wouldn't be a date if it wasn't candle lit!" He pulls a tiny candle into frame, its small light flickering on the screen.
You laugh, finding the effort a tad romantic, and mainly happy to still be able to spend some time with him.
"So, I picked out one of your favorite movies for us to watch. I'll send you a link!" He works something on his keyboard and screen and you wonder if he really knows you well enough to find a favorite of yours.
You click the link he sends and audibly squeal.
"What! I love The Princess Bride! How did you find it?" You hadn't seen it on any streaming service in so long, so you were surprised he could pull it up with ease.
"I have my ways..." Dave says with a small blush then pressing his glasses back up once again.
The two of you chat about your day, you telling him about the wicked snow storm, and how you barely made it home. He tells you about his latest comic he's been reading, and you enjoy hearing his interest in things he's passionate about. Your mug of cocoa warms your hands and you find your little date to be not quite as good as just being together, but the next best thing.
Eventually, you two start the movie by counting down and pressing play at the same time. You get comfortable, and find yourself loving this time together while the wind rages on outside your bedroom windows.
About half way through the movie, you get up to grab a pillow from your bed to get comfortable with, and forget that the camera can see much more than it did before when you walk away from it. You hear Dave's breath catch in your headphones.
"What?" You laugh, still bending over your bed to grab your pillow, ass now completely void of any sweater coverage.
"I-um..." Dave clears his throat nervously, then tries to be a bit suave. "I didn't know you would have worn those to see me tonight, they look good on you..."
Your body freezes and you turn to the camera, where your lingerie is overly apparent. You're not sure if you should be embarrassed or not! Dave is your boyfriend, so of course he's seen you naked before, but something about the fact that it's on camera has you pulling your sweater down and heat in your cheeks.
"Aw, c'mon, you don't have to hide it..." Dave continues, his nerdy voice obviously entranced by your form.
You carefully get back in your seat, not showing anything uncouth anymore.
"Oh my god..." Your face is so red, you wish he couldn't see it right now. "I can't believe I flashed you like that, I'm sorry, I forgot how much this thing can see."
"Hey...I think it's kind of hot that I can see you like that, even when you're far away..." Dave smirks and you have to admit, the thought is starting to turn you on too.
You decide to toy with him, leaning back in your office chair so he can just barely see your thighs. You watch as Dave leans closer to the screen, obviously entranced by your figure. You lift your sweater ever so delicately, slowly revealing those panties that made him so interested in the first place.
"Like this?" You ask coyly, as if you're completely innocent as to what you're doing.
"Y-yes." Dave stammers out, and you think his glasses will practically fog up from how red his cheeks are getting.
"If you want to see more," you say with a smirk playing on your lips. "I think it's only fair I see some of you..."
You didn't think it was possible, but Dave's blush deepens even more. He pulls back a bit from the screen and tries to laugh it off how worked up he is right now.
"O-oh! I mean, I uh..." Dave's hand reaches back and gives his dark curls a toss. "If that's, wh-what you want..."
"Now who's the one being shy?" You say, raising an eyebrow and letting your sweater drop back onto your thighs in protest.
Dave tries to come up with answer to that one, and fails. He clearly wants to see more from you, however, and he repostions his webcam so you can see more of his body. Particually, his lap. Through his jeans, you can see just how hard you've made him with so little. You love how easy it is to rile him up like this.
"Sh-should I do a little striptease for you?" He jokes, but you think that's actually not a half bad idea.
"Maybe...at least take it off slowly..." You reply.
Dave begins to lift his shirt, but you stop him.
"Let's start with your pants. That way, we're even..." You play with the hem of your sweater while giving him your best doe eyes.
He concedes, standing so that most of his waist takes up the camera. You find yourself leaning in now, a wetness growing between your legs as he takes off his belt in such a perfect way. He snaps it jokingly and laughs, but pauses when he sees your reaction.
"What? Should I spank you with this next time I see you?" Dave snaps the belt again and watches as you bite your lip coyly.
"I wouldn't say no..." You say appreciating your boyfriends figure as he slowly unbuttons his jeans.
His confidence continues, and you find yourself being turned on more and more as he unzips and slowly removes his jeans.
"Maybe I will bend you over my knee and treat you like the bad girl you are..." You know he still has a wave of laughing it off just in case you're not into the dirty talk he's starting, but you sense he's also getting into himself, especially with how hard and large his cock looks beneath his underwear.
"I'd like that..." You murmur, entranced by the screen before you. "I think you should tell me how you would punish me if you were here..."
"I would, um..." Dave tries to find the words, working it out. "I would turn you over and spank you until my handprint remains..."
You give a small moan to what he's said, your hands gripping your breasts and thighs over your clothing. You hear Dave's breathing pull in sharply, and you know this must be turning him on as much as you. You pull back your sweater once more, those red panties looking tantalizing on you once more.
"T-that's right... Take more off for me..." Dave's voice wavers as he tries to find a commandeering tone, but you oblige your sweet boyfriend just this once.
"Do you have any uh, toys?" Dave questions you, voice getting huskier by the second.
"Oh...? Why, do you wanna see me play with myself?" Dave is already nodding before you're finished, and you can see the need filling his blue eyes.
You stand, letting him get another view of your ass as you pull your typical toy from your nightstand. You see Dave blush once more as he gets a gander at your large pink dildo.
You sit, opening your legs so Dave can get a good view of your cunt, your red panties already starting to be soaked through. Dave had been rubbing himself over his boxers, but upon seeing so much of you, you watch with excitment as he slowly lets his cock flop out. You know youve seen it before, but his fat cock always surprises you with how girthy and thick it is.
"Take off your sweater." Dave commands, his deep and voice full of want.
You do as he says, realize the air of being unserious about this has shifted. Suddenly, you feel very inclined to do whatever your boyfriend tells you to.
You watch as Dave strokes himself, the tip of his cock growing wet just from seeing your tits fall out of your sweater so nicely. You weren't wearing a bra underneath, so he gets a nice view of them immediately. You hear him hold back a moan, his hands working just a bit faster once he sees your full figure.
"Tell me what you want to do to me..." You whisper into your headset mic, and you watch as Dave struggles between his own pleasure and dirty talking for a moment.
"I...I want to lay you on your bed and fuck you harder than I ever have..." He says it as if he's admitting it to himself his own dominating tendency.
Usually, Dave was pretty submissive in bed, and you liked that about him, but right now, something inside both of you wanted him to be the one to take control. You slide your hands up and down your body, feeling your own tits and pretending it's him.
"I want to be on top and see your face when you take such a big cock..." Dave mutters while biting his lip to keep another moan back.
Your legs feel tingly, and a shiver runs up your spine as you hear such little whimpers from him so close to your ears right now.
"Oh yeah? Tell me more..." You encourage him, and he takes it happily.
"I want to grab you by the neck, and make sure you know that it's me who's fucking you so good... I want to watch you choke a little while I fuck your brains out." You're a bit surprised by his new wants, but you don't mind.
In fact, you wish he would say more, say something really dirty and wrong that he would want to do to you.
"Let me see it..."
You already know what he wants, but your still tease him by slowly dragging your red panties to the side so he can get a good look at your glistening cunt. A groan escapes him when you do.
"Fuck...I need to fuck you so bad..." You love how easy it is to get him here.
"What else would you do?" You let your pretty pink dildo slide up and down your slit, teasing but not entering.
"I want to see you stuffed and filled with my cock, I want to slap away any moans you make from it, even though you can't help expressing how badly you want it..." Dave leans back into his chair as he speaks, hand still working himself, but getting lost in the moment.
"I want you to slap me until my cheeks go red..." You admit, and you can tell by his little sounds how much he wants that too. "Tell me what a dirty whore I am..."
"God, you're such a dirty whore...my personal little slut that I use up when ever I want to." Dave opens his eyes and watches you play with yourself for a moment.
"Put it in. I want you to stretch yourself out on your toy and imagine it's me, slut..." He finally commands you in such a way that there's no thought of even denying him.
Not with how badly you want this right now.
You let your toy slide in deeper to your folds, going past your most precious point, and deeper. You let your legs open wide for the camera, showing off your little cunt taking such a big dildo as yours. Dave watches intently, loving seeing you do exactly what he says, loving seeing you so filled up when he can't do it himself.
"Fuck yourself for me. I want you to moan my name and beg me to let you cum..." Dave is getting closer himself, the tip of his cock red and engorged as he strokes on.
You let your free hand play with your clit, slow circles quickly getting faster and faster as you take more and more of your own pleasure. You fuck yourself deeper, letting your toy really work your cunt in ways only you know feel best. You feel your skin prickling against the cool air now that your sweater cannot warm you against the cold of your apartment. You hit just the right spot inside of yourself, and Dave's name comes from your lips. You imagine it's him, fucking you into this computer chair, his hand around your throat.
"That's it, be a good little fucking slut and show me how you play with yourself..." Dave continues to entice you towards cumming.
"You better not cum without begging me though...you got that, bitch?" You can't believe your sweet, nerdy boyfriend could growl something so mean to you, but that's what makes this even better.
"Yes," You moan, agreeing to his terms.
"Good. You know how to be a proper whore then..." He sighs while he takes a moment to watch you, his own cock wanting nothing more than release right now.
"And if you don't cum for me now, I'll have to edge you relentlessly later." Dave threatens, and you feel yourself getting closer.
"Fuck, Dave..." You squirm in your seat, your cunt overwhelmed and swollen from how much attention you're giving it right now.
"That's right, baby girl..." He encourages you.
"I'm...I'm going to cum..." You whisper as you find yourself coming undone. "Please, please let me cum...!"
Your voice quivers and begs, your body spasming but holding off as you were told. Dave let's you keep it up for a few moments, stroking his own cock harder than ever, before groaning out.
"Cum for me..."
You feel those three magic words work their way against your skin, and suddenly, you're falling over the edge, waves of pleasure across your body, blossoming from your tender cunt. You watch as Dave finds his own pleasure, cum leaking out and eventually shooting down his hand, a low moan escaping his lips. You both ride out your orgasms together, and when you're done, there's nothing but the sound of heavy breathing and the snow storm raging outside.
You both take a minute, before agreeing to take a moment to clean up. You both snap off the camera. You trot on liquid legs to your bathroom and for a moment, you can't believe you just did that. You had never had phone sex, let alone letting Dave see you so vulernable with yourself. You're still surprised by his sudden dominating energy, but you find yourself now yearn to enact what you two talked about. You'll have to bring it up next time you're over. You hope he isn't too shy when the camera isn't on.
Eventually you come back to your virtual date night, having a new mug of hot cocoa ready, and half of The Princess Bride to finish. You get the pillow you originally were going for before being sidetracked, and feel cozier and more close to Dave than ever despite the physical distance. Dave doesn't even mind when you fall asleep in your chair just before the credits roll. He leaves his computer on, but snuggles up in his bed, telling you goodnight from there and leaving his headset on to hear your soft breaths.
Maybe the snow storm wasn't so bad after all...
Taglist: @lazyneonrabbitt @nikistan @remuslupinsno1slut @haha-im-dumb @shakedogshake @beep-boop-baby @aesniri @pinkyyy666 @lpeanut-butterl @shrekscrustybudassy @lookatmelookatme @dreary-salem @almostjollypizza @boo8008 @arabellacrybaby @imaslutforcuddles @yasugardaddieshouse @real-sharena-h @stilloverthinking @tvgirlsbluehair @magicalgoopdeanhuman @jazmin25 @sknnylgndsstuff @lenasdmns @iluvkr @d3psta @sinjinpools @whotfistaylor @mut4nts @loser-lover0527 @vselva-blog @adrienette715 @jayjay57 @gildedgwen @izzyisstuff @casuallycruel-tswiftie13 @winter-bearv
#dave lizewski x reader#dave lizewski#dave lizewski fanfic#kick ass fanfic#my writing#dave lizewski smut
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Tragedy - Reploid Bass AU
Was digging through my old WIPs and found this bad boy. Itâs technically unfinished (because I didnât know how to end it) but it gets the main point across and establishes the where the plot is at post MMX7. Thought it might be interesting to those who want more details on the AU.
(quick timeline context; Bass gets his memories back post mmx6, disappears off the face of the earth and shows back up again halfway through mmx7)
Summary: Zero and Bass talk about one of Bassâ many regrets. In the process, Zero tries to connect the brother he knew as Forte to the stranger wearing his face.
âI wasnât supposed to be here.â
The words are quiet. Not soft, as nothing Zeroâs brother does is soft anymore, but they lack the usual bite. Itâs enough to draw Zeroâs attention to where Bass now sits.Â
The chair holding him is old, a mundane relic of the furniture that was commonplace over a hundred years ago. Itâs a miracle that it hasnât crumbled under the weight of its occupant, but Bass had mentioned that the entire base was designed around its mechanical residents. Perhaps its creator imagined one of his robots might need to use a chair. Even if thereâs not much of a difference between sitting and standing for them.
Zeroâs surprised to see that Bass has his back turned to him. His brother isnât too keen on letting Zero out of his sight nowadays, but his gaze is firmly fixed upon the screen in front of him now. Another uncharacteristic behavior. Zero sets aside the spare parts he was examining, all interest gone, and approaches the screen that has his brother so transfixed. It casts a dim light even in the darkness of the base, but the image is clear enough.
Itâs an old contact log. A few lines of text sit at the bottom of the screen and for some reason, Zero feels the need to read them aloud.
âBass. I made a mistake. I created something that I canât control. Youâre the only robot strong enough to stop it. Please help me.â He furrows his brow as he speaks the final line. âIâm sorry.â
âSix lines. Twenty six words. A hundred and fifteen characters.â Bass mutters.
âWhat does it mean?âÂ
Itâs a genuine question, and maybe thatâs why Bass laughs as though itâs the stupidest thing he could have asked. Zero waits with bitter patience for his brother to finish. This is typical of Bassâ new personality. Brash, abrasive, rude, all of these words and more fit the new image Zeroâs brother has made for himself. Even his name is new. âBass.â Itâs been a bit of an adjustment to say the least.
Eventually, Bass manages to pull himself out of his laughing fit. His next words are the last thing Zero expects to hear.
âThese are the words that killed me.â
ââŠI thought I did that.â Is all Zero can say to that. Bass laughs, much quieter this time.
âIn the end, yeah.â His brother leans back in his seat. âBut fighting you wasnât-, I didnâtâŠâ
âYou âwerenât supposedâ to?â Zero volunteers.
ââŠI shouldnât have.â
Bass goes quiet, lost in whatever old memories are haunting him today. Zero canât help but feel frustrated. He used to know what to do when BassâŠwhen Forte was upset. Whether it was about his lost memories, his weakness, his outdated code, Zero could always help. Itâs different now.
Everythingâs different now.
âDo you remember what I told you about our creator? How we didnât really get along?â Bass starts, gaze still stuck on that old log.
âBecause of your penchant for rebellion, yes.â
âThat was only half of it. Yeah, I disobeyed him whenever I felt like it, but he wasnât some doting father.â His brother turns to glare at him. âHe was the most selfish, stubborn, stupid old man I ever met. Full of himself, too. You would have hated him.â
âThat sounds a lot like you.â Zero canât help the bite to his words. Maybe X was right. Maybe all this is getting to him. âWhere are you going with this?â
âI was loyal at first. The old man had a lot of expectations for me, and I was determined to meet them. I didnât. No matter how hard I tried, how strong I was, it was never going to be good enough if I couldnât beat-,â
He stops abruptly, almost letting something slip. Something important. Bass is always vague about his old memories. Heâs hiding something, but Zero canât tell if itâs because itâs too risky or because heâs hoarding all thatâs left of his past. It could really be either one. Zero isnât sure he knows Bass all that well anymore.
âThe point is, I was a failure to him. So he tried to move on. Build something else.â Bass shakes his head. âI couldnât accept that. We fought. First it was just arguments, but it escalated. Before I knew it we were trying to kill each other.â
âWhat did you do?â Zero asks, though heâs not sure he wants to hear the answer.
âI left.â
Oh. Zero wasnât expecting that.
âIt sounds obvious, right?â His brother rests his head against his hand, expression flat. âBut I wasnât a reploid. I didnât have the programming X or Axl did. It wasnât as simple as changing my career. I was leaving my creator.â
âBassâŠâ
He doesnât let Zero get a word in. âI agonized over it for days. What was I if not his robot? What could I even do without him? I was practically one foot out the door already, but I couldnât move the other one. IâŠcared about him.â
Zero tries to imagine it. Bass, in his original body, standing beside a vague figure. His gaze sweeps across the room and Zero sees Bass sitting on a table full of junk, swinging his legs as he speaks to his creator. What did his face look like? Was it flat and cold, speaking in an even tone about plans or progress or whatever a man like that saw fit to discuss with his creation? Or was he annoyed, brow furrowed with one dipping lower than the other and mouth pulled into a small pout? Maybe it was a face Zero had never seen before, a soft smile, a wry grin that so clearly spelled out his amusement.Â
He can only imagine. When he turns back to his brother, Bass wears the grimace heâs grown so used to.
âThat was how I convinced myself to leave, in the end.â He breathes an empty sigh. âIf I stayed, I might have hurt him. Might have let my anger take me to far andâŠâ
His hands move in front of him, digits curled tightly around an invisible enemy. They hang in the air for a moment and shake. Then they fall. Bass lets his head follow them.
âYou came back.â Zero speaks softly, trying for a gentleness heâs never been good at. âWhy?â
Bass doesnât pick up his head. âSame reason. I cared.â
âHe made a robot, couldnât control it and called you for help.â It feels both more and less real when he says it aloud. âHe called you to your death.â
âAnd I came. I came because I am a fucking idiot.â
Zero blinks at the harsh language. Bass is far from the composed brother he knew, but even he didnât use that language regularly. It feels strange. Forte would never, but BassâŠit fits him a little more.
âHe didnât even have to apologize. The moment he came to me for help, the moment he called me strong-,â Bass grips his head in his hands. âAll my conviction disappeared. I walked into that lab, this lab-!â He throws out his hands, nearly hitting Zero, âand I died for the man that tried to kill me!â
Zero doesnât know what to say. What can he say? This is something heâs just learned, a grief he can only imagine. Bass has lived with this knowledge since the day he got his memories back. How did he feel, waking up and knowing that he lost everything to a man long gone? How do you live with that burden? How do you keep fighting?
Bass shoots up from his chair, gaze now fixed on Zero. Thereâs so much behind his eyes that Zero canât see. A world no one alive has any hope of understanding.
âI was so close to being happy! To having something other than a worthless creator who only tolerated me as long as he could use me!â
His brother takes a step forward, the light of the screen illuminating every tear that falls from his face.
âAnd he took that from me! You took that from me!â
âIâm sorry-â
Zero sees the punch coming. He almost dodges. Itâs what every self-preservation program in him begs him to do. He doesnât. He takes it. The punch is hard, snapping his head to the side quite painfully. He doesnât flinch. Not even when Bassâ fist splits the synthetic skin of his cheek. All he does is look back at his brother.
Bass stands there, eyes wide and mouth open. His arm hangs in the air. He can see the grime left on his hands. Can see the tension in every part of his body. Then, it shifts. Bass drops his hand and closes his mouth. That glare returns, fierce as ever.
âDonât pity me. Itâs too late for that.â
Zero tries to find his words. âI donât-,â
âThat hit only landed because you let it.â Bass casts his gaze to the side. âEverything I do to you is because you let me. Even in this body, Iâm not strong enough.â
#mega man#megaman#rockman#megaman classic#megaman au#bass megaman#megaman bass#megaman x#mega man x#zero mmx#zero megaman#mmx#god i love angst#And fatal mistakes#And loved ones becoming unrecognizable#and daddy issues#One of these days ill shed some light (heh) on how Wily feels about everything because it is interesting#But for now you get brother angst#reploid bass au
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omg 16 with poly tf141 would be the greatest thing ever reader brings not one, not two, but four huge beefcakes home to their shitty families holiday party that they only throw to show off their fancy house and shitty interior design, I know that probably wasn't the original idea of the prompt but if you're interested I'd love to see you write it thank you!
Family Affairs
author's note: i actually got to pull from personal experience with this one tbh, iâm gonna have to go to a party like this near the end of the year. unfortunately, i donât have four beefcakes to bring with me đ at least i can imagine it though! thank you for the request, hope you enjoy!!
cw: poly tf 141, general fluffy stuff, reader has a big family [just like me, i have 14 members in my extended family just on my dadâs side]
word count: 1800+
TF-141 x GN!Reader
You groan, burying your face in your hands. You were hoping, praying that you weren't going to get that one little text message that always spelled disaster no matter when it came across your phone screen. It had been a good run, too; you hadnât suffered this fate in a good few years. But, apparently that winning streak was too good to be true.
You look at the notification on your screen again, re-reading it for about the third time. âWe hope to see you at the party this year! P.S., please bring your boyfriend along this time, your aunt wonât drop it,â the message from your mom read. Boyfriend. Little did she know, you in fact had four boyfriends, none of which had met your frustratingly nosy family.
Speak of the devilâor, one of them at leastâJohn walks into the common area, a stack of papers in his hand. âMorning, love.â He shoots you a smile before focusing his attention back on the documents he was scanning. âWhatâs on your mind?â He takes a seat in the chair opposite you, leaning back and crossing his legs, one ankle on the other legâs knee.
You think for a bit before sighing. âOff-base things. Family stuff.â Itâs clear he was unsatisfied with your vague answer when he met your eyes with a raised brow. You huff, knowing you wouldnât get away with dancing around the issue for even a moment. âMy mom wants me to bring a boyfriend back for my auntâs holiday party.â
John continues to look at you, his air gone from stern to confused within a second. âYou do have a boyfriend. Four of them, actually.â He tilts his head as he states the obvious. You roll your eyes, crossing your arms. âI know that. I just donât wanna subject any of you to the torture that is being at those pointless parties.â
He just smiles at you again, his eyes returning to whatever was on the papers in his lap. âMaybe weâll make it better for you. Iâm sure the rest of our boys will be glad to accompany you.â
You chew the inside of your cheek, thinking about the prospect. Frankly, it did sound like a good idea on the surface; it would be nice to spend some down time with all the people you love, after all. After another few moments of thought, you nod and stand up from your chair. âYouâve got a point. Iâll go talk to the others, thenâsee if theyâll be able to come with us.â
John hums in approval, catching your wrist as you walk past toward the door. âHey. Come here.â You smile, leaning down to kiss him and appreciating the feeling of Johnâs hand coming up to the nape of your neck, his fingers rubbing a loose circle on your skin. âThings will be fine, darling,â he says after pulling away. âDonât worry.â
A deep sense of dread starts to build inside of you as your mini convoy starts to approach your auntâs house, which is technically more like a mansion based on the size of it. It had already set in the moment Simon convinced the others to let him drive. Yes, he got you to your destination way faster than any of the others would, but that was only because he drives like a maniac.
The dread slowly developing wasnât caused by Simon almost getting everyone into a wreck at least two or three times, though. It was caused by the fact that you could already see your familyâs cars lined up along the road and sitting in the driveway, memories of past parties flooding your head.
Kyle beside you must notice the way youâve started shrinking into yourself and he wraps his arms around your shoulders, pulling you close to kiss you on the cheek. âIâm excited to meet your family, sweetheart.â An underlying joy is hidden in his voice, which brings a small smile to your face. âYou sure?â You chuckle, leaning into him. âThey can be a lot.â
âIâve dealt with worse, no need to worry.â He ensures you, pressing a couple more kisses to your temple and your forehead. Your cheeks warm and you push his face away. âStop it,â you say playfully.
Johnny helps you out of the car and wraps an arm around your waist when Ghost pulls over to park his car on the side of the street. âWho do you think is gonna be the favorite?â He asks with a grin on his face. You hum, tapping your chin and feigning deep thought. âProbably John. And not you, the responsible John.â
Johnny scoffs, dramatically putting a hand over his heart. âI am responsible! Canât believe you would say such a thing!â You simply pull him closer and kiss him on the cheek, giggling under your breath. âIâm sorry, baby. Please forgive meââ Youâre cut off by him giving you a big kiss on the lips. âFine, youâre forgiven.â He gives you his bright smile, the one that reaches his eyes and crinkles the corners of them.
Simon walks past and tugs on Johnnyâs sleeve, pulling him forward. âGet moving, Johnny.â He grunts, dragging him along and taking you with him in turn.âWeâre coming, weâre coming,â Johnny huffs.
You take a deep breath once you reach the front door of your auntâs house, amping yourself up to face the music head-on. You feel Johnâs comforting hand between your shoulder blades and you smile, his silent support soothing your nerves and giving you the courage to ring the doorbell, officially sealing your fate. No going back now.
Surprisingly, the night was actually going well. Just like John said, being able to sit in-between two of your ruggedly handsome partners while the other two were pulling your auntâs attention away from you was massively more comfortable compared to your other experiences in this house.
Johnny and Simon, seated next to you on either side, chatted with a couple members of your extended family while Kyle was off in the kitchen making a plate of hors d'oeuvres for you, and John was busy entertaining your aunt and mother with various war stories from his yesteryears. It seemed like everyone was having a blast, their easy smiles contagious.
You look up when Kyle sits in the armchair next to the loveseat you, Simon and Johnny were posted up on. You grin when he presents you with a small plate full of various meats and cheeses. He kisses your hand as you reach over and take the plate from him, making your face heat up. You shoot him a pointed look, but he flashes his pretty smile in return. You canât possibly stay mad at that smileâI mean, have you seen it? You just shake your head, unable to mask the flustered look on your face.
Your grandmother looks away from her conversation with Johnny and turns her attention to Kyle. âOh my! Whoâs this lovely young man?â She listens intently as he introduces himself and then starts up her usual questioning whenever one of her grandbabies brought someone to meet the family.
You let out a long sigh, your senses already getting overwhelmed after the past hour or so of entertaining the party with your boys. You start to pick at your hors d'oeuvres, building a little stack of what looked like some sort of salami and a piece of cheese on a cracker, popping it in your mouth.Â
Simonâs hand comes into your downturned gaze and rests on your leg, giving it a firm yet gentle squeeze, a silent check-in. You cover his hand with yours, looking up at him and smiling, effectively quelling his concerns. He nods and intertwines his fingers with yours, an affectionate glint in his gaze. You return the look wholeheartedly and let him pull his hand away to rest in his lap.
You glance up when you hear your name being called across the room and see John and your mother looking over at you. She beckons you over and you sigh, standing up and starting to head over to the two of them. You jump when Johnnyâs hand pats the back of your thigh a couple times, smirking up at you. You roll your eyes and mutter a quiet âstop that,â trying to hide the fact that your heart skipped a beat at the smug look on his face.
John wraps an arm around your waist once you get close enough, his hand petting up and down your side. âYour mother wants to know how we met,â he explains. Your mother pipes up, âI also want to know why you were hiding these lovely men from the family for so long.â She gives you a look. The look. You groan, running a hand over your face. âOf course, mom.â
âIâve no idea why you were so worried about tonight, bonnie. It was perfectly fine!â Johnny pulls you down to the couch in the living room of the house you and the others had bought recently, his arms tight around you. He held you in place to pepper kisses all over your face. You try to push his face away so you can actually respond to his comment; the effort was futile, but after a few pushes he pulls away on his own. âIt seems like they were on their best behavior since you four showed up with me. Youâre all pretty imposing, to be fair,â you say, leaning back against Johnnyâs chest.
Simon walks in with a handful of mugs filled with warm spiced apple cider, passing them around the room and then sitting in his armchair, his legs crossed loosely. He notices your eyes on him and raises a brow. âYou talking about me?â You laugh and shake your head. âNot just you, silly.â
Kyle catches the tail end of the conversation after coming downstairs in his lounging clothes, sitting next to John on the loveseat opposite the couch Johnny had you buried in. âIâm sure it was mostly you, Simon.â He grins, leaning into Johnâs side. You roll your eyes. âWell, Iâm sure most of my family was intimidated by your dashingly handsome looks, good sir.â
John rests his arm on the back of the couch, his fingers playing with the hair on the back of Kyleâs neck. âThatâs a good point, darling,â he smirks, taking note of the bashful look that crosses Kyleâs features. He hides his smile by taking a sip from his mug.
âHopefully your family feels a bit more comfortable around us next year, yeah?â John takes a sip of cider from his own mug, before setting it down on the coffee table and picking up the remote to put something on the TV, probably some shitty holiday movie. The exact kind that he likes.
You hum and hold your warmed up mug in your lap, happily cuddling up with Johnny. âYeah, hopefully.â Thereâs a brief pause before you realize what he just said and the implications of it. âWaitânext year?â And once again, that signature sense of dread hits you and you groan, knowing you wouldnât be able to convince him otherwise.
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Strawberry Milkshakes
Eric Sohn x Fem Reader
Genre: Enemies to Lovers, Drama, Fluff
Summary: Eric Sohn loves his job working as a waiter at a 24 hour diner. So when the diner starts to lose its customers to a rival diner he has to go there to see what all the hype is about, and thatâs when he meets you. A pink haired, neon colored- dressed, rollerblader, who makes amazing strawberry milkshakes.
Word count: 10,998
Part of the Meet Cute Series
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The bell over the door of MiMiâs Diner gave a sharp jingle as it swung open. Eric Sohn, standing behind the counter, glanced up from the schedule he was reviewing. Only two customers walked inâa middle-aged couple who were familiar faces in the diner.
âMorning, Mr. and Mrs. Lee,â Eric greeted, trying to keep his tone upbeat, even though a creeping sense of worry had been gnawing at him for weeks now. âSame as usual?â
Mrs. Lee smiled, but there was something distant in it. âNot today, Eric. Just a couple of coffees to go.â
Ericâs heart sank. They always stayed for at least an hour, chatting and enjoying the pancakes or waffles MiMi was known for. âSure thing,â he replied, watching them settle by the window, their eyes wandering in a way they never had before.
He turned to Kevin, the new and extremely energetic waiter who was already bouncing over to the counter. âHey, Kev, two coffees for the Lees,â Eric said, running a hand through his hair.
âTwo coffees coming right up!â Kevin chirped, his usual enthusiasm undimmed by the dayâs lackluster start.
Eric sighed and stepped over to MiMi, who stood behind the register, scanning the empty seats around them. âTwelve customers today. Thatâs it,â Eric said quietly, leaning on the counter next to her.
MiMi shook her head, her expression one of concern. âI just donât get it, Eric. Weâve been through slow times before, but this? Itâs like theyâve all just vanished.â
Sunwoo, leaning through the serving window from the kitchen, chimed in. âNot vanishedâjust gone to that new place on 82nd Street. The Midnight Shake or whatever itâs called.â
MiMi waved her hand dismissively. âWeâve had competition before. Weâve always been fine.â
âYeah, but this place is packed,â Sunwoo said, pulling his phone from his pocket. âI snapped this on my way back from lunch yesterday.â
He held out his phone, and Eric and MiMi both peered at the screen. The parking lot of The Midnight Shake was completely full, with people actually waiting outside.
Eric frowned. ïżœïżœïżœI donât get it. What are they offering that we arenât?â
Kevin, carrying the Leesâ coffees over to the table, paused and looked back. âMaybe theyâre putting something special in their shakes?â he joked, flashing a grin.
Eric didnât laugh. His eyes narrowed at the image on Sunwooâs phone. âThereâs gotta be more to it than just shakes. Our foodâs just as good, and weâve got a loyal customer base.â
MiMi sighed heavily, resting her hands on the counter. âMaybe itâs time we check them out.â
Ericâs brow furrowed. He wasnât ready to throw in the towel yet. âI donât know⊠it feels weird, doesnât it? Spying on the competition?â
MiMi glanced around the nearly empty diner. âCall it market research.â
Eric opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the sound of Kevinâs voice from across the room. âHave a great day, Mr. and Mrs. Lee! See you tomorrow, I hope!â
The couple offered a polite wave as they slipped out the door, and the bellâs jingle felt far too loud in the now-empty space.
Eric crossed his arms, staring at the door. âMaybe I should go see what all the hype is about. Just to see if weâre missing something obvious.â
MiMi raised an eyebrow at him. âYou sure? Iâd hate for you to get too worked up over this.â
Eric glanced back at her. âIâm not worked up. I just want to understand what weâre up against.â
Sunwoo smirked, crossing his arms. âOr who youâre up against. Word around town is their main waitress over there is quite the spectacle.â
Eric frowned. âSpectacle?â
Kevin bounced back over, clearly eager to join in the conversation. âYeah, I heard sheâs on roller skates! And apparently, she makes the best strawberry shakes in the city.â
Eric blinked. âRoller skates?â
MiMi shrugged. âIf thatâs what it takes to get people in the doorâŠâ
Eric shook his head, his jaw tightening. âWell, gimmicks donât last forever. If itâs just a flashy waitress, weâll be fine.â
Sunwoo chuckled. âMaybe, maybe not. I hear theyâre doing something right. Could be worth your time to swing by and see for yourself.â
Eric clenched his fists, feeling a strange sense of competitiveness bubbling up. âFine. Iâll check it out tomorrow.â
MiMi looked at him, her concern evident. âJust donât do anything rash, Eric. Itâs just a diner.â
But to Eric, it wasnât just a diner. MiMiâs had been his life for the past eight years. He wasnât about to let some new place run them out of business.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
âWhy do I feel like Iâm about to go into battle?â Eric muttered under his breath, checking his reflection in the window.
âYou look like youâre about to audition for a movie,â Kevin teased from across the counter. âJust relax, man. Itâs a diner, not a gladiator ring.â
Eric shot him a look. âI just want to understand whatâs going on over there.â
âWhatever you say, boss,â Kevin replied with a smirk, hopping over to refill a few ketchup bottles.
Eric turned his attention back to the door, then squared his shoulders. He grabbed his jacket and took a deep breath. âIâll be back in an hour,â he called over his shoulder.
âGood luck!â Sunwoo shouted, his laughter echoing through the kitchen.
Stepping out into the cool evening air, Eric made his way down the street. He was on edge, wondering what exactly he would find at The Midnight Shake. Roller skates? Strawberry shakes? It sounded ridiculous, but if it was taking away MiMiâs customers, then it was serious enough.
As he turned onto 82nd Street, the neon sign for The Midnight Shake came into view. It was garish, bright pink and blue lights flickering in the evening sky, casting a glow over the busy parking lot. He could already see the crowds through the windows.
It was packed.
Eric felt a mix of disbelief and frustration. How could they be drawing so many people? He steeled himself and made his way closer.
Before he could even reach the front door, he heard itâthe unmistakable sound of roller skates on pavement. Eric glanced to the side, and there she was.
Y/N. She zipped out of the dinerâs side entrance, rollerblades gliding effortlessly over the concrete, her neon-colored outfit clashing with the night sky. She had pink hair that caught the last rays of the setting sun, and in her hand, a tray of to-go orders.
Eric stopped in his tracks, watching as she navigated through a small crowd, expertly balancing the tray while weaving between people. She didnât miss a beat.
He found himself staring, not just at her skills, but at the way she smiled at every customer she passed, like she knew them all personally. There was something magnetic about her presence.
She glanced his way for a split second, and their eyes met.
Y/N gave him a brief, puzzled look, clearly not recognizing him, before skating off toward a group of waiting customers.
Eric blinked, his chest tightening for reasons he couldnât explain. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
âFocus, Eric. Youâre here for a reason,â he muttered to himself as he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The interior of The Midnight Shake was bustling with energy, a stark contrast to MiMiâs. The walls were decorated with retro neon signs, and the atmosphere was vibrant, almost chaotic.
As he stood at the entrance, trying to take it all in, a waitress in roller skatesâY/Nâzoomed past him with another tray of milkshakes.
âWelcome to The Midnight Shake,â she called over her shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.
Eric clenched his fists. This was more than just a diner; this was a circus. And somehow, they were winning.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The bell jingled softly as Eric pushed open the door of MiMiâs, stepping back into the familiar space. It should have felt like a comfort, but after what he had just seen at The Midnight Shake, it felt strangely hollow. The contrast between the two diners weighed on him heavily. The buzzing energy, the vibrant colors, the constant hum of activityâeverything at that place had felt alive. MiMiâs, by comparison, seemed quiet. Too quiet.
âBack already?â MiMiâs voice floated over from behind the counter. She was wiping down the register, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
Eric gave a noncommittal grunt and hung his jacket on the hook by the door. âYeah. Itâs⊠packed over there.â
MiMi frowned, the lines around her eyes deepening. âWhat do you mean? Like busy?â
âBusy doesnât even cover it.â Eric exhaled, running a hand through his hair. âItâs chaos. But organized chaos. People are everywhere, and they seem to love it.â
Kevin, who was leaning against the counter with a milkshake in hand, raised an eyebrow. âSo whatâs the deal? Are they just giving away free stuff or something?â
Eric shook his head, the image of Y/N on her roller skates still lingering in his mind. âItâs more than that. Theyâve got this whole atmosphere. Itâs loud, bright, like a party in there.â
Kevin laughed. âA party at a diner? Sounds like a gimmick to me.â
âMaybe,â Eric muttered, though he wasnât sure if he believed that anymore. âBut itâs working.â
MiMi placed the cloth down and crossed her arms. âDo they have better food?â
Eric shook his head. âItâs not that. Their menuâs not much different from ours. Itâs the experience. That waitress on skates? Sheâs the one drawing people in. Sheâs⊠flashy, I guess. And sheâs good with customers.â
âRoller skates? Seriously?â Sunwoo appeared from the kitchen, leaning against the frame of the door. âWhat is this, the 70s?â
âItâs ridiculous,â Eric agreed, but his voice lacked conviction. He couldnât stop thinking about how smooth Y/N had looked as she weaved through the crowd, or how every customer seemed to leave with a smile after interacting with her. âBut theyâve got something we donât. And whatever it is, itâs taking our customers.â
Kevin took a long sip of his milkshake and shrugged. âMaybe we need to shake things up too. Get roller skates, or maybe start doing karaoke nights or something.â
MiMi sighed. âWeâve never needed to do gimmicks before. Our foodâs always been enough.â
Eric rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. âYeah, but if we donât adapt, weâre going to lose everything. We need to find a way to stand out again.â
There was a pause, the silence hanging heavy between them. Kevin, always the optimist, grinned and clapped Eric on the shoulder. âDonât worry, boss. Weâll figure it out. We always do.â
Eric offered a tight smile, but inside, he wasnât so sure. He felt an unfamiliar sense of competition bubbling inside him, not just with the diner itself, but with Y/N. She wasnât just another waitress; she was becoming the face of the place that was threatening everything he had built at MiMiâs. He couldnât shake the feeling that this was personal.
Days passed, and the situation at MiMiâs grew more tense. Every shift seemed quieter than the last, and Eric could feel the frustration building in the air. Kevin kept trying to lighten the mood, but even his boundless energy couldnât fully mask the growing worry that was settling over the diner
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
He didnât have a plan, not really. Maybe heâd just walk by, see if things had calmed down. Or maybe heâd confront Y/N, see what she was doing that was so special. He didnât know why, but he felt drawn back to that place, like he had unfinished business there.
As he approached, he could hear the familiar hum of the diner, the sound of people talking, laughing. And then, over the din, the unmistakable sound of roller skates on pavement.
There she was againâY/N. She glided out of the side entrance, her tray stacked high with milkshakes, her pink hair catching the evening light. She didnât notice him at first, her attention focused on the customers waiting by the curb.
Eric stopped in his tracks, watching her again. She was efficient, no wasted movement, but it wasnât just that. She had this way of making every interaction feel personal, like every customer was her favorite. He could see why people were drawn to her, even if it grated on him.
As she handed the milkshakes off to a group of teenagers, Y/N glanced up and noticed him standing across the street. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition passing over her face.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved. Then, with a quick motion, she pushed off on her skates and headed straight toward him.
Eric braced himself as she rolled to a stop in front of him, her arms crossed and a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. âWell, well. If it isnât the competition.â
Eric clenched his jaw. âIâm not here to spy, if thatâs what youâre thinking.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. âRight. Just happened to be in the neighborhood, huh?â
Eric held her gaze, refusing to back down. âMaybe I was just curious.â
âCurious?â Y/Nâs smirk widened. âOr worried?â
His fists clenched at her tone, that playful edge she seemed to have. She was enjoying this, that much was clear. âLook, I donât know what kind of game youâre playing here, but MiMiâs isnât going anywhere.â
Y/N tilted her head, looking him over like she was sizing him up. âOh, Iâm not playing any games. Just doing my job. If people want to come here instead of your place, thatâs on them.â
Ericâs jaw tightened. âYou think itâs just that simple? Youâre stealing our customers.â
âStealing?â Y/Nâs eyes sparkled with amusement. âNo oneâs stealing anything. Maybe they just like the shakes better over here.â
Eric took a step closer, his voice dropping lower. âItâs more than just shakes, and you know it.â
Y/N looked up at him, her smirk fading slightly. For a moment, there was something else in her eyes, something he couldnât quite place. Then, just as quickly, she shook her head and pushed off on her skates. âWhatever you say, Mr. MiMiâs.â
She started to roll away, but Ericâs voice stopped her. âIâm not done.â
She turned back, raising an eyebrow. âOh? What else is there?â
Eric opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. He didnât know what else to say. He wasnât even sure why he had stopped her.
Y/N gave him a long look, then shrugged. âSee you around, Eric.â
And just like that, she skated off, disappearing back into the busy diner.
Eric stood there for a moment, feeling a strange mix of frustration and something elseâsomething he didnât want to admit to himself.
As he turned to walk away, he couldnât shake the feeling that this rivalry was only just beginning.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The next few days dragged on for Eric. Every shift at MiMiâs felt like a reminder of how quickly things were slipping away. He could see it in the eyes of his coworkers too, even Kevinâs usually upbeat attitude seemed a little deflated. Each day was slower than the last, and the conversations in the diner were quieter, as if everyone was waiting for something to change.
âSo, howâs business today?â Kevin asked one afternoon, his voice carrying an almost forced cheerfulness. He was leaning against the counter, tapping his fingers absentmindedly.
Eric didnât even look up from the receipt he was staring at. âSame as yesterday. Dead.â
Kevin let out a dramatic sigh and slid into one of the stools by the counter. âYou think MiMiâs gonna close down if this keeps up?â
âNot if I can help it,â Eric muttered, though the weight of his words felt heavier than he wanted to admit.
Kevin studied him for a moment, the usual energy in his voice fading. âYouâve been real quiet lately. Youâre not seriously letting that other diner get to you, are you?â
Eric clenched his jaw. âItâs not just another diner. Itâs her.â
Kevin blinked. âWho?â
âThat girl on skates,â Eric snapped, his frustration boiling over. âY/N. Sheâs the one pulling all the customers.â
âOhh,â Kevin said, his voice suddenly full of interest. âWait, wait, waitâare you mad because of the competition, or because sheâs kinda hot?â
Eric shot him a glare. âThis isnât about that.â
âUh-huh.â Kevin grinned, leaning closer. âSure. But you gotta admit, thereâs something about her, right?â
Ericâs mind flashed back to their brief confrontation, the way Y/N had looked so confident, so unbothered by the rivalry. âSheâs annoying,â he said flatly.
Kevin laughed. âYou sound like youâre in high school. Come on, man, if sheâs the competition, why not make things interesting?â
âHow exactly?â Ericâs voice was thick with sarcasm.
Kevin shrugged. âI donât know, get creative. Push back a little. Or you know, maybe⊠ask her out.â
Eric scoffed, shaking his head. âNot happening. Sheâs the reason weâre losing customers, and Iâm not about to make this personal.â
Kevinâs grin didnât falter. âYou sure about that?â
Eric didnât answer. He turned his back on Kevin, pretending to busy himself with straightening the silverware at the tables. But no matter how much he tried to focus on the task, his mind kept drifting back to Y/N. To her teasing smirk. To the way she glided through the diner on her skates like she owned the place. To how she had brushed him off like he didnât even matter.
The thought burned at him. This wasnât just business anymore. It was personal.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
It was a late Friday afternoon when Eric found himself standing outside The Midnight Shake again, this time deliberately. He hadnât told anyone he was coming, especially not Kevin, who would have had too many jokes about it. Eric wasnât sure what had compelled him to return, but part of him was itching for another encounter with Y/N. He had convinced himself it was to see what else the diner was doing to pull customers away, but deep down, he knew it was more than that.
As he approached the diner, he noticed the same lively crowd, the parking lot full of cars, and the hum of conversation spilling out onto the street. But this time, he wasnât just watching from across the roadâhe was going in.
Pushing open the door, he was immediately hit with a wave of noise. The place was packed, even more so than before. The neon lights flickered cheerfully, casting a warm glow over the booths filled with customers laughing and chatting. The atmosphere felt electric, like everyone was part of something exciting. And right in the middle of it all, as if she were the ringleader of the chaos, was Y/N.
She was gliding between tables, her skates moving effortlessly across the checkered floor. Her bright pink hair caught the light as she laughed at something a customer said, handing over a strawberry milkshake with a flourish. She didnât even notice Eric standing by the door, and for a moment, he wasnât sure whether to feel relieved or annoyed.
He took a deep breath and walked toward an empty spot at the counter, trying to blend in. The last thing he wanted was to cause a scene, but he couldnât deny the strange sense of anticipation building inside him. Maybe he was hoping for another confrontation. Maybe he just wanted to prove that this place wasnât all it was cracked up to be.
As he sat down, Y/N skated up to the counter, still not noticing him. She was busy making milkshakes, her hands a blur as she poured, blended, and garnished each one with whipped cream and a cherry. Her focus was impressive, and for a brief moment, Eric found himself watching her with a kind of reluctant admiration.
âOrder up!â Y/N called out, pushing a tray of shakes toward the end of the counter.
And then her eyes flickered upâand landed on him.
Her expression shifted in an instant, from casual indifference to something sharper, more focused. She raised an eyebrow, skating over to where he sat. âYou lost, MiMiâs?â
Eric met her gaze, refusing to back down. âJust curious about the competition.â
Y/N crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. âThought you said you werenât spying.â
âIâm not,â Eric replied, his tone even. âJust seeing what all the hype is about.â
Y/N tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. âAnd? What do you think?â
Eric shrugged, trying to appear unfazed. âItâs loud.â
She smirked. âThatâs not what the customers think.â
Eric clenched his jaw, the frustration bubbling up again. âMaybe theyâre just here for the novelty. Doesnât mean itâs going to last.â
Y/Nâs smirk widened. âYou really donât get it, do you? People come here because they like it. Itâs not just about the foodâitâs about the experience.â
âAnd what experience is that, exactly?â Eric challenged. âSkating around and flashing neon lights?â
She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. âItâs about giving people something different. Something fun. Theyâre not just here for a mealâtheyâre here to have a good time. Maybe thatâs what MiMiâs is missing.â
Ericâs eyes narrowed. âWe donât need gimmicks to keep our customers.â
Y/N straightened up, shrugging. âMaybe not. But youâre here, arenât you?â
Eric opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a group of customers called for Y/N from the far end of the diner. She glanced over, then back at Eric, her expression softening just a fraction. âLook, I get it. Youâre mad because things arenât going the way you want. But if you really want to know why people are coming here, you should stop thinking about it like a competition.â
Eric frowned. âWhatâs that supposed to mean?â
Y/N gave him a long, searching look. âIt means youâre so focused on beating us, youâre not paying attention to what your own place needs. Figure that out, and maybe you wonât have to worry about us anymore.â
With that, she pushed off on her skates, rolling back into the sea of customers like she hadnât just left Eric standing there, speechless.
The walk back to MiMiâs felt longer than usual. Ericâs mind was racing with everything Y/N had said, and he couldnât shake the feeling that she had gotten under his skin in a way no one ever had before. It wasnât just the rivalry anymoreâthere was something more to it. Something he couldnât quite put his finger on.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
As he stepped into MiMiâs, Kevin was waiting by the door, his usual grin plastered across his face. âWell? Howâd it go?â
Eric hesitated, then shook his head. âIt was⊠fine.â
Kevin raised an eyebrow. âThatâs it? Just fine?â
Eric didnât respond. Instead, he moved behind the counter and started wiping it down, trying to focus on the mundane task to clear his head. But Kevin wasnât letting it go.
âCome on, man. You went there for a reason. Whatâs the deal? Did you talk to her?â
Ericâs grip tightened on the cloth. âYeah. We talked.â
Kevin leaned in, his grin widening. âAnd? Was she as annoying as you thought?â
Eric paused, the memory of Y/Nâs words still fresh in his mind. âSheâs⊠not what I expected.â
Kevin let out a low whistle. âOhhh, so thatâs how it is. Youâve got a thing for her.â
Eric shot him a glare.
Ericâs glare only made Kevinâs grin wider, the playful teasing written all over his face. âI donât have a thing for her,â Eric muttered, turning back to the counter, scrubbing furiously as if it would help him escape the conversation. âSheâs the competition. Thatâs all.â
Kevin let out a laugh. âSure, sure. But youâre thinking about her, arenât you? I mean, itâs been weeks since anyoneâs gotten under your skin like this.â
Eric didnât respond right away. The truth was, he had been thinking about herâmore than he wanted to admit. But not in the way Kevin was suggesting. Or at least, thatâs what he kept telling himself.
Kevin watched him for a moment before leaning closer, lowering his voice as if he were about to share some great secret. âLook, man, maybe sheâs right. Maybe weâve been so focused on trying to beat them that weâre missing what makes us special.â
Eric paused, his hands stilling on the counter. Heâd been thinking the same thing ever since Y/Nâs words had echoed in his head. Maybe MiMiâs didnât need to change into something it wasnât. Maybe it just needed to find a way to bring back the energy and excitement it used to have.
But before he could delve deeper into those thoughts, MiMi herself walked in from the back, looking around at the empty diner with a sigh. âAnother slow day, huh?â
Kevin shrugged. âCould be worse. At least weâve got the regulars.â
MiMiâs face softened. âYeah, but we used to have so much more. I remember when this place was packed. People couldnât get enough of our food, the atmosphereâŠâ
Eric glanced at her, his heart sinking a little. MiMi had poured everything into this diner. It wasnât just a business to herâit was her life. And if it failedâŠ
âWeâll figure it out,â Eric said firmly, though he wasnât sure if he was trying to reassure MiMi or himself.
MiMi gave him a small smile, but it didnât reach her eyes. âI know you will. Youâve always had a way of bringing people in, Eric. Maybe youâll find that magic again.â
Eric nodded, though his mind was already wandering back to Y/N, to the way she had talked about creating an experience, not just serving food. Maybe that was the key. Not trying to copy The Midnight Shake, but finding something that would make people want to come to MiMiâs againâsomething authentic.
The next day started like any other, slow and quiet. Eric showed up early, as he always did, to get everything ready for the day ahead. Kevin had rolled in not long after, full of energy as usual, chatting about random things that Eric only half-listened to.
But it wasnât until later that afternoon that something strange happened.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
Eric had been walking through the park after his shift, needing to clear his head and figure out a plan for MiMiâs. The sound of kids playing and people laughing filled the air, offering a brief distraction from the dinerâs struggles.
As he rounded the corner, though, he saw somethingâor rather, someoneâthat made him stop in his tracks.
There, gliding effortlessly down the path on her rollerblades, was Y/N.
She hadnât noticed him yet, too focused on weaving between people as she made her way through the park. She had on the same neon-colored outfit she always wore, her pink hair bouncing with each movement. She looked so carefree, so at ease, like she didnât have a care in the world.
Eric felt a strange tightening in his chest. Part of him wanted to turn around and leave before she noticed him, but something elseâsomething he couldnât quite nameâkept him rooted to the spot.
He watched as she skated toward a group of kids who had gathered by the parkâs fountain. They were giggling and calling out to her, and she skidded to a stop, crouching down to talk to them. Eric couldnât hear what she was saying, but the kids were laughing and pointing at her skates, and she was showing them some kind of trick, making them cheer.
For a moment, Eric forgot all about the rivalry. He forgot about MiMiâs, about The Midnight Shake, about everything. All he could think about was how different Y/N seemed outside of the diner. How she wasnât just some competitor trying to steal their customersâshe was a person. A person with a life outside of the neon-lit walls of her diner.
He didnât realize he was staring until she looked up and caught his eye.
Her smile faltered for a second, but then it came back, though this time it was laced with something a little sharper. âYou stalking me now, MiMiâs?â
Eric blinked, startled out of his thoughts. He cleared his throat, stepping closer but keeping his hands shoved in his pockets. âNo. Just walking.â
She raised an eyebrow, pushing herself up to her full height, which wasnât much taller than the kids she had been talking to. âAnd you just happened to be walking through this park?â
Eric shrugged, trying to play it off. âItâs a public park.â
Y/N let out a short laugh, shaking her head as she rolled over to the fountain, sitting on the edge. âAlright. If you say so.â
Eric hesitated, unsure of what to say next. He wasnât used to this kind of conversation, especially not with someone like Y/N. But there was something about the way she sat there, casual and unbothered, that made him want to keep talking.
âSo, do you do this every day?â he asked, gesturing to her skates.
Y/N glanced down at them, as if she had forgotten she was even wearing them. âMost days. Helps me clear my head.â
Eric nodded, though he didnât know what else to say. He hadnât expected to run into her, and now that he had, he wasnât sure where to take the conversation. But Y/N didnât seem to mind the silence. She just sat there, watching the kids play in the fountain, her expression thoughtful.
âYou really care about that place, donât you?â she asked suddenly, catching Eric off guard.
He frowned. âWhat place?â
âMiMiâs,â she said, looking at him. âItâs not just a job to you. I can tell.â
Eric wasnât sure how to respond to that. He hadnât expected her to bring it up, especially not here, in the middle of the park. But the truth was, she was right. MiMiâs wasnât just a job to him. It was part of his life. It had been for years.
âYeah,â he said quietly. âI do.â
Y/N studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she let out a sigh, stretching her arms over her head as she stood up. âWell, good luck with it. I mean that.â
Eric blinked, surprised. âYou⊠mean that?â
She smirked, giving him a playful look. âDonât get me wrong, I still want to beat you guys. But itâs nothing personal.â
He stared at her, trying to process her words. She wanted to beat them, but it wasnât personal? How could it not be personal?
Before he could respond, Y/N pushed off the fountain and started skating backward, giving him a quick salute. âSee you around, MiMiâs.â
And with that, she skated off, leaving Eric standing by the fountain, more confused than ever.
For the rest of the day, Eric couldnât get Y/N out of his head. Her words, her teasing smirk, the way she seemed to float through life without a careâit was all swirling around in his mind, distracting him from everything else. He found himself replaying their conversation over and over, wondering what she really meant.
âEric, you okay?â Kevinâs voice broke through his thoughts as they both wiped down the tables before closing time.
Eric blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it. âYeah. Just⊠thinking.â
Kevin grinned, leaning on his broom. âAbout that skater girl, huh?â
Eric shot him a look. âI told you, itâs not like that.â
âSure itâs not.â Kevinâs grin only widened. âBut seriously, youâve been acting weird ever since you ran into her. What happened? Did she say something?â
Eric hesitated. He didnât want to tell Kevin everything, especially not about the part where Y/N had wished him luck. It felt too personal, too complicated to explain. âNothing important,â he said finally. âJust the usual.â
Kevin watched him for a moment, his grin fading into something more thoughtful. âYou know⊠maybe it wouldnât hurt to talk to her. Like, really talk to her.â
Eric frowned. âWhat do you mean?â
âI mean, sheâs obviously not the enemy,â Kevin said, shrugging. âMaybe if you stopped seeing her as the competition, youâd realize sheâs just a person. A person whoâs running a diner, just like you.â
Eric didnât respond, but Kevinâs words stuck with him. Maybe he was right. Maybe this rivalry was more in Ericâs head than anything else. And maybe, just maybe, it was time to stop seeing Y/N as the enemyâand start seeing her as something else.
What that âsomething elseâ was, though, Eric wasnât sure yet.
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The next few days passed slowly. Eric found himself slipping into a strange routine: wake up, go to MiMiâs, work a slow shift, and inevitably think about Y/N at some point during the day. Even though he tried not to, her words, her carefree smile, the way she seemed both competitive and friendly, stayed lodged in his mind.
Business wasnât improving. MiMi had started adding more specials, offering discounts to try and bring customers back, but none of it seemed to work. It felt like they were trapped in a spiral, each day slower than the last.
âYouâve been quieter than usual,â MiMi remarked one afternoon as she refilled the sugar containers at the counter. âEverything okay?â
Eric wiped his hands on his apron, hesitating before answering. âYeah, Iâm fine. Just thinking.â
MiMi chuckled softly. âYou think too much, Eric. Sometimes youâve just got to let things be.â
He smiled at her, appreciating the sentiment, but he knew it wasnât that simple. He couldnât just âlet things beâ when MiMiâs Diner was at stake. He felt responsible. Like it was up to him to figure out how to turn things around. And no matter how much he tried to push it aside, Y/N kept coming back to his thoughts, almost like a challenge he couldnât quite solve.
Kevin, as usual, noticed right away.
âYouâve got that look again,â Kevin teased as they worked side by side that evening. âThe âIâm thinking about the enemyâ look.â
Eric rolled his eyes. âIâm not thinking about her.â
âYeah, right. Look, man, itâs okay if you are. Just admit itâyouâre curious. Itâs human.â
Eric sighed, leaning against the counter as he looked out at the empty diner. âItâs not just that. Sheâs⊠I donât know. Sheâs different than I expected. I thought sheâd be all about trying to take us down, but sheâs not like that. And now I canât stop wondering what it would take to really beat her.â
Kevinâs eyebrows shot up. âReally? You think this is about beating her? You sure youâre not trying to figure out something else?â
Eric shot him a look. âWhatâs that supposed to mean?â
Kevin grinned, shrugging. âI donât know, man. I just think thereâs more going on here than youâre willing to admit. Maybe sheâs not the competition you think she is.â
Eric opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, MiMi appeared from the back, her face lined with worry. âWeâve got a problem,â she said, holding up a flyer.
Eric frowned, taking the paper from her hands. It was an advertisement for The Midnight Shake, plastered with bold, neon lettering and a list of new specials they were rolling out, including a new menu of shakes that promised to be âunlike anything youâve ever tasted.â
âNew shakes?â Eric muttered, feeling a knot tighten in his chest. It wasnât just that Y/N made incredible milkshakesâit was that she had somehow managed to make them a central part of their rivalry. And now she was pushing even harder.
MiMi shook her head. âWe canât keep up with this. Weâve tried everythingânew specials, discounts, but itâs not enough. If we donât figure out something soonâŠâ
Her words trailed off, but Eric didnât need her to finish. He could feel the pressure building inside him, the weight of their dwindling business pressing down on him harder than ever.
He folded the flyer in half, shoving it into his apron pocket. âWeâll figure something out. We always do.â
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
But the truth was, he wasnât so sure.
It was later that week when Eric found himself wandering back through the park again. He hadnât planned on itâit just sort of happened. The diner had been slow, his shift dragging by without any real distractions, and before he knew it, he was back at the place where he had first run into Y/N.
This time, though, he wasnât caught off guard when he saw her.
She was skating again, weaving between people effortlessly, her neon outfit catching the sunlight and making her look like some kind of beacon. She hadnât noticed him yet, but he found himself watching her again, his thoughts tangled in a mess of confusion.
Before he could decide what to do, she skidded to a stop by the fountain, just like before, and turned aroundâonly this time, she saw him right away.
Her eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. âBack again, MiMiâs?â
Eric shoved his hands in his pockets, walking toward her but keeping a safe distance. âItâs a public park.â
She rolled her eyes, her smile widening. âYouâve got to stop using that excuse. Youâre not very convincing.â
He shrugged, though his heart was beating faster than he wanted to admit. âMaybe I just like walking here.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow, pushing off the fountain and gliding closer to him. âOr maybe youâre just curious. Wondering how we keep beating you guys.â
Ericâs jaw tightened. âItâs not about that.â
âSure itâs not.â She tilted her head, her smile teasing. âBut I get it. You want to know what makes us special, right?â
He didnât respond, but the look on his face must have given something away, because she laughed softly, shaking her head. âItâs not some big secret, you know. People like what they like. Maybe MiMiâs just⊠isnât their thing anymore.â
Her words hit him harder than he expected, and for a moment, he felt that familiar surge of frustration. But then he remembered what Kevin had saidâabout seeing her as more than just the competition. And despite the teasing, there was something almost⊠sincere in her voice. Like she wasnât trying to rub it in. Just stating a fact.
âWhy do you care so much about beating us?â Eric asked suddenly, surprising even himself.
Y/N blinked, clearly taken aback by the question. She hesitated, skating in a small circle before answering. âI donât know. I guess itâs not really about beating you guys. Itâs just⊠I want to do well. You know?â
Eric nodded slowly, though he wasnât sure he fully understood. Y/N wasnât what he expected. She wasnât just the enemy, the rival diner owner trying to take them down. She was someone who cared about what she did, just like he did.
But that didnât change the fact that their businesses were in direct competition.
âSo, whatâs next?â he asked, trying to lighten the mood. âYou guys rolling out new shakes or something?â
Y/Nâs smile returned, this time with a hint of pride. âActually, yeah. Youâll have to come by and try one sometime.â
Eric gave her a look. âYou really think Iâm going to set foot in your diner?â
She shrugged, turning to skate away. âYou never know. Maybe one day youâll be curious enough.â
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
Back at MiMiâs, things were getting worse. The new shake specials had drawn even more customers away, and by the end of the week, they were barely scraping by. Eric could feel the weight of the situation every time he walked through the door. It was like a cloud that hung over the diner, growing heavier with each passing day.
MiMi wasnât talking about it, but Eric could see the worry in her eyes every time she counted the register at the end of the day. Even Kevin had started to look more serious, his usual joking attitude replaced with something more somber.
One evening, after a particularly slow shift, MiMi pulled Eric aside as they were closing up. âIâve been thinking,â she said quietly, her hands wringing together nervously. âMaybe itâs time to⊠consider some changes.â
Eric frowned. âWhat do you mean?â
MiMi hesitated, glancing around the empty diner before lowering her voice. âIâve been thinking about selling.â
The words hit him like a punch to the gut. âSelling? You canât be serious.â
She gave him a sad smile. âEric, we canât keep going like this. Weâre losing money every day. If things donât turn around soon, Iâm going to have to close up shop.â
Eric felt a surge of panic. MiMiâs was more than just a diner to himâit was home. It was the place he had grown up in, the place where he had made countless memories. He couldnât imagine life without it.
âThereâs got to be another way,â he said, his voice more desperate than he intended. âWe canât give up.â
MiMi sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder. âI know you want to save this place, Eric. But sometimes⊠sometimes itâs out of our hands.â
Eric didnât know what to say. He just stood there, the weight of her words sinking in, making everything feel even more impossible.
Eric didnât sleep much that night. MiMiâs words echoed in his head, and every time he closed his eyes, he could see the neon lights of The Midnight Shake flashing like a warning. Selling? That idea gnawed at him, twisting his gut in knots. MiMiâs Diner was too important to just let go. He had to figure something out.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The next morning, Eric dragged himself into the diner, trying to shake off the heavy feeling from the night before. As usual, Kevin was already there, his upbeat attitude grating in a way that usually wasnât so bad.
âYou look like you got run over by a truck,â Kevin said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. âLate night?â
Eric rubbed his eyes, sighing. âMiMiâs talking about selling.â
Kevin paused mid-sip, his expression sobering. âWhat? She canât be serious.â
âDead serious.â Eric grabbed a towel and wiped down the counter, trying to channel his frustration into something productive. âWeâve got to figure out how to turn this around.â
Kevin set his mug down, leaning against the counter. âHave you thought about⊠doing something drastic?â
Eric glanced at him, eyebrows raised. âDrastic like what?â
Kevin grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes. âYou know⊠sabotage.â
âSabotage?â Eric repeated, incredulous. âYou canât be serious.â
Kevin shrugged. âWhy not? Itâs not like theyâre playing fair. Theyâve been stealing our customers for weeks.â
Eric rolled his eyes. âWeâre not stooping to that level, Kev.â
Kevinâs grin widened. âFine, fine. But you canât deny that itâd be fun.â
Eric shook his head, but couldnât help the small smile tugging at his lips. Kevin was ridiculous, but at least he kept things from getting too heavy.
Their conversation was interrupted when MiMi walked in, her usual upbeat demeanor noticeably absent. She gave them both a tired smile, her eyes reflecting the strain of the last few weeks.
âWeâre gonna get through this,â Eric said, more to convince himself than her.
MiMi smiled weakly, but didnât say anything. She just busied herself with the morning routine, and for a moment, the diner fell into an uneasy silence.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
Days passed, and the tension between MiMiâs and The Midnight Shake only grew. Word about their rivalry was spreading around town, and customers were starting to take sides. Some were loyal to MiMiâs, citing nostalgia and history, while others raved about the âfresh energyâ at The Midnight Shake.
It didnât help that the rivalry had started spilling over into more than just business. Flyers from The Midnight Shake were mysteriously appearing in MiMiâs parking lot, and rumors were swirling that someone from their team had been badmouthing MiMiâs to customers.
Eric hadnât set foot in The Midnight Shake again, but he didnât need to. He could feel the tension in the air, almost like it was personal now. And maybe, in a way, it was. He couldnât shake the feeling that Y/N was involved in some way, even if he didnât have any proof.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The next time Eric ran into Y/N, it wasnât in the park. It was purely by accident, at a small grocery store on the edge of town. He had been reaching for a carton of strawberries when she appeared on the other side of the display, her neon jacket standing out like a beacon.
They both froze for a moment, eyes locking across the strawberries. Then Y/N smiledâthough it wasnât her usual teasing grin. It was more like a challenge.
âWell, well, well,â she said, crossing her arms. âFancy seeing you here.â
Eric raised an eyebrow. âI could say the same.â
She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with amusement. âYou buying ingredients to make your shakes better?â
Eric didnât bite, though part of him wanted to. âMaybe I just like strawberries.â
âSure,â she said, though the teasing lilt was back in her voice. âYou should try one of ours sometime.â
He placed the carton of strawberries in his basket, ignoring her suggestion. âNo thanks. Iâm not a fan of your diner.â
Y/N chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with something he couldnât quite place. âI couldâve guessed that.â
The exchange was casual enough, but there was an underlying tension that Eric couldnât ignore. Every time they spoke, it felt like they were circling around somethingâsomething neither of them was quite willing to say out loud. Maybe it was the rivalry. Or maybe it was something else entirely.
âWhatâs it like over there?â Eric found himself asking before he could stop himself.
Y/N raised an eyebrow. âOver where?â
âThe Midnight Shake. Whatâs it like running the place?â
She hesitated for a moment, like she hadnât expected the question. Then she shrugged. âItâs busy. Chaotic, most days. But itâs fun.â
Eric nodded slowly, though he wasnât sure what he had been expecting her to say. âAnd the rivalry? Is that fun, too?â
Y/Nâs smile faded slightly, and for a moment, something like regret flashed across her face. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by her usual smirk. âWhat can I say? I like a good challenge.â
Eric didnât respond, but his mind was spinning with questions he didnât have the courage to ask. There was more to Y/N than he had realized, and he couldnât shake the feeling that their rivalry was more complicated than just business.
As they parted ways, Eric couldnât help but feel like something was shifting. The tension between MiMiâs and The Midnight Shake wasnât going away anytime soon, but there was something else simmering beneath the surface. Something he wasnât quite ready to face yet.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
Back at MiMiâs, the rivalry only continued to escalate. Flyers and rumors were one thing, but it didnât take long for things to get more direct. One afternoon, a customer came into MiMiâs, their voice low as they leaned over the counter.
âYou hear about what theyâre saying at The Midnight Shake?â the man asked, his tone conspiratorial.
Eric frowned. âWhat do you mean?â
The man lowered his voice even more. âTheyâre saying MiMiâs is on its last legs. That itâs only a matter of time before you guys shut down for good.â
A surge of anger flared in Ericâs chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. âThanks for the heads-up.â
The man nodded, tossing a few dollars on the counter before heading out. As soon as the door closed behind him, Kevin appeared at Ericâs side, his expression serious for once.
âDid you hear that?â Kevin asked, his voice tight with frustration.
Eric nodded, gritting his teeth. âYeah. I heard.â
âTheyâre spreading lies about us now? Thatâs low, even for them.â
Ericâs jaw clenched as he thought back to his conversation with Y/N. Could she really be behind this? He had started to think there was more to her than just the competition, but now⊠now he wasnât so sure.
Kevin punched his palm, clearly itching for a fight. âWe should do something about this.â
Eric shook his head. âWeâre not going to stoop to their level.â
Kevin threw his hands up in frustration. âThen what are we going to do, Eric? Just sit here and let them run us into the ground?â
Eric didnât have an answer. All he knew was that the rivalry was growing uglier by the day, and if they didnât figure out a way to turn things around soon, MiMiâs might not survive.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The following days at MiMiâs Diner felt like they were running on borrowed time. The rivalry between the two diners was at an all-time high, with rumors flying, subtle sabotage at play, and tensions running hot. Kevinâs attempts to keep things upbeat were faltering, and even MiMi was starting to lose the spark that once defined her.
Eric had kept his distance from The Midnight Shake, trying to focus on helping MiMiâs survive. But it was impossible to ignore the lingering thoughts of Y/N. He wanted to believe she wasnât the type to spread lies or play dirty, but every day there were new rumorsânew hits to MiMiâs reputation that seemed to come directly from their rivals.
On the fifth day, Eric was in the middle of prepping tables for the evening shift when MiMi stepped out from the back, holding a letter in her hand. Her face was pale, her hands shaking slightly.
âWeâve got trouble,â she said quietly, handing the letter to Eric.
He took it, unfolding the paper to reveal an official notice. MiMiâs was being sued by The Midnight Shake for defamation. The letter claimed that MiMiâs had been spreading false information about their business practices, accusing them of theft and underhanded tactics. It was a legal nightmare.
Ericâs stomach sank. âThis canât be realâŠâ
MiMi nodded slowly. âI wish it werenât. But theyâve got a case. Someoneâs been spreading rumors about them, and theyâre pinning it on us.â
Kevin stormed over, looking furious. âThey canât do this! We havenât spread any rumorsâif anything, theyâve been doing it to us!â
Eric clenched the letter in his hand. âWe need to talk to them. To Y/N.â
Later that evening, Eric found himself standing outside The Midnight Shake, the neon lights casting an eerie glow on the sidewalk. His heart was pounding as he pushed open the door, stepping into enemy territory for the second time.
The diner was packed, but amidst the crowd, he spotted Y/N behind the counter, pouring strawberry milkshakes with practiced ease. She looked up, and their eyes met across the room. There was a flicker of surprise in her gaze, but she quickly masked it with her usual smirk.
Eric approached the counter, his anger barely contained. âWe need to talk.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow, but didnât say anything, motioning for him to follow her into the back.
Once they were out of earshot of the customers, Y/N crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. âWhatâs this about?â
Eric handed her the letter, his voice tight with frustration. âYour diner is suing us.â
Y/N unfolded the paper, her expression unreadable as she scanned the contents. âI didnât know about this.â
Eric crossed his arms, trying to control his anger. âDidnât know? Your diner is accusing us of spreading rumors and defamation. Youâre ruining MiMiâs.â
Y/N met his gaze, and for a moment, something vulnerable flashed in her eyes. âEric, I swear, this isnât what I wanted. I didnât want it to go this far.â
âThen why didnât you stop it?â Eric asked, his voice sharper than he intended. âYouâve been playing this rivalry game for weeks. Youâve been part of thisâfueling the tension, the competition.â
Y/N sighed, running a hand through her hair. âI never thought it would get like this. It was just supposed to be business, you know? A bit of fun competition. But⊠I guess it spiraled out of control.â
Eric studied her, searching for any sign of deception. But for the first time since theyâd met, Y/N looked genuinely conflicted, like she hadnât meant for things to go this far.
âI donât know if I can fix this,â she admitted, her voice quiet. âThe owner⊠sheâs not someone who backs down easily. Once she smells blood in the water, she goes for the kill.â
Eric shook his head, his frustration mixing with disappointment. âThis isnât just a game, Y/N. MiMiâs is like family to me. If we lose the diner, itâs over for us.â
Y/N bit her lip, clearly wrestling with her thoughts. âMaybe⊠maybe thereâs something we can do. Together.â
Eric frowned. âWhat do you mean?â
She straightened up, her expression determined. âIâll talk to the owner. Iâll convince her to drop the lawsuit. But in return⊠we need to make peace between the diners. End the rivalry for good.â
Ericâs heart raced at the idea. âAnd what if it doesnât work?â
Y/Nâs eyes softened slightly as she met his gaze. âIt has to work. For both of us.â
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The next few days were tense, but Y/N stayed true to her word. She spoke with her boss, negotiating behind the scenes to drop the lawsuit and repair the damage that had been done between the two diners. Meanwhile, Eric worked to keep MiMiâs running, doing everything in his power to keep customers coming in.
It wasnât easy. But slowly, things began to shift.
One evening, Y/N walked into MiMiâs for the first time since their rivalry had started. She didnât wear her usual bright neon jacket or rollerblades. Instead, she looked almost subdued, a quiet determination in her eyes as she approached the counter where Eric was standing.
âTruce?â she asked, offering a small smile.
Eric studied her for a moment before nodding. âTruce.â
There was a long pause between them, the weight of the rivalry still lingering in the air. But something else had shifted, tooâsomething unspoken, simmering beneath the surface.
âIâm sorry,â Y/N said quietly. âFor everything. I never wanted things to get so out of hand.â
Ericâs expression softened, his anger fading. âIâm sorry too. I guess I let it get personal.â
Y/N smiled, a genuine smile this time. âWell, we did start off as enemies.â
âMaybe we donât have to stay that way,â Eric said, his voice softer than he expected.
Y/N looked at him, her eyes searching his. âMaybe not.â
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The rivalry between MiMiâs and The Midnight Shake wasnât completely over, but it had changed. It was no longer about tearing each other downâit was about healthy competition. And through it all, Eric and Y/N found themselves growing closer, their animosity giving way to something neither of them had expected.
Maybe, just maybe, their story was only beginning. It had become routineâat least, it felt like it. Most evenings, when their shifts ended, Y/N would lace up her skates and glide around the block. Sometimes, sheâd spot Eric leaning against a nearby lamppost, his arms crossed, a smug smile playing on his lips.
She tried to act annoyed when he popped up, but truthfully, sheâd grown accustomed to the sight of him. He was always there, waiting to walk her home or invite her out for coffee.
Tonight was no different. Y/N spotted him from across the street, and before she could tell him to leave, he was already walking toward her with a familiar ease.
âYouâre getting predictable,â Y/N teased, pushing herself forward on her skates.
âIs that a bad thing?â Eric asked, falling in step beside her.
She shrugged playfully. âDepends.â
âOn what?â Eric glanced at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
âOn whether or not youâre buying the coffee this time,â Y/N smirked.
Eric chuckled. âI think I can manage that.â
They wandered through the dimly lit streets, the evening air crisp as they sipped their drinks. Y/N was keenly aware of how natural it feltâthis strange routine of theirs. The banter wasnât quite as sharp as before, and though sheâd never admit it out loud, she was beginning to enjoy his company.
As they reached the small park near her home, Eric slowed down, staring at the ground as if he was deep in thought.
âWhatâs on your mind, Sohn?â Y/N asked, noticing his sudden silence.
âIâve been thinking,â he began slowly, his voice soft, âabout how much time weâve been spending together.â
Y/N felt her heart skip a beat. âWhat about it?â
âI donât know⊠I guess I never thought weâd get along. Not after how things started.â He smiled at her, a little sheepishly this time, without his usual cocky edge.
Y/N stopped skating, turning to face him fully. âYeah, well, I didnât think Iâd ever tolerate you either,â she admitted with a smirk, trying to lighten the moment. âBut here we are.â
They shared a brief laugh, but it quickly faded into a comfortable quiet. Y/N wasnât sure when it happenedâwhen the annoyance she felt toward Eric melted into something warmer, softer. Maybe it had been gradual, over the course of their accidental meet-ups. Maybe it was the way heâd become more thoughtful, less insufferable. Either way, she didnât hate him anymore.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
Days passed, and soon, what began as a nightly tradition of walking home together grew into something more. Their conversations were no longer filled with competition or sarcasm; instead, they talked about their lives, their dreams, and the things they cared about beyond their rival diners.
One Friday, after work, Eric showed up outside The Midnight Shake, hands in his pockets, waiting for her like always. But tonight, there was something different in his demeanor.
âYouâre here again?â Y/N teased, stepping out of the diner, wiping her hands on her apron.
âSurprised?â Eric quipped, flashing that familiar grin.
âNot at all. Youâve been here more than my regulars,â she joked, her voice laced with something lighter than the irritation she used to feel around him.
He glanced up at the sky, then back at her, his expression thoughtful. âI was thinking⊠how about we go somewhere different tonight?â
Y/N raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. âDifferent?â
âYeah. Thereâs a new place that just opened downtown. Thought maybe we could check it out,â he suggested casually, but there was a flicker of nervousness in his eyes.
Y/N hesitated, but the idea of spending more time with himâeven outside of their usual routineâwas strangely appealing. âSure, why not?â
The restaurant was quaint, nestled in the heart of downtown, far from their diners and the usual rivalry they were used to. It was dimly lit, with fairy lights strung across the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the tables. They found a booth near the back, and as they sat down, Y/N realized something she hadnât before: this felt suspiciously like a date.
They ordered dinner, and the conversation flowed easily, like it always did these days. They laughed about work, shared stories about their childhoods, and talked about their favorite thingsâthings they hadnât thought to share before. But as the night went on, Y/N found herself growing more aware of the way Eric looked at her. His gaze wasnât challenging or competitive like it used to be. It was⊠soft.
It wasnât until the waiter brought them the check that Y/N froze, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks. This wasnât just two people hanging out. This was a date.
And judging by the way Eric was smiling at her, he realized it too.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The next morning, Y/N entered The Midnight Shake with a sense of unease. Last night had been⊠something. Something unexpected, and something she wasnât quite ready to admit to herself. But as soon as she stepped behind the counter, her unease grew tenfoldâbecause sitting in one of the booths was Kevin, grinning at her like the cat whoâd caught the canary.
âMorning, Y/N!â Kevin called out, far too cheerful for this early in the day.
âWhat are you doing here?â she asked, trying to hide her confusion as she adjusted her apron.
âOh, you know, just grabbing a shake before my shift at MiMiâs,â Kevin said nonchalantly. But then he leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. âSo, how was your date last night?â
Y/N blinked, her heart skipping a beat. âIt wasnât a date,â she said quickly, too quickly.
Kevin raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his seat. âReally? Because thatâs not what I heard. Eric wouldnât stop talking about it this morning.â
Y/N felt her face heat up. âHe⊠he did?â
âYup. And I gotta say, he looked pretty happy about it.â
She swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. Kevin wasnât one to let things go, and she knew that if she didnât leave this conversation soon, heâd start prying even more.
âIâve got work to do,â Y/N muttered, grabbing a tray and heading to the back.
But even as she busied herself with the orders, Kevinâs words echoed in her mind. Eric wouldnât stop talking about it. Maybe it had been a date, after all.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
A few days passed, and while Y/N couldnât shake the feeling that something had shifted between her and Eric, she tried to ignore it. She had bigger things to worry aboutâlike her mom, who had been asking more and more questions about where sheâd been spending her free time.
It wasnât until one particularly busy evening at The Midnight Shake that everything came crashing down.
Y/N was in the middle of making a strawberry milkshake when her mom walked into the kitchen, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.
âWe need to talk,â her mom said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Y/N set down the blender, turning to face her. âAbout what?â
âAbout Eric,â her mom said bluntly.
Y/Nâs stomach dropped. âEric?â
âDonât play dumb, Y/N. Iâve seen you two together. I know he works at MiMiâs. And I know that youâve been spending a lot of time with him lately.â
Y/Nâs heart pounded in her chest. âMom, itâs notââ
Her mom held up a hand, silencing her. âI donât care if heâs a nice guy. I donât care if heâs the sweetest boy in the world. He works for our competition. And you know how I feel about MiMiâs.â
Y/N felt a lump form in her throat. She had known this conversation was coming, but that didnât make it any easier.
âI⊠I really like him,â Y/N admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. âAnd I know you donât like MiMiâs, but Eric isnât just a rival. Heâs⊠heâs different.â
Her momâs expression softened slightly, but she still looked conflicted. âY/N, I donât want you getting hurt. The rivalry between our diners is more than just businessâitâs personal. You know that.â
âI know,â Y/N said quickly, âbut this isnât about the diners. Itâs about me and Eric. And I need you to trust me on this.â
There was a long pause as her mom considered her words. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders relaxing. âIf you really care about him, I wonât stand in your way. But you better make sure heâs worth it.â
Y/N felt a wave of relief wash over her. âHe is, Mom. I promise.â
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
The next time Y/N saw Eric, she didnât hesitate. She found him at MiMiâs, leaning against the counter like he always did, and without thinking, she marched up to him.
âWe need to talk,â she said, her voice steady.
Eric raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her sudden assertiveness. âAbout what?â
âAbout us.â
Eric blinked, setting down the order he was working on. âUs?â
Y/N nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. âYeah. Iâve been thinking⊠about everything. About how much time weâve spent together. About how much Iâve grown to care about you.â
Ericâs expression softened, and he stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. âY/NâŠâ
âAnd I realized something,â Y/N continued, her voice barely above a whisper. âWeâve been going on dates this whole time. Havenât we?â
Eric smiled, reaching out to take her hand. âYeah. We have.â
Y/N took a deep breath, her heart swelling with emotion. âSo, letâs make it official. Eric⊠will you be my boyfriend?â
Ericâs eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug. âI thought youâd never ask.â
As they stood there, wrapped in each otherâs arms, Y/N couldnât help but smile. The rivalry between their diners might never end, but at least they had found something worth fighting forâeach other.
Ëââ§ê°á â à»ê± â§âË
A/N: Iâm on a writing streak, so sangyeonâs part will be out at the end of the week.
ïŒïŒŸâœïŒŸïŒïŒ
Taglist: @deoboyznet @a-dream-bookmark
#k labels#the boyz scenarios#the boyz kevin#the boyz eric#tbz x you#tbz fluff#tbz imagines#tbz sunwoo#tbz scenarios#tbz x reader#tbz eric#eric sohn#kpop imagines#kpop networks#the boyz kpop#kpop bg#kpop fanfic#the boyz sangyeon#the boyz fics#the boyz fanfic#the boyz sunwoo#kpop#kpopidol
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FREEDOM â Epilogue
Previous chapter
<Several days later. On a set based on the fictitious city âFREEDOMâ>
Subaru: WhoaâŠ! It looks a lot more like FREEDOM than I thought it would!
Subaru: You can even actually play games in the arcade. Thatâs amazing. Itâs just like the real thingâ
Mao: FREEDOM is a virtual city, so calling it âthe real thingâ is a bit confusing.
Mao: But this really is amazing. This place looks just like what we saw on our screens.
Hokuto: I agree. Although itâs just a set, so it's not as big as that virtual worldâŠ
Hokuto: But even if itâs just the central area, it makes me happy to see it recreated in such detail.
Makoto: Yeah. This area is especially packed with our âloveâÂč, after all.
Makoto: Anzu-chan, you asked Tenshouin-senpai to let us film a music video in FREEDOM, right? Thanks for doing that for usâȘ
Subaru: ...Ohïœ? Among the projectâs business partners, there was a production company that you knew, so you got them to help you with a proposal?
Subaru: So FREEDOM thanks its existence to the network youâve built up, huh?
Subaru: Thatâs our Anzu! Ms. PresidentïœâȘ
Hokuto: What is it, Anzu?
Hokuto: âŠâI didnât do anythingâ? Donât say that.
Hokuto: You handed FREEDOM over to us, and let us develop it freely from the start until the end. You must have thought about correcting our unskilled attempts multiple times.
Hokuto: But instead, you watched over us as we learned, didnât you?
Hokuto: Not because you didnât want to guide us, but because you believed that we could do it. Iâm grateful for that.
Mao: Yeah. And you even casually conjured up this extra job of filming a music video.
Mao: Our miniature city of FREEDOM, which was only known by a couple of people, will be appreciated all over the world because of this new song.
Mao: In other words, weâll be able to show our fans what weâre like in this new year. We get to show them our âloveâ.
Mao: As usual, youâre an impressively competent producer, Anzu.
Mao: ...Alright. It looks like everythingâs ready, so letâs start filmingâȘ
Hokuto&Mao: ââȘïœâȘïœâȘâ
Mao: ...But this sure was a strange job offer. Building a city and all that.
Hokuto: Indeed. But it was fun. This isnât something just anyone gets to experience in their daily life.
Mao: True. Iâd love to try out lots of other new things this year.
Mao: Normal things like the stuff other idols do just donât fit us as wellâȘ
Hokuto: When we just met, all you wanted was to live in peace. It seems as if youâve been thoroughly corrupted too, huh?
Mao: Ahaha, you might be right. I still prefer peaceful times, but goofing off with you guys is just so much fun.
Mao: At this point Iâm fully immersed in Trickstar...âȘ
Subaru: ââȘïœâȘïœâȘâ
Subaru: After weâre done filming, this set will be torn down, right?
Subaru: I wanna keep singing and dancing here forever. I wanna stay in this world for as long as I can!
Subaru: Maybe I should mess up my dance moves on purpose, so weâll have no choice but to do more takesïœâȘ
Makoto: Ahaha. Youâll cause trouble for the staff if you do that.
Makoto: If we finish early, they might allow us to explore the city at our leisure. Letâs do our best and make a great music videoâȘ
Makoto: ââȘïœâȘïœâȘâ
Makoto: Akehoshi-kun, can I reminisce about the distant past with you for a bit?
Subaru: The distant past? The time when you were a baby?
Makoto: Ahaha, not that distant. About when I became âYuuki Makotoâ the idol.
Makoto: Do you remember the Venus CupÂČ? It was before we even formed Trickstar.
Subaru: Yeah. That was the DreFes we participated in during our first year, right?
Makoto: Thatâs the one. At that time I had more time on my hands than I knew what to do with. The only reason I even attended the Venus Cup was to balance the number of representatives from each class.
Makoto: I was just another nameless idol, one of a countless number at Yumenosaki.
Makoto: But back then⊠in that venue where most of the seats were empty, you called out to me.
Makoto: âLetâs sing togetherâ, you said. You told me I wasnât all alone up on that stage.
Makoto: (When I was a model, I was always alone.)
Makoto: (...No. I âdidnât existâ. I just played the role that was expected of me. I was empty inside.)
Makoto: (I enrolled at Yumenosaki because I didnât want to be like that anymore.)
Makoto: ...Thatâs the moment I became an idol.
Makoto: By telling me âletâs do our best together!â, you breathed life into me.
Makoto: Although you might have forgotten about that moment.
Subaru: Ahaha, I remember! How could I forget?
Subaru: We stood shoulder to shoulder and sang like friends. Just like this, woo...âȘ
Makoto: W-Whoa! Akehoshi-kun, let go of me. This way weâll have to redo the take.
Subaru: Ahaha! Itâs okay, the camera is focused on Sariïœ and Hokkeïœ right nowâ
Subaru: ...That day there was almost no one who bothered to watch us, but now we have loads of fans.
Subaru: All those people are proof that weâve been doing things right all along.
Subaru: Thatâs exactly why I feel like weâre unstoppable as long as weâre with the four of us! If we work extra hard, we might even be able to perform in the unexplored expanse of space one dayâ
Subaru: Thereâs no bigger joy than working towards a shared goal with your friends, donât you agree, UkkiïœâȘ?
Makoto: Yeah⊠I think so too.
Makoto: In the past I didnât believe in myself. Even after I got into a school for idols, I didnât have a clue what to do.
Makoto: I was gathering dust like a shelf full of unplayed games.
Makoto: But then I met the others, and we formed Trickstar. I became myself⊠I became free.
Makoto: Sometimes I still get frustrated because I feel incompetent, butâŠ
Makoto: ...as long as I get to sing and laugh with the others like I am right now, Iâm incredibly happy.
Makoto: Iâm so glad I decided to become an idol...âȘ
Makoto: ââȘïœâȘïœâȘâ
TL notes:
Every time any of the characters talks about âloveâ in quotes in this chapter, it was the word ăć„œăăâsukiâ in quotes in Japanese. Suki can mean love or like (love for objects, hobbies, people, etc.), and it can also be used in the sense of âthe way I like/wantâ. I interpreted it like this: they were talking about their âsukiâ in many senses of the word. So things that they enjoy, people they love, the way in which they express their love/enthusiasm, as well as having the freedom to do what they like.
The story that describes the events surrounding the Venus Cup in more detail is âRocket Startâ.
Translated by me, proofread by Altea (@icaruswasthesun on Twitter)
Big thanks to Altea for proofreading all of my work, and thank you for reading!
#ensemble stars#story translation#mao isara#makoto yuuki#subaru akehoshi#hokuto hidaka#trickstar#anzu
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Over-analyzing the Phantom Thieves' escape from the Final Palace [SPOILERS]
Hopefully this hasn't been done already. If so, oh well, it was fun for me, who just finished their first playthrough last month.
This post has spoilers for the true ending of Persona 5 Royal.
Ok, I have thought about the animated cutscene of the PTs escaping Maruki's crumbling palace more than I thought I would. There's the memes of Goro's (possible?) last words being a complaint about being crushed by 5 women, the worry of the PTs when Joker lets go of the rope, etc etc.
One thing I kept going back to, though, was how we end up with the comic relief of Goro ending up at the floor of the Mona Copter.
So let's start from the beginning of their escape. The palace is crumbling, and the PTs are seemingly stranded on an island of rubble, with no way out. Morgana then urges everyone to hop into the Mona Car:
(Forgive the crappy screen pics, my PlayStation doesn't like 3rd sem stuff)
So the first thing we see is Haru leaning up to the window, with just a hint of Goro's outfit in the bottom right corner.
The next thing is a shot of the whole bus:
Two things: 1. Out of the two pictures, there's no sign of Futaba! 2. Where does this put Haru and Goro? Well, both of these questions have the same answer: In the far back!
One thing about the Mona Bus's design I never quite realized with my playthrough of vanilla P5 years ago was that there are seats running perpendicular to the first two rows. Based on the angle of the first image with Haru, we can see the back of the seats from the second row. For Goro, there is a few frames in which he is seen in the back:
Therefore, we can surmise this setup:
But what about Futaba? Even though it's from a previous cutscene and different escape attempt, we can see that the layout of the characters is the same, with the addition of Futaba in the back:
So that's what it's like for seating arraignments in the Mona Bus. What about the Mona Copter? The first shot we get of everyone sans Joker gives us Goro's comic relief:
We can see that all five of our pretty thief gals are up front, Goro squished on the floor, Ryuji and Yusuke in the back, and Joker hangin' on down below. It seems pretty packed. Goro's got a point, Mona! Or does he? Time to hit the Thieves' Den!
It's slightly different on the inside compared to the cutscene, but the layout seems to be the same. We don't get a good look at the back, so let's look at that:
Hmm, a good amount of open space! But wait, there's more! As it turns out, there's even more space in the back.
Based on this, here's the sketch of the Mona Copter's layout:
What's the deal!? There seems to be plenty of space! How did the Mona Copter become so front-heavy? We can see that the characters' arraignments are generally the same, save for the fact that Haru, Futaba, and Goro moved to the front, and Joker straight up just doesn't get put inside. Now, I'm no expert of the Metaverse, but I'd like to imagine that if Mona suddenly poofed from a bus to a helicopter, our PTs wouldn't so wildly get thrown about. Plus, we can see in a later part of the cutscene, when Maruki decides to make his final stand, that there is implied to be more room in the back with Ryuji and Yusuke:
Here we see Makoto grabbing the edge of the seats in the front, and Ryuji and Yusuke bracing on their respective sides. It's quite odd how they ended up like this.
My takeaway? Other than the fact that this whole post is ridiculous? Something happened mid-transformation. Maybe things didn't happen as instantly as we think, or the Mona Copter teetered around as Mona regained balance. Or both! Let's say they all began to fall forward as the Mona Bus began to fall right before the transformation. Those in the second row would have the seat in front of them to brace on, while the three in the front could brace on the dashboard. Meanwhile, Futaba, Haru, and Goro have a lot more space in the back to fumble around in. With the loss of seats in the Mona Copter, it's perfectly possible that while transforming, the three in the back lost balance, tumbled to the front, and Goro just happened to be the unlucky one. I'm going to be honest, I have no clue on what that means for Joker.
This whole bit with the Mona Copter was most definitely just for the gag; moreover, we can just say it's Mona giving Joker a good view of Goro, who Mona knows is most likely going to vanish when all is said and done. Doing his bestie a favor and acting as a wingman, eh? The front's glass only goes so far along the bottom the the Mona Copter, and Goro is busy taking up all of it, rendering the sight of Joker only visible to him, Ryuji, and Yusuke.
So yea, do what you wish with this information, I don't care. I just wanted to express my thoughts about this whack ass cutscene lmao
#did i shoehorn this into being an akeshu shuake post? Yes.#wish i had this much energy and enthusiasm for my history paper#persona 5#persona 5 royal#persona 5 royal spoilers#p5r#p5r spoilers#persona 5 spoilers#fight me#akeshu#shuake#phantom theives
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Leave it by Degrees #6
The unhinged love story loosely based on Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost that I can't get out of my head.
Synopsis: "What have we done?"
Post in AO3 from here!
Previous chapter from here
Benedict was at the entrance of Out of The Blue at 19:00 sharp. Being led by a six seat table in the terrace, he had to chuckle seeing Sophie Beckett wearing the same navy suit with a white collar shirt, while the other ladies sat next to her were respectfully in their holidays attires; one in a teal colored summer dress, the other in a pink floral A-line.The restaurant was placed at the end of the island, on one of the seaside Villas, and Benedict silently observed the three musketeers from a distance; the two girls were absolutely dazed by the sunset before them, while the other seemed to be completely focused on the small bucket of breadsticks before them. Somehow Benedict couldnât take his eyes off the girl who sat at the edge of the table, her short brown curls waving in the ocean breeze, the sunset giving her a radiant gleam. The absolute fascination, joy, and wonder on her face ticked something inside him, as if a certain gear had been reattached to their place in his anatomy.Â
âI love that you are more invested in the scenery than me, Ms. Beckett.â He grinned as he slid into the seat in front of her. Her moss green eyes hardened as her gaze met his, Benedict felt a lump in his throat. Didnât she want him, like she whispered last night? That she needed him? Quite honestly, her heated gaze last night was the only thing that he decided to join the dinner, to perhaps grab her offer when she was not, well, heavily drugged. Well, maybe not just her gaze, Benedict secretly thought to himself as he again sized her up over her suit of armor. Yes.Perfect.Â
âMr. Bridgerton.â Sophie gave a brief nod, âThank you for coming. This is Posy Reiling, she would be negotiating the dealâŠâ
Posy gave a little cough.Â
ââŠThis is my step sister. Posy.âÂ
âNice to meet you, thank you so much for saving my sister.â Posy smiled sweetly, âPlease, call me Posy.âÂ
âPosy, nice to meet youâŠâ
But just as he was about to shake his hand, there was a huge crashing sound from the back, followed by a small yelp. Benedict was quite surprised to see Hugh Woodson collapsed on the wooden floor, papers and papers of Emails dancing around the air, his laptop screen miserably cracked in two.Â
âHugh, are you all right?â
Benedict hurried from his seat, reaching out to help him, but he was a second late. Hugh was already taking Posyâs hand, with a dreamlike daze in his eyes he had never seen before.Â
âAre you hurt?â Posy peered into Hughâs brown eyes, her neck craning up to match his lean figure, âIâm terribly sorry about your laptop.â
âI, IâŠIâmâŠHuu, HuâŠâ
âHugh.â Posy smiled sweetly, shaking his shivering hand. âIâm Posy.â
The whole universe stopped for just a second, the orange sunset shining from the distance between them. As if everything was in slow motion, Benedict watched Hughâs pale face turn into the same shade as the sky before them.Â
âP, Posy.â He stuttered, âMy sister loves Posies. We, we have a patch in our gardens,â Hugh was still shaking Posyâs hand, his glasses almost slipping out from the bridge of his nose . âThe, the most beautiful flower in the universe, in my opinionâŠâ
The three watched in awe as Posyâs cheeks turned into a deep shade of crimson, and Hugh wrapped both of his hands into hers.
âY, you are the most beautiful person Iâve ever seen.âÂ
âThank you, Hugh.âÂ
âI, I, IâŠI fell for you.âÂ
âYou fell for me?â
âI think Iâm falling in love with you.â
Both Sophie and Benedict snorted sparkling water out from her nostrils. Kate casually took a bite of a breadstick, almost as if she were watching a rom-com on a Friday night.Â
âWas it just me or did I just hear a love declaration?â
Benedict sputtered, not quite processing the scene that laid before him, and by the flabbergasted look from Sophie, he knew she had the exact same reaction.Â
âIâm afraid I heard it too.â
Hugh, still grasping Posyâs hand into his, fell into one knee, his usually wandering eyes looking straight into Posyâs blue ones, with fervent passion Benedict had never seen on him.Â
âI am in love with you.â
âOh,âÂ
âWow.âÂ
âDamnâ
âPosy, will you marry me?â
âShould I stop him?â
âOh, yes, please.â
Benedict quickly peeled Hugh from the floor (âBut I havenât got her answer!â He cried out. âBut Hugh, you donât even know her full name!â), also picking up the papers on the floor. Sophie quickly joined him, but when the two raised their heads, the couple was already seated at the table shoulder to shoulder, happily giggling over a cup of lemonade. Barely five minutes have passed but they were already like a couple on the honeymoon faze.Â
âWell, that was quick.âÂ
âI know.â Sophie softly said. âBut it was quite beautiful, wasnât it?â
âYes.â Benedict smiled, taking a stack of paper from Sophieâs hands. âItâs not everyday you get to see people fall in love,â
âJust like a movie,â
âSo, you wish for romance as well, Ms. Beckett?â
âWell, thatâs a rather private question donât you think?â Sophie eyed him wearily but Benedict didnât miss her ears turning slightly red.Â
âWorth a try,â He quipped with a small wink, âDo you think your step sister said yes to Hughs proposal?â
âOh I literally have no idea.â
âSo Hugh. Are we hearing wedding bells tonight?â
Hugh completely ignored Benedictâs question, his chocolate eyes entirely focused on Posy and Posy only.ïżœïżœ
âWe are starting from friends, actually,â Posy replied, but her eyes never left Hugh, dripping with the same dreamily look. âBut Hugh was telling me about the beautiful cathedral nearby, and the one built over the seaâŠâ Â
Sophie slid into the seat next to Kate, flinching slightly as Benedict casually seated himself next to her.Â
âI was rather hoping that you would sit on the other side.â Sophie said hesitantly.Â
âWouldnât want to disturb the two loves birds, would you?âÂ
âWell, yes, but if youâre not going toâŠâ Sophie's words trailed off, noticing that there was still an empty seat. âMr. Bridgerton, Iâm wondering,â
âHeâll be here in a few minutes,â Benedict replied gallantly, looking at the watch, âI think heâs just finished his third rotation of meditation.â
Kate choked on her glass of wine.Â
âExcuse me,â Kate coughed, âWent the wrong way. So the rumor is true. The Great Anthony Bridgerton truly on a cleanse?â
âWhistledown does it again,â Benedict replied sarcastically. âI canât figure out why sheâs so obsessed with us.â
âI personally think sheâs more besotted with Colin Bridgerton,â Benedict was surprised to see Sophie with a playful smile on her lips. âShe seems to know every location your brother is at, now matter how far corner of the world he could be.â
âYou are quite an observer, Ms. Beckett.â
Sophie blushed for the first time that night, not being able to quite look back into Benedict's eyes.Â
âThis one is actually obsessed with Whistledown.â Kate quipped from her seat with a teasing grin.Â
âKatie!â
âActually, Sophie clips all the photos of you from Whistledown, Mr. Bridgerton.âÂ
âPosy!âÂ
âThatâs a pleasant surprise.â Benedict couldnât suppress a smirk, seeing Sophieâs face change deeper and deeper into a shade of crimson. Yes, he knew that she liked him, âWhat part of me intrigues your attention, Ms. Beckett?â
âItâs work related,â Sophie mumbled, slightly squirming in her seat. âNothing personal.âÂ
âOh, then do you clip every photo of my dear brothers? For research purposes?â
âWell, no, butâŠâ
âThen I am flattered,â Benedict tried to snake his right hand to her waist, inching closer to Sophie, âAnything it was about me, what caught your attention is a good thing, I believeâŠâ But he gave a miserable yelp, feeling a sharp pain on the back of his hand.Â
âHands off, Bridgerton.â
A pair of sharp brown eyes were glaring at Benedict, eyeing him suspiciously behind Sophieâs shoulders.Â
âI believe we havenât been introduced.â Benedict managed to croak out despite the striking pain.Â
âI believe so,.â Kate smiled elegantly, her hands were delicate despite the enormous strength she demonstrated a few seconds earlier, âKate. Kathani Sharma. Sophieâs friend from uni. Iâm here as her guardian and moral support.â
âBen. Nice to meet you.â Benedict shook her hand. âWhich uni are you two from? My brother and I are from Oxford by the wayâŠâ
âYOU.â
Benedict turned his head and saw his brother in his green Khaki pants and a white line shirt, the mixed expression of shock and amusement in his brotherâs usually stoic expression.Â
âBrother! You missed the beautiful proposal from WoodsonâŠâ But Benedict was then interrupted by the last person he had imagined, Kate Sharma.Â
âYOU!â
Kate pushed the glass in Sophieâs hands, her posture suddenly became rigid, the corner of the lips tightening.Â
Not a good sign, Sophie thought.Â
âYOU are Anthony Bridgerton?â
Anthonyâs lips turned into a slight grin.Â
âYou didnât notice me?â
âWhy would I notice you?â
âWell, I am quite famous.â Anthony took a seat next to Hugh, puffing his chests as he seated himself deeply in the chair. Kate scoffed at his words, crossing her arms with a frown.Â
âSo youâre not only deficient but ignorant as well.â Kate rolled her eyes, âJust as I imaginedâŠâ
âHold it right there. What part of me is exactly deficientâŠâ
âWait, Katie, youâve met Anthony Bridgerton before?âÂ
âHeâs the aggravating man I told you this morning!âÂ
âOhhhh the guy on the running course? Why didnât you tell me that guy was Anthony Bridgerton?â
âWhy in the hell would I notice him? He was in shorts and sunglasses, he didnât have the gorgeous sideburns I saw in WhistledownâŠâ
âOh so you liked my sideburns?â Anthony replied with a smirk. âIâm surprised that those were the only things that caught your mind.âÂ
âI was being sarcastic, Mr. Bridgerton. Do you need an introduction to dry humor?â
âYou didnât seem so dry this morning actually,.âÂ
âBrother?âÂ
âSophs, remind me to add the word pervert in his wikipedia page,â Kate took a swig of wine from the bottle, (âKatie!â Sophie yelped.) âThe world deserves to know that as a fact. And by the way, other than the sideburns, nothing about you was even remotely memorable.âÂ
âWhy donât we step away from the topic of sideburns?â Benedict smoothly interjected, seeing the color slowly drain from Sophie, âAny preferences on the drinks? The drinks from the bar are exceptionally goodâŠâ But Benedict was interrupted yet again by his very brother. Well, his brother would die to have the last word in the argument, he mindlessly thought.Â
âWell, I would add infuriating at the top of your characteristic traits but I donât suppose you even have a wiki page. Wouldnât want to put useless effort in even searching your name.â
âOh infuriating would be on top of your resume, Mr. Bridgerton. Seeing how you repeatedly kept going over my pace in the course this morning, Iâm shocked those words weren't tattooed on your forehead!â
âYOU were the one overtaking me!â Hearing his irritated tone; Benedict was surprised he didnât see Anthony jabbing his finger towards Kate Sharma, âYou kept interfering with MY pace which I was specifically set at eight kilometers an hour.â
âIs mathematics such a difficult subject for you?â Kate snared, âFrom where I saw, you were definitely NOT running at eight kilometers an hour. I would barely define it jogging, considering your pace.â
âMy apple watch specifically says that I was keeping a stable speedâŠâ
âI thought you were on a digital-free holiday,â Kate raised her eyebrows, âAlready breaking your oath, Mr. Bridgerton? Never considered you as a weakling,â
âKatie. Katie Cat.â Sophie tried to tug her back to her seat. âYou do realize that you are snapping at the head CEO of Audrey CooperationâŠâ
âHis social standing in society doesnât mean that he gets the special license to be a total dickhead!âÂ
âKatie!â Sophie froze in horror, but Benedict had an amused smile on his lips, as if he were enjoying the verbal slander his elder brother was getting. Posy and Hugh were apparently still on the topic of the best wedding cakes.Â
âI personally think lemon and raspberries are the best combination,â
âI agree with every word you say, Posy,â
âYOU donât have any right to call me a dickhead,âÂ
âWell, I disagree with everything you say,â Kate replied. âI find it difficult to find any other description.âÂ
âI rather thought of you as delusional,â Anthony snared, âSuddenly walking and suddenly sprinting in the road, donât tell me that was ordinary behaviorâŠâ
âLet me teach you the interval running method, Mr. Bridgerton,â
âIâm already well versed in the area.â
âThen you must know that short bursts of high intensity triggers mechanisms in the body that enhance the burning of the fat, building of the muscleâŠâ
âImprovement in the cardiovascular system, yes I know that.â
âSo you do know that by using the interval method your Vo2 max improves two times faster than the regular run,âÂ
âSpeed is no guarantee of efficiency.â
âWell, stability doesnât exactly bring the thrill does it?â Sipping red wine from her glass, Kate crossed her legs, exposing her glowing legs from the slit of shimmery teal summer dress. and Benedict could swear he heard his brother's sanity shatter into pieces.Â
âIâŠIâŠI donât exercise for the thrill.â
âYou donât surprise me, Mr. Bridgerton.âÂ
âIâd rather focus on endurance, stamina, strength, rather than thrill.â
âReally? I doubt that you can last the first six minutes of my routine, considering the speed you consider as running.â
âYouâll be surprised what I can do in 6 minutes,â
âUm, Brother?â
âDonât believe you.â
âKatie?â
âWonât need a minute to make you beg.â
âBrother !."
âProve it.â
âKate!â
âOh, Hugh, I would love to meet you parents tomorrow!âÂ
âOh my parents are going to love you Posy, Let me pick you up at the Villa at 11:00, my mother cooks amazing dishes fromâŠ.â
Sophie took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from yanking all her hair from her scalp. What did she do wrong? Perhaps she shouldnât have invited Anthony Bridgerton to the table, but she needed him to keep the dinner professional. Perhaps she shouldn't have invited Kate, but she needed her to keep the air casualâŠPerhaps this situation was inevitable, her plan was conflicting all alongâŠ
âHave you noticed that my dear brother and your Katie Cat are practically eye fucking each other from the other ends of the table, Ms. Beckett?â Benedict whispered into Sophieâs ear, his deep voice sending shivers in her spine, âBet a pound theyâll be fucking each other in 5 minutes.â
Oh how Sophie wished for a cigarette.
Despite Benedictâs predictions, Anthony and Kate did not fall into intercourse right there on the table as he had expected; rather they went further and further into disagreement. It was rather interesting, Benedict thought as he observed the complete opposite sides of the spectrum; Kate and Anthony practically barking insults at each other from the other ends of the table, while Posy and Hugh whispering endearments, sitting practically glued together in the corner. Despite having seven siblings, Benedict knew that this was the correct definition of Chaos. But thanks to the Chaos, Benedict had managed to lure Sophie Beckett to the bar, who seemed quite shaken by the whole fiasco.Â
âDo you mind if I smoke?â Sophie asked him with a guilty look as soon as they reached the stalls.Â
âNo, not at all.â
âThank you.â Sophie quickly took out a pack from her pocket, lighting one up in one swift motion. Benedict also took one as she offered him wordlessly, knowing that his brother would be too busy arguing than to notice his violation. But he was surprised how smoothly Sophie offered him a light, expertly lighting him with one settled between her lips with a glass of water in the other.Â
âHeavy smoker?â
Sophie smiled weakly between puffs. âTrying to quit.â
âYet, I never see you without one,â Benedict said teasingly, remembering how he had first seen her with a cigarette between her fingers, âBut everytime I see you with one, I always feel it doesnât suit you.â
âBecause I am a woman?â
âNo, no, no, no, no.â He almost dropped the ashes between his fingers. âYou just give me the impression ofâŠbeing innocent?âÂ
Sophieâs gaze averted from his, as she slowly shook her head, with somewhat of a wry smile on her lips. Benedict noticed that she had no further intent to continue the conversation, seeing how she looked out in the dark blue ocean, the surface having a mystic glow in the moonlight, her eyes dimming oceans deep.Â
âSorry about my Brother.â He blurted out, âHeâs, umâŠsexually frustrated.â
âI also have to apologize on the behalf of my friend, especially on her language.âÂ
âIs she the competitive sort?â
âVery.â
âMy brother as well.â
Their eyes met just for a second, both breaking out in a laugh at the same time.
âI still donât know if we are the worst or the best matchmaker in the entire universe,â Sophie managed to wheeze out between giggles. âHugh and Posy, yes, but Kate and your brother? I didnât know if they were going to kiss or shoot each other in the head.â
âDefinitely the best, Ms. Beckett.â Benedict laughed, âI could just see the sexual tension between the two sizzling.â
âI know!â Sophie cried out jokingly, âThe sexual implications in the conversation was just killing me.âÂ
As the wave of laughter ceased, Sophie dropped the cigarette on the ashtray, feeling the nicotine in her blood, she finally felt she was ready to talk to one Benedict Bridgerton.Â
âI wanted to say thank you, Mr. Bridgerton.âÂ
âFor what?â
âFor saving me.âÂ
âOh.â
âI didnât get a chance to say it properly, but you truly saved me from a terrible fate.â Sophie continued, âThank you. For saving me.â
âNo worries. Anyone would have done that if they were in that situation.â
âBut you were the only one who noticed.â
Benedict again could return in a grunt.Â
âAnd who stood up to help.â
âI have four sisters,â Benedict mumbled, âJust doing the right thing.â
âNot everyone has the courage to do the right thing, like you did last night.â
âHave we ever met?â Benedict asked abruptly, craning his neck slightly. âYour tone, it's oddly familiar. Do you live in London?â
Sophieâs breath hitched slightly as his piercing blue eyes met hers. âI work in the arts department in the Gunnningworth Foundation,â She managed to croak out. âPerhaps our paths might have crossed in the London gallery somewhere.âÂ
Benedict only hummed in response, taking another whiff of the smoke.Â
âMr. Bridgerton.âÂ
âWonât you call me Benedict?â
âIâd rather keep in professional,â
Benedict groaned, tilting his whole body sideways. âMust we?âÂ
âMr. Bridgerton, there is only advantages in this offer,â
âI thought this was a private dinner, Ms. Beckett, away from the foundation or the contractâŠâ
âWouldnât you like to be independent from your family?â
Benedict froze, stopping dead in his tracks.Â
âYou have been working on your projects with the financial funding from the Audrey Cooperation for the past four years, including People Watching, your most celebrated work yet. I do understand that your brother must guarantee you the freedom of your artistic agency, but I can assure you that the Gunningworth foundation will support the same artistic freedom at higher costs.â
âSupporting my freedom?â Benedict sneered; he hated his tone, but Sophie was the one who was crossing the line, bringing up the deal when she promised him privacy, bringing up his deepest insecurities about his work and the family money⊠âHere you are, invading my privacy on a private holiday. Not the best action to convince me that you would support my creative freedom.â
âThis is the extent to show you how the foundation is willing to support you at any costs, Mr. Bridgerton.âSophieâs voice was quiet, but her words were firm and determined. âThe foundation believes that gaining independence from your family funds may broaden your originality even more,âÂ
âAre you implying that my work lacks originality?â
âNo.â Sophie shook her head, a slight panic appearing in her almond eyes, âI was saying that the foundation believes further potential in your worksâŠâÂ
âYou keep saying the Foundation.â Benedict interrupted her monologue, his eyebrows narrowed in irritation. âThe foundation believes, The foundation believesâŠyou sound like you are convincing yourself, not me.â
Sophieâs lips were curled into a straight line, biting the other bottom part of her lip.Â
âDo you even like my work, Ms. Beckett?â Benedict hated the desperation in his voice, hated the fact that Sophie wasnât answering his inquires, âYou only seemed to be focused on pleasing the foundation of yours,â
âPall Mall.â
âPardon?â
âPall Mall.â Sophie continued, repeating the words almost like a prayer. âFinished in the summer of 2013. Watercolor and pencil on paper. Size 31.0Ă43.2. Inspired by your childhood memories, the summer you spent in the countryside of Kent. The intricate details of each expression of your families. The soft pastel colors bring out the nostalgic air.â
âMs. Beckett,â
âThe Portrait of a Young Man,â Sophie closed her eyes, trying to picture it in her mind. âCompleted in the spring of 2014. Winning your first Wells Art Contemporary. Oil on Canvas. Thick coating method, using the palette knife. The gray background, the dark suit almost drawn almost like a rough sketchâŠbut the details on the face was magnificent. The right side of his eyebrows, the highlight under his eyes, each stroke of your brush creating a beautiful shade, bringing out the specific details of your brotherâs expression. The absolute focus on the coloration. Now that Iâve met him in person, I can see how you managed to capture his entire aura. Size 64.1Ă52.8. âÂ
âSophie,â
âPeople Watching,â Now, Sophie couldnât stop the words slipping out of her mouth, âThe eight series of portraits created between the period of January 2015 to April of 2016. Your masterpiece,â
For the first time in years, Benedict blushed, his gaze dropping to his feet.Â
âYou exaggerate. It was slandered by the critics,â
âTo my eyes, it was a masterpiece. You wouldnât believe how much it saved meâŠâ But she couldnât quite continue her words, she didnât know why she was suddenly on the verge of tears. Sophie raised her eyes to the sky, no she was not going to cry in front of Benedict Bridgerton.Â
âYou like my paintings,â Benedict softly said.
âNo.â Sophie shook her head, but she couldnât look into his eyes. âI love your paintings.â
Benedict found himself quite a loss for words.Â
Sophie took a deep breath, trying to inhale every inch of air around her. âIt would be the greatest honor for the foundation,â She stopped for a second, starting the sentence again, âIt would be the greatest honor for me to have the opportunity to support your future works, Mr. Bridgerton.â
Sophie was finally able to look him in the eyes, his ocean blue eyes meeting with hers. The waves were still swaying, she thought, but she did noticed the change in the wind,Â
âWould you like to come to my studio, Ms. BeckettâŠâ
âSOPHIE BECKETT!â
Benedictâs offer was completely silenced by the angry voice of Kate Sharma, who had stomped into the bar with a fierce look on her face.Â
âTHE MOST ANNOYING MAN I HAVE EVER MET,â
âKate, what happened? Are you all right?â
âWE ARE LEAVING, SOPHIE BECKETT.â
âKate, Iâm kind in the middle of something hereâŠâ
âI refuse to spend another second with that infuriating man,â Kate snared, taking another shot the bartender had wordlessly offered, âSophie Beckett, you shall not talk with Anthony Bridgerton ever again.â
Linking Sophieâs arms to hers, Kate Shama marched herself out of the bar and the restaurant, and Benedict could only stand them dumbfounded to the speed Sophie Beckett disappeared from his sight.
Did she convince him through?Â
Sophieâs mind kept wandering as she stared at the ceiling, watching the five petal wooden fan move round and round in circles. She wasnât confident if she had succeeded, but she knew that it worked somehow, seeing the change in Benedict Bridgertonâs eyes. Maybe heâll sign the contract tomorrow. The sooner she finished the job, the faster she could get away from him, knowing that if she had to spend another hour with him, she would fall in love with him all over again, melting herself into his ardent eyes. But she couldnât. She couldnât make the same mistakes. Â
Kate had apologized for interrupting the conversation, (âLost my temper,â Kate admitted weakly) and had gone to a midnight run to cool off her mind. Sophie was too tired to understand what had happened between her and Anthony, but she vaguely understood that it had to do with patriarchy and toxic masculinity. Hearing Posyâs peaceful snores next to her bed, Sophie closed her eyes as well, finally noticing how exasperated she was from the events of that day. Â
-6 hours later-
âKate.â
âSophie.â
âRemember your oath?â
âSophs.â
âKathani..â
âNo relationships.â
âMmm.â
âI did clearly say that.â
âMmm.â âMay I introduce you to the term, situationshipsâŠ?â
#benedict bridgerton#bridgerton#benophie#sophie beckett#benedict x sophie#benophie fics#bridgerton fanfiction#modern au
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We all have our fun out here on the interwebs and even with the perceived safety and anonymity sitting behind a screen provides us, when that shit bleeds over into real life, itâs rude and disrespectful at best, and can become downright dangerous at its worst.
None of this is news, fandom is always gonna fandom. Unfortunately I had to experience it first hand this weekend while seeing Hold On To Me Darling. And it wasnât pretty.
Iâm not gonna put anyone on blast by name, but Iâll just say this as a general PSA based on the behavior I experienced:
Donât push people to move out of your way.
You chose to sit at the front of the theater in the middle of the row, and when I turned around to say something like âplease stop pushing me, I canât move even if I wanted to because there are people in front of meâ as we were leaving, you were already catapulting yourself over the first row seats and pushing your way up the aisle.
Donât record the play.
I know lots of people arenât able to make the trip and see the show. Itâs a privilege to be able to do that, especially in this economy. I am incredibly grateful that I had this opportunity to experience something I never dreamed would be possible. But recording a show, even if itâs just audio, is not only rude and disrespectful to the actors and the audience but itâs also a crime:
âNew York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 31.01: Prohibits photographing or recording a performance without the written permission of the theater management. Offenders may be ejected and face damages and other legal remedies.
New York Penal Law § 275.33: Prohibits using a recording device in a live theater or movie theater without the permission of the theater operator. This is considered a crime and can be charged as a violation or a felony.
New York Penal Law § 275.20: Prohibits making or selling an unauthorized recording of a performance.
Penalties for illegally recording a performance can include jail time and large monetary fines.â
If anyone really needs to hear Adam put on a southern accent, they can watch Logan Lucky. But hooray for you and your internet points I guess. Congrats on the validation of internet strangers blessing you and calling you legend or queen or whatever.
Youâre not as anonymous as you may think you are.
This is a very general point and good practice for anyone, but be careful and think twice about what you share online, especially on Twitter or facespace or whatever. I donât know you. But it wasnât hard to figure out who you are when you posted pictures from the stage door and I am in them, or from the illegal recording you posted because I can hear my own laugh.
This is a good reminder that the internet is not an invisibility cloak that lets you do whatever you want because No OnE wIlL eVeR kNoW wHo I aM. There are a lot of people out there who would not think twice about doxxing - and that is a dangerous thing for everyone.
Aside from this post, Iâm not gonna say or do anything else. I mind my own business and prefer to cherish the otherwise wonderful experience I had both in watching this performance and at the stage door. I had thought to maybe share that experience but now Iâm thinking twice.
And so Iâve deleted everything. My stupid little videos I made during lockdown because I couldnât possibly have made more banana bread or that terrible whipped coffee, my illustrations, my minifigs, my remixes, photos, whatever. Thereâs a reason I donât really engage in fandom - I donât want to be associated with this type of behaviour. Iâve tried to find a little place to share my silly little things for whoever may happen to stumble across it and maybe itâll bring them a little bit of joy. I donât care about popularity or likes.
Thereâs more that I could share but Iâm really not trying to get into any fandom drama bullshit. If youâre offended by this post perhaps you need to take some time and reflect on your actions and how they affect those around you.
Adam is very kind and gracious to even come to the stage door and engage with fans. He doesnât have to do that and no one is entitled to anything from him or anyone else, except respect for others - no matter how much you paid to be there.
As a general rule, do the things that make you happy and bring you joy! Be a fangirl, support your faves. But please be respectful of others and try not to do any illegal shit while youâre at it.
#adam driver#adamdriver#hold on to me darling#stage door#fandom#reylo#public service announcement#reylo fandom#twitter
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Hereâs chapter 11, next chapter will be the last flash back chapter before we go back to the main story.
TW: mention of abuse, some mention of gore
âââââââââââââââââââââ-
The penthouse was more than Amara could ever imagine, it was huge with the softest sofas she could ever dream of. Not to mention the view of the city it gave her, and as she looked around the place in wonder Dante just watched her with a smile on his face. Amara continued walking around the penthouse. She sat on the soft couch, her hands landed on the remote, turning the television on. She jumped from the surprise but soon found herself enthralled by what was on the television.
âS-sir-I mean Dante,â She started. âWhat is this show?â
âThat is what they call a musical dearâ He told her. âI believe this is the musical called Six, based off the wives of Henry the eighthâ
She looked back to the screen and watched with amazement.
âDiedâ
âJane seymour, the one he truly lovedâ
âRudeâ
âWhen my son was newly borned, I died but Iâm not what I seem, or am I? Stick around, and youâll suddenly see moreâ
âMaybe I should take you to see one, you seem to enjoy themâ Dante suggested .
âReally?â
âOf course my dear, anything for youâ He caressed her cheek gently.
âDante! Weâre homeâ Amara heard a woman's voice yell out, and she turned to see Vanica Zogratis, the huntress and sadistic sister of Dante. âOh and what do we have here?â
Amara felt a bit nervous because of the woman and her glare, but Dante made sure she would be fine by answering for her.
âVanica, this is Amara she is going to be my woman,â He placed his hand on Amaraâs shoulder. âShe is going to be your new sister in lawâ He told his sister, who only gave a terrifying smile to the blue haired lady.
âWell, welcome the family then Sis.â She said in a very dangerous tone, but she left to her room nonetheless.
âSorry if she scared you a bit,â Dante rubbed her back. âShe can get that way at times, but she shouldnât try anything on youâ
âT-Thank you Dante, f-for saving me,â Amara told him. âI donât know how to repay youâ
âDonât worry dear, you alone are enough paymentâ He told her, and while she didnât know at the time he meant more than what he said.
Amara would soon meet Danteâs other sibling, his brother Zenon who didnât show much emotions but sometimes he and Amara would have a cup of coffee together. Though he tended to be on business trips most if not all of the time, she also got to learn about their eldest brother, Lucius Zogratis who sadly passed away in a horrible accident. Most of Amaraâs days would be spent seeing what she can do around the house to help when Dante wasnât around, oftentimes she would spend time with Vanica though they usually ended with Vanica almost stabbing Amara and telling her all kinds of horrible things with a very crazy and love sick tone. Like the time she said she wanted to know what Amaraâs guts looked like, since then she has kept her distance from the one eyed woman.
But Amaraâs favorite pastime by far was that of watching musicals, and Dante knew that so he would take her to many different ones such as Hamilton, Newsies, Beetlejuice, and The Addams family. Each one filled her with wonder, the music, choreography, the energy it was all so incredible. Yet something with Dante felt off, at times when they were out in public he would stare at family and watch as the parents would laugh and hold their children with such joy and Amara knew why that was, he wanted a kid, Amara didnât know if she was ready for a child but the more she thought of it the more she convinced herself it would be a great way to repay Dante for saving her. So one day when her and Dante were alone she brought up the topic.
âDante?â Amara started.
âYes dear?â Dante responded, he was seated next to her on the sofa.
âIâve decided somethingâ
âThat being?â
âI believe itâs time I really start repaying you backâ She declared.
âIn what way?â He was curious now.
âItâs time weâve had a child of our ownâ Amara said, and Dante was a bit taken aback but with a smirk on his face.
âVery well my dear, just be ready for the time of your lifeâ And so began the long period of them trying to conceive a child, days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and soon a year had passed, yet no child. Soon Amara started getting worried because Dante started getting aggravated with all their attempts, so much so that during their sessions he would get aggressive and rough even when she told him she didnât like it, but he continued his aggressive actions nonetheless. Not the mention that their normal everyday life started getting worse, he would grow more frustrated with her, snapping at her for little things whether that be not wearing the clothes he chose for her, not making his coffee the way he liked it, and worst of all slapping Amara when she had refused to sleep with him one day. Never once has he hit her and sadly it wouldnât be the last, she had to be careful with what she did, say, or even not do. And it didnât help how his siblings started acting around her, Zenon would no longer drink coffee with her and even allowed Dante to do horrible things to her, and Vanica only upped her terrifying threats even being able to do some of them, on the account of Dante punishing Amara for nothing.
It would all only get worse when one day Dante had forced Amara to get a check up to see why they werenât having any children, and what she was told would be the final straw for Dante. She was infertile, thatâs the last thing she wanted to hear not because it devastated her but because Dante would no longer treat her like a human, no, he would treat her as a play thing, a toy to mess with, just his slave. It had been three years since Dante had savedâŠnoâŠtook her, and one year since her infertility was discovered, and her life has never been the same, she never went out again, never seen musicals, never even given basic human rights. She was to never be human again, destined to be a slave to a cruel man, who as she had learned was the owner of the very organization her stepmother had sold her to, and she was powerless to do anything, except escape. It wouldnât be easy but she had too, but she had only one shot because she had studied the Zogratis familyâs routine, and she had spotted her opportunity for each sunday night they would all go drink at their personal bar, in which Dante would lock Amara in their room. If she managed to unlock the door and escape then she would be free but she had one problem, if she did escape she would be hunted by them, never to know peace but luckily she had thought of that and it was brilliant, fake her own death. Simple really, she would steal one of their cars to make sure they see her but as she drives away crash the car and hope she actually survives it, simpleâŠright?
Nonetheless she had to try, so when Sunday came she put her plan into action. Once she had confirmed they had left she picked the lock of the door using a bobby pin, sneaking through the place was pretty simple as she had marked secret passages she could use. Making her way down to the garage she chose a car she could speed up and jump out of easily, for her plan involved blowing said car up on impact so as to make it look like her body didnât survive.
Breath in breath out.
The car started.
Breath in breath out.
She drove by the Zogratis.
Breath in breath out.
She started hitting 90 MPH.
Breath in.
She started going towards a light post.
OUT!!!!!
She jumped out of the car in time as it collided with the light post, igniting in flames as Amara ran as fast and as far as she could.
As she ran and ran Amara wondered where to go next, she soon collapsed in an alleyway, back at square one.
AloneâŠ
âHey kid, you good?â
#black clover#gauche adlai#grey black clover#greyche#black clover grey#gauche black clover#grey x gauche#gauche x grey#black clover gauche#spy au#dante zogratis#zenon zogratis#vanica zogratis#six the musical
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Magnum PI 5.01+02 - âThe Passengerâ + âThe Breaking Pointâ review
Itâs been a while... an epic season finale, cancellation, a whole new network, lots of promotions and two amazing episodes to start the season off with. And boy did it deliver! This was the perfect start to Magnum PI and hopefully everyone felt just how fun, smart and just all around good-feel the show is and we got some new people tuning in to watch next week!
The Miggy
Letâs just start with the best part. I mean, there were a lot of great parts but for the die hard shipper, this was like dying and going to heaven. Only maybe better because I get to go back and re-watch it :P No but honestly, I was prepared to be annoyed we didnât get some build up to actually *devilâs tango* because mostly, I think, I figured there would be a time jump. Like I thought it would have been like a week or two and weâd just not get them having their little morning after talk.
Also Magnum and Higgy in the shower bantering and kissing... Iâm dead. Like did I hit my head and this is just a wild coma dream Iâm having.Â
(Soft morning after Higgy is just so adorable!)
My favourite part was probably them after talking âI would like to set out a few ground rules!â so Higgy. The 5.02 with Magnum making fancy toast and then Rick showing up... also a good moment. Magnum being all âcome to the win cellarâ and prepping a date - why is there not a Thomas Magnum in my life doing stuff like this for me? I live on an island with a military base and everything!
Or maybe the whole post- sun screen lady talk âthe fact that youâre bothered that Iâm not bothered is starting to bother meâ is so them. And the discussion ending with âI think your ego was ever so slightly bruised bruised because I trust you, implicitlyâ which I think was really interesting and good point.  (And Perdieâs American accent just always cracks me up, especially when she does it to mock someone else...)
Especially with the bit we got from Jay and Perdie talking about jealously and stuff. So far Juliet is not doing anything green-eyed-monster-ish, even if there was some vibes about the manicurist but that was more of a... not surprised since I know you, is this going to be weird for us? thing but I do still feel like Thomas Magnum would be a bit jelly, him being the emotional one and all. So we shall see, perhaps it was all misdirect in that interview and we will get jealous Magnum. (Perhaps Ethan could come back for a minute and be like âHi babe, Iâm back, whatâs upâ. That would be peek drama... I mean a girl can dream right?)
Also, why was there no scene of Miggy buying the baby car seat? I need that scene and if my muse permits I will be writing the âdeleted sceneâ fic for that.
Gordonâs âI deserve nothingâ feels
I get where our stand up guy Gordy was coming from with this and I felt pretty good about how itâs going so far. I do hope for some dark-depressed Gordon going down the wrong path before the Ohana saves the day and makes him see what heâs doing because I do love that shit, but him deciding he want to fight to be a cop was real nice too there at the end.
The OhanaÂ
I was a little worried they wouldnât nail the dynamic between everyone but so far I think itâs pretty great. Jin and TC in 5.02 was a little unexpected but I like them as weird as them as a duo was for me somehow. Jin always having new schemes is fun, but I have been wishing since like last season (I do believe It was one of my season 4 hopes) for him to actually find something he likes and is sort of midly legal and he enjoys. Like actual character development for the goofy sidekick? I know, it might be too big of an ask.
But everything from Magnum calling favours while Rick is with the baby, Kumu bartending at La Marina to give him some time, Gordon getting them their undercover gigs with the coast guard, Jin suggesting he and Juliet make babies for the good of the world, just all around the fun and good feels they all bring. Iâm just hoping for some Cade too, he is coming back this season right?
The Green / Someone Out to Get the Gang storyline
Yes.Â
So far that is the only thing I have to say. Just a big Yes. Someone is out the get the guys, weâre getting some seriously bad guys killing a character weâve actually spent time with (and kind of like even if he did send our favorit boi off to get killed...)
It seems were getting straight into this if the summary for next week is anything to go by, with Magnum starting to look into Greenâs death.
Just a question
My one mild dislike/question mark was the fact that the cases started off so very similar. With the whole client wanting to know the truth about their dead loved one who has died accidentally / by her own hand and then it turns out âwhamâ not so accidental and then our favourite PIs have to find the truth.
Itâs not a bad formula and weâve had it before on the show a couple of times to be sure. Just a tiny bit weird that they were just right after each other and being so alike. Maybe they could have varied them a little by meeting the client somewhere else? Like IDK, it was just something that felt a bit same-same at the start, probably extra so because I watched them back to back.
Anyways, other than that, no complaints.Â
Passenger case/story-line
This one was nice, lots of twists and turns and it all came together so very nicely at the end. New cop guy whose name escapes me seems kind of fun. Like clearly heâs going to use his two new PIÂ âfriendsâ to do stuff he canât get done, while also seeming like a hardass. So yeah, Iâm excited.Â
(So many more fun ways they could have combined Miggy and handcuffs... just saying).
I did feel like Higgy (or Perdie) was very passionate about the abused lady and I might have enjoyed that if there was some personal antidot with her helping some friend or other situation. Just to anchor it or something. It didnât need it, itâs just I love Higgy backstory.
The lifeguard on duty case/story-line
So is there anything better than seeing Magnum squirm after putting sun screen on a random woman at the beach. Maybe seeing our babies show up rocking red swim suits, ready to save the day.
Did not 100% see the whole âkilled to keep the secret because the boss is in on itâ thing, though boss guy seemed shady from first second on screen. Still, this one was more about just them being undercover (even if it didnât cover that much...)
Side note: Did I sort of almost get one of my wishes with the lifeguard thing with the call back to âBlood in the Waterâ? I feel like I did, even if there was no heartfelt feels about it, I might still count it.
Next week
The promo and the summary makes me pretty sure weâre getting the Rick and Juliet kidnapped episode. Which you know, feels to me like it should be the episode everyone finds out about Miggy. Maybe. Like at the same time, sneaking around sexy-times also fun. I do really hope we get some little bit of anxious BF Magnum screen time. Because if not, then what was it all for???
Rick trying to get Juliet to spill the beans on who TMâs new GF might be - that is going to be so hilarious. But I feel like he must already know, because Thomas did confess to feels for Juliet back in season 4. Even if baby induced amnesia could be a thing, I feel like itâs just him having figured it out, trying to get her to tell him. So he can win the bet on âwhen will Magnum and Higgins get togetherâ which donât tell me there isnât a bet? If there is a text chain there is a bet.
So yeah, I want it to be a week from now, thank you!Â
(Also nextepisode.net says 17 episodes for this season and the scrip seen to sugest the same... does that mean 17+10 or 17 +3 or just 17 or 17 + 100 more eps. because our show is the best and they realised and are going to keep making season until the end of time? Asking for a friend...)
#magnum pi#we're back baby#miggy#my reviews#magnum pi review#Thomas Magnum#Juliet Higgins#Magnum PI season 5#Whoo whoo we're off to a good start
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Hereâs to an official second episode.
[[Video begins:
White text on a black background opens the video. It reads âApologies for the quality of todayâs video being substandard. Todayâs subject was rather against being understood. âHBâ
Then the video proper starts on a subway in the tube. Charlotte is seated next to Angie, in what seems to be an otherwise empty train car. Charlotte speaks, while Angie looks to be sulking.
âTodayâs tip was from one of our patrons who requested to remain anonymous. A mysterious stop on the CIR route, that opens into a bustling junction that could rival Kings Cross. The problem? There seem to be no stairs to the surface, and none of the departing trains are real. We havenât nailed down what causes this to manifest, but weâll figure it out.â
The video recording distorts into static nonsense, before seeming to reform with a shot of a station. Angie and Charlotte have their backs to the camera, and Dez is right behind them. The recording is still imperfect and somewhat staticky.
Dez turns to the camera. âDo you remember getting off the train?â A pause, then he hums and starts to walk, moving as though trying to avoid running into people in a crowd. The rest of the team follows him. The footage fades to static again.
When it comes back into something recognizable, Angie is walking, facing the camera.
âCan you feel it? They donât have souls. I can sense it, all these peopleâŠâ
Harold responds, âYeah, Angie, they probably donât, but they also donât have faces and I think thatâs really the more important thing here. Just say your line.â
âIt feels like weâve been walking for hours, but every device here that should measure time, it, well.â
Angie lifts her phone to show the clock on the Lock Screen, which proudly displays that itâs 72 minutes past W.
The camera pans to Dez as he starts speaking, walking backwards to face it. Other than him, Charlotte, and Angie, the station appears to be empty.
âI think itâs fairly clear that weâre in some manifestation of the Spiral, maybe based in a kind of fear of getting lost in a subway system. They can be confusing, especially to a lot of people who didnât grow up with them, so a manifestation that preys on that fear would make sense.â
Charlotte responds, not turning to face the camera and continuing to walk around invisible people.
"Sure, but there's got to be a way out. Otherwise how would we have gotten that tip?"
"That would make sense..." Dez trails off in thought. The video distorts out of visibility.
His voice rings through the static again before the video comes back.
"Hey, puddles, check this!"
The footage comes back in, Dez is facing the camera, pointing off screen.
"There's a... I swear, there was. Just a second ago."
As he talks, his face falls.
Charlotte speaks from off screen.
"There's a way to crack this. There has to be a way through. Nothing else makes sense."
Dez sighs.
"It's Spiral, it won't be making sense."
The tail end of his sentence falls to static. This time, rather than fading back in, it cuts to a talking head of Dez, sighing with his fingers against the bridge of his nose.
"I kept seeing those stairs out. Every time that no one else was looking, I'd see stairs back into sunlight, then it'd be gone once someone else turned to see. So I did what I do. I thought."
He straightens.
"We were in a manifestation of the Spiral, born out of the fear people have of losing their way and being unable to navigate an unfamiliar place. Between the four of us, with Charlotte's determination to find the way out, Harold's stubbornness that things have to make sense-"
"Hey!"
Dez continues. "-and Angie's beliefs that she has a higher understanding of things, I was the only one not looking for a way out. I wasn't afraid of losing my way, because I know that there isn't a way. It's the Spiral, it's not going to make sense. So I wasn't feeding into the fear."
Dez laughs brightly.
"I was giving the damn thing indigestion, and the stairs were it trying to spit me out. Took a while to get everyone out with me."
The video cuts back into the static. Charlotte is speaking.
"I found a map."
She opens it to the camera as it fades into view. The notation is not in any legible language, and there are so many pinpoints of different shapes and colors haphazardly arranged that it could be mistaken for a late Monet.
Dez's voice rings out over the light static.
"Okay, new game!"
Harold speaks from behind the camera.
"Hey, what are you-"
A light kissing noise cuts him off.
Angie, still offscreen, speaks next.
"My hair! I can't see."
"Don't touch it. Hold Harry's hand."
Dez steps on screen and pulls off Charlotte's glasses.
"You know I'm farsighted, what's that-"
"Hold Angie's hand in one hand, mine in the other. I'm leading now!"
The video fades back to static. Then Desmond cuts in as a talking head again.
"If they were blinded, that means they're not looking for a way out, so they're not afraid they won't find one. Makes sense? Not really, but it doesn't have to. If you find yourself in King's Uncrossed station, the exit is only there when you're not looking for it, so bear that in mind. Peace!"
It looks like the video is ending, but then the credits cut out, replaced by a room lit with pink LED lights.
Desmond comes on screen, holding the camera to himself.
âI donât know why Iâm putting all of these on the ends of the Hunting Hauntings episodes. I guess I never learned how to be someone without an audience. I would tell Harry, but. Heâs been so happy lately, and I canât take that from him. Anyway, brass tacks.
âIâm being followed. I see it. Everywhere. In the corner of my eye. In the shadows. If itâs another fear, itâs paranoia incarnate. A world away from the paranormalities of my past.
âI want to know what it is. I want it lain bare in front of me, but Iâll settle for the next best thing. I want it gone. And I see two routes for that.
âWhen Harold was 11, an avatar of the Hunt had his sights set, and he escaped by falling into a riverâthe Buried. Then later, when the girls were in that bookâthe VastâHarry destroyed it by exposing it to the Buriedâs energy. I may be able to escape my stalker by turning to another fear, but I canât until I know which fear it isâotherwise Iâd risk exacerbating the issue.
âThe other way I see it is⊠risky. Harryâs dad is a hunt avatar who has killed multiple beings of the other powers. If I can get my stalker into the same place as him, I could retrigger his âwolfâ state, and heâll kill the stalker for me.
âIâll update with the next episode.â
End video.]]
#tma rp#tma rp blog#unreality#2nd huntinghauntings saga#((ooc for context their channel has no more than a few dozen regular viewers#((and most of them think it's a fictional series that takes its kayfabe very seriously#((so they're not like. actually doing anything that exposes the paranormal to the average joe. they're just trying to.
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