#boy got hips like shakira

[pascallatte]

You're old now, ducky

Pairing: Pedro Pascal x actress!reader

Summary: Post it, it’s not a big deal right? Well, the truth has come out and it isn’t as bad as others make it to be.

Date: December 2017

Warning/s: age gap, that's all, pretty much fluff

Taglist: @benonlinear, @t-stark35, @heyitsme-2, @elleeeee21, @holmesstrange, @tagakalat, @flyestvenustrap, @oldermenaremyreligion, @cherryred444, @avengersheart, @guacala, @pukka-latte

A/N: so uhmmmm I sort of sped my editing process up cause I really wanted to post this already. Like always tell me what you think and happy reading!!

Let’s put it like this, after months— years in fact of speculation from netizens, one would think that whatever they’ve come up with in the first place would be false. This is just cause paparazzi rumour mostly ends up with it just being, well, paparazzi rumour. People Love proving them wrong, but more so on the fact that some fans would approve of a rumour when it involves one or both of their favourite celebrities.

Now, going back to the paparazzi rumour being, just, paparazzi rumour. Let’s talk about maybe, the 10% that was proven true. You see, paparazzi always find ways to know, more like invade, a celebrities personal life. Even with ones like their current muses Pedro Pascal and Y/N L/N, who are the quietest most private people to date, aside from some slip-ups and relationship rumours with friends and co-stars. So with them, having to go public and show themselves to the world, it might just mean that they and/or their team had enough or they just got fed up with being bombarded and interviewed with the same questions every time.

But based on how they’ve done it, people would think that they’ve just decided to do it because they want to. No pressure, no plans, just them wanting to show their appreciation to the other. Well, that’s just what happened on the eve of Y/n's birthday.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅────────•───────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

The day you and Pedro had decided to go public, no one knew. And no one expected that Pedro’s regular post would be as big as this. The post simply consisted of a video and a picture from both of your birthdays, followed by a caption that confirmed all their speculations.

The video started with Shakira’s “Can’t Remember to Forget You,” being blasted in the speakers in the background. The room you were in was decorated with balloons and strings alongside the “Happy Birthday Pedrito” that was strung on the wall, making the people realize this was taken months ago on his birthday. It was also known that Pedro was recording this because if his laugh didn’t give it away, it was his reflection in the mirror behind you. 

Bare-footed, holding pompoms whilst wearing an oversized hoodie filled with Pedro’s face and shades, you stood in front of him, dancing to the beat and singing along. 

“The only memory is us kissing in the moonlight!!”

Pointing a pompom at him, “P continue”

He just continued to laugh as the camera shook. Smiling at him, you wiggled your hips and gave him a look of mischief.

“I can't remember to forget you,”

Taking off your heart-shaped shades, you step closer to him with a wide smile and was seen putting it on him from the mirror behind you. Pulling him up, he tries to keep the camera steady as you tried to make him dance with you. 

“I rob and I kill to keep him with me

I'll do anything for that boy”

You gave him a little tug and laughed as he stumbled a bit, the camera zoomed in on you after that. Your flushed, glitter-covered face was seen but despite the mess you were smiling as hell, his reflection also gave away his expression because he was seen reciprocating your smile.

“I'd give my last dime to hold him tonight

I'll do anything for that boy”

Pulling away, you extended your arms while exaggerating a hug as you lip-synched. As soon as you had your arms around yourself you wiggled shouting “ TO HOLD HIM TONIGHT!”. You were then seen placing your hands in your pockets and pulling out a party hat.

Walking closer to him, “Can you bend down a little,” you asked him, still out of breath. As he moved closer you fixed the party hat before gently placing it on his head with a soft smile on both your faces.

“There,” you said before patting his cheek and placing a party hat on yourself too. Turning to the counter on your left you carried the already lighted cake to him while saying “Happy 42nd, mi Cielo.”

“Thank you, mi sol,” he blew the candle and hugged you, ending the video.

•─────⋅☾☽⋅────────•───────⋅☾☽⋅─────•

The picture he posted with this was taken the night of your birthday. The large window and purple carpet by it made it clear that this was in your apartment.

“Happy Birthday to you!!” they sang as they walked to you carrying the cake. Pedro and a friend of yours were seated on either side of you with wide smiles as they waited for the cake that would conclude your “30th year on Earth,” as they say.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear y/n, happy birthday to you!!,” you blew the candle as soon as they finished as claps erupted from the people with you followed by a kiss on the cheek from Pedro who was smiling at you the whole time. 

A friend of yours raised her camera “Come on, let’s take a picture.”

The first couple of shots were good, everything was proper and organized nothing “disastrous” has happened yet. But, of course, it won’t last long as long as you were involved. Dipping your fingers to the cake, you smudged it on the unknowing Pedro’s cheeks up to his nose while he was talking to someone. 

He looked at you, shocked, before he too, dipped his finger in the cake, spreading the icing on your cheek and forehead. You widened your eyes at him because you were not expecting him to do it to you too. But as soon as the shock wore off you were both laughing at your antics, you were then surprised when they called you two for a picture.

Taking the chance, you grabbed his cheeks and stuck them to your icing-covered cheek, and smiled for the camera. It ended up showing a picture of you guys, cheek to cheek, face covered in icing while smiling like crazy. One of your hands was placed on one side of his face and his hands were raised to show how much icing it still has on.

•─────⋅☾☽⋅────────•───────⋅☾☽⋅─────•

“I would like to introduce to everyone to my ducky, my sunshine, mi alma, el amor de mi vida, Y/N, who has entered her 30s today. Wishing you the best of luck for this new chapter, hopefully with old little me who's been with you these last two and a half years. Know that we love you so so much and remember to just be yourself, no matter what.

Once again, Feliz cumpleaños querida. This is also a reminder that you’re old now, ducky.”  

[shockinglyangel]

THE SLYTHERIN BOYS REACT TO YOU TEACHING THEM THE MACARENA

NOT PROOFREAD

DRACO

- Surprisingly good

- Got into the rhythm quite easily

- Only muggle thing he will ever take interest in

- Massive smile while dancing

- Shows it off to the boys

- Bobs his head to the music

- Pulls you in to dance with him

- Convinced he's Shakira 2.0 with that hip swizzle

THEO

- Fast learner

- Was singing "macaroni" instead of "macarena"

- Tried to add in some other cool dance moves in between, but fell on his ass and hurt himself :/

- Sings the song loudly

- Literally having the time of his life

- The dance floor is his stage fr

- Shows it off to the teachers he likes

BLAISE

- HE CAN DANCE

- He'll try to overpower Draco's dance moves with his own

- Born to macarena baby

- brings you in and holds your hips at the "ayyy macarena" part plays

- Having the time of his life

- Pushes his friends so he can have his moment

MATTHEO

- Already a pretty decent dancer

- Takes him a hot minute to get into the rhythm

- Looking into the distance and counting down in his head while listening to the music in order to learn it

- Loosens jo when it comes to the hip swizzle

- Tongue out trying to make sure he doesn't mess up

- Shows off to all the boys

LORENZO

- He's already so into muggle stuff that he knows how to do it

- perfectly on beat

- living his best life

- adds in a little footwork for extra spice

- goes off track and dances with you to a completely different choreography he'd come up with in the last 3 seconds

- teaching 1st years cus he thinks it's funny

TOM

- Would absolutely refuse

- "I'm not doing that stupid muggle dance"

- You have to persuade him

- "I'll give you something in return"

- Gets up slowly and extends his arms

- You have to physically move his hands and arms for him

- Gets into the flow and does the movements with a look of pure distaste

- Looks could kill when you tell him to move his hips

- Doesn't do it and sits back down

- "Don't tell anyone about this"

[kalifornia1025]

The Resident Patient Pt. 1 (SPOILERS)

Pt. 1 notes for Resident Patient, let’s go!!!

“I need a catchphrase”- sir you already have a bunch, just take your pick

Gross, weird, and spooky? SAY LESS!

He’s getting the mic fixed…not replaced…I can’t even be mad about his dedication to the mic 

“You ever dropped it?” “About 16 times, yeah”- HOW DID IT NOT BREAK SOONER?!

John you seriously share your Dad Jokes with anyone, huh?

Murder case already? Splendid

Ooh, John and Sherlock alternating clever deductions between each other, love it LOVE IT!

“Hips don’t lie, mate” SHAKIRA SHAKIRA (…sorry)

…there’s a what on his WHAT?

Oh wow, love affair turned murder? Nice

“Well observed Doctor” “Thank you Detective” YOU TWO STOP BEING SO CUTE

THE HIGH FIVES ARE BACK!!

Sherlock is so real about not wanting cold butter for his toast, because I’ve lost so many good toasts when trying to spread cold butter on them…I’d rather have a plain toast than a massacred one

“To the dead condom man” - now John why did you have to say that?

“We are [magnetic] aren’t we? Opposites attract and all that sort of thing” - sir you can’t just say that and be surprised we ship you two (don’t even get me STARTED on the mailbag episodes…)!

Hehe more canon acknowledgment of Sherlock’s neurodiversity

“Just…a little bored” “You just solved a murder” - no joke this immediately make me think of that one scene from BBC Sherlock 

“Ugh” - why were so SASSY with that, Sherlock????

Aww John already knows to calm Sherlock down from getting worked up without cases, he knows him so well!

“Christ sake you sound like the bloody listeners” - ope, I feel called out (not a shoutout, but close enough)

“Fill a brother in” - oh…oh no John why

I like how Sherlock isn’t always right, like sometimes he’ll be SO CLOSE but get it wrong and go “bugger”, it reminds us that he’s not too perfect (which I prefer)

Oh nice, I like when John brings up his educational background!

I REALLY like Percy’s voice <3 <3

“Little prick, but enough of me!” - John if want the short jokes to stop THIS ISN’T HELPING

‘Chugging along’, ‘Deduction Junction’, ‘little observations may leave the carriage’…Sherlock you REALLY do like trains and it’s the cutest thing 

Okay, NOW we’re getting into the main case!

Oooh spooky element! That’s a little different from the main story, but in a good way

Sleepy John is so cute to me!

Mariana!!

“Heysville, ugh God I’m starting to sound like you [John], yuck” - rude but you’re not wrong

Mic shenanigans seem to be an ongoing theme right now, first it was the audio distortions in Red Circle and now the mic is magnetic

Oh hello…random nurse lady?

Well that interaction was certainly rushed, and TOTALLY not suspicious (she says sarcastically)

‘Johnny boy’? Wow, that’s a first

Oh God this is reminding me of Creeping Man pt. 2 cliffhanger…

OMG OMG JOHN WHY ARE YOU STRESSING ME??!!

So…that was part 1…and the case already sounds promising! I didn’t think we’d get such a dramatic cliffhanger in the first part, yet here we are. I’m REALLY liking the dynamic of John and Sherlock in this episode. They seem more in-tuned with each other! Unfortunately not a lot of Mariana but at least we got a heads that she wasn’t gonna be in this case much (plus she mentioned she was glad not to be ‘dealing with this case’…so that’s foreboding). Anyway STRONG start to the case, and we’ve still got two more parts so stay tuned (and hang tight John, Sherlock will be there soon)!

[kittyball23]

What cover songs do you hope Brozone and/or the Royal Sisters do in the future? Both as individuals, duos or as a group?

Ooo! I got a few I think could work (though for some the lyrics will have to be slightly adjusted of course)

Time to Change originally from the Brady Bunch, it’s about growing up n stuff, plus its supposed to be a six-parter (easily can be made to a 7-parter for BroZone and the Pop Sisters), plus Trolls has featured Brady Bunch music before (Sunshine Day)

Hips Don’t Lie originally by Shakira and Wyclef Jean by Cliva, as it’s about dancing (and per my headcanon Clay’s the best BroZone dancer) plus it’s a duet

Home originally sang by the chipmunks in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, a six-parter that can also be made into a 7-parter and has a portion of the song sung by just the boys, one by just the girls, and then both together

We Are Family sang by Keke Palmer and the cast of Ice Age: Continental Drift, which had a variety of lyrics that were sang by different characters

Pretty Girls originally by Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea by the Pop Sisters (bonus if its sung at Branch and Clay lol)

Eleanor Rigby originally by the Beatles by Floyd (because this is the song I thought he was going to sing in the movie since it has "Lonely People" lyrics in it too. Fr though, I think an acoustic cover by Troye Sivan would sound beautiful)

Dynamite originally by BTS by BroZone (I was holding onto a thread of hope months ago that this song would be in the movie, it’s one of my favorites from BTS)

ABC originally by the Jackson Five by BroZone (I was also holding out for this song in the movie)

Surfin’ USA originally by the Beach Boys by BroZone (for when they’re having fun on Vacay Island)

Feels Like Love originally by the Cheetah Girls in their third movie One World, and since it’s about couples it could probably be Broppy, Cliva, and probably even Sprandy

Macarena originally by Los Del Rio by BroZone and the Pop Sisters (I know it’s overused in media, but I picture it going like the Animaniacs version😂)

These are the ones I could think of off the top of my head, not sure for what situations they would apply though, but I'm sure it can be figured out 😌 If I think of more, I'll definitely add onto this ^_^

[x-heesy]

🅢🅦🅐🅖 🅐🅣🅣🅐🅒🅚 🦄

Yeah, uh

Uh, uh (Got the beat by Powers and we just made a banger)

Uh, yeah, uh, yeah

Pull up with the grr, pow, onomatopoeia

Hopping out the Burban, big body like Madea

Put some holes in him, now he spotted like a cheetah

How the fuck you living? Good, I wouldn't wanna be ya

I'm with your bitch and her back arched like Tina

Look to the back at you boys, you can't keep up

Bulletproof vest, looking like I'm Vegeta

Quickdraw from my hip, make him dance like Shakira, uh

Spot him outside, hold up, skrrt, hit the brakes, uh

Call him Might Guy, send his ass to the gates, uh

Y'all so pussy to the bone, need a spay, uh

Beat him up, boots to the face, uh

"Kxll, why you tripping like that? I don't like you"

Love how my foes get to bolting like a Raichu

Said he wanna get close to God, I could guide you

Money stacked up like the letters in a haiku (Yeah)

D-Dirty little bastard, yeah bitch, I'm rancid

I keep a Glock by my dick where my pants sit

He acting odd, like Cosmo, he vanish

Run up, see this shit ain't here just to brandish

Lay him down, on top his casket, I'm prancing

Stretching these bands like my money elastic

Sex, money, violence, revenge, what I practice

He disrespect, that's a suicide tactic

Uh, I just send a text, she get wet, okay, cool, uh

Say that boy feel vexed, Smith & Wess' correct moods, uh

Insert when erect, pierce cervix, she get skewed, uh

Bullets on Rize, eat your flesh, Tokyo Ghoul (Uh, yeah)

Pull up with the grr, pow, onomatopoeia

Hopping out the Burban, big body like Madea

Put some holes in him, now he spotted like a cheetah

How the fuck you living? Good, I wouldn't wanna be ya

I'm with your bitch and her back arched like Tina

Look to the back at you boys, you can't keep up

Bulletproof vest, looking like I'm Vegeta

Quickdraw from my hip, make him dance like Shakira, uh, yeah @bethanythestrange @luna---zylum @bigbonzo @boanerges20 @seanisnothing

COSMO by Kxllswxtch, Powers Pleasant

[enlightenedrobot]

Usually I have a big halloween mashup coming up around this time, but nah, this time I have an even bigger mashup idea and I want to release it on Walpurgisnaught!

Friends, Neighbors, Enemies of the State, I'd like to introduce you to Grill Talk, a new mashup album inspired by Girl Talk, Super Mash Bros, and all the other semi-popular-niche-pop-plunderphonics artist of the mid-2000s.

It'll be an album length mix featuring a little bit of everything... pop, hip hop, indie foltronica, noise, weirdcore, weeb music, dark cabaret, screamo, hyperpop, wonderbread etc.

If you like music, you'll probably hate this mix :P !

(Also, just to be clear, this is a free album made for fun in my bedroom. Last time I posted music someone accused me of being an industry plant... which like... no? I've been here since the start)

Sample List below the cut:

Samples:

We Got the Beat - The Gogos (Drums)

Without Me - Eminem (Vocals)

Girl - Beck (Various Elements)

Hamantha - Jack Stauber (Drums)

Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay (Bass/ Transitional Elements)

Hot Blooded - Foreigner (Guitar Stabs)

Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne (Percussion, Vocals)

Say it Right - Nelly Furtado (Drums)

Living in the Past - Unnatural Funk Band (Drums)

Its Your Thing - Cold Grits (Drums)

Funky Fanfare - Keith Mansfield (Various Elements)

Lithium - Nirvana (Drums)

Grillz - Nelly (Vocal)

Talk - Futuristic (Vocal)

Empire - Shakira (Vocal)

Cigarette Ahegao - Penelope Scott (Chiptune)

Under My Skin - Jukebox the Ghost (Piano)

Theme From the Planets - Dexter Wansel (Drums)

Chain Hang Low - Jibbs (Vocal)

Uma Thurman - Fall Out Boy (Drums)

Come On Let's Go - Ritchie Valens (Guitar, Vocal)

[dragonmarquise]

Alr!!! Crews general music tastes??? I know damn well eclipse loves Beyonce

Oh boy, music!! This is gonna be a fun one to get into, at least imo.

So to start off, I like to think that in general they all like the kind of music genres that pop up in the game’s music track already. Also, we know DJ Cyber made the mixtapes besides the one for the hideout (that one being made by Tryce), so bonus headcanon: at least a few of them made suggestions to DJ Cyber for songs to include on those mixtapes.

Now moving on to some specifics!

BRC:

It depends on which individual member you ask, they probably have the most varied tastes between them? Again, besides the game’s existing genres.

There is a small subset who are into Vocaloid/vocal synth songs, mainly thanks to Bel introducing it to them. Also J-pop, again from Bel introducing it to others.

Other than that, not gonna go into further detail, especially since I’d have to think on it a lot more. :u

Actually, before I move on, a bonus headcanon: both Vinyl and DJ Cyber have probably the largest range of music tastes, and are both very knowledgeable about music. They can tell you the name of a song from the first couple of notes/lyrics, knowing when songs were release, explain differences between genres of music and which one is a subgenre/derived from/evolved from what other music genre, at least a brief history of bands/musicians/singers/etc.

One time they competed against each other in a music-focused quiz game (not like, an actual game show or anything like that, it was an informal thing at a party with the other writers). Vinyl just barely won in the end, and she still lords that over DJ Cyber every now and then, lol

The Franks

Tryce mentions at one point in the game that they blast electrofunk music. Some people might think that's something made up for the game, but it is in fact an actual music genre! So I like to think that's their main favorite, along with related genres like funk in general and breakbeat.

I like to think the Flesh Prince got into these particular genres thanks to listening to old CDs and mixtapes his parents had. Not that the Prince will ever admit it to them. :P

Eclipse

Definitely Beyoncé like you said, lol. Also other R&B/hip hop/pop/dance artists in the same vein as Beyoncé: Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Shakira, Janelle Monáe, Lil Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Chapelle Roan, etc.

Okay that list ended up longer than I meant it to be, but you probably get the idea, lol

Cassiopeia (leader, the winter palette for the crew) also has a fondness for orchestra music. Mostly when she's relaxing at home, it helps her unwind after a long day of either working at her shop or being out and about as a writer.

DOT EXE

Old school EDM (especially older disco, techno, and house) in general. Which is perhaps cliche/stereotypical since they're all cyberheads/full-cyber, but whatever lol

Twoson and Fourside also have their Weird Music Tastes that I mentioned back in the big DOT EXE post I made. And then Cueball in particular really likes video game soundtracks, and is a big fan of chiptune music in general.

Devil Theory

Hip hop and rap and related genres! And because of their love of anime, various Japanese songs that have served as anime openings/endings. :P

Sai also introduces the others to reggaetón too! And other Spanish genres related to that. Nunchaku and Bō don't speak Spanish, but they do still understand most of what's in those songs too. Besides, sometimes it's about enjoy the music and the beat, even if you can't understand the words!

Okay, also, I am going to give extra attention to my DT OCs specifically, with some extra particulars for each:

Sai likes salsa music, especially to sing along with, but like I mentioned in my big Devil Theory post, he never sings in front of other people. (Rise is the only exception, hee hee)

Nunchaku likes rock and metal music! And almost every subgenre for these two you can think of, like punk rock and nu metal.

Bō likes old school EDM/disco stuff, though in contrast to most other people, he especially likes EDM songs with a slow tempo. Bit of a contradiction since most people associate EDM with fast tempos and beats.

Daishō likes listening to horror media soundtracks, because of course he does, lol

FUTURISM

EDM in general, I would think. In contrast to DOT EXE, I imagine they're largely into newer songs and subgenres in that giant genre!

---

I would give personal favorites for some of the genres mentioned here, but man, that'd make this post way too long. Hell, EDM in general covers so many subgenres.

Actually, I think I can at least link some playlists I've made? Just 3 (for now?), because I have like 20 something playlists for different music, a bunch of them being for OCs I haven't talked about publicly. But I digress. :P

A playlist of reggaetón songs specifically. Okay actually tbh I think a few of these are of a different but still kinda related genre. If you can't tell by the name, I was planning at some point to pick like 5 favorites from this and make an actual mixtape to mod into BRC. I'm not sure if I'm ever gonna get back to that. :u

A playlist of mostly salsa songs, though like with the previous playlist, I think some of these are actually a different-but-related genre.

A playlist of EDM songs, mostly my favorites from a particular set of music channels! And it covers a lot of different subgenres: house, trap, drum & bass, even a few electro swing songs in there too.

Alright, now that's it! :>

[abbatoirablaze]

Racing Stripes, Chapter 8

Word Count: 2.2k

Warnings: smut, unprotected sex, angst, mentions of bruising, soft! Lando (because I feel like that should be a warning)

“It’s just us tonight!” Daniel smiled proudly as his arms wrapped around her.  Sheila bit her lip sweetly as her hands wrapped around the driver’s neck.  Daniel gave her a nervous, but sweet smile in response, “you know…I’m really glad I placed high enough to get you, Sheila!”

“I’m really happy too, Daniel…”

Both driver and the motorsports girl felt a fluttering in their stomachs.  Sheila leaned up on her tiptoes until she could reach Daniel’s lips.  Pressing her own gently to his, she gave him the tiniest of kisses. 

The driver was blushing when she pulled away.

“You’ve got me feeling like a teenage boy again, Sheils…” Daniel grinned.  Sheila giggled, but the giggling turned into a yelp as he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, “I won the best prize ever.  Screw first place.  All I need is you.”

“Daniel!” she squealed, playfully slapping the driver’s ass, “put me down, you big goofball.  Or I’ll start playing your ass like a pair of bongo drums.”

“It’s a dangerous thing, teasing the honey badger like that,” he chuckled, his large hands slapping her jean covered ass a little rougher, “don’t go slapping my ass unless you’re ready for battle, Sheils…”

“I don’t care about your ass,” she giggled as the driver playfully tossed her down on the bed.  She bit her bottom lip once more as her eyes trailed down his form, “I wanna know what those hips can do, Danny Ric.”

“Oh?  You mean these hips?” he asked playfully, gliding his arms down his chest before circling his hips and shaking like he was Shakira, “You can’t handle these hips, sweetheart.  They don’t lie.”

“I don’t want them too,” she giggled as she sat up.  She moved forward on the bed, crawling towards him on her hands and knees.  She stopped in front of him and sat back on her legs, her hand trailing down his chest, stopping right at the hem of his shorts.  Daniel felt his cock twitch, “I wanna see how much drive they have…how much power there is in them as they-”

“You want me to box, box, in your box?” he asked as he wiggled his brows at her.  Sheila broke into a fit of giggles as the Australian teased her.  With a never-ending smile he peeled off his shirt and kicked off his shorts, before stalking towards her, his larger body hovering over her own.  He gently pushed her back so that she was laying on the bed once more.  With a playful growl he nudged his way up her body, playfully biting at the bottom of her shirt while undoing the buttons of the blouse with one hand, “just say the words, Sheils…”

“And if I say box, box?”

The driver chuckled against her soft skin; the shadow of his beard playfully scratching against her supple flesh. 

“Oh, I’m retiring from the race, hands down!” he smirked, starting his playful nuzzling up her torso.  The Australian groaned when his face tucked between her breasts, “I’m staying in this garage…I’m making the call.  Box, box!”

Sheila giggled even more as the driver’s voice reverberated between her breasts.  But her giggles quickly turned to a surprised yelp when one hand snaked around her waist, pulling her frame tightly against his, while the other helped push her skirt up over her hips, and then pushed her flimsy thong to the side. 

“God, Sheils…I think I’m gonna lose it before I even get started!” he groaned happily. 

Instinctively her legs spread around him, allowing him the space to line himself up.  She moaned when she felt his cock’s head rubbing against her folds, “Danny…”

“I wanna be inside you, Sheils…” he groaned, continuing to rub his cock against her entrance.  Her body jolted when one of his strokes went too far, his cock rubbing against her swollen clit, “oh, fuck, don’t move like that yet, honey…I haven’t even gotten in yet.”

“Make love to me Danny,” she begged softly, pulling his face up towards her own.  Their lips met in a frenzied kiss, and the driver lined himself up with her waiting hole, “take me…”

“Be my girlfriend, Sheils…” Daniel begged in response.  Her eyes went wide as he didn’t wait for her answer.  Instead, he sunk into her with one heavy thrust.  She moaned out loud, unable to stop the natural response as her core stretched around his girthy cock, “Oh Sheils…”

“DANIEL!”

“Lando…”

The young driver turned on his heel, surprise lacing his features while the last of the rose petals slipped from his fingertips, “y-you were supposed to be soaking in the tub…I-I’m not ready yet.”

“Wh-what did you do?”

He swallowed down his nervousness as Sugar stepped out of the bathroom and into the suite, “I-I wanted to make tonight a good night for you…”

“Rose petals?” she asked curiously, “Candles?   Lando wh-what is all this for though?”

“It’s what I’ve been wanting to do for you since the break…” he admitted sweetly with a shrug of his shoulders, “I’ve wanted to be with you and just-spoil you…Sugar…I-“

“Lando…”

Lando bit his lip, nervous at how the tears started to line the motorsport’s girls eyes, “Lando...we can’t b-“

“Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say…”

“But Lando…”

“No one else matters,” he said quickly, “Not Bottas.  Not Luisa.  Not even the trolls online.  Y-you were there for me when I felt completely and utterly alone, Sugar, and I-“

But Lando was cut off when she rushed him, their lips meeting. 

They worked in tandem, a perfect working interaction of each other.  She whimpered softly when the young 20-year-old pulled away from her and held her at arm’s length, “do me a favor!  Go soak in the tub a little longer and let me finish getting this set up…please?”

“You don’t have to do this, Lando…”

“I want to, Sugar…” he said firmly, “I want to show you after all this time how much you mean to me…just please…”

“Twenty minutes…”

Lando smiled, pulling her back to his chest.  The fuzzy robe that she wore dragged deliciously against him, sending a shiver up his spine, “that’s perfect…thank you, sugar.”

“Lando,” she gasped, shooting him a knowing glance as she leaned against the frame of the bathroom.  Lando smiled, this time not caught off guard from the motorsports woman he was in love with.  He took a few steps towards her, the unbuttoned white linen shirt highlighting the bronzed skin of his bare chest, “oh my…”

“I hope you are okay with what you see before you,” the driver teased, his arms sweeping around her waist.  Sugar took a moment, eyeing his lithe form up and down and he grinned even more, “I’m not hearing any complaints…”

“What is there to complain about?” she smirked playfully.  Her hands ran down his chest, her nails dragging over the valleys and ridges of his muscular stomach.  A whimper passed through her lips, only adding to the driver’s ego, “Lando, I-“

She bit back a moan when Lando pulled her to his chest, their lips meeting yet again.  His hands cupped her ass, massaging the fleshy globes. 

He playfully bucked his hips so that she could feel his growing bulge, “you have no idea what you do to me, Sugar…”

“Oh I think I do!” she giggled sweetly, looking down at the small gap between them, “hello, Little Lando…”

“He’s missed you,” Lando teased, “missed being inside of you…”

This time a shiver ran down her spine at the seductive words, “Lando…”

“That comes later,” he promised, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips once more.  He turned her in his arms, towards the bed, “but first…let me give you a wonderful full body massage…work out every strenuous knot that’s built up in that perfect body of yours.”

She moaned as he kissed along her shoulders, “Lando…I-I don’t think we should…”

He frowned, “I want to spoil you, Sugar.”

“I-I don’t want-I don’t like being naked,” she told him as he continued to walk them over to the bed.  Lando’s brows furrowed but he said nothing, “I-I’ll let you give me a massage but I-I don’t feel comfortable-“

“Wait…since when do you dislike being naked?” Lando asked, his confusion hard to miss, “for me it’s always been a harder fight getting you to put clothes back on!”

A blush rose to her cheeks and she looked away from him.  She knew that it was true.  Any time the two of them had been around one another, it was a natural chemistry that was felt between them, and more often than not, neither one of them wanted to be wearing clothes.  But she sighed, “Lando…”

“I’m sorry,” he frowned, “I-I shouldn’t question it…if you don’t want to be naked, I won’t force you…I want you to feel comfortable, appreciated, and respected, Sugar…”

She bit her lip, saddened by how she felt like she was deceiving him, “thank you…”

He let her go, and started off towards the nightstand, his smirk reappearing, “but that doesn’t mean that I still won’t spoil you beyond belief for as long as you’re with me…”

She felt her heart ache as he pulled a bottle of champagne out of the ice and popped it open, “Lando, how did y-“

Her question stopped before she could finish it. 

Rules didn’t apply to the drivers.  Not for the most part anyways.  The lot of them had been spoiled by the organization, and if they wanted something, it was few and far between when they were told the word no. 

“Come,” he urged as he poured two glasses and gestured that she join him, “please…have some champagne and fruit before we begin…if I know you, you probably were so nervous all day because it was race day that you didn’t eat.”

At the mention of food, her stomach grumbled, and she bit her lip, nervous about the idea of getting something so freely. 

“Sugar…” She looked up, and he was surprised when she lifted a few grapes in her hands, “do you want me to call room service?  I can have something else brought up if you want it…”

“No…no…this-it’s fine…” she said quickly in response, “don’t worry about-“

He’d rushed her in an instant, his arms wrapping back around her waist.  But she hissed in pain when their hips accidentally collided. 

“Shit…I’m sorry,” Lando said nervously, pulling himself away from her.  He ignored how the bottle of champagne had spilled after being knocked off the night table.  He felt horrible as he noticed tears in her eyes, “Sugar-I didn’t mean to-“

“I’m okay…”

His brows furrowed as she clutched the side he hit. 

“A-are you sure?” he asked, instantly reaching for the robe, “here.  Let me se-“

This time, it was his words that died in his throat.  She hadn’t had enough time to process and rebuff his wanting to check on her, and in that short amount of time he had ripped the robe open only to see her torso and hips covered in an array of bruises.

“Sugar!” he gasped, his eyes going wide, “What the hell is this?”

“L-Lando, it’s not what you think,” she said quickly, ripping the cloth out of the driver’s hands and re-tying the robe, “I-It’s really not what you think.  I-“

“Is this Bottas?” he growled, taking a step towards her. 

She flinched at how his voice rose, attempting to step back, but faltering and falling back into the bed. 

Lando’s stomach turned. 

His eyes instantly softened as he reached out to her, “baby…did Bottas do this to you?”

“It’s not what you think, Lando,” she repeated urgently, new tears lining her eyes, “I-I didn’t want you to see this.  I-“

“I’m going to fucking kill him!” the driver promised, already turning on his heel.  Rage flowed through him as he went to go find the other man who usually claimed Sugar, “I’m going to fucking end hi-“

“It was consensual!” Sugar said quickly, trying to stop him, “Val-“

“Consensual?” he roared, turning on his heel and giving into her pulling him back.  His hands reached for the robe once more and he ripped it open before turning them both towards the mirror, “Sugar…look at what he’s done to you!”

The motorsports girl hadn’t realized it, but the second she was turned towards the mirror, her eyes snapped shut. 

It was almost as though by instinct she knew that she was going to be in front of one, and had opted to rather not look at herself. 

“Open your eyes, baby…” Lando urged softly.  Her eyes opened, but she didn’t look at herself in the mirror.  She looked at the man who was holding her.  His rage had faded, and all that was left was a sad looking man.  He sniffled, and she caught on to the fact that his eyes were lined with tears, his face already blotchy from how they streamed down his cheeks, “Baby…he-he can’t do this to you…you’re so much more than something for someone to take their aggressions out on…”

“I’m nothing,” she whimpered softly, her eyes meeting his.  Lando looked like his heart was breaking as he stared into her eyes, “I-I’m not really anything to anyone.  I’m a set of holes…meant to be used for whoever scores the highest and chooses me…”

“No baby…you’re so much more than that,” Lando cried as he wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her neck, “you mean everything to me…you’re my everything.”

Chapter 9

Tag List:  @lohnes16, @prokey16

[diangelofan]

Happy birthday Percy!!!

Percy was woken up as usual by the low noises of people driving their cars to their boring office jobs; just another busy day in New York City, “where nobody ever stops working!” That what it said in the postcard (and it really did seemed like that during the busy mornings!) Percy had gotten from his biological father (the only time he had any type of contact) at 3. Now at the much wiser age of 6, he questioned why the man would have chosen such a boring postcard instead of the usual birthday card (his ma’s candy store sold much more beautiful cards and it wasn’t even a card shop!). Maybe he wanted to make sure Percy knew that he knew where he lived? Still a bizarre choice for the only thing resembling a birthday gift that the boy had ever received from him. but whatever…

After returning from his musings into the real world, and becoming aware of his surroundings again, Percy realized that there was in fact another, and much nicer at that, sound apart from the buzzing streets. His mother’s voice. More specifically, his mother’s voice singing (more like humming) along to the radio. It was a Monday morning and his ma wasn’t at her usual morning shift at the store! Percy immediately jumped out of bed and into the kitchen, curiosity burning in his chest. He found his mother in her usual weekend pose, eyes focus on the stove and hips moving to the rhythm of the music. Her mother could have been the next Shakira, Percy thought, she had the voice, the moves and the looks!

Her mother must have heard his loud steps in the hallway as she immediately turn around, open her arms wide in greeting, ready for the boy, who quickly jumped to envelop her in a hug: “Good morning! Is my little boy excited for today?”, his mother asked.

“Today? What’s going on today?” Percy had never felt more confused in his short life.

“Oooh… Don’t tell me someone forgot what today is?”, his ma said while trying to hide a smile.

“Forgot what? What is today?” Scratch what he said before. Percy had never felt more confused now than ever before in his life.

Today was Monday, that Percy knew as he had classes in the evening. But the day exactly? Well… they were learning the days of the year already in preschool, but, honestly? Percy was still getting the hang of it. The teacher wanted them to read the calendar a few times and just have it all up in their heads?! Honestly, the gall of that woman! (or at least that was the phrase his mother said when she didn’t agree with her boss). Those were too words and numbers, with so few pictures! It was practically impossible!

“Someone got so excited yesterday, it was a tough feat to put him to sleep, and now he’s forgotten his own birthday”, his ma finally let her smile stand up and proud.

OMG right! His birthday! How could Percy forget his own birthday! With the busyness of the morning and the surprise of his mother being here, he had forgot to think about the reason behind her being here. Wait! If his mother was up cooking breakfast for his birthday that meant he was getting…!

“Someone order a serving of blue blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, sadly not blue but what can we do, and a blue candle on top? With a side of blue jellybeans? Sarah, my coworker was nice enough to give them to me on Friday, knowing I wouldn’t be going this morning. Hmmm… It was a miracle you didn’t find them during the weekend! Bueno, a cantar cumpleaños feliz y luego a comer se ha dicho!!”, his ma handed him a plate filled to the brink with pancakes (four to be exact; such an enormous amount!) an a lightened candle.

They sang happy birthday and ate a delicious plate of blue pancakes each. It was a wonderful birthday. Percy hoped all the rest to come would be as wonderful.

(As an older child, Percy would come and think about to these memories with pity and anger, as his birthdays had never been the same after Smelly Gabe appeared. His mother had tried, but there was no more work-free mornings and blueberry pancakes, but instead quiet birthday celebrations with some candy if Gabe was away at one of his buddies’ houses, gambling away his ma’s hard earned money. Later on, as a teen, Percy would look back with a sad smile, thinking of how happy and easy those innocent childhood days had been. Now, finally, as a tired young adult, Percy is happy to be back with his mother, and the additions of Paul and Estelle, every birthday morning to celebrate with wonderful blueberry pancakes and then hanging out with his friends in the evening. What more could someone ask for? Nothing. Nothing At All.)

[willsperotruther]

Ladies up in here tonight No fighting We got the refugees up in here (no fighting) No fighting Shakira, Shakira

I never really knew that she could dance like this (hey) She make a man wants to speak Spanish ¿Cómo se llama? (Sí), bonita (sí) Mi casa, su casa (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, baby, when you talk like that You make a woman go mad So be wise (sí) and keep on (sí) Reading the signs of my body (uno, dos, tres, cuatro)

I'm on tonight You know my hips don't lie (no fighting) And I'm starting to feel it's right All the attraction, the tension Don't you see, baby, this is perfection?

Hey, girl, I can see your body moving And it's driving me crazy And I didn't have the slightest idea Until I saw you dancing (yeah) And when you walk up on the dance floor Nobody cannot ignore the way you move your body, girl (just move) And everything so unexpected, the way you right and left it So you can keep on shaking it (let's go)

I never really knew that she could dance like this She make a man wants to speak Spanish ¿Cómo se llama? (Sí), bonita (sí) Mi casa, su casa (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, baby, when you talk like that You make a woman go mad So be wise (sí) and keep on (sí) Reading the signs of my body (no fighting)

I'm on tonight You know my hips don't lie (no fighting) And I am starting to feel you, boy Come on, let's go, real slow Don't you see, baby, así es perfecto? They know I am on tonight, my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel it's right All the attraction, the tension Don't you see, baby, this is perfection? (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, boy, I can see your body moving Half animal, half man I don't, don't really know what I'm doing But you seem to have a plan My will and self-restraint Have come to fail now, fail now See, I am doing what I can, but I can't so you know That's a bit too hard to explain (uno, dos, tres, cuatro)

Baila en la calle de noche (yeah) Baila en la calle de día (let's go) Baila en la calle de noche Baila en la calle de día

I never really knew that she could dance like this She make a man wants to speak Spanish ¿Cómo se llama? (Sí), bonita (sí) Mi casa, su casa (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, baby, when you talk like that You know you got me hypnotized So be wise (sí) and keep on (sí) Reading the signs of my body

Señorita, feel the conga Let me see you move like you come from Colombia

Yeah (ladies sí) (yeah yeah) (Hey, yeah)

¡Mira en Barranquilla se baila así, say it! (yeah) En Barranquilla se baila así (yeah)

Hey, brra!

Yeah, she's so sexy, every man's fantasy A refugee like me back with the Fugees from a third world country I go back like when 'Pac carried crates for Humpty Humpty We leave the whole club dizzy Why the CIA wanna watch us? Colombians and Haitians I ain't guilty, it's a musical transaction Bo bop so bop, no more do we snatch ropes Refugees run the seas 'cause we own our own boats (no fighting)

I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel you, boy Come on, let's go, real slow Baby, like this is perfecto (no fighting)

Oh, you know I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie And I am starting to feel it's right The attraction, the tension Baby, like this is perfection

No fighting No fighting

real i love that song

[ketlin-r]

VMA 2023 Nominees

Video of the Year 

Doja Cat - "Attention"

Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"

Nicki Minaj - "Super Freaky Girl"

Olivia Rodrigo - "Vampire"

Sam Smith & Kim Petras - "Unholy"

SZA - "Kill Bill"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

Artist of the Year

Beyoncé

Doja Cat

Karol G

Nicki Minaj

Shakira

Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"

Olivia Rodrigo - "Vampire"

Rema & Selena Gomez - "Calm Down"

Sam Smith & Kim Petras - "Unholy"

Steve Lacy - "Bad Habit"

SZA - "Kill Bill"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

Best New Artist

GloRilla

Ice Spice

Kaliii

Peso Pluma

PinkPantheress

Reneé Rapp

PUSH Performance of the Year

August 2022: Saucy Santana - "Booty"

September 2022: Stephen Sanchez - "Until I Found You"

October 2022: JVKE - "golden hour"

November 2022: Flo Milli - "Conceited"

December 2022: Reneé Rapp - "Colorado"

January 2023: Sam Ryder - "All The Way Over"

February 2023: Armani White - "GOATED"

March 2023: Fletcher - "Becky's So Hot"

April 2023: Tomorrow X Together - "Sugar Rush Ride"

May 2023: Ice Spice - "Princess Diana"

June 2023: FLO - "Losing You"

July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith - "That Part"

Best Collaboration

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha - "I'm Good (Blue)"

Post Malone & Doja Cat - "I Like You (A Happier Song)"

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami - "Gotta Move On"

KAROL G & Shakira - "TQG"

Metro Boomin ft. The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Diddy - "Creepin' (Remix)"

Rema & Selena Gomez - "Calm Down"

Best Latin

Anitta - "Funk Rave"

Bad Bunny - "Where She Goes"

Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma - "Ella Baila Sola"

Grupo Frontera & Bad Bunny - "un x100to"

Karol G & Shakira - "TQG"

Rosalía - "Despechá"

Shakira - "Acróstico"

Best Pop

Demi Lovato - "Swine"

Dua Lipa - "Dance the Night"

Ed Sheeran - "Eyes Closed"

Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"

Olivia Rodrigo - "Vampire"

P!NK - "Trustfall"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

Best Hip-Hop

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami - "Gotta Move On"

DJ Khaled ft. Drake & Lil Baby - "STAYING ALIVE"

GloRilla & Cardi B - "Tomorrow 2"

Lil Uzi Vert - "Just Wanna Rock"

Lil Wayne ft. Swizz Beatz & DMX - "Kant Nobody"

Metro Boomin ft. Future - "Superhero (Heroes and Villains)"

Nicki Minaj - "Super Freaky Girl"

Best R&B 

Alicia Keys ft. Lucky Daye - "Stay"

Chlöe ft. Chris Brown - "How Does It Feel"

Metro Boomin ft. The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Diddy - "Creepin' (Remix)"

SZA - "Shirt"

Toosii - "Favorite Song"

Yung Bleu & Nicki Minaj - "Love In The Way"

Best Alternative

Blink-182 - "Edging"

Boygenius - "The Film"

Fall Out Boy - "Hold Me Like a Grudge"

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste - "Candy Necklace"

Paramore - "This Is Why"

Thirty Seconds To Mars - "Stuck"

Best Rock

Foo Fighters - "The Teacher"

Linkin Park - "Lost (Original Version)"

Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Tippa My Tongue"

Måneskin - "The Loneliest"

Metallica - "Lux Æterna"

Muse - "You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween"

Best K-Pop 

Aespa - "Girls"

Blackpink - "Pink Venom"

Fiffty Fifty - "Cupid"

Seventeen - "Super"

Stray Kids - "S-Class"

Tomorrow X Together - "Sugar Rush Ride"

Best Afrobeats 

Ayra Starr - "Rush"

Burna Boy - "It's Plenty"

Davido ft. Musa Keys - "Unavailable"

Fireboy DML & Asake - "Bandana"

Libianca - "People"

Rema & Selena Gomez - "Calm Down"

Wizkid ft. Ayra Starr - "2 Sugar"

Video for Good

Alicia Keys - "If I Ain't Got You (Orchestral)"

Bad Bunny - "El Apagón - Aquí Vive Gente"

Demi Lovato - "Swine"

Dove Cameron - "Breakfast"

Imagine Dragons - "Crushed"

Maluma - "La Reina"

Best Direction

Doja Cat - "Attention"

Drake - "Falling Back"

Kendrick Lamar - "Count Me Out"

Megan Thee Stallion - "Her"

Sam Smith & Kim Petras - "Unholy"

SZA - "Kill Bill"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

Best Cinematography

Adele - "I Drink Wine"

Ed Sheeran - "Eyes Closed"

Janelle Monae - "Lipstick Lover"

Kendrick Lamar - "Count Me Out"

Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"

Olivia Rodrigo - "Vampire"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

Best Visual Effects 

Fall Out Boy - "Love From the Other Side"

Harry Styles - "Music for a Sushi Restaurant"

Melanie Martinez - "Void"

Nicki Minaj - "Super Freaky Girl"

Sam Smith & Kim Petras - "Unholy"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

Best Choreography

Blackpink - "Pink Venom"

Dua Lipa - "Dance the Night"

Jonas Brothers - "Waffle House"

Megan Thee Stallion - "Her"

Panic! at the Disco - "Middle of a Breakup"

Sam Smith & Kim Petras - "Unholy"

Best Art Direction

Boygenius - "The Film"

Blackpink - "Pink Venom"

Doja Cat - "Attention"

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste - "Candy Necklace"

Megan Thee Stallion - "Her"

SZA - "Shirt"

Best Editing 

Blackpink - "Pink Venom"

Kendrick Lamar - "Rich Spirit"

Miley Cyrus - "River"

Olivia Rodrigo - "Vampire"

SZA - "Kill Bill"

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"

[senorablack]

And We're Gunna Get to That Place, Where We Really Wanna Go

Words: 6099 Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Robin Buckley, Original Characters Additional Tags: Nurse Steve Harrington, Rock Star Eddie Munson, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Humor, Fluff, POV Eddie Munson Summary: Eddie repeatedly sacrifices his limbs and rock n' roll lifestyle in attempt to woo the hottest nurse at station 3 West. It eventually works, but not in the way he expects.

“So I said to the guy, please, sir, I’m a Christian woman, but no stranger to discretion, so if you want to meet me behind that KFC-A&W combo in half an hour, I’ll bring these veteran knees and you bring that same put ‘em in their place attitude—to which he said, something like, would you shut your trap and let me assess your god damn injuries already. He smiled though, so, you know, I think we’re getting somewhere significant pretty quickly.” 

“What’s that mijo?” Abigail asks from behind her hand. 

They’re playing poker—strip poker, but as neither of them are particularly good at poker they’re only missing a sock and cardigan respectively. Abigail takes an indulgent drag of the long Marlboro red that she’s been nursing from the corner of her mouth. Smoke blows out her nose as Eddie lights up his second of the last hour. 

“Talking about my last run in with Steve. He’s always trying to get me to strip. Guy’s gu-hon for me.” 

“Nurse Harrington—with the butt?” Abigail says, throwing down a three of a kind.

“That very one, yeah.” Eddie says, laying down a pair of aces. 

Abigail’s eyes go glassy as she considers Eddie’s laid out cards. The radio is playing Good Old Fashion Lover Boy. Eddie drums his fingers to the tune while he waits for her direction. 

“Did I tell you about that time I went parasailing with Queen?”

Eddie grins, all teeth and full dimple. He doesn’t mind the abrupt change of conversation. He’s used to it now. Abigail tends to go in and out, but boy oh boy when she’s brought back, she’s clobbering Eddie over the head with juicy little tidbits that never fails to make Eddie feel less like the money-hemorrhaging rockstar he is, and more like a preschool teacher who coupons for sport. 

“Not yet, you haven’t Abi.” Eddie says, taking a sip of his watermelon wine cooler. 

It’s going to give him a headache later, but it’s not terrible. He nicked it from an intern and bandits can’t be choosers or however the saying goes. 

“Mind you, I was much less fragile then.”

“This from the lady who rugby tackled me in therapy yesterday.” Eddie points an accusatory cigarette at her and she slaps it away with the smallest giggle.

“Didn’t say I was broken, eh? These hips got a few years left on them.”

“See, that I believe.” He says, leaning back into his wheel chair. “Bet you taught Shakira all that she knows.”

[thatsohkai]

VIEW FULL PLAYLIST  - 976 E. 132nd Pl. Chicago, IL

what’s a song you can put on repeat & never get tired of ?

   no role modelz j. cole - “no role models and i’m here right now, no role models to speak of. searching through my memory, my memory, i couldn’t find one, last night i was getting my feet rubbed.”

a song that instantly lifts your mood when you’re sad

   reel it in amine - “and i’m tired of being humble, b*tch i feel no way. this that young, young sh*t i may pull up to your bitch like, reel it in. i got the bag tell a friend.”

your favorite song from your all-time favorite artist 

   villuminati j. cole - “please forgive, according the preacher man, he need jesus in him. but the devil run the tv, so the demons in him. im in trouble, did a deal with the devil, now i’m pleading with him… like ‘give my soul…i ain’t letting you go again.”

a song that inspires or motivates you

   finish line chance the rapper - “ but who would think the raps would turn into racks? don’t matter, matter fact, it could happen to you. scars on my head i’m the boy who lived. the boy love playing when the boy too sick, reclining on a prayer, i’m declining the help. i’ve been lying to my body, can’t rely on myself.”

what’s a song that reminds you of someone ?

   so high doja cat - “blow, weed, pop x, speedin’ up the heartbeat bangin’ in the chest. when you put it on me, you relieve my stress.  you got me so high, takin’ deep, deep breaths. you get me so high, you get me so high. i know you ain’t a drug but you get me so high.”

the song that gets you in the mood to party

   paramedic! sob x rbe - “california, california, and i’m heavy in these streets. if you don’t keep a pole, how you ready when it’s beef? .22. or .23, i’m heavy with the heat. hit you with this chop, paramedics can’t save you. really in field? come on bro, i know that ain’t you. 2018, hell nah, i ain’t gon’ fade you. gon’ paint you, tde and sob we can’t lose.”

your guilty pleasure

   typa girl braveheart - “typa girl that you wish for when you blow the candles out. typa girl that you wanna bring back to ya mama house. typa girl who don’t ask for what she want she takin’ out. typa girl who got bags in same quality as chanel.”

a song that’s out of your typical music preference

   backyard boy claire rosinkranz - “and we’ll turn the volume up to some good boy band tunes. love to feel the fresh air, i can feel your eyes stare. and i’m not gonna lie, i get a little bit scared. and my heart is on wings, i’m living in dreams and at the top of our lungs, we sing.”

what do you listen to when you’re in love ?

   #1 heebiejeebies amine x kehlani - “just for you i might jeoprodize. my whole life i might sacrifice. the way you look is like ‘woah.’ got me locked in i’m hypnotized. shakira-like and these hips don’t lie. say i don’t, but i always try.”

   #2 best part h.e.r. x daniel caesar - “it’s the sunrise, and those brown eyes, yes. you’re the one that i desire. when we wake up, and we make love, it makes me feel so nice. you’re my water when i’m stuck in the desert. you’re my tylenol i take when my head hurts. you’re the sunshine of my life. i just want to see how, beautiful you are. you know that i see it, i know you’re a star. where you go i follow, no matter how far. if life is a movie, then you’re the best part.”

 do you have song you’ve listened to all your childhood ?

   a long walk jill scott - “your background, it ain’t squeaky clean, but sometime we all gotta swim upstream. you ain’t no saint, we all are sinner. but you put your good foot down and made your soul a winner. i respect that, man you’re so phat, and you’re all that, plus supreme. then you’re humble? man i’m numb yo, with feeling, i can feel everything that you bring.”

is there a song your parent/sibling/friend/etc. introduced you to that you love ?

   streets doja cat - “we play our fantasies out in real life ways. no final fantasy, can we end these games though? you give me energy, make me feel light weight, like birds of a feather, baby, we were made for each other. and it’s hard to keep my cool, when other b*tches try to get with my dude, and when other chickens try to get in my coop. cause you’re a one in a million there ain’t a man like you.”

a song you didn’t expect to like

   rules doja cat - “break some bread up, you know that butter my biscuit. you ain’t talk money, then really that’s none of my business. i don’t even need these lenses, 20 on 20 my vision. bad yellow b*tch with her on on they prize, but, but, you know i ain’t no minion.”

what song would be your ‘intro’ music ?

   #1 emperor’s new clothes panic! at the disco - “welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life. done my time and served my sentence, dress me up and watch me die. if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine. dynasty decapitated, you just my see a ghost tonight. and if you don’t know, now you know.”

   #2 i might need security chance, the rapper - “i bought the chicagoist just to run you racists b*tches out of business. speakin’ of racists, f*ck your microaggressions. i’ll make you fix your words like a typo suggestion. pat me on the back too hard and pat’ll ask for your job, and in unrelated news, someone’ll beat your ass at your job.”

   #3 amari j. cole -  “out of the concrete was a rose, and windows was cold. had to go over and stand by the stove. we from the southeast, know know. this where the cops creep real slow. won’t vote, but mob deep with the poles. i punch the time sheet, not no more. now my assigned seat is throne.”

what song best represents your outward look —  or your attitude towards life ?

   king of the clouds panic! at the disco - “when i fall to rise, with stardust in my eyes, in the backbone of matter, i’m combustible dust. in the fire when i can’t sleep, awake, i’m too tired,. this old world, this old world.”

the song with your favorite lyrics

    the climb back j. cole - “every body mentions, suicide prevention, man, they even got a hotline. to call up when there’s tension, but i got a question, what about a f*cking homicide? need a number to call for my, for my to call whenever there’s a urge to get the triggers involved. need an number for my, for my to call, whenever there’s a urge to get the triggers involved.”

[z5mbiegrlz]

Ladies up in here tonight No fighting We got the refugees up in here (no fighting) No fighting Shakira, Shakira

I never really knew that she could dance like this She make a man want to speak spanish ¿Cómo se llama? (Sí), bonita (sí) Mi casa, su casa (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, baby, when you talk like that You make a woman go mad So be wise (sí) and keep on (sí) Reading the signs of my body (uno, dos, tres, cuatro)

I'm on tonight, you know my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel it's right All the attraction, the tension Don't you see, baby? This is perfection

Hey, girl, I can see your body moving And it's driving me crazy And I didn't have the slightest idea Until I saw you dancing And when you walk up on the dance floor nobody cannot Ignore the way you move your body, girl (your body just move) And everything's so unexpected The way you right and left it So you can keep on shaking it (let's go!)

I never really knew that she could dance like this She make a man want to speak spanish ¿Cómo se llama? (Sí), bonita (sí) Mi casa, su casa (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, baby, when you talk like that You make a woman go mad So be wise (sí) and keep on (sí) Reading the signs of my body (no fighting, no fighting)

I'm on tonight, you know my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel you, boy Come on, let's go, real slow Don't you see, baby? Así es perfecto Baby, I know I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel it's right All the attraction, the tension Don't you see, baby? This is perfection (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, boy, I can see your body moving Half animal, half man I don't, don't really know what I'm doing But you seem to have a plan My will and self-restraint Have come to fail now, fail now See, I'm doing what I can, but I can't, so you know That's a bit too hard to explain (uno, dos, tres, cuatro)

Baila en la calle de noche Baila en la calle de día (let's go!) Baila en la calle de noche Baila en la calle de día

I never really knew that she could dance like this She make a man want to speak spanish ¿Cómo se llama? (Sí), bonita (sí) Mi casa, su casa (Shakira, Shakira)

Oh, baby, when you talk like that You know you got me hypnotized So be wise (sí) and keep on (sí) Reading the signs of my body

Señorita, feel the conga Let me see you move like you come from Colombia Yeah, oh, yeah, ladies, sí! (Yeah, yeah, hey, yeah) Mira, en Barranquilla se baila así, say it! En Barranquilla se baila así

Yeah, she's so sexy, every man's fantasy A refugee like me back with the Fugees from a Third World country I go back like when Pac carried crates for Humpty Hump We lead a whole club jazzy Why the CIA wanna watch us? Colombians and Haitians I ain't guilty, it's a musical transaction Boo-boop-so-boop, no more do we snatch ropes Refugees run the seas 'cause we own our own boats (no fighting)

I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel you, boy Come on, let's go, real slow Baby, like this is perfecto (no fighting) Oh, you know I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie And I'm starting to feel it's right The attraction, the tension Baby, like this is perfection

No fighting (no fighting, no fighting) No fighting

idk if i should be scared or not

[bradshawburner]

ELLE. ELLE?? ELLE!!!

I want to inject this series in my veins, the high I get from reading it is off the charts! And this chapter had IT ALL.

so many thoughts and a lot of unhinged emoji use below:

I should be the one making her laugh. My hands should be on her hips, not his.- I can just imagine how disgruntled he looks staring at her from across the room. Like holding that glass a little toooo tight. Trying (and failing) not to glare.

Bradley watches as the infant with a bad haircut tries to hit on Mary to what he thinks is a Justin Bieber song, absentmindedly playing with his own wristband. White. Here for fun, not to flirt.— pls this man is a drama queen, the audacity of the 20something to be twirling HIS GIRL (who could have been his girl if he hadn’t been so quick to shut her down, but oh, he was just trying to protect himself 🥺). But that boy isn’t having much fun when he only wants to flirt with one girl….

He feels his heart clench a little bit. He’s always had a soft spot for the bespectacled man, Bob paying attention to small things that others rarely caught.— SWEET BOB! ANGEL GEM LOOKING OUT FOR HIS FRIEND

The slit up her leg showing off the thighs he dreams about getting his hands on again.—. NO ONE’S STOPPING YOU LOVER BOY GO GET YOUR GIRL

“You got it, sweetheart; anything for my new backseater!” Harvard flashes his toothpaste commercial-ready smile at her before making his way through the crowd to the bar. Him and his pink wristband quickly getting lost in the masses.— that vein in Bradley’s neck is POPPING as he watches Harvard test the waters I just know it!! Buying her drink, pulling out her chair, all with a cute matching pink bracelet?? POPPING I TELL YOU

Bradley’s heart warms a bit when she answers his question first.— sweet, beautiful idiot. Of course she did, she likes youuu. She’s probably been keeping tabs on you all night too! Probably didn’t know how to feel about that white bracelet 👀

If you hadn’t messed up, that could be the two of you out there.- OMFG JUST ASK BRADLEY I BEG OF YOU

They make eye contact, and he can see the gears in her brain working. She turns around, hips swinging hypnotically, and he loses his breath when she peeks over her shoulder at him. Bradley’s heart soars when she wiggles a finger at him.— in the immortal words of Shakira: hips don’t lie. And good for miss ma’am going for the jugular, he’s been thinking about those hips and thighs! GET IT GIRL

Bradley doesn’t even think. He lunges, ignoring Mary’s yell for him to stop and taking the asshole down with one punch. He doesn’t get a second one, security interfering and escorting all three out.— i love a protective Bradley, but a protective Bradley going after a misogynistic asshole who doesn’t respect boundaries is my EVERYTHING.

She’s mad when she joins them. A quiet anger that’s palpable, making them all stay quiet instead of joking around like usual.//Her clipped tone and her heels furiously clicking on the sidewalk are the only physical indicators of her anger. — oooh that PALPABLE rage. And the way she tells everyone what’s going to happen, with no room for questions, so cut and dry. Bob and Nat were def making eye contact with each other like 👀

They’re both fuming by the time he pulls into the driveway. — me tenting my hands like “yesssssssssss 😏” gimme those fireworks

His mouth drops open; he didn’t realize she had noticed.//“Yeah! I noticed - you pilots have all the subtly of an elephant in a firework shop with its tail on fire! It’s one or the other, Bradley!”— YESSSSSS CALL HIM OUT FOR IT THOSE BIG COW EYES HAVE BEEN MOONING OVER HER ALL NIGHT

He can’t get words to come out. He knows what he wants, but he can’t speak.— oh he wants her SO FUCKING BAD 🥺 and I bet that scares him because for as much as he wants her, he’s so used to losing the people he loves 😭

“You’re a fucking idiot, Bradley.” Bob’s eye-roll is audible on the other end.— WE ARE ALL THINKING IT AND BIG DICK BOB IS THE ONLY ONE SAYING IT. Icon.

“Well, I don’t know about favor-“//“I am. Now, sit down, shut up, and wait for her.”- as I said, icon

“You’ve been pressed against me for two hours in these tiny little shorts with no bra on, and you smell good.” He shrugs, feeling sheepish as he explains what got him going.— this still makes me 😮‍💨😵‍💫 it’s so simple, but what’s got him in a tizzy is HER. THE BRADLEY POV OF THEM ON THE COUCH IS SENDING ME

Their lips brush, and he’s about to move his hand to the gusset of her underwear - he needs to know how wet she is for him- SCREAMINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN (what hopefully will be again soon because idk how much longer I have to live if you’re set ON ENDING ME)

“I had completely psyched myself out, and I was convinced you didn’t actually want me.” “//“That’s- I- did I give any indication that I didn’t want you?” He sputters the question, unsure how she could think that.— poor Mary and her self conscious spiral. But this beautiful idiot is like DID YOU NOT FEEL HOW HARD MY COCK WAS?! Which like fair (also I would like to know as well for scientific purposes)

“Can I come over there?”//“I’m gonna take this, okay?”— oh I love how tender he is with her. And like the physical things have been some of the trigger points, and bless him for wanting to comfort her and put her at ease, but also wanting to be respectful of those boundaries 🥹

(My heart is beating so fast, currently I’m laying on my couch, but if I was on a chair I’d be at the edge of it)

“Still you, honey. I know I said we should forget what happened, but I don’t want to forget. I want to do that again without getting interrupted this time. I want to take you out on a date. I want you. If you’ll have me.”— HONEY!! 🥹🥹🥹 but also 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 and 🫠🫠🫠 and 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

“And I’m so oblivious that I didn’t even realize you were interested until you were grabbing my ass and moaning against my mouth.”— ITS SEARED IN MY BRAIN TO GIRL I GET IT

“So I just need some time to process this because I never thought this - us -could be an option.”- 🥺

“Mariella, it’s been a year, and nothing has changed since I saw you in that red dress. A few extra weeks where we’re just friends? That’s nothing if it means you’re comfortable.”- oh he LOVESSSSS HERRRRRRRRRR AND NOW SHE KNOWS JUST HOW SERIOUS HE IS ABOUT HER 😭 AND HE USED THAT FULL GIVEN NAME THATS LEGALLY BINDING SERIOUS THAT DATE ON SUNDAY IS SET

“We can share my bed; we’re adults. We can handle it.”- and those friends were her final words because neither of them are going to make it out alive 😂 NOT WITH THAT SEXUAL TENSION

“Bradley, you are not climbing into my bed, which has nice fresh sheets, with those clothes you wore to the club. God knows what’s on those chairs we sat on.”— a beautiful IDIOT BLESS HIM BUT DONT THINK ABOUT GETTING IN BED WITH THOSE JEANS

taking note of how her breath hitches when he pulls the tight material off, but not doing anything about it. If he has any control over their situation, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to make her lose her breath.— 🫠🫠🫠 lord have mercy

He does allow himself to make eye contact while he undoes his jeans, unable to pass up the chance to watch her watch him. — A SLUT! A WHORE! AND WE LOVE HIM FOR IT! ITS ALL FOR THE FEMALE GAZE! A FEMINIST!

The question makes him think of his mom, how she used to make pancakes on special occasions and sometimes just because it was Tuesday. He never makes them for himself.— I AM STILL A BROKEN HEARTED MESS PLS CHECK BACK IN 5-7 BUSINESS DAYS

“If we hadn’t been interrupted, we would have had sex. We would’ve made out for a while, and then I would have ridden you right there on the chaise.”//“Fuck…”— 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 blessssssssss

I think I’m falling in love with you. - 🥹💖🥹

OH I LOVE THEM THIS SLOW BURN IS EVERYTHING AND ITS KILLING ME AND I LOVE IT

Mar[r]y Me - part six

pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Mariella “M&M” Vertucci (fem!OC)

summary: A love story told through friendship, laughter, and food.

series warnings: 18+ minors DNI, discussion of insecurities, difficult family relationships, discussions of food and alcohol use, discussions of body image, one (1) drunk asshole, conversations on what it’s like to be a fat woman trying to date in today’s society, warnings to be added as needed

word count: 5.9k

previous part | series masterlist | main masterlist

note: happy Friday!! it's August here in the real world but it's Valentine's Day in the Mar[r]y Me universe, so what will these two do surrounded by love and pink hearts? can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts!

part six - pancakes

God, I made a mistake.

Bradley has suffered through five days of the same thought on a constant loop. His brain started up the second he walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Only getting short reprieves when he had to fly. Even being asleep wasn’t safe; Mary had been consuming his nights, wonderful dreams of being with her intermixed with bad dreams of having to watch her with another man.

He felt like he was living one of those nightmares for the last three songs, watching Mary dance and giggle with some guy in his twenties.

I should be the one making her laugh. My hands should be on her hips, not his.

He cursed Natasha for dragging them to this stupid Valentine’s Day speed-dating event. Except, the speed dating isn’t actually speed dating; it’s some sort of convoluted speed dancing.

As announced by the host, there are only two rules:

Every person must wear the wristband they received upon entry; the wristbands correspond to your relationship status, so respect the color code system.

If you’re dancing, you have to dance with a new person for each song.

“Unless you’re really hitting it off with your dance partner.” DJ Socket had added with a wink before starting the night off with a horrible remixed version of My Funny Valentine.

Natasha, Callie, and Mary had laughed at the bad song choice before throwing back a shot of tequila and shimmying their way to the dance floor, pink wristbands glowing under the disco ball.

According to the event flyer that had been spammed in the group chat for the last two weeks, a pink wristband meant single and ready to mingle.

Bradley watches as the infant with a bad haircut tries to hit on Mary to what he thinks is a Justin Bieber song, absentmindedly playing with his own wristband. White. Here for fun, not to flirt.

He’s having a terrible time.

“Rooster. Rooster? Bradley!”

The use of his real name snaps him out of his thoughts. “Sorry, Bob, what was that?”

“I asked if you were okay. You don’t look great.”

He feels his heart clench a little bit. He’s always had a soft spot for the bespectacled man, Bob paying attention to small things that others rarely caught. Though even a blind person could see the way Bradley is staring at Mary, the pining radiating beyond the two high-top tables the Daggers had claimed as theirs.

“Yeah, just tired. It’s been a long week.”

Bob raises an eyebrow and opens his mouth, but Harvard interrupts him before he can investigate further.

“It’s weird seeing the girls in dresses instead of their coveralls.”

“I’m just wondering how they convinced Callie to wear heels. Omaha practically had to bribe her to wear something other than her Vans to our wedding.” Fritz says, his red wristband - taken and in love - flashing when he takes a sip of his bright pink drink. “God, these drink specials are awful! This is the last time Phoenix gets to choose where we go.”

The boys laugh as his face twists in disgust. Natasha is great at many things, choosing a good bar is not one of them.

“We should have let Jake plan; he found that complex with the mini golf and everything. That was so much fun!” Aaron adds before turning to Javy. “Where is Jake? I thought he was coming.”

Javy shrugs. “He was supposed to be here, but he texted me and said he wasn’t going to make it. Something came up, apparently. He said everything was fine, so I’ll check on him tomorrow. Make sure he’s all good.”

“Mary looks really good.”

Bradley stiffens, his mood dropping from happy back down to pissed off as steam pours out of his ears. She doesn’t just look good. She looks amazing. The light green, satiny material of her dress is hugging her figure just right, showing off her curves in the most delicious way. The slit up her leg showing off the thighs he dreams about getting his hands on again.

She looks gorgeous.

But Harvard doesn’t get to say that about his girl.

She’s not your girl. You fucked up.

“There she is! Can I get you a drink, ma’am?” Harvard stands up, holding his bar stool steady while Mary climbs on, scooting it in when she’s settled.

“If you’re going up, I’ll take a water, please.” She smiles at him, cheeks flushed from dancing.

“You want anything stronger to go with that water?”

“Vodka sprite, if it’s not too much of a bother.”

“You got it, sweetheart; anything for my new backseater!” Harvard flashes his toothpaste commercial-ready smile at her before making his way through the crowd to the bar. Him and his pink wristband quickly getting lost in the masses.

“I missed something. Backseater?” Javy asks.

Bradley watches her laugh and lean on the table, grabbing a chip after Aaron pushes the basket toward her. “He’s just trying to be funny. We’re both headed up to Lemoore next week - I’m helping out on some repairs, and he’s doing some sort of mentor program? I don’t know exactly. Anyway, Cyclone suggested we drive together since we’re staying at the same hotel. I told Brigham he’s driving since he insisted on getting this godawful 30-foot pickup truck, which makes me his temporary backseater.”

“Make sure you don’t eat anything before riding with him, or you’ll paint the windshield.” Omaha jokes.

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Please. If I didn’t hurl after a greenhorn took me up and executed one very poor barrel roll before getting himself grounded, I think I can handle Harvard’s driving.”

“You’ve flown?”

“Was it an FA-18?”

“How do you fuck up a barrel roll?”

“Did you like it?”

Questions are hurled at her from every direction, all the boys interested in the fact that their favorite mechanic had been airborne in the backseat of a fighter jet before they knew her.

“I did like it!”

Bradley’s heart warms a bit when she answers his question first.

“It was an FA-18, and I think we technically hit Mach-1, but my brain has burned the trauma of that hop from my memory. It was fun until that bad maneuver because when I say greenhorn, I mean green. Like as fresh as you can possibly be.” She shutters, only partially joking. “But I didn’t throw up, and that’s a major point of pride for me.”

“It’s only because you hadn’t eaten yet that day.”

The warmth disappears, again, when she smacks Brigham’s arm after he puts her drinks down. “I told you that in confidence! And I think it still counts because I’m a civilian and have done none of the training you guys do.”

“How did you even get permission to fly?” Javy questions, stealing a sip of her water, grinning at her when she glares.

“When I was in Florida, I got close with some of the higher-ups, and one of them arranged for me to go on a simple flight so I could see what it’s like. It was really sweet of him!”

“Who did you sweet talk into getting in a jet?”

“He sweet-talked me! Actually, it was more like he manipulated me. It came up that I’d never been on a flight - which is totally normal for an engineer, by the way - and he egged me on until I agreed to go up.”

“Oh my god, you got suckered into a ride with a flight school newbie? Who managed that?”

“I don’t know if you guys know him. I don’t think he was in Pensacola when you were going through flight school, but it was Admiral-”

“Hey, baby, wanna dance?”

Her face changes immediately, annoyance spreading quickly. “No. I’ve already told you I don’t. Leave me alone.”

“Oh, c’mon, you know you want this-”

“The lady told you no. I suggest you listen to her before we make you listen.” Omaha threatens from his position across the table. Bradley is happy that Neil spoke up before him because he wouldn’t have been so nice about it.

The pushy asshole looks around the table and decides not to press his luck after seeing eight men puffed up, ready to defend their friend.

“What a dick! He had a red wristband on, and he still tried to hit on you!”

“Welcome to being a woman, Mickey. Doesn’t matter if you’ve told them no or if they have a partner. Men will be gross and overbearing if they think it’ll benefit them.”

She sinks back in her chair, sipping her drink and sending a small smile to the boys in thanks. The group disburses a bit, most joining Nat and Callie on the dance floor, leaving Mary sitting with Fritz, Bradley, and Bob.

“Hey, speaking of gross and overbearing, did you hear the rumor that Admiral Cain is coming to the program review next week?”

It perks her back up; she excitedly leans forward, happy to talk about something else.

“Oh! That’s not a rumor, Fritz. That’s 100% true. He’ll be presenting his case for increasing unmanned drone research. But he’s going first on Tuesday, and then he’s back in Washington that same afternoon, so thankfully, we’ll only have to deal with him for a few hours.”

“Thank god, I had to deal with him for a little bit when I was at Norfolk, and he was worst. I know drones are getting more popular for high-risk missions, but they’ll never be able to fully replace pilots.” Billy clinks his bottle against Mary’s glass when she holds it up, swallowing the last of his beer. “You’ll have to excuse me; it looks like my husband wants me to dance with him.”

Bradley watches Mary stare longingly at the dance floor, her eyes following the happy couple dance in perfect sync with each other.

If you hadn’t messed up, that could be the two of you out there.

“So, what parts of program review do you have to sit in on?”

Mary turns, a soft smile on her face - Bradley knows her soft spot for Bob matches his own. Both of them protective over the younger man who cares so much, yet so quietly.

“I have to be there for almost all of it. I’m presenting a few sections, plus I have to do a shop tour and demo, which will be uber fun.” She rolls her eyes, knowing how some admirals like to knit-pick at how a shop is run and organized. “All my free time this week will be finishing my slides and polishing my presentation.”

“Wow, on top of helping with Lemoore’s repairs? You’re gonna be busy these next two weeks.”

“Very busy, but we’ve already done the repairs I’m helping with down here, so theirs should go much smoother! But I'm genuinely excited for program review because I’ll get to see some people I worked with in Florida! I think I’m going to try and poach a few of them that I really miss.”

“You’re gonna steal your friends to work for you?” Bradley regrets the question when he sees her face falter for a split second, realizing his tone wasn’t as joking as intended.

“Yeah, I’m thinking about it. They’re really smart and talented, plus it’d be nice to work with them again.”

The relief that breezes through his chest at her grin and kind tone quickly disappears when Harvard pops up and pulls her toward the dance floor.

“Hang- hang on!” She giggles, turning to Bob. “Would you mind keeping an eye on my purse while Brigham steps on my toes to bad 90s love songs?”

Bob’s, “No problem.” overpowers Harvard’s protests of, “I’m not gonna step on your foot again!”

She pecks his cheek, leaving a faint pink stain behind as she follows the Ohio man onto the dance floor. And for several songs, Bradley's stomach twists as he watches his two friends dance pressed close together.

“Why don’t you go dance with her?”

“She doesn’t want to dance with me.”

Bob scoffs. “You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Bradley, what happened with you two?”

He doesn’t answer; just keeps fiddling with the label on his beer and watching the dance floor. The two sit in uncomfortable silence for the first time in their friendship.

“I fucked up.” He confesses everything to Bob. The night on her couch, their interruption, the tiff just a few days ago. He doesn’t spare any detail, no feelings. “I still don’t know why I didn’t just let her explain! Even if I was mad that she was ignoring me, she had her reasons - she wouldn’t do something like that for no reason!”

Bob is stunned. He doesn’t know what to say to comfort his friend. None of the group’s theories had even been close to the reality of what happened.

“You can’t tell anyone what I just told you, not even Natasha!” Bradley is borderline frantic. “You’re the second person I’ve told, and I don’t know if Mary has told anyone, but I don’t want everyone knowing. I don’t want what happened to be the talk of the group.”

“I won’t tell anyone, Bradley. Not even Nat. But I do get bragging rights when the two of you finally get together.”

“That’s not gonna happen. I messed up too much, man.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

He looks where Bob is pointing, watching as Harvard twirls away with a pretty redhead, leaving Mary dancing by herself. They make eye contact, and he can see the gears in her brain working. She turns around, hips swinging hypnotically, and he loses his breath when she peeks over her shoulder at him. Bradley’s heart soars when she wiggles a finger at him.

She’s calling me over. Maybe I didn’t totally fuck this up.

His joy is short-lived. The same red wristband asshole as before getting in her space, trying to grab her ass as she pushes him away. Bradley practically falls out of his chair to get to her.

“Get away from me!” Mary pushes the stranger’s hands off and stumbles back from the force, colliding with Bradley’s chest as he comes to help.

He steps forward, angling his body to shield her as she tucks herself into his side. “She’s told you to leave her alone at least twice now. Walk away before we have a problem.”

The sleazy man rolls his eyes, “Whatever, man.”

“No, not “whatever,” man.” Bradley steps forward, disregarding Mary tugging on his arm. Her pleas for him to stop falling on deaf ears. “You’re going to apologize to her.”

“For what? The fat bitch probably liked it. She’s practically begging for it in that dress.”

Bradley doesn’t even think. He lunges, ignoring Mary’s yell for him to stop and taking the asshole down with one punch. He doesn’t get a second one, security interfering and escorting all three out.

The rest of the Daggers make their way outside, everyone awkwardly huddled together as Mary assures the bouncers that she is safe to leave with Bradley, that he’s her friend who was just protecting her from the other man’s unwanted advances.

She’s mad when she joins them. A quiet anger that's palpable, making them all stay quiet instead of joking around like usual.

“Thanks for planning this, Nat. It was really fun until about five minutes ago. I’ll text you about dinner.” She says to the girls, giving Bob a small smile when he hands over her clutch. “Bradley is going to drive me home, but you guys should keep having fun. Brigham, let me know when you want to leave tomorrow, and I’ll see the rest of you when I get back from Lemoore.”

Her clipped tone and her heels furiously clicking on the sidewalk are the only physical indicators of her anger. The group watches her go, stunned. In the year since they were introduced to Mary, it’s the only time they’ve seen her get close to losing her cool.

They had seen her defend herself against misogynistic pilots, making them feel foolish without even raising her voice. They watched her bite her tongue when admirals talked down to her because of her age, letting Mav or Cyclone handle it. In the past eleven months, they had witnessed her ability to handle difficult situations with poise and grace.

But tonight was too much.

After having to deal with yet another demeaning asshole and Bradley’s rash, unwanted heroics, the rage simmering below the surface of her skin was threatening to finally break through.

Bradley follows at a slower pace, keeping an eye on her but giving her space to breathe. He startles at someone grabbing his shoulder, turning with wide eyes to find Bob with a determined look on his face.

“Take her home and apologize; let her explain before you explain your side, okay?” Bradley nods, giving a small smile to his friend. “It’s all gonna be fine; you are made for each other. You can tell me all about how right I am tomorrow morning.”

He makes his way to the car, unlocking and opening the door for Mary, the tiny bit of hope from Bob’s pep talk disappearing when he realizes that she’s giving him the silent treatment. Climbing into the front seat and ignoring the hand he offers, closing the door herself and choosing to stare out the passenger window when Bradley sides into the Bronco.

The drive to her house is quiet; the only sound is the oldies station Bradley turns on in hopes of getting Mary to talk to him. The closer they get to their destination, the more he goes from sad to annoyed.

I was just trying to help. She doesn’t need to ignore me.

They’re both fuming by the time he pulls into the driveway. She slips out of the car, hoping he’ll just go home, but he’s following behind her to the house. One step over the threshold, and he can’t take it anymore.

“Are you gonna stop ignoring me, or should I just go home?”

He watches her shoulders stiffen and feels his stomach drop her eerily calm expression. “I don’t know. Are you actually going to listen to me? Or are you just going to tell me that we should just forget this happened, too?”

“Don’t put that on all on me! This isn’t all my fault! You ignored me for an entire month!”

“Yes! Yes, I did!” She slams her hand on her kitchen island. “And then, when I tried to explain, you didn’t let me say anything! You just said we should forget everything that happened and move on! So I tried to forget! I tried to respect your wishes! But tonight, all you could do was watch me dance with other men!”

His mouth drops open; he didn’t realize she had noticed.

“Yeah! I noticed - you pilots have all the subtly of an elephant in a firework shop with its tail on fire! It’s one or the other, Bradley! We either forget what happened and we see other people, or we talk about what happened and go from there! There’s no in-between option where you get to be upset whenever I flirt with a man that’s not you! So what’s it gonna be? Are we moving on, or are we having a conversation?”

He can’t get words to come out. He knows what he wants, but he can’t speak.

“Well, Bradley?”

Say something, dumbass! She’s not going to wait forever.

She scoffs, rubbing her hands over her face. “I’m going to shower. If you’re still here when I’m done, we’ll talk. If you’re gone, well, then I have my answer.”

He’s frozen in her dining room, wincing back to reality at her bedroom door slamming shut. His phone is ringing before he realizes what he’s doing.

“Rooster? Everything okay?”

“I think I fucked up.” He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even further. “We fought, man. She noticed I was watching her tonight and yelled at me for not letting her talk last week.”

“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”

“I’m in her living room.”

“You’re still there? She didn’t kick you out?”

“She said if I’m still here when she’s done showering, we’ll talk about everything.”

“You’re a fucking idiot, Bradley.” Bob’s eye-roll is audible on the other end. “Sit down and wait for her to finish showering so you can talk. If she wanted you to leave, she would have no problem sending you packing.”

“You think?”

“She was two seconds from throwing a wrench at my head last week, and I’m her favorite.”

“Well, I don’t know about favor-”

“I am. Now, sit down, shut up, and wait for her.”

The line clicks, and he decides to listen to the advice, depositing his wallet and keys on her entryway table before sitting on her couch. Sinking into the middle cushion, he thinks about the last time he’d been on this piece of furniture.

“You’re so hard.” He’s not sure why she’s surprised. She has to know she’s had him on the verge of an erection since she opened her door this morning.

“You’ve been pressed against me for two hours in these tiny little shorts with no bra on, and you smell good.” He shrugs, feeling sheepish as he explains what got him going.

“Bradley..” The way she says his name borders on a moan, and he can’t help the noise he makes when she pulls his hair.

If she does that again, I’m going to cum.

He grabs her ass and pulls her as close as he can, brushing his other hand up her thigh and boldly dipping into the leg of her pajama shorts, enjoying the scalloped edge of her panties. Their lips brush, and he’s about to move his hand to the gusset of her underwear - he needs to know how wet she is for him - when they’re interrupted.

Between reliving that moment and crafting his apology, he doesn’t hear the shower turn off or her footsteps coming down the hall, only noticing her when she sits in the chair furthest from him.

“I’m sorry-” They start to apologize at the same time.

“I’d like to go first if you don’t mind?” She requests, taking a deep breath when he nods in agreement. “I want to start by apologizing for the last month. It was wrong of me to kick you out that night and then ignore you for a month, and I wish I hadn’t done it.”

“Why did you?”

“Because I got scared. That night… I never do things like that. I never make the first move or act that bold. So the fact that I just climbed on your lap like that - without thinking about it or second-guessing myself - freaked me out. By the time I got Annie back to sleep, I had completely psyched myself out, and I was convinced you didn’t actually want me.”

“That’s- I- did I give any indication that I didn’t want you?” He sputters the question, unsure how she could think that.

“It’s nothing you did, Bradley. It’s all on me, my insecurities. Men rarely - if ever - have had the same… enthusiasm that you did. You were great; this is a me problem.”

“I don’t understand.” He leans forward, wanting to get closer without crossing the boundary she set with her seat choice. “If everything was so great, what went wrong?”

“I’m fat, Bradley.”

He sits up straight, shocked at her words. What does that have to do with anything?

“I’m sorry, I still don’t get what the problem is.”

“I know you don’t understand what it’s like to be a woman, but please believe me when I tell you it’s hard. People are constantly policing and judging your body. Men will just tell you what they think of your body, what they think is wrong with it - unprovoked. And it’s even worse when you’re fat.” She leans back, hugging a pillow to her chest. “I know you didn’t do any of that. But I’ve been fat since I was a kid, so I’ve heard it all for years. And not just men, but from family too. It’s hard to shake those experiences, to ignore the insecurities and just enjoy the moment.”

They sit in silence for a minute, Mary refusing to make eye contact while Bradley tries to figure out his next move.

“Can I come over there?”

The question surprises her, but she nods. His choice to kneel in front of her is another surprise; he can tell from her eyebrows reaching her hairline.

“I’m gonna take this, okay?” He gently tugs the pillow from her hands, tossing it on the couch so there’s nothing between them. When Bradley sees her shirt, his breath hitches in his throat.

She’s wearing his sweatshirt.

“Sorry,” she says shyly, noticing his stare. “I’ve been wearing it to bed; I promise I’ll wash it.”

And as much as he wants to linger in the revelation that she’s been sleeping in his clothes, he pushes through.

“Mary, I’m going to be very honest with you because I need you to understand how much I wanted you that night. Sitting there with you in my lap? That’s the hardest I’ve ever been; I think about it all the time. How warm and soft you were.” He slips his hands into hers. “And I know what you look like. I like the way you look. I like everything about you. Everything. Even the things you don’t like about yourself. You’re so gorgeous.”

He wipes her cheek, brushing a tear away.

“This past month hasn’t changed how I feel about you. I still want you. I’ve never not wanted you. I’ve had a crush on you since the moment Danielle dragged you through the front door of the Hard Deck.”

“Bradley…”

“Not done, still my turn.” He leans up, getting closer to her to get his point across. “I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to fix this sooner. I was trying to give you the space you wanted, but that was a mistake. After the first week, I should have told you how I was feeling, what I wanted.”

“What do you want now?” Her voice is tiny, and his heart breaks at how uncertain she sounds.

“Still you, honey. I know I said we should forget what happened, but I don’t want to forget. I want to do that again without getting interrupted this time. I want to take you out on a date. I want you. If you’ll have me.”

He watches Mary wrestle with her thoughts, her mouth opening and closing, not sure how to say what she’s thinking. “Just tell me, Mary, whatever it is. I want you to be honest with me.”

“I want that too. I want you. But I’m not sure if I���m ready for it right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“How long have you been flirting with me?” She nudges him back, scooting forward in her chair so her knees brush his chest.

He doesn’t understand the question but answers anyway, wrapping his hands around her legs, stroking his thumbs over her soft skin. “Since that night we met, I didn’t do too good of a job since you spent the evening playing darts with Jake, but that’s how long.”

“That was last January. You’ve been flirting with me for an entire calendar year. And I’m so oblivious that I didn’t even realize you were interested until you were grabbing my ass and moaning against my mouth.” She rubs her face. “So I just need some time to process this because I never thought this - us -could be an option.”

“Okay, how much time are you thinking? How do you want to do this?”

“I don’t know… there’s no free time. I’m gone this week, and next week is program review and prepping you guys for deployment. Then you’re in the middle of the ocean for two months.”

“Doesn’t really leave a lot of time for us, does it?” He jokes, squeezing her calves. “We’ll be back the first week of May. There’ll be a few days of debriefing, but then I’m on leave. Why don’t we grab dinner that Sunday? It can be as friends or as something more, whatever you want - whatever you’re ready for at that point. How does that sound?”

“You’re okay with waiting that long?”

“Mariella, it’s been a year, and nothing has changed since I saw you in that red dress. A few extra weeks where we’re just friends? That’s nothing if it means you’re comfortable.”

“I’m sorry I’m so bad at this.”

“Stop it. This isn’t all on you; I haven’t been the best either.” Bradley’s voice is firm, making sure she’s not placing the entire blame on herself. “We’ll work on it. We’re smart people; we can figure it out.”

“Thank you for being so understanding. I really am sorry about how I acted.”

“I’m sorry, too.”

Feeling lighter than they have in weeks, they look at each other and laugh when Mary yawns, her face scrunching up.

“Okay, honey, I think it’s time to get you to bed.” He stands, pulling her into a hug. “I’ll call you when you’re at Lemoore, okay? We’ll talk about our days, and you can complain about Harvard.”

“Why would I complain about Brigham?” She blinks up at him, her eyebrows creasing after a second. “Wait! Are you saying goodbye? You can’t drive home right now; it’s too late!”

He tries to argue but is cut off by her finger pointing at the clock, the two hands telling him it’s almost three in the morning. “Shit, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

“C’mon.” She pulls on his hand, leading him down the hall.

“What are we doing?”

“Going to bed?” She squeaks when he abruptly stops, tugging her off balance.

“Mary, I’m sleeping on the couch.”

Her face is baffled. “Bradley, you’re too tall; it won’t be comfortable. We can share my bed; we’re adults. We can handle it.”

His heart thumps. He wants nothing more than to crawl into bed with her, but he’s afraid of how his body might react to being next to her all night.

“Mary, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“You won’t. I also want you to be comfortable, so if you don’t want to share, I’ll take the couch, and you take my bed.”

“But-”

“This is the whole communication thing we just talked about. Believe me when I say that sharing my king-sized bed with you for one night won’t make me uncomfortable.”

Bradley stares into her eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation. “Okay, lead the way then, Vertucci.”

It’s awkward for a moment in her bedroom, the two of them trying to navigate this new situation together. But after some blushing and a few stuttered words, they figure it out. He’s just finished brushing his teeth when they discover that Bradley’s preferred side of the bed matches hers.

“Two peas in a pod.” He jokes as he starts to climb into bed, heart fluttering at the bashful smile on her face.

“What are you doing?”

He freezes, covers pulled back with his knee raised. “Uhhh… getting into bed?”

“Not like that, you’re not.” His wide eyes must give away his confusion and panic because she continues. “Bradley, you are not climbing into my bed, which has nice fresh sheets, with those clothes you wore to the club. God knows what’s on those chairs we sat on.”

“So what am I supposed to do?”

“You are wearing underwear, right?” He nods, feeling baffled by how this night has progressed. “Then strip, you’re sleeping in your undies.”

Bradley stands there, looking at her snuggled under her quilt, bathed in the soft light of her nightstand lamp, and still wearing his name on her arm. Based on how serious she looks, he’s pretty sure she’s unaware of how flirty her words sound. If she was any other woman, he would make an effort to flirt back, try his best to be sexy as he undresses. Turn it into a striptease.

But it’s Mary, and they just got back to a good place.

So he undresses how he does when he’s alone. Unbuttoning his black shirt methodically, taking note of how her breath hitches when he pulls the tight material off, but not doing anything about it. If he has any control over their situation, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to make her lose her breath.

He does allow himself to make eye contact while he undoes his jeans, unable to pass up the chance to watch her watch him. He sees her scan his body, can see the hunger in her eyes, can hear the small gulp when she sees the waistband of his underwear appear. He stays steady, folding the pants and draping them over his shirt before slipping under the covers, keeping a respectful distance between them.

“Gonna turn the light out?”

She blinks at him as she processes the question, her eyes hazy from the late hour, and he thinks about how he would love to have this view every night for the rest of his life. He watches as she rolls over, eyes slipping down to the skin that’s exposed when she leans to turn the lamp off. She ends up closer when she rolls back towards him; he can feel the heat of her body radiating towards him.

“What do you want for breakfast?” Mary’s voice is soft, like being too loud will ruin the small bubble they’ve created for themselves. “Do you like pancakes?”

The question makes him think of his mom, how she used to make pancakes on special occasions and sometimes just because it was Tuesday. He never makes them for himself.

“They’re my favorite. Do you make good pancakes?”

“I make the best pancakes.” He can’t see her face, but he can hear her smile. “Night, Bradley.”

He mummers good night back, enjoying the way the mattress moves as she gets comfortable. The scent of her shampoo drifts over him, resurrecting the question that he’d been asking himself for a month.

“Mary? Can I ask you a question?” His voice is quiet, scared to ruin things but needing to know the answer.

She hums, “What’s up?”

“That night. If we hadn’t gotten interrupted, what do you think would have happened?” It’s quiet. He can hear her hands playing with the edge of the sheet, fingers nervously folding and unfolding the cotton. “I’m sorry, you don’t have-”

“No, it’s okay, Bradley.” A hand brushes his chest, warm fingers ghosting over his skin in search of his hand. She continues once their fingers are intertwined. “If we hadn’t been interrupted, we would have had sex. We would’ve made out for a while, and then I would have ridden you right there on the chaise.”

“Fuck…”

She makes a small noise of agreement. “I don’t know about after, though, if we would have had a better go of things that we have. It might have been worse, I’m not sure.”

“Can’t change the past. I’m just glad we’re fixing things now.”

“Me too.” Mary presses a small kiss to the tip of his fingers, squeezing his hand before rolling over. “Good night, Bradley; sleep well.”

“Night, Mary.”

I think I’m falling in love with you.

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More Kanda! He’s so pretty and I love it!!!! He’s gonna slay at the ball, guys! Arlo gonna droollllll~

@smiles4voltron