#buy apartment in portugal

[bpaproperty]

What You Need to Know Before Buying an Apartment in Portugal

Buying an apartment in Portugal can be an exciting investment, whether you’re looking for a vacation home, a permanent residence, or a rental property. However, before making your purchase, there are a few important factors to consider to ensure a smooth transaction.

1. Understand the Legal Process

The legal process of buying apartment in Portugal is straightforward but requires careful attention. Non-residents will need a Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF), a tax identification number, to proceed with the purchase. It’s also essential to hire a qualified lawyer to review the property’s legal status and ensure everything is in order.

2. Know the Costs Involved

In addition to the purchase price, be aware of taxes and fees. Property Transfer Tax (IMT) is applicable, along with notary and registration fees. If you plan to finance your purchase with a mortgage, banks typically require a 20-30% down payment for non-residents.

3. Location and Market Trends

Portugal offers a variety of locations, from Lisbon’s vibrant city life to the peaceful Algarve coast. Research the local market trends to ensure you’re making a sound investment in a growing area.

At B&P Real Estate, we specialize in helping buyers navigate the property market in Portugal. Contact us today to find your ideal apartment and make your Portuguese dream home a reality!

[livingonthecotedazurnh]

Le Portugal est l'un des plus beaux pays où les gens préfèrent vivre, et cette demande fait monter en flèche le marché immobilier. Notre boutique immobilier vous propose une information globale sur l'immobilier Portugal. Visitez notre site Web ou déposez votre message sur Whatsapp au +33783579579 pour obtenir l'assistance d'un expert !

[meazalykov]

wrong number

bayern munich frauen x lena oberdorf x reader

1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6

summary: you're the honorary bayern munich teammate.

the excitement fills your veins as you land in lisbon. 

you’re finally here, and it’s hard to believe. lena doesn't even know yet—you wanted to surprise her, to be there in person for the match of her life. it’s been a long journey from buying the ticket, keeping it quiet, and making your way to portugal, but every step felt worth it because nothing, absolutely nothing, would have kept you from being here to support lena in the champions league final.

hours later, you’re waiting anxiously in your hotel room when a knock finally comes. you open the door to find lena, looking tired but smiling, and her face lights up as she sees you.

"you made it," she says, stepping forward to hug you tightly. she lets out a deep breath, and you feel some of the tension melt from her shoulders.

"of course i did," you say, hugging her back, brushing a hand over her back. 

"how could i miss this? tomorrow’s the match of your life. are you nervous?"

she pulls back slightly, her smile fading as she flops onto the bed beside you. 

"yeah… a little," she admits, looking away. 

"it’s more than that, though. i keep thinking about the final in 2023… it’s like this shadow hanging over everything. it won’t go away." her voice goes quieter, and you see just how much she’s carrying from that day that you’re unfamiliar with.

you sit beside her, reaching out to take her hand. 

"do you want to talk about it? what happened in 2023?"

she nods, her gaze fixed on a spot across the room. 

"it was against barcelona, with wolfsburg. we were up 2-0, and then everything just… fell apart. they scored three goals in, like, eight minutes. i felt so helpless. all those months of training, just to lose like that. sometimes it feels like i haven’t shaken it off."

you squeeze her hand gently. 

"i can’t imagine how tough that must’ve been. losing on that stage, with everyone watching… it’s okay that it still hurts. a lot of people would feel the same. i also know that you’re stronger now."

she looks over at you, a small smile finally breaking through before giving you a light kiss. 

"thanks. i don’t know… i’ve tried to push it out of my head, but tomorrow feels like a chance to finally put it behind me. i want to prove to myself that i’m not that same person who let it slip away." she whispers against you.

you run your thumb across her knuckles, trying to pour all your reassurance into that small touch. 

"and you’re not. you’re here, stronger and smarter, and you’ve learned so much. but whatever happens tomorrow, you’re still amazing. i’m just so proud of you."

a soft blush colors her cheeks as she squeezes your hand back, her gaze meeting yours as her forehead rests against yours. 

"thank you. it really helps, having you here. more than you know."

after a while, she heads back to her hotel room for a good night's sleep, leaving you with a warm, happy feeling that stays with you until morning. 

it’s surreal, thinking back to a year ago when this whole thing started with a wrong number. now you’re here, in lisbon, to watch the woman you love play in one of the biggest games of her life.

the next day, you find yasmeen at the stadium entrance, her face lighting up when she spots you. she flew in from america just to keep you company, and you feel a rush of gratitude as you hug her.

"ready for the match of your life?" she grins, eyes sparkling.

"more ready than i’ve ever been," you laugh, feeling your own excitement build up. you’re both practically vibrating as you take your seats, and when the game kicks off, it’s all you can focus on. 

seeing lena on the bench doesn’t dim your excitement—she’ll get her moment, and you know it.

the game starts off tense. city’s vivianne scores in the 20th minute, and the bayern fans around you groan. you try to keep your spirits up, leaning forward and clapping.

"come on, girls!" you shout in german, even though your voice is quickly swallowed by the roar of the crowd.

yasmeen chuckles beside you, giving you a supportive pat. 

"you’re so into it already."

you grin. 

"it’s impossible not to be. they’re incredible."

just before halftime, bayern’s perseverance pays off. in the 45th minute, klara sets up a perfect cross, and pernille rises up to head it in, tying the score. 

you leap out of your seat, clapping wildly as yasmeen cheers beside you.

"yes! let’s go, harder!" you yell, grinning from ear to ear.

at halftime, a fan behind you taps your shoulder and asks for a photo. she’s wearing a lena jersey, and you assume she just wants a picture with "lena’s girlfriend." 

you’re hesitant but smile and take the photo with her. when yasmeen teases you, you roll your eyes and laugh it off, though you can’t deny you’re a little flattered.

"look at you, getting famous," yasmeen nudges you. 

"you’re practically the team’s mascot at this point."

"shut up," you laugh, feeling your cheeks warm. 

"all i am is lena’s slightly anxious but very supportive girlfriend."

the second half starts off rough. city’s bunny shaw scores twice in under nine minutes, and the atmosphere in the bayern section gets tense. you bite your lip, glancing at yasmeen for reassurance as the clock ticks on.

bayern doesn’t let up. lea schüller scores in the 55th minute just one minute after shaw scored city’s third goal, and it feels like a breath of fresh air. 

one more goal, and they’ll be even again. you clap, your hands sore but determined, and yell encouragement, hoping somehow the team can hear you all the way on the bench.

then, in the 68th minute, pernille gets her second goal, equalizing. the stadium erupts, and you jump out of your seat, pulling yasmeen into a hug. 

this match has you on the edge of your seat, your heart racing with every pass, every tackle.

a commotion catches your attention near the right side of the pitch, and you see sydney in a heated exchange with alex greenwood. sydney is keeping the ball away from greenwood as the ref tries to intervene. you can’t help but chuckle as yasmeen leans over. 

"what’s going on with them?"

"just sydney being sydney," you say, grinning. 

"kidding. i’m not sure, maybe sydney just wants to give her team a breather.” 

minutes later, in the 79th minute, lena stands at the sideline, preparing to sub in. your heart skips a beat as you slip off your light blue button-up longsleeve to reveal your oberdorf jersey underneath. yasmeen catches sight of it and snickers.

"i wonder if she’ll get a yellow card within the first five minutes."

"probably," you mutter with the pride in your voice. you’re just thrilled to see her out there, part of the game she’s worked so hard to return to.

she’s barely on the pitch when, in the 81st minute, she makes a classic side tackle on mary fowler, and you and yasmeen exchange a look. 

lena gets a warning, but she’s unfazed, her focus sharp.

the clock’s ticking, and tension fills the air. then, in the 88th minute, lena sets up an assist to sydney, who powers the ball into the net, bringing the score to 3-3. 

you jump up, screaming as loud as you can, caught up in the joy of the moment.

at this point, your mind starts to wander, reflecting on how far you’ve come. a year ago, you were just a student in virginia, living a quiet life. now, you’re in lisbon, watching the woman you love play in a champions league final, surrounded by friends and fans. it feels surreal.

yasmeen nudges you, drawing you back to the game. 

"imagine if lena scores the winning goal."

"i hope," you murmur, watching her with bated breath as she passes the ball to tuva, who then lightly passes it to ana. 

ana crosses up to klara, who leaps up for a perfect header. the ball sails into the net, and the stadium explodes in cheers. the scoreboard lights up,

4-3.

klara runs to the corner, celebrating, and you watch in awe as the team surrounds her. then she turns and sends a heart your way, her hands forming the shape in the air. you send one back, beaming as yasmeen chuckles beside you.

the final whistle blows, and it’s like the whole stadium erupts at once. the scoreboard is locked at 4-3, with bayern’s victory glowing bright, but it’s hard to believe until you see the girls flood the pitch, their faces breaking into elated, disbelieving smiles. 

yasmeen nudges you, and you turn to see her beaming.

“they really did it,” she says, a little in awe herself. 

“and they really love you, huh?” you laugh, heart swelling as you watch the team embrace, overcome by what they've achieved.

“guess i just got lucky,” you murmur, and you mean it.

after the immediate celebration dies down a bit, the trophy ceremony begins, the crowd cheering louder as each player receives their medal, eyes glistening with the weight of the win. confetti rains down, golden and shimmering in the stadium lights, and you feel a lump in your throat. they’ve worked so hard for this.

suddenly, you hear a voice calling your name. you turn to see sydney and tuva waving, beckoning you over. before you can process it, they’re running up, reaching over the barricade to pull you across it.

“you’re coming with us,” sydney insists, her grip firm, and tuva laughs, nodding in agreement. they drag you toward the heart of the celebration, and you glance back at yasmeen, who waves you off with a smile.

“go have fun!” she calls, and you smile back gratefully.

you barely have a second to catch your breath before you spot lena jogging toward you, her face flushed with happiness, eyes bright under the stadium lights. she wraps you in her arms, lifting you slightly, and you cling to her, laughing as she swings you back and forth.

“we did it,” she breathes, her voice full of amazement.

“you did it,” you correct, pulling back just enough to look at her. her eyes search yours, and you can see that same mixture of pride and disbelief.

“i still can’t believe it,” she whispers, her hands resting on your shoulders. 

“it feels… surreal.”

you smile, brushing a strand of confetti from her hair. 

“it’s real. and you deserve every bit of it, obi!”

lena smiles, a little teary-eyed, then leans in and presses a soft kiss to your cheek, lingering there as if she wants to soak up the moment. 

“thank you for being here,” she says quietly, and you can hear the depth of her gratitude, her voice soft and genuine.

“i wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” you whisper back, feeling your own emotions rise.

nearby, klara is holding the trophy, posing for pictures, her grin as wide as you’ve ever seen. when she spots you, she waves you over, gesturing for you to come closer. you hesitate, feeling a rush of self-consciousness. 

you’re not a player, after all—you didn’t sweat and fight for this trophy like they did.

“come on!” klara calls, laughing at your reluctance. 

“get in here!”

you make your way over, feeling a bit out of place, and she hands you the trophy, the massive silver and blue prize weighing heavy in your hands. 

the moment feels surreal, and you look at klara, a little overwhelmed.

“are you sure?” you ask, voice soft.

she grins. 

“absolutely. you’re part of this team, too, you know.”

lena’s hand slips into the side of your waist as she steps closer, nodding with a warm smile. 

“she’s right, you know,” lena says, giving your hand a squeeze. 

“you’re like our honorary teammate.”

you smile, heart racing, and glance around at the team gathered around you. it’s a strange feeling—this sense of belonging among these women who have worked and sacrificed so much. 

they’re looking at you with genuine affection, the bond you’ve built with them over time stronger than you’d ever realized.

“alright,” you say, laughing, feeling a bit more relaxed as they crowd in around you. 

“but only because you all insisted.”

they cheer, pulling you into the picture, arms wrapped around one another, laughing and shouting in excitement as the photographer snaps photo after photo. you can feel the joy radiating from each of them, the weight of this accomplishment shared and celebrated together. 

when klara makes a heart with her hands, aiming it at you, your chest tightens with warmth.

yasmeen, watching from the stands, raises her thumbs up and laughs, mouthing “so popular!” and you give her a teasing eye-roll, smiling at her playfully.

finally, as the photos wrap up and the team disperses to greet more of their friends and family, lena pulls you aside to meet her parents, holding you close as you both take in the night. 

the lights of the stadium are soft now, the crowd gradually fading, and it’s just you two talking to her family, standing side by side in the quiet after the storm of victory.

“i’m so proud of you,” you say to lena after her family leaves the stadium, voice thick with emotion. 

“watching you play, seeing you out there after everything you’ve been through… it’s incredible.”

lena’s eyes soften, her fingers tracing the outline of your hand. 

“i couldn’t have done it without you,” she murmurs.

“you’ve been here every step, even when i was sidelined and frustrated. you kept me going.”

you smile, your heart swelling with pride and love. 

“that’s what teammates are for, right?”

she laughs softly, her gaze tender. 

“then it’s settled,” she says, her smile widening. 

“you are officially our honorary bayern teammate.”

the words echo in your mind, wrapping around you like a warm embrace, and you know that this night, this moment, will stay with you forever.

masterlist

authors note: I hope you enjoyed this six parts series :) I started it 10/1 and finished this part last night before a halloween party I had to attend lol

[loviingpedri]

💋 me thru the phone - joão félix

prompt: it’s hard doing long distance.

warnings: grammar issues, one suggestive comment

click to help palestine

credits to owners for all images

the moon reflected in the window as the trees are shaking from the wind. raindrops covering the glass, slowly falling down.

staring at the picture frame of you and your boyfriend on the nightstand, you sighed.

long distance was very difficult. joão was in portugal for a little vacation, while you were in spain for work and university. joão was in and out of your apartment, meaning there was barely any contact or conversation.

he tried his best. he was the sweetest boyfriend you could ever ask for. you smelled the fresh pastel tulips in the glass vase. lost in your thoughts, and about to pick up a book, a sudden noise shocked you.

ring ring

a smile formed on your face as a picture of joão holding floki in front of a sunset on a mountain, next to him was you. a memory appearing of how your lips felt against his cheek. a scent of ocean, wood, and citrus flowing through the air.

swiping to answer his call, you were met with a smiley, tan, and dark brown eyed guy.

“hey.” he says on his white couch.

“hey, how are you?” pulling your (his) hoodie over your head to get comfortable, he could tell something was on your mind.

“i’m doing pretty good. did you get the flowers i sent?”

“yeah, i did. they’re really beautiful.” flipping your camera to show him. he admired the pink tulips, reminding him of you.

“i noticed your hoodie. wonder where you got it from,” noticing his smirk, you tried to hide your face in the camera. “is something going on? you don’t seem very talkative.”

you don’t wanna admit it, but he was right. usually, you would explain in detail on how your day was. quiet on you either meant you were mad at him, or just weren’t having a good day.

“i’m okay. not really feeling talkative today.” you gave him a small smile of reassurance. he wiggled in response, not buying the response. he shrugged it off instead of trying to push it on you.

“you look good. i’m glad you’re taking care of yourself.” honestly, that small comment made you want to lay flat on your stomach, kicking your feet in the air with a soft pink rising on your cheek.

“thanks. how’s your vacation going?” trying to control your heart rate, you decided to change the topic.

he smiled as you were fixing your hair, trying to noticeably look good for him. “it’s chill, not very eventful. sometimes i think about how i should’ve stayed with you though.”

“you know i would’ve never let you do that. you needed a break.

“yeah, i know. its been awhile. i really miss you.”

with a little sarcastic hair flip, “i’m so glad you miss me,” his laughter made butterflies fly in your stomach. “but really, i miss you too. especially when you would make hot chocolate during rainy nights. i crave it literally almost every day.”

“is that the only thing you crave?” he winked at you. your smile dropped at first in shock, but you two were dying in laughter.

“ew joão, that’s so gross.” you said in between laughter.

“if i had the opportunity to climb through the phone and kiss you, i would take it.”

“and people say romance is dead.”

rolling his eyes, you saw a glimpse of an open suitcase. it was filled with clothes neatly folded and ready for a trip. you furrowed your eyebrows.

noticing your face, “what’s wrong? did something happen?”

“are you going somewhere? i thought you weren’t leaving for another 3 weeks.”

laughing it off, which you did not find it funny (cause where is he going 🤨🤨🤨), he noticed you were being serious. you did not take the hint at all.

“y/n, don’t be sour. i’m going to fly over there tomorrow morning.” your mouth flew open. he didn’t even mention it.

“what? when did you book the ticket? you didn’t tell me anything.”

“calm down, i started packing this morning. i honestly couldn’t wait to see you anymore. i just booked the tickets literally 5 minutes ago.”

“i should probably clean the apartment a little bit then.” scrambling out of bed, ready to spot every dust speckle.

“don’t worry about it. i’m just ready to see you.”

“you should sleep early then for your flight. i’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

nodding his head, “kisses?” you rolled your eyes. he think it’s so funny how you kissed the camera one time before hanging up. now, he wants you to do it every phone call.

blowing a kiss at the camera before quickly hanging up in embarrassment, you could see his cheeky smile. you laid in your bed, thinking about what just happened. you were kicking your feet, ready to see him.

[wolfiemcwolferson]

5 for your spotify playlist fic pls ❤️

This is one of my favorite KoL songs. The lore is that Caleb wrote this whole thing rather intoxicated and so it was done in one recording initially. There’s this shiny, hopeless quality to the song which led me to…vampires.

Pierre drinks at the same bar.

It doesn’t matter that there’s only the one.

He’s here every Friday night, seated in the corner, nursing a half dozen beers until they kick him out.

It’s a habit he doesn’t particularly enjoy, but one he’ll continue until - well, he doesn’t like to consider just how long he might be doing this.

But, he supposes, this is the madness of a lovesick man. One who has seen all that life has to offer and still chooses this. Still chooses to wait.

Because Pierre had been all over. He’d photographed sunsets over mountains in countries that forced the FBI to detain and question him. He had photographs in magazines and exhibits and coffee table books.

Pierre was well traveled.

- is well traveled.

But somehow he’s always back here at this bar on a Friday night, waiting in the same corner as he was five years ago.

Because that is when Pierre’s life really changed.

When he was sat in the bar of his dying hometown - visiting with his brother, listening to his high school friends tell him about the state diverting the highway around them and how it was going to cost the town millions.

And then Charles had walked in.

Pierre knew who and what he had been immediately - had met a vampire in Portugal of all places, but no one else had known what he was.

Pierre had.

And maybe that’s why Charles picked him.

Maybe it was the fact that when Charles smiled, his eyes crinkled up on the sides and Pierre hadn’t been able to help himself when he lifted his fingertips to his skin.

Maybe it was the photos that Pierre had of sunrises plastered on his tiny apartment walls.

Pierre had taken him home that night, tipsy on well whiskey his brother insisted on buying him and the way Charles muscles underneath his hands had felt like marble.

It doesn’t matter what it was.

Not anymore.

It was beautiful and all encompassing and Charles had sworn to Pierre that he wouldn’t be alone. That Charles would love him until the end of time and beyond.

And Pierre still believes it.

Because Charles didn’t take the photographs when he left.

And to Pierre.

To Pierre that means Charles still trusts him - that he still loves him.

Pierre knows that Charles meant it because he would have taken the photographs with him when he went. He wouldn’t have allowed Pierre to keep those blurry, overexposed photos the two of them had taken with a timer in the desert. Or the ones of Charles in Pierre’s kitchen, making Pierre spinach and egg omelets to keep Pierre’s iron up.

He wouldn’t have allowed Pierre to keep the photographs of the two of them, curled up in the moonlight - Charles looking every bit of the ethereal creature he is.

Pierre waits for him to come back because Charles had made him promises about taking him home to France.

Showing him his home there - ancient and lifeless he had called it.

Pierre waits because Charles had loved him and made him feel alive and he knows - he knows - what they had together transcends everything.

What they HAVE.

Pierre sips his beer and he half listens to some story David tells him until David mentions Pierre’s niece - something about smashing mailboxes out on 239.

And that’s why Pierre misses it.

The door opening.

The door opening and the whole place going into that hushed quiet whisper.

Pierre might miss the door opening, but he feels it in his blood - like his body knew and alerted him immediately to -

“Sorry,” Charles’ voice is soft as he slips into the chair beside Pierre, scooting it closer to his silently, “I got held up at a festival in Italy, but -“

Pierre reaches over and takes his hand and the whole bar goes back to normal volume. Like they’ve accepted Pierre’s forgiveness for Charles leaving him heartbroken here for two years. Or maybe they think the two of them have been seeing each other this whole time - Pierre flying off to see him.

“Cha,” Pierre says. Quiet and low, but it still sounds too loud for this place. “Want to go back to mine?”

Charles eyes shine as he nods and Pierre brings Charles hand up to his chest, splaying his hand over Pierre’s beating heart.

“Let’s go home.”

They have shit to work out, but they have forever to do it.

Here or France or Thailand or Uruguay.

It doesn’t matter to him. Not when Charles repeats it back to him.

“Let’s go home.”

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - Set Me Free Part 6/15

Part 7 and 8 are already out on my Patreon for Free!

+18

Ruben and Carla have grown apart. With Rubens career taking off he leaves Portugal to live the life of his dreams, breaking Carla's heart doing so. Years later, upon his return home, Ruben learns that Carla has moved on, happily engaged to another man, but not any man, Ruben's childhood bully João Mendes.

Enjoy!

Christmas, three years ago,

It was still early in the morning. However, Carla's father entered the kitchen to see his daughter already up and about.

"Carla, what's this?"

His eyes widened at the state of the room. Wrapping paper lay tossed onto the kitchen floor, along with men's shoes and clothing.

"Pai, you're up! Good morning."

Carla barely threw her father a second glance, as she was too invested in the activity of wrapping more gifts.

"What has happened to my kitchen?" Her father exclaimed. All he wanted was to make a fresh cup of coffee. But how on earth would he even make it to the kitchen counter with all the unwrapped items on the floor?

"Oh, sorry." Carla said. "I'll clean it up once I'm done."

"But querida, why are you wrapping more gifts? I thought your mother already put everything under the tree last night?"

"Yes, but those gifts are for uncle Martin and aunt Carolina."

"But my dear, why do you feel the need to spoil your cousin this way? I thought we all agreed to cover your cousin's tuition fee for flight attendant school as a Christmas present this year?"

"Pai," Carla chuckled. "These gifts aren't for Maria."

He scratched his head. "No, who are they for then?"

"They're for Ruben."

"Dias?"

"Yes."

Carla had been so excited leading up to Christmas. She hadn't seen Ruben in months since her decision to move back home from England. Their talks over the phone just wouldn't do anymore, so when Ruben told her that he was coming home for Christmas, Carla was simply over the moon, rushing to buy him gifts.

"Carla?" Her father said, clearing his throat. He had fallen silent for a moment, regarding his daughter with a troubled expression. "Are you sure he is coming?"

"Of course." She chuckled. "Ruben is coming for Christmas, he said so himself."

"When?"

"What do you mean?"

Carla paused the gift wrapping, noticing the look on her father's face.

He cleared his throat once more.

"When did he tell you that he was coming, since neither your mother and I have been informed."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was so wrapped up in buying him gifts that it must have slipped my mind to tell you."

"I see." Her father muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing." He waved.

"No, tell me dad. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing querida, I just don't want you to be disappointed again."

Carla's parents were accepting of her and Ruben's decision to try long distance, however, it wasn't the first time that Ruben promised to come visit for the holidays but ultimately failed to follow through. And each time left Carla heartbroken, leaving her family to pick up the pieces.

"Dad, don't worry. Ruben has been very busy lately, I told you how life was when I was living with him in Manchester. However, he is coming home for Christmas" She assured. "He is probably in the air on his way here as we speak."

Carla's father sighed but cleared a path as he made his way across the kitchen. He patted his daughter's head, planting a soft kiss on top of it. "Okay, querida. If you say so. Your mother and I just don't want to see you get hurt again."

"I won't be Pai, don't worry"

Worry.

Days passed and Ruben was nowhere to be seen. Carla was a nervous wreck, constantly checking her phone for any sign of him. She was starting to worry that he had changed his mind again. Christmas Eve was about to be Christmas day. After spending the day helping her family feed the less fortunate, Carla took it upon herself to drive to Ruben's to see if he for some reason had gone over there without notifying her. Perhaps he was jet lag, exhausted from his two hour flight from Manchester to Portugal.

"Senhora Dias?"

"Senhora Dias?"

It was all in vain. Ruben's parents' house was found empty, their car gone from the driveway. Carla was starting to feel a bit embarrassed, having once again fallen for Ruben's empty promises. Carla didn't know how much of it she could take anymore. Maintaining a long distance relationship was simply tearing her apart from the inside out.

"Carla? What's the matter?"

Carla returned after taking the long way home, her car radio on full blast to tune out her sobbing.

"H...he's not coming, is he?" She sniffled, terrifying her mother at the door.

"Minha querida."

Carla's lips tremble from holding back the  tears. Her mother was quick to pull her into the house and in for a hug. The rest of her family were poking their heads out from the living room to see what's the matter.

But then, the doorbell rang.

"It's him!"

Carla's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to the door, hoping against hope that it was Ruben. And when she opened the door, there he was, standing tall and handsome in his full grown beard, like her very own Santa Claus.

Ruben had a big smile on his face. "Merry Christmas, babe," he said, sweeping Carla into a hug. "I'm so sorry I'm late but you know how my mother is."

"Bernadette!" Carla's mother exclaimed. Ruben's mother appeared in the door.

"Gloria!"

The two women embraced each other as Ruben's mother entered the house followed by Ruben's father and brother, who looked miserable carrying big bags of...

"I hope you don't mind, but we brought gifts!"

"We were out shopping all day." Ruben smiled. "I got something for everyone."

Carla was over the moon. She had never been so happy to see anyone in her life. She had been dreaming of this moment for so long, and it was finally here. She forgot all about her family's skepticism and just enjoyed the moment, basking in Ruben's embrace. It was the best Christmas Eve in Carla's life, with all of her and Ruben's family members gathered.

"I missed you."

Ruben stayed with Carla for the night, holding her close, serenading her face with kisses.

"So much." She whispered.

They lay in the dark with Ruben on top. His breath was heavy against her skin, the panting increasing with the pressure of his cock against her pelvis.

"Ruben, tell me you'll never leave me."

"I'll never leave you." He kissed her neck, moving on to bury his face between her breasts. They were naked under the sheets. Skin against skin.

"Promise me." She gasped.

Ruben lifted his head, a smile on his lips. His hands searched for hers in the dark, pinning them above her head. "I've already made my promise." He said, fiddling with the ring on her left finger. "You're mine forever Carla."

"Forever?"

He bent down and kissed her. "Forever."

Carla wanted to be sure, sure that Ruben would always come back to her no matter what.

"Fuck." He groaned, his cock aching to be inside of her.

"Put it in." She nodded. "I'm ready."

"I didn't bring anything." He said, thankful that the sheets prevented the tip of him from slipping inside of her. He was leaking already.

"I don't care." Carla said. "I want you like this, now."

Ruben paused all movement, raising himself to his elbows to meet her eyes below him. "Are you sure?"

Her tongue swiped across her bottom lip. "I'm sure Ruben. I want you."

He hesitated, but the ache between his legs was unbearable. Carla didn't make it easy for him to resist her either as her legs spread, inviting him to place himself between her.

"Fuck, Carla." Ruben rolled his hips until his cock aligned with her entrance. Carla's thighs wrapped around his waist, locking him in.

"Please." She begged.

Ruben was conscious for the first few strokes, but quickly went under her spell as the demon inside of him took over. He fucked her raw that night. Perhaps not their most gentle encounter. Either way, Carla was determined....determined to have Ruben's child.

Part 7 and 8 are already out on my Patreon for Free!

[cicerenella]

It is I! I'm back with another silly ask.

So let's say Italy (both of them) is inviting other nations for the most important part of Italian Christmas celebrations: il cenone di Natale. Which of the bros do you think would personally invite which other nations, and which roles do you think they partake in for the preparations?

Personally, I think that they both start cooking together and both make... A Lot, but then Feli would go off and like. Set the table and clean the rest of the house while Roma does his cooking (he kicked him out of the kitchen because they were bickering again)(it happened to me I swear).

And also which of them gets drunk first?

- greetings from the cat that's currently laying on me preventing me from working.

HI SATURNNN first of all thanks for all the reblogs!! they're hilarious and I love to read your opinions! and now, you asked a very interesting question here ;)

Christmas is like the no.1 italian festivity. A chance for all the family to gather and of course, the infamous dinner and following game of tombola... And the Italy Brothers take it very seriously.

The dinner takes place in Feli's second house in Tuscany, since the house is spacious for all the people they (Veneziano) invite. In particular, Feli is very attached to decorating the house and making it look presentable, since every year he wants to celebrate with all his nation friends lol.

Some days before Christmas, Romano travels up to said house to help his bro organise. And you bet your sweet ass he's gonna take with him ALL the pots and pans he could humanely fit in his (multiple) luggages.

he's very dedicated to the cooking part

and contrary to his brother, Romano doesn't want to invite many people. He often times just wants to have his loved ones around during christmas.

That being said, Spain, Greece (even though he's orthodox he doesn't skip the invitation from his cousins!) and Portugal are his only tolerable ones.

Feli on the other hand just invites a shit ton of people LMAOO he likes to expand the invite to everyone

that is the source of many arguments, with romano claiming he doesn't want any "crucco infame" on Christmas Dinner (you bet he's gonna cook for everyone anyways)

but otherwise there's a lot of screaming in that house anyways during the whole ordeal that is Christmas preparations

Romano basically owns the kitchen. Feli tries to help but he doesn't have time nor the patience to look after SO MUCH STUFF-- HOLY SHIT ROMANO STOP

struffoli, capitone, cotechino, fried baccalà...

feli audibly gasps when romano kills a live capitone in his otherwise immaculate kitchen counter AHAHAH

so he resorts to clean and decorate the rest of his house! he has a lot of vintage decorations that he adores and always puts up

and buy a shit ton of pandoros, like industrial quantity

oh and THE ALCOHOL

God they both bring so much alcohol

Romano has brought with him limoncello, meloncello, and 5 more varieties of amaretti

while Feli has brought from his apartment in milan ALL of his grappa variations

you know they're gonna get shitfaced after the dinner

adding that Romano absolutely wants to make the presepe. with the help of feli, he made some pretty good statuines! (the San Gregorio Armeno tradition is strong)

that's the only moment they actually get along <///3

through sweat and shouts they always gather things up before the 24th morning

the place looks absolutely beautiful...but don't enter the kitchen, it's like a war broke out inside that room

they probably play the sickest games of briscola/scopa the morning of the 24th while waiting for anyone to come

munching on the pandoros that feli bought

"Bastardo! I saw you hiding that sette bello!"

"You're just making up things cause you suck!"

ya in the end they have fun

...probably

(Oh shit, forgot to answer which one would get drunk first. uuuuh probably romano, cause feli is a sponge when it comes to alcohol. true venetian here.)

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Fics Written in 2023 (2) Masterlist

part one

a helping paw (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Phil feels his irritation mounting rapidly. He does not have time for a rogue catmaid at this hour. “If you wanted to help you would stay in your room like I told you to. Your heat is coming on and I can’t have you running around here with guests in the house.”

a night to remember (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Why did he think going anywhere alone would be a good idea? And to an honest to god queer prom for sad grown-ups who missed out the first time around because they were too busy being closeted.

cat got your tongue? (ao3) - megiaolf

Summary: A near wholesome cat cafe au.

Christmas Catharsis (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: Dan runs into his ex (bully) while buying milk.

Cross your legs and hope for the best (ao3) - waterbearer_sun

Summary: Dan is sitting in a lecture, desperate to pee and desperate for Phil to be his.

Dan vs. Phil. (ao3) - M3ll0n1_v0n_Harm0ny

Summary: Let's play whatever we can and annihilate our flat. The loser fulfills the winner's wish!

dark days (ao3) - dizzy

Summary: Sometimes Dan wakes up and he just... can't.

drop your heart I'll save it for you (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: Tenderness isn't part of the deal, nor are soft words, or feelings, or kisses that don't lead to fucking. It's not what Dan asked for, and it's certainly not why someone would choose to fuck their friend slash flatmate slash colleague who they absolutely don’t have any feelings for.

Essential Meet-Cute (ao3) - husbants

Summary: Audiobook narrator Dan Howell finds himself embarrassed when he encounters a handsome man named Phil in the romance aisle of his local bookstore. Luckily, he and Phil get along quickly and both enjoy a certain queer romance author named Zack Striker. Still, Dan can’t help but think that Phil might be hiding something…

How To Find Your Missing Husband, or, The Amazing Crossover is Not On Fire (ao3) - N_Chu4Ever 

Summary: In the year 2063, just as International Rescue finally recovers from the absolute mess that is the Hood's attack on Tracy Island, an event known as the Great Restructuring occurs. Multiple universes are merged together, a teen who is supposed to be dead is revived (and promptly adopted), Sportacus is there... and two longterm partners, famously described as 'actual soulmates', are torn apart.

Will Phil ever find Dan again? Or are they doomed to be separated forever?

In another life you still would’ve turned my head (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Dan comes across old black and white photos of two queer men messing around, one playing with the other's hair, just like he did in a recent video with Phil. He gets caught up in the emotions that he would have fallen in love with Phil in any universe. He crawls into Phil's lap and tells him exactly that.

in the strangest locations (ao3) - dizzy

Summary: Dan shows up in his basement office to meet his new partner.

just another stupid holiday (ao3) - pasteldanhowells

Summary: Dan hates Valentine's Day. He thinks it's a stupid holiday and wants nothing to do with it. When his co-worker Cat mentions some guy named Phil who happens to be single, who Dan eventually meets when he comes into his coffee shop, Dan thinks maybe this Valentine's Day might be different

look how far we've come now baby (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: It was days later, in a hotel bed with a view of the Portugal sky, that Phil had murmured into the darkness, “But yeah. Maybe grown-up queer prom would be nice.”

make it work (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: dan is on vacation at the bahamas, where he meets phil - someone who's in the same rut as him. they connect and swoon over how compatible they both are but realise they only have a limited amount of time to spare together.

maybe next time he'll think (before he cheats) (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil has to be cheating. There's no other explanation.

meeting the parents (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan is ready to meet Phil's parents.

Right?

My Hot New Neighbor (ao3) - DuckMcDuckPants

Summary: Phil just moved into a flat in a nice quiet area of London and has finally gotten settled. But then he starts to notice that many days, his hot neighbor likes to dance around in his underwear.

(TW) one more shot (then i'm quitting forever) (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: The year is 2013. And if you asked Phil, he would tell you he doesn't drink.

One Stormy Night (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Goat!Dan takes shelter in a barn from a storm and meets a new friend who happens to be wolf!Phil. They become friends and quickly a romance happens.

Past Meeting the Present (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: Discovery and discussion of past challenges

phuture phusbands (ao3) - N_Chu4Ever

Summary: Dan’s opinions on weddings are pretty clear — marriage is piece of paper with some benefits, and organising a big fucking wedding is exhausting, and really, Phil, do we need it? Do we? The answer, of course, is no, and yet Phil is still thinking about it. As Dab and Evan’s Sims 4 wedding approaches, that thought process goes into overdrive.

Or: Phil proposes to Dan just after the Devan wedding is filmed.

Silent Night (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Lawyer Dan Howell just wanted a white Christmas to himself up North to get away from it all.

A blizzard, an old church, and it's overly-cheerful deacon might change that.

snow drift (ao3) - dizzy

Summary: They're somewhere in Minnesota, near the Canadian border.

Something Unholy (ao3) - hygge

Summary: Phil receives some very surprising and seductive texts in the middle of the night.

Sometimes Circles Run Around You (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan doesn't care about exams. Phil cares a bit too much.

Sweet Juliet (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: Dan is a baker in his thirties, feeling the weight of the passage of time on his shoulders, living a content yet uneventful life until a mysterious man takes it upon himself to whisk him away

Talking to the Moon (ao3) - uptownsteve

Summary: After a risque photoshoot, Phil wants to show Dan just how beautiful he is

tempe (ao3) - dizzy

Summary: Dan and Phil go on a case to Tempe.

that's what friends are for (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Long before Dan Howell was a rock god, he was in a band.

The Knight of Wands (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: Phil had always had dreams that he couldn't quite comprehend and a certain intuition about what was truly important for his future.

the man of my dreams (ao3) - mel_m_a_o

Summary: He first dreamed about this man maybe two months ago. The dream wasn’t really something out of the ordinary and Dan didn’t really remember what it was about, but it stuck out to him, because he wasn’t usually someone who remembered his dreams. He often thought he just doesn’t dream at all, but that certainly changed. He keeps dreaming about the same pale, black haired man and his bright eyes that make Dan wake up in a sweat. He starts to see the face everywhere all the time until he actually does.

'tis the damn season (ao3) - pasteldanhowells

Summary: Dan is the coffee shop regular at the shop Phil just started working at. Phil quickly learns that Dan is a bit of a Grinch who refuses to try the shops' holiday drinks, or anything new really. Phil's determined to change Dan's mind about the holiday drinks.

third times the charm (ao3) - jestbee

Summary: It strikes him that they keep coming back here, that in between each visit they grow and change and morph into new evolutions of themselves and yet there are constants, fixed points that do not bend to time's will.

They always return together, never apart.

Phil doesn't get sick in Japan, Dan worries anyway.

trade all my tomorrows (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: It's 2014, and Dan Howell is screwing up in life. Fresh off of potentially ruining his just-started acting career with a heavily-memed public freakout, he's ready to hide away for the rest of his life. Until a stranger reaches out, who might not be such a stranger after all.

Wagon Wheel (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Is there enough room in Wagon Wheel for Phil's saloon and Sheriff Howell's city-slickin' ways?

We’d Never Need Company (ao3) - cafephan

Summary: Dan decides it’s time to be a bit selfish - Phil is one step ahead.

when in fear, reach for phil (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: it’s spooky week and dan finds himself needing to feel a sense of security when they play horror games. fortunately, phil’s right next to him.

with you now (ao3) - uf467

Summary: that moment Dan sees Phil in the prom suit and musings thereafter

Working it Out (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan Howell is 32 years old and just coming to terms with the fact that he's a man, despite what his body might say. Luckily, he has some help from his eccentric physical trainer to help him feel more confident.

you're still the one that I love (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: an evening in summer 2021

[evansbby]

Adding something on that tea. She even said on that podcast that 2023 was the sad phase on her life. This is the translation on that statement https://x.com/bestofbaptista/status/1848880102664540284?t=DDm0zodoyGGny9KlX1mmSg&s=19

Idk but to me its weird considering that last year she was marry the man of her dream? Like i never married before but is it makes sense?

And about that she spend six months in portugal was mostly just fandom (especially the one that believe the marriage was fake) speculation cause there is no clear proof of that statement. She and chris themself stating that she is living in the state now. And about the apartment in Lisbon there is an article saying that they buy a property there, so its their place. Which makes sense if they buy a property there considering that she us from there. And lastly about the sighting, you cant really see his hand so you cant really tell if he wore his ring or not. It just the fandom that want them to get divorce

Yeah very true, I think the fandom just WANTS them to be divorced.

[nancydrewwouldnever]

The Rolling Stone review tore Ghosted apart uh oh...🫣 (but they didn't lie, honestly.) 😬

My curiosity got the better of me.

👀

"Sadie runs into Cole (Chris Evans) at a farmer’s market to Portugal. The Man’s “Feel It Still,” which has been played-the-fuck-out for years. He’s peddling homemade honey, and is so forgetful that he puts AirTags on everything. His grief is of the more trivial variety: he was recently dumped for being “too needy,” as his pal puts it. He spots Sadie buying potted flowers and makes a beeline (sorry) for her. When Sadie informs him that her job takes her out of town for weeks at a time, Cole proceeds to relentlessly neg her, ranting that he refuses to be the “accomplice to a crime” because she’d likely kill it out of neglect, and offers up a mini cactus instead (more on this later). Sadie leaves in a huff, because Cole seems like a colossal dickhead, though an onlooker informs him that their “sexual tension was off the charts” (reader, it most surely was not), leading Cole to leap in front of her car in the parking lot, causing her potted plant to crack and cover the backseat of her car in soil. This is all seen as endearing instead of creepy and annoying, so she asks him to coffee as Wilco’s “Love Is Everywhere (Beware)” plays (get it?!)."

And it just keeps going from there....

"I suppose the comedy here lies in the notion that this has probably never happened to blue-eyed, buff, swinging-dick, People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Captain America himself Chris Evans, and that he has probably been the one who’s engaged in said behavior on the regular."

OMG, they even got his dick in there.

[whiteravengreywolf]

The Valentine’s Day Gift

Ava doesn’t have a family photo album. If she ever had one, it was destroyed in the car crash, like her childhood. Sometimes, she imagines that she could find it again, tugged into a cardboard box in some storage space in Portugal, where their landlord might have kept the things they left behind, hoping that they would return to claim them one day. But she doesn’t keep that hope alive. Most likely she will never see what her life was before that fatal crash, and she’s made her peace with it.

Beatrice doesn’t think she has a family photo album. Her parents weren’t the kind of people who bothered to take pictures on whatever business trip passed for a family holiday. She knows they have some pictures, class photos and tournament pictures taken by her coachs, but none was given to her when she joined the OCS. Part of her wishes she had one, she tells Ava one evening, and Ava jokes that she must have been a cute kid and makes her feel better about it, but deep down, it doesn’t quite fill the hole.

For Valentine’s Day, Ava presents Beatrice with a large package, tenderly and clumsily wrapped.

“I thought we said no gift,” Beatrice berates her, even as her own is hidden in the drawer of her bedside table.

“Yeah, yeah, just open it.”

So Beatrice does. Inside the cardboard box, she finds a beautiful, black leather-bound photo album. The word “family” is hetched in golden letters on the cover. It’s not empty either. Flipping inside, Beatrice finds pictures dating back to when she joined the OCS. It’s her, and Lilith, and Mary, and Shannon, and later, Camila. After that are pictures she has never seen, pictures she assumes Ava must have taken on their last trip to the Cat’s Craddle. Pictures of Yasmine agonizing after training, and Camila teaching the new recruits, and Mother Superion feeding the stray cats in the garden. Then, it’s pictures of the two of them in Switzerland, during their two months in hiding. Their time training, decorating their apartment, going grocery shopping and working at the bar. The most mondain of activities which had been so new to Ava back then.

Finally, a third of the way through the album, she finds pictures of them now, traveling, living, loving. There’s still many pages to fill, and Beatrice can’t help but contemplate the blank pages taking up most of the photo album, waiting for their own pictures.

“I know it won’t replace the childhood memories we lost,” Ava says, “but I thought we should have one.”

Beatrice is close to tears and her heart has never been filled with more love. The photo album is kept in a proeminent place in their living room. Soon, Beatrice adds a little 1 on the first page, and buys another. It is the second of many more to come.

[livingonthecotedazurnh]

Le Portugal est l'un des plus beaux pays où les gens préfèrent vivre, et cette demande fait monter en flèche le marché immobilier. Notre boutique immobilier vous propose une information globale sur l'immobilier Portugal. Visitez notre site Web ou déposez votre message sur Whatsapp au +33783579579 pour obtenir l'assistance d'un expert !

[thinlinez]

My VERY HONEST review of 28 op first drop... Please don't continue if you are easily triggered!

1. Order + Shipping

I ordered within the half hour of the drop. Received an email with my package number two days later. The shipment was sent out on Sept 6th from Belgium. Arrived in my country on Sept 16th.

Easy to track, but the shipment was slow since I live far from the UK.

2. Packaging

My three pieces were packed into one huge box. It was a bit battered from travel but otherwise can still be used and looked pretty with a 28 logo. Each clothes was wrapped in its own Ziploc baggie. There was a simple receipt for each clothing.

3. Unboxing

(1) Green Track Jacket L

The material is entirely waterproof, not breathable and only suitable for windy / cold / rainy weather. Not thin or light at all! The stitchings on the inside are... Kind of messy. If you are particular about the stitchings then I don't think you will be too happy. I don't know if it's because it's "hand stitched"? The jacket is made in and from China btw! I wasn't expecting it to be so messy... After the first wash (I washed it by machine, light wash, only 8 minutes with 5 minutes of draining) the logo on the sleeve looks a little peels on the corners (please don't fall off!) So I think maybe hand wash would be better if you wash often. There are also a bunch of loose threads everywhere...

Rating: 2/5

(2) Green Track Bottoms XL

I ordered a size up since I am tall but you should stick to your true size for 28 op. The waist is too big for me however there are useful drawstrings so this is okay! The material is SUPER THICK, two layers, not breathable, only suited for cold RAINY European weather. I live in Asia and it's really humid and hot so I won't suggest people who live in this climate to buy polyester material from 28 op. You can only wear in cold and rainy weather. The stitching is better, no loose threads! The 28 on the leg looks ok but overall design is tooooooo simple. He should add more, maybe roses on the ass! This one was also from China.

Rating: 1/5 (I'm so sorry I just can't wear them too often and they are so thick)

(3) Black Rose 28 op Hoodie L

This one looks good! Very pretty! The logos and roses and 28 on the back aren't stitched, they are printed on? I think? I was happy with it until I took it off and noticed I was covered in black tiny flaking pieces... I am not sure if this is normal for hoodies? But I remembered his 2022 tour hoodie wasn't like this after I tried it on. I had to take a shower and put the hoodie into the wash. After it came out, the logos and roses and 28 on back are all covered by tiny black flaking pieces... Maybe hand wash would be better... The material isn't that thick and it's comfy! However if I have to deal with black flakes everytime I take it off... that is annoying... The hoodie is from Portugal.

Rating: 3.5/5

Overall: at first glance all look so so so good! The design especially the rose hoodie is very pretty however the quality and endurance of the pieces are the downfall... these clothes are suitable for cold weather countries! I hope he puts out better quality and more choices of summer/spring weather in the future! I'm not sure if he is dropping clothes according to seasons, but these are definitely for winter!

If you pay this much for this quality, there is a high chance of disappointment however it's only the first launch... So I'm sure everything will be better? The three pieces plus shipping took 1/3 of my monthly salary but it was my own choice and since I bought them in support for Lou, I think it's okay? I'll wear them lots in the winter but hopefully they won't flake or fall apart too quickly! The pictures on the models make the track set look thin and comfy, but I don't think so... So think twice before you order anything "polyester"! I think I have grown a little skeptical about this brand, however, improvements can be made I'm sure! Those who didn't get clothes from drop one, don't feel frustrated, I think better designs and quality are coming!

Also! My mom made a good point, she said this is a SMALL BRAND meaning that they will produce not a lot at once and try to cost down so that they can profit more with the high price and low producing cost. People buy because it's designed by Lou. Just like we buy brands because of their names not for the clothes themselves. We buy because we support and love him, however it's a small starting brand which means they need to consider the cost and profit too... that's why It's so expensive (no working class price) and the quality is not good... I hope that it can improve with each drop! But if you do love Lou and support and feel good while wearing 28 op, it's a good reason to give it a try!

[50cal-fullauto-astarion]

Had a dog-ass day so I self-indulged and started on a passion project I wasn’t planning to yet, just to cheer myself up. Simon Riley x F!Ranger OC, feat. more 21 year old Simon.

2003, May .

There’s little romance to bleeding out in Baghdad, but Lance Corporal Simon Riley, twenty-one, is poor-mouthed for it.

He knows it because he can feel it; the warm, living heart is screaming like a dying, thrashing animal in his chest. Pinned down in a mountain of rubble, snipers dancing around blast-barren windows of what used to be apartment buildings, and Simon was the dumbest son of a bitch on the ground, taking a round in the fleshy part of thigh.

Might not’ve ever made it to uni, but he’s not fucking ignorant, this flesh wound tis absolutely not a scratch.

Back slumping down the concrete barricade he’d been propped against, four hours out of water, down a good liter-and-a-quarter of blood, he figures he’s done-in. He’d started out shooting over the barricade, but his gun and all his extra clips ran dry. Wasn’t a shit shot either, even bleeding out.

Starts refusing water when the Welsh comms boy offers it, starts shoving the medic’s pack away from him when he tries to go for fresh bandages, and starts staring at Chris Merryweather’s body cooking on the tarmac fifteen meters out.

It’s weird. It’s bloody fucking weird. Merryweather was making shit jokes about fucking Simon’s mum this morning. Simon was ready to cave his head in with a trench shovel. Now he’s dead. Simon wants to go home.

Figures. He’d only signed up to get out, scrape something together for her and Tommy without the old man’s fucking stain on it. Now he wants terribly to be back in the water-damaged council house with mold inside the cabinet doors, where mum somehow managed to buy a thirdhand NES and Duck Hunt for him and Tommy one Christmas, when dad was in jail.

So fuckin’ stupid, they all three sat around and ate popcorn and soup noodles for dinner on the living room floor, and it was perfect.

That’s about when the sharp pops of sniper fire are blasted out of existence by the deep-throated scream of two diesel engines hitting turbo drive to shriek an ear-splitting whistle. The two tan beasts roar into sight, lumbering much more slowly than Simon had imagined, with crushingly heavy determination over debris to close in. Hell-bent monsters dragging themselves into the fray, black smoke thick as paint pouring over their hindquarters from the exhaust stacks.

There are Punisher skulls spray-painted on the doors, dripped while wet. Makes him think about a book he lost years ago—was about the ossuaries in Portugal. Makes him think about Tommy, too, in that goddamned mask, waking Simon in the middle of the night only to loom and breathe over him.

[viharistenno]

1, 2 and 15 for the ask game please!

Hello there!

1-2) favorite and least favorite part of the place where you grew up (weather, a particular restaurant / hangout spot, vibes, person, sight, etc)?

Right now I live in the adjacent house I was brought home from the hospital as a baby so I have both child and adult memories of the surrounding place. There is a big park nearby where I went a lot with my father, there used to be a museum of transportation we visited multiple times and there was a hall where concerts were held and has my favourite concert memories (although later teemage years) BUT there were weekend flee markets when I was a kid, both of which have since been demolished. There was a playground behind our house (it's an older residential complex with a lot of apartments) we went with my granny and she always brought her version of ice tea which all the children wanted to drink as it was soooo delicious.

I can't really think about parts I didn't / don't like, I'm more sad about stuff that is gone since, because there isn't a good replacement for any of those. I reluctantly go to the place that currently has those concerts I went for, not because it's far away, but because both the sound and the ventillation is awful. And with other stuff like this, my district has a vibe of being both the crownjewel and the stepchild of this part of the big city.

15) best vacation you've ever taken?

Oh boy, that's a hard one! There are two runner ups but I think I will choose one. It all began with all of us in my teenage friend group buying a 15 day Europe Train Ticket for 10 travels and so we went from Budapest to Lisbon by night trains, visited the intermittent cities at day and went a circle in Portugal, then came back. It was almost 15 years ago but I still talk about it. I have seen beautiful places, I bathed in the Atlantic, I celebrated Spain's world cup championship with the people of Madrid, I crossed a bridge by foot in Porto that was so high above the ground it gave even me a bit of a nausea. I tasted my friend's Creme Brulee in Paris and I WANT TO TASTE THAT AGAIN EVER SINCE.

Thanks for asking :)

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - Set Me Free Part 5/15

Part 6 and 7 are already out on my Patreon for Free!

Warning - mentioning of abortion

Ruben and Carla have grown apart. With Rubens career taking off he leaves Portugal to live the life of his dreams, breaking Carla's heart doing so. Years later, upon his return home, Ruben learns that Carla has moved on, happily engaged to another man, but not any man, Ruben's childhood bully João Mendes.

Enjoy!

"What does that even mean?" Ruben's brother, Ivan, laughed.

"I don't know." Ruben rubbed his temple, feeling a headache coming on upon his return from meeting Carla. He sat slumped down on his parents couch, going through the emotions. "All I know is that I'm getting her back." He said. Having retold his brother about the event.

"By what, begging her until she gives in?"

"No?" Ruben frowned, rejecting his brother's desire to make him feel better. How could he, feel better, when the love of his life was slipping away.

"How then?"

"I don't know, okay." Ruben stood. "But I'm not letting her marry João Mendes, that's for sure."

"So crashing the wedding is it?"

Ruben shrugged. "If I have to. If it comes down to it. When is it exactly?"

Ivan chuckled. "No idea, I wasn't invited."

"Me neither." Ruben muttered.

"Well, can you blame her?"

"Ivan, she's marrying João Mendes, of all people."

"But can you blame her?"

"What?"

"For moving on, I mean? You've been gone for a long time, Ruben. How can you expect Carla to wait around for so long?"

"Because...."

Ivan crossed his arms. "Because what?"

"Because she promised that she would."

********************************************

"So how did it go?"

Carla ignored her cousin, who despite her demands, had waited up for her.

Carla crossed her room and threw herself face down on the bed.

"That bad, huh?"

She groaned into her pillow.

"Wow. This I want to hear." Maria buckled up.

"He's gonna win me back." Carla said, shifting her head to the side. "No matter what."

"Damn, Ruben told you that? Aunt Gloria is gonna freak."

Carla squinted her eyes in pain. "It gets worse."

"Worse?"

"Yes. Ruben thinks I'm still marrying João Mendes."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure. But I think my mother told him that we were still together when he came by the salon the other day."

"The drama!" Maria gasped.

"Will you be quiet?" Carla hushed. "The only reason I didn't bother to correct him was because that seemed to be the only thing stopping us."

Maria frowned. "Stopping you from what?"

Carla bowed her head in shame, blurring out the words. "From ripping each other's clothes off."

"Carla."

"What am I gonna do?"

There was no point in denying her feelings for Ruben, they were still there and still as strong.

"I say, buy the next plane ticket out of here. To Madeira perhaps?"

"I can't?"

"Why not?"

"Because Mamãe needs me."

Carla turned to lay on her back, the tears swelling up in her eyes. Visiting the cemetery today, Carla understood the pain that her mother still had buried inside of her, how lonely these past years must have been without Carla's father around. Perhaps Carla made it worse by announcing her break up with João,  considering how happy her mother had been helping her plan for the event.

"I'm sticking around til the end of the month." She said, "My job has already allowed me the leave since I asked for it ahead of my wedding with João."

"Well, I'm leaving after this weekend." Maria said. "And I did not come home to mourn over lost love. I came to party with my cousin who is finally single for the first time in what, twelve years?"

It was strange, but true. Carla met Ruben when they were ten. They got together when they were fourteen, stuck together until she was twenty-three and not long after their break up she met João Mendes. The truth was that Carla hadn't been single for a minute, nor did she know how to be.

"Tomorrow you and I are going to do what single people do best."

"Which is?"

"To shop until we drop, duh."

Carla wasn't one for shopping. To stand in front of a dressing room mirror eventually became dreadful, considering how much weight she had lost and gain during her year of depression. However, she did enjoy strutting through town. Carla spent the next day admiring her hometown by the coast, greeting familiar faces walking by, as well as catching up with her favorite cousin, who seemed to have a great life going on for herself.

"I can't believe you get to travel the world like that, doesn't it get claustrophobic, working as a flight attendant?"

"No. I love it."

"Well, then I'm happy for you." Carla admired her cousin. She was two years younger but had much more confidence than herself, especially when it came to putting oneself first.

"Have you spoken to João lately?"

Carla snorted. "No."

"So I take it he didn't take the break up very well."

Upon their separation João had referred to Carla as an indecisive selfish little child. Words that still haunted her today.

"No. No he didn't."

"Oh. Well, I'm sorry about...."

"Mari? Mari Fernandes, is that you?"

Another familiar face came walking down the street.

"Santina!"

"Mari! Why didn't you tell me that you were back in town?"

The two women rushed to embrace each other, excluding Carla for a good two minutes. Santina was Maria's best friend in high school. Their friendship had been a dynamic one, the two of them often getting into more trouble than they should. But who could blame them when Santina Rivera at sixteen years of age, inherited more money than Carla would ever save up in her lifetime. Her parents death was a tragic way of acquiring her wealth, nevertheless, like Maria, Santina's attitude towards life was nothing short of adventurous.

"And Carla!" Santina squealed, acknowledging Carla who was standing to the side. "My favorite babysitter. How have you been, girl."

Santina was a hugger, a firm one at that.

"Great." Carla groaned.

"Congratulations on your engagement. Everyone is talking about it."

"Oh, no Santi. Carla is not...."

It was impulsive and a bit childish, but stomping Maria's feet was the only way to shut her up. "Aaa!" She groaned, throwing Carla the nastiest of glares. Carla ignored her and smiled playfully. "Thank you Santina, for the congratulations."

"I love weddings, but truthfully when I heard that you were getting married, I thought it would be too...." Santina paused, curiously tilting her head.

"What?" Carla said, feeling targeted.

Santina shook her head. "Nothing, I just remember when we were younger, how you and Ruben Dias used to...."

"That was a long time ago." Carla mumbled.

"God I wanted what you had. He was the hottest guy in school, don't you remember Maria?"

"Thought his brother was hotter." She shrugged.

"Either way." Santina waved. "When did you guys break up? You were together for a long time, no? Even when he was playing for Benfica. Did you move to Lisbon with him or....?"

"A long time ago." Carla clarified. "Ruben and I broke up a long time ago. I'm with João Mendes now."

Carla ignored the chuckles that Maria let out beside her, but she didn't like talking about her business in the street like this, especially not with Santina Rivera, who was a well known gossip. Thankfully Santina took the hint and ended the conversation there.

"You guys are coming to the party that I'm throwing on the beach tonight, right?"

Maria perked up. "Party? What party?"

"My clothing line Saint Sure is celebrating the opening of my second boutique in Lisbon. Please come, it would be really nice to catch up some more."

"We'll be there!" Maria assured.

Carla on the other hand, could think of a million things that she rather fucking do.

******************************************

Except for training with his national team, Ruben came home to relax, to catch up with old friends before heading back to England. However, it was hard to do these things when wherever he went people flocked after him like birds. He used to be able to walk freely in his hometown, which he really enjoyed since it made him feel like a normal guy. But with Manchester City's latest successes it was now nearly impossible to be left alone.

It's the reason Carla left him, Ruben was convinced. She stuck with him through it all. The rise of Ruben's football career happened before her eyes. Carla even made the effort to leave home and move with him when he went off to play for Benfica. Of course, Lisbon wasn't too far from home. Carla often went back to visit her family. However, when Ruben asked her to move to England with him that's when she just couldn't take it anymore. Although Carla made the effort to stay overseas with him for a year, she never really settled down. And Ruben being off training all the time made it difficult for him to look after her, to make sure that she was alright. It was one of his biggest regrets in life, not being able to make Carla feel at home with him.

"Well, well, well. Look who showed up, Ivan and Ruben Dias. To what do I do the honors?"

"Santina, you know us." Ivan smiled, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. Ruben did the same. "We could never say no to a party, especially if we're celebrating the success of your business."

It was more Ivan who couldn't say no. Ruben only tagged along in the hopes that Carla would be at the event. Santina was a bit younger than himself and Carla, but he vividly remembers her hanging around the two, bothering them as preteen children do teenagers. At that time Carla and Ruben were showing a bit more interest in each other, which people around them had noticed. Their family members called it true love because of the early age that they found each other. Ruben called it a blessing, a blessing that someone as beautiful as Carla even bothered to look at him twice, considering Ruben still had buck teeth during those days.

"Well, to that I am grateful." Santina smiled. "How about a photo?"

A cameraman popped up out of nowhere, but Ruben and his brother complied to pose for a picture. Ruben had to pose for a few more after that, since his appearance at the beach caused a bit of a stir amongst the party guests. It became exhausting at some point, but Ruben found the strength to endure once he spotted her, Carla, and her cousin Maria. She wore a flowery sundress, whilst her cousin wore a bikini. Most people at the party were dressed half naked, including Ruben with his unbuttoned shirt. It was a beach party after all. Carla, however, stood puttering around the bar, looking rather out of place for some reason.

As the party went on, Ruben found himself excusing himself from conversations after losing sight of her. He asked around if anyone had seen her, but no one seemed to know where Carla had gone.

"Ruben." Santina interrupted his search. At that point of the night she was a bit too tipsy for his liking,  Ruben who didn't have anything to drink for himself. "Funny how your mother is trying to set us up." She said, slurring slightly on her words.

"Yeah, funny." Ruben turned his head in search for Carla. There was no point in staying if she hadn't stuck around.

"She's not wrong though, we would make a cute couple."

Ruben looked down. "We would?"

Santina shrugged. "I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I've always had a crush on you when we were younger. It got to a point where I used to beg the Fernandes family to let me stay with them, knowing that you were always over at their house."

"Yeah, I wanted to be with Carla." Ruben said, hoping that answer would set his feelings for Santina straight. He also made the mental note to tell his mother to stop setting him up with other women. He only had eyes for one.

"And now she wants to be with João Mendes. Funny how time works."

Ruben clenched his jaw at the mentioning of his name.

"Didn't the two of you get into a fight that one time." She chuckled. "Don't tell me that it was over Carla Fernandes?"

"It wasn't." Ruben grunted, knowing damn well which fight Santina was referring to. The fight between Ruben and João Mendes happened at school, on the football pitch, during a match where his team was struggling and João Mendes had blamed it all on Ruben's terrible defense. It was a silly fight, but Ruben who, even back then, took his dreams of becoming a professional football player very seriously, snapped at the thought of not being good enough. And for the words to come out of João Mendes mouth, had pushed him over the edge.

"Anyway, how is life in England?" Santina asked.

"Great. Have you seen Carla?" Ruben was tired and ready to leave, but not without being given the chance to talk to Carla.

"She left to get some air." Santina muttered. "By the pier, I think."

"Thank you." Ruben said, excusing himself.

He made his way towards the pier, leaving the party behind. His heart skipped a beat seeing Carla's silhouette posing against the descending sun. Ruben knew he shouldn't go, but he couldn't resist the opportunity to spend time with her again.

Ruben found Carla sitting on the edge of the pier, staring out at the waves.

"Hey," she said softly, turning to him.

She must have seen him coming.

"Hey," Ruben replied, taking a seat next to her.

They sat in silence for a few moments, watching the waves roll in.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Ruben. Never been better."

He chuckled at the sarcasm in her voice. He had missed it, her humor.

"Your mood...." He said, careful not to express himself too vigorously. "Does it have to do anything with us?"

"Us?" Carla turned to look at him, her expression furrowed. "There is no us, Ruben. Not anymore."

He nodded understandingly but in the back of his mind Ruben still had hope, he was gonna win her back.

They sat there for a while longer, watching the stars come out and listening to the sound of the waves. As the night wore on, the tension between them eased a little, at least to a point where they both knew that they had to talk about what was really on their minds. Starting with Carla.

"You left me when I needed you the most." She said,

"I know and I'm sorry." He really was. It was shortly after Christmas Eve three years ago that Carla's father grew ill. He died shortly after, whilst Ruben was away, living the life of his dreams in England.

"I was so lost, Ruben. So lost without you and I hated myself for being so weak."

"Don't say that." Ruben stretched out a hand in an attempt to touch her.

A mistake.

Carla shrugged off Ruben's hand, followed by a warning stare for him not to try anything again.

"Carla, you have to understand..."

"No Ruben, I don't." 

She stood. 

Ruben had to contain himself not to let his gaze wander up her bare legs as her dress blew in the wind. "Carla." He sighed. "Then please tell me. Tell me how I can make things better between us? I'll do anything. Anything."

"Ugh." She groaned in annoyance. "You really don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"I still have feelings for you, Ruben. A part of me has accepted that I always will."

Ruben looked at her, his eyes searching her face. "I still have feelings for you too."

Carla shook her head, as if Ruben was completely missing her point. "We're not good for each other, Ruben. You have your own life now, as do I.

"Fuck that." Ruben stood, his height overtaking hers. "We're perfect for each other Carla and you know it."

Her eyes widened, stunned by the passion in his voice.

"There's no other girl in the world for me but you. I love you Carla."

"Ruben."

He went to touch her again and to his surprise Carla let him wipe away a fallen tear with his thumb.

"I love you too."

Ruben's hand fell. Her voice had been as low as a whisper, nevertheless, he heard it.

"You do?"

She nodded. 

It was bold of him, either way, he went for it. Ruben stepped forward and went in for the kiss, capturing Carla's lips with his own.

Her breath hitched as he pulled her flush against him. Her lips were cold in the night, but oh so familiar. Ruben knew the taste of Carla as well as he knew his way around a football pitch. As he felt her ease into him, allowing Ruben's tongue to enter her mouth, Ruben's hand slipped from between her shoulders to her lower back, pressing Carla's body hard against him.

A sigh. Carla let out a sigh deep down her throat, to which Ruben hymned happily against her lips. They made out for a good minute or so, before allowing each other to catch their breaths. Although the dark night, Ruben could tell that Carla wasn't grinning like he was. The opposite. She looked conflicted and angry with herself.

"Ruben." She said, stepping away from him, wiping away their kiss with the back of her hand. "I'm still marrying João."

Ruben's hand went pinch the skin between his brows. "Why, Carla? Why him, of all people?"

"Because he didn't leave." She snapped. "João was there for me when I needed him the most. Unlike you."

"Carla, I told you that I wanted to come back. But your family...."

"My family was only trying to protect me, Ruben."

"Protecting you from what, me?"

She fell silent.

Ruben frowned. "Carla? I would never..."

"I know." She nodded. "I know you would never do anything to hurt me, at least not on purpose."

Ruben shook his head, desperately in need to touch her, to have Carla in his arms again. "How...how did I hurt you?" He asked, desperate to know.

"It doesn't matter, I'm over it."

"Over what? Carla..." Ruben grabbed her wrist before she could turn her back on him. "You need to tell me how I hurt you, it's the only way I'll know how to make things right again."

"You can't!" She cried.

"How do you know, you haven't even..."

"Because, Ruben.....I had an abortion."

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