#car Wrapping Galway

[studioxtra]

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[no-144444]

slip up- o.piastri (no.81)

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summary: oscar slips up about your marriage.

pairing: oscar piastri (no.81) x fem! driver! reader

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“How was your summer break Oscar?” Jack Doohan asked. 

“Yeah, it was good. Visited my wife’s family in Ireland for two weeks. It was beautiful,” he smiled, remembering the happy memories. 

Jack smirked, knowing what he’d just said and didn’t realise. “Feeling ready and rested for today? Ready to beat Verstappen?”

He chuckled. “We’ll see, I guess.”

----------

“So Y/n, how was your summer break?” Will Buxton asked, a smirk on his lips. 

“Yeah all good Osc and I went back to visit family, it was a great holiday. We spent some time in Dublin, in Galway, in Tipperary, in Kerry, yeah. It was gorgeous. We finally got some good weather for once,” you smiled. 

“Do anything special?” He asked, an eyebrow raised. 

“We actually showed his family all around Ireland, and our extended families met for like, the first time which was cool,” you shrugged. “Yeah, Nicole is an avid hiker so we went up Carrauntoohil, which if you don’t know is the tallest mountain in Ireland. Hattie was not a fan,” you chuckled. “Yeah, but it was great, we had a bunch of fun.” 

“Well, that sounds like a lovely break. How are you feeling about today? Worried about the weather and wind?” He asked. 

“No, not really. Obviously Zandvoort is always a very unpredictable circuit in terms of weather, but I kind of grew up with this being the standard for almost every karting race, or just training session. If I’m not used to it by now, I’d feel a bit foolish,” you chuckled. 

“And Oscar, your husband, how do you think he’s feeling?” Will asked, a smirk on his face, knowing that Oscar exposed you two. 

You raised an eyebrow. “My boyfriend,” you corrected. “Is probably fine. He has the fastest car on the grid, and a bunch of talent. I’m not worried.”

“Do you think the McLaren’s will beat you?”

“I’m a realist Will, and I’m not stupid. Obviously they’ll beat us, are you mental?”

“Ok,”  he chuckled. “Thank you for your time.”

“Bye!” you smiled, walking away. 

----------

Nicole called you as you stepped into the McLaren motorhome.  

“Hey Nicole,” you smiled. “How are you?”

“I’d be better if my son wasn’t stupid,” she deadpanned. 

You chuckled. “How is he stupid?” 

“Are you with anyone now?”

“No, just in the McLaren motorhome trying to find your stupid son,” you shrugged. “What’s up?”

“He said you were his wife in an interview,” she sighed and you face-palmed. “Yeah.”

“Fuck’s sake,” you sighed, picking up the pace to try and find him quicker. You went to his driver’s room, the canteen, even Zak Brown’s office as you chatted to Nicole, then ultimately hung up to try and call Oscar. 

He picked up after two rings. “Hey baby, everything alright? I’m looking for you right now and I can’t find you?”

“I’m in the McLaren motorhome,” you told him. “Did you tell someone that we were married?”

“Ummm… I don’t think so? I’m pretty sure I’ve been keeping it under wraps pretty tightly,” he chuckled. “Why?”

“Your mum just called me and told me you said I was your ‘wife’ in an interview, so… yeah,” you explained. 

“Shit,” he whispered. “I’m sorry love, I didn’t mean to- it was a complete accident, I swear-”

“Osc, I’m not mad. To be honest I thought you would’ve been worse, I thought you would’ve accidentally posted the wedding photos or something,” you chuckled. “We should honestly just tell people. Anyways, come meet me, I want to see you.”

“I love you,” he was smiling, you could tell, happy you two didn’t have to hide it anymore. It had been both your ideas to hide the wedding, just to keep it quiet for a while. You asked all the drivers (all of them came), and anyone else within the F1 sphere to not post about anything to do with Ireland. You even went as far as to shut down an entire Terminal in the Dublin Airport to get people in and out inconspicuously. You just wanted your wedding to be yours, no one else's. 

It was gorgeous though, getting married in a manor house on the coast of Galway with all of your closest family and friends was definitely one of the best days of your life. Your ‘honeymoon’ had consisted of showing both your extended families around Ireland, and spending nights watching films and reading books with Oscar by your side. It was relaxing, but not exactly what a honeymoon should be, so you two had a month-long trip to the Maldives planned for the winter. 

Oscar wrapped his arms around you from behind and kissed your neck as he hummed a greeting. 

“Well hello to you too,” you chuckled. 

“I have such a gorgeous wife,” he smiled. 

“I have such a gorgeous husband,” you smiled back. You turned around to him and kissed him quickly as a greeting, then you grabbed his hand and led him further into the motorhome. You two walked to his driver’s room, and you sat on the bed as Oscar pulled out his phone. You all sent texts out to various family and drivers, giving them permission to post pictures of your wedding, then shared your own.

"It's out," he turned to you.

You nodded, biting your lip to stop your smile. "It's out."

He smiled bashfully. :you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"Ditto," you chuckled and he laughed.

"Ditto?" he gawked. "Baby-"

"I'm kidding," you cupped his cheeks. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too. I couldn't imagine my life without you, I love you ."

He blushed and leant in, pressing your lips together. "Now..." he smirked. "We can put our rings back on."

You smiled as you both pulled the necklaces that held you rings on them out from around your necks. You had Oscar's, and Oscar had yours. You took it off the chain and pushed it onto his finger, smiling as he did the same to you. Just like your wedding day.

"I'm so glad I married you," you smiled.

"I'm so glad you married me too."

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comments

user5: WTAF

user569: i missed like 13000 chapters, they got married?????

user46: YAY Y/NOSCAR

user72: they're married????

y/npiastri: lando will cry, change the caption :(

-> alexalbon: ok MOM.

-> landonorris: I'm a grown man Y/n

-> y/npiastri: funny, because you don't act like it when you ask me to make you grilled cheese????

-> user37: she ate him up

-> user28: THE USERNAME CHANGE????!!!!!

user72: hey so this is insane.

kikagomez: I'm so normal about them (i cried 13 different times).

-> alexandrast.mleux: same (i didn't stop crying)

lilymhe: my OTP

-> alexalbon: I'll go fuck myself I guess???

-> oscarpiastri: off you go!

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comments

user27: THE DRESS HELLO

user21: she really is the prettiest person on planet earth isn't she?

-> oscarpiastri: Yup :)

-> user21: HOLY SHIT THEY'RE SO CUTE.

nicolepiastri: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

addiepiastri: ❤️❤️❤️

maepiastri: ❤️❤️❤️

chrispiastri: ❤️❤️❤️

user80: the whole piastri family in the comments :)))))

landonorris: she slayed.

-> pierregasly: real.

-> maxverstappen: real.

-> arthurleclerc: real.

-> zhouguanyu: real

-> lancestroll: real.

-> dannielriccardo: real.

->valterribottas: real.

-> lewishamilton: real.

-> nicohulkenberg: real.

-> kmag: real.

-> oscarpiastri: real.

-> georgerusell: real.

->alexalbon: real

-> logansargeant: real.

-> kimiantonelli: real.

->olliebearman: real.

->liamlawson: real.

-> estebanocon: real.

-> yukitsunoda: real.

->checoperez: real

->paularon: real

-> alexdunne: REAL.

-> fernandoalonso: real.

-> charlesleclerc: real.

->carlossainz: real.

-> mickschumacher: real.

-> sebastianvettel: real.

->markwebber: real.

->jensonbutton: real.

->y/npiastri: THANKS GUYS :))))

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comments

logansargeant: diabolical caption

-> landonorris: THANK YOU

-> logansargeant: no ones talking about the bouquet we picked out mate, that's why.

-> landonorris: DOUBLE HOW DARE YOU

y/npiastri: Love you Alex ❤️

oscarpiastri: Thanks Albono

georgerussell: ❤️

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y/npiastri: my love :) ->oscarpiastri: MY love :) -> landonorris: possessiveness kink much? -> y/npiastri: GET OFF YOUR PHONE RIGHT NOW.

zakbrownceo: Adorable -> landonorris: why is bro acting like he was invited 🤣🤣🤣 -> zakbrownceo: why is bro acting like i'll just give him a seat next year 🤣🤣🤣🤣 -> landonorris: 😐

lewishamilton: pretty flowers, wonder who picked them??? -> logansargeant: ME! ->alexalbon: ME! -> landonorris: ME! -> fernandoalonso: ME! -> valtteribottas: ME! -> charlesleclerc: ME! -> georgerussell: ME! -> zhouguanyu: ME! -> lancestroll: ME! -> danielriccardo: ME! -> hattiepiastri: ME! -> addiepiastri: ME! -> maepiastri: ME! -> nicolepiastri: ME! ->kmag: ME! -> nicohulkenberg: ME! ->estebanocon: ME! -> pierregasly: ME! -> yukitsunonda: ME! ----------

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navigation for my blog :) (masterlist)

[galaxyedging]

Ezra/reader Christmas song fic.

Mentions of sex.

Fairy Tale

It was Christmas Eve babe,

In the drunk tank,

An old man said to me, won't see another one.

The music sounded tinny coming out for Cee's old speakers. As soon as she discovered this old song she became obsessed with it. It was at least the third time they'd heard it tonight.

And then he sang a song,

A rare old mountain dew,

I turned my face away,

And dreamed about you.

Between the branches of the tree you were both hanging ornaments on, Ezra's eyes found yours. For a moment you wondered if he dreamt about you like you dreamt of him.

Got on a lucky one,

Came in eighteen to one,

I've got a feeling,

This year's for me and you.

Ezra's eyes lingered. His tongue slipped out to wet his full lips. After a run of luck on the Green and at home, the three of you actually had some security. Instead of living moment to moment you could actually plan for the future.

So happy Christmas,

I love you baby,

I can see a better time,

When all our dreams come true.

Cee was going to to school. Under the tree the paper of the neatly wrapped boxes shimmered in the light of the tree. They contained pens, pencils, books, everything she'd need to chase her dream of being a writer. You and Ezra were so caught up in supporting her dream you hadn't thought about your own dreams.

They've got cars big as bars,

They've got rivers of gold,

But the wind goes right through you,

It's no place for the old.

Ezra had a few extra years on you but you weren't exactly young yourself. Some aspects of prospecting may get easier with age, experience, but being young and strong, were essential for the rest. Expertise could be taught. Life saving reflexes, not so much. Soon you were both going to have to stop pushing your luck.

When you first took my hand,

On a cold Christmas Eve,

You promised me,

Broadway was waiting for me.

Ezra had held out his hand to you to help you into his pod. For the first time since you had met a week before he didn't speak. His open hand speaking for him, an offer, a promise, an opportunity.

You were handsome,

You were pretty,

Queen of New York City,

When the band finished playing,

They howled out for more,

Sinatra was swinging,

All the drunks they were singing,

We kissed on a corner,

Then danced through the night

That first week on the Green. You and Ezra had danced around each other. Both realising that you needed each other. Both not willing to acknowledge it.  All the vulnerability buried under your bravado, Ezra's poetic ramblings, the teasing flirtations thrown back and forth.   The lingering looks as you cleaned up and changed in your small tent still burn your skin. The rousing chorus brought you back to now.

The boys of the NYPD choir,

Were singing Galway Bay,

And the bells were ringing out,

For Christmas day.

Cee and Ezra danced around. Firstly, with arms hooked at the elbow skipping in a circle round one way. Then Cee held on to Ezra's shoulder as they went the other way. Peals of laughter spilled from them as they went faster.

The boys of the NYPD choir,

Still singing Galway Bay,

And the bells are ringing out,

For Christmas day.

Cee pulled away to get a drink. Ezra held his hand out with a flourish. Smiling you took him up on his offer. He pulled you close. You hadn't been this close to him since the night you came home from the Green. Since the adrenaline of a big score and getting home safe had thrummed through your veins. Since you'd silenced him with a kiss. Since he'd taken you to his bed. Since the passion and burning need gave way to patience as Ezra adjusted to the loss of his limb. Since he'd mumbled the prettiest words against your skin as he was buried deep inside you.

I could have been someone,

Well so could anyone,

You took my dreams from me,

When I first found you,

I kept them with me babe,

I put them with my own,

Can't make it all alone,

I've built my dreams around you.

Neither of you spoke about than night again. Talking about it, going down that road, was too much for either of you. A life time of living with a guard up, with nothing but harshness made even being open to the possibility of something good difficult. Taking things day by day, staying close for survival? That was normal, doable. So that's what you had done.

The boys of the NYPD choir,

Still singing Galway Bay,

And the bells are ringing out,

For Christmas day.

Wrapped up in the swell of the music, Ezra's embrace and the magic that permeated the air this time of year, it was easier to be open to possibilities, to dream of a softer future. To believe that a fairy tale could come true.

[sadaboutniall]

Without Fear

masterlist | tag | wattpad

sorry I suck at updating. happy valentine’s day, here’s a new chapter!! 💕💕 have a lovely valentine’s 

Chapter Eight. May.

When all of this is over, I; Love me like there ain’t another day, lead with the heart, ain’t that the only way? Keep thinking ‘bout how much I changed today.

It’s surprisingly easy, then, for Niall and Lu to figure things out. It’s easy to fall into the routine of two people who can’t get enough of each other—for Niall to swing by the cafe every day after work, and for Lu to clear her weekends to watch Niall coach. They have dinner together more often than not, Ruairí sleeping at Niall’s feet while he sits at Luna’s kitchen table. They kiss on the couch and fuck on a wool blanket in front of the fireplace, Niall’s lips at Luna’s neck, Luna’s fingers clawing down his bare back. Afterwards, she likes to lie with him and trace the scratches with her own fingers, caressing the patterns that mark him as her own. 

Niall tells her that if they don’t keep it on the downlow news of their relationship will travel the island fast, and Luna will never escape questions about it—it makes her think back, so far back, to that night on the roof, when he mentioned how much Inis Mór loves its gossip. She remembers watching him that night, freezing cold on the roof of her unfamiliar flat, wondering what it would be like to truly know Niall. All she’d wanted to do then was reach out and touch his hand, feel his skin against hers—now, she does it nearly every night, without thinking twice. 

It’s one of those nights, in early May, when things change forever. 

She’s lying all over him in her bed, the way they both like to after sex, his hand tangled up in the curly mess of her hair, her fingers tracing patterns against his bare chest, the smattering of chest hair starting to bloom out across his freckled skin. Luna has the windows open and the smell of spring is delicious through the windows, even this late in the night. As a gentle breeze billows her curtains, Niall slides one hand up Luna’s bare back, from where he’d been resting it at the curve of her ass, coming to a gentle stop between her shoulder blades. She glances up at him, feeling his chest rise as he takes a deep breath, ready to speak. 

“Do you remember my mate Conor? From the Paddy’s Day party?” 

As if Luna could forget the way Conor’s brother had cornered her in the kitchen. She nods, and Niall exhales quickly. 

“Well he works at this pub down  in Dublin, helps manage it actually, and he rang me this morning while I was at work to ask if I wanted to come down and do a bit of a gig at the weekend.” His eyes are trained on the ceiling, his chest still as he holds his breath, waiting for Luna’s reaction. 

“Niall,” Luna sits up in bed, and, finally, Niall looks at her. She can’t quite figure out why he looks so nervous. “This is fucking amazing.” 

Niall breathes out a giggle, hands coming up to cover his eyes for a second. When he moves them and looks at Luna again, they’re sparkling wet. “I know it’s nothing big, just a mate doing a favor but I—my first gig in Dublin, Lunes.” 

“It is something big,” Luna doesn’t even try to temper the excitement in her voice—Niall never makes her feel embarrassed about how she reacts to things, not the way Ida, the way her old job, used to. “It’s something massive, actually, Niall. I’m so proud of you.” 

Underneath Luna, Niall flushes beautifully, his pale skin warming up with pride, love, a little embarrassment. Luna feels an impossible swell in her chest, a balloon of pride that she can’t keep from flying away, that makes it impossible to act like the chill, unbothered, cool girl she’d tried so hard to be in New York. Instead, she cups Niall’s cheek with her hand, feeling the way his skin burns up under her fingertips, and leans in for a kiss. 

-- 

And so, Luna takes her very first trip to Dublin. 

Niall can’t wrap his head around it, the fact that Luna’s been living on Inis Mór all this time and has never been off the island—not even to Galway, the closest mainland city—and Luna can’t quite figure out how to explain to him that nothing off the island is of interest to her when the island has him. Instead, she tells him it’s all for the best, anyway, that he’ll be the best tour guide or her first foray into the rest of Ireland. He smiles, and  wraps his arms around her middle on the ferry over to Galway, his body sheltering her from the violent wind and the bitter cold. Spring is tantalizing in the air, Luna can smell it in her every breath, but winter clings on nonetheless, biting and threatening. 

On the train ride from Galway to Dublin, Luna and Niall sit across from each other, Niall’s guitar at pride of place in the seat next to him. Niall takes the seat travelling backwards,  so Luna can get a proper view to  watch out the window as the Irish countryside blows past her, a blur of impossible green and infinite horizon. He falls asleep somewhere near Mullingar, in the middle of the country, and Luna finds herself watching him more than the passing landscape—the way his eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks, the tangle of freckles on his neck, the gentle parting of his lips, the constant, comforting rise and fall of his chest as he dreams. 

They arrive in Dublin late that night, the city illuminated by golden street lights and car headlights in a way the island never is, and as they board the Luas on their way to Conor’s flat Luna finds that she’s not taking in the sights around her, but staring instead at the sky above, squinting, strangely desperate to catch a glimpse of any of the stars that make the Inis Mór nights so bright. 

All she can see are lights from planes, taking their passengers far away.

— 

In the morning, Luna wakes up to the sound of Niall’s laughter. She’s on the air mattress in Conor’s living room, where she and Niall had fallen asleep the night before, and she can tell from the sound of his laugh that Niall’s only in the kitchen, a room away, chatting with Conor. But for some reason, it feels like a million miles. 

She stretches out in bed, the air mattress creaking and deflating underneath her, and lets the sounds of the city wake her up, too, so that if she closes her eyes she can pretend this is New York—can feel like she’s back in Williamsburg, Ida next to her, the city bustling below them. As much as she denies it, as much as she loves her life on Inis Mór, Luna can’t shake the fact that there’s a part of her, small it may be, that misses living in a city. But then she hears Niall again, his giggle from the kitchen, and the feeling slips away without a second thought. 

Niall is where she wants to be. 

She pads into the kitchen, the sleeves of Niall’s sweatshirt pulled down over her fingers, and stills in the doorway for a second, the morning’s first smile working its way across her face as she watches Niall and Conor laugh over some video on Conor’s phone, their heads close together so they can both look at the screen. It hits Luna like a pang in the stomach, the fact that Niall is so far away from his friends all the time—the fact that, by staying where he is, he’s losing out on all of this. 

She thinks about herself, too, her early days in New York, before things got so bad. The late nights out with her friends and Ida, crashing at whoever’s apartment was closest to the bar they’d ended the night at, waking up in the afternoon in a pile on the couch, heads throbbing with hangovers and someone, the least hungover usually, standing with her phone out, writing down everyone’s order for the bagel place. Looking at it now, a million miles away, a whole ocean between it all, Luna knows that those moments were the most precious: those exhausted mornings, giggling over Snapchat stories from the night before, splitting bagels so everyone could get at least one bite of every flavor. There was no better feeling than that—nothing more intimate than the morning after the night before. 

Standing in the doorway of Conor’s flat, Luna realizes that Niall hasn’t had the chance to have any of those mornings. 

He hasn’t let himself. 

“Hey, petal. You’re up!”

Luna shakes herself out of her thoughts, eyes focusing on Niall, who’s looking at her with a smile on his face that makes her heart flip the same way it did back in January, when he walked into the cafe for the first time, wind blown and nervous. “We made a fry up, I put yours in the oven to keep it warm.”

“Thank you,” she tells him, her voice coming out a little croaky from lack of use. “That’s nice of you.”

“Wasn’t gonna leave you starving,” Niall smiles, standing up and making his way over to the coffee pot. “Sit down, lover, I’ll get your coffee ready too.” 

— 

Despite Luna’s dreams of spending the afternoon wandering around the city hand in hand with Niall, she finds that they hardly have any time to sightsee before they find themselves packed into the pub, Niall sitting next to her on a barstool, jiggling his leg up and down anxiously. It feels to Luna like there are more people in this pub alone than on the entire island of Inis Mór. She puts her hand on Niall’s knee, and feels him calm down, just a notch. 

She’s only on her second Guinness (and Niall’s barely managed to get halfway through his first), but it’s been a long time since Luna’s been drunk in a bar, and she can feel the effects of it—the alcohol coursing through her in a way it only does when you’re surrounded by other drunk people, the heady smell of the bar adding to her intoxication. She’s overwhelmed, like she knew she would be, but it’s not as bad as she anticipated—not scary and claustrophobic, but fun, something new and different and familiar, all at the same time. She drops her head onto Niall’s shoulder and closes her eyes, safe and sure here, with him by her side. 

— 

Niall gives, without a doubt, the best performance Luna has ever borne witness to. 

He starts playing to a loud, rowdy, packed pub, his voice barely carrying over the sounds of friends chatting to one another, their laughter flitting across the room—but by the time he’s three songs in he’s got the whole place captivated, all eyes on him, smiles on faces and pints raised in the air. By song five people are shouting out requests and Niall’s taking them, slinging a few jokes in between songs, and Luna could swear her heart has never felt so swollen, her stomach never so full with butterflies.  

It’s midway through his set, when Niall makes the ground fall out underneath Luna’s feet. 

“I wasn’t planning on doing this tonight,” he says into the microphone, “because I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested, but you lot seem like a kind enough audience. I wrote this tune myself, if you don’t mind me playing it? It’s called This Town.” 

— 

This Town is about Cormac. Luna can tell from the first lyric. It plays in her head on repeat for the rest of the night—through the rest of Niall’s set, through the heart-stopping smile on his face when he sits back down next to her afterward, through the unfathomable hour of strangers coming up to them and offering to buy Niall a pint for his performance, clapping him on the back and letting him know how much they enjoyed listening. It plays on repeat while Luna tells Niall how proud she is of him, leaning in for a kiss and tasting the Guinness on his lips, the lyrics on his tongue. It plays on repeat through the end of the night, too, Niall helping Conor put away some of the glasses after they lock up, Luna feeling like she’s watching herself through someone else’s eyes, spilling beer everywhere when she tries to help. 

Niall cleans up her mess without a single complaint, but Luna can’t stop feeling sick to her stomach. 

This Town still plays in her mind late that night, when Niall goes down on her in Conor’s living room, the air mattress rocking below them, and it plays in her mind the next morning, when they finally do walk hand in hand through Dublin, Niall stopping for selfies every time they pass a tourist spot. It plays on her mind when they board a train to Galway in the early afternoon, and, still, on the ferry back to Inis Mór late, late that night. Niall drives her home and they make out in the car for ages, his hands up under her sweater, windows open to let the spring air in. It smells like Niall and newness—the coming warmth, the longer days, the hope and life and breath that spring brings to everything. 

It smells, to Luna, like everything thawing away. 

— 

Luna’s grateful for work on Monday, the constant orders and customers a distraction from the feelings that she knows are out of line. Niall adores her, she tells herself as she brings Mr. O’Keefe his usual coffee, a song is just a song, and nothing more. 

But it’s hard to shake, Niall’s voice, “over and over, the only truth, everything comes back to you.” For so long, Luna realizes, Niall’s voice has been something special for her—something she hears in her cafe, in her bedroom, in her bathroom when the shower is on. Niall’s voice is the soundtrack to her washing dishes, to her curled up on the sofa reading while he plays guitar across the room. It’s the soundtrack to long car rides in the middle of the night, the moon and stars illuminating the cliffs ahead just for them. It’s the soundtrack to them, to Niall and Luna, and it hurts her more than she thought it would—more than it should—to realize that she has to share that with the rest of the world. 

When Niall bustles into the cafe that evening, Luna can’t hide her excitement. It feels like a million years, a million miles, since last night, when he pulled her in for one more kiss before driving home to his mom’s house. His cheeks are redder than usual when he comes up to the counter, despite the warm spring day outside. 

“Hiya,” Luna leans over the counter for a kiss, her anxieties melting a little when Niall’s lips meet hers. “You alright?”

“Lu,” Niall’s breathless, handing his phone to Luna across the counter. “Look at this.” 

She glances down at his phone, open to the YouTube app, and her hands start to shake before Niall speaks. She knows exactly what’s happening—it used to be her job, to help make things like this happen. 

“Someone recorded my gig down in Dublin,” he’s telling her, his voice so distant that it sounds muffled, distorted, in Luna’s ears. “It has a million views on YouTube, Lu. It’s—I’m going viral. People are asking if it’s on Spotify, I even had to take my Instagram page off private. Conor says I should come back down for another gig, people have been asking after me. I—Lu. I think we made it.”

####

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[george-mackay-macfine]

Harassment

Requested

Synopsis: George helps you deal with a group of guys who won’t leave you alone. 

Word count: 1,889

Content warning: This contains mentions of harassment, sexual assult and abuse. Please read at your own discretion. 

“Well, I took a stroll on the old long walk of a day - I- ay- I- ay.” Dean and I sung, or rather screamed into the microphone jumping around the stage when Dean went roque and hopped off, trotting into the crowd as they clapped along with us. 

“I met a little girl and we stopped to talk of fine soft day -I -aye.” Dean winked at a girl who sat at the bar, playing with her drink. 

“And I ask you, friend, what’s a fella to do.” I sung following Dean of stage. He grabbed my hand and helped me onto the bar, following me up. We walked towards George and the rest of the 1917 cast and crew. “Cause her hair was black, and her eyes were blue.” I held my hand out towards Sam who was laughing at us. 

Dean and I’s theatrics continued through the middle of the song, trotting up and down the stage, holding onto each other, ourselves, and members of our audience before we hopped of the bar and back onto the small stage. 

“When I woke up I was all alone.” Dean wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I turned to look at him, turning my face into a sad frown. “I know who’d leave me right.” He laughed into his microphone. 

“With a broken heart and a ticket home.” I sang back to him. 

“And I ask you now, tell me what would you do?” We sand together. “If her hair was black and her eyes were blue.”  

“I’ve traveled around I’ve been all over this world, boy’s I ain’t ever seen nothin’ like a Galway girl.” Dean finished throwing an arm towards the audience for us to be greeted with a round of wild applause. Dean and I took a bow, hands thrown together between us. 

“Thank you.” Dean shouted into the microphone. “We’re going to be here until they kick us out.” I shook my head unable to stop laughing as we replaced our microphones. 

“I’ll be back in a minute, bathroom.” I called to Dean as I walked towards the bathroom. I shuffled past Dean and quickly used the bathrooms, as I was coming back out I was cornered by a group of three young guys. 

“Loved the song.” The first smirked at me. 

“Really loved it,” The second added. 

“Thanks.” I went to walk past them, only to have my escape blocked by the third. 

“How about a drink?” The third smirked down at me like I was a deer walking into the lions den. 

“No, thank you though.” I went to walk around again, the second blocking me this time. “I’m really sorry guy’s but I’m here with some friends.”

“We can be friendly.” Jerk number one smirked, his hand boldly touching my arm. “Really friendly,”

“No, thank you.” 

“C’mon, You’ll have fun.” I looked at them all, none of them took their eyes off me. 

“I don’t want any trouble.” 

“Trouble never looked so fine.” Jerk number two smirked at me. 

“I’m going to go.” I pushed between the two, only to have my body stopped between the pair. “Let me go,” I groaned pushing them. 

“But you look so good here, between us.” Jerk number three smirked down, I felt his hand go into my hair pulling it roughly. I let out a groan of pain. “Especially when you make that noise.” 

“How about you let us take you home?” Jerk number one let out a low whistle. 

“No, thanks.” I was beginning to panic as I struggled to find a way out. “Just let me through please, I have friend’s waiting for me.” 

“We can make it quick.” One of them whispered in my ear. “We’ll enjoy it.” 

“Y/N.” I heard a voice call. “Y/N where’d you go.” 

“George.” I called back, turning to look as George turned into the hallway. He stopped when he saw my situation. 

“Y/N, everyone is waiting we’re gonna leave.” He stepped towards me. 

“Y/N… Pretty name.” Jerk number two touched my arm. “I think she’s going to hang out with us, thanks though.” 

“Y/N, I’m serious everyone is waiting.” George stepped towards me again. 

“We’re serious mate, she’s not coming with you.” 

“I’m coming.” I pushed the guys away and walked towards George. When I was close enough to him I grabbed his hand, and let him pull me towards him. “Thank you.” I whispered as he pushed me in front of him. 

“What happened?” 

“Can we talk about it later?” 

“Of course.” George squeezed my hand. He lead me back to the group, I saw Dean sitting with the dark haired girl his arm wrapped around her waist as they chatted carefree. The rest of the cast and crew drank and laughed. “Wanna get out of here?” I nodded my head. “We’re gonna go get some food.” George announced to the party. 

“See you all tomorrow.” I waved my hand still firmly in Georges, being waved goodbye as we walked to the front door. 

_-_-_-_-_-_

“Thanks for letting me stay the night.” I whispered to George as I sat on the edge of his large king bed in his hotel room. “I really didn’t feel like being alone.” 

“What happened, in the bar?” I knew it’d come to this, and I knew George deserved answers. 

“I went to the bathroom, and when I came back those guys were there… They kept touching me and pulled my hair.” I felt tears well in my eyes as I remembered what happened. “They kept trying to get me to go home with them.” 

“And you didn’t want too…” The way George said it, I could tell everything was making sense to him. “I’m sorry, Y/N.” 

“That’s never happened before, at least not like that.” I wiped one of the tears off my cheek. “I’ve had guy’s touch me before, and grab me as I pass them, whistle at me on the street but it’s never been that close before.” 

“You deal with this sort of thing a lot.” I chuckled despite myself. 

“A lot of women do.” I looked up from the blanket to him.  

“If that ever happens again Y/N, I want you to remember… Women do not need to be polite to someone who is making them uncomfortable.” He stood up and walked around so he was sitting beside me, his hands enveloping mine. “If someone ever does this again I want you to scream, throw punches, get someones attention…” He reached up pushing some hair behind my ear. “Beat the all mighty fuck out of them,” 

A/N: This started out as a cute fluff idea, but upon seeing an article about a domestic violence case in Australia where a man set his wife and their three children on fire in their car, killed them all (And himself) I was motivated to remind people to stand up for yourselves, and seek help if you need it. 

Domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment is never acceptable. If you need help reach out, and get it. People want to help you. 

[fitllivinglifestyle]

Best Hiking in Ireland and Other Unique Irish Adventures

If you want to fully experience one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world then you must go Hiking in Ireland. The rolling green fields, stone fences, savage cliff coastlines and  medieval castles make it one of the most awe inspiring locations for a great hike or country walk. It is one of the greenest place I have hiked in the world, right up there with my home area of the Pacific Northwest and Hiking the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines. Then you have the Irish themselves who are some of the friendliest people you will ever come across. Everywhere you go, whether a city or small village, you will find a pub filled with welcoming  locals, music, dancing and stories of myths and legends. A perfect place to rest your feet and quench your thirst after a day of hiking the Irish hills and valleys. So where do you hike in Ireland? Well the list is almost endless but to get you started I have created a guide to some of the most scenic hiking spots in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Here you will see some of the best this island has to offer while hitting up a few iconic photographic spots as well.  

Best Hiking in Ireland and Other Unique Irish Adventures

1. The Cliffs of Moher

At over 700 feet tall these cliffs are magnificent to view. They are one of the most visited attractions in Ireland and can get busy during peak season. I suggest going early in the morning when they first open. There is a great walk along the cliffs. They do have a small wall barrier but this can be easily hopped over for a full cliff hike experience. Be careful as winds can be very strong when walking too close to the edge. You can literally fill up a whole card of images here. Look below and see the power of mother nature slamming into the walls. Scenes from great movies like The Princess Bride (Cliffs of Insanity) and Harry Potter and the half blood prince have been filmed here. Here is a 360 experience for the Cliffs of Moher Galway is one of the best places to stay as a home base for seeing the Cliffs of Moher. A bustling center with so many pubs to explore when you are not exploring nature. Galway Hotels

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2. Ballybunion Cliff Walk

South of Galway is a little town called Ballybunion. Along the coast is a great walk along some beautiful beaches and picturesque cliffs. This walk has been used by visitors for the last 100 years. You can also explore a pretty castle and some lovely sand dunes. Most people can easily spend a couple hours here exploring.

3. Clogher Strand Beach

A must see stop when driving around the Dingle peninsula is Clogher Strand. There is a car park here and even on the calmest day, this little cove is spectacular to view. The rocky shore and cliffs are battered by wind and waves up to 26 feet high. There is a wonderful hike from this cove along the countryside and cliffs to the Pier at Wine Strand. This is some of the best hiking in Ireland. This route takes about 3 hours, but you can make your way back via a road if you do not want as long of a walk. Many movie fans may recognize this area as the Irish countryside that Tom Cruise's character was from in "Far and Away."

Dingle is an iconic Irish village worth a stop itself. It has one of the biggest food festivals and also is home to one of the most famous Dolphin's by the name of Fungie. Locals say this same dolphin has made this it's home for the last 32 years. Dingle Hotels

4. Slea Head and Dunmore Head

Easily accessible from Dingle, this is the most western point in Ireland. You can park at Coumeenoole Beach and head up to see Coumeenoole Ogham Stone. This particular Ogham stone is believed to be a place of worship for someone named Erc to the goddess Duibhne(Dovinnias). It is a bit of a hike up to the stone through fields of sheep and over a small fence, but the views from there are one of a kind. You have a heavenly view of the Blasket Islands to the west and nothing else until North America behind them. To the east you can view Slea Head beach and endless miles of green countryside. Put this one on your hiking in Ireland list.

5. Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is a scenic narrow mountain pass just outside of the popular town of Killarney, Ireland. A popular way to ride through the pass is with a jaunting car or pony guided by locals who live around the gap. You can also find some of the best hiking trails in Ireland here. Many also choose to bike through the area. There are even rock climbing routes in the area for those looking for a more extreme adventure. The Dunloe gap is about 7 miles long and consists of 11 lakes connected by the river Loe and an old arch bridge called the "Wishing Bridge." The gap was also a filming area for the movie "The Crying Game." Killarney is your best bet for a place to stay in this area and is a wonderful town full of pubs, delicious food, live music and amenities.  There is also the Killarney National Park to explore and definitely worth a visit when in Killarney. One of the largest parks in Ireland. Killarney Hotels

6. Bog of Frogs Loop

Dublin is an epicenter in Ireland. Many people just stay in Dublin for pubs, music and food but there is adventure just outside the city along with some great Ireland hiking. Within the town of Howth is a fairytale hike through enchanted forests and up to an amazing lookout. This whole area known as Howth Head was immortalized in James Joyce's book Ulysses. One of my favorite Howth hikes is Bog of Frogs that winds through an enchanted forest of gnarly trees which locals say is full of fairies.  Check out Shane's Howth Hikes for guided Ireland hiking tours of this area. Need a spot for lunch? Don't miss the delicious seafood at Octopussy's Seafood Tapas Restaurant on the Howth waterfront. Coming from the Pacific Northwest, I know seafood and this is good seafood. Need place to say in Dublin? Dublin Hotels

7. Dalkey Island

In the town of Dalkey just outside of Dublin you can kayak over to Dalkey Island with Kayaking Dublin. This drops you right into Lord of the Rings-like terrain. The kayak trip over is full of encounters with seals and beautiful coastline. Then you touch down on the island which is covered with rock and a spongy Irish moss. I chose to go barefoot and literally felt like a hobbit exploring the island.  If overnight stays were allowed I may not have left. The island was used by the Vikings as a holding area for slaves they had captured and a base for attacks and defense. This uninhabited island has been used for various purposes for 6000 years. It is now home to goats, seals, rabbits and legends.  Want lunch in Dalkey? Look no further than The Dalkey Duck Looking for more adventure? Zip It Forest Adventures may be what you need. Packed with fun and challenging routes for beginners to advanced. The Red Circuit is an upper body killer!

8. Hellfire Club (Mount Pelier Hill)

One of the most haunted buildings in Ireland wrapped up in witchcraft and satanic rituals. The Hellfire Club had multiple meeting locations around Ireland and some of the most influential and richest men in the country would partake in these gatherings. This old hunting lodge built by William Connolly is on top of Mount Pelier Hill. Locals share stories of debauchery, sacrifices and even the devil himself at this lodge. The hike up to the lodge is gorgeous with views of Dublin to the North and the Wicklow mountains to the South. The lodge itself sits on an old burial site in which adds to the haunted tales and stories of satanic rituals. You can explore the building and feel the eerie presence of those who may have died at this site. Watch your step as the building can be damp and dark. There is a great company Hilltop Treks that does Ireland Hiking tours and can take you up to this spot and other hiking in Ireland Watch a story told by Terry from Hilltop Treks about Hellfire Club here. Looking for something extra to do in this area. How about horseback riding in Dublin overlooking the Wicklow Hills with Killegar Stables? They are a great outfit for beginners to experts and one of Ireland's longest established riding schools. Take in the fresh Irish air as you trot through the countryside. Prefer golfing to hiking? Check out this resort just outside of Dublin with golfing at your fingertips? Check out Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links

9. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Situated in Northern Ireland along the coast is a rope bridge not for the feint of heart. The bridge is 65 feet long and 100 feet above the rocks below. It connects Carrickarede island with the mainland. It is a nice scenic walk down to the bridge, there is a fee to cross it. On the other side you can explore the old fishing dock and take the stairs to the top of the island. Upon returning across the bridge to your left you can follow the trail to a nice lookout spot for a great photographic view of the bridge and island. This will loop you back to the parking area. Not some of the best hiking in Ireland, but definitely a unique and beautiful area. Plan to stay in Belfast? Belfast is a prime city to situate yourself when exploring Northern Ireland. You can visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and The Dark Hedges all from Belfast. Belfast Hotels

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10. Giant's Causeway

One of Northern Ireland's most visited natural wonders. An area consisting of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. This is the by-product of an ancient volcanic eruption and is now a UNESCO site. Legend denotes the columns are the remains of a route built by giants. To get to the columns you must park above near the Visitors Center. Remember entrance to the Giant's Causeway is free but use of any of the facilities like the car park requires payment. In slow season you may be able to stop for a drink or snack at the pub and use their parking area or find parking along the road or a wall near the visitors center. It is a bit of a hike down along the coast to get to the columns, but a fairly level road to walk on. Once there, you can spends hours climbing and exploring the area. One the weirdest landscapes next to Cappadocia, Turkey.

Are you a Game of Thrones fan? When you are on your way to the Giant's Causeway or any other of the Northern Ireland Coastal locations, you can stop by the Dark Hedges. Used in the popular TV series Game of Thrones. The massive and unique trees curve over the road and give an eerie and medieval feel to them. Here is another article about Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik.

11. Dunluce Castle and Cliffs

The medieval Dunluce Castle sits right on the edge of the coastline of Northern Ireland. Something right out of Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. On all sides of the castle are steep drops which made it an ideal fortification for early Christians and Vikings. There is a cool little bridge connecting to the castle plus a waterway escape to the ocean from under the castle. You can spend a good hour exploring the area and walking through the castle. Plus the area is beautiful for a cycle or a good ole Irish walk along the coast. Read about another Historic Trail here.

12. Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is an adventurers paradise. In the county of Donegal in Northwest Ireland lies an oasis of trails, cycling, fishing, vast landscapes and a picturesque castle. In reality this area provides some of the most remote and best hiking in Ireland. Entry to the area is free, but services will be extra. At almost 40,000 acres, this park provides countless hours of exploring. It consists of most of Derryveagh Mountians, the Poisoned Glen and part of Errigal Mountain. You can rent a bike with www.grassroutes.ie to discover more of the area. Fishing can be done on Lough Veagh from July 15th - September 30th. Contact www.donegalanglingholidays.com to arrange. Derry, also know as Londonderry is just over the border in Northern Ireland, but provides a good home base for exploring County Donegal. It is a sight to explore by itself as well. It is a walled city with various 17th century architecture to see. LondonDerry Hotels

  Another option for accommodations is Ireland 's Blue Book. They provide access to Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses and Castles for a more unique experience.  

13. Slieve League Cliffs

Just over 2 hours from Derry, these Irish cliffs are said to be one of the best cliffs is Ireland. Larger and just as spectacular as the Cliffs of Moher. I am talking almost 3 times higher. You get wonderful views of Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay from the top of the cliffs where the ocean devours the rock below. If you are feeling like a little extra adventure, head onto One Man's Pass which connects around to Pilgrim's Path. This is one of Ireland's best hiking trails in Ireland and goes along one of Ireland's most impressive coastlines. The best part is this area is less explored than many other parts of Ireland, at least for now. Thanks for reading. Another detailed article about an Ultimate Road Trip from Belfast to Derry, Northern Ireland is here. Let me know if you think any new hiking in Ireland adventures should be added. Always looking for a new adventure to try. Here is some of the Best Hikes Near Seattle, my hometown. On Pinterest? Use this Pin below to share!

  Read the full article

[mikerickson]

Well that was one hell of a trip. And of course it wouldn’t be official without a bullet point wrap-up:

That was my first time flying international and apparently this is the normal way of doing it, but I didn’t like leaving the east coast in the evening and landing in Europe first thing in the morning local time. I can’t sleep on planes, and then you have to play the “we can’t go to sleep yet or we won’t adjust” game. I feel like it’d be easier to leave in the morning East Coast time and land in the evening in Europe, but what do I know?

My perpetually-sensitive tooth in the top left started hurting during our layover in Charlotte and really kicked in during the main flight. When I woke up the second morning there, it was killing me and I had to get a root canal done. Miraculously there was a dentist within walking distance of the Air BnB and I was able to get a walk-in appointment and get it done, but it pretty much took me out the rest of the day. Had I not done it then though, it would’ve ruined the trip.

Dublin is way smaller and walkable than I expected.

A lot of people, even in urban areas, walk their dogs without leashes and I guess it’s not really an issue?

This was also an unusually “safe” feeling country to me. Like we only saw like 5 Gardaí (police) on the entire trip and I don’t think I noticed any of them carrying guns. I especially took notice of how there were a lot of women walking alone at night in Dublin and that just isn’t the kind of thing I’d expect to see in a big city over here, but I guess that says more about America than anything else.

Me and a buddy took turns driving. Driving on the other side of the road and the other side of the car was terrifying for like the first ten minutes and then I adjusted surprisingly quick after that. Adjusting back to American driving has also been a little tricky; I’m still drifting to the left more than normal.

This being a glorified road trip, we listened to the car radio a lot and besides the accents on the DJ’s and the obsession with Love Island (a reality TV show that’s currently running), you wouldn’t be able to distinguish a lot of stations from American stations. We heard “Señorita“ like 2 or 3 times a day.

Glendalough was neat but it was packed with groups Italian teenagers who kept shouting, “woooOOOOOAAAaaaaahhh” at each other. Some kind of summer camp thing.

We rented bikes to go around downtown Kilkenny and that lasted all of 15 minutes because we’re all pansies too afraid to ride bikes in traffic with cars.

Left my Quip toothbrush at the Kilkenny Air BnB, R.I.P.

Jerpoint Abbey was neat and we had the whole place to ourselves. We actually got their too early because the staff wasn’t ready to open yet.

Rock of Cashel was beautiful and windy as hell.

We spent hardly any time on highways during this trip because the GPS kept putting us on these backroads only wide enough for one car at a time. Apparently these backroads are all posted with an 80 km/h speed limit (50 mph), so the GPS assumes we’d be doing that speed, when in actuality we were going close to 35 km/h (~22 mph) because of all the sheep and hairpin turns and hills and stones and trees that just kinda take up half the already-tight roadway sometimes. We probably avoided tons of tolls this way though.

Speaking of which, we decided to taxi in to Kinsale one night and the taxi driver was actually speeding on these tiny little roads at night and I felt like I was going to die in that front passenger seat. When we decided to head back to the Air BnB, we got the same taxi driver and it was equally terrifying the second time around.

Knowing I have a fear of heights, my dumbass put the Blarney Castle on our itinerary and I had a full-blown anxiety attack up there. When I saw Andrew lean over the side to kiss the stone I almost passed out. The staff was like, “It’s your tur-” and I was already halfway down the staircase noping the fuck out of there.

The Ring of Kerry has some fantastic views and it was one of those “pictures can’t do this justice” moments.

Heard a lot of different spoken languages on this trip. If I had to guess, it was probably like 55% English, 20% French, 15% Italian, 9% European Spanish and 1% Irish. The only time I heard spoken Irish was between two Gen-X guys in an ice cream shop in Dingle. That said, the Irish language is written damn near everywhere, so I’m still glad I learned a little before this trip, even if I didn’t have a conversation in it.

Traditional Irish food is... good at providing sustenance and keeping you alive. Unrelated, the first thing we did after coming home yesterday was head straight to the best Indian restaurant in town for the spiciest dish I could handle.

The Slea Head Loop on the Dingle Peninsula was like a tighter, more compact version of the Ring of Kerry.

The Cliffs of Moher were cool, but I feel like it would’ve been more impactful for me had I seen them before the Ring of Kerry and Slea Head Loop. Then again, there’s probably only so much enjoyment I could get out of them (see bullet point above discussing fear of heights).

Galway was a neat town that definitely felt like it had the youngest population, I wish we’d spent more time there.

The drive out to Kylemore Abbey in the northwest in the morning was probably the most beautiful part of the trip for me. I was driving this day and couldn’t take pictures though.

The Abbey itself was beautiful and such a change of pace; it was a Victorian-era mansion and pretty much everything we’d seen up to this point was from the early middle ages so it was weird saying something was “only” 200 years old.

Looking back, only three things from our original itinerary got cut, which is not bad considering how much shit we got done.

Overall a fantastic trip, but I’m ready to just kick back and not do shit for the rest of the summer.

[newamericanaroleplay]

“Say whatever the hell you want about me, but leave my bar out of it.”

N A M E  → Morgan McNeill

S T A T U S  → ★

A G E  → 30

PRONOUNS  → she / her

N E I G H B O R H O O D  → Harlem

O C C U P A T I O N  → Bar Owner

TRIGGERS: depression

P A S T  →

Richard McNeill and Maggie Carnahan were high school sweethearts that got married as soon as they reached legal age, challenging the social class and the prejudice that came with it. She came from an important high class family that saw Richard as nothing but trash. When they found out that he was from London, the patriotic Irish family forbade Maggie to have contact with him whatsoever, but the clever teenagers always found a way to be together and in their wedding ceremony, only friends and family from Richard’s side were witness of their love, but even they had each other, Maggie’s family did the impossible to separate them. She was determined to be with the man she loved and not even five days after the marriage, her father disowned her but Richard was always there to support her wife.

Maggie was a beautiful woman, and perhaps she thought that being the wife of a stock trader would bring back the fortune she had lost, but she was completely wrong. Richard was good at numbers, good at his job, but he wasn’t an ambitious man. He did a good job and not a single one of his bosses heard anything bad about him. He was happy with his position and with his wife, but she secretly hated the place where they lived, a small apartment that constantly needed repair and had walls so thin that they could hear the neighbors fighting almost every night. She begged him for a change using future children as an excuse and Richard, loving Maggie so much to deny her anything, and also enjoying the idea of becoming a father bought a house in the most expensive part of the city of Galway.

People say that love can blind a person, and that’s what happened with Richard, or some of his friends said. Perhaps it was true love and Maggie just took advantage of it, but when she realized her life would never be as it was before she met him, Maggie began to drink, gamble and buy clothes with his money. He was the money and she was just a pretty face that almost milked him dry to get new clothes, alcohol, cigarettes, expensive furniture, and parties for people she met at some random bar. Her parent’s spoiled her and she believed that her husband would do the same but how wrong she was. He saved part of his money and was still paying for all the things she bought when one night, after coming home from work, ready to talk some sense into her, Richard was received by a crying wife holding a pregnancy test in her hands that read positive. The news left him stunned and of course, he completely forgot what he was going to say and reacted as any loving husband would do, by hugging and kissing her.

The tears in Maggie’s face were not tears of joy. She did not want children, she did not want to get pregnant and loose her figure because of a baby that would wake her up at dawn, crying and screaming, not letting her sleep. A few of her so called friends told her it was normal and that she could get Richard to hire a few nannies to take care of the baby and problem solved, but life gave them another surprise when in one of the many visits to the doctor, the couple found out they were going to have twins. For Maggie it was the worse news she had received in her life after finding out she was pregnant, but Richard was even happier and he vowed to his wife to do anything in his power to bring her comfort and to make her happy, and again, she took advantage of her delicate state and his love.

Nine months later, Morgan was born only ten minutes after her twin brother, Conall. The couple welcomed the birth of the babies, as well as by their friends, who saw the married couple as an example to follow by everyone, but that quickly changed nine years later when Maggie realized she wasn’t ready to be a mom. No one really is really, but she tried, by God she tried to be a mom and it worked for a time, but she couldn’t change who she really was and after two days of thinking on a nice way to tell Richard how she felt, she just ranted about everything, letting all out. Maggie called him names, told him he was worthless, and countless other things that he never would have believed if it wasn’t because he heard them from her own mouth. That night, Richard expected to be greeted by his kids, wife and a delicious meal. Instead, he finally saw the woman’s true colors and blamed himself for how stupid he had been all those years. Surprisingly, he was the one who asked for the divorce and not Maggie.

Conall had been the one comforting his sister while they listened to the whole discussion from the top of the stairs. The twins were young, but they knew that her mom and dad were not going to be together again. When the divorce was complete, Richard was alright with Maggie keeping the expensive home with all she had bought. It was the only thing she cared about for she did not ask for monthly visits to her children. “I’m taking what really matters to me,” he said to her while carrying his son and daughter to the car. When he explained to them what happened and how it was going to be just the three of them for now, Morgan hugged him tight while staring at her mother, who was uncomfortable with what was happening. Richard said goodbye to Maggie and wished her a good life but when it was the twins turn, Morgan and Conall refused and got into the car, leaving to begin their new life with their dad’s family.

Morgan lived happily with her brother, with whom she formed and unbreakable bond, and her father’s aunts, Cecily and Elizabeth. Both became role models in her life, especially when she began to grow up. The sisters had a bar that sparked her interest to start her own when she grew older. “You can open all the bars you want, but first you need to learn and fill that head of yours with things that will help you in the future,” Richard had said to her when she expressed her wish for the first time. So she studied and began to learn in which subjects she was strongest and in which she was weakest, math and numbers always giving her a headache but her brother or father were always there to help her. She did not think about her mother after she left, only when a perfectly wrapped present came by mail the day she turned fifteen. Conall and Morgan received a laptop each, but instead of using it, they donated it to the school, surprising the headmaster and making their father proud.

Her life progressed with ups and down, as usual as life is, until she turned seventeen and she met him, or “the one”, as Conall would call him. Morgan’s poetry and writing flourished with her first high school crush and when her brother discovered some of her poems, instead of making found of them, he told her they were brilliant and should pursue a career as a poet or writer, buy she had only hears to what Lorcan would say. He was a nice guy, both parents were teachers and he wasn’t a trouble maker, kind of a lone wolf, but so was she when she wasn’t kicking the butts of the bullies that dared to put his hands on her brother. Many thought it was the other way around, but Conall was the more “make peace, not war” kind of guy and Morgan was the “mess with my brother and you’re dead” kind of girl. Richard liked him and so did Conall, but only when both turned eighteen he allowed them to properly label their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Morgan began a new life when she started her studies. Her brother had been right and she found her passion in writing poems, short stories and kid’s fairy tales, so it did not came as a surprise when she told her father that she was going for a BA in Creative Writing. Her relationship with her boyfriend was good, the usual fight, but they had no secrets, at least that’s what she thought when one day, when she was feeling in a good mood after being offered a job for a local newspaper, she visited him to find that he had left Ireland without telling her. His home was empty, no photos, no furniture, no note, nothing. Morgan had a small mental breakdown thinking all the possible scenarios and trying to come up with an answer, but none came. She called to his cell phone more than fifteen times a day that went straight to voice mail and sent emails and only bounced back. Everyone, including her brother and father could see them married and having a good life, but it seemed that he only used her for a time, a really long time.

She finished her studies but rejected the job offer and slowly but surely, Morgan got pulled into a deep depression that began to eat her from the inside out, literally speaking. Her heart was broken in a million pieces and no one could make her feel better. Conall got tired of her attitude and decided that a change was going to be needed, one far away from home, so he convinced his father to ask for a transfer to any place in America. He had good references and just a few days after sending his C.V he got a call to tell him that his request had been accepted. Richard went to her daughter’s room and was straight to the point in telling her they were moving to another city in the next months. Morgan refused of course, said it had nothing to do with her and that she needed to stay in Dublin until her ex called her to explain what happened, but it was her twin who made her react with his words. “What’s going to happen if he doesn’t, huh?” he told her. “Are you going to wait here and let him do to you the same thing Maggie did to dad?”

She wasn’t going to that. Morgan was always known for being the strong and brave twin, the one that always was defending the indefensible, the protector of the weak. The tears finally left her eyes along with the sorrow in her heart. She needed a good cry and close the door in that relationship. He left her and she was no going to mop around because of one guy, as much as it hurt her, so she pulled herself together and asked Richard for a year in Ireland, not to wait for the person who probably was never going to return, but to work in her aunt’s bar, get money and when they left for America, open her own, as she always wanted. Richard was hesitant at first, but he accepted..

Morgan worked as a waitress in her aunt’s bar for a year. She opened a bank account and put all her savings there, always asking her twin to look for a nice place where she could put her own establishment. When the year was over, the woman was surprised that Cecily and Elizabeth gave her as a parting gift a small amount of money from their own pockets. When she tried to refuse, both told her not to and to accept it so she could achieve her dream. It wasn’t much, but it was a start and they had faith in her. Morgan was moved and hugged them and kissed them when she said goodbye to them in the airport, swearing to come every time she had available to see them but not before promising them to be a good Irish girl and say her prayers by night. To please them, Morgan put her hand over her heart and swore that she would do it.

P R E S E N T  →

Life in America was different, there was no doubt about that, but she loved it. Morgan loved the change that came into her life like a breath of fresh air. Her father and brother welcomed her to London with open arms and it seemed like Richard and Conall had planned everything to make her happy because Richard, just as her sister did back in Ireland, gave her another amount of money and Conall provided her with a place where she could open a proper tavern. Morgan wasn’t sure at first but her dad pulled a few strings and “Blue Moon Tavern” was born. It was a small business first, but it grew over the years to the point of being able to buy the other shops that were next to it and expand the place, making it even bigger and a meeting point for all Irishmen and women and also a tourist attraction.

Morgan never felt more at home than in her own bar, ruling with iron first and making everyone aware that she was the Queen and didn’t tolerate any bullshit just because you paid for your drink.  Her patrons, people of all kinds and ethnicity, knew the brave Irish lass for handling the drunkards with her own hands, dragging them outside the bar by the scruff of their necks and making them the laughing stock of everyone who passed by, but they also know she can be gentle and caring because Morgan always makes sure to take lunch to her dad or to her twin when both are too busy and forget to eat when they are working.

P E R S O N A L I T Y  →

+ independent, brave, kind, confident

- sarcastic, reckless, impatient, stubborn

MORGAN MCNEILL ( Katie McGrath ) is written by KAMY ( she / her → UTC-3 )

[ridefm]

it’s great to see DERMOT SCANLAN, the newton resident ! thank you noah for your phenomenal app, please submit your account within twenty-four hours or your spot will be reopened. we can’t wait to see mot in action ! boyd holdbrook is now taken !

( BOYD HOLBROOK. THIRTY-FIVE. CIS MALE. HE/HIM. ) in texas, DERMOT SCANLAN is known to most as MOT. they have been riding with the diablos for EIGHT YEARS. they’re originally from GALWAY, IRELAND and the RIDER is known to be very IMPULSIVE & MANIPULATIVE  but the other club members will tell you they are CHARISMATIC & AMBITIOUS. as the years go by, they’ve gained a lot of respect in the club and around town. they rarely ever drive a car but when they do FIRE by BARNS COURTNEY is usually heard blasting. ( the smell of a freshly lit cigarette and lingering motor oil, sitting in a parked car at 2am, frost on the windshield, tired mornings with sleepless nights, callused hands wrapped around a cup of bitter coffee. bruised knuckles paired with a crooked smile) [ noah. 23. est. he/him. ]

[tcswritings]

The hard road home (WIP/very rough)

James and Declan have an argument in the car on their way home from Northern Ireland.

(This has been sitting in my drafts for a while now, along with some other things, and I really just wanna post this ‘cause it’s kind of happening just now in the timeline! I will get back to it at some point, to edit and polish! It’s horrible but hey, it’s late and I’m tired and I don’t have a whole lot of energy to edit all of it just now, haha.)

*****

(...)

The headlights of the many other vehicles got more and more glaring as the sky surrounding them got darker and James had to turn his head a little so he wouldn’t get blinded too badly by an oncoming truck. He and Declan had just left Armagh and the GPS now told them to stay right on Monaghan Road and it was a long road to go down, quite literally.

James started feeling a bit tired. He had suggested to stay in a Bed & Breakfast for the night as they had passed one a little earlier, to get some rest and some better food than the poor remains the two had left in their VW bus but Declan had refused. Their road trip had come to an abrupt end when he had received an unexpected call from Galway. Lauren had the most worrisome news for him and while James could understand that Declan wanted to get back to Galway as quickly as possible now, he decided that he would bring up the subject again later. Car crashs really aren’t that much fun, James knew too well from experience, and if all else failed he would find a nice place to stay for a day or two, to recharge and get his thoughts in order and he would put his friend into the next train home.

A truly tempting thought, James figured, as Declan really hadn’t been the most enjoyable company for the past few hours. Again, understandable, but James couldn’t help but feel irritated nonetheless. He could now see what Kieran had meant just before they were about to leave Dublin - he had given him a slight pat on his upper arm, telling him that Declan could be a real pain to deal with when in a bad mood and James knew that he had said it all in good fun but he was right. Oh, so right.

As if he could actually hear his thoughts, Declan now sighed impatiently, probably for the tenth time within the last hour. “Can’t you just turn that thing off already?”

“What, you mean the stereo?”

“No, the voice inside your head.” Declan groaned. “Of course the stereo, what else could I possibly mean?”

James frowned. Don’t. He’s upset. he told himself. “Sure.�� he sighed as he pressed the power switch. Dammit. Music was that very last bit of joy he could cling to so he wouldn’t have to face Declan’s bad mood.

“You alright, man?” James asked after a few moments of silence.

“Livin’ my best life over here.” 

“You hungry?”

“Nah.”

“Thirsty?”

“Nah.”

“Need to take a piss?”

“What?” Declan slowly turned his head and made a face. “Nah.”

“So, you gonna talk eventually or are you just gonna keep snappin’ at me like some fuckin’ pre-teen?”

“There’s nothin’ to talk about.”

“I dunno, mate, I feel you got a shitload to talk about.”

“And then what? Huh? Look, man, no offense but you’re not exactly the person I wanna talk to about all this.” Leaning back in his seat, Declan crossed his arms and closed his eyes, apparently trying to insinuate that the conversation was over.

James sighed again. He wouldn’t let it go that easily this time. “Fair enough, but see, I’m kinda the only person around for the next few hours and I’m really gettin’ sick of your snapping.”

“Oh why, sorry, but I’m really not in the best mood here.”

“You don’t say. That’s why I’m offering to listen, smartass.”

“I don’t wanna talk. Besides, what kind of advice could you possibly have?”

“What’s that supposed to mean, man? I give great advice! Besides, I have a kid, too.”

“Which you refuse to let into your life.”

James opened his mouth, dying to make a good comeback, but he merely breathed out as he clearly couldn’t argue with the sentiment. “You, uh, kinda have a point there.” he gave in and bit his lip.

Neither of the two said anything for another while; James merely concentrated on the traffic but after what felt like an eternity of silence, Declan spoke again.

“Why is it?” His voice was calm all of a sudden, and there was a tone to it that James couldn’t figure out right away.

“Why is what?”

“Why are you floatin’ around like you do instead of being with Victoria?” Declan inquired and when James didn’t answer right away, he went on. “I mean, you could have a really great life. I’m probably not the first one to tell you but man, you have no idea what ya missin’ out on.”

“It’s not that simple.” James said quietly.

“I think it is. It’s that simple. Instead of watching your little girl grow up, you keep doin’ this.”

“Doin’ what, exactly?”

A line of oncoming vehicles passed their bus now and James squinted. He wasn’t entirely sure if he liked the direction this conversation was taking.

“Y’know. This.” Declan patted the dashboard. “Bein’ restless, movin’ around. Switchin’ countries every two months ‘cause you can’t make your fuckin’ mind up about anything, not even about where you wanna live. You go on road trips with your ex-girlfriend’s brother-”

“That was your idea.”

“I know it was my fuckin’ idea, man, that’s not the point.” Declan hissed. “My point is that your life is a goddamn joke and you don’t even realise it.”

James let out a dry laugh. “Gosh, aren’t we a fuckin’ ray of sunshine today.”

“It’s true.”

“What makes you think I don’t realise it anyway?”

“‘Cause if you did, you’d at least try to change directions, eh?”

‘Thanks to whomever for my thick skin.’ James thought to himself. He couldn’t recall a single time when Declan had sounded as pugnacious as he did now and while he could not begin to understand how he really felt, James began to realise that he probably needed this. Declan was likely feeling helpless and needed to fight something.

James still didn’t feel like letting him walk all over him just yet. Besides, Declan’s observation wasn’t entirely off and as much as he hated to admit it - hearing the truth from someone else stung.

“It’s really not that simple, man.”

“Why not? Shit was handed to you on a silver plate your entire life. You can just make a choice, you had every fuckin’ possibility others could only dream about.”

James laughed and shook his head. “Nah. I mean, maybe I could’ve had them, if I had grown up with a family as supportive as yours but unfortunately I grew up with mine.”

“Yeah, no, we’re not exactly the Waltons either, nice try. It is us who choose who we are, not our parents or anyone else in that matter.”

“You have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.” James said quietly, slowly shaking his head again. “So, would it make you feel better about yourself? Me tellin’ you that I’m just that close to hitting the turps at certain times?”

“Why would that make me feel better about myself? This is not about me-”

“This entire conversation is about you, man. It’s not me who has to face their entire world as they knew it blow up once I’m back home-”

“All I wanna know is why it is so hard for you to be a part of your daughter’s life when she’s clearly the best thing you have ever done in your entire life?”

“I said it before and I’ll say it again, man. It is not. that. simple.”

“Sorry man, I'm just not buyin’ your Poor Boy bullshit.”

“Fine, then don’t!” James blurted out, his patience suddenly getting thin. It was the undertone of Declan’s voice that bothered him deeply - he was being condescending. James could deal with upset and angry but he really didn't feel like putting up with his friend playing high and mighty. “Don’t need a spoiled Mama’s boy up my arse anyway.”

“I am not a-”

“Oh, you’re the worst Mama’s Boy I’ve ever met, man.” James insisted, now striking a combative tone, suddenly feeling quite argumentative himself. “You are a spoiled rotten brat and that’s something you should wrap your head around at some point so you can actually start to try and become the great guy you think you are.”

“Ha! That’s fun, though, ‘cause last time I checked I am not the one running away from my responsibilities!"

“No, you’re someone who fucks his best friend’s woman without feelin’ the faintest bit of remorse-”

“Oh, watch what you’re sayin'-” Declan hissed under his breath

“Isn’t that what happened? Don’t pretend that it isn’t what happened!”

“So what? It happened, it’s not like I could do anything about it now?” Declan shot back. “Since when are you Mick’s biggest fan anyway?” he added, his voice snide.

“I am not his fan.” James rolled his eyes. “But you ripped out that poor bloke’s heart, and all you did afterwards was whine about how he had the audacity to not forgive you right away.”

Declan let out a dry laugh. “You are, once again, missing the point-”

“I’m not missin’ anything, I’m just stunned 'cause you’re actually tryin’ to tell me that you’re a better guy than I am. I got news for you, man, you are not, and maybe it’s about time you get kicked off that high fuckin’ horse of yours.”

***

(... to be continued, probably. :’D)

[the-marvel-imagines-blog]

My Marvel Imagines Masterlist

Madness (Loki Laufeyson/OFC, long-fic, In-Progress)

Chapter 1 | The Warrior

The beginning of it all.

Chapter 2 | Him

Eva discovers the warmth of a mother in her Queen, and Frigga finally convinces Eva to embrace her power. With the fear that Loki could be further corrupted in the dungeons, Eva voices her concerns once more before the Allfather only to be turned away again. Sensing her distress, Frigga confides in Eva about her loophole to visiting Loki.

Chapter 3 | Little Wolf

Eva recalls one of her most beautiful memories of Loki. Heimdall urges Eva to find her way back home, but she cannot bring herself to enter the house filled with so many memories of Hjalmar. In a celebration of Hjalmar’s life, Eva drinks her sorrows away, and Thor discusses his feelings for her with his mother.

Chapter 4 | The Day Death Cried

In a horrifying dream, Eva witnesses the birth of Life’s Tree, but it is different than the tales that were told. Still intoxicated from the night of drinking, Eva decides to disobey the King to visit Loki in the dungeons. Eva sifts through the rubble of Loki’s mind to offer him a beautiful memory, but the beauty of it only destroys him more.

Chapter 5 | Thunder in the Rain

After a confrontation with Loki in the dungeons, Eva finds comfort in breaking things and draws the attention of the God of Thunder. Convinced that he played a part in Eva’s grief, Thor reveals a dark secret. While Odin reveals a new version of Asgard’s history to Thor, a new enemy arrives in Asgard, ready to claim the throne.

Chapter 6 | Collateral Damage

In the aftermath of the battle on the Rainbow Bridge with Ezra, Eva shows how merciless she can be to those who threaten her home and the ones she loves. Ezra taunts Loki with the one thing he knows could break the God of Mischief.

Chapter 7 | Betrayal

In a flashback, Eva recalls one of her most painful memories: her encounter with Loki during the Battle of New York. In a desperate attempt to save the man she loves, Eva is willing to let herself fall.

Chapter 8 | Falling

Upset that her voice is unheard and unappreciated while discussing the new threat to Asgard, Eva finds herself searching the Universe for her purpose. In a desperate attempt to save one of her dearest friends, Eva makes an unplanned trip to Midgard.

Chapter 9 | Alone Again

Eva arrives on Midgard just in time to break Tony’s fall, but here mere presence on Midgard is violating the promise she made. Upon meeting a small stranger, Eva learns the nickname the Midgardians gave to her, and she has another vision of the woman from her dreams.

Chapter 10 | Belonging Nowhere

Eva’s departure is felt throughout the whole of Asgard. When the God of Thunder discovers her absence, Heimdall shows how willing he is to live up to the promise he made. Aaldir offers fatherly advice to the worried Prince.

Chapter 11 | The Choice

Eva rediscovers a piece of herself she thought died long ago. In another vision of the past, she witnesses Aaldir making the hardest choice of his life.

Chapter 12 | The Less You Know

Harley reminds Eva of her lost companion. Tony reveals that he is aware of his connection to Eva and asks for a favor that will bring Eva back to a simpler time

Chapter 13 | Once Upon the 40′s

Eva recalls her past with Loki and runs into some very familiar faces along the way, faces she’s never been able to forget.

Chapter 14 | Twice Upon the 40′s

Eva continues to recall her past with Loki and unveils a connection with Tony that she’s kept under wraps for the majority of his life. Tony finally discovers why she broke her promise to stay away.

Chapter 15 | Still

Ezra takes advantage of Loki’s emotions and finds a way into his unguarded mind.

Chapter 16 | Destiny

When the lives of Tony and Harley are in question, Eva discovers just how powerful she can become, and she is faced with a difficult decision.

Chapter 17 | Two Sides of the Same Coin

Bits of truth unfurl when Ezra visits Eva during a vision of the past. Tony asks for help, and Eva is forced to make a difficult decision.

Chapter 18 | Mother

 When Eva is faced with two difficult goodbye’s, she makes a choice that could be detrimental to her future.

Chapter 19 | A Bleeding Rose

Upon returning to Asgard with Harley and Kaia, Eva is surprised to discover where loyalties lie throughout Asgard, and she finds that her plan to visit her beloved has been made easier than she thought it would be.

Chapter 20 | With a Blade of Grass

Eva and Loki experience a night of freedom together and rediscover each other.

Chapter 21 | Godsbane

Eva and Aaldir share a moment before she departs for Midgard once more, and Thor is finally told the story of Asgard’s greatest threat.

Chapter 22 | If I Leave You...

The assault on the Mandarin’s compound proves to have been more than Tony and Eva were prepared to handle, and Killian finds out just how desperate Tony can become when Eva’s life is in question.

Chapter 23 | Keep Me In Your Heart

Tony learns the true meaning of desperation.

Chapter 24 | The Greatest Weakness

Her.

Chapter 25 | Her

Aurora

Chapter 26 | The Greatest Failure

Aurora

Chapter 27 | The Awakening

Thor and Eva have conflicting views on how to handle the situation with Aurora, but Eva’s need to protect her daughter gets in the way of her happiness.

Chapter 28 | The Nameless Ones

Aaldir makes a difficult decision to protect the ones he loves, and Eva shares a heart-to-heart with her enemy.

Chapter 29 | Only Forever

After Ezra’s departure, Eva is confronted by Steve with a bouquet of flowers and a letter.

Chapter 30 | The Storm

Eva reconciles with Thor, and Aurora seeks comfort in the storm.

The One Good Reason (Bucky Barnes/OFC, fic, complete)

Chapter 1 | The Cold Heart of Winter

Tony searches for his daughter, Emma, when she doesn’t make it home for dinner. During his search, he stumbles upon what looked to be a struggle, and his worst fears are confirmed when he receives a call from an enemy from the past: Hydra.

Chapter 2 | The Soldier

In Tony’s ultimate time of need, Steve shows him the meaning of family. Tony receives another call, but this time, Emma is on the other end of the line, asking more of him than he is capable of. Emma finds solace in the shadows of the soldier’s heart.

Chapter 3 | Bucky

In the finale, the Avengers execute their plan to rescue Emma from the Hydra facility. Emma makes a promise to get Bucky out of the facility alive, and in an attempt to keep that promise, she discovers herself and the true meaning of sacrifice.

Lost and Found (Tony Stark/OFC, fic, unfinished)

Chapter 1 | Mr. Trouble

Samantha Lockhart is a struggling single mother working for S.H.I.E.L.D. who was assigned to be Tony Stark’s personal assistant and undercover bodyguard. Desperately wanting to leave S.H.I.E.L.D. to protect her daughter after the events in D.C. revealed the Hydra operation living within, Samantha was all but forced into the job for Tony by a promise she had made to her late protege, Phil Coulson. With a secret family, a lost love, and more baggage than an airport, it’s only a matter of time before her world comes crumbling down around her.

Chapter 2 | My Purpose

Samantha dreams of “the last day” before it’s cut short by Vision’s call in regards to a missing Tony. Vision is the first to discover Samantha’s secret, and she discovers her least favorite part of her job. She discovers just how much she means to some people.

Chapter 3 | A Good Man

In the aftermath of Tony’s drunken disappearance, Samantha cooks him breakfast. Tony feels guilty for so many “last night’s”, and Sam loses control of the situation. Secrets are revealed and Tony realizes just how much good he had with Samantha.

Somewhere In Between (Stephen Strange/OFC, fic, unfinished)

Chapter 1 | Control

As the son of Stephen and Felicity, Liam has witnessed plenty of death, pain, and fear in his life. Nothing could’ve prepared him, though, for losing his mother at the hands of an enemy who had his sights set on Stephen. In a desperate attempt to place blame, Liam turns his back on his father.

Gone (Loki Laufeyson/Reader, fic, unfinished)

Chapter 1 | Unseen

The Midgardian woman who warmed Loki’s frozen heart has been a constant hum in his soul from the moment they met. He has always felt her presence within him, but nothing prepared him for the sudden shift in the universe, when the humming stopped. She was just...gone.

Marvel Characters

Peter Parker

Of Supernovas and Stars (Peter Parker x Female!Reader)

Imagine making snow angels with Peter Parker.

Galway Girl (Galway Girl x Female!Reader)

Imagine being Tony Stark’s daughter and coming out to your best friend, Peter Parker.

Steve Rogers

Daddy’s Girl (Steve Rogers x Female!Reader)

Imagine Steve picking you up for your first date and meeting your father, Logan.

Tony Stark

Something More (Tony Stark x Female!Reader)

Imagine confessing to Tony Stark that you love him.

Just Relax (Tony Stark x Female!Reader)

Imagine Tony Stark helping you relax after a hard day.

Real Person Fiction

Tom Hiddleston

These Hands (Tom Hiddleston x Female!Reader)

NSFW Imagine getting fingered by Tom Hiddleston in a car

Stargazing (Tom Hiddleston x Female!Reader)

Imagine stargazing with Tom Hiddleston.

Chris Evans

Sweet Nothings (Chris Evans x Female!Reader)

Imagine Chris leaving sweet nothings for you around your hotel suite.

[dublinthefun]

Day 10

Galway to Westport

Rains and winds continue to follow us. 🌨💨. Our first hike today was in Connemara National Park. It was a short (just under 2 miles) loop. It was very pretty , although quite windy and raining. We had a quick take away lunch in the car, and headed for the bigger task of Crough Patrick.

Croagh Patrick, the Hill of Patrick, is best known for its association with Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, who is said to have fasted for 40 days at the summit in 441AD. 

So....this was tough. It was raining pretty steadily when we began, the winds were increasing as we climbed, and we were walking through a mountain stream hoping it was the path (because there was no obvious path). The weather continued to decline, but we kept our heads down and carried on upwards. We reached 2.37 miles, were climbing on rocks, sliding back twice as fast as we stepped ahead. At some point, we couldn’t see anything and the winds were blowing us backwards. Our trusty rain ponchos were wrapping around us and blinding us. We were quite a sight (think dementors)! Wish we had a GoPro, because we didn’t dare get out a camera! We were certain we were lost and had somehow gotten off the nonexistent trail. At this point, we decided our best chance of surviving was to turn back. Going down was perhaps more treacherous because of the sliding footpaths and high winds. We were both blown into the side of the rocky hillside several times! 🌬 We made it to the car park safely thoroughly soaked.

After reviewing our hike maps on Google and our watches (about 100 times!!), it appears we were less than 400 meters from the alleged chapel. We couldn’t see anything, visibility was zero, so.....

We gave it our best shot, we prayed A LOT, so Saint Patrick....please bestow those blessings upon us. 🙏

[noahreids]

Beauty in the Aftermath (CS FF) | 12/14

Summary: Confronted with the sudden appearance of her birth parents, Emma, in a moment of panic, runs. She flees the diner, Storybrooke, the country. She finds herself a day later in the Dublin, Ireland Airport terminal wondering what the hell she has gotten herself into. With some fear, a little determination and a considerable amount of faking it along the way, she sets off on a trip she never planned on taking but needed more than she ever knew. She finds herself, she finds a Brit adrift on his own journey and finds out what home really means.

Rated: M (Sexual content & some Irish whiskey along the way).

Also on: AO3 | FFN Tumblr: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 ] Art!: Cover | Ch.1 | Ch.3 | Ch.5 | Ch.7 | Ch.9 |

A/N: Thanks always, always, always. So many of you have taken time to leave me comments, kudos and likes and each and every one is noticed and appreciated. Thank you.  

Always, thanks to @shippingtheswann for the cheering and beta work (go read her wonderful story!), @imagnifika for finding the heart of the story with her art, @halobxist & @meanderingcaptainswanmusings for everything xo. And please keep supporting all the other CSBB authors and artists. The content everyone is bringing is truly amazing.

And now for a little bit of a wild ride... 

Chapter 12 Emma, slides lower in her Adirondack-style chair, lifting her socked feet to the railing and closing her eyes. The briny ocean air gently moves over her skin and she sighs at the sensation, her mind replaying the last few days.

Ever since leaving Galway, their days slip one into the another with an effortless ease. Some intangible thing settles in their relationship, an ease or a comfort, or maybe a deeper understanding of each other. Whatever it is, it feels good and so Emma doesn’t try to put it into words, she doesn’t need to, instead she chooses to bask in it.

It had also been easy to say goodbye to Anna and Kristoff and set off on their own once again. Of course, her and Anna had exchanged numbers and promises to see each other again, but Emma and Killian were more than ready to slip back into their own bubble.

And they did, taking a meandering tour of the West coast, no solid plan except for a map and Emma’s guidebook to lead them. Killian even got in on the fun of pulling out pamphlets from the front of restaurants and hostels, holding them up with excited eyes when he finds something particularly interesting.

One taps her right one the nose at that very moment as Killian settles in the chair beside her having refilled their pints.

Emma takes the flyer and pauses, beer midway to her mouth. She takes in the colorful surfboards pictured on the front of the flyer and then looks down to the beach, watching the waves crash onto the sand, chasing the gulls back and forth. She shivers.

“It’s going to be freezing.”

Her eyes cut to him and he shrugs.

“They have wetsuits”

She’s unconvinced.

“I promise to warm you up after.”

She looks a little more hopeful.

“And make you another one of those cinnamon hot chocolate things you like so much.”

She grins and taps her beer to his.

xo

They surf in Lahinch and Killian is terrible at it.

And while Emma is only slightly better, she cackles from her board every time he comes up, water sputtering from his mouth, hair plastered to his forehead.

Their teacher remains patient and by the end, they both finally manage to ride a few small waves, Emma making it all the way to the beach.

“I’m going to start competing! You’ll find me on the circuit!” she cries out before dropping to her butt on the sand. Killian eventually joins her, flopping onto his back.

“Everything hurts.”

She laughs again and he looks up at her with one eye, squinting against the sun.

“You’re a mean, mean woman.”

She shakes her head and stands, brushing the sand from her butt and holding out her hand.

“Alright, come on and let this mean woman take care of you then. Let’s go warm up and then I can show you my pamphlet for tomorrow.”

xo

Her pick, the Dingle Dolphin Tour.

She can barely stay still as she tells him about their upcoming trip, shaking the pamphlet from up high as she stands on their bed.

He wraps his towel around his neck as he approaches, shorts riding low on his hips, skin pink from the hot shower. He stops at the edge of the bed and looks up, eyebrow raised.  

“We aren’t paying some overpriced jackass to take us out to see a dolphin that probably doesn’t even exist.”

Emma isn’t dettered, holding out the pamphlet.

“He’s been seen almost every day since 1983!”

“Sure he has.”

“You’ll see.”

Killian takes the paper and flings it behind, hand and wrist finding her bare legs instead. His fingers tickle behind her knee before he wraps his arms around her thighs and sends her tumbling back to the bed. Her laugh follows quickly and so does Killian, crawling over her, hand tugging on the shirt she is wearing.

“Alright Swan, if you say so. Now onto more pressing matters. I was looking for this shirt.”

Emma wraps her legs around his hips, pulling him down, a small shrug.

“You want it back?”

She lifts her arms above her head, waiting. He grins and pulls it off the rest of the way, dropping it to the floor.

“Not really. It looks better on you anyway, but I think I enjoy this look even more.”

She watches as his eyes dip, taking in her naked form.

“You’re ridiculous,” she whispers, but arches as his mouth closes over a nipple, teasing it to a point.

“Am I though?” his words roll over her skin, eyes bright as he looks up at her.

“Come here.”

And who is he to deny her, lips closing over hers.

xo

“Killian, there he is!”

Emma points eagerly, while standing on her tiptoes, trying to look over the crowd that had rushed to the side when the captain announced there had been a sighting.

She pulls her hood tighter around her face as the wind picks up, it’s a cold, blustery day on the water but her smile can’t be contained. He shakes his head but can’t help his returning grin.

“What are you waiting for, get a closer look.”

He nudges her forward and she finds a spot, laughing and letting out a shout with the rest of the passengers when Fungie the dolphin delights them with a jump through the air.

Killian doesn't bother taking any photos of the dolphin, too busy capturing Emma to care.

“The show’s there,” she says, pointing to the water. He simply shakes his head and raises the lense again, capturing her, shyly looking away, smile just for him.

“Thanks love, but I’ve got a perfect view right here.”

xo

Over dinner that night in Cork he plops down more flyers, each one getting them closer to Dublin than the next. Each one reminding her of the end and she feels the panic slowly start to rise as he talks on.

“What do you want to do first? Kiss the Blarney Stone? See the ruins in Cashel or we can go right to Kilkenny and tour the Castle?”

He’s looking through her guidebook when she finds her voice.

“Or we could go to the Cliffs of Moher?” she suggests, unable to look him in the eye. Fingers following the scratches on the old wood table they sit at.

She feels his gaze and bites her lip.

“I thought we decided there would be too many people?”

“I know.”

She still doesn’t look up, heart hammering, worried if she does, he’ll see through her.

“We saw tour bus after tour bus head that way.”

“We did.”

His hand closes over hers, turning it over and playing with her fingers.

“It’s 3 hours north of here.”

“It is.”

She takes a deep breath through her nose and forces a smile, finally looking up.

“You’re right, sorry.”

He doesn’t look convinced but she hurries to wave him off and grab her guidebook back.

“I read somewhere that instead of going to the Rock of Cashel there’s a monastery across the way that’s even cooler to see. An old Abbey.”

She’s grateful he lets her change the subject because in all honesty, she doesn’t care. She doesn’t need to see the Cliffs or the Castles or anything at all. She just wants time to slow down because she knows in her heart, she needs to get home sooner than later. There is a life waiting for her there that she can’t put off forever, friends that care about her, bills and rent and the small matter of two people who claim to be her parents.

But of all the places Killian has mentioned, never once as he talked about going stateside. Of course he’s spoken of the places he’s already been that she should see and of counties he hopes to visit one day but she can’t help but worry about what he’s not saying.

Never mind what she’s not asking.

Her head snaps up when music starts up from the back of the bar.

“Why don’t you go check them out? I just need to run to the bathroom and I’ll find you,” Killian offers already, standing.

She nods distractedly and slowly walks to the back to find a spot. She allows herself to get swallowed up into the crowd, letting herself sway with the people and hum along to the familiar tunes, once again hoping time would stop.

Killian finds her during a particular crowd favorite, the collective voices nearly louder than the band. His arms wrap around her from behind, pulling her close. He sings the words softly into her ear and Emma closes her eyes, trying to not let her emotions overwhelm her.

“We can leave first thing in the morning. We’ll be there by noon.”

She spins in his arms.

“Yeah?”

“Of course. Let’s see some cliffs.”

She hugs him tight and tighter still when she feels her tears threaten.

“Thank you.”

xo

They go to the cliffs and they walk along the well worn path, slowly with the other tourists. They take pictures and Killian laughs when ten feet is too close to the edge for her. When the fog slowly lifts, and the cliffs jut out, dark and imposing over the blue waters of the Atlantic, it takes her breath away.

But even more so, when she looks out at the ocean -- she knows she is looking out towards home.

And yet she remains silent, lets the fear build up inside and lets him lead her back to the car, bringing them another step closer to Dublin.

xo

Eventually they make it to Blarney Castle and kiss the stone. Unfortunately the gift of gab isn’t magically bestowed upon her. She pictured kissing the stone and suddenly turning to him and demanding to know what his plan is for the next weeks, months, years. Do you think you could live in the United States, with me, who you’ve only known for a short while, while I figure out my life?  

No, she decides, that would be crazy and why would he? It’s probably why he’s never suggested it and why she is now on the verge of a panic attack as they pull into the Dublin city limits.

Meanwhile, Killian doesn’t seem to have a care in the world, for once not his perceptive self.

“Oh, I called the car hire this morning and we can just drop the car off right here in the city, no need to go to the airport. That way we won’t have to worry about parking, we won’t need to keep paying for car we don’t need.”

Emma is so thrown by the sudden change of plans, she’s at a loss for words, she simply nods and follows his instructions to where they need to drop the car off.

The whole ordeal goes by in a blur, her mind unable to stop racing to ask questions or really understand what any of it means.

She hands the keys over and signs whatever papers are placed in front of her and lets Killian fix her pack, pulling on her straps, so it sits higher, easier to carry.

“Don’t worry -- we won’t have to walk with these for long. As soon as we find a place that has room for the night we’ll drop them off,” he explains taking her hand and leading her out.

And again she follows.

It’s not like her to remain so silent, so complacent, but it’s taking all her energy to just keep her breathing under control, to not worry about her racing heart.

He pulls them towards a busy intersection, and she doesn’t even know how they got there. She’s cold, and her pack is heavy and he’s pulling out a map and she just wants to cry.

“Did you even try to call for a hostel this morning when you decided for us that we didn’t need a car or a place to stay or any plan at all?” her questions finally burst out, surprising them both.

He looks up, brows furrowing at her outburst.

“What’s going on?”  

“It’s like you don’t even care about where you’re going next. Like you don’t think of the future at all. Well, I fucking need to and I’m going to start with a place to sleep.”

He looks at her a little stunned and in her distressed state she takes it as an agreement of his not caring and stomps away, getting jostled and grumbled at by passerbyers, and just barely missing a car.

She doesn't care. She keeps her head down and walks.

It only takes a few minutes for her heavy breaths to come quicker, for the tears of embarrassment to threaten and for the realisation that she just needs to tell him, to be at the tip of her tongue but when she turns, he’s not there.

She spins, looking all around.

He’s not there, and she has no idea where she is and, and and --

“Oh, God.”

She clamps her hand over her mouth at the sound of her own panicked voice and she feels the first wet tear hit her hand. She breathes in through her nose but it doesn’t help. Another fat tear, tracks down her cheek.

She tries to retrace her steps but nothing seems familiar.

She tries different directions, all leading to more confusion and night is falling and she’s realising she has no idea where to even begin. She should have stayed in one place and -- she shouldn’t have gotten mad in the first place.

She should call him but--

The worst hits her -- she can’t. She can’t call him because she never had his number to begin with, there was never a reason to. She doesn’t even know if he has a phone.

Someone else bumps her, nearly sending her sprawling and she just manages to catch herself against a nearby bench.

What the hell is she going to do?

She’s lost him.

And so she does the only thing she can think of. She slowly lowers herself to the bench and cries.

-------

Don’t hate me too much...

Also -- there won’t be any updates for the next two weeks. So I wanted to take a second to wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday season. I’m thinking of each and every one of you. Thank you for making 2018 an amazing one! 

I’ll be back with Chapter 13, January 8th, 2019! Woo. 

But... there will be a little Christmas fic around the 25th :)

[lickstynine]

Misadventures of Kit: Chapter Eleven

written with @ocsickficsideblog

Kit didn't sleep too well that night; he'd dozed off fine at first, but the encounter with his father had left a deep dent of anxiety in his already-soiled psyche. He tossed and turned throughout the night, asleep but hardly resting. When the doctor came in the next morning, just the slight creak of the door jolted Kit awake.

Alistair groaned, pulling the floppy pillow over his face. He never was too good with mornings. The doctor scrutinised him expressionlessly, then turned to Kit. “Will you be staying at his residence? I need him awake if he’ll be your primary carer.”

Kit nodded, still a little shaky even as he recognized the doctor. He prodded at Alistair briskly until he seemed reasonably awake, sitting up with Kit still on his lap.

“Al, we… we get to leave now.” Kit mumbled. He was trembling faintly, staring down at the sheets rather than facing the doctor.

Alistair brightened at once. “Oh, that’s great!” He nodded impatiently as the doctor handed him dietary plans and rattled off information, wanting to get him out the room for Kit’s sake. The doctor made him repeat stuff back, trying to insure that Alistair was actually listening. It clearly annoyed Alistair, but he managed to parrot everything, and the doctor finally left, saying he’d take care of the discharge paperwork.

When the doctor walked away, Kit wrapped his skinny arms around Alistair in a tight hug. “Thanks.”

Alistair hugged him hard. “Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of you.”

Kit let out a small squeak when his cousin squeezed him, but he nodded. “Is Julie coming to pick us up?”

“Yep. I sent him a message. You staying in your pyjamas?”

“Do I have a change of clothes?” Kit asked, looking around.

“Probably. I didn’t pack your bag, Jules did it,” Alistair said, going to rifle through it. “You have the very crumpled ones from that night…”

Kit shook his head. “I'd been wearing those for like a day and a half already.”

“Pyjamas it is then. It’s alright, I’m leaving in mine.”

Kit sighed dramatically. “How low have I sunken?”

“Oh, there’s way lower than this, trust me. Here, swing your legs over, you need your shoes on. Unless I’m carrying you.”

“You’re not.” Kit replied firmly. “It’s bad enough to walk out in my pyjamas.”

“Nobody cares in a hospital. I haven’t walked anywhere dressed ever since you were admitted, and nobody said a thing. I even got chips from the cafe and nobody even stared.”

“I care.” Kit muttered, feeling like some shitty Cinderella as he held out a foot to be shoe-d.

“I’m putting them on for you then?” Alistair grinned, carefully slipping Kit’s feet into his shoes and tying the laces in messy bunny-ears bows.

“Yes.” Kit replied. He tried to make his tone snobby and serious, but he was grinning back.

“Shall I comb master’s hair too? And of course, someone so wealthy and with such noble blood couldn’t be expected to wipe their own arse…”

“That’s what your favourite drinking fountains are for.” Kit smirked.

“Oh, you bitch,” Alistair laughed, slipping out of character.

Kit cackled as well, his eyes sparkling. “Let’s just go before the doctors come up with another reason to keep me here.” He hopped off the edge of the bed, wobbling and grabbing onto Alistair. “Shit…” After spending 95% of the last week lying down, his legs weren’t feeling very sturdy.

“Sure you don’t want to be carried?” Alistair said, wrapping his arm around Kit’s skinny waist.

“Please don’t. I’d like to keep a shred of my dignity.”

“Put your arm around my shoulders then. We’ll go slow.”

Kit nodded, latching onto his cousin. “Thanks.”

Alistair supported Kit down the long hospital corridors, their bag swinging from his free arm. He let Kit set the pace and hauled him back up whenever he wobbled. They had to pause a few times when Kit got tired, but they eventually made it out the front entrance, where Julius was patiently waiting.

He ran forward to help with the bag, hugging both boys in turn. “It’s so good to have you coming back home!”

“Thanks for coming to get us.” Kit forced a smile, but he was winded just from the walk through the hospital. Alistair bundled him into the back of the car, making him sit and sip water. Kit leaned on his cousin, sleepy and spacey but relatively cooperative. By the time they got back to the flat, he was halfway asleep on Alistair’s shoulder.

Alistair didn’t bother to ask permission this time, simply scooping Kit into his arms and carrying him upstairs. The older boy didn’t complain, looping his arms around Alistair’s neck. Alistair sat with him on the sofa, letting Kit stay on his lap. He’d got so used to his cousin’s warm weight on top of him the past few days. Kit didn’t object, so drowsy he didn’t notice or care when Star jumped onto his lap with a meow. Alistair carefully eased the cat onto the arm of the sofa, where she settled happily enough, starting to purr when Alistair scratched between her ears.

Kit smiled sleepily at the Star, but his expression shifted when he noticed the brown leather she was sitting on. The gears of his brain took a second to start turning, but then he sat up. “I never gave that poor girl her jacket back…”

Alistair nodded. “Call her.”

“Now?” Kit looked nervous. He also had no idea where his phone was.

“Well, you don’t have to. But you were in hospital a while, she probably thinks you’re not getting in touch.”

Kit sighed. “Oh, god, you’re right… Where is my phone? I haven’t seen it all week.”

“I put it in your bag,” Julius said, going through it. “I’ll have to put it on charge, but it’ll still reach.”

“Oh, thank you.” Kit smiled at Julius. “You've already been such a darling, but can I ask you one more favor?”

“Of course you can! You can ask me anything.” Julius smiled warmly - he liked being called a darling. Alistair wasn’t very big on pet names unless Julius was particularly sad or sick, and even then it was usually just “love.”

“Could you make me some tea? Please?”

“Of course! That’s no trouble,” Julius said cheerily, trotting off to the kitchen.

“Earl grey, if you have it!” Kit called after him.

“I know!” Julius called back.

“Thank you!” Kit looked down at his phone, nervously chewing his lip.

“Just text her,” Alistair said.

“But I'm not good at texting!” Kit cried. “What do I even say?”

“Just something like “hey, sorry I’ve been busy and didn’t get back to you sooner, you free to pick up your jacket?” It’s not hard,” Alistair said.

Kit sighed, muttering something to himself as he started to type.

Hi, it's Kit. We met at the bar about a week ago. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I have your jacket. You can come pick it up, or I can have my driver bring it to you.

He sent it before he could overthink it, then showed the message to Alistair. “Is that okay?”

Alistair nodded. “Yeah, perfect.”

Julius came back in with Kit’s tea. “What’s perfect?”

“I'm messaging the girl whose jacket I have.”

“Oh, yes! The girl with the lovely red hair.”

“She had red hair?” Kit looked up from his phone, surprised.

“You don’t remember?” Alistair laughed.

Kit shook his head. “I drank half my body weight in whiskey that night. I could’ve left the planet and I wouldn’t remember.”

“So you don’t remember a single thing about this girl?”

Kit deflated, staring shamefully down at his tea. “No.”

“It’s okay,” Julius said gently. “You’d had a rough day.”

“What do you remember about her?” Kit asked, looking up at Julius.

“Irish accent. Looked very strong, and tall, but everyone seems tall to me. Older than you, but pretty. Lovely smile.”

Kit nodded thoughtfully. “Mum was Irish…” He mused, sipping his tea.

“You haven’t got some weird Oedipus complex going, have you?” Alistair asked.  

“Obviously not.” Kit scoffed, “I was just thinking, it’d be interesting. I never knew much of mum’s family, so I don’t know that culture.”

“You can learn from her then. Your pretty little Galway Girl.”

Kit rolled his eyes. “Is that the extent of your knowledge of Irish culture?”

“I know about some of the folk lore. And a lot about the Troubles. But that’s it.”

“All I really know are some of the songs Mum used to sing.” Kit admitted.

Alistair sighed, nodding. “I can play them on my violin,” he said quietly. He’d never told Kit that before; it had been a private thing, something he was almost embarrassed about. He didn’t want to butcher the songs he still couldn’t listen to without hearing Fox’s voice. “I can the words too. It took bloody ages to master Gaelic Irish.”

Kit suddenly lit up, looking at his cousin with wide eyes. “Really?”

Alistair blinked, though he was delighted to see that expression on Kit’s face. “Yeah. I know all the ones she’d sing. Some others too, but hers are special.” He paused. “I can play them if you want. But I can’t sing like auntie did. And don’t watch me. That freaks me out. I’ll turn my back to you.”

Kit nodded eagerly. “I won’t stare. I just want to hear.”

Alistair nodded, grabbing his violin and slinking back awkwardly. Julius sat by Kit on the sofa, eager to hear too - Alistair rarely played even for him.

“Don’t laugh,” Alistair mumbled, convinced he’d sound awful, though he had a nice enough voice and he knew the songs backwards.

Kit rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t planning to.” He sipped his tea, staring off down the hall as he waited for his cousin to start playing.

Alistair took a deep breath, starting to play and sing. His pronunciation was perfect after practising so much at the songs, and he always became swept up in the music when he played. There was such soft love to the melody and in his voice as he sang, remembering being rocked to sleep as Fox sang to him.

The first few notes were lovely but unremarkable; however, when Alistair started to sing, Kit went still where he sat. While the music was vaguely familiar, the lyrics had burst through a dam of old memories. He sat, holding his tea but not drinking it, totally transfixed as he gazed off into the middle distance. He wasn't even aware of the tears welling in his eyes. Julius shuffled over and held Kit’s hand tight. Kit leaned on him at once, his lower lip quivering as he smiled.

Alistair played on, singing songs that were mostly about lost loves, the tunes soft and melodious enough to soothe small children - they hadn’t asked what the words meant back when Fox sang them. They were just sweet songs that lulled them to sleep in her arms. Kit barely even processed what they mean, so overwhelmed by the memories that it almost hurt.

It took more than an hour for Alistair to get through all the songs he remembered. His voice was growing husky by then, his own eyes damp. When he stopped playing, Kit's arms latched around his waist, pulling him close. Alistair turned around to hug him properly, putting down his violin. Kit leaned into him at once, finally breaking down in proper tears.

Alistair winced, holding him closer. “Oh Kit, don’t…”

“It's not… I don't… you… you played really well… I just… I miss her, Al…” Kit sniffled, clinging tightly to his cousin.

Alistair nodded, letting his chin rest on Kit’s head. “I know,” he whispered.

Kit nestled against him, continuing to sniffle for a while. He slowly settled down, and was quite content when his phone dinged, the sound making him jump.

Alistair nudged Kit eagerly. “Answer it! It’ll be Galway Girl.”

“Please don't call her that if she comes over.” Kit begged, picking up his phone. It was, of course, the girl.

I'm out. I can come pick it up, long as you don't mind me bringing my dog.

Kit furrowed his brows, showing the message to Alistair since it wasn't his house.

Alistair’s eyes brightened at once. “Yeah! Tell her to bring her dog!”

Kit nodded, turning his phone back so he could type. That's fine, go ahead. The address is Kit paused, looking up at his cousin. “What's your address?”

“You don’t know?”

Kit went red. “No! I know how to walk here, but I don’t know the street number.”

Alistair rolled his eyes, grabbing Kit’s phone and typing the address. Kit just shamefully took the phone back to finish sending the message. This time he got a prompt reply.

Be there in 30. That alright?

Yeah, that’s fine. See you then. Kit tucked his phone in his pocket, nervously chewing his lip. “She’s coming in half an hour…”

“Okay,” Alistair said, shrugging. “Why’d you look so nervous?”

“I don’t know! I’m not sure what to say when I see her, and I’m not really in a state to be having visitors, but I didn’t want to keep hoarding her jacket, and oh lord, I need to change…” Kit fussed, scrambling to his feet in search of his duffel bag.

Alistair rolled his eyes. “Just say you were in hospital. She’ll understand. And you still look pretty anyway.”

“I still want to be dressed.” Kit grumbled. “It was bad enough the people at the hospital saw me like this. Where did my bag end up?”

“I saved it,” Julius said, going to fetch it. He handed it to Kit. “I didn’t want to mess with your things, I just took the bottle away.”

Kit nodded. “Thank you.” He thumbed through the bag until he found a cohesive outfit: dark charcoal slacks and a warm burgundy jumper. “This will do. I’ll be back.” He shuffled off to the bathroom, clothes in hand.

“Don’t faint,” Alistair called, half-serious.

“No promises.” Kit was clearly teasing, and he came back a few minutes later, still running a brush through his hair. “It’s not ideal, but I look better than I did at least.”

“You look lovely,” Julius said.

“You're too kind, Julie.” Kit nudged Star off of the jacket so he could dust it off and smooth it. She made a small, indignant noise, leaping onto Kit’s shoulders. He yelped, giving Alistair a desperate help me look. Alistair giggled, carefully lifting Star onto his lap instead.

Kit sighed in relief. “Thank you.” He set the jacket carefully on the back of a kitchen chair, pacing nervously.

Alistair didn’t bother getting dressed, sighing at Kit. “She’s not going to eat you.”

“I didn't think she would. I just want to make a good impression.”

“She remembers the real first time you met.”

Kit paused, his face falling. “Oh… she does, doesn't she?”

“Hey, don’t worry,” Alistair said immediately. He was such a pushover with Kit. “She can’t think you’re a tit if she’s coming over.”

“She probably just wants her jacket back.” Kit plunked onto the couch with a sigh. “I don't know what I was getting in my head about.”

“She’d have got it back on the night if she didn’t want to see you. Trust me, she wants to pork you.” Alistair grinned.

“That's a bit presumptuous… maybe she's just nice. She could be a lesbian for all we know.” Kit mumbled unsurely, but he got back up and started pacing again.

“Did she look like a lesbian, Jules?”

“How does one look like a lesbian?” Julius giggled. “We’re not all rainbow coloured.”

“Don’t you have gaydar?”

“I spoke to the girl for two minutes. She had no reason to tell me that. But I do think she wants to see you if she left you her number, Kit.”

Kit nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe. But I'm not getting my hopes up.”

“Well, we’ll see how it goes.”

Kit nodded again, checking his phone for the time. “She should be here in about ten minutes.”

“Are you gonna sit down, Kit? You’re not strong enough to keep pacing,” Alistair fussed.

“I'm not that frail.” Despite his words, Kit was starting to wear himself out.

“It’s normal! You just came out of hospital!”

Kit sighed, but he dropped onto the couch again. “Yeah, for like the thousandth time.”

Alistair smiled. “We should have kept count. Could have got in the records.”

“I'd rather not be known for that.” Kit rolled his eyes.

“You’ll be known for something special one day, Kit,” Alistair said, without a hint of doubt.

The older boy scoffed. “Only if my father kills me and gets caught.”

“No,” Alistair said firmly. “That’s not happening. But I mean it.”

“Since when are you the resident optimist?”

“I’m not. I’m just extremely biased.” He grinned at Kit.

“You’re an extreme idiot is what you are.” Kit mumbled, leaning against his cousin.

“You are,” Alistair said lovingly, playing with Kit’s hair. Julius smiled at them fondly. Kit settled against his cousin, quiet and cozy for about fifteen minutes. He was startled out of his state of content by a knocking at the door, and he sat upright, looking at the younger boys in a panic.

“She’s here.”

[cityoflondon-rp-blog]

BASIC INFORMATION:

NAME: Derry O’Brian. AGE: 30. PLACE OF BIRTH: Galway, Ireland. RESIDENCE: Kentish Town, Camden. OCCUPATION: Bar Owner. FACE CLAIM: Katie McGrath.

BIOGRAPHY:

Richard O’Brian and Maggie Carnahan were high school sweethearts that got married as soon as they reached legal age, challenging the social class and the prejudice that came with it. She came from an important high-class Irish family that saw Richard as nothing but trash. When they found out that he was from London, the patriotic family forbade Maggie to have contact with him whatsoever, but the clever teenagers always found a way to be together and in their wedding ceremony, only friends and family from Richard’s side were witness of their love, but even they had each other, Maggie’s family did the impossible to separate them. She was determined to be with the man she loved and not even five days after the marriage, her father disowned her but Richard was always there to support her wife.

Maggie was a beautiful woman, and perhaps she thought that being the wife of a stock trader would bring back the fortune she had lost, but she was completely wrong. Richard was good at numbers, good at his job, but he wasn’t an ambitious man. He did a good job and not a single one of his bosses heard anything bad about him. He was happy with his position and with his wife, but she secretly hated the place where they lived, a small apartment that constantly needed repair and had walls so thin that they could hear the neighbors fighting almost every night. She begged him for a change using future children as an excuse and Richard, loving Maggie so much to deny her anything, and also enjoying the idea of becoming a father bought a house in the most expensive part of the city of Galway.

People say that love can blind a person, and that’s what happened with Richard, or some of his friends said. Perhaps it was true love and Maggie just took advantage of it, but when she realized her life would never be as it was before she met him, Maggie began to drink, gamble and buy clothes with his money. He was the money and she was just a pretty face that almost milked him dry to get new clothes, alcohol, cigarettes, expensive furniture, and parties for people she met at some random bar. Her parent’s spoiled her and she believed that her husband would do the same but how wrong she was. He saved part of his money and was still paying for all the things she bought when one night, after coming home from work, ready to talk some sense into her, Richard was received by a crying wife holding a pregnancy test in her hands that read positive. The news left him stunned and of course, he completely forgot what he was going to say and reacted as any loving husband would do, by hugging and kissing her.

The tears in Maggie’s face were not tears of joy. She did not want children, she did not want to get pregnant and lose her figure because of a baby that would wake her up at dawn, crying and screaming, not letting her sleep. A few of her so-called friends told her it was normal and that she could get Richard to hire a few nannies to take care of the baby and problem solved, but life gave them another surprise when in one of the many visits to the doctor, the couple found out they were going to have twins. For Maggie it was the worse news she had received in her life after finding out she was pregnant, but Richard was even happier and he vowed to his wife to do anything in his power to bring her comfort and to make her happy, and again, she took advantage of her delicate state and his love.

Nine months later, Derry was born in Galway only ten minutes after her twin brother, Conall. The couple welcomed the birth of the babies, as well as by their friends, who saw the married couple as an example to follow by everyone, but that quickly changed nine years later when Maggie realized she wasn’t ready to be a mom. No one really is really, but she tried, by God she tried to be a mom and it worked for a time, but she couldn’t change who she really was and after two days of thinking a nice way to tell Richard how she felt, she just ranted about everything, letting all out. Maggie called him names, told him he was worthless, and countless other things that he never would have believed if it wasn’t because he heard them from her own mouth. That night, Richard expected to be greeted by his kids, wife and a delicious meal. Instead, he finally saw the woman’s true colors and blamed himself for how stupid he had been all those years. Surprisingly, he was the one who asked for the divorce and not Maggie.

Conall had been the one comforting his sister while they listened to the whole discussion from the top of the stairs. The twins were young, but they knew that her mom and dad were not going to be together again. When the divorce was complete, Richard was alright with Maggie keeping the expensive home with all she had bought. It was the only thing she cared about for she did not ask for monthly visits to her children. “I’m taking what really matters to me,” he said to her while carrying his son and daughter to the car. When he explained to them what happened and how it was going to be just the three of them for now, Derry hugged him tight while staring at her mother, who was uncomfortable with what was happening. Richard said goodbye to Maggie and wished her a good life but when it was the twins turn, Derry and Conall refused and got into the car, leaving to begin their new life with their dad’s family.

Derry lived happily with her brother, with whom she formed an unbreakable bond, and her father’s aunts, Cecily and Elizabeth. Both became role models in her life, especially when she began to grow up. The sisters had a bar in Galway that sparked her interest to start her own when she grew older. “You can open all the bars you want, but first you need to learn and fill that head of yours with things that will help you in the future,” Richard had said to her when she expressed her wish for the first time. So she studied and began to learn in which subjects she was strongest and in which she was weakest, math and numbers always giving her a headache but her brother or father was always there to help her. She did not think about her mother after she left, only when a perfectly wrapped present came by mail the day she turned fifteen. Conall and Derry received a laptop each, but instead of using it, they donated it to the school, surprising the headmaster and making their father proud.

Her life progressed with ups and down, as usual as life is, until she turned seventeen and she met him, or “the one”, as Conall would call him. Derry’s poetry and writing flourished with her first high school crush and when her brother discovered some of her poems, instead of making found of them, he told her they were brilliant and should pursue a career as a poet or writer, but she had only heard what Lorcan would say. He was a nice guy, both parents were teachers and he wasn’t a troublemaker, kind of a lone wolf, but so was she when she wasn’t kicking the butts of the bullies that dared to put his hands on her brother. Many thought it was the other way around, but Conall was the more “make peace, not war” kind of guy and Derry was the “mess with my brother and you’re dead” kind of girl. Richard liked him and so did Conall, but only when both turned eighteen he allowed them to properly label their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Derry began a new life when she started her studies at Galway University. Her brother had been right and she found her passion in writing poems, short stories and kid’s fairy tales, so it did not come as a surprise when she told her father that she was going for a BA in Creative Writing. Her relationship with her boyfriend was good, the usual fight, but they had no secrets, at least that’s what she thought when one day, when she was feeling in a good mood after being offered a job for a local newspaper, she visited him to find that he had left Galway without telling her. His home was empty, no photos, no furniture, no note, nothing. Derry had a small mental breakdown thinking all the possible scenarios and trying to come up with an answer, but none came. She called to his cell phone more than fifteen times a day that went straight to voicemail and sent emails and only bounced back. Everyone, including her brother and father, could see them married and having a good life, but it seemed that he only used her for a time, a really long time, seven years.

She finished her studies but rejected the job offer and slowly but surely, Derry got pulled into a deep depression that began to eat her from the inside out, literally speaking. Her heart was broken into a million pieces and no one could make her feel better. Conall got tired of her attitude and decided that a change was going to be needed, one far away from home, so he convinced his father to ask for a transfer to London. He had good references and just a few days after sending his C.V he got a call from the London Stock Change. Richard went to her daughter’s room and was straight to the point in telling her they were moving to England in the next months. Derry refused, of course, said it had nothing to do with her and that she needed to stay in Galway until her ex called her to explain what happened, but it was her twin who made her react with his words. “What’s going to happen if he doesn’t, huh?” he told her. “Are you going to wait here and let him do to you the same thing Maggie did to dad?”

She wasn’t going to that. Derry was always known for being the strong and brave twin, the one that always was defending the indefensible, the protector of the week. The tears finally left her eyes along with the sorrow in her heart. She needed a good cry and close the door in that relationship. He left her and she was no going to mop around because of one guy, as much as it hurt her, so she pulled herself together and asked Richard for a year in Galway not to wait for the person who probably was never going to return, but to work in her aunt’s bar, get money and when they left for England, open her own, as she always wanted. Richard was hesitant at first, but he accepted. Her twin wanted to stay with her but she told him to go with dad and take care of him.

Derry worked as a waitress in her aunt’s bar for a year. She opened a bank account and put all her savings there, always asking her twin to look for a nice place in London where she could put her own establishment. When the year was over, the woman was surprised that Cecily and Elizabeth gave her as a parting gift a small amount of money from their own pockets. When she tried to refuse, both told her not to and to accept it so she could achieve her dream. It wasn’t much, but it was a start and they had faith in her. Derry was moved and hugged them and kissed them when she said goodbye to them in the airport, swearing to come every time she had available to see them but not before promising them to be a good Irish girl and say her prayers by night. To please them, Derry put her hand over her heart and swore by St. Patrick that she would do it.

Life in London was different, there was no doubt about that, but she loved it. Derry loved the change that came into her life like a breath of fresh air. Her father and brother welcomed her to London with open arms and it seemed like Richard and Conall had planned everything to make her happy because Richard, just as her sister did back in Galway, gave her another amount of money and Conall provided her with a place in Camden where she could open a proper bar and teach the English how to drink. Derry wasn’t sure at first but her dad pulled a few strings and “Dadga’s Cauldron” was born in Kentish Town. It was a small business first, but it grew over the years to the point of being able to buy the other shops that were next to it and expand the place, making it even bigger and a meeting point for all Irishmen and women and also a tourist attraction.

Derry never felt more at home than in her own bar, ruling with an iron first and making everyone aware that she was the Queen and didn’t tolerate any bullshit just because you paid for your drink.  Her patrons, people of all kinds and ethnicity, knew the brave Irish lass for handling the drunkards with her own hands, regular folks or politicians, dragging them outside the bar by the scruff of their necks and making them the laughing stock of everyone who passed by, but they also know she can be gentle and caring because Derry always makes sure to take lunch to her dad or to her twin when both are too busy and forget to eat when they are working.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Independent. Brave. Kind. Confident. NEGATIVE TRAITS: Sarcastic. Reckless. Impatient. Stubborn.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS:

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single. FAMILY: Richard, her father (non-playable) and Conall, her twin brother (playable). IDEAL CONNECTIONS:

#1 The twin brother. Conall is her best friend and the only man she could ever trust with her own life besides her own father. Both supported each other through their parents’ divorce and constantly cover each other’s backs. She feels a little bit suffocated and annoyed by his overprotectiveness because it makes her feel like she’s a damsel in distress, something she’s not, but Derry only knows he’s doing his job as a big brother.

#2 The ex-boyfriend. Derry would kill him for free if she ever saw him again after he left her without a reason. They began dating at eighteen at many believed they would marry, but one day, a week after turning twenty-five, she went to visit him and found out his home empty, with no trace of him other than his neighbor telling her they saw him leave in his car with a bag of clothes and a few boxes. She called to his phone many times, sent a dozen of emails and received no answer.

[sippin-on-red-wine]

What’s My Name Again? | An Intro

As soon as I was buckled into my airplane seat, I kicked off my boots and dug out my earbuds. I had always been a bit of a nervous flier - the upgraded first class ticket Brent had treated me to definitely helped, but nothing did the trick quite like music.

Brent. I could practically feel my eyes turn into little cartoon hearts. I couldn’t believe the day had finally come. I had spent the last four months selling all of my belongings in preparation for the move. Brent owned a home out here, and he had picked out a car for me already. What else did I need besides my clothes and personal items? It was actually quite a freeing experience, having my personal possessions dwindle down to nothing but a couple suitcases’ worth, plus my kit. I had a box or two of sentimental type stuff, but it was safe and sound in my parent’s basement.

Flicking through my Spotify app, I switched on my ‘Ben Sherman’ playlist. It was only fitting. In my heart of hearts, I had to admit - I was so FUCKING excited for the upcoming weekend. After Brent & I settled on a date for the move, he surprised me with tickets. “Your first weekend as a Colorado resident… gotta do it big.” he had said. I had seen Ed live a number of times, but never with floor seats before. I felt a little guilty that I was more excited for the concert than for actually moving in with my long distance boyfriend after a couple years of only seeing each other a handful of weekends per year. But, that goddamn ginger has that effect on people.

I hit shuffle and kicked my feet up, increasing the volume to a level that I’m sure was borderline damaging to my eardrums. I lost myself in the music – you know how sometimes when you listen to a song that you’ve heard a billion times, you suddenly really hear it? It was one of those moments, for sure. Shuffle was treating me well; playing all the best songs one right after another. I mean, I love ALL of Ed’s songs - but it can be kind of a buzzkill to go from ‘Galway Girl’ to ‘Supermarket Flowers’. Not today, satan.

I was in the total groove and time was flying. I was in full-on jam mode: foot tapping, shoulder rocking, eyes closed, humming along to the melody when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I was suddenly VERY aware that I was, in fact, in a PUBLIC place.

Horrified, I pulled out my earbuds - music pouring out of them, I realized how loud I’d had my music up. I felt a flush of embarrassment spread across my cheeks as I swiveled my head toward whoever had tapped my shoulder politely.

I was prepared to apologize profusely when suddenly, the synapses in my brain fired back and forth to the ones in charge of my eyeballs and I realized I was staring into the face of ED SHEERAN.

EDWARD. CHRISTOPHER. SHEERAN.

No it can’t be him. Not real. What the hell, brain? But… wait…. His birthmark, the scar – and I KNOW those glasses.

“Hello. Mind if I have a sit here?” he gestured to the empty lounge seat next to me. I quickly snatched my phone off the cushion and watched in awe (and terror) as Ed Sheeran sat down next to me on the airplane.

I’m pretty sure all the blood drained from my face as I suddenly snapped back to reality, the sounds of Ed’s own voice crooning out of my earbuds. Oh fuck fuck fuck I cursed, silently, trying to close my Spotify app.

“I’m Ed.” he grinned at me.

Duh. Oh, crap. You should probably say something. Tell him your name.

Wait, what’s my name again?

“Becca.” I awkwardly flicked my wrist at a pathetic attempt at a wave. A wave. From 25 inches away. Idiot.

“I was admiring your jam session so I thought I’d come over and say hi.”

“Erm… That loud, eh?”

He giggled and nodded. Actually GIGGLED. It sounded like the heavens had opened up and that miraculous sound had filtered down and into my ears.

“Sorry bout that…” I muttered, sheepishly. “Guess it got away from me a bit, didn’t it.”

“Nah, it’s great. Made me smile to see someone enjoying my music, that’s all.”

“Wow, this is… just crazy. I have to say, I’m a huge fan.”

Every nerve ending in my body was singing. He was sat so casually next to me, just a normal guy wearing faded denim jeans and a deep red hoodie. Except he was Ed Fucking Sheeran.

“Are you flying in for the show on Friday?” His eyes flitted to my t-shirt because of course you’re wearing his merchandise.

“Yes!” I exclaimed, excitedly. “Shit, actually, no.”

His pretty blue eyes were sparkling with humor, the little lines at the corners of his eyes folding in as he smiled.

I searched for an explanation. “Sorry. Yes, I’ve got tickets to the show. But it isn’t the only reason I’m flying in.”

He adjusted, tucking a foot up beneath his butt and angling his body toward me. “Vacation?” he asked.

“Er, no actually - look, if you have to get back…” whyareyoutellinghimtogobeccayoudummy.

His hands sprung up, just as animated in real life as they were in the interviews I often watched on my laptop. “I’m good, actually - Stu is quite sick of me at the moment so I’m sure he’s enjoying a bit of peace. Unless you-”

I cut him off. “Oh, no, I, um, I’m free… obviously.” I snarked, twirling my earbuds around. “Actually, this plane ride is me officially moving to Colorado.”

“Oh, cool! Do you have family here? Sorry, I don’t mean to press. It’s just been a long, boring day of traveling.”

“You’re good, trust me…. No family, I’m actually moving here to be with my highschool sweetheart.”

Wow look at you holding an actual conversation. Keep breathing, Becca.

“No way. I love that.” His eyes lit up and it struck me that he, too, was rumored to be dating a girl from his childhood.

“Yeah! We were together in highschool and kind of went our separate ways afterwards. He moved out here for work. We connected again when he was home over Christmas a couple of years ago and we’ve been doing the long distance thing ever since.”

“Wow. And now you’re moving out here?”

“That’s the plan. Sold my car, quit my job. Got rid of nearly everything I own. Once we touch down I’ll be a Colorado resident.”

“Bit scary, innit?”

“Yes - it really is. But it’s worth it. The long distance thing….. Sucks. Erm, as I’m sure you’re well aware.”

We kept at it for nearly the next hour, trading stories about the various coping methods one uses to survive a LDR. Talking to him was actually really… easy? When I didn’t focus on the part where my favorite musician of all time was sitting next to me on the plane explaining how he facetimes his cats when he’s on the road?

This is a weird day.

The Pilot came on to announce that we would begin our descent, and Ed politely offered to snap a couple selfies before going back to his seat. He gave me an awkward chair-hug goodbye and told me to enjoy the show.

As soon as he was out of sight, my heartbeat resumed POUNDING in my chest. Did that just…? Holy shit.

I switched my cell off of “Airplane Mode” as soon as we hit the runway, and had a string of texts pour in from Brent.

*I’m here! Can’t wait for you to get off that plane baby! *HOW MANY MORE MINUTES *Can’t believe I get to wake up with you tomorrow… and the day after that… and the day after that….

As if I weren’t on Cloud 9 already from my Ed Sheeran Encounter, seeing those texts finally made it real for me. I get Brent. Every day. No more goodbyes. No more lonely nights.

Our area was dismissed from the plane first, and I practically sprinted out to the terminal, spotting my handsome boyfriend right away. He was tall, towering over me by at least a foot. He was looking around anxiously; he hadn’t spotted me yet. I took off into a jog toward him and I swear, the way his face lit up when he finally saw me? I was honestly just overcome. I ran and jumped up into his arms, his strong hold pulling me into his body. We just held each other so tight, him rocking me back and forth and squeezing me until hot tears spilled out from beneath my eyelids.

I lost myself in his scent, the solid feel of his body against mine. I don’t know how long he held me like that, but the buzz and chaos of the airport terminal slowly phased back in, for both of us, and he set me down on the ground in front of him.

“Becca!” A distinctly British voice rang out from somewhere behind me.

“Brent - ohmygod you wouldn’t believe –”

But Ed was there, extending a hand out to Brent. “Hey, mate, I’m Ed. You’re a lucky man, you know.”

I guess we really were a compatible match because Brent looked just as dumbfounded as I had felt on the plane.

“Trust me, I am very well aware.” He replied, kissing the top of my head - one arm wrapped snugly ‘round my back.

Ed turned to look at me. “Look, I don’t normally do this, but… I want to give you two meet & greet passes for the show on Friday.”

Okay. Back to dumbfounded.

“Ed, that’s so nice of you to offer but -”

“Please take them. It’s just – I know where you’ve been. And it’s nice to see someone getting their happy ending. I’ve got to dash but I’ll have Stuart put them underyour name at will call, okay?”

“T-thank you!”

“It’s my pleasure, really. See you later then!” and he was gone with a wave.

Well… surprise!