#celebrity fc OCs

[yagsad]

Current WIP focus has been making spreads for my characters. Something eye-catching. I’ve been posting these in Instagram but wanted to share three from my pinned posts on IG.

| Meet the top three members of The Apocalypse |

A long time ago, I developed a slightly-worse-than-morally-gray character named Cain. He was the leader of a gang called The Apocalypse and they all lived in flooded subway tunnels in South Korea. He was created for an RPG I was running where the world was dying and some people were developing powers, which they could spread to others in a weakened version (ie, if someone could make plants grow, the person they gave powers to may only be able to grow herbs or specific types of plants). I was really proud of him (and the RPG thanks to the lore I created) but the RPG eventually had to be shut down.

A few years later, I began roleplaying on that site again and chose to revamp Cain as a being of my creation - a Shadow. He was still a trouble maker and still led The Apocalypse, but he was now immortal and no longer had his powers from before. As I used him, he began to develop and grow and he left the gang behind to live with the people he had fallen in love with.

But I missed the chaotic energy that was being channeled negatively. I still wanted to have The Apocalypse and to refine it a bit.

So, when I decided to start roleplaying again after months of being in a slump (due to Q losing social features, making it harder to meet people), I wanted to revamp The Apocalypse and create the next generation.

So enter Romi - his name comes from Romeo. He has Cain’s original abilities - emotional manipulation. I think that, for The Apocalypse, it’s a great ability for a leader to have. While he’s gotten pretty good at controlling and handling the ability, I also like to think that he could accidentally use it if he gets worked up (ie, if he’s getting flustered and embarrassed because someone is holding his hand, he may accidentally trigger a feeling of the same emotion in the other person).

Then I thought… “By time he left, Cain had two guys who were essentially his go-to allies in the gang. Romi needs his right and left hand.”

That led to Jules (Julius Caesar) and Mac (Macbeth).

Jules is a little hard of hearing due to experiments he endured, but he has a seismic sense. If you’re an Avatar fan, I picture it similar to Toph. He can sense where things and people are and even feel if a person stops breathing. It’s extremely overwhelming, though, since he can’t just “turn it off.” He wears thick-soled shoes to muffle it, but ultimately prefers spending time in places high up where his feet can dangle off the edge.

Finally, Mac. Mac is the smart one in the group - which isn’t really saying much. He filled the role that had belonged to a muse named Ari for Cain. He is the voice of reason, but still prone to misbehaving. Unlike Ari, though, Mac has a thirst for knowledge, as they weren’t educated much while being experimented on. He has taken time to learn everything he can, from random ways to fix mechanical issues to how to make flames change color to how to make a cast. He’s become the unofficial doctor of The Apocalypse. Like the others, he has an ability - the power of illusions. He can create visual illusions with ease, and sometimes trigger sound ones if he tries hard enough. However, with skin contact the illusions can grow stronger - you can feel, taste, smell, hear, and see with ease. He often used this ability to calm them and the other children when young, but can also use it in combat to exhaust an enemy mentally (imagine feeling the pain of an attack that didn’t happen).

All three boys are open to plotting and RPs. Please check my carrd for info on what I’m looking for in an RP partner. Romi will have four ships, Mac and Jules will likely have three each. All three are available for short-term one-shots as well.

[yanaleese]

What is Eunsung reaction/behavior towards a Mc who is a lot more chill compared to their timid personality? Like, chill cat vibes. Because all I can think of is him being slightly anxious over something (maybe even mc leaving him) and mc just holding his hand like: (-⩊-).

- Oc anon (I didn't see the new post until recently, and man, did that make me ascend from my bed.)

Oh Anon I love ur energy LMAO 😭😭😭😭. getting out of bed can be like climbing a mountain smtimes

But AWWW Eunsung LOVES that type of energy! He really needs it considering he has little to no breaks certain seasons of the year. To him, meeting you was the best thing that could ever happen to him; so when he's around you he immediately clings to you and floats towards your energy. In moments of panic, I can imagine Eunsung asking for words of confirmation, reassurance. You are his safe space, a space where he can finally relax and be vulnerable.

TLDR; Eunsung would be absolutely elated to have this type of MC! (but dw, he's open to other types)

[wynterveil]

🎆 Happy New Year 2025! From me and James! 🎆💙✨

Let this year be good to me like last year! Thank you all for supporting me and hope to continue to having your endless support! Much love, Winter ~ 💙

⭐ My Medias & Help Support ⭐  Twitter - twitter.com/xWinterveilx Twitch Channel - www.twitch.tv/xwinterveilx Buzzly Art - buzzly.art/~Winterveil Tumblr - wynterveil.tumblr.com NewGrounds - winterveil.newgrounds.com Toyhouse - toyhou.se/Winterveil Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/winterveil Winter and Art © me / Winterveil / Moonveil

James © JamesTHJ on X/Twitter

[spiritedstars]

birthday fit for mrs. iris vanserra / happy birthday to my fictional princess ♥️

[aeriscallanga]

𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀: @foxesandmagic || @arrthurpendragon || @jemmalynette || @deliahscrush2003 || @carmens-garden || @waterloou || @dancingsunflowers-ocs || @megandaisy9 || @multifandomfix || @fiction-is-life || @the-second-tonks || @moonrainbowfish || @needsmth || @stingrayextraordinaire || @okarawrites || @oceanblueeyesoul || @literaturewithliz || @ourbonesmccoy || @virginia-peters || @princessofthornsandroses || @fuckitup-in-style || @yourmoonmomma || @erynv

[rededgerp]

Everyone has a secret. Some are scorching hot, while others can be good but the reality of it all is everyone loves a good secret. Can you manage to keep yours from spreading like wildfire in our lovely town or Red Edge? See for yourself, come check us out and apply tonight. We will be waiting.

[lattehearted]

fc change updates!

delilah tremaine, played now by LAUREN TSAI

drizella tremaine, played now by LI JUN LI

hannah mcgowan, played now by meredith inglesby and AMY ADAMS

julie powers, played now by ISABELLA GOMEZ

liora avram, played now by KATE SIEGEL

pacifica northwest, played now by MADELYN CLINE

ramona flowers, played now by AMANDA ARCURI

sarah jacobs, played now by MOLLY GORDON

veronica lodge, played now by CIERRA RAMIREZ

[rpvlix]

//really curious to see what the roleplay community is gonna do with that upcoming 'Communities' feature. i already can imagine some ways it'd be useful...

[saintslewis]

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄

𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 | 𝐋𝐇𝟒𝟒

pairing: sir lewis hamilton x fem!oc; Nadia

summary: party time pt.2? (no <3)

warnings: a bit of angst, crying, reassurance from both sides, a bit shorter than the rest lol.

saint’s team radio 🪩: heyyyy!! so sorry this is long overdue but there’s a reason! i wish i could name this chapter anything but thique but that’s the title of the song and we’re not crying today 🫵🏽 don’t jump me for taking so long lol

pls like, comment and reblog!

fc: @/unclewaffles_ on ig!

renaissance: the series • previous chapter

New York had never been more quiet than in that very moment. Nadia wanted to blame it on the fact that the penthouse was far too high up or that it was 2:36 am.

‘Bambi’ played in the background on the large tv, the light illuminating on the many faces in the living room. The friend group had celebrated Lewis’ Silverstone podium since the second they stepped out of the paddock, opting for tonight to be calm and have a group movie night with snacks and all types of pastries (Nadia baked those btw) laid across the table. Everyone was underneath blankets as they watched the tragic scene of Bambi’s mother dying.

Making the terrible mistake of looking at her ever buzzing phone, Nadia could see that Tia tried to contact her within the past few minutes but she internally rolled her eyes. Rea decided to play with her feelings and cause her heart to drop only to find out that the younger girl was lying straight out of her teeth about her marriage being leaked. Wanting nothing to do with social media for the week, Nadia kept herself busy. Spending time with Lewis and spending his money, one of her favourite things to do.

Her job was at stake and she knew that. With each passing day, Nadia’s sudden fame had taken a toll on her and her mental health and she was not sure if she wanted to continue working full time because it was taking a strain on her. She inwardly groaned at the thought of slightly proving her boss right who was consistent in reminding Nadia that this double life was not going to work in her favour.

Swiping further into her phone, she quickly understood why Tia was blowing up her phone.

Time felt slow and her body went numb as she read the headline over and over again. This wasn’t something that was light and airy and she could easily brush off her shoulder with just a flick of her hand. Every piece of jewellery she wore felt heavy, her clothes felt tighter than ever and her blood went cold.

Clearly not being the only one on their phone during the movie, Charlotte’s hair bounced as she snapped her head to her friend who’s tearful eyes were glued to her phone. At first, the woman couldn’t believe what she was seeing but her heart immediately sank when her eyes connected with Nadia’s.

All the food Nadia consumed earlier was rushing back up with intense speed and she quickly threw the blanket off her, running to the nearest bathroom. The blanket landed on Lewis’ confused face as he took it off to whip his head around. The men of the group were utterly confused as all the girls stood to their feet and quickly followed Nadia to wherever she ran to.

Lewis spotted Nadia’s phone on the floor, lifting the screen to his face. His eyes adjusted to the bold words written and as short as the title of the article was, it felt like reading an encyclopaedia written by the vultures within the media.

‘NADIA HAMILTON BATTLES INFERTILITY, ANON SAYS’

The article went on to explain how close the anonymous source was to Nadia, citing that they had kept this secret with themselves for years and hated the new found fame that Nadia attracted. All types of nasty connotations were made against her, calling her out of her name. This anonymous source also spoke on who she saw before Lewis but never exposed their fake marriage.

“Bro..” Andrew spoke up first, all the boys scrolling through their phones and seemingly looking at the same thing. Lewis knew he had to stop himself from reading on after the author wrote that he should divorce her because she’s ‘unable to give him a family’. He quickly locked Nadia’s phone and ran a hand down his face before he stood up to make a few calls.

With her head on Amara’s chest, Nadia wept as she struggled to keep it all together. She did not want to show her vulnerability to her friends so quickly but seeing the headline broke everything she had worked on to be private. Natalia moved Nadia’s hair back as she continued to rub her back.

Charlotte stood with her phone in her hand, immediately shutting down anything that was objectively negative about Nadia. Every single time she heard her friend sob, her heart broke. After what felt like hours of her friends consoling her and encouraging her to stay strong without bugging her for any information, she sat up and wiped her tears.

“Not to chase you guys away but I really wanna see Lewis right now.” She chuckled as she wiped her tears from her cheeks. The girls laughed at their friend’s ability to smile after something so terrible.

“We’ll let him know to bring up some water.” Amara nodded and stood up, giving Nadia’s hand a squeeze. Once her friends left, Nadia began pacing around the bedroom, the New York skyline still shining ever so bright although it was nearing 3 am.

She heard the door and she watched as Lewis walked in with a water bottle in his hand, his ring catching light from the ceiling lights. His eyes landed on her, cheeks hollowed with her trying to breathe as easily as she could, her hands shaking.

Eyes connected and neither of them had to say a word. He brought her head into his chest as her arms went around his waist. Nadia sighed softly as she leaned into her husband’s warmth. “I’ve sorted everything out, baby. You don’t have to worry about anything else.” He spoke, keeping his hands still as his voice vibrated through his chest.

Nadia sniffled before she spoke. “Thanks,” her voice quivered. “I didn’t want you to find out like this. Wanted to be the first one to tell you, you know.” She chuckled through her tears.

“None of this is your fault, love. Please don’t blame yourself, you have done nothing wrong and we’ll get through this together.” Lewis said. “We could try find out who-”

“It was my mom and Rea.” She deadpanned, lifting her head to look in his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed at the quickness of her revelation. “Nads.” He started.

All she did was look at the bed and he took that as a hint to sit on it and she followed. “I’ve only ever told my mother and Rea about my…infertility. Not even my friends. My mom found out through a fight we were having during high school.”

She took a breather and continued. “I completely changed my career path to become a teacher because if I couldn’t become a mom myself, I could be that teacher for my kids. I love those kids more than anything in the world, Lewis. When you introduced me to Willow and Kaiden, my heart was already attached the second I saw them so if we didn’t work out, I was going to feel like absolute shit.”

“To do this properly. Lewis, I am infertile and I won’t be able to have kids with you in the future because of my shitty anatomy.” Nadia finished with a smile gracing her face, always finding a way to lift the mood.

He didn’t want to smile but it crept it’s way on his face. Lewis reached his hand to hold hers. “Love, you are something else,” he chuckled. “I never want you to worry about me in this circumstance, I still want you for you. For everything. You’re my family and I never regret signing those papers, Nads.” Lewis finished, his gaze softening as she looked at him.

The tension in the air eased but there was still a lingering feeling hanging. This was an extremely vulnerable moment for Nadia and she was feeling all types of emotions. Lewis didn’t want to invade on her feelings and make her uncomfortable as she dealt with all this. She deserved the best, if she asked, he would give her the universe. He’d build a kingdom and worship her as his queen.

Feeling her manicured finger poke as his exposed shoulder, he snapped out of it to see a smile on her face. “I thought I lost you there, bruv.” Nadia smiled, her eyes swirling with so many emotions.

A beat or two passed.

“I love you.” Lewis blurted out.

Lewis Hamilton wasn’t someone who usually got nervous. He was learning to express his emotions to people around him and was confident in himself at most times. Now was one of those time where he felt his stomach become queasy, his hands suddenly feeling sweaty and he swore he felt the world had stopped spinning.

Nadia was taken aback at his sudden confession but never showed it on her face. If anything, she felt as if Cupid shot her with a heart shaped arrow. Her body felt warm and relaxed, the butterflies swarming as if her crush just looked at her and smiled. Her cheeks felt tight as she full on grinned.

“I love you too.” She confessed and Lewis swore his world became brighter as she spoke those magical three words. He couldn’t believe it. “Say it again. Please say it again, my love.” His accent became a tad bit stronger as he spoke, his large hands enveloping her smaller ones.

Nadia laughed. “I love you, Lewis.”

“You have no idea how long I have wanted to tell you that. I love you so much, Nadia Thandeka Hamilton and never forget that, my angel.” He scooped her up into a hug, falling back into the bed in a giggling mess.

-

Nadia’s hands were stuck in her hoodie pockets when she stepped out of the bathroom, her face feeling fresh as ever as she had just taken off a new face mask she had wanted to try out.

Los Angeles was a place she would definitely call home if she chose to settle down in that very moment. The couple had flown over after two days of friendship therapy and a crazy amount of ice cream as a way to distract her from touching her phone.

The woman had no clue of what was going on surrounding her and that damned article but one thing she did know was that her ears were not deceiving her.

She had known that Lewis always woke up before her as a force of habit but he had vowed to not wake her up until she was ready to. She even moved her hood to hear properly.

The faint sounds of Minnie Riperton’s ‘Lovin’ You’ rang throughout the house speakers but the volume was clearly amplified in the living room. With her eyebrows furrowed, her ugg boot clad feet slowly led her through the hallway and right downstairs.

Her breath felt like it had been snatched out of her as she looked at the current state of her living room. Pink balloons were scattered across the roof and the floor, two bouquets of tiger lilies sat pretty on the coffee table along with several, several boxes from all her favourite brands. From small boxes to large bags beautifully arranged with a small note sat within the bouquet.

“Oh my god…” Nadia’s hand was over her mouth as she walked further into her living room, not even noticing that Lewis entered from the kitchen with his hands behind his back. “Hope you like it, love. Wanted to make it perfect for you.” He licked his lips as he watched his wife glide her hand all over the bags.

“Like it? I’m absolutely speechless, Lewis.” She softly spoke. “You’ve just…oh my days. You make me feel like a princess.” Nadia turned to look at him. “You tellin me all I have to do is tell you that I love you?” She joked.

“You existing is enough for me.” He spoke. “Boy.” She laughed. “Tryna make me blush knowing damn well I can’t.”

“Well, yes and no.” He scrunched his nose then chuckled with her. A beat or two passed before she spoke. “Let me say thank you.” She tilted her head as her hand went under his simple black shirt.

“Oh?” Lewis expressed. She didn’t have to say anything except look up at him and give him a smirk then he was ready to go.

“Say less, Mrs Hamilton.”

-

lewishamilton

liked by charlottiee, fencer and 2,394,447 others

lewishamilton the mrs. 🤍

view comments

nadiahamilton i love you

lewishamilton i love you more

user lord, guide this type of love to me

megantheestallion absolute cuties 🥹

fencer la familia!

serenawilliams my favs! 👑🤍

user aren’t they going to speak about everything?

user they don’t owe you anything!

sza 💗💗💗💗

saint’s notes: long overdue. love you guys!

tags: @non-stop-imagines @motheroffae @perfecttrashface @thisismeracing @myescapefromthislife @slytherinjimin3nthusiast @jamie2305 @cocobutterqwueen @like-fire-love-blog @sugardontbesweet @simpfortoomanymen @mauvecherie-writes @queenshikongo3 @eugene-emt-roe @deepgothfiremuffin @18754389 @cherry2stems @anubisnoir @littlelizzies-world @httpsserene @apenasumlug4r @eddiesbitch83 @arshiyuh @alika-4466 @peyiswriting @sunfairyy @vsfavs @louvrepool @mistruscity @tian-monique @hopefulromantic1 @exotic-iris13 @yeea-nah @nichmeddar @gg-trini @lifeless-firefly @vellicora @takeoffz-tookoff9876 @serpenttines-library @emjayewrites @royallyprincesslilly @lewisroscoelove @purplelewlew @xoscar03 @kidsol-ar @nothaqks @tremendousstarlighttragedy @ggaslyp1 @henneseyhoe @saturnville

if your account is blank, that means tumblr can’t find you!

[blackynsupremacy]

redk!clark shenanigans part 3

part 1

part 2

taglist: @afrogirl3005 @rosiestalez @stereotypicalbarbie

synopsis : redk!clark is the type of dude when you drop him first (because you’re honestly just fed up!) and you’re finally in a good place in life, he would text you out of the blue to reel you back in. he doesn’t really want you to walk out of his life, so you’re not getting rid of him that easily, girl.

if you’ve ever seen those memes with future texting, it’s those type of vibes.

pairings: redk!clark x fem! y/n (i’m imagining her as meagan good again. reader can do a self insert or use another fc. the choice is yours and i want to be inclusive!)

fandom: smallville (2001-2011)

also featuring: chloe sullivan and kate ross (pete’s twin sister/oc fc: tatyana ali)

warnings: long asf, swearing, redk!clark, toxic behavior, a little bit of angst, some suggestiveness,manipulation, implied hook up, y/n regretting her decisions, y/n being weak in the knees again!

congratulations to y/n for finally dropping redk!clark kent, smallville’s local gentleman turned badass and player. anywho, her skin is glowing, her grades are showing tremendous improvement, and life has just been better in general. she’s smiling a lot more!

she’s not going through this alone though. fortunately, she has chloe sullivan and kate ross to help y/n properly get over him. they haven’t seen him around in a few days. if they did happen to run into clark at school or around town and he asks about her whereabouts, they would make up an excuse that she was really busy with (an extracurricular/job) or she got a new number. he’s gonna find out soon enough that was some bullshit.

it’s a friday night and the girls decided it was time to get dolled up and go out to celebrate y/n’s freedom from clark’s fuckery. they’re all chatting and filling their table with laughter when y/n hears her cell phone vibrate. she flips open the device and looks at her text messages, skimming through each word cueing her deep sigh and eye roll..here we go again. y/n closes the phone down and places it back in her purse. it vibrates again and again..now kate and chloe are getting suspicious, giving each other knowing looks. let’s just say that the silence was indeed loud.

“so, uh…who’s blowing up your phone at this hour?” chloe inquired, tilting her head.

“it’s just my mom reminding me to do something when i get home.” y/n replied as she shrugged her shoulders to ease the tension.

“oh, so she’s reminding you five times?” kate asked, her elbow on the table with her chin resting on her knuckle. she raised a brow then narrowed her eyes before finally addressing the elephant in the room.

“it’s clark, isn’t it?”

“no.”

“bullshit!” the girls exclaimed.

“fine! it was clark. he said he hated how things ended between us and that he was blind to how really important i was to him. he also said that without me, he feels so weak.” y/n confessed.

these were his words. he wasn’t blind to shit considering he has x-ray vision. not weak either because the guy had super strength.

chloe and kate couldn’t help but to roll their eyes and shake their heads at this foolishness, but who were they to judge? they both fell for the charming farm boy they grew up with at one point during their lives. hell, they even both attempted to cross that line of confession and dating him for real, but they let that go to preserve their friendship with each other and with clark. it’s messy, but it was clark kent. smallville’s local knight in shining armor. how could any girl let go of him completely once they’ve been attached? it was just his new bold and unpredictable attitude that rubbed them the wrong way. hopefully it’s just a phase.

“he also said to meet at his place so we could talk things over. if he really wants us to work things out, i should be there in the next 10 minutes…” with each word, the volume of y/n’s voice started to diminish as she looked around and bit at her bottom lip to avoid the awkward, yet frustrated glares of her friends. “maybe i should go to hear him out and get some closure…”

“wait, wait, wait!”, chloe objected shaking her head. “if my memory serves, you said that last time was the last time. did you not catch him in another lie of him seeing lana before taking you out, correct?”

“….yes, but he sorta made it up to me.” y/n’s face heated up as her mind wandered to the semi-passionate endeavor her and clark shared in her bedroom after the argument that concluded their last date. she thanked the Lord above that her parents were out of town and that clark respected her enough to not push any further than what she was comfortable with. kate and chloe's eyes widened from sudden realization to complete astonishment.

"before you guys shame me, no, we didn’t go that far, but you know how guys are always saying i can’t drop clark due to the fact that i’m always wrapped around his finger?”

(reference to pt 2 iykyk)

y/n recited her friends past warnings as her fingers signaled air quotation marks.

“i guess you can say that literally and figuratively.”

silence filled the trio once more before they all heard another vibration. y/n flipped open her device and checked her text messages again. her eyes skimmed over the text for a few seconds before her fingertips made a few sounds to type a response to the person on the other end. after one press of the “send” button, she stood to her feet and pushed in the chair before greeting her friends a formal goodbye, “that was mom again. she said she needs me home asap. i’ll catch you guys at school?” the girls gave her nod and a “mhm!” before they watched their friend power walk out of the restaurant to her parked honda accord.

after they saw the car speed off into the night, kate sarcastically chuckled and shook her head before gazing at chloe, finally breaking the silence.

“we both know damn well that she went to go meet up with clark right?”

“i know…” chloe replied.

“yeah.” kate nodded and gazed below at the ground with a tight lipped smile as she fiddled with her fingers.

meanwhile…

10 minutes. it sounds like a lot of time, but not so much when you’re deciding on which path to take. right for the l/n’s house, left for the kent’s. her eyes darted in both directions, her heart thumping in her chest. it was only a matter of time before she could switch the turn signal up or down. she began to think. think of the times her friends were there for her at her lowest. the temper tantrums. the late night rants on the phone. the fake smiles for her parents. the tears that soaked her pillow. all because of him. his arrogance, his brutal honesty yet he lies, his shameless flirtation with other women. his eyes…his words…his kiss…his touch…his affection. damn, damn, damn! her mind was finally made up. she put the car in drive and made the turn onto the path of her destination for the night.

“hey, look, i got your messages. you said you wanted to talk things over, so let’s talk, clark.”

y/n stood with her arms crossed against her chest and faced the male before her standing outside the kent house as if he were expecting her already. he looked comfortable in his black tank top and grey sweatpants with his hands in the pockets. even under the moonlight, y/n could still see that same lady-killing smile of his and icy, blue eyes that she adored so much that it made her heart swell.

“it’s about time you showed up, beautiful. you don’t know how much i’ve missed you lately.” he pulled his pink lips into a smirk and took a few steps closer to her as his eyes never did pull away from her own. “i don’t think talking out here in the dark would do us any good, so how about we go somewhere more quiet and…” he took a beat of pause, “private.” tilting his head in the direction of his loft in the barn.

y/n sighed, licked her lips, and started walking in the direction towards clark’s loft with her arms still crossed. little did she know that his eyes carefully zeroed in on the sway of her hips with each step she took and possibly even the sultry, black matching set underneath her clothes.

oh, this was going to be a long night.

[calif0rnia-lovers]

every road ends.

pairing: jude bellingham x fem!oc "kaira bennett" | fc: justine skye

request: Jude Bellingham and his girlfriend start to grow apart, but he’s convinced she’s his soulmate.

author's note: this started as a reader one shot and morphed into something else. my brain mapped out a four part story, if y'all are down for the ride??? based on four tracks from maeta's ep "when I hear your name."

sum: when jude signed to real madrid, he knew it would come with immense pressure. as he struggles to balance his new club, fast rise to fame, and expectations, he finds Kai slipping away.

warnings: angst--first heartbreak. | words: 5.9k

part i: denial

Kaira sat at the elegantly set dinner table, her eyes scanning the faces of her colleagues and boss as they engaged in animated conversation. The warm glow of the candles and soft laughter filled the room, creating an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie. Yet, despite the festive surroundings, her mind was elsewhere.

She had been waiting for Jude all evening. His absence had been a nagging concern, and as the dinner progressed, her anticipation turned into a gnawing worry. He was supposed to be here, celebrating with her, but as the minutes ticked by, there was still no sign of him.

She discreetly glanced at her phone, half-expecting to see a text from him saying "I’m here" or something reassuring. Instead, she found an empty screen, the only message being the reminder of time slipping away.

The dinner continued around her, the conversation flowing effortlessly between the guests, but Kaira's attention was fragmented. Her attempts to focus on the lively discussion felt hollow, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Jude and the reason for his delay.

Memories of past evenings with Jude flickered through her mind—the times he had been there to share in the laughter, to offer a comforting presence during stressful moments. Now, the absence of his familiar warmth felt like a stark contrast against the backdrop of celebration.

Her fingers drummed nervously on the edge of the table, a subtle sign of her growing unease. She checked her phone again, her hope dwindling with each passing moment. The text she had hoped for never arrived, and the empty screen only deepened her sense of disappointment.

As the evening wore on, Kaira tried to shake off the feeling of being incomplete. She forced a smile and participated in the conversation, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Jude. Each time she looked around the room, she found herself scanning the doorway, wishing to see him walk in with that familiar, reassuring smile.

Her boss raised a toast, and everyone cheered, lifting their glasses in celebration. Kaira managed to join in, her smile bright but her eyes betraying a hint of sadness. She couldn’t help but feel the weight of Jude's absence, which seemed to overshadow the joy of the evening.

The night continued, but the echo of Jude's missing presence lingered, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a joyful and memorable occasion.

Jude stumbled through the door, the weight of the evening's events pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had been attending a sponsor event for work, his mind preoccupied with business and the social obligations that came with it. His tie was loosened, and his jacket hung over his arm as he made his way to the bedroom.

He found Kaira lying in bed, her back turned to him. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Jude started to undress, the fabric of his formal attire feeling heavy and oppressive after the long day. His removed his phone from his pocket, and he pulled it out, noticing the single text sent from her.

Seriously?

As he began to remove his dress shirt, his eyes fell on the discarded dress draped over a nearby chair. It was Kaira’s emerald evening dress, the one he'd helped pick out a few weeks ago, and seeing it now, the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. His heart sank as he understood the significance of the evening that he had completely overlooked. 

The dinner—Kaira’s dinner. The one where she was supposed to be surrounded by colleagues and friends, celebrating her new role in the company. He had completely missed it.

A wave of guilt washed over him as he approached the bed, his voice tinged with guilt. “Kaira, I’m so sorry. I thought it was next Thursday. I know how important tonight was for you. I should have been there.”

Kaira remained silent, her body tense and unmoving. The silence stretched between them, a heavy blanket that seemed to press down on both of them. Jude’s apology hung in the air.

After a long pause, Kaira finally spoke, her voice soft but firm. “It’s fine,” she said quietly, reaching over to turn off the lamp. The room was instantly shrouded in darkness, the only sound the soft rustle of the sheets as she settled into her side of the bed.

Jude stood in the dimness, the reality of his mistake sinking in. He felt the sting of her silent treatment, a painful reminder of the evening he had missed.

Kaira sat at her desk, the soft hum of the office filling the air around her. She sipped her coffee, the warmth and familiarity of the oat milk blend a small comfort amidst the chaos of her day. Her gaze fell on the bouquet of lilies on her desk—her favorite flowers. Delivered an hour prior, they filled her room with a comforting scent. She gently took out the card nestled among the blooms and flipped it open

Jude's familiar script was pressed into the cardstock. He'd ordered the flowers the moment she'd left for work. Three days passed and she hadn't said anything about him missing dinner. When Jude tried to apologize, she smiled and provided the same response, "it's fine." He wished she'd be angry, yell at him. Let out her frustration but she didn't. She never has.

Kai,

Sorry I missed dinner. Can we call a truce? I’m really missing fighting for my side of the bed—turns out it's the key to a good night's sleep.

—J

The moment was interrupted by the sound of a knock on her door. Kaira looked up to see Mr. Thompson, her boss, standing there with a warm, inviting smile. He was an older man, his graying hair and gentle eyes radiating a kindness that always put her at ease.

"Morning, Kaira," he greeted, stepping into her office. "How’s everything going?"

"Morning, Mr. Thompson. Everything’s good, just reading over the brief for the latest project," she replied, quickly storing the card in her nearby planner.

Mr. Thompson’s gaze drifted to the bouquet of lilies on her desk. "Those are beautiful lilies you’ve got there. They look like they were picked with care. A nice touch from Jude, I’m sure?"

Kaira nodded, a smile finding her lips. "Yes, they’re my favorite."

"Well, it’s clear he knows how to make the other ladies of the office jealous," Mr. Thompson said with a chuckle. "We were hoping he’d join us for dinner, but I understand how things can get busy."

"Now, I wanted to discuss the brief. We’ve got a potential set of clients in Washington, D.C. They’re a major firm looking to overhaul their marketing strategy, and they were genuinely impressed with our previous work."

Kaira’s eyes widened, her pulse quickening with anticipation. "Really? That sounds incredible."

"It is," Mr. Thompson agreed, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "And I’ve been giving a lot of thought to who would be the best fit to lead this presentation. Your work has been nothing short of exceptional, Kaira. I’d like you to consider taking this on."

Kaira blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "Me?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Are you sure?"

Mr. Thompson’s face broke into a warm, reassuring smile as he chuckled softly. "Absolutely. You have an extraordinary knack for understanding client needs and delivering results that exceed expectations. Here’s how it works: You’ll need to create a detailed presentation to share with the team. We’ll review it and then hold a vote to select the lead for this project."

Kaira’s eyes widened. "And if I’m selected?"

"If you’re chosen," Mr. Thompson continued, "you’ll be traveling to Washington, D.C., to oversee the project. It’s a significant role, and it will involve a five-month commitment there"

Kaira hesitated, her face reflecting her uncertainty. "But five months away from home… that’s a long time. What if it’s not the right move?"

Mr. Thompson nodded thoughtfully, his expression empathetic. "I get it, Kaira. Relocating for an extended period isn’t ideal for everyone. It can be challenging to be away from loved ones. However, this project offers a unique opportunity for growth. Leading a major project in D.C. will not only enhance your skills but also elevate your career to new heights. It’s a chance to make a significant impact and open doors for future opportunities."

Kaira’s shoulders relaxed slightly as she considered his words. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson, for considering me."

"Of course," he said warmly. "Just remember, if you decide to take this on, you’ll have our full support. Now, go ahead and start working on that presentation. I’m confident the clients will be impressed with what you bring to the table."

As Mr. Thompson left her office, Kaira sank back into her chair, the enormity of the opportunity slowly settling in. She had the chance to lead a major project in Washington, D.C., a city brimming with opportunities and fresh challenges. The thought was both exhilarating and intimidating. She knew she needed to share the news with Jude, but with his current stress and their growing distance, she wasn’t sure how he would react.

For now, she pushed those worries aside and focused on the task at hand. Opening her laptop, she began to brainstorm ideas for the presentation, determined to prove to herself and her boss that she was ready for this next pivotal step in her career.

Jude sat at the kitchen table, his coffee growing cold beside him. He reached for his phone, hoping for a distraction in the form of the latest sports headlines, but instead, his heart sank.

A notification from a popular sports and celebrity gossip site caught his eye. The headline blared: “Trouble in Paradise? Jude Bellingham’s Girlfriend Spotted with Mystery Man.” His stomach churned as he clicked on the article, dreading what he might find.

The page loaded with perfectly timed and zoomed-in photos of Kaira at a café, having lunch with a man Jude didn’t recognize. The images captured them greeting each other with a hug, their faces lit up with smiles, and their conversation full of animated laughter. The media had twisted their innocent lunch into a scandalous story of potential infidelity.

As he absorbed the images, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Jobe, accompanied by a link to the same article. “You seen this, mate?” the text read. Jude’s jaw clenched in frustration as he stared at the screen.

Despite his better judgment, Jude read the article. The blurb detailed their interaction: "Kaira Bennett, Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend of nearly three years, was spotted enjoying a cozy lunch with a mystery man at a charming outdoor café. The two were seen greeting each other with a warm hug, and their animated conversation was punctuated with smiles and laughter. Is there trouble in paradise for the young football star and his American love?”

The article speculated about their relationship being on the rocks, noting that Jude hadn’t shared any recent pictures of Kaira on his social media, and her lack of appearance at his most recent sponsor event. “Sources close to the couple suggest that their relationship is strained due to Jude’s demanding schedule and the pressures of playing for Real Madrid. Little is known about Kaira Bennett, who works in marketing, but she had uprooted her life to be with Jude, first moving to England and then following him to Spain. A decision she might now regret, being as the Real Madrid star is spending more time with his new teammates. Could this be the end for the seemingly perfect pair?”

Jude’s blood boiled as he read the baseless speculation. He knew the man in the photos was a friend of Kaira's, yet the media had distorted their innocent lunch into something scandalous. The sight of Kaira’s genuine, radiant smile in the photos made him pause. What if there was a grain of truth to the article? Was there a strain in their relationship he hadn’t acknowledged? He thought about his busy schedule, the constant demands of the club, and how little time they had spent together lately. Doubt mixed with his anger and frustration.

Just then, Kaira rounded the corner. She looked flustered, dressed for work in a fitted blouse and pencil skirt that accentuated her figure. Her natural hair was styled in a sleek bun, and she was adjusting her earrings—an anniversary gift from Jude—as she entered. Running through the day's agenda in her head, she grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge.

It wasn’t until she started to pour her glass that she noticed the tension in the room. Her smile faded as she set the glass down and looked at him with concern.

“Everything okay with the team?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

He held up his phone, the article glaring from the screen. “Have you seen this?” he asked, his voice tight with irritation.

Kaira’s eyes widened as she took the phone and read the headline. Her brow furrowed the further she skimmed the article. “Why are you reading this?” she muttered, scrolling through the photos.

“Half the team’s sent it to me,” Jude said, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “They’re trying to make it look like you’re cheating on me with that guy. Who is he, anyway?”

Kaira’s eyes flashed with a mix of anger and frustration. “This is ridiculous.”

Jude sighed, rubbing his temples. “So, me not wanting the world to see some guy getting chummy with my girlfriend is ridiculous?”

“No, Jude,” Kaira shot back, her frustration boiling over. “Giving this tabloid trash any thought is ridiculous. That’s Mark, my coworker. You would have met him if you hadn’t skipped out on the company dinner.”

“I didn’t skip it." Pinching the bridge of his nose, Judge sighed. Looping back around to this topic was the fuel to the flame. "I had to attend that event. You know how important my commitments are.”

"Trust me, I'm reminded every day that they're clearly more important than spending time with me,” she retorted, her voice rising. “It feels like you’re always tied up with something. I’ve been supporting you from the shadows, never asking for anything in return. But the one time I needed you to show up for me, you couldn’t even remember.”

Jude’s expression softened, a mix of regret and confusion crossing his face. Nearly two weeks had passed from that night. “Kaira, you said it was fine. If I'd known you'd still be pissed I would've gone—”

"You're supposed to know that it was not fine, Jude." She snapped. The tone of her voice one he'd never been on the receiving end of. "I never had to beg you to pay attention to me before."

"So, you go and get it from him?"

Jude knew the words would sting, yet he let them out anyway.

"Mark was helping me with a proposal for work. He was there with me and Alix. Something that stupid article didn't mention. We were just discussing the details over lunch. It’s my first big assignment, and I need his help.”

Jude’s eyes widened as he racked his brain, trying to recall if she’d mentioned this before. “What proposal?”

“Mr. Thompson offered me this project--".

Kaira's phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, and she glanced at the screen. Mark was calling. Jude’s jaw clenched as he noticed it.

Kaira took a deep breath, eyes closing as she listened to the ringtone. It was not until the ringing stopped that she spoke. Her voice came out soft and slow. “I have a meeting and can’t afford to be late. I need to go.”

Kaira gathered her things, lingering long enough to allow Jude the opportunity to stand. To give her a kiss goodbye, but he never did. As she headed for the door, she glanced back once, but Jude’s eyes were already back on his phone, lost in his thoughts. 

As the weeks passed, the once vibrant and loving dynamic between Kaira and Jude began to shift subtly. What had been a seamless connection started to fray at the edges, giving way to an undercurrent of tension and miscommunication.

It began with the small things. The tender gestures they once shared, like the way Jude would ignore his morning alarm to steal a few extra minutes with her or the way she would rest her head on his lap as she worked on her laptop, began to wane. Their time together became marked by tense silences and strained smiles. Dinner conversations, once filled with plans and dreams, now centered around logistics and conflicting schedules. The warmth that had once defined their evenings was replaced by a cold formality, as if they were merely coexisting rather than truly living together.

Jude’s demanding training sessions and media obligations began to dominate his time. Since his high-profile signing with Real Madrid, the media had been abuzz with speculation and anticipation. Headlines screamed about the immense pressure he was under to live up to the expectations that came with joining one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. To navigate this new chapter, Jude spent his evenings getting to know his new teammates, attending team dinners, and engaging in social events. What had been occasional late nights turned into a regular part of his schedule, and his absence from their shared moments became more frequent. When he was home, he seemed distant, his mind preoccupied with the relentless scrutiny and the weight of living up to the lofty expectations set by fans and the media alike.

Kaira, too, was grappling with her own challenges. The looming pressure to build an impressive proposal for the D.C. clients cast a long shadow over their interactions. What had once been an exciting opportunity now felt tinged with anxiety as she worried about its impact on their relationship, making it impossible to find the right time to tell Jude. She was deeply immersed in crafting her proposal for the project, pouring countless hours into perfecting every detail. The pressure to deliver an impressive presentation weighed heavily on her, and she threw herself into her work in an attempt to stave off the growing distance between them.

When they did spend time together, their interactions often ended in arguments or misunderstandings, often caused by stress and exhaustion.

The presentation came and went. Kaira had been steeling herself all week to have the conversation she knew was inevitable. The thought of telling Jude about her potential move to D.C. had been a constant in her mind, a weight she could barely shake off. She had received the email from Thomas two days ago, offering the lead.

Kaira and Jude were nestled at a charming outdoor café, the city square alive with the gentle hum of evening activity. They were savoring their ice cream, a much-needed treat after their hectic schedules.

Jude watched Kaira with a fond smile as she took a spoonful of his ice cream, her eyes lighting up with mischief as he moved the cup out of reach.

As she ate, Jude’s gaze lingered on her. His fingers absently traced gentle circles on her knee under the table, a gesture that was both comforting and foreign. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d had a date. Kaira felt his gaze, passing over her shoulders, her neck, her cheek, her lips. Her fingers fidgeted with her earring—a nervous habit she had whenever she sensed his intense focus on her. Jude smiled at the action. Grateful he could still make it happen.

She met his eyes and tilted her head slightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “What?” she asked, her voice light and teasing. “Not in the mood for ice cream?”

Jude’s eyes twinkled mischievously. His touch drifting up her thigh, the shift in her posture encouraging him to continue. “Not in the slightest.” 

Kaira laughed softly, as his touch retraced their path leaving a heat that spread from her head to her toes.

The smile on Jude’s face is enough to distract Kaira from the approaching familiar face. 

“Hey, Jude! Kaira!” Mark greeted, his tone cheerful. “I didn’t expect to run into you guys here.”

Jude’s smile faltered, watching as Kaira stood to give Mark a brief hug. “Hey, Mark. Fancy seeing you here.”

Mark extended his hand to Jude, and they shook hands. “Nice to finally meet you properly. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Likewise,” Jude replied, his smile not reaching his eyes.

Mark’s attention shifted to Kaira, his expression warm. “I see you’re already celebrating. Everyone’s been talking about you being offered that DC gig. Congratulations!”

Jude glanced down at Kaira, watching the way her grin spread across her face. “Thank you! It’s been a lot of work, I’m just glad it’s over. But, I couldn’t have even gotten the offer without your help.”

Mark waved off the compliment, “We’ll miss you around the office, but we’re already planning a big welcome-home party for when you return.”

Jude zoned out. His brain does not seem to move past the words “offer” and D.C.” It’s not until Mark is gone, Kaira settling back in her seat that he blinked. 

Jude broke the silence, his voice soft but edged with hurt. “Kaira, why didn’t you tell me about the offer?"

"I didn't get the official offer until a few days ago."

"This is tied to the proposal he was helping you with? That was weeks ago--" Jude's brow furrowed, eyes passing over her face. Her gaze unable to lift to his. "We’re supposed to talk about everything, right? Why didn’t you trust me with that?”

Kaira paused, her spoon hovering over her melting ice cream as she looked up at him. Her voice came out small. “It’s not that I didn’t trust you. It’s just that you’ve been so busy lately. I didn’t want to add to your stress.”

“You’re placing this on me?” Jude scoffed in disbelief.

“No,” Kaira sighed, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup.

"Good. I tell you about everything, Kai. Every business deal, sponsorship, training date, match. Every single detail about my job. Since when do you hide shit from me about yours?"

She got the words out as quickly as she could. There was no point in lying, Jude could figure it out. "I was afraid that if I told you, you’d ask me not to take the job." She winced at her own admission. The silence from Jude tightening her throat. "Jude, I've moved more than once to be with you, no hesitation. I really like this company, and they're giving me an amazing opportunity.”

Jude’s eyes widened. “Are you saying that you thought I would hold you back? That I wouldn’t want you to go for something that’s important to you?”

Kaira’s voice softened. “I didn’t want to put you in that position. I didn’t want to say anything until it was a done deal.”

Jude’s shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of her accusations settling heavily on him. “Clearly, It is a done deal, Kai.”

“What do you mean?”

“Take the job,” Jude said. Standing, he gathered his untouched ice cream. “You’ve already decided.”

"I did not--"

"You did, Kai. That's why you didn't tell me the moment you found out." Jude paused, the level of calm in his voice causing Kaira's stomach to churn. "You want the job. Take it."

His words lingered long after his departure. Hanging over the two of them in future days. They barely breached the conversation. An unspoken wave of "space" creeping in their movements. Falling into a pattern of spending less and less time together. A week was all Kaira was granted. A week to pack. A week to find an apartment for her stay. A week to crush the fear that constantly churned in her stomach. The fear of living in a city without Jude.

Kaira's going away party was held in a stunning Spanish venue, where tradition met elegance. The grand hall inside was adorned with crystal chandeliers, ornate tapestries, and tables draped in rich fabrics. Soft, ambient lighting cast a warm glow over the room, highlighting the joyous faces of their friends and co-workers who had come to celebrate her next chapter. The laughter and chatter mingled with the soft strains of classical music played by a live quartet. Jude had planned every aspect, surprising her.

Outside, the venue opened up to a lush garden, a hidden oasis bathed in moonlight. The garden was a paradise of fragrant blooms, with roses, jasmine, and lavender. Fairy lights were strung delicately through the trees and along the shrubs, casting a magical glow. At the heart of the garden was a beautiful stone fountain, its gentle cascade of water adding a soothing soundtrack to the night.

Jude had stepped out to the garden to get some fresh air. It was hard for him to be inside, watching Kaira smile and laugh, knowing she was leaving in the morning. He finished his drink—a glass of dark whiskey, the warmth of which did little to soothe the emotions within him.

Kaira eventually noticed his absence and went to find him. She wandered through the garden, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the fairy lights. The scene was almost dreamlike, the perfect setting for a night meant to be remembered. She found Jude sitting by the fountain, staring into the rippling water, the glass of whiskey resting on the stone beside him.

She approached him quietly and sat down next to him, the stone cool against her skin. With a sigh of relief, she slipped off her heels and wiggled her toes. She looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds against the velvet backdrop, before turning her gaze back to the enchanting garden.

"It's beautiful," she said softly, gently massaging her sore foot. "Thank you for the party. You didn't have to do all this."

Jude's touch found her ankle, and she shifted slightly on the fountain to face him. He began to gently massage her foot, his hands warm and soothing against her skin. "I'd do anything for you, Kaira. Anything to make you happy."

She closed her eyes, allowing the sensation to wash over her, listening to the distant music from the party and the rhythmic sound of the running fountain. "I know you would," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude. "I am happy, Jude. I really am." 

"I'll miss this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jude’s brow arched, the corner of his lips turning up slightly. "My foot massages? I knew I had a hidden talent."

Kaira chuckled softly, opening her eyes to look at him. "True, but I meant these peaceful moments with you."

"This night is almost perfect," she said, shifting closer. Her lips brushed against his. "The only thing that would make it truly perfect is if you were inside, enjoying the party with me."

She reached out to cup Jude's cheek, her touch warm and gentle. The warmth of her hand was meant to soothe, but it seemed to highlight the sadness in his eyes. "You've been quiet all night," she said softly. "What's wrong?"

Jude’s hands trembled as he reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a small blue box. "I need to give you this before you leave," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "It’s a promise… a promise that I’ll always love you, no matter where you go or what you do."

Kaira’s eyes widened at the sight of the box, her breath catching in her throat. With trembling hands, she took it, the irregular pounding of her heart quickening with anxiety. She slowly untied the ribbon.

Kaira looked down at the dainty silver necklace, her eyes softening as she took in its beauty. The small, intricate heart pendant, adorned with delicate diamonds, sparkled gently in the moonlight. Her breath caught in her throat, touched by the thoughtfulness behind the gift.

"It's beautiful," she said softly, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. She pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting his. "Will you put it on me?"

Jude nodded, his hands trembling as he took the necklace from her. Turning, Kaira gathered her hair and lifted it away from her neck, exposing the delicate curve of her shoulders.

As Jude's fingers worked with the clasp, his touch was tender and careful. He moved slowly, his fingers brushing against her bare skin with a warmth that sent shivers down her spine. The flutter of her heart the same from the first moment their eyes had met across the crowded arena years ago.

When he had finished fastening the clasp, he pressed a soft kiss to the skin just below it, moving to the curve of her shoulder. Traveling, his lips brushed against her pulse, a tender gesture that felt like he was trying to commit the beat of her heart to memory.

He rested his face against her neck for a moment, savoring the closeness and the comfort of her presence.

Slowly, she turned back to face him.

“Jude… why does this feel more like a parting gift than a congratulations?” Kaira asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Jude’s gaze met hers. His voice was heavy, cracking under the weight of his decision "Because, Kaira, I think we’ve reached a point where… where it’s become clear that we’re heading in different directions.”

"Different directions?" She echoed, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Where is this coming from?”

"I love you," Jude lifted her hand, pressing a tender kiss to her fingers. "Asking you to split your focus between me and your job is something I can't do. It’s not fair to ask you to while you’re starting a new chapter. We should break up...so you can go to D.C., no strings attached."

Her breath hitched, and Kaira shook her head slightly. "You're not a string, Jude," she replied, her voice trembling.

She couldn’t let him reduce himself to that. Strings could be easily torn, snapped with a single pull. But Jude wasn’t something that could be ripped from her life without a second thought. He was something much deeper, embedded within her very core. He was woven into the fabric of her existence, his presence a constant pulse within her soul.

She placed her hand over his chest, feeling the steady, reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat. It thumped against her palm, strong and unwavering, a tangible reminder of the life and love they shared. "You’re...everything," she said softly.

He swallowed hard.

"This--breaking up? It's not part of the plan. Our plan--we have a plan," she reminded him. "You and me. We are supposed to be together, we're supposed to--"

Jude knew the plan. Three years of giggles, whispered desires, dreams that seemed insane, yet somehow attainable with each other. Plans that involved a wedding, kids. He'd known from the moment they'd met, he'd never find a woman as captivating as Kaira. He'd dated others before her, but they couldn't compare.

"Plans change."

"You're saying you don't want me in your future?" The confusion in her voice dropped Jude's gaze.

Jude wanted to tell her that he couldn't imagine a future without her. He'd tried the moment he learned of the offer--and each day after. But, when you've spent three years imagining a future with someone it's hard to blink it away in an instance. He wanted to confess he couldn't imagine a future where he wasn't in love with her.

"I can’t stand in the way of you and what's the best decision for your future," he chose to say instead. "If I do, then I’m not the person you believe me to be."

"You don't just make decisions about us without asking me," she began, her shifting world turning her words into a rushed and panicked response. "Long-distance relationships can work. Your parents made it work. They managed to stay strong and support each other even when they were miles apart."

He gently removed her hand from his chest. "If we stay together now and go long-distance, our choices might end up being influenced more by our relationship than by what’s truly best for each of us. Our careers, our futures—they could all be affected by this."

Her eyes welled up as she bit her lip to keep from crying. She thought about what might happen if the summer position turned into something more permanent. Deep down, she knew he was right. She had hesitated about the taking the opportunity, aware that she would turn down an extension without a second thought if it meant coming back to him sooner.

"But what if this isn’t the right choice? What if we..." Her voice came out barely above a whisper, tapering off as her eyes lifted to meet his. Jude's fell to his own shaking hands.

What if we never come back to each other?

As Jude struggled to find the right words, his fingers found their way to Kaira's knee, his touch gentle but firm. Kaira looked at him, and in that moment, she recognized the expression on his face—the same one he wore whenever he was resolute, determined to face a challenge head-on. It was a look of unwavering conviction, the kind he displayed when he had set his mind on a course of action, no matter how difficult or painful.

"If I ask you to stay, part of me knows you’ll resent me for it later."

Her mouth opened in protest. She should deny it. Tell him that she could never resent him, of all people, but nothing came out. She couldn't lie to him—not even a harmless fib. It was never in her nature. It also didn't help that Jude had been able to read her from the moment he laid eyes on her. According to him, she had a tell. Kaira had yet to figure out what it was. Which is why she chose not to respond. Or, it could be the lump rising, tightening her throat.

Kaira’s eyes filled with tears, face dropping into her hands, the sight of her crying hitting Jude in the chest. He had seen her cry on numerous occasions—when she was overwhelmed with stress, when she was moved by something deeply sentimental, and even in moments of shared joy. But tonight was different. This was the first time he had seen her cry because of his own actions, and it felt like a jagged knife twisting in his heart.

He fought to keep his own tears at bay, but the sound of her crying, the quiet, painful sobs, was almost unbearable. His touch instinctively reached for her, his fingers brushing against her cheek. Jude wanted to say something that might make this easier, but the words stuck in his throat.

Kaira's eyes avoided his as she stood up. She wiped at her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. "I need to get back to the party," she said softly.

His eyes followed her, and he struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. He wanted to call out, to pull her back, but he knew he’d take back every word if he did.

Jude was on autopilot. The familiar streets blurred past him as he drove, his mind numb. His home came into view, a place filled with memories of simpler, happier times. He parked the car and trudged up the path, the night air cool against his tear-stricken face.

Inside, the house was quiet, the soft ticking of a clock the only sound. Jude closed the door behind him. His legs felt weak, barely able to support his weight. Jude sank onto the base of the stairs, his hands trembling as they moved to cover his face. The burning in his eyes intensified as tears welled up and spilled over, streaming down his cheeks uncontrollably. He let out a shuddering breath, the sound almost a sob, as he buried his face deeper into his hands.

The image of Kaira’s face swam before his closed eyes—the confusion, the way her eyes had filled with tears when he spoke the words that would change their futures forever. He could still hear her voice, trembling and filled with pain, echoing in his mind. Each tear felt like a searing brand, a physical manifestation of the heartbreak that was tearing through him.

His breaths came in ragged gasps, his heart throbbing with a relentless, sharp pain. It was a strange, foreign feeling. One that gripped his eyes shut. It felt as though his heart was slowly tearing, each beat more excruciating than the last.

Jude didn't notice the sound of approaching footsteps until a gentle hand touched his shoulder. He looked up, his vision blurred with tears, to see his mother standing there in her pajamas, concern etched across her face. She looked past Jude, her eyes scanning the entryway, expecting to see Kaira standing there. But realization set in as she looked back at her eldest son, struggling to loosen the tie around his neck--in hopes it'd make it easier to funnel the air through his tightened lungs.

"Jude?" she spoke softly, her voice filled with worry. "What’s wrong, sweetheart?"

Jude opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. His chest ached unbearably, a sharp, relentless pain. He rubbed at it, trying to ease the strain, but it wouldn’t subside. His mom sat down beside him, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

Jude managed to get out a choked, “Kaira,” before resting his head against his mom’s shoulder.

“Kaira was the first girl you ever truly loved, baby." She gently kissed his forehead and whispered. "And that pain you’re feeling in your chest—that’s your first heartbreak.”

if you'd like to be removed, or added, to future stories let me know.

tagging those who liked my jude taglist announcement post.

bellingham tags: @stephiii29 @inlikea-coolway @kindofaintrovert @your-tiny-love @avatarwifey @naya29 @uhmhahawhat @kjw678392 @blubsberries @barcafan2003 @everleigh76 @crnamaccaa @topslizzy @lewisroscoelove @smokey1404 @shewhoshantbenamedd @by7a @iuoiyr @tomhollandwhore @gl0ssgirl @dontworryboutit007 @simply-the-best23 @inlikea-coolway @Kmajuraaz @ninaxgavi @xxxstormyninixxx @stephiii29 @xenayi @viiadaa @jiminsbestiee

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[yanaleese]

does our kpop dude care for valentine 💝 day?

Imagine Mc just love the aesthetics of hearts and is a cosplayer to boot.

Absolutely! Eunsung LOVES Valentine's Day. He's not allowed to celebrate the normal holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) since it falls under worshipping someone other than his mom...but with Valentine's Day he can run with excuses saying he wants to "showcase his love and affection" to his mom (which is of course, a lie!)

So when he sees Valentine's Day, and seeing you cosplaying with hearts...HIS heart goes DOKI DOKI. This is by far the most passionate and exciting moment you'll see out of Eunsung - since the cult members don't discourage his feelings. BUT they of course, don't encourage him being in a relationship with you.

So I imagine the two of you arranging a secret hide-out, and just holding candles watching the pink fireworks lighting up the night sky. And on the very last firework you two exchange a deep, loving kiss 💘💋

[everythingne]

out of the woods — LS2

bahrain goes far better than dhanishka could have ever hoped, but she celebrates a bit too hard. landing herself in troubled waters.

logan sargeant x ferrari!ex!oc / fc: iffat marash/maitreyi ramakrishnan (adult) / hamda al qubaisi (young)

warnings/notes: mentions of past car accidents, drunkeness, a makeout scene,[] used to denote other languages being spoken, the oc is indian/desi, however the author is NOT, pls pls pls correct me on any inaccuracies ♥️

original plot masterlist / rewrite masterlist / b chapter two

Bahrain hasn't even started, Dhanishka's home race hasn't even started, and she already fely like she was about to snap. Dhanishka knew coming into this race there was a lot of pressure on her to do well, not to mention how basically everyone she knew and their fucking mother was here, but from Ferrari alone. This was the season they planned to solidify Charles and Ferrari next to Red Bull. They'd been secretive about their car, their plans, and whatever, just to hopefully psyche out the other teams.

Personally, Dhanishka just wanted to win for herself, but that's a whole other story.

When Dhanishka walk in the race, cameras are on her faster than she can say her name, thousands of eyes watching the only rookie this season as she makes her way into the paddock. Inside the paddock is no better, and the garage can't even be a safe haven as reporters walking the pit lane try to get video of Dhanishka and Charles greeting each other.

He's like a bright red beacon of safety amidst the chaos of this morning. He hands her a coffee, says it's supposed to be some sort of weird chai thing. It tastes... like slightly more bitter and heavily espresso filled chai. But Dhanishka drinks it anyway because lord knows she'll need the energy.

"You look stressed, is it the race?" Charles asks after the first debriefing, when Dhanishka is working on reaction times. She keeps working at whacking the buttons, eyes trained on the center as she also works on periphery.

"I think so." Dhanishka says, uninterested, and Charles purposefully messes up the game so she looks at him with a loud exclamation. He grins, and now understands why Arthur had punched Charles in the arm as a greeting once.

He looks like a cat that knows it's done something wrong, but smugly doesn't care. Like Dhanishka's aunt's big brown cat named Porsche.

They'd bought her a 'Porsche' for her birthday that year. Haha.

"What's it actually?" Charles asks when she catches her breath a little, taking a big gulp of water and then sipping on the coffee-chai-thing.

"I talked to Logan after we left the restaurant and I can't stop thinking about it." Dhanishka set down the cup and go to return to the game before Charles grabs her wrist and pulls her back.

"You talked to him?" Charles pauses, "Dhanishka, you talked--"

"Yes. I talked to him, it didn't go very well. We ended up in a screaming mach in front of the restaurant." And the flush on her face makes Charles hesitate before softly asking,

"Do you wanna talk about it before the race? Maybe get it out of your system so it doesn't affect you while driving?"

"You're talking like you speak from experience."

"Maybe I do." He hums and Dhanishka huffs through her nose, before grabbing both of her drinks when Charles nods his head back to his drivers room. Probably the only place here the two of them could get privacy. He pops Dhanishka down on his couch, shuts the door, and sits next to her, motioning for the girl to talk.

Dhanishka stammers a bit before sighing, “Logan still thinks it’s my fault. He still thinks I had something to do with the accident. And I’m a fucking idiot because I still love him.”

Charles’ eyes widen as Dhanishka leans forward and huffs, rubbing her forehead as she keeps talking, “I still love him after three years. And he doesn’t love me back and that hurts but I can’t do anything about it.”

"You still love him?" Charles asks in a shocked whisper and Dhanishka nods, and then hitches forward with a sharp gasp like she's in pain.

Well, there is a migraine forming behind her eyes. But she pushes it away for now.

Saying the words out loud have thrown every possible emotion in her face. Anger at Logan for breaking up, regret for not chasing him, a deep sorrow for the things Dhanishka had lost. He had been her first love, something so innocent. She didn't know how she was supposed to live without him, not then, not now.

"I do," She whispers through the lump in her throat, "I love him, but I can't even look at him without feeling sick."

For once with all the issues Dhanishka;s come to tell Charles about--past and present, this is one that stumps him. But he wraps an arm around her regardless, pulling the rookie to his side as he rubs his hand along her back. It's a motion she's seen him do to Arthur--especially after he was dropped by the Ferrari Academy, and it makes her want to sob.

But, for favor of a migraine, she bites down the tears. After maybe ten minutes, she's calmed down fully. Or, enough for now.

"No matter what happens, I've got you." Charles says softly when Dhanishka detaches from his side, "just like at dinner, I've got you."

She nod and he hands her a tissue to fix up my makeup. And she stands to wander over to a mirror, Charles watching her body language like a hawk, until Alex knocks and steps in when told to.

"Dani!" She chirps, stepping over to wrap her arms around the rookie, "Ugh, why are you crying?"

"It's just, stupid boy stuff." Dhanishka waves a hand, overing Alexandra a soft smile, "Don't worry about it."

"Well," Alexandra takes Dhanishka' napkin and wipes at her face, "let me know if I need to yell at him."

Charles chuckles, standing, making his way over to press a kiss to her cheek--making Alex yip and complain about him smudging her blush--but the grin on her face shows no anger.

And its the softness of them, in private and public, that makes Dhanishka's mind wander a little bit into the past before she shakes it off at the sound of Joris calling for Charles.

The sun is long set when they start the race, the warm up lap making Dhanishka's nerves spark as my fingers twitch on the steering wheel. She knew Bahrain's track like the backs of her hands, she knew exactly what to expect and what to do and where to go. There had been countless times she'd raced here, but now the stakes were all much much higher. Starting p8 wasn't terrible, anyone would've preferred to be higher but Dhanishka knew to just take what she can get and work with it. She had the ability to do so. In front of her is Yuki, Carlos, Daniel, Charles, Oscar, Lando, and Max. With Logan directly behind her and Alex behind him.

Not super worried about Alex, Dhanishka adjusts her gloves, recounting the driving styles of her contenders. Logan had a pretty similar driving style to her so she should probably worry about him coming up and overtaking. There's a confidence in knowing she can overtake (probably) Yuki, Carlos, and Daniel if she gives herself time and risks going wide when it comes to Carlos. But Lando, Oscar and Max will be her biggest competition. Though she's not sure about Charles, it depends on what team orders are told on the radio.

Within the first five laps, a lucky near miss with Yuki and Carlos allows Dhanishka to cut through them both without a problem, but Daniel's giving her a run for her money. Charles even tries helping, but it's no use, and she takes her place behind Daniel for the foreseeable future as Charles leers ahead.

Holding P6 at the beginning isn't the worst scenario. But there's a tension in waiting until people starting going in to box, hopefully something will allow her to use that to get around.

Eventually, Daniel understeers and it gives her a perfect opportunity to whip around him and she fights a bit before being able to solidify herself in P5. Oscar's ahead of her, Lando ahead of him, Charles in P2 and then Max holds P1. Charles is fighting him for it and with it just being the first race, Dhanishka impressed with how we're doing so far.

At some point Logan comes up behind Dhanishka, maybe in the last five laps? The whole race is an adrenaline blur Dhanishka can't remember. But she knows Logan comes up too hard, forcing him to nearly push her to the edge of the track. On a whim, Dhanishka speeds up, purposefully oversteering the turn to knock Logan off her back.

But, they both are definitely dangerously close to track limits, even if they end up unscathed from the near miss.

Logan swings up on the straight, wheel to wheel with Dhanishka. She knows he plans to force her wide, so she guns it into the turn, skipping her back tires just a tad to keep the turn level. Taking the outside line isn't Dhanishka's forte, but something she's trained for on the off occassion it would happen.

She jams up, and curses, Lando clips the side of Charles in a tight turn, sending debris towards her and Logan. To avoid it, Logan jams on his brakes and dips behind Dhanishka, and she uses Lando's pause as a moment. There's a longer straight here, and she jams the enigne as high as it will go to fly past both drivers. Lando becoming a sort of 'Logan barrier.'

And as she crosses the line, she hears, "Last lap! Hold position!"

And shes honestly just fine defending, letting Max and Charles battle it out for first. Lando holds well with basically 2/3rds of a wing, and Dhanishka's not surprised no safety car gets called for the debris. Which, is still there when she passes the second time.

But as the race is called, Dhanishka's mechanics screaming in her headset, she can't even do anything but let out a loud, "Yes! Yes! Oh, wallahi, wow. Wow. We did it!"

Dhanishka can't really feel anything under the thrum of her excitement, pulling up to the boards in a flurry of thanks to the team as she scrambles to get up and out of the car before she starts shaking from adrenaline. She pops her steering wheel back in, and is tearing off her helmet and balaclava when she hears Charles' laugh.

He scoops her up off the ground, barely giving her time to place her items down, and she bursts into a high laugh--shoving the hat on her head to hide her helmet hair.

"Lets go! 'Ishka!" Charles jumps as he sets her down, and Dhanishka turns to properly give him a hug.

"HOw the hell did I just do that?" Dhanishka asks, looking over her shoulder as Max gives her a solid whack.

"Call it beginners luck," He grins, "Congrats, kid."

Max grabs the brim of her hat and yanks it down, making her yelp in surprise as Charles cackles once more, mixing in a melody with Max's soft rumble of laughter. Lifting up the brim, Dhanishka scowls, playfully whacking Max's chest as a organizer begins ushering them off to their teams. Ferrari is beyond estatic, and Charles lets Dhanishka go first to run and dive into her team. He laughs behind, helping her back down as they pass around to give tight hugs.

"Babli!" Dhanishka's head whips around at her fathers call and she grins, running over faster than she thinks her legs can carry her and crashing into his chest. His arms are solid around her and she hides her face in his shoulder.

"We are so proud of you," He says softly in the rumble of the crowd, her mother agreeing as she dusts back her daughters wild statically tangled hair from the race.

"So so proud," Her mother says, and when she steps back, she makes sure to give her mother and sister two tight hugs before she has to go off to the cool down room with Charles, meetin gup with Max on the way.

Time is blurry when Dhanishka stumbles her way onto the stage. The hometown crowd is roaring, the chanting of various things rattling her bones as she shakes hands with someone and is handed her trophy.

She spots her parents in the crowd, Shivani screaming and clapping, her parents silently cheering her on with proud, beaming smiles.

And Dhanishka throws the trophy up, catching it, and a triumphant shout leaves her throat in time with the roar of the country that's held her in their hearts.

Dipping back into the paddock, Dhanishka sees Logan being ushered away from her by Alex. Even though the sight of him makes her throat close and stomach drop, she tries to keep her head up. Trying to not let it affect me, but she knows it does.

Dhanishka has to remind herself that she told Logan the truth. She let him him go because he wanted to go. Nothing Logan did now would change the way her heart ached for him, but it wouldn't change her decisions either. In F2, she learned quickly to shove her emotions down and never let them escape, and when she wasn't in the safety of Charles' company, Dhanishka felt like she had fallen back into that same routine again.

Cold, sharper than a tack, everything rolled right off. She bit her tongue when necessary, fought back only when provoked.

It was nothing like how she had been before Trident. That much was known. But she wasn't about to be used again. Never again.

A few hours later, Dhanishka is in the hall of the hotel room Charles is staying in, him laying face first on his bed while she fixes up her makeup in a mirror for the upteenth time. He chuckles at something on his phone and Dhanishka glances over, watching as he sits up with a sheepish grin she knows all too well.

"Alex, again?" she inquires and the Monegasque grins like a puppy, making Dhanishka laugh.

"She just was congratulating us," He defends, rubbing the back of his neck before leaning forward.

"Tell her I said thank you," Dhanishka adjusts her outfit once more. Fidgeting while waiting for it to be time to leave, she wasn't sure why she felt so antsy. It was another night out to celebrate the season kickoff, Max inviting most of the grid to one of the clubs Dhanishka had frequented for years with her sister and friends.

Charles stands, adjusting his necklace that lays over the black tee and baggy jeans he's wearing. Nothing too crazy for him, but Dhanishka looks a bit different. With a Ferrari jacket wrapped around her, she hides the little black dress shes wearing underneath, and all the jewelry she's amassed over the years.

"Revenge dress?" He muses to Dhanishka with a smirk, coming behind her, and she rolls her eyes and whacks his arm with a loud laugh.

"It wasn't intended to be, but sure." She grins as she leans over to grab her wine glass off the table in front of the mirror and down the rest of the glass. A loose pregame to the night. She turns back to Charles with a smirk, "Glad to see you've gotten a bit of fashion advice, the polo looks good. If Max is wearing anything Red Bull I'll choke him out."

"I'll help you." Charles laughed and hands Dhanishka his wallet. She pops it in her purse without thinking. She knows it's so she won't run off without him, and while Dhanishka pretends to be annoyed--the action is sweet.

"We have a little private room with some of the other drivers," Charles grabs their phones off the chargers and hands Dhanishka hers as he pockets his, fixes his hair in some sort of habit, and then looks back to her as he grabs the handle of the door, "So, you can leave your stuff there until we leave."

"Sounds good to me." Dhanishka follows him out the door, her heels clicking on the tile on the hallway as they move down to where the carpet starts.

"Logan's gonna be there. That's fine with you?" Charles asks softly, glancing back over his shoulder at Dhanishka and watching as she gives a half hearted shrug.

"I probbaly wont even see him, this club is always packed." Dhanishka reasons. Especially with a private room, where she was sure some of the more introverted drivers would hide in whereas Dhanishka would spend most of her night at the bar. Or the dance floor.

"Are you sure?" Charles holds the elevator door open for Dhanishka, letting her step in before he presses the button down to lobby. As the doors shut, Dhanishka takes a step back to lean against the wall of the elevator and run her fingers along the edges of her hair.

"It's fine. I'm over it." Dhanishka's tone comes out more deflecting than she means for it to, as she looks herself up and down in the mirror of the doors in front of them. She's not afraid to admit that she looks good whether that's the alcohol or the confidence form her P3 talking she can't be sure.

"You cried over Logan this morning," Charles hums, thinking back to his intervention this monring, "but now you're saying you're over it?"

"One," Dhanishka counters, "I look hot."

This makes Charles laugh, shaking his head as she rolls his eyes.

"Two, I just got P3 in my first ever Formula 1 race." I am hot, sexy, breaking the Ferrari curse and beating my ex-boyfriend at the same time. Clearly I am winning in life." Dhanishka playfully does a z-snap at Charles as the doors to the elevator slide open and he has no time to rebute her claim as they make their way into the lobby.

Outside, tucked in the parking garage, was a Ferrari. One sent over by the team for Charles and Dhanishka. They'd only driven it from the airport to the hotel, and now to this club, with a driver from Ferrari too. IT felt like... too much luxury. Dhanishka was well off, sure, but her family had worked their assess off to get where they were. Dhanishka could remember the days of low money and her parents fighitng to get raises..

So now, it just feels like a waste, even when she understands safety is a high prioroity for her now.

But as Charles lets her in the back, she can't deny the new lap of luxury she finds herself in is quite nice. So she leans back with a content sigh, watching as Charles does the same and grins,

"Let's not get too fucked up," He chimes, "early flight tomorrow."

"Speak for yourself, bitch." Dhanishka grins, and Charles bursts into laughter.

dhanishkadubey made a new post!

liked by logansargeant, oscarpiastri, charlesleclerc, and 254k others...

dhanishkadubey: kicking off the start of a wonderful szn. much love to the tifosi 🏎️ ❤️ (📷: @ charlesleclerc)

charlesleclerc: ❤️

danielricciardo: this bitch drinks fireball like water.

-- dhanishkadubey: ur rlly exposing me like this danny :(?

user1: congrats on p3!!!

oscarpiastri: go dhanishka go !!

user2: tensions rising in the loscar fandom tn

maxverstappen: great start to your rookie year, dhanishka :)

anyadubey: YAAA THATS MY SEXY SISTER!!!

user3: actually in love w her.

When the two Ferrari drivers arrive at the club, the place is already going hard. Early 2000s music pulses from various speakers, the lights flashing to the beat of who Dhanishka thinks is Britney Spears mixed with that one song from Saltburn. It's Daniel who greets the two in the upstairs room, showing them where to leave their bags and jackets while Charles is escorted off to the side by Pierre and Max. Dhanishka spots Esteban and Lance chatting idly with Magnussen and some other racers. It's odd combinations tonight, as the grouping strays from the normal clumps of friends, but it means Dhanishka luckily find myself engrossed in a conversation with Alex and George maybe thirty minutes after getting inside.

The most normal pair of the night, other than Lando and Oscar miserably failing at some game in a corner of the club.

"I seriously thought you were gonna be much meaner!" George shouts over the pulsing music and Dhanishka laughs as he hands her a drink from the bartender. Taking a big sip, Dhanishka thanks the bartender, nodding at the sour taste she's expecting from the cocktail.

Catching George's eye, Dhanishka teases, "Do you want me to be?"

"God no," George waves a hand in her direction with a soft laugh, something playful and almost childlike gleaming in his eyes as he tilts his head, "Carmen's plenty mean to me."

"Oh stop!" Alex scoffs, whacking George's arm, "As if Carmen's little jabs equate to Lily's!"

"Didn't you literally call Lily the doll from Squid Game?" Dhanishka pipes up to ask, then pops her straw in her mouth and take a slow sip. Alex freezes as if he's been caught red handed, and George suppresses a giggle.

"Look..." Alex holds up a hand in defense but George and Dhanishka are laughing too hard to really hear whatever excuse he uses to defend his actions. The night is young and free, but across the bar Dhanishka can't help but catch a set of blue eyes.

Beer dribbles across Logans lips, and as if payback for the resturant, Logan lifts a thumb to slowly trace the remnants off his lip before grinning mischievously and turning back into the crowd with a drunken sway.

Even if he's gone, Dhanishka can feel his hands haunting along her skin--memories that refuse to die--even as she chugs the rest of her drink and orders another to calm her nerves.

"Okay, can I ask you a question, Dhanishka?" Alex asks when George leans on the bar next to him. Instinctually, Alex is leaning forward on the bar as Dhanishka settle in her seat. A now stronger version of her previous drink in hand. With a bit of hesitance, Dhanishka nods and Alex takes a pause to roll the question through his head. He takes a sip of his drink, swallows, and turns to ask, "If you wanna answer, what exactly happened with you and Logan? 'Cause he's been moping since you got announced to be racing with Ferrari and I might lose my mind if he doesn't knock it off."

"Oh god," Dhanishka says into her midori sour, taking the bitter drink into her mouth and swallowing it and setting my hand over the cup as she settles it in her lap. George leans over to look, head slightly tilted like a puppy as Alex quickly speaks up.

"If you don't wanna say anything, it's fine, but--"

"--No, no. It's fine Alex," She's quick to wave a hand, "uhm, Logan and I started dating when we were racing in Renault, but we'd been kinda... I guess flirty since the end of our formative years and into like secondary school. We were... I was fifteen, so he was seventeen or sixteen at the time? It was just like... puppy love, y'know? Pure and innocent, nothing too serious.

"And, we were both in love and it was nice. It really was nice. But, when that crash happened with Trident, I think something snapped in him. I... the breakup... it came from nowhere. I don't know if it was because he was mad, thinking I had something to do with it, or if he just... didn't know what to do and needed control after Trident took that P2 position from him? I don't know. We hadn't spoken since that day until last night."

"You talked to him last night?" Alex asks with slightly wide eyes, George's jaw dropping like a teenager, Dhanishka manages a shaky nod, taking another sip of the drink.

"We argued about it last night while waiting to leave." She sighs, rolling her shoulders as she pops the straw between her lips and takes a long slow sip, then she speaks, "He thought I had something to do with the crash, I told him I didn't, he asked me why I let him leave--which, Alex, feel free to tell him I think that's a dumb fucking question. I wasn't gonna force him to stay if he was unhappy, or if he didn't wanna date anymore. I'm not a monster."

"Wait, wait," George waves a hand to grab her attention and she turns to him with a soft hum, "So is he mad at you?"

"I don't know," Dhanishka finishes off the second drink, noticing both George and Alex are not even halfway down their first drinks. Oops. She can't find it in her to care, "I can't tell with him. I would completely understand if he was furious about everything, but none of it was my fault. I didn't even know Trident planned to crash into him!"

"I'm gonna try talking to him," Alex looks over at someone to the right of Dhanishka, towards where Logan had been earlier, and she doesn't even have to look to know he means Logan's there. Slowly, she shrugs. Alex takes that as his permission to slip off the stool, George hesitating to follow. Luckily, he lingers long enough to ask Dhanishka where she's going-- and escorts her up to the VIP room, to make sure she arrives fine, and then leaves Dhanishka to Daniel. There's a pause as he finishes his shot with Max, who grins at Dhanishka and gives her a side hug as she steps closer.

"You've had something to drink, right?" Daniel asks and Dhanishka nods. Max taking a 'chaser' of his gin and tonic shortly after as Lando and Charles come over form where Carlos has been attempting to teach the two darts.

"Join us for a couple drinks, y'know, for the race winner!" Danny drags Dhanishka away from Max giving her a loose side hug as Max tilts back his drink and finishes it off.

"Ay," Carlos whacks Max's back, nearly making the Dutch man choke on the last few drops of his drink, "She's the winner, not you."

The group laughs, moving through the room, and finding themselves in the back corner of one of the bars in the club. Throughout their time crowded there, drivers come and go. Oscar and Lily sit for an hour before leaving for the night, Alex and George staying for a long while before Alex goes off to find where Logan's playing pool with Lando. Eventually, Checo approaches, ordering every driver in the vicinity the strongest tequila he can find, and having them all take various numbers of shots.

As the night gets woozy, Dhanishka finishes up their tabs by ordering everyone soju shots with water glasses as chasers, standing up as she shouts over the music, "Here's to a good season ahead!"

The group cheers whilst tapping their glasses together, and to the nearest surface, before downing the sweet liquid. As the night in the club pulls to an unceremonious close, groups begins to clump together. Dhanishka ending up with Max, Charles, and Daniela round five when the club starts to close up. So much for her early flight.

"Danny!" She calls to the Australian, who turns in a full circle before realizing where she's standing. He nods, smiling as he loosely stumbles closer to Dhanishka doesn't have to shout.

"The bathrooms right there," She points to a hallway and Daniel nods, "Can you grab my stuff and I'll meet you guys by the door?"

"Yeah, just be quick! Text me if you need anything!" He squeezes Dhanishka's arm and turns to the fleeting call of Max. It doesn't take much effort for Dhanishka to control her swaying enough to make her way down the stairs with solid methodical steps.

She's far too drunk for this.

Her knee buckles on the last step, her hand flying out to catch herself before she plummets, and two hands shoot out to grab her by the ribs and yank her forward--crashing her against the strangers chest. The warm palms that cover her ribs are far too familiar, and Dhanishka steps back to profusely apologize and thank the stranger in the same breath. However, the sight of blue eyes draws the air out of her lungs involuntarily, her chest and cheeks burning red.

Dhanishka, somehow, swallows her pride enough to squeak out a small thank you.

Logan's eye twitches in frustration as his hands drop to his sides now that Dhanishka stands steady. He can't hide the bite in his voice as he says,, "Are you going to tell everyone about our break-up?"

"Alex and George asked, asshole." Dhanishka fires back, "And why does it matter? Everything was blasted online! If I said no, they'd probably just look it up, and I'd rather they got the truth."

"Or the lie that you had no part in it." Logan mutters, going to move past him, and Dhanishka cuts him off.

"Are you going to start a fucking fight everytime I see you?"

The hallway is quiet with tension Dhanishka feels suffocating her. She can't breathe, can't think. She definitely can't when Logan yanks her down the hall, pushing her into a darkened corner and boxing her in as some strangers pass by. They probably assume the two are flirting, giggling behind hands, soft compliments whispered between kisses, drunken smiles. If only they knew the look in Logan's eyes. Something dark. Something Dhanishka hasn't seen on his face before. She wants so badly to decipher it, but she'd lose the guide to Logan's emotions years ago, like the beads of her necklace that had fallen down the drain.

"You..." He scrambles to find the words, fists opening and closing in frustration as his eyes flicker up to Dhanishka, "You are some sort of sickness I can't get rid of--a fucking plague in my thoughts--always fucking there."

He's closer, chest blocking the light from the hall, his hand on her jaw forcing her face up as he grits his teeth, "And you look far too pretty when you're smug like this."

"You're quite cute when you're angry too, Sargeant." Dhanishka says, and his lips dip down--but pause. Ever the gentleman, he waits for a moment for Dhanishka. His hands coming to rest on her ribs like he'd just saved her again.

Her bangles clink when her arm lifts to wrap around his shoulders, pulling him down the rest of the way and into her lips. They fit together like a warm blanket on a cold day. Lips intertwined. As if sewn together, the kiss a perfect remedy to a broken heart. Logan's hands are solid, controlled against her body as he brings her closer until he can slide them down to rest across her lower back. Dhanishka arching into him between two, deep, slow, well timed kisses that send her mind tumbling back to nights hidden under the blankets on the couch--praying no one was awake as they tested the waters of simple teenage love. The kiss brings back Dhanishka's warm heart, sending it pounding in each other limbs, making her dizzy and weightless. She knows Logan feels it too, the unmistakable feeling of being right where you were supposed to be.

His lips tumble down her jaw, smearing lipstick against her neck, and the feeling makes Dhanishka gasp, her eyes flying open, "Logan--why are we doing this to ourselves?"

He steps back then, lips red from hers, a slight puff as he mumbles, "What are you talking about?"

"We shouldnt... this is all going to mean nothing tomorrow, you realize that, right?" Dhanishka swallows, "We're drunk and..."

"We're drunk, and I still love you." He whispers and Dhanishka feels tears pool in her eyes. She prays that, somehow, between the tequila and the soju she won't remember this in the morning.

"Don't say that." She whispers, and Logan nods, his words falling out with a warm breath that feels like a fire against her neck, "Can I show you it instead?"

Dhanishka nods. And it's the best, and worst decision she's ever made. His hands pull her back in, pressing her back against the wall with his chest holding her back. Her hands raise to curl into his hair, each kiss feeling like centuries worth of longing. Like falling in love, over and over again. He nips her bottom lip, using a knee to knock Dhanishka's legs apart to step between them. He leans in, presses just right to have a familiar, years long gone heat curling up Dhanishka's stomach.

"Lo, please." Dhanishka isn't even sure what shes asking. More? Less? She can't tell, but Logan isn't slowing down. The pulse of the club's last songs rumbles through the wall in vibrations that make Dhanishka's already spinning world practically buzz. The feeling, mixed with the way Logan's hands teasingly drift just enough lower as he drags her in once more, making sure she feels everything, has Dhanishka breaking the kiss with a whimper.

A few more kisses scatter across their time, and finally when the light headed feeling gets enough, Logan leans back but only enough to rest their foreheads together. He's stained with lipstick. Dhanishk a is sure she is too. 22R being the only thing linking them together. When she swallows, her mouth no longer tastes like tequila and soju, a lingering hint of whiskey and shitty bottled beer stains her tongue. It's everything she knows to run from, and yet, she finds she needs it more now than ever.

When their eyes met, Logan seems to sober. Sheepishly murmuring, "That was an accident."

The words Dhanishka had wanted him to say earlier, the sobering realization she had been hoping he'd have before crashing her lips into his, suddenly feels like a knife piercing her heart. She feels like he's carving her open, taking her heart into his hands like a toy.

"You started this." She whispers harshly, shoving Logan back. He stumbles, now looking up at her like a kicked puppy as she sneers, "You're the one who can't ignore me! I've spent so long blocking you out, why can't you just go away! You keep doing all these things, and they take me back--"

"Don't act like you didn't want that too!" He counters, "And don't pretend its only you suffering, Dhanishka! I'm suffering too! I miss you as much as I did the day you left."

"I didn't leave, you broke up with me!" Dhanishka wipes a hand futilely across her neck, as if scrubbing away the truth imbedded with teeth marks on her skin. She hates the tears that well in her eyes, "How is that my fucking fault?!"

"You knew!"

"Fuck off with that! I would never!" Dhanishka shoves Logan fully out of her way now. He hits the wall, stunned, before his hand darts out tog rab her wrist in a gentle hold--

"Isa, please." He begs, but whatever rebuttal he has is lost over the ringing in her ears over the nickname that used to make her giddy in his accent. She tears herself away with lightning speed as the lights in the club brighten, she turns to look at herself in the hall mirror and fix herself up.

"You don't get to call me that." She hisses, before rubbing at her neck until it's raw as she runs up the stairs away from her mistakes. Logan calls for her again, but she doesn't care, dipping through the crowd until she finds Danny and Max waiting by the doors. She doesn't say anything, just pushes herself out of the club, stumbling to where she sees Charles standing by the side of the building.

She feels so sick she just stumbles up and crashes into his chest in a shaky sob. Charles is quick to ask a million questions, but Dhanishka brushes each one off--she's tired, she's just not in it tonight, she wants to go home. It's almost like Charles' knows its somethign else, though he never says, he just holds Dhanishka to his chest as they wait for their ride with Max and Danny on the corner.

He doesn't say anything when Logan walks past them, calling goodnight with the floral scent of Dhanishka's perfume and the marks of her lips on his neck, clinging to him as he walks by without even a glance back.

f1

liked by logansargeant, mclarenracing, lancestroll, and others...

f1: Due to track limits, @ dhanishkadubey will receive a unique 'grid penalty' of five 'point places.' This penalty will only affect her points, dropping her to +10pts rather than+25pts. She will keep her title and trophy.

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[storyofmychoices]

A New Year to Remember

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC) with Malia Lahela, Book: Open Heart , Words: Insta Edit, Rating: General (all the fluff), Synopsis: The Lahelas celebrate NYE. A/N: This takes place NYE 2023 → 2024. 📸 Insta: thesecarbsdontcount , hollandroden (Olivia's FC)

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist] 

[aeriscallanga]

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I started rewatching “The Fosters” the other day.  I’d love to see Noah Centineo, Cierra Ramirez, and Maia Mitchel FCs on the dash.  Come check us out if you’re interested!