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myosotisa · 1 year ago

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Hmmm you know, I’m always down for that you’re in a new relationship, just been recently going out, and it’s that first time with a new partner. Can be awkward, can be fluffy, who knows? The world is your oyster. 😏🩷 also love you immensely

your brain is so big and i chose to make it funny. love you so much Luna!!!

3rd Times the Charm

ǁ summary: The 2 times you and Steve tried to have sex for the first time and the 1 time it actually happened.

ǁ tags: mentions of blood and injury (not graphic), mention of needles/stitches, fem!reader

ǁ word count: 1.5k

The first time you and Steve tried to ‘consummate’ your relationship did not go as intended. You’d planned it in advance – a nice dinner followed by a romantic and cheesy walk in the park. The ending was set for your place because you had a bigger bed and your roommate was supposed to be gone.

Key word: supposed to be.

The two of you had gotten distracted in the hallway. Steve had one hand on your hip, the other on your jaw, and was pressing you flat against the wall with his body as he sucked your lower lip into his mouth just to watch it pop back into place again. You both knew what the plan was and the anticipation to finally fuck your boyfriend of 3 months had been building the entire night.

If the denim erection pressing into your hip was any indicator, then Steve was just as excited as you were.

After some careful coaxing both by your breathless murmurs and your fingers twisting in his hair, you were able to convince him to let you go long enough for you to get your keys out and unlock the door. Although, you really only got halfway through doing so before he was pressing up against you from behind, wide palms settled on either hip, and his mouth teasing at the skin on the side of your neck.

The two of you stumbled into the apartment together, his arms wrapped tight around you as he used his foot to kick the door closed. It only took another scarce few moments before he had you pressed against another wall, this time with your back still to his front, and his hands wandering from the fronts of your upper thighs all the way up to cupping them under your tits. Each graze of his warm palms lit you aflame, forehead pressed to the drywall as you closed your eyes and tried to regain some composure despite Steve intentionally trying to drive you into a frenzy.

That was when the two of you heard the first sob.

As it turns out, the one night you and Steve had planned to have sex for the first time ended up being the very same night your roommate got dumped. The two of you peeked around the corner into the living room, fully disheveled and panting, to the sight of her curled into a ball on the couch. She was completely inconsolable and the moment she saw you, she was begging for a hug and someone to talk to.

There was nothing you could do to weasel your way out of this situation to go try to hook up – not when she was crying face down in your lap with Kelly Clarkson playing on the loudspeaker. And Steve, absolute god tier boyfriend that he is, ran his fingers through your hair to settle it, pressed a kiss to your temple, and shared an understanding smile with you before asking your roommate what kind of ice cream she wanted from the convenience store on the corner. He returned no more than 15 minutes later with a spread fit for a heartbroken young adult and with multiple RedBox DVDs that the 3 of you watched into the night before you all fell asleep on the couch in a mountain of blankets and pillows.

The second time you and Steve tried to “consummate” your relationship went even worse. The idea of ‘Sex sent me to the ER’ is all fun and games until it happens to you.

It was very spur of the moment at a party – one of your mutual friends had planned this huge celebration at their parents fancy lake house. The two of you had gotten suited and lotioned up, drove the hour out of town to the property, and spent the entire afternoon roasting in the sun on jet skis and getting thrown off inner tubes behind a speedboat.

You’d had your eyes on Steve for hours and you were completely unapologetic about it. He was wearing a pair of navy swim trunks, a white linen shirt that was fully unbuttoned to show off his chest hair and golden skin, a pair of aviators perched on his nose, and with his hair sunkissed and windblown.

He’d taken over driving the speedboat with a beer in his hand and the steering wheel in the other, gunning it across the lake and throwing people off their rafts into the water with absolute joy and taunting yells across the wide open spaces. It looked like he was born for this, like this was him in his element, and you had actually never been more attracted to him than you were under that May sunshine.

When the sun set, a bonfire was lit and the speakers came out. Snacks and drinks, alcohol and non, were flowing steadily as people alternated between sitting by the fire and talking, pushing each other into the lake or the pool, and a few people even started dancing down by the water. You were all sunburnt and lazy with the first heat of the summer, heavy and slow with relaxation. And honestly… Horny as hell.

The two of you had stumbled into a shed on the property with greedy hands on warm skin and in slowly drying hair. His mouth was ravenous as it trailed from your own to the salty span of your neck and down to suck bruises into the sensitive skin on your chest. He’d pulled back after a few minutes, chest heaving beneath his open shirt and pupils blown wide as he looked you over. Told you he wanted you more than anything but was worried about your first time being in a fucking shed. You, completely drunk on him and not caring about anything else, informed him you didn’t give a damn and you needed him inside you like yesterday.

The grin that lit up his face was brighter than the summer sun of the day.

It was all blooming feelings and barely contained moans until he knelt down to give you some well overdue attention between your thighs. He had trailed kisses down your stomach as he dropped down without looking before you heard him suddenly hiss out through his teeth at the same time something shifted beside you and he fell away. Still slightly dazed, it took you a few moments too long to realize he had fallen onto his ass and was gently cradling his shin because it was now quickly pouring blood.

He’d knelt down and sliced his calf on a gardening tool in the shed. A blade that, after pulling out a flashlight, you confirmed was covered in rust.

The two of you spent the next 4.5 hours in the emergency room – earning Steve a tetanus shot and 2 other injections as well as 10 stitches and a prescription for antibiotics. As soon as you both confirmed that he wasn’t going to lose his leg or something, you couldn’t help but laugh. The sun and fun had lightened your minds and made something like having to go to the ER because Steve tried to eat you out in a shed feel like a story to tell, and nothing worse than that.

While it probably could have happened sooner, you and Steve finally got your chance the day after Steve’s stitches were removed. He’d shown up to your apartment early on a Saturday with a packet of baked goods for breakfast and a cup of your favorite from the corner store. All completely unprompted and he insisted it was just because he wanted to do something nice for you after your week at work.

The two of you had a slow and comfortable breakfast on your balcony as the morning sun rose higher in the sky. The moment you were both finished eating, you’d wasted no time in climbing into his lap and making up for lost time.

It was slow and thorough; each of you taking your sweet time in learning what made the other tick and shiver. It was hours between your sheets in the late hours of the morning with all the time in the world to explore each other.

And, while it was well worth the wait, you certainly had a lot of time to make up for.

#steve harrington fluff #steve harrington hurt/comfort #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington blurb #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things fanfic #myos ideas #myo4harrington

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takemealivelh · 7 months ago

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heart is gonna flatline || l.h.

tour puts luke and lucy's feelings to the test. addiction to sex, alcohol and weed for when things get hard. SMUT.

this was so fun to write ! loved to participate in the @5sos-fic-fest this year. hope you enjoy this. here's the ao3 link.

7.1 k

FEEDBACK IS ENCOURAGED AND APPRECIATED

Prompt Au where the characters are both famous musicians with their own projects who have a well-documented public friendship. When they announce a tour together fans go crazy, as do the shippers. As the tour progresses, maybe the shippers are on to something…

Pop-rockers 5SOS and Latina indie-rocker Lucía Huerta announce tour together Last year, there were rumors about the frontman of the Australian band -Luke Hemmings, 27- and relatively new sensation Lucía "Lucy" Huerta, 28. They'd been caught leaving West Hollywood bars together, late at night, on numerous occasions. They put the speculation to a stop when in June 2023 Lucy uploaded an Instagram story of her and the blond having a drink. She tagged Hemmings and wrote "that's the homie", to which Luke replied in his own stories "that's me :)". They've been seen hanging out repeatedly since then, but it doesn't seem any more platonic than work friends. And speaking of work friends, 5 Seconds of Summer and Huerta just announced a 2024 tour that definitely excited fans, not just because of the vibrant shows they expect to see later in the year, but also because they want to see how the relationship of the two stars will develop during the four-month North American dates. Here at Music Getaway, we'll definitely keep a close eye on them.

"i'm not ready to tell them yet," lucy says to his boyfriend as she leaves the coffee cup on the kitchen counter next to them. they've been dating for eight months. it's been hard to hide their relationship from the press, and luke isn't too keen on the idea. he actually hates it. but he loves lucy. he loves that she's a talented musician, her laugh, her jokes and her business smarts. and he just can't enjoy this in peace, not with being so secretive.

"you've been saying that for months now. when are you gonna be okay with this? with us?" luke doesn't get it. why hide when they go out on dates and he can finally press a hand on her ass in public to stop the thirst traps people seem to tag her on. hoping to get a chance with her? fuck no. the blond wants her all to himself, he can't deny that.

lucy twists her lips, stalling. the smell of freshly brewed breakfast coffee dancing around them. "you don't understand." she finally says, reaching a hand to touch his arm for a few seconds. the thought of being out in the open with luke would change everything. "people will treat me differently. they might not respect me anymore."

"what are you talking about?"

"luke, come on. i got my own interview with kelly clarkson and then i played the iheartradio festival." they'd been incredible opportunities. "all of my hard work goes away the minute they know we're together. they'll say oh she was fucking the rockstar and he got her those big breaks. i don't want that. i don't want people to minimize my efforts."

luke sighs and shakes his head. "is that what's more important?" lucy shrugs. "okay," he finally says.

"okay?"

"yeah. it's fine. i get it. i won't bring it up again."

lucy throws her arms around his neck. "thank you," she whispers before kissing his lips softly. "i love you."

luke sits with ashton outside the rehearsal room. they've been playing for nearly two hours and they need a breather, especially because luke's mind is spinning. "i don't know, man. it sucks." they hear chattering on the other side of the door, a few guitar riffs and then laughter.

"of course it sucks, mate," ashton tells his friend. "she doesn't want to be in your shadow. it really fucking sucks and you better not fuck this up for her. you know how hard she's been working." he had grown fond of lucy. she was as much of a fan of drums as he was. he taught her a few fills and she invited him to do yoga and get high, ending up talking about how the unconscious force of creativity is beyond any of us. ashton doesn't want to see her heartbroken because of her boyfriend's, his best friend's inability to trust someone who really loves him.

luke's insecure, there's no question about that. after his marriage fell apart, he fell into a depression. and when he got better, he found this woman in the venue of the iheartradio festival, she was wearing cool sunglasses and stevie nicks-looking clothes. hippie goth he would've dared to say. they were watching the soundcheck of another band and started talking after she took out a cigarette from her backpack and asked him for a lighter.

"sorry, no. i don't smoke."

"that's okay," she smiled.

that was all she said before looking for -and eventually finding- a lighter in the outside pocket of her small backpack.

the man looked up at the sky, the sun shining bright and the warm air of the field. he squinted one eye and turned to her. "they sound pretty good," he said of the band that was talking onstage, between songs. she nodded her head. "do you know them?"

"not personally, no," she replied and blew smoke out in a thin line. "but i've been a fan of them for a while now. they're one of my favorite indie bands."

that got them talking, eventually introducing themselves and catching up later after each other’s set. there was chemistry and flirting. luke's band immediately caught up to what was happening, when he said he was gonna congratulate lucy and be right back. but he didn't and it took them a full while to find him, thirty minutes before they went up and played.

"you got a lighter?"

calum nods and lights the cigarette for her. the smoking area of the building being a small parking lot.

"thanks," she breathes out. "you out here on your own?"

the bassist nods. "it's a good place to think."

lucy smiles and rolls her eyes. “cheesy,” she says with a grin.

"where's loverboy?" he asks, a cheeky smile on his face. calum was the first one to see them kissing. it was an afterparty at his band photographer's place. he'd gone to the kitchen when everyone started leaving, eight in the morning. when he went back to the living room with a cup of coffee, he saw lucy snuggled up to luke, smiling at him. luke smiled back and leaned in to kiss her. "aren't you guys glued to the hip anymore?"

lucy chuckles, "i don't know. there's... a lot happening."

"i'm listening."

"uh... okay. so... we decided to not tell everyone yet that we're dating. Not even with the tour. and i think he's mad at me."

"why do you say that?"

"he's been more... distant. and i don't know if that's what i wanted but it feels like... payback. like, you banned us and now i'm gonna make sure you feel it type of thing."

"i'm sure it's not that."

a bitter chuckle leaves her lips. "helpful as usual, cal."

cincinatti, first stop of the you don't go to parties tour. lucy had laughed when they first told her the name of the tour, but she eventually grew to like it and even embrace it. it's 6 pm and her soundcheck just ended. security lets fans in for a q&a with 5sos. she walks over to her boyfriend and smiles at him, wanting to kiss him good luck, or maybe just because she loves him. but luke stops her before she can even tilt her head up to reach his lips.

"we can't now. remember?"

it leaves her heart sore. she stands still as luke enters the stage and is greeted with the cheering of the fans. the rest of the guys are already seated on the small stairs of the set. she watches him ignore her and the questions about her. michael replies to one of them by saying she's our friend and we care for her and we're pretty inspired by her work as well, so it seemed like a good idea to, like, join forces and do this tour together.

lucy hopes luke will acknowledge her at some point, but he doesn't. when they start playing talk fast for the few lucky seventy fans in the audience, she twists her lips and leaves, heading backstage.

he doesn't see her until she's onstage again, playing her set of amazing songs for the 16,000 people attending the show. they dance and scream the lyrics back to her. she plays her guitar and sings with her raspy grunge-style voice over the indie-pop-rock arrangements her backing band provides. his heart beats faster as she approaches the microphone and starts talking.

"and thank you to my friends in 5sos who have been kind enough to invite me to co-headline this tour. the you don't go to parties tour seemed a little odd to me at first because this is definitely a party, isn't it?" she smiles as the crowd cheers. "so thank you guys," lucy turns to the left of the stage and sees luke standing next to her guitar tech. "i really fucking love you."

because of technical issues, the band can't perform the whole setlist. sometimes it happens. ashton is always pissed. "they're missing the whole experience!"

"yeah, well. nothing we can do. venue told us we could do the whole hour and a half but because of the issue with the speakers, they can't last that long. you have to cut two songs."

the tour manager tries to hold this thing together as ashton and michael complain. calum offers suggestions.

"i guess we could lose um... we could lose babylon, right? just this once and... flatline maybe?" the bassist looks over at luke.

flatline is the one song they had never played live before and it’d be a surprise for the audience. especially because lucy would come onstage to sing it with them. play the rhythmic guitar while luke walks around, hyping up the crowd. they'd rehearsed it several times and she was excited about it. they both were. allegedly.

"sure," luke replies as he drinks a glass of tequila, setting it down on a table and making sure his guitar is properly tuned. "let's cut them."

michael and ashton look at each other and then at luke. the frontman shrugs and his friends tell the tour manager that they will cut babylon and flatline.

all of the musicians have separate rooms in the hotels. even luke and lucy. she'd insisted it'd be easier. luke hated it. and he didn't expect her to show up at his room, unannounced, with a frown on her forehead and breathing hard.

"you cut our song," she steps inside the white room with the white walls, white bed and white comforter. looking at luke, the woman crosses her arms.

"we had to," he simply states. as if he wasn't the one greenlighting the whole thing.

"you could've told me, though. i was looking stupid next to the stage, waiting for you to introduce me. and it never happened."

"is that all that matters to you? how you look in front of other people? we had to cut two songs, lucy. the surprise's gonna be even bigger in the next show. fans will appreciate that."

lucy twists her lips and walks straight past him towards the door. "you're an asshole," she says before closing it behind her.

the beginning of the flight to boston is awkward. the whole twelve -the bands and the crew- can sense the tension inside the plane. it stems from luke and lucy, obviously. when did everything get so uneasy?

twenty minutes into the duration of the flight, though, luke slides into the seat next to his girlfriend. she doesn't look at him.

"i should've told you."

"yeah, you should've."

her heart beats faster as he places a hand on her cheek, guiding her eyes towards his own. he looks inside the brown hues and decides he can't keep hurting her. but she hurt him first. he wants to grow up and let it go. it's proving to be harder than he thought. maturity hasn't caught up to him easily yet. "i'm sorry." she closes her eyes and luke leans in to kiss her. "i'm sorry," he repeats.

a hand on his wrist, lucy is sad. looking into his eyes makes her sad. "it's okay," she finally says.

"and now we've got a pretty special surprise for you," michael grins into the microphone as the whole venue screams. "it's time to invite lucy huerta back on stage!" he shouts with a smile.

luke thinks lucy looks so fucking edible in those tight pants and that see-through top. her smile is big as she waves to the audience and settles on the center of the stage, where luke usually is. he gets another microphone from one of the roadies before ashton counts to four with his hi-hat.

should've seen me like a year ago, year ago/i was someone you don't even know, even know/dark times kept me all alone, all alone/you were shining like a heart of gold, heart of gold

he steals glances at her as she smiles into the crowd that’s going wild, her acoustic guitar hanging from her shoulders.

luke was depressed after the divorce, staying home and drinking himself to sleep. then he got his shit together (half of it at least), went to the studio and worked through his issues by writing songs. when he met lucy, luke thought she was the most wonderful person on the planet. she had the kindest heart and was an overall joy to have around. he sings the pre-chorus and is taken aback by her strong voice as she takes over the song with her playing and her singing.

ooh, i'm falling for the first time/heart is gonna flatline/now i can't even look at you/you're like staring at the sunshine, burning into my mind/now i can't even look at you

and she doesn't. she doesn't look at him as she sings, unlike rehearsals when they couldn't stop singing to each other. it breaks his heart, considering it's their song. he wrote this for her.

"thank you!" lucy shouts and then leaves the stage waving everybody goodbye.

after the show, luke showed up to her hotel room. the bands were out clubbing and when he heard lucy wasn’t gonna join them, he immediately took an uber back to where they were staying.

“let me in, please,” he says after knocking on her door three times. when she finally appears, she’s wearing a towel around her body and another one around her hair. she looks tired. “can i come in?”

without saying a word, lucy steps aside and luke walks into her room. she closes the door behind her and approaches him.

“talk to me,” he basically begs. reading her mind is like an unsolvable sudoku, the man can’t get his head around it. “I love you.”

“i love you, too,” she whispers, looking down at his messy converse sneakers.

luke quickly grabs her face and kisses her. it’s passionate and arousing and she can feel herself melting under his touch. she knows they should actually talk about it, instead of making out and falling on the bed, her towels discarded somewhere on the floor. she can’t help it. they’re both sex addicts. lucy rips his thin black shirt open and kisses down his chest, leaving his skin wet with the droplets that run down her hair. his breathing grows heavier and his pants grow tighter in the crotch area. he closes his eyes as she trails the kisses back up to his face. “take it off,” she pleads and sits next to him. luke quickly reincorporates himself to toss his shirt, his slacks and his underwear out of the way. he’s big and pulsating and lucy swallows hard, he turns her on so much.

when the last item of clothing hits the floor, one of his shoes, the man licks his upper lip and straddles her body, hovering over her. “you really want me, huh?” his smirk is cocky, as if he’s forgotten everything about these past few days. it’s like nothing ever happened and they’re still in their love bubble. she so desperately wants to go back to it, so she nods and wraps her arms around his neck, bringing him to her lips as she parts her legs. luke hooks an elbow on her knee and spreads her wider, watching her folds throb for him. so slick and ready. he kisses her once more before carefully dropping her leg onto the bed. “condom,” he says. “i need to fuck you now.”

lucy reaches out to the bag she keeps on the nightstand. eyeliner, pills and condoms. she hands him one and it doesn’t take long before his cock is ready. luke smirks and kisses her, lining himself against her entrance with one hand, he takes a deep breath and penetrates her.

her gasp shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that it’s the same sound every time, not at all used to having him being so big and thick yet, even after all these months. she closes her eyes and bites her lower lip as luke runs a hand through his damp curls, letting her adjust to his size. he groans as he feels her walls engulfing him. “i want you so much,” he offers a low moan and starts picking up the pace of his thrusts. bringing one of her legs over his shoulder, the man reaches a deeper spot that makes her moan out.

“fuck,” she pants as the bed bounces underneath their bodies. luke’s strength and determination to fuck her stupid works. her eyes roll to the back and she digs her short nails into his naked back. “more,” she begs and is immediately met with a hand around her throat. “more,” her plead is inaudible as she feels like she can’t breathe from the pleasure.

luke’s pupils are dilated in a way she’s never seen before. he tightens her grip around her throat and around her leg. gulping down at the sight of his girl falling apart under him, he tries to restrain louder moans but how can he? how can he fuck her quietly when she looks and feels so fucking good? “say you’re mine,” he orders. “say you’re mine.”

the morning sun shines through the window and rests its light on lucy’s face. She scrunches her nose and opens her eyes. she’s lying on luke’s chest, they’re both naked. he doesn’t seem to notice her shifting. the woman looks up at him, wondering when things got so complicated. she loves him. she truly loves him. he’s the first man she’s ever loved, in a real way, not a platonic crush way. the fact that he makes her laugh and his skills when making music and also in bed are extraordinary. he’s a sensitive soul and it’s such a wonder when he lowers down the walls he builds up around people. letting them in but not all the way. not in the way he does with her. or did. “why can’t you trust me with your thoughts anymore?” lucy wonders in a soft whisper before pressing a kiss to his sternum and getting up. she goes to the bathroom and takes a shower. when she opens the door that leads to the bedroom, luke is up and scrolling through his phone. “hi,” she smiles softly. her boyfriend’s hair is a mess and there’s still sleep inside his eyes.

“hey,” the man smiles back, putting his phone away. “flight’s at 6. you wanna do something today?”

lucy leans against the frame of the bathroom door. she crosses her arms in front of her chest and thinks for a moment while twisting her lips. “what do you have in mind?”

they both go down in the elevator, not touching, and it’s killing them. when they reach the hotel’s diner, they find calum and ashton sitting at one of the tables, drinking orange juice and eating bagels.

“you guys had fun last night,” calum smirks as the couple sits down with a plate of waffles and two cups of coffee.

lucy blushes and luke has to stop every inch of his urgent body to wrap an arm around her shoulders. “shut up,” they both say in unison. there’s a soft smile on their faces.

after michael drops by to have a quick breakfast and then leaves to facetime his wife and his baby daughter, the rest of them decide that it would be cool to go out and explore the city. so they do that. they go to a park and sit around, smoking and drinking warm water because of the summer heat upon them. a couple of fans stumble across them and ask for pictures. they stay for around ten minutes before leaving off to continue their day, the musicians keep on enjoying the sun and the fresh air. if you ignore calum and lucy’s cigarettes, that is.

they go to lunch at a nearby restaurant and order pasta salads. lucy looks over at luke across the table, he’s laughing at one of ashton’s jokes and she sighs almost imperceptibly, looking down at her empty plate. there’s a single ravioli and two tomato slices on it. she looks up when she feels a foot against her ankle and sees luke smiling softly at her.

they can’t help but fuck in the restaurant’s bathroom. locked into a single stall, she drops to her knees and sucks him off. luke pins her against the door and buries his head on her neck to muffle the sounds when he slides into her. she’s got a leg wrapped around his waist and she swallows hard to hush the sounds she wants to make.

when they reach back the table, they find that ashton and calum have deserted them, leaving them with the bill. “assholes,” she says and luke laughs.

Seen out: Luke Hemmings and Lucía Huerta have an off day in Boston

The pair walked out of the Intercontinental Hotel with Ashton Irwin (5SOS’ drummer) and Calum Hood (5SOS’ bassist). They were seen by fans at Fenway Park and they took pictures with them. Luke looks tired in the photos, but he seems happy. He wears roughed-up sneakers and a white tank top. Lucy wears short denim shorts and a black top with flowy sleeves. The fans that tagged them in the Instagram posts spoke about how nice they were and how exciting it was to meet them. Hemmings and Huerta were both seen leaving Tenderoni’s Fenway restaurant and getting into an Uber. According to inside sources, the pair haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other during this tour so far. We hope it stays that way.

“fuck,” lucy’s frustration about the latest hollywood gossip blog post seems to go unnoticed on the plane. but luke can tell, and he wraps an arm around her the minute they both sit down. “they know. they seem to know,” she hands him her phone so he can read the writing piece. she hates it. she hates it so much. “inside sources can suck my dick.” this statement makes luke giggle. “what’s so funny?” she asks, annoyed.

“nothing.”

the next cities go by in a time whirlwind. lucy’s been distant since the article and it breaks luke’s heart. she refused to hold his hand and kiss him outside hotel rooms. even concerts’ backstages.

a few months after they met, they attended a house party in santa monica. the sparks between them were something everybody noticed, but they didn’t seem to think much of it. they’re rockstars, they’re the same age, of course they’re gonna flirt. luke fucked her in the spare bedroom, door locked. she gasped when she felt his cock for the first time, knowing he’d just made her addicted to it. he’d ruined every other man for her.

“we should head back downstairs.”

“i wanna stay here with you.”

“luke.” his name was rough against her lips as she hooked her bra back on.

“alright, i’m up.”

looking back, that should’ve been a red flag for him, but he chose to ignore it. because she made him feel good and he didn’t want her to leave him for somebody else. he didn’t want to be left again. he’d loved his ex-wife, and it was hard to get over her after she cheated on him. lucy had never been in a relationship, just random hookups, a friend with benefits and two weeks of winter love. she feared intimacy and luke could tell after the second time they had sex. spend the night, he’d said. lucy shook her head and told him she needed to get up early in the morning for an interview, which was a lie.

by the time the first month rolls around, they’re barely talking. It’s all sex and pretending onstage. pretending to have fun, pretending that they’re not hurt. their hearts break in silence. well, sort of.

“i told you not to fuck it up.”

“she won’t let me in. she won’t talk to me about it.”

“fix it.”

someone just like you, no one else/lights will guide you so, run like hell

the screaming fans can’t get enough of the energy onstage. michael jumping around, calum throwing his head back to expose his neck to the crowd, ashton beasting out on the drums. luke crouches in front of the crowd with a wide smile and lucy plays guitar while she sings her heart out. the lights radiate orange and red colors on the stage, the bass resonates in their bodies and there’s so much adrenaline going on that she has a moment of weakness. she looks over at luke, who has walked over to michael’s side of the stage as he sings the second verse. he wears a silver shirt that makes his shoulders look so spectacularly broad. she looks at him a little too long and when the camera pans over to her, showing her true feelings on the giant screen, fans seem to lose it even more. luke walks back to her and sings directly into her eyes, as if he can feel his way back to his girl. finally. a sad smile appears on her face for a split second before she starts dancing while playing the post-chorus instrumental outro. her long wavy hair hides her face and no one notices a single tear rolling down her cheek. when the song ends, she pretends to be emotional about the crowd, about how much they seem to love the show. which she is very grateful for. but on the other side of the coin, she just fucked up everything for herself. her career. and it’s clear when luke approaches her with a reassuring smile and one fan screams KISS! KISS! and then the whole venue is yelling the same word over and over again. michael and calum look at each other, ashton wipes off the sweat from his forehead and when the chanting doesn’t seem to stop, he grabs his mic.

“alright, alright. calm your asses down,” the drummer laughs and the crowd follows suit. a distraction. he starts talking about how they recorded the song and thanking lucy for putting on a fantastic show with them for the beautiful souls in the audience.

lucy twists her lips, trying not to break down in front of thousands of people. so, she just waves and quickly exits the stage. luke takes a deep breath. he wants to run after her, make sure she’s okay. but she would never forgive him for giving the fans more reasons to speculate about their relationship.

lucy cries backstage, alone. she takes off her makeup and sees dark circles underneath her eyes. why the fuck is she such a mess? why can’t she be in love like a normal person?

the show ends and the first person to knock on her dressing room is, obviously, luke. “are you okay?” he opens the door and sees his girlfriend lying on the sofa, sleeping. her makeup’s off and he can better appreciate the freckles on her nose that she gets in the summer. he stays with her, sitting on the chair in front of the mirror. the man looks at her as she wrinkles her nose in her sleep. he loves her so much. but what if this it? what if this is the end for them?

michael opens the door, “what’s going on? is she okay?”

“she’s okay,” luke smiles weakly. “she’s sleeping.”

lucy holds a pillow to her chest. she’s covered by luke’s jacket. michael decides he should probably leave them alone. “good luck, man,” he says as he pats luke’s shoulder, then he leaves the door closed after stepping back out.

luke could really use a joint right now. all these thoughts and feelings. wondering what she may be dreaming. or what she does with her days when they’re not together. he hates being so possessive, it makes him feel like a child. but how can you blame him?

“good luck with what?” lucy’s yawn startles him. she rubs one eye open.

michael meant well, but he also wanted to protect luke from heartbreak. lucy’s given him that for months now. all the guys -at least in the bands- knew lucy has a bit of… issues. she believes in things to be too black or white, good or bad, yes or no. no space for grey areas in her life. and that’s frustrating to deal with, but luke had fallen in love because she was so intense and so hardheaded when it came to defending her values. He admired that about her. “I honestly have no idea,” he lies behind a chuckle, playing it off as usual band nonsense. “do you wanna go back to the hotel and sleep?”

she’s too tired to get into an argument about taking separate cars, so she just nods. “Yeah.”

when they get to the hotel room, luke tucks her in and pours her a glass of water that he leaves on her nightstand. he looks for ibuprofen in her small bag with pills and condoms and sets two next to the water.

“i’m sorry for being such a bitch to you,” lucy says with her eyes closed, lying on her side.

she looks so out of it. as if she’d just drank an entire bottle of vodka and then smoked weed. he feels bad. he never meant for her to feel like this when they got into a relationship. but touring always makes things hard. especially if you’re playing shows every night with the person you love. the man sighs and sits next to her. “don’t worry about me. get some sleep,” he whispers and kisses her temple.

before he can stand up, lucy grabs his arm. “can you stay with me? please.”

a soft smile sets on his lips. “of course.”

after landing in the next city, lucy calls her mom.

there are three knocks on his hotel room door. “luke?” her voice is soft. as if she’s embarrassed. she doesn’t want her mother’s words to haunt her. the man opens the door without his shirt. just sweatpants. he was probably gonna go to bed. she might as well ruin his night too.

“hey.” there’s a small pause. “what’s up?” he steps aside so she can come in. the tv’s on in the background and there’s a tray with an empty plate and a glass of tequila, just resting on his nightstand.

lucy nods her head and walks inside. “i wanna talk.”

“okay…”

“about us.”

Love Is All Around: It’s Insta-Official

Two months ago, the You Don’t Go To Parties Tour hit the stage. And last night, Lucía Huerta and Luke Hemmings provided some much-needed proof of their romance. “Ten months with you feel like a second. Magic. I love you.”

lucy sighs as she reads the article.

“are you okay?” luke asks her.

“yeah,” she replies. “just… scared, i guess.”

“it’s gonna be okay, love,” he kisses the top of her head and sits next to her on the sofa. “everything’s gonna be alright.” the dressing room is big and no one else is around. it’s noon.

tons of notifications have been hitting their phones for the past fourteen hours. some are mean comments, others are encouraging words from fans. either way, it makes lucy anxious. “do you wanna get high?” she asks her boyfriend. maybe weed isn’t the solution to every problem ever, but it helps.

the man smiles. “sure,” he says.

they go to the private parking lot of the venue. luke rolls a joint while lucy smokes a cigarette. she flicks the ashes onto the concrete, fidgeting her fingers around the cancer stick. luke isn’t the biggest fan of her smoking. and she's been smoking more as the days go by. but he understands she’s going through a lot, so he says nothing. he gets a text from calum, wondering where he and his girlfriend are. we’re gonna have lunch, join us? but the blond dismisses the message and lights the joint. he takes two hits before handing it to lucy. she brings it immediately to her lips, the slightly spicy smoke going down her throat smoothly.

it’s so easy to talk to each other. sometimes. but their words have been stunted lately. they don’t know what the other’s thinking. and yes, last night they had a good conversation. but now what? does everything go back to normal now? how? they both feel anxious around each other, and that’s never ever happened before. they both hate it.

“what do you…”

“do you ever…”

they open their mouths simultaneously, quickly chuckling at the awkwardness of their interaction. lucy nods her head, letting him know that he can finish his thought.

luke smiles. “i was gonna ask you if you ever feel like… like things are going so good between us and suddenly we get so quiet and you worry? is that… is that something you feel?”

lucy smiles back. “yeah,” she says. “i don’t really know how to explain it. i mean, i love you. you know i really fucking love you, luke. but sometimes i worry we get too inside our heads. because i think we’re really similar like that. and i… i wanna be someone you can count on…”

“i want that too,” he replies. she hands him back the joint and he smokes some more.

“and sometimes i worry i’m not that someone you deserve,” she finally confesses.

it makes him sad to hear her say that, because there’s no better person for him than her. no one has made him feel this way before. the ups and downs seem to be heightened and it’s a beautiful way to live, he doesn’t want anyone else. there’s only room in his heart for this woman. this is the hardest he’s ever fallen in love, and he can’t imagine his life without her. a bit dramatic, but hey, that’s just who he is. “i don’t deserve anyone, lucy. i just want to be with you,” he says and takes her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. “all the time. every single fucking day.”

the woman looks down at their hands. matching red nail polish and silver-colored rings. this is scary. it’s scary to love and need someone so much that you feel like you’d die if they ever left you. please, don’t leave me. ever. lucy sighs and squeezes his hand in hers. “right back at ya,” she smiles softly and looks up to find his baby blues staring at her with so much love in them that she can’t help the weakness she feels in her knees.

the silence is barely uncomfortable anymore. unlike the ones they’ve been experiencing for countless weeks now. it’s all out in the open. their love for each other burning brighter than ever. neither want this moment to end. and since there’s only one way to stop time, they lean into each other and kiss. it’s soft at first, like a goodnight kiss. and it escalates quickly to an i-never-wanna-be-without-you one. she grabs fistfuls of his shirt, bringing him closer to her body. luke places both hands on her face as his tongue traces her bottom lip. their eyes are red and their hunger is raw.

they can’t get to his hotel room fast enough. fuck having lunch with friends, they need to satiate this urge so they can go on for the rest of the day. “i want you so bad,” she whines against his throat, leaving wet and sloppy kisses along his jawline. he’s already big and leaking with precum, grinding his hips against hers. unhooking her bra, luke immediately buries his head between her breasts and she whines again. those beautiful sounds he can’t get enough of.

“ride me, babe. i wanna see these titties bounce,” he whispers against her skin. hands gripping her hips. bulge so hard he feels like he’s gonna explode. they’re naked and he already has a condom wrapping his shaft. lucy bites her lower lip and lines him against her slit. he’s throbbing in her hand and that drives her insane. the moan he drags out as she strokes him is paradise. The filthiest love they’ve ever experienced. Both always wanting to fuck each other. It’s her waist, it’s his broad shoulders. The way they move on stage, wanting to look sexy for the other.

lucy sinks into his cock and lets out a whine, “fuuck.” his thick size feels so good. luke grabs her ass and spreads her cheeks open so he can penetrate her better.

“you like that?”

“yes.” her mouth hangs open and her eyes roll to the back of her head. luke has always thought of her as his pretty little pornstar. even before they started dating, the way she danced with him at the club. her back pressed to his body as his hands rested on her hips and stomach. both sweaty and a bit embarrassed when they went back to the booth with their friends.

the woman, as per requested, starts bouncing on his cock. titties moving up and down. “fuck, girl.”

“is it better to feel this or feel nothing at all?”

ever since the news got out about their relationship, lucy’s been a mess. interviewers can be assholes. they suddenly stopped asking about her music, her achievements. all they wanted to know about was her clothes and her boyfriend. like everything she worked for just disappeared in the blink of an eye.

she lays on her side on the hotel bed after playing a festival in latin america. luke spoons her, holding her close to his body. he doesn’t know what to say. he’s surprised by the outcome. hadn’t expected people to diminish her work, to ignore she just played the 6 pm slot, which is a hard spot to get. you need a lot of people to stay for the whole set. and she’d killed it.

“i don’t understand what happened,” luke sighs against her neck and squeezes her tighter. “i’m really sorry.”

lucy closes her eyes, feeling a bit less anxious with him. “it’s okay. the industry’s fucked up.”

“yeah,” he chuckles weakly. “it is.”

“so it’s true? you and luke are engaged?”

the questions about her relationship don’t seem to cease. even a year later. they go together to events and people seem to be more excited about them together than their work. it’s annoying, but what are you gonna do? “yeah, we are,” lucy smiles. “we’re also dropping a new song together next month.”

“ooh, tell us about it.”

lucy has become good at deflecting. luke taught her that.

“how was the interview?” luke asks after he greets his fianceé with a kiss and hands her a cup of coffee from her favorite shop.

“it was alright,” lucy shrugs. it’s definitely been a learning experience, dodging questions about her personal life. but luke has been so supportive and sweet throughout the whole thing. she’s grateful to marry her man in six months. “how was the recording session?” she asks as she sips the hot beverage.

the blond had written things throughout the tour. enough things to make an ep. “it was good,” he smiles softly.

the song luke and lucy release is a hit. a 90s-inspired track with her raspy vocals and his whiny ones make for an interesting texture that captures hearts everywhere. they play it on several shows, the crowds go insane every time.

a month later, lucy releases her second album. it's a hit. she's invited to play festivals and there are rumors of a grammy nomination.

"here's to my girl," luke smiles as he raises a glass of wine in front of her and their friends. "she showed the world she's a powerhouse, an amazing songwriter and performer. she's the best thing that's ever happened to me and i'm so proud of you." his gaze sets on lucy, who's blushing like crazy and smiling like an idiot. "i really fucking love you."

"right back at ya," the woman grins and stands up from the table to kiss her man. everyone cheers.

the night goes by fast. the celebration turns into a party in luke and lucy's new place in west hollywood. but the couple soon disappears into their shared bedroom. fucking until the sun comes up and their friends leave.

luke pants as his orgasm washes over him. "fuck," he breathes out, collapsing next to her on their bed.

"yeah," lucy chuckles. her body is sweaty and she wraps an arm around his torso as she snuggles up to him. looking up at his face, the man's glistening. he's the most beautiful man. he's got the biggest heart and he's never been jealous or threatened by her successes. she appreciates that. "wanna eat me out?" lucy smirks, her leg now over his, her wet pussy making contact with his thigh and she grinds into him.

"give me a second," luke lets out a soft laugh. "you really wore me out. my pretty slutty angel." he strokes her hair, hand soon trailing down to her ass. a small slap to it that makes her bite down on her lip. "okay, come on. legs spread, i'm diving in," he grins.

she does what she's told. opening her legs so luke can attach his lips to her swollen clit and start licking her folds. so sloppy. so fucking nasty. lucy groans as her breath hitches. "you're so good."

he smirks against her entrance before exploring her walls with his tongue. so fucking skilled.

grammy nominations announcement. luke and lucy's song gets one for song of the year. her album gets one for album of the year. they're ecstatic. it's all happening.

#5sosficfest2024 #luke hemmings #luke hemming fic #luke hemming smut #i absolutely loved writing this and feeling *pain*#lmfaoo

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hp-yuletide-bliss · 2 days ago

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Fest Dailies Prompts

Once bitten and twice shy | ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham

In the frosty air | ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ by Bobby Helms

When we finally kiss goodnight | ‘Let it snow’ by Frank Sinatra

There’s just one thing I need | ‘All I want for Christmas is you’ by Mariah Carey

Partridge in a pear tree | ‘12 days of Christmas’

The road is so long | ‘Happy Xmas (The war is over) by John Lennon

Have a cup of cheer | ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ by Michael Bublé

I’m gonna find that girl | ‘Snow is falling’ by Shakin Stevens

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire | ‘The Christmas Song’ by King Cole Trio

Dreaming of white Christmas | ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby

Don’t make me fall in love again | ‘Santa Tell Me’ by Ariana Grande

Stars are shining on us | ‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’ by Gwen Stefani

Tales of glories of Christmases | “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ by Andy Williams

You’re my kind of present | ‘My kind of present’ by Meghan Trainor

Blue memories start calling | ‘Blue Christmas’ by Elvis Presley

We’re happy tonight | ‘Winter Wonderland’ by Darlene Love

You’re coming home | ‘One More Sleep’ by Leona Lewis

Singin' how I always loved you | ‘Christmas Lights’ by Amy Shark

With a broomstick in his hand | ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by Perry Como

Holding me tight | ‘Underneath the tree’ by Kelly Clarkson

Where the love light gleams | ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ by Camila Cabello

I've grown a little leaner, grown a little colder | ‘We need a little Christmas’ by Pentatonix

Let your heart be light | “Have yourself a merry little Christmas’ by Frank Sinatra

Green ribbon in my hair | ‘Cheer’ by Bishop Briggs

It’s Christmas time | ‘Shake up Christmas’ by Train

✨✨✨✨✨✨

You'll find the fest rules here and the Ao3 Collection here.

#hp yuletide bliss #hp events #hp fests #december dailies

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askstevella · 4 months ago

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—Happy Birthday Cap! ☕️ | Steve Rogers Blurb

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OC, Steve Rogers x Estella Strange

Characters mentioned: The Avengers, Young Avengers, Sam & Bucky etc

~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

7:45 in the morning the alarm rang loud and clear. July 4th. His eyes fluttered open, taking a deep breath. A soft smile stayed on his face, and just he lay there in peace. It was silent from what he could imagine. He can only imagine how today could be going for him. He turned his face ready to meet the sleeping face of his beautiful wife.

She was and will always be the death of her. From her curly brown hair that would look crazy in the morning to her nose that would scrunch up when she’s just woken up. And his favorite thing being her smile. That her lips would always drop a kiss on his cheek, to reassure him and her that they’re alive. Not a ghost in their visions.

He was ready to wake up her up and hear her say—wait a minute? She’s not here! The man is always awake before her. He shot up from his shoulder to the bathroom trying to use super solider hearing to hear the shower. Nothing.

Steve zipped up his gray sweater that he was wearing, being shirtless underneath and stepped out of the bedroom. The boys were still asleep, all the kids were still asleep. The adults were asleep, expect from Natasha who was probably out with Yelena since they were hanging out last night. All the bathrooms doors on the other floors were empty, the labs were empty and so was the living room.

His last stop was the kitchen. Pop music playing. The second he step into the kitchen his nose was hit with the smell of coffee along with the high scent of warm brown bread from the toaster. His gaze fell onto the black puma sandals, shorts and stolen pjs that return from the other side of the kitchen floor, as a voice hummed.

He recognized that voice. She was singing a Kelly Clarkson song as the radio softly played in the background. His wife was dancing in place humming the lyrics as the bun on her head bounced. A few fallen curls from the bun sticking out, she would have looked crazy to the public eye. But to him, that was his same old beautiful wife, being herself.

She turned to him, finally acknowledging that he was in the room with a soft smile. She didn’t say a word at first, as she waved her little finger motions for him to move forwards into the kitchen.

“Good morning, my handsome sleepyhead.” She said with another soft smile, “Want some coffee?”

He nodded slowly, still a little stunned by all of this. She was awake at 7:45am?! She always slept on days like this. She made him a cup of his favorite strong coffee and handed it to him. Steve took a sip looking out towards the kitchen island.

But this thoughts were cut off by a kiss on the lips that were welcome by a ‘Happy Birthday, baby.’ He melted into her touch and stayed in her arms pressing a few soft kisses around her cheeks and one on her shoulder.

“What do you want to today?” She asked, sipping her own cup and hands him his breakfast for his morning run. She was planning on making pancakes later, after he returned home with Sam.

“How much coffee have you had?” He asked, taking a bite of toast as he took another sip.

“A few cups. I’ve been up since daylight. Sorta. I’ve been up since 4:45.”

“Why? Did you even sleep?”

“I will sleep during your morning run with Sam.”

“And, why?”

“Plans.”

Steve pressed, his wife shrugged.

“Honey.” He pressed again, “What are you up to this morning?”

“Nothing. Just a simple day for my wonderful man.” She replies with another shrug, “Now get dressed and do your usual morning routine while i go take a nap.”

“I—wait do i even get a chance to know why your up?”

“Again, reasons.”

“Honey, I’m not five. I don’t need a huge party to celebrate this holiday.”

“Who said anything about parties? I ain’t throwing a party, babe.”

“Honey.”

“I promise! You know I don’t do parties, that’s Tony’s thing.”

She walked away finishing up her breakfast with him. Honestly she enjoying the piece and quiet of the mornings, she rarely gets them or even sees them due to her husband being the early bird. But she decided why not? Wake up and surprise him with a light breakfast.

Plus it helped that she had plans for a small little gathering today and a drive in movie theater later tonight.

———-

That’s all folks! Let me know what u think 💭

WISH CAP A HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎉🎊🎁🎂🎈

Tags 🏷️ @rickb-chaos @purpleprincessonfyre @marvelsfavoriteuncle @therealdaydreamstark @ask-missparker @ask-starrk @askstevella @sci-fi-lexcon @luna-d-marsh @ethan-lensherr @wizzzardofoz z @thechoooooosenone @jackiequick @gcthvile @cherrysft @blueboirick @meiramel @elzabeth-stark @missstrawbs2001 @trulysummersprivate @yetanotherwells @gaminggirlsstuff @fluffystevefest

#ask the super spouses #askstevella #steve fluff #steve rogers x oc #stevella #steve rogers #steve rogers au #short blurb #happy birthday steve rogers #mcu x oc #fluffystevefest #steve rogers fanfiction #steverogersevents #steve rogers x reader #short ficlet

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hyenabeanz · 7 months ago

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Lol ah, there it is. The Walter Cup.

The whole woo hoo go women power fuck yeah thing feels good, but it's also always been clear it's first and foremost a marketing strategy. That's of course why they've had to vehemently bury the history of the PHF, NWHL, CWHL, etc. Because the branding doesn't work quite as well if you can't say it's the first pro women's league. It's HINGED on that.

Which fine, whatever, I sort of put my anger about that aside because if it makes the league succeed then that's important too because this is what we got and it needs to not fail and it is cool to see the sport finally getting hype and airtime. And the things like in game commentary and conversations around it got better at acknowledging past pro play, and the promos less aggressive about that part.

And then you go and name the trophy "BILLIONAIRE VANITY PROJECT CUP."

Asshats. You can't break the marketing to acknowledge women's hockey history, but you can do so to slap your own name on it?

F-.

I'm not crazy about the design either. It's not awful but it's also... meh. It doesn't look like a sports trophy. Tiffany and Co. feels again like a weird, billionaire vanity choice. (Edit: though apparently they've done a bunch of trophies so that is apparently not as weird as it feels. Still kind of eh about it.)

They were never going to have a trophy as perfect as the Izzy (the INSCRIPTION on that one <33333) and it was probably never gonna have anything as cool on it as the Clarkson (Sedna on a trophy was AWESOME) but man they could've done better.

#I hate it #I'll get over it but I hate it #I am laughing at the people saying “but it's for his wife and daughter too!”#Ok without looking it up what's their names?#Uh huh #PWHL #Woho #Hockey #Walter cup

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adoracora-elizabeth · 1 year ago

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Drabble - waking up next to you.

Thank you for the lovely people who reached out yesterday! Wrote a drabble as a thank you note.

Robert had woken up due to the scullery maid lighting up the fires. He rarely woke up from her, but this morning he had been in a light sleep. He kept still, so the girl would not notice, she woke him up. He did not want to embarrass her.

Once the fire was burning high again and the maid left to tend the rest of the fires in the house, he turned on his side. Cora was curled up, sleeping on her side of the bed, facing in his direction. Her hair had gotten loose and was draped over her face and pillow.

The soft light of the fire gave Cora an angelic look. She had a serene look on her face. Robert was relieved to see her finally in a peaceful state again. Since her treatment started, Cora has, had many restless nights. She rarely admitted that to him, but he could see it in her eyes. There was a deep exhausting visible.

It reminded him of the many broken nights when the girls were young. Cora had insisted on feeding the girls herself. Much to his mother’s disdain. It resulted in her being awake a lot during the night. Even though she did not sleep much, her exhaustion had been different. She did get so much in return, she had said repeatedly and he could see it in the smiles their little girls gave her when she entered the room. As soon as she picked them up or started talking to them, they settled down. He had never been surprised by that, because her voice had the same affect on him.

This exhaustion was much deeper as if her whole body was weighing down on her. Every inch of her body was tired. It was no wonder she was this exhausted, her body had to work hard to keep her going and the treatment was far from, a fun ride on the carousel.

It was Rosamund who got her to take it easier. Cora had kept going on and on, not taking it any slower. Not wanting to disappoint anybody. Who did she think she would disappoint? Robert had thought. She had been the strong countess, especially on the day of Violet’s funeral. And even the days after, when there were no house guests and Dr. Clarkson started her treatment, Cora insisted on going on in their normal rhythm. Robert had tried to get her to slow down. He had told her, it was alright to not come down before lunch. It was even alright when she would decide to only come down for tea.

One afternoon, Rosamund had been over. They were all sitting in the drawing room. Tom and Lucy were talking about the plans they had with the villa when out of nowhere Cora dropped her cup. Rosamund had been the first, to take action.

“Cora, we better go upstairs.” She had said in a firm voice and helped Cora get up from the sofa. Robert had been scared when he saw how unstable she was. He had told her dinner would be brought up to her.

From that afternoon on, she stayed upstairs most of the day. Not wasting energy by walking downstairs. Robert carried her down, as soon as the walls of her room closed in on her. He was glad Cora let him take care of her.

Cora stirred in her sleep, Robert looked at her face again. A curl rested on her cheek, it had lost its deep chestnut brown colour. He loved the shimmering parts of grey in her hair. Scooting closer, he carefully put the curl behind her ear, and before he pulled his hand back, he traced her jawline.

Her skin was as soft as the first time he touched her, almost 40 years ago. He could not resist and pressed his lips on her forehead. He could still smell her night crème, it had a soft flowery smell.

Robert moved his hand to Cora’s shoulder and upper arm. He brushed over the silky fabric of her nightdress, he would love to feel her skin. It was a long time ago, she had enough energy for him. He felt instantly guilty because Cora had never denied him anything before they went to France. And she had been sick already. She had shown so much strength. He could never be that strong, he thought.

Cora moved and the curl that he just tucked away, draped over her cheek again. He picked it up and twirled it around his finger. He loved these stolen moments, where Cora did not know he was looking at her. Studying every line on her face, every little movement of her eyebrows. His other hand rested on her pillow, just above her head.

He saw her mouth twitch and a soft smile appeared, but her eyes were still closed. He knew she was waking up, he could see a slight change in the tension in her jaw. Her hand moved and now rested against his chest.

He moved his hand that was resting on her pillow and buried it into her hair, softly massaging her scalp. Cora let out a deep sigh and nestled herself firmly against Robert’s body. His left arm wrapped around her and rested between her shoulder blades. He felt Cora angle her face up and her lips pressed against his chest. Right on the spot where his nightshirt fell open. A slight shiver went through his body. “Good morning” she murmured.

Robert pressed a kiss on the top of Cora’s head. “Good morning my love.”

Cora wiggled herself even closer to his body and he felt another deep sigh leave her body. One of her feet found its way between his calves, he loved that feeling. As if she was trying to become one with him. Her hand had found its way under his shirt, making sure she was connected with him. He admired her so much, how she found ways to stay intimate with him, even though she lacked the energy to truly be with him.

“How long have you been staring at me?” She asked.

Robert felt embarrassed, he did not realize she had noticed. He had done it so many times over the last weeks. Not only when she was sleeping, but every chance he got he studied her. As if he wanted to ingrain every memory of her in his mind.

“I am not going anywhere.” Cora said as if she had read his mind.

Robert pressed her even firmer against his chest. He knew Dr. Clarkson had said she was not going to die. Not yet, but he could not rest before she was truly better.

While her one hand stayed on his chest, she moved the other one up and touched his cheek. He felt how she pushed herself up, so her face was at the same level as his.

“I will get better. And I feel better already.” Her eyes met his and he did not see anything besides her love for him.

“Oh, darling.” His words caught in his throat. He used the exact same words that night in France. Another escaped curl rested on her forehead. He picked it up, twirled it around his finger before tucking it away.

“Do you think I should dye my hair?”

Robert was surprised by her question. “I love the silver linings in your hair. They represent all the silver linings you brought into my life.” He touched the wrinkles next to Cora’s eyes and mouth. “As do these beautiful lines. They tell me the story of our life together.”

He felt Cora chuckle. “You romantic fool.” She said softly, but with so much love in her voice.

“Only for you, my darling. Only for you.” Softly he pressed his lips on hers.

#cora crawley #robert crawley #downton abbey #fanfiction #downton #cobert #drabble #grey hair #wrinkles #unconditional love

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babygirlbenji · 2 years ago

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Cat's Christmas Cracker 2022!

It is officially my favourite time of year! To celebrate, I will be holding a Christmas Cracker of fics. Take a look below to see what I have got coming...

I’ll Be Home - Meghan Trainor (John Stones)

You're desperate to spend Christmas with your husband, but snow has hampered his progress in getting home in time for the big day.

Like It’s Christmas - Jonas Brothers (Ben Chilwell)

Your boyfriend makes every day feel like it's Christmas, and yet he still manages to make the holidays feel extra special.

Make It To Christmas - Alessia Cara (Pierre Gasly)

Your relationship has hit the rocks, and yet all you want is to spend Christmas with him.

Take Me Home for Christmas - Dan and Shay (Mason Mount)

Mason takes you to Portsmouth for a Christmas by the coast.

Happy New Year - ABBA (Ben Chilwell)

It certainly is a very happy new year when you accompany your boyfriend to a New Years' Eve match.

Puppies Are Forever - Sia (Pierre Gasly)

You've wanted a little furry friend ever since you were little, and what better day to surprise you than the most magical day of the year?

Real Love - Tom Odell (Marcus Rashford)

You have been waiting for someone to love and cherish you for all your life, and you've finally found someone that makes you feel exactly that.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Glee (Martin Ødegaard)

A heavy snowfall means you're stranded at the Emirates stadium with Martin and the other Arsenal boys.

Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson (Mason Mount)

You want nothing else but to see your boyfriend under the tree after a month apart at the World Cup.

Winter Wonderland - Michael Bublé (Ben Chilwell)

After hearing you talk non-stop about the famous Winter Wonderland in London, Ben surprises you with a visit to the festival.

Cold December Night - Michael Bublé (Martin Ødegaard)

It's a freezing December night, and all you want to do is go home and snuggle up on the sofa watching a hot chocolate. Martin, meanwhile, wants to stay out partying.

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee (Mason Mount)

Sometimes, all you need is a two-person party under the Christmas tree after hosting both families for Christmas lunch.

I am SO excited to start writing and posting these fics! They will be posted in no particular order, starting December 1st. Requests are currently OPEN for any and all Christmas fics that you would like me to write, in accordance with the rules on my pinned post.

I can't wait to get this started!

Merry Christmas!

#cat's christmas cracker 2022 #mason mount #martin odegaard #ben chilwell #marcus rashford #pierre gasly #john stones

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just-two-blokes · 1 year ago

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Comfortember day 17: Falling asleep on someone - A Thomas Barrow x Richard Ellis Ficlet

In search of a Fic idea I looked at the prompts of the last comfortember event for which I have also written some Thomas x Richard fics in the past. And I came across this prompt as well as an other one that I haven't written for and that I really like.

So here we are, my first Tumblr Fic after a long break. A little feel-good ficlet, that helped me process some feelings and emotions that are spinning in my head at the moment.

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When Thomas unlocks the door to their cottage that evening, Richard instinctively notices that something is wrong. Even though Thomas' waves off his concerned enquiry in an exhausted gesture and assures him several times that he is fine, Richard has known Thomas long enough to know when the butler is lying. Because if there is one thing Thomas Barrow is not good at, and Richard Ellis thinks Thomas really is good at just about anything, it is lying.

And incidentally, the dark and deep rings around his eyes and the tense posture with which he strides into the cottage also give him away.

But Richard also knows that Thomas can't stand being pushed and so Richard vamooses in the kitchen to prepare dinner, as well as Thomas' favourite dessert (dark chocolate cake).

Dinner is a rather depressing affair. Thomas' chews listlessly on his roast and Richard feels they are tiptoeing around an issue that will inevitably reveal itself sooner or later.

And finally, when Richard himself is almost finished eating, Thomas finally blurts out.

'This day… has been horrible.'

Richard raises his eyebrow and gives him an encouraging smile.

After a moment's hesitation, Thomas' continues.

'First Andy almost fell down the stairs and broke twenty plates of silverware. Well, better the crockery than Andy's bones, but Lady Mary wasn't too pleased about it.

Then Mrs Patmore spilt boiling water over her hand while cooking a stew and I had to ask Dr Clarkson to come in on an emergency basis. So in the end I had to help with the cooking myself, as Mrs Patmore was of course no longer fit for anything.

And Andy has asked for a day off, and I feel bad because I really can't give him that now. Not with all the chaos that's going on at the moment.'

Richard, who has been listening attentively the whole time, gives Thomas a sad look before he finally stands up, circles the table and takes Thomas in his arms.

Thomas lets himself fall into the embrace and snuggles close to the valet, while his eyes keep falling shut from exhaustion.

Encouragingly, Richard takes Thomas by the hand and leads him to their shared bedroom. Once there, Richard re-drapes the pillows on the bed and gestures Thomas to lie down.

'But', Thomas wants to reply, but Richard nips his protest in the bud.

'No arguments', a sly grin steals onto his face, 'You've earned a break'.

With these words he leaves Thomas standing in the small bedroom and disappears into the kitchen. Sighing, Thomas surrenders and drops onto the bed, exhausted. His field of vision is blurred and everything seems to spin around him.

After a few minutes, Richard reappears in the doorway with a fluffy woollen blanket, a large piece of chocolate cake and a steaming cup of tea. There is an affectionate smile on his face and he motions for Thomas to move a little to one side.

For a few seconds Thomas just stares at him, stunned and overwhelmed, until finally he hesitantly slides a little to the side and Richard drops down beside him on the bed. Then he holds out the tray with the tea and cake to Thomas and carefully spreads the blanket over their legs.

Thomas still looks completely perplexed until he finally finds his voice again with a brief clearing of his throat 'I… why…?'

Richard just smiles at him with that stubborn grin that drives Thomas crazy every time.

'Because you deserve a nice, quiet and cosy evening', Richard replies and gives him a gentle kiss on the forehead before fishing a small storybook from his bedside table and opening it.

'Good night story?'

Thomas' eyes light up and he nods mechanically.

Richard taps on his chest and Thomas lies down, resting his head on Richard's chest as Richard tells him the tale of the Seven Little Goats.

As Richard closes the book at the end of the story, he realises that he hasn't heard from Thomas for a while. Only the weight on his chest has grown heavier with each page read aloud, and when Richard finally puts the book down and looks at his chest, he realises that Thomas has probably long since drifted off into the realm of dreams, his head resting on Richard's chest, his arms crushed uncomfortably beneath him.

Richard gives Thomas an affectionate smile as he wipes a few dishevelled strands of hair from his forehead and finally manoeuvres him carefully from his chest onto the pillow.

Thomas turns onto his side in his sleep and smacks softly, eliciting an imperceptible giggle from Richard. Gently, Richard covers Thomas' sleeping body with the duvet and gives him a gentle kiss on the forehead.

Thomas mumbles something in his sleep and Richard rises with a smile to put the tray in the kitchen and get into bed as well.

The washing up can wait until tomorrow.

They have definitely done enough work today.

#thomas barrow #richard ellis #thomas barrow x richard ellis #downton abbey #my boys #barris #writer #fanfiction #writing is literally the only thing that keeps me saint rn

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mysmorgasbordoffantabulosa · 2 years ago

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It’s going to be interesting to see what kind of promotions TK will do with their albums. Or what ever it is that they’re going to release before enlistment. I think it’s clear that JK at least has slowly started his preparations after taking a break after the World Cup. Jimin seems to be doing things very traditionally, Hobi and Namjoon were much more selective (and maybe even more creative..) in what they did imo. I could see both TK being a bit more creative as well, we can already see it with Tae being heavily involved with his photo shoots and he did mention in his vlog that he already had several concept ideas etc. I also think that both will be able to do solo interviews etc. in group settings it’s easy to hide yourself behind the others when you know they’ll carry the burden if you can’t, but obviously they’re professionals and also probably want to finally speak for themselves fully.

I think JK will push back from doing the full out thing that HWSNBN has done. I'd imagine his might be a half-way house between that Hobi and RM's promo.

Not logically, it would make sense for JK to do Fallon, but I wonder if he'd be better doing Clarkson as it affords more creativity it's about the singing. I can also imagine JK getting the Award Show debut that BTS did for DNA and Dynamite, and the most likely of those for JK would be the MTV Music Awards in August, and possibly a festival like Lalapalosa.

Tae's I think will be smaller in scale, because I think his album is gonna be more a intimate affair. I think Tae is more likely to do a Tiny Desk type performance, but he is also more likely to do Fallon or even Colbert.

I also think both could maybe decide to do something outside the box and something no-one has even considered.

#my asks #taekook #jungkook #taehyung #jeon jungkook #kim taehyung

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gme-news · 2 years ago

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MAGSASAMA SA WORLD CUP: JORDAN CLARKSON, KAI SOTTO | PAANO NA SI JUSTIN BROWNLEE?

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#according to Coach Reyes #both Kai Sotto and Jordan Clarkson may be available to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming important event this August. Despite their b #even though it seems that Clarkson is on the right track due to his status as a player for the Utah Jazz. But Reyes praised Brownlee for his #gilas #he also cautioned that this does not necessarily mean they will immediately have a spot on the 12-man roster as it still depends on their re #if Jordan Clarkson joins the team as a local #it means Brownlee may still be able to play for the national team as only one naturalized player is allowed per FIBA rules. Brownlee played #it seems that Sotto is determined to make time to answer the call of duty. Clarkson&039;s readiness to play has also been talked about. An #jessica sojo #KAI SOTTO | PAANO NA SI JUSTIN BROWNLEE? The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has received some good news. According to sources from SP #kapuso mo #kmjs #MAGSASAMA SA WORLD CUP: JORDAN CLARKSON #nba #noypi alliance #pba #showing a significant impact and prompting many to say he is more suited for the team than NBA player Jordan Clarkson. However #the team has not yet made a final decision on who will be the naturalized player for the FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in the Philipp #tulfo #with Clarkson playing as a "local." Only one naturalized player is allowed in the FIBA tournament #Youtube

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princessfbi · 2 years ago

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Get to Know Me better

I can finally catch up on these!

Tagged by @buckleyobsessed

3 ships: Buddie, Enjolras/Grantaire, Bucky/Clint Barton

First ever ship: Arthur/Eames from Inception

Last song: Under the Mistletoe- Kelly Clarkson and Brett Eldredge

Last movie: It's about to be The Family Stone in a few minutes

Currently reading: Catching up on the fanfic shut up no I don't have 70 tabs open.

Currently watching: Scandal because of @buddie-buddie and I've been craving season one 911 so I'm sure I'll go back to that!

Currently consuming: Nothing right now because I haven't moved yet this morning.

Currently craving: God I want a cup of coffee and those jelly munchkins.

I'm going to tag @bigfootsmom @buddie-buddie @lovebuck @mellaithwen @homerforsure @renecdote @merriestdiaz @fleurdebeton

#tag game #buddie

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lindsaywesker · 2 years ago

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Good morning! I hope you slept well and feel rested? Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in my blue towelling robe, enjoying my first cuppa of the day. Welcome to the working week although, for those of you in the NHS, welcome to just another day!

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” This proverb is adapted from a line in the play ‘The Mourning Bride’ by William Congreve, an English author of the late 17th and early 18th century. Actually, I’ve discovered an even more profound fury. Step forward Messrs Morgan and Clarkson, two of saddest misogynists you will ever find. Their dislike of Meghan is so intense, it’s almost as if she rejected them! Have you ever been rejected? I have! It sucks but I don’t have any negative feelings towards the people involved. Rejection is a part of life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. These two men don’t just dislike her, they want to publicly humiliate her. They want to hurt her. If that’s not misogynism, I don’t know what it is. Again, we come back to the question: why are some men so intimidated and threatened by women? I suspect they are crippled by their own inadequacies.

At the Mi-Soul Christmas lunch, question mistress Janice Vee asked us for our same sex celebrity crush and was mystified as to why I don’t have one! Am I alone? Am I the only man that doesn’t have a celebrity man crush? If I had a celebrity man crush, wouldn’t I admit it? Me? The man that writes a confession every morning. No – God’s honest – I do not have a celebrity man crush.

For those of you that have got a punctured tyre thanks to a random nail or screw in the street, where do they come from? Serious question: where do they come from? Do they fall out of the back of workmen’s vans? Do they fall off cars and bikes? Or fall out of skips? I definitely feel that the council should sweep for blunt objects on the road. Punctured and/or flat tyres can be very dangerous (particularly on a dual carriageway or motorway!)

Yesterday was the 22nd anniversary of Kirsty MacColl’s death. On December 18th, 2000, she and her sons went diving at the Chankanaab reef, part of the National Marine Park of Cozumel, in a designated diving area that watercraft were restricted from entering. As the group was surfacing from a dive, a powerboat moving at high speed entered the restricted area. The powerboat involved in the collision was controlled by Guillermo González Nova, multimillionaire president of the Comercial Mexicana supermarket chain. He was never prosecuted and got an employee to take the blame. Rich people getting away with murder. Nothing changes.

Didn’t watch the final, don’t care about the tournament. We should erase that one from the record books. Somebody at FIFA received a lot of money from the Qatari government. Despite their human rights record, despite their intolerance of the gay community, the FIFA circus still rolled into town. Some of the refereeing decisions were very questionable but that was no surprise as the decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar was bloody strange. Bravo to the England team for continuing to take the knee!

Many thanks to everyone that listened to any part of the four-hour spectacular on Saturday afternoon, and many thanks to those that will listen to any part of it on Mixcloud. This coming Saturday: The Letter K (Pt. 4).

Have a marvellous and momentous Monday. I love you all.

#mixcloud #mi soul #dj #music #new blog #lockdown #coronavirus #books #weekend #democracy #brexit #cronyism #election #christmas

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thebryanandsilvergarbage · 10 months ago

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The 23rd Annual Bryan Awards - Programming Categories

Programming Categories

New Series: Andor (Disney Plus) Bad Sisters (Apple Plus) The Bear (Hulu) The Diplomat (Netflix) The House of the Dragon (HBO) Jury Duty (FreeVee) The Last of Us (HBO) Shrinking (Apple Plus) So Help Me Todd (CBS) Wednesday (Netflix)

Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC) Barry (HBO) The Bear (F/X) Jury Duty (FreeVee) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video) Only Murders In The Building (Hulu) Ted Lasso (Apple Plus) Wednesday (Netflix)

Drama Series: Better Call Saul (F/X) The Crown (Netflix) The Diplomat (Netflix) The House of the Dragon (HBO) The Last of Us (HBO) Succession (HBO) The White Lotus (HBO) Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Daytime Soap: The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)

Days of Our Lives (NBC & Peacock) General Hospital (ABC) The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Limited/Anthology Series: Beef (Netflix) Black Bird (Apple Plus) Fleishman In Trouble (Hulu) George & Tammy (Showtime) Welcome to Chippendale’s (Hulu) The White House Plumbers (HBO)

Made for Television Movie: A Christmas Story Christmas (HBO Max) Dolly Parton’s Magic Mountain Christmas (NBC) Fire Island (Hulu) Hocus Pocus 2 (Disney Plus) Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Roku)

Variety Scripted Series: A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO) Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Pre-Recorded Variety Special: Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Anniversary Celebration (ABC) Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love (NBC) The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS) Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter (ABC) Richard III: Great Performances (PBS) 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (HBO)

Live Special: The Apple Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Featuring Rihanna (FOX)

Elton John: Farewell from Dodger Stadium (Disney Plus) The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC) The Oscars (ABC) The 75th Annual Tony Awards (CBS) The Tournament of Roses Parade (ABC)

Daytime Talk Show: The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated) The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBC/Syndicated) Live with Kelly & Ryan/Mark (ABC/Syndicated) Today with Hoda and Jenna (NBC) Late Night Talk Show: The Daily Show (Comedy Central) Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Game Show: Family Feud (ABC/Syndicated) Jeopardy (ABC/Syndicated) Let’s Make A Deal (CBS) Password (NBC) The Price Is Right (CBS)

Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing Race (CBS) RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1) Survivor (CBS) Top Chef (Bravo) The Voice (NBC)

Traditional Reality Program: Antiques Roadshow (PBS) Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (Food Network) Love Is Blind (Netflix) Queer Eye (Netflix) Shark Tank (ABC) Welcome to Wrexham (F/X) Non-Fiction Series: FDR (History Channel) The Food That Built America (History Channel) The Origins of Hip-Hop (A&E) The 1619 Project (Hulu) 30 for 30 (ESPN)

Non-Fiction Program: Being Mary Tyler Moore (HBO) The Day The Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie (Paramount Plus) I Am My Brother’s Keeper (NBC) Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (Hulu) Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple Plus)

Animated Program: Archer (F/X) Big Mouth (Cartoon Network) Harley Quinn (Netflix) The Simpsons (FOX) South Park (Comedy Central)

Most Missed Series: Atlanta (F/X) Better Call Saul (AMC) Dr. Phil (Syndicated) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video) Succession (HBO)

Studio Sports Program: Big Noon Kickoff (FOX) College GameDay (ESPN) FIFA World Cup (FOX) Football Night in America (NBC) The Road to the Final Four (CBS/TBS/TNT/TruTV)

#bryanawards23

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dpinoycosmonaut · 1 year ago

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GILAS’ GOLD IN 19th ASIAN GAMES: ONE FOR THE AGES

by Bert A. Ramirez / October 8, 2023

Members of the Gilas Pilipinas team, which broke a 61-year gold-medal drought in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, join hands on the podium in a symbolic gesture that spoke of their solidarity after their historic triumph over Jordan. (Photo by Lee Jin-man of The Associated Press)

When last Friday’s 70-60 victory by the Philippines over Jordan in the men’s basketball finals of the 19th Asian Games is remembered, it will be regarded as historic, massive and epochal, and certainly one for the ages, literally and figuratively.

The Philippines, after all, had been without a gold medal in the Asian Games in its favorite sport since winning the first four editions of the event in 1951, 1954, 1958 and 1962, a period that spanned a good 61 years, or practically a lifetime for some people. The last Asiad championship in fact that the country won in 1962 in Jakarta, Indonesia still had the legendary Carlos Loyzaga, now a FIBA Hall of Famer, anchoring a team made up of some of the greatest names in local basketball history, including Narciso Bernardo, one of the greatest scorers in Asia during his prime, and such other mythical names as Alberto “Big Boy” Reynoso, Kurt Bachmann and Edgardo Roque.

The gold-medal drought had covered a total of 14, repeat, 14 Asian Games, and during this barren stretch that was endured by this basketball-crazy country, its roundball practitioners had accounted for just three podium finishes, including a bronze medal in 1986, a silver in 1990 and another bronze in 1998, when the country was celebrating its Independence Day centennial, while finishing as low as seventh in 2014 and missing the event altogether because of a suspension in 2006.

The enormity of the odds against the Filipinos’ winning another gold medal was particularly magnified by the fact that they had to hurdle a now-expanded field and much stronger competition that included defending champion China, which was playing in its home ground and which, despite a lopsided 96-75 defeat to Gilas Pilipinas last September in the last FIBA World Cup held in Manila, was aching for revenge and was, in fact, going great guns during this Games. And one should remember the Chinese have been the dominant basketball force in the Asian Games since arriving on the scene in 1974, having won the gold medal in eight of the 12 Asiads they have participated in from that time on.

What compounded matters for this Philippine team was what happened just before the Asiad, when the squad that was supposed to be anchored on the nucleus of Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup roster suffered a massive loss of personnel even without considering naturalized player Jordan Clarkson’s return to the US for the start of the NBA’s training camps. Can you imagine losing such guys as Dwight Ramos, A.J. Edu, Kai Sotto, Rhenz Abando, Roger Pogoy, Kiefer Ravena and Jamie Malonzo?

So basically the carryovers from that team that were called to carry the cudgels in the Hangzhou Asian Games a couple of weeks later were June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and C.J. Perez, and called to take the place of Ramos and company, most of whom had to return to their respective pro teams in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, were naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, Kevin Alas, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino and Chris Ross. And some of these players were just inserted at the last minute after original choices Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, Jason Perkins and Stanley Pringle were rejected by the Asiad organizers for supposedly not having been part of the original 37-man pool the Philippines submitted to them.

So this version of Gilas Pilipinas was practically a new one especially when one considers coach Tim Cone, who was tasked to take over Chot Reyes’ job as headman after Reyes resigned following the FIBA World Cup, hardly had a chance to work everybody out together with all the turnover of personnel that happened. Meanwhile, the rest of the field had the luxury of having been together for a long time, particularly China and Jordan, which turned out to be the Filipinos’ main rivals in the end.

The Filipinos give coach Tim Cone a victory ride to celebrate their landmark feat. (Photo by Lee Jin-man of The Associated Press)

Yes, Jordan. This was the same team that finished dead-last in the last FIBA World Cup but with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who powered Talk ‘N Text to the PBA Governors’ Cup title this year, had turned many heads around. True enough, when the disjointed Gilas team first met the Falcons in the group stage, it was blasted by 25 points 87-62.

This forced the Philippines to qualify for the quarterfinals through the back door, eventually doing that after blowing out Qatar 80-41.

But Gilas still seemed a bit far away from the podium at this point, especially after losing a 21-point lead against Iran in the quarterfinals and had to bank on Brownlee’s endgame heroics to pull off an 84-83 decision in the end. This was especially because they now had to play the reigning champion Chinese team in the semifinals.

Could this team overcome the home team that was humming at this point? It certainly looked it wouldn’t when Gilas spotted China a 20-point advantage early in their semis matchup. The Chinese, working like a well-oiled machine, shot 57 percent in the first half to race to a 48-30 lead. The Filipinos made some inroads in the third quarter, with Brownlee scoring 10 points to pare that deficit down to 62-50 going into the final period.

Still, the Chinese didn’t look like they were bound to capitulate, that was until Brownlee, showing the mettle of a transcendent star in the mold of the Loyzagas, Bernardos and Allan Caidics of the past, exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 of his game-high 33 points, including the last two three-pointers, the first of which cut the Chinese lead to 76-74 with 58.1 seconds left and the last giving the Filipinos a 77-76 edge with 23.3 ticks to go that stood until the end, as the Philippines broke through its biggest tormentor in the past five decades.

“Coach Tim (Cone), he told us before the game to be something special to win this game,” Brownlee said after the stirring comeback win that marked the first time the Philippines beat the Chinese two straight times after that FIBA World Cup blowout and sent them into a return match, this time for the gold medal itself, against Jordan, which blasted Chinese Taipei 90-71 in the other semis match.

In the finals against Hollis-Jefferson and the Jordanians, the Filipinos never allowed themselves to be headed early unlike in their first meeting, racing to a 28-15 lead early in the second quarter. But Jordan, with Hollis-Jefferson heating up, unloaded an 11-0 bomb to make it a nip-and-tuck battle, even taking the lead at 31-29 before Gilas tied it at the half at 31-all.

But with Newsome, Thompson and Oftana stepping up with the Jordanian defense focused on Brownlee, the Filipinos grabbed the lead for good at 40-37, closing out the third frame with a 14-4 blast to take a 51-41 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The Philippines never wavered in the payoff period, clamping down on the Jordanians on defense even as Kouame, who had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with five steals and two blocks, scored eight points in the last six minutes to help hold off the Falcons.

The Filipinos are shown here celebrating shortly after holding off Jordan 70-60 in the finals. (Photo by Lee Jin-man of The Associated Press)

It was Kouame, Newsome and Thompson who made the difference this time with Brownlee unable to take off with the Jordanian defense keying on him, no matter if Brownlee also had a double-double of his own with a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists and two steals. Newsome contributed 13 points while helping hold Jefferson to a miserable 8-of-29 shooting from the floor as the latter had to work hard for his 24 points that went with 12 rebounds and five assists. Thompson, meanwhile, chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists while serving as the primary ballhandler for the Filipinos.

“Our guys were just really disciplined tonight. It was just a good game by us tonight and they (Jordan) had an off shooting night,” Cone said shortly after Gilas’ historic, almost-fairytale-like victory. "I thought we just had a beautiful defensive performance led by Chris Newsome. He really handled their star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson really well. He was disciplined, he didn't give Jefferson much room to get to the rim, and that was what we were concerned tonight."

Cone, who is not usually given to blowing horns even during his greatest triumphs as the winningest coach in PBA history with 25 titles, said he knows what this breakthrough triumph means to a lot of Filipinos. "We know it means so much to everyone back home. We're passionate about our basketball. For us to be able to do that for our countrymen is such a huge thing and we can't wait to get home and share it with them," he said.

But he also said an Asiad gold medal for a Philippine basketball team had to happen sometime. “Had to be somebody, sometime. We’re just too good of a basketball nation not to win this thing,” he said.

The 65-year-old Cone, however, may still be downplaying a feat that means a lot more than a victory in an event where the country has faltered over most of the last six decades with the coming of China and Middle East teams into the Asiad fold and the general ascent in basketball culture among countries that the Filipinos used to beat.

“Witnessing our Gilas Pilipinas take back the Asian basketball throne was one of the monumental victories for Team Philippines here in Hangzhou,” Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, whose own father Kurt was a member of that 1962 Asian Games champion team, said. “My father, who was a part of the team that last won the gold at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, would be very proud of this Gilas squad, who showed resilience and team spirit.”

“It was awesome, unbelievable, unforgettable, which filled me with many precious moments,” PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, meanwhile, said. “We were happy with being No. 4. But when we beat China, it dawned on us that we could be No. 1, and there was no turning back after that.”

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino might have put it best when he said that Gilas Pilipinas’ gold-medal breakthrough after 61 years “is worth a thousand golds.

“Of course we have (gold medalists) EJ Obiena and Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez from jiu-jitsu and all our other athletes,” Tolentino said. “But that (gold in basketball) was worth a thousand golds. It’s God’s will. Our prayers were answered.”

Indeed, the Philippines might win the basketball gold again in future Asian Games, or it might not for however long it might take, but one thing is certain: This victory will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of every basketball-loving Filipino as it serves as a true benchmark. It’s one for the ages.

#basketball #gilas pilipinas #asian games

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