#he came back had an injury came back again scored some points

[rickybaby]

Tom: "It's been a shorter campaign for you. What are your take aways from 2023?"

Daniel: "Some metal in my hand 😄

When I look back on this year, it's a year I wouldn't have expected in so many ways. Obviously, I didn't expect to be racing at all, let alone kind of going through everything else. I'm definitely happy with the place I am. Inside my heart, ultimately, I'm in a really happy place and I'm happy being here, racing again. Just fully hungry and motivated. Yeah, it's the first off-season I wouldn't really want an off-season. I wanna keep racing, keep the flow going. But the thought of having a little of a break and getting mysself prepared for next year excites me."

[imaginaryf1shots]

Bad Feeling | Oscar Piastri

WC: 3.4K

Oscar x William!Driver!reader

Summery:(REQUESTED) You've had had a bad feeling all weekend.

Warning: car crash, injury

Masterlist

Oscar Masterlist

Being the first female to make it into Formula 1 wasn’t easy in the slightest. But you’ve worked your butt off to get where you are now. Thankfully coming onto the season, you weren't the only rookie. Not only did you come into the season with your closest rival in F2, but you came in with your boyfriend. Getting with Oscar was natural, you just gravitated to each other, in a way that opposites attract. You were so different but with common things that you could work together just fine.

Finishing your first season with Williams, you were able to score some points, helping Alex and team in the constructors. Your season didn’t go as well as Oscar’s but Williams were happy with you to sign a 2 year contract. Fans have come to love whenever you and Oscar interact. The yin to his yang. 

You both always arrive separately in the cars assigned to you by your teams, but you do go back to the hotel together whenever your schedules align. And maybe your teams and F1 as a hole have used your relationship as a promoting tool for the sport. You and Oscar don’t mind too much, and Mark did have a say on the matter and the limit to what the teams are allowed to do.

One moment that everyone just loves, is when Oscar won the F2 championship. You were right there P2, the moment you got out of your car, you ran up to him and jumped on him, he had a moment to wrap his arms around you to help hold you up. You were both wearing your helmets. But it didn’t matter, you were congratulating him over and over again, telling him how proud you are. Once he puts you back on your feet, he brings his head/helmet down to yours. In a way pressing his 'forehead' to yours. There hasn't been a time in F1 when you stood on the podium, but whenever you're walking through parc ferme and Oscar is as well, you always press your helmets together. So cameras do follow you around, always waiting to catch those moments.

You're not a person that's superstitious, but coming into this weekend you felt like something is wrong, something didn't set right with you. It felt like something big was going to happen this weekend.

"Why are you pouting?" Oscar asked from his spot on the edge of the bed he was slipping his socks on, you were doing your makeup on the hotel vanity.

"I don't know, I don't have a good feeling about this weekend." You admitted and turned to look at him, Oscar took your hands in his.

"Is it about the race? You did so well here last year." Oscar wanted to gauge the reason why you're feeling like that.

"No, l-uh, I don't know." You mumble and Oscar pulls you up in his arms and hugs you, wanting to provide you with comfort. "I can't explain it, there's no reason for me to feel like this, but I just do."

"Don't worry, Williams have been doing well, you've been amazing." Oscar whispered and kissed the side of your head a few times. "Just don't overthink it, I know you'll crush it this week."

"Thank you, Osc." You say pulling back just enough to kiss him quickly, your eyes landing on his shoulder. "You'll have to wear another shirt."

"What?" Pointing at where your makeup left its mark on his shoulder, you hadn't set your makeup yet.

You do have to admit that you love it when you have to do the panel together, they always make room for you to sit next to each other. Lewis asked you once if you’re okay with all those moves, and you told him yes, and your team along with Oscar’s taking care of you. This week was no different, you’re on the sofa with Oscar, Charles, Nico and Max.

You’re sitting next to Oscar on the edge of the sofa.

You both came in around the same time, as you waited for people to come you were just talking. Your voices were too low for the microphones to pick it up, but the cameras did pick up the looks you two shared. You were the one mainly talking and Oscar had this enamoured look on his face, like every word you said meant the world to him. 

Oscar said something that had you laughing out loud as Nico walked in and took his seat. He only smiled and shook his head slightly at the two of you. Nico sat on the other side of the sofa so Charles and Max sat in the middle. With Charles next to Oscar.

"How's my daughter in law?" Charles asked, referring to him 'adopting' Oscar just this week.

"Good, good." You roll with the joke and smile at Charles. "I can't believe you adopted Oscar and not me."

"I can adopt you too if you want." Charles said and you grimaced.

"No thank you, that would make Oscar my brother." You looked at Max who was half listening in. "Can you adopt me for the Dutch GP?"

"Sure, but you have to get on cat-sitting duties." Max tells you and you act as if you're thinking about it before nodding.

"Sounds like a plan to me." You lean over Oscar and meet Max's hand in front of Charles for a handshake.

"Looks like something is going on." The interviewer said, smiling at all of you.

"Yes, since we're in Monaco and Charles adopted Oscar, Max is adopting me for the Dutch Grand Prix." You say as if it's all very normal, making a few people around the room chuckle.

"Competitive even in adoption, we like to see it." The interviewer said and Oscar shook his head slightly, a smile on his face.

"Always"

You love Monaco, you did well here last year. Scoring in 10th position, so you were looking up to it this year. Hoping to improve wherever you scored last year and score where you didn't. Williams haven't been doing the best at the start of the season, but the upgrades are making a bit of a difference. And even though the times you and Alex were getting were promising, you still couldn't shake the feeling you got in the pit of your stomach. Everything was going well, no complaints from you about the car, the media went well. You were having fun, but in the back of your mind you just couldn't shake off the feeling that something was about to happen.

You managed to qualify in 13th, better than the team had hoped for. Oscar managed to score a P2 start, making it a 'Leclerc' front row, que all the memes.

"Arthur!" You call the Leclerc you're closest to, he was walking in the pitlane. Arthur smiled when he saw you, you hugged and walked together.

"How are you?" Arthur asked, you shrugged, your friend picked up on your mood instantly. "What? You're P13! That's great."

"I know, it's not that, I just haven't been feeling great."

"Are you sick?"

"No, no, nothing like that, it's just a feeling, like something is about to happen." You tell him and he hums.

"I'm sure it's just a feeling, everything has been going on well so far this weekend." Arthur tries to reassure you. "And Oscar is P2 with his dad... wait!" He stops walking and pulls you to a stop as well, his brows furrowed. "Does that make me your uncle?"

"You're an idiot." You say with a laugh and turn to continue walking.

"Hey! Don't talk to your uncle like that!" Arthur said a bit too loud, turning a few head and catching a few cameras' attention. "Young girl, don't walk away from me like that!"

You start speed walking, but Arthur does as well, you speed up until you're running. "Why are you following me?"

"We're family!"

"Doesn't mean you can be more annoying!"

"You talked to me first."

"I regret it!"

You both run down the pit lane, before you run into Williams Arthur follows you which you didn't expect, making you scream as he gets a hold of you.

"Nothing to see everyone, just a little family misunderstanding."

"Help." You say to your mechanics who just laugh and watch, Arthur is pulling/dragging you out of Williams. "You know me and Oscar aren't married, for us to be family, right?"

"Yet, you're not married yet." You pout and let him drag you out of the garage.

"Arthur, what are you doing to my girlfriend?" Oscar came out of nowhere and to the two of you. Youboth look at him, he's still in his race suit.

"She was disrespecting her uncle." Arthur said but lets go of you, Oscar is clearly amused. He can tell that your mood is better than it was this morning, he's grateful to Arthur.

"Come on you two." Oscar mumbled and like a parent pulled you away from each other, telling each of you what to do, and where to meet after.

Race day came, and the feeling you have been getting all weekend has subsided dramatically, you were in a good place mentally to race. Your mind is clearer than it has been all week. Oscar walked by your spot on his way to the front row, meaning his helmet was pressed to yours and a quick good luck was passed between the two of you, the action had fans screaming your names.

The formation lap went well and then... lights out and a way you go.

You speed down the track, with the two Hass cars behind you, you're focused on what's happening in front of you, when suddenly a Hass that's clearly hit something comes zooming past you, making you squeeze into the wall and then you're hit from behind, before you're spinning around, another Hass hits your car, making the car slide over the concrete hitting the wall a few times before finally coming to a stop. Red flag it out immediately.

Everything slowed down when your car was sliding and turning before everything went dark.

"y/n, are you okay?" Silence over the radio, both Nico and Kevin get out of their cars, marshals are already on track. "y/n, do you copy?" Silence. 

Everyone is holding their breath, there's no movement from your car, Alex is back in the garage, he's looking at the screens with headphones on, waiting to hear your voice.

Nico and Kevin go to your car when you don't get out.

"y/n, y/n!" Kevin quickly leans in and unbuckles you, they remove the padding from around your shoulder. "Should we pull her out?”

"The medical car is almost here." Nico said, and right as he said that, the medical car arrived, the medic runs to your car.

"Held me get her out." He told the German man, with Nico's help they moved you, making you groan.

Nico breathes out in relief, you're not dead.

"Fu-ck." You mumble, feeling your head pound, your sight is a bit blurry and you don't help them when they're moving you, but you're regaining consciousness.

"She's waking up." Nico says and it's heard by the Hass team, everyone breathes a sigh of relief, Williams is instantly informed.

Oscar in the McLaren garage is being held by his shoulders by Tom, so he wouldn't run to Williams. His face is pale and he looks more stressed than ever before. In that moment he showed more emotion than he's ever done before.

"She'll be okay, Oscar, calm down." Tom says, but he knows it's no point, Williams is just two garages down.

"Just let him go." Andrea said, Tom lets go of Oscar who runs down to Williams.

"Has she said anything?" Oscar asks Alex who's standing next to your engineer.

"Nico said she's walking up." Alex puts a comforting hand on Oscar's shoulder. "She's properly just in shock, this is the first real crash she's been into."

Oscar doesn't take his eyes from the screen showing Nico and the medic helping you back into the car.

"The car will go straight to the med bay." Your engineer informed Oscar. Oscar looks out of the garage and he sees Arthur running.

"Arthur!" Oscar calls from his friend.

"I'm going to the med-bay, I'll tell McLaren any updates I have." With a nod from Oscar, Arthur is running once again.

"Don't worry, she's strong." Alex says, but it looks like it was falling onto deaf ears, Oscar nods and walks out of the garage back to McLaren. There's still a bit of time before the track is cleaned, the Alpines also crashed into each other. Oscar now knew that this is what you were feeling all weekend. Oscar sits in the back of the garage, and the team makes sure the cameras don't catch him. It's not easy what he's going through. Mark makes it to Oscar at one point, trying to comfort him as much as he could. But no one here knows what it's like to see your significant other crash in one of the fastest cars in the world, and the car looks like it's been chewed up by a dog and then spat out. It's a wonder that you're still alive.

By the time Arthur reaches the med-bay you're already there, out of your helmet and your suite by your hips. You're awake.

"Oh thank god." Arthur almost collapses on the ground from running. You blink at him a few times before you smile.

"Hey!" Was all you said.

"Hey? That's what you have to say, my god, y/n, we're all so scared, you weren't moving or talking, everyone thought you died, and here you are smiling. Poor Oscar-Oscar! I've never seen him so pale, he's worried sick about you." Arthur rambles on and on.

"Thur please." You cut him off, your voice is tired, you're under some pain meds, while nothing is broken, you're bruised up pretty badly. Arthur stops and looks at you with wide eyes. "Can you call Osc, please?"

"Yeah, yeah sure, don't know if he'll answer though." Arthur takes out his phone and calls Oscar, handing you the phone. As you expected Oscar picks up the phone instantly. If you were in his position you'd have your phone as close to you or to anyone that would be able to answer and update you.

"Arthur? Is she okay?" You hear Oscar's voice, you've never heard him so scared before. Your heart clenches and as much as you tried to not cry before, just hearing his voice makes you want to just cry.

"Hey baby." You say, your voice wavering slightly, you don't want to upset him more that he already is.

"y/n, oh god, are you okay?" Oscar wants to ask you a million questions but he doesn't want to overwhelm you, he just wants to know if you're alright or not.

"Yeah, just shocked, but I'm okay, nothing broken or anything." You tell him, not saying anything about the possible concussion.

"Fuck, I want to be with you." Oscar mumbles into the phone and you can imagine him running a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Well you go win the race and I'll be waiting for you." You tell him, wanting nothing more than to have him with you, it's not an option. "I'm fine Oscar, really, you just focus on the race."

"Yeah." Was all he said, the line was quiet for a moment.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too, I'll win it for you."

"Yeah, you do that."

Oscar doesn't look happy when he gets back in the car, but he drives and gives the race his all. He didn't manage to win the race but he came in P2. Getting out of the car he went to his team.

"How's y/n?" Was the first thing out of his mouth.

"She's alright, she went to the hospital for further checkups but she's okay."

After the interviews and on his way to the cool-down room, away from the crowed and all the shouting, you were waiting for Oscar. Once Oscar saw you, he had you in his arms, one of his hands around your waist the other clutching your team shirt up your back. Your hands wrapped around his neck, you're both flush together. Neither wanting to let go of the other.

"I'm alright, I'm alright." You run a hand through his hair at the back, trying to reassure him that you're okay.

"I was so scared." Oscar choked out, he was trying not to cry, this just broke you, you're the crier in the relationship not him.

"I know, I'm sorry." You mumble and Oscar kisses your cheek feeling the few tears that escaped your eyes. He pulls back just to be able to see you.

"Don't apologise, it wasn't your fault." Oscar presses his forehead to yours.

"Oscar, the podium." Someone says hesitant, you both pull away.

"I'll wait for you." You told him and gave him a teary smile.

Oscar missed the cool-down room, everyone knew where he was and no one commented. He was the first off the podium to be back with you, before he had to be pulled away for the debrief and team photos. You went to the Williams debrief, even though you didn't have to. It was then that you saw what was left of your car.

"There's barely anything left." You say to the mechanic, feeling sad for you car.

"Yeah, thankfully we have a spare chassis," He tells you and you pat his back and go to be debriefed.

Your team greets you with hugs and questions about your well-being. Williams already released a statement about your condition.

"Oscar, any news about y/n?" Oscar was asked during the post-race interviews.

"Yes, she's well, nothing broken, just bruised up and required to rest for a few days." Oscar says and cameras click.

"Did you see her?"

"Yeah, after the race." That explained/confirmed why he wasn't in the cool-down room.

You and Oscar were leaving the track when Max caught up to the two of you.

“Hey, y/n, how are you?” The four time world champion asked you, you smiled up at him. 

“I’m alright, bruised and achy, but I’m okay, just need sleep.” you tell him.

“Good, glad you’re okay.” Max said and turned to Oscar. “Congrats mate.”

“Thanks, did for her.”Oscar said looking at you, your smile grew meeting his eyes.

“If you need anything before you fly out, just hit me up.” Max said with a pointed look. “I take care of my family, even though you’re not adopted yet, you’re an unofficial part of the VErstappen family.”

“Thank you, Max, really.” You go in for a hug, which Max returns, his arms barely apply any pressure on your body.

“No worries, I’ll see you guys later.” Max said, before you all said your goodbyes and you were out of the circuit. 

Since you and Oscar live in the UK, you were staying in a hotel, which he drove you to. There was no partying for the two of you for the day.

"I'll run you a bath." Oscars says and heads to the bathroom first thing, you lay on the bed, all you want to do right now is sleep. "You must be tired." He's back with you, sitting on the bed next to you.

"Yeah." Oscar leans over a pressed feather like kisses to your lips, he's more touchy than normal, wanting to make sure you're okay and here in his arms. You let him do what he wants, he helps you take off your clothes, and it's then he sees your skin. You're black and blue all over. On your ribs, hip, arm, legs. It's hard to find normal coloured skin.

"Don't feel anything." You tell him, seeing how he's taking you in. "I'll be on pain meds for a few days at least."

"Come on." Oscar helps you into the bathtub, he's not sure where to touch you, how to touch you. The warm water felt nice, your muscles relaxing.

"You're not joining me?" You ask and give him puppy dog eyes.

"I-I don't want to hurt you." Oscar admits, he thinks over using the loofa, but he's scared it'll hurt you more.

"You won't, come on." Pulling on his arms, Oscar sighs, he can never say no to you. He quickly undresses and slips in front of you. He takes on of your legs and starts massaging your feet, you lean back and enjoy your boyfriend dotting on you.

"Come on, y/n." Oscar says softly, you fell asleep, the water is colder now. You get out of the tub, and Oscar wraps you up in a towel. You quickly get dressed and under the covers. Oscar follows you, when he didn't move to cuddle you, you turned and reached out to him. Cuddling up to him, Oscar's arms laid around you lightly, you decided to let him be.

"I thought I lost you." Oscar whispered into the darkness, you're on the brink of sleep.

"You didn't." You mumble.

"I nearly did."

"But you did not, don't overthink it, we both knew what the stakes were coming into the sport." You tell him and kiss his chest where you head laid.

"I know, I love you."

"I know, I love you too, Osc”

Taglist: @gnatthefly . @mochimommy2002 . @llando4norris . @mrswolffs-blog . @barcelonaloverf1life . @c-losur3 . @xoscar03 . @schniti-is-in-the-house . @lottalove4evelyn . @eywas-heir . @glow-ish .

[wonderlandwalker]

Cherished Moments | Finnick Odair x Reader

THG Masterlist / Taglist / Inbox

Summary: Finnick is trying to get you to relax and, well, it works maybe a bit too much.

Content Warnings/Tags: Mostly fluff, small injury, lovesick Finnick, grumpy!reader x sunshine!Finnick, insinuations of violence, no use of y/n

Word Count: 1.2k

Requested by Anon: I love your writing!!! What do you think a grumpy reader × sunshine finnick would be like? Love the back cat gf golden retriever bf trope haha and I feel like finnick would be obsessed with someone who was mean to everyone BUT him! Feel free to ignore if you don't feel inspired, I'll read everything you write anyway!!

A/N: Can someone pls let me know if they actually manage to find the request after I've posted them I have no clue if these are getting through. Ngl this one was a struggle for me but once I found the right idea it came pouring out. Do they even have darts in the Hunger Games universe? Well, they do now. Keep sending me requests I genuinely love doing them!!

“Come on, I know you can do it! I’ve seen you throw knives, this is pretty much the same thing, only smaller.” Finnick was trying to encourage you, but you weren’t easy to win over. 

“I’m telling you, I can’t. This is just different. The darts are so much smaller and lighter, it throws me off balance.” You were at a party in District 13, well, calling it a party would be generous. 

“Just try. I’ll help you come on. I promise it’ll be fun.” He couldn't hide his smile at your antics, but he also knew if anyone was able to convince you, it was him.

“Fine, but if something goes wrong it's on you.” You looked him in the eyes, and could see a spark of light inside them, and you wouldn't admit it, not with all the other people in the room, but it warmed your heart a little.

“It’ll be fine, what’s the worst that could happen” He asked you, and you almost scoffed at the question.

“I could hit someone, and then everyone will hate me even more than they already do”

“They don't hate you, they just don't know you the way I do.” Whenever someone would ask him what he saw in you, he would always be dumbfounded. Sure, you had a hard exterior, but when someone has gone through as much in their life as you did, were you really to blame? No, he didn't understand the question, because, to him, you were perfect. Whether you were sulking at breakfast for having to leave the bed or smiling at him because they were serving your favourite dish for dinner, he would take anything you gave him. 

“Are you telling me that you, the victor of the 70th Hunger Games, are afraid of hurting someone with a tiny dart?” He was challenging you, and it was working.

“I'm not afraid, I just don't want anything to go wrong.” The way your voice softened around him made his heart beat faster for you and sometimes, he swore you knew and were doing it on purpose.

“You won’t, just throw it straight into the board.”

Finnick is standing behind you, grinning like he’s just won some sort of lottery while he guides your arm up for you, you can feel his breath on your neck before he whispers “Come on love, do it for me.” You’ve never been able to deny him, to your own annoyance at times, so you do as he says.

The dart flies through the air, and it doesn't hit the board, but it comes relatively close. So you throw a second dart and it hits the board, but you don’t manage to score any points just yet. As you throw another one, it manages to hit the board, but only for a little while before it falls to the floor. You throw your hands up in defeat before saying “See, told you I couldn't do it.” But Finnick hasn't given up, in you, he would never give up.

“That’s nonsense, you just have to try again, be patient.” He walks over to collect your darts and hands them back to you. He steps behind you again, guiding you into the right position before speaking.

“Just close your eyes, imagine you’re throwing them at Snow.” It makes you laugh and he can feel your muscles relax. He would always feel so proud of himself when he made you laugh, he didn't mind that you don't do it often, it would only feel like so much more of an achievement.

You do as he says, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath right before you throw the dart, hitting it right in the bullseye. You throw another, hitting the bullseye again. But you miss the board with the next one when Finnick leaves a small kiss on your shoulder, and your breath hitches. You can feel his body moving from behind you, and focus to throw another dart. It’s only when you hear an exclamation of pain coming from right in front of you that you snap open your eyes, you would recognize it anywhere. In front of you was Finnick, standing right next to the board with one of his hands clutched in the other, and when you take a closer look, you can see the dart that is stuck in the back of Finnick's hand.

“Fuck, I’m so sorry are you okay.” He would never tell you this, but he doesn't even mind that it happened, seeing you being sweet on him so openly, it makes him forget anything even happened in the first place.

“I'm fine sweetheart.” there is a strain in his voice, and he knows you can hear it too from the way your brows furrow in regret. You knew he wasn't trying to be tough for you, no, you had moved past that years ago. he was trying to not make you worry, it was something he would always do no matter how much pain he was in. But you were worried, because in contrast to all those other times, this time it was your fault that he was hurt. It never phased you much when someone would get shot, it never phased you much as you heard the canons each night in the arena signalling another death, not in the way it phased other people, but this, this broke you.

“Finnick you are not fine, there is a fucking dart inside your hand and it's my fault.”

“Well, most people don’t throw a fourth dart sweetheart." He says, and he chuckles a little, but you don't hear it in your state of worry.

“I am so sorry I-” You were choking up over your guilt, and while he loved getting to see your raw emotions, this one he didn't enjoy.

“Hey, no, I'm sorry too, don't get yourself worked up over this. It's just a dart, I will be fine. Why don’t you go get me a first aid kit?” He really was fine, and he could have gotten it himself, but he knew how much you would get in your own head when you didn't have anything to do in these kinds of situations. 

Once you come back and help patch him up, he looks up at you and you catch his gaze. A smile crosses his face in a way he knows his cheeks are going to hurt.

“Why are you smiling” you ask, confused at his glee in a situation like this.

“Because I know you care about me. You don’t always show it, and you don’t have to, because moments like these I’ll cherish forever.” His eyes are sparkling as he looks into yours, he swears he could just stand here and look at you for the rest of his life. 

“Oh, would you shut up already” you tell him while swatting his hand away from your face and rolling your eyes.

“You can’t tell me to shut up, you threw a dart into my hand.” He’s still grinning like an idiot, and it's infecting you. One of the corners of your mouth lifts up, and it's subtle, but he catches it, how could he not with how intently he is watching you. You’re back to your old dynamic, but he loves it just as much.

[emmylksblog]

BEYOND THE BENEFITS PT.2 // H.FORT

summary: Hector and you have been friends with benefits for some time now, but you begin to feel jealous when Hector starts spending time with other girls. But one night, at Marc's party everything takes a turn.

content: friends with benefits! , angst

warnings: physical fight but no injuries mentioned

words: 1115

The next day, Hector heads to football training with his Barcelona teammates. They all notice that he's in a particularly sullen mood. Usually, he's the life of the party, but today, he's quietly seething. Because of one girl, the girl he has known for years but only came to discover his feelings for her recently.

Marc, trying to keep things normal, approaches him like he usually does, but Hector gives him the cold shoulder, avoiding eye contact. The tension between the two best friends is palpable.

During a practice match, Hector and Marc's tension reaches a boiling point, and it all explodes in the form of a physical altercation. Hector starts by pushing Marc a bit too hard, and Marc retaliates, the two of them trading blows.

Lamine, noticing the escalating fight, rushes over to separate them. He yells, his voice breaking through the chaos, "Hey, hey! Stop it! ¡¿Qué os pasa?!" ("What are you guys doing?!")

Lamine physically pulls Hector and Marc apart, holding them back from each other. They're both panting and seething, glaring at each other with a mix of anger and frustration.

The rest of the team stands by, surprised and shocked by the sudden clash between their teammates who were known for their tight bond. Some players exchange worried glances, while others try to appear unaffected by the tension.

The coach is furious seeing his players engage in a physical altercation on the field, and he immediately pulls them both aside.

"What the hell were you two thinking?" he scolds them. "You're supposed to be teammates, not enemies. You're acting like children. Both of you, on the bench!"

The coach gestures towards the bench, his stern gaze fixed on Hector and Marc, making it clear that they are not to rejoin the game until they've sorted out their issues.

Once they're seated on the bench, Hector slumps down, his shoulders slumped and his head hung low. The weight of his regrets and mistakes seem to crush him as he breaks down and apologizes to Marc.

"I'm sorry," he says, his voice hoarse. "You deserve her more. You should be the one she's with."

Marc is taken aback by Hector's sudden confession, but he quickly catches himself. He shakes his head, a mixture of amusement and disbelief in his eyes.

"Soy amigo de un idiota," ("My friend is a dummy,") Marc retorts, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You couldn't be more wrong. She's in love with you, you fool. You're the one she's been pining over this whole time."

Hector looks up at Marc, disbelief written all over his face. "Pero que estás diciendo?" ("What are you talking about?") he asks incredulously. "She would never... I mean, she and I... we're just..."

Marc rolls his eyes, exasperated with his friend's obliviousness. "Yes, you two are just 'friends with benefits,' but that's because you never had the guts to tell her how you really feel. She's been crazy about you for ages, and you've been too dense to notice."

As Marc sees that his friend has lost all hopes of gaining your trust again a plan forms in his mind. He turns to Hector, a glint in his eye.

"Alright, listen up," he says. "Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to convince her to come to the match today, and then, when you score a goal, you're going to dedicate it to her in a way that she can't mistake it for anything other than a confession."

"Thank you Marc, I think that was the easiest plan you could come up with" Hector said his voice leased with sarcasm.

You had reluctantly agreed to come to your friends' football match, primarily for Marc's sake and to stay away from Hector, but guess what? Number 32 was playing too.

The match had commenced, but each time your eyes caught sight of Hector on the field, a flutter of emotions stirred within you, painful reminders of the complicated feelings between you both.

Just as you were about to stand and leave, unable to bear the sight of him, Hector scored a goal. Without hesitation, he ran towards the stands where you were, heading directly towards you.

You stood frozen, torn between the desire to escape and the overwhelming presence of his gaze fixed upon you. He stopped right in front of you, his chest heaving as he caught his breath from the run. His eyes searched your face, filled with an intensity that left you breathless.

Hector stood there, captivated by your presence, barely acknowledging the fact that he had just left the field mid-game. Instead, his focus was entirely on you as you started to ramble nervously about his unexpected action.

But as the words spilled from your lips, he didn't appear to be listening to the words themselves. His eyes were fixed on you, completely mesmerized by the sight of you before him.

He couldn't hold back any longer. The pent-up emotions and longing took over as he passionately pulled you towards him and kissed you. Right there in front of everyone, he poured his feelings into the kiss. It was more than just a declaration of affection; it was a confession of how deep his love ran, how his feelings for you surpassed anything you could have imagined.

He longed to communicate all this through the kiss, to make you understand that you meant so much more to him than you ever thought possible.

As he kissed you, everything else melted away, and all that mattered was the connection between the two of you. The field, the crowd, the game—none of it existed at this moment. All that mattered was the intensity of the emotions and the depth of his feelings for you, which he expressed through every movement of his lips against yours.

You break the kiss, your heart racing from the intensity of the moment, but also knowing that the match is still ongoing. As you gently remind him of this, he leans in and dodges your face to be close to your ear.

"I love you," he confesses and swiftly leans out.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he quickly pecked you on the lips before dashing back onto the field, leaving you stunned by his boldness. However, the sight of him receiving a yellow card while grinning like a fool caused you to burst into laughter.

Hector, in the end, realized that his feelings for you ran deeper than anything he had ever known. The boundaries that had once seemed to define your relationship blurred until they faded away entirely, replaced by a love that embraced both of your personas. He loved you beyond the benefits.

[luvkyu]

hii can you please make a enemies to lovers jaemin fluff?i would really appreciate it 😔

ego ( na jaemin )

jaemin x male!reader

after jaemin gets hurt in a fight, someone unexpected takes care of him

content : 1.7k words, angstish to fluff, university!au, mentions of fighting and blood, egotistical jaem

( a/n ) just finished this so sorry if it's rough !!

y/n sighed. he looked around impatiently after knocking on the door of his friend's dorm room. donghyuck had called him earlier in a panic, concerned about his roommate who came home after apparently getting into a fight off campus. y/n wasn't surprised when he first heard this. donghyuck's roommate, jaemin, was not exactly a nice person. at least not in y/n's opinion.

donghyuck opened the door in a hurry before pulling his friend inside.

"oh my god, thank you for coming so late at night."

"i still don't see why you can't just take care of him," y/n complained.

"i don't like blood. or violence." donghyuck handed him a first aid kit and pushed him toward jaemin's room.

"i better be getting paid for this," y/n muttered. he carefully made his way into the bedroom to see jaemin holding an ice pack against his head. y/n sighed again. jaemin didn't look nearly as bad as donghyuck described on the phone. just some bruises and a couple cuts on his face.

"what are you doing here?" jaemin questioned as he lowered the ice pack. he sounded more rude than he intended, which made some guilt flood his chest, especially when y/n didn't answer. but, of course, he definitely wouldn't let y/n know that.

jaemin watched y/n sit down on his bed and open the first aid kit, setting out some of the supplies before looking up at him. jaemin felt himself instantly tense up when y/n examined his face. his injuries were nowhere near serious, but it'd be safest to go ahead and clean him up so he could heal well.

"you didn't have to come," jaemin said. he tried to sit up a bit, but ended up sinking back into his pillows because of the bruises he'd earned.

"well i did." y/n's voice was sharp, short from irritation.

"but you hate me."

"correct."

"but you're helping me anyway?"

"correct again. good to know you haven't lost any braincells up there."

jaemin rolled his eyes and turned his head to look out of the window, annoyed. he winced after trying to take a large inhale.

"where does it hurt?" y/n asked.

"i'll be fine, you can go."

"jaemin."

jaemin's eyes flickered over to y/n, whose face was blank as he waited for jaemin's answer. he didn't know how y/n managed to scare him, but he did nonetheless.

"..my side," he finally responded. y/n watched as the male's hand went to clutch around his ribs.

"i'm gonna lift your shirt a little, okay?"

jaemin nodded. "i knew you always wanted to see me shirtless."

y/n stopped, giving him another blank stare in disapproval. jaemin gulped.

y/n resumed lifting his shirt to begin inspecting around his torso. he could see a large bruise purpling around the bottom of his ribcage. other than this, his skin was flawless. soft and tanned beautifully. y/n quickly avoided staring any further at his skin and abs.

"how'd you even do this?" y/n's fingers drifted cautiously over the growing bruise. jaemin shivered at the chill from his touch, although he almost thought he might've liked it.

"fighting."

"like, fist fighting? ..why?"

"hyuck's ex has been bothering him."

y/n looked up to meet jaemin's eyes. "so you fought him?"

"fucker was coming around here too much. it was annoying for both me and hyuck. i didn't plan on fighting him, i just wanted to tell him to stop. the fight just happened."

y/n stayed quiet. that was somewhat acceptable, he supposed.

"i still won though," jaemin added quickly as if anyone was keeping score.

"well, he also landed some points on you didn't he?" y/n countered, gesturing to the cut on his eyebrow and his slightly busted lip. jaemin didn't reply this time. y/n smiled to himself. he liked when jaemin's ego took a hit.

y/n lowered his shirt back down gently. "your side should be fine. it'll probably keep bruising a little and the color might change. just don't do anything too strenuous and it'll heal."

"what about working out??"

y/n returned his attention back to the first aid kit, preparing to clean up the cuts on jaemin's face. "your call, i guess," he answered.

jaemin groaned. he hoped his trips to the gym could continue as usual, but he wasn't so sure with how little he could move.

"now let me look at these," y/n's voice sounded through jaemin's thoughts. he leaned closer to the male's face and took his chin gently. tilting his head to see better in the light, y/n looked over the slit in his eyebrow.

jaemin swallowed hard. his eyes skimmed over y/n's face. they'd never been this close before. his heart was racing and he couldn't seem to look anywhere else. he was beginning to realize just how attracted to y/n he was. y/n, who had always just been donghyuck's quiet and slightly rude best friend, but now all jaemin really wanted to do was kiss him.

"don't get in another fight. i don't wanna have to patch you up again," y/n said suddenly. jaemin hadn't even noticed that he was already cleaning the small wound on his eyebrow.

"maybe i should get in a fight every week just to see you."

y/n froze. he couldn't have heard that correctly.

"are you flirting with me?"

"maybe," jaemin replied quickly. y/n scowled at his confidence.

"well you can forget it. i'm not flirting back."

"why?"

"cause you're-.." y/n froze again for a moment, resulting in jaemin's unscathed eyebrow twitching upwards in intrigue.

"i'm..?" he urged.

y/n found himself looking directly at jaemin now. his view drifted over the male's lips for just a second before shaking his head and returning to his cut brow.

"a jerk," y/n finally finished.

it was quiet after this. y/n continued cleaning jaemin up. he was slow and careful, insistent on making sure nothing would get infected. he secured a tiny strip bandage over the first cut before pulling away. jaemin's lip still needed seeing to, though.

"so you're telling me you're not even a little attracted to me?" jaemin broke the silence between them.

y/n stifled a chuckle, "why would i be?"

"cause i'm hot. obviously."

y/n couldn't seem to think of a good response to this. he just kept to himself and began wiping some of the blood from jaemin's lip.

"you aren't denying it," jaemin persisted. y/n sighed for the nth time. his grip on jaemin's chin tightened.

"stop talking. i can't take care of your lips when you're moving this much."

"i can move my lips somewhere else if you want."

y/n instantly stood up to leave at this response. a large huff of air left his chest before jaemin rushed to grab his hand.

"no! i'm sorry, please stay. i'm sorry," jaemin pleaded.

y/n turned to look at him. he felt pretty unconvinced, but the sudden seriousness written on jaemin's face made him sit back down. he picked up where he left off, cleaning the other's bloody lip. jaemin's hand hadn't left y/n's, which the latter only noticed after a minute or so. but he decided not to say anything about it.

time felt slow now. y/n finished with the second cut and set everything back into the first aid kit. jaemin hadn't said another word. his demeanor was almost completely different. y/n was surprised and even a little worried.

he finally sat back with a fulfilled exhale. jaemin looked at him, eyes wide with admiration. with thanks, even. y/n wondered where this jaemin came from. his line of sight drifted over to see jaemin's hand that was still clutching his bruised torso, making his brows furrow from worry.

"you can move right?" he asked.

"huh?"

"your side. you can still move right?"

"oh! yes, don't worry. it hurts but i can move," jaemin answered happily.

"hm, okay.." y/n still felt unconvinced. more so because of his sudden change in attitude rather than his injuries. "i can come back tomorrow to check on you again if you want."

jaemin quickly nodded at the idea, smiling largely. the stretch of his mouth made a little more blood seep from his bottom lip, resulting in y/n quickly grabbing a rag to stop the bleeding again.

"thank you," jaemin said softly.

y/n's heart skipped. he wasn't sure why. out of all his time knowing na jaemin, he'd never gotten a sincere word from him.

"you're welcome. don't be so stupid from now on."

jaemin nodded. "i promise."

as the silence fell on them again, their eyes locked before eventually moving to each other's lips. it was clear to both of them where this was going, and y/n was in disbelief at himself. was he really leaning in to kiss someone he'd always hated?

jaemin's hand left it's clutch on his side to instead cup y/n's face, their lips finally meeting.

after pulling away, jaemin squeezed the other's hand as if reassuring himself that everything was real. he wanted nothing more than to keep kissing him and hold him for the rest of the night, but he knew that'd be a little too hard on his injuries at the moment.

"is there a chance we could do this again tomorrow?" jaemin asked. the tone of his voice had changed to a cute, happy one.

y/n rolled his eyes, but jaemin could see the smile he was harboring before he got up from the bed again.

"you should get some sleep. i'll, um.. i'll call you in the morning and i'll try to come over after classes."

jaemin's face brightened at those words. "really??"

y/n nodded, still trying to hide his own happiness. "sleep well, jaemin."

"goodnight, y/n!"

jaemin watched him slip out and close the door gently, already missing him.

[paiges-1vur]

I would like to request some pazzi :)

I love hurt paige and azzi there for her. Here are some ideas if any of them inspire you!

Paige passing out at practice and azzi is concerned, paige getting slipped something at the bar and azzi notices and takes care of her, paige getting in a car accident and azzi being there for her.

ill be there for you… as always enjoy loves <3

*not 100% accurate to the actual uconn timeline but shhh*

paige had just came back from her acl injury. she had worked harder than azzi had even seen her work before, just so she could bounce back as quick as humanly possible. some could even say paige was over working herself. she shrugged it off and said she was “commited.” once she had been cleared to fully engage in practices with the girls she was ecstatic. geno, and all the girls, aswell as the training staff at uconn were so proud. paige learned that hard work really does pay off.

paige had been officially participating in only three practices before the incident.

“paige!” azzi yelled. “come on we are gonna be late! why are you taking so long?” she screamed at the blonde, waiting in the kitchen for paige to leave her room so they could drive to practice. they both knew if they were late geno would be livid. “coming, coming, sorry!” paige ran into the kitchen before azzi threw her the keys so they could leave. it didnt cross paiges mind that she hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning. infact, she hadn’t even eaten dinner the night before because she was up so late grinding out her homework. she wouldn’t come to realize until it was too late.

paige was overworking herself. it was only an hour into the intensive practice and everyone could tell. “paige, take a break go get a drink” her teammates would tell her, “paige lets sub out for this drill” they tried to get her to rest but she didn’t budge. by this point paige was so physically exhausted she couldn’t form correct sentences. “paige can we sub after this rotation?” ice asked her innocently, trying to get her off the court for at least a moment to get some water in her system. paige looked at her, and intended to respond. but instead of words, a stream of mumbles came out. almost immediately after she attempted to answer ice she started to lose her balance. she suddenly couldn’t hold herself up anymore. she then started blinking, and ice could tell she was about to pass out. “paige? paige?” no response.

she suddenly hit the floor, her legs buckling under her not able to bear her own weight any longer. “paige! somone! paige just fell and shes not responding!” it was too late. paige had already closed her eyes, and she was knocked out cold.

azzi was on the other side of the court, running a shooting drill with lili and nika. she was trying to stop aaliyah from scoring, when all of a sudden she saw paige stumbling around. her head snapped to the scene to check on paige. “are you even trying? easy 3 lets goo” nika and lili high fived. azzi didn’t respond. she was still watching paige, slowly walking towards her. “where are you going? azzi? we arent done yet!”

as soon as she saw paige hit the ground she stopped walking towards her. she started running. “geno!” she screamed for coach at the top of her lungs. he came over to see azzi on the ground, putting her ear to paiges chest to see if she still had a heartbeat. luckily she was alive, but left unconscious. she continued to look over paige, even after the medical team had tried to tell her to back away so they could help her. she had to be pulled off of the blonde by aaliyah and nika.

“shes going to be okay, they are going to help her” the girls reassured her.

~~~~~~~~

as soon as paige regained consciousness, she knew something was up. she woke up to azzi sitting next to her, looking down at the floor. they were in the personal training room. once azzi noticed paige had woken up she immediately ran up to the blonde, and pulled her into a tight hug.

“never scare me like that again” she says, her voice breaking. paige just sat there and hugged her for a second. she knows azzi worries about her and her health alot, especially since her acl injury. “im sorry baby, i promise ill take care of myself.” they dont know how long they stayed there hugging, but they didnt break contact until they were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“shes awake”

[lilghostiequinni]

Sick & Injured

Main Masterlist Lando Masterlist

Pairing: Reserve Driver!female oc (Alessia) x Lando Norris

Warnings: Fluffy, Established relationship, Injury

Summary: She's a reserve driver for McLaren and was called upon when Oscar had fallen ill, now he's done something to get injured that he physically can't be in the race for most of the rest of the season, McLaren understands this and tells him, it's okay and nothing will jeopardize his current contract because stuff happens. But she's called upon again to take Oscar's place, per his request.

Requested: NO / yes

It started with the race in Australia, Oscar didn't feel the greatest going into FP1, but raced anyway, then before FP2 was determined to be unable to race because of illness.

Oscar was told he wouldn't be able to race for the rest of the weekend, and before anyone could get to a reserve driver Oscar asked for Alessia Maes, a Belgian-Peruvian driver driving under the Peruvian flag.

She had the chance to be a driver before but turned it down saying she was fine driving for free practices and as a reserve driver, not wanting all the glory that comes with being a full time Formula One driver.

When she was told that Oscar asked for her to drive in his home race, she at first refused, but with some convincing she did race in FP3 and for Qualis, ending P6.

She raced on Sunday for the actual race too, many fans were rather confused as to why she was racing and not Oscar, many were mad or upset that Oscar wasn't racing, many happy that a female driver was racing in a Grand Prix.

Before the race on Sunday, McLaren took to social media saying that Oscar was sick and unable to race and that Alessia Maes would be taking his place over the weekend.

When fans learned Oscar was sick, they sent the support to him, and supported the driver they were told Oscar requested.

They learned that Oscar requested her, though his own social media profiles, with him saying, "Sadly, I am unable to race for the rest of the weekend, but the reserve driver of Alessia Maes will be taking my place for the weekend, per my request as she and I have become great friends in the last two years and I have no doubt in her skills as a driver."

So, with fan support, Alessia Maes made P3 behind Lando and Max, P1 and P2 respectively.

After the weekend many fans supported her on being a driver when Oscar couldn't, or Lando.

In Shanghai, Oscar returned to the Grid as Alessia went back into the garage.

During the week of Japan, Oscar was again unable to compete in the race weekend, this time it was some injury he had sustained falling from his bike when he went biking with Alessia and Lando, Lily too.

Fans speculated that Alessia intentionally pushed him off the bike to get his spot, but when the video from McLaren came out the next day after it was announced that Oscar couldn't compete in Japan fans realized that she was ahead of Oscar and wasn't anywhere near him when he fell.

But she did warn about the spot in which Oscar fell at.

It was seen in the video that Alessia came straight over when Oscar yelled out in pain.

Fans realized it was Alessia who told the camera crew to turn off the cameras and help get Oscar to a car.

It was on social media that fans learned that Alessia originally didn't want to drive in place of Oscar and that Oscar told her to.

It was also on social media that Oscar announced he wouldn't be driving for the rest of the season saying, "I will not be driving for the rest of the season, the injury from biking put me out for about 5 months, which would be some time around Monza. The amount of time I would need after to help fully recover is another 2 months, leaving only 4 races left in the season from there. So, I have made the decision that while, I will be in the garage sometime to help, but not drive that I have recommended Alessia Maes as my replacement for the season, a driver that has already scored points towards the championship."

For the rest of the season Alessia did PR and races in Oscar's place, scoring ahead of Mac Verstappen in some places and behind him in other's with Lando taking P1 in many races.

With the final race in Abu Dhabi, she scored P3 with Lando P1 Max P2.

Getting 3rd in the World Championship overall with only one point between her and Max Verstappen.

At the World Championship ceremony Lando proposed to his girlfriend of 2 years, Alessia Maes.

Afterwards many fans went back through videos and photos with her to see if there was any indication that the two were together

A/N: I used the 2025 calendar for this.

Tags: @poppyflower-22 @samantha-chicago @barcelonaloverf1life @tallrock35 @hellothere9597

If you want to be removed from a tag list, let me know so I don't keep tagging you. If you are striked through, I don't know if you want to be tagged, but just let me know if you want me to continue or stop

[arlerts-angel]

HIII!!! i got an idea from a scenario that happened to a Hockey Armin bot from j.ai (i'm not a very mentally sane person.) and I'd like to request it!!:

well, so armin!afab reader had just started dating when after a game, eren and jean "were driving them home”, which ended up on eren and jean putting aphrodisiacs in reader's and armin's drink, and they ended up fucking on the backseat of the car, while the boys recorded it..

note: omggg~ this one's long but i wanted to try something different! i hope you enjoy this nonnie ♡ please let me know what you think of this one!

cw: hockey player!armin x fem!reader, drinking alcohol, voyeurism, filming, masturbation (fem), unprotected piv sex, pet names used: beautiful, pretty girl, angel, reader is referred to as girlfriend

a loud buzzer sounds off in the chilly arena, signaling the last break of the game. there's 15 minutes left to catch breaths, tend to any minor injuries, and work on plays. you rush to the bottom of the stands to catch your boyfriend in time for a quick pep talk. you scan each jersey for his number until your eyes fall on it, lucky number 13 in black and white.

"hey! you guys are doing great!" you say with a smile. armin turns around and looks at you, taking his mouth guard out. "we're down one point which could cost us the game if we're not careful," he smiles back at you. "but thank you. it means a lot that you came tonight." the 5'6 blondie hugs you tight. you return the hug and gently grab his face, looking him in the eyes. "i know you've got this."

you leave him with a kiss on the cheek and return to your seat so he can spend the break with his team, planning their win. eren jaeger, the center of the team, and left defenseman jean kirstein, approach armin. "we're gonna go get drinks later regardless of the outcome of this game, care to join?" eren asks, swinging his arm around armin. "i would but my girl's here, i don't wanna blow her off." jean nudges armin. "c'mon man! bring her with. i'm sure she won't mind a little detour." armin scans the stands for her, his lips curving into a small smile when he finds her. the buzzer sounds again, signaling the start of the third and final play. "i'll talk to her after the game." he puts his mouth guard in and returns to the ice.

eren stands in the center of the ice, facing off the opposing team. the referee drops the puck between the players. eren quickly gains possession of it, pulling it backwards towards jean. he takes the puck into the head of the stick and swings, sinking into the opposing team's net. cheers and claps erupt from supporting fans at jean's lucky shot. the teams are tied now, but there's still time left to secure victory.

the final faceoff begins with eren, once again, gaining possession of the puck. this time, the team decides to ride the clock and pass the puck around to each other, sending the puck into the offensive net just before time runs out. final score, 4-3 for jaeger's team.

you cheer for your boyfriend's team's success and wait for the crowd of people to leave. after the stands clear, you find armin talking with eren and jean. you decide to just let them chat, taking pictures of the scoreboard while you wait. eren catches a glimpse of you from his peripherals. "you here for a picture, sweetheart?" he coos. armin turns and sees you, offering an apologetic smile. "eren! ...that's my girlfriend." armin groans.

"ah– sorry about that." eren sighs, feeling embarrassed at his dismissal of you. "i'm eren and this is jean." he slaps jean's chest playfully. you offer a small wave and smile. "i'm y/n, nice to meet you both." eren looks you up and down. "i don't think armin's mentioned it but we're planning on getting some drinks, you're welcome to join us. we won't go too crazy, promise." he smirks. "sure! you guys deserve it, after all!" you say happily. "i'm gonna run to the restroom before we leave." you kiss his cheek and make your exit.

eren nudges armin again. "so that's your girl, huh? she's cute, man." armin sighs. "eren–" "don't worry dude, i'm not trying to meddle. she suits you." he smiles at armin, patting him on the shoulder reassuringly.

you meet up with the group of boys, who are now showered and dressed in casual clothes. "i know the perfect place. armin, i'll send you the address. meet us there." eren prompty sends armin the address to a bar a few minutes across town. armin nods. "alright. see ya there." eren pats his shoulder before walking away with jean. armin turns to you, seeming a little nervous. "are you sure you want us to join them? i could just tell them i'm tired." he offers. "no! it's totally fine. i'm kind of excited that eren invited me. i would've been fine with you going without me, but it was really nice of him to extend the invitation." you reassure him. he grabs your hand and smiles. "alright then, off we go."

a few minutes later, your uber arrives to the bar eren suggested. you and armin step out and into the bar. eren and jean wave you and armin down. "hey lovebirds! we already ordered drinks for ya." jean nods his head at the drinks on the table. "oh, thanks!" you smile. you take a sip of the cocktail. armin does the same. eren and jean share a glance at each other that you and armin don't notice. "so, y/n... how long have you been seeing armin?" eren asks slyly. "oh, uh, officially? about a month or so." you reply. he nods at your admission. you take another sip of the cocktail and eren grins.

20 minutes passes. the four of you make casual conversation about different things, talking as if you've known each other for years. armin wraps his arm around your waist and whispers in your ear. "you look beautiful. thank you again for coming to the game." you smile and kiss his cheek. "wouldn't miss it, handsome." you reply softly.

45 minutes, now. armin pulled you into his lap tweny minutes ago and has spent the past 5 running his hands over your body. your thighs, your hips, the bottom of your stomach. he even brushes his fingers across the hem of your skirt. you can feel his dick pressing against your ass. he nuzzles his face into your neck, kissing and circling it with his tongue. "you're coming home with me tonight, right?" he asks quietly. you nod in response. "don't know if i can wait til we get home." he whispers, sliding his hand between your thighs.

an hour has passed. "it's getting late, friends. i say we pack it up here and get home. how about you two ride with us? i'll drop you off at armin's place." eren offers. "you've done enough for us for the night. we appreciate it." armin says. "come on bro, it'll be fun." jean encourages. "when's the last time we just went ridin' around?" armin chuckles. "it has been a while, but–" "we'd be happy to." you interject, nudging your boyfriend's arm playfully.

eren hops into the driver's seat, jean in the passenger. you and armin sit in the back of the dark car. armin whispers in your ear. "my pretty girl... gonna let me play with your pussy in my friend's car?" you shiver. "armin! they'll see... or hear." you whisper. he drapes his jacket over your lap. "don't worry about it, it's too dark. they can't see anything." he replies, sliding his hand down your skirt. his slender finger traces your slit before sliding inside, collecting your juices. "stay quiet for me, angel. don't wanna get caught." you nod and sharply inhale as he begins to trace circles around your clit. you squirm around in the seat trying to contain yourself.

"you alright back there?" eren adjusts the rear view mirror, glancing at you and armin. "we're good, thanks." armin replies, still circling your bud. your heart is pounding hard against your chest knowing you could be caught. the adrenaline sends you close to your orgasm quickly. "armin-" you whisper, "i'm-" he hushes you and nods. "i know. we're taking a backroad, get in my lap." "hm?? your lap?" you question. he nods. you slide the coat to him as he unbuttons his jeans, freeing his cock.

you get into his lap and slide his length into your soaked cunt slowly. his hands on your hips guide you up and down his cock. it's unspoken, but you both know you need to be as nonchalant as possible. the car is big enough for a good amount of space between you two and them. eren and jean aren't stupid, though. they've been watching this whole time, recording. jean adjusts eren's phone, making sure he's getting a good view.

"dude, this feels fucked up." jean admits. "what's more fucked up, jean? them fucking in my car or us recording it?" eren scoffs. this makes jean ponder. "touché." he grumbles. "besides, i won't let anything happen to this vide or let anyone know this even happened. it's for my enjoyment." eren adds, his eyes still on the road. "don't act like your dick doesn't want to jump out of your pants either, kirstein." jean rolls his eyes.

you continue riding armin's cock, but not for long before the knot in your stomach comes undone. your legs stiffen as you quickly reach your orgasm, tightening your walls around him. this sends armin over the edge too, you feel his cock twitch as he fills your pussy with his cum. you shift back into the seat next to him as he adjusts himself back into his pants.

"look's like we're here, friends. thanks for a fun evening." eren says snidely and winks, as he approaches armin's apartment complex. "thanks for the ride, eren." armin says as he opens the door and nods. "here, take this." you offer him a $20 bill. he shakes his head. "nah. 'preciate it though, sweetheart. i got all the payment i need." you smile awkwardly and nod.

you both send eren and jean off with a wave, watching him drive away. then, armin grabs your waist and kisses your forehead. "round two?" he asks hopefully, smiling down at you. you flash him a smile and follow him upstairs.

[couldawouldashoulda50]

From Completely Different Worlds - William Nylander

The Sweden Chapter - Part Two Link to Part One is here

A/N - So, I know I've mentioned a baker's dozen times that my tendency is to write longer fics, even than what I initially intend to. So I'm introducing Part Two now...with the understanding that a third part is required to hopefully tie up all the loose ends between William and Loren. Nevertheless, @misshoneyimhome, we're getting there! Again, thank you for always being so open AND encouraging to talk it out whenever a Loren/Willy thought comes up that I need to work through. Notes and Warnings - goes without saying - profanity, smut (basic p in v, oral - m receiving). Any references to past "goings on" between players and an ex, or current girlfriends, friends etc. in this piece is strictly fiction.

Word count - 5.9k 18+ only please.

Recap - Round One for the Leafs seemed to be plagued with a string of unfortunate events right from the very beginning. After the “Where’s Willy” fiasco began to dissipate, more unusual circumstances took hold which further casted a shadow over the Maple Leafs. As the games in the round progressed, the Leafs lost their grip in Games 3 and 4, finding themselves in a precarious position by Game 5. To add to matters, star player Auston Matthews fell ill, and even more speculation swirled about the almost 70 goal scorer’s dedication to winning. The situation reached a boiling point when cameras caught the 3 star forwards arguing on the bench which quickly went viral. As some headlines alluded to, it really seemed like the team was a total dumpster fire. The team had reached new heights of pressure and scrutiny within Leafs Land.

However, just when all seemed lost, the Leafs mounted a remarkable comeback. After Game 5, William, with an extraordinary performance, single-handedly scored all goals in both Games 6 and 7. Given the tight defense known in playoff hockey, scoring those goals, 3 in total, was an impressive feat. As if the Leafs got a shock from a defibrillator, the team and the city suddenly had renewed hope in mounting a surge to take Game 7.

Joe Woll stood tall, delivering an almost flawless performance in Game 6. He came excruciatingly close to securing a shutout, showcasing his outstanding ability under pressure.

Unfortunately, Woll's sustained an injury late in Game 6, leaving the team without their hot starter for the crucial Game 7.

With Woll sidelined, the responsibility fell to Ilya Samsonov, affectionately known as "Sammy" by his teammates and fans. Samsonov fought hard in the crease in Game 7, making several crucial saves to keep the Leafs' hopes alive. Despite his best efforts and the team's perseverance, fate had other plans. In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Bruins managed to clinch the series victory in overtime, sending the Leafs to yet another first-round exit. The tortured fans, players, and franchise were once again dejected—while others were spurned and filled with outrage.

In the aftermath of the disappointing playoff run, Loren and William maintained sporadic communication. Their interactions were affectionate but brief. Loren was back working several overnight shifts at the group home while scheduling and making lesson plans for her French students. She also wanted to give William the time and space that she felt he needed in the days after Game 7.

William had taken the loss hard, and as much as he wanted to feel Loren's presence, he also wanted to steer clear of feeling the void once she left him again. Instead, he navigated through exit meetings, locker clean-out day, and catching up with friends. He began to feel a sense of excitement as offseason travel plans were confirmed, as well as family get-togethers at their lake house in Sweden.

The day William was scheduled to leave for Stockholm hit Loren harder than she anticipated. She wasn't sure of the time of his flight, but it didn't matter anyway. She already had a pit in her stomach just with the knowledge. She told herself that perhaps by the time William returned for the 2024 season, something between them would be solidified, whether it would break her heart or not. A lot could change for both of them in the coming months.

Outside his building, William loaded his SUV with some additional hockey gear when a message from Loren appeared on his cell. It was a heartfelt note—humorous, nostalgic, and positive. He'd planned to make last-minute stops for Toronto souvenirs for the younger kids in his family, but suddenly, seeing Loren seemed far more important.

Truth be told, he was only planning on video-calling her once he was at the airport. He had a lot of emotions swirling around, especially for Loren. He didn’t want do that Hollywood scene of him driving away, leaving the woman he cared for behind.

However thoughts lingered in his head that it was a shitty thing to do given all the support she gave him, and well - just her being her.

William, who rarely made impulsive decisions, changed his mind. He decided to surprise her and to say goodbye in person before his departure.

The 40-minute drive north felt oddly therapeutic, trading the shadows of the city's high-rises with the shade of mature trees. William thought to himself how much he enjoyed escaping to Loren's here and there after they met. Pablo and Banksy had a yard to run around in, while William and Loren snuggled in a lounge chair on the deck, mouths red from making out.

William had checked that Loren was home before he departed, thanks to her location settings still enabled on her phone. It was weeks ago that William asked her to turn the share location settings on, just to see who would arrive at his condo first - him from the airport and her from the suburbs. He won the race - but she got the reward of him, impatiently waiting and hungry for her to get there.

He pulled along the curb to her house, finding her outside, engrossed in yard work with her earbuds in. She had her long mane pulled through the back of a baseball cap, and the rest of her exposed skin was streaked with dirt and covered in sweat.

William couldn't help but be impressed by the sight of Loren working in her yard. Not to mention that he found her absolutely stunning this way. He surveyed her house, she had accomplished a lot since he was there last. Her porch was adorned with flower containers that had started to blossom with vibrant colors, and had large hanging ferns which added an almost tropical flair. This house represented more than just a roof over Loren's head, and the way she cared for it spoke volumes about how much she effort she put in her surroundings. For a moment, William found himself imagining what it would be like to come home to her, knowing how calm and peaceful she made his space feel too.

Loren turned and spotted William walking up the path. Her eyes lit up and she flashed him a bright smile as as he approached her.

He started to pull her in for a hug her when she stopped him, shaking her head. “I’m filthy, sweaty and probably smell like…hmm….well, never mind - just not good…” she laughed.

William brought her into him and hugged her tightly anyway.

He told her she looked like she could use a break and commented that her yard looked phenomenal. The two walked into the house together, making the typical small talk - Loren asking questions, William answering and then a little bit of teasing each other.

Loren offered William a drink, which he accepted. They sat under the pergola of the back deck, which also boasted lush green plants that provided additional privacy.

Although the conversation remained easy, there was a weight to the overall mood and tone. Loren mentioned how strange it was not to see the dogs trotting through the house after him. Once she said it, her throat tightened with emotions that she had been fighting to subdue. Knowing Pablo and Banksy were already in Stockholm underscored the finality of William's departure.

William could see Loren's efforts to remain composed and positive, knowing that there was a cyclone of feelings that churned inside each of them. She continued to show interest in how the first weeks back in Stockholm would look for him. He wanted to ask her more, but she'd always turn the subject back onto him, almost as though she assumed her plans wouldn't interest him.

It's not how he felt. Not by a mile, but he had a flight to catch, so his questions were left unanswered.

Loren glanced at her watch and knew that William needed to leave. She reached for his empty glass as he stood, following her back into the house.

She set the glasses down on the counter and they began to walk to the front door. Loren was beginning to say her goodbyes, her voice not yet breaking but on its way.

He took a chance and pulled her tightly against him, telling her how deeply he appreciated everything she did for him. He had thought of a million ways to thank her but, knowing how stubborn she'd be in accepting any gratitude, he set his thoughts aside. Yet, he wanted to make sure she heard him now.

Loren's throat tightened as she fought to maintain composure. She endured the firm embrace, yearning for it to never end. William’s kiss followed, a moment so intense it seemed to lift her off her feet. And once again, he was gone.

As William drove away, he grappled with conflicting emotions. He felt he shouldn't be leaving her—she should be coming with him. He understood Loren's past necessity to "live to work," but he admired her tireless efforts to shift towards "working to live."

All the same, it frustrated him that she'd probably never accept anything from him costlier than a meal in an expensive restaurant. Even if he offered to take her on a trip, she'd likely decline, unable to afford "her half” of the cost. Shaking his head at the thought of her stubbornness, he continued his drive back to the city.

Meanwhile, Loren began to undress and have a long, hot shower. The tears that had welled up in her eyes after William had left had fallen, been swiped away, and now had vanished. As she stood in the steady stream of warm water, she contemplated that she had the same thought as the last time he left. She would miss him. She felt he was inherently good and kind, and would always cherish her moments with him.

At the same time, Loren knew the months ahead for each of them would be totally different.

William's days would be filled with seeing friends and family, attending get-togethers, celebrations, and just catching up with loved ones.

He would travel, eat, and drink, while meeting the most beautiful women, whom one, or even a few, might be blessed by his touch throughout the night.

Loren's imminent future, albeit not nearly as glamorous as William's, still excited her. From her staunchly frugal ways in the past, she had learned to save money, which she squirreled away for something unusual—special. She was considering a much-needed break. Two weeks in the Caribbean sounded heavenly, and she almost had the funds to make the trip happen, plus cover whatever time away from work that her vacation pay wouldn't cover.

The additional funds she had begun to make with her tutoring were making other dreams she had more of a reality as well. Loren felt like she was getting control of her life, and it felt good.

—

The remainder of May, and throughout June was spent in William’s traditional manner, a much-deserved period of decompression after a rollercoaster of a season. The 2023/2024 season was one to remember for William. He began the season breaking personal and franchise records, dominated the headlines on and off the ice at the Global Series in Stockholm, and was a fan-voted addition to the All-Stars. He broke his season point total, and scored 40 goals for the second season in a row.

He earned every bit of rest, relaxation and time spent doing whatever he wanted.

William's calendar quickly filled up with an array of engagements. His phone buzzed constantly with invitations from friends eager to catch up. There were tennis matches to watch, exotic vacations to take, golf games to win, and family to visit. With a constant jammed-packed itinerary, moments when he was alone were rare. Nevertheless, William happily immersed himself in the vibrant social life that accompanied his stardom.

However, in those moments he found himself alone, he would occasionally scroll through pictures during his times with Loren. Some were posed shots but some were candid moments. Either way, her beauty and her sweetness was captured in each one. He thought about messaging her, but with hundreds of message notifications every time he accessed his phone, he continually put it off. He considered for a brief moment to call, but he was stuck in a suspended state in his mind - wanting to talk to her but inevitably talking himself out of it.

In late June, William was out to dinner with friends before he departed for the annual Nylander family vacation. It was a fun and casual dinner with one of his closest friends and former teammate, Rasmus Sandin (aka Sandy), as well as few hockey players from Modo, his former hockey club in Sweden.

William’s phone buzzed as it did continuously throughout the day, but this time, the sender caught his attention. It was Max Domi, William’s teammate. Max and William were friends, but at that moment, William found it odd that Max would message him outside of their customary group chat.

Sandy saw the perplexed look on William’s face and leaned in to glance at his phone. The two shared no secrets so William angled his phone for Sandy to see.

Max’s note to go with the accompanying picture was fairly simple.

M - Look who came to visit Estelle today…

A picture of Loren appeared. Estelle, Max’s girlfriend who is a professional make-up artist, took a candid shot of her new model, as Loren touched up her lipstick.

Loren’s image jolted William. He felt an ache deep within him as he absorbed every detail of the photo. Her hair was loosely pinned on either side, her long, sandy blonde curls fell across her back. The little simple satin little black dress that adorned her curves perfectly.

Sandy’s brows lifted on his face as he turned to his long-time buddy. “Who’s that? Wait…that’s - is that Loren?”

“Yeah, that’s her. Fucking Max, man - I don’t know what the fuck is going on.”

“What- so he sent you the picture? What is she doing with him?” Sandy shook his head. “Does he know you two were sort of dating or whatever it was?” Sandy’s expression was a mix of confusion and wariness on William’s behalf.

William exited the picture and re-read Max’s tex. “Hold on - he said she was visiting Max’s girlfriend. Ok, yeah….they’ve met, I knew they had been talking here and there, but I don’t get why she’s all dressed up, like hair and make-up sort of thing.”

Sandy rolled his eyes a little, feeling the answer was pretty obvious. “Probably club-hopping…”

It was William’s turn to roll his eyes. “At 2 in the afternoon? C’mon man.” William chuckled.

Sandy shrugged his shoulders. “Couldn’t been taken at a different time….fuck’d if I know….just guessing.”

William’s stomach was turning, which turned him off the rest of his burger. He texted Max back, and the two quickly caught up with their whereabouts and other goings on.

He was glad the boys just wanted to head home after dinner - William was in no mood for going out to a bar. All he could think about is going home and calling Loren. And that’s exactly what he did.

William messaged Loren first to find out if she was busy. It didn’t take her long to respond, first with a buoyant greeting, followed by she’s at work but she can talk for awhile.

Loren was outside at the group home taking a break on the patio when William video called her. She still had whatever make-up hadn’t evaporated or rubbed off from her visit with Estelle. William was completely mesmerized for a moment when he saw her on the screen.

The pair chatted enthusiastically as Loren asked a million questions, while William willingly answered them all.

In reality though, he was the one with the burning questions and he patiently waited for the right moment.

It came when Loren apologized for bombarding him, and asked if everything was ok.

“Oh, yeah - everything’s good….I just - Max sent me a pic of you today and —”

Loren interrupted with an apologetic groan. “Fuck, I’m so sorry - I told him not to bug you with that.” Loren continued with a slight laugh. “I don’t know if you have to use reverse psychology to get Max to listen - I just didn’t want him to bother you on vacation.”

“Loren - it’s no bother - it’s a beautiful picture…I’m glad he sent it but I didn’t really understand…I mean, are you and his girlfriend hanging out or….like three of you or….?” William’s voice trailed off.

“No, I - not really. Estelle and I sort of kept in touch after we met that first time you brought me out at that lounge. I needed some advice from her and I reached out. Ended up taking some pictures at her little studio.”

William's nerves began to settle. He realized that he had a certain possessiveness towards Loren, especially a) when he was thousands of kilometers away from where she was and b) she was in close proximity to Max, his current teammate. Max had a "shared" experience with a girl that later dated William, which added to his overall unease.

Loren explained that an unsolicited and unexpected opportunity arose which just happened to be right up her alley. The catch, however, was that it involved Loren teaching French dialogue to mature students, which would be recorded and posted across a number of social media platforms. Loren was never one to post much online, and William saw the humor in Loren landing a job that would shove her completely out of her comfort zone.

Loren heard William laughing as she rhymed off every self-deprecating thought she had about being in front of a camera. She jokingly scoffed at William not to make fun of her as she laughed along with him.

Despite her own misgivings, the company that hired her was thrilled with what they saw, but they wanted Loren a little more "glammed up," so she reached out to Estelle to help balance her makeup with the ring lights used for recording content.

William asked how the company discovered her in the first place.

Loren sighed. "Oh god—it was Chelsea, my friend's daughter, who roped me into doing this thing for her new position at her work. She's the one who lent me all of those clothes—you know, that red dress and—"

William fucking loved that dress on her. "I remember it well—you surprised me in it one night… that was a fucking good night…"

"Mmmm… it was," Loren said affectionately. She remembered it well. too. William had invited her to stay after returning from a road trip to Buffalo back in late March. The minute William walked in and saw her in that dress, he bent her over the arm of his couch. It was the first time he had been more dominant with her, and she couldn't get enough of him that night.

Loren had to veer off the memory lane of past sex-capades with William and get back on the subject.

"I just—I have never really gotten into the whole influencer, content creation stuff… I didn't really realize how it all worked. I've known Chelsea for a long time—she's always asking to style me. When I agreed, she kind of interviewed me about the tutoring thing after I was all dolled up. She presented it to her company, they loved it and she got the green light to post it. One thing led to another and all of a sudden, I get hired doing this. It's unreal how quickly it's all happened."

William had a sinking feeling. Loren truly was a rare diamond, and he knew how lucky he was to know her. But with her beauty, both inside and out, she was going to garner a lot of attention online. William knew how unfair it was to feel this way, but he didn't want others to know how amazing and special she is—like she was this exquisite secret that only he knew about.

"So would I be considered a mature student? Could you give me a French lesson for free? Heading to Saint-Tropez in a few days so I could use some help," William smiled as he spoke.

"Mature might be a stretch—," Loren laughed.

"Hey now—be nice…," William teasingly warned.

"Hmmmm….knowing the things you’ll get up to, one phrase should suffice. I’m surprised it's not in your normal Saint Tropez repertoire. Ready? Okay - here it is. 'Voulez-vous… coucher…"

"Oh my fucking —come on…," William laughed.

Loren drew out every single syllable. "Avec moi… ce soir."

William could feel the heat rising in his face. She assumed he would be on some sort of fuck fest while on vacation. Maybe that was accurate once upon a time but not as much nowadays, and certainly not while he was with family.

"That hurts that you think that… I'm not with a different girl every day…," William played it off as a joke but it did hurt his feelings a little.

Loren thought about uttering one more jab, but he did sound a little miffed. "Sorry, just jealous I suppose… I admit it." William could hear her smiling as she conceded.

After ending the call with Loren, William felt the same unsettling sensation growing in his core. once again. He threw a few more items in his suitcase, closed it up and wheeled it aside while he tried to calm how aggravated he felt.

He sent a text to female friend from his Stockholm roster. A beneficial friend that he felt might help take the edge off.

He received a quick response. She’d be over in an hour.

—

The pairing between the Nylanders and Saint-Tropez is like discovering the perfect wine to pair with a gorgeous meal. Life is so good when they're together.

This year's trip to the south of France expanded beyond the immediate family and significant others. William and Alex invited friends to join them at various points during their stay at the villa. Alex had rekindled his relationship with his former flame, Isla, whose closest friends also arrived as part of the group.

Their place of sunny refuge was usually buzzing with people, either staying back to enjoy some peace by the pool or venturing into town for some shopping.

When "the boys" were there, they worked out together on the pool deck, every muscle group being worked—their darkening skin glistened with sweat in the sun.

When "the girls" were there, they lay in the sun by the pool, their perfectly formed ass cheeks tanned golden brown.

William generally kept his distance while harmlessly admiring Isla's friends from afar. Margot, one of Isla's closest friends, admired William too, but she made her intentions far more obvious than he did on a few occasions.

Isla was thrilled with the thought of Margot getting with William. One of her best friends with Alex's brother who was also his closest friend—it would be a dream. As they got older, they'd get married, children may come, their summers spent together.

Isla could picture it all.

Alex, on the other hand, tried to temper Isla's expectations. He was aware that William, who remained stoically single, might not have any long-term interests in Margot. After hearing how Loren stayed with William during his episodes, and noticing the way William looked when he talked about her, it was clear to Alex that his brother's interests remained tied to Loren.

Meanwhile, William was thoroughly enjoying his time with family and friends, but the inkling he had back in Stockholm—a feeling he couldn't pinpoint or define—would materialize every now and again.

When it was there, it nagged him… like the feeling of walking into a room and forgetting why he was there. There was no pattern or explanation that William could think of for why he sometimes felt a yearning for something that seemed to elude him.

Other times, he knew he was envious while watching Alex and Isla kiss and hold hands as they walked in town.

These unresolved feelings were what motivated him to put his guard down with Margot, allowing her to make a move late one evening in the pool.

Her advances were initially playful as she toyed with him under the water's surface. Soon, her hands moved more explicitly over William's swim shorts, charming his cock with the palm of her hand.

Mouths were soon attached to skin, breasts were exposed, and one need pressed firmly against another.

William followed Margot as they quietly made their way to William's bedroom. She had a towel wrapped around her lean, naked body while William had her string bikini wadded up in his hand.

Margot was young, pretty and slender—a description which seemed totally interchangeable with the females in Isla's friend group.

William lay on his back, naked—his erection levitated his cock slightly. Margot slid her body between his legs as she ran her fingers up his chest.

"I saw the pictures from your first vacation," Margot purred. "Loved your bare chest."

Given that William's chest hair was starting to grow back, he was confused if she was complimenting him or not.

Margot soon had William's cock in her mouth. She felt good, but the sound of her slurping seemed to increase and echoed throughout the room. William really didn't want anyone to overhear, so he gently asked Margot if she could go more slowly, to which she obliged.

William tried all of his usual moves to get the mood going within him. He smoothed back her hair as her eyes fixed on his while she sucked his cock. As he watched her, suddenly a flash of Loren's face exploded in his mind. William laid back, remembering how Loren's gaze was so hypnotic, it always rendered William defenseless as she took her time feasting on him.

William's mind snapped back to Margot as she rapidly stroked his shaft. He thought he heard her call him "Daddy," but he wasn't sure. He had nothing against being called that as a rule, but he was not in the mood for it right then.

Enthusiastically, she climbed on top of him, lowered herself down onto his cock in a slow squat using his outstretched arms for leverage. William's body bounced against the mattress as Margot whimpered, gliding up and down his cock. William cupped under her ass cheeks to help alleviate the muscle strain in her legs of each squat as her pussy slid up and down his shaft. Margot's long blonde hair looked like hand-spun gold silk as she threw her head back and continued to bounce on top of him.

Much like the slurping, the sound of skin slapping against skin seemed to reverberate rather loudly.

William propped himself up, allowing Margot to hold onto his shoulders and slide down his shaft while he began driving himself upward. The sex was quieter until Margot began to slap her own ass and moan.

William politely told her they had to be a little quieter. His parents and sisters were just down the hall.

Margot nodded as she switched from squatting to straddling his cock.

As she laid him back, another image of Loren appeared in William's mind. The memory of their last time together where Loren took complete care of him in every way. How she took her time, wanting him to feel the very heights of pleasure. And he did, with the two orgasms she skillfully coaxed out of him.

William's fingers tweaked Margot's nipples as she rode him rhythmically.

Margot began grinding furiously on his cock. She gripped William's wrist with one hand while stroking her clit with the other. She tried to stifle her cries as she clenched and quivered with the intensity of her release.

There was nothing William could do about the loud creaks from the bed or the panting from Margot after she climaxed.

If anyone does hear, maybe they'll assume it was Alex and Isla, William hoped.

After Margot's orgasm, she focused on William. She sucked, licked, and stroked his cock but frustratingly, his orgasm was just out of reach.

Taking a breather, she lay on her back stroking herself as William took the reins and began lightly and rapidly stroking near his tip. As he kneeled beside her, Margot smiled up at William, biting her lip as she played with her pussy.

The room was quiet, minus the sound of wetness from between Margot's legs and the distinct jerking motion of William's hand. He closed his eyes and grit his teeth as the pressure of arousal began to build.

He heard Loren's soft voice playing inside of his head. He would hear her say that she wanted so badly to taste him. She would moan his name, telling him how incredible he felt. She would breathlessly say how amazing he was to her.

He felt his orgasm taking hold. "Can you touch my balls—just touch them gently," William quietly instructed Margot.

That's what Loren would do. She had a natural sense of what would provide William the most intense pleasure, despite her limited sexual experience.

Margot began to fondle his balls and lick the tip of his cock as he continued to pump himself faster.

William's muscles around his torso began to clench as his orgasm hit and spurts of cum landed on Margot's cheek and lips.

She promptly wiped herself off with the bunched-up sheets that felt moist to the touch from their bodies' bliss. She stood up on the mattress, kissed William, and sauntered into the washroom to freshen up.

William sat at the edge of the bed, his cock softening as he focused on the light from the washroom.

This was the second time he had trouble finishing. He had faced the same frustration with the tryst he had in Stockholm before he left for Saint-Tropez.

He felt a deep-seated frustration now. This was not a Margot issue or his friend-with-benefits issue.

This was a William issue.

He pulled on his shorts and waited for Margot to exit the bathroom. He wasn't keen on having her sleep there—it would be awkward enough if they had been heard through the thick walls of their villa. Seeing them exit his bedroom together would add to the quiet and questioning looks he might receive from his parents.

Margot meandered back towards the bed with a fresh towel wrapped around her. "I probably should go back to my room. I don't know what everyone will think if they find me in bed with you tomorrow morning."

"Oh, yeah?" William made it sound like the same thought hadn't occurred to him. "Maybe, yeah… don't need to take the risk right now. Good idea." He smiled as she approached him, giving him a light kiss on the mouth.

"Thanks, Willy—that was fun… maybe we can figure out another time when no one's around before I leave?" Margot was hopeful she'd have another chance with him, but she wasn't going to hold her breath.

William nodded. "For sure we can." It was somewhere between a fib and the truth.

After Margot closed the door, William grabbed his phone.

Loren was all he had on his mind now.

He opened up YouTube and searched "Chelsea" plus "Loren Girard". He immediately got a hit.

William's eyes were glued to the screen watching as Chelsea, whose personality was as spicy as her wardrobe choices, interviewed Loren while her hair and makeup were done, adding an intimate behind-the-scenes feel to the segment. Loren was simply charming with her humble yet vibrant disposition, while articulating genuine and thoughtful responses.

William had expected to see Loren nervous about being in front of a camera, based on her own admissions. If she was nervous, it never showed—only her grace and poise were apparent.

At the end of the interview, they showed Loren in five outfit ensembles, all from budget-friendly sources. Loren made her little plug, encouraging everyone to keep the art of verbal communication alive in any language, and mentioned her tutoring venture as her last point.

The segment was exactly as it should be: informative, entertaining, and uplifting.

William rested against the headboard of his bed and looked back down at his phone.

It dawned on him what the feeling was that had been plaguing his mind—his insides.

He had to try and fix it and do something about it.

He swiped open his message app, found Loren's name and their last text exchange.

William typed in a simple statement.

W - I miss you so much.

—

Loren sat at her new-to-her desk that she had salvaged, repaired, and repainted with relative ease. Part of her new third job, which took up a minimal number of hours per week, was learning to edit the videos that she records.

While she replayed, layered, and snipped each recording, she snacked on her dinner, which was a small meal of avocado toast. It was far too hot to cook.

Her phone chimed right at the point where she was about to add animations to the reel. Whoever texted her would have to wait.

Loren sighed deeply as she turned her focus back to the screen. Replaying her segment, she tested some filters and made other enhancements until she was satisfied with the end result.

Once she clicked save on the final edit, she rubbed her eyes under the reading glasses she finally accepted that she needed. She stretched while padding to the kitchen and grabbed herself a vodka cooler from the fridge. She headed outside with her phone to enjoy the waning hours of the day with a cold drink.

She sat on the front step of her porch in the balmy evening air and took a long swig from the can. The carbonation made her hiccup loudly — she hoped her neighbors weren't outside to hear it.

Loren tapped the screen, and upon seeing William's name, her pulse jumped and her face flushed.

"I miss you so much." Such a simple statement, but the weight it carried was enormous. The words felt laden with sadness and regret. Words that Loren never anticipated William would ever feel for her, much less say.

Loren missed him too, but she had kept this knowledge as a safely guarded secret.

Letting him in on that secret made her vulnerable to more heartache in the future — she was almost certain of it.

Opposing thoughts clashed in Loren's mind, and she could not decipher if her worries were fear-based or just simple logic.

But this is William. William, who gave her a spark. Made her laugh until her sides hurt. Made her want to remain forever in his kiss.

Loren exhaled deeply and decided that when in doubt, stick with the facts.

Apprehensively, she responded.

L - I miss you too, William.

[raaorqtpbpdy]

Why Are Seers Always Cursed? (3)

Wesley Weston is a son of Apollo with the rare gift of prophecy.

Written for @crossoverdanuary Week 2024, Day three: Percy Jackson | Lake

This takes place shortly before Annabeth, Luke, and Thalia arrive at Camp Half-Blood, and while Wes is still in middle school, meaning it's set before the primary canon events of both series. You can also read it on AO3!

Chapter 3: Downhill Fast

First | Previous

[Warning for mild violence]

Over the next two weeks, Wes started to really get the hang of Camp Half-Blood. A few more campers had arrived, including another Apollo Camper close to Wes' age named Lee Fletcher. The two of them got on really well right out of the gate. Wes did not manage to get out of explaining to Archer that he had the gift of prophecy, but for some reason, Archer told him that it would be wiser to keep it secret from anyone outside of Apollo Cabin.

Wes wasn't sure why, but he was starting to get the sense that his ability was more dangerous than it seemed. Archer warned that people might try to take advantage of him, or pick on him because they saw him as having an unfair advantage himself. So Wes' powers of foresight became cabin seven's little secret.

Unsurprisingly, Wes demonstrated a knack for archery. He'd never done it before, but it was like the bow simply belonged in his hands. His cabin-mates were very encouraging and helped him with his form so the bowstring didn't snap against his forearm. They were also fun to play basketball with. Wes established a personal record of scoring 90 feet from the hoop. Nowhere near the cabin's record, but still basically a full-court shot.

He wasn't as good as the others in the infirmary, but he wasn't so useless that they sent him out. They mostly had him cut bandages and get things for them, which was fine by Wes. 

When it came to singing camp songs, Wes was exposed for his awful singing voice, but he was picking up the ukulele remarkably fast, so maybe he had inherited a little bit of Apollo's musical talents. Not as much as Lee, though; he was a regular musical prodigy as far as Wes was concerned. At only thirteen, he could play several instruments and his singing voice was downright mellifluous.

The one thing Wes really struggled with in the Apollo Cabin was seeing his cabin mates as his siblings. Technically they were, but Wes already had siblings. These people were basically strangers in comparison. And it didn't really help that he'd made a conscious decision not to think of Apollo as anything like a father to him back when he was ten years old. 

The Apollo campers were warm, and accepting, and he liked them a lot... but they weren't family. Not yet, at least.

Aside from that, the only thing that really bothered him about this place was the pine tree that wasn't there, the one he kept seeing on the crest of the hill.

He brought it up to Chiron once, in private, and Chiron told him that sometimes they couldn't know what a prophecy meant until it came to pass. Wes only begrudgingly accepted that answer. He didn't like it.

What was the point of seeing the future if it didn't make sense until it became the past?

That pine tree became increasingly frustrating. Even more so than the monster attacks. They weren't daily or anything, but there had been two so far, counting the drakon, and both had been taken care of with only mild injuries and no deaths. That pine tree though....

Once, when Wes saw it, there was something gold hanging in its branches, and a dragon wrapped around its trunk fast asleep. Then he blinked, and the golden thing and the dragon were both gone. Then he blinked and the tree was gone too.

At the end of the second week, there was a terrible summer storm. For some reason, while the storm raged, Wes' eyes were drawn to the top of the hill. Each time a strike of lightning lit up the darkness, the pine tree appeared, just for that instant, before vanishing again. That felt important, but Wes didn't know why.

He told Archer about it, but Archer just told him the same thing Chiron did.

He didn't like it any better the second time.

Then, one night, Wes had a dream. He dreamed about the pine tree. About lightning striking, about a hoard of monsters straight from Hades.

The forbidden child approaches, the dream told him. The forbidden child approaches.

When he awoke, he thought about telling Chiron again, but then he remembered what he'd said before.

"You can't always know what a prophecy means until it comes to pass."

Wes sure as Hades didn't know what a 'forbidden child' was, and Chiron had already said he had no idea what the pine tree meant. Maybe this was one of those things where he should just wait and see how it panned out, rather than bothering anybody with his stupid dreams again.

Although... the last time he'd had a dream like that, it had told him Apollo would visit his mom.

But Apollo hadn't been in this dream. Just that stupid pine tree and a bunch of monsters. And it wasn't even worth it to warn everybody of monsters coming because he had no idea when this was going to happen.

Maybe he should ask anyway.

"Hey, Chiron," he asked the centaur during archery practice, "Do you know what a forbidden child is?"

Suddenly, Wes felt as if he'd been struck by something heavy falling on him. He stumbled and let go of his bowstring and the arrow missed the target by a mile. As it left his bow, he could swore the whistling sound it made as it shot toward a tree trunk sounded like an apology.

"Sorry, kid," it said. "I hate to do this to ya. I can't defy my father, you understand." Then it pierced the tree trunk with a thunk.

"My, are you alright, Wes?" Chiron asked.

"I'm... fine, but my question."

"I'm afraid not," he said. "I suppose if a child were to be sired by one of the three most powerful gods they might be considered a forbidden child, since the three of them swore on the River Styx not to sire children. But no such child exists."

"What if one did?" Wes asked. "And what if they were coming here and a whole bunch of monsters were chasing them?"

"That would be preposterous," Chiron assured him. "None of those gods would go back on their word, not when it's so important for them to honor it."

"But I saw it happen!" Wes insisted. "I saw three demigods and satyr climbing that hill," he pointed to the camp's border. "I saw them being chased by a horde of monsters from the underworld. I heard the trees whisper that a forbidden child approaches. I saw it in my dream last night."

"Dear boy," Chiron said. "You may have the gift of prophecy, but not every dream is prophetic. There is no forbidden child, and no horde of monsters. I can assure you. I hope you'll be able to calm down now."

"What?"

This didn't make any sense. Chiron's advice was sometimes frustrating, but he'd never been dismissive like this. He knew what Wes could do, what he could see. He knew that prophecies should be taken seriously. So what the heck was this?

"Why don't you focus on your archery for now?"

"But...." Wes was too confused to formulate a proper argument. He shook his head, his face scrunched up in a mix of emotions. "Okay...."

Wes lifted the bow again and lined up his shot. This time, his arrow flew true, and landed right in the bull's eye. But again, the sound of the arrow taking flight was a whispered apology.

"I cannot defy my father's wishes," it said. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

That night, Wes had the same dream again. The forbidden child approaches. The forbidden child approaches.

A few days later, on an otherwise ordinary evening, while the campers were enjoying dinner, it happened. An uproarious cacophony of monstrous shrieks and bellows shook the valley. The blue sky darkened as smoke rose up from the far side of the hill.

Wes sprinted to get his bow and arrows and followed the rest of his cabin mates to the ridge while the other campers headed for the hilltop. 

They couldn't get ready fast enough.

They weren't even halfway to their positions when four figures crested the hill, three demigods and a satyr.

"Go!" one of the figures, a girl, shouted. "I'll hold them off!"

She stopped at the top of the hill, wielding a spear and a shield, and the other three kept running. She fought valiantly, slashing and stabbing at bat-winged creatures and hell hounds until they overwhelmed her, and she fell.

It was only then that the other campers finally got close enough to help her.

They were too late. Wes knew it innately. That girl was the forbidden child, and she was going to die.

Without warning, a bolt of lightning shot out of the clear blue sky, and struck the girl. Then she started to change. 

As the battle raged around her, she grew bark and sprouted branches until a tall, proud pine tree stood where she'd once been lying, half-dead on the ground. 

Wes had seen that tree before. This time, though, it was actually real. It didn't disappear when he tried to blink it away.

A pulse of light emitted from the tree, expelling all the monsters from within the bounds of the camp. Then the light faded, leaving an invisible barrier protecting all the demigods within its bounds.

Later, the three who survived explained what happened. The satyr, Grover Underwood told them all that Thalia was a child of Zeus, a forbidden child. He explained that ever since he'd found her, creatures of Hades had been chasing them. Hades himself had sent them, angry at his brother for breaking their pact.

Wes kept his anger contained until Chiron dismissed everyone. He waited until everyone else was gone. He stayed silent.

"Is something wrong, Wes?" Chiron asked, noticing that he wasn't going to leave.

"I told you this was going to happen," he said, barely keeping a lid on his rage. "I warned you about the forbidden child, about the monsters from Hades, all of it. You didn't listen to me. You told me it was just a dream. 

"If you'd just listened, we could have done something. We could have put a group of guards up on the hill. We could have been prepared for this! Thalia Grace didn't have to die!"

"I'm sorry," Chiron said. "I don't know what came over me. I knew of your abilities, and yet... when you told me about the forbidden child, it was as if... ah... I see...."

"What?" Wes did not accept this apology. He glared viciously at the centaur.

"Did you hear anything else? That day you told me about your dream, or afterwards?" 

His glare eased as he thought about it.

"Actually, right before I told you, when I stumbled and my arrow misfired, it sounded like an apology" Wes recalled. "And then again the next time I fired at the target. 'I'm sorry. I cannot defy my father,' is what it said."

"The arrow spoke to you?" Chiron repeated derisively, but he quickly shook his head with pained expression. "My apologies.

"It is the fate of all oracles that such great power must come at a price," he said. "Either one must make a willing sacrifice to balance out that power, such as the Oracle of Delphi does, living as a maiden her whole life in a cave. Or, the gift will lead the bearer to be cursed, such as Tiresias who was inflicted with blindness, or... Cassandra.

"I believe Zeus did not want the secret of his child to get out," he continued, "so he had his son Apollo inflict you with Cassandra's curse to prevent you from sharing what you knew, or rather, to prevent anyone from believing you, even if you did."

"What exactly is this curse?" asked Wes.

"That you may see the future, but that you cannot share it with anyone, for they will never believe you," Chiron answered. "It's a terrible curse. It means only you alone will ever be able to benefit from your abilities, but you cannot help others with them."

"Is there a way to break it?" Wes asked.

"I'm afraid not," the centaur answered mournfully. "A seer's curse cannot be broken. Even those who know of the curse will have difficulty overcoming it's effects. Even I... well, you've seen already. I have a strong enough will to fight my initial reaction if I'm ready for it, but my initial reaction will always be disbelief. I'm sorry, Wes."

Chiron's appraisal turned out to be right on the money. As much fun as Wes had at camp that summer, and as much as he learned and grew, his precognition became completely useless. Even his cabin-mates, who already knew about his powers, didn't believe his visions until they came true.

Sometimes people would even ignore things Wes didn't realize were prophecies. The entire Aphrodite Cabin got poison ivy, all because their counselor didn't listen when Wes said to take the other path.

The same thing happened when he went back home at then end of the summer. His mother, who always humored his hunches before, now fully dismissed them. His father would laugh like Wes was telling him a joke.

And the next summer, when he returned to Camp Half-Blood, it was the same story. 

Now that they had a magic barrier, there weren't any monster attacks to keep their skills sharp, they'd introduced regular games of Capture the Flag in the woods. It was the perfect opportunity for Wes to use his foresight to help his team win, but when none of them would listen to him, he had to go ahead on his own.

He won the game for his team, but it wasn't as satisfying as he'd thought it would be.

It was a relief when he finally went home for the summer. He wasn't looking forward to starting high school, but outside of camp, there were a lot fewer situations where not being able to tell people about his visions was a serious problem. Or so he thought.

Strange things happened in Amity Park that year. There were monsters around town that everyone could see, ghosts, rather. Not from Greek myths, but from a portal to another realm in the Fentons' basement.

Wes tried to make it not his problem, he really did.

Until the night he woke up in a cold sweat with prophetic knowledge echoing in his brain.

Danny Fenton is Danny Phantom.

But no one would ever believe him.

[girl-next-door-writes]

There You Are: Bruises

Characters: George Weasley x reader

Summary: A quidditch game brings surprising revelations, but what will you do with that information now you have it?

Word Count: 1241 words

Your soulmate had not injured themselves for a whole week, and now the rash had disappeared all that was left was a faded crescent scar from the burn. Your finger traced over the small scar absentmindedly, certainly not wondering whose arm the matching injury adorned. The crowd around you erupted into a deafening cheer, and you looked up to see that Gryffindor had once again scored, bringing them level with Slytherin.

You held very little interest in quidditch, but it was an activity pretty much everyone in the school turned out for. It did always give you a chance to watch Oliver Wood, so there were definitely plus points for sitting in the freezing cold, watching a game you could care less about. Now focusing on the action, your eyes fell on a red-haired beater. There was nothing in particular that drew your eye, but something about the way he looked so focused as the sun created a halo effect around his head had you reassessing your previous judgement of George Weasley. Perhaps he was a little bit fit, didn’t mean he wasn’t also a total prat.

Your gaze stayed on him until he suddenly dipped and easily missed the path of an oncoming bludger. Rolling your eyes at his cocky little celebration, you turned your attention back to the book in your hands and missed the bludger arcing back and slamming into the overly confident Weasley’s right shoulder.

The sudden pain had you wincing and looking around, first to check if anyone had noticed your reaction, and then to see George reluctantly heading down to the pitch below, rubbing his shoulder as he approached the hoops so he could re-enter the game.

Your eyes widened as the world around you seemed to slow. There was no way, right? Just a coincidence, surely? It was entirely possible that someone, somewhere on the castle grounds had hurt their shoulder at the exact same time as George. You tried to reason with yourself, but the drip of reality was persistent. George Weasley was your soulmate!

George sighed as he mounted his broom once more. He’d let himself get distracted, and Snape’s words came back to him. His carelessness had managed to get his soulmate hurt, yet again. It wasn’t even like he could apologise because, despite his and Fred’s best efforts, Snape was resolute in his silence on the identity of his soulmate.

Maybe you were there, somewhere in the crowd. His eyes scanned the stands, almost hoping to see someone rubbing their shoulder, maybe realising who he was to them. Perhaps it would be best if you weren’t there, hadn’t witnessed him making a tit of himself and getting hit like that. How mortifying to make a fool of yourself in front of your soulmate before you even knew who they were.

Throughout the match, each bump George received made him feel increasingly guilty. The bruises he knew littered his skin would now appear on you, that hardly seemed fair. He tried to keep his head in the game, but with each potential injury his eyes scanned the crowd, hoping for some clue as to your identity.

“George, stop being such a prat and focus.” Fred frowned, trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with his twin. They were now getting their arses handed to them by the Slytherin team and pretty soon their only hope of a win would be for them to catch the snitch.

“I am focused.” George grumbled, sweeping away towards the goals, eager to show his soulmate that he was actually a much better athlete than his current performance would attest.

“Focused on what though?” Fred narrowed his eyes as he watched his brother closely and soon enough he was also scanning the crowd, searching for anyone reacting to any new injuries. There was one person who kept catching his eye, but he couldn’t be certain. Whenever his brother got hurt, his first instinct was to check he was okay, which meant he was not looking at you for that fraction of a second you initially reacted. He could not test his theory though, because, luckily for Gryffindor, the golden snitch was caught and the game ended.

You really were not sure how to feel about knowing for certain that George Weasley was your soulmate. On one hand, you felt this pull to him, a warmth that seemed to emanate from him that made you want to curl up in his lap and bask in the glow. On the other hand, he was George freaking Weasley! You were very aware of the twins reputation, the many girls who would climb over each other just for a moment of attention from them. Would he even be interested in a soulmate? You suspected he wouldn’t want to give up ‘playing the field’, although, if you really thought about it, George was rarely involved with anyone romantically. At least it wasn’t Fred, though that was only a small consolation. There was no way that one of the Weasley twins would ever be interested in you, soulmate or not.

There was a celebratory party in the Gryffindor common room, and the firewhiskey was flowing. The positivity and sheer exuberance of the crowd was infectious, and as the night ran on, you found yourself wondering if maybe you should introduce yourself to your soulmate. Maybe, if he knew, then some sort of soulmate magic might happen and he could feel these warm fuzzy feelings that you were at least 60% sure wasn’t just the alcohol in your system.

The party may have been a celebration, but George was drinking away his disappointment. He felt like he was further away from discovering his soulmate than ever. Rubbing his shoulder absentmindedly, he downed his drink and then placed the glass on the table beside him. Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention and he turned slightly to see Sienna rubbing her shoulder. His eyes widened slightly, and in his drunken haze he didn’t register that it was her left shoulder she was rubbing, not her right one. Hope and confidence flooded through him, and he strode over to her, cupped her face and kissed her passionately. There were general cheers and calls of ‘get in there Weasley!’ and as he pulled back a little, he gave Sienna a shy smile.

“Sorry. Been wanting to do that for ages.” He looked down, and her arm caught his attention and what he saw there sobered him up fairly quickly. There was no crescent shaped scar, but there was a rather large scratch which he knew for certain was not on his own arm.

The cheering had caught your attention and as you turned, you witnessed your soulmate snogging Sienna Tompkins in front of everyone. Any courage or hope you might have had about your situation dissipated in that instant and you turned and fled from the common room, nearly bumping into Fred on the way out.

“Oi, watch it!” He called after you with a frown. You always seemed to be upset or angry about something and he wondered what the hell was going on in your life that you had to have such a stick up your arse. He spotted his brother and grinned, it seemed he’d finally found who he was looking for, but as George’s expression turned from shy to confused to shock, Fred knew something was wrong.

[tkachuktkaching]

Tkachuk to be full participant at start of Panthers training camp

Forward ‘feeling great’ after fracturing sternum during Stanley Cup Final

LAS VEGAS -- Matthew Tkachuk will be a full participant when the Florida Panthers begin training camp Sept. 21.

The forward said at the NHL North American Player Media Tour on Tuesday during an interview for a future episode of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast that he is healthy more than three months after sustaining a fractured sternum in the first period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on June 8.

"I am feeling great," Tkachuk said. "It's been a very short summer, the way I want it to be every year going forward. The worst timing for the injury, obviously, Stanley Cup Final, but in a weird way I had time after where I wasn't missing X amount of months of game action, so I had the summer to get ready. I definitely improved on some things. The injury allowed me to work on some parts of fitness and conditioning and that is in the best form right now possible, and I just improved on some strength, which was my goal."

Tkachuk returned in the third period of Game 3 and scored the tying goal with 2:13 remaining. The Panthers won 3-2 in overtime.

He said he was given permission by team doctors to play through the pain in Game 4. He skated 16:40 and had four shots on goal in a 3-2 loss that put Florida down 3-1 in the best-of-7 series. Tkachuk did not play Game 5, which Vegas won 9-3 to win the Stanley Cup.

"I think I realized I was in the most pain when we won that Game 3," Tkachuk said. "I missed a big portion of it, came back and we won it in overtime. After the game, I'm walking around and normally you have the high spirits after a win, especially in the playoffs. It doesn't matter what you're going through, you're on top of the world. And I was pumped, but I still knew that half of my body felt like it was [in pain]. I knew something wasn't right.

“I didn't know what it was at the time. We did all my tests the next day, then I came back and basically with doctor's orders was given the opportunity to do everything I could to play just one game. [I] did it. I would have done it all over again if I had the chance."

Tkachuk said he wasn't worried about long-term effects of the break in his sternum, knowing that would heal, but there were some internal issues that that led to some scary moments.

"I'll try to keep it short, but there's all the blood vessels and stuff and that was the scary part at the time and that was the most concerning part in my health at the time," Tkachuk said. "But right now, it's good."

He was able to play Game 4 despite not even being able to get out of bed without assistance from his brother, Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk.

"I'm not going to lie, that was the craziest thing I've ever kind of been a part of," Brady said Tuesday, also for a future episode of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast. "I just flew in for the game because I wanted to see a Stanley Cup Final game and he came back from the rink in the morning and just looked awful. He was like, 'I’ve got to go take a nap.' And then he calls me at 3:30 and I'm downstairs. He says, 'Can you come up here?' We were just mucking it up and then he's like, 'Alright, I need you to help me up.' I'm like, 'You're joking.' He's like, 'No, I legit can't get up. I just sneezed and I thought I died.'

“He was going through some serious pain and just to see him be able to find a way to just play in that game and have the mindset of treating this as my last game, do whatever it takes, try to get a win and put ourselves in a better position going into Game 5, I was so proud of him. The way he played, trying to work around it, not many people can do, especially at the pain level he was at."

Tkachuk finished last season tied for sixth in the NHL with 109 points (40 goals, 69 assists) in 79 games. He led the Panthers and was tied for third in the NHL in playoff scoring with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 20 games.

Florida is not expected to have defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour on the ice for the start of training camp; each has been rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. Tkachuk said they may not be back until around Christmas.

[writtenbymisunderstoodnerds]

Hugs and Neck kisses (Alyssa Naeher x Rea

I'm not really sure what this is, just a cute idea I thought of. Hope you guys enjoy it :)

Words- 2.8k

It was my first game back after doing my ACL and I was freaking out. I knew I was physically strong enough, but it didn't stop the thoughts of not being good enough any more or re-hurting myself that ran through my head. I felt some sit next to me, not that I could bring myself to look up from the ring on my finger. It was a silver band, engraved with a soccer ball. My brother had given it to me years ago before my first college game. He was the only family I had, the person who was always by my side. I remember being just as nervous then as I was now, but the ring had always reminded me that he was with me even if he couldn't always be there. That was usually enough to help calm me down, but this time it wasn't working. Even the text from him didn't help much. 

"You okay Y/n?" Alyssa's soft voice broke through the haze of anxiety. 

I shrugged, "Just freaking out a bit, nothing to worry about."

"You're going to do amazing Y/n. I know you're scared, but you're ready."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do. I've seen you in practice, you are an amazing player, you got this. Even if you don't think so right now, we all know it."

"Thank you."

Before I knew what was happening, Alyssa arms were around me, I didn't have time to even fully register it before they were gone again. I didn't like hugs, the closeness and tightness of it made me uncomfortable. The only person I had been able to occasionally hug comfortably was my brother. My therapist said that it was likely my upbringing and the lack of any affection, especially physical affection. I didn't actually hate the feeling of Alyssa's arms around me even if it was briefly. 

Alyssa rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "Sorry, thought I might shock you into not being so nervous."

I laughed quietly, "It may have worked. Now let's go before I freak out again."

The game had actually gone really well. I had gone in after half time and the second my foot hit the pitch, all the nerves faded away. I played like I had before my injury, like I had never been away. I even scored us the winning goal. It was safe to say I was pretty proud of myself. 

Since I didn't do hugs, the girls pat me on the back or ruffled my hair as they walked past while I turned to Alyssa who smirked at me, "I told you so."

I hesitated before pulling Alyssa into a quick hug, "I couldn't have done it without you, thank you."

"Yes you could have."

The next time Alyssa hugged me was after I hurt myself during a game. It was just a sprained ankle, I would be out maybe a week, but it took me back to when I did my ACL. The fear I felt that day came rushing back before I could stop it. I was sitting on my bed when Alyssa sat down next to me, hand rubbing up and down my back. I found myself leaning into her side, head on her shoulder as I tried to get my feelings under control. I hadn't really realised it was happening at first, too stuck in my head. Once I did though, I didn't pull away. It was actually comfortable. 

"What's going on?" Alyssa asked after a few minutes. I sighed before telling her everything I was feeling. She held me a bit tighter, "It's okay. I'm not going to try tell you that it's nothing like that because I know you know that. Just know I'm here for you."

"Thank you Lys. You're right, I know it's nothing serious, but it just hit me out of nowhere."

"Do you want to watch a movie? Maybe it'll take your mind off things."

"I'd love that."

---

It didn't take long to find myself seeking Alyssa out when I was sad, or upset. She was the one I would confide in or seek comfort in when I needed it. Even when I was happy or excited, she was the one I gravitated to. At this point it was safe to say I craved Alyssa's hugs. They were comfortable, comforting and warm. Something I never thought I would find a hug to be. It was just Alyssa, everyone else's hugs were still uncomfortable. She had never turned me away either, always returning my hug without hesitation even though I knew she wasn't really a hugger. 

We were lying on my bed reading when I turned to Alyssa making her put her book down, "You are the only one besides Dan who's hugs don't make me uncomfortable. I actually like them."

"Yours are the hugs I actually enjoy."

"It's weird isn't it? The two people who don't like hugs, end up liking each others hugs."

Alyssa looked at me for a second before shrugging, "Maybe, I'm choosing not to question it though."

"I'm okay with it, there are worse people to like hugging than the person I have a crush on."

Her eyebrows furrowed, she was adorable when she was confused, "You have a crush on me?"

Since we met I had always had slight feelings for her, not enough to do anything about it, but the last couple of months they had slowly developed into deeper feelings. I shrugged, "Yeah."

It had never been hard to tell people what I was feeling when it came to things like that. To me it wasn't a big deal, it was just something that happened that couldn't be helped. Feelings were feelings. You weren't going to know if someone returned them unless you told them, waited for them to do it first or you stayed in a limbo of never knowing. I didn't have the time or patience for that.  I guess that wasn't a common thought process considering the surprise written on her face, "How is that so easy for you to admit?"

"It's not a big deal. I mean they're just feelings, telling you or not telling you isn't going to change them being there."

She sat up against the headboard, I followed suit, sitting cross legged in front of her, "You don't think love is a big deal?"

"Love? Yes I do, crushes? No. You're never going to know how someone feels about you if you don't tell them. I like you, if I didn't tell you then I wouldn't know how you feel back. I mean, I could run through lots of possibilities and scenarios in my head, but without telling you, then I would never know for sure. I would rather know."

"Wow. I've never thought of it that way before. I'm never going to do it, that is absolutely terrifying, but it's an interesting way to think about it."

"Yeah."

We sat in silence for a few minutes before Alyssa quickly spoke up, "Shit. I like you too by the way."

"Cool, so a date then?"

"I would love that."

I had never actually been in a relationship. I had been on a few dates and slept with people occasionally, but once they realise I was serious about not liking hugs they would disappear. I didn't blame them. To most people, hugs in relationships were important. I craved Alyssa's hugs so it wouldn't be a problem, but it was all new. I was also slightly worried that maybe my love for Alyssa's hugs would disappear eventually.  

---

It was the night of the date and I was nervous. I really liked Alyssa and I wanted to impress her. Alyssa was in our room so I was currently hiding away in a corner of the hotel to try and get my thoughts together. Apparently I wasn't doing a good job at hiding because Christen sat down next to me. "What's up?"

"Um I have a date tonight, I'm just a bit nervous about it."

"You have a date? That's awesome Y/n, who's it with?"

We hadn't told anyone about our growing relationship. It was something we wanted to keep on the down low for now, but I could really use some advice or reassurance. I wasn't quite sure which yet, "Alyssa."

"That's awesome. Why are you nervous? She obviously likes you if she agreed to go out with you."

"I know. I just want to impress her Chris, I want her to go out with me again. W-what if she doesn't like what I've planned, wh-"

Christen rest her hand on my knee, stopping the bouncing and my spiraling thoughts, "Stop, take a breath and tell me what you have planned."

"Well I was thinking a nice dinner, then there's a book fair I thought she might like. Maybe a walk on the beach or something. You know nothing too fancy, she's not really into that. She likes lowkey, more intimate stuff."

"That's perfect. You know her, you know what she likes. It's okay to be nervous, but it's going to go great. Just believe that as best as you can."

Alyssa came out of the bathroom wearing black skinny jeans, off white blouse and leather jacket. She looked amazing which made me ten times more nervous. I played with my fingers, just barely able to look at her, "Y-you look great Lys."

She smiled before wrapping her arms around me and kissing my temple softly, "It's just me and you Y/n/n. We know each other, you don't need to be so nervous."

"I know, I'm sorry, I-I jus- I want this to be good for you, I-I w-want to impress you."

"You don't have to impress me. Anything you do, I will love because it's with you okay? You're not looking this attractive for nothing so take a breath and lets go."

"I could say the same about you. Let's go, we're going to miss our reservation."

I knew Alyssa preferred quiet, homely places over fancy places so I had found a small family fun Mexican place. We got a small, mostly private booth in the corner of the restaurant where we spent our time talking and eating. Everything was comfortable with Alyssa, there wasn't a need to fill the silences and conversation flowed easily.

There was definitely a different atmosphere between us, things were more flirty, more touchy. Cuddles had become more frequent, touches lingered. Not that it was completely unexpected given our confessions, but I admit it happened quicker than I expected. I wasn't complaining though. I ended up cuddled against Alyssa's side as we talked about our family's and upbringings. Mine was pretty rough, it wasn't something I normally talked about, but I found myself telling her. Alyssa didn't judge or try to make me feel better, she just listened while occasionally squeezing me tighter or kissing my temple. 

"We should get going, we have somewhere else to go."

Alyssa lit up when she saw the sign at the book fair. I followed her around as we looked at different books. I liked reading, but it was nothing compared to Alyssa. Every night she would read or when we had down time she would be reading or doing crosswords while I would spend more time drawing or on my phone. I loved watching how excited she got when she found a new book or talked about the book she was reading. It was adorable. Even now watching her look through all the books, she was so beautiful and happy. As long as Alyssa was happy, I could watch her for hours and not get bored. 

There were a couple of books I could tell Alyssa wanted, but wouldn't buy for herself. I had been picking them up without her knowing and snuck off to buy them when she got distracted. After a few minutes Alyssa ended up back at my side, lacing her fingers with mine. "Whatcha got there?"

"These are for you."

A wide smile appeared as Alyssa looked through the bag, "You got me the books?"

"Well you weren't going to so I did."

"Thank you Y/n. You know I saw this was on and  wanted to go, I was actually going to ask if you wanted to come."

"I thought you might like it."

We slowly walked along the beach. Alyssa's arm wrapping around my shoulders as I shivered slightly. "Lets get back, it's only going to get colder."

Once we got back to the hotel and changed into comfy clothes, I kissed Alyssa's cheek softly, "Thank you for tonight Lys."

"I should be thanking you, you're the one who planned this. Tonight was the best date I've ever been on."

"Me too. I think a movie would be a good way to end the night, what do you say?"

Alyssa smiled before taking my hand and guiding me to the bed lying so I was cuddled into her side as she scrolled through Netflix. It really was one of the best dates I'd been on. 

---

The next thing to add to the list of things I craved from Alyssa was neck kisses. Not even the neck kisses that come with sex, but just random soft pecks. Pecks on the collar bone, jaw, behind the ear or back of my neck during hugs or cuddles. I don't think Alyssa noticed the effect she had on me for a few weeks after she started doing it. 

The first time it happened was early one morning. I had been trying to sneak out of bed when Alyssa wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me closer and pressing a soft kiss on my neck before burying her face. I had melted back into her. When I turned around she placed another kiss on the base of my throat. I couldn't stop my eyes fluttering closed and the sigh that left me. She did it every morning regardless of who woke up first. It was definitely my favourite part of the day. 

Alyssa also started doing it during hugs when we were in public. She would burying her head in my shoulder, placing soft kisses wherever she could. A way of kissing me without making it obvious. It had surprised me when she first started doing it. I knew she was kind and caring, but I had never seen her so soft. Also for someone who didn't really like physical touch, she sought it out constantly. I admit, it made me feel special, like she truly wanted me. Not that I wouldn't if she didn't seek out physical contact so much because Alyssa was constantly showing me she wanted me. It was just knowing she wasn't really into it, made me feel special. 

Within a couple of weeks Alyssa started kissing my neck, jaw or shoulder pretty much every time we cuddled or hugged. I knew she knew the effect it had on me. Without fail, I melted into her every time she did it. Like when she wrapped her arms around my waist from behind as we waited for the elevator, placing a soft kiss just below my ear. My eyes fluttered shut and I lent back against her. I could feel her smile against my skin as she left another soft kiss.  

"You look amazing."

"I'm in sweatpants and a t-shirt."

"You look amazing in anything you wear."

I rolled my eyes, turning around to wrap my arms around her shoulders and connect our lips in a slow kiss, "We're already together, you don't need to flatter me."

Alyssa smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear and pecking my lips, "It's not flattery if it's true. It doesn't matter what you're wearing, if you've just woken up or played a full 90 minutes and dripping with sweat. You are beautiful Y/n."

"Well isn't that cute," Emily's voice rung out from behind me making me pull away from Alyssa. 

"Way to ruin a moment Sonnett," Christen scolded making me laugh at the sheepish look that formed. 

"Sorry."

"Anyway, we're heading to our room for team bonding, are you two coming?"

We followed them up to Christens room, settling on the floor in front of one of the beds. I sat between Alyssa's legs, back against her front. We never normally showed this much PDA, but it was the most comfortable spot given how many people were about to be crammed into the room. A couple of the girls teased us or snapped a few pictures. I just flipped them off and focused back on Alyssa. After the moment by the elevator, I was feeling so much love for her. Not that it was new, my feelings for her had always run deep. It had been building for a while, but I knew I was in love with her. I lent back enough to kiss just below her ear, "I love you Lys."

Alyssa pulled me closer, leaving a few light kisses across the side of my face before connecting our lips, "I love you Y/n/n."

"You guys are adorable and everything, but can we play now?"

I laughed before kissing Alyssa again, "Now we can."

[bad268]

hiii! any chance you could write a Sebastian Montoya enemies to lovers fic? in my Sebas era at the moment 🤩🥳

Because of You (Sebastian Montoya X Reader)

Fandom: RPF/Formula 2/3

Requested: Clearly (thank you for being patient I loved this request!)

Warnings: road rash, injury, mentions of being attacked, hurt/comfort, “i had nowhere else to go” i hate myself

Pronouns: First person (I/me)

W.C. 2015

Summary: Classic enemies to lovers with Sebas

As always, my requests are OPEN

MASTERLIST // HITLIST

~~(^Pinterest)

Racing was my life. For as long as I could remember, I was racing, and I was racing well. I rose through the ranks relatively quickly going straight from karting to single-seater championships within two years, and I was already catching the eyes of different Formula 1 teams.  

One thing is for certain: I had my fair share of haters. One of which was someone I looked up to while karting who then turned out to be my teammate in F4 and FRECA at Prema and eventually, in F3 for HiTech. That person would be none other than Sebastian Montoya.

It was all fine when we first met during preseason testing for F4. We were getting along great, found some common interests, and he gave me some tips and tricks he used to prepare for a race. All was well until the season started, and I started winning. 

It was like I was no longer a friend but a competitor, so I did what I always did and reciprocated the acts. If he was going to be cold to me, I would be cold right back. I was taught to never waste my time on people who didn’t deserve it, and when he ran me off the road during a crucial race of the FRECA season, I saw red.

“You gonna run me off the track again, Montoya?” I teased as we both walked out of the HiTech garage toward our new cars for free practice in Spielberg for the F3 race. “I don’t think the bosses would appreciate that, honestly.”

“If you stay out of my way, we won’t have a problem,” He sneered, rolling his eyes as he finished doing up his race suit. 

“Oh, trust me. I plan to be nowhere near you,” I laughed as I pulled my balaclava over my head and started preparing the straps to my helmet. “Besides, it’s not like I have a problem with keeping my nose clean.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed given that you crashed into Gabriele last week,” Sebastian mocked, pointing out my DNF from a couple of weeks ago.

“Because you turned wide!” I exclaimed, slamming my helmet down on the table. “You turned into me, and I took evasive action. It wasn’t my fault. You were the one that got the penalty, dumbass.”

“At least I finished the race,” he snickered as he turned to walk toward his car. 

“And at least I can run in the top 3,” I whispered just loud enough for him to hear. 

“Mind saying that a little louder?” Sebastian snapped, turning to face me as he came to stand directly in front of you.

“I said, at least I can run in the top 3,” I stated firmly, not backing down from his threatening stance. “At least I can say that I’ve won in Monaco. I’m keeping up in the title fight, and where are you? Oh, right! Down in 14th. Our gap is almost as bad as Alonso on Stroll.”

“My car is shit, and you know that,” he seethed, getting up in my face as he pointed a pinger at my chest. 

“Excuses, excuses. We have the same fucking car, Seb,” I pointed out as I glared at him. “We all have the same fucking car, so don’t blame the team for your shitty driving style. Maybe if you knew how to drive, you would keep up.”

“You two can fuck later, get in your cars!” Dino shouted from the next garage over as he put his helmet on.

“Shut up, Dino!”

~~

The race went great for me. I secured pole position, scored third in the sprint, and won the feature race. These points shot me up from third to leading the championship. I was on top of the world. I decided I was going to celebrate for the night before I left for the next race. 

I was walking through the streets of Monaco pretty late at night. I was pretty sure I knew where I was going but it was also my first time in Monaco. I should have followed the map closer. I don’t remember if I walked into a bad area or if it was some crazy haters. All that I remembered was them yelling at me.

“You’re stealing a seat from people who really deserve it!”

“You’re never going to win the championship!”

“Gabriel deserved that win! You’re just in his way!”

“Undeserved! You’re just lucky!”

At some point, it got physical, and they didn’t stop until they heard sirens in the vicinity. I was breathing heavily as I picked myself up off the ground, immediately taking notice of the soreness across my face and my limbs. Somehow, I limped my way back to the hotel I would need to check out of in the morning. 

I got into my room, and as soon as I saw my reflection, I broke. It hit like a ton of bricks (and looked like it too). I slid down the wall, letting it all out. Maybe I didn’t deserve to be in F3. Maybe I didn’t deserve my seat. There are definitely more talented drivers out there. Heck, Ollie swept the weekend at the last race in Baku, and I couldn’t get past Fornaroli for second in the sprint. Maybe they were right.

I took a deep breath, stood up, and moved toward the restroom to get a good look at the wounds and clean them. My right eye was black and bruised, there was a large gash on my eyebrow, my lip was bleeding, and don’t even get me started on the road rash on my arms and legs. I was going to need some supplies to clean these up.

I grabbed my room key and walked out to the hall. Hopefully, Dino or Paul would be in their rooms. Across the hall was Dino’s room to which he didn’t answer. I sighed, already knowing if Dino didn’t answer, he probably already left, and chances are Paul was also gone. Still, I moved over a door and knocked on Paul’s door. Of course, he’s gone too. 

They were the only people I talked to on the grid, and I was not about to swallow my pride and go to the lobby for a first aid kit. Just as I was about to head back into my room, I saw a light flash from under a door. Specifically, Sebastian’s door. How desperate was I going to get for this first aid kit? Enough to ask my sworn enemy for help? Yes. 

I sighed, walking up to his door. I hesitated before knocking. What was he going to say? What if he laughed? What if he just slammed the door in my face? What if- I didn’t let my mind run anymore as I hurriedly knocked. It took a couple of seconds, but a confused Sebastian opened the door. As soon as he registered it was me, his gaze hardened until he took into account my appearance, his eyes softening almost immediately.

“I had nowhere else to go,” I whispered as I bit my lip, already expecting him to turn me away. “Do you have a first aid kit I can borrow?”

“Who the fuck mauled you?!” He all about shouted as his jaw dropped.

“Shut up,” I hissed, covering his mouth as I pushed him into his room. I closed the door quickly as I flipped us, so I was leaning into him against the door. “Do you have any idea what time it is? You’re gonna wake someone up.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied sarcastically as he pushed my hand away from his face in annoyance but quicking wincing as he heard my hiss of pain as he rubbed against one of the road rashes on my arm. He sighed as he dropped his voice to a softer tone, “Sorry, it’s not every day your teammate shows up at your door bloody. Forgive me for freaking out.”

“No, it’s a valid response,” I admitted, stepping back to give him space. That’s when I notice his eyes looking me up and down, taking in all of the injuries. “I just need alcohol and bandages if you have any.”

“Here, hop on the counter,” He offered, leading me into the bathroom. “I’ll help you.” He put his hands on my waist to help me jump up as the rashes on my legs had started scabbing and it was getting difficult to bend them. We fell into a comfortable silence, surprisingly, as he started addressing the wounds on my legs first. As he moved up my legs, he would glance up at me, making sure I was comfortable with what he was doing, causing me to nod almost every time. The one time I didn’t nod immediately was when he got back to my hips and grabbed the end of my shirt. “What if there’s a rash on your side? Or something with your ribs?”

“I don’t think I’m comfortable with taking my shirt off in front of you, Seb,” I said, honestly. “We’re constantly at each other’s throats. Who’s to say you won't make a comment about my body?”

“I would never,” He defended, “I just want to make sure you’re okay. How about I just lift it and do a quick check? If there’s nothing, we move to your arms.”

“Quick check,” I pressed, sending him a pointed look, “Nothing else.”

“Nothing else,” he smirked, pulling up my shirt a little and his eyes grew wide immediately. “So, good news and bad news. Good news, there’s no rash. Bad news, you are fifty shades of back and blue.”

“You’re kidding,” I gasped as I tried to turn around and look at my reflection, but quickly felt the pain from turning, causing me to hiss in pain again. “Okay, I believe you.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. He stood directly in front of me but refused to meet my eye.

“Why would you be sorry? It’s not like you did this,” I asked. He had no reason to apologize for something he didn’t do. “If anything, you’re making it better.”

“I just- if I had been nicer, if we had been friends, if I had gone out with you tonight, none of this would have happened,” he admitted. “Instead, I was in here, watching a movie while you were out getting attacked. I just feel like I could have prevented this somehow.”

“That is out of your control,” I told him. Of course, it was! “You can’t control how people feel toward me. You can’t control the haters.”

“But if you had someone with you, the haters probably wouldn’t have approached you,” he explained, finally meeting my gaze. “I could have protected you.”

“That’s sweet of you, but you hated me when I left the track. There’s no way you would have risked yourself on my behalf.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s a fine line between hate and love,” Seb admitted. “Maybe I was jealous of your success. It’s hard being compared to my dad all the time, and I was finally doing good. No offense, but you came in out of nowhere and started dominating. I don’t know if I was just jealous or envious.”

“Really? I’m here because of you!”

“What?”

“You were my idol, Seb,” I chuckled. “I saw you at a karting competition a few years ago, and because of you, I started karting. I was so excited to race with you, and it was awesome getting to learn from you ahead of the season. Then, you just flipped, and I didn’t know what I did. All I knew was that suddenly you hated me, and I reacted back.”

“You’re here because of me? And because of me, we became enemies?” 

“Yeah, but because of me, we could be in our lover's arch,” I slipped in, jokingly. At least, it was supposed to be jokingly. Sebastian didn’t take it as a joke as he immediately leaned in and connected our lips in the first of many kisses.

~~~~~

© BAD268 2024. DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT PERMISSION.

[kandyshoppe]

My first gotcha post! I hope y’all like it! Thank you to the beta readers for helping me with this one! Honestly, this was so fun I may come back to the idea a bit on my own time!

Gotcha for Gaza: link

Prompt: malleus x leona, modern college au where they're co-captains of their biggest sports team and so they're rivals. but malleus's roommate (u can choose who, or just make up a npc) has his boyfriend over so he shows up at leona's (who doesn't have a roommate) door and asks to sleep on his floor for the night. commence bonding.

Submitted by @makkisucks to @twstaction

(Fic under the read more)

The stands were on their feet, some were getting worried the bleachers would collapse under the weight, though more were worried about a full out brawl between fans. The score had been neck and neck for some time. When one team got a point, the other team got one right after. Everyone was putting their all and then some into this game. It was the final of the season after all.

Leona had the ball and was racing past the opposing team, dodging left and right, eyes on the prize. A screaming goalie with a mop of green hair. Just as he was about to send the ball into the net, a blur of black.

Malleus snatched the ball, racing back across the field, though Leona was hot on his tail. The two top players of the game, neck and neck. While Malleus was taller, Leona was still just a just bit faster when he needed to be, racing right past Malleus to at least help guard the goal. He didn’t have time to win, but just a draw would be okay. Just don't get this goal. Don’t let him be second place yet again!

Malleus reared back, aiming, and sending the ball flying into the net, right past Leona and straight into Epel’s chest, the purple haired goalie on Leona’s side. Cheers drowned out Epel’s slight scream of pain as his back hit the ground and he also was sent into the goal. Banged up, some cuts and bruises already starting to form, and the wind knocked right out of him.

Leona runs to his junior teammate, helping him sit up as Epel got his wind back and took some shuddering breaths. Leona stayed right there, holding Epel’s hand as medics came up to check the younger before taking him away. The glare Leona sent Malleus, who was cheering on the other side of the field, could have killed.

Leona stood protectively next to Epel, helping the younger to stand as straight as he could with a bruised back. Leona hated this part of every game, regardless if he won or not. Why did he have to shake hands with his opponent? They were enemies, not friends, and to treat them as such made Leona want to barf.

Going down the line, Leona made sure to keep an eye on Epel. Each handshake felt more disgusting than the last, until the actual last. Malleus and Leona stood face to face. Both grabbing the other’s outstretched hand only to squeeze and dig their nails into the other. The line stopped moving. Leona felt Ruggie, his vice captain bump into his back, but he only had eyes on Malleus. If looks could kill is all he thought as he stared down the other captain.

“Good luck next time, Kingscholar,” Malleus smirked, looking down his nose at the other. Green met green, and the world stopped for half a second. Everyone was holding their breath. It wasn’t unknown that the two captains despised each other. It had been that way since they met. Both just rubbing the other wrong at every meeting. “I hope you do return to the field after this loss,” Malleus finished, a sadistic glint in his eye.

Leona nearly spit, if not for two pairs of hands, Ruggie’s and the other vice captain separating the two of them before gently pushing them forward. If they hadn’t, Leona may have punched Malleus. That would get on the front paper.

Epel sniffles as quietly as he can in the almost empty changing room, his raw back and scratched face being gently cleaned by his captain and vice captain. Dirt and sand were clinging to his skin, and needing to be coaxed out of his injuries, each time Leona or Ruggie rubbed at a sensitive spot, he blinked back tears.

“I’m sorry,” he whimpered, almost too quiet to hear, but his seniors caught the sound.

“It's not your fault,” Ruggie coos, holding the younger’s face to clean the cut right under the junior’s eye, smiling as he recalls his own grandmother comforting him earlier over the phone. He had also cried at the loss, but never in front of the younger ones. “‘It was anyone's game, and they just got the ball first,’” Ruggie repeated his grandmother’s words.

“It’s definitely not your fault, fresh,” Leona gruffs behind them, having to hold back his frustration just in case he accidently pressed too hard on the injuries. “Lizard head cheated,” he growled out, before having to take a step back, pretending he didn’t notice the flinch when he had gotten a rock out of a deeper cut.

“How did he cheat?” Epel and Ruggie both asked, though Epel was more wide eyed and trusting while Ruggie raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Leona stayed silent, his glare hardening at each buzz of his phone in his pocket. His brother’s ID was staring at him when he glanced down. He needed a nap.

Vil glances up from his vanity as he carefully applies his deep red lipstick, only to wrinkle his nose at the scent that hit him. “Can’t you take a shower BEFORE you return to the dorm? I would prefer to not have to smell you as I clean up your finance homework.”

Malleus quietly thanks his roommate as he enters, quickly shoving his dirty uniform into the hamper before entering the on suite bathroom for a shower, carefully avoiding Vil’s side. Last time he accidentally knocked over a bottle of whatever, Malleus was late to class having to listen to Vil’s lecture.

Boiling hot water starts to steam up the bathroom, Malleus gathering his shampoo and body wash before dropping his towel. He checks himself in the now foggy mirror for any injuries, a small whisper of a memory of the shorter purple haired boy falling hard on the field after Malleus scored. His brows furrowed as he steps into the shower and washes the guilt off, along with the dirt and grime from the final game. Lathering his hair he almost misses Vil speak.

“Don’t stay up too late just because I’m going out on a date,” Vil says over the rush of the water as he looks through his overcrowded closet, that is somehow still neat. Malleus rolls his eyes as he shuts off the stream. He only fainted once from exhaustion while roommates with Vil, back in the beginning of the year and Vil still worries.

“I won’t, but where are you going dressed like that?”

Vil stood in a beautiful purple sparkly suit, a silk scarf loosely wrapped around him, ruffles and embroidery covered the ensemble. It definitely was fancy.

“Rook is taking me to a new restaurant tonight! He said to wear my fanciest outfit, so I scrounged up this old thing.” Vil smiled slightly as he spoke of his date tonight.

“Remind me how you two met? When he insulted your theater performance your first year? Or when he flirted with your arch nemesis, Neige something?” Vil flicks his hair as he saunters out, nose in the air at the teasing remark.

Malleus chuckles as he finishes drying his hair, sitting at his own desk to grab the lotion Vil has forced him to start wearing. Even if he doesn’t think he needs it, Malleus’s skin hasn't been this soft before, nor this healthy. He sighs softly as he rubs the light scented cream into his skin and glances at the picture of his parents. His mother and father beaming at the camera, his father with a protective hand over his mother’s heavily pregnant belly as she wears his father’s uniform hat. He smiles as he starts to speak to the picture, telling his parents of his day, the score, how he won the game, ect. He never would do this infront of Vil, but it’s comforting to feel he could speak to them somehow.

Malleus finished recounting his day, and started to get ready for bed, making sure to unfold and place his fuzzy gargoyle blanket out neatly over his duvet. It’s the warmest thing he owns, and as someone who runs cold, he never slept without it. Though as he spread it out to get rid of the wrinkles, his lanky arms knocked over the picture of his parents on his desk, causing a domino effect of the vicarious stacks of papers and books to scatter.

He sighs as he picks up his desk, making sure his parents were safely settled before he started on anything else. Homework, study materials, his schedule, the team's schedule, and probably some of Vil’s paperwork were all there. Lilia has told him time and time again to start using technology to at least save some trees but he found comfort in the paperwork. Having a solid memory that could never leave him. He’s been left so often, physical reminders were nice.

The smell of coffee and pastries permeated the air, and light chatter would make this cafe comforting and calming if not for the paper that had come out that day. The newspaper crinkles lightly as Leona clenches his fist around it. The score stared at him, stabbing him in the gut each time he saw the picture underneath. It was honestly a good picture, Leona mid-leap to stop the ball, and Malleus sending it in a graceful manner to the goal. A slight bit of Epel trying to cover the goal is seen as well, the ball heading towards Epel at frightening speed.

Falena tried to comfort his brother, though Leona just got more mad at the pats on the back than anything. “I honestly am so impressed! Malleus is a formidable foe! The fact the score was so close is so impressive!”

Leona groans as he takes the fussy babe from Falena’s wife, Nadia. It was comforting to have the heated weight in his lap, even if Cheka was pulling on his braids a bit roughly. The little one’s “Unca! Unca!” Made him feel a bit better. If he could just spend time alone with the kid, he would feel better, but he wasn’t alone.

Nadia and Falena both placed a hand on the younger shoulders, “You’ll get him next time” and “Next time you will win, I’m sure of it” echoing in his ears, except next time never comes.

Across the cafe, sat Malleus, staring at his grandmother’s fancy cursive writing. Busy schedule, so sorry, sending love. His shoulders slumped as if the wait for this letter took all of his energy, depression came off the man in waves.

“You know being the CEO of Draconia Banks is rough, and they’re opening a new branch. She was nice enough to send a handwritten letter at least!” Lilia chirped over his hot chocolate that he was dipping his tuna melt into. If Malleus wasn’t so upset, he would be gagging watching his friend eat it.

“I know, Lilia,” he sighs, catching himself starting to slump, he sits up straighter, squaring his shoulders, and raising his chin. Sitting as a “Draconia should” his grandmother whispered from his memories. Behave, sit up straight, keep your feelings hidden, as a Draconia should.

“Besides, you’ve got next time for her to come!” Lilia’s words echoed in his ears, as well as the slurp of his hot chocolate, except next time never comes.

After leaving the cafe, Malleus ended up finishing a project for class, having to answer questions about the game from readers and fans, and being forced to watch Lilia eat marshmallows and pickles for supper, Malleus was ready to just crawl into bed. Forget the homework due tomorrow, he could finish it in the morning, maybe.

Turning the corner to his dorm, he saw a strange sight. There was a sock on the doorknob. Vil was never careless like this. Malleus carefully extracts the sock and tries the door, locked.

He lightly bangs his head against the door as he extracts his cellphone. Lilia may still be awake, as he did enjoy gaming the night away. He presses the call button, no answer. He tries a second and third time before accepting that Lilia would be of no help tonight. Sebek and Silver, the only other teammates that actually were nice to him, were both a year or two younger and in different dorm houses. Most of Malleus’s peers found him to be a bit much, or were intimidated by his family name. He knew of one person who wasn’t intimidated at least.

“Well, well, well, look what the lizard dragged in.” Leona snarks as he leans against his dorm’s doorframe. “What do you want?”

Malleus bites his tongue at the lizard comment, he never did understand it. “May I please have a place to sleep? My roommate locked me out.” He leaves out the sock part.

“Did they finally wise up to your horrible personality? Or couldn’t handle the sight of you? OH! Let me guess…”

“None of the above Kingscholar! It was a miscommunication!”

“Poor Lizard brain got into a fight? Come crawling for help?”

“I swear, Kingscholar why I…”

The door next to the two slams open, causing them to both jump. A very short, very angry boy enters the hallway. His face was almost as red as his hair, “Some of us are trying to study and would APPRECIATE it if SOME OF US could KEEP IT DOWN!” The boy’s grey eyes pierced both of the men.

“Whatever, get in,” Leona grumbles, pulling Malleus inside, “just to keep the tea pot quiet.”

Malleus glances around the room as he is dragged inside, a few pieces of clothing here and there, a cork board that has more childlike scribbles on it than actual paperwork, and many pictures. The scribbles are mostly using yellow with some reds and oranges, and it seems to be of some family, maybe? It’s quite abstract if nothing else. The pictures are just as sweet, many family pictures of fun activities, mainly of two young boys. One with fiery red hair, the other a muted brown. Piggy back rides, sports games, but the pictures dwindle as they both age, until a tiny baby with a shock of red hair starts to show up. The picture that stands out the most seems to be a professional family photo. The two boys on either side of their father, the smaller brunette holding a stuffed lion toy tightly in one hand, the other clinging to his elder brother. Said toy, though worse for wear, is sitting sweetly at the head of the bed, which Leona quickly shoves under the rumpled covers as if to hide it.

“I didn’t take you for an abstract artist, though I would expect this level from someone much younger than yourself.” Malleus tries to start the conversation, awkwardly changing into the too short red and yellow pajamas that were thrown at him.

Leona turns with a snarl, “Cheka is a better artist at two than you are now, Lizard breath!” he carefully pulls a tack out and takes one of the pictures, “This is almost a perfect rendition of the last family holiday we had together.” He points at the darker, larger blob of a figure. “This is clearly me and this,” he points to the smaller red and yellow blob seemingly on top of the darker blob, “is him enjoying the game of piggy back!” Malleus zones out a bit as Leona carefully places the picture back before grabbing another and starts to explain it again. Each picture he becomes more subdued, and softer. Petting the smaller red and yellow blob sometime.

“Well,” Malleus finally interjects, “they are quite good for a two year old.” Leona huffs at that and just throws a spare blanket and pillow at the man.

“You get the floor, be grateful.” he snaps before he turns the lights out, the soft glow from the outside street light allowing them both to see just enough to get to their respective places. Leona curled up in bed, and Malleus laid out across the floor.

The silence between the two is stifling, until Malleus cant take it and speaks “How is your goal keeper? The small purple haired one?”

“Epel, he's fine. He's a tough kid, and bounces back quickly.” Leona answers, before grinning to himself, “How's your goal keeper? The green haired crybaby?”

“Sebek! He is just a first year student but has so much promise! I am excited to see how far he will go” Malleus starts, and before Leona can interject to stop him, “He is a bit emotional but if he can learn to harness it he will be an amazing player. His family all came to see the game, and it was so impressive to see how much he is loved.”

Leona lets Malleus go on for awhile, until a lull allows him to finally get a word in, “Sebek’s family sounds nice.”

“What do you mean?”

Silence.

After a few beats, Malleus allows the dark night and soft glow of the light to allow him to open up a bit. “I wish I had a family like Sebek. My father passed away before I was born.” If Leona was paying attention, he wasn’t showing it, “He was a part of the military, I don’t know the details, but his remains came back a hero at least. My mother nearly died of heartbreak with me alongside her, but my grandmother says she pulled herself together long enough to have me. She passed away shortly after though.”

Leona finally shows interest, turning to face Malleus as he continues, “I know my grandmother loves me, but it must be difficult to see the person who took her daughter away from here everyday.”

The silence stretches again until it became too unbearable for Leona, “My mum passed when I was a baby too. She had apparently had a complicated pregnancy, and I nearly died alongside her.”

It was Malleus’s turn to face the other, though Leona was staring pointedly at the ceiling, “My dad would say how sometimes he wishes I did, so he wouldn’t have to see me. Falena was as helpful as any brother could be, but we were both kids. We didn’t know what we were doing, or how to deal with life, or loss.” A soft sigh, and the quietest, “Maybe I should have died with her, would have been easier on Falena at least,” was heard. Malleus didn’t comment on it.

Eventually the silence returned, but Malleus wasn’t going to let the conversation go quite yet. “Do you want kids?” he asked, staring at the ceiling alongside Leona.

“Where’s this question coming from? You ask whoever your dating that, not your rival.”

“I do, I want several.” Malleus closes his eyes, and if he focused real hard he could almost hear children giggling, “I was always lonely as a kid, I don’t want my own children to ever feel that.”

“Didn’t ask for the trauma dump,” Leona scoffs, ignoring his own past speech of his family.

“I think we are both still as lonely as we were as children, Leona.”

Leona’s eyes widened, it was the first time Malleus had used his actual name and not Kingscholar. Having enough of the emotional vulnerability he threw another pillow at Malleus, “Go to sleep.” Malleus let out a small “wha-” as the pillow landed on his face. At Least that let Leona go to sleep with a small smile and his lion plushie protectively in his arms.

The next morning was silent between the two, Malleus changing from the borrowed pajamas into his own clothes again before leaving, nodding apologetically to the “Tea Pot” as Leona called the short red head as he passed. The walk back to his own room felt warm, strangely. Malleus was usually lonely and cold in the morning. Maybe he should start sleeping on the floor of his dorm room, it seemed to help him sleep a bit last night.

He made sure to knock on the door before entering, hoping to not see Rook or Vil indecent. Thankfully they were both fully clothed, and speaking around Vil’s vanity as he got ready for the day. Rook looked up from watching Vil do his hundred step skin care routine to smile at Malleus.

“Desole about last night Monsieur Dragon! I hope you slept well either way.” Rook grinned up at his peer, before glancing down. Bright yellow peeking out from under his slightly wrinkled dress pants. Rook’s eyes met Vil’s, both smirking in knowing.

(Authors notes: I tried to pull in some parallels between the two at the cafe, and with the talk of their families. As well as do some environmental story telling with their rooms. Malleus’s desk is a mess to link to how he can’t let things go, such as the papers, and Leona’s is to show how he really does love his brother and nephew, just has bad feelings from his father (who I expect fell into a depression after the passing of his wife) some extra info that didn’t get into the fic! Vil is a part time model, and is studying chemistry, hoping to start his own cosmetic brand. Rook is an archeology student with an interest in ancient writings. Riddle is a pre med student but thinking of changing to law. Malleus is a financial student to take over the bank his family owns, but he really loves architecture. Leona is studying politics, as he is expected to help his brother since the kingscholars are all politicians. Falena is Govener, and Nadia is a lawyer, so Leona watches Cheka a lot. Cheka accidentally called Leona daddy before Falena, but Leona has kept that secret. Lilia is going for teaching, and is older than he looks by alot.)

[nox140497]

The Ultimate House Showdown: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin in the Quidditch Cup

Prompt: No

Request: Yes

Prompt Number: None

Summary: Quidditch can be dangerous.

Pairings: George Weasley x Female Reader

Author's Note: So I don't know what happened but it deleted the story and ask right after I posted it so heres the story again... this is now the second time its done this...

Masterlist

Prompt List

---------------‐------------------------------------

As the sun shone down on the Quidditch pitch, the stands were packed with cheering fans, eagerly awaiting the start of the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The Gryffindor team, led by their captain George Weasley, flew onto the pitch with confidence, ready to defend their winning streak.

Among the players was y/n, a talented chaser for Gryffindor. She had always loved the thrill of flying and the speed of the game, and Quidditch was what she excelled at. As she mounted her broom and adjusted her goggles, she couldn't help but feel a burst of excitement course through her. Today was going to be a great game.

The whistle blew, signaling the start of the match, and the players took off towards the golden snitch. George, as the seeker, was determined to catch it quickly and secure a win for Gryffindor. Meanwhile, y/n zoomed through the air, closely followed by the opposing team's chasers. She skillfully dodged bludgers and threw the quaffle back and forth with her teammates, quickly racking up points for Gryffindor.

The score was neck and neck, and the excitement in the air was palpable. George and y/n's eyes met and they exchanged a determined nod, their teamwork perfectly in sync. As they flew side by side, George couldn't help but admire y/n's flying skills and determination. She was an invaluable asset to the team.

Just as they were about to score yet another goal, disaster struck. A bludger from the other team's beater came barreling towards y/n, and before she could react, it hit her broom handle with great force. The impact sent y/n flying off her broom and onto the ground with a sickening thud.

The match came to a sudden halt as players from both teams rushed to y/n's side. George quickly landed next to her, his heart plummeting at the sight of y/n lying still on the ground.

'Y/n, can you hear me?' George asked desperately, his hands trembling as he assessed her injuries.

With a groan, y/n slowly opened her eyes and tried to sit up, wincing in pain. The bludger had done some damage, but thankfully, nothing too serious. George helped her to her feet and hugged her tight, relieved that she was okay.

The rest of the match was postponed as the players, including the Slytherin team, helped y/n to the infirmary. As she lay in bed, surrounded by her concerned friends, George couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened.

'I'm so sorry, y/n. I should have been there to protect you,' George said, guilt evident in his voice.

Y/n just smiled and squeezed his hand. 'Don't be silly, George. It's just a part of the game. And besides, we make a great team, don't we?'

As she spoke, an idea formed in George's mind. He leaned in and whispered his plan to y/n, a mischievous glint in his eye. She grinned, knowing exactly what he was up to.

The next day, as the match resumed, y/n was back on her broom, fully recovered and ready to play. As George flew past her, he winked and she knew exactly what to do. Without missing a beat, y/n zoomed towards a bludger and expertly hit it towards the Slytherin team, causing chaos and giving Gryffindor the advantage they needed to win the match.

As they celebrated their victory, George and y/n shared a knowing smile. They may have been rivals on the Quidditch pitch, but together, they were an unstoppable team. And from that day on, they were not only teammates, but also the best of friends.

As for the bludger incident, it only brought George and y/n closer, and they both knew that nothing could break their bond - not even a rogue bludger.