#he won nationals everyone else go home!

[eggplantgifs]

Kosho Oshima: The Super Mario Bros. Movie » 2023 Japanese Nationals

[bunnys-kisses]

shut up and put your money where your mouth is

max verstappen

tags: smut/pwp, driver!reader, rivals au, bickering/fighting, married in vegas, drinking, doggy style, rough sex, dirty talk, hangovers, 2.5k words

a/n: happy las vegas gp everyone!

wheel to wheel. toe to toe. cheek to cheek.

this was the dance you did with the three time world champion. the rivalry that put mclaren and red bull up against one another. and in the lead up to the las vegas grand prix, it was you and max's world and everyone else was just living in it.

"you should smile more." he said at the bar in one of the casinos on the strip. he pinched your cheek and you wanted to bite him.

you replied shortly, "i'll smile when you give me something to smile about. don't think i forgot the last race." you were barely edging max in points with the season wrapping up.

he just smiled, "i know you'll be smiling when i bring it all home in a few weeks. don't you worry." then pinched your cheek once more.

damn max verstappen.

the rivarly started years ago. max was the youngest rookie and you were a few months older than him. along with being the first female in far too long. the hype around your arrivals to the sport caused you two to step on each other's toes. both of you felt an overbearing responsibility to be the best. your father breathed down your neck on the track just as much as max's did down his.

and even after years in the game, you were both painfully in each other's orbit. so much so that your dear teammate oscar once said, "i'm pretty sure if you two weren't in formula one you'd be married by now!"

you replied with a laugh, "oh please, i'd never! not in a million years." but last vegas was the city of opportunity, and before an exciting weekend you went out for a few drinks with your rival. and as much as the city has opportunity, it was still sin city.

enough gin and tonics for max to feel a little more relaxed. and enough cranberry-vodkas to leave you feeling warm all over. what sent you over the edge with him was his flushed face and him undoing the first few buttons of his shirt. your eyes raked over his almost exposed collarbones and you shifted in your seat.

you swallowed and took another hearty drink, which only fueled a sexual fire in your belly. you felt something hot run through you at the sight of him. you looked away to try and not think too hard about it. you played with the gold chain around your neck.

max leaned forward and narrowed his eyes at your neck, "did i buy that for you?" he put his arms on the table and his expression was drunken as he said, "wearing what i bought you?" he laughed, "if i know you'd wear it. i would've bought you a ring."

you felt heat rise in your cheeks more, "i think people would get the wrong idea. we're supposed to hate each other. the headlines would be insane, max verstappen buys ring for his rival."

he chuckled, "well, you are my favourite." he swallowed and darted his gaze quickly, "my favourite rival." then took another hearty sip of his drink.

you licked your lips, "just a rival?" you asked softly. the liquor emboldened you and you let go of your necklace. in a moment of weakness you reached for his hand and asked, "not even friends?"

max swallowed, "not friends."

you felt ice wash through your core at his words. a tightness in your chest prevented any words from coming out.

max realized in his drunken haze that he only said half of the sentence. when you pulled your hand away, he was desperate to grab it back. shock crossed his expression, "no, no! not like that!" liquid courage made him say the words, "not a friend. a lover."

the words tumbled out of your mouth, "verstappen... i'm saying this on the most certain terms... take me. fuck me. do whatever you want to me." you swallowed.

-

you held the trophy over your head. you beamed with pride after your country's national anthem. you did it, you won the first race of many. as max then sprayed you with champagne, there was a single thing on his mind.

you'd be his one day.

-

you made it to the elevator with max in tow. you were headed to his room. you held his shoulders who he held you to kiss you deeply.

"as good at kissing as you are at racing." you giggled.

"oh, are you giving me a compliment? never heard that before." he smiled at you. he had you by the waist.

"don't get used to it. if you don't make me cum, then i'll never let you live it down." you held his face for a moment, "i will tell everyone that the great max verstappen can't make a woman cum."

he pressed you further against the wall of the elevator, "oh don't worry, i'll make you feel good."

the elevator dinged and you both stumbled out of it. max trapped you against the door while he loomed over you and tried to open it. it was hard to kiss your heated skin and open a door at the same time. on top of being drunk.

"focus on one thing." you groaned.

"if i do then i'll be fucking you in the hallway. and wouldn't that be the scandal of the season." his words struck something in you and when the door was opened, you were pushed inside.

when you caught your footing, you got your heels off. max wrapped his arms around your waist and picked you up. while you weren't stick thing (couldn't be in formula one, not with all that force), but max was simply stronger. he got you both over to the bedroom before he cornered you. you squirmed and he said, "stop moving or i'll drop you." and soon got you onto the king sized hotel bed.

he undid al the bottoms of the shirt and got his belt off as well, he stripped those from himself along with his slacks. in just an undershirt and his briefs in the end, he got onto the bed with you. the dress would've been torn off of you if you weren't fast enough. max groaned when he shoved his face between your soon bare breasts.

"just like i imagined." he groaned. his hands were at the waistband of your panties, "fuck. i need more." and while he got your panties off, you got your bra off.

"you really are excited." you shuddered as your hand up under his shirt. his shoulders were framed by the straps of the undershirt. he looked a little more domineering, which only raised the heat in your body.

"how could i not be? look at you!" he purred before he got the white undershirt off along with his dark briefs.

both of you were naked and tumbled fully onto the bed together. you kissed him once more until you ended up on your stomach with your face in the pillows. max admired your strong back. being a driver meant exhibiting a strength which you presented in spades. strong in so many ways, which was an aspect that pulled max in.

enamored was a term he could use. but that implied it was casual, but max's feelings were far from casual. you were next to the blood in his veins. the spark in his life, the heat in his soul.

he lined his cock up against your soaked cunt. he felt drawn to you, like a siren's call. he couldn't help it, he had been needing this for a long, long time. he sank into you and you felt the excitement of pleasure rush through you as you laid out in the bed.

"at least a decade in the making." he groaned, "ten years, ten years i've been wanting you." he felt a moan leave his lips. two drunks fucking in an expensive hotel room. two multi-million dollar drivers rutted together with a hot passion between you two.

"fuck, don't make me feel old." you buried your face further into the covers and arched your back further. pleasure bloomed through you. you could never truly hate max. it wasn't in you.

max leaned in to kiss you on the centre of your back as he moved against you. his hot breath against you warm back, he felt the thrill of pleasure as he worked you slick cunt. your pussy felt like a dream, while drunk, you still felt perfect. you let out a soft moan as he moved.

"fuck."

"please, max."

"i know."

you were near certain that this was what the entire grid was hoping for. you knew that people shipped you two together. you see the edits, the reddit threads, the fan art, the fan fiction. and you knew the paddock talked.

you gripped the soft pillow under your face and you whined a little bit. the wooden headboard rocked against the white wall of the bedroom. you hoped that checo's room wasn't on the other side. you'd never hear the end of it.

max wrapped his strong arms around your middle and continued to fuck you. he moved against you. his cock bullied against your g-spot and you were left breathless. you wanted him, you wanted him in ways you never thought you'd ever admit.

max lit a fire in you. to push yourself harder an further, you were only as strong as your ability to match max. and your rival made you the best. you clutched onto the pillow and felt a stagger in your heart. your mind was filled with pleasure, but also the liquor. in some way, vodka only made things feel more intense.

you felt it race through your body as the two of you fucked on the soft bed. the slogan from vegas was true, anyone could get lucky here. and you got rather lucky with max.

he held onto you tighter, his strong arm around your middle as he rutted against you. it was a protective feeling to you and you loved the feeling. you guessed that he was a protective force in your life, no one bothered you with max around.

you hissed into the pillow and you felt the surge of intense want. this was a feeling you wanted to feel again, again, and again. you held on tightly and the immense heat just dragged you into the depths of pleasure.

"please, max. i want you. fuck, i didn't know i could want a rival so badly. you're as much in my soul as the engine of my car. ever since we met, i knew you'd be a force in my life. i need you more than i need anyone else. fuck." you rambled, muffled by the covers, and max loved it.

you were always delicate with your words and to hear profanity leave your lips so freely made max run hotter. the way you spoke as you lost all rationality in your head.

he had an effect on you, even on the grid and you wanted to kill him. you never did, not when he looked at you with those beautiful blue eyes. he was your weakness, hence why you were rivals. the pleasure continued to mount, the feeling was electric. it made you hold on tightly, your back arched as he worked your body. you felt on cloud nine, not a care in the world. the want rolled through you and you moaned his name out loud once more.

"fuck, max!" you came around his cock with your nails dug into the pillow. he pressed himself up against your back and continued to fuck you with a feverish face.

the bed creaked under the both of you and the over stimulation made your head swim. you felt the heavy rush and he only kept moving against you. sweaty chest up against your sweaty back. thrusting against you, the pleasure built up in his brain.

the pleasure reached its peak and max slammed his cock as deep into you. he tried to get as deep as he could get and it made you climax once more. he rode out his orgasm, and soon he slowed to a stop. he felt racing in his chest. he wiped sweat from his forehead then kissed your back.

"max."

he pulled out and laid out next to you. he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close to his chest. he peppered your face with sloppy kisses and you melted at his tender touch. even with his caring touch, his words caught you off guard, "fuck, let's get married."

and as you got lost in his eyes, you nodded, "sure."

-

the sun come morning burned and you turned over to look away from the window. you cracked open your eyes and the hangover weighed on you like a heavy blanket. you were met face to face with max, who was asleep beside you.

your eyes went wide and you pulled away from him. your chest tightened as you pulled the sheets closer to your chest. your heart leapt and you swallowed. when you looked down at your shaky hands, you saw a ring at your left hand. a shocked noise left your lips at the sight of it.

the ring was a gold band with a small diamond. you swallowed, there was no doubt what it was. you got very drunk and you got married. a nagging feeling of who you married was soon answered when you saw max shift and he had a matching gold band on his ring finger.

this was only confirmed when you opened instagram. and the post you were greeted with was of your hastily put together wedding. you looked happy as you kissed him. it felt like the rest of the platform was in a tizzy over this sudden wedding.

a sports reporting outlet had the caption, "mclaren's princess has tamed the bull!!" with a photo of you at the alter, your lips against max's. the next post read, "verstappen ties the knot with long time rival before the las vegas grand prix." you stomach sank and the reality was a cold splash of water.

post after post, reactions from what felt like everyone. you only came back to focus when you felt max's arm drape around your waist.

"max, we're in trouble..." you swallowed.

he slowly opened his eyes. he held onto you tightly for a moment before he kissed at your side. his expression was dreamy, still asleep as he let go of you. his expression changed suddenly when he noticed the ring on his finger. his eyes went wide before he took your hand and saw your ring.

"oh..."

"max, say something." you tried again, your voice tight. you felt the immense anxiety through you. what would the fia say? what would the press say? what would every other goddamn driver say?

it was bad enough people speculated for years about you two, but to have it come to reality was terrifying. but max didn't seem as scared as you.

he looked at you, only to shift closer. he kissed your side once more then said, "well, good morning then, mrs. verstappen." <3

[crabberman]

First Kiss

“Tobio!”

The man in question whips his head around, lips forming into a tiny, barely there smile when he lays his eyes on the person who shouted his name. Today was a big match, the prefectural finals against Shiratorizawa. If Karasuno won this they’d be headed off to nationals. Kageyama had been stretching, putting all of his focus into the match ahead of him before he heard his name called.

When he looks up he sees you, standing in the front section of Karasuno’s cheering section waving like an idiot. He squints his eyes, staring at your shirt. It was his alternate jersey. Where did you get it? Kageyama could have sworn he had it in his bag… Through his confusion a soft blush reaches his face. You were cheering him on, wearing his jersey and screaming his name. The peaceful bliss of the moment is interrupted when Hinata appears behind him.

“Woah Kageyama, who's that? Why do they have your jersey?” Hinata sounds surprised.

Kageyama glares at the shorter boy, pushing him away. “Shut up idiot! Why do you even care?”

“Because you’re smiling and it’s freaky!”

Kageyama turns to begin yelling at Hinata when he hears his name again. This time when he looks up he’s met with you making a heart with your hands.

“Tobio! Good luck!” His smile returns as well as the blush. Maybe he didn’t mind everyone seeing. He gives a small wave before the teams are called to their benches, game about to begin.

After 5 long and grueling sets Karasuno came out on top. They were going to nationals. After long bouts of crying and celebrations on the court the team finally decided to leave. As they exit the gym Kageyama feels a tug on his arm. Irritated, he turns aggressively to tell off whoever grabbed him when he sees your face smiling at him. He is quickly engulfed into a hug that he returns after a moment of shock, smiling himself.

“Oh my god Tobio you were amazing! I’m so proud of you I knew you would win!” Kageyama stares at you while you excitedly ramble about his performance on the court. He still didn’t understand why you came. Sure you had asked him out a few months prior and were dating but he couldn’t quite wrap his head around why you would even want to come to his games.

“Why are you here?” He finally asks, cutting you off. You give him a confused look.

“Why wouldn’t I come? You’re my boyfriend and I like watching you play. I wanted to support you.” Kageyama’s confusion still stands, though another emotion rises. One he doesn’t quite know what to do with. He’s filled with a strong urge to kiss you, he doesn’t understand why though. You notice his stare, shooting him your own confused look.

“You okay babe?” When Kageyama registers the nickname he feels the urge to kiss you grow tenfold until  he can no longer hold himself back.

“Can I kiss you?” He awkwardly blubbers the words out. He feels embarrassed. Why did he say that? His mind swirls and swirls, not even registering how close you had gotten until he feels your lips on his. He freezes for a moment, eyes with shock, before he kisses back. His movements are awkward, just like everything else he does outside of volleyball, but they aren’t unwelcome. Once you pull back he looks stunned while you just smile and laugh.

“Tobio, I think your team is waiting for you. Call me when you get home okay?” He watches you walk away, face red as he brings a hand to his mouth. He can’t believe that he kissed you. It felt good, he wanted to do it again. His thoughts are cut off by Daichi yelling for him to hurry up and get on the bus. He looks in the direction you left one last time before turning to join his team on the bus. Once he sits down he pulls out his phone to text you.

Tobio <3: Can we do that again? 

Tobio <3: Also you have my jersey

Tobio <3: I need that back

[fire-bugged]

Hello gang!

How are you on this fine day? Hope you are fine. Well today is my birthday!!! 🎉 I wanted to know how the mercs would celebrate with us. I'm fine you writing any merc so go crazy 😼

Anyways, take care and remember to stay hydrated 😈

Happy Birthday, Anon! I hope you had a wonderful birthday, and I hope you enjoy these headcanons!

Mercenaries Celebrate Your Birthday

Scout

- Probably forgot it was your birthday. But when someone else (or you) remind him, he’s immediately excited.

- Whips out one of his Ma’s birthday cake recipes from when he was a little kid. It’s a simple cake, just one layer with some frosting slathered on top, but it’s still pretty good!

- As for gifts, he gets you something a few days later. He’ll get you some snacks that you love, but are difficult to find in New Mexico. It’s not much, but he still hopes you’ll enjoy it.

Soldier

- Soldier is insanely good at remembering important dates, including birthdays.

- Instead of the usual trumpet-blaring and shouting the USA national anthem to wake everyone up in the morning, he’s yell-singing “Happy Birthday” at the top of his lungs

- Gives you a strong pat on the back and congratulates you on another year of fighting the good fight. Now go forth and beat the crap out of whatever the next year of your life is going to throw at you!

- At the end of the day, you find a box in your room with a note attached that simply says “Use it well”. Inside, you find a worn, but still very sharp shovel. Perfect for beating people over the head with.

Pyro

- They absolutely remember your birthday, and they are very excited about it.

- They make you some cupcakes that are only slightly overcooked, as well as covered in mountains of frosting and sprinkles. They give them to you while mumbling to the tune of “happy birthday”.

- As for presents, they like giving lots of small trinkets. Whether you like pretty rocks, silly pens, trading cards, plushies, miniature figures, anything of that sort. They’ll always be able to find a bunch of small things you’ll like!

Demoman

- He gets pretty excited when he realizes your birthday is coming up. When he was a kid, he never really got to celebrate his birthday all that much due to spending his childhood an orphan. But now he loves celebrating them regardless of whose birthday it is.

- Sets up a bunch of things at a good bar near the base. There’s darts, pool, foosball, beer pong, and of course, plenty of drinks and good food to go around. He makes sure the whole team is there, celebrating with you and having a good time.

- You mean a lot to him, and he wants to make sure you have a birthday you’ll always look back fondly on.

Heavy

- He remembers birthdays very well, as they are important in his family. To Heavy, you are close enough to be considered family.

- Back home, birthdays were often celebrated with lots of food and good drinks, and he’ll do the same for you. He gets together with a few of the other members of the team that you’re close with, and they all work to make a lot of rich, filling dishes that he knows you’ll enjoy.

- He also sets up Poker with the entire team. Jokes are made, drinks are had, money is won and lost, and it’s a great time for all.

- You are surrounded by friends, and you are loved. That is the best gift he can possibly give to you.

Engineer

- He knew your birthday was coming up, and he made sure to prepare ahead of time.

- He works for most of the day, so you don’t see him much until the evening. He cooks your favorite meal for dinner, complete with delicious side dishes that complement it perfectly. He makes sure to make more than enough for there to be leftovers, allowing you to enjoy the food for the next couple of days, as well.

- If you have any creative hobbies (or have been wanting to start a new hobby) he will gift you the supplies needed for it, as well as tools of his own making. He built them himself with specific measurements and materials to best suit you.

Medic

- Always remembers birthdays. Being the team’s doctor, it’s important for him to remember these sorts of details!

- He wouldn’t be able to do much, due to the fact that he still has to work. Today being your birthday won’t prevent someone from getting shot or blown up, after all. But he will still cheerfully wish you a happy birthday when he sees you.

- If you take any medications, he’ll tie a little bow on your refill when he gives it to you. But when you open it up later to take your medication, you find a little note inside:

- “Happy birthday mein freunde! Wishing you another year of good health! :)”

Sniper

- Pretty chill about birthdays, doesn’t take them too seriously.

- When he finds out it’s your birthday, he’ll give you a nod and a smile, wishing you “happy birthday, mate”.

- Towards the end of the day, he’ll come to you with a couple of drinks you like and just hang out. You’ll just have a good ol’ time sitting back in some lawn chairs and chatting about whatever while watching the sun go down.

Spy

- Doesn’t really share the excitement surrounding birthdays. Nonetheless, he still remembers when they occur, and that includes yours.

- If you mention it to him, he’ll give you a curt “Happy Birthday”, and won’t say anything else about it.

- But later in the day, a small box will appear on your bedside table. There’s no note to reveal who had left it there or what it was for, but deep down, you knew the answer to both of these questions. Inside is a small, but very expensive and high quality accessory that you’ve always wanted. You never told anyone about it, but it seems you didn’t need to.

- The first time you wear it, you swear you see the tiniest trace of a smile on Spy’s face.

[dailydoseoflhs]

03: Request

It isn't like Lucille wanted to do this but she doesn't have a choice but to give in to the request of her dearest friend.

"Come and lets go watch the livestreaming Monza grand prix with me." Her dearest friend, Julia told her.

Lucille knew better, her friend was trying to set her up on a date with a fellow F1 fan.

"Fine but only if you buy the food and drink." She answered her friend with a teasing smile.

"Ugh fine!" Her friend has nothing to say or else Lucille would have backed out.

══════════════════════════════

withlove_lucille updated her story 3mins ago●

It was like a dream watching the Ferrari takes the pole and win a race in Italy.

It feel like she is one of the Tifosis in Monza right now, proudly singing the national anthem while waving the color of rosso corsa.

The feeling of 2019 Monza win just being back and repeated again. It was surreal.

Seeing Charles be so happy at the podium, spraying champagne at the crowd below and smiling ear to ear.

Lucille couldn't help but smile too seeing her favorite driver be so happy despite the tragic of his lovelife.

Indeed, he is the Il predestinato they call him.

Dragging that tractor car across the circuit around 53 laps, she applaud both Charles and Carlos for doing well.

It was a win not only to Charles and Ferrari but to the whole Italy and Ferrari fans.

EARLIER (at the middle of the race)

Lucille sits beside Julia in one of the barcade that hosts the livestreaming for Monza grand prix.

Both of the girls anxiously watch the race alongsidw with the fellow fans.

The fans wearing their team favorite merch while Lucille opts for a Ferrari jacket and Julia for a Ferrari cap.

Julia make herself feel like a supportive WAG making Lucille laugh but supports her best friend.

The last lap actions always gets everyone on the edge of their seats.

But

"The Tifosis are roaring him home! And for the second time in his career! Charles Leclerc is the winner of the Italian Grand Prix!"

The whole barcade shouts in joy and jump from their seat to celebrate a meaningful win for Ferrari and for Charles.

Lucille and Julia hugs each other, happy.

"He won!" Lucille said

"He did!" Julia answered

Proud is an understatement.

withlove_lucille

🎵 G-Eazy ft. Christopher Andersson • Tumblr Girls

Liked by hs_l, julia_pvrt, and 20 others

withlove_lucille kinda feeling like a WAG? Congrats on your win! @charles_leclerc

view all 9 comments

hs_l he won didn't he?

withlove_lucille of course he did!

ouou_g you should be a WAG🤔🤔

withlove_lucille you should be my stylist then

══════════════════════════════

Notifaction 🔔

@charles_leclerc liked your story

@charles_leclerc liked your post

MASTERLIST || PREVIOUS || NEXT

Author's note

Sorry for the LATEEEEE update, deadlines are turning into DEADline. Anyways, I still haven't the issues with the tagging. So NO taglist YET.

🏎🆑️🏁❤️

[passionateseadruid]

broken beyond repair?

Summary:

It had been 65 years since you died and six months earlier you'd killed your husband. About 67 years ago you'd married the man who'd come to be known as Vox.

Notes:

Okay a few things: It has a slow intro but I promise it get's good. Not historically accurate also it takes place 2022 (Hazbin Hotel I'll say takes place 2024)

Cw: Abusive relationships, older man/younger woman, misogyny (well, it is from the 50s), pre canon, Vox’s (theorized) human name, also Valentino is mentioned.

Your parents smile at you as you look over the ticket to the set of JacxBox News. JaxcBox has several different television/radio shows but your favorite by far was the news channel. Now, don't get it twisted, the news is boring as hell (even back then (Back now?)); But the host has a sexy voice and the pictures of him in the newspaper made him look like an Adonis.

"Thank you Mama! Thank you Daddy!" You hug you parents (specifically your father).

"Molly Mayberry's parents had the idea to send you two girls to the see the live show." Your mother explains to you.��Molly Mayberry; heiress to the Mayberry country club. She's been your best friend since you were five.

Your parents both worked to be able to afford the private school you went to, raising scorn and mockery from the rest of the community. See, you weren't rich but you were determined to change that. Someday you were going to marry a banker or a stock broker and you'd be able to set your parents up in a nice home maybe somewhere on the coast, and when they'd grow old you'd get them the nicest nurse your future husband's money could pay for.

"You mind if I call Molls? She's gonna be so jazzed." They nod and you flop down into the couch. You dial her number on the rotary, and hear it ring. "Hey! My parents just told me! So what are we gonna wear? Are we gonna match?" 

"Who cares about that! My daddy says we can use his new blue fliptop! Hummy and Angie are going to be so jealous when we see them at tennis." Angie "Hummy" Drew and Eliana Pheen make up the rest of your little clique. Hummy is a sweet girl but she isn't very bright (at least that's what everyone else says); she's often humming to herself as a way to calm herself or focus her mind on the task at hand. Her parents have tried everything they can to "fix" her, with no shortage of funds coming from her fathers jewelry company. Eliana on the other hand is the strongest and tallest girl in the graduating class of '53; her dad was a world-famous tennis player for the national Spain tennis team in his youth and won gold for them in the 1936 Olympics. Her dad had to take her mom’s last name when he came over to live here.

"Sounds like a jam."

"I know! I'm gonna meet Vincent Audire! Now don't be jealous when he absolutely falls for me." Molly giggles. She was the leader of your guys little clique and if she liked a boy the other girls weren't allowed to pursue him. Your pretty sure that every time you liked a guy she tried to snatch him away. Your not sure why you were friends. 

"He'll just adore you." You say supportively, despite the fact that it breaks your heart.

"Duh! Who wouldn't."

////////////////////////////////////////

It was a few days later and You and Molly sit in the audience and watch as the news is being recorded both on film and over the radio.

Vincent was a handsome man with dark, almost jet black, hair. He had there piercing blue eyes and a stunningly white smile. Your heart skips a beat every time he looks over at you two. Before the show he even winked in your direction. Of course Molly's sure it's for her. Why wouldn't it be. She's the one dressed to the nines in jewelry and a nice cherry red wiggle dress. She lent you some accessories to go with the dress you'd converted from an old poodle skirt Molly gave you into a petticoat. 

After the show was over Molly sent you away to "get her something from the snack table in the lounge" so she could go cozy up to Vincent.

It didn't work apparently because he shows up in the lounge 50 seconds after you finish scooping something up for Molly. 

"Hello sir." You smile at him.

"Hey doll. You come with that lady in the slim red dress? You two are rather young aren't you?"

"I don't s'pose so sir. We graduated just last week. Neither of us really fancy College. Molly's father prolly' gonna make her go to Radcliffe to meet one of those Harvard men. She's far more interested in you though sir."

"Oh really? What about you doll?"

"Me?" You ask surprised. "Well I s'pose I won't gonna go to college. I'll just marry one of Molly's father's friend's sons. Be a cute lil housewife, for a handsome rich man." You bat your lashes at him.

"Well that's probable for the best. Being a trophy wife suits someone of your skillset better than a housewife."

"And what do you mean by that sir?" You hesitate to ask. Oh if Molly saw you now she'd rip your head off.

"No one's being fooled by the botch job done on your dress. An old poodle skirt to a petticoat? You'd be better off using that pretty face of yours to please your husband." He ran one of his warm pale hands against your cheek. His knuckle feels alien yet comforting against you. "Doll. You wouldn't happen to be free tomorrow night would you?"

"I am."

"Would you want to go to my favorite restaurant with me? We could meet earlier and go get you something presentable."

"I'd love that, sir."

"Please Doll. Call me Vincent." He kisses your knuckles and walks off. "I'll meet you on boardwalk by the pier at noon." he says looking back. You nod and rush back to Molly with her snack.

////////////////////////////////////////

The next day he brought you around to a few fancy shops and bought you a tiki dress for dinner. He brought you out to this cute little Hawaiian Restaurant.  

Later that night as he was walking you back to your front door he leaned down and kissed you straight on the lips.

"How forward of you Vincent!" You blush. He chuckles and hands you the bags from the shopping trip.

"Here's my number. Call me tomorrow to set up our next date doll." He kisses your cheek and walks back to his car.

"Okay. Have a good night Vincent."

After your second date he asked you to go steady. He takes you out every weekend. This went on for a while and your friend noticed.

"Alright, what's going on?" Molly asks almost annoyed.

"I'm going steady with a boy." You smiled dreamily.

"Hm? What's he like?" Hummy bounces her leg as she asks interested.

"Get your head out of la la land and focus on the game!" Eliana shouts from across the court.

"Don't see why you're upset. You two are winning." Molly snarks. "She's right though. I wanna win this game."

"Molly, no one's ever won against Eliana." You point out.

"Papa has!" Eliana exclaims.

"Oh thank you Eliana, for correcting me that the only person who's ever beaten you is the world famous tennis champion who taught you." You roll your eyes.

////////////////////////////////////////

It had been about six months of going steady and no one has been aware of it. But one day he went on the news channel, his smile slightly forced as he announced that in about two months he'd be taking two weeks off to go on his honeymoon. He called you onto the set with him and introduced you to the world.

You don't fail to notice the tight grip he kept around your shoulder. You don't think that he's all to pleased about what you told him just the night before.

Neither was Molly when she saw you on the news channel that evening. She was screaming, throwing things around her room, and according to Hummy she even assaulted one of the help. 

You haven't seen Molly since you went on TV, but that wouldn't last long. She found you when you were out one day with Vincent.

"HOW COULD YOU!!" She charges at you and your Fiancé's bodyguard, Parker, steps in to protect you.

"Go back to the car Vincent I'll be there in a moment." He rolls his eyes but does as you say.

"You tramp! You knew how much I loved him!" Molly cries as tears stream down her face.

"I'm sorry Molly, but Vincent wants me."

"You... you really are dense! He doesn't want you! He wants an easy girl. He'll have his fun with you but in the end rich men will marry the daughters of other rich men."

"That's where you're wrong. I'm having his baby, that's why he put this rock on my hand."

She screams. She goes to pull on your hair but Parker steps up and in between the two of you. He escorts you back to the unpleased man in the black car.

////////////////////////////////////////

A year later you were living with a baby boy who absolutely adores you; and a husband how tosses you around like a used sock.

So here you sit. In the kitchen of your husband's mansion, feeding your beautiful baby; seeing as the help having the day off. 

Your husband Vincent isn't exactly the nicest man. You have no idea what happened to him. The day before you told him you were pregnant he was buying you flowers and dresses, taking you out for dinner and spoon feeding you 100 dollar parfaits. then the second you told him his mood shifted.

Molly was right, you know that now. Vincent wasn't the marrying type. However, if you'd gone public with the news of your pregnancy his carrier would be over. He had no choice but the marry you.

"Hello Junior, how's my big man today?" Vincent asks, ruffling the boys black locks. As much as he now hates you you're glad to see he holds no resentment towards his son. It almost made up for the times he'd get drunk and throw things, complaining how you'd ruined his life (though thankfully there were no mentions of his son in those arguments), or all the nights he'd leave you cold and alone in bed, coming home with tacky shades of lipstick all over him. Yes he loves his son, but his wife on the other hand...

"Doll. Where's my drink? I told you I wanted one an hour ago." His demanding voice cut you out of your thoughts.

"You're not getting a drink. I'm done being your servant." You mumble, gritting your teeth.

He rolls his eyes and snorts, "Okay. Doll get me my-" He cut himself off as he felt a searing blinding pain in his side. He looks back at you, the silver knife in your hands now stained with crimson. He pushed you to the floor and headed into the living room. He tripped as you locked the door to the patio and closed the blinds.

"Honey... let's..." he pants, "lets talk about this, okay? You don't have to do this. I'm... I'm so sorry. Look love, you don't have to worry... I won't tell anyone. We'll say a tripped and fell onto a blade in the garage. I still love you, doll."

You grab the whisky from the drink you were supposed to fix him and splash it all over him.

"For what it's worth, I'll always love you Vincent." You tip the TV over on him and watch as it shorted out and caught fire. You quickly grabbed your son and the two emergency bags you'd packed the night before for the two of you and snag the keys to the car. You'll get the hell out of dodge, wait for the fire to spread and come back to put on the helpless wife routine.

////////////////////////////////////////

You s'pose karma has a was of coming back to bite you in in the ass.

Only six month after you'd killed your husband your old friend Molly broke in and stabs you. Luckily Junior was away with your parents for the weekend.

////////////////////////////////////////

When you awoke in hell you woke up to simple jabbing pain in your arm. "Ow." You see a few kids poking at you with forks. they had gray skin and black eyes.

Instinctually you pulled a needle out of your hair and pointed it at them. You hit it straight into the ground which caught the attention of some adults. 

Some of them came up to you and you grab one and held the needle to their neck. "Everyone stay back, or the creepo gets it!" About five minutes later of you holding this man hostage and demanding safe passage to a safe haven a tall woman popped through the small crowd that formed. 

"What's going on here?" She asks clearly unpleased.

"Where am I? Who are you? What's going on?" You ask voice breaking as you speak, from fear or frustrated tears you're not sure. 

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that? You come to my town and start making demands like this, threatening my people."

"I don't want to! Those kids were poking me with a fork! I just... fear and adrenaline overtook me and now we're here. I just want to go home! I just want to see my baby boy again." Tears flowed from your eyes. 

"Tina, Tommy! We do not play with or pick at our food. And we also do not eat living people. 'Kay darlin', just let Frankie go and we can talk." You did as the taller woman asks. 

You still held the needle out just in case. "Darlin' I'm an overlord. A measly needle won't do you much good. The names Rosie. From what my people told me you got fast reflexes, and an itchin' to stab. We could use someone like that here." She wraps her arm around you. "You poor, poor thing. It's gonna be okay. Let Aunty Rosie take care of this mess. I'll explain everything to you but you gotta come with me. There are eyes and ears everywhere."

"You can say that again." She giggles at your little comment.

"Alastor will just adored you."

////////////////////////////////////////

It had been 65 years since you died and you'd been working for Rosie every day. You'd met Alastor on a handful of occasions and only briefly had conversations with him when you saw him. He was a nice enough fellow, albeit a bit spooky. Anyway back to your job for Rosie. You'd get requests from the cannibals and you'd go out and get them the meats they requested. Your Demonic power allowed you enhanced battle reflexes and speed as well as seeing where to get tools for different modes of murder and the steps to kill in different ways. Yes it was morbid but it kept a roof over your head and the sinners always grew back so it's not like it was really hurting anyone. While you hadn't sold your soul to her she basically owned you and protected you. It was nice to have someone who actually cared for you.

But that all came to a stop when you saw an add one day while walking back with your freshest orders. VoxTek with their signature slogan "Trust us... with your safety." The man on the screen, the voice telling you to trust him...

"Oh Vincent, what happened to you?" You stood there almost entranced as a voice called out form behind you.

"You happened to me." He placed his hands on your shoulders and you spun around and elbowed him in the stomach. "Oof! Okay doll, I see you wanna play rough." He hoisted you over his shoulder and Teleported you both through a street camera to a nice looking building.

"Valentino and Velvette are gonna kill me. Val especially."

"Let go of me!" You squirm and tried to hit him with your needles in your hair but neither make a dent.

He threw you onto a bed and paced back and forth in the room. The bed itself was nice. Prussian blue silk sheets and rose red and royal blue comforters sat on top of the bed. 

"This is bad." Vincent, no, Vox paces back and forth. "This is really bad."

'You can say that again.' You think as you look around the room to see if anything can help you escape. You could take the comforters and sheets and wrap them around his head or his neck. You could...

"This is all your fault!" He shouted at you.

"My fault?! How is this my fault?!"

"You just had to stab me and end up down here didn't you!"

"Are you seriously going to blame me? Firstly We got together when I was 18 and you were 33 the blame should not be on me in that situation, and secondly You were the one who plopped down and took me back here!"

"You could have refused!" He defended. 

"I did! I said I didn’t want to go with you when you kidnapped me!" You retorted.

"I meant every time we had sex! Every time we kissed! You weren’t complaining when you got a nice dress out of it! What, you think I wanted you to stab me? I begged you not to, I said we could talk, I told you I still loved you and would forgive you!" He grabbed your arm.

"Oh you loved me? Did you love me when you hit me? Did you think of me when you were fucking those prostitutes with that tacky orange lipstick? Were you jumping for joy on the inside while scowling at me when I told you I was pregnant? Did you ever love me or did you just love my holes? Huh? Did you?" You push and hit his chest. 

He grasps both of your hands. "Of course I did! But you just made it so hard!"

"Oh did I?" You asked sarcastically.

"Yes, you did! If you hated it so much why didn’t you leave?"

"It was the 50's Vox! If I asked you for a divorce I'd never be able to see my son again, I wasn't willing to lose him!" Tears form in your eyes.

"But you were willing to loose me?"

"I really don't believe you were ever mine." Tears fully streamed down your cheeks.

"Oh and you're such a saint? The woman who said she'd always love me turned her back on me and tried to flee to live with the best friend of my greatest enemy."

"I said that I'd always love Vincent, not Vox."

"Are you Fucking kidding me? We're literally the same person!"

"Oh really? Vincent wouldn't hurt others to get what he wants."

"It's Hell babe." He rolls his eyes.

"Vincent wouldn't have kidnapped me." You point out.

"Vincent also wouldn't want his ex-wife to be able to spread rumors about him and ruin his image. Neither does Vox."

"I had a good thing going "Vox"! I had a job and I haven't thought of you once!" You screamed at him.

"Yeah well I'm more well off than you could ever imagine. I have a wonderful Boyfriend and we have a wonderful platonic friend who lives with us!"

" Okay, we worked out our problems, I won't spread any rumors about you and your harem or whatever. Can you please let me go now? I really don't care who you're fucking. It was till death do us part remember?"

"I can't let you go. What if you tell someone. I'll need some insurance."

"What do you want then?"

"I want your soul." He grins sinisterly.

"What...?"

"Think about it. You could continue to hunt people. Do whatever you want. Go wherever you want. Fuck whoever you want. Of course you wouldn't be allowed to live with any other Overlord especially not one that's so close to Alastor, but I'd let you live as far away from me as possible (I'd probably prefer that in all honesty). You could even continue to work for your little girlfriend. I'll get you all set up on the other side of Pentagram City and protect you should anything bad happen. After all, I am far more powerful than your little girlfriend. All this and all you have to do is keep your mouth shut and give me your pretty little soul." He circles you like a shark looking to attack it's prey. "And should you refuse. I'll throw you from the balcony and have someone pick up your splattered remains off of the ground to do it over and over again."

"I can have freedom and ALL you ask is to have me soul in you possession and for me to never speak of you again?"

"Correct... Doll." He chuckles darkly, holding out his hand.

"Deal."

Notes:

I left it open ended in case I ever feel like making a part 2 I also am looking into getting a banner.

[oattoast]

im just flabbergasted that californians voted the opposite of me in most propositions on the ballot. we voted NOT to abolish prison slavery. we voted against a minimum wage increase. we voted against rent control despite skyrocketing housing costs and homelessness. we increased penalties for nonviolent theft and drug crimes (walking back a measure that lowered them to misdemeanors and saved taxpayers untold amounts and kept people out of prison). we voted to punish an HIV/aids healthcare nonprofit and restrict how it spends its money (a measure brought onto the ballot by landlords and housing developers as retaliation for that org supporting housing related causes like the rent control measure). just about the only progressive thing that passed was the repeal of the same-sex marriage ban we passed in 2008 (my first election, where i obviously voted no. "no on h8!" poor teen me; if only you knew what was coming). note we do not actually have enshrined same sex marriage (yet...? <- the question mark wouldn't have been there before i saw the 2024 election results).

this is one of the more progressive states, right? i am astounded at how many californians voted against our own interests and the interests of our citizens. is everyone a landlord? is everyone rich? does everyone have stakes in prison slavery? we couldn't say no to slavery. actual slavery.

this. this is real life.

i feel like grimes clowntweeting musk "this isnt your heart" when. of course. obviously this is the ugly beating heart of a state, and a nation, founded on violence, subjugation of the other, and bigotry.

california hasn't answered for the violent mission system, and the native tribe in my area, the tongva, are not federally recognized and their lands and sacred sites are routinely violated. as children in the public school system we had lessons on the california missions and how they "converted" and "anglicized" the natives, making it sound like spanish colonization was a quaint settlement of ranchos where the natives and the spanish worked side by side to make california a "civilized" place. we built models of our favorite missions and wrote cute little reports and took field trips to these sites where uncounted people, kidnapped from their families and used as slave labor by the spanish, are still buried in unmarked graves. craft stores sold model kits of these sites. we have streets named after and statues depicting the colonizer who led the charge. in 2015 he was made a saint by the catholic church. after one of the missions was intentionally set on fire (and after a statue of the saint/colonizer was toppled) many local latinos mourned the damage of a building where countless people, some of them their own ancestors, suffered, because that's where they attended church or got married or baptized.

not to mention more recent history. our beloved dodgers who won the world series this year have their home stadium built on land seized from poor mexican american families. "chavez ravine" is the former neighborhoods of la loma, bishop, and palo verde. families who had been pushed to the poor neighborhood by racism and redlining, and thus had nowhere else to go, were violently forced out of their homes for a baseball stadium. and now their descendants wear blue caps and set off fireworks for the franchise that makes millions off of them and gives nothing back to the community (besides financial support to one of the most violent police departments in the country... and a statement in support of israel's genocide...)

this is a picture from the LA Times in 1959 showing aurora vargas, one of the very last holdouts of the battle for "chavez ravine," getting carried out of her family home by LA sherrifs deputies. i remember this image whenever my fellow poor or working class latinos spend $$$ on dodgers merch or paint dodgers murals or celebrate in the streets when they win games.

as i get older and grow more and feel more empathy and learn about our real history, i get more radical, not less. it doesn't make sense to me that my community is getting more hateful and conservative, but there is an obvious basis for it. it's ingrained, despite a popular perception of working and middle class californians being liberal and accepting. it feels like i'm fighting against a riptide. my uncle, an immigrant with dark skin who speaks broken english, is a trump supporter, and i only found out today. do i even have the right to be surprised or disappointed?

i am obviously going to retain hope, and fight where i can, when i can. i just have to be mindful of where i come from and what we are capable of when we are enmeshed in and misled by powerful, deep-seated forces on this blood-soaked land.

[thommi-tomate]

People about Thomas pt3

Sepp Maier:

What impresses you about Thomas Müller?

I'm hugely impressed that he has stayed at FC Bayern for his entire career, just as I did. What more could you ask for? He's won everything there is to win with FC Bayern. Thomas is FC Bayern through and through, and that's the right thing to do. He even played in the club's youth ranks.

You celebrated success with another famous Müller in your team, is Thomas as difficult for a goalkeeper to predict as Gerd was?

Them are two completely different types: Thomas moves all over the field, our Gerd was dangerous inside the box like nobody else. Thomas also makes assists, which wasn't Gerd's specialty, to be honest. But they both have something in common: Thomas belongs to the list of the great FC Bayern players, just like Gerd or Franz Beckenbauer, or whatever they were called in our ероса.

Ron-Robert Zieler:

The first time I played against Bayern München in March 2011, we won with Hannover 96. We left the pitch with a 3-1 victory. I was given Thomas Müller's shirt, whom I'd already known for six or seven years at the time. We had played together under Bernd Stöber in the U-16 national team.

The shirt - Thomas, I hope you'll forgive me - is currently in a storage room that my wife and I have rented. We've moved so many times in the last few years, six in eight years, that we've decided to leave everything we don't need in storage until we have time to unpack everything into a permanent home once our careers are over. Then I will also - I promise - take out the Müller jersey, even though he wasn't exactly my favorite opponent. I conceded 45 goals in games against Bayern Munich. Nine of them came from him. But if there's anyone you can't be angry with for long, it's Thomas Müller.

He was already a dodderer when we met in 2004. Even then he reminded me of a Skydancer, those funny figures that move strangely when a little wind blows on them from below. Thomas is like that too. Unconventional in his movements. He is a horror for goalkeepers. From his movements, it's impossible to know which way his shot will go.

The best goals Thomas scored for me were in Brazil in 2014. In some training sessions he outplayed me; I was there in goal alongside Manuel Neuer and Roman Weidenfeller. But he was good. Maybe I gave him a bit of confidence so that he could score five such unforgettable goals on our way to the World Cup title.

All the best for the future, dear Thomas. And even if you and I never meet again on the pitch (unless the Cup draw dictates otherwise), I invite you to try to score against any other fellow goalkeeper more times than against me. Without complaining, I would let this unglamorous record of goals conceded pass.

Felix Zwayer:

I can't remember how many times I've had the honor of whistling Thomas Müller throughout his career. But it has (almost) always been a great pleasure. Thomas is a true professional, and you can tell that he is also aware of the referee's point of view. That makes for an honest and open dialogue on the pitch.

Last season I had an experience with him that I found very respectful: After losing the game in Leverkusen at the beginning of February, he came to see me despite the huge disappointment, thanked me for the way I had conducted the game and said goodbye in a very polite manner. Not everyone manages to do that in a situation like that. I was very impressed. Overall, I think I've noticed a clear evolution in the league over the years: Before, people just talked, communicated and sometimes complained. Today, the comments are much more professional and also more selective, and the conversations are held at the same level.

What always impresses me most about Thomas when I see him on the field is that he is a great motivator, he leads the way, sets an example and involves his teammates. That also shows as a referee. He is simply a great leader on and off the field.

[gx-gameon]

I wanted to ask how does this AU deal with season 2 when Jaden goes on his solo trip into the ocean to find himself and ultimately meet the Neo Spacians!

This ask really made me realize I need to rewatch Gx again because so many things happened.

Everything in this au is fluid until I can get a true rewatch in, as things will move and shift.

But to do this we need to look back a little.

It’s Jaden’s second year and he calls Yugi on like the first day of classes. And at first Yugi is worried because Jaden just left home, he wasn’t schedualed to call until a week later. Yes he loves his son, and is so excited to hear from him, but he’s also a dad who worries for his baby boy.

But Jaden calls and tells him with all the excitement in the world that he just dueled Aster Phoenix! And he won! And sure it wasn’t Asters real deck, but the duel was so much fun and Jaden can’t wait to duel him again.

He’s talking a mile a minute and Yugi is doing his best to keep up. But wait, Aster Phoenix? Jaden are you sure? Because Yugi knows Aster Phoenix. He’s the duelist prodigy who has taken the Pro-leagues by storm.

Seto hates the kid because he uses Hero cards and he wanted them to be signature cards for Jaden like his Blue-eyes, or Atem’s Dark Magician, or Yugi’s Gandora/Silent Magician. Yugi had stoped him from getting Pegasus to private all the hero cards. Telling Seto Jaden already made his own Archtype and Seto sent them to space (it was before they knew Jaden. And sure Jaden doesnt remember them, but that doesn’t make Seto feel any less guilty, he’s been trying to get them back for years, but hasn’t found the pod yet)

But Yugi is excited for his son. Glad he’s having fun and being safe. But he wonders why Atser would duel Jaden. Let alone do it with a fake deck. Something doesn’t sit right with him.

Yugi, Atem, and Joey go to see Aster’s next match. They were planing to go anyway as it is Zane’s first pro-league duel and they want to see one of Jaden’s friends duel. Plus it’s always nice to check out the Pro-league to see who’s coming up.

I think the dueling community in this world has a tiered pro level. The ‘pro-league’ being in the middle. Think like professional football in England (I’ve been watching Ted Lasso) mainly because I don’t think Zane and Aster are at the same level as the DM crew yet. They would be dueling at the top level, we’ll call it the premier league for now. (But let’s be real Kaiba probably named it the Blue-eye’s League, or something like that)

And they watch Zane Lose. Badly. Joey feel bad for the kid. Knowing how he’d feel if his little sister and all of her friends watched him lose his first match on national television. That’s rough.

Atem is not a fan of Aster. The way he talks to his opponent does not sit well with him. Even less so since this is one of Jaden’s friends.

Yugi agrees with both of them. He’s planning to call Jaden after the match to check on him and how his friends are doing after watching that. And he doesn’t want to admit it, but Seto was right. It feels wrong to watch someone else duel with the cards he’s always associated with his son. Especially with the way Aster uses them.

The three are about to leave, Joey suggesting a group call with Jaden, as he misses his littlest buddy, when they hear it. They hear Aster call out Jaden on national television. Saying Jaden copied his deck and a bunch of other nasty things about their boy.

Yugi’s furious, because how dare this boy. He doesn’t even know Jaden. His son has used those cards since they came out. Far before Aster made them popular. But with one interview he’s screwed Jaden’s professional career. If Jaden goes to the pro-league right out of Duel Academy with his hero deck, all anyone will talk about is this interview. He’ll face an up hill battle to prove to everyone he isn’t copying Aster’s deck.

Plus it just isn’t true. Because Jaden loves those cards. He can communicate with their spirits. Something Yugi is pretty sure Aster cannot do.

But Yugi’s trying to keep it together. Because on his right is Atem full of righteous fury and all the holier than though energy that his life as a Pharaoh filled him with. The man’s ready to march down there and challenge Aster to a duel. And on his left is Joey ‘You mess with my friends you mess with me’ Wheeler. Joey who hands have been rated E for everyone since before Yugi and him were even friends. He’s just as likely to march himself down there and punch the kid as he is to duel him.

And as much as Yugi wants to defend his son, his first priority is Jaden’s safety. Because how could we explain why we want to challenge Aster (a 14/15 year old) to a duel? Without revealing our connection to Jaden? Nothing the Kid said should upset them. After all Jaden Yuki has no relation to Yugi Mouto or Seto Kaiba. Jaden doesn’t want people knowing who he is yet, and it’s dangerous to reveal Jaden to the world like that. How many people would try to hurt him to get to Seto? Or Yugi himself?

He’s able to reason with his two rightfully angry companions. He’s just grateful his husband didn’t come. There would have been no stopping Seto from dueling Aster into the ground for daring to say such bold faced lies about their son.

They call Jaden afterwards and he tells them that while he’s sad Zane lost and it kind sucked to have Aster call him a copy cat, he’s still excited to duel Aster again. A hero on hero fight sounds so fun. And Yugi is so proud of his son. How he’s excited to duel and become friends with Aster. Joey rolls his eyes and mutters something about Muto men and befriending rich snobs.

Yugi relaying the call to Seto is the only thing that stops Seto from ruining Aster’s life.

Now on to the main event

Aster comes and challenges Jaden to a duel and this one he wins with his Destiny hero’s. But that’s not all. Jaden can no longer see his cards. He can’t see any card.

He calls his Dad in a panic that night and tells him all about the duel and how he can’t see any cards. Even Winged Kuriboh abandoned him. And he’s in tears because this is his Dad. He can’t let his friends know how bad this is hurting him but his Dad has always been there for him. Has always been his shelter.

And Yugi’s heart breaks. He’s coming. He doesn’t care anymore he’s coming. He tells Jaden to wait it out for a day or two while he gets some things sorted out and then he’ll come get him. (He’s trying to figure out how to quietly pick up Jaden, without a Kaiba-copter) he also doesn’t want Jaden to drop out. They can figure this out together.

He tells the rest of the DM crew and they all want to come, but Yugi doesn’t want to overwhelm Jaden. He’s going to go alone. Seto wants to come to but realizes that his own anger at Aster and the situation won’t help Jaden. The best he can do right now is support Jaden and Yugi. (And dig up all the dirt he can on Aster Phoenix) if Jaden decides to drop out, he’s over hauling the school, he’s got to make those plans as well. The Slifer dorm needs some updates (wait till he finds out Crowler and Bonaparte are trying to tear down Jaden’s dorm.)

But he can’t let Yugi go completely alone. Not when Jaden needs them. So they take the yachts out. (Look me in the eyes and tell me Kaiba doesn’t have a yacht) the DM crew are all aboard. They want to be there for Jaden.

The plan is Yugi will take one of the smaller life boats to duel academy and meet up with Jaden. The two can sail out and have a talk. If Jaden feels better and wants to go back to school great! But if he wants a longer break then they can head back to the yacht and meet up with the rest of the family. Jaden will be surrounded by support while they figure this out.

So Yugi heads out to meet up with Jaden. The pick up goes great. It’s late at night, Jaden sneaks out no problem (something for Yugi to worry over later) and the two head out.

What they aren’t expecting is to get hit by a “falling star” and get transported to the duel spirit world.

Yugi is protective at first. Jaden’s going through it right now. He doesn’t even have his deck! So when they are challenged by the dueling alien-robot thing. Yugi’s ready to kick it to kingdom come for messing with his kid. He’s got a lot of pent up rage at this point from feeling helpless to protect his boy. (He’s still having problems with the fact Jaden fought the Sacred Beasts last year)

But Aquos steps in and tells them it has to be Jaden. And Yugi’s about it to tell this duel spirit to take its opinion and destiny and shove it where the sun don’t shine. He’s been in this rat race to long to be bullied by ‘destiny’ he’s changed it enough times to know it’s not set in stone. He’s protecting his son.

Or he was until Aquos point out the Kaiba Corp Satellite to them. And inside, would you believe it? It’s the cards Jaden made as a kid. The cards Seto sent to space and has been look for like a mad man ever since he and Yugi found out they were Jaden’s cards.

‘So this is why Seto never found them.’ Yugi thinks. ‘That tech of his that got him to the afterlife to battle Atem must have been in these Satellites as well. After all they shot themselves into another dimension. And while he’s trilled that Jaden has those cards again, and he can see them, and Jaden’s smiling again. He can’t help but worry about where Jaden’s other card is. If his deck ended up in this dimension. Where had his spirit protector, Yubel, ended up?

But it’s something to worry about later. Jaden duels the alien robot thing. Yugi knows this is Jaden’s true deck. If anything is going to get him back on his feet it’s this duel. So he encourages his son and supports him through the duel, the same way Yugi’s friends always supported him.

After Jaden wins the two wake up back on their boat. They’re groggy and disoriented, when they hear a voice calling out to them. They look up and the Kaiba Yacht is heading their way. (They all got worried when Yugi didn’t come back)

Jaden gets to spend some time with his family. It helps a lot. His new cards have given him the boost he needed. But it’s even nicer to have his family around. He stays with them for a few days. (Seto sends a message to the school as one Mr. Yuki. Stating that they have picked up their son for a family emergency. No one can say Jaden is skipping class. But the staff does not pass this message on to Jaden’s friends. They think Jaden ran away or is missing)

While he’s away all the other events still happen. He arrives just in time to duel Aster again. Winning with his new deck and convincing Aster that he’s not only strong, but that destiny is crap, and he should join Duel Academy (Téa is so proud of her nephew and the power of friendship he’s using on this lonely little teenager. Aster should be good friends with Jaden and cannon is a coward for not doing more with them after season 2. They’re going to be good friends by season 3 in this au)

I always thought throwing Jaden on a remote part of the island to remove him from the plot was wild. Like I get it and it’s fun, but in this Au he’s having family time and getting to know his new deck.

[olympeline]

FrUK FACE family Parent Trap AU, part 2! (Part 1)

So, last time we left off with Alfred and Matthew meeting at summer camp and developing an instant, burning dislike. Which is unusual for both of them, tbh. Alfred is normally too happy-go-lucky to hate anyone for long, and Mattie is too gentle and sweet natured. But something about the other boy just grinds on both their tempers. It’s visceral, they can’t explain it, but it’s instant and cuts deep. Particularly when someone points out how similar they look, which happened often until both made it clear how much they hated the comparison

At first, they get put in different cabins so their interactions are limited to meals and camp activities. The general rule I’m going with is that old world nations = adults, new world = kids. So Alfred is rooming with *Insert Human Name Here* Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Meanwhile Canada gets Cuba, Australia, and New Zealand. Many an evening is spent gossiping/bitching about the other twin, especially on Alfred’s end. Eventually, his cabin mates get so sick of listening to “Why Matthew Bonnefoy sucks” that they dare him to put his money where his mouth is and do something about it. Alfred Kirkland never turns down a challenge

He watches his prey and plots, like some totally badass secret agent type guy. Alfred notices Matthew always chooses pancakes for breakfast and drowns them in maple syrup (Ha! Loser! Everyone knows chocolate is where it’s at!). Alfred gets a wonderful idea. He gets a wonderful, awful idea. His dad sent him to camp with a box of homemade snacks/crimes against humanity. Including a bottle of dipping sauce: just as inedible as anything else. Alfred planned to bury them somewhere before going home but now he has a better idea. The next morning, he makes sure to spike the canuck nerd’s syrup and then sits back and watches the hilarity. Even better, he switches the bottles back when the camp counsellor comes to check after Matthew runs to the bathroom to throw up! LOOOL! Alfred, ten billion: Nerd, zero!

As far as Alfred is concerned, their rivalry is over: he’s won. He never expects Matthew to retaliate and, normally, he’d be right. Normally, gentle, non-confrontational Matthew would just shrug it off and go live his best life. This situation isn’t normal. Mattie can’t let it go, not when it’s Alfred Kirkland. He has to get him back, he just has to. Matthew takes his turn plotting, then he and his cabin mates choose their moment: Alfred is always boasting about how great he is at sports, especially baseball. Their camp is scheduled to play a game with the camp across the lake and Alfred is their star hitter. Matthew and co. lie in wait, then switch out the schedules so Alfred and his cabin get the wrong day. They miss the game and spend the afternoon goofing off by the river instead. Only to come back to furious camp counsellors and a week of trash duty for going off alone and ditching the game. Alfred is horrified, Mattie is smug

Their eyes meet. Matthew winks and mimes a swing and a miss, Alfred seethes. If it was on before, oh boy. Now it’s on. It’s on like Donkey Kong. It’s on like SUPER DONKEY KONG 64!

So begins an all out prank war: Alfred waits till it’s time for swimming lessons, then hides Matthew’s clothes. Matthew sneaks into the camp office and switches Alfred’s name from team sports to needlework and cheerleading. Alfred dips Matthew’s glasses in cooking oil. Matthew sews up the armholes of all Alfred’s shirts. Alfred catches a skunk and releases it in Mattie’s cabin. Matthew takes a leaf out of Alfred’s book and spikes his dinner hamburger and milkshake with enough chilli powder to call Alfred’s own personal space coyote. It goes on like that for a while, back and forth, then evolves into daring each other to do increasingly crazy things. Running through the camp naked, cussing out a counsellor, starting a food fight, go out to the creepiest place in the woods after dark, etc. They just keep going. Alfred never gives up, Matthew won’t either. Even their cabin mates are getting worried by this point. It was fun at first, but now the adults are getting really pissed and the dares keep escalating and are some of them are getting legitimately scary.

Everything comes to a head when Alfred dares Matthew to climb the tallest tree in the camp and hang his (maple print) boxers from the highest branch. Mattie is terrified (the tree is a pine and tall af) but looking a Alfred’s smug face (“Haha! You gonna wimp out, Mattie? Gonna go cry to your pa?”) he can’t bear to back out. It doesn’t go well. Mattie gets halfway up, looks down, and gets the vertigo bad. He freezes up, can’t climb higher or come back down, and is stuck there like a terrified koala. Alfred laughs and jeers at first, then realises oh fudge, this is actually serious. He climbs up to try and help, only to get stuck too. Alfred sees Matthew’s tears and feels a stab of guilt, but then the grown ups turn up with a ladder and they’re both in far too much trouble to think about each other for a while

Both boys are in disgrace, grounded for weeks, and - worst of all - sentenced to be cabin mates. Everyone was sick of their rivalry by then, and it was seen as a necessity. It was either that or the counsellors would email their dads to come get them. Neither Alfred or Matthew wanted that, so they grudgingly agree to the punishment. Either they learn to get along, or camp is over. There’s still the threat of telling their dads if they don’t behave too, which is a total bummer

Alfred moves in with Matthew and they spend their first evening in tense silence. Alfred thinks it will be like this for the rest of summer, which is majorly lame. It might have been, but that night Alfred wakes up to go to the bathroom and hears something that makes him freeze: soft sobs, coming from Matthew’s bunk. He’s got the blankets pulled over his head, but Alfred’s ears are sharp. And he can see the lump in the bed shaking in the dark. Alfred ponders, then goes over and pulls the covers away. Matthew is shocked and dismayed, expecting Alfred to laugh and mock him mercilessly. Instead, Alfred asks him what’s wrong. Gruffly but with no hint of malice

Mattie hesitates - he doesn’t want to give his rival more ammunition - then falteringly tells Alfred he’s scared. Alfred asks if it’s about the tree. Matthew says no, though that was scary, it’s about his papa. Alarm bells ring for Alfred (oh shit, what if the nerd has an abusive dad and that’s why he’s such a dumb wuss?) but Matthew assures him he’s not scared of his dad. He loves Francis more than anything. He’s scared he’s going to disappoint him. Alfred asks why. Mattie tells him that he promised he would do his best to socialise and make some friends. He knows how worried Francis is that he spends so much time either alone or with their dog, so he swore he would do his best to get along with the other campers. But all he’s done is blow everything. Papa will be disappointed in him and, much worse, he broke his word. He could have turned the other cheek and ignored Alfred, but his pride got the best of him and he didn’t

More tears. Alfred watches in silence, and thinks it over for a long moment. Then he pats Mattie on the back and tells him to quit blubbing and being dumb: he hasn’t failed, he made friends with his dumb, nerd cabin mates. And all the pranks and dares have to count as socialising, right? Anyway, if his papa asks, Matthew can just say Alfred is his friend or whatever. So, no need to worry!

After this speech, Matthew is shocked and then stares at Alfred in wonder when he realises he’s serious. Mattie falteringly asks if that’s really okay and Alfred says sure, why not. Then he shoves some ancient, crumpled kleenex at Matthew and decides that, as he’s totally awake now, he might as well have fun. Matthew watches Alfred open in a secret compartment in his luggage and dig out comics and candy bars the adults failed to confiscate. Alfred is about to go back into his bunk when he sees Matthew watching, round eyed. He hesitates, then makes an unknowingly life-changing decision for the second time that night. Instead of getting back into his own bunk, he jumps onto Mattie’s and sits cross legged. Then he offers him a comic and one of his smaller candy bars

A moment, then Matthew accepts. The boys eat chocolate and read comics until the early hours when they both fall asleep. The next day when they’re getting dressed, Matthew dares compliment Alfred on his Iron-Man t-shirt. Alfred grins and shows Matthew the totally sick Avengers, light up sneakers his dad bought him for his birthday. They’re the same shoe size and he says Mattie can even borrow them sometime if he’s careful and doesn’t walk in mud. Mattie thanks him, and smiles. Alfred returns it

There’s a long way to go. They’re still unsure around each other: not best friends, or even ordinary ones, yet. But it’s a start

It’s a start

(Stay tuned for part 3! (´ε｀ )♡)

[goddesspharo]

Seems ill-advised, tbqh.

"You don't want to hear the kinds of questions I've got."

#hannix

[Send me the first sentence and a pairing and I'll write the next five.]

"You don't want to hear the kinds of questions I've got."

Natasha rolls her eyes and warns Jake not to make her regret bringing him home for Thanksgiving. She's still not sure that they're quite there yet, but it's not like she can uninvite him now. He had looked so pathetic last week when he told her that "The Seresin Family Hang-sgiving" was canceled this year because his parents needed to use up the tickets to Venice his sister had gifted them two anniversaries ago before December so he was probably going to stick around North Island and hang out at The Hard Deck with all the other lushes who had nowhere else to go. Natasha had been perfectly content to ignore how mopey he looked – after all, wasn't celebrating Thanksgiving akin to getting waterboarded for a dude who tried to stay away from carbs? – but then Bob flashed her a pointed glare like she owed Hangman something just because he'd dragged her to his family's ranch in Austin for The Fourth.

She didn't, of course, because Jake was so Rah Rah Rah about Texas that it wouldn't take much to get an invite to his hometown so he could wax poetic about Longhorns football and fried okra until the cows came home for tipping. But there was the small matter of Jake getting on top of a coffee table before the Summer Seresin Scavenger Hunt began and declaring to his entire extended family that he was "boo'd up" as if the thing that their relationship was missing up until that point was a heavy dose of mortification. Nat still hasn't forgiven Payback for expanding Hangman's musical horizons even though he's probably right that it's better than Jake donning a cowboy hat so he could make a Patsy Cline reference instead. For that alone, Natasha should've let him flounder in California while everyone else went back home, but rather than disappoint Bob and have to hear about it for the next half dozen training sessions, Natasha went against her self-preservation instincts and invited Jake to have turkey with her family in the suburbs of New Jersey.

She knew it was a bad idea the moment she asked and has only doubled down on that impression now when encountering the wild gleam in Jake's eyes as he looks around her childhood bedroom. Natasha's never been happier than at this moment that she took down the extremely embarrassing boy band posters from her walls the first time she came home from college. All that's left now is a cherry-picked altar of her accomplishments. There are honors society certificates on her walls and her diploma from Stanford, medals from swim meets and a gleaming golden soccer ball perched on top of the MVP trophy she got when their team won nationals after the favorites got disqualified on a technicality. Jake takes in the framed pictures spanning Natasha's life and photobooth strips with her friends taken at a mall kiosk when they cut class to go see Step Up. He looks mesmerized as he practically bounces on the balls of his feet while soaking up all these snippets of who she was before he met her.

The quiet gets to be too much so Nat finally relents and says, "You get one question."

Jake looks like Kevin McCallister let loose at Duncan's Toy Chest, unsure of what to do with all this newfound freedom as his eyes trail along from wall to wall before stopping at the picture of Natasha with her date at prom.

"Where's all your debate team stuff?" he finally asks.

Natasha grins. Sucker.

"I wasn't on the debate team."

"Wait a minute. You made it seem—"

"I'm just naturally gifted at arguing with you."

"Flag on play, Trace! I should get another question."

"Should've gone with a sure thing," she says with an unapologetic shrug. "I really thought you'd ask if I still had the outfit from my very brief stint as a cheerleader."

She can feel him grinning when Jake leans in, his breath hot against her ear as he asks with all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning, "Well, do you?"

Natasha makes a mental note to kill Bob when they get home.

[kingsleywrites]

You Can't Just Get Rid Of Them!

Tommyinnit x male reader (can be seen as romantic or platonic) Also possibly Tubbo x male reader (can also be seen as platonic or romantic)

CW: swearing

Angst to (slight) fluff

This takes place right as and after Jschlatt banishes Wilbur and Tommy after the L'manburg election.

M/N will be used (meaning male name)

H/N: Horse's name

"I REVOKE, WILBUR SOOT AND TOMMYINNIT'S CITIZENSHIP!" Schlatt's voice boomed and everyone began to panic with a few people punching and shoving Wilbur and Tommy away. M/N stood there, his body slightly shaking. 'This can't be real, no, Schlatt didn't, he wouldn't.' these thoughts ran rapidly in M/N's mind. He looked over at Tommy and Wilbur their faces looked completely devastated and confused. M/N clenched his fists and ran up and onto the podium where Schlatt and his subordinates were. "JSCHLATT!" M/N yelled, he was held back by Quackity. "You-You can't do that! Wilbur founded L'manburg! And Tommy is his right hand! You can't just get rid of them!"

"Last I checked, M/N, I am the president. Sorry emperor." Schlatt said getting closer to him. "No, no you're just a tyrant, hell bent on destroying this nation! We have fought too long and too hard for you to just throw it all away!" M/N pulled away from Quackity, getting even closer to Schaltt. They stared each other down for a few moments before Jschlatt spoke, turning around to face the crowd. "I suggest you hold your tongue or else you'll be joining them. Now get him out of my sight." Quackity grabbed M/N and threw him off of the podium. It wasn't enough for him to die but he sure as hell took a lot of damage. He could hear Wilbur yelling for Tommy to run, M/N wanted to run with them too but he couldn't as much as he hated Jschaltt he had to be here, for his country, his nation, he wouldn't leave L'manburg, not while Jschlatt was in rule, someone had to keep him from doing something stupid. 'Don't worry Wilbur, Tommy, I will find you guys and I will bring you home.'

Later that night

M/n sat on his bed with a bow in hand and a target across the room. He had already screamed and cried that night but he still had some pent up rage, so he was shooting arrows at a target, pretending it was Jschaltt's head. His door opened and he drew his bow, almost shooting it before he saw who it was. "Tubbo! You scared me." M/N lowered the bow, letting his arms relax. M/N could tell how tense Tubbo looked, the male was looking down at his shoes and fiddling with his fingers, M/N let out a sigh. "If it has something to do with Schlatt just tell me so we can get it over with."

"Schlatt wants to speak to you..." Tubbo's voice was soft and calm, probably trying to avoid M/N's outburst.

"HE-" M/N began to yell but stopped himself taking a deep breath and holding his head in his hands, slouching over. "Fine, Where is he?" M/N stood up.

"Follow me." The two walked out of M/N's house and onto the wooden path.

"Tubbo, if this is a trap, just remember that I will kill you."

"It isn't, I swear! He just told me to get you so you two could talk."

The two continued walking up until they reached a big building, they walked inside and began to climb the mountain of stairs, neither of them saying a word. When they get up to the top Tubbo opens up two big wooden doors and they walk inside. "Ah, M/N your here, welcome, welcome." Schlatt motions for Tubbo to go to him, which he abides by, standing beside Schlatt's desk. "What do you want Schlatt?" M/N says, shooting a glare at the man. "No need to be so hostile, I just want to ask you if you're enjoying Manburg."

"L'manburg." M/N puts emphasis on the L.

"Not anymore, you see this great country doesn't take L's, which seemed to be a reoccurring theme with the last President."

"We won our independence away from the SMP you were not there Schlatt you have no right to-" Jschlatt cut him off.

"You lost the war, the only reason why you even have independence in the first place is because Tommy played the hero and gave his dics to Dream."

Schlatt put his arms up and he had a crooked smile on his face. "But that's besides the point." He walked over to M/N, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"M/N you are an amazing fighter, you have the drive that this country needs in its army."

M/N tensed up and somehow he knew exactly what Schlatt wanted.

"I wanted to ask you to be my commanding officer, you will command Manburg's troops as we expand this great country!"

"Work under you? Ha! You're insane if you think I'll command your army." M/N pushed Schlatts hand off of his shoulder and took a step back from the male.

Jschlatt ran his finger through his hair and sighed. "It's fine, sometimes we all need a little bit of motivation." He snapped his fingers and Quackity walked up behind M/N, using one of his hands to grab onto M/N arm and twist it behind him, while his other hand gripped the back of his neck, pushing on two nerves so he wouldn't try and jerk away.

Jschlatt pulled a netherite axe from his inventory and threw it to George who caught it, grabbing Tubbo by the back of his hair and holding the axe to his throat.

"Tubbo!" M/N yelled and tried to run to him but Quackity pushed on the nerves more making his whole body ache and his eyes water.

"So, M/N! You have two options, You can do as I say, and nothing will happen to Tubbo, OR, you can not do as I say and then not only will you be missing Tommy, but you'll have to explain how you got poor Tubbo killed. So what'll it be." Schlatts smile grew and the tension in the air was thick.

M/N stood there dumbfounded. "You wouldn't.." He mumbled, his eyes narrowing. Tubbo took in a sharp breath as he felt the cold axe press against his throat, drawing a small amount of blood. M/N eyes shot over when he heard Tubbo and for a moment the whole world slowed down as he watched the blood drip farther down.

"Tick Tock, M/N I don't have all night, say, how long do you think it takes for someone to bleed out from the neck, a couple of minutes maybe?" Jschlatt taunted M/N. George's grip on the axe tightened and he went to put more pressure on Tubbo's neck before M/N's voice broke the silence.

"Don't! Just stop! I'll do it! Just don't hurt him!" M/N eyes watered as he looked between Tubbo's scared expression and Schlatt's crazed one. Jschlatt snapped his fingers and George took the axe away from Tubbo's neck and pushed him on the ground. Tubbo let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Quackity let go of M/N and he fell to his knees before getting up and running over to Tubbo giving him a bear hug. M/N let go and began to inspect Tubbo's face "Oh my god, are you okay, let me see the cut." He lifted up his head only to see that it had stopped bleeding. "M/N, I'm fine." Tubbo's voice was once again calm. M/N helped him up and hugged him again, Schlatt's voice breaking the comfortable silence between the two. "So, M/N I'll see you tomorrow." His voice was still in a mocking tone. "Yeah, sure, whatever makes you happy." M/N said with as much venom as he could muster in his voice.

"Come on Tubbo, let's go." Despite Tubbo needing no assistance to walk, he kept an arm around the boy, looking back at the three as they left the room. The door closed leaving the room in complete silence. George looked at the axe that was still in his hand, the tip slightly covered in blood. "You were prepared to kill Tubbo, right then and there, correct?" George eyed Schlatt who was looking out of a big window that overlooked the newly renamed Manburg. "I was willing to do whatever it took to get that boy to comply."

"You do know that it was a stupid idea to have M/N join, you know how close he is to Tommy, there's no way that he won't try and steal secrets to give to them."

"Of course I know that I'm not dumb! What I need is to be able to keep an eye on him. How can I do that if he isn't working for me?"

"And Tubbo? You don't think he won't try to communicate with Wilbur and Tommy."

"George, Quackity, I am counting on their betrayal."

M/N lightly dabbed disinfectant on Tubbo's neck, him slightly wincing at the contact. "M/N, you don't have to do this, I'll be fine without you helping me."

M/N got up and threw the cloth he used into a cauldron filled with water to be washed later, grabbing a small bandage. "I know you'll be fine without all of this but, I need to, it's my fault that you have this cut in the first place, if I had just said okay to Schlatt instead of being stubborn then maybe that whole fiasco could've been avoided." M/N sat back down, looking at the bandage in his hands.

Tubbo placed a hand on M/N's. "There was no way either of us could've known what Jschlatt was planning, you can't beat yourself up for that. I'm okay, I didn't die, and even if I did I still have another life. I would have been okay."

M/N looked up at Tubbo, his eyes were glossy but he had a small smile on his face. "Still, I started to fix you up, so let me finish." Tubbo let out a small laugh and lifted his chin, allowing M/N to put the bandage on his neck.

M/N looked out his window and saw how dark the clouds began to look in the night sky. "You should probably start to head home now, it looks like it might rain." Tubbo looked out of the window and nodded. The two stood up and M/N led him to the door, opening it up for him and allowing him to step out into the night. "Hey Tubbo?" M/N called out and the boy turned around. "Thank you... for saying that it wasn't my fault, I really needed to hear that."

Tubbo smiled. "You're welcome." M/N walked up to him and gave him one last hug for the night.

"Stay safe okay?"

"Okay, I will."

The two separated and M/N walked back to his house, glancing at Tubbo one last time as he walked further and further down the path. He closed the door to his house and his smile dropped, he walked over to his chest and opened one, pulling out a glowing netherite chest plate. He stared at his reflection for a moment before putting on the chest plate as well as other pieces of armor. M/N grabbed a cloak that was hanging by his bed and put it on, it hid most of the armor as well as the sword that was at his side. He placed his bow on his back and thunder crashed making him look out to his window. It had already started to rain.

M/N walked out of his house and over to his horse that was shaking its head every time too much water would get on (his/her) face. He untied the lead from the horse's reins and hopped on their back. "Come on, H/N, let's go find Tommy and Wilbur."

The two traveled down the path all the way back to the podium where Tommy and Wilbur were declared banished from L'manburg and were shoved out. "Where did you two go." M/N mumbled. M/N pulled the reins making the H/N turn in the direction where he saw them run. "Hiya!" M/N lightly squeezed the sides of H/N making the horse gallop into the woods. The further that M/N got into the woods the denser the trees got, making it nearly impossible to even walk with his horse. M/N pulled out a lead and tied them to a tree making sure to surround the horse in a bit of cobblestone, just as a safety precaution.

He continued the journey on foot, occasionally looking down at the mud to see if he could see any footprints. As he continued walking he saw a small clearing in the woods. Someone was here. He could see the faint outline of the freshly blown out torches. He saw light coming from behind him but before he could turn around a voice spoke. M/N whipped his head around to see Wilbur and Tommy standing in front of him. "M/N?" Wilbur questions upon seeing the boy. "How did you-?" M/N cut him off by running past him and engulfing Tommy in a hug.

"Oh my god, Tommy are you alright?" M/N stopped hugging Tommy but both of his hands were still on his shoulders. "I'm fine, M/N, but how did you find us?"

"I just took off in a straight line from where you two ran." He said with a small laugh. Wilbur cleared his throat, "So I see you only came here to see Tommy?"

M/N let go of Tommy and hugged Wilbur. "No, I just care about him more."

"It's nice to see you again, M/N."

The sound of thunder and lightning flashed in the sky making the three turn their attention to the rain, which was coming down heavier by the minute. "Let's go inside, before the rain comes down even more." Wilbur suggested. The 3 walked into the small dirt shack, Tommy and M/N sitting on the bed and Wilbur leaning against the crafting table.

"Nice little shack you got here." M/N said jokingly

"Hey! Just because Pogtopia is small, doesn't mean that we aren't a great nation."

"Pogtopia?"

"That's what Tommy wanted to name this, he said it was another name for L'manburg, speaking of, what's going on there?"

M/N put his head in his hands, lightly tugging at his hair. "Schlatt has been in power for not even 24 hours and everything has gone to shit, he claims himself to be the emperor, Quackity and George are his vice presidents, Tubbo-" M/N sighs. "Tubbo is his right hand. He can't do or say anything with that asshole's approval!"

Tommy and Wilbur looked at each other with sorrowful eyes. M/N hands drop, his arms resting on his legs. "Tonight... before I came here, Schlatt he-he tried to kill Tubbo."

"What?! Why? Is Tubbo okay?" Tommy questioned raising his voice in distress.

"Tubbo is fine, his neck is cut up a little, that's all."

"What made Schlatt want to kill Tubbo?" Wilbur asked softly.

"He wanted me to be his commanding officer and command his troops as we quote expand this great country. If I didn't say yes, he would've had Tubbo killed with no hesitation, I couldn't let that happen."

Tommy hugged M/N who hugged him back trying not to let the stress tears fall. "It's going to be okay M/N, we'll be okay, we'll get L'manburg back."

M/N let go of Tommy, though his hands still rested on his shoulders. "Tommy, Schlatt changed the name, it's no longer L'manburg, it's Manburg. He said that this country doesn't take L's. Wilbur, he said that it was a reoccurring theme with the last president."

"What? He-he can't do that Wil, can he?"

"He is the elected emperor, technically speaking, yes."

"And what you're just gonna let Schlatt take your name and rake it through the mud?!"

"My name had been through enough-"

"Well I don't have your name and we don't have any time to waste so if you just let me-" Wilbur was the one to cut Tommy off this time.

"No we won't do that, end of discussion.'

The shack went silent for a moment before Wilbur spoke with a small sigh.

"The rain stopped, I think it would be best for you to start heading back M/N before the sun comes up and people get suspicious." M/N nodded and stood up. "I'll walk you out." Tommy said with a small smile.

The two boys walked out of the shack. The smell of rain was still in the air and in the silence you could hear water dripping from the leaves on the trees.

"I'm sorry about what just happened its just-" Tommy was cut off by M/N placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Tommy, It's okay, you both are under a lot of stress and I understand that fights can break out in stressful moments." M/N had a small smile on his face that warmed Tommy's heart.

M/N's hand retracted from Tommy's shoulder and back to his side, M/N went to walk away but Tommy grabbed his wrist.

"Wait!" The two looked at each other for a moment, Tommy fiddled with the hem of his shirt, his hand still wrapped around M/N's wrist.

"Can-Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead." M/N turned around to face Tommy, whose hand never left M/N's wrist, it wasn't a tight grip but it was comfortable enough that they didn't feel the need to immediately move away.

"I-" he paused for a moment trying to form the right sentence. "The reason why me and Wil got into the fight was because, I want to try and get Technoblade on our side."

M/N was stunned for a moment "The Technoblade? You want him, to help us?" Tommy nodded.

"Do you think he'll do it?" Tommy shrugged. "He's a strong fighter and a great strategist, he could be what we need to help beat Schlatt!" A smile grew on Tommy's face as he spoke.

"I'm assuming Wilbur doesn't like the idea of getting the blade to help?"

"They have beef from the past so I think he's hesitant."

"Tommy, I trust your judgment, if you can convince Technoblade, to be on our side, I'll stand by your decision."

"Seriously?!" M/N nodded. "Yes! I won't let you down M/N! I'll convince him!" Tommy had a huge grin on his face and pulled M/N into another hug, which he reciprocated.

"I have to get back Tommy, I do need sleep for whatever the hell happens tomorrow." M/N said with a light laugh, pulling away from Tommy.

"Alright, get some sleep, I'll see ya later M/N!"

M/N walked away, waving to Tommy until he reached the forest.

"Bye Tommy, and good luck." M/N said softly as he turned around, pulling his hood up and walking deeper into the forest.

********

Wow! First writing done! I hope you all liked it if you got this far, if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes feel free to comment them, I am open to constructive criticism as I do want to improve my writing.

Word Count: 3195

[evita-shelby]

National Anthem

Chapter 11

Cw: mentions of children's illnesses, disabled children and premonitions of death

Taglist: @zablife @thegreatdragonfruta

September 1923

To their credit, the boys don’t cry on their first day of school. Technically it is just kindergarten and they’ll be out by noon giving them no time to miss them, or so he comforts his wife who didn’t bring her handkerchief.

Both are very excited about their new clothes and things and the carefully packed lunches Eva made herself with little handwritten notes that make you think she will never see them again.

Blamed it on the baby, but Jack knows her and will tease her about it for the rest of their lives.

“Oh, don’t tell me you didn’t get a spring in your step when the boys bragged about you to everyone who would listen.” She teases him in return, and he refuses to admit that he did enjoy the clear admiration his boys have for him to anyone else but her.

He can do no wrong, he is the greatest man to walk the earth and they are too young to know it’s the exact opposite. But for now, he will gladly accept their hero worship of him.

“Do you think Rosie might be able to start school next year?” He can’t help but ask her that.

Rosie was different from other kids her age, still had trouble speaking, writing and prone to fits. The new nanny was good with her, she had experience with children like Rosie, but even then being cared for at home was way different from school.

Jack had been bullied for being too tall, too Irish and catholic, Gina hadn’t fared any better at private school. His kids had a foreign mother and he knew how kids like his girl were treated to know it will be bad.

Jack didn’t think being a father would have him like this, most fathers just leave everything to their wives and now he’s here in a car worrying himself to death.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, I suppose.”

The boys do better than they expect. In fact, he can’t recall ever being excited for school like they are. So excited they’ve been talking his ear off as he tries to get some work done in the home office.

“They want to go on the bus, tomorrow. They asked me to convince you to let them.” Jack brings forth the twins’ petition in a strange turn of events. It’s always the other way around, Eva being the one to convince him for something they want.

She’s always had a way to ‘convince’ him and now it’s his turn. Not that the kids will ever know their impassioned arguments worked on him because of the nasty, disrespectful sex Jack and Eva have before or after it.

“Let’s see if you can do a better job than me, Mr. Nelson.” Eva teases him, pretending she’s not terrified of letting the boys go on the bus.

Even at the tender age of four, Joey and Junior knew something wasn’t quite right with their mother. They knew she had nightmares, terrible things that left her in a shit state after, and how afraid she was of them being far from her reach.

“I vetted the driver and most of the staff at the school district in August. They’ll be safe from them at least.” He had assumed that had been obvious, but it didn’t help to remind her that.

“I thought you were going to fuck me, Jack.” His wife accepts the new information but still complains at him genuinely trying to make her see reason.

“I will, once you agree to let them go on the bus.”

December 1st, 1924

As far as people will know, they are perfect.

Eva has won over the PTA, Jack’s no longer bothered by the other moms ---and schoolteachers he had a past with--- flirting with him and the children are doing great.

The twins played team sports and Rosie would be allowed to start school later ---the twins had been allowed to start early due to exceptional brightness. Kitty was born well and was reaching milestones at the expected time and just seen her first birthday. They’d even gotten a dog to complete the picture of an all-American family this Christmas.

Everything was perfect.

Even his dealings in the underworld were going great. He owned a stake of the Cotton Club despite how Eva hated how racist it was, the Spiniettas were gearing up for a vendetta with the Shelbys because they got hit when shit hit the fan and Jack was all too ready to sweep in and take it all.

Who would stop them?

“Happy Birthday, Evie.” Jack kissed his wife good morning, the taste of her pussy still on his tongue from the way he woke up the sleeping beauty.

She hates the cold and lucky her, she’s got him to keep her warm.

“How much time do we have before the children wake up?” Eva pulled him back for another kiss and reached for the waistband of his pajama pants, can’t risk getting caught naked by the kids again.

“Enough, I think. It’s a school day.” Two more weeks of school before they spend the holidays down in Florida like they always do. Now they had to come back when winter break ended instead of staying until the worst of winter ended.

They could’ve left this week but the boys were in the Christmas pageant and somehow dressing in itchy costumes for hours was seen as better than Christmas at the beach. Its not like they had any lines anyways, Joey couldn’t remember his and Jack never said his with a straight face.

They don’t get far when Junior knocks insistently saying his throat hurts. Neither Jack nor Eva didn’t expect spending the next sixteen days nursing the boys through Scarlet Fever. A deadly illness without good enough cures yet.

It falls on Jack to care for the girls while Eva quarantines herself in the boys’ room. They pull through, Junior being the one to make them fear the worst.

“I had a dream I died, daddy.” Junior says solemnly when they watch the quarantine posters from the windows burn in their fireplace and leave out the cookies for Santa. “Not like last week, I was a grown up and sitting in the back of a car. My head hurt a lot when I woke up.”

Jack Nelson will never forget those words for as long as he lives, bur for Eva’s sake he will not tell her their son has dreamed of his own death.

[seamayweed]

Hii Sea, I saw in your tags that you associate the color blue with Seon-ho and green with Sung-rok. So, I got curious, do you associate any colors with Hwi and Bang-won (and possibly why)?

Hi Lilja :DDD So clever of you to ask about colors since you know I always have MANY thoughts about that!!

Okay, let's start with Hwi... he may be red-coded and starts to wear it once he starts to work for Bang-won, but that doesn't feel like his true nature and I always think of yellow/gold as his color due to the canon sun symbolism for him, equally capable of nurturing life as destroying it. I also associate that color with his hero narrative and the hero's journey he goes through, taking him from a simple boy with simple dreams who doesn't have an easy life but is nonetheless happy with his small family/home (consisting of Yeon and Seon-ho) to someone who, in the wake of 'betrayal' and war trauma and the loss of his home (all he wants is to go home, but what do you do when you return from war only to find your home is no longer there? that your sister has forgotten you and your friend has become a stranger?), schemes and backstabs as ruthlessly as anyone else in the show in pursuit of his goals and later revenge, uncaring of who he hurts along the way; to finally remember and rediscover his heart again, the simple dreams he once had - that all he ever wanted was a simple, happy life surrounded by his loved ones. That they are his country and he wants to protect them. That he wants to go home. He regrets, repents, tries to understand, forgives and accepts, apologizing to Seon-ho who usually always ended up taking the brunt of his anger and is arguably the one he hurt the most with his schemes/quest for revenge. He will never be that simple, joyful boy in the beginning again and he will never be able to wipe the red from his ledger, neither of them will be able to, but underneath the dirt and blood there's still gold. There always will be. He finally comes home to Seon-ho.

Bang-won is true red for me due to us seeing him in that color from the start and his line about all the blood he spilled for his father seeping into his skin like tattoo ink. He's a hunter and killer and was forced to stain his hands red when killing Poeun to protect his family and his father's revolution, for which he takes the blame. Of course he has his own ambitions as well and his path to the throne and reign as King Taejong are very much drenched in blood to consolidate the work of his predecessors and lay down the unshakable foundation of a five hundred year dynasty. He thinks he's the only one fit to be King and lead Joseon to its first red rising dawn, and sacrifices everything at the altar of the throne, including his own feelings and the people he loves, even family, leaving him in a position where he is above everyone else but also tragically alone, which reminds me of what Haksan tells Ha-seon in The Crowned Clown (ep. 8, 00:18:09) about what it means to be a king that I think describes Bang-won perfectly:

"A king cannot exercise his power as he wishes. The throne he sits on is for an immoral beast, one that feasts on flesh and blood. To protect that seat and the nation, he must sacrifice all he has, even his own heart. That is his cruel destiny."

Thank you for sending me this ask - it was very fun to think about! :D 💙

[siriuslysmoking]

Wait For You? | Chapter 3

(The Year Everything Flipped Upside Down Masterlist)

—You've got your passion, you've got your pride But don't you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true, ooh When will you realize Vienna waits for you? — —Billy Joel

People race into the gym as Y/n stands with the cheerleaders shouting their chants as they warm up for the game. Y/n takes in her surroundings, she sees Nancy Wheeler standing near the corner with two of her Hawkins Newspaper classmates, she looks further to her right and sees Robin in her band uniform standing next to Vickie, And coming in from behind Nancy, Steve with his date, Brenda.

“Everyone please rise for our national anthem.” everyone from behind her raises from their spots on the bleachers. “Singing for us tonight, we have a very special guest. All the way from Nashville, our very own, Tammy Thompson.”

Y/n doesn’t mean to but she snorts, only loud enough for Chrissy to hear from next to her, the blonde nudges her with her elbow. Tammy comes in with a pastel pink dress, with white boots, and a white jacket. Y/n looks behind her with a bewildered look, making eye contact with Robin and then Steve, they both hold the same expression. 

Then it starts, an off key, muppet sounding, national anthem. Y/n laughs to herself silently, she looks to the basketball team who was lined up to their left. She sees Lucas glancing behind him looking toward an empty spot on the bleachers, she doesn't know why he looks but she has a gut feeling that it has something to do with his friends. Who she knows for a fact are down the hall in the drama room.

As the opening tip plays, we win the ball as we dribble up court. And at seven minutes and fifty three seconds Hawkins high shoots the first goal and scores. “Push ‘em back, defense, push ‘em back…”

The cheerleaders drone on as Y/n looks around the room spotting Nancy writing on her notepad and Jason pointing to Chrissy when he walks back down the court.

As the game goes on and on and on. Jason seems angrier, sure there was an injury and a foul that definitely wasn't theirs but still. Calm the fuck down, dude.

And then it gets fun, Lucas Sinclair is in the game.

As Jason calls a time-out, Y/n is just in ear shot that she can hear Jason arguing about taking the winning shot. And at this point Y/n wants to go home, she’s got work in the morning.

But Jason misses. As the players jump to get the ball for a rebound, it lands in Lucas’ hands, he pivots and gets a free shot.

Two seconds

He raises to shoot.

One.

He lets it go, and as the buzzer sounds when the ball is headed for the basket. It seems to go in slow motion as it circles the edges of the rim. It leaves the edge of the rim, hits the backboard… and goes in!

The team circles Lucas as the cheerleaders go to jump with the team along with Y/n. She doesn’t care that they won but she couldn’t be prouder of Lucas, they both make eye contact after they hug and she smiles while she winks at him.

And then Lucas is lifted into the air in celebration.

As everyone in the gym slowly files out, Y/n makes her way towards the drama room, she only has to wait a few minutes before they’re all rushing out in excitement, they barely even notice she’s there.

“Woah, you wanna walk home, Henderson?” Y/n raises her eyebrows, he had the biggest smile plastered onto his face. “‘m guessing the campaign went well?”

“Yes! It did!” He starts gushing about his adventures of the night before stopping himself to ask. “Wait, how was the game?”

“It was good, actually! Lucas made the winning shot, pretty proud of that kiddo.”

“I’ve gotta tell you what Erica did!” As he droned on about their campaign Y/n replied after he told her about the roll.

“Sounds like a pretty good night for the Sinclair siblings, huh?” she hummed as she wrapped her arm around Dustin’s shoulder, before she continued walking to the door she looked back to the others. “Anyone else need a ride? Mike? Erica?”

They both shook their heads, “Oh, Mike before I forget I have a christmas and birthday present in my car for Jonathan, El’, and Will. Would you give it to them?”

He nodded. As Y/n walked out with Erica and Mike next to her and her arm around Dustin’ shoulder she didn’t notice Eddie watching her. He never knew that she’d ever known who these kids were. I guess there’s a lot you just perceive about a person.

“Wait? Who the hell is Vecna?”

“Y/n…” She heard his voice, she’d heard it so many times before. His voice is different, dark, deeper, angrier. “You can run, but you know you can’t hide from me.”

Her breathing shook as she looked around, she could go to the exit doors, but that’s where everyone is, she’d be leading him straight where they are. Or she could make a run for it, past him up the stopped escalators to maybe a shop where she could hide.

Her mind was still fuzzy from earlier when  she was dosed with the others underground, she’s lost a lot of blood, her left eye is almost swollen shut, her lip is tingly, and her legs are just so so tired. She’s tired of running. So tired.

She can hear footsteps coming closer, she doesn’t have a choice she’s trapped one way or the other, so she turns and runs, past him all the way up the stairs, but he’s hot on her tail, she only makes it half up the stairs before he grabs onto her shirt and pulls her down, dragging her as she screams, this is it. This is how she dies. Alone. With him. And utterly alone.

He drags her down the stairs as she kicks and tries to pry his arms away from her.

“You’ve gotten stronger since we’ve last fought.” he speaks of a memory from Halloween. Once they get back to the main level he turns her over so she’s on her back, facing him. His eyes are different, darker, his face, angry, angrier than she’s ever seen before. He brings his face close to her’s, his hair falling around them, enclosing them. She takes a deep breath, she tries to raise her arms but he has her pinned on the ground. “Don’t worry, try to be very still, it’ll be over soon.”

“Please…” she whimpers, then before she can do anything else…

She’s gasping for air as she opens her eyes. Then she closes them just to reopen, she’s at home, in her bed, it's 1986 not ‘85. It’s March, not July.

It’s also seven thirty in the morning, she has to get ready for work.

She doesn't put any makeup on, she doesn’t have the energy. All she does is put on her jeans and a dark green crew neck over a simple tee. Her head killing her again, she carries her shoes down the stairs along with her bag and vest, she takes two pills to help calm down the pain. Her vision is still blurry, but she puts her on the edge of the sink until the pin seems to dull and her vision becomes clear again.

She quickly puts her shoes on as she puts a piece of bread in the toast, she thinks to herself that she wants to bake something tonight, she mentally makes a checklist of things she needs to get at the store on her way back home from work.

Cookies she decides, cookies fix everything.

The drive isn’t long to work, Steve opened and Robin came thirty minutes after that then another thirty minutes her. On her drive she seems to be auto-pilot, she’s made the drive so many times throughout the school year that she doesn’t even notice when she arrives. She’s racking her mind, it’s been a while since she’s had a dream about that day.

But before she knows it, she pulls up to Family Video for her shift. She grabs her purse and vest, she slowly puts it on as she walks across the parking lot to the door. It’s a little awkward over her crew neck but it’s kind of a winding day so she deals with it.

When Y/n walks in from the door all she hears is: “I’m hopeless.”

“Eh. we both are.” Steve agrees.

“I have to agree on that.” she says as she makes herself known to the pair.

“Like you have some big love interest we don’t know about?” Steve raises a questioning eyebrow.

“When did you start talking about love?” Y/n asks, she has no idea what conversation she just walked in on. “Wait, is this where you both say you’re hopelessly in love with me and of course I could never possibly choose for I accept both of your proposals.”

“Yes.” Robin dead-panned.

“Oh!” Y/n cheered, “I want a fall wedding, how ‘about you Stevie.” she puts her hands up to her chest then looks at it as though admiring her ring finger.

“Oh but, what if we could just, like, combine.”

“Combine?” Y/n and Steve both wondered aloud. Y/n was now across from them sitting on the glass display case as they were leaned up against the wall.

“No, think about it, I know exactly what I want, and I’ve found the girl of my dreams, but I just can’t get the courage to ask her out.”

Steve just hums along as Robin continues. “Meanwhile, you go on a million dates and you have no idea what you want.”

“Mhm.” 

“So if we just combine, all our problems would be solved.” Steve makes a gasp-like noise of understanding. “Because I mean, alone, let’s face it…”

“We totally suck.”

“Totally and utterly.” She looks away. “Oh, I think I found our morning movie.”

As she literally scurries away, Y/n says, “Hey, It’s my day!”

“Doctor Zhivago.” Y/n just hums.

“Ugh, you know I don’t do double VHS.” Steve dismisses.

“But it’s about doomed love.”

“Well that’s relatable.”

“precisely.”  she turns and makes her way around the counter, “Also Julie Christie is like b-b-bonkers hot in this. Like seriously, the most beautiful creature I have ever seen in my life.” 

Robin grabs the remote to put in the tape “We’re in Forest Hills trailer park in east Roane County.” a reporter speaks on TV. Y/n swirls around so that she’s facing the TV still on the counter. “We don’t have a lot of details right now, but we can confirm that a body of a Hawkin High student was discovered early this morning. The police have not yet released a name…”

All Y/n can think is, Max…

Chrissy.

“Holy shit.” Steve says.

Y/n can’t breathe, she stumbles off the counter and makes her way to the TV, “Although we are told they are currently in the process of notifying the family.”

The reporter goes on to talk about all the things that has happened in the town for the past few years. “Do you-” Y/n tries to find it in herself to speak her next words, “Do you think it has something to do with- with-”

“I can’t be, right?” Steve looks to her, “The Gate’s closed. Isn’t it?”

“It’s been opened again before.” Y/n spins her ring around her finger again, she’s made it a nervous habit. “It can’t be max, right?”

“No.” Robin dismisses, “We don’t know them, the person, don’t worry unless we have something to worry about.”

--

--

I hope you enjoyed the 3rd chapter! Reposts, comment, like so others can enjoy this story as well! it's super appreciated! Updates every sunday!

[lestappenforever]

On the whole neighbours thing. We have a lot f neighbours, and even better l, there are categories in the continent, north, west, south, etc. (Africa and for context, I am Egyptian). You can never and I mean NEVERRR see me or anyone I know root for any other North African country, hell even our matches against any other North African country, is very stressful and sometimes even on the verge of playing mind games away from football. So I get you 1000000%

Also, I got to disagree, England are the number 1 national team I am hate watching in the Euros (especially with their “it’s coming hime” nagging since the 60s). They are so incredibly cocky it’s insane, especially with how easy and how close they were going to concede to Serbia yesterday.

As fir France, I agree on the Mbappe part, especially because he takes the spotlight from the real hero who doesn’t get enough credit for what he does, and he was the player if the tournament for 16, 18 and 22. And by that person I mean Griezmann (the man is so good and such a complete player, idk why he doesn’t get credit. Also queue me being biased since he’s the reason I follow football a lot and root for Atleti)

I'm glad to know it's not just me that will not be supporting my neighbours in sporting competitions!

To be fair, I think the whole "It's coming home" for every tournament has become more of a joke than anything else, given how they haven't won since 1966. And honestly, every country goes into, or at least should go into, international competitions cocky as hell because if they weren't cocky, they wouldn't have qualified in the first place. If you don't go into a tournament like this thinking you can win the whole thing, what's the point of even playing?

England didn't concede against Serbia, though. I've talked about this before, and almost scoring and almost winning means absolutely nothing in football. It doesn't matter how you win a game, as long as you're the team that comes out of a game having scored the most goals. You don't have to like it, but it's the reality of the sport nevertheless. France almost conceded against Austria as well, but in the end, they didn't and ended up winning the game. And as much as I would have liked for them to lose or at least draw, they didn't.

You, and everyone else, hating England is of course completely fine! I hate France the same way you guys hate England, and given how nobody can ever convince me to change my mind about that, I won't waste my energy trying to convince anyone else to change their minds about England or other teams, because hating other teams is part of the sport! Especially given how, as long as the many teams I prefer over England are still in the competition, I honestly don't care if England make it past the group stage or not. Like I've said before, they're not even in my top 5, or in my top 10. So a lot of teams will have to get knocked out for me to start hoping England will win. And even if it gets to that point (which I really fucking hope doesn't happen), I won't be rooting for the entire team. God knows England has quite a few players I absolutely loathe and I want to see those players crash and burn in every way possible. But there are also players I genuinely love (Trent Alexander Arnold, Joe Gomez) and players I like (Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice). So should it get to a point where England is the only team I can support, for example, if they were to meet France in the final, then yeah, let's fucking go, England!

I'm not a huge fan of Griezmann either, but I much prefer him to Mbappé and he is a far more complete player. But you can't tell me you're surprised he doesn't get the credit he deserves because players like him never do. Strikers who score lots of goals will always get the credit, and it doesn't matter how much or how little they contribute elsewhere, or how dependent they might be on another player setting them up for goals and how they become invisible if that player isn't out there doing all the work for them, because the goals are all that matter. This has always been the case and will always continue to be the case in football.