#honouring Gracia Family

[tina-aumont]

Maria Montez, the Queen of Technicolor, was born the 6th of June 1912 and with her beauty, intelligence and charisma, won the hearts of many people.

It's time to honour her and celebrate her birthday by publishing her page we have here on this site!! Enjoy the reading!! and if you click on the small photos, you'll go to this site specific entries for her!!

And remember that her biography is in FAMILY page, where you'll find her parents, grandparents, siblings and nieces.

Enjoy and celebrate Maria's beautiful birthday today!!

Eleni xxx

[mclarensangel]

Wedding Bells

please pretend that all the dresses are the same, that the skin colour and other items match your own and that the men look like max. I love you all.

All photos are from Pinterest. All usernames were made up on the spot I don't actually know if they're real usernames or not. Might make this a series, let me know what you think and if you want to be tagged!

warnings: weddings, nerves, money, some suggestive comments.

Max Verstappen has posted

maxverstappen1: Today I finally married the woman of my dreams. I have never felt happier or luckier. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you Schat. my vrouw. forever and always

ynverstappen: I can't put into words how much I love you. I am so happy to have become your wife. I will hold the name Mrs Verstappen so dear to me forever.

-> maxverstappen1: I love you so much, Mrs Verstappen. jij bent mijn wereld.

-> lewishamilton: congratulations to the pair of you, your gift should be there soon!

-> maxverstappen1: thank you, Lewis! Enjoy the Almave at the bar!

-> ynverstappen: Cheers, Lewis! And thank you, Roscoe, for coming!

-> roscoelovescoco: woof woof!🐶

landonorris: congratulations mate! I'm so happy for you!

-> maxverstappen1: cheers mate! enjoy the open bar!

-> landonorris: Oh I will be!🍻

maxslefteyeball: I can't believe Max got married and there's not a single redbull item in sight

-> ynverstappen: trust me it was a fight to have the only Red Bull thing be at the bar

-> maxverstappen1: I'd do anything for you schat

-> ynverstappen: awww maxie

-> landonorris: get a room you two🤢

-> maxverstappen1: oh we will be!

-> ynverstappen: MAX!

ynverstappen has posted!

charles_leclerc: Félicitations max and yn!

-> ynverstappen: thank you charlie x

-> maxverstappen1: thank you charles!

ynverstappen: officially changed the name! couldn't be happier to marry the love of my life. I love you so much Maxie, and I can't wait to love you for the rest of our lives. mijn man.

maxverstappen1: I will never get sick of calling you my wife... Mrs Verstappen. ik hou van je, mijn vrouw

-> ynverstappen: ik hou van je

-> landosmiamiwin: congratulations to my parents!

-> Yabadabadoo: when will it be my turn

valteribotass: sleeping on the highway tonight

-> landonorris: same

-> sweetcornsbestie: LANDO?💀

carmenmmundt: Estoy muy feliz por ti, tu boda fue hermosa. mi mejor amigo

-> ynverstappen: gracias mi hermosa mejor amiga. Te amo. Thank you for being my MOH

-> carmenmmundt: yo también te amo <3 It was my honour

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alexandrasaintmelux: Félicitations belle fille!

-> ynverstappen: Merci mon ange! Thank you for being my bridesmaid!

-> carlossapendix: I'm gonna need these wedding photos ASAP

-> maxverstappen1: they're coming just wait!

If, at 18, you had been told that you would be marrying the Formula One driver you were obsessed with, you would have laughed. But here you are at 25. Surrounded by your friends and family, as you get prepared for your wedding. Carmen, your maid of honour, was currently in the makeup chair, whereas your mother was in the hair chair. One of the photographers was capturing moments between some of the bridesmaids. And one of the videographers was interviewing one of the bridesmaids for the wedding video. You were sat in a comfortable armchair watching it all happen around you. You weren't nervous to marry Max, you were however nervous about everything going right. And as if she could sense your anxiety, one of your bridesmaids, Alexandra, came over to sit in the chair next to you. She already had her hair done, and was next in queue for makeup.

"feeling anxious?" she asks, taking a sip from the prosecco glass she had been holding in her hands.

"I'm not nervous to marry Max, it's something I've been waiting for this day since he proposed. I just want everything to go right. And I'm really hoping that Max doesn't have some Red Bull uniform on underneath his tux" you giggle, taking a small sip of your water.

"If Carmen has anything to do with it, everything will go perfectly. I think even the wedding planner is scared of her" Alex responds, the pair of you glance towards the planner who is hurriedly writing something on the checkboard she was holding whilst repeatedly looking up anxiously at Carmen. Both of you look back at each other, before bursting into laughter. Silence falls comfortably between the two of you as you sit and absorb the atmosphere. And before you knew it, you were in the hair chair, whilst Alex was in the makeup chair.

shootingstarphotography has posted!

shootingstarphotography: here are some getting-ready shots for our clients Mr and Mrs Verstappen! Enjoy

-> ynverstappen: thank you all so much! These photos will be posted all over our house!

-> maxverstappen1: I agree with my wife, thank you both so much. I'm going to get ALL of these framed.

-> shootingstarphotography: thank you for having us, the food was delicious as well!

ynverstappen and maxverstappen1 have shared a post!

iamstupid: these are so beautiful I'm actually going to cry.

-> lilysgolfclub: RIGHT! I'm obsessed, look at her!

ynverstappen and maxverstappen1: we wanted to show you some more of our photos. If you would like to see more, we're more than happy to show them!

oscarpastyboy: I didn't think I could become any more obsessed with these two, but then they posted these photos and I'm in love

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the moment you began walking down the aisle to Max, you were overwhelmed with the feeling of love that radiated not just from him but all your guests. Your parents were walking you down the aisle, and Max was standing nearly in tears at the end of it, his best man, Lando, stood just behind him smiling and his groomsmen were behind him, their smiles almost as big as the grooms. Your bridesmaids were waiting for you, each and every one looking stunning in their dresses as a light breeze passed through their hair. Your maid of honour, Carmen, was standing nearest to where you would be stood, the proudest smile on her face. As the music began to play, everyone let out a soft laugh. Max had believed you were coming down the aisle to one of Charles's piano songs, however, you had worked with him to have the F1 theme tune played on the piano to make Max feel happier. You smiled at Max, before placing a hand in the elbow of each of your parents as you made your way almost too slowly down the aisle. You wanted to run, to get down there and marry the man as quick as possible, but you remained in your parent's embrace until the end, when both parents kissed your cheek before taking a seat.

Handing your bouquet to Carmen, you turned and grinned at Max. And the tears in his eyes, made you tear up too.

"you look beautiful schat" he whispered, loud enough for you to hear.

"And you look so handsome, Max" you responded.

"I can't wait to show you what I've got on underneath" You smirked at the teary-eyed man forgetting that you both had mics attached to you. Max's eyes widened before squeezing your hands, trying to stop the flush from his cheeks being too obvious to the crowd.

shootingstarphotography has posted!

shootingstarphotography: with the consent of our stunning clients, we have decided to post some more photos of the Verstappen wedding. Enjoy!

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ynverstappen: we can't thank you enough for these beautiful photos!

-> maxverstappen1: you will always have consent to post the beautiful photos of my gorgeous wife

-> landonorris: simp 😬

-> maxverstappen1: says the single man.

-> ynverstappen: TELL 'EM MAXIE

-> hulkenboy: your honour, I love them

Before you knew it, You and Max were walking back down the aisle, ready to sign the wedding certificate, with Carmen and Lando as your witnesses. You were officially Mrs YN Verstappen. Your dreams have come true in the best way possible.

"What are you thinking about schat?" your husband asks

"how unreal all of this feels. I can't believe you're my husband. I remember the very first time I met you when you were the second driver for Red Bull" You responded turning to face him. He laughed, responding "Don't remind me of those days"

"you'll always be the number one to me" you spoke, leaning up for another kiss before the wedding planner or someone else would pop up to take you away to somewhere else.

shootingstarphotography has posted!

shootingstarphotography: as mentioned beforehand, here is a continuation of our most recent client, part one of their reception

comments have been limited on this post

landonorris has posted!

landonorris: congratulations to one of my best friends, on the wedding, their reception and on their love.

comments on this post have been limited by the user

ynverstappen: thank you Lan, enjoy the party!

-> maxverstappen1: she's the only one I'm ever going to marry, so I had to make it perfect. Thank you for coming mate, and thank you for being my best man!

-> landonorris: I'd do it all over again for the pair of you

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As you and Max sit at the sweetheart's table, you're able to overwatch everyone. Everything had gone perfectly, the cake cutting, the entrances, even the speeches. And it was nearly time for your first dance with your husband. What everyone didn't know, not even the maid of honour or best man, was that you both had been going to dance classes to make this perfect. The pair of you sat there, content, holding one another hands as you absorbed everything in.

"I'm surprised you haven't had a Red Bull yet" you teased.

"Who said I haven't?" he joked back. He opened his mouth to say something else before he was cut off by the announcer.

"I would like to welcome Mr and Mrs Verstappen to the dance floor for their first dance. The music will be played live by Charles Leclerc and it is a song written especially for this moment" The man spoke loudly despite the microphone in his hand. You turned your head quickly to look at Max, as this wasn't the song that you had prepared. "don't worry schat, I made sure whatever song we practised to was the same tempo, it's going to be as perfect as you" he spoke calmly before standing up and offering you his hand. You graciously took his hand, smiling at him as he led you to the dancefloor. Once the pair of you stood in the middle, the piano began to play, filling the room with its soft notes.

This was perfect.

maxverstappen1 has posted!

maxverstappen1: final post for today. Here is the final moment of our first dance. I will treasure you always my love. thank you for marrying me. forever and always.

ynverstappen: thank you for marrying me, mi corazon. forever and always.

comments on this post have been limited.

whos next???

[mapileonxputellas]

Spanish or Dating? (Ona Batlle x Reader)

Sorry for the long break but updates will be a lot more frequent now. In honour of the Leila and Ona photo from this weekend which had everyone freaking out even though Leila had someone else there. Note: translations are at the bottom (google translate before my Spanish wrong) Feel free to send in your requests. 3k words x

Spanish or dating? That age old question.

Sometimes it can be one or the other, sometimes it can be both. In this case your nationality was known, the both of you were Spanish and there was no hiding that. Your relationship on the other hand was something you��d never felt the need to make a statement about, not to mention how amusing it was to the both of you that no-one had figured it out yet. Family and close friends from back home knew but no-one else.

You weren’t exactly hiding it, you regularly posted photos of each other cuddling or quite close but your nationality stereotype meant no-one ever connected the dots. Not the fans or your teammates.

The both of you moved over to Manchester in 2020, however your alliances spread to different sides of the city. Ona moving to Manchester United from Levante and you making the move to City from Barcelona where you had been an up-and-coming prospect in need of game time after two years with the Spanish giants.

The two of you already knew each other from the national team however your times in Barcelona did not overlap. You started off as roommates, turned friends, turned best friends, turned girlfriends.

It was March 2020 when you both separated to go back and spend the pandemic with your families in Spain it became clear how much you really did mean to each other and when you both moved back to start the new season you made the first move. Nearly three years later you were stronger than ever.

Of course it helped that Deyna, Leila and Laia were also in Manchester now and it was no longer always just the two of you hanging out all the time but still very few rumours circled around you both.

“Where’s Y/N?” It felt like your flat was never empty, both of your teammates were regulars at your flat and this time it was the united players spread around your living room with Ona.

“She’s gone shopping after training.” Ona answered Ella’s question as the two of them along with Alessia and Millie spread out on the sofas after their own session. “She should be back soon.”

“Do you think she’d mind if we ordered pizza?”

“You know she would.” Whereas United had just come from a win at Old Trafford you had a late night training session preparing for your game against Arsenal tomorrow. Any other day you would be up for it but tonight you told the girls you would cook for them when you got back.

Out of the two of you, you were definitely the stricter one and whereas Ona was seen by fans as almost this ball of fluff, you were almost the complete opposite. Slightly intimidating when you needed, always tense on the pitch to be but around your friends you were just like Ona.

“Cariño estoy en casa” You shouted as you opened the door to your flat.

“The girls are already here, we’re in the lounge.” Ona replied.

“Hi Y/N.” Ella also shouted.

“Hi Ella. Hi girls.” You got a replies back from the rest of the group as you stuck your training gear in the corner and quickly nipped into your shared room to change into some sweats, otherwise known as Ona’s sweats.

The empty spare room, which people presumed was your room holding your summer clothes as the wardrobe you shared in your room was a free for all of both your winter clothes.

Before you then joined them in the living room, a smile on your face as you took in Ona in your clothes. “Good game?”

“A great game if you can beat Arsenal tomorrow.” Alessia answered.

“I mean we’ll try but not for you.” You said before moving to stand behind Ona, bending down to press a kiss to her cheek as your hands found cradled her chin. “Gran victoria mi pequeña superestrella”

“Gracias, ¿cómo estuvo tu día, querido?” She said pressing a kiss to your own cheek as she looked up at you.

“Buena, now who’s ready for some chicken pasta?” Even though you would consider yourself a good cook that was your signature dish, a creamy chicken pasta which everyone seemed to love and seemed appropriate both pre and post-match.

“You know Y/N if you don’t find someone soon I’ll marry you.” Alessia commented.

“Very funny,” Ona dry laughed before jumping out of her seat and wrapping her arms around your waist as you hugged her back, her lips again finding your cheek.. “She’s mine.”

“All yours, now come on.”

It was moments like this, moments that happened often, that for anyone else might spark rumours but no-one in the room batted an eyelid.

You were just Spanish.

……

“I didn’t know Ona was coming today.” Leila asked Y/N as they sat in the changing room the next afternoon at half time, having heard rumours of a certain Spaniard in the crowd.

“Yeah she mentioned she would come. Check out the composition.” You said tying your boots once again. “I think Ella was coming with her.”

“Did you see her before you left this morning?”

“I did.” I mean it would be hard not to when you woke up in her arms every morning. “She made me a coffee.”

“God you two are like a little old married couple.”

“Shut up.”

It wasn’t exactly uncommon either to attend matches other than your own and that’s how Ella and Ona found themselves at the Academy stadium the next morning watching City beating Arsenal  in the second half. With a two goal cushion the game was fairly safe with only ten minutes left and with that Ella’s attention turned to the Spaniard.

“I heard someone in training today say they were going to ask you about Y/N…. see if she’s single.”

“Did you?” She kept a straight face going between the actual game and the game on her phone.

“Would you mind? See if she’s up for going on a date.”

“Ask her yourself.”

“You know I saw something interesting yesterday, I don’t snoop and I wasn’t like looking but Y/N said I could borrow her nail file and I went to go and get it but then I kind of saw the photo.”

“What photo?”

“The photo on your bedside table…. The one of you kissing.”

“Well I guess you did need a little help working it out” Ona knew you wouldn’t be angry about your secret unravelling and she wasn’t either. “Surprise.”

“What the fuck? You’re actually dating, like actually dating.”

“Like actually dating.” Ona imitated the confused English woman.

“For how long.”

“Nearly three years now.”

“Shut up, you’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“So all that time, you weren’t just being overly friendly with her.”

“You’re so smart Ella, well done.”

“Shut up, I actually can’t believe this.”

One almost wished she had lied and made an excuse about the photo when Ella then wouldn’t stop asking questions about her relationship for the rest of the match. When the final whistle rang the two of them stayed up in the stands until the majority of the crowd had left and the two of them could make their way down to the city girls.

“Hey girls.” You came over all sweaty from playing the full ninety minutes in the midfield giving Ella a quick hug before wrapping your arms around Ona. You would have stayed there much longer had it not been for Laia and Leila coming over to greet their Spanish teammate before moving over to the rest of the lingering crowd. “Starting to worry about us?”

“No way.” Ona answered, wrapping her arms around you once again to whisper in your ear. “Ella knows.”

“Ella knows what?” You questioned the midfielder.

“That you two have been sneaking around, behind our backs.” She pouted. “I can’t believe I missed all the signs, it was so obvious.”

“You’re telling me, I mean the only thing you didn’t do is walk in on us.”

“I’m never walking into your flat unannounced again.”

“Yeah, don’t do that.” The smirk you and Ona shared reminded you of that moment less than a year ago when your secret was nearly unveiled.

“Ona! Y/N! I’ve brought donuts.”

That was the last thing you wanted to hear in that moment, Leila’s voice resounding around the flat. She made the move to Manchester less than a week ago and you were really here only friends in the city.

The problem was that yourself and Ona had been celebrating your second anniversary which fell in the midweek and one thing had led to another causing you both to be left naked in your bed at not even 8 o’clock.

“Where are you both?” That made you realise that not only was Leila in your flat you could hear her footsteps and it wouldn’t be too long before she reached your door.

“Don’t come in.” Ona shouted to her, scrambling out of the bed and tugging the nearest clothes on “We’re in here, I’m just getting changed and Y/N’s in the bathroom.”

“Why did you say that?” You whispered.

“I panicked, what was I meant to say ‘oh sorry we were in bed together’.”

“Why is she not in her own bathroom?” Leila’s voice came again.

“Erm, the shower broke. She had to borrow mine.” Thankfully Ona made that up on the spot but it still wasn’t convincing.

“Okay.” Leila didn’t sound convinced but let it go. “I’ll be in the living room, I’ve got donuts.”

“Thanks Leila.” Ona said, pulling you back into her. “I can’t believe she chose now to turn up.”

“Get some clothes on.” You ordered, pressing a kiss to her pouting lips. “I guess I better dampen my hair a bit.”

@Y/Nfan1: Saw Y/N and Ona at the match cuddling today after the match. We love our Spanish besties.

……

To Ella’s credit she never said a word about what she knew, well at least to your knowledge.

The first time the fans had even the slightest inkling that something more could be going on and clocked onto your previous moments together was at Leila’s birthday.

You couldn’t arrive with Leila as you promised Ellie and Alex you would get ready with them but that just meant you had the joy of watching her reaction as you arrived. You would be lying if you said you hadn’t clocked her immediately, your white suit that she had obviously borrowed took your breath away as her eyes trailed on your figure in just a black wrap dress.

“Hola.” You greeted Laia, Deyna and Leila who were also at her end of the table, a seat spare between Ona and Laia. “You all look stunning.”

“Not as stunning as you, mi hermosa.” Leila said, wrapping her arms around you as you sat down, Ona’s arm immediately coming to rest on the top of your chair, her fingertips lightly dragging over your exposed collarbone. “Maybe we can find you a girl tonight.”

You didn’t have to look at Ona to say she would be pissed off by that comment, a little scowl forming on her face but the indicator was the hand which came to grip your thigh underneath the silk material of your dress. “No way, tonight is all about you Miss Ouahabi.”

Thankfully someone else distracted you and that left you free to speak to the girl to your left.

“You look incredible tonight mi vida.” You whispered in her ear, noticing the glass of wine already in front of you. “Is this for me?”

“All for you, just like you’re mine later.” She whispered back discreetly, squeezing your thigh. “I can’t believe you’ve got me hanging out with the enemy.”

“We hang out with them all the time and I’m always with your teammates.”

“Yeah but not like the full time, we haven’t done that in a long time.”

“Well we’ll all be together next week.” Next week it was your birthday and you were having a little soiree, you wouldn’t call it a party as you didn’t want your flat to be trashed but teammates from both sides of Manchester were being invited.

One thing you love and hated about Leila was that girl knew how to party. Loved because she knew how to have a good time and therefore you were able to let loose for the night having beat Chelsea earlier in the day. Hated because that left you and Ona very tipsy and therefore boundaries you usually had were smashed into smithereens.

“Let me take a photo.” Leila said just as you were about to suggest maybe it was time to go home and stop drinking before you were at risk of throwing up. “My senoritas.”

You had to make room to all fit in the photo frame and that meant squashing up so you were half on Ona’s chair, almost on her lap as your arm wrapped around her waist. That move left yours and Ona’s lips barely inches away from each other and as you looked her in the eye all you could think about was just tipping your head forward and placing your lips on hers.

“Cheese girls.” Leila broke you out of your spell as you turned to look at Alanna taking the photo.

Alanna took the photo and Laia went to go and sit back down again but before you moved back you turned to Leila. “Can you take one of just Ona and I?”

“Of course.”

You would never have done this stone cold sober and neither would Ona but that would be tomorrow’s problem as you moved so you were sat on Ona’s knee sideways, facing the camera as you rested your head on her shoulder.

“You two are so cute.” Esme commented from further down the table. “Lauren would never take a photo like that with me.”

“Shut up.” You heard Lauren shout back to her former roomie but you focused back on the camera.

It was too good not to post the photo. Even with your blurry eyes you could see the love in both of your eyes in the multiple photos Leila had took, some of you looking at the camera but one really stood out for you. The both of you were looking at one another, your hands clasped together in your lap as you couldn’t help but laugh at whatever someone must have said.

Nothing could stop you posting it, tagging Ona and leaving the caption ‘mi vida’ with a love heart and as you woke up to a few comments the next morning suggesting you were maybe something more than just Spanish you couldn’t help but pull your girlfriend closer to you, prepared to let this unravel together.

…..

Birthdays with Ona were your favourite. You would have been happy with just spending the day with her but thankfully you had both played your games yesterday and so your wish and more could come true. She was the most thoughtful person you knew from breakfast in bed to a spa day together in a fancy hotel, something you had being wanting to do for a while, and then a fancy meal together.

Now you were stood in your kitchen, all your friends around you as you sipped on your favourite cocktail.

“Have you had a nice birthday?” Millie asked coming to wrap her arms around your shoulders. “Has our girl spoiled you?”

“I’ve had the best day. We went out today and she got me some concert tickets.” Not to mention the trainers and clutch bag you had been eyeing for months but that was maybe too much to not be suspicious.

“Ready!” You had no idea who shouted that but all of a sudden the lights went out, Ona appearing from the doorway with a cake full of candles in her hand. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Y/N. Happy birthday to you!”

This felt like the moment as you blew out the candles, everyone cheering and Ona set down the cake next to you to be able to wrap her arms around you. You had your girl, you had all your friends around you and more importantly you just felt content.

“Ready?” You whispered in Ona’s ear, she recognised the look on your face and knew what was coming as you cradled her chin, bringing your lips down onto her own.

“Oh my….” You heard someone shout as you pecked her lips again.

“I’m no expert but I don’t think Spanish people do that with everyone.” Lauren questioned. “Wait are you two dating?”

“We are.” Ona confirmed.

“How long has this been going on?”

“We got together nearly three years ago.” You answered Hayley’s question. “I can’t believe it took you this long to work it out and we basically did the work for you.”

“Did anyone know?” Chloe asked. “I can’t believe this has been right in front of our eyes and we didn’t connect the dots.”

“Who’s their favourite?” Ella stepped forward. “I am, I knew.”

“How did you know and I didn’t?” Laia asked.

“We didn’t exactly tell Ella, she found out.” You told everyone.

“In other words I found a picture of them kissing and they had to spill their little secret.” Ella teased you both. “Don’t get it out by the way, I had to bleach my eyes when I saw it.”

“Very funny.”

“Wait…” Leila’s spoke up. “You weren’t in the shower that time were you?”

You and Ona couldn’t help but burst out in laughter, your reaction a stark difference to everyone’s confused looks and Leila’s disgusted face.

“I’ll let you work that one out for yourself.”

This time you left no room for confusion. Alanna once again had been the perfect camerawoman, ready on call to snap a photo of the kiss. You cake in the background and your arms wrapped around her neck as hers went around your waist.

‘Spanish or dating?”

Estoy en casa – Honey, I’m home

gran victoria mi pequeña superestrella – great win my little superstar

Gracias, ¿Cómo estuvo tu día, querido? – Thank you, how was your day my dear?

Buena – good

[musicfeedsmysoul12]

Watching the Show Fanfic FMAB

@anastasian-dreamer suggested writing a big rambling post about the FMAB watches the future Au to get it off my chest and for me to offer people to send asks. You want a scene/me to explain how i’d handle something? Send it it!

 So how would this go?

First the background: 

First: Edward is a trans man. He's known from childhood. We dont have transphobia in Amestris or in this world. Envy is genderfluid and Father is literal shadows in a human form. Gender makes zero sense to them and they don't allow bigotry they'd be affected by.

 We’re going to give them testosterone but Ed isn't on it because 1) he doesn't want to take it while Al is in the armour (and that is a frequent discussion) and 2) he's not sure if he wants to. He's a fairly androgynous person and he is small chested. He’s one of the lucky assholes who have very light periods (Winry hates him for it) and its alright. He doesn't want to take it also because a part of him wants kids and he’s nervous it will lower his chances. He also knows adoption is still there so he is a bit torn. I honestly just want to explore this concept.

Second: this is also a soulmate AU. I'm thinking there are multiple types of soulmates: paternal/child, platonic, romantic and enemies. 

 Now, you're born with the paternal ones (and the parent gets their when the child is born) but the others happen later. You are five when you get your platonic and romantic; then you’re ten when you get the enemy one.

 Ed and Al are both born with a red salamander on their shoulders and the flamel Izumi has on her chest. I've read a few ‘your own mark is on your chest’ so we’re going with that. These marks tend to be something that can define you. Edward has the alchemy sign for human on his chest and Al has the helmet of his armour. 

 Hohenheim tries not to let it play on his mind. 

When they turn five, Edward gets a sword and the ouroboros on his arm, while Al gets a kunai. 

 The boys both get a silver gear which is Winry for platonic to. (how can they tell? Vibes. Literal vibes)

 When they're ten, Ed is so confused why they get more ouroboros marks. But he's busy with the transmutation. So big deal. We all know how that ends.

 But Ed also is surprised when he gets a mark when he’s eleven.

( “It kind of looks like the head of a long-haired dog?” 

 “It does. Weird.”)

Ling gets the sign for human and the ouroboros. As well he gains a silver blade for a friend (Lan Fan), the child mark of a long haired dog, and the enemy tattoos of ouroboros along with some family. (he also gains the panda friend mark of the heiress to the Chang family) 

 Greed has a sword and the sign for human, along with markings for all his Chimera buddies and the long haired dog for a child. 

Three: Roy starts off being very nervous about the kids. He sees Al and knows its his soul son. He would keep it quiet if he didn't know that his soulmate Maes would spill the beans. He tells the boys. Edward is so angry that of course it's his fuck up that defines his brother. 

 Roy and Ed keep the antagonism but it’s just their thing. They're like that. Al gets to have a cat that stays with Roy. 

 Also: three way bonds like Roy, Hughes and Gracia aren't uncommon. However due to the need for alchemists in the East Roy is based there. He has a house and makes trips bi weekly to see his soulmates. They also make trips bi weekly so they basically see each other each week.

Four: Various countries have different views on Soulmateds. Amestris believes that while there is a bond its a choice in the end. You don’t need to marry/befriend/whatever your bond is. While about 90% of the time it does happen, there's then 10% everyone knows. 

 Xing fully believes in them and soulmarks are a great honour. There's been a few times clans will join together as an heir will find their partner in another, making an iron clad bond. Soul children are precious and enemies are the utmost awfulness. 

Five: I’m tossing in a few OCs. One is named Amelia Cross. My original story for her is she is the brother’s elder sister from Hohenheim having a one night stand years ago. Theres a whole plot. But for here she's simply the Alchemist that helped make the soldiers into human chimeras before she quit the military. (and was let go because she did human transmutation)

 The other is Amelia’s soul daughter Elaine who is a chimera herself and Ishvalan. Its a whole thing. 

Lets go to the start.

 Now: I think this story would start right after Tucker makes Nina into a Chimera but before the boys see her. 

 And I kinda want to keep to my theme of ‘ah yes everyone sees it’ cause I can. How does this happen? Alchemy. A bunch of stones (some dropped by Hohenheim, some in the ground from Father) bonded together. An alchemist in the region was doing human transmutation to bring back their wife, the stones hijacked it (the alchemist lost their heart) and Truth went: you know why not. (does it make sense? No but I'm keeping it)

 So everyone in the world is watching now. And we don't start with the brothers.

 We start with Slave 23, speaking to the dwarf in the flask. We follow him as he walks to Xing, as he walks the world. We follow him to Trisha and the boys. We see him put pieces together and realize what happened to Xerxes will happen again. Of course we don't actually know YET. As far as anyone can tell he found signs of the Dwarf and went hunting.

 There's also the drama of Ling seeing the marks on Ed and Mei also seeing hers on Al. And like every other reaction to. (the Homunculi are fucking baffled that this kid somehow got a mark for one of them. Hohenheim is freaking out)

 We watch as he leaves. Then we cut to the boys fighting the Freezing Alchemist. 

Now 2003 FMA is really good at the build up so i'll probably borrow from them but I like the freezer beginning. So that's going on. And of course we learn Roy is the parental soulmate, and its all cute…

 And then we learn of the Taboo.

 I 100% think Bradley makes a bullshit claim he knew and decided since a CHILD was willing to join the military and all their trauma he let it slide. Its on the radio.

 Its all ‘aww poor little meow meows’ kind of stuff. Ed and Al hate it, go to Tucker and FUCK NINA?

 Course since Ed’s child mark is shown he claims its destiny. Ed kicks his ass, and then Nina gets to go to grandpa Roy’s place while Amelia gets contacted by one of the soldiers who is a chimera. 

 Which side note: when that happens on screen Ling is busy discussing how to murder Tucker with Lan Fan and Fu (and his clan cause that is their heir’s daughter) while Greed and the others are heading to kick some ass. 

But after the freezing alchemist we get more flashbacks to the boys in the first few years of military, and then so on.

Themes of the story: 

 -A theme there is the discussion of family. I really want the idea of family to play a huge part in this because Al and Ed’s story revolves around their relationship. So a lot of focus is on this. But also I would explore rejecting family. 

 Greed rejects his ‘siblings’. The boys reject Hohenheim because he isn't a bad person but he sure is a bad father (and yes he is. I saw one post defending it but lets be real, abandoning your family is abandoning them no matter what.) Ling rejects some of his siblings. 

 Family is important but it’s family of choice that matters. You can choose your family and many choose their blood family but they also reject it.

 -Romance is the next theme, and exploring what its like to have romantic soulmates. Like I really want some drama since Edward has been raised knowing he doesn't need to be with his romantics mixed with Greed ‘its all mine’ and Ling ‘destiny bound us’. Like they choose to be together of course but its a thing. 

 We have the themes of FMA though included.

Other notes:

 -I do know Ed keeps alchemy and both his automail parts. Not sure how but he does.

 -Mei throws herself into finding out how to free her soulmate. 

 -Mei and Xao Mei both arrive with Ling due to the alliance and that they are platonics.

 -I want to keep Ling being possessed but also I think Father actually is weirdly interested in the soul bond? I think his attempts at being perfect isn't just about like being a god but also being better then humans. And here is a being he's made having a soulmate. Two in fact. And a soul child! He's very invested. So he somehow has it that they can share the bond like they do in canon? I dunno. I'd need to work on it. 

 -Amelia is killed by Scar and it sparks a large subplot because her romantic is actually Kimblee. She visits him every year on his birthday and he's allowed out to her funeral where Elaine is. Amelia and Elaine had a falling out after some stuff but Elaine is pretty messed up. Elaine is also Kimblee’s soul child. Also Elaine is Winry’s romantic soulmate. Its a mess. 

 -I kinda think Ling having Ed as his soulmate puts him right at the top for heirs because ‘ah son of the Sage’ kind of thing mixed in with ‘the other soulmate is immortal’

 -Mrs. Bradley is actually in the know because Pride has her mark as a friend and Wrath couldn't lie to her. They never told Father until after the reveal of Greed’s soulmates but yeah she got told early on. She is subtly talking them away from the plans but it's slow going. (I kinda would want to set up Wrath in Greed’s place as a sacrifice)

[changingplumbob]

Romero Household: Chapter 1, Part 3

Dia de los Muertos is here!

CW: Discussions of death

Marta’s first language is Spanish so she is teaching Keira (and me) some common phrases Spanish words Abuelo/Abuela: Grandfather/Grandmother Barrio: Neighbourhood Buenos días: Good morning Carino: Term of endearment for a loved one Gracias: Thank you Hasta luego: See you later Lo siento: Sorry Mi familia: My family Padre: Father Si: Yes Te amo: I love you

Poor Marta has an awful night with Burning Belly. She drinks green tea while checking out some midnight building show, forever hoping the nausea will die down. When it does she’s able to nap for a few hours. But before long her stomach forces her up and back to the tea and TV. Who is this house flipper person? Marta wants to improve her handiness but she doesn’t think that he looks trustworthy…

Keira: Good morning sweetheart. How did you sleep

Marta: *yawns* in patches but I feel much better now

Keira: That’s great news!

Marta: Oh you must come! I finished the ofrenda last night

The couple head downstairs and Marta excitedly shows Keira where she’s set up the bottles of wine and larger sugar skulls amongst the food she grilled.

Marta: Do you like it

Keira: Of course but I’m hardly an ofrenda expert

Marta pushes herself to tiptoes and kisses Keira on the cheek.

Marta: You will be carino

Keira: Why the sugar skulls?

Marta: Abuela, Abuelo, Padre and Mama each have one of the big ones, their names are carved in them to honour them. Then the four smaller ones on the second level, there’s one each for abuela Maria’s ancestors, abuelo Manuel’s ancestors and the ancestors of Mama’s parents.

Keira: I’m surprised you found someone here who makes them

Marta: The woman has made them for over 60 years

Keira: Wow, no wonder they’re so detailed. Why are we having chimi for breakfast, I thought it was for dinner

Marta: Family tradition carino. Every year Abuelo Manuel would make chimi with Padre. He claimed they were the best in town so he made extra to give away, you know to all the people to busy working to cook. We always had more than we needed by Dia de los Muertos so he would have us feast at breakfast as well as dinner

Keira: That’s cool, gracias for telling me

Keira volunteers to do the dishes and is glad to hear a healthy Marta singing away like normal as she collects their gear for the gym space at the rec center. Marta takes a moment to stop by the ofrenda and talk to her family before they leave.

Marta: Buenos días mi familia. Don’t be mad at me for not having a proper ofrenda in years, por favor. Liam never let… well, he’s gone now so what he stopped me doing is past. But I have Keira now, you’ll meet all her familia tonight. I hope you like them. Te amo, hasta luego

After a few hours at the nearby church service the couple make it to the rec center. It’s pretty quiet here by midday, the couple guess since the weather has less clouds the people in the area must be enjoying outdoors. Keira gets on a workout machine in the corner while Marta finds space to roll out her yoga mat. There’s no room in their unit and the ground outside was too muddy to risk it. Keira watches Marta as she stretches away. She’s always in the zone when doing her yoga, the oversized cat headphones ensuring the only sounds she hears are her beats.

After what seems like hours Marta lies down to finish her routine. Keira takes that as a cue to finish up her own exercise.

Marta: All done carino?

Keira: Si

Marta: *giggles* I guess we need to clean up before we receive your family

Keira: *smiles* Are you proposing what I think you’re proposing

Marta: *innocently* The showers are there to be used are they not

Keira: *laughs* you win

The pair head off to the changing rooms where they lock themselves in a suite and make very good use of the shower. Perks of leaving the house.

The Fosters arrive and are called to eat and share stories of those who are no longer with them.

Kayleigh: Oh Marta dear this looks delicious

Marta: I hope you enjoy it

Samir: Is any of it meat?

Reece: Don’t worry boss, I’ll grab you some chicken

Carson: Please tell me you vacuumed

Marta: Uh, not today lo siento

Carson grumbles but goes and grabs a plate.

Harvey: So how exactly do we do this

Marta: There’s no script. We just share tales of ones we love who are gone that we wish to honour and remember. Who wants to go first

The Fosters all look a bit hesitant so Marta figures she may as well start.

Marta: Let me tell you about my Abuela Maria. She was born back in Mexico. Growing up she was known as the girl who was always falling over. We think she had an inner ear problem but there were not many doctors in her barrio so we don’t know. She would fall over if she went too fast which she would do a lot *laughs* she was a speed loving kid, always had someone to go see

Keira: And she grew up to become a teacher. She emigrated to the Dominican Republic with a group from her college and that’s where she met Marta’s abuelo Manuel. He insisted on walking arm in arm to help her balance but later admitted that was just so he could be close to her

The girls start eating again, clearly having finished the tale.

Charlie: I… I had a great dog called Allie

Keira’s parents and siblings all murmur in agreement. They grew up with Allie and all had affection for her.

Charlie: She was always a good dog. She stuck to me like glue. I remember one time out on a run I twisted my ankle and she stood barking until a car stopped to help me

Carson: I miss her

Charlie: Me to. She’ll always be my first furbaby

Kaori: My grandmother Sachiko was a light in the darkness for me after my parents passed. No matter how angry or sad I got she always made sure I had everything I needed. Her favourite thing to do was garden. She was always out cutting from whatever plants we had and making big bouquets too send to others on the mountain

Harvey: What about your parents Samir

Harvey is obviously just trying to include Samir in the conversation but the large man looks very uncomfortable, having already perched himself on the lone chair by the stairs.

Reece: Actually dad we talked and I’m going to share a bit about his parents if that’s all right

Reece looks to Marta for reassurance and she nods.

Marta: We do not have to remember those only connected by blood, familia is much more than that

Reece: *smiles* So his ommi, Nadia Hadji, gave the best hugs in the whole world. Regardless of if she was in a good mood or not, she always had time for hugs. Samir fell out of a bunch of trees when he was little and when he’d get home his ommi would patch him up. When he was all clean she’d kiss every plaster before giving him a giant squeeze and letting him run off

Marta: That’s lovely

Samir digs into his food trying to ignore the blush in his cheeks.

Reece: His ab, Othman Hadji, loved the woods and the animals that inhabited it. He’s where Samir got his love of nature and he remembers having many adventures with his ab through the woods. Just like I remember having with dad

Harvey smiles and pulls Reece in for a hug.

Kaori: My dad’s the one who taught me how to snowboard. Or rather tried to teach me how to snowbard

Marta: I have so many questions already

Kaori: My dad wasn’t from Mt Komorebi, he was traveling there when he met mum and had never seen snow before

The evening passes with the family sharing stories of all those they have loved and lost over the years. Kaori’s parents Emica and Daiki had a lot of fun around Mt Komorebi which didn’t always impress Kaori’s stern grandfather Shigeru. Of course all the Fosters remember their shock at discovering Sachiko and Shigeru had become enemies, and divorced. Then Shigeru announced he’d married Geeta, a woman none of them knew.

Samir of course had lost his parents and he suspected his grandparents, no one pressed him on the subject. Both Kayleigh and Harvey’s parents were all in the forever save now, Harvey’s dad was there before even Charlie was born. At last the family understand why Harvey is so eager to become a grandparent. The sims were all gone now but as the stories continued to be shared and everyone got full bellies, the room did feel as though there was more life in it than just the sims that had still beating hearts.

Kayleigh: Thank you for including us Marta, it was nice

Marta: Dia de los Muertos is for familia

Kayleigh: Well I’m very glad you’re part of ours. You to Samir

Samir: Hmm? Oh, ah… thanks?

When the parents are out of earshot Keira pops over to her brother and his boyfriend.

Keira: You have to tell me, you must be responsible for that thing on his neck

Samir and Reece blush but while Samir is less than eager to elaborate, Reece is happy to report the hickey is intentional.

To wrap things up we have a couple of group photos and thank everyone for coming.

Previous ... Next

[naturallyadventured]

bohempia

@laboratorio_delafelicidad Sometimes we want to leave what was said, what we felt, what we saw, in a place so that it stays a secret, sacred, never tainted or separated from its magic birthplace 💫 Yet this week has seen some of the most transformative moments of my life. My whole being is radiating, as I’ve most certainly broken free from my cosy yet limited cocoon and quite literally taken flight 🦋 ✈️ I am grateful for falling apart. For the beautiful shadow that greeted me in my rawness. For the deep pain in my heart that has challenged my truth and my will but also shown me the power of forgiveness and the courage it takes on the journey to rise 👣Time travels fast yet timing is Art.

I was honoured to be invited to Laboratorio de la Luna 🌜🌛@laboratorio_delafelicidad a gathering, a sacred rising of the feminine, a week to explore the possibilities, to create and initiate myself in service through Cacao Ceremony, amongst a courageous and inspiring group of 33 wholesome womxn in the jungle of Sian Kaan, Mexico. Mama Mia. Wow. Since the ancient stars of time on Mother Earth, womxn have gathered and when they do, magic manifests. This is real. When we feel seen and when we are heard, our innate wisdom begins to sing from our bones, the medicine we only need to remember, helps us cleanse and clear ancestral wounds and cycles that we have unconsciously carried or inherited. When we practice with presence, we are able to tap into higher collective consciousness, where we can free our minds to let the body create and serve from a place of true Self awareness, worthiness and loving abundance, vibrating into our communities and beyond. #togetherwerise unleashed, transformed and empowered, with respect for all forms, in every direction, on every path, this unity is the most beautiful experience we can have in this human existence. This is a gift for the world family. I walk this earth in my power, free from fear, to allow this expression of pure love, connection to spirit, playfulness and service to flow. To share the medicine I have remembered, the medicine of Cacao, the medicine of my truth with one and all whom I encounter, for the rest of my days.

The masculine and feminine within us all united in harmony and respect. A gift to share and spread and multiply pronto. We are our only limit!

I bow deeply to you, my sister of lifetimes @miriamadler for your vision, your strength, your curiosity for learning and unwavering mission to grow in absolute love and of course your friendship and belief in my path. Where attention goes, energy flows and here, here is a heart that is grateful to the core of the cosmos for your honest, warrior woman, heart reflection 🤲🏾 Tea amo hermana, Gracias por todo 🍵 To all the womxn who showed up to the magic of #LabLuna , guides, mirrors, sisters, I love you. To the beginning of many, many adventures, walking each other home on the rainbow road. Through the fire, in the mud, the waters, the wind, in the breath, in the moon, in your nakedness, I see you, I know you. Thank you 🌈

[str33tydr1ft]

| "Me Gustas Tu" | Edward x Boco | TTTE Fanfic |

It was a normal day like any other day in the goregus summertime of Sodor, clear blue skies, warm air, sparkiling ocean, you name it. The island was Paradise.

The engines were hard at work as per usual, Thomas taking his daily passenger train up and down his branchline, Gordon running across the island with the express, James sunbathing after taking a coal train, a normal summer day.

Edward was resting in his shed, when Boco arrived.

"Hey Ted,"

"Hello Boco," Edward gave Boco a warm smile.

"Sorry if this is random but you wanna go for a run up and down Ducks branchline with me? I heard it's beautiful there during the summer"

"I'd be honoured Boco" Edward started up, happily letting of some steam.

Boco smiled as Edward followed behind him. They went from brendham, to kanpford, to tidmouth, and then through the tunnel that started ducks branchline.

The two engines marvelled in the beauty of the ocean and the beach. Thats when Edward got an idea.

"Boco?"

"Hm?"

"There's this game, I've wondered if you've heard of it, it's called me gustas,"

"I don't think I have?"

"Well, bassicly you just say me gustas and then whatever you like, and the other person has to say me gustas and then something they like thats similar to what the person said, and it goes on like that,"

Boco thought about it for a moment, and smirked.

"You're on"

Edward grinned, with a cheeky shine in his eyes.

"Allow me to start. Me Gustas el océano"

"Uh... I dunno much spanish-"

"That's alright, you can say what you like in english,"

"Hm.. Me gustas las clouds!"

"Me gustas.. uh.. el sky!"

"Me gustas blue," Boco had a smug smile on his face, with a faint blush on his cheeks.

Edward was thinking. "How how about Boco.. we say our favourite thing together?"

"Sounds fair,"

"3.. 2.. 1..."

"Me gustas tu-"

"Me gustas tu-"

The two just stared at eachother for a moment, realizing they just both confessed to eachother that they liked eachother in spanish.

Edward started to luagh, Boco however just blushed.

"Heh! You dunno how long I've wanted to say that to you!"

"Well.. I have liked you for like- ever now..."

"So.. what are we..?"

"A couple"

"No shit HAHA-"

"pFFFFTT-"

The two luaghed for a moment, before Edward looked over at Boco.

"Gracias, Mi corazón.."

Boco just smiled and leaned into Edward.

"Anytime.."

💚💙

A/N : Holy shit I've wanted to write about these two for so long. Wow. But yeah, this story was inspired by one of my favourite songs! Me Gustas Tu by Manu Chao, this song inspired me to ask my family to have a holiday in spain, and I might learn the language too! :D

Also, this isn't set in any of my AUs, it was more or less some writing practice based off of a song i love

But yeah, plus it's pride month, So why not write about the gay old men? I love them so much frfr, but yeah I hope you all like this!

[getting-messi]

thoughts - feel free to ignore

wrote a post before the qualifer match against Ecuador in 2017, wrote one Monday night before Croatia, feel like I should write a final post now. 

Cannot believe Argentina are playing in the world cup final. It seems like a dream - we really made it. 

Knowing that this is Messi’s last world cup match is hard but also understandable. He’s been in countless finals for Argentina, lost many, won 1, and now in another world cup final. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to play for a country that has an icon like Maradona. To always be compared to him, to be told that you are a failure if you do not reach the same heights that he did. I cannot imagine having to continue representing your country despite losing so many times. 

When Messi retired after Copa America 2016 - i completely understood. Seeing him in tears on the pitch, shaking his head, I could only begin to fathom the pain that he was feeling. I remember reading articles that during the Copa America finals, his family was harassed in the crowd and had to be moved. The fact that he said Thiago asks why Argentines hate him so much, it’s crazy. The guy has suffered a lot not reaching the ultimate achievement with Argentina. 

I remember the 2014 final like it was yesterday. I remember all the missed opportunities, the numbness seeing the Germans celebrate as the Argentines had to wait for their second place medal. Seeing Messi emotionless collect his Player of the tournament award. I remember all the details. 

Thinking about where the team is now, how hard the players have fought, and how proud Argentines have been of Messi and the team? What a beautiful moment we get to witness. 

Messi playing for Barcelona was a gift. Messi playing for Argentina was an honour. It’s been painful, beautiful, and a masterpiece to see him lead his country time and time again despite all the losses he has faced.

If this is the last time we see Lionel Messi at a world cup, I hope the story ends differently. I hope it ends with a smile on his face and the trophy in his hands. 

But no matter what, it’s been a wonderful privilege seeing him play internationally. Gracias Leo, gracias por todo. 💙✨🇦🇷

[althaiareads]

“It depends,” In your mind, right now he’s leaning against a messy metal desk, one of his hands planted on its surface to keep himself stable, the muscles in his forearm flexing under tension. He’s got a toolbelt slung low over the waistband of his Carhartt’s. He’s a little sweaty – it’s hot out, today – his cheeks flushed, pieces of dark hair clinging to his forehead.

I want to thank you with my whole heart, and the rest of my body for putting this amazing image in my head at 8:00 am. It really is a wonderful day to start my day. Wow.

God, I hate when I ramble so much, this gets so long. Sorry. Putting the rest under a read more.

“Well, well, well…” you open the screen door, lean against the doorframe, and cross your arms over your chest. “If it isn’t the neighborhood space cowboy.”

SPACE COWBOY!??!?!

Girl-

“How lovely.” She smiles, and it’s sincere, so he knows she doesn’t suspect anything. “It’s nice to see you two getting along so well.” Even from where he’s standing, Joel sees her eyebrows lift suggestively.

Not the vecina chismosa. Señora, váyase a hacer sus cosas, jueputa vida JSAHDJSHFJ.

At this point there's no one that doesn't ship those two together. Even the neighbour is on board.

“You’re alright.” Joel puts his hand between your shoulder blades, guiding you to fall into step beside him. “Come on, darlin’, just walk with me.” It’s terrible how easily the term of endearment slips out – and he waits for your reaction.

DARLING. HE CALLED HER DARLING.

i am fine. so normal. so so so normal.

Joel can’t help the incredulous smile that breaks out over his face. “God, no wonder she’s always over here so much. You’re givin’ her all the junk I don’t let her eat, aren’t you?”

You hold your hands up. “I think she deserves to be comfortable here. Do you want her to starve?”

You know what? She is absolutely right. We all need someone to get us all the unhealthy shit that makes serotonin. That's a right protected by the law. That's the 28th amendment right there. Madison told me himself.

I know nothing about american law or history, I'm making shit up.

It is so cute that Sarah and her so close already. They're besties, your honour.

Joel kisses you. Hard. It’s like a dam breaking, every time he’s held himself back from you comes barreling forward, and it’s all right there. Everywhere. Overwhelming. But he can't stop. He moves with purpose, cupping your chin. He winds his other arm around your waist, crushing you against him

THEY KISSED! MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.

MAMÁÁÁÁÁÁ SE ACABAN DE BESAR. DIOS MIO, MUCHÍSIMAS GRACIAS!

Te juro que grité cuando pasó. Era justo y necesario.

AMÉN!

Okay, this is one of my favourite Joel fics ever. They have so much chemistry together and her relationship with Sarah is the absolute cutest.

I kind of wish we get to dive in her family history too? Because there's definitely something very interesting there. Anyway, they are awesome, I love them a lot and I love you.

texas sun - joel miller x f!reader - vol. iv

series masterlist | series playlist | writing masterlist | previous chapter | photo cred

chapter summary: This time, it's different. He’s not here to help you fix something, or to drag Sarah home, or pick up something she’s left behind. At this point he’s stopped lying to himself – Joel’s here to see you.  pairing: pre-outbreak!joel miller x f!reader words: 5.6k chapter warnings: some angst, marijuana use, suggestive thoughts and actions (but no smut -- as always, dm if you want specifics), divorce mention. a/n: The next few weeks of my life will be insane (and NOT just because succession is coming back). I want to keep updating this, but something's gotta give, because the way I've been writing is not sustainable unfortunately. So updates may end up being shorter and the fic having more parts, or updates might be less frequent with longer parts. Also, a question for my loyal readers: Do you make your shirley temples with ginger ale or with Sprite/7up? Because I came from a sprite/7UP family but once i discovered ginger ale instead i was HOOKED. So i am a Ginger Ale Shirley Temple Truther.

-May 5, 2003-

Please pick up, please pick up, you cross your arms in front of you, looking over your shoulder. The pointed toe of your heels clacks against the asphalt as you tap it repeatedly, a steady beat. You have no reason to be so nervous, right now. It must have something to do with who you are calling, not just why. 

“Hello?” the droning ring is interrupted by a voice that sounds skeptical, they don’t recognize your number.

“Joel?” you ask.

“Hey, you,” his tone evens out when he hears you say his name. He had given you his cell phone number a few weeks back, the night he’d caught you smoking on your back porch. In case I’m not home and something’s goin’ on with Sarah, he’d said. It made sense, though all it did was tempt you to call him many times before this, and not about Sarah. You were worried because…maybe this was out of line.

There’s noises in the background that threaten to drown Joel out – saws and various power tools whirring, a jackhammer, men calling out to each other. It’s loud. At your job, you close the door to your office if someone is typing too loud on their keyboard. “I uh- I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

You hear a door shut in response, and the noise fades to a low purr. “Not at all. Everything okay? Sarah alright?”

“Yeah, this isn’t about her, though. I hope that’s okay.”

“It depends,” In your mind, right now he’s leaning against a messy metal desk, one of his hands planted on its surface to keep himself stable, the muscles in his forearm flexing under tension. He’s got a toolbelt slung low over the waistband of his Carhartt’s. He’s a little sweaty – it’s hot out, today – his cheeks flushed, pieces of dark hair clinging to his forehead. The image is doing something for you, and you have to take a deep, measured breath to reset before you can answer him.

“Do you…know anything about cars?” you ask. 

“A little….why?”

“I took my car to get serviced, and…I’m pretty sure I’m about to be swindled.” You hesitate, then qualify. “I didn’t have anyone else to call, and…you seem like you might be good with this sort of thing.”

There are a lot of things you know a lot about, and cars are just not one of them. From your perspective, a car is simply a means to get from Point A to Point B, and the less you know about the how, the better. Although your complete lack of understanding definitely doesn’t help you in your current situation. You’d considered calling your brother, and even your father – but you knew they’d be no help, having lived in Manhattan their whole lives. 

Bradley had a nice car, but you suspected it was more for his image, and less because he knew anything about them. Plus, you didn’t really ask for much of each other outside of sex – and if you started too, it might initiate another talk about where you ‘see him in your future’, and the thought alone is grating, because you don’t. 

Since you moved away from home, you’ve spent a lot of time asserting to yourself that you’re completely independent. But moments like this remind you that it’s not entirely true…it’s not possible to be on your own in the way you want, and you always end up needing someone. 

“I might be able to help.” Joel sounds unconcerned. “What’s goin’ on?”

“They just told me my car needs a new battery, and I need new tires.”

“How old are they?”

“I don’t know like-” your phone vibrates furiously in your hand, an incoming call from your coworker. “Oh my god, leave me alone,” you groan out loud. “-Not you, Joel, sorry. I stepped away for lunch and…you know how it goes. Anyways, I don’t think I’ve gotten either of them changed since I got my car.”

“How old is your car?”

“Seven years.”

“Good lord,” Joel mutters, and he sounds somewhat disappointed. “Yeah, you should get both those things.”

“They weren’t lying? It’s gonna cost a couple hundred bucks.”

“No, I doubt they were,” he gives a warm chuckle, and it melts away some of your stress, even if your wallet is about to take a considerable hit. “Where’d you take your car?”

“I don’t know, just…some place around the corner from where I work.”

“In the future, you should go to Robert’s place in town. He’s done some work on my truck. Probably will cost a lot less.”

“Noted,” you nod. “Thanks so much, sorry for catching you at work.”

“Not at all, I don’t mind…” Joe answers. “Shipments keep getting delayed, so…it’s been kind of a slow day.”

“I’m jealous,” you say. “Because I swear, lately, whenever I leave the office for more than two minutes everything explodes….or at least it feels that way.”

“Sounds like you’re important,” Joel says, you can hear his smile over the phone, see it, practically. 

Scoffing, you answer. “Hardly. But uh, thanks again. I definitely owe you one.”

You expect him to say goodbye, so you’re surprised by what he asks next. “What are you doing Friday?” 

“I don’t know. What are you doing Friday?”

“I’m assumin’ Sarah’s probably left something at your place….if you’re gonna be around, I might stop by to get it….”

“You want me to smoke you up?” 

“That’s not what I said.”

“But it’s what you meant,” You’re direct.

“Look, I’m just sayin’ if it happens, I wouldn’t be mad.”

“I already told you, you’re welcome anytime,” you say. “But won’t Sarah-oh wait, no, she has that school dance, doesn’t she?”

Sarah had taken to writing important events in her life on the calendar that hung on your fridge. It was usually blank, you were good enough at remembering your own plans without utilizing it. But she had told you the empty calendar made her sad, so now it was filled with her doodles and notes, scribbled with blue glitter gel pen. And Friday night’s event she’d underlined three times.

“She does,” Joel answers, seemingly amused. 

Another call comes through on your phone. “Okay, yeah, I gotta go. But I’ll be around Friday.”

“Then maybe I’ll stop by,” Joel says, and you ignore the flash of heat through your abdomen – excitement – at the idea of him coming over.  “Have a good rest of your day.”

“You too.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

-May 9, 2003-

Joel arrives at your place before the sun sets, once again. But this time, it is different. He’s not here to help you fix something, or to drag Sarah home, or pick up something she’s left behind. Of course, he’s got his excuse, but really, at this point he’s stopped lying to himself – he’s here to see you. 

“Well, well, well…” you open the screen door, lean against the doorframe, and cross your arms over your chest. “If it isn’t the neighborhood space cowboy.”

“You’re one to talk.” 

You squint at him, but the way the corner of your mouth quirks gives you away. “Touche.” 

God, he’s already regretting this. Maybe he shouldn’t be here. But it’s become increasingly difficult to resist you, and that’s assuming that you’re even interested. He’s all-but kissed you and he’s still not quite sure where he stands. You’re not easy to read, but he has always enjoyed a challenge. At the end of the day it’s never a bad idea for him to brush up on his flirting, Tommy’s words from a few weeks ago have been getting to him. For much as he believes it’s bound to happen, Joel doesn’t want to end up alone.

“Come on in,” you push yourself off the doorframe and lead him through your house.

The last time he’d been here you’d been wearing some long-sleeved, satin pajama set. He remembered because he spent all night trying not to touch the fabric, though maybe he was just looking for an excuse to touch you. Tonight, with your back turned towards him, his eyes wander down to the curve of your ass in your low-rise, bootcut jeans. He feels the slightest bit of shame about doing it, before deciding that what you can’t see won’t hurt you.

“How was the mechanic?” he asks once you’ve entered the back porch.

“Oh fine,” you say, sitting down on the couch, gesturing to the spot across from you. “I’m just pissed I had to spend a bunch of money on a car battery and not something more…fun.”

“It’s a good thing you did,” Joel sits. “Honestly, I’m surprised you called me from the mechanic and not from a ditch on the side of the road.”

“This is my first car, Joel. I grew up in a walkable community,” you pick up an already-rolled joint, the faintest acknowledgement that you’d planned for this ahead of time – and lift it to your lips. 

“It’s okay, I’m teasing.” Joel assures, and lets his gaze linger while you smoke, just admiring, as he often does. When you pass the joint over to him, he speaks again. “I have to be good tonight, cause Sarah’s gonna be home in a couple hours.”

“Yeah, first school dance, big deal,” you raise your eyebrows. “Help me out, because I went to an all-girls school. It’s middle school. Do kids go with dates?”

Joel shakes his head. “Not that I know of. Sarah just went with a group of friends.” 

“That makes sense,” you nod. “Speaking of, I have to be good, too. I’m going to her soccer game tomorrow.”

Joel feels his brows knit together in confusion, and it causes you to continue on. “She keeps asking me to come to one, and I haven’t been able to, so I feel bad. I guess her season’s almost over.” 

“Tomorrow’s her last game…” Joel mutters, looking up towards the ceiling, where the smoke is collecting, and exhales. “But you know you don’t have to do that.”

“Obviously, but…” you shrug. “...I want to.”

He chuckles to himself, runs a hand through his hair, which is still damp from the shower he took before this. “You’re really prepared to put yourself through a middle school soccer game…” 

“Look, Joel,” Your eyes are half-lidded, focused on him, and your arm is slung over the back of the couch, fist supporting your temple. “In case you couldn’t tell…I’m doing this thing where I try to engage in the community I live in. But so far, your family members are the only ones who’ve included me in anything, so until I find someone else….” you trail off. “You’re stuck with me.”

Joel doesn’t want you to find someone else. Being stuck with you is hardly a problem. He wants to tell you, but instead, all he manages is: “We’ll be good tonight.” Still, he’s not entirely convinced that he can trust himself to make a promise like that. 

It’s a tad too early for the sun to be setting, but it’s early in May, so the weather is perfect, and he’s sort of itching to be outside. Maybe there’s something to be done before the light wanes. “Do you want to go for a walk?” he asks you.

You seem taken aback by his request, wrinkling your nose.”….I don’t know.”

“It’s a nice night, you might enjoy yourself. And we’re in good company.” 

The grimace on your face disappears, and is replaced by something more amiable. “We are,” you tilt your, make a decision. “Yeah, okay…let’s do it.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Once you’ve locked your front door, closed your windows, Joel walks side-by-side with you down your driveway. You only make it about halfway down when you’re both interrupted by the sound of someone calling out your name, then his. 

Your next-door neighbor, Denise Watson, leans over the railing of her front porch, while her husband John sits in a chair behind her, giving a lazy wave and returning back to his puzzlebook. Joel nods at him, and notices the color has drained out of your face. The Watsons have lived on this street since before even Joel and Sarah moved in. They’re in their late 60s, retired, all their children grown – which gives them plenty of time to get into everyone’s business. 

“Hey,” you offer the most unenthusiastic greeting he thinks he’s ever heard. You’re paranoid, and he’d laugh if it were just the two of you, alone. But it’s not, and he knows these just so happen to be neighbors you’ve been lying to.

“How are you doing, hun?” 

“I’m good,” you say softly, and Joel watches Denise’s eyes flick over his direction. 

“Same here,” he manages. 

“What are you ya’ll up to?”

“We’re just goin’ for a walk,” Joel answers, looking your way. You nod at him, wordlessly, then at Denise. 

“How lovely.” She smiles, and it’s sincere, so he knows she doesn’t suspect anything. “It’s nice to see you two getting along so well.” Even from where he’s standing, Joel sees her eyebrows lift suggestively.

You and Joel both answer the insinuation at the same time.

“Yeah, well-” 

“She looks after Sarah for me, so-”

You bob your head enthusiastically. “Mhm, yeah. Sarah. Great kid.”

Denise opens her mouth again, and you speak so quickly, Joel’s pretty sure it’s because you’re afraid of what she’s going to say next. “We gotta go,” you shuffle backwards a few steps, quickly, and collide with Joel’s chest. “Before it gets dark out,” when you turn, you’re looking up at him with wide, terrified eyes. 

“Oh, alright,” Denise says, sounding a little disappointed. “Ya’ll stay safe, alright?”

“Of course,” Joel calls over his shoulder, managing a halfhearted wave before he’s trailing you around the bend in the cul-de-sac that takes you out of view from The Watsons porch.

The second you’ve made it you whirl to face him, your jaw drops, and you both erupt into laughter. You grip his bicep and lean into him, pressing your face into the cotton of his t-shirt to stifle the noise. He’s tempted to pull you under his arm all the way, but he resists the urge. Would that be okay? He’s not sure. And he’s not necessarily in the best headspace to make the decision.

“Oh my god,” you murmur, swiping under your eyes as you pull back, and start walking a few steps ahead of him. 

“It’s like I’m back in high school,” Joel says. Neither of you decide to mention what your neighbor had insinuated, but it is objectively funny. 

“Oh, I’m sure you were trouble.”

“Not as much as you’d think,” Joel says. “Although I did sneak out quite a bit. But it was only to see girls – well, one girl.” 

“Sarah’s mom?” you ask. 

“Yeah.” Joel isn’t sure why he’s mentioned it. It’s not really something he’s interested in speaking on now – or ever – for that matter, even if every person he’s mentioned it to has questions. What happened? What did you do? You poor thing. Above all else, he hated being pitied. 

But you don’t press him, and change the subject. “So…a few weeks ago you had said you and Tommy had a work project you were gonna book. Did that pan out?”

Joel cocks his head, surprised you remembered. “Actually, it did. Funny you ask. Things moved slow but…we signed the contract today. I’m sort of celebrating.”

“Congratulations,” you look over your shoulder slightly to give him a genuine grin. “But uh…you should’ve told me. Had I known we were celebrating, I would’ve tried to make things more exciting.” 

“Can’t think of anything better.”

You pause, because you’ve reached the end of your cul-de-sac. “Suit yourself.” you say. “Are you gonna lead though? I don’t know where we’re going.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of the point.” Joel expects some kind of quip in response, but you just shake your head and narrow your eyes. Tucking your hair behind your ears, he senses a bit of uneasiness. “You alright?”

“I’m fine I just…” you shake your head. “I don’t love being stoned in public.”

“You’re alright.” Joel puts his hand between your shoulder blades, guiding you to fall into step beside him. “Come on, darlin’, just walk with me.” It’s terrible how easily the term of endearment slips out – and he waits for your reaction. But all he feels is the way your body loosens under his touch. 

That brings him some satisfaction, but as usual, it’s not enough. Because if you’re not going to stop him, he longs to push the hair off your neck, kiss along your pulse point, feel you melt even further as his thumbs work at the muscles in your shoulders. Joel fantasizes about what his name might sound like, coming from you, in a breathless sigh. The image works him up a little too much, and he lets his hand fall back to his side.

For a while, you both walk in silence, your fingers brushing against his every so often, but neither of you acknowledge it, apologize, or decide to step further away from each other to keep it from happening again and again.

It’s a beautiful night, the warmth of the day dwindling under the blanket of thinning clouds tinted pink in the sunset. Joel is amazed at how content he feels, can’t remember the last time he’s felt this way – not worried about someone, or something, or letting anyone down. 

It’s May, so almost all the native flowers are in full bloom. Tulips planted in gardens, pansies overflowing from pots on porches, dandelions dotting pristine green lawns. Stepping away from Joel, you pause in front of an empty, overgrown lot that’s basically turned into a wildflower patch. 

“This is nice,” you say, decidedly. “It’s pretty.” 

“I told you.”

Once more, he expects some clever retort, but your eyebrows are pinched together, and you crouch to look closely at some bluebonnets that are the same color as the tight-fitting henley you’ve got on. “I know you mentioned it back there but… Sarah’s told me…about her mom.”

Joel feels himself stiffen. “Yeah….well, she never really got to know her.” 

When he’s feeling particularly remorseful, his brain replays a memory of Sarah, only four years old, toddling around the tiny apartment they lived in and calling out for her mother. His ex had left when she was so young, so he had known there was no way Sarah actually remembered her. But all her classmates had two parents, all the movies she watched at home depicted loving, complete families. That night, after tucking her in, he’d retreated to his room, and cried for the first time since his divorce. Ever since then, it was impossible to shake the feeling he wouldn’t be enough.

Sometimes, he felt better about it then others. Sarah grew out of that phase, and Joel thought that’d be the last of it. When he finally bought the house, he felt like he’d proven he could do it alone. They would be fine. That was until Joel found an old photo of him and his ex underneath Sarah’s pillow while he was changing her sheets. The discovery left him with the same feeling all over again. 

Now, in the wake of the excitement that he’s signed onto his first real contracting gig, a promotion, a raise – this information from you deflates him all over again. 

“You don’t like to talk about it?” you guess correctly. 

“Not particularly.” Normally, Joel would shut something like this down. But he can’t bring himself to be cruel to you. “We were young. What happened was for the best. I wish Sarah understood that.”

“You don’t give her enough credit. She’s a bright kid,” you answer, standing up and putting your hands on your hips. “Anyways, I get it. When you cut yourself off from a bad situation, it's hard. The alternative is worse, though. People forget that part.”

Joel feels a little reassured by what you’re saying. Why he immediately went on the defense when you brought it up, he’ll explore later. “I wish more people understood,” he murmurs. 

“Me too,” you nod, and you nudge him gently to keep walking. “And people process things differently. It makes sense she's curious. It’s a very human thing.” 

“I know.” What was it that you had said a few weeks back? They’re always with you, no matter what. That’s not a sentiment Joel can completely wrap his head around yet. “It does make me think sometimes…maybe she needs some else….someone who isn't…me.””

“Oh, come on, Joel,” you halt in your tracks, almost like he’s offended you in some way. You look up at him from under your eyelashes. “You’re a good man.”

Validation. He doesn’t get it often – ever, really. And he doesn’t need it, but….coming from you, he feels like he just wants more. And more. He can think of a few ways he might get it, too. Some less innocent than others. 

“Should we turn around?” he asks. You nod. 

There’s a bit of light still remaining in the sky by the time you round the corner to Joel’s street, but the sun has set long ago. He’s probably supposed to say goodbye, standing at the end of your respective driveways, but he finds that end to the evening rather disappointing. 

“You know what I can’t stop thinking about right now?” you ask, Joel. He’s a little hesitant to answer, based on the ornery glint in your eyes. All he has to do is raise his eyebrows, and you continue. “A shirley temple.”

Joel can’t help but laugh, and he sees how you light up at the sound. “You serious?” he asks. 

“I know they’re….for kids, but…I don’t know. They’re really fucking good.”

“They are,” he answers, and you’re at the end of your driveway. He hesitates for a second, thinks you might say goodbye, but you just check over your shoulder to make sure he’s following you. He does. 

“This is probably the weed talking, but I’m going to make some.” You unlock your front door, and he holds it open to let you step inside, before following. 

“You have the stuff to make them?” he questions. 

Yes, you bob your head, then walk to the corner of your front room and flick on a light. Warm light floods the room, and you walk through the archway into your kitchen. When he follows you there, your back is towards him, opening a glass-doored cabinet containing various liquor bottles, wines, cordials, and accoutrements. 

“You want one? I have to say, I’ve been making them a lot lately, and I think I’ve perfected the recipe.”

“Well in that case, I’ve gotta try,” Joel wanders to your small kitchen table, about a quarter of it covered in neat piles of paperwork. There’s a messenger bag slung over the back of a chair, and in front of it is there’s a thick contract. The page it’s opened to is riddled with blue ink, crossing through sentences, scribbled in the paper’s margins. He can’t make out any of the jargon in the fine print. Next to it sits a pair of thin black reading glasses, and a sleek fountain pen engraved with your name. 

His eyes fall next to a stack of old photographs sitting atop an opened envelope. With two fingers, he pushes the top photo off the stack, once, twice, three times, until he gets to the bottom of the pile, and they’re spread out in front of him. Maybe he shouldn’t be snooping like this, but his curiosity is getting the best of him. 

Joel doesn’t recognize the people in most of the photos. One of them is a school photo of a young boy, with Spring ‘03 printed in the lower right hand corner. But the remaining two…he realizes are of you, but you’re young, your cheeks rounder, features not quite as defined. Younger than Sarah, if he had to guess. In both, you’re wearing the same thing – a black turtleneck, a plaid skirt that hangs past your knees, and black Mary Janes. 

In one, you’re cheek to cheek with a teenage boy who you’re giving bunny ears. Your brother. Has to be. You look too similar. His arm is across your shoulders, and you’re smiling so wide your eyes are closed. 

In the other photo, though, your face is blank. A wide, empty stare, straight into the camera. Behind you, his hands on your shoulders, is an older man whose gaze has the same determined set Joel has seen on you before. Something about the photo, the haunted look on your face, makes him feel like he’s seen something he’s not supposed to, and he slides the print underneath a stack of papers.

“If you’re gonna look at those papers, I’m gonna need you to sign an NDA,” you say over his shoulder, and Joel is startled by the sound of your voice, and the feeling of a glass, cold and damp with condensation, being placed in his hand. “Here.”

You peer around his shoulder, face brushing against the side of his arm as you see the photos. “Oh,” your voice drops slightly when you realize what he’s looking at. “My brother sent those. That’s my nephew, Ethan.” You point to the school photo of the little kid, but don’t offer an explanation for any of the others. 

Joel clinks his glass with yours and notices that you’ve balanced a toothpick with two maraschino cherries on its rim. It’s refreshing, delicious, and the fizz tickles his nose as he takes the first sip. 

“Restaurant quality,” he tells you. You lean back against your counter, studying him. When you stare at him like this, as he’s caught you doing a handful of times before, it always makes him feel feral. Like some kind of animal, the way he has to hold himself back from pouncing. You look at him like there’s no one else around, and yeah, there’s no one else around right now, but even when you’re in public, you’ve done it, too. And he doesn’t know how to tell you to stop – he doesn’t really want to. “How’d you perfect the recipe?” he asks. 

“Practice,” you glance at the bubbles dancing through the ice in your glass before focusing back on him, sheepish. “Sarah likes them.”

So you’ve made them for her. Joel sits his drink down. “She does.” 

“Are you hungry?” you ask. “I think I need a snack or something.”

“You don’t have any ice cream, do you?”

“Uhhh…check the freezer?” you say over your shoulder, rummaging through your cabinets for a bowl, and Joel rises to do so. “I think I only have coffee-flavored, though.”

“Good choice,” he answers. His favorite.When he opens the freezer, he’s met with a blast of cool air, a cloud of steam. 

“You have a sweet tooth, don’t you?” you tease, coming to stand next to him, but Joel is too focused on the box of orange popsicles he sees in front of him, and pulls them out to look at the box. “You like these?”

“Not really. I’m partial to cherry.”

“Sarah loves these,” he remarks. 

“Yeah.” 

“I don’t buy them for her anymore, because one time she ate twelve in one day.”

You sniff, grin. “She told me that.”

He studies the drink that you’ve set on your countertop, the box in his hand. “So you bought these for her?”

“Yeah, why?” you cross your arms, almost defensively.

“Are any of the other snacks here just for her?”

“...No,” he can tell you’re lying, and your eyes flick over his shoulder for a second. “Don’t look in that cabinet, though.” 

Joel can’t help the incredulous smile that breaks out over his face. “God, no wonder she’s always over here so much. You’re givin’ her all the junk I don’t let her eat, aren’t you?”

You hold your hands up. “I think she deserves to be comfortable here. Do you want her to starve?”

Joel’s sure he’s staring at you slack-jawed. Not because he’s upset with you, no. It’s quite the opposite. He shakes his head, grins, and starts laughing.

“Don’t laugh at me,” but you’re giggling, too. “It’s not funny.” You reach to swat at him playfully, and something inside him snaps. 

Joel is sick of coming up with excuses to see you. He’s sick of holding you at arms length. He’s sick of not taking what he wants to. He’s sick of pretending he hasn’t thought about you every single day since he first saw you, standing in this very kitchen, leaning over the island and chatting with Sarah. He wants to walk in your front door and know that he can have you however he likes, that he’s allowed to. He realizes if he doesn’t act, he’ll never find out. It’ll eat him alive.

So before you can make contact, he wraps his hand around your wrist, draws you in closer. It catches you off guard, sure, but your eyes are locked, and he sees that you’re not shaken in the slightest.

“You know,” he says. “You’re nicer than you think.” 

The energy in the room has shifted. But it doesn’t seem to phase you, and when he’s this close, he can study every freckle on your face, the color of your eyes – can remind himself, again, though he hardly has to – just how beautiful you are. You lower your arm, and at first – he panics, thinks that you might be pulling away. He’s read it wrong, all wrong. But all your doing is giving yourself a better angle to grip his wrist in kind, hand clasping over his broken watch.

“Keep it to yourself, Joel.” you whisper. And it's supposed to be a joke, but you can't seem to tear your gaze off his lips. “I have a reputation to uphold.”

“I will.” 

Joel kisses you. Hard. It’s like a dam breaking, every time he’s held himself back from you comes barreling forward, and it’s all right there. Everywhere. Overwhelming. But he can't stop. He moves with purpose, cupping your chin. He winds his other arm around your waist, crushing you against him. You taste sweeter than he’d imagined, cherry-flavored syrup lingering on your lips. You groan against him, your head tilting back as he moves in closer, jaw relaxing, lips parting.

It’s just enough for him to slip his tongue inside your mouth, to continue to explore, to claim. The things he’s going to do to you…It could be the weed, but every nerve in his body is on high alert – his skin scorches in the wake of your hands raking up his biceps, tangling in his unruly waves. It could be the weed, or it could just be that good.

More, he wants more, and he’s crowding you back towards the counter next to the fridge. Somewhere, distantly, he hears the freezer door fall closed – and probably not all the way – the ice cream long since forgotten. The moment your back hits the granite, you pull away with a ragged inhale, only enough to look him in the eyes.

“Took you long enough,” One of your hands rises to his face.

Joel presses his cheek into the warmth of your palm. “I thought it might be better to keep you waiting.”

You only shake your head, pulling him back into the kiss. He shifts his weight to hook his hands behind your knees and lift you onto the counter. It’s a bit overzealous, and your head bumps the cabinet behind you, but you don’t seem to notice. Both your legs hook around his hips, drawing him in further. He doesn’t think he’s ever been so turned on just from kissing someone – not even for that long – but it’s just so fucking hot. You’re so fucking hot. 

But, he’s capable of one rational thought. This can’t be how it happens. You’re worth more than an animalistic fuck on a kitchen countertop. There’s so much more he wants to do that can’t be done here, like this. And…it’s you. You deserve better, although the frustrated noise you let out when he draws back indicates you think the opposite. Another time.

“I’m sor-I-we can’t,” Joel manages. 

Your face drops, you look….almost angry at him. The second he sees it, he realizes what he said was all wrong. “No, I mean we can, we can, just not….not now.”

The anger dissipates, you shift back, but reach out, pushing a piece of stray hair off his forehead and running your thumb along his sharp jawline. “Why not?”

“I just…I didn’t-” he shakes his head and looks down. “I’ve wanted this for awhile now, but….this isn’t…I wasn’t expecting-” Fucking spit it out, you dipshit. “Can I take you out or something first?” 

You don’t answer, just shift forward, your forehead bumping into his chest. Joel he brings his arms around your shoulders despite himself. And then your lips are on his neck, teeth scraping, teasing, working up to his ear, where you whisper. “You don’t have to.”

He fucking has you. He could. So easily. “I want to.”

You pull back, and there’s a split second where he swears you look a little ashamed, and then it vanishes. “You are a romantic.”

“Not entirely…” Joel says. “I just…would rather do things right. For someone I like.”

“Someone you like?”

“Yes.” Obviously. 

“Okay, yeah,” you murmur softly. “I would like that.” 

“Next weekend?” 

“That long?” 

He chuckles. “It’ll be worth the wait.” But you don’t seem convinced. “I promise.”

For a split second his eyes flick over your shoulder to the microwave, and he sees what time it is. “Shit. Shit. I’m sorry. It’s late. Sarah’s gonna be home any minute and if I’m not home-” he pauses, gestures between you. “We shouldn’t uh…we shouldn’t mention this to her. Not for now, at least.” 

“Yeah, I wasn’t planning on it,” you shake your head in agreement. 

Joel leans in to kiss you again. This time, he keeps it slow, tender, lingering. Even though he knows he’ll get to see you again, he still finds it hard to tear himself away.

----

taglist: @yaskna@venomous-ko@lomljigg@yeehawbitchs@ay0nha @eldahae @lol-im-done@melancholicmelanin@reggies-floatie @omniscientqueer@superflymaterial@mikkorantanev@zbeez-outlet @nadja-antipaxos @strawberri-blonde @jabbajambler @ponyboys-sunsets @kyuupidwrites @r4efromvenus @loveatfirstsight-atlastsight @korianderbandit @nicoleoeoeoe @hotgirlsshareaccounts @madisonred88 @crustyrustydusty @sflame15-blog @issybee0611 @darkemeralddiamond @grandmana @totallynotastanacc @ay0nha @virgogaia @lunarxeclipse @marysucks-blog @jabbajambler @surazim @naiomiwinchester

[famwhy]

Apparition

Yandere Ghost

Word Count: 2,545

El día de los muertos. It directly translates into 'The day of the dead' in English. It is a festival held within Mexico to honour those who have left the world. It's a day of love and respect, to show your lost ones that you do indeed still remember and cherish them. 

The day of the dead was always a day you looked forward to, everyone would come visit the cemetery where their loved ones were kept and the overall atmosphere was so warm and welcoming. It was nice to visit your father without having a gloomy aura surround you, nice to feel content around him rather than shedding an endless stream of tears upon merely reading his name on his grave. 

"Mamá!" You called out to your mother, slipping your shoes on. "We need to get going!" 

"I'm coming, baby!" The female that gave birth to you responded to your call, several crashes following after her voice. 

Your mother was always a clumsy woman, it was quite adorable and made her seem more desirable to the men her age - however, she paid them no mind in favour of 'taking care' of you. Most of the time, it was the other way around but you wouldn't wish for it to be any other way.

Footsteps approaching alerted you of the older woman's approaching presence, causing you to stop slouching and stand upright. "Mamá! Finally!"

"Oh," Once your mother's eyes landed upon your form, her expression softened and her face filled up with warmth - a warmth so prominent, it was easy to detect behind all of the makeup she wore to look like a skull. "Mija, eres tan guapísima." 

She cupped your face, holding it gently within her two hands. "Your papá would be so proud."

You returned her loving look with one of your own. "He would be proud of you too mamá."

"Oh mija, te quiero." The sound of a firework going off in the background shattered the moment for the two of you. "Ah! We need to get going! Vamos vamos! We'll be late!"

She ushered you out of the door and towards the cemetery, wanting to get there as fast as possible. The night sky hovered over you, the glow of the festival ahead causing a warm and fuzzy feeling to fill you.

You passed by many families who looked to be equally as excited as you were, children running around in joy, dressed up and ready to visit their deceased relatives. Gorgeous dancers twirled around, gaining attention from the general public with their exotic moves and enrapturing routines.

"Mamá, everything is so... amazing." Your dazed eyes conveyed your admiration perfectly, the dreamy smile placed upon your lips only emphasising your feelings.

Your mother giggled. "Oh, mija, you've always been amazed by this día." 

"I can't help it, it's just so wonderful!" 

The two of you arrived at the cemetery, instantly greeted by an explosion of decorations. Candles, colourful skulls, sweets, toys - anything vibrant and beautiful was used to decorate the graves. The sight of it all made you giddy to decorate your own father's grave, you hoped he was having fun in the land where parties were forever held. 

With a pep in your step, you dashed towards your destination, a bag grasped tightly within your hand. 

"Hello, papá! It's been awhile, huh? I hope you're doing well, partying with our ancestors sounds fun! I miss you but I understand that you're gone so instead, I'll celebrate your eternal peace!" 

And with that, you started your decorations.

.

.

.

With a satisfied smile, you stood back and gazed upon the grave of the man who once raised you. With sweets littering the ground around the tombstone and skulls placed to either side of it, along with flowers intertwined together while attached to the grave - you could proudly state that you did a good job.

"Excelente!" The voice of your mother startled you, causing you to jump by the slightest amount. "You did a good job, mija."

"Gracias mamá." You gave her a bashful smile, flattered by all the praise you had received in just this one day.

"Ah, I can just see your papá smiling down at you. Oh, Sergio, why did you have to leave so soon?" 

As your mother averted her gaze to the grave before her, you quietly swept away, allowing her some time alone with her husband.

Deciding to take another look around the cemetery, you noticed how all the graves were decorated...

...all but one, that is.

The lone grave stood with no light emitting from it, swallowed in darkness and forced to seem like an outcast. It's lack of colour caused a depressing aura to surround it, further isolating it from the rest.

Your brows knitted in pity as your eyes scrunched up. That poor thing, did they not have a family? Or worse, they had been forgotten..?

Your hand trailed into your bag, feeling around before landing on a few left over decorations. Perfect, just what you needed.

You ran over to the singular grave with a determined smirk on your face - if no one was willing to celebrate this person, then you will be the first.

Taking out one skull, two candles, and five flowers, you carefully arranged them in a way that would look appealing. After you were done with that, you lit a match and carefully lit up the candles, adding light to the once dark grave.

"There you go..." Your eyes trailed to the writing engraved onto the stone. "Raúl. En el día de los muertos, no one should be forgotten."

"Mija!" The call of your mother caused your ears to twitch upwards. "Where are you? We must get going! The fair doesn't wait!"

"Coming mamá!" You turned to the grave, giving it a friendly wave along with a close-eyed smile. "Adios Raúl."

.

.

.

"Buen trabajo, chica! You won a prize!" The man at the stand handed you a big stuffed bear, eliciting a joyful expression from you as you squeezed the toy.

"Gracias!"

The fair was the best thing about the festival. Every year, on el día de los muertos, your town would host a fun fair where people could go to play, eat, dance and just celebrate. It was a great way to spend the day and was incredibly entertaining.

"Mamá! Did you see that? I won a-! Mamá?" You glanced around, seeing no signs of your mother. "Mamá?"

Worry coursed through you upon being met with no immediate response - where was your mother? Had she gone somewhere? Maybe she was talking with one of the neighbours?

Despite the fact that she was probably fine, you still found yourself running around in search of her.

You weaved in and out through the crowds of people, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of H/C hair. 

You should have anticipated something like this occurring. It was bound to happen with such a huge crowd of people gathered around together.

With a sigh, you took a seat at a nearby bench, away from the crowd. You just wanted to close your eyes and take a breather.

"Rough night?" You didn't bother to open your eyes.

"Oh, no, I love this festival. I'm just having a bit of trouble with finding mí mamá."

"Is that so?" You were able to discern that you were talking to a male, seemingly quite young - maybe around your age? "I only started enjoying it recently."

"Oh? Why is that?" One eye opened before a gasp left your lips and the other eye shot open too.

Before you was a male, adorned in garments similar to those people used to cosplay the dead. Now that wouldn't be that alarming to witness due to the fact that it was el día de los muertos - no, it wouldn't be alarming at all. The thing that was alarming... was the fact that you could see right through him.

"Yuh-you're-." Your pupils shrank as you stared at him, too terrified to say anything more.

"Lo siento, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Raúl, you stopped by to visit my grave earlier today." The outline that was his lips curved upwards. "Thank you for that, it's because of you I was able to leave that horrid dark place for those of us who were forgotten."

"I-I-." You stuttered.

"It was so dark and cold, I was so lonely. No one remembered me, it's such an awful feeling. Do you know how it feels? To have no one remember who you are? No matter how many times I cried out, no one heard me... no one but you, that is." His smile grew larger as his eyes glinted with an emotion unfamiliar to you. "You came along and decorated my grave, you gave me hope and, for the first time in my life, I didn't feel alone." 

You were able to snap yourself out of it, allowing you to finally assess your situation.

Alright, well, it seemed like you had encountered a ghost. It wasn't entirely impossible, but more so highly improbable. Isn't this guy supposed to be partying away in his afterlife? What is he doing here? 

"Whuh-why are you here?" You were thankful that some words were able to leave your mouth.

"Why am I here? Well, to be with you of course! You're the only person who's ever decorated my tomb, thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I really appreciate you."

The way he phrased his words was off-putting, his demeanour further causing discomfort to fill you. Something about him was incredibly unsettling.

"Ruh-right." You cleared your throat. "Anyway, I must get going now, I need to go find my mamá, y'know?" 

"Leaving so soon?" Raúl frowned, getting up at the same time as you. "We haven't even talked that much. I still have something I want to tell you."

"Well, I need to get going, sorry."

You attempted to walk off but...

"Gah!"

Your body was put to a halt by something that looked to be a lot like chains. They were strange, you could see straight through them and yet they held you still with such strength that you found yourself struggling to breathe. An overall unpleasant experience.

"Hey! What the hell?!" 

"Amor, muchas gracias por liberarme." His eyes grew clouded as he stared at you in such adoration; the lovesick smile on his face growing as the seconds passed.

"Raúl, let me go." Your eyes narrowed as you stopped struggling against the chains, choosing to use another way to gain freedom for yourself.

He didn't seem as though he was listening, too busy staring at you to listen to your voice. "You're really pretty, has anyone ever told you that?"

You rose a brow, unable to do anything as he slowly approached you. 

"Mí amor, you set me free. We must be destined for each other. Why else would you be the only person to ever visit my grave? And on a day such as el día de los muertos - if that doesn't spell fate, I don't know what does."

You growled, the restraints causing your scowl to deepen as the seconds passed. "You must be seriously lonely if you think something like that is enough to say we're 'destined for each other'." 

Your words were ignored once more, your taunting not getting to him at all. As you felt yourself move through the air, heading towards his direction, you couldn't help but start to shake by the slightest amount. How was he doing this? Just who exactly did you awaken?

"So beautiful." You flinched upon feeling the lightest touch against your cheek, glaring at the male's fingers for daring to caress you. "So so beautiful."

Raúl was unhinged, clearly not mentally sound. He must have been isolated for a very long period of time to be acting like this upon someone merely decorating his grave. 

And of all people, it just had to be you.

The tips of his fingers kept wandering around your face, slowly trailing down; an action which caused your body to thrash within its constraints. "Watch where your hand is heading!"

The low chuckle that left his lips caused a shiver to run down your spine and your eyes to flit around the area in hopes of finding something that could help you out of your predicament. Alas, it seemed as though this area was vastly empty due to crowds gathering elsewhere. 

The ghastly being tugged on your chin, forcing your eyes to meet with his own swirling pools of madness. "Amor, why is it that your attention isn't on me? Is there another that has crossed your mind? I know having a dead lover can be inconvenient however, I can assure you I'll do my best to make it work."

"I don't want you as my lover." Your glare was sharp and your words were even more pointed. "Please let me go."

"Let you go?" A puff of air escaped his lips. "Why? So you can up and forget about me like everyone else I knew? So you can leave and never return?! So I'll be left alone for the rest of goddamn eternity?!" 

With each question, his tone rose and his grip tightened - causing you to wince in pain. His breaths grew ragged and his eyes even more hazy, he lost himself to insanity and it was oh so terrifying to witness firsthand. To add to the fear, there was the fact that he wasn't even human. He was a dead man who could conjure chains out of thin air. You would be a fool to not be cautious in that exact moment, especially considering the fact you were immobilised.

"I have spent years watching everyone party endlessly with their loved ones without a care in the world while I am forced into darkness because no one remembered who I was. Ohhhhhh, but then! Then you came along! And I finally found my source of light, my reason, my everything."

He released you from the chains in lieu of wrapping his own arms around your waist and pulling you so close to him, your chests touched.

"Thank you, mí amor."

A sharp pain erupted from your stomach, causing a barrage of coughs to follow not soon after.

Red. It dripped out of both your mouth and stomach, staining your clothes and draining you of your life source. 

"Now I don't have to be alone for the rest of eternity."

Mija, eres tan guapísima = Dear, you look so beautiful

Te quiero = I love you

Vamos vamos = let's go let's go (or) quick quick (note that it doesn't directly translate into 'quick quick' but it's more like a generalisation)

Excelente = excellent 

Gracias = thanks

En el día de los muertos = on the day of the dead

Lo siento = sorry

Amor, muchas gracias por liberarme = Love, thank you very much for freeing me

If any of these translations are wrong, feel free to slap me.

[redpandaramblings]

Sweet Treats  Sero Hanta x F!Reader Birthday fic.

Happy birthday, @reinawritesbnha!!!  Wanted to write you a silly little fic that I hope you enjoy.

Content Warnings:-  Not SFW situations, cake destruction, nudity, crude humor, Mineta mention, awkward situations, mentions of food, mentions of drinking, probably incorrect Spanish, aged up characters.

Spanish translations are provided at the very bottom of the fic.  I suggest waiting to look them up to avoid spoilers.

Y/n protested playfully as her friend dragged her towards the well known restaurant.  “Come on, this place is too fancy.  Pro heroes eat here!  There’s no way we’re getting in without a reservation.”

Her friend laughed, continuing to lead her towards the door.  “One, it’s not too fancy for your birthday.  Two, we do have a reservation!  It’s a weekday, so it actually wasn’t too difficult to get in.  Sucks a little that we can’t party as hard, but we get to celebrate on your actual birthday, so it all works out!  Now come on!  Everyone else is inside already getting everything set up.”

Y/n rolled her eyes, but followed along without further protest.  She really had wanted to go here.  They served some of her favorite foods, and had fabulous service by all reports.  The place was really popular with the pro hero set because of their discretion and their private rooms.  Y/n hoped to maybe catch a glimpse of one of her favorites, but honestly, chances were slim.

Without any fuss, a waiter took their names and escorted them to their reserved private room.  A cheer greeted them as they walked in.

“Happy Birthday, Y/N!!!!”

“Let’s get this party started!”

And get started they did.  Drinks were served and food orders were placed.  Laughter and conversation bubbled around.  Someone pulled out Cards Against Humanity and everyone was cackling and cracking jokes, trying to find the most inappropriate answers to all the prompts.  The fun is briefly interrupted as someone knocks on the door.  A few waitstaff wheel in a covered table holding a rather large cake.  They place it in a good position before bowing and hurrying out.

One of y/n’s friends stands and walks over to it, brows furrowed in confusion.  “This doesn’t look like what we ordered…  It’s way too big.” They murmured.  “What we wanted shouldn’t need it’s own table…”  They rapped their knuckles on the table a few times to emphasize their point.

Suddenly it was like the cake exploded upward.  Flecks of frosting scattered about the room as first a brunet head, then a muscular torso came into view.  Shapely arms pose into a flexing position.  A masculine voice booms “Congrats on making the top…  fifty….”  His voice trailed off as he took in the shocked expressions of everyone in the room.  “Youuuu are not Denki.”

Y/n shook her head as she tried very hard to keep her gaze above his waist level.  A man had just jumped out of her cake.  A naked man had just jumped out of her cake.  A naked pro hero that she happened to have a massive crush on had just jumped out of her cake.  Y/n discretely pinched herself on the thigh.  Yep, it hurt.  Which means Sero Hanta was currently naked in the same room as her, his very nice looking cock covered in cake and cream.  She snapped her gaze back upward as the blushing hero began muttering to himself, clearly on the verge of a panic attack. 

“That was…  The knocks were the cue…  I mean…”

The hero sank to his knees, the messy remains of the box and cake giving him a little bit of privacy.   

“Mi vida se acabó.  Me acurrucaré en este pastel y moriré ahora.  Puedo ver los titulares.  El héroe profesional Cellophane encontrado desnudo y muerto en un pastel.”

Y/n quickly stood up, hurrying over to where the leftover party supplies were.  Luckily, there was a leftover tablecloth, since the restaurant had supplied their own.  She cautiously walked back over to Sero, holding out the tablecloth.

“Hey, it’s alright.  Promise.  Want to cover up with this?”

Sero blinked a few times, taking several deep breaths before he nodded, reaching out and taking the tablecloth.  He hurriedly wrapped it around himself, recovering some of his modesty.  “Gracias.  Lo siento.  I must have been wheeled into the wrong room.”  

Y/n nodded as one of her friends brought Sero a drink to help calm him down.  “Want us to get some staff or find your friends?  I don’t think you want to wear a tablecloth the rest of the night, though it is a rather bold fashion statement.”

Sero closed his eyes, taking a gulp of his drink as he thought for a moment.  “Flag down some staff, but ask them to bring Kirishima here?  He should have my clothes.”

“No need to get dressed on our account!”  One of y/n’s friends chirped.

“In fact we could strip if you want.  Make it all an equal playing field.”  Another friend said as they headed out the door in search of someone to help them.

Y/n buried her face in her hands and groaned.  “I’m going to murder you all.  No court would convict me.  Murder is legal on your birthday, right?”

“Wait, it’s your birthday?”  For the first time since he popped out of the cake, Hanta took his time to actually look around the room.  Black, white, and yellow balloons hung in the corners.  Crepe paper twisted around the edges of the room.  Some presents were piled in one corner.  “Oh Dios Mio, it’s your birthday.  My naked ass ruined your birthday.”

“Not ruined.”  Y/n chuckled, dropping her hands so she could look Sero in the eyes.  “Unexpected for sure.  You’ve definitely made this the most exciting birthday I’ve had.  Will be telling the story for years.  The time I accidentally got a naked man for my birthday.”

Sero raised his eyebrows.  “Not gonna mention the pro hero part?  Some people would pay good money for that, I’m sure.”

Y/n vigorously shook her head.  “No way!  I wouldn’t want to hurt your career like that!  You’ve got lots more important stuff to do than to do damage control on your public image.  I promise it doesn’t leave this room.”

The others in the room nodded and spoke up in agreement.  “Yeah dude.  Honest mistake.  We’ll laugh about it amongst ourselves, then forget about it.”

About this time, the door burst open.

“Dude!”

A blond rushed into the room.  Denki, took a moment to take in the scene in front of him before he doubled over, howling with laughter.  Kirishima, Bakugou, and Mina followed shortly behind.

“Sorry,” Kirishima rubbed his head, slightly embarrassed.  “Once Denks figured out what was going on, we couldn’t stop him.”

“This is better than if it had gone right!”  Denki wheezed, flopping over onto the floor.  “Happy birthday, nice to meet you!  Here’s my dick, give it a lick, it tastes like vanilla!”  Kaminari dissolved into nearly hysterical laughter as both Sero and y/n flushed scarlet.  Bakugou gave Denki a less than gentle boot to the ribs.  “It’s not that funny you fucking overgrown phone charger.  You really need to quit hanging out with Mineta.”

“I don’t know, guys, I think it’s pretty funny.”  Mina grinned as leaned against the doorframe.  “And I must say, the tablecloth toga is on point.  Should consider it for your next costume redesign.”

“Hardy har.  Didn’t realize this was comedy hour.  Now, did any of you payasos bring me my clothing?”

Kirishima held up a bag and gave it a shake.  “Clothes and wipes to get the gunk off ya.”

“Gracias, Eijiro.  You’re the only good man here.”

“Hey!” Bakugou objected.

“You’ll make the buen amigo list again if you manage to get services comped for these lovely folks.”

“Already did that as soon as we figured out what happened, soy sauce face.”

“Excellent.  Thank you.”  Sero sighed.  “Now can you please help me out of this table so that I can get dressed and quit intruding on the party of this encantadora dama?”

“Nope!”  Mina laughed.  “Or at least not right away.  First, pictures!”

“¿Imágenes? ¿Seriamente?”  Sero groaned.

“Absolutely!  We need to capture this moment forever!”

“Agreed!  I’ll take the pics so everyone else can crowd in and hand me your cameras if you want!” y/n’s friend piped up.

“If any of these pictures get out…” Bakugou growled.

“We’ve already been over that.  Personal mementos only!  Scout’s honour!”  y/n’s friend placed a hand over their heart and tried to tame their grin into something more serious.

And so that’s how y/n found herself perched next to her favorite hero, as flash after flash went off, taking group shots.  And it seemed that also just as quickly, Kirishima was helping to haul his friend out of the cake and cardboard remains.  They took over a corner, Denki and Kirishima holding up the tablecloth like a privacy curtain while Sero got himself cleaned up and dressed.  It was around this time that a very apologetic staff member showed up with a large angel food cake, placing it on the table while assuring everyone that their bills had been taken care of.  They wheeled out the other cake as they left.  After Sero was fully dressed, y/n cleared her throat and said,  “Would you like to stay for cake since yours is gone now?  Or have you had enough cake for the night?”

“Well,” Sero drawled, a mischievous grin on his face.  “I’m not rude enough to refuse a lady her wish on her birthday.”

“You had me at cake!”  Denki exclaimed, already sliding into a chair.

Everyone gathered around the table.  Happy Birthday was sung, candles were blown out, cake was cut and distributed.  Conversation flowed surprisingly easy, talking about jobs, and pets, and birthdays past.  Y/n shared about the birthday they’d almost accidentally set their nan on fire due to an unfortunate silly string incident.  Sero told about the birthday that was the day his quirk fully activated and he had accidentally taped himself to the ceiling.  It had taken his family half an hour to find him.  Bakugou claimed to have never had an embarrassing birthday, and threatened to explode his friends' faces when the rest of the Bakusquad started listing one thing after another.  And so several hours flew by with everyone enjoying themselves.  Bakugou finally looked at the clock and stretched, standing up.

“Hey nerds, place if going to close soon.  We need to go grab our shit.”

The others glanced at the clock before also scrambling up.  “Shit, yeah, completely lost track of time!”  Denki headed to the door.  “Later, gators!  Had an awesome night!  Should do it again sometime.  And happy birthday, Y/n!”

“Thanks, was a great night!  And congrats on cracking the top fifty!”  Y/n called.

Denki waved as he walked out the door.  Mina, Kirishima, and Bakugou also said their goodbyes and headed out.  Sero, however, lingered for a bit.

“It did turn out to be a good night.  But I am still sorry for interrupting your party like that.”

“For the last time, it’s fine”  Y/n laughed.

Sero cast his eyes down, bashfully, mumbling protests. But then, he noticed something attached to your bag. He interrupted his own rambling apology to ask “Is that a Cellophane tape dispenser key chain?”

Really, he didn’t have to ask. He knew all his own merch. That particular key chain was one of his first products. It hadn’t sold very well, and had only lasted one small run. They were really hard to find anymore. 

Before y/n had a chance to reply, her friend clapped her on the shoulder and said “Yep! She has three of them. One on her purse, a spare in case this one breaks, and one to keep in pristine condition.”

“Shut!  Up!” Y/n hissed.

Grinning, her friend continued.  “Pretty sure she has at least one of everything of the official merch.  She’s been a mega fan for years.  Total simp.  That’s why the party colors were black, white, and yellow.  Low key Cellophane themed.”

Y/n closed her eyes, resigned.  “If the floor doesn’t swallow me up right now, I’m burning your Dynamite body pillow next chance I get.”

Sero blushed as he grinned, one long arm raising to scratch the back of his head.  “Well now I don’t feel quite so bad about what happened.  One of a kind birthday show for my partidaria número uno.”

Y/n could feel their blush creeping down their neck.  “Really, it was just an honest mistake!  No big deal!”  She squeaked.

“Regardless, I do want to make it up to you, hermosa.  So, how about we exchange numbers?”

“What?!”  Y/n’s squeak reached an abnormally high pitch.

“Well this way we can get in touch, and I can make it up to you somehow.  Some exclusive merch.  Tickets to an event…  A date perhaps?”  Hanta’s grin spread wider.

Y/n’s brain stalled.  Her friends were quick to jump in.  “Yes!”

“She’d love to.”

“She’s free next Friday and Sunday!”

Y/n’s brain started to kick back in “Guys, what?  No!”

“So you wouldn’t like to go out with me next Sunday?”  Hanta whined with an exaggerated pout.

“No!  I mean…”  Y/n drew a deep shaking breath.  “I’d… I’d like that.  If you actually mean it, that is.”

Hanta pulled out his phone and handed it to y/n.  “Absolutely.  Just put in your number and I’ll text you.  No voy a dejar pasar esta oportunidad.  Tendríamos la mejor historia para contarles a nuestros hijos cómo nos conocimos.”

Y/n furrowed their eyebrows, only managing to catch a few words of the Spanish as they entered their number in.  “I didn’t quite catch all that…”

One of y/n’s friends called from across the room.  “Hey slick!  Es mejor que al menos haya una propuesta antes de planificar los hijos.”

Hanta blushed bright red while laughing.  “Noted.”

Y/n handed Sero his phone back.  “Neither of you are going to tell me what you said, are you?”

“Nope!  I’ll be texting you soon, hermosa.  But for now, hasta luego.”  Sero waved before jogging out the door and down the hallway, heading back to his friends.  Y/n waved, before going to help clean up, ignoring the giggles and teasing of her friends.  Soon enough, everything was taken care of.  Y/n said her goodbyes and headed out.  She hadn’t even made it to the car before her phone buzzed in her pocket.  When she pulled it out, there was a text from an unknown number that read “I can’t wait to see what the future brings.  Happy Birthday,  Princesa.”

My life is over.

I'll curl up in this cake and die now.

I can see the headlines. Professional hero Cellophane found naked and dead in a cake.

Thank you.  I’m sorry.

My God.

Clowns

Thanks

Good friend.

Lovely lady.

Pictures?  Seriously?”

Number one fan.

Beautiful.

I will not miss this opportunity. We would have the best story to tell our children how we met.

There better at least be a proposal before you plan of children.

Princess

Taglist- @kat-unzel

[tina-aumont]

Happy Heavenly Birthday Joaquín!!

Have a toast with all your siblings!!

[theroyalsims]

ANYA’S SUCCESSFUL TOUR COMES TO A CLOSE - SELVADORADAN ROYAL FAMILY HOSTS BANQUET IN CROWN PRINCESS’ HONOUR

It’s been a whirlwind of a trip for Her Royal Highness! The Crown Princess has achieved quite a lot in just a couple of days, definitely doing her parents proud. 

Last night, the  Selvadoradan Royals showed their appreciation by throwing a formal banquet in HRH’s honour. While there were no official videos or coverage of the glitzy event, the Royal Family did share a couple of photos from the event on their offical social media accounts. 

For the swanky soirée, the Crown Princess wore a red, off-shoulder ball gown and her grandmother’s 4-strand pearl and diamond choker. Her Royal Highness also wore the Queen Astrid Diamond and Pearl Tiara for the occasion.

The banquet came right after the Crown Princess’ final engagement for the trip - a visit to the Selvadorada Historical and Cultural Center. Her Royal Highness was accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses, Crown Prince Ishmael and Crown Princess Julia. 

For the trip to the museum, Crown Princess Anya donned a stunning red dress from Selvadoradan brand Gracia. The dress features a traditional Selvadoradan pattern often seen in folk pottery and art. The dress, although seemingly demure with its long sleeves and high neckline, offered a “surprise” from behind via its low-cut back.

Her Royal Highness also wore the diamond Sunburst Brooch and a pair of square-cut diamond and ruby earrings. The Crown Princess completed her look with a pair of nude heels and a matching clutch.

After an incredibly busy trip, the Crown Princess is expected to return back home to Brindleton this morning. A palace source spills that HRH is “looking forward” to go home to be with her parents during this tense time. Rumour has it that the DNA test results will be released within the day.

[ikusayu-no-hana]

the thing is. the thing about kasen's former master is. he was so possessive and jealous that he'd cut off people's heads for simply staring at his wife and wiped the blood on her kimono. he mercilessly mutilated her christian maid's face in order to discourage gracia's interest in the religion (since hideyoshi had outlawed christianity). he didn't want to keep gracia in hideyoshi's care for fear of hideyoshi developing an interest in her. when gracia's father (akechi mitsuhide) was declared traitor and the entire akechi clan was declared traitorous, tadaoki refused to divorce her, sending her away to the mountains. the eisei bunko (the hosokawa family museum) displays a set of karuta cards tadaoki made personally for gracia, with all the poems written by his own hand. her killing herself in order to not be captured by mitsunari's forces was the decisive factor that led to tadaoki siding with ieyasu against mitsunari. and after she died tadaoki commissioned a bell in the western shape to be made in her honour (in accordance with her religion). its all so messed up. so yeah its no wonder kasen is the way he is towards those he cares about--in hiden, he worries about shokudaikiri but his comforting words come out to be harsh (shoku points it out too). in giden he tries to coddle sayo and keep him away from the date swords so much so that sayo sort of...rebels. he tries to talk to ookurikara because fundamentally their loneliness comes from the same place but of course it backfires, their coping mechanisms are polar opposites. heck even his in-game sparring interaction with izuminokami is him being max tsundere.

tldr: kasen doesnt get what love is because he has never witnessed a healthy version of it.

[changingplumbob]

Romero Household: Chapter 1, Part 2

Kayleigh comes to visit with an unexpected offer and the couple head to the romance festival.

Marta’s first language is Spanish so she is teaching Keira (and me) some common phrases Ay dios mio: omg equivalent Buenas tardes: Good afternoon Carino: Term of endearment for a loved one Gracias: Thank you Mi familia: My family Por favor: Please Qué?: What? Si: Yes Te amo: I love you

Keira: Mum! You didn’t say you were coming

Kayleigh: I didn’t think I needed an appointment to see my daughter and future daughter in law

Keira: Of course not but Marta is feeling unwell

Marta: Buenas tardes Kayleigh. I’ll be fine, Keira is just… overreact

Keira: I mean your parents died from flu complications, can you blame me for being nervous when you get sick?

Marta: No. But look, I’ll have more tea

Kayleigh: I’m so excited for the wedding, have you decided on a venue yet

Marta: Si. I was wanting to have it in the church in Willow Creek

Kayleigh: All the way there?

Keira: It’s the oldest church in the save mum, it’s got history

Marta: Si. Our marriage is not just us, it’s the watcher as well. A church is the right place to honour that

Kayleigh: I always admire your devotion. I’m sorry we couldn’t meet your parents

Marta: Their spirits will be here tomorrow. Keira and I would like all of you to come over for dinner. Then I can tell you about them, and you’ll be able to know them

Kayleigh: If you want us at your celebration then of course

Marta: Si. You are part of mi familia now

Kayleigh: And will our family be growing soon?

Keira: Mum! You sound just like dad

Kayleigh: We’re not getting any younger. Life is short and your dad and I would like to have some grandkids. Every time Aaron sends Harvey a cute picture he almost goes green with envy

Marta: Keira and I do want kids one day

The couple look at each other, feeling the warm fuzzy feeling of home

Kayleigh: I just wanted to say, well your dad wanted me to say, whatever expense there is, we’ll pay it

Marta: Que?

Keira: Are you sure mum? I mean it could be quite expensive for us. Whether we get a sperm donor or try that new science method that allows for same sex pregnancy to start, the cost will likely be high

Kayleigh: I know but your dad and I can’t take the money with us to the forever save. We may as well use it while we’re here

Marta: *smiles* we’re going to be parents carino

Keira: I mean eventually, there’s no big rush is there? I’m only 23

Kayleigh: Wait until after the wedding at least or the dress won’t fit

Keira: We’d need to wait until after honeymoon as well. And even then-

Marta: Gracias Kayleigh, it’s very generous. Will you let us have some time to talk about it

Kayleigh: Of course, I’m just glad you’re receptive. I best be off, don’t get up, I can show myself out

Kayleigh leaves and Marta turns to Keira.

Marta: What’s wrong carino

Keira: I… Sweetheart I want kids with you, I do, but… *softly* so soon?

Marta takes her hand and kisses it lightly.

Marta: There’s no rush but think about it por favor? I’d carry them so it shouldn’t interfere with your work much. I’d like to grow our familia sooner rather than later

Marta goes for another nap while Keira scratches her geek itch playing party frenzy online with Joey, James and Alexander.

Joey: Do you not want to be a mum

Keira: I do. I just… I spent so much of my life waiting for my person and now that I’ve found her I want time with just us. Is that selfish?

Alexander: I don’t think so. Remember I stole my person

James: You can’t steal what is given to you love. Wait- what car am I again?

Joey: The blue one. No, Rilian! Zio Joey is trying to see the screen!

Keira: What’s he doing this time

Joey: Trying to find new places to hide his half eaten meals. I better go tell Devin, later bros *drops out*

Keira: I need to go to the romance festival anyway. Will I see you guys there?

James: Saturday is date night

Alexander: I have plans that involve you, me and a posh restaurant. We'll get a nanny for Milton

Keira: *laughs* have fun being wealthy

Alexander: Always

Marta: You’re letting me out

Keira: I would never try pin you in. I’m not-

Marta: I know carino, I was joking

Keira: Somehow I imagine I couldn’t keep the romantic in you away from this festival even if I wanted to

Marta: So *coyly* what do we do here

Keira: What a leading question. You know sweetheart some would say you’re a tease

Marta: Taste me and find out

Keira smiles and pulls Marta close in a passionate embrace. They stay tangled in each other for a while but pull apart before Marta can get too breathless.

Keira: You need rest still

Marta: Now who’s the tease

Keira: Come on, let’s get some of the tea

Marta goes to the fountain and finds herself humming along to the music. She loves singing but she knows it’s probably best to rest rather than sing a ballad. She’s deep in her imagination when *clanks* the cup she picked drops to the bottom of the fountain.

Marta: Ay dios mio!

Stranger: Are you okay

Marta: Si, gracias

Marta sheepishly fishes her cup up from the fountain and looks around, hoping no one else has seen the blunder.

Marta: See, I’m drinking tea. I do listen to your advice

Keira: *laughs* I suppose it’s prettier than the tea we have at home

Marta: You’re the pettiest thing anywhere carino *blows kiss*

Keira: Stop, you’re making me swoon!

Marta: My daily goal. Have you thought more about what your mum said

Keira: Yeah. I guess… I just don’t want to share you with anyone

Marta: *sighs* Keira, no one belongs solely to someone else. Tell me you understand that? You need to share every person in your life. I’m becoming your wife but we won’t be each other’s property

Keira: I knew it would sound like that. I don’t mean I want you to myself in a controlling way, I mean, I’m worried kids would steal all your attention and I’d be forgotten

Marta: Carino… let me get us some food

Marta grabs them some Ramen and comes back to the table.

Marta: I know that your first girlfriend said she got bored of you but I promise, I’m never getting bored of you. Te amo

Keira: I love you to

Marta: If you want some time as just us before having kids then we can, bueno? But when we get around to having kids I will not love you any less

Keira: Okay, I’ll try work on my feelings. I do want to see what beautiful kids we can make

Marta: Me to!

Marta: Gracias for the date

Keira: I thought your spirits needed lifting before tomorrow

Marta: Tomorrow will be happy, you’ll see

Keira: If you say so. For now... can I have a hug

Marta: aww, of course carino

The couple head home and still feeling the effects of the tea take time to enjoy each other properly. Keira still gets feelings of inadequacy which can be hard to balance with Marta’s need to feel uncaged. But they love each other. Love is a skill and these two are happy to grow their skills together. Whatever they may feel, they’ll work on it together.

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[teammessi]

Fue un verdadero honor recibir el premio Laureus al Mejor Deportista del Año. Estos premios individuales son imposibles de conseguir sin la ayuda y el trabajo de mis compañeros de equipo, mi familia, mis amigos y toda la gente que me sigue. ¡Muchas gracias a todos ellos y también a la Laureus Academy! // It was a real honour to receive the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. These individual distinctions would be impossible without the help and hard work of my teammates, family, friends and everyone who follows me. Many thanks to all of them and also to the Laureus Academy!