#hopefully i'll get some time this weekend to actually sit down and play it

[morganaseren]

The hardest part of BG3 actually is deciding if I should romance Shadowheart or Karlach

[a-b-riddle]

Part Five

Can't stop thinking about the attempt of reconciliation and reader ain't having it. Our girl is going to be wilddddd y'all. Also goodnight. See y'all tomorrow (maybe)

You call Meredith when you get home.

You. Are. Fuming. She's not sure she can ever remember a time you using so many swear words at one time.

How fucking dare them? Immature? You're the immature one? You were the one trying your best to salvage four failing relationship meanwhile none of those assholes could be bothered to try and keep one. They had one person to manage: you.

"I wanna go out this weekend." "Wear something tight and borderline risk indecent exposure."

"You know what I always say," Meredith begins. "The best way to get over someone-"

"is to get under someone else." You finish. You weren't exactly keen on the idea of bringing someone to your bed just yet, but a little attention would do you some good. "I don't want to fuck someone just yet." You admitted. "I'm more on the getting drunk and making out."

"I didn't know we resorted back secondary school heavy petting?" She teased.

"University, Dear." You corrected. "I didn't peak until after I graduated."

"No." She argued. "You didn't put your books down long enough to realize that boys actually wanted to fuck you." You were glad she couldn't see you roll your eyes. "Saturday work for you? I have a late night Friday and won't be up for it."

"That works."

"Sorry." She apologized. "I plan on getting you absolutely smashed so I need to be ready to play the nanny. I know how you love to get drunk and run off."

It was true. You had always found it hilarious when you were drunk to just run. Quite literally run away. It got to a point during university where Meredith would handcuff you to her so you didn't stray.

"I won't run." Your sober mind promised.

"Uh huh." Meredith's tone told you that she knew that was a load of shit. "I'll text Tabs. Let her know the plan."

The next day at the shop was pretty uneventful. No more unexpected visitors. You still had them all blocked. Not caring if now they decided to offer up some bullshit apology.

Months. This had been a steady decline for six months. A text or a simply sorry won't fix this. You weren't sure anything could.

But it didn't matter. You were done and they obviously were too.

You had picked up enough take out to feed a family, but you didn't plan on making your lunch before work or cooking when you got home. The rest of the week you planned on just going through the motions until you could go out Saturday and hopefully get everything out.

You weren't paying attention as you walked down the hallway to your flat. Fishing in your purse for keys. You were at almost at your door when you saw him.

Sitting next to your door was a familiar face. A face you felt you haven't seen in forever.

“What are you doing here, Kyle?" Your voice was flat as you continued to blindly try and find your keys with one hand. Fuck. You really need to clean out your purse...

“My key wouldn’t work.” He explained. "So I’m out here.”

"I'm aware why you're not in my apartment since I changed the locks," you said, trying to keep your irritation at bay. "What I am asking is why did you come here?"

"You won't return any of our messages."

"You're all blocked, so technically I didn't really get any messages." "Besides, you don't get to complain to me about not responding to texts, Kyle Garrick." Your fingers finally wraps around them. God bless. "If you're here for your things, it'll have to wait. I have to sort through everyone's shit and I don't know whose is whose."

"We need to talk." He explains as you put the key into the lock, opening the door.

"Nah," you say scrunching your nose in that way he used to adore. "I'm good. But you can swing by tomorrow and pick up your things if you'd like." You say before trying to shut the door on him. You were stupid in thinking you could be faster than him.

Dammit.

"I know things haven't been good and I've definitely could have been better,'' he admits. "But can you at least try and let us apologize? Let us try and work it out."

"No." You answered, trying to close the door. Not caring if you had to resort to kicking his shins to get him out.

"Why not?" He countered.

“Maybe because I've already tried, Kyle?” You gave up on trying to shut him out. You were strong, but he didn't have any issues in besting you. “Because I actually tried with you. With all of you. You didn’t need to come here giving me excuses about your life being hectic because I’ve made the excuses for you.” You didn't miss how he practically flinched. He had always blamed his busy life. Family. Work. You stopped caring about whatever excuse he gave you and realized it was just that. An excuse. “I’ve been telling myself for months that everything you guys didn’t do for me wasn’t because you didn’t care about me. It was because of the stress of your deployments is the reason none of you tell me when you get back from until it’s time to fuck. I tell myself it’s because of the fucked up situation of me being with all of you that makes it awkward to meet your families. Families you all have that I now know I’m not worthy of meeting.” He wanted to correct you. You were. You were worthy. He was an idiot. “It’s not that I need your excuses to make me feel like what you did was justified. No matter what it was, it was apparently to you because you did it.”

He took a step back, processing everything you had said. He had been selfish. You were the reliable constant in his life. Someone he believed he never disappointed. Someone he couldn't disappoint no matter how many times he fucked up.

You took the opportunity to slam the door. Quickly turning the lock before he had a chance to open it back up.

God...

That felt good.

You had spent that evening collecting their thing in case Kyle did show back up tomorrow. You wouldn't make their lives easier by sorting all their shit and organizing it. Everything. One box. Let them figure it out. You almost had a mind to add a shirt that you knew didn't belong to any of them just to have them argue over it. Or least make them think there was someone else...

You were almost tempted if not for the premise that you wanted them to realize this was their fault. Their fuck up. But now that you were officially all broken up, you were free game.

[illusioninfnty]

I'll Take You to Heaven

જ⁀➴ Childhood Best Friends : Day 7

feat. Josh Washington ᯓ★ A game of seven minutes in heaven has you and your best friend revealing your feelings for each other...and then some.

warnings! : NSFW 18+, takes place during prologue, dual virgins, dry humping, fingering, handjob, getting caught (kind of)

ᯓ★ kinktober m.list || read on ao3

“Ugh, c’mon, it’ll be fun!” Jess tugs at your arm, annoyed at your resistance to her suggestion—a game of seven minutes in heaven.

“There is no way in hell I’m agreeing to that,” you say. Tensions were already high in your friend group, and you didn’t want any fights happening while all of you were stuck in the Washington’s cabin for a weekend, stuck in the middle of the snowy mountains. Emily was pissed because Hannah had feelings for Mike, Chris and Ashley had feelings for each other and refused to tell the other, and you didn’t want to even think about what Jess was doing with getting close to Mike. You didn’t want to be around to witness the inevitable chaos this game would bring.

But really, you couldn’t be one to talk. You, Chris, and Josh had been inseparable since you were kids, and throughout your time of being friends with Josh you had slowly developed a crush on him. You knew you could never tell him, for fear of ruining your friendship. You valued him too much to risk that.

“You’re so booooring.” Jess rolls her eyes at you, before whispering into your ear.

“Shut up!” You yank your arm out of her grasp, heat rising to your face. “What the fuck do you know about that? That’s not why!”

Her eyes light up. “So it is true!” A smirk rises to her face, but before she can say anything else, a hand falls against your shoulder.

“Ooh, what’re we whispering about over here? Keeping secrets from dear old Joshie, are ya?”

Mortified that Josh almost heard you guys, you almost want to hug Jess for speaking first as you can’t find anything to say.

“Hey Josh. You’ll play, right?”

He grins. “You know I’m down for anything.”

“Well,” Jess turns back to you, “you need to convince her to join us. Such a party pooper.”

Josh turns to you and throws his arm around your shoulders, forcing you to lean into his side. “Aw, c’mon honey, you can’t leave me alone with these idiots.”

“Fine.” You roll your eyes, knowing you didn’t have it in you to deny Josh. “Let’s play this stupid game.”

Jess squeals as she grabs your arm, leading you (and Josh, who’s hand hasn’t left you) into the living room, where everyone is seated on the large carpet.

“Look who I’ve found!” Jess says in a sing-songy voice. Cheers ring out and the group opens up some space on the floor for the three of you to sit. You and Jess take a seat between Ashley and Matt, while Josh sits next to Chris, almost directly across from you.

“You’re first.” Emily says, shoving the empty glass bottle in your direction. “Since you were the last one to show.”

You didn’t have the strength in you to protest, hoping that this game will be over quickly and hopefully no fights break out. You just wanted one quiet night without any of your friends arguing with each other.

As you spin the bottle, you just pray it lands on someone who you knew you could actually deal with being alone for seven minutes, like Beth or Sam.

But as long as it didn’t land on Josh, you were okay with it.

The bottle slowly comes to a stop, and you see the neck of it facing opposite of you.

Oh, fuck.

Your eyes slowly move up to see the person the bottle points towards, and you’re met with Josh’s green eyes staring right into you.

Just your fucking luck.

Jess giggles from beside you as she drags you to stand up. Josh slowly gets up across from you, strangely quiet as Chris seems to nudge him slightly.

As Josh steps his way around the group, Jess grabs you both and pulls you away. “Have fun in there, lovebirds!”

“Yeah, don’t forget to wear protection, man!” Mike calls out from behind you. You stick up your middle finger behind you and you and Josh enter the designated space for this game, a fairly spacious storage closet with only the moon providing you two with any sort of light.

As the door locks you plop down onto the floor, your head falling into your hands. You hear Josh take a seat next to you, a hand coming onto your shoulder as he rubs circles into it with his thumb.

“What’s got you down, honey? Thought we were supposed to have fun tonight.”

“It’s nothing.” You sigh, turning to your friend. “Really, I’m okay.” You wince with how fake it sounds as it leaves your lips. You hated lying to Josh, but how the hell were you supposed to tell him you’ve been in love with him for years.

“Really?” Josh raises an eyebrow. “’Cause you’ve barely spoken to me all day.”

You throw your head back, your actions of trying to make sure Josh doesn’t find out about your crush on him finally catching up to you.

“What is it then?”

His voice is firm, and you know by that tone there’s no way you can avoid the topic now.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” you mutter.

“Oh yeah? Try me. We’ve known each other for years, I’m sure I’ve heard it all.”

“You haven’t heard that I’ve been in love with you since the sixth grade.”

He lets out a laugh, and your heart drops to your stomach. “Sixth grade? That’s when I had pimples and shit!”

You can’t help but laugh along with him, giving him a punch in his shoulder. “Shut up. I didn’t say I had good taste, did I?”

“Even if you didn't, it sure as hell works out for me, considering I’ve liked you even longer than that.”

You grow silent at his words, taking in what he said. “You’re fucking with me.”

“I’m not.” He narrows his eyes. “Unless you’re fucking with me?”

“Why would I be fucking with you?” Josh stays silent and you roll your eyes. “Don’t piss me off, dude.” You go to push against him to get more space but Josh grabs your hand, interlocking your fingers with his own. Your heart starts beating rapidly in your chest feeling his warm palm against your own.

“Please don’t call me dude before I’m about to kiss you.”

You gasp as Josh leans in and captures your lips, closing your eyes and indulging in the sensation. The kiss feels clumsy, his lips clashing against your own in a way that exposes the lack of experience, but it's made up for with passion. Josh leans into you, wrapping his arms around your waist as you allow yourself to fall into his embrace. Your hands come up to either side of his head, one moving to run itself through his hair as he groans into your mouth.

He pulls away just as you do to get some air. You both pant heavily, staring at each other, and a bead of saliva that connects you two breaks.

A grin breaks out across Josh’s face, and a shy smile finds its way onto yours. He rests his forehead against your own, bringing a hand up to stroke your cheek. “You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that for,” he murmurs.

“Trust me,” you say, “I know.”

“Four minutes!” You hear Jess from outside faintly, and you jump slightly in Josh’s hold. “There better be some action going on in there!”

“Guess we better give the people what they want.”

“Shut up and kiss me, you idiot.”

Your lips find his again in an instant, and this time this kiss is more desperate—more passionate. Josh’s hands run up and down your body and you moan into him, your back arching as your breasts squish themselves against his chest. You’re sitting in his lap now from how close you two are, and you start to move your hips against Josh. Josh groans into your mouth, and you take that as an opportunity to shove your tongue in there. Your tongues clash as you sloppily make out, drool escaping your lips as you clumsily figure out the best way to do it.

Josh ruts his hips up into you, keeping you still with his hands around your waist. His cock hardens against you, and the friction of his jeans rubbing into your clothed slit has you moaning into the kiss. His hands tug at your hair, and you already know that it’s going to be hard explaining the mess of it when your time is up.

You break away from the kiss as a particular loud moan leaves your lips, inside choosing to bite into Josh’s shoulder as a way to conceal your noises.

“Wait,” you say, before you and Josh go any farther. He looks up at you expectantly. “I haven’t done anything like this before,” you admit, nervous about your lack of experience.

Josh smiles, running a hand across the back of his neck. “Me neither. We can figure it out together.”

Pride washes over you at being Josh’s first, even though you know it’s not something you really have to be too happy about. But you’ve grown up with the guy, pretty much experiencing all of life together with him. It only made sense that you had each other’s firsts in this way, too.

You let yourself fall back into Josh’s embrace as one of his hands leaves your waist to reach into your sweatpants. It takes him a bit of fumbling but he eventually finds your pussy, teasing it through your soaked underwear. The squelching sounds of your wetness cause you to bury your face into the crook of his neck, embarrassed by how obvious your arousal was.

Josh chuckles at your reaction, his fingers continuing to pet you and you buck your hips into them.

“S-shut up,” you argue weakly, not wanting to see his face as he teases you.

“Didn’t say anything,” he whispers into your ear.

You figure that the only way to get Josh to stop teasing you was to beat him at his own game. Your hands reach down to unbuckle his belt and unzip his jeans, and you hear a halt in breath as his fingers falter slightly in their rhythm as you stick your hand down his pants, palming at his bulge.

“Fuck,” he hisses, “feels good.”

You hum, moving your hand across his bulge as he ruts his hips against you. He leaves kisses up and down your neck, causing you to gasp and squeeze him harder, a groan tumbling from him.

“Fuck yeah, hon, keep doing that.”

You finally move your hand into his underwear, wrapping it around the full girth of his cock as you stroke him at that same pace of his fingers pumping in and out of you.

“Josh,” you whine, pressing your body to him as close as you can. “Gonna cum.” One of your hands digs into his backside trying to find some stability as the other continues to stroke him.

His pace quickens and broken moans escape you as you buck into him frantically, a loud moan falling from you orgasm onto his fingers.

Josh isn’t too far behind as you hear a groan from him and a warm stickiness envelopes your fingers. 

You reach around and thankfully find a roll of paper towels in the storage closet to wipe your hands with.

Josh leans up and kisses you, and you sigh into it, bartering with yourself that it’ll be the last one before you’ll begin cleaning yourself up.

“I am approaching the door.”

Chris’s voice rings out as you and Josh jump back, eyes wide as you stare at each other.

“I am about to put my hand on the doorknob.”

“Fuck,” you groan, hastily trying to fix your appearance so that you don’t look like you were two seconds away from fucking.

The door opens and Chris stands in front of you two, an unamused look across his face.

“You’re lucky I was able to convince Jess to let me do this,” Chris sighs, turning his head away for a brief moment so that you and Josh can try to make yourselves look a little bit more presentable. “Although I think I’m the unlucky one now.”

Josh turns to you, snickering. “Aww, honey. Cochise cares about us!”

“Ooh, you loooove us.” You imitate exaggerated kisses in Chris’s direction, and then give Josh a kiss on his cheek.

“Man, I’m really gonna have to be the third wheel now,” you hear him mutter to himself, although loud enough that you and Josh can still hear.

“Ashley’s still waiting for you,” you tell him, teasingly.

“Fuck you, guys,” he retorts, spinning back around and walking back towards the living room. “I’m gonna need a drink after this.”

Josh pouts mockingly as he holds your hand. “Aw man, without us? Don’t worry, we’re all gonna get drunk off our asses tonight.”

Chris shrugs. “Go crazy, I guess. I really hope you two aren’t some of those horny drunks.”

You wink at him as the three of you cross into the living room, the sounds of your friends’ voices growing louder. “Can’t promise you anything, bud.”

[da-mous]

How did you get the motivation to make games? Or the discipline and determination to actually go all the way thru?

I am just a bad developer, but i have some nice ideas and i actually write them down so I don't forget, like a mix of tunic and minecraft, but with a actual conlang for you to learn and not a english cypher

following through is actually something I really really struggled with for years, but I'm much more productive than I used to be, and I have a few strats that help

1: Structure!! The structure that works for me is working on weekdays (even if it takes time to get going!) and strictly taking weekends off, even if it means not working when I really want to. I don't have strict hours during weekdays, but I try to start early enough in the day so that I can work for 6-8 hours before I get sleepy. I always end up filling the time I give myself! Time tends to fly after the first hour or so

My weekends off are super important, too. I think periodically forcing myself *not* to work on my projects makes me enjoy working on them that much more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I really feel that in how much I tend to spend my Saturdays, surprisingly, wishing I could be working!! It also helps prevent burnout and offers guilt-free time to play other games, do other hobbies, take care of household chores, etc

2: Thinking time!! It's important to give your mind time to wander, undistracted. That's when inspiration will strike and you'll do your best thinking and planning. I think that's why "shower thoughts" are a thing. Showers are good for this, but they're short! I take daily walks that are between 40 and 120 minutes during which I only listen to music with no words in it--especially music that fits the vibe of my current project! I don't actively try to force my thought process to go anywhere in particular, but it often wanders excitedly to my projects anyway (By the way, I also listen to the same music while I'm working! It's the perfect way to get in, and stay in, the right mindset)

3: Deadlines!! Even soft ones! My roguelike is coming out in 2026. The more I work by then (without overworking myself!), the better the final product will be! The desire to make something really good really drives me

4: Making something you want to play!! Playing my own game is one of the most important parts of my process. The first thing I do every day when I sit down to work is play the game. This naturally drives me toward finding areas I can improve and polish, coming up with features I want, and being motivated to implement those things. The ideal is to feel like a fan of my own work, eagerly awaiting every little update. The more I play, the more I'll tailor the game to my own tastes. This leads to me enjoying it more, so I'll be even more motivated to improve and add to it!

My current project is actually perfect for this, because it's a roguelike (highly replayable, a genre I know I can enjoy for a long time. Binding of Isaac is one of my most played games ever) platformer (one of my favorite genres in general. immediately kinetically satisfying) with a high level of randomization and variety, meaning even I can be surprised by my own game!

The strategies that work for you will likely differ from mine (especially if you have a day job or something!) but hopefully that helps :)

[cryptidsurveys]

Tuesday, July 16th, 2024.

How have you been doing? I'm a little worn out from volunteering, but otherwise, I've been doing well. Cassie was telling me that I need to stay for a full day sometime, that way I can understand what they mean about the nonsense that goes on in the evenings. Basically, over the past few months, the time they actually get off work has been pushed farther and farther back. They're supposed to get off at 5pm, but Alex said the other day that she didn't get off until 6pm (and she already comes in ~30 minutes early). There also seems to be some growing animosity/resentment between the dog & cat people. Dog people are allegedly the hold-up. I'm not sure what changed, but it wasn't like this last summer. Cattery is usually finished early, often expected to help with the dog stuff; but when they ask for the final check to be done so they can go home, they're typically left for last.

I feel like that's eventually what will drive Cassie to quit. She had somewhere she had to be last night and they dragged things out until she was like, Yeah, I need to leave. She said it was "fine" in that situation; but in the future, when she has cheer practice, she's not going to be able to wait around for them because cheer won't take work as an excuse for being late. Also, I was told that Lucy might be looking for another job. Lucy told Cassie she wasn't going to quit until she found one, but after her absence last weekend, she might have just decided to go for it.

I know I'm essentially backseat managing here, lmao, but they really need to get ahead of this turnover issue. Since I started volunteering again last summer, they've lost something like 15 employees.

Anything you're looking forward to? Hopefully going for a picnic at the Mountain Park tomorrow. I haven't been there since last autumn, which is way too long. There's a certain rock in a certain stream that I just need to lie down on for a while.

Do you or anyone you know play the violin? No.

Do you have a nice view out of the closest window? It's just a view of some houses. And today, some construction. They're doing idk what on the corner diagonal from us.

What is one of your favorite breakup songs? I don't think I'm really a fan of any breakup songs.

Do you know anyone named Georgia or George? No.

What age did you learn how to ride a bike? Without training wheels? I think I was around 6 years old.

Are you currently listening to music or watching TV? I'm not. Sometimes I will listen to music while taking surveys, but it just feels like a bit much atm.

What is your morning routine? On volunteer days: depending on the day, get up somewhere between 5:15-5:45am. I'm usually awake a bit before that, though, so I just lie in bed and listen to something on YouTube. Shower, get dressed, brush my teeth, eat breakfast, gather the remainder of my things, talk with my dad for a bit. Then, depending on the day, leave somewhere between 6:20-6:45am.

On Wednesday: wake up, brush my teeth, make myself presentable, go grocery shopping, then come home and eat breakfast.

On Saturday: wake up whenever I feel like it, make breakfast, clean my bedroom, and make some art.

Are you someone who gets easily agitated by hearing someone chewing? No. It doesn't tend to bother me.

What was the last text you sent? It was a text to my mom. We might be going to see Despicable Me 4 on Saturday, and I was like, "I'll finally find out what all those little yellow minions are about."

What did you last have to eat? Some mixed veggies with sriracha sauce and a cheese and jalapeno sandwich.

What's your favorite kind of oatmeal/porridge? If we're talking about the flavored pouches, then probably brown sugar, birthday cake, strawberry, or peach. However, I typically use plain oatmeal as my base and use fruit, peanut butter, etc, to flavor it from there.

Have you ever ate a whole pizza in one sitting? I don't think so…maybe a half, though…? In elemntary school, we used to have pizza days on Friday (was it weekly? monthly? I can't recall); if you didn't "flip a card" (their disciplinary system), then you could pay some small $ amount that I no longer recall and get a half/full pizza, a cookie, and drinks.

What are some things you are grateful for? Volunteering. Even with all the drama, I can't imagine giving it up. I feel like it's a good exercise in detachment (not that I'm so detached, lmao; I'm obviously here dishing the constant tea). Like, if you ever just want to be an observer without any real expectations or responsibility for the system as a whole, go volunteer somewhere. It's an interesting experience… It's helping me learn to step back, stop trying to control everything, and just sort of let everything play out the way it will. It's not that I've given up all autonomy to the flow, but seriously, sometimes it helps to really see just how little of this teeming, chaotic world has anything to do with me. Thought I was going to make a difference; instead, found out what a cosmic speck I am. Maybe not what I wanted, but definitely what I needed. Still a speck, but now a free speck.

What's the last thing you done while outside? Drive, I guess.

How often do you do laundry? Every few days. It just depends on how quickly it piles up.

Have you already had your birthday this year? Yes, back in March. Which feels like forever ago. June 1st feels like it was last week, but March feels like it was last year.

Last thing you done before this survey? Vacuum the living room and dining room.

Do you like sleeping with multiple pillows? I have multiple pillows on my bed, but I only sleep with one.

How many candles do you have in your bedroom? A couple.

What emojis have you used the most here recently? D; and :')

What color is your favorite shirt? I don't have a favorite shirt, but my favorite hoodie is black.

Do you currently smell food cooking? No. Oh, but at the shelter earlier, I walked out of cattery to go to the bathroom and it smelled like someone was cooking hot dogs with ketchup or something. Come to find out it was ant killer. What a wild smell for such a thing…like luring them to a picnic or something…

If you were given $1,000 to spend at one store. What's your store of choice? Walmart (groceries).

How much sugar do you consume on a daily basis? Idk.

Do you have any ice cream in your freezer? Yeah. Well, it's custard, but same basic deal. It's from Culver's. Strawberry cheesecake and mint choco-chip.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "chaos"? Chaos theory, chaos magicians…etc.

Do you own anything that has an animated character on it? Somewhere.

Have you used a microwave today? Yeah.

What's the last book you read? Still in the midst of the third Dune book. I haven't picked it up in a while, though. I just haven't felt much like reading lately.

What's something that always makes you cringe? Idk.

What's a word or phrase you say a lot? My toxic trait is that I'm blind to my own annoying catchphrases.

What's something that always makes you emotional? Music. Not always in a good/cathartic way. Sometimes in an overwhelming/spiraling way.

How many times have you changed clothes today? Twice. From pajamas to volunteer clothes and back to pajamas.

What's on your mind currently? Just how busy this next week-ish feels. I hope I don't get a migraine…

In what ways have you changed over the past year? So many ways.

Do you really care about others opinions of you? Ehhhhh. Much less than I used to, but still to some extent.

What's your favorite pasta? Spirals, bowties, macaroni elbows.

Do you currently see anything yellow? Some watercolor flowers I painted.

What did you last try to do and failed? Not sure.

Does your bathroom have a certain theme or color scheme? Not really.

If you have Netflix or any streaming service.. what's your favorite shows to stream? N/a.

Are you currently wearing anything red? No.

What was the last thing that caught your eye while shopping? I'm not sure.

What's a social media site you have no interest in? Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok…I don't even know what's out there these days because I don't keep up.

Have you ever tripped and fallen in a public place? Yeah.

When did you last buy a dairy product? Last Wednesday.

What's the last song you sang out loud? I'm not sure.

[literaticat]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to protect my mental health in the face of my debut year. Do you have any tips for authors who are being perceived for the first time?

I have been sitting on this one a bit because I don't want to give BAD advice, and also it feels like a huge topic? I dunno, I guess I'll just dive in and see where this goes . . .

First of all: CONGRATULATIONS on your forthcoming debut! Hooray! I hope you are allowing yourself time to celebrate and have fun, and not just letting your anxiety run amok.

If you know that you are an anxious or otherwise easily freaked-out person by nature, it's a good idea to set some boundaries for yourself NOW so that they will hopefully take root and be relatively simple to continue. You might start by identifying your triggers and trying to like, overcome them in advance.

For example: I KNOW this about myself -- I have ADHD and anxiety. If I don't have a schedule and a list, I will derail and just start procrastinating which sends me into a spiral that can take ages to dig out of.

I also know about myself that if I have to do something in the middle of a work day, like "go to a lunch" or "go to the dentist" -- I might as well write the whole rest of the day off as a loss, because there's NO WAY I'm getting anything done once I come home.

So I set a schedule for myself and (try to) keep to it. I make lots of lists, set lots of reminders, and when those days come where I know there's a mid-day situation happening, I block those times out so that I don't feel bad for not doing anything when I come home because I was already scheduled to not do anything. :-)

I also don't look at news during the work day because if I do, I will for sure just go down a rabbit hole. I also try not to answer work emails after 7pm or on weekends. I also have a timer app-thing that kicks me off twitter / insta during the work day if I'm on there for more than 10 minutes.

All of this is my way of managing my time, which means that when I am AT WORK, I actually get things done (hopefully!) -- and when I am OFF WORK, I actually practice self-care and DON'T WORK, which means I'm less likely to stress out and burn out.

Now -- I don't know what YOUR struggles are. But identifying them will help you figure out strategies to combat them, right?

I'd suggest that ways to combat the terror of being perceived MIGHT include strictly limiting what you share about your private life online, and limiting your social media use by means of a timer or some such that will allow you to dip in and post something if you want to, but won't allow you to get fully sucked in. Setting boundaries about the time you spend on responding to emails and things of that nature. Learning that it is OK to say no to things (but allow that sometimes it might be good to say YES to things even if they make you a little uncomfortable to think about, because those things MIGHT be great opportunities!) -- and while yes, it IS great to make friends with other writers who are in a similar boat to you -- also, if you have good friends who are NOT WRITERS, who don't really get that life at all but just want to go on a road trip or something like that, KEEP THEM, because it's healthy to have interests and activities that DO NOT include writing, obsessing about writing, obsessing about sales or whatever, and writer-world gossip.

In other words - make taking the time to enjoy yourself and the world outside of writing a priority, not a "luxury when you have time but you never have time" -- a PRIORITY. Take walks, or play pickle-ball, read a great book, or hug a puppy, or whatever it is -- just give yourself the chance to GO OUTSIDE AND TOUCH SOME GRASS (literally or figuratively) when you can, because surely, whatever your mental health challenges are, sitting on the internet absorbing writer drama will not be helpful to them.

Also, if you don't have a therapist, it might be a good idea to get one.

[butterflyintochains]

Making Their Debut

Spain 2025, and at long last, the new prince and princess of the paddock are allowed to attend races. Max and Juliette are, of course, very protective over their cubs, so kept them away from the Monaco Grand Prix. But, Spain is a bit more relaxed, and the paddock is a bit more calm. So, it's time for their debut! Emilian and Estelle are going to see their papa in action!

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

Spain is a place very dear to both Max and Juliette Verstappen. The place he won his first race. The place they fell in love. Their honeymoon destination in 2023. And now, the first race they'll be bringing their baby twins to. The first of hopefully many this season. Both are so excited for the twins' first race. They'll not understand much at this point, but that's okay for now. They finally land in Barcelona, and grab their stuff. Max kisses his wife on the temple, and picks up Estelle's carseat. Juliette does the same for Emilian. They get ushered through security, Anthony - their security guard - right behind them at all times. ''Who are you most looking forward to seeing this week, Julia?'' Max asks her after they're in the car.

Juliette gets herself buckled in, and ensures the twins are locked in as well. ''Mick, Checo, and Fernando.'' She leaves her brother off the list, they see Charles every day. ''Oh! And, Carlos.''

Max chuckles, entertaining their little boy. Emilian's blue eyes focused on his lion plushie. ''Same, and Daniel, Andretti seem to actually know what they're doing.''

Juliette fusses over little Estelle. ''Yeah, and he and Logan are such a fun team, too.'' Last year's market was insane, with Andretti and Porsche coming in, and all the driver transfers. Max says to her, as they get settled in the motorhome. ''I have no idea how I'm gonna get anything done this weekend, with these two hanging out here.'' Juliette feeds the twins quickly, and says. ''I'm sure you'll be fine, mon vainqueur.'' They've both struggled with that, these two little ones are just too addictive.

After a nap and some lunch, they decide to take the twins down to the paddock. It's wednesday, so they've got a few days until the race. The Porsche team are eating lunch. Mick's face lights up when he spots them. ''Hi, guys!'' He runs over to see them, hugging Max, and kissing Juliette's cheek. ''Hi, Mick. How's it all going?'' Max asks.

Mick says. ''Good, P9 in the standings now. God, these two are getting big.'' He looks at both of the twins. Juliette smiles, holding Estelle on her hip. ''Yeah, nearly seven months old already! Time flies.''

They continue their little tour, Max pointing out to Emilian. ''That's the Ferrari garage, where uncle Charles works, they're good, but Red Bull are better.'' Emilian gets a judgy look on his tiny face, like father like son.

Juliette laughs, and points out the Aston Martin garages. ''Uncle Carlos and Grandpa Nando work there, that's a lot of green, huh, Estelle?'' Estelle giggles. They finally reach the Red Bull garage, and show the cubs where their papa works. Both RB21 cars sitting under cover. ''These are papa and uncle Checo's cars.'' Juliette explains to them both.

They take the cubs to the starting grid, increased in size for the now 24 cars in the sport, Max leads the to pole position, Emilian held on his hip. ''This, guys, is where papa starts from.'' Juliette laughs, some things never change. ''You sure about that, Max?'' Charles asks, joining them on track. Juliette says, mediating as always. ''And, uncle Charles will be p2, don't worry.''

Charles hugs his brother-in-law, kisses his sister's cheeks, and gives his niece and nephew some kisses as well. ''I'll take that.''

Charles says, letting Estelle play with his sunglasses. ''Looking forward to the weekend? Having the cubs with you?'' Max nods, and leads them back to the shaded pitlane. ''Yeah, It's been hard not being able to have the family all together.''

After their tour, the Verstappen family head back to the motorhome, and get the twins changed and down for a nap. Media day tomorrow.

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

The family head down to the paddock for media day after breakfast. They've rented a stroller from hospitality for the weekend. Max proudly pushes the stroller where the twins are happily playing with their beloved lion plushies. The toys go everywhere with them, and were gifts from Alex and Lily. They're early, so they've dodged the noisiest period of the day. They pass the McLaren and Mercedes garages. Kimi Antonelli is talking to some press already, Juliette feels this odd maternal thing swell up within herself. ''Look at him, darling, he's a child.'' She feels transported back ten years, Max looked that small back then as well.

Max sighs, and says. ''Yeah, love, same age now as I was this time in 2016.''

Julia says, shifting her bag on her shoulder. ''It's not right, Ollie is nineteen, even that's a bit young.''

Max smiles at his wife, and asks her. ''Mama-bear stuff?'' Juliette sniffs, seven months have passed quickly, but she's still emotional. ''Maybe? I don't know.''

They finally find the Red Bull motorhome, where they're both approached by a journalist. ''Good day, Mr and Mrs Verstappen, first race with the twins, excited?''

Max nods, hands still on the stroller, a beaming smile on his face. ''Yeah, lovely to finally get to have the cubs with me, and my wife back in my garage. It's been rather lonely.'' Juliette adds, turning her wedding rings on her finger. ''Good to be back, amazing race for it as well. Emilian and Estelle seem to love it here, anyway. I think it's all very interesting for them, all the sights and sounds.''

Max goes for some interviews and press conferences. Juliette sets up a makeshift tummy time area for the cubs in his motorhome with some blankets and toys. Juliette never knew how much she could love, until Max and the twins happened to her. She watches his press conference with Charles, Mick, Carlos, and Liam while the twins play with their toys. ''Max, your wife and twins are here this week, do you think they'll give you an extra boost for the race?''

Max, a beaming smile on his beautiful face, says. ''Yeah, Julia has always been my inspiration, and the cubs are my motivation now too. Feels great to have them here especially, where Julia and I fell in love first, where this all began.''

The interviewer asks. ''How different does the grid gang feel now that two of you are parents?''

Carlos says. ''A bit odd, not having as much time with Max and Juliette as we used to, but families change, families grow. They are such amazing parents as well.''

After press, Max returns to his wife sitting on the sofa in his motorhome, sketching in her newest sketchbook. The twins fast asleep in the new cot he installed during Imola. He leans over to kiss her on the lips. ''How are you three?'' He sits himself down with her. Juliette says. ''We're doing good; we played a bit, watched the presser, had some lunch, and now the twins are asleep.''

Max says, that being all too tempting, shutting himself away with his little family until qualy. ''Maybe I can skip practice tomorrow.'' Juliette says, knowing him too well. ''You'd never.''

Max jokes with his wife, the one who knows him best. ''You're right.''

With press over, they decide to just stay in Max's motorhome for a while, relaxing as a family. Checo and his family stopping in on them for a bit.

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

Juliette and the twins stay behind on friday, practice is never that interesting in Spain anyway, and it's too noisy for the twins. But, they do sit in the motorhome during qualification on saturday, watching on the TV. Juliette thought the garage would be too loud and busy for the twins. Estelle is playing with her Miffy rabbit, a gift from her aunt Victoria. Juliette cringes to herself as Yuki goes out in Q1, Logan and Felipe suffering the same fate. Emilian is in her lap, focused on his toy fox. ''Okay, little ones, onto Q2 we go. Emil, can you say; 'Go, papa!'?'' Emilian babbles, clearly intending some encouragement for his father. ''Good job, mon dauphin. Stella, can you say, 'Go, papa!'?'' Estelle also babbles. ''Very nice, ma dauphine.''

There's a pair of shock exits in Q2 - Lewis and Fernando. ''Ooh, grandpa Nando is not gonna like that, is he, Stella?'' Estelle giggles. Max sets a beautiful flying lap to maintain his lead in qualifying. Emilian claps his tiny hands for his papa, Estelle mirroring her brother. ''Yeah, that's your papa, my loves.''

Max takes pole, Charles p2, Oscar p3, and Mick will line up in p4. Four different teams in the top four positions. Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche. ''Was that fun, my loves? Did you like seeing papa go fast?'' The twins laugh.

After some press, Julia takes the twins to see their father and the rest in hospitality. Estelle makes grabby hands for her papa, and Max happily takes her with a kiss. ''Did my Stella miss me?''

Juliette kisses her husband. ''I think they both did, mon tresor. Good job on the pole, by the way.''

Max says. ''Thank you, liefje.''

Oscar jokes, tickling Emilian's foot. ''We'll make a Papaya out of one of you, won't we, Emil?''

Alexandra remarks. ''Good luck with that, Charles and I can barely get them to play with those horse plushies we got them. They're Red Bull babies, and that's okay.''

Max says, letting Estelle hold his finger. ''Maybe when you guys all start having kids.'' Juliette nods, kissing her son's little cheek, she adds. ''I'm sure little Jules will be a Tifosi, Charlie.''

Charles nods, and finishes his water. ''Of course he will, once he's actually here, that is.'' Max and Julia share a glance, there's going to be a baby boom now. they're sure of it. Babies tend to beget more babies, after all. ''Who do you think will be first?'' George asks.

Max says. ''Probably either Charles and Alexa, or Alex and Lily.'' Juliette adds, she figured out she was having one of each right away. ''A son for the Leclercs, and a daughter for the Albons.''

Carlos blinks a few times. ''God, you two share a brain.'' Max gives his first teammate a cheeky grin. ''Yeah, isn't it great?''

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

Max kisses his family before heading off for the race with Rupert. There'll be no appearance in the garage today either. Juliette finishes feeding the twins, they're on some soft solids now, huge progress already. They particularly love mashed bananas. Max has wondered about ice cream, but no dairy until August at the absolute earliest according to their doctor back home. Alexandra and Rebecca stop by, dressed in red and green respectively. ''Is Lily in Alex's garage?'' Juliette asks.

Rebecca nods, dumping her bag on the counter, and joining her friend. ''Yeah, she'll be over after the race.''

Alexandra kisses her sister's cheek. ''How are you, ma soeur?'' Juliette smiles, truth be told, she's never felt more at peace in herself. ''Good, it's nice being back here, with my little family around me.''

Alexandra snuggles Emilian, while Juliette has Estelle on her lap. The race begins, Max gets a really good start, holding both Charles and Oscar off to maintain his lead for the opening ten laps. There's a slight scuffle with Carlos out of the pits, but Max holds on. ''I shall refrain from speaking, for my niece and nephew.'' Rebecca says.

Juliette laughs, letting little Estelle fiddle with her fingers. ''Okay, Becs, Carlos will still get on the podium at least. I think McLaren have totally bottled Oscar's chances.''

Alexandra kisses Emilian's head, where his dark brown hair is beginning to come through. ''What else is new?''

Max, Carlos, and Charles hold fast for the podium spots. Ollie zips past Lando, Pierre, and Mick for fifth. The girls are all awestruck by that performance. ''In a Haas?'' Rebecca says.

Juliette goes to put the cubs down for a nap on lap thirty. She grabs some juice from the fridge, and eats some of Alexandra's pasta. She and Max are on a new diet, five small meals a day rather than three big ones. ''God, if Ollie doesn't get Driver of The Day, I'm protesting.'' Alexandra says.

Juliette eats, and says. ''Me too, I've not seen overtaking like that since Max was a rookie.'' George gets up into fourth after a battle with Ollie on lap forty-five.

On lap sixty-six, Max flies home for a massive win, Carlos in second, and Charles in third. The twins are up for the podium ceremony. Max makes his little speech. ''First race with my twins here, they're with Julia in our motorhome, This win is for them, my wife and our twins - Emilian and Estelle. I love you three so much, and I hope you always know that.''

Juliette dries her eyes. ''We do, Max, we do know that. We love you too.'' They present the trophies, and Max is weeping throughout the anthems.

After media, Max gets back from the garage, looking exhausted. He kisses his wife and twins, placing the trophy on the counter, and goes for a shower. He comes back in a simple white tshirt, black sweats, and socks. He scoops Emilian up, and sits on the sofa. ''Well done, my love. I am so proud of you, from the early days until now, you blow me away.'' Juliette says.

Max kisses her lips. ''I wouldn't be where I am without you, I just hope I can keep this up long enough for these two to enjoy seeing me.'' Juliette assures her husband, as the one person who has never doubted him. ''You will, you're Max Verstappen, of course you will.''

After feeding the twins, and getting them down for the night, they make dinner, and relax with some movies. One long weekend finally over.

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

Once home in Monaco, Max takes a couple of days to be on dad-duty while Juliette goes to work. She's back part time now, and will be back full time after the twins are a year old. Max is going to miss his family dearly during Canada week, but, they've got a week and a half until he leaves for Montreal. Juliette gets in one day, the cats playing on the cat tree, Luna playing with her toy duck. The twins are in their high chairs, watching Max get stuff ready for dinner. ''I'm home!'' She announces to the house.

Max pulls her close, and kisses her. ''Glad you're home, schatje.'' Julia kisses him back. ''Had a good day, one of the Grimaldi girls wants us to dress her wedding, so that took most of the day.''

Max chuckles. ''Sounds intense. I showed the twins how my sim rig works. Took them for a spin around Zandvoort and Spa. We went shopping, and took some time near the harbour.''

Juliette remarks. ''Wish I could've gotten out of work today.'' She turns to the twins, and kisses them both. ''Did papa show you his sim? Was it fun?'' They both laugh, Julia kisses them again, and grabs herself some tea. ''What's for dinner, amour?''

Max responds. ''Lasagne, all gluten free, so don't worry. Took two stores to find the gluten free sheets, but we found them.'' Juliette kisses her husband's cheek. ''Sounds awesome.'' She leaves him to cook, he got really good at cooking while she was pregnant. So, she goes through to the living room to read and relax. It's been a rollercoaster to get here. To their marriage and family life, through the most demanding sport probably ever, heartache, and similar traumas. But, they're here now, they made it here together. And, that's all that will ever matter to Juliette Verstappen.

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

Just something cute, haven't went a totally cute and fun route with a fic in ages, so... here it is! I know Monaco comes before Spain next year, but I'd imagine Julia and Max would want to keep the twins' paddock debut lowkey and quieter than the most elite race on the calendar. So, Julia and the twins would have stayed home that weekend.

Also, I'm thinking of making the cubs patchwork twins. Emilian inheriting his dad's blue eyes with his mum's dark hair. Estelle inheriting her mum's hazel eyes with her dad's blonde hair. Casper will be all Max, and Annika will be all Juliette.

Anyway, enjoy!

[13sp13]

So. It's been a while since I posted this.

What a throwback into my mental state from my time in the hospital.

Here's a update of how it's all gone:

I attempted suicide while in the hospital, nearly died from that. But luckily I managed to survive and not do any damage to my organs. Spent some time in an internal medicine ward. Then under 24 hr observation in the mental health ward.

I got COVID and was in isolation while in the hospital, tho luckily it was mild with no long lasting effects.

Then I was released.

I went to a few different programs, day hospital and grief group. They really really helped.

The meds I'm on have really been helping and I've been good about taking them, I even get good sleep, which has helped so so much.

I got a semi colon tattoo which is my daily reminder that I am strong, that I survived, and that life is worth it.

In the previous post I had 3 names in **. One of them was my partner. The coward dumped me over text at 1 am while I was dog sitting. But I'm actually glad for it. I was blind to how bad the relationship was and how that was impacting me.

It sucked. I was furious and still am pretty mad at them. But I'm in a new relationship now, it's fun and refreshing and they're really great to me. I feel valued, and important and like they're proud to be in a relationship with me. I've met their friends, play DnD with their group basically every weekend, try new food, feel sexy and confident and beautiful.

I'm not done school yet, but only 2 classes and practicum left. Because I totally fucked up my schedule with the odd order I took my classes I won't be able to take the classes until the upcoming winter semester and then practicum to follow. In the meantime I'm still working as a pet sitter and looking for a more consistent job.

The job hunt sucks but hopefully I'll get something good soon!

In November after the breakup I bleached and dyed my hair into a really fun ombre from my natural colour to bright purple! I love it and it's really given me alot of confidence. I now dress how I want, with no fucks given for how people react, other than enjoyment what people say they like it or when little kids stare.

Just this past weekend I dyed half my head blue and the other half reapplied the purple, which in my not so humble opinion looks cool as fuck.

My knee has been shit and I'm waiting to get the anaesthesiologists approval for my surgery. It's stressful and a headache but I'm coping alright.

Family still isn't great, but i have people I can talk to and if things get really bad I will leave home.

I'm broke as hell, but I'm hoping once I get a more consistent job I can start making some savings.

I miss my dad more than words can describe most days. But he's with me. In my heart and watching over me. I may not believe in heaven, but I try choose to believe he's somewhere good and watching over me.

Life is still chaotic and scary, but I'm going to live my best life for as long as I can. The climate crisis is terrifying and I do worry about it. But at then of the day all I can do is show up and vote and put pressure and make changes in my own life to try help it. And even if the world goes down in flames, I'll go down knowing I lived my life. I did what I wanted, laughed and made memories. It's not all okay, but I make happiness for myself anywhere I can.

Im tired, I don't think the drs at the hospital really got what I meant when I said I'm tired of everything

Like it doesn't matter how much I sleep, how much I relax, doing mindfulness and shit. I'm just tired, tired of having to put effort into feeling neutral much less happy, tired of having to work so hard to feel kind of normal, tired of knowing that ill always struggle with this.

They do their best, they helped, but at the end of the day I'm tired of having to work so damn hard just to survive.

In some weird way going to the psych ward is like a break from the world. I can be as sad, miserable and exhausted as I feel with no one telling me to stop being lazy, to just put in the work, that I can't stop living. I don't want to be lazy. I dont want to do nothing and be a freeloader and just take, take, take, take. I dont know how not to be.

I want to get better, to be happy and healthy and look forward to the future, but what do I have to look forward to?

A world thats falling apart and burning? A job that I don't think ill be able to do? A career stopped before it begins because of the shit in my brain? A wedding ill probably never be able to afford without my dad there to walk me down the isle? A mum i love but don't like that probably hates me and is tired of dealing with my shit, who will eventually get fed up and kick me to the curb? It feels like resentment boiling over, blame and irritation and regret. A house i will never buy or will fall to pieces around me? The endless days of the same thing over and over again? Vacations ill never have? Family who ill never know? Hearjng all the sordid details over the phone from a mother tired and resentful? Holding ***** and ***** and **** back from all they can be?

What bright future should I be looking forward to? What light at the end of the tunnel is there in a world on fire?

I love my friends and I don't want to hurt them. I know that pain, but still the thoughts haunt me. They would move on, be sad but grow old and live good lives, they can survive without me, it will hurt but they are strong. I'm not, strong, surviving, okay. Not really.

Im tired and more than anything I just want to sleep.

But sleep ends. And its never enough. I want it to be enough.

[thefreakymunson]

Hey! So I totally haven’t been binge reading all your Eddie fics for the last hour… anyway, first and foremost, I’ve gotta let you know they’re all fucking wonderful. Secondly, I was actually hoping to request something if you’re still accepting requests? I got the idea of Eddie with a Cop!Reader who is tasked with protecting him all throughout the boathouse & Jason gang ordeal. Reader is his age (but graduated on time unlike someone…) and they’ve been a sort of crush of Eddie’s for a while but now they actually get to interact. Whatever else is up to you, hope you have a great weekend! <33333

Tysm!!! <3

This was not how you expected to spend your weekend. Not by a long shot. You never expected to be holed up in a boat house with Eddie "the freak" Munson, but you've had shittier jobs in your line.

You had only been a cop for two years now, having graduated and went straight into the academy. This was your sophomore year and you were excited to be able to finally be allowed on the field. And who would've thunk it that your second job ever would be protecting your high school weed dealer.

"What the actual hell are you doing here?" Eddie asked when he seen you sitting in your cop car outside of the boat house. It was dark out so he felt a bit safer stepping outside.

"Official police business, Munson." You nodded, "Also know as keeping you safe."

"Safe? How did you know where I was?"

"Do you forget that we went to school together? I know where you got your weed from. Once they said they couldn't find you, I knew exactly where to look."

"So are you going to turn me in now or what?" Eddie sighed.

"No. Listen, I know this town is...cursed. And I've seen the body. I know you're not capable of doing something like that." You sighed, "You're a little weird but...if that wasn't the work of something supernatural, then I don't know what is."

Eddie visably relaxed a bit as you followed him back to the boat house. He held the door open for you and allowed you to walk in first.

"You got a gun?" Eddie asked.

"Locked and loaded," you nodded.

"Good. Because I'm going to need you to either shoot me or shoot that fucker Jason." Eddie sighed, "Does the other cops know where I am?"

"No. I'm actually off duty right now." You nodded, sitting down on the bench to the left of the building.

"So what...you're doing this out of the kindness of your heart?" He snorted.

"Something like that." You nodded, "You were nice to me in school. Not a lot of people were nice to me then. Now that I'm a cop, even lesser people treat me like a human. I just wanted to pay you back for it."

"Thanks," Eddie said, almost in disblief, "But I don't want you to risk your job just to protect me. If this...whatever is coming after me, it just needs to be me and me alone. I don't know if I can fight for both me and you at the same time."

"You won't have to," you nodded, tapping your hip where your gun was holstered "I'll fight for the both of us. If some unknown creature comes after us, just run."

A few hours had went by and it was the middle of the night when you looked over at Eddie. You had been talking and chatting, hopefully getting his mind off of everything that was going wrong in his life.

"You know Munson, I used to have a crush on you." You blurted out, causing him to stop in his tracks as he looked over at you.

"Say that again?" He plucked the cigarette from between his lips, "I don't think I heard you right."

"You heard me right," you snorted, "In our freshman year when you and your band played at the talen show. Corroded Coffin was the name, wasn't it?"

"Still is," Eddie nodded.

"Yeah. I thought you were the coolest kid in school." You grinned, "I still have one of your guys' shirt. I wear it to sleep at night. It's comfortable."

"You still have that?" His eyes widened as he walked closer to you, "Which design?"

"The one with the demon wings surrounding your name." You smirked, "Best $10 I've ever spent."

He stared at you in shock and awe for a moment before he cracked a smile.

"You realize the irony of this, right?" He snorted.

"Yeah. I'm a cop admitting I had a crush on a drug dealer." You snorted.

"If we get out of this alive---"

"If we get out of this alive, Munson, you're taking me to dinner." You said, making him laugh.

[master-sass-blast]

Couples that Game Together, Stay Together.

Summary: It's a dreary, drizzly, early Spring Saturday. One best spent inside. To pass the time, you and Piotr spend your time playing video games.

That's it. Just some pure grade fluff for your weekend. You're welcome.

Pairing(s): Piotr Rasputin x Reader.

Rating: T for strip Wii Sports, nudity, and a suggestive cutaway at the end.

Word Count: 3.7k.

Set after "It's Truly Magical" and before "The Long Awaited Arrival."

Taglist: @marvel-is-perfection, @chromecutie, @super-darkcloudstudent, @girl-obsessed-with-things, @leo-writer, @sadstonewrites

Update Time: I am finally on the roster to get some physical therapy. Hopefully, the center my doctor's referring me to will contact me in the next few weeks, and I'll be able to get started on proper recovery.

However, I'm not working on my shoulder. I can manage/limp my shoulder along with chiropractic treatment, heat, stretching, and rest. In the past month, however, I realized that my chronic, searing, life long back pain is Not Normal and Not A Normal Human Experience (which my parents and I think dates back to the second grade, when I fell out of a hayloft). My back pain is legitimately wrecking my mobility, ability to exercise, ability to sit in fucking chairs (I can sit in only one literal actual chair without being in immense pain, I shit you not). So yeah.

Updates will still probably be slow. But my shoulder can wait. My back can't. I need to have a fucking life.

Thank you all for your patience, understanding, and continued support. It means more than you'll ever know.

I hope you're all doing well and staying safe.

It’s a rainy, early spring Saturday. Snow is still on the ground in patches, mixing with the rain and the exposed earth beneath to create gray, muddy slush. Oppressive, slate-gray clouds blanket the sky, blotting out any possibility of seeing the sun. Even the birds –whom you’d just started hearing again over the past couple days—are nowhere to be seen, likely hunkering down and staying dry.

In short, it’s a dull, dreary day, best spent inside where it’s warm and dry.

You pull a face as you stare out the kitchen window. Yuck. You take a sip from your morning coffee, then look up at Piotr when he ambles up behind you and puts an arm around your shoulder. “Wanna have a video game marathon today?”

Piotr takes one look at the weather, pulls the same disgusted face that you did, and shrugs. “Sure.”

***

After breakfast and doing some minimal hygiene –because Piotr, the most adult-y adult to have ever adulted, insists on keeping some semblance of routine—the two of you hunker down in the family room while debating over which games to play.

“Nyet,” Piotr groans when you hold up Mario Kart for the Wii. “Game is impossible. And you only play because you always win!”

“It’s fun!” you defend yourself –even though he’s not wrong. “What if I promise to go easy on you?”

Piotr snorts and shakes his head. “You would not.”

“Eh, you’re probably right.” You giggle when he rolls his eyes playfully, then pull out the puppy dog eyes and pout at your husband. “Please, baby? Pretty please? It’s so much fun when we play together, and it makes me feel so happy and like you love me…”

Piotr relents with a resigned sigh. “Khorosho. But only for little bit. I am not playing for entire day.”

“Fair enough!” You spring into his lap, peppering his face with kisses. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Piotr laughs and hugs you close before patting your thigh. “Alright. Time to begin my massacre.”

***

As per your husband’s predictions, Mario Kart ends only in his slaughter.

Part of it is due to you playing more than him; practice makes perfect, experience is everything, blah blah –that, and you’ve played extensively with Ellie, which has only honed your Mario Kart skills to a scary, probably unfair degree.

(Not that you’ve been able to beat Ellie. The only person who’s managed to do that is Yukio.)

You lap Piotr through several rounds, laughing and mercilessly flinging shells, banana peels, and bombs his way.

The other part of it is due to Piotr’s size –so he claims, anyway. According to him, his hands are too big for the controller, which makes it hard to stay on the track, use items, navigate in general…

“That’s too bad,” you say, feigning sympathy. You cackle when you lap Piotr for the umpteenth time, then fire a red shell straight back at him. “Get good, scrub!”

And then, in the next round, a miracle happens.

Piotr draws nothing but blue shells from the item boxes.

“What the fuck!” you exclaim when Piotr sabotages you for the third time in the first lap. “You dick! Knock it off!”

“‘Get good, scrubs!’” Piotr giggles as his character whizzes past yours.

It’s a nail-biter of a race. Thanks to your skill and ability to stay on the race track, you manage to reclaim your –rightful—spot in first –only for Piotr to get another blue shell and launch it at you.

“This is fucking bullshit,” you grumble as you chase after your husband. “You can’t even drive in a straight line! You don’t deserve to win!”

Piotr merely giggles again –then yelps when you fire three red shells into his side and pass him. “Hey! Get back here!”

“Absolutely not.” You dart and weave along the course, fending off Piotr’s attacks left and right. “You stay away from me –bad touch, bad touch! Stranger danger! Leave me alone!”

Piotr laughs –then lets out a diabolical giggle. “Myshka…”

“No. No!” You let out a howl of dismay when you see the warning for the blue shell flash on your part of the screen. “No! I’m almost at the end! Come on, come on, make it –fucking dammit!”

Piotr whizzes past you, cackling with glee as he claims first place. “Ya vyigral! Pobeda! Spravedlivost'!”

“Fucking bullshit.” You click to move to the next race, then flip through the options until you find Rainbow Road. “Get fucked, dickhead.”

Piotr’s laughter dies. “Nyet –I cannot—”

“Yeah, I know, you’ve never finished one lap around this one because you keep falling off.” You click to start the race, then stick your tongue out at him. “See what happens when you blue shell me?”

Piotr groans, slumping back on the couch. “I think is better if I just… do not race at all.”

You tip your head back and laugh.

***

After your Rainbow Road stunt, Piotr declares a boycott on Mario Kart.

“Something I can play, please,” he begs while you sort through your stash of games once more. “Something that does not give me motion sickness.”

You flip through game cases, trying to find something that your husband will willingly play –and then you perk up and give Piotr a hopeful look. “Fall Guys?”

He groans. “I said ‘something I can play.’”

“You’re great at Fall Guys!”

Piotr arches one eyebrow at you. “I have not won once.”

“Okay, but you consistently get to the third or fourth rounds,” you argue. “You just keep getting dicked on team games. That has nothing to do with your ability.” You scamper over to the couch and straddle Piotr’s lap when he rolls his eyes. “Baby, how about this? I—” you gesture to yourself “—will be your guide. Your personal bodyguard. I will make sure you get to the final round –and, if at any point, it comes down to you or me, I will sacrifice myself for you. Come on, baby,” you coax, giving your husband your most winning smile. “Let’s get you a win!”

Piotr sighs, then relents with a smile. “Alright. Let’s give a try.”

You whoop, then hop off his lap so you can power up the Playstation console.

***

Trying to get Piotr to a finale round feels akin to Sisyphus pushing the damned boulder up the hill.

It’s not that he’s bad at the game; honestly, if anything, he’s pretty damn good at it, considering he’s more patient and less impulsive than you are.

No, the problem is everyone else you’re playing with.

“You fucking pigeon!” you shriek as you watch Piotr’s progress on Slime Climb (you’d already qualified, so now you’re watching your husband while giving out pointers). “Get off the twinkies! Leave my baby alone, you dick!”

Piotr inhales sharply while trying to keep his balance. “Let… go of me… please.”

“You’re going to have to push him off,” you say as you eye the encroaching Pepto-Bismol colored slime. “Otherwise you’re toast.”

“Konechno. And how do I do this?”

“Use the right index trigger button to grab them,” you explain, paraphrasing the details for the sake of your husband’s understanding. “Okay, good. Now push forward on the left thumbstick and release that right trigger button.”

Piotr does as you instruct –and sends the pigeon sailing into the deathly slime.

“Yes! Good job, baby! Alright, get out of there. You’re the last person left, so all you have to do is clear the rest of the obstacles without falling into the slime.”

“Da,” Piotr grumbles as he mashes the controller buttons to navigate his character around the course. “So easy to do. So simple. So very easy.”

“You got this.” You grin as he clears the “Wipe Out” style “pushy blocks,” the spinning hammers, and the doughnut towers that track back and forth. “Alright, baby, nice and easy. Just take your time and you’ll get past the wrecking balls no problem.”

Piotr sticks the tip of his tongue out as he concentrates, taking only a few steps at a time as he slips past each of the brightly colored “wrecking balls”—

And then he’s over the finish line.

“Awesome!” You high five your husband, then pick your controller back up. “Ready for the next round?”

“I think I am ready for new shirt,” Piotr laughs as he uses the fabric of his shirt to fan himself. “I sweat so much.”

You chuckle –then gasp when you see the next round is Egg Scramble. “Ooh, okay. Easy win here. We’re gonna grab as many eggs as we can until the middle’s basically empty, and then we’re going to dick over the team with the least amount of eggs. Got it?”

“That does not seem fair,” Piotr comments, frowning.

“It’s the name of the game, baby.” You pat his arm. “Stick with me, okay? Do whatever I tell you to.”

“This sounds familiar,” Piotr remarks with a teasing smile.

You stick your tongue out at him –and then the round cues up.

Your two’s team –Red—manages to rake in a decent amount of eggs at the start, enough to put you comfortably at first.

“Alright, Blue’s in butt last,” you remark. “Let’s go ruin their days.”

“This feels wrong,” Piotr groans as he follows you over to Blue’s “nest.”

“Yes, but winning is going to feel so right,” you assure him before gasping. “Gold egg! Get that gold egg! The one that looks like it’s been dipped in butter. Yes –yes, baby! Get that egg!” you cheer as Piotr bounces towards the golden egg. “It’s worth five points!”

“I have it!” Piotr whoops when he picks up the golden egg. “What now?”

“Now, we haul ass. Okay, this egg? It’s your baby. You hold onto this egg for dear life,” you instruct Piotr as both of you hop out of Blue’s “nest.” “All you do is get this egg back to our area, and then you hold onto it for the rest of the game like it’s your own child.”

“Khorosho –uh oh. I see Yellows.”

“You run, baby,” you exclaim dramatically. “I will shield you with my body –you fucking hotdog bitch!” You grab a Yellow player in a gold hotdog costume, holding them back when they try to grab Piotr. “Go, honey, go! Get our child to safety!”

“Everyone is in our ‘nest!’” Piotr cries when he hops in.

“It’s okay, we’ve got a lot of our members in here, too. Just keep holding onto that egg!” You let go of the hotdog and charge after him so you can play defense. “We’re still in the lead; all we need to do is survive.”

The clock runs down –and, by the end of it, Red is still in the lead and Blue has a grand total of three points to their name.

You let out a whoop, then lean over and kiss Piotr’s cheek. “Great job, baby!”

He lets out a pleased, soft giggle –then frowns when he sees the next game is Tip Toe. “Oh no.”

“Don’t worry, honey. Just stay with me; I’ll protect you from the assholes.”

The two of you make it through Tip Toe without too many issues —and then you’re at the finale: Fall Mountain.

“Okay, we’re in the front. Good.” You squeeze Piotr’s shoulder reassuringly (and then take a second squeeze to feel up-slash-admire the immense amount of thick muscle he’s got). “All you need to do is get to the top.”

Piotr grimaces. “Easier said than done.”

“You can do this, baby. I’ll hold anyone back that tries to get ahead of you.” You press a hurried kiss against his cheek, then snatch up your controller as the round starts. “You got this.”

Miraculously, the two of you manage to make it up a majority of the mountain without too much trouble. You both send your characters bobbing and weaving to avoid the various flying balls (heh) and the spinning hammers. By the time you pass the second hammer before the crown, it’s just you, Piotr, and a character in the French fries costume.

“I’m grabbing the spuds!” you declare as you dive for the third player. You grab them and hold them back, letting Piotr’s character dart ahead. “Go, baby! Wait for the crown to lower, then jump for it and grab on!”

Piotr’s character scales the final ramp, then jumps—

And the “Game Over” banner flashes across the screen.

“Did you do it? You did it!” You whoop and hop off the couch, doing a victory lap while Piotr’s character does a victory dance on screen. “Holy shit, babe! That was awesome!”

Piotr chuckles, leaning back against the couch. “Spasibo, myshka.”

You bound up behind him and loop your arms around his neck. You kiss his cheek. “How does it feel?”

“Pretty good,” he admits as he turns his head to kiss you properly. “Shall we have lunch?”

“Lunch sounds good,” you agree before kissing him again.

***

After lunch, you let Piotr choose the next game the two of you play. And, like the old man he is, he chooses the basic Wii Sports collection.

You groan and let yourself slide off the couch and onto the floor. “What is it with you and picking the most basic, boring option we have?”

“Is nice!” Piotr defends himself. “Is simple, and peaceful—”

“And basic, and boring, and did I mention boring?” you fire back –though you’re mostly teasing. Mostly. You pick up the cardstock sleeve the game comes in, sticking your nose up as you scan the list of games proffered on the back. “I mean –who in their right mind wants to play golf!”

Piotr crosses his arms over his chest and smirks down at you. “You said I could pick. This is my choice. Besides, you are just complaining because you always lose.”

“That is entirely beside the point,” you argue, flapping your hand dismissively. “And I’m not wrong, at any rate. If we’re playing basic bitch games, we need to raise the stakes.”

“Mhm,” Piotr hums, largely humoring you while he slides the game disk into the Wii console. “And how do you propose we do this, myshka?”

“Strip Wii Sports.” You waggle your eyebrows when your husband chokes and shoots you a scandalized look. “Loser of each round has to take off an article of clothing. First person totally naked loses outright.”

Piotr’s lips quirk into a lusty grin –though his cheeks are still flushed a deep shade of red. “Interesting proposition.” He clears his throat, then raises his eyebrows at you. “And… afterwards?”

“I think we’ll just have to see where the mood takes us,” you reply. You wink at him, then hold out your hand. “Have we reached a consensus, Mr. Rasputin?”

Piotr chuckles and shakes your hand. “I believe we have, Mrs. Rasputin.”

***

Your husband, being the gentleman he is, lets you pick which game you play first.

You, being the competitive jackass you are, pick bowling.

“I should have known,” Piotr laughs when you set your Mii’s controls. “I should have known you would hamstring me from start.”

“All’s fair in love and war.” You bat your eyelashes at him while he sets the controls for his character. “You can just strip down now, if you want.”

Piotr snorts and shakes his head. “Not going to happen, myshka.”

Predictably, the round of bowling ends with a landslide in your favor. Frankly, it’s miraculous that Piotr made it into double digits on the scoreboard.

You mime dusting off your hands while the end credits of the game play out. “Alright, that’s one for me. You can just quit now, if you want.”

Piotr smirks and shakes his head –then strips out of his shirt.

Your mouth runs dry at the sight of all his thick, chiseled musculature. Your gaze rakes over his torso, ogling his beefy pecs, the definition and vascularity on his arms and hands, the sharp line of his obliques—

“One item of clothing removed per stroke over par.”

You blink as your husband’s voice jolts you out of your horny reverie –then let out an indignant squawk when his meaning sets in. “What? Are you shitting me!”

“All is fair in love and war,” Piotr laughs, parroting your earlier statement.

“Fucking –fine. Give me a minute.” You fly upstairs and into yours and Piotr’s bedroom, headed straight for the closet. You put on an extra shirt and one of Piotr’s sweaters, then descend upon both of your respective sock drawers.

You put on as many of your socks as you can manage. You get about ten pairs in before you physically can’t yank the next pair over your feet –which look like swollen, deformed potatoes now—then switch to using Piotr’s socks. Once you feel confident that you have enough of a safety net, you fly back downstairs (because heaven knows you wouldn’t be able to manage walking).

Piotr bursts out into shocked, raucous laughter the moment he sees what you’ve done. He collapses against the couch, gut shaking as he howls with laughter. He gasps, face flushing as he fights for air. “Bozhe ty moi –chto –zachem—”

“Just start the damn game of golf,” you grouse as you plop down on the couch next to him.

“This is cheating!” Piotr manages as he wipes tears of mirth off his face.

“This is completely necessary!” you insist. “Just watch. I’ll go through all these fucking socks before the sixth hole.”

Piotr snorts, then giggles as he shakes his head. “Oh, myshka. You are too much for me sometimes.”

“Yeah, well, you chose to marry me.”

“That I did.” He loops an arm around your shoulders and tugs you close so he can kiss your temple. “Best choice ever.”

You can’t help but grin, then sigh when the golf game starts up and resign yourself to your fate of losing.

***

“You fucking bitch—”

Piotr giggles. “Myshka –just try—”

“No!” you snap as you line up your shot –again. “I’m not gonna pussy out on this, Piotr! I do it the cool way, or not at all!”

Piotr laughs, giggling helplessly as he tips his head back.

You’re on the fifth hole –which is shaped like an angled ‘L,’ which is one of the many bullshits that Wii Sports Golf likes to pull on you. To the side, however, there’s a small patch of playable fairway, which opens up a straight shot all the way to the hole.

The trick is, of course, the patch is miniscule at best.

The other trick is that you have to hit the ball at max power without going over, and –naturally—the controls for the game just aren’t meant for finesse.

“Fuck!” you scream, voice ragged, when your ball bounces out of bounds once more. “Shut the fuck up, you dickhole!” you snap when Piotr starts snickering once more. “This isn’t funny!”

“On contrary,” Piotr manages between giggles. “This is hilarious.”

You flip Piotr off –which only makes him laugh harder—then gasp and pump your fist when the ball finally lands and stays on the patch of fairway. “Oh, yes, you glorious bitch! This game is mine now. Victory is assured!”

“You are seven points behind on this hole alone!” Piotr laughs, incredulous.

“Irrelevant.”

It winds up being relevant, though, when Piotr clears the hole with a birdie (that he chips in, no less, the talented fucker) and you make out with a plus five.

You peel five socks off your hoard, tossing each one at your husband in turn. “Shut the hell up,” you grumble good-naturedly as Piotr laughs. “This is your own damn fault for choosing golf.”

“I have no regrets,” Piotr says, grinning widely.

By the end of the game, you’re out of all your socks –plus Piotr’s sweater—and your husband walks away with a negative score.

“Fucking bullshit,” you grumble, good natured, while Piotr wipes his eyes dry. “Absolutely horseshit. I call rigging. Unfair. Illegal. I demand a mistrial.”

Piotr giggles breathlessly, clutching at his sides. “Bozhe moi –ow. I cannot…”

“Serves you right.” You take his Wii remote –he’d gotten player one on top of all this injustice, the nerve—and click back to the game’s main menu. “You’re going down, motherfucker. Prepare to have your ass handed to you.”

Piotr favors you with an amused smile as you cue up the baseball game. “We have baseball in Russia. You know this, da?”

“Yeah, but did you ever play it?”

“Did you?”

“I still know more about it than you do,” you fire back. “Prepare to be owned, Rasputin. Oh, and getting a home run counts as an extra piece of clothing off.”

Piotr snorts, shaking his head. “Khorosho.”

Granted, you aren’t the best at the baseball game; you can’t throw a good pitch to save your life.

In your favor, though (and what will be much to your husband’s surprise), is that your hitting abilities are marginally better –insomuch that you can only either strike out or hit home runs.

Piotr’s mouth twitches into a frown when you hit a home run right off the bat. He glances towards you, understanding dawning in his sky blue eyes. “How… how much do you play this game?”

“Not much,” you answer as your Mii runs around all the bases. “I like bowling better.”

Piotr nods before peeling off one of his socks –though his wary expression doesn’t waver.

Fortunately, it’s not even a competition. Even with your certified lack of skills, you still outpace Piotr by miles.

He groans when you hit another home run, then strips out of his boxers with a resigned sigh. “You tricked me.”

“Honestly, it was a toss up,” you admit. “If you were able to score at all—”

“Hey!”

“You might’ve beaten me, considering that I strike out a lot and can’t pitch worth a darn.”

Piotr shakes his head –though he’s smiling—and tosses his boxers aside. He turns to face you and spreads his arms, as if to say ‘well, you got me.’ “Do you want to finish game?”

“Nah.” You grin, hit the home button so the game pauses, then hop off the couch and wrap your arms around your husband’s waist. “I’ve got something else in mind, now.”

Piotr grins. His hands smooth down your sides, stopping at your hips. “Shall we take this upstairs, moya lyubov’?”

“I think we shall,” you reply with an equally wide grin. You giggle, delighted, when Piotr lifts you up, and wrap your legs around his waist as he carries you upstairs.

[ticklishfiend]

Strawberry Milk (My Hero Academia)

Ship : Lee!Bakugou Ler!Kirishima (Kiribaku)

A/N : this took forever to make and it's the longest fic i've posted on this account so far, but i just had a lot of fun making it!! i hope you guys enjoy it, especially the lovely krbk anon who inspired this. they actually sent a few prompts that have inspired other krbk tickle fic ideas that i'll more than likely write for soon as well, but for now i hope you enjoy this!! much love <33

Summary : Kirishima stays for a sleepover at Bakugou’s childhood home, and after accidentally pissing off the explosive teen, seeks out some professional help from someone who may know the boy best: his father. From this, Kirishima learns a quick way from the boys childhood to get him forgiveness in no time.

Word Count : 5113 (jfc lmao)

REBLOGS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!! MWAH <33

. . .

“Are you seriously mad at me over this?” Kirishima asked with a confused, breathy chuckle. He watched as his best friend pouted with arms crossed over his chest like a child, glaring daggers into the redhead from his spot on the bed.

“Yes. And I do not plan on changing that. So don’t fucking try me, Spiky Hair” Bakugou turned his body fully away from Kirishima now, who was lounged rather comfortably on Bakugou’s orange beanbag seated on the ground. Kirishima rolled his eyes at Bakugou’s childishness, though still couldn’t help but feel a little bit guilty.

After months of practically having to beg the explosive teen for a sleepover at his childhood home, the blonde finally relented and allowed Kirishima to be a guest in his home for the weekend. Bakugou’s parents were actually pretty happy to have Bakugou back at the house, even if for such a short period of time, and were even more thrilled when they realized someone actually wanted to come with him. Bakugou was never really one for making (and keeping) close friends growing up, so this was something they were definitely excited over the prospects of.

He and Bakugou had been playing video games for the past couple of hours now, their most recent game that Bakugou was now practically fuming over being...Minecraft. Bakugou had gotten pretty attached to a wolf he unsurprisingly named “Prince Homicide,” but after bringing it to a cave while mining with Kirishima, the red-head had accidentally pushed it into a vat of lava, killing it almost instantly.

So that’s where the pair were now. Bakugou seething from his spot criss-crossed on the bed, now turned away from Kirishima with his arms crossed like a child towards the wall. Kirishima sighed, pushing himself off the beanbag and walking towards Bakugou’s door.

“Look, I’m gonna go get something to drink. You want anything?” Kirishima raised his eyebrows in hopes of a response.

“Die,” was all he got.

Kirishima bit back another chuckle, opening the door before turning his head back around to look at Bakugou, who was now fiddling with his sheets and grumbling to himself angrily. “Alright, well, I’ll be back in just a minute. Hopefully you’ll have calmed yourself down enough by then.”

“I AM CALM YOU RED-HAIRED LOSER!” Bakugou yelled at the door as Kirishima quickly walked out and shut the door to avoid the small blasts he could hear shooting from the boy’s palms. Kirishima just shook his head with a grin, making his way down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

When he arrived, he saw Bakugou’s father cooking dinner on the stove. It made Kirishima smile, reminding him of his own home a little, though he hadn’t been back home in a while. He did miss his moms quite a lot since moving to the dorms, and he’ll definitely have to invite Bakugou over to meet them sometime soon.

He could smell the amazing spices his father had been adding to whatever meat and noodles he had in the pot, the scent almost burning Kirishima’s nose from how spicy he could tell it was. ‘Obviously loving spiciness must run in the family,’ Kirishima thought as he opened up the fridge, alerting the father’s attention.

“Oh, Kirishima! Are you looking for anything specific?” the man asked, looking up from his steaming pot for a moment to smile at his son’s best friend. Kirishima shot a cheerful smile right back at him.

“Oh, just some water would be fine!” he nodded, grabbing a water bottle from one of the fridge drawers, before remembering the seething boy upstairs waiting for his return. He grinned. “Actually, what does Bakugou normally drink here? At the dorms he usually has protein shakes but you probably don’t have those just lying around,” Kirishima chuckled, sitting his water bottle down on the kitchen island to look at his friend’s father.

“Well, the boy doesn’t usually like to admit it but he’s quite keen on strawberry milk,” he smiled with a nod as he went back to stirring his pot, glancing over towards Kirishima with a grin.

“Shoot, really? Didn’t peg him for the strawberry milk type of guy,” Kirishima giggled, looking back in the fridge and noticing the few bottles of strawberry milk they had lying on the shelf, probably bought when they found out Bakugou was coming home for the weekend. “He’s kinda mad at me right now so I figured I’d make a peace offering.”

“Not a bad idea, kid. I’ve had to do my fair share of those over the years. Katsuki’s always been the rather...angry type,” Masaru’s eyebrows furrowed downward towards his pot, shaking his head as if thinking of all the times the boy must’ve lost his temper at his old man.

“What did you used to do when he was little? Y’know, whenever he got all...aah!” Kirishima accentuated his little growl imitating Bakugou by shaking his hands angrily in front of him, just like how Bakugou usually does when he’s about to blow someone to kingdom come. This made Masaru laugh, shaking his head and adding a few more spices to the pot.

“Well...as of now, I usually just let his mother handle everything. But when he was little, Mitsuki and I would usually just tickle the little guy ‘til he giggled all that anger out,” Masaru smiled at the fond memories, glancing over towards Kirishima who held a wide-eyed, shocked but excited expression on his face. Masaru chuckled, pointing his spoon towards the teen. “But you did not hear this from me, understand?”

“Oh, totally, I got your back 100% Mr. Bakugou,” Kirishima saluted the man with a grin, making him laugh once more with a fond shake of the head. Kirishima lowered his hand, finally grabbing the strawberry milk from the fridge and sitting it on the counter with his water, promptly shutting the fridge door. “So...that didn’t make him angry or anything? He wouldn’t, like, explode you and Mrs. Bakugou to ashes or something?”

“Well I’m still here to tell the story, aren’t I?” Masaru gestured to his body with his spoon, Kirishima nodding with a chuckle. “Nah, he used to love it when we did that! Sometimes I think he’d pretend to be angry on purpose just so we’d play ‘Claw’ with him.”

“Claw? What’s Claw?” Kirishima asked, now leaning on the counter with his head propped up on his hand, listening intently as if this was the single most interesting thing he’d ever heard (because in all honesty? It very well might’ve been).

“Oh boy, Claw was his favorite. I would always hold his hands down so he couldn’t get away, while his mother would make a claw hand and tickle it into his stomach and ribs. It always had little Katsuki in stitches,” Masaru was very obviously enjoying remembering these fond memories of his son, seeming like he had almost completely forgotten about these fun little moments until Kirishima had brought them all back to light. “We always did it when he was being bratty, but not bratty enough to deserve a time-out. Sometimes, though, he wouldn’t even have to do anything bad, he’d just come out and ask for Claw when he felt playful. It was always so cute,” Masaru grinned widely, looking over towards Kirishima and promptly pointing his spoon back at the boy. “And, again you didn’t hear any of this from me, but…”

He paused, almost debating whether or not this was a good idea. He was finally swayed on his decision, however, when he saw the bright look of excitement in Kirishima’s eyes at the prospect of an actually happy Bakugou. He couldn’t help but cave.

“...but if you wanna really get him laughing, his worst spots are the spot riiiiight under his armpits, and the sides of his thighs. You get him there and he’ll be forgiving you in no time.”

Kirishima nodded with a large, toothy grin, swiping the drinks off the counter and practically bouncing in his spot as he backed his way out of the kitchen. “Thank you so much, Mr. Bakugou. It was truly an honor to know you, but I’ve got a death sentence waiting for me upstairs.”

“You get him, kiddo!” Masaru shouted towards the teen as he scurried his way out of the kitchen and towards the stairs giddily.

Kirishima was practically cheesing when he made his way towards Bakugou’s childhood bedroom, and had to mentally and physically calm himself down before entering so as not to alert Bakugou of his devious scheme.

He pushed the door open, finding Bakugou to now be leaning with his back against the wall, arm propped up on his knee as he scrolled mindlessly through his phone. He scowled upon hearing Kirishima’s entrance, not even bothering to look up towards the boy as he grumbled, “Damn, I was hoping you were gonna stay down there all night.”

Kirishima rolled his eyes, tossing the milk onto the bed beside the blonde and hopping onto it himself. Bakugou’s eyes widened at the sudden movement beside him, eyes darting down to the drink on his bed before scowling back up at Kirishima. “How the fuck did you know I like this shit, I never drink it at school.”

Kirishima grinned, opening up his own water bottle. “Oh, just a little birdy,” he giggled, taking a sip of his water and watching as Bakugou begrudgingly took his own drink and started opening it as well.

“This doesn’t mean I forgive you, moron. These are just...really good,” Bakugou wasn’t looking at Kirishima, obviously still angry as he went back to staring at his phone instead of paying the redhead any mind.

“C’mon, man, I didn’t mean to! It wasn’t on purpose!” Kirishima practically pleaded next to him, putting a hand on the boy’s shoulder which was immediately shrugged off rather aggressively. “Look, I’m sorry. Would it make you feel better if I helped you find a new wolf?”

“Are you kidding me?! I’m not playing this shitty game with you anymore, you fucking suck at it!” Bakugou had a scowl on his face that looked like what he was saying was the single most obvious thing in the whole world. Kirishima just sighed, closing up his water and throwing it down on the bed.

“I’d hate to make you, Bakugou, but you may just force my hand,” Kirishima shook his head slowly as if in disappointment, only making Bakugou’s brows cross in confusion.

“The fuck do you mean ‘make me,’ you idiot?! You can’t force me to do shit, and I’m not fucking playing this game with you,” Bakugou pushed, and to anyone else it definitely wouldn’t sounded like he meant it. But Kirishima knew Bakugou far, far too well. He could hear the competition in his voice, see the spark of want in his eyes that just said ‘please fight me on this.’ He wanted a challenge. Kirishima could see that. And boy was he gonna give it to him.

“Oh, but can’t I?” Kirishima’s voice sounded almost taunting, and once he saw that Bakugou was looking at him with competitiveness painted all over his face, he brought both of his hands up to wiggle fingers menacingly towards the boy.

Bakugou instantly knew what he meant. And if the fact he immediately closed his drink and sat it on his nightstand was no indication that he wanted this to continue, the way he backed up on his bed cautiously with wide eyes instead of immediately fighting Kirishima back most definitely was.

He was excited.

“Kirishima, don’t you fucking dare,” Bakugou pressed through a lie, his eyes never once looking away from those still wiggling fingers taunting him in the air, as if too embarrassed to look Kirishima in the eyes and completely give it away that he wanted this, he wanted the fight. He didn’t have to look for Kirishima to know, though. The redhead was still able to see Bakugou’s face even if Bakugou wouldn’t look at him, and he could see the giddiness behind his wall of caution, which only pushed him to continue.

“Then let’s play the game, Bakugou,” Kirishima grinned as Bakugou gave him no response, only backing further away until finally Kirishima pounced, tackling and fighting Bakugou to the bed. This was the least Bakugou had ever put up a fight with him. Kirishima knew how Bakugou fought, he knew just how skilled and precise his moves always were, and he was giving Kirishima practically none of that. Though he did technically fight his way down, he was still inevitably completely tackled and pinned by the redhead, which almost never happened in their regular spars and play fights.

Kirishima forced Bakugou’s arms up above his head, the hardening hero-in-training using his quirk to keep the boy’s hands pinned there for good. His body hovered over Bakugou’s, a rather compromising position if they were to be walked into, but neither boy cared about that in the moment. They were too focused on the excitement and unadulterated giddiness bubbling in the pit of their bellies, and as Kirishima gazed down at Bakugou with a look of mischief in his eyes, Bakugou knew he knew. Kirishima knew Bakugou wanted this, and now the blonde was aware of that. Bakugou couldn’t quite tell if that made this better or worse.

“Fine then. We can play a different game. How about…” Kirishima paused, mocking as if in hard thought as Bakugou’s lips twitched, his eyes wide in a skittish anticipation. Kirishima finally let out a small pretend gasp, looking down at Bakugou before raising up his free hand in a claw shape. “...Claw.”

Bakugou’s eyes could not have been any wider. His cheeks were stained pink, and he squirmed under Kirishima’s pin, “No, nonono don’t you dare fucking touch me you red piece of shit, I swear to god I’ll fucking-HNG!” Bakugou choked on his words, eyes slamming shut as he felt five meticulous fingers skittered over his now bare tummy, as Kirishima must have pushed up his shirt while Bakugou was too busy threatening. Those nails were fucking torturous against his skin, his nerves lighting up and sparking with a specific feeling he hadn’t felt in what had to be years now. It was so bad, so so bad, but...god, he didn’t realize just how much he had missed this feeling until now.

“Uh oh,” Kirishima’s voice held a teasing tone that made Bakugou shake his head, still trying desperately to hold back any and all giggles that threatened to crawl from his gut. Kirishima chuckled darkly. “Looks like someone’s a little ticklish, huh?”

Bakugou only continued to shake his head from side to side, tugging at his pinned arms with no real fervor behind it. Kirishima couldn’t help the smile on his face seeing the boy like this, so flustered and obviously having a good time at something so cute. He could tell Bakugou was desperately trying to contain his giggles, which was definitely his average pride slipping through, but there was no way Kirishima was just going to let that slide.

With a smirk evil enough to send shivers down the blonde’s spine, Kirishima finally dug in, vibrating all five of his fingers into the boy’s taut abdomen. Bakugou howled, arching his back and kicking wildly behind Kirishima as loud giggles and squeals escaped his ever-excited being.

“NAHAHAHA! KIRISHIMAHAHAHA!” Bakugou screamed, those fingers never relenting in their claw-shaped torment on his belly. “SHIHIHIT AHAHAHA!”

“Damn, Bakugou, you’re really ticklish,” Kirishima chuckled, massaging his fingers into the boy’s muscles, causing his to spasm like he’d been shocked, screaming and kicking and cursing all the while.

“FUHUHUCK YOHOHOU AHAHAHA!” Bakugou guffawed, twisting and turning his body every which way as if he was trying to escape the mirthful torment Kirishima was putting him through. Suddenly, all at once, the tickling stopped, and Bakugou let in a gasp of air he didn’t even realize he needed. He opened his eyes and glared at Kirishima hovering above him, the redhead daunting a sinister grin that made Bakugou’s tummy do summersaults.

“What did you just say to me?” Kirishima questioned menacingly, bringing his free hand up to now hold Bakugou’s wrists in both hands, quickly bringing them both down under his knees with no fight from the blonde, who seemed to be frozen in...fear? Excitement? Either way, his eyes were blown wide, his chest heaving slightly from the attack and small titters still threatening to escape. But Bakugou was never one to back away from a challenge, no matter his condition. He couldn’t help the small twitch at the corners of his lips as he looked up to Kirishima in competition.

“I said: Fuck. You,” Bakugou spat out, and Kirishima could feel his body tense under him after he spoke the fierce words, almost like he was bracing himself for the inevitable. Kirishima shook his head with a grin, raising both his hands up in the air to once again wiggle tauntingly towards his victim.

“Oh, you are so gonna regret that,” Kirishima chuckled, lowering his hands down slowly towards the boy’s quivering belly. His stomach sucked in as if trying to evade the wiggly fingers, Bakugou’s eyes large and never looking away from those claws hovering over his sensitive torso.

Finally, his fingers touched down, skittering over the boy’s lower tummy and making his breath hitch, pursing his lips tightly and slamming his eyes shut at the teasing sensations. Kirishima’s fingers wandered and scribbled all over the boy’s torso, and for a few seconds Bakugou was able to keep his reactions at bay. That is, until Kirishima skittered on a spot right at the base of Bakugou’s ribs, causing the boy to jolt with a small yelp. Kirishima couldn’t contain his chuckle at the reaction.

“Ohoho, there it is,” Kirishima drawled, pinching at the spot that made Bakugou squirm. Bakugou growled, almost like he was trying to keep any cute little giggles to himself, but those incessant pinches just wouldn’t let up, and in seconds time he was a giggling mess under Kirishima’s touch.

“Nohoho! Fuhuhuck shihihit!- AHAHAHAHA NAHAHAHA!” Bakugou practically screamed when he felt Kirishima vibrate his index and middle finger into that spot at his lower ribs right where it meets his back. He arched his spine up, kicking fruitlessly behind Kirishima’s body and cackling like a child all the while. “YOHOHOU BAHAHASTARD! YOHOHOU FUHUHUCKING SHIHIHIT!”

“Well that’s really no way to talk to your best friend, now is it?” Kirishima tsked, clawing at Bakugou’s ribs and eliciting more screeches and cackles from the sensitive teen. “You’re so much more ticklish than I thought you’d be, I am loving this.”

“STAHAHAP SAHAHAYING THAHAHAT!” Bakugou shook his head back and forth, clenching his fists hard under Kirishima’s knees as if trying to keep himself from exploding the both of them both to ashes.

“What? That you’re ticklish?” Kirishima tilted his head with a smirk, pinching up and down the boy’s ribs rapidly, making his laughs soar up in pitch. “Cause, I mean, you are. You’re like, super duper ticklish! But it’s fine cause it’s totally cute,” Kirishima said the last bit without really meaning to, blushing slightly at his blunt statement, but deciding against ending the ticklish torment over it.

“NAHAHAHA! I’M NOHOHOT CUHUHUTE!” Bakugou denied through his cackles, continuing to shake his head in playful anguish. “FUHUHUCK OHOHOHFF!”

“Hmm...I don’t think I will. In fact, there’s a few more tickle spots I wanna try out, so you’re just gonna have to keep a-giggling for me, Bakubro,” Kirishima chuckled, taking his hands off the boy for a moment to give him a breather. Small breathy giggles and titters continued to spill from Bakugou’s lips during his rest, his head leaning back against the pillow in almost exhaustion. Kirishima leaned forward, placing both of his hands beside the boy’s head, leaving his face to hover over the boy’s own blushed one. Bakugou’s eyes widened a bit at the invasion of personal space, but never made an effort to push him off. Kirishima tilted his head like a curious puppy, “You’re okay, right? You don’t like, totally hate this? Cause I can stop if you really want me to.”

Bakugou’s cheeks were splattered pink, his eyes averting their gaze from the boy on top of him. He squirmed a tad under Kirishima’s straddle, shoulders hunching up slightly in embarrassment. “I mean...it’s not...the worst thing in the world…” Bakugou grumbled into his shoulder, eyes still refusing to meet the red-head’s own.

Kirishima grinned down at Bakugou, using one hand to gently cup Bakugou’s chin and turn his head to face his own. “I knew you didn’t hate it. I just wanted you to say it out loud,” he giggled at the blonde’s flustered and shocked expression, before quickly shooting his hands down to squeeze at Bakugou’s ribs with extreme ticklish precision. Bakugou shouted a cackle at the sudden change, his head shaking from side to side and eyes scrunching closed once more.

“OHOHO YOHOHU MOTHERFUHUHUCKER!” Bakugou guffawed, clawing at the sheets under Kirishima’s knees. Kirishima just giggled, working both of his middle fingers in between the tight spot where Bakugou’s arms were clamped against his ribs, digging into the spot just below his underarms that Masaru had told him about.

Bakugou shrieked, kicking harder than before as wave after wave of loud, unfiltered squeals and cackles left his chest.

“SHIHIHIHIT! FUHUHUCK OH MY GAHAHAD! NAHAHAT THEHEHERE! NAHAHAT THAHAHAT SPOHOHOT YOU FUHUHUCK!” He screamed through his laughter, opening an eye to glare at Kirishima through his mirthful tears. Kirishima sported the biggest, shark-toothed grin he could probably muster, and it sent fluttering butterflies throughout the inside of Bakugou’s entire torso.

“Aww, is this spot bad, buddy? This spot tickle?~” Kirishima cooed, his fingers never relenting as they wiggled and dug into that one torutrous little spot that had Bakugou howling.

“FUHUHUCK YOHOHU! YEHEHES! IT T-AHAHA! IT FUHUHUCKING TI-HEHEHE!” Bakugou couldn’t even get the flustering word out through all of his cackles and squeals, which amused Kirishima to no end.

“God how are you so adorable like this,” Kirishima sighed, finally bringing his fingers back down to teasingly scribble and wiggle all over Bakugou’s bare tummy. Bakugou dissolved into a puddle of high-pitched, breathy giggles, that had Kirishima fawning over him in seconds. “You’re so giggly, and I didn’t even know you could giggle before this!”

“Shuhuhut uhuhup!” Bakugou practically whined through his giggles, his cheeks so pink and warm Kirishima could just melt in the cuteness of his flustered face.

“Oooh, I wonder if your belly button is ticklish too,” Kirishima eyed the little navel that bounced through Bakugou’s laughter, one of his fingers travelling over to circle around the button teasingly.

“NO! Nohoho, dohohon’t! Plehehease!” Bakugou pleaded, though Kirishima knew it was all just a front.

“Wow, I’ve got THE Katsuki Bakugou begging right now? Who knew I’d ever see the day!” Kirishima chuckled, worming a teasing nail into the navel and causing Bakugou to shriek and jerk underneath him. “Aww, it’s like a little giggle button!”

“Dohohon’t sahahay that stuhupid shihit!” Bakugou tittered, goosebumps forming all over his tummy from the feather-light way Kirishima scribbled over the skin.

“Alright, oneeee more place I wanna try, then we get back to Minecraft. Deal?” Kirishima moved his fingers to scribble slowly up and down the boy’s sides to let him respond, delighted at the way the movement made him squirm.

“Fihihine, whatehehever,” Bakugou braced himself for the final attack, gasping when he felt Kirishima’s hands leave his sides and rest on the top of his thighs. “Shit, shihit, shit, wahahait-!”

“Oh, this is a good spot, isn’t it?~” Kirishima teased, squeezing the muscle once to see Bakugou jerk and shriek under him. “Yup. Looks like a good one to me.”

“Ohoho plehehease, I cahahan’t, it’s so bahahad-” Bakugou whined, squirming and giggling despite Kirishima’s tickling on his thighs to even start yet.

“You’re a super ticklish guy, Bakugou, but you’re also super tough and manly. I know you can take it!” Kirishima hyped him up with a smile, just making Bakugou groan and roll his eyes with a snicker. “C’mon! Tell me you can take it!”

Bakugou huffed, gazing over at Kirishima’s face that plastered that stupid goofy grin of his. God why does he have to be so cute, Bakugou thought as he sighed with another eye roll.

“Fine, whatever, I can take it, just...fuckin get it over with already, you’re killing me heRE-HRGN! FFFAHAHAHAHA OH SHIHIHIT!” Bakugou keened, cackling and thrashing himself from side to side as both of Kirishima’s hands massaged into his upper thighs. The sensation was torturous, beyond torturous, his nerves were on fire and his muscles were pulsing under those terrible wiggling fingers, but if he could choose it, he’d feel like this forever if it were by the hands of that stupid fucking redhead.

“Damn, this must tickle bad , huh? You’re losing your mind!” Kirishima giggled, squeezing at those sensitive muscles like his life depended on it.

“FUHUHUCK! YEHEHES IT’S SO BAHAHAD! KIRIHIMAHAHAHA! PLEHEHEASE!” Bakugou pleaded and begged, tiny droplets of mirth finally pooling at the corners of his eyes despite his best wishes. Kirishima could tell the blonde was finally reaching his limits, and slowed his fingers down until he was just resting his hands on top of the boy’s thighs comfortingly, rubbing up and down the sides to soothe the still giggling boy.

Kirishima smiled down at Bakugou who was still coming down from his giggle high, titters that could light up a whole room spilling from his lips and making Kirishima’s heart swell. “You alive, man?”

Bakugou coughed out his last giggle, still breathing heavy before giving Kirishima a lazy nod. Kirishima giggled, gently climbing off the boy and laying down beside him on the bed. Bakugou brought his hands up to rub at his still flushed face, and Kirishima couldn’t keep his eyes off of him. The red-head was grinning ear-to-ear, and he could tell that under the palms of those calloused hands covering Bakugou’s face, the blonde was too.

After a few more moments of comfortable silence, Bakugou brought his hands down, turning his head to face Kirishima with a small smile still visible, only on the corners of his lips. “You almost killed me, you bastard.”

“Sorry, you were...you were just really cute like that. I’ve never seen you giggle before,” Kirishima chuckled sheepishly, eyeing Bakugou’s nearly forgotten drink still sitting on the nightstand. He pointed over to it, Bakugou’s following the direction of his finger. “You should probably get a drink, you were laughing pretty hard there.”

Bakugou huffed, his cheeks flushing only slightly at the comment, but he still rolled over to grab the drink and turn back around to face the redhead. “Shut up, I can’t help it.”

“Yeah, I know...too ticklish for your own good, huh?” Kirishima snickered, Bakugou punching his shoulder playfully while taking a sip of his milk. Kirishima rubbed the spot Bakugou punched with a grin. “I’m being serious, though. You really did look cute like that.”

Bakugou’s eyes refused to meet Kirishima’s. His hands cupped tightly around the bottle in his lap, thumbs fiddling with the plastic wrapper encasing it. Kirishima could see how flustered he looked despite their eyes not meeting and he almost felt a little guilty. But Bakugou finally glanced up towards Kirishima, and for the first time ever, the blonde looked...shy. “Do you really think that or are you trying to fuck with me right now? Cause it’s not very nice to fucking flirt with someone if you don’t mean it.”

Kirishima’s eyes widened a little at his bluntness to call it what it was; flirting. “Well, y-yeah. Yeah I meant it. For real,” Kirishima said, but he could tell Bakugou wasn’t sure if he meant it. Kirishima furrowed his brows, cupping Bakugou’s chin gently like he had while attacking the boy just minutes ago, turning his head so their eyes would meet. He stared intently at him, making sure his expression was as genuine as a person could be. “I’m serious, Bakugou. I...I think you’re really attractive,” Kirishima saw how Bakugou’s eyes moved, how he felt frozen under his touch but still somehow looked like he wanted to squirm. “You’re cute and super manly, which I didn’t even know could be a real combination until I met you. You’re...you’re my favorite person, Bakugou.”

They sat like that for a moment. Kirishima brought his hand back down to rest in his own lap, but their eyes never left each other. That was, until, Bakugou’s eyes drifted downward towards Kirishima’s lips. Kirishima’s heart faltered for a minute at the gaze, feeling hair standing up at the back of his neck. Bakugou’s eyes darted back up to Kirishima, a tilt forward in his head that asked Kirishima ‘is this okay?’ Kirishima just nodded with half-lidded eyes, before Bakugou slowly leaned forward, his own eyes closing as their faces finally met in the middle when Kirishima pushed his own head forward.

Their lips brushed shyly against one another, as if cautious and unsure if this was an okay thing to do, before Kirishima pushed into it, forcing their lips together. Bakugou brought a hand up to cup at Kirishima’s cheek, Kirishima doing the same to Bakugou. Bakugou felt like he was going to melt, or explode, or disintegrate or...or just keep kissing Kirishima until he couldn’t breathe.

After what felt like an eternity, they pulled apart, breathless and hazy. Kirishima opened his eyes first, and when Bakugou opened his and looked at Kirishima with those shy little eyes he didn’t have before, Kirishima couldn’t help but dissolve into a fit of giggles. His laugh was always too contagious, damnit, and before he knew it Bakugou was giggling along with him and he didn’t even know why.

When he finally caught his breath, Kirishima slumped back against the pillows of Bakugou’s bed, Bakugou following him to lay there and stare questioningly. “Sorry, sorry, it’s just...you tasted like strawberry milk.”

Bakugou paused for a moment, before chuckling, shoving at Kirishima playfully as they both snickered. “You’re a fucking dork.”

“Hm, maybe,” Kirishima giggled as he brought his face back closer towards Bakugou’s, meeting their lips once again in a soft kiss that lasted forever.

Kirishima would definitely have to thank Mr. Bakugou later for that helpful information about his son, because now their night tasted like strawberry milk and giggles, and Kirishima didn’t want anything else in the entire world than just that.

. . .

A/N : hope you guys enjoyed that, sorry its so fucking long LMAOO i got very carried away. it took me a while to write and ive got a fucking headache so imma go lay down now, MUCH LOVE!! <33

[soyouthinkucanwrite]

What did he say? - Daniel Ricciardo one shot

Update: I just realized it's Carlos' birthday TODAY! I'm so so sorry hahaha I feel like a jerk, but it's just play pretend ok?

Guys, this is based on a dream I had but listen, it’s so weird cause I KNOW this is not like Carlos AT ALL. He’s kind of the vilan in this one... Please don’t be mad if you’re a Carlos fan, it’s just for fun, I swear. I’ll even try to write something with him later to make it up to you guys! Also, I clearly don't know how vacuum works in racing, so again, just humor me and pretend I got it right, ok?

As always, please take the time to let me know what you think, means a lot to me (even if it’s constructive criticism)! And thank you so much to everyone that always does! 💕 Your lovely messages always motivate me to keep writing!

Warnings: angst, jealous Daniel, kind of a dick Carlos (again, sorry! I know he’d never)

.

I was in the “side stage” at the press room for the Austin GP, the first I ever went and of course, the first with Daniel, as his girlfriend. He was answering questions along with Pierre Gasly on stage. There were a few people besides me, including some of the drivers, waiting for their turn to face the press.

"Coco, ¿quién es?" I heard Carlos Sainz whispering to his cousin, nodding his head in my direction.

"No conozco. ¿Creo que es periodista?" his cousin answered looking at me. I just acted like I wasn't listening, or understanding, not sure why though.

"No, si fuera periodista estaría allá fuera, haciendo preguntas" Carlos continued.

"Sí, pero no me parece estar perdida" his cousin commented, they kept whispering but I could hear them very clearly.

"Qué pena, no me importaría darte direcciones" Carlos said with a smirk and I felt really uncomfortable at that, which only made me stay even more frozen in place and wish Daniel came back sooner.

"Si no te conociera, diría que acabas de romper una relación. Ni siquiera puedes ver a una chica alrededor" his cousin said hitting him playfully in the head.

"¿Y te parece esta una chica cualquier? Siempre debes andar con supermodelos, ¿no?" Carlos joked back.

"Vale, tienes razón" his cousin answered him and I was counting the seconds for Daniel to come back now.

"Pero sin duda es nueva aquí. Me recordaría de algo como eso. Tampoco pienso ser americana, ellas no tienen esta-" Just then someone called him.

"Sainz, you're up next" Daniel walked out, coming by my side. "Hey" he said to me and I smiled. "They just asked to wait 5 minutes, something about changing the batteries of the mics" he said looking back at Carlos, his cousin, and Kimi, who was going to be pairing with Carlos in the press conference and was just hanging in the corner by himself this whole time.

"Alright, thanks mate" Carlos answered.

"Hey, have you guys met (y/n)? Carlos, Carlos, (y/n)... (y/n), Carlos, Carlos" Daniel made the introductions grinning like a teenager, probably finding it super funny that they had the same first name.

"¡Hola! Mucho gusto en conocerlos, soy (y/n). ¿Como están?" I extended my hand to greet them, feeling much more confident now that I had a 5' 9" Australian by my side. They looked startled at me and then at each other.

“¿Hablas español?” Carlos asked me.

“Sí, y compreendo muy bien también” I told him and my tone made it clear I knew exactly what they were talking about earlier and didn’t like it a bit.

"Carlos, Kimi, they're ready for you" an assistant called.

"Good one kid" Kimi said to me when he walked past us, winking at Daniel. Carlos followed him to the stage and since I didn't want to just stand there in the remains of the awkward situation with Dan and Carlos’ cousin, I just walked in the opposite direction, outside the press room. Not too long after, Daniel walked after me.

"Hey, what was that about?" he asked, still smiling. Boy, he wouldn't be smiling for too long after I told him what that was about.

"What?" I asked, trying not to make a big deal. He reached for my hand, taking it in his.

"You know what. Come on, what happened back there? Did you guys know each other?"

"No!" I have to tell him now, or he'll think I have something to hide. I took a deep breath. "They were talking between themselves before you come out, in Spanish. And I don't think they thought I could understand" he looked at me confused but then it hit him and his expression changed from confusion to rage.

"What did they said?"

"Nothing, it's not a big deal ok? I just wanted to let them know I could understand, so I just said 'hello' in Spanish, that's all" I said, walking away from the place where we were standing and pulling his hand. God knows I didn't want to be there when Carlos walked out, or better, for Daniel to be there.

"I figured that much. But what did he said? Just tell me" Daniel looked at me.

"Let's just go? Please? It's not worth it. What are you going to do? Sucker punch him?"

"Do I need to sucker punch him? Is it that bad?"

"No! Dan, please, let's just go. This is not going to lead us anywhere"

"(y/n)"

"I'll tell you. Promise. Back at the trailer, okay?" I tried to negotiate.

"Fine"

When we stepped back inside his driver's room, Daniel closed the door and looked at me.

"Alright. Spill it"

"Promise me you won't do anything to him"

"Absolutely not. The longer you stall me, the more pissed off I get"

"Okay” I knew I had no choice and honestly, why should I protect him really? I’m just worried about how this might make Daniel feel. “They were wondering who I was, his cousin was teasing him saying he was only interested because he just ended a relationship"

"That's not all" he said and I didn't answer, just looked away, shaking my head. "Alright. I'm sorry you had to hear that. But you can tell me these things ok? I want to protect you baby" He said stepping closer to me and hugging me.

"I don't want you to cause trouble for something stupid"

"Hey!" he said pulling away a bit to look at me. "This is not stupid. Nothing about you is stupid. It's a big deal baby, that’s plain disrespectful. I want you here with me, always. And I want you to feel comfortable here, okay?"

"I feel comfortable now" I said hugging him closer. He smiled and kissed the top of my head.

"Fuckers" he whispered to himself.

"Promise me you won't confront him. He'll deny, or start a fight. Or both. And besides, it’s not so much what he said, it’s more like how they were eyeing me. And I don't want you to get involved in a scandal" I said pulling away and sitting down in a chair. Daniel leaned against the table, looking at me.

"A scandal?" he laughed.

"You do know gossip is the major product of motorsports, right?" I smirked at him.

"Fair enough" he agreed. "Fuck baby, the things I have to deal with for having a goddess as a girlfriend" he was joking now, so the mood seemed lighter, but knowing Daniel, I knew he hadn't completely let that go yet. I just rolled my eyes at him. Hopefully, the events of the weekend would be enough to get his mind out of it.

.

.

Friday and Saturday kept us busy enough so that we didn’t touch the subject anymore, but I could still catch Daniel staring at Carlos here and there. And I could definitely see Carlos staring at me too, which I tried to avoid at all costs, staying out of his visual field. If Daniel saw that, I don’t know if I’d be able to hold him back again.

On Sunday I’d be watching from the garage with Michael and Blake, which was super exciting, to see all the action from the front row. But I didn’t want to disturb Daniel’s routine, so I tried to stay back a little. Yet, he kept coming to steal kisses and joke around. He seemed really relaxed and confident. He was P5 and I took the care to see that Carlos was P8, so I knew they might race each other eventually but I also knew that Dan would be much more preoccupied doing what he does best and overtaking the 4 in front of him to even think about whoever was behind. Everything was going to be fine, no harm done.

“Alright. Time to go” he announced to me. “Kiss for good luck?”

“Good luck. Just go and do what you do best, okay? And try to come back in one piece” I smiled through the kiss and then watched him take his helmet from the table, wink at me, and turn to walk towards his Mclaren. My chest was tight but I could only pray and hope now.

The cars were already outside the garage for some reason, so Dan was walking out when Carlos passed in front of the orange crew. He stopped to greet some of them and that would be fine, except he was not paying any attention to the people he was talking to. He was looking inside the garage like he was looking for something, or rather someone, cause when he saw me he nodded like he was greeting me and checked me out, head to toes. Dan saw it and looked back inside just in time to see me step aside, behind Michael, clearly uncomfortable with the whole thing.

“Hey... man” Carlos greeted Daniel. And his tone made me sure that it wasn’t even about me anymore. Carlos knew how much it must be bothering Daniel and was clearly using it to try and get him pissed off and unfocused. The thing is, very few things were capable of getting Daniel out of his “all good all ways” vibe, but when they did, you definitely don’t want to be on his way. I’m actually a bit worried about the other drivers now, Carlos included, because Dan just turned back to his machine, like he knew exactly what he was going to do and nothing would stop him, getting inside the car a mere formality. He didn’t even bother to take a second look at Carlos.

“Oh boy” I commented.

“Yeah, I saw it” Michael said to me. “What was that about anyway? I thought they got along fine”. I don’t say anything else, and from that moment on my eyes are glued to the screen in front of us, following any micro movement Daniel makes.

They go for the warm-up lap, which feels like it takes forever, and then, finally, Grid formation. That sign must be broken cause the lights also took hours to change.

3, 2, 1... there they go. Thank god we’re wearing masks, otherwise, my nails and fingertips would be long gone.

The first turn is a sharp one and Daniel had an opening to overtake Perez, the first driver in front of him, we could see it clearly from the drone view, but he didn’t take it. What is he doing?

“What is he doing?” Somebody in the garage voiced my thoughts.

“You had an opening Daniel” the engineer said on the radio.

“All under control. I know what I’m doing. How far are the others behind me?” Daniel answered.

I hoped he wasn’t doing what I thought he was doing but I already knew he was. Being the risk-it-all-idiot he was, Dan was waiting for Carlos to catch up to him. Knowing him, I knew he wanted to race and beat him personally, which was crazy stupid, but wouldn’t take long since Carlos had already overtaken Gasly and Alonso, and was now only a few nanoseconds behind Daniel.

“Come on Dan” I said to myself.

“Come on Daniel” Blake practically yelled at the screen.

I feel like throwing up. He’s gonna get hurt and jeopardize all the work the team put into the weekend just to... to what? I don’t even know. If he gets out of this race alive, I’ll personally kill him.

The race’s still going, no major changes after the first turn. Then suddenly Daniel seems to remember he had a gas pedal, finally getting speed in the big straight and leaving Perez behind. Carlos followed him, seeming to use the vacuum in his favor. Everybody in the garage celebrates, but I’m too focused to cheer along. He’s so close to the podium now. Just keep it up, baby. Carlos is still on his tail.

“Good job mate” the engineer says on the radio. “Watch for Sainz on your right. Bottas’ next”

“Keep me posted on Sainz’s time” it’s all Daniel says.

A couple more laps go and he’s really trying to overtake Bottas, not playing games anymore. Carlos doesn’t seem to try to overtake him even once though, he’s too far behind still.

More laps go by and I can’t standstill. When they’re in the 19th lap, with Max and Hamilton battling each other and taking turns in the lead, Daniel’s voice comes on the radio.

“Let’s be the first to box” I’m not sure what he’s playing at, as it’s still too soon to box, but the team seems to agree.

“Copy that. I’ll let you know when. Let’s get a couple more laps in. Keep this up for now” his engineer answers.

“Understood” Daniel’s voice come through the radio. “How’s Sainz time?”

“At least 1.5 seconds behind you” the engineer informs him.

“Understood” Daniel says.

He’s planning something. Not sure what, and I don’t know if I even could, not knowing much about racing strategies, but it definitely has something to do with Carlos and what happened earlier.

“Ouch!” I hear Michael say and nod towards the screen, making me focus on the race again, and not only on Daniel. Max and Hamilton had touched tires. “They're really going at it, definitely using way more tires than necessary"

"If Dan box before them..." I begin to ask.

"He needs a fast box, gaining speed later and for their box to be slower, but yeah, that's his best shot at them" Michael explains to me.

"Come on baby" I whisper to myself.

Daniel seems to finally get close enough to Bottas, but the Finnish guy won't make it easy for him. Turn 11 on sector 2 will be his best shot now and it's getting closer.

The garage and the radio go silent. Feels like the whole world is holding their breaths while Daniel smoothly overtakes Bottas from his left. And then I almost go deaf with all the cheering around me, it's a podium for Daniel, for now.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to last too long, cause once he comes to the box all the other drivers will pass him. It's just so frustrating.

"Good job mate. Spectacular time. Box now" the engineer informs on the radio.

"Box confirmed. We need to ace this, boys" Daniels says.

Not even a full minute later, I hear his car and see it on the screen. I look outside to see the orange machine with the big 3 in front of it, but I don't even have time to try and take a look at him, cause 2.3 seconds later (or at least that's what the TV tells me) there he goes again. The good news is, only Bottas passed him. The bad news is he almost crashes into Carlos when he comes out of the Pit Lane.

Some of the crew were still celebrating the fast pit stop when they realized what happened. I let out a gasp. They touched tires but Carlos seemed to have managed to get away from Daniel, quickly returning to his side a moment later but struggling to keep it up. Dan, on the other side, seems unbothered. He keeps gaining speed, even though the pit exit is right on the first turn.

"Take it easy now mate, even if Sainz passes you, his time is not enough to stay in front" the engineer informs Daniel, clearly worried that the risk doesn't justify the ends.

"Understood" Daniel responds.

We're on lap 30 now and just as the engineer said, Carlos is a full 2 seconds behind Daniel. Bottas still in front of him (which is frustrating for me because he had just overtaken him before the pit stop), then Hamilton, and finally Max.

"Daniel" the engineer calls him. "How're the tires?"

"All good"

"Good. Ready to race, mate? Hamilton's going to box now"

"Before Bottas?"

"Yes, that's confirmed"

"Understood"

I listen to the conversation between Daniel and the engineer closely, but I can't say I know exactly what the implications are.

"Bottas' going to second, Daniel to third again. Let's hope for a slow pitstop for Hamilton, so when he comes out, he comes in third and races Daniel. That's the best-case scenario, so he needs to gain speed now" Blake explains to me.

"Got it" I confirm to him. "What about Bottas? He should box on the next lap right?"

"Yeah. If Daniel overtakes him still on this lap, the difference will be too big for him to recover after his pit stop. Hopefully" He tells me.

There's a lot of 'hopefullys' and 'best-case scenarios' in this conversation, but I'll take it. I start to silently pray right away, eyes glued to the screen to see exactly what Blake predicted unfold: Hamilton pit stops, Bottas and Daniel are the firsts to go up on the positions, then Carlos, Alonso, and Gasly. The first turn comes again and Dan seises the opportunity to overtake Bottas, who, to his credit, is fighting real hard, but Dan isn't letting him take back his position.

Dan is P2 now. Max is almost 3 seconds in front of him. Hamilton comes out of the pit lane behind Gasly, it should take him long to again his positions.

"Bottas to box on this lap mate" the engineer announces.

"Not worried about Bottas. What about Max?" Daniel answers. A few moments of silence follow.

"Box confirmed for Max on this lap as well. Just get closer to him" the engineer instructs.

"Understood" Daniel answers.

"Come on, baby" I cheer silently again.

"Fuck! He's gonna make it" Michael yells. "Come on Daniel!"

Bottas is 2 seconds behind Daniel, and on the big straight Daniel manages to shorten his time difference to Max to 1.8 seconds. The next thing I know, Max is coming down the pit lane, quickly followed by Bottas. Daniel is P1. I can't believe this. Carlos is P2, but he hasn't boxed yet. Surprisingly enough, Alonso is P3 and, not so surprisingly, Hamilton is already P4 and gaining speed.

"Alonso hasn't boxed yet" Blake comments. That's bad news if we were hoping for him to defend his position against Hamilton. I take a look on the TV and they're showing the conditions of his tires, which to me doesn't mean anything.

"Will he be able to hold him?" I ask Blake.

"Not sure, he's tough though and doesn't want Hamilton to win, that's for sure" Blake answers me.

Then we hear Max passing outside, had almost forgotten about him.

"That took him longer than normal" Michael comments and we look at the screen, his pit stop was 3.6 seconds long. An eternity for the Redbull team. But awesome news for us. Bottas had already left the pit lane, his pit stop was 2.4 seconds long.

The grid is now Daniel, Carlos, Alonso, Hamilton, Bottas, and then Max. Alonso is still holding Hamilton back. Normally, I'd guess Carlos would box soon and maybe even Alonso, but since I know Carlos has some personal motivation against Daniel, I feel like he's going to hold on the longer he can and the same goes for Alonso regarding Hamilton.

We're at the final 10 laps now and nothing has changed, except Carlos is dangerously closer to Daniel now. Alonso still hasn't let Hamilton go by him, repeating the Hungaroring events. I hear the signal of the radio, indicating we're about to hear some communication between Daniel and his engineer, and my chest tightens. It's Daniel's voice that comes on then.

"Something wrong. I'm losing power" Fuck. No.

"Sainz is at your tail. Can you hold on?" the engineer asks.

"I don't know. Fuck. It's just not working. How much's the difference?"

"Less than 1 second"

"Fuck. Why hasn't he boxed yet?"

"His tires are in real bad condition. But I don't think he's going to do it now"

"I'll put some pressure on him"

"Negative. Negative. Stay away"

"Not going to touch him. Pinky promise" Bastard. I can hear the smirk in his voice, even though this is extremely dangerous and insane pressure, Daniel's still having the time of his life.

9 laps to go.

8 laps to go.

Carlos almost overtakes Daniel.

"Engine's not good. Can you do something?" Daniel asks.

"Negative. 7 laps to go mate, just hold it"

"Understood"

On the big straight of the 51st lap, Carlos overtakes Daniel, but then on the next turn, Daniel takes back his position. The sequel of turns that follows is the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever seen in my life, they're so close to each other, and at such a high speed that if they simply touch tires they would fly off the track and everything would be lost to both of them, maybe even their lives.

"Hamilton passed Alonso, mate. Watch out" the engineer informs him, and I look at the screen. Fuck.

"Fuuuuck" Daniel says on the radio.

It's the 52nd lap now, only 4 more to go and Carlos doesn't even signal a pit stop. He's going to try to make the whole race without it.

"Ferrari is not happy with him" Michael laughs a dark laugh. I knew he had a history of being stubborn but this is too much.

"His tires are at less than 10% integrity. How is he still going?" I ask.

There's the big straight again and Carlos falls a bit behind Daniel, but I've watched enough to know that that doesn't necessarily mean a good thing. Just as I predicted, he tries to use Daniel's vacuum to gain more speed and overtake him, Daniel doesn't let him through and get in front of him, making him almost go off track. That would be a "normal" movement, except Hamilton was using Carlos' vacuum in his favor and, when Carlos is forced to change directions, Hamilton hits his back left tire, which makes it blows off and it's a mess from then on.

Daniel is far from the whole ordeal by now, safe and sound, thankfully. But Carlos spins in the track, taking Hamilton with him. They both go off track and Max flies by, followed by Bottas, Charles (where did he come from?), and then Alonso.

"Are they alright?" It's the first thing that comes up to me to ask.

"Fuck! That was crazy. Is everyone ok?" Daniel asks on the radio.

"Positive. Everyone's ok. Keep going, mate. 3 more laps to go" the engineer informs him.

"Who's behind me now? Bottas?" Daniel asks.

"Max. But he's at least 2 seconds behind, we should be fine" I hear the engineer say and it's like I can almost breathe again. Daniel's going to win this thing. He's so close now.

"It wasn't Daniel's fault, was it? Can they punish him in some way for the accident?" I ask Michael.

"Don't know. He was defending his position, but he's been closing in Carlos ever since the begging of the race. Depends on how Ferrari and Mercedes spin this, they'll try anything that favors them" Michael explains to me in a worried tone.

They're in the final lap and Daniel's been clearly losing speed. Something's wrong with the engine. But it's the final lap, just a few more moments, come on baby, you can do it. Max is so close to him though, I wouldn't be surprised if the winner was declared based on the replay of the finishing line. The big straight comes up and Dan has to stay out of Max's front, so as to not give him any advantages.

I can barely see it, but at the same time, I can't take my eyes off the screen.

"Full force now mate, final sector. You can win this" the engineer says on the radio but Daniel doesn't respond. Max is right by his side, he's going to pass him.

There's smoke coming out of his car, the whole thing is going to blow off any second now. Oh my god, please just a few more seconds.

5 turns to go.

4 turns to go.

3 turns to go. Max overtakes him. Shit.

2 turns to go. Daniel wins his place on the podium back.

Final turn. Daniel's in the front, barely. They cross the finish line and the whole garage explores with cheering. There are people running outside to wave at him. I can only smile and hold my own head like it would fall off otherwise. He did it. He fucking did it.

"Woo-hoo! Yes! Yes! Fuck yes!" I can hear Daniel on the radio, screaming his lungs out.

"Good job mate. Spectacular work. First-class, really! Well done!" the engineer cheers on.

The next thing I know, Michael is hugging me and lifting me from the ground just to puck me back down and Blake lift me up again. I can only laugh at their excitement. I'm so happy for Daniel I can barely grasp it!

"Let's go!" Blake puts me down and runs outside the garage. I follow him out, to the place where Daniel is stopping the car, a bunch of smoke coming out and some people with fire extinguishers around it.

He's got his fists up, celebrating. But is still inside the car. Then he takes off the steering wheel and handles it to one of the mechanics waiting outside. He gets out of the car and stands on top of it, smokes still coming out from behind. It's a nice picture. I just hoped he got away from that thing before it explodes, but it's a nice picture, can't deny it.

Then he jumps down and run towards the crew, jumping over them, helmet still on. Everybody is celebrating and cheering, I can only laugh and clap at the scene before me. So much joy and happiness going on, the energy is amazing! Then I can see Daniel looking around, but since his helmet is still on, I have no idea what he's doing. Somebody seems to understand though and they wave at me, calling me to come closer. I approach, but I'm still unsure, don't want to get in the middle of the team's celebration. But Daniel grabs me, pulling me closer and hugging me. I just laugh, can't barely see him with the suit and helmet still on. He's saying something, but I can't understand a thing.

"What?" I laugh at his attempts to communicating with me. He opens his helmet visor and repeats.

"I fucking won baby!" He yells laughing.

"I know! I know! You won Dan! I'm so proud! You're the best baby!"

"I need to get this thing off" he says struggling to get the helmet and the balaclava off, when he finally manages to do it, he jumps over the fence that was separating us and hugs me again, lifting me in the air and kissing me deeply, making everyone around us cheer even louder and I smile against his lips. I wrap my legs around him and he keeps kissing me, only after a few seconds do I pull away to breathe and he touches our foreheads. I laugh again, just enjoying the feeling of pure happiness for him.

"I'm so proud of you. You were so good. This is crazy" I whisper to him.

"Get used to it, cause there's more where it came from" he answers kissing me again.

[andmaybegayer]

Last Monday of the Week 2022-09-12

I have to find an apartment and I have to do it from 8500km away.

Listening: I have and will always be the kind of person who listens to Apocalyptica. They put out an arrangement of "Flight of the Bumblebee" from their new album on YouTube, LOVE some big cello, the best part of being in the youth orchestra was sitting right in front of the double bass during practice.

Reading: Finished The Diamond Age and Network Effect. I'd had a hard time with Network Effect so I put it down and picked up The Diamond Age. Once you get past about 60% of Network Effect it really picks up but the opening is slow and doesn't have as much of my favourite character-driven Murderbot stuff because it's a very small cast stuck on a spaceship.

Network Effect manages to even slip in a brief stint in horror at the end there, which is great, and also a really fun depiction of what it would feel like to be sentient malware.

Pre-ordered Nona the Ninth last night because it's out tomorrow and I may as well get the discount since I know I'm buying it anyway.

Watching: Back at it again with Umbrella Academy, thank you Gerard Way for whatever outfit you're doing on stage tonight but also this show. Superheroes who are mostly not doing superhero things because they Got Problems is so good.

Light and Magic, the documentary about the early days of Industrial Light and Magic. I have been interested in special effects since I was like eight and I love listening to stories from like, Adam Savage on Tested about how ILM works. This show is very well put together especially because all the old ILM employees were film nerds who have their own archival video and photos of them working around the shop.

Playing: Another really busy weekend, so nothing noteworthy, completely ate shit at Valorant again but I've actually started watching the VCT matches so hopefully I'll learn something. Unfortunately I think I'm just going to have to spend a lot of time staring around maps with flashcards or something.

Making: No free time for the quilt, but I did learn how to make Biryani and made for my extended family who were over on the weekend. Fresh cranberry beans go a long way towards improving some of the deficiencies of biryani, and I also made a cashew nuts chutney because my California Relatives brought a huge jar of California Cashews for us a while ago.

Tools and Equipment: I got one of those jet-flame lighters, they make up for their shocking fuel hunger and dangerous allure with a semi-wind-proof flame and much better versatility for heating things up, I used it to quickly desolder some parts I wanted but didn't want to set up my iron for and it took like five seconds. Because the flame is a jet you can heat things from the side much more easily than with a standard lighter, and it doesn't leave as much soot.

Unfortunately having a jet flame lighter also comes with the massive temptation to burninate things, larger than even normal lighters. So keep that in mind.

[jesslockwood]

Photo Opportunities

Word Count: 2.7k

Pairing(s): Tom Holland x Actress!Reader

Warnings: FLUFF with a slightly (barely) suggestive sentence towards the end 

A/n: damn I can't write anything except actress reader? smh but this is for @londonspidey ��s sit-com Writing challenge (ik I'm early lol) but I was so excited I wrote the whole thing in one go lmao the prompt is bolded!

Calling yourself a fan was an understatement. You were obsessed with anything and everything marvel. And oddly enough, you could after today say you were in the club. It wasn’t a public fact yet, until later that day actually, at the Marvel panel at comic con that you were being announced as the actress for the character, Felica Hardy and no one else knew except for the people who cast you and your best friend who signed an NDA. You were technically still a known actress for your roles on television mainly as Thalia on the PJO Disney + series and a couple of still decently sized films. 

You were currently wrapping up signing autographs for fans of yours for today. Your team had planned it out so it wasn’t suspicious that you were at the con with a few of your castmates scattered doing other junkets and press so people wouldn’t guess who they were acting as the cast for new marvel projects. 

You had been planning to go meet your best friend, who wasn’t in the industry before getting a text that she bought you both a photo-op with someone and she wouldn’t tell you who. You couldn’t only assume it was a marvel actor that you would indeed, freak out. 

Y/b/n: btw I brought you a mask. I get the wig lol.

You: please tell me it doesn’t cover my full face. Also, how are we posing?

Y/b/n: I bought as many photo ops as I could so a lot of different ones, And if I tell you the poses it’ll spoil it.

You: is this with the money I pay you to be my assistant with? Lol fine I’m omw with security

Y/b/n: maybe… 

Y/b/n: and they’ll need more backup security for who we’re getting a photo op with than you do for your hellfire.

You roll your eyes before taking your stuff and exiting the booth, before heading out the backways with staff security and your detailed security for the day. You only had security because you wanted to explore the con when you weren’t needed.

Your best friend had also been your assistant for the con weekend, but you didn’t want her to be confined to you the whole three days so when she could, you would let her explore it, at least she could experience it as a fan, right?

When you made it to that part of the building, you wanted to wait in line with her, which your security didn’t agree to so she texted you when there were about five people ahead of her. She was one of the last in line, with you asking her to be kind, so others would get their chance to be first with whomever it was. 

When she texted you and your detailed exit, getting a few stares and others taking their phones out to either take photos or tweet, you wave at them before joining your best friend in line.

“Here,” she says before handing you none other than a black cat mask before she puts on a red wig. 

You glare at her slightly trying to not make a scene, before putting it on. 

“I’m assuming you're Mary Jane?” you laugh figuring out that it had to be someone from Spider-Man.

“How’d you- never mind.” She laughs with you.

She then explains how she’s going to pose for your five photo ops, joking in between how she should “get a raise for this”.

You catch sight of him before sucking in your breath. This was either going to go down amazingly or terribly, there was no in-between with you. 

“Excuse Me, are you Y/n Y/l/n?”

You turn around and are met by some fans who were standing in line behind you.

“I am! How’s your con going?” you ask politely to the two of them.

“It's going amazing! We love you as Thalia! Could we maybe get a picture? Only if it’s okay?”

“Of course! Thank you for supporting me!” your best friend grabs their phone to take the photo, before you take off the mask, and stand between the two fans, and your best friend snaps a few photos. 

“Thank you so much! And Are you fans of Tom?”

You start slowly walking back to catch up to the line. 

“Yeah, I love him as Spiderman, but I also enjoy his other roles. He's very talented, I'd love to work with him one day!” 

“Have you seen him in Uncharted?  We love Him as Nathan drake!”

“I have, he was amazing per usual! How are you two posing with him?”

They show you their innovative pose. You laugh and tell them it's great before you have to wish them goodbye before heading up for your turn for the photo op. 

“How do we want to pose- hang on, I recognize you!”

You freeze slightly before your friend mouths for you to flirt. You look down at the mask in your hand before getting into character and saying “Of course you do Spidey, I'm always causing you trouble.” you put on the mask and wink. 

He seems slightly stunned, laughing, feeling like he’s seen you somewhere, not only because he found you extremely gorgeous, while in his peripheral vision he sees his brother/ assistant, Harry waving like a madman on the side. 

Your friend directs you both through the poses, first, one both him putting “webs” onto you as she looks over his shoulder, the second one, both of you kissing his cheeks, the third, all jumping in the air in your best superhero poses, the fourth one she gets a photo op alone and the last one she gives to you,

“Seriously, who are you?”

“Your Wildest dreams, baby,” you say, taking off the mask. 

Your best friend yells “freestyle” from the sidelines before Tom dips you, gently, with you shocked, holding the mask out with your free arm and the photo captures that moment. 

 He gently helps you stand back up fully, not before you drop the mask.

“Nice moves Spider-Man.”

“Not so bad yourself, Black Cat.”

You laugh before, taking off with your best friend, well more her dragging you to the printing station leaving the mask behind. Tom picks it up before shoving it in his back pocket to hopefully give back if he could find you. 

-

`You were sitting in the green room, trending on Twitter before you were actually supposed to be trending on Twitter, and god knows where else.  

Someone had snuck a video of you and Tom, up till him dipping you, and a video of you interacting with the fans in the line.

Your Y/b/n was currently reading off some tweets out loud

“‘A kind queen we stan.’  I agree, I also agree with ‘Date her if you can't date me tom!!!’.

‘THALIA AND PETER PARKER??? My two fandoms have collided.’ same, same. Oo this one says, ‘if she ain’t playing black cat I will sue marvel.’ I'm dying at the reply ‘She needs to post the photos or I'll sue her!’. This one’s funny, ‘she could squash him like a bug in heels but he liked his queen like that.’.”

She pauses watching you texting.

“Y/n? Y/n?”

“What? Sorry I was only half listening. I was texting my publicist. She said to stay on the DL until tonight. 

“Well we should get food, you haven't eaten since this morning.”

“By the way, your show has shot to number one on Disney +. Also, you have like three times the followers you had before, probably cause you're trending on every platform, even Tumblr!”

“Wow you should just become my social media manager now.” you joke trying to ease the joy yet weirded out feeling in your stomach.

“Does that come with a raise? Because after today I've spent way too much of what I'm paid.” she jokes back.

-

After finishing his photo ops Tom asked Harry who she was and to find out. By the time he finished autographs for the day, Tom and Harry walked to the panel room in the back for announcements, one that included him for the new Avengers movie, while Harry gave him the rundown.

“So she’s an actress, she plays Thalia on Disney plus’ Percy Jackson series, and that's her most known project. The other girl with her is her assistant best friend, and now she's trending everywhere. People dug up some old photos of her being a marvel/Spider-Man fan, so there's that. And she's here at the con for the rest of the weekend. She's doing photo ops tomorrow at one, and yes she's single from what I gather since you were looking at her like this.” he makes a weird face before tom smacks him.

“And plus you have time in your schedule to get a photo op with her, that is if you eat lunch quickly.”

That gave Tom an idea. 

“Harry I’m going to need you to book me one, oh and help me find a Spider-Man costume!” He says, before leaving harry to do ‘assistant’ work. entering the green room for the announcements, watching them announce a new movie.

“We are so excited to announce to the Marvel Universe, and spider-verse-” that perked tom’s ears, “-directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and today we are announcing our amazing Miss Felicia Hardy, please give a warm welcome to the stage, Your Black Cat!”

You suddenly emerged in an aisle way, dressed in all black with a leather jacket, black ankle boots, and of course black sunglasses indoors.

The music is marvel music until it suddenly changes after a recorded laugh from you into “I can’t be tamed by Miley Cyrus”.

You start owning the music while saying hi and touching fans’ hands. You decide to take off your sunglasses and throwing them to a fan, for them to keep, before getting on stage.

“What a Performance from the one the only Y/n Y/l/n!”

You laugh, being met with the loudest applause you had heard all con before being handed a Mic. 

“Thank you but I'm a terrible dancer.” You Joke.

Tom was staring at the screen stunned. You had been the black cat all along. You were in the marvel universe and spidey one,  so he'd definitely be seeing more of you. The hard part is that you seemed so genuine when you talked, interacted with fans and was no doubt, stunning. 

“Better close your mouth or the flies will get in.” Tom turns around to find the voice of none other than his friend slash bully, Sebastian Stan, along with Anthony Mackie.

“Looks like the kid has a crush!” Anthony laughs, pointing to the screen you were on.

“I-I don’t! I don’t even know her!” Tom tries to come to his own defense, hopelessly.

“She’s got you whipped already don’t even deny it.” Harry comes in, joining the teasing of one, Tom Holland.

“Maybe we can invite her out for drinks tonight, then fanboy over here can meet her, and then probably scare her off!” Anthony mentions.

“You haven’t looked on the internet? They’ve already met.” Seb says, before showing Anthony twitter. 

Anthony stands there slightly shocked before bursting into laughter.

“Well, she’s damn well a keeper for Tom since she obviously likes him.”

A staff member peaks their head in the green room to tell Tom he’s up next.

“Well, that’s my cue to leave you two!”

On the other hand, you were on an adrenaline high from being on stage, and seeing all the fans. You knew tomorrow was going to be crazy, as you expected people to book your photo op left and right since the announcement. 

You had decided to decline an offer from your fellow marvel universe castmates, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie, which they so graciously told you that whenever you’re free, the offer still stood. 

You had gotten to your hotel room seeing your phone blowing up on the social media apps for the second time that day. 

You responded to the important stuff, before heading to bed, knowing it was going to be hectic.

-

You had been right, it was absolutely insane, the number of people who showed up. You had fully booked all your time slots for photo ops. You had seen so many people dressed up in marvel cosplay, ranging from Loki to Ironman, even some people dressed up as your character, which was wildly insane to see.

You had been nearing the end of the line and had enjoyed every moment with the fans, and you couldn’t wait for your autographing session later that day, to truly get a chance to talk to the fans and connect with them and how they felt about you being their beloved Black Cat. 

After a few more photos, posing how they wanted, you see a fully dressed, head to toe, mask and all, Spider-Man. You had seen some spider-mans but most took off their masks to snap a picture. The person was the last in line. 

“Hey Black Cat.” The southern American accented voice tells you, seeming very familiar. 

“Hey, Spider, what poses do you have up your sleeve?” you ask kindly.

“I bought a few, Cat.” they laugh.

“Okay, You can do whatever a spider can right?” you pull out a line out of the comics jokingly.

“I can do flips if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Is that some kind of nerd pick-up line? Because it’s only kind of working.” you laugh. 

“I really can, but this is one.”

He gets down on one knee, holding a black cat mask instead of a ring. The photographer captures the shocked expression on your face.

“I- Don’t- What- Spider I-” 

“Ow My feelings…” Suddenly their voice changes into a British accent before they pull off the mask to reveal-

“Tom?”

“I guess you don’t have a spidey sense darling?” The photographer captures the moment without warning eating the moment up. 

You laugh at that. 

“I guess you found out my true identity Spider. And it’s nice to officially meet you, Tom.”

He laughs, just as nervous as you, he notices he has gotten closer to you and a strand of hair loosely is blowing in your face, so naturally, he pushes it behind your ear. Another snap of the camera can be heard. 

“NOW KISS!” a voice belonging to your best friend yells from the side, mid-eating a churro.

You both laugh really hard at that.

The both of you calm down, slowly leaning lost in the moment. The camera snaps again. You both look at the photographer weirded out, and they just shrug.

“Wait can you actually do a flip?” you ask, pulling away, not wanting prying eyes aka the photographer, to pry in your business. 

“I can, though I’d show you later, maybe in the greenroom?”

“That sounds naughty, but, sure.” you joke around. 

He laughs before, you both take off from the area going to grab the photos.

-

After spending most of the day together when you could, you get Tom’s number, before heading back to your hotel room. He texts you as soon as you get back. 

Spider: I had fun today, minus finding our assistants making out.

You: we should ‘snog’ too, it’ll gross them out ;)

You: I had fun too btw. Are you leaving tomorrow?

Spider: lol we should. And yeah an early flight, 6 am to be exact. Hbu?

You: Yeah me too... another day another dollar lol

Spider: ill miss you, Cat.

You: stop talking like we’ll never see each other again lol. As a matter of fact, come to my room, we’re watching a movie!

Spider: alright, I’ll order snacks. 

  You sigh smiling at your phone. You haven’t felt this giddy in a long time.

Your phone pings with a few Instagram notifications.

Tomholland2013 has started following you.

Tomholland2013 has tagged you in a photo.

You open Instagram to find the photo of him “proposing” to you posted.

“Ow, my leg, my- feelings...Welcome to the Universe, Cat.” the photo is captioned. You decide to post, the photo of him dipping you.

“So what do you say, Spider? Wanna help me pull off the Heist of the Heist of the Century?” you caption it, Before getting comfortable to watch a movie. 

What an opportunity ;)

Tags:

@lolooo22 @webmeupspiderdaddy @harryhollandsgirlfriend @spideyspeaches @greenorangevioletgrass @queenofthepouges @sheranatic111 @keithseabrook27

[miss-smutty]

Forbidden

Chapter 1

A/N- I've teased y'all for so long I hope this series is going to live up to expectations, I'm confident it will though because I'm addicted and it's been super easy for me to write - I'm up to chapter 3 so far so updates can be on time! There's a slight age gap between my professor Hemsy and OC Jess but she's twenty and completely legal. You know this is gunna be a giant tease fest for the first couple of chapters cos that sexual tension is fucking gold 🥵

Summary- Jess meets the man of her dreams and then stupidly leaves without getting his number. Will fate bring them together again?

Word count- 1.5 K

Pairing- Professor!Chris Hemsworth x OC

Warnings- Swearing, age gap

18+ only!

Disclaimer: This is an entire work of fiction/AU and has no affiliation to real life what so ever! This is a fictional story about fictional characters who happen to share names and faces with some real people.

Posted: 5th August 2021

Taglist:- @innerpaperexpertcloud @pandaxnienke @chickensarentcheap @jjpogueprincess @longlostinanotherworld @mostly-marvel-musings @darklydeliciousdesires @monet-belle

@skyfullofsong123 @swaggysposts

Chapter 2

I pulled out a chair at the last available table in the unusually busy coffee shop, I thought I might've caught a break choosing the one outside of campus but alas I was wrong.

I was about to sit down when the chair opposite me slid out from under the table, my eyes lifted to meet with the most sparkly blue eyes i'd ever seen. The sight of him took my breath away. Literally.

I stood staring, frozen on the spot, my mouth slightly ajar as I looked him up and down. He was tall, so tall, definitely over 6ft and built like a dream. Thick thighs straining against his fitted trousers, wide muscular shoulders and I just knew there was a six-pack hiding behind that tight t-shirt. 

"Sorry. You were here first, I'll just grab a take-out." He smirked a side smile, amused at how I was so obviously checking him out but his sexy Australian accent distracted you from anything else.

"It's fine, I'm on my own. I don't mind if you want to sit there too." I mentally face palmed myself, drawing attention to the fact I was alone wasn't the best idea but then again he was alone too. "I don't bite." I added trying my best to flirt.

It seemed to work, he smiled at me as he sat down and I took the time to admire his handsome face. He was quite clearly a lot older than me, the laughter lines around his eyes a tell tale sign but he was still quite possibly the best looking man I'd ever laid eyes on. His hair was fair and the short beard framed his face perfectly but the one thing that stood out the most were those piercing ocean-blue eyes.

"So do you come here often?" I cocked my eyebrow at him over my coffee cup making him laugh at my reaction. "Sorry, it's been a while." He said nervously, running his hand through his hair.

"It's been a while since you spoke to a stranger or…?" I questioned casually.

"It's been a while since I spoke to an attractive woman." He finished, his eyes sparkling as he watched me almost choke on my drink.

"Oh, I err…. I don't think you're doing too badly." I absentmindedly circled my finger around the rim of my cup, crossing my leg over my other and accidently rubbing my foot up his leg. My cheeks felt hot and flushed as I looked up into his eyes and saw him smiling slyly.

"Evidently. We're already playing footsie under the table." He smiled widely, a genuine smile that stretched the corners of his mouth. I smiled back at him shyly, thinking of something to say to change the subject before I ended up looking like a tomato.

"What part of Australia are you from?"

"I'm originally from Melbourne but I lived in Byron Bay before I came to America." 

"Awesome. I've always wanted to go to Australia, the Spiders put me off though." 

"Yeah I think they put most people off but in heavily populated areas they stay pretty much hidden, I think it's the size that scare people." How have I made this conversation go from flirting to talking about spiders? And how do I get back to flirting?

"Are we still talking about spiders?" I raised my eyebrows questioningly and laughed at the innuendo, flicking my hair over my shoulder. I noticed something in his eyes when I did so, a hunger, just a little flash and then it was gone again. I'm sure I didn't imagine it though because his eyes lingered on my exposed shoulders.

I checked my watch subtly, not wanting him to think he was boring me but I had to get to class and couldn't be late again, not when this semester had only just started.

"I'm really sorry, I'm gonna have to run, I'm going to be late. It was really nice meeting you." I gathered up my bags, ready to leave.

"Already? You've only just got here." He looked disappointed, his smile fading. His mouth opened as if he was going to say something else and then closed again when he saw I was ready to leave. "It was really nice to meet you too, hopefully I'll see you again." His eyes sparkled as he looked into mine, standing from his chair to get the door for me. I felt fireworks when his hand brushed against the small of my back and his face lingered close to mine. The tension was unreal, like we were the only people in the room as his eyes hungrily stared into my soul, undressing me with his eyes. My heart stopped beating when his face moved closer to mine so I could feel his breath on my lips, the smell of coffee and his aftershave filling my nostrils. I paused, my feet routed to the spot, I wanted him to kiss me so badly but I moved away at the last minute. Surely he wasn't actually going to kiss me, we'd only just met, that would be ridiculous. Wouldn't it?

********

I spent most of class daydreaming about my tall handsome stranger and the way he looked at me but most of all how I didn't even get his name. Or his number.

Now I was feeling sorry for myself because it would just be my luck to meet the man of my dreams and then never see him again. So I'd moped about all day and avoided the invitations for drinks after class. Instead I'd

gotten home early, changed into some sweats and settled myself in front of the TV for the night.

"What's up with your face?" My roommate, Ellie said as she walked into our room, throwing her bags onto her bed.

"What're you talking about?" 

"Your face. Looks like you're chewing on a wasp."

"Feeling sorry for myself." I pout pathetically.

"Why, what've you done now?" She rolled her eyes, kicking off her shoes and throwing her legs up onto the bed. I felt so lucky to have a roommate like Ellie, during our freshman year she'd become my best friend practically straight away and now after two years together we were practically sisters.

I sat up in bed cross legged and faced Ellie, getting myself ready to spill my misfortunes of the day with her.

"Well, I went to Impresso's this morning to get my morning coffee before class." She nodded, showing her enthusiasm by also sitting cross legged on her own bed, facing me. "And it was packed full of students, there was only one table left. So I went to grab it as soon as I could." She raised her eyebrow at me, wondering where I was going with the story. "And I kid you not, the most attractive man I have ever seen, pulls out the chair opposite me." 

"Oh my god! No way. Did you talk? Oh my god, this is like the perfect chick flick. Carry on." I smiled at her excitement.

"I told him I didn't mind if he sat there, I mean of course I didn't mind, you should've seen him El. Oh, oh, oh I almost forgot" I flapped my hands, bouncing on the spot. "He was fucking Australian."

"Fuck off, you're lying. Drop dead gorgeous with the sexiest accent ever. How is this even real? Now remind me why you're sat there with a face like a slapped arse?" 

"I panicked when I had to leave, didn't want to be late for class and I didn't get his number, didn't even give him chance to ask for mine." 

"Wow! Ok, now I understand. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking, I was panicking and you know what I'm like when I panic." You sulk.

"It's ok, maybe you'll bump into him again."

"Yeah, right. I should be so lucky."

"Cheer up." she says throwing a cushion at me. "There's a party at Alpha Kappa this weekend, I'm sure we can find you someone to help get over your mystery man. Or under should I say?" She raised her eyebrow at me, smiling slyly and making me laugh. She always did know how to cheer me up and maybe a party is what I needed.

There must be some good looking boys around campus that could make me forget about my Australian hunk. Surely? I thought about the guys I'd seen around campus, the guys I'd seen at frat parties and that's definitely not what I wanted. How could a twenty year old boy match to the masculine, experienced man I met this morning. My mind was set, I'd dipped my feet ever slightly into the mature pool and that's what I wanted more than anything. There was always something missing with previous boyfriends and I was tired of all the game playing. I wanted someone who knew what they wanted and wasn't afraid to get it.

The only thing was, he didn't know I was only twenty and I had no way of finding him again. If fate did bring us back together, would he mind that I was still a student? That I couldn't even drink when we went on dates? 

Who am I kidding? Of course he would mind, he could get any woman he wanted, why would he want me?

[fighterkimburgess]

Unintentional Chapter 17 - Nadia Mairead Burgess

Summary: Kim has her baby shower and decides on childcare plans before her daughter makes an appearance. Series Masterlist Here

Words: 3.5k

Warnings: yet more angst, childbirth, pregnancy.

A/N: Folks, if you didn't see my post on Saturday, Unintentional is now going to a once a week posting schedule. When I started this fic I had a 15 chapter buffer. I'm now down to one (and that's not even edited!). I'll move back to two a week when I've got a bigger buffer going on, so hopefully it won't be like this for more than a week or so.

Wanna join my taglist?

--

The day of her baby shower dawned early, Nadia kicking up a storm and Kim waking up to the thuds. She’d bought a body pillow that sometimes helped, but whenever she used it her thoughts would fade back to Jay, to curling up against him and using him as a pillow. She’d thought that by now it would have faded, that her need to have him by her side would be gone. But seeing him every day made the wounds in her heart break open a little bit each time, wanting to see him and tell him about Nadia. She knew better, she knew it wasn’t the right thing. Kim could see the way he and Hailey were, she couldn’t stand in their way.

She hadn’t known how she was going to manage everything, but she’d been told to turn up at molly’s, to bring herself and her bump and smile at everyone. Kim just agreed, getting dressed and ready to go. She didn’t want to go, not really. She’d much rather have stayed home and relaxed, but Kim had agreed to turn up for her friends.

Trudy opened the door to the bar, grinning and welcoming her in. Inside was every woman she’d worked with, Julie even greeting her with open arms. Stella, Sylvie, and Foster from 51 were there, along with Natalie, Maggie, and April. It filled Kim’s heart with joy, even as she pushed down the sadness that Will’s girlfriend was there celebrating with her, but not Nadia’s uncle or father.

They played stupid party games, diapers decorated with encouraging slogans and bets placed on when Nadia would be born and the weight she’d appear at. Foster suggested hair and eye colour, something that Trudy and Hailey quickly voted against doing with a nod from Kim.

As she opened the presents Kim’s smile grew, a large pile of clothes in sizes from newborn to nine months growing around her. As the only person who knew what being a single mother was like in the group, Nat gave her a gift basket with what she called her new mother essentials - a face mask, hot chocolate, some treats, and ear plugs for if Nadia was too loud, as well as some fluffy socks and other treats that made Kim smile and thank her gratefully.

The final gifts to open were two large boxes, carefully wrapped. Kim opened the card first, the message in Jay’s unmistakable writing making tears come to her eyes.

Kim,

None of us knew what to get you, so we decided to make sure Nadia has the best furniture she could want. Everyone’s coming around when we have a weekend off so we can put it together for you and her.

The card was signed by the entire unit, and when Kim opened the wrapping paper it was the exact crib and changing station she’d wanted sitting there. She’d only put them on the registry to get the discount to buy them hen they hadn’t been purchased, but to see them actually there and purchased was amazing. They were light wood, the crib large enough to turn into a toddler bed when Nadia outgrew it, and the changing table matched perfectly with it. It was everything she didn’t know she wanted.

The rest of the afternoon passed with pizza being delivered, everyone celebrating Kim. She felt so loved and cared for, hugging everyone as they got ready to leave. Trudy and Sylvie helped her bring the gifts out to her car, neither of them letting Kim carry anything heavier than some leftover cake. The furniture was left behind, Trudy promising that they’d bring it when everyone came to her apartment to put it together.

Being heavily pregnant in the early summer wasn’t Kim’s idea of a good time. Nadia was constantly kicking in the early May humidity, and her unit had gotten used to the random thuds from Kim’s desk as she hit off the wood. It would be almost funny if she wasn’t constantly uncomfortable. But Trudy turned out to be her saving grace, almost accidentally.

She didn’t want to go home to her empty apartment. She didn’t want to sit and watch TV and count down the six weeks until her daughter was due by herself. So instead she sat at her desk, the list of necessities in front of her. Childcare was now Kim’s number one most pressing concern.

There was a CPD daycare that she would be leaving Nadia in, but because of her daughter’s age she’d only be able to be there for nine hours. Which for most cops would be fine, but Intelligence was not that kind of unit. She didn’t want to have to give it up, but something would have to give. The nanny service that Natalie had sent her was her saving grace, and she started making a list of what she wanted.

“Burgess? Shouldn’t you be at home by now?” Kim turned to see Trudy upstairs, shrugging.

“Had a few things to do, and sitting here is more comfortable than on the couch. Trying to work out the childcare situation for when Nadia’s here.”

She passed the papers over at Platt’s urging, watching her read over the ideas. It was weirdly nerve wracking watching the woman who’d helped her become a better cop go over plans for her childcare.

“This is good. Where are you getting the nanny from?”

Trudy sat in on Kim’s nanny interviews, helping her pick the person who’d spend time with Nadia. They picked Reese, who would be in college classes during the day, wanting to make money to put herself through her social work degree. She’d already had to do CPD vetting because of her degree, and that was the icing on the cake for who to choose. She agreed to come over a few weeks before she’d start to meet Nadia, to let her get used to her and having someone who wasn’t Kim around. Having her was a weight off Kim’s shoulders, knowing that she’d have someone to take care of her daughter. It was going to be worth it.

The rest of her time was spent between going to work and home. Sitting waiting for people to ask her to run searches wasn’t her idea of a good time, especially with Nadia kicking constantly and Kim being uncomfortably warm. Adam had gotten her a USB fan to plug in on her desk, which helped a little bit at keeping her cool. Everyone in the unit was careful to make sure she was ok before they left for raids or checking out scenes, filling Kim’s desk with water and food, making sure she had lunch if they were going to be a while. The only time she had to stand up was using the bathroom, happening more and more as she got closer to her due date. Heads would lift whenever she stood, everyone checking on her until she shook her head, confirming she wasn’t in labour yet.

Finally Intelligence had a Saturday off, and at noon her apartment was invaded by everyone. The self proclaimed Men Of Intelligence - everyone except Hailey and Trudy - brought the boxes of furniture up from Jay’s truck, ready to put it together. Kim smiled as Hailey and Jay arrived together, her best friends grinning and so excited for her baby. It made Kim even more sure about her decision. Hailey hadn’t said anything about dating Jay, but it was so clear to Kim that they were together, the easy intimacy between the two. It was the same way Hailey had been with Adam before that relationship was revealed, and Kim just smiled each time. With Vanessa undercover, the two women had become closer and closer, supporting each other knowing exactly what their job was like without help.

Kim arrived into the nursery to see the five men attempting to put the crib together, nearly dropping the pizza and beers she was bringing in. Adam and Kev were holding slats together as Jay and Al were using electric screwdrivers to put them together, Voight giving directions from the head of the mass of wood. It was hilarious, and she appreciated them all for it. The changing table had been fully made up, so she left the food there, a chorus of thank you from the men coming through.

Trudy arrived to help supervise them, and hearing her calls and insistence that Voight help with the hammering made Kim and Hailey laugh. But finally the furniture was done, pushed against the light grey walls. She’d wanted a mostly neutral room for Nadia, grey walls and light wood, with pastel accents and furnishings. The rocking chair she’d bought for herself was in the corner, a pillow sitting on it.

While they were sitting in the living room Trudy handed her a box, Kim putting it on the coffee table to open it. She’d always known the desk sergeant knitted - had been threatened with a pair of knitting needles more than once - but inside was a beautifully made layette set for her, but sizes bigger than a newborn. There was a knitted cardigan, booties, hat, and mittens, along with a blanket that fit the decor of the nursery perfectly. The stitches were neat and even, something Kim could scarcely believe. It was beautiful.

“Trudy…” She had no words for it.

“It’ll be too warm for her to wear it when she arrives, so I made a few sizes up. It should be perfect for winter for her. The blanket is washable, every child should have a comfort blanket.” She was matter of fact as usual, but Kim just kept grinning at it.

“It’s perfect. Thank you so much.”

Hailey cooed over how it looked, and when Kim spread the blanket on her stomach Nadia kicked it, in the now universal sign that her daughter approved. Everyone came out from the nursery with the furniture made, complimenting Trudy on her craft. Kim had ordered Chinese food for everyone, passing out bottles of beer and glasses of wine for those who wanted it. They tried slipping her money for the takeout but she refused, insisting that the help they’d given her was more than worth it. Her phone buzzed with venmo payments from people, but she rolled her eyes and knew not to argue.

Everyone left earlier than they normally would out of consideration for her exhaustion, and Kim hugged them all goodbye. Nadia kicked against Hank and Jay, and when Jay hugged her he pushed the lightest kiss to her forehead. She should have seen it coming and moved her head but took the comfort gladly, she hadn’t had one since she’d left his apartment those months ago. And now he’d put together their daughter’s furniture, scratches on his hands from Adam’s misaimed swings with a hammer.

The last two weeks waiting for Nadia to come were painful, both literally and figuratively. She’d decided to work until she went into labour, deciding that it was better to spend as much time at home once she arrived than waiting for her to arrive. She got nine weeks of maternity leave, and it would fly by when they were home.

She was kept even more to her desk when she was in work, everyone delivering what she needed before she’d even thought about it. Kim was utterly convinced that they had a schedule worked out on how to look out for her, between cups of water and tea, and snacks being brought out to her. If she even considered staying at her desk after the clock hit five she was shooed out, regardless of whether or not there was a night raid. She argued, but when Voight sat down beside her desk and said they needed to make sure she was safe she just nodded and agreed to head home.

It was just after he’d asked her to head home, when she was standing in the grocery store picking up some ready made noodles for her dinner, when her first contraction hit. Kim just breathed through it, slow and steady, picking up her food and paying before getting into the car to go home. She had plenty of time, the next one was a half hour away and Kim had made it to her couch by the time it arrived.

Her hospital bag had been packed and ready to go in the car since she’d hit seven months, Nadia’s coming home outfit and things to keep her sane during labour in it. Instead she took a shower, the contractions so far apart she could wash and condition her hair in it, making sure she felt ready for what was about to happen. It was vain, but pregnancy meant her hair looked fantastic, so Kim just grinned at it as she brushed it out. She put on her favourite of her maternity dresses, curling up on the couch. The contractions were getting closer together, and once they were fifteen minutes apart she decided to make her way to the hospital while she could still drive without worrying. It was go time, and she was both nervous and excited for Nadia to come.

Kevin, Adam, and Hailey had all offered to be in the room with her, but she’d turned them all down in turn. As much as she loved Kevin and Adam as her brothers she didn’t want them in the room while she was giving birth. And the idea of having Hailey in there - having the woman she was closest to help her give birth to the man Kim was convinced they both loved’s child - just hurt too much. Alone would be hard, but better for her.

The trip to Med was quiet, Kim pulling over for one contraction, the Chicago streets mostly clear as she drove. The sun was beginning to peek above the city skyline, and it was beautiful. She’d always loved these kind of summer days, and she forever would love them now, because today was her daughter’s birthday.

Kim parked and checked in, ignoring the questioning glance the receptionist gave her when her answer to “is anyone coming after you?” was a calm no. She could do this, and one judgmental look would not stop her daughter from arriving. Once she had a white paper wristband on with her details on one arm, plus a green one with MOTHER in bold black letters on the other, she was put into a wheelchair and brought into a single room. The midwife introduced herself as Patti, helping Kim to put the gown on and pull back her hair. She handed over the TV remote and a buzzer to call if Kim needed anything.

She sat on the bed alone, rhythmic contractions hitting her with a rerun of some comedy on tv. It was when GMA started that she realised she hadn’t told anyone she was in the hospital, and pulled up her contacts to text Voight and tell him she wouldn’t be in work.

Checked into Med, Nadia is on her way. I’ll let you know when she arrives.

His response was nearly immediate, making her smile.

The entire group can’t wait to meet her, we’re looking forward to it.

Another contraction ripped through her when she finished reading the text, the feeling of her stomach tensing under her hand before relaxing surreal. Nadia had stopped kicking as much, and she was worried until she realised Patti was calm, telling her it was completely normal to happen.

“Are we waiting on your support person?” She asked, smiling at Kim while terror ripped through her in between pains. How could she do this on her own? What had made her think she could do it? She was a fool for even imagining she could.

“I’m on my own.” The words came through gritted teeth, but Patti just held her hand.

“Then I’m here for this whole time, ok? We’ve had Doctor Manning and Halstead ask if it was you up here, so you’ve plenty of support in this hospital. Plus, a couple of cops are waiting outside already. I get the feeling there’ll be more?”

“Probably. My unit are as good as my family.”

She held Patti’s hand when her OB came in, pushing on command. It hurt and she could barely believe she was doing it, but finally her labour was over and Nadia was there, a perfect, perfect baby girl. She cried nearly immediately, the doctor weighing and measuring her before handing her back to Kim, who grasped her daughter eight pound daughter closely. She could see the red tint to her hair, the Halstead genes coming out in force already. Her nose was Jay’s, her lips like Kim’s, and she could already tell that Nadia’s eyes would be like her dad’s, green blue already.

Their daughter was the perfect mix of both of them, and Kim cradled her closely when she relaxed after delivering the placenta. She’d brought their daughter into the world alone, but this was the last time Nadia wouldn’t know about the big group of people there for her already. A tear dropped down her cheek at how gorgeous she was, Kim counting fingers and toes compulsively, smiling as Nadia grasped her hand.

“Do you have a name for her, Kim?” Patti asked, Kim nodding immediately.

“Nadia. Nadia Mairead Burgess.” She spelt Mairead out for Patti, promising to bring the birth certificate by later for Kim to sign.

Patti talked her through getting Nadia to latch on, barely suckling anything but she’d at least tried. Kim put the small pink hat on her daughter’s head, still holding her in the white blanket.

“So, there’s a group of cops in our waiting room. They want to know if you and Nadia are ready for some visitors?” Kim smiled, not expecting them to turn up. She’d expected to call Voight later and tell him that Nadia had arrived, that they were in the middle of a case so couldn’t come out. It warmed her heart that they were there waiting for her.

“Send them in.”

It took two minutes for everyone to come in, Jay, Voight, Al, Adam, Kev, and Hailey, with Trudy bringing up the rear and grinning at the new mother. Kim pulled Nadia’s little hat down, determined to keep her hair hidden from view just in case Jay put two and two together. They looked at her expectantly, and Kim forced a smile.

“Meet Nadia, everyone,” she said, the grins splitting their faces. Jay was the closest one to her, and she handed their daughter to him as she forced a smile watching him cradle her. Kim’s heart was screaming to tell him, but she knew she’d made the right decision in the end. Even if her heart broke as Adam took photos of Jay holding the baby, pressing a kiss to his forehead the same way he had to her nearly every time they were together.

Adam took photos of everyone with Nadia, Kim smiling at her pseudo grandparents holding her closely.

“She’s perfect, Kim,” Al murmured as he handed her over to Trudy, who snuggled into her softer than anyone would have thought. Trudy passed her back with a smile and pat on Kim’s shoulder.

“After DeCotis, right?” Jay asked, and Kim nodded.

“Yeah. I wanted to name her after the bravest woman I knew, and I never got to thank Nadia for everything that time we were undercover together. If my Nadia has half the strength she has, she’s going to be perfect.”

“She already is, Kim. You’ve got a perfect daughter, and we’ll all be here for her even if her dad isn’t. She’ll be sixteen and dating and have to deal with all of us.” Kim laughed slightly wetly, her emotions beginning to bubble over at everyone nodding at Jay’s words.

“She’s going to completely love it. We’re all there for each other, she’s just the first child from us.”

Everyone left shortly after to give the new mother some peace with her daughter. Trudy was the last to leave, giving Kim a hug and looking at Nadia closely. Kim was nervous at the near inspection Trudy did, before watching the sleeping child grasp her finger for a moment.

“We’re going to surround her, Burgess. She’s going to have a family in the 21st, don’t you ever doubt it. I was never lucky enough to have a daughter, but I’ve always thought of you like one. And if it’s ok, I want to think of her as a granddaughter.”

The offer filled Kim with joy, the knowledge that Nadia would have them. That no matter what happened, she would have that family around her.

“Thanks, Trudy. For everything.”

“You never need to thank me.”

As Kim watched her sergeant, the woman who’d believed in her when everything had looked bad for her, leave, she held her tears in. But as the door to her hospital room closed, Kim held her daughter close and let the tears run down her cheeks, stopping the gasping sobs she wanted to let out. The only thing she wanted in the world was that Jay was sitting beside her, holding their daughter in his arms. But instead he was on his way back to the precinct with Hailey, and she couldn’t begrudge him the happiness he had gained.

Next chapter >>

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