#i am glad i am not starting lessons at this time of night

[richo1915]

Old Scholar sharpening his Quill Pen

Frans van Mieris the Elder 1653

[penkura]

where you belong [2/10]

Summary: As Luffy's big sister, you've viewed it to be your job to see him become King of the Pirates in place of your absent parents, even as you try to find where it is you belong in the world. You never really expected to draw the attention of Trafalgar Law in the process.

Pairing: Trafalgar Law x Fem!reader

Warnings: Discussion of feelings of abandonment, age gap relationship (four years), brief secret relationship, mentions and heavy refences to sex, mentions of alcohol, typical One Piece stuff. Other warnings to be added if needed.

Note: Sorry this has taken so long! I wanted to really progress these two and get some moments between them, so the chapter ended up bigger than planned! Next one is a good one I think. ;) Forgot to mention last time but Reader is going to be described as shorter than Law, and that height difference can be your own interpretation (I'm 5ft tall, these men would tower over me).

I am also FLOORED at how well received the first chapter was and that we've got a taglist for this series, my gosh. You guys are so sweet and wonderful!! If I missed you on the taglist PLEASE let me know and I will add you to the future chapters! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and the beginning of Law and Reader falling for each other!

Taglist:

@pinksaiyans | @sukunas-play-thing | @spiderlily-w1tch-blog | @mineymak | @valen-yamyam16 | @shimmerxc | @luffy0s | @fluffybunnyu | @laws-wife-things | @crmnic

[Ch. 1]

You spend the next week learning more about the Polar Tang and the Heart Pirates themselves, Law taking most of your time to help you get used to things. He's made sure you understand the basic rules of the ship, for his crew, including the boiler suits, and what do in case of certain emergencies. You’re going to be working on your poisons in his office, in case anything happens, he can help you fix it. You’re honestly grateful for the time everyone has taken to help you get your bearings straight and work out where things are. You’ll be sharing a room with Ikkaku, who is so glad to have another girl aboard for as long as you are. She’s already started sharing some gossip with you, pointing out those involved so you knew who was who on top of it all.

Penguin has been extremely kind and helpful, telling you that you’re welcome to join him for night watches once you tell him you spend a lot of time writing during your shifts on the Sunny.

Shachi and Uni both showed you around some of the major maintenance areas, both promising they’d help you learn the most basic things so you can be of help if needed.

You’re about to join Bepo for a quick navigation lesson before their captain calls you, wanting to discuss somethings with you before you got too far away.

Law, although he agreed to letting you stay with him and his crew, still isn’t entirely sure what to do with you. There’s still that strange feeling in his chest when you smile at him, as you thank him for all his help and allowing you to stay, once he brings you to his office again a few days later, and he waves you off.

“You don’t have to thank me constantly.”

“I know,” you smile again and he feels that feeling that’s been hanging around, but Law tries to ignore it, “I’m just…really grateful. I know my being here may be a burden—”

“Not a burden, you’re welcome here. Everyone’s glad you’re staying around for now.”

Hearing that makes you brighten up, as Law starts to question you more about what you do for the Straw Hats, and what you can bring to his crew in the meantime. You list off everything you’ve come to learn about being at sea from being a Straw Hat, Law making mental notes on other things to ask about later.

“Any other special talents we should know about?”

You start to think, pressing a finger to your chin while you do so. Another action Law has to tell himself isn’t cute, before you grin and lean in close to him, quietly speaking.

“I can see the dead.”

Complete silence as Law raises an eyebrow at you as you continue to grin, halfway expecting him to ask for proof. Ask you to tell him about a spirit that might be hanging around the Polar Tang, or around one his crewmembers, but he doesn’t ask anything, eventually returning to a straight face.

“No you can’t.”

“…okay fine, I can’t. It’d be cool though!”

He rolls his eyes, which makes you laugh in return. Law goes to let you out of his office which you oblige by, knowing he’s done talking with you now that you’ve made your joke. He stops you with a hand on your shoulder first, you giving him a questioning look.

“I’ll help you make antidotes for your poisons. But you won’t use my crew as test subjects.”

“Ha! That’s fine, I don’t test on people anyway, just in case. Just give me some fish and I can use those.”

Giving him another grin, you walk ahead saying Bepo was going to show you something next, but Law had rudely interrupted by wanting to know what you could bring to his crew for the next two years. You’ll promise later to make extra batches of antidote for him to keep in his medicine stockpile, while Law watches you hurry down the hall and sighs.

“That’s the wrong way.”

He’s quick to follow you, grabbing your arm and bringing you back the right way, deciding he’ll join you and Bepo for whatever it was you two were discussing next. He wants to ensure you’re being given correct information and know what to do in an emergency, especially so if you need medical attention.

Atta boy, Law.

If you really could see the dead, you’d have noticed the tall, blond man with makeup and a large, black feathered coat pushing Law towards you.

+!+

“We’re approaching a winter island, everyone needs to be ready to disembark for a bit and—”

“A winter island?!”

Your outburst causes Law to stop speaking with a nod at you, and you’re gone to the crew bunks in an instant, followed by Bepo who is just as excited. Law gives a look to Ikkaku and Uni, who you’d been talking to when he came in, and both simply shrug at him. They all briefly noticed a sparkle in your eyes as you ran off, likely to change clothes and get ready to disembark, but none of them knew your intent or real interest in the snow.

It's only when Law catches you by the exit door with Bepo, excitedly talking with the Polar bear mink about what you could do in the snow, all dressed up in your coat, thick pants, boots and gloves. You and Bepo trade ideas back and forth about what to build out of the snow, or if you can get a snowball fight started.

Law hasn’t seen someone so excited for snow in a long time, he thinks not since the last winter with Lami.

Penguin joins you and Bepo by the door next, throwing an arm around your shoulders and giving you a smile.

“What’re you so excited about some snow for?”

“It practically never snows in my home town! I think it snowed maybe twice while Luffy and I lived there? Chopper is from a winter island, so when we were there, it was so exciting!”

“Haha, I’m from the North Blue, so snow is pretty normal up there. Well…the area me and Shachi are from anyway.”

“Ah,” you give a little sigh but smile yourself, “I’m so jealous. What about Trafalgar?”

“That’s…well, kind of different, but we did meet him where we used to live,” looking over his shoulder, Penguin sees Law but leans into whisper, “Probably better if you ask him another time. It’s…a lot…”

Before you have a chance to question it, Law comes up behind Penguin and tells him to go ahead with opening the door, the Polar Tang should be stable enough for you all to leave now. You put that question into the back of your mind for later, instead running out with Bepo as soon as the door opens. The excitement both of you have is almost contagious, as the rest of the Heart Pirates slowly join you outside. While some of them are tasked with scoping out the island, the rest end up with you and Bepo building snowmen for a while, though you and the mink end up making a snow polar bear the best you can even if it looks a little goofy in the end. Some pieces are a little larger than others but you still think it’s cute, even as your companion bows his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry, [Y/N], I made some things a little too big.”

“No, that’s okay, Bepo! It gives it charm, I think he’s cute!”

You reassure Bepo a few times with a smile, before the two of you go to work with others on more snow sculptures. It goes well until you get hit in the face with a snowball, thrown by Hakugan at Shachi who dodged just in time. While it makes you sneeze a bit as you brush the snow off your face, with Bepo and Ikkaku yelling at Hakugan while he shouts apologies and Shachi nearly cackles, it doesn’t upset you at all really. Yeah it kind of hurt to have a snowball hit you in the face, but hey, you mentioned a snowball fight earlier, right?

Crouching down to gather up some snow, you put on a wicked grin and fling the ball at Hakugan yourself, catching him in the back as he turns away while you laugh.

“How about a warning next time?!”

“Yeah, snowball fight!!”

Most everyone joins in, gathering up all the snowballs they could or just throwing loose snow at each other, Law watches from the side, a slight smile on his face. He’s glad everyone can take a bit to relax and enjoy themselves, he’s not sure he’s seen his crew this excited about snow in a long time, even Shachi who grew up in the North Blue. Some of you group up to get an advantage over others, Law turns to ignoring the snowball fight as Penguin and Uni come back with what they found on the island.

All is well until Law is hit in the back of the head with a snowball, keeping himself upright but turning quickly to search through everyone and find who did it as you all quiet down seeing his glare. Not a single person looks him in the eye, but they all point to you, while you cover your mouth with your hand and try to stifle your laughter.

“S-Sorry, Trafalgar,” a giggle escapes you as you glance over to him, “I… I was… hehe… aiming for Penguin… honest!”

“Oh yeah…?” Law’s voice is low, he crouches down to scoop up some snow, locking eyes with you as yours widen and you turn to run, but realize it’s futile when Law uses his Shambles to catch up and grab you, shoving the snow he’d gathered into your coat and making you screech before everyone returns to the snowball fight.

“That’s cruel!!”

“Everyone get Captain, he’s cheating!’

While the rest of the Heart Pirates aim for Law, you and their captain are honed in on each other, trading blows from snowballs for the longest time, your personal goal to knock his hat off as payback for shoving snow down your back. Luckily you’re not the one to hit him hard enough to knock the spotted hat off, but you’re close enough to grab before he does, sticking it on your own head and playing keep away once Law realizes where it’s at.

“Looks good on me, huh, Trafalgar?! I might keep it!”

“The hell you will, that’s mine!”

Once Law catches you, he doesn’t let go until he’s snatched his hat back off your head and returned it to its rightful place, keeping a grip on your arm as he notices the sky starting to get darker. The rest of the crew has settled down, stopping at first to watch you and Law until a new snowfall began.

You forget for a few minutes that Law has a hold of your arm, it’s not uncomfortable, but you feel your heart pick up a bit from it.

“It’s pretty….the snowfall.”

He nods, finally noticing he still has a hold of you and letting go, disappointment flooding you as Law calls for everyone to return to the ship. Tomorrow will be a day in town to restock, you’ll all take off again afterwards.

You volunteer at dinner to make everyone the lavender milk tea that Makino once taught you, most of the crew enjoying it, but you’re especially surprised by Law liking it, even telling you so.

It's the small smile he gives when you thank him that makes you realize you just might be starting to get a crush on him.

+!+

Law knows something is up when you don’t join the rest of the Heart Pirates for a meeting before being let off the ship. He still does his job as captain, giving out duties to everyone so they knew what to do and who would be stocking supplies, who would be checking for wanted posters, and anything he felt needed to be done this time. He’d planned for you to join him on a once around the island to look for anything of interest, but when you don’t show up, he knows something must be wrong.

“Ikkaku-ya,” Law stops your roommate before she gets too far, Ikkaku giving him her full attention, “Where’s [Y/N]-ya?”

“Oh, um…” Ikkaku shuffles from one foot to the next, not fully looking at her captain and that’s what worries him more, until she speaks again, “She isn’t feeling well…she’s not sick so she doesn’t need a check-up but, it might be best to leave her alone today, probably tomorrow too…”

That leads to Law believing your cycle had started, and he chooses not to question it further, lest he or Ikkaku feel embarrassed about the discussion. He decides to leave you be, you’ll probably join them tomorrow for island exploring, most likely with Penguin if he asks you especially. When you do show up for dinner that evening, you’re quieter than usual and Law notices how Penguin and Ikkaku are the ones to talk with you. He can’t hear anything they say, but seeing you at least smile and respond to them is enough for him to think that everything is fine, you’re just not feeling 100% and that makes sense. He’s heard you and Ikkaku complain about cramps and the like the last few months, he already knows the first day is hard for you, so he lets it go. At least you’re out and talking to everyone.

But he knows something is up the next time it happens, not even two weeks later, and it can’t be blamed on your period this time. You don’t show up to a crew meeting, you still aren’t one of his crewmates but you’ve been joining for anything interesting or important, and Law doesn’t let it show that he's a little more worried, so he stops Penguin this time and asks him the same thing, where are you and why didn’t you show up?

Penguin doesn’t fully look at Law, scratching the back of his head as he tries to find the words.

“She…just isn’t up for it today, Cap. Maybe we should let her have the day off…”

Although Law tells Penguin that’s fine, he does go off to find you, the door to your and Ikkaku’s room barely open, but he knocks to make sure you’re not indecent or anything. There’s no answer so he opens the door, not seeing you anywhere, the new assumption being that you’re in the bathroom. He turns his attention there, again knocking on the door.

“[Y/N]-ya, Penguin-ya said you weren’t felling well, are you all right?”

No response, Law furrows his brow and knocks again, saying your name a little louder this time. He swears he hears a small whimper and a sob, and that’s what makes him finally open the bathroom door, simply saying he’s coming in before doing so, but he nearly freezes when he sees you.

Nearly curled up into a ball in the corner, head buried in your arms wrapped around your knees with numerous used tissues and he just knows that if you looked up at him, he’d feel that strange feeling in his chest again, or one of heartbreak, he isn’t entirely sure which one.

Law is not trying to scare you, but when he touches your hand and says your name a third time, it makes you jump and look up at him with wide, tear filled eyes, you feel beyond embarrassed that he’s caught you like this, but it quickly turns to more tears and a bit of anger.

“Are you—”

“Get out! Go away!!” Law barely dodges the box of tissues when you throw it at him, he’s not able to dodge the mascara you toss at his head as you keep yelling at him to leave. He doesn’t really move to leave until you stand up much too quickly and start pushing him out, he’s just surprised at your reaction to him finding you crying. “Leave me alone!!”

Once he’s out the door you almost slam it shut in his face and lock it, Law doesn’t know what to make of this really.

He can handle physical ailments, mental is a little harder for him but he’s working on it for his crew, yet emotional problems are not in his wheel house at all. He doesn’t really know why you’re locked in the bathroom, hiding in a corner crying, but that look on your face gave him an idea. He recognizes it from his own past, after his family and Flevance, then again after Corazon.

It was pure grief that was written on your face, definitely from your still fresh loss of Ace, and Law isn’t sure how to help you.

He doesn’t know if he should help you, you just might turn all your grief inward and ignore any hands held out for help, even from your new friends let alone him.

“Captain? Why are you…oh.”

Ikkaku finds Law still in your room several minutes later, staring at your bathroom door, until he hears her and looks at her, an expression she can’t read on his face.

“How long?”

“A few weeks now,” she sits on the edge of her bed, not looking at Law now, “It happens randomly it seems like, or something reminds her of Ace and sets her off. His birthday is soon, so that might be it right now. Penguin and I promised we wouldn’t let anyone know, so she could grieve alone.”

“Why was it being kept a secret?”

She shrugs a bit, Law isn’t sure he’s going to get many more answers today, but then Ikkaku speaks up again.

“She doesn’t want to burden anyone with her feelings, I guess. She should be fine by dinner, Captain, she just… needs some time.”

While she is correct, and you show up again at dinner looking normal but still with a sadness on your face that he can see, Law wonders if there’s something he can do to help you. Your need to grieve and have that time alone isn’t a bad thing, he won’t deny you that when you need it, but he wants to do something for you, he still doesn’t know you well enough to know that exactly you need, but anything is better than letting you be alone.

He knows all too well how that feels.

When it happens a third time, several weeks later, you don’t show up once again, Law doesn’t even need to look at Penguin or Ikkaku, they won’t meet his eyes anyway. After he lets everyone else go, his next mission is to find you, even though he knows exactly where you are. Law isn’t sure if his plan is going to work, but he wants you to stop hiding away from everyone when you break down. It’s not because he’s angry about it, he just doesn’t want you to continue suffering alone. It’s not good for anyone to do that.

He doesn’t even knock when he gets to your room, but does so when he sees your bathroom door is closed like the last time.

“[Y/N]-ya, I’m coming in.”

“No,” you force back a sob, making sure the door is locked, “Go away!”

“I won’t.”

You haven’t experienced all the abilities Law has at his disposal, but you aren’t that surprised when you see a blue hue, and he’s in the bathroom with you not even a moment later. He’s not phased by you attempting to throw things at him again, even while you yell at him to leave you alone, you don’t need help, you don’t need anyone right now.

You’ve handled things like this by yourself your whole life, why would need help now?

“I don’t need help!”

“I’m not trying to help.”

“Then lea—”

Law doesn’t give you much more room to talk, instead grabbing your wrist and pulling you into a hug, pressing your face into his chest which causes your eyes to widen a bit and tears to flow even more.

“I’m not trying to help,” Law holds you tightly, feeling a just a bit of relief as you slowly wrap your arms around him in return while you return to crying, “but you don’t have to be alone, all right?”

“T-Trafalgar…I…I just—”

“I know, I get it. But,” he knows it’s probably going to sound hypocritical based on his own issues, but Law still feels the need to say it again, “you don’t have to do this alone.”

Law isn’t entirely sure why he’s chosen to let you cry into him, let you grip onto his shirt like he’s the only thing holding you to the earth while you continue to cry and say how it isn’t fair that Ace died, that you lost another brother (he’s going to have to ask about that later, that’s the second time you’ve mentioned it). Maybe it’s because he didn’t have anyone back then, when he lost his own loved ones. It might be that, because he saw a reflection of himself in you the first time he found you hiding away and struggling to handle your grief. While you drag the two of you to the floor, Law simply adjusts to as comfortable a position he can, he’s at least sure you’ll both be there a while. You don’t show any signs of calming any time soon.

Law doesn’t know why he came after you, but once your cries fade to nothing, not even whimpers, he’s relieved to hear you speaking to him without being upset or between sobs of anger and sadness.

“I’m sorry…for crying all over your shirt again…”

“Don’t be. It’ll wash.”

Law strokes your hair a bit while you finally smile, nodding, before he helps you up off the floor. While you wash your face, Law directs you to not worry about helping anyone out with chores or sharing shifts today, he’s already split everything up among his crew, you’re under strict orders from the doctor to rest and recover from your breakdown. He does offer to bring you something to eat and drink, which you take him up on, stopping him before he fully leaves your room.

“Thank you…Law, I appreciate this…”

He’s completely aware that’s the first time you’ve used his first name, and he notices a different feeling in his chest. It’s not the same, almost heart squeeze he’s felt before, but something more comforting. Warm almost, and he’s starting to get it more.

“You’re welcome, [Y/N]-ya.”

Ah, that’s what it is…

Law realizes he’s starting to have feelings for you, though he decides to push them down for now.

He’s not going to use your weakened emotional state to push himself further into your life, not when he doesn’t even know if he’s okay with these feelings or not. For now, he’s going to do what he said and bring you some lunch, he’ll deal with these feelings later.

It is nice to hear you call him by his given name though.

+!+

“You’re as reckless as your brother.”

You giggle a bit while Law continues to wrap bandages around your arm, shooting you a small glare while you laugh. He’s not amused, mostly because it was him you’d tried to protect and ended up getting hurt over. You shoved him out of the way of an enemy attack, receiving a deep slice across your own arm instead. Once he realized what happened, Law was furious with you, even though he knows you aren’t part of his crew, it didn’t change the fact he was trying to protect you for Luffy while your crew was apart. You were lucky, he’d told you after he forced you to the infirmary, that your attacker’s weapon didn’t have any poison on it. You’d probably be dead before he even got you there if it had been.

You just grinned and said it was the opposite, your attacker was lucky your knife didn’t have poison on it, or he’d be in worse shape than he already was from your perfect aim hitting him between the shoulders. It doesn’t cause Law any relief to hear that, he still glares and it makes you start to shrink away, averting your gaze elsewhere.

You two still don’t know each other very well, it’s only been a few months since Luffy tossed you to him as the Heart Pirates left Amazon Lily. Still, you’ve found Law is fiercely protective of his crew, his family, just as you are with the Straw Hats, and while you’re with them, you count as one of his crewmembers.

The feelings you’ve started to develop for him don’t help much, Ikkaku being the only one who knows since you’ve told her how distraught you feel over it.

How could you start falling for a rival pirate captain? It’s only a crush but it makes you feel like you’re betraying your crew sometimes.

“Law, I’m fi—”

“And what if you weren’t?” He’s nearly grinding his teeth and ties off your bandage a little tighter than he intended, making you take a sharp breath. “What would you want me to tell your brother?”

You shrug, starting to play with the end of the bandages to distract yourself from him. “Could just tell him I protected you.”

“I don’t need you to protect me,” you jump when Law slams down the scissors on the metal plate, keeping his back to you so you don’t see how upset he really is, “My crew knows I don’t need it. They know to run if a battle might cost them their lives. Why can’t you see that?”

“Because I do this for my crewmates, too. I’ve even pushed Zoro and Sanji out of the way. I’m sorry if you don’t like it but—”

“Sorry wouldn’t bring you back from the dead.”

You both become silent, you taking a deep breath and holding it for a moment before nodding and biting your lip.

“You’re right…that’s why Ace isn’t back.”

“Hey, I didn’t—”

“Thanks for bandaging me up, Trafalgar,” Law turns around just as you jump off the table, going to leave, “I’ll see you at dinner.”

Law watches you leave, letting out a frustrated sigh once you’re gone. He really hadn’t meant to upset you, it just came out, but it was also the truth. What good was ‘sorry’ if you had died and he had to tell Luffy that he'd lost another sibling, this time a blood related one? He didn’t want to have to deal with that, not when you and Luffy were still getting over Ace’s death.

He gets it, he really does, that pain doesn’t go away quickly, no matter how many false smiles you give to him or the others, or how often you laugh with them. No matter how many times he finds you crying the bathroom over you grief. It hasn’t been that long, he doesn’t expect you to be whatever is normal for you so soon. He probably shouldn’t be berating you, you’re not part of his crew so he doesn’t have the right, Law isn’t your captain.

But, you’re under his care for two years, you’re a temporary member of his crew, so you should listen to him. You’re proving to be as stubborn as Luffy is, but also just as protective as Law is.

And your progress with him, ugh. You’d finally gotten comfortable enough to call him by his first name, and now you’re back to calling him Trafalgar instead. Seven months of progress down the drain all because he was concerned, worried about you being reckless.

…why am I so worried though?

He could easily chalk it up to the fact you’re Luffy’s sister and he’s trying to protect you until you’re back with your crew, or he could even say its because of the feelings he’s developed for you, but Law doesn’t want to get into that right now.

Neither of you speak until dinner, when you run into each other right outside the kitchen and start a back and forth about who should go in first.

“You’re the captain, sir.”

“Ladies first, miss.”

You don’t like being formal, or hearing him call you ‘miss’, but you don’t want to fight about it. Not when his crew can hear and might be concerned about it.

“Crew shouldn’t eat without their captain there.”

“We don’t have that rule around here.”

Eventually you relent and go first, getting your food and taking the first free seat by Ikkaku, Law sitting beside you a moment later. You don’t talk to each other the whole time, you focus on your conversation with Ikkaku while Law responds to anyone speaking to him. You barely even notice when Law takes the roll he really didn’t want to have on his plate, and moves it to yours, almost like a peace offering that you two are okay, he’s not mad at you for trying to protect him anymore. You do give him a smile when you notice, which he returns with a nod before leaving for his room.

You sigh a bit, looking back to your plate and keeping your smile to yourself.

Things will be okay.

+!+

Over the last nearly ten months, Law has learned a few of your quirks. When you work on your poisons, you mark things three times over to ensure you have the correct amounts listed, you almost always strike up conversation with him about anything that comes to mind, even if Law doesn’t answer you.

Sometimes he’s caught you biting your pencil or pen while making notes, it’s one of your cuter quirks.

On nights you can’t sleep, like tonight, he can easily find you in the kitchen, brewing up some tea to help you fall asleep, and that’s where Law decides he has to talk to you. You’ve both moved past your argument from a few months ago, it’s like it never happened now, but he feels the need to speak with you about something important.

No, not his feelings, he’s going to ignore those as long as possible. He recognized them after you’d had an emotional breakdown, he’s not going to admit that especially, he doesn’t want you to think he has a kink for crying or something, absolutely not.

“Hey.”

“Oh, hey, Law,” you look over your shoulder for a second with a smile, turning back to your tea, “Couldn’t sleep, though some tea might help.”

“Your usual then?”

Nodding, as you finish off your tea making, Law sits at the table and waits for you to join him, knowing you’ve made him a cup of lavender milk tea too. You’d started doing that and either taking it to his office before you head to bed or having him join you in the kitchen where you have small conversations before you both turn in for the night.

You’ve gotten quite comfortable with Law, your own feelings for him aside. He’s been helpful with your poison and antidote creations, ensuring your ratios are correct and helping you when they aren’t. You’ve started discussing books you’ve both read, you were shocked to find he enjoyed the Sora Warrior of the Sea comics. His being such a nerd over them never struck you as odd thankfully, Law even letting you borrow a few of his copies so you can give it a try yourself.

He makes you feel safe and comfortable, you really enjoy being with Law.

Law thanks you when you hand over the mug of tea, taking your seat across from him to enjoy your own, settling into a welcomed silence. With how rowdy his crew can be at times, you get why Law hides himself away in his office most of the time, and you’re grateful that he lets you share the space when needed.

“I know you said I didn’t have to,” Law looks over to you as you speak, an eyebrow raised, “but thank you again, for letting me stay. I really appreciate the help you’ve given me.”

“Like I’ve said, its no problem. Everyone’s glad you’re here.”

I’m more than glad you’re here.

There’s a soft smile on your face that Law enjoys seeing, and he honestly hopes you won’t lose it after he talks to you.

“I wanted…to tell you something.”

“Go for it,” setting your mug down on the table, you rest your elbows there with your chin in your hands, “I’m all ears, Law.”

He's almost fighting himself on if he should or shouldn’t, maybe another time. It’s late after all, you probably want to go to bed now that you’ve had your tea. It’s making him sleepy too, but the anxiety he feels is almost nullifying the tea’s effects.

Taking a deep breath, Law finally speaks up again, not meeting your eye.

“I want to tell you about my past,” that makes you perk up, remembering what Penguin had said to you months ago, “But I don’t think I can tonight. It’s…”

“A lot…?”

He nods, which you return, realizing this must be more than what Penguin could’ve meant, it has to be hard for Law to dredge up whatever memories he has of his childhood and teenage years, of everything that led him to where he is now.

Everything that’s leading him down the path he’s chosen.

“So,” when he finally looks up at you, you’re not surprised at how tired Law looks, it has to be taking a lot for him to do this, “I want to set a time in a few days, where you and I can sit, and I can tell you everything. “

You need to know before I could ever tell you my feelings anyway.

“Law,” Nodding, you quietly reach out your hand to his, not wanting to scare him off, “Just tell me whenever, and I’ll make myself available to listen, okay?”

After he agrees, Law offers to walk you back to your shared room with Ikkaku, which you take him up on even though you know the way. The Polar Tang is only so big, but it’s nice to have him by your side. Once you reach your door, Law turns to leave and you stop him, grabbing his shirt sleeve and leaning up, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, his eyes widening just a hair.

“Thanks for walking me…and trusting me, Law. See you in the morning.”

You don’t give him a chance to say anything in response before you enter your room and close the door, sighing heavily as you bring yourself to the floor, Ikkaku watching you from her bed.

“Man, you’ve got it bad for the captain, huh?”

“…it’s that obvious?”

“As obvious as the fact he’s the same for you, girlfriend.”

While you don’t believe Ikkaku is correct in that statement, Law isn’t able to bring himself to move for several minutes, frozen in shock that you decided to kiss his cheek and just run off to bed.

It looks like you’ve got more to talk about than just his past now.

[scuderiasundays]

the one where the stars aligned

summary: 3 am flashbacks to packed pizzerias, comfortable silences, and post-race kisses + a little insta au at the end 💌

words: 871

a/n: writing fics is my form of self care. i’m seeing a lot of lando love so i thought i’d whip something up! tagging @vamossainz55, @sainzcaleruega , @monzabee, @ssainzz, @holllandtrash, and @diorleclerc just because. feedback appreciated as always. hugs and kisses 🫶🏼

"Come on, put down the melatonin gummies and lend a hand," Lando's voice beckoned, as he motioned for you to join him. It was Lando's brilliant idea to start building shelves for his prized helmet collection at the ungodly hour of 3 AM. Despite feeling drained from a full day of traveling, jet lag refused to let either of you rest. As you took in the sights of Monaco in the dark, your mind couldn't help but picture everyone sound asleep in their beds—a stark contrast to the state you and Lando were in, blasting Burna Boy and diving headfirst into a DIY date night.

You plopped down beside him, and he handed over some screws and posts. To be honest, you had no clue what you were doing, so you just sat there, watching your boyfriend hum along and niftily arrange the pieces. There was a particular air about Lando when he was focused: his slightly creased forehead, furrowed eyebrow, and bitten lip. He caught you midthought and playfully said, "Less staring, more doing," as he handed you the instruction manual.

Maybe it was the sleep deprivation or the fact that your two-year anniversary was coming up, but you found your mind aimlessly wandering. Lando had entered your life at a time when you least expected it. It all began on an evening out in London, which your friends now playfully referred to as "The One Where the Stars Aligned."

You had found yourselves scrambling for a last-minute table at a quaint pizzeria one of you had discovered on TikTok. The restaurant, a charming hole-in-the-wall, was filled to the brim with lively conversation and the aroma of freshly baked pizza. Your waiter hastily directed you to a 10-person table at the heart of the bustling scene, disappearing before any of you could say a word. The long table was already occupied by a few guys who looked to be your age. Reluctant but ravenous, you found yourself settling beside one of them. Throughout the night, you and your mystery man talked nonstop, effortlessly volleying back and forth. The rest, as they say, was history.

There were countless reasons you loved your boyfriend, but a few things really stood out. Lando's attentiveness was unmatched. If a conversation made you uneasy, he would pick up on it and hurry to your side, ready to rescue you from any situation. If he noticed a Netflix show had you on the verge of tears, he would edge closer to you on the couch and quietly slide over a box of tissues. If you were lost for words to congratulate him on an impressive drive, he would kiss you simply to shut you up.

Even though Lando's job required him to exude confidence and poise in public, behind closed doors, he was just as much of an introvert as you. Whether sitting side by side in his driver's room, with him editing photos and you buried in a book, there was an ease to the silence that never felt uncomfortable. It was your way of recharging your social batteries, soaking up each other's presence without the need for constant conversation.

You had also grown to love the people Lando surrounded himself with. He was big on quality time and always sought to spend as much of it with you as possible. Initially unsure if his friends would appreciate your constantly hanging around, you were pleasantly surprised when they warmly embraced you into their circle. "I'm just glad he's found someone else to bother instead of P and me," Max jokingly said during a double date at the driving range.

Your bond with Flo had also grown stronger, as you joined her for one-on-one horse-riding lessons at the stables. She would share stories about little Lando, granting you intimate glimpses into his past that, without him knowing, made you love him even more.

Lando went above and beyond to introduce you to the other drivers too. You often third-wheeled on Carlando outings, intervening when they bickered like an old couple. On some nights, he’d arrange actual double dates with Carmen and George, the three of you trying but always failing to convince Lando to try some sushi.

You were the first person he FaceTimed when Daniel had confided he’d be back on the grid sooner than expected. “If this leaks, I’ll know who to hunt down,” he giggled while munching a chicken quinoa wrap, his staple pre-race meal.

Lost in reverie, you hadn’t even realized you’d zoned out until Lando waved his hands frantically in front of you, snapping you back to reality. The shelves were now magically built, showcasing the colorful helmets he’d raced in and swapped over the years.

“What were you thinking about, babe?” He asked as he stepped back to double check that the shelves were even.

“Just how much I love you,” you replied as you gave him a peck on the cheek.

If you could be anywhere in the world, you’d still choose to be right there with him, watching the sunrise paint your apartment the warmest shade of orange. You closed your eyes and silently prayed that you and Lando would always be this close, forever and ever.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

liked by ciscanorris1, alex_albon, and 41,113 others

landonorris: a few of my favorite thingssss

yourusername: not even pressed danny ranks higher than me! he’s back like he never left 🙌🏼

danielricciardo: bisous

landonorris: nobody compares to you, baby!!

flonorris1: don’t have too much fun without me, lovebirds 🧡

heidiberger_: what a flight! let @yourusername and i know if anyone wants to join our “my boyfriend has a distinctive laugh” club

yourusername: more like the “i couldn’t get any sleep because my boyfriend kept cackling” club 🫠

fan2: the wags are spilling tea and i ADORE them

barbiethemovie: she’s everything. he’s just ken.

mclaren: in lando we trust 🫡

[once-in-a-blood-moon]

How do u think Solomon would react if MC randomly kiss attack his face?? Lets mixing it up with in front of the other characters

I feel like it could go multiple ways but I wanna know how u would think it could go

(love ur works by the way!! 💛💛🐙)

Sorry I was a little slow getting to this, but thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my writing! 💜

Okay, let's do two scenarios - one where you kiss attack him when you're alone, and one where you do it in front of the others.

In the first scenario, Solomon has you over at his dorm room for the usual lesson. Even though he always takes his time to thoroughly lesson plan beforehand, he's currently flipping through a spell book he thought he had tabbed and is growing frustrated at himself for his lack of preparedness. After all, he strives to be the pinnacle of responsibility so that you don't lose faith in him as your teacher.

You can see the the irritation in the way he aggressively turns the pages, and hear it in the mumbles of curses and sighs as he still can't find the correct spell he wanted to you to work on today. To him, this is an annoyance, and quite frankly, embarrassing. To you, it's slightly amusing and oddly endearing. You know he works hard to provide you with an education that suits your needs and learning abilities. You've watched him switch up techniques in the blink of an eye to accommodate you when the previous way doesn't work, you've heard countless praise and reassurance (even when you fail to perfect a spell), and you've never missed the twinkle of pride in his eyes as he guides you through each lesson - privileged to see you learn from your mistakes and succeed in the end.

Solomon shows you so much patience and understanding, so you decide to take the initiative and return the same. You reach out to gently grab his face, turning him from his hurried search to start furiously kissing him. With each kiss around his face, you feel the furrowed and stressed muscles loosen beneath your lips until you feel the fat of his cheeks swell and warm with laughter. It's a successful distraction from his previous frustration, and serves as a reminder that you care about him beyond his capabilities. You care about him, flaws and all.

When you finally stop and let go of his face, he gives you the most lovesick expression. He doesn't even look as he closes the now abandoned book on his desk and leans in closer to you.

"I always appreciate your kisses. How about we reschedule our lesson for tomorrow? I don't think I can focus now that I've felt your love and am in desperate need of more..."

---

In scenario two, Solomon's coming over to pick you up for an outing to a nearby cafe that recently opened. Your waiting by the door unfortunately catches the attention of the brothers who begin bombarding you with questions. You feel like you're being interrogated by the government.

"Sneaking off, are you?"

"Yeah! Where do ya think you're goin' without me?!"

"Of course you wouldn't tell me you had plans today..."

"I don't think they're sneaking off. It looks like they're waiting for someone..."

"Ooh! A lovely suitor perhaps? Who is it?"

"Isth it smone we know?"

"Beel, chew your food before speaking. ...Is it?"

You grin cheekily as you check the time. "I don't tell you guys everything."

Solomon should be here any minute to sweep you away from the chaos that's going to ensue if you let slip he's the one you're going out with. Your secrecy is not out of embarrassment to be seeing him, it's just that the brothers can be overdramatic - especially where Solomon's involved. It's best to keep your lips sealed until you return as to not spoil the night before it even starts.

Just then, there's a gentle, but firm knock at the door indicating Solomon's arrival. You move to open the door, but Lucifer steps in front of you and opens it before you can.

Oh no...

Lucifer blinks a few times having expected anyone else but Solomon to be standing there before him. There's indifference on his face, yet his eyes tell a different story.

"Hardly a 'lovely suitor'."

"I'll say! The hell do you think you are, whisking MC away like this?!"

"Solomon? You're going out with Solomon?"

"Huh, fair enough I suppose."

"OMG! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Loo, Belphie, isth Stholomon."

"Yes, Beel, I see..."

You face palm as you hear their tirade of questions, comments, and complaints. This is exactly what you wanted to avoid.

Quickly, to shut them all up and to make an obvious statement about your feelings for Solomon, you push past the brothers crowding the door to reach him. He smiles upon seeing you, but is taken by surprise when you suddenly grab his face and attack him with multiple kisses.

The brothers go silent as they watch in envy as that blasted sorcerer gets all those nice kisses. Solomon goes redder than anyone's ever seen before as he tries to get you to stop since you are in the presence of others. Though internally he really doesn't want you to as he loves the attention and revels in the fact that the brothers get to see how much you love him.

"Hey, hey, calm down. I'm happy to see you too! But maybe we should wait to do this when it's just us?"

You begrudgingly stop, but in return, get the privilege of seeing his flustered face cupped between your hands. For not just the brothers, but for Solomon as well, your message was received loud and clear - you love him and you're proudly going out with him.

So much for keeping your lips sealed.

[junkdyke]

That Time I Hooked Up With A Tumblr Mutual

Ok. Let me start by saying this is not a callout post, and this should be read as a humorous story, with some takeaway lessons at the end. Please enjoy my story of my weird ass encounter with a Tumblr mutual.

Part 1: The Backstory

Alight so boom. I had just returned home from a trip where I met a different Tumblr mutual. That trip was great but didn't end up going to plan, so long story short, ya girl was horny. I had never really had a one-night-stand or sought out a solely sexual hookup, so I started thinking maybe I could try it out, see how I like it. And through the sheer power of manifestation, that opportunity presented itself.

I was scrolling Tumblr and one of my mutuals posted asking if anyone was in (my area) and wanted to hang out. Mind you, I have never spoken to this mutual before. No DMs, maybe like 1 or 2 comments through tags and that's it. But, most of my moots are far as fuck, so when I saw she was near me I was like oh ayo, I'm free! Why not, I had nothing else going on! So I reply, and she DMs me.

So she introduces herself, we'll call her Chicle for reasons I'll get to later in the story lmao. Anyway, she gushes a little bit, saying she's been too shy to DM me and that I'm a really cool tattoo artist mutual, I say she's cute and seems cool, and she asks if I've ever been to this particular mall. I say I have and if she wants to cruise the mall with me. She says yeah I'd love to cruise the mall and "if I like her vibe, then maybe we can do something more fun." I say I'm down, she gives me her number.

So here is what I'm envisioning. We'll meet up at the mall, walk around and talk, get to know each other, have some laughs, get a snack, it was a Friday so maybe we could go out to like a bar or go dancing, and then maybe after that, possibly make-out or even have sex! I am not opposed to having sex after a first date if I'm really vibing with the person and if we've been talking for a bit before. Girls, this is not what happened.

Part 2: The Meeting

I get ready, and I drive to the mall. I park, we text on where to meetup and I head over to the Gamestop. I see her at the counter, go up and I'm like "are you buying Pokemon cards?" She starts laughing, she says "I didn't want you to see this!" I'm laughing, I told her it's cute, she finishes paying and we walk around. Cute start and thennnn it all starts to go downhill from here.

As we are walking out of the Gamestop, a minute and thirty seconds into meeting this stranger, she wraps her arm, not around my waist...but around my ass. And pulls me close. I'm instantly uncomfortable by how close this gesture is. She starts cooing in my ear about how she's "so glad I'm not a catfish" and "if I like her vibe because she really likes mine". We met not even 5 minutes ago, I have not had time to evaluate any vibes! But anyway! She asks if she wants smoke 🍃 so I agree, and we go outside, right across from where we just were.

I get to take like 1 hit from this pen, she then steps close to me and says "I'm so glad you're real" kisses me and squeezes my ass. I again feel the need to emphasize that at this point, it has still been less than 5 minutes since we've met, and we have exchanged about 10 messages only a couple hours prior. This is a stranger to me. ANYWAY.

We go back inside, she asks if I wanna walk around, I agree. We chat for a short bit of time, before we go to the food court. I wasn't hungry, so she got some food and we sat and talked. I had made some mention about my past and she wanted to know more so I'm like "okay, I'll give you my lore while you eat" so I basically tell Chicle my life story. Afterwards, we go to walk around more and I start trying to ask her questions so I can get to know her more. It becomes very apparent that she is not interested in getting to know each other lmao. I ask what she does for work, and what she's interested in, and she tells me she's interested in getting into (something animation related) and i'm like "oh ayo, that aligns with what I do" and start trying to get more info cause i'm curious, annd I get just the shortest fucking answers. Ok.

She ends up making a comment about how I'm probably more experienced than her, and I'm like "oh really? Well how many people have you been with?" and Chicle asks "are we counting online?" Now, there is nothing necessarily wrong with this...but it does become more clear on just how "online" this person is. Anyway, she has only been with a few people, never had a partner. It becomes very clear as to why she may have never had a partner.

Part 3: Inappropriate Behavior

We are walking around the mall, stopping in a few stores to look at stuff. Chicle is walking next to me and I am still trying to invoke conversation. But Chicle is not interested in conversation, because instead, she is deliberately and blatantly staring directly at my tits. What I mean is, mid-walking, she is at my side, craning her head to the side to make it incredibly clear that that is what she is doing. I straight up ask "are you...staring at my tits?" she confirms as such, and says something about her being a dog. The dog thing will come up again.

Chicle is at different points, holding me, kissing me, and saying various suggestive things. She grabs me and whispers in my ear "do you want to go back to my room" and I nervous laugh and say "uhhh, we'll see!" At another point, she says "you're so small, you want me to manhandle you and throw you around?" and I again nervous laugh. We're like in Hot Topic, and she start trying to makeout with me and grabbing my ass and says "you're making me so hard"(we'll put a pin in that) and I push her away and say "not in public". I can do a little PDA but this is a lot, and at this point I have known her for about 40 minutes, maybe an hour.

Continuing on, as we're walking through this crowded mall, she drapes her arm over my shoulder and starts grabbing my boob and trying to pinch my nipples, which I immediately pull away from and again say "not in public". Chicle again says "do you wanna get out of here and go back to my room" and I'm questioning what exactly she means, because the phrasing is a little weird. "what do you mean 'your room'?" and she says "I have a hotel room" so I'm a little confused cause I thought she lived in the area. She does.

"i got us a room"

Ya'll, this bitch preemptively booked a MOTEL ROOM without even asking me.

At this point, she has asked multiple times and each time I nervous laughed and said "haha maybe, we'll see, ehhh we'll see" To any normal person, my body language was extremely clear that I was uncomfortable. And again this is not a callout post, she is not a bad person, and everything that ultimately happened, I did consent to. But I will not sugarcoat the fact that this behavior was definitely inappropriate harassment, and there was absolutely some pressuring with the continuous asking. But as I mulled it over, there were 2 reasons I ultimately decided to agree and meet her at that motel.

I was craving intimacy

I had never done something like this before so..fuck it, let's do it for the plot.

And so, she gave me the address, we got in our respective cars, and we met at the motel.

Part 4: The Motel

We go to the room, put our stuff down, and I go to use the restroom. I'm thinking "oh shit, this is weird but alright, let's see what happens"

I come out of the restroom, wash my hands, and she comes over and we start kissing. Already it's fucking weird because the way she is kissing me is so goddamn fast, it's like someone inhaling a meal because they think it's gonna run away from them. Now idk about ya'll, but I like a slow, deep kiss. So already it's a mismatch, but whatever. She lifts me onto the sink, despite the weird kissing, it's hot. She has some really minty gum in her mouth, hence the name Chicle. Put a pin in that.

After a bit, we go to the bed, and I keep saying "how did you get me here" because honestly, I'm not fully comfortable, it's just a weird situation for me and I'm surprised I agree to it. But agree to it I did, so we get on the bed, and keep going. Now, even though she does not have much experience, she's not bad! But...I can tell there's certain things she's doing that I've seen. Or rather, read. Whew lad.

As we're getting into it, my clothes are coming off, she's saying "You're my favorite Tumblr mutual. I can't believe this is what my favorite Tumblr mutual is into." I don't even really know what to say to this because quite frankly, mentioning social media in bed in any capacity is kinda fucking cringe. But it just gets worse.

So, she's spitting on my pussy. And I, personally, have a strong aversion to spit. It's something that I tell anyone that is a potential sexual partner, but it this case, we obviously did not have a prior talk about our sexual boundaries. In this case, I'm like "okay whatever as long as it's just there" but I quickly say "hey uh, just please don't do that in my mouth or i'll throw up" lmao. She's like "Oh okay sorry sorry". But then at some point, without warning she smacks the FUCK out of my pussy, and I'm so taken aback I immediately say "UH DON'T DO THAT" and she again apologizes and says

"Oh sorry, you know I had to try that one. Like that Tumblr post, you know the one."

Ya'll, everything this bitch is doing, she is referencing posts from Tumblr. She is referencing the sexy fantasy butch/femme text posts from Tumblr and she is referencing them out loud. In the middle of real life sex.

She goes on to reference more posts, and the worst part is I know exactly the one's she's talking about. "Mutuals to lezz out with" etc etc, it's so fucking cringe, and she tells me about how she started wearing more of a certain article of clothing after I reblogged a picture of her in it and how embarrassed she is to admit that (I thought that was kinda cute actually) anyway

She's still going way too fast with like all her movements, I tell her to slow down and relax and I think at this point I mention how she did not have to do all that PDA shit from before. She says "well you know, on my Tumblr I do say I'm a dog" and then uh, she starts barking. 💀 literally starts going "woof, woof" and I tell her to s t o p. Jesus fucking christ.

Anyway, after mentioning Tumblr and calling me her favorite Tumblr mutual way too many fucking times, I'm on top of her. Mind you, this whole time, I'm kinda in and out dissociating, just due to how not fully comfortable I am with this. But ya know, I'm still going for it. Her shirts off, she has really cute boobs, and then I notice a really fucking huge bulge in her pants. And I fully dissociate. Not gonna lie, I started feeling really panicky, because straight up, I was not prepared for this. Physically, I'm still touching her, but my mind is fully disconnected, and I'm thinking "oh fuck. When she said 'you're making me so hard' was she being literal? I don't know if I'm comfortable with this. Should I tell her I want to stop? But I don't wanna hurt her feelings. Should I just take it? Well no, I don't really want to...maybe I'll just say 'hey is it cool if I don't touch it?' I mean, she's cute so ehhhhh let's just see what happens!" SO. We continue on.

We flip and she's now on top of me. She references another fucking Tumblr post, and says "do you wanna suck on this lesbian cock?", unzips her pants and pulls out...this MASSIVE transparent strap on. And I'm like oh, it was fake LMAO. Then I say "...yeah, so that's not going in me"

She ends up taking it off, I don't even know how the fuck she hid it in her jeans that entire time, and we continue on. Around this point, I'm starting to feel pretty spent, she did some other things like opening up my pussy to stare at it and describe the color, whatever, I'm kinda done and I just wanna cuddle. So we cuddle for a bit and again, it's physically nice but it's just so weird because she is SUCH a stranger to me that I can't get fully comfortable. She starts trying to start up again and I'm just not really in the mood anymore. She keeps playing with my nipples and typically whenever I'm touched in a way I'm not digging, I'll just take their hand and move it away as a silent but pretty clear way to indicate "no". But uh, I had to do that like 4 times with her before I verbally say "hey, please stop" and her response is "why" 💀 like wdym "why" bitch, cause i said so. I'm kinda surprised by this response so I start to say "Uhhhh, it's...kinda specific" and she goes "oh okay, sorry sorry".

So, honestly, I kinda just wanna go home but I don't wanna be mean and just take off. But there's also no way in hell I'm sleeping over in this motel room. So, I suggest we go out and maybe go to a club or something and she's like "uh, no. I don't like going out" 💀 like damn, maybe you should spend less time on FUCKING TUMBLR AND TRY GOING OUT IRL but whatever, instead we just go get food and bring it back to the room.

Part 5: What Could Have Been

We got some burgers, and she wants to open the Pokemon cards. We do, that's fun and cute, and she asks if I wanna keep some of the stickers that came in one of the packs.

Then she tells me that she had went to the library and checked out a book on tattoos since "she knows I'm a tattoo artist, and thought we could flip through it together." And I genuinely think this is such a cute fucking gesture, I think it's really sweet, and it frustrates the fuck out of me because of what this could have been.

I told her that she did not have to do all the PDA, it was a lot and it was excessive. She is not apologetic about it, and says that the reason she was like that was because "she needed me to know what her intentions were and that this was not just a 'friendly' meeting." so I reiterate that she did not have to do ALL OF THAT just for me to know that. And she just insists that in the past, girls have treated her like just a "bestie" so she needed to get her point across. Now call me old fashioned, but you could have just verbally fucking communicated "hey, i'm really attracted to you" and I would have caught the fucking drift. But okay!!

She asks me if I have any knives because I guess femmes tend to have a knife collection. I say no. And she fucking pulls out this huge ass lethal switchblade thing and is like "this is mine!" and i'm like oh god, this is it, I'm gonna fucking die in this motel room. But she doesn't kill me, she just shows me the cool knife and then puts it away. I have known this person for like 4 hours.

So, we flip through the book, and it's funny and cute, but she keeps trying to kiss me and instigate, and i'm just not interested, I just wanna flip through the book and go the fuck home. And that's pretty much what happens, we finish, I'm like "aight, ima head out" but

before i do

we end up making out again and then I think she was helping me put my shoes on?? she's on her knees in front of me and...she asks me to spit in her mouth. Once again, I have a major aversion to spit and i really, truly, do not want to spit in her mouth. But she says please...so I do like a half assed spit and hope it's good enough. She asks me to try again....so I get an accumulation and spit in her mouth, and she swallows it and i am so so sad about it 😭 and I finish getting my shit and I go the FUCK HOME.

Now here is what frustrates me about all this. Physically? This girl is extremely my type. I like the way she dresses, she has really nice arms, she has a cute face, she's really fucking attractive. She's interested in getting into the animation industry, which I'm currently also working on getting into as well. We could have talked about that and really had a cool discussion on what kind of projects she wants to do and what style she works in. She likes video games, we could have talked more about what games we like. She got this tattoo book because she knows I'm a tattoo artist, and I think that's really fucking cute. There's so many non-sexual aspects that could have made this a real fucking date where I got to know this person, and feel comfortable, and then we could have had really great sex because straight up, the girl was good. She may have learned it from Tumblr, and some of it was weird, but for the most part? She was damn good, especially for only having limited experience. This could have turned into something real! But NO. Chicle, instead, wanted to grope my tits in front of families an hour into meeting me, and made no effort to really let me get to know her in any capacity whatsoever! And it's not like she wanted this to be just a one-night-stand, because she had told me she was looking for a gf and asked me what I was looking for!

It just could have been so much better than this weird ass situation. And after the fact, she texted me and I answered a couple times, but when the following morning she said something to the effect of "it felt so good having you on my lap" I just never answered. Because prior to this, there was absolutely no established relationship, friendship or otherwise. And I could not see anything moving forward, because we couldn't backtrack into the aforementioned "could have been". I considered communicating how I didn't actually feel super comfortable with how things went, but I ultimately just decided to not reply. Shitty on my part, but again, there was no prior anything. And we just never spoke again, we remained mutuals, and so I never talked about this because uh, obviously she would see it. But since she blocked me, heyho now you all get the story!

Part 6: Epilogue

Now, the reason I decided to call her Chicle (Spanish for Gum)

So, while the nice minty gum was a nice gesture, her spitting that gum juice all over my vagina resulted in me getting a yeast infection💀 No more hookups.

So what lessons did we learn!

It's important to talk about sexual boundaries before having sex with someone!

Internet fantasy is not real life! Don't just do shit because you read about it in a fucking internet post or saw it in porn! (Especially when that person doesn't even make those kinds of posts, i don't reblog most of those for a reason)

Don't chew gum before going down on someone

Communication overall is really important for setting up any foundation, even if it is just a one-night hookup!

(yes this is ok the RB cause I spent forever writing this and I do genuinely think it's a very funny story. Sometimes ya just gotta do things for the plot so you get a good story out of it. No regrets, and my pussy is all healed up lmao)

[writing-in-the-impala]

Secret Smokes (Part 13)

Pairing: Teacher! Remus Lupin x Reader

Series Summary: When the reader bumps into the new DADA professor on the bridge in Hogwarts she begins to build a friendship with him all thanks to their shared feeling of not belonging and love for muggle cigarettes. Their friendship blooms while they both fight internal battles deciding what is wrong and what is right leading to a lot of fluff, angst, flirting and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Warnings: Swearing, smoking, drinking, teacher-student relationship, angst, jealousy, fluff, smut.

Word Count: 2698

A/N: This chapter is unofficially called PERCY STFU. Anyway, updates will happen every two weeks from now on as I'm about to start a new job and work such insane hours that my free time will be limited but don't worry there will be more updates and less Percy.

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Remus was sitting at his desk in the classroom, marking papers as he waited for Percy to arrive. A part of him was glad that Percy wouldn't be speaking to Minerva, but he didn't want to encounter Percy either. He was ready to fight for you, lose his job for you, whatever it took, last night just further solidified it. He couldn't concentrate on the words in front of him he just kept thinking about the wolf, your patronus was a wolf just like his. Was it pure coincidence? Did it mean something? He had no idea but the biggest question was if it would be a wolf if you didn't know him? He was lost in his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in." Percy walked in, head down, the room felt tense immediately. "Percy please don't sit down for your detention you will be cleaning the bookshelf, I want you to dust each book, clean the shelves and sort them back by categories." It was weird to Remus to speak to Molly's son like this, worlds and lines were beginning to blur.

"Professor, how can you give me detention if-"

"I didn't. Professor McGonagall gave you the detention." Remus cut him off.

"Don't you think it's hypocritical of you to punish me when you're the one in the wrong?" He snapped back.

"Listen here boy, you need to understand your place, I am your professor-"

"And as such, should you not understand yours, before you invite students into your bedroom?"

"I do not appreciate these accusations Percy Ignatius Weasley." Lupin was beginning to raise his voice and shout at the boy.

"I saw her come back home in your sweater."

"And did it not come across your mind, that maybe, she fell asleep on the sofa as she had too much to drink and I gave her it so she's not cold travelling home in last night's clothes? Did that not cross your mind before you sent me a letter threatening me? You know that behaviour could get you expelled." Remus was now shouting.

"But she didn't come back to the dorm last night, and she looks at you the way I want her to look at me."

"Percy you've known me since you were a baby. I am a man of my honour. I have helped your parents many times in the past and I'm grateful for their acceptance of my condition, but I do not understand why you are making this narrative up in your head.  Especially in regards to me." Remus wasn't proud of his words but Percy was becoming too aggressive towards his current relationship with Y/N and he needed to stop him.

"I'm sorry professor, I didn't think about it, I just thought-"

"No you didn't think Percy."

"But she spends so much time here, she comes to your office every night."

"It concerns me that you are spying on my office door and on your fellow student. However, you are correct she has been coming to my office often because I am helping her pass her exams by trying to teach her seven years of missed lessons in a few months. I am trying to help her, I don't appreciate my goodwill being thrown back in my face by the son of my friends. Do you understand why I am so upset with you Percy?" Percy looked down at his feet, he knew he messed up.

"Professor I feel I may have misunderstood the situation." Percy began.

"Start with that shelf." Remus said as he left the room and went into his office. As soon as he closed the door he let out a long shaky breath. You were going to be the death of him. He knew you were worth it but the problem was your close proximity to the Weasleys, it meant that his personal, professional and love life were extremely intertwined.

He wished James and Lilly were still around, he would go to their house for a coffee tell them everything and they would laugh about how he was getting so wound up over a girl. James would tell him not to panic and Lilly would give him a warm hug before telling him she'd love to meet her. He'd organise a day where you met them and you would be nervous but he would know they would love you. He'd try to calm you down as you got ready but you would keep telling him your hair isn't right, or you should change while he would calm you down, eventually you'd show up to the Potters. After a few minutes you would get comfortable, you'd warm up to James first as you would get along with the same music taste, but you and Lilly would bond almost immediately after. Within a few months going around to the Potters, would be a weekly activity, Sirius would join too, Remus would feel comfortable leaving you alone with his friends while he went to help in the kitchen, you would feel like part of the Marauders family. He wished for all this, to experience it with you, to speak to his friends but he knew it would never happen. He enjoyed his relationship with you but he craved normality, to hold your hand, to visit friends, to kiss you goodbye. If only he could take you out to dinner, or on a date he would be a happy man. However on the other hand he couldn't offer you much, he wasn't a rich man, he was burdened by his condition for at least a week each month and he felt like he was getting old.

He checked his watch at an hour had passed so he let Percy go. When Percy walked into the common room he didn't even glance in your direction, he walked straight past you and straight upstairs. You didn't hear from Percy for a few days, Remus explained to you what he told Percy and you let him in on you're conversation with McGonagall. Things seemed good, until the next time you spoke to Percy.

You were relaxing in the common room with Fred and George when Percy asked to speak with you. "What's up?" You said as you moved to a more private part of the common room.

"I wanted to apologies for the other day." He began and you nodded. "I was under the impression you and Lupin were hooking up but Lupin explained everything, he told me how you and him are no different to the other students he tutors, it was me who read into it too much."

"It's okay Percy." You said.

"I'm still not comfortable knowing you two have probably fucked but I understand that's normal for him and his tutoring, and it gets results I mean even you have begun to study it all makes sense." He said with a straight face.

"I didn't sleep with him." You said firmly it felt like he was apologising just to get you to admit you have slept with Remus.

"So it's just the Slytherin girl he's sleeping with?" Percy asked.

"What Slytherin girl?" You asked a bit too quickly.

"You know the pretty one, dark hair, super tall, she could almost be a model, I saw them kissing as she entered his office for her tutoring today." He explained and you felt frozen. "Anyway I just wanted to say sorry that's all, I hope we can still be friends." You nodded in confirmation before ending the conversation and going back to sit with Fred and George. You didn't say a word for a while before you excused yourself and left the common room. Your mind wasn't thinking straight you just needed to know if Percy was telling the truth, a part of you knew he may just be trying to upset you but what if he wasn't? Percy didn't usually lie.

You got to Remus's classroom almost immediately, you could barely remember the walk over, you knocked on the door and there was no answer so you opened the door for yourself. The room was empty, you felt relief, and that's when his office door opened. McGonagall and Dumbledore walked out the room followed by Lupin. "Miss L/N, lovely to see you to what do we owe the pleasure?" McGonagall asked as she noticed you, Lupin's face had a puzzled and concerned look.

"Sorry I knocked, but there was no answer I just had a question for Professor Lupin regarding an essay he set." You explained. "But I can come back later."

"Nonsense, I'm sure he can help you." McGonagall said looking over and Remus who was at the bottom of the stairs along with other teachers.

"Yes, how can I help you?" He said clearing his throat.

"I was just stuck on which book I should use for the analysis of Hinkypunk, as I can't find anything useful on the reading list." You explained and he nodded.

"I have one in my office that will be useful follow me." And so you did walking into his office which had a silencing spell on it so you knew you could speak freely. "Why are you here Y/N? I told you I'm busy today." He said looking a bit annoyed.

"Percy said that he saw you kissing a Slytherin girl who was coming into your office for tutoring and it got to my head." You explained looking down at your feet in disappointment.

"so you decided to execute a raid?" His tone was harsh.

"You're angry."

"I'm not angry I'm just disappointed." You looked up at him, he was looking straight at you while he leaned on his desk.

"Disappointed? Oh no that's worse than angry."

"I'm just disappointed I can't stay with you here and take you to my room this instance." He said coming to kiss you. Your heart melted at his words. He understood you. "Just next time my dear, please don't let Percy's words get to your head. You know how I feel about you. Do you really think I would risk it all for someone less special than you?" He asked and you shook your head.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay dear, now take this book." He picked a book off his desk. "I'll see you later today?" He added and you nodded. You left his office first, thanking him and saying goodbye to the other teachers.

Later in the afternoon you returned to Remus's office after checking the Marauders map to see he's alone. You considered yourself an idiot for not checking it originally when Percy lead you into what you believed was a trap, he must've known that Remus was with fellow teachers so he wanted you to storm in there, and in your haze of jealousy and distrust you did just that. When you arrived to his office it smelt like hot chocolate and tea, you were greeted by the usual warmth of Remus. He gave you a soft kiss as soon as you entered his office and gave you a cup of hot chocolate as you both cuddled on the couch, his arm around you as you sat with your legs up snuggled into his side. "I'm sorry about earlier." You said and he looked down at you with a warm forgiving smile. "Don't be darling."

"I should've been smarter, I just let emotions take control."

"I'm glad you care about me so much as to storm down here at a mere rumour. Makes me feel special, but please know I would never do something like that, we may not know what we are but please know I'm committed to you." His words were filled with genuine love.

"I didn't think you'd really do something like that but the way Percy said it, it all went to my head." You began as you sat up.

"I understand."

"Can I tell you a secret?" He nodded in response. "I have this map, I found it with Fred and George, it shows where everyone is at any time." You pulled the Marauders map out of your pocket. "I realised I should've just used it to check, but my brain turned to fog as I rushed down here." He had a small cheeky smile on the edge of his lips that you didn't fully understand.

"Have you ever used it to see where I am?"

"Honestly? Yes. Especially when you've ignored me, I used to check it to see if you're at the bridge or not. Remember that time when you were ignoring me, before Sebastian and I became close, well at first I went to the bridge to wait for you but then I realised I could just check where you are on the map and if you were at the bridge I'd know to go." You admitted and he was almost at the verge of laughing. "Why are you smiling?"

"Many reason my dear. Many reasons." He kissed the top of your head and took the map into his hands.

"Care to share?"

"Well, firstly have you ever questioned the original owners?"

"What the Marauders?" You said before it hit you what you had just set, suddenly in your mind you were sitting on the steps of 12 Grimmauld Place again and Remus was telling you about his Hogwarts days. "The Marauders." You repeated looking at the map that was now in Remus's hands. "Padfoot."

"Sirius." Remus replied.

"Wormtail."

"Peter." Remus said through his teeth a bit at the painful memory of Peter's actions later in life.

"Prongs."

"James." Remus's tone was sad this time.

"And you, my moony." You said and he nodded. "You've been part of my life for a lot longer than I've known Moony." You said with a feeling of warmth and odd excitement.

"It's funny how the world works, love." He kissed the top of your head again as he stood up to take something out of his office drawer.

"I owe you so much, so many pranks." You continued and he laughed.

"That's the biggest compliment me and the boys could ever receive, we always hoped it would fall into the hands of someone like you and the twins." He had some parchment in his hands as he sat back down.

"I can't believe I didn't realise this all before." You were shocked at your own stupidity.

"Well here's another interesting thing. This here is my own version of the Maruders Map, I guess it's just the Moony map as I made it alone when I came to teach here." He opened the parchment to reveal a more upgraded version of the map, it had more information it was colour coded and it was less used. "Now remember the times I wasn't going to the bridge? Well that's because I saw you weren't going, I didn't want to stand there alone like an idiot when I knew you were in your common room. So I stayed and each night I was disappointed you didn't go but I understood it was for the best."

"So we were both-"

"Checking the maps and waiting for the other, yes." He said and you both burst out laughing.

"I blame you." You said laughing. "They're your maps."

"I can't even fight that, oh if I could only tell James, he would love this. Sirius will rip me apart for this one." Remus said with a slight nostalgic voice as he hugged you a bit tighter. You could feel he felt both happy and lonely in those very moment. 

"You're not that stand up citizen you pretend to be in class." You said with a small laugh.

"I thought we established that the first time I laid my eyes on you." He licked his lips.

"I can't believe I've been using your map Moony."

"I can't believe we were both using maps to spy on each other at the same."

"Remus we're both such idiots." You said and he leaned in to kiss you. "The biggest." He said right before he leaned in and kissed you slowly, as he pulled away he bit your lip.

"I remember I promised you a tour of my sleeping quarters?" He stood up reaching an arm out to you, the moment you took it he managed to pick you up and scoop you up into his arms. He carried you through the door that lead to his private quarters.

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NEXT CHAPTER | More stuff I wrote

A/N: Yes Inspector Calls is a nod to David Thewlis being in the BBC adaptation of the play

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[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman-Part 42

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternative Universe : Military School

Words : 5k

TW : Violence

Masterlist

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 Tuesday, February 2nd; 06:00 AM -  Lucy’s Room 

I jump slightly when the alarm goes off in the room. I blink, trying to make sense of what’s happening. Once I do, I sink back into my pillow, muttering softly. It’s already morning. I have absolutely no desire to leave my bed.

“Ona, wake up,”  Lucy orders me as soon as she turns off her alarm.

I sigh, not moving an inch.  Lucy has decided to take control of my nights again. Our relationship hasn’t progressed, but now she forces me to come straight to her room after dinner, for the past week. This means I go to bed an hour earlier, without even being able to text Mapi. What  Lucy hasn’t realized yet is that this doesn’t affect my exhaustion at all. It’s still there since I still struggle to fall asleep and wake up during the night. Lucy, on the other hand, must think the problem is solved. If it wasn’t, she wouldn’t keep doing this. Knowing her, she would have found another solution. Today, though, waking up is particularly hard. On other days, I managed to get some sleep, but that wasn’t the case last night. I really don’t want to get out of bed. I have no motivation left.

“Ona,” she growls.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m getting up,” I reply sharply. “Just give me two minutes…”

“You said that yesterday and didn’t do it. So get up, now.”

I sigh and kick the blanket off with my feet. Once I’m up, I give Lucy a mocking bow, accompanied by a fake smile before locking myself in the bathroom. I don’t miss the opportunity to slam the door loudly to show my displeasure. It’s childish of me, but I’m fed up. All my troubles have worsened in just a few days, including my relationship with  Lucy. I had forgotten how resourceful she could be. She figured out that the only way to get even a bit of my attention is to become the commander I despise. She gives me orders and threatens me at the slightest protest. The worst part is, I still can’t get her out of my head because of it. She continues to take care of me. It’s as if she’s trying to make up for her mistake. Even though I try not to show it, the fact that she’s looking after me affects me deeply because I already miss her so much. Alexia is right when she says I’m slowly destroying myself with my methods. She’s going crazy because she sees me falling apart without giving her a chance to help me get better. She’s started insulting Lucy because, in her opinion, she’s not reacting when she could. It’s funny to hear her talk like that when she’s always respected  Lucy so much. It seems that Mapi is also going crazy. Since I no longer have the chance to reply to her, she’s driving Alexia mad to get news about me. Of course, Alexia keeps her informed of every detail since she’s closely following our situation. The only thing I can still hold on to are my friends. I’m so glad I’ve opened up to them. Alessia continued with evening classes after ours. I really need them, even though I doubt they’re as effective as Lucy’s lessons, but there’s no way I’m giving her that satisfaction. Spending more time with her wouldn’t help me.

“Ona, hurry up! I need to use the bathroom too, remember?”  Lucy scolds from behind the door.

“Yeah, yeah,” I grumble.

I make sure I’ve hidden the signs of my sleepless night and fix my hair before coming out.  Lucy takes my place, and I move toward my bed. I stop when I see it’s already made, which surprises me. Since we stopped talking and I’ve been refusing to sleep with her, she hasn’t touched it once. I must have been staring at it for a while because  Lucy snaps me out of my trance.

“Let’s go.”

Without a word, I grab my bag and jacket before heading out. She closes the door behind me, and we walk down the stairs in silence. Usually, I would go straight to the cafeteria. However, since she changed my nighttime routine, she now makes me accompany her to the back of my dorm, where she waits for Ingrid every morning since I’ve been sleeping in her room. According to her, it’s to make my presence near their dorm less suspicious. I think it’s just an excuse to spend a few more minutes with me. I didn’t argue, as it would have led to another fight for sure.

“Have a good day,” she wishes me.

“Thanks, you too.”

I force myself to keep a cold, unwavering demeanor so I don’t lose my composure. I wish I could tell her that none of my days have been good since we became distant, but I don’t. I mustn’t. As I leave, I give her a final small wave, which I immediately regret, realizing how friendly it seems. Finally, I head to the entrance of our dorm where Alexia is the first to come out. She’s gotten used to hurrying so no one discovers what’s going on. We’ve been quite discreet, surprisingly. I prefer that no one knows, even though I’ve gotten closer to some people. Our friends come out one by one, barely giving us time to ask each other how we’re doing. Once everyone is there, we walk to the cafeteria. I smile when Alba walks up to me and gives me a playful shoulder nudge. She’s one of the people I’ve gotten closer to. She cares a lot about me and has become almost as protective of me as she is of her sister. I find it really sweet of her. Judging by her expression, I must look terrible or something. I mean, I’ve lost all my joy of life.

“How are you today?” she asks me.

“The same as usual.”

“You started your exams this week, right?”

“Yeah. Yesterday,” I sigh. “And I’m failing all of them. I didn’t understand any of my classes.”

“It’s because you don’t focus enough when we study,” Alessia, who was nearby, comments. “But if it helps, the exams were really tough.”

“It doesn’t help, actually. And I’ve already told you, it’s not my fault if I can’t focus on this crap.”

“Why did you choose management anyway?” Alba laughs.

“It’s better not to know,” Ale interjects.

No, indeed, it’s better not to know. I’m liking my field less and less. I get no enjoyment out of it, and I’m losing sight of my initial goals without Lucy. Even though Alessia is helping me, I’m still lost in the important subjects. The only thing I can confirm is that there’s no connection between literary letters and mathematical letters. Lucy tried to push her lessons on me again last week, but that’s the one thing I managed to refuse. Alexia encouraged me to accept, but that’s out of the question. Doing it with Alessia allowed me to spend more time with her outside of class. I definitely don’t regret apologizing to her last week. Our relationship has taken another leap forward because of it. I’ve never known a girl as open-minded and wise as her. Even after everything I’ve done to her, she continues to act like nothing happened. I also discovered her well-hidden sense of humor, which allows us to have a lot of discussions and even playful jokes from time to time. I don’t regret having her in my class. Not to mention Lotte and Leah. Although Lotte is the one I’m least close to, I’ve been able to open up to her because we rotate seats to sit with everyone. Lotte seems to be uncomfortable around me, as if she’s afraid to say something. If she’s waiting for me to break the ice, she can keep waiting. My lively conversation with Alba and Alessia made me forget to be aware of my surroundings. That’s not a luxury I can afford these days. As a result, I didn’t see the clearly intentional shoulder bump from a young student I recognize as a friend of Korbin’s. It’s the first time I’ve been attacked while surrounded by my friends. Alba doesn’t miss it and doesn’t hesitate to hit her back from behind. The girls guys glare at each other with dark looks.

“Got a problem?” the girl spits.

“What about you?”

“Let it go, it’s fine,” I murmur, holding Alba back by the arm.

If I don’t, she might do something reckless that would have repercussions later. Plus, it’s not the time to make a scene here, in front of everyone. The young woman gives me a nasty smile, as if this situation won’t end without consequences, just as I thought. I still don’t understand why Korbin and her friends are bullying me so much, but I’ll need to figure it out soon to stop them. It’s no longer just taunts in class; it’s starting to go much further. If it were up to me, I would have already dealt with her, but there’s a lot at stake, and violence certainly isn’t the best defense. I’m the best person to know that.

“Come on, let’s go,” I say, pulling Alba with me.

“They won’t get away with this, those bitches!” she swears angrily once inside.

“You really should tell someone,” Ale adds from my other side.

“You know that would only make things worse.”

“Maybe, but it won’t get better if you don’t do something!”

“Mind your own business, please.”

I love Alexia, but lately, she’s been meddling in my problems a bit too much. I hate it when people do that. I ignore her grumbling complaints and follow her sister in the line. At least she doesn’t insist when I say no. I fully intend to deal with this issue myself, even though I still don’t know how I’m going to do it. All I’ve concluded is that Korbin has noticed the coldness between Lucy and me and is taking advantage of it to make my life hell at every opportunity. Is it related? I couldn’t say.

- “They’ve been bothering you for more than a week, seriously! How do you stay so calm and not react?!” Alexia hisses harshly at me.

- “Alexia, leave her alone,” her sister reprimands her.

I’m far from calm. I just don’t show it openly to avoid making things worse. I promised myself I wouldn’t ask  Lucy for help anymore. So, it’s up to me to handle this on my own. I roll my eyes as Korbin and Emma, her little lapdog, giggle while passing by our table. I’m determined to find out what she has against me that makes her and her friends use me as a punching bag. They regularly switch between physical attacks, like earlier, and even psychological ones. I’ve lost count of the homophobic remarks they’ve thrown at me or the little shoves against the wall in the hallways. It’s as if they’re constantly trying to put me down. The worst part is when I’m alone. They take advantage of my defenselessness to attack. Because of that, I make sure to stay mostly in the company of others. Just thinking about it gives me chills. If Alexia knew about this, she’d definitely pressure me even more to speak up, but I’m stuck. There’s no way I’m going to do that. I’m already shaken enough. I don’t need  Lucy or anyone else getting involved. I eat my Nutella toast without much enthusiasm. My appetite hasn’t returned, not even for breakfast. If Mapi were here, she would’ve already made a comment. As usual, we linger in the cafeteria for a long time. It’s the only time we’re sure to all be together, so we always spend more time than planned. However, today is different for me. I decide to leave earlier than the others to use the bathroom before going to class. I’m taking a risk by being alone, but I need a moment to breathe. In my rush, I realize halfway there that I’ve forgotten my bag. This is the first time it’s happened to me, how stupid of me. My mind is definitely elsewhere today. I hope someone will think to bring it to me, otherwise, I’ll have to go back and get it. After I finish in the bathroom, I wash my hands before heading out. I sigh when I come face-to-face with my two current enemies. It’s actually surprising I haven’t run into them earlier.

- “What do you want from me, idiots?”

- “Don’t get all high and mighty, you filthy lesbian.”

I roll my eyes and make sure to bump their shoulders, just like they always do, as I pass between them. I don’t really feel like getting into their games today, but that doesn’t stop me from physically shoving back.

- “So, what? Did you screw your roommate too much last night to fight back today?”

I don’t have time to respond before I’m violently shoved against the wall. I groan as I slide down to the floor from the impact. Damn it. Haven’t they had enough of tormenting me? If their goal is to provoke me, they’re going to succeed because I won’t hold back forever.

- “Are you going to answer, you worthless piece of crap?”

- “You’re the ones who are going to answer my questions.”

I lift my head, relieved to no longer be alone. Who knows what they might have done this time. They’ve never physically hit me before, but they’re certainly capable if I were to respond to their provocations. Lucy pins my two troublemakers by placing her hands on their shoulders while keeping her eyes on me. I turn my head away to avoid her gaze. I know her well enough to know she can read me just by looking, and I don’t want that. Korbin and Emma stay silent in the face of the question hanging in the air.

- “Well? Are either of you going to explain what’s going on?! And you’re all late, too,” she retorts sharply.

Now that she mentions it, I did hear the Alba. I could have done without it. I haven’t been late in a long time.

- “I- um…” Emma stammers.

- “Ona insulted us. We just wanted to make sure she doesn’t do it again,” Korbin finally responds, leaving me completely stunned.

- “I’m sure there are worse insults than ‘idiot,’” my supervisor replies coldly. “And if she said it, there’s probably a good reason.”

I bite my lip to keep from smiling. Maybe luck is still on my side a little bit. If she’s saying that, it means she’s been following our altercation from the start. The girls in front of me turn pale at her response.  Lucy removes her hands and offers me one. I take it hesitantly. I don’t even need to support myself against the wall; she lifts me up with ease.

- “Here, you forgot this in the cafeteria.”

I’m surprised to see her with my bag. I thought someone from my class would have taken it. I frown, realizing it’s impossible she found it herself. She left the cafeteria well before I did since she goes for a run after breakfast. She must have sensed my confusion because she explains without me asking.

- “Alexia ran into me on her way to class and asked me to bring it to you since she didn’t have enough time herself.”

- “Thanks…” I murmur, sliding the bag onto my shoulders.

- “Alright,” she says, patting the two girls on the shoulders. “You two are staying with me today.”

- “What?! Why?” Korbin exclaims.

- “Keep playing innocent, and I’ll take you straight to the principal’s office so you can explain your unjustified homophobic comments towards Ona.”

Korbin pales as she realizes the situation she’s put herself in. I can’t help but be happy that  Lucy found out this way. At least I won’t have to confess it to her.

- “What about her?” Korbin retorts, pointing at me. “She just gets off scot-free?”

- “She didn’t do anything, so we’re going to escort her to class.”

- “You just said it yourself. She’s late.”

- “And whose fault is that?! Anyway, I’m not asking for your opinion. As far as I know, I’m still the one in charge here! You don’t realize how lucky you are that it’s me you’re dealing with,” she says sarcastically.

She orders them to walk ahead so she can keep an eye on them. As for me, I quietly stay by her side with my head down. My shoes suddenly become very interesting. Did  Lucy know? It seems like it, but how? Could Alexia have dared to say something to her? Maybe I’m just overthinking, though it wouldn’t surprise me much. I have other worries for now. If the girls get punished because of me, it won’t go without retaliation. Even if  Lucy chews them out, I doubt it will change anything about their intentions towards me.

- “Come to my office after your classes tonight. We need to discuss what just happened,”  Lucy tells me. “Understood?”

Her voice softens suddenly. She seems genuinely concerned about what’s going on right now. I nervously bite my lip. This doesn’t help my plans.

- “Do I have to?”

- “Do I really need to answer that? If you don’t come, I’ll drag you there by the skin of your neck. That would be unpleasant, if you know what I mean.”

- “Fine,” I mumble. “I’ll come.”

I give in to avoid making her anger worse. I still know when to stop. Besides, I owe her one now. Without her, who knows how this would have ended. We arrive at my classroom. I hope my teacher will let me in. He’s not obligated to, even if Lucy excuses me. If not, I’ll have to stay with them. I’d rather be in class than deal with these two bimbos. My supervisor knocks on the door and opens it after getting permission. The whole class has their eyes on us. Lucy pushes me to the front.

- “Good morning. Sorry for the disruption. I’m bringing you a student who was held up,” she adds, pointing behind her.

- “No problem. Take your seat, Ona.”

Luckily, I start with my management teacher. Since he’s young, he’s more understanding and cooler than my other teachers. It’s a shame I don’t like his subject. I sit down in my seat, trying to ignore the knowing look between my supervisor and my teacher. I shouldn’t feel this damn jealousy, but I do. If only that poor guy knew he didn’t stand a chance.  Lucy has clearly told me she prefers women over hairy men. Still, I have a feeling their looks weren’t innocent. Could she have lied to me...? That would explain a lot of things.

"Don’t forget we’re meeting later," she reminds me finally. "Sorry again for the inconvenience."

"No problem, I assure you," he smiles at her. "Goodbye."

Keep that sweet voice for someone else, jerk. I sigh, cursing myself for thinking something like that. I pull out my things, ignoring the persistent gaze of Alessia on me.

"Is everything okay?" Leah murmurs as he turns around.

"Yeah, I’m fine."

"Alright, let’s get back to it," says my teacher. "We’re continuing the lesson, Ona," he tells me. "Grab a new sheet of paper. You can catch up on the rest later."

I nod, and he offers me a smile that I can’t bring myself to return. The scene between  Lucy and him has irritated me. He turns to continue his lesson, writing a few words on the board. I pick up my pen and leave half a page blank, as Alessia suggested, to get back into the lesson as best as I can.

 Tuesday, February 2nd; 4:40 PM - Restroom. 

Twenty minutes have passed since I sat on the floor of a restroom stall. I told my teacher I wasn’t feeling well. Well, it’s not entirely a lie. He let me come here, and now here I am. I wipe my face with my sleeve to remove the remaining tears. I couldn’t hold them back this time. I’ve never had good luck in my life, and I probably never will. My morale being so low is really starting to weigh on me. At this moment, I feel like I could relapse at any moment. I try to calm my trembling. It’s as if I’m going through withdrawal, even though I haven’t touched anything like that in months. I’m just at my wit’s end. I take five minutes to collect myself before standing up. I splash some water on my face to hide the damage. My teacher will probably never let me go to the restroom again after this incident. With my things still in the classroom, I have no choice but to go back. It’s my last hour anyway. What’s waiting for me afterward is even less appealing. When I return, I apologize for taking so long. Against all odds, he doesn’t seem to be mad at me. My awful appearance probably had something to do with it. I go back to my seat, and he resumes the lesson as if nothing happened. I finish the class with my head resting on my arms. I’ve missed most of my lessons anyway, so there’s no point in trying to follow along now. Besides, I don’t understand anything. I’m lucky my math teacher doesn’t reprimand me for my posture. The bell finally rings ten minutes later. I leave with my friends but abandon them on the way to head to Lucy’s office. I hope I’ve regained some color; it would save me from some comments. I wanted to stop by the restroom again, but I’m running out of time. I’m afraid  Lucy might carry out her threat if I don’t show up within ten minutes. I tap softly against the open door of the office. My facade drops when I see that only Ingrid is there. Either Lucy is already out searching the halls for me, or she’s not here yet. Either way, the answer won’t please me.

"Wow, Ona," she says, surprised. "What’s going on? You look awful."

"Nothing," I mumble. "Where’s Bronze?"

"You know you don’t have to call her that in front of me," she replies. "She told me you’d be coming. Have a seat; she shouldn’t be long."

At least she’s not looking for me everywhere. This is the first time she’s been late after giving me a time. I slump into one of the chairs in front of me and place my bag on the other.

"Can I go to the restroom?" I ask.

"No, sorry. I’m not allowed to let you leave before she sees you."

Of course. That answer doesn’t surprise me. I slump onto  Lucy’s desk while I wait. She better hurry up.

"You know, Ona, just because things are tense with  Lucy doesn’t mean you have to ignore me."

"Sorry," I mumble. "I tend to avoid anything related to Lucy, if you know what I mean."

I turn around as she sighs. She nods, giving me a sad smile.

"I understand. Just know I don’t agree with her decision, anyway. I hope she realizes it soon enough."

She falls silent as a noise at the door catches our attention. Lucy has arrived with slightly red cheeks and nose from the cold. She sighs in frustration as she takes off her jacket and scarf. At least I know neither of us seems to have had a good day. I glance over at Ingrid, who gives me a sympathetic smile before getting back to work. I didn’t expect her to be aware of what’s going on with  Lucy. Anyway, it’s nice of her to let me know. It makes me feel somewhat supported.

"Damn, it’s cold today," grumbles  Lucy. "Sorry for being late, Ona."

"Hmm."

She hangs up her things on the coat rack, then comes to sit across from me. She gives me a small smile that I don’t return. Her eyes then drift to my bag on the other chair.

"Perfect, you have your things."

"Yeah… And?"

"Take them out, please. We’re going to study together."

"What?" I frown incredulously. "I thought we were going to talk about this morning!"

"You should have guessed I already have all the answers on that. Come on, take out your things."

I sigh in frustration, running a hand through my hair. I knew it. She already knows. How did she find out? From whom? Anyway, she lured me here like a fool. This confirms that I’m far too naive under her influence.

"How do you know?" I snap.

"I never stopped keeping an eye on you," she says calmly. "Your things—I won’t repeat myself. You need to make up for your missed tests."

"Who do you think you are?" I spit. "How can you know something like that? I never asked for your help, as far as I know!"

We stare each other down, our eyes as fiery as the other’s, for a long moment before a chair scrapes the floor. It’s neither of us, so it must be Ingrid.

"Seriously, girls, this is getting ridiculous. You’re only hurting each other. I’m going to leave, so take this chance to talk and sort out your problems."

I puff out my cheeks and turn my head away, crossing my arms. There’s no way I’m talking to  Lucy when this is all her fault. We’ve said everything we needed to say to each other. Ingrid finally leaves the room, closing the door behind her. This is the first time she’s ever locked us in.  Lucy’s first reaction is to fix her hair.

"There’s no need to sulk," she scolds. "Take out your management course. You’ve got a test tomorrow."

"I had it on Monday," I reply.

"It was so disastrous that I convinced him to let you retake it tomorrow."

"Again, I didn’t ask you for anything."

"A simple ‘thanks’ would have sufficed. Now hurry up, you’re wasting my time."

"But I didn’t ask for anything, damn it!" I shout, standing up. "I might as well leave if I’m wasting your time so much!"

"That’s not what I meant," she sighs. "I’m sorry. I really want you to pass this year, so please, come sit down next to me."

I was about to turn on my heel, but her gentle eyes won me over. I hate the influence she still has over me.

"Fine," I sigh. "I agree, but this will be the last time you interfere in my life."

I openly challenge her, feeling a certain pride at having found this compromise so quickly. She tilts her head as if considering my proposal. I need compromise with her. It’s how we’ve always operated.

"Alright, I won’t intervene in your life anymore. But it will take more than just one lesson to satisfy me. We both know you’re struggling in this field."

She raises an eyebrow, challenging me in return. Always and forever with the negotiations. I suppose I can come back here, knowing she won’t interfere in my life anymore.

"Fine. Your promise not to meddle in my problems in exchange for evening study sessions."

"We’re in agreement, then."

I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m losing in this deal. She may not meddle in my life anymore, but we’ll be spending more time together. Despite this thought, I conclude our arrangement with a handshake. I then move my chair to sit next to her. I pull out some scrap paper and my notes, which look like complete gibberish to me. I had never studied management before today.

"Let’s start from the beginning. Stay focused."

I listen closely as she explains the lesson in her own way. I can already see the difference compared to Alessia. I hope this time I’ll be able to understand something; otherwise, I’m in deep trouble and should really worry about my future.

 Tuesday, February 2nd; 8:45 PM - Student Dormitory. 

I spent my evening avoiding  Lucy. After our study session, I slipped away to the cafeteria to join my friends. I felt Lucy’s eyes on me the whole time I ate. Unfortunately for me, our study session went well. I feel even more unsettled than before. Why is she doing this? She’s acting so contradictory. I mean, she pushes me away, but she continues to help me and worry about me. Someone is going to have to explain her behavior to me because I don’t understand it anymore. Maybe I should talk to Ingrid. She’ll probably explain what’s going on, why Lucy is still keeping an eye on me. Maybe she even knows what  Lucy really thinks. No one keeps an eye on someone they don’t care about, right? She’s going to drive me crazy.

"You know you need to go back, right?" Ale asks me.

"Yeah. I'll go soon...," I sighed.

Before leaving the cafeteria, I asked Lucy if I could hang out in my room for a bit, and surprisingly, she agreed. I slightly regret not asking her earlier. Maybe she would have let me do it on the other days as well.

"Hey, Ale? I had a question."

"Yes?"

"Did you tell Lucy about Korbin and her friends?"

"No," she replies, frowning. "I just asked her to find you quickly. Why?"

"You're not lying to me?"

"Why would I? I know I insist a lot, but you asked me not to do it, so I didn't."

I sigh as I get up to put my sketchbook away in my empty wardrobe. All my stuff is still in  Lucy's room since I haven't left the school since I spent the weekend at her place.

"She knows, anyway," I announce. "Unless she was bluffing, but I doubt it."

"Knows about the harassment?"

"I guess," I shrug. "I don't know exactly what she knows. Anyway, she punished Korbin and Emma today for making homophobic remarks towards me."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"We'll see when I have to face them tomorrow. Don't you think?"

I see her nervously biting her lip as if she's thinking it over. I sincerely hope she didn't say anything to  Lucy like she claims. I would be upset if she did. I decide not to push the matter and put on my jacket, then adjust my bag on my shoulders. It's time for me to return to my cursed den. I give her a quick hug and kiss her on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Ale."

"Goodnight, ex-roomie! Please come back soon, okay? I'm starting to miss you in the evenings. I feel lonely."

"Be happy I’m not hogging all the hot water anymore," I tease.

"That's true," she giggles. "You did that to me a lot! Doesn't Bronze complain about it?"

"I apologized for weeks! And no, she showers in the morning."

"Oh, you two even have your routines..." she chuckles.

I roll my eyes at her remark, though she's probably not wrong. Even though we’re not on good terms, we live together quite well. I say goodbye one last time before leaving. I walk calmly down the hallway until someone suddenly shoves me hard against the wall. I don't have time to react before the person grabs my throat to strangle me. I close my eyes, trying hard to hold back the tears that are threatening to fall. I grasp at her wrists, trying to pull them away, but the surprise of the attack makes it impossible. She’s managed to lift me onto my tiptoes. I quickly start running out of air.

"You bitch," spits my attacker, whom I recognize as Korbin. "You’ll pay for ratting us out! Don’t think you’ll get away with it so easily, and you’d better keep your mouth shut this time!" she snarls.

She suddenly lets go, making me collapse to the ground. I stifle a groan as she kicks me in the stomach. She giggles as she walks away down the hallway. I cough, gasping for air, before finally letting my tears fall. This girl is insane. She'll never stop! Why does this kind of thing always have to happen to me? I stay on the ground for a moment to recover from the attack. Then I force my trembling body to get up and quickly leave the hallway, heading to  Lucy's room. I don't hesitate to use the instructors' access route. Lucy has given me permission to use it in the evenings to be more discreet. When I reach the other side, I immediately lock myself in the bathroom after grabbing my things. Luckily,  Lucy was too absorbed in her computer to notice me. Maybe she watched me over the top of her screen, but I didn’t see it. I expected my shower to clear my head tonight, but it's no use. I can still feel those cursed fingers on me. I only return to the bedroom once I feel ready. I expected to have to face  Lucy for taking so long, but the room is plunged into darkness. I move blindly to find my bed. I find it without difficulty and sit on it. I wait a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. In front of me is  Lucy, who has her back to me. It's the first time she’s ever ignored me, and it’s happening at the moment when I need her most. I’m almost certain she’s not sleeping. Her breathing isn’t as steady as it should be. I glance at her clock, which shows 9:45 PM. I close my eyes to chase away the moisture starting to form.

"L- Lucy?" I attempt.

I bite my lip when I get no response from her. I know she's not asleep. I lower my head, playing with my fingers. This is the first time I feel ready to set my pride aside, but this situation is too much for me.

"I-I-... Uh... C-can I sleep with you?"

I feel so desperate asking her something like that, but I know full well that I won’t have a peaceful night after what just happened. I lower my eyes at her silence. I sigh in defeat as I start to pull up my blanket when I hear her move.

"Come here," she murmurs.

I blink, not expecting a response from her. To confirm her words, she gently pats the empty spot on her bed.

"You can come," she confirms.

I quickly move around the bed before she can change her mind and lie down next to her. Now I can see her face. Our eyes meet for a moment, but I quickly turn my back to her, keeping a reasonable distance. She doesn’t seem to agree with that, though, as she wraps her arm around me, pulling me close to her. She holds me tightly, as if she’s afraid I’ll leave. This thought brings tears that start streaming down my cheeks. I had terribly missed the feeling of having her close to me. I try not to choke so she won't notice, even though I think she can feel it given our proximity. Yet, she doesn’t say anything. I intertwine my fingers with hers, which are resting against my stomach, seeking as much contact as possible. Since I’m here, I might as well fully embrace the moment. A whimper escapes me unintentionally when she kisses my head.

"Goodnight, Princess."

Not feeling capable of replying, I just tighten the embrace between us. I try to calm the anxiety gripping me, but it's difficult. Yet, in her arms, I know that everything will always be okay. I finally close my eyes, trying to enjoy the moment and relax. Tomorrow is another day, and who knows what awaits me after this night.

[hockeyluvrr]

Since you said you are a swiftie as am I. Can I request Luke Hughes with a swiftie girlfriend. Her just explaining the meaning of songs too him and why Taylor does Taylor’s version

of course! thank you so much for requesting! this is actually my first fic ever on here so I hope I did a good enough job! I hope you like it! 🫶🏻

MASTERLIST

Taylor’s Version || lh43

word count : 753

gif is not mine!

It was one of those rare evenings where Luke had no plans, no NHL games and had nothing but free time. He was laying on the couch in your shared apartment while you were kneeling on the floor surrounded by your collection of Taylor Swift CDs and vinyls.

You had practically begged Luke all week for him to let you play him Taylor’s music so he could, in your words, listen to it the right way. Finally with a free night, and a bribe of pizza, you had him exactly where you wanted him.

“So, you ready for your Taylor Swift lesson?” You grinned as you flipped through your vinyls and CDs.

“Do I have a choice?” He joked.

“Absolutely not.” You smile before placing the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) vinyl on the record player, listening as the melody of Enchanted (Taylor’s Version) started playing.

“So, what’s this song?” Luke speaks up after a minute of listening.

“So, this song is called ‘Enchanted’. It’s this song about feeling that instant connection when you first meet someone. Like when you click with someone and you’re hoping with everything within you that they felt the same thing you did.”

“Oh, like when we first met?” Luke teased slightly with a small smirk.

Your cheeks flush slightly as you nod. “Yeah, pretty much. I swear when we first met all I was thinking was, ‘Please don’t be in love with someone else.’” Luke’s smile only widened at your words.

“You’re so cheesy, you know that baby?”

“Just a little bit.” You joke.

You both sat there for a little while, just listening to the song. Luke surprisingly found himself tapping his fingers on his thigh to the melody. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be into Taylor’s music as much you are, but he was slowly beginning to understand why her music meant so much to you.

“Hey baby?” Luke speaks up when the song finishes, the start of ‘Better Than Revenge’ playing as he does.

“Yeah?”

“Why do you have two versions of the same album?” He asks pointing at the vinyls of the original album and the rerecorded album.

“Oh, you mean Taylor’s Versions? Let me explain.” You say, a bit excited to explain this to your boyfriend. “Okay, so basically Taylor’s Versions are re-recorded versions of the original albums she released.”

“Why does she need to re-record them? Aren’t they already her songs?” Luke muttered, clearly confused.

“Well technically yes, she wrote them but she doesn’t own them.”

“Wait, what? I thought if you wrote the song, it was yours.”

“You’d think so, right? But, it’s complicated. She wrote the songs, but her label owned the masters. That means that she didn’t have control go how her music was used, the label did.”

“That’s messed up.”

“Exactly!” You smile, glad Luke was following your explanation. “So, a few years ago, the label was sold. And when it was sold, so were her masters. But the guy who sold them didn’t tell her they were being sold and so she never had a chance to buy her own masters. So, she decided that instead of accepting that she didn’t own them, she decided to re-record all her old albums so that she could own the new versions…aka Taylor’s Version.”

“Woah…that’s actually pretty smart. So, she’s taking back control, one album at a time?”

“Yeah, that’s why us swifties are so passionate about Taylor’s Version. It’s more than the music, it’s about her taking back what’s rightfully hers.”

Luke nods at your explanation before laying back on the couch. “I get why you like her so much now. Thank you for explaining everything to me, even if I don’t understand every little detail.”

“That’s okay, I like explain everything to you. It’s like how you explain all your hockey stuff to me, that’s your way of sharing a little bit of your world with me and this is my way.” You smile as you lean against the front of the couch, Luke’s hand automatically coming up to brush gently through your hair.

As you both sat there in comfortable silence, with Taylor’s voice echoing softly in the background, you felt your heart swell in happiness. You were glad Luke was willing to listen to and understand Taylor’s music, it meant everything to you.

“Alright,” Luke spoke, breaking the comfortable silence. “Play me another album.”

You smiled widely as you reached for your vinyl of Red (Taylor’s Version). “You’re in for a treat, baby.”

[smellystars]

Get Some Relief

Credit: @theleomars

You came to the bedroom holding a can of ginger ale and some antiacids in hopes of being of help. You placed them on the bedsidetable and laid down on the couch with him, touching his thick thigh to let him know you were there.

“How are you feeling?”

He just looked at you and with a grimace on his face and closed his eyes.

*BBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMPPPPPT! BRRRPPTT!*

Two rumbles, one larger than the other, shook the bedframe and singlehandedly elevated the room’s temperature. The first one, 8 seconds long and resembling the sound of motorcycle, managed produce the stench of spoiled meat, while the second, only two seconds in length, somehow was warm enough to to undo a few of threads on the the couch.

You had to admit it was partially your fault too. You loved Angelo, but knew people would question you for dating a man with such powerful gas, so you asked him to hold it in in public, especially around your family. You knew very well what that meant once you returned home, he would let it all loose, and possibly destroy the apartment once again.

“I think today is gonna be one of the worst night babe” He said, before grabbing the ginger ale and taking a few sips

You already knew the drill, you quickly got up to to take the picture frames off the walls and try to ensure all glass was on the floor so it would not break from the vibrations caused by your boyfriends fart hurricanes. No sooner did you stand that you were knocked over by a huge invisible force.

*BBBBBBBOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRPPPP!*

His lips had parted to let out a large 5 second belch that had enough strength to know you over along the books on the bookshelf across the room.

“Ahh that’s better” he sighed with relief.

“I am glad my love” you said,regaining your composure and resuming your goal of ensuring the mess that was bound to happen did not get worse. You were comin in and out of the room, trying to put the plants out into the balcony, when you noticed he had his leg lifted into the air, knee touching his chest.

BrbrbrbrbBRBRBRBbrbrbrbrbrBRBRBRBRBBRBRBRBRBbbbbbrrrrrrrrrBRBRBRBRbrrr

A long, bubbly fart fluttered out his shorts, the smell of digested meat only getting more intense even with balcony door open. The sound was loud enough you saw the apartment walls shake a bit, the book you left on the coffee table being blown open and a few of the cars parked outside the building having their alarms triggered.

You saw ripples being sent down the his shorts’ fabric as the bubbly symphony went on for what felt like multiple minutes. Fuck, how did such a handsome man manage to rip such beastly farts? It continued for a few seconds until it came to a close.

“Sorry babe”

“It’s okay babe, just try and hold the next till i get all the plants out, don’t want any more wilting”

“I hope the neighbors don’t complain” Said Angelo with a hint of worry.

“Trust me, if I lived near someone with farts like yours the last thing I would want is to make that person upset” You said, trying to cheer him up.

Once done with the plants you move on to the frames. You two had learned your lesson after a particularly gassy night, where a forty second monster of a fart exited Angelo’s rear end and managed to shake the walls violently enough to cause most frames to fall an break.

As you were in the middle of it you noticed Angelo biting his lower lip, one eye closed and leg raised again, this time his knee digging into his belly.

*bbbbbrrrrr-

BBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMTTTTTTTTTT!!*

What started out as a small buzz turned into pure ass rippage as the gas rushed from Angelo’s stomach down to his anus and proceeded to make an scandalous exit. The fart lasted well over a minute, with the smell only getting worse. What shocked you the most was the sheer strength of it; however, as it managed to push you against the wall and hold you there throughout its duration.

After what felt like hours, his stinky symphony came to an end releasing you from your suspended prison cracks forming across the apartment walls. “Baby come to bed” your boyfriend spoke laying motioning you to join him on your smelly stained mattress. Before getting into bed you walked around ensuring anything that could fall was removed from high ground and opening every window in your apartment.

“It’s going to be a long night” you said while climbing into bed snuggling with your still booted boyfriend. You start rubbing his stomach hoping to help with his gas until,

FFFFFFRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOWWWPPPPPPPPPPPDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

A loud burst of gas shook the bed and floor and stopped just as quickly as it started. “Sorry” Angelo says as you both drift to sleep in each other embrace. The suns bright rays signals the start of a new day as you turn to look at Angelo’s glowing face. You don’t take a second to kiss him and despite the constant needing the grab the sheets from flying away during the night. You turn over to look at your phone lined with notification.

“Good Morning babe” Angelo says smiling widely while stretching. “Whew I feel so much better now. What are you looking at?” You show him the countless reports about constant shaking throughout the night and a horrid odor that swept the street and currently still lingers. Angelo laughs nervously, “Well, better out than in, right?”

[study-with-aura]

Saturday, July 6, 2024

All of my new school supplies came in today! It was actually only the calculator and the erasable gel pens, which I really love! Thank you to whoever it was that recommended them to me several months ago! I also love the new calculator, except the manual is in Chinese. I'm sure I can figure it out, but if not, Dad can also read it fluently, so I can ask him if I get stuck on how to change modes or whatever.

I will be heading to my environmental science camp after church tomorrow, so I will be gone again until at least Friday. More than likely, like last time, I will post on Saturday since I am sure I will be tired after unpacking and studying a little.

I have one week of work left of the theory course I am taking. Thus far it has been interesting. I love all of the analyses that the professor does. I struggle with that still. My piano teacher is glad that I've started studying for the harmony and counterpoint exam already. It is going to be a tough one!

We had a lot of fun out on the lake today. We took the boat out, and while Dad and Julien did some fishing, Mom and I enjoyed lying out (with lots and lots of sunscreen). I also went swimming at the beach and went waterskiing with some friends we met up with out there. I'm getting better at it!

It's past my bedtime, but I was up until midnight on the 4th. The fireworks got over around 10pm but then there was traffic and the drive back home, and I needed to shower after being out in the sun during the day and around a lot of people. The fireworks were beautiful over the water, and we had a lot of fun at the concerts before the fireworks. I also got queso asado street tacos for dinner! They were so good! I love food trucks when we're in the main city for fun events like this. They always have something yummy.

Good night everyone! Have a great next week, and I will update again probably on Saturday! 🌱🌞

Tasks Completed:

History 9 - Learned classical music forms and genres + studied ternary form + studied sonata-allegro form through Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Theory - Studied 2-voice counterpoint + completed self-assessment

KA GRF Algebra 2 - Completed Unit 1: Lesson 9 (review of factoring quadratics with perfect squares)

Duolingo - Studied for approximately 30 minutes (Spanish + French + Chinese) + completed daily quests

Piano - 60-minute piano lesson + practiced for one hour

Reading - Read pages 223-258 of Lumara by Melissa Landers and finished the book

Chores - Cleaned refrigerator, stove and kitchen counters + put away groceries

Activities of the Day:

Personal Bible Study (Luke 1 + week 20 reflections)

Morning Yoga

Went to the lake with family

Packed

Journal/Mindfulness

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 29)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (27)

Masterlist (other parts here)

(**Trust the process...**)

Jordan was laughing so hard that YFN worried her protein shake would come up.

“Dory, it’s not funny!”

Jordan tried to talk, sitting up and wiping the tears away with the bottom of her shirt but at the sight of a worried YFN, she was right back at it, rolling around like a bug on her back on the couch. Her laugh had upgraded to a wheezing laugh as she struggled for breath which made YFN finally crack a smile and allow herself a little chuckle with her. She walked over and tilted the back of the couch up, making Jordan fall off and roll onto the carpet in the living room. Not even that stopped her. Not until Blu was getting excited at her laughing and started to lick her face and yap.

“I’m never doing anything nice again.” YFN groaned.

“Ah… Jesus… okay I’m back..” Jordan chuckled, wiping more tears away and managing to pull herself back onto the couch. “If you could see your face though.”

YFN whined. “Who the fuck writes that?! What if I wasn’t even gay? They don’t know anything about me.”

“Leah said she’s sorting it out, yeah?”

“Yeah.. she was really apologetic about it actually.”

“Of course she was. But she’s really good at sorting things like this out, no need to stress. I’m definitely not, but thanks for my daily laugh, I think I wet myself. I’m glad I didn’t take you up on that offer to go instead.”

YFN rolled her eyes. “She wanted it to be you. Besides, they actually know your name. They probably just wrote ‘partner’ because they have no clue who I am.”

Jordan pulled her down next to her and squeezed YFN’s cheek like a grandparent. “But that all changes today, chicken!”

“I’m so nervous!”

“I’m so excited for you! This is going to be great. Plus, your merch is sexy.”

“Free beanie if you pose for a photo for me.” YFN winked.

Jordan slapped her arm. “You’d give it to me for free anyways.”

“You have no idea how excited I am to see you play.”

“Don’t get your hope up chicken, Chelsea are brutal under Emma.”

“Regardless of any of that, you’re still going to be there in your little kit, and I’ll be on the sidelines waiting for a selfie and an autograph. I wish I could wear your jersey!”

Jordan grinned. “I don’t think anyone will blame you for a bit pf favouritism on your first day. I am very cute.”

“Yes.. yes you are. Very cute.” She looked at the time quickly. “Now we both have to go and I’ve had about five hours sleep since my late night drive from London. So… let’s talk about Leah.”

Jordan gave a funny face.

“She was great last night, Dory. She was helpful and chivalrous and so much fun to be around. She also gave really great advice for me about Lucy..”

This interested Jordan. “Oh? What did she say?”

YFN quoted what Leah had said to her about making a mistake by convincing herself it was what was best for everyone when it’s not.

Jordan’s lips moved from side to side while she thought. She could tell she was a little emotional.

“So… she admits it was a mistake?”

“This isn’t new, Jords.” YFN said softly, reaching out to squeeze her hand. Jordan smiled at her using ‘Jords’ instead of her nickname. “I told her that the Leah I see now is not the ‘weak’ woman who left you because she thought she wasn’t enough. She’s stronger now. More mature. She’s learnt her lesson. And… I told her about how we met.”

Jordan’s teary eyes shot up to meet YFN’s. “You told her about the beach?”

She nodded. “Multiple days, hours on end. And a little more… she cried.”

Jordan nodded, as if that would stop her tears forming. She leant back and sniffed also. That seemed to work better. “She really loves me still.”

“She does. Will you talk to her?”

Jordan went into her space and zoned out for a little bit before she nodded. “Yeah, I’ll talk to her.” Then she added in a soft voice, “But I’m scared.”

YFN wrapped her arms around her friend. There really wasn’t much to her at all. “It’s okay, she won’t hurt you. I… may have threatened her.”

Jordan looked up at her in surprise and then amusement. “Did you?”

“Of course I did. She took it well, to be honest.” They chuckled together at that. “Just take it slow, yeah? Take it at your own pace. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t push it.”

She nodded and took out her phone. She took a deep breath in and wrote out a message, pressing send before she had a chance to backtrack. She looked at YFN and blushed with a smile at how proud she looked at her.

“Your turn, chicken.”

“My turn?”

“Oh come on. Lucy is your person. You need to talk to her eventually because there’s only so much avoiding the topic I can do with her. Besides, if I saw those photos on the internet, then Lucy definitely would have.”

“Oh… oh! You’re right. She’s going to be-”

“So fucking annoyed when she sees them and you haven’t spoken to her.” Jordan cut off with a mum look.

YFN pouted. She was right. It was time to talk to Lucy. If she was being completely honest with herself, it had been incredibly hard. It was like she needed her. Not just her body craving her, but her brain, her heart. Her Lucy. She deserved the chance to talk and explain.

YFN took her phone out under Jordan’s watchful eye and messaged Lucy.

YFN: I’m sorry for taking so long.. I’m really not used to this, Luce. I can’t stop thinking about you. Can we talk?

YFN knew she had no right to be anxious, but she was. It was now five hours later and Lucy still hadn’t replied. Fair enough, she had training. It was MD-1 for her. But still, she was usually better at replying. She looked through the FC Barca stories on Instagram again and saw Lucy looking less cheery than usual in the morning and throughout training. She bit her lip at the sight of the bandage on her left hand that she’d been wondering over all morning. All of the comments were speculative and Barca management hadn’t put out a statement about the injury so her thoughts ran a little too wild and worried.

Cheers erupted suddenly as the players started to enter the field. YFN pocketed her phone and wrapped her arms around her body to protect herself a bit better from the rain. YFN was on the sidelines, her crew spread out around the edges to get photos and videos. It was basically a practice game for them to get used to the best spots, best shots etc and they’d talked about it and planned it thoroughly all week. YFN put her fingers to her mouth and whistled loudly when she saw Jordan walking out in the starting line-up. She flashed her a grin, finding her immediately with her purple and yellow Lumos beanie on. Although the other members of her crew were also wearing the Lumos hoodie, YFN had felt the beanie would be enough and wore Lucy’s hoodie instead. It was comfy and smelled like her. Vanilla and bitter orange.

Although the game was in Birmingham, it was an unfortunate demolition of Aston Villa by Chelsea. Both sides started strong and 11 minutes in Jordan almost collected a nice assist to Rachel Daly who was on fire. She had several attempts, but all seemed to be missing to the left. YFN couldn’t help but groan. She didn’t have a favourite team, but she wanted Jordan to do well. Chelsea were up by 2 at the half-way break, YFN taking the opportunity to round up her team and have a chat. Some of their photos were incredible, and they all spoke excitedly to each other about what angles were working, what lighting and more. There was going to be a lot of footage to edit.

The second half began and within minutes Jordan had a shot on target that was saved. So close. Jordan was subbed off at the 71st minute mark, looking frustrated as she walked off. Chelsea were up 5-0.

It ended 6-0 to Chelsea. 6 goals with 6 different goal scorers, and if that wasn’t impressive enough, they were missing their best striker, Sam Kerr. It was undeniable how good they were. How clinical. There were unbelievable players on both sides, she thought, Rachel Daly unable to be used to potential during the game for Aston Villa. She also loved how Jordan played, which was much more aggressive than she’d imagined, and she wondered if Lucy had encouraged that at all. Jordan seemed to get annoyed easily on the field, but she also managed to pick the ball from players when they didn’t expect it.

When the game was done, a few players from both sides came over for a chat. As she’d said at the pub, they weren’t conducting interviews yet, and so they were just friendly chats with players interested in Lumos. Most players requested photos of themselves to be sent to them, and YFN agreed to this. If they’d post them on their Instagram with the Lumos watermark, that would be a great start.

Jordan wandered over after Millie Bright and Erin Cuthbert had finished their conversation with YFN. She greeted them briefly and almost fell into YFN’s arms. Tired little Dory after 71 minutes of running around.

“I’m your number one fan, Miss Nobbs, will you sign my hoodie?”

Jordan was disappointed at the game but grinned at that. “I’ll do you one better, chicken.”

Jordan removed her jersey and signed it before giving it to YFN who’s mouth had dropped open. “Really?”

Jordan seemed proud of herself. “Really.” She had her arms wrapped around her little body, shivering in the rain.

“Come here!” YFN took one of the Lumos merch hoodies she had and pulled it over her friend’s head. “I know it’s company merch, but you can just hide the logo with your arms if you want.”

“Ohhh it’s so warm.” She said as she pulled the hood up, still shivering. YFN pulled her to her chest and rubbed her back. “Y..Yeeeeees.”

“Comfy, huh? You played brilliantly out there, Dory. I didn’t realise how aggressive you get when you play?”

“Do I?” She asked sheepishly.

“Ohhh yes. Very entertaining. Also, do they not have a kit small enough for you?”

“I’m an extra extra extra small. And no, they apparently don’t. I’ll need a belt for my shorts soon!”

Matt and Ruby appeared then, wide-eyed at YFN holding Jordan to keep her warm. They were both from Birmingham and Matt was an Aston Villa fan. “J…Jordan Nobbs, I’m Matt… hey.” He introduced himself with an awkward hand out.

Jordan was amused by this and shook his hand. “Hello Matt. Did you get any good photos? You were almost chasing us up the boundary line!”

“Oh! I hope it wasn’t distracting. I’m a videographer and I have a few of you if you’d like to see?”

Matt and Ruby showed Jordan the footage they’d gotten for her, proud when Jordan was obviously impressed.

“Oh I think this is going to work out great, chicken.” She said to YFN with a grin.

“We’ll make sure to edit the footage and have it sent to you tomorrow for approvals to post, and for your own use.” She smiled.

“Yes! Please! And I was thinking pizza tonight?”

“I would die for some pizza and hot chocolate in this weather. The crew and I need to go through a lot of editing though before the games tomorrow though.”

“Just bring everyone over! We have room. There’s only eight people, right? I’ll get extra pizza.”

“Wait.. you LIVE together?” Ruby asked.

Jordan looked at YFN and gave a little chuckle. “You haven’t told them?”

She shrugged. “It didn’t seem relevant… but I think that’s a great idea. We’ll all have pizza and do some editing, as long as no one is allergic to Blu.”

“I get to meet Blu?!” Matt asked before he blushed at his admittance that he knew Jordan had a dog.

“As long as everyone is out by 8pm. We need to get some sleep.” Jordan slapped her friend’s shoulder.

“Five of our guys need to get back to London tonight so they’ll all be out early. As for pizza…Joe can shout that.” YFN said with a wink at Jordan.

They’d been through five pizzas and hours of footage and photos when YFN’s phone finally dinged. She’d never picked up her phone so quick in her life. Jordan gave her a look that she missed as the room drowned out and she focussed on her phone.

Lucy: Sorry, little one. Just got home from training. Lost my phone yesterday.

YFN: How are you texting me..?

Lucy: MacBook.

YFN: I was starting to worry.. can we talk?

Lucy: We need to talk, but not over text. I’m not a good texter. Security said a fan found my phone so I’ll get it tomorrow at the game and call you after it, okay?

YFN could tell Lucy had something to say and agreed that it would be best to talk over the phone rather than things being misinterpreted over text.

YFN: Okay Luce.

Lucy: I’ll call you about five-thirty your time. Will you be free?

YFN: Okay, I’ll be driving to Crawley then.

Lucy: You’ll be staying in the London apartment overnight, I hope?

A worried Lucy meant she still cared.

YFN: Is that still okay?

Lucy: I’d be upset if you didn’t. I meant it when I gave you that keychain.

YFN looked down at it. Three different coloured house keys, the car key, and three flags. She bit her lip and remembered the look in Lucy’s eyes when she’d given it to her. It was the best present anyone have ever given her. They had so much to talk about, but most were better off over the phone except one.

YFN: I love it, Luce. How’s your hand?

Lucy: It’s okay. Stupid accident. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow, okay?

YFN: Yes, please. Have a good game tomorrow, Luce.

There had been no text from Lucy when she woke, but she’d expected that. Her start to the day was slow as she woke early to pack her bag for an overnight in London. She left before Jordan was even awake, putting her overnight bag in the boot before she got in the driver’s seat. She looked down at the little keyring that Lucy had given her. She’d only realised today that the key colours represented her clubs. The blue key for Manchester represented Man City, the red key for London represented England, and the yellow key for Barca represented Spain and the Barca away kit from 2022. It would be her first time using the keys, and the idea of using them felt a little wrong to her, especially after the previous few days. She felt bad. She played with the little flags before putting them in the cup holder and starting the car.

She arrived at Meadow Park early, glad that her reserved parking space was close so she wouldn’t be so held up trying to get to the end of the Spurs and Everton game. She met up with Bridget and Emily who were a couple, and both Arsenal supporters. It was very obvious, the way they were practically bouncing up and down. Bridget and Emily both did a bit of videography and photography, however it was clear that Emily was better with photographs and Bridget with videography as Bridget was a bit more excitable when it came to chasing players around the boundary lines for videos, whereas Emily was definitely the more shy and level-headed one. They were incredibly entertaining.

As YFN was also present, she would make the most of herself by taking some photos also. As she was setting up her camera, she felt two arms slide around her waist and pick her up in a hug.

“Ohhhh here she is!” Caitlin almost shouted.

“I could pick you up with one arm, chick, there’s nothin’ to ya!” Katie said as she put her back down.

YFN laughed and hugged the pair. They were in their warmup gear, ready to prep with the rest of their teammates who were entering the field. Kyra saw them and ran over excitedly.

“Finally here to watch the Aussies, huh?” She cheered as she leapt onto Caitlin’s back.

“You’re so annoyin’!” Caitlin laughed. Kyra was definitely the little sister of the group.

“I’m a bit worried we won’t be able to keep up with you, to be honest. You’re just too quick, mate.” YFN winked, knowing Kyra would love the compliment. She did. She grinned proudly.

Bridget and Emily noticed the interaction then and couldn’t resist walking. YFN introduced her excited and nervous colleagues to the trio.

“Oh, I’ve seen you around in the stands before.” Caitlin said.

“Yeah, don’t you two do Tik Toks?” Katie asked.

“We used to have a Tik Tok and Instagram channel for female football, but now we’ve had a lot more training and we’re with Lumos.” Bridget said, proud that they recognised them.

“Ohh upgradin’ to the big leagues are ya? Well it’s nice to have you in the team. We’re lookin’ forward to the photos you can get for us.”

“If you can keep up!” Kyra said, flexing her bicep. Katie grinned while Caitlin rolled her eyes in fake annoyance.

“Bridget and Emily are massive Gooners, they’ll keep up for sure.”

Jonas called out then and the trio said their goodbyes as they headed over to warmup.

“How is it that you know everyone already?” Bridget asked as she looked at the team in awe. “We’ve been around forever and we’ve never met them.”

YFN shrugged. “Luck, I guess?”

Both Katie and Caitlin were starting for Arsenal, with Caitlin’s Matildas teammate Steph Catley and Lucy’s England teammates, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo. For Man City, Lucy’s old team, there were two Matildas; Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler as well as a few of the England squad also; Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Esme Morgan and upcoming goalkeeper Khiara Keating. The game was a mess… but it was great. The referee had given out so many yellow cards that even YFN who knew the bare minimum about the sport knew it was overkill. In the first 20 minutes, there were 4 yellow cards, 2 to each team, and a goal for Arsenal. A beautiful assist from Caitlin to her Aussie teammate Steph who launched top bins at the 14 minute mark. By half time it was 1-0 Arsenal, and 6 yellow cards had been given out. The teams were very evenly matched, both with incredible players from all over the world.

After half time, the game restarted just as crazy as the first half and at the 53rd minute mark, Caitlin was shown a yellow for a bad foul. A few substitutions were made for both teams in the 60th minute, however it didn’t seem effective until Man City scored their equaliser with Chloe Kelly. Steph went down hard in the 85th minute, and finally Arsenal had their second goal 2 minutes later. Unfortunately, their goal had come at the cost of a bad mistake make by the Man City keeper, Khiara Keating who was left in tears. More shots were made, more substitutions and of course, Katie managed the game’s 8th yellow card in overtime for a bad foul.

The game ended 2-1 Arsenal, effectively ending Man City’s unbeaten start to the season. It was the best game of football she’d ever seen, though she couldn’t help but be upset for the young Man City goalkeeper who couldn’t seem to be consoled for her mistake. She had spoken to her at the pub, though knew she didn’t know her well enough to try and comfort her. Her teammates were already supporting her enough. She looked over at Bridget and Emily who were being respectful and not trying to get any footage of her as she walked off the field.

Kyra came back over to YFN before any of the others could, and they started chatting. She was the newest signing to the club and hadn’t had the opportunity to show how good she was, but she seemed confident that she would.

“Will you cover internationals?”

“That’s the plan! My boss wants to take over everything so this is really just the beginning.”

“Yeah the girls were showing me some of the photos and they look great!”

“We’ll send them to you so you can do what you want with them also. Promote yourself, mate.”

“They don't cost anything?”

“Nope.”

“You’re going to be so busy..”

“Oh don’t I know it. We’ve only covered two games so far but I can already see we need a lot more people for all areas, especially editing.” She groaned, looking over to where Katie, Steph and Caitlin were making their way over.

Kyra noticed and spoke nervously before they arrived. “Have you… been to a Leicester game yet?”

“Leicester? No, that one’s in Liverpool tonight so I’m missing it this round.”

“Okay.”

YFN wondered at her question. “Are you a secret Leicester fan?”

“No! No.. I just.. I know someone who plays for them.”

“Oh? Who?”

“Well there’s Remy Siemsen who’s Aussie too..” She looked at the trio getting closer. “..and then there’s Courtney Nevin…”

YFN understood now. Caitlin had told her about that. Courtney and Kyra grew up together and went to high school with each other. They dated for a while and then had a falling out, both unfollowing each other and never seen talking to each other. She looked at the young Australian who was blushing and looking at her feet. She leant closer to talk quietly so the others wouldn’t hear. “Would you like me to talk to her?”

“I’m not sure. I just.. think I want to make sure she’s okay.”

YFN caught her eye and gave her a supportive smile and a nod. “I’ll do that when I see her, okay? I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks.” She whispered.

“Ohhhh COONEY CROSS CROSS CROSS.” Caitlin wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her close. “Debut next week for you, Ky, I bet money on it.”

Kyra grinned.

“That’ll be fun against Leicester, you can run wild!” Katie said.

Kyra’s face dropped, and her eyes widened as she caught YFN’s eye. That’s right, it was Arsenal vs Leicester next week. “Will you be there?”

“I won’t… I’ll be covering the Bristol, Aston Villa game in Bristol. Matt and Ruby will be covering that one.”

Kyra gave her a ‘please help’ look that she couldn’t avoid. “But now that I think about it… it would make more sense for me to switch with Matt and do the United/West Ham game and then the Arsenal/Leicester game so I have more interaction with the players. Plus, Matt is a huge Aston Villa fan.”

Kyra looked a little relieved.

“Steph, great game!” YFN said, looking at the Matilda’s vice-captain. “Great goal.”

“Aw, thank you! I’m not really known for my goals so I’m happy to get one.”

The five of them bantered for a little with Bridget and Emily joining them, utterly star struck as they showed them their photos and videos. Then Katie insisted that they do an interview together.

“I don’t have my equipment... my microphones. I haven’t even prepped questions.”

“Oh bull, we’ll be fine. Besides, we’ll answer anythin’ you ask.”

“Microphones are right here,” Bridget said sheepishly as she opened her equipment box.

YFN thought for a second before deciding she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Players were never interviewed more than two at a time usually, so it would be a brilliant first interview.

She set them up with their mics and Bridget set up the camera. YFN was nervous, but she went with it.

“Okay, rolling? Fantastic. We’re here at Meadow Park with four of our Gunners, and the famous Ausenal trio. Now, we didn’t originally plan for an interview today, but Katie insisted on it…”

“Heeey hey hey, don’t tell them that!” Katie laughed before looking at her teammates. “And now that you say it, I’m feelin’ a little excluded bein’ the only non-Aussie here.”

“Are you used to being around the Aussies yet?”

“They’re so unique that I’m not sure to be fair.”

“Aw come on, we’re not that bad, mate.” Caitlin chimed in. They shared a look. “Maybe Kyra.”

“She is the annoying little sister.” Steph laughed.

Kyra rolled her eyes and looked at YFN. “They’re always complaining, but they love me really.”

The interview went so naturally between the five that YFN had lost all sense of nervousness. Instead, it ended up being good banter and she could see from the reactions of Bridget and Emily that it must have been entertaining. They spoke a little about Kyra settling in, Steph’s goal, Man City’s players and then with Caitlin starting them all teasing Katie about her late yellow card. Katie never admitted to it, but it was obvious she enjoyed her reputation of yellow cards with that cheeky Irish smile of hers.

“Oh, here’s trouble.” Steph said as Alanna Kennedy crashed their interview. She was a defender for Man City, and the Matildas. She greeted them all, obviously knowing the Australians, knowing Katie because she was dating Caitlin, and knowing YFN from their long conversation at the pub.

“Hey babe, I’m a bit offended you never asked me for an interview.” She teased; arm slung around Caitlin’s shoulder.

“Oh, I was forced into this, mate.” YFN grinned.

“Well let me call Alex over and we’ll give you the Man City perspective…”

Alex Greenwood joined the now extending interview, the girls having to share the microphones between them, and Bridget needing to step back just to get them all in frame.

They spoke about Man City, and YFN made sure to compliment the way the Arsenal and Man City players were able to compliment each other’s teams, players and good plays. They had a brief conversation about that being one of the great, major differences between the men and women’s games, and Kyra made a cheeky comment also about not rolling around on the ground for as long.

YFN wasn’t going to bring up the incident with Khiara Keating, but Alex and Alanna did, both showing their support. The Arsenal girls were also incredibly supportive about the incident also, and Katie spoke about mistakes that she had made that were necessary to the player she was now.

They ended the interview as the girls were all called over to their teams, and Kyra stole the Lumos beanie from YFN’s head. She rolled her eyes and laughed at them as they ran away. Bridget and Emily were gushing about it all the way to the car park, excited to edit the video. They all said goodbyes and parted ways, the pair headed to Crawley for the Brighton/United game while YFN was stopping by the Spurs/Everton game to check on Matt and Ruby.

YFN arrived just in the last ten minutes of the game as Everton were able to equalise with a goal. She spoke to Matt about the change of schedule for the next week, and he seemed excited to be covered Aston Villa again, not minding about the extra drive, and Ruby offering to pick YFN up from the airport as she would be flying in from Barcelona.

Before she left Brisbane Road stadium, she checked the Barca game to see how Lucy was doing. It was well into the second half 7-0 to Barca, with 4 goals by Salma, 3 assists by Graham Hansen, and 1 beautiful assisted lob by Lucy. The next 3 goals were made after half time, 1 assist by Alexia before Lucy was subbed out at the 58th minute. Alexia was subbed out not long after, and she wondered at that, looking at the highlights of the parts of the game she’d missed. What interested her was the fact that the commentators were speaking about how aggressive Lucy and Alexia were being. Both had been yellow carded, which was a rarity for them, and from the highlights, she thought they were both lucky to have only gotten yellows. They were pushing and shoving and getting a lot of aggression out. It made sense that they’d both been subbed off, even though they were playing incredibly well.

She started driving, finding herself thirty minutes away from Crawley when the clock ticked over to five-thirty. She waited for the phone call a little nervously. As each minute ticked over, she grew more and more disheartened. Eventually she arrived at Crawley, pulling up into the stadium and giving up on waiting for the phone call that would never come.

[sillyblues]

the ocean and the wind. (1)

ੈ✩‧₊˚ synopsis: tonowari is the ocean and ronal is the wind. where does it leave you?

ੈ✩‧₊˚ notes: hihi! welcome to my first fic ever I’m so excited!! this is a short series ft. tonowari and ronal x you but this part particularly focuses on your history with tonowari. we’ll meet ronal next real soon and i can’t wait for that. i hope you guys enjoy this and see you soon!! also hi if some of you came across this before, i actually reposted this to a new account so that i can interact with y'all hehe

part 1 (here!) ✩ part 2 ✩ part 3 ✩ part 4 ✩ part 5 ✩ part 6 ✩ part 7 (final part)

Tonowari was like the ocean. Like the Way of the Water your Sa’nok has taught you multiple times, your memories of him had no beginning. You cannot remember how you first met or how you came to be friends. To you, he was always there beside you. Something that astonished you to this day, was a miracle that he had the patience for a wild child like you. From your blurry lines of childhood when he was still an heir until your adulthood when he has become an Olo’eyktan, he was still with you.

He is as gentle as the sea’s soft waves hitting your feet on a fine day, you noticed one day out of the blue when you were younger. As an heir to the position of Olo’eyktan, he was busy with his responsibilities early on. Every day, his early mornings would be filled with studies as his father would teach him the basics of his duties and his mother would teach him the basics of healing. At first, it made you happy for him. He, an Olo’eyktan heir, was finally starting his studies and it would be soon until he becomes one.

“That’s wonderful news, Tonowari!” You say as you hugged him tightly when you first heard the news. He returned the hug with a chuckle. You pull back quickly and looked at him with wonder and excitement in your eyes.

“I am so happy for you!” 

“I am glad to hear that,” He raised a smile, almost in relief at your words. “I thought you would be opposed to it since we would be spending time less.”

“Why would I? You would soon become an Olo’eyktan, the one who will lead and guide our people. It brings me great honour and pride to have my friend as the Olo’eyktan.” You scoffed lightly at his words.“No distance or time would change our friendship. Besides, I will have special rights in the future, no?”

He laughed joyously, his eyes closing for a brief moment before looking at your eyes so deeply. He wrapped his arm around you and rested his forehead against yours. “I hold no promises.”

You giggled. You squeezed his arm thrice.

“I see you, Tonowari.”

“I see you, [Name].”

Months passed by, and you two settled into a rhythm of your own. Him with his duties and you with your own. It was not long after Tonowari’s start of education that you had begun yours as well. Your Sa’nok saw your talent in arts, you had picked up weaving as a hobby after seeing her weave clothes for you and your father after a few times. You always sang and hum under your breath the songs of Eywa and the people. You found joy in dancing with the others. You never noticed these things about yourself but you were happy it did because if it didn't, perhaps you would have felt lonely. With nothing to do and with no one to be with.

You would never dare to admit this out loud, but without Tonowari, you did feel a bit lonely. You had made new friends as you were taught the arts of your clan with other students as well, but Tonowari is a different type of friend, you think. There is a difference between a day without him and a day without them, more so days without him and just a night without them as you would see your new friends the next morning, anyway. 

It was not like meetings between you two have become rare, but it was less than it used to be. Your eyes would meet each other's sometimes if luck would be on your side and your lessons would be shared, but even then, you two can only smile and wave for a bit as the teachers stop for no one.

You did not like this lonely feeling. There is a certain ache in your little heart whenever you think about him and you did not like it at all. You are happy for both on your journeys to become who you wanted to be but you are not happy with the distance and the time you thought it would not affect your friendship. Did it affect only you? Were you the only one who wishes for more time between you two? To be beside one another once more?

You are suddenly reminded of your lessons. 

“Everything belongs to Eywa. There is nothing that belongs to us for we only take what is given to us by the Great Mother. We are only lent Her divine creations. Borrowed.” Your teacher once said. “Selfishness is to take what is not yours. Greedy is to want beyond what is borrowed to you from Eywa.”

“Selfishness and greed corrupt your essences. It is not right to be this way towards our Great Mother for her gifts to us, which is why we must…?” He trailed off to let you and the other students finish his sentence.

“Always be grateful and thankful to Mother Eywa!”

You have done the opposite of what must be done.

Selfish. So selfish. When had you become so greedy? Shame filled your core but it did not erase the longing for him. You are horrified by this feeling. You did not want anyone to know. You dare not tell your mother and father about this, for fear of disappointing them or raising such a self-absorbed child. And you swore to yourself not to tell Tonowari especially because you knew him, perhaps he would not see you as egoistic as you are but he would be burdened with your useless wants.

In shame, you tried getting him out of your mind by focusing more on your studies. You spent more time with your friends, giggling with one another as you talked about whatever came to mind. You spent more time with your family, hearing your mother's boasts about you to your father while she tends his wounds after a successful hunt. You would then hear your father's childish cries as he clings onto to mother and you.

As you have grown closer with others, you have grown distant from him. Days turned into weeks of your successful avoidance. You have seen his figure here and there, but a glimpse of him is enough for you to turn away. In communal activities, you enter last as you begged your family to enter late.  You stay the farthest away from him and stay with your other friends and family instead. The ache in your heart comes back stronger as you ignore his hot-pleading and concerned gazes and attempts to go near you before you leave each time. 

Oh, Eywa, you begged, I am so sorry. Please forgive my thoughts and the ugliness I have borne in my soul.

Please let him know nothing of this.

Please do not let him see me.

It was early morning and you stood alone not too far from your clan in the sea with your feet touching its water. The sun had not risen yet so not many had woken up yet, allowing you to be alone. You did not like being lonely but here you are, awake in the early hours just so you could be by yourself. 

You tried to focus on the ocean. You closed your eyes and felt the soft waves hitting your toes, almost caressing them but you are reminded of Tonowari’s soft touches, his gentle pats on your back as he comforts you, on your shoulder as he tries to bring you back to reality, and on your head just because. You tried to think about the warmth of the water, but you are reminded of Tonowari’s warmth instead as he hugs and cuddles with you, as he holds your hand in your adventures, and as he simply stays right beside you.

You snap your eyes back open in a panic. Oh. Oh no.

You felt a touch on your shoulder and you whipped your head around as you breathe in a gasp. There, you found the subject of your shame. Your selfishness. Your horror. You immediately took a step back and further into the ocean, but Tonowari did not let you escape him as he quickly grabbed your arm. His beautiful pale blue eyes which were always soft like he was incapable of glaring stared deeply into yours. You look away in fear of seeing him. You did not want to know what he think of you so you looked away just as you have always done.

“[Name].” Not once have you forgotten his voice that was neither too soft nor too stern. It was just right as he conversed among the people of your clan. His voice was smooth enough for the people to easily approach him for anything be it troubles they faced or simple light conversation about their days. But now, it is low and thick full of shaky emotions you do not want to know hidden in his clear tone.

“Tonowari. Please, let go of me–”

“No. Not until you tell me the reason for your hatred towards me.” Hatred? What on earth was he saying? You turned your head and looked at him in disbelief. 

“What? I do not hate you, Tonowari.” You say.

“Lies. You are angry with me. You do not want to see me anymore. You do not want to be with me.” There is hurt in his voice. In just a few words, the defences you built carefully to shield yourself away from him had shattered. What was supposed to be anger, there is only pain and the same longing you have for him. 

“I do, Tonowari! I want to be with you badly! Eywa knows how much I missed you so deeply.” Your outburst surprised him greatly, seeing his eyes widen at this. 

“Every day, I wished for us to be together once more. I was always lonely without you. No one compares to you, your absence hurts more than no other. Eywa knows all I wanted was you.” You began sobbing, finally letting the truth out of your body. “But it is not right.”

You pushed him away but he never let go of your arms. He never did despite your insistence to be away.

“I was being selfish. It is not right. You are not mine to be selfish with. You are the future Olo’eyktan and I am nothing.” The shame burns hot. You wanted to run away and never appear again before him or your parents or your people. “So please, leave me alone and I promise not to be ever greedy once more.”

He was silent for a few seconds, but to you, it felt like a long time. Your heart raced in thoughts that he must have hated you now. Disappointed in you now. But his palm you remembered as smooth and didn’t know when it had turned rough, caressed your cheek ever so gently and you look at him, finally seeing him.

And oh, how beautiful he is.

The sun was rising. Its soft golden rays hit his big figure that had grown bigger than yours, that you missed in your avoidance of him. The sun highlighted his stripes markings that you missed tracing against his skin. His freckles glow so brightly. He held your hand with his free one and rested your forehead against his.

“I am Tonowari, and you are [Name]. Not Olo’eyktan, not nothing.” He says while staring at you. He squeezes your hand thrice.

“I see you, [Name].”

“I see you, Tonowari.”

Like the sea on a fine day, he is gentle. Like its waves hitting against your legs, his caresses on you are soft. Like its warmth, his’ comforts you with his presence alone. Like the sound of its water surging on the shore, he is neither too soft nor too loud, just enough for you to hear him completely. 

Like the ocean, Tonowari is gentle.

[thatonebirdwrites]

Korrasami prompt: Romance

Asami derives the idea of dating Korra after she gives Korra her first driving lesson.

"I never had a girlfriend before," Korra says after they clear the air about Mako. However, Korra strangely follows it up with a quick, 'except Naga.' 

Asami is left pondering what Korra means for several days.

Is Korra saying she is in a romantic relationship with her polar bear dog? Or does she not know the full meaning of the term girlfriend?

Asami assumes the latter. The former is too strange and disturbing for her to dare let lose on her far too vivid imagination.

So Asami endeavors to teach Korra what girlfriend means. Her plan involves first approaching the subject to gather data, next she will implement her 'date Korra' strategy, and finally romance will blossom and grow into a happy ending. It is surely a fool-proof plan.

She tries approaching the subject subtlety, by asking if Korra enjoys going out on the town. (She does.) If Korra enjoys flowers (if there's food involved). What Korra is looking for in a romantic partner (someone badass who can keep up with her).

Asami hopes this gives Korra a clue she's interested.

It doesn't. Korra instead calls them delightful chats with a friend.

It's a trifle frustrating.

She decides perhaps gifting Korra something magnificent will help. Since her first airship, that she designed herself, was completed by the time airbenders started appearing, Asami decides this is the moment of truth.

Korra is elated. Then calls her the bestest friend one could have.

Asami is a trifle discouraged, but she is if anything relentless when she sets her sights on a goal.

Her next attempt involves offering Korra dinner in Omashu. Surely a candlelight dinner at a noodle restaurant will do the trick?

Korra tells the brothers, and they crash the attempted date. Her only solace is Korra sitting next to her, their legs practically touching. Asami does her best to make Mako as uncomfortable as possible. (She still hasn't forgiven him for refusing to tell Korra he broke up with her when Korra had partial amnesia. Nor for leading Asami and Korra on during that time. Plus making him squirm amuses her.)

Perhaps the right combination of flowers, noodles, and tickets to a musical in Zaofu would work as a clue?

Instead, Korra calls that a girl's night out and drags Opal and Jinora along, which Asami doesn't mind, but it defeats her plan of a romantic night that hopefully ends with a kiss.

Her next tactic involves borrowing a jeep in Zaofu to go for a picnic in the mountains.

That somehow ends with Korra challenging her to a sparring match, of which Asami wins.

Honestly, why she doesn't kiss Korra the moment she pins her to the grass leaves Asami frustrated with herself. Surely that would clue Korra into her attempts at romance? (Her nervousness at the possibility of a kiss ruining the fun she's having with Korra is what stops her.)

All of this is before Zaheer. Before the poisoning.

Before Asami fights her way to the airbenders, before she picks the locks on their chains, before Asami is tempted to zap Zaheer's head to shut him up, before Asami panics over whether Korra will live or not.

Taking care of Korra is the role Asami assigns herself. She insists on it.

Tonraq takes her aside on the airship to Zaofu. "Are you sure, Asami?" He looks concerned.

Asami nods. "I am sure. I will stay at her side as long as she has me."

Tonraq smiles at her and grasps her shoulder. "I'm glad she has you."

Asami considers this a sad victory. She has won the approval of Korra's father, even if Korra herself doesn't view her in a romantic way.

So Asami tirelessly and selflessly stays at Korra's side those few weeks in Zaofu and Air Temple Island. She helps Korra bathe and dress. Brushes and does her hair. Helps her into the wheelchair. Takes her outside to breathe fresh air at times. Reads books out loud to her to help her fall asleep. Tucks her in at night. (She is tempted to kiss Korra's temple each time. One night she gives in and does so.)

In the end, Korra decides to head South to see Katara.

Asami doesn't think twice. She offers to relocate South with Korra and aid in her recovery. She doesn't say the truth out loud to Korra -- that doing so would mean giving up everything she has in Republic City if Korra's stay in the South turns out to be more long-term, but Asami doesn't care.

Korra is what matters to her far more than anything else. That is when she realizes that she is hopelessly in love.

"No," Korra says that day at the docks, "I appreciate it, but I'll only be gone a couple of weeks. A little alone time will likely be good for me." Korra sounds dejected. Her entire frame droops forward, and she stares at her motionless feet. Asami squeezes her shoulders and accepts Korra's words.

The rejection stings, but Asami does her best to stay supportive. Korra is in pain. She's depressed. Likely doesn't know what to do with that request.

So Asami endeavors to write Korra often.

At first, she doesn't know quite what to write. Asami chews on the end of her pen and glares at the empty paper in front of her. Obviously, she can't just say, "Korra, I love you ,and I hope you feel my love across the distance, so that you know you're not alone."

That seems presumptuous and possibly too heavy.

Instead, she decides the best way to handle the situation would be to share about her day and how she feels about that.

Her first letter is written a week after Korra left for the South:

Dear Korra,

I never know how to start a letter, so I will jump into exactly how this day is going. At this moment, I sit at my desk within my office at Future Industries. Before me lies a large stack of paperwork that requires my review and signatures. I do not look forward to this. If someone had warned me that being CEO means mountains of paperwork, I might have stolen a plane and flown off into the sunset instead. But alas, I must do my duty and will do my best to survive. Wish me luck!

It is now close to lunchtime, the mountain of paperwork half done, but my break was sadly not at all interesting. I had several meetings this afternoon, except, Korra, have I mentioned how boring older men are? No hint of humor, dry blandness, and sterile suits that look like they bought new that day. Is that how they spend their salaries? What do they do with the old suits? Recycle them? Put them on display in the world's ugliest museum? I must listen and speak with authority, otherwise these egotistical and horribly uncreative duds would refuse to recognize that I am the CEO not them. So I've learned two dozen ways to politely tell them how terrifically awful their ideas for the company truly are.

Have I mentioned that they have no color sense? Who puts blue and orange together on a tie? It looked like a glaring florescent sign like those we saw in Ba Sing Se's Middle and Lower Rings.

After those meetings, I escape to the factories. There I am able to work alongside my employees. Perhaps the best part of the day. I inspect the lines, repair sections that failed to work, and assist newly hired employees with the finer details of construction. Walking and working with my employees like this makes me look more human to them. Like I'm approachable. I don't ever want to be that CEO that lives in some ivory tower and fails to offer their employees living wages and benefits to help them thrive.

Actually, one of workers on the line reminds me of you. She's from the Southern Water Tribe but a nonbender. She was so excited to meet me and had some excellent ideas about engine efficiency. I took her aside and we worked on an engine to test a few of her ideas, and I dare say, they worked! I am giving her a raise, and she's now on one of our engineering teams working to make her designs a reality. I love moments like that.

That actually gives me an idea. Since we are badly in need of sales still to break even, why not help get our name out in a good way? I'm going to set up community forums in the Dragonflats and Water Boroughs to teach engineering to anyone interested for free. Longer courses will be available at a very low price. Way cheaper than the university is my goal, maybe for the price of a noodle bowl once a month? We'll have a repair garage attached to the forums, and students can work with our engineers on repairs to see how it's done. What do you think?

I better close this up else I write you a novel!

Love, Asami

It's the word 'love' that has Asami hesitating on sending it, but in the end, she figures it can't hurt. Maybe if she's more blatant about her feelings Korra will eventually understand that Asami has been trying to date her this whole time. At the very least, the word will hopefully provide a comforting reminder that Korra is indeed loved. Asami desperately hopes Korra understands that truth.

She will gladly remind her with each salutation to her letters.

There is no reply to her initial letter, but this doesn't deter Asami. If anything, it makes her more determined. She decides on a schedule, sets time aside for updating the letter throughout the day, and a time to send it.

She determines that two times a week can suffice at first. If her schedule becomes too intensive with the rebuild Republic City project, then she will downgrade to once a week. She will not stand for less than once a week however.

Months pass, but Korra doesn't reply to her letters. At this point, it becomes a habit. She writes the letters and starts to become more free in what she says. At first, Korra's mother replies with a thank her for the letters, but that stops on month three.

By month seven, Asami wonders if something is wrong with the mail system. Maybe her letters are getting lost? Does she have the right address? She verifies with Tenzin, who offers to call Tonraq. Asami sits in on that call and learns that Korra hasn't written anyone back. In fact, she's closed in on herself.

This worries Asami.

Is there a way she can still help despite Korra's refusal to allow anyone close?

She decides to keep her schedule. It helps ease her own worry to write, and maybe the steadiness of her letters will aid Korra somehow too.

Part of this decision hinges on a conversation she had with Korra on the airship:

---

"Tenzin's schedules got no room for fun!" Korra throws her hands into the air, frustrated.

Asami leans against the balcony railing next to Korra. The wind blows her black hair backward, like a cape. "If you built the schedule, what would it look like?"

Korra looks startled. "Oh. Hmmm, maybe time for Naga, meditation, I guess we ought to do some airbending practice.... Ugh, okay, I'm terrible at them." She smiles, sheepishly. "I lose track of the time and day a lot. Easily get caught up in doing stuff, and then whoops, I failed to go to meditation or whatever."

Asami tilts her head and studies Korra. The sunlight on Korra's skin highlights the gorgeous copper undertones, and a hint of sweat glistens the hairline of Korra's chestnut-colored hair. Her wolftails dance with the touch of the wind. Asami simply cannot get enough of looking at Korra's bulging muscles, the curve of her breasts, or her deliciously muscular thighs.

This is not helpful for Korra. Asami blinks and focuses on Korra's eyes instead. "Did Tenzin start building schedules because of that then?"

Korra sighs. "Probably." Her blue eyes meets Asami's green, and for a moment, Asami's breath hitches in her throat. So unfair how utterly beautiful Korra looks all the time. "How do you manage it?"

Asami can't think the longer she looks into Korra's eyes. Her brain refuses to function. Instead she thinks only of how Korra's lips might taste. She forces herself to look at the mountains below them, while she grips the cold metal of the balcony tighter.

"Being CEO, I have to abide by a schedule, and honestly, I had one my entire life. Even as a child. So I am used to drafting one for each day. I made one for today actually."

"Really? Was our talk part of that?" Korra asks.

Asami blushes. "I always leave space on my schedule for you. I call it the spontaneity with Korra hour."

Korra grins. "Really?"

"Yes." Asami says, firmly. "It's what I call a floating hour. My schedules aren't as strict as Tenzin's. I tend to have one thing that cannot be altered, that item grounds my day, then I build up the tasks that need to be done and set them around that root. I need to be flexible since emergencies can and often do happen."

"Oh, you know, I like that. Having one thing that roots everything else, and float the other stuff around it." Korra taps her chin. "Maybe I can convince Tenzin to adapt to that."

Asami laughs. "Good luck. He seems as stubborn as you."

Korra crosses her arms over her chest. "Stubborn? I'm not stubborn. I'm...." She struggles to find a word, only to sigh and slump against the balcony's railing. "All right, you got me."

The next day, Asami makes it her goal to find a root to help anchor Korra. This becomes more urgent when she listens to Korra complain of her failed attempt to convince Tenzin. Asami takes it upon herself to soften him to the idea, until he gives in and tasks her with making the schedules. (Korra sees the newly pinned schedules as her finally convincing Tenzin, and Asami doesn't have the heart to correct this.)

---

So Asami continues to write weekly to Korra. Perhaps this root will help stabilize things for Korra? She hopes so.

A year passes with no reply. Asami is frustrated, worried, and grieving. She wonders if it was something she said or did. Maybe Korra hates her letters?

On the day of Asami's birth, one year and two months after Korra left, Asami fails to write her weekly letter.

Instead, after work, she buys several bottles of whiskey and drives to the mansion. She parks far from the entrance to avoid being seen my Mako's family. The sun sets to a glaze of red and gold, stars start to shine in the night sky, and Asami glances at it and feels only despair.

She unlocks the workshop that holds the entrances to her father's hateful underground factory, steps inside, and locks the door behind her. The room has not changed since that fateful day she turned on her father. The floor is still ripped up above the trap doors, and the shelves are still full of workshop supplies. She opens the trap doors. The darkness of the factory looms like the maw of a hideous mouth. A suitable mockery of her birthday she supposes. She sits on the steps and drinks the whiskeys, wallowing in grief.

Her company still struggles to make sales. Although the construction projects are going well, the city rarely meets its financial obligation in their contract. This makes it difficult to pay her workers, and she has decides to take only ten percent of her usual salary and bonuses in order to make sure all her workers are paid a living wage no matter what. In turn, she dips deep into her remaining savings to keep up with the taxes on her estate, the upkeep of her satomobile, and the cost of her new penthouse she'd bought three months prior.

For her friends and loved ones, their lives deviate from her own in painful ways. She receives nothing from Korra. Bolin leaves to assist Kuvira. Mako dives headfirst into investigator work, and the Air Nation works hard to help people all over the world.

Asami feels cut off and lost. She drinks an entire bottle of whiskey, and tosses the bottle down the stairs. It clatters against the wall and shatters on the bottom step. She uncaps the next bottle and raises it in a toast.

"To the eternal autumn that is the Sato name! Grief and despair seems to be our fate. May this one day be broken."

She drinks that bottle too and throws it.

It shatters on the third step.

She calls in sick to work to recover from the epic hangover. Asami decides it best to tell no one of this incident.

Two weeks after her birthday, she receives a surprise in the mail. A letter with the postmarking of the Southern Water Tribe.

Hope crashes through her, and she sprints into the residential building, staggers into the elevator, and takes it to her penthouse. She rips open the letter by the time she reaches her door and has to juggle her keys with the letter to unlock. Leaning against the door, Asami unfolds the letter.

Dear Asami,

This is Senna. First, I wanted to express heartfelt thanks for your steadiness and kindness with writing Korra. I know it may be frustrating to not hear from her.

Second, are you all right? We missed your letter this past week, which was unusual. Korra wanted to write and ask if you were okay, but she was unable to put words to paper. I offered to assist, which is why I am writing you today.

I hope this letter finds you well. If you need anything, please feel free to ask myself, Tonraq, or Tenzin. I'm sure we can provide support. Be safe, Asami.

Senna

Tucked inside the letter is a folded origami triangle, which is the start of a crane. Nothing is written on the origami, and Asami isn't sure if Korra folded it or if Senna or Tonraq did. Maybe Katara? She inspects it thoroughly, but she cannot find any clue as to why it was included. Despite this, she carries it with her to work to display on her desk in honor of Korra.

The letter, itself, is a balm to her soul. Her weekly letters did impact Korra. Enough to cause worry.

Asami hates the idea that she causes Korra worry.

She endeavors to repair this immediately and sends a reply that is not at all part of her schedule. (She decides she'll restart her schedule that week, so Korra will end up with two letters for the week.)

Dear Korra, Senna, and Tonraq,

Thank you for your concern. I apologize for causing you worry! I never meant to do so. I am sorry for that. It has been a rough week for me. My birthday was this past week, and it brought sour memories of my father. I am okay now. I suppose the grief of that hits me hard during my or my former parents' birthdays, and I admit, I am unused to seeking assistance or support. So thank you again for checking in on me.

I plan to continue my schedule. I hope it helps to anchor you all. Give you a root on which to build your own days and hopes.

Much love to you all, Asami

Within a week and a half, Asami receives a reply to her spontaneous letter.

Dear Asami,

I understand how hard birthdays can be. I too struggle with grief on the birthday of my late mother. She died when I was a teenager from a lung disease that couldn't be cured. So I understand how hard grief can hit. No need for you to apologize. That is perhaps my message for you. Never apologize for your feelings. Your feelings are valid.

Feel free to write me further if you find it helpful.

Take care, Senna

Asami is so touched by Senna's reply, that she reexamines her schedule. Perhaps writing Senna can be added to it?

She decides to continue her weekly schedule for Korra, but adds another schedule, where she writes Senna twice a month. She is a little worried this is presumptuous of her, but Senna's letters did offer this twice now. So why not?

To Asami's shock, Senna does reply to her letters. She does not mention Korra. She instead describes the landscape of the South (mostly glaciers and mountains, where trees are rare, Asami learns), some of her duties as the wife of the Chief (surprisingly she does a lot of negotiation), and asks questions about Asami's work.

One of Senna's suggestions sends Asami to the Air Nation to check on their needs. This, in turn, causes Asami to build an airbending glider suit, which she leverages Future Industries resources to build. It is a rousing success among the Air Nation, and Jinora demands Asami start visiting more often.

This is why Asami finds herself scheduling time for dinner with Jinora and her family twice a month. The connection warms her heart.

When one year and five months have passed, Asami finds herself frustrated with work. Frustrated at how sales continue to flounder. Frustrated by Raiko being a jerk about her community forums. (He calls them 'useless time wasters when those attending ought to be working.' The gall of the man! Asami decides to open up more forums and builds a few homeless shelters just to spite him.)

More than anything else, Asami finds herself frustrated by Korra's lack of reply, and frustrated with herself for not being able to handle the silence. Korra is likely struggling with so much. Why should Asami expect Korra to have energy to reply to her inane ramblings?

After a particularly hard day at work, Asami returns to the mansion's workshop, opens the trapdoor, and drinks an entire bottle of whiskey. She sings a song she vaguely remembers her mother singing to her. Her father has also sung it whenever they visited her grave, but he stopped when Asami was eleven.

So she sings it to herself as she drinks and tosses crumpled up love letters to Korra into the darkness of the factory entrance.

"Winter, spring, Summer and fall.

Winter, spring, Summer and fall

Four seasons, Four loves.

Four seasons, For love."

Part of Asami is tempted to go down and smash things. Maybe rip apart what is left of the vile factory, wreck destruction in a way she'd never done before, but she can't bring herself to do this.

Asami Sato is an engineer. She fixes things. She doesn't break things.

Instead, she drinks the bottle and tosses it down the steps. It lands far enough away that she can't hear if it shatters or not.

She does not describe this day in her letter to Korra.

By the second year, Asami is lost in depression. Keeping to her schedule has become incredibly hard. She has managed to persevere this long. Surely, she can keep going, right?

She wonders if she loves a ghost.

Will Korra ever return?

By this point, Asami's whiskey drinking on the steps of the underground factory has become a monthly activity. She makes sure she is not seen by Mako's family -- how could she explain it? -- she verifies a radio is playing somewhere, and she locks the workshop door behind her. The trapdoor pulls up easier each time.

She is unsure of how much shattered glass lies at the bottom of these steps nor how many crumpled up love letters. (She's a little afraid to check.)

On the third day of the second year, Asami goes to the workshop for her monthly drinking. She sings sadly to the looming maw of darkness, drinks far too much whiskey, and passes out on the floor of the workshop. When she wakes in the morning, she has a massive hangover. One that leaves her confused as to where she even is.

For a terrifying moment, she's convinced she's been kidnapped. Only for her to hear the sounds of Mako's family shouting nearby about breakfast. That roots her in her reality, and she realizes she fell asleep in the workshop. How embarrassing.

The sink in the workshop doesn't work, which is frustrating. Asami hasn't needed it before, nor has she included the upkeep of this workshop in the duties of her mansion's staff. (She's actually written rules that forbid them from entering this place, and keeps it locked.)

Asami sneaks out to her satomobile. When she reaches her penthouse at the residential building near Future Industries, she is feeling terrible, her head pounds, and she wishes she could be swallowed by the earth.

But she must focus on recovery since she has work the next day. It will be a big day. Several of the road projects will be completed, and she must do a press conference with that hideous Raiko. (Asami hates press conferences with Raiko. He insists on shaking her hand and putting his hand at the small of her back for a photo every time. He is lucky to not get punched after.)

Asami then discovers a surprise in her mailbox. A white and blue letter leans against the side of the box. It has a Southern Water Tribe postmark.

Except the handwriting doesn't match Senna's.

Asami is far too hungover to process the script on the letter's envelope. She thinks perhaps she is delusional.

She decides to leave it on her kitchen counter and shower instead. (Hot water is excellent for distilling thoughts into coherent ideas.)

When she returns to the kitchen, her hair wrapped in a towel, she notes how the letter continues to take up counter space. The print writing is still not Senna's handwriting. Asami doesn't know what Tonraq's handwriting is like. She decides it must be his. Though why he would write her is not something her hungover-addled brain can fathom.

She decides to make breakfast first and drink as much water as she can stomach. After she eats her oatmeal and eggs, she cleans the dishes and puts them away. Getting out a book, she tries to read in the armchair by her balcony door. Her headaches causes her to fall asleep.

By lunchtime, the letter has not moved. It is still in the same spot with that same handwriting.

Asami wonders if the letter is daring her to open it.

Is she afraid of a letter?

How ridiculous! She is Asami Sato. CEO of Future Industries, listed as one of the top philanthropists in the Republic Times (that award was just four months prior), and a local community leader. A letter does not scare her.

She takes a deep breath and snatches it off the counter. Her finger rips it open.

Inside is a folded piece of paper and again that origami triangle, except this time, it's much closer to being a full crane.

Asami unfolds the letter and promptly drops it on the counter.

Korra's name is in the salutation.

Asami has to sit down.

Korra has written her back. She truly has written her back.

Asami feels like she's soaring high, where all the spirits in the world sing the love song her parents had sung so often when she was a child.

Korra has written her back! What joy! What delight! Asami grins and swoons at the sight of Korra's meticulously written characters.

She picks up the letter again to read.

Dear Asami,

I'm sorry I haven't written to you sooner, but every time I've tried, I never know what to say. The past two years have been the hardest of my life. Even though I can get around fine now, I still can't go into the Avatar State. I keep having visions of Zaheer and what happened that day.

Katara thinks a lot of this is in my head, so I've been meditating a lot, but sometimes I worry I'll never fully recover.

Please don't tell Mako and Bolin I wrote to you and not them. I don't want to hurt their feelings, but it's easier to tell you about this stuff. I don't think they'd understand.

Yours, Korra

Asami can't stop the tears from flowing. She pulls out her handkerchief and weeps. She wishes she could hold Korra. To kiss her forehead. To remind her that she is worth everything and that she can defeat this. She can recover.

In the end, Asami decides she cannot wait for her schedule day to write. She responds right away.

Dear Korra,

I understand. Don't worry about how long it took. I will always be here to support you. And don't worry! I won't speak a word of this to Mako or Bolin. I will continue my weekly schedule, but I wanted to get this to you as soon as I could. So you knew that I hear you and I understand. Recovery is hard.

Love, Asami

Asami stares at her letter and thinks of how inane it feels. It doesn't come close to summing up how she feels. She thinks again of Korra's worry about the Avatar state, and wonders if she can help with that. She doesn't truly understand how the Avatar state works, but perhaps she can do some preliminary research? Would that help Korra through this?

When Asami sees a problem, it immediately makes her want to seek a solution, but she doesn't know if that is wise for this.

In the end, she sends the letter as is. She continues her weekly schedule, but she adds in time for brainstorming. She visits every library in the city and Air Temple Island. She reads about chi pathways, chakras, and prior Avatars. She learns about how acupuncture opens up the chakras, and how this effects bending. She ponders if this can be turned into a way for Korra to still have the Avatar state without the Avatar state.

She decides to take the glider suite design and add in an acupuncture design to the back. Between meetings and mountains of paperwork, she works on this in the workshop in front of her office. Occasionally, one of her department managers asks her about the project, and she only levels a 'don't you dare test me' glare at them. The interrupter slinks away ashamed. It takes her most of the month to complete.

When she visits Air Temple Island for her second dinner of the month, she asks Jinora to chat with her in the meditation pavilion.

"Would you like to test an idea for me?" Asami is both excited and nervous.

Jinora grins at her. "Sure!"

"Really? I haven't even explained what it is." Asami is taken aback at Jinora's blind trust.

Jinora laughs. "It's you asking. Why wouldn't I say yes? I know you'd never hurt me."

Asami hopes that is the case. "Well, I have a prototype glider suit for you. Can you wear it for three days and write down your observations for me? If you find it uncomfortable or if something goes wrong, please call me immediately. I'll drop everything for this, okay?" She reaches into her backpack and takes out the suit. She has specifically designed it for Jinora's build.

Jinora takes it and looks it over. "Why is the back so hard?" She taps her fist against the spine of the suit.

"That's the acupuncture spine. It's meant to open your chakras." Asami is very nervous now. "At least, that's what I read. We'll see what if it works."

Jinora smiles. "All right. I'll do it."

Asami leaves the island feeling like she's on cloud nine. Maybe her wacky idea might actually work.

She receives the call during one of her meetings. Her assistant, Tariq, rushes into the room. His blue eyes are wide, his brown skin flushed likely from running down several flights of stairs to the meeting room. He gasps out, "Ms. Sato, you said if Jinora called to alert you immediately."

Asami stands. "Thank you, Tariq." She turns to the engineering team. "Excuse me, I must attend this emergency. We will reschedule." 

She rushes up the four flights to her office to take the call. Jinora sounds panicked, and talks far too fast for Asami to make sense of on the phone. 

"I'll be right there," Asami assures her and hangs up. Grabbing her keys, she swaps out her dress shoes for her sturdier boots and sprints to the elevator. The drive takes far longer than she prefers, and finding a spot to park her precious blue satomobile also eats up minutes.

On the ferry, Asami frets over whether her idea has hurt Jinora. She wouldn't be able to bear it if it did.

When she walks up the path from the docks, she is shocked to see several fully grown trees torn up by their roots laying across the path. A large clearing now exists where that grove of trees once stood. Jinora sits on one of the trunks holding the suit, her head downcast.

"Asami!" She looks up relieved. "You came!"

"What... what happened?" Asami stares flabbergasted at the destruction. At least the trees hadn't hit the buildings?

Jinora stands and hands her the suit. "I... I wore this and tried to air bend, but I couldn't control it. It was way powerful, far more than I'd ever felt in my life." She looks sad and kicks at the ground. "I'm sorry I couldn't do the full experiment. Dad forbid me from wearing it again."

Asami looks down at the suit and comes to the conclusion that this is perhaps the worst idea she ever had.

But it would be a funny postscript for Korra. Best to not explain the why however.

She adds it to her next letter. "P.S. Jinora and I did an experiment. However, things went awry. We accidentally tore up an entire grove of fully grown trees. Tenzin was furious. However, I think our remodeling added a beautiful clearing for picnicking."

Asami doesn't expect a reply. It has been three months since Korra's last letter.

To her surprise, a letter from the Southern Water Tribe shows up in her mailbox a week later.

Dear Asami,

What the spirits was this experiment? That sounds amazing. I wish I could have seen that. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. I could just picture Tenzin's face red with fury. Bet there was steam coming out his ears too.

It got me thinking. Do you think I've been in the South too long? If maybe that's why I'm stuck in my healing? I haven't made any progress since my last letter, and it's been eating me up. But your letter got me thinking that maybe I do need a change of scenery. My own remodeling maybe?

What do you think?

Yours, Korra

Asami is delighted to learn she caused Korra to laugh. However, Korra's question makes Asami wonder if now is the time to reveal her truth. She so badly wants Korra to return to Republic City. She wants to take Korra out on a date still, maybe even go on an adventure in the wilds to do some experiments with chakras (Asami hasn't quite let go of ways to help Korra find her Avatar spirit again).

But part of her holds back out of fear that Korra doesn't return her feelings.

Sure, Korra signs these letters with 'yours' but Asami doesn't know if that is a friendship-y 'yours' or a romantic 'yours.' In fact, Asami hasn't ever written someone like this before, so she doesn't know how friends sign letters. Business contacts use 'sincerely,' so that isn't any help.

Asami decides to play it safe. She will admit to Korra having her heart, but that is the most she will do. Surely, that won't scare her away? She doesn't want Korra to stop writing after all.

Dear Korra,

I want to say come here to Republic City, but I also know you need to feel ready to do that. So please do not see this as me trying to convince you to come back. I want you to now that whatever you decide, I will always support you. You have my word and my heart.

Whenever I am stuck on an idea, which feels often of late especially with how difficult things are with Future Industries, I will take a day and go hiking in the mountains. There in the wilderness I find a solace that can't be captured elsewhere. Nature has such beauty and wonder hidden around every bend.

Did you know that fractals are perhaps the most common type of growth among plants and fungi? They are a perfect repeating geometric pattern that is everywhere. I bring my magnifying glass sometimes to examine leaves, mushrooms, even rocks, and all have these lovely patterns.

This excites my imagination. Then when I reach the peak, I stand at the edge and take in the breadth of the world. I can see for kilometers in all directions. Did you know that one of the tallest peaks in Republic Nation is Mount Makapu and is within a day journey by Satomobile? That one is my favorite to climb. It sits on a peninsula that overlooks Yue Bay and the ocean. I can see so far, and I can touch the clouds. (Clouds are so wet. I know scientifically they are made of water crystals condensed into fog form, but it's quite different to physically feel such a thing on my fingertips).

It reminds me of our airship adventures. Where we wandered the Earth Kingdom, sparring, laughing, and having great fun. Perhaps that is what you need?

Sometimes a journey requires more than a step. You took a big leap to go South for healing, but now you face the next step of your journey.

I have hope that no matter where that next step leads you, you will find your way. It will be hard at first. Just as climbing a mountain is hard. (Let me tell you, if you don't get the right boots, your feet will hate you forever! So make sure you have good hiking boots!) Each step up the mountain gets harder, especially at higher elevations when there is far less oxygen. This makes the journey very, very hard.

But to stand there at the top of the world? It is worth the hardship and pain.

I think you are still climbing that mountain. You have not yet reached the peak, but you will, Korra, you will. And when you are ready to climb back down, I will be here to offer you a hug and a heartfelt congratulations at such a marvelous achievement.

And if you want someone to accompany you on this next stage of your climb, you have only to ask. I will gladly take leave to walk that with you.

May this letter inspire you to new heights. And remember, you have my support always.

Love, Asami

Asami again doesn't expect a reply. She, however, continues her schedule. Writing Korra is perhaps one of the few things that gets her through her long days.

She often finds herself in Avatar Korra park (this was the first thing she built, she is proud to say) and sits by the statue to draw. Sometimes, she comes late at night to sit between Korra's legs and whisper her secrets to the stone (she hopes she is less likely to be recognized at night).

During this time, the bureaucrats in charge of the city's contract keep being very dodgy about paying the full amount owed, and she is tired of this song and dance to get them to follow through. Her company badly needs the money.

At least sales has improved somewhat thanks to her efforts with community forums. She finds that the lower income boroughs have lots of interesting engineering ideas. This delights her. For some of the more promising ones, she offers to help realize their designs with a contract. She can't afford to pay them full time, but she can at least sub contract with them part time to fund their projects. This is well received by the public, and Asami can't help but preen with pride at how helpful it has been for people.

She eagerly shares these successes with Korra in her letters. For the bureaucrats, she mocks them in what she hopes is an amusing way. She badly wants to hear Korra laugh, but this she supposes is the next best thing.

At two years and five months, Asami receives a third letter from Korra. She has had a long day at the office and construction sites dealing with emergencies. Plus, she keeps getting letters from her father (why is he writing her at all? The memory of him trying to kill her haunts her dreams far more than she'll ever admit.) All of this grief and frustrations tempts her with heading to the mansion workshop to drink it all away.

Instead, she opens her mailbox to find the letter.

She barely reaches her penthouse before she has torn it open.

Dear Asami,

I don't know what I'd do without you. Honestly, you're the best thing that's ever happened in my life.

I've thought long and hard about your letters, especially the one about mountain climbing. I think you're right. I do need to take this next step, and I think I know what to do. But I need you to do something for me. I know this will be hard, and it's not fair to you. Especially with how kind you are. With how devoted and steady you've been despite my lack of replies. I am probably being selfish, aren't I?

But I don't think I can do this without knowing you have my back. Can you stop writing me in exactly one month from the postscript of this letter? I need everyone to think I am returning at that time. Please tell no one of this letter.

I promise that I'll come back to you. I just need more time. I need to finish that metaphorical mountain climb, and when I reach the peak, I hope I will find my Avatar state there. Thank you for being here for me. I hope to see you soon.

Love, Korra

Asami stares at the letter. Her fingers hover over the word 'love.'

What is Korra planning? Asami thinks through her last few letters, and then abruptly remembers the one she'd written in reply to Korra's questions.

Korra is going on a journey somewhere. She asks Asami to not share with anyone what Asami now knows. For Korra to entrust her with this? Asami's heart swells with love.

She will honor Korra's request.

Asami continues her schedule for one month and promptly ends it. She tells no one of Korra's final letter to her.

At two years and six months, Asami must attend the train station reveal and deal with President Raiko. (She really hopes he doesn't do that touching of her back while shaking her hand. She decides she'll step hard on his foot if he does. Maybe she'll break one of his toes. It'd serve him right.)

The crowd is surprisingly large. Reporters hog the front viewing area with their large, lumbering cameras and pen and paper. Asami is anxious but relieved to learn she doesn't need to speak. (She really doesn't like public speaking.) Instead, she smiles and cuts the stupid, red ribbon with the biggest and most ungainly scissors she's ever seen.

She hopes this is all she needs to do. The mingling after the ceremony goes significantly easier. Nod, smile, pretend to care about the inane ramblings of uninteresting people. Honestly, Korra is the only person Asami could happily listen to ramble. Certainly not stiff business people in their overly tailored suits, greasy hair, and badly chosen tie colors. She's mastered the 'pretend to care' expression due to her time as CEO.

At least, it would have been easy if not for Prince Wu. He corners her to her irritation, then blatantly hits on her. This makes her want to stab his eyeballs or maybe stab her own. Then he calls himself a super human, and she can't help but roll her eyes.

No, the only superhuman is Korra.

To her relief, Mako comes to her rescue. She could hug him. (Not kiss him, that is only for Korra, and she knows Mako well enough that even a kiss on the cheek would confuse him. She is not interested in him and will never be interested in him again. That ship sailed long, long ago. Korra is the only one who has her heart.)

Mako mentions Korra's return.

Asami can't look him in the eye. She knows the truth. So she looks at the ground, and says what needs to be said, "I can't wait to see her." For that is the truth, but when she will see Korra, Asami doesn't know.

Later that day, the boat from the Southern Water Tribe pulls into Air Temple Dock. Asami sits on a bench at the top of the path and watches, knowing Korra will not be there. Naga is however, which makes Asami wonder if Korra has decided to be incognito.

The others panic at first. They talk of searching for Korra.

Asami decides to go play with Naga before she loses her temper at how ridiculous everyone is being. She is tempted to tell them all off and demand they trust Korra's intentions. But she simply cannot take that risk.

Naga is delighted to see her. Nearly knocks her over. Asami decides to incorporate visits with Naga into her schedule. She decides on three times a week. For her, Naga is a fragile connection with Korra, the person she loves most in the world. This is the least she can do for Korra.

Tonraq finds her in the clearing -- the same one Jinora had made by accident during Asami's suit experiment -- and he watches her throw the ball for Naga for awhile. Asami is nervous at first, but slowly relaxes when he doesn't try to interrogate her.

Except, his next words breaks Asami's calm. "Asami, I wanted to ask. Korra wrote you, didn't she?"

Asami doesn't want to lie to Korra's father. Not after all her work to prove herself to him. "She did."

"What did she tell you?"

Asami turns and meets his gaze. She sees the worry in his expression, the furrow in his brows. Korra has his eyes and nose, she realizes. "Tonraq, you are asking that I betray Korra's trust. I can't do that."

His lips twitch in an almost smile. "I understand. May I ask if you are worried? Of all of us, you are the most calm."

Asami is worried. She can't help it. Not knowing where Korra is, or if she is safe drives Asami to distraction. But Korra has asked for her word and her trust. Asami gives it readily to her. "I do worry, but I cannot and will not speak further on this."

Tonraq studies her for a long moment. She finds herself holding her breath and hopes she hasn't made an enemy out of Korra's father.

To her relief, he reaches out and grasps her shoulder. "Thank you, Asami, for being there for my daughter. She couldn't have a better pa-friend."

Asami smiles and bows her head in reply.

When he walks away to join the others, she looks after his tall figure and wonders if the word he meant to say was 'partner.' EDIT: Got it up on AO3 now.

[da-rulah]

I’m so glad ur back!! <3 I love ur stuff so I was wonderinggggg 👀 copia teaches Latin or what ev and catches the reader dozing off during the lesson? and perhaps asks them to stay after? 👀

Okay so this ran away with me, and maybe got a liiiiiiittle bit darker than first intended... And by darker I mean hornier. You woke the beast here lol

TW/ Spanking (with a meter rule... how traditional lmao), degradation, oral (m receiving), unprotected sex, creampie, student/teacher dynamic, hinting at reader being unfaithful (but not really...), reader is ofc 18+ and fully consenting.

f!reader x Cardinal Copia

18+. MDNI BEYOND THE CUT!

Perhaps if your partner had not kept you up all night with his sinful tongue and insatiable lust, you wouldn't have found yourself slumped over your desk as you dozed off in Cardinal Copia's Latin class.

It was the meter rule he usually used to point at the chalkboard cracking down on the wood by your head that woke you with a start, sitting bolt upright and face to face with a very pissed looking Cardinal.

"Am I boring you, Sorella _____?" he asked, stern features staring you down. Your cheeks turned a shade brighter than the red of his cassock, embarrassment consuming you while the rest of your siblings looked on at the display.

"N-no, Cardinal. I'm so sorry, I didn't sleep we-"

"I didn't ask for excuses. Stay behind after class. You will make up for the lost time, sì?"

"Sì, Cardinale..." you bowed your head in shame, and he paced slowly through the rest of the desks and continued the lesson.

As the rest of the siblings filtered out of the class when it came to an end, you hovered by the Cardinal's desk, waiting for him to finish erasing his chalk and acknowledge your presence.

"So, you feel my class is the perfect opportunity to catch up on some sleep, Sorella?"

"No, Cardinal. I'm sorry... It won't happen again."

"I'm sure it won't. I think you need a fitting punishment, something that will make sure you do not fall asleep where you sit for the rest of the day, no? What do you think?" He leaned on the desk with his gloved palms, hovering a few inches away from your face.

"I'll take whatever punishment you see fit, Cardinal."

"Good," he spat, pushing his weight off the desk and folding his arms over his chest. "Perhaps a sore behind will keep you awake wherever you sit for the rest of the day. Raise your habit, panties down, over the desk."

You did as you were told, knowing better than to argue with the Cardinal. His wrath would only mean a harsher spanking, and he was already mad enough as it was...

"How many centimetres in a meter, cara mio?" he asked.

"One hundred, Cardinal," you said, cheek smushed against the wooden surface.

"Good girl. I think that's too many spanks, 100... Shall we knock off a zero? I think 10 will do..."

"Yes, Cardinal."

You heard the rattle of him picking his meter rule up from where it lay against the chalkboard, and he rounded the desk to stand beside your exposed behind.

"Count for me. In Latin." Before you could reply, a swift THWACK sounded, and a searing pain shot through you where your ass met your thighs and your pussy sat in between.

"U-unus..." you stuttered, biting your lip to stop a whimper of pain escaping.

"Good," he praised.

Another THWACK, this time a little higher across the fullness of your ass.

"Duo..." you cried. You could have sworn you heard him scoff in satisfaction.

THWACK.

"Tribus..."

THWACK.

"Quattuor..."

THWACK.

"Quinque," you were sobbing by now, the burn across your ass radiating through your entire core. You were ashamed to admit that it excited you...

"Tell me, before I continue cara," he began, "what made you so tired for my class today?"

Embarrassment swept over you again, and when the Cardinal bent down to look into your eyes for an answer, you had to bite your lip and close them.

"Look at me!" he shouted, smacking the ruler down beside your head on the desk again. "Answer the question."

"M-my boyfriend... we were, uh... having sex, Cardinal."

"Aaaah," he chuckled darkly, "your boyfriend. I see. I wonder what he might think if he knew you were bent over my desk with your rear bruised and inflamed... dripping for me between your thighs...

Before you had time to argue, to try and find some dignity in the situation and save face, you were met with another THWACK.

"Sex..." you cried out, the innuendo not lost on you. The Cardinal laughed almost maniacally.

"Sex is correct, Sorella..."

THWACK.

"Septem..." Your voice wavered now, tears building in your eyes.

THWACK.

"Octingenti!" your voice came out as a shout, the ruler now landing where the first had and sending ripples of pain and pleasure through your soaked core.

THWACK.

"Novem!" The tears spilled over now, dripping down over your nose, yours cheeks and hitting the desk.

"Doing well, cara. Just one more..." he praised.

THWACK.

"Decem!"

"Brava ragazza! You took it so well, hm? Have you learned your lesson?" he asked, crouched down beside you as his hand stroked the back of your bare thigh just under where the welts were forming.

You couldn't speak, could only whimper as the tears fell.

"Cara, you must use your words or I'll have to take that as a no..."

You tried to speak, you really did, but your mind was so preoccupied with the stinging of your behind... Your mouth opened as if to say something, but no sound came out. You looked somewhat like a goldfish, trying so hard to find something to say.

"I see. More punishment is necessary, I fear. On your knees," he instructed. You didn't move right away... "ON YOUR KNEES, SORELLA!" he shouted, and you slunk down to your knees before him, sniffling pathetically. His patience had worn thin.

"First, you disrespect me by sleeping in my class," he popped open the buttons of his cassock as he spoke, "Then, you disobey an order during your punishment."

With his cassock open, he unzipped his pants and fished around to pull his cock out from it's confines. He pumped his fist along his length once, twice.

"This disrespect cannot be tolerated, sorella. You will show me respect, sì?"

He leaned down to your eye level, "Do you show your fidanzato (boyfriend) the same disrespect?" You shook your head no. "Speak!" he gripped your chin in his hand, the leather of his glove squeaking.

"N-no! I don't! I'm sorry, Cardinal, I didn't mean to-"

"Enough," he stood up straight. "Go ahead," he gestured to his hard length, level with your eyes. "Show me some damn respect."

You knew what he wanted, and frankly, you didn't want to say no.

And so you leaned forward, parting your lips to circle around his reddened tip, leaking already. When you tasted him on your tongue, you clenched around nothing and earned a hiss from above you.

With your tongue, you swirled patterns against his head for a moment until finally you started to take more of him, swallowing him down with a wet warmth that had him groaning and throwing his head back. It took all his strength to stay still, to not take his pleasure from your throat.

You found your rhythm, bobbing your head to take him to the hilt and back over and over. Soon enough, his hand wrenched your veil from your head and your hair fell down your neck. His fingers wound their way into your hair, tugging from the roots as he held you still and began to rock his hips, pistoning his cock into your mouth.

You took everything he gave you, moaning against him and adding vibration to many sensations that were bringing him closer and closer to his end.

"Cazzo, sorella... Making me want to fill that pretty pussy of yours too, eh? Are you as warm and wet down there as you are here?" he tapped your cheek as he thrusted. You could only respond with a whine. "Do you want that, sorella? Want me to fill your pussy, better than your patetico fidanzato ever could?"

"Mmhmm..." you admitted, just noise around his cock but he heard it. He definitely heard it.

In a quick and fluid motion, he pulled you off his cock by your hair and made you stand, bending you over the desk where you'd been spanked before.

With no prep whatsoever, he slid into you so easily, your arousal doing all the work for you. He doubled over in pleasure, resting flush against your back as he just waited there, feeling you.

"So tight, sorella... Fucking perfect, eh?" he began his movements again, matching the pace he had set before as he thrusted into you, shoving you time and time again against the desk with your habit bunched up around your waist.

The slaps of his hips against your beaten ass sent shockwaves of pain through you, but mixed with the extreme pleasure you felt at his large cock filling you and hitting your cervix every fucking time, it was sensational.

"He can't fill you like I can, eh? Can't fuck you like I can?" he panted in your ear, biting at your earlobe as he rutted against you.

"N-no, Cardinal!" you cried, so close to a release.

"Can he make you cum on his cock? Or do you have to help him, hm?"

"I-I have to help... use my fingers... oh, fuck!" Your head fell onto the wooden surface, hands grassing behind you and gripping onto his sleeves.

"You're gonna cum from just my cock, sorella. Let go," he instructed, and sure enough, a few more perfectly angled thrusts had you clenching around him, your walls grasping to keep his seated deep within you as your body convulsed and bliss burst through your body.

You were so tight around him, dragging his orgasm from him too with every slap of his hips against your ass. Soon enough, he rammed into you one final time, orgasm too strong to even attempt to continue even at a stuttering pace. He filled you with his cum, seeping out around the base of his cock and down the insides of your thighs.

The two of you came down together, bodies going slack and laying against the desk, his weight on top of you grounding you after such a powerful orgasm.

As the Cardinal caught his breath, you began to laugh in your blissed out state.

"Something funny, cara? What is it, hm? Laughing at your patetico boyfriend?" he jeered.

You reached behind you to playfully slap his arm.

"Shut up," you laughed, the two of you standing and adjusting. He walked to a drawer in his desk to pull out a box of tissues and wipe away the mess between your thighs and over his now softening cock.

"Careful, tesoro, or that mouth will get you in trouble again!" he smirked. You rolled your eyes again, adjusting your habit to fall as it should now you were somewhat cleaned up.

"How did I do? Convincing?" he asked, doing up his fly and leaning against the desk, arms folded across his chest.

"Oh, very. Almost made me forget my patetico fidanzato," you winked.

"I'm not actually patetico, though? No?" he gave you a puppy-dog look, as if it wasn't he himself who'd started the whole "pathetic" angle.

"Maybe just a little..." you teased, stepping between his legs and pressing a kiss to his lips. "But that's why I like you."

He smiled then, genuine and sweet, reciprocating your kiss and holding you by the waist.

"That was fun though. Perhaps I ought to keep you up every night so you fall asleep in my classes more often?" You laughed then, wrapping your arms around his neck.

"Oh sure, but what would my patetico fidanzato think?" you mocked. Of course, there was no pathetic boyfriend. At least, not other than Copia. But maybe he was a tiny bit pathetic, for you at least...

"I'm sure he'd be fine with it," he played along. "But the other siblings may get suspicious if I keep you back at the end of all of my classes, no?"

You nodded in agreement - that was the last thing you needed. Your siblings finding out that you had in fact entered into a secret relationship with Cardinal Copia? That he was the reason you were so tired so often, these days?

No, no. That couldn't happen.

"But I do intend to keep you up all night again tonight, tesoro. And every night..."

A/N: Ayyyyyy see it's all fine no one was unfaithful and everything was consensual... Sorry, this idea came to me and I HAD to write it lmao

[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman-Part 54

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternative Universe : Military School

Words: 5k

Masterlist

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Monday, February 15th; 09:00 AM - Hotel.

A new day begins in the Alps. While Lucy, Jenni, and Ingrid are at the reception arranging snowmobiles for us, the others are waiting outside. Watching them playfully battle with snowballs makes me smile. I loved the snowball fight we had at school... Although I do regret a little how it ended. It's a memory I won’t forget, especially considering how sick I got right after recovering. I’m glad the girls didn’t follow them outside to join in. Instead, we stayed warm inside, watching through the windows and waiting for our friends to give us instructions for the day.

"So, how was your Valentine’s Day?" Ale finally asks.

"Absolutely amazing!" Mapi exclaims enthusiastically. "I never really celebrate it, but I think I’m going to change my mind now," she admits. "Ingrid was incredible. She surprised me from start to finish."

"I can say the same," I add. "I didn’t even realize it was the 14th of February."

"Me neither," Alexia laughs. "Jenni really surprised me too."

"I heard you fell asleep during the movie last night?" Mapi teases, nudging me.

I blush and nod reluctantly. They must have noticed, or maybe Lucy mentioned it without me knowing. I was so comfortable and exhausted from the day that the movie knocked me out. Poor Lucy must have carried me to our room because apparently, I was too asleep to wake up.

"Yeah, but Lucy didn’t mind, so it’s all good. So, what did you do during the day?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"We went Timbersledding in the morning. It was awesome!"

"Really? We did that too!" Mapi exclaims. "Except we did it in the afternoon."

"What is that?" I ask, suddenly feeling clueless.

"It’s like motocross on snow," Alexia explains. "It took me a while to remember the word too," she admits, as if it wasn’t a big deal if I didn’t know it.

"Motocross on snow?" I squint. "Isn’t that kind of like snowmobiling?"

"Yeah," she giggles. "But it’s way more powerful."

The revelation makes me feel even more foolish. They must think I’m really timid after how I reacted to Lucy’s few accelerations the other day.

"We had a half-hour lesson, enough time for me to get the hang of it, and then we went up into the mountains," she continues. "At one point, the instructor let us go on our own. Jenni knows I love thrills, so we try to do activities like that whenever we can."

"I have to admit it was really cool," Mapi says. "We had the same setup, and I don’t regret it."

"Is that all you did?"

"No. She took me to lunch afterward. Then in the afternoon, we did dog sledding and finished with a zip line. That was awesome too!"

"Ooooh! Really? No surprise there, that must have been amazing."

"Yeah," she smiles. "If there’s one thing you should do before leaving, it’s definitely that!"

"Wow, Jenni doesn’t mess around," Mapi says.

"Never. She also took me to a restaurant for both lunch and dinner. Then we finished with *Titanic*."

"And you, Mapi? What did you do in the morning?"

"We stayed here. We had breakfast in bed, and she had planned a spa session for us. After that, I also got to do dog sledding. Then we went to eat, and you know the rest. We’ve been talking about ourselves, but what about you? Did Lucy live up to the expectations?" she teases.

"Of course she did. We also started with breakfast in bed, then she arranged a carriage ride."

"Seriously? That’s so cool," Alexia says. "Maybe that could rival our sledding."

"Maybe, yeah," I giggle. "It was really nice. We cuddled up together the whole ride. Afterward, we went to eat in town, and then she took me to an exhibition."

"An exhibition?" Mapi asks, puzzled.

"Yeah. There was one in the nearby village. She saw a poster at the hotel and wanted to take me because she knows how much I love that."

"Oh... Sounds like she really nailed it," Mapi comments.

"Absolutely! We ended the day with a massage session and a private pool at the hotel. Then, like you, we ate at the hotel and watched a movie. She really chose all the activities I love; it was amazing."

I could have shared more about our morning when she told me she loved me, but I prefer to keep that detail to myself for now. Who knows how they would react? I don’t need them to get all excited right away. It’s something intimate that I plan to cherish on my own. We don’t have much more to talk about, as the three people we were waiting for walk towards us. Judging by their expressions, things didn’t go well.

"We couldn’t get the snowmobiles," Jenni grumbles.

"Weren’t they available for this morning?" Mapi asks.

The hotel had put up a board showing when they were available and how many there were. It seems we were too late for today. Yet, as Mapi just said, they should have been available this morning.

"They’re already reserved for early afternoon, and they’re worried we won’t return in time," Lucy explains.

"We’re stuck here. We’ll have to find another activity for the day," Ingrid sighs.

"Well, we could take a walk in the forest," Alexia suggests. "The girls are already having fun outside, so we might as well enjoy it, that way everyone’s happy."

We all look at each other for a moment, as if silently deliberating. I don’t mind this plan. Lucy and I love nature, so I’m sure she’d agree too. As for the other three girls, they don’t seem opposed to the idea either.

"She’s right. I’ll check with the reception to see if there are any trails nearby. » Jenni says

"Good idea, I’ll join you."

Lucy, who just responded, follows her, as does Ingrid. We’re back to three again. I sigh, starting to get a bit tired of waiting around. Seeing some empty chairs not far from us, I don’t hesitate long before heading over to them, quickly followed by my friends.

- Everything seems to be going well between you and Lucy, said Mapi.

- Yeah, everything's great. I'm glad we're on vacation, though. It's not the same at school.

- That's true. How do you plan to handle things there? Ale asked.

- Lucy wants to keep the two relationships separate.

- What do you mean by that...?

- She wants to continue being my supervisor.

- And do you think she'll manage? Mapi teased. I mean, even if you two aren’t sleeping together yet, you seem really close!

- What do you know about that anyway? I retorted, unable to stop blushing. In any case, that's something that concerns only us.

- Oh yes, for sure, but Mapi's right, Alexia chimed in. Jenni didn’t want to mix things either. Well, it was different since she wasn’t in charge of me at the time… But it was still hard to keep our distance. In the end, she was the one who came to see me until we got caught.

- As you just said, it’s different. Lucy and I can see each other more often. Even if I won’t get any affection, I’ll still be with her, and that’s all that matters to me. Anyway, there are only a few months left, and I doubt Lucy will crack during that time. She doesn’t tend to give up when she wants something to work her way.

- That’s true... She’s always been the reasonable type, I think, Mapi sighed. Doesn’t that bother you? I mean, you’re usually someone who lets loose. I don’t get the impression that’s her style.

I frowned and shook my head. I know Lucy is reasonable, but it’s never been a problem. As I told Lucy herself, I love our differences.

- No, it doesn’t bother me. Thanks to that trait, she’s brought stability into my life.

- You’re right, Ale smiled. If there’s one thing Lucy can bring you, it’s definitely stability.

- The question is whether that’s what you want, Mapi muttered.

The tone of her voice didn’t sit well with me. Something was off. She wasn’t like this earlier in the morning. I didn’t have time to react as a hand rested on my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw my girlfriend’s smiling face. I decided not to dwell on Mapi's remark and smiled back at Lucy.

- Is everything settled? I asked.

- Yeah, the receptionist recommended a nice trail, and we can even stop to eat if we leave now, she announced. I came to get you. The others went outside to let the girls know.

- Cool.

I stood up, ready to take her hand, but Mapi didn’t give me the chance. She slipped her arm through mine instead.

- Come on, let’s go! she shouted.

I bit my lip as I looked back while she dragged me toward the exit. I found Lucy sighing. Even though she doesn’t say it anymore, I know she still struggles to tolerate Mapi’s behavior when she acts like this. Alexia, on the other hand, was trying not to laugh beside her. Unlike her, I didn’t find the situation funny. It’s not easy to find the right balance between the two. I turned back to Mapi, who flashed me a smile that I found hard to return. In situations like this, I struggle to understand her, but as a good friend, I held back my comments and let her lead me without a fuss. After all, she also has the right to some of my time.

Monday, February 15; 1:30 PM - Forest.

- Don’t you want to move a little faster?

I stifled a groan upon hearing Mapi's voice again.

- Go ahead, we’ll catch up, Alexia replied with a hint of amusement.

- Well… okay. See you later!

I sighed, running my hand over my face to avoid watching her skip ahead. She had managed to exhaust me. I’ve never known a walk to feel this long. I guess I’m familiar with the phenomenon that’s currently prancing in front of us until she finds her girlfriend. I love walking, but with the many kilometers we’ve covered and Mapi’s endless chatter, my feet are on fire, and my head is about to explode. I was grateful to the others for making stops from time to time. The worst part was that she kept rehashing our past, which she recounted to Alexia. Alexia kindly stayed with us, seeing my despair. She brought up so many memories. I didn’t even remember doing half of it. Our evenings were what she talked about the most. She kept circling back to that, glancing at me as if expecting a reaction. I didn’t give her one. All I could think about was how thankful I was to Lucy for getting me out of that cycle. It will always be a part of me, but I’ve learned to have fun in other ways now. Drinking and smoking can be fun for a while, but it’s no longer something I want to do every weekend. Mapi finally tired of her act when I started lagging behind the others. She’s now gone, without even noticing my weariness. Alexia burst into laughter shortly after she left, quickly joined by my girlfriend, who had waited for us to stay with us. I must have made quite a face because they couldn’t stop laughing. Still, I couldn’t help but smile as I realized that Alexia and Lucy were sharing a laugh. It’s not something you see every day.

- Alright, are you done? I’d like to see you in my shoes!

- Sorry, but your face was priceless, Alexia defended herself between laughs.

- It’s really not funny.

- What did she do to make you look like that? Lucy asked.

- Talk, talk, and talk some more... but like, all the time! And the worst part was she only talked about what we used to do! Can you believe that?

- If you must know, I learned that Ona was the champion at forgetting last night’s mess after a party, Alexia summarized with amusement.

My elbow reflexively jabbed into Alexia’s side. I took the opportunity to give her a stern look. I didn’t need Lucy knowing that kind of thing. I’m not proud of it. The worst part is that I never ended a night the same way. Rarely did I wake up in a bed, with or without Mapi. I was a party animal, and I’ll probably never shake that label.

- You don’t need to hit her, Lucy scolded me. It’s not like I didn’t suspect it. I saw the kind of parties you hung out at.

I blushed, regretting not thinking about that before taking her to Miller’s house. Maybe that’s why she so easily agreed to go. She wanted to see where I spent all my nights before I met her. She was right. It was in that house that I spent most of my nights. Miller was lucky enough to have parents who often had to travel for work. They let him do as he pleased as long as the house was clean when they returned, and he always managed to do that. I’ve lost count of how many times we had to help him clean up. We made quite a mess. As Mapi mentioned earlier, there was even a time when we painted all the walls of the house. I think that was the first time Miller got scolded. We couldn’t afford to run from what had been done since it was a weekend. However, we were good at repainting all the walls after our classes. It would have taken them several days if we hadn’t helped.

- Well, I was a teenager after all, I shrugged.

- That’s no excuse. I didn’t go out that much when I was a teenager.

- What were you like? Alexia asked curiously, unknowingly saving me from a certain argument.

- Much more reasonable, Lucy smiled. If we went out, it was like now. We went to a bar, the movies, or something like that. Parties didn’t interest me. Jenni went sometimes, but I never joined her.

Seeing them chat so easily made me smile. In just a few days, this trip has already done a lot of good. The fear Alexia had when we left seems to have disappeared. I had kept telling her she was worrying for nothing. Lucy's behavior must have reassured her a lot. She’s much more relaxed here, and as I told her, Alexia noticed that Lucy has nothing to do with the “Commander” from Camp Wiegman. The fact that Lucy knows Ale was there for me a lot when we weren’t on good terms must help. She understood that I really care about her, and that must have calmed her down about her. At least, I imagine that for Lucy, Ale made up for sending away her best friend by being there for me because she’s stopped resenting her since. It’s a good thing we became roommates. Without our friendship, none of this would have been possible.

- Were you popular? I joked as I joined the conversation.

- No, she immediately replied. I started to become known when I got into sports in high school, but since I never went to parties, no one paid attention to me. I was way too focused on studying to get my diploma.

- I’m sure it wasn’t necessary. You’re very smart, I replied.

Maybe, she shrugged with a small smile. But I still graduated top of my class in high school, and despite my injury, I found a good college for my higher education. Without my good grades in all subjects, who knows how I would’ve ended up without sports.

Lucy deserves a lot of credit. Who knows how things would have turned out if she had only focused on training… She can anticipate things if they go wrong. That's definitely not my case. I tend to rush in headfirst.

"Wow," Alexia says. "I didn’t know you got injured. Maybe I should focus more on my studies," she laughs.

"Oh, don’t worry. Injuries happen, but they don't affect many people, really. I guess I’m just one of the unlucky ones."

"Don’t say that," I reply.

"You handled it very well, so that’s cool," Ale says. "What did you end up studying, if you don’t mind me asking?"

"Well, my injury changed a lot of things. Jenni was just as upset as I was. That’s when we came up with the idea to open a gym together. My only option was to enroll in a management school specialized in sports, but few schools offered that. When I had to move to Manchester, Jenni didn’t hesitate for a second to follow me."

"But she continued with sports, right?" Alexia asks, frowning.

"Yes, she did. We went to the same school but with different majors. She still took some of my courses as electives to help support our project."

"I didn’t know that. I mean, I knew what she wanted to do, but she never explained the backstory. How did you two meet, anyway?" Alexia continues, clearly intrigued.

"We’ve known each other forever," she shrugs. "She was my neighbor, and she would stand up for me when the neighborhood kids picked on me. I was an easy target as a little girl, and she hated that," she laughs. "She’s always been very diplomatic in conflicts. Since then, we’ve never been apart."

"I was so jealous of you at first," Alexia admits. "Jenni talked about you like you were the most precious thing in her life," she explains, making Lucy smile. "She insisted on making sure you knew about us. I was terrified of that, given your reputation, and even more so when she admitted you didn’t take it well. I thought you would break us up in a heartbeat."

Lucy sighs, running her hand through her hair, almost embarrassed by Alexia's confession. I’m just an observer in this scene, but I listen intently. I’ve wanted to know the whole story for a long time, and if it could end here, that would be perfect.

"I did struggle with it, yes. Working at Camp Wiegman was important to me, both for personal and financial reasons."

I smile, fully understanding the personal reasons. Knowing that I’m one of the few who knows that part of her life warms my heart. I feel privileged.

"I was afraid Jenni would ruin everything for us, but at the same time, I wanted nothing more than her happiness. I understood that you meant a lot to her, so I held back, just as she asked me to. Still, what I feared came true. You got caught, and she got fired. I couldn’t hide my anger towards you after that."

"I’m sure it wasn’t as strong a feeling as you make it sound," I murmur.

"No, but I had a hard time accepting Jenni’s departure. I thought everything was over. Even so, she never gave up. She was unemployed for two months during the summer before finally finding work at a gym. It was because of that period that our funding got blocked," she explains. "They thought we were unstable professionally, but we proved that wasn’t the case, and here we are, finally launched."

"My intention was never for her to get fired," Alexia says, regret in her voice.

"I know. I just expected your relationship to fall apart after she left, and that she would have ruined everything for nothing. I was wrong, and I regret that. It was a good thing that Ona was in your room. I got to see a different side of you thanks to her. I hope you don’t hold too much of a grudge against me. It was never my intention to hate my best friend’s girlfriend."

"It’s fine. You had your reasons, and I completely understand. I just hope everything’s better now."

"Of course," Lucy smiles. "I won’t question your relationship anymore. As long as you take good care of her, you’ll have my full support."

"Then we shouldn’t have any problems," Alexia giggles.

"If we do, I’m sure Ona will make sure to put me back in my place," Lucy jokes, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

I blush as Alexia laughs. The image must be hilarious, even if it’s probably what would happen. I’m glad everything is resolved now, and since they get along, I’ll make sure to maintain their relationship. I love Alexia, and since she’s the girlfriend of Lucy’s best friend, it’s best to keep things peaceful between all of us.

"I doubt that will be necessary. You’re the one who makes most of the decisions, right?" Alexia asks Lucy.

"Hmm... No. I mean, we make decisions together. And don’t be fooled—Ona has quite the temper when she wants to. Right?" 

She playfully nudges me with her hip. I wish I could shrink into the ground right now. The worst part is, I can’t deny it. I do have a strong personality when I’m comfortable with someone. I hadn’t realized I’d reached that point with Lucy.

"Yeah, yeah," I mutter.

"Oh, guys, the cabin’s finally here!" Mapi yells from up front.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips.

"Finally, for fuck sake!"

"Hey, language," Lucy scolds me.

"It’s not you who had to endure almost three hours of conversation with Mapi at your side."

"She’s your friend, so it’s your responsibility to deal with her," she teases. "Personally, I have no issues with mine."

I stick my tongue out in response, which makes her smile. If only I could understand what’s going on in Mapi’s head. It’s clear she’s not acting like herself. She’s almost clingy, and that’s not like her. It’s as if something is bothering her. I plan to get the words out of her mouth if it comes to that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my relationship with Lucy, it’s that communication is golden and prevents a lot of problems. Just a few more steps, and we’ll finally reach the lodge Mapi mentioned. This is where we’ll have lunch. Finally. I’m starving, and my feet are burning with pain. Plus, I can’t wait to take off this thick jacket. It’s like a snowsuit. Heavy layers are definitely not my thing.

"Come on, just a few more steps, and we’re there," Lucy reassures me, as if she knows what I’m thinking.

"Will we keep going after lunch? Or turn back?"

"No idea," she shrugs. "Either way, we’ll probably have the same distance to cover."

I groan in complaint, making Lucy laugh. I love walking, but not so much in the snow. At least the weather is on our side. If there was ice instead of snow, I’d be the first to end up on my butt.

"I hope we take the shorter route!"

"Are you done complaining?" Alexia teases. "We’re here to enjoy ourselves, Miss Grumpy!"

"She took the words right out of my mouth."

"Hey, just because you two have buried the hatchet doesn’t mean you get to gang up on me! I’ll complain if I want to, okay?"

My rhetorical question only makes them laugh more. I cross my arms, earning a kiss on the cheek from my girlfriend.

"We’re just kidding, relax. We’ve arrived, so go warm up, my little grumbler."

"You’ll see what your little grumbler will do if you keep this up," I mutter.

"Keep it up, and I’ll leave you to spend the rest of the day with Mapi."

"No!" I respond immediately. "You wouldn’t dare?"

"Want to bet?"

She holds the door open for me, challenging me with a smirk. I sigh as I unzip my jacket when I step inside. I know when to keep quiet, and this is one of those moments. We’re joking around, but I know she’d be capable of it, and given the situation with Mapi, it’s definitely not the time.

"I’ll be good, thanks."

Unfortunately, we were the last ones to enter, so naturally, the only seats left were across from Mapi and Ingrid. It seems everyone has settled into their usual spots because, since the beginning, no one has changed their seating arrangement. I end up across from my best friend and between the two girls who accompanied me.

"Have you been here before?" I ask Lucy.

- "No, I haven't had the chance to do this trail. Jen and I did the other one, but it was much longer, so we decided not to do it today."

- "Oh, well, that's a relief, huh?"

- "Are you still complaining?" Alexia teased.

- "She's not likely to stop anytime soon," Lucy continued. "It's in her nature to grumble, but we love her anyway."

- "Hey, have you both finished ganging up on me?"

- "Ooooh, we're just teasing you," Alexia laughed.

I barely had time to pout before Lucy pulled me close. I smiled as I snuggled into her arms. Across from us, the girls were chatting with the guys, understanding that we were in our own little world. However, I noticed Mapi sneaking glances at us. When our eyes met, she gave me a smile, almost forced—more like embarrassed at being caught in the act. Knowing her, she's holding back from saying something.

- "You're not going to sulk, are you?" Lucy whispered to me.

- "No, not if you keep making it up to me like this."

She chuckled softly, kissing the top of my head. I especially appreciated her affection. She’s much more affectionate than I expected. I'm not naturally the cuddly type, even before Feli, but I find myself enjoying every touch from her. It’s reassuring in a way. It’s so different from what I’ve known, and it feels like she wants to show off our relationship to the world. Yet, I know all of this will vanish the moment we step back into school. Just thinking about returning to our daily routine makes me want to cry.

- "Sweetheart," Lucy called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

- "Huh? Oh, sorry," I apologized to the waitress who was holding out the menu, which I hadn't noticed.

- "No worries," she smiled. "I'm here if you need anything," she said as she finished handing out the menus, making it clear that she'd been waiting for a while. "Should I come back for the drinks, or do you already know what you want?"

- "You can come back," Aitana answered. "We'll take a look at the menu first."

- "Alright."

She smiled at her before walking away. I hadn't noticed how interested Aitana was in her until I saw her checking her out. I stifled a laugh when she said:

- "Do you think she really means it when she says she's here to meet all our needs?"

- "Looks like someone here is a little desperate," Jenni teased.

- "Yeah, well, shut up, you guys," Aitana shot back, pointing at us. "You're all in relationships, so you wouldn't understand. She's pretty hot, isn't she? Maybe I should ask for her number."

Everyone laughed, though mine was a bit awkward since Lucy and I haven't done anything yet. I shouldn't be worried since we've only been together for less than a month, but knowing that Mapi and Ingrid have already slept together makes me a bit uneasy. It's frustrating because I'm not sure I'm ready to take that step. It’s daunting, like I’d be losing my virginity all over again. Almost as if she could read my thoughts, Lucy kissed my temple.

- "What do you want to drink?"

I blinked, trying to focus on her. The others were debating whether Aitana would get the waitress's number or not. If I were to join in, I'd probably say she has a good chance given the way she looked at her, but my mind was elsewhere.

- "Everything's fine, remember?" she continued when I stayed silent.

I cleared my throat and nodded. I felt silly. Of course, she knew what I was thinking, and she's reassured me about it many times.

- "I know. Sorry. I just feel a bit foolish."

- "There's no need to. So, what about that drink?"

- "What do you recommend?"

She smiled, making me smile too. She knows good wine better than I do. Over time, I’ve realized that she doesn’t mind alcohol; she just knows how to enjoy it in moderation. It’s something I’d never done before. She suggested a few different wines, but I ended up ordering the same one as her when the waitress came back to take our orders. As for the main course, we all went for raclette. Since we were here, we might as well enjoy the cheese. The meal was lively, especially with the girls who kept calling the waitress back for trivial things, like a jug of water. By the end of our meal, Aitana did end up getting her number, as I expected. On top of that, she invited us all to a private party in town tonight. Everyone was thrilled. It was just what we needed since we arrived. After that, our hike resumed. Unlike the walk up, I decided to stay towards the front, allowing me to spend time with all the girls on this trip, not just Mapi and Alexia like before. Mapi didn’t seem too happy about it, judging by the way she looked at me. I realize there's a real problem, and I’ll have to address it soon if we want to have a good time together.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - City Girls Part 5/8

The plot is twisting is all I can say about this chaotic chapter. 😮‍💨

Reader plays for the Man City girls academy. She struggles a bit but gets Ruben to mentor her. The the two don't hit off despite having many things in common. It all gets worse when Reader eventually catches feelings for Ruben.

Enjoy!

"You did what, with who?"

"Sshhh! Can you be any louder?"

You peered down the long line of girls before passing Ester the ball. She passed it on to the next person since coach had the team playing tiki taka for today's morning session.

"But Y/N, isn't Ruben...?"

"It doesn't matter what he is." You whispered. "He freak out on me right after and told me to leave his apartment."

"Well, can you blame him? This could end his career."

"Don't be so dramatic. Yes I'm in the academy but I'm not a minor."

"Does it matter? It's inappropriate. People might think he's been taking advantage of you since you met through the private lessons he's been giving you. Ruben could be suspendend from his team and so could you Y/N."

"I dunno." You muttered. "It seemed like something else was bothering him. Maybe I did something wrong?"

"Did he enjoy it? You know...until he kicked you out?"

"I think so."

"And did you...enjoy it?"

You thought back to that night. Ruben had seemed hesitant at first. And the ointment...so awkward.

"Y/N?"

"But then it wasn't...awkward. It was nice, just the two of you, kissing and humping.

"Y/N?"

Ruben seemed so eager to please you, not giving you a chance to return the favor.

"Y/N?"

"Yes!" You blurred out. "I enjoyed it."

Taken aback, Coach looked to Ester then back to you. "Well I'm glad you enjoy my training session Y/N, but that's not what I asked you?"

"I'm sorry coach."

You hadn't notice him blow the whistle. All the girls except for you and Ester had scattered from the line, leaving the field. Training was over.

"What was it you asked me, again?"

He sighed. "I said, it's best you head to the cafeteria and get yourself a snack before the first team start their session."

"I'm training with the first team?" You gasped joyfully.

"Yes, now go on. I've been putting in a good word for ya'. They won't like it if you're late."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you coach.

I won't disappoint you."

He laughed. "I am as hopeful as you are. Good luck."

"Can I come too?" Ester asked.

"I'm sorry Hofman, not this time?"

You looked at her remorsfully. "I promise to bring you som eggs on toast from the cafeteria."

Her smile was crooked. "Thanks Y/N and good luck. I'll see you back home."

You went your separate ways. By the time you got to the main building your stomach was aching for something to eat. To your luck the cafeteria resembled any five star hotel with a continental breakfast. You rushed to grab a plate since you didn't have much time. You piled on all your favorite foods and extra portions of protein. Ruben told you that it was possible for coach to let you play football the way you wanted to, you just had to get bigger and stronger. That starts with upping your calory intake.

"Slow down Rio or you'll choke on a sausage."

The mountain of food on your plate turned alot of heads as you made your way through the cafeteria. Not to mention the banter it caused when you joined some of the girls on the first team at their table.

"Are they starving you at home?" A girl joked.

"Chloe, be nice."

"The food here is just so good." You said, which was half the truth. Somthing told you to keep you intentions of gaining weight to yourself.

"Are you jokin'? No one fancies british cuisine. What do they serve in Brazil, cockroaches?"

The girls laughed.

"Chloe." The captain groaned. She was nice. Stephanie was her name. She always made sure that you felt included the times you played with the first team. She had been the one to wave you over to join the girls for breakfast. However, at the moment, you regretted not having ate before you left the house this morning. Now you had to hurry, doing so by stuffing your face with food before heading back out. But as you went to dump your tray, you bumped into something solid on your way out of the cafeteria.

"Sorry." You blushed, but quickly stiffened seeing who you had bumped into. "Oh, Ruben. Hi."

"Hey."

"H...how's it going?"

He was accompanied by a friend, perhaps his teammate. Either way, Ruben didn't find it necessary to introduce the two of you. Fortunately his friend was raised well enough to greet a stranger.

"Bernardo." He shook your hand. "But you can call me Ruben Dias personal wingmam."

You smiled. He was funny. At least he had more humor than Ruben, who looked to want to be anywhere else but there, with you."

"We should...." He muttered, pointing somewhere towards the foodline in the cafeteria.

You were disappointed. And you wanted to ask Ruben if you were still training later this afternoon, or had what happened between you change things?

"I'll see you." He said, which practically answered your question. The two of you went your separate ways. You had a lump in your throat stepping back onto the football field.

"Pass the ball Rio!"

There was a clear differences in quality when it came to playing with the women's first team. They trained with a higher tempo than the academy and included more drills during their training sessions. It was a slight adjustments for you, but not too difficult.

"Come on Y/N, at least keep up the pace!" Their coach shouted.

"Uh-oh." You stopped running. A twinge in your stomach had you place a hand to your belly as you stood in the middle of the football field.

"Come on Y/N, keep it moving!"

You tried to move, but every attempt to take another step seemed to trigger something from deep within. Somthing on the verge of erupting. The pain was sharp and intense, and it all seemed to be spreading throughout your entire body.

"Y/N, you okay?" Their coach blew the whistle, pausing the game.

You tried to shake off the pain, but it was no use. You doubled over, clutching your stomach, letting out a bubbly groan. The players gathered around you. "Um, I think she's gonna...."

Hurl.

Throw up.

Vomit.

Whatever word best described what came out of you. It was warm, blending easly with the grass on the pitch. The other players ran away, screaming in terror. Their coach was the one to help you back to he main building, to the infirmary where you now sat in shame, waiting for Ester to come and pick you up. Your head banged against the wall as you sat on the sickbed, almost tuning out the sound of a light knock on the door.

"Ester?"

"It's me?"

Your back left the wall, seeing Ruben appear in the door. He stepped into the small room, shutting the door behind him.

"I heard what happened. Bernardo and I were just on our way out when..."

"Great." You sighed. How would you ever live this down?

"What happened, were you sick?"

He was truly concerned. Strange, you thought, since Ruben had given you the coldest of shoulders for days, not responding to any of your calls or text messages.

"Can I get you anything, water, ice...?"

"How about a toothbrush and a mint?"

He frowned.

"And a rocket. Yes." You smiled. "Something to take me off this planet immediately."

"Come on, Y/N." He approached where you sat on the bed. You hated yourself for making him room to sit down next to you. Nevertheless, that's what he did, sympathetically bringing his hand to your back, rubbing it. "Anyone can get sick." He said.

You squinted your eyes in pain, his sympathy along with the embarrassment, was all too much. "The first team are never gonna let me play with them again."

"Come on Y/N, don't say that."

"But it's true Ruben and it's all your fault."

"My fault." Ruben sat back, eyebrows furrowed. "What did I do?"

"You told me to get bigger so that I could dribble." You hissed.

"And what exactly did you do to achieve that?" He asked curiously.

"I stuffed my face, of course."

Ruben threw his head back, laughing.

"It's not funny." You groaned. Although the crinkle that appeared in the corner of his eyes when he smiled was simply a sight for sore eyes. He wiped a tear. "Y/N, I never told you to stuff your face. Do you know how dangerous and damaging that could be for your body. There are far more healthier ways to gain weight."

"Well, how was I supposed to know that? You're the expert and wouldn't even return my texts."

"Y/N." Ruben's hand got off your back, leaving a missing feeling. He stood. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

"What exactly? You giving me the greatest orgasm in my life, just to show me the door right after?"

"Y/N."

"What Ruben? If you don't have anything else to say to me I suggest you leave." You lowered your head. "Maybe then you'll know what it feels like."

"I'm sorry." A set of warm hands went to tilt your face. Ruben's brown eyes were staring back at you with the deepest sincerity. "Like I said, I never meant for any of this to happen. I was never meant to fall for you Y/N."

"What?" You must have been mistaken.

Ruben smiled. And for a moment he looked hesitant but then his lips grasped yours in a soft yet exciting kiss. You grinned once his face pulled away from yours.

"What?" He asked.

"Do it again." You whispered.

He chuckled, but leaned in to peck your lips once more, planting an additional kiss on top of your nose.

"So...does this mean we're still on for this afternoon?"

Ruben sigh was heavy. "Like I said Y/N, I'll gladly help you become a better football player, but whatever you and I have ends here. I have a girlfriend and she can't find about what happened between us."

You felt cold, drained from all the warmth in your body, including the blood that paled your face. "Y...you have a what?" His hands still held your face, but with a swift tugg you had him remove them.

"A girlfriend Y/N. I'm sorry to have to tell you like this but like I said, what happened between us was never supposed to be. Besides, I could get in alot if trouble with the club, not to mention the media if they ever found out."

"I can't believe this." You sighed. Ester was right. You were such a fool.

"But don't worry. If we keep things professional between us I can still...."

"Get out."

"What?"

You spoke too low. Ruben didn't hear you. And so you took a deep breath. "I said, get the fuck out of here. Out of this room and out of my life."

"Y/N?"

"Now, Ruben, I mean it. Get the fuck out!"

"Y/N, let's not....we can still be together just not...."

You hopped off the bed. Furious that Ruben would get to see you cry. "OUT!" You shouted, escorting him towards the door. Unlucky for you he didn't get far. In the doorway as the door came ajar, stood Ester, her head turned to the side, flashing you an eavesdropping ear.

"Ester?" You frowned. "What are you..."

She perked up. "I'll tell coach."

"Ester?" You said, with a graver tone.

"Don't try and make excuses, I already know that the two of you are sleeping together." Her voice was unsteady. Ruben looked to you, rightfully confused. "And who are you?" He asked bluntly.

"Your worst nightmare." Ester said, with a glare you had never seen on her before. It was eveil, desperate and deceiving.

"Ester please, you don't know..."

"Schluss mit der Scheiße, Y/N." (Cut the shit Y/N.) "I already know that the two of you are fucking, you told me so yourself."

"Why are you doing this?" You asked,  desperate to know how Ester, your friend,  could dare threaten everything your family has worked so hard for you to achieve.

"I deserve to play with the first team." She said. The words sounding childish and timid coming out of her mouth.

"But..." You stuttered. "If that's all it is..." Why hadn't she spoken to coach or simply work harder, you thought.

"Don't you see." She laughed. "With you on the team, the brazilian football protégé from the streets of Rio, I'll never get a chance." To your suprise Ester was crying. "I am already overseen by coach simply because I got stuck with you as my roommate. Now I've got to hear about you going on and on about some guy who clearly is only interested in fucking you."

"Okay, that's it. I've heard enough." Ruben had thought to do the right thing to let Ester explain herself. But the more he did, the  more he let her talk, the more he saw how much it hurt you, and so he put an end to it. "Let's go." He said, grabbing your hand, leading you out of the infirmary. Ester was left behind, along with her half hearted threats.

"Ruben whatta....Where are you taking me?" You felt like vomiting again and you had a throbbing headache.

"Minha casa. Você vem para ficar comigo." (My place. You're coming to stay with me.)

"What?"

"I'm not letting you stay with that girl, whoever she was. She was clearly out of her mind."

"But Ruben I can't." You tried to tugg your arm free, however Ruben was way too strong. He barley budged.

"Y/N, please don't fight me on this one. You can stay with me, I have a spare bedroom."

"What about your girlfriend?"

He froze. In the midst of pulling you out of the main building, Ruben froze. The grip he had around your arm loosen a little. He ran his free hand down his face, tired, perhaps of arguing. "Like I said Y/N, I'm partly responsible for this mess. Just trust that I'll take care of it. I want to take care of it. But for now let me take care of you."