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hcneymooners · 21 days ago

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⋆ beg until i'm in.

ambessa x wife!reader. men and minors dni.

synopsis: you and ambessa are estranged wives, but are you really estranged if she refuses to divorce you, and every time you see each other, you can't help but fall into bed?

cw: light angst, emotional hurt/comfort, getting back together, top ambessa medarda, dom/sub, dom ambessa medarda, she has soft spot for you, pleasure dom ambessaaaaa, just for you though, strapping, rough sex, rough body play, hair-pulling, name-calling, pet names, lesbian sex, dildos, vaginal sex, cunnilingus, overstimulation, she is strapping you down, you will not be walking, cock worship, blow jobs, the strap is the cock in question no men i swear to god, mommy kink, praise kink, mating press, age difference, older woman/younger woman, marriage, she does not play about you, realizing this might have slight primal play, orgasm edging, begging, spanking, impact play notes: i am a FREAK about this woman. also i wrote this for @sheloveschai because she has been bringing me joy through their work and i want to do the same.

“she thinks i’m a monster.”

the words hung in the air, dense as the afternoon heat, heavy as ambessa’s head in your lap. how you’d ended up here—her armor gone, her weight so familiar—felt like one of those moments you’d look back on, trying to pin down the thread that led you here. you couldn’t.

your lives were separate. estranged wives, that’s what you told yourself. she wouldn’t divorce you, and you weren’t exactly rushing to draw up the papers. but estrangement was such a tidy, convenient word like the absence between you both was clean and intentional. it wasn’t. she blurred the edges every time she showed up unannounced, stepping into the space she left behind like it still belonged to her. and maybe it did.

she came today, her arrival marked by the low hum of her car pulling up the dirt road. the ranch was still, caught in that honeyed pause between afternoon and evening. the house she’d bought for you sat perched on its patch of green, neat but unpretentious—a porch for watching storms, white siding that seemed to glow in the late sun. the kind of place that felt like it had existed long before you arrived, waiting for someone to live in it properly. around it, the land stretched wide, unbroken except for the fences hemming in the garden you’d built with your own hands.

you were out there, barefoot and stubborn, locked in a battle with the soil. a carrot clung to the earth like it had something to prove, your hair slipping from its tie as you yanked at it, dirt smudged across your face from an earlier showdown with a deer that had dared to challenge your lettuce. the dress you wore—white, soft, and loose—shifted around you like a second skin, its ruffled straps falling to kiss your shoulders. it was stained at the hem, caught on brambles, but it moved with you, romantic in its simplicity, something that could’ve been borrowed from another life.

ambessa watched from the car. you didn’t notice her at first, too busy flailing after some audacious bit of wildlife, but she noticed you. her eyes followed the sway of your dress, the way the sun painted gold onto your skin, how your body moved with a kind of rawness that had always undone her. she waited because ambessa always waited. but there was a tension to it, like watching something she didn’t want to admit she needed.

hours later, she was here, sprawled in your lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. her hand rested against the fabric of your dress, her breathing slow but uneven. you stroked her hair without thinking, staring out at the horizon. the horses were grazing, lazy against the emerald sprawl. the ranch, her gift, felt heavier than it had in a while.

“at one point in time,” you said finally, the words tasting of truth, “every daughter views her mother as her monster.”

her hand stilled. you could feel her thoughts shifting, coiling like a tide just out of reach. she didn’t say anything, but the silence was loud, charged. you didn’t press her.

“you were always so hard on yourself,” you continued, your voice quiet but steady. “you can be… strong, stubborn, cruel. i’ve felt it. i know it. so much of your decision-making is absolute like the world is this black-and-white chessboard you’re determined to win on. there’s no room for anyone else in that kind of thinking. it can be stifling. but—” you hesitated, fingers idly brushing the hem of your dress as you tried to hold her gaze.

“love is always the basis when it comes to the people you care about: mel, kino—”

“you,” she interjected softly, her voice barely audible but so certain it almost startled you.

you hummed in agreement, the corners of your mouth tugging into an easy smile.

“me,” you admitted, your chest tightening at the confession. you sighed, the sound carrying years of ache. “your problem is that you don’t believe we can love you back. not really. you think we can’t be safe with you. so you send us away, like that’s protecting us. you decide things for us—these big, sweeping decisions—and suddenly we’re standing outside looking in, strangers in our own lives with you.”

you paused, thinking of her daughter. “mel’s a teenager. she’s going to buck against you because that’s what teenagers do. you have to let her. you can’t control everything, ambessa. we don’t learn any other way.”

ambessa watched you, her face unreadable but her eyes dark and intent. her voice was indescribably tender when she spoke.

“you’re such a wonderful stepmother.”

the word made you scoff. you pushed her—gently but firmly—off your lap and rose to your feet. she let you, though her eyes lingered on you. she could never let go entirely.

“don’t let her hear you say that,” you muttered, shaking your head.

mel had not taken your marriage to her mother well. and really, who could blame her? you were more than half ambessa’s age. you’d once been mel’s peer at university, brushing shoulders in the same circles without a clue that your lives would one day intertwine like this. to make matters worse, mel hadn’t even learned of the relationship from her mother or you. no, she’d found out by walking in on the two of you in a position that still made your cheeks burn to think about.

what followed was relentless: the icy distance, the sharp words, the careful avoidance. love, for you, had always been hard, but this was a different kind of difficulty. you’d tried to explain yourself to mel, fumbling for words that didn’t sound hollow. you told her you loved her mother simply because you did. it wasn’t about their wealth or their influence. you’d come from nothing—a small town with a crumbling church, miles of barren land, and a quiet resignation to a life of struggle. you were used to living hard and mean, to fending for yourself.

but ambessa… she had swept into your life with the force of a storm. she needled at you, chipped away at your shell until you were belly-up and tender, soft between her teeth. you were an easy kill in her hunt, and she was ruthless, selfish, and she could be so fucking mean. but none of that mattered.

you loved her with the kind of blind devotion that defied reason, and you couldn’t imagine doing anything else. being her wife was your greatest pride, and tending to her was your guiltiest pleasure.

mel couldn’t understand that, and the rift between you grew wider with each passing day. then came the public’s growing animosity toward the medarda family, the rising tensions, and ambessa made one of her absolute decisions. the separation blindsided you. you’d cried so hard you blacked out in the hall, and when you woke, you left without looking back. you thought mel wouldn’t care.

which is why you were shocked when ambessa brought you mel’s request for your perspective.

you turned toward the stove, busying yourself with the rhythm of dinner prep. it was easier to focus on the small, manageable things—chopping vegetables, lighting the flame—than to meet her gaze.

“she doesn’t hate you, [name],” ambessa said suddenly, her voice calm but insistent.

you froze, the knife hovering mid-air before you carefully set it down and turned on the stove.

“you staying for dinner?” you asked carefully.

you heard her shift behind you, felt the warmth of her body as she closed the space between you. her arms circled your waist, firm but gentle, and you shivered, instinctively leaning into her. god knows you were never the strongest soldier. she pressed a kiss to your temple, her lips lingering just long enough to make you melt.

“i admit,” she murmured, her voice low and quiet, “i had other motives for coming here.”

“bessa,” you began.

ambessa held you tighter, her lips brushing against your temple, the warmth of her breath sending shivers down your spine. her silence stretched just long enough for you to grow uneasy, but then she spoke, her voice low and thick with emotion.

“they’ve been asking for you,” she said, her hands smoothing over your waist.

you stiffened slightly, unsure if you’d heard her correctly.

“who?”

“mel. kino.” she pressed another kiss to your temple, then let her forehead rest against the side of your head. “they’ve been pleading with me to bring you back. they won’t admit it outright—god forbid they ever say they were wrong—”

you shot her a look.

“—but they’ve missed you. and they hate the way i’ve been without you. they say i’m different when you’re there.”

your breath hitched, your chest tightening with a mix of disbelief and something dangerously close to hope.

“they don’t even like me,” you murmured, your voice cracking.

“that’s not true.” ambessa’s tone softened, her grip on you tightening like she was afraid you might slip away. “they’re too proud to say it, but they’ve developed a soft spot for you despite everything. they miss you as much as i do.”

you turned your head slightly, just enough to catch the edge of her expression—open, raw, and devastatingly honest. by instinct, you lifted a hand and cradled her face. you hated it when she was sad.

“oh, bessa.”

“i’ve realized,” she continued, her voice dropping to a near whisper, “that i am nothing without you. i thought i was protecting you by letting you go, but i was wrong. i’m tired, my love. tired of waking up alone. tired of pretending i don’t need you. i do. god, i do.”

you felt a weight lift from the depths of your body. you’d waited so long to hear this—to feel wanted, needed, like you weren’t just a fleeting chapter in her life. tears welled up, and before you could stop them, they spilled over, hot and fat.

ambessa turned you in her arms, her hands coming up to cup your face as you began to cry in earnest.

“oh, sweetheart,” she murmured, her thumbs brushing away your tears. “don’t cry. please don’t cry.”

“i don’t want to do this anymore,” you choked out between sobs, clutching at her arms like she was the only thing keeping you upright. you pressed down on the thick cords of muscle, pleading with the strength of your grip. “i don’t want the house or any of this shit. i’m so tired of taking care of myself, ambessa. i just want to come home.”

her expression crumpled, and for a moment, you saw a vulnerability in her that she rarely let show.

“i’m sorry,” she said, her voice tight. “i’m so sorry, my love. i never should have let you go. i’ll make it right—i swear to you. i’ll spoil you, take care of you, and keep you forever. you’re mine, [name], and i’ll never let you forget it again.”

you sobbed harder, your face burying into her chest as her arms enveloped you completely.

“i know, baby. you did so well. i’m so proud of you,” she murmured.

she continued to whisper soft reassurances, mantras of “sweetheart,” “my sweet girl,” and “my sweet baby,” until the tears slowed and your breathing evened out. you shuddered against her, refusing to remove yourself from where you were pressed tightly against her chest. she shifted, and you jolted—fingers splaying desperately across her body.

“shh. i’m just making us more comfortable,” she told you.

the two of you moved, a single weeping entity across the floor of the kitchen into the living room. ambessa settled you on the couch, continuing to trace a hand across the landscape of your back.

“come back with me,” she murmured, her lips brushing against your hair. “let me take care of you. let me love you the way you deserve, hmm?”

you nodded against her, your hands clutching at the fabric of her shirt like a lifeline.

“that's all i want. i never stopped loving you,” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

“i know,” she said, tilting your face up to hers.

the kiss she gave you was desperate and all-consuming, a culmination of every time you had woken and found yourself alone. her hands roamed over your hips and your waist, pulling you closer as if the space between you was unbearable. you gasped into her mouth, and she deepened the kiss.

“i’ve missed you,” she murmured against your lips, her voice low, rough with hunger. “did you miss me?”

you shivered, your body instinctively pressing into hers.

“yes. yes, i did. i swear, bessa,” you insisted, your voice trembling.

“shh, my love,” she said, her lips trailing down your jaw to your neck to soothe you. “i believe you. a sweet girl like you wouldn’t lie to me.”

with a groan, she lifted you, guiding you toward the bedroom, her hands never straying from your body, her kisses growing more frantic. when your back hit the bed, she hovered over you, her gaze dark, possessive. a hand came down to cup your cunt, firm and promising.

“yes or no?” she asked.

she only asked out of respect. ambessa had long ago perfected the art of taking what she wanted. you found you didn’t mind. it was easier this way, surrendering to her because she knew your body—your needs—better than you ever could. in her hands, the pressure of choice vanished. you trusted her to always know what was best.

suddenly, you were reminded of when she proposed. you felt the same now as you had then—wide-eyed, carnivorous. gently, you pulled her closer, brushing your lips against hers. the room smelled of apple blossoms and her intoxicating scent.

“yes,” you whispered, your voice barely a breath.

satisfied, she lowered her mouth back to your neck. at that moment, you could have mistaken her for a vampire—hunting for your pulse, for that line of forever-promised blood.

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

“ambessa.”

“hmm?” she answered, her hand tightening where it reigned on the nape of your neck.

she had you face down with your ass up, her other hand holding you at the small of your back as she thrust into you. you let out a high moan as she began to move faster, her cock moving deeper as you bore down on her.

“you feel so fucking good, sweetheart. so tight and sweet for me. it’s almost as if you haven’t been touched in a long while.”

“bessa—” you choked out, and she let out a laugh.

“oh, baby. i know that’s not true.” bending forward to brace herself on the bed, she began to pump into you. “you were always so hungry for it, so eager. i know you’ve probably stuffed yourself every single night since i’ve been gone.”

you whimpered, drool beginning to spill from your lips.

“but it didn’t feel like this, did it?”

“no,” you answered, squealing as ambessa brought a hand down on your ass. “no, baby. i can’t take care of myself like you do.”

“no,” she agreed. “you can’t. you just get so stupid when you’re fucked. you have no chance of doing this alone. not well, at least.”

“bessa, please,” you mewled.

with a bored sigh, she tightened her grip around your band of hair and yanked your head back, pounding into you with predatorial precision. you moaned as she began to focus on your g-spot, pulling your head back roughly to further increase her control.

“shit, bessa. fuuuuuck.”

“yeah?”

all thoughts were being fucked out of your head. you managed to get a hand on your clit, rubbing furiously to add stimulation.

“uh, uh, uh. oh, fuck. holy shit. ambessa, fuck. please, baby. please don’t stop.”

for a moment, she paused, and you remembered how cruel she could be. tenderly, she turned you over on your back and slid back in, placing your hands on the back of your thighs so that you were holding yourself open. with a grunt, she sunk deep until her hips were once again clapping against your ass.

a strong hand came down, fingers hooking into your mouth and tugging till she could see your teeth. you felt like an animal.

“stop fucking talking,” she told you, and you nodded, spit slicking all over your mouth and her fingers. “good girl.”

the praise settled on you, and you moaned weakly. her next thrust hit you like a line of coke. she was pressing into you, working for something. you weren’t sure what, but you could feel the way she was aiming to break you in.

“come on,” she murmured, retracting her fingers to grope roughly at your tits. “say it.”

your brow furrowed, and she came to a slow, gradual stop. sliding out, ambessa crawled onto the bed and placed a hand on your chest. you watched her, eyes large and glittering with tears. her breasts hung heavy over you, ripe and full with age. you wanted to suck and bite her nipples till she was shaking on the bridge of your nose, pussy-deep into your throat.

carefully, she slipped the holster from her hips and removed the girthy dildo from where it sat, slick with your heat and arousal.

“maybe this will jog your memory,” she said, and you didn’t have a moment to think before her cock was in your mouth.

you choked loudly, but she paid you no mind. with a few circular motions of her wrist, she made you deepthroat every inch, her eyes darkening as you audibly gagged and sucked on it. you ran your tongue over the artificial veins, getting it as wet as possible.

you were tasting yourself, strawberry sweet with a hint of bitterness and slight musk. you could feel your cunt pulsing, fluttering as ambessa’s eyes grew darker. she prohibited you from letting your legs down, and your thighs were burning, sweat garnishing your skin with a light sheen.

you felt so exposed, so debased like this: holding yourself wide and open while gagging like a well-trained whore on the toy.

“remember now?” she asked, and you breathed hard through your nose.

you were trying, bless you, to remember, and she dropped a kiss on your cunt for the effort.

“look at this pussy, sweetheart. fuck, baby.” ambessa lifted from where she’d been dragging her free hand through your folds. her fingers were soaked. “you’re rinsing me.”

something about her tone jogged your memory, and suddenly, you knew what she wanted to hear. in your excitement, you whined, and she met your gaze. she considered you and then removed her cock from your mouth.

“mommy,” you breathed, and she smiled, her face warm and rivaling the sun.

“that’s it,” she said, pride drenching the words. “good job, sweet girl. you deserve a reward.”

you beamed and wiggled your pussy in silent demand. ambessa laughed at your eagerness, bending to kiss you. her lips trailed lower till she was mouthing over the sopping mound of your count. around and around, her tongue wet, her teeth softly grazing your clit. you snapped upward, letting go of your legs and clutching at her braids instead.

“goddamnit, ambessa! fuck!”

she continued to eat you out, shaking her head and sucking loudly. still, she found time to pinch the inside of your thigh in reprimand.

“that’s not my name, sweet girl. i won’t tell you again.”

“fuck. fuck, i’m sorry. i’m sorry, mommy. just—please.” your voice cleaved in the middle. “please, i need to cum. i want to cum so bad for you, mommy. let me. please just let me—”

with a wet pop, ambessa broke away from your swollen pussy and looked at you. you breathed heavily, eyes caught on the way she gazed at you from between your legs.

“nothing is stopping you, my love. do what pleases you.”

she lowered down again and spat right into your cunt. you let your head fall back.

“i told you,” she said. “i plan to spoil you. this will only be your first.”

and with that, she suctioned her mouth around your rosy pussy and sucked, pointing her tongue and slipping inside of you. you came with a high wail, legs clamping around her head as you bowed over her. you felt light-headed, slit open, and destroyed.

and true to her nature, ambessa never stopped.

#ambessa medarda #arcane ambessa #ambessa x reader #ambessa x you #wlw #sapphic #lesbian #wlw smut #arcane smut #mine ; 🐎.

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sexilene · 4 months ago

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https://www.tumblr.com/sexilene/759818777216024576/can-i-request-a-boynextdoorjj-x

thinking so so many thoughts!!! I love this so much!! I need to know how and what went down when jj showed reader how to touch herself!! I feel like she’s very innocent and jj of course is a dirty boy!

OMG yessss! boynextdoor!jj x girlnextdoor!reader thought ⋆౨ৎ˚��˖ ࣪ (ignore the spelling mistakes sorry lol!!)

your next-door neighbor, the sweet golden retriever of a boy was an absolute chaos demon, and always horny…of course you knew this… but you were surprised when jj had promised not to try anything funny until you were ready, and you two weren’t even official yet!! but of course, you two would do the safe, usual, kissing while grinding and such- but there got to a point where the second he climbs through your window you just want to jump on him and have him help you with the ache between your legs!!

you were thinking about it all day, from the moment you woke up…to now where jj is sitting on the carpet on the floor next to you, “helping” you color a barbie coloring book all messily. you finally smacked your glossy lips together and turned to tell him about what you would like to do…

“jaaaayjay?”

“what’s up babycakes,” jj responds, not looking up from the page he was currently coloring in,

“i have a secret to tell you- and you have to promise not to laugh at me!” your words cause his eyebrows to shoot up, curiosity spiking. he looked up from the coloring book and nodded his head, “hit me.”

“sometimes, when i think of you…i think thoughts…” you speak slowly, dragging out the words, trying to find a way to say it without it sounding too dirty!

“what kinda thoughts?” jj tilts his head, a small smirk growing on his lips and he thinks he knows where this is going….

“like thoughts that make my…you know what get all fluttery and sticky…” jj thinks it's cute how shy you get when it comes to doing stuff like this with him, and he’s more than happy to help you out.

“s’that so? y’know i’m pretty skilled in helping relive that feeling,”

“you are?”

“ohhh yeah, can help you out if you want…no pressure of course but uh- i’ll be here coachin’ you every step of the way.” he stands up and offers you a hand to get you up off the floor as well.

“yes please, not full on sex though right?” your smile also starts to appear, heart beating fast at the thought of doing something so naughty with the boy you have the biggest crush on!

“nah s’perfectly safe, alright you have to take your shorts off for this baby-” jj begins to slide down your pink polka dot cotton sleep shorts and guides you over to your bed. jj takes a seat back against your pillows, he pants the spot between his legs gesturing for you to sit in front of him, back against his chest. “c’mere sit, m’gonna be gentle i promise,”

you sit where he’s telling you- but before you make yourself really comfortable you pick up one of your stuffed animals and whine “wait, don’t want them to look!” jj then licks his teeth before picking up all your little stuffies and practically throwing them under the bed.

“careful please!” you chide- pouting slightly,

“m’just putting these guys under the bed for now, little vacation time for em’ right?” he smiles innocently.

“ohh-ho soaked through your panties honeybunny!” jj laughs- but not in mockery- in complete awe of how bad you soaked through the cotton of your pretty panties, he smooths over the patch of wetness with the pads of his two rough fingers, making you whine and squirm in his hold. “jaaay, please!”

“im getting there hold your horses…” he tuts, you can feel his head shake in faux disapproval from behind you before he begins to slowly press down on your clothed clit and rub. “alright, watch what i’m doing- see just where you feel sensitive, ruuuub it nice n’ slow.”

“mmmphm!” you unintentionally lift your hips so towards his fingers to somehow try and get more friction, more pressure to- “yuuup, now you try.” jj interrupts your hazy thoughts, grabbing your wrist to lead you in rubbing your clit.

and once you begin, under his instruction, you bite your lower lip and apply bits of pressure while you touch yourself. “feels really nice!…”

“want me to keep going?” he whispers,

“yes please!” ”okay now watch angel, move those cute panties to the side n’ then- i’m just gonna use one finger.” jj carefully and ever so gently moves your panties to the side to get access to your dripping hole. then when finally starts to dip his finger in to start, you feel the stretch- slight but still present. “ohmygod!” you gasp, his finger curling up to find your g-spot, you quickly cover your mouth with your hand to keep you from yelling out again.

“s’just one! then move it iiiiin and ouuut-” he reassures you, “feelin’ okay?” and all you can do is nod, hand still covering your mouth. your little noises bouncing off the walls of your bedroom, his whispered praises, the ‘shlick-shlick’ sound your pussy makes with each in-and-out motion of his fingers….“hear that? little pussy makin’ sounds cause she’s all wet-” jj coos, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek.

“can you do another finger pretty please jay?”

“sure can…moving in and out easy breezy baby- and then see with your other hand you keep rubbing on your clit.” he nods his head in approval though he knows you can’t see him, trying to get you closer to your first orgasm.

“i feel like im going on a rollercoaster!” you squeal, your two little fingers focused on rubbing your clit as he showed you while he curls up two of his thick fingers into your warm heat- over and over. “yeah? shit your cummin’ already…squeezing my fingers so tight,” he smiles upon hearing your little moans and feeling how tight your pussy is clamping down on his digits.

“jay!! mphph!” you scream out, his free hand coming up quickly to cover your mouth and muffle your moans as you cum down hard on his fingers. “shhhh sh sh, came down real haaard chickie, atta girl.” he licks his lip and continues to slowly thrust his fingers in and out before he slowly slips his fingers out of your cunt.

“feel like my pussy has a heartbeat…” you breathe out, trying to turn your head to look up at him, trying to re-ground yourself.

“she’s all sensitive-” he smiles down at you, re-adjusting your panties as they were. and all you do is look at him in admiration, feeling so lucky to have him here with you and what kind of a friend would you be if you didn’t help him feel as good too? a small slime graces your face when you get up to crawl away from him and turn to face him.

“thank you for helping me jj, you're always so nice and gentle- i wish there was something i could do to help you…”

♡ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ౨ৎ ‧₊ .ᐟ

#lenepilar'sobx!⋆₊ ⊹#boynextdoor!jj #sexilene.com #jj maybank prompt #jj maybank thoughts #jj maybank x reader #jj x reader #jj maybank #jj outer banks #jj x you #jj thoughts #jj obx #jj maybank smut #jj maybank imagine #jj mayback x reader #jj mayback imagine #jj maybank x you

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cutielando · 10 months ago

Text

love in a bakery | m.s.

social media au

synopsis: in which Mick falls in love with a baker

my masterlist

liked by mickschumacher, francisca.cgomes and 103,594 others

yourusername ahhhh!!!! a dream come true!!! my very own bakery, my dream ever since i was a little girl!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

view all 29,184 comments

francisca.cgomes sooooo proud of you babe❤️❤️❤️

yourusername ugh i love you !!😭😭

mickschumacher seeing you in your element has been my favorite thing to see. forever proud of you, liebling❤️

yourusername i love you mickie 🩵

mickschumacher i love you more

user1 YES FINALLY!!!!

user2 half of her sales are gonna be generated by me🫠🫠🫠🫠

user3 i just went there this morning!!!!🤭🤭

user4 OMG HOW WAS IT?????

user3 ugh she's so sweet. her pastries are the best thing i've ever tasted. it was packed even this morning, but she took time to make small talk with every single customer and was overall really nice and thoughtful🫣❤️

user5 was Mick at the opening?

yourusername he was!! albeit very hidden away because he "didn't want to steal the spotlight away from me", but he was there!!🥰

user5 we love a supporting Mick🥹🥹

user6 is it normal to feel jealous of Mick for bagging her?

mickschumacher yes.

user6 BAHAHAHAHA MICK

landonorris where is my package? 😔

yourusername almost finished, slow your horses

landonorris i thought you'd forgotten about me

yourusername you spam mine and Mick's phones every day. i couldn't forget if i wanted to

landonorris 😁😁😁😁

corinna.schumacher so proud of you, dear ❤️

yourusername you’ve been the biggest help, thank you for everything that you’ve done for me ❤️❤️❤️

corinna.schumacher you have a gift, people will be lucky to have a taste of your pastries ❤️

yourusername 😭❤️❤️

mickschumacher added to their story

caption: woken up with a lot of love this morning <3

liked by yourusername, estebanocon and 2,194,582 others

mickschumacher special guest in the paddock with me today ❤️ tagged: yourusername

view all 302,594 comments

yourusername i love you🫶🏻🫶🏻

mickschumacher i love you and your pastries🫶🏻

yourusername is that why you keep me around?

mickschumacher basically

user1 OMG DID SHE BRING PASTRIES TO THE PADDOCK?🫣🫣

user2 I'M DEAD she's so precious😩😩😩😩

landonorris thank you for the package😁😁😁

yourusername i'm glad you liked it

landonorris my trainer might want to have a word with you later😆

yourusername thanks for feeding me to the wolves

mickschumacher don’t worry babe, i’ll protect you

charles_leclerc Y/N should receive an award for baker of the year👏👏

yourusername thank you, charles. did you like the eclairs?

charles_leclerc i did...

yourusername wonderful😋

user3 not y/n making fun of charles' name😭😭

user4 i need to taste her pastires. IT'S A MUST🫠🫠

lilymhe she's an absolute goddess🩵🩵🩵

yourusername you're too kind lils🩵🩵

kellypiquet P is in love with Y/N now🫶🏻

yourusername precious little P🥹🩵

maxverstappen1 you're gonna get all of us fat🫣

yourusername don't blame this on me. i just brought them, i didn't make you eat them

maxverstappen1 but they looked so good...

mickschumacher stop attacking my girlfriend😠

user5 mick's instagram is slowly becoming a fan page for Y/N and i'm here for it😩😩

mickschumacher can you blame me?

user5 absolutely not. completely valid

yourusername i'm just too perfect😋🥰

mclaren we'd like to submit a request to have your pastries at our motorhomes from now on

mecerdesamgf1 so would we

redbullracing same here

astonmartinf1 put us on the list

mickschumacher OKAY WE GET IT

yourusername that's a whole load of pastries to bake

user6 every team on the grid has fallen in love with y/n and her baking

user7 watch y/n dominate the entire paddock from now on

liked by mickschumacher, lilymhe and 392,185 others

yourusername my forever favorite company❤️ (look at my precious pookie angie😭😭❤️❤️❤️) also taking a little break from baking because Mick thinks i'm too involved or something tagged: mickschumacher

view all 85,193 comments

mickschumacher i sometimes think you love Angie more than you love me

yourusername that's because it's true

mickschumacher ......

yourusername love youuuuu

mickschumacher you do bake too much lately

yourusername my demand is high. i'm just that good

mickschumacher ugh

lilymhe you’re so pretty 😭😭😭

yourusername staaaawp you’re gonna make me cry😭❤️❤️

landonorris how are my croissants doing?

yourusername you realize i do have a life, right?

landonorris i do. now, the croissants?

yourusername ….

yourusername almost ready

landonorris 😁😁😁

charles_leclerc we cannot wait to see you at the paddock again, y/n😃

mickschumacher are you using my girlfriend to get sweets?

yourusername be nice, mickie

yourusername charles_leclerc don’t worry, i’ll bring you the eclairs as soon as i get there

charles_leclerc you’re the best☺️☺️☺️

user1 the drivers being obsessed with mick’s girlfriend was not on my bucket list for this year 😅😅

user2 she’s being so sweet to the entire grid 🥺🥺

maxverstappen1 P can’t wait to see you either

yourusername my precious sweetheart 🥺🥺❤️

user3 at this point, everyone loves Y/N more than they love Mick🤣

alex_albon that dog is really cute

mickschumacher she is a beauty, isn’t she?

yourusername do you think your pets would be up for a play date?

alex_albon we can arrange something. as long as you bring some cupcakes 😁😁😁

yourusername deal

user4 they look so cute together 😭😭😭

user5 that dog is their child, nobody can change my mind

lilymhe i miss little angie so much😭😭

yourusername she misses auntie lils as well 😭

alex_albon we have so many pets and you're missing someone else's dog?

lilymhe YOU DON'T GET IT ALEX

yourusername MEN.

mickschumacher you messed with the wrong people Alex

alex_albon 😟😟

liked by yourusername, mickschumacher and 493,185 others

mercedesamgf1 Very big thanks to yourusername for providing us with the best pastries in town!!!❤️ tagged: yourusername

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yourusername always happy to provide for the team❤️❤️

mercedesamgf1 ❤️

mickschumacher this is getting out of hand

yourusername relax mickie, it's my job, you know

mercedesamgf1 yeah mickie, don't interfere with the job

landonorris you made mine with papaya cream

yourusername extra special dose of love and kindness for the team

georgerussell63 MINE WAS SO GOOD

yourusername i’m glad you liked it georgie 😁😁

lewishamilton Roscoe was so happy when he saw the cupcake of himself

yourusername his was made with an extra dose of love 😭😭

mclaren thank you yourusername for the delivery!!! you can mark us down as regular clientele from now on 🥰

yourusername of course you guys 🥰🥰

mickschumacher you people do realize she needs to breathe, right?

mclaren no

redbullracing no

astonmartinf1 no

mercedesamgf1 you have a problem with us?

mickschumacher …no

maxverstappen1 P cried from excitement when we showed her the cupcake with her 😩

yourusername 🥺🥺🥺baby P is my favorite client

mickschumacher didn’t realize i would have to share my girlfriend with the rest of the grid…

mercedesamgf1 make peace with is, Mick. your girlfriend is now our girlfriend

yourusername ☺️☺️i love it when you fight over me

user1 this is actually so sweet of her 😭😭

user2 the fact that she spent so much time making these for them just proves how perfect she is ❤️❤️❤️

user3 how did her and Mick get together?

user4 hahahaha funny story. they actually met in a little bakery in Mick’s hometown, ordered the exact same order and then started talking and here they are almost 3 years later

user3 that is so sweet and so fitting for Mick 😭😭

user5 if Mick doesn’t marry her, i will

user6 mickschumacher can you fight?

mickschumacher for her, yes. bring it

user7 mick willing to fight over Y/N’s pastries 😭😭

comments and re-blogs help us grow!

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hanckocks-dagger · 6 months ago

Text

(In other words)

masterlist

John Hancock x gn!Reader

Description: While high on Hancock's couch, you get ready to tell him you're leaving Goodneighbor tomorrow. Trouble is, the thought of kissing him just keeps distracting you.

Tags: First kiss, getting together, Hancock is a simp. Reader could be viewed as SoSu or not. No pronouns used for reader, no use off y/n

Warnings: Recreational drug use (jet), smoking, canon typical swearing.

Cross posted on my ao3!

You were leaving Goodneighbor tomorrow. Sitting idle made you antsy, and it had already been several days since the urge to wander had struck. You'd only stuck around because... well.

"You want another hit?" Hancock asked from the other end of the couch, head lolling on the back of it, dark eyes turned to yours, canister of jet held out to you.

After a long moment of consideration, your jet-addled brain working overtime to comprehend, you shook your head mutely. Hancock shrugged his shoulder and stuck the canister into his mouth.

"Fhoot-eulf," He said incomprehensibly around the spout, then pressed down on the mechanism. His whole body sagged further into the couch, somehow managing to look even calmer than he had after the last three hits of Jet. Even if ghouls really did have higher chem resistance than lowly humans like yourself, you were sure Hancock topped them all. You'd had one Jet to his four, and he'd also spent the morning working his way through a Brandy bottle, which you'd always found made your heavy-limbed high feel a little more like paralysis than a comforting buzz.

Probably a good ten seconds after Hancock had spoken, you let out a muffled, "hmm?", cheek smushed into the couch so you could keep staring at him.

Those black eyes, momentarily distracted by the Jet in his hands, turned to find yours again, crinkled at the corners. His smile, ever charming, lingered on the verge of turning mean. He did like to tease you about being a lightweight.

Instead, he leant to the edge of the couch and hooked you by your socked feet, tugging them into his lap, dragging you a few inches closer to him.

"Nothing, sweetheart."

He patted one of your knees placatingly, the way one pet a startled a horse. Or (you thought, a few painfully slow seconds later), that was to say, the way one used to pet a startled horse. Seeing as they were extinct now, or possibly mutated into something hideously unrecognizable.

Hancock's hand, warm on your knee, disappeared after a minute. Or after a few seconds, seeing as trying to keep a grasp on time on Jet was a losing game. He dug into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Ever generous, he offered you one. You nodded, but could seem to make your hand rise up to take it from him.

He grinned, placing it between his lips. You wanted to disagree with this, but your vocal chords didn't want to respond either, and no words were coming to mind anyway. Sober, you would realize these were the classic signs of the Jet comedown, that momentary disconnect between body and mind, which unnerved you enough to take a few days off before finally succumbing to Hancock's next offer.

High, though, you were left to watch as Hancock raised the lighter to the cigarette, lighting it with a deep inhale, before plucking it from his mouth and passing it over. He blew the smoke teasingly into your face, laughing when you scrunched your nose in distaste.

"All the drugs a person could need. A warm bed, semi-clean streets." He said, a new cigarette between his teeth, "Honestly, I don't know why outsiders are always badmouthing Goodneighbor. Best fucking place in the Commonwealth."

Slowly, like an overloaded computer rebooting, your body came back online. You picked the cigarette from your lips, flicked ash from the end of it, ignored the thought of how it had been in his mouth before yours.

"You might be a bit biased, Hancock."

He laughed back at you, gravelly, that mix of ghoul and smoker and just pure... him.

He had been dropping these comments increasingly over the last few days, probably picking up at your unease. It was probably why he had suggested the two of you stay up in his office getting high for the night instead of going down to the Third Rail. Crowds made you antsy, the heat from bodies and the din of echoing small talk reminding you all the more of the open, fresh air you were missing.

Hancock was clever, he knew what was coming even without you spelling it out for him. Over the months since you'd discovered Goodneighbor, you'd been crashing in the Statehouse whenever you found your way to this area of Boston, preferring it to the stifling atmosphere of Diamond City. (Or so you told yourself, the truth might be you preferred the company).

He also clearly knew some of the affinity you held for him, the way you'd let him charm you into sticking around almost a week after you'd planned to leave.

"Still," He said, "One of the better places to be, hmm? Well, as long as you stay on the Mayor's good side." He winked at you.

Yet, he was too proud to come right out and beg for you to stay.

You could always ask him what he wanted. But you worried that his answer might be enough to sway you.

"Oh yeah," You deflected instead, ignoring the spark his wink shot down your spine, ordering your traitorous heart not to beat faster. "Heard the guy's a bit of a dick."

"Oh, he's a lot worse than that," His hand snuck back onto your leg, making a slow path up your calf, "But not to pretty things like you."

It was your turn to laugh, ignoring the heating in your cheeks, ignoring the goosebumps his touch left in it's wake. "John," You said, mock scandalized, "I thought you were an intellectual. Is a pretty face really all it takes?"

He had been slowly easing closer to you, or maybe he had been pulling you closer to him. When he leant over to stub his cigarette, his shoulder brushed yours.

"'M not easy. But I'm smart enough to know that when you find something this pretty in an ugly world, you hold on tight." He'd moved in close, hand reaching your upper thigh. With the other, he plucked the cigarette from your lips, down nearly to the filter, and flicked it to the side, not breaking eye contact. You could feel his breath tickling your nose, smelling like cigarettes and the slightly metallic taste jet left in your mouth. It made you lightheaded, entire mind screaming that he was about to kiss you, finally, after months of flirting and opportunities neither one of you had taken.

Instead, though, he squeezed your thigh and pulled back, eyes trained on you, a curious glint in them, like he was watching your reaction.

For just a moment, like you were a magnet following his pull, you followed after him, hand sliding downwards as if to bring his hand back to where it had been, keep it there, keep him there.

Then, the rational part of your brain, offline since before you'd accepted that hit of Jet, kicked in, screaming at you about everything that could go wrong. Taking this from a friendship to... something more would complicate everything. You didn't have the time or the energy to spend on a relationship, you didn't want to be chained to a settlement. If word got out about your... whatever it would be, you might lose out on deals with some of the seedier members of the community, you might lose trust with others. In other places, a relationship with a Ghoul might even be enough to have you barred from entry.

But, a traitorous voice from the back of your mind whispered, none of those really mattered. The truth of it was, after everything that had happened to you, if you were to let this go any further and something were to happen to him, it would break you.

So, you pulled back, shutting your eyes and taking a steadying breath. Your hand, halfway to grabbing his, stopped and balled into a fist, dropping back to your side.

You wracked your brain for something to say, something joking to diffuse the tension and return things to the way they were.

You heard Hancock shift besides you and allowed yourself a little breath of relief, assuming he'd gotten the hint and backed off, tired of waiting for someone who chickened out at every opportunity.

Instead, though, you were surprised to find his warm hand on your cheek, felt the corner of his hat press softly against your forehead. You opened your eyes, found him looking at you, almost desperate.

"Maybe I'm wrong," he started, voice pitched low and quiet, less sure of himself than you were used to, "In which case you just tell me. But I get the feeling it ain't that. I see the way you looked at me. I know you know how I've been looking at you."

You swallowed, traitorous body responding before your mind can butt in. You nodded, hand coming to grasp onto his bicep, wanting more than anything for him to move closer, to remove the patch of air the two of you were both breathing.

"So tell me," His voice had dropped to a whisper, like he was speaking with a startled animal. "Why won't you kiss me?"

You exhaled, a shaky thing. For some reason your eyes stung, and suddenly you were fighting off the urge to cry. Your grip on Hancock's arm tightened, not wanting him to let go.

Words escaped you, but you worried he'd take your silence the wrong way. You used your free hand to move the front of his hat high enough that it wouldn't poke you and leant your forehead to his. You shut your eyes again, partly to hide the tears that you couldn't seem to stop from forming, partly to embrace the moment better.

Hancock's thumb stroked slowly across your cheekbone. He whispered your name. Worried your voice would break, you nodded against him, eyes still squeezed shut, afraid of moving from this moment, of going forward or pulling back.

Quiet, he said, "Please kiss me."

You dug down, finding the person who sleeps under the open sky of the wasteland, who fights off hordes of ferals, sneaks through Gunner camps, takes on Deathclaws and survives.

You pressed your lips to his.

Warm, softer than you had envisioned, just like the man himself. Hancock's other hand rose to your cheek, so he was cupping your face in his hands, pulling you even closer. You let him take the lead, tilting your head gently, licking against your lips. You opened your lips for him easily, your hands wrapping around the back of his neck, leaving the two of you chest to chest, you halfway in his lap as he licked into your mouth, ravenous as if he had been starving for you.

You never wanted it to end, wanted to spend every moment of the rest of your life pressed to him, feeling his hands on you, his lips on yours, his tongue exploring your mouth.

When the tears slipped out, you almost thought it wouldn't matter, thinking you could keep the kiss going, sure you would survive without breathing, so long as he didn't stop kissing you.

But then a hitching sob rose from your chest and you were pulling away despite yourself, tucking your wet face into the crook of his neck. His hands wrapped around your waist, settling you properly against him.

You swallowed any other rogue sounds, blinked rapidly to try to rid yourself of the tears, trying to pull yourself together so you could face Hancock again. One of his hands was rubbing soothingly along your back, the other having worked it's way up to your hair, gentle fingers smoothing out tangles, rubbing along your scalp.

It took longer than you would have liked to pull yourself together, and a bit longer than that to gather the courage to look at Hancock, sniffling lightly.

His smile was tight, self conscious, as if he genuinely believed you could have been crying because of his kiss.

You didn't even let him get through his dejected, "That bad, huh?" before you were spitting it out, desperate for him to understand that it wasn't his fault, "I'm leaving Goodneighbor tomorrow." You got it out fast, as if it left a bad taste on your tongue.

He blinked, insecurity fading from his expression, replaced by genuine confusion.

You continued, desperate to repair your faux-pas, to make him understand your thought process, why it would lead you to tears; "This just... makes it that much harder to go."

You ran your hand down his chest, anxiously fiddling with the stitching on his lapels, "Hanc- John, please believe me, I've been wanting to do that for fucking ages, I just-"

The gentle press of his lips against yours cut you off, a quick press of heat and then gone again. This time you did chase after him, managing to get in a peck against upturned lips before he was pulling away.

It was your turn to be confused, pulling back to look at his smiling face, wondering if all that drug use had finally fried his brain.

"That's what's got you so worried?" He asked, voice soft.

You blinked at him before giving a small nod, expecting him to tell you to just stay with him, pressure already building behind your eyes as you imagined explaining to him that you just weren't made for sitting idle.

"So, then, when do we leave?"

"We?" You whispered, not trusting your voice.

"If you're alright with delaying the departure a bit, I should probably wait for the ne'er do wells to sleep off the hangover to give a little speech, pretty sure it's bad form for the Mayor to up and vanish. Then again, it's me we're talkin' about, they should know better than to–"

You pressed your lips to his, partly from exhilaration, partly for him to shut up long enough for you to process the information he'd presented you with. You'd never considered asking Hancock to leave his town. In your mind, he was Goodneighbor, the very best of it.

You pull away, running a finger across Hancock's cheek, feeling the muscles jump under you as he gives you a soft smile.

"Are you sure?" You ask.

"Love, I'd like to see anyone try to stop me."

Notes:

Thanks for reading! Please leave me a comment, or request something, or just come chat with me!

#hancock #hancock x reader #john hancock x reader #john hancock #fo4 companions #fallout companions #fo4 hancock #john hancock x you #hancock x you #x reader #gn!reader #m!reader #f!reader #my writing

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webslingingslasher · 2 years ago

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how about something where peter and reader are having sex but reader gets a bad calf cramp midway. peter tries to help by massaging the leg but he's just laughing really hard. overall v funny and crack. love your work btw!

w: smutty smutty, a little name calling.

Your arms are glued to Peter’s while he thrusts into you, you grip him tightly trying to keep him close. The sheen that covered his body made him both sticky and sweaty.

“Fuck!”

The back of your head rubs against his pillow, his hands push higher on the backside of your knees, you’re fully spread open and he continues to push further, you’ve never felt him so deep.

“Baby, you’re… fuck,” you can’t even compliment him, you’re a million percent cockdrunk at the moment.

You could kiss your left knee with how high Peter had it pushed up, he grunts at the new angle and thrusts deeper. You shoot out a cry of pleasure, his words come out between clenched teeth.

“So good, you’re doing so good for me.”

You whimper and whine along with his praises, you’re so lost your words tumble out.

“Thank you, thank you, you know me so well.”

Your boyfriend grunts but a smile takes over, he slows down and puts a hand on your cheek. Your mind races but his touch grounds you a little, you push your hips into his, trying to get back the momentum.

“Are you thanking me for fucking you?”

You try to clasp your hands around his neck and he narrowly misses, you roll your hips into his taking control.

“You were being so nice, now you’re being mean.”

A sarcastic pout takes over his face, he pushes his body down, anchoring himself into place with an arm by your head, the other hand takes your leg to push it over his hip. In one fluid motion he thrusts into you hard, you lose your breath and gasp against the pillow.

“This what you wanted? Wanted me to fuck you hard and deep?”

He keeps going, drilling in and out and your mind spins with pleasure.

“C’mon, baby. Said I was being mean, is this better?”

Your fingernails pierce the skin on his shoulders, your boyfriend's aggressive words made you slicker, you can hear the difference in sounds and know he can feel it on his end.

“Like that? You like when I make you needy? Like you’re a dirty slut who-”

A punch to his chest, panicked words usher from your mouth.

“Out! Get out of me!”

He didn’t mean to take it that far, he thought you liked it, it felt like you liked it. Peter paused, his motions stopped but he didn't move.

Your leg had slipped down on his thigh and you were met with a wicked cramp that you needed to step down on to fix it, the pain and pressure was spreading up your thigh, a true life or death moment. You pushed at his chest to get him to move but he was frozen, you let out a yelp and threw his shoulders away the best you could.

“Get the fuck off of me!”

More aggressive than you meant but, fuck, charley horses were the worst cramps imaginable.

Peter finally snaps into motion and pulls out of you quicker than he normally would’ve, you hiss at the feeling but jump from the bed, he watches you with scared eyes. He shouldn’t have said that, called you a dirty slut, he was just talking in the moment.

The second you’re able to stand you deflate with air, the pulling motion eased. You finally had control of your leg back, it was tender as all hell from being locked up but it was your leg again. Picking it up and pressing your weight back down you felt ready enough to finish what’s been started.

You flop back down to the bed and open back up, “ready.”

Peter doesn’t move, you look down at the foot of the bed. His eyes are focused on yours, he looks scared.

“Are you-”

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking and it was a just in the moment thing and I didn’t mean it.”

You squint your eyes and look at his face, “what?”

Peter’s arms fly out to cup your face, you have squished cheeks and are forced to look in his eyes as he hovers over you.

“I don’t think you’re a slut. Like, at all.”

You bat his hands away, “I didn’t think you did but, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Well, now he has no idea why you threw him off.

“I thought you didn’t like it.”

You sit up with him, “calling me a slut?”

A nod, you retraced the steps and let out an “ohhh,” then shake your head and smile at your boyfriend.

“I had a cramp! I feel like you know how much I liked you saying that.”

Peter’s hand was thrown over his chest, telling his heart it can stop going so fast.

“I thought you did, but then I thought I went too far, thank god.”

You scoff and tilt your leg open more.

“Not far enough, now give my leg a rub down and fuck me like a dirty slut.”

His fingers dig into the plush of your calf, already tenderizing the area, “yes, ma’am.”

#peter parker x reader #tasm!peter x reader #peter parker blurb #peter parker smut #tasm! peter parker x reader #tasm!peter smut #peter parker fluff #my writing

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theblessedcap · 1 month ago

Text

A Weekend to Remember Part 2

I have to thank y’all for the love on part 1. Much appreciated 🩷

Here’s the link to check it out if you need a refresher:

Sorry for the wait but hope y’all enjoy part 2 of Terry and Siya’s Friday night ☺️🫶🏽

Warnings: smut 18+🩵, 420 friendly (as always lol)

Maybe some typos, my bad lol. Y’all enjoy!🥰

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Siya POV

Terry’s place always feels like home to me. Always so welcoming with his warm, vintage aesthetics but a touch of modern architecture and home decor that honestly makes me feel like I’m staying at a cozy fancy hotel.

“I’m on DoorDash, Babe. Tell me what you have a taste for” Terry says walking towards me in the dimly lit hallway coming from his bedroom where he put all my stuff for the stay.

“Hmm.. I’d love some bombass wings right now” I say scooting my feet to his plush couch to stretch out a bit from the ride.

“Wings it is. I’ll get enough for us to pig out. I know that tree we smoked got me ready to eat a whole horse” he responds with a cute little laugh, “let’s watch something while we wait for the food” he adds as he gently slides behind me to become the big spoon. Feeling his muscular frame pull me in made my skin instantly turn into fire. He still smells so damn good.

“You’re so warm” I say softly wrapping onto his arms.

“Yeah I finally thawed out from getting soaked outside on that bench” he says with a smirk tickling my rib cage.

“Babe!” I yell playfully almost forgetting that Terry already made me cum hard enough to wet him and the ground beneath me less than an hour ago. “Hey, I told you I felt bad about you being cold. I guess it was the weed..”

“It was the weed, huh?” Terry questioned sounding almost insulted that I didn’t give him all the credit for making me squirt. “Ok. Let’s see if you’re still saying that by end of the night”

I give him a quick side eye knowing I’ve just ignited Terry’s inner beast. He always loves a challenge. He catches my side eye and gives me a concentrated gaze with those light eyes in return. Feeling myself getting lost in his trance yet again, I turn my body to fully face Terry and all his handsomeness.

“It don’t make no sense for you to be as fine as you are babe” I say cupping his face lightly with my right hand, my eyes still locked on his.

“Well they say you mirror the person you love most.. so really I’m just a reflection of you baby girl” he responds in his low, rumbling tone. Sending shock waves straight to my already drenched pussy.

I can feel Terry’s hands starting to roam all over my ass and lower back, sending chills throughout my body. As if there’s a magnetic force within my mouth, I leaned into Terry’s plump lips without hesitation. I swear I can still taste myself a little on his lips and tongue. I let out a soft moan as our kiss intensifies, both of us grabbing at each other’s sweet spots. Terry’s hands full of ass and mine holding onto his neck as our lips remain entangled.

Without notice, I pull away from him to lift myself from the couch. I swing my leg over his built frame to straddle his waist. Terry instantly starts to slow grind his tented dick into my soaking panties. I lean over to devour Terry’s plump lips once again with a hunger that only enhances Terry’s need for me.

“I want you so bad right now Siya..” he whispers into my mouth while placing his firm hands on my waist to level me, “So fucking bad..”

“Shhh, let me take care of that Daddy”

I reach down to Terry’s waist band on his joggers just enough to let the thick tip of his already glistening dick appear. With a mischievous smirk I lower my body down, like a lioness approaching her prey, ready to take every inch of Terry into my yearning mouth. Slowly, I pull all of Terry Jr out of his boxers and admire the veiny, delicious girth and length of my man. Just looking at Terry’s dick makes me drool. Without pause, I lick the very tip of his dick to taste the precum already dripping from him.

“You taste so good babe” I whisper before opening my mouth wider to take a few inches of him down my throat. Terry let out a low hiss of approval.

“Aw Damn, Siya..” Terry groans placing his hand on the back of my head as my neck starts to bop up and down, “you got my dick too fucking hard right now”

Terry knows I love when he talks to me while I’m giving him head. It just makes me go harder on that dick of his. I made sure to wet up every inch of his thick member, spitting and slurping before taking Terry deep into my mouth to allow the walls of my throat to stroke him. Picking up rhythm, Terry’s grip on my head turned into a fistful of my curls.

“Goddamn that mouth of yours Siya.. you tryna make me nut all down your throat huh?” Terry moaned out tilting his head back giving me the signal that he was about to succumb to the sloppy toppy I’m giving him.

“Let me taste you Daddy” I plead to him before giving his dick one last slow lick from his sopping wet balls to his mushroom tip.

“Ohh fuuuuck” he moans grabbing onto my hair even tighter. I can tell he’s close. Abruptly, he pulls my heads away from his dick. “Come sit on it, baby girl”

I stand up from Terry to pull off my pants and panties and throw them to god knows where.

“Look at you.. so sexy” Terry confesses staring at me while I undress and straddle him again.

I tease Terry just a little bit by rubbing my swollen clit and moist entrance over the tip of his dick. “C’mon mama, stop playing.. been waiting to be in that pussy for almost two weeks”

“Aww you missed me huh babe?” I respond continuing to toy with Terry while slowly engulfing his thick inches into my pussy. My eyes locked in on his feline like orbs. I can’t help but hiss at the stretching of my walls Terry is doing as I rock my hips gently to get use to the massive size I’ve been away from.

“Ow shh.. shit you’re filling me up already Daddy”

“Mhmm I know baby” he says with his gaze fixed on his dick stroking in and out as I whine my hips on his waist. Picking up my pace, Terry’s hands found their way to my hard, aching nipples popping out of my shirt, placing soft kisses and circling his hands over my sensitive knobs.

“You feel so good Terryyy”

Terry POV

“Oh fuck.. that’s it keep bouncing on Daddy” I say keeping my grip on Siya’s waist as she lifts her wet pussy up and down on my dick. I can tell I’m hitting all the right spots as I watch her eyes roll to the back of her head. That just makes me wanna be deeper inside her.

“Turn around for me”

Siya says nothing as she complies and raises herself from my hard, soaking dick. As soon as she’s bent over on all fours, I give her one hard thrust so she can really feel how serious I am about being deep in her stomach tonight. I keep my hands on the smooth dips of her waist letting myself slide in and out of her.

“Ahhh! Faster baby!” Siya weeps out to me.

Without a second thought, I pushed my hips deeper and faster into Siya. All I can hear is the gushing of her pussy and panting of our breathing. Right here on my living room couch.

“Oh my god Terry.. I’m so close baby”

I feel Siya’s hand reach back between her legs to rub her clit as my deep strokes continue. She knows that shit turns me on.

“You ready to cum baby?” I ask whispering into her ear and slowing my pace again to slow, firm strokes.

“Mmhmm! Yes Daddy!” she cries back to me.

I tightened my grip on her waist to stabilize my dick deep in her walls to insure I hit the right spot. My only goal right now is to beat Siya’s pussy into the couch frame plain and simple.

“Ah! Oh my god! RightthereBaaaabe ” she manages to ramble out as I watch her body jolt back and forth from my strokes beneath me. It’s crazy.. all I can think about right now is her beautiful she looks when she sleeps. Probably because I know after this round, she’ll need to catch some z’s to recover. I can feel her pussy clinching up on me and getting closer to her climax. The loud smacking of our body snaps me back to the present. Siya’s about to drench me, I can feel it.

“Oh my god Terry I can’t take it!”

“What you holding back for, mama?”

*knock* *knock* *knock*

Someone’s at my door. Damn.

“Don’t stop baby, please!” Siya begs in a loud whisper.

“Fuck, baby I couldn’t stop if I wanted to” I say feeling the sweat run down my face. My eyes locked on Siya’s pussy gripping me something serious.

“Food delivery!” A raspy male voice yells through my thick metal door.

Neither one of us slow down our pace. I keep fucking Siya and she keeps fucking back with the strength she has left.

“Tell him you’re cumming” I whisper in her ear, gripping a small chunk of her curls to increase her arch.

“What?” She questions peeking back at me.

Frustrated with her not following through with my first command, I push myself into Siya forcing my dick to bottom out without warning.

“Oh! Fuck! Ok, I’m cumming!” She shouts arching her back some more for me.

“Good girl” I whisper back to her still pulling her hair back.

Whoever is at my front door is gonna hear how good I’m fucking my girl since they interrupted.

“Oh my god, I’m fucking cumming” Siya professes with a single tear falling down her face. My girl is getting fucked into oblivion right now and I can damn sure feel it too! Her walls tightening and shuttering around my dick. My pace still quick and steady. Suddenly Siya went silent, our bodies making the only noise to fill the room. Then, like a dam opening its flood gates, Siya starts to squirt and soak my dick more than I could imagine, bringing me to my own climax and releasing my nut into her quivering pussy.

“Fuck Siya..” I whisper breathlessly trying to gain composure.

I feel her body shake and collapse below me as she softly whimpers from her powerful orgasm.

“You okay baby?” I ask genuinely concerned from her quietness.

“Yeah.. Im great, Babe. I just need a sec. That was fucking amazing ” she says breathlessly.

“I guess you can say it’s not just the weed now, huh” I joke with her while standing up from the couch to grab my boxers.

“Oh hush! You couldn’t wait to say that” Siya says giggling and throwing a pillow at me to hide the fact that she’s blushing.

“Eh hello?! You guys sound real busy. I’ll just leave your wings here.”

Both of us look at each other, bursting out laughing realizing that we’ve completely forgotten the poor delivery man listening to us fuck from the other side of the front door.

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

After devouring our chicken wings and catching another episode of the Boondocks, I clean up all of our trash and straighten up so we can relax in peace. I can tell with it being a bit later that Siya is getting a little sleepy. Knowing her usual routine, I leave her in the living room to go to my bathroom and start a hot shower for us.

“Babe, go get undressed and hop in the shower. I’ll be there in a minute”

“Ok Daddy” she replies before giving me a soft kiss on the cheek and disappearing into the bathroom.

I grab the TV remote for my living room flat screen and search the Great Gatsby movie. Siya is a sucker for this movie (and for Leonardo DiCaprio but she won’t admit it) and she was just telling me how she’s been meaning to watch it again but hasn’t had the time. Well, I’m making that time for my lady tonight. I also added her favorite wine to our DoorDash order without her knowing and hid it in the fridge. I quickly pour two glasses for us to have ready for after the shower.

As I head to my room to undress and put my dirty clothes away, I hear Siya connecting her phone to my Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom. I start to hear a familiar tune blasting from the system, Siya’s played it for me a few times.

I can hear her singing along as I approach the bathroom door and open it. Steam hitting my face causing me to squint as I look in Siya’s direction through the fogged up glass shower doors. There she is, letting the hot water submerge her and swaying her hips to the smooth r&b beat playing. I stay silent not to startle her and to admire her beautiful body a little longer.

“Ahh! Terry you scared the shit outta me” she shouts holding onto her chest.

“I’m sorry babe, didn’t mean to scare you” I assure her opening the shower door and joining her. I watch her eyes roam all over my body, causing my dick to stiffen up a bit.

“Damn babe.. it’s something about seeing you in the water” Siya says before biting her bottom lip, “so damn sexy”

“Oh yeah? Am I giving you merman vibes in here?” I joke back to her while passing her a wash cloth. I’d fuck Siya again right here but I want her to enjoy this shower so she can truly relax for the night.

“Babe I love you but mermen are missing thee most essential part of their anatomy.. and I needs that in my life”

We both crack up from Siya’s statement as we begin to lather our body’s in dove shower gel. I watch closely as Siya rubs and wipes her body. She’s so beautiful with the water drenching her hair forcing it to lay long down her back in soft waves. I can feel it that familiar tension brewing within me.. that hunger for my lady rising once again.

“Siya..” I whisper in her ear from behind her, slowly reaching my hand down to her pussy and starting to tenderly rub circles on her clit.

“Ooo Terry” she moans out letting her head fall back on my chest.

I can’t help it. Siya just does something to me, I can’t keep my hands to myself. I part from her body and lower myself to level my face to her waist. I look up at her as I slowly lift her leg over my shoulder, ready to devour her sweet pussy once again. I waste no time putting my face in her heated center, letting my tongue slide and glide up and down her entrance. I feel her fingers sifting through my wet waves as I make love to her pussy with my mouth.

“Babe, oh my god.. You’re gonna make me cum again..”

And just like that I could feel Siya creaming into my mouth and releasing everything she had left in her from earlier.

“Can’t get enough of you.. ” I say lifting myself from the shower floor and giving Siya a deep kiss so she could taste how sweet she is. I reach over her shoulder to turn off the water and then hand her a towel. “After we get dressed I got something for you”

Siya POV

We both depart from the bathroom to change into some comfy clothes to lounge around in. I tried to hide the fact that my legs were still shaking a bit from the way he was eating me out in the shower, knowing that would give him more ammo to devour me again but I’m genuinely ready to just chill and cuddle with my man.

I change into a cute pajama set and put on my spa headband to keep my hair in place while doing my quick bedtime skincare routine. I can hear Terry rummaging around his place while I stand over the sink in the bathroom rinsing off my cleanser.

“I’m almost done babe I’ll be out soon!” I shout out to him while applying my moisturizer, knowing I’ve been in here for a good minute.

“You’re fine, mama. Take your time” Terry yells back with that smooth voice of his.

Suddenly, while putting my skincare products back in my pink overnight bag, it hit me like a freight train.

“Fuck!” I start to panic looking through my bag.

I forgot my birth control at home! Fuck fuck fuck. I know it’s still sitting on my night stand where I left it.

“You good in there babe?”

“Ummmm yeah? Yeah! I’m ok!” I quickly respond to Terry trying to conceal my frustration. I swing the door open accepting that I’ve left a very important item at home more than a half an hour away. There’s Terry holding two healthy sized wine glasses. Just what I need right now to not let my mind wonder.

“Aww thanks babe” I say gently taking my glass from his hand, “is this what I think it is?”

“Yup your favorite. Pink moscato, got the strong kind you like too”

“You’re the best” I declare getting up on my tippy toes to give him a kiss.

“Come on, let’s go chill” he softly orders grabbing a hold of my hand and walking me from the bathroom back to the living room.

“Awww and you remembered Great Gatsby!” I say excited with a big cheesy grin.

“See, I be listening” Terry jokes with that cute mischievous smile of his.

We both get cozy again sitting next to each other on the couch, wine glasses in hand and pressing play on our romance film.

“I also rolled up a little something something if you’re cool with that, mama” Terry says taking a joint out of his pocket. I was starting to think that pocket of his was magic.

“Yeah.. light it up Babe. Plus I need to tell you something and the weed will help me get out of my mind about”

“What is it?” He asks, he face turning serious and focused.

“Well, I was so excited about this weekend and pretty much rushed with my packing. I forgot my birth control at home Babe”

Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautifullll

Lana Del Rey echoed from the TV speakers giving my statement some background music and making it a little less awkward.

We both fell dead silent for a few moments to stare at one another in deep thought. Terry and I know very well that he just filled me up in the same place we’re sitting in right now.

“Well, plan B is about to be our Plan A this weekend Babe. Don’t stress. Plus, I mean the damage is done” he chuckles, “and I’m for damn sure not wearing no condom fucking you, Mama. I need to feel that pussy when I’m in it”

His vulgarity slightly shocked me. He seems very serious about this.

“Thanks for making that super clear Terry”

“What? Im just saying” he chuckles again, “you don’t have anything to worry about. I know we both have a lot going on right now and it wouldn’t be a good time for a baby. But I also know that I love you and I mean, if it happens it happens. But I don’t want you worrying about that all weekend babe. I’ll have some plan b delivered in the morning for you”

“Thanks babe” I say exhaling deeply, “Sorry for panicking a little”

“It’s ok. I know you were trying to get ahead of it because you know I’m tryna drop another load in you before we knock out”

“Light the blunt Terry Richmond!” I playfully shout at him while giving him a love tap on his thick muscular leg.

“Ok, ok I’ll stop” he says giggling and reaching back in his pocket for a light, “I really do hope tonight’s been good for you, Mama. Just want to see you happy” he declares before flicking the lighter and inhaling to ignite the blunt.

“It’s been more than good, Babe. You’re so sweet” I say giving him a quick kiss.

“Now let’s get into this blunt and this movie. I’m gonna need it to keep my cool while you drool over good ol’ Leonard anyways”

“Oh please!” Siya laughs shoving my arm, “only man I’m drooling over is you, Daddy”

“See, that’s why I love you” I say kissing her cheek and passing her the blunt.

“I love you too.”

FIN.. until next time 🤍

#aaron pierre #terry richmond smut #black female reader #black female writers #terry richmond

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child0feden · 5 months ago

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LOVE UNDER MOONLIGHT

eagle flies x reader

- nsfw headcanons for eagle flies!

i really need to stop falling in love with extremely small side characters lol, hope you like this anon <3

- requested by anon | view my video game masterlist here

reading music recommendations: the deadly nightshade by daniel lanois - oh my lovely by daniel lanois

* 18 + content, please do not read if you’re a minor *

- i can definitely see eagle flies being into some hair pulling!

✩ obviously do not pull his hair too hard, just tug it a little as he thrusts into you because he cannot get enough of it…

- it is just that sharp bite of pain immediately followed by the immense pleasure of his cock being gripped so tightly by your warm cunt that really gets him, it always causes him to let out a deep groan right into the crook of your neck as his breath stutters against your skin

✩ he is pretty damn loud in bed, he is always letting out deep groans and moans along with some mumbled words of praise towards you

“ you feel good… so good ” ( he mumbles praise against your skin whilst kissing you most of the time, his breath stuttering and catching in his throat as he speaks )

- eagle flies really loves kissing during sex too! not even always on your mouth, he will place open mouthed kisses just about anywhere on your body that his mouth can reach

✩ usually his deep open mouthed kisses end up being placed on your chest, neck or shoulders! he will press his mouth against your heated skin and moan against it whilst planting the kiss

- when he is about to go down on you, because he loves treating you good and giving you the absolute most pleasure he can, he goes slow down your stomach and places soft kisses trailing down the skin before reaching your underwear, looking up at you and admiring your blushing face when you laugh quietly at how it tickles

✩ he really likes when you stroke his hair as he does this, he loves the feeling of you softly twirling small strands of his hair around your fingers as he kisses his way down towards your cunt

- when he cums, he will pull out! he definitely does want a family with you but just not right now, he has so much to deal with his father, the tribe and not to mention the army…

✩ you usually always know exactly when eagle flies is about to cum because his breath gets so incredibly laboured and he lets out deep hums, his mumbled words of praise become almost unintelligible and his thrusts become sloppier

- eagle flies goes at a slow and deep pace when fucking you, he always takes his time with you in the dance of such intimate passion, making sure he treasures his time with you and shows just how much he really loves you

✩ he really makes love to you, even during times when he is angry and upset at his father! that never causes him to be particularly rough during sex, he just relieves his anger with deeper thrusts and grips your hands tightly in his own, holding them down against the bison fur bed

- eagle flies likes to hold you super close during sex too, like he will always be leaned down so that your chests are pressed right up against each other as he slowly thrusts his cock into you

✩ he just really likes how your slightly sweaty skin feels against his, his hair dropping down and covering the sides of your face and how your body heat is through the roof because of what he is doing to you and the pleasure he is giving you

- he will only pull his body away from you a bit when you are reaching your high because he absolutely loves to watch your face change as it happens

✩ he just thinks you look so incredibly beautiful with your head thrown back and your eyes glazed over with intense pleasure, your mouth dropping open in a final moan of euphoric pleasure as he feels you tighten around him even more

- sometimes, eagle flies likes to take you away from the reservation to have sex!

✩ usually when it is dark and sparkling stars paint the night sky, he will help you up onto the back of his horse before taking you away to a small, hidden and secluded little lake before hitching his horse and stripping off his clothes as you do the same

- you always just clean yourselves in the lake at first, but it does not take more than a minute for eagle flies to gently grab your arm and pull you towards him, your naked chest pressed up against his as he looks down at you before leaning his head down slightly and pressing his lips against yours

✩ he will pull you up against from under your thighs, making you instinctively wrap your legs around his waist as he slips his cock into you with a relieved sigh

- the water ripples slightly as he thrusts up into you, burying his head into your neck and sharing moans with you, whispering in your ear about how beautiful you look naked and bathed in the moonlight

“ look so beautiful like this… so perfect ” ( those words are likely mumbled into your mouth as you share an open mouthed kiss, one of his hands dripping with water as he brings it up to your face and brushes your wet hair back behind your ear )

✩ the sounds of your shared sighs and quiet moans echo slightly through the surrounding woods, mixing in with the sound of cicada in the grass and fireflies softly buzzing past the trees

- i can see eagle flies quite liking to mark you up a bit too, with some hickeys and such!

✩ he does not see it as a sign of ownership or anything like that, he just likes leaving love bites on you, knowing that he is leaving you with something that will remind you of your shared night together for the short time the hickey will last

- eagle flies is very good with aftercare too! he will always ask if you are okay whilst gently caressing your hips and if you are hungry at all or thirsty, he is right on it! getting dressed before going to grab you a mix of berries and nuts or some freshly cooked meat <3

#requested ✩#eagle flies x reader #red dead redemption 2 x reader #red dead redemption 2 headcanons #red dead redemption x reader #red dead redemption headcanons #rdr2 x reader #rdr2 headcanons #rdr x reader #rdr headcanons #headcanons

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allaboutmaybanxx · 4 months ago

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Love. ps y/n

cowgirl!reader x jjmaybank

You had grew up in Southern Texas and learned a lot from your dad. Every day was great and every month your family had a festival with dancing, singing and horse riding lessons. It was fun every month but this month was different, You were drinking root beer and selling tickets so everyone can get in and there were only 5 left and there was this boy “hey, just one ticket please?” you look up from your drink and sat it down “of course” you say as you sign the ticket and grabbed a wristband “can i see your wrist please?” he gives you his wrist as you put it on his arm he smiles “have a good time, and if you need anything you can ask me” he smiles “thanks” after all the tickets got sold you were just watching after had got done cowboy dancing you were getting bored fast and you didn’t know why. “Hey?” you look at the same boy from earlier “oh hey!, did you need something?” you asked with a smile “no no no i’m fine but i was wondering what’s you name?” you look at him and take your hat off “my name is Y/N, what about you?” he smiles and scratches that back of his head and grins “JJ…JJ Maybank” you smile “so…jj are you having a good time at the festival?” you start walking towards the barns and of course he follows behind “yeah it’s pretty cool in Texas where they have these festival and shit” you look at him “really?, don’t other countries or cities do that?” you look at him with confusion, he chuckles “no, at least not mine and i live in Outer Banks but they only have festivals for those bitch ass kooks” your slightly widened at his words “oh, is kook a groups of people or a person or-“ he cut off real fast “ their like rich ass kids that get whatever they want, like stuck up little brats” you guys finally made it to the barn, you open the barn door “you know how to ride a horse?” you as you sat down on a chair snide the barn, he gets out of his thoughts “no…do you?” you nod and smile “of course, ever since i was 5” his eyes widened “five! that’s way to young, you have to shitting me right now?” you giggle “no i’m serious” he takes his hat off and sits next to you and looks at you for a while “your pretty..” and that’s when your heart started beating every five seconds and you could feel your cheeks turning red and and this warmth in your stomach. “thank you…” he smiles softly “i’m in Texas for a few days, you know maybe we should hang out” you nod “mhm…” and that’s when it all started You and JJ hanging out everyday until it was time for him to leave and it was like everyday you had someone other than your dad to talk to about your feelings and about your problems.

Today, JJ was meeting your parents and brothers but before that happened you and him went to go hang out at a park and you were making bracelets for him, “so have you ever been anywhere else but Texas?” you look at him “no… I love it here” he looks at you and clicks his tongue and stands up. You look at him “where are you going?” you follow him “you see the sunrise?” you nod at his words “yes, what about them” he takes a deep breath and speaks again “wouldn’t it be a good idea to have your first kiss here?” you look at him and you really looked at him to see if he was joking “your dead serious or your just joking around” he smile and takes your hand “i’m serious, i mean y/n your the most prettiest, creative, and amazing girl i’ve ever met and you make me feel loved and that i can trust you and i wanna make you feel all those things too” your heart warms at his words and your started to beating again but faster than last time “then, yeah you can take my first kiss” that’s all he needed was confirm and he was ready, his lips met yours and it was slow and passionate, his hand met your waist and the other to the back of your head, he pulled away with a grin and you bite your lip, “…woah… that’s was…very passionate” you say still stunned, he smiles and looks down, and looks back up at her and grabs something out his pocket “you know y/n for the 6 days i’ve spent with you, it was like the most important moments of my life and i want to keep them” he pulls out a ring and looks at her “she freezes in her tracks. you were kinda shocked but happy and jj was the most important moment in your life, he was handsome, funny, and a gentleman “is….that a no…” you snapped back to reality “yes!…yes please…” he looked at you and smiles, he picked you up as you giggled “jj put me down!” he puts you down and grabs the ring and puts it on your left index finger “i’m officially your girlfriend…” he looks at you and kisses you again “Mmm” you hum in kiss. And that’s the day when you fell in Love. ps y/n

#jj maybank x reader #jjmaybank #obx #outer banks #rudy pankow #i love you guys🩷#fluff #cowgirl!reader #x y/n

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hyperactively-me · 1 year ago

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Heyyy!!! It’s me again, DogHandler!Graves anon 😁😁 just for the heck of it, what if our dear Princess is riding her trusty steed out in the fields close to the forest’s edge. The whole time, she feels eyes on her as if she’s being watched. Right before she is attacked by a wild creature, Graves and his pack of dogs chase the beast away and now they both have to explain to King!Simon what they were doing with each other…. Out where no one could see what was going on? I love drama 😊😊😊😊😊

i really liked this prompt and the whole doghandler!graves character! i had a bit of a hard time conveying my ideas/thoughts for this prompt, and i've tried rewriting it, but this is the best i can do! hopefully you like it 🙏

king!ghost x reader -- forest's edge

You sit atop your majestic horse, her hooves rhythmically pounding against the soft earth beneath. The golden fields stretch out before you, the tall grass a sea of undulating waves, bathed in the warm hues of the sun. You revel in the freedom of the open air, the wind tousling your hair as you ride close to the forest’s edge.

Simon had been reluctant to let you venture too far, his concerns and protests echoing in your ears. He was not keen on the idea of you going out by yourself, especially since the attack, but you were adamant in your request. You reassured him that a simple ride by yourself posed no danger. Besides, you had his knife with you, and the knights and guards were not too far away. “I just need some alone time,” you had said gently. With a tender smile and a promise to return promptly, you convinced him of your safety.

Despite Simon’s initial reservations, you felt an overwhelming sense of liberation. The scent of blooming wildflowers and the earthy aroma of the field filled the air, permeating you with a deep connection to the land you ruled.

This is just what you needed after being cooped up in the palace for the past month and a half. As you ride closer to the forest, the scent of pine mingled with the fragrant wildflowers, invigorating your senses. You finally approach the edge, a canopy of ancient trees looming overhead, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air grew slightly cooler, and a subtle sense of unease creeps over you.

You shake off the feeling, trying to push it away, just thinking that it was residual anxiety from being attacked. Still, you can’t help but glance around, unable to shake the feeling that eyes were watching your every move. Undeterred, you urge your horse forward, the clopping of hooves accompanying the rustle of leaves underfoot. The forest’s edge murmurs with the distant call of woodland creatures.

Then, without warning, a chill runs down your spine. A primal instinct warns you of imminent danger, and your breath catches in your throat. Your horse, sensing your unease, snorts and paws at the ground.

A glance around reveals only the stillness of the woods, yet the sensation persists, an unsettling undercurrent in the air. Your hand instinctively tightens around the knife at your waist. The horse beneath you fidgeted, its ears flicking nervously as it senses the shift in atmosphere. Despite your attempts to dismiss the feeling, a quiet voice within you urged caution. The recent attack had left scars that weren’t quite healed.

With a frustrated huff, you decide to turn around and head back to the castle, hands shaking slightly with adrenaline and fear. Your horse seems eager to move away, its muscles tense beneath you.

Then, the air itself seemed to hold its breath. A guttural growl echoed through the ambiance, and your heart skips a beat. Your vision goes slightly blurry from fear, hands pulling at the reins of your horse. The wild creature, or another of its kin, emerges from the shadows, eyes narrowed and taking slow steps towards you. Panic tightens your chest as the beast lunges towards your horse, teeth bared in a predatory snarl. A strangled scream rips from your throat, and time seems to slow as the wild creature closes the distance between you and the safety of the open fields. Your horse rears back, and you lean forward to keep your balance in the saddle.

Before the beast could lay siege on your horse, a chorus of ferocious barks and snarls erupts. Graves appears with his pack of loyal hounds, galloping on his own horse with full speed in your direction. The dogs, trained for moments like these, leap into action, a blur of fur and teeth tearing into the beast. The wild creature, caught off guard by the unexpected counterattack, recoils under their relentless attack. The snarls and growls of the beast counters the disciplined barks of the royal dogs. The pack, fueled by their loyalty and training, forms a barrier between you and the impending threat. Graves swoops in, steering the skirmish away from you, ensuring your safety.

You back your horse away from the epicenter of the struggle, leading her away whilst you stroke her mane reassuringly, whispering praises in her ear. The dogs finally drive the wild creature back into the shadows of the forest, and you watch it retreat with a defeated growl, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

Breathing heavily, you watch as Graves and his pack secure the perimeter, ensuring that the danger has passed. The royal dogs, panting but triumphant, return to Graves’ side, their loyalty unwavering. Graves approaches you on his steed, concern etched on his face.

“Your Majesty, are you alright? Are you hurt?” Graves asks, his eyes scanning you for any signs of injury, his voice calm yet carrying an unsettling edge.

You shake your head, adrenaline still coursing through your veins. “No, no, I’m fine.”

You look at him, a surge of exasperation and frustration now washing over you. “I really don’t know how I keep finding myself in these situations,” you laugh humorlessly.

Graves offers you a reassuring look, his gaze locked onto you. “It’s the unpredictability of the wild, your majesty. A one-off occurrence, I’m sure.”

You sigh, guiding your horse farther away from the forest. The dogs circle around your feet, as if pushing you back home.

“I’m going to escort you back to the castle now,” Graves says, leading his horse closer to yours. The royal dogs fall in line, swarming around the feet of Graves.

“Thank you for chasing the creature away,” you say quietly, eyes fixed on the grass ahead of you.

Graves leans close over his saddle, as if trying to get a little closer to you. “It’s always my pleasure to serve, especially when it involves ensuring the safety of such a... precious ruler. And besides, it’s what the dogs are trained to do.”

You can’t help but feel grateful for the distance between you and Graves right now, as the last time you met him he was a bit too friendly with you. Although, he had now just saved your life. Oh god, what was Simon going to think?

“We don’t have to tell—”

“I must.”

You’re silent. You roll the thought over in your head once more.

You sigh, realizing that Graves is right. “You're right. It’s just... Ghost has been worried enough, and I don’t want to add to his concerns.”

“Worried or not, your safety is of utmost importance. The King wouldn’t want his wife to be hurt under the watch of a member of the guard? It’s my duty to report these kinds of ordeals.”

You glance at him, and his gaze is intense, almost unnerving. You tighten your grip on the reins, just desperately wanting to arrive home quicker, all thoughts of having a little bit of alone time vanishing. You’re grateful he stepped in; after all, he did save your life, but you don’t really want that to be held over your head.

As you ride alongside Graves and the loyal pack of dogs, the journey back is quieter than before. The golden fields seem less inviting, and the forest holds an air of caution. The sun dips lower on the horizon, casting long shadows that stretch across the landscape.

Simon is going to lose his shit.

. . .

The moment you both arrive at the castle, some stablehands take care of your horses. Immediately, you and Graves are off to Simon’s study to report what happened in the fields. You walk slowly on purpose, trying to delay the inevitable of Simon potentially blowing a fuse.

You happen to catch Soap’s eyes as you make your way down the hall. He flashes you a look of confusion, motioning to Graves beside you. You shrug, indicating that you’ll explain later. Soap pauses for a moment as if deciding whether or not to intervene, but he nods in understanding as you flash him a reassuring look and continues on his way.

The study door looms ahead, and you exchange a fleeting glance with Graves. His expression is unreadable, but you can sense a trace of tension. Taking a deep breath, you knock twice on the mahogany doors of Simon’s study, gently, as if already trying to calm his impending anger. Graves adjusts his clothes, tugging at his collar.

The low timber of his voice rumbles through the door, Come in.

Simon, in all his regal attire, stands up the moment you both enter. His eyes narrow at the sight of you accompanied by Graves. He sighs, moving from behind his desk to stand in front of you both.

“What happened?” Simon’s voice is stern, his worry evident beneath the hard surface.

Graves steps forward, his posture rigid yet composed, and begins recounting the encounter in the forest. Simon listens attentively, his face growing darker with each passing moment.

“It was an unexpected threat, but the dogs managed the creature. Her majesty is unharmed. I made sure of it.”

When Graves finishes his report, a heavy silence descends upon the room. Simon’s gaze shifts from Graves to you, his jaw clenched as the concern deepens in his gaze. The air is thick with tension, and you brace yourself for the storm.

“Is this true? Are you unharmed?” he asks, his voice hard.

You nod, giving him a reassuring look. “Yes, Simon. Graves and the dogs intervened in time. I’m fine.”

He nods, taking a moment to collect himself before speaking. He shifts his attention back to Graves, clearing his throat.

“I appreciate your, uh quick judgment, Graves. Thank you for ensuring the safety of my wife.”

Graves has a smug expression on his face, knowing that Simon has no other choice than to be grateful that he stepped in. Deep down, you knew Graves was only this giddy because Simon couldn’t be upset with him, and if it were any other situation, Simon would’ve reprimanded him.

You think that’s the end of that, but Simon continues speaking.

“However, I can’t help but wonder why she was with you alone in the first place, especially after what happened a few months ago.”

Graves clears his throat, seemingly caught off guard by the directness of Simon’s scrutiny. You shift uncomfortably, rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet. Simon’s gaze is still dead set on Graves. Graves begins to explain, carefully choosing his words.

“Your majesty, I was merely nearby with the dogs. I just happened to be training them, as the royal dog handler does. I spotted her majesty quite a while away, and alone, so I felt the obligation to ensure her safety. I couldn’t stand by and let harm come to her.”

Simon's eyes narrow, skepticism etched on his face. “Training the dogs, you say? Alone near the forest? Graves, you know the queen's safety is a top priority, but it seems you went beyond your duties. I thought I made myself clear.”

Graves scoffs, and you immediately tense beside him. “Would you rather me watch the queen be attacked and possibly killed?”

Simon’s jaw ticks, and even he knows that he’s being slightly unreasonable. He can’t exactly be mad at Graves. How silly would it be, being mad that he potentially saved the life of the queen? His stern expression deepens, and for a moment, it feels as if the air in the room has thickened. The tension between the king and Graves could be cut by a knife. Simon takes a step closer, his gaze unwavering.

“Okay, um, listen,” you begin, and both men turn to look at you with expectant eyes. Your voice breaks the silence that had settled in the room, and their eyes bore into you.

“I appreciate Graves’ quick response, Simon, really, I do. Things could’ve gone really bad if he wasn’t there. But, I’m also not sorry for wanting to have alone time. And before you can tell me that it was a bad idea to begin with, I am honestly willing to take that risk again. I understand that there’s always going to be risks of going alone, but at the end of the day, I need those moments for myself. I can’t be confined to the palace all the time because of fear. I trust myself to be cautious. This incident doesn’t change that, and I will not let fear dictate my every move.”

Simon’s gaze softens as he listens to your impassioned plea, but the furrow in his brow remains. Graves remains silent, a tense expression still etched on his face. Simon opens his mouth as if to say something, but he shuts it instead, saving the thought until after Graves leaves.

“Again, I appreciate your dedication to the safety of the queen, Graves, but there are protocols for a reason,” Simon responds, his tone measured but firm.

Graves remains composed, though a flicker of irritation shows in his expression. “Your majesty, I understand the concerns. I assure you, it was a matter of coincidence that I was in the vicinity. The safety of the queen is of chief importance to me and the rest of the kingdom.”

“Right. Of course. Thank you. But know, I won't tolerate any deviation that compromises my wife’s well-being,” Simon asserts, his eyes narrowing at Graves.

You pick at your fingernails absentmindedly, trying to ignore the way they’re talking about you as if you weren’t standing right there.

Graves nods stiffly, a curt acknowledgment of the king’s directive. “Understood, your majesty. My only concern was with the queen’s safety.”

With a final, scrutinizing look, Simon dismisses Graves from the study.

“Thank you again for your timely response. We’ll discuss this further later. I need a moment alone with my wife.”

Graves bows slightly and leaves, flashing you a look, the tension lingering in the air even after the door closes behind him.

Simon turns his attention back to you, his expression softening as he crosses the room to stand in front of you. There’s a mixture of relief and worry in his eyes.

“Are you really alright?” he asks, his voice gentle now.

You nod, grateful for the chance to speak with Simon alone. “Yes, Simon, I’m fine, I swear. Graves got there in time, and besides, it was really the dogs that handled the situation. I’m completely unharmed.”

He exhales, running a hand through his hair. “I worry about you,” he admits, his voice softer now. “I can't help but worry, especially after what happened before. With Graves, and with the attack.”

You approach him, running your hand up and down his arm soothingly.

“And it was just you and Graves?”

You wince at that, registering his pointed look. “Yes, it was. But he didn’t do anything. I would’ve told you the moment I saw you if he did.”

He grumbles quietly, pacing back and forth a few times before stopping and turning to you.

“It’s time you should have a personal knight. I should’ve done this months ago.”

You raise an eyebrow at Simon’s suggestion. “A personal knight? Really? I appreciate the concern, but isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Simon looks at you with a stern expression. “After what just happened, I think it’s necessary. I can’t have you wandering off alone, especially after the attack and now this. We need to take extra precautions.”

You sigh, realizing that arguing with Simon on this matter might be futile. “Fine, if it makes you feel better, but I don’t want a knight glued to my side every moment. Only when deemed absolutely necessary, from the both of us. And only when I’m outside the castle walls. Is that alright with you?” You question, standing your ground whilst stating your boundaries.

Simon nods in agreement with your boundaries. “It will only be necessary when you’re outside of the castle walls, alone. Of course, they’ll keep a respectful distance according to your desires, but they will still be there.”

“Okay, but, I don't want to feel like I’m under constant surveillance. I feel like it could get stifling real fast, Si.”

Simon sighs, understanding that finding the right balance is crucial. He comes closer and takes your hands in his.

“I understand, love. We’ll find a way to make this work without making you feel suffocated. I don’t want you to feel like you’re losing your freedom, but I also want you to see this situation from my perspective,” Simon reassures you.

You give him a small smile, appreciating his willingness to compromise, being the stubborn man he usually is. “Thank you, Simon. I know you’re just worried, and I appreciate that. We can figure this out together.”

Simon looks down at you, his eyes searching yours for reassurance. He takes a breath.

“I know you’re strong, and I respect that. It’s just that... time and time again, there’s always something happening that involves your wellbeing, and it’s… it’s difficult to deal with.”

You nod, knowing full well that he’s trying not to relive his past. He lost his whole family, blaming himself for their untimely deaths. He wouldn’t make that same mistake again.

You lean in, pressing up onto your toes to place a gentle kiss on Simon’s cheek. “I completely understand, Simon. We’re a team. I promise to be cautious, but I also need moments to myself. It doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for you thoughtfulness and protection; it’s just about finding a balance and trust.”

Simon looks at you with gratitude, his eyes reflecting a mixture of love and concern. “I trust you with every fiber of my being. I just want you safe, and sometimes my worries get the best of me. Just… promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I promise,” you assure him, leaning in for a gentle kiss.

- - - - -

(masterlist)

#simon ghost riley x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley x reader #simon ghost x you #simon ghost x reader #simon riley x you #simon ghost riley x you #simon “ghost” riley x reader #simon “ghost” riley x you #hyperactivelyme

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bcolfanfic · 5 months ago

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craving some soft domesticity and romance....do you have any h/cs for the young vets Clegan when they first set up house? who's the cook? who likes to decorate? what's their sunday morning routine? do they bicker over what to watch? who's the little spoon? etc etc etc <3

sweet babies. this is the zillow house i decided they move into once they find somewhere in sheridan and move out of staying with gale’s sister immediately after getting home post-war.

they’re there when they first get josie/convert the upstairs into her room- and then once the adoption is finalized they move somewhere a little bigger.

but that’s all down the line. to your actual prompt,

- gale copes with being back in civilian life by throwing himself head first into it. always cooking, kinda goes full throttle house husband mode for a while while he’s looking for work. john isn’t making him fill that role, it just helps him feel like he has all his ducks in a row. gives him something to focus on.

- not that john is complaining either. he thinks gale is so damn sweet. and loves getting to see that domestic side of him that it wasn’t even really possible to see overseas.

- john has some stuff in boxes that he took from wisconsin when they stopped through there that it makes him feel Good to put around the house. books, photos of him and his sister when they were little, a bunch of throw pillows and blankets and ~homey~ things that his mama kinda unloaded on him to take back to their house.

- the only way you’d know either of them were in the military just by walking around their house is if you were looking close enough to see a challenge coin holder on the tv shelf. the coins stay out because they look nice, but everything else goes into a drawer or a box. it’s mostly john’s doing- but gale is 100% on board. out of sight out of mind (: right (: loud incorrect buzzer

- their neighbors are a very sweet older couple with horses and are always inviting them to church. with the stipulation that we won’t let anyone give you boys any trouble, but they still opt to not go together and just go individually with those neighbors every now and then. they’re good boys and know those folks mean well.

- but if it’s a morning when both of em stay home they just take the morning real slow. sleep in, half asleep wander around in their pajamas. before john’s doing Bad and can’t be left by himself gale will sometimes go out and pick up breakfast from a little local place a couple minutes away to bring back to the house. brings it back home instead of the two of them going out to eat so they can stay in their jammies and eat on the couch and pet each others hair and snuggle <3

- gale is biggg into documentaries but john’s opinion on docs is that there needs to be some good Reenactment scenes or he finds it hard to pay attention lmao (me too buddy). when he has tv control he likes binge watching older shows. gonna project for a minute and say that he likes cheers (: and gets Passionate about how sam and diane’s plot line ends even when he’s seen said plot line like seven times.

- gale is the lil spoon most of the time and once john starts struggling with his mental health more those roles kinda reverse. but before that gale lovesss curling his lanky self as small as is possible for him and feeling john press up against his back. lovesss the sensory input of that. makes him feel grounded and safe (:

#young vets au #buck x bucky #clegan #mota fic

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callmelittlebuttercup · 8 months ago

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Peace Offerings Pt. 10

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader

Chapter Summary: Reader accidentally spends the night at Joel’s place, and Matthew is not happy about it. Later in the day, an inebriated Reader runs into Joel at the bar and makes it his problem. He gets her home safely and the two talk about the events of the morning. Reader feels like she’s getting somewhere, but the evening is cut short when she says something that sobers them both up.

Series Warnings: Extreme slow burn, Age gap (reader is 34, Joel is 56), 18+ Minors DNI, Sexual Themes, Violence, Injuries (depictions of blood, bruising, broken bones), Cursing, Grumpy!Joel, Minimal depictions of reader's appearance (hair color/length.)

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of domestic abuse, alcohol use, protective!Joel, respectful!Joel, drunk!reader, asshole!brother

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

Part Ten

“Ok, asshole. I’ll stay. But only if you share that with me.” I said as I caught sight of a full bottle of whiskey on the counter. His eyes followed my gaze and he moved to pick it up. He turned it over in his hands, and then popped the cork out of it before taking a swig. “It’s shit.” He said after swallowing. I grabbed it from him, “It’s better than nothing.” I raised the bottle to my lips and as the liquid hit the back of my throat I coughed, “God that is bad.” He took it back from me and pushed the cork in, “Told you, but you still haven’t learned your lesson.” I looked up at him and questioned, “What’s that?” He walked over to sit back down on the couch. “You still don’t listen.” I sat on the chair across from him, “Well I listen better than you do. You are half deaf afterall.” He pressed his lips together, “Even then, I can follow directions.” I rolled my eyes, “That’s cause you make ‘em. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. We can go our separate ways, remember?” I reminded him. The reminder wiped the sly look off of his face and he nodded. After thinking for a moment, he spoke again, “Seems like you’re not quite ready to though.” I raised my eyebrows, “And you are? May I remind you that you kissed me first, and now you’re practically begging me to stay the night at your house?” He cleared his throat and sat up, uncomfortable with the chokehold I had him in, “Again, I was lookin’ out for the horses. And you’d find some way to get yourself in trouble.” I bit my lip to stifle a smile and nodded, “Right.”

Joel occupied himself with tending to a small fire he’d lit in the brick fireplace that was adjacent to the furniture in the living room. I watched him as I sat on the chair and sipped the rubbing alcohol they called whiskey from the bottle. I couldn’t help but notice how his demeanor changed here. His serious and stoic nature had softened. He could joke around and not clam up after. Maybe it was finally having a sense of safety for once and knowing that his brother was alive and well. Or maybe it was the whiskey.

“Joel?” I asked as he grabbed the bottle of whiskey back from my hand and plopped onto the couch. “Hmm?” He grunted. “Who’s Sara?” His eyes flashed to me as soon as the name left my mouth. I stiffened. “How the hell do you know that name?” He asked, his tone darkening quickly. I needed to stop letting my curiosity, and liquor, get the best of me. His face dropped in realization, “Is that why you were hiding in the stable? To eavesdrop on Tommy and I?” He asked angrily as he set the whiskey down on the table with a loud thump. “No. No I swear- I really got pissed at my brother and was just trying to find a quiet place.” I explained frantically. He calmed a bit, but the accusatory look still inhabited his face. “What’d your brother do?” He questioned. I shook my head, “It’s stupid. Just forget my question- forget all of it.” We both leaned back in our chairs, letting the potential conversation marinate as we stared into the fire.

Finally, Joel spoke. “Sara was my daughter. Lost her on the day the world went to shit.” My breath caught in my throat, and my chest tightened. I couldn’t imagine the pain that had caused him, but it did explain a lot of things. “God- I’m sorry, Joel. I-“ I breathed. “Don’t.” Was all he had to say before I shut my mouth and prepared to do so for the rest of the night.

The warmth of the whiskey in my stomach and the crackling of the fire began to lull me to sleep. I heard Joel’s soft snores coming from the couch across from me. There was a perfectly good bed upstairs, but even after weeks of sleeping on the hard ground or pushing cushions together, we still chose to sling ourselves over living room furniture.

I jolted awake at the sound of a forceful knock on the door. Joel hadn’t heard it, he’d fallen asleep with his good ear facing down. I contemplated waking him up, but the knocks were getting harder and louder. Out of fear of handling the situation alone, I planted a hand on his shoulder which caused him to flinch and draw in a panicked breath before catching sight of me. “Someone’s at the door.” I whispered. He blinked a few times and sat up, rubbing his eyes. We both jumped as the knocks sounded again. “Dammit, I’m comin’!” Joel yelled as he pushed himself off of the couch and limped towards the door. I stood in the living room, almost certain the knocks were for me, but I knew I couldn’t hide long.

Joel opened the door and Matthew grabbed a hold of Joel’s collar and pushed him up against the wall. “Where’s my sister, Miller?” He growled. Joel’s eyes were filled with panic and confusion. He tried to signal for me to hide, but I wasn’t going to let my idiot brother hurt him over an innocent night of drinking and conversation. “Matthew, let go of him.” I called. His head snapped towards me and his hands dropped from Joel’s collar. “The fuck are you doin’ here with him, sis? We talked about this.” He said as he walked towards me. “You talked at me about this and didn’t listen to a word I said.” I answered coldly. “Oh I heard you. You said there was nothing going on between you guys, and clearly that’s a lie.” He seethed, “What happened to your nose? He beatin’ you already? Hmm.. he’s starting earlier than the last one did. James gave it at least a year.”

My hands balled into fists at my sides. He’d dug up a memory I’d pushed far, far back into my mind. I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat. My eyes flashed to Joel and his eyebrows were furrowed with that same pitiful look. “I fell, Matthew. I tripped in the dark while I was getting some fresh air last night and smacked my face on the ground. Joel was only helping me because I ran into him and my nose was bleeding everywhere.” He looked between Joel and I, and then settled his sight on the half empty bottle on the table. “So it took all night, and a half a bottle of whiskey to ‘help’ you.”

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms over my chest. I was 34 but somehow my older brother made me feel like a teenager again, in the worst way possible. “I drank it for the pain, got tired, and fell asleep in this armchair.” I explained bluntly. He nodded and walked back towards Joel, “That the truth?” Joel’s jaw was clenched and his fists balled in the same way mine were, but he nodded calmly. “All right then. I don’t mean to be all psycho on ya, Miller. My sister hasn’t had the best luck with male companions, and uh, you don’t have the best reputation around here. Just lookin’ out for her is all.” Matthew said in a patronizing tone before patting Joel’s shoulder and walking out the door.

I stood there for a moment, recovering from the blow of memories being brought up. I felt Joel’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t bear to look into them. I was in no mood to answer the questions that were likely circling his brain and kept my eyes on the floor as I moved from the living room to the door. “I gotta go… I’ll see you around, Joel.” I said quietly before stepping out onto the porch and pulling the wooden door closed behind me. I ignored the sound of it opening again and my name being called as I made my way down the street.

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks and an immeasurable anger burned inside of me. How dare my brother just march back into my life and act like he cares about protecting me. If he really cared he wouldn’t have left me. He wouldn’t have obeyed some random woman’s orders to cut off contact with me. Wouldn’t have thrown my past in my face over some man he didn’t truly know.

I caught sight of Matthew strutting down the street and towards his house. The last thing I wanted to do was speak to him, but if I was going to stay here, I needed to convince him that Joel wasn’t the man those rumors were about. “Matthew!” I yelled as I jogged to catch up with him. He turned around. As I caught up I placed my hand on his shoulder, “I’m sorry, but what the fuck is up your ass for you to think that you can just waltz back into my life after years and act like you’re my god-given protector or something? May I remind you that you were the one who left? You-“ he cut me off, “And I regretted it every day. Wished I could’ve turned back every chance I had.” My eyes widened, I was unable to process his sudden change in demeanor. “Then why didn’t you?” I asked. He lowered his head to the ground, “I figured you’d be safer in the QZ. My plan was to find somewhere better for us, and then bring you out. Didn’t want you risking your life traveling outside the walls for nothing, so I went first. Plus, I fell into some bad groups. I couldn’t have left if I wanted to.”

I stared at him, suddenly the guilt for being angry with him for all this time flooded my chest. He was trying to find us a better life, not just himself. But I still needed to understand something, “And how do you explain the over protectiveness?” I asked pointedly. “I don’t know… I just… when we were younger I saw you with all of these assholes. Always knew you deserved better. All of the men I’ve seen and heard of in this new world are twice as bad as they were then-“ I raised a hand to cut him off, “But Joel is not. I know you’ve heard things about him, but you can’t deny the fact that we’ve all done horrible shit to survive. I’m sure if someone heard what you’ve done- what we’ve done they’d think the same damn thing. Believe me, I thought he’d be just like those other men, but he proved otherwise.” I explained. He crossed his arms, “What makes him so different, huh?” I looked back towards his house to see that he’d gone inside. “He didn’t have to take me with him, but he did. Says it was for Abe, but now I’m just starting to think it was just out of the kindness of his heart. He shared what he had with me, protected me, even risked his life for mine on multiple occasions. I know words are just words, Matthew, but if you get to know him, you’ll see.” He followed my gaze to Joel’s house and then settled his eyes on me. “Do you trust me?” I asked. He nodded. “So you’ll stop being a psycho?” I asked again. “I’ll think about it.” He smirked, and turned to walk into his house. I took in a huge breath of relief before following him into the house.

That night, Matthew had dragged me to the bar to meet a few of his friends. I’d knocked a couple of shots back to calm my nerves from being in a big crowd which caused me to become a bit more social. I was deep in conversation with a woman who was almost as drunk as I was when her eyes were focused on something behind me. “Hey, that guy over there is staring at you, want me to fuck him up?” She slurred, almost falling off of her stool. I spun to look behind me, having to catch myself on the counter of the bar before making another circle, and caught sight of Joel standing against the wall beside the fireplace. He quickly moved his eyes away from me and began to speak to Tommy. I turned back to the woman, “Nah, I got it.” I slid off of the stool and started towards him. The ground felt like it was moving, and I tried my best to stay upright as I made my way over.

“Mr. Joel!!” I called. He raised his head, and his face dropped when he saw me nearing him. “My friend over there caught you staring at me. Do we have a problem?” I asked as I tried to crack my knuckles intimidatingly. I was too drunk to see the smirk forming on his face. He lowered a hand to my arm to steady my swaying. “I wasn’t starin’.” He grunted. I gasped dramatically, “And now you’re lying! ‘Cause I saw you with my own two eyes, pal. You are a liarrrrr.” My sing songy voice caused him to cringe, and he began to look around the bar. “Where’s your damn brother, you need to get home.” I pushed his hand away, “No, thank you. I am fine. More than fine. I’m gonna go dance. C’mon.” I grabbed the glass of whiskey out of his hand and began to tip it into my mouth before he wrapped his hand around my wrist and pulled it downwards. “You’re done.” He said, his voice took on a serious tone, causing me to become even less serious. “C’mon, Joel it just started to not taste like piss anymore.” He put the glass down on the mantle, and ushered me forwards by my shoulders. As I fought against Joel’s force, I became engrossed in the song that was playing and started to sing along to it. I eventually slipped out of his grip and turned around, wrapping my hands around his neck, “You gotta admit, this is a good fuckin’ song.” I slurred. “Jesus Christ.” He sighed. He rolled his eyes and his hands hovered around my waist. “Oh quit being a pussy.” I spat, and pushed his hand onto my waist. He quickly removed them and pried my arms off from around his neck. I stood there with a hurt expression on my face. He had officially become sick of my shit, and grabbed my wrist, pulling me to the door of the bar.

“Oo, where are we going?” I asked cluelessly. “I’m taking you home. Don’t want you doin’ anything you’ll regret.” He grunted. It was freezing outside, and I realized I’d left my jacket on the stool. “My fucking jacket!” I whimpered as I rubbed my arms up and down for warmth. He pressed his lips together and shook his own off his shoulders before wrapping it around me. “Just let me go get it.” I protested and tried to hand it back. “You’re not goin’ back in there.” He grumbled, pushing it towards me. I rolled my eyes and clumsily threw it back over my shoulders. The smell of him on the jacket warmed me more than the heavy fabric itself. “Thank you.” I said as I wrapped it further around me. He grunted and held out his hand for me, “You gonna make this easier now?” I slid my hand into his larger one and squeezed before sighing, “I don’t think I have a choice.”

Joel pushed open the door to Matthew’s house and called out for him, but received no response. “He probably followed some girl home.” I laughed and began to dig through the cabinets for another bottle of liquor. I found one, but Joel closed the door before I could reach up to get it. I shot him an annoyed look, but he ignored me as he took a glass and filled it with water from the sink. “Drink this for a change.” He said, shoving the glass into my hands. “I’m really fine, Joel, I don’t know why you’re going all guard dog mode.” I slurred before taking a small sip of the cold liquid. He said nothing, and perched himself onto a stool at the island. I stood opposite of him next to the sink. He was staring at me with an indecipherable look in his eye. “What?” I asked bluntly. He shook his head, as if shaking himself out of a trance and mumbled, “Nothin’.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Well from the way you’re lookin’ at me it’s obviously something.” He shifted in the chair, then gestured to the cup in my hands, “Drink some more water ‘n then we’ll talk.”

“Ok, I finished the glass.” I said as I slammed it back down onto the counter. “Good,” he said before standing up and beginning to walk towards the door, “Now go to bed.” I cocked my head, “That’s it? I thought we were going to talk.” He let his head fall towards the floor, then raised it back up towards me. “That was a bribe. Goodbye.” He turned to continue his exit, but I wasn’t having that and ran to stand between him and the door. “Not cool, Miller.” I said quietly, becoming shy with his intense eye-contact. “Come on, move.” He said , tapping my arm gently to try and usher me out of the way. “Joel, I want to talk to you. About what my brother said this morning.” I blurted. He paused, “What? That I’m a bad man? That I beat you? Yeah, I know he’s not a huge fan of me, so if he catches me with you again it won’t be pretty. I was just tryin’ to get you home safe. Now I gotta go.” I shook my head and pressed my hand on his chest, “No, Joel I talked to him.” I insisted. “What?” He tilted his head. “I…wanted him to know that you weren’t who he thought you were.” I said shyly. “What’d he say?” He asked. My heart fluttered when I realized he cared. He cared what my brother thought about him. “We can convince him,” I sighed before reaching up to run my fingers through his hair and let my hand rest on his neck as I spoke, “He was just being protective. He was never a big fan of my past relationsh-” I stopped myself. Joel’s neck tensed under my hand and I peeled it off to hang by my side. My body numbed with fear and sobriety as I saw Joel’s face change from his soft, yearning look to a hard one. I watched him build his walls back up in real time. “I mean… Not that we’re in a relationship, or going to be in one. Uh… its just, you know..a man and a woman can’t be in the same vicinity without people thinkin’ they’re…” I trailed off again, stopping myself from digging into an even deeper hole. I moved away from the door. “G’night.” He grunted as he pulled the door open. “Night.” I whispered, my voice drowned out by the wooden door slamming in my face.

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

Awwww shit reader, what did you do now?? Lmao

Thank you for reading! <3

Masterlist | Next Part

Tags:

@demonsasss @ashleyfilm @ayamenimthiriel

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supercalifragipopculturevomit · 2 months ago

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FINALLY caught up on TV shows I follow and watched new ones I’ve been meaning to check out…

Only Murders in the Building, season 4 (Hulu) – a perfect blend of crime, mystery, comedy, and heart: this is a certified comfort show. I don’t know how it keeps managing to expand the universe of such a niche podcast, but four seasons in, it’s still at it. And it doesn’t feel like a hasty expansion—something created out of popularity and demand—because all this time it’s actually been laying the ground for a much bigger arc. Steve Martin and Martin Short together are comedic gold—that’s a given; but Meryl Streep and Martin Short?? That’s an on-screen and off-screen pairing I didn’t know I needed.

Disclaimer* (Apple TV+) – this one’s difficult to discuss without spoilers but all you really need to know is it’s a psychological thriller written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón with Cate Blanchett at the helm. Parts of it feel clunky, with decisions made to force a narrative and serve a specific number of episodes, but if you can suspend your disbelief for that, it’s a meaty watch—heavy and triggering but also has you looking inwards and questioning your own prejudices. There is a gut punch of a line in the finale that will haunt you for the rest of your days, but it is worth watching the entire miniseries for.

Nobody Wants This, season 1 (Netflix) – here’s where they’re wrong: EVERYBODY WANTS THIS… everyone who was a teenager around 2005, anyway. My teen idol, Veronica Mars, with my teen crush, Seth Cohen, in a television rom-com?? 17-year-old me would have imploded from sheer joy and jealousy. Apparently, this isn’t the first time Kristen Bell and Adam Brody have played romantic partners, but since I didn’t reach the fifth season of House of Lies, this is the first time I’m seeing them together. And they are as adorable and as sexy together as you would expect them to be. The biggest surprise was how sharp the script is—this breed of rom-com is rare in this day and age.

The Franchise, season 1 (HBO Max) – this is a satirical comedy that pulls the curtain on the crazy shit a film crew—if they’re as unlucky as the Tecto team—has to put up with in the making of a superhero franchise. Would I have watched this if Daniel Brühl wasn’t in it? Maybe not. But I wouldn’t keep watching it if it wasn’t worthwhile. Created by the people behind Veep and Succession, it’s wickedly funny in a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of way. So, yeah, best watched with subtitles on.

Slow Horses, season 4 (Apple TV+) – in some ways this is your typical British spy thriller that has nail-biting action, an unexpected mole, and a tragic death but, in many ways, it isn’t. The spies are losers who aren’t easy to root for, but against all odds, they somehow always save the day. It’s ridiculous and brilliant and hilarious and I love it so much. On its fourth season, it proves that it still has much to offer—might be its strongest yet—with little seeds they’ve planted early on finally bearing fruit. Easily the most underrated show on this list.

The Day of the Jackal, season 1 (Peacock) – you know that episode in The Office (US) where they’re debating if Hilary Swank is hot or not? I had a similar one in my mind the entire time watching this—but with Eddie Redmayne on stand. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always liked him, I think he’s a phenomenal actor, but the most I would have ever described him was cute. This role had me seeing him in a whole new light though—not too different from when Benedict Cumberbatch took on the role of Sherlock. I don’t know if they’ve cast the new 007 yet but this could be the audition tape that puts him in the running. He’s SO GOOD that it’s easy to forget you're rooting for the villain. Redmayne’s Jackal has the steely precision of Jason Bourne, the disguises of Ethan Hunt minus the camp, and the sharp fashion and globetrotting lifestyle of a young and contemporary James Bond—what’s not to like? And, fuck yes, he’s hot.

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donotnomi · 3 months ago

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SLOW HORSES S4 FINALE COMMENTARY WITH HUGO WEAVING

source: this interview (worth reading using your browser's translation tool)

I’ve already translated the most interesting and curious parts and made a snippet list here for you. Enjoy and beware of spoiler from season 4.

How he got involved with the series – I was familiar with the books but hadn’t read them yet. When I got the offer to join the cast, I was still torn between intending to watch the series and actually doing it. I had heard so many glowing things about it, and I thought, “I really need to watch this,” but I never got around to it.

Since I had to quickly decide whether or not to join the project, potentially for more than one season depending on the character’s development, I dived into the first book to get a sense of the story, then the fourth and the ones that followed to learn more about Frank and understand what would happen after his introduction.

The changes between Frank in the book and the series – In the series, he’s more of a classic villain, but with a certain messianic aura. During filming, I kept going back to the original text to give him as much humanity and depth as possible. He’s intelligent, has a certain charm, is always calm and in control, and he’s very skilled at what he does.

Somewhere I read this guide for aspiring mercenaries: “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.” When he meets someone, his professional mind is already planning how to kill that person, if necessary. But I also sense a deep fatigue in him.

The pub scene with River – I love that scene. The whole season is built up to reach that moment, to that exchange of “Hello, Dad. Hello, son.” It was very exciting to film because Jack and I kept imagining how the audience would react to discovering the truth about River and witnessing this first-ever interaction between the two characters. I discussed the pub scene with Jack long before we filmed it, and we prepared for it for a long time.

As for Frank, I think he goes to that meeting driven by a mix of different desires. He really does want to meet his son and offer him a job, no matter how senseless or morally questionable that offer might be. At least by the standards of someone like River. But neither of them can deny the connection: River is Frank’s son, and Frank is River’s father. There’s a magnificent tension between them, culminating in Frank finding a way out through deceit. It leaves the impression that we might see him again.

River, Frank and the other 2 fathers - The grenade is not exactly the kind of gift a father gives to his son, no (laughs). I think with Frank, there’s this sense of training and testing River, giving him advice but also putting him in danger to see how he’ll handle himself. He’s a very dangerous father, and that’s what makes him so fascinating. In that sense, he’s really like Darth Vader: a mix of dark force and paternal will. He takes care of River but constantly puts him at risk.

Frank’s presence also brings out more of River’s darkness, because it connects to other difficult family figures that have shaped him: his mother, his grandfather who raised him. You mentioned earlier that Lamb is a kind of alternative father figure. I agree—he’s the father River has in his dysfunctional Slough House family. So, in terms of fathers, River has three: his grandfather who acts as his father, Lamb as a paternal figure, and Frank, his real father. Since the series revolves around a dysfunctional family, Frank’s arrival adds even more tension.

The atmosphere on set – The atmosphere on the Slow Horses set is very calm, even though everyone gives their absolute best. The people involved are incredibly skilled at their jobs and have a deep love for Herron’s book series. They’re the kind of professionals who watch the final result on TV and feel proud of it. It’s a lot of fun working with them, especially on a set that mixes drama, action, comedy… and a lot of pain.

The growing popularity of Slow Horses – A few days ago, when I was still in Sydney, I was stopped by some passersby who told me they are loving Slow Horses and enjoy my character. The series is gaining international popularity, even though critics have held it in high regard from the beginning. In this season, many people have started watching it.

#slow horses #slow horses s4 #slow horses interviews recap #hugo weaving #frank harkness

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thisnameisnotspokenfor · 3 months ago

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Next Chapter Snippet/Preview:

It hadn’t taken long for their surroundings to change as the surrounding scenery grew more green and the trees’ branches had grown thicker. The sounds of crickets chirping and toads croaking filled the night air as Asha gradually brought the horse’s pace to a slow, quickly glancing around for any sign of the assassins or her grandfather.

As much as she’d admittedly worried for his well-being now, she knew better than most that he would be all but upset to see her out here, blatantly disobeying his commands.

“Are we there yet?” Cepheus lazily asked, probably to break the silence more than anything else.

“Almost,” Asha whispered, before turning to the star.“Sense anything?”

His glowing eyes scanned the darkness before he shook his head. “No, no one’s on this trail but us.”

She let out a sigh of relief. Deep down she’d still feared the possibility of the star’s words coming to pass. But at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of responsibility at the events that had transpired as her mind filled with questions,

“So these strange figures that you saw at the tree,” she started as the squirrel’s ears perked up. “did they do anything while there?”

The squirrel nodded, “Yeah, they did. I don’t know why they were there or what they wanted, but I just know that they poured some weird liquid on the tree’s roots,”

“Liquid?” Cepheus repeated. “Did they say what kind?”

“No, but whatever it was, I don’t think they wanted to be seen doing it. Not when it would affect the tree like it did.”

“It affected the tree?” Asha asked as she felt the pit in her stomach grow deeper. “How?”

“Yeah one second it was healthy and big, and then the next second…well…” the squirrel shivered. “They overheard us hiding in the bushes…cause of me….they chased after us and that was when...Bear got hurt…We’ve been looking for you ever since…”

“Hmm, speaking of Assassins, Asha,” came Cepheus's voice.

“Yes?”

“You were going to tell me about them, remember?”

She nodded, swallowing a sigh. “Yes…it all started on the day you arrived. As you know the king made a deal with me, and one of his tasks led me to Banquo. I’d finished the task there and had taken the time to do other things.”

“Other things?”

“Yeah, I got roped into watching a play.”

“Was it fun?”

“Not really.” She winced, not wanting to remember the play full of anti-star propaganda. “Anyway, I ended up leaving, well sneaking off early, and needless to say I found myself somewhere I shouldn’t have been…I was going to leave when they appeared. I saw them holding wishes at first before they shattered them like…like glass! I didn’t even know wishes could be shattered and absorbed!”

“Absorbing them is a bit more common than you think, but the shattering part…” the star shook his head. “there’s only one group of stars that would have the power to do something like that..”

The Crimson Court.

She’d seen the red crystal hanging around the woman’s neck before she’d been lost to Salcona.

It all made sense now.

She needed to tell him, about the crystals, the assassins and everything. She wanted to, but she couldn’t shake the nagging fear at his possible reaction to said news.

What if he too wanted her to leave?

Sure she could stall her mother, and maybe buy her grandfather’s silence, but something told her that Cepheus wouldn’t be so easily convinced. Not if her safety or wish was at stake.

“Cepheus,” she began after finally settling on an answer. “Just how much do you know about those types of stars?”

“More than you’d be comfortable with,” he answered after an uneasy silence.

“There!” the squirrel cried as he pointed to the faint outline of the rocky cliffs.

“I don’t see him anywhere-,” Asha remarked as she squinted through the darkness.

“That’s cause he’s at the bottom. Bear and I fell down when they shot him with the arrow…”

“They really hunted a bunch of animals this far from the tree? Seriously?”

“I think it’s cause they knew about you,” the squirrel whispered. “One of ‘em called us enchanted…and asked where you were…”

“Figures…Those Assassins are a nasty piece of work,” the star coughed. “Any chance we could ride a bit closer?”

“On this terrain? Not likely.” “It looks steep too.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” the star smiled as she led the horse to a nearby tree. They dismounted in tandem as she quickly tied it to a nearby tree.

“Thank you for your help,” she told the horse. “We’ll be back soon.”

“Alright, so it’s down we go I guess. After we help the bear we should check on the tree. Maybe they left some type of clues behind.”

“That sounds like a plan to me!” he smiled, offering her his hand. How he could smile at a time like this was beyond her. Both assassins and possibly nobles were searching for him, and if either party found him she couldn’t imagine it ending in anything other than utter disaster.

But maybe he was just trying to keep his spirits high, it would help no one if they were to both panic.

Hesitantly she took his hand, holding her breath as he gently gathered both her and Valentino into his arms.

“Are you alright Asha? Your heart is racing,”

“I’m…I’m fine,” she grounded out, trying to ignore how strange she’d felt. Sure this hadn’t been the first time he’d held her like this, but it had been the first time she’d felt rather…self-conscious about it.

But why? She wondered. She’d seen the star practically sit a girl in his lap earlier, and he’d had no reservations against openly flirting with her then.

Holding her like this was probably nothing…it meant nothing, she tersely lamented before sighing, “Let’s just go please…”

The star nodded, his grip on her ever so slightly tightening as he leaped over the side of the cliff.

He’d landed with a near inhumane grace at the bottom as the crowd of birds and chipmunks gathered at the bear’s side tearfully looked to him.

“You’re here!”

“I am…sorry for the tardy arrival everyone! Where’s bear?”

Quietly the animals stepped back from the wounded bear’s side as both he and Asha ventured forward. The bear was lying on his side, turned away from them as he weakly drew in one shallow breath after another.

His fur was littered with branches and small pebbles as she caught sight of the black-colored arrow firmly embedded into his side.

A queasy feeling filled Asha’s stomach as the star’s light revealed the red that stained both the bear’s fur and the stony ground beneath him.

“Will…will he make it?” she wondered aloud as the star knelt by his side.

His brows knit together in concentration as his hands began to glow a familiar yet comforting shade of blue as he placed them on the bear’s fur.

“He will…but he definitely would’ve been in more trouble had we not arrived sooner.” He turned back to Asha. “We need to get the arrow out of him. Just in case it’s coated with some sort of poison.”

Poison. Asha gulped. That was certainly a possibility. “Do you want me to remove it? Is that even safe?”

“No and Probably not, but here,” he held up his hand as the arrow began to tremble and shake before smoothly pulling itself from the bear’s side and landing on the ground with a soft thud. One that Asha thought was a little too heavy to be coming from a regular Rosarian arrow.

All watched with bated breath as the star held a glowing hand over the now-open wound. Slowly but surely a small stream of darkened blood trickled out from the bear’s wound before the skin knitted itself back together, leaving no trace of a wound nor arrow as the bear groaned, stirring with more strength as his breaths deepened.

“Ugh, what happened?” he groaned again, his eyes cracking open as the animals cheered.

“Bear! You’re alright!” Squirrel cried as he and the other animals tackled his friend. “For a moment there I thought you were a goner!”

“Me too,” the bear confessed with a warm chuckle as he sat up and hugged his friends back. “Hey!” he cried as he caught sight of Cepheus. “We were just talking about you!”

“So I heard,” Cepheus replied, carefully examining Asha as she lit a spare match.

“ It’s pretty ironic given how we met here to discuss what to say to you the next time we saw you,” the bear jovially continued as all the animals (excluding the owl) nodded in agreement. “It’s funny how it all ties together now…but thanks for saving my life! I owe you one!”

“You’re welcome, but I certainly don’t deserve all the credit,” Cepheus smiled before gesturing to Asha. “If it hadn’t been for Asha’s shortcuts it might’ve taken me longer to save you.”

Asha cringed as she felt all the animals stare at her with what she could only describe as shock, awe, and wonder.

“Thank you, Asha,” a bird chirped.

“Yes thank you!” The bear grinned.

“We are deeply in our debt,” the owl cooed, before doing a sweeping bow.

“Ha…You’re welcome,” she grimaced, trying not to ignore the doubt that gnawed at her as she tightened her hold on her dress.

It wasn’t as if she hadn’t appreciated their thanks, but a part of her had felt as if it had truly been…well, undeserved.

If she hadn’t been so fearful of him wandering alone, he could’ve gotten her just as fast on his own, his powers and the squirrel would’ve seen to that. And then there’d been the matter of the fact that on her own she wouldn’t have been able to save the bear as quickly as he did.

A fact that she woefully admitted did nothing more than to prove the king’s advisors right.

Maybe the star was trying to be nice, but deep down, she knew better.

She knew that she hadn’t contributed much.

Valentino pleated, disrupting her thoughts as he gestured to the bloodied arrow lying on the ground a few feet away from them.

Hmm, she said they’d be looking for clues right? Well, this was probably as good a clue as any other she thought as she dug through her satchel for a spare match.

Carefully she held it over the arrow, taking in its strange curves and dark stone-like exterior. Unlike the arrow before her, Rosarian arrows were light, wooden, and straight, which could only mean one thing. This was no Rosarian arrow. So where had it come from? Better yet, why use a different type of arrow altogether? She’d remember hearing the king and prince discuss special weapons in the library, ones that the king instructed the prince to collect from abroad.

Ones that he had claimed were capable of hurting stars.

“Stars are not as impenetrable as they’d like you to believe. They have a weakness, one that doesn’t even involve magic,” rang the king’s voice in her ears as she watched the animals playfully chat with the star.“Stars can be cut. They can bleed. They can die.”

If the assassins were looking for a star then it would only make sense that they’d armed themselves with weapons capable of hurting it.

So Could it be?

Was it possible that these arrows were one of them?

She couldn’t lie that such reasoning had made her feel uncomfortable given how they’d already suspected that the assassins had a contact within the court, if not the castle itself, but then to have access to said weapons when the king himself had been collecting them as well…surely it was a coincidence, wasn’t it?

“You look like you want to wake up from a bad dream,” the star’s voice surprised her as she abruptly backed away from the arrow.

He wasn’t too far off from the truth. She had wished this was all a bad dream. One that when she woke up from she would be more than happy to- she yelped, nearly falling over as a sharp wail filled the air, rendering all the once cheerful animals silent.

A sharp wail is heard

“What…what was that?” She trembled unable to still herself as the agony in the wail rang within her ears.

“People, or more specifically, your grandfather have reached the tree,” Cepheus replied, narrowing his eyes at the cliff.

“or, what’s left of it,” the squirrel whispered as the birds shivered.

That had been all she’d needed to hear as she’d taken off, almost digging her fingernails in the cliff’s rocky walls before she’d felt Cepheus spin her around.

“Whoa there! Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, as she answered with a swift glance at the cliff’s upper ledge.

“You heard that sound- that wail! Whatever made that is up there, in pain where my grandfather is! What if it’s him?! What if the assassins found them first?!”

“Then I’d worry for the assassins-,” Cepheus replied as his brows furrowed and he released her.

“That isn’t funny Cepheus!” She snapped as she stepped back.

“Who says I was trying to be funny?” he questioned as he raised a brow.” As old as he may be, he’s still a commander in spirit, and men like those don’t usually go down without a fight.”

“I know!” She cried. “But as tenacious as he is, you saw how he looked after Velius left.” she’d trembled, trying not to panic. “If anything happened to him or the others I’d never be able to forgive myself!”

“So you’d rather risk your own well-being instead?”

“If it means keeping them all safe,” she whispered with a nod. “My grandfather may be a controversial figure, maybe even a disliked one, but no one can deny that he has a role, a niche to fulfill here. To lose him like this would be…would be-,....” she shook her head, unable to find her voice.

“I understand,” Cepheus nodded, before gesturing to Valentino to join them as he gathered both in his arms once more before taking off towards the top of the cliff.

It hadn’t taken Asha long to find the secret path her father had shown her so long ago as she’d quickly led the star down the overgrown path.

‘Please,’ she prayed, looking up to the darkened cloudy sky. She didn’t know who could hear her, nor if they would care, but it hadn’t deterred her from trying as she’d prayed for her grandfather, for her people, and finally for Cepheus.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as the passing branches seemed to blur and meld together before the end of the pathway had greeted her, leaving in it’s place the breathtaking view of the distant mountains.

“What?!” she cried, quickly looking around. She was certain she’d followed the correct path as all the landmarks had matched up, and yet she could see no sign of the proud yet hidden tree that had resided here for ages.

“What’s wrong?” Cepheus asked.

“The tree!” she cried, fervently looking around the bottom of the hill to the dark clearing below. “It’s supposed to be here! I don’t understand! Why isn’t it here?!”

“Asha-,” Cepheus slowly started, not taking his eyes off of the clearing below.

“What?! What is it?!” she replied. “Did you find it?! Do you see something?”

“I…I do… in fact,” he hesitated. “I don’t think you took the wrong path…but…”

but-,”

“But what?!” she cried, as he grimaced, and turned to her. She wasn’t sure why he wasn’t answering her, but it had done little to ease her panic as she grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “If you see the tree then say something damnit!”

“Alright,” he relented, before pointing towards the edge of the dark clearing below. “Look there,”

Carefully her eyes followed the direction in which he’d pointed, quickly combing through every piece of darkness she could see, until it rested on a sight that brought her heart to a stop as she gasped, stumbling away from the sight.

Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of it.

The star was right. She had taken the right path.

But nothing could’ve prepared her for the sight that lay at the end of it.

The tree, which had once been so proud and beautiful as it held the wishes of her people, her family, and their past, now lay wilted and dying at the mercy of the night’s darkness that had threatened to consume it, taking with it, not only their past but her grandfather’s final piece of closure.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d sat there staring at it as she’d felt the star shaking her, trying, clamoring for her to reply, but it didn’t matter.

Those assassins…they’d done this… They’d done this because she’d led them here. She’d led them to the last thing her family, no her village, had preserved from their past.

And now it was gone.

Just like everything else from the kingdom before.

“No…” she whispered, shaking her head. “No! No no no!” she screamed, nearly rushing forward when the star grabbed her, pulling her away from the ledge.

“Asha are you crazy?! You can’t go down there!”

“I can’t let them get away with this!” she screamed, fighting and kicking against his grasp as her eyes burned. “That tree was the only thing my grandfather had left! I have to save it!”

“Asha if you go near that tree you won’t be saving anything,” Cepheus replied as he pulled her back. “There’s a reason why your grandfather commanded people to not get close to the tree before they left, remember?”

She’d stilled, sniffling as her mind slowly replayed her grandfather’s warning.‘Keep on the lookout for any strange activities, when we reach the tree do not approach or make contact with it at all costs!’

No wonder he hadn’t wanted her to come, he’d probably known that she would’ve endangered herself like this from the moment she’d seen the tree.

Slowly the star released her as she sank to the ground and wiped her eyes.

“This” she sobbed, helpless looking at the tree’s remains.”This is all my fault”

“Asha,” Cepheus started gently as he knelt in front of her. “You didn’t do this. You heard what squirrel and the others said. This was done by those assassins-,”

“Who was only here because of me,” she cried, lowering her eyes. “I knew I never should’ve gone into the wish garden that night. But I only wanted to help…I really did, and now look,” she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Everyone and everything I’ve loved could be in danger because of me!”

“Asha!” Cepheus started gently, only to tense as if he’d heard something.

“Cepheus?” she asked, watching as he looked back over into the dark clearing. “Cepheus what is it?”

He was still for a moment, before quickly gesturing her to be quiet.

“They’re coming,” he whispered, as she felt him gently tug her backward into some nearby bushes. The thorns and thickets tore at her sleeves and skirts as she briefly struggled to position herself comfortably.

But it had all come to an end as she heard the steady beating of horse hoofs draw nearer, followed by the familiar murmur of the crowd as the faint flicker of their torches came into view below.

“Are you alright Sir Sabino?” Lady Allard had asked.

“I’m fine,” he nodded, replying with a surprising amount of politeness as his eyes scanned the hill where they now hid. Her heartbeat quickened as she heard him murmur, “Just thought I heard something in the bushes.”

“Should we check it out?” Silver asked, as his hand rested on his sword and Asha saw her life flash before her eyes.

Her grandfather shook his head. “Don’t bother…” He looked at the tree, his voice cracking as he declared, “Right now we have bigger things to worry about.”

Lady Allard was the first to whisper as she dismounted her horse, “This reminds me of when I went to Banquo a while ago to convene with some other officials. One of the farmers there had been complaining about the forest animals that had started invading his property. At first he thought they were just being pests until he did his own investigation and saw that there was…some kinda disease spreading through the forest rather quickly.”

“Define quickly,” one of the older officials inquired.

“Well, he said that a few years ago it was just one small, distant corner of the forest. Nothing much for concern at first, given how…well odd these forests can be, but then it started spreading faster and faster over the years, killing almost any animal that had come within its path.” She glanced towards the tree.

“You don’t think that whatever that is has spread here, do you?” another official asked.

“I don’t know,” she confessed, glancing towards the tree. “But I do remember that he brought us to one of his diseased trees, and it looked identical to this one.”

“Great, so now we have at most what a few years before we lose our forests too?!” one of the torch holders grumbled before the people within the crowd began to murmur.

“We can’t live without our forests!”

“What if the disease makes us sick?! Is there a cure for it?!”

“What are we going to do?!”

“Does the king know? Have you informed him yet?” someone cried as Lady Allard frowned and swiftly mounted her horse..

“People! People!” Lady Allard called, quieting the restless crowd. “I assure you that for now what we need to do is focus on fixing or rather containing this problem until we worry about the bigger things!”

“How is this not a bigger thing?!” someone in the crowd challenged as Asha knew Lady Allard was using every bit of her newfound patience to not snap.

“Fine, I will admit that this is at the least very concerning, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have this situation under control.”

“You do?” someone asked.

“We do!” she beamed. “In fact we’re working on a cure right now!” She quickly turned to Sabino and his friends before asking, “You do have an idea for a cure, right?”

“No,” her grandfather replied as Mr. Silver and his crew shook their head.

“What?!” she exclaimed. “What do you mean you have no idea for a cure?! Surely you must know someone…who knows someone…who also knows a person who…might have an idea of how to fix this!”

“That’s a lot of someone’s” Silver murmured before shaking his head once more.

“In their defense your ladyship,” one of the officials meekly spoke up. “This situation is completely unprecedented!”

“I know,” she groaned. “But what am I to tell the people? That I don’t know what to do?”

“We could always tell the king,” another official added softly. “Surely he could figure something out-,”

“Ha!” her grandfather scoffed, earning himself a round of glares from the officials. “As if the king knows anything about treating illness. No, if you want this fixed you’re going to have to look elsewhere and quickly…” Slowly and tentatively he dismounted his horse. Stretching and groaning as he made his way toward the edge of the tree’s now shriveled and darkened roots. “Velius said a lot of things earlier, but I suspect that there was truth to at least one of them.”

“You think the outsider did this?” Lady Allard asked as she followed him. She gestured for a servant carrying the torch to follow as he held the flame forward, illuminating the ground as she kneeled to look at the roots of the tree and the now-blackened grass before them.

“Not the outsider, but a power from the outsider’s world,” he explained, as he looked into the sky.

“Fascinating-,” Lady Allard smiled as she examined the ground.

“Hmm?” her grandfather turned his attention towards her.

“The grass just moved by itself! Like it’s reaching for something- see?!” she reached towards the ground, nearly about to touch it when-

“Don’t touch it!” he scolded as he smacked the back of her knuckles with his cane.

“Ack!” she cried, rubbing her knuckles as she stepped back. “What was that for?!”

“Strange and possibly hostile supernatural forces are at play here and your first instinct is to touch it?! Do you have any idea of what it could do to you?!”

“I…I was just curious…” she sniffled as her servants worriedly examined her hand.

“You have some nerve!” one of the officials huffed at her grandfather who glared back. “Striking the noble hand like that! Just who do you think you are?!”

“Oh I’ll tell you who I am,” her grandfather started as he pointed his cane towards Lady Allard. “I’m the only reason why she hasn’t keeled over yet! Do you have any idea of what this…thing is or what it can do?!”

“Not anymore than you do, no,” the noble stifled answered.

“Bamonte that’s enough,” Lady Allard demanded. “Now is not the time to argue and bicker! We must find a cure for this affliction!”

“You seem familiar with this,” one of the elderly officials spoke to her grandfather who stood there silently. Asha briefly recognized him as being the same official who’d initially sympathized with Julian in the wish gardens. “This isn’t your first encounter with this, is it?” When her grandfather had failed to answer, he pleaded, “Please if you know anything, even if it’s not much! Tell us!”

“There’s nothing I can do about this,” her grandfather murmured as Asha felt her heart begin to sink. “There’s nothing any of us can do.”

Nothing they could do? That wasn’t right! Surely there must be something that could be done, some way to fix the corrosive power of the crimson court…

Wait!

“That’s it!” she cried as the answer hit her.

“What’s it?”

“I just figured out the cure!” she excitedly exclaimed.

#the kingdom of the stars #wish au #writers on tumblr #kingdom of the stars #asha #cepheus

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pauking5 · 7 months ago

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Runaway 🏎️ Chapter 3 🏁

Pairing: Naozumi Hiyama x fem reader oc

Genre: racing AU, enemies to lovers, sports rivalry, suspense, a whole lot of teasing, gender power games, spice

Word count: 15.2k+

A/N: Curious who's going to catch the Tokyo Drift reference 😏 Hope you're ready for the storm cause lightning and thunder just met for real in this one. It was literal hell to write at times, but I wanted to get more accurate with it and bring you as close to the view in my head as possible, so sorry for the delay. Tried my hand at writing tension so I hope it's good. Enjoy lovelies. Smooches to you :)

Raiko's Playlist: Bad Boy - Red Velvet, High Horse - Kacey Musgraves, Antisocial - Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, True Disaster - Tove Lo, "good guy" - Against The Current, Summer Jam - 99 RZNS, John Gibbons, KOOLKID, How Bad Do You Want It (Oh Yeah) - Sevyn Streeter, Pump It - Black Eyed Peas, Tokyo Drift - Teriyaki Boys, Morning After Dark - Timbaland, Nelly Furtado.

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Day 3 of Tour de Tokai - Final stages

The sun was up before you could catch any sleep, peaking through the thick blinds with bright beams. That brightness didn't bode well with the small hangover brewing between your pinched eyebrows. A remainder of the excessive amounts of champagne you drank last night and the really excited twosome next door, working hard to drill a hole in the wall behind your head all night long.

At one point, they quieted down and you were near falling asleep until they went at it again and again, and you contemplated sleeping in the bathtub.

Putting on your golden blue team kit and the darkest shades you could find in the mess of luggage, you packed and dragged your heavy bags into the hallway and pressed the button on the lift for reception. You caught your reflection in the shiny silver doors and thanked god no one saw you yet. Your hair was a half-tangled mess, hidden under the team baseball cap well enough. Only two days on the job and you already had sunken in eye bags, but those were probably from the amazing beauty sleep you had the night before.

I had better days, you blew out a breath pulling up your shades.

Bags checked out and safely loaded into the airport car until later, you headed for the track. Walking out to the biggest stand on the hill overlooking the road for today, you scanned the grounds. It was still pretty early but the crowds were already making their way to the stands to get the best seats - right in the sputter of a dusty drift corner. The dirt must be doing wonders for their skin if they paid so much to sit there willingly, you thought, grimacing at the dried up mud painting most of the sun-bleached seats.

At least it was a quiet spot to just do some people watching and wake yourself up. You watched the food court vendors open the back doors to their vans before getting to work on the food. Some people were sat on the trunk of their cars, huddled in blankets or hoodies, eating a makeshift breakfast before queuing up for entrance. The race marshals were putting up the access signs and doing other maintenance checks.

The spring breeze blew softly feeling like a refreshing cup of coffee you didn't have yet. Early mornings like these were the best. Just quiet and mundane. Slow and pleasant.

Your peaceful perusal was interrupted by a figure settling in on your right, mimicking your leaned back posture on the wooden fence next to the race banner, hands crossed over your chest and all. You didn't even need to look over to know who it was. The expensive combination of lemony vanilla and other bitter, citrusy fruits entered your nostrils like ten meters ago, before he even stopped next to you.

How can someone so irritating smell so good?

"How did you sleep?" he spoke, voice low and husky, still laced with blissful sleep. A luxury mere mortals are unable to acquire at the expense of divine hedonism. Though, if that was how gods fucked, you wished to never hear it again. The girl's moans replayed like a broken record in your head even now, voice sweet like cotton candy reaching impossible notes.

Jesus Christ, you shuddered, trying your hardest to get rid of the image you just accidentally put in your head.

"I didn't," you said with a tight-lipped smile, turning to the devil beside you. He did look well-rested. "Hearing your name being moaned until three in the morning kinda ruined the peace one needs to sleep."

"I told you to join us," he shrugged, like he was asking you to join a grocery run and definitely not a threesome call. "It was a good sex catch."

I hope that angel never comes across his dick again.

Staring ahead, you hoped that if you ignored him, he would make himself scarce like he did last night at the car reveal. Instead, he leaned over to your side, lips slightly brushing the side of your ear with another offer that made your skin crawl with tendrils of chills, branching out from your nape all the way down to your spine.

"You know, we could've moved the show to your room. Get you out and about with the masses. Learn a thing or two."

You could taste the malice in his voice, looking to throw you off with raw sex talk. He pulled back to his corner, that annoying grin bright as day on his face, way too enthusiastic about his choice of words after last night.

He should work on his sweet nothings some more.

"I have my fair share with the masses. Don't you worry your frozen little braincells with that," you said, trying to shake off those chills still dancing on your spine.

"Ah, so she does get action," he laughed dryly, tilting forward with another remark he was better off keeping to himself. "I couldn't tell."

A little burst of mischief raised in you, so you turned to face him fully, pulling your shades off. Your body acted on a mindless spurt of small revenge as one of your hands lapped itself around his shoulder, gripping the other in balance and to pull him towards you, while the other rested on top of his chest. Under your palm, his heartbeat was calm and steady, just like the engine of the car before the race.

Narrowing your eyes at him, you scanned his face to see the ever-present amusement etched into every chiseled dent of his jaw, high cheekbones and perfectly angled lips. You wondered if dimples would pop out on the sides if he ever smiled for real, not just in a teasing manner or for show. Was he even capable of smiling?

The more your eyes drove up his face, the wider that eager glint in his eyes got. In the morning sun, rising brighter over the hill behind you, golden beams reflected off his orbs much like fiery bronze specks glinting off regal statues.

That eagerness turned to confusion when you inched closer to his ear, your lips brushing his in the same way his did. Your breath ghosted over his neck and you felt the smallest rise in his pulse, the muscles in his back tensing under your hold. You spoke small, but loud enough to cover the buzz of the rave music catching volume in the stands, making sure he received every single word.

"You know what would be a better catch?" you asked, tone sweet and tempting like a fiend.

His head craned down slightly and he quirked an eyebrow at you, curious as to where you were taking this. Only for it to not be in the direction he expected it to go in.

"Breaking that penis of yours in two and scattering pieces of it on the track like it's fucking gravel for everyone to drive over it. That," you enforced your threat with a swift gaze at his precious groin then moved your eyes back to his, "would be the catch of the year."

His lips parted in disbelief, the smug look on his face gone completely, as if you just detonated a bomb with his very own hand on it.

That was an unofficial war announcement. Jaw tightened in bold offensive, you stood your ground waiting for his retaliation. Your hand was still on his chest waiting for that spike to come again. But it never did.

Slowly but surely, the look in his eyes morphed to one of challenge, burning with the dire need to crush you to pieces for that daring threat.

Was this a novelty to him? A woman driving the reality train through his brain without having her legs open for him? Possibly. Because his smirk was now taut, filled with the same vindictive goading you carried. Just a tad bit darker and full of hunger for battle.

"I would like to see you try, rookie."

Rookie.

That nickname was starting to get on your nerves. Though there was no lie in it because you were a rookie in the sport, the way he said it implied that there was nothing else to you but that - a clueless beginner that will always stay a clueless beginner. Belittling at its finest. Your temper didn't buy belittling very well.

"Listen here you asswipe-" you started, only to get cut off by Don Tanaka's voice closing in behind you.

"Rai, the crew's waiting for... you..."

The words died in Tanaka's throat the more he took in how curled up you were with Naozumi. At first he was about to reprimand you for dealing cahoots with the enemy again, but when his eyes fell on the teeth grinding murderous looks you both threw each other, he decided on breaking it off before the interaction turned violent.

"Rai, step away from Naozumi."

"This. isn't. over," you gritted out with poison, plying yourself away from him.

Pushing your sunglasses back up your nose and throwing one more sharp imaginary knife right in the middle of his annoyingly handsome face devoid of imperfections, you sourly turned and left with Tanaka.

"I think it is, princess," he muttered behind you.

"Just you wait."

The really funny thing about curses is that they never truly... leave.

They might take a break and sip a cocktail somewhere sunny, like the big white-bearded gramps dressed in red does in his vacation after Christmas, letting you bask in some sort of chill ambiguity that all is well and perfect. Until nothing is well and perfect. Just absolutely horrifying and close to provoking a collective meltdown. Quite like the one in your team pen at the moment.

The team was gathered around the car with discouraged looks decorating all their faces as Sentaro, the main mechanic, relayed the news to you. Not one soul moved, everything and everyone as still as your shut off engine.

This had to be some sick joke. There was no way this is happening.

"What do you mean I can't go out on track today? You're joking right?" you laughed nervously, trying to stop your eye from twitching violently.

Apparently, the mechanics tried to start the engine and black smoke came out of it. While that issue was partly because of a clogged air filter that was vacuumed clean now, the engine also overheated to the point they thought it would blow up if they let it run longer.

From your brief experience with cars and growing up around the team garage, you had a feeling of what the issue could be.

"Is the dashboard blinking with the high oil pressure sign?" you asked Sentaro to which he nodded in response.

You were in front of the car in an instant, popping the hood open to check the oil injection. Pulling out the dipstick on a clean cloth your assumptions were proven right, though you wished they were horribly wrong. The rough dirt roads from yesterday definitely took a toll on the engine's oil filter, judging by the black sludge you were met with instead of the normal light brown color of the motor oil.

Dropping down to the ground with your phone's flashlight, you looked under the car and sure enough, there was a trail of the same dark goo leaking out from the car. The oil filter was the problem. And lucky for you, the oil specialized mechanic wasn't here today.

"I'm sorry, kiddo," said Tanaka, leaning on the side of the car. "There's nothing we can do."

Before you could even browse solutions, Kate ran in the pen nearly tripping over her feet. Thanks to Tanaka's steady hold, she landed upright on her feet, giving him a shy look of gratitude that didn't go unnoticed by you. They held each other's gaze for a while, not one thought behind them but a tinge of affection.

Realizing they had an audience, she cleared her throat stepping away from him. His hand shot up to rub his nape with a nervous smile.

What was that about? you thought, scrunching your nose inquisitively at the two. The faint blush spreading on her cheeks and the playful look in his eyes was a bit of a dead give away of what went on between the two. The car issue was more of a priority right now than their mutual fancy. I'll pester them about it later.

"What's up, Kate?"

Your voice seemed to break her out of whatever reverie she was having.

"The pre-race press conference starts in fifteen," she announced, eyes grazing over your team kit before flying back to yours with confusion. "Why are you not in your racing suit yet? What's going on?"

"I'll explain on the way," you replied hastily.

You moved away from the car to grab your bag and went to change in the trailer with her following in tow. Turning back around, your eyes flew back to Tanaka and the rest of the crew.

If the big man was here, he would know what to do. But he left for Tokyo early in the morning for a business meeting with a new sponsor. You were completely on your own with the team, and from the looks of it, it was time to take the lead.

"Nothing you can do," you said with a small smile trying to bring some optimism back into the sour mood. "There's something I can do. Just don't touch the engine until I'm back from the conference."

"Also, go tell the organizers I'm retiring from the first stage and keep them posted on the second one," you told Tanaka, ignoring Kate's gasp of shock. "We might still have a shot at points today. We worked too hard to let that go."

With that, you ran back to the trailer behind the pen, getting changed while Kate's worries doubled and spilled over yours in a frenzy of overly dramatic and stressed hand gestures.

"What do you mean retiring from the first stage? Are you crazy?"

Taking off the kit with a grunt, you made haste for the fireproofs and the suit.

"Not crazy," you groaned, pushing your legs through the pants of the racing suit. "Just trying not to freak out because it won't help anyone if I do."

"The car has an issue that's preventing me from taking part in the first stage today, but I hope," you breathed out, struggling to pull the top part of the suit over your hips, "that we can somehow get it out on track at least for the second stage."

With the already smoldering heat outside and your growing nerves, the ensemble felt so uncomfortable to wear. Pulling your arms through the sleeves and zipping it up to your neck, you fiddled with the soft collar unable to close it properly. Kate swatted your hands away to help you fix it so you could be out the door. Though you couldn't do that without your driver's card that was nowhere to be found.

"On a scale of one to ten, how big are your hopes of that actually happening?"

You stopped your relentless searching for your identification lanyards only to find them in the safe hold of Kate's hands.

"A solid eleven," you paused, grabbing them with a grateful smile. "On a good day. We'll have to see if today is one of those."

You were out of the trailer in no time, heading for the conference room while she ran you through possible questions you could get asked by the stingy reporters. Before you went on stage to take your designated seat, she pulled you back around for a last check.

"You know what you have to say?" she asked, placing her hands on your shoulders to make you focus.

Narrowing your eyes at her with a 'I'm not a child' look, you recounted the rules of publicity she made you repeat before each press meeting. Or more like your very own not so accurate version of them.

"No snarky replies, wait for my turn and try to maintain the already crumbling image we have. No biggie."

She smacked your cheeks together, shaking you hard to bring you back from sarcasm land. Better sarcasm than a full blown meltdown. You rolled your eyes at her dramatic antics, reciting the actual holy trinity of rules to get her off your case.

"If it's not for my own benefit or the team's, don't reply. Avoid all questions about my or dad's personal life with a simple 'no comment'. Keep levelheaded and avoid conflicts of interest," you finished confidently, but with a slight confusion on the last one.

She nodded with a bright smile, letting go of your cheeks. Whirling you around, she made quick work of your hair in a ponytail and fixed your team cap on top of your head to look more professional than you felt at the moment.

"You've got this, Rai," she encouraged sweetly like she always did. "I'll be right here in case of anything."

"Thanks Yuzu," you smiled at her, trying to ease her stress before it rubbed off on you, turning you into a ticking bomb. "I owe you one."

"You owe me more than one," she quipped as a matter of factly.

"Yeah, yeah," you waved her off, turning for the stage. "I'll tell dad to add a holiday bonus to your paycheck."

"All debts are paid," she replied, sounding like an ATM machine that just cashed out your first salary before you even saw it in the account.

You went up the stairs, taking a seat behind your name tag, near the middle row on the lower side of the makeshift stage. Most drivers were already in their seats waiting for the show to start so you could all be on your way. You caught sight of Akira about two chairs down to the left, already clocking you with a small wave.

At least there's some sunshine in the world.

You leaned over the seat, turning the mic away. He scooched over, meeting you halfway with a short smile that was enough to send butterflies swarming wildly in your stomach.

"Hello there."

"Hi," you replied sheepishly. "You ready for today?"

"I hope so. The tracks today look way better than whatever the fuck those three were yesterday."

You both shared a horrified look remembering the disaster that almost left your cars in totaled wrecks the day before.

"What about you? Ready?"

"It's complicated," you looked down in disdain, conscious of the mess awaiting you in the team pen after the conference.

What was the point in elaborating further? He's going to see the scoreboard anyway. The retirement issue was better kept under wraps for now, in case press inched to you like leeches before they even got to ask you a question.

"Hogging my seat doesn't look that complicated."

That tone of mixed delight and irritation could only belong to one person. That and the shady vibes prickling the hairs on the back of your neck like the very shadows of death were about to swallow you into the underworld.

Sure enough, craning your head backwards Naozumi was right behind you. Alarm bells rang in your head replaying his words again. His seat? What the fuck is he on- Your eyes fell back on the name tag right beside yours, reflecting Naozumi Hiyama back at you, bright as the light of day. Oh.

Naozumi was to be seated on your left for the next half an hour. What a joy. For some poor sick bastard, definitely not for you.

How did I not notice it before I sat down? I could've switched seats with the backfield guys in a heartbeat and no one would know a thing.

Looking back behind you, your small hope was crushed as most seats were taken up already, busting your escape plan. Your gaze landed back on the man, now more interested to know how much of your conversation he heard.

"How long have you been standing there like a scarecrow?"

"Enough to almost physically gag at your conversation."

Ah, there he was. Repulsion in human form. Wonderful.

You bid Akira an apologetic smile and leaned back in your seat, letting nation's finest walk by to take his own. He held onto your backseat to let himself down in his. Leaning way too close to you again, you caught an extra accidental whiff of that expensive perfume of his, toned down by the scent of the burnt rubber fumes caught to his suit. You turned your head away with a breath, resisting the urge not to choke. From the snicker on his lips pointed downwards, you could tell he did that on purpose. Fucker.

It wasn't long and the press conference finally commenced. As expected you weren't first in line for questions, both to your relief and growing unease. Your thoughts ran back to the car. The longer you spent here, looking pretty for the media that could care less, the less time you got to spend on fixing the car. Changing the oil filter was relatively less time consuming than the oil draining and changing. Besides, who knew if there weren't other problems. There were always problems.

Tapping your feet impatiently under the table, your eyes trained on the digital clock at the back of the room, mentally pushing the flickering red dots bouncing between the numbers a tad bit faster. Boring questions aimed at the other drivers went in through your ears, fading together, getting lost into an incorrigible mess of side thoughts, all while you dissociated somewhere far away.

At some point, something heavy moved on top of your leg that seems to have taken on incessant bouncing. You broke your eyes away from the clock to check. Thinking it must have been a bug or your sleep-deprived hallucination, you were beyond surprised to see a hand resting there, all five fingers of it splayed wide on top of your knee, nearly enveloping it whole.

Following the path of the muscular, veiny hand to the grey material going up the plush arm of a racing suit, you found it connected to Naozumi's shoulder. His gaze was set ahead with his chin propped on his other hand, a bored look taking over his usual amusement.

Is he looking for entertainment again?

Focusing your attention back on the press crowd, you went to push it off briskly. You felt it slide off your leg, shutting your eyes in relief that he let go and didn't put it back, going back to your daydream.

The clock ticked by infuriatingly slower, and by the looks of it, only ten boring minutes passed. You resumed your foot tapping, unable to keep cool without releasing tension in a way that kept you calm and levelheaded for the rest of the conference. You even started repeating Kate's set of three rules, again and again, until they blurred together in your head into a mess of words.

Unconsciously, you resumed the knee bouncing. That's when the same familiar weight sat back on top of your knee, trying to cease your restless shaking. You groaned mentally, aware that there was nothing else you could do but let his hand sit there until he got bored of being annoying.

Was it weird that the touch gave you a small ounce of comfort? It was so far from an actual touch, closer to a simple brush. But it grounded you back to reality in a less impatient way than your nervous foot tapping.

Jesus, Rai. The man fucked the sleep out of your brain last night. He's trying to get under your skin.

Leaning forward on your hands, you shifted your position so your feet crossed under your seat in hopes his hand would slide down again. His grip never lessened, turning firmer on top of your knee, seeing right through your trick. You huffed a breath through your nose, trying to calm down before you shoved your fist heavy with rage in his beautiful face to do some overdue damage, since he was asking for it so nicely.

In your line of sight, you saw him reach down for his water bottle, right beside his leg. His hand trailed down your calf with the movement, only for it to slide back up to its original spot on your knee.

This wasn't anywhere near comforting. This was teasing. Maybe even payback for this morning for invading his space with violent threats of castration. The side of his lip curled up in the slightest, letting you know he was enjoying tormenting you a whole lot.

Since he's so into masochism, we'll see how brave he is next time when I sneak in a lighter. The suit might be fireproof but I don't think his fingers are.

Somewhere between Naozumi's idiotic game and your patience running thin for the male species, the press finally remembered you existed and your name was called out by a reporter.

"I'm Hina from Daily Times. I have a question for Rai Suruki of Suruki Racing."

"Go on," you nodded with a smile.

"There haven't been a lot of female entries to rally in past years. Are there some goals you hope to achieve with your participation in the Seiko Rally Cup Series?"

That was quite a nice question. She seemed a little unsure of herself, probably new on the job since she was already being mangled down by the experienced male gazes in the room, especially from the reporter clique.

Turns out rally isn't the only industry where women are not welcomed.

"Well," you started, "I hope that if more girls see me out there on track, they can gain the courage to get racing too. Be it karting, rally or any other series. I grew up seeing my father's generation race and it felt daunting getting into it in the first place, since there was little to no female involvement. But times are changing and I hope it's for the better. Goal-wise, I would say the biggest one is to get girls into the sport, technically or behind the wheel," you ended with another smile, making sure she got a good amount of detail to work from.

That encouraged her to show you a bright smile in gratitude before she sat back down. You nodded back at her with one that matched.

"For Raiko Suruki, from Automotive Racing," called out another reporter, much older than the rest. "Heard the car is totally self-manufactured. How's the pace on track so far?"

Ah, technical questions. I like those.

"So far it's good. We're still testing bits and pieces to see what works best, but so far it's responding well to our tinkering. Like any car there's setbacks, as you may have seen in the previous stages, but we're working to remedy that and maximize its current performance. There's a lot of power under that hood and we're trying to see just how much of it we can bring out."

He nodded, scribbling down your words in a stacked leather notebook filled to the brim that has definitely seen better days. At least that said he's passionate about the sport and not just here to get a quote for a flimsy article. True to that, he geared up with another question.

"Performance progress-wise, do you think it's a car able to compete for the cup this year? Maybe even to reach the WRC?"

It was a reach to aim for the title, knowing the team barely got back on the road. But it was a goal nonetheless.

"Absolutely," you answered right away. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't. As for the WRC, I guess it's all in due time."

"I'm looking forward to your evolution. Thank you," he concluded his short round of questions, sitting back in his seat.

"One more question for Miss Suruki," shouted another reporter. "From Tokyo Action Sport."

Uh-oh.

Tokyo Action Sport was one of the big ones Kate told you to be wary of. Due to their huge coverage of all sports around the country, sports buffs took their word like it was the weekly Ten Commandments in print form. That and the fact that they liked to scandalize most, if not all of their headlines - basically the foul celeb tabloids in dirty sports version.

From the way the reporter twirled the pen around his nimble fingers and the sneer on his face as he skimmed over his fancy notebook, you could tell he was looking for another front page story with an equally disarming question at the ready. You nodded for him to talk, bracing yourself for the incoming attack.

"Last night, at the official car reveal, you said you will compete for Suruki Racing until the team no longer wants you," he started, lifting his icy eyes from the paper to cut through you. "Does that mean your contract has an expiry date?"

If there was a question that, when uttered out loud, would have the power to open the gates of hell, it would be this one.

Expiry date? Driving for the team that has my name on it? Fuck me if I know.

Your nervous tapping resumed tenfold, forgetting all about Naozumi's hand that was still stationed on your leg, now struggling to stay there in the wake of the shaky earthquake coursing through you with the sharp truth of the real world.

You never thought of the possibility of driving for another team. Right from the start, Suruki Racing was to be your forever home. For Christ sake, you were the only hope for the team to stay alive at the moment. But that was just your opinion, maybe Tanaka shared it. But the team might still be adamant to take you as their only viable option and that might just be the case for your father too.

Nothing guaranteed that you will always be their number one choice.

"Why did Suruki Racing pick you out of the wider talent pool out there?"

"Are you trying for yourself or for him?"

"Do you consider yourself a challenge to the rest of the drivers?"

Your nervous shaking was several tempos away from rattling the panel table and attracting attention you were better off without at the moment. The aftermath of that happening was already in sight.

Suruki Racing's finest cracks under the pressure of her first press conference, would read the first page in the later Sunday print.

Is Suruki's own bloodline able to keep the legacy with no surety of a long-term contract? another one would say.

If you were lucky they would put it on the second spread or in the middle pages next to some old car adverts. But the worst part of it all is that the majority of the rally community, including the panel of drivers around you, would wholeheartedly agree with the newspapers.

Maybe this was just you making movies in your head but those were always possibilities upon possibilities and they all pointed to failure. Your failure of saving the team and seeing it succeed if you caved in to them.

The weight on top of your knee moved higher up your leg, stopping mid-way on your thigh. Enraged out of your mind, you were about to swat if off like a fly just when Naozumi did the unthinkable - his thumb started rubbing the side of your leg in circles over the suit, alternating patterns. You could feel that touch burn even through the triple permeable fireproof layers, sending all your senses in override, heartbeat pounding louder in your ears with each languid stroke of his thumb.

Was he trying to calm you down? Or was this him riding on the wave of anger surfacing from the depths of your very being to make you inch closer to exploding? Because there was a thin line between the two and you struggled to find which direction he was steering in today.

Strangely, that mildly provoking but oddly comforting caress worked. It calmed you down and drowned the black hole your mind went down into, bringing your focus back on the task at hand - giving the reporter an answer before your silence was taken as one.

"I'm afraid not," you responded, your voice bouncing back way too quiet on the microphone for it to sound like you were sure of yourself.

A handful of chuckles erupted behind you, rippling down into the audience and the rest of the media crews around the room.

"Everyone has an expiry date on their contracts, doll," commented a gruff voice from behind you. "Better find it out before the press does," they added with a chuckle.

You turned around to match the rude remarks with Katsumi's face, driver for Top Rank Racing. From what you knew about the man, he's been in rally long enough to know that he was right. Though he could've delivered that a bit more nicely.

Casting an unsure look at Kate, you saw her beckon you to say something else, mouthing several pointers that fell unheard with your growing unease. There was nothing else to say. That was the pure truth. No one had a safe seat in rally, except if you were Akira with loads of talent or Naozumi with a shit ton of cash to throw around. But you... you were lucky if there was a next year for you at all. And that might just be the case for your team too, whether it takes off or it burns to charred ashes again. Whether they keep you with them or not. And that realization hurt the deepest of them all.

"There you go again with useless questions, Misano," spoke Naozumi, successfully diverting your attention away from a meltdown.

His voice carried out smooth like whiskey over the shushed murmurs in the room, able to charm the attention of even the stingiest creature. His dark brown eyes were throwing sharp daggers with the aim to impel the man in the middle of the press convoy, almost like he had some personal vendetta against him, able to see past his journalistic tricks better than anyone.

From the few words he uttered your way you could tell why.

"Why don't you wrack your brain for something more interesting to ask?" he added bitterly.

Misano could only glare at him, shifting his attention from you to the man beside you, much more poison seeping from his tone at being interrupted.

"I was just about to get to you Naozumi. Impatient as always," he sneered. "I do have a really good one," he chuckled lowly to himself, like he was about to get the scoop of the century.

Naozumi was absolutely unfazed by his tactics. Just like you were, before he opened his mouth.

"You and Shinkai are in quite the fight to reach the higher ranks of the WRC. Did you solve the misunderstandings from last year to prevent more incidents from happening this time around?"

Naozumi laughed dryly at that, averting his eyes away from the man so overzealous for drama. When his eyes fell back on him, it wasn't with the same playful gaze reserved for toying around with people, but with raw hunger to rip him to shreds until every other word he was dying to write was out and cut to tiny little pieces on the floor.

Even you shuddered at the intensity of that look. You thanked the heavens it wasn't directed at you. If you were in Misano's shoes, you would shove those words back down your throat and run to puke them out somewhere they would be more well received, like the trash can outside, right around the door. That might do everyone in here a favor.

Naozumi finally let go of your leg, turning around in his seat to face the press with more interest. You breathed a small sigh of relief at the loss of contact. But a small part of you mourned the reassurance it provided for a short while, letting the nerves about your future race back up your spine again. At least they were dimmer now, since you put your focus on the charade of power to your left.

"If by misunderstanding you mean forced damage to my car," paused Naozumi with an icy grin matching the gaze that never once faltered from Misano, "then no, we didn't solve anything."

He delivered that affirmation so smoothly that even you leaned over the table to get a better look at him. Contrary to the calmness in his voice, there was a furious annoyance taking over his features. One far more irritated than the other looks you've seen him sport in the past three days.

"You can't solve misunderstandings with hardheaded people," piped in Akira, matching the same sweet venom in Naozumi's voice.

Naozumi could only smirk coldly, dropping his gaze to his team racing suit before he aimed it at Akira.

"That's where you're wrong," corrected Naozumi. "You can't solve misunderstandings with irresponsible people that can't admit to their faults."

It was Akira's turn to be vexed, staring down the man on his right. Those eyes, softer than melted chocolate, turned into the most violent tempest catching speed by the second. Though he wasn't necessarily asked a question, he was just as involved in the one served to Naozumi, so he turned to Misano with a comment.

"I think what Naozumi means by that is that some things are better left in the past. Or swept under the rug for the sake of it."

Point, aim and shoot.

"Let's leave the talking to the track," grinned Akira, patting Naozumi's shoulder in feign respect.

Naozumi broke into a toothy smile, tongue coming out to swipe over his teeth in disbelief. That smile grew and grew until it matched Akira's, just like a Cheshire cat. Then he leant over to him, whispering something in his ear. A threat you just so happened to hear.

"Stay the fuck away from my track. And don't fool yourself that thing was accidental to free your conscience" he mumbled.

The cameras flashed to immortalize the moment, making sure to get all sides of the burning declaration of war. They held each other's gaze with impending rage, pumping hard enough to blow out big dark fumes like messenger torches.

Keeping levelheaded and avoiding conflicts of interest was a rule their agents were probably negotiating with them, not even close to being able to enforce it.

From the looks of it, there was way more tension between the two than they let on with those loaded glances passed from one end of the paddock to the other in between stages. They had history that was better left unraveled for the sake of the rest of the season.

I take it back. The car reveal was a baby next to this shit show.

After that, the rest of the conference went by uneventfully. Surprisingly. The stifling tension however, was still palpable in the air. It was crazy how just one question from Misano turned the mood salty real fast. He hasn't asked anything else ever since, sitting merrily in the audience with a smug smirk, utterly pleased at causing an uproar.

The rest of the reporters went for decent questions as the drivers geared up for mayhem on track. As soon as the organisers let you, you dashed outside, welcoming the fresh breath of air and freedom away from that purgatory room.

Got nine more of those to endure.

"Not bad for your first press conference, rookie."

Was that supposed to be an encouraging pat on the back? If anything it sounded haughty and kind of condescending.

Does it hurt him to shed off some of that superior complex thing he has going on?

Upon remembering his game back in the conference room, you whirled around to him instantly, backing him in a corner so no one could hear your murderous intentions. The flames inside of you were leaping high and violent again. But that must have been the Naozumi effect at this point - setting you on fire then walking away only to come back and kindle you again whenever he saw fit.

"Don't ever touch me again or I will rip your hands and shove them down your cars' exhaust. Understood?"

"It was a good distraction though, wasn't it?" he smirked, pinning you with that knowing look of his that made you want to spit fire like a dragon.

"It was so fucking unnecessary-" you stopped, the rest of your words dying in your throat. "It was so -," you growled. "You're so -"

You gave up on speaking. There was no point in explaining why punching him was the right thing to do because the more you looked at it you realized he was right. That playful stroke was a good distraction from going berserk with all those demons patiently waiting to pick you apart like flies that dove into shit on the side of the road. Even if it was for a while, he managed to calm down your stormy temper. It was a miracle for anyone to even do that in the first place.

He leaned down to you, stopping just a few inches off your face. His eyes drifted down to your lips for a brief second before securing your gaze again with that dark look of his that has probably disarmed more girls than you could count on all your existent fingers, hands and toes included.

"That's what I thought," he said as teasingly soft as a brush on canvas.

Before you could say anything else he walked off, leaving you dumbfounded with your tongue poking your cheek, and kind of questioning your sanity.

He's so goddamn infuriating.

Back in your pen, you took off the suit, changing back in the team kit and made a beeline for the car. There was no time to waste. The crew gathered around you in a heartbeat, waiting for your directions.

The skilled gazes laid on you, full of years of garage work, made you very aware of the fact that they expected full professionalism from you.

God, I hope this works.

"Okay so, we need to change the oil filter," you started. "The oil inside is contaminated and from the looks of it, it's not usable anymore. The filter itself appears to have blown a gasket, so that too needs replacing," you finished in one breath.

"But our oil person isn't here today," Akio, one of the mechanics, pointed out.

"Mister Hinode isn't," you sighed, hoping the old man was enjoying himself for taking the day off today of all days. "But I am. I watched him change enough oil filters back at the garage to know what I have to do."

"Very well. Lead the way," he replied with a nod, fully placing his trust in your hands.

Though slightly unsure, the rest of the team followed. Looking back at Tanaka, you saw him nod too, letting you know he had your back. At the silent show of support, you pushed the nerves away and got to work in your full element.

"What I need from you is a car lift, a drain pan, the new oil filter, and four or five liters of motor oil," you told the team. "Draining it will take about an hour, more or less, and replacing it a little less in theory. We have less than four hours until stage two so we can't afford to lose any time if we want to get something out of today."

"You heard the girl," clapped Tanaka, moving to get all hands on deck. "Let's move."

You turned to Sentaro and the electrical engineer.

"I need you guys to run the electrical checks again, now and after I finish changing the filter, in case anything else goes off and needs fixing so we're on top of it ASAP."

"Got it. Also, regarding the oil pressure, it was on high levels last night when we brought it back from the event, but we thought it was from being out on track for so long," he said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it. It can happen out of nowhere too, especially considering the roads I drove it down yesterday. But do ping Mr. Hinode in case there's something we're missing."

"Thanks, Raiko. You're a lifesaver," he said, walking back to his laptop.

Eh, I'm a what now? you blinked trying to take that compliment in. Shaking yourself out of it, you rolled up your sleeves to your elbows and worked to lift the car at an angle you could fit under it.

Pulling over a creeper, you leaned back and got under, looking for the oil plug under the dirty chassis. Finding it right away, just a little off the underside of the front bumper, you unscrewed it with a wrench. Barely twisted open, the splotchy black goo started spilling everywhere, much more liquid and disgusting than you thought it would be. What was on the dipstick was nothing compared to what spilled out on the sides of the plug. It smelled horrible, like murky grass and three days old mud had a biochemical hazard lovechild. And there was about four liters of that to drain out.

The more you unscrewed the plug, the more it splattered everywhere, some of it flying in your hair. Jerking away so it wouldn't land in your eyes, you turned the plug tugging it off completely. The oil flow doubled right away and you realized you should've had the drain pan under it before you unscrewed it.

"Fucks sake," you grunted, holding out a hand to whoever was close by. "Loosen the oil cap on the top and hand me the drain pan."

A hand pushed the drain pan into your own and you moved fast to shove it under the oil drain, to avoid more of it staining the asphalt.

You slid out from under the hood to breathe in some fresh air, meeting with Kate and Tanaka's faces, looking at you with matching disgusted looks as they took in your very contaminated appearance.

"Your face..." started Kate, pointing at your face as she pinched her nose.

"All natural," you shot back. "You should try it sometimes."

Tanaka howled a laugh as he pulled you up from the ground, handing you a few clean cloths. You wiped your hair as best as you could, frowning at the dirt coming out of it. That will take a lot of showers to take out.

"Now what?"

"Now we wait. And make other checks on the car to make sure nothing else is broken."

Come on, pick up.

Pacing the dusty ground above the stands, you listened as the line rang and rang, each dial tone pumping the nerves back in your system. You were starting to regret this until he finally picked up on the seventh ring.

"I'm in a meeting right now," filtered your father's shushed voice through the phone.

Of course he's in a meeting. That's why he left early this morning. In the chaos with the car and the press, you forgot all about that. Now the scope of the call didn't even really seem that important anymore, preoccupied with the fact that you interrupted something that probably was.

"Raiko? Are you there?"

A car whizzed past on track, pulling roars of cheers from the crowd, prompting you to find a quieter corner.

Was there even a point in asking that?

Fuck it. Just get it over with.

"Does...," you started, but the rest of the words got lost somewhere in the mess in your head. You took a deep breath and tried again, this time sounding a bit more composed. "Does my contract have an expiration date?"

He could tell something was off. You could be as composed as you wanted, but your father could always pick up on the uncertainty laced in your voice.

You heard shuffling, rushed goodbyes and a door closing shut, before a chair creaked. His voice came through more clearly now.

"Of course not. I told you you're welcome to drive for Suruki Racing until you no longer wish to."

Those were the same words you said out loud to the reporter just last night, so sure of yourself and knowing what you wanted that it would be impossible for anyone to second guess it or even challenge your claim to the seat in the team. Until smug-face opened his mouth to comment on it in the press conference today.

"Is everything alright, Rai? I know I left in a rush but if there's anything you need, please let me know."

"Everything's alright," you reassured him, trying to sound more on top of the situation than you felt. "Sorry for disturbing the meeting."

"Eh, don't worry about it. I could use a break," he chuckled, making you chuckle too.

It was so good to finally talk to him like that. Like you were father and daughter for once in a while, before being team principal and driver.

"Are you sure everything's okay?" he asked again, willing to listen to any concerns you had, big or small.

"Yeah," you sighed softly. "It is now. Thanks dad."

He could tell there was more to it than you were telling him, like the issues with the car and missing the first stage, but you didn't push it. Tanaka would catch him up on it later anyways. There was no use in railing him up on a plane right now.

"Always, firebolt. Good luck out there."

That always was your I love you. He wasn't one to be a softie for cheesy stuff, like blurting out those three words, but that always never failed to reassure you that you'll get through anything and come out on the bright side. No matter what.

"Good luck to you too," you piped up, ending the call.

Looking ahead, you caught sight of the Spica Racing blue hues right on time, approaching a rocky corner. Naozumi took it so effortlessly before diving into the last drift portion taking it wide, closer to the barrier, lifting the dust and gravel off the ground to fly off in the stands like a gust of sand.

You backed away coughing a little, shaking your head with a smile at the gesture that was one hundred percent intentional.

At least someone's having fun today.

You got back to the pen at the same time Naozumi pulled up. He got out of the car much more pleased with his run than he has these past few days. He didn't even yell at his engineers this time. Peace and quiet ruled the Sigma Racing pen surprisingly.

Unfortunately for your short lived peace of mind, he caught sight of you and turned your way with a smile as wide as his pride must be flowing in from head to booted feet for completing a stage this nice. If only you had the chance to go out on the road too.

The closer he got to you, he eyed you from head to toe, taking you in all your muddy glory, scrunching his nose at the smell that was still glued to you like you sprayed on intense dirt road cologne. The nasty kind that barely washes out of your clothes after rolling in it. Your clothes also reeked of motor oil. If someone had a flint they might as well light you on fire if you just breathed in their direction.

"What happened to you?" he frowned. "Did you DNF into a bush of skunks or something?"

"Haha, really funny," you deadpanned. "I didn't even start the race for that matter."

Throwing a look at the scoreboard in your pen since it was closest, he scoured all the names of the drivers until his eyes landed on yours, staring back at him with a DNS in bold letters, right at the bottom of the grid. Shameful and defeated wouldn't even begin to explain your sour mood.

"What? How did you even manage that?"

Was he actually concerned or was he just planning to fumble the bag for more insults based on your answer? Closing in on the playful glint in his eyes, it was probably the latter and you were not in the mood for it. At all.

"Engine issues," you sighed, slumping in defeat.

It's been half an hour and you were still waiting for the oil to finish draining before you could actually fix anything. Time was ticking away and so were your hopes of somehow participating in the second stage.

"You missed a spot," he said, gesturing to your face.

Bringing your hands up, you wiped them everywhere coming up entirely clean. Is he seeing things?

He shook his head before coming closer, wiping his thumb over the tip of your nose. Your heart thrummed in your ears, drowning everything else around you but his touch and how close he was. Feeling the callused pads of his fingers on your skin, without all those fibrous layers of the suit between you, felt like being touched by millions of sparks of electricity at the same time. Heat surged on your cheeks quicker than you could hide it.

Him being him, he just had to ruin the moment. Not that there was one there.

Instead of getting the splotch of mud away, he smudged it all across your cheeks with a grin.

"There. Much better," he concluded, stepping back from you, proud of his outstanding work of art.

That only provoked you, flipping the switch on your rage. You kept it under wraps long enough and at this point, he was just asking for it. Not your fault his decency sensors must have been broken since he was born and folded in a blanket.

"I told you not to touch me ever again," you rasped, swatting his hand away a bit too violently.

"Hmm, I don't recall," he hummed, wiping his thumb on his suit to get rid of the dirt splotch he scooped from your nose. "It was probably an empty threat."

An empty threat? Hah. He's really starting to piss me the fuck off.

"What the fuck is your problem?"

Because he had many of them and most of his recent issues included disturbing your peace on an undetermined period.

"I don't really have a problem, rookie," he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Stop calling me that," you seethed. "I'm not a rookie," you breathed out with eyes closed to try and calm the fuse inside of you before it blew. Though you didn't mind if it blew in front of Naozumi's face and set him on fire a little.

"Oh, but you are." He took a step closer to you, broad shoulders branching out to appear more intimidating. "Need I remind you that you stepped foot in the car not even two days ago? A rookie stays a rookie until they prove themselves worthy of the road."

"You think you're the shit, don't you?"

"And you are?" he chuckled darkly. "You don't have the guts for it. Why don't you go back to being daddy's little spoiled princess, driving plastic cars, since it's very obvious you can't drive a real one?"

Naozumi had a talent at making sure his words drove straight to their recipient, cutting deeper than intended, at times with a purpose more painful than the edge of a knife could do damage.

But words were empty to you. You trained yourself not to believe the little white lies and rumors people tried to feed you to stay as far away from letting it affect you as possible. This was just another one of those confrontations meant to throw you off and undo the steps you've already done on the climb towards the top.

Hard pass on downgrading. But nice try.

"At least I'm not the idiot that wrecked the car in the easiest turn in the whole region just yesterday, driving it full speed with an engine failure only to blame it on my team. It takes real skill to pull that off."

His jaw ticked with fresh blood. You definitely ticked a nerve with that. If you're throwing knives at each other, might as well throw them deep just for the funk of it.

"At least I didn't get a DNF and a DNS first time on the job. Your father may have put that winning image in your head to motivate you, but if you think it will be that easy, you're wrong. You will always be a rookie and there's nothing you can do to help it."

If that was supposed to make it hurt more, boohoo, it missed it's mark. Kinda late to the pity party. Might invite you next time.

"Oh, you're one to talk," you scoffed incredulously. "You're nothing without your team and you can't even see that. What's gonna happen when they all walk out and leave you stranded to work on the car all by yourself? Will you magically pay your way out of it by hiring other people?"

"That's none of your business," he hissed.

"Real drivers help their team," you growled.

You were overtaken by a sense of kinship for your team stronger than anything the world could say or throw at you. He probably knew nothing about what it means to make constant sacrifices for something you love body and soul. But he sure had the nerve to come and preach it to you like a total hypocrite since the rules of normal society apparently don't apply to him but they do to everyone else.

"You don't get to tell me how to be a driver," he shot back, tone becoming more menacing with every word.

"And you don't get to trample all over my hard work. My team's hard work. Don't talk to me about privilege when you're living off it just fine."

You didn't even notice you closed the distance to him, getting right up in his face, seeping into his space once more, this time with a different kind of savagery - one that felt a lot like unleashing chaos. You were a brief remark away from spearing your claws out for some physical atoning.

"You don't know shit," he growled, towering over you. "So I suggest you to back the fuck off."

"Or what?," you gritted back.

The corner of his lip turned up with a dark wicked smirk, a warning pledge of fast approaching colossal disaster, just like the words rumbling out of his throat, low and deep like thunder.

"I'll make sure the rest of your time here," he paused, raven eyes boring into yours with intensity before he whispered the last words a mere breath away from your lips, "is a living hell."

A living hell?

I'm already living hell, pretty boy.

You simply chuckled at that. He had no idea that you laughed in the face of danger. He must have thought you were crazy for it. It took more than a threat to steer your wheels in that direction. The direction of sin.

His head tilted in slight confusion at your reaction, though his eyes never left their furious fire behind. You quipped a brow, silently accepting his challenge, wondering just how far he could go to prove a point and preserve his pride in the face of a mere rookie.

"I'd like to see you try."

"You're gonna regret this."

This man loved to make enemies with everyone. But he picked the wrong person to start the fight with. Unfortunately for him and his loud wrathful thunder, vengeful lightning always strikes twice. Always.

"We'll see about that."

Not another word came out of his mouth. But you knew better than to accept his silence as a retreat. His mouth curved, a devilish grin over it, as if he already started devising a wicked little plan in his head to pull the earth from under your feet when you weren't looking.

Regarding you with one more look full of hatred, he pulled back, walking off to his pen.

Little did he know, he just met his match.

Regrets... you had many for yourself. But you were sure as hell that him of all people was the last one to add to them.

Never in a million years would you let that happen.

I wouldn't wish hell upon anyone. Especially mine. But if I had the choice to curse one person in the whole wide world right now...

I would curse him in a heartbeat.

You were sitting outside the pen, glaring at Naozumi's back, until Tanaka called out to you.

"Raiko. The oil has drained out.," he said, stopping in his tracks. "What are you doing out here?"

Googling ways to overcome your enemies with the power of forced distance.

"Nothing," you scoffed, heading back inside.

Time to get dirtier than my soul.

Taking your place back under the car, you worked on changing the oil filter with a new one. Screwing off the old filter entirely by hand, the leftover oil spilled everywhere again. At least there wasn't that much left in the basin to really stain anything.

It would've been nice not to have to do this with your bare hands, but you've been Mr. Hinode's human flashlight enough to know that the filter can only be tightened by a bare hand to make sure it's in the right spot and that none of it can leak out.

"Could you hand me a filter wrench?"

"Here," popped in Akio's head, who now became your human flashlight.

"Thanks."

A little shimmying and the old broken filter finally popped out with the rest of the oil leaking out down your arms. The last drop fell on your forehead. A good luck omen? We shall see.

Passing it to Akio, you motioned to him to shine some light on the broken filter. You noticed the head gasket was indeed damaged.

"Is the new filter ready and rubbed with oil yet?"

"Yep. Good to go?"

"Yeah."

Checking the engine block with the flash light one more time to make sure there weren't any other bits or parts stuck inside, you tried putting the new filter in. You struggled to make it do inside the engine block, moving down a little farther under the car. Not a fun thrill to experience with a ton hanging above you lifted by a tool weighing less.

Please don't crush me, hun. I drive you but I can assure you that you don't want to drive me.

Spinning the part to the right, you finally got it in, puffing out a breath. You screwed it on until you felt it stop turning. You gave it another spin with your hand before you tightened it with a wrench the rest of the way.

"We should be good to go now. Pour the motor oil in."

One of the mechanics poured the oil in on top. You waited to see if any of it would still leak out only to see none.

The new oil filter was successfully attached.

Well fuck me, I just did that.

Rolling out from under the car, you breathed out a sigh of relief as the team started applauding you and howling your name out of nowhere.

"Raiko! Raiko! Raiko!"

"Oh, shut the fuck up."

They all laughed at your antics. Tanaka and Sentaro pulled you up as the rest threw their cloths at you to send you to shower. Your team kit was sticking to you like you just took a dip in an oil lake, save for the sweat rolling down your back. That one belonged to you.

"You smell as bad as the car after a day on track and I'm saying that in the nicest way possible," said Akio.

"Haha, really funny," you laughed, throwing some of the cloths back with oil stains. "If I had a hose I would drench you all. Don't tempt me."

Little did you know that someone came around to check out what the ruckus next door was about. He watched you from the sidelines, running around to smear the oil on your hands on whoever landed in your range of attack. Most of them didn't even move, welcoming your attack with defeated smiles. The corner of his lip tilted up in a delighted grin at the scene.

Maybe I underestimated her.

"Everything's got the green light, right?"

"Yes, Raiko," Tanaka reassured you for the hundredth time since you stepped in the car. "All other car checks came out good. Stop stressing."

"I'm not stressing."

Well, you kinda were since you lost a lot of points by retiring from the first stage. You needed a clear head before the race and after today it just wasn't happening. You fixed the car before it was time to race, but if you didn't do right by this one, you could kiss any advancement ahead in the series goodbye.

"You saved us today. Any other driver would've ripped their contract to pieces in front of the team if they had to get anywhere near motor oil."

"I think you're forgetting I'm not just any driver," you smirked, pulling your helmet on. "Let's do this shit."

You went out there and enjoyed it for the first time this weekend. Your run was smoother than anything else today. The corners were mostly wide, mid-range turns, and the car felt great with the new oil change. It would be another 3000 miles before you had to change it again and hopefully, the filter would last longer than that.

Even Tanaka seemed to enjoy himself. He didn't reach for the door handle not even once like he was used to whenever he was in the car with you. You did accelerate faster in some turns watching his hand come up halfway only to stop and retract back.

"6 left 100. Flat out."

One hundred meters left to the widest corner left in the race.

Come to mamma.

The dirt flew up in the air behind you, leaving a trail of dust on each side. You dove closer to the left where the stands were, taking the last corner with a large drift that rose up huge clouds of sand from your rear. You heard the roars of the crowd before the puckers from the slide over the gravel, all getting lost in the rave music booming through the speakers.

This is what racing was about. Leaving it all in the hands of the wheel for two minutes where the world quieted down. Being on a one track mind.

Once every driver went for their run, you sat on the hood with the rest of the team waiting for the final update of the track times. You chewed your lip in thinking, tapping your foot on the floor.

I hope all those sacrifices weren't in vain. We all worked way too hard to fall off the track right now. We need this right now.

The scoreboard loaded to display the first three names and all heads perked forward. No one spoke. Not even the wind dared to rustle a banner.

1st place - Naozumi Hiyama - Spica Racing Factory

2nd place - Akira Shinkai - Sigma Racing

3rd place - Takatoshi Tohira - YM Works

Naozumi's ego was strong today. He just so managed to bag podium after that whole show of arrogance. Fucker. Pushing your annoyance for the man away, you focused back on the board.

Come on, load faster.

4th place - Katsumi Ishibashi - Top Rank

I can kiss top five for Tour de Tokai goodbye. So long world.

5th place - Raiko Suruki - Suruki Racing

What the fuck-

Loud cheers erupted all around you like the national football team just won the World Cup. That was totally impossible but you did it. You placed in the first point rankings. You were in top five! Still far away from the podium, but at least you didn't fall off the scoreboard.

Before you even said anything, the screen updated to display the Drivers Championship standings so far.

1. Akira Shinkai - Sigma Racing - 61 pts

2. Naozumi Hiyama - Spica Racing Factory - 53 pts

3. Neil Emerton - Cusco Racing - 47 pts

4. Takatoshi Tohira - YM Works - 38 pts

5. Fairuz Badawi - Eliot Racing - 31 pts

6. Katsumi Ishibashi - TOP RANK - 28 pts

7. Raiko Suruki - Suruki Racing - 25 pts

"It's not much, but they're good points," said Tanaka, patting you on the back. "Amazing work today, lightning strike."

Turning back to everyone, you called out to them. The team gave you their full undivided attention. Your team. Most of these people saw you grow up from a rowdy teenager into the driver you are today. They were more than your team. They were your extended family. You owed them everything.

"I know dad's not here today, but someone has to do the honorary speech" you clapped your hands together, trying to will some normal words out.

"I wouldn't have been able to get out there without you guys. You're the reason this team works like oiled parts, no pun intended."

Some of them laughed at that. You happened to have your father's humor.

"I know there's no podium celebration for us this time, but I will work even harder to bring it to you soon. For now, please rest up, eat well and stay safe. The Fuji Highland Masters round is nearby so we need to get in the gear for it soon."

"Raiko! Raiko! Raiko!"

"Guys, please stop," you giggled, suddenly flustered at all the attention. "Come on, go home. Before the organizers kick us out."

Grabbing your duffel bag with your things, you went back to the race banner. You pulled out your phone and took a photo of it and a selfie.

Your career officially started. It was a rocky start and the climb up to even get a chance at podium was even rockier. But you were willing to fight for it with your teeth.

Suruki Racing was born again this weekend and you were planning to keep it alive for longer than it has before.

Turning around, you cast a look at the podium. Naozumi just received his trophy, smashing the champagne bottle to spray the crowd. That million dollar smile was back on his face, wider and brighter than you've seen it. It almost looked real. Among all that lust for fame and money in his blood, he looked like he fit right in with the haze of celebration. Like he was made to be a winner.

On the other side of the podium, Akira lifted his 2nd place trophy too, fully enjoying the squeals from his fans. You didn't know what came over you, but you pulled your phone out to snap a picture of both of them for safekeeping.

Spotting you on the side about to leave, Akira took off in your direction. His hand tugged on your arm to spin you around.

"Hey!"

"Hey, you," you smiled. "Second place, huh?"

He looked down at the trophy with a small smile, not really reaching his eyes like usual.

"Yeah. Not my best drive but it's alright."

"Could say the same."

"Are you coming to the party?"

"The famed afterparty on Naozumi's yacht?" You looked back at the podium, watching him throw the champagne bottle down his throat, spilling everywhere on his suit in the process. "No, thanks. I'll pass."

"He wants everyone on the grid there. Though I would much rather not go, my agent said it's good publicity. To tame the media after that stunt today or something like that. So, come with me."

After declaring each other mortal enemies, you wanted nothing to do with Naozumi at all. Not even being in his range of view. Going to a party, on his yacht, in the middle of a body of water was the last thing you needed.

"I'll think about it."

A staff member came to pull him away for a quick press interview. He seemed adamant to leave but you waved him off. You were in need of a shower before the mud became one with your skin.

"I have to go," he pressed his lips together in a smile, dimples popping on the sides. "See you back in Tokyo?"

"Sure."

Would going to that party be so bad? I could definitely use some alcohol and if it's free, why the hell not? He must have expensive alcohol on board. I can let my pride go for a free drink.

There was no lie that Tokyo's skyline looked so magical at night, especially on a yacht ride down the central river. Skyscrapers stretched out into the sky, multicolored lights blinking back at you with sparkles. The rich really had this superb view every night and they barely took a ride here if it wasn't for business purposes.

At least yours truly knows how to pick a party location.

Speaking of the man of the hour, you counted about eight girls around him from your secluded spot at the bar. You could hear their high-pitched voices all the way there, asking him all kinds of questions about himself and the car. He just hummed in response to all of them, focusing his attention elsewhere.

If today wasn't so shit and he didn't literally declare war to you, you might have just been a tad bit happy for him. The most you mustered was a mumbled congratulations when you boarded the ship. He just passed you a grin and left it at that.

He doesn't deserve my cheerfulness. He gets it from the world enough as it is. Plus the fact that he invited everyone on his yacht just in spite.

None of the drinks at the bar were for free and most were too expensive for your pocket, so you had to drink a mocktail. Even his hospitability was in mocking.

More girls scooched closer to get a piece of him, tanned arms and bare legs brushing up against him from all sides. He didn't even seem to be bothered in the slightest that his space was being taken up. But he did mind when it was you doing it.

"Then let's make a toast again!"

"Cheers!"

"Congratulations on being the champion!"

The girls cheered and clinked glasses, sipping on the expensive champagne. He joined on the clinking too, though he didn't drink with them, keeping his glass aside.

His eyes drifted from the champagne glass in his hand to you. The small smile on his face turned into a smirk of provocation. A smirk that went right to the epicenter of your rage. He came to kindle that fire again.

Before you knew it, you made a beeline through the crowd stopping right in front of his table. The girls shot you disapproving looks, sizing you up and down in every way they wanted. Picking apart your messy, tousled hair. Your tomboy outfit. Some even mumbled something about your nails not being in fashion. You shot them a look and they stopped looking at you altogether.

Naozumi just regarded you with a knowing look, averting his eyes to the water surrounding the boat in dismissal. You just stood there with your arms crossed, waiting for him to stop his passive ignorance.

"Got something to say to me, rookie?"

Would he explode if he just called me by my name?

"I do actually."

"Then," he extended a hand around one of the girls getting more comfortable with her. She snuggled into his body, giddiness taking over her for getting so close to him. You could feel the jealousy oozing off the other girls, waiting for their turn. "Let's hear it."

He really does have a thing for public humiliation.

Akira stepped beside you, lightly pulling at the sleeve of your leather jacket to get you away from trouble. Little did he know you loved trouble more than anything in the world. Especially when it involved a certain know-it-all with an annoyingly handsome face.

"Rai, let's go," he muttered, aware that some people turned around to watch the scene. "You're better than him. Don't give him the satisfaction."

"I wasn't talking to you, Shinkai," spat Naozumi, not once lifting his eyes away from you. Not even when the girl at his side caressed the side of his neck with obvious want. "Go lick the boots of your own team principal."

"Talk, rookie. Or did the cat get your tongue?"

You want war on and off track, Naozumi?

You have it.

The words were out of your mouth in a heartbeat, not one thought behind them. Nothing but the sole need to see how he would react to being challenged publicly.

"Let's settle it on the road. You and me. Our cars back at the docks."

An illegal race on the streets of Tokyo. Might as well be career suicide for some. But you had way too hanging by a thread, while he only had his pride. Taking that away would be like shoving him off his throne and sitting on it like it was yours.

Best case scenario, you win and leave him with a shattered ego.

Worst case scenario, you lose or end your career.

The only good thing was that the odds were in no one's favour out there on the road. It took skill to win an illegal race in a city that was built up on street racing of the highest stakes.

"What does the winner get?"

"Always so set on winning, aren't you? Would losing something dim your small manly pride?"

His tongue pushed his cheek in the same annoyed manner it would at his brother reprimanding him for being incapable of listening to simple directions.

"That's between you and me," you added, settling on making this as private as you could.

The sudden realization was written all over his face. He knew what you were referring to since you threw his very own words back at him.

"A rookie stays a rookie until they prove themselves worthy of the road."

Ripples of gasps echoed around you, people already murmuring things about you. Until the rumors started being directed at Naozumi and his ability to drive. It was time for him to prove himself worthy of the crowd as well.

Naozumi sat back swirling the champagne in his glass until the liquid was left without bubbles. He seemed to give it a good thought.

There was that curiosity dancing in his eyes again. The same rush of novelty measuring up on your very own. He wanted to know where you would take this if he gave you the chance.

"Fine by me," he said, taking you up on your offer.

Shaking off the female arms circled around him, he got up and threw back that glass of champagne emptying it in one go, before calling out to the captain to turn the boat around. He walked to you, stopping mere steps away from you.

"Where?"

"The hill over there down to the docks. No time cuts, no tricks."

"You shouldn't drive after drinking," you remarked.

He smirked, taking one more step towards you. "Are you worried about me, princess?"

"No," you said, taking one step in his direction.

One more step from each of you and you were chest to chest, facing off like it was a real battle for the very pride of driving. People made a circle around you, staying away from the tension already wafting through the air.

He bent down to your ear. "To settle your worries, it was non-alcoholic champagne. But don't let them know. I keep my alcohol for the big wins."

He really was the biggest asshole on the planet.

The two of you were the first to get off the boat and find your cars, driving them up the top of the hill with some of the crowd from the yacht following right behind. It would be a drive down through traffic and tight corners but it looked much more doable than the roads you've driven through today.

You heard his car purring before he pulled up next to you turning in your seat to gawk at it - a midnight blue R8, a beast of a car compared to yours.

It was an older model, so overpacked with modifications it made your head spin. Nothing on that car looked like it belonged on it and you had a hunch that long hood curving over the engine held a lot more mysteries than the outside body of the car.

He rolled down his window, leaning a hand over it to check yours out too. He scanned it back to front and from the twinge in his lips, he appeared impressed by your weapon of choice. Who wouldn't gape at it when yours was a collection car worth more than three of his yachts together.

"Veilside RX-7. Not bad for a rookie."

He sounded genuinely respectful.

"Thanks."

"I'll give you a five seconds head start," he added.

"I think you could use them a lot more than me," you shot back.

He revved his V8 engine, roaring it to life like a lion looking to claim his rightful throne. You did the same, revving your V6 longer to prepare it for the sprint race. Your engine missed two cylinders and some horsepower but yours had way better grip on the road. Though small compared to his speed intake, you had a shot at winning this.

He was big and wide, a monster under the hood but one that got swallowed on serpentine roads like the one that awaited you. It was a show car. It wasn't made for racing. That and your car was smaller and bunchier, meaning you were able to whizz through corners much faster if needed.

He can't beat me at what I know best.

I was born with the drift in my veins.

And illegal street racing?

Not my first rodeo, pretty boy.

Someone walked to the front stopping between your cars. It was the blonde woman from last night. Shorts that were shorter than your lifespan climbed up her buttocks, joined by a tank top that hugged her boobs better than any of your bras could. A checkered flag hang in her hand, getting rustled by the cool night breeze.

"Not too late to back out," he piped up.

"See you at the finish line. That is if you can keep up," you said, rolling up your window to avoid more of his attitude from seeping inside your car.

You cast a look down to your right at the docks then turned back around to the road.

On second thoughts, Tokyo's skyline looks way better from up here.

The blonde rolled her hand with the flag calling out a count and holding up her fingers. The crowd cheered behind you, already getting gassed by the fumes burning out through the exhausts.

"Three."

It's not about how fast you go.

You revved the engine loud, feeling the car shake with the raw horsepower under the hood.

"Two."

It's about how long you go fast.

Throwing a look at Naozumi, you caught him looking right back at you, that shit-eating grin back on his face.

Fast like lightning.

"GO!"

The flag barely hit the floor when you pressed the gas like a madman. His extra horsepower propelled him a few meters ahead of you. You kept close on his tail, letting him take the tight corners before you so he felt it on his own skin that this wasn't the type of road to get cocky on. Not with a million dollar car like his.

Passing the first two corners, he moved to the middle of the road to cover more ground. He must have realized his car takes way too much space to even drift. And this was a drifting road.

The next corner gave him an opening to shift gears and drift. You went on the outside, trying to overtake him but he was way too wide to get past. You needed a wider corner.

Moving around a rocky hillside, you noticed the road barriers curving down into a wider path, less narrow with more flow.

Naozumi slowed down, reducing his drift angle in the process, rear jerking in a light drift. That's my cue. You pulled the hand brake, pressed down the clutch then quickly stabbed the gas, turning the steering to the left. Accelerating, you flew past him, sliding in front of his car over the middle of the road, slick and smooth like butter on a hot frying pan.

The next turn was just as wide. He accelerated trying to get past you and he almost did if you didn't know him any better. You took the drift faster than him, with the risk of letting the car skid off the road. The tyres screeched loudly at the excess of pressure. Thinking fast, you dropped in the clutch moving down in second gear, finding the sweet spot where the rotations aligned and swerved left into another perfect drift. The roaring growl of the engine was music to your ears.

This is how you drive a car, baby.

A few more turns and you skidded out into intense night traffic. The move from rough to slick asphalt sent your rear wide in the middle of an intersection, passing a red light and being honked at from all sides of the intersection. Naozumi followed right behind you, mere meters away from smashing into your tail lights if you slowed down in the slightest.

You entered a tunnel, whizzing past city cars as fast as you could, overtaking them in fast twisting zig zags. Going back down the hill of the main road, he slid in beside you, pushing the car to its limits to close the gap to you. You didn't let off either, dropping down another gear to rev the engine and push past him.

The docks were just a few blocks away. So close.

Police sirens howled loudly in the distance. One look in the rearview mirror and sure enough the red and blue lights shone bright behind you, heading for you and Naozumi.

Three more police cars pulled up two blocks down, trying to block the street and the two of you from passing through. You shot him a quick look he shared with you, fully aware that this was going to get messy. He threw his head to the blocks on the side, wanting to take the longer route and go around. You laughed at that, turning back ahead.

Go hide, Naozumi. I like to face things head on. You should try it sometimes.

Pressing the gas pedal to increase the speed, you slid in front of him and went through fast. The hands on your speedometer went past 120 kmph. If the officers didn't want to get crushed, they had to pull away. But they didn't. Not that you wanted them to.

You cut the gas, tapped the clutch and steered left really tight, drifting down the lane of the street that was left unguarded. You held on tight to the wheel to stay in control of the car as the force pushed you into the door. Your tyres skidded with a screech at the amount of power, but you drifted into that lane and got the car back around straight, leaving the law enforcement behind you.

Two hundred meters in, you repeated the same maneuver this time to the right and steering wide, diving into another turn down the street, completely losing them. The farther away you got, the less you could hear the sirens. They didn't follow.

One thing about police here: they didn't give a fuck if they didn't stop you on the first try. With the amount of street races around Tokyo at night, they gave up on speeding tickets too. If you can do better than one-eighty they can't catch you. They just liked showing up for some ruckus for people to know they were worth their taxes.

Naozumi slowed down behind you, unable to understand how you got away. He followed your drift on the stretch, miscalculating how wide and low he was as his wheels got up on the sidewalk, scraping his front bumper in the process.

Circling around the last blocks with him in tow, he raced up to you, catching speed until he reached you again.

Now it was finally head to head.

Eight hundred meters stood between his dignity and your career getting knocked off and thrown into the river. None of you backed off, increasing the speed to inhumane limits. Not even the rally cars went this fast. The tyres gripped the asphalt hard, engine thundering under the hood, wheel quivering in your hold the faster you drove.

Five hundred meters.

On your left, his R8 got closer, trying to take away from your ascent. A lower portion going under a bridge came up ahead with a tight corner between the pillars. You veered under it, drifting with his car at the same time. He took the inside pushing you off into the rocky sidewalk as payback for his scratched bumper. Your rear wheel caught onto it, swaying the car off the road. The tremors shook your seat the more you drove over the rocks and you managed to get off it just before you smashed into the pillar, sliding back on the road.

Motherfucker.

You pushed the car even faster to catch up to him. You played fair and square and he was pulling tricks. Fairplay was in the trash at this point when it comes to him. What was worse was that you expected more, but maybe that was a mistake.

Three hundred meters.

The size of a football stadium stood between you and the finish line. The docks were now in view, tall and shabby warehouses littered on the sides of the road. Time for Plan B.

Just because I don't have one between my legs doesn't mean I can't act like a dick too.

You let go of the throttle, slowing down to fall behind him and tailed him, sticking to his end like a leech. He liked to play dirty. At least he could have a taste of his own medicine.

He tried to shake you off, going in chicanes and slowing down in the process. He was growing impatient and it showed because you weren't letting off his tail not in even a little, keeping close to his end. If you had more horsepower you could've kissed his back bumper for shits and giggles.

He tried his hardest to lose you, turns getting Once he steered right really wide, you took the opening and accelerated, speeding through ahead and leaving him behind. You turned to wave at him with a smile as you passed by, bolting through to the end.

You whizzed past the redhead waving the checkered flag, getting the crowd yelling as you drifted around them, lifting some of the dust up in the air as you did some victorious doughnuts. Naozumi pulled up behind you and you circled him a few times before you stopped in front of him.

That dark look in his eyes was full of hatred just a few hours ago. Now, it turned furious with rage, pride absolutely shattered. He took a gamble on your inexperience and he lost the game he started so confident in his own powers.

Everyone rushed to your car to cheer on you. You got out shocked at the crowd pooling in. Akira bolted through the endless mob of people, reaching you and bringing you in a bone-crushing hug you couldn't help but melt in.

"That was batshit crazy! We could see everything from down here."

"I know," your voice came out muffled from being tucked in his shoulder. "I can't believe I did that."

"Well," he pulled apart to hold onto your shoulders, "believe it 'cause you absolutely just did that."

The crowd started chanting your name and you couldn't help the giddiness overtaking your senses. Some of those people were either drivers or really famous and they were calling out your name with excitement.

You might have fallen off the track today but you won the crowd tonight. This was yours to enjoy fully and no one could take it away from you. You earned it. You proved that you belonged on the road.

Naozumi finally cut the engine off. He slumped back in his seat for a moment before he got out to inspect the damage on the front of his car. You walked over to him to see him threading his fingers over the scratched paint stretching over to a dent, covering a good part of the corner in front of the right wheel.

"That looks nasty," you said.

He shot you a look filled with hatred. That graze looked worse than nasty could describe and from how he grinded his teeth in annoyance, it looked like it was entirely your fault in his head.

Not one word was uttered between him getting back in his car and speeding away, leaving his victory celebration for you to enjoy.

I think I scratched his ego too.

Akira slid in beside you, eyes trained on the back of his car, watching it drift away until you could no longer see it.

"Is it wrong that I feel bad for him?"

"Nah, you earned this. He's just complicated." Then he paused, rotating to you. "Frankly, I don't think anyone threw him off his high horse this hard before. Not even me," he said with a grin, happy at Naozumi's demise.

Maybe he was right. Naozumi was a really complicated person. But the more you faced each other on and off track, the more you got to know more about him. And the more your hands inched closer to unravel that puzzle on the shelf with his name on it.

One thing was for sure.

After today's events, that plastic foil on his puzzle box was entirely gone. And one of your dying curiosities was satisfied tonight.

You now knew what made Naozumi tick.

And it wasn't losing.

🏎️Glossary of terms and other useful information 🏎️

The Points - Points in rally get awarded on a top 10 places basis. Depending on the placement at the end of the final stage, the score one gets differs. First place can get as high as 25 points, while tenth place gets only one point. *The last stage is called the Power Stage, giving drivers in top five extra points in the overall standings.

Drivers Championship standings - The overall points gathered over the course of all rounds. If you're familiar with F1, it is the equivalent to the Drivers' World Championship standings.

Downshift - One of Raiko's favourite things. Changing gears from an upper one to an inferior one, where the car revs up before it speeds up. Also the sweet spot where the rotations align and the engine roars.

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Taglist: @ellisaworld @howimeetyoukit @jonnelpunk @nadlx33333

#runaway 🏎️🏁#naozumi hiyama #naozumi hiyama x reader #naozumi hiyama x you #overdrive fic #akira shinkai #akira shinkai x reader #overdrive mackenyu

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