#i guess you'll just have to stick around and see :)

[pretty-toastie]

Κασσάνδρα

Things that are tangled: The loop of red string I keep in my pocket, rub absently between my fingers, twist into tiny shapes. The boughs and vines and briars of Central Park. The screams of crows perched high in hemlocks, in birches, in oaks and aspens and yews, raspy and joyful and defiant. The thatched roof of a home on the rocky shore of Ireland and the carpeted floor of an arcade strewn with neon geometry, both rough on my hands in the same way. The prophecies that hang in the air, the knowledge that suffuses the atmosphere and drips blackened knots over the heads of humanity. Time.

A pair of young girls—was I ever that young?—stumbled across me once, in the woods of northern France. Their gaze fell on me, wrapped in a battered bomber jacket, the patches torn away long ago or long after, and I exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke and stared back at them. They stood frozen, side by side, their eyes wide. I watched one girl shift closer to the other, heard the crunch of twigs and dead leaves under her foot. She whispered something in French, grabbed the other’s hand, her fingers trembling slightly.

Something about these girls, scared, standing in front of an entity they could not comprehend, reminded me of myself; I wanted desperately to put them at ease. Your children are beautiful, I told them. You raised them so well. And they were, and they did—I could see them, all bright smiles and bubbling laugher and round cheeks, all dirty hands and strong arms and herbs tucked into leather pouches, all grey hair and wrinkled skin and wisdom.

The girls couldn’t see. Of course they couldn’t.

It’s so easy to forget what you should and shouldn’t know yet when you already know everything. The years blend together, and I forget where I am, when I am. It makes me feel insane.

A young man—a boy—found me once in an alley in Seludong. He was out of breath, nervous. He spoke in rapid Tagalog. They say you’re a witch, he said. Can you change me? Can you fix my body? It’s not right. It doesn’t fit me. It broke my heart to have to tell him no, tell him that all I can do is see, that the only way I can change anything is to warn people. I could not bring myself to tell him that no one will ever heed my warnings.

Phoebus Apollo’s voice echoes in my skull, as hot and violent as the sun. It tastes like ozone, like blood on my tongue. Just the memory hurts. He knew that I just wanted to help. All I ever wanted was to help. I saw the people around me suffering and I just wanted to help them and he offered me the means—gave me the means. But then he asked for something in return, a price I wasn’t willing to pay, and I said no—but what does ‘no’ mean, to a god? I turned him down, and he, in turn, unable to revoke his gift,  made sure that I would never be able to help anyone.

Things that are tangled: The pieces of soft, soft cloth I keep in my pocket, rub absently between my fingers, worried and worn and frayed. The wrought iron fence gates of a manor in northern Vermont. The calls of screech owls and foxes, hunting at night, earsplitting, beautiful. The smell of woodsmoke, the taste of basil and rosemary and lemongrass and mint. My feelings. How can I love someone when I know that she would do anything for me, that for me to love her would destroy her? How can I love someone when I can see her wife’s face in my mind, always, always, and it isn’t mine?

But then, how can I not?  She puts basil and rosemary and lemongrass and mint in the glasses of water she makes me. She takes me to an arcade, laughs when I need to stop to run my fingers over the carpet of neon geometry but waits all the same. She listens when I tell stories about places I’ve been and things I’ve seen and people I’ve met. She is patient when I forget. She walks with me through Central Park, smiles excitedly at me when the foxes and the crows and the screech owls scream because she knows I love the sounds.

Her face in the moonlight is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I have seen everything. She never asks me about her future.

And then her future arrives. It always had happened, always would happen. I can only bear to live through that time once. I’m not there. I am lost in the tangled weave of time and space and future and past, hunched over in the rain on the edge of a street in the middle of somewhere, terrified by the snarled knot of certainty that hangs in front of the faces of everyone who passes me. I am broken, I am lost. I know everything. I cannot remember my name. I watch the world end against the inside of my eyelids, again and again and again, and I cannot tell where I am, when I am. I do not know how to get back to her.

I left her, and I was gone for so long, and she fell in love. Really, truly, deeply. She and her wife were so happy, are so happy, will be so happy, and I am so happy for her. I am. I breathe in, breathe out. I have always known. I could see our ending from the moment I met her. I still didn’t expect it to hurt so much.

Things that are tangled: the lines of fate that bind people together, tear them apart. The pits of peaches, scarred over with twisting grooves. The ever-branching future and the ever-growing past. The sound of raindrops on asphalt. Flowers blooming before the last frost. The taste of loss, acid in my mouth. I feel insane. I know that I am not. I knew what would happen. No one ever heeds my warnings.

I blow a cloud of smoke and fog into the damp night air, watch as it mingles with the low grey clouds lit from above by the pale moon. I pull my worn jacket closer around me.

Time will keep moving forward. It always has. I will bear witness to it all.

[hotyanderedaddies]

Yandere Cat Café Owner Wants You

[Yandere! Cat Dad Boyfriend x GN! Reader]

·゜·:.。..。.:·☆·゜·:.。..。.:·☆

Kitty Café opened up down the block from your apartment, and ever since you'd seen the fliers promising delicious treats with tons of cats to play with, you'd made it your life's mission to visit it.

Unfortunately, your boyfriend was crazy allergic to cats, so you had to go solo. It bummed you out, sure; but the idea of getting to spend some time with tons of cats more than made up for it. You knew that you couldn't adopt one, but maybe you could do a little donation instead.

"Welcome!" a deep, warm voice sounded out as soon as you entered the small café.

Behind the desk was a large behemoth of a man. Even from across the room, you could tell that he towered over you. His body was thick and solid with muscle, and the tight polo he wore was painted across his large chest.

Around him, tiny kittens mewed and pawed at him, asking for pets.

The entire café was littered with cats (duh), but most of them seemed to be sticking close to the man.

"H-hi," you stuttered back, feeling nervous under the intense gaze of the larger man. His eyes widened when you spoke, and you could clearly see his Adam's apple quiver a little, and the corners of his mouth pulled up slightly. "I, uh, I saw the fliers and I had to come see the new cat café."

The man's smile grew on his face. "Great!" he beamed. "You're actually my first customer. I'm Dominik the owner, by the way. But you can call me Da-- *cough, Dom." He smiled nervously, a pinkish hue forming on his face. "What can I get you?"

The owner was really friendly, and he seemed to be over the moon to have a customer. You could tell by how giddy he seemed, and even some of the kittens picked up on it, their glances shifting between him and you.

You looked at the menu behind Dom, amazed by the wide array of tasty treats and delicious drinks that you could order. There were so many choices that you couldn't make up your mind.

"Um," you wondered. "Surprise me." You shrugged, figuring that the café owner wouldn't find the request too annoying... or at least you hoped not.

Luckily, Dom's smile remained, and it even grew bigger. "Sure thing, Kitten," he grinned. "Go ahead and take a seat and I'll bring it out to you."

You winced internally at his odd nickname for you, but ignored it for the moment.

You took a seat near the window, taking time to pet some of the cats that were brave enough to wander close to you. A fluffy orange kitten with little stripes on it clawed its way up your pant leg, hopping into your lap and purring loudly.

"Aww, cute little guy," you cooed as you pet the kitten, loving how it purred even louder.

"That's Pumpkin," Dom said as he approached the table. "It looks like he likes you."

Dom placed a small cup on the table in front of you and a little baked treat. It looked like a cookie in the shape of a cat, whereas the cup was a latte with a little heart made out of the foam. It was really cute.

"Thank you," you said as you took a sip of the latte, your eyes widening at how sweet it was. And it totally lacked any of the bitterness that coffee drinks typically have. In short: It was fantastic! "This is amazing!"

Dom took the seat opposite yours. "I'm glad you like it, Kitten," he genuinely smiled. He then nodded at Pumpkin. "Are you looking for a cat to take home?"

You frowned slightly. "No," you relented. "My boyfriend's allergic to cats, so I can't adopt one."

Dom's smile vanished and his square jaw clenched. "Yeah..." he huffed, something audible in his deep voice, "that's not too good." He sighed before forcing a smile back onto his face. "I guess that means that you'll just have to come visit more often."

You looked up at the larger man in awe.

Blushing, Dom hurriedly added, "I know Pumpkin will miss you."

Almost as if on cue, Pumpkin meowed.

·゜·:.。..。.:·☆·゜·:.。..。.:·☆

After your first visit to the café, you quickly became a regular.

Every so often, you would come by to play with Pumpkin and some of the other cats.

And each and every time, Dom would light up and eagerly strike up a conversation with you, looking as giddy as a kid on Christmas. He was really nice to you and he was quickly starting to grow on you.

He was becoming a really great friend to you.

One day, you rushed over to the café, eager to tell the man the wonderful news that you had. Your fists balled up excitedly, you burst into the small shop, seeing Dom sitting near the counter with a few new kittens.

He perked up when he saw you, his face instantly brightening up. "Hey, Y/N!" he cheered, then he saw how excited you looked. "What's the good news?"

You couldn't resist shoving your left out towards him, showing off the gold band on your ring finger. "My boyfriend proposed!" you ecstatically cheered. "Check out the ring too! Nice, right?"

You were all smiles, dreaming of walking down the aisle to marry your boyfriend: a.k.a. the man of your dreams.

Dom smiled too, although his grin didn't touch his eyes. In fact, his smile looked pained, forced. He sharply exhaled before perking up slightly.

"How about a drink to celebrate?" he asked. "I've been working on a new one." He moved behind the counter and began to shuffle around with some ingredients, his broad back blocking your view of what he was messing with. He peeked over his shoulder to make sure that you couldn't see him add something special to your cup.

When he was done, Dom turn back around and placed a warm mug in front of you. He made sure to take extra care to shape the foam into a cute little kitty.

"I hope you enjoy," Dom grinned, pushing the mug closer to you.

You grabbed it and took a sip. The drink was incredibly sweet, just as you liked it. "It's delicious, Dom," you beamed. "Thank you so much!"

He smiled triumphantly as you downed your drink.

As the two of you talked about your wedding plans (Dom's smile morphed into a frown the more you went on about it), you suddenly felt yourself get a little dizzy.

You placed a shaking hand up to your head to try and steady yourself, but the room felt like it was spinning.

"Are you alright, Y/N?" Dom asked, a cheerful tone in his voice.

You wondered what was going on, not sure if you were catching a virus or something. "Um," you mumbled, "I think I'm getting sick. I'll just head home..."

You stood up, but your legs were wobbly and they gave out on you, sending you toppling down.

Before you hit the hard ground, Dom rushed over and wrapped both of his strong arms around you, securing you tightly in his hold. He pulled you to his torso, and you felt his chest rumble a little as he seemingly purred like a happy cat.

"Wha--?" you tried to ask, but it getting harder to speak as your vision blurred and you felt weaker by the second.

"Shh," Dom cooed as he placed a tender hand on your cheek. "Just relax, Kitten. Let Daddy take care of you."

Before you could ask what he meant by that, everything went black...

·゜·:.。..。.:·☆·゜·:.。..。.:·☆

When you began to stir awake, you first noticed that everything felt so comfortable. Seriously, whatever bed you were lying in had the softest sheets, and there was a fluffy comforter that was so incredibly warm. And speaking of warm, a large body cuddled you from behind, keeping you nice and secured--

"What!?" you jolted awake, everything rushing to you all at once. You struggled to move, but your panic only heightened as you realized that your arms and legs were bound together by what felt like silk ties. The fabric was soft to the touch so as not to irritate your skin, but they were tied so tightly that they severely restricted your movement.

Looking around the bedroom that you found yourself in, you could see that there were tons of cat toys and décor around. A few of the kittens from the café where in the room, watching you intently. Pumpkin purred happily when he saw you, his tail flicking to and fro with glee.

You kept trying to thrash your body around to get free, but the body behind you only tightened its grip on you, effectively stopping you.

"Calm down, Kitten," Dom sleepily yawned, his hot breath wafting over your ear due to his closeness to you.

You tensed up when you felt his lips press to your cheek.

"Dom?!" you cried, unable to get free with his arms around you. He even laid one of his strong legs over yours, his entire body acting as a double lock. "What's going on?"

The larger man chuckled. "Kitten," he cooed, "isn't it obvious? You going to marry that... guy." He said the last part with such anger in his voice that it almost came out as a growl, making some of the cats in the room hiss in response. "So I had to just snatch you up and take you home with me."

You were stunned silent, unable to wrap your head around what was going on. "What do you mean?" you trembled.

Dom pressed his lips against you once more, purring as he did so. "I love you so much, Y/N. So I brought you home with me to convince you to be with me, not with your ex-boyfriend."

"You're insane..." you try to argue, earning a nip from him.

"Don't say that," he hissed. "I'm not insane, you're insane for trying to marry some guy who's not me. You belong to me, and that's why you're here: to be with me, and only me."

Dom tightened his grip on you, sealing off any hope of escape.

"You're mine."

[ridher]

testing bsf!rafe's patience when he takes you on a beach trip

you both needed to get out of the house.. his house. like any normal friendship, the two of you would often be just hanging around at tanneyhill, the presence of one another enough to occupy yourselves for the day.

house-bound and restless, your energy was slowly pushing rafe's limits which is why he suggested or demanded going to the beach — not his pool you'd been constantly in and out of for the past hours, the beach.

his treat. it feels especially as such when you climb into the passenger side of his lifted truck in a little white sundress, cut off mid-thigh and worn over a baby blue bikini.

the sweet expression on your face when you look over at him seals the deal and just like that he's changing gears to pull out of the driveway, distracting himself from the view beside him.

so eager to get out and do something, you practically jump out of the vehicle the second rafe puts it in park on the sand, taillights facing the water. your dress is quickly forgotten in the backseat as you run across the beach to the water.

it's relatively empty for a warm summer day in the outer banks, salt air carried by a breeze from the ocean sticking to your body as the sound of crashing waves echoes in your eardrums.

rafe takes his time, mostly because he's stuck staring at the sight of you embracing the water that crashes upon the shore, already ankles deep.

after shedding his shirt and shoes — exposing his chiseled chest thanks to his low-hung swim trunks — he walks down the increasingly damp sand to approach you from behind. he's met with a squeal when his warm hands find the bare skin above where your bikini bottoms lay.

you push him off with a laugh and turn to face the boy with a mischievous smile. he reads the look easily. ready to test it, he reaches out again with an amused smile to which you quickly step back and avoid.

a small tsk and the cock of his head lets you know he's not messing around anymore — in his mind, he has to win. not ready to give him the satisfaction, you turn to run further into the ocean, the motion slowed by powerful waves sent in the opposing direction.

rafe is quick and follows after you. the built muscles of his legs are stronger and therefore he easily wraps his arms around you and hoists your body up into his arms, bringing your feet off the ocean floor.

"rafe!" you exclaim through a giggle, fruitlessly wriggling in his arms in an attempt to free yourself.

he's thoroughly amused by the sight, having you all to himself and unable to escape. his hands wander at the excuse of play fighting and you feel the warmth travel across your torso.

"surrender." it's a command and you both know it. you and rafe alike could also have guessed the next words out of your mouth.

"i surrender! i surrender, rafe." you're breathless at this point from thrashing around in your best friend's hold, the small amount of fabric covering your body askew, and the pair of you equally wet at this point.

satisfied, rafe drops you lightly to your feet by loosening his grip just enough for your body to slide through. the sand below softens the landing.

using the last bit of touch he still has on your body, he spins you around with a firm hand on your hip with a smirk of what could be mistaken as smugness, but you see as admiration.

your head tilts back to look up at him with big eyes and a sweet smile, a sight he'd never admit makes up for the strain your hyperactivity puts on his patience.

it's almost sunset when rafe holds you again, this time without a fight as he carries you across the beach with his hands on your thighs — cooperatively wrapping around his waist. your arms hang loosely around his neck and eyes flutter with every step he takes, damp bodies chest to chest.

you'll end up tucked back into a bed at the cameron's and he'll have to come up with something else to keep you entertained the next day. not that he minds, you're his best friend, after all.

[yandere-daydreams]

childe is both an amazing and horrific roommate

like if u bat ur eyes and ask nicely he’ll cook you dinner but he’ll also insist on coming into your room without knocking and if he ends up doing that with the bathroom too then oops lol oh well 🤪🤪

you try to lock it and suddenly the next day the lock straight up doesn’t work anymore and when you tell him he needs to stop coming into the bathroom when he can obviously HEAR the shower running he’s just like haha sorry i guess im just airheaded :pp

occasionally you wake up in the middle of the night to get a drink and he’s standing outside ur door like oh funny seeing you here

absolutely plants cameras in the shower and will force feed you on occasion and act all cute about it like “oh but i want u to see if my cookings good 🥺🥺” when you both know damn well he can cook

also he tries getting into your pants literally every time he goes out to drink (which is reasonably often) and if you don’t let him hit he WILL be mopey and annoying for the rest of the week

tw - stalking, delusional behavior, and unbalanced power dynamics.

no because childe is exactly the kind of roommate who's so casually doting and so constantly in your personal space that you do occasionally forget you're not living with, like, an exceptionally affectionate cousin or someone else with a right to act like they've known you for your entire life. he'll take care of the cooking, the cleaning, and much, much more than his fair share of the bills, but you're going to deal with him listening in on any phone call you make within fifty-feet of him, routinely riffling through your possessions under the pretense of tidying up, introducing himself to each and every person you bring over from relatively new acquaintances to your literal parents as your 'partner', only to pretend he thought it was just another word for roommate when you call him on it. for a ginger, he plays the into the 'dumb blonde' stereotype well.

honestly, you're pretty sure he's only letting you stay in the apartment he can absolutely afford on his own as an excuse to play lovestruck housewife, even if you're starting to get sick of waking up to heart-shaped pancakes and coffee sweet enough to give you cavities. it might be more bearable if he kept his behavior to strictly platonic pining, but he acts like the two of you are already in a very well-founded, very intimate relationship, and any insistence as to the contrary is some unspeakable betrayal. you've given up on spending the night at home when either of you are drunk (or, in childe's case, given an excuse to pretend to be drunk), and you would keep your bedroom door locked if he hadn't already uninstalled everything in your apartment that might give you some sense of hollow security. you have to give childe credit for that - he knows his way around a set of power tools, especially when he's using them to tear down the barriers between you and him.

it's borderline unlivable, but the rent is so cheap that 'livable' is more of a bonus than a given. you figure you'll stick around he starts planning your wedding, and even then, you might give yourself until he starts writing his vows. that is - if he doesn't figure out how to stop you from getting away from him, first.

[whore-ibly-hot]

Yan!Mean-Girls x Fem!Reader

"Just Girly Things"

18+ Minors DNI

Warnings: Bullying (Not at Reader), name callung, nude photos, coercion, dubcon touching, fem pronouns for the yans, mentions of school, general perversion, toxic behaviors, masturbation, sex toys, mean girls, dumbification, buying affection.

(AN: I'm not super proud of this one, but did my best. Never written a fem!Yan before.)

The sound of clicking keypads and the occasional scoff can be heard in Maggie Robinsons loft bedroom. As the most popular girl at Delta High, it was important her room look as perfect as her. She chews on the strawberry flavored gum in her mouth, scrolling through her phone. She scoffs. "Sasha, did you see Jenny Taylor's latest post?" Sasha gags and nods. "Totally a spray-on tan." Sasha says, and Maggie nods. "She looks like a fucking orange. I bet you that nerd she's been with, his dick is that same shade right now..." The two cackle.

"Is he sick?" The third and final member of the group of cheerleaders asks. "Why would his dick be orange?" Sasha sighs, and puts a hand on her friends knee. "Lindsey, his dick is orange because her fake tan would rub off on it. It isn't like, permanently that color. It was a joke." Sasha explains. Lindsey pauses and tilts her head, before giggling. "Oh, I get it!" She claps her hands together, shaking the sequinned bracelet around her wrist as she does so. Maggie grins and roll her eyes at Lindsey's air-headed nature. Luckily, Sasha is always around to explain he jokes, because Maggie won't. She likes to watch her dumb subordinate work things out slowly.

"What about you, newbie? Ever had a fake tan?" She whips her head over to face you. You gulp as the school's queen bee sets her sights on you. You aren't sure why she seemed so fixated on you since you joined Delta High. Maybe it's because you were pretty, or talented, or just really obedient, but she's been dragging you around like a little purse dog since you met her, with Sasha and Lindsey flanking you both at all times. "Um, no." You mumble. She nods, and says "Good, you already have good skin. I mean, you should get a little more tan, but not with that shitty spray stuff. Or, y'know, you'll turn some jocks dick orange." The three laugh. "Because the tan rubs off!" Lindsey giggles. Maggie rolls her eyes, and groans. "Yes, Lindsey. Thanks for explaining." Lindsey looks down.

"Speaking of, have any of the guys at school caught your eye? I mean, like, appropriate ones for you. Not a fucking mathlete dork or something." She asks. "Not really. I've never actually had a boyfriend." The three girls freeze, and gasp. "Seriously?" "You've never had a boyfriend?" Maggie asks. She waves frantically, trying to get you to sit beside her on her bed. "Why not?" She asks. "Do you have a sex disease? Like... like cancer?" Lindsey asks, eyes wide. "Sex cancer, seriously?" Sasha says, glancing at her blonde friend, who only shrugs. "No one was ever interested, I guess." You grimace. You hadn't ever been popular, only making Maggie's interest in you more jarring. You had finally gotten a peek at what it was like to be school royalty.

"Not interested? Aw, you poor baby." Maggie pouts. "That's why you have us, you know? To doll you up, and keep you popular, that way you can have anyone you want." Sasha chirps. "I can't believe no one ever tried to get with you, you're like, really pretty." You smile awkwardly. "Thanks, Lindsey."

Maggie scoots closer, and you bite back a gasp when you feel her cold hands on your tank top, cupping your breasts. "Honestly. The jocks at school are horndogs, they'll stick it in anything, I'm surprised you haven't gotten any attention because of these." She bites her lips as her eyes wander down to your cleavage. "They're natural, right?" You nod. You feel the bed dip behind you, as Sasha and Lindsey join the two of you on the bed. "So you've never kissed anybody?" Sasha asks, tilting her head as her curls bounce. "No, I've kissed a boy, back in church in like, middle school or something." You chuckle, shrugging and rolling your eyes.

"What about kissing girls?" Your eyes widen. You shake your head as you feel the three girls gazes resting heavily on you. "I haven't. Why do you ask?" Maggie grins. "You could try with us. You're one of us now, you've gotta live a little. I mean, you haven't even had a boyfriend, or done it with someone. Let us help you." She coos. She leans in, and you gulp. "Don't you have a boyfriend, Maggie? Jason, right?" She asks. Maggie nods. "Yeah, but like, he won't care. He'll probably think this is hot or something. Besides, it's just girls helping each other out. It's not like a random hookup, we're all friends here." She feigns hurt at your hesitance, pouting. "Don't you like us?" Lindsey whines, giving you puppy dog eyes as she rests her head on your shoulder from behind. "No, I like you guys, it's just-" You look at Lindsey. "Alright, we can do this." You sigh. Maggie grins, and puts her hands on your waist, pressing her chest to yours. "Good, it's not even weird. It's like, just girly things." She explains. She bites your lip playfully, making you blush as she finally presses her lips to yours. As you kiss the school's queen bee, you can taste the light strawberry flavor of her gum, and as she pulls away a string of sticky lip gloss connects your lips for a moment.

"See? You did good, especially for someone who's only kissed once before." Maggie coos. Lindsey pops up to kiss your cheek. "Your skin is so soft!" She giggles, nuzzling your neck. Sasha sits to the side, waiting for orders from Maggie. "Lemme see your chest." Maggie begins to tug up your tight, white tanktop, grinning when she sees that you have no bra on. "No bra, huh? Maybe you wanted us to do this?" She teases. "Pretty..." She circles her fingers around your left nipple, watching it pebble up. "I bet you're sensitive, huh?" Sasha asks. You can't speak, and only nod. Maggie's cold hands make you shiver, as she gropes your breasts with a wicked grin. She reaches down and puts Lindsey's hands on your breasts. "Lindsey, keep playing with her tits, okay? I'm gonna move a little lower." Lindsey nods, fondling your breasts from behind. "I'll try not to scratch you, my nails are kinda long right now..." She giggles. Maggie hikes up your skirt, keeping it around your waist. She licks her lips as she touches the black panties covering your cunt. "Are these from that department store on 9th?" She asks. "Uh, yeah?" She rolls her eyes. "You don't need to be wearing that shit, that's for people like Jenny Taylor, not girls like us. Tell you what-" She leans closer to your ear, kissing the shell of it. "You make me cum, and I'll take you downtown tomorrow and buy you something cute. That's sure to help you get a guy." She obviously has no intentions of getting you a boyfriend, considering the way her gaze turns possessive. Still, she can't deny that she likes the idea of seeing you in something lacey, especially something she bought you. She notices from the corner of her eye how Sasha is squirming, clearly eager to act, rubbing her thighs together subconsciously.

"Sasha?" Her head perks up immediatly, and she stills. "Y-yes, Maggie?" She pants. "Go get my wand, the pink one." Sasha nods, and scurries over to Maggie's closet, digging around for something. She manages to pull out a pink wand, with a microphone-like rubber tip. You can feel Maggies fingers trying to pull your panties to the side. "You ever played with yourself?" She whispers. You nod. "Yeah, a few times." You admit. "How?" She presses an index against your aroused clit. You gasp. "Fingers! I use my fingers, inside me." You moan. She pouts again, as Sasha hands her the wand. "Well, no wonder your little clit is so swollen, you've not been giving it any attention." She coos. "Don't worry, I've got just the thing." She takes the wand from Sasha. "It feels so good." Sasha says, her eyes full of sincerity. You wonder just how many times these girls have done this sort of thign. Does anyone else at school know?

You are torn from your thoughts when you hear a whirring sound. "What's that gonna do?" You ask. "It vibrates, and I'm just gonna press it right up against your clit, okay? It's gonna feel so fucking good..." She groans. "But, I'm going to enjoy something too. You know, for being such a good friend, and taking in a little newbie. You watch as Maggie mounts your thigh, gasping when you feel her slick pussy press against your leg. Has she not been wearing underwear this whole time? Your whole body flinches when you feel a pusling wave in your lower. "A-ah, shit." You grip the sheets of Maggie's bed tightly. Somehow, the stimulation to your clit makes Lindsey's pawing at your chest feel even more pleasurable. Maggie chuckles as she begins to grind herself against your thigh. "Feels good, huh? You like that? Your pretty new friends taking good care of you? Putting a pretty vibrator on your clit?" Her condescedngin tone makes you blush in shame. After a while, her moans grow in volume too. "Fuck, even just your thighs feel good. Maybe, god- maybe soon I'll ride your pussy like this." She groans. "God, not even Jason makes me feel this hot, this wet. That little limp-dick, can't even make me finish." She tilts her head back. "Sasha, take a photo, m' boutta cum." Sasha pales. "I don't... um, can I use you phone, mines dead?" Maggie doesn't open her eyes, but Sasha can sense her rage. "I don't care, just taking the fuckin' photo, I'm so close. C'mon, baby. Cum on my vibrator, I'll buy you something, anything, just do it." You weren't expecting to her Maggie beg for anything in your lifetime, much less for you to cum. Overwhelmed, you feel your orgasm hit hard. "M-maggie, I'm, oh..." She nods rapidly as she practically bounces on your thigh. "Yeah, right there, I'm cumming to..." She pants.

You close your eyes, but still sense a flash of light from Sasha snapping a photo. As your legs shake from the feeling, Maggie casually dismounts your thighs, sitting down on the bed beside you. She kisses your forehead. "You did so good. I'll get you something so cute to wear to school next week." She flips her hair and acts nonchalant, as if she hadn't just held a sex toy to your cunt while she rode your thigh like her life depended on it. "Sasha, let me see that photo." Sasha shows her the phone, and she grimaces. "Ugh, I look so fucking pale. Put a Sepia filter on it or something." Before Sasha can, Lindsay snatches the phone, and lets out a whine.

"Only my hands are in it! What the hell, Sasha!"

[obsessedwrhys]

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Wolverine x Deadpool x F!Reader

ᯓ★ Being in a polyamory relationship with these two. (A dream inspired this AHAHHA–) fluff, lots of bickering between the two, funny/goofy shit, bit of jealousy/possessiveness, reader is fem!!

This whole relationship is a mess.

I'm talking never getting a moment of peace kind of mess.

For example this one time you drove the Honda Civic.

Nobody understood why you were the one behind the wheels 'cause now you're ramming into everything with Logan grabbing on the handle for dear life while Wade is having the time of his life at the back.

"Stop the damn car before we crash, bub! Yer gonna kill someone!" Logan shouted and at the same time Wade was screaming out the lyrics to "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC.

Did I mention how different these two are with you?

Wade loves it when you run to hug him, he would swing you around a couple of times with your legs wrapped around his waist.

As for Logan, he prefers something less than that. A simple hug is enough and you can't complain much about it because the way he completely engulfs you in his embrace always made your chest flutter.

It's no surprise that they are protective over you.

Like when you were captured by some troops in the void. The fire guy, Johnny Storm, couldn't help but try to flirt with you. He figured why not shoot his shot right?

"Hey..." He'd say, flashing you a cheesy smile.

And seeing his attempt to charm you, you couldn't help but find it amusing and chuckle.

Clearly the two didn't like it.

Which is why that may or may not be the reason why Wade decided to out the man and get him killed 🤷‍♀️ I guess we'll never know 🤔

You and Wade enjoy pulling pranks on Logan.

The sight of him being pissed off pleases you both.

There was this one time you guys swapped his whiskey to a non-alcoholic drink and you can imagine his frustration.

"WADE!!" But he can never get mad at you. He just can't.

Even Wade complains about this privilege of yours.

"Seriously Lo?! You're gonna get mad at me and not our lovely prank partner here? Come on man, we're both guilty parties in this crime scene. If you wanna get angry, at least share the spotlight :("

Cue you sticking your tongue out at Wade as he pouts with puppy dog eyes.

All jokes aside, the two love and support you dearly.

I like to think Logan is more of an old romantic and Wade is the adventurous type.

That's why it can sometimes take a while for them to decide what to get as a present for you.

"Why the fuck would she want a pillowcase with our faces on it?" Logan asked with genuine disgust in his eyes.

"Why wouldn't she?! It's cute as fuck, and you can never have too many pictures of us together. Besides, it's a lot cheaper than buying a life-sized statue of me for her bedroom, although that's an option too, I hear Wolverine-shaped body pillows are all the rage these days" Without realising, he continued on muttering nonsense to himself which had Logan roll his eyes.

"I'm buying her the leather jacket and it's final" Not letting Wade say anything, he'd walk off to the cashier with him left behind. His action causing him to get irritated.

"What about the budget?!?!" He'd raise his voice but Logan simply ignored him. Fed up, he stomps on his feet as he points at his back.

"Fine, you big lug!! I'll let you have your way this time. But don't come crying to me when she dumps us for a pair of more decisive superheroes!!" He'd shout.

In the end you appreciated the gifts you got for your birthday. Each gift speaks for their character.

You guys definitely have lazy days.

Days where you'll lounge around in pajamas and watch cheesy romantic comedies together, complete with a pile of blankets and snacks.

Expect there to be lots of laughter, cringing, and the occasional eye rolling. Not to forget how you three would start making fun of the characters and the cliche plotlines.

Logan clearly struggles to sit through the entire movie marathon and you always have the to be the one to pull his arm to prevent him from leaving.

"Gimme a break, bub. It’s the same damn thing every time— the good guy wins, the bad guy loses. It’s like they think we got the emotional range of a rock"

"Gee, what a buzz kill. But are they wrong though? You practically live like a rock!!" Wade laughed with Logan letting out a scowl.

Thank goodness you're dating them or else they'd be fighting almost all the time.

In the relationship you're the peacemaker

No but seriously Wade calls you that and the nickname has stuck to you.

You enjoy sleeping in the middle with the two on either sides. Half of the time you always wake up with the two fighting over you.

Just imagine Logan pulling you closer to him but before he could even do that, Wade would be quick to pull you back to his embrace despite them both being asleep.

You like to think it's their reflexes. That even when sleeping they're still fighting with each other 😭

However you absolutely adore the two.

Logan will MELT when you kiss his knuckles. Especially when you do it with your eyes locked to his. He will literally go feral for you.

And Wade? He absolutely loveloveloves it when you baby him. It's his guilty pleasure. Hold him close with his face placed against your chest and he swears the voices in his head finally quiets down. That's why you're his angel.

Also, the two really enjoy showering you with kisses. You can barely ever hold back a smile with the two smooching every surface of your face.

Will do anything to get your praise.

The competitiveness is too much.

Oh Logan got you a bouquet? Well Wade got you a bouquet made of tacos. Who's the better one now huh? 😋

To be fair Wade is Wade. There's nothing you can do about it... but that doesn't mean Logan is ever gonna let him get his way.

"Where's Wade?" You'd ask, watching Logan sink on the sofa beside you.

"Don't know... could care less..." He'd say, wrapping an arm around you to snuggle with you. In the other room Wade has been stuffed inside the closet. Completely restrained and duck taped.

All I can say is that dating them is all fun and love. Literal baby girls.

[v6quewrlds]

❝ nothing on me, d. booker. ❞  ‎ ‎ ┉  

‎ ‎ ⁎⠀┉⠀summary: you and your girls decided that november will be dedicated to self-discovery. as innocent as your pact is, devin can't wrap his head around why you need to "decenter men".

‎ ‎ ⁎⠀┉⠀author's note: a little devin fic for all my book girlies <3 can't believe there aren't more devin fics on here but we ball! day four of my no nut november series.

‎ ‎ ⁎⠀┉⠀warnings: smut, please do not interact with my work if you are under 18. language, established relationship, unprotected sex, fingering, creampie.

‎ ‎ ⁎⠀┉⠀pairing: devin booker x reader.

‎ ‎ ⁎⠀┉⠀word count: 3k.

"Damn, you looking good enough to eat," Devin murmured, his eyes tracing the curves of your body as you stepped out of the bathroom, the steam wrapping around you like a seductive embrace.

You rolled your eyes playfully, a knowing smirk playing on your plump lips. "Don't start, Devin. You know the next three weeks is about self-care for me and the girls." You padded over to the bed, your skin glowing from the warm shower, and slipped into a pair of oversized sweatpants and a tank top.

Devin sat up, his expression a mix of surprise and annoyance. "Come on, babe, that's some bullshit some losers came up with to last a month without jacking off." He threw his hands up in exasperation, his gold necklace glinting in the soft light of your bedroom.

"It's not 'No Nut November', Devin," you corrected him with a laugh, your pressed hair cascading over your shoulders. "It's about us focusing on ourselves, not just sex." You grabbed your phone from the nightstand, scrolling through social media as if his whining was a mere background noise.

"But what about me, baby?" Devin whined, his voice dripping with false innocence. He reached for your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You know I need you."

You glanced at him, your brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "You'll survive, boo," you said, your voice a sweet, teasing melody. "Besides, it's not like you're gonna be celibate or anything. You can still jack off, just not around me. I'm decentering men, remember?"

Devin pouted, his bottom lip sticking out in the most adorable way you had ever seen. "But it’s not the same," he complained, his voice taking on a child-like whine that you couldn't help but find endearing.

You couldn't help but laugh, your light, airy chuckle filling the room. "I'm sure you'll manage," you said, leaning over to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Besides, I've got a girls' trip in two weeks, so you'll have plenty of time to handle your own business."

Devin's face fell, but he quickly recovered with a smirk. "Alright, I guess I can handle that." He leaned back against the headboard, folding his arms behind his head. "But when you come back, all bets are off, right?"

You just winked at him and said, "We'll see," before leaving the room.

The weeks passed by in a blur of work and preparations for the girls' trip. Devin did his best to respect your boundaries, though he couldn't help but drop hints here and there about what he had in mind for when you returned. You, on the other hand, remained steadfast in your commitment, focusing on yourself and your friendships. The anticipation grew like a slow burn between you, the tension palpable.

When your week-long escape to Miami with your friends finally came to an end, you practically waltzed through the airport, your skin kissed by the Florida sun, and your spirit rejuvenated. Devin had arranged for a luxurious ride home, a sleek black Escalade with a bouquet of your favorite roses waiting inside. You couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement when you saw his text message confirming his surprise.

"Welcome back, baby," he'd written, along with a heart emoji.

As you stepped into the car, you couldn't help but smile. Devin had always been good at surprises, and you were eager to see what he had in store for you. When you walked into your apartment, you were greeted by the heavenly scent of your favorite comfort meal. The living room was lit with the soft glow of candles, and a bottle of your favorite wine chilled on the counter. You could tell he'd been waiting for you, the pent-up energy in the air was thick with anticipation.

Devin emerged from the kitchen, his tall frame backlit by the stove's warm light, a chef's apron tied around his waist. "Welcome home. You hungry, baby?" he asked, his voice a low purr that sent shivers down your spine. Despite your best efforts, you felt the heat between your legs begin to build.

"Starving," you replied, dropping your luggage by the door. You watched as Devin sauntered over to you with a confidence that could only come from knowing what awaited you. He wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you into a kiss that was both tender and demanding. His lips tasted of mint and the faint hint of something sweet you couldn't quite place, making you crave more of him.

The two of you broke apart, and you looked up into his eyes, which had darkened with desire. "You didn’t have to do all this," you said, your voice thick with lust.

Devin smirked. "I wanted to make sure you had something to come home to. Show you what you been missing out on, decentering men and shit." His hands roamed down your back, slipping under the waistband of your linen pants.

You giggled, pushing his hands away gently. "You're such a fool, you know that?" But you couldn't deny the way your body responded to his touch. You stepped back, taking in the sight of him in the apron. "Maybe I should decenter men more often if this is the kind of treatment I get."

Devin's smirk grew into a full-blown grin. "You say that now, but you know you missed this." He winked, his dimples deepening, and you couldn't help but melt a little inside.

"Maybe just a little," you admitted, your voice breathy with desire. He took your hand and led you to the kitchen table, which was set with your finest silverware and adorned with more candles. The food looked like it had been plucked from the pages of a gourmet magazine—grilled chicken with a side of asparagus and perfectly seasoned rice.

You ate in a comfortable murmur of conversation, occasionally exchanging heated glances that spoke volumes of the passion you had stored up. You felt the tension between you build with each bite, like a simmering pot about to boil over. After dinner, Devin cleared the plates away and turned the music up. The bass thumped through the walls, setting the mood as he approached you with a slow, deliberate stride.

"Ready to get re-centered?" he asked, his voice low as he poked fun at your earlier declaration. The corner of your mouth quirked up in a half smile, your eyes brushing over the clean, empty plates. You took a deep breath, the scent of the meal lingering sweetly in the air, and nodded.

Devin didn't waste any time. He pulled you to your feet, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt of electricity through your body. He spun you around, pressing you against the counter as he kissed your neck, his breath hot against your skin. Your hands found his chest, your fingers digging into his muscles as you arched into his embrace. You could feel his hardness against you, a promise of what was to come.

"Take your top off," he whispered in your ear, his voice a seductive rumble. You complied, the top of your linen set sliding off your shoulders and falling to the floor. Devin's eyes raked over you, his desire for you clear as day. He traced the curve of your features before leaning down to press chaste kisses along your shoulder, making you shiver.

As the music filled the room, Devin's hands slipped lower, caressing your hips, pulling you closer until there was no space between you. Your hands wound around his neck, your nails lightly scratching his skin. He groaned, his mouth moving down to suck on your neck, sending waves of pleasure through your body.

"I missed you," Devin murmured against your skin, his teeth grazing your earlobe. "Missed this." His hands began to explore, cupping your breasts through your bra, fitting them perfectly in his palms. You gasped, your knees slightly buckling at the sensation. You leaned into him, your body begging for more.

With a deft flick, Devin unhooked your bra, letting it fall to the floor. His thumbs brushed your hardened nipples, teasing them into peaks as your eyes closed, your head falling back onto his shoulder in pleasure. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice a gentle caress that sent goosebumps skittering across your flesh. He kissed the nape of your neck, his tongue flicking out to taste the salty sweetness of your skin.

Your breath hitched as Devin's hands continued to wander, sliding down your abdomen to the waistband of your pants. His fingers danced there, tracing the fabric before slipping inside, finding you wet and ready. You moaned, your hips rocking back into him as he touched you with the expertise of a maestro playing a melody. The ache within you grew stronger, the need to feel him inside you becoming unbearable.

With a playful growl, Devin scooped you up into his arms, carrying you to your bedroom as if you weighed nothing at all. He laid you down on the velvet comforter, your body a canvas of passion waiting to be explored. He stripped away your pants and underwear, his eyes never leaving yours as he took in the sight of you. "You're mine," he said, his voice filled with a possessive hunger that sent a thrill through you.

Your breath was ragged, your chest rising and falling with anticipation. Devin knelt beside the bed, his eyes feasting on your naked body. He took off his apron and shirt in one fluid motion, revealing his sculpted chest and abs. The candlelight danced across his skin, giving him an almost divine glow. You felt your body responding to the sight of him, your thighs quivering as he leaned over you, his mouth watering at the sight of your wetness.

Without a word, Devin began to kiss you, starting at your ankles and moving upwards. His lips traced a fiery path up your calves, his tongue darting out to taste the salt on your skin. He reached your inner thighs, nipping gently, making you squirm with pleasure. When he finally reached the apex of your thighs, your breaths were coming in short gasps. You could feel the heat of his breath on your sensitive flesh, and you were close to begging.

"Devin," you panted, his name a plea on your lips. He looked up, his eyes locked with yours as he pushed two fingers inside you. He watched your face contort with pleasure, his eyes glued to yours as he stroked your pussy with a precision that left you breathless. The room spun around you, the candlelight blurring into a sea of heat and desire.

Devin chuckled against your skin, the vibrations sending aftershocks through you. He kissed his way up your stomach, his teeth grazing your flesh as he went until he reached your lips.

The kiss was deep and hungry, a declaration of his need for you. You could feel his erection pressing against your thigh, and you reached down to stroke him through his sweatpants. With a sudden movement, you pushed him onto his back and straddled him, your wetness slick against him.

Devin's hands slid up your waist, gripping your hips as you rocked against him. "Take it off," you demanded, nodding to his pants. He complied eagerly, his cock springing free and standing tall between you. You bit your lips, your eyes dark with desire as you took him in your hand, stroking him with a firm, steady grip that made him groan.

"You been missing this, too?" you taunted, your thumb brushing the bead of precum at the tip. Devin's only response was a nod, his eyes hooded and his breath coming in pants. You smirked before leaning down to kiss him, your tongues dancing together as you lined him up with your entrance. With a slow, deliberate motion, you slid down onto him, your walls enveloping him in a warm, tight embrace.

"Fuck, baby," he groaned, his hands coming up to cup your breasts, his thumbs playing with your sensitive nipples. You began to move, your hips rolling in a sensual dance that had Devin's eyes rolling back in his head. You took your time, savoring every inch of him, your muscles contracting around his cock in a delicious rhythm that had you both panting for more.

Your kisses grew more fervent, your bodies moving together in a symphony of passion that had been denied for too long. You felt Devin's hands tighten on your hips, urging you faster, harder, as he matched you stroke for stroke. The sound of your skin slapping together filled the room, mingling with your moans and gasps.

"You feel so good," Devin managed to murmur between breaths. His eyes were glued to your bouncing breasts, the sight making him throb with desire.

"Mmhmm," you agreed, your voice a low, sultry hum that vibrated through your chest and into his. You leaned forward, your wetness smearing on his abs as you took his face in your hands and kissed him deeply. The taste of wine still lingered on his tongue, a tantalizing mix of sweet and savory that only served to fuel the fire burning within you.

With a growl, Devin flipped your positions, his hands gripping your waist as he thrust up into you. The sudden change in angle sent a jolt of pleasure through you, making you gasp. He took your hands in his and pinned them above your head, his eyes never leaving yours as he began to move. Each thrust was deep and purposeful as if he was trying to claim every inch of your being.

Your bodies moved in a perfect harmony, each stroke bringing you two closer to the edge. Devin's abs flexed with every movement, his muscles rippling under your fingertips. You couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of him, at the raw power and passion that he brought to the bed. It was like watching a masterpiece come to life, each motion a stroke on the canvas of your love.

Your nails dug into his skin as you met his rhythm, your hips rising to meet him, welcoming him deeper. Devin's eyes were dark with lust, his breaths coming in harsh pants. "You're so fucking tight, baby," he whispered, his voice hoarse. You just smiled up at him, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as you reveled in the sensation.

"I'm gonna cream this pretty pussy," Devin murmured, his voice thick with desire as he pounded into you. You threw your head back, your hair fanning out on the pillow, and let out a whispered moan. Your nails dug into his back, leaving trails of red against his caramel skin as you urged him deeper.

"You better not stop," you warned through gritted teeth, your eyes meeting Devin's. The challenge of the past few weeks had only served to amplify your desire for each other, and now that the dam had broken, you were both eager to dive into the depths of your passion.

"Baby, you're so wet," Devin murmured, his voice thick with need. He increased his pace, his cock sliding in and out of you with a delicious ease that had you moaning his name.

Your eyes rolled back in your head, your body lost to the feeling of Devin's thick cock filling you up. You had missed this, the way he made you feel like you were the only woman in the world, the way he knew exactly how to touch you to make you come undone. "Harder," you begged, your voice a desperate whine.

Devin obliged, his hips snapping against yours with a force that made the bed shake. The headboard slammed into the wall in time with your frenzied movements, the sound of skin on skin echoing through the room. Your legs pulled him deeper, urging him to take everything you had to give.

"Oh, shit," Devin groaned, his strokes becoming erratic as he felt himself nearing the edge. Your pussy clenched around him, your orgasm building like a crescendo. "Keep squeezing me like that, baby," he managed, his breath hot against your neck. "Make me come."

Your eyes snapped open, and you met his gaze with a fierce determination. You clamped down on him, your muscles tightening as you reached the start of your climax. Devin's eyes rolled back, and with a roar, he emptied himself inside you, his cock pulsing with the force of his release. You both lay there, panting and trembling, your hearts beating in time with the pounding bass from the speakers.

For a moment, there was only the sound of your heavy breathing and the occasional crackle of the candle flames. Then, Devin leaned down to kiss you, a soft, gentle press of his lips to yours. "Damn, baby," he whispered, his voice a warm caress. "That pussy's a weapon, I swear to god."

You chuckled, your body still trembling from the aftershocks of pleasure. Your hands gently caressed Devin's back, feeling the sweat that had gathered from your intense lovemaking. "Is that a compliment or?" you teased, your voice a sultry whisper.

Devin grinned down at you, his teeth gleaming in the candlelight. "Both," he said, his voice a gruff rumble. "You always know how to make me lose control."

You giggled, feeling the stickiness between your thighs as you snuggled closer to him. Devin pulled out gently, rolling over to grab a towel from the nearby chair. He wiped you both down, taking care not to disturb the delicate post-orgasmic bliss that had settled over the two of you like a warm blanket. You lay there, your limbs tangled together, basking in the afterglow of your passionate reunion.

"Mm, I guess I do have that effect on you," you purred, your body still quivering from the intense pleasure Devin had brought you. You couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that you had the power to reduce him to a puddle of desire.

Devin chuckled, his chest rising and falling with his deep breaths. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close. Your bodies cooled as the candles continued to flicker, casting shadows that danced across the walls.

[seafoamsol]

The best years of my life...

... what I wouldn't give to have them back.

I had the great pleasure of working with @spiderscribe on a DeadCeptor work for the @tf-bigbang, which you can (and should!) read [ HERE ]!

Details and artist commentary under the cut!

Okay, first off, I just wanna say, thank you so much to @spiderscribe for picking up my very loose scribble and taking the jump. She's an absolute champ, and I IMPLORE you to read her writing. She did a knockout job on the fic, and guaranteed, these two pieces wouldn't have been so elaborate without her. If you're a fan of deadceptor, parallels, lovers to enemies to apocalyptic teammates to ???s, I'm sure you'll find that and more in there.

[ HERE ] is the link to that, if you missed it the first time around.

The background for the supermarket was a MASSIVE undertaking. I ended up blurring it in the final to keep the dream-like quality, but there is a lot happening there! Most of the time I spent on the background was (jokingly) complaining though.

Anyone who works retail will know the agony of customer-misplaced stock. The little canisters of energon additives seem like prime candidates to be placed willy-nilly.

The little warning sign... My favorite soda, apple sidra, has a carcinogen warning, so I'm familiar with it. It was slightly surprising to me that those warnings are not countrywide, despite the fact that they very clearly say "California Proposition 65", and well. Not something else, like "Federal" or whatever.

The bags of nuts and bolts below, I asked several people what flavor they would be, and I suppose I failed in my job, because I wanted the purple to be the "regular" flavor, and the green to be the "sour". But grape and lemon-lime work as well!

The tub is full of rust-sticks. I have no idea if that came across. My friends kept calling the individually wrapped ones slim jims, which I mean, I guess!

The car batteries... My idea was that they were similar to shots, in a way? So that's how I ended up with a battery with enough terminals to rival an international airport. It's also sunset-coloured, because, I don't know, that's what Party Flavor is to me.

Okay. The second illustration. This one was a headache, mostly due to my own lack of planning, and the fact that I lost the file for... basically everything I did, including the above illustration. So it was a bit of a rush job.

The background bots started off as these very vague silhouettes, which I'm a little proud of. Look at how nice and somewhat readable they are! Okay, now what if I ruined it? What? You don't like that? That's rather unfortunate, because that's what I proceeded to do. In fact, if I take off all.. 10 or something adjustment layers, they look like this:

My process went: Shadow block> Fill rest of form> Color randomiser> Copy and skew (to populate background)> Hue adjustment> Gradient map> Fill Light> Chromatic aberration> Vignette> Levels> Curves.

The.... Magenta cube is there because due to the nature of the color randomiser, the foot had a high value, and stuck out like nobody's business in the end.

Here's what it would look like without the cube. Begone, distracting white blob! (I didn't have to worry about the lava arm because Percy happened to cover it up. What a save! But if he didn't then... there would have been a second cube.)

Basically, it was a mess. But... at least it came out fine in the end! I hope!

I'd love to have speedpaints on hand, but I was switching between CSP and PS for a good majority of the work.

I'd say that's it for these two pieces! I actually have more, but those demand more time. I'm much slower at doing inks than I am at painting, but I hope you'll get to see them soon.

[scribblesofagoonerr]

little lioness | buddy & monkey: double the trouble

summary: buddy get's to be leah's mascot for the game against the usa.

double the trouble masterlist

also, heads up in advance before you read this... it's 11k long, so it's a long one, i got a bit carried away writing it

"We're here! We're here! We gon' see Mummy and Monks'!" Your excitement is infectious as you impatiently stand outside Wembley stadium with Amanda, Berny and Jacob. 

You're dressed head-to-toe in your own mini England kit that has Williamson proudly printed on the back of it, along with a new pair of trainers that Jordan brought you during the week that has the cool trick of them lighting up as you walk.

"Someones' excited, aren't you?" Jacob teases.

"We gon' go in now?" You let out an impatient huff, not liking the idea of having to wait any longer than you already are having to do so.

"Soon, sweetheart. We just need to wait for everyone else to arrive," Amanda explains to you as she crouches down to your level, "Let's put your coat on now, shall we? It's getting cold isn't it."

You're definitely not a fan of being forced to wear your coat, not one bit.

Amanda's suggestion is more of a non-negotiable one unfortunately as she bundles you up in it, "You need to stay warm, sweetheart." She insists.

"Don' like it," Your overall enthusiasm is dampened by the fact you're being forced to wear it, "Wan' it off!" You pout dramatically, and attempt to tug at the sleeves of it.

"It needs to stay on," Amanda tells you in a tone of voice that is both gentle but firm as well, "You'll be able to take it off when you walk out onto the pitch."

"Wan' it off now," Your little face scrunches up in displeasure, as you continue to fight against the idea of wearing it, "Please, Nana. Off now."

"Darling, you have to keep your coat on," Berny tries to reason with you, "You don't want to get poorly before Santa visits, do you?"

"No," You murmur, you don't like the idea of being poorly when Santa does pay a visit but you really don't like wearing your coat either, "I don' like it, Gan'ma!"

However, it's clear that your protests are doing little to convince anyone.

"I'm sure you'll cope, munchkin," Jacob says, a smirk plastered on his face as he proceeds to playfully pull the hood over your head, "Can you still see?"

"Uncle J! Can' see now!" You whine while scowling at the older lad, who is still laughing about it, "Nana! Tell Uncle J off, he's bein' a meanie!"

"Oh is he? What's he like, eh?" Amanda chuckles, shaking her head as she gives Jacob a certain look, "Don't wind her up."

"Thank 'ou," You nod, satisfied with that before you decide to stick your tongue out at him, "Ou' gotta listen to Nana, Uncle J!"

Jacob holds both his hands up in mock surrender, "Alright, alright. I guess I have no choice now, do I?" He jokes.

"No! Ou' gotta listen and be nice!" You insist while you give him a glare that is scarily identical to Leah's, but it's never reserved for you, only Monkey when she's causing trouble as it's been said in the past.

Your favourite person gets into a lot of trouble, though, so she's always getting the glare.

"Oh, here they are!" Berny exclaims, gesturing to the group of people that are nearing you, your aunts, uncles and cousins all donned out in their own England shirts and scarves.

"Sorry, the traffic on the road was manic," One of your aunties explains, while they all exchange hugs with one another.

"Holly! Holly!" You squeal, excitedly racing towards the older girl and instantly latching your small arms around her legs, "We gon' see Mummy and Monkey!"

"Hi, Buddy!" Holly smiles, hoisting you up into her arms and adjusting you so you're sitting comfortably on her hip, "I know. Are you excited?"

"Yes!" You nod in triumph, not lasting long in her arms before you're wriggling and trying to get back down, only to run to your older cousin, Ben, who is chatting away to Jacob, "Ben!"

"Hiya, cheeky chops," The lad grins and ruffles your hair, "Wow, don't you look cool in your England kit, eh? Ready to walk out on the pitch?"

"Uh huh. I'm 'cited for it!" You tell them, practically vibrating with excitement as you bounce between all of the older adults all in the middle of their own conversations, "We go now?"

"Come on little miss impatient," Amanda chuckles, extending her hand out for you to take before you begin the climb up the steps to get to the stadium.

"I not impatient, Nana!" You insist, clutching a tight hold of her hand, though you're about half way there when you get fed up of walking, "I don' want to walk no more."

"Oh I guess one of us will just have to carry you, huh?" Jacob jokes, leaning down and scooping you up into his arms, "Uncle J to the rescue!"

"Thank 'ou, Uncle J!" You murmur, wrapping your arms around his neck while resting your head on his shoulder.

"You're welcome, munchkin," Jacob retorts, carrying you up the rest of the steps.

You continue to snuggle against him, relieved to be off the ground as you suddenly spot a large blown up picture of Leah hanging directly above your head, "Look, look, there's my Mummy!" You stretch your little fingers to gesture towards it.

"Oh yeah, so it is!" Berny smiles at your general excitement, "It won't be long until you can see her for real now, darling."

"Yeah!" The mention of that instantly lifts your mood, considering you haven't seen Leah nor Monkey since the start of the week - You had spent the majority of the week with Jordan, and now you'll finally be able to see them again, "And Monks' as well!"

"And Monks, of course," Amanda nods, listening to your animated chatter, "I bet your big sister will be so happy to see you again, won't she?"

"Uh huh! I 'cited to see her!" You exclaim, happy about the chance to see your favourite person soon enough.

You make it all the way to the top of the steps with Jacob holding you in his arms, and your eyes are wide as you take in the large crowd of fans all dressed in England shirts, hats and scarves.

Although, there's some that are wearing a badge that you don't recognise, and you're confused who they are.

"Bit busy, ain't it?" Ben questions aloud.

"Only a bit," Jacob chuckles, while keeping a tight hold of you so you don't fall, "Isn't this game meant to be sold out?"

"I think so," Holly chimes in after a few seconds, "It'll be better when we're inside and able to sit down." She adds.

You pass through a brief check in with security before you all head to the friends and family section of Wembley. 

“Think I'll head to the bar to grab a drink,” Ben brings up the idea, spotting the bar. 

"Me wan' a drink as well!" You pipe up in the conversation, lifting your head from Jacob's shoulder.

"Oh you, do you?" Ben grins at you, "Well I can do you a fruit shoot, or orange juice, or apple juice. What do you fancy?" He asks.

You ponder the question for a few seconds, resting your little finger on your chin and tap it, "Fruit shoot, please!"

"You got it, cheeky chops!" The older lad nods in agreement, "One fruit shoot, coming right up!"

"Nana! Nana!" You shout aloud, trying to get her attention while she has a conversation with a member of the family, "Bens' getting me a fruit shoot!" You tell her like it's the best news you've received all day.

Amanda turns and gasps in mock excitement, "Is he? Wow! Aren't you a lucky girl!" She retorts, "Remember to tell him thank you."

"Thank 'ou Ben!" You tell the older lad, who just chuckles and ruffles your hair much to your displeasure, "Hey! Don' touch my hair. It get ruined!"

Ben held his hands up in mock-surrender, "Sorry, cheeky chops."

"So 'ou should be!" You scowl at him and attempt to be intimidating, "Don' touch it again, or you'll be in trouble!"

"Alright, I won't touch it again," Ben agrees, trying to stifle his laughter, "I'll go and get you that drink now, shall I?" He doesn't wait for your reply, before starting to dip off in the direction of the bar.

"I'll come with you, just give me a second," Jacob tells Ben, gently plonking you back down on the floor, "Down you go, munchkin." You're not happy about being put down, but at least you can run around without getting lost now.

And then you remember you're still wearing your coat, which you're not happy about.

"Nana," You whine and tug on Amanda's hand to get her attention, pulling her from her conversation with another lady, who you vaguely recognise as Keira's mum, Tracy, "Nana, coat off now, please."

"Hello there, Buddy!" Tracy greets you in a friendly tone of voice, "Are you excited to be here, and watch the match?"

"Uh huh! I walk out on the pitch with Mummy!" You tell her, nodding your head a little bit, wriggling to try and get free from the horrible coat, "Off, Nana!" You insist.

Amanda chuckles, crouching down to undo the zip on your coat, "Is that better now, huh?" She asks, taking your coat and holding it in her arms, "Let Nana know when you get cold again, please, okay?"

"I no cold, it' okay!" You insist, twirling around in a circle a few times, "When can I gets' to see Mummy?"

"Sooner than you think, bubba," You instantly recognise the familiar voice straight away and spin around, your eyes are wide and you don't waste a single second to dart straight for you.

"Here she is," Amanda chuckles, watching you as you get even more excited, "See? I told you that you would see her soon, didn't I?"

"Mummy!" You're vibrating with excitement as Leah leans down and scoops you up into her arms, "'Ou're 'ere! I missed 'ou so much!"

"Oh, I've missed you as well, bubba," Leah squeezes you tightly as she holds you in her arms, reluctant to let go of you considering it's been a whole week since she's seen you, "Have you had a good time staying at Mama's house?"

"Uh huh! Lots' of fun!" You insist as you nod your head in agreement, before you gasp when you look at her, "Mummy! I look just like 'ou! See?" You’re almost identical, both in England kits as you point to the crest on your own kit.

Leah gasps playfully in realisation, "Wow, so you do! You're my very own little mascot! You just need my captain’s armband, and then you’ll look exactly like me, won't you?" She bounces you in her arms, which makes you burst into a fit of giggles. "Are you excited to walk out onto the pitch with me?"

You nod in agreement, "I 'cited for it, Mummy!" Even though you might only be three years old, you’ve had the fortunate luck of being able to be a mascot on several different occasions - for Leah, Jordan and even your favourite person, Monkey.

Today was special though, at least so you had been told that - England were playing at home at Wembley Stadium.

"Good, I'm glad," Leah smiles and moves a stray strand of hair out of your face, "It's going to be very loud out there with lots of flashing lights and things, but Mummy can hold you in her arms if you want?"

"That' okay, I want to walk!" You insist, your fingers fumbling with the necklace that she has around her neck that has your birthstone in it, "We see Monks' as well?"

"Of course, she's been driving me insane about when she's going to see you," Leah dramatically exaggerates, "And I have a surprise for you as well, bubba." She states, looking over you to smile at Amanda, like they're having a private conversation between the two of them.

Little did you know that Leah had arranged to have you spend the rest of camp with her and Monkey, so instead of going home after the match with Amanda, Jacob and Berny like you thought, instead you would be travelling back to St. George’s park with Leah, Monkey and the rest of the Lionesses.

You were of course unaware of the fact that Leah had been struggling without you around, and with the date looming of what would have been the birth date of the baby her and Jordan were expecting before you came along, times were increasingly hard and emotional right now, and with special permission from Sarina, you would be allowed to join them.

You gasp in excitement, your eyes wide, "A 'prise? What is it?" You question, keen to know.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I were to tell you already, would it?" Leah jokes, tickling your sides' where she knows you're the most ticklish, "You'll have to wait and see until after the game, okay?"

"Okay," You pout, not liking the idea of having to wait all that long.

"It's only a bit longer," Leah playfully pokes your nose to get a smile out of you, "You can wait to find out then, can't you?"

"I 'spose so," You reluctantly agree with her, though you still wish that you can know sooner, "Look, Nana. Mummy's here!" You tell the older woman, excitedly, as if she doesn't already know she's here, with you all.

"I know, sweetheart," Amanda smiles, handing your coat over to Leah to take, "Hi bubba." She greets Leah, exchanging a hug with you still settled in her arms, because you refuse to be away from her right now.

"Hey, look who it is!" Ben speaks aloud, walking back through with drinks in his hand, "Here's your fruit shoot I promised, cheeky chops."

"Fruit shoot!" You squeal in excitement, happily taking the bottle from the older lad and proceed to attempt to open it with your teeth, "Mummy, ‘elp please!" You demand, pouting that you can't get it open.

"Wow, you got a fruit shoot? Aren't you lucky," Leah gasps playfully, helping you take off the lid when she sees you're struggling with it, "Here, bubba. Did you say thank you?" She asks.

"Thank 'ou Ben!" You exclaim gleefully, happy enough to have a purple fruit shoot now as you take a big gulp of it, "Uncle J! Look, Mummy's here, see?"

Jacob chuckles, "I can see, munchkin," He pauses, exchanging a brief hug with Leah, "Hey, sis. Did Mum tell you that she woke me up at 5 this morning? Why do kids' wake up that early? It's bizarre, I like to sleep and well, your child definitely did not want to do that."

"Be grateful that you only have to deal with it once in a while," Leah retorts, patting Jacob on the shoulder, "You learn that once you have a child then sleep goes out of the window, entirely."

"Yeah, Le, I love my niece and all, but well, I really also love sleep," Jacob insists while leaning over to ruffle your hair playfully, "No offence, munchkin."

"Stop, Uncle J!" You grumble, batting his hands away while scowling at him before you rest your head on Leah's shoulder.

"You're so easy to wind up sometimes," Jacob teases, finding the whole situation amusing to himself.

"J, please stop winding her up," Leah tells her brother in a serious tone of voice, "Honestly, you're as bad as Monkey sometimes, I swear."

"Hey! Where is Monks'?" Jacob questions eagerly, looking around for your favourite person, "You didn't bring her up here, with you? Well, that's just no fun now, is it?"

Leah snorts in response, "Yeah, I had the right idea to not do that because you pair are a nightmare together. She's with the rest of the girls," She pauses, "Right, bubba, shall me, you and Holly head down and join them?"

You lift your head from Leah's shoulder and nod, "Yes! We go and find Monks' now?"

"Yeah, we're going to see her now," Leah ressaures you with a soft chuckle, adjusting you on her hip as she nods goodbye to the rest of the family, "You lot enjoy yourselves. I'll see you after the game!"

"Good luck, bubba!" Amanda calls after Leah with a proud smile, waving at you both, "We'll be cheering you on from up here!"

"I be back in a bit!" You wave at them all, excitedly.

“Have fun, munchkin!” Jacob exclaims, taking a sip of his drink.

Leah flashes Amanda a grin before turning her attention back to you, "Alright, lets' go find your big sister. She's been pestering me all day about when she gets to see you."

"Monks' missed me?" Your eyes light up with excitement at the thought.

"Of course she did! She's been telling everyone that you're the best mascot ever," Leah replies, her tone playful but affectionate, "Although, she did say she's the best big sister in the world too, along with other things' but she is very excited to see you, bubba!"

“Le! Thank God you’re back– There’s my favourite niece!” Keira exclaims, rounding the corner as she spots you all, with you in Leah’s arms and gets distracted from what she was going to say, “Hi Buddy!”

“Auntie Kei!” You lean towards her, reaching out for a cuddle with her after not seeing her in many months since she lives over in Spain now.

Keira eagerly takes you out of Leah’s arms, “I missed you. I have something for you!”

“I wan’ it! What is it?” Your curiosity is piqued now and you want to know.

“You’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?” Keira teases as she playfully pokes your nose.

“What’s going on, Kei?” Leah arches her eyebrow in confusion.

“Oh, yeah!” Keira suddenly remembers what she meant to tell Leah, “Take a look yourself…” She murmurs with a nod of her head inside the dressing room, her attention completely on you now.

Leah continues to look bewildered as she pushes the door of the dressing room open to find Monkey and Grace in the middle of a heated debate, “What’s going on?”

“Le!” Your favourite person turns her attention to Leah, “Le, you have to back me up here– Buddy! You’re finally here!” Her attention goes straight to you, rushing over and taking you from Keira without any hesitation.

“Monks’!” You squeal, excited to finally be able to see her after almost a week.

“Menace, why aren’t you ready?” Leah already looks ready to pop a vein as she pinches the bridge of her nose, “We need to go and warm up!”

“Yeah, but Le, ‘ere, you need to listen to this first!” Monkey insists as you wrap your arms around her neck and rest your head on her shoulder, “Clinton cards ‘ere reckons that she can beat me in an arm wrestle, but that ain’t right, is it?” She rambles.

“What?” Leah questions in disbelief.

“I reckon I could do,” Grace states confidently as she gasps in a playful manner as she realises you’re here, “Hi Buddy! How’re you?” She questions, patting you on the head.

“Mate, she’s not a dog,” Monkey quips.

You like Grace and you find her somewhat funny, though you’re glad that she doesn’t play for yucky Spurs anymore.

“Yeah, I not a dog!” You parrot, sticking your tongue out at the older girl from the comfort of your big sister's arms.

Monkey chuckles, “You tell her, Buddy!”

“I would love to see an arm wrestle between you and Grace,” Georgia chimes in, coming over after she’s finished tying her laces, “Hi, tiny!”

“Auntie G!” You realise who it is and lean towards her for a cuddle with the girl, “Monks’ down now! I wan’ Auntie G!”

“What? Traitor,” Monkey huffs, begrudgingly placing you down on the floor so you can toddle over to Georgia, who scoops you up into her arms, “So, Le, whatcha reckon, I could definitely beat her, right?”

Leah pinches the bridge of her nose and exhales a sigh, “Monkey, get ready!” She tells her in a firm tone of voice, “Honestly, I left you alone for what, ten minutes? Stop messing about, now.”

“Oooh. You’re in trouble now,” Grace takes the opportunity to wind Monkey up, smirking in amusement, “Better listen to your Mum now, eh?”

“Shut up,” Monkey grumbles while slouching her shoulders, “Come on Le, help me out here, will you?”

Leah clicks her tongue and crosses her arms over her chest, “Get ready. Now,”

“Urgh, such a buzzkill sometimes,” Monkey mutters to herself as she walks back over to her stuff on the bench and proceeds to get ready, “Told you we should’ve been quicker.”

“Monks’ in trouble with Mummy,” You tell Georgia knowingly.

Georgia chuckles in response, “I think she might be. What’s she like, eh?”

“A menace to society,” Leah mumbles, turning her attention back to you again, “Right, bubba, Mummy needs to go and warm up on the pitch now. You’re going to stay with Holly until I come back, alright?”

“Nooo!” You whine, reaching out to be back in her arms again because you don’t want to be too far away from her, “Me wan’ stay with ‘ou!”

“I know you do, but I can’t let you come on the pitch while we warm up, can I?” Leah chuckles, moving to tuck a loose strand of hair behind your ear, “You’ll have fun with Holly, and I’ll be back before you know it. I promise.”

You still don’t like that answer though, “No, wan’ stay with you!”

“Bubba, Mummy has to go out on the pitch and it’s not safe for you to be on there right now,” Leah explains to you in a gentle tone of voice, “You might get hurt and we don’t want that, do we? If you stay with Holly then you’ll be safe.”

You rest your head on her shoulder as you nod, “I come watch ‘ou warm up?” You ask, though it sounds muffled since you have your fingers in your mouth.

“Okay. You can from the safety of the sidelines,” Leah agrees, gently taking your fingers out of your mouth, “Don’t put your fingers in your mouth, bubba. Yucky germs, remember?” She reminds you, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Nooo! Me be on the pitch with ‘ou!” You still can’t grasp the idea of not being able to be there at the same time, “No sidelines, Mummy!”

Leah exhales a sigh, shaking her head in disagreement, “You can’t, Buddy. You can watch from the sidelines though, okay? You’ll still be able to see me just the same.” She tells you.

You scrunch your face up, “No, me wan’ be on the pitch! No sidelines!”

“Okay, let's take a minute to calm down,” Leah recognises the tell-tale signs of a brewing tantrum and steps to the side with you away from the rest of the girls, placing you down on the floor as she crouches to your level, “Listen to Mummy, bubba. I know you want to be on the pitch, but it’s really not safe when there’ll be a lot going on there, okay?”

“No!” You stomp your foot in disagreement and cross your arms over your chest, “Me no like ‘ou!”

“You don’t?” Leah feigns her hurt, clutching her hand over her heart, “When you say things like that, they really hurt Mummy’s feelings. You don’t mean that, do you?”

You continue to stand there in a grump, “I do! ‘Ou mean for not lettin’ me go on pitch!”

“Oh,” Leah murmurs, feeling hurt from your sudden rejection, “Well that’s okay, Mummy is just trying to keep you safe, bubba, because I love you very much and it would upset me if you did get hurt.” She adds.

“Me no like ‘ou anymore! ‘Ou mean Mummy!” You exclaim, not understanding that your words were really making such a big impact at the moment, “Me no like ‘ou!” You repeat.

“Buddy, that’s not very nice to say to your Mummy,” Keira wanders over and hears the conversation, crouching down to your level, “Your Mummy loves you so much, she’s just trying to keep you safe and not let you get hurt, because then you’d be upset if that happened, wouldn’t you?”

“She is mean! She won’ let me on pitch!” You insist, stomping your feet again for good measure, “I don’ like her no more!” You repeat.

“I’m sure you don’t mean that,” Keira frowns, glancing at Leah who looks almost close to tears at your harsh words, “You're upsetting your Mummy when you say things like that, Tiny. I’m sure you don’t want your Mummy to cry, do you?”

You think about what Keira has said for a few seconds before shaking your head, “No…”

“I know you don’t,” Keira nods in agreement, “I have something for you, but before I do, I need you to say sorry to your Mummy because it’s not kind to say things like that, is it?”

“No, I don’ mean it,” You tell her as you turn back around to face Leah, “I sorry Mummy! I didn’ mean it! I love ‘ou!” You exclaim, wrapping your small arms around her legs and peering up at her with an innocent face.

Leah smiles faintly as she crouches down to be at your level and wrap her arms around your small frame, “It’s okay, bubba,” She pauses, “I know you might be upset with Mummy, but I only ever say no to things because I love you and I want to protect you.”

“I no mean to make you cry,” You mumble as you observe the faint tear that rolls down Leah’s cheek, “Don’ cry, Mummy. Don’ be sad!”

Leah continues to hold you close to her as she moves a hand to wipe the stray tear away, “I’m not sad, bubba. I promise,” She tells you, “Mummy just loves you so much, you know? You’re my rainbow after the storm.”

“Don’ be sad Mummy. It’ be okay!” You tell her, moving your own hand to wipe her tears away, “I love ‘ou lots!”

You don’t really understand what Leah meant, but you know that she’s sad and that means an extra special hug with her.

“Right then,” Leah speaks up after a few seconds, “I think Auntie Kei has something special for you, doesn’t she? Do you want to see what it is?”

“I wan’ see it!” You exclaim, excited at the mention of getting to see what Keira has got for you, “What is it, Auntie Kei?”

“Come over here with me and have a look then,” Keira motions you over to where she has moved to stand with something hidden behind her back, “It’s something special I think you’re gonna like.”

You scrunch your face up in confusion, “What is it?”

“Ta-Da!” Keira pulls a small ball from out behind her back with a small red and blue ball with the England emblem on it, “Here you go, Tiny. It’s for you!”

Your eyes lit up in pure excitement, “Ball! Is’ mine?” You ask, plucking it from her hands.

“It’s all yours,” Keira nods in agreement, “Now you go and kick it about with Holly on the sidelines while we warm up, can’t you? It’ll be like you're warming up as well!”

“Me too?” You ask, gleefully.

“Exactly, it’s important that you warm up before the big game,” Keira insists, playfully poking you on your nose, “Can you do that for me?”

“You got it dude!” You stick your thumb up and nod in agreement, before bounding off towards Holly who’s just entered the dressing room as you clutch your new ball under your arm, “Holly! Look at me’ ball I got!”

“Whoa! Is that yours? That’s so cool!” Holly gasps in a playful manner, “Me and you can kick that around, can’t we?”

“Uh huh!” You insist, nodding your head, “Look, it’ got England on it!”

“Problem solved, eh?” Keira gives Leah a faint smile, wrapping a free arm around her shoulder, despite the fact that the two of them are neither a hugger, the midfielder knows that Leah needs it right now, “I’m here for you mate, I know it’s tough around this time right now.”

“Thank you,” Leah murmurs to her best friend, returning the hug with barely any words exchanged, but she’s still grateful for her stepping in at the right time, “I don’t think I was prepared for a tantrum, not right now, at least.”

Keira hums in agreement, “I know mate, I can understand that.”

“I think she might be getting tired,” Leah explains, exhaling a sigh, “But that might be due to the fact she’s awake since 5 am this morning apparently.”

“Ouch,” Keira grimaces at the mention of that, “It sounds like you might have your hands full tonight then.”

“Oh, don’t I know it?” Leah covers her sadness up with a chuckle, “I’m hoping that she’ll go to sleep when we’re back at St. George’s park, but knowing my luck, my two will be running about.”

Keira laughs, patting Leah on the shoulder, “Well, better you than me, mate. Better you than me.”

"Mummy! Mummy!" You impatiently tug on Leah's hand to get her attention while she is in the middle of chatting to Mary, who's standing behind her in the tunnel, "Mummy, I need to ask you something!"

"Sounds like it's something really important, eh, Buddy?" Mary jokes while she gives you a cheeky wink.

"It' is!" You insist with a nod of your head.

Leah turns around to give you her full attention, "What's the matter, bubba?"

"How long do we gots' to wait?" You question, fed up with waiting around in the tunnel to walk out onto the pitch, "It feels like we been waitin' forever!"

"It hasn't been that long, silly," Leah chuckles, brushing a stray curl from your face, "Just a little bit longer. Are you getting tired?" She asks, concerned.

You shake your head in disagreement, "No, I not tired, I just bored!" You tell her, letting out a dramatic huff, "Mummy! I need to tell you somethin'!"

"You do? What do you want to tell me?" Leah asks out of curiosity.

"One day when I' older like 'ou, I'm gon' be a lion... lioness!" You declare proudly, your tiny voice full of determination, "And be like Mama and Monks' too!"

Leah hums, smiling softly at you, "You already are my little lioness, bubba."

"No, Mummy, I wan' be a real lioness just like 'ou!" You exclaim, trying to express your seriousness about the subject that you really do want to be just like her, "I wan' be like 'ou!"

"One day you will be," Leah promises as she playfully pokes you on the nose lightly.

You can hear the noise from inside the stadium getting louder as it echoes through the tunnel and your tiny hand squeezes Leah's tightly, "Mummy! There lots of music, and it' loud!" You complain, not too much a fan of the loudness.

"It does sound loud, doesn't it?" Leah laughs and places her own hands over your ears, "Is that better now, bubba?"

"Uh huh. That' better!" You nod in agreement, moving to lean into her side and wrap your small arms around her legs, "Why do we gots' to wait so long? I'm bored!"

Leah chuckles at your question, "Patience, little miss."

"But I bored now. I wan' walk out!" You whine, not keen on the idea of standing in the tunnel instead, "How' long now?" You question.

"Not too long to wait now," Leah retorts, amusedly.

Clearly that answer isn't good enough by your response of letting out an exaggerated sigh, "I bored waiting now, Mummy! Can 'ou tell 'em to hurry up?"

"You're starting to sound like your big sister," Leah teases.

"I be like Monks'!" You proudly declare, puffing out your chest.

"I heard my name mentioned," Your favourite person pops up out of nowhere, appearing behind you.

"Monks'!" You exclaim, excited to see her, "Mummy says' I sound just like 'ou!"

Monkey playfully gasps, "You do? Wow. I think that's a compliment!" She insists, "Are you ready to walk out soon?"

"Yeah, but it sounds so loud out there!" You tell her.

Monkey hums in agreement, "It does sound a bit loud, doesn't it?" She pauses for a brief second, "Oh! Remember though, when you walk out, you've gotta wave at everyone and smile for the cameras!"

"Will Mama be able to see me?" You ask, excited for Jordan to be able to see you on the TV.

"Probably, yeah!" Monkey agrees.

Your eyes light up in pure excitement, "Mummy! Monks' said that Mama will be able to see me on telly!"

"That's right, bubba," Leah nods in agreement, "I bet Mama will be watching so she'll be able to see you walking out."

"And Nana, too?" You wonder, fascinated that everyone will be able to see you on the big screen.

"Mhm, Nana's up in the crowd, isn't she?" Leah retorts, amused by your amazement, "You'll have to give her a big wave so you can ask if she saw you, won't you?"

"Yeah!" You exclaim loudly.

Monkey huffs in protest, "Bit miffed I didn't get to see her before the game."

"There's still plenty of time afterwards, don't worry, you've not been forgotten," Leah teases.

"Yeah, don' worry Monks'! Nana will still be there for 'ou to see after!" You parrot Leah's words, which earns a laugh by the players around, "Mummy! Can I hold your flag? I wan' hold it!"

"You do?" Leah asks with a playful gasp, "It's an important job, so you need to make sure to hold it tightly and don't drop it, do you think you can manage it?"

"You got it dude!" You agree, sticking your thumb up at her.

Leah laughs and hands you the flag for you to hold, "Alright, hold onto it tightly for me then, bubba."

"Look, Monks' I get to hold the flag!" You tell Monkey, excitedly.

"Wow, that's cool!" Money retorts, playfully ruffling your hair, "That's a super important thing to do!"

Your excitement is quickly overshadowed by grumpiness due to being tired, and it tips the scale at that moment, "No, Monks' stop it! I don' like it!" You tell her while giving her a small scowl.

"Geesh, someone needs a nap," Monkey can't help but wind you up even more, continuing to ruffle your hair, "Why are you in a grump?"

"STOP IT!" You shout directly at your big sister.

"Buddy," Leah chastises you in a gentle but firm tone of voice, "Hey, there's no need to shout, is there?"

"Mummy! Tell Monks' to stop!" You whine, peering up to look at Leah with a grumpy expression on your face, "She doin' my 'ead in! Keep messin' up me hair! Tell 'er to stop doin' it!"

Leah stifles her laughter as you have a certain flair for dramatics, "Quit it, Menace."

"What?" Monkey murmurs, holding her hands up in protest, "I didn't do out. You have no proof!"

"Just stop being a nuisance, will you, please?" Leah asks, exhaling a sigh.

You signal to be picked up, lifting your arms above your head without any words due to your tiredness.

Leah leans down and scoops you up into her arms, "She's already tired, and I don't need you to be winding her up even more, okay?"

"Alright, alright," Monkey reluctantly agrees, slumping her shoulders, "Tattle-tail."

"Monkey!" Leah scolds her while giving her a stern look, "What did I just say-- Go back and stand in the line. You're not helping matters here."

"Geesh, maybe you need a nap as well," Monkey doesn't miss the opportunity to say as she starts to move back to her original place in the line in between Jess Naz and Jess Carter.

Leah arches her eyebrow, "I heard that."

"Good, cos' you were meant to," Monkey replies, cheekily before she proceeds to poke Georgia.

"What's she like, eh?" Leah murmurs, tucking a fly away hair out of your face as you rest your head on her shoulder, "Are you getting tired now, bubba?"

"Uh huh," You nod in agreement as a small yawn slips past your mouth, "I tired now Mummy! Walk out soon?"

"Very soon now," Leah reassures you as she gently bounces you in her arms, "Do you want Mummy to carry you, or do you want to walk out?"

"I walk!" You mumble as you tiredly rub your eyes, "Down please!" You insist as you wriggle about, wanting to be back down on the floor again.

You are currently too tired to really know what you right now, and Leah can tell that as time goes on, you're becoming more and more grumpy, which means it's only momentarily before you do fall asleep.

However, there's also the issue of you not sleeping later tonight then, and she's hoping that you can stay awake until the ride back on the coach.

"As you wish," Leah gently places you back down on the floor, but you're still feeling tired as you cling to her legs, just as it's time to walk out, "It's time now, bubba. Are you ready?" She questions, taking hold of your hand.

"I ready!" You agree, clutching hold of it as you tightly grasp the flag in your other hand.

"Let's go then my little lioness," Leah chuckles, leading the way to walk out of the tunnel with you right beside her.

As you begin to walk out from the tunnel with your hand clasped in Leah's, the roar of the crowd surrounds you and your eyes widen as you take it all in, "Hi Wembley!" You exclaim, your tiredness gone in that moment, "Mummy! Is' so loud, isn't it?"

"I know it is," Leah retorts, peering down at you with a soft smile, "You're doing a great job holding the flag for me, bubba."

"Me holdin' it for 'ou!" You declare, proudly and make sure to keep a tight hold on it so you don't drop it.

There's a lot of people all standing up and cheering as Leah and the rest of the lionesses all line up, and you stand in front of Leah as she drapes her free arm around your shoulder.

You stand in front of Leah and look around the stadium with wide eyes, "Are all these people here to see me, Mummy?"

Leah can't help but laugh in amusement, "Not quite, bubba, but I think they will be happy to see you," She pauses, "Do you want to wave at them and say hello?"

"Yeah, I wan' wave to them!" You insist, letting go of Leah's hand to wave to the loud crowd around you, "I wavin' to 'em, Mummy!"

"You're stealing the show, Buddy," Mary chimes in, grinning at you.

"I wavin' to them all, so Nana and Uncle J and Gan'ma can see me!" You ramble to Mary, "Hi, Nana! Hi, Uncle G! Hi, Gan'ma! Mummy, do 'ou think they can see me now I'm wavin' at 'em?"

"I think they might be able too," Leah chuckles as she motions over to the big screen, "Look, bubba, there's the camera. See? Give it a wave and you'll be able to see yourself on the big screen!" She exclaims, pointing with her index finger to the camera that's panning down the line of lionesses, before you peer up to where the TV shows you eagerly waving at the camera.

"Wow, Mummy. I can see me!" You squeal, vibrating with excitement, "I wave at the camera like 'ou said to do!"

"Great job, Buddy!" Leah coos, as you start to shiver a bit from the bitter cold temperature in the stadium, so Leah does no more than take off her presentation jacket and drapes it around your arms, "Is that better, bubba?"

"Yeah! I cold!" You whine, feeling a bit more warmer with the jacket around you as you decide to be nosy and stick your head out, looking down the line at the opposing players, "Mummy! I can see Emily!" You state, excitedly.

"You can? Wow!" Leah says with a playful gasp, "You'll have to remember to say hi when we walk down the line, won't you?"

"Uh huh!" You nod in agreement, scrunching your face up in confusion when a song starts to play that you don't recognise, "What' this?" You ask.

"It's the USA's national anthem, bubba," Leah explains, "Just like we have ours, don't we?"

"I can sing about my dino'daurs!" You say with a certain sense of determination.

Leah faintly chuckles while she shakes her head, "Maybe save that one for another day."

Nodding in agreement, you recognise the music for what you're told is Englands' national anthem, but you would much prefer to sing about dinosaurs instead, in your opinion. You don't really know the words to this song, so you just stand there, your eyes gazing around the stadium as you continue to wave.

The next thing you know, you guess the song must have finished because everyone is starting to clap and the crowds' cheering gets louder and louder.

"Come on, bubba, we need to walk down the line now," Leah guides you in the direction to walk down and high five with the players on the USA team, "Give them a high five, Buddy." She gestures about what to do, exchange a high five with Lindsey Horan.

"Can I get a high five?" The blonde woman, known as Lindsey Horan questions, crouching down to your level as you go a bit shy, shaking your head and trying to hide behind Leah.

"Give her a high five, bubba," Leah tells you in a gentle tone of voice, but you remain firm in your decision and shake your head again, "Sorry. I think she's gone a bit shy."

You were hesitant to high five with the majority of the USA players, however when you saw Emily it was totally different, "Emily!" You shout, recognising the brunette from Arsenal, "Look, I got Mummy's flag cos' I special and get to hold it!"

"You get to hold that? Wow, that's such an important role, munchkin!" Emily insists with a genuine smile on her face, crouching down to your level to give you a high five but to her surprise, you throw your small arms around her legs, "Oh, I get a hug? Thank you, Buddy!"

Leah blinks in surprise, your usual chatterbox self making an appearance again as she exchanges a high five with Emily, "Good luck, Foxy," She wishes her luck, "Come on, bubba, we need to make our way down the rest of the line." She says, encouraging you to keep walking to reach the end of the players.

"Mummy! I saw Emily an' gave her a hug!" You retort, like she wasn't just there to witness it, "Did you see?"

"I did see that, and it was very kind of you to do that," Leah nods in agreement, gesturing you to where the Lionesses all huddled together for a team photo.

"Are you going to be part of our team photo, Buddy?" Alessia questions, walking over as she's chucked her own presentation jacket off.

You nod your little head in agreement, "Yeah, I join! I like taking photos!"

Monkey appears by your side, "Do you want to come and crouch beside me?"

"Yeah!" You move to stand beside Monkey, who's crouching on the grass as she protectively wraps her arm around your shoulder.

"Remember to say cheese, Buddy!" Lucy Bronze calls out from where she's stood behind you, to the right hand side of Leah.

"Or rotten tomatoes," Beth chimes in, jokingly.

You scrunch your face up in disgust, "Ew, rotten tomatoes' are gross, Auntie Beth!"

Beth laughs in amusement, "Do you want to continue to hold the flag, or do you want me to hold onto it?"

"I do it!" You insist stubbornly, refusing to let go off the flag anytime soon.

"You got it," Beth says, holding her hands up in mock surrender, "Say cheese, Buddy!"

"Cheese!" You parrot, beaming a smile in the direction of the camera pointing directly at you, "I said cheese, Monks'!"

"Good job, Buddy!" Monkey exchanges a high five with you, "I bet that'll be a great photo when it comes out!"

"Me a lioness now!" You declare, promptly.

"You sure are," Georgia comes up behind you and scoops you up into her arms, dangling you over her shoulder so you're upside down.

"Agh! Put me down, Auntie G!" You squeal in protest, not keen on being upside down as you pound your tiny fists against your back, "Put me down."

"Are you sure you don't like being upside down?" Georgia teases.

Keira catches onto what Georgia is doing and grimaces, "G, you're gonna make her sick if you dangle her upside down like that."

"No, I don' like it!" You squeal in response, "Put me down. Now!"

"She's fine, don't worry," The younger girl responds as she laughs.

Leah's eyes widen in panic, "Georgia, do not drop my child!"

"Oh please, like that's not happened before," Georgia retorts as she rolls her eyes, swinging you around and placing you on the ground to relieve Leah's blood pressure, "Since when did you get so sassy, Tiny?"

Leah suddenly completely freezes and turns to look at her confused, "What?"

"Yeah, Monks' dropped me, Mummy!" You chime in at the perfect moment to drop the bombshell.

"What?" Leah's eyes are wide like saucers, standing there with her hands on her hips, while giving Monkey the look.

"No I didn't-- That never happened! You have no proof!" Monkey tries to worm her way out of this one, attempting to look less guilty than she currently did, "Buddy! That was supposed to be a secret between us, remember?"

"I forgot," You admit, grinning at your big sister.

Monkey face palms and throws her head back for extra exaggeration, "I even gave you extra ice cream and everything!"

"You blackmail your sister?" Leah continues to look at Monkey in disbelief.

"Eh, well I think blackmailing is a bit extreme," Monkey mumbles, scratching the back of her neck, "It was more like bribing her..."

"Monkey!" Leah exclaims, outraged.

"What? I'm sorry-- It was a complete accident, I swear! I didn't mean to drop her!" You insist, holding your hands up in self defence, "Total fluke."

Leah clicks her tongue and shakes her head, "Unbelievable," She mutters to herself.

"I mean... At least it was a soft landing," Monkey retorts, shrugging her shoulders.

"We'll talk more about this later," Leah reiterates to her, shaking her head as she realises she needs to get on with captain duties now, "Bubba, can Mummy have the flag now? You did such a good job keeping it safe, but I need it now."

"No!" You stubbornly refuse, shaking your head, "It' mine now!"

"No, no, that's not how it works," Leah tells you with a gentle tone of voice, "Mummy needs to exchange it now with the USA captain, so I need it back, please."

"Nooo! It' mine, Mummy! 'Ou can't have it!" You whine, your tiredness slowly creeping in as you cling onto the flag in your hands.

"Bubba," Leah begins to speak still in a gentle voice, "Mummy needs it back now. If you want I can buy you one like it, but I need this one now, okay?" She continues to be patient and explain to you.

"No," Your stubbornness is even more evident with your tiredness, "It' mine. 'Ou can't have it, Mummy!"

Leah inwardly groans and bites her bottom lip, realising that you're not going to willingly give up the flag, "I'm sorry, Buddy, but Mummy needs it now," So with thatin mind, she has to prise it out of your hands, which as expected, begins a whole different meltdown.

Only this time it's on the pitch, in front of several thousand fans.

"My flag!" The waterworks instantly flow and you crumple down on the floor, "Give it back. Now." Your little voice demands, your sobs' worsening as you throw yourself to the floor and hit your fists on the pitch.

Leah feels truly awful in that minute, she wants to reach down, scoop you up in her arms and comfort you, however, she needs to deal with captain duties, so she's really torn.

"Oh dear," Beth takes note of the situation and frowns, crouching down to your level, gesturing for Leah to do what she needs to do, "What's happened here? You were so smiley five minutes ago then, Buddy!" She coos, knowing full well how to tackle a tantrum now.

Your bottom lip trembles, visibly upset, "Mummy took m' flag!"

"Your flag?" Beth furrows her eyebrow in confusion, "Oh you don't want that one, I bet we can find you one that's much cooler than that, what do you reckon?" She suggests the idea that will solve the problem.

"I like it, though!" You tell her, your sobs' still evident as tears roll down your cheeks.

"Yeah, but I bet you we can find an Arsenal one, or I think we can get one especially made for you," Beth continues to suggest, "Wouldn't that be cool?"

"M' okay then," You don't hesitate to think about it, nodding in agreement.

"But we can't do that if you're crying now, can we?" Beth teases, leaning forward to wipe a stray tear from face.

You shake your head in disagreement, "No..."

"Exactly, now where's our smiley Buddy gone?" Beth questions, hoping to make you smile again.

"Ere' I am!" You exclaim, your upset starting to differ at the change of subject.

"That's much better," Beth retorts with a soft smile, "We can't have a frowny Buddy can we? I think we all much prefer a smiley Buddy!"

"I smile!" Your tears start to slowly subside, spotting Leah heading back over to you, "Mummy! Auntie Beth said I can have own flag!"

"Oh, really? I'm sure that can be arranged," Leah remarks in agreement, nodding her head as she mouths a quick "thank you" to Beth that you don't pay much attention to her, "Right, bubba, it's time for the game to start now. You're going to go back and sit with everyone now, alright?"

"Yeah, I go back and find Nana. I tell her about everything!" You insist in agreement, "I go find Holly?"

"She's right over there, can you see her?" Leah motions over to where Holly is standing just inside of the tunnel out of the way as she gives you a little wave, "You run to her, and Mummy will see you after the game finishes, okay?"

"Okay, Mummy! I cheer super loud for you!" You say with a sense of determination as you wrap your tiny arms around her legs, "I see you in bit! I love 'ou!"

Leah pulls you into her arms and squeezes you tightly for a brief couple of seconds, "I love you too, bubba!" She tells you, kissing you on the forehead, "Be good, alright? I'll see you in a bit."

"I see you in a bit!" You repeat, pulling out of the hug as you start to toddle towards Holly in the tunnel, "Holly! Did 'ou see me wavin' on the big screen? I wavin' so everyone can see me!"

"I did see you!" Holly nods in agreement as you let a yawn escape your mouth, "Shall we go and find everyone now, huh? You can tell us all about it!"

"Uh huh!" You agree, holding your arms up and without any further words, Holly easily scoops you up into her arms.

"Someone's tired, aren't they?" Holly coos, rubbing soothing circles on your back as your eyes begin to flutter shut, despite your attempts to keep them open, “Come on sleepy girl, let’s get you somewhere you can have a nap.”

"Hey, there's our little superstar!" Amanda's brother, your Great-Uncle exclaims, as he spots you and Holly walk back to the box, "Did you have fun out there, kiddo?"

"Uh huh! Lots' of fun!" You tell them enthusiastically, your small hands fumbling with Holly's necklace around her neck.

"We saw you on the big screen, munchkin!" Jacob chimes in.

"Yeah! I walk out there!" You say as you start to wriggle in Holly's arms to get down, wanting to be the centre of attention, "I was wavin' to 'ou all!"

Berny hums in agreement, "We saw. You did a great job, darling!"

"I got to hold Mummys' flag!" You exclaim, bouncing up and down on your tip-toes, "An' I took picture with 'em!"

"Wow," Ben gasps playfully, "It sounds like you had a lot of fun out there!"

You nod enthusiastically, your tiredness overshadowed by pure excitement, "I fun! I' did an important job holding it! I' a Lioness!"

"You did, it is an important job, isn't it?" Amanda smiles at your excitement, "Alright then, Little Lioness, the games about to kick off now. Where do you want to sit to watch it?"

"I sit with Uncle J!" You insist, toddling over to him and attempting to climb up onto his lap, "I' need 'elp, p'ease!"

Jacob chuckles in amusement, leaning down to scoop you up, and plonking you on his lap, "Better, munchkin?"

"Better!" You agree, just as a small yawn escapes your mouth, "I' no tired!"

"Are you sure?" Jacob laughs, tickling your sides which worsens your mood, "Maybe that has something to do with you waking me up so early this morning, eh?" He jokes.

You turn around, scowling at the lad, "Stop, Uncle J. I' no like that!"

"You don't? But you were so happy to wake me up this morning, so I thought I would just return the favour!" Jacob grins, finding amusement in winding you up despite your own grumpiness.

"Stop it. No like it!" You whine, tiredly.

"Oh, I think someones' a bit tired, aren't they now?" Ben joins in, chuckling.

"I think so," Jacob retorts, "Wakey, wakey, Buddy!"

Amanda chuckles and shakes her head, "Son, don't wind her up,"

"I'm only doing the same thing she did to me this morning," Jacob replies, grinning from ear to ear.

"No! Stop it' Uncle J!" You reach your hands out to swat him, accidentally catching him in the face, "I' no like it!"

Holly winces as she watches your little hand fly out and hit Jacob, "Oh dear."

"Ah, ah," Amanda reacts instantly, reaching over and plucking you off Jacob's lap, "We don't hit little miss. That's not very nice to do that."

You scowl in return, looking straight at her, "Nana, Uncle J's doin' my head in!"

"I know he is," Amanda finds it hard to stifle her laugh and be serious in the situation with the expression you are pulling, "But it's still not okay for you to hit him. We have to use gentle hands, remember?"

You're still in a sulk, crossing your arms over your chest, "He bein' mean!" Your tiredness continues to take over, making everything seem like a complete meltdown.

"I know, but he's going to stop now," Amanda says as she looks at Jacob while she says it so it's more aimed at him, "I think you're a bit tired now, aren't you?"

You shake your head in protest, "I' no tired!" You say just as you let another yawn again, "I go an' sit back on Uncle J!"

"That's fine, but you have to remember to be kind otherwise Uncle J won't want you to sit with him, will he?" Amanda reminds you in a tone of voice that is gentle but still held some firmness as well.

"I' be nice!" You mumble, inching your way off Amanda's lap to clamber back onto Jacob's, "I' sorry for hitting 'ou, Uncle J."

"That's alright, munchkin. I know you didn't mean to do it," Jacob responds, "I'm sorry for winding you up as well." He adds.

You move to rest your head on the lads' shoulder, "That' okay." You mumble, your eyes are heavy with sleep as you fight to stay awake.

"You can sleep if you want?" Jacob whispers, rubbing small soothing circles on your back.

"I' no tired," You whine while you still rest your head on his shoulder, "I' be awake an' watch game!"

Your determination didn't stretch very far and within the first twenty minutes of the game, so you end up flaking out on Jacob's lap. The chatter around lulling you to sleep even though you tried to refuse to sleep when the game is going on around you.

"So much for her not bein' tired, eh?" Ben jokes, leaning in towards Jacob.

Jacob chuckles, rocking you in his arms, "I know, that didn't take long at all,"

"Let's just hope that she will sleep tonight, otherwise Le's gonna be in for a tough one," Holly chimes in, knowingly.

"I imagine she'll be fine," Jacob retorts, shrugging his shoulders and letting you sleep peacefully, not shocked you're able to sleep through the noise in the stadium considering you are more than used to it now.

Just as the whistle blew for half time, you wake up from your brief nap and it's like the energy inside you has been restored as you become your usual chatterbox self once again.

"I' hungry now!" You declare, huffing as you rub the sleep from your eyes.

"You're the hungry little caterpillar, huh?" Jacob jokes.

You shake your head in protest, "No, I' just a hungy' Buddy!" You tell him.

"Oh, right. My apologies, hungry Buddy," Jacob continues to joke, "Shall we get you something to fill that hole? I can hear noises coming from your tummy!" He exclaims, playfully gasping in shock.

"Uh huh! I' come with 'ou to get it!" You tell him, wriggling to get off his lap so he can stand up.

"Okay," Jacob agrees with your decision.

"I'll join you. I need another drink," Ben chimes in, standing up from his own seat.

"Nana! I goin' with Uncle J to get somethin' cos' I'm hungy'!" You exaggerate, rubbing your stomach for emphasis, "I' be back in bit!"

Amanda chuckles at your little demands, "Oh, are you? Alright, well just remember to hold Uncle J's hand please."

"'Ou got it, dude!" You stick your thumb up in response, before clutching hold of Jacob's hand and toddling off to get something to eat.

"She's such a little character sometimes, isn't she?" Holly chuckles in amusement.

"Oh she definitely is. She's definitely Leah's daughter, alright," Berny jokes.

"Looks like it's a bit of a long queue," Ben retorts, motioning to it, "Do you know what you want to eat, cheeky chops?" He uses his usual nickname for you.

"Me wan' nuggets!" You declare, excitedly.

"Consider it done," Jacob nods in agreement as you continue to clutch a tight grip of his hand, though you become increasingly bored waiting and decide to make it known, very vocally.

"I' bored, waitin'!" You whine impatiently to Jacob and Ben who are having their own conversation between the two of them, so you proceed to let go of Jacob's hand and tug on the male's jacket in front of you that you faintly recognise, "Hi 'Ou Lessi's brother!" You exclaim enthusiastically, recognising him from matches both at Arsenal and England.

The man spins around and peers down at you, "Hi, Buddy."

You gasp in shock, your eyes widening, "Ou' know my name?" You ask, a bit confused, "What 'our name?"

"I do, I'm Luca," The man chuckles, crouching down to your level, "And your Leah and Jordan's little one, aren't you?"

You nod enthusiastically, "Yeah, I' Buddy! That my Mummy an' Mama's names!" You continue to gasp in amazement that he knows who they are, "Hey... 'Ou not the one that I saw in Australia!" You state, somewhat offended suddenly.

Luca chuckles, "I'm not."

"Where' he then?" You scrunch your face up in confusion.

"No, I'm not. That's my brother, Georgio," Luca explains to you, "He's in Australia, all the way on the other side of the world."

You gasp in amazement, "That' where Ra' is! An' Stephy an' Caitlin!" You exclaim in excitement, "Ra' is Monks' best friend! Like I best friends with Roo!"

Luca arches his eyebrow, a little confused with your rambling and trying to keep up with who is who, "Oh, are they? Who's Ra' again?"

You slump your shoulders and let out a small dramatic huff, "Kyra, duh!"

"Oh," Luca chuckles faintly, "Yeah, I've met her a few times... And Roo is your best friend then, huh?"

"Uh huh!" You nod your little head promptly, "We besties! Monks' says so!"

"I see, and Monks' is..." Luca's slightly confused with the different people.

"Monks' is my big sister!" You exclaim, exaggerating another little huff, "An' this is m' Uncle J and Ben!"

Jacob chuckles in amusement, "Alright, Luca? I see you've met our little chatterbox?"

"I' no chat... I no' one of them!" You find it hard to pronounce the correct words while pouting at Jacob, "I' tell him about Monks'!"

"Yeah, very interesting conversation," Luca plays along with your ramble, "I have been told all about the Aussie girls, and Monks' as well."

"Menace that one is," Ben quips in, "We're at the front of the queue now, cheeky chops. Is it just nuggets that you want?"

"An' chips' as well!" You insist, promptly.

Jacob chuckles, "Can't forget the chips now, can we?" He jokes, reeling off the food you want and tapping his card to pay for said items.

"An' dippy sauce too!" You shout aloud.

Ben laughs, accepting the drinks hes' given as he takes a swig of one of them before passing one of them over to Jacob.

It's not long before Jacobs' handed over your chicken nuggets and chips, "Right, shall we go back to everyone now?"

"Uca' come too!" You peer up to look at Luca in question.

"Luca's sitting with his own family, munchkin. I'm sure you can see him in a bit though," Jacob explains, amused that you seem to have latched onto someone else who you barely know, "Let's go show Nana what you've got, yeah?"

"Okay... But I' see 'ou in a bit, 'Uca!" You wave enthusiastically at your new friend, before toddling off with Jacob and Ben back to your box, "I' back now!"

"Oh I thought it was quiet around here," Holly retorts playfully.

"I' not quiet!" You tell her, confused.

Berny chuckles in amusement, "What've you got there, darling?"

"Nuggets an' chips!" You say, pointing to each item that you have in Jacob's hands, "An' dippy sauce as well!"

"Wow, that looks good," Amanda states, helping you sit in your own seat before Jacob carefully hands you your meal, "Careful when you eat it, sweetheart. It might still be a bit hot." She warns, gently.

"I' be careful!" You insist, kicking your little legs as you tuck into your chicken nuggets and chips, "M' it nice! I' no share either!" You add, speaking with your mouthful.

"Game 'over now?" You hear the final whistle blow to signal the end of the game, which ends in a result of nil - nil with a penalty overruled by a VAR decision. 

Amanda nods in agreement, "It is now, sweetheart."

"I' see Mummy and Monks' now?" You question, eager to see both of them.

"They'll both be coming up here soon," Amanda explains, reaching over to wipe a bit of sauce off your cheek with a napkin, "You just have to be patient a little bit longer, okay?"

"I' bored waitin' though!" You huff dramatically, resting your chin on your hand as you kick your legs, "I' wait... but I no like waitin'!"

Jacob laughs, leaning forward to ruffle your hair gently, "You're so patient, aren't you, munchkin?"

"I' no patient!" You correct him indignantly, your little pout returning as you munch on a chip, "I wanna see 'em now! Mummy said I' see her after!"

"She will come as soon as she can," Amanda reassures you with a soft smile, "Why don't you finish your food first, and then I'm sure they'll be upstairs before you know it, hm?"

Your eyes brighten a little at the idea of that, "Okay, Nana! I eat first so I' see her quicker!"

Ben chuckles, "I don't think that's how it works, cheeky chops. Be careful you don't choke now, alright?"

You give him a dramatic thumbs up before stuffing another nugget in your mouth, chewing determinedly as you hope it makes the time go quicker.

You don't know how much time has passed before you feel someone cover your eyes with their hands, "Boo!" You recognise the familiar voice of your favourite person.

"Monks'!" You squeal, spinning around to face her.

The girl grins amusedly, "Miss me?"

"It's all we've heard since the game ended," Holly teases, her tone fond.

"I missed you as well, Buddy!" Monkey states, ruffling your hair despite your overall disagreement on it, "Did you see me out on the pitch?" She questions.

"I' saw! Gan'ma helped me see!" You beam proudly, bouncing on your toes.

"Yeah, you're too short to see otherwise, eh, munchkin?" Jacob teases, before he falls into conversation with Monkey, catching up since the last time they saw each other.

"Am I just forgotten' about now, huh?" Leah jokes, entering the box freshly showered with her damp hair scraped back as Keira follows her behind, grinning.

"Mummy!" You shout, bolting straight to her and throw your small arms around her, "I miss 'ou!"

Leah scoops you up, pressing a kiss to your temple, "Oh that's a nice cuddle I needed," She coos, "Thank you bubba, I missed you too."

"I' watch game!" You tell her proudly.

Leah gasps playfully, tucking a stray strand of your hair behind your ear, "Did you have fun watching it?"

"Uh huh! I' missed 'ou though!" You admit, resting your head against her shoulder.

Leah smile softens as she kisses the top of your head again, "I missed you too, bubba, but I'm glad you had a good time."

"Mummy?" You ask, your voice dropping into a whisper, "What' the surprise now?"

"Oh, you didn't forget about that one, did you?" Leah chuckles, "Well how would you like it if you stayed with me, Monks' and the rest of the girls for the rest of camp?"

Your jaw drops, "That' be so cool! I can?"

"Of course you can, bubba! I already asked Sarina, so you're going to travel back with us instead of going back to Mama's house," Leah confirms, grinning at your reaction.

"Yay! We go now?" You ask eagerly, wiggling in her arms.

"In a little bit," Leah says, laughing at your excitement, "We need to get your things out of Nana's car first."

"Mr. Bear comin' too," You insist with wide eyes.

"Of course," Leah reassures you, "I can't imagine you would want to leave him behind, would you?"

"No, he no like it," You say with a decisive shake of your head.

Monkey comes barreling over to you, grinning, "Did you tell her the surprise, Le?"

"Monks'! I come to camp an' sleep over!" You exclaim proudly.

"I know!" Monkey says, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "We're gonna have so much fun. It's gonna be epic! We'll stay up late, swap manly stories, and in the morning... I'm making waffles!"

"I 'cited!" You nod along, excitedly.

Ben stares at Monkey, deadpan, "Did... Did you just quote Shrek?"

"Obviously, Ben," Monkey rolls her eyes dramatically.

"Oh boy, you're in for some fun there love," Berny chuckles, shaking her head in amusement.

Leah groans playfully, shaking her head, "What did I sign up for?"

Holly snorts in response, "Double trouble with them pair."

"Double trouble indeed," Keira retorts, smirking.

"Duh, what'd yer' expect with us both together?" Monkey quips, slinging her arm around Keira's shoulder, "Right, Buddy?"

"Right, Monks'!" You declare, nodding your head in agreement.

"Yeah… I' think I'm going to end up regretting this by the end of the week," Leah mutters to nobody in particular.

And sure enough, the chaos that you both cause is nearly the cause of Leah having somewhat of a nervous breakdown, but that's another story for a different day, of course.

© scribblesofagoonerr

[lilasamaaa]

Missed chances | Max Verstappen x Reader / Part One

Genre | Angst, Hurt, Fluff.

Word count | 4.1K

Warnings | Mentions of heartbreak, alcohol consumption, Max being an asshole.

Summary | It's been years since you've had a crush on your best friend's brother. But him too, right? Or is kissing you every chance he gets just a game for him?

Author's note | Angsty Queen is back at it! This piece is the result of this poll. Thank you so much for all the feedback on the previous pieces, I'm so glad you like them. Enjoy this one! (Not proofread yet, sorry!)

You and Victoria are thirteen when you cross paths for the first time. The shy blonde girl stands upright, nervously nibbling her lip. It's the first day of school, and you're both waiting to find out which class you'll be in, hoping to be with friends. Her gaze meets yours, and she offers a timid smile. You're not friends. Not yet. You just have mutual friends. Your names are called almost simultaneously, indicating that you're in the same class. Instinctively, you head towards her, giving her a big smile. You don't know anyone else in the class, so you'll have to get to know each other. Stick together.

A few months later, as your father drops you off in front of Victoria's house before rushing off to your little brother's soccer practice, you take a moment to observe the pale blue house from the outside. Upstairs, a curtain moves, catching your attention. You don't see anybody, though. You knock on the door, and Victoria opens it, immediately throwing herself into your arms.

"I'm so glad your parents agreed to this," she says, excited. "This is gonna be so cool. My parents aren't home so Max is supposed to look after us, but he'll probably lock himself in his room. Boys, you know..." she finishes, leading you into the hallway.

Max? For months, you've been sharing your lives between classes, but you've never heard this name before.

"Who's Max?" you ask, curious.

"My older brother," she replies, rolling her eyes. "We don't get along so well these days. He thinks he's all grown up... Barely even acknowledge me," Victoria says, frustration evident in her voice.

"I can relate," you reply sarcastically. "Well, mine's younger, but not that interested in me either."

You spend the afternoon in her room painting your nails, braiding each other's hair, and sharing your secrets (you're starting to run out, after all this time), until night falls. You're deep in conversation when someone knocks on the door. That must be Max, you think, waiting for the door to open.

And it is Max, indeed. His face appears, and your heart skips a beat. He's cute. He seems a bit grumpy. Not in the best mood, that's true. But there's something immediately touching about his big, wide eyes and annoyed expression.

"Diner's ready," Max says before closing the door.

"I bet he made fish sticks again," Victoria grumbles, getting up. "That's the only thing he knows how to cook."

Sitting at the table, cutting a fish stick in half with your fork, your gaze shifts from Victoria to Max, who sit across from each other, not exchanging a word.

"So..." you start shyly. "What's your favorite subject, Max?" you ask, immediately regretting your words as the boy glances in your direction, brows furrowed.

Of course, your only topic of conversation is school. You've always been one of the top students. A real bookworm, as they say. Plus, you're not exactly comfortable around boys, especially those around your age. Victoria shoots you a desperate look, eyes wide open. But right now, anything seems better than this uncomfortable, excruciating silence.

"Erm," Max says, grabbing a green bean with his fork. "Geography, I guess. I don't know."

Silence falls once again, lingering until each of you finishes your meal, and then Victoria and you retreat to her room.

"Don't even bother trying to talk to him," the blonde says as she slips into her pajamas. "Nothing interests him except go-karting."

The next time you encounter Max, you're fourteen, and he's sixteen. Victoria and you are participating in an endurance race to raise funds for a charity, and your families have been invited to attend the event. Your parents, who have crossed paths several times at school meetings and other events, find each other in the stands and share enthusiastic greetings before sitting down. Already on the track, you watch the reunion with a smile when your eyes fall on him. Max is here? you think. He never attends these things.

The race begins, and Victoria and you take off along the lake, completing lap after lap. On one of them, as you pass by the stands, particularly the one where your parents are seated, you turn your head, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. You don't see your father or your mother. Your eyes only see him. Max. And he's looking at you, too. Your eyes don't leave each other until your foot slips on a stone, and your ankle twists violently. You fall to the ground, letting out a cry of pain as your father rises, rushing to your aid.

A little less than an hour later, as Victoria finishes her run and joins you at the infirmary, the blonde gives you a worried yet disapproving look. "You're too distracted," she says, hand on her hip. "What was it this time? Did you see a cute boy or something? Was it Jan?". You don't respond, giving a sheepish smile to your friend. A cute boy, yeah...

As the years go by, you see Max less and less. At the beginning of your friendship with Victoria, you often ran into the young man when you spent afternoons or nights at the Verstappen's, but the aspiring driver has started to become increasingly scarce in his own home. One evening, though, as you're racking your brains over a philosophy essay, your phone vibrates, signaling a message from the person who's become your best friend.

"Max is throwing a fucking rager at home. Please come, I beg you. I'll shoot myself if I have to deal with his drunk friends all alone."

Thirty minutes later, you're on your bike, covering the five kilometers that separate your house from Victoria's. Summer has begun, with only a few days of classes left, which certainly explains Max's sudden urge to throw a party. On your bike, you're anxious, your stomach tying itself in knots. Despite your daily visits to Victoria, it's been almost a year since you've last seen her older brother. You try to convince yourself that the fact you applied a bit of mascara to your lashes or straightened your hair has nothing to do with his presence. You just wanted to tidy up a bit, that's all. Nothing else to it.

When you arrive at the blue house, your first instinct is to anxiously glance at the surrounding houses. How has no one called the cops yet, you think, impressed by the decibels pouring out of the open windows, and the number of people you can already see inside the house. Leaving your bike in the grass, you venture into the house, passing by the wide open front door. On the way to the living room, drunk bodies cling to you, spilling beer on your shoes, shouting incomprehensible words in your ears. Wow. Victoria wasn't kidding. This thing is a huge mess.

Spotting your friend in the middle of the kitchen, you make your way to her.

"What the fuck is happening here?" you ask, casting a glance over the room.

"Can you believe this asshole?" Victoria replies, fuming. "Mom has been gone for five hours. Five! And I haven't even finished my fucking essay," she says, despair filling her eyes.

"Forget about it," you reply, stifling a laugh. "That's not happening tonight."

Victoria launches into another tirade about how much her brother annoys her when you catch sight of him in the middle of the living room. He's wearing a shirt that looks slightly too big for him. Maybe borrowed from his dad. He's holding a beer in one hand. A girl in the other. The sight twists your heart and brings a bitter taste to your mouth. Clinging to his arm, the blonde —who you recognize as Sanne, a girl from his class— can't seem to tear her gaze from Max, looking at him as if he belonged in a museum.

"Hey, are you listening?" Victoria says, bringing you back to reality.

"What?"

"They want to play a game," Victoria repeats. "Seven minutes in heaven."

"Seven minutes in heaven?" you repeat, eyes wide.

"Yeah. Sanne suggested it."

Of course she did, you think, biting your lip. Of course Sanne, who clearly has a big crush on Max, would suggest a game where the goal is to get locked in a narrow closet with someone for seven minutes.

"Listen to me," Victoria says, suddenly serious. "If Max has to be locked in a closet with anyone, I want it to be you. We'll figure it out. We'll cheat at the draw," she continues. "I hate Sanne. At least with you, I know nothing will happen."

You swallow loudly, completely at a loss for words. Getting locked in a closet with Max? The Max who's never really noticed you? Who's always seen you as nothing but a kid because you're a year and a half younger and his sister's friend? You don't have much time to think about it because already, you're sitting in a circle in the middle of the living room with a dozen other people, a bottle in the center.

Johannes, a friend of Max's, spins the bottle, which lands on Sanne. The girl's eyes sparkle with excitement, her gaze fixed on Max. Johannes spins the bottle again, and this time, it stops in front of another girl you don't know. You glance at Victoria, who seems particularly amused by the situation. Sanne looks absolutely gutted.

"Rules are rules, girls," Johannes says, laughing.

A boy from your class escorts the girls to the closet by the entrance before locking them in and starting a timer. The seven minutes pass, filled by various discussions. When the alarm goes off and the girls are freed, Sanne sits back in the circle, her face closed off.

"It's my turn to spin the bottle," she announces, seizing the plastic object.

She's quite skilled, as the bottle spins twice before landing directly in front of Max. Sanne grabs the bottle again, sending it spinning, and it rotates for a while before stopping right in front of you. Sanne seems beside herself, but your attention is focused on Victoria, who gives you a discreet thumbs-up. Your eyes meet Max's, and it's safe to say the young man doesn't look too pleased. But as Johannes said, rules are rules, and the two of you get up before walking towards the closet.

The space is ridiculously tiny. Max ventures in first, one foot behind the vacuum cleaner, the other squeezed between two shoe shelves. There's barely enough room for two people to fit, and as Johannes pushes you inside unceremoniously and you hear the lock click behind you, you realize you're standing between Max's legs, your hands on his chest.

"Sorry," you say, trying to get away, your back hitting the door.

A heavy silence settles between you as outside, you hear the lively conversations resume in the living room.

"I'm sure you would have preferred to be locked in with Sanne," you say, trying to fill the silence that's slowly eating away at you.

"Not really," Max responds, evasive.

"Aren't you two together?" you ask, curious.

He scoffs against you, sending vibrations to your chest.

"She would like to, yeah," Max says, as you feel his breath against your face despite him being twenty centimeters taller than you.

"And you don't?" you ask, trying to appear nonchalant even though you fear his answer.

"I don't have time for her."

"Oh. I didn't realize your time was so precious," you reply, stunned.

"Depends on who it's spent with," Max replies, his voice deeper.

You're suddenly incredibly grateful to be plunged into darkness because your cheeks are definitely burning red. Is Max Verstappen flirting with you?

"You've changed since the last time I saw you," he continues, as you feel like the temperature in the closet has risen several degrees.

"Changed how?" you ask, seeking his gaze despite the darkness.

"You're taller. Your hair seems longer. It's lightened up a bit, it's nice," he says. "Sixteen suits you. You're not a kid anymore."

You're going to suffocate. Die in a closet.

"We're only a year and a half apart," you reply, breathless.

"I know," he replies, as you feel his hand caress your cheek. "I'm not a kid anymore either."

His lips crash onto yours before you even have time to comprehend what's happening. You melt into him, closing your eyes, savoring the contact you've dreamed of for years. His hand rests on the back of your head, bringing you closer to him, as your hands find their way back to his chest. You bite his lip, and he lets out a groan before wrapping his arms around your waist. You thank the loud music from the living room for drowning out the sounds you're making in this closet, pressed against one another. Your hands find his neck, and his crawl to your ass, squeezing it as you let out a moan against his open mouth.

You thought you couldn't get any closer, but one of Max's hands slips under your right knee, lifting your leg. You've never kissed anyone. Never touched anyone. Yet, as your two groins press against each other, everything feels so easy, so natural. You could stay here for hours, exploring his mouth, his face, his body, but already, footsteps echo in the hallway, and you pull away from each other as if you'd been burned.

"Time's up, lovers!" Johannes says opening the door, prompting laughter from the living room.

"As if," Max says, getting out first. "That's disgusting, bro. She's like my sister."

You stay in the closet for a few seconds, watching the two boys go back to the living room, catching your breath. Several hours later, lying in Victoria's bed as the music has stopped and most of the guests have left the house, you stare at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep, despite your best friend softly snoring by your side. Getting up to get a glass of water, you walk blindly through the dark hallway, passing by Max's room.

"Can we talk?" a voice suddenly rises, making you jump, your hand finding your heart which threatens to leap out of your chest.

You remain silent. Not quite sure if you want to talk, let alone with Max. And certainly not to talk about earlier, in the closet, and be rejected by the boy who stole your heart.

"Come here," he says, pulling you into his room before closing the door behind him. "I don't want Victoria to hear."

You're about to pour your heart out, tell Max how much he hurt you, when he pulls you towards him and presses his lips to yours. Again. Everything you had planned to say escapes your mind as your tongues meet and the hands of your best friend's brother slide under your shirt, stroking your back. Max pulls back, sitting on his bed, pulling you onto his lap, one leg on each side of him. The kisses intensify, your noses brushing, your hands getting lost in each other's hair. Your lips speaking without sound, your hearts opening up without words.

"I don't understand you," you admit between kisses.

"Don't try," he replies, biting your lip.

Max grabs your butt, pressing you against him, and a flash of panic grips you when you feel him against you. Hard. You moan, and suddenly, all the reason seems to come back to him. It's you. His sister's best friend. He pulls back, avoiding your gaze.

"I..." he starts, breathless. "You should go," Max says before pushing you off his lap. You stand here, facing him awkwardly for a few seconds. Waiting for him to say something. Anything. When nothing comes, his head still low, you turn on your heels. Back in Victoria's room, slipping under the covers of your best friend's bed, you let out a tear, feeling a sadly familiar ache tugging at your heart.

Max and you cross paths again a year later, at your high school graduation ceremony. You and Victoria are among the top students in your class, and you're invited to go on stage to give a speech with eight other people. One of these people is Niels. Your boyfriend. You've been together for a few months now. He welcomes you on stage, pressing a soft kiss to your cheek before holding you close. In the audience, your eyes meet those of your parents, proud. Those of Victoria's parents, proud. And those of Max. Icy.

The speeches go by quickly, and just before the buffet begins, you apologize to Niels and your parents, saying you need to make a quick stop at the restroom. In the deserted corridors of your high school, your heels click against the floor, soon joined by the sound of another pair of shoes. You turn around, surprised, seeing Max approaching in the distance.

"Niels Harmen?" you hear the boy say. "Really?"

"What do you want?" you reply, eyes cold.

"That guy was still picking his nose last year."

"It's good that he stopped, then," you respond, annoyed.

"Why are you dating him?"

The question makes you laugh. Not a sincere laugh. A laugh that says "mind your own business" and "screw you" at the same time. An ironic, ugly laugh that you don't even recognize.

"When we kiss, I'm not afraid that he'll reject me the next second," you reply, even though you know it's hitting below the belt.

Max scoffs, crossing his arms.

"Is it what it is? Some sort of revenge?"

"I'm not seeking revenge on anyone. My life doesn't revolve around you," you spit before turning on your heels.

You haven't taken a step before a hand grabs your wrist. You already know what's going to happen. So you try to resist. You know you shouldn't turn around. That if your eyes meet his, you'll fall back in. Start another round of false hopes. Disillusionments. Heartaches.

Yet, you do. You turn around, and, of course, his lips find yours. It's almost routine now, mechanical. You close your eyes, your heart torn between the joy of feeling his touch again, and the anticipation of the pain that will undoubtedly assail you in a few hours. When he'll reject you, again.

You're lost in each other when the sound of applause brings you crashing back to earth. The two of you quickly pull away before turning towards the source of the noise. Sanne.

"Don't you have a boyfriend waiting for you?" the girl asks with a fake smile.

"Get out of here, Sanne," Max says like a warning.

"What happened to "I'm not interested in her", Max?" Sanne asks, one hand on her hip. "Or to "She's just a kid, and not even my type"? Or, wait, what was it, the last time?" Sanne continues, stroking her chin. "Oh, yeah. "She was just there, and I was bored"."

You look at him, mouth agape, but Max carefully avoids meeting your gaze. Sanne's words tear at your heart. In a way, it's even worse than being rejected by him. You turn on your heels for good this time, passing by Sanne who's looking at you like you're the most despicable thing on earth. You're vaguely aware of Max saying... no, screaming your name, but you keep on walking, not looking back once. For a second, you thought you were gonna cry, break down in tears in the middle of the hallway. But nothing comes. You don't feel anything. Your heart has given up, surrendered. Returning to the ceremony, you smile at your parents before settling next to your best friend.

"Have you seen Max?" Victoria asks, and you don't miss how the mention of his name doesn't make your heart flutter, for the first time in years.

"Nope," you reply, smiling at her.

Three years later, you're in Victoria's car, on your way to the Zandvoort Grand Prix. You don't even know why you agreed to come with your best friend. You don't watch F1. You have no interest in the sport. Curiosity, your inner voice whispers. You wanted to see him again. You shake your head to dispel those intrusive thoughts when Victoria turns to you.

"I'm so glad you agreed to come. Max is so happy, too."

"What?" you ask, turning to her.

"He told me over the phone. Is that so surprising?"

Well, it is. Max and you haven't exchanged a word since the last ones thrown in the hallway of your high school. But Victoria, of course, doesn't know that. Victoria thinks you're friendly. Like two people who grew up together, gravitating in the same universe without ever colliding.

"He got us VIP passes", your best friend continues. "We'll be able to go everywhere, even see the pit stops!"

"How kind of him," you mumble.

"Look," she says, looking over at you. "I know Max wasn't the kindest... or the warmest, growing up. But he's changed, so much. You'd be surprised!"

"Oh, I bet," you say, smiling at her.

Victoria parks her small car in the VIP space, and a RedBull staff member greets you, handing you two passes before guiding you through the paddock. A stress you haven't felt in three years creeps into your head, into your body. Your thoughts collide, your hands are sweaty. You're beginning to wonder if coming here was a good idea after all when you spot him. At the end of the aisle, in his racing suit. Helmet in hand. Victoria's phone suddenly rings, and she apologizes, gesturing for you to continue without her.

You take the few steps that separate you from the driver. He's changed. So much. His teenage roundness has vanished, replaced by sharp features. His hair is longer, his eyes darker. He gives you a warm smile that twists your insides. It's impossible, you think. After all these years. Having so much power, so much hold over me.

"You came," he says, still smiling.

"For her," you reply curtly.

"Well..." he says, laughing softly. "She's not the one racing."

The silence falls again. Cold. Heavy. You turn your head, spotting Victoria a little further away, hoping she hangs up soon.

"You look beautiful," he says, and you know he means it despite you wearing the blankest blue jeans and white shirt ever made.

Silence, again.

"I'd hoped you'd no longer be mad at me." Max says, and you scoff.

"I'm not mad at you."

"You're cold."

"You broke my heart."

The driver winces, looking away.

"I should have called," he says, softly.

"I wouldn't have answered," you reply.

"I should have come to see you," Max starts again.

"I wouldn't have opened the door."

Your eyes meet his. Fire and ice.

"Well, I should have done something. Fight for you," he continues.

"Fight for who?" you ask. "The girl who was just there?"

Max runs his hand through his hair, embarrassed.

"You were never just that to me. You were so much more. I was just too young, too stupid to realize it. I have. Now."

You hadn't planned on getting into deep explanations with Max today. Not here. Not now. You're about to respond when Victoria returns, linking her arm with yours.

"Maxie!" she says, kissing his cheek. "Are you catching up on lost time? Did she tell you she's still dating Niels? Rumor has it that he's going to propose soon!"

Max's eyes glance down at your hand, and something in his demeanor shifts. It might be the breath he holds, or the way his shoulders seem to slump, defeated.

"She hasn't," he says, smiling faintly at his sister.

"We should go," Victoria says. "The race is about to start. Can we go to the stands?"

"Yes, no problem," Max replies as Victoria begins to head towards the garage, leaving you face to face once again.

"Congrats on your future engagement, I guess," he says.

"Thank you. I'm going to break up with him," you reply, crossing your arms.

"What?" Max says, astonished.

"It doesn't feel right. Him and I."

"If it has anything to do with me, please, tell me," Max breathes, as you avoid his gaze. "I was so focused on my career these past few years that I never wrote to you. I knew I didn't have the time to make it work. I knew it'd be selfish. Unfair to you," Max admits.

"Here you are, once again, thinking that my life revolves around you", you say, smirking at him. "I'm not waiting for you, Max. I haven't been for a while now."

The driver nods, swallowing hard.

"Of course," he says. "I'm sorry for assuming."

"I'm not against the idea of grabbing a drink with you sometime, though," you say, winking at him. "Just text me when you're free."

"I will," he says quickly, blue eyes boring into yours.

"See you around," you say, running to catch up with Victoria.

Watching you leave, Max stands there, grinning like an idiot, before unlocking his phone.

"How about tonight?"

Sent.

[bigification]

Jealousy Jealousy

Strong, loyal, dedicated. All words used by the boss to describe me, and every word seemed like a knife in the back of my roommate. I can hear it in the way he talks to me, ever since I joined the military all he ever seems to be is jealous. I've always been stronger and more dedicated than him, he's smarter but that doesn't even matter that much.

The walk back to our room is awkward. It is completely silent and I can almost see the steam coming out of his ears. I wanted so badly to be friends with him, but he makes it impossible. I've always worked out and kept my body in good shape, and apparently that's unforgivable to him.

We get back to our room and he immediately goes rummaging through his stuff. I pace back and forth, debating whether I should talk to him. It's hard living with him and I just want things to be civil between us.

"Hey man, I wanted to ta-" I'm interrupted when he quickly swings around and jabs something into my stomach. I look down and see a needle sticking into the side of my stomach. I feel frozen with fear, I can't talk, almost as if there is something stuck in my throat. I let out a groan as he pushes the end of the needle, injecting a green liquid into my body.

"I'm tired of being in your shadow, let's see how long you'll last after this." He monologues like some cartoon villain. What does he even mean by that, was that some kind of poison? Is he killing me just because the boss likes me more.

I stumble back against the wall, I feel weak but it hurts less than I thought it would. Although my stomach feels like it's boiling.

Am I dreaming... It feels more like a nightmare. But it must be a nightmare. I see a lump form under my shirt, and it seems to grow every time I blink. It can't be real, but it feels so real. The lump grows until it looks like I have a little belly. Do I have a belly? It's growing faster and faster until my shirt becomes untucked. It finally stops after growing into a sizable beer belly, making it impossible for me to see my feet. Maybe he gave me drugs, maybe this is just a bad trip. But it feels so real.

It doesn't end with the beer belly. Next my pecs start to swell. Something I worked so hard on is gone in seconds. I see them soften into a pair of man tits, growing until they press against my shirt. I always swore I would never let myself go like my father did, but I guess that's a lie. At least it took him until his thirties to get fat, I can't even make it to my late twenties without pigging out.

I still have no idea what's happening to me. It's getting harder and harder to think. I was thinking about... Something about pigging out. It must be because I love pigging out, that's how I got this belly.

As I'm trying to think, my body continues to grow. I hear the button on my pants pop off and feel the pressure release. I think my ass is growing, not that I mind. I feel my body being pushed further and further away from the wall as fat spilled into my ass.

Why does my crotch feel so tight? I could have sworn it didn't feel this tight a moment ago. I don't really care anyway, I can't even remember why I should care.

My pants strain against the fat filling my legs, I think I can even hear some rips tearing through them. My arms follow suit, softening up my defined muscles and fattening up my hands. Better off that way if you ask me, fatter hands means better belly rubs, and I like belly rubs.

I feel an itchiness engulf my body as a thick pelt of hair covers my skin. My arms, my legs, my chest, and most importantly my belly become a forest of sweaty hair.

My body finally relaxed and I let out a loud burp. Oh... I'm so hungry. I rub my belly trying to get any relief. It's all I can think of. Wasn't I stressed about something? What would I have been stressed about, maybe I was just hungry.

"How ya feeling big guy?" My roommate asks me.

"I'm so hungry." I cry out.

"Aren't you supposed to be on a diet?" He teases me.

"Why the fuck would I be on a diet. This is the mark of a true man!" I say as I slap my gut.

"Well I'm sure this box of donuts won't hurt your fitness assessment next week, and they won't eat themselves." He pulls out a dozen donuts. It feels like I lose control of my body as I instinctively ravage the donuts.

I lean back after finishing off the last donut and let out a loud burp. God I'm stuffed, but I want so much more. I rub my belly, trying to process the snack I just had, so I can make room for more.

"There's plenty more where that came from, big guy."

Credits to bulkgainer92 for the video and for inspiring this story.

[hyunebunx]

saw the soft thoughts post and i hope i’m not late >.< please forgive my typos or grammatical errors love i just woke up 🥹

soooo imagine a lazy saturday morning with hyunjin where you both just wanted to sleep in and cuddle on your shared bet until late in the morning. apparently you had to force yourself to get up because you were getting hungry and hyunjin—being a clingy boyfriend—is sticking to you like glue, and be like “noooooo don’t go!!!” because he doesn’t want to get out of bed but you had to drag him up. he became a pouty baby while being clingyyyy maybe a backhug when you were cooking, a stolen kiss when you were about to eat, helping you wash the dishes but he put some soap bubbles on the tip of your nose, asked you to go out and the spend the rest of the day with him outside maybe stroll around the city, an art museum date, go to a café and watch him sketch/paint you~

ughh to be loved by an artist bro i’m still half asleep so i hope i’m making sense... anyway have a good one deni ! 😽🩷

﹙ʚɞ˚﹚. genre: fluff and a loooot of kissing, you've been warned lol

﹙ʚɞ˚﹚. a/n: my love <3 this is the cutest idea ever!! thank you so so much for trusting me to write it hehe <3 listen, this got quite steamy in the middle, idk what happened i blacked out fgsdgkj can't help myself when it comes to this man apparently. anywayss, hope you'll enjoy it <333

Mornings spent sleeping in with the love of your life, all cuddle up and intertwined, were truly your absolute favorite, a blessing you didn’t take for granted. You were both busy people, with busy lives that accommodated one another like it was the most natural thing in the world, fitting together like the last two pieces needed to complete the puzzle which revealed your love story.

Hyunjin was a heavy sleeper, clinging to every thread, no matter how thin, that transported him to dreamland to rest a little more. Just five more minutes, that turned into ten, fifteen, which ended up stretching into half an hour on good days. On the bad ones, when he was more tired than usual, nothing could get Hyunjin out of bed before the afternoon rolled around. You understood – he needed his rest – but it didn’t make missing him and his bright smile any easier.

You never knew you could miss someone even while they were dozing off next to you, blissfully unaware of how your heart almost jumped out of your chest to slip under his shirt just to feel his beating, desperately searching for confirmation he felt the same. And he did, of course he did, how could he not when your name and sweet face were constantly spinning around in his mind like some sort of live wallpaper, making him unable to concentrate even on simple tasks?

Though right now, neither of you was sleeping, cuddling to Hyunjin’s chest with one leg over his lap as you caught him up on the latest work gossip. You’ve been awake for almost two hours now and for once, the universe seemed to be on your side as no sunray managed to peek through the small crack left in the curtains, allowing you to continue lying around in peace.

“Anyway, so the printer caught on fire and that was Kim’s last straw. She threw all the papers on the floor and then proceeded to plop down on them and cry. I felt so bad.”

Despite his empathetic nature, Hyunjin lets out a short laugh, voice still husky and laced with sleep as his fingers tangled in your hair. “How did she even manage to do that?”

“It wasn’t her fault.” You yawn, hiding your face in his chest briefly. “Jay used the printer last to scan pictures of his cat’s toe beans and I guess some fur got stuck in there and ruined everything.”

He slowly shakes his head, whistling. “See, that’s why I’m a dog person.”

Prompting your chin on his chest, you look at him with raised eyebrows. “Ok Mr. meows at cats because he wants to get into their good graces.”

“That was one time!”

You giggle and he joins soon after, staring deeply into your eyes until the laughter dies down and every thought leaves your mind like it wasn’t even there to begin with. Dark eyes dart between yours and your lips, subconsciously licking his plush bottom one and telling you exactly where his train of thought has stopped. Patience was not one of Hyunjin’s virtues, so the hand in your hair moves lower to cup the back of your neck, bringing you closer as you quickly adjust, both hands sprawling on his chest to help you lean down and finally connect your lips.

The kiss is slow, lips merging perfectly as neither of you is in any rush, content to take the time to taste each other. However, it quickly gets messy, tongues meeting and complicating the familiar dance, making it hot and breathy but oh so delicious. You’d be lying if you didn’t admit you’ve been waiting for this ever since he woke up, constantly thinking about his rosy lips and driving yourself crazy as whatever he was saying faded in and out of hazy memory.

Hyunjin kissed you like no other, like kissing was an art he invented just to practice on you. One he managed to master throughout the years of your relationship but couldn’t get enough of, obsessed with the idea of improving and finding another unexplored corner he could take over and claim as his own.

A cold hand slides easily under your top, gripping at your waist in an effort to bring you closer, almost causing your arms to give out. You break away from the kiss and Hyunjin whines, displeased but still helps you settle on top of him more comfortably, guiding your body as you straddle his hips.

This new position allows for better access to what you’re both desiring, with Hyunjin wasting no more time in bringing you back down again, capturing your lips. With both hands on exposed thighs, the shirt he gave you to sleep in barely covering anything, Hyunjin loses himself in the taste of you, licking into your mouth and lightly biting on your bottom lip as your hands move lower over his stomach, needing to discard him of the annoying clothing.

You make to pull away but his lips follow, causing him to sit up and move one of his hands on the small of your back for support, not allowing you to slip away from him. With a mind of their own, your hands quickly abandon his shirt and move around his shoulders, meeting at his nape to deepen the kiss and lick at his bottom lip which he appreciates by the groan he lets out.

You feel him everywhere, hands groping and squeezing every bit of your body in the exact way he knew you loved, turning you to putty into his hold. By now, his dark hair is a mess from all the pulling – your fingers needed something to anchor onto.

“Hyun.” You inhale deeply, his lips moving down your jaw, restless.

“Yeah, baby?” He mumbles, barely hearing you.

“Breakfast.” You gasp out as he lightly bites the skin, quick to soothe it with his tongue. “I’m hungry.” Mostly true, you’ve been lying here for hours after all, who wouldn’t be hungry? But also because you knew if you didn’t stop him now, neither of you would get to eat anything before dinner time rolls around.

Hyunjin pauses, hot breath fanning your neck as he slowly tilts his head to look at you, his wet and swollen lips distracting. He’s speechless for a moment, almost like he can’t believe you interrupted him, like a child whose favorite toy is abruptly taken away. When it clicks in his head you are actually serious, Hyunjin barely registers the way you peck his lips as he rolls his eyes.

“Wow, ok connoisseur of romance. What a way to ruin the moment.”

You giggle as he gently lays you down on your back, knowing he could never be truly upset, no matter what kind of stunt you pull. He was most likely thankful you said something, surely hungry himself.

Scooting towards the end of the bed, your feet barely get to touch the hardwood floor before Hyunjin’s arms circle your middle once again, pulling you to his warm chest without a word.

“No, don’t go!” He whines, burring his head in your shoulder in protest.

Your heart squeezes in your chest, pounding from all the love you carried for your other half, the man you couldn’t imagine life without.

“Baby.” You coo, softly running your fingers over his hands on your stomach in a way to coax him. “How am I supposed to cook us breakfast otherwise?”

Hyunjin sighs, squeezing you to his chest for two more heartbeats before releasing his hold and allowing you to stand up. When you turn to face him, one of his big hands has already brought yours to his lips to plant a feather like kiss on your knuckles.

“Don’t go without me.” He mumbles, pouting slightly, and you almost explode like a piñata, staining him with your love and adoration that will surely trap him in this apartment for days trying to get it out. Not like he’d ever mind if that were possible, proudly showing off and talking about your feelings for him to anyone who’d listen, right after talking their ear off about the love he holds for you.

So, that morning, you waddle together to the kitchen like two penguins with Hyunjin refusing to stop hugging you from behind even when you started cooking. And after that, spoon feeding you on the counter and forgetting all about his needs until you threatened to take away his cuddles.

He caved in immediately.

[inthedoghousern]

settle down

pairing: lando norris x fem!reader

summary: lando has always been a good friend of your brother, so you know he's off limits, but sometimes you just can't help yourself. guess you'll never learn. inspired by "settle down" by the 1975.

contains: 18+, cursing, alcohol/drinking/smoking, suggestive content (make outs!).

4.4k words

a/n: ok let me clarify: loosely inspired. this isn't reallyyyyy the 'storyline' of the 1975's settle down, but that's okay!

You're wearing your hair down and it slightly covers your face as you go to answer the knocking coming from your front door. When you open it, you're surprised to find your brother's best friend standing there. 

"Oh, you're early, no?" You ask, puzzled, while pushing your hair behind your ears. You knew your brother was throwing a party tonight, but that was in a little bit, and your brother wasn't even home at the moment. 

"He told me to come early to help set up. Whatever that means," he answers. 

"Not sure if he knows that because he's not here," you tell him. Your brother is an idiot. "Well come in I guess." You shrug and move to the side, motioning Lando in. 

You didn't really mind. Of course, you and Lando were friendly, considering he was so close with your brother. When you were younger you even hung out with the two of them a lot. As you got older, their racing and your school stuff just caused the friendship between you and Lando to be more casual. And it was fine. Sometimes schedules would work out and Lando, your brother, and you would cross paths. But for the most part, you just followed his life online like everyone else. 

Though you had to be honest, back then, Lando didn't seem to have much of an effect on you, but now as he stands in front of you, you feel a lump forming in your throat. When did he get so good-looking?

You don't know what has come over you as the two of you enter the house. You feel like falling all over the place. You two make your way to the living room and sit on the couch. It's silent for a moment before Lando speaks up.

"Where even is he?"

"Pretty sure he's stocking up on drinks for tonight. I don't know why he wouldn't have waited to bring you, or just like, tell you to come later." You shake your head. 

Lando laughs and shakes his head too and the silence returns. 

Now you ask a question. “Hasn't been just us in a while, huh?”

“It's been a minute.” Lando chuckles along with you, the silence now slightly less awkward.

You lean back on the sofa. “So how are you? I haven’t seen you in forever,” you ask with a smile. 

“I’m good, I’m good. Honestly, nothing too interesting going on.” He shifts on the couch.

The two of you sit in silence again, until Lando speaks up. 

“You're staying for the party, right?”

“Yeah. Thought I’d stick around this time.”

Lando tilts his head to the side. “Is that so?”

Your stomach does a flip. You try to shake away the thoughts entering your mind. He’s your brother's best friend, you've known him for years, you need to relax. 

“Mhm,” you hum in response. 

Lando looks down for a moment and then over at you. 

“When’s your brother getting back?”

“Not sure.” You open your phone and check his location. As you look away, Lando eyes wander to your neck, then your torso and legs, then your lips, all in the span of a few seconds as you sit on the couch next to him. He had spent countless hours with your family, sat and talked with you many many times. What a familiar face yours was to him. But today he couldn't help but notice something had changed between you. Was it all the time you had spent a part? Or maybe the fact that he's finally seeing you in person and not through a screen. Lando would never admit it, but lately he tended to linger on your social media posts longer than he should.

Lando meets your eyes again when you look up from your phone.

“Yeah, I have no idea, looks like he's still shopping. Do you want me to ask?”

Lando shrugs, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. 

“It’s alright, I was just asking.” He leans back again, stretching his arms over his head as he does.

You can’t help but look at the exposed skin of his stomach when his t-shirt rises. Your eyes glance down, but you look away as quickly and inconspicuously as possible. 

But Lando does notice your brief glance down and back up again. If you could see his expression, you’d notice it’s a mixture of amusement, and something else. He doesn’t say anything though. Instead, he leans forward, speaking slightly softer. 

“You know, I've missed seeing you.”

You can feel heat rising up the back of your neck. Still, you feel a smile tugging at the sides of your mouth and now the two of you are making eye contact. “Oh really?”

Lando can feel your breath on him. He lets out a small breath himself, letting out a shaky laugh. He looks you deeply in your eyes and brings his arm to the back of the sofa behind you. 

Time seems to move extremely slowly. The atmosphere is charged, your eyes locked on to one another. Lando holds your gaze for a moment, waiting to see if you have anything more to say. 

You lean towards him. He feels you press yourself against him. The two of you are so close together, you can feel Lando’s body heat rising, his muscles tightening.

He leans forward, brushing his lips against yours very softly.

You kiss him back. As you do so, Lando gently moves his hands to your waist and pulls you closer to him and you wrap your arms around his neck. The kiss continues and grows much more passionate. You feel Lando’s hands moving up and down your back, the two of you fully enveloped in one another.

Your position shifts, and now you’re sitting on his lap. Still connected in your kiss. 

Lando’s mouth moves along your jaw, “Fuck Lando,” you breathe out as he kisses your jaw and neck. Your hands are buried in his hair. 

Your words bring a small chuckle from him, and he smiles into your neck. He's finding himself so fixated on the girl with the soft sounds. Her hair all over the place. 

You're also fixated on this boy. Lando Norris. The guy you've known your whole life. The guy who's best friends with your brother. The guy who was off limits. He isn’t supposed to be the guy to make you feel like this, and yet, here you are, on top of him. 

Lando’s hands slide under your shirt as he continues to kiss you. 

The feeling of Lando running his hands all over you and his suffocating kisses are almost enough to make you forget where you are. Who you are. Almost. The illusion breaks when you hear a sound from outside. 

A car door shutting. 

The two of you freeze. As one, you both turn your heads. The sound is followed by footsteps. Heavy footsteps. 

It’s your brother.

“Fuck,” you laugh, panicking. You quickly slide off of Lando. 

“Goddamnit.” Lando shakes his head with a smile and sits back. 

You’re both a bit of a mess. You two are breathing heavily and you're flushed. Your hair disheveled. You’ve just barely finished fixing yourself when you heard your brother’s voice from the front door. 

“I’m back.”

“Hey!” You clear your throat. “Lando’s here." 

“Thought so, I saw his car in the driveway.” Your brother steps into the living room, a bag in his arm. 

“What’s up man,” Lando gets up. “You got more stuff in the car?” He asks your brother. 

“Yeah a few more boxes,” he responds. 

“Alright let me help.” They walk back outside together and you lean back on the couch, looking up and covering your face with your hands. 

You sit there for a moment, feeling a bit shaken. You feel a little dirty almost? But you can’t stop thinking about the way Lando kissed you.

You let your hands fall to your sides before the two of them walk back in. Your brother sits on the couch and Lando sits in a chair across from you. Just a few feet away. It’s like nothing happened. You know he can't be found with you.

Luckily, your brother is completely oblivious. 

“People should start getting here in like an hour,” he comments. 

You get up from the couch. “Alright, I’m gonna get ready then. See you guys later.” 

You rush upstairs and shut the door. Your heart is pounding, and you’re still in disbelief. As you lie down on your bed, your mind races with everything that just happened. 

You cannot let your brother find out.

He would probably kill you, or kill Lando. 

No, he’d kill both of you. 

-

You spend more time than you should getting ready, but you’re hoping to calm down a little. Eventually, you start to hear music from downstairs, and the bass shakes your floor. You also begin hearing the sound of voices and laughter as your brother greets people at the door. 

You take a deep breath as you look at yourself one last time in the mirror. Now or never. Just avoid him. 

You walk down the stairs and are immediately met with 'hellos' and 'heys' from different directions. You greet as you weave your way through the house, and finally, you get to the kitchen. You beeline to the fridge, getting a drink. 

“Hello helloooo,” you hear from behind. When you turn around you're met with your best friend. 

"Hey!" Her arrival is a breath of fresh air after feeling so out of sorts with Lando. She gives you a big smile and hugs you tightly.

“Thank god you’re here,” you say as you pull away from the hug. “Get a drink and then we need to talk. It’s important.”

Your best friend gives you a curious look, raising her eyebrow at you in surprise. She glances around for a moment and then back at you. 

“What is it? Is something going on?” People are in and out of the kitchen around you two. The house is getting busier and busier. You look around quickly and then whisper in your friend’s ear, “It’s about Lando.” 

“Shut the fuck up,” she whispers, a look of excitement in her eye and concern as well.

“Yeah, I know. Now get a drink and let’s get outside or something,” you laugh. 

“Are you being serious? Did you fuck Lando?” She leans in closer as if she doesn’t believe what she’s hearing is real.

“Shush! Oh my god come on.” You pass her a drink and grab her hand, pulling her behind you. 

Though, as you try to exit the kitchen people are also walking in, causing a bit of a standoff. And of course. It’s Lando and your brother. 

“Hey what’s up!” your brother greets your best friend. 

Out of you four, your brother is the only one who is out of the loop on the current... situation.

Lando directs a nod toward your friend but soon looks back at you. You're staring back. 

“Hi nice to see you both I was just going out for a smoke talk to you later goodbye," your best friend quickly rambles to the two boys, and then you both push past out of the kitchen. 

You can feel Lando's eyes on the back of your head as you go out the door.

-

You sit on the porch and she lights a cigarette, taking a drag, and then turning to you, “I can’t believe it. You’re not fucking with me right?” She says laughing. 

You laugh and put your head in your hands. “I’m being so serious," you mutter but then look up again. "But we didn't sleep together. It was just a... heavy makeout...? That got interrupted."

She starts laughing and you laugh with her, the two of you in disbelief. 

“Dude you can’t just hook up with Lando! Oh my god, your brother is going to freak out.” She says, still laughing. 

“I know. He cannot find out.” You smile and take a sip of your drink.

Your best friend looks at you over her cigarette, “…well, I mean, was it good?”

"It wasn’t bad…” you trail off with a grin. Your best friend smirks as you speak, raising her eyebrow and laughing out loud. 

“It wasn’t bad.” She repeats, and you can hear the amusement in her voice. 

“You’re a mess.” She says, and the two of you burst out laughing as if it’s not a big deal at all. She's right, you are a mess. You're avoiding him and yet wondering if he's talking 'bout you too. 

The two of you keep talking and drinking on the porch until your cans are empty. “Alright,” you say slapping your knees and standing up. “We should be social, and I need another drink.”

“You would be right," your best friend says immediately and gets to her feet. You’re relieved to have her with you, maybe she’ll help you keep your mind off of Lando and what just happened. And getting another drink wouldn’t hurt either. 

“C’mon.” Your best friend pulls you away from the porch and the two of you reenter the party.

-

You're back in the house and the night resumes. You have fun for a bit, talking to your other friends, drinking, and doing some shots. You know Lando is here somewhere, but you don’t know where and you don’t really care. Don't want to care at least. 

At one point, your best friend pulls you aside again, “I’m gonna have another smoke, you coming?” she asks. 

“Yeah sure, I could use some air.” You two go outside again. It's gotten later and you're feeling the cold air prickle against your skin. 

She lights her cigarette as someone else from the party comes out, and they light up too. The three of you talk for a while, but you're starting to feel too cold, and you're the only one not smoking. 

“Hey, I’m going back in,” you tell her. She nods, “Cool, I’ll see you inside later, I’m gonna chill out here for a bit.” 

You head back into the party, and once again it’s crowded: people are moving between rooms, there’s music blasting, and you can smell the liquor in the air. 

You're pushing through bodies as you walk through the living room. You pass someone and the two of your arms collide hard. You go to mumble a 'sorry', but you stop yourself when you see who it is. 

Lando. You both pause. 

You feel the heat coming off of his body and your chilled skin from the night air touches against him. You're cold and he burns. You shiver, unsure if it's from the temperature outside or the man standing in front of you. 

“Cold?” he asks leaning close so you can hear him over the music. 

You laugh, “I was just outside. Won’t take long to warm back up in here though.” 

He smiles slightly at you and nods, but the look in his eyes reveals he knows there’s more to it than that. 

You can still feel the heat coming off of him, and you don’t know how to avoid it. You’re trying to block out the memories of what happened in this living room earlier, but it’s pretty obvious the tension between the two of you is still there.

“Wanna go get another drink?” he asks. 

There’s a part of you that knows you should say no, but there’s also a certain adrenaline rush that courses through you in his presence. He doesn’t seem to care about the circumstances, and he’s actually making this interesting.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Let’s get a drink then,” he says, grabbing your shoulders and turning you towards the kitchen. You walk ahead as he follows with his hands on your shoulders. The sensation of him holding you makes your heart race, you feel like his touch could burn a hole right through you. 

You get to the kitchen and Lando lets go of you, making his way to the fridge, grabbing you both drinks. You sit on the counter as Lando stands in front of you with his own drink.

You take some time to just look at him, your eyes locked on his, and he looks right back at you. There’s this air of tension between the two of you and despite neither of you outright acknowledging it; you both know. 

“Having fun?” you ask him, taking a sip of your drink. 

“Yeah, I’d say so,” he teases you, taking one step forward so that he’s standing closer than he was before.

“Are you having fun?”

“Yes, I am,” you say looking down at him from your position on the counter. 

“Good.” 

It’s such a simple word, but the way he speaks it is almost provocative. Everything about him right now is like that.

You both sip from your drinks, and he’s so close to you that you feel like you could lean forward and kiss him without moving. The idea has you feeling a bit dizzy.

You don’t say anything and neither does he; everything between the two of you is so intense, so silent. You're losing your words. You two are speaking in bodies. 

You break the eye contact and don’t say anything as you put your drink down and get off of the counter. You and Lando are nearly pressed together for a moment when you get down, but you move to the side and start leaving the kitchen. 

Confusion is all over Lando’s face, he turns as you walk by. 

“Where are you going?” He laughs as he starts to follow. 

You start moving through the party to the stairs, and you don’t look behind you to see if he’s following. You know he is. As you get to the staircase you start climbing up and Lando's nearly on your heels with every step you take. 

When you reach the second floor and it’s dark and quiet. You open the door to your room and walk inside, Lando is right behind you as you do so. You enter the room and hear Lando closing the door and clicking the lock. The party is downstairs, and up here it’s a different world. 

You and Lando stand there for a moment, and the silence is deafening. You both know why the other came to this room and in the low light, he moves closer to you. 

You can feel his hand wrap around your waist slightly and he pulls you towards him. Lando smiles softly as you wrap your arms around his neck. Your fingers play with the hair at the nape of his neck, and your body is pressed against his. 

“You know…” he whispers to you, “I really would like to finish what we started earlier…”

“Or is the idea of your brother being downstairs too much?” he whispers softly, as his hands move to the small of your back, holding you gently and close to his body.

The air seems to be hot as you press yourself against Lando. Your hands wrapped around the back of his neck, the heat coming off of his body as he leaned his own against you. 

“I love the guy but I really wish he wasn’t here. Or that anyone was here,” his voice almost a whisper, “but I guess that means we have to be really quiet…”. 

You smile and shake your head, “I guess…” your eyes are flickering from his eyes to his lips. You shouldn’t want this, but you really do want this. 

Lando smiles back, his hand trailing your back slowly. It’s a tease and you know it. His one hand starts to move up your back, making its way towards the back of your neck, and he brings his free one to the side of your face. Your arms are still wrapped around him. He traces his fingers along your cheek slowly, and you feel your breath catch in your throat. 

Your bodies are close together and you can feel their heat against each other. The air is thick, and you know what needs to happen next.

You both lean towards each other and meet in the middle, finally tasting each other again. The kiss is filled with passion and you can feel his lips on yours, his tongue meeting your own.

Lando deepens the kiss and you're pushed back into the door. Pinned between his body and the wall. He doesn’t break the kiss and his hands slide down your body, moving down to your hips. 

Lando starts kissing down your jaw and neck again. There is an ease about the way he moves now, he can take his time now that you're behind closed doors. 

He makes his way down your neck, leaving a trail of kisses behind him. The feeling is electric as his hands rest on your hips still, his touch is soft and tender as he moves his lips back up and kisses you again on the lips.

The feeling of your hands in Lando's hair makes him grin against you. Your kiss becomes more passionate as you pull his hair, and you can feel touch of his hands beneath your shirt. Fingers against your skin. Your mind is hazy from the kiss and the alcohol but you let the feeling wash over you. 

He tugs at the hem of your shirt and pulls it off of you. 

You break the kiss finally and breathe in the heat of the room. With your shirt removed his hands trail the bare skin of your back and sides, and his lips trace your neck.

The heat is so intense it makes your body feel like it has a mind of its own.

You lightly push him off, towards the edge of the bed, with a laugh. He laughs with you and goes along with your push, sitting down. You see that he has a smirk on his face, and as you look him over he leans back on his hands and continues to watch you. 

The air is tense with a build-up of tension, waiting for the next move.

You stand in front of him and grab both of his arms, lightly pulling them up above his head. Lando chuckles softly at the move, and with your help, he lifts his arms fully to keep them there. 

You pull the shirt off of Lando slowly, revealing his bare chest. You can see his muscles twitch slightly from your touch.

When the shirt is tossed, Lando’s hands rest on your hips again, bringing you closer and pulling you down on top of him. 

He's watching you with half-lidded eyes, a soft smile on his face, and his hands slide up your sides and your back. The feeling is intoxicating, you feel your breath coming quicker and quicker as Lando’s hands make their way up your body.

You kiss him again, hands grasping his shoulders. Your bodies are pressed together and the heat of the moment is too much to resist. You can feel Lando’s hands all over you, caressing your shoulders and neck, and playing with your hair.

He groans as you grind against him, and he lets one of his hands move to the small of your back to pull you closer to him. Lando wants more of you.

Then

Suddenly someone is trying the door handle and there's knocking. You and Lando quickly break away from the kiss. For crying out loud. 

“For fucksa-“ Lando starts but you slap your hand against his mouth. 

“Settle down,” you mouth at him. 

“Hey, are you in there?” You recognize your best friend's voice from the other side of the door. You can feel Lando smiling into your hand. He shakes his head and leans into your shoulder. 

You clear your throat, “Yeah I’m in here!” you answer. You hear Lando chuckle softly but he keeps quiet as he is pressed against your shoulder. 

“Are you alright?” your friend asks from the other side of the door, “I’ve been looking downstairs for yo-”

“Yeah I’m alright” You interrupt. 

“Okay, well….” you hear your friend hesitate for a moment, “...wait. Shut the fuck up.” You hear her familiar laugh. 

“Do you have Lando in there with you?” she asks, her voice sounding louder, she must be closer to the door now. 

This question makes Lando laugh out loud. You hit his chest. He was the one who was saying we had to be 'so quiet' and now he just confirmed his presence.

You can hear your best friend laugh as well on the other side of the door, and you know she won’t stop until she hears you answer the question. 

“Yes, I do," you admit, “Now go away!”

Your best friend laughs even harder outside. “Alright alright. Bye. Bye, Lando. I’ll try to keep your brother away too, you're welcome!” She finishes and you can hear her leave. 

“She knows?” he laughs against your ear, “I thought this whole thing was secret…”

“Shut up. Be happy it was her at the door and not you know who,” you joke. 

Lando grabs your hips and lifts you off of him. In a few swift motions he has you lying on the bed and he’s on top of you. He leans down and kisses up from your collarbone to just under your ear.

“If we get interrupted one more time…,” he trails off into your ear and then pulls away looking at you. His face right above yours. 

You shake your head smiling, you run your hands through his hair looking up at him. 

Lando smiles back at you. You can see the desire in his eyes. 

You can still feel his breath all over you from his kissing just moments earlier. Your skin is sensitive from the heat, from him, and you feel a wave of goosebumps run up your body just from his touch. 

Lando leans forward and the two of you kiss again.

The bass from downstairs vibrates through the floor and drowns out the music, the voices, the party. 

Your head is spinning. This is so wrong. But also it feels sort of right. Whatever was happening between the two of you was going to make your life chaotic. But even so, the same thought keeps running through your head…

Now I just can’t stop myself around you. 

[strwbryien]

｢ ᝰ.ᐟ entry 06: ANNOYED OR JUST SHY?⭑.ᐟ ｣

It's 6:19 a.m., and you're running late. Your class starts at 7:00 a.m., for goodness' sake! You should be sprinting to campus right now, but instead, you're at your favorite café, ordering your go-to pastry and drink. You inhale the comforting aroma of fresh coffee, trying to shake off the morning grogginess. Well, better late than hungry, right?

Balancing your drink and pastry, you weave through the campus pathways, speed-walking toward your building. Just when you're certain you’ll make it in time, someone suddenly bumps into you, and his papers scatter to the ground. Seriously, are you in a shoujo anime?

“Oh my! I'm so sorry!” you blurt out, crouching down to help gather the papers. You catch sight of the guy’s expression; it’s not entirely your fault—he seems just as rushed, with his indigo hair slightly disheveled and a hurried look in his eyes.

As you hand him his papers, your hands briefly touch, and you glance up. The moment is quick, but you swear you see his eyes widen ever so slightly before he composes himself.

"Watch where you're going," he scowls, his sharp gaze boring into you. His voice is clipped, as if he’s trying to hide his own embarrassment behind annoyance.

You blink, taken aback by his tone, but you manage a small nod, unsure of what else to say.

"O-oh, I apologize again! I was running late, so I'm in a hurry," you say, bowing slightly.

"Tch, it's whatever," the boy mutters, rolling his eyes. He snatches the papers from your hands and walks away.

"Tch, it's whatever," you mimic under your breath, throwing him a mock glare. "You're lucky you're cute," you add quietly to yourself. His attitude annoys you, but you can't deny that the indigo-haired guy is... well, pretty cute.

As you start to head off, something on the ground catches your eye. You bend down to pick it up, and your heart skips a beat when you realize what it is.

(scara art from @/7ta5T on twt!)

"Raiden Kunikuzushi," reads the name on the ID card in your hand. It’s his.

You glance in the direction he went, but he's already disappeared into the crowd. You hesitate, turning the ID card over between your fingers. There's a small photo of him looking slightly annoyed even in the picture, but the name and student number stand out boldly.

“Well, guess this means I'll be seeing you again, Kunikuzushi,” you murmur to yourself, smirking a little at the thought.

“But wait… He's a History Major? What is he doing in our building then?” you thought. That's strange, their building is so far away from yours, how did he get in here?

Stuffing the ID into your pocket, you make a mental note to return it to him—though you have a feeling it won’t be the last unexpected meeting you'll have with this sharp-eyed stranger.

The school bell rang five minutes ago, signaling the start of lunch, and you’re now heading to the cafeteria to meet Heizou. You can’t help but feel a slight pang of disappointment that it won’t be Raiden Kunikuzushi himself. But you know you can’t force someone to meet up, right? Still, you wonder if maybe he’s still annoyed with you after this morning’s run-in—that would explain why he doesn’t want to see you.

As you walk, your phone buzzes. You pull it out and see a text notification from Heizou.

You sigh, glancing around the crowded hallway. So now it’s going to be another mystery friend of Kunikuzushi’s? This meeting was starting to feel like a relay race.

Still, the description Heizou provided sticks in your mind. ‘White hair with a red streak?’ You can’t help but be curious. Maybe this new person will be a little more… well, polite than Kunikuzushi was.

Finally, you reach the cafeteria and scan the area, looking for the distinctive hair Heizou mentioned. Just as you’re about to give up, you spot someone near the back, leaning calmly against the wall, gazing out the window. His hair is unmistakable—pure white with a soft red streak framing one side of his face.

As you approach, he glances over, and a gentle smile forms on his face.

“You're [Name], right?” he says, his tone smooth and warm. “Heizou told me about the ID situation. I’m Kazuha—it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” you reply, reaching out to shake his hand. He has an easy calmness that instantly puts you at ease, his manner a stark contrast to Kunikuzushi's earlier intensity.

"Thanks for coming to help out," you add, giving him a small smile. “I… uh, didn’t realize Kunikuzushi was this popular,” you say with a chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.

Kazuha laughs softly, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Popular? Maybe. But he’s… selective about who he spends time with. I think he was just a bit surprised earlier.”

You nod, glancing down at the ID in your hand. ‘Not even enough to meet up for this?’ you wonder, but you keep the thought to yourself.

“So… I’ll make sure he gets this,” Kazuha assures you with a kind smile. “And if he gives you any trouble next time, let me know—I’ll set him straight.”

You laugh at this, but then a thought crosses your mind, making you pause.

“Wait… are you the Kaedehara Kazuha?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh?” He tilts his head, a hint of curiosity in his expression. “You know me?”

“Mhm! You’re the one who gave me this maple clip, right? At last year’s concert?” you say, turning to show him the hair clip that still sits neatly in your hair.

His eyes light up with recognition as he notices the clip. “So, you kept it, huh?” he says with a warm smile. “It looks great on you.”

“Yes! I really liked the design,” you reply, smiling back. “Though I didn’t really get a good look at you back then since you ran off right after giving it to me. But my friends mentioned your name a few times, so I remembered. Anyway, thanks again for the clip!”

Kazuha chuckles softly, scratching the back of his neck with a touch of embarrassment. “Ah… I was a bit too shy to approach you directly. Guess I panicked and just… ran off,” he admits with a sheepish grin.

You’re about to respond when your phone buzzes. Glancing down, you see a flurry of messages from your friends—they’re already at your usual spot and wondering where you are.

“Oh, I have to go now! My friends are looking for me.” You give him a little wave as you take a step back. “Bye, Kaedehara!”

“Oh! Sorry for holding you up! Goodbye, [Name]!” he calls after you, waving. “I’ll make sure Kuni gets this back.”

With that, you both say your goodbyes, and you watch as Kazuha walks away, disappearing into the crowd.

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synopsis:

IN WHICH—you, although faceless, are a very famous streamer known as KUMI. you were streaming as usual, playing games and interacting with fans. but when you're about to exit the stream, you accidentally pressed the wrong button that led to you opening your cam and showing your whole face to your audience. this wasn't supposed to happen, no ! so you panicked and quickly ended the stream. numerous screenshots circulated on twitter, which broke both the fans and the internet. this reached a certain someone, SCARAMOUCHE, your rival in streaming. when the said boy saw the trending photo, he almost fell off his gaming chair. because—lo and behold! KUMI was actually [name]?! now who is this [name] in his life, if you may ask? she's the girl that scaramouche has been admiring from afar in real life! quite shocking, right? have i told you that he’s also been sending you anonymous love letters? oh well…

ꪆৎ taglist

closed taglist

@imnotyizhuo @kazufavor @najaemism @simonisferal @lovelypadisarah @eternallykira-143 @yourfavoritefreakyhan @yuminako @035814 @squigglewigglewoo @lxkeeeee @blvdmrcnry @wth121 @lloovvv @3lectraheart @lovemiyae @danhenglovebot @heusalettle @automaticpatroltragedy @kyon-cherri @lalalaloveallmydays @musings-of-miss-j @ilxandra @lazy-sanns @vixialuvs @bananasquash @kochothehoe @lily-lmao @shutingstar @sketcheeee @minhosprettywife @crimxeorcremeexistspeacefully @kinanahana @featuredtofu @tamikahoshiko @jayzioxx @kleeboomed @saechiro @shyentsmissingink @poemzcheng @rifran @projectsfantasy @yejiswifex @peachystea @vi0let-writes @sicuit @hee-jinn @6blxe @viannasthings @trulyylee

[azullumi]

jealousy — various characters ☆彡

summary — how does jealousy feels for him and how does he deal with it?

characters — kaveh, tighnari, thoma, cyno, wanderer, alhaitham, ayato, kazuha, diluc (w/gender-neutral reader)

tags — kind of fluff, jealousy, possessiveness, i want to kiss diluc so bad, not proof-read; headcanons

words — 1204

note — this was supposed to be longer but my brain is fried and bondee anyone? :D if anyone wants to be neighbors, just tell me

KAVEH — It's obvious when he gets jealous, you could just immediately tell if there's envy and jealousy brewing in his mind whenever he sees you with another person—specifically someone who is obvious with their intentions to you but you're oblivious to it—because of how he shows his emotions and is usually expressive about it. Rolling his eyes as he replies once you have touched upon the topic of what he felt as he knits his eyebrows, and everything, he's conveying it all. However, he would still refuse at the end of it, he won't even admit to it but you'll know. He’ll even lean more on the petty side, making remarks like how you should ask that ‘friend’ you’re so close with but once you’ll go and turn around, he’ll ask you where you’re going and tell you to not leave. 

TIGHNARI — He’s very much open with his emotions to you and doesn’t hide anything from you so when he's feeling something, whether it be sadness, happiness, or anything, you’ll know it immediately. This also applies to that bitter and burning feeling in his chest. At times he doesn’t verbally convey to you about what he feels, he shows it through the subtle actions he makes—wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you close, showing off that you’re taken and you have him whenever he sees you talking with someone who is showing clear interest to you and giving off a scary presence that he’ll only show towards the people he’s scolding. “I don’t like them,” he’ll say as a remark while donning a calm demeanor, and you’ll either think it’s just that or he’s trying to say something more.

THOMA — Gets extremely affectionate and sweeter than usual. He'll silently beg for more affection from you by being more clingy than he already is—he’ll be all over you like some sort of object or item taped or glued on your body, as if he’s part of the design of your clothing because of just how much he’s sticking to you. The intimacy, fondness, and love that you receive from him on a daily or usual basis? You’ll get triple that amount once he gets jealous, the intimacy and closeness being there but overwhelming. He’ll even bluntly tell you, rubbing it all over your face, that he’s jealous, that he’s really and extremely jealous while pampering you with kisses and what can I say besides you have to deal with it?

CYNO — He places so much faith in you, trusting you and being confident with himself thus he doesn’t get jealous easily. However, when he does—on rare chances— he’s grumpy and much more intimidating than usual. Even if he's known to have a good control with his emotions, dealing with it properly, and placing it where it’s supposed to be, when he gets that feeling, all of those are thrown out of the window and somehow, he find himself twitching his eyebrow and giving death stares to the person acting way too close to you. He does get clingy though, staying closer to you, lingering touches, intertwined hands, and longer gazes, and everything, as if he’s trying to say something through his caresses and strokes on your skin.

WANDERER — Understanding and patience is what you need. He gets irritated or irked off once he gets jealous and you’ll first think if he’s just having his mood swings or something. He’ll leave you thinking and confused, basically not admitting that he’s jealous and would get more irritated if you won’t be able to guess or know what he’s feeling. He just refuses to talk about it, rolling his eyes and turning his back away when you'll ask him if he's jealous or what, and you can’t help but scratch the back of your head upon recognizing the feeling being expressed by him. He’ll be salty for a few days, just give him a little bit of time—he secretly wishes that you'll woo him and give him more of your attention and time instead.

ALHAITHAM — He doesn’t even know it—or more like he just ignores and fans off that feeling in his chest which will slowly grow, as moments pass by. He's the type of person whose jealousy will start really small, letting it pass, until it becomes something he can't completely turn a blind eye to. At first, he could have an inner monologue wherein he’s in conflict with his emotions and thinking him being jealous is impossible but then he imagines you with someone else and he’s irritated. He reasons that perhaps he was envisioning you with Kaveh that’s why he’s displeased so he thinks of another person and the annoyance persists. He tries to create logic out of what he is feeling before giving up and admitting that he is, indeed, jealous.

KAMISATO AYATO — The clingy possessive type of jealousy is what you’ll get from him. Through his actions and simple words, he'll tell the other party to stay away from you before he'll have to deal with them himself and you could and probably would think 'awww, that's so sweet and cute to see that he's jealous.' Not when you'll come home and he's all over you, lips all over your skin, kisses all over your face, and hands all over your body. However, once the two of you are in bed and you have already fallen asleep, he'll admire you for a little bit longer before pulling you close as if he's afraid that you'll leave him, was he being too much? Well, he just can’t help it when he holds so much adoration and love for you.

KAEDEHARA KAZUHA — Communication is the key so when he’s upset or jealous over something, he’ll tell you about it. Not in a way that it feels like he’s reporting some sort of news or topic to you, straightforward and clear—”I am jealous because of this guy that was starting at you,”—but in a roundabout way: asking so much questions, going back and forth a certain event, his mouth lingering on the topic that made him jealous without saying he’s jealous. He just gets repetitive, hoping that you’ll realize and thankfully, due to the fact that he keeps on talking and speaking over something, you’ll eventually realize what’s going on and once he sees that you do, he just laughs nervously and says: “I’m being childish, aren’t I?”

DILUC RAGNVINDR — He silently looms his jealousy over. Silence, silence, silence, that's the only treatment that you will get from him at first except for the short responses and such as he’s busy dealing with his own emotions, his mind muddled with the thoughts that he shouldn’t get jealous over something so small or petty. He just doesn’t know how to act and what to do, resulting in you receiving the silent treatment from him. However, he would then succumb to his emotions after minutes, suffering more from what he’s giving and not talking to you than the feeling of jealousy itself which will lead to him eventually telling you about what he felt and seeing how adorable he is, how he tries to maintain his demeanor and composure, kissing him would be inevitable.

© azullumi — do not plagiarize, copy, repost, nor translate any of my works.

[f0rlorn]

when he sees me → logan howlett

logan howlett (x-men) x female!reader

notes → in which jean and ororo set you up on a blind date with a wolverine. in honor of deadpool and wolverine throwing me back into my x-men phase full force, i nabbed this from my wattpad. fair warning, it was written in 2021.

i stick with real things, usually facts and figures. when information's in its place i minimize the guessing game. guess what? i don't like guessing games.

you had always been a logical person. opting to plan things out rather than diving right in, so when jean offered to set you up on a blind date, you were hesitant to say yes. you always needed to know when and where things would be going down, and most importantly who would be there with you. this blind date contradicted most, if not all of your morals.

or when i feel things before i know the feelings. how am i supposed to operate when i'm tossed around by fate? like on an unexpected date! with a stranger who might talk too fast. or ask me questions about myself before i've decided that he can ask me questions about myself. he might sit too close! or call the waiter by his first name. or eat oreos but eat the cookie before the cream! but what scares me the most... what scares my the most...

it was clear that you were anxious about this, you were waving your hands around like a maniac, ranting to jean about things that didn't even make sense. "y/n, could you stop moving? i really need to finish up on your hair." jean pleaded, struggling to style your hair. you sighed and slouched in your chair, fiddling your thumbs.

"...what if he hates me?"

what if when he sees me, what if he doesn't like it? what if he runs the other way and i can't hide from it? what happens then? if when he knows me, he's only disappointed? what if i give myself away to only get it given back? i couldn't live with that!

jean turned your chair around so that she could look you in the eyes. "you are a smart and talented girl, y/n. any guy would be lucky to have you. if logan can't see that than he's just stupid." her comment was reassuring. it calmed you down, yes. but you still couldn't stop the nervousness bubbling within you.

"now go get dressed, storm is in the other room picking out an outfit for you." you thanked her and walked out of the bathroom, into your bedroom, where storm was rummaging through a pile of laundry. she smiled and pulled out a blouse for you to wear. she turned towards you and tossed you the shirt.

"the rest is on the bed. i need to go grab one last thing from my room and then you'll be ready to go!" she cheered, excited for you. you had never been much for dating. the few folks you did bring back turned out to be a bunch of douche bags, or had been scared off by some of the other mutants. when jean proposed the idea to the team, they were even more excited than you.

  you pulled off the top you were wearing and threw it in the corner of your room. you took the blouse that ororo gave you and put it on. next you put on the skirt and tucked your shirt into it. storm returned from her room with the item she retrieved. it was a gorgeous necklace with a gold chain and a jewel hanging around it. storm clasped it around your neck. "jean, c'mere!" ororo called for jean to come and see the new and improved you.

  "you look absolutely stunning!" jean praised, her hands on her hips. "let's head on downstairs, we still got some time before we need to get you out the door." jean led the three of you into the kitchen, you starting pacing the room as they sat down at the kitchen island.

  "do i have to do this?" you whined, not at all prepared for what was soon to come.

"there's no point in backing out now! it took me almost an hour to get you ready, you will be going to this date." jean said.                           

"why did i agree to this? i'm perfectly fine here! i'm surrounded with the people i love, i have my dream job... i don't see why i need a new guy in my life. and if life taught me anything, it's that men are garbage." you reasoned, trying to find an excuse not to go.

so i'm just fine inside my shell-shaped mind! this way i get the best view. so that when he sees me, i want him too...

  you were deep in thought, making a list in your head of the pros and cons of going on this date. the truth is, you were actually quite lonely here, and your friends were starting to notice.

   don't you think you're bein' a little, i mean, just a tad-

  ororo started before you cut her off.

  i'm not defensive! i'm simply being cautious. i can't risk reckless dating due to my miscalculating. while a certain suitor stands in line. i've seen in movies, most made for television, you cannot be too careful when it comes to sharing your life. i could end up a miserable wife!

  jean and ororo both gave each other a look. you continued on about how he could be some sort of criminal of psychopath. jean sighed and looked at her watch.

  "y/n, we gotta get going" they got up and ushered you to the car. ororo and jean got in the front seat of ororo's car, and you sat in the back. the entire car ride was filled with you going on and on, with 'what if's' and 'could be's'. there wasn't a single moment where you weren't complaining. jean was starting to think that maybe this wasn't the best idea after all. when you finally arrived at your destination, the three of you got out of the car. they pointed in the direction of the infamous wolverine, pushing you his way. he leaned against his car, lighting a cigar. you walked up to him, a little intimidated.

  "you're logan, yea?" you asked shyly, not really knowing what to do or say.

  "that's me, i'm assuming that makes you y/n." he replied. you nodded awkwardly.

  "shall we head in then?" he asked, looking down at you with raised eyebrows.

"yes, yes we shall." you answered, smiling slightly.