#i lost the lia one ugh

[headlinerkwan]

whispered - c.hs

pairing: vernon x gn!reader

genre: nonidol!au, mutual friends to lovers, secret dating, featuring the rest of svt, reader & vernon are whipped for each other, slight comfort, suggestive.

summary: vernon had always been the guy you saw across the room but never spoke to, until you did. who could blame you for keeping your relationship quiet?

warnings: profanity, mental health, alcohol, implied family problems, highly suggestive - MDNI!!

wc: 4.4k

a/n: i hope you guys like this!! i've always loved the secret dating trope and vernon's so sweet sooo. song rec for this fic is leonard cohen - boygenius ₊ ⊹₍ᐢᐢ₎

The night that you met Vernon was ordinary. Or, at least, it was meant to be ordinary. Another party at Jeonghan and Seungkwan’s place, no different from the one they held last Friday - chaotic as always, right? You had seen Vernon around before, it was impossible not to notice him. There was something that drew you to him, something that made you curious. Maybe it was the way his dark eyes sparkled under the low kitchen lights, or how he really didn’t seem to care what was going on around him, focusing only on the music and the drink in his hand. 

“Everyone! Listen up!” Seungkwan yells, standing on top of a chair. You lift your head to watch him, catching Vernon’s eyes briefly as you do. “Who’s up for a game of suck and blow?” 

As soon as he says that, you know there’s no escaping. Your friend grabs you by the arm, already sensing your hesitation. 

“Pleaseee” Lia babbles into your ear, leaning against you “Just this once. One game, then I promise I’ll let you return to your dungeon, come on! It’ll be fun.”

Absent-mindedly, your gaze drifts to Vernon. You stifle a smile whilst you watch Chan and Jeonghan hassle him similarly. You sigh and reply to Lia, “Fine, one game.”

Seungkwan has always been methodical when it comes to games. Everything has to be just right from the set up to the number of players, it’s all a process. You’re standing with your friends, and a few strangers, waiting as Seungkwan creates the ‘perfect’ formation. 

“Kwan, hurry up!” Mingyu whines. 

“Ugh you don’t get it, fine.” He starts pulling people out, each one of your friends lined up and, like the child that he is, he puts you behind Vernon of course. 

He turns to you, adorning an awkward smile before he offers his hand.

“I’m Vernon.”

“Y/N” You say, shaking his hand. 

“I know.” 

Your eyes widen, he knows?. He turns around, a smug look on his face, chuckling to himself. 

The next time you see his face, he’s holding the card to his lips and bending down slightly to meet you. It’s like everything goes quiet once his eyes look into yours, like it’s the first day of your life as he leans in closer, and closer. 

And then, he drops the card. 

And his lips are on yours. His lips are on yours. Oh shit. 

You pull away quickly, your heart fluttering as the party hollers around you. 

“And… you two are out!” Seungkwan yells, pointing at the both of you, as if you needed more of a reason to blush. 

Keeping your eyes on the floor, embarrassed by your shy smile and red cheeks, you immediately walk towards Lia who, after being sat in front of Chan, had already lost the game. 

“I’m gonna go home now.”

“Huh?”

“You said one game, and I’m tired so…”

She sits back in her chair, sighing “Ok, I’ll keep my end of the deal, text me when you get home.”

“Mhm, stay safe, I’ll see you later!”

“Yeah yeah I know.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Stepping out onto the street, you finally feel like you can breathe. The night sky, a gathering of stars to guide you home and the wind blowing gently through your hair. 

“We shouldn’t have lost, you know. Seungkwan’s a bad referee.”

Huh? You freeze. Is that…

You turn around to confirm your suspicions and there he is. In the middle of the road, Vernon is stood waiting for you to respond, hoping you’ll respond. 

“Huh?” 

“That wasn’t a real kiss,” he says, stepping closer to you. His eyes are soft as he scans your face as if he’s trying to memorise every freckle and blemish, “this is.”

He places two fingers under your chin, lifting your face to look at him. His lips crash into yours, he tastes like sweet vanilla and beer, his hands move gently to cup the side of your face. You’re still for a second, still frozen in place until you finally come to your senses and begin kissing him back. His tongue licks over your lips, and you part them in response, leaning into him as his tongue smooths around your mouth, tangling your fingers in his hair as he teases and smiles into you. 

Pulling back, he rests his forehead against yours, opening his eyes to look at you with a breathless grin. “Better?” he whispers against your lips and you can’t manage anything but a nod in response. 

His hand drops from your face to find your hand, warm and strong. You find yourself speechless as he turns away from you, dragging you along the street as he giggles to himself like a small child, “C’mon, I’ll walk you home”. 

You don’t live far from Jeonghan’s apartment, but the walk with Vernon feels almost like a lifetime as you trade anecdotes on your mutual friends and daily lives.

You learn he works at the record store downtown, he’s been friends with Seungkwan since they were teenagers and, just like you, he had been dragged to the party by his friends - your friends. 

Between you two, you note at least six times that you had just missed meeting each other at group hangouts, four times that you had seen the other but been too shy to approach them. A multitude of missed chances, all the times you had gone against the strings of fate.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

As you shut the door to your apartment, you can’t help but smile to yourself, thinking back on the last hour.

If you were being honest with yourself, you were… somewhat of a pessimist when it came to romance. The whole dating thing, to be blunt, you had grown sick of. The back and forth, the chasing, the disappointment. You’re not sure you have the energy for more disappointment. 

Vernon, though, manages to slip past you somehow. Manages to slip past the walls you’d built over the years. The way he makes you laugh, his heart-shaped smiles, his chestnut hair perfectly framing his face, the way he views the world with a pure curiosity.

Fuck. Tonight might have been the first time in months that your smiles have been real. Tonight your smiles weren’t products of politeness but real, genuine happiness. 

God this can’t be good. You’re going soft. You’re letting a man turn you soft.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Maybe: Vernon [13:12]: I know we JUST saw each other but I can’t stop thinking about that donut place we saw last night.

Your phone vibrates on your desk and you immediately catch yourself smiling. It’s almost embarrassing how he has you giggling at your screen from such a simple message. 

Ok. Compose yourself. You still need to respond. 

Y/N [13:15]: It’s like you can read my mind. 

Vernon [13:16]: I’ll be there in 15.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

“I should tell you something.” You say, walking down the street hand-in-hand with Vernon.

“Out of the blue?” 

“Mhm, out of the blue!” You respond, nudging him playfully.

“Go on…”

“I just… I’m not like, ashamed of you. I’m just, I like it like this, just you and me, I like us.”

He chuckles quietly at your sudden candour and timidity.

You hit his arm softly “Bro! I’m being serious.”

“Bro! I know!” He pulls you closer, “It’s nice with you, peaceful, like everything else fades away. I like having you to myself I guesss.”

“Hmm, maybe I should be ashamed of you, I can still change my mind” You say, laughing. 

“You couldn’t even if you wanted to” 

You respond with a pouty smile, he giggles, his mouth moulding into the heart shape that always manages to melt you. 

“Ooo! Wait let’s get ice cream!” He says, his hand leaving yours as he runs to the food stall across the street, still grinning from ear to ear.

You find yourself smiling again. If someone had told you two months ago that you would fall for a film nerd who has the Wikipedia app downloaded onto his phone you might’ve punched them square in the face - and yet, here you are.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

“Cheers!”, your friends call out, clinking their glasses together. All of you are crowded around a small table, you’re sandwiched between Seokmin and Lia who are in the midst of an intense conversation about film adaptations. Vernon is sitting silently at the other end of the table, listening to Chan and Seungkwan rambling on about a lost bet. His eyes meet yours and a quiet smile appears on his face in time with yours. 

“Y/N! You’re the literature nerd, can you pleaseee explain the phenomenon that is the 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet” Seokmin says, pulling you away from your silent exchange.

You clear your throat and prepare yourself to give somewhat of a lecture on what you think may be the best modern retelling of Shakespeare.

Almost an hour later, Vernon pipes up, seeking an opportunity. “Anyone want another pint?”

A mumble of yes’s respond as empty glasses are lifted into the air. 

“Y/N, mind giving me a hand?” He asks, impressively casually. 

“Oh, uh yeah of course.” You say, shooting up from your seat (not so casually).

Standing at the bar waiting for the bartender's attention, Vernon leans over to whisper in your ear, “Should we just… run away?”. 

“So tempting Mr. Chwe but I think they might catch on.”

“Hmm I’m not sure, I think they might be too caught up in their own conversations to piece it together.”

“A good point.”

“Wait five minutes, I’ll be outside.” He says assuredly, slyly reaching to squeeze your hand. 

And then he’s gone, returning to the table to bid your friends goodbye, glancing at you one last time before he leaves and turns the corner.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

“Finally” He whines jokingly as you exit the bar after escaping the tipsy grasp of your friends. 

You laugh, throwing your head back at his dramatics whilst he pulls you in by the waist, placing a chaste kiss on your lips. 

“I missed you.” He whispers.

You can’t stop yourself from giggling again, “We’ve literally been together the entire night.”

“Sure, but now you’re all mine.” He replies, pressing soft pecks into your skin. 

“Can’t deny that.” 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Y/N [23:17]: Are you free rn?

Vernon [23:17]: For you? Always.

Y/N [23:19]: Can you come get me? 

Vernon [23:21]: Are you ok?

Y/N [23:21]: Yeah, I just need to get out of here

‘Y/N’ shared their location with ‘Vernon’. 

The rain is sharp and cold as it falls on you, staring at the puddles forming by your feet. There isn’t a thought in your head as you watch the raindrops fall.  Dinner with your family has always brought out the worst in you, always wearing you down, leaving you empty. Your heart is heavy with exhaustion, anger, sadness. Exhaustion. 

Then his hand slips into yours. Warm and strong as always. 

“Y/N?”

You turn to him, slowly lifting your head to look at him, tears in your eyes. His expression immediately softens, “Come on bub, let me drive you home.”  he says, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and opening the car door for you.  

“Do you wanna talk about it?”  

“I don’t know ‘non, can we not go home yet though? I just need some time to think.”

He nods, starting the engine, “Of course.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

The sand falls from the gaps between your fingers, you sit beside Vernon, resting your head on his shoulder and letting the sea’s mist kiss your face. 

Vernon is the first to break the silence, “I come here a lot, to think.”

“Mm,” you hum “it’s nice here, quiet.”

He kisses the top of your head and returns his focus to the waves crashing against the rocks. 

“Sometimes I feel so out of my depth, like I don’t know if i’m doing the right thing or what the right thing is,” you admit quietly, his hand finds yours to show you he’s listening, “It all just feels so out of my control, like everything’s happening around me and not to me and that’s … not fun.”

He wraps his arms around you, pulling you against his chest, “I know bub, and it’s not like there’s an easy fix. It’s just- you just have to feel it, the sadness, the anger, the happiness, that’s the best way. Just like how some waves pass and others break apart, and some mountains seem impossible to climb, that’s just how it is, even if it’s shit. And when it’s overwhelming, that’s okay too because I’ll come and rescue you, we’ll climb the mountains together.”

There’s a moment of silence before he lifts his pinky finger to yours. 

“Promise.” he says softly. 

You loop your fingers together and seal it with a shake. The sea air carrying your whispers into the night. 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

“Okay, options are ramen or takeout.” He calls from the kitchen.

“Hmm, I think we definitely deserve takeout.”

“How come?”

“For being the power couple of the century, what do you mean?”

His laugh echoes through his apartment, “Brooo, you’re so right I can’t believe I even asked.”

He runs over to you, lazily splayed across his couch, lying on top of you he continues to giggle as he buries his face into your neck. 

You love lazy Sundays with Vernon, they had quickly become your escape from reality, a sanctuary for yourself, your happiness and your love.

“What movie are we watching today then ‘non?” You ask sweetly, your hands subconsciously playing with his hair.

“I was thinking… academy award winning classic ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’?”

Ah yes, the film you and Vernon had watched ten times over, the one you would never get sick of, “LETS FUCKING GOOO!!” you yell, excitedly punching the air. 

He sits up, looking at you with a cheesy grin, laughing and mirroring your fists, “LETS GO BROO!!”

As much as you love the film, staying focused on it proves to be a struggle - especially with Vernon next to you. You can’t help but watch the intense sparkle in his eyes as he’s entirely consumed by the screen. You find yourself mesmerised by the way he watches and laughs along like it’s the first time. 

“It’s hard to focus with your eyes on me” he states abruptly, refusing to tear his eyes away from the TV.

Your cheeks burn red from embarrassment, “Oh, sorry.”

He turns to you then, a blend of concern and mischief on his face, “I didn’t say that I didn’t like it.”

Your eyes widen slightly at his sudden confidence, a part of him that always makes your heart flutter. You don’t even get a chance to respond as his lips capture yours, melting into him as he kisses you passionately, stealing the air from your lungs. One of his hands cups your face gently, a direct juxtaposition from the other which finds its way to your waist, gripping firmly as the two of you move against each other like ocean waves. 

Tangling your fingers in his hair, he pulls you onto his lap, moving his lips to suck and nibble at your neck as your breath grows heavy with desire. The moans he releases against your skin echo through you, his hands running up and down your body as you throw your head back, getting hungrier by the minute. 

And then he stops. 

Huh? 

You immediately open your eyes, slightly concerned by the suddenness of his actions, to find his eyes back on the TV whilst his hands continue to fiddle with the hem of your shorts. 

“I love this scene.” He whispers, breathless and fascinated.

“Vernonnnn” you whine, throwing yourself back down onto the couch. It’s sweet, honestly, endearing, you find yourself giggling “are you kidding?”

He looks down at you, an innocent smile plastered on his face, his hand still caressing your thigh. He raises a curious eyebrow before breaking into a loud chuckle and leaning back towards you.

“Dude… Of course I’m kidding. I think the film’s gonna have to wait until I’m done with you.” He whispers against your skin, trailing kisses from your lips to your collarbone.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Five months in, you and Vernon had mastered the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ routine. Even around your friends, you cherished every moment with him, every smile, secret touch, knowing look. Even on bad days, your heart feels lighter with Vernon around. 

It’s another chaotic Friday night, just like when you had first met Vernon, except this time your friends hadn’t dragged you to Jeonghan and Seungkwan’s apartment but to their favourite karaoke bar. The table you’re sitting at is littered with empty soju bottles and beer cans, you listen intently to one of Jun’s famous anecdotes as BooSeokSoon serenades your friends loudly.

“How do they still have the energy for that?” Wonwoo asks, astounded as the three men jump around, microphones in hand. 

‘They’re machines, you know that.” Minghao replies.

“Mm, you’re right.” 

Watching your friends, wrapped up in their own little worlds, you’re almost emotional - so happy to see them having fun, so proud to have watched them grow, and then there’s Vernon of course - maybe it’s the alcohol talking but you’re not sure you’ve felt so happy before. 

“We should play a game,” Seungcheol slurs, “Should we play a game? Yeah we should play a game.” You laugh at the conversation he’s having with himself, watching as Vernon, grinning stupidly, walks over to his friends to lead them down from the stage and back to the table. The boys around you cheer for the others as they stumble to their chairs, bowing dramatically to their new ‘fans’. Once the havoc settles down, Mingyu taps his ring against his glass “Ok,” he points his finger, scanning the group before landing on Joshua “Shua, what game are we playing?” 

“Uh… 365?” Joshua replies, being met with drunken agreement from the rest. 

The time passes quickly as you drink and play. Growing tipsy, you hardly notice the change in Vernon’s demeanour when Soonyoung rests his head on your shoulder. It’s nothing new to you, he’s known to be an affectionate drunk - and a light weight, you’re used to his drunken skinship.

Vernon’s patience is running low as the minutes pass, his leg shaking as he watches Soonyoung cuddle up to you. He stands up from his seat across the table, walking over to your seat and taking your hand, leading you outside. Confused, you look back at your friends as you walk with him, finding them all too drunk to notice you and Vernon’s absence.

“Non? Is everything okay?”

“Can we go home now?” He asks softly with hurt eyes.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” 

“I should be sat over there with you, I just don’t want to watch Soonyoung be all cuddly with the person I love.” 

“Non, you know he’s just a sleepy drunk, we can go home if you want-”

Wait. 

“The person you love?” you question, your eyes soften as you process his words. 

“Oh uh, you, I mean… you.” he breaks eye contact, fidgeting nervously. 

“For real?” you smile.

He laughs to himself, “Yeah dude, for real.” 

You giggle again, smiling wide and throwing your head back. As you do, his hands cup your face, bringing you back to him matching your grin. You reach up to move a strand of hair out of his hair. 

“I like jealous Vernon.” you whisper.

“Shut up.” he says, his lips finding yours in a soft and wanting kiss. 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • · 

You’re lying in bed, glowing with sweat, tangled up in your sheets and wrapped in Vernon’s arms. The calmness that washes over you in these moments is immeasurable, the comfort and contentedness you feel is something that you wish would last forever.  

There’s a knock on your door and you both shoot up from the bed. 

“Y/N, are you home?” Your roommate calls from the other side of the door. 

“I thought…” He whispers with wide eyes.

“Yeah… Lia’s not meant to be back until tomorrow” You reply, scrambling to throw some clothes on. 

“What do we do?”

“Y/N?” Lia calls again.

You search your room looking for some kind of escape plan before it dawns on you, there was only one option. 

You point to the closet.

He shoots you a questioning look.

“I don’t fucking know bro” you whisper, rushing to make yourself somewhat presentable.

You open the door, Vernon finally hidden, “Hey, you’re back early!” you say to Lia, trying your best to hide the fact that there was a man hiding in your closet.

“Yeah, we finished early so I got the train this morning. I was just wondering if you wanted to get lunch later?” 

“Sounds good! Give me like 30 minutes?”

“Yep that works for me” Lia says as she disappears into her room. 

You shut the door, letting out a deep breath. 

“You can come out now.”

Vernon pokes his head out of the closet, scanning the room before stepping out. You stare at each other in silence before bursting into laughter. 

“I swear I almost shat the bed!” Vernon says, throwing himself down on the mattress.

“Bro, that was crazy…” you agree, joining him on the bed.

Your laughter slowly fades into a comfortable silence.

“Should we just…” you begin.

“Tell them?” Vernon finishes.

You hum in agreement. 

“I mean… why not? As long as you’re with me, I think… I think It’ll be okay.” You speak softly, he’s quiet for a few seconds until he starts peppering kisses all over your face, smiling sweetly against your skin. 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

A couple days later, you and Vernon stand in front of the restaurant, you can see your friends chatting inside the building. Your hand is in his, his thumb caressing yours. You look at each other, sharing an anxious but determined look, before nodding and walking towards the door. 

When you enter the restaurant, it’s almost comical the way that your friends turn to look at you, their eyes dropping to your interlocked hands. 

Anticipative silence fills the room as you exchange looks. 

“I FUCKING TOLD YOU GUYS!” Seungkwan yells excitedly, standing up from his chair and pointing an accusatory finger at your friends, inciting a blur of exclamations from the rest of the group. 

Vernon looks at you, smiling, before you sit down beside each other and prepare yourself for the abundance of questions coming your way.

taglist: @christinewithluv

[yyawnjun]

FIREPLACE

happy late bday lia <3 @sobun1est ; hope this year will bring you many good memories, thank you for everything. ily !! ; here's a small story to celebrate you, it's a one-shot from this universe eheh ; queen!reader x courtgardener!jungwon ; fluff!! : 0.8k wc ; @kflixnet

The days after your coronation passed quickly, and you now found yourself in your room alone, preparing for yet another court dinner.

Even if you were tired of these events, you had to go. You understood the many duties that come with being a court queen very fast.

Still, you managed to keep part of your freedom as long as the maids and servants weren't always with you. However, you could still not tell your parents about your hidden love for Jungwon, the court gardener.

Now, it was late afternoon you had just come out of a hot bath: you were wearing a light floral dress, and your hair was still soaking wet. Your hair was dripping, and the drops of water slowly ran from the tips of your hair to the shoulders and down your back. The sensation was unpleasant, but not unpleasant enough to make you get up to go and dry it.

As you lay on the bed and let your thoughts wander, you heard someone knocking on the door, and shortly after the steward's voice announced the visitor. It was Jungwon, who, as a court gardener, had come to discuss with the queen about the creation of flower crowns for the events of the following days.

You fought hard not to smile when he entered to look as professional as possible. It was so obvious that he attempted to do the same.

After you let the steward go, you quickly run into Jungwons arms. He immediately hugged you tightly, slowly rubbing your back while whispering how much he missed you.

He started leaving quick kisses on your face as soon as your gaze met. One to your forehead, one to your nose, your lips... and his hands started wandering and touching your hair.

"Your hair is still wet, you might catch a cold," he told you

"Maybe, but you're here...so let's stay like this for a little bit longer," you said, not wanting him to go.

"I care too much for you to let you get sick, let me help you."

He took you by the hand and moved you next to the fireplace. He made you sit next to it and quickly moved to start the fire. You sat while you admired him roll up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing muscles all over his arms. Your eyes widened, and you assumed a happy expression. In the meantime, he was busy getting the wood and lighting the fire.

In those simple actions, you lost yourself in admiring his figure. His messy hair, cheeks slightly dirty from the soil, his forehead somewhat wet from sweat due to the sudden movement, his concentrated gaze, and veiled smile because he was doing all this for you.

"My queen, hello! the earth is calling you!" Jungwon said while moving his hand to your face while smiling. You suddenly come back from your daydreaming.

"Uhm yes, what did you say?"

"Can I use this towel?" he said, pointing at it and slowly leaning close to your face. You could feel the heat of his body next to your face.

"Yes sure, you can do whatever you want," you whispered, not being able to find your voice and reply to his simple question.

"Those words are such an honor coming from you," he replied giggling, and stealing again a kiss from you.

"Ugh, you look so gorgeous at this moment," he said looking at you with his big brown sparkly eyes.

"You think so?" you replied with a cheesy tone. And he nodded, a gradual smile spreading across his face.

"Don't look at me like that" he stated.

You wondered how you looked at that moment since he appeared to be the most ethereal person on the planet. He giggled and then threw at you the towel he was handing.

You couldn't see anything since the towel landed on your head. The towel was then gently moved away from your eyes and toward your hair by the touch you could feel.

As your vision came back, you saw that Jungwon was seated in front of you and was gently rubbing the towel over your hair.

The fire had been lit, and in a short time, your hair was already quite dry. You were now sitting in front of the fireplace, your head resting on his shoulder, and your gazes were lost in watching the fire.

He had his hand resting behind your back, and sometimes he moved to caress it. You could have stayed there for an endless amount of time, mesmerized by the fire's movements and the gentle touch between your two bodies.

Your faces drew closer as you exchanged another glance. There was a knock on the door before there was time for another kiss.

[c-h-i-m-es]

-playtime

michael kaiser x f!reader

content(s): aged up characters, mentions of alcohol, a little cursing, fluff(?), mutual pining(?)

“drink it all babe!” your friend, kat, brings the glass of vodka near your lips, “wait wait slow down.” you have been drink whatever your friends have been offering you since, well as long as you can remember. but luckily for you, your alcohol tolerance is pretty high so you are not wasted, yet.

you gulp down the drink and let out a breath, “wow all we’ve been doing is drinking.” you lean your head back on the couch. “i know right, and the dance floor is so empty that i don’t wanna go there anymore.” your other friend, lia, says as she gulps down her drink.

“i’m gonna go find myself a guy. see y’all in a bit.” kat waves with a wink and gets lost in the crowd. lia sighs and rests her head on your shoulder, “isn’t this getting a little too boring?”

“that’s cause you don’t know how to enjoy your time babe.” here comes lia’s boyfriend. sitting beside his girl, he nods at you as a greeting and kisses lia, “sorry i’m late.”

“it’s almost.. y/n, what’s the time?” she asks and you take your phone out to check the time for your friend so she can continue her argument with her boyfriend, “one sixteen in the morning.” your friend scoffs and crosses her hands over her chest, “wow, you might have just not come here. who were you with?” 

the two start their usual routine while you get up to get away from them, “i’m gonna get some drinks.” you don’t think they heard you but you leave the place and pour yourself another glass. 

“how lucky of me to see you here y/n.” 

ugh. you could never not recognize that arrogant tone of michael kaiser. you turn around to see his annoyingly handsome face, “what a surprise to see you kasier.” you say sarcastically and hand him your glass, “drink this and shut up.”

he chuckle and takes a sip of your drink, “really nice way to ask me for a drink babe.” someone explain why he irritates you so much, but you still wanna smash your lips onto his. what you will not accept is that you like the man, babe.

you lean your body on the wall behind, “i think i’m done for the night.” kaiser looks at you, “woah so fast? not having a good time i assume?” you nod at him, “you could say that-” just when you think you can have a normal conversation with him, “why don’t i make you have a good time?” he said with his flirty tone and a smug smile on his face.

you scrunch your face, “ugh stop disgusting me.” this could have gone for quite awhile but you are interrupted by one of the guy screaming, “guys! let’s play truth or dare!”

“how old do you think we are dude.” another one says to which he replies, “at least it will be fun!”

some just go back to what they were doing while some make a circle around the middle of the living room.

"let’s join 'em." kaiser asks looking at you as he takes a sip of his own drink. you furrow your brows, “uhm- no.” you look away shaking your head. “aw come on, don’t be such a buzz killer.”

“no one’s stopping you from having fun kaiser. do me a favor and get away from me.” before he could reply, lia comes to you, her boyfriend following her behind, “hey! let’s play as well!”

you do not need to look at kaiser to see the smug smirk on his face. before you could say anything to her, her boyfriend comes and grabs her arm to make her face him, “no one is playing that stupid game.”

“aw you really think so? cause a lot of people are and i’m taking these two with me to play as well.” she harshly removes his hands from hers and grabs yours and kaiser’s hands in each of hers, walking away from her boyfriend. she drags the both of you to the circle of people, gathering to play the game.

“ugh i’m so sorry for dragging both of you into this but just play along so you don’t embarrass me okay?” she says as you three sit on the floor, she in between the two of you.

“why even bother being together with someone like that?” kaiser speaks taking a glance back to her boyfriend, “he isn’t even good looking.”

you scoff, as much as you don’t like your friend’s boyfriend, you don’t like kaiser as well, “that’s rich coming from you. considering you are a dick.. and not good looking yourself.” you smirk when he shoots you a look.

“i don’t wanna hear that from you babe.” you both start bicking like usual while the people gather around. the lia of few months back would have stopped you at the first few comments, but now all your friends are used to it.

“stop being so in love you two,” logan, who had the idea to play truth or dare in the first place says to stop you two and sit somewhere in the circle himself, “and let’s start!” he claps his hands once, “who’s gonna start?”

“me!” you hear kat’s voice, who you didn't even notice was here to play, “mina! truth or dare?” everyone turns to mina who picks truth and gets a bunch of ‘boo!’s and some ‘borings’, poor girl. “did you ever have period sex?” everyone starts screaming and praising kat for the question while cheering on mina to say the truth.

“geez guys calm down.” mina covers her face with her hands, “i have.” everyone starts going crazy saying how the innocent looking ones are the sinisters. yeah poor girl.

the game goes on and it’s your turn to pick again, “dare.” the girl who asked you smile widely, “i was just waiting for that y/n!” she claps her hands together and quickly takes a sip of her drink, “okay i have a very interesting one. kiss someone you find attractive here and we’ll take a picture of you two kissing and you have to send it to your ex.”

your friends cheer while you put your hands up, “woah woah slow down girl, that’s like two dares in the name of one.” lia pats you on your back, “come one go for it girl.” she winks at you.

“so? who you gonna kiss? me?” logan says with a laugh. but what the whole room of drunk people seem to have noticed is the way you looked at kaiser for a split second.

“we saw that! go kiss him already!” kat almost jumps from across the circle. “no no no-” you are cut off from your ‘no’ chants when everyone encourages you to kiss the guy.

you look at kaiser to see him already looking at you with his usual smug smile on his face. “fuck you.”

“you’re welcome to sweetheart.” that was the last straw for everyone who have been seen you both being so in love but never admitting, “ew you two would so be good together.” the guy besides kaiser says and hits him playfully on his shoulders, “just make a move already.”

kaiser looks at you with his whole face telling you to come and kiss him. you gulp and move in front of him while everyone starts cheering. you look at him, his eyes already looking at you. you get closer to him and cup his face, “i am so not a fan of kissing someone while everyone's watching.” you say before you smash your lips on his.

you could feel him smirk onto the kiss and the noise from the room, the loud music and everyone screaming going mute the minute he kisses you back. your body would have jolted away from him, only if he did not grab your arms to pull you close.

you let out a muffled moan, when you feel his hands guiding themselves in your back even through the layer of cloth, the thin layer of the top. to your fortune, nobody around you are close enough to hear, but to your misfortune, kaiser is very close to hear that and pulls away with a smirk.

you better prepare yourself cause you are never going to hear the end of it.

“that was very hot.” logan jumps and hand you his phone with the picture of you two kissing. so they did not forget to take the picture. this might be the perfect story for the next time you play this game again and someone tells you to share you most embarrassing makeout story.

“ugh this is so stupid.” you mumble and send that photo to yourself so you can send it to your ex and get over with the game, but kaiser grabs you hand, stopping you from searching for your ex’s insta.

“you know what, let’s skip the ex part of the dare.” he says to logan who could not refuse the request, more like an order. he also tells the guys to delete the photo if they have and gets up, taking your hand and walking away from the group.

“thanks i guess.” you mumble and he looks back at you, “what was that i did not hear.” you sigh, “i said thank you-” you look at him to find him looking at you with a teasing smile, you hit his arm as hard as you could, “you dick, stop playing with me!”

he laughs and puts an arm around you to pull you close to him, “yeah yeah sorry.” he manages in between his laughs but then has a genuine smile on his face, “your welcome.”

what is all these that happened? you don’t know. but what you, and kaiser, know is that this is not gonna be just a dare thing.

[jjeoni-7]

I wish I were Heather

{Soobin x Black Reader}

Sypnosis: In which Y/n has a the biggest crush on the popular guy Soobin, but finds herselfs in an embarassing situation and learns that he unfortunatly has a crush on the popular girl instead.

Genre: fluff, and angst.

this story is inspired from a real life experience :'D 

Warning: A LOT! of skips so beware in advance lol.

ft: Itzy: Yeji and Lia

•─────⋅⋅─────•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•─────⋅⋅─────•

Y/n pov 

I'm about to cry. Now the whole class is teasing me because they ALL know that I have a crush on the one and only Choi Soobin EVEN Soobin himself knows and said nothing about it...Well was about to I think, until I freaked out and hid behind my friend out of embarrassment. Now this little friendship we had is destroyed. All thanks to Lia who told one of Soobin's girl best friends, this girl can't keep quiet at all.

-flashback

I was talking to my friends while we were doing an art project when Jiseul  (Soobin’s girl best friend) joined us, and all of my crush on him was brought up "who has a crush on Soobin?" She asked looking at us questionably, I made a hush sign telling my friends not to tell knowing her reputation that she can't keep secrets but Lia didn't listen "y/n does, she loves him so much she won't shut up about him" she replied as they started teasing me, I blushed looking at Soobin laughing with his friend group, and then Jiseul ran to them "Jiseul don't-" too late she already told him now he was looking at me and Beomgyu said something in his ear to which he listened and they walked towards me. Me in the freaking out state ran away and hid behind Yeji until they walked away, from that day on the whole class was teasing me, and he was never seen talking with me again.

-end of flashback  

Now it's awkward talking with him. He became more distant than before and kept a stern face on.

*a while later in the school year*

I was drawing a picture of a boy and a girl laughing together which was pretty cute and made me wonder about Soobin, so I wrote beside it 'Soobin x y/n' and put a heart beside it  "aww did you draw this for Soobin" Jiseul said out of the sudden smiling at my picture, "no it's for myself, don't mind it-" "wait y/n let me see" Lia said as I gave it to her "it's so cute Soobin should see that" she said with a smirk "Lia i'm warning you if you-" she already ran fast towards Soobin with Yeji and Jiseul encouraging her,and before I could chase after her. Soobin looked at the paper with no emotions then threw it in the trash saying "I don't like her." My heart shattered "it's not even for you anyways why are you throwing my art in the trash" I said finally facing him mad at his action. He kept quiet and walked away with his friends home as if nothing happened. I hate him...But I can't I still love him nonetheless. I picked up my drawing from the trash heartbroken and mad at the girls, I just lost my pretty drawing because of their stubbornness “ You guys should listen to me, and stop lamely trying to get him to like me cuz he’s doesn’t” I said before walking away  ignored their shouts, and went home.

*the next day*

Lia, Jiseul, and Yeji came towards me and apologized for their actions "I'm so sorry y/n please forgive me" Lia pleaded with tears in her eyes as everyone looked at us "ugh fine, fine just stop embarrassing me" I said as she, and the 2 others got up happily hugging me. Later that day at Recess Jiseul came running to us "Soobin has a crush!" she said excitedly "who is it?" I asked suddenly interested "unfortunately it's not you it's Aeun" she replied "oh sure I don’t care anyways, it's not like he was ever gonna love me" I replied continuing my paused activity with a smile on my face feeling somehow disappointed.

*in Gym class*

 "they look cute together tho don't you think" I said to my friends as they both snorted "yeah right" Lia said "are you really shipping them together when you still like him? " Yeji asked "of course, you can't force feelings" I said, tying my shoes "seriously I wonder what's so good about this girl that guys like, she's been dating almost all your crushes" Yeji said "well a lot of stuff" I replied "like?" Lia asked "she's Korean, pretty, kind and sweet, besides she looks friendly" I replied "Girls 1 minute!" the gym teacher yelled "let's go, we'll talk after" I added as we all got out.

We started playing Badminton with partners, and guess what? My partner was Soobin, we started playing when  in the middle of the game (favorite song) started playing. I started dancing a bit while playing and sang a little as my friends happily joined me laughing, since they weren’t playing. Even Soobin was smiling and laughing while trying to make me lose "haha you lost" I exclaimed when the birdie fell on his side "pfft whatever" he said rolling his eyes playfully " have you ever thought of being a dancer? You’re good at dancing" he said laughing "thanks I guess" I replied laughing. My... I miss these days. He would tease me and make my heart flutter. It's funny that after making me sad he makes me laugh as if nothing happened, but then Aeun came beside him and his eyes were glued on her like she was the most beautiful thing in the world. 

Since it was the end of Gym class I left and went to my friends " my, she's annoying" Lia said " it’s alright girls, stop judging her she isn't that bad" I said " yes, but I kind of hate the way she sticks to him all the time" Jiseul said " oh my you scared us where do you come from?" I asked " from the sky, and fell right in front of you" she joked as we all laughed, later I learned that Aeun was asking Soobin out in front of the whole school.

I went and watched with my friends. " I've had a crush on you ever since I knew you liked me" she bragged " would you love to be my boyfriend?" she asked " actually I..." he said looking around and looked at me. He approached towards me asking my hand, and I panicked " common you got it girl" Jiseul said as my other friends encouraged me, I hesitantly took his hand and he led me to the front " not to be rude but, I actually love y/n, I know I've been rude to you, and distant, but I love you more than you think" he said as some of the students gasped " so sorry Aeun, but I don't like you" he said as the students gasped  and Aeun stared at me from up and down " what do you see in her, she's not even pretty, neither Korean" she replied " actually Aeun, love is more than appearance, and race it's about the person's qualities and personality" Soobin said " well it's true that appearance can make a difference, but what can it do when you're pretty, but with a nasty attitude?" he added asking as she scoffed, and walked away with her minions at her heels.

I looked at Soobin, still flabbergasted, and said, suspiciously, “ are you doing this to get rid of her?” I asked as he shook his head “ I really love you y/n, I do a lot” he said " but why were you mean all the time?" I asked and he chuckled " I didn’t know how to react to it, I was scared of rejection, but learning that you liked me, made me panic, and not to forget the fact that you ran away when I was about to talk to you" he said as I nodded feeling embarrassed " So y/n, do you want to be my girlfriend?" he added “ I would love to, but first apologies for throwing my drawing in the trash” I replied " Which one-? Oh about that one, I’m Very Very sorry l/n for throwing your drawing in the trash, I promise to keep them all in the future, even the ugly ones." he teased as I rolled my eyes chuckling " Since you apologized, I would love to be your girlfriend" I replied ,making him smile and spin me around and kiss me as the crowd cheered and clapped, Jiseul, Lia and Yeji clapped louder " that's my bro!" Jiseul shouted at me and Soobin pulled apart, and laughed at what she said. " you're mine now" he said hugging me " yes, I'm yours" I replied smiling, I never thought still liking him would have paid off in the end. Maybe if I hadn’t ran away, he would have confessed earlier, but I’m still happy he did at the end.

The end

well...not all stories end happily ever after. Mine didn't, and it never did with my crushes because of so many reasons. But since I like happy endings, I changed it. This story is again INSPIRED so not all the events in it are true, anyways hope you liked my story, have a good day/ night 😚:).

[authorforrosie]

Can you do ryujin being mad at you

Title: Ryujin being mad at you.

Pairing: Ryujin x you. [GxG]

Warning: Yelling.

Words: 695.

Disclaimer: I know this is rushed but I hope you love it. I can mostly imagine Ryujin getting mad when someone eats the last piece of her favorite food.

Ryujin scoffed when she saw the last piece of her favorite food being gone. After a hard day of dance practice for their new upcoming comeback. She slammed the door of the poor fridge shut. So hard that you and her bandmates flinched in fear. Being mad Ryujin means mad cat.

„WHO ATE MY LAST PIECE OF MY FAVORITE FOOD...?!" Yelled Ryujin with madness in her voice. Her bandmates looked into her eyes with a scared expression on their face.

Ryujin knew it couldn't be her bandmates since they have been in hard dance practice all day with her. It could only be you in her opinion. You've been home a little bit longer than her and her bandmates.

„I did." Whispered you with a scared expression on your face. Your bottom lip trembled with fear.

You put your shaking hands in the air in surrender. Tears rolled down your cheeks. You swear you are the most scared of an mad or angry Ryujin. Because she looked so serious and attractive like the most of time.

„I HAVE LEFT THE LAST PIECE OF MY FAVORITE FOOD TO EAT IT LATER. WHY DIDN'T YOU ASK ME IF YOU CAN EAT A LITTLE BIT OF IT. UGH." Yelled Ryujin with madness in her voice.

„I mean your name didn't stand there." Mumbled you with savage in your voice. Her members tried to hold back their loud giggles at your sentences.

Yuna and Lia was the first ones to laugh very loud since they couldn't hold it back anymore. Yeji and Chaeryeong followed.

„SO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO PUT MY NAME ON THERE NOW FOR YOU NOT TO EAT MY FOOD...?" Yelled Ryujin with more madness in her voice. Her arm muscles flexed when she moved it to calm down.

You giggled with a slight feared expression on your face. Yuna sat besides you with a Capri Sun in her hand.

„I MEAN WHY NOT. IT WOULD SAVE YOUR FOOD AND WE WOULD KNOW WHAT WE CAN EAT." Mocked Yuna Ryujin's yelling with sarcasm in her voice.

You licked your lips when you saw her flexed muscles. Ryujin walked away for a few minutes to calm down from the madness. You and her bandmates could almost literally but not really see steam coming from her ear. Her face red in madness the whole time.

Meanwhile you sat with her bandmates pouting with puppy dog eyes. You looked like a lost kitten according to Yeji. She always claims that you have a cat personality.

When Ryujin came back calmed down. She had her attractive hands in the pockets of her pants. She squirmed around with a nervous expression on her face. She frowned when she saw the pout on your lips. Ryujin immediately walked towards you.

„I am sorry for getting mad at you kitten. Please forgive me." State Ryujin with sympathy in her voice.

You pouted and made grabby hands. Ryujin knew what you wanted so she picked you up.

„I forgive you if you let me buy your favorite food for you and if you make it up to me by cuddles." Asked you with happiness in your voice. Ryujin held you in her arms with a happy expression on her face.

Ryujin nuzzled her face in your pikachu shirt covered chest. She kissed your arm. She giggled since she knew how much you love to cuddle with Ryujin. It made her heart fluttering.

„That sounds like a very wonderful plan. Kitten. Let's do it." Answered Ryujin with happiness in her voice.

Lia gave Ryujin the keys to her car with a excited expression on her face. Ryujin carried you away from her bandmates to carry you towards the car.

Ryujin kissed your lips for a few pecks when she put the seatbelt on for you. You both couldn't wait to drive towards the mall to buy her favorite food and a few snacks for the make up cuddles later on. Afterward she held you into her arms with a happy expression on her face. She attacked your face with kisses a few times. You watched Snowdrop together with a blanket on top of you both.

[vera-king-hrfl]

Goodnight Kiss part 3.

You don’t see Tav for a few days after that. You are busy at the shop, processing shipments, helping customers, learning as much as you can about the magical and enchanted products that you sell. You want to be good, to make yourself useful, and even Rolan seems pleased with you. He doesn’t mention Dammon; either the blacksmith hasn’t told him that you know, or he doesn’t actually care. But he’s busy too, and you don’t know if they’ve seen each other since then. Lia teases you both mercilessly as usual, but she’s frustrated in her attempt to get a rise out of you. The possibility that Tav might actually like you gives you the strength to endure her taunts. Dammon had actually helped quite a bit. Not necessarily with the dubious kissing lesson, which still makes you blush when you think about it, but with his insight into her strange behavior. You are stacking books, thinking about her pretty eyes, when your sister’s voice cuts through the pleasant fantasy.

“Look what I got!” You turn to see her waving a little card. “This just arrived by a courier. There’s going to be a party. I think I’ll go buy that dress after all.”

You reach for the paper, but she snatches it away, sticking out her tongue. “I’ll read it to you. Not sure you’ve learned how to do that yet. Ahem!” She holds the card up before her face, printed on creamy thick paper with silver leaf decoration. There are a few Elvish words along with the address on the back side.

“’Zevlor Ak… Akhel… bhen? and Ilyrana… um… Thil’Daoin’… Ugh, these names. I didn’t know Zevlor had a last name… anyway, ‘wish to beg the honor of your presence at a celebration for the first full moon of autumn, at their home.’ And there’s an address. It has my name on it!” She squeals. “And yours and Rolan’s, I guess, but isn’t this exciting?”

You raise your brow, surprised, “Zevlor is living with her now? That’s interesting. And it’s not his last name, it’s a title. Means something like “duty and honor,” in Elvish. Hers is some sort of jewel, and then “evening star,” I think.”

Lia gapes at you, “when did you learn how to speak Elvish?”

You chuckle. “Some of us actually like to read about things other than bulging muscles and heaving bosoms, you know. Some of the better stories aren’t printed in Common. I had to get a dictionary and translate a few.”

Lia looks thoughtful for a minute, but then shrugs and grins. “That’s very interesting, little brother. I wonder who else is going, if they invited us. Rolan is important now, but you and I certainly aren’t. Ooooo what am I going to wear? What should I do with my hair? What are you going to do with… all that?” She motions to your entire person, making a face. “The courier said a few of them got lost. It was supposed to be sent out weeks ago, but this is tomorrow night.”

You also wonder who else might be there. If you and Lia were invited… but she’s ahead of you, as usual. “I’m sure they invited Tav. You should ask her to go with you! Then it would be more casual than just a date with the two of you. I’m sure she’ll say yes.”

You consider, feeling your insides flutter but trying to hide it. “Oh, I don’t know, Lia. If she’s going, she surely will have more attractive offers than me. You said these things went out weeks ago. She probably already has an escort, if she wants one.”

But your sister snorts. “Don’t be silly. She doesn’t like anyone but you. In fact, I insist. I’ll cover for you. Just go to her house, knock on the door, and ask her to go with you. It’ll only take a minute. Surely you can’t mess that up. The worst thing that can happen is she says no.”

You reflect that the worst possible thing that could happen to you in your life is if Tav says no to you, but you grit your teeth. Maybe Dammon was right. Maybe she does actually like you… “Alright, fine. But if she says no, then you and Rolan are going without me. I couldn’t take the humiliation. I would die, and you would be short one brother. Then it would just be you and him.” Lia cringes dramatically, but then laughs and shoos you out the door.

When you arrive at Tav’s house and knock on her door, she doesn’t answer. The place is silent, curtains drawn, locked up tight. She isn’t home. You grimace. Of course. It’s the middle of the day and she certainly has much better things to do than wait around for a weird, bumbling tiefling to ask her to a party. You sigh and turn around. She had said that she likes to walk the city, reading a book or visiting people. Maybe you can find her.

Amazingly, after a little wandering, you do. She’s curled up on a bench in a little park a ways off the main street, reading a book. You take a moment to admire her. The way her reddish brown hair shimmers in the sun, the little freckles on her olive cheeks. She really is so very cute, you think, chewing at her bottom lip while she turns the pages. You don’t deserve someone like that. But Dammon’s words have made you a little bolder, and you approach, clearing your throat. She looks up sharply, and you see a flicker of irritation, but when she recognizes you her face lights up with a big, beautiful smile. It only lasts for a second, though, and then she stands, dropping her eyes for a moment before looking back at you with a more restrained expression. “Hello, Cal.”

You feel your throat start to close up, but swallow, berating yourself. Talk, you fool. “Uh… I mean, hello. Hi, Tav. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

She shakes her head, that odd color change happening in her cheeks again. “No, not at all. I… well I was only reading. It’s a nice day. How are you?”

“I’m good. Been busy. Thought I’d take a walk, and. well I saw you here and I wanted to say hi.”

She dimples and lowers her gaze once more. She looks shy again, and you wonder why she only seems to wear that expression when you are close to her. You can’t recall her ever looking like that with anyone else. But she manages to speak before you can recover yourself. “Would you like to sit with me for a little while? I mean, if you don’t have to be somewhere else right now.”

“Um, sure. I mean no, there isn’t anywhere else I want to be. Need to be, I mean.” Stammering, blushing, you sit down next to her as she resumes her place, keeping a respectful gap between you and gripping your knees. Do it. Do it now. “Tav, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Her voice is soft, quiet. Only for you. “Anything you want.”

Those words make your face heat and your mouth dry, and for a minute you forget what you were going to say. “What are you reading?” You wince. That wasn’t the question you wanted to ask, but you’re dreadfully nervous, and it was the first thing that popped into your head. At least you have managed more than ten words. Most of them are coherent, as well. You consider it a small victory, and it allows you to turn and look at her.

She chuckles a little. “Oh, it’s the same book from the other day. It’s… taking me a little longer than I thought. Sometimes I have to put it down, during the scary parts, or the sad parts.”

You nod. “I understand that. I like stories like that, too, but it’s hard to get through those bits, sometimes. You said it’s about an Elf and a tiefling?” You feel kind of proud, now. You are actually talking with her, about something that interests both of you.

“Mhm.” She runs her hand over the brown leather cover, and the motion draws your eye. There is a bit of paper sticking out from between the pages, and you recognize the thick parchment and the delicate silver filigree. “You can read it too, if you would like.”

“I would, yes. When you’re finished. Um… sorry for being nosy, but is that the invitation to the party tomorrow night, in the Upper City?”

She opens the book to collect the note, and you see that the page she’s marked isn’t text. It’s the colored picture of the tiefling man. “Yes it is. I’m not sure if I am going to go, though. It’s short notice and… well, I’m always a bit nervous going up there, being around all of those elegant people, by myself. You got one too?”

You nod and clench your jaw. She’s given you an opening. Now or never. “They make me nervous, too. Maybe… um… maybe we could go. Like… together. Might make it a bit easier.”

She is quiet for a minute, and you think again that you’ve offended her, presumed too much. She’s going to refuse, and you’re going to be… “I’d love to.”

You start to stammer an apology before you realize what she’d said. You swallow the lump in your throat and smile with relief. “Really? I mean, great! That’s… Rolan and Lia are going, too, I think, but… should I come meet you at your house, then? And we can walk there together?”

She giggles, sending a warm shiver through you. “You can meet me there, yes. But we won’t have to walk. So come just a little early. It won’t take long to get there.”

“Good.” You stand, then, wanting to flee before you say anything weird and ruin it. “Great. That’s great. I… I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”

She rises too, and extends her hand. “Tomorrow night.” You take the offered hand, pressing her fingers for a second and enduring the regard of her lovely eyes for as long as you can stand, before turning and hurrying away. You look back, once, and she’s still standing, watching you. You think you see her flinch as you wave, and then you are exiting the park and rounding the corner.

All you want to do when you get back to the tower is go up to your room and hide for a while, to calm yourself, but as you reach the stairs, you hear your name. You turn to see Rolan coming out from behind the counter and walking toward you. “Where have you been? You know Lia isn’t as good at cataloging as you are. I’d have her do nothing but scrub the floors if she wasn’t my sister. And if she wouldn’t bite me for it.” He looks stern, but you hear his tone, and you know he’s not really upset about it.

“Oh… yeah, I’m sorry. I’ll do it now. I was just taking a little walk. It’s a nice day out and a bit of fresh air…”

“Did you do it?” Lia’s high voice stops you, making you flinch and spin to face her.

“None of your business, go away.”

“Do what?” Rolan raises an eyebrow as Lia comes to stand next to him, a cheeky grin on her ruddy face.

She looks at him and snorts, then back at you. “Don’t tell me you chickened out again…”

You clear your throat, blushing, but also smirking at her eagerness and Rolan’s confusion. “No, I did not chicken out.” Your smirk becomes a grin, and she squeals and claps her hands.

“Oh good! So it’s happening then, you’re going with her?”

Rolan grunts. “What are you two talking about? Who’s going where with you?”

You cross your arms, managing to look smug. “I asked Tav to go to that party with me. The one Zevlor and his girlfriend are having tomorrow night. And… she said yes.”

Both of Rolan’s eyebrows crawl up then, crinkling against his horns. Then he laughs. “Well, thank the gods for that. I didn’t think you’d ever find the guts to even talk to her, much less… good job, Cal.”

You flinch, looking at Lia with annoyance. She frowns. “Hey, I didn’t tell him!”

Rolan grins. “She didn’t have to. You know you little weirdos can’t hide anything from me. I thought about helping you, but it was too much fun watching you sweat.”

“Hmph. Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I’ll get you back one of these days. And my revenge will be sweet.” You start toward the stairs again. You need to figure out what you’re going to wear on your date.

“Maybe one day. But I’m always going to be a step ahead of you, little brother. By the way, Dammon says hi.”

You curse, stumbling and hitting your knee on a step as Lia’s gasp and Rolan’s laughter follow you up the stairs.

[sidecharactersdomatter]

Thoughts I had during TGCF S1 Ep 11

-Previously on TGCF…

-AAaaaugh there’s so many falling cobras!

-Oooh firebending through blood, not like how it’s done in Atla that’s for sure

-Aaaaugh they’re still here

-Oh yeah, that’s probably it.

-It’s official, Fu Yao is a huge mood

-Too late he already is trusting them

-Oooh a good metaphor to tie in with the cobras

-No he has not lost himself, just wait till we get halfway through the series… oboy that’s spoilers isn’t it

-Yeah the side without snakes really is a valid reason

-Aw San Lang like his joke

-No there goes the flame barrier

-Aiaigasa!  It’s Aiaigasa again folks AAAAAHHH!!!!

-No they will not at all San Lang

-Scorpion tailed cobras why’d they have to be Scorpion tailed Cobras?!?!?!?!?

-This whole episode will trigger everybody’s ophidiophobia…and arachnophobia 

-Oooh!  Good palm strikes!

-I know it isn’t San Lang who’s controlling the snakes and blocking the mana

-Where did Ban Yue go???

-Aiaigasa is the stuff people

-Oooh who was that?

-San Lang gets to fight again!!!

-The animation for that hidden fight

-Oooh Ruoye tensed up for a sec

-We’ve seen how she fought in Ep 9

-Oh Xuan Ji got name dropped!

-Oh! Plot twist again!!!!

-It is all coming together again…

-Oh foreshadowing from Ep 3 again

-At Ban Yue pass!

-Yes he did

-It is all coming together people

-He was keeping up his selfless act

-Man that was a really long cold opening folks

-Pei Xiu protected Ban Yue

-The Yong’An boy

-Aw Ban Yue

-Ban Yue has the answer

-Aw no Ban Yue she’s worn out

-Aw he helped tend to her wounds

-Hi Xie Lia- I mean General Hua

-Oh that was traumatic

-No Ban Yue…

-I think it’ll lead to more war

-They both remembered Xie Lian

-She didn’t want her kingdom to kill themself with dynamite

-Aw San Lang helped supported her when she fainted (It’s official he is also father material)

-That explains the fall of the desert kingdom

-Woah it’s going back and forth between Kemo and Pei Xiu

-“Violence works for me” Never change San Lang, valid

-Ooooh who could that be on top of the pit?

-A cyclone

-He saved Ban Yue!

-Hi Nan Feng

-*Sees Nan Feng’s beat up face* Ahahahahahahaha I’m sorry XD

-Never change Fu Yao and Nan Feng, never change

-Hi Windmaster

-Oh San Lang knows the dark haired woman

-You’ll find about that later

-The truth has come out

-Yep that sums it up

-That explains the sandstorm

-Yeah well he ended up getting involved when Heaven didn’t give him an answer about the ban Yue pass

-Aw he’s protecting Ban Yue again

-Oh good Tian Sheng and the merchants are safe

-Yes heaven is confirmed to be corrupt

-Does anybody know who female!Ming Yi’s English voice actor is? (I’ve tried looking her up but please do answer in the comment section!)

-We’ll see Windmaster again too

-No General Hua!!!!

-Ooooh Pei Xiu army backstory

-He didn’t get assigned

-Ooooh Classism!

-That one scared soldier

-He never got promoted

-Ugh classism really did get explained in this ep

-Hi Ban Yue

-They won a fight with Pei’s strategy

-Ugh Classist general

-No Ban Yue!!!!  She was so young!!! T - T

-Really good instrumental of Bu San people, the first ending song of season 1, whoa it is really moving even without words!  This Donghua by far has the best emotionally stirring music!

-Yeah where will Xie Lian go from here?  (Well we’ll have to find that out next season)

-You know he’ll get involved with reporting to the Emperor too

-Oooh Yizhen got name dropped too!

-I think Pei Ming will verbally harm Xie Lian (yeah I’ve seen the first ep of Season 2 sry)

-I think I have a good reason why Fu Yao left early

-And it spanned about 3 episodes Nan Feng!

-Ban Yue is out cold

-Magic sleeves of holding count: 5 (These are gonna get hard to track folks)

-Uncle Jiang is cured!

-There go the merchants

-Yeah you go make that temple Tian Sheng, do it for Xie Lian best dream ever!!!

-Oooh San Lang has connections

-Oooh Nan Feng’s face turned blue when Xie Lian offered to cook!

-Good excuse Nan Feng valid

-And the way he’s running away from the duo XDXDXD!

-Here’s why Fu Yao left early, as they healed Uncle Jiang he contacted Nan Feng through the telepathic array and Fu Yao’s reason is:  Come on, you know how horrifying his highness’ cooking can be.  This is just my theory, and I’d love to hear your possible ones in the comments!

-He called him by his real name ‘Hua Cheng’!!!!

-And the way Hua Cheng moved in closer and just preferred to be called ‘San Lang’ my freaking heart!!!

-Oooh Hong Jue again!  I guess it plays during the second half of Season 1

Only one episode left to react to!!!

[krizaland]

The Sleeping Princess Chapter 12

First Previous

Here’s chapter 12!

Before Lia could process what was happening, Balan scooped her up and flew her back to the stage.

Within seconds, Lia was plopped down onto a chair as Balan teleported onto the stage.

With a snap of his fingers and a cartwheel, the stage lit up.

Another snap and the stage filled with countless Balan clones!

The clones danced alongside the real Balan for a moment before dispersing throughout the stage.

Two of the clones scooped up Lia and hurled her towards the stage.

She let out a yelp as she struggled to regain her balance.

However she had no time to relax, for the real Balan grabbed her by the hand and spun her around.

FWEE!

Soon Lia was flung through scene after scene!

From a vibrant ocean to bustling cityscapes, and even a glass of wine!

Lia was traveling so fast she felt her head spin!

“Now let us find your heart, my dear! Your first step is right through here!”

Laser lights and more clones assaulted Lia’s senses as she was thrown head first into a shimmering door.

WHUMP!

Lia landed flat on her rump.

She let out a whimper as she struggled to get her head on straight.

When the dust settled, Lia found herself sitting in a whimsical meadow.

She shakily rose to her feet and dusted off her nightgown.

“Ugh, what happened? And where am I?”

“Why you’re in Wonderworld, the place where lost hearts become found! Come with me! I’ll show you around!” Balan sang as held out a hand.

“Woah! Woah! Wait just a minute! Lost hearts?! What are you going on about and why did you bring me here?!” Lia demanded as she folded her arms.

“Why the answer is simple: your heart has gone astray. So I’m here to save the day!” Balan chirped with a bow.

“So you want to save my… heart?”

“That is correct! When it comes to hearts it’s my duty to defend and protect!” Balan explained with a wink.

Lia simply gave Balan a confused glare.

“Ohh-kay and how do you plan to do that exactly?”

“With great effort and care! And an extra dash of flare!” Balan struck a dramatic pose.

“Well I hate to break it to you, Uhhh…”

“Balan! Balan’s the name! And being the maestro of Wonderworld is my claim to fame!” Balan replied as he gave Lia a vigorous handshake.

“Right-” -Lia wiped away the handshake on her nightgown- “-Well Balan, I hate to break it to you but I’m afraid I don’t have a heart left to save. My heart was shattered years ago. So I’m pretty much dead inside.”

Balan let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head.

“But that’s where you’re wrong, my dear. Your heart may be broken but it still can be saved here.”

“Yeah…No. Look, you mean well but my heart is beyond saving. I’m pretty much useless. So you’ll just be wasting your time.” Lia sighed as she rubbed her arm.

Balan let out a hearty laugh.

“Nonsense! Every heart has a purpose! Even ones that have gone out of whack. That’s why I’m here, to help bring them back!”

“Dude, I appreciate what you’re trying to do but you don’t need to waste your time with me, alright? Just show me the way out and we can forget this ever happened.” Lia grumbled as she shook her head.

“The answer I say is no to you. I couldn’t let you leave even if I wanted to. The only way out is to pass a test to bring balance back to your heart. Then and only then can we part.” Balan explained as he patted Lia’s head.

“Urgh, seriously?”

Balan’s grin simply grew smug.

“Fine. If I pass this test or whatever, then will you let me go?” Lia sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“That’s the plan! So glad you now understand!” Balan chuckled with a wink.

Lia simply let out an annoyed grunt.

“Oh don’t look at me like that, dear. I think you might actually have some fun here!”

And with that, Balan took Lia by the hand and took her on a tour of Wonderworld.

He showed her around the Isle of Tims and taught her about costumes.

He showed her various stages and even showed off some of his magic.

And in return, Lia told Balan about her life in the real world.

From her book to the cruelty of her parents, Balan listened intently and comforted her.

Balan found himself charmed by her quick wit and creative mind.

It wasn’t long before a beautiful friendship begun to blossom between the two.

Lia let out a gasp as her mind returned to reality.

“I…I remember! I remember my name and even how I ended up in Wonderworld!”

Balan’s face lit up as he took Lia’s hands in his.

“Oh thank the stars! You have your memory once more! I was worried had lost the one I adore!”

“Well, I don’t exactly remember everything.”

Balan let out a confused hum and tilted his head.

“What is this? What is it that you miss?”

Lia sucked in air through her teeth.

“Oof…How do I put this? Um…”

“Go on. Tell me what’s missing! You can tell me anything!

“I…don’t exactly remember falling in love with you..” Lia’s voice shrank a bit as she spoke.

Lia’s words cut through Balan’s heart like a knife.

“W-What? Please tell me that was just a cruel joke! That couldn’t be the truth you just spoke! You really don’t remember how you stole my heart?! Have you truly forgotten that part?!”

Lia simply shook her head.

“I’m so sorry, Balan but I really don’t remember falling in love with you. I just remember coming here. Then it’s just…blank. Well until I woke up in Lance’s room anyway.”

Balan’s signature grin fell as a few tears trickled down the brim of his hat.

He shakily rose to his feet and adjusted his hat.

“Oh…I see…”

“But I do remember becoming friends with you!” Lia reassured as she stood up as well.

“Friends? Just friends and nothing more? Oh how my heart grows ever sore!” Balan blubbered as he dramatically flopped his hand over his forehead.

“I’m so sorry, Balan! I really really wish I could remember more!” Lia whimpered, a few tears forming in her eyes as well.

And with that, Lia ran off to a nearby hill.

“Why must things be this way?! Why does she keep running away?!” Balan wailed, more tears pouring down the Brim of his hat.

Emma held a fist over her chest as she watched the debacle unfold.

Suddenly she had an idea.

“Wait! I think I know how to fix this!”

Balan simply gave Emma a somber look.

“I’m sorry, little one. But I fear that there’s nothing that can be done.”

“Not true! I saw a movie on TV just like this! There was a couple that got into a terrible accident and the wife lost her memory. But her husband managed to make her fall in love with him all over again!” Emma explained, “Maybe you can do the same with Lia, Balan!”

Balan scoffed and shook his head.

“Oh little one, you shouldn’t believe everything you see. I’m afraid life isn’t as simple as the one on TV.”

“Well do you have any better ideas?”

Balan looked over at Lia longingly.

He loved her more than anything.

He couldn’t even bare the thought of losing her.

Yet that’s exactly what happened.

Her memory of their love was gone and Lia barley recognized him.

It felt like he was back at square one.

Watching Lia run off in fear and trying to convince her he meant well.

Balan let out a lovesick sigh.

As heartbroken as he was, he was desperate to have Lia back.

Not seeing any other option, Balan turned back to Emma.

“Very well. You’ve made a point most convincing. Tell me what I should do to win my darling.”

[butterflyintochains]

Best With Three: Part Four

Gabriella ''Ella'' Lemieux is a 23 year old tennis star from Montreal. A devoted cat mom, lover of the hard courts, and tennis history nerd to her atoms. Best friends with just about everyone, she courts no controversy. Beloved and admired for her elegance on court, as well as her charity work off court. One of the icons of the young Canadian King Cup Team. With her besties, Leylah and Bianca, at her side, she's unstoppable.

That is, however, until a wild Christmas in Vancouver while visiting family out west before going to Australia. When she meets two local hockey stars.

TW: some sexism, social media au, press being stupid

part one / part two / part three

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

Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: danielnestor1, _eliaspettersson, _quinnhughes, and 70k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Kind of lost for words right now, just got done with winning my second ever career title here in the Netherlands. On my second best surface. Thank you to Danny for having faith in me. Bianca, my dear sister, here's to more of those! Elias, Quinn - I love you both so much, you have no idea. One of my childhood dreams is finally achieved - Canadian Number One! 🍁💖🏆

replies:

danielnestor1: So proud of you, kiddo, the new ranking suits you so well.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Thank you for taking a chance on me, Danny! 💕

_eliaspettersson: That final was so stressful from the box, but you are amazing and I hope you always know how much we love you. 💙

Gabriella.Lemieux: I love you too, sweetheart. Now, rest that damn knee. _eliaspettersson: Will do, darling. 👍

_quinnhughes: You deserve this so much, babe. Hate that I'll miss the first few days of Wimbledon. 😢💚

Gabriella.Lemieux: Go and get that Norris, honey!!

felixaliassime: Congrats, angel! Enjoy this, you've earned it!

denis.shapovalov: Love you, sissy! Glad the boys have been with you for this little adventure.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Honestly, DJ, I'd have went nuts without them.

biancaandreescu: Here's to more finals like that one, angel! So happy for you. 🍁💖🍁

leylahannietennis: That's all three of us now!!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Three talented besties!

bboeser: Grand Slam incoming? 👀🔥

j.tmiller9: Who got you the necklaces?

Gabriella.Lemieux: Elias got me the sapphire one, Quinn got me the emerald one. Turns out, there's a nice jewellery store near the tournament complex!

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

@/WTA_updates:

Oh, you guys, I just saw the Whistler Trio on the airport, and it was so sad. Gabriella and Elias were all clingy with Quinn. Seems like he's off to Vegas while they go to Germany. Not even two days with her new position, and she's having to see one of the boys off. 😥

@/MapleFam: Ugh, could they just move the entire ceremony to Wimbledon so this doesn't happen? @/BelieveInBlue: Ikr? Move the entire thing so Ella and Lias aren't way from Quinn for so long. @/Canada_Family: God, it's been five months, and they're already so married.

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

Whistler Trio GC 💙💚🤍

HuggyBear: Well... that was the most boring and miserable flight of my life. Caldersson: Come back to us soon, babe! AngelElla: Gonna be rough not having you with us, Quinny. HuggyBear: Maybe I should accept the award remotely? Caldersson: Quinn, as someone who won one of those things, don't. Nothing beats the rush of accepting it directly. AngelElla: I agree, I'd have hated to accept my Dubai and Rosmalen trophies from my apartment. HuggyBear: See, logically I know that. HuggyBear: But, emotionally, I'd rather be with you guys. Caldersson: You will be soon. AngelElla: And, we'll be eagerly waiting for you.

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

@/WTA:

The win streak is brought to an end in Bad Homburg! Diana Shnaider upsets the new Canadian Number One in an epic three set semi final: 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. No shift in ranking for Lemieux, who will hold position until Wimbledon.

@/MapleFam: So sad to see Ella lose, she was on such a roll this week, even without having one of her boyfriends with her.

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

canucks:

liked by: _eliaspettersson, Gabriella.Lemieux, jackhughes, lhughes_06, and 500k more.

canucks: Our Captain, Quinn Hughes, has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for best defenceman in the NHL for the 2023/24 season! We're so proud of you, captain! #alltogetherallin #gocanucksgo.

replies:

_quinnhughes: So honored to win this award! Wish my loves were with me on the night, but my lady has work.

_eliaspettersson: I love you, Wolverine! Proudest boyfriend in the world right now! Gabriella.Lemieux: So proud of you, honey! I love you! _quinnhughes: I love you both too! I'll be back before you know it!

jackhughes: Best big bro ever!

lhughes_06: Sad not to get the Calder, but so happy to be bringing this one home to Michigan.

BelieveInBlue: He's sooo handsome, you guys! OMG! 🥵😍

Gabriella.Lemieux: And taken too... 😉 _eliaspettersson: Twice over 🥰

bboeser: So proud of you, bro!!

_quinnhughes: Thank you, Boes! 😊

tdemko30: That's our guy!

j.tmiller9: Only one who deserved it imho.

conor.garland8: My captain is better than your captain #facts.

dakotajoshua8: Preach, Garly!!

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

@/MapleFam:

Ugh, I know this is probs stupid, but am I the only person who is legit nervous for how Ella is going to be treated at Wimbledon? Idk, like, they're so traditional about stuff, and Ella being poly is as far from traditional as possible. I just hope no one is weird to her.

@/BelieveInBlue: Yeah... I think she'll be okay there, everyone has been so supportive of her so far. I'm scared of the Canuck wags being mean to her if she goes to a hockey game. @/MapleFam: Oh, God. I'm nervous just picturing our Ella with those women. She stayed away from them in january, and stayed home for games in spring.

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

Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: _eliaspettersson, _quinnhughes, leylahannietennis, and 6k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Good day, Wimbledon! So excited to get going this year! Congrats to Quinn on the Norris, so happy to have you back, babe! One thing that always sticks in my mind about this event is the smells, the ivy on Centre Court's walls, the grass, strawberries.

Also, for those worrying about me, thank you so much. I know that I'm not many people's image of 'normal', so it's nice to know I'm being supported.💖🍁💖

replies:

_quinnhughes: Happy to be back with my two loves.

Gabriella.Lemieux: That was the longest week of the year so far. _eliaspettersson: For real, could the league host the awards here instead?

leylahannietennis: Congrats, Quinn! Good to have you back with Ella and Elias, they were all sad without you.

_eliaspettersson: Leylah! He wasn't meant to know that! leylahannietennis: Sorry, Petey! 😊

danielnestor1: Excited to be back here, even if the three of you are chaos incarnate!

Gabriella.Lemieux: You love us, Danny!

felixaliassime: You gonna be wearing the necklaces all the time now?

Gabriella.Lemieux: Yeah, pretty much. 🥰

MapleFam: So awesome seeing the Whistler Trio all gushing over each other on social media, isn't it?

Canada_Family: Yeah, gonna admit to being skeptical about this whole thing to begin with, but I've never been happier to be wrong.🥰

bboeser: Dak, Garly, Hogs, and I are coming to Wimby too!!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Really?! Can't wait to see you guys again! Don't know if my box will have enough room, what with my parents, coaching team, and boyfriends.

dakotajoshua8: We land on wednesday!

BelieveInBlue: Ella, tell Wimbledon to get ready for ''The Great Canucks Invasion''!

Gabriella.Lemieux: I'm sure they already know!

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

@/WTA:

That is a very comfortable first round win for Gabriella Lemieux. Defeating former French Open finalist Taylor Townsend 7-6(7/1), 6-1 in just over ninety minutes to seal her place in the second round. A very happy coach, and two very happy boyfriends as well! Zhu Lin awaits!

@/MapleFam: Just caught her presser, she was asked about her new position within the sport: ''Becoming my nation's top player has been a dream of mine since day one. It's something I'm going to wear with pride, and hopefully carry with the dignity it deserves.'' @/BelieveInBlue: I'm still so new to this sport, but I'm so proud of her for this season already! @/Canada-Family: You have no idea! Seeing how scared she was in Australia after the scandal, and now how confident she is! Truly incredible.

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

Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: _eliaspettersson, _quinnhughes, leylahannietennis, and 90k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Fit and hair check for this fortnight. Such a good match, Taylor! Hope for more like that with you in the future, girl! Go and win the doubs with Katka!! Can't wait for round two already! Also, I don't know if you know this, but I'm dating two incredibly gorgeous men, who wore suits to my match today. 💖🍁💖

replies:

_quinnhughes: And, we're dating each other too! Everyone wins here!

_eliaspettersson: Exactly! We're so smart, eh? Gabriella.Lemieux: We are and you are so right, Elias. 💖

leylahannietennis: Get as many of us into round two as possible challenge?

denis.shapovalov: Stack the jury, sunny! felixaliassime: Let's do it! biancaandreescu: Sounds great to me, sunny! Gabriella.Lemieux: Sounds doable to me, sunny. 🍁

BelieveInBlue: Where did all the nicknames Team Canada have come from?

Gabriella.Lemieux: Okay, so. I'm 'Angel' because of my name, angel Gabriel y'know? Felix is 'Oxford' - I think Rublev gave him that one? Bianca is 'Princess' - because she was the first slam winner. Denis is 'DJ' because of his music. Leylah is 'Sunny' because she just is.🍁💖 Gabriella.Lemieux: And, I call Coco 'Cookie' because we shared cookies after our first training session against each other.

cocogauff: When is the Canucks Invasion happening, Angel?

Gabriella.Lemieux: Wednesday. 😊

danielnestor1: One down, six to go, kiddo, let's get this!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Let's get this, coach! 🎾

WhistlerTrio: Love seeing the throuple all happy together like this, and feeling able to be open about things!

canucks: Keep it going, Ella!! - HS

Gabriella.Lemieux: Will do, Mr Sedin!

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

@/WTA:

She's on a roll, everyone! After her first round win over Taylor Townsend, Gabriella Lemieux has followed it up with a big win over Lin Zhu 6-4, 6-3 out on Court 4. Lulu Sun awaits the Canadian Number One.

@/EllaLemieux: Having so much fun this week so far! 🙏🍁🎾

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

_eliaspettersson

liked by: _quinnhughes, Gabriella.Lemieux, bboeser, and 200k others.

_eliaspettersson: Another amazing win for our girlfriend today! So proud of her for this run thus far, we also got to see the trophies on day one while Quinn was in Vegas. These things are seriously beautiful, the dish one will hopefully be coming home to Van with us soon. 🏆🙏

replies:

_quinnhughes: Well, I'd not be surprised if Ella won this whole thing with what we saw earlier today.

_eliaspettersson: Right? Danny told us she loved grass, and now we know how much.

bboeser: Those trophies are so cool looking! And, I'm so happy to be here to see Ella properly for the first time.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Happy to have you here, Brock! 🥰

dakotajoshua8: Go and get that trophy, Ella! Cannot believe just how good she actually is, tv is such a different experience.

conor.garland8: I know! Her serve is so loud too! 🤯 Gabriella.Lemieux: Mine's tame compared to Coco's!

nilshoglander: Glad to be here at last! That dish would look good in the house as well. 😊

Gabriella.Lemieux: Your lips to God's ear, Hogs! 🥰

j.tmiller9: Two down, five to go, Ella!!

tdemko30: So excited for the rest of the tournament, hate that we can't all be there.

canucks: Venus Rosewater Dish vs Stanley Cup? - DS

_eliaspettersson: All trophies are beautiful, Daniel.

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

@/WTA_updates:

Seems like the Canucks Invasion of Wimbledon is going very well so far! Just saw Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland hanging with Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the park. No sign of the Whistler Trio, likely at the training court or at the rental house.

@/CupOrBust: Love how the two sports are coming together over this! It's so wholesome! @/MapleFam: Me too! It's so sweet!

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

Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: leylahannietennis, _eliaspettersson, _quinnhughes, danielnestor1, and 50k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Round four booked at Wimbledon! Huge thank you to Lulu for the amazing match, no breaks of serve for the entire time, wow! 7-6(7-2), 7-6(7-4) is a rough scoreline, and we fought like crazy! Had a wonderful dinner with my boys and coach. Now, we're gonna chill for the rest of the night. 🍁💖🎾

replies:

_eliaspettersson: Lights. Out. Tennis.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Just how it should be at this stage. 🥶

_quinnhughes: Cannot believe how dialled in you looked today, flower!

Gabriella.Lemieux: I felt almost possessed, honey, you have no idea!

leylahannietennis: Can't wait to see your match against Emma! Gonna be 🔥

Gabriella.Lemieux: Yeah! Playing a home talent on Center Court isn't gonna be easy. But, it's a challenge I welcome. 💪

jackhughes: I've never liked tennis before, but now I do, and omg that match was so stressful!

lhughes_06: I know! Our sister-in-law is so good, isn't she?

danielnestor1: Three matches down, four to go. Let's keep this going, kiddo!

liked by Gabriella.Lemieux.

bboeser: Will this be your first time on Center Court, Ella?

Gabriella.Lemieux: Yeah, lowkey nervous for it, playing in the Cathedral of Tennis has been a dream since I was nine. nilshoglander: You'll be fine, Ella! conor.garland8: And, we're here to support you! dakotajoshua8: We're even gonna wear suits and look all fancy!

denis.shapovalov: Gonna be on the edge of my seat for your next one, angel!

felixaliassime: This match is prime time, and I'm so here for it!

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

@/WTA_updates:

Prime time match. Prime time players. Lemieux's coaching box is loaded with Canucks as I type this out. They're in the back row, the front row being her family, team, and boyfriends. The players walk out to massive applause, a certain sapphire and emerald necklaces sparkling on Gabriella. 1/9

@/WTA_updates: Gabriella has won the toss and elected to serve, if she's at all nervous, she's not showing it. Ice in her veins for sure. Will she harness it to a win today? 2/9 @/WTA_updates: After roaring ahead to a 5-1 lead in the opening set, Lemieux holds to love to win the first set 6-2, smiling to herself, she strides back to her seat. Centre Court is humming with energy right now. 3/9 @/WTA_updates: We're all square at 5-5 in the second set, the home support for Raducanu is getting steadily louder as the set goes on. Gabriella seems unsettled, even her boyfriends look put off by it all. Emma breaks to one deuce, and holds to love to take the second set 7-5. 4/9 @/WTA_updates: One set to decide this thing, then! Lemieux holds to love with four aces, bringing her match count to sixteen! She then breaks for a 2-0 lead in the final set. 5/9 @/WTA_updates: Raducanu holds to stave off a potential bagel! 3-1 in the final set, Gabriella looks calmer now, the crowd are decidedly more subdued. 6/9 @/WTA_updates: Big hold from Emma to salvage the score to 5-2 and force Lemieux to serve it out herself! This has been a classic on Centre so far! 7/9 @/WTA_updates: With an ace down the T at 40-30, the new Canadian Number One has booked herself a place in the final eight for the first time at Wimbledon! 8/9 @/WTA_updates: In her on court interview, Lemieux is emotional as she says: ''First match on this court, first slam quarter final, I almost feel as though I've stolen someone else's life sometimes. This run, my relationship, it all feels so good, but I feel like I've stolen another woman's life sometimes, y'know?'' Oh, Ella, you deserve this so much! 9/9

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Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: _quinnhughes, _eliaspettersson, leylahannietennis, bboeser, and 60k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Quarter finals locked and loaded for the first time ever! You have no idea how good it feels to be able to say that. I had no idea what this run on grass would yield me when we landed in Rosmalen just a few short weeks ago. A title, my nation's number one spot, a semi final, and now a quarter final is beyond my wildest dreams! Thank you for the epic match, Emma! Hope it's not our last. 💖🍁🎾

replies:

leylahannietennis: Keep it going, Angel! Love you so much, babe! 💕

Gabriella.Lemieux: Love you too, Sunny! 💝

_quinnhughes: I'm never aware of crowds when we play, but God was that crowd on Centre pissing me off.

_eliaspettersson: I know, never great to hear our girlfriend being applauded for service faults. bboeser: Yeah, so rude and unnecessary imo.

dakotajoshua8: Ice in your veins, Ella, ice in your veins. 🥶

biancaandreescu: You looked nearly possessed on court today, Ella, I've never seen that from you before.

j.tmiller9: Nat, the girls, Owen, and I are supporting you from home, Ella!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Give them all my love, Millsy!!

danielnestor1: Three left to win, kiddo, I am so proud of you!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Thank you, Danny, can't wait for the quarters already!

canucks: Bring it home, Ella! - SS

Gabriella.Lemieux: Will do, Mr Smyl! 💙

nilshoglander: Best tennis match I've seen this year.

tdemko30: Dawson was glued to the tv while we watched the replay!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Give him a big hug from me, Thatch.

MapleFam: Ella is three matches away from being a slam champion. This time last year, she was barely getting past round one, then the burnout, and now here she is! It's nuts!

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From Scandal to Success - An interview with Gabriella Lemieux by Annabel Croft.

It is often said the path to glory never runs smooth. This is especially true for the newly minted Canadian Number One, who is now one of the last eight women left in the singles draw at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. This half of the year has not always been easy for Gabriella Lemieux. Arriving in Sydney for the United Cup with Team Canada, there was a cloud of rumour, scandal, and speculation over the 23 year old's head. After meeting two famous ice hockey players in Vancouver over winter, there was much noise made about how Lemieux would navigate things. Would she need to choose between two men who she seemed equally fond of?

No, she wouldn't. Instead, the Montreal native chose both, becoming the first openly polyamorous tennis player in history. Her new boyfriends being Vancouver Canucks Alternate Captain, Elias Pettersson - a swedish forward who won the league's rookie of the year award in 2019. And the same team's Captain, Quinn Hughes - the american defenceman who recently won the position's award. In a twist of fate, the boys are also dating each other. I had the honour to sit down at home with Gabriella this morning, while her boys were out shopping. ''Gabriella, quarters of Wimbledon, first grand slam quarter final. How are you right now?'' I asked her.

Gabriella smiled, seeming to need a moment to let it sink in. ''I'm feeling confident, Dubai and Rosmalen showed me what I'm capable of, and this has been just the dream run.'' I also asked her about the boys. ''You're with two equally skilled athletes, how have they driven you further?''

Always honest with people, Gabriella simply said. ''I'd probably not be doing half as well without them. Having them in my box for the Raducanu match saved my life. Even when nobody was supporting me, they were.''

I then asked her about that epic on Centre Court yesterday evening, her first against the 2021 US Open Champion, and her first on the biggest stage. ''How did you handle that match? You looked almost possessed!''

She nodded, and laughed, running her fingers over the twin necklaces her boyfriends gifted her for her rise to her new position. ''That's how I felt, actually! I just didn't hear the crowd until the match was over. I was just do dialled in, nothing really registered except for what was going on between me and Emma.'' When I asked her about her hopes of taking the whole thing home, she said. ''I'm planning for the short-term, one match at a time. I'm not even thinking about the final or anything yet.''

I also asked her about the relationship aspect, whether she'll be flying any flags for those like her in sports. ''I hope anyone similar to me in any sport can feel comfortable to not hide it anymore, yeah. I'm not going to be flying any flags, I just hope poly people can look to me, and say 'well, she's feeling supported and doing well, and so can I.' Because, for me at least, I've never felt better in life.''

I also asked her about the comment she made about feeling as though she has stolen someone else's life. To which she said. ''There's always this little evil voice in me that says this will all come crashing down around me someday, I'm just trying to do all I can to silence it.'' Lemieux is due to face Donna Vekic in the final eight, on Court 1, and no doubt her boys will be right there for all of it. I am so impressed with this young lady, soon to debut in the top fifteen, and surely number one will come at some point.

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

@/WTA:

After booking a maiden grand slam quarter final, the Canadian Number One has also booked her first grand slam semi final! With another epic three setter, Gabriella Lemieux takes down Donna Vekic 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the final four for the first time!

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

Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: _quinnhughes, _eliaspettersson, biancaandreescu, and 70k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Well... no idea how to say this, but I am so happy right now! That was probably the hardest match of my life, and all the credit to Donna on the comeback from her struggles. I never once dared to imagine my first semi final at a slam would be here of all places. And, I'm just so happy to finally be here. I'm also very tired, so nap time for me! 🍁🍁🍁

replies:

_eliaspettersson: On our way up, alskling! 💙

_quinnhughes: Get cozy, we're coming!! 💚 Gabriella.Lemieux: Thanks, my loves! 🤍

biancaandreescu: Grass is yours, Angel!

denis.shapovalov: Last one standing, keep it going, sissy!💪🏆

felixaliassime: So incredibly proud of you today, angel! 💖

leylahannietennis: Could not tear myself away from my laptop during your match, angel... wow!

danielnestor1: I am a very proud coach and friend right now, kiddo. 💝

taylor_fritz: The New World Kids are taking over! Watch out for us!

cocogauff: Ikr? We're taking over! 🍁🦅 sofia.kenin: So true, Coco, we're coming for this sport! (also, congrats, Ella!)

bboeser: Why isn't Ella responding to her comments?

danielnestor1: Good luck waking her from a nap, Brock. Naps are sacred to her. Before and after matches. 😴

canucks: Two wins left, keep it going, Ella! #IceQueenElla - PA

j.tmiller9: So proud of you for this tournament, Ella!

nilshoglander: I don't think I moved for the whole time, such an epic match.

conor.garland8: That forehand to win the match was pure 🔥

dakotajoshua8: Never once imagined I'd love tennis so much, but I'm fully invested now!

tdemko30: I know! I watched one of Ella's matches, now I'm hooked.

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

@/WTA_updates:

Here we go, everyone! Paolini/Lemieux part two. Gabriella won their last meeting in Dubai in three sets, but Jasmine has spent slightly less time on court, and has the experience differential. So, it's all to play for in the first women's semi final. Paolini has elected to serve first. Here we go! 1/9

@/WTA_updates: Lemieux instantly breaks to two deuces to claim the first game, and holds to expand her lead to 2-0! Daniel is looking very pleased with his girl, Elias and Quinn are looking very handsome too, all suited up for the day! 2/9 @/WTA_updates: Lemieux takes the opening set 6-2! Centre Court is buzzing for her already, one set away from her first slam final! But, we're not done yet, Paolini looks locked and loaded. 3/9 @/WTA_updates: We're all square at 4-4 in the second set, the crowd has very much switched sides with Paolini's tenacity endearing her to the people. Paolini breaks to thirty, and will serve to level us up. 4/9 @/WTA_updates: Paolini holds to love to take the second set! We're all square on Centre Court! Lemieux looks tired, and worried for the first time in days. 5/9 @/WTA_updates: We're going to a champion's tiebreak! No breaks of serve in the deciding set! Lemieux will open the tiebreak on serve. She wins her first point. 6/9 @/WTA_updates: Paolini is going lights out, she leads the tiebreak after a lengthy rally 7-5. 7/9 @/WTA_updates: Lemieux holds firm, summoning all of her remaining energy, we're all square 8-8 in the tiebreak. First to ten takes it. 8/9 @/WTA_updates: Paolini is a Wimbledon finalist! With a forehand passing shot the Italian number one eliminates the Canadian number one. A warm embrace at the net, and a wave of applause for Gabriella as she goes off court. 9/9

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Gabriella.Lemieux

liked by: _eliaspettersson, _quinnhughes, danielnestor1, leylahannietennis, and 100k others.

Gabriella.Lemieux: Very proud of the result this past two weeks at Wimbledon. Never imagined I'd make the semi finals this year, or even the final eight! I'd have loved to make the final, or even win, but today was simply not my day. Congrats and love to Jasmine on making two slam finals in a row! I'll probably miss the final myself, because, as soon as I'm back in Canada, it's moving out day! 🍁💖

replies:

danielnestor1: So proud of the run you had, kiddo. 💝

Gabriella.Lemieux: Thanks, Danny! It's all because of you!

_eliaspettersson: I love you, Ella, and we are so proud of this run, you deserved that title. Next year you'll get it, trust me. 💙

_quinnhughes: We love you, flower! Finally into the top fifteen! 💚 Gabriella.Lemieux: I love you guys so much, thank you for being with me through this run, I'd have went insane without you two. 🤍

leylahannietennis: Good luck on moving to Vancouver, angel!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Love you, sunny, so excited to move already! My apartment is halfway packed up.

denis.shapovalov: Can't believe you're moving west already, time is so strange sometimes.

Gabriella.Lemieux: I know, DJ! Feels like we just got together a few weeks ago, and now I'm moving in with them!

felixaliassime: Gonna miss you in Montreal, angel, but good luck in Vancouver!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Gonna miss you too, Oxford! 🥺

biancaandreescu: See you in Paris, angel! Good luck on the move!

Gabriella.Lemieux: See you in Paris, princess! Can't wait to represent the country again!

canucks: Can't wait to have you in our city, Ella! - JR

Gabriella.Lemieux: Can't wait to move in, Mr Rutherford!

cocogauff: 🙏💖🥰

taylor_fritz: We're gonna be Pacific coast buddies now!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Can't wait! 🥰

bboeser: Moving west week already? Wow!

sofia.kenin: Keep us updated on moving progress, Ella! We don't wanna miss a thing!

Gabriella.Lemieux: Will do, Sonya! 💖

bigfoe1998: Absolutely insane run, hope to see you with a slam soon, angel!

j.tmiller9: Get the boys to text me if you need anything, Ella. Nat and I are in Van for a few weeks with the kids.

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

@/WTA_updates:

Gabriella is moving already? She said on insta that as soon as she's home in Montreal, she'll be moving west to Vancouver? I know she's said she intends to move, but, wow!

@/EllaLemieux: Yeah, I'm 60% packed up already, but, i'll be moving west over the break between Wimbledon and the Olympics.Best to do it now.

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

And, she's done at last! Grass season is done and dusted for Gabriella. A win in Rosmalen, a semi final in Bad Homburg, a semi final at Wimbledon, and her nation's number one ranking to show for it! And, into the top fifteen!

Next part will be Ella moving west from Montreal to Vancouver. Very excited for that!

Enjoy!

[sometimesanalice]

Amelia! AMELIA! A-ME-LIA! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVED THIS CHAPTER! I knew it was going to be good, but you’ve properly killed me with just how good it was! The banter, the vibes, the Dirty Dancing of it all! I am so hooked on this series! I love these characters of yours!

To the Jake girlies who haven’t read this yet, COME GET YOUR MAN! THIS IS THE ONE! (but also, to my Bradley babes, like you’ll want to read this too. I would not lead you astray! it’s a stellar series!)

(my unhinged thoughts below! warning: there are a lot of all caps)

Nora half-suspects Bradley found from searching Hawaiian shirt comma eighties disco and ordering the first option.-- I know this man is doing the minimum, and I would be willing to bet that two-day delivery promise had that shirt on his doorstep mere hours before the party started, lol

“Are you okay, Bradshaw? You’re sweating a little.” And as only a mature and newly minted 36-year-old could, Bradley ignores Nora.-- Plsss I can see his face now. She’s merciless and I love her! But also Bradley Bradshaw being a little drama queen (his one bad bruise, lol) and nervous about rollerskating is so endearing to me.

“Admiral Simpson says – and I quote. Put Miss Rogers down. She's a loan." -- THE WAY I CACKLED. “A loan” omg I cannottttttt

Bradley barks out a laugh, apparently not very intimidated. Should Nora be offended? He should be like... a little afraid, at least.-- I really am so obsessed with their history. They’ve got such a great dynamic, like can’t I root for both?

She peers down at her own skates and sees only a bright cherry red. Damn. She would've loved a bubblegum pink in this dress. -- girl same, its Barbiecore 2023!

"You'll be fine. Balance is the hardest part. We can even hold hands."

She wiggles her fingers in his direction, teasing, gleaming an iridescent pink that matches her dress. -- not me looking and admiring my verrrry chipped  iridescent pink nails at this part. maybe i’ll repaint them the same color because I want to live in this chapter and these vibes.

Maybe if Bradley falls, Nora can get a good shot on her phone. She'll frame it. A memento for the birthday boy.-- she’s ruthless. i love her.

"Is it like, part of the admission requirement for Top Gun? Like America's Next Top Model, except instead of Tyra Banks, Admiral Simpson is there."...Congratulations. You’re still in the running to be America’s Next Top Gun graduate.-- the mental image of this is everythingggg

Robbie frowns a little.-- the fact that Nora thinks of him as “Robbie” sometimes makes me giddddyyyy

She tips her head back and sees an upside down – and very amused – Jake.-- 🥰

Jake drawls, "No. You're always a little mean," and makes it sound like a compliment. Warmth slips down her spine, and Nora swallows hard.-- I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE JAKE LOVES MEAN GIRLS AGENDA 

Can you? Nora doesn't need to repeat the question from the kitchen – over a week ago now – for Jake to hear it in her voice. Can you keep up with me?--AHHHHHHHHH!

"We only just met, Nora, but I think I might be in love with you." She grins. "Hm. That's too bad."-- tbh big same

Everyone is a little more drunk and a little less self-conscious in the silver gleam of the disco ball, spinning and shining like a glittering moon. -- ok but I would sell a kidney to be at this party!

And in the rink, Nora is pleasantly surprised to find that the limited rollerskating abilities – emphasis on limited – Teen Nora used over a decade ago now have been dormant somewhere in the back of her mind. Not lost in the endless spiral of time. -- ugh i loved this!

"And who would stand here and admire that sparkly little dress of yours then, darlin'? You should wear that on Monday." Nora gives him the finger, and Jake laughs. -- I will never get over their chemistry and the banter. I’m kicking my feet they’re so cute.

Eventually, Bradley joins the rest of them. He picks it up quickly, just like Nora predicted. He only rams into the side of the rink once and like, barely. -- since she doesn’t want him, I’ll take this uncoordinated drama queen of a man 

She was never so much great as Nora was unafraid. Not afraid to, as Mom often said, fail with her whole heart. Take the leap.-- 🥺

Javy asks, "Ever been more than friends?"...Cool as ice, Nora asks, "Maybe. Maybe not. Who's asking?" and arches her eyebrows. She'd really like to ask, Who told you?-- I’m dying for this tea too. I parched for more of them. I’m here for her and Jake, but if you didn’t want me to ship Nora with literally everyone, why did you have to make her so damn cool? (how she teases bob, how her and natasha could go to all the documentaries together, how much chaos could her and cause. i’d be here for all of it like the marvel universe of nora and the dagger squad, lol)

She remembers what Jake had said almost a week ago, "You like that I can keep up with you," and goddamn, maybe Nora does. Fuck. -- AHHHHH! I love it too!

Crumpled like a punctured balloon animal, Natasha lets out a hyena laugh, loud enough to draw the attention of the Naval aviators who were lucky enough not to witness the absolutely catastrophic failure of a Dirty Dancing lift. -- PLLSSSSSS THE CHAOS OF THEM I LOVE! This was so fucking funny 😂

Wait, Nora is directly below the disco ball, which was already spinning before. False alarm. She’s not horribly concussed. Everyone can calm down now.-- i live for her internal monologue! 

"We are not fish. We are ladies," Natasha pipes up, sounding indignant. "Some of us are anyway." A bright smile lights up her face as Javy and Bob come into frame. "Coyote! Bob! Did you see our lift?" "I saw it, and I wish I hadn't," Javy says dryly.-- just the dynamics and the banter between them all! it’s one of my favorite things about this series! 

“You’re sparkling.” “You’re bleeding.”-- I was obsessed when you sent me that teaser of this, and I’m still not over this exchange!! I just love how unfiltered she is. And I just know that he made the conscious decision to remain the responsible one that evening! He was definitely watching as she got tipsier and tipsier, and was keeping an eye on her the whole time. Protective!Jake has my heart here!

She wipes at her eyes again, stinging with more tears, now that Nora has remembered the pain.“Oh, I think I'm fine though. I'm tough. I'll get back out there." -- my best drunken girl, I bet Jake was SO SOFT for her here! And he was probably dying from holding back because I know that man would have bundled her up if he could have.  

Only after Jake leaves does Nora comprehend the words. “Be right back, sweetheart.”-- I GOT GOOSEBUMPS WHEN I READ THIS!!! And i got a little emotional too, like its so so sweet. He wants to be with her SO BAD IT HURTS! 

And a silver dress sparkled in the blue darkness, gleaming in a shimmering puddle on the leather back seat of a faded blue Bronco as a shirtless Bradley Bradshaw leaned over the bench seat and popped open the glove compartment for a condom. -- AHHHH AMELIA I NEED THIS I BEG OF YOU TO WRITE THAT ONE SHOT. You want a kidney or a liver? it’s yours!!

"I don't know, okay? Everyone here is a nosey son of a bitch who can't mind their own business," Bradley said. "Even Phoenix has asked me once or twice. Someone probably has money riding on it or something. Not a big deal."-- silly boy, it is a big deal to her!! oh she’s concerned about how Jake is react if he ever learned about it! I love how we get a softer side of her in her tipsy state, she’s got some tender spots that I can’t wait to learn more about. But with her feelings for Jake that she still doesn’t know what to do with, she doesn’t want him to stop liking her, which is why she is so concerned about what everyone is thinking in regards to her and bradley. 

He smiles faintly at the pink socks, the little embroidered heart on the ankles, and Nora swears Jake brushes a gentle thumb across the pattern.-- I CAN’T

Instead, Nora throws away the shovel and starts digging the hole with her hands. -- I LOVED THIS LINE SO MUCH!! Drunk her is greedy for more moments with him. She wants to get REAL with him! OOF 

“Well, I guess I just said I might've met a beautiful and smart and clever as hell woman, who's basically my dream girl." ..."My argumentative dream girl." She swallows against a suddenly dry mouth. "Just that, huh?""Just that." His expression is warm. "She doesn't like me though, right, sweetheart? Not even kind of?" -- ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME??!! “JUST THAT” I AM SPIRALING I AM UNWELL THIS WHOLE EXCHANGE IS MAKING ME SO SOFT I LOVE THEM

She realizes that on his knees like that, Jake could slide over half an inch and be between her parted legs. He could lean right in and...-- THE TENSION MY GOD NORA GO GET YOUR MAN FFS

She could actually cry. She munches on the burning hot fries and drinks the water instead and sobers enough to push down the urge to lean on Jake's broad shoulder. -- ok but I loved this full circle moment because she wanted those fries more than she wanted the greasy cheese pizza. and I love that jake unintentionally got her exactly what she wanted without knowing, and that they shared them together in this little bubble of theirs! BUT I’M YELLING YES MA’AM REST YOUR HEAD ON HIS BROAD SHOULDER YOU’LL FIT THERE PERFECTLY UNDER THE SHIMMERY LIGHTS OF THE ROLLER DISCO

She flexes her knee like a brand new Barbie doll with a proud grin. He watches her with a fond expression that softens every part of his face. -- just me weeping, I love the concept of being fond for another person. 😭

"Now," Jake drawls. "We have enough time for a few more trips around the rink. Want to get back out there?" He holds out a hand, and Nora slips her hand in his. She doesn’t let go in the rink, and Jake doesn’t either. -- HE HASN’T SKATED THIS WHOLE TIME BUT NOW HE WILL WITH HERRRRR AND THEY’RE HOLDING HANDS AND I AM LOSING MY MIND

She can't be trusted around him, not with the alcohol and the adrenaline coursing through her bloodstream, making her feel unbalanced. Instead, Nora digs her own grave. She holds the door open, and Jake comes in with a smirk, smug and knowing.-- !!!!!!!!!!!

He doesn’t kiss her on the lips, not yet, and Nora wonders if Jake wants to make her beg him. She’s never begged for anything in her damn life. She might let him.-- SCREAMINGGGGGGGGGG! THIS IS HOT! But also I just know he’s going to give her everything she wants (she just will have to work for it a littttle bit)

"Come on, sweetheart," Jake murmurs on a low breath that fans right across her exposed core. She whimpers. "We’re just gettin’ started. Be good for me." --AHHHHHDFJAHDOFHAOPFHNAODHFOADHFOADNVA!! He has the dirtiest mouth and I know he is a talker and and and!

It was a dream. She's alone. --- I KNEW IT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Nora sighs out an emphatic "Fuck" in the darkness and lets her hand drift under the covers. She comes with a hand over her mouth, a familiar name on her tongue. -- I SIMPLY CANNOTTTTTT MA’AM I AM BEGGING HE IS PUTTY FOR YOU GO GET YOUR MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

The absolute adrenaline rush this chapter gave me! Like I’m about to go sign up for a marathon or an iron man. The energizer bunny can retire, this chapter is the only fuel I want. It was everything I hoped it would be and MORE! 

baby, i'm high octane (iv)

synopsis: at bradley bradshaw's birthday party, nora has a realization under the disco ball.

pairings: jake seresin x nora rogers (oc)

warnings: 18+, minors dni, explicit language, alcohol consumption, pop culture references, slutty (affectionate) rooster, brief mention of blood, and smut. (wc: 6.8K)

note: at long last, the rollerskating chapter 🪩✨ and icymi, i posted another mood board for this chapter 💖

previous chapter | series post | next chapter

tagging // @theharddeck (who talked me off a ledge about this chapter; i snuck a california coast reference in here for you, dear) @frenchyjuju @bioodforbiood @cursedtobe @roosterbruiser @t-nd-rfoot @bethbunnyy @filmflux @djs8891 @mayhemmanaged @sometimesanalice @eli2447 @bradshawsbitch @hangmanbrainrot @startrekfangirl2233 @kandierteveilchen @lostinwonderland314 @hangmanscoming @dempy @mlibbydp

“Mav actually said I’m not supposed to do anything high-risk after I had that bird strike scare so…” 

And with that, Bradley crosses his big arms – dusted with new freckles and sun from his afternoon on the boat with Captain Mitchell and Penny Benjamin – over a barely buttoned shirt; something Nora half-suspects Bradley found from searching Hawaiian shirt comma eighties disco and ordering the first option.

What Bradley ended up with is a black shirt, covered in bright geometrics, squares and squiggles and martini glasses in neon shades of violet, cyan, and pinkish magenta.

As close to a Hawaiian shirt as the Naval aviator could wear and still be on theme and funnily, eerily identical to the carpet at the long-since-closed bowling alley where Mom booked one of Nora’s elementary school birthday parties. 

He could probably lie down and blend right in. 

Minus the martinis, obviously. 

Bradley uncrosses his arms. Crosses them again.

And Nora watches him, absentmindedly, blinking at this indifferent nonchalance that Bradley is putting on. So unbothered. So casual. Real believable. 

“Are you okay, Bradshaw? You’re sweating a little.” 

And as only a mature and newly minted 36-year-old could, Bradley ignores Nora.

Smiling, Nora slurps down the rest of a frozen strawberry lemonade, spiked with vodka. Cheap vodka. She pulls a face at the well of might-as-well-be-rubbing-alcohol at the bottom, rapidly blinking and deep breathing through the sharp sting in her nostrils. 

She will not let some bottom-shelf vodka ruin her eye shadow, not now, not in her favorite dress.

A delicate cough spurts from her mouth. She wouldn't be surprised to see a puff of fumes come out.

“That was like…” Mickey sounds confused.  “Four months ago, Rooster.” 

“And?” 

Bradley uncrosses his arms and spreads them wide, palms upturned – an incredulous gesture as bird-like as his call sign. His winged arms drop back down in a whoosh of wind. 

“I almost crashed into the side of a mountain and had to do an emergency ejection. Medical kept me overnight for observation. It was pretty serious, Garcia.” 

Bradley drags out the vowel and clips the constants in the word pretty for even more emphasis, and in her peripheral, Natasha pinches the bridge of her nose and screws her eyes closed.

Drama drama.

Reuben exchanges a bewildered look with the WSO and shakes his head. Deadpans, “You had one bruise, man. Singular.” 

“Nurse Julie said I had a hematoma,” Bradley retorts, like, so there!

Someone audibly groans. It might be Reuben.

“Fine. You had one bad bruise. Happy?” 

Bradley makes a face – a distinctly, not happy face – and crosses his arms again.

“And when did you graduate from medical school, Doctor Fitch? My invitation must’ve gotten lost in the mail.” 

“I’m dating a nurse! A hematoma is a bad bruise.” 

From Natasha's side of the bench comes a prolonged sigh, a good four-second exhale.

“Moving on…" Natasha continues, "Rollerskating definitely doesn’t fall under what Maverick would consider high risk.” Air quotes are audible in her voice. She waves the roller skate around, abandoned when Bradley put them down. "Children were out there like... 10 minutes ago. Children, Bradshaw!"

A valid point. 

Before Moonlight Rollers made the loudspeaker announcement (“Anyone who isn’t of legal drinking age should turn in their skates and head to the nearest exit in the next 15 minutes. Saturday Night Fever is now in session.”), Nora sat down with her skates and lacing them, counted at least six skaters who were younger than the bourbon Penny Benjamin serves at the Hard Deck.

Children – as Natasha very much emphasized – who cut across the rink with the unselfconscious effort and fearlessness of a child who'd never broken a bone before and honestly, wouldn’t mind a super cool cast for their summer camp friends to sign on Monday.

As if reading her mind, Bradley’s next argument is: “Someone could fall or sprain their ankle or fall and sprain their ankle. How’re you planning to fly with a broken wing, Phoenix?” 

As Natasha studies him, unreadable, Nora decides to wade in.

She can't listen anymore. She's aged five months in the past five minutes.

 “Bradshaw – You’re the one who wanted to do an activity for your birthday party, remember?”

Clearly, Bradley needed the reminder. He was the one who specifically wanted an activity with alcohol and some sort of theme, and Nora found Moonlight Rollers on Instagram.

On Thursday, which was his actual birthday, Nora brought him an Americano (no milk, no sugar, steaming hot) and a breakfast sandwich (a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel, extra toasted) in the morning and as a present of sorts, secretly asked Technician Ethan to install the camera in his F-18 for the afternoon.

He was ecstatic, so ecstatic that Bradley picked her up and spun her around, like a rag doll in cool shoes, until Captain Mitchell crackled over the radio, sounding equal parts amused and long-suffering.

“Admiral Simpson says – and I quote. Put Miss Rogers down. She's a loan." Captain Mitchell then added, "And from me, I won't protect you or your wings from Charlie Blackwood if Nora somehow falls. Put her down please."

Bradley set her down with a grimace.

Now, Nora continues, “We could’ve done drinks at the Hard Deck again and called it a night. I could be one and a half Old Fashioned's down right now, watching Netflix in my underwear," and Bradley grins, wolfish.

He waggles his brows, impish and obnoxious, and Nora knows what Bradley is picturing right now. Anyone would be able to see it all over his face.

For a 36-year-old man, Bradley can really be a 16-year-old boy sometimes.

She sends him a blank I will kill you in your sleep stare and mimes a slow slash across her own throat, shaking her head from side to side, and Bradley barks out a laugh, apparently not very intimidated.

Should Nora be offended?

He should be like... a little afraid, at least.

Natasha stares him down, and now, Bradley does look a little afraid.

Dark eyes narrowed, sharp against the glittering lavender Natasha lined them with earlier; Natasha is a stunning lavender monochrome, dressed in a ribbed tank and short sweat shorts, even down to the light purple wheels on her skates.

How did Natasha manage that? Nora wonders. She peers down at her own skates and sees only a bright cherry red. Damn. She would've loved a bubblegum pink in this dress.

If Nora has learned anything in the past month, Natasha seems to get her way one way or another. Now is no exception.

Nora smiles. Watch out, Bradshaw!

Natasha rounds her lips to an O shape, smooth voice sweetening into something more saccharine; more patronizing. "Oh... You're scared, aren't you, Rooster? Why didn't you say earlier?"

Are Bradley's ears turning a little red?

"Really? You can pilot a million-dollar plane for a living but can't handle a little..." A polished nail spins one of the wheels. Mocking. "...sneaker with wheels on the bottom?"

And like that, Natasha has him.

Hook, line, and sinker. 

She's barely gotten the words out when Bradley yanks the skates from her outstretched hands with a grumbled, "Fuck off, Phoenix. I'm not scared. I just remembered I don't know how to roller skate. Goddamn," and drops right down on the carpet to strap them on, swearing up a storm under his breath.

Ever optimistic, Mickey calls out, "It'll be fun, man," and Bradley grumbles something unintelligible. 

Natasha doesn't even pretend not to look victorious. She beams.

Nora, on the other hand, is a little more sympathetic. A little. 

He is a big man. Tall and broad with a long distance to fall in a wobble. She'd probably be a little nervous too.

Everyone is drinking. Someone is all but guaranteed to fall on their ass before the end of the night. Who? is the only question that remains.

“I can show you the basics,” Nora offers, watching him fumble with the shoelaces, double and triple knotting them around his ankles. “You can surf, right?" A grumbled sound that Nora will interpret as a yes. "You'll be fine. Balance is the hardest part. We can even hold hands."

She wiggles her fingers in his direction, teasing, gleaming an iridescent pink that matches her dress.

He snorts. “Hot. Promise?” 

Never mind. She's less sympathetic now.

Nora kicks out a leg and lightly catches him in the side of the knee, scuffing the dark blue denim, and Bradley scoots away with a surprised exclamation.

She rolls her eyes.

Maybe if Bradley falls, Nora can get a good shot on her phone.

She'll frame it. A memento for the birthday boy.

"Natasha, do you know when Coyote will be here? I still need to meet him."

Last Nora had heard, Javy 'Coyote' Machado had gotten back from the deployment in the middle of the week. He drove down late last night and crashed on Jake's couch. Got coffee with Captain Mitchell in the morning to discuss when Coyote could move down to North Island. It is still a vague – albeit promising – soon, but Natasha seems to think Coyote will be permanently moved before the beginning of August.

Natasha slides her phone from the front of the fanny pack slung around her waist – silver with prismatic purple, pink, and blue hues, same as the one Nora is wearing over her shoulder like a Miss America sash – and checks her appearance in the front camera.

Holding the phone like a compact, Natasha applies a fresh coat of shiny lip gloss and smushes her lips together to spread it around. Replies, slightly muffled, "He and Hangman got in an Uber like 20 minutes ago. They should be..." A bicycle bell notification chimes from her phone. "Speak of the devils!"

Natasha searches the rink, sipping from a Blue Moon bottle on the bench. Smiles widely.

She points with the sweating bottle, seemingly oblivious to the line of condensation that drips down her forearm and onto the carpet.

"He's right over there, next to Hangman."

Nora looks across the room, dancing over the multi-colored lights and foil streamers, gleaming and rustling in the warm evening breeze that sneaks in through the opening and closing of the main entrance – and lands on Jake.

He leans against the black-and-white checkered Skate Rental counter in a familiar stance, arms crossed lazily over his chest in a way that makes his muscles really shine. He probably does it on purpose.

Don't look at his arms, Rogers.

Coughing once, Nora remembers what Natasha said about Coyote and re-directs her gaze over one. Jesus Christ.

Even from across the room, Javy ‘Coyote’ Machado is… extremely good-looking. Model, good-looking.

“Are all Naval aviators hot?” Nora accidentally asks out loud, already a little buzzed somehow. Damn vodka.

A grumbling stomach makes her wistfully remember the cold pizza in the fridge that she definitely meant to reheat for dinner before Natasha called and said the Uber would be there in less than two minutes. Damn.

She hopes Moonlight Rollers has more options for food than the six options for alcohol at the concession stand. She would kill for a greasy slice of cheese pizza or even better, some crinkle cut fries that'd probably be inexplicably soggy but still taste good.

"Is it like, part of the admission requirement for Top Gun? Like America's Next Top Model, except instead of Tyra Banks, Admiral Simpson is there."

Nora imagines a stone-faced Admiral Simpson – who’d never so much as cracked a smile in her presence before – walking down an aircraft carrier, a collection of files under his stern arm.

Congratulations. You’re still in the running to be America’s Next Top Gun graduate.

Natasha bursts out laughing. "You should've seen my Top Gun class. You wouldn't ask that question."

She is still chuckling when Bob walks over a few minutes later, sipping a blue raspberry slushie from the concession stand with a cerulean tongue.

"Got us a locker," Bob announces, pointing to the wall of lockers in the corner of the room. "Anyone have anything that needs to go in right now? I can put 'em away while I have it open."

Mickey and Reuben dig around in the turquoise pockets of their matching nylon tracksuits – which must have been a buy one, get one deal – and produce loose change, apartment keys, and the like. They hand them over.

When Bob comes over, Nora gently pats her pack and shakes her head. She's got all the essentials in there. She's all set.

Something is different about Bob tonight.

As Bob quietly repeats the locker combination under his breath, a row of concentrated wrinkles on his forehead, Nora stares at him for a probably uncomfortable amount of time.

Pink dusts across his cheeks under her observation, and Bob shuffles his weight around. He looks startled when Nora snaps her fingers in an aha! moment.

“You aren't wearing your glasses, Bob," Nora says, almost accusing. "Have I ever seen you without your glasses?"

“Probably not,” Mickey ribs with a good-natured grin. “He practically sleeps in them.” 

Looking like a Hairspray character, Bob is dressed in a plain white shirt with suspenders. A single curl hangs loose in his face, fighting against the iron hold of what look to be a good amount of hair gel. He blows it out of his wide blue eyes with a sheepish smile.

"Guess not. I need to put in lots of eye drops when I wear contacts – sensitive eyes and everything – so I don’t wear them all that much,” Bob explains, looking much more comfortable now that Nora isn't staring at him quite so intently. A self-conscious sip. "But I'd much rather run to the locker every half hour to put in eye drops than break my glasses and need to get new ones."

It's like Bradley Bradshaw was waiting for that very moment.

On his knees, Bradley butts in, "Did you hear that? Even Floyd is afraid to fall on his ass and break something. Are you gonna make fun of him too, Trace?"

Robbie frowns a little. “I don’t know if I’d say I’m – ”  

“High. Risk. Activity.” 

Nora laughs out, "Go away, Bradshaw," and gently shoves him backwards.

He shouldn't have budged, but Nora must catch him in an uneven moment.

Bradley reels back, arms flailing like a wild goose, catching himself on a spread palm. His expression is comically dark and promises retribution, and Nora puts in a concerted effort not to laugh.

A giggle escapes, and Nora's eyes grow wide.

"Wait, I'm – Bradley!"

"Say your prayers, Rogers!"

For the second time in 72 hours, Bradley grabs her around the middle, and Nora is in the air.

At least Nora decided to wear bike shorts to make the short dress – usually reserved for parties and cocktail bars – more wearable. He'd be a dead man otherwise. He might still be a dead man.

Because Bradley is barely skilled enough to balance his own weight on the skates.

His proud smirk quickly falls as Bradley stands and starts to zig zag on the carpet. His skates go out from under him.

He goes down like a collapsed Jenga stack, and Nora is falling.

Strong arms catch her under the armpits and pull her out of the splash zone of Bradley Bradshaw's flailing arms, and still unbalanced, Nora wobbles and stumbles back against a firm chest with a sharp inhale.

Mint and cologne.

She tips her head back and sees an upside down – and very amused – Jake.

"Hi," Nora says, a little winded. She spies the black Stetson, perched on his head. “You really are such a damn cowboy, aren’t you, Texas? What’re you even supposed to be? Butch Cassidy and the 80's Dance Kid?"

She feels more than sees him chuckle, a low vibration against her back that sends a warm shiver down her spine.

Jake releases her arms, but a careful hand hovers around her lower back until Nora has her sea legs again.

She smooths down the dress down, running her hands over the glimmering pink sequins, and in the background, Reuben and Mickey rescue a dazed Bradley, who is flat on his back on the outer space patterned carpet.

"Howdy," Jake drawls with an ever present smirk. "Good guess, sweetheart, but I'm Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. Don't you know your Hollywood movies, Hollywood?"

From here, Nora is close enough to smell the spearmint gum in his mouth. She can see the pale blue flash between white teeth. He smells incredible. Damn damn damn.

Casually, Nora does her best not to breathe in.

"Patrick Swayze doesn't wear a cowboy hat in Dirty Dancing." Jake is rocking the black-on-black look. She'll give him that. "Did you watch a porno with the same name?"

Someone laughs, full-bodied and delighted.

“Aren’t you gonna introduce me, Hangman?”

Nora smiles, and Javy Machado smiles back.

"You must be Javy. I'm..."

"You're Nora," Coyote cuts in, smooth and polite as can be, despite the interruption. He shakes her hand with a blinding smile. "Maverick gave me the whole run-down on the documentary when I saw him earlier. If I was any more envious of the bastards who get to be in it, I think I'd be green. Really."

"Well," Nora replies with a cool smile. "I bet I can sneak you in. I could probably delete all of Jake's footage and make it look like an unfortunate accident. How would you feel about pretending your call sign is Hangman?"

Javy guffaws, but Nora looks sidelong at Jake with a smirk.

Jake's chuckle is a pleasant and rasping sound. "You're a little mean today, Hollywood."

"More than usual?"

Jake drawls, "No. You're always a little mean," and makes it sound like a compliment. Warmth slips down her spine, and Nora swallows hard.

"You tired yet? Need to lay down?"

Can you? Nora doesn't need to repeat the question from the kitchen – over a week ago now – for Jake to hear it in her voice. Can you keep up with me?

His smirk deepens. "I'm wide awake, Hollywood."

Javy watches them like a ping-pong match, looking absolutely delighted. "We only just met, Nora, but I think I might be in love with you."

She grins. "Hm. That's too bad."

And as Natasha grabs her arm and pulls her into the roller rink, glimmering in the dark, Nora misses when Jake knocks an elbow back and catches Coyote in the ribs.

A crescent moon rises outside on the pitch black horizon, and inside, Moonlight Rollers glows in the dark.

Everyone is a little more drunk and a little less self-conscious in the silver gleam of the disco ball, spinning and shining like a glittering moon.

And in the rink, Nora is pleasantly surprised to find that the limited rollerskating abilities – emphasis on limited – Teen Nora used over a decade ago now have been dormant somewhere in the back of her mind. Not lost in the endless spiral of time.

Rollerskating is a little like riding a bike in that way.

She wobbles for the first few minutes and sticks close to the sides of the rink, just in case, and then, slowly finds the balance. Finds the rhythm.

Soon enough, Nora is coasting.

Natasha and Bob are her partners in crime for a while. 

She skates alongside them, casting sidelong glances at where Jake and Javy are on the sidelines, catching up and nursing the beers that can't come into the rink with them. Alcohol isn't allowed in.

"Come in," Nora calls on her umpteenth rotation. "Water's nice."

Javy opens his mouth, already grinning, but Jake shouts over the music, "And who would stand here and admire that sparkly little dress of yours then, darlin'? You should wear that on Monday."

Nora gives him the finger, and Jake laughs.

Eventually, Bradley joins the rest of them. He picks it up quickly, just like Nora predicted. He only rams into the side of the rink once and like, barely.

He spins her around the rink until she is breathless with laughter and seeing spots of light behind her closed lids.

"Stop," Nora gasps, "I need a breather."

Citing a need for another fucking drink, Bradley follows her out of the rink and heads for the concession stand, winking at a woman in a Maid of Honor sash.

Nora sits down on the nearest bench, pressing down on the stitch in her side, and soaks in the atmosphere.

According to their Instagram, Moonlight Rollers had been in business since 1986. It looks the part. It'd be a dream of a movie set.

Nora can see it now.

A romance, bathed in the changing lights of the disco ball, pink and purple and blue. Soft.

Exactly the kind of movie Nora wanted to make once upon a time.

Take Me Home Tonight blares over the speakers, and Natasha's laugh rises over the music as Bob launches her across the rink, shimmering like a purple shooting star across the night sky of mismatched walls and lights. 

Nostalgia is a dull ache in her chest.

Growing up, Nora used to strap on an old pair of roller skates from the garage – passed down from Mom, who loved an old school roller rink – and spend hours down near the Santa Monica pier.

So many summer nights were spent in the warm ocean breeze, breathing in the salt air, stretching her arms out to reach for the pinprick stars, as the Pacific Park neon blurred in the distance.

She was never so much great as Nora was unafraid.

Not afraid to, as Mom often said, fail with her whole heart. Take the leap.

Some late night, Nora skinned both elbows and both knees on an uneven sidewalk. Tears still burned in her eyes as Nora slapped on some ointment and a few oversized bandages outside the nearest CVS and got right back out there.

She still had dried blood on her forearms and calves when she got home. Gave Mom a damn good scare.

Sixteen is another world, and Nora isn’t quite as fearless anymore. 

Reminiscing, Nora almost doesn't notice Javy is still at the side of the rink, drinking a nearly empty Blue Moon. She doesn't see Jake anymore.

Javy nods in greeting, and Nora waves.

Everything Nora knows about Lieutenant Javy Machado has come secondhand from the Daggers and Captain Mitchell. He is obviously a skilled pilot. He wouldn't have been recalled to Top Gun in October otherwise.

Natasha knows him from OCS in Newport and flew with him on several deployments. She calls him a good guy.

And Javy is the only person Nora's ever heard Jake outright call a friend. She knows Jake is friends with the Daggers, but Javy is his best friend.

"Did you lose your wingman?" Nora asks when Javy is close enough to hear the question over the music. "Where did Jake run off to and leave you all alone?"

Smiling, Javy shrugs, a movement that's oceanic on someone as broad-shouldered as him.

"He's on the phone."

 She looks over her shoulder and sees the Emergency Exit door is propped open with a brick. She can just make out a sliver of the night and Jake. His expression is soft.

"It's Sarah, I think," Javy answers the question before Nora can ask. "His older sister."

"Jake has a sister?"  

"Two. Sarah and Bethany." 

Nora absorbs that information with an absent-minded nod. "You've met them then?"

He passes the beer bottle from one hand to the other with a nod. "I even spent Christmas with them one year. We were stationed in Fallon – in Nevada, I mean – and I'm from Louisiana. Neither of us had enough leave to go all the way home."

"So Mrs. Seresin and Sarah and Beth..." His voice softens on Bethany's name, and Nora wonders. "... met us in the middle. We spent Christmas at a Holiday Inn in Phoenix, Arizona."

Fondness shines in his whiskey brown eyes, and Nora can't help her own smile in response.

Something nudges in the back of her brain, and Nora pulls on it like a loose thread. She remembers how Jake had stiffened at the nepotism comment in Natasha's kitchen.

Carefully, Nora asks, "Not Mr. Seresin?"

Javy gives her a long, searching look that feels far too appraising for comfort; that feels like Nora is the only one in the room who doesn't get a joke.

After a moment, Javy says, "No." Short. Opaque.

Right then.

"So," Nora starts, but Javy cuts her off with an expectant smile.

“Can I ask you something?" 

"Sure," Nora replies slowly, "but I might not answer."

He seems to get a kick out of that. 

"You know, I get it now. I really do," Javy muses with a low laugh. And before Nora can ask him to explain, the Naval aviator distracts her with, "You and Rooster. You seem... close."

Something about the way Javy says close seems weighted, but Nora is too surprised to give it much attention.

"Oh. Well, Bradley and I knew each other before. His mom, Carole was friends with my Aunt Charlie before..."

Before Carole died.

Before Nora lost a mom too.

"Bradley and I are kind of family friends, I guess. Was that a question?"

He smiles again. Nods again, like Fair enough. 

Javy asks, "Ever been more than friends?" and watches her closely for a reaction.

But Nora had looked up to Charlie Blackwood her whole childhood. A woman who'd never once broken a sweat. She learned from the best.

Cool as ice, Nora asks, "Maybe. Maybe not. Who's asking?" and arches her eyebrows. She'd really like to ask, Who told you?

For his part, Javy looks a little admonished, so Nora softens the expression. She's not uncomfortable. She doesn't want to make him uncomfortable.

He's not as similar to Jake as Nora initially suspected. Jake, who would've grinned wider and pushed more, not stood down until the end.

Maybe Nora kind of likes that about Jake.

She remembers what Jake had said almost a week ago, "You like that I can keep up with you," and goddamn, maybe Nora does. Fuck.

Distracted, Nora only catches the end of what Javy is saying.

"...and Jake is my best friend, so I had to ask."

Confusion wrinkles her brow. "Bradley and I are friends." 

"Just friends?"

"Just friends," Nora repeats, firm. "But Jake and I aren't..."

Evidently satisfied, Javy's smile is back in full force.

"Right. Of course not."

And Javy only sounds slightly knowing.

"I'm gonna grab another drink. You want anything?"

Nora shakes her head. "No, I'll get my own in a few."

He strolls away with one last smile, whistling along to Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Nora is left alone on the bench, staring into space.

Over her shoulder, Nora sees Jake again.

Pink light shines across the rink now, and Jake laughs on the phone, golden in the rose blush of the disco ball. She can almost hear the depth of sound; can almost feel the vibration behind her ribcage.

Fuck. When did that happen?

Nora faces forward, blowing out a long breath, and heads for the concession stand. She needs five minutes with Bradley Bradshaw – and a goddamn drink. 

Anyone who works in a place like Moonlight Rollers has probably heard their fair share of famous last words.

One final misguided question or daring declaration that precedes a dislocated elbow and a late night drive to the nearest emergency room. 

Like, “Crouch down, I can definitely jump over you.”

Or, "Oh my god. Let's do the lift," when the Dirty Dancing soundtrack comes on after midnight.

“Holy shit, Nora!” 

“Are you alright, Phoenix?” 

Crumpled like a punctured balloon animal, Natasha lets out a hyena laugh, loud enough to draw the attention of the Naval aviators who were lucky enough not to witness the absolutely catastrophic failure of a Dirty Dancing lift.

Did Nora even leave the ground? She can’t remember. 

She is definitely on the ground now. 

Fuck. Everything is spinning a little bit. 

Wait, Nora is directly below the disco ball, which was already spinning before. False alarm. She’s not horribly concussed. Everyone can calm down now.

“Holy damn,” Natasha gasps out, wiping at her eyes. "That must’ve been the worst Dirty Dancing lift in the history of Dirty Dancing lifts. We should be ashamed of ourselves.”

"We absolutely should." Nora winces. "Fuck. I think I broke my sunglasses."

She pulls out the pink sunglasses that were once shaped like hearts and are now little more than shrapnel. Damn. She liked those.

Natasha wiggles on her side like a beached mermaid, wrenching her neck back. “Think I ripped my shorts. Can you see my ass right now?” 

Nora lets out the giggliest giggle that’s ever been giggled.

“No, I can't see your ass."

“Shame. I’m wearing really good underwear, and I wanted at least one hot woman to see them tonight.” 

Nora clutches her stomach, laughing, and Natasha spills back into a high-pitched shriek of laughter. Tears spill down their cheeks.

Mickey pulls away from an intense lip-lock on the sidelines to reach them. He is the first one, sinking down on his knees.

"Are you guys okay?"

Nora drops an arm over her face and gives him a weak thumbs-up from the floor, and Natasha hiccups.

"Here. Take my hand!"

She does, but Nora has a lot of liquid in her stomach right now, sloshing and splashing. She is having a hard time engaging her core.

Mickey pulls, and Nora only slides.

Her dress is probably around her stomach right now. God bless bike shorts.

"Would you...?" Mickey lets out an exasperated sigh that makes Natasha pout.

"Don't get mad, Fanboy!"

"I'm not mad," Mickey insists. He looks around and focuses on a spot Nora can't see. She tries and only succeeds in painfully pulling her hair. "Can you help me out here, guys? They’re so drunk. It’s like deadlifting a fish."

"We are not fish. We are ladies," Natasha pipes up, sounding indignant. "Some of us are anyway." A bright smile lights up her face as Javy and Bob come into frame. "Coyote! Bob! Did you see our lift?"

"I saw it, and I wish I hadn't," Javy says dryly. He has her off the ground and on her feet in a single move, guiding her arm around his shoulder as Bob grabs the other one. "How about some water? Hangman..."

"Go ahead. I'm good."

As the slurred sound of Natasha’s giggles fade under the swelling finale of (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, Nora briefly closes her eyes. She opens them again, and Jake is standing over her wilting form. 

He glows against in the light from the disco ball, a golden gleam in the silver incandescence. Twinkling.

“Hi Jake,” Nora says softly, poking at a sore spot on her bottom lip with her tongue. She must’ve bitten it in the fall. She doesn’t remember that either.

“Hi Nora.” 

“You’re sparkling.” 

“You’re bleeding.” 

Confused, Nora frowns.

Dull pain radiates from her left knee, and Nora spots a red and angry scrape across the skin, pulsing and throbbing with a forming bruise. She wipes at her eyes again, stinging with more tears, now that Nora has remembered the pain.

“Oh, I think I'm fine though. I'm tough. I'll get back out there."

She doesn't move.

His cheek twitches, but Jake doesn’t let her distract him. He crouches down.

“Come on, Rocky. Let’s get'cha cleaned up, yeah?” 

She sticks out her arms, and amused, Jake peels her from the rink.

She is on the bench again in a flash. Metal is cold against the backs of her thighs, and Nora shivers.

A warm hand brushes across the nape of her neck, and Jake murmurs something in her that Nora doesn’t quite catch. 

Only after Jake leaves does Nora comprehend the words.

“Be right back, sweetheart.” 

Alone, Nora looks around. She feels a little out of focus.

Underneath the neon arcade sign, Natasha is chugging a bottle of water while Bob readies another. She doesn't see Bradley anywhere. He must've snuck off or gone home with that girl.

Nora remembers their conversation and drops her head into her hand, propped on her thighs.

Nora caught the stiff edge of Bradley's sleeve.

“Sorry. Can I speak to you for a second? Alone?”

He was in the middle of a conversation with Maid of Honor sash, who glared suspiciously at Nora as Bradley slid into the booth across from her.

Don't even worry, Nora wanted to reassure. He’s all yours.

“So Coyote asked me an interesting question,” Nora started. She explained the context and repeated the question. "Did you tell anyone?"

“Did I tell anyone what?” 

“You know,” Nora insisted, and Bradley shook his head, scrubbing a hand over his mouth to hide the glimpse of the entertained smile forming there. Jackass. “You know, Bradshaw. Don’t make me spell it out for you.” 

He shrugged. “I really don’t know.” 

“Christ…”

What had Nora done to deserve this? Riddle me that, universe.

She exhaled. "Fine. We were both at Captain Wolfe's party a few years ago." Five to be exact. She held back a groan. "There was a pool game and drinks and shots and..."

And a silver dress sparkled in the blue darkness, gleaming in a shimmering puddle on the leather back seat of a faded blue Bronco as a shirtless Bradley Bradshaw leaned over the bench seat and popped open the glove compartment for a condom.

And and and.

He grinned.

"Oh, I think I remember now. So I shouldn't have told everyone I know about the hot sex in the back of the Bronco? I shouldn't have mentioned that?" And if Bradley expected her to blush, Nora disappointed him with an unimpressed glare and a swift kick in the shins. He yelped. "God, I'm kidding, Rogers. I didn't tell them anything."

She whispered quickly, "Why would Coyote ask me that then?"

"I don't know, okay? Everyone here is a nosey son of a bitch who can't mind their own business," Bradley said. "Even Phoenix has asked me once or twice. Someone probably has money riding on it or something. Not a big deal." He sulked. "Can I go back now?"

After an internal debate, Nora said carefully, "I have one more question. Do…?”

Do you all think something is going on between me and a certain arrogant pilot from Texas?

Her lips parted as Nora hesitated, and impatient, Bradley pulled a pained face. “

“Nora, I was about to get laid."

God. She waved him away. “Fine, sorry. Use protection.”

"Always do," Bradley said with a wink and was gone, leaving Nora alone with the smothered question, still kicking up sparks in the back of her awareness.

She needed that drink to be a double.

Something brushes against her knee, and Nora startles.

“Careful,” Jake cautions, voice low and soothing, like Nora is a spooked horse. “Don’t hurt yourself.” 

She didn’t notice him come back. 

She relaxes. 

“Did you get your skates?” 

He blinks. “My what?” 

“You went to the Skate Rental counter, didn’t you? I saw you.” 

“I went to ask them for their First Aid…” Jake is cradling a small red and white box in his arms. A roll of gauze is around his thumb like a ring. “…and get you some water because your knee is bleeding, Hollywood."

He says it like Nora might’ve forgotten. She frowns.

She didn’t forget.

She would've remembered.

She carefully sips the water as Jake opens the kit and pulls out some bandages and ointment. He opens a packet of alcohol wipes with his teeth and nods at Nora’s leg. 

“Can I?” 

Nora nods, and Jake sinks down on his knees. 

She is surprised when Jake doesn’t start with her knee, instead carefully unknotting the laces and pulling the skates from her feet, setting them down on the carpet.

He smiles faintly at the pink socks, the little embroidered heart on the ankles, and Nora swears Jake brushes a gentle thumb across the pattern.

He applies the alcohol, and Nora lets out a sharp hiss at the sting, the burn.

He doesn’t prolong the sensation. He moves with such quick and efficient purpose that she wonders if one of Jake's sisters is a nurse or doctor.

She wants to ask him. 

What comes out instead is, "What did you tell Coyote about me?” 

For a brief moment, Jake pauses, then carefully sets the bandage in place, crumpling the plastic wrapper in a clenched fist.

His voice is hard to read. “Why’re you asking?” 

She should say something like, “Sorry, I’m really drunk, and I didn’t mean to ask you that. Let’s pretend I never said anything. This never happened,” and Jake would say something like, “Can do, Hollywood.” 

That would be that. 

Instead, Nora throws away the shovel and starts digging the hole with her hands. 

“Something Coyote said. What did you tell him?” 

“Well, I guess I just said I might've met a beautiful and smart and clever as hell woman, who's basically my dream girl." Jake looks at Nora, all dimples and gleaming green, stroking across the edge of the bandage with a soft touch. "My argumentative dream girl."

She swallows against a suddenly dry mouth. "Just that, huh?"

"Just that." His expression is warm. "She doesn't like me though, right, sweetheart? Not even kind of?"

She realizes that on his knees like that, Jake could slide over half an inch and be between her parted legs. He could lean right in and...

“Right," Nora echoes. "Not even kind of."

A grin brims on his lips.

She lets the moment fade, and blessedly, Jake does too. 

Jake pats her on the knee and rises. He gathers the wrappers and runs the First Aid kit back to the Skate Rental counter, coming back with another water and fries.

She could actually cry. She munches on the burning hot fries and drinks the water instead and sobers enough to push down the urge to lean on Jake's broad shoulder.

She puts on her skates again as Jake tosses the rest of the fries and dusts off his hands. She flexes her knee like a brand new Barbie doll with a proud grin. He watches her with a fond expression that softens every part of his face.

“Will I live, Texas?” 

“Think so, Hollywood.” 

Jake sweeps his fingers through his hair, picking up the cowboy hat from the bench and setting it back on his head.

"Now," Jake drawls. "We have enough time for a few more trips around the rink. Want to get back out there?"

He holds out a hand, and Nora slips her hand in his.

She doesn’t let go in the rink, and Jake doesn’t either.

When Jake walks her to the door and lingers, looking at her with those eyes, Nora should probably close the door in his face. She should close the door and go to bed alone and tell him to do the same. 

She can't be trusted around him, not with the alcohol and the adrenaline coursing through her bloodstream, making her feel unbalanced.

Instead, Nora digs her own grave.

She holds the door open, and Jake comes in with a smirk, smug and knowing.  

Everything is a blur from there. A supercut of soft touches and gasping breaths and the sound of his name as Jake presses her against every damn surface in the damn apartment.

Every kiss is devouring, sucked into the column of her neck, pressed against her bare shoulder, open-mouthed and possessive.

He doesn’t kiss her on the lips, not yet, and Nora wonders if Jake wants to make her beg him. 

She’s never begged for anything in her damn life. 

She might let him.

She is pliable under him, and Jake is more than willing to use that to his advantage, maneuvering them onto the mattress.

She is still dressed, and on her back, Nora can hardly breathe as Jake reaches under the dress and pulls her underwear down.

"You're so beautiful..."

He licks a long stripe over her core, tongue flat and broad. 

She can’t think. She can hardly breathe. 

She’s right on the edge, aching, when Jake pulls back.

He looks up. Mouth slick with her, grinning like a devil. 

"Come on, sweetheart," Jake murmurs on a low breath that fans right across her exposed core. She whimpers. "We’re just gettin’ started. Be good for me."

She shakes awake, drenched in sweat, with a familiar ache between her legs.

It was a dream. She's alone.

Her dress sparkles from the corner of the room, where a drunken Nora had left it a few hours earlier and crawled into bed in an old NYU shirt that feels too warm now.

She peels it from her skin and gulps down the whole water glass on her nightstand.

Neither is enough to soothe the heat that burns under her skin.

Nora sighs out an emphatic "Fuck" in the darkness and lets her hand drift under the covers. She comes with a hand over her mouth, a familiar name on her tongue.

note: i will add a real note when i don't have a blue light headache, but... past nora and bradley, confirmed? current nora and jake, still a question mark? what do we think?

should i spring the nora and bradley one shot from the vault next?

want to be tagged in future chapters? fill out this form!

[lili-design]

itzy concept teaser graphics

[i9eto]

Oh lia, won’t you please write about getting pantalone’s gloves all messy because reader was being a little brat all day and he has her across his lap? and of course the spanking~

rings

i'm not even exaggerating i was giggling and tossing around on my bed when i got this request dkhfndhfndhfj also i'm sorry if this is kinda a flop I NEED TO WRITE MORE ugh

warning(s): nsfw (minors DNI), pantalone x fem!reader, slight and i mean SLIGHT childe x reader, dom!pantalone, pantalone is mean, fingering, orgasm denial, degradation (he called you so many things i lost track)

masterlist

you could hear him tutting behind you, you could only imagine what his expression was behind you — with his little look of disapproval. his gloves were cold, but it was nothing compared to the metal rings he wore on his fingers. slender fingers rub gentle circles on your inner thigh as you try your best to stay put, he had your upper body laying down on his lap while also being on your knees as he sat comfortably on his arm chair.

it was unfair really, he had you lie down on him — completely naked — one strong hand holding you down so you wouldn’t move, while pantalone himself was fully clothed, even his gloves were still intact to him.

“one night, darling,” he paused, his hand sliding further up to your bare ass, albeit slowly, “one night is all i ask for you to behave, and you can’t even fulfil that.” he sighed, your body slightly jolting as his cold hand rested against your ass, you felt incredibly bare out of a sudden, but you didn’t dare to complain — too scared that it would annoy him. you pissed him off enough. “in front of everyone else too, you’ve put shame on my name, you know that?” you let out a shocked gasp when you felt his hand giving your ass a harsh slap.

“what’s wrong? don’t like it?” he asked, feigning concern for your wellbeing. you didn’t answer, your eyes remained glued to the wall in front of you. you knew you had gone a little too far at his dinner party, purposely dancing and getting touchy with his colleagues in front of him. sure, you wanted his attention so badly, but you didn’t expect him to be so furious at the sight of you and — what was his name again? — childe? dancing together. it wasn’t even intimate, but who knew childe would be pantalone’s limit.

another harsh slap landed on your ass again, you let out a yelp, biting your lower lip to stop yourself from whining as you knew he wouldn’t like it. “i asked you a question, y/n. or have you turned into a dumb little whore for that pathetic man?” his free hand grabbed you by your hair, forcing your back to arch against him. your nipples slightly grazing over his thigh. “n-no… it hurts,” your voice was nothing more than a whisper. “it hurts?” he scoffed, his grip on your hair tightened. you let out a soft moan that you wished he didn’t hear.

without warning, pantalone inserted two fingers into your cunt, the cold metal of his ring hitting your walls just slightly, but enough to let a louder moan out of you — “there we go, let me hear your moans, darling, don’t be so shy.” he was pleased to hear you moan, your sweet, sweet voice, moaning just for him. it felt like an achievement for him somehow. “you’re so wet, love, you’re enjoying this aren’t you? how could you lie to me?” he asked, removing his fingers from your cunt, making you clench around nothing. you wanted to move back to grind against them, but he held you in place.

he brought his fingers to your face for you to look, your slick glistened against the dark colours of his gloves. “answer.” he commanded, and you immediately shook your head as much as he allowed you through the grip he had on your hair. “i-i swear! i would never lie to you,” you said, you moved your head slightly to look him in the eyes, to let him know that you were being truthful.

the way your eyes lit up as he looked at you earned yourself a small smile from him, even in the midst of his anger, he couldn’t resist how adorable you look like whenever you give him that pleading look of yours.

“then…” he trailed off, eyeing the curves of your naked body, “since this isn’t enjoyable for you, i’d better not see you cum.” you were confused with his order at first, but the confusion immediately went away when you felt his fingers shoving deep inside your cunt, and the cold metal rings once again brushing against your sensitive walls. you bit your lips to prevent yourself from moaning, you weren’t supposed to be enjoying this after all.

he spread his fingers slowly in you, stretching you out but with a pace so slow you wished you could just fuck yourself on his fingers. you could hear him humming as he pulled his fingers all the way out, the metal once again grazing against you, making your back arch against him, pantalone gave you a knowing look, his fingers then being shoved, knuckles deep inside you. 

your eyes shut closed as you made do with the amount of friction he allowed you to feel, it wasn’t what you wanted — what you needed — but it wasn’t frustrating. his long fingers were hitting deep in you that you could only wish you were able to hit with your own fingers. pantalone would feel nice once in a while as he curled his fingers in your cunt, hitting the spongy spot that made you call out his name in pleasure.

“you like that, darling?” he asked, curling his fingers once again, you let out a helpless moan, nodding your head, “yes, yes, fuck, it feels so good,” you blabbered, earning yourself a chuckle from him. he quickened his pace, not forgetting to insert in a third finger into your already stuffed cunt. you whined, gripping the end of the armchair for support.

the feeling of his gloved fingers buried so deep in your cunt made your head spin, it made you forget entirely just how displeased he was with you mere minutes ago. your hips started grinding against his fingers for more friction, you didn’t care how needy you looked in his eyes, you were just so desperate for him. pantalone let you enjoy yourself, watching how you desperately fuck yourself against his fingers. to say the very least, it amused him.

“mm, don’t stop, sweetheart,” he grunted, helping you out as he increased his pace again, pulling his fingers out before shoving them knuckles deep in you in a split second, his fingers grazing against your sloppy cunt so nicely. his thumb rubbed against your clit gently at first, but it only lasted for a second before he started rubbing harsh circles onto it, forcing a squeal out of you as you quickly realised it was all too much for you to handle.

your body jolted from how sensitive you felt from his fingers absolutely ruining you, ultimately making you stop moving as you tried to focus on handling all the stimulation pantalone was giving you. your movements halting didn’t go unnoticed by him, there was a smirk on his face as he realised you were getting close. “you’re close, aren’t you?” he whispered, there was malice in his intonation, but your head was so clouded that all you could do was be honest with him. nodding your head to him as you desperately try to look at him.

his fingers were pressing against the spot that you needed him most multiple times that your eyes started to roll back, your head solely focusing on how good he was fucking you with just his fingers. the inconsistency of his pace as his thumb rubbed against your clit, and how he was harshly shoving all three fingers into your cunt before pulling them all the way out just to shove them in again, you were in a trance.

“god, i-” you choked out, tears pricking in the corner of your eyes, “i’m so close, i’m– i’m gonna cum!” you exclaimed, your back arching, your eyes rolling back as you desperately gripped onto the armchair for support.

then, you felt his fingers stopping. you didn’t even have the time to process what had happened before a hard slap landed on your ass again, leaving a croaked gasp out of you. and again, you hear pantalone tutting behind you. before you could even say anything, another slap landed on the same spot, making you cry out.

“you bratty bitch,” he paused, and then another slap. “lying to me, breaking promises,” another slap, “dancing with tartaglia – of all people.” slap, “i’m disappointed in you.” he sighed, followed by another slap, you couldn’t handle it anymore, the sting was too much for you as tears started streaming down your face, one hand tried to weakly hold his hand still. “p-please, no more…” your voice meek as you tried to pathetically beg.

pantalone grabbed your wrist before swatting it away, “quiet.” his voice was stern, “it h-hurts,” you sobbed as you felt him gently caress your ass at the spot where it stung the most. but before you could even begin to appreciate his gentleness, he gave you another harsh slap. you cried out his name, apologising over and over again. his spankings were unbearably strong, he really was angry with you. “i said quiet, you brat.” and another slap.

“you tell me to stop, yet you yourself aren’t tapping out.” he muttered, his palm leaving your bare ass and back to your cunt, a finger flicking you from your hole to your clit, making you gasp. “you tell me to stop, yet you proceed to make my glove messy from how wet you’ve gotten from the spankings alone.” pantalone brought his fingers to your view once again, this time to taunt you.

he caressed your cheek suddenly, and lovingly. your face instinctively gave in to his touch, “since you love acting like a slut, how about i record you for tartaglia to see, hmm?” he had an evil smile on him, and you knew he meant what he was saying. “you’d love for him to see how much of a needy bitch you are, wouldn’t you?” he continued.

you shook your head, your eyes watering again, “no, please, i only want you,” you choked out; it was the truth this time. you meant every word. pantalone didn’t quite care about what you had to say — hell, he was already getting hard from the thought of humiliating you.

he got you off of his lap, his hand travelled down to his pants, unzipping it to take it off, “we’ll see.” he smiled. your body was sore from the spanks he gave you — but seeing just how hard his cock was, you knew pantalone wouldn’t care. “if you please me good enough, i’ll reconsider sending this to tartaglia.” he gave you a smile, patting your cheek.

[wanderinginksplot]

Clone Trooper Rambles

Clone troopers as imaginary friends: part... too many to count.

Warnings: mentions of medical situations, particularly preparations for surgery, descriptions of anaesthesia.

---

Surgery

“Are you excited for the surgery?” Lia asked.

“Not really,” I said with a shrug. 

“Are you nervous?” she pressed.

“Not really,” I repeated, smiling helplessly. 

She threw me a look I can only describe as ‘unimpressed’. “That’s boring.”

My mom made an outraged noise, but I just shrugged. “Sorry to disappoint you, Lia. I don’t really have to do much other than show up and get knocked out. The rest is out of my control.”

“I was hoping to at least see some nerves.” My sister shook her head. “I came all the way out here to support you. I can’t do that if you don’t need any support. Wasted trip.”

I laughed even as Mom started chiding Lia. I was close enough to mutter, “I didn’t ask you to come here.”

“Nah, you need me,” Lia said confidently. “Calm down, Mom, she knows I was kidding.”

“If she’s not nervous now, you’re going to make her nervous!” Mom lectured. 

I doubted it, but I let Mom keep lecturing Lia as I made faces at her from across the room. It was almost nice, a little throwback to our shared childhood - though I had usually been the one getting lectured back then. 

“Are you nervous?” Kix asked when things had quieted down a little bit.

“No,” I answered again. “Well, not about the surgery itself.”

Rex frowned. “What does that mean? What are you nervous about, then?”

“Well, anaesthesia can do weird things sometimes,” I explained. “What if I… Ugh, this is so stupid.”

“Is it as stupid as the time you thought you lost your car keys?” Hardcase asked. I shot him a dark look and he started laughing. “How long did you look for them?” 

“Shut up, Hardcase,” I scowled. 

He pressed, “Maybe half an hour? I think it was longer than that. An hour...”

“Stop roasting me, I’m having surgery,” I whined. Hardcase stopped short, his mouth falling open as Kix and Rex glared at him. “I’m just kidding. But I’m worried that something will happen and I won’t be able to see you guys after I wake up.”

“That’s not how anaesthesia works,” Kix told me. “It just stops higher brain function for a while. It interrupts the signals from your body to your brain. There shouldn’t be any long-term side effects, especially in terms of brain function. Unless something goes horribly wrong, and then you’re more likely to die outright than-”

Rex made a disapproving sound and Kix cut himself off while Hardcase took the opportunity to tsk at him.

“Yeah?” I pressed. “Tell me again: which part of the brain is it that lets me see and hear people who aren’t really there? There’s no way to judge how well I’ll recover from the anaesthesia since there’s no scientific basis for any of this.”

“Unless we consider the possibility of a brain tumor,” Kix muttered.

Rex glowered. “Not funny.”

“Not wrong, either,” I tossed out. “But if I’m just ignoring larger symptoms, at least they’re pleasant ones. I guess we’ll just have to see what happens when I wake up after everything.”

My unconcerned attitude didn’t end up lasting that long. I almost made it, but the morning of the surgery found me in a 'room' made up of curtains hanging from tracks in the ceiling. I was sitting on the hospital bed because I was told I had to - mostly to keep from jarring the I.V. that had been placed in the back of my hand. I smelled like unfamiliar antibiotic soap and was dressed only in a hospital gown and the ugliest socks I had ever seen. My family wasn’t allowed in and I was waiting for the anaesthesiologist to come back. At that point, my courage finally ran out and I teared up. 

Fortunately, no one was there to see it but Rex. 

“Are you okay?”

I wiped my eyes, trying to camouflage the motion like I was adjusting my glasses. “By definition? No, hence the surgery. In general? No. I’m freaking out a little bit. Why did I volunteer for this?”

“Your body was trying to kill you,” Rex replied, the attempt to inject humor into his tone falling flat.

I nodded. “Yeah. ‘Volunteer’ probably isn’t the right word, but I… I could have put this off a little longer. I’m going to be different when I wake up.”

“Yes, you will be,” Rex agreed. I huffed out a surprised breath and flopped back against the thin pillow. Gingerly, Rex sat on the side of the bed opposite the I.V. and pretended to straighten the perfectly straight sheet. “But that doesn’t mean it’ll be bad. It’ll take a bit more planning to make sure you take your medication and you’ll have to adjust how you do some things - especially at first - but none of that is a dealbreaker. You needed this surgery. Taking care of it now is smart. Putting it off until later was an option, but who can say what may have happened before you got it? This is a good thing.”

“I hope so,” I whispered. “Thanks, Rex.”

He sent me a warm smile, but the curtain ‘wall’ was whisked aside before he could offer any other answer. The nurse came in, followed by the anaesthesiologist and my dad. “Ready to take a little trip down to the operating room?”

“As I’ll ever be!” I told her, giving the most dazzling smile I could muster. Acting had never been my best thing, but compartmentalizing was a particular gift of mine. 

“Okay, great!” she replied, beaming back at me. “The doc is gonna have you sign the last of the forms while I get you ready to roll. And I even brought your dad to see you before you go!”

After I finished signing the forms the anaesthesiologist passed to me, I smiled at my dad. He smiled weakly back. “How are you doing?” 

“A little nervous, but not bad,” I told him, trying to bunch the sheets up around my I.V.-bearing hand. Needles weren’t his favorite, despite his tattoos. “But I’ve signed the forms and peed in a cup, so I’ve pretty much done my part.”

The nurse murmured a warning before she gathered my hair into a surgical cap. It felt like a shower cap in a particularly ugly shade of blue and I grimaced, extremely glad there were no mirrors or cameras in the immediate area. 

“Exactly,” the doctor chimed in. “The rest is my job, and it looks like it’ll be an easy day. You’re young and in great health. Nothing to worry about, Dad.”

My dad nodded as the anaesthesiologist clapped him on the shoulder. “Just… take care of her, okay?”

“Absolutely,” the doctor agreed. He glanced over my head and nodded, presumably at some signal from the nurse. “Looks like we’re good to go! Let’s do this!”

“Love you, Dad,” I said as my bed was wheeled out through the curtain door. 

“Love you, too,” he said instantly. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

And we were gone before I could say anything back. 

At first, Rex tried to keep up with the bed, but as we continued down tightly twisting hallways with almost no clearance on either side of us, he ended up perching uncomfortably on the end of the bed. 

“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” I told him silently. “You can go wait with everyone. I think there are a few troopers who planned to stick around.”

The face Rex made was so dry that I almost laughed. “I’ll be right here until you fall asleep and right here when you wake up.”

I nodded, but I’m sure we were both thinking the same thing: it would all depend on whether I could see him when I woke up. I was glad to have him there, though. The nurse insisted on me lying completely flat while they transferred me from the bed to the operating room table and I was left staring up at a circle of unfamiliar and blurry faces, my glasses left behind with my dad. Rex took a post to my right, his short blond hair distinctive even without the full power of sight.

“I honestly didn’t think I would be awake this far into the process,” I noted.

A ripple of laughter went through the medical staff as several of them gave the anaesthesiologist pointed looks. I smiled, feeling a little more at-ease. It was nice to see workplace friendships, especially in a hospital setting. 

The doctor gave a put-upon sigh. “This place. Nothing but work, work, work. Even the patients are telling me to get moving.”

“Sounds like a good hint, then,” my nurse told him, winking at me.

The anaesthesiologist put a mask over my mouth and nose. “No hard feelings. I even put the best stuff in here. Should smell a little like strawberries. You like those, right?”

I nodded. We had shared a lengthy conversation about breakfast foods - a bit of torture, actually, since I hadn’t been allowed to eat that morning. I frowned, telling him in my muffled voice, “I don’t smell anything.”

“Weird,” he said. “Take a deeper breath.”

By then, I had figured out the game and was chuckling as the world went black.

When I woke up in the recovery room, I didn’t stay awake for very long. I was slipping in and out of sleep, though I didn’t remember having any dreams. It was like a light switch - off and on, off and on. 

Through all of it, there were two constants: twinges of discomfort in the area that had been operated on and the feeling of an incorporeal hand in mine.

---

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Author's Note - Like I've said before, these are mostly written in order, but aren't posted with any kind of regularity. My surgery was quite a while ago and recovery has gone smoothly! In an effort to keep my personal life private, I would rather not disclose the surgery in question, but I can share that it was minor. I'm just dramatic.

Taglist: @rexs-wife @sugarpuffsstuff @just-some-girl-92 @kimageddon @ladysongmaster @carodealmeida @nomercyforthewarrior @bitchylittleredhead @lackofhonor @buddee @salaminus @hikime @808tsuika @ladykatakuri @shawtyitsyou @bikerlorian @torchbearerkyle @frietiemeloen @justanothersadperson93 @leotatombs @rain-on-kamino @itsagrimm @dancingwiththeplanets @theclonesdeservebetter @murder-of-crows-1 @rosmariner @staycalmandhugaclone @marennial @eyecandyeoz @fordo-kixed-rex @lucyysthings @quietplaceinthestars @dinsverdika

[jungwoniics]

: ̗̀➛ we get along just fine | nr { part 1 }

↦ pairing: nishimura riki / niki x reader ↦ genre: angst ↦ w/c: 1270 ↦ requested by: -

- y/n pov -

“class, we have a new student joining us from now on,” ms maeng announces. she gestures towards someone standing outside the classroom, and the girl emerges and stands next to the teacher’s desk.

“would you like to say a few words of introduction?”

“okay uhm, hi everyone! i’m eunji and i just moved here this weekend. it’s nice to meet all of you!” she says enthusiastically, contrasting to the shy vibes she gave off when she stepped in.

ms maeng gestures for her to take her seat next to me. she walks over to my table, slipping into her seat. “hi,” i greet her with a smile.

“hi!! wow, i love your bag! it’s so pretty,” she tells me as she looks at my bag.

“oh thanks.”

✦❘༻{ 𝐄𝐍– }༺❘✦

the bell rings. everyone rushes out of the classroom, hoping to get their food before the queues in the cafeteria get long.

just as i was about to leave the classroom, i notice how eunji seemed to be taking her time to pack her bag. “hey, uh, do you have anyone to sit with for break?” i ask her, walking back to our seats.

she shakes her head, clearly embarrassed. “no. people find me annoying and overly enthusiastic.”

“oh, that’s not true. being enthusiastic is a good thing anyway. besides, you’d love my good friend. he’s extremely enthusiastic. you’ll know it once you meet him. so come on,” i pull her up to her feet, rushing to the cafeteria.

✦❘༻{ 𝐄𝐍– }༺❘✦

“y/n!”

i turn around swiftly, making eye contact with a boy in the distance. “oh there he is!” i pull eunji through the crowd of students. we quickly take a seat at the table before another person could push us.

“oh hi!” the boy greets eunji. she just waves, unsure how to react.

dusting off my skirt, i clear my throat. “oh eunji, this is sunoo. sunoo, this is eunji. she’s new here.”

“ooh, welcome! hope you’ve had a good experience so far,” sunoo tells her with a wide smile. “yep!” she nods.

before any of us could say anything else, a couple of students leans against the table. we look around, noticing how the middle space was cleared and the students had all moved to the sides. even the students seated were now standing up.

“oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me,” i roll my eyes.

“what’s going on?” eunji asks me.

“it’s just this boy. he’s so-called the ‘popular’,” i tell her.

“judging by how everyone’s reacting, he must be really popular. what made him so popular even?”

“there was just this stupid dance competition and he participated. he showcased his ‘top-notch dancing’ and ‘stole the hearts of many’,” i explain, unable to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “at least that’s what i heard.”

and at that moment, he emerges. nishimura riki. he was my best friend. before the stupid dance competition. and the ‘top-notch dancing’. and the stealing of hearts. ugh. i used to call him niki, but now i don’t.

why?

because it used to be my nickname for him. me. it was a unique thing that kinda symbolised our friendship. but everyone calls him that now. it doesn’t mean anything anymore.

“did something happen between you two?” eunji suddenly asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“what? noooo don’t be ridiculous. i just don’t like guys who gets over their heads because of their fame,” i lie, faking a scoff.

at least it was partially true.

…

okay fine, here’s what happened.

- flashback -

“oh my god, niki, look!” i wave the paper in front of his nose.

“i can’t look if it’s that close to me!” he exclaims, snatching the paper out of my grasp.

“oh oops,” i just shrug.

we remain silent for a couple of moments as he read the contents of the poster. he puts it down, but doesn’t say anything. i had expected him to be more excited. way more excited.

“well? are you gonna take part?”

“uh… i don’t know, y/n… it says “best of best”. i’m not even one of the best,” niki says, placing the paper on the table.

i gasp at his response. “who are you?”

“oh come on,” niki rolls his eyes playfully.

“no, you come on,” i push his shoulder slightly. “when has being the best ever mean anything to you? you dance because you love it, not because you wanna be the best. i mean, sure, that comes along in the process. but that’s not your goal.”

i go on, and on, and on about how he should join the competition, not caring about the exasperated looks he was giving me. when i finally lose my breath, i stop.

“are you done?” niki asks, his eyebrow raised.

“no, but seeing that i’m out of breath, you may speak,” i say as i take a big gulp of water, making a lot of noise in the process.

“look, you made your point. i’ll sign up, but you have to come to watch me perform,” he whispers as if we were carrying out some illegal business.

i place my bottle on the desk, “what’re you whispering for? and obviously i’d come. watching you dance is my therapy.”

niki gives me a look of disgust and amusement. “niki, i’m joking. i don’t need therapy. i’m completely fine.”

✦❘༻{ 𝐄𝐍– }༺❘✦

[ two weeks later ]

it’s finally the competition day. niki has been practicing every day for the past two weeks. and i’ve told him every time that the choreography was perfect. obviously, he still insisted on practicing more. he even made me stay with him. that literally caused me to miss my bedtime like seven times. SEVEN.

YES I CHERISH MY SLEEP IS THAT SUCH A PROBLEM?

moving on…

it’s finally niki’s turn to perform. he walks up to the stage. although he was extremely tall for his age, he looked extremely small from here. he remains calm as he waits for the music to start. and as soon as it does, i could see the change in his expression which could only mean one thing.

he was ready.

i’m not even kidding when i say he rocked the stage. his performance was lit. and i couldn’t stop telling him that. everyone was at the edge of their seats as we waited for the winner to be announced.

“and in first place… NISHIMURA RIKI~”

the place erupts in claps and cheers for niki as he made his way up the stage to receive his trophy. “oh my god, it’s so cool,” i exclaim when niki lets me hold the trophy.

as amazing as it looked, it was really heavy. for a girl at least. and niki seemed to realise i was struggling with it because he immediately grabs hold of the trophy before it could pull me down.

✦❘༻{ 𝐄𝐍– }༺❘✦

monday came in a flash. and everything changed. the halls grew quiet as niki stepped into the building. before i could make my way to him, he was surrounded by the other students. everyone suddenly wanted to be his friend.

days passed, and i constantly spotted niki surrounded by a big group of students, mainly the other dancers. and i found myself distancing myself from him.

while he gained many friends that week, i lost the only friend i had.

- end of flashback -

anyway, that was when sunoo came into the picture. we were assigned partners for a geography project, and that allowed us to get to know each other better and we eventually became good friends.

✦❘༻{ 𝐄𝐍– }༺❘✦

・❥・ written by lia┊part 2┊ending

・❥・ enhypen masterlist┊blog navi┊❦ 7 hearts ❦

➵ taglist status: open — send an ask or comment!

[hyuniebaby]

Summer Love

Pairings: Chanyeol x Y/N

Song reference/inspiration: August by Taylor Swift

Genre: Smut, Fluff, Angst

A/N: So I've been listening to Taylor Swift a lot these days and I literally just found out about The Teenage Love Triangle thing in her Folklore album. It gave me inspiration to write this. 😄 It's been a while since I wrote for EXO so here's my first EXO fanfic for 2021! I hope I did Taylor Swift's song justice. Please let me know your thoughts~

You could hear the loud music playing at the club from a block away. You really didn’t plan on going out at all, too tired from your shift at the yogurt shop that you worked part time at. But your friends were insistent.

“God, I need a break,” you messaged your friends, ranting about how work was tiring. If there was one thing you learned about your work, it was that people come flooding in at the shop for frozen yogurt every summer. You couldn’t blame them for it, of course. The heat was unbearable, people would buy anything cold to beat the heat.

“Then let’s go to the club tonight!” Krystal messaged back.

You groaned. You should’ve expected she was going to say that. But the “break” you meant was more of “needing more time to rest” than a “I need a fucking drink.”

You were about to explain to her that you weren’t in the mood to drink but the rest of your friends had already agreed with her. You closed the group chat and massaged your head.

You knew your friends like the back of your hand so you expected them to give you reasons why you should go clubbing with them. Hell, they would probably even make a powerpoint presentation to convince you. And you have to ready yourself for that level of extra, hence, the head massage.

But your friends knew you the same way you knew them so when you didn’t reply after two minutes, they came to the conclusion that you didn’t want to go. You were, after all, the person who always replied instantly — whenever, wherever. Even at work, that’s why they have your schedule so they can avoid messaging you during your shifts.  

By the third minute of silence, yes, you counted , a series of messages flooded your phone. As expected, their messages were reasons why you should go to the club with them. One, it was summer so there’s no school work to catch up on. Two, you don’t have work the next day so there’s no need to worry about getting a hangover. Three, alcohol, that’s enough explanation.

You snorted at that.

They listed plenty more reasons but the one that convinced you was that you haven’t seen them in a while since summer break started. So without reading more of their reasons, you replied with a simple, “Ugh, fine.”

When you entered the club, you immediately scanned the area to look for your group of friends. But instead of finding them, your breath hitched as your eyes locked with someone else. He was tall and gorgeous. And hot. Yeah, definitely hot. You shamelessly ogle at his form. From his silver locks to the chain necklaces he was adorned with to the thin white sleeveless shirt he was wearing that was tucked in his denim pants. It was like he wasn’t even trying with his style yet he looked tempting.

And if there’s one known fact about you, it was that you lacked self control.

If you knew you’d find a guy like him that night, you would’ve worn the short black dress you owned or your favorite red satin dress, instead of the gold mini dress you were wearing.

There was nothing really wrong about the dress you’re wearing. It fits you like a glove and it shows a generous amount of skin, but it screams sophistication and elegance. Something that was the opposite of you, but you liked to play pretend sometimes.

But still, red and black were the sexiest colors. Both sexually alluring — arousing, even. And those were what you needed him to see, to feel.

By the time you had shifted your eyes to look back up his handsome face, you saw that his eyes were still traveling over your body.

Okay, maybe gold was fine.

Before anything else could happen, however, Krystal, Lia, and Rose had tackled you in a hug. You wanted to roll your eyes at them. Talk about perfect timing. They started chattering off about how they missed you, oblivious to your encounter with the man.

Before they could whisk you off to the table they claimed, you stole another glance at the hot stranger. His eyes were still on you and you couldn’t stop the small smirk that crept into your face.

Your friends shared stories about what happened to them since summer break started, meanwhile you ranted about your work and how hectic it had been. As the conversation continued, alcohol came and went. Overall, it was fun hanging out with your over-the-top friends.

Every now and then you look at the hot stranger. You were tempted to just get up and go directly to him and just kiss him but not now when he was finally graced with the presence of his friend. Not now when your friends were still there with you.

Not yet.

When your friends got borderline drunk, they stood up and went to the dance floor. You knew then that they weren’t going to come back.

They were always like that when they got a hold of the liquid courage. By the time they’d dance off, they would find a man to spend the night with and not bother to say goodbye. And then the next thing you’ll know, they’ll be updating you on the group chat about how their night went. That’s what always happens every time you all go out clubbing so you were quite used to it.

You waved them off as they made their way to the dance floor. You downed another drink and found yourself looking over at the location of the hot stranger once again.

You watched as his friend got up and left him when he saw your friends heading to the dance floor. He’s probably interested in one of them. Or all of them. You didn’t know. You didn’t care.

Despite the distance, you could almost hear the sigh of relief your hot stranger released. Yes, you claimed him already. When he lost sight of his friend on the crowded dance floor, he immediately snapped his head to your direction. You smirked as he did so.

You made your way towards him. You could tell he was entranced with your body. The lust was written all over his face.

“Hey, stranger,” you greeted as you sat beside him. Your dress had hitched up and you didn’t bother adjusting it. Why would you when he was eyeing your legs like that? Like he’s one breath away to opening them up.

Once he’s gotten his fill on the sight of your legs, his eyes once again traveled the entirety of your body before settling his eyes on your face.

If only it wasn’t indecent to take him then and there, ugh.

“Chanyeol,” he introduced himself as he placed a kiss on your hand.

You hummed and told him your name, “So Chanyeol, I noticed you looked a little bit bored a while ago,” then you leaned in and whispered to his ear, “don’t you want to do something fun?”

He tilted his head so that his lips touched your neck when he talked and then placed his hand on your thigh, “My place is just around the corner,” was his answer.

He gave your leg a little squeeze before offering his hand to help you stand up.

The next thing you knew, he was fervently kissing you after he shut the door to his room. He tasted like cigarettes but also something sweet that you just can’t name. But the taste doesn’t really matter to you, what matters was how he was using his lips. And, god, was he good at using his lips.

His hands wandered around your body while yours trailed over his toned chest and abs. He grabbed your butt and slammed you to the door, bringing his erection closer to your pussy.

You instinctively rubbed against him, moaning at the much needed friction. He brought his lips to your neck and nibbled your sensitive skin.

Then he slipped his hand under your skirt, feeling your damp panties.

“Please Chanyeol,” you moaned.

“Please what?”

“Please touch me.”

“Are you sure?”

You huffed but said, “Never have I ever been so sure.”

He moved your panties to the side and slid a finger in you. “You’re so wet, babe,” he said as he pumped his finger in and out of you.

“Chanyeol, hng, more.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He added another finger while you cursed at how good it felt. He was leaving kisses all over your neck, you were pretty sure you’d be painted with reds and purples by the end of the night.

You were in a daze but you weren’t just going to let him do all the work. Your hands quickly went on to undo his belt and his pants. You freed his hard shaft from the offensive garment and gave it a few strokes. Then you spit on your palm and finally gave the attention his cock deserved.

“Fuck, that feels so good,” he mewled.

You went back to kissing him after his statement. It was like there was an unspoken agreement between the two of you — both of you wanted to get on the bed — so he carried you there, never once pulling away from the kiss.

As your bum touches his mattress, he immediately strips himself of his clothes while you shimmied out of your dress.

You were able to remove only your dress when he locked his lips with you once again. He laid you down on the bed, his left hand groping your breast.

When he pulled back, he took his time in scanning your body. You bit your lip to prevent a whine from the sudden lack of contact.

“You’re so sexy, babe. I want to fuck you so badly.”

“Then do it, Chanyeol.” You looked up at him.

The sight was something to behold. Chanyeol on top of you, naked — his skin glistening with sweat, and the light makes him look perfect. His muscles were flexing as he breathed. The sight increased your arousal by tenfold.

You rubbed your cunt to his shaft to grab his attention since he was back to ogling your body. The action snapped him out of his trance and he quickly unhooked your bra and removed your panties, throwing them somewhere in the room. He took your right nipple in his mouth and sucked while he squeezed your left boob. On reflex, you arched your back as he gave attention to your breasts. He shifted between your two mounds. You moaned in delight from the sensation.

Once he was satisfied with his work, he abruptly inserted two fingers to your core. You cried at the sudden intrusion. He expertly fingered you. You closed your eyes and relished on the way he was making you feel.

You felt him shift but he didn’t stop the onslaught to your cunt so you paid no attention to this. You released a whimper when all of a sudden he slipped his fingers out of you. You peeked at him, ready to scold him because he pulled out just when you were about to cum. But what greeted you was the view of Chanyeol putting on a condom.

“Sorry babe, I couldn’t wait anymore. I need to be inside you,” he said, not a hint of regret in his tone.

You gulped as you saw his big, veiny cock. “I’m going to fuck you so hard,” he promised.

Then he shoved his dick to your pussy. “You’re so fucking tight.”

You grit your teeth, he was big and you felt so full. He waited a while for you to adjust to his size when he bottomed out.

“Fuck me, Chanyeol,” you begged.

The moment the words slipped out of your mouth, he obliged and pounded into you. His thrusts were so powerful that you couldn’t help but moan and gasp. He shifted a little, the position let him adjust his pace to a much faster one.

Lewd, sinful noises came out of your mouth as he fucked you hard, fulfilling his promise. “Who’s making you feel this good?” He asked cockily.

“Y-you are,” you stuttered.

“Say my name.”

“Cha-Chanyeol. Fuck. You make m-me feel so g-good Chanyeol.”

He was driving you to your climax so fast from his ministrations. You were clenching on his cock the closer you got to your release. His hand found its way to your clit and he rubbed it.

You spasmed as you reached your high. Chanyeol was quick to follow after a few harsh thrusts. After he came, he stood up to throw the used condom and grabbed a wet towel to clean you up. He was so gentle at doing it and you found yourself closing your eyes at how relaxing it was. The tiredness from work and the sex caught up with you. You didn’t even intend to sleep yet, but when you closed your eyes, nothing stopped you from falling asleep.

Chanyeol was nice enough not to kick you out after the sexual encounter. You thank the gods above that you woke up before Chanyeol did, because you knew it would be too awkward if he woke up before you. This was supposed to be a one night stand after all.

You slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake Chanyeol from his slumber. You quickly put on your clothes, well, as fast as your aching body could anyway. You tiptoed out of his room and left.

There wasn’t any need to write a note for him or whatever. Sure, the sex was good, amazing even, but you know nothing about him aside from his name and address. He could be a completely different person when he’s sober, you’ll never really know.

But fate had other plans for the two of you.

It was a week after that event that you saw Chanyeol again. You were driving home, taking in the view of the city. He was walking slowly, seemingly lost in thought, under the streetlights two blocks away from the yogurt shop you worked at.

You debated on whether or not to call him. He looked quite distant and lonely. If you weren’t paying attention to your surroundings, you wouldn’t have thought that it was Chanyeol.

This Chanyeol looked the opposite of the Chanyeol you met at the club. There wasn’t any trace of cockiness. Even the smile you saw that he easily gave away to his friend was gone.

As if your body has a mind of its own, you found yourself pulling up and rolling down the window, “Chanyeol!”

He whipped his head to look at you, shocked. It kind of seemed like he saw a ghost. You chuckled.

“Get in, let’s drive!”

Normally, you wouldn’t be doing this. Chanyeol was a stranger after all, but oddly, he did feel familiar.

He looked reluctant but eventually he gave in. The car ride was quiet. You didn’t mind though, you like the silence so you didn’t attempt to break it.

Initially, you didn’t have any destination in mind, you were just driving aimlessly. You thought you were making random turns but then you realized you were going to the quieter parts of the city and into the location you’d always go to when you were feeling blue. It was fitting, Chanyeol did look like a darker shade of blue after all and no, you weren’t talking about his physical appearance.

You stopped your car by the cliff overlooking the city. There, everything looked small and less overwhelming. When you were there, it always made you feel like your problems were trivial things and it calmed you down.

You stepped out of the car, sat on the hood and watched as the sun set. The sun was giving the busy city a golden glow.

After a few minutes, Chanyeol got out of the car as well and sat beside you, taking in the view of the city. For the first time since you picked him up, a genuine smile had made its way into his face.

“Thank you,” he mumbled, never taking his sight away from the beautiful view.

You looked over at him, his features looked like he was relaxed. His blue faded and changed into a warm yellow. He looked better like that.

“Yeah, no problem.”

The both of you stayed there until the sky had turned black and it was the city lights’ turn to shine.

“Come on, Chanyeol, let’s head back.”

“Right.”

You were a block away from Chanyeol’s flat when he spoke up again. “Sorry I took up your time.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t have anything to do anyway,” you said nonchalantly.

By the time you reached his place, you turned to him, “So—”

You didn’t even get to finish whatever you were about to say when he cupped your face and kissed you. You were surprised but you kissed back anyway. And just like the first time you met him, you ended up tangled in his sheets, begging him to fuck you.

The third time you met him it was probably the hottest day of summer. You were in the mall to cool down. You’d rather be there than use the air conditioner in your room and take extra shifts to pay for the electricity.

You were wandering inside the mall, just looking through different shops and avoiding any crowded area in general.

“What are you doing?”

You got startled at the sudden sound.

“Chanyeol? What the fuck, I almost dropped this mug because of you!” You exclaimed.

He chuckled, “Sorry. It’s just that I noticed you looked a little bored.”

Oh, so he was using your lines now. You raised your brow and crossed your arms, waiting for what he’s going to say next. But the action only emphasized your breasts and of course Chanyeol just had to look.

“Don’t you want to do something fun?”

You smirked, “Only if it doesn’t involve sweating.”

“I can work with that.”

And work with that he did. You ended up being bent over under the shower as he fucked you relentlessly.

The only difference with this encounter from the rest was the piece of paper you found in the pocket of your shorts. Scribbled there was his number and a simple “Thank you.”

You didn’t even hesitate to message him as soon as you found it. He replied in an instant and surprisingly, he was pretty decent to talk with. You don’t talk about the nights of passion, but you do talk about yourselves.

For the first time since you met him, he was shedding his layers, and this time, these layers weren’t his clothes.

The next time you met up, it was intentional. One day he called, “Meet me behind the mall.” He didn’t have to ask twice, you’d go regardless.

By the time he arrived, he was riding a motorcycle. He shook his head as he removed his helmet. Then he ruffled his silver hair.

God, he was attractive.

“Hop in, babe,” he said as he hands you another helmet.

You grinned. It was your first time to ride a motorcycle and you couldn’t stop your excitement from showing.

He drove to an abandoned parking lot and for a moment you were confused. “What are we doing here?”

“Don’t you want to do something fun?” He smirked.

Your eyes widened. You definitely didn’t want to do that here.

He only laughed at your reaction. “I’m kidding! I mean, technically, I’m not.”

Your brows had furrowed. “Huh?”

“I’ll teach you how to ride this baby,” he said as he patted his motorcycle, “It’ll be fun.”

You squealed. “Really?”

He rolled his eyes but he had a faint smile, “Yeah.”

Chanyeol was a great teacher, but you liked to tease him so you purposely acted like you couldn’t understand him. You could tell his patience was wearing thin after two hours of him teaching you to no fruition.

“Okay, okay, let me try. Like, alone now,” you said.

He frowned, obviously unimpressed with your statement. Of course, he’d react that way, it was his baby, you just might crash it.

“I promise I’ll do my best,” you pleaded.

“Fine,” he reluctantly said.

“Thank you!”

You grinned at him as you got ready while he only pouted. But the pout had been replaced with a look of surprise when you finally rode and drove his bike.

And by the end of the day, his motorcycle wasn’t the only thing you got to ride.

The next few times you met up, you always ended up beneath him. But there were also days when he’d take you out — to a diner that was barely visited by people, to an arcade somewhere downtown, to the cliff overlooking the city.

Dates with Chanyeol were fun and weren’t overwhelming at all. He never brought you to places with too many crowds. It was intimate, the moments were shared between only the two of you.

It got to a point where you basically spent everyday with him. You would even cancel plans with your friends, just waiting for his call. Before you knew it, you were falling for him.

What sealed your feelings was the time he brought you to their beach house where you both spent the day swimming and chasing each other around.

“I want you,” he said as the night came.

Wanting was enough for you.

By the time you were both panting after the sexual activity, he turned his back to you and looked out the window, his facial expression as calm as the sea. You thought you had him then. You thought he was yours and you were his.

That is until you saw him at a record shop. You were there first, scanning through sections, looking for the 5 Seconds of Summer CD you wanted to purchase for so long. You paid no attention to your surroundings, too busy with your task.

And then you heard Chanyeol’s name being mentioned by a guy. Curiously, you hid behind a shelf and peeked. Chanyeol was there and you unconsciously smiled at the sight of him.

“Chanyeol, dude, be honest, are you seeing Y/N?”

Chanyeol looked confused. “Who’s Y/N?”

Your heart dropped at his answer.

“Don’t act so clueless.”

“I don’t know any Y/N.” He looked genuinely at a loss.

“Inez told me she saw you and Y/N at the arcade a couple of weeks ago. Did you even break up with your girlfriend?”

Your vision was already blurry when he said he didn’t know you but you tensed up at his friend’s question.

Chanyeol has a girlfriend?

You didn’t bother staying there to listen in to their conversation anymore. Your tears had already started falling so you quickly rushed out of the shop, keeping your head down low.

There were a lot of thoughts running through your mind.

“Chanyeol didn’t know my name… Is that why he only called me babe or kitten?”

“Chanyeol has a girlfriend and he cheated on her with me.”

“Was his girlfriend the reason why he only brought you out to secluded areas? Meeting only behind the mall? Driving to the quieter parts of the city to hang out?”

You were so frustrated at him and at yourself. You let him charm you. You let him worm his way into your heart. You let him make you fall in love.

So much for summer love.

[shirtlesssammy]

5x07: The Curious Case of Dean Winchester

A woman sits at home reading tabloid news. Her husband rushes in and doesn’t even greet her as he runs for the bathroom. Once there, he quickly transforms into an old man, and dies. 

The CDC is on the case! Sam and Dean check out the victim -and he does not look like he was born in 1984. Dean calls Bobby to give him the heads up on the case. Dean then asks Bobby how he’s doing, but Bobby isn’t one for emotions.

The brothers then go to interview the wife of another missing man. Dean sneaks off to rifle through the man’s things and finds a receipt to Madame Liu’s Golden Palace. Bingo. 

When Dean and Sam go to investigate the hotel of fun, they don’t find the old man they’re expecting, but a much younger man. 

They almost don’t realize that he’s who they're looking for but Sam notices he has the same tattoo on his arm and Dean had to confirm by looking under the sheets. Oh Dean. Dean also tells the guy he looks great. 

Cliff begs the brothers to not tell his wife. They want to know what his story is. He tells them it’s poker --chips are for years of your life. He won big. The guy running the game is an Irish man named Patrick and he moves around from bar to bar. 

On the phone, Bobby confirms that there’s a lot of lore on this. Sam and Dean split up to find the guy. Bobby grabs his keys. 

Dean stops at a bar and tries talking up the bartender. The bartender tells him where to go with a little bribe. Dean heads to where the game is played, only to run into Bobby. Dean asks Bobby what he’s doing there. Bobby played the game, and lost. BOBBY. 

Dean storms off to find the (man)witch. Dean threatens him with a gun (pre-witch killing bullet days make me laugh --like that isn’t a threat, Dean!) but Patrick tells Dean that if he wants to get Bobby’s years back (WHICH HE DIDN’T HAVE ANYWAY UGH UGH UGH) he’ll have to play for them. 

Dean bets 50 years. He cashes out Bobby’s 25 right away, and Bobby returns to normal. Dean needs to win them back. 

Sam gets back to the motel with food to find an old man there. Well, not really --it’s Dean! They exchange fun barbs about what Dean looks like as an old man while Dean digs into his burger. Bobby pops in and Sam gets to watch a live recreation of Grumpy Old Men, which he’s enjoying IMMENSELY. 

Dean continues to chastise Bobby for being so reckless. Bobby tells Dean he doesn’t understand. Dean then collapses into a chair with heart attack pains. Bobby tells him it’s acid reflux and he’ll “have to put down the cheeseburger.” The struggle is real, Dean. 

They need to head out and win back the 50 years for Dean. As they’re leaving, the housekeeper arrives and finds old man Dean cute as a button. Your charms are worthless, Dean --and Sam and Bobby are delighted. 

They track Patrick, who steals a car, and heads to a high rise apartment building. When he leaves again, they head inside. The elevator is out of service so Sam and Dean head up the stairs alone. Dean’s near exhaustion by the second floor.

 Sam (and eventually Dean) find Patrick’s apartment and break in. There are a lot of unattended candles burning --stressing me out. 

They find a safe but Dean can’t focus on the numbers, lol. Sam breaks it though and they find coins inside. A woman finds them and asks what they're doing (so the candles weren’t unattended, whew.) 

Also, she’s a witch, and Patrick is also there and tells them they can gladly take the chips --they’re just chips. Patrick tells them they’ll have to play if they want the years. 

He won’t play Dean though --he’s not a murderer. They leave, but Patrick gives Sam a parting gift BY CLAPPING.

Sam “Why Do I Get All the Venereal Diseases” Winchester wants to play the poker game. “When you get to be our age,” Dean tells Sam condescendingly as they try to talk him out of it. 

“You’re thirty, Dean!” Sam retorts. Cracks me up EVERY TIME. 

Bobby follows the Winchester playbook by offering to play again - this time for Dean. He argues that it’s worth risking his life. That way, he misses out on the apocalypse. Also, we’re reminded that Bobby hates his paralysis and thinks he’s useless. “I’m old...I’m broke down. I ain't a hunter no more. I'm useless.” I tell Bobby that his role was lore and manning the phones for most of the series so far and ANYWAY he ain’t useless. 

Lia greets them at their motel. 

She offers them “the most powerful reversal spell you ever laid your eyes on.” First of all, love the confidence! She tells them that it’ll undo all of Patrick’s spellwork - including her artificial youth. She mysteriously fondles a heart locket at her throat, but I’m sure it isn’t important. 

Patrick plays another game of poker. He’s got a pair of kings, but he folds so the old man he’s playing can live to see his grandchild’s bat mitzvah. Sam enters and remarks on Patrick’s kindness. Then he deals in. 

Meanwhile, Bobby and Dean grouse at each other over a grave. Dean’s OLD and he does not LIKE IT. Bobby has ZERO SYMPATHY. 

For Shadow Puppet Theatre Science:

Sam faces down Patrick, ignoring the gambler’s strategic talk. While Lia distracts Patrick during a break in the game, Sam heads outside and hands Dean Patrick’s toothpick for a little witch DNA. Dean and Bobby do the spell and Dean gets ready to shed several decades. Dean’s “old man” actor continues to delight me. 

Back at the gambler’s den, Patrick taunts Sam with a toothpick. Sam stole the wrong one...no DNA. Patrick tries to force-choke Sam in retaliation.

Lia begs Patrick to stop and confesses that she gave the Winchesters the spell. As for her reasons? Well, she fondles the locket meaningfully. They keep playing. 

Bobby and Dean race to save Sam - they’ve got to get some DNA before the spell will work. At Patrick’s place, Dean tries to find some trace of hair, spit, whatever he can find. Back at the gambling table, Sam places his final bet.

Patrick folds, only to discover that Sam’s bluffing. He tells Sam that Dean’s on the verge of death. (In Patrick’s place, Dean clutches his chest dramatically.) Patrick notes that imperiling Dean turns Sam’s brain into an emotional slush pit. Sam shoves all his chips into the pot. It’s time to end the game. 

Dean rattles out his final breaths as the game wraps up. It looks like Patrick wins, and Lia starts to cry. “For a witch, you're so nice,” Sam notes. “it's actually kind of creepy.” SAM! Don’t be rude. (Can’t wait ‘til you become Witch!Sam.) Sam pauses for dramatic effect and...I remind him that his brother is still dying? He reveals his cards. Sam won!

Dean runs out of the building, leaping with joy at the return of his youth. 

Patrick and Lia sit together. She opens her locket to reveal her daughter...dead from extreme old age and buried long ago. Lia is tired of seemingly eternal youth. She puts in all her chips and they finish the game. They share an emotional farewell as she ages in front of Patrick. 

Back at the motel, Sam “The Clap” Winchester heads out to get a booster shot. Dean apologizes to Bobby for being so hard on him. “You’re not useless, Bobby.”

“You don’t stop being a soldier ‘cause you got wounded in battle. Bottom line is, you’re family. I can’t do this without you.” Dean targets Bobby with his MOST EMOTIONAL FACE and tells him he can’t check out early. Dean needs him. 

Bobby promises, thanks Dean for the sentiment, and then growls about needing to drop the emotional talk before they start growing “lady parts.” SIGH. Dean drops a burger, having learned for one episode to avoid cholesterol. They head out into the sunshine. I marinate in the emotion, until I realize that they never defeated Patrick? Have a nice life, I guess, ManWitch!

Boris: I absolutely adore this episode every time I watch it. I think we praise the actors who play the younger version of Dean so much, but I almost never consciously think about whether that’s a version of Dean or another actor playing Dean ---this actor seamlessly became Dean to me. Magic! Maybe because Dean’s already an old man. I love the case--I love Patrick--I love the look into Bobby’s struggle.

Benjamin Quotin’:

I'm just weepin' in my Haagen-Dazs. Idjit

Look at me! My junk's rustier than yours! You hear me bellyaching?

Pound it up your ass, ironsides

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