#i say this as a girl that grew up dreaming about her wedding and watching syttd

[jeynearrynofthevale]

mcwedding on film

[solkara]

❛ 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 , benjicot blackwood ❜

⌗ 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 , you were the apple of your family's eye a rare gem they would do anything to protect but sometimes even the purest doves crave something bloody

⌗ 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 , benjicot blackwood x fem! velaryon / strong! reader

⌗ 𝐬𝐨𝐥'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 , benji with the 10 seconds of screen time ateee tbh or wait is it not benji cuz I've heard some people say it's not so plz explain cuz I'm so confused lmfao !!

house of the dragon masterlist

⌗ you were a bastard. born from a night of passion shared between you mother and father. rhaenyra and daemon. but no one would ever call you a bastard. as you bore all the features of a targaryen unlike your siblings. white hair purple eyes. the seven kingdoms called you aemma reborn. as your striking resemblance to your late grand mother was uncanny.

⌗ growing up life was easy. your mother and grandsire doted on you. your siblings would go to the ends of the known world for you. ser harwin and leanor though not your real fathers stepped up and were there for you whenever you needed them. and though you had never met your real father your mother told you that he would love you.

⌗ truth be told there was nothing that daemon more than to be with you. his daughter. his oldest. but he settled for watching from afar for now. hearing about all of your achievements in pentos. how you had claimed the creeping death amaris. a dragon that had never been claimed and was rumored to be from balerion's final clutch. and it showed. as amaris was the largest dragon around. making vaghar look petite. and while daemon couldn't help but be the proudest man in the known world. part of him breathed a sigh of relief that his daughter didn't get hurt.

⌗ life was good. as you grew older tales of your beauty spread far and wide. from winterfell to dorne. you had suitors from all over flock to offer their hand. from dresses to castles. they offered it all. but were ultimately shut down by either your mother or grandsire. even the queen alicent tried offering the hand of one of her sons. but that idea fizzled out after diftmark. though it was still obvious that both of the queen's son's still bore a certain mixture of fondness and lust for you.

⌗ the deaths of harwin and laenor broke you. and after the the harrowing night of having to watch aemond lose an eye. you were exhausted. your eyes red and with no tears left to cry. you walked off to find your mother after having just finished packing. only to find her with an unfamiliar man. "mother?" you asked approaching with caution.

⌗ "my darling girl I want you to meet someone this is daemon your father" and for a moment your heart stopped as you looked at the man before you. you had dreamed for so long for the day that you would finally meet your father. and now it was here you didn't know what to do. but fear not as daemon took matters into his own hands. pulling you into his embrace which you gladly accepted. finally you left complete.

⌗ after that time seemed to fly by. your mother and father got married. your brother got betrothed to your half-sisters. and all of you lived happily on dragonstone together. with you and your siblings going for frequent dragon rides together. teaching them high valyrian. listen to your father's many stories he gained from his travels. and letting your mother braid your hair while the two of you giggled about the newest gossip.

⌗ though there was one topic she would never touch. and there were suitors. as princess rhaenyra had received hundreds if not thousands of offers for her daughter's hand. which she all denied. at one point there were so many that daemon restored to using a large chunk of them as kindle for the fire in their room. claiming "none of those vile pig's are good enough for my daughter" to which the heir agreed. the last thing she wanted was for her beloved daughter to be used by some lord as a broodmare.

⌗ but rhaenyra knew that she would have to wed her daughter off at some point. and that scared her. though her eldest was the blood of a dragon. you were gentle and soft. the apple of her eye and the thought of you being hurt. by a man nonetheless made her heart clench. and daemon agreed swearing he would rip any man. regardless of who. if they tried anything with their daughter. which was easy to say as the royal couple were under the impression their daughter's interest hadn't been caught by anyone. but oh how wrong they were.

⌗ see you had indeed had your eyes set on someone. who's name happened to be ben. the first time you saw him was at your name day tourney. where he jousted against a lannister. and won much to your joy. before going on to win the tournament. after asking for your favour. which you gladly gave. and you couldn't help but blush. as you couldn't deny he was attractive. even if he was covered in someone else's blood.

⌗ and so began the beautiful friendship between the two of you. as you went from secret love letters sent by ravens. to flying to see him whenever you could. truth is you were head over heels for him. just as he was for you. you were two half's that made a whole. twin flames if you will. and ben had made it clear that he would give you the world and that all you had to do was ask for it. a sentiment which you reverberated. the two of you had talked about a life together. married and with kids. now all you had to do was tell your parents.

⌗ but oh boy when you decided to tell them. was that an interesting conversation. your father nearly unsheathed dark sister. your mother nearly passed out in horror. your brothers were either confused or looking at benjicot like he was dragon food. and your sisters were smiling from ear to ear. but after they had all settled down you spoke. and the two of you made it very clear that you were madly in love. and after a few more threats from your father and brothers. a couple more happy tears and hugs from your mother and sisters. everyone had made peace with the fact and were overjoyed for the both of you.

⌗ and within the week news had spread to every corner of the seven kingdom's of your betrothal to the blackwood. and with was also said that the men of the kingdom's morned the loss of the chance to marry you by descending on brothels to drink and lay with whores. your uncles included. but you paid little mind. as you enjoyed life within your little bubble. spending your days with your family and benji. life was perfect. and you couldn't wait for the wedding.

⌗ and once the day finally arrived. you were jittery with nerves. dressed head to toe in white. you looked the spitting image of duty. as you walked arm in arm with your father towards the alter. the eyes of hundreds of highborns fixed on you in awe. but all you could focus on was. ben. your ben. as the two of you recited your vows with joy you sealed it with a kiss. and after the celebrations of the night. and your new husband threatening to behead anyone who dares mention a bedding ceremony. the two of you joined select family. from both side. to join for another ceremony. a traditional valyrian wedding. and as you sealed your love once more with a bloody kiss. you now truly had it all.

anon , May I please have a targaryen! reader, daughter of daemon and rhaenyra, born after jace like she looks so much like Aemma, and the kingdom would speak of her as Aemma reborn, being favored by Viserys and her people. Can imagine her claiming a dragon that was rumored to be from the late Balerion’s clutch, a stark contrast to the other she-dragons, with her own being a ferocious creature of black scales and fire of black and red. While she is loved in her kingdom, she is also loved in her family. Much like Helaena, the reader is the apple of the kingdom’s eyes and dearer to her family more than anything. And when the topic of suitors comes, all of them are horrified when the one that catches her eye is the Bloody Ben himself, Benjicot Blackwood. ps. I’m a sucker for a beloved character whom loves someone that is the exact opposite of her 😭💖 Requesting for more familial and platonic fic with the Benjicot romance just maybe being small 😩☝️

[the-fiction-witch]

Desire

Media - House Of The Dragon Character - Gwayne Hightower Couple - Gwayne X Reader (uncle and Neice) Reader - Y/n (Neice) Rating - 18+ Fondling/ fingering / nipple play/ nipple sucking / nudity/ incest/ forced orgasm/ Word Count - 1550

Requested -

Anonymous asked: can you please write a fic with reader x gwayne. reader is alicent's four daughter (daeron does not exist) and she was sent to old town. reader is now a grown woman, and uncle gwayne say he need to keep track of changes in her body. he need to watch her naked body everyday and touch it to make sure she's growing correctly, especially her breast that he grope and suck everyday. ofc reader let her beloved uncle do everything he wish 😩

Gwayne made his way through the Tower at Oldtown, taking the route he took most every morning. He arrived at her chambers and quickly opened the door heading in and closing it behind him.

“Y/n… Y/n? Where is my little princess?” He cooed,

The sound woke her, and Y/n sat up in her bed with a yawn.

“Ummm…. Good Morning,” She cooed,

“Good Morning My little princess,” he smiled,

Gwayne moved swiftly across the room and plated himself on her bed at her side, he took her hand as his eyes trailed to the thin white nightie biting back his desires.

“How did you sleep, Sweet girl?”

She nodded, “Very well, I had a dream,”

“Oh? Do tell,”

“About dragons,”

“Humm as you often do,” He chuckled squeezing her hand, “Come, come now, Y/n. We need to get you ready for the day don’t we?”

She nodded with a cheery smile,

“Come on then Little princess,” he smiled pressing a kiss to her forehead,

Y/n happily climbed out of bed and moved over to her dressing area beside her balcony doors. She stood on the little stool of a well-stained wood with green fabric cushioning, planting her feet on the stool firmly. Leaving her stood with her wooden changing screen behind her and three floor-length mirrors in front of her.

Gwayne went to the balcony opening the doors to let the morning air circulate before he came up behind her pushing the changing screen a little as he did almost sealing the area between screen and mirror to almost form a little room.

“You remember why we must do this?”

She nodded,

“Tell me,”

“We must check how I grow,”

“Yes we must little princess,” he cooed, “One day… soon I’m sure. You will be wed to a very high-ranking important lord. And if we want our little princess, to wed the handsomest, strongest, richest lord. We need to make sure every single man in the seven kingdoms…” his tone fell to a whisper, “Desires her.” He growled in her ear, “Every day we need to check and make sure you are… as beautiful as possible. Every inch, every hair, every mole. So we can make sure you’re desirable.”

“Yes, Uncle,”

“Now, let's have a look shall we little princess?”

She nodded without question,

He began with her hair, he slowly pulled the ribbons from her hair letting it fall, running his fingers through her locks as he undoes all the braids done the night before,

“Humm very beautiful, silky and smooth, perfect.” he cooed, “Good girl,” kissing her temple,

He moved to kneel in front of her his sly smile wide as he looked up at her, he rose one knee and tapped his thigh invitingly,

She nodded and moved her left foot up and onto his thigh,

He ran his fingers from her toes slowly and seductively up to her knee,

“Very smooth,” He cooed, “Very smooth indeed, you remember to scrub your legs in the bath every day my little princess?”

She nodded,

“Good girl,” he cooed, tapping her foot,

She changed over resting her left foot back on the stool and sitting her right on his thigh,

Once more he ran his hands over her from toe to knee, briefly brushing over a bruise on her ankle,

“Shh shh… another day or so and that’ll be all better,” he cooed, “Good girl little princess,” he cooed tickling her foot before he stood again, he looked very closely at her face caressing her cheek, “Very beautiful, lovely and cute.” he kissed her nose, But his sly smile grew as he circled her stopping behind her and nuzzling her neck, “Now… let's have a nice look,” he said as his fingers toyed with the string that laced up her nightie,

“Yes Uncle,” She nodded,

He bit his lip before he pulled at the string, slow and seductively unlacing her dress, he pulled it off her shoulders and pushed it from her hips letting it pool around the stool on the floor. He looked at her, in the mirrors his hands cradling her waist, “You… get more beautiful everyday little princess,” he growled, He began to slide his hands across her skin, over every inch, stroking her thighs, her hips, her arms, her stomach measuring her with his hands, constantly muttering compliments in her ear calling her beautiful between kisses, “Now this is a body, that a god would desire.” he barked in her ear, his hands stroked her thighs delicately slipping up to her hips and he took a step back to admire her ass, “Bend.” He demanded,

She nodded and bent over showing off her ass far better,

He tried to hold back his groan as his hands cupped her cheeks and smoothly fondled her ass, he chuckled a little and growled, “Touch your toes.”

Y/n obeyed “Yes uncle,” And bent over touching her toes leaving her completely exposed to him,

He bit his lip hard and spread her cheeks baring her utterly to him, “Beautiful little princess, a very pretty ass, good for a good smack,”

She giggled slightly but jolted as he smacked her hard on her ass, “Ooh-”

“Your husband will want that, he’ll love to spank and slap your pretty ass when you walk with him, and you’ll barely leave a room without a good smack,” He chuckled, “Stand up, nice and tall.” He cooed,

Y/n stood tall once more,

Gwayne wrapped his arms around her waist and ran his fingers under her breasts, his breath hot against her ear as he slipped up to cup her breasts in each hand, “Ohhh yes… so beautiful little princess… so very very beautiful,” he growled, “Any man in the seven kingdoms would adore to come home after a long ride and cup these, massage them in his hands and relax,” He groaned as he began to grope her breasts squeezing them and juggling the weight of each in his hands, he licked his lips as he watched her nipples get hard from the cold morning air and his relentless attention, “There we go, nice and perky,” he cooed tugging on her nipples a little to make them as hard as possible,

Y/n gasped,

“Umm, that feel nice?”

She nodded, “Yes Uncle,”

“It should now let me hear you.” he cooed as he rubbed her nipples between his thumb and index finger rolling them between them,

“Ughhh!” She gasped her hips arching up,

“Ummm good girl,” he growled kissing her neck rather aggressively, he was holding back the burning desire to give her a hickey, But he broke away and moved in front of her, “Let’s test them,” he growled kissing down her neck and taking her left nipple between his lips, he began to suck and lap his tounge against the tender skin,

“Ughhhh! Uncle!” She softly moaned,

He sucked harder groping her right breast as he worked, swirling his tounge around her apex and suckling on her like a babe

“Ughhh ughhhh! Uuuuhhh!” She threw her head back as she moaned,

He finally released her nipple but not for long, “You need to practice little princess, for when your husband and your little babies want to enjoy these, you need to learn not to be so… sensitive.” as he simply moved to her right nipple and did the same licking and sucking,

“Uhhhhhhh! Uncle! Please!” She squealed,

He finally pulled back and smirked down at her, his hand slipping down from her breast and sliding down her stomach dipping between her legs, he ran his fingers over her folds and sunk deep inside her,

“Ughhh! Uncle!” She screamed as his finger slid inside her,

“Very good princess,” he cooed, “Very wet, very warm, just as it should.” he nodded as he began to thrust his finger inside her,

Y/n moaned and screamed dripping down her legs,

Which only made Gwayne chuckle smugly, his other hand came to rub against her clit leaving her utterly at his mercy as she moans and screams, her toes curling as he gets faster and faster, he slowly adds more and more fingers until his left hand is fingering her knuckles deep on three fingers and two fingers rub her clit hard and fast, her juices dripping off his fingers as he works,

“Uncle… uncle… please I-” she begged but it was already too late,

Y/n came screaming his name as she squirted down his hand,

Gwayne slows his hands letting her ride out her orgasm as long as he could before he slips his hands away and licks his fingers clean in front of her,

Y/n gasps and struggles to even stand after all that,

But Gwayne takes her by the hand and pushes her palm to his hard bulge, “You see that little princess? Do you feel how hard it is? Feel how it throbs?”

“Yes, Uncle,”

“That is what you do to a man,” He cooed, “Any man who sees you feels like this, they desire you… as do I.” he growled, “Go get dressed now Little princess, we’re all done for this morning.”

“Yes Uncle,” Y/n nodded as she moved off her stool to begin her day as always.

[sapphire-writes]

The Things We Do For Love

pairing: Aegon x Velaryon(Strong)! Reader request: hiiii I wanna drop this idea about a secretly in love Aegon Aegon is engaged to Rhaenyra's daughter, she is sweet and has always been in love with him, although Aegon doesn't seem to see her in the same way,he is always considerate of her since they're childrens. Until one day when an old suitor of reader asks to fight for her hand and Aegon doesn't answer anything, he just makes a joke and leaves,reader doesn't show it but she feels sad about it and thinks that Aegon will never be able to love her in the same way and When she is on her way to ask Rhaenyra to dissolve the engagement Alicent stops her and takes her to the secret place where Aegon was training with Aemond, she tells her that Aegon asked her brother to help him train so he can defend her hand since he is in love with her, only he doesn't fight that well and he didn't want to lose the fight because of her hand and she eventually talks to Aegon and he jokes about it and reader tells him that he doesn't need to fight for something he already has, confessing that she's in love with him, even when he's a bad fighter. note: love this request it felt very soft i love soft Aegon 💚 warnings: language word count: 2.2k masterlist

You could remember the exact moment you had fallen in love with Aegon Targaryen. Down to the very position of the sun in the sky, the feeling of the summer breeze on your skin.  

When you were little, the majority of your childhood was spent in King’s Landing. Eager to ease the tensions between both sides of his family, King Viserys quickly announced your betrothal to Aegon when you were both still babes in the cradle. 

It was not an arrangement of love, merely one of duty. Aegon and you grew up beside each other knowing you would be wed someday. It was a fact you felt fairly comfortable with until feelings of love began to blossom. 

“She is not frightening, (Y/N), I promise,” Helaena told you, holding a rather large spider from her fingers. It dangled from her delicate fingers, long limbs stretching towards you. You could count every single one of its black beady eyes, looking up at you. 

You adored your aunt Helaena, but her strange fascination with long-legged insects was not a passion you shared. Aegon spotted you both from across the garden, noticing your pale face and coming to your aid. 

“(Y/N) doesn’t like spiders, Hel,” Aegon said, putting his hands on your shoulder, “she’s just too polite to say so.”

Helaena hummed to herself, smiling softly before turning away from you both. She crept deeper into the garden to release her friend. 

“Are you alright?” Aegon asked, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. Your cheeks turned pink at his chivalry. Aegon was not often outwardly kind. You forced a nod, which caused him to grin. 

“Good,” he said, patting your head, “can’t have you dying on me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” you told him, nearly breathless. 

That was the end of it. You were suddenly thrown into adoration for the silver-haired prince. 

“Fetch me another cup, Y/N,” Aegon called, at the funeral of Laena Velaryon. You nodded, eager to please your betrothed. Aemond scowled at this, distraught at the way Aegon treated you.  

“She is not a servant,” he told his elder, “she is a princess, your future queen.”

“She’s a sweet girl, she does what I ask,” Aegon tells his brother, watching you depart, “and she will not be my queen for many years.” 

Aemond rolled his eyes. 

“I am sorry for your loss, Lady (Y/N),” Willas Follard said when you returned to the Red Keep following the funeral. 

His cheeks turned red whenever he spoke to you. Willas was a kind boy and a ward of the crown. 

“Mayhaps someday we shall be wed,” he had told you once as you strolled through the training wed. 

You had looked at him with a confused expression on your pretty face, though his eyes were hopeful.

“I am betrothed, my lord,” you told him, causing him to frown. 

“We shall see, my lady,” he promised before taking his leave. 

Years later you were still eager to please your betrothed, at his beck and call. You had hoped love would grow in his heart as the years passed, but it seemed that Aegon was destined to see you as only a child. Only someone he was pleased with, nothing more. 

When he became a man, Lord Willas decided it was time to ask Aegon for your hand. He saw how your uncle was with you, treating you not as a lover nor a wife. He believed Aegon would hear him out. 

“Were you dropped on your head as a child?” Aegon questioned, face scrunched up in confusion. 

“N-no my prince-”

“(Y/N) is a princess,” Aegon said, enunciating the words, “what on earth would she want with you?” 

Your ears perk up at the sound of your name. You had been lounging on the steps leading to the sunken courtyard, nose buried in a book. You hadn’t noticed when Willas had passed you, making a beeline toward Aegon. The two men are lost in their conversation, not paying you any mind. 

You close your book and stand as the conversation appears to take a turn for the worst. Lord Willas has turned rather red in the face as Aegon laughs in front of him. 

“Then I wish to challenge you!” Lord Willas says, voice shaking. 

Your breath catches in your throat. Aegon tilts his head to the side, an incredulous grin breaking out across his face.

“Prepared to meet the Stranger so soon, are you?” Aegon teases, a laugh rolling through him. 

Willas’ face flushes a darker shade of red as Aegon tilts his head back, continuing his laughter. Your stomach churns. Surely Aegon cannot be serious. Surely he would not risk losing you?

“I wish to challenge you, to a duel for Lady (Y/N)’s hand,” Willas says, this time with more confidence. 

Aegon’s laughter dies down, he suppresses the giggles that still flow.

“I’m shit with a sword,” Aegon confesses, the smile never leaving his lips. He is like a madman in that way, always smiling. 

Lord Willas does not answer him, his glare speaks for itself. 

“Very well,” Aegon says, opening his arms, “it shall be a quick duel then.”

He turns and continues his leave. 

“When, then?” Lord Willas calls. 

“Give me a week, lord,” Aegon says with a groan, not turning around. 

Your cheeks are flushed, with embarrassment and hurt. The entire thing was a joke to him then. Your worst fears are coming true. Aegon will never love you the way you did him. He was willing to lose you so easily, you could already feel yourself slipping away from him. Tried and hurt, you retreated to your chambers for the rest of the evening. 

Your mother Rhaenyra could sense something was wrong when you had your food delivered to your chambers for the second day in a row. She brought it upon herself to visit you when you could not be coaxed from your chambers by any of your brothers, or your stepfather. 

Rhaenrya rapped her knuckles against the wood of your door, hearing a soft ‘enter.’

You lay curled up in your feather bed, where you had remained the past couple of days. 

“Daughter,” Rhaenyra called, “my sweet love, let us fetch you a bath and get you dressed.”

You cried the entire time your mother helped bathe you. It was as though you were a small child again, as she poured the warm water on you, and stroked your smooth hair with sweet-smelling oils. Your mother’s comfort released all the emotions you had desperately tried to hide.

“He does not want me,” you sobbed, “he has never wanted me and I have been so blind, so naive all these years not to see it.”

“Shh, my sweet girl,” Rhaenyra said, helping dry your hair, “come, let us get you dressed.”

As your mother helps you dress, another knock comes on the door and Queen Alicent makes an appearance. 

“Princess Rhaenrya,” she says, nodding to your mother, “Princess (Y/N).”

You only hope Queen Alicent does not notice the red that rims your eyes. 

“I wondered if you might accompany me on a walk, the gardens are quite lovely this time of day,” Queen Alicent asks, much to your surprise. 

You had hoped to continue the conversation of dissolving your engagement with your mother. Lips trembling, you nod. You need some fresh air, being cooped up inside for days is not good for your head, no matter how sad you are. 

As you walk through the halls of the Red Keep you make up your mind. 

“I wish to dissolve the engagement,” you tell Queen Alicent. She squeezes your arm, a concerned look on her face. 

“Do not be rash with this decision, my love,” she tells you, smoothing some hair from your face. 

“I have thought long and hard about it,” you insist, “Aegon shall never love me the way I love him. It would not be fair to either of us.”

Alicent purses her lips, leading you further towards the gardens, down a narrow path. The hedges were tall around you, roses sprouting from them hiding you from the rest of the palace. 

“OW!” you heard Aegon’s voice from over the hedges. You frown, looking towards Alicent who has a small smile on her lips. 

“Did you hear that?” you ask, with a confused expression on your face. 

“I told you to keep your guard up,” Aemond’s voice called from the same direction Aegon’s was heard. 

You peered around the corner watching what was going on. Aegon was shaking his wrist, his sword on the ground, and a pained expression on his face. Aemond was shaking his head, adjusting the grip on his sword. 

“This is barbaric,” Aegon said, grabbing his sword.

“This would be quite easier if you paid any mind to our lessons as children,” Aemond scolded, motioning for Aegon to hold up his sword.

“I did not imagine finding myself in this situation,” Aegon grumbled, as Aemond launched towards him. 

“Your right side Aegon,” Aemond said roughly, before slapping his sword over Aegon’s rib, knocking the wind from him. The sword clanged to the stones once more.

“The Mother, have mercy,” Aegon gasped, doubling over. Aemond smirked, clearly enjoying this, wiping some sweat from his brow. 

“What are they doing?” you whisper to Alicent as the brothers continue to fight. Alicent smiles softly, bringing a hand to stroke your hair. 

“Aegon has been training for the duel that Lord Willas demanded,” she tells you, causing your heart to swell. 

“What?” you whisper.

“He has been practicing all week,” Alicent tells you, gazing fondly at her son. You give her a confused look.

“Why?” you ask.

“Men do strange things for the women they love,” she tells you, causing you to scoff.

“Aegon does not love me,” you assure her, eyes flickering back toward him. Alicent smiles and follows your gaze. 

“Oh?” she questions and you give her a quick nod. 

“Come on, quickly now!” Aemond says as Aegon rushes to pick up his fallen sword once more, “do you believe your opponent shall wait for you to pick up your sword?”

“I expect him to be less of a twat than you-OW!”

You stifle a giggle, and Alicent grabs your arm. 

“Quickly, lest we be found,” she says, urging you towards the castle. 

You wait for Aegon in the training yard, hoping to spot him when he goes to return his sword. He is bruised and bloody when he finally appears, silver hair wet with perspiration. Though you hate to see him groaning with pain, it sends a thrill through you to see him so roughed up. 

“Aegon,” you softly call and he drops his sword once more. He truly is careless with the blade. 

“Princess,” he says, scrambling to grab his sword. 

“Whatever has happened to you, my prince?” you ask, feigning confusion. 

Aegon smiles, then winces as it tugs on his split lip. He has a nasty bruise appearing on the top of his cheekbone as well. 

“I fell,” he tells you, releasing a breathy laugh. Your eyes fall to the sword in his hands, and he follows your gaze. 

“With my sword,” he continues, “I fell with my sword.”

“You fell with your sword,” you repeat as he returns the blade to its place with the other training swords. 

“Mhmm,” he says facing you once more, lips tightly pursed together. 

You nod, slowly walking closer to Aegon. He sticks his tongue against his cheek as you approach, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. 

“I saw you,” you tell him, causing his violet eyes to widen. You smile at his surprise. 

“Why do you train with Aemond?” you ask, “why the sudden interest in the sword?”

Aegon opens his mouth, then closes it again. He brings a hand up to his chin, as though trying to think of a witty response. 

“Aegon,” you say before he can think of something clever.

He sighs. 

“Lord Willas was serious about your hand,” he tells you, a blush beginning to form on his cheeks. 

Your face softens as he continues. 

“I am no knight, but,” he bites his lip, trying to find the right words, “I do not wish to lose you, (Y/N).”

You step closer, placing a hand on his chest. Aegon meets your eyes.

“You cannot lose what you have always had,” you tell him, heart beating erratically. You laugh softly, shaking your head. 

“Aegon, I have always been yours.”

Aegon brings a hand to your cheek, caressing the smooth skin, before bringing his lips to yours. The kiss is soft and sweet, sending butterflies from your stomach all the way down to your toes. You sigh as he pulls away. 

“I am pleased to hear that,” Aegon murmurs, mouth so close the words brush against your lips, “for I have loved you far longer than I care to admit.”

You giggle against his mouth, the sound swallowed by another kiss, his free hand snaking around your waist. 

“And I you,” you tell him, breaking away for a breath. His lips move to your neck, as he chuckles.

note: hope you enjoyed it 💚

[divine-donna]

jealousy jealousy

a request: "hey! I wanted to make a request for a Tashi Duncan fanfic <3 a headcanon, about Tashi and reader being friends and playing tennis together, but reader is chubby and insecure a about her body, she feels a little jealous of Tashi and the other girls that play tennis and feels guilty about it. Tashi is secretly in love with her, at first reader can't really accept because she can't believe someone would be in love with her. Can you do female reader?"

this is going to be one of those rare occasions where i will be more specific about a reader's appearance and gender. something i also think is important is that i tend to imagine my reader as not white. so this does bleed into these head canons. if that's too serious for you, you're better off not following me.

pairing: tashi duncan x chubby! fem! reader

for vibes: "jealousy jealousy" by olivia rodrigo

context: stanford 2007

word count: 1.8k words

Love cannot exist without Envy.

When you love someone, to some extent you envy that person. There's something they have that you envy. That is what you grew up believing and that is the worldview of love that you were left with. On top of your mother telling you that girls like you do not receive the flowers, guitars, and romantic rescues that all the rom-com heroines you watched had.

Your favorite romantic comedies were My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Love Actually–the third being more of a guilty pleasure. The only movie that came close to representing a girl like you, with your body type, was My Big Fat Greek Wedding. That was the right kind of rom-com, the one where the woman didn't need to change herself. She just developed confidence and scored the guy of her dreams.

Unfortunately, real life was not as kind as the movies.

"You can't quit tennis!"

"What makes you say that?" You play with your food, poking the fettuccine alfredo with chicken recipe you cooked up for the both of you. You were craving something creamy this time of night. And Tashi was too.

"You just can't. You're amazing. Why would you quit? With talent like yours, it seems like such a waste to just quit." Tashi had already finished her plate.

"It was fun while it lasted. But I don't see myself doing it."

"Bullshit (Y/N)." You could never look at her when you lied.

Tashi recalls the first time she saw you play. It was the day after her own match. And you were pure fire. Your strokes were quick, most of your serves unreturnable. She felt bad for your opponent because you never gave her a chance. Instead, you decimated her. In short, you were a phenomenon. Someone like herself.

You two played the next day. Tashi won, but she never felt such a thrill, such a surge of adrenaline. You were the only opponent she's played so far to have her respect and friendship. You were great. And she wished the world could see what she saw.

Your passion for tennis rivaled Tashi's. It was your purpose in life. It was the perfect sport for you to destress yourself to, hitting balls and rallying yourself against the walls in the public park. You wanted to achieve that envious Grand Slam career title. You wanted to continue in tennis. You didn't want to quit.

"Is it those assholes again?"

You look up at Tashi. You both dealt with your share of racism. But you had an extra pile of shit thrown on top of you. People say all the time that chubby people can't play tennis. And it didn't help that among the players of your generation, you were the only one with a body size bigger than a 14. Being both non-white and chubby only made the vitriol worse and the interpersonal competition harsher.

"Come on. You can't listen to them." Tashi sets down the pasta bowl. You painted it for her that one time you guys decided to try pottery painting. She takes a sip of water from the mug you gifted her. And the cherry on top was that she was wearing one of your shirts. You left it at her house when you slept over.

"That's easy for you to say." You set your plate down.

A frown forms on her face. You don't like it when Tashi frowns. "(Y/N)..."

"It's all they talk about." Your eyes rake over her figure. Thin arms. A limber, slender body. Athletic with the right muscle balance so she didn't seem like too much of an athlete. She was model material, Tashi Duncan. And that's why all the offers came rolling in for her. All the brand deals, all the money. And you were instead left with scraps, still wrapping duct tape around the handle of your dad's Wilson racket. Relying on the graciousness of Tashi Duncan when you were in a tough spot. She bought you new shoes in time for the U.S. Open this year because your old ones had holes and were worn down. You hated relying on her. You hated that she always insisted you didn't need to pay her back. Your company was enough.

Your love was enough.

"What's the point in playing tennis if no one is going to talk about me playing tennis!" You raise your voice out of frustration. You were so angry that you could throw the plate at the wall and break it. "All everyone wants to talk about is how fat I am and that fat girls don't belong in tennis! It's not going anywhere! No one but you sees my potential. And my family and I have been losing money! It's too costly. Stanford didn't even take me for tennis." You were accepted for your brains. Not for your true passion. It wasn't worth investing in tennis when you were getting nothing in return. Nothing but racist, fatphobic vitriol that continued to wear you down every day.

"And that's why you should continue to play. You need to prove them wrong!" Tashi keeps her voice steady. "You prove them wrong, then they can't say shit."

You wanted to believe her. But you knew the truth. You weren't Tashi Duncan. You could never be Tashi Duncan. Only girls like Tashi Duncan and Irina Petrovska got the brand deals, got the fame, got the money.

Only girls like them got to continue their passion and turn it into a career.

"Proving them wrong won't do them anything. At this point I'm just...a circus pig." Your voice drops, but Tashi can hear what you said.

"You're not a circus pig."

"That's easy for you to say! You're...You're fucking perfect! You're the face of tennis! You're who people think of when someone brings up the term tennis player. Not me! You. I'm not meant to be on the court."

"Don't say that. Don't. Say. That." Desperation bleeds into Tashi's voice as she looks at you. "Do you remember what we agreed on during that after party? After our match?"

Your lack of a response tells her that you do. "We're going up there. Together. Next year. Doubles. Me and you. We're going to take over the world." Her fingers tap against the table. "You can't quit! You promised you would play with me! You promised you would. And we always keep our promises."

"Well maybe I'm fed up. Maybe I'm just done with it all." You sip your water. "Proving them wrong only seems to enhance the insults I get! It only makes things worse for me! And it only hurts you!"

"Why would it hurt me?" Tashi is in disbelief.

"Because I'm someone you shouldn't associate with. I shouldn't be playing with you! I don't deserve to! I'm a terrible friend!" Your voice cracks. "I am so jealous of you Tashi. All the time. There's always this sick twisting in my stomach. And you deserve everything that you've gotten but I can't help but feel that some of it should go to me! But it doesn't because I'm the fat one! And no one wants to see a fat girl in an Adidas ad. And it's not fair to you because you didn't do anything! And I don't deserve to be friends with you or even play against your because I'm a terrible person!"

She doesn't respond. She's too busy looking at you, watching the way your face contorts with emotion, the way your tears fall from your eyes. It was like you were unloading everything.

Tashi hated seeing you cry.

"You can't quit tennis."

You look at her with shock. Is that all she could say after everything you dumped on her?

You expected her to fume, to lash out. Or maybe to tell you to go kill yourself. She's done her fair share of that to people. And yet, all she can tell you is that you can't quit tennis.

"You still somehow managed to make this about tennis."

Tashi leans forward, her hand taking yours. She enjoys the feeling of your soft skin. You always took great care of your skin, moisturizing constantly. If she needed some cream to moisturize her dried out hands, she could always ask you. You had so much in your purse. She could smell that lavender cream you used. Some said it was the scent only old people picked. But she found herself craving that lavender smell late at night in her bed.

"I understand...everything...you're saying. Remember that time we were talking? About how we both envy white girls and their opportunities and their easy life and their ability to get away with everything on the court." She remembers the thinly veiled racist remarks fired at the both of you when you were playing against white opponents. The rage she felt but couldn't exercise because letting her emotions run free would only make her the angry Black woman and they would instead penalize her.

"Tashi-"

"I don't hold it against you. That's...the way the game is right now." The both of you were playing a white man's sport. Unfortunately, this was the reality.

"It's...stupid. And ridiculous. You shouldn't even be friends with me!"

"(Y/N), I love you."

Your breath hitches in your throat. You couldn't believe what you were hearing. Tashi Duncan...loves you? Even after everything you confessed? You wanted to say so many things, wanted to tell her that she was wrong to love you. She couldn't love you and shouldn't love you.

"Why?" is all you managed to muster out.

Her eyes soften. "I..." There were so many reasons why. Your laugh. Your determination. The way you ran your fingers through her hair when she laid her head on your lap. How soft you were. Your hugs. Your lips. Those unreturnable serves of yours. The way your skirts would hike up those thick thighs of yours. That serving tick of yours where you would tap the ball against the edge of your racket three times.

Her heart sinks when you pull your hand out of hers and stand up from your seat. You needed to take a walk. You needed to think for a minute.

"(Y/N)..." Tashi stands up to follow after you. She grabs your wrist and you turn around to look at her.

"Tashi...I don't...I don't deserve you-"

She leans forward, pressing her lips against yours harshly. You're shocked by the sudden feeling, taking a step backwards into the wall. Tashi cups your face with both of her hands, keeping you there. She pulls away, watching your face to see if you would react in any way. "(Y/N)..."

You close the gap between you two once more and place your hands on her waist, slowly guiding her to the bed as she gets lost in the smell of lavender.

[i-cant-sing]

Oh man, there's just something about weddings- no matter what religion/country, that each have their certain features that is just oh so endearing and I'd just love to have it all😭

Okay, so take Hindu weddings. There's a lot of things to love, but my fav? The sindoor, because it's just so so intimate and like- some people say that if some of that red powder falls on your nose, it means that your husband loves you very much 😭😭😭😭 oh not to mention, I saw some guy touching his forehead with his brides to apply the sindoor and I just- 🫠

Then take Muslim weddings, and like yes, indo obviously love the whole "mehr" thing, but it's always so adorable to see what the bride asks for her mehr (which is often money, but not always. Some brides ask for a kitten, a trip, or even a verse from Quran)🩷🩷🩷 and also the first halal hug- oh its just so heartwarming to see the way the groom embraces his bride in his arms with the utmost carr, maybe a peck on the forehead if they're into PDA.

And then there's catholic weddings, where they do the vows- "in sickness and in health" omg😭 and and the bride wearing something "blue, borrowed" etc that's cute too- BUT ALSO THE "ANYONE HAS ANY OBJECTIONS?" omg I would die if some (handsome and wanted) guy did actually object to my matrimony.

But apart from religious weddings, I also love everyone's traditions- I saw a video of Hunza people in Pakistan, where the couple make rotis (bread) together to signify the bond of their relationship- teamwork.

I know some of u guys would LOVE this- in Roma weddings, the guy kidnaps the girl of his liking (as far as I know, the guy already has the blessings and permission from the girl's parents) and then after negotiations, a wedding happens.

*gasps* I JUST REMEMBERED when I was little I used to watch Indian soap dramas and I was so jealous when I found out that not everyone does that ceremony where there's a bowl of milk with rose petals in it, and they drop a ring in it for the bride and groom to find and whoever finds it first, will mean that that person will be more dominant in the relationship- and EVERY SINGKE TIME THE GUY WOULD FIND THE RING FIRST BUT DISCREETLY PASS IT TO HIS WIFE SO THAT SHE COULD BE THE WINNER ONGGGGG

And then the Arab countries just practically frowning the bride in gold and money... I like that very much.

Wait omg I remember that Pakistanis have these GRAND welcome for the new bride in their home. I mean, first the groom brings her home in a fancy car or something, then the entire house is lit up with fairy lights and then they do FIREWORKS 😭😭

And in Indian, Pakistani, Bengali weddings, there's the henna tattoo ceremonies, and I love that so much, maybe because I grew up watching bollywood and desi shows, so I'm just gonna say they have amazing weddings.

*sniffle* I get it- I get why women dream of their weddings all their life.

[dragelton]

the ghosts finale was literally the worst finale of any show i have ever seen and i fully mean it

youre gonna take THE gay person found family show, add a fucking baby into the mix, have alison leave the ghosts so she can focus on the baby???

and like yeah. she has to. of course she has to. but like the baby isnt REAL. they wrote that thing in. they had her look at her found family and go sorry guys, this was fun but i need to focus on my real family, me and my DH and our lovely baby girl.

and see like. everyones posting analysis about how its actually even more family that they left because you also have to move out of your home when you grow up and only see your family for holidays yadda yadda and its like. well. yeah thats true. you live with your family until youre older and you love them but you outgrow them, who as much as you might like them are a part of you as your family and not as people you have independently grown to bond with. so you eventually leave them and surround yourself with a friend group or something such. one might even call it. a found family. and the reason why this sucks shit is because it betrays that this whole time the people writing this found family have been thinking “well yeah friendship is awesome but its nothing like REAL family where when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much-”

and then with that perspective you think back to the core of these characters who resonated so much and realize that their tragedies have always been a lack of family. julian was a serial cheater and workaholic who never told his daughter he loved her. pat will never get to see his kids grow up. thomas died before he could marry his beloved. fanny was robbed of a marriage with a man who loves her. kitty never grew up and got the dream wedding she desperately wants to have and her daddy never loved her. and then you get to cap who by all rights should be the exception to this and realize that when they teased him coming out the whole show but at the end subverted it to make it about his lost love it was not a radical portrayal of love between two men it was actually about them having the most cishet perspective on gay identity. it was them looking at a man who spent his entire life repressing his sexuality and going my, what a tragedy, he never got to get married.

of course you can say this has always been what the show is, that its not the shows fault i thought i was watching something else. fair enough. but appearently i’ve been watching something that is just not that good. like im going to be honest maybe it was just kind of bad.

[itamis-multi-muses]

In a world where the Uchiha and the people of the Leaf never clashed. A world where the Uchiha Massacre never took place. A world where love conquers all.

•Itachi excelled in the Anbu. Leading with pride, always thinking ahead about all the possible outcomes on missions to keep himself and, more importantly, his comrades safe. Unfortunately, killing wasn’t something Itachi wanted to do, so he resigned after a few years to focus on being a Jounin. He completed many missions, hundreds of them, all of them without killing a single enemy. He was both feared and loved.

•His relationship with his younger brother Sasuke only grew. They cooked together, trained together, even read together sometimes. Any time either brother needed someone, the other was there in no time. They shared their hopes, dreams, desires for the future and they were each other’s shoulder to lean on. Becoming Uncles to each other’s children made them even happier, if that’s even possible! The bond that Sasuke and Itachi had could never be broken.

•Fugaku and Mikoto watched both of their sons grow up into fine young men. Going to their graduation ceremonies, packing their bags full of snacks, water, medicine and other necessities before they headed off for a mission, and showing them just how proud and loved they were in their own ways. When the boys found their life partners, you bet that they showed up early to help set up for the wedding and stayed later to pack up so that their sons could start their beautiful lives with their wives/husbands. Grandchildren. They LOVED their grandchildren. Whether they were blood or adopted, they cared for them so much.

•Jumping to a personal favourite: Itachi and Izumi. Izumi always looked up to Itachi. Always wanted to be as strong as him. But, she just couldn’t. That never changed her feelings for him, though. Itachi made her want to train harder and harder and expand her ninjutsu library, her Sharingan ability, and of course, strengthen her genjutsu. Every time Itachi would leave for a mission with the Anbu or if he needed to travel to different villages, Izumi would always pack him a special bento box. A week’s supply of dango will malways be found in the top compartment! When Itachi comes back, like usual, his fangirls would swarm, leaving Izumi shyly standing behind the crowd, watching him. Itachi could see her, of course. When she was around, his focus was always on her. But, Itachi couldn’t just be rude and ignore everyone who had come to see him. Eventually, Itachi reciprocates Izumi’s feelings and he proposes one night after a very long and dangerous mission where he nearly lost his life. He knew then and there that he couldn’t waste any more time. After their marriage came two beautiful Uchiha children. The first, a boy, who had Itachi’s hair, but similar features to Uncle Sasuke. The second, a girl, with brown hair like Izumi’s and a face like Mikoto, her grandmother.

•Shisui did things similarly to Sasuke, Fugaku and Mikoto. Helped Itachi train, helped plan his and Izumi’s wedding, always made sure that Itachi and Sasuke had eaten, and if they hadn’t, he would take them to their favourite shop and buy them both dinner. Shisui took on the non-existent role of the oldest Uchiha brother, which Mikoto and Fugaku were very happy about. More support for their sons, after all! Shisui also helped Itachi and Sasuke out with women problems. If either of them had any questions about their crushes or girlfriends at the time, Shisui would be the first they would go to, since neither of them had much experience with dating and romance.

****

(Hiyah! This was inspired by another blog. I absolutely hate myself for not remembering their name, so I hope that they stumble across this post and say hi :3 Thanks for reading!)

P.S. I was listening to Every Time You Leave by I Prevail while writing the Itachi and Izumi part. Any I Prevail fans? Any at all? Well, I tried!

- Itami🌸

[wardenparker]

Down the Rabbit Hole - ch 12

Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst​

When Jack accidentally shoots a civilian on a mission he takes on not only the guilt of the man’s death, but inherits his soulmate as well. To you, it’s a dream job with more perks than you can imagine - but for Jack it’s a nightmarish complication. Even more so when he starts to develop feelings.    

Rating: Mature! 18+   Word Count: 17.1k   Warnings: *Blanket warnings - mentions of deceased spouse, a lot of food and alcohol consumption, family recipes, age gap, cursing.* Anxiety, accidental hurt, panic attack (symptoms based on my own personal experiences), intrusive/racing thoughts, physical symptoms of anxiety, hurt/comfort. *Author chooses not to disclose all warnings so as not to spoil a plot point! It has been spoiled in the tags if you would rather know ahead of time!* Summary: An impromptu trip with the girls leads to a lightbulb moment that you wish had never come.  Notes: And you guys thought everything was smooth sailing after the proposal? Oh no...we can’t have that...

Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~ Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14 ~ Ch 15 ~ Epilogue

It was something of a joke the first time it got brought up. One night long after dinner service was over when you and Jack had Sophia and Tex over for drinks. You had sat out on the back porch refilling your glasses and chatting about weddings when Tex randomly asked a question.

“Ain’t there a tv show for that? For buyin’ wedding dresses?”

“You mean Say Yes to the Dress?” You had asked, laughing and leaning into Jack’s side. It had been almost the only thing you watched with your sister for months when she was engaged. “Yeah. Why, do you want to watch it?”

“Naw.” He has shaken his head pensively. “Y’all should be on it.” You had laughed. All four of you. Delighted by the silly idea of you and Sophia being on TV together. It had seemed like an idea that came and went like summer breeze. Two whole weeks ago and while you’d fantasized a little, you hadn’t brought it up again. It hasn’t been brought up at all before today.

******

When Sophia blows into a building, people know it. Her tendency to throw the doors open and yell seemingly fits right in with the Statesman group far better than she ever had with Kingsman. So when she bursts through the double door leading to your kitchen, no one on your staff even bats an eye. “Pack your bags, we are getting on the plane!” She squeals, nearly giddy with excitement.

The sound of banging doors hasn't bothered you in your entire life, considering you grew up with noisy siblings, so you are perfectly leaned over a soufflé plate to put the finishing touches on its presentation when Sophia appears in a tornado of activity. "Oh yeah?" You ask, raising an eyebrow that is meant for her but very carefully placing a quenelle of homemade ice cream on the plate to hand off to one of your waitstaff. "Where exactly are we going in the middle of my dinner service?"

“Kleinfield.” She’s smug as she smirks at you and reaches out to pluck a shaving of chocolate off the line to pop into her mouth. “They have a cancelation two days from now and you and I are taking it!”

The spoon you had in your hand promptly clatters to the counter as you stare at her, jaw nearly unhinging from your face in shock. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Would I joke about that?” She gives you a horrified look. “I have Tex’s credit card and need to burn a hole in it!”

“But he—I thought—it was just a joke?” A passing comment from your friend while drinking under the stars. Nothing more. But the look on her face is fully aghast and you shut your mouth for long enough to realize that she’s talking about your day off. “Two days?” You ask, knowing that no, she would never joke about this. As boisterous and excitable and unconventional as Sophia is, she would probably be perfect for Kleinfeld.

“You don’t want to do it?” She asks, knowing that some people talk about doing things and never get the nerve when presented with the opportunity. “It’s okay if you don’t.”

"No, I just...I'm honestly shocked they had an appointment available." The disappointment in Sophia's face is obvious, and you grab a dish towel to wipe your hands on before throwing your arms around her. "Maybe we'll get to be in a background shot of an episode if we linger by a camera long enough."

“Either way, we are going to drink champagne and try on wedding dresses!” The hug rejuvenates her and she’s immediately crushing you in a return embrace. “I want an emerald green Zuhair Murad. Unless I find something I love more.”

"Oh god, you even know what designer you want." If Sophia has faults, preparedness is not one of them. She's always fully informed and ready to go at a moment's notice. "I suppose I should actually look at some designs before we go, shouldn't I?"

“No.” Sophia decides, grinning at you. “Choose whatever dress speaks to you.” She holds up a credit card, sleek and shiny. “I’ve got Whiskey’s card and there’s not a limit.”

"You already went and got his card?" That has you doubled over laughing, so taken aback by her approach and yet you have no idea why. This is who Sophia is. And it's why you love her. The woman is unapologetic about her enthusiasm. "You know I have to work tomorrow, right? And the appointment isn't for two days." Regardless though, it earns her another hug. It might be good to go back to New York for a happy reason...try to form new memories there that have nothing to do with what happened last time...

She pouts at you, clearly wanting to go to New York with her friend now. “Fine but we are spending the entire next three days.” She warns you with a pointed finger. “I need to see the sights.”

"I have a restaurant to run, you know." You just shake your head at her with both hands on her shoulders, barely smothering another laugh and sighing happily. "I'll make it work. Pick out the places you want to see the most and I'll see if my brother is going to be around or if we can crash an event at his art gallery. How does that sound?"

“Perfect! Oh! I asked Diana about coming but she’s insisting she will stay behind and make sure that the restaurant runs smoothly while you are gone.”

"You thought of everything, didn't you?" She always does. It's not as if it's a surprise. "Alright." One more hug and you pull back, shooting her a knowing grin. "Are you staying for supper or should I pack up a to-go order for you to take home to your man?"

“Ohhhhhh dinner.” She moans. “Not having the hour long ‘what do you want for dinner?’ conversation.” She laughs. “Please. Whatever you want to pack up, I’ll buy.”

"The chicken pot pie soup is even better today than usual." And it's one that they haven't tried yet, so you immediately go to pour two to-go containers. "And the biscuits are fresh." You add two of the apple hand pies and a small container of whiskey caramel for good measure, wanting to make sure that they're well fed tonight. "I'll put it on Tex's tab."

“That sounds amazing.” She groans, rolling her eyes. “But everything you make is amazing. I’m just never cooking again.”

"Glad to be of service." The compliment is like a giant fuzzy blanket you can wrap yourself up in, and you hand her the full bag of food with your restaurant's logo on the side. "Now go home and make a list of everything you want to see while we're in New York."

“Don’t tell me that.” Sophia grins and leans in to steal another hug. “Or I’ll plan it like a mission.”

"I can think of worse things." Throwing her a grin, you shoo her toward the door with a laugh. "I'm gonna come by your office before my shift tomorrow and I want to hear at least three ideas, otherwise I'm dragging you to every museum I can possibly think of. Deal?"

“Deal.” Sophia turns back towards you with a grin. “This is going to be great. We are going to have so much fun and the added bonus is that we will drive the boys crazy wondering what we are getting into together.”

"You're the only person in the world who can give Tex a run for his money in the troublemaker department." With one last squeezing hug, you really do have to get back to work. "Go on, Soph. I'll see you tomorrow."

“Bye!” She shouts as she blows out of the restaurant just as eagerly as she came in. You’ve given her more food she hasn’t tried and she’ll be damned if she’s going to let it get cold.

******

Going home to Jack that night is basically falling into a lump on the couch beside him as soon as you walk in the door, but at least you're the happy kind of exhausted. "Good day at work?" You ask, sighing a little as you tuck into his side and steal a sip from his glass on the coffee table.

Jack rolls his eyes slightly. “Alright, but Champ has decided that I need to be tested, make sure I’m up for going back to the field after months away.”

"What kind of test?" It's a fair thing for his boss to insist on, but you can hear the annoyance in Jack's voice.

“Every-damn-thing.” Jack grunts, shaking his head. “Man seems to think I’m getting old. Got me trainin’ with the recruits.”

“I’m sorry I kept you out so long.” You know it’s at least partially because of the trouble you had with each other in the beginning, and you turn your chin to look up at him on the couch. “He’s just doing his job, baby. A boss had to be a boss, even to his best friend.”

“It’s just aggravating.” Jack admits. “The younger group doesn’t mind. But they are in awe.”

“Bask in their admiration then, my love.” That makes you grin, knowing that Jack loves to show off when the opportunity arises. “Have someone other than your fiancée coo over how impressive you are.”

He grumbles under his breath, but it seems to do the trick. Tomorrow’s training not seeming quite so bleak as it has been looking. “Sophia find you?”

“She came by during dinner service.” He seems mollified, and you pick up his hand to kiss his palm before grinning guiltily. “I thought we might talk a little about wedding stuff before she and I leave tomorrow night?”

“What do you want to talk about, sugar?” He had gladly handed over his card to Sophia and told her to make sure you bought whatever you wanted.

"Well...we haven't really planned anything yet." Other than convincing your mother that no, you really can't fit into her wedding dress without major alterations and knowing that he had mentioned a family veil in a conversation ages ago, you've just been too busy with the restaurant to bask in the glow of being engaged. "We haven't even talked about where to have it yet."

“Honestly?” Jack chuckles. “I had anticipated you wantin’ to have the wedding here.”

"Here as in the house, or here as in the Statesman campus?" Either one is fine with you, but you want Jack to be excited for the wedding, too. Just because this will be his second doesn't mean it should be less meaningful.

“I meant here at Statesman.” He corrects. “Or up with your family.” He offers. “It doesn’t matter to me, if I’m honest. As long as you are there and we are happy.” He winks and leans in to press his lips to yours.

"Here at Statesman, then." It's come to mean a hell of a lot to you as a place to live and work anyway, there's no reason not to celebrate it. And your lips twist into a grin that you can't deny at the thought of having the wedding back in New Hampshire. "We threw my sister's wedding at my parents' house. It was so much fucking work, I think they'd be glad to just show up to this one instead of throwing the whole thing."

Jack nods in agreement. “That’ll be a good thing. The whole crew will want to be there.” He warns you with a grin. “It’ll be a big party.”

"A big party, huh? Sounds like fun." It's just teasing, you know it will be. Everyone at Statesman loves Jack, and your extended family will make plenty of fuss. "Do you..." You bite your lip and sit up to actually look him in the eye. "Do you want to do it before or after we go to Montana? I don't mind either way, but I know it's going to be an emotional trip and I don't want you to feel awkward about anything."

“Sugar…” Jack reaches for your hand and he picks it up to kiss the back of it. “I want you to plan this wedding for whenever you want. If we were to do it my way, it would be at the courthouse next week.”

"I mean...we could do that, but you're the one who's gonna tell Sophia that the trip to Kleinfeld is off." You have to bite your lip again, but this time it's to keep from bursting out laughing at the stricken look of worry on his face. Jack clearly does not want to be the one to deliver that news. "I don't mind how long we're engaged, love. I just want us to both be happy. So...since you're being so terribly practical...how about I talk to Diana about what would be the best time once I find my dream dress and find out how long it will take to get? Since I hear those things can take ages to come in."

“That will work for me.” Jack murmurs indulgently. “So you’re plannin’ the weddin’ and I’m plannin’ the honeymoon?” He asks with a teasing grin. He knows you will want his input and he won’t be the type of man to let you take on everything yourself.

“If that’s what you want.” Leaning in to kiss him has you grinning. “I imagine you’ll be choosing someplace where I wear as little as possible?”

“It’s like you know me.” Jack jokes, actually thinking about making one of your dream trips possible on your honeymoon. While time in bed is a must, he also knows you want to see the world.

“I’m happy as long as you’re there.” You promise him. “Just let me know when you pick so I can pack accordingly.”

“Would you prefer Paris or Thailand?” He asks with a smirk. “Was thinking we could do a week in Bangkok and then set ourselves up on an island resort. Or we could do the classics.”

Eyeing him like you think he might be teasing you, you decide to just roll with it and see what he says. "Depends on when the wedding is. If it's winter? Thailand, no contest. But summer? That's Paris."

“Then I guess we better figure out if you want a winter or summer weddin’ then, don’t we?” He chuckles. “Somethin’ to be said for both times of year here.”

"Guess I better talk to Diana, then. And figure out a dress." Leaning in, you steal a small kiss and relax against him again. "You...you had mentioned a veil...a while ago. And I wondered if it might be something that I could...take to New York with me? Or at least see it beforehand? I would hate to pick out a dress that it doesn't look good with when you said it was important to you."

Jack squeezes your hand and gets up with a grunt. “Come on, sugar. The veil is in the safe. Let’s see how it looks on you.”

You set the security system and Jack shuts off the lights on your way upstairs, ready to settle in for the night. The safe is in your bedroom anyway, so there won't be any reason to go back downstairs. "I assume you'd prefer I pick something white?" There's teasing on the tip of your tongue as you climb the stairs together. "I mean...who knows what I could find while Sophia is looking for her green dress."

“Sugar, I want you to pick out whatever catches your eye and makes you feel like a Princess.” He murmurs as he leads you towards the bedroom. “As long as you don’t mind there being a cowboy hat on me and all my groomsmen, we’re good.” He teases.

"I'd be disappointed if you went without." The feeling of his large hand around yours is soothing and grounding so you turn down the hall at the top of the stairs. It's automatic now, having slept in that bed with him so many times even before you were officially moved in. "Have you decided who you're going to ask?"

“Tex is gonna be my best man– if you’re good with it.” He turns and watches you carefully, wanting to make sure that you don’t hide your feelings towards it. “I was kind of hopin’ you might consider Champ officiating?”

"What if we did...couples? Kind of?" The thought is worth chewing over, and you sit down on the bed while he opens the safe. "Champ to officiate and I'll ask Diana to be our planner? Tex and Sophia as best man and maid of honor. Astrid and my brother for your other groomsmen and Gabi and my sister for my other bridesmaids?" It's like a perfect split of your friends, and you had always said that you wanted your siblings to be in your wedding party if you ever found your soulmate. After all – you were in theirs. "Does that sound okay?"

“Anyone else you want to invite?” He asks, punching in the code for the safe and swings it open. He knows exactly where the veil is, packed away in a box for protection and safekeeping. He pulls it out and turns back around to face you. “Friends from before?”

"Maybe a few. But I brought a couple of them in for the restaurant, to be honest. My best friend from culinary school is my front-of-house manager, and my closest friend from the pastry circuit back home is my pastry sous. So...aside from my extended family, most people really are already here." It's something that actually makes you more comfortable than you had realized, and bringing in your friends to help you run your dream restaurant only made it all the better.

Jack nods. “Whoever you want. We can make sure that everyone comes, even if we have to set up huge reception tents outside.”

"Is that it?" The box in his hands is cradled with care, and you know it can't be anything else. There isn't much in the safe besides weaponry and a few valuables, and that box is the only thing you haven't seen yet.

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it.” Jack offers before he hands you the box. Despite what he had said about this being a family tradition, he wasn’t going to insist on it if you hated it.

"Unless it's a literal tablecloth, I can't imagine disliking it." And even if it were, you would still wear it if it was important to him. He looks nervous as you lift the lid, but the second you reveal the lace to the light you gasp in awe. It's simple and stunning - classic in the way the scalloped lace at the edges is full of beautifully woven flowers that ease into the body of the veil to give way to simplicity. When you lift it out you can see that it has an attached clip, encrusted with beautiful, crystal-clear rhinestones. "Jack..." You look up at him on the verge of another gasp. "It's gorgeous."

“You like it?” He asks, shuffling slightly and wondering if you are just saying that. He had family pictures going back generations with this veil and if you decided you didn’t want it, he would be disappointed but understand.

"I love it." You're practically in tears over it, and immediately stand up from the bed to go in front of the mirror and get an idea of what it would look like in your hair. The gold and rhinestone clip and floral lace are giving you ideas that you never would have imagined for yourself. "I'm going to pick something simple for a dress." Whether you're telling yourself or him is up for debate. "So this can be the center piece." Without having any family at all to invite, it's the perfect way to still have them with him at the wedding.

“It looks gorgeous on you, sugar.” Jack swallows, not wanting to compare you to his late wife, but you both look like angels wearing the family veil. It’s been a long time since he’s even looked at it. “Probably needs to be cleaned. But I’ve kept it as safe as I could.”

"I'll ask Diana. Something tells me that she will know a place that can handle something this delicate." It's silly, but you really don't want to take it off so quickly. But he's right, it's an heirloom and an antique, and should be handled with care. "I'm honoured that you want me to wear it, honey. It's beautiful, and a beautiful memory to have."

“I will admit.” He reaches out and touches the lace. “I was hopin’ you’d want to wear it.”

"I absolutely do." Leaning over a little, you leave a kiss brushed on his cheek and rub his arm gently. "I'm going to take some pictures of it, if that's okay with you? I don't want to risk something happening to it on the trip. It's more delicate that I had imagined."

“No, you take it with you.” Jack insists. “It’s a lot tougher than it appears. It’s been through more than most family heirlooms.”

“I’ll pack it up in something safe and padded,” you promise, already trying to think of your laptop case will fit the bill. Either way, you carefully take the clip out of your hair and wrap your arms around him as soon as the veil is back in its box. “I’m glad we have something of your family’s for the wedding.” You wish you could do more than that - find some way to have them there - but some things are beyond even your determined reach.

“She woulda liked you.” Jack admits in a quiet voice. “Woulda boxed my damn ears for how I treated you, but if there was some way for you two to be in the same time, she woulda joked about the two of you runnin’ me ragged.”

"If there was some way for us to be in the same time, I know she and I would have been friends." Though you don't really know how you know it, all of the things you've ever learned about Abigail Daniels all add up to the kind of person you would have loved to be friends with. "She'd give me shit about the whole thing with Tex, and she'd love Sophia to death just like I do. And..." You sit down on the bed with him again and pick Jack's hand up in both of yours. "And I hope that sometimes I remind you of her. Even a little bit. And that sometimes you're just like that cook from Boston."

“That might be what scared me the fucking most.” Jack whispers quietly. “You do remind me of her. That same spirit. Caring nature.” He lifts your joined hands and puts your arms around his shoulders. “But I love you. For you.”

"I love you, too, Jack Daniels." It always makes you smile, the way the sentence rolls off your tongue so naturally and makes him blush, pushing that lone dimple up into the meat of his cheek. "But I hope you know that giving Sophia your credit card means she is gonna make sure I come home with the most expensive wedding dress New York City has to offer."

“It’s why I gave it to her.” He pouts at you playfully. “You either wouldn’t have accepted it or resolved to spend as little as possible on it.” He grumbles, unsure of why you disbelieve the fact that he can afford to spoil you. “She’s under orders to have them remove the price tags from the gowns before you try them on.”

"Tex is convinced they're going to put us on camera." Later in the night he had texted you to thank you for dinner and excitedly gushed about how he was dead certain that if two ravishing ladies such as yourself walked up into that salon with fancy fiancés and unlimited budgets, they would be fools not to put you on the show. "I don't think it works like that, but I didn't want to dash his dreams."

“Hardheaded fool.” Jack shakes his head and sighs. “Sophia can’t be on the show.” He explains softly. “At least not featured. She’s an active agent.”

"She's the most special thing to him in the world and he likes to dream about it. It's sweet." His exasperation is endearing - brotherly, really - and you grin. "He's sappy and in looooove."

“Yeah. He is a sap.” Never one to turn down a chance to insult Tex good-naturedly, he chuckles. “He’s gonna cry when he gets the bill for her dress.”

"She's going to look spectacular." You know that without hesitation. Even if she weren't a statuesque beauty to begin with, her assuredness and vivacity would make her a knock-out no matter what. "It'll be the most unconventional wedding dress you've ever seen."

“The boy said she was wantin’ a green weddin’ dress.” He hums, looking at you curiously. “Are you thinkin’ something along the same lines or traditional?”

"I think the wildest I'll get is a flower pattern or something in the fabric. No colors or anything over the top for me." Somehow you have a feeling that Jack wouldn't say a word if you wanted to be untraditional, but he's hoping for white in his heart. And honestly? You never imagined anything but white on your own anyway. Maybe ivory - but that is hardly a stretch of the imagination. "My mom and my sister had these very elaborate dresses with lace and rhinestones and bows and stuff and I just...I don't know. I think I want to do something simple. And definitely something white."

“Simple is good.” Jack slides his hands around your waist and pulls you closer. “Simple lets the gorgeous bride shine. Instead of just looking at the dress, they will be lookin’ at you, sugar. Envious and wonderin’ how the fuck I got so lucky.”

Your immediate impulse is to protest that you’re the lucky one in this situation, but you know you’ll just end up going back and forth flattering each other. “We’re both lucky,” you insist, leaning forward to press your lips to his.

He can concede that, smirking slightly against your lips. Tilting his head and sliding his tongue into your mouth to deepen the kiss and groans when you immediately respond. The way Jack kisses you will never cease to thrill you. Reverent and wanting but always playful. It makes you smile into the kiss and ring your arms around his neck to pull him in closer. “I’m gonna miss you while I'm in the city.”

He frowns slightly and pulls you closer. “I’m going to miss you too, sugar.” He admits. He’s worried. Worried that you might not react to being in the city where you were tortured, but he’s not going to bring it up. If you aren’t thinking about it, he doesn’t want to put it in your mind. “But you will have a lot of fun with Sophia. You two are gettin’ along good.”

“She’s great.” You tilt your chin back to kiss the tip of his nose and smile, trying to wipe the frown off of his face. “And I know I’ll be safe with her.” It’s not as if you hadn’t thought about where you’re going. But you can’t exactly shun the city where your own brother lives for the rest of your life.

“You will be.” Jack looks down into your eyes seriously. “Please wear the bracelet and your earrings?” He begs softly.

“Cross my heart.” You nod earnestly, pressing another kiss to his lips. “And if I never go to Brooklyn again it’ll be too soon.”

He hums, tightening his grip on you slightly. “I would offer to come but I think there’s some rule about seeing the dress.”

"There's a very big rule about it, and I want you to be surprised." Although you can't deny that you always feel safer with him around, you know that Sophia will be able to take care of anything that comes up. If anything does at all, which it shouldn't now that Jack had taken care of the Rollins boys. "Unless...maybe Astrid could come with us? If she wanted to, and Gabi was okay with it? Then I'd have two of the baddest ass women I know looking out for me and you might feel a little calmer?"

“You take whoever you need to, sugar.” It’s sweet that you want to calm him down but he will always feel a little anxious when you aren’t in his sight. He’s already come to terms with that fact.

"It'll all be fine." You assure him, solidly reminding yourself of it as well. "We'll both be a little unsettled but I'll be fine with Sophia. And I'll wear my bracelet and my earrings so you can watch my little tracker dot circle around the dress shop a bunch of times and grin about it."

“I think you’ll find your dress in under an hour.” Jack predicts.

"You want to be more specific?" The idea of a little bet is intriguing to you and you pull apart from him to start undressing for bed. "Make a wager, maybe?"

“You know what you like and what you don’t.” Jack explains. “Even if you don’t have any particular style in mind before you go in, I wager an extra week on our honeymoon that you find your dress within an hour.”

"So if you're right, we add an extra week to the honeymoon." Tossing your socks in the laundry basket, the t-shirt you were wearing joins it next. "If it takes longer than that, which I think it will because I have no clue what I'm looking for other than 'not what my mother or sister wore', then..." You think through it, trying to think if there's anything you've wanted that he has ever said no to. Which of course, there isn't, so you go for something silly instead. "Then you and I are going to take an extremely silly engagement trip somewhere. Disney levels of silly."

Jack chuckles, knowing that it would seem extremely silly, but it would be worth it. “You’re on, sugar.” He hums happily, watching as you strip down and he starts to unbuckle his belt. “It’ll be great having you on the honeymoon for an extra week, but—” He points at you playfully and wags his finger. “You can only call to check in on your restaurant once a day.”

"Twice." You immediately pop up, turning to throw him a pout in protest. After all, pouting topless has never steered you wrong before - even if you're a little too anxious tonight to be thinking about sex. For the last several days, actually. "Once at the beginning of business and once toward the end of the night."

“One call, one text.” Jack haggles with you, smirking slightly although his eyes are squarely centering on your tits at the moment. Not sure if he’s smirking at the conversation or at the sight of your beautiful breasts.

"One call and one text. I can deal with that." You'll conspire with your sous chef later to communicate far more than that, but that's for later. "See something you like, cowboy?" It does make you smile, even though you're currently digging into the dresser to pull out an oversized t-shirt to sleep in.

“You can’t expect to pull out your tits and not have me stare at them.” He huffs dramatically, although he’s noting that you are already putting clothes back on, the universal signal for ‘not tonight’. To be fair, there has been a lot of sex and he doesn’t care if you want to have a rest. Instead of stripping down completely, he leaves his boxers on as he pulls back the covers.

"You're always allowed to stare at them, babe. Just like I'm always allowed to stare at your ass." Grateful that he doesn't seem to be fiercely ready for sex tonight, you crawl into bed beside him and snuggle up tight.

Curling his arms around you and pulling you into his chest, Jack presses his lips to your forehead. You seem perfectly content to let tonight be a snuggly affair and he’s perfectly okay when that, sighing softly at your warmth against his chest. The beating of your heart that he can just barely hear. “It’s a good thing you like it, cause it’s barely there. Better narrow your eyes to see it.”

“I’m gonna have to get a very powerful glasses prescription from Astrid,” you joke, giggling when you look up at him in bed and he frowns dramatically in response.

Jack reaches between you and pinches your nipple. “Brat.”

“Ow.” You’re laughing until you’re not, confused as to why the normally playful gesture hurts tonight. Jack must have accidentally pinched harder than usual. “Now I’m a pouty brat.”

“Shit, sugar.” He goes to rub your breasts to apologize but you twist away. Instead he strokes your back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He promises, feeling guilty for being too rough. He must have pinched harder than normal.

“S’ok.” You shrug, but also shrug out of his touch, slipping down beside him with a soft smile. “Kisses make things better, ya know.”

“I’ll give you as many kisses as you want.” He keeps his hands away from your chest, settling them on your sides as you lean in so he can kiss you.

“Sounds perfect to me.” Determined not to let your nerves about going to New York seep in, you just hope you get a good night’s sleep tonight. You’ve been restless lately – who knows why.

“Let’s get some sleep, sugar.” Jack suggests, unwinding one arm from around you so he can turn off the light. “You’ve got some big weddin’ decisions to be makin’.”

******

When you actually depart for New York it's early in the morning two days later, and you and Sophia have Gabi along with you for the trip. The idea of inviting Astrid was well-meaning for Jack's comfort, but since both of you had actually planned on asking Gabi to be your bridesmaid individually you had decided to make this trip a sort of event. The three of you sit over breakfast on the Statesman jet, talking over what Sophia wants to see and all the little things that you think you might look for in a dress or for your weddings. It's a calm flight, all things considered, but you still find yourself picking at your breakfast and wishing your upset stomach would subside.

“Are you good?” Gabi reaches out and touches your elbow. “I know the food isn’t as good as yours, but it’s not worth shredding the bagel.” She teases with a grin.

"I felt kind of off yesterday, too." You admit, looking between your friends with a sheepish expression. "I think I'm nervous."

“It’s okay to be nervous.” She promises. “I kept choking on my own spit the day Astrid and I got married. Broke out in hives.”

"Oh god..." As comforting as it is to know that even the happiest couples you know had plenty of wedding nerves, that just makes you groan in the moment. "Don't tell me that. Tell me everything's going to work out and the stuff that goes wrong will be little and unimportant and we'll laugh about it later."

“Everything turned out amazing.” She assures you with a smile that can only be from a person still completely besotted with their soulmate. “One of the best days of my life. And it will be yours as well.”

"Gabi's official role as bridesmaid for both of us is to be the calm one." Sophia jokes, sitting back at the table in the belly of the jet with her hands wrapped around her iced coffee. "Which reminds me," she grins, eyes flashing mischief at you before focusing on Gabi. "Hen parties. What did you and Ginger do?"

Gabi snorts and shakes her head. “Uhhhh….” Her grin is devilish and she shrugs. “We went to a male strip club.” She admits with a cackle.

"Seriously?" You almost do a spit take of your herbal tea, which would not help your stomach in the least.

“What?” She gives a shrug of her shoulders as if it was nothing surprising. “Just because we are desperately in love doesn’t mean we don’t like to look at dick.” She huffs playfully, dropping her voice on ‘dick’.

"So you like to look but don't want to touch men?" Human sexuality is such a fucking spectrum that you typically don't ask questions, but now you're curious. Plus, it's probably the first time you've ever seen Gabi blush. Ever.

“Ummm….” She shrugs again and gestures uselessly with her hands. “All of our kids were, uh, conceived naturally. So sometimes we do like to touch.”

"So..." This is breakthrough information that has you sitting up in your chair, practically giggling in delight. "Jack just...assumed you're a lesbian and no one ever corrected him? Because he definitely thinks you're a lesbian."

“To be fair, we are in a committed relationship and don’t really talk about anybody before finding each other.” Gabi defends lightly. “And we were very discreet with the fathers of our kids.” She giggles. “Plus, if Jack knew, he might have volunteered to get one of us pregnant and while I would have gone for it….Astrid would have worried it would affect their work relationship.”

"He absolutely would have volunteered." And rather than making you feel awkward in any way, you can absolutely laugh about it. "Well it seems I learned something about my friends today!”

Gabi shrugs and smirks. “So don’t feel bad about wanting a male dancer for my sake!” She jokes. “I’ll be upfront since it’s been a while.”

“Oh!” Shrinking back in your seat a little, you shake your head and laugh nervously. “I wasn’t planning on having a bachelorette party. No dancers or strippers or whatever for me.”

“What?” Gabi immediately shakes her head. “You are having a bachelorette party. Even if it’s just a spa thing with the girls.”

“No one’s saying we’re dragging you to Vegas for a Magic Mike show and endless rounds of cocktails by the pool.” Sophia waggles her eyebrows. “Although that does sound grand.”

“That’s what we’ll do for you, then.” That kind of party is much more styled to Sophia’s outgoing personality, and you’re definitely more up to planning something like that than being the focus of it. “Mine will be the low key version of things.”

Gabi nods. “Noted. Sophia wants naked men, you want pedicures.” She teases. “But you will stuff some dollar bills in a g-string if given the opportunity?”

“I promise to stuff at least two bills into two separate g-strings.” You snort, shaking your head at the very silly bargain.

“At least.” Gabi agrees with a grin. “Who knows, maybe Astrid and I will have the motivation to start looking for another donor for baby number three.”

“Your third baby donor and my brother’s second husband,” you half-joke, knowing full well it’s only half. If your brother knew you were going to a strip club he’d be there in a heartbeat. Sophia cackles at that, gleefully enjoying the image it brings to mind, and you snort a laugh that brings the whole table into a fit of giggles.

“So.” Gabi leans in and grins. “A little birdy told me that you and Jack have a little wager.” She hums. “I am to act as timekeeper.”

“Oh god.” Despite your embarrassed laughter, you do sit up and reach for your tea. “If I find a dress in under an hour, he’s adding an extra week to our honeymoon. If it takes over an hour, I get to be treated to a silly little engagement trip. He’s convinced I’m going to find one in no time.”

“So you win either way.” Sophia looks impressed, sore that she hadn’t come up with something like that with Tex. “Bravo.”

You shrug, knowing the compromise is really just a win for both of you, and it’s really just about when to have an extra week of vacation. “I know it’s going to take me forever, so you two will have to help me come up with someplace extraordinarily silly for him to take me.”

“Knotts Berry Farm.” Sophia immediately pipes up. “Or Disney World. And make him wear the ears!”

“If I bring that man to Disney World, I’m dressing him up like Woody and absolutely no one can stop me.” It would certainly qualify as silly, and your beloved cowboy soulmate would undoubtedly have you dressed up in something equally silly the next day as revenge. “And I would take so many videos.”

“You would have to!” Gabi laughs at the mental image and shakes her head. “There’s a snake in my boot!” Sophia cries out in an exaggerated imitation of Jack’s voice.

“Excuse me, ladies.” The flight attendant that welcomed you all on board and set out your breakfast comes over with a smile, having clearly recognized the impression Sophia was doing. “We’ll be landing shortly. If you wouldn’t mind buckling in, I’ll just clear this away. You’ll be on the ground in twenty minutes or less.”

Sophia looks giddy as the plane starts to descend, looking out the windows although the clouds still cover up the view. “Thank you for coming.” She says suddenly. “I am excited for this.”

“You made this happen.” Reaching over to hold her hand tightly, the way she grips yours back eagerly is full of excitement and anticipation. “We’re glad to be here for the ride. And I am also very excited about this appointment.”

“I am just here for the free champagne.” Gabi teases, honored that both women would include her in such a big event. Even better, she gets a mini vacation that is sure to rejuvenate her.

******

The ride from the airport to Kleinfeld is animated, with all three of you mashed into the backseat of the Statesman SUV that came to pick you up at the private airstrip. Apparently, having three agency soulmates fly into the city for a few days landed you some privileges, especially since Sophia is an active agent - and the best perk might actually be having a driver at your disposal.

“So Sophia already has an idea of what she wants. What are you thinking?” Gabi asks. “I know you have Jack’s family’s veil with you.”

“Yes, I do. And it’s non negotiable. If the dress doesn’t compliment the veil, it’s not the one.” The tote bag you’re carrying today holds any number of things, but your laptop case containing that veil is the most precious by far. “I just want something simple. As vague as that is.”

“Simple can always be wonderful.” The only married woman in the group insists. “Especially when on such a gorgeous woman.”

“Flatterer.” A sly grin in Gabi’s direction makes both of you laugh, and you reach for the front door of the bridal salon with a sharp intake of nervous breath. “Okay, ladies. Here we go!”

“Reservation is under my name.” Sophia turns towards you two before a woman in a tailored pantsuit walks up to the group. “Hello.” She watches as the woman seems surprised by the accent and smiles. “We have a reservation. Andrews.”

"Of course. Welcome!" The perfectly coiffed platinum blonde smiles broadly and waves you all over to the desk. "My name is Ellie, and I'm actually your consultant today so this was perfect timing to run into each other." She laughs, but instead of being put-on or polite, she sounds genuinely amused as she glances down at the computer behind the counter and back up again. "Now this is a double appointment, right? You, Sophia...and...?"

"And me." You put out your hand out to her and find yourself smiling in mirror to the woman – Ellie is one of the consultants frequently featured on the show but you would be hard pressed to actually say anything. She probably gets enough of that every single day from other brides.

“I already know what I am looking for.” Sophia announces, motioning towards you. “She is the one who isn’t quite sure what she is looking for. Although she has brought a family heirloom veil from the groom’s family that she wants to use.”

"Oh wow." Ellie looks suitably impressed and waves the three of you toward the belly of the salon. "Well let's go and get you ladies set up, and we can talk a little about what we're looking for and what our budgets look like." She moves through the space with ease and the three of you follow easily until you're shown to a soft, blue loveseat in one corner of the salon. "Since we have two brides trying things on I have a seat here for our third friend, and two pedestals for trying things on. But for now," she grins and pulls up an extra chair. "Let's have a little chat. Fiancés, weddings, budgets, all that good stuff."

“Budget is no concern.” Sophia hoots, pulling out Jack’s card. “Her fiancé is the CEO of Statesman distillery.”

"And hers," you side eye Sophia with nothing but love. "Is Head of Security." Tequila's return Stateside and good work at Kingsman had come with a step up in his civilian job title, much to his delight. It corresponded directly with his accolades as a senior agent. "They're best friends, and close with our friend Gabi's wife. Who is also a department head at Statesman. We're a big work family. But, um...yeah. Our fiancés are footing the bill, and they said no budget."

"My goodness." It's pretty clear Ellie wants to swear but she's too professional and she nods along with what you're saying. "So let's talk weddings, then? And fiancés? Sophia, you said you already know what you're looking for so why don't you tell me a little about everything?"

“I am not traditional.” She flashes a sardonic smile. “Trying to throw off my Britishness.” She jokes, you and Gabi laughing. “My fiancé is a huge cowboy and his engagement ring for me is a good indicator of our whimsy. I have decided I would like an emerald green wedding dress and my bridesmaids will wear white tea length gowns. Emerald green accents.”

"Okay!" Ellie nods, obviously a little thrown off by that idea but ultimately undeterred. "We don't have a lot in the salon in green, but what I can do is pull dresses that I know the designers are willing to do in colours and show you a fabric sample of what that colour would look like. How does that sound to you?" If it isn't satisfying to this bride Ellie will have to pull out her Hail Mary very early in this appointment.

“I was hoping for a Zuhair Murad gown?” Sophia suggests. “If that’s possible?”

"It's definitely possible." The excitable blonde nods her head and looks around the group of the three of you conspiratorially. "He's actually here today. We have a trunk show of his gowns going on this week and he's in store to meet with brides and consult on some things. I definitely think it would be worth bringing him into this appointment so that you can get that emerald color you want. His coloured gowns are stunning."

“Are you serious?” Sophia looks positively star struck and she can’t nod quick enough. For her, the designer is the entire reason she had wanted to come here.

"In that case." Ellie's eyes flash and she turns to you with a grin. "Let's talk about you, my dear. What are you looking for? What kind of wedding are we thinking of having?"

"Our situations are very similar in most ways, but in some ways we're the total opposite of each other." You explain, laughing a little when Sophia shrugs unapologetically. "We're both marrying Statesman execs, both having our wedding on the Statesman campus. I think we're both going for a sort of elegant Southern vibe. But where Soph is vibrant and extroverted and more of a party girl, I'm definitely looking for something simple and classic. My worry, though, is that everything simple is going to end up being a little boring."

“Your friend said the veil was going to be a part of your look. May I see it?” She asks, eager to see what kind of style the veil is designed in.

"The veil is an heirloom." Carefully digging into your tote, you unzip the case you have it in and lift out the antique lace to show the consultant. "This is the only thing that is non-negotiable. I could walk out of here with the most expensive and elaborate dress you sell even though I came in wanting simple and chic, but it has to work with this veil. Every bride in my soulmate's family for the last hundred and twelve years has worn it."

“It’s beautiful.” Ellie’s eyes widen and she reaches out to examine the lace. “This is hand sewn.” It is much better quality than most veils brought in that were from the 70s or 80s and the bride's mother wanted them to wear. This piece is timeless. “Simple, you say? This would look magnificent against a satin bridal gown.”

“I’m open to trying anything.” It would be silly to point out that you’re not used to wearing gowns so anything she suggests to try would be new for you. You can’t imagine most women wear an excess of gowns in their lifetime. Some, of course. But not most.

"Do you have any preference for cut?" She asks, eyeing your figure. "I have a selection of gowns that would be gorgeously simple and not clash with the veil but rather work with it to give you a wonderful bridal look."

“I just want to be able to dance,” you tell her with a grin. “He’s an amazing dancer.”

Nodding, she gently lets go of the veil and smiles at the three of you. "I will get you set up with some champagne and then start pulling dresses for you to see." She promises as she stands up. "I feel like you both will find exactly what you want."

It's a few minutes before your consultant returns with a tray of drinks and shows you that your dressing rooms are the ones right beside where you're sitting. She disappears again with an excited grin, headed into the belly of the salon to the stockroom to pull some dresses. It seems like the three of you have barely had a few sips, though, when a tall man with dark features and an easy smile sidles up to your area. "Miss Andrews?" He asks in a thick Middle-Eastern accent, looking to see which one of you answers. "Ellie told me you were interested in one of my colored gowns for your wedding dress."

Sophia’s eyes widen and she is immediately standing, rushing to shake the hand of one of her favorite designers. “Yes.” She gushes happily. “I am in love with your designs.”

“The very highest compliment I could ever receive.” Murad smiles warmly and shakes Sophia’s hand with both of his. “There are a few gowns here that could be dyed. I will help Ellie pull those for you and we will see what you think of them. But,” he flashes her a grin. “If we do not turn up anything here, then we will come up with a design all your own, together.”

“The only thing that I care about is that the dress matches the color of my ring.” Sophia can’t help but grin back at the handsome man.

"A beautiful piece," he praises, letting the emerald catch the light and dance. "Your fiancé has excellent taste."

"Thank you." Sophia beams and twists the ring on her hand. "We were joking that I should have a dress to match and I absolutely fell in love with the idea."

"It is not a joke, it is genius." The designer flashes a grin at Sophia and then at you and Gabi on the plush little loveseat. "Let me see what is here that can be dyed, and I will come back with Ellie to see what you think."

Sophia giggles nervously and nods, turning back towards you and Gabi when he walks away. "Oh my fucking god! I cannot believe I just met him!!!!" She squeals, nearly apoplectic with glee.

"I think that was more than a meet, honey," you wrap a giddy Sophia up in a hug and let her giggle fit ride itself out naturally. "He just offered to custom design your wedding dress if you don't like anything on site."

"Oh god, he did, didn't he?" She's completely awestruck and nearly spills her champagne as she plops down on the cushioned chaise lounger. "I missed that. I just– oh my god, do you think he would find it strange if I invited him to the wedding?"

"I don't know if he would be able to come, but I think it would be a very nice gesture." She's completely overcome with the encounter and you can't help but laugh softly. "How about if I meet my dress's designer too, we'll both invite them. And then we can be weird together?" It's such a silly suggestion, but kind of a sweet one. Like a big thank you for a day that is already so wonderful.

"Maybe he can design something simple for you." She bites her lip and looks around in complete starstruck awe. "I cannot believe I am here. We are here. We are going to be getting married!"

“She’s gonna take off to outer space.” Gabi laughs, carefully extracting Sophia’s glass from her hand while you hug her.

“Can’t say I blame her.” There’s activity all around you, consultants toting dresses and other brides giddily browsing the pieces hanging in the sales floor, and you look around with a sigh. “It’s like bridal Disneyland.”

Gabi snorts and can't deny that. "It is bridal Disney, isn't it?" She hums, amused by the idea. "We need to see about adding a bridal boutique to the Statesman label." She chuckles. "Have it be an all in one wedding venue."

“If we had a bridal label we’d be unstoppable.” The very idea of it makes you grin, as if you don’t have enough on your plate already with the restaurant just opening and the event planning taking off at the same time. “Champ would either throw resources at us or realize he’s created a monster.”

"You don't think that man is aware that he has created a monster?" Gabi asks you, raising a brow even as she grins at you. "He's fully aware."

“Jack’s the one who keeps encouraging me to dream,” you shrug like it means nothing, but it’s honestly one of the more sincere and romantic things he could possibly do. “Champ’s just the facilitator.”

"Maybe one day." Gabi offers, leaning over to tap her glass to yours. "Lord knows our Statesman family is going to be growing."

“Still thinking about baby number three?” She had seemed to glow with the idea after joking about it on the plane, and you could definitely see Gabi and Astrid deciding to give Ricky and Carmen a little brother or sister.

“I kind of am.” She admits with a dreamy smile. “I know Astrid would let me carry the next one, so I just– I want to talk to her about it and see what she thinks.”

"You guys are the cutest parents. I'm sure she'd be excited for it." Aside from your sister and brother-in-law, Gabi and Astrid are the parents of young children that you've spent the most time around and that both makes you ache and anxious all at once. It would be wonderful to have kids, but you have no idea how you would be as a mother or how Jack would respond to the idea of being a father again.

“Are you okay?” Gabi’s soft smile turns concerned as she scooches closer to you. “You suddenly look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

It hit you like a ton of bricks - the horror tinging your realization with fear. When was your last period? "I'm okay." Unfortunately it's a flat out lie, but you just smile and set your champagne glass back on the tray when Ellie reappears with her hands full of gowns. Gabi doesn't need to know. No one needs to know. No one needs to know that you can't remember the date of your period. Getting an IUD had never made them stop completely, only made them dramatically lighter. But it's...it's been months. Shit.

She doesn’t question you any more, but she side eyes you. Wondering if you are feeling nervous about the dress or if it’s something to do with children. “You know, I think Jack will be a wonderful father.” She murmurs reassuringly right as Ellie starts to talk.

"I have a few of our simpler gowns here in a variety of silhouettes so that you can get a better feeling for what style you might like, and we can go from there," she tells you with a happy smile before looking to Sophia. "And you, my lucky friend, Zuhair just pulled a few things from the stockroom. He's right behind me."

She is practically bouncing in her seat, excited, although she turns towards you expectantly. “Are you ready to find your dream dress and have an extra week of honeymoon?” She teases, having fully sided with Jack.

"We'll see." Forcing yourself to paint on a smile, you push out of your seat and follow Ellie into the small dressing room. Everything on the hangers is delicate and focuses on your body instead of obscuring details, and now all you can think of is how you might be pregnant and trying to do the goddamn math on your cycle.

"Do you have one you want to start with?" The bubbly consultant asks, but the best you can do is chew your lip in concern. "How about something classic?" She suggests when you look more worried than excited. "A simple satin ballgown for that princess feeling?"

"Sure." You nod, reminding yourself how, and start to slip out of your jacket. Focus. You need to focus.

Whisking you off towards the changing area, Ellie starts listing off the attributes of the gown in question, making up for your decided lack of questions. Something has changed but it’s not her place to ask.

The first dress you come out in is...large. It's a poofy princess dress if ever there was one, and with the terror that you're now feeling your mind has wandered to thinking about what any of these gowns would look like on a pregnant woman. "Let's see what they think," you suggest, instead of admitting that you don't like it very much. It's too big and you know that a baby bump would only make it worse.

The moment you step outside the little changing area, both women can tell you don’t like it. They each shake their heads. “It’s too…poofy.” Gabi offers politely and Sophia snorts. “You look like a cream puff.”

“Thanks, guys.” The way you roll your eyes at both of them is a half-assed attempt at humor, and you shake your head. “So ballgown is out? No Princess Sugar?” Humor is good, you tell yourself weakly. Humor will help.

“I think something sleek, more fitted, Princess Peach.” Sophia smirks at you with a wink.

“Now, I know who Princess Peach is,” Ellie laughs, helping you down from the pedestal in the gown that has been dubbed too much “But who is Princess Sugar?”

“Sugar is the nickname that Jack – her fiancé – coined for her.” Gabi explains, throwing you a smirk. “Very southern.”

“I own a restaurant.” Is the explanation you give, stumbling over your words like a nervous weirdo. “I was a pastry chef when we met…I make cakes…it’s a whole thing.”

“It’s sappy and adorable.” Sophia flutters her eyelashes dramatically as you disappear, but jumps off the couch immediately a second later as Murad reappears with three enormous dresses for her to try.

“Here are the ones that I think will be best, if you don’t like them, I can sketch a design.” He offers.

Sophia is giddy as she lets herself be swept into the second dressing room while you go to change into your second dress. Gabi can hear her cooing with glee behind the thin wall, but she didn’t miss the way you hadn’t had any light in your eyes at all when you came out in your first dress. Something happened, she just doesn’t know what or how.

“The dress can be dyed if it is not quite what you are imagining and I have taken the liberty of pulling all emerald green fabrics I have.” Murad calls through the curtain as Ellie helps Sophia into the first dress.

“Sounds like you’re in heaven over there,” you call out through the wall between dressing rooms, enjoying the gleeful sound of Sophia’s giggling next door. The second dress that has been pulled for you is a trumpet gown that you would probably have loved if you weren’t feeling a roiling stomach and the weight of the world on your shoulders. Sophia emerges from the dressing room with a strapless gown with all the most beautiful embellishments and a sweetheart neckline to die for, looking like an angel come down to earth. You remind yourself to smile again, not wanting to spoil your friend’s unbridled excitement.

“What do we think?” Sophia asks, biting her lip as she looks in the mirror at her reflection and dying a little inside as she sees herself.

“You look like a dream, honey!” Gabi squeals, sitting up on the sofa with her glass clutched in both hands. “Tex would lose his mind to see you in that dress.”

“Okay, so I love this, but….” She tilts her head and glances at Murad in the mirror. “There was one that was off the shoulder sleeves, right?”

"Are you thinking of the sleeves from that gown on this one?" He tilts his head at her like an artist considering their muse and grins mischievously. "Let me..." The thought trails off as he ducks out of sight, going to grab a veil from the nearest display and manipulating the long length of fabric in his hands. Each end is somehow magically transformed into a small, loose sleeve that hangs off her shoulder like an elegantly fallen strap. It falls just around the middle of her arm and makes the whole thing look positively refined. "Like this, you mean?"

"Yes." She nods, biting her lip as she stares at herself in the mirror. "That is what I am looking for. The way that it sits has always seemed so refined and luxurious to me."

You stand and watch, taking in the way Sophia’s face lights up and tears well up behind her eyes as she talks with the designer and customizes her gown. He shows her the shades of green he could dye the fabric and they coo over the design together, and you really feel like you might be sick as the room spins around you in anxiety instead of happiness. There have been times you’ve been sick lately - days you haven’t eaten because you’ve been sick to your stomach, extra headaches, back aches, cramping. There was the incident two nights ago with your breasts being overly sensitive… How long has it been? Two months? Three?

Gabi just happens to glance over at you to see the absolutely crushed look on your face. Setting her champagne glass down, she quickly stands and crosses the floor to where you are seemingly doing an astrophysics problem in your head and touches your arm lightly. "Honey, what is wrong? What happened?"

“Nothing.” The answer comes far too quickly and far too sharply, and even Ellie looks concerned on your other side, but you can’t just — oh god, you were drinking…you’ve been drinking alcohol this whole time…and so much caffeine… “I’m not feeling great,” you murmur finally, knowing that it’s half-assed but not daring to spoil Sophia’s moment.

"I have some Tylenol in my purse." Gabi offers helpfully. "Do you have a headache?"

“It’s — m-more of a stomach ache.” It’s an aching feeling everywhere of complete dread and fear, but you make yourself smile for Gabi as though it can be brushed off. “It’s okay. I think I’ll just…lay off the liquor until it subsides.” Or for the next six or seven months…

Highly skeptical, Gabi discreetly glances around the boutique to make sure that you haven't seen someone who has spooked you. You look scared, not like you have a stomachache. "Alright, but if you need me to call Astrid, I can. She can run a diagnostic of you in the Statesman truck."

“If it keeps up.” You nod like you would ever agree to that, even though the idea of being hooked up to anything medical on a Statesman vehicle makes your skin crawl with memories from a month ago. And that’s when it hits you - like a freight train coming right at a cartoon character. If something has gone wrong and you are pregnant? It can’t be Jack’s…

"Oooookay." Gabi grabs you as your knees threaten to buckle and she waves Sophia off. "Let's get you out of this dress and into the bathroom, okay?" Astrid has been concerned that memories from a month ago would resurface and cause issues and from the way you look like you are going to puke, that has to be it. "Okay, come on sweetheart. We can manage everything." She promises. "I have a Valium in my purse just in case something like this happened."

“Is that safe?” You ask in earnest, letting Gabi bring you back into the dressing room like you’re on the end of a set of leading strings.

"It's fine." She assures you quietly. "Astrid gave it to me just in case you had problems."

“I’m okay.” Getting out of the confining dress and back into your own clothes will help, so you don’t hesitate when Gabi shuts the door behind you. Your head is spinning too much which makes the room turn on its axis and the feeling of panic in your chest is making everything more urgent and terrifying.

Maybe that Valium isn’t such a bad idea after all — Astrid sent it because you were attacked here, why did you think this would be a good idea? Everything inside and around you is moving so fast that you don’t even realize you’ve dropped to your knees. Quick, sharp breaths are going to have you hyperventilating in no time but you can’t stop them, and the way your skin is crawling makes you want to scratch your skin clean off. You drag your fingernails up your forearms with purpose, and if you didn’t have short nails from decades of culinary work you might actually succeed in tearing yourself apart.

“Let me–” as a mother, Gabi always carries a bottle of water or a juice box in her purse. Grabbing the oversized bag had been a stroke of luck as she starts to rifle through it until she comes up with a small bottle of water. “Here, drink this.” She kneels down beside you and twists the plastic cap off to hold it up to your lips. “It’s okay.”

It’s a small mercy but still a notable one, mostly because you have to stop scratching yourself to hold the bottle. Gabi gently takes your other hand in both of hers, holding onto it to keep you from spiraling even harder as the tears start to fall and you swear you’re going to choke on the water you just swallowed.

“Come on. It’ll be okay. I promise. No one is going to hurt you.” She murmurs softly. “Our driver is an agent. Sophia is here. Say the word and we’ll have Jack here.”

"No!" The panic that you feel has nothing to do with what happened a month ago and everything to do with the position you would be putting Jack in if what you fear is true. "No–no, I mean...that's not necessary. I'm just..." You feel like an absolute nutcase, but you don't know how to tell her that without sounding silly. "I'm just not feeling well."

“Okay.” The best thing she can do for you is to calm you down. Agreeing with you makes you relax so she doesn’t hit the button in her bracelet yet. “Okay, we’ll just take a few deep breaths, sound good?”

"I'm sorry," you curl in on yourself, not having made it out of the sample wedding dress before the panic started, and wish you could make yourself disappear so you wouldn't feel so damn embarrassed.

“Nothing to be sorry for.” Gabi tells you firmly, cupping your face in her hands. “Nothing at all. Do you understand?”

"I don't want to ruin this for Soph." Or ruin life for Sophia. For your friend. The last time you had your period was the week before your cousin's wedding...Isn't there some kind of old wives' tale about being extra fertile after your period? Or is that before? Shit shit shit.

“You won’t, she wants to be here for you too. She and Tex are so happy for you and Jack.” She insists.

"I'm okay," you insist again, despite it obviously being not true. The best you can do right now is force yourself to refocus. Force yourself to function. Pray that Sophia is so wrapped up in picking out her wedding dress that she never notices that anything was wrong with you in the first place.

“Here.” The small pill is offered to you. “Take this. It will help you relax. Short term.”

"I–um– thanks." Still a little shaky, you manage to take the offered medicine and have another sip of water without too much fuss, and breathe deeply as you stare at your knees. Could it be real? Are you really...pregnant?

It’s long minutes before you start to calm down. Your breathing returns to normal and Gabi takes the now empty water bottle and shoves it back into her purse. “You need another drink? I have a juice box.”

"Would you..." You turn to look at Gabi for the first time since this whole thing started, seeing the concern drawn on her face and the determination that you recognize from seeing her take care of her kids. "Would you just tell Sophia I'm okay if she asks? If she didn't notice then I don't want to worry her."

“I– you don’t think Sophia noticed?” She asks, shocked you would think that.

"Why?" It makes your head spin again in a way that jolts your stomach. "How long have we been in here?"

“Not long, but she’s an agent.” She reminds you gently. “And your mood went from happy to nearly frantic in an instant.”

"All the more reason to let her know that I'm okay, then." It's a miracle that you can think straight, if you're honest, but at least your skin has stopped crawling and you didn't do anything to damage the sample dress still clinging to your body. "I'm sure she has her dress sorted out by now. I'll just..." You blow out a breath that you hope sounds encouraging instead of wavering with fresh tears, which is how you feel. "Change out of this one and try the next. Since this one now has...questionable memories."

"It's not your style anyway." Gabi jokes, sending you a small smile as she stands and holds her hands out to you to help you to stand. After you get back to the hotel tonight, she will discreetly call Astrid and let her know that another therapy session would be good for you.

"Thanks, Gabi." You squeeze her hands before letting them go and refocusing yourself on the dresses that are hanging from the bar on the other side of the small dressing room. Thank god you elected not to wear make up today, or you'd probably look like a raccoon right now.

"This one seems more your style." Gabi offers, although you could never tell when the dress is on the hanger. "Do you want me to help you into it?" She asks quietly, willing to step out if you want.

"If I haven't frightened off our consultant, I'm sure she can help." It's less scary to have to face a near stranger with what's going on in your mind. Ellie doesn't know anything about what's happening in your life. She can't read you like a book the way your friends can. And she'll more than likely buy the story that you just aren't feeling well without pressing for more details.

"Okay." Gabi frowns but she is moving toward the door. "I will send her in."

Sophia is sitting on the loveseat in her regular clothes when Gabi comes back out, fidgeting with her sleeves and frowning heavily. "Is she okay?" She asks quietly once their consultant has gone back into the changing room. "She had an episode, didn't she?"

"Yeah." Gabi knew that Sophia would have noticed you. But she's happy that the other agent didn't push her way into the dressing room knowing it would have embarrassed you even more. "I gave her a Valium. Maybe we need to make it an early day?" She suggests softly. "Or maybe she'll be better once she's let the medicine kick in."

“She wants to keep going?” Sophia can’t tell if she’s surprised or not, knowing you to be both stubborn and usually fairly in tune with yourself. “No crazy partying tonight. Maybe a room service and a movie? And a museum tomorrow. She loves museums.” The laundry list of things she wanted to see can wait. Her best friend’s well being is far more important than anything else.

"That sounds like the perfect, low key evening that we need." She nods and bites her lip. "What about you, hun?" She reaches out and touches Sophia's arm. "Did you find something that you like or are you needing to have something designed?"

“We made a few tweaks, but the first dress was nearly perfect.” She keeps her voice respectfully low, but clasps Gabi’s hands eagerly. “It’s going to be beautiful, and one of a kind. I just hope our girl in there isn’t so overwhelmed that she doesn’t get to enjoy this appointment. Or this trip.”

"She's a trooper." Gabi smiles, excited for Sophia. "I know she will find the perfect dress." She prays that whatever is going on with you doesn't spoil the experience for you.

A few minutes later you emerge again with red eyes looking tired but forcing yourself to smile - knowing that today is about more than you. You’re just going to have to make sure you read the return and cancellation policy on this dress very carefully in case the worst happens.

"Oh." The dress is stunningly simple and yet it is completely breathtaking. The way it drapes over your form brings the soft folds of the dress and shimmering of the satin. "It's perfect."

“Yeah?” If you’re honest, you barely noticed anything about the dress you put on. It’s comfortable, sure, and simple. But past that? You couldn’t tell what the silhouette was or anything about the details if you tried. Still, you like that they like it. “Gabi picked it.”

"Yeah, love." Sophia stands and walks over towards you with a soft smile and reaches for the package with Jack's family veil in it. "Let's see if it's as perfect with this as I imagine it will be."

It’s nerve racking to see the veil come out now. You’re scared and trying not to show it, like in the back of your mind you know something is wrong and that it might affect Sophia’s relationship as much as your own. Who the fuck knows what will happen if you turn out to be pregnant with Tex’s baby. It will turn your whole world upside down. And hers. And Jack’s. And Tex’s.

Sophia freezes, trying not to immediately demand to know what is wrong. She knows you will deny anything is wrong. Instead, she moves slowly as she takes the veil out and drapes it over your head.

It is beautiful. You can’t deny that even if you have trouble looking yourself in the eye in the mirror. The low cowl neck of the dress makes room for a necklace and the even lower back keeps the focus on the veil, and on any other day you would be gasping right along with Gabi and tearing up for a good reason instead of a stressful one. “It’s…” your hand drifts to the edges of the veil and you try to banish the question mark of what this dress would look like on a pregnant woman. “It’s beautiful.”

Sophia knows that something is wrong. She can tell, but she's cheerful, trying to be your support. "It is beautiful. I know, I know that you shouldn't be pressured and it's all about what you want, but this is the one." She gushes, fluttering the veil around you. "Jack will lose his mind when he sees you in this dress."

“It’s exactly what I said I wanted.” You won’t deny that, even if you’re barely looking at your reflection. Your eyes just keep going back to your engagement rings over and over again. Thinking of Jack and hoping that you haven’t completely ruined your lives with recklessness.

"Do you– do you not like it?" Sophia asks softly. "Because if you don't, Ellie can pull more dresses. We will find something that you love."

“No, I do.” Thinking as quickly on your feet as you can, you force a smile and touch the edges of the veil again. If this is the only time you’re going to get to wear it, you want to at least appreciate its beauty again. “It will need a good necklace. And you two have to tell me if the back is too low.”

Turning you around, Sophia whistles. "That is a sexy back, love. No, you should show it off and this is the perfect dress to do so." She hums and Gabi jumps up to chime in. "Oh it's just lovely. Perfect. What do you think?" She asks you seriously.

“I think it’s right.” If you were thinking with a clear head right now, you would be in happy tears. It really is exactly what you said you wanted in a dress and you do look great in it, but your mind is just too cloudy at the moment to recognize that. “And I think even Louisville is too cold for this dress to be at a winter wedding.”

"Spring or summer?" Gabi asks, not willing to mention that she has clocked you choosing the dress at fifty-two minutes, thirty-five seconds.

“Spring, I guess.” When you finally look up to find your friends smiling at you, you try not to pull in on yourself self-consciously. “Soph and Tex already called dibs on this summer.”

"A spring wedding." Gabi grins conspiratorially. "That will make Jack happy as a pig in sunshine."

“Engaged for a whole year?” Sophia grins, suspicious but trying to cheer you up from whatever is bothering you. Because you are bothered. “You’ll have plenty of time to plan and dream, mate.”

“I think so.” When you nod it’s slow, but definite. “I think this is it.” They like it. Right now that’s the best thing you have to base a decision on, because there’s no way in hell that you can be objective or make the choice with a clear head.

“Great!” Both women cheer, trying to interject as much enthusiasm into the event as possible. They don’t want Ellie to think anything strange, although Sophia knows she has seen plenty of drama.

"Did we remember to keep the time?" You have no intention of letting Jack know what kind of chaos happened here this morning. None whatsoever. So you turn your mind to things that seem normal. Like the bet.

“Under an hour.” Gabi admits with a shrug. “Although if you have your heart set on that engagement trip…” She breaks off teasingly. “I can be bought for the price of a Manhattan in Manhattan.”

"No...he won, fair and square." It would have taken even less time if you hadn't freaked out, and you're not about to lie to him about things that don't matter. There are too many things that do matter at stake.

“I bet if you give him that Soul Snatcher Three Thousand when you get back and ask him for the engagement trip, the man will dance towards Disney wearing the ears.” Sophia waggles her brows suggestively and barks out a laugh a second later.

“We’re going to Montana in fall,” you tell them both quietly and reach to take the veil out of your hair. You’re going to hang on to every bit of normalcy and every promise as hard as you can right now. “That’s sort of going to be the trip, I think. Though…it won’t be silly. It’ll be good for him.”

“Oh….” Sophia had been told the story, the real story in its entirety and she knows that it will be emotional for both of you. “If you need to talk to someone, I’m here for you.”

“It will be good.” Maybe if you tell yourself that enough times, it will be true. You can hope, at least. “His hometown does a big Labour Day festival every year, so we’re going to go for that.”

“That will be fun.” Gabi smiles. “Something fun to look forward to.”

“I’m going to get out of this so I can buy it,” you announce, hoping you sound excited. “Then we can go celebrate?”

“That sounds good.” Ellie ushers you towards the changing room and Sophia turns towards Gabi. “What are you thinking?”

“She won’t look us in the eyes,” Gabi murmurs sadly. “If I wasn’t convinced that that is the most perfect dress for her, I’d be insisting she wait to buy and we all go do something to distract ourselves.”

“She didn’t get a text, no one called.” Sophia looks around the room of mostly women and frowns. “Do you think something reminded her of the kidnapping?”

“I don’t know what else it would be.” Gabi admits with a sigh. “I gave her the Valium, and I’m going to let Astrid know what happened. But other than that? I’m not sure what to do.”

“All we can do is support her.” Sophia frowns, making a note to text Jack if you still are off kilter by dinner time.

“We’ll get her through it.” It’s as much of a promise to Sophia as it is to you without you even being there.

“Yes we will. And if we need to head back tonight, I will have the plane ready.” Sophia won’t put your mental health at risk. She won’t.

******

Your dress purchased and arrangements made for you to be contacted when it comes in so you can be fitted, Sophia and Murad exchange information to work on her custom made dress, then the three of you pile out onto New York’s streets. “Where to now?” Gabi asks, looping her arm through yours. “Anywhere you want to go.” She tells you.

"Sophia made a list." It's less deflecting than it is just angling to not have to think about much of anything - and that includes decision making. But Sophia isn't having it, and she shakes her head as the three of you pile into the waiting Statesman car. "Anywhere you want to go," she insists, keeping hold of your hand in the backseat. They're a stubborn pair when they agree on something, and you look between them with a sigh. "We could go to a museum?" It's your go to. Museums and food tourism. And right now you can't stomach the idea of food.

“Why don’t we do one of the smaller museums?” Sophia offers. “Near the hotel in case we want to go back and rest?” The unspoken part of it suggests that you might want to go back, to not participate and it gives you an out if you need it.

"I know you guys don't want to be dragged around the Frick Collection or some other intense little art museum." It's sweet that they're trying to be kind after what happened in the dress shop, but you really don't want this trip to be about you and you know at least half of Sophia's list. "Why don't we do Madame Toussad's? Selfies with wax people sounds like a silly as hell way to spend the afternoon."

“Yes!” It sounds like just the type of activity to get you out of your head so both women nod eagerly. “Let’s do that and we can decide what to eat afterwards.” Sophia decides.

“Times Square has tons of places. It will be great.” Gabi agrees, wanting things to go smoothly from here on out.

Each woman flanks you, wanting you to feel protected and surrounded by someone familiar. Each one believing that you are reliving the trauma of the last month. “Maybe we will find some inspiration for your menu.” Sophia encourages.

“We should take Soph someplace absurd and touristy. Super American.” You suggest, sitting back between both women as the car makes its way around Central Park. “Like Red Lobster or Margaritaville levels of absurd.” Silly will help, you decide, sitting on your hands so that they don’t move self consciously to your unchanged stomach. Silly is good.

“Ohhhhh we can get wasted in Margaritaville, right?” She grins. “Like that song?”

You’ll definitely be laying off the booze for the rest of the trip for necessary reasons, but you swallow it and add a smile as you nod. “Absolutely, Soph.”

“Great!” There’s practically nothing a little booze and girl time can’t fix, so she is immediately leaning forward to lower the glass to tell the driver to take you all to the Wax Museum.

******

Madame Toussad’s Wax Museum is plenty busy, full of families and groups of friends out for the same silly distraction that the three of you are. The staged dummies and their scenery providing just enough distraction to have you breathing normally and even laughing a little with your friends.

“This place is wonderful.” Sophia gushes. “Creepy, but wonderful.” She looks around at all the wax figurines. “We should do waxes of the agents.” She laughs.

“Tex would hide his all around the house to scare you.” Gabi snorts, thinking of how much fun the agent has been known to have, acting like an oversized child in some of his time off.

“God he would.” Sophia laughs, shaking her head. “Until I decapitated it and then he would pout.”

“You can’t cut off that beautiful face.” Gabi laughs, posing next to the model of actor Channing Tatum just like he’s Tex. They’re about the same size, so it works. “He’d be such a sad boy.”

“Tex’s ears are a little bigger but I swear they are brothers.” She huffs, stepping closer to examine the figurine of the man who looks just like her fiancé. “All that ridin’ I’ve been doing. Gotta hold onto somethin’.” She drawls, imitating a southern accent.

“Save a horse, ride a cowboy,” Gabi giggles, swinging her hips in an impromptu dance move that makes all three of you laugh. It is, after all, the unofficial Statesman motto.

“Speaking of…” Sophia smirks. “There’s been a lack of complaints around your house early in the mornings the last few days. Have you just decided to wear Jack out at night or did you turn the safe room into your sex room?” She waggles her brows outrageously.

“The restaurant starting up has changed our schedule a little.” You excuse, suddenly hyper focused on a speck of dirt on your hand. “And I’ve been a lot more tired.”

“I’m sure you are.” Sophia nods, reaching out and patting your hand. “Let me know if there’s something I can do. I did work my grandpa’s pub back across the pond.”

“Thanks.” Everyone here knows you’ll never ask. Not only do you have a great staff but you’re stubborn as hell. Still, it’s nice that she offered. “I just want everything to be perfect.”

“Everything is perfect. Have you not read the reviews?” Countless food critics for the area have already been out to try the newest addition to Statesman and each one of them have come away giving rave reviews.

“Then being tired is worth it.” You decide, flashing them both that smile that feels a little more authentic with that encouragement.

“Ohhhh look! There’s Nic Cage!” Gabi squeals, darting over to the next display. “This is– is it a wax figure or does he come and pose everyday?” She giggles, poking the figure’s waxy face.

“It’s his Dorian Gray statue instead of a portrait,” Sophia laughs, dragging you with her to the next display. “If you move the clothes you’d see horrible disfiguration.”

You jump from exhibit to exhibit, Gabi and Sophia making sure that there isn’t a lull in the conversation or jokes being tossed out. Wanting to make sure you don’t have time to think about being upset. By the time you’re through the Creepy But Fun (as you all agreed upon) museum full of uncanny wax people, you’ve calmed down a little. But only in so much as the panic has turned into a slowly simmering dread in your belly.

“Where to now?” Sophia asks, grinning at your obviously more cheered spirits and links her arm with yours. “I’m famished.”

"Do you still want to go to Margaritaville for dinner?" The thought of alcohol makes you queasy but you can just have a virgin one and soldier on. The point is for Sophia to have fun.

“Unless you have some little hidden gem that we have to try?” Sophia asks with a grin. “Have you been holding out on us?”

"There's always..." You bite your lip and shrug a little, deciding that it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have a little fun. There's been a plan slowly forming in the back of your head all afternoon and it will take care of everything. Or at least...it's the best idea you have for not ruining the lives of everyone you love. "There's two places. In Chelsea...both are great but one of them is inside the theater for this crazy play, so you kind of have to do both to get the whole experience."

“Tell me more.” Sophia cocks her head curiously, intrigued by the sound of it.

“The play has a restaurant and a bar in it and instead of sitting down to watch you get up and run around and follow the actors everywhere. And the audience all wears masks, and you can’t talk, and then after you find your friends in the bar and talk about what you saw.” It’s something you’ve done with your siblings a few times and always loved it. No two experiences are ever the same, but it’s exhausting. “If you want a quieter night, we can go to the Argentinian restaurant across the street. The wine list is killer and if we name drop my brother they might make us something special.”

“The play thing sounds fun.” Sophia admits with a grin. “It’s not something I have done before. How about you?” She turns to ask Gabi.

"I don't think I've been to a play outside of Louisville since Astrid was stationed here." It had been very early in her time with Statesman, but back then they had loved to go to Broadway. "I'm in for a weird play where you run around."

“Then it’s decided.” Sophia would sing karaoke in a shoebox if it meant you would be happy, so the smile on your face as you agree means the world to her.

"Let's see if we can actually get three tickets." You pull out your phone as you walk through Times Square between them, headed to your hotel just a block away. "We can have the driver take us, which is a miracle because walking there sucks." The times you had gone with your siblings, you had done the combination of subway travel and walking which was less than fun. Sophia has one arm through yours to make sure you stay on the sidewalk while your face is in your phone and you make a small noise of surprise when there are actually tickets available for tonight. "Looks like we're doing it. I recommend lightweight clothes and your comfiest shoes. We're going to be running all night."

“We have time to go back to the hotel?” Sophia asks. “Or are we running into Target and buying what we need?”

“We have plenty of time.” The hotel is just around the corner and the three of you pop straight into the elevator easily. “It’s not really traditional, but it is based in Shakespeare. But it’s dancing. A lot of dancing.”

“I always like dancing.” Sophia’s eyes widen suddenly. “Ooooooh!” She squeals, “can we go to the Coyote Ugly bar?”

“Tomorrow night,” you promise, laughing when she looks as excited about that as she did about shopping for her wedding dress.

“Always wanted to go there since seeing that movie.” She confesses with a grin.

“We can make that happen.” Gabi chuckles on your other side. She opens the door to your suite with her key and ushers you all inside. “But if you get up and start dancing on the furniture, I’m taking video.”

“Oh absolutely.” She had already anticipated that. “And send it to Tex, hm? Make him regret telling me that I wouldn’t have fun.”

“That boy honestly thought there was any kind of scenario you wouldn’t make fun?” The dismissive sound Gabi makes as she digs into her suitcase for suitable clothing for the night is accompanied by a sigh. “He really is a clown.”

“A rodeo clown.” Sophia had giggled over the few photos Tex had shown her. It had been something fun to tease him about when he was wearing dapper suits that he didn’t find comfortable at all.

"From rodeo clown to super spy." You shake your head as you dig through your suitcase for comfortable clothes to wear tonight. Everything that you had packed was reasonably stylish, but at least you had thought to tuck your good sneakers in the bottom of your case so that you could keep up with all the adventuring Sophia wanted to do.

“So I’m going to wear leggings and a cute t-shirt.” Sophia offers, tossing out her clothes haphazardly. “That sound okay?”

"That works. I've got a pair of jeans and..." The shirt in your hand when you lift it out of your suitcase makes you swallow back an emotional reaction. "Jack packed me his Creedence Clearwater Revival t-shirt..." It's such a small gesture but it has you breathing shakily as you inhale the scent of his cologne from the stretched and worn cotton. "I–I'm going to sleep in that, I think," you murmur almost to yourself, replacing it in the suitcase and pulling out the Louisville Slugger t-shirt that you had bought at the factory tour. If Sophia noticed the expression of almost heartbreak, she doesn’t mention it. Wondering if you are just in your feelings because of where you and Jack were when you were last in New York.

“I’ll call the restaurant to see if they have a reservation left. If not, we’ll go to the place across the street.” You can’t possibly excuse yourself fast enough, heading into the suite’s bedroom to change clothes quickly and make the call. There’s someone else that you definitely need to talk to - but that will be face-to-face.

“She seems better.” Gabi immediately moves towards Sophia and frowns at the closed door. “Don’t you think?”

“Looked like she saw a ghost when she found Jack’s shirt, though. Didn’t she?” Sophia chews on her lower lip. “Hopefully this play thing will take her mind off whatever it is that’s got her so fuckin’ upset.” She wishes you would just talk to them, but there are glimpses of you feeling better that have her hopeful.

“That Southern accent is coming along nicely.” Gabi teases playfully. Sophia had said she was going to work on making her English accent less noticeable much to Tex’s disappointment.

“I put in for a transfer,” she admits with a sly grin. “Champ just has to have the board sign off on it.”

“Really!” Gabi squeals happily, knowing that Tex will be happy about that. “Becoming a certified Statesman agent?”

“I don’t want to take the chance that they’ll transfer me after we’re married.” She reasons, knowing that anything is possible when their jobs and lives can be so unpredictable. “At the end of the day, I always want to be able to come home to him.”

“I can understand that.” Gabi offers quietly. “Your jobs are very unpredictable. You spend time where you can.”

“I don’t want to miss anything.” It’s less of a concern for you and Gabi because of your lifestyles, but for Sophia and Tex? It’s a very real concern.

“You won’t.” Gabi reaches for a quick hug. “Champ is very good about balancing work and home. He won’t let you two stay apart for long, even on a mission.”

"We have Diana to thank for that." If not for his soulmate and his son, Champ would be just as much of a workaholic as most American men of his age. Thankfully, having loved ones to come home to had softened his opinion of home life completely and Diana had taught him balance.

“I just hope that we are all happy as larks.” Sophia hums, the soft smile on her face reserved for when she is thinking about her fiancé.

"We will be." Gabi has made sure she is, and she knows that Sophia and Tex already are. It seems though, unfortunately, that there are still bumps in your road. If not with Jack, then just personal ones.

"Dinner reservations are in thirty-five minutes," you announce when you come out of the bathroom in your casual clothes to dig out your sneakers. "I pulled up the menu on my phone so we can look at it in the car."

“If you enjoy it; we know we are going to eat well.” Sophia shrugs off the idea of looking at the menu. Your tastes are exquisite and you wouldn’t bring them somewhere you didn’t enjoy.

"And drink well." The sneakers you packed are favourites, lovingly broken in and tatty with affection, but strong enough to stand their ground against a few days running around the city. You pull them on and stick a double knot in the laces for good measure. "Everything at this place is good, but the cocktails are on a whole other level."

“Ohhh then we are having some drinks!” Sophia declares, although she won’t drink too much. Maybe one or two cocktails. She wants to be mostly sober in case you have another issue. She doesn’t want you to feel like you have to deal with it alone.

"Everybody finished getting changed so we can get across the city!" Gabi urges, moving around the room with purpose now that she sees you starting to perk up again and Sophia getting excited.

"I'll be ready to go in a second," you promise, moving your essentials from the large purse you had been carrying today to the zipped pockets of your worn jeans. No purse at this place is better - and in no time the three of you are back on the elevator, headed down to the street to have the driver take you to the theatre house.

Your stomach is still in knots as the driver brings you through the crowded streets of the city, and you look out the window while Sophia and Gabi gush about something that you weren't paying attention to in the first place. The idea that you could be pregnant has consumed you almost entirely since it entered your mind this morning and while it's eating at you, at least you have a plan now. One that you can't say you're particularly proud of - but you would rather bare a private shame than destroy the lives of the people you've come to love so much.

Back in Kentucky, Jack frowns at his phone. Since going into the consultation, it’s been nothing but radio silence. He knows you are safe, he can clearly see the ping of your location along with Gabi’s, Sophia’s, and the driver’s. It was a friend of Rye’s that owed him a favor. He sighs softly, wishing you had at least teased him with how much he was going to love your dress, but he’s more worried. You’ve been….off. And you being in New York has him on edge. Shaking off his regrets, he opens your messages and types out one to you: Hey sugar, I know you and the girls are partying it up, but I wanted to check in with you. I hope you are having fun. The restaurant is in good hands but this house surely is a lot more lonely without you curled up with me on the couch. I love you.

The vibration of your phone is unexpected, stirring you out of your thoughts and pulling your lips into a conflicted half-frown when you see Jack's name pop up on your screen. Being afraid of hurting him had made you entirely shut down from even texting him. Hell, if it had occurred to you at home in Louisville, you probably would have shut off from your friends instead. But they're here with you in the car and Jack is at home, so he had gotten the blunt end of your fear instead. You swallow a sigh as you open the text, nearly in tears as you read it through twice before replying: We're taking lots of pictures, so I can show you some when we get home. We're heading to the theater so my phone will be off for a few hours. I love you.

Love.

You love that man more than anything in the world. And that's why you're heading straight to see Astrid in her lab the second you're back on Statesman ground.

______ Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide​ @elegantduckturtle  ​

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My Masterlist!

[smoooothoperator]

Aaahhhh I really thought she was pregnant! Will she get pregnant? What will be the name(s) of their baby or babies? Can you make a drabble of that please? 🥹

Pregnancy!!

Here we go!

a/n: if you want to know about Lyanna and Julia go read @elisysd story Cruel Summer!!!

They got married in August of 2026.

But they started thinking about it way before the wedding.

It was Lyanna's fault

Lyanna and Lily met during a week race

Lily is a big fan of her, and when they met they immediately clicked, just like she did with other partners of the drivers

She saw other driver's having kids. Checo was again a father and she met Carola a few times

But it never caused her the need of having kids

It was only when Lyanna, one of her best friends, announced it to her on Christmas

Lily knew about her health situation, about the risks

And it made her be more implicated to help her friend

She saw how she grew, she felt the baby's kicks a few times

And it only made her dream about her on the same situation

"Don't you think Lyanna looks stunning?" Lily asked suddenly Lando, sitting on their couch

"Yeah" Lando chuckled.

"Would I look stunning too?"

Lando looked at her, stopping the episode of the serie they were watching, and smiled

"Are we really going to have this talk?" Lando asked smiling, holding her hand softly and playing with the engagement ring

"I think so, yeah" she smiled. "But I don't feel ready now, Lando"

"It's okay, neither do I" he chuckled. "We are both 24. Even if we got engaged it doesn't mean we have to do it now"

"Exactly" she smiled, happy to know that they were on the same page. "I want to get married first"

"Yeah" he nodded, hugging her on his chest. "But that doesn't mean we can't practice"

"Idiot!" she laughed, hitting softly his arm

When she was a teen she was afraid of being pregnant. Of the pain it will cause the birth

But now, as an adult, it felt natural. She felt like her own body was asking her for it

Lyanna had her problems, but she looked stunning and in love with her baby everytime she touched her belly

When Charles and Lyanna made their baby shower, Lily made a bet with Lando

He thought it was a boy and Lily thought it was a girl

And Lily won

Lily discovered that Lyanna was close to her due date because Charles didn't attend to the Canadian GP

And then she got a video call on Saturday

Lyanna was holding her baby

"Oh my God" Lily gasped, looking at the newborn

"Say hi to Julia" Lyanna whispered tired

"Oh god, Lya" Lily said with little tears in her eyes. "She's so beautiful… congratulations. I just can't believe I'm an auntie!"

When Lando and her landed in Monaco after the race, she needed to gift the baby something

So she immediately went to their apartment there and decided to paint the baby's name on a canvas, so the new parents could hang it on her room

"Hi!" Lando and Lily walked inside the hospital room where Lyanna and Julia were staying

"Thank you for coming, guys" Charles smiled, getting up from the chair and hugging them

Lily walked towards Lyanna and hugged her

"I have something for the baby" she whispered, showing her the bag with the painting in it

"Oh God, Lily" Lyanna exclaimed excitedly, looking at the name of her daughter on a canvas decorated with flowers and butterflies, something that will always look good in a baby room. "Do you want to hold her?"

Lily looked at the baby and smiled, walking towards the bed and picking her up slowly

In that moment, she fell in love with Julia Leclerc

And Lando fell even more in love with Lily, watching her hold a baby so naturally that he pictured her girlfriend holding their own baby

Lily loved Julia, and she felt that Julia loved her too

But this little baby gave Lily a massive baby fever

To the point of while Lando and her were planning their wedding, she went to talk to her doctor secretly and she stopped taking birth control

They started trying after their wedding

During their honeymoon, after coming back

But at the moment, the tests were negative

"It's okay" Lando whispered, hugging her close to him. "It won't always work at the first try, love"

"But I felt it worked…"

"We can keep trying"

And they did

They went to the doctor to see when they can do it, they tracked her fertility cycle and planned when to do it

They let it flow naturally, having sex and not thinking about making a baby

They didn't want to be intimate only for that, they didn't want to make it feel like they are desperate

It was at the end of April of 2027 when she started to feel weird

Her breasts were more sensitive

And she couldn't cook her favorite meal without having nausea

Lando just left for a double header, and she decided to do the test with Pietra and Max next to her

"I'm so nervous" Lily mumbled. "What if it's negative?"

"You can keep trying" Pietra smiled. "Come on don't get your hopes down because of another negative test"

"That's the problem… it would another negative one"

Max smiled and got up, going to the bathroom and grab the stick

"Oh shit" he gasped

"What? What?!" Lily frowned

"I'm an uncle!" he exclaimed hugging her, making Lily and Pietra gasp

"I'm pregnant?" she gasped.

"Hello baby Norris!" Pietra giggled hugging her best friend

The next day she went to the doctor to make sure she was indeed pregnant

"Congratulations, you are 8 weeks pregnant" the doctor said smiling, giving her the ultrasound

A baby. They are having a baby and it's real

When she arrived at her house, she couldn't believe it.

Immediately she called Lyanna. She needs someone that knows about the subject to help her

"Lya" she smiled.

"Hey, you called late. Julia is sleeping her nap" the woman smiled

"Then when she wakes up, tell her that she will have a friend in a few months" Lily smiled.

"What?" She gasped. "For real? Are you pregnant?"

"Yeah!" Lily giggled. "I'm 8 weeks pregnant"

"Oh my God! Does Landon know?"

"No… how should I tell him?" Lily sighed

"Definitely with a gift. Give it to him once he arrives home. God, I'm so so happy for you Lily. If you need anything ask me, okay? I'll be by your side like you were by my side all the time"

"It means a lot, Lya… thank you"

She went to buy things. She felt like she needed to buy things

When Lando arrived from the race, with a trophy on his arms, she smiled

"I'm so proud of you" she smiled, doing their ritual to welcome the new trophy

She was wearing a tight dress that let the small baby bump be visible under a hoodie

"Love, can you go grab my favorite blanket? It's on the bedroom" she said, sitting on the couch and looking at her husband

"Of course" he smiled

She giggled and grabbed her phone, taking off the hoodie and following him in silence

"What is this?" Lando mumbled surprised, watching what was on top of the blanket

"Lily?" he frowned, turning around and looking at her. "Are you for real?"

"I am" she smiled, placing her hand on her belly. "Now I'm ten weeks pregnant. I discovered the day after you left"

"Oh god…" he gasped, kneeling in front of the baby bump. "Hi baby… I'm daddy"

"We did it, Lando" she smiled looking down at her husband.

"We did it"

She didn't have morning sickness, and she felt so grateful for that

But as her belly started to grow, she started to get more scared

What if Lando has an accident? She can't raise a baby alone. What if something happens to them? What if she loses the baby?

But every time she heard her husband talk to her belly, all her fears disappeared

The date of the baby shower arrived

They invited all their friends

But the most important part of it was the bet

"Okay. I think it's a girl" Lily smiled looking at her husband

"And I think it's a boy" he chuckled.

"If it's a girl… you'll adopt a dog" Lily smiled

"And if it's a boy you will go to a hot lap with me after the baby is born"

"Deal" she chuckled

Their friends and family started arriving to their house, leaving presents for the baby and Lily, all of them dressed in blue or pink

"Lily!" she heard, making her gasp when she saw Julia running towards her.

"Oh my!" she gasped, picking up the little girl of two years. "My favorite girl in the world"

The little girl giggled and looked at her, hugging her neck.

"Are you excited? Do you think it's a girl or a boy?" Lily smiled kissing the cheek of the baby Leclerc

"Girl!" she chuckled

"Of course it's a girl" she smiled

Lando walked towards them and smiled.

They did it the most simple way, grabbing a balloon and exploding it with a pin, making pink dust float around them.

"A girl!" everyone exclaimed, jumping and hugging them

"I think we have a plan for tomorrow" Lily smirked, kissing her husband

They indeed had a plan

The next day, they spent all morning searching for names for their baby. And for the puppy they will adopt soon.

But none of the names for their daughter was good enough

Internet wasn't thinking like them, they couldn't find a name for their baby

So, at the moment, they called her Butterfly

They went to some shelters for some days, searching for their perfect puppy

She wanted a golden retriever, because she knew that breed is friendly with babies

"Are you sure? My brother's dog doesn't like me and he's of the same breed…" Lando sighed

"Come on, our puppy will love you" he smiled, kissing him. "And I know you'll love him. Just think that you can take him to the races! And to be honest, you have golden retriever energy"

Lando laughed, kissing her softly

"We'll adopt the puppy when we get used to the baby, yeah?" he smiled. "We're not ready to take care of two babies, only one"

The final months came

As the final races of the season

Lily couldn't go to support her husband and it made her sad sometimes

That's why her friends went to her house and spend time with her

Lyanna had a break from recording and sometimes she stayed with her, Julia coming along too

"Do you have a name already?" Lyanna asked her, smiling softly

"No… it's harder than I thought" Lily sighed, rubbing her eight months belly.

"I'm sure it will come once you see her" she reassured her. "It happened to us too. We couldn't find the right name for Julia"

"But you named her after Jules" she sighed.

"Yeah" she chuckled softly

Julia was laying on the floor, coloring on the draws Lily made for her.

It was a coloring book of illustrations of the Greek mythology, because she discovered that the little Leclerc loves to hear her auntie talk about it

"Dane!" Julia exclaimed, painting the drawing of the sculpture of Apollo and Daphne. "Dane and Polo!"

"Daphne and Apollo, baby" Lyanna corrected her daughter.

Then she knew

"Lyanna!" Lily gasped making her friend look surprised at her

"What? What? Are you in labor?! Now?!" she gasped

"No!" she laughed. "Daphne! It's perfect!"

"Dane!" Julia exclaimed happy

When her husband came from the last race if the season, she felt relieved

She knows any time soon the baby will come, and she feels so happy that Lando won't miss it

"You have the hospital bag ready, right?" Lando asked rubbing the belly of her wife, applying the cream on it

"Yeah" she smiled. "Oh, and I found a name for her. And it fits her"

"Really?" he smiled, kissing her felly after he felt a kick on his hand. "What is it?"

"Daphne" she smiled. "Daphne Helen Norris"

"Daphne Helen Norris" he repeated. "Helen?"

"For Helen of Troy" she smiled holding his hand. "She was considered the most beautiful woman in the world"

"Oh yeah, she will be the most beautiful woman in the world" he smiled. "Just like you. My two beautiful treasures"

The last weeks of pregnancy they stayed at home, getting everything ready for the arrival of their daughter

Lando built a small crib so the baby could stay in their room the first months.

And she made sure everything was in order, as well as making a list of all the things she will need later

1st of December, afternoon

Lily was so tired

The baby seemed to be comfortable of her belly, being already 40 weeks pregnant

Lando was doing a stream on his office, just relaxing and talking about his life as a soon to be father and how his season went

Lily walked inside the streaming room, bored

"Hello guys" she smiled, waving at the camera and holding her heavy belly

"Oh wait, you want the yoga ball?" Lando asked, taking off the headphones and getting up

She smiled at her husband, watching how he ran to get the ball and placing it behind her, helping her sit

They talked with the chat, while she bounced on the ball

Until it happened

"Lando" she called him, holding her belly and then his wrist

"What?" he frowned

"Eh… end the stream" she mumbled, feeling how legs were getting wet.

"What?" he frowned, then looked at her

"My water just broke"

He jumped from the chair, ignoring the chat and running out of the streaming room leaving his wife there, on the yoga ball

"Eh…" she smiled looking at the stream and how the chat was going crazy. "How will I tell him that the baby won't be born now and that we have time?"

She sighed, moving her legs and rolling the ball towards the desk and smiled

"See you, chat" she smiled. "Next time you'll know about us will be with a mini Norris in my arms"

Lando put all the things on the Audi Q8, the baby chair already on the backseats

"Baby, we have time, yeah?" Lily said, walking downstairs slowly

"Are you sure? She's not coming now, like now?" he asked opening the door for her

"I'm having…" she groaned, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "Contractions, that's all"

"Okay, okay… come on, get in" he said, helping her

They went to the hospital after calling her doctor, making sure everything is ready for her arrival

When they arrived, they immediately took her to the room, settling down

"Are you sure you want it natural?" Lando asked worried

"I… I think so" she sighed. "I want to experience it, at least once. But I'm so scared"

"I'm here babe" he whispered. "I'll be here all the time

It was a long labor

She had to wait until she was fully dilated so she could push

Then some cries started to invade the room

"Congratulations, it's a healthy girl" the doctor smiled, placing their daughter of her chest after cleaning her a little

"Hello my love" Lily cried, holding her daughter. "Hello Daphne"

"She's definitely the most beautiful girl in the entire world world" Lando smiled, breathless

Daphne Helen Norris was born at 1am of the 2nd of December if 2027

The next day, all their friends came to welcome the new baby of the group, coming with presents for her and flowers for the new mother

"She's so beautiful" Lyanna smiled while holding the baby while Julia was sitting on the bed next to Lily.

"Can I ask you something?" Lily asked, looking at Lado and holding her hand. "We wanted you and Charles to be the godparents"

"What? Really?" they gasped.

"What about Max and Pietra?" Charles frowned looking at Kandi

"They will be the cool uncle and aunt" Lando laughed. "Pietra gave us the idea. You two, Lyanna the most, were the ones that helped us. Giving us your books and making sure everything was going fine. It meant a lot for us"

"It would be a pleasure" Lyanna smiled, kissing softly the head of baby Daphne.

"Do you want to hold my baby, Julia?" Lily smiled, looking at her.

Julia smiled, sitting straight and waiting for the baby looking at her with big eyes

"Dane?" she smiled. "Dane!" she giggled, kissing her forehead softly when she heard the baby in her arms mumble.

Lando smiled, getting up of the chair and kissing his wife's lips softly

landonorris

liked by charles_leclerc, pierregasly and 867,196 others

landonorris Everyone! Meet Daphne Helen Norris, the most beautiful baby in the world

Thank you my love, for giving me the best gift ever (even if it was late for my birthday and a little early for yours)

I love you so much, both of you

View all 677,625 comments

f1 congratulations for the new parents!!

charles_leclerc my goddaughter is the second most beautiful baby ever! Sorry, Julia always comes first!

user2 Charles is the godfather?????

francisca.cgomes I can't wait to squish her cheeks omg

lilynorris

liked by landonorris, pierregasly and 98.671 others

lilynorris I can't believe you are finally here, my love. I had you with me all this time being part of me and I loved you every minute more.

You are a dream come true, I love you and I promise to take care of you every second of your life

Thank you Lando, for being my my side all the time and helping me make this wonderful miracle

View all 18.469 comments

landonorris for when the next?

lilynorris you mean the puppy? I already called the shelter while you were sleeping. A bet is a bet and I won it

carlossaiz55 I'm on my way, I have the cutest Ferrari onesie for her

lilynorris don't you dare to put that onesie on my baby

landonorris Daphne is and always will be a McLaren girl, get that out of my house

lyannamichelleoff congrats to you both! You'll be the best parents ever❤️

lilynorris 🧡

taglist

@lestappenloverr @racinggirl @roni-midnights @livster8 @kakorrhaphiphobia @starkeyellow @celestialpierre @ophcelia @msliz @lorarri @ironmaiden1313 @imsorare @mycenterfold @im-an-overthinker @soosheee @karmabyfernando @landoyesrizz @sticksdoesart @beatricemiruna @nonameishere @flwr-stella @lordperceval-16 @arisainz @elisysd

[holylulusworld]

Withering Rose

Summary: You come back to Knockemstiff to attend your cousin’s wedding.

Pairing: Lee Bodecker x Exgirlfriend!Reader, Lloyd Hansen x fem!Reader

Warnings: angst, language, mentions of a breakup/heartbreak, threats, awful relatives (cousin/aunt), attempted cheating on Lee's side, mentions of foster care, fluff (not Lee)

A/N: I did not write canon for Lee (Timeline) in this one.

Knockemstiff. The last place you ever wanted to see again. Coming back here feels like pulling teeth without anesthetic. Seeing your cousin in her white wedding gown – even worse.

This was all you ever dreamed of around ten years ago. Before shit went down and the man you loved left you for some other girl. One with a better reputation and a daddy with pockets full of money.

Not some orphan, raised by her aunt and treated like trash. “Sweetie. Y/N,” your aunt coos, and you try to ignore it’s all just an act. 

After your eighteenth birthday, you aged out of state care, which meant that foster care adoption assistance ended too. Your aunt just waited for the money to stop and gave you the boot.

Now she acts as if nothing happened. Dear aunt is a great actress and fools anyone around you. You know better.

You heard through the grapevine that you only got an invitation, so no one asks questions about your whereabouts. As if anyone would care about you. They never did. You always were an outcast.  

A withering rose. Fading away in this shitty little town. No water and love keeping you alive. Lonely. Lost. Forgotten. Unwanted. Unloved.  

“Isn’t my Y/C/N a beautiful bride?” your aunt chirps. “I bet, if only you’d take better care of yourself you could find a nice man one day too.”

You huff at her words. Of course, she couldn’t shut her mouth and say her hellos. No. She has to rub salt into old wounds. The ones she and your cousin caused.

“Well, being the town's mattress paid off,” you retort. “And just you know, I got a well-paid job, a nice car, and unlike you and your daughter, I don’t need a man paying shit for me. It was a mistake coming here.”

You turn on your heels and storm off, leaving your aunt stunned and speechless behind. She opens and closes her mouth, gasping like a fish out of the water as you flee from the church and don’t look back.

“I was a fool to believe they changed,” you huff while walking back toward the hotel you are staying at. Not a hotel. It’s a shady motel. The only one in this shitty town.

“Y/N?” you frown as a car slows down and someone pokes his head out of the window. “Y/N YL/N? I knew it was you.”

“What? I-“ looking at the sheriff’s car you frown. “I didn’t do anything wrong, sheriff. Why are you following me?”

“Don’t you remember me, sweet rose?” he stops the car and unbuckles the seatbelt. You watch the sheriff climb out of his car. “It’s me…Lee.” 

“Lee Bodecker,” you choke his name out. “You became the sheriff, I see. I guess you got everything you ever wanted. A nice house, that sweet wife, and look at you, you’re the sheriff.”

“I heard you’re back in town,” Lee gives you that smile making your knees buckle. At least it used to affect you. Now he’s just another face you tried to forget. “How have you been, Y/N?”

“Good,” you don’t say the things you recited in your head so many times. It’s like now, that you stand face to face with Lee, your past just doesn’t matter any longer. “How have you been?”

“Life, you know but,” he looks you up and down. “Just look at you. An uptown girl now, huh? A pretty lady in an even nicer dress.”

You roll your eyes. “It was nice seeing you again,” you lie and turn to leave. “Greet your wife from me. I hope she’s doing fine too.”

“Uh—yeah. She’s good…we are good,” he scratches the back of his head. “I had hoped we could talk some more.”

Sighing deeply, you stop walking to look at Lee. “Listen, Lee, we don’t have to pretend, okay.”

“I only want to talk to you, Y/N. Back then I…we…” he stammers. 

“I was a foolish girl believing all the things you said meant shit to you too. I grew up the moment you broke up with me for some other girl,” you clear your throat. “You didn’t even care I had nowhere to go after my aunt kicked me out. I don’t want to talk about things I forgot about a long time ago. So, leave me alone, Bodecker.”

“I can drive you to the motel,” Lee offers. He points at his car, smiling widely. “Come on. Let’s remember the good old times.”

“I don’t want to remember the good old times,” you snap at Lee. “You were an asshole back then, and you didn’t change one bit. Do you honestly believe I want to be seen in town with a married man? I don’t think so.”

“Do you want to walk?” he grunts. “It’s going to rain. We don’t want your dress to get wet. Don’t be like that. Let me drive you.”

“I rather walk through mud, rain, and hail. Go and leave me alone. I knew coming here was a mistake,” you wave Lee off. “You’ve got a wife and kids to take care of.”

“Y/N, I can still drive you to your motel. Married or not.”

“Why?” you cock your head. “Why do you want to drive me back to my motel? What do you think will happen?”

“Anything you want to,” he gives you a loop-sided grin, hoping for you to cave in. Just like you always did. Back then. 

“I don’t want anything to happen between you and me,” walking away you realize you didn’t have to come here to know that the life you have back at home is so much better than the one you had here. 

“Wait—” Lee won’t give in. He gets back in his car and slowly drives next to you. “Get into the car. This is stupid. Stop being so stubborn.”

“I love being stupid and stubborn.”

You walk a little faster to get to your motel as fast as possible. Nothing is holding you here and you want to get back home. 

Lee is following you to your motel. He calls your name and tries to get you to talk to him some more. “Fuck, leave me alone.”

The moment the motel is in sight, you start to run to reach your room. A difficult task in heels but you manage to reach your room somehow.

Your hand trembles as you try to push the key into the lock.

“Whoa, cupcake,” you shriek as someone opens the door to your motel room before you can unlock the door. “I thought you are still at the wedding.”

“Lloyd?” you release a shuddery breath. “What are you doing here?”

“I tried to call,” he shrugs as you stare up at him. “I canceled the meeting and got here as fast as possible. Uh—I didn’t want to burst into the church. I planned on picking you up after the ceremony for the party and crap.”

“You’re here,” you throw yourself at your boyfriend and hide your face in his chest. He immediately wraps his arms around your body to offer comfort. 

“Now that’s what I call a warm welcome, baby,” he pecks your hair. “Who’s that?”

You totally forgot about Lee and that you stand outside your room. “He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Who is that bastard?” you whimper at Lloyd’s rough tone. He never uses it when you are around, but you heard him bark orders at people. 

“Lee Bodecker, the guy I told you about,” you mumble, not wanting to speak any louder. Lloyd knows everything about your past, and he didn’t care.

“Hmm…I see,” Lloyd whispers soft words in your ear, asking you to get inside the room and close the door behind you. “Give me five minutes.”

He kisses your temple and hugs you a little tighter. “I’ll be packing my things. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”

“I’ll be right there, cupcake.” 

He watches you walk inside the room, nodding as you look at him. “Please don’t get into trouble because of me.”

You close the door, sighing deeply as your boyfriend makes his way toward Lee.

 The sheriff watched you and your boyfriend from inside his car. He’s fuming as Lloyd walks toward his car.

“Do we have a problem here, sheriff,” Lloyd stands next to the driver’s side, poking his head into Lee’s car. “I got the feeling you were following my girlfriend, and I don’t like this one bit.”

“I offered to escort her,” Lee grunts. “This is a sleepy little town, but you never know when someone tries to attack a sweet girl. I wanted to keep her safe.”

Lloyd hums as he straightens his back. He runs two fingers over his mustache, pretending to think about Lee’s words.

“Problem is, it’s my job to keep my girl safe. You didn’t offer protection. All you did was scare my girl. I give you five minutes to get out of my sight.”

“Do you think I’m scared of you?” the sheriff growls. “I’m the sheriff of this town.”

“Yeah? I got that,” Lloyd smirks. “The car, your uniform, and the cheap haircut gave it away.”

“I’m warning you. Threatening a sheriff is a crime,” Lee warns. “You don’t want me to get out of this car.”

Lloyd grins. “You see, I’m not a man of many words. I rather use my influence to get rid of people making my girl feel bad. You don’t want me to call a few people and make sure you’ll lose more than your lousy job.”

“I-“ Lee considers Lloyd’s warning. Is it worth it to ruin his life only to get his hands on you? “I only wanted to give her a ride.” He starts the engine, watching Lloyd retreat.

“Good choice, sunshine,” your boyfriend mumbles under his breath as Lee drives off. “We see each other again. One way or another…”

“You sure you don’t want me to break his neck,” Lloyd softly asks as you snuggle into his chest. “Cupcake?”

“I’m good, Lloyd,” you sigh against him. “I only want to forget about him, my aunt, and my past. We have a life together. Here and now.

“Here and now, Y/N,” he assures you but plans on visiting your ex one day. Maybe not today, but soon…

Tags in reblog.

[anonymoushouseplantfan]

Long time lurker here who finally took the plunge and watched/skimmed through their ‘historical’ doc. For what it's worth, here's my amateur psychoanalysis of it:

They both suffer from substantial minority complexes: Him for not being his brother (who’s more good looking, smarter and is to be king). She for being a child of a broken home and divorced parents with sometimes dubious backgrounds. She seems to always have wanted to be her own version of Gwyneth Paltrow, in all ways.

She seems to suffer from some sort of magical thinking, where her life necessarily must feel like a Hollywood film. I think her main sources of inspiration are Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, You’e got Mail, When Harry met Sally, etc. The song choices, the wedding speech, poems etc. give it away. Reality probably became too painful for her at some point as a child, so she started inventing a magical version of it that she’s trying to recreate. Becoming rich and famous is prob her way of proving to anyone who made her feel inferior as a child that she is worthy, even superior. She needs people to think she lives in some sort of ideal Pinterest version of California where she’s a modern Gwyneth Paltrow, royal to boot. It’s all wide brimmed Cali-hats, barefoot Joni Mitchell running, hop-in-the-car for a secret beach swim with your lover, topped off with avocados kind of vibes. Not a care in the world, happy happy happy. It’s all very nineties, but it makes sense considering when she grew up. She’s enacting the dream of the hurt child of a divorce, and he’s paying for it.

Of course she hates Kate. She represents everything Meghan wanted to be growing up: from a loving core family, financially comfortable, tall and slim (I bet that’s a thing), polite, educated, artsy, knows how to carry herself, etc. Kate not playing into Meghan’s hugging and ‘American’ ways was probably too much of a painful rejection for Meghan, a reminder that she’s really a fairly clumsy person with poor manners from a broken family (my guess is this is what she actually feels like inside, even if it’s subconscious). You can see it in the way she looks at Kate that she triggers some deep sense of inferiority, and so her solution is to be a b****, because she was never taught that jealousy usually says more about yourself than it does about the other person.

Her mom doesn’t feel genuine, not a lot of kindness shines through there. It’s interesting how close she seems to have gotten to her daughter once Harry’s credit cards were in the picture. Harsh, I know, but the whole thing feels off.

I somehow think the truest thing they have in common is that they’re both products of divorced parents, with dads who have felt a lot of subsequent guilt, trying to compensate for their failings by not calling out bad behaviour, and not making them take responsibility for anything growing up. The result is two overgrown teenagers with no sense of responsibility, no self deprecation, and zero self awareness. Heading for disaster methinks. 

Everyone is taking advantage of his status and money, and he doesn’t see it. Very sad. 

He seems happiest when he's smoking weed.

She shape shifts constantly; in their ‘candid’ moments (who knows what is actually real, it’s all filmed), she’s the uber feminine, helpless, sweet girl that Harry gets to save, who makes him feel smart. When she’s being interviewed independently, or sitting at a UN conference table, her voice deepens and she shows up as someone completely different, the ‘smart one’. There are numerous examples of her shape shifting throughout the years; it's been there from the beginning. 

I actually find Harry and her dad quite similar - both bratty ***holes.

Sorry for the lengthiness, and thanks for a great blog! You've provided sanity with your great analysis of this whole drama throughout the years - thank you :)

Thanks for sending this in!

I agree with the inferiority complex, and I think they both compensated for that by creating these over-the-top personas based on their paid press. The trigger for Harry's new persona was his time in Afghanistan and the trigger for Meghan's new persona was getting her suits role.

They both suffer from magical thinking. Thanks for focusing on Meg's magical realism, instead of Harry's. I found the bus tour of Hollywood boring when I saw the documentary and I wondered why they bothered to put it in, but I think you're right and it's all about her magical transformation. I noted the romcom element as well and one thing I found interesting is that the first three episodes of the documentary resemble regular royal documentaries with stock music, but then the last three incorporate romcom music. It's a big shift in tone, and it also happens in the book. The first few chapters are royal biography (albeit kind of weird) and then it's all rom com with a big dash of spite.

I had not considered this aspect of the Kate rivalry, and I'm going to have to think about this. I think you're right, but it goes a bit deeper. I think Kate was supposed to become part of "the family she never had." She was supposed to be the loving sister Sam was not. That's how the magical thinking worked. That's why there is so much bitterness towards Kate. Notice that Charles actually stepped into the dad role Meghan expected him to play, but Will and Kate were not willing to play the part of loving brother and sister. That's why there is so much anger there.

There's something off about Doria, but she's smart enough to stay on the sidelines.

Divorce is a big factor, I agree.

He doesn't see it at all, which is odd because we all thought both he and Will had a good radar for users. It almost seems like he's used to lower-level users, and he doesn't realize how things work at this level of money where people are willing to give you one of their empty homes until they figure out how they can monetize you.

Drugs are a huge factor. I didn't understand how dependent he was on them until I read his book.

Everyone seems to experience a different Meghan, and many people (Naniki, Nina, staff) have said she starts out charming and then she turns on you and becomes a different person. It's going to be interesting to see how she turns on Harry.

They say you end up marrying your dad, and Meghan seems to be proving that. She turned a prince into Thomas Markle.

Thanks for the kind words. It has been a wild ride, hasn't it.

[applepi-1]

Never too late- Bokuto

WARNING: Minors beware 18+ smut

You looked at Bokuto across the room as his fiancé speaks, you smiled at his face. He looks so helplessly in love. You scrunched your nose as he looked at you and winked, you looked back at the woman and smiled at her. "So, here's to my Bokuto." Everyone in the room clapped as you got up. 

"So... um when Bokuto asked me to do a speech for his wedding and practice it at his rehearsal dinner, I was surprised. But I'd do anything for Bo, so here goes nothing." You cleared your throat and fiddled with the glass in your hands, "When I met Bo, we were 12, and we became friends quite instantly, and ever since then I realized why girls threw themselves at him. Bokuto was the kind of guy you could rely on. Every girls dream guy if you will. Bokuto is kind, funny, loyal, smart, childish... but he's dependable too. Bokuto happens to be the only guy in my life who hasn't treated me like shit. Our friendship is a little complicated, but who's isn't, and no matter how complicated, Bo stayed. He never left my side. And now F/n, you get to have Bokuto, he's your headache now." You raised your class to your friend, "you get to love his amazing flaws, his mistakes, him. Bokuto is every girls dream guy, and he's yours. And you get to have the only Bokuto Kotaro in the world. Congrats to the happy couple." Everyone cheered at you as you remained eye contact with Bokuto. 

"You were good up there?" You turned your attention to your best friend and smiled. "And seriously brave." 

"Thanks." You smiled softly as Bokuto and F/n walked up. 

"I love you." Your smile grew a bit before going back to a small grin.

"I love you, too." 

"So... um, I realized you never said anything about me." You looked at F/n and your smile fell.

"Yah, I don't really know you. You never tried to get to know me." 

"Let's not do this here." You looked at Bo and nodded your head. 

"You're right, Bo. I'm sorry."

"Seriously? You're like a lost puppy, doing whatever he says."

"F/n."

"Hm, better than marrying him because he's rich and it'd make mommy and daddy proud."

"Y/n." You sighed and walked off with your friend behind you. You sat down on the stairs of the entrance. "Y/n..."

"This is hard, g/n." 

"I know... I know it is... especially after all you've been through together." 

"I wish I could go back to before we crossed that line... it's been years, and it's too late to have all these feelings rush back just because he's getting married."

"You don't forget your first love... you use to hate every girl who came around. And he was your first kiss. I mean you guys tried to date, but it never worked out."

"He wasn't ready... he didn't want to lose a friend. Ruin... us."

"But he did anyway. He fell just as hard as you did, but he was scared."

"And now, hes ready... just not with me."

"No.. he settled. But he's not ready, I saw the way he looked at you when you spoke about him. He's never looked at any other girl that way. You're his everything wrapped in one... remember? He thinks you're worth more than 10 bucks... I remember when he told you that."

"He said I was up in the 100 thousands. But it's too late."

"It's never too late. You need to stop putting your feelings aside for him."

"I rather swollow my pride and feelings for him to be happy..."

"And he won't be because she isn't you."

"I'm not ruining his happiness for my selfishness. I gotta go." You quickly walked off running off to your hotel room. You slid down the door and cried, this was a lot harder than people thought. You took out your phone seeing Bokuto's face light up your screen, you swallowed the lump in your throat and answered. "Hey, Bo."

"Hey, g/n said you left? Where are you?"

"I'm at the hotel room, everything okay?" You subconsciously sniffed after talking waiting on a reply.

"Are you okay?"

"Hm? Oh, yah I'm good, watching a dog movie, poor thing got separated from the one it loved the most..."

"What happened?"

"The owner replaced her... found a better dog. She was too late to come home... poor thing."

"Yeah.. poor thing. Open up." You furred your brows to you heard a knock at the door making you jump, you quickly wiped your tears and opened it. "It's never too late." You opened your mouth to speak but Bokuto took this as an opportunity to grab your face and crash his lips onto yours. You immediately melted into the kiss, wrapping your arms around him. When he broke away, his golden orbs were abnormally dark and his pupils dilated after making eye contact with you. For an instant, his hands gripped you harder before his eyes glanced back down at your lips, licking his own instinctively.

"I'm so confused, Bo... you're about to get married."

"I heard you talking to h/n, so I went to find F/n and she was with her maid of honors boyfriends and well I'm sure you know hat they were doing.... and I thought to myself... what am I doing? I let the love of my life go, I should've never let you go."

"What?" you asked confusedly. You weren't quite sure what he was getting at.

"I love you." Running your fingers down his neck and back into his hair ever so slowly. 

"I love you too." His breaths were labored as you tugged on the strands between your fingers. His own hands, which had fallen down to your hips, were bruising at this point. Suddenly, he crashed his lips against yours once more and turned you around slamming your back against the wall. The pictures on the wall shook with the force, but you were too distracted to care. Bokuto's tongue asked for entrance into your mouth. You let him in easily, fighting for dominance while occasionally separating for a breath. Every time you two rejoined, your teeth clashed from the battle, but it was too heated for you to notice. His hands slid down to your thighs and tugged on them encouragingly, a signal for you to jump. You listened to the orders and hooked your feet together behind his back. He carried you to the bed closing the door with his foot blindly but surprisingly well, lips never breaking for a second. 

Slowly lowering you down, you fell back gently onto the soft blankets, pulling away to look up at him as he towers over you. He smirked, running his thumb along your lower lip before moving his hands to slide up your shirt, caressing your sides tenderly. You, on the other hand, hooked your fingers into his pants' belt loops and drew him in, grinding harshly against the hard tent in his pants. "Fuck," he groaned breathlessly, pressing his forehead against yours while he returned the favor, sticking to the pace you had set while his fingertips tweaked your nipples through your bra. The touch shot a wave of pleasure straight down to your heat, and your thighs tightened around his hips instinctively at the sensation. Your whimpers were loud and shameless as you grind into him, ignoring the gushing crawling its way down your thighs. Bokuto looked back at you with heavily lidded eyes, lifting your arms to help him in the deed, and he did the same for you, throwing away the devilish shirt before tracing your fingertips in the grooves of his abs. 

"Ah!" You let out a cry of surprise when the golden-eyed man tore your bra away from your chest, ripping the fabric in the process as he tossed it forgettably behind him. You use to scold him for that. Today, however, there was no time. You needed him. You didn't even mind when his eyes hungrily stared at your chest before he pounced, taking a hardened nipple into his mouth and harshly sucking. When you had first gotten together, your hands had instantly reacted, covering your breasts shyly while you avoided eye contact. He had to gently coax your hands away while constantly reminding you that you were gorgeous. Now, you learned your lesson. Bokuto thought you were beautiful and he wanted you. And there was no stopping him when he wanted something. Even the second time he had seen you bare while you tried to hide, he jumped on you too quickly. When he use to see you naked, he was always somewhere on your skin. Touching, stroking, caressing, biting. Bokuto used everything he had when he was with you. Teeth, hands, even his thighs were often used to hold you down while you trembled under his will. 

"Oh shit," you moaned breathlessly. His mouth was leaving a display of hickeys all over the span of your chest, and one of his hands had slid under your arched back to press you closer to him and keep you still as you squirmed. Your lungs were begging for air as you gasped at the feeling of Bokuto's lips, hands tugging his hair harshly. While you were distracted, his other hand traced a hot trail down the middle of your body, sliding past your belly button and slipping into your thin panties. You had been too caught up that you hadn't even noticed the only barriers now separating you and Bo were his boxers and your barely-there undergarments. 

"Damn, baby, is that lace?" He uttered hotly while glancing up at you from your freshly marked chest. Hesitantly, you nodded in response and he groaned, abruptly burying a finger deep inside you. You mewl loudly, moving your hands down to dig your nails into his shoulders, leaving marks you wouldn't mind seeing in the morning. Your head falls back, pressing harshly into the mattress while Bokuto begins to rub furious, fast-paced circles onto your clit. "I missed how well you treated me, sweetheart," he groans, his other hand squeezing your hip to keep you firmly in place as you shiver from pleasure. 

"Ah fuck!" you whine desperately. "Keep going, you're doing so good." The encouragement causes him to whimper while he digs another finger inside you, thrusting in and out too quickly for you to comprehend. The waves of pleasure are wracking through your body like never before, and you yelp when he suddenly presses his thumb brutally against your clit, making your whole body convulse. At last, it becomes too much and you shakily warn him, "I'm gonna come." 

"Come for me, baby." His words trigger an abundance of arousal, and immediately your juices flow out around his fingers as the bubble finally bursts inside your chest. Your moans are almost pornographic at this point, but you can't help it. Bokuto watches your display with glimmering, ravenous eyes, and swiftly hops off the bed, removing his boxers in a split second before tugging your soaked panties down your legs and tossing them away. You're still trying to catch your breath when he mounts on top of you, sliding his hips once more between your thighs like it's where they're meant to be. You don't mind that thought, basking in the idea before it flies away along with the rest of your thoughts as Bokuto returns a finger back to your heat, gathering some remains from the inside of your thighs and popping it inside his mouth, giving it a small taste. 

His reaction makes you burn crimson as he moans. "Goddamn baby." He looks into your eyes and starts to hover over you, grabbing both of your wrists and trapping them directly above your head with one hand while the other positions his throbbing erection at your entrance. "The only one who gets to taste you is me," he informs you possessively, golden orbs glowing at the thought. 

You smile tenderly at him and agree. "Of course baby, you're the last person I was with. I wouldn't dream of it." Your praise causes him to puff out his chest and smirk, and you wiggle your hips to remind him of the original plan. He takes the hint and abruptly thrusts into you in one swift motion. Your whole body jolts at the movement and you moan in surprise. Bokuto releases your hands and grabs both of your hips tightly, plunging into you swiftly. The feeling of him rapidly reaching deeper and harder inside of you, raking along your walls harshly causes your toes to curl. He hits that oh-so wonderful spot deep inside of you, and your jaw drops in pure euphoria at the feeling. His groans match yours in volume, and you absolutely adore that about him. Taking advantage of your free hands, you raise them up to his intensely focused face, caressing his cheek softly while moaning aloud. 

His golden eyes burst open and he leans his head into your touch, his thrusts slowing slightly. You rub your thumbs back and forth across the apples of his cheeks while cooing, "You feel so good, Kou, don't ever stop." The reaction from him is instant. Already prepared, you dig your fingernails into his back and drag them down while hanging on for dear life as he pumps into you harder than before. The stinging from his back combined with your tightness causes him to bury his face into your neck, biting down in pleasure as his thrusts quicken even more. You whimper at his teeth, crying out and grabbing his biceps for stability as the mattress squeaks, the noise reverberating around the room and mixing lewdly with the sounds of pleasure. He peels your hands away, pressing them into the sheets above your head before intertwining his fingers with your own. His erratic pace begins to lose its steady rhythm as he grunts out your name deeply, gripping your palms harder.

Watching your face from above, he relishes in the sight of your open mouth and darkened eyes, not hesitating to combine your lips before he mumbles against them, "You're so tight baby, I'm gonna come." His hands grasp yours tightly and you squeeze them back in return.

"Me too, Kou. Ah! Just like that, don't stop!" His thrusts speed up in response, and the coil that had been slowly winding up deep within you is becoming unbearably compressed. Finally, it breaks, and you clench around him tightly while you release, overflowing just as before while your legs shudder uncontrollably. Bokuto groans at your tightness and releases as well, collapsing right on top of you. You let out a huff of air at the sudden drop, and giggle softly while running your hands through his sweaty, black and white hair. A tired Bokuto's breathing is labored, but still more controlled and calm than your own as you both bask in the afterglow you've created. Stupid volleyball stamina. As if he heard your thoughts, Bokuto perks back up, heaving himself back up on his hands and knees over you and peering deep into your eyes pleadingly.

"One more round?" he bargains, his hands running up and down your thighs, every time drawing closer to your sore, abused opening. You shake your head and open your mouth to refuse, only to mewl and whimper when he begins to rub your overstimulated clit. He was harshly riding the fine line between pain and pleasure, but that wasn't new with Bokuto. Suddenly, your mind goes foggy when he begins to stroke up and down along your core, enticing high-pitched whines out of you. He smiles brightly when your hands reach up and grip his shoulders in preparation for what was to come next.

Maybe just one more round won't hurt.

[cinderswife]

because i can't go five seconds without thinking about ouatis worldbuilding, here's rose and snow's immediate family! there is so much going on here. infodump under the cut as always <3

(full disclosure, snow and rose's childhood sucked. i watched Iron Claw, a biopic about the wrestling dynasty of the Von Erich family, when i was conceptualizing their dads and the shitty family dynamics from the film twisted with the development of snow and rose i'd already done to create a royally screwed up family. general white and rose red do Not come from a remotely well adjusted family are you kidding me. so. cw about that. darr and eret are doing fine though)

By all the rights of inheritance, Cole's empire should belong to the House of Grimm. After all, it was their family he married into 2,000 years ago. He took his pick of the Princes Grimm (twin crown princes who decided that whoever married for love first would get to be king of Zantine) and became king over the people. It must be understood though that the House of Grimm is descended from the other brother, the Duke of what was then the province of Delinore (long before it was a planet or a star system). Had His Majesty simply died when he was killed, all this could have been avoided. Alas, His Majesty's forays into the idea of immortality and collaboration with a certain vampire would lead to him becoming a star-faring conquering emperor.

This is not a fact known any longer. To the people of the modern era, the House of Grimm is simply his favorite and always has been. The current Grand Duke of the star system duchy of Delinore and Head of the House of Grimm is his heir and that is the way it is and always will be.

John Grimm, the hereditary Grimm father through which Snow and Rose claim their birthright, had a short-lived reign. His own father had died in an unfortunate starship accident when he was young, so he was raised by not his mother, a perpetually stressed woman desperately trying to keep the duchy together, but his uncle, a former military man who was never as good as a soldier as he claimed to have been.

John wanted desperately to join the force but as the only child of his father and His Majesty's future heir, he was forced to train to become Grand Duke instead. This was not pleasing to him, so he made a habit of getting into trouble whenever he could.

As a teen, he took a fancy to a lovely young woman who would later grow into his husband, Eli. Eli was clever with his tongue and understood people in a way that John never quite wrapped his head around. Though he was descended from a far lesser noble house, John saw potential in him as a partner in crime. The two fell madly in love and were wed within months of meeting at the tender ages of 17 and 16.

That was the story spun about them anyways. In truth, it was a shotgun wedding and the two were married to ensure the scandal remained as minimal as possible. Snow and Rose were born several months later to baffled fanfare.

Now, it must be understood that twins have always been auspicious in the House of Grimm. Every generation with twin heirs would find a different way to select which would be the Duke. John elected the easy way: Rose, the older twin by a mere 20 minutes, would be Duchess and Snow, the younger twin, would fulfill his military dreams.

It became quite clear early on that the girls' dispositions were suited for the other's future. Rose was lively and athletic with a lot of fight in her and Snow was clever and calculating with the ability to say whatever she needed to get others to listen. However, John and to a lesser extent Eli were determined that things go exactly as planned.

The girls were raised like military sons, strict and harsh much like John had been. Even Eli, though not as outwardly brutal, was still strict in his teachings of politic and poise. Despite the harsh conditions (or indeed, because of them), the sisters grew close and protective of each other. Rose often bore the brunt of the punishments, stepping in for her sister whenever she could. In turn, Snow would tend to her sister after the fact. Both would run to Doctor Lorenzo whenever they could, more of a father to them than their own two.

When they were sixteen, Snow and Rose were to make their debut into high society before being sent off to their respective academies. As part of this, the day before they were to meet with King Cole himself. Snow's meeting went... fine, really, she just got some kinda weird advice and some really bad vibes off His Majesty. Rose on the other hand came out of that meeting and immediately signed away her birthright to her sister, swapped their papers, and stole away to the military academy. She never said what happened that night, only that Snow would be safer and better off as Grand Duchess.

John and Eli were very disappointed and upset, of course, but things worked out well in the end. Snow proved quickly that she was far better suited to politic than either of her fathers and by the time she was 24 even His Majesty insisted that she become Duchess. And Rose, well, her career in the military catapulted her into living legend status. No one has successfully conquered more planets in His Majesty's name than her (even if, when sufficiently drunk and alone, Rose professes a deep hatred of the king).

They currently live in their family manor on New Constantinople instead of Delinore as when Snow became Duchess she basically kicked them out (and honestly they wanted to go anyways).

As for Darr, well, Snow needed to continue on the family line. Though a romantic as a teen, as soon as she realized she was going to be Duchess she became exceptionally judicial about her suitors. She had ambition and she was not going to let a nagging partner get in the way of that.

Darr Amundsen (also known as Darla or Darrell depending on zer gender at the time) was the fourth child of a middling Marquess. All zer older siblings were deeply unambitious and did little to make the family proud and Darr, a very quiet individual with little skill in politic and a strong desire to get really invested in trains, was supposed to be the one to make it better. Out of desperation, ze decided to sign up for a matchmaking service to see if ze could marry into a greater family.

Well, there's no greater family than the House of Grimm and Snow was quite taken by Darr. Though they aren't properly in love, they make a fantastic team. Darr runs the household of the Eden Castle and raises their son while supporting Snow in her fight for peace and in turn Snow can do many great and wonderful things while wading through the controversy surrounding her ideals.

Unfortunately, Darr does not get on well with Rose. That's fine, Rose insists, really! It's not like she spends a lot of time at home

They currently have one son, Eret! He is three and looks an awful lot like his Aunty Rose. His favorite animals are penguins and snakes, he's obsessed with the ocean, and he's granted a lot of freedom that Snow never got. He's a little rascal and we love him for it <3

He does look up to Aunty Rose a bit too much for Darr and honestly even Snow's comfort. Snow fought hard for her belief in kindness and goodness and while she loves her sister dearly, the destruction Rose has caused is not something she can forgive so easily. Rose is doing her best to try and be a good role model for the kid but she is kind of a disaster when she's away from either the battlefield or cameras.

Ah well, she just learned to knit so the kid gets a lot of fun presents.

[bitchyfoxymama]

I saw that you write for Star Wars and i wanted to make a request if that’s okay.I always asked myself what Anakin life would had been if he didn’t became Vader,so can you write an imagine where reader is Padme’s younger sister,she married Ani in secret and now she is pregnant with the twins.But happy ending,where her and Anakin go to Naboo and raise their kids together 🥺 he deserves that!

In Another Life - Anakin x F!Reader

If you saw the first post no you did not! Anywho I hope you like this Anon, I sure loved writing this because it got me back into the Prequels which I haven't watched in over a Decade, also yes I know this isn't how he looked in EP 2 which I based this fic on.

Warnings: Pure Fluff, F!Aligned reader, Marriage, cannon violence, love, mentions of childbirth, Luke and Leia.

»»————-　✼　————-««

You were padme’s younger sister, you were closer in age with Anakin which is why you both became great friends however throughout the years of your friendship with one another a different kind of emotion sparked between you both. So when you heard that both Ani and Padme were injured during the battle on Yerbana you rushed over to the infirmary. 

You arrived only to see Ani, being told Padme’s injuries were as serious but seeing ani in pain, and missing an arm tugged on your heart, the boy you grew up with and had fallen in love with sitting there as you watch them give him his mechanical arm.

“Oh Ani,” you rush over to him just as they finished, holding his face in your hands. 

“(reader),” He breathes out a pained smile on his face, “I thought i would never see you again” leaning his forehead again. You both stay like that for what seems like an eternity but it was only a moment.  

“Marry me” he finally says.

“Ani I-” you begin to say but he shortly cuts you off. 

“I love you, I have loved you since we were children and i have watched you grow into a woman, so marry me” 

“But what about your jedi training, if we marry they will strip you of your ranking and you will never become a Jedi master as you have always dreamed of,” you say, as much as you want to marry him you know his dream of becoming a master since you first met. 

"Then we will marry in secret and no one will have to know," as lovely as that would be, you know it isn't right, you know you would want your sister there and Ani would want Obi-Wan to be there as well. 

"Ok, Ani i will marry you on the condition that Padme and Obi-Wan will be our witnesses,” you smile at him. 

 The following week you and Ani were wed on Naboo, in secret only the chosen two you both held dear to your hearts in witness, not long after you were with child, only discovering that one had become two when you began giving birth. Once both children were born, a boy and a girl you both smiled fondly at them, naming them Luke and Leia. You were happy for your small family, having the children grow up on your home world. 

A few years down the line, you and Anakin let the council know of your marraige and the children your love for one anoher had led too, they were understanding as Ani wasnt the only Jedi Knight to marry and have a family. 

FIN.

[imobessesedfrfr]

~You're a Goddamn Liar!~

Spoilers for Zou and Wholecake :)

Backstory because why not:

Sanji and Reader both grew on baratie. Yet when Sanji leaves, reader doesn't. She decides that she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a world class dancer. Becoming known throughout the world. Reader memories are wiped Idk that's about it.

Reader is a df user, literally called the Devil-Devil fruit. It gives the user the power torture their opponent with their worst fears as well as gives them abnormal human strength and devil looking features. Also gives them a higher tolerance to pain and poisons.

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Scenario I

Click!

Click!

Click!

The sound of heels hit the pavement; three girls walking towards the center of the stage. Ready to entertain for their lives

the stadium filled with different foods and people. Big mom sitting square in the middle of the audience. The Vinsmoker family sitting right beside her. Ready for the show that was being presented to them. Sanji looking down at this stadium looking at the familar face that he hasn't seen in a little over two years.

In a different stand, there struggled two of the Straw hats. A trapped Luffy and Nami, struggling to get out. "Damnit! These chains are too tight!" said Nami as she moved around. Luffy sat there exhausted, the sea prism stone sucking out his energy. Two soldiers of the big mom army stood behind them.

"I thought it would be a proper wedding gift, inviting the most famous group of dancers in the new world to come celebrate this union," said Big Mom. "I heard one of them even has a Devil Fruit" she stated. Nami peaked at the stage right in front of them, seeing the familiar woman.

Nami kicked Luffy, trying to get his attention away from eating right now. "Luffy! Look! It's Y/N!" she motioned towards the stage. Still exhausted he looked up, "It's Show-Off! I was wondering how she was doing" he smiled, shouting towards her.

"SHOW-OFF!!" The women looked around confused. "UGH! Is someone here trying to insult us or something!!" said one of the women beside her. "How rude!!"

Sanji looked at the women before him, recognizing her almost immediately. 'Y/N, what is she doing here?!' the look of horror and confusion overcame his face. 'She has to get out of here, now!' yet he couldn't move. It would put her in even more danger!

Y/N looked around trying to find the source of that voice. 'Luffy?', it was strange hearing that voice after so long. It had been two years since she last saw the Straw Hats. "Show-off!! Come help us!!" Big Mom glared at Straw hats as their captain Luffy, yelled at one of the dancers. Nami recoiled as she felt Big Mom's glare at them, yet she felt like she had no choice.

Y/N was their last hope!

"Please, come help us!!" screamed Nami

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Scenario II

The Duo watched as Sanji beat Luffy into a bloody pulp. "Sanji..." the woman looked at him horrified. This isn't the Sanji she knew! He's an idiot and is sporantic. Yet, this is too far!

"You suck at this, Sanji!" she screamed at him as he served people. "You're supposed to make sure their drinks are refilled! Idiot!" she walked up to the table he just served and refilled their drinks, making small talk with them as well. Smiles all around, making sure that at the Baratie "Well, good thing I am not a waiter! I'm a chef!" The young girl sighed. "That's stupid! How are you gonna know people like your food if you don't ask them!" she yelled at him. Sanji tackled her to the ground and pulled her hair. "That's dumb! Are you saying my food is bad!?" he screamed at her. The two tussled and fought each other like a pair of rabid dogs, pulling each other's hair and punching each other in the face.

As the entire restaurant watched the chaos caused by these two children. "Sanji!!" yelled a familiar voice, the blond-haired boy tensed up by the voice. "You idiot!" a swift kick was given to Sanji. The poor boy crashing through a wall and knocking him out. "Hey! That's too far, don't you think Chef Zeff?!" the man gave a stern look towards her. "You too! You are rotten little girl!! You can't start fights here!! You'll drive away all the customers!!" the girl ran away from him, "Sanji! Are you okay!?"

"...Stop..it" she managed to mutter out "Sanji, stop it" he kept hitting his captain. Kick after kick, blow after blow. "Luffy! Fight back!" yelled Nami trying to have get through to luffy. "Sanji! I said" she began, her voice getting louder and louder as the fight kept going to between the two. "STOP IT!!"

Pulling the captain away from Sanji throwing him back towards Nami. "Hey!! This isn't about-"

"Shut up, Luffy!" she glared at Sanji, a cold look was given down towards him. Something that even when they would fight all the time when they were kids, he didn't give her. Without a second thought, she gave him a swift punch. Horns grew out of her head and wings from her back. Sanji let the blows hit him, of course he's not fighting back.

He still has morals after all

"You're a goddamn Liar!" she still hitting him through her tears. "After Two years!? This is how you turned out! An idiot and a liar! How would Zeff feel about this!?" he couldn't say anything he wanted to. All he did was let her hit him, let her get out all of her frustrations.

"I hate you, Sanji!!"

______________________________________________________________

Scenario III

The wind blew through the sails of the Baratiae, it was semi destroyed due to the fight with Don Krieg. Looking down as this Pirate, Monkey D Luffy, readied his ship for departure.

"What a pain" she said as the crew began to clean up the mess caused by him. "Hey" looking over her shoulder, she saw Sanji. Bloodied and bruised right behind her. "You alright?" he asked, she glared at him. "Shut up, Sanji!" she threw her leg over the railing walking towards him. Grabbing him by the shirt, "Why did you just jump in like that?! Don't you know you could've died!?" she shook him as he just accepted it. "Who said I would die? You have such little faith in me?" that pissed her off even more. "You're so dumb!" she pushed pass him and walking towards the inside of the restaurant.

In a swift movement, he hugged her. Embracing her in his arms, the warmth of his body so close to hers it made her heart jump. "I have to tell you something" the woman sighed, a sour expression overcoming her face. "gonna tell me that you are in love with me?" Sanji didn't respond to her, instead her flipped her around so that they were facing each other. "Not yet, but..." before he could finish the sentence. Luffy called out to him "Sanji! Hurry up! We gotta go" Sanji glared at his captain "Hold on idiot!"

She knew what he was going to say to her. As much as it hurts, she knows one way or another. He was going to leave and set out to sea. Doing the one and only thing that seemed rational, she straightened out the shirt she grabbed. Not being able to look at him in the eyes, she swiftly threw him towards his newfound captain.

"Hey! What the hell!?" before he lost sight of her face. A true smile jumped up on her face. "Get out of here, Sanji!" she turned away, leaning against the railing. "Go find all blue!" Zeff appeared next to her, a smile also appearing on his face. "Goodbye Sanji" he smiled as he watched the ship leave.

Turning his face towards the girl who he watched grow up into woman right next to him. The shine of tears streaming down her face, "You'll see him again" she wiped the tears away from her face. "So? It still hurts that I won't see him anymore" she sniffled a little bit. Trying to hide the sorrow she now felt.

"Damnnit, Zeff. This sucks!" she cried as the man she knew as her best and only friend. Sailed away from her.

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