#isn’t this that one restaurant in vegas

[wannabanauthor]

I have a BuckTommy idea/prompt:

Tin foil hat time

What if Chimney was trying to get Buck to date again so he could tell Tommy and get Tommy to realize what he’s lost?

So Chimney sets Buck on a blind date with a super hot gay guy, but it’s all apart of his plan. He knows Tommy well enough to know what restaurants he frequents and what nights.

But before Buck arrives, the guy finds Tommy sitting at the bar in the restaurant and starts flirting with him. Maybe the guy even mentions that he has a hot date in a few minutes with this bisexual guy.

Once Buck shows up, the date gets up and greets him, and makes sure Buck doesn’t notice Tommy.

Tommy, however, sees the whole thing, and panics because he didn’t expect Buck to start dating again so soon, and Buck’s date is an asshole for flirting with Tommy before Buck showed up.

So Tommy is stuck between letting the date happen and probably progressing, or he can be honest with Buck that his date was flirting with him until Buck arrived.

Tommy calls Chimney in a panic, and Chimney tells him “you should definitely let Buck know that his date is a flirt”.

Tommy is torn on what to do, but Chimney gives him that final push. Instead of confronting them, Tommy texts Buck “your date was flirting with me before you showed up”.

Buck gets the text is excited to see it’s from Tommy, but then he reads it and goes bright red.

Meanwhile his date asks “is something wrong?”

Buck says “Yeah, you were flirting with my ex-boyfriend before I showed up.” He looks around for Tommy and sees him leaving out the front door.

Buck ends the date and follows Tommy outside to confront him.

He’s nervous but is happy to see Tommy again, but he’s also a brat and gets snarky with Tommy and calls him a coward for leaving him twice.

They start arguing about their breakup, and Buck says “I’m in love with you, asshole, that’s why I asked you to move in. I wanted a future with you. It you didn’t want one with me.”

Tommy is stunned and starts to cry, but Buck is not having it.

He starts asking “Why am I not good enough to fight for? Why did you leave me? You wanted to protect your heart, but you destroyed mine.”

Tommy says, “I’ve been through this enough times to know when it’s time to go. You’re still new to things. It wouldn’t have worked out between us.”

Buck says, “I’m not those other guys! I’m me, and you keep dismissing my feelings as if I haven’t been in a relationship before. Just because you’re my first boyfriend doesn’t mean my past relationships don’t count toward dating experience. Do you not love me, is that what it is? I’d rather you tell me the truth so I can move on.”

Tommy whispers, “I’m in love with you too, and I’m scared you’re going to leave me. I’m sorry, I should have been honest with you from the start or even before we made it to six months. I just wanted to enjoy myself for once and not think about the future , but I fell in love with you so hard and unexpectedly that I didn’t know what to do.”

“Do I need to propose or something to convince you that I’m serious? Hell, should we drive to Vegas to get married to prove to you that I’m in this for the rest of my life? What do I need to do to prove to you that you’re my last?” Buck asks, crying now too.

That of course spooks Tommy again, but Buck isn’t allowing him to leave this time.

“Tell me, please,” Bucks says between sobs.

Tommy kisses him. He lets his hand wander through Buck’s curls, and pulls away when he needs oxygen.

“I love you so much, it hurts,” Tommy says.

“Then stay. Talk to me. Let’s try counseling or something. There has to be a better way than just ending things,” Buck suggests and Tommy nods.

Buck has a huge grin even with the tears. He kisses Tommy, and they just hold onto each other while crying.

Chimney gets a text the next day from Tommy, “you’re a dick, but it worked”.

End scene. What do you think?

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

It's A Wonderful World

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Princess!Reader

Word Count: ~1.2k

Warnings: fluff, ominous ending

Summary: You didn't think you'd meet someone like Spencer while staying in America, and you can't seem to stay away from him. No one, not even your uncle, can keep you from him no matter how dangerous it might be for you.

Play Pretend Masterlist

Square Filled: magic for @acrosstheuniversebingo (deleted bingo)

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Like with anything in life, if you keep at it, you’ll excel. Except for this. You never had to work a day in your life but you are willing to try. Making coffee for people is a lot harder than people make it seem. You’re good at reading people and learning by what they’re doing but this is on a whole other level.

It’s only your second day so there is still room for improvement, but it’s like you’re working with no training. Cindy gave you proper training yesterday so you’ve been tasked to making drinks rather than stocking items. Spencer walks into the shop at the same time as yesterday, and he smiles when he sees you.

“Still having trouble?” Spencer asks after putting his order in.

“It’s obvious, huh?” you chuckle. You grab his cup and look at the cashier’s handwriting. You get to work on making his drink as best as you can. Spencer tries to help where he can which you appreciate. You’re trying not to look like someone who has never seen the inside of a coffee shop before but it’s hard when this is all so new for you. “So, where is there to get good food? I’m new to town and I don’t want to be stuck eating this food.”

“Huh?”

You look at your coworker who has a confused look on her face.

“No offense.”

“Why don’t I pick you up on my lunch break? I can show you a good place to eat.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Okay, that would be great,” you smile.

Spencer grabs his drink when it’s ready and leaves the coffee shop. The next few hours go by quickly because you’re so busy trying to learn all that you can. When Spencer walks into the coffee shop around lunch time, you look at the clock in shock.

“Is it that time already?”

“Yeah,” he chuckles.

“Cindy, I’m taking my lunch break. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, hon, that’s fine. You get an hour.”

“Thank you!”

You go to the back and take off your apron before grabbing your purse. Spencer waits patiently for you by the door and smiles when you join his side. There is no need to drive anywhere since The Coffee Shop is located in the strip where there are shops and restaurants all within walking distance of each other. Spencer takes you to one of the fast food places called The Charred Grill that serves brugers, hot dogs, and good old American comfort food.

As soon as you walk in, Spencer walks to the end of the line, but you keep walking toward the kitchen. Before you can cross the threshold into the kitchen, Spencer quickly pulls you back.

“What are you doing?”

“What?  Isn’t the kitchen where food is normlally made?”

“Yeah, but… Have you never been inside the restaurant?”

“Oh, God,” you chuckle and cover your face in embarrassment. “I did it again, didn’t I? I have never been in a place like this before.”

“It’s okay,” Spencer chuckles. “Let’s get in line.”

You two move to the back of the line and wait patiently until it’s your turn to order. You have never had this type of food before since the family chef always made five-course meals. None of them have ever been hot dogs and burgers. You’re not sure what to order and Spencer sees the uncertainty in your eyes. Thankfully, he orders for you, and the two of you take a seat to wait for the food to be ready.

“So, you know what I do for work. What do you do?” you ask and cross your legs.

“I’m in the FBI. The BAU to get technical. I’m a profiler.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. I bet you see all kinds of things.”

“That’s one way to put it,” he chuckles.

“Have you lived in Virginia all your life?”

“No, I’m from Las Vegas. I moved here when I was sixteen after my college graduation.”

You’re not familiar with the American school system at all, but you know that college isn’t meant for teenagers.

“College at sixteen? What are you, some kind of genius?”

“Yes, actually,” he laughs. “I have an IQ of 187, can read twenty thousand words per minute, and I have three PhDs and two Bachelors.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Thank you. What about you? Where did you move from?”

You freeze at his question because you aren’t expecting it. The only place in the United States you know of is Los Angeles and New York. You didn't really have much time to study the place before you came here.

“Oh, you know. Around,” you chuckle nervously. “I don’t like to talk about it.”

“I get it.”

Once the food is ready, Spencer grabs it from the counter and returns to the table. The food looks greasy and delicious, and you can’t wait to try it all. Spencer got you their classic cheeseburger and an All-American hot dog with fries.

“Where are the utensils?” you ask.

“What do you mean?”

“You expect me to eat this with my hands?”

“Have you never had a cheeseburger before?”

Shit, you really need to do research when you get home. This is so fucking embarrassing. Plus, he’s an FBI profiler. He’ll see right through you if you keep acting like this, and you would have ruined this before you two could ever get to know each other.

“No, sorry.”

“Don’t be ashamed. Here, grab it like this.” You copy his movements and grab the burger with both hands. He takes a bite out of the side of it, and you do exactly what he did. “There you go.”

Flavors explode inside your mouth, flavors you’ve never experienced before.

“This is delicious,” you mumble with your mouth full. You grab a napkin and cover your mouth until you’re done chewing. After swallowing, you dab the napkin on your face. “It’s magical. I’ve never had anything like this before.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

You only get an hour and the waiting around took half that time. After lunch is over, Spencer walks you back to The Coffee Shop. You need to get back to work and he needs to return to the BAU.

“Well, that was one of the weirdest dates I’ve been on.” You look at him with confusion. “A good weird.”

“This was a date?”

“Only if you want it to be.”

“Then I guess it’s a date,” you smile.

Spencer shoves his hands in his pockets.

“Can I see you again?”

“Yes. You know where to find me. I’d give you my phone number but I don’t have a phone.” You think of an excuse as to why you don’t. “It broke and I’m trying to get a new one.”

“That’s fine. It’ll give me an excuse to come visit you. Plus, I like hanging out more than texting anyway.”

“Okay,” you smile.

Spencer leaves and you finish the rest of your shift quickly. When you get home later that night, Don is waiting for you in the kitchen with a glass of whiskey in his hands.

“I saw you with that boy today.”

“It’s nothing, Don,” you sigh. “He doesn’t know anything.”

“Good.” He downs the alcohol and stands up. “It’s going to stay that way. The more people know about you, the sooner they’ll find you.”

Fear pricks the back of your mind. You can’t go home. You can’t marry Henry because you don’t love him.

“I have it under control.”

“You better. You don’t want me getting involved.”

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[luna-writes-stuff]

Supernatural characters and what they want to do on a date, please? ♡

some of these will surprise absolutely no one but I am sO GLAD YOU ASKED ANON

——

Dean Winchester

I feel like Dean would be one of the easiest with a date. He always tries to do the things he wants to, so in a date, it won’t be much different. His perfect date would be a road trip - the length depending on what kind of date it is. Usually, you’d drive about four hours to destination unknown, but there have been occasions where you took a couple days off to travel the country and see some classic tourists locations. Vegas is most often where you end up. He’d take you to roadhouses for food, unless you’re travelling to a town specifically. Then, he’d try to find a restaurant which has food he actually likes. If you know him long enough, he might even let you drive Baby. But only for a short while. And his eyes will be glued on you constantly.

——

Sam Winchester

Sam is an absolute gentleman. He’d take you out to a restaurant, hold the door open for you, slide out your seat, won’t eat before you do etc. Nine out of ten times he has a tiny gift with him, regardless of the situation. It could be a random day and he’d give you a box of chocolates or a bouquet of roses. Again - he’s a classic gentleman. He settles for the classic gifts. Afterwards, he loves to take walks with you, visit a museum or simply sit on a bench with a view of some landscape. During hunts, he is likely to take you out to spontaneous trips to the library cafe. Not the most romantic place to go to, but he knows that his lifestyle makes it difficult for him to get to properly take you out all of the time. He prefers the short in between moments more than the entire night planned out. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like them though.

——

Castiel

Does exactly what you randomly mentioned once. When you had only known him for a handful of weeks, you might have casually mentioned you love something such as going to the movies or visiting a beach, and now - years later - he’d have that remembered and do exactly as you said. Over the years, he learns much of human customs, so it isn’t that he doesn’t know what a proper date looks like. It’s simply that he likes to do the things you like to do. He’d much rather do something you forgot you had ever told him than to plan something out for himself out of thin air. Besides, he always enjoys seeing your reaction whenever he takes you out. ‘How did you know I would like this?’ ‘You told me four years ago.’ ‘?????’ He’s very endearing and can never get enough of the absolute shell shocked expression on your face whenever he decides to make your ideas come true. And it still surprises you after so many times.

——

Charlie Bradbury

No, I am not going to tell you she would not take you to a renaissance fair or an arcade or an impromptu DnD session because she absolutely would. Depending on your personal interests and experiences with either three, she’d definitely engage in it. Your first date would likely have been at a ren fair and it has become a tradition ever since. No - not a ren fair like her LARPing (which was still awesome). She’d get dressed up and offer you her arm the entire time. She’d take you to the medieval eating tents, watch live performances of battle field with you, buys you little trinkets at the marketplaces, lets you try on some cool clothing; whatever you enjoy most. The longer you’re dating, the more often you’d go out. At night when both of you are bored, she’d grab a car and take you to a nearby arcade, lovingly annihilating you in Dance Dance Revolution. When you have a free day, she’d try to introduce you to DnD and her current party. The more you learn about it, the more often you’d get invited to their sessions with your own character. She’d sit beside you, holding your hand under the table as she’d be by your character’s side the entire time. It doesn’t even matter that there are other people too. To you, it still feels like a date.

——

Gabriel

Initially, he’d definitely try to escalate the situation into a Casa Erotica tape, but he’s quick to agree with you once you decline. Most dates are spent in fancy hotels or restaurants of which you do not even know the same. He simply takes you there and you trust him with it. Gabriel is one who enjoys party and clubs, so he’d love to take you to cocktail bars every so often, keeping you close to him constantly and showing you off to everyone. Think hand on your waist constantly, sips of your glass, kisses on your cheek, chin on your shoulder etc. If you aren’t one for crowds or parties, he’d bring the party home or to a hotel chamber. He’d pop up his own little bar, mixing his own cocktails (or mocktails), offering them to you as a dramatic bartender, flirting with you as if he’d never seen you before. He’s also a big fan of taking you to big cities just to enjoy the view. You’d be at West End the first evening and Tokyo the second. He’s seen a lot of the world and loves to share that experience with you (and a lot of embarrassing tourist pictures with ‘I love Amsterdam’ shirts)

——

Lucifer

Whatever he does, he tries to brush it off casually. Did he put all that effort into making a non-poisonous dinner with a made table? Pfff, no big deal. Did he really remember you really liked that one necklace? Yeah, he thought you might like it. He definitely did not take that the moment you mentioned it and weren’t looking. He’s a big fan of the tiny date ideas. Movie night? Absolutely. Oh yes, there is a pit with pillows there but it definitely isn’t there because you love them and he secretly loves to hold you close in them. Going out to the marketplace? Fun! He definitely won’t offer you his arm the entire time and get everything you claim ‘smells nice’ or ‘still need’. He does tiny gestures and tries to brush them off every single time, even after you thank him for it or compliment him on it. He doesn’t brush it off out of his pride or negligence of you - on the contrary. He brushes it off to make it seem as if it is easy for him. He has spent a long time separated from any form of contact and has not known love for the majority of his life. To have finally found you is something completely foreign to him, and he tries to keep you happy so desperately, but he doesn’t want it to seem like he puts too much effort into it. It’s okay, though. You secretly know this.

——

Crowley

Much like Sam, he takes you out on classic dates. He’d show up to your doorstep, even though he can easily enter. He offers you his arm the entire night as he takes you out to dinner, walk the city or take you to that concert you mentioned once. Even better - he got you backstage passes. Your favourite artist in town? Isn’t it great to not have that ticket sale stress anymore? Whatever you do during the date, he makes sure you have a great time. Your pleasure and enjoyment comes first, and if that means he has to eat a place he hates or see a band he cannot stand, then so be it. He won’t make a long face nor express his dissatisfaction. If anything, he might even start to like it purely because you do. He’s quick to associate these things with you as well. Once you mention your love towards a certain dish or city, he keeps it locked in his mind and thinks of you every time someone mentions it. He’ll make sure to give you gifts often enough which go hand in hand with your interests and loves. He knows perfectly what you like and don’t like and always keeps this in mind. He’d never take you somewhere you don’t want to be or don’t like to go.

[daniclaytcn]

BUCK & EDDIE IN EVERY EPISODE ↳ 6.13: mixed feelings (2/3)

[Image Description: 10 gifs of Evan Buckley and Eddie Diaz from 9-1-1, season 6, episode 13.

Gif 1: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, a shot of Buck and Eddie standing amongst the other firefighters in the loft in the station, looking satisfied as they wave their hands. Eddie says, "Okay. Come on, pay up." Buck says, "Let me see it. Yeah." Second, a shot of Buck and Eddie walking close together as Eddie neatly snatches the money out of Buck's hand, saying, "A fool and his money are soon...parted."

Gif 2: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, the camera panning down to reveal Buck and Eddie, walking through an alley. Eddie is dressed in a blue suit jacket and a black turtleneck; Buck is wearing a burgundy suit jacket over a black button-up. Buck adjusts his jacket as he asks Eddie, who is on his phone, "So, what's with the fancy dress code?" The second gif, Eddie tucks his phone into his inner pocket, saying, "It's a nice place," as Buck continues to stare at him in confusion.

Gif 3: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, looking hesitant, Buck stops Eddie, who turns around to face him with a sigh. Buck says, "Wait, wait. H—Hey, a—are we sure about this?" The second gif, Eddie reassures Buck, "Relax. It's a good place to put your new skills to use. Then maybe we can put 'em to use in Vegas."

Gif 4: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, standing with his back yo the delivery entrance of a restaurant, Eddie says to Buck, who has just said that this is not gonna end well, "It's a low-stakes game." The second gif, a shot of Buck and Eddie next to each other, Eddie with a small smile, Buck looking startled, at the sight of Julie Rosen, who opened the door for them.

Gif 5: 2 small gifs, and one larger one on a large canvas. The first gif, while following Eddie and Julie into the restaurant, looking slightly alarmed, Buck whispers to Eddie, "Uh, hey, this isn't some kind of mob establishment, is it?" The second gif, Eddie looks over his shoulder at Buck, amused, and says, "It's a different kind of family." The third gif, the scene opens into a fancy-looking bar with warm and muted lighting. Buck pauses at the foot of the stares, smiling in surprise. Eddie walks over to greet the others with a wide smile.

Gif 6: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, a shot of Captain Mehta, who winks at Eddie as he shakes his hand. The shot cuts to Buck, watching them, his smile fading slightly. The second gif, Eddie is already seated at a poker table, next to Julie. Buck makes to sit down close next to him.

Gif 7: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, Mehta has just said that he can't believe Buck survived the lightning strike, to which Chief Williams replies, "Let's see if he survives tonight." Eddie smiles fondly at Buck, scrunching up his face when Buck turns his head to look at him. The second gif, Eddie in focus in the background of the shot as he corrects Chief Williams by saying that Buck was dead for three minutes and seventeen seconds. Buck is blurred in the periphery of the shot, looking serious and somber.

Gif 8: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, a shot of Buck and Eddie sitting close together, Eddie raising his eyerbows at Chief Williams and Buck looking up at her, slightly alarmed. The second gif, Eddie watches intently as Buck pulls over a pile of chips to himself after winning the first round.

Gif 9: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, Chief Williams has just said, "I've heard people that get struck by lightning sometimes develop special skills." Buck's eyes slightly widen and he glances over at Eddie before asking, "Uh...skills? Like, uh...like what? Woodworking?" The second gif, Buck looks over at Eddie again after Chief Williams says, "High-functioning stuff, like languages or music. Or math. You know, counting." The shot cuts to Eddie who swallows slightly as he says, "I'm out. Too rich for my blood."

Gif 10: Two gifs on a large canvas. The first gif, a shot of Buck leaning his head on his hand, smirking cockily at Williams and Mehta. It cuts to Eddie, now standing behind him, a gentle smile on his face. The second gif, after Buck sweeps the table yet again, it pans to Eddie smiling brightly and then turning and ducking his head.

/End ID]

[doc-pickles]

waking up in vegas | matthew tkachuk x hughes!sister (pt. 3)

series masterlist

summary: a flashback to the scene of the crime

warnings: excessive alcohol consumption, sexual themes but no smut, more tkachuk/hughes nonsense (it needs a warning at this point)

a/n: i love how much y'all love this series! I hope you enjoy this next part. eventually I'll write the smut for this night but I didn't want to put it into this particular chapter because it quickly became an almost 2.5k monstrosity. enjoy!

i also hid a quote from icebreaker in this chapter so if you find it, send me a message hehe

xoxo

nina

“I’m gonna head back and call Emma,” Brady announces as he stands from the booth. You and Taryn begin to boo him. “Leave me alone.”

“Can’t. You’ve become so boring. Marriage has changed you,” Taryn plucks a chip from the basket and tosses it at Brady. “Get out of here loser.”

Laughter erupts from your table as Brady rolls his eyes before leaving the restaurant you’d tucked yourself into the back of. You’re between Taryn and Jack on one side of the booth while Quinn, Matthew, and Luke occupy the other side. It’s your third and final night in Vegas celebrating your and Luke’s 21st birthday. So far you'd gone out and had fun at various clubs but had kept your shenanigans to a minimum, a shocking feat for your group. Tonight though there was an electric charge in the air hinting at something exciting happening. Inhibitions were lowered and everyone seated around the table was vibrating with excited energy.

“Man now I’m stuck with you guys,” Quinn groans as he sips his beer. 

“New drinking game,” you exclaim, getting everyone’s attention. “Drink every time Quinn complains tonight.”

“Take a shot if he asks to go home,” Jack adds. 

“Finish your drink if you catch him sighing dramatically,” Luke finishes, sending all of you into a fit of laughter. 

“Fuck you guys,” Quinn grumbles as he crosses his arms. “Should’ve gone with Brady.”

“Drink!” you all exclaim as you sip your drinks. 

+

You’d all gotten significantly more drunk at Quinn’s expense before ditching the restaurant in favor of a club where Taryn was now occupying the dance floor. Even Quinn was looser and louder as the the boys were talking about hockey. You debated whether or not to order another drink or to join Taryn when someone came up and began to dance with her, making your decision for you. 

“I got it Matty,” you chuckle at Matthew’s annoyed expression. “But you’re gonna have to face the fact that your little sister isn’t so little anymore.”

“Maybe tomorrow,” Matthew grumbles as you brush past him. He softly grabs your wrist, turning you toward him. “What happens if someone starts dancing with you?”

“Then you can come save me. As a thank you for dealing with Taryn,” you wink at him as you slip away from Matthew towards the dance floor. 

Taryn grins widely as you approach, stepping away from the guy behind her to grab your hands and drag you further onto the dance floor. She mouths a ‘thank you’ as you two dance together, laughing and spinning around. 

The two of you lose track of time as you enjoy yourselves dancing and belting out the lyrics to the songs playing. Eventually you end up leaving Taryn to go and order another round of shots, your body leaning against the bar as you wait for the bartender. 

“Can I buy you a drink, pretty girl,” someone whispers in your ear and you immediately tense up, turning to see the clearly drunk guy standing behind you. 

“No thanks, I’m good,” you reply and turn back to the bar. Your body freezes as his hand lands on your hip. “Please don’t touch me.”

“C’mon, this dress makes your ass-“

“Hey baby, there you are,” your head whips around at the sound of Matthew’s voice, sighing in relief as he sidles up next to you. “Sorry I took so long, you good?”

You nod but the guy still doesn’t let go of your hip. Matthews eyes land on his hand and he promptly pulls you into his arms, his hands pulling you close to him as his lips land on your neck. The move is unexpected, a small gasp coming from you as Matthew caresses your skin with warm kisses. 

“Everyone is waiting for us,” Matthew says as his teeth nip at your earlobe, one hand moving to twine with yours. “C’mon babe.” 

Matthew doesn’t let go of your hand until you get a few feet away from the table. You stop him and press your hands to his chest, “Thanks for rescuing me Matty.”

“Anytime,” Matthew breathes out, his lips leaning down to brush against your neck. “God… You smell amazing…” 

“Get your hands off my sister Tkachuk!” Quinn yells with a laugh. “C’mon Luke ordered shots.”

Matthew slides into the booth and immediately pulls you in behind him, your body half resting on his thigh. One of his hands snakes around your body to pull you into his side, breath hot on the side of your face. 

“Where’s Luke?” you ask just as Taryn approaches the table. 

“Chatting up the waitress that took our order,” Quinn points to the left and you almost gag as you catch sight of Luke with his tongue down a bottle blonde’s throat. “Hey he got us free shots, I’ll take what I can get.”

The five of you clink your shots together before downing them. When Luke returns with a flushed face and another tray of shots none of you can find it in you to complain as you down another round. 

“Luke,” Quinn swings his arm around Luke’s shoulder and pulls him close. “I will give you $500 if you convince the waitress to let you motorboat her next time she comes over here.”

Jack sputters on his drink as Taryn lets out a howling laugh. Your mouth is simply dropped in shock as you look between your two brothers, “Quinn you’re cut off. Luke, don’t you fucking da-“

“Deal.”

The table erupts in cheers and laughter as Luke waves down the waitress again. You try and stop him but Matthew tightens his hold on your waist, “Let him have his fun, he just turned twenty one and has no inhibitions.”

“So did I but you don’t see me motorboating random women in bars,” you giggle as Matthew lips find your neck again, his fingers squeezing your hips. “You sure are touchy when you’re drunk.”

“Can’t help it,” Matthew whispers in your ear. “You look so- Holy shit he did it.”

Whipping your head up you spot Luke with his head between the waitress’s boobs, Quinn and Jack red faced with laughter as Taryn takes photos. Your jaw is slack as your brother lifts his head up with a smirk, winking at the blonde in front of him. 

“Oh my fucking god,” you shriek as Luke sits back at the table, gesturing to the round of shots the waitress had brought over. “You’re insane!”

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” Luke shouts with a whoop as you all down your shots. “C’mon sissy you gotta catch up. Last night here!”

You roll your eyes but smirk at Luke, “Some of us want to leave this city alive, Lukey.”

“I’ll give you $1000 to do whatever Jack and Taryn say for the next hour,” Quinn smirks, clearly wasted as he chuckles. 

“Just because you’re making millions every year doesn’t mean you have to do insane shit like this,” you laugh as Quinn stares you down. “Fucking stop it, I’m not taking your money.”

“Cause you’re a pussy,” Quinn slurs as he slams his hands onto the table. “Take the money!”

“Okay you’re cut off buddy,” Jack slings his arm around Quinn’s shoulder. “C’mon let’s-“

“Fine I’ll do it,” you lean across the table, matching Quinn’s stare. “Let’s go bitch.”

Taryn, Jack, Luke, and Matthew are staring at you and Quinn wide eyed, unsure of if they should intervene in whatever pissing contest the two of you are in the middle of. 

“You’re really gonna let me and Jack be in charge of you,” Taryn asks warily and you shrug. “Your funeral. More shots!”

Three rounds of shots later and everyone at your table is giggling and making jokes. You’re completely sitting on Matthew’s lap at this point, arms casually strung around his neck as he squeezes you close. 

Quinn had disappeared a little while back and Luke is currently not so inconspicuously making out with the waitress who’d just gotten off her shift. Jack and Taryn are whispering in the corner of the booth and you watch them with curious eyes. You know they’re planning something insane for you to do but you can’t hear them over the pounding music in the club. 

Your body is keyed up, equal parts adrenaline and alcohol coursing through you as you wiggle on Matthew’s lap. He groans and squeezes your hips in a tight hold. 

“Stop moving so damn much,” Matthew whispers against your neck as he tries to hold you in place. “Or your seat is about to get real uncomfortable.”

“We have a new challenge,” Jack smirks at you, pulling you away from Matthew’s words even as a blush spreads across your cheeks. “It’s a good one too.” 

“I’m ready, hit me with your best shot.”

“We go down the street to the wedding chapel, we take some pictures of you with some random guy, and then we send them in the family group chat and act like you got eloped.”

“What the fuck,” you spit out between bouts of laughter. “How did you even think of that?”

Taryn grins and turns to Jack, “Between the two of us there’s a lot of evil genius going on here.”

“Alright let’s go,” you shuffle off of Matthew’s lap and out of the booth. You’re barely standing for ten seconds before his hands are on your waist again. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to get rid of Matty long enough to ask someone to pose for a photo with me.”

Taryn gasps excitedly as she looks between the two of you, “Perfect! We can pretend you two got eloped! I think both of our moms would die if they saw that.”

You snort as you start to make your way down the street, “I think my mother would kill me if I actually got eloped in Vegas.”

The two blocks to the chapel go by quickly, the four of you standing in front of neon letters and flashing lights. The retro themed chapel boasts 24 hour wedding services and their reputation as the elopement destination of the stars. 

“Ohhh they even have one of those convertibles you can take pictures in,” Taryn gasps as she spots the neon pink car. “I bet you could even get a veil!”

You’re laughing so hard that you don’t even notice Taryn going inside the chapel. When she comes back she’s bouncing around excitedly as she looks between you and Matthew. 

“It’s only $75 to get married,” Taryn smirks. “I think you two should do it.” 

“That would definitely make the Christmas card,” Jack nods enthusiastically. “Do it!”

“I’m not eloping right now,” you scoff as you cross your arms. “I would not make it home alive!”

Jack and Taryn only glance at each other before your brother speaks up, “You still have about 10 minutes left of the hour so… you won’t win Quinn’s bet if you say no.”

“Are you fucking kidding me,” your voice rises a few octaves as you look from Jack and Taryn to Matthew who has a smirk on his lips. “Why are you smirking? I don’t like that.”

“What, you don’t wanna marry me? C’mon baby,” Matthew coos as he steps closer to you while you laugh. “Promise I’ll make a good husband.”

Matthew is too close, clouding your brain with dangerous thoughts as you meet his eyes. In one quick movement, his lips are pressed against yours, Jack and Taryn cheering excitedly in the background as you enthusiastically kiss Matthew back. When you pull apart your chest is heaving as he holds you close. 

“Should I get down on one knee?” Matthew grins widely, his eyes bright as he watches you. 

“Baby, the only time I ever want to see a grown man on his knees in front of me is when his face is between my legs,” you relish in the way Matthew drops his jaw, his fingers digging into your side. “C’mon Tkachuk before I change my mind.”

The rest of the night is a blur between taking shots and reciting your vows to Matthew. After you’d officially tied the knot Taryn insisted on taking about a thousand photos of you and Matthew with your insistence that none of them actually go to the family group chat. Taryn easily agreed and once she was satisfied her and Jack ran off to the casinos leaving you with your husband. 

“Sooo,” Matthew grins as he pulls you closer. You had changed into a short white dress before your impromptu marriage, the fabric clinging tightly to your hips. “Does this mean we get to consummate the marriage?” 

“If you buy me pizza and tell me I’m pretty,” you laugh as you walk away from Matthew. He catches up quickly, arms wrapping around you as his lips find your neck once again.

“Baby, you’re fucking stunning,” he groans as he holds you close. “And I’d buy a damn pizza chain to keep you in my arms all night.”

“Okay then hubby, lead the way,” you giggle as Matthew chases you down the street, both of you alive with joy as you run the rest of the way back to your hotel.

[lestappenforever]

Hellooooo it’s your social psychological anon back because I just caught up w the gossip from this week about Ferrari contracts and what not and have some thoughts on this.

We know F1 is -as many TPs out it- super cutthroat and have insane politics going on behind the scenes especially with drivers and contracts. I think Ferrari themselves leaking that they are trying to get Charles to sign was a very bad move especially because the public isn’t reacting how they expected, instead of pressuring Charles to sign which is what they most likely expected to happen, they’re mostly telling him to make a move or laughing at Ferrari who think they can keep Charles with their performance. But more importantly I think that the move was also a breach of Charles’ confidence that has already been shattered after Ferrari gave him a car with an engine that almost exploded (the timing of contract negotiation rumours is even worse now) because instead of Ferrari recognising they screwed up and giving Charles time, now they pulled a dirty move to not only pressure him from within but also try to summon the masses to pressure him from outside (which isn’t working).

We all made a huge deal about Charles liking the “Charles x Verstappen laps” (as we should) but it’s so incredibly sus that to this day that is the only thing he has liked post-Brazil. I really don’t know if it is a calculated PR move, foreshadowing a move to red bull, intended to put pressure on Ferrari in return or he just thought it was cool and “hey look it is me and Max and we are so cool”. I don’t think it matters because it is still indicative of his lack of engagement with Ferrari and- in my opinion- an increasing disillusionment with the team.

I generally have an issue with most, if not all, Charles-rbr interactions being framed as Charles putting pressure on Ferrari. Because it makes it extremely difficult to understand the general change in Charles-rbr dynamics because not once has it been Charles initiating contact with the red bull members (not drivers)- it has so far been them congratulating him, giving him soft pats and handshakes, the continuous “Charles” on the radio even from GP (who actually sounded so sad for Charles and also saying “Charles stopped” instead of “charles (Leclerc) crashed/is in the wall” is also v specific because at that point for them it must have looked like charles lost control and it had nothing to do with engine or hydraulics but I digress it’s just an interesting thing to consider) which leads to the logical conclusion that Christian has summoned the rbr team to try to convince Charles by acting super friendly, or the team knows of ongoing negotiations and are de facto bringing charles into the team by acting as if he is an honorary member because as we have said previously this isn’t standard behaviour other teams don’t just congratulate drivers from another team and this has never happened before even with charles and red bull so something obviously changed and it’s coming from the rbr side of the garage.

Also brief mention of Daniel and Charles leaving the same restaurant? Because if anyone can convince Charles that rbr is the place to be not from a data and championship winning capacity (that is self-evident especially with rbr looking like they will dominate till 2026 and also nail the 2026 qualifications unlike Ferrari) but from a team pov it will absolutely be him. He is the one who left rbr and was miserable before rbr took him back and he felt as if he was coming home. If it was actually a case of rbr sending him or if they just had dinner the topic defo came up and but the timing seems to me to be more of a strategic choice than a coincidental meeting.

Going back to online behaviour- thus far no comment or like or repost of the Ferrari livery or Las Vegas special suit announcements (unlike Carlos), just no mention of Ferrari since Brazil except the one post. At the same time someone pointed out that charles stopped doing race highlights after Suzuka on IG and because all Ferrari and other drivers do these I think that it might be a clause in the contract related to PR duties and their online presence. The fact that charles hasn’t done them even when he has had a good race is even more suspicious considering everything with rbr started- or became more intense- after Japan.

Anyway, lots to unpack here defo lots of moving parts and it seems like Charles and Ferrari relationship looks like it will be getting bitter and I am willing to bet that the DTS episode where Christian is dissing Ferrari for potentially endangering their drivers is already in the making- it would be a huge PR move to criticise this publicly at the next press con but this may come across to Charles as also putting pressure on him and I think it’s obvious that rbr is taking a coaxing approach where they know it is only a matter of time before Ferrari will shove Charles into their arms, all they have to do is show him that they are welcoming.

Anyway, can’t wait to see all the drama that will defo go down next week but for now thank god we don’t have a race weekend because it would probably be a bit too much for us. So happy non- race weekend 🫶✨

Oh, social-psychological anon, how I have missed you. Welcome back! ❤️

Once again, you’re bringing such an interesting and wonderful take on the current situation with Charles/Ferrari/Red Bull. And I must say I agree with everything you’re mentioning, but one thing I feel like I want to add a bit more to is the mention of the perspective that the increased amount of Charles/RBR interaction is nothing but a ploy for Charles to secure himself a more lucrative deal with Ferrari.

You and I are in the same boat here, and my personal opinion on why Charles using his interactions with Red Bull to secure a better deal for himself doesn’t make sense is because:

1. His actions don’t align with the narrative (the lack of posting/interacting with Ferrari content recently, the entire vibe of Charles' relationship with his beloved team just seeming off).

2. I don’t think he needs to. Scuderia Ferrari is a historic team, and it’s not exactly a secret that appearances mean everything. So if Charles truly just wanted a better deal, better terms, more money, all he would have to do is go to his team and say: "These are my demands. If you don’t meet them, I will leave." That contract would have been drawn up in a matter of hours.

3. Red Bull Racing is a huge institution that would never play along with something like that. If there was any belief whatsoever internally at Red Bull that Charles was using them to try and secure a better deal for himself at Ferrari, they would shut that shit down immediately. But they haven’t. They are, as you said, treating Charles as if he is an honorary member of the team, and there is no way in hell they would do that if it wasn’t for their own gain. Now, whether that gain is getting Charles to come to Red Bull, or if it’s because they know what an excellent marketing strategy it is, I have no idea. Only time will tell.

Charles is incredibly smart, and so fucking well trained in terms of PR and how to present himself to the world at large. He's calculated, and the way I see it, his recent change in behavior, on the grid, off the grid and on social media, seems more of a sign that he is reaching (or has reached) his limit with Ferrari, and even though it probably breaks his fucking heart to face it, Ferrari isn’t the team who can give him a World Championship. And no amount of deep-rooted love and loyalty is going to change that, no matter how badly he might want it too.

At the end of the day, all we can do is speculate (and anon, I fucking love speculating and your amazing insights), but you are absolutely right. Something has shifted in Charles, in his relationship with Ferrari, and in his relationship with Red Bull, and I cannot wait to see where that leads.

Social-psychological anon, I love you so much. Please stay with me forever. ❤️

[fishfooddude]

What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Always Stay in Vegas... Part 3

Ellie's presence at The Bear is... entertaining?

The Bear MasterList

Directory

Part 2

Part 3- The Fight

“I don’t get why you want to work with him, baby. He never treated you right.” Jack sighed as he buttoned his sleeve. Ellie shrugged “Carmy is my friend. He’s also a really talented chef.” Jack shrugged “I guess…” “If it makes you feel better, I’m cooking with him today, but tonight, I’m sleeping with my insane and insanely hot fiance. Unless you suddenly don’t want to be my husband.” Jack chuckled and grabbed at her hips, pulling her into his body “I don’t have anything to worry about, right?” Ellie shook her head, “I love YOU, Jack. Carmy was just an appetizer compared to the absolute meal of a man you are.” Jack grinned and put his forehead against Ellie’s before softly kissing her lips. “I love you, Mrs. Aubrey.” 

Ellie walked into the kitchen and was immediately noticed by Syd. “Hi, can I help you?” “Yea- I’m Ellie. Carmy’s friend from culinary school and New York in general…” Syd nodded, side-eyeing her as Carmy came out of the office. “El, hey.” he smiled as he hugged her briefly, trying not to look suspicious. “Who’s this beautiful girl?” Richie playfully flirted when he saw Ellie in the kitchen; Carmy rolled his eyes at Richie’s comment. “I’m Ellie, Carmy’s friend from New York.” Richie nodded and watched as Carmy showed her to Marcus’s station. “She’s hot- you sure she’s Carmy’s friend?” Syd scoffed at Richie’s smart-ass comment, “Carmy isn’t totally hideous. I could see him being friends with her.” 

“Okay, I gotta ask. How’d you two meet?” Gary asked during family. Carmy stared at his phone, waiting for Claire to text him back about coming to the dinner they’d begun eating. “Well,” Ellie said after swallowing a bite of pasta, “I met him in culinary school. He was just this cute little awkward guy, and there were no cute guys in our class, right? So my friend Carly went up to him and tried inviting him to a get-together, but Carmy, being Carmy, said no. Fast forward three months, I discovered he was my across-the-hall neighbor.” Carmy grinned, remembering the day they realized they were neighbors like yesterday. “Anyway, we started commuting together, we got hired at the same restaurant, and it just kinda became convenient.” Syd looked between Ellie and Carmy, “You two dated?” Ellie laughed “I wouldn’t call it dating- it was more just ‘oh fuck I worked a 15 hour day and want to get my dick wet’ kind of thing.” Richie laughed and hit Carmy “Cousin, my fuckin man.” 

Ellie rolled her eyes at Richie’s pervy comment, “Then we got married in Vegas one night when we were drunk.” Carmy rolled his eyes “Yea, and you’re divorcing me.” Ellie was about to say something when she noticed a new woman standing in the restaurant “What was that, Carmen?” Claire felt her blood boil as Carmy turned to face her “Hey Claire…” 

“So you and Carmy got married?” Ellie nodded cautiously “Don’t worry, I don’t want him. I’m engaged to an awesome guy, and honestly, if I weren’t getting married, we probably wouldn’t have ever found out.” there was an awkward tension in the restaurant after Ellie explained the peculiar circumstances that brought her to The Bear. Claire nodded “Yeah, you’re probably right. Took him like 12 years to ask me out…” 

The mood shifted back to everyone making fun of Carmy and discussing how The Bear would get a star that year. After everyone ate, Carmy walked Claire out to her car, “Baby-” “Carmen. Why didn’t you tell me about this when you found out?” before Carmy could answer, Claire cut him off “You know what? I don’t want to know. I’m on call tonight. I’ll talk to you later.” Carmy nodded and watched her drive away. He waited until she turned the corner before pushing his hands through his hair. Carmy knew it wasn’t the right move not to tell her about what he’d found out the day prior, but she was already mad at him and figured telling her would just make it worse. He groaned, “Fuck.” 

Ellie noticed Carmy’s shitty mood throughout dinner service. It didn’t improve as the night went on. After closing, she watched him sanitize his station before going to his locker. She followed, “So… you’re in a shitty mood.” Carmy rolled his eyes at Ellie’s comment, “Yeah. I fucked up with Claire.” Ellie nodded “Well. It was great seeing you, CAB. I’m sending you an invite to the wedding, with a plus one. You’re a mostly okay guy, Carm. I’m sure she’ll come around.” Carmy laughed “We’ll see. But I’ll be there.” “You also have to stage at my place. We do this epic brown sugar habanero bacon sandwich- it’s fuckin fire.” Carmy shook his head and laughed “Of course it is.” “It was nice divorcing you, Carm.” “Right, back at you, Ellie.” 

Carmy was startled awake by his door slamming; he sat up on the ratty couch he’d bought off Facebook Marketplace when he’d first moved back to Chicago. If this had been a cartoon, steam would be coming out of her ears right now. “Okay, so you got married in Vegas, whatever. What was with that ‘oh, we probably wouldn’t have found out’ bullshit!” she yelled, her sloppy bun bouncing with every syllable. Carmy swung his legs off the couch to the floor and stood before her “Claire-” “Are we ever going to get married, Carmen?” Carmy swallowed as Claire’s eyebrows knit together. “Carmen, I’ve dealt with a lot of your avoidant attachment bullshit. I deal with the fact you work upwards of 60 hours a week. I get it. You aren’t ready to move in together. But today at work, I realized you haven’t even told me that you love me- unless we’re having sex.” she scoffed “What’s the end game here, Carmen? You shit on our relationship. You beg me to take you back and barely try to involve yourself in my life outside our relationship- what’s the end game? Do you ever want to get married? Buy a house? Have kids? What is the point of all of this, Carmen?” she crossed her arms over her chest, looking up at the ceiling in an attempt not to cry. Carmy sighed; he really needed a fucking cigarette. “Claire, I told you last year that I wasn’t sure if I was ready to be in a relationship- you still wanted to be with me. I recognize that I fucked up, and I’m tryin' to be better.” Carmy explained, “Can you look at me, Claire?” she huffed in response but obliged. He saw tears welling up in her eyes and instantly felt guilt wash over him “If I’ve learned anything about myself in the last 48 hours, it’s that I don’t think I’m actually in love with you- I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.” “Fuck you, Carmen.” Claire spat before leaving his apartment, “Don’t ruin Ellie’s relationship like you ruined ours.” she slammed the door on her way out.

Carmy sighed as he closed his eyes, lighting his fifth or sixth cigarette of the technical morning. He had slept since Claire left hours ago. He couldn’t stop thinking about Ellie. She was always so kind to him. It wasn’t just fucking to her, she put in effort for him to be comfortable in her space, but he’d never reciprocated the effort, and he knew it. He’d always assumed it was just his age. Being a hot upcoming chef in New York, there wasn’t a lack of women interested in him. If Ellie hadn’t been across the hall, at school, or work, he would have done the same thing to a different girl. Maybe he wouldn’t have married a different girl in Vegas, and while he knew they couldn’t stay married, part of him wished he could go back in time and change what had happened. Rewrite their love story. Be an actual boyfriend or at least just a friend. He didn’t deserve to be happy.

Part 4

[callmewrinkles3]

Deuxmoi Submissions, 2023

January

Spotted: Daniel Riccardo and his long-time girlfriend Emma on a romantic date at a restaurant in Perth. Weird thing was this time his manager was also there side by side in company of a blonde girl.

-

February

Subject: Twins

Email: whatever@gmail.com

Message: saw Daniel Ricciardo and his manager on a double date. One of the women was definitely Ricciardo’s girlfriend (and I think I saw a ring????) the other looked like her sister?

-

March

Spotted: Daniel Ricciardo’s fiancée flower shopping with a group of women. Is the wedding happening?

-

April

Spotted: saw like four F1 drivers (Charles LeClerc, Max Verstappen, Lance Stroll, and Esteban Ocon) getting off planes at Perth airport. I work the private terminal and there was a load of extra jets in. Is the F1 Royal Wedding happening?

-

May

Message: what Met gala attendee had a meltdown because her dress didn’t fit her chest an hour before her red carpet time? She didn’t get a lot of attention but she’s got a couple of high profile places to be this month with her husband, let’s see if it’s just her chest expanding.

-

June

Subject: wait WHAT

Email: reservebells@gmail.com

Message: ok I could be wrong but I think I saw everyone’s favourite Australian who isn’t doing his usual job leaving a maternity hospital in [removed for their privacy] with his wife. Both looked delighted, he was the happiest he’s been in years

-

July

Spotted: I work at a high end baby furniture shop and a high profile athlete and his wife came in. No clue how nobody knows she’s pregnant, it’s pretty obvious. Happy for them, they’re very in love and he couldn’t keep his hands off the bump

Update: yeah it was Daniel Ricciardo and his wife, also the tip they gave the furniture delivery bought us all takeout.

-

August

Saw Daniel Ricciardo and his wife in the same restaurant as me in Faenza. They’re too cute and he wasn’t drinking wine because she can’t thanks to her pregnancy.

*

Spotted: Em Ricciardo is a sweetheart! I was lost in Milan trying to find the train station with no phone signal, she speaks what sounded like fluent Italian and got the directions for me!

September

Subject: bundle of joy

Email: forthebees@gmail.com

Message: Got to see the former Red Bull teammates at Formula Nurnburgring, but the highlight for me was watching Sebastian Vettel giving Emma Ricciardo a giant hug and a gift bag. It’s really obvious that they get along well, she was there cheering him in his car. His wife was there too, saw her and Emma chatting.

—

October

Spotted: Daniel Ricciardo out for dinner with his wife, his manager, and what looked like his wife’s friend? It was his manager’s birthday and they sang happy birthday, but they did a toast later.

Spotted: Em Ricciardo looking so proud at her husband’s contract announcement. Red Bull got Dan a onesie for the new baby, it was adorable.

—

November

Spotted: Daniel Ricciardo running through LAX to catch a Qantas flight to Sydney. Someone mentioned his wife is due soon, is the baby coming?

Spotted: Em Ricciardo in Perth airport, looked like she was collecting Dan from Vegas. She’s still pregnant! #F1BabyWatch

—

December

Subject: flowers

Email: fakeyfake@fake.com

Message: I work in a florist and we had 22 bouquets sent to one room in [redacted] hospital in Perth. Most of the calls came from UK and European numbers. Looks like F1’s latest baby has arrived!

[eyes-of-rock]

Gambling With The Heart

chapter one

Eric Singer X OC

Jewel took the gamble of her life when she moved from a small town in Canada to Las Vegas to pursue her dream of making a name for herself as a professional poker player. She’s all alone in a new city until a chance meeting with Eric Singer changes that.

Jewel’s POV

Two weeks ago, I took the biggest gamble of my life. I moved from my small town in Canada to Las Vegas.

I have two great loves: poker and classic metal and rock. I have no musical talent, so I decided to pursue being a professional poker player.

I was fascinated when I saw my dad and his friends playing it at our kitchen table. I fell in love right there and then. I dedicated my life to learning and playing the game. That dedication paid off because I was good enough to win every tournament back home.

That’s good, but winning tournaments in Atlantic Canada isn’t how you make a name for yourself. It's not how you make it to the next level. The only way to do that is to play in tournaments in places that matter.

Naturally, the closest place to my corner of the world was Vegas—the gambling capital of North America. I had my eyes on Vegas for years. It's been a dream of mine to make it here and play since I was a kid.

I finally took the biggest gamble of my life, packed up my whole life, and moved here. I knew in my heart it was the only way to make it. It's the only way I'd honestly be happy. It's a risk, but it's one I had to take. I know I'd regret it if I didn't.

Am I scared? Yes. I'm terrified. If this all goes south, I have no one to run to here. Everyone I know is a country away. Yet, I am pushing that fear down.

After all, I'm good at hiding my emotions. You have to be to be a good poker player. You can't let anything slip through. You can't let anyone at that table know anything you're thinking.

You not only have to be stoned-faced, but you also have to learn to read other people. Which I also happen to be good at. It is a curse because no one can hide anything from me. I know right off the bat if they are up to something. It saves me a lot of trouble but makes it hard to find people to let into my life.

I'm playing in my first major tournament, which is coming up in the next few days. This will determine if I have what it takes to play with the big boys. I have faith that I can do it. After all, people consistently underestimate me. I doubt it will be any different here.

In the meantime, I still have a couple of days worth of work ahead of me. I took a job as a card dealer. That way, I can still pay the bills and make extra money if I don’t win immediately. It's a fun job; you can make extra money on tips.

I'm sitting in a restaurant alone, having lunch on my day off. I figured I had to start getting used to doing things alone. Plus, I felt like getting away from my apartment and trying to unpack my whole life. So I'm sitting here people-watching and waiting for my food. Trying to pretend I'm not lonely. At least no one can tell by my face.

I glance across the restaurant as three people sit at one of the empty tables. It's two older men and a woman. The two men look familiar to me. Like I know them from somewhere, but I can't place where.

One has long, shoulder-length dark hair and a dark goatee that matches. He also has an erring and wears a dark denim jacket, t-shirt and jeans.

The other one has longer hair. His is lighter blonde at the top but fades into a darker blonde at the bottom. It suits him well. He's wearing some bracelets on one wrist and a nice-looking watch on the other.

I don't know much about watches, but I've won some when people have gotten desperate. I always pawn them off for the money, except for the first one I ever won. It was my first game, so it meant a lot to me. That one I kept as a good luck charm. I’m always wearing it.

They look like they’re rock stars. So that's for sure how I recognized them. I just can't place what band or bands they are in. This is going to drive me insane.

———————————————————————

Eric's POV

“Now that kiss is over, have you considered trying to find someone again?” Lisa asked me as she read over her menu.

I think it's a known fact by every person I know I have the worst luck regarding women. Every relationship I've had has ended for one reason or another. Most of them don’t last more than a few months.

After a string of failures, you just kind of give up. I'm not someone who gives up quickly either, but sometimes you just have to accept it's not happening. You aren't going to have that life, even if you want it. There is no point in trying when you know how it will end; with the girl finding someone better or finding something about me, they can't get past it.

“Here we go again.” I sigh. I know Lisa means well, but we’ve had this conversation before.

“We’re just worried you might be lonely,” Lisa says.

I hate people worrying about me. I can handle myself just fine. I'm okay with being alone. I've accepted it, plus I'm not alone. I have friends and my cats.

I look over at Bruce.

“Can you make her stop worrying about me?”

“No, because I worry about you too,” Bruce admits.

“You don't need to. I'm fine,” I say, dismissing him. “If I wanted someone, I could find someone.”

That statement isn't completely true. I'm sure I could find someone; can I walk up to her and lay it on? No. I'm not that kind of guy. I can’t flirt to save my life. I completely lock up and just start rambling about something random. That turns off most women, to begin with.

“Really?” Lisa says, sounding unconvinced, “I don't think I've ever actually seen you chat up a girl before.”

“I've known him 30 years, Lisa, and I have never seen that.” Bruce agrees with his wife.

“What do I have to do to make this conversation stop?” I ask, groaning, “Do you have to witness me failing with a girl? Would that make it end?”

“We just care about you, Eric.” Lisa says, “I just don't want you to end up alone.”

“Stop being so cynical,” Bruce says, “Maybe me and I can help you find someone.”

“Do you have many single female friends I don't know about?” I ask sarcastically.

“Um,” Lisa says, looking around the restaurant, oh, I don't like where this is going.

“What about her?” Lisa said, looking over toward another person in the restaurant.

I glance over to see who she's looking at. There’s only one person it can be. A pretty young woman with dark hair. She's sitting alone and can't be older than twenty-five. There is no way this pretty young woman would want anything to do with me, an older man.

“If I go and talk to her, will you two quit it?” I ask; I already know how this is going to end. So I might as well get it over with to enjoy my lunch in peace.

“Yes,” Bruce says.

“Fine, I'll go talk to her, but I'm only doing it, so you two shut up,” I tell them as I get up and walk over to where she's sitting.

———————————————

Jewel’s POV

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the blonde guy getting out of his seat. Then I see him coming over towards me. Why is he coming over here? Oh my god. Maybe he noticed me looking at them? I wasn't staring; I was just trying to figure out who they were. I guess I'm about to find that out.

“Hey…..uh….nice watch.” He awkwardly says, pointing to the watch I wear for good luck.

“Thanks, I won it in a poker game,” I tell him, holding up my wrist.

“You won a 10,000-dollar Heuer watch in a poker game?” He asks me, sounding taken aback by that; it takes a second for what he just said to sink in.

Did he say that this watch I won in my first tournament, which I've been wearing daily, is worth 10,000 dollars?! What in the fuck- I mean, I knew the guy who lost it was drunk, but I didn't think he was that drunk. I've been wearing a 10,000-dollar watch as a good luck charm, thinking it was worth 1000 dollars at most.

“This watch is worth 10,000 dollars?!” I gasp in total shock.

“Yeah…wait, you didn't know that?” He says, looking intrigued by how I never knew that.

“I don't know anything about watches,” I admit,

“The guy who lost it to me placed it down as a last-ditch effort to stay in the game on an all-in worth about $500.” I explain, “I guess he was way more wasted than I thought.”

“He must have been, you got that watch for a fucking steal.” He says, looking astonished some guy would bet this watch on $500.

“If you know nothing about watches, why did you keep it?”

“Oh, it was my first major win, so I kept it to commemorate it,” I tell him, “It's kind of my good luck charm.”

“Well, you lucked out; that's also a hard watch to come by.” You can just tell Watches is this man's passion. He seems very knowledgeable, and his face lights up when discussing it. It's honestly cute.

This still doesn't solve the mystery of how I know him, though.

“I fucking guess so.” I laugh, “I guess I won more than I thought in that game; I'm Jewel, by the way.”

“I’m Eric.” He tells me with a smile, “Are you a professional poker player?”

Eric. Hmmmm. There are a lot of guys in rock named Eric. It doesn't narrow it down too well, yet I feel I'm getting closer. It's too bad he didn't give his last name.

“Well, yeah, kind of. I'm not at a high level yet, but I'm working towards it.” I tell him, “What do you do?”

“I’m a drummer, watch collector and sports nut.” He tells me.

Drummer. That's when it clicks. He's fucking Eric Singer of KISS. Fucking hell. I feel embarrassed it took me this long to put it together, considering they’ve been one of my favourite hands since I was a kid. In my defence, Paul is my favourite member.

“Oh, you’re Eric Singer! That's how I know you.” I say out loud, proud I figured that out by mistake. Jewel, that's an inside thought, you dumbass.

“Yeah, that's me.” He laughs.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask him.

“Sure,” Eric says.

“Who's the guy you with? I know him somehow, too, but I can't place him.”

“Oh, that's Bruce Kulick. He was in KISS probably before you were born.” Eric tells me,

“Oh god, that's embarrassing.” I confess, “Considering he's my favourite KISS guitarist.”

“He does look much different than he did back in the band.” Eric jokes, “So you’re a KISS fan and a poker played?”

“Yeah, that about sums me up. You’re just missing the fact that I’m Canadian.” I laugh.

“Oh really? Canada is a beautiful country; I bought this watch in Toronto. Did you come here to play poker?” He rambles in the cutest way possible.

“Yes, I did,” I tell him, “About two weeks ago.”

“Wow, you’re new to Vegas then. If you want, I can show you around sometime. I'm not from here either. I’m from Ohio but lived in Los Angeles for a long time; I loved here a few years ago, though.” Eric offers.

I don't know anyone here, plus who the hell would say no to Eric Singer showing you around Vegas? That's like some experience people would pay for. Plus, he's very friendly and talkative. So I’d probably learn some excellent stuff; I also like listening to him talk.

“Okay, I'd like that,” I smile at him.

“I’ll give you my number.” He smiles back.

“Okay, I'd love that,” I replied, taking out my phone so he could enter his number.

“Okay, I'll be right back.” He says, getting up and rushing back to his table with Bruce Kulick.

The woman at the table, who I assume is Lisa Kulick Bruce’s wife, reaches into her purse and hands him some paper and a pen. Then he quickly writes down what I'm thinking is his phone number.

“Here you go,” Eric says handing me his phone number on the piece of paper. I can't remember the last time someone gave me their phone number written down. It's so charming.

I tare off a corner of the paper and reach into it to my purse, grabbing a pen. I write down my new number, my American number, double checking in on my phone and hand it over to him.

“And here’s my number.”

“Thank you.” He smiles taking it from me, “Just call me and let me know when you'd like to meet.”

“I will,” I tell him, then he turns and walks back to his table. Just in time for my lunch to arrive.

Well, I've been here two weeks, and I managed to get Eric Singers' phone number without even trying. I'm looking forward to seeing him again. Maybe I'm not as alone as I think.

[r4ikkonen]

BIG NEWS | Kimi Raikkonen x reader

Hi idk what this is I just wanted to write about Kimi and that’s all also Kulta means gold in finnish it’s a nickname basically

The Hungarian Grand Prix has just finished and flew back to the USA for the next Grand prix.We were staying in one of Kimi’s apartments in Las Vegas and he came up with a great idea to go out and have a dinner.I was very excited i pulled my gorgeous teal satin dress that I’ve bought not so long ago.Kimi had his classic grey suit on and we hopped in his Ferrari to the restaurant.Kimi opened the restaurant door for me and the waiter seated us at the table that had a wonderful view.You could see the whole city from here it was beautiful.Kimi and I didn’t talk much when we were about to order the waiter asked us what will we drink.Kimi ordered his vodka of course, I tend to drink a lot but today I ordered water.Which made kimi’s face crumple.He lifted his eyebrow and asked..

“No drink for today, how come?”

“I don’t know I just don’t feel like drinking that’s all.” Y/N said hoping he believed this story

“Something’s up, isn’t it?” The Finn asked arrogantly

“Kimi can we not talk about this now?” I asked knowing that my response would just make him furious

“y/n im serious, tell me what’s wrong, Kulta we can fix this together whatever it is” Kimi said holding my hand across the table, rubbing his finger against my hand.

“I think there’s something you need to know”

“Hm?” He raised an eyebrow looking confused

“Uh Kimi you’re going to be a father” I said stuttering

His face lifted up, he almost jumped out of his seat from excitment

“Are you serious?” He looked at me like a little boy, I saw sprinkles in his eyes

“Yes Kimi we’re gonna have a kid”

“Oh Kulta you don’t know how happy this makes me, is that why you didn’t order alcohol?”

“Mhm and now you know”

When we came back from the dinner Kimi was very sweet kept doing things for me so I don’t have to “struggle” as he said.He was so excited about being a dad that really made me happy.

It was night and we layed down on the bed, I almost fell asleep when I felt an arm pulling me back to his chest.He murmured something while he was pulling me close.”I hope the kid will pretty as you”, Those words made me smile knowing what a great dad he will make.

[stylecouncil]

ignore your lame anon and tell me some fun facts about that mormon guy

how dare you call him that mormon guy but I’ll ignore it because I love you. hunky dory is his mission. that’s one of the fun facts he said he found hunky dory at 19 and never went on a mission trip, so that was his mission. his parents met in a trailer park. he moved to a town with no stoplight when he was 9 but ran off back to vegas when he was 16 and got a fake id. his father was an alcoholic from a long line of alcoholics who his mom would take brandon with her to look for drunk in casinos but stopped drinking when he converted to mormonism (so there are layers here). he used to say he gets angry when he sees happy college students and he still gets a bit of an ache about it because it was never an option for him. he was a fat kid who got called a fag and felt completely out of place. andy of andy you’re a star fame is a real person he went to school with. he used to religiously read every morrissey and noel gallagher interview he could get his hands on. he stole morrissey demos from morrisseys guitarists bag when he was a bellhop. he kept the teacup morrissey drank out of when he came into the restaurant he worked at. he stalked morrissey for an entire night at a hotel while morrissey knew what he was doing the entire time. his first band was a synth pop band called blush response with a guy named trevor he met at a golf course job who he felt like was one of the first people he ever truly clicked with. they bonded over morrissey and depeche mode and the pet shop boys erasure etc they used to dye each others hair black. and when brandon was kicked out of the band and trevor moved to la with his girlfriend he almost drank himself to death. seeing don’t look back in anger at the hard rock in a show he only managed to get into at the last minute because someone handed him their ticket as they were leaving was what made him think he could really do it and that he wanted to be in a guitar band specifically. he hates any oasis song not written by noel. he made lou reed laugh by showing him that perfect day has the same chord progression as perfect day when they were recording tranquilize. he said every emo band needed to be beaten to death and never took pete wentz up on his offer to get sushi. his teeth were all falling out by the time he we like 26. he used to have to drink to get through every show. sam’s town is a real casino and he said it was like a beacon on the road from the trailer park where his parent were from that showed you were getting some place, you were getting to the city soon. he used to sleep on a morrissey pillowcase. he met his wife at a vegas thrift store and her cptsd has factored into his writing quite a lot. he almost fired that one annoying lorde producer that isn’t jack antonoff but almost as annoying 4 times while making the desired effect (I feel like you might appreciate this one idk why). he references a paul simon song in caution by the killers (another one for you). he’s notoriously tactless and mouthy and has tried to tone it down sometime after sam’s town because it became all that people could say about him (alt rock azealia banks) but it’s not really entirely worked (partially because a lot of that is just….him despite what he says so it hasn’t gone away but) it just got replaced with harping on the mormon thing despite him kind of being theologically all over the place with that in reality/seemingly clinging to it in name etc for a multitude of complicated reasons. he almost got an oasis tattoo as a teenager. he called hunky dory a working class album. uhhhhh I think he’s very interesting and a bundle of contradictions in the best way and funny and one of our last great frontmen who is also a great and varied songwriter. is that enough fun facts some of these aren’t fun. he’s been saving his beard trimmings in a plastic ziplock bag for years to give to neil tennant of pet shop boys fame.

[f0point5]

I don’t really follow the drivers girlfriends but I’ve read a few times that apparently Lily M. is quite rude in person. However I must say that we don’t ever know the actual circumstances, maybe she had a bad day and didn’t want to interact with fans and so she came off as rude etc.. There could be so many reasons why someone could come off as grumpy and so I think that no one can really say that one girlfriend is nice and the other isn’t because we simply don’t know them in person lol. We see such small fractions of their lives and personalities, it’s impossible to make a actual and factual judgement.

I saw a TikTok of a girl who met Alex, I think in Vegas, and said Lily M gave her daggers while this girl took a pic with him but tbh the kind of girls who would post about that for tiktok likes is the kind of pick me bitch I’d give daggers to as well.

I give wags a lot of grace for their fan interactions because they’re not even famous, they’re just with their bfs trying to get from point a to point b and there’s randoms stopping them cuddling up to their bf and wanting pictures. I would straight up keep walking and tell my bf to meet me at the restaurant I have no time for that shit.

I run on vibes, not anyone’s interactions with famous people because you never know what moment in their lives you’re catching them at, and even then they could be putting on a certain demeanour. So I don’t really go off fan stories

[reyesstrand]

sorry but uhhhhh carlos grappling with losing his power and control by being taken and realizing he truly fucked up in so many ways these fast few days, so hyper-focused on saving his oldest friend that he didn’t realize what he was doing to himself and the people around him. carlos dipping back into that unsure mindset like in bad call, questioning his gut and his instincts because this time he broke the rules and he might not make it out alive. carlos thinking about tk and how much he loves him and how he’ll never get to tell him again. and then tk……tk already feeling that unfounded guilt and being completely blindsided because suddenly carlos is missing when he isn’t supposed to be because they solved things with iris. things are supposed to be good, now, meanwhile carlos’ been in danger basically since he hung up with tk the night before. tk thinking he’s failed him, he might’ve missed his chance, because carlos is the one who’s always there for him—carlos is the one who knew something was wrong right away when he didn’t show up for dinner when they weren’t even living together, and didn’t stop until he showed up just in time and found tk concussed and bleeding in charles vega’s restaurant—and tk’s sitting with the fact that he might never see carlos alive again and he thinks it all boils down to him. and so he’ll use that rage and fear and anguish and determination to make sure their happiness isn’t stripped away from them like this.

[mimikoolover]

https://www.tumblr.com/mimikoolover/747133685011300352/funny-of-yall-to-cry-about-this-but-not-the

I guess my mom and dad are not married because i cannot tell you how many times my dad or mom have left church without telling the other person if one of them was wasting time after a long ass church service chatting with friends. My dad will just drive off and we have my mom coming to say “oh did he leave?” And no one loves each other as much as my parents so maybe this is why i am not understanding the fuzz about Jk leaving a concert without telling Jimin and how it is supposedly proof that they are not dating💀.

Some people’s idea of what couples should do or how they should behave is really funny to me because it almost seems like some of y’all don’t understand human relationships with their complexity and layers.

Don’t even get me started with this person who thinks that Tae leaving Jk alone at a ski resort is better that Jk leaving a concert premises without telling Jimin. After the members finish their concerts, do you see them going to each other to say they are leaving? Nope! They just drive off in their respective cars whether the others see them or not. Isn’t this the same thing? During PTD in Vegas didn’t Jk leave with jimin on all 4 nights while Tae left alone? For u tkkrs in lurking, do u think Jk ran to tell Tae he was leaving all those times? I’m sure Jm was just surprised they had left because he was probably somewhere else and didn’t expect that he will come out have all left and not because he was really expecting them to say bye b4 leaving.

I wonder why jimin will choose to enlist with a shitty person like Jungkook and say he relies on him when Jk is shitty enough to leave a concert without telling him. Sacre bleau!!!!

honestly! I can also see a scenario where jimin probably had to do something work-related with staff before/after the concert. taekook agreed to go to the concert together but jimin told them he can't go in the same car/at the same time cause of work. they 100% would have asked him to join them otherwise. so it was probably a situation where taekook went together and technically jimin went separately because of work so taekook wasn't expecting to leave together in the first place. people hang onto this because it's the first time ever that there's no 'proof' jikook 'knew' where the other was because otherwise they always know where the other is at/what they're doing. and technically they knew at this time too. plus it's very very likely that their destination was the same aka the restaurant they all went to after the concert. literally the only thing that happened was that jikook didn't leave in the same car at the same time. there is no way they would just dip without jimin if they thought he would be joining them in the car. it's such a nothing burger that it's so funny😆there are people that have it in their heads that jungkook is cruel to jimin and that's honestly just awful. jimin isn't a pushover, he got rid of friends because they were disrespectful to bts/bts members. if jungkook wasn't treating him right he would not be enlisting with him.

[icetobes]

911 through a s7 e4

i was very not prepared for this

- SHE GLUED HERSELF 😭😭

- not maddie sending the 118 she’s so funny

- chim ?! oh maddie sent him to get the details for her hmm love it

- the girls flirting with eddie and buck lmao

- “sorry ladies taken and the moment, but he’s not” EDDIE YOU MENACE

- eddies fave after “i don’t date people i meet on calls” IM CRYING LMAO

- chims double take at joey 😭

- what is happening 😭

- chin running off to facetime maddie LMAO

- maddie and josh are my icons i LOVE them

- “come visit me in prison” “do i have to” “i would not”

- BUCK AND TOMMMYYY its that scene….

- “saving someone’s life and then dating them never turns out the way to expect it to” yeah buck knows allllll about that

- not the rain check being going out with eddie

- ew the straight high five

- EVAN ????? don’t call him evan that’s only for eddie and maddie and pre 118 flashbacks

- he’s so awkward i canttttt

- JEALOUSLY JEALOUSYY

- not the heli to vegas 😭

- harry’s baccckk 😭🫶🏻 he surprised athena awwww

- is bobby suspicious ??? what was that look

- ooo restaurant rescue

- RAVVIIIII HES BACCKCKK MY BOY

- “who’s tommy” LMAOOO

- oh that shot is them looking in the sink

- THEIR LOOKS “i guess somebody’s going into the sewer” 🧍🧍 “im going into the sewer” HELLLPP

- bucks jealousssss who would’ve thought

- “i think its great, you can’t have enough friends”

- “when you meet someone you just click” but they didn’t when they first met because buck was being jealous then too oh my god he’s gonna take it to heart isn’t he holy shit

- “i do i really do” you’ve liked him from day ONE

- his face he is so realising he likes him ??? like he has to be ???

- “when do you think you’ll see him again” like he’s dating tommy ??

- KARAOKE TRIVIA THING omg

- WATCH CHRISTOPHER OH

- not him ranting to maddie i cannot

- buck being more jealous because chris likes tommy too …

- “in a very short time” you also did that

- eddie ASKED YOU and you said no so he asked tommy and now you’re jealous… buck come on 😭

- “is it circled with a heart around it” MADDIE MY QUEEN BUDDIE SHIPPER FROM THE BEGINNING

- THE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR HARRY ?? oh ???

- the mess- i cannot

- THE WATER HELLP ICON

- “you’re also my mom” oh- ouch

- i’m guessing eddies on the phone to tommy

- and buck… is ?? making noises to get his attention ?? to watch him workout ?? sir… what are you doing

- THE LOOK HE IS FULLY TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION LMAO

- THE BALL LMAO not the ball

- “uh huh” HE IGNORED HIM

- HES SAD

- chim to the rescue 🫶🏻

- oh here we go basket ball time…

- I DONT LIKE STRAIGHT EDDIE PUT HIM AWAY THE CHEST BUMP 😭😭😭😭

- also “my boy” ?!

- howie and evan 😭 stop

- BASKETBALL BEARD chim my love, i love you

- THE SPINNNN

- eddie is taunting himmm

- is buck even trying

- the high-fives right in front of him

- OH THE PUSH

- YOU BUCKED THAT UP stop the poor man just wants eddie

- harry :(((

- athena my beloved :(( she’s so aaaaa

- “i haven’t talked to him” 🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍🧍

- the scene the scene the scene

- PISSED SEEING HIM AND TOMMY BE GOOD FRIENDS BUCK YOU ARE ON THE FLOOR FOR THIS MAN GET UPPP

- “get his attention” im 😭😭

- “i know how you feel” let this go where i want it to go

- it didn’t but whatever

- “im not a 14 year old girl” tell that to your googly eyes for eddie huh if you could you’d have posters of him around your room girlie

- stop acting like one REAL AND TRUE

- “and i really great mom” ILL CRY 🫶🏻😭

- TOMMY AT BUCK DOOR

- can we talk…

- “i’ve been causing bad blood” no bucks just jealous because he’s in love and doesn’t know it yet

- “no bad blood just bad behaviour” LMAO

- “that kid cannot shut up about you” and buck twirls his hair like he’s not in eddies will he’s so happy about it lmao

- “it wasn’t about you” “that’s usually my problem” he’s so me help

- i can get pretty jealous WE KNOW OMG

- tommy jealous of the 118 :(((

- fake mouth static 😭

- why do they look like they’re gonna kiss

- i wanted to get to know you im-

- the homoerotic vibes of this scene i cannot

- trying to get YOIR ATTENTION WHAT IS HAPPENING

- yeah i guess so ?? WHAT IS HAPPEING

- OH THEY DID KISS

- OH GUCKING THEYDKWOZBSSK

- HOLY SHIT

- IM WINNING

- IM SHAKING

- “like that” IT WORKSS ?? fuck

- “so that was okay” im melting

- that was better that fake mouth static

- 8 saturday date 🫶🏻

- for gods sake please call eddie YES REAL

anyway i’m so happy that buck is having his (to quote heartstopper) full on gay crisis, finally the man’s getting a man !!

[lostloveletters]

What’s in her bag? The Gloria Edition

This totally isn’t me putting off making an intro post for her

You can tell a lot about a woman by what’s in her bag, so here’s a glimpse at Gloria’s🖤

Scarf - leopard print, of course. Sometimes used as a fashionable neck scarf, but more often than not, she uses it to put her hair in an up-do

Newspaper - never actually fits in the purse, but damn if she doesn’t try. Usually ends up tucked under her arm

Lipstick - typically a shade of red, but goes for darker colors as she gets older

Coin purse - it barely closes

Scraps of paper - usually with reminders she’s written for herself and then promptly forgot about

Perfume - a little travel-sized one, just in case

Sunglasses - self-explanatory, but she loves a cat-eye

Compact, mascara, and eyeliner - the essentials

Cinnamon Altoids - she chews and crunches on them, which drives Michael insane

Address book - she marries into a big family and needs a way to keep track of addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays (she also makes personal notes about her extensive in-laws…some are nicer than others)

Cigarettes and matches - Michael bought her the case as a gift for her 23rd birthday, and she usually just pockets matchbooks from restaurants. She never buys her own cigarettes and steals Michael’s Lucky Strikes

Gloves - typically leopard print, though she has a few similar pairs in different colors

Hand lotion - she prefers an unscented one so it doesn’t clash with her perfume

Keys - to her car, her house, her parents’ house, and the one for the Las Vegas hotel room where she and Michael used to clandestinely meet which she forgot to return (oops)