#lauren if you're reading this i love you and i'm SO sorry

[groovebunker]

@wild-fleurs

oh boy. do i have nanny related hills to die on. please, get a drink, sit down, settle in.

cc is a lesbian. that's it. she's a dyke. a homosexual. not just because i like lesbians. i just think her behaviour is easy to read as comp het bc why else would you be that interested in maxwell sheffield?

maxwell sheffield is history's greatest monster. i hate max. max is at best an absent father, a lackluster business partner and an awful boss. he's also a terrible husband who never, ever deserved fran fine. ever. he doesn't love fran, he loves the idea of her and the way he treats her after they get married makes me want to commit a murder.

fran should have dumped max after paris. that's it, that's the hill.

cc babcock, neuro divergent angel. my girl is autistic. that is an autistic babe. fran gives me big adhd vibes also.

you can fuck off if you think fran fine can't cook. nice jewish girl™ fran fine, daughter of sylvia fine, can't cook? are you fucking kidding me? this is one of the things about the show that pisses me off so fucking much, food is so much a part of fran's character - she's a caretaker, she's jewish - i refuse to believe that she cannot cook.

the fact that a show set in the 90s with two main characters who are broadway producers doesn't mention aids makes me want to scream. i know it's a comedy! i know they didn't do any very special episodes but still. a nod! please!

cc got done so dirty - lauren is so fucking funny and she could have done so much more with that role if fran drescher didn't need to be the funniest, prettiest woman in the room at all times (sorry fran, ily, but i know i'm right)

fran also did herself dirty. the voice jokes? the jokes about her weight? like girl, you're funnier and better than that. this is not a show which treats women well.

fran/cc is a better enemies to lovers than niles/cc. there was the possibility for development there!!! i will one day give a ted talk on it. fundamentally tho, i think it comes down to how enemies to lovers is based on obsession and cc is obsessed with fran (even if she says it's about getting rid of her) (she's lying). fran's less obsessed but i don't think fran sees cc as an enemy (bc fran has a functioning gaydar), fran kind of pities cc. but i think there is something there, something which could have at least developed into a friendship (if the show didn't hate women!!) and in my head, will always develop into romance.

i'm sure when i post this, one of my friends will remind me of another one of my hills but this is good to start with.

[laurentidal]

I'm curious, I read your blog and love your writing, but I have to wonder, because I see it a lot, are tits your trigger? I mean surely it's not as easy as telling you tits are your trigger, that's not how hypnosis works, that's not how triggers or inductions work, even if the phrase tits are your trigger was in fact a trigger for you, it wouldn't work in some random ask, that's why I'm comfortable saying it, because we both know that's not how triggers work, so it's perfectly safe for me to say it and for you to read it, I also noticed it's a call and response trick for you, someone reminds you that tits are your trigger and you respond affirming that tits are your trigger, but your safe Lauren, we both now that just reading or being reminded of a trigger won't override your conscious mind that's not how hypnosis works, but I am curious, is it the words in the phrase, or the image it conjures? When you see it, or hear it spoken out loud, tits are your trigger, when you're happy to fall for it, when you feel safe and comfortable, does it conjure a picture in your mind? Can you see them Lauren? Those soft supple perfect tits? But like I said, that's not how triggers work. you're safe reading it, hearing it, picturing it in your mind, perfectly safe to think about it, because hypnosis doesn't control you, even if you do feel a little fuzzy, just a silly little game.

Sorry, late night ramblings

#J

I can see them...

Tits are my trigger...

Fuzzy...

[hamiltonconfessions-but-better]

I highkey hate Jamilton haters. I'm (not) sorry, but their reasons for hating the ship are either hugely similar to purity culture or just plain double standards. Before I start, I'd like to say it's completely fine to dislike Jamilton, I'm not forcing anyone to like it, I'm just explaining why it's stupid to hate on it. Let's debunk some of the most common arguments Jamilton haters use: "They had a huge age gap" 12-14 years is not that big of an age gap and by the time they met they were both adults. "It's toxic" Tell me you've never seen an enemies to lovers ship without telling me you've never seen an enemies to lovers ship. I do agree with the fact sometimes the way they're written is basically toxic waste, but that's not the ship itself, it's some portrayals of it. "Hamilton was in love with Laurens" First of all: no. Lams is not historically canon, if you wanna know why, read the crashout on here (i did not write it btw, full creds to them) Second of all: it's just such a close-minded argument, to be honest. i really don't understand why shipping one ship makes you automatically hate on the other. "They were real people" Okay, and? Me personally, I don't care about "preserving their legacy" and what would they think if they saw it, because, newsflash!! They won't see this, because they're six feet under. They were slave-owning, homophobic, racist, and just generally terrible people. Their legacy can rot in a hole, for all I care. "Hamilton was happily married to Eliza" And he cheated. If he did it once, he'd do it again. This is not that big of a dealbreaker and I say this as a Hamliza shipper. Besides, most people that say this ship other slash ships in the Hamilton fandom, and to that I'd like to say: And the characters you ship were not? When has that stopped you? Never? That's right, because it's only bad when you don't like the ship. "They were straight" When has that stopped any fandom from shipping characters? If you don't like shipping, fandom isn't for you. That's just the truth. This isn't an argument against a ship, it's just you showing you don't belong in fandom.

To the haters, who are going to make fun of me for defending a ship in this way: I really don't care. Give me more arguments, I'll debunk every single one. Genuinely, you are so miserable for hating a ship in a fandom so passionately. I can't imagine hating on people for what they like. It's just pathetic. If you're gonna just say "im not reading allat'', you're just gonna prove to me you don't have the reading comprehension to think past basic ship dynamics and enjoy the more complex and layered ones. It's jarring how people only decide if they like the ship based on how "morally good" it is. Live a little, explore different dynamics. Don't limit yourselt to just "friends to lovers who never argued once", because that's the only dynamic I see not being ruthlessly shitted on. Please, either find reason or just shut the fuck up.

.

[ilyasorokinn]

where you lead i will follow , mat barzal

note, hello! here is it! my summer 2023 fic exchange! thank you to @wyattjohnston for putting together another amazing exchange! you are so slay! this fic is for @prettytoxicrevolver! i hope this is as slay as you hoped for and i hope you enjoy! so, i love gilmore girls too, and have a fic inspired by luke and lorelai coming soon, so i instead went with jess and rory because i am a jess girl. if you aren't, argue to a wall cause i don't care. this is loosely based on their relationship, this isn't them. just wanted to clarify. another note, sorry there are a lot of time jumps just cause i'm lazy, but i promise this is still very slay. pair, mat barzal x reader summary, mat barzal is new to town, sort of. a town he didn't want to be in. after not so good press towards the end of the season in new york, during the off-season, the team decides to send him to ivory lake, a small town where his uncle lives, just until everything dies down. the first night he's there, his uncle forces him to go dinner at his not-girlfriend's house. there, he meet's her daughter, and he realizes he has more in common with her than he thinks. warnings, none :) word count, 5175 words (this is longer than i expected lol)

(gif not mine)

As soon as Mat stepped out of the taxi, he knew he would rather be anywhere else, "Mat." His uncle Milo greeted him stiffly as he stepped off the bus.

"Milo." Mat greeted, a flat expression on his face.

"You can call me Uncle Milo, you know." Milo attempted.

"Right." Mat nodded, making his way to the back of the taxi and grabbing all his bags.

"Well, let's get you home." Milo capped his hands and grabbed one of Mat's bags and leading him towards his apartment. Milo set Mat's bags down in the room he had designated as Mat's, "All right, well you get unpacked. My friend Lauren invited us over for dinner tonight."

"And you're telling me why?"

Milo sighed, "Because you're coming along, and you can't say no." Mat sighed, "Oh, and by the way, no one knows who you are here."

"They don't?" Mat asked.

"I don't think anyone in Ivory watches hockey." Milo chuckled, "Anyways, your secret is safe with me." Milo reassured him, then walked down the hall, leaving Mat alone in his new room in a town he didn't know anything about full of people who had no idea who he was or why he was there.

-

Milo and Mat stood on the Y/L/N doorstep. Milo looked over at Mat, and reached over, fixing his hair, "What the hell, man?" Mat snapped, swatting his hands away.

"Did you even brush your hair?"

"I did, actually."

They both turned to the door when it swung open. Your mom, Lauren, greeted them both with a warm smile, "You must be Mat." Your mom smiled.

"Mat I am." He nodded.

"Huh, he's funny too." Lauren nodded, raising a brow, "Well, come in. Dinner's almost ready." She stepped aside so they could enter.

Mat walked into your small apartment, his eyes going around every corner and looking at every photo on the wall. It was all of you and your mom, most when you were younger but there were a couple that were newer because you both looked a little older.

"Y/N, our guests are here." Your mom hollered down the hallway. You came down the hallway, fixing your necklace.

You smiled, "You must be Mat."

"Yeah." He nodded, moving behind you to get a better look at the racks of CDs you had. You frowned, "These yours?"

"Yeah." You nodded, mirroring his previous actions.

"Wow, The Cranberries and The Jonas Brothers." He nodded, picking up the two very different CDs.

"It's called taste." You grabbed them and set them back in their spots.

"Nah, I'm not judging. I like a girl who can do both." He smirked, picking up another CD and reading the back.

"You listen to music much?" You asked, crossing your arms.

"A little." He shrugged.

"You can borrow that." You told him.

"I'm good." He shrugged.

"Hey, you two, dinner's ready." Your mom popped her head out of the kitchen and into the living room where you two were.

-

A couple days later, Mat was getting accustomed to life in wherever he was. He didn't know what it was called and he didn't care to know. He had picked up a small cup of ice cream and was walking down the street, heading back to Milo's apartment when he saw you leaving the music store.

You looked up as he approached you," Hey, Mat." You smiled, "How are you liking it here in Ivory?"

"It's small."

"Small."

"Much smaller than where I'm from." He admitted.

"Right." You nodded, narrowing your eyes before clearing your throat, "I should get going. I'll see you around though."

"Wait, I have something for you." He pulled out the CD he had been eying a few days ago.

"Oh, wow, you didn't have to buy it, I offered it to you."

"I know. This is your's." You were stunned.

"Right." You nodded, taking it back from him.

"See you around, Y/N."

"Yeah." You stood in your spot, stunned.

-

A few days later, all you could think about was Mat. The interaction a few days ago, albeit short, was still on your mind. You were... confused to say the least. He was cold the first time you met, but the second time, things felt different.

"...Now, I don't know if you have anything going on two weeks from Friday, but I sort of signed us up for a dance class." Your mom told you, snapping you out of your daze.

"Dance class?" You asked.

"Yeah."

"Why did you sign us up for a dance class? You can barely tell your right from your left and have awful hand/eye coordination."

"I don't know, I wasn't thinking." Your mom explained, "I panicked. There are a few other ladies at work doing it, so I decided why not?"

"You are insane. When you're sweating and panting, I'll laugh." You leaned back in your seat, shaking your head. The bells above the diner jingled, and you looked up, curious when you heard the diner quiet down.

Living in a small town, everyone knew everyone. It was quite the cliche. So, when news went around that Mat was in town, everyone knew and everyone started gossiping. What did he do that was so bad he had to be sent away? Why was he here?

Mat looked around the diner, taking a deep breath as everyone looked at him like he was a caged animal, "Hey, why don't we tone it down a notch, guys?" Your mom called out, but no one listened to her and continued staring.

"Hey, quit it!" You shouted, and that seemed to snap everyone out of their daze and they all went back to what they were doing. Mat shot you both an appreciative look before going to the counter to order.

As he was leaving, he stopped by your table, "Hey, thanks for that."

"It's no problem." Your mom shrugged it off, "Next time you see creeps look at us, just shout at them for us, then we'll be even." She winked.

Mat nodded with a smile, the first you'd seen from him, "Cool." He nodded, "I'll see you around. Gotta get this back to Milo." He held up his bag of food.

"Oh, yeah. He gets cranky."

"So, I've heard." Mat chuckled, before smiling and giving you a fake salute before walking out the door.

-

"Y/N, there's someone here for you." Your mom hollered down the hallway.

"Who is it?" You asked.

"You'll just have to see." She winked, making her way down the hallway to her own room and shutting the door.

Your brows furrowed together as you made your way down the hallway to the front door where Mat was waiting in the doorway, "Mat? What're you doing here? Is there a CD you wanna borrow or something?"

"No," He chuckled, "I wanted to apologize. For my behavior the first time we met." You were stunned at his apology and the fact that he even was apologizing.

"Oh..." You didn't know what to say, "Well, thank you. I accept your apology. I get it. If I were new in a small town and were forced to meet new people, I'd probably react the same way."

"That still doesn't excuse my behavior." You raised a brow at the way he was speaking.

"Are you okay? Did you, like, go to school with the prince or something? Why are you talking so properly?" You laughed.

"Media training."

"Media training? Are you a promise?" Your eyes widened.

He laughed, "No. I play a little hockey in New York."

"Wow, a real city boy." You teased, "You any good?"

"A little." Mat smiled with a nod. You hummed, smiling, "So, look, there isn't much to do around here, so I was wondering if you wanted to go to the music store with me." He offered.

You were shocked, "Yeah, sure." You nodded.

"Cool." He nodded, trying to play it cool, "Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Cool." He nodded again, "How does 1 sound?"

"Sounds good." You nodded.

-

The next day, you were ready way before 1 o'clock, and at exactly 1 o'clock on the dot, there was a knock on your door and you knew immediately who it was.

You jumped off the couch, smoothing down your pants, before making your way over and opening the door, "Hey." You smiled.

"Hey, you ready?" He asked, his hands shoved into his pockets. On the outside, he looked cool and carefree but on the inside, he was so nervous and could feel the nervous sweat going down his back.

"Yeah." You grabbed your bag and then locked your door. You walked and talked over to the music store, the conversation very mundane.

The second you walked through, you were off in your own world. You ditched Mat and started rifling through the records as if you weren't there a couple days ago.

"Looking for anything in particular?" He asked, looking through the box next to you.

"No, but every now and then, they get new records." You shrugged, continuing your search.

"Hey, Y/N." The owner, Vic, called out, grabbing your attention, "I think I have something for you." He waved you over. You eagerly walked over and gasped when he pulled a record from under the desk.

"Vic, have I ever told you I love you?" Your eyes were wide as he handed you the record.

He only smiled as Mat walked over in confusion, "What's so special about a Blink-182 record?"

"We moved houses a little while ago, and in the move, I lost this record. It meant everything to me. I would play it practically every day, so when it went missing, it was the worst day of my life. I've been on the lookout for one since then, but for some reason, it's been impossible."

"Until today," Vic spoke up with a proud smile.

"Until today." You nodded with a smile. You got your wallet out, ready to pay, but Mat stopped you, "What?"

"I got it." He told you, handing Vic his card.

"What? No." You shook your head.

"Can't I just do this nice thing?" He chuckled.

You pursed your lips as you tried to read him, "Fine." You related, letting Vic swipe his card so he could pay.

Mat held the door open for you as you exited, "You know, I didn't tell you that story just for you to pay for this right?"

"I know." He nodded, "I just wanted to." He shrugged.

"Well, next time you see something you like, within reason, let me buy it for you." You nudged him.

"We'll see." He smirked.

-

As the weeks passed, you and Mat started hanging out more. You learned about his life in New York, learned about his best friend Anthony, his sister, and his parents. You also learned about his crippling fear of dogs, which was hilarious, and he regretted it the moment you started laughing.

He learned about your love for books and your love for ABBA and Mamma Mia. He learned your mom worked at a hotel and she also shared your love of music.

Your mom was at work, so you were left alone. It was summer after all. You were startled and confused by the knock at the door, "What're you doing here?" You asked.

"Hi, Mat. Good to see you too." He joked sarcastically.

"With the formalities out of the way, my question remains. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was doing some research. There's a hockey team nearby. It's like minor league, I don't think they even keep score, but I got us tickets. They're for today." He held up a piece of paper with information about the team.

"Let's say I wasn't free. What would you do?" You asked.

"Go to the game alone." He shrugged.

"Fine. Just give me like 10 minutes."

"You have 5." You raised a brow, "I was working up the courage to ask you and kind of wasted a lot of time. The game starts in an hour and it takes a while to get there." He scratched the back of his neck.

"Awh, do I make you nervous, Mat?" You teased.

He quickly shook his head, "No."

You laughed, "All right, five minutes." You nodded.

-

You found your seats but before you made it, Mat insisted on buying you a hat from one of the parents outside. The merch had the team logo on it, and most of the people inside were wearing it.

"Wow, this is much more enthusiastic than I imagined for some reason." You laughed.

"Yeah, they can get pretty rowdy." He looked around.

"So, you go to many games in New York?" You asked.

He laughed, "A few."

"What does that mean?" You asked curiously, to which he only smiled, turning his attention to the ice as they began the national anthem.

By second period intermission, Mat had explained every rule of the game to you so you understood a little of what was going on, "Hey, I'm gonna get a hotdog, you want anything?" He stood up from his seat.

"A hotdog sounds pretty good about now." You nodded with a smile.

By the time Mat got back, the second period was getting ready to start, "Sorry, line for hotdogs was long." He handed you yours with a couple packets of condiments, "Didn't know what you wanted, so I got everything."

"It's all good. Thank you." you smiled, "How much do I owe you?"

"It's on me." He shook his head as you pulled out your phone.

"What? Mat we can't keep doing this. I have money, you know." You joked.

"I know, but I feel bad that I took so long."

"It's fine. I made a friend." You pointed below you to the kid who was sitting in front of you with his family. The kid waved, a look of awe on his face.

Mat winked. He knew the look on the kid's face. It was one he was all too familiar with. The look of recognition. The kid knew who he was, but thankfully, had the manners not to say anything.

By the end of the game, you were practically a seasoned expert. You followed Mat around the arena, thinking you were going to the car, but were confused when you ended up right next to the ice.

"What are we doing here?" You asked nervously.

"Well, since it's your first game, I thought I'd make it memorable." He smiled, "Your gonna ride the Zamboni." Your eyes widened.

"What?" He pointed to the big ice machine coming down the hall.

"So, who's it gonna be?" The Zamboni driver asked, looking between you and Mat. Mat quickly, without hesitation, pointed to you, "All right, hop on." The man smiled.

You got on the Zamboni, and it felt like an out-of-body experience as you drove around the rink. Mat watched, filming the entire thing, from the entrance off the side of the ice.

"That was crazy." You exclaimed as you hopped off.

"Yeah? I thought you'd like it." He laughed, sending a smile and a wave to the driver and the couple of workers in charge of the Zamboni.

"That was so cool, Mat. Thank you. I had a lot of fun tonight."

"I'm glad I was able to be the lucky guest who took you to your first game."

"Glad you were here for it. You're a good teacher. Thanks to you, I wasn't so clueless." You laughed.

-

"And you're absolutely sure there's nothing going on?" Mat asked.

Lauren sighed, "Yes, Mat, I'm sure. I'm pretty sure I know my own kid's schedule."

"Okay, I just want to make sure. These tickets were very expensive and I don't think they're refundable."

"And I told you, I can pay for her ticket." Lauren insisted with another exasperated sigh.

"And I told you I got it covered," Mat told her.

Both of their heads whipped over to the door as you walked in, confused at the way they both looked over at you, "Hi."

"Hi, honey." Your mom smiled, "Well, I'm going to get going. I've got some stuff to do. I'll see you later." She grabbed her bag quickly and kissed your head before leaving.

"That was strange." You laughed, setting your stuff down on the couch, "So, what're you doing here? Another hockey game?" You asked.

"Well..."

"Oh, please don't tell me you bought hockey tickets again. I had fun, but I think the next time we go, I should buy them because I feel like a moocher and if I buy them then you can't tell me no." You ranted.

He smiled, "Not like that, but I do have another surprise."

"Oh, no."

"Oh no" what?" He asked.

"Your surprises are always big and expensive."

"The hockey tickets weren't too bad and the record I got you was even cheaper than both tickets combined."

"Mat..."

"Okay, fine, this one's a little expensive." He handed you an envelope, nodding his head when you raised a brow at him. Your entire body froze when you read what the paper said.

"Mat Barzal." You gasped, "Are you serious right now? This isn't a joke?" You started looking around the room.

"What're you looking for?" He laughed.

"Cameras." You answered.

"Stop, I'm being serious. They're real." He grabbed your arms and sat you back down.

"Holy crap." You sat down, covering your mouth in shock, "You actually got Blink-182 tickets?"

"Yeah." He nodded with a proud smile on his face.

"How?"

"I know a guy." He shrugged, to which you raised a brow, "All right, my sisters pretty good at this, so I had her get them for me."

"Well, tell your sister I love her, and thank you." You were still in shock as you kept reading the tickets, "Oh, my God, now I have to find something to wear." You rushed off to your room.

-

"This is insane." You shouted over the loud noise of everyone in the arena, "And so are these seats. I don't think I've ever been this close to the stage for a concert in my life." You laughed.

"Yeah, Liana is really good at these kinds of things." Mat nodded.

"I really can't thank you enough, Mat. This means so much. No one's ever done this for me."

"Eh, it was nothing." He shrugged it off.

"Okay, just take my gratitude, will you." You both laughed. You took your seats and sat in silence, just taking everything in. Mat left a few times to go to the bathroom and get food, but you sat the entire time, wanting to remember everything.

-

After the concert, you were on a high. The post-concert depression was hitting, but it was worth it. You quickly went through your grocery list as your mom waited for you in the car.

"Thanks." You smiled at the bagger as you rushed outside. You set the stuff in the backseat then got into the passenger side, "All right, they had everything except tomatoes." You informed her, looking over at her. You could see the worry in her brows, "What is it? Did someone die?" You asked.

"No." She shook her head, "Honey..." She paused.

"Just tell me." You exclaimed.

"It's Mat." She started.

"What about him?" You asked, your mind racing as you frantically thought of every possibility.

"He's gone." She told her, her eyes screaming with pity and sadness.

"Gone? Gone where?"

"Milo called while you were inside. Said he went home."

"Home where?"

"Back to New York. Said the team called and said everything was cleared and he could come home." She explained.

"What team?" You asked nervously.

"You didn't know?"

"Know what, Mom?" Your brows furrowed together again, this time in confusion and hurt.

"Mat plays for the New York Islanders. A pro hockey team, like the big league. He was sent to Ivory because of some bad press and now that it's all cleared up they called him back." You sat back in your seat, taking in what she had just said. She watched you, worried, "You okay?"

"I want to go home." You told her.

"All right." She nodded.

As soon as you got home, you made a beeline for your room and stayed there for the rest of the night. You laid in bed, not even moving when your mom called for dinner.

She leaned in the doorway, watching you stare at the wall, "I'm gonna just leave this here." She said, setting the plate down on your nightstand, then sitting on your bed. "You feeling okay?"

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"I can't speak for him, but maybe he just wanted to forget about whatever was going on in New York." She suggested.

"But I wouldn't have judged him or said anything."

"I know that." She nodded, hugging you and kissing your head.

"I really liked him, Mom." You whispered, your voice going quiet as your eyes filled with tears.

"I know you did." She whispered, her own eyes filling with tears as she did her best to comfort you.

-

The months dragged on and eventually, you moved on. It took a lot of pushing from your mom and even Milo, but you started hanging out with a guy from your school and one thing led to another and you started going out.

"Y/N, Jared's here." Your mom announced.

"Coming!" You hollered back, fixing your shirt before hustling down the hall where Jared was standing, talking to your mom, "Hey, you ready to go?"

"Yeah." He smiled. You said your goodbyes to your mom before you were out and walking through Ivory. Jared was telling a joke, which made you smile.

"What is it?" Jared asked, noticing that you stopped laughing. He followed your line of sight over to someone across the street, "Who's that?"

"It's, uh," You swallowed harshly, "It's no one." You shook your head, "Let's go." You grabbed his hand and pulled him down the street.

Mat saw you from across the street and even from across the street, he could make out the look of surprise and hurt on your face. He saw you drag the guy who he could only assume was your boyfriend down the street and couldn't deny the pang it sent to his heart.

-

The next day, you had sufficiently ignored and avoided Mat, somehow. How you did it was a mystery even to you but you did it. All that progress came crashing down when he walked into the diner.

You were waiting for your mom and he had seen you from outside and rushed in, "There you are." He sighed, trying to catch his breath after running in.

You sighed, angrily setting your cup down as he took the seat in front of you, "Look, you have every right to be upset with me..."

"Hell yeah, I have the right to be upset with you. For one, you lied to me about everything, and two, you left without any explanation or reason. I had to find out through Milo."

"I didn't lie about everything."

"Oh, no, just your occupation and the real reason you were here."

"Look, I don't get why you're upset." Mat sighed, and the moment the words left his mouth, he knew he messed up.

You scoffed, "You have some nerve, you know? I get it, you didn't want people to know who you were or why you were here, but I thought, I really thought we had something special but then you just leave. No note, no email, not even a message in a freaking bottle!." You exclaimed, shaking your head, and gathered your stuff.

"I tried."

"I don't believe you." You turned and walked out the door, ignoring the looks the other patrons in the diner were giving you.

-

It was like was against you because as you turned the street with Jared, Mat was walking down the other side, his arm wrapped around some girl's shoulder, a girl you had never seen.

You slowed your pace but it was already too late to cross the street, "Huh, funny seeing you here." Mat commented.

"Yeah." You sighed.

"Do you two know each other?" Jared asked.

"At one point." You nodded, keeping your eyes on Mat.

"Well, are you going to introduce us?" The girl Mat was with asked impatiently.

"Right," Mat nodded, "This is Alexis."

"This is my boyfriend, Jared." You pointed to your boyfriend.

"And this is awkward." Alexis muttered under her breath, "Mat, I wanna go."

"Alright, yeah, we gotta go." Mat grabbed her hand again and they walked past you.

You sighed, linking arms with Jared again as continued your walk, "So, who was that?"

"Mat. He's just a friend, well a former friend." You corrected.

"Just a friend?" Jared raised a brow.

"Just a friend." You nodded, reassuring Jared.

-

Mat hadn't planned to be in Ivory for too long, but he wanted to make sure you accepted his apology before he left. Milo had caught a cold and Mat could barely cook, so Mat braved the cold and went outside to get food from the diner when he saw you and Jared standing in the park, seemingly in the middle of an argument. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but you were in public and he was just there.

"Are you serious? You promised he was just a friend, but ever since he got here, you've been weird." Jared told you.

"Jared, please, can we do this somewhere else?"

"No, be honest with me, do you like him?" He asked. By that point, everyone in Ivory was listening in on your conversation.

"What are you talking about?" You balked, "This is so stupid, Jared. You're making no sense."

"I'm making perfect sense. Before Mat came to town, we were perfect. Everything was going great. Then he came to town and it was like a switch had flipped. Everything changed, Y/N," The way he said your name hurt.

You knew he was right, but maybe you were too blind and hurt by what Mat had done to see it, "Jared, please."

"No, no more. I'm done. I'm sorry." He shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets as he headed for his car down the street.

You stood there, regretting not wearing a jacket. As you looked around, you then realized just how many people had heard your fight and it was just the icing on the cake.

You were tired and as soon as the first tear fell, you were running as far and as fast as you could. Mat stood in his spot frozen in confusion. Everyone was watching you, not stepping in to help, so he decided to do it.

"Hey!" He shouted, his voice echoing loudly enough for everyone to hear him, "Quit it!" Everyone quickly went back to what they were doing.

He sighed, following after you as fast as he could. He found you sitting on a bridge, over a lake. He could hear you crying and sniffling as he caught his breath.

"Y/N...?" He called out your name quietly so it wouldn't startle you, "Can I sit next to you?" You didn't say anything, so he took it as his chance to sit down, "Wow, you are a fast runner." He felt his lungs burn with every word he spoke and every breath he took.

"Took track in high school." You told him, sniffling as you both looked out onto the water, "Was it bad?"

"Nah." He shook his head.

"Don't lie to me right now, Mat." You sighed.

He hesitated, "All right, it was a little bad." He admitted.

"God." You sighed, wiping your eyes.

"But don't worry, it'll all be over by next week."

"Great, so I can't go outside for the next week." You sighed angrily, "You can go, Mat. I'll be okay."

"No." He shook his head.

"Just go." You repeated.

"I'm not leaving you alone." He stated. You sighed, rubbing your temple, "Me and Alexis, we were never dating." He admitted.

"What?" You asked, brows furrowing together at his random outburst.

"We were never together. We went on a date, yeah, but nothing more."

"Why are you telling me?"

"Just so you know you aren't alone." He reached over and grabbed your hand. He smiled when you looked at your hands together, but didn't do anything to remove your hand from his.

-

After Mat had followed you down to the lake, you had kind of been avoiding him. It hadn't been intentional at first, but it sort of just happened.

Mat saw you across the street and started crossing the street to see you, but you quickly ducked into a store and lost him. That was when he knew something was wrong. He thought he did something wrong, so that was why he avoided you.

You knew you had to tell him what was on your mind, so you decided to go to his place and tell him what was wrong. You knocked on his door and saw when he opened. thedoor, he looked like he wanted to shut it in your face.

"Before you shut the door, please let me say what I want to say, then you can shut the door in my face." You cut him off.

"All right." He nodded, crossing his arms.

"Look, I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. It's immature of me and it's wrong because you didn't do anything. It's all me." You admitted.

"What do you mean?"

"I like you, Mat. Like, really like you, and when you left, it hurt. I was hurt, and when you came back, I was surprised. You came back just as fast as you left. It was all happening too fast. I had gotten over you, I was with Jared, then you came back and threw a wrench into everything."

"Oh, my apologies." He narrowed his eyes as he spoke, sarcastically of course.

You narrowed your eyes back at him before you continued, "I'm trying to apologize for the way I've been acting and I just wanted to tell you that I really liked you and really liked spending time with you before you jet off to New York again and leave without a goodbye." You shrugged.

He sighed, running a hand across his face, "Y/N..." He breathed out.

"That's all I had to say. You can shut the door now if you want." You told him, turning on your heel and walking down the stairs.

Mat's brain was slower than his feet because before he knew it, he was calling out your name and picking up his pace. He grabbed your arm softly and spun you around.

He ignored the confused look on your face before leaning in for a kiss. When you pulled away, your brows furrowed in confusion, "Is that you saying you feel the same way?"

"Yes." He laughed, "I like you, too, Y/N."

"Oh, okay." You nodded, stunned by what just happened, "Can we kiss again?"

-

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[readingwiththestars]

₊˚⊹♡ RECKLESS

["it's a good thing you're not here, because i still havent found my courage."]

| ✮ 4.5 stars |

THOUGHTS ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° . [spoilers ahead]

okayyy let me just start off with WHAT THE EVER LOVING FUCK WAS THAT ENDING LAUREN???? i'm not okay because of it. like nuh uh get lost. u had no right to do that (im saying this as if it didnt get spoiled for me and i didnt gaslight myself the entire book read that it wasn't going to happen)

i would like to straight up say this seemed like a filler book. just a set up for the next one, it didn't really have all too much plot-wise aside from pae and kai's romance. it was less on the fantasy side and more on the romance but i still enjoyed it a lot. and obviously since it was a filler book there was less character development (for some- im looking at you paedyn)

kai and pae were really cute in this book honestly (and as it mostly focuses on the romance ofc they were) the banter and everything was so wonderful to read i was giggling and kicking my feet wayyy to much. the romance was romancing but also not romancing at the same time (im not even gonna try to explain that just use vibes)

i do feel as though lauren's writing has definitely improved from powerless. she has this whimsical magical style of writing that i love it really takes me into the world of the book (mostly). other times the long sentences were too much in moments. like lauren. we did not need to know the colour of the bricks in the market at this certain moment in time when you'd already explained the colour two pages ago-

CHARACTERS ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° .

paedyn - ok i love her. i really do she's such a good fmc BUT for me in this book she was boring-ish. and hella indecisive like girly pop if i had kai talking to me like that i'd be folding so damn fast- but yeah it felt like she didn't have too much character development aside from finding out her dad was actually her dad. also i idk who the fuck she was trying to fool with her 'i hate you' to kai, like be fucking for real bitch no you dont.

kai - ok bye i could write a whole rant on why i love this man. like im sat. this book felt more like kai's book (as powerless felt like pae's) imo we got more on his backstory and i think his character (and povs) were more interesting for me to focus on. also his flirting and little one liners had me giggling and shit my sister actually woke up to me grinning like an idiot under torch light-

kitt - bye idek why i made this section for him. this is going to entirely be hate fr. OKAY WE GET IT DUDE UR A GHOST WHATEVER. OH MY GOSH U MISS UR DAD BUT IN THE NEXT POV U DONT LIKE BITCH CHOOSE A SIDE IDC ABT UR WHINY ASS. ALSO U CLEARLY HAVE AN OBSESSION WITH PAEDYN LIKE FUCKING HELL DUDE SHE IS UR 'MUSE' OR WHATEVER GET OVER YOURSELF. EUGH AND THEN PROPOSING TO HER?? YEAH SURE BUDDY "YOUR FEELINGS FOR HER DIED" MHM YUP OKAY TOTALLYYY *clears throat awkwardly* can you tell i hate him?

QUOTES ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° . [its like all kai... im not even sorry about it either]

"you are my proof of paradise." - kai

"call us even. call me crazy. i don't care. just... just call me yours." - kai

"under different curcumstances i promise you im much more fun tied up." - kai (WHEN I TELL YOU I SCREECHED AND STARED AT THE PAGE. MALAKAI AZER-)

"just pae and kai." - kai

"she was supposed to be my forever. now i'll watch her become someone else's. because the beast doesn't get the beauty." - kai

jahsdgj i can't wait for the next book hehe

[canirove]

Lady Madrid | Chapter 1

Summary: Can being hit in the head with a football make you go from the worst moment of your life to the best, and lead you to meet the love of your life? Yes, it can. Ask Ben Chilwell.

Author’s note: I got inspired to write this story a few months ago while watching Chelsea playing against Real Madrid on the Women's Champions League and also by everything that was going on back then, and you could say it basically is me manifesting good things happening to Ben. Though I've made him wear white instead of red and blue 😁 Also the girl having a name that starts with "Ju" like on my previous story with Ben is just a coincidence 😅 I realized when I was half way through it, and was too lazy to change it all. Besides, I like the name a lot. And I'm sorry if you don't like Real Madrid, but like I said, I was inspired by them playing and Jude being there helped a lot with the plot and made things easier. And let's pretend that the players mentioned play on the same position as Ben 😅 I hope you like it, and as always, thank you for reading! 💜

Next chapter

Masterlist

“Chilly, c'mon.”

“No, Reece. I already told you I am not in the mood to go out.”

“So what? Are you just going to lay down on your sofa watching tv while feeling sorry for yourself?” 

“Yeah” Ben says.

“You can't keep doing this to yourself, bro. Like, I know your situation this season sucks, but you can't just give up on everything else because of it!”

“I can and I am.”

“Ben…” Reece sighs, sitting down on the sofa next to him. “C'mon, bro. This isn't you! You aren't a quitter, you are a fighter!”

“Maybe I'm tired of fighting. Maybe this is the universe telling me to just give up on football.”

“Hell no. Football isn't over for you yet, and I'm gonna do everything in my power to show it to you, starting with taking you to Stamford Bridge with me.”

“How is taking me to watch your sister play going to help me?”

“Because we are talking about watching hot women playing amazing football. That would cheer anyone up, and that's exactly what you need right now. Besides, the weather is perfect tonight, which is something we won't see again in months. So c'mon. ”

“You aren't going to stop annoying me until I agree to go with you, are you?”

“Nope” Reece smiles. “So get your nice ass off this sofa, and go get changed. You've probably been wearing those clothes the whole week.”

“And without the probably” Ben says, getting up and walking towards his room.

This season things weren't going the way he had expected them to go. 

Maresca, Chelsea's new manager, didn't like him, the club had tried to sell him during the summer but failed, and he had found himself training with the under 21 team until they took pity on him and allowed him to train again with the first team. Since then, he had only played one game, a Carabao Cup one against a team most people hadn't heard of. And judging by how things were going, if he didn't find a new team in January, that was going to be his role this season: play the games no one wanted to play. 

“Ben, there is no need for a beanie. I told you it is a lovely night, it isn't cold” Reece says when he joins him again after getting changed.

“I know. But I'm too lazy to do something with my hair and a hat won't look good with this outfit.”

“Glad to know that the fashionista is still alive” he chuckles. “Let's go, I don't want to be late and have Lauren getting mad at me. You know she can be quite scary.”

“Yeah” Ben says, finding himself smiling. “Thank you, Reece.”

“What for?” he says as they walk towards the door. 

“For worrying about me and taking care of me.”

“Well, with Mason gone, someone has to” he shrugs.

“Reece…”

“I'm just kidding” he laughs, wrapping his arm around Ben's shoulders. “You are one of my best friends, Chilly. I love you and I want to see you happy. This is the least I can do.”

“This is a lot. Again, thank you” he smiles. 

“You're welcome” Reece smiles back.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Julieta, can you please stop dancing and focus on what we are doing?”

“I’m sorry, Olga. But the DJ is playing such good songs!” I say, singing along while doing some stretches.

“It's refreshing to listen to something that isn't electro latino” Alba chuckles.

“The English may suck because of many things, like their food or their weather, but not their music.”

“The weather is actually behaving tonight. Last year it was pouring with rain” Olga says.

“We almost had to leave on a boat instead of a bus” I laugh. “Oh, this song!”

“Julieta!” Alba says when I start to sing and basically do a performance in the middle of the pitch. 

“Open up my eager eyes… Cause I'm Mr. Bright… shit!” I say when, after getting too excited, I kick a ball with too much strength and send it towards the stands, hitting someone in the head. “Shit, shit, shit.”

“This girl” Olga sighs as I run towards the stands and the guy I just hit.

“I am so sorry! So, so, so sorry! I got a bit excited, didn't pay attention to what I was doing, and I just… Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I'm fine” the guy says, slowly turning around to look at me while adjusting his beanie.

“Oh, you are more than fine” I say when I properly see him. Because he is one of the most handsome men I have ever laid eyes on.

“What?” he says with a confused look.

“She just said that you are fine, bro” his friend says. A friend who happens to be Reece James, Lauren James’ brother and Chelsea player.

“Because I am fine. I think the beanie helped soften the blow. ”

“Yeah, she didn't say it in that sense.”

“What?” he says, looking even more confused.

“Julieta, we need you!” Olga calls after me.

“Oh, I gotta go. Once again, I'm really sorry for hitting you. My aim is amazing, but I usually use it to score goals, not to hit people.”

“So humble” the handsome guy chuckles.

“Says the one who just called himself fine.”

“Uh?”

“Please forgive him. He usually isn't this slow” Reece James says. 

“Did I hit him that hard?”

“You didn't, don't worry” he chuckles.

“Julieta!”

“I have to go, I don't want my captain getting mad at me. Goodbye, pretty face” I wink at the handsome guy before running to join my teammates. 

“Julieta, we are here to play football, not to flirt with the fans on the stands” Olga says.

“I know, I'm sorry. But it's not my fault if the guy I hit happens to be extremely gorgeous.”

“Extremely?”

“Yes, extremely” I say, looking back at him and finding him looking our way.

“Julieta!” Olga says when I wave at him.

“What?”

“Focus!”

“I am focusing. Look” I say, kicking the ball she was warming up with and scoring a goal. A pretty nice one if you ask me.

“Great. But maybe save a couple for the game.”

“As my captain commands” I say, giving her a military salute and making her roll her eyes.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“She is good” Ben says.

“Really good” Reece replies.

The game has been going for half an hour, no one scoring so far. But Julieta, Real Madrid's striker and the girl who almost opened Ben's head in half, has had some good chances. 

“And she also is really hot.”

“What?”

“Chilly, did she hit you so hard that you didn't notice?” Reece laughs.

“No… I mean…”

“And she fancied you” he smirks. 

“She just called me pretty.”

“Because she fancied you. And to think you didn't want to come to the game…” he says, elbowing Ben.

“Yeah, sure, whatever” he replies, trying to focus on the game again. Real Madrid is attacking, the ball in Julieta's feet. And when she shoots… “Holy shit.”

“That was amazing!” Reece says. “Don't tell Lauren I said that.”

“I won't, don't worry” Ben says as all the Real Madrid players run towards Julieta to celebrate with her, a big smile on her face. She looks simply beautiful.

“Oh, she's coming this way…” Reece says.

“What?”

“Maybe she's planning on dedicating you her goal.”

“Why would she do that?” Ben asks. 

“Because she fancies you, Chilly” Reece smirks. “I already told you.”

“Pretty face!” 

“What?” Ben says, looking back at the pitch.

“That was for you, pretty face” Julieta smiles from the pitch before joining her teammates.

“Well?” Reece says, still smirking.

“Shut up” Ben replies, giving him a little push and making him laugh, hoping his friend can't notice that he is blushing.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“That was the last interview, Julieta. You can go to the changing room now.”

“Thank you” I say to the staff member that has stayed with me after the game. 

Two goals. I had scored two goals in Stamford Bridge and broken the curse we always joked we had with this stadium since we had never won here before. Until today, of course.

As I walk towards the tunnel, saying hello to some of the fans, I spot him again: the handsome guy. 

“Pretty face!” I call. “Thank you!”

“What?” he says, turning to look at me after Reece James elbows him.

“I said thank you.”

“What for?”

“I think you were my lucky charm today. So, to show you my gratitude…”

“Wait, wait, wait. What are you doing?”

“Gifting you my shirt, of course” I say after taking it off. “What else would I be doing?”

“Oh, I… I…” he mumbles, his cheeks turning bright pink.

“It is too soon for that, don't you think?” I say with a teasing smile. “I don't even know your name yet.”

“Ben. From Benjamin.”

“Nice to meet you, Ben from Benjamin. Here” I say, giving him my shirt. 

“You don't have to, I…”

“Julieta, let's go. Don't make them wait for you” the staff member says as she walks behind me.

“Yes, of course” I reply. “I have to go. Like I said, it was really nice meeting you.”

“You too” Ben says.

“Also, you better keep that shirt and not sell it somewhere.”

“I won't, don't worry” he chuckles, his smile making my stomach do something funny.

“Great. Cool. I… I better go.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank you for being my lucky charm, Ben from Benjamin.”

“That's not my… ummm… You're welcome” he smiles when he realises I'm just messing with him, my stomach doing that thing again. 

“Ok. Umm… Bye.”

“Bye” he says.

“No, wait. One last thing” I say, stopping myself when I'm about to walk away. “My Instagram dms are open for you if you want to slide in… pretty face” I wink.

“Oh. Ok” Ben replies, the blush on his cheeks now bright red.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Ummm… Julieta?”

“Yeah?”

“Why did my sister just send me a photo of you flirting with Ben Chilwell?” Alba says.

“What?” I laugh.

“Look” she says, sitting on the seat next to me on the bus and showing me her phone.

“That's not Ben Chilwell.”

“Yes, it is. He was watching the game with Reece James, look” she says, showing me another photo, this one from Chelsea's official Instagram account.

“That's… Fuck.”

“Julieta, what did you do now?” Olga sighs, nodding to Alba to stand up since she is the one who always sits next to me on the bus. According to her, as a captain it is her duty to keep an eye on me so I don't do anything stupid.

“She was flirting with Ben Chilwell after the game.”

“What?” she says. “I thought you had been talking with the guy you hit during warm up!”

“Exactly.”

“The extremely handsome guy was Ben Chilwell? The Chelsea player?”

“Yeah…” I say, still looking at the photo.

“How did you not recognize him?”

“I… I don't know. Maybe it was the beanie. Or that his beard was longer than usual.”

“Or that you were blinded by his beauty” Alba laughs.

“Do you think anyone will notice and make it go viral?” I ask them, ignoring Alba's comment.

“I mean, his fans may see it and go a bit crazy, but I don't think so” she says. “Afraid your situationship may see it and get mad at you?”

“What? No. I mean… Maybe? I don't know.”

“You seriously need to do something about that, Julieta” Olga says. “You are gonna end up hurting each other.”

“Yeah… But I'll think about that tomorrow once we are back in Spain” I say, giving Alba her phone back. “Right now I just want to celebrate that we won and broke the curse, and that I scored two really good goals as I promised you I would.”

“You are so lucky that left leg of yours is fucking amazing…” Olga says. 

“You're welcome” I smile before kissing her cheek. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Stalking your Spanish love?”

“What?” Ben says, quickly hiding his phone.

“What have you done with her shirt? Are you going to add it to your collection? Have you slept with it? Smelled it while thinking about her?”

“Reece, that is the creepiest thing ever.”

“There are people who do it” he shrugs.

“Yes. Weird people.”

“Then what have you done with Julieta's shirt?”

“Nothing. Yet.”

“You've been too busy thinking about what to text her, haven't you?” Reece teases him.

“No.”

“Sure, Chilly” he chuckles.

“I haven't. Like, she lives in Madrid, I live in London. That has no future, so why bother?” he shrugs.

“Bro, I don't think she asked you to text her with the idea of marrying you and have five kids” he laughs. “She probably did it just to have a chat and maybe meet one day and have fun together if you know what I mean” he smirks. “You have a lot of free time these days, you can go visit her in Madrid whenever you want.”

“Wow, Reece. Wow. Thank you very much” Ben says, standing up and picking up his things from his locker.

“I'm sorry, Chilly. I didn't mean to…”

“But you did. You definitely did” he says before walking away.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“I think I scared him off.”

“What?”

“Chilwell. I think I scared him off” I say to Alba. “It's been a week and he hasn't followed me on Instagram yet. Was I too… blunt when I talked with him? Guys usually like that I am so forward and direct, but maybe he isn't like that and…”

“Oh my God, Julieta” she laughs. “You do fancy him, don't you?”

“I mean… We talked for five minutes, but… Yeah. He's hot. And I don't know, I've seen him in interviews and he looks like someone worth getting to know” I shrug.

“Then why don't you text him?”

“Alba, I just told you that I may have scared him off because I was too forward when we met. I can't also text him first. Besides, what if he thinks I'm desperate or something?”

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Desperate from some good English dick?” she smirks.

“Idiot” I say, giving her a push and almost making her fall from her chair.

“Oh my God!” one of our teammates says, making us focus on the tv. We are at our hotel ahead of tomorrow's game in Sevilla, relaxing after dinner and watching Real Madrid's men play. 

“What happened? Why is he screaming like that?” I ask when I see Carvajal laying on the grass, his teammates and the doctors running towards him.

“His knee. I think…”

“Holy shit” Alba says when the tv shows again what had happened. 

“My God” I say, not being able to look at the screen, my knee hurting just by thinking about the pain he must be feeling. “There goes his season.”

“And maybe his career too…” Alba says. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Did you guys see Carvajal’s injury last night? I had nightmares with the way his knee twisted” one of Ben's teammates says.

“Yeah, it was horrible. Wonder what Real Madrid will do now” another one says.

“What do you mean?” Ben asks him, trying to focus on that and not on how his hand had instinctively moved to the scar on his knee.

“Will they sign someone new in January? Use what they have? Call someone from the academy?”

“There are a lot of rumours about Trent” Reece says while sitting next to Ben and giving his knee (the one with the scar) a little squeeze. He knew the thoughts that had crossed his mind after hearing the news about Carvajal. “And since he is bffs with Jude…”

“I don't see Liverpool letting him go now” Ben says. “They'll probably look for someone young, they already have Lucas Vázquez.”

“I personally would look for someone reliable and with experience. Because Vázquez…”

“Rude” Reece chuckles. “Anyway, let's go do some training in this wonderful weather we have today.”

“Reece, it is raining” one of his teammates says.

“He was being ironic, bro” another one laughs, teasing him as they leave the changing room.

“Chilly, are you ok?” Reece asks him as they follow them.

“Yes, I'm fine. Thank you” he smiles.

“Speaking of being fine… Have you texted Julieta yet? Followed her on Instagram?”

“Nope.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

“I already told you, Reece. She lives in Madrid, I live in London, and I don't want to start anything long distance ever again. You know I've tried it more than once, and it has always been a disaster.”

“Wait, so does this mean that you are interested in her?”

“I mean… She looks like someone worth getting to know. And yes, she also is really hot” he says, stopping Reece before he says it himself. 

“So you fancy her.”

“I do. But nothing is going to happen between us, so don't try to do anything, ok? I can already see you smirking, and that usually means that you are plotting something.”

“I'm not plotting anything. I'm not, I swear” he says. “I was just thinking… Nah, it's crazy.”

“Nothing new with you, then” Ben teases him.

“Idiot” Reece replies, rolling his eyes. “But I was thinking that now that Carvajal is injured… Can you imagine that Real Madrid calls you?”

“What?” Ben laughs. “That will never happen and you know it.”

“Well, Julieta is Ancelotti’s goddaughter. She could put a good word for you” he shrugs.

“His goddaughter?”

“Didn’t you know? Julieta's father played with Ancelotti in Milan, they became best friends, and when she was born he chose him as her godfather. So since she definitely fancied you too…”

“You were right. It was a crazy thought” Ben says. Because why would Real Madrid be interested in a player like him? He is close to his thirties, has had a lot of injuries, and has barely played this season since his new manager doesn't want him. As much as Julieta may have liked him, a club that big would never be interested in someone like him… Would they?

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Hello, uncle Carlo” I smile. “Did you forget that you are taking me out for dinner today?”

“I did not. It's just that we are busy looking for someone to cover for Dani and… well. There aren't many options” he says, nodding towards the papers laying all over his office's desk.

“May I have a look?” I ask him.

“Sure. But don't tell anyone about what you see” he says, lifting that famous eyebrow of his in a threatening way.

“I won't, I promise” I say, sitting on his chair as he gets up to pick up his things. 

Most of the players he is looking at are from the academy or young talents from other teams, but there are two photos that catch my attention since I am very familiar with the faces on them. One of them is of Trent, the one all the fans and the press want. And the other…

“Did you see anyone you fancy?”

“Holy shit, uncle Carlo!” I jump when he shows up behind me. “You scared me!”

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry” he chuckles. “But did you see any player you like?”

“What?” I say, praying for my cheeks to not turn bright red. He can't know about what happened in London a few weeks ago, can he?

“Who would you sign if you were in my position?”

“Oh, that” I say with a nervous laugh. “Ok, ummm… Trent probably is the best option, but he won't come now, will he?”

“It's very unlikely.”

“Then… I don't know…” I say, my eyes focusing on the other photo that had caught my attention. “What about him?”

“Ben Chilwell” he says. “Great player. His current situation at Chelsea would make things easy for us, but his record with injuries…”

“Not the best. But he has the experience most of these other players lack. That could be useful.”

“It could, yes” uncle Carlo says. “Anyway, let's go. I don't want to be late for our reservation.”

“Yes, of course” I say, getting up from his desk and giving one last look at Ben's photo. Could he be the chosen one? Could I get to see him again? Get to properly know him and maybe…

“Julieta, did you hear me?” 

“What?” 

“My car or yours?” uncle Carlo says. 

“Oh, sorry, yes. Your car” I smile, putting all my thoughts of Ben away… Or trying to.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Paul, hey” Ben says after picking up his phone. “Everything good?”

“All good, bro” he says. “But you won't believe who just called the office asking for you.”

“Another team we've never heard of?” Ben sighs. Those had been the only ones interested in him and calling his agent now that the January window was coming close to open. Teams no one knew of.

“Quite the opposite. I think this is the team everyone in the world knows about.”

“What?”

“Ben… Real Madrid just called asking for you. They want you.”

[multifamdomfan]

Why Does Love Hurt So Much? Pt. 2

@ivysayssup

Alexander Hamilton x reader(x John Laurens)

The good news is the nurses healed the wound and there was nothing left there but a scar but the bad news is that Dad is sending me back home. Before I left I told the truth about who I really am to Hercules, Lafayette, and John. They understood why I lied about my name and gender but was glad that I was honest about everything else. I couldn't bring myself to see Alex again, I didn't know what I would say or what his reaction would be. When I got home I studied law and eventually became a lawyer. I got harassed because it was uncommon for women to be anything other than a housewife but that just gave me the motivation to work harder.

A good thing that came out of it though is that the Schuyler sisters heard of me and wanted to meet me which led to great friendships. They invited me to the Winters Ball. When I arrived wearing my nicest dress I made small talk with the sisters before we all went out separate ways and I saw the one person I never thought that I'd see again, Alexander Hamilton. I was going to hide from him but it was too late, he already saw me. He walked towards me with an out stretched hand and said "May I have this dance?" It completely took me by surprise, did he not recognize me? Did he forget about me or did he not care?

My cheeks warmed and I nodded stiffly before taking his hand and we started to dance. My heart was pounding out of my chest, I was terrified. "So 'James', what is your real name?"

"(y/n). I want you to know that besides my name and gender I never lied to you. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner but I couldn't risk getting caught." I responded looking down in shame.

"I'm not going to lie, I was hurt when I found out but I understand why you did what you did." I looked up and saw that he looked sincere. And we shared a smile, not seeing that John Laurens was watching us across the room with sad eyes before leaving the ball.

Eventually Alexander and I got together and then got married. It started off wonderful, it seemed almost magical but it didn't last long. He was always working and never made any effort whatsoever into our marriage. Then he started going out late saying that he had to go to work. I saw all the signs but I ignored it so I could keep him because I love him. I'm grateful for my best friend, John Laurens. He's always been there with me through it all. Especially when we saw the Reynolds Pamphlet.

We were going on a stroll before Thomas Jefferson handed me and John the piece of paper that would change our lives forever. "I'm going to kill him." I heard him mutter as we read it. I stood there motionless. It's not true, it couldn't be. But everything made sense with his behavior. Tears sprung in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. "I'm so sorry, (y/n)." He said while he hugged me tightly. When we broke away he said "Come on, you're going to stay with me." I nodded staring at the ground before we left to collect my things.

I didn't say a word to Alex when I got home and packed my things. I heard John yelling at Alexander through the walls, John really is a good friend. We left and I was going to file divorce papers and get half of everything but right now I just need my friend and sleep.

A year later I got over Alex and I developed feelings for John. I got my own place and moved out of John's place but visited often. We were talking about anything and everything but I was half asleep with my head leaning on his shoulder and I whispered "I love you." Before I passed out.

The next morning I woke up on John's bed but he wasn't there. I walked to the living room where he was asleep on the couch. I sat down next to him and brushed a few stray hairs out of his face causing him to stir and wake up. "Good morning." I told him in a soft voice.

"Good morning." He responded with his voice groggy from sleep. He then seemed to remember something and asked "Did you mean what you said yesterday? About you loving me?"

I completely forgot about that. I looked down blushing and responded with a quiet "Yes." Before I knew it he kissed me with so much passion that it contrasted with his innocent persona.

A couple years later John and I got happily married. John and I were drinking champagne when I overheard Hercules tell Alex "You need to let her go." So I guess that He was pinning on me but I deserve better than Alexander. I'm with John now, I love him and he loves me. John is the best thing that ever happened to me and treats me right.

[sincerelyhannahx]

rereading 'a good girl's guide to murder'

i did this for my first time read of 'a curse for true love' and actually really enjoyed the process, so welcome to my thoughts rereading 'a good girl's guide to murder' for (i want to say fourth?) time. obviously there will be spoilers ahead, so you have been warned.

RAVI <333

'i pacifically think you're better off without him' 'i antlantically think so too' i'm convinced this is a conversation taken directly from my gc.

lauren, you are not a girl's girl. i hope the heartbreak stings </3

stanley, why have you got to be a racist and then go and make me feel sorry for you later? it'd be so much easier if characters were one-dimensional.

how is ravi already so 😍🥰😭

PIKACHU ONESIE WITH A TUTU ARE YOU KIDDING??? this whole thing is just going to be me screaming over ravi and i am not sorry.

'one of his perfect smiles' pip its chapter six you can't be this down bad already. ik i am but that's different.

leslie - what i'm about to say i want you to know i mean it with my whole heart - i despise you.

TALK NERDY TO ME <333

sorry since when does ravi work at the pub???

i'm eternally grateful that holly jackson is british.

'when are the boys getting here?' lauren you couldn't be more of a pick-me if you tried.

'Stop digging, Pippa.'

BECCA WAS SEEING STANLEY??? HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THAT???

help the liking photos from five years ago - that's rule one of internet stalking.

and at long last we start to board the 'max hastings is a dirty piece of shit' train. all aboard!!!

pip trying to buy drugs is so funny.

PIPPA FITZ-AMOBI YOU ARE EVERYTHING I ASPIRE TO BE AND MORE.

pipravi <333

'You stupid bitch. Leave this alone while you still can.' Was this Elliot? Because I know he's got a lot to lose but 'bitch' seems a bit out of character. Wait, Nat's note in Andie's locker also said 'You stupid bitch', so maybe it was her. I can't remember.

PIPRAVI <333 where do i find a ravi singh? please universe send one to me.

'REAL MEN WEAR FLORAL WHEN TRESPASSING' FUCK YEAH THEY DO!!!

help ravi's scared of cats i didn't remember that either.

ravi singh i am humbly asking for your hand in marriage.

i am officially a member of the 'nat da silva deserves better' party.

'who's taking the picture?' has to be up there with top ten plot twists of all time LIKE ITS SO CLEVER AND SO GOOD!!!

i'm also a member of the 'sal singh deserved so much better' party. ugghhhhh it actually makes me so mad.

BARNEY :((

DON'T HURT RAVI; THAT HURTS ME :((

holly jackson, i will be invoicing you for my therapy bills.

'hello, trouble' AND SUDDENLY ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD AGAIN I AM GIGGLING KICKING MY FEET TWIRLING MY HAIR OVER RAVI SINGH ONCE MORE!

i'm so dead serious - where do i find a ravi?

the fact she's been setting up clues for book three this whole time is astounding. how does she do it? i'm genuinely asking, holly jackson, please teach me your ways.

becca bell i'm so sorry.

the fact we skipped the start of pipravi's relationship will never not leave me asking for more LIKE WHO MADE THE FIRST MOVE? WHAT WAS THEIR FIRST DATE? GIVE ME THE DETAILS!

'i'm ravishing' RAVI SINGH WE DO NOT DESERVE YOU <333

the fact max hastings walks free represents everything wrong with the world. but where we don't have justice, we have pippa fitz-amobi.

[throneofsapphics]

Ho ho ho,

Step aside spooky season, it’s Santa’s time to shine now! ✨

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween, and are looking forward to the week ahead.

In answer to your question for me about my favourite books - Santa is a sucker for anything romantic but especially romantasy (hence the ACOTAR) obsession. I recently read and loved Quicksilver by Callie Hart and I’ve just started Powerless by Lauren Roberts which I’m enjoy so far.

An update for your gift - Chapter one is well under way and I am having such a fun time crafting some Morlain goodness for you! I honestly can’t wait to share this fic 💕

A few questions for today:

❣️Aside from Mor and Elain who are some of your favourite characters in ACOTAR?

❣️Do you have any morlain headcanons?

❣️Are there any songs that remind you of Morlain?

Oh and one more thing… myself and Rudolph put together a little mood board for the fic and its general vibes below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DB56wtTIDOx/?igsh=MTcwMTFlbXZ2aHUzdA==

I hope that you like it and that you have a wonderful week!

Santa x

Hi Santa!!

Thank you so much, sorry this took so long, I'm just getting back on Tumblr now! I thought powerless was fun and I hope you're enjoying it! I still need to read the sequels to it. I'm checking my library for Quicksilver immediately!

Aside from Mor and Elain, some of my favorite ACOTAR characters are Nesta and Rhys.

I hope this counts as a head canon, but I picture Mor and Elain as fixer-uppers/ home renovations queens, I think they'd have a blast re-doing their future home, and want to do it by themselves.

As for songs for Morlain, if we're going an angsty route I could see them as DYWTYLM by Sleep Token or Casual by Chappell Roan or Blood Sport by Sleep Token (I'm sorry all my music is angsty or metal)

THAT MOODBOARD IS BEAUTIFUL!!! OH MY GOD I'M SO (EXPLETIVE) EXCITED FOR THIS STORY AND YOUR MAGIC! I may have stared at that for several minutes.

Hope you're having an amazing week!

[austennerdita2533]

Hi friend-miss you!!

Really random but do you have any recs for just like fluffy happy fun books (or Klaroline fics). Feeling very sad (I’m fine I just finally moved and my mom came over to help me but she flew out today) so just need some joy but for some reason none of my tbr is screaming joy right now 😅 probably because most of the books on my “really want to read” tbr are angsty 😂 so just looking for some other options!

-ACOTAR anon

Hello there, lovely! I miss you, too! Between working like a maniac and traveling a lot this summer, I have been the world's worst correspondent. My inbox still is overflowing with unanswered messages from months ago because I. am. awful. haha. 😬😇

I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling sad, though. :/ That's completely normal after a big move when you're away from everything and everyone that's familiar to you. It'll take some time to adjust, but I know it'll end up being a great experience for you and you'll blossom in all sorts of ways. 💖 That said, in the meantime, if I can help take the edge off your sadness with some fluffy book and fic recs then I absolutely will!

Book recs:

-When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams (These are the two I've read from her so far and they're in the same series. So cute! Honestly, I feel like you could pick up anything from her and it'd be adorable.)

-Funny Story by Emily Henry (Don't know if you've read this one yet but I feel like it's one of the wittiest of all her books. And Miles is a golden retriever boyfriend)

-Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross (It's a fantasy series that's set during a war between gods BUT the main characters fall in love over letters they write using a magical typwriter. It's cute, I think you'd like it.)

-The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (I got an ARC of this a couple months ago and I absolutely FLEW through it. She writes a lot of cute romcoms) You could also check out The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger by her, too.

-Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin (This one's fun because the main pairing have a history but then they decide to run against each other to be HOA president.)

-Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries and Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (Another fantasy series, but it's more of a cozy fantasy. Emily and Wendell have THE best banter)

-Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren (I read this years ago, but I remember giggling and kicking my feet.)

-A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria (Friends to lovers, fake dating, and second chance romance)

-I also currently have Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez and This Summer Will be Different by Carley Fortune sitting on my bedside table. Haven't read them yet but the summaries sounded the right combo of fluffy and summery to me

Fics Recs:

-Tbh, I haven't read any Klaroline fic in a while and I haven't bookmarked as many as I thought I did on AO3. (SHORTSIGHTED OF ME, AHHHH.) Let me have a think on this and I'll get back to you. Or, if anyone in the KC fandom sees this post and wants to drop a rec or ten in the comments then I'd be grateful.

Anyway, I hope a few things from this list will help cheer you up! *all the hugs*

[willa-cole]

Workaholic

Lams (Alexander Hamilton x John Laurens)

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3rd POV

Alexander was studying in Kings college library (Does it have one? Idk y'all don't judge me I'm just dumb) when Angelica Schuyler,the volunteer librarian,walked up to him."Alexander you've been here for five hours it's closing time" she said."Oh come on Angie please I've stayed past closing time before..." said Alexander. "Alexander... It's already past closing time I would've kicked you're workaholic ass out an hour ago if it wasn't for Eliza begging me to let you stay!" "Don't yell we're in a library..." "ALEXANDER IT'S EMPTY" "Jeez someone's on her period..." "... THAT'S.IT.OUT.NOW!" "Okay okay I'm leaving...But if I fail the exams it's your fault" "ALEXANDER HAMILTON THE EXAMS ARE IN EIGHT MONTHS GET OUT" Yelled Angelica and Alexander obligated.He look at his clock which read 11 p.m. 'It's too early to sleep...Guess some more work won't kill me' (Burr will :D) He said and walked up to his dorm which he oh so happened to share with his buddy (Yeah...Buddy *wink wink*) John Laurens...

John POV

I look at the clock and it reads 9 p.m. I guess waiting for Alex won't kill me...(Not making a pun on that cause I don't want to pay for therapy) I took Alex's book about the third U.S. president Daveed Diggs and started reading...

*an hour later*

It's 10 p.m. which means the library is closed...Which means Alex should be here...Why isn't he here yet? God I wish he wasn't such a workaholic...And he also makes it hard to care...You see I'm in love with Alex (you could say he's got you...HeLpLeSs) but it's so obvious he is straight...At least he's an ally though... That's good enough for me...I keep reading his book on his bed and accidentally fall asleep

*insert door opening*

I slowly wake up and see Alex,I read the clock and it's 11 p.m. "Where have you been I've been worried sick!" I said "I was at the library and...Is that my Daveed Diggs book?" "I thought you died and you wanna talk about Daveed Diggs?" "...Yes..." "Gosh Alex you have done all assignments for the next six months and have studyed for the exams...Which are eight months away!" I say trying not to yell "I wanna be prepared and...Did you next SIX months...OH MY GOD I MISSED A MONTH!!! LAURENS I'M GONNA FAIL I NEED TO STUDY" "Alex no" I say (Guess John could say no to this ;)) "Why do you care anyways it's my life!" He said "CAUSE I LOVE YOU" I yell. Alex stares at me with dumbfounded eyes "S-sorry I me-meant as a friend hehe..." I tried covering my confession up. "John...I don't love you" my heart drops "But I do have a like you...I. A more than just a friend way" Now it's my turn to stare,he notices my actions,comes closer to me and brushes his lips against my own and I kiss back..."Please work less it worries me" I say... "I guess for you I'll try not to be a workaholic..."

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Okay so this is my first one shot but I think I did pretty well what do y'all think? You can also leave requests below :)

[yellowsugarwords]

Hi! Welcome back, it's nice you're feeling better and y'know can write again (I missed your writing so much). I do have a request for the walking dead tho!

The parental figures (Lee, Kenny, Rebecca, Alvin, Cristina, omid, Kate, Javi and David pls) overhear reader singing a rock song, it's the first time they heard them sing at all (and also know their taste in music) and their voice blows them away. (I imagine they sounded like this YouTube cover of "my understandings" by of mice and men. The cover is done by Lauren Babic)

https://youtu.be/BsfOWMtzDbU?si=54y2NM9cOpqMCJj3

(hope you enjoy, I can't wait to read their reactions!)

omg friend this is so fun. also, thank you for missing me!! it means so much to have my writing appreciated :') I so deeply missed how inspired twdg makes me feel and how much I missed the love that always entered my life whenever I was active here. it feels SO GOOD to be back. I haven't felt this happy in a long time :)

enjoy!!!

Lee: While the Motor Inn was large, it didn't stop sound from vibrating throughout the complex. Lee heard something muffled and wandered from door to door, attempting to locate the source. By the time he located the room and creaked the door open, he was stunned into silence. Y/N stood there, belting their soul out, mimicking holding a microphone. When they turned around, almost finished with their make-shift solo, they yelped. Their response caused Lee's shock to fade into joy. "You sound great," he said, voice low and gruff. "It's just something to do for fun. To kill time." Lee nodded, not wanting to embarrass them any more than they already were. "Well, I think you should keep at it." He chuckled to himself as he went to close the door. "But I'd like front-row seats next time." Y/N rolled their eyes playfully and waved him away. Their imaginary concert was still waiting.

Kenny: Kenny could feel his jaw clench at the faint sound of singing and humming. They needed to keep it down if they wanted to avoid walkers or travelers. As he rounded the corner, entering the bedroom the noise was coming from, the sounds abruptly ended. Y/N turned around, cheeks red and flushed, having been caught in their imaginary paradise. Kenny's eyes widened. "Y/N, was that you?" At first, Y/N was horrified they were in trouble, it wasn't until Kenny's shocked expression melted into one of understanding. "I'm impressed. It's been a long time since I've heard anyone sing." Y/N, cautiously, allowed their shoulders to relax. "And I've never heard you sing." "I've never been happy enough to sing." While heartbreaking, it gave Kenny some comfort that he was providing an environment where Y/N felt safe. He nodded and went to close the door, heart full and warm. "I can't wait to hear more." Y/N knew he meant it.

Rebecca: Rebecca, pregnant and in pain, could hear faint singing from one of the ski lodge bedrooms upstairs. Groaning, she made her way up the stairs and towards the noise. Without a knock, she pushed the door open. "Who's singing at-" she cut herself off, spotting YN flip around from where they had been brushing their hair in the mirror. "Oh, sorry," they said softly. "I didn't realize I was singing that loud." Rebecca paused, suddenly self-reflecting. Y/N was a child, singing while brushing their hair. Rebecca remembered when she used to do that as a little girl. She remembered doing it for her sisters' too. "No no," she began, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize." Meekly, she gave a smile, starting to enjoy the notion of music in their bleak world. "Keep singing." She paused. "It's really uplifting." Y/N smiled warmly, watching as Rebecca pulled their door and clicked it closed.

Alvin: "Go tell them to stop," Rebecca begged, both hands placed on either side of her stomach. "They're being loud." As much as Rebecca wished noise could bring her comfort, she was in so much pain given her pregnancy that she didn't care. Not even slightly. By the time Alvin reached the room where the noises were coming from, he creaked open the door and saw Y/N. They suddenly went silent and flipped around to face him. "Oh no," they said, voice soft and low. "Am I bothering her?" Alvin hesitated, just amazed at the sight: someone singing. There was joy in their lives again, and someone to bring that joy to them. He meekly smiled. "Just a little quieter. But don't stop." His heart grew warm at the thought that they were enjoying themselves. "Please, don't stop."

Christa: Christa wasn't a huge fan of singing, but this felt different. She could hear faint humming and singing and admittedly was curious. When she noticed it was Y/N, fake singing into a hairbrush as a microphone, she placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles. It didn't work, as Y/N flipped around and squeaked. "Oh God, I'm so sorry." Christa waved her hand passively. "You act as though it wasn't good." She said through a chuckle. "It was great. You should keep doing it." "Really?" Y/N sounded unsure. Christa nodded. "The second Omid catches wind of this, he'll demand a full show. Just you wait." "You're making me not want to sing." The two laughed, momentarily filled with the joy that music could bring. "Don't stop. You're talented." Christa said, leaving them alone to their make-believe concert.

Omid: Omid was a fairly positive person despite the world they were living in. So, when he heard gentle singing coming from nearby, he deeply wanted to explore. By the time he turned the corner, he saw Y/N singing and swaying as they mindlessly cleaned. He smiled and leaned against the wall, watching in awe. By the time they turned around and noticed him, they froze. Their face turned a deep shade of pink. "Shit," they said softly. Omid chuckled. "When's the concert?" Y/N rolled their eyes and continued cleaning. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you." "It isn't a bother," he insisted. "I loved it. Keep going." Y/N turned, confused, and smiled warmly seeing the genuine joy in his eyes. "If you insist," Y/N teased, starting off by humming again. Somehow, it reminded Omid of the days before the apocalypse. The days when singing was common.

Kate: Kate hadn't heard singing in what felt like decades. As she peeked her way through the Garcia's make-shift home, she heard the humming grow louder, suddenly hearing words strike a chord through their hallway. Knocking on Y/N's door caused the sound to stop. The instant Y/N opened the door, their cheeks were bright red. "I'm so sorry, I'll keep it down-" "What were you singing?" Kate asked quietly, genuinely. "That was beautiful." Y/N hesitated. "Really?" "I haven't heard anyone sing in ages." Pleasantly, she sat down, grinning from ear to ear. "Please continue." Sheepishly, Y/N fiddled with their hands. They weren't expecting an audience.

Javier: Javi was doing his usual night rounds - bored out of his skull - until he heard what started as humming. As far as he could tell, it was coming from the playground nearby. As he drew closer, the humming grew louder until he heard words. Lyrics. Someone was actually singing. By the time he turned the corner, Y/N was belting - as noise-appropriately as possible - with one of the prettiest voices Javier had ever heard. "Wow," he said softly, snapping them out of their imaginary concert. He beamed. "Y/N, that was amazing." He wandered closer to the clearly embarrassed teen. "You've gotta start singing more." Y/N was mortified that they got caught but admired how much praise they received. "Thanks, Javi." "Only the truth." He ruffled their hair and turned away. "Don't go performing without me, now." He teased. Y/N only smiled, pride and confidence flowing.

David: David could hear Y/N, but couldn't locate them. He knew they were in one of the nearby buildings, but which one was a mystery. That was until he reached the supply building. The door was propped open a crack, and as he poked his head in, his furrowed brow began a smug, sly grin. Y/N was belting out the lyrics to one of the few rock vinyls New Richmond managed to find for their communal record player. Y/N sang their heart out, completely oblivious to David. Once they finished, Y/N nearly jumped out of their skin as David began to clap. "Amazing," he said. At first, Y/N thought ht was teasing, but he seemed genuine. Real. Honest. His gleeful smirk melted to a smile of genuine joy. "I hope you keep singing." He said sweetly. "Maybe one day we'll have a talent show and you can show that off?" Smirking again, and not wanting to embarrass them, David excused himself and closed the door behind him. He was never amazing at compliments but hoped Y/N knew, deep down, that he was being genuine.

━━━━━━

𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜!! ₊˚⊹ 𝐭𝐢𝐩 𝐣𝐚𝐫   ♡    𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐢 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫

[jittyjames]

for the fanfic writer asks!!

3, 11, 13, 19, 20, 24, 33, 39 (bc your fics drive me insane and i need more of your incredible works), 42, 45, 69 and 74!!!

sorry that i put loads, just choose whatever ones you want to answer out of the ones i’ve asked <3

YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO ANSWER THEM ALL BESTIE

3- ok so my process is basically non-existent, but i'll walk you through it anyway. so i'll have an idea for a scene literally at any point. sometimes it can be a single sentence or sometimes it can be a vague concept, but i always write it down. if i have my phone it's almost always going in my notes app. from there, i just kind of expand on the idea as it develops when i get back to my laptop. i tend to write the exciting and important scenes first in a very rough fashion, and then go back to fill in the blanks. then i go back and polish by combing over it for grammar mistakes and adding a few more details. that's pretty much it!

11- OOO! i'll do three for hamilton and three for jcs to appease both sides

FAV HAMILTON FICS AT THE MOMENT ARE a more perfect union by holograms (thanks to crys for introducing me to THIS), the monticello furlough by michelle_a_emerlind, and death of a nation by cyanspica

THEN HONORABLE MENTIONS!! LITERALLY ANYTHING BY YOU, CECE, AND XEN. I EAT THOSE UP EVERY. GODDAMN. TIME.

FAV JCS FICS AT THE MOMENT ARE obviously the incomparable ruined ambition series by @solarflicker (which i literally trip over myself to go read every time i get the email that it's been updated), picking up the palm fronds by onetrueobligation, and the cup that can't be filled by @ohsoldier (literally the good omens/jcs crossover of my dreams)

SO MANY MORE TOO!! BOTH FANDOMS ARE FILLED WITH SO MANY TALENTED PEOPLE! GO SUPPORT YOUR FANFIC WRITERS PEOPLE. FANFIC WRITERS AND FANARTISTS ARE THE ONES WHO KEEP FANDOM ALIVE.

13- "write for yourself, your dick, and your six closest friends." SHARED BY @fireballdance

19- my most used rating tag is mature, my most tagged ship is hamilton/laurens, my most tagged character is hamilton (obv lol), and my most used additional tag is hurt/comfort

20- i use a lot of rain imagery i think. actually i use a lot of weather imagery bc i'm annoyinggg. and then ofc i use aspects of my trauma in most of my fics (even ones you wouldn't suspect) but no one really would pick up on that since y'all don't know, but themes of abuse are certainly littered through out. obviously biblical imagery, too. i can't think of any phrases, SO IF YOU KNOW OF SOME THAT YOU NOTICED I'VE USED A LOT LEMME KNOW.

24- the worst advice i've ever gotten is if you're stuck, delete everything and start over. absolutely not. you can start over, but i wouldn't ever delete anything. even if i don't use lines in one fic, i can always recycle and put it somewhere else. NEVER DELETE. YOU'LL REGRET IT. TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

33- YES I WANT TO BE PUBLISHED. i have so many original novel ideas and i want to write southern gothic literature so badly. i doubt it will ever happen but that's the dream. i would also really like to write my own plays :))) but for now, i'm sticking to universes and characters i'm already familiar with

39- OOOO I HAVE SO MANY WIPS BC OF WHUMPTOBER (currently have a little bit over 30k words written 👀👀 and that's not even counting the kink stuff BUT I'M NOT GOING INTO THAT WITH YOU BC YOU ARE A MINOR) BUT LEMME PICK ONE I THINK YOU'LL LIKE

Philip’s forehead burned under his hand.  Alexander felt something in his chest and stomach plummet to what seemed like hell. He remembered the feeling of this. He remembered how hot his mother’s flesh had seared as she shivered against him, her arms wrapped tight and secure as she hummed shakily to him. He remembered how she soothed her hand over his hair as she whispered te quiero over and over.   He remembered her going still and cold. 

42- THE LAST FIC I READ WAS calm you and anoint you (envy) by a_trick_or_two_with_lepers AND ABSOLUTELY. I LOVE IT. GO READ IT RIGHT NOW.

45- I OBVIOUSLY WANT TO BREAK MY READERS' HEARTS. IT IS MY LIFE'S MISSION. I NEED Y'ALL ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED WITH MY FICS

69- hmmm i'm always embarrassed when i post smut but i'm not really embarrassed that it exists. and the fics i were embarrassed about have long been deleted from the internet SO NOT REALLY ANY OF THEM I GUESS

74- if it's a fic posted in an obscure musical fandom about trauma and has my long-winded ass writing style, it's probably me :)

THANKS FOR THE ASK I HAD A LOT OF FUN ANSWERING THEMMM. ILYYY MWAH 💙

[aquata-the-champ]

The Blue-Eyed Cowboy | Oneshot

Happy Holidays, Biggles! Here's another thing I've been working on: I always think the idea of vampires popping up throughout history is fun to explore. And I think it's fun to read about your character through other characters' eyes, so I thought I'd do some little vignettes around that idea!

Also Bullseye just has beautiful eyes ok sorry that always comes up every time I write with him bc lOOK AT THOSE BABY BLUES.

Obviously this isn't canon or doesn't have to be (unless u want it to be of course!!) and I hope I mostly did Bullseye justice but really I'm just doing this for fun hehe.

TW: mention of strangulation by python (sure!)

@bullseye-stoddard

1875

August 17th

Hot, stuffy day spent mostly indoors sweating buckets and scrubbing petticoats. Tis my life now, I am afraid, ever since coming to this dusty old place. But I am not to complain ever since spurning Mr. Perry's advances back in New York. To die an old maid out West as the ward of my brother is apparently my lot in life, which I suppose I still prefer over dying miserable after Mr. Perry's pythons escape their enclosures and strangle me.

One interesting thing occurred.

This town is full of cowboys, naturally, coarse men who curse and spit, who I've been thoroughly cautioned against associating with. But it isn't against the law to go for a walk in the afternoon, is it? And if I just so happened to drop my handkerchief, and one such cowboy just so happened to pick it up for me, more attentively than a New York gentleman...

And his eyes, dear diary, his eyes!

Blue like the robin's eggs or the cornflower, underneath the wide brim of his hat. I've never seen eyes like them before. I must see him again, dear diary, but I fear he's already gone. These cowboys never stay long.

1922

Stoddard was much more quiet and unassuming in person than Eddie had expected. All this land, all this money (Eddie assumed) and yet, he still seemed almost... shy? He just handed over the money, directed Eddie toward the barn where the feed should be dropped off, and went back to whatever ranchers did.

Eddie wouldn't know. This delivery gig was just a stop along the way to California, where he was gonna try and be in one of those new cowboy pictures. Problem was, Eddie didn't have California money. But he thought he could save up some of it here, and he'd have the added benefit of a story he could spin into something akin to real cowboy experience.

Stoddard seemed kind of like a cowboy, even if he was a quiet one. Eddie thought there was something kind of rough around the edges to his quietness, like maybe he had a history he wasn't keen on talking about. It intrigued Eddie. But every time he almost asked, something stopped Eddie.

Maybe it was those sky-blue eyes that peered out from under that hat he always wore, something kind of arresting in them. Eddie had never seen eyes like that before in his life. And when he made it to California, when he made it into the cowboy pictures, when he made it onto those red carpets, he found himself searching for them in every starlet that the studio tried to set him up with, and every crew member he almost kissed in smoky bars.

Yeah, a pair of eyes like that could ruin you for the color blue, Eddie recalled in his old age.

2022

lauren: how was ur flight back?

colleen: lolo... colleen: there was a COWBOY next to me

lauren: WHAT lauren: coll not all americans are cowboys lol

colleen: no no listen lo colleen: big cowboy hat, bandana, the whole thing colleen: BEAUTIFUL blue eyes colleen: he was right out of that show west world

lauren: i think you're watching too much tv love

colleen: he didn't even go on his phone the whole time even tho the flight had wifi

lauren: that's a little weird

colleen: he called me DARLIN at one point

lauren: ur just making this up now

colleen: fine don't believe me colleen: someday i'll see him again colleen: and then we'll get married colleen: and then i'll show you

2024

Priscilla Stewart's diary was, overall, nothing remarkable. Tim liked Priscilla because she complained a lot, which he could relate to, but she didn't provide much new information, and he hadn't planned on including her diary in his thesis beyond a citation in the bibliography. Then his colleague reading through his sources, found the entry from August 1875.

"Tim, this is, like, a love story in the making!" Henry insisted. "It's just like my favorite Westerns. What ever happened to him, anyway? Priscilla doesn't say."

"I guess he left town," Tim said with a shrug. "I really think Priscilla was exaggerating. She's kind of dramatic, if you haven't noticed. I looked it up, and there was no history of strangulation deaths by python-"

"Not the point," Henry interjected. "C'mon, you should really show this to Dr. Jennings. She'll get a kick out of it."

"She definitely won't," Tim countered. "She thinks this whole project is too pedestrian to begin with. A passing mention of a cowboy with nice eyes—"

"—could be a whole book!"

"A fiction book," Tim said, snatching the photocopy of the diary entry out of Henry's hands. "It's pretty much out of the scope of my thesis, anyway. Don't bother Dr. Jennings with it. I'm serious."

Henry sighed. He didn't. But when a manuscript on the story of a blue-eyed cowboy landed in the inbox of an editorial assistant hundreds of miles away...

Well, Priscilla Stewart made her way back to New York after all, it seemed.

[1d1195]

Hi Sam!! It’s been so long omg😭😭😭 I will explain later tbh bc it’s a bit wild and long! But omg I’ve missed you😭(might be a two parter 😔)

I think your gifts probably give off the vibe of being so cute and presented so well that they are just too pretty to open!

And we love a hates everyone but her moment! And your grumpy characters are a good mixture of grumpy! Like they aren’t ever truly “mean” if that makes sense lol

I can definitely understand choosing the route of “pretending” stuff doesn’t matter in order to have some peace for your mental health! I think in general we’ve all experienced some form of that whether it be in our personal lives or the world. Sometimes it just needs to happen in order to not breakdown. So I get it, there’s nothing wrong with that! Been actually do familiar with that technique lately with how life is going HAHA

How has your reading been lately?? Anything exciting? Or disappointing?! A possible new book boyfriend or are we hating some characters rn?!

Going to the symphony does sound all grown up lol but it was so nice and it made me really just miss the whole vibes of experiencing that kind of performance! My brother and I are very much nerds when it comes to music lol but omg I’m the total opposite I feel less productive! I get tired around 4 pm now 😭 and omg the COLD😭 so brutal and I think im low in iron so I’m basically freezing all the time lol I haven’t started my winter break yet! I start it in about two weeks! But idk how long it is tbh lol

Oh bestie I love when you do rom-com stuff like sometimes the cheesier the better! You just do those vibes well and it’s nice to read like “feel good moment” stuff! And tbh if I had a chance in some alternate universe to kiss HIM I WOULD TAKE IT!!! I do think you’re creative! Maybe like the painting/drawing stuff isn’t your vibe but the way you write bestie?! SO GOOD! Like these plots,plots twists,love confessions, THE YEARNING?!? You do have a very creative mind! And these dividers are just adorable!

I hope you were able to end November on a semi okay note! I know you’ve mentioned how hard it’s been this past month and I hope you were able to relax a bit for the holidays!(hope that was at least okay!) also hope you got to eat some good potatoes in any way!!

I did notice you were a bit quiet this year about your birthday! But I assumed it was mainly because it was towards the beginning of the week and school probably got in the way! But I love that your students made it a bit better! And of course glad you have some lovely people in your life because you deserve that too!!-💜

I can't make them mean, I think it's my biggest fault in writing 😭 I want to make them grumpier and meaner but I just look at Harry with his dimply smile and his cinnamon roll hair and simply can't picture him being mean.

I'm sorry you're really going through it right now. I love to compartmentalize the bad and ignore it until I can deal with it later. Not sure if it's the healthiest way to handle things but I think it's gotta be done sometimes.

I have not been reading much 😭 I'm working on a Christina Lauren book. It's related to another one that I read last year and it's okay but I don't love it tbh right now. I'm only about 70 pages in. I'm surprised though because my friend who's like the biggest bookwork I know thought it was one of their best and I'm just not seeing it atm. Hopefully it will get better. I revisited my basketball bf though for good measure. It had been a few weeks since I reread about him. I feel like I need a cheesy-wintry book boyfriend. I watched Hot Frosty on Netflix, it's incredibly ridiculous. 100/10 recommendation though. no other notes 😂

I love the music relationship you have with your brother! That's so cute. You and the tuba right? I hope i didn't make that up but I can't even remember when we talked about your instrument last so I don't think I could find it if I tried.

Idk, I feel like with limited sunlight it's like I'm being timed and i have to get more done in a shorter amount of time 😂 I love the cold so much because I get to cover up my body the way I like ☠ let's not read into that. I just love sweaters and boots. I feel way more teacher-y in the winter than i do in the summer. But I get it. My bf is a chilly person. I call our apartment The Tropic of Cancer because he has it on a boiling temp (73). I open the window making full eye contact with him when the sun comes through in the afternoon. ANYWAY. I am sorry you're cold. I totally get that and I know this is a rough time of year for a lot of people.

I don't think it's a choice that you kiss him given the chance. It's a given.

I love spending time with my fam for Thanksgiving so that was nice. But it was a long busy working. I feel like I didn't get much relaxation time but I tried. It'll be a quick turn around until winter break so at least there's that. I'm hoping to finish my Christmas shopping soon and relax a little more.

One of my fave students got into trouble right around my bday and I know it's dumb but I was so bummed out about it I barely wanted to celebrate 😂 honestly the student probably wouldn't even have known it was my birthday but idk. it's hard to explain. Kid makes my whole day just to see him. The event day of was also tricky and exhausting. But regardless.

Onto part two thanks for being the best and sweet and lovely 💕

xoxo

[foreverisntenough]

I’m so obsessed with this book it’s not normal,

Don’t get me wrong Trent, Y/n and Teddy girl will always be my number ones forever but I’m genuinely down bad for Jude!

I know I haven’t given my opinion on the book yet but honestly I’ve had a hectic few weeks.

The fallout broke my heart but the way Jude has MASSIVELY turned things around just for her, melts me. The way he wants to meet her family but has asked her if she wants to open up to that part of life, just ughhhh.

Also the flirtinggggggg, girl what???? Im hooked.

The difference with these two is as much as Trent and Whit flirted they just had a different type of love, there’s was more soppy and adorable. But Jude and Y/N, they are the definition of cheeky love. They will be the ones who banter forever, who wind each other up always and just are always having a good time.

If I could have a new chapter everyday I would because I can never get enough.

Also the one shots! Wow unreal need more of those also

Proud of you girl you’re smashing it! Xx

Aww <3 Thank you.

No, I get it! I will always love Teddy, Y/N, and Trent but Act II is a different vibe and I like that it is different.

I'm sorry you've had a hectic few weeks. TYSM for reading between it all!

The fallout in 'Act ii' was sad I'll be real. It bummed me out for Y/N. But I feel like that was interesting for me to write because I didn't want it to be overly predictable. Maybe it still was but I think Jude had been silly but he also became really patient with Y/N now that he understood and outwardly truly cared for her.

I like the way they interact as well because there is this ebb and flow, this push and pull that makes them much flirtier than Y/N and Trent. And you're right, Y/N (Whitney) and Trent was more of an all consuming heart aching type love , where as this Y/N (Lauren) and Jude is really quite different in my opinion. I think it's fairly reflective of the two girls personality types.

I think the two relationships share a lot of values like chemistry, intimacy, comfort, respect, and empathy. Also, Jude and Trent are very protective, giving, affectionate, possessive in a good way lol, they want to spoil those girls but there's a big divide I think with how they look in terms of relationship growth.

I hope people enjoy the one shots! I really like that I get to continue writing about that 'Ours' fictional family or just whatever someone may request.

TYSM <3 ILY