#liam this is a dynamic i didn't know i needed

[throwsdiamonds]

CLINT BARTON: you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. @markmans

“  SEE, YOU MAY CALL IT LUCK, BUT I CALL IT SKILL. IT WAS COMPLETELY CALCULATED.  ” ever the one to attempt to diffuse tension with humor and sarcasm. she knows it hadn't exactly been a one - and - done deal, and she did cut it quite close at some point; but what's life without a little risk? with a hand still pressed to the cut on her shoulder and the torn up the fabric of her suit, diamond shrugged lightly on the un-injured one. “  easy peasy lemon squeezy !  ” though it seemed like clint wasn't all too enthused about her carelessness. “  um, yea, on a more serious note ... if yer' have any bandaids or maybe some gauze, i'd appreciate it.  ”

[polarisjisung]

LOVE ON THE COURT | 31 BETRAYAL.

SYNOPSIS | every college student has their struggles, but raising her younger brother has Y/N top of the list, struggling her way through college whilst balancing her academics and basketball captaincy is difficult no doubt and with Jaemin, her ex best friend and captain of the guys basketball team, and his growing one sided hatred towards her, it doesn't seem to be getting any easier

WARNINGS | swearing, abandonment issues + shitty family dynamics

NOTES | idk what to say about Liam Payne.. this is all very shocking, he was so young

today's actual note is at the end of the chapter (I have no idea why I've been putting them at the beginning)

11:49 PM sunday night

The warmth, the comfort, the ease of being surrounded by the people she loved most had been healing. Y/n knew that running away from her problems, however small, wasn't the right thing to do.

She had known it for a while, but every time she had thought to reach out and voice out her concerns, a quiet whisper in the back of her head seemed to stop her, one that begged her not to be so dependent on the support of the people around her, she knew that they could leave, and if they did, she wouldn't be able to handle herself. She wasn't strong enough to withstand the bitter feeling of abandonment again. And so time and time again she stopped herself, but this time she knew it wasn't worth worrying over the what ifs, and even if she had no guarantee that the people in her life were here to stay, she would take their word for it.

Whether it was a conversation with a friend, or responding to the messages that had been piling up over the weekend, she knew that detaching herself wasn't an option. It was that realisation that had been the whole essence of her night. How she'd made up with ningning most predominantly.

But every lesson learnt and every ounce of comprehension in her seemed to vanish only hours later. After the voices echoing through her apartment had hushed and too many lively and fun conversations had found their ends.

Y/n's friends had ultimately returned home, Jay to his own apartment next door and she had tucked Minjun into bed ready for the working week ahead, he had school early tomorrow morning. Y/n had busied herself in packing his bag and gathering her own things together, a smile on her face knowing that even if things weren't perfect, she didn't have to face them alone, though she didn't quite believe that part, it was worth a shot.

She would lean on her friends when they offered and she would reach out when she needed to. It seemed simple enough.

But when she swung open the door, hesitantly— confused as to who could possibly be visiting her as the clock was almost about to tick over the hour, her face drained of all colour and her breath caught in her throat.

It was as though her peace was taken away, and with it went all the coherent thoughts in her mind. She felt empty.

Nothing but a loop of memories in her brain, the empty house she woke up to years ago, the cries that echoed from minjun's nursery, the taunting weight of loneliness that still pressed down on her to this day. Every minute, every second of that day played in her mind like a broken record, and each recollection was vivid, details accumulating to add to the weight that fell heavy on her chest.

No reason, no words, not even an explanation on where he was going, not even a warning. It all came rushing back to her, every emotion, every feeling, the pressure, it all came back to her with ten times the pain, raw and unforgettable. Her heart ached. She felt constricted for air, like the person stood in front of her had tied a noose along her neck and each second that passed pulled the knot tighter and tighter.

Because there he was, stood towering over her, older than she remembered, weaker, but just as familar as the day he left, the man she called her father.

It was an instinct, whether protective or not y/n wasn't sure, but she found herself shutting the apartment door behind her, afraid of what the man in front of her was capable of. If he was capable of leaving his children alone in the middle of the night one day, only to never return, she assumed he was capable of much worse.

There's a lot of questions she'd like to ask, why he left, why he never came back, whether he felt guilty or not, she wanted to ask the questions she'd spent years wondering, raising herself and her brother all alone, but all that she could force out was one question.

"What are you doing here?" and even then her voice faltered despite her pointed tone

"That's no way to greet your father y/n" she can't help but sigh. Now he wanted to be a father?

"How did you find out where I lived?" she asked, a shakiness to her voice that didn't go unnoticed by her dad. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

"You're not going to invite me in?" he said, a smile on his face that y/n recognised as all but genuine. It didn't carry the same affection, didn't radiate the same warmth, it served as nothing more than a bitter reminder of all that he had done, or rather, all that he never did.

"It's not usually smart to invite strangers into your home and especially not at this time," she sighs, her eyes boring into his. "Is there actually any reason you're here?"

"I can't come see my children?" she scoffs, his children?

"You lost that right years ago, don't contact me, don't message me and don't you dare come back here ever again" she was going to leave, knowing she didn't want to give him the privilege of knowing just how much she has struggled without him, she was and always would be fine without him, she'd learnt how to be.

"You won't ask why I left?" he asked from behind her, stopping her before she could enter her apartment again.

"I don't care why, you left without a word last time, do the same again" y/n was ready to slam the door in his face, but his next words came accompanied by a knowing smirk

"That might be your decision y/n, but what about minjun, he is my son after all, don't you think he deserves a father?"

Her face contorted with a slight confusion, nose scrunching as she felt her skin crawl

"Your son?" another scoff, "you've never acted like he was your son"

"I asked you if you think he deserves a father, you can't take that away from him just because it was something you never had"

Y/n rolls her eyes "You know I waited all my life for you to step up and be a father, minjun deserves a father more than anything, but he deserves better than you"

"no one can be better than his real father come on? you're my daughter aren't you smarter than this y/n?"

"I stopped being your daughter the day you left. And if there's anything I've learnt in all these years, it's that you're not someone to trust. I know you, you're not capable of being a father."

"And you are? your little basketball friends are? that jaemin boy who left you just like I did is capable of helping you raise my son, but for some reason, I'm not?" his words cut deep, his intentions clear yet y/n was blinded by emotion, and the unrelenting desire to not break in front of him. "If you can let him back into your life y/n, then why not me? After all, blood is thicker than water. If I can leave you, why are you so certain they won't"

NOTES | cats out of the bag... as for y/n's dad, this is not the last we will be seeing of him and he will be hearing a lot more than this, I can't WAIT for y/n to give him an earful 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

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[utilitycaster]

One of your recent posts talked about the way BH have essentially "run out of plot" in following the Red Moon/Predathos plot and the way that the PCS are being played.

I was also curious about your thought on the interparty dynamics in the end game, particularly with recent developments. One of the issues I've had with Bell's Hells for a while now is the way they don't challenge each other (or at least not in the way previous parties have)

Yeah; they don't. And honestly I think this is a combination of just...luck of the draw of the characters they created combined with that lack of room for those characters to develop because they've been in an environment that hasn't allowed much time and space for anything but rushing to the next task. Like, as mentioned, a lot of characters are kind of here to hang out or have goals that aren't specifically tied to personal change, if they have specific goals at all. That's not a bad thing! Grog, Jester, and Fearne all share that quality and are all fantastic executions of it - and Grog and Jester do change quite a bit despite that because the story gives them many opportunities to do so, and yes, because their fellow party members challenge them. But it feels like the bulk of Bells Hells if not all of it is kind of in that boat.

I remember an early panel in which Marisha said "I don't want to think anymore" and I know Travis has mentioned something similar for Chetney, of wanting to play someone much more chaotic after playing someone so highly controlled as Fjord. Liam also talked about stepping back from being a major decision maker at some point, and built Orym to be someone who had a viewpoint but didn't specifically assert it (as we've just seen). Like, I think most resentment C3 fans have towards C2 is just jealousy and bitterness but perhaps a fairer grievance is that the cast really brought their A-Game to the Mighty Nein with a lot of incredibly complicated, driven, messy characters and due to the smaller nature of the company then combined with the scaled back production of the pandemic focused intently on them; and then nearly all of them made a bunch of fairly go-with-the-flow or chaotic characters as a breather and (not unfairly or unreasonably!) thought they'd be in a story that would give them space to become something else or that would suit them, and it didn't. As someone who likes actual play I think if nothing else this serves as a look into how fantastic overall cast chemistry doesn't translate into compelling party dynamics.

To be clear, I think Bells Hells like and care about each other, but none are really the type to both strive to be better and challenge those around them to be as well. Even their defenders in the fandom are kind of leaning on the party of NPCs line from very early on [which is funny because a lot of people HATED that line at the time; I got hate over thinking it was apt] but the thing is yeah at this point in the campaign, they shouldn't still feel like a party of NPCs. Perhaps this is a personal preference, which, to be clear, does not in any way invalidate it as criticism, but as someone with a bit of a comics background, I've never been terribly into "Suicide Squad"-esque stories but I am into stories of Person Who Has An Opportunity And Rises To The Occasion Despite Not Being The Best Choice On Paper. Ultimately, my issue isn't that Bells Hells come from humble backgrounds and tragedy (this is also...not untrue for the Mighty Nein, incidentally; in fact they had even less endorsement from powerful groups. Molly died 26 episodes in and he just stayed fucking dead because no one had Keyleth's phone number so this is another case of "your defense just makes me think the Mighty Nein achieve this in a far superior manner"); my issue is that, as Laudna put it, they kind of just walk through doors because they're in front of them. I don't need them to become classically heroic; but I do need them to have some sort of intention. And they don't. Why are you walking through doors? "Because they're there" doesn't cut it. You're here because the Exandrian Accord gave you a whole bunch of support so don't play that "i'm just a nobody with nothing" shit anymore, it's demonstrably untrue.

I had this in the tags originally and I decided, perhaps unwisely, to move it into this post because I think it's relevant, but: in case it's not apparent, I think "You! Are! Valid!" culture is fucking awful; this is what that weirdo who thinks I'm from Reddit is mad at, I think (honestly I'm not sure if they're angry, they might just be very unwell). Like, it has roots in something true and helpful; you are valid for things like your race, gender, sexuality, ability/disability, and things that have happened to you in the past. But actually no one is automatically valid for their actions. Being incurious or inconsiderate or incapable of taking constructive criticism, even if this is tied to your past? not valid. Your trauma and pain is valid; what you do in their name very much might not be. And I think a lot of people who love Bells Hells do not like this message (which, Bells Hells don't like this message, hence the repeated "whatever you do is fine" conversations) and kind of romanticize a "NO ONE IS ON OUR SIDE WE MUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US THERE'S NO GOOD ANSWERS" state in which one cannot be held responsible for action nor inaction and that's a lot of why they respond so dramatically to the increasing sense within the fandom that this party lacks the juice and does judge them for inaction. Like, I've been talking about character agency and how a lot of people's enjoyment of Bells Hells hinges on how they HAD NO CHOICES and I think we're seeing the fallout, which is that a TTRPG story (ie, a medium defined more so than anything else about player choices) about characters who were stripped of choice kinda sucks ass, and anyone who doesn't look to actual play D&D to valid their personal morality (which, in this case, usually is "the world is unfair so I can do whatever I want" anyway) would rather see a story about a character who fucking had a viewpoint and did things with it, even if it were a "bad" viewpoint. I know I'm hard on villain stans because a lot of them are actually people who are like "what if the VILLAIN were the HERO...I am very intelligent," but actually, this is the crux of why Darth Vader was very popular. It's not because people thought he was a good person; it's because he drove the story more so than the heroes much of the time, and people responded to that. Purely reactive characters are boring and to get back to your original point do not challenge each other unless someone else starts the reaction chain, and there just haven't been too many opportunities of the external nor internal variety to do it. It's mostly bad luck and again, a session zero could have fixed this, but it is what it is.

[gallaghercest]

Lyric Analysis - It's a Crime

Ok, this reunion really messed with my head. It feels like a dream come true. I never imagined to experience this. I've been listening to Oasis non-stop since the 27th. I've been obsessing with these two fuckers in such a way that I haven't done since I was 16.

My current obsession has been It's A Crime. It's a demo from 1999, SOTSOG era. A few years later it was released as a single during the Don't Believe The Truth era as "Let There Be Love". Mind you that LTBL is the second song Liam and Noel sing together, the first being Acquiesce - yes, that one where Noel sings they need and believe in each other.

I always knew these lyrics were a huge piece of evidence, but for some reason, I never managed to understand what it meant. It was sort of an enigma to me.

Well, let's get into it. It won't be anything groundbreaking, just my thoughts on the lyrics as I need to vent with someone.

Disclaimer: I don't ship Liam and Noel, these are only thoughts and theories about their relationship, and this is all merely for entertainment purposes. Noel/Liam, if you're reading this, please don't sue me. I'm cool.

Before we start, I'd like to remind you of My version/timeline of Liam and Noel's relationship as this will help you understand my analysis:

Their thingy started around 1992, as Liam and Noel got closer to each other because of Oasis;

I firmly believe Noel was the starter, hence Lock All The Doors (1992) lyrics. Why did Liam agree with that? Fuck knows. I'd die to know that;

Noel was the one who showed more affection/was head over heels in love during 1992-1995. He was always writing about Liam and treating him like a God. Liam loved Noel too but I just think he had more important things to care about, he didn't really see how important Noel's love and public displays of affection were. He was too immature to realize that and value Noel's love. We know Noel is a cold person by nature so showing his vulnerable side to Liam was something important to him, but Liam couldn't understand that;

Then we have 1996. Boom. That was the first time their ""relationship"" was in crisis. I don't know if it was because of their wives or if a single episode we're unaware of led to a crisis. I sadly don't have that info. I also believe Noel went to Mustique Island as a way to cope with/escape this crisis. He recorded nearly all the demos for Be Here Now there, including If We Shadows and Untitled. Haha. The boy was depressed as hell;

Things seemed to get a lot better in 1997-1998;

1999-2001 is a strange period, it seems off - they seemed more distant, but at the same time, there are some hints Noel was still willing to give themselves one more try. I don't have many thoughts on that period;

2002: they seemed to be on pretty good terms, but guess what: from this year onwards, their roles switched - Liam started to be the one who's most affectionate, and more passionate and needy, while Noel was more distant, and cold. That was their dynamics until 2007-2008;

2009 was a terrible year for them so I won't even bother to comment on that.

Well, you can say what you want But you won't get a thing from me And if you don't understand That's it's not in your hands you need Let there be love

You'll notice that, throughout the song, Noel uses the words "want" and "feel"/"mean" in the first line of each verse, because there's a difference between what Liam wants to say and what Liam needs to say. We'll get into that later on.

I think this verse supports what I said about Noel being emotionally unavailable during the SOTSOG era and post-2002. I don't know what happened in 1996 but he seemed to be extremely bitter ever since (1997 being an exception). No matter how many times Liam told him he loved Noel, no matter how Liam showed his affection or begged for Noel's attention, he wouldn't get it. The old Noel was dead.

The last three lines, in my opinion, show that what Liam needs is Noel's love, something that's irreplaceable in his life: there's nothing Liam can do on his own that would replace what they have, and no one else on Earth could give Liam the same love - so it's really not in his hands. This also accentuates how Noel likes to be in charge/have power.

"Let there be love". Noel is telling Liam that he should let love take over him, and thus be more expressive. Noel always says how Liam is an angry man, etc, so this is just a message to remind him that he's still able to love.

But you can say what you feel And it might never steal from me And then you must understand That it's all in your hands what you need Let there be love

English is not my first language so I have no idea if the "steal from me" is an idiom that means anything other than the regular meaning of it. The first line shows that all Noel wanted was Liam to be more verbal about them i.e. show more affection.

Third and fourth lines show that Noel's way of loving solely depends on Liam's actions - if Liam shows his love, Noel's happy and will express his love too. By saying that, we must think: does that mean Noel's love is not unconditional? Does it mean a huge part of Noel's obsession with Liam was a need to feel approved and needed by Liam, which is (plot twist) basically the exact same way Liam felt about Noel during… his entire life? In the end, both wished for the same thing from each other but were poor communicators.

Again, Noel thinks his love is all Liam needs, but Liam is unaware of it.

And I never knew But all the things that you've done Are coming right back to you But everybody knows that it's no crime

1994 Noel would never have imagined that their relationship would be in shambles in 1996, or that they would go through such emotionally-distant periods, ever.

My understanding of this whole verse is that Noel was aware that Liam was getting his karma, not only regarding their relationship but with life in general, and Noel never imagined that would ever happen, as Liam always seemed to get away with absolutely everything when they were younger.

Although Liam and Patsy had Lennon in 1999, they got divorced in 2000, so we can suppose things were not very nice when this demo was recorded. Although Liam was sober around the SOTSOG recordings in 1999, he was Drunk™️ as hell on the second Wembley night in 2000. Liam didn't value Noel's love in the early years, and now he's paying for that "mistake". In Noel's mind, that's no crime. People reap what they sow, whether that's good or bad.

But does it make you feel ashamed? You never said what you've done And there's no need to blame But everybody knows Yeah, everybody knows Everybody knows that it's no crime It's no crime

These lines are sort of a mystery to me. "You never said what you've done". What does Noel mean by that? Is he talking about the 1ncest? Or is Liam not able to admit he failed to meet Noel's emotional needs? I believe it is the latter. In Noel's mind, that would be a reason for Liam to be ashamed, but at the same time, he can't blame him, since Noel was the one who started all of this.

For a second, while I was reading the lyrics, I realised the first three lines were kind of familiar to me. Then I had an epiphany and noticed that Noel has written something similar in Stay Young, released in 1997: They're making you feel so ashamed/Making you taking the blame. As I always say, guilt, blame, shame, being a sinner, and wanting to escape from people are recurrent themes in Noel's lyrics. I wonder why…………..

So you can say what you want But you'll not get a thought from me But if you say what you mean Then you might get a thing from me Let there be love

This just reflects what I said above: if Liam says whatever he pleases - or, in this case, if he's not verbal with Noel -, Noel will shut down. However, if Liam says what he really feels deep inside, Noel might be cool to him. That line shows me that despite Liam being immature and not valuing Noel in the past/present, he still knew Liam genuinely loved him the same way he did. Noel just had this (ego-guided?) desire to hear that. Clearly, Noel's language of love is words of affirmation (he's such a Gemini!!!), and Liam's is acts of service (he's such a Virgo!!!). That's it.

While I was writing the above paragraph, I thought, "Am I going nuts? What if everything I'm writing is pure bullshit?". So I refreshed my Tumblr timeline and saw THIS:

It's a Liam quote from 2006. It's literally what I've been saying throughout this whole analysis. Liam thinks words are not necessary. But Noel does. Do I think Noel complained about Liam's lack of communication with Liam himself? Probably not. Noel'd probably think that'd be humiliating. I think there's a high chance that Noel just vented about it in his lyrics and when he was face-to-face with Liam, they'd simply fight with each other as a way to express the frustration they felt inside caused by each of them not being able to act the way they expected, love-wise.

If I ever knew That all the things I've thought Are coming right back to you But everybody thinks that it's a crime

First things first: I love Noel's delivery of the word "Crime" in this verse. It's so agonizing, you can really feel his guilt/desperation.

To me, this verse shows how Noel knows the 1ncest and his own actions/way of treating Liam impacts Liam's life and way of being, and also their relationship in general. It all started with a thought in Noel's mind back in 1992. An intrusive one, most likely. But Noel wasn't able to brush it off and eventually gave in to his forbidden wishes. If he ever knew how that would affect them forever, he'd have never done that (no shit, Sherlock).

Obviously, everybody would think what they have is a crime. Because, luckily, people are sane. Alternatively, Noel might meant that even when Liam does something wrong or gets what he deserves, people still think it's a crime for him to be held accountable for his actions. As I mentioned above, Noel is convinced that Liam is the world's protegé, a kind of invincible human being who is never blamed by anyone.

It never makes you feel ashamed You sit around and you sold And you're passing the blame But everybody knows Yeah everybody knows Everybody knows that it's a crime It's a crime

Now, Noel is kind of blaming Liam for not doing anything to change his behaviour, being convinced that Noel's the reason why everything is shite and blaming him for it. Or maybe blaming other people/situations to justify his behaviour/lack of expression of feelings.

Either way, unless Noel would address his desires directly to Liam, it doesn't make a lot of sense in my head to be a bitch about it. I mean, get a grip. Stop writing songs about it and do something!!! Cry in public!!! Make a press conference to expose how Liam is non-verbal with you!!!

Last lines conclude that, in the end, 1ncest is still a crime. Who would've thought?

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- That's it - hope you missed me and enjoyed this. Kiss Kiss JM

[adventuringblind]

AUS24 (3k words)

Oscar Piastri x Liam Lawson x Reader x Logan Sargeant

Genre: Angst, fluff, spice, A/B/O AU

Summary: James Vowels takes things a step further when covering his ass in the media. Logan and his mate pay the price but Oscar and Liam are there to help.

Warnings: A/B/O dynamics, heat/rut cycles, James Vowels is the bad guy in this one, Alex being a king, Thigh riding, other alluded to sexual things but not specific so IDK what else to put

Notes: This one was a lot and I hope I filled the request okay! I struggled... Therefore y'all should feed my praise kink in order to motivate me. Jk...... unless?

Side Note: My ABO dynamics and how I write it is different so be forewarned ig. Also, NSFW under the cut. MINORS AVERT YOUR EYES!

Masterlist // Request Form // My Website // buy me a Ko-Fi

Oscar didn’t think much of it when he jumped out of the car and didn't see Logan. He figured he’d rushed off to make sure Alex was okay after that nasty crash and see if the team was going to be able to fix the beta’s car. 

Practice had gone pretty decent. He should probably meet up with Lando to talk about how he’d felt in the car. All things considered, he’s mildly optimistic. 

The itch in his neck leaves him wondering which of his three mates could possibly be annoyed. Oscar usually assumes Liam, given the nature of the omega. Oscar had to learn to pick his battles early on. He understands that in entirely alpha or omega families, dynamics have to be flexible. Liam is more alpha coded then he is omega. Unfortunately for the mess of things that is the paddock, people give him shit for it and Oscar has had to haul the kiwi away before he killed somebody. 

Oscar, because he’d prefer not to spend his home race weekend bailing Liam out of jail, speeds off towards the RB garage. He doesn’t have to go far since Liam is also sprinting in his direction. “Oscar! Are you alright? I thought maybe something happened when you got out of the car since I feel all prickly.” The blonde smells both annoyed and concerned. 

Oscar shakes his head. “I thought you might be trying to take the head off Helmut again…” He shakes his head and continues his walk down to the Williams garage with Liam on his heels. “Have you seen the other two at all?” 

“Her and Logan walked down to the William's garage together. That was about twenty minutes ago.” 

On their trek to the end of the paddock, They end up running into George. The second British Omega on the grid. He’s pacing outside of the garage and Oscar has to bite back a gag at how distressed he smells. “George?”

“Oscar! They won’t let me in.” He’s raking fingers through his and getting increasingly more distressed the longer they are stuck outside. “He sent me a text saying something happened, but didn’t elaborate. I can feel his anger.” 

Oscar, because he has no idea what to do in this scenario, sends Liam with George to find Lewis, or Carlos, or Max, or Lando, or anyone else who might know what to do right now because he has no idea. He just needs to see the other half of his mates or he’s going to lose it. 

He tries to flag down anyone in the vicinity, only to be ignored. He’s about ready to come unhinged until he gets the attention of James. The alpha team principal keeps his distance - the invisible boundary line the only thing keeping Oscar from shaking the information out of him. Only, James doesn’t just smell like James. No - he smells like Oscar’s other two omegas. Both of which must be in heat. 

He tries to breathe; reign himself in so he doesn’t lose it and end his entire career (though he will if it comes down to it). “Where are they?” If there is a growl laced within the question, he can’t be bothered to care.”

James looks like he might jump into an explanation of some kind, but gets foiled by Alex. The beta looks pissed. The kind of anger that shows in every movement. 

“JAMES!” While Oscar flinches at the olders tone, James remains calm. It's aggravating in a way. “Tell Oscar what you did or I will.”

James sighs and motions for the Australian to follow him. Alex can't growl, but the way he's seething tells Oscar that he would if he could. It's ironic to think that between the three of them, Alex is the most angry compared to the two alphas trudging through the garage.  

James gestures for him to go inside. The scent leaking through the cracks in the door is terribly seductive and Oscar has to dig his nails into the palm of his hands to ground himself. “Neither of them were supposed to be in heat this early. All four of us are synced and just went through this a month ago.” he stares down the older alpha for an explanation. 

He takes an inventory of his own body. His own reaction to his mates in heat is more… intense. Like he can't keep himself off them. Currently he feels more protective than anything. 

“since James won't tell you, I will-”

“It's team business!” 

“Not when the safety of others is concerned!” 

James makes a lunge for Logan but Oscar matches his speed and steps in front of him. He wants to retch at how awful James smells at the moment. 

Four pairs of footsteps from the direction they had come from. Liam and George have managed to find them and dragged Carlos and Lando as well. It's terribly comforting to have more people around. 

“what's going on?” Lando whines at the door the closer he gets. “Is Logan in heat? But didn't he just have one?” 

Alex is much taller than Oscar, but the beta appreciates the gesture given the nature of how betas usually are towards anyone else. “Oscar, why don't you, me, George and James speak about this in his office. Carlos can come too, if you'd like.” 

“yeah - yeah okay. I need to know what happened.” He looks around for Liam and pulls him away from James. “Sorry - I don't know what's happening. I didn't mean too-” 

Liam attaches himself to the alpha and noses at his neck. “I'll take care of them while you're gone. Lando is going to stay also.” 

Oscar nods, kisses his head, and drags himself away. He doesn't want to go anywhere but inside that room. Be it biology or his own mind, clearly something is wrong and he would desperately like to be there for the people he loves. Still, Liam is here and that makes things better. They aren't alone. 

They settle into chairs in James’ office. Carlos opts to stay by the door watching everything going on outside. “Why are they taking apart Logan's car?” 

Oscar blinks at him. They're what?” 

“I crashed the car and broke the chassis. James decided to punish Logan for it. But that's not even the worst part!” Alex looks expectantly to his team principal. A silent urge for him to tell his own story. He gestures for Alex to come continue on and the beta rolls his eyes. “Logan and y/n walked here together. James summoned them into the office together. He told Logan he was going to give me his car. Obviously, I said no and…” 

George shuffles his way over to Alex. The physical contact between the two seems to lessen Alex's rising emotions. “It was probably my fault, since I kept saying no.” Alex throws a packet of heat inducers on the table. “I was restrained. James didn't show he had a whole package - just dissolved way over the recommended amount into a cup and commanded Logan to drink it. She got to it first so he didn't have to drink it, and downed the entire thing in seconds.” 

“That doesn't explain Logan’s-”

“He had more and just repeated it. Then he used that fucking voice to get them to not tell anybody and lock themselves away.” Alex looks like he's on the brink of tears. “I'm sorry, Oscar.” 

Oh - the rage that's building beneath his skin. He moves to throw himself at James, but is foiled by Carlos. “You can't help from jail.” 

Which, the Spaniard isn't wrong, so Oscar goes limp in his hold. He takes a few ragged breaths to force himself to calm down. “It's not your fault Alex, at all. Sounds to me like it's a move to cover his own ass.” 

“Alex is out best chance-” 

“Bullshit! I just murdered my car!” 

The door to the office is thrown open and Oscar has no time to react to the fact Max and Daniel, his pack alpha and omega - respectively, got word of this. 

“Did we need to alert the entire grid, Alex?” 

Max openly, and without hesitation, growls at the team principal in question. Daniel hits him upside the head to get him to stop. “Where’s Logan at?”

“My driver doesn’t need anymore assistance, Daniel-” 

All of them (aside from Alex) Descend into a fit of threatening noises. “Really? Because heat inducers can fuck up anyone’s body on a normal dose. Trust me James, I’ve been in this scenario with my own team.”

Briefly, Oscar recalls Lando talking about McLaren trying to induce Daniel’s heat without his knowledge. Andrea is a much better team principal and He can vividly recall Lando near sobbing when they were assured that would never happen. 

“In Logan’s room.” 

“Great! Here’s what we’re going to do then.” 

George has to drag Alex away from the Office and back up to his room. The British Omega throws a middle finger at James before he’s out of sight completely. Max is staying with James until things get sorted out. Which - unfortunately since the laws are so unfair - will mean James gets away scot free. Daniel says he’s going to be subjected to a lecture first. The rest of them head back to Logan’s room with the intent on getting out of the building. 

“Should I call Andrea and Zak?” Oscar looks desperately at Daniel for instructions. He’s never had to leave so suddenly and has no clue if there is a protocol for these things or not. 

“No worries, I took care of it. We just need to get them out of the paddock.” the older Aussie pats his shoulder reassuringly. “I’m assuming the four of you aren’t prepared at all?” 

Oscar shakes his head. “We all synched just last month.” 

“Anything you need then? I can send George and Alex on errands. Actually, I’m hoping for that seeing as Alex is desperate to help.” 

“I hope he sees that this isn’t his fault.”

“He’ll come around, I hope you know it’s not your fault either.” 

And here Oscar thought he was hiding it so well. He tries to shake it off, play his own insecurities down. “I’m-”

“Relax mate, Max felt guilty for weeks.”

“But it’s my job to protect them-” The voice crack was unnecessary and completely screwed him over in terms of hiding whatever feeling he had buried.

Daniel turns to face him right outside the door. “You can’t change the past, Oscar. You were never going to be able to stop this from happening. What you can do is help them now because they need you.” 

Oscar nods with newfound determination, and opens the door.

She certainly wouldn’t say it was her greatest decision, definitely one of the easier ones in the moment. She’d downed the drink without a hesitation. 

They’d attempted a nest. Tried to make the room comfortable. The amount of drugs in their systems was not making it easy. Instead opting to throw everything on the floor and try to sleep before they can’t. 

They’d stripped down to undergarments within the last few minutes. The heat steadily building and becoming too much. Still, she lays plastered against Logans body; his scent intoxicating. 

“You didn’t have to do that for me.” He noses at her neck, teeth nipping at the three scars lining her collar bone. 

“Wanted to help, Lo.” She feels like crying. The odd lack of connection bombarded her after James used his stupid voice. “Wanted you to race.” 

The door squeaks open sometime later. After a nap and the first round of what will probably be many. She peaks her head out from around Logan who’s gone defensive from the new intrusion. Only - Liam peaks his head inside and Lando follows before shutting the door again. She whimpers and tries to claw her way to Liam, but is pushed back gently by Lando. 

“He’s grabbing a few things.” She can see him trying to smile gently at her. 

Liam ends up between them, his own shirt off and one of Oscar’s sweatshirts in hand. She makes herself as small as possible to curl up into his side. “Do you two need anything specific right now.” 

“Where’s Osc?” Logan beats her to the question. 

“Talking with James, I believe.” 

The whines are involuntary. That part of her brain still fighting for its life wants to know why he’s not here right now. The overthinking side is claiming it’s because she’s undesirable now. “Does he still want us?” 

Liam coos at her, as does Logan and Lando. “You'll never not be undesirable.” 

“But what about James?”

“What do you mean?” She can feel Liams muscles tense underneath her. She shrinks in an attempt to hide from the new angry scent permeating the room. 

Thankfully, Logan takes over for her. “He used his voice on us. He wanted to give me inducers…” 

She, despite the struggle, rolls herself over Liam and into Logan's lap. “Not your fault.”

“I know-” his desperate whine nearly kills her. And Liam - by the looks of it. He's restraining himself if the way his jaw is tensing is any indicator. 

“Lando, would you mind possibly grabbing mine and Oscar's stuff so we don't have to leave here again if possible?” It's not fair really, that Liam can be bossy and she finds it attractive.  Oscar is also bossy, but he’s the gentle bossy and Logan isn’t bossy at all. Wow - her stupid hormones have her drooling over this and she doesn’t even know what this is. 

Liam makes up a list for Lando and the Brit runs off to collect the items. She wonders how long Oscar is going to be and if the ache in between her legs will let up until they can leave. 

It’s the only thing on her mind. It’s also now all over her thighs. An unfortunate circumstance where there are no towels on the ground. At this rate she might die if she can’t do something about these feelings and the longer she waits the more desperate she becomes. 

“Do you need something, darling?” Her hazy mind decides that now is a great time to register that she’s grinding into Liam's leg. She doesn’t stop though. If anything - she can’t, because he has a hand on her hip urging her to continue. “Only one of me at the moment, is this okay for now?” She makes a weak sound and makes a mess of herself and Liam’s poor thigh. Not like Logan is doing any better. They both smell good like this. 

She has no idea how much time passes, the endless amount of work she’s having to do finally wears her out enough to relax for the time being. 

“I guess I should’ve stripped all the way, huh?” She’s too tired to be embarrassed about Liam’s teasing comments. She barely even notices Liam attempting to clean her up. Her mind is too far gone. Enough that her and Logan are both ready to go again after a few measly minutes.

They don't get very far, instead scrambling under whatever is available as the door swings open. Liam is hissing at the intruder, only to see Oscar and Lando poke their heads inside. 

“Hey Daniel, I think maybe we’ll stay here for the time being and then when the traffic of the paddock dies down we can try and leave.” 

Daniel also slips into their space. She makes a lunge for either of the two Australians. Oscar is quick to react to her movements and get her to stay put underneath the little amount of covering she has. 

Lando drops the bags of stuff he was holding and tries to smile at them before he leaves. Unfortunately, his sad scent gives away his true feelings. She wonders if he knows the full story now since Oscar definitely does. 

It’s just her, her mates, and Daniel now. The pack Omega is hovering by the door and is clearly ready to leave them to their own devices. “Keep in mind that reactions to heat inducers are unpredictable but fast. You’ll only be in “heat” for about a day. Then you’ll just be sick, but we’ll take it as it comes.” 

Daniel reminds Oscar to text him if they need anything and then leaves them alone. Which - she likes Daniel, but being able to jump the bones of her mates sounds all too appealing. 

“James?” Logan looks pleadingly at Oscars for some kind of reassurance. 

“Is going to get an earful from Max and Daniel. Aside from that, he will probably get a slap on the wrist. Alex is ready to kill him though, if that’s what you wanted.”

The three of them find humor despite the nature of the situation. It’s why she loves them so much. The way she can feel safe and taken care of, but still be herself and laugh and give into her own desires. 

Oscar loses his own clothes. The fireproofs he was wearing around his waist come off in record time. 

“You're still going to race, right Osc?”

“We’ll see-” Oscar nearly jumps when the three of them whine and pout in unison. “I take it that you want me to race?” 

“We’ll make do without you.” 

“Hey!-”

“Liam is good for something after all!” Logan wheezes in laughter. Only for Liam to grumble and decide enough is enough. He takes Logan by the hips and slams right into him. 

She looks between the two of them and Oscar. She leans up to his ear, fully intent on whispering to him but gets a little distracted by his scent while shifting around.

“Need something?” 

Finally, she surrenders herself to the haze knowing she has all her mates with her. “Just you three.” 

[heart-over-heart]

Alright I've been thinking about this for days now and I need to get it out. So here's some thiam analysis? headcannon? I guess.

Cannon s6 Liam feels guilty about what they did to Theo. It haunts him. /Thats/ why he brings him back. Sure. They need Theo. But do they? Can Theo be useful? Definitely, but can they beat the wild hunt without him, very probably. maybe. But Liam has been haunted by Theo being dragged under the earth, literally crying and screaming to be helped. And all of a sudden, to Liam, Theo was no longer this inhuman, psychopath. Liams final image of Theo is extremely human. Theo was terrified and it's such a different version of him from what they had all seen. And. Liam is a good person. He cares about people, even people who hurt him (see: brett). So, yeah. It haunts Liam, so he finds a reason to bring Theo back. And when he does, he has to hope he's doing the right thing. He has to hope that Theo can be better because otherwise Liam was wrong and they have to send him back and so he just keeps hoping Theo will prove him right. "He's my responsibility"

And then Theo? Yes, our boy absolutely just falls head first for the first person in ages to know what he is (a monster) and still stick up for him. Even if Liam is just trying to use Theo (at first), he's giving Theo a chance, which is more than anyone else will give him. Then after things calm down and they defeat the wild hunt and Theo spends months(?) homeless with nothing but time to think and reflect, he won't admit it, but he starts to regret or feel guilty. The weight of the people he's murdered closes in on him. Just a bit. Just enough to consider wanting to do better. And he starts with Liam, the person who first gave him a chance. He saves Liam from killing Nolan and Gabe for two reasons 1) he doesnt want someone else to live with that guilt of murder and 2) he knows what he did to Liam. He manipulated Liam into almost killing someone (not just someone, Scott) and now he understands how fucked up that was. So he does everything in his power to keep Liam from crossing that line. He tries to teach him to control his anger so Liam doesnt risk accidentally going too far. "You didn't kill him. That's progress."

I just. There is literally so much about their dynamic that is fascinating and so much to dig into. Like, yes they definitely seem to be starting to develop feelings for each other, but it doesn't start there. It starts with guilt and then they find more and more in common.

[astonmartingf]

REAL LIFE RELATIONS — BREAKING NEWS

mick schumacher x reader x liam lawson

series summary— the world of motorsports is vast, yet it is also very limiting. like an intricate web of relationships, connections can get you everywhere, and underneath the pinnacle of motorsports are the secrets waiting to be unfolded.

OPENING — SCARY AS HELL BUT I LOVE THE THRILL OF IT

drama seems to follow you around— after a long time of hiding the paddock puts the pieces together about your true identity.

warnings: mommy and daddy issues, toxic family dynamics, there's a bit of mystery going around so there's that

masterlist ★ next

If you had to choose between going to a family dinner with your forsaken father and stepmother of the decade or jump out the window from your apartment, hop in a hot blondie's motorcycle and run away for the rest of the evening, you'd choose none and hide in your friend's apartment.

Your reason? The family dinner is a farce you didn't have time to deal with, while the motorcycle sounds promising, said hot blondie gets attached too quickly for your own liking. And you didn't like to get tied down.

Why is it that you're so bent on "running away"?

Simple.

If given the chance to annoy your deadbeat of a father and overbearing stepmother, would you do it? You would.

And that's where hot blondie comes into the equation— he's just convenient. Especially when you learned to wrap him all over your fingers. Yuki would be disappointed in you, both at the fact that he knows how much you'd rather stay up holed in his crib, and how you're manipulating hot blondie.

If you're so hell bent on not going, why not just go with hot blondie? The predicament you're in is— you're already stuck in the family dinner.

Stopping the urge to roll your eyes, you watch them make small talk about their day. Your father is watching your stepmother with honey dripping his eyes, further reminding you of the hot blondie's invitation.

A "get out of jail for free" card he says. This wasn't your personal cell, rather it felt like a personal hell. There are a hundred other things you'd rather do, in fact you'd rather babysit your step siblings and connect with them, but no— insisting that you come with them and catch up.

Catch up?

What is this dodgeball? Because that would be fairly entertaining, you chuckle imagining yourself throwing it in between them to catch. There's no need to catch up, not with the guards they hired to keep you in check.

A headache they said, you don't mind your father calling you nicknames knowing he has given up on you decades ago. If only your stepmother would stop being so relentless in building back your relationship with your father.

Some things aren't worth fixing— your relationship with him is one of them.

Your eyes wander around the restaurant, watching people come and go under the windy London weather. The glint of a familiar helmet caught the corner of your eyes.

A few feet away from the window of the restaurant, you see hot blondie's motorcycle lights blink, calling your attention, lulling you away from your meal. You'd give it to him though, his persistence beginning to change the train of thoughts in your head. Smirking to yourself, you halt in playing with your food, taking a few bites planning the next steps to your escape.

Placing your fork down, you wipe your mouth using the napkin. "Excuse me, I'll use the powder room for a moment."

Your father grunts, nodding his head towards the bathroom, you smile courteously fighting the urge to do anything that could trigger your father's outbursts.

You weren't tiptoeing around him per say, it's more that you'd rather keep him calm and at peace in public knowing very well that your next action might burst a vessel in his frontal lobe.

Reapplying your lipstick, you clean the edges adding finishing touches before making a beeline to the back door, to meet hot blondie where he'll be waiting and save her escape the jail that is disguised–

"Going somewhere?" The voice of your stepmother causes you to freeze. Shit. She's learning much more quickly than your father.

Slowly turning around you and putting another facade in front of her, as much as you tried to hate your stepmother, she cared for you if not more than your father ever did. But caring is not enough, not at least for you. It's not an excuse to let your father continue doing what he does the best.

If comparison is a thief of joy— then they're both thieving the joy out of you. Your father for his usual antics, and for your stepmother, whose presence only reminded you of what you'll never have.

Your silence throws your stepmother off, surely by now you'd have spoken a string of curses towards her. But this time you're silent, you learned the hard way.

In a series of unfortunate events the universe keeps shoving at you, you end up causing a scene in a restaurant, which ends up with you getting grounded. One that wasn't even your fault to begin with, but your father is not a man of reason, not that he was ever a man to you. All you could see was a weak man, with a bruised ego, who is a deadbeat of a father to you.

And it hurts more seeing him playing family with your stepmother and step-siblings knowing fully well you'll never get the same affection from him. He often looked at you like scum on his feet, the lowest of lows. Which is why you knew that you couldn't act in front of your stepmother like that, not when she's the only thing holding your family together— or at least she's trying.

"You don't have to say anything. I saw his motorcycle move to the back of the restaurant, is that how you've been leaving events and galas without us?"

You raise your brow at her statement, clearly avoiding conversation. One thing you like about your stepmother is her astute perception, at some point you found yourself enjoying her company more than your father's.

But she doesn't have to know that, and your stepmother knows her boundaries, if she wanted to keep this relationship civil, she'd walk away without saying a word.

"I'll talk to your father about it, you're free to go."

You turn your heels walking away from her, scoffing— she always has to be the hero, the good guy, and because she lets you leave, you owe her one.

Grabbing the helmet presented in front of you the moment you open the back door, you slide into the back of the hot blondie's motorcycle. Arms around his waist, you close your eyes, the sounds of the engine revving up accompanied by the goosebumps glittering around you as the cold London weather lingers atop your skin.

Relish in the moment, you keep your eyes closed, pressing your body closer to his for warmth, as your bodies cut through the wind. It was your escape.

He was your escape.

"Feeling better?" The blonde asks, grabbing the helmet from your hands as you settle in a park near the river. The weather is not as cold as you thought in comparison back to when you were in the motorcycle.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but-" You roll your eyes, scoffing at his words. One thing or another at least you know you don't have to hide in front of him, not that you are being truthful to him as well, but blondie doesn't need to know anything. As long as he's catching up on the important bits and pieces, there are still lines they don't cross.

Lines that you won't let him cross.

"Then don't. If I wanted to talk to him I could've chosen to stay in that damn dinner, but guess what I'm here with you aren't I? Or is this interrogation a part of the "get out of jail for free " card?"

The blonde male raises his hands in surrender, dropping his jacket on your legs before situating himself next to you.

"Don't you think it's better for you to stay in the restaurant."

Flabbergasted, you turn around raising your brows. "I mean look at you in that fancy outfit, it's probably 8 degrees out here, isn't it much warmer there? And with food, sure the company isn't as lovely as you want to be..."

Your eyes squint, watching him intently, "For someone so adamant about me leaving the restaurant you keep saying contradicting things. Is this a test? I want to be here, I think I am capable of choosing what I want to do blondie."

Shaking his head, he chuckles at the mention of the nickname you coined a few years back. "You've got to stop calling me that."

"It stuck around with you, I'll never stop calling you blondie."

A sigh escapes your lips, thinking back on your memories together. Life was easier then, young, naive, full of life, and free from the sins that follow the controversy of your family.

Not that anyone else knew, they worked hard to keep it out of the news, now they're just whispers, fragments of the reality. Even to you, it's all a mystery.

Somehow they couldn't keep you away from the paddock, despite all the talk and hearsay about what actually happened you chose to stay and that's all because of blondie.

You're a ghost from the past— each day as you live, a piece of you slowly gets taken away. Forced to hide away from the world you didn't choose to live in.

"Heavy thoughts there... come back down?" You blink, facing the blonde beside you, your stomach growling.

"Let's go eat somewhere before you drop me off."

In an instant, the blonde stands up wiping his hands clean before hoisting you up from the grass.

"You want fries?"

Your eyes dilate, nodding your head excitedly grabbing on eof the helmets, putting it on the blonde males pushing him to start the motorcycle.

"And tacos." You mumble under the helmet causing the blonde to laugh at your antics.

"And tacos, here we go."

His voice infecting yours illiciting a laugh from your lips. He has that effect on you.

Which is why you'd never let him cross that line, what you have with each other— no one can take. Not even your father.

Which is someone you'll have to deal with once you get home, hopefully stepmother dearest has done her best to placate his anger. You didn't want to deal with any more bullshit as is.

But a funny thing about being under the scrutiny of the spotlight is that no matter how hard you try and hide, someone is always lingering around, poking and prodding, waiting for you to fuck up and shit yourself.

amgf ★ superstars @woozarts @minkyungseokie @iienstein @eugene-emt-roe

[buckybarnesss]

The idea of Derek being present in season 5 and being supportive of Stiles intrigues me because of the potential contrast to Stiles & Malia. Malia knew about Donovan but didn't care in the way that Stiles needed her to when he was struggling. Which isn't her fault - she's not human, didn't grow up human, and thus has no understanding of WHY Stiles would be upset.

Malia is definitely one of the characters I think JD mishandled the most.

The potential Scott vs Derek is delicious, because they both went through the Nogitsune ordeal, and because Derek also trusts Stiles implicitly, whereas that trust between Scott and Stiles is frayed.

Derek and the sheriff would 100% destroy any and all evidence against Stiles. It wouldn't even be a question in their minds.

do not get me started on malia tate and how badly she was mishandled. i know she isn't the most popular character but i love her and she deserved so much better than what they gave her.

derek in s5 would've been so intriguing. i was actually making a list of why derek couldn't be in s5 because it'd just break everything.

he'd take one look at theo and called him a great value version of peter and theo would have to no choice but to die of shame

would help and support malia with killing corrine because corrine is trying to kill her.

also it'd be really interesting for derek to have to confront the idea that talia hale forced someone to carry a pregnancy they didn't want in addition to removing peter's memories of it which removed peter's agency in the situation.

he would definitely been able to help liam with his control and be someone liam could actually turn to for advice and help when he felt like scott wasn't listening.

if liam bonded with and grew to trust derek it would've been a great echo of the situation with isaac back in s3. scott could've felt jealous and threatened over it.

he also probably could've been useful with helping kira find control over her fox thereby rendering the skin walker plot useless.

derek would've figured out jordan was a hellhound.

the scott and derek dynamic would've been interesting as fuck because scott was failing as an alpha in the way derek did and scott wasn't very understanding of derek's failures and short comings.

he would've been such a great support system for stiles which would've undermined theo's entire agenda. derek would've never doubted stiles not after everything they'd been through together.

i would've loved to hear his thoughts about the whole le bête situation and how he would've handled that with the argents. like fuck off and die already gerard.

[niallerspayno]

Three’s Company - Part 2

Masterlist

You, Zayn, and Liam are caught in a whirlwind of secret encounters, fully aware that it’s only a matter of time before everything unravels. But as the days pass, the tension builds—what once felt like a carefree arrangement now seems more complicated, and the shifting dynamics between the three of you are impossible to ignore.

Tags: Zayn x Liam x reader, Louis x sister!reader, SMUT, fluff and angst at the end

Part 1 | Part 3

…

The next day feels like a blur. Between running errands for Paul, sitting through another round of soundchecks, and avoiding Louis's overly curious gaze, you're completely drained by evening. You thought wearing the turtleneck was a smart move this morning—a way to cover up the marks Zayn and Liam left behind—but now it feels like it's suffocating you.

When you finally retreat to your room, ready to collapse, a knock sounds at the door. You hesitate, already knowing who it is. Your heart races as you open it, and there they are-Zayn and Liam.

Their expressions are casual, but there's a certain edge in Zayn's dark eyes, a spark of mischief and frustration. "You gonna let us in?" he asks, smirking.

With a sigh, you step aside, shutting the door behind them. "What are you two doing here?"

Liam's gaze drifts down to your sweater, and he raises a brow. "You serious with this?"

You frown, glancing down. "What?"

"The turtleneck," Zayn says bluntly, folding his arms. "Covering up our work?"

You groan, already feeling cornered. "What was I supposed to do? Walk around with my neck looking like a crime scene and Louis breathing down my neck?"

Zayn's jaw tightens as he steps closer. "You think we care about Louis? Those marks aren't for him. They're for you. And for us."

Liam nods, his hands settling firmly on your hips. "You've got nothing to hide, love. Not from us."

Your breath hitches as their words sink in, the heat in their gazes leaving you flustered. "I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't mean to what?" Zayn cuts in, his voice low and deliberate. "Hide from us? Pretend last night didn't happen?"

"No," you whisper, your cheeks flushing.

"Good," Liam says, his voice soft but firm, "Because we're not about to let you forget."

"Take it off," Zayn orders, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Before you can reply, Liam is kissing you again, his hands sliding under your shirt, tugging it over your head in one smooth motion. You shiver as the cool air hits your skin, goosebumps rising in its wake. Zayn moves behind you, his hands already on your hips, his lips trailing hot kisses down your spine.

“You look incredible,” Liam murmurs against your mouth, his fingers already working on your pants, pulling them down just enough to expose more of your skin.

Your breath catches, the anticipation almost unbearable. "Please," you whisper, your body aching for them.

Zayn’s lips curve into a smile as he bends to kiss the back of your neck again, his hands move to your pants and slide them off, leaving you in nothing but your underwear. His fingers trace the waistband, teasing you for just a moment before he slides them down as well, revealing you to them completely.

Liam pulls back just enough to look you over, his eyes dark with desire. “You’re perfect,” he breathes, before leaning in to kiss you once more, his hands working their way up your body, cupping your breasts, squeezing gently. You gasp against his mouth, your body responding to his touch, to the way he makes you feel like you’re the only thing that matters in the world.

Zayn’s hands slide around your back, pulling you closer to him, his lips meeting your ear as he whispers, “I need you, now.”

You don’t need any more encouragement. With a desperate need, you push him towards the bed, your hands working quickly to remove his clothes. Zayn kicks off his shoes, then his pants, until he’s as bare as you. His mouth finds yours again, his kiss hot and hungry, his body pressing against yours. You feel every inch of him, every line, every muscle, and you want more.

Liam watches for a moment, his chest heaving with barely contained desire, before he steps forward and pulls you towards him, his lips meeting your throat as Zayn moves between your legs. The kiss intensifies, your body responding to their touch, to the rhythm of their movements.

Zayn slides his fingers between your thighs, teasing you until you gasp. “So wet,” he murmurs, his fingers pushing inside you slowly, almost torturously, as you buck against him, desperate for more.

Liam’s lips leave your neck, and you turn to face him. He wastes no time, kissing you deeply, his hands pushing down his pants as he kneels in front of you, you're eager to return the pleasure. You take him into your mouth slowly, savouring the taste of him, your tongue teasing as you bob your head.

"Fuck, just like that," Liam groans, his fingers tangling in your hair as he thrusts into your mouth, his breaths ragged.

Meanwhile, Zayn continues his slow, deliberate movements between your thighs, his thumb brushing over your clit as his fingers work inside you. Your body trembles with the intensity of it all, and when Zayn adds his mouth to the mix, your eyes nearly roll back in your head. His tongue flicks expertly against your clit, making you moan around Liam, the vibrations of your pleasure sending Liam’s body jerking closer to the edge.

Liam’s grip tightens in your hair, his breath shaky as he mutters, “I’m close.”

You speed up your movements, giving him what he needs, and the moment he reaches his release, you swallow every drop, tasting him completely. As he pulls away, you turn your attention back to Zayn, who is watching you with a smirk of satisfaction on his face.

“Good girl,” he praises, his voice thick with pleasure as he stands and shifts behind you, lining himself up. “My turn now.”

He pushes into you in one smooth motion, and you gasp, the stretch of him making your entire body ache. You grip the sheets, your hips moving in time with his, both of you in sync as the room fills with the sound of frantic, desperate breathing.

With every thrust, the intensity builds, and you’re lost in the sensation, the way they both know exactly how to touch you, how to make you feel like you’re on fire.

And when Zayn’s movements become erratic, you know he’s close. You meet him halfway, pushing your body to the edge as your orgasm crashes over you, making your body quake with pleasure.

As you collapse into the bed, breathless and spent, Zayn and Liam fall beside you, their arms draped over your body. The three of you lie there in the aftermath, tangled in the sheets, your bodies exhausted but completely satisfied.

The room feels warm, the aftershocks of pleasure still reverberating through your body. But as you lay there between them, the thought of them leaving so soon makes you hesitate. You want more than just tonight; you want the feeling of their presence to linger.

You roll onto your side, facing both Zayn and Liam. Their eyes meet yours, and there's a moment of silence before you ask, "Stay. Please."

Zayn raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Stay?"

"Yeah," you whisper, a little more vulnerable than usual. "I want you both here."

Liam looks at you for a moment, his expression unreadable. But then his hand moves to rest on your waist, and he pulls you closer, his lips brushing your forehead. "Of course, love. We're not going anywhere."

Zayn leans over and presses a soft kiss to your lips. "We like being here," he murmurs, settling back against the pillow. "You make us feel good."

The words are casual, but the sincerity behind them makes your heart race just a little. You lean in, kissing him again, feeling the spark between you two, and then you pull back slowly.

Liam moves behind you, his chest pressing against your back as he wraps an arm around you. His warmth envelops you, and it feels like a safe haven after the chaos of the night.

Zayn shifts closer, his body aligning with yours as he presses a kiss to your temple. "You're not getting rid of us now," he teases softly, but there's a tenderness in his voice that makes you feel like you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

You smile, your fingers tracing light patterns on Zayn's chest as you settle into the space between them. They're warm, strong, and steady, and for once, it feels like everything is in perfect alignment.

Liam places a soft kiss on the back of your neck, his lips lingering there as he pulls you closer. "We'll stay," he promises quietly. "All night, if you want."

Zayn nods in agreement, his hand finding yours beneath the covers, intertwining your fingers. "We're here, love. And we're not going anywhere."

The three of you lie in comfortable silence, the sound of your breathing mingling with the quiet hum of the city outside. Zayn's fingers gently trace along your side, while Liam's hold around you remains firm, like a constant reassurance that you're safe and wanted.

You drift off to sleep with them beside you, wrapped in warmth, their steady presence lulling you into a peaceful, contented slumber.

…

The sun peeks through the curtains, and you stir, waking up to the comforting pressure of Liam’s arm around your waist and Zayn’s body pressed against your back. You stretch lazily, the comfort of their warmth making you smile. The events of the night feel like a dream, surreal but utterly satisfying.

But just as you start to drift back into a peaceful slumber, a soft creak of the door interrupts the moment.

Your heart skips a beat.

“Hey Y/N, you awake?” Niall’s voice calls from the door.

You freeze. Zayn and Liam are motionless, too, as if hoping he’ll just turn around and leave. But then you hear Niall’s footsteps moving toward you, and panic strikes.

“Niall!” you whisper frantically, sitting up quickly, trying to pull the blanket up to hide the mess you’re in. But it’s too late. He’s already inside, and the second his eyes land on the three of you—disheveled, tangled in the sheets, and clearly far too comfortable together—his jaw drops.

He blinks once. Twice. His brain clearly isn’t processing what he’s seeing. “What the—?”

You sit up fully, panic starting to build. “Niall, please, you can’t tell anyone. Please.”

His eyes move slowly between you, Zayn, and Liam. His mouth opens but no words come out at first. His face is a mix of disbelief, confusion, and something else—something between shock and… sheer horror?

“No… no way,” Niall stammers, his gaze still bouncing between the three of you. “Wait a second. Wait. Hold on.” His eyes go wide, his voice rising in disbelief. “You’re telling me—Zayn, Liam—are you both…” He gestures at the scene in front of him. “You’re both with… her? Together?”

The room falls silent. You can hear your heart pounding in your ears. Zayn and Liam remain quiet, exchanging glances.

“We didn’t mean for this to happen,” Liam says after a long moment, his voice low but calm, trying to keep the situation under control.

Zayn shifts slightly, his smirk reappearing as he leans back against the headboard. “We’re not just hooking up with her, mate. We’re… sharing her. Together.”

Niall stares at him, his face a picture of pure shock. His mouth opens and closes, unable to form words at first. He blinks a couple of times, trying to wrap his head around what he’s hearing.

“No, no, no—this is insane,” Niall says, his hand running through his hair in utter disbelief. “So you two… are you seriously telling me that you’re both… with her? Like, at the same time?”

You nod, unable to form a coherent sentence. You feel yourself flush with embarrassment as Niall continues to process the information, but you can’t deny the truth.

“I—I can’t even… you’re Louis’s sister, and you’re telling me…” Niall’s voice trails off, shaking his head slowly, still trying to make sense of it. His eyes flick back to Liam and then to Zayn. “And you both just agreed to this? You’re, like… sharing her?”

Liam leans forward, his voice soft but firm. “It’s not like that. We’re not forcing her into anything. She wants this, Niall. We’re all on the same page.”

Zayn nods in agreement, a wry grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. “No pressure, just… enjoying it. All of it. Together.”

Niall’s face twists in disbelief, his mind still struggling to wrap around the situation. He runs a hand through his hair again, still in shock. “This is insane. I can’t believe you two are hooking up with Louis’s sister, and you—both of you—are… sharing her like this. What the hell, mate? What the actual hell?”

You can’t help the awkward laugh that escapes you. “I know, it’s a lot to process,” you say quietly. “We didn’t want anyone to know, especially Louis. Please, Niall, you can’t tell him.”

Niall stares at you, his eyes narrowing as if weighing the situation. “Jesus, you really are serious, aren’t you? This is real.” He laughs nervously, still processing the gravity of what he’s just walked in on. “You two… with her.” He shakes his head again. “I didn’t think I’d ever see the day. You’ve got to be kidding me.”

You breathe a sigh of relief as his expression softens. “Look, Niall, please. We’re asking you as a favor. Don’t tell anyone. Especially not Louis. It’s complicated enough without him finding out.”

Zayn watches Niall closely, his usual smirk softened by a hint of sincerity. “We’re counting on you, mate. You’re the one person who can keep this quiet. We’re not trying to make a mess of anything. Just… let it stay between us for now.”

Niall stares at all three of you for another long moment, his mind clearly racing. Finally, he lets out a deep sigh. “Fine. Fine, I won’t tell anyone. But seriously…” He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “If this blows up in your faces, don’t come crying to me.”

You nod, your heart racing with both relief and embarrassment. “We won’t. Thank you, Niall. You have no idea how much this means.”

Niall raises his eyebrows. “Well, I do now. I’ll never look at you two the same way again, that’s for sure.” He lets out a loud exhale, shaking his head again. “You guys are insane.”

With that, Niall turns and walks out of the room, still muttering under his breath about the absurdity of what he’s just discovered.

Once the door clicks shut behind him, Zayn and Liam both look at you. You meet their gazes, a mix of relief and embarrassment still coloring your expression.

“Well,” Zayn says, his smirk returning, “that could’ve gone worse.”

Liam sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Let’s just hope Niall can keep his mouth shut. That’s the last thing we need right now.”

You nod, leaning back into the bed as the weight of the situation settles in. You may have escaped this time, but it’s clear that keeping this secret is getting harder by the day.

…

The day is a whirlwind of activity, with everyone preparing for the next leg of the tour. You throw yourself into your usual tasks—coffee runs, double-checking the schedule, and helping Paul with last-minute details—desperate to distract yourself from the morning’s chaos. But Niall’s behavior is making that nearly impossible.

Normally, Niall is the life of the group, the first to crack a joke or start a random singalong. Today, though? He’s a nervous wreck. His glances keep flickering between you, Zayn, and Liam, and every time Louis speaks, Niall looks like he might implode.

It doesn’t take long for Louis to notice.

“Oi, Niall,” Louis calls out as the group lounges backstage before soundcheck. He waves a hand in front of Niall’s face. “You alright, mate? You’ve been acting weird all day.”

Niall jolts, nearly dropping his water bottle. “What? No, I’m grand!” he blurts, forcing a laugh that’s more painful than reassuring.

Harry, sitting nearby with his legs casually draped over the arm of a chair, raises an eyebrow. “Grand? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Or stolen something and you’re trying not to get caught.”

Niall’s cheeks flush crimson as he sputters, “What are you on about? I’m fine! Just tired.”

Louis narrows his eyes, leaning forward like a detective interrogating a suspect. “Tired, huh? Then why’ve you been staring at my sister like that all day? It’s weird.”

Your stomach drops, and you glance at Niall, whose face is now as red as a tomato.

“I-I haven’t!” Niall protests, his voice cracking slightly. “I mean… not like that!”

Louis’s gaze sharpens, and you swear you see the gears turning in his head. “Wait a minute.” He glances between the two of you, his jaw tightening. “You’ve been acting cagey, she’s been acting cagey… Bloody hell, Niall, is it you? Are you the one she’s sneaking off with?”

“What?!” Niall’s voice shoots up an octave. “No! I mean—what are you even talking about?!”

Harry nearly falls off his chair laughing. “Oh, this is gold. Niall, mate, are you blushing?”

“Shut up, Harry!” Niall snaps, his voice high-pitched with panic.

You’re desperately trying to stay calm, but Louis’s glare is now fixed on you. “Care to explain why Niall looks like he’s hiding a massive secret?”

Before you can respond, Zayn cuts in smoothly, lounging in his chair like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “Maybe he’s just worried about how much Paul’s been riding her about the schedule.”

“Or he’s just admiring her work ethic,” Liam adds, his tone casual but his eyes glinting with amusement. “She’s been killing it lately.”

Harry smirks, clearly loving every second of the chaos. “Or maybe he’s jealous of that turtleneck she was rocking yesterday. Iconic.”

Louis throws his hands in the air, clearly exasperated. “Oh, for crying out loud! Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with my sister’s wardrobe?”

Your cheeks burn, and you glance at Zayn and Liam, who are both smirking far too much for your comfort. Meanwhile, Niall looks like he might spontaneously combust.

“Alright,” Louis says, pointing a finger between you and Niall. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’ll figure it out. And if you are sneaking around with her, Niall, just know I’ve got your funeral planned already.”

“I’m not!” Niall yells, his voice cracking again. “I swear!”

Louis studies him for a moment longer, then reluctantly leans back in his chair. “Fine. But I’m watching you.”

The tension lingers even as the conversation shifts, Niall barely able to meet your gaze and you avoiding Louis’s probing stares at all costs.

Zayn leans closer to you as everyone gets up to head to the stage, his voice low and teasing. “Think he’s onto us yet?”

“Not if Niall keeps panicking like that,” Liam whispers on your other side, his hand brushing yours briefly.

You shoot them both a glare, but you can’t stop the small smile tugging at your lips.

…

The day has been a blur of tasks, and you’ve been darting between dressing rooms, storage closets, and the stage, trying to keep up with Paul’s endless requests. Zayn and Liam, however, have made it their mission to distract you every chance they get.

Their lingering touches, smoldering glances, and whispered innuendos have left you on edge, your pulse quickening every time you cross paths. By the time evening rolls around, you’re practically vibrating with anticipation, your body aching for their touch.

As you slip into a storage room to grab a fresh set of towels for the dressing rooms, you barely have a moment to catch your breath before the door creaks open behind you, and your heart leaps. But when you turn, it’s Zayn slipping inside, his dark eyes glittering with mischief.

“Miss me?” he teases, closing the door and leaning against it, blocking any escape.

Before you can answer, Liam appears behind him, his larger frame filling the doorway. “Thought you might need some company,” he murmurs, a sly grin tugging at his lips.

Your breath catches as Zayn steps closer, his hands finding your waist. “You’ve been avoiding us all day,” he says, his voice low and teasing.

“I’ve been working,” you protest weakly, though your pulse quickens under his touch.

Liam’s hands slide to the small of your back as he presses against you from behind. “You mean hiding,” he counters. “That turtleneck again? Really? Trying to cover up what we gave you?”

Heat floods your cheeks, but before you can respond, Zayn tilts your chin up to meet his gaze. “You can’t hide from us, love.” His lips brush yours, soft at first, then deeper, hungrier.

Liam’s mouth finds the curve of your neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin just below your ear. “We’ll just leave more for you to cover tomorrow,” he whispers, his hands tightening on your hips.

The world around you fades as their touches consume you, their bodies pressing you firmly against the shelves. Zayn’s kisses trail down your jaw, his lips claiming every inch of skin, while Liam’s hands wander, his warmth seeping into you.

The sound of approaching footsteps snaps you back to reality.

“Shit,” you whisper, your heart hammering.

Zayn doesn’t move, his smirk unfazed. “Relax. They won’t come in.”

But the footsteps stop just outside the door, and then Harry’s voice calls out, clear and unmistakable. “Oi, Y/N, you in there?”

Panic surges through you, but Liam tightens his hold, his lips brushing your ear as he murmurs, “Don’t make a sound.”

You nod, your breathing shallow, and Zayn leans in, his teeth grazing your collarbone. It’s infuriating how unaffected they seem, their movements slow and deliberate as if they aren’t moments away from being caught.

“Y/N?” Harry’s voice is closer now, almost amused. “I know you’re in there. Heard you moaning through the door.”

Your cheeks burn, mortification mixing with the heat coursing through your veins. Zayn bites back a chuckle, his breath warm against your skin as he whispers, “Guess he knows someone’s keeping you busy.”

You glare at him, but Liam’s low laugh distracts you, his fingers trailing down your sides.

Outside, Harry speaks again, his tone teasing. “Don’t worry, I won’t snitch. Just try to keep it down, yeah? Wouldn’t want anyone else to hear.”

Your stomach twists as the footsteps retreat, each step echoing louder than the last. When silence finally falls, Zayn and Liam pull back slightly, their eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and desire.

“Think he’ll tell Louis?” you ask, your voice barely a whisper.

Liam shakes his head, a crooked grin on his lips. “Nah. He probably thinks it’s someone harmless. Let him wonder.”

Zayn cups your cheek, his thumb brushing your flushed skin. “Besides, we’re not done with you yet.”

Liam’s hands slide lower, gripping your thighs with deliberate firmness as he presses you back against him. His touch sends waves of heat through you, his breath warm against your ear. “Let us make you feel good,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire.

Zayn’s hands trace the curve of your waist, slipping beneath your shirt to explore the bare skin of your stomach. His fingers skim upward, brushing the underside of your bra, his touch teasing and deliberate. He leans in, his lips finding the sensitive spot just below your jawline, his teeth grazing lightly as he whispers, “You’re so perfect like this.”

Your breath hitches as Liam’s hands move with purpose, one sliding up to cup your breast through the fabric of your bra while the other dips lower, pressing firmly against the apex of your thighs. The friction is subtle at first, his touch measured as he gauges your reaction.

Behind you, his lips trail kisses along your neck, his teeth grazing just enough to send a shiver through you. “I can feel how much you want this,” he breathes, his voice low and full of promise.

Zayn’s hand joins Liam’s, slipping under the waistband of your jeans and finding its way inside your underwear. His fingers brush against your heat, teasing at first, before he slides one finger through your slick folds, his touch confident and unrelenting.

“Already so wet for us,” Zayn murmurs, his voice thick with approval. His finger circles your most sensitive spot, the pressure firm and precise, drawing a soft moan from your lips.

Liam’s hands grip your hips, steadying you as your knees threaten to give out. His teeth graze the shell of your ear, his voice a low growl. “You’re going to fall apart for us, aren’t you? Let us take care of you.”

Zayn’s fingers continue their rhythm, each stroke sending a fresh wave of pleasure coursing through you. He adds another finger, the stretch just enough to make you gasp, your hips instinctively rolling into his hand.

“You’re so responsive,” Zayn says, his voice heavy with desire. “We could do this to you all night.”

Liam’s hand moves from your breast to join Zayn’s, his fingers brushing over your clit in tandem, amplifying the sensations until your head is spinning. The two of them work together seamlessly, each movement perfectly in sync as they bring you closer and closer to the edge.

Your breath comes in short, desperate gasps, your body trembling between them. Zayn’s lips press against your temple, his voice soft but commanding. “Let go, love. We’ve got you.”

The combination of their touches is overwhelming, the heat pooling low in your belly finally snapping as a wave of ecstasy crashes over you. Your moan is muffled against Liam’s shoulder as your body shudders, their hands never ceasing as they guide you through your climax.

Liam’s voice is gentle, filled with pride as he whispers, “That’s it. That’s our girl.”

Zayn’s lips curve into a smirk as he slowly withdraws his hand, his fingers brushing over your skin one last time. “Beautiful,” he murmurs, his tone full of admiration.

Your body feels boneless, your breathing ragged as you lean heavily against Liam, his arms steadying you. Zayn’s hands smooth over your sides, his touch soothing now.

They both press soft kisses to your skin—Liam to your temple, Zayn to the corner of your mouth—grounding you in the moment as you come back down from the high.

“Perfect,” Zayn says softly, his dark eyes locking with yours.

“And ours,” Liam adds, his voice filled with quiet conviction.

You nod weakly, a small, breathless smile playing on your lips as you bask in the warmth of their embrace.

You barely have a moment to recover before the sound of footsteps echoes down the hall, sending a jolt of panic through you.

“Shit,” you hiss, your pulse spiking as your head snaps toward the door.

Zayn doesn’t seem fazed, his smirk never faltering as he adjusts your shirt. “Relax, love. We’ve got this.”

Liam is already moving, peeking out through the crack in the door before turning back to you. “It’s clear, but we need to go now.”

Zayn leans in one last time, his lips brushing yours in a quick, teasing kiss. “Better run before we get caught.”

You glare at him, though the heat in your cheeks betrays you. Together, the three of you slip out of the storage room, your heart pounding as you dart down the hallway.

By the time you make it back to the main area, your pulse has barely begun to steady. But as you glance across the room, your heart nearly stops. Louis is standing there, his arms crossed and his gaze sharp as it lands on you. His eyes narrow, flicking to the faint flush in your cheeks and the slightly disheveled state of your clothes.

“You alright?” he asks, his tone casual but laced with suspicion.

“Yeah,” you manage to reply, your voice barely steady as you force a smile. “Just busy.”

Louis doesn’t look convinced, his gaze lingering on you a moment longer before shifting to Zayn and Liam, who have conveniently separated and now look as though butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths.

You can feel the tension in the air, and as Louis’s brow furrows, a sinking feeling settles in your stomach. The secret you’ve worked so hard to keep hidden feels more fragile than ever, and you can’t shake the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before everything comes crashing down.

...

It’s the morning after the close call with Harry, and the tension from last night lingers like a shadow over the band’s lounge. You’re perched at the counter, scrolling through your phone, but your attention keeps drifting toward the couch where Liam is sitting.

He’s quiet, uncharacteristically so, his phone in his hands, but he hasn’t scrolled or tapped for minutes. His brow is furrowed in thought, and every so often, he rubs the back of his neck—a nervous tick you’ve come to recognize.

You wander over and plop down beside him, nudging his arm lightly. “Hey, you alright?”

He glances at you, his gaze soft but distant. “Yeah,” he says after a beat. “Just... tired.”

The answer feels hollow, and you can’t help the small frown that tugs at your lips. Liam wasn’t usually this hard to read. “Late night,” you offer lightly, testing the waters.

He lets out a short, humorless laugh. “Something like that.”

Before you can press him further, Zayn strides into the lounge, his energy a stark contrast to Liam’s somber mood. He’s got that easy grin plastered on his face, and his eyes light up when he sees you.

“There you are,” Zayn says, his tone playful as he drops into the chair opposite you. “Thought you were avoiding me.”

You roll your eyes, grateful for the shift in energy. “Why would I avoid you, Zayn?”

“Dunno,” he says with a wink. “Maybe you’re worried you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands to yourself.”

The corner of Liam’s mouth twitches, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. You glance at him, noting the way his grip on his phone tightens slightly.

“Maybe I’m just busy,” you retort, leaning back against the couch.

Zayn leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze fixed on you. “Busy thinking about me, though, yeah?”

“Obviously,” you say dryly, though the banter does manage to ease some of the tension in your chest.

Liam shifts beside you, clearing his throat. “You’re full of yourself, mate.”

“Just calling it like I see it,” Zayn fires back, his smirk widening. “Not my fault I leave an impression.”

You laugh softly, but your eyes flick back to Liam, who’s still unusually quiet. He offers a faint smile when your gaze lingers, but it doesn’t erase the shadow behind it.

Zayn notices the exchange, his brow quirking. “You alright there, Liam? You’re looking a bit... broody.”

“Fine,” Liam says shortly, standing abruptly. “Just need some air.”

You watch as he strides out of the room, his posture tense. Zayn lets out a low whistle, leaning back in his chair.

“What’s his problem?” Zayn asks, looking genuinely perplexed.

You shrug, though your mind is already racing. “Probably just tired.”

Zayn’s eyes narrow slightly, but then he shakes his head, his grin returning. “Well, he’s missing out. Guess it’s just you and me, love.”

His flirtation brings a welcome distraction, but your thoughts keep drifting to Liam—his quiet demeanor, his avoidance, the way he’d barely looked at you before leaving. Something has changed, and you aren’t sure if you are ready to find out what it is.

...

The night feels charged, the air between the three of you thrumming with unspoken emotions and desire. You’re in Zayn’s room, the dim light casting golden shadows across the walls. There’s always been heat between you, Liam, and Zayn, but tonight, it’s different. More intense. More intimate.

Zayn moves first, his eyes dark and hungry as they roam over you. He steps forward, pulling you to him with a confidence that makes your knees weak. “You’re still ours, aren’t you?” His voice is a low rasp, more of a command than a question.

Before you can respond, his lips claim yours in a kiss that’s all-consuming, urgent and demanding. His hands slide around your waist, gripping you tightly as if he’s afraid to let go. The raw intensity of his touch sends sparks racing through your body.

Behind him, Liam stands, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. He’s watching, but not like he usually does. His gaze tonight is quieter, more thoughtful. You can see the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers flex at his sides as though he’s trying to hold himself back.

Zayn’s mouth leaves yours to trail down your neck, his teeth scraping against your skin in a way that makes you shiver. “You like that, don’t you?” he mutters, his breath hot against your collarbone.

You barely manage a nod before he’s pulling your shirt over your head, exposing your skin to his hungry gaze. His lips follow the path of his hands, leaving kisses and bites as he works his way lower. “You belong to us,” he growls, his tone rough and possessive.

But just as Zayn is about to continue, he pauses, glancing over his shoulder at Liam. “You just gonna stand there, mate?” he says with a smirk, his voice teasing but edged with challenge.

Liam pushes off the wall, his movements slower, more deliberate. He reaches you, his hand brushing lightly against your cheek, a stark contrast to Zayn’s fiery energy. His touch is tentative, almost reverent, as though he’s afraid to break you.

When Liam leans in to kiss you, it’s soft, tender, like he’s savoring the moment. His lips move against yours with a gentleness that makes your chest tighten, the depth of his emotion clear in every touch.

Zayn steps back for a moment, watching as Liam’s hands slide to your waist, guiding you toward the bed. But the possessive glint in Zayn’s eyes doesn’t fade. “Don’t take all night,” he mutters, though his tone is playful.

Liam doesn’t rush. His hands explore your body slowly, memorizing every curve as he kisses you deeply. His touch is soothing, calming, and when he finally presses into you, it’s with a care that takes your breath away. His movements are steady and deliberate, his hands cradling your face as he looks into your eyes.

“You’re incredible,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. His pace is slow, as if he’s trying to draw out every second, making you feel every inch of him. The tenderness in his touch makes your heart ache, and for a moment, it feels like it’s just the two of you in the world.

But Zayn isn’t content to stay on the sidelines for long. He moves closer, his hands sliding over your body as Liam continues. His touch is rougher, more demanding, a stark contrast to Liam’s gentleness. He leans down, his lips finding the curve of your shoulder as his hand moves to your thigh, squeezing firmly.

Zayn’s voice is a low growl in your ear. “Don’t think I’m letting you go that easy.”

When Liam finally slows, his breath coming in soft gasps as he presses a lingering kiss to your lips, Zayn takes his place. His hands grip your hips as he pushes into you with a confidence that makes you gasp. There’s no hesitation in his movements—he knows exactly what he wants, and he takes it.

Zayn’s pace is faster, more demanding, his hands gripping you tightly as he drives deeper. His lips find yours again, the kiss heated and insistent, as though he’s staking his claim. “You’re ours,” he growls, his voice rough with need.

The contrast between them is overwhelming. Where Liam had been tender, gentle, Zayn is raw and passionate, his every movement igniting a fire inside you. Your body responds instinctively, arching toward him as he takes you higher and higher.

Zayn slows for a moment, his gaze locking with yours. His hand brushes a strand of hair from your face, a rare softness in his eyes as he murmurs, “You feel so good, love.”

Your breath catches at the unexpected tenderness, but it’s gone in an instant as Zayn’s pace picks up again, his focus solely on pushing you to your limits.

Liam watches from the side, his expression soft but filled with longing. He moves closer, his hand brushing over your skin as Zayn continues. When Zayn finally reaches his peak, his body shuddering against yours, Liam is there to take over once more.

This time, Liam’s movements are slower, more deliberate than before. His hands guide you gently, his lips pressing soft kisses to your neck as he slides into you. His touch feels like a promise, every caress filled with a tenderness that leaves you breathless.

“You’re everything,” Liam whispers, his voice cracking slightly as he moves inside you. His eyes stay locked on yours, his gaze filled with an intensity that leaves no doubt about how much he cares for you.

The contrast between them is dizzying—Zayn’s fire and passion paired with Liam’s warmth and love. They take turns pushing you higher, their touches blending together in a way that leaves you trembling beneath them.

When it’s over, the three of you lie tangled together, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Liam’s hand strokes your hair absently, while Zayn presses a lingering kiss to your shoulder.

The air in Zayn’s hotel room is thick and quiet as he drifts off, his breathing evening out. Liam stirs beside you, the faint tension in his shoulders making it clear that sleep is far from his mind. You tilt your head, catching his eye as he glances at you with a soft, almost guilty smile.

“Come on,” he whispers, his voice low to avoid waking Zayn. “Let’s get out of here.”

You nod, carefully disentangling yourself from the tangle of sheets and limbs. Liam does the same, his movements slow and deliberate as he reaches for his discarded shirt. Once dressed, he opens the door quietly, waiting for you to follow before slipping into the dimly lit hallway.

The silence between you is comfortable at first, the faint hum of the hotel’s late-night quiet wrapping around you both. But as you walk, you notice the way Liam’s jaw tightens, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. Something about him feels... off.

“You’ve been quiet all night,” you say softly, your voice breaking the stillness. “Is everything okay?”

Liam doesn’t answer right away. He glances at you briefly, then looks ahead, his brows knitting together. “Yeah,” he says, though his tone doesn’t match the word. “Just tired, I guess.”

You stop walking, forcing him to pause and face you. “Liam.” Your gaze searches his, trying to read what he’s holding back. “You can talk to me, you know. If something’s bothering you.”

He exhales a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as he looks away. “It’s nothing. Really. Don’t worry about it.”

But the way his eyes avoid yours tells you it’s not nothing. The Liam you know is steady, unflappable, but tonight, there’s a vulnerability in him that he’s trying to hide.

“I don’t buy that for a second,” you say, stepping closer. “You’ve been different all night, and I can tell something’s on your mind. Just tell me what it is.”

Liam shakes his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re too good at this, you know that?” he murmurs. “But I’m fine. I promise.”

You want to push him further, to make him open up, but there’s a stubborn set to his jaw that tells you he’s not ready. Not yet.

When you reach his door, he hesitates, his hand resting on the handle as he turns to you. “You should get some sleep. It’s late.”

You nod, though the thought of leaving him alone with whatever’s weighing on his mind doesn’t sit right with you. Before he can open the door, you reach out, your fingers lightly brushing his arm. “Do you want me to stay?”

His eyes meet yours, and for a moment, the mask slips. There’s gratitude in his gaze, mixed with something deeper that he doesn’t say aloud. “You don’t have to,” he says softly, though his tone suggests he doesn’t want you to leave.

“I know I don’t have to,” you reply. “But I want to.”

Liam exhales, a small, almost relieved smile curving his lips as he opens the door and steps aside to let you in. His room is neat, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air. He moves to the bed, sitting on the edge as he kicks off his shoes.

You follow, slipping out of your own shoes before settling beside him. The silence is comfortable now, the unspoken understanding between you filling the space.

Liam pulls back the covers, sliding into bed and watching as you do the same. When you lie down, he turns toward you, his arm slipping around your waist to pull you closer.

“Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.

“For what?”

“For staying.”

His words are simple, but the weight behind them makes your chest ache. You rest your head against his shoulder, his warmth enveloping you as his hand gently strokes your back.

“Get some sleep,” you whisper, your fingers tracing light patterns against his chest.

Liam presses a soft kiss to the top of your head, his hold on you tightening slightly. “Goodnight,” he murmurs, his voice heavy with emotion he doesn’t voice.

As his breathing evens out and his body relaxes against yours, you can’t help but feel the tension in your own chest. Whatever he’s holding back, it’s not just nothing. And as you drift off in his arms, you know this moment, this connection, is something neither of you can deny much longer.

...

The morning light filters gently through the curtains, the soft glow of dawn bathing the room in a warm, golden hue. You wake slowly, the weight of the night before still lingering in the air. Liam’s presence beside you is comforting, the rhythm of his breathing steady and calm, but there’s an undertone of something unspoken. His arm drapes over your waist, pulling you a little closer without him even stirring, and the feeling of him so near, so protective, stirs something inside you. It’s the kind of closeness that feels safe, but it’s also the kind of closeness that complicates things.

The scent of him—earthy, warm, with a hint of his cologne—fills your senses as you turn slightly, meeting his peaceful face. His hair is messy from sleep, his lashes resting on his cheeks, but even in the quiet stillness, there’s a tension about him that you can’t ignore. His brow is slightly furrowed, as if his thoughts are elsewhere.

You lay there for a moment, your fingers lightly tracing over his arm, feeling the steady pulse beneath his skin. The warmth of him is grounding, but the distance between the two of you—emotional, unspoken—feels vast. You wonder if he can feel it too.

As you gently shift to face him, his eyes flutter open, locking with yours immediately. The moment feels intimate, more intimate than it should be. His gaze is soft but distant, like he’s not quite sure how to be present in this moment.

"Morning," he mumbles, his voice husky with sleep, and the low sound sends a small thrill through you. But the weariness in his voice, the way he avoids holding your gaze for too long, tells you that something is off.

"Morning," you reply softly, offering a small smile, but your chest tightens with an unfamiliar feeling. You can’t put your finger on it, but something has shifted in him, in both of you.

Liam shifts a little, running his hand through his hair, his movements slow, almost hesitant. He doesn’t quite meet your eyes, his gaze falling to his hands, to the bed, anywhere but you. His usual composure is cracked this morning, replaced with an unease that settles between the two of you.

"About last night..." he begins, his voice a little quieter now, tinged with something that feels like uncertainty. "Did it mean anything to you? The way I was with you?"

His words hang in the air between you, thick with implication. You inhale sharply, your heart racing in your chest. His gaze flicks to yours, searching for something, for reassurance maybe, but you don’t know how to give him that. Not yet.

You hesitate, trying to gather your thoughts, trying to steady your emotions, but the warmth of him beside you only makes everything more complicated. “Of course it did,” you whisper, your voice barely audible. “You were... different. You were tender.” You pause, your fingers tracing the outline of his hand, trying to ground both yourself and him in the quiet of the moment. “But we agreed this was just... fun, right?”

He swallows, his lips pressed into a tight line as he pulls his hand away from yours and sits up, rubbing the back of his neck. His shoulders seem heavier today, burdened with something you can’t quite name. “Yeah, I know,” he mutters, almost too quickly. “But I can’t stop feeling... I don’t know. Like it’s not just that anymore.”

The words hit you like a wave, and you can’t suppress the flutter of something deep inside. You want to reach for him, to reassure him, to tell him that you feel it too. But you can’t, not without risking too much.

“I’m not asking for more,” he adds, his voice strained. “I just need to know it wasn’t just me.”

You look at him, seeing the uncertainty in his eyes. The vulnerability he’s showing is raw, something you’ve never seen from him before. It makes your heart ache, but you can’t offer him what he wants. Not yet.

Instead, you whisper, “We just... need to take it one day at a time.”

Liam gives a small, almost defeated nod, and the moment hangs between you, charged and heavy. The room feels smaller somehow, suffocating with the weight of his unspoken emotions. His hand brushes your hair softly before he pulls away, standing up and walking toward the window. You watch him, feeling the distance between you both grow with every step he takes.

...

The band is already gathered when you enter the breakfast room, but the usual banter isn’t quite the same today. Zayn, Harry, Niall, and Louis are in their usual high spirits, exchanging jokes and teasing one another, but Liam is... different. He’s sitting at the far end of the table, nursing his coffee, his eyes distant. There’s a stillness about him that feels like a stark contrast to the energy in the room.

You sit down beside him, but the gap between you feels wider than it should. Zayn glances over at you both, his eyes narrowing as he watches the quiet exchange between you and Liam. The other guys are too busy with their own conversations to notice, but Zayn does. He always does.

"Hey, Y/N," Niall greets, his usual smile lighting up the room. "Still no word on who your secret lover is?"

You feel your face heat up, but you play it cool, rolling your eyes. “You guys are relentless.”

“Oh, come on,” Harry chimes in with a wink. “We’ve been trying to crack that code for weeks. Who’s the lucky guy?”

You laugh nervously, but you can’t help but feel the pressure of their teasing, knowing it’s coming from a place of good-natured curiosity. Still, the thought of revealing what’s really going on between you and Liam—especially with Zayn so observant—feels like too much.

“Come on, spill,” Louis teases, nudging you playfully. "We won't tell."

Zayn’s gaze shifts back to Liam, who hasn’t joined in on the banter. His coffee cup is now untouched, his hands restless on the table. The usual playful teasing doesn’t seem to land on Liam today. Zayn’s brow furrows slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studies his friend. He knows something’s changed between them, between you and Liam.

Liam’s eyes meet Zayn’s for a brief moment, and there’s something unspoken in the exchange—a subtle shift in the dynamic. Zayn leans back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips, but his eyes are still calculating, trying to piece together the puzzle that is you and Liam.

“You know, you two are acting a little... different today,” Zayn observes, his tone light but his gaze sharp. “Everything alright, mate?”

Liam’s gaze flicks to him quickly, almost too quickly. He forces a smile, but it’s tight, not reaching his eyes. “Yeah, just tired. Nothing to worry about.”

Zayn doesn’t buy it, but he doesn’t press further. Instead, he turns his attention back to you, his teasing grin back in full force. “What’s the deal, Y/N? You and Liam get a little... cozy last night? Is that why he’s looking like he’s been hit by a truck this morning?”

The other guys laugh, but you can tell that Liam is uncomfortable. His jaw tightens, his hand gripping his mug a little too hard. You catch Zayn’s gaze again, and there’s something in the way he watches Liam now—a knowing look that tells you he’s starting to piece it all together.

For the rest of the breakfast, the conversation continues around you, but the weight of Zayn’s silent observation lingers. Liam’s quietness is impossible to ignore, and though he’s trying to keep his distance, you can’t shake the feeling that Zayn sees through it.

The band moves on to other topics, but the tension between you and Liam lingers. You can feel it in the way he pulls away when you brush against him, in the way he responds to the others with a clipped, distracted tone. It’s like the room is full of noise, but all you can hear is the quiet hum of uncertainty between the two of you.

And as Zayn watches, the smallest of smirks playing on his lips, you realise that whatever is happening between you and Liam is far from over—and it’s about to get even more complicated.

...

Part 3

[jazzyblusnowflake]

I've got one for ya. What were the first kisses in the N/V/Uzi relationship like. Uzi and N first, Uzi and V's first, and V and N's first.

(Bonus points for V and N's first kiss at the manner for some bittersweet angst)

Also, good golly gumdrops, love your stuff, even if you don't answer this one, still gonna keep enjoying

oh oh i love these kinds of ideas :"D tho it takes a bit of brain power to think of a good scene uhm.... lessee....

Ok so first up, although im still waiting for a canon first kiss for NUzi- since they are a thing now, i still like to think of something separate for my own version- [since obviously the main show isn't going towards a poly dynamic lmao]

See, we all know that the show is fast paced and its hard to find any empty spaces between each event, hell it almost feels like earth was blown apart and the DDs were on copper 9 the next day, Liam we need a fucking timeline order. 🙄 soooooo i personally like to imagine that there's a lot more time between events than is shown in the actual show. like- lets maybe put a few days between Uzi administrating N and V and the arrival of J and Cynessa- like.... maybe lets put a few NIGHTS between that??? what's the freaking rush 😭

But anyway yeah- i would put the first NUzi kiss somewhere around betwenn the camp and the flashback eps probably :p my idea would be that since the camp incidents, Uzi would be having a lot of bodily changes to deal with, one of which being her inability to tolerate the sun much anymore. other things would probably be the growth of literal flesh and blood and bones inside of her and lets make this morbid by adding her throwing up blood but keeping it a secret from everyone :p she may sneak back to the other two at night and stay with them- clearly shaken up- [V probably also being shaken up because on one hand she's terrified of seeing this transformation take place- but at the same time, she clearly cares enough about Uzi AND Ns happiness...] asking for help and advice- and the 3 grow closer during this. They practice with her for flying or controlling her tail- maybe some stuff on her control on oil hunger too. she probably also gets some fighting, sneaking and sparring practice with V-

//insert one of those cheesy moments where V riles up Uzi enough to tag her on the snowy ground but then realizes its the same position she got V in her solver!mode and starts panicking and pushing herself back- V getting back up and asking what the heck was that and Uzi just saying she doesn't want to hurt her and V is an insensitive jerk for making her spar with her in the first place and tries to fly away to calm down-..... which probably just ended with her falling face first in the snow and a lecture from both N and V.

overall they all started subconsciously getting even closer. tbh there's so many things i could add here but i gotta keep it a few NIGHTS not a few MONTHS until the next event 😭

either way during this i guess N and Uzi could have maybe ended up alone at some point- maybe after a flying lesson having gone right and they were a little too happy on top of a building or upturned bus or something lol- i imagine after a hug maybe Uzi asks if she could kiss N but quickly backtracks saying nvm it was stupid or something but N softly says its okay- //probably picks her up too, adding to her embarrassment- cuz she's short lmaooooo// and Uzi just decides to give a small unsure smooch- but decided to make it not too long. they decided to just hug after that to not let the other see them blushing like hell 😭 [also they didn't really decide anything after this cuz they are idiots????😭😭😭]

but anyway for the Vuzi first kiss i have no idea if or when V would return if she's been set to remain alive in the canon- but for me its probably when she appears again in her normal form, as herself. not a clone. Alice isn't alive to take the cores and make them sluggish with heat and the sentinels wouldn't have a chance against the solvers centipede lookin ass form.

Anyway if we consider that one way or another Uzi, N and V will meet up again, [and N and Uzi preferably get to share a better kiss this time-] the first thing Uzi is doing is landing a swift punch in Vs face and then kissing the daylights out of her- //confusing herself and everyone in the area in the process including V herself...// overall she would scold V on the whole "i trust you" shtick and leaving them alone- but yeah :p [ keep in mind that im also considering a few nights between when J and Cynessa show up and when they decide to actually go and find and search the labs, because PLOT REASONS :D ]

as for the first Envee kiss- ill do you one better and make it more angsty and say that N and V used to always spend time with each other and do silly things like hold hands in secret or send internal chat messages to eachother, draw and read books together- maybe N used to put flowers for her sometimes. But at some point a certain little corrupted drone started feeling possessive of her favorite "big brother" figure not spending time with her anymore...

one time, N had asked V if he could kiss her and at that they were both blushing messes but before V could respond they get interrupted- maybe by someone giving them orders or maybe by Cyn. either way, V quickly whispers to him "later, i promise" with a smile, making N happy and giddy. but the later never comes... V becomes comatose soon after... N sadly reading books to her and sometimes whispering to her to wake up and that she still has to keep her promise...

anyway after all things are said and done in the future and the solver is defeated- whether they are still living on copper 9 or any other planet idk- N, V and Uzi are all close, but since both N and V are close to Uzi, they also start spending more time with each other too. maybe one time on a walk or going out and about N was able to catch up with V and they reminisce about old memories they can now remember; and when V was finally able to open up a bit to N, he mentions that he still remembers the promise and asks her if he could kiss her again and she lets him.

and thaaaats all the brain power i have for tonight... i think... hope it made yall smile or cry or idk something lmao. :")

[bigtittiecomitte]

What are your thoughts on this video?? This was recommend to me and I watched it and I didn't really care for it..maybe it's just me but it feels like this person seems more salty about V not getting together with N instead of giving actually criticisms of why he didn't like the finale, in fact I've seen most people act act this way when it comes to the finale..it's been mixed since it released and more people have lately been finding reasons to find Nuzi *Problematic* and a bad ship with saying the whole N is dating is "sister" (Cyn) because of Uzi and the solver being in one together in the same body even though that's NOT the case!! Idk, part of the reasons I was never able to fully ship Envy was because of some of the toxic fans and V fans and how they treated Uzi as a character..even after the finale Uzi is still getting undeserved mistreatment and hate and it's truly unfortunate. People need to see and realize that although Nuzi is canon people are still allowed to ship whatever they want canon or not, and just because Nuzi is canon doesn't mean anybody can be a dick and jackass. People also shouldn't be sending threats to Liam and Glitch because of the finale, yes the finale was flawed but that doesn't make it okay to to doxx or hass the studio or creator, MD is Liam's show and he should allowed to do whatever he wants with this show, I've said this in my own post but I think many in this fandom truly took this show for granted and didn't really deserve it..although I'm grateful for Murder Drones and will forever cherish it as it's my comfort show, this fandom is truly a mess and I know that's all fandoms..but the MD community is just so toxic and I wished it was a much better and healthier fanbase. :(

https://youtu.be/mQ5xnKYHGoc?si=6bSwQpiPV10beX-b

I saw the video and holy fuck Media Literacy is DEAD

I’m all for hearing people’s opinions but it really does piss me off when people just start saying crap without properly understanding the characters they’re talking about

For anybody not wanting to check out the video, basically the guy is saying that N and V should’ve gotten together and N and Uzi should’ve just stayed friends or even have a “sibling dynamic” (pretty much stuff we’ve already heard before lol). The issue is that if you have been watching the show with your two eyes you would know that N and V getting together in the end would actually be WORSE for N and V

N and V’s relationship is very catered to the past, present and future. In the past, N and V had a thing for each other in the manor (maybe even dated) then we have the present where N and V are now genocidal robots with the intent of killing worker drones for oil. N still has a crush on V prior to meeting Uzi while V tries to protect her and N by continuing on their path of death due to her trauma of Cyn and everything that happened in the manor, she tries pretending to forget his name and hides secrets from him, which makes him upset and lash out on her. Then we cut to the future, N and V are now friends and living in the bunker with the rest of the worker drones, they’re healing but they’re doing alright now that there’s finally no hiding secrets from one another

The problem with a lot of people complaining that Envy should have been canon instead is the fact that their entire relationship throughout Murder Drones is all about moving on and the fact that not all romantic relationships end with them being happy together. N and V could never have what they had in the manor again because not only have they moved on from each other but they’re also building up their platonic relationship brick by brick. N and V were never proper friends and never got the chance to rekindle until Uzi came along, which another thing I want to talk about

I see so many people hating on Uzi for being the reason as to why N and V didn’t become endgame but if it wasn’t for Uzi. N and V would’ve never ended up where they are today like if they never met Uzi then they would just end up killing all the worker drones and dying after all the oil is gone, N and V wouldn’t even get to rekindle their relationship because it would be stuck to how it was before Uzi came along. The reason as to why Nuzi became endgame and not Envy wasn’t because Liam favoured one ship than the other but because N and Uzi were actually communicating. They were friends and understood each other’s trauma and feelings, which is what made them work. N and V didn’t have that until N lashed out on her and she got her character growth

The only part I can somewhat agree with is that we should have seen V apologise to the real N (she did apologise but it was to a fake N instead) but I’m at least happy that real N was there to know that she was being sincere with her words. They’re all traumatised characters, none of them deserved what they went through

He says that Uzi should’ve stopped having a crush on N which leads to N and V getting together and I just full on stopped the video because how are you seeing the interactions between N and Uzi and thinking that Uzi should have just stopped having a crush on him when N’s feelings for her were also the same, them not being canon would have actually made no sense because of all the moments we had got of them, hell even them implied to be dating in Episode 7 lol. N and V getting together in the end would have been way more rushed than the ship of what some envy shippers actually claim to be rushed

Not only that but him calling V “jealous” of N and Uzi being in love because apparently that’s what she wanted with N, like hell did V tell you that? She’s happy for them even if she doesn’t look like it (I mean I don’t like seeing couples in public either lol)

Nuzi being canon doesn’t mean you have to stop shipping other ships that you find better and it’s totally ok to be disappointed that Envy wasn’t the main ship. But it doesn’t give people the right to just make fake screenshots of Liam’s twitter and blaming Nuzi shippers for the reason as to why Nuzi became canon (apparently we all did a meeting and pay for Nuzi to be canon lmao). Remember that fanfiction and fanart exist my dudes, support your local AU’s too

Basically Envy is a very tragic ship and it was always written that way and guys please stop mischaracterising V it hurts

[thatsparrow]

debriefing thoughts on mafia nanny after having read it all in one sitting*

*all that's available so far without accessing additional episodes, which is currently up to ep25 (spoiler warning, etc. etc.)

I'm genuinely enjoying it so far! I think it's very charming and has lots of well-developed characters and dynamics (undeniable highlight is mikey, on his own, but also him and davina together, him as motivation for davina to stay in the house, him and gabriel, how him and gabriel informs davina's understanding of gabriel, etc.)

it's also so goofy in a way I didn't expect. like, maybe unintentionally goofy in how it implements some tropes or gets characters from point a to point b, but also unexpectedly goofy in ways that I'm gonna assume are intentional (can we talk about raphael's olives? i'm dying to talk about raphael's martini glass chock-full of olives.)

honestly I think ep 1 is—not the least strong, exactly, but in its efforts to introduce the characters and get them all interacting, while setting up the dynamics it wants to have, it makes some choices that are both very wild and also very cliched?

like okay, so we start with davina as a child, her parents were nebulously involved in organized crime, they get killed off-screen. lots of very familiar mafia story elements here—she's an orphan, she starts with her foot in the mafia world, she has motivation to get closer to someone else in that same sphere in an effort to find out what happened. sure, all very run of the mill

then we find out she was saved by her nanny, who promised to take care of her and teach davina to protect herself and others (also, sure, I'm with you so far)—by taking her to a secret school called the "elite nanny academy" (ENA for short) where davina and other women are trained how to be. well. what it says on the tin. elite nannies.

hey. what

like alright, the story needs justication for why davina would get hired by this mafioso, and also (liam neeson voice) "have a unique set of skills" such that she's able to help mikey and gabriel if say they feel uncomfortable turning to their guards or don't trust the people around them. sure. i'm with you. that said, introducing the concept of an elite academy of nannies who are not only trained in every aspect of childcare but also self-defense, computer programming, and more is. it's bold, I will give you that. I want to live in this world where secret academies of elite nannies exist. I want the entire webtoon just to be set in davina's school years. the fucking whiplash from this very run-of-the-mill backstory of losing her parents to a smashcut of davina learning to become a literal supernanny—unparalleled. no notes. such a big swing, and my god, I'm glad they went for it

(oops this is getting long. more under the cut)

okay, so we've established davina's credentials (again, in one of the wildest ways possible), and then the story immediately swings back into very familiar, well-trodden territory in how it introduces gabriel

a) first, his character design. I'm scrolling back through the comic for reference, and, oh my god, I fully forgot that the first panel he appears in, his pecs are fucking bursting out of his button down. tits for days. the exact level of cleavage anyone shows when hiring a new nanny for their four-year-old son (jesus I also forgot how much I loved his tasteful little cross necklace)

b) his whole demeanor—aloof, intense, and sort of positioning davina for a "not like other girls" framing when he's like "I want someone who's never worked with anyone else" and then of course he picks her out of the lineup, zeroes in on her directly, and is it because he's attracted to her? because he knows something about her backstory? because he wants something that's unique to her specifically? probably a combination of all three! but like at this point, gabriel is just checking all the boxes of a mafia romance lead, these are all familiar tropes, we know how a story like this goes

and then more whiplash! because we go straight from that office scene to the flashback of gabriel threatening the bartender when the story introduces mikey, and immediately gabriel stops feeling quite so much like any other male romance lead because who brings their four-year-old to a mafia business meeting? and what four-year-old then proceeds to conduct himself with a level of assurance and familiarity that suggests he's very aware of his father's business and has lots of opinions about it? absolutely blindsided by this, not at all what I expected from davina's future charge, or the father-son dynamic (also, I don't know kids, but is this at all how four year olds behave? I don't ultimately care all that much, because I think it's fun, but it did still have me pausing)

maybe this isn't a real thing, but I think gabriel's head is too small for his body—or, I guess, that his body is too big for his head. I get that the creators want him to have that classic triangle-torso physique, but I can't get over how comically broad his shoulders are

I'll be honest, as soon as adam showed up, my immediate reaction was "date him instead"—obviously that's not how this works, but he just seems much more laid back, inviting, charming in comparison to gabriel

the way this comic will use any excuse to have gabriel suddenly and intensely in davina's personal space is also very funny to me. don't get me wrong, I enjoy the tension of it, I'm here for it, but it's so deeply unsubtle (which I guess is itself a question, does it need to be subtle? maybe what I mean instead is less that those moments feel unsubtle, and more that they feel unnatural. like, is this really how these people would behave, how much of this feels manufactured for the sake of building tension? then again, you read a romance for the romance, and so long as the tension is there or the moments feel like they land, how much does it matter how you get there? anyway)

now can't remember if the comic explicitly addresses it or not, but curious if mikey being so involved in his dad's business pre-dated his mom's disappearance, or was a consequence of gabriel wanting to keep him closer because his wife went missing

I do really love all of mikey and davina's interactions, particularly all the moments where he's clearly set on being stubborn or trying his best not to act like a kid, and davina suckers him into it (getting him to show her his room, playing in the pool, art class, etc.)

THE POOL like this is what I'm talking about in terms of how goofy this story can get. the concept of "pool day" is actually very cute in terms of thinking about mikey wanting to spend time with his dad, who is often unpredictably called away on business, and so here's this holiday they've come up with as a way to address that. but, from a reader perspective, it feels so transparently motivated as an excuse for eye candy of gabriel sprawled out in a speedo and to compel davina to spend time with the two of them at a pool, where she now also has to be in a swimsuit and oh is that gabriel checking her out?

having gabriel and davina aligned on wanting to keep mikey out of the mafia world, mikey being dead-set on taking over as the next don, and raphael who clearly intends to have him raised as heir and successor is all a very fun interlocking set of interactions. I like that it gives gabriel and davina a way to be on the same side and get to know one another in a way that's divorced from romance, there's obviously the tragedy of this very young boy who believes he has to grow up so quickly, and then the danger element of raphael as a threat to all the characters if they deviate from his intentions

so, does gabriel know about davina's past? I can't remember what triggers it, but there's the bit where he confronts her about why she's really there (edit: it's the bit where she's helping him identify who left the teddy bear and he wants to know how she knows so much about organized crime), or if she has ulterior motives, and she comes up with the lie about being a freelance hacker, which—either he already knows who she is, and that's why he picked her, and so presumably can suss out that she's curious about her own past and how it might relate to his family, and he was lying or putting on an act when pressuring her about her reasons for being there OR he genuinely doesn't know about her past, in which case, why did he choose her out of the lineup? I think at that point in the story, the only thing she has to distinguish herself is her computer skills, which I guess isn't nothing, but isn't what I expected

maybe it's just because I haven't really grown my hair longer than my shoulders in a decade, but I swear whenever davina lets her hair down, it distinctly looks like she has way too much of it to then put it up in such a petite bun

THE OLIVES i still can't get over raphael's obsession with olives. every shot of him either with a martini glass overflowing with olives (is there even any liquor in there) or the scene where he's just eating them straight out of the jar before drinking the juice or the bit where's at the party and says DOUBLE THE OLIVES! sir!! your glass was already so full!! where are the rest of these olives supposed to go!! anyway, deeply funny the first time it happened, so unexpected, such a funny running gag, I enjoy it every time it crops up again

man I am and continue to be a sucker for a "helps someone to bed" "carries someone from point a to point b" moment whenever it happens. it's a genre staple for a reason, it always hits

"sir we may have a problem" "is it your outfit" truly I never know what I'm going to get with raphael, and I'm ready to be surprised every time

nico and valentine are fun, no question, but valentine's outfit makes no sense to me. who's out here wearing a skirt that short when you know you could get into a fight at any moment? a skort, at the very least

wait hang on, I just caught this on reskimming—when davina is looking for information on her parents, is her name "davina diavolo"? DIAVOLO AND ANGELINl come on that's so funny. it's fun! but it's also very funny

the doctor is hot, I'll stand by that

(although then again, it's a mafia romance. all of them are hot)

I think that was everything? last we left off was the fire after the party and davina finding the safe in gabriel's office. tldr, I'm enjoying it, I'm invested, it's fun and goofy (SO goofy at times, my god), but the plot is solid, the stakes are engaging, the characters and relationships are compelling, and honestly I'm not sure if I'd be enjoying it as much if it seemed like it was taking itself too seriously

[diaryofateenageslayer]

I was rewatching my Buffy DVDs and found the JW commentary. Even though his views on women/feminism tainted this show, he does explain his directing decisions.

If you don't believe the Spuffy fans, at least believe the writers and actors who created their story!

It's the "wait...Bangel was a big deal?" for me.

JW actually admits that Angel reappearing in the last episode and the Bangel kiss was, in fact, "fan service."

Emphasis on the VOCAL MINORITY that leads to the fan service. Something iconic enough (The Bangel kiss) to "give people hope( 😂) that Buffy and Angel might one day work out" - purple

I don't know what was going through that brain of his, but Parker was NOT "the most important relationship of her life." Like sir, where did that come from? - green

The chemistry between both David/Sarah and James/Sarah is insane. However, I like how both relationships have their own distinct chemistry. - yellow

Spike is more on Buffy's level. he understands her, both physically and emotionally, something Angel struggles with. - orange

The relationship is more nuanced, we witnessed the development, and we watched it build from the ground up. We can point out pivotal moments in the relationship. Spike has more dynamic, he's not just "the tall, dark and handsome vampire" that seduces Buffy.

Buffy tells Spike things she wouldn't tell anybody else.

"These two" (Sarah/Buffy & James/Spike), yes, I agree 🤗- blue

Angel is described as an object of desire. Buffy falls in love because of his looks. If Angel wasn't attractive, would she have fallen for him? It's his body that "becomes the object of her gaze."

He really has his looks to offer. "He's tall, dark, and handsome" so he must be a love interest. "Otherwise what else would his purpose be?"

The analysis states that Angel functions as Buffy's "homme fatal," (An ultimately seductive and dangerous man; a womanizer) which gives a nod to Liam's character, his human self.

Joss explains the comparisons between souled and soulless Spike and his behavior/change. Soulless Spike didn't recognize boundaries.

JW still highlights that Spike needs development before he and Buffy become "lovers" again.

The writer of the character and the story states that this man can be redeemed.

[suebswrites]

20 Questions for Writers Game

Thank you for tagging me, @yanny-77 and @caeli0306!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 14! Plus a bunch on fanfiction.net from back in the day...*checks* 23. 23 works on FF.net that I will not share with you unless you are my friend, lol.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 114,162 words

3. What fandoms do you write for? The Empyrean (Fourth Wing) is the only fandom I currently write for, including one crossover with Bridgerton. All of my back-in-the-day fanfiction was for Harry Potter, but I don't write for anything other than the Empyrean anymore.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? Just Ask - 1,087 Xaden POV: At Samara - 350 Throne Scene: Xaden POV Microfiction - 170 Dear Brennan - 117 Bridgegiath - 110

5. Do you respond to comments? Yes! At least, I try to. Though when I get an influx of a lot of comments at a time, I get overwhelmed and a little anxious about wanting to respond to them all, and then I get avoidant, heh. So it may not be right away, but I try to respond to as many comments as I can, and often will go back weeks later and then respond to them once I'm less anxious. As any writer will tell you, comments absolutely make my day and I read them over and over again, even going back and reading them days or weeks (or months) later.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Probably Happy Birthday, Violet, which is a drabble I wrote for the "birthday" prompt from the RQ War Games events in June. It's not necessarily angsty so much as sad. (I was hurting again about Liam at the time, lol.) It's tiny and short, you'll be fine.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? I have no idea how to answer this. Almost all of them are happy! I think. Uh. Okay @yanny-77 tells me that the answer is Ridoc Talks To The Dragon, and I believe her.

8. Do you get hate on fics? Nope! Well, never on AO3 or Reddit. I got, like...three negative comments on my biggest HP fic on FF.net years ago, but they were only three comments among over 400, so whatever, lol.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Yes! I have written M/F and M/F/M. I only want to write sex if there are feelings involved, though, so I don't write any pwp. I don't know that I could, to be honest. The only fic I've written that had smut, outside of Just Ask, is canon-compliant TO Just Ask, and leans on the context built in the main longfic, heh. So...therrrrrre you have it!

10. Do you write crossovers? Yes! But only one. Bridgegiath is a Bridgerton-Empyrean crossover fic where all the characters from Fourth Wing are in a Bridgerton-world, more or less following the plot from Bridgerton Season 1. The most common comment type I've gotten on it is "the crossover I didn't know I needed AND I NEED IT SO MUCH", lol. It's hilarious and delightful and I plan to get back to it once the summer is over and I have more time to write again!

Bridgegiath - a Riorgail, Bodoc, Immrick, Jesiam fic, featuring (among all the others), Lady Durranbury as Lady Danbury. It's a blast.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? No

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? I will steal @yanny-77's answer and say that I am not cool enough for that. Lmao

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Hell yes. Co-writing has become my love language. I've co-written with @yanny-77 and @sarahydeart and all four times were fucking awesome.

Dear Brennan The Book Cat Garrick's Snorkel Ridoc Talks To The Dragon

14. What is your all-time favorite ship? My favourite ship is Liam/Violet/Xaden, for many reasons, which I will list now lol.

I adore each of the dynamics in this triad: the obvious friends-to-lovers, protect-you-with-my-life, slow burn fall of Violet and Liam; the explosive chemistry between Violet and Xaden; and the love that would grow between Xaden and Liam, born of being fostered together after the trauma of losing their parents, being separated for two years when Xaden went to Basgiath, and then meeting again once Liam gets there--and then they both fall for the same person.

I think Liam balances out a lot of Xaden's dark-and-broody energy, and could bring out a more relaxed version of him. And I think Xaden could bring out a harder edge to Liam that would be incredibly sexy. Liam and Violet's dynamic I obviously adore, and I think the way they take care of each other is fucking delightful and healthy and sweet. I think there's such an easy likelihood that both Xaden and Liam would fall for Violet.

I genuinely don't consider either Liam or Xaden to be bisexual, but I think they could fall for each other in this specific scenario, because of the unique dynamic of trust they have with each other.

All of this to say...Liam/Violet/Xaden is my One True Polypairing, heh, and one day I might write it. But that is a very distant, very pipe-dreamy one day.

Shoutout to Harry/Hermione, though. I'll die on that hill to this day.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Oof. I absolutely intend to continue Bridgegiath once I'm less busy, this summer has been absolutely bananas, and I'm REALLY hoping I'll be able to take it to a satisfying conclusion eventually.

16. What are your writing strengths? I have been told, and I think I agree and hope that it's true, that I'm able to wring quite a wide range of emotions out of my readers. I have it on good authority that I can bring you from thrilling tension to desperately turned on to heart-stopping angst without missing a beat, and have a decent eye for knowing when to insert a funny little exchange to ease tension before diving back in.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? I hope I won't lose my fanbase if I honestly say "finishing", heh. Though looking back at my history, I actually did finish both longfics that I wrote for Harry Potter, and I'm on track to finish Just Ask in a timely manner. I'm not too worried about Bridgegiath, because I know I'm much more likely to be invested in it again once I'm done Just Ask. It's just my original stuff that I struggle with I guess...

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I would rely entirely on Google translate if I ever did this, and thus would probably butcher any attempt.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Harry Potter, waaaaay back in 2007, two days after Deathly Hallows came out. I couldn't accept that Harry and Hermione didn't get together. (And I still can't.)

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Just Ask. It's probably the best thing I've ever written. I started writing it to deal with my intense book hangover after Iron Flame, I'm still writing it, and it will be finished before the release of Onyx Storm. I am fiercely proud of it.

---

Tagging: @taumoebaa and @ubiquitouslyme and @copperfirebird

[grandprix-ao3]

i have over 300 bookmarks on ao3, but only some of them are marked as "recs." here is a post of all the fics i have bookmarked as recs, which ofc i will update as i read/bookmark more!

good to you by TheNorthRemembers (@catofthecanals289) -- 72.9k words, 1/1 chapters -> DANIEL/MAX easily my favorite maxiel fic of all time. easily one of my favorite fics of all time. it's nearly 73k words but i've read it like a million times. like i can't recommend it enough 12/10 would let my day be ruined by again

If I were proper, I'd have a chance; not with you, but somebody else by ShiwiSins (IetjeSiobhan) (@deepdowninshipperhell) -- 4.3k words, 1/1 chapters -> PIERRE/CHARLES this is actually the fic that swayed me to the omegaverse side. before this fic i would intentionally avoid any and all omegaverse fics, but i read this one and it is so good. i don't know what to say other than it is perfect and you should read it

hard feelings by orphan_account -- 2.9k words, 1/1 chapters -> PIERRE/ESTEBAN this is an au fic, and i've said it before: i think this fic captures the pierresteban fic dynamic perfectly. the severed relationship, being dropped into the middle of something broken and never given a real answer, it's just - perfect

shark teeth by toastandvegemite (@toastandvegemite) -- 3.6k words, 1/1 chapters -> LANDO/DANIEL i'm not super vocal about it but i am a dando enjoyer. i Love dando. and this was one of the first dando fics i ever read, and it's so good, and it's actually my "if you're only going to read one fic for this ship, read this one" recommendation for dando. so, like, even if you don't usually read dando, maybe read?

nothing but teeth by crescenteluce (@janinaduszejko) -- 25k words, 3/3 chapters -> ALEX/GEORGE my favorite galex tropes are: friends with benefits, george being measurably pathetic (and obsessed with alex), and this exact type of miscommunication. so like, what more could you ask for?

six weeks by dropdeaddeadass (@oversteerey) -- 10.1k words, 3/3 chapters -> MARCUS/CLEM idk why i didn't mark this one before seeing how i read it like once a week. anyways. this is the fic that convinced me of the turned into a girl trope or whatever it's called AND it convinced me of clemarcus so really doing the most out here! cannot recommend it enough

dropping the gloves by loreli (@alpaine) -- 5.6k words, 1/1 chapters -> OSCAR/LOGAN loscar fic ... on the fic rec list ... i think yes. did not realize how much i needed a hockey au until i opened the tag and saw it sitting there like this fic is everything. i was gonna say something after that but nah this fic is just everything

panties in miami by dropdeaddeadass (@oversteerey) -- 3.6k words, 1/1 chapters -> LIAM/OSCAR/LOGAN at some point i told myself 'no repeat authors on the rec list!' but actually i am full of shit. this fic is sooo stupid good i keep re-reading it and idk maybe i just want ***** ** **** ** ** * ***** ******** (censored for good measure)

not yours, not mine by dropdeaddeadass (@oversteerey) -- 18.2k words, 1/1 chapters -> MARCUS/JAMES/CLEM a/b/o. no further comment is available at this time. or any time. people died (me)

hand in hand in hand by RedTailed -- 7.6k words, 1/1 chapters -> CALLUM/KYLE/DAVID did you know i love indycar. and read indycar fic. i love this fic so so much partially because i love this writer so much like i cannot recommend it enough it's just so Yes. maybe i like. poly ships. squints

[vaguely-concerned]

so sad that we didn't get a follow up game for andromeda if for no other reason then because I never got to play out the full arc of my ryder looking hauntedly at himself in the mirror realizing he very much is his father's son in more ways than he's strictly comfortable with

(by default sara always seems to me to be the twin who's the most obviously like alec -- with small variances based on how you play her if she's the PC twin, she's always presented as more driven, competetive and academically minded than scott, who's framed in the family dynamic more as the underachiever/slacker fuckup twin. as an example, see: the conversation you have with alec about the sibling who's in coma at the beginning of the game. when you're scott they bond over joking that sara would be so pissed to be out of commission because she's been planning to be the first to scale every mountain, and when you're sara it's that scott never liked to get up in the morning anyway, how typical of him. (even in jest I feel like this indicates a slightly unpleasant dynamic where one of the few reliable tactics that work for sara to get connection with her dad is for both of them to turn on scott to mock him. which like. very real type of interpersonal dynamic that exists, and one of the character aspects I like the most in andromeda for all that it's uncomfortable, it feels quite subtle and well observed.) you can make sara a bit more neurotic/nervous and awkward and/or charmingly dorky when playing as her and you can make scott a bit more serious, but these aspects of the characters hold true no matter what. which for the record I absolutely love! it's the thing the hawke family also provides in da2, being able to see the dynamics that lead to your character being the way they are alllll the way back and building on it.

hOWEVER with my scott. this apparent disconnect between himself and his dad in terms of character traits (and the lack of communication in that relationship that stood in the way of letting him see that his father was a lot of other things behind the fragile hard outer shell of him than he wanted to show) means that as time goes on scott is fucking blindsided by all the common traits that start popping up under pressure. which you can actually start to introduce in the game itself, too -- if you choose mostly the logical and casual options, it's almost freaky how much ryder starts to sound like a younger and more irreverent version of their dad. (the most interesting version of liam's loyalty quest for me is actually the one where you go full professional and chew him out afterwards, and as liam storms off you can practically SEE ryder arrive at the thought 'oh my god I have become my father' in real time fhdsakj. in general some of the most interesting moments in me:a to me happen when you manage to break away from video game people pleaser mode.)

especially the things alec was willing to do to not lose his wife, to not be alone, he'd rather she be alive and pissed with him than gone forever because that's how desperately he needed her to exist... I think one day scott will look up and go '...oh fuck' at realizing the lengths he would go for someone he loves, and that he has the means to do it too and would make his father's (very bad to be clear) choice all over again if push came to shove. keeping horrible secrets is just the family tradition what does it matter if the weight of them grows heavier and heavier to bear over the years these are family heirlooms you know. I mean, my guy romanced reyes, so you already know he's got something deeply deeply wrong with him lol but this horrors of love side of him only adds to it. scott ryder got his fundamental lack of inner peace from his father and his social skills and abysmal taste in men from his mother