#maybe Charlie’s fighting for everything that’s good in the world?

[nekosoda]

A normal day for Charlie,based off of an old ask for @jencilthepencil @lemonlysunny

[oldsoul007]

fallen angel

charlie mayhew x reader

summary: you’ve been told to stay away from charlie mayhew but can’t resist him, charlie a giver in this

disclaimer: the “devil” is just a description, I am not saying charlie is it, suggestive

Charlie Mayhew had a reputation that preceded him. In Valley, he was known as the "devil," a man whose charm was matched only by his ruthlessness. People warned me to stay away from him, but there was something about Charlie that drew me in, something I couldn't quite resist.

Every time our paths crossed, I felt a magnetic pull towards him. His dark eyes seemed to see right through me, and his presence was intoxicating. Despite knowing he was trouble, I couldn't deny the thrill I felt when he was near.

Charlie, on the other hand, was equally captivated by y/n. He knew he was no good for her, that his world was filled with shadows and danger. But something about her innocence and strength called to him, making him want her in a way he had never wanted anyone before.

Charlie leaned casually against the wall, his eyes locking onto mine. There was a knowing glint in his gaze, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I see you watching me, y/n," he said, his voice low and confident. "You think I don't notice, but I do."

My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to keep my composure. "What are you talking about, Charlie?"

He took a step closer, closing the distance between us. "You think I'm some kind of mystery, don't you? Some puzzle you can't figure out."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Charlie chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You can deny it all you want, but I know what you think about me. You think I'm trouble, and maybe I am. But you like that, don’t you?"

My breath caught in my throat, my defenses crumbling under his intense gaze. "You're wrong," I whispered, though even I wasn't convinced by my own words.

"Am I?" Charlie asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Or are you just afraid to admit it?"

One evening, we found ourselves alone, the air thick with unspoken tension. Charlie stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You should stay away from me, y/n. I'm not a good man."

My heart raced, but I stood my ground. "Maybe I don't want to stay away. Maybe I see something in you that others don't."

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You're playing with fire," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.

"Then let me burn," I whispered, closing the distance between us.

In that moment, we both knew we were crossing a line, stepping into a dark and uncertain territory. But the pull between us was undeniable, and neither could resist the storm that was brewing.

The tension between me and Charlie had been building for weeks, an electric current that neither could ignore. One night, after yet another heated exchange, we found ourselves alone in a dimly lit room, the air thick with anticipation.

Charlie took a step closer, his eyes burning with intensity. "Y/n, you don't know what you're getting into."

"I don't care," I replied, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and excitement. "I can't fight this anymore."

He just gazed at me for a moment before leaning in. “Don’t worry…it’s all part of the process” he whispers into my ear sending shivers down my spine. “The waiting”

Before I could say another word, Charlie closed the distance between us, his lips crashing against mine in a fierce, passionate kiss. I responded instantly, my hands tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer.

The kiss was everything we had both been longing for—raw, desperate, and filled with a hunger that had been simmering beneath the surface. Charlie's hands roamed over my body, pulling me even tighter against him, as if he couldn't get enough.

My heart pounded in my chest, my mind clouded with desire. I knew this was dangerous, that Charlie was dangerous, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. We were consumed by our need for each other, lost in a whirlwind of passion and intensity.

As we finally broke apart, both breathless and flushed, Charlie rested his forehead against mine. "This changes everything, you know," he whispered.

I nodded, my fingers still tracing the lines of his jaw. "I know. But I don't care. I want this. I want you."

With those words, we both knew there was no turning back. We had given in to the pull between us, and now, we were bound together by a connection that was as dangerous as it was irresistible.

The room was dark, the only light coming from the flickering streetlamp outside. Charlie's reputation as the "devil" wasn't just talk—it was something he lived up to, something that made him both feared and irresistible. Tonight, I was about to see that side of him up close.

Charlie grabbed my wrist, pulling me roughly towards him. "You think you can handle me, y/n?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

My heart raced, but I didn't back down. "I know I can," I shot back, my eyes blazing with defiance.

Without warning, Charlie pushed me against the wall, his body pressing into mine with an intensity that took my breath away. His hands were everywhere, rough and demanding, as if he was claiming me for himself. His lips inches from mine. My breath hitching as his lips finally met mine in a searing, aggressive kiss.

It was a battle of wills, each of us pushing and pulling, neither willing to give an inch. Charlie's kiss was fierce, almost punishing, as if he was trying to make me understand just how dangerous he could be. But I responded with equal intensity, meeting his aggression with my own.

His hands gripped my hips, lifting me slightly off the ground as he deepened the kiss, his teeth grazing my lower lip. I moaned into his mouth, my fingers digging into his shoulders as he matched his fervor. It was a clash of fire and ice, passion and danger, and neither of us wanted it to stop.

When we finally broke apart, both gasping for air, Charlie's eyes were dark with desire. "You're mine now," he said, his voice rough and possessive.

I looked up at him, my own desire mirrored in my eyes. "I always have been," I replied, knowing that despite the danger, I wouldn't have it any other way.

The rain pounded on the roof of the car, creating a rhythm that matched the racing of my heart. Me and Charlie were sitting in the front seats, the world outside forgotten as the tension between them reached its peak.

Without warning, Charlie leaned in, capturing my lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. I responded immediately, my hands tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer. The kiss deepened, our breaths mingling as the intensity of our emotions took over.

Charlie pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his own filled with a fire that mirrored my own. “Get in the back” After hopping in the back, without breaking eye contact, he reached down and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. His bare skin glistened in the dim light, and I couldn't help but run my hands over his chest, feeling the warmth and strength beneath my fingertips.

My hair, wild and untamed, cascaded around my face as me and Charlie kissed with a fervor that left them both breathless.

Charlie pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with desire. He gently gathered my hair, which was all over the place, and with a deft touch, made it into a makeshift ponytail. "I want to see your face," he murmured, his voice husky.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt the warmth of his hands against my scalp. I smiled, my eyes locking onto his. "Better?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Much better," Charlie replied, his lips curving into a smile. He leaned in once more, capturing my lips in another passionate kiss, his hands now free to explore the curves of my body. The connection between us grew stronger, the intensity of our emotions filling the small space of the car.

He kissed me again, even more passionately this time, as if he couldn't get enough of me. The world outside the car ceased to exist; all that mattered was the electrifying connection between us, a connection that seemed to grow stronger with every touch, every kiss. His cross necklace dangling over me.

He continued to kiss down my neck, nicking me with his teeth along the way, lifting my shirt off to continue kissing all the way down my chest. He moved himself lower, taking my pants with him. “I want to make you feel good.” He grins up at me mischievously, as I thread my fingers through his hair.

The darkness of the car didn’t make up for much of what he was doing. “Please, charlie” I begged. I heard him laugh. “So impatient.”

He took his time kissing against my thighs. Feeling him groan against me, threading my fingers through his hair once again.

He kissed me once again. I reach my hands towards his pants but he quickly takes my wrist and holds them together. “I don’t want to have you in the car.” He said barely above a whisper.

The tension in the air was palpable as me and Charlie faced off in the dimly lit room. Charlie's eyes were wild, a storm brewing behind them that I could almost feel. Hearing the things Charlie has done and he apparently doesn’t give a shit about me really heated something inside of me.

"You're insane, Charlie!" I shouted, my frustration boiling over. "You can't just go around acting like a maniac and expect everyone to fall in line!"

Charlie sneered, his expression hardening. "Oh, so now I'm insane? That's rich coming from someone who can't even admit how much they need me."

"Need you?" My voice cracked with anger. "I don't need a psychopath like you controlling my life!"

Charlie's face twisted with rage. "You are such a massive fucking bitch," he spat. "After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me?"

My eyes blazed with defiance. "I never asked for your help, Charlie. I never asked for any of this."

"Fine," Charlie growled, taking a step closer, his presence looming over me. "But don't come crying to me when you realize you can't handle this world on your own."

My heart pounded, but she refused to back down. "I'd rather be alone than be with someone who treats me like shit."

“Don’t you ever fucking speak to me like that again.” He grits closing the distance between us. Taking my neck in his hands and kissing me passionately. I could feel his tongue fighting mine for dominance. He stops, scaring into my eyes leaving me wanting more.

The room fell silent, the weight of our words hanging heavily between us. Neither of us willing to give in, both too stubborn to admit the truth buried beneath our anger.

[foggyperfectionangel]

You left

Jasper hale x reader

Tw: sad and ed

Summary: after leaving with his family y/n finds out that Jasper as returned to forks.

It’s hard to think that what jasper and I was real when the last word he spoke to you was I don’t love you anymore, that was the day I felt my heart rip in two. When Jasper left it was like he was never there to begin with and everything began going back to how it was before I knew him, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t want to talk to anyone all I ever did these days was lay in bed and stare at the ceiling praying that it was just some bad dream that I could wake up from.

I knew Bella was having a hard time as well but I couldn’t bring myself to visit her because before because I didn’t want another reminder that the Cullens was gone and Jasper the only person able to drag you from the dark place of my own mind. Jasper was the one who got me to eat again and now I don’t even have the energy to cry.

Im sick of being alone in my sadness so I went to see Bella maybe she could cheer me up a little bit she seemed a bit happier since she started spending time with Jacob. Charlie let me into the house he seemed glad to see me again, I walked to Bella’s room when I heard talking from behind the door I thought it was Jacob. I open the door and my heart shatters seeing Edward sitting on the bed with Bella.

‘Your back’ the mumble words are all I could get out before both of them rushes over to me

‘Y/n….’ Bella starts but I cut her off and look and Edward ‘are the others back?’ I ask trying to hide the tears in my eyes.

‘Yes’ that one word feels like my heart is being put through a paper shredder ‘how long’ I look up at Edward tears staining my cheeks.

‘A few weeks’ those words send me over the edge as a walk down stairs as fast as I can needing to get out of there my whole world feels like it’s caving in on me and I can’t handle it. I held on to hope all this time that Jasper still loved me that he was trying to protect me from himself but now he doesn’t want me at all anymore he couldn’t even let me know that he was back.

I rush home and snuggle into my bed tear streaming down my face as I sob feeling worse then I did when Jasper left me.

I wake up to a cold hand running down my cheek, slowly my eyes flutter open and I see pale skin and blonde hair ‘hi darlin’ the smooth southern draw of jaspers words make my heart flutter as tears well in my eyes.

‘Jasper?’ I ask as rise to my feet and stand in front of him.

‘Yes sugar’ he reaches to wipe my tears but before his hand can reach my face again I smack it away as jaspers eyes go wide in shock.

‘You left’ I sob ‘you said you don’t love me’ Jasper pulls me into his arm ‘shhh I’m here now’ i struggle to get out of his grip ignoring his words as I cry.

‘Y/n look at me…. Please darling’ I stop fighting when him and look into his eyes watching as they good wide seeing how thin and pale I’ve become.

‘I love you but it was the only way you would let me go but please y/n give me a second chance’ a sob leaves my mouth as Jasper picks me up in his cold arm and puts me in bed cuddling me.

‘Sugar I need you to listen to me ok’ is firm voice worries me as he stares into my eyes ‘I know you don’t want to eat so we will sleep for tonight and in the morning I’ll go buy all your favourite foods and I’ll show how sorry I am for leaving you y/n I love you’ before I can respond Jasper pulls me into a passionate kiss pouring all of his feelings of sorrow and regret into it as he pulls away he strokes my hair and doesn’t leave my side as I fall back asleep.

[reiniesainyo]

IN BETWEEN. charlie bushnell x reader – 03

03 | ENCHANTED previous | next | masterfile

SYNPOSIS. when a girl's co-star is good to her and now she wants it more than everything in between. (smau)

A/N. i'm going through a rough / stressful period and i find this series and writing it very therapeutic so here we are! this chapter takes place around episode 7 release, i'm not really inclined to write about the filming in between for some reason (unless you'd be interested)

liked by walker.scobell, thelnarchives, and 262,287 others rickriordan With the release of the new PJO series on Disney+, I'm happy to announce that to celebrate I've partnered with some of your favorite authors and close friends of mine to present to you all a new look into the lives of our favorite demigods!

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HALF-BLOOD will go online for free this February 20, 2024!

Click the link in bio for more info! PS: A sneak peak from our writers on the other slides

thelnarchive ... WHAT THE??? i have to manifest a chapter for my girl, manifesting a chapter or more please or even just one mention ↳ iamcharliebushnell YOU DIDN'T KNOW EITHER?????

user1 HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT????

user2 1) more stories about characters and 2) WRITTEN BY OTHER AUTHORS???? WHO COULD BE IN THIS PROJECT ↳ user3 i'm manifesting a story about tahlia and jason as kids oh my god

iamcharliebushnell imagine releasing a whole anthology to celebrate? that's the best author right there

user4 ohhh we're eating so good

walker.scobell another book and there's still not enough percy jackson in this world keep it coming i love your work ↳ aryansimhadri Imo too much percy maybe some more grover ↳ leahsavajeffries wrong there should be more annabeth

dior.n.goodjohn the gc going wild with this news

🃏 @CHILDOFHECATE what are your guys guesses for the stories in what it means to be a half-blood??? 🗨 32 comments 🔁 150 retweets ❤️ 456 likes

user1 a jason and tahlia story about them as kids, just a delve into their childhood

user2 more stuff on luke and rina, as individuals and as a couples- like i totally see a luke perspective on some situations or a conversation they had being in the book ↳ CHILDOFHECATE honestly i think it'd be so cool if they went like contemporary and also gave us maybe a poem or transcript / screenplay of a conversation between luke and rina

user3 stories about annabeth, tahlia, and luke's time before camp maybe fighting monsters together or just trying to survive ↳ user4 watch me cry over this one

user5 i just see a lot of delving into the lives of the original trio and also like the original supporting characters to like tahlia, luke, rina, even rachel

user6 grover's childhood! i really wanna see that or some parts of the story from his perspective

user7 Angst.

liked by iamcharliebushnell, aryansimhadri, and 320,372 others thelnarchives celebrating with the half-bloods

iamcharliebushnell when you're so excited over new lore you go and have dinner to talk about it ↳ thelnarchives this means so much to us

user1 YN IN THE SECOND SLIDE OH SHE'S GOREGOUS

user2 her face card never declines ↳ user3 it even has like benefits and a perfect credit score

dior.n.goodjohn fans first cast second ↳ thelnarchives this show has more more dressed up than my wedding

user4 this cast is so cute it's crazy

walker.scobell the 3rd pic >>> ↳ iamcharliebushnell oh so true ↳ i.am.andrew.alvarez a banger photo ↳ thelnarchives phone hijackers.

user5 the little black dress is doing so good for her, if i saw her in public i would've fainted ↳ user6 i can't believe i live in the same city as this girl like we breathe the same air???

leahsavajeffries i'm sat for the release, we're sat ↳ thelnarchives this is MY superbowl

aryansimhadri i feel excluded out of the 3rd photo ↳ thelnarchives that's okay because you're one of the girls ↳ iamcharliebushnell wait that's not fair

user7 aryan being part of the girls is so real and charlie wanting in is so cute

[lightofthemoonglow]

kinktober day seven and eight

Virginity | Waxplay | Stuck in Wall

Breeding | Gore | Master & Slave

third person reader because that is how it turned out oops

Sequel here

Thomas Hewitt

The day had finally come.

The wedding dress is older than the bride. The bride is considered an adult in every part of the world, in basically every sense. And yet she still wears a dress that Luda Mae had brought for herself a long time ago, back when she had hopes for a whole other life that had never come to pass. It’s obvious why she’s doing this, but it’s harmless in comparison to everything else about the situation.

One interaction had been all it had taken for this deal to be worked out. The bride had come from a family of carnival workers that had passed through Travis County that had decided to stick around, her mother becoming friendly with Luda Mae despite the two of them living seemingly very different lives. All the girl had done was shyly ask Tommy about his job at the slaughterhouse as she offered him a bowl of the chili she had brought over. This was some good meat. I bet you had something to do with it. And Luda Mae had noticed the shift in her son’s body language, how he wasn’t as on guard as he normally was for a moment.

It had started as joke between the two mothers. And then they had started seriously discussing it. It made sense. The pool of candidates was already small and neither of their children were exactly…popular. The bride had struggled to finish school after fighting tooth and nail to get in. Thomas had dropped out. Their families were already close. And then, the tornado happened, killing the bride’s father. It was as good a time as any, they had figured. The town was dying slowly, the writing was on the wall. They needed to make it happen before the bride left town for good.

And so, they had wound up in the backyard of the house, the town preacher pronouncing the young couple man and wife, on edge due to the gun that Charlie had aimed at him, ready to pull the trigger if this marriage wound up not being true in the eyes of the lord. While he didn’t believe in that shit, Luda Mae did and his sister’s word was law in their home. The bride was a vision in antique white, her voice trembling as she said ‘I do’. Thomas only grunted in response, Charlie snapping ‘the boy damn well does!’ when the preacher tried to get the larger man to speak.

“I’m glad it’s you,” Luda Mae says to the bride after the cake has been cut and everyone is milling about the yard, the preacher nowhere to be seen. He would never be seen again, but no one would notice or care. “You always had a kind word for my boy.”

And for the first time since her hesitantly uttered vows, the bride speaks. “Of course. He’s a good boy. This was all just a little fast, Mrs. Luda Mae.” But that was intentional, something she would realize later. The mother of the bride had all but dragged her down the aisle. The woman had cried, wailed as she told her daughter that she need to do this, so she could be taken care of, implying that it wouldn’t be long until the bride’s parents were reunited.

After the party, the happy couple was led upstairs, where they were to stay all night. “I want a grandbaby by next spring,” Luda Mae instructed. It wasn’t the wistful dreaming of a woman who yearned to more little ones to spoil. Well, it was, but her tone was that of an order. They were going to grow the family, one way or another.

The room was dim, the sun peeking through the curtains. Thomas makes no move to take off his mask, choosing to just stare at his new wife as she walked towards the bed. The dress is pulled off, revealing a white slip covering her everyday undergarments. She folds it up, so it can be put away in the morning. Maybe it will even be used again one day. The sun shines down on her as she lays on the bed, waiting for him to join her.

“It’s alright. If you…want to.” She speaks softly, not approach him too closely. “I know your mama said that we have to, but I can wait.” Thomas is staring at her, watching her legs twitch slightly, fascinated by the dark peaks on her chest. Her breathing is steady, she’s not looking for an escape. Her eyes are meeting his whenever he allows it. Thomas knows what to do. He’s seen farm animals do it and Charlie had shown him a movie once, short and filthy. Luda Mae had found out about it and been cross for weeks.

The real thing is different. Thomas feels almost cornered as he tentatively touches the hem of the slip. His fingers graze her bare skin and he flinches, which makes her sit up and grab his hand.

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” she coos, stroking his hand with her thumb. “Tommy…I know neither of us exactly wanted this to happen. But if it had to be anyone, I’m glad it was you. I’ve always liked you.” His face didn’t matter to her, she didn’t care that he had to hide what had been eaten away by the sickness inside of him. He wasn’t going to kiss her, he couldn’t get to that point. Not yet.

They needed to do what was expected of them first.

It takes a while, the sun is almost gone when Thomas is finally ready to get on top of her, still mostly dress, only his nice trousers unzipped. She’s naked, comfortable with allowing him to see, to explore. Her body is warm, soft, and he’s so hard it hurts until he pulls it out of his trousers. But he doesn’t put it in, not yet. He can’t quite manage that last little bit of movement, not yet.

“It could happen, Tommy. Us havin’ a baby because of tonight.” She strokes his arm, not touching his face, not until he’s ready. And maybe that won’t be tonight. “I like the idea. Go on and feel how much, darlin’.” She spreads her legs slightly to let him know he could touch her. His prodding fingers found something warm and wet, and when he pushes, a finger slips inside. “It’s good when it’s wet like that. Means I’m excited. Like you are now.”

Another fingers joins the first and she gasps, but she doesn’t stop him. “We could make a baby tonight. You and me…” The images start coming to Thomas as he fingers explore her. His wife’s belly swollen with their child, her tits full of milk, everyone knowing that she belonged to him and only him-

He’s inside of her before he can stop himself. She gasps, grabbing onto his shoulders as his cock fills her up. Her breasts bounce as he thrusts, slow and experimental at first. “Good boy, good boy,” she whispers, her body suddenly filles with sensations she’s never felt before. Thomas is equally overwhelmed, she’s so warm and wet and good and hot and everything he’s ever wanted. She’s gripping onto him tightly, he’s in awe of the sight of himself inside of her.

Thick fingers stuff his seed back inside of her after he’s done, and he prays for the first time in years that it worked.

[wethotcrazy]

SYMPATHY IS A KNIFE

pairing: Yuki Tsunoda x Fem! Driver! Reader

word count: 3727

this is loosely based off of sympathy is a knife by charlie xcx, it’s a lot of world building please bear with me i have a vision (-﹏-。) also expect cursing. this is quite a long one (im working on multiple parts), i'll try to post as much as can.

part ii part iii part iv

All children are encouraged to do their best, dream big, and reach for the stars. But let's be honest: how many kids actually achieve that goal? How many adults can say they have been fighting for their place for far longer than they can remember?

Not a lot.

That kind of passion was rare. But perhaps it was more than passion; maybe it was the sick sense of wanting something bigger than yourself. Maybe she was just a workhorse that never learned when to stop. 

Growing up karting was where Yn found a love for motorsports, it was her dad that introduced her to it. A part of her felt for the older man; this had been his dream as much as it was hers. Back then, it had always been just a hobby, even though she had already achieved multiple wins. She never thought it would come this far.

At 16, she was picked up by the Red Bull junior team to race in various junior categories, eventually making it into Formula 3 and then Formula 2. Even then scoring points and race wins came easy. Years of hard work and dedication had done her well, with many saying that a Formula 1 career was surely in the cards for her.

And if she was being honest, Yn was hungry for that Formula 1 seat.

Yn’s laptop lit up with an email, enclosed was her contract with VCARB. She was going into Formula 1.  Was it arrogant to say she had been expecting this? Could you blame her for asserting it wasn’t a matter of if, but when? 

But signing the contract should have felt like a victory, a promise fulfilled, a chance for everything she’d worked toward to pay off. But as the seconds flew by, Yn could already feel the weight settling over her, heavy as a storm cloud. The stakes had never been this high, and the whispers were already there, quietly accusing, scrutinizing. Her entrance into F1 wasn’t just a testament to her skill and ambition; it was a flashpoint, a reason for some to undermine her achievements and question her right to be here.

F1 wasn’t just a men’s world—it was a battleground where “passion” for her felt dangerously close to “obsession,” and her relentless pursuit of victory was both her strength and her vulnerability. Yn knew that she couldn’t just be good; she had to be perfect, ruthless in her pursuit for wins and podiums, and undeterred by every sly remark and skeptic. Sympathy, after all, was nothing but a knife in disguise, and she’d long since learned not to expect it from anyone, even her team.

Her first day at VCARB was a whirlwind of meetings, briefings, and countless faces both excited and skeptical. The engineers studied her, sizing up the girl who was stepping into a seat she’d earned, but one they seemed to question if she could keep. Her jaw tightened with determination—she would prove every one of them wrong, and not out of spite but out of an unyielding hunger to carve her name in F1 history.

Yuki arrived in the afternoon, a familiar face in a sea of unknowns. With an easy grin, he crossed the garage, his demeanor effortlessly lighthearted as he joked with the engineers before catching her eye. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you here so soon,” he teased, a glimmer of pride in his eyes that he knew she’d earned.

She let a small smile slip, and for a moment, the walls she’d erected came down. “Surprised? I thought you’d know better,” she quipped back, crossing her arms.

“Not surprised,” he replied. “Just excited. Maybe I’ll finally have someone here to keep me on my toes.”

But behind their friendly exchange was an edge, a reminder that this was a competition and that teammates or not, they were both vying for survival in the world’s most ruthless racing series. They had both clawed their way here, and no amount of camaraderie could change the fact that every second on the track was a chance to prove they deserved to stay.

Underneath Yuki’s easygoing nature, she knew there was a fierce competitor. She’d seen him race, seen the raw talent that made him as unpredictable as he was quick. Yn knew they’d push each other to the limits, that their friendship would inevitably become a duel of ambition. And she wanted that—it made her hungrier, sharper.

But there was something different about her fight. Being the first female F1 driver in years meant her wins were never just hers; every success and failure became ammunition for those who doubted women in motorsport. There was no room for mistakes, and any slip-up would be amplified, dissected in the press, on social media, even in private conversations she was never meant to hear.

One night, as she stared out at the empty track after hours, she felt Yuki’s presence beside her. “They’re going to be watching everything I do,” she said, voice low, a rare admission of vulnerability.

“They watch all of us,” he replied softly, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “But I know how hard you’ve worked to get here. And… well, if they think they can beat you down, you’re gonna prove them wrong. Just… stay hungry, yeah?” He nudged her shoulder gently.

“Hungry?” she scoffed, steeling herself. “I’m starving.” 

Yuki chuckled, but it was laced with respect. “Good. Because that’s what it takes.”

The season had started on fire for Yn. Her first four races saw her consistently in the points, an impressive feat for any rookie, let alone one under as much pressure and scrutiny as she was. Headlines praised her talent, with journalists and fans alike marveling at her ability to keep up with more seasoned drivers. Her team, too, seemed to start letting their guard down, seeing her not as a gamble, but as an asset. But as is often the case in Formula 1, the success didn't last forever.

Her fifth race began with promise, but Yn knew almost from the start that something was off. The car felt different, twitchy around the corners, each lap feeling more and more like she was on a knife’s edge. Halfway through, she could feel her grip on the track slipping, but she pushed harder, unwilling to lose ground.

With just a few laps remaining, the inevitable happened.

The crash was swift and brutal. The car spun out in the third sector, her back tires skidding as she lost control. She hit the barriers hard, the sound of carbon fiber breaking echoing through her helmet. Her vision blurred as the world spun, then finally stopped, leaving her breathless in the cockpit, staring at the wreckage around her.

Her engineer’s voice came through her headset immediately. “Yn, are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she said breathlessly, trying to steady herself, adrenaline still pumping as she felt the sting of defeat sink in. “I… I’m sorry. I lost it. The car just—slipped.”

There was a pause on the other end, a moment that felt like judgment even through the crackling radio. “We’re glad you’re okay. We’ll get you back to the garage. We’ll review the data,” her engineer replied, his voice careful.

Yuki’s voice came through on her personal channel moments later, after seeing her crash on his onboard. “Yn? You alright?” His tone was laced with concern, stripped of the usual playfulness.

She swallowed, fighting the frustration building in her chest. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… pissed off.”

“You’ll be back next race,” he assured her, but she could only respond with silence. The shame of letting her team, her fans, and herself down weighed heavily on her.

In the post-race interview, Yn struggled to find the right words. The cameras focused on her, the flash of lights overwhelming as journalists fired questions, each one cutting a little deeper.

“Yn, it was a tough day. Do you think the pressure got to you out there?”

She clenched her fists, forcing a composed smile. “I don’t think it’s about pressure. Today just… wasn’t my day. The car was giving me some issues, and I did my best to control it. Sometimes, that’s just racing.”

“But after four races in the points, are you worried this is a sign of things to come?”

The question sliced through her like a knife, and she could feel the weight of the implication: that she was fragile, a fluke who’d just been lucky.

“No, I’m not worried,” she replied, her voice steady but tense. “One race doesn’t define my season. I’m here to compete, and I’ll be back even stronger next race.”

When the interviews ended, she caught Yuki’s eye across the paddock. He gave her a nod, a silent show of support that reminded her she wasn’t alone, even if it felt like she was carrying the world’s judgment on her shoulders.

The news coverage the next day was ruthless. Headlines screamed with exaggerated disappointment: “Yn Cracks Under Pressure?” and “First Female F1 Driver in Years Falters After Promising Start.” A few outlets were kinder, chalking up the crash to typical rookie mistakes and downplaying any concerns over her ability to handle the car. But most took the crash as an invitation to dissect her every move, doubting whether she could handle the demands of the sport.

Social media was ablaze, fans and critics alike chiming in, and Yn could barely stand to look. She knew this was part of the game, that everyone in F1 was under scrutiny, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that for her, the stakes were higher. Every failure she faced felt amplified, a reason for the world to question her right to be here.

Yuki called her that night, his voice calm and soothing against the chaos swirling around her.

“I’m just so pissed,” she admitted finally, her frustration cracking through her voice. “I wanted to prove that I belong here, and now… it feels like all anyone sees is this one mistake.”

“You know that’s not true,” he replied, a hint of warmth in his tone. “Everyone makes mistakes, even the greats. They’ve all crashed at some point. Don’t let them take that fire from you. Because once the season’s over, they’ll see what you’re made of.”

She took a shaky breath, comforted by his words. It was strange—she’d started this journey expecting every teammate to be a rival, another barrier to overcome. But in Yuki, she’d found someone who understood the relentless, hungry drive that fueled her, and who respected it.

The next morning, her team’s engineers ran a debrief, analyzing the telemetry and tire data from the crash. They assured her that she’d made the right call in pushing the car, that the twitchiness wasn’t imagined. Yn felt a flicker of relief; maybe she hadn’t just cracked under pressure, maybe it had been an unfortunate mix of circumstances. But no matter the reason, she knew she had to rise from this stronger than before.

It had been a long race, Jeddah was grueling and relentless, yet Yn had been on the verge of a breakthrough. She was fighting tooth and nail for P8, going wheel-to-wheel with Fernando Alonso in the final laps. She’d been holding her own, each move calculated, each corner taken with the precision she’d been honing for years. This was her shot, her chance to show everyone she wasn’t a fluke or a face in the crowd. She was ready to prove herself.

Then it happened.

They clashed in the final sector, both fighting for space. Fernando took the inside line, edging her out, and she, desperate to hold her position, stayed close, too close. Their wheels touched, and in a flash, her car lost stability, skidding and spinning before colliding with the barrier. The jolt left her breathless, her hands gripping the wheel as the rage took over.

Her engineer’s voice cracked through the radio. “Yn, are you okay? What happened?”

She clenched her jaw, trying to control the fury building up inside her. “That fucking guy, Alonso! He squeezed me—left me no room!” Her voice was shaking, frustration and adrenaline spilling over. “I had that position!”

There was a silence on the radio as they processed her words. “Copy, Yn. We saw the incident. Just stay calm.”

Stay calm? She’d given everything, and now, twice in a row, her race had ended in ruin.

After the race, Yn felt the press of cameras and microphones on her as she trudged toward the media pen. She could barely contain the frustration bubbling inside her, a storm barely held back as reporters closed in, questions already on their tongues.

“Yn, this is the second crash in a row. Are you feeling the pressure of Formula 1?”

“What’s your take on the incident with Alonso? Do you blame him?”

Yn took a steadying breath, but the calm she'd usually conjure wasn't there. “Look,” she said, voice tight, trying to keep her tone steady, “I know what happened out there, and Alonso gave me no space. I was holding my line, fighting for position like we all do. I’ll review the footage with the team, but if people think I can’t handle the pressure—they’re wrong.”

The next question felt even more loaded. “Is it challenging to maintain focus, given the scrutiny you’re under as the first female driver in years?”

She forced a smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m not here to be a spectacle; I’m here to race. Everyone’s under pressure in this sport. It’s what makes us competitors. The scrutiny just makes me hungrier.”

Her words were pointed, but she could already feel the twisting of her words forming in the reporters’ minds, their pens scratching away, headlines already buzzing to life in their notebooks.

The news the next morning was merciless. Some articles analyzed her crash with Alonso, calling it a “rookie miscalculation,” while others openly questioned whether Yn’s composure was “cracking” under the scrutiny. The worst were the opinion pieces, suggesting she might be better suited to junior categories if she couldn’t handle the rigors of F1.

Yuki found her in the paddock later that evening, her expression set as she packed up her things, clearly wanting to avoid any more eyes on her. He walked over, hands in his pockets, a gentle smile on his face.

“Hey,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “Rough race out there. I saw the footage—Alonso really gave you no room.”

She shot him a look, her expression unreadable. “Thanks, Yuki, but I don’t need anyone to say it wasn’t my fault. I should’ve handled it better.”

“It wasn’t about fault,” he countered softly, unfazed by her edge. “It was a close fight. You held your ground. Besides, you’re doing something none of these people could even dream of.”

She let out a sharp, humorless laugh, shoving her race gloves into her bag. “Spare me the pep talk. I don’t need anyone’s sympathy. Especially not yours.”

He took a step closer, not backing down. “This isn’t sympathy, Yn. You’re one of the best rookies on the grid. Every one of us has crashed. I know what you’re going through, and I know how much you want this. But maybe don’t let their voices drown out what you already know—you deserve to be here.”

She wanted to tell him to stop, to remind him that it was different for her, that every mistake was fuel for those doubting her existence in this sport. But instead, she looked away, unable to bring herself to speak. She didn’t want to be seen as weak, as someone who needed reassurance.

Yuki sighed, catching the conflicted look in her eyes. “Alright,” he said quietly, his gaze softening. “Just… don’t forget that you’ve got people here who believe in you. No matter what the headlines say.”

She gave him a brief, reluctant nod, her voice a whisper. “Thanks, Yuki. But belief isn’t going to get me P8.” She turned and headed for the exit, leaving him behind as the words hung in the air, heavy with the reminder of just how high the stakes were.

Yuki knew things had changed since those days in the Red Bull junior program. Back then, it was just him and Yn, two kids pushing limits, sharing laughs and late nights studying data, feeling like the world wasn’t so big, like maybe they’d take it on together someday. She’d always been determined, sometimes stubbornly so, but she’d had that spark, that glint in her eye when she talked about F1 like it was the only thing that mattered. But now, standing at the pinnacle they’d dreamed of, Yuki could feel the distance growing between them, a wall she was building with every race, every misstep, every setback. 

He tried to remind her of those lighter times, even when the racing got intense. On weekends, he’d linger in the garage with her, cracking jokes, trying to coax a laugh out of her, like they used to do after tough sessions back in Formula 2. But it felt different now. She had this look, as if there was a weight pressing on her that no amount of lightheartedness could lift. 

The night after her crash with Alonso, Yuki tried again, catching up to her outside the paddock as she was leaving. “Hey!” he called, jogging to catch up. “Thought maybe we could grab a bite together. There’s this place nearby that serves ridiculous ramen—reminds me of the spot we’d hit after races.”

She hesitated, her gaze distant, before letting out a sigh. “Yuki, I’m tired. I just want to go back to the hotel and review the data. It was a messy race, and I don’t think I have much appetite.”

Yuki’s shoulders dropped, but he shrugged, forcing a smile. “We could just hang out, then. No data. Just us. I mean… it’s been a while since we’ve really relaxed, you know?”

She gave him a weary smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I appreciate it, really. But I need to focus. I can’t afford to mess up again, not with everything they’re saying.”

He could hear the bitterness in her voice, the resentment barely hidden beneath. It killed him to see her like this—so hardened, so guarded. She was always the toughest of the rookies, fearless, but now it seemed like her own passion had turned against her, trapping her in a never-ending battle against herself. 

He tried again the next day, lingering by her side during their briefing, sending her a grin every chance he got, trying to bring back that easy dynamic they used to have. But it was like she was somewhere else, somewhere far away where his words couldn’t reach her. She’d nod along, respond, but always with that distracted air, her eyes flicking back to the screen, the telemetry, the data, anything but him.

By the time they were heading out after debrief, Yuki couldn’t hold back anymore. “Yn,” he said, his voice softer, catching her arm as she went to turn away. “I know you’re frustrated, I know it feels like everything’s on the line, but… this isn’t like you. You’re carrying everything on your shoulders alone. Let me be there, like we used to.”

For a moment, her expression softened, a glimpse of the Yn he remembered, the one who used to nudge him in the ribs and joke about who could get pole on the practice track. But it faded just as quickly, replaced by that same stony determination.

“I appreciate it, Yuki. But you don’t understand. It’s different for me.” She pulled her arm back gently, looking away. “Every mistake I make gives people more reasons to think I shouldn’t be here. Every crash, every missed point. Sympathy’s a knife in this sport, and I can’t afford to need anyone’s help. I just… I have to handle it.”

He let her words sink in, feeling the sting behind them, realizing that every race, every session was turning her into someone he barely recognized. But he understood, maybe better than she thought. Yuki knew that in F1, there were those who supported you, but there were also those who’d gladly let you fall, especially if you didn’t fit their mold.

“Maybe it’s different for you,” he said quietly, keeping his voice steady. “But you don’t have to do it alone. We’re teammates. We’re supposed to be here for each other. I’m… I’m supposed to be here for you.”

She looked up at him, and for a second, he thought he’d broken through. But she just shook her head, a faint, sad smile on her lips. “Thanks, Yuki. Really. But I need to be strong enough on my own. If I rely on anyone too much, they’ll use it against me. I have to prove myself, no matter what.”

Yuki watched as she turned away again, shoulders squared, that unyielding resolve back in her posture. He knew there was no convincing her, no getting her to see that it was okay to lean on someone every now and then, that it didn’t make her weak. But as she walked away, he felt the weight of her words settle on him, a sadness mingling with frustration. This wasn’t the Yn he knew—this was someone who felt like she had the world against her, like every race was a fight to justify her existence in F1.

Later that night, Yuki found himself with Pierre, staring at his untouched bowl of ramen, his mind churning. He’d always known Yn was strong, maybe even stronger than him in ways he didn’t fully understand. But it was painful to watch her shoulder that strength like a burden, pushing everyone else away, including him. 

He thought about what he could say next time, some way to convince her that she didn’t have to do this alone, that he wasn’t there out of sympathy, but out of respect and genuine friendship. But deep down, he knew that as long as she felt the world’s expectations pressing down on her, she’d keep her guard up. For now, all he could do was be there, waiting, hoping that one day she’d let him in, let him remind her that even in the ruthless world of F1, there was room for someone who’d stand by her side, win or lose.

[vivwritesfics]

Jester Stole His Thorny Crown

Chapter Four

He never had a choice in his life. His dreams were nothing more that that. Dreams. But then he met a lounge singer at his brother club and everything changed.

Mafia!Au

1.4K

Warnings: drugs (not taken), gun violence, descriptions of piano playing even though i don't know how to play piano

Series Masterlist

It had been three lessons, and she was still terrified of him. That was clear. Every time he pulled up his sleeves, she flinched.

Charles noticed every single time. What had she heard to make her fear him so? More importantly, what had Arthur told her?

It made the piano lessons incredibly difficult. Charles could play one song and it was only ten seconds long (he had been a little surprised when she first taught him to play happy birthday, but he went along with it, at least slow progress was being made).

The three lessons happened in the span of a week. In that week Charles had met with the Gasly family, reunited with his old friend Pierre, had collected the money from the other clubs (since Arthur had taken the drugs out of the lounge) and had attended her performances almost every night.

It was amazing, she was amazing. Charles didn't care if he sat there with an empty drink, just watching her. He didn't notice his glass was lacking, not when he couldn't pull his eyes away.

Charles never had a chance to daydream. He was forced to grow up early, was never able to let his imagination run wild. At twenty-six years old, Charles understood why. He understood why he was never allowed to daydream.

As he sat in the meeting with Lorenzo and Esteban Ocon. Esteban Ocon was a mystery in the mafia world. He was a normal kid, hadn't grown up in a mafia family Charles, Arthur and Lorenzo. It was a mystery how he got to this point.

Somehow, as a teenager, Esteban ended up under the employment of the Gasly family. He and Pierre became good friends, but that friendship soon ended. Nobody but Pierre and Esteban knew what happened between them, but guns were pointed at each other and Esteban had to flee. He ended up in Monaco, under the protection of the Leclercs.

Charles was staring at Esteban, clearly making him uncomfortable. But Charles didn't notice. He was too busy daydreaming, imagining being sat at that piano with her, the crowd before them clapping as they finished their song.

"Charles," Lorenzo began, but Charles didn't respond. He was still staring, a stupid, dopey smile on his face. "Charles, Charlie," Lorenzo tried again. He knew just how much he hated being called Charlie, but even that wasn't getting him to respond.

Lorenzo turned his attention to Esteban. "Did he take something?"

But Esteban shrugged his shoulders and leaned across the table to snap his fingers in front of Charles's face. Charles flinched away from him, blinking rapidly as he sat up straighter. "What the fuck?"

"Are you concentrating now?"

Charles glared across the table. "Yes, I'm concentrating," he spat, crossing his arms over his chest.

But still, it was hard to concentrate as the meeting went on. Charles couldn't stop his mind from drifting back to her. He stopped imaging the crowd watching them. Just them, sat around the piano. enjoying each other.

"You know Verstappens boy, don't you?" Asked Lorenzo.

Charles nodded his head. He knew Max incredibly well. They were best friends when they were kids, before Jos became the head of the Verstappen Family. It had been a good few years since they had seen each other last, but Charles doubted anything would change.

"Stay on Max's good side and maybe Jos won't try and kill us," Lorenzo muttered. "Get ready to meet them tomorrow. Don't take guns, but be ready to fight if you have to. And take Arthur with you," he said, ready to dismiss them.

"Arthur? No way. He's still got a fucking gunshot wound in his arm," Charles threw back at his brother. He sat back in his chair, staring at Lorenzo. "Why can't Esteban come with me?"

"Because Max hates me," said Esteban.

"I'm not taking Arthur."

"You're taking Arthur. And that's final."

Lorenzo finally dismissed them. He sent them out of his office, turning his attention to the papers in front of him. Charles was the first out of the room. He stood up with such force that his chair fell back. Esteban followed him out of the office, falling into step behind him. "I can come if you want," he said. "I can sneak around and make sure that nothing bad happens to your brother," he offered.

Charles shook his head. "There's no sneaking around with Jos," he replied. "He'll kill you without hesitation."

He climbed into his car and quickly drove off. Esteban was one of the only friends he had in this world. It was lonely, but Esteban made it a little easier.

Charles didn't know where he was driving to. He was heading somewhere, his mind too consumed to know where. Thank God the people of Monaco knew to get out of his way.

When did he arrive at the lounge. He sat in the car for a minute, just staring at the building. He wasn't there for sanctuary, for comfort. He was there to confront her.

He was angry, but it wasn't at her. His anger was nothing to do with her, but he couldn't do anything to fix the reason why he was angry. He could do something about her.

He pushed the doors open, walking into the lounge. "Mr Leclerc," she called, standing from the piano stall.

That just fuelled Charles's anger. She watched as he stormed over to her, his jaw clenched. Her back was against the piano as he climbed the stairs and walked across the stage.

He stood so close until she was consumed by him. Every breath she took was him. And she was terrified. "I thought I told you to call me Charles," he said, his voice low.

How she wasn't shaking, she didn't know. "Mr Leclerc, please," she whispered, trying to get away.

Charles grabbed the piano lid, trapping her between his strong arms. "Why are you so scared of me?"

She opened her mouth, but no words left her lips.

His arms tensed and he pressed himself closer. "Tell me. Now."

"Please," she whispered, trying to get away from him. "Mr Leclerc, Charles, please." But she couldn't get away from him. It was too much, far too much, and she had to get away.

Charles hadn't expected her to push him. He didn't expect her to press her hands against his chest and push. But she did. She pushed him away and he stumbled back. "No way," he said, a grin crossing his face.

"I'm not scared of you," she said, standing strong (even if it was a lie).

And Charles knew it was a lie. He pulled his gun from his waistband, watched as her face fell, and put it on the floor. "I don't want to hurt you," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Slowly, he walked toward her again, like she was a startled animal. This time, she didn't flatten herself against the piano. As he sat on the bench, she moved away from him, standing beside the piano as he pressed his fingers against the keys.

Charles had dreams like this. Her against the piano as he played. It wasn't something impressive, just happy birthday, but she sang along.

At the end of the ten second song, Charles stopped. "I don't want you to be afraid of me," he said. I know what I've done, I know what you've probably heard, but I promise, I'm not gonna hurt you."

"Because you need me to teach you piano?"

His hand touched hers, where it rested against the top of the piano. "Yeah," he answered and swallowed thickly. "Yeah, because I need you to teach me piano." At this part in his dream, she would reach for his tie and pull him close, kissing him.

But, in reality, she pulled her hand away from his. She quickly walked away from the piano and off the stage. She disappeared into one of the back rooms, and slammed the door shut behind her.

Charles fists slammed down onto the piano. It was a miracle it didn't break. "Fuck!" He shouted, his voice echoing around the lounge.

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[olicitymckono]

TOGETHER

Best friends are always there for each other. Yes they will fight and not always agree on everything but if one of them is hurting, it’s the best friends job to help in an way they can. Charles Leclerc and Yn D’Marco were two such friends. They had met in Kindergarten when a young boy had pushed her off the swings. Charles had pushed the boy back and helped her up and since that day they had been inseparable. The Leclerc family had become her second family especially since her mom had disappeared when she was 2. Maria D’Marco had not been built for motherhood as she said and had decided she wanted to see the world with her hippie boyfriend Tommy. Her father Alistair was a wonderful man who loved life and especially his daughter. Having no siblings, she had quickly been adopted by Lorenzo and Arthur as their little sister. Yn had been there through all the trials and tribulations, the death of Jules and Hervé. His highs and lows and even his girlfriends. Yn was unfortunately the typical girl best friend having realised her feelings for him when he had started dating Giada. But thankfully she was not the type of girl to mope around and pine for him. It also helped that for the most part she got along great with his girlfriends. Except his latest girlfriend Alexandra. For some reason Alex had an attitude with the blonde and hated whenever Charles would spend time with his friend going so far as to worm her way into their plans and even manipulating him into cancelling them. One such occasion was about to occur. Yn’s 26th birthday was approaching and since it fell in the 3 week break between races the Leclerc boys and Yn had organised a week long trip/birthday celebration in Las Vegas. It was something Yn had been looking forward to for months. With her ever growing photography business and his races they hadn’t gotten to see each other in months and Facetiming wasn’t the same. She missed her friend terribly and so had he.

Two weeks before the trip Alex was laying on the bed watching Charles get ready for some event. She didn’t want to join him so her friends were coming over. She saw his phone ping indicating a message and she rolled her eyes seeing her name. Yn had not done anything to her other than being his friend and she was jealous of the girl because Alexandra believed he had feelings for the girl. When Charles headed into the bathroom, she grabbed his phone. “Hey Charlie. Good luck tonight. I know how much you hate these things. 😊 But Las Vegas is almost here.”

“Not if I can help it,” she thought. That night while Charles was gone she and her friends began planning to keep the two friends apart. By the time he had gotten back, she had talked or more so guilted him into a romantic getaway for the two of them to Bali. And the temptress had even made him forget about how he was going to lie to Yn.

 

“Hey Charlie,” Yn smiled as she answered the phone. “You started packing yet?”

“Hey Ynn,” he sighed. “About that.”

“Everything ok?”

“I won’t be able to make it this year.”

“What?”

“The team hasn’t done particularly well so far and they want to work over the break to improve if we stand a chance at the championship. I’m sorry Cherie. But I’ll make it up to you.”

“I understand. Sucks though.”

“I know. Believe me I would rather be spending time with you but I need to do this.” He lied to spare her feelings but he seemed to forget that he was famous and sooner or later she would find out the truth.

Three days into the trip Yn was sitting at the hotel pool, laughing at something stupid Arthur had done. Carla was sitting next to her on Instagram when she turned to Yn. “Hey, I thought Charles was working?”

Yn turned and shrugged, “That’s what he said. Why?”

“So why’s he in Bali?”

“Huh?” Carla passed her the phone. Alexandra had posted pictures of the couple enjoying the white blue beaches of Bali capturing them “Bali vaca with my ❤️.” Had Charles really lied to her? “Maybe I misunderstood.” But she knew she hadn’t. For the first time in their friendship he had lied to her.

The vacation and her birthday suddenly felt different. The others could see she was trying hard not to let Charles’ lie spoil it and so they tried to make it unforgettable.

Charles knew something was off when he face timed her for her birthday. “Happy Birthday Cherie.”

“Thanks Charlie,” she forced a smile. “How’s the training?

“Boring as hell. Wish I was there with you.” She simply nodded. “Maman can’t wait for you to get back and neither can I. I’m going to make it up to you.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to.”

“I want to Cherie. We haven’t missed each others birthday since we were 3.”

“We’ve never lied to each other either,” she mumbled soft enough that he didn’t hear.

“Are you okay Yn?” he asked concerned.

“I’m fine. Think I’m just tired from all the sun. I’m going to go lie down for a while before dinner. Thank you for calling Charlie.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded, “Ill call you later ok?”

“Sure, goodbye Cherie.”

Even though she hadn’t said anything Lorenzo had decided not to let his brother get a pass. While the others were around the table he decided to give his little brother a call and excused himself. “Hey man, how’s Vegas?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Lorenzo skipped the pleasantries. As much as he loved his brother he loved Yn too, she was a little sister to him.

“Excuse me?”

“Why did you lie? You’re not in Maranello.”

Charles scoffed, “Where else would I be?”

“Bali.”

Charles’ face paled. “What?”

“We saw the pictures. Alex posted.”

Charles closed his eyes and sighed feeling guilty and realised that was why she had been so off. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologising to.”

“I’ll make it up to her.”

“You better. Since when do you lie?”

“Enzo, I just didn’t want a fight. I know Yn and Alex aren’t that close.”

“I wonder why,” Lorenzo replied sarcastically.

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly how it sounds. Since when has a girl every made you lie not only to your best friend but your brothers too?”

“Lorenzo, I’m really sorry. I fucked up, I know.”

“You’re going to have to fix it.”

“I will.”

 

When the group returned from America, Charles was waiting for them and no Alex in sight. As frustrated and hurt as she was with him, Yn was happy to see Charles. The first person he reached for was her and he pulled her tightly into his arms. “Cherie, I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“You, me, my apartment tonight. We’re having a movie night.”

“I thought you’re leaving for Spa tomorrow?” she asked.

He shook his head, “I postponed my flight till Wednesday. That way we can spend time together. I missed you.”

“I missed you too Charlie.”

Unfortunately things were only going to get worse.

Arriving at Charles’ apartment that night Yn was surprised to see Alexandra there. He saw her deflate slightly trying her best to be polite as she greeted the brunette. He followed her into the kitchen as she grabbed a glass filling it with water. “She just showed up. I thought she was in Paris.”

“It’s ok Charles.”

“Are you sure? I know it was just supposed to be us.”

She placed a smile on her lips, “I’m sure.”

Throughout the evening Yn noticed how Alexandra would try to make it all about her. Every time Charles would try talking to Yn, she wasn’t even able to get to finish her answer before the other girl took his attention away. And it was beginning to piss Yn off.

Before the movie was even done, Yn had had enough. Alexandra had become increasingly touchy with her boyfriend and Yn happened to notice a moment when it was painfully obvious that the girl had placed her hand into his shorts. He had unknowing let out a soft moan and Yn saw how Alexandra had looked at her with a smirk. Yn was done. She silently grabbed her bag and got up.

“Where are you going?” Alexandra asked acting dumb. Charles had opened his eyes and adjusted himself looking at his friend in concern.

“I forgot I have an early start tomorrow. But you have fun.” She didn’t wait for a answer and headed for the door. She made it to the elevator when he reached her.

“Why are you leaving?”

She looked at him disappointment in her eyes. “You obviously have better things to do.”

“Why do you not like her?”

“This has nothing to do with Alexandra.”

“Really?” he asked sarcastically. “Then why leave.”

“Kinda awkward when you two are practically wanting to fuck each other right there.”

“I’ll tell her to cool it.”

She shook her head, “Don’t worry about it.” She hit the button waiting for the elevator to open.

“Why do you do this?”

“Do what Charles?”

“Make her feel so uncomfortable?”

“I told you this isn’t about her!”

“Right, so you’re not pissed because I choose to spend my break with MY girlfriend!”

“I’m pissed because you LIED! If you wanted to be with her then you should have said that!”

“You are so suffocating!”

Yn felt her heart break and he could see in her eyes he had hurt her and had gone too far. Hell he didn’t even mean what he said, but as he opened his mouth to apologise Alexandra called from his door about a phone call. The elevator doors opened and she climbed in pushing the ground floor button. She waited for the doors to close before letting the tears fall.

“Cherie I’m sorry!”

“I didn’t mean it!”

“Please pick up.”

 

A few weeks had passed and Yn had not spoken to Charles or even replied to his messages. Their friends knew something was wrong even some of the fans were picking up on something. Charles was not himself and Yn who was a regular face in the paddock hadn’t been to any races since the break. She no longer commented or liked his posts. No more good luck messages before races, no more messages at all. He missed her. It was hard for her too. When he had a bad race she wanted to message him, but she didn’t. She missed her friend so much but she couldn’t forget what he had said. She had been there for him through everything; Jules, his father, when Ferrari let him down. Even when she had needed her friend, like when she had caught her ex boyfriend in bed with someone else, she pushed it aside because he had needed her. But she was suffocating him!

She put all her time and energy into her little photography business and it was after a photoshoot that she ran into David. Well actually he ran into her, literally.

“Shit, I’m so sorry.” He rushed to help her get up.

“It’s ok. I should have looked where I was going.”

“No it’s my fault. Is anything broken?”

She shook her head, “Doesn’t look like it.” She noticed to he had spilt coffee all over himself. “Seems like your shirt got the brunt.”

“Huh?” She pointed at his shirt. “Oh, I didn’t even realise.”

“Can I buy you another?” she really did feel bad.

“You don’t have to do that. But I won’t say no. I’m David.”

“Yn.”

David turned out to be a really nice guy. He was from South Africa and was a professional cricket player. Yn had never heard about the sport but could tell how passionate he was. They got along so well and really enjoyed each others company that they spent the rest of the day talking. As day entered night, David asked if she would like to have dinner with him and she found herself accepting happily.

Coming home one evening after having been on another date, Yn found Charles waiting at her apartment door. He looked so sad and lost. “Hi.”

“What do you want Charles?”

“Can I come in?”

“Fine.” She heard him sigh in relief as she unlocked her door and let them in.

“You look pretty Cherie.”

She pulled off her heels and headed for her room. She quickly changed out of her dress into some sweats and a hoodie. Walking back into the kitchen she found Charles making her some tea. She opened a cupboard and pulled out some Macaroons before going to sit on the balcony. Charles joined her a few minutes later.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine thanks. You?”

“Been better. I miss you.”

“What is it that you want Charles?”

“A chance to make it up to you. I know I screwed up and I’m so sorry. I never meant it.”

She nodded sadly. “Doesn’t change the fact that you said it.”

“I never meant to hurt you Belle. Never you.”

“I miss you too Charlie. But you hurt me, twice.”

He took her hand in his and slowly began to run his thumb across her skin. “I can’t take away what I said. But I just want to prove to you that I’m sorry.”

“When my mom left, I thought it was my fault. Like I was too needy. I promised myself that I wouldn’t be like that with the people I love. That I would make sure they were ok. If me being there for you is suffocating I’m sorry.”

“Hey, no your not suffocating. I think I was projecting. Alexandra just showed up that night and I was already frustrated because it was supposed to be just you and me. I was really looking forward to it. But I’m weak. She basically threatened to with hold sex if she couldn’t join.”

“So you caved?”

He nodded. “Please forgive me?”

“You have to earn it.” But she said that with a smile.

For several weeks things seemed like they were back to normal and friends and fans alike were happy. The only one who wasn’t was Alexandra. Unfortunately for her she was stuck in Paris for a while. David had to return to South Africa for a few games and he had asked Yn to come with him. As her job wasn’t office bound and she had no scheduled jobs she agreed. Charles wasn’t happy about it though. Ever since he had met David, he had felt different. Yn had dated before but other then Adrian; her ex; she had never been serious about a guy. He had liked Adrian but he wasn’t mad that she had broken up with him. But something was different this time. Seeing her happy and possibly falling in love with this guy didn’t sit right with Charles. He just didn’t know why. She was his best friend, that was all right? A few nights before they left for South Africa, David had suggested a double date with Charles and Alexandra. He knew that Yn wasn’t a fan of hers but he also knew how important Charles was to her and that they wouldn’t be seeing each other for a while. It was at dinner that Charles realised that he was in love with his best friend and that all the fights he had with Alexandra was because she knew it. He remembered one night they were in the middle of sex and he had accidentally called her Yn. At the time he thought it was because he had spent the day with his friend but Alexandra had lashed out at him convinced he was in love with her. He had denied it then but now he knew it was true. Those weeks when she hadn’t spoken to him, had been the most pain he had ever felt. And now the thought of her leaving even if just for a few weeks clawed at his heart. Worse was the feeling he got when he had to watch David touch her, kiss her and make her smile. He wanted to be the one to do that. Hearing her laugh at something he said drew Charles out of his thoughts. He made up his mind on what he was going to do, he just hoped he didn’t end up losing her for good.

She had just kissed David good night and run a hot bubble bath when there was a knock on her door. She frowned slightly wondering if he had forgotten something. She was a little shocked to see her friend standing there. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

She moved aside to let him in. “I was just about to take a bath.”

“I’m sorry, I need to talk to you about something.”

She could tell it must be something important, “Ok, let me just change quick. Can you put the kettle on?”

He nodded.

“Charles?” she called a few seconds later.

“Yeah?”

“Can you help me please?” she leaned her head out the door.

“Sure,” he headed into the room. “What’s wrong?”

“The damn zipper is stuck.”

He chuckled, “Turn around Belle.”

Turning around she moves her hair onto her shoulder allowing him to grab the zip. It was a bit stuck but with some effort he was able to get it to move. Problem was the more he moved the zip down the more his fingers trailed along her skin. It was having an effect on him and by the sound of her breathe intake he knew she was too. Without thinking he moved his hand across her back into the fabric stopping against her bare waist, while at the same time placing his lips against one of her shoulders after he moved the strap with his other hand.

“Charles?”

“Mhmm,” he murmured as he moved his lips across her throat.

“What are you doing?” She asked breathy.

“I want you.”

She turned around causing his hand to slip out. “What?”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I love you.” He pressed his lips against hers but she didn’t respond except to pull away.

“I’m sorry?” she sat down on her bed where he joined her.

“I love you.”

“I love you too Charlie but what just happened?”

He shook his head, “I’m in love with you.”

Her eyes widen, “You’re in.....what?”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face, “I’m in love with you Belle.”

“Since when?”

“A while. Forever. I was just blind. But Alex knew. That’s why she’s been acting the way she has. She’s jealous.”

“Why now?”

“I wasn’t 100 percent sure until tonight.”

“Nothing happened tonight.”

“I watched you with him.”

“David?”

He nodded, “Its supposed to be me. I’m supposed to be the one who makes you happy.”

“Charlie, you’re my best friend. You do make me happy.”

“Not in everyway. Yn I want to spend my life with you not just as you’re best friend.”

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”

“Do you know why none of my relationships last?” she shook her head. “Neither did I. Not till I realised it was because they were not you.”

“Charlie,”

“Yn the whole night I have been going over my thoughts, why I hate seeing you with someone else, why Alexandra is so jealous, why it was your name on my lips in my dreams and that night.”

“What night?” she asked furrowing her brow in confusion.

He sighed, “A couple nights before I lied about Maranello, Alex and I were......having sex.”

“Ok and?”

“I called her you.”

“You called Alex Yn?”

“Yes. I didn’t realise it in the moment but she suddenly got mad and we started arguing. I guess that’s why I agreed to go to Bali. I felt guilty.”

She stood up. “I’m supposed to be leaving in a few days. With David, my boyfriend.”

“Don’t go.” He stood up and took her hand pulling her close. “Belle please I know I don’t deserve it but give me a chance?” He drew her into a kiss and she knew she was in trouble. Separating their lips he placed his head gently against hers. “Tell me you feel nothing and I’ll walk away.” She couldn’t respond, she was so conflicted. When she didn’t answer him he lifted his head and kissed her cheek. “I love you Yn never forget that.”

He walked out her room and headed for the door but just as he reached for the handle she was behind him and grabbing his hand. “I love you too Charlie.” This time she was the one to pull him into a kiss and they both knew this was were they belonged, together.

 Author Note: Hi guys I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for all the love on my Max story, Verstappen's Heart. It means alot.

Please feel free to send any requests for your favourite drivers ❤️

[byoldervine]

Writing Tips - Overarching Themes

A lot of stories like to have overarching themes, such as themes of redemption, acceptance, ruthlessness, love, etc. But how do you come up with the themes for your story?

1. Don’t lose the plot. What kind of journey does your plot take your characters on? What do they achieve and what do they learn along the way? Off the top of my head Miraculous Ladybug doesn’t do a great job at portraying an overarching theme of ‘love conquers all’ when love repeatedly causes problems for the heroes (to the point of “It was our love that destroyed the world” being one of the most memorable lines) and only seems to benefit the villains. Let the plot help keep you on the right track

2. Ask a question. There are tons of themes that rely on asking a question and pitting two different virtues against each other; traditional vs modern, redemption vs damnation, nature vs nurture, etc. The theme of the story is then watching one conquer the other, or finding out where the balance lies between the two if that’s more applicable. ATLA was, of course, very good at handling the nuances in redemption and damnation; it showed people learning they need to change, people wanting to change, people choosing not to change, people trying and failing to change, and even people with the capacity to change only if they take it. The episode The Southern Raiders is also a masterclass in nuance in revenge vs forgiveness, and ultimately allows the audience to form their own conclusions

3. Add a twist. One thing that really intrigues me about EPIC: The Musical is how the overarching theme is ruthlessness vs mercy - with the lesson being that main character Odysseus needs to be more ruthless. You don’t get a lot of stories that teach ruthlessness as the good and correct answer over mercy, that you should kill a defeated opponent rather than letting them live, and that makes the story so much more interesting and unique. If you can think of a way to intentionally twist the expected outcome of your overarching theme, see if you can make it work within the story

4. It’s overarching for a reason. Make sure your overarching themes are evident in the story and impact the characters and their decisions, as well as the consequences for such. Hazbin Hotel has an obvious overarching theme of redemption, and you can see it in the way each episode plays out that redemption comes into it, whether it’s Vaggie regaining her wings when learning to fight for love rather than vengeance, Charlie giving Alastor the chance to work in the hotel despite knowing he doesn’t believe in her goals, Husk encouraging Angel’s character growth and his true nature, etc. Almost everything the characters do relates back to the theme of redemption and betterment

5. Reward the theme. Maybe in the past characters have been burned before and no longer believe in your overarching theme, but the course of the story changes their perspective. The Owl House has overarching themes of non-conformity and individualism and acceptance of those who are ‘weird’ or different, and they all culminate in Luz finally feeling understood for the first time in her life after never feeling that way. Attempts in the past to be understood have often been met with people labelling her as the weird kid or her being punished, and then throughout the story there’s a lot of people that accept Luz, but in more of an “I don’t get what you’re saying, but I get what you’re trying to say” kind of way; acceptance and understanding aren’t quite the same. And lacking acceptance has negative impacts in the story for good and bad characters alike; Luz is at her most powerful when she accepts both the human and witch side of her rather than comparing herself to Azura, Amity’s potential for redemption comes only when she accepts Luz as a witch, Belos loses his power when he’s no longer accepted by others, etc. Characters are rewarded for following the overarching theme and punished for straying

[things-arent-what-they-seem66]

The idea of Lucifer time tracking back to Eden times. He meets Adam and falls in love, seeing and understanding how lonely and abounded Adam felt. He finally understands how much his actions hurt Adam and while he couldn’t intervene due to the possibility of losing Charlie, he tries to make up for it with himself.

Lucifer is able to travel back and forth between Eden and the ‘old hell’ where he begins to rebuild it.

Basically Lucifer becomes Adams friend while his other self is still sneaking around with Lilith.

Adam: you look like lucifer ?

Lucifer: ah, well that’s…I mean, I’m not ‘lucifer’ I’m somebody else.

Adam: why do you look like him then?

Lucifer: all angels are made to have some resemblance between them. For example Michael looks like Lucifer too, does he not?

Adam: yes he does…but lucifer said that’s because their twins and were born from the same star???

Lucifer: that’s right. I’m their elder brother! Yes! I was born before them, that’s why THEY look like me

Adam: oh okay. Then why haven’t Lucifer ever talked about you?

Lucifer: you see Adam…I did something bad

Adam: bad?

Lucifer: hmm. I did something father disapproved off and I was punished for it

Adam: punished?! Are you okay?

Lucifer: oh I’m fine now! Don’t worry about that!

Adam: that’s good. But where were you all this time?

Lucifer: part of my punishment was to be sent somewhere

Adam: where?

Lucifer: a…a place called hell. It is a dangerous place with very bad people.

Adam: and you were to watch over them?

Lucifer: um yes? I am the king of hell

Adam: so what is your name?

Lucifer: you can call me the devil

Adam eagerly tells Lilith and lucifer all about his new friend. At first Lilith is excited about this new Angel while lucifer is bewildered. Eventually they came to the conclusion Adam made ‘the devil’ up and begin to disregard him again. Even the other archangels don’t believe Adam when he talks about devil lucifer . Until one day when Lilith and lucifer are caught by heaven and Lilith is punished for refusing to be the mother of humanity (before eve was supposed to created) Devil Lucifer makes his presence known.

Lucifer: Adam does not need a new wife.

Sera: who…who are you?

Lucifer: why, I’m sure Adam told you y all about me

Michael: I suppose you’re the devil he speaks then?

Lucifer: I suppose so

Michael: leave this place! You are not welcome in Eden!

Lucifer: I am the King of Hell. You are no match for me, Michael.

Sera: what are you intentions with the first man?

Lucifer: he will be my queen.

Afterward the archangels return to heaven, leaving Adam, devil lucifer, archangel lucifer and Lilith still in Eden.

Adam is confused and hurt by everything. He is hurt by Lilith and archangel lucifer, and confused by devil lucifer. He runs away when devil lucifer tries to convince him to leave Eden and come to hell with him. This allows the two lucifers to meet.

Archangel lucifer is jealous and miffed.

Devil lucifer uses this opportunity to insult his old naive and stupid self lol

A rivery sparks between the two while Lilith is extremely confused over everything. Especially when she realises devil lucifer wants Adam, not her.

lol

Now we have a confused and scared Adam

A possessive yandera devil king lucifer

A jealous and second guessing his choices archangel lucifer

A pissed and jealous Lilith

Maybe Adam gets the best of both worlds or maybe he avoids both lucifers and lives his life peacefully in Eden.

Don’t know if eve would be made now. A new man would definitely have to be made due to devil lucifers involvement so eve could be made from the new man or Lilith eventually gets with the new man?

Wow the amount of drama!! I love it!

See, if Lilith and Angel Lucifer slept together already Charlie could still exist.

I think Eve would still be made and another man.

I just want Devil Lucifer and Angel Luicfer to fight over Adam LMAO. Devil Lucifer would feel more entitled to be with Adam I think? Both would be jealous for sure.

Maybe Adam would suggest being with both of them but THEY don't want to share HIM.

[kaisntbreathing]

Married to the Hazbin characters (Vox, Valentino, Alastor, Lucifer)

-🌹Anon

Forever yours 💍

Hazbin marriage headcanons

Vox

❝ [I'll show you off to the whole world.] ❞

⚡︎ (If he actually loves you) he'd spoil you rotten and be protective asf especially with Val.

⚡︎ DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED WITH ALASTOR-

⚡︎ He absolutely loves showing you off to anybody and everybody (willing or not) able to listen or see.

⚡︎ Solid 9/10

⚡︎ Although he can be a little moody at times I'd say he's alr overall.

Valentino

❝ [Your miniera darling] ❞

♥︎ Oh boy. (I'm sorry-)

♥︎ Dear Satan the fucking mood swings-

♥︎ Also kinda gives off sugar daddy vibes ngl.

♥︎ Overall maybe 5-6/10

♥︎ Well I'm gonna try to keep this pg. 13 so I'm gonna stop this right here.

Alastor

❝ [Oh dear.] ❞

♬ Assuming he genuinely loves you. he'd be a good husband I think.

♬ If he doesn't really love you than it's a different story.

♬ He'd be the type to try to be romantic in his own very special way - Charlie

♬ For example, he'd be romantic by giving you a eye or a hand, but eventually after a very long time of waiting. He'd give you actual gifts.

♬ He only has one very big rule for you to follow, absolutely no technology at all.

♬ Honestly on a scale rating, I'd give him a solid 8.5/10

♬ He'd definitely be the type of husband to dance with you, and if you don't know how to then he'd simply teach you.

Lucifer

❝ [My sweet darling.] ❞

★ If he's married you than its proof enough he loves you obviously.

★ Duck rings idc what anyone else says ( 🖕)

★ Please for the love of everything unholy touch his wings, don't think just do it. And if you take your time and groom and pluck them for him. 🤌🤌🤌

★ Idk why Lilith didn't want him like tfym 'nah?' BITCH-

★ Anyways, he'd do literally anything in his power to make you happy and or to satisfy you at all.

★ PERFECT HUSBAND MATERIAL ISTG-

★ And if you and Charlie get along well, it does something to him and OMG-

★ Overall I'd give him a solid 100/10 (fight me🖕)

★ Protective ASF.

[salllzy]

Sal's ramblings #8

Charlie has noticed the way that her mother treats her dad, when she was younger she hadn't thought much of it. But now that she is older? It doesn't sit right with her, sure her dad is a goofy and quirky man, but he doesn't seem like the tyrant that her mother made him out to be. The older she got the more and more she doubted what her mother had told her, sure her dad wasn't around but Charlie got the feeling that had more to do with her mother than her father not wanting a relationship with her.

So Charlie watched, she watched how her mother always seemed to find a reason that her dad had to leave early, it was then that Charlie began to notice a pattern. Anytime she and her dad had a bonding moment, he had to leave early because they had something to do. Charlie didn't like it. She wanted a relationship with her dad but it always felt as if her mother was interfering. Eventually, she stopped using the word mother and started calling her Lilith instead. Then one day Lilith disappeared and it didn't hurt Charlie as much as she thought it would, she thought that with Lilith gone she could reconnect with her dad, only it didn't happen. With Lilith leaving her dad was now doing two jobs at once. So he was inundated with paperwork and more often than not he didn't even have time to answer a phone call. When he did answer he sounded tired and stressed and she hated it. Each phone call with her dad caused her to hate Lilith more and more and she wished that he would just divorce her, she clearly wasn't coming back and Lilith had made it clear that she didn't care for them any more. But at the same time, she knew that it wasn't that easy, that her dad and Lilith had been married for a very long time and feelings like that didn't just go away. There would always be a part of him that loved her. Charlie wanted to do her own bit, she wanted to try and ease her dad's burden. It was why she was looking into ways to get sinners redeemed, if she could find another way, a less bloody way then maybe, just maybe he would be able to take a break. Or at least that was what she hoped. Charlie would admit that running a hotel was draining, she had no idea what she was doing most of the time and even though she had Vaggie to help almost everyone in Hell saw her as a joke. What she needed was someone with a reputation, someone who could make people shut up and listen. That was when he knocked at the door. The Radio Demon. Alastor. He was everything that her dad had warned her that sinner demons were, but he was also what she needed. The attacks on the hotel dramatically decreased until they stopped altogether, she was grateful that he was there. But the more she interacted with him, the more she realised that he would be the ideal partner for her dad. Alastor was powerful, but not powerful enough to be a threat to her dad. He stood up for himself and didn't let anyone walk over him, regardless of who they were. More than once he had called her a daydreaming idiot, he had already said that he didn't believe in redemption and that he was here for the entertainment and she could accept that. She knew that not everyone would be redeemed and that some people's sins were too much to be forgiven. But if Alastor was one of those people whose sins were too much, then that meant he wouldn't leave Hell, he wouldn't leave her or her dad and that made him an even better candidate in her eyes. She knew that her dad would be reluctant and most likely would fight her on this, but she was doing it for his own good. Lilith was a poison that needed to be purged from him and she was going to help him do it. It was time that he got with someone who would cherish him and burn the world for him. Charlie knew that Alastor could and would be that person. Once you got past the prickly exterior and the fifty-foot walls that surrounded his heart. But it was possible and she was going to get them together come Hell or high water as the phrase went.

[nocturnes-hideout]

Thinking about "More Than Anything" again.

The way Lucifer only ever got to see the negative consequences of giving humanity free will. The way he never got to see all the good things humans have done with free will. The way he only ever got to see all the people who used free will to hurt others and themselves. The way he views his actions soley as a mistake because of how it got him and Lilith banished to Hell and because he only sees the worst parts of humanity. The way Charlie can't possibly view Lucifer's decision as a mistake, because it created the world that she calls home and the demons that make up her people. Hell, the people and place Lucifer considers mistakes, are the only thing Charlie has ever known.

That's why Charlie's takeaway from Lucifer's tales about his dreams, things he considers mistakes, is that dreams are worth fighting for. Because it was her father's dreams that created everything and everyone she knows and loves.

The way it's possible giving humans free will only went so poorly because Lucifer did it by himself with no guidance. If he had worked with all the other angels to come up with a plan, not only to give humans free will but also help the humans deal with free will after receiving it, maybe there would have been more peace among the world. Or maybe everything would have gone just as terribly, but at least then the blame wouldn't soley fall on Lucifer.

The way Lucifer never received any support and everything went wrong, so he doesn't give Charlie any support, thinking everything will just go wrong again. But it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If Charlie receives no support, then her idea of redemption won't work. The way Lucifer promises to support her "whatever lies in store" because he doesn't know that this is going to work. But they'll never know unless they give it their best shot. The way Charlie does receive support. Not much, and not from her father at first, but she does receive support. And it does work.

The way both Charlie and Lucifer looked at humanity and said, 'They can be more than what they currently are,' and were both dismissed. And how they are ultimately proven right in the end. How a snake may have doomed humanity, but it was also a snake that was proof of its salvation.

[recklesslycaffeinated]

Sans and Alastor

I’ve been thinking a lot about Sans and Alastor. Or Sans versus Alastor. But not who’d win in a fight (Sans) or who’d win Eurovision (Alastor). I’ve been thinking about them as characters, because that’s what I do.

At the heart of it, it boils down to this. Sans is a fundamentally good person living in a fucked-up world just doing his best. Alastor is a fundamentally evil person living in a fucked-up world also doing his best.

Dorks – Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way - they’re both dorks. Come on, both pun! Okay, Sans puns ad nauseam and Alastor claims he does in Hell’s Greatest Dad. Alastor has the dork part more than covered by his massively adorable poses when he’s just hanging out.

Big Smile, Scary eyes! – These loveable dorks are all fun and games. I mean, look at them, they’re always smiling! Until they turn on the scary eyes and you know not to fuck with them. This is the peek behind the curtain. The warning. Obviously, they could kill you right there and then, but why expend the effort when a dose of scary eyes will do the trick. Then it’s right back to a big old smile.

Dirty fighters – Paragons and Paladins need not apply. Both Sans and Alastor know the important thing about a fight is that they survive it. If that means avoiding a fight with bad odds, when it becomes unavoidable, using every trick in the book, that’s what they’re going to do. There’s no honour here. Sans is going to get in a massive attack before you’re even able to click a button and Alastor is going to hurl his minions at Adam – go get ‘em, boys!

Always a bigger fish – So far you’d think these guys have it all. Not so. These guys are living in an oppressive world and they’re not the top of the heap. If they were invincible, we wouldn’t be rooting for them as much. No need for cheerleaders if you can’t fail. I can’t tell you how many Let’s Play Genocide Runs I’ve seen where the Player is screaming for joy when they finally kill Sans… only to look suddenly horrified and miserable at his death. Alastor got his ass kicked by Adam, but I’m thinking more of the reveal that the big bad bully who scared Husk half to death is, himself, in a deal and isn’t happy about it. I’m sure that gave a lot of people immediate empathy with him.

Thinking outside the box – Sideways thinking has always been a trait of interesting characters and we’re invited into their minds to see a little of how they view the world. As a deal making demon, this is kind of Alastor’s whole shtick – he’s always finding the angles. For me, I think it’s the moment he gets Charlie on a deal which won’t involve her ‘harming’ anyone – which is a loophole so large you could drive a double-decker bus through it.

The best example for Sans is the fact that he and he alone of all the Monsters dodges. This is clearly not something Monsters understand or do. I have my own pet theory for why this is, but either way, Sans is not thinking the way he’s expected to.

Ultimate power – Sans and Alastor who could literally destroy you and everything you’ve ever known. They’re adorable silly boys with the power to bend reality.

However, this is where a key difference comes in. Because what’s important is their goals. In other words, what they’re using their ultimate power for. On the Genocide Run, Sans is trying to frustrate the Player long enough that they give up and Reset, bringing back his friends and family. Alastor is after hell domination. Maybe in series to come, we’ll find out it’s actually to ensure that bunnies and kittens can roam free… but I doubt it.

Does this make Sans better than Alastor? Well, ask a Player who’s been trying to win Sans’s fight for years who annoyed them more, Alastor in Hazbin of the Sans on their computer.

This isn’t me, FYI. I can’t do the Genocide run. If I had to hurt Papyrus, I don't know what I'd do. Turn off the computer and never use it again. I also almost cried when I accidentally killed Toriel on my first run. I immediately Reset and Flowey mocked me for it. Bastard.

[cowgurrrl]

Love Charlie girl so much! Could you please do a fluff piece of them taking Charlie and Ellie to the lake? Maybe it’s summer and Charlie is like 2 years old and it’s just a lovely family swim day 🤍

Never Going Back Again

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem!reader

Summary: “We have not touched the stars, nor are we forgiven, which brings us back to the hero’s shoulders and the gentleness that comes not from the absence of violence, but despite the abundance of it.” — Snow and Dirty Rain by Richard Siken aka this ask [1.4k]

Warnings: just fluff 🥸

You're barely settled on the shore when Ellie puts her hands up in defense and raises her eyebrows at Joel. "Don't you even think about it, old man." She says, and Joel scoffs. You don't look up at him, not wanting to give him any ideas and focus on lathering Charlie in sunscreen. You're a little overprotective when bringing her to the lake, but luckily, your family are the last people in the world who would judge you for it. Charlie has little pink inflatable armbands that match her strawberry swimsuit and lake shoes. Her hair is pulled away from her face, but you know it'll be down and absurdly curly by the time you take her home. Ellie, meanwhile, is wearing a black sports bra and a pair of one of Tommy's old swim trunks. 

She's a blur of blue as Joel tackles her, throws her over his shoulder, and starts walking to the water. Ellie punches at Joel's back, but there's no way she's getting out from his big bicep and grip on her legs. He tosses her in the water with a little effort, considering he's sixty now, and you laugh when she comes up for air. "Joel, you asshole!" She yells from the water. Joel chuckles and tugs his shirt over his head, more than ready to get in the water. 

"Miller!" You call before he can get too close to the water. He turns around with a sassy look, annoyed you wouldn't let him get in like a toddler, and you hold up the bottle of sunscreen you just finished using on Charlie. "You'd look real stupid to let melanoma get you after everything, but what do I know?" 

"You hear the way she talks to your daddy, Charlotte Elaine?" He asks as he walks over, and you roll your eyes, making her giggle. You squirt some sunscreen in your hands before running it over his broad shoulders. Joel Miller might not be running around fighting anything and everything that moves anymore. Still, the mornings spent carrying his heavy shotgun on patrol or bouncing a crying baby around the house have only maintained his physique. It'd be annoying if you didn't love the sight of his strong arms and slightly plush tummy. How dare he look that good after four kids and twenty years of the apocalypse? 

Charlie waits patiently beside you, kicking rocks as Ellie wades near the shoreline. When you're done making sure Joel won't get burnt, he returns the favor with a quick kiss to the back of your neck once you pull your cover-up off. Joel wolf-whistles at the sight of the black bikini you found in a mall about twenty miles outside of Jackson, and you reach behind you to smack his side. "I think we gotta come to the lake more often." He says as he rubs sunscreen down your arms. 

"You just like getting to show me off." 

"Is that a crime?" He asks, and you laugh. Before you can come up with a rebuttal, Ellie groans about you three taking too long, and you can hear the Miller eye roll before you see it. When he's done with the sunscreen, he playfully squeezes your ass, scoops Charlie up and runs toward the water. She squeals in excitement the whole way in, clinging to Joel like he's the last lifeboat in a storm, and looks at him with wide eyes when they're chest-deep in the water. 

"'S that cold?" Joel asks as you follow him in. Ellie splashes you once you're close enough, and you splash her back, diving under the water to avoid the wrath of Ellie Williams. When you breach the surface of the cool water, Joel and Charlie haven't moved, and he's looking at her very seriously. "I ain't gonna let you go, alright? I'll be right here with you."

"Promise?" Charlie asks, holding up her tiny pinky. Joel melts a little before wrapping his pinky around hers and kissing his thumb, Charlie following suit without hesitation. Joel counts down from three, giving Charlie the chance to plug her nose before plunging underwater. She laughs when he pops them back up with identical wet curls, kicking her legs as she adjusts to the cold. "Again! Again!"

You spend much of the day bouncing between the clear water and the cool shore, nibbling on snacks, and reapplying sunscreen every few hours. Ellie forces you and Joel into a game of chicken between her and Charlie, in which Charlie, in a shocking show of intelligence, tickles you until you fall off of Joel's shoulders. He and Ellie race from one part of the lake to the next so Ellie can work on her confidence with swimming without the anxiety of anything happening to her. Joel would never let her drown if he was close enough. Ellie even takes a turn showing Charlie how to kick her legs and float on her back so they can watch the birds and clouds go by. 

You and Joel stay nearby, but let your daughters have their sister moment together. While they're distracted, Joel comes up behind you and wraps an arm around your waist. "She's really good with Charlie," he mumbles against your temple, kissing your skin to punctuate his sentence. "Makes me wonder what they'll be like when they're older." He says, and you nod as you wrap a hand around his forearm.

"If it's anything like this, I think they'll be just fine." You say. Charlie giggles and flounders a little on her back float, but Ellie catches her and stabilizes her before she can freak out. You're just close enough to hear Ellie's gentle encouragement to Charlie. "You're doing great, baby girl. Just keep your head back, okay? There you go." 

"Yeah," Joel hums. "I think so, too." 

"Daddy!" Charlie's voice cuts through the peaceful moment, and you turn to see her swimming toward you and Joel. "Can you throw me like you throwed Bellie?"

"You want me to throw you in the water?" He asks, and Charlie nods. "You sure?"

"Well, yeah." She sasses in that sweet two-year-old voice, and you laugh. 

"Alright, alright. Whatever the princess wants, the princess gets." He says. He kisses your cheek before letting you go and grabbing Charlie. He counts down from three again, bouncing a little at each number, and throws her a few feet away when he gets to one. At first, Charlie's unsure what she thinks about getting tossed but quickly decides she likes it and swims back to Joel. He takes turns hurling the girls into the water, throwing each of them remarkably far before they swim back. You can't imagine how Joel's back must've been feeling, but the smile on his face when he hears Ellie and Charlie laughing is worth it. 

About twenty heart-stopping launches in, Charlie sits in Joel's arm, practically vibrating with joy as she waits for him to throw her. As he says each number, she cackles maniacally and loudly. Listening to her full, crazy belly laughs is enough to make you, Ellie, and Joel laugh, too. "What are you even laughin' at?" Joel asks, but Charlie just keeps giggling. 

"I dunno." She gets out between breaths, making herself laugh harder. Joel waits for her to calm down enough to get a full breath in and throws her again. 

By the time the sun starts setting, you, Joel, and the girls are cuddled up on the shore with Charlie's head tucked under your chin as she sleeps. Her hat has been long forgotten in your backpack, and her curls are drying under your warm hands, your fingers diligently trying to work out knots before they can get too bad. Ellie is snuggled between you and Joel with a hand on Charlie's back as she bounces in and out of sleep, the lake water lapping on the shore, lulling her to one of the most peaceful sleeps she's had in a while. And Joel, being Joel, is cushioning your head with one arm and draping the other across all his girls. You meet his eyes over Ellie's head and smile at the soft look in his eyes. If you had a camera, you'd take a picture of it, but instead, you commit the gentle brown irises to memory. The same way you commit Charlie's belly laughs and Ellie's smile to memory. Or the way the sun bounced off the water and cast everything in a dreamy glow. 

Camera or not, it'll be a long time before any of the Millers forget their day at the lake as the last drudges of summer slip away.

TAGLIST: @abbyhaslongshorts @moonandseatgr-yngf @kiwiharrykiwi @sumsworldz @myloveistoolittle @korynnekorynne @anavatazes

[tyrantisterror]

Twitter (or “X”, I guess) is currently losing its mind over a media analysis video that implies King Kong might have some racially charged (or even racist) themes. Thoughts?

I actually talked about this recently here: https://tyrantisterror.tumblr.com/post/730214779314176000/kaiju-twitter-is-currently-in-a-tizzy-because

But I also think King Kong (1933) has a somewhat undeserved sterling reputation in general. Even critics who have otherwise been quick to be hypercritical and dismissive of monster movies talk about King Kong as if it's a "perfect" movie, because historically King Kong has always been considered a classic. And, like, historically speaking, yes, King Kong will always be an important and groundbreaking film. It's a landmark moment in special effects.

But if you take the special effects out of it... you're not really left with much to rave about. The acting in King Kong ranges from passable to outright bad (and racist when you consider the islanders and Charlie the inexplicable Chinese Stereotype cook who exists for... comic relief? I guess?), the characters themselves are thin, the dialogue can be very good but also outright atrocious, and the camerawork (again, outside of special effects) is nothing to rave about. King Kong has a reputation for perfection that's solely hinged on cool special effects and a shitload of nostalgia. It does not have the depth to its storytelling of, say, Godzilla (1954), which had to claw and fight over decades to be reappraised by critics for its many virtues. All King Kong has is groundbreaking special effects.

And those special effects are really good, don't get me wrong. You feel for that monkey before the movie ends, and the wonder and terror of Skull Island's ecosystem of monsters is rightfully iconic. But if you dig past that - and you have to if you want to analyze the movie, because most of it is surface level stuff - you're not left with much to analyze, and what there is to analyze are a bunch of racist tropes that were old and timeworn by the time King Kong was made, and much more so now. Evil black savages who want to sacrifice a white woman because of her enchanting Aryan beauty, a giant ape who's horny for said white woman because of said enchanting Aryan beauty, heroic white men risking everything as they plunder an evil, backwards island of degenerate relics from the past that were best left forgotten, Charlie the Chinese Cook who is exactly as grating a racial stereotype of Chinese people as you'd expect from the 1930's - yeah, all of these tropes have racist roots, and whether or not the racism was intended by the creators doesn't really matter, because they certainly did nothing to try and mitigate it or divorce the tropes from those racist roots. It's a racist movie, an undeniably racist movie, which isn't something that should surprise people because it's from the 19fucking30's.

And that doesn't mean we have to condemn King Kong, and that watching it makes you a problematic Nazi MAGA chud, or that we're not allowed to praise what's good about it (i.e. the special effects). It just means that, maybe, after 90 years of completely untempered praise from all corners of the film world, maybe it's time to admit that King Kong, while still a classic, is not a perfect movie. That it has some flaws. And maybe we can start by admitting the really obvious flaw of it being a movie from the 1930's that reflects the 1930's attitudes about race which were, you know, not great, and then from there we could maybe talk about how it reflects 1930's attitudes about gender (also not great), and then to how the acting in it is mostly bad, and then to how the scriptwriting is... let's say uneven, and then maybe admit that really we just like the monster bits and the rest is kind of forgettable at best, and that Godzilla is a far superior movie in all respects.

But I think what's likely to happen is people will viciously defend the movie without thinking about it critically for a moment, because nuance and honest self reflection is for chumps.