#memorial weekend 2022

[rickybaby]

"We definitely have some pace in hand. I think the timesheets do not probably show the full picture for our performance today. I actually feel good being back here. It's nice to be driving an F1 around here again. Look, I say nice - not that I'm just here to drive and enjoy it, but it is definitely enjoyable. But yeah, happy with the work we've done today and as you've said, probably with some softs tomorrow, we can probably be fighting inside the top 10.

[On qualifying] Definitely, you know like within myself, I felt that I got into a better rhythm towards the end of the session. So, that'[On qualifying] Definitely, you know like within myself, I felt that I got into a better rhythm towards the end of the session. So, that's what today's for - building up towards the limit but I was happy with the last lap I did on the medium. All things considered, we're in a good place. So, now it's just finding a bit more in myself and putting the set-up together and probably merging both cars and making a beautiful sweet concoction of fast lap time goodness 😄😄.

Tomorrow is one of the coolest days in F1, like Saturday in Monaco is fun. I need to ... I'm kind of 'zenned' out. These sessions are late, like 5 pm ... 6. And then we go to engineering, so I'm a bit mentally drained. But yeah, I'm excited for tomorrow. I don't even know what time qualifying is. [Laura tells him 4 o'clock] Ah, still pretty late, but it's alright. Lucky we're owned by an energy drink company and we'll have plenty tomorrow. I'm excited to go full beans as you've said ... what did you say 'dancing on the limit'? Yeah, I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

[wuxian-vs-wangji]

Every time Prapai gives Sky medicine, he's narcoleptic inside 5 minutes.

[sheltoner]

klay thompson leaving the warriors and signing with the mavs? sry excuse me while i sob

[f1amour]

✧˚ · . 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐑

pairing: max verstappen x mexican!reader, charles leclerc x mexican!reader

word count: 4.4k

summary: being introduced to their once rival and falling for them was not what you expected but after struggling in your current relationship to feel loved maybe they were exactly what you needed

authors note: i feel like this made no sense lmao no build up but i tried my best i never wrote about a love triangle so it wasn’t my best interpretation of it therefore why i felt i didn’t create a good build up. also google translate was my bff so forgive me for any mistakes. highly recommend listening to sailor song by gigi perez some of the lyrics (hence the title) heavily inspired me <3

warnings: ANGST but happy ending :) no cheating, suggestive content, established relationship, takes place in 2023 — 18+, minors please do not interact!

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You knew what love meant. The definition behind it and you knew people who were in love, you knew everything about love. You showed your love to your friends by making memories with them or gift giving and with each friend it was something special. You paid attention to their likes and dislikes because you love them.

But you didn't know love as you grew up in a household filled with yelling and resentment. Now at the age of 23 you felt that you finally had someone who will love you the way you love others.

Someone who will love you loudly and proudly.

Being in a relationship with Charles for three years now you'd think he would be a bit more affectionate in public. You didn't expect to make out, you just needed his touch. You wanted to hold his hand in public without him scolding you that it wasn't a good look.

Our relationship wasn't a good look?

A question you'd always ask when he'd imply any public displays of affection wasn't a good look for himself and his team. You are being overdramatic. Would be his answer all the time and you'd go along with it. You loved him so much that seeing his flaws would fly over your head. You avoided all the red flags in the relationship because for the first time you loved someone and maybe if you loved them enough they could learn to love you.

It took Charles two years to say he loved you and you were fine with it. You never rushed him to say those three words despite you saying them first only a year into dating. Love took time and everyone had their own time to say those words. The two years with Charles before he said I love you was your favorite time together. He was affectionate (behind closed doors). Kind. Patient.

He was everything you ever wanted in a relationship but that all changed after he told you he loved you. In a way you thought the only reason he said those words was because of your argument after the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

He had finished in 2nd and was disappointed with the results at him still not being a world champion. Being asked by the press if there was anything that was distracting him that could have cost him the championship.

"Some distractions are definitely the reason both professionally and...personally. I think some personal distractions won't happen again for next year."

You were fuming when you heard that and what was worse you were standing right there a few feet away and like the good girlfriend you are, you couldn't show any emotion. Your smile faltered for only a second but then immediately a fake smile stayed on, unaware a pair of blue eyes watching wishing they could comfort you.

Giving Charles the silent treatment for a week he could see you were prepared to leave the relationship after his comment so he decided to plan a weekend getaway on a yacht while on the Amalfi Coast. During a romantic dinner he said those three words and promised he'd be a better man in the relationship. That lasted only a month.

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You were back in the routine of being ignored by Charles while out in public and sometimes even at home. Tonight was no different as you guys sit in a secluded corner of a local club while he talks to Pierre while you sit there awkwardly hoping for someone to at least acknowledge your presence.

If Lando or Arthur were here you'd be ecstatic because at least they would actually talk to you. You don't know why Charles even invited you to come along for drinks with him and Pierre but you assumed he wanted to spend some time with you. Now you regret coming out seeing as he is doing what he always does at home; ignore you.

"Max!" Your thoughts are interrupted by Charles voice calling the name of a person you have yet to formally meet.

Max Verstappen. A name you heard from everyone, especially your boyfriend who shared his hatred for the man when he first came into formula one but recently it’s seemed like they’ve both been getting along.

But that’s all you knew seeing as Charles never even introduced you to each other despite sharing many podiums together and being at the same parties a few times.

“Hello.” Max waves awkwardly at you after Charles introduces you quickly before focusing back on his conversation with Pierre.

“Hi.” You smile awkwardly not really knowing what else to say. Being in his presence was a bit intimidating, always hearing stories of his tough demeanor on the track so you assumed he’d be the same off the track.

“I’m leaving.” You whisper to Charles and it catches his attention. He begins asking why you’re leaving so early when you’d just arrived an hour ago and you make up an excuse saying you don’t feel well.

You’ve ignored me this whole time. Why would I want to be here?

You wanted to say that but knew it would lead to yet another argument so he just waves you off and you grab your purse quickly hoping to avoid anyone seeing your tears.

“It was nice to finally meet you, Max.” You tell the man, avoiding his eyes and walking off.

And that was the start of Max’s plan; to never see another tear on your face from the man you love.

He started that right away by following you out the club where the streets were quiet and empty. You sit on the sidewalk head in your hands sobbing uncontrollably.

At that moment he isn’t sure what he will say but he knows he wants to be near you. To comfort you.

So he sits right beside you carefully so as not to startle you and you look over ready to move away from whoever was sitting next you but meeting those blue eyes you felt a pull.

His eyes were so bright and welcoming that with a simple look and hand to your shoulder, you’re crying in the arms of a man you had only just formally met 5 minutes ago.

But being in his arms felt so right, like you had known them for years.

So maybe it was that or the way his blue eyes had such a calming look to them that you spilled all your feelings to him. From your failed relationship to your family problems. You expected him to defend his friend who he knew more than you but instead he held your hand rubbing thumb against it, "I think if Charles loves you he wouldn't make you cry. He would not make you feel alone, unappreciated…or unloved. His opinion about being private can be valid for the media but with friends? Family? Even in your own home? He should be able to express his love."

You nod along and let out a shaky breath, "It sounds pathetic but I always thought he was my soulmate at one point. So if he was my soulmate I convinced myself that this was it. That my only chance at love will be him and that is all I will ever get. But sometimes I think it might be better to live my life forever alone than to give all my love to someone who could never reciprocate it."

Max shakes his head and looks at you, his eyes flickering to your lips for a brief moment then back to your eyes, "I don't think that is pathetic. It's called love and sometimes being in love with someone you know won't love you the same is soul crushing but you'll stay in the relationship hoping that maybe one day what you give them will be enough to change their mind." He tells you, almost as he had gone through the same (he did).

"You know from everything I see and hear from people about you I'm surprised how wrong they were. How wrong I was…you aren't the same guy you are on the track. I'm sorry." You tell him sincerely, an apology he tells you is not needed but feels a flutter in his chest receiving praise from you.

"Never judge a book by its cover, right?" He smiles back at you, your arm wrapped around his and head against his shoulder. Maybe you shouldn't be so close to another guy that wasn't your boyfriend but there was a pull Max had that you wanted to be as close to him as you could.

Just friends.

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And your friendship with Max sure did blossom for the last three months going into the 2023 season and Charles was fine with it. Mostly because he still was not paying you much attention so you being friendly with Max and joining him and Lando on trips was fine with him.

Until he realized how close you had gotten to Red Bull's superstar driver.

"I don't understand why you want to go there this race weekend. I doubt the PR team would even allow me to let you go, it's not a good look." He shrugs driving through the streets of Miami with you in the passenger seat.

"Actually, Max's team talked to yours already. People honestly think me and you are friends so they don't think it would cause any drama plus I'm doing a video with Checo and Max to try some of my pastries!" You tell him excitedly, a smile on your face he hadn't seen in awhile. Only this time another man was the reason for your smile not him.

"Ah well…okay." He says before shutting down completely and staying quiet the entire ride back to the hotel after dinner.

Once you arrive at the hotel room you wash your makeup off then go off to grab some pajamas, "You wanna wear this?" Charles asks holding up a red sweater that had his name on the back of it.

"Oh thanks, Charlie." You smile at him sweetly and throw the sweater on with some black shorts.

"I love you." He says pulling you in for a passionate kiss, something you haven't received in a week so your hands go to his hair pulling him in for a deeper kiss. You were so deprived from his touch that you felt yourself pushing him towards the bed wanting him to give you some more attention.

"Wanna be inside you, mon amour." He whispers in your ear before kissing down to your neck, your moans a little louder than usual and as his hands reach to take your shorts off there's a knock at the door.

"Mierda. Esperame aqui." You tell Charles and he just nods with a smile not knowing what the last two words are but he loved seeing how needy you were.

You walk over to the door opening it to reveal Max and Lando holding a bag full of junk food, "Shit. I forgot we were going to watch the rest of the movies on our list…Charles is here."

Landos eyes widen while Max's are filled with disappointment, "Ah you getting it on with your man!" Lando jokes and you slap his arm.

"Shut up! I wanna spend some time with him while he is actually giving me some attention for once. I'm so sorry guys." You apologize and Lando nods in understanding and says goodbye before walking off.

"Max, come on!" Lando yells for his friend but he waves him off asking to give him a second.

You smile at him, "I'm sorry, Maxie. I know I promised we would finish up the movies this week but he's paying attention to me right now and I know it's pathetic being so desperate for just one–."

"I'm always gonna remind you that it is not pathetic. You are not pathetic. Don't apologize, it is okay. We will wait for you to watch the movies and enjoy your time with him." He tries to keep his smile when he says the last sentence.

"I love you, Max." You wrap your arms around him, giving him a tight hug before pulling away.

"I love you too." He says, those words having so much more meaning than in the friendly way you had meant it. You wave him goodbye before going back inside enjoying your time with Charles for the rest of the night, but your mind was invaded with one person and one person only: Max.

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It was Media Day and you were spending it with the Red Bull Team and while you were excited for it at first you had noticed Max was acting weird not really speaking to you unless for the video so you felt a bit down throughout the day.

"Estoy seguro de que no mas no se siente bien.” Checo talks to you while you sit beside him and Max who was talking to Daniel happily completely ignoring you.

"Pero claramente está bien con todos los demás. Solo soy yo. Él no me quiere aquí, así que... me voy. Gracias por invitarme, pero no quiero hacer esto". You smile sadly at Checo and his wife who ask you to stay at the team dinner but you can't. Not when someone you love is treating you like this. You already got that from Charles.

But you were unaware that Max understood every word you and Checo had said.

So as you walk out of the restaurant you refuse to turn back around as Max calls after you, "Oh so now you want to talk? Well I don't, so leave me alone." You yell at him and keep walking down the empty street.

"Please, I'm sorry." He begs stepping in front of you.

You stop and glare at him, "You…you know how I feel about being ignored by Charles all the time. How shitty it makes me feel and now you're doing the same?" You ask, tears welling up in your eyes.

"No I…fuck don’t cry. I promised to never be the one to make you cry and-.”

"What do you mean by that? What promise?" You ask, confused as to what he meant.

"I never want to be the reason you cry." He whispers, wiping your tears away.

"Why?"

“Because…because I love you.” He confesses, in his eyes you can see he means those three words more than the platonic type.

And in that moment you want to say it back. You want to mean it the way he is saying it as well. But then Charles fills your mind.

“You…love me?” Is all you can say. You knew there was something there you couldn’t deny. But you were a loyal person so you pushed those feelings to the back of your head because you were with Charles.

Max 's hands are cupping your face, “Mi amor por ti es tan fuerte que aprendí un idioma para ti. Tu idioma para poder decírtelo y demostrarte mi amor. Aprendí tu idioma en tres meses. Porque eres mi amiga es lo que me diría al principio. Porque valoro nuestra amistad y te respeto pero ¿ahora? Me doy cuenta de que este sentimiento es más que solo amigos. Quiero... no, te amaré. Te amaré fuerte y con orgullo como te mereces. Quiero que todos sepan que soy tuyo y tú eres mío. Quiero que las estrellas y la luna sepan que te amo. Quiero escuchar tu voz por horas. Gritaré mi amor por ti cuando quieras. Quiero ser tu mejor amigo. Te amaré hasta mi último aliento en esta tierra. Y en el más allá te encontraré y te amaré entonces.Te amaré como a un marinero. Fuerte y orgulloso” (My love for you is so strong that I learned a language for you. Your language to be able to tell you and show you my love. I learned your language in three months. Because you are my friend is what he would tell me at first. Because I value our friendship and I respect you, but now? I realize this feeling is more than just friends. I want... no, I will love you. I will love you strong and proudly as you deserve. I want everyone to know that I am yours and you are mine. I want the stars and the moon to know that I love you. I want to hear your voice for hours. I will shout my love for you whenever you want. I want to be your best friend. I will love you until my last breath on this earth. And in the hereafter I will find you and I will love you then. I will love you like a sailor. Loud and proud) He lets out a deep breath after his confession looking at you for answers.

Your eyes filled with tears hearing him confess his feelings, in Spanish. In your language. He learned your language in three months just because he loved you?

“Max…I-I-I don’t know what to say. You…fuck, you learned Spanish for me. I can’t…I want to love you. I know I can and I do but I’m still with Charles. I know he hasn’t proved anything to me but I can’t say what I feel at this moment knowing I’m still in a relationship. He may not care about it but I need to be loyal until the end.” You tell him. He had hoped you’d say something other than that but he also understood.

“I’m gonna wait for you. You can decide what you want with him but…if you decide to stay with him I need to give you this before you leave.” He digs into his pocket and grabs his keys, taking a key off the chain and handing it to you.

“I’ll send you the address in a text but I hope you love it. I hope I see you again.” He says before kissing your cheek and walking off.

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You walk into the hotel room and you see Charles sitting on the bed waiting for you, "What are you doing here?" Your tone coming off a bit harsh.

"Oh, well I wanted to wait up for you. I was thinking we could spend the night together again. I've missed you and-."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean why do you miss me? Why do you all of a sudden want to spend time with me?"

Charles sighs, "I just miss you and well seeing you get so close to Max I…I felt like you haven't made time for us–."

"Oh fuck you! I haven't made the time? I am the one who left my home country three years ago to follow you around the world like a lovestruck little puppy. I have all the time in the world to be there when you want it but it is you who hasn't. I have begged and cried for you to give me love. To show me you love me. You havent done that Charles one night that we fucked doesnt mean it all gets better."

"I know that! I want to try though. I shouldn't have let your friendship with Max make me so jealous but I see how he looks at you, Y/n. He loves you more than a friend–."”

"Yeah, he told me tonight."You interrupt him and the color drains from his body.

"He did? And…what did you say?"

You sigh and sit next to Charles, "That I could feel the same way. I do feel the same way but…I'm with you. And you may not believe it but I'm a loyal person. So nothing happened he just said that and that is all…he said he would wait for me."

"What does this mean for us?" He asks.

What does it mean? You were conflicted, Max…he was a breath of fresh air. What he makes you feel is something you wish Charles could have made you felt. Love should be given because they love you not because you beg them to do it. And thinking in that sense is enough to give you your answer.

"It means I am not ready for any relationship with anyone right now. I need to focus on myself and love myself because I haven't for a long time. We need to break up, Charles."

But I love you. I may not show it but I want to communicate my feelings to express why it's so hard for me.

"Okay…we break up then. Where will you go?" He says instead of what he wanted to really say to you, sadness in his eyes.

"Home." You tell him looking down at the keychain.

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THREE MONTHS LATER.

When you had received the address from Max you weren't sure what else to tell him other than thank you and after that you lost contact for some time. He had bought a piece of land in Mexico, "a place where you can create your biggest dreams." He bought you a space where you create a cafe the way you had always dreamed of but you assumed no one ever paid enough attention to you to know that the dream was to have this cafe in Mexico.

Now having the space open it was thriving and everyone was raving about it even some F1 fans have realized it was your cafe and despite your break up with Charles now being out in the public they were still showing their support.

The Mexican Grand Prix was coming this week and you had received a few messages from some drivers hoping to catch up with you. You hung out with Lando for a day showing him around the city and then had dinner with Checo and his family. You were sad to hear Max was going to be there but bailed out.

When dinner was over you were headed home when you got a notification from your security system sensing motion at the front of your cafe so you went straight there.

When you arrive your heart stops at the sight of Max standing on a ladder in front of your door, "What…what are you doing?" You ask stepping out of your car and Max turns around, almost falling off the ladder when he sees you.

"Max! You gotta be careful." You put support on the ladder with your hands as he gets back to what he was doing.

"You got a broken light, it doesn't work." He states.

"Yeah I know. I was gonna fix it tomorrow morning. Not like a crazy person at night."

"Well the crazy person just fixed it so you're welcome." He says climbing off.

You thank him before unlocking the door to the place, "Do you want to see it?" You ask him and he smiles following you inside.

Max was in shock seeing how beautiful it looked inside, filled with tables and comfortable couches with a small corner that had books that you can pick from while visiting and he's most excited when he looks at the menu hanging behind the counter.

Two lattes named after his cats Jimmy and Sassy (who you have met and love very much). Then beside the menu is a small note thanking the customers, "And thank you to my favorite sailor." The same word he used when telling you he loved you.

"I'm probably gonna botch this but I'm trying okay?" You tell him and he looks at you confused when you grab his hands and clear your throat, "Don't laugh if I mess up!" You tell him and he chuckles.

"Could never laugh at you if it's this serious, my silly girl." If you hadn't been practicing this for so long you probably would have kissed him right then.

"Ik hou van je. Ik wil dat je luid bemind wordt, net zoals jij van mij houdt. Ik voel dingen voor je die ik nog nooit heb gevoeld en dat maakt me bang. Zo hard van je houden is eng, maar het is iets wat ik met je wil doen. Ik wil je liefde en je beste vriend zijn. Ik zal zo luid van je houden dat de hele wereld stil zal worden. Het spijt me dat het zo lang heeft geduurd voordat ik me realiseerde hoe graag ik dit wil. Ik wil ons leven samen opbouwen." (I love you. I want you to be loved loudly just like you love me. I feel things for you that I have never felt and that scares me. Loving you so hard is scary but it's something I want to do with you. I want to be your love and your best friend. I will love you so loud that the whole world will go quiet. I'm sorry it took me this long to realize how much I want this. I want to build our life together.) It's like deja vu as you take a deep breath after confessing your love in his language, something you too had been practicing for the last three months.

His face was hard to read at the moment and you frown thinking maybe it was too late confessing your love now, "Fuck I know it wasn't the best dutch and maybe it's too late telling you I–."

His lips stop you from finishing that sentence, you can feel his heartbeat close to you pressed against each other. Your lips on his felt like they were always meant to be there the way you could taste the coffee that you had made him beforehand. His hands on your hips with your arms around his neck trying to get as close as you can to each other, you both however pull away to take a breath.

"I love you. Te amo. Ik houd van je." Max kisses you all over your face giving you one last kiss on your lips.

"I'm sorry it took me some time to say it but after breaking up with Charles I needed space to breathe and remember I can still live my life without needing a man to love me…but these three months without you have been fucking torture. I miss all the little things you do and I just miss you. I want to hold you forever." You tell him, you both are now sitting on one of the couches in the cafe. You sit on his lap with his arms holding you tight hoping to never let go like you'd just said.

"I was a bit disappointed at first hearing about the break up and that you had left right away but then I saw you here making this place exactly how you dreamed of and that was enough for me to understand you needed your space…even if I was miserable." He says the last few words jokingly and you giggle, shaking your head.

"I still don't know how I can ever thank you for buying me this space." You smile at him, your fingers playing with his hair.

"Let me take you on a date and that is enough."

You nod, kissing his cheek, "Bit weird we said I love you before our first date."

"Loving you is out of this world, I expect anything ordinary is simply not what our love is." Max was a true romantic, something he did not think was in him until he met you. Maybe that side of him had been hidden for so long because he was waiting for you all along.

Your lips meet his once again in a sweet kiss, "Thank you for loving me, loudly and proudly."

[sweetdispatch]

No hope - L. Hughes

pairing: Luke Hughes x girlfriend!reader

summary: Luke's girlfriend is facing huge problems with her relationship

warning: drinking, drug use, addiction, depression, suicide, death

words: 1.0k

note: this one is personal, i'm struggling with the pain but i decided to write about it to help me in this day since it's the first time without her on her day... happy birthday A, wherever you are queen❤️

masterlist

---

Astrid and Luke had been definition of high school sweethearts. They’ve met when they were 16 but for two years none of them make a move to be together. Everyone could see that they are flirty with each other. Luke’s friends knew he has a crush on her and Astrid’s friends knew she has a crush on him. Their dynamic changed on one of the parties.

They played truth or dare. Luke picked dare and had to kiss Astrid. He blushed after hearing this, but he did it. The kiss was full of love and faith. When they pulled away, they were laughing staring into each other eyes. Luke found the bravery to ask her to be his girlfriend. She gladly accepted this offer, and they became inseparable.

Their idyll hasn’t lasted long. Couple months after they became official couple, both were leaving for college. Luke was going to Michigan University when Astrid was heading to New York University. They decided to do long distance because they were seeing future with each other. Everything was going smoothly. Luke had been calling her every single day, Astrid was sending him pictures and nonsense texts all the time. Until New Year’s Eve 2021.

Astrid was stuck in New York and Luke was stuck in Michigan. They couldn’t see each other when they’ve been planning this since the college started. She was mad that things haven’t worked out and she got drunk. She found out that alcohol helps her to deal with the pain she’s having from being away from each other. She stared drinking more and more. Every weekend was a great opportunity for her to get hammered.

Luke knew about it but haven’t said a word. He understood that she might be overwhelmed with her major and just wants to party in her free time. Although, he didn’t know she’s drinking because of their long distance relationship. Her classes had never been an issue but Astrid haven’t corrected him. She preferred him to believe it’s because of the college. She didn’t want to make him feel guilty.

Year 2021-2022 was over. Right after final exam, Astrid went to Michigan to see Luke. They spent every day of their summer break together. His brothers were joking that they are glued to each other but none of them cared about it. They tried to make as many memories as they could before going back to their separate lives. Three months went super fast, and they had to split again.

Luke in his second year put all his focus on hockey. He started to neglect their relationship. There wasn't everyday calls, he barely responded on her texts. On the other hand, Astrid focused on her major. She knew that her constant partying wasn’t a good idea, so she wanted to be the best student. It worked only for the first semester.

Soon after, Astrid came back to her old habits, but drinking wasn’t the problem now. She started to experiment with drugs. Luke was ignoring her to focus on his career. She understood that. She always felt that at some point, he’s gonna pick hockey over her. When he heard from her friends that she’s doing drugs now, his world stopped. Luke felt responsible for this. He decided to concentrate on her. He knew that he must train her if he wants to achieve big things but now, Astrid was his priority.

Her addiction got worst; she couldn’t function without drugs. She started ditching her classes. Astrid felt like a failure the whole time. She felt that she’s failing everyone, her family, her friends and most importantly, her boyfriend. She didn’t want to be a burden for others. She preferred to suffer alone. Luke was trying his best to help her, but it was difficult on long distance.

In April, Luke signed contract with New Jersey and soon after he was there in the city playing in NHL. Astrid was proud of him. She was very vocal towards him about her feelings with the signing. He moved to his brother’s apartment to live closer to the rink, but in every chance, he had, he was visiting his girlfriend’s dorm.

Instead of feeling grateful for having him by his side, Astrid felt horrible. She didn’t want him to see her in this state. She was pushing him away, always making excuses. She was telling herself that she didn’t deserve him. He was a professional hockey player, and she was just a student with depression and drug addiction. Her mind was playing tricks on her.

Astrid haven’t had the bravery to break up with him. She loved him deeply, but she knew there’s no hope for their relationship. She tried to do everything to force him to break up with her. Luke’s mind never crossed the thought of breaking up with her. She was the best thing that happened to him, and he wanted to help her with getting out of it.

After the season was over for Luke, he left her for couple of days. He needed to be back in Michigan. He told Astrid about this trip and promised her to be back as fast as he could. She was delighted that he was leaving her. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. She was into her mind for too long and wanted this to end. While he was gone, she decided to go on her last party.

Astrid went wild that night. She drank like there’s no tomorrow. She was mixing every alcohol and every drug she could. After the party, she hasn’t woken up. She never woke up again. She finally felt free from the pain she had been dealing with for the past two years. One thing she haven’t thought about before she decided to commit suicide was aftermatch of her decision.

Her family was heartbroken, their only child was gone. All her friends were mourning over her death. The one that had the biggest problem to accept this was Luke. He felt like it’s all his fault. He was beating himself for leaving her. He knew about her problems and struggles yet; he hasn’t helped her enough.

Luke was carrying the grief with him. He couldn’t forgive himself for what happened. He carried with him her picture in his wallet and her hair band on his wrist. He couldn’t believe she was gone but decided to cherish every moment they’ve spent.

[disneyprincemuke]

midnights, 4 * mv1

you’re woken up in the middle of the night in cold sweat and max’s name at the tip of your tongue

pairings: max verstappen x reader

warnings: sad again :(

notes: i’m almost at 2k followers!!! i’ll be doing a sleepover event soon, so do look out for that!!!

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it feels so real, the way his hands are cupping your cheeks with his thumbs rubbing circles against the skin. “my darling.”

“max.” you come out in a whisper, your hands clutching onto his wrist. “don’t go.”

“i wouldn’t ever dare.”

wouldn’t ever dare.

that’s the words that woke you in a jolt, met by the darkness and stillness of your own bedroom. you stay in your position for a little bit, the weight on your chest making is slightly harder to breathe.

the effort to steady yourself is constant, but slow. there’s a tingling sensation where you think he last touched you, on your cheeks and by your neck. your lips are numb that you have to graze your fingers over it to make sure you’re really awake.

you exhale shakily, finally turning over to your side. you sigh and snuggle your face into the blanket. the picture frame of max kissing your cheek stands tall. it was his championship race from the 2022 season, right before he left the garage to start the race.

you couldn’t bear the thought of putting this one down. it had been a special moment with him, the thought of winning back to back championships seemed so silly in the beginning.

max doesn’t haunt your dreams often, even when you’d been pining for him. watching the championship sprint race wasn’t the best idea. you’d fallen asleep on the couch before it started and woke up with max’s face zoomed in on the screen.

it took everything in you not to send him a message, congratulating him on a win that was undisputedly his. every fibre of self control not to give him a call and ask him how everything has been.

you were curious yourself how the sprint had gone — you watched clips of him after the race looking drained. it almost brought you to his contact to call him, drowning him with questions laced with concern.

you wanted to be the one to press the cold towel to his forehead and essentially wipe him dry of his sweat.

you felt like a stranger to his life, and it’s killing you. you don’t know if he’s celebrating the championship with some other girl on his arm, sharing a tradition that only you two were aware of.

you can’t help but wonder if his champagne flavoured lips has been tasted by another woman and it makes your stomach churn at the thought of someone else having that luxury. a luxury that you seem to have dismissed too easily during your relationship.

but you realise it’s not really your problem, now that he’s just another ex-boyfriend; you’re just another ex-girlfriend.

your phone lights up on the nightstand, illuminating the picture frame. a small smile stretches your lips when you catch a glimpse of his lips smushed into your cheeks. not knowing what max is up to almost drives you crazy when you let it get to your head.

you now know nothing of the person you knew everything about.

it’s a bigger change than anyone cares to elaborate after a breakup. it’s a lot harder to deal with, but it’s something nobody ever talks about.

they tell you about the crippling pain of losing the love of your life and how empty the bed will feel without them. but nobody ever tells you how directionless and painful it will be when you feel yourself start to become a mere memory to them.

you slide your phone off your nightstand, reading the notifications that flooded your phone. you hadn’t expected anyone to be texting you so late, but you remember that half of the people you know are in another timezone.

danny ❧ not here for championship weekend? :( ❧ oh nevermind :/

the texts were 3 hours apart. you’re guessing that somewhere between those two messages, max had confessed about what happened.

alexandra ❧ did u text him?? ❧ it’s ok if u did…

but you still didn’t feel like talking to anybody. you drop the phone behind you and close your eyes.

a shaky breath passes your lips, max’s face flashing for a second — the face he makes when he’s across the room at a function and he spots you in the crowd unexpectedly. it’s very gentle and you can almost see the love oozing out of him when you’d caught it.

you open your eyes. you turn to your other side, now facing the empty half of your bed. you stretch your arm out and try to imagine the feeling of max next to you.

you try to remember what it felt like to be cuddled into his chest with his strong arm wrapped around your back. but it’s been so long since you’d been in such an intimate position with him, even before the relationship had come to its end.

sleep never came that night, the image of your love creeping up every single time you kept your eyes closed for too long. the sun had risen before you fell into a slumber, but max never left your mind even then.

taglist: @merchelsea @leclercdream @labelledejourr @laneyspaulding19 @lpab

[mjbarrosart]

My Dragon Prince Boards season 6, episode 602

Before we start, a little words...

Working in The Dragon Prince is for sure one of the biggest privileges of my career as a storyboard artist. I got into the show as a junior board artist during season 4 and was able to stay until the end of season 7.

The quality of the show, the characters the fans, are things that I truly enjoyed and keep close to my heart.

Have been years since my work in Drago Prince - we were boarding season 6 in the Summer of 2022- and to be honest feels like a lifetime ago, haha, my skills and art have change so much during the years, but every time a new season premieres, going back to my old boards and write this little commentary has become such a fun thing to do.

Season 6 is so far one of my favorites. This season was in such a sweet spot for us, with seasons 4 and 5 already done we were feeling really comfortable on the style of the show, and we were able to work without the huge pressure that later we had for season 7 (closing a huge story like this saga is a monumental challenge and that put a lot over our shoulders for sure!) So I have fond memories of my sequences on season 6, having a lot of fun while working on them.

During all my time in the show, I was part of the 2nd unit on boards. The show had 3 units, each unit was in charge of 3 episodes. If you check the credits its pretty easy to figure out which unit is which. I had the huge privilege to work with experienced artists like Jae Harm and Lori Allen, who also worked in seasons 1 to 3! My unit director for this season was Mike Jones, hands down one of the best storyboards artist I ever meet.

As the 2nd unit, we were in charge of episodes, 602, 605 and 608.

So lets start with Episode 2 of season 6!!

A little irony about this season is that while in season 5 I was working SO MUCH with Janai and Amaya, in this season we only had sunfire elf plot in this episode, so is my only time on the season working with my favorite ladies. Knowing that, I tried really hard to nail all my parts!

My first sequences is when Janai scolds the remaining sunfire generals. This episode deals with the consequences of the season 5 finale of the sunfire elf plot. Janai is sitting on her throne betrayed by one of her generals and her brother, feeling doubts about herself, but also about is she can trust others.

I think was pretty cool to being able to explore a more emotional side of Janai. I wanted to make this sequences to feel imbalanced and aggressive. Janai is dealing with a lot of emotions that are hard to process.

I read some complaints that Janai in this sequence is not being better than a Karim (yes I read your comments!) and I agree, but I think that that is a good thing. The idea of this sequence, was to show Janai taking things wrong, acting her feelings in a way they are hurting people around her. I don't think Janai is being a good queen here, and I thing that is good, because is good for characters to have flaws to overcome.

Sadly, part of this anger is not only directed to her subordinates, but also to Amaya, but she is a mature person, who doesn't take it personally and keep herself calms in order to be able to support her partner.

My next sequence is when Janai burns the sunseed tree.

This sequence continues working around the idea of Janai's rage and frustration. The sunseed is not there anymore, and she struggles to imagine a future, she is defeated, scared and angry.

The next shot is a fun one. On my first pitch of this sequence, I had her image reflecting in the crown turning into Karim, as a symbol of that both are the same, or that right now she is not being better than him, she is being haunted by him. But that idea was scrapped during revisions. I was happy when I saw the final episode this weekend and I notice that they put him on the crown. I think works really well as a symbol of her struggle and pain.

The Janai's fall keeps goin, the rage overcomes her and starts to burn the sunseed tree, the same place where last season she was talking about hope and future, now being destroyed in frustration, a rage that quickly turns into sadness and despair.

But Janai is a lucky one, she is not alone and has love ones who are there for her, to help her to navigate this hard times. Amaya and Green arrive just in time to stop her. I wanted to make the action of Amaya removing her from the fire messy, they lose balance and end sitting in the floor, it is a desperate move, but a necessary one. Amaya is there holding her, and that mark the beginning of Janai's change of mind.

Next sequence is this cute one when Amaya tells Janai the story about the "king with the thousand eyes". It is a simple one, but i like what Amaya is doing her. She is not telling Janai what to do or what to think, but given her context and tools to work her own thoughts. She needs space and Amaya is giving her something to think about.

As a funny detail, this sequence had a lot of Amaya talking, and that means tons of ASL, and, let me tell you, animating ASL is super hard, ergo expensive. The team had ASL interpreters acting the lines, and used that as a reference. What makes it hard is the fact that they need to be ultra precise with the hand movements, you don't what your ALS to be sloppy, and that takes time, so I got a note from the director to reduce the amount of ALS on screen, and we tried to be creative with the shots, haha.

Next sequence is when finally Janai is able to come to her senses and decides to do the right thing (be the right kind of leader to her people)

I really like this sequence, is soft and tender and emotional, and you can see the growth of Janai. I based a lot of their touches and love gestures on my own relationship with my wife, I always wanted to make this two feel real.

The last shot of this sequences is pretty deliberated. While is true, there is not sunseed anymore, they don't need that, because they are the new sunseed, they, their love, them as a symbol of the union between elves and humans, they are the future, there is hope.

My last sequence of the episode, is the short "let's get married" sequence by the end. A short sweet one, and I think the only time i boarded a kiss between them!!

In my original boards there was a close up to the kiss, but they removed it :( ... but I can show you anyway, haha

Well, that was my work on episode 2 of season 6.

Thanks for reading this long post, I'll write about my work on episode 5 soon!

[valyrfia]

top five lestappen moment on track or off track from you to change the vibes

You do know how to sweet talk a woman.

5. Lestappen Monaco 2024 hug. Biased because I just have fond memories of this one including but not limited to me putting my phone on the table in a coffeeshop and sliding it across to @thearchercore like it's a particularly sensitive piece of blackmail, but there's literally zero reason looking back on it for Charles to have gone in for that hug. He didn't do it for his future teammate, why Max? WHY THE WAIST? MEN DON'T KNOW THE WAIST EXISTS? It's compelling as hell, and raises a lot of open questions that's for sure.

4. The Austria 2023 wink that's been immortalised across a thousand thirst edits. Charles' entire face goes laser focused the second he sees Max, he winks, proceeds to say good job, Max blushes like Bridgerton protagonist. What's best is that I've seen this in every single Charles thirst edit ever and everyone is slightly ?! when they discover Charles was doing all this at MAX.

3. On track sex at Silverstone 2019. Each other driving like madmen and Charles coming to press afterwards grinning ear to ear saying it's the most fun he's had in his career. Compare to Nico Rosberg's most recent comments about being terrified driving wheel to wheel with Max because Max is a nutcase. It's proof that Max and Charles are able to race each other like no one else, it's the thesis of the entire pairing.

2. The first padel date in October 2023. Lives were changed. Something shifted. Lestappen Gate 2023 began. @tsarinablogs was on a place and I was freaking out in her undelivered messages. Internet went wild. First inkling they might actually be proper friends. What a time to be alive.

1.The 2023 Vegas double interview. With the marriage jokes flying about that weekend it was just perfect timing. Max and Charles' little nerdy racer 'come in', 'copy!' back and forth, them answering questions like a couple while being perfectly weird about each other. I miss them. It was peak Lestappen (so far!) and we didn't even know it.

+1 honourable mention to Austria 2022. I can't not include this iconic moment. Max beaming like HE'S won the grand prix, the sex tape on the podium. It's a Lestappen cornerstone and cemented itself and the ship in the F1 RPF history books.

[preseriesdean]

for @spnficrecfest day seven: tropes 🧡 also check my case fic list which has some more curse-y case fics!

Speechless by candle_beck 11.2k words, rated T, published 2008 Dean loses his voice and their rapport is only moderately impaired.

Crying Talking Sleeping Walking by FrancesHouseman 3.3k words, rated E, published 2016 The witch dies laughing at Dean. It's never a good sign.

Talk around it by @goshen-applecrumbledore 12.8k words, rated E, published 2021, underage “It’s just a truth spell,” Sam tried. “It could be worse.” Dean looked at him like he was stupid. “Yeah, thank God we don’t have a giant, life-ruining secret that we really, really don’t want our dad knowing. Good thing he’s not on his way here right this second.” He scoffed. “Could be worse. Jesus. Good to know you can still lie.”

Heart Shaped Balloon by winsive 18.6k words, rated E, published 2022, underage Sam and Dad are fighting. No surprise, but it's the weekend before Valentine's Day and Dean isn't missing out on the chance to bang a cheerleader just to console his bratty little brother. He does bring back a heart shaped balloon for him, though. It's not supposed to be cursed.

Flood of Water by sevenfists 9.9k words, rated E, published 2006 "Please tell me you know how this happened," Sam said. "Yeah," Dean said. He sat down on the closed lid of the toilet and let his arms fall away from his chest, his clasped hands settling in his lap. His t-shirt clung to him, worn thin from too many washings, and Sam could see the heavy weight of his breasts, his nipples hard in the cold air.

All That Sam by Catchclaw 10.4k words, rated M, published 2012 Dean thinks of himself as an innovator. A sex god. A professional problem solver. And then Sammy gets hit with some hoodoo and all of that shit gets shot straight to hell.

The Talking Cure by Mollyamory 2.4k words, rated T, published 2013 Dean tries to keep his mouth shut, but as much as he wants to keep quiet, he also wants to say--

Desiderata by @dyed-red 45.2k words, rated E, published 2023, incomplete Dean is hit with a curse. It shouldn’t take that much to resolve, could be a gift under other circumstances, but life’s not that simple for the Winchesters.

Out of Context by doctor_idiot 7.2k words, rated E, published 2017 When Sam and Dean keep waking up naked, all over each other, and without recollection of the previous night, the first thing Sam does is dig into the lore to find out what's going on. Dean is more concerned with the question why he always seems to be the one who bottoms.

And Baby You Can Sleep While I Drive by merle_p 8.6k words, rated T, published 2021 “So,” Dean says, hesitantly. “This is a dream then?” Sam blinks, confused. “Well, obviously.” “Huh,” Dream-Dean says and scratches his neck. He shifts awkwardly from his right to his left foot but otherwise stays where he is.

Cupid's Got A Gun by geckoholic 13.5k words, rated E, published 2012, non-con Fuck-or-die, set in early S4. But they've been fucking for years, so that shouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. Ever since hell, Dean's in no hurry to get that show on the road again. They've tried, and it doesn't work, too many bad memories from what's been done to him downstairs. A case that involves a cursed cross and a vengeful witch takes that choice away from them, though…

(for you and me) i got no alibi by remy 23.4k words, rated E, published 2019 There are people hitting on Sam wherever he goes, and Dean is doing weird things like holding doors open for him and touching him way more than is necessary, and it's all driving Sam up the wall. It doesn't help that he's been in love with Dean for just about forever, and all of it feels like a mockery of something he'll never get to have. Meanwhile, Dean is at his wits' end trying to figure out how he can make Sam realize that he is, in fact, trying to get into his pants.

[37sommz]

❁ : balloon . . .

✼. masterlist — taglist — request. ✼. genre: fluff & angst. ✼. wc: 5.3k.

finding her footing proves to be a challenge for michaela with all the tension circling between the papayas. but melbourne, as always, will always be her shining glimpse hope.

✼. warnings: language, mclaren in general.

✼. notes: life has really been swinging at me, but here's a little update <3

000.⠀⠀APRIL 09, 2022    ›    Melbourne, Australia

Michaela sat in the quiet solitude of the McLaren motorhome, the hum of distant engines outside serving as a gentle reminder of the impending chaos of the Australian Grand Prix weekend. The air had anticipation, a glaring contrast to the serene calm that had settled over her before the third qualifying session. She looked out the window, watching as the team mechanics hustled about, preparing the cars for the final push in qualifying. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow across the tarmac, and a slight breeze whispered through the trees that lined the track.

Her heart was racing as she put on her racing suit, the tight material feeling like a second skin. The helmet lay on the table before her, a silent signal of the battle she would soon face. The reflection in the visor was a mask of focus and determination. The scrutiny from the media had been intense following her disobedience of team orders in Saudi Arabia, but she had learned to channel that pressure into something more powerful. Her home race was not just a moment for redemption following the disaster in Jeddah, but a moment of destiny. A chance to bring a victory to the hometown crowd, the first Australian to win the Grand Prix in Melbourne in the race's history.

As she walked to the car, the smell of gasoline grew stronger, mingling with the scent of the ocean that lay just beyond the track. The roar of the engines grew louder, the crowd's excitement loud, sending a shiver down her spine. She climbed into the cockpit, feeling the familiar embrace of the car that had become a second home. Her eyes lit up every time she heard the roar of the engine come to life and this time was no different.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel, the leather cold to the touch. She went through her mental checklist, feeling the weight of each gear as she shifted through them, her breathing steady. The light turned green, and she shot out of the pit lane with an urgency she lived for. The sound of the engine grew to a crescendo as she approached the first turn, the wind rushing past her, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

Michaela pushed the car to its limits, her eyes flicking between the track ahead and the digital display of the car's vitals. Each corner taken was a dance with gravity, the tires screeching the sound of rubber and speed. Her mind was clear, the controversy from Saudi Arabia a distant memory. This was her moment.

The qualifying session unfolded like a dream. Each lap faster than the last, each corner taken with precision. The crowd's cheers grew louder with every passing second, their energy fueling her spirit. When the final laps timings dropped, she knew she had done it. The team's faces in the garage were a mix of shock and elation as they watched her take the pole position.

Michaela pulled into the pit lane, the engine's roar subsiding to a gentle purr. She rushed over to her team as they pushed against the guardrails, high-fives and congratulatory slaps on the helmet. Yet, amidst the jovial atmosphere, she couldn't shake off the sight of Lando's lackluster smile. His eyes didn't meet hers, and she knew something was amiss. They had always had a competitive relationship, but this was beginning to become hostile. Deeper.

As she removed her helmet from her head, the cool air hit her flushed cheeks. The team's clapping hands grew louder, but she couldn't ignore the tension in Lando's silence. She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the job ahead. The Australian Grand Prix was a chance to rewrite the narrative, to show the world that she wasn't just a rebel but a racer worthy of the title.

The post-qualifying press conference was a flurry of flashing cameras and eager journalists. Questions about the incident in Saudi Arabia were thrown at her like darts, but she deflected them with the grace of a seasoned professional. Her answers were measured, her tone firm.

"Michaela," a journalist she recognized as being from a popular German outlet called out amongst the noise. "Can you tell us what was going through your mind during that final qualifying lap? Did you know you had the pole?"

Michaela took a deep breath before responding, her eyes never leaving the podium where the Australian flag was proudly displayed. "Honestly, I was just focused on the job at hand. Each lap is a puzzle, and you're looking for that perfect piece to make everything fall into place. When I heard that time, I knew I had given it everything I had. It's an incredible feeling to be on pole at my home Grand Prix, but the real work starts tomorrow."

Her words were met with a barrage of camera clicks and more questions, but she remained unfazed. The scrutiny was nothing new to her, but she knew this race was about more than just redemption. It was about proving herself to her fans, to her team, and to Lando.

Another journalist raised her hand, catching the Australian's attention from her spot in a corner. "Michaela, how does your relationship with Lando affect the dynamic within the team, especially considering the events in Saudi Arabia?" Though the question fished for a potential controversy, Michaela recognized the lingering uncertainties that the cameras and the fans had picked up on.

"Lando and I are professionals," she replied firmly. "We have a competitive relationship, which is normal in a high-pressure environment like this one. Our main focus is on scoring points for McLaren. The team is strong, and we support each other on and off the track." Her answer was met with nods of approval from her press officer, Beata, who had gathered with a few other PR employees near the back of the room.

The conference ended, and as the journalists dispersed, Beata approached with a stern look. "Michaela, you know we can't have any more controversies this weekend," she reminded. "Keep your emotions in check, especially around Lando."

Michaela nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The tension between her and Lando had only thickened since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite their shared success, the decision she made on the track had created a rift, one she wasn't sure how to mend.

That evening, she sought refuge in the company of her uncle, Travis, and her father, Tobias. They had flown in from Gold Coast to support her, bringing a slice of home to the bustling race weekend. The air in the brothers' private suite was warm and comforting, filled with the scent of her mother's sunscreen as it floated through the space.

"You've got that look," Travis said, his eyes twinkling as he handed her a cold bottle of water. "What's bothering you, kid?"

Michaela sighed, twirling the cap between her fingers. "Lando. He's still giving me the cold shoulder."

Tobias leaned back in his chair, stroking his stubble thoughtfully. "You know how competitive he is, Mouse. You'd feel the same if you were in his position. It's just the heat of the moment. He'll come around."

Michaela nodded, sipping her water. "I know, but it's tough. It feels like everything's riding on this weekend. Like I have to prove that my decision was justified. And with the team orders..."

Travis nodded, understanding. "Look, you made a call. A bold one. Sometimes that's what you need to do to win. You can't let it eat at you. You've got this," he assured her, his voice firm and supportive.

Tobias, on the other hand, was more measured in his response. "Ultimately, however, the team has to come first, sweetheart," he said, his gaze serious. "You know the politics of this sport. You don't want to burn bridges."

Michaela nodded, her expression a mix of frustration and acknowledgment. "But it's not just about that," she whispered, her eyes dropping to her lap. "It's about doing what feels right, you know?"

Travis leaned in, his voice low and earnest. "You're a competitor, through and through. I get that. But sometimes you gotta play the game to win the race. You're in this for the long haul, remember?"

Michaela nodded, swirling the water in the bottle. The conversation grew quiet as they all took in the gravity of Travis' words. Her thoughts drifted to the upcoming race, to the team, and to her future in the sport. The decision to disobey team orders had been a difficult one, but she believed in her gut that it was the right choice. The tension between her and Lando was growing, but she knew she had to put the team first.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a text message from Jenson. She couldn't help but smile as she read it, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Her relationship with Jenson had been a source of comfort and guidance, especially during these intense moments in her career.

Finally got a chance to watch quali highlights. Pole! Amazing job sweetheart, I'm beyond proud.

Michaela's heart fluttered as she read the message, and she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. The tension of the weekend melted away for a brief moment, replaced by the warmth of Jenson's support. She shot back a quick reply before slipping her phone into her pocket.

Her thoughts turned to the celebrations that were likely already in full swing at the team's hospitality suite. Normally, she'd be eager to join in, but the conversation with her father and uncle had her contemplating her future more deeply. The whispers of doubt grew louder as she wondered if she was truly valued by McLaren, or if she was just another pawn in the game of their politics.

As the night grew darker, the suite filled with laughter and cheerful chatter. Her sister, Courtney, and Daniel had arrived, bringing a much-needed sense of normalcy to the whirlwind of the race weekend. Travis looked at her with knowing eyes, a smirk playing on his lips as he spoke up, "So, how's the secret love affair going?"

Michaela rolled her eyes playfully. "None of your business," she said, but the shy smile pulling at her lips betrayed her. The secret had been weighing on her, especially with the increased scrutiny on her focus following her actions in Saudi Arabia.

Courtney giggled. "Oh come on, Mick. Give us something," she teased, nudging her sister.

Michaela sighed, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Fine," she said, raising an eyebrow at her uncle. "Jenson's been great. He's been super supportive through all of this. He's probably the reason I can even think straight right now."

Tobias leaned in, curiosity piqued. "What did he say about the whole team order debacle?"

Michaela's smile grew a bit sad. "He said I had to do what felt right to me, but he also reminded me to keep my options open for next season."

Courtney's eyes widened. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

Michaela nodded, her gaze drifting to the floor. "I've been thinking a lot about it. I'm three weekends in and this season has already been tough. If McLaren isn't going to support me, maybe it's time to look elsewhere."

Tobias leaned back in his chair, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "You've achieved so much with them, Mouse," he said, his voice gentle. "But you're still young, and you've got a long career ahead of you. Just remember, decisions made in haste are rarely the best ones."

Michaela nodded, her eyes thoughtful. She knew her father was right. Her career was a marathon, not a sprint. She had to balance her desire for immediate success with the long-term view. But the sting of feeling undervalued was hard to ignore.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She glanced at the screen and felt her heart skip a beat. It was Jenson. "I'd better take this," she said, standing up. She walked out to the balcony overlooking the bustling track, the lights from the paddock casting a soft glow on the horizon.

"Hey, you've seen the qualifying?" she asked, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"Only about fifty times," Jenson chuckled, his voice a calming effect to her frazzled nerves. "You had no business dragging that orange tin can onto pole."

Michaela laughed, feeling a bit of the tension ease out of her shoulders. "I had to make it interesting for your retirement home friends," she quipped back.

"Don't you start," Jenson warned with a charming chuckle. "But seriously, I'm so proud of you. You've come a long way, especially considering the mess you made at the last race," he said, his tone light but with a hint of teasing.

Michaela couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, I guess."

"No, I mean it," Jenson said, his voice sincere. "You're a fighter, and that's what makes you so special. Just remember, tomorrow's race is yours for the taking."

Michaela's heart swelled with gratitude as she took in his words. "Thanks, babe," she said, leaning against the railing of the balcony. The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the day.

"No need to thank me. Just remember, you've got this. And if things get tense out there tomorrow, just keep your head down and drive like you stole the car," Jenson said, his voice filled with confidence.

Michaela took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the twinkling lights of the track. "Easy for you to say," she murmured, trying to lighten the mood. "You're not the one out there with the pressure."

"You're right," Jenson replied, his tone shifting to one of understanding. "But you're also the one who's proven she can handle it." His words hung in the air, a gentle reminder of her strength.

Michaela nodded to herself, drawing in a deep breath of the crisp night air. "I'll do my best," she promised, feeling the weight of his belief in her. "I've got to go. Big day tomorrow."

"You got this, my love," Jenson said, his voice filled with warmth. "I'll be watching every second. Love you."

"Love you too," she murmured, hanging up the phone with a tap to the screen. She leaned against the balcony railing, the cool metal a welcome opposite to the warmth of the day's memories. The night was clear, the stars twinkling above like distant spotlights, reminding her of the vastness of the world beyond the racetrack.

Michaela felt the weight of her father's words and the hope in Jenson's voice. Her thoughts swirled around the future, the potential for success, and the possibility of leaving McLaren. The decision felt monumental, as though she were standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure if the next step was towards victory or a fall into the unknown.

000.⠀⠀APRIL 10, 2022    ›    Melbourne, Australia

The next morning, the McLaren garage fluttered with an air of excitement for what the race could bring. The team gathered for their pre-race briefing, and Rob, her race engineer, pulled her aside. "Today, it's your race, as long as you keep that position at the start," he whispered, nodding towards the pole position. The words were a double-edged sword; they bolstered her confidence but also served as a stark reminder of the team's expectations.

Michaela took her place on the grid, the sun glinting off her visor as she surveyed the competition. The lights turned green, and she launched into the first corner, her tires squealing as she held her nerve, refusing to cede an inch to Charles on the inside. The pack of cars stretched out into a line, each one a bolt of color against the gray asphalt.

The race was a tactical dance, a high-speed game of chess with millions of dollars and reputations on the line. After the safety car was brought out, Michaela could practically feel the #16 Ferrari breathing down her neck.

With a worried glance she pressed her radio button, "Rob, is this a good call? He's right behind me."

His voice was calm and composed, "We didn't anticipate the safety car, Mick. Just stick to your lines, we will react as we go." The response unsettled her though she knew safety cars were rare around the Melbourne circuit. If she was going to keep her options open, she needed to show that could balance her personal ambitions with the team's advice. With a deep breath she conceded Rob's advice, "Copy that."

The race restarted with a jolt, the cars weaving back into their original positions. The tension was palpable, the roar of the engines a symphony of power and precision. She felt the vibrations of the car beneath her, each shift in the tires a reminder of the speed she was carrying. The first few laps post-safety car were a blur of overtaking attempts, close calls, and strategic defense. Her heart raced in time with the engine's rhythm. Charles, as expected, had easily picked her off upon the restart. Jenson's comments about the McLaren "orange tin can" echoed in her mind, bringing her a sense of peace despite the disappointment that clouded her vision.

Second place was not what she had hoped for, but it wasn't the end of the world. The race was long, and there was still the fastest lap to fight for. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but she pushed them aside, focusing on the race ahead. Her father and uncle's words about the importance of the long game resonated, and she knew she had to keep her head down and push through.

The final pit stops came and went, and she remained steadfast in her pursuit of the fastest lap. Each time Rob reported her time back to her, she pushed a little harder, her eyes narrowing in determination. With a comfortable lead from Perez in third, she shifted her entire focus to grasping onto that final point.

Her tires screeched as she took the final corner, her heart hammering against her ribcage. The checkered flag waved, and she crossed the line in second place. The team erupted in cheers, and she took a moment to soak in the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere. She had made it through the race, even if it wasn't the victory she craved.

Michaela climbed out of the car, her muscles protesting after the intense battle. The podium felt like a victory and a consolation prize all at once. As she stepped onto the second-place stool, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for the win that slipped away. But as she looked into the crowd, she saw her family's proud faces, her father's thumbs up, her mother's tears, and her sister's enthusiastic clapping. The weight of their support grounded her, reminding her that this was still a monumental achievement.

Her podium interviews were a blur of questions and forced smiles, the press eager for sound bites on the tension with Lando. She deflected with grace, focusing instead on her own performance and the thrill of the race. But the moment she stepped down from the podium, she was enveloped in the warmth of her family's congratulations, the weight of the weekend's drama lifting from her shoulders.

"Great drive, Mick," Courtney whispered in her ear, giving her a quick hug before the team swept her away for the customary celebrations.

Michaela's eyes searched the sea of faces, finding Lando's, who was talking with the team principal. His expression was unreadable, his eyes not meeting hers even once.

"Don't worry about him," Guido murmured in her ear as they walked towards the team celebrations. "You're the star of the show today."

Michaela forced a smile, the weight of Lando's coldness pressing down on her. Yet, the thunderous applause and cheers of the crowd, the proud glint in her father's eye, and the knowing smiles from her sister and mother were like a bandaid to her bruised ego.

The podium ceremony went by in a flash of cameras and champagne showers. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool spray on her face, and tried to ignore the pang of longing for a victory. But as the anthem played, she couldn't help the pride that swelled within her. She was an Australian on the podium at her home Grand Prix. It was a moment she'd dreamt of since she was a little girl, racing go-karts in her backyard.

As the podium cleared, she was surrounded by the team, their faces a mix of relief and jubilation. Charles gave her a high-five, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You got the fastest lap, by the way," he whispered, his voice low enough to avoid the nearby microphones.

Michaela's spirits lifted at the small victory. "Thanks," she replied, her voice a mix of gratitude and determination. "It's something, I guess."

As the team dispersed, she made her way back to the garage, her thoughts swirling. The fastest lap point was a small consolation, but it was clear that the rift wasn't going to heal anytime soon.

The debrief with Rob and the team was concise, but constructive. They dissected the race, looking for areas to improve for the next round in Imola. The conversation was technical and precise, leaving no room for personal feelings. For a brief moment, the disappointment in the loss of the top step was forgotten in the discussion of pure racing strategy.

Michaela showered and changed into her casual team gear for the post-race press conference. She knew the questions about the team order controversy would persist, but she was ready. She walked into the media room with her head held high, the cool confidence of a second-place finisher.

The questions came fast and furious.

"Michaela, what was going through your mind during that final lap?"

"How do you feel about the team's decision to favor you today?"

"What's the dynamic with Lando like after what happened in Jeddah?"

Her responses were measured and professional, a well-rehearsed balancing act between humility and assertiveness. "We had a good strategy and the car performed well. We didn't expect the safety car but we worked with what we had. I’m here to perform for McLaren," she replied, her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach.

Her words were met with a sea of nods and scribbling notepads. The room was thick with the scent of cologne, a scent she'd come to associate with the post-race grind, a rushed action to cover the smell of burning rubber. She knew she'd handled it well, but the weight of the lie sat heavily on her shoulders.

Michaela managed to escape the press conference without any major hiccups, her answers tight and rehearsed. She took a deep breath as she stepped out into the cooler air of the paddock, the noise of the media room fading into the background.

Her thoughts immediately turned to Jenson, who had been her rock through the weekend. She knew he'd be watching the race from the comfort of their hotel suite, his eyes glued to the screen. A text notification buzzed on her phone. "Phenomenal drive, my love," it read. Despite the distance, his words brought her comfort, a gentle reminder that she had more than just the team behind her.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the paddock transformed into a buzzing social hub. Figures darted from suite to suite assembling their plans to make the most of the Melbourne nightlife. Charles, Daniel, and Max had invited Michaela and Lando to join their celebrations at an exclusive club. But her mind was made up.

"Thanks, guys, but I've got plans," she replied, her gaze shifting to her phone.

The three drivers exchanged knowing glances, their curiosity about her mysterious plans palpable. "Ah, the secret boyfriend," Charles teased. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with us."

Michaela felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "It's not like that," she protested, her voice a tad too loud. Daniel, who was in on the secret, stepped in to deliver a rare save. "She's just tired. Give her a break."

Lando looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Sure," he said, his voice flat. "We'll catch up tomorrow."

Michaela's heart sank. But she had made up her mind. She had to keep her focus on the season ahead, and if that meant putting their friendship aside for now, so be it. Besides, she figured she had earned a night of celebration with the one person who could bring her mind to a complete blank.

Back at the hotel suite, she was greeted by the smell of her favorite dinner wafting from the room service mini-tables. She knew immediately that Jenson had arranged it, a gesture that never failed to warm her heart. She stepped in, finding him in the living room, his tall frame outlined by the soft glow of the television playing the race replay.

He looked up as she entered, a smile spreading across his face. "Well done, love," he said, standing to embrace her. The tension of the race melted away in his arms, the reality of her second-place finish feeling a bit more like a victory.

Michaela stepped back, looking around the room. "What's all this?" she asked, gesturing to the dinner spread.

Jenson shrugged casually. "Just a little something to celebrate your pole and podium. You know, the usual." His smile was warm, his eyes shining with pride. "I think I've been neglecting you a bit with the Extreme E series. Wanted to make it up to you."

Michaela couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing through the suite. "You didn't have to do all this," she said, her eyes taking in the sight of her favorite meal laid out before her. "But I'm not complaining."

They sat down together, the TV flickering in the background, the roar of the cars a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy of their dinner. The tension of the race was temporarily forgotten as they talked about the weekend's events, Jenson's Extreme E adventures, and their secret romance. His stories brought a lightness to her heart, his laughter a reminder of the man who would always wait for her with open arms.

As the meal ended, Jenson took her hand. "I've got a surprise for you," he said, his eyes gleaming with pure love. He led her to the bedroom, where the lights were dimmed and the sound of running water filled the air. He'd drawn a bubble bath, complete with scented candles and champagne chilling on ice.

Michaela's eyes widened. "You didn't have to," she whispered, but she couldn't hide the delight in her voice.

"You've earned it," Jenson said, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "Now, go ahead. You deserve this."

Michaela couldn't argue with that. As her hands reached for the hem of her McLaren polo, Jenson reached out to halt her actions. "Let me," he offered lowly, his gaze glued to hers. She felt her cheeks heat up and nodded. His touch was gentle as he helped her out of her clothes, revealing the toned physique reflective of the countless hours and sleepless nights that had brought her this success. The warmth of the bath smoothed over her weary muscles as she slipped into the bubbly water.

Jenson joined her, his body fitting perfectly behind hers. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she leaned back into his embrace, letting out a contented sigh as her eyes fluttered shut. For a moment, the world outside the bathroom walls didn't matter. It was just the two of them, sharing a personal victory in their own way.

"I'm proud of you," he murmured, kissing her neck. "You're a fighter, and you're going to get that third win soon enough."

Michaela leaned into his warmth, letting the water and his words wash over her. "I just hope I can keep my cool long enough to avoid torching everyone at McLaren in my way." The chuckle that escaped her was mirthless.

"You'll figure it out," Jenson said, his voice soothing. "You're strong, smarter than anyone gives you credit for. Just keep racing like you know how to." As they sat in the quiet sanctuary of the bath, the weight of the weekend's events began to peel away. The warm water and his steady presence grounded her, allowing her to relax.

Michaela sighed, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders. "It's just hard, you know?" she murmured. "Everyone's watching, expecting me to fail."

"You can't control what others expect, only what you do," Jenson said, his voice a gentle rumble in her ear. "But remember, you've got me in your corner, and I'll be here to defend you on Sky like my life depends on it."

Michaela couldn't help but smile at his fierce loyalty. They sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds being the faint echo of the TV in the next room and the occasional swish of the warm water.

"The weirdest thing happened in Bahrain," she started, pausing her thoughts as if testing the waters.

"Oh?" Jenson's interest piqued, his hands still resting comfortably on her stomach.

"Yeah," she took a deep breath, the scent of lavender from the bath bubbles filling her nose. "Lewis... I think he knows."

Jenson's arms tightened around her, his breath warm against her ear. "What makes you say that?" Michaela could feel the rigidity rush through Jenson's limbs at her revelation. She opened her brown eyes to tilt her head in an effort to study Jenson's expression. Tense, as she thought, jaw stiff as his blue eyes seemed to be lost in thought.

"It was just a vibe," she shrugged. "After you, Natalie, and Will interviewed me, he started going on about my old crush on you—"

The thought was cut off by Jenson who snickered silently interrupting with, "Old crush? I wasn't aware that was ever in the past tense." He playfully poked her side making her giggle.

"Anyways," she drawled with a roll of her eyes. "He just looked at me like he knew something. It was weird."

Jenson leaned back, his smile persisting. "Well, Lewis Hamilton is an odd man..." He trailed off in false reflection, lightly poking fun at his former teammate. As Michaela whined for his full attention, Jenson sighed wistfully. "But in all seriousness, if he knows, he knows. We can't control that now, can we?"

Michaela chewed her bottom lip, a habit she picked up from her father when she was nervous. "But what if he says something?"

Jenson's hand stilled on her stomach, his gaze locking onto hers. "Then we deal with it," he said firmly. "But I don't think he will. He's got enough to focus on with his own career, and he's not one to stir drama without reason."

Michaela nodded, his logic making sense. She leaned back into his embrace, feeling the warmth of the water and his body seep into her bones. "What if it does get out some other way, though?" she whispered, the words echoing in the quiet room.

Jenson took a moment before responding, his eyes studying hers. "If it does, we'll face it together," he said with a reassuring squeeze. "But let's not speculate, okay? We're here to celebrate." His voice grew deeper with desire as he shifted his focus to the soft skin underneath his fingertips.

Michaela nodded, allowing herself to be distracted by the way Jenson's touch sent ripples of comfort through her. She knew he was right. They had each faced down much greater challenges than a bit of gossip. For now, she would savor this little victory, this stolen moment of peace before the chaos of the season swallowed them up again.

As they soaked in the tub, Jenson leaned in closer, his breath tickling her neck. "Now, tell me about that fastest lap," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with tenderness.

[scuderiasundays]

time after time

summary: years of yearning ending in a fiery release 🧨 written with lennon stella's cover of "time after time" (one of my all-time favorites) on repeat!

words: 1315

a/n: those b/w milan photos gave me the final push i needed to get this out into the world! the first time i've written anything this long so i would appreciate any and all feedback 🫶🏼

September 2012

"I bet you could convince my mom to let me go." It was a picturesque night in Madrid as the words slipped out of his mouth. Gathered around a table adorned with colorful tapas, Carlos and his friends celebrated his and Y/N’s birthdays over Gambas al Ajillo and pints of Estrella Galicia. Sat across from Carlos was Y/N, his best friend who he had grown up alongside. The aspiring Formula 1 driver had been away for months, leaving behind his beloved hometown. Tonight, their tight-knit group had unanimously agreed to refrain from discussing anything related to motorsport, but Carlos couldn't help but come up with hypothetical situations that ended in successfully persuading his mother to allow him to race in Macau, a city an astonishing 10,497 kilometers away.

Would Y/N ever gather the strength to say no to those velvety brown eyes? The evening had quickly gone by, and Carlos and Y/N bid farewell to their friends, commencing their walk back to the Sainz residence. “Mama, look who I’ve brought home.” Reyes’ face lit up upon Y/N’s arrival at the front door. If ever a motherly instinct surged within Reyes, it was when she witnessed the two little ones growing up, sensing deep down they were destined to end up together. Reyes had been like a second mother to Y/N and had always gotten her a birthday gift of her choosing. “So, what shall it be this year?” Reyes beamed. “I want to use this year’s wish for Carlos, if that’s alright. He’s worked tirelessly this season and it would kill me if he didn’t get to race in Macau.”

“Carlitos put you up to this, no?” Reyes chuckled. Drawing Y/N into a warm embrace, she assured Y/N that Carlos could race at the Macau Grand Prix, so long as he stopped pressuring his best friend to speak on his behalf. To make up for her son’s foolishness, Reyes allowed Y/N to blow out the candles on the birthday cake she’d made for Carlos since she had virtually used up her birthday wish on him. Y/N closed her eyes, silently praying that this would be the year Carlos would come to his senses and realize she’s been madly in love with him this whole time.

July 2020

"You're not coming to Mallorca this summer?" Y/N could sense Carlos’ frustration seeping through the phone. It wasn't that she didn't want to go, of course she did. Summers in Mallorca were pure bliss. The refreshing gazpacho Reyes prepared, the laughter-filled board game sessions with Carlos' grandfather, and the exhilarating late-night padel matches with Carlos, Ana, and Blanca. There was cause for additional celebration this summer as Carlos had made it through the treacherous F1 silly season unscathed, securing a seat at McLaren. However, a mixture of the demands of residency and an unspoken truth kept Y/N from wanting to spend even a single moment with the man she had termed “Summer Carlos.”

Summer Carlos was carefree, bronzed, and exuded warmth. Summer Carlos was the Carlos who had drunkenly kissed her three summers ago, leaving her heartbroken when he acted as though nothing had happened the following day. The memory still stung, and Y/N wasn't sure if she was ready to face those emotions once again.

July 2022

Caco, Carlos' older cousin, had graciously invited Y/N to join them at the Silverstone Grand Prix. After managing to secure a weekend off from work, Y/N was euphoric escaping the sterile confines of the hospital. As she walked into the motorhome, a mix of emotions swirled within her. It had been months since she had last seen her best friend. Her job kept her tethered to the emergency room, while Formula 1 had taken Carlos across the globe.

The initial words that escaped Carlos' lips were, "You look pale, like you could use some Mallorcan sun." Y/N couldn't decipher whether he genuinely wanted her there or not. The uncertainty lingered, leaving her unsure of where they stood after all this time apart.

Eager to avoid being in anyone's way, especially Carlos', Y/N decided to take a stroll around the paddock. Lost in her thoughts, she ran into Lando, Carlos' former teammate, who recognized her immediately and approached with a friendly smile. "How've you been, Y/N? We miss you over at McLaren.” Y/N had tended to Lando after his Eau Rouge crash during qualifying in 2021, forging a close bond between them.

A faint smile appeared on Y/N's face as she replied, "Maybe I'll seek refuge at McLaren's hospitality this weekend since it seems like Carlos doesn't want me here." Lando chuckled in his characteristic way, the sound putting Y/N at ease. "You and I both know the man is terrible at expressing his feelings. He's probably just yearning for you because you've been too busy saving lives. Trust me," Lando reassured her. "I'm running late for a meeting, but I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

Y/N's mind was filled with curiosity, trying to make sense of Lando's words. Carlos pining for her? It seemed impossible, given their history and the distance that had grown between them. Yet, a flicker of hope ignited within her, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Carlos' aloofness than she had initially assumed.

Y/N's phone buzzed, and her heart skipped a beat as she read Carlos' message: "You and me in my driver's room now." Her hands shook as she knocked on the door, waiting for his response. "Come in," he replied, and as she entered, she couldn't help but notice how he made the fiery Ferrari red his own.

"You can't just waltz back into my life whenever you feel like it, Y/N. Race weekends are sacred to me, and you showing up out of nowhere is a distraction. It's not like you even care about me or my career anyways. When was the last time you watched a race, hmm? Dr. Y/N is always too busy at the hospital."

Y/N wouldn't allow Carlos to lash out at her like this, not after all the sacrifices she had made. Countless sleepless nights on call, choosing to stay awake to watch Carlos race in distant cities. Collecting every article featuring him since his karting days, carefully preserving them in a special scrapbook. Being there for him in his darkest moments, answering late-night calls when the pressure almost crushed him.

"You can't push me away that easily. We both know I've always been there for you, to the point where I didn’t even know who I truly was when you reached Formula 1 and left Madrid," Y/N said. "I only bury myself in my work to avoid facing the emptiness that hangs over the city when you’re not around."

Carlos felt a pang of pain as he witnessed his best friend break down in front of his eyes. Had he truly misunderstood everything all along? Y/N's words pierced through his heart. "I’m all yours. I always have been," she said, her tears dampening her sleeves.

In an attempt to console her, Carlos whispered softly, "Don't cry, princesa. Mama will kill me if she finds out I made you so upset."

Y/N couldn’t help but giggle through her tears. “Well, go out and win this race for me, and I'll promise not to snitch.”

“For you, anything,” he said.

“And for the first time in Formula 1, Carlos Sainz is victorious! He wins the British Grand Prix!” The electrifying announcement filled the air as Y/N ran from the garage to the podium. As Carlos emerged from the car, his eyes searched for one face in particular. With both hands, he gently caressed Y/N's face. Without hesitation, he pressed his lips against hers, years of longing exploding in a passionate release. The two of them radiated a golden glow, as if destiny herself had brought them together, time after time.

[seidenapfel]

2024 in Review

In 2024, I posted 17 fics, ranging from 334 to 27,731 words. Although I feel I joined too many bangs this year, only six fics were bang collabs. Addionally, there were eight art collabs as well. I haven't counted the art pieces, though. However, it probably felt that much because there are nine collabs I'm currently working on for 2025. So, if you like my fics and art, please subscribe to me on AO3 for fics and art, and/or follow me on Tumblr.

Making a List, Checking it Twice (Rated: E | Word Count: 1,369)

Summary: Dean forgets a naughty list in the kitchen. There's only one person/angel who can have found it.

The year started smutty with my first fic for the 12 Days of Smutmas.

Heating Up a Snow Cave (Rated: E | Word Count: 2,907)

Summary: Caught in a blizzard, Cas and Dean have to find a way to warm each other up.

My second fic for the 12 Days of Smutmas.

You Ain't Him (Rated: T | Word Count: 840)

Summary: “Dean?” Dean winced. No. It couldn’t be. His entire body started to tingle as the gravel voice vibrated through him. A voice he thought he would never hear again. This wasn’t happening. He was gone. He was—

A little birthday fic for Dean Winchester.

Books, Pies, and Roommates (Rated: E | Word Count: 27,731)

Summary: Everything seemed easy when Castiel landed a job in Lawrence as a literature professor at KU. He even found a place to stay with his cousin in Topeka. But the daily commute quickly gets on his nerves and he begins looking for a room in town. When he finally lucks out on a house, it comes with a catch. His mysterious landlord/housemate works and lives in Topeka during the week, and will only be at home for the weekend while Castiel is back at his cousin’s to honor a promise he made. When Dean walks into his favorite pie shop, the new sales assistant takes his breath away. Steve is gorgeous, and part of the owner’s family. Dean doesn’t even mind that he picks up Gabriel’s stupid moniker for him. After all, Deano has one syllable more, and Dean will do anything to hear Steve’s voice just a little bit longer. Though, as breathtaking Steve might be, he isn't Angel. If only Dean's book-loving best friend weren't a mystery in himself — a guy who Dean has only met online, but who has slowly taken his heart away. And it seems that Dean isn't alone in his feelings. When the lines blur and fantasies merge three guys into one, disappointment and heartbreak seem to be inevitable.

Pinefest ( @deancaspinefest ) is always one of the highlights of the year and this year @kitshay claimed my fic and created some beautiful pieces. Besides, I had a great time writing this two-person love hexagon.

Maybe not yet, but eventually (Rated: T | Word Count: 1,032)

Summary: Screaming, Dean wakes from a nightmare, trapped inside his memories.

This is the first of several time stamps this year. This one was for my 2021 DCBB fic Maybe not a comedy (according to Jack), but he likes the happy ending that can be read as a standalone.

Setting Sail (Rated: T | Word Count: 334)

Summary: 1805: Nodding at Lieutenant Davies and Midshipman Alfie, and leaving command with Lieutenant Hester, Castiel walks towards his cabin when he sees him.

Another timestamp, this time for my 2022 Regency Big Bang fic Forty Shillings on the Drum. Written for the Tumblr May Trope Mayhem. Can be read as standalone.

Maybe not magnificent, but damn awesome (Rated: T | Word Count: 1,137)

Summary: Movie nights aboard the Impala have become something of a routine after they reunited Sam with his family on Terra. Once a week, Charlie picks some classic movie from back in the days, and their little found family comes together in the living room.

Timestamp number three, once again for my 2021 DCBB fic Maybe not a comedy (according to Jack), but he likes the happy ending. Another entry for the May Trop Mayhem. Should work as standalone.

Filling the Empty Space in My Heart (Rated: T | Word Count: 5,035)

Summary: After Cas let himself be taken by the Empty, Dean's life continues in a blur. Only Jack keeps him going, who has turned himself into an actual four-year-old boy after defeating Chuck and giving up the majority of his powers to stabilise Heaven. However, Dean knows he isn't good enough to raise a nephil. Jack needs his dad. And there might be one way to bring him back. Even if it leads Dean back to Hell, and beyond.

Inspired by an art piece for the DCRB 2024 where I ended up empty handed, and written for the Profound Bond Gift Exchange as a gift for @thecadenceimperfect. With art by me. I later wrote a smutty timestamp as well called:

A Place to Stay (Rated: E | Word Count: 3,157)

Summary: After getting back from the Empty, Dean’s entire body tingled, too edgy for his skin. He barely paid attention to the others and couldn’t stop fidgeting since he had returned to the library and joined them once again at the table. Cas’ presence was electric, pulling him into its orbit. Dean felt it in every fibre of his being as he slumped down on the chair next to him. Echoes of Grace pulsed through him, and for the first time since Cas pulled that stupid stunt and let himself be swallowed by the Empty, Dean felt alive.

TFW 2.0: Siren Adventures (Rated: E | Word Count: 4,727)

Summary: After Charlie and Sam's plan to save Cas and Dean goes sideways, Charlie doesn't give up. There must be another way. When she finds help in an unsual ally, the future is suddenly starting to look brighter.

My Crack in the Chassis catch ( @crack-in-the-chassis ) for @notreallyaroad 's fic TFW: Just Add Water. At first, I claimed for art, but due to the special kind of bang, we agreed for me to write an alternate ending / fix-it as well.

A Part of Me Shall Still Remain (Rated: T | Word Count: 6,918)

Summary: In 1805 Commander Castiel returns home after long years at sea. The Battle of Trafalgar has left him a broken man. For years, he shuns society and withdraws to his estate, until a scandal involving Sir Castiel’s disgraced cousin and a young noblewoman shakes the ballrooms of London and Bath. It introduces him to a doomed woman, who not only does approve of his deepest secrets, but who also does give birth to a child that will alter the commander’s life forever.

My fic for the Dadstiel Bang ( @dadstielminibang ) with stunning art by @twinone1221. This fic is set in the verse of my 2022 Regency Big Bang fic Forty Shillings on the Drum, but can be read as standalone. I had two other collabs for the Dadstiel Bang, both art.

Everlasting Fall (Rated: E | Word Count: 3,136)

Summary: Tendrils of Grace trickled from Dean’s fingers as his hand ghosted along Castiel’s flank. Gasping, Castiel shivered and Dean smiled. “You like that?” Stripped of their combined Grace for the night, Castiel gives himself over to Dean, ready to be taken apart.

Another timestamp because after demon and angel smut, I wanted to write some Grace kink. Set in my Calming the Weather verse.

That's Purrfect (Rated: T | Word Count: 1,262)

Summary: Castiel would do anything for him. He would level entire civilisations for Dean Winchester, or dress as a cat — it didn’t matter as long as Dean was happy.

Another Halloween fic to add to my annual tradition, and the only fic I managed to write for Suptober this year.

Highly Professional (Rated: E | Word Count: 25,565)

Summary: On his first day of college, Dean feels like a fish out of water. After years of working his ass off with several jobs at once to fund his brother’s studies, his family and friends have decided to pay him back. That’s how he finds himself panicking in the lecture hall. Thankfully, a fellow student distracts him. She promptly becomes a good friend, and Dean has no idea how badly he will need her. The moment he lays eyes on his physics professor, Dean is lost. Castiel Novak seems like the man of his dreams. And when the professor’s son appears from under the podium, several lives take an unsuspected turn.

My fic collab for the DCBB 2024 with wonderful art by @sasanka-27. I started this fic for the Dadstiel Bang, but changed it for the one I ended up with.

Your Own Personal Heaven (Rated: T | Word Count: 3,004)

Summary: After arriving in Heaven, Dean's nursing a beer in the crowded and snowed-in Roadhouse when the door opens and Cas enters. Crowding him, Dean makes out with him in front of everyone present, believing that he is stuck in his personal Heaven and none of it is real.

I haven't shared this Christmas fic on Tumblr before because I was too busy with bang collabs and the holidays. Inspired by a prompt by @macy2me.

It's a Stabby Life (Rated: T | Word Count: 4,370)

Summary: Dean Smith’s life as Director of Sales and Marketing at Sandover seems perfect. If there weren’t the dreams, and his new colleague. When he runs into Castiel and accidentally stabs him with a knife in the cafeteria, the guy walks away as if nothing happened. Maybe it didn’t and Dean is simply overworked. But then it happens again, and again, and Dean’s perfect life slowly falls to pieces.

The first of two fics for @deancas-stabfest. @arlington-chamber-of-gay claimed it an created beautiful pieces for the stabs. I had never written Dean Smith before, so this was really fun.

Gonna Find Out Who's Naughty or Nice (Rated: T | Word Count: 8,859)

Summary: During a case involving an entire coven of witches, Dean tries on a Santa hat. Nothing seems wrong, until he can’t remove the hat. Jingles start following his every step while his body changes. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, until he can’t hide it any longer from Sam and Castiel: Dean is transforming into Santa, and there seems to be no way back.

My Stabfest collab number two is the last fic for this year. This time, I claimed a wonderful art piece by @masoenart. It was the second collab with @masoena this year after our collab for the Midam Bang during the summer where our roles were reversed. One reader called this fic Christmas horror. I just had a lot of fun writing it.

Art Collabs

(you find the links to the fics when you follow the links to the art, either on AO3 or Tumblr)

Destiel Pinefest 2024: Art for 'Given to Fly' by MittenWraith, colalb with @mittensmorgul [art on Tumblr]

Bottom Cas Big Bang 2023/2024: Art for 'Raising Kids, Finding Love, the Family Business' by Mydestielbabies_67, collab with @spnisthewayoflife [art on Tumblr]

Dadstiel Mini Bang 2024: Art for 'Make a Wish' by Avonlady, collab with @avonlady42 [art on Tumblr]

Art for 'Always Memorable' by golbygloom, collab with @golby-moon [art on Tumblr]

Crack in the Chassis 2024: Art for 'TFW: Just Add Water' by notreallyaroad, collab with @notreallyaroad [art on Tumblr]

Midam Bang 2024: Art for 'Breaking Light — A Future Earned' by Masoena, collab with @masoena [art on Tumblr]

DCBB 2024: Art for 'Marriage of Heaven, Hell & Humanity' by draechaeli, collab with @draechaeli [art on Tumblr]

Stabfest 2024: Art for 'Monsters and Men' by FriendofCarlotta, collab with @friendofcarlotta [art on Tumblr]

Over the summer, I also posted several sketches I drew in my sketchbook.

And I posted some photos taken at PurCon which ended up my most shared posts of the year.

[heliza24]

Please allow me to brain dump all of my episode 5/devils minion thoughts/questions/predictions one more time before the episode comes out this weekend here. Only partially organized into something of a list:

- After the initial aborted interview, Armand is jealous that Daniel is able to connect to Louis in a way that he cannot, and he’s furious that Louis tells him about Lestat. He’s also just angry and frustrated. He’s been trying to make things up to Louis for thirty years, and their relationship has been strained for as long. And he takes it out on Daniel. I imagine the “is that was makes you fascinating?” Could easily be in response to Louis saying something like “I know I should have killed him, like we always kill the boys we sleep with, but he was just so fascinating that I didn’t want to.” And then all the jealousy that Armand has carefully stored away when Louis was imagining Lestat or choosing to sleep with another human rather than him just bubbles up to the surface.

- The more I think about it the more questions I have about Louis and Armand’s relationship (and their relationship to the absent Lestat) at this time. What caused Louis to want to do a first interview in the 70s? What happened between the 1973 and 2022 to change how he describes Lestat to Daniel so much? How and why do Louis and Daniel connect, and what does that mean for why they are repeating the interview in 2022? I am sometimes very guilty of having Armandaniel ship goggles on, I love them so so much together, and most of the further points on this list are from that lens. But I would be remiss to forget that Louis is the protagonist of this show, and that he has always been paralleled with Daniel narratively. So their connection is going to be really important, and i am also dying to understand it.

- Armand’s “I am the quiet you have been longing for” speech to Daniel is the equivalent of Santiago rooting around in his victim’s head before luring them into a willing death on stage. It’s seduction, but a seduction towards death. Armand is trying to peel Daniel apart in his anger. But somewhere along the line he gets too used to looking, too fascinated himself, to kill Daniel.

- I’m sure some of the initial anger at Daniel, and some of the initial anger at Louis, for humoring and connecting with him, has to do with Armand’s engrained respect for the great laws. Louis violates the law about not recording the history of the vampires, by talking to Daniel. He has revealed his true nature and let Daniel live, etc. part of me wonders if that’s why there’s that photo of Armand and Louis carrying Daniel when Louis is clearly being burned by doing it during the day. He made a mess, and his punishment is to do the dirty work of cleaning it up, even if Armand could take care of Daniel quickly on his own if he wanted to. I presume that eventually Armand ends up breaking rules himself around Daniel (not killing him, chiefly) which makes the forbidden aspect of their relationship all the more interesting to me.

- The two examples we have so far of Armand peering into Daniel’s memories (selling porn magazines and sleeping with a girl only if she would cover her face) speak to a combination of sexual shame, cruelty, repression, and desperation. There is something prompting Danny to sell those magazines, whether it be poverty or some hidden trauma. And Armand is familiar with that kind of relationship to sexuality. There might also be something about Daniel’s sexual brashness, as complicated as that might actually be, that feels refreshing after decades of Louis’s simmering resentment. There’s also a similarity between these early Daniel facts and Louis pulling the knife on Paul. It demonstrates a vampire-compatible personality (a certain viciousness combined with certain type of shame) while they’re both still human. And I’m sure that is fascinating to Armand.

- I’m also hoping that we’ll learn a little bit about Daniel’s childhood or backstory. I do feel like he has to be already running from something by the time he meets the vampires. He’s self medicating for sure, and I want to know why. Whenever I write about Daniel in fic I always end up coming back to his relationship to women and mothers/daughters, maybe because his daughters that he doesn’t speak to anymore in 2022 seem to loom large in absentia to me in the Dubai version of his character (especially in the ways they echo with Claudia). His disavowal of his queerness and kind of casual acceptance of the fact that he was a shitty husband does the same thing. The casual cruelty and misogyny of the bag over the head story reinforces this to me. I would love to learn more about this side of Danny, not because I think it’s a particularly good part of him, but because it’s a thing I think we’re missing in our understanding of him. It makes him grey in the same way the vampires are grey, in the same way Louis was grey before he was turned, and I want to understand it better.

- I think Louis begs Armand to stop torturing Daniel; whether or not he and Daniel actually hook up (and I kind hope they do!) I think Louis genuinely likes him. But Armand either refuses or continues to chase/torture/fall in love with Daniel behind Louis’s back. I’m not positive this is what the show is going to do, but I think it would work so well to have Daniel basically be an affair during Louis and Armand’s marriage. that information imbalance would make the drama in the penthouse more dynamic, and I think it would make sense that Armand would be looking for some kind of release, something that was just his, while he was trying to manage Louis’s moods and continued attachment to Lestat.

- I have a kind of more structural question as well, which is- how much they are gonna show us in this episode? Just from a character arc perspective, I don’t think they can end season 2 without Daniel knowing exactly why his memories were erased. That’s his dramatic question; not just what happened to me, but why do I not remember (and what does that mean for me now)? So I suspect that if we only see the first part of Devil’s minion in this episode, the torture and the stalking maybe, but we don’t get to the point where Daniel’s memories are erased, then there will be future revelations in the later episodes about happened in the 1970s. I am also wondering if the episode will be akin to a bottle episode, at least in the San Francisco section, set all over the same night in the same location. This is very play-like, so it would not surprise me if the writers room full of playwrights wrote it this way. And we’ve also only seen images and clips from the one location and the one set of costumes. If that’s the case, and we learn why Daniel’s memories were erased in this episode, that means his interaction with the vampires was actually pretty short lived, and any deeper devil’s minion stuff is gonna happen in the Dubai era if it happens at all. Because of that I either hope that the episode is less of a bottle episode than we’ve been led to believe, or that the bottle episode is only the start of a longer interaction between Daniel and Armand.

- To me Armand is like a dragon, who has been taught through repeated trauma that the only way to get what he wants is to roll over and show his vulnerable belly. Thats his dynamic with Louis; he grants him control even though he is the more powerful one because he wants to keep Louis. But Armand comes in like the monster he is to Daniel, and the fact that Daniel ends up liking him anyway, and doesn’t ask him to dim his power or appear more human or more gentle, is what makes their connection special. That’s what makes generally terrifying Danny early on necessary, the idea that he sees the absolute worst of Armand and is still somehow interested. I hope we can get to the point in this season where Daniel can articulate how attracted he is to Armand’s monstrosity. Based on the critic’s reactions I guess we’re not getting that this episode? But I live in hope that we’ll get that sentiment somehow before the season ends.

- Part of me is scared that the critics who believe that nothing romantic is going on between Daniel and Armand are somehow correct. Like, maybe we just aren’t gonna see any of that at all this season. Maybe if they have a romance at all it will just be in the Dubai timeline somewhere down the road. But then I remember the way Assad plays Armand around Daniel, and the way that he has jumped to Daniel’s aid twice (once in season 1 and once in season 2), and the “Alice wanted to say yes when you proposed but you hadn’t given her a reason to trust you” comment, which to me so clearly reads as Armand talking about himself. Surely those things don’t mean nothing.

- I love the idea that if Daniel and Armand were having an affair, Daniel asking to be turned and made into Armand’s companion would involve Armand leaving Louis, or at least breaking his trust further. That would be a huge leap for Armand because of the ways that he’s committed to and indebted to Louis because of what happened in Paris, and it makes sense to me that he wouldn’t be able to make that leap. Especially if Daniel’s addiction issues ends up transferring to vampire blood. The question of “do you really love me or do you just want to drink from me?” Is such a great doubt for a vampire to have, and I can see it really plaguing Armand, enough for him to not want to turn Daniel. I also hope we get him just in general not wanting to make fledglings because it feels like passing on a curse, and wanting to protect Daniel from the hellish parts of vampire existence by keeping him human. (I wonder if we’ll also see some kind of evolution in Louis and Armand’s relationship that will make it easier for Armand to recommit to Louis. Some kind of demonstration by Louis that he would pick Armand over Lestat if he had a choice? Something else? I’m not sure).

- I do think Daniel asking for the memory wipe himself is the most dramatically satisfying way for it to happen. Daniel being desperate for immortality, and despondent at the fact that Armand won’t turn him, and choosing to forget him instead is just so good. Especially if Armand acquiesces because he can see that his and Daniel’s connection is hurting Daniel and affecting Daniel’s mental health. It would fit with the way that Armand puts all of his partners before himself, because Armand would erase Daniel’s memory to save him, at the expense of his own broken heart. And that broken heart would explain the vacillating coldness and bitterness and affection he treats Daniel with in Dubai. And it would be an incredibly difficult realization for Dubai Daniel to have, that the person he initially thought was a monster because he committed this violation of his mind actually did so at Daniel’s own behest. This would fit with something that Eric mentioned in an interview, that Daniel realizes that he has fucked up two marriages because of the things that went down with the vampires that he cannot remember. What if the reason he could never be happily married was that he was never fully over Armand, even if he didn’t realize it? Heartbreaking. Juicy. The stuff of good drama! This is the other reason I keep reassuring myself that something romantic did happen between Daniel and Armand in the past. It changes the Dubai dynamics in ways that are simply too rich to ignore.

- I also do suspect that season 2 is gonna end with modern day Louis and Lestat being reunited. Lestat has to be around to narrate season 3 after all, and we have that tiny clip of the Loustat hug that feels modern. I’m really excited about that! But my heart breaks for Armand in that case, and I just… really hope that Daniel could be Armand’s safe place to land if Louis ends up leaving him at the end of the season.

[leclerrari]

“I’m so sorry, but I suffer from short-term memory loss”. Those who have never seen Nemo probably won’t understand the reference, signed in this case by the very charming Dory. A reference that I use to address a problem that seems to afflict many “fans” (the quotation marks are not used by chance) of the pinnacle of motorsport. Following the - extraordinary - victory of Carlos Sainz, in fact, I found myself reading various comments which, rather than praising the Spaniard’s performance, preferred to bring out how “Ferrari renewed the contract of the wrong driver”. None of these were journalists from Marca, much less from AS. I’m talking about long-time Ferrari “tifosi”, regular visitors to our platforms, who have pointed out that Leclerc has only won two races more than the mistreated Sainz. Consequently, getting off the wagon of the person who was about to win in Bahrain, at the steering wheel of the red car, in his second appearance wearing the Cavallino suit, or in Austria, before being escorted out by Max Verstappen, or in Singapore, again in 2019, before he was subjected to an undercut by his own teammate. Getting off the wagon of the person who achieved two podiums with the SF1000, of the person who was on the verge of winning in Silverstone at the steering wheel of the SF21, a car with which he even achieved two pole positions (how can we forget the one in Monaco, lost without even having the chance to race). Of the person who was mocked by a Virtual Safety Car in Jeddah in 2022, the year in which his power unit broke while he was dominating both in Barcelona and in Baku, the year in which he was the victim of the worst of treasons in Silverstone and of strategies bordering on embarrassment, as in Monte-Carlo and Budapest. Of the person who was vice World Champion in 2022, of the one who before the 2024 Australian Grand Prix was returning from seven consecutive front rows, of the one who collected 23 pole positions: only Michael Schumacher, in Ferrari, did better than him. Carlos, unlike Charles, has always been able to be in the right place at the right time (Singapore 2023 and Australia 2024) taking advantage of the circumstances like no one else has and, certainly, of the not excellent weekends of his teammate, which unfortunately for Leclerc have coincided with the very rare failures of Red Bull and Max Verstappen. This, for those who suffer from short-term memory loss, was Charles’ fault, this is the reason why Ferrari would have “renewed the contract of the wrong driver”. This is what has led many to get off the wagon of the monegasque, a wagon that they will soon be forced to chase on foot. On the other hand, “those who don’t have a good memory must have good legs”.

— Alessandro Morini Gallarati for Hammer Time Magazine

[superm4ks]

No but what is red bull doing with this car??? I just can't understand how they're suddenly having so much issues. It feels like the McLaren car is great in every track while we're are struggling everywhere.

My impression is that mclaren have now a superior car and they might put some serious pressure on the championship. No hate to the mclaren drivers, but they're not doing justice to that car. The only reason max keeps winning still is because he's leagues better.

Tbh its still too early to tell but the more rbr talks about the suspension and what they think the problem is, the more sense it makes to me. Its not at all a new thing, actually its kinda part of the design itself. Like the red bull philosophy wid the 2022 regs was to maximize the aerodynamic components by keeping the suspension as stiff as possible. rb18 and the rb19 were uncompromising cars from the start, but the ground force generated was so ahead of everybody elses rbr cud have the most rigid mechanical components and still produce better lap times than the competition just because they were able to lower their rear very consistently. So for instance they get to an outlier like Singapore that has such bumpy characteristics and like explode but it doesnt matter because for most of the calendar the ride height holds and they have the advantage. Its a very milton keynes adrian newey led type of compromise regarding car design which means its not a compromise at all and it kinda expects its immediate and total sovereignty to be its own justification. I dont think rbr is doing anything 'wrong' wid the car, its just that the car was always bound to hit a limit in performance and kinda coasted on other team's setbacks. That and yes, there are lil operational mistakes throughout race weekends happening rn that didnt exist last year and cud be attributed to some uncertainty regarding car development, the turmoil inside the organization, some fatigue, etc. Time will tell if they can fix the problem or if its something to try and minimize until the next regulatory cycle

About the Mclaren, and why it looks so spooky, seems MTC have been able to develop a car that not only employs the same suspension trick as rbr, but is able to make it work to its full potential, particularly by absorbing bumps and kerbs more effectively, which is something the rb20 as of now cant do. Basically its an all around more balanced car wid better handling. Without the first SC yesterday Lando wud have put a 20 sec gap no problem. By fp3 both Mclarens were already lapping like 2 seconds faster than the rb20 so like clearly that pace is here to stay. Whether itll translate into a full fledged wdc fight it will depend on the next big 4 updates because all the top cars have room to improve in the upcoming european leg. mcl38 has a lot of potential tho and not being hindered by the suspension the way rb20 is makes it a significant threat. Also like Mclaren is still making some basic strategy errors that usually tend to go away once the team settles more into its new role in the competition.

Ab ur last comment, idk personally I think zak browns bj brothers are doing a really good job keeping pressure and staying consistent, especially Lando, but its also their first taste of a truly competitive car so its normal for them to miss out on some pole positions or maybe not drive some stints as well. I think Ive commented on this before but sometimes it does come down to experience. 2023 had some hints of a possible Mclaren resurgence but they were few and too spaced out for the drivers to be able to truly build on it. On the other side u have a world champion coming out of 3 consecutive title runs 1 of which was one of the most competitive in recent memory, and another the most dominant. Mclaren is intent on building momentum and Max wont let them. Rbr are in limbo but Max isnt. Wid much respect to everybody else but like either put ur best foot forward every time or better luck next year 😐

[coimbrabertone]

MotoGP Silly Season Predictions - Plus Larson Waiver Talk.

As recently as this morning, I was planning on this week's blogpost being about the Kyle Larson waiver situation over in NASCAR, however, MotoGP then decided to do everything all at once and launched silly season into high gear.

So, with regards to Larson, I'll just say one thing: he raced in the Indianapolis 500 competitively and made NASCAR look good mere years after Jimmie Johnson, unfortunately, struggled in a Chip Ganassi Indycar on road and street circuits - and there were a lot of jokes at NASCAR's expense after their seven-time world champion spun out every race. So how does NASCAR repay him? Utter silence over whether or not he'll get a playoff waiver.

Kyle Larson is the 2021 champion, took his car to the owner's championship final four as a result of playoff shenanigans in 2022, and then made the final four in 2023 again. He is considered one of the top talents in NASCAR and he has the results to back it up. So why is there controversy over him getting a playoff waiver for this year?

Because Kyle Larson prioritized the Indianapolis 500 last weekend.

I talked about this in my Motorsports Christmas blogpost, but the Indy 500 was rain delayed and Kyle Larson stayed there to compete, and only then he flew out to Charlotte. Now, Kyle Larson landed, was ready to get into the car, but then it started raining in Charlotte too. Just before midnight, as the track was drying, NASCAR controversially decided to call the race, thus Kyle Larson was not able to relieve Justin Allgaier in the #5 and resume the rest of the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR is mad because every other weekend of the year, they're the biggest show in racing, they can throw their weight around and try to chase NFL ratings while all other racing series are considered a niche. That's true every weekend except Memorial Day weekend, when the Indianapolis 500 reigns supreme. The whole existence of the Charlotte 600 is to compete with Indy.

Larson prioritized the bigger race and that made NASCAR made, because they're used to getting their egos stroked.

Larson is one of the best drivers in NASCAR and the double attempt brought good publicity to both sports. He had already won his way into the playoffs and made an effort to get to Charlotte for the end of the 600 - give him a waiver. If not, well, you face the possibility that Austin Cindric is in the playoffs after his shock win at Iowa, and one of the top drivers in the series isn't.

I like Austin, I'm glad he won, but he's nowhere near the same level as Kyle Larson. If he can compete for the championship and Kyle can't, then it makes the NASCAR playoffs look even less legitimate than they already are.

Anyway, that turned into a longer rant than I intended, so I'll leave it there. Now onto the main topic for today: MotoGP silly season.

Yesterday at Mugello, Enea Bastianini spent the final laps of the race charging from fourth to second, overtaking Marc Marquez for third and then pulling off an audacious last corner pass on Jorge Martin for second. This meant that Enea finished just eight tenths off leader Pecco Bagnaia for a factory Ducati 1-2.

So naturally, Ducati has decided to replace him.

Marc Marquez, who finished four and last out of these three, is going to the Ducati Lenovo Team, according to Autosport.

This was all but confirmed when, a few hours later, Aprilia confirmed the signing of Jorge Martin for Aprilia. Jorge Martin who finished third and got overtaken by Enea Bastianini in the final corner, mind you.

Now, of course, Ducati is not judging this off of one race alone and I acknowledge - as I did in two recent blogposts - that Enea has had a rotten time on the factory Ducati seat. That being said, seeing him lose Ducati to Marc Marquez, who finished last of the main three, and then lose out on the Aprilia seat to the guy he overtook in the final corner. It stings.

That being said, some news out of this weekend might offer a possibility for Enea to have a bit of a soft landing from the factory seat anyway. Let me explain:

Earlier in this weekend, Marc Marquez spelled out his demands in an interview. He said that he was not interested in going to Pramac, saying that he didn't want to switch from a satellite team (he's currently riding a 2023 Ducati at Gresini Racing) to another satellite team (Pramac runs 2024 Ducatis, same as the factory team, with factory contracted riders, they are still customers, however). Instead, Marquez said that the best option was a factory team, and if not that, then a factory bike at minimum.

Translation: Marc Marquez wanted the factory team for 2025, and if he couldn't get that, then he wanted a 2025 Ducati at Gresini, remaining at his current team.

In response, Gino Borsoi, who is the team manager at Pramac, insisted that his team had a contract for two factory-spec Ducati GP25s next year. This was somewhat of a surprise for a number of reasons, one: Ducati announced late last year that they signed Moto2 rider Fermin Aldeguer for 2025, and it seemed like the natural landing spot for him was going to be Pramac...until it emerged later on that Ducati wanted to start Fermin out on a 2024 bike. Two: regardless of which spec Ducati Fermin is going to be on, Pramac has been heavily linked to Yamaha lately.

The Japanese bikes are struggling in MotoGP right now and, ever since RNF switched to satellite Aprilias for 2023, Yamaha has not had a satellite team. Four bikes capturing data instead of two could really help Yamaha right now, so they've been linked to pretty much every Ducati satellite team the last few months. VR46 with the romanticism of a Valentino Rossi and Yamaha reunion, Gresini until they renewed their deal, and most recently, with Pramac.

Yamaha was desperate and the rumor has been that they offered very generous terms to Pramac.

So, the news that Pramac may stay with Ducati after all is a shock to the media, but it does not seem to have been much of a shock to Ducati. Ducati had been working on a way to keep both Martin and Marquez, and it seems that they wanted to offer Pramac the chance to run MotoGP's biggest star - Marc Marquez - as a reason to stay...and potentially a reason to accept taking on a rookie Aldeguer on a year-old bike as well.

Now that Marquez is going to the factory team instead and Jorge Martin has snatched the open Aprilia seat, I see an opening. Ducati can send Enea Bastianini to Pramac, keeping him on a factory spec bike while giving Pramac another frontrunning rider. Aldeguer joins as Bastianini's teammate, on a GP25 if that's what it takes to keep Pramac in the fold, because Marc Marquez will be in the factory team so freeing up a GP25 won't be as important.

What about VR46 and Gresini then? Well, I think Marco Bezzecchi's current season has been a bit of a disaster, so he won't really have much of a chance to get a factory ride next year, so staying at VR46 seems likely. Furthermore, his struggles mean that Bezzecchi probably isn't going to have much luck demanding Ducati gives him a GP25, so status quo is probably the most likely outcome there. It's unfortunate for Bezzecchi, but the sheer reality is that, with all these hot riders on the market, his options seem to be either stay at VR46, or make a more or less lateral move to Trackhouse Aprilia.

Then Franco Morbidelli, another Valentino Rossi academy product, can drop from Pramac into the other VR46 seat.

Where does Fabio DiGiannantonio go then? Well, with Marquez going to the factory, Fabio can now return to Gresini and be reunited with Frankie Carchedi. Thus, restoring the 2023 lineup of Fabio DiGiannantonio and Alex Marquez.

So, to sum things up, I think Ducati can keep all three of its satellite teams and all eight bikes like this:

Ducati Lenovo (GP25): Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.

Pramac (GP25): Enea Bastianini and Fermin Aldeguer.

VR46 (GP24): Marco Bezzecchi and Franco Morbidelli.

Gresini (GP24): Fabio DiGiannantonio and Alex Marquez.

Maybe Pramac will go to Yamaha after all, maybe my predictions will look radically wrong in a few weeks. I don't know how it'll turn out, but this is the scheme I've thought up in my mind.

I need to do something since with Marc Marquez at Ducati and Jorge Martin at Aprilia, my two favorite teams now have my two least favorite riders and I'm trying not to dwell on that part.

So yeah.

Oh, also this weekend Indycar raced at Detroit, but uhh...the less said about that, the better.