#my mc: Ella

[bri1234]

Today’s my dearest Ella’s birthday! And what better way to celebrate than commissioning @weetlebeetle to draw her and Leaf! Seriously in love with how they turned out 🥹

Tagging @choicesficwriterscreations

[bri1234]

AHHH thank you @choicesficwriterscreations!!! I was super excited to see that my Ella was selected😊❤️

November MC of the Month: Ella

Please welcome November 2024's MC of the Month: @bri1234's Ella from The Cursed Heart.

Each month, we highlight one MC or OC on our Meet My MC / OC List. They are selected randomly on the Wheel of Names, and eligibility requirements can be found here. We accept MC / OC profiles on an ongoing basis. Please feel free to send yours in!

Learn more about Ella below.

1- In your own words, tell us what you like most about your MC / OC.

Ella’s kindness is my absolute favorite thing about her. The world she lives in can be unforgiving, especially around tricky Fae. But she always, somehow, finds a way to be kind. Honestly, it inspires me. The world we live in today can be so cruel and terrible. If we all could show an ounce of her kindness, the world would be a better place.

2- Do you feel your MC / OC is like you at all? How are you alike or different?

For similarities, I think that we both love a good story. When I was younger, I was always fascinated by fairytales. I loved (and still do) anything Disney-related and always wished that I could just jump into a Tinkerbell movie lol. Ella was the same when she was younger, just with stories her parents would read to her. I also think that we are both very curious and love to learn. I'm just normally learning about things for school while she gets to learn about Fae and magic lol. Another thing is that we would both fight tooth and nail for the ones we love.

We also have a few differences. I’m more logical and think my actions through before I complete them. Whereas I feel like Ella leads with her heart and wears it on her sleeve. Don’t get me wrong; I think this is an amazing quality to have and sometimes wish I could be more like this. But I overthink too much, leading me to think my actions through more than I should be. She’s also way more trusting and has a crazy amount of courage that I severely lack.

3- What is most important to your MC / OC? What is their motivation in life?

I think the most important thing to Ella is to uphold everything her parents ever taught her. From her mother, she learned so much about healing and helping others that all she has ever wanted to do was provide that for others and those she loves. From her father, she was taught to fight for those she loves and never give up, hence her not giving up on Kieran and almost dying in the process.

4- What are their biggest pet peeves/dislikes?

Underestimating her just because she’s mortal

Fae who are “attempting” to lie to her

When people fold the corners of books to keep the page they’re on (aka Kieran with any book he reads lol)

5- If your MC / OC could change one thing - anything - what would it be?

Ella would change Jack’s decision to kill Sir Monty. She knows how much he meant to Kieran, and he meant a lot to her.

6- What is your MC / OC’s favorite quote or song?

“Have courage and be kind, where there is kindness there is goodness and where there is goodness there is magic.” - Cinderella

7- Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MC / OC?

I might not have found this incredible community without Ella and my love for TCH. Her journey has not only shaped my creativity but also led me to meet some of the nicest people. I’m truly grateful for everyone I’ve met here and @choicesficwriterscreations for giving so many of us an outlet to share the amazing things we’ve made about the stories we love :)

[iridescent-solstice]

Presenting my twstsona/oc Estrella in the twisted wonderland universe because yes 🙂↕️🙂↕️

Special thanks to @zetsubobu 4 not only tolerating my extreme Leona brainrot, but also for her amazing idea of adding small doodles!!

The savanaclaw symbol belongs to the game twisted wonderland. The design for the magic pen is taken from the arcana game, (Asra’s compass) 4 lore reasons 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

Edit: I CANT BELIEVE THIS SLIPPED MY MIND 😖😖 tysm to @foxprintz for the advice on hybrid ears and tails! Their art is so good that the moment I realised I wanted Ella to be a deer I literally went straight to them haha

[prettyboisteveharrington]

Don’t take my heart don’t break my heart. Don’t… Don’t throw it away

Have a short Drabble based on book two’s love confession between Drake and Mc

Drake Walker x MC ( Rose Throne)

Word count: 856

Thorne… Meet me on the hotel balcony tonight. We need to talk ~ Drake.

As you made your Way up to the hotel balcony all you Can Think about is Drake and how much you love him. How much you need him.

Drake. Drake. Drake.

You stand and look out at New York. You are thinking about what you are going to say to him, you want him to know how special he is to you, how wonderful he makes you feel but you don’t want to mess it up.

You hear footsteps behind you and turn around and see him.

As you finally see him it feels like your heart is beating ten, twenty if not a hundred times faster than it normally does.

You drink in his presence, from the lights illuminating his face to his Golden eyes that remind you of a glass of whiskey near the fireplace.

‘Hi’ you say breathlessly

‘Hey, Thorne’ Drake says he would Seem very composed if you didn’t know him like you do. You see through the cracks. You can tell that he’s nervous just like you.

He takes a few tentative steps forward, his eyes locked on yours.

‘We need to talk… About Us’

‘Yeah, we do’ you agree and nod your head.

You take a step towards him as well. You take a deep breath. You can do this.

‘Drake… Liam proposed to me tonight’

‘Oh’

Drake face falls and you can see the hurt in his eyes for a brief second before he composes himself and his face turns stoic.

‘I’m very happ-‘ Drake starts to say even if his facial expression betrays him. He looks like you just ripped his heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.

It hurts to see him like that. So broken. You take a deep breath and you reach out and gently take his hand in yours

‘I turned him down Drake. I told him i’m in love with you’

‘….What?’ Drake says and he looks surprised

You give his hand a squeeze.

‘From the first moment i saw you I was drawn to you. Sure we didn’t get along at first but there was something about you that kept pulling me back to you’ you say and smile at him

‘Thorne do you really mean it? Liam could give you so much more than me. Hells he could give you anything you wanted. You could have Cordonia and be Queen. Do you really want to settle for less than you deserve… Settle for me?’ Drake searches your eyes for any hint of a lie

You step towards him again your eyes are glossy. It hurts to see Drake like this. It hurts to hear him speak so ill of himself.

‘I hate when you do this. It hurts Drake’

Drake looks at you concerned

‘Rose I-‘

‘I don’t want a kingdom or be Queen. What i want is You. It hurts me greatly that you can’t see how much you have to offer’

Drake seems lost for words as looks at you with a vulnerable expression on his face.

You stand on your toes and lean in to kiss Drake’s left cheek

‘You are Incredibly handsome’

You lean in and kiss his right cheek

‘ you would do anything for me’

You stand on your toes and kiss his forehead

‘You are the first person i think about when i wake up and the last person I think about before I fall asleep’

You lean in and kiss his nose

‘The only person i want to be with is you. I’m yours Drake. Completely. Do you want me too?’

‘I do. Thorne how can I not want you’ Drake says and caresses your cheek with his hand, his hand trembles and you lean into the touch. Your eyes trace his lips before you look into his eyes again

‘Then what are you waiting for?’ You say and lean into him, your lips are inches away from his

His lips meet yours in a searching kiss as he wraps his arms around your waist.

There’s a look of gentle, astonished joy on his face as he pulls away. You lean your head against his you are unable to stop smiling.

You look into his eyes

‘I love you Drake Walker. I have loved you for a long time. Always will. Nothing and no one could ever change that. You are it for me. My soulmate. My marshmallow’

Drake’s eyes are glossy and his smile is wide

‘I don’t know what I could have possibly done to deserve someone like you Rose Thorne. But I will never stop trying to be worthy of you. I love you with every fiber of my being and I will always give you my all’ Drake says earnestly unable to look anywhere but at you

Drake takes your hand and kisses it gently

The two of you sit down on the ground, your head rests on Drake’s shoulder as you both watch the sunset.

[evilwizard]

🌈 ella-m-agnetism Follow

magnets, electricity, and light? everyone knows im the best. i probably don’t even need those other girls 😘

🌑 gravity-schmavity Follow

for fuck’s sake ella not this again. i literally trapped you in a black hole just last week

🤹‍♀️ strongerthanyou Follow

y’all, can we not do this in public? this is getting embarrassing

☢️ weakdayfreakday Follow

rip her wavelengths off bitch

163,455 notes

🧬 d-n-acidtrip Follow

did you guys hear the Fundamental Four might be breaking up? they are soo messy lol

🍬 adena-signed-triphosphate Follow

LMAOOOOOO YOU SAID IT NOT ME. BUT I SOOOO AGREE😭 DO YOU THINK THEY’LL NEED A NEW MEMBER? OMG WE SHOULD APPLY!!!!!!!!

🧬 d-n-acidtrip Follow

girl you are coming at me with a lot of energy rn

17 notes

🔬 chrispr-cas9 Follow

@d-n-acidtrip respond to my dms. unblock me. please please please please please please please please

🔗 gene-o-type Follow

you need to stop this man. she chose me

🔬 chrispr-cas9 Follow

can’t we share

3 notes

⏳ enter-entropy Follow

UCU is the worst. all my classes are taught by weird old men. the cosmic microwave in the dining hall barely heats the food. it fucking sucks here

🧠 e-equals-mc-crazy-haired Follow

Please, watch your language.

⏳ enter-entropy Follow

stfu old man im top of my class at Universe City University and i can say what i want

🧠 e-equals-mc-crazy-haired Follow

And I am Albert Einstein, the Dean of Students at UCU.

⏳ enter-entropy Follow

im sorry sir

22,158 notes

🌎 terra-firma Follow

@secretplanet9 where are you

❔secretplanet9 Follow

i’ll never tell 😉

🌎 terra-firma Follow

omg guys!!!! @mercuryinaflurry @venusflytrap @unmarredmars @jupiterisntstupider @ringleader6 @stoppronouncingitlikethat @listentomyneptunes

we got a response!!! planet 9 we will find you!!!!!! ✨💕

🪐 ringleader6 Follow

omg yessssss

🧊pluto-all-alone Follow

can you guys not do this right in front of me

[louwhose]

Results are in! Minish Cap won, which is... a bit of a surprise, honestly. But I'm looking forward to it!

...except that the Ella Enchanted AU is the real winner because the zelink week prompts just worked so PERFECTLY for it. but because of that it will also be an abbreviated version of what I would have otherwise done. And then after that it is definitely gonna be the arranged marriage au

I'm leaving it to you, the people that definitely follow me for the fics I actually share on here once in a blue moon, to decide.

(all of them are loz)

feel free to ask me about any of them if you'd like the help to determine your vote

[ovadzs]

can't make you love me- ob87/ka12

║my first non landoscar fic, yay!! hope you enjoy!! imagine tsitp x challengers, and here we are. title from: we never dated, sombr. PLEASE USE YOUR IMAGINATION HERE!! in this au, netball is a MUCH bigger sport, and the team is really famous. like, the lionesses sort of thing. and the f1 rookies are known to be friends :) not everything is accurate (i don’t play half the sports referenced) yes, i rushed this and gave up by the end yes. the ending IS. intentional.!!! ‘he’ is either kimi or ollie, you decide! personally, i’d imagine ollie <3

║smau, fluff, swearing, non f1 au

║rugbyplayer!ollie x netballer!mc x tennisplayer!kimi

║please dont attack my weak smau skills, and i honestly didnt plan this fic it kind of just happened. this took me over a week to write, forgive me!! please notice rower!osc that was an intentional easter egg to a future fic! this includes the f1a girls (i love them) and the f125 rookies. any comments/reqs/feedback always appreciated!! thank you @kenniesf1 for not blocking me every time i crashed out about this!!

✧.*

yourusername

yourusername and the season is over!! thank you to the team, and the coaches, and to all the fans!! time for a well deserved summer break, and then back at it in a few months time- love you all! academynetball academygirls

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chloechambers champs wooo

dorianepin can’t wait to win next year too

liablock favourite captain

⤷ yourusername favourite gs !!

user29 so proud of you girls!!!

user45 i fucking love netball

⤷ yourusername same lol

INNL our winners in pink 🩷!!

Olympics2028 we’re certain we’ll see you in a few years time!!

⤷ yourusername i hope so! although, dont know how im supposed to play against some of my teammates 💔

⤷ dorianepin vive la france or whatever

⤷ chloechambers liablock 🦅🇺🇸🏐🔥

academygirlsfp i’m gonna miss you on summer break 💔💔

⤷ yourusername dw ill be posting loads! group holiday x

✧.*

kimiantonelli

kimiantonelli slightly disappointing end to the best season of my life, but we move on, and i’m hoping to come back stronger for my first senior season. grazie mille !!🇮🇹🎾👟

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olliebearman damn okay who tf are u posting allat for

⤷ kimiantonelli sybau

⤷ oscarpiastri what does that mean ??

georgerussell excellent match, tough game

user45 i have nothing appropriate to say

user29 future wimbledon champ

rolandgarrosoff good luck for next year, antonelli!

⤷ kimiantonelli so excited, thank you

landonorris my little mannnn

✧.*

olliebearman

olliebearman it’s been an honour to captain this team, truly! end of a great season, big up . anyway, time to change mud for sand ☀️

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isackhadjar football is better

⤷ liamlawson no it isn’t

⤷ kimiantonelli no tennis is

⤷ francocolapinto no basketball is jackdoohan

⤷ oscarpiastri rowing is goated

⤷ landonorris u capsized yesterday

estieocon congratulations

⤷ olliebearman thanks unc

kimiantonelli reply to me asap it’s urgent

⤷ kimiantonelli think i’ve got the wrong flight?

✧.*

The sun is playing on the horizon, toying with the inevitably of night. Not quite setting, but basking you in an orange light that feels too comforting and slightly nerve-wracking at the same time. Your first evening of many, of the next six weeks or so, and it feels like mere minutes have passed. You love your sport, love the excitement of the season. But sometimes, it was like a deadline. Until you have to train again, until you have to tape your bruised knees and try to perfect the count of three seconds in your head.

One, two, three-

The volleyball flies way over your head, way over your outstretched arm, and you curse. Chloe huffs dramatically to your left, and Ella shakes her head at you jokingly, before you all turn to watch where the ball rolls. And for a moment, it looks like it’s going to roll into the sunset forever, leaving a small dent in the sand behind it.

But suddenly it hits a pair of sandals, and the victim of your missed return pauses, to pick it up. They’re too far, so you can’t see what they look like, you can just make out their limbs.

“Hey!! Over here, please!!” calls Lia, from over the net, and you wave both arms erratically, hoping for a sign of recognition.

✧.*

“Who’s willing to bet one of us will be hopelessly in love with some random girl by the end of this?” calls Franco teasingly, and everyone groans, but no one bothers replying because something alien has just hit Isack’s foot. 

“What is that?”

They erupt into laughter. “It’s a ball, you fuckin’ idiot. You literally kick one of those for a living.” Liam jests, and Isack just grumbles.

“Obviously. But what kind of ball?” he asks angrily, his french accent growing more noticeable as the laughter still doesn’t subside.

“You’ve never seen a volleyball before? That’s crazy.” chimes in Jack, and Gabi nods incredulously.

“Are you meant to kick it?” Isack retorts, and Jack shakes his head. 

“Exactly.”

That's when they all turn at the sound of a yell, and they watch as arms flail around in the distance, begging for their ball back.

Franco whistles. “No fucking way.”

Ollie claps him on the back, maybe slightly too hard, and he stumbles forward.

“Mate, they just hit their ball over. It’s not a sign.” he murmurs carefully, trying to hide a smile as Franco squints aggressively.

✧.*

“Why are they just not moving? Dickheads.” you mutter, trying to stare them down, but it's hopeless against the sun. And then, it isn’t, because a figure emerges.

He’s tall, maybe scarily so, but not gangly. No, his arms and legs fit him perfectly, proportionately, anyway. Also, not proportionately, just perfectly. To put it crudely, he was big. Someone who clearly trained, maybe an unhealthy amount.

“Sorry about that. Isack was about to kick it, and I figured that was a bad idea, ‘cause he’d probably burst it, or whatever. Anyway, here you go!” he exclaims warmly, grinning at you, and you smile gratefully. You take it carefully, making sure your fingers don’t touch, but not trying to seem repulsed by him. 

You’re about to thank him, but a voice comes before yours. Lia, loudly, unbothered.

“Do you and your friends want to play?” she asks, casually, but her eyebrows raise slightly. A small challenge. And the boy in front of you doesn't seem like someone who backs down easily, someone who politely shakes his head and walks away.

And you’re absolutely right, because a slightly wicked look crosses his face and he nods enthusiastically. 

“Sure, but cut us some slack. We’re not volleyball players.” he admits carefully, still grinning, and you shrug.

“Neither are we.” you reply, and he admires you carefully. 

“So it’s on, then.” 

“Absolutely.” adds Ella, and he raises his eyebrows at her accent, before giving her a gentle smile.

“Mmkay, I’ll be back. But fair warning, only about half of us will be even remotely decent at this. You’d be surprised how uncoordinated some athletes are outside of their own sport.”

Tina scoffs from over the net. “We’re not surprised. Just hurry up, we’re losing daylight.”

He nods rapidly and sprints off, but not in a panicked way, in a rehearsed way. Like running is second nature.

You make a mental note to ask him what he plays when he comes back, but when he returns, flanked by six other people, it slips your mind.

✧.*

“So, brief introductions, or whatever. I’m Ollie, and this is Isack, Gabi, Jack, Franco, Liam and Kimi.” the boy explains, gesturing wildly as they all give brief waves and warm smiles.

“Are you like, their leader, or something?” Aurelia asks, not rudely, but curiously, and he lets out a hearty laugh. 

“What? Not at all. Maybe Liam’s, we play on the same rugby team. But the rest? No way. Just cause they think I’m the friendliest looking, they sent me over.” 

You raise an eyebrow, but don’t contest it. 

“I was willing to step up, but they were pretty adamant about not sending me.” jokes the one to his left, Franco, you think. 

“Well, the rules are pretty simple. There’s meant to be six on a team, but we both have seven. It’ll work. We just need to start a rally and return the ball to each other. You can’t hit more than three times before returning. You’ll figure it out as we go.” Chloe explains, before dragging a slightly confused Jack over to the other side of the net and gesturing for him to stand near the front, and stay put. “Now, make two rows, back and front, and we’ll go from there.”

They do as they’re told, and the game quickly begins. You watch them carefully, scrambling and falling over limbs. They don’t communicate with eachother, and neither do you. But your team is a team, so you’re well practiced. You know everyone’s role, how everyone moves. Who will take what shot, where they’ll run to. Who they’ll pass too. Your opposition? Don’t have that at all, and it’s painfully obvious.

“Huh, you guys really aren’t a team. You can talk to eachother, you know. We won’t judge you.” you call over, laughing slightly as the ball smashes straight into the blonde one’s chest, and he makes a gentle ‘oof’ sound. With that, you win the game (by a painful landslide) and you find yourself trailing Lia as you walk down to where the ball had first hit Isack’s foot. You watch carefully, while Ollie successfully sets up a fire in the pit beside you. You notice iron steps leading up to a house, and it mirrors where you’re staying for the next few weeks.

“And you guys really are. A team, I mean. What do you play?” replies the one directly opposite you, his italian accent catching in his throat, an obvious response to your earlier dig.

“Netball. What about you? Evidently not something similar.” you retort, and he sighs dramatically.

“Is it that obvious? Tennis.”

Aurelia makes a sound of recognition. “Hey, I know you! Antonelli, right?”

You are all sitting now, and your legs are tucked into your chest as the warmth of the flames paints you red.

“Yeah, Kimi here is probably the most impressive of all of us. Ranked first in the world, you know?” Ollie boasts for him, clapping him on the back. Kimi looks away bashfully. “Only in the junior category, we’ll have to see where I rank next year.” he adds gracefully, but Aurelia shakes her head.

“Nah, I’ve seen you play before. You’re really good.” 

You look up at him now, somewhat intrigued. He doesn’t carry himself in the way you’d expect a champion to. Instead, he raises his head carefully, as if to not disturb anyone else. He wasn’t shy, that wasn’t the right word. You couldn’t quite describe his expression, his demeanour. But when he smiles at you, noticing the inquisitive look on your face, you betray yourself slightly. Unfortunately, ‘he’s pretty’ is the first thought that comes to mind, and you curse your predictability.

“So, netball, the easy version of basketball?” suggests Jack, and Tina scowls at him.

“Nah, I’d say basketball is easier. Less footwork rules, you can travel with the ball and you have a backboard.” Ella says, matter of fact. You appreciate her capability to remain calm, unbothered by the classic narrative the boy was suggesting. You nod enthusiastically. “You’d be surprised, how much thinking it takes. Stupid three second rule.” you huff, and Jack just looks at you blankly. You don’t bother to explain, just note him as somewhat uneducated and too quick to challenge. 

“What, that’s where you have to pass the ball before three seconds, or it’s held, right?” Ollie asks, looking up from his phone. You grin at him, surprised, and Lia nods. 

“Hand-ball games are weird. Personally, I think football is peak.” claims Isack loudly, and Doriane responds immediately in quick french, surprised by the boy's accent. He’d been relatively quiet before now, same with the person to his right. Gabi, you figured. You turn to him slowly, a lazy smile on your face. 

“So, what about you? You a footballer too?”

He seems grateful for the opportunity to speak, and he nods. “Yeah, unfortunately I'm on the same team as him. Although, I don’t think it’s what I want to do, like, forever.” he explains, and you smile. But you can’t agree, can’t nod knowingly, because you know that you’ll want to be on the court for the rest of your life.

✧.*

The friendship between the two groups blossoms quicker than you’d anticipated. It was interesting, how having nothing yet everything in common made it easy to connect. Out of everyone, though, you remain the most quiet. You smile, and laugh, and offer jokes in silence. But there's a faraway look in your eye, a focus on something else entirely. And no one seems to notice, as a week passes. In a way, everyone is thick as thieves. Isack and Doriane, constantly swearing profusely in various languages, and Tina and Chloe had taken it upon themselves to ensure Jack and Franco now firmly believed in the difficulty of netball. But you just flitted between groups, bouncing through conversations. A second you were there, a second you weren’t.

For the girls that knew you, this was normal. Expected, and predictable. Being fluid, adaptable. It was how you worked best as captain, a capability to insert yourself anywhere and still be magnetic. But in some ways, you felt like you were behind, a bit. Like a friend to all, somehow, is a friend to none. But you didn’t complain, because the company was enough, and you liked not feeling tied down. For the boys that didn't know you, and didn’t really care to, they didn’t notice. They returned warm smiles and laughed with you, but didn’t notice if you’d gone to talk to someone else. But the boys who did want to know you, they couldn’t help but notice. Kimi and Ollie watched you quietly, carefully. Never uttering a word to the other, about who their eyes were following, but never quite hiding it, either.

In a sense, their detachment made the three of you anomalies, but anomalies together. And often, you’d find yourself spending longer with them than you realised.

“So, you’re first in the world, impressive. And you? Rugby, huh.”

Ollie looks at you, sheepishly. “Yeah, yeah. We, um, we just won the Super league. Sounds more impressive than it is, really. Hoping to play in the world cup, next year, though.”

You smile at him, and nod understandingly. There's something deeper about team sports, a different type of pressure. Knowing your success can be squandered by one mistake from someone else. The pressure of your whole country, on your back. It’s not the same, you represent yourself in a solo sport, no matter the flag on your back. It’s your job to perform, and it’s up to you if you fall. But this, the world teams, the need to captain a team, it’s something else entirely. 

“Yeah, same. World netball, yeah.” you reply, tensing slightly. If he notices, he doesn’t say anything.

With that, you get up, and you’re gone. They don’t move, just wait for your imminent return.

✧.*

yourusername

yourusername week one, done✅ tina: tanned✅ volleyball games won: ♾️ outfits worn: too many. tinahaussss academygirls

❤️liked by olliebearman, kimiantonelli and others

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tinahaussss okay wasn’t expecting a feature

⤷ yourusername you look so cute

user46 okay am i delusional or do i see my glorious king gabibortoleto there

⤷ user25 that is defo kimi in the corner stop it.

liablock that is my top what.

⤷ yourusername oh!

user87 please help look who’s in the likes what is this crossover???? is this a future of sport meetup or something ???

⤷ user12 if they get my fav girls into different sports i’ll lose my mind!! can you imagine ellalloyd playing rugby

⤷ ellaloyd i’d be really good

⤷ yourusername id be better

⤷ olliebearman loud incorrect buzzer

✧.*

“Oi, bearboy. I’m deeply wounded by that comment, you know. On the public ‘gram, too. Now everyone thinks Ella could have me easily. Which, for the record, she couldn’t.” you yell from the top of your house steps, the sun barely rising in the sky.

Ollie looks up, surprised. His hair is slightly damp, from the ocean or from exercise, you’re not sure. But when he realises it’s you, he beams and waves you down.

You rush into the kitchen, grabbing a pair of sandals, and then you sprint down the steps, barrelling straight into him unapologetically. He tumbles backwards, straight into the sand, and you stand triumphant.

“Hah! I knew it! I’m gifted.” you announce, exploding into laughter, and he can’t help but laugh through his bewilderment too. He’s never seen you so loud, so animated. 

“Well, not exactly. That wasn’t a tackle, that was a surprise attack. Not even sure if there's a page in the rulebook for that kind of assault. Up to me, you’d have an immediate red card. Also, bearboy? Seriously?” he groans dramatically, taking your extended hand and pulling himself up against you.

“Okay, so teach me, properly. Then we can have a 1v1, and you can’t blame it on a sneak attack.”

“You can’t 1v1 rugb- okay. Sure, stay here. I’ll be back.” he gives in, jogging away, around the small stretch of trees you’d learnt hid the stairs to his villa. 

He’s back impressively fast, bearing a slightly deflated rugby ball under his left arm and a water bottle in the other. 

You quickly mask the surprise on your face, and pretend you haven’t noticed his change in posture, gripping the ball. There’s a new layer of confidence rolling off him, one you recognise well. The same way you feel at every centre pass.

“Alright, bearboy. Teach me this nonsensical sport.” you drawl, mocking his pose, and he relaxes immediately.

“Well, let's start with passing. You can’t pass forward, but that’s irrelevant right now-”

“You can’t what? That’s absurd.” you cackle slightly, and he gives you a determined look of mock offence.

“-Anyway, you hold it like this-” he outstretches his arms and then folds his elbows to the side- “and then you essentially chuck it to the side. So bending your elbows is really important, see?” he explains, before accurately throwing the ball to the side. You pick it up, dutifully, and try to copy him, but the ball doesn't travel as nicely through the air as his, essentially falling flat into the sand.

“Huh. Okay, that sucked.” you furrow your eyebrows, feeling that familiar sense of annoyance when you can’t do something perfectly right away.

“Nah, I’ve seen a lot worse. That’s essentially how Liam passes- he’s just good at running.” he jokes weakly, and you can’t stay mad when you admire his laughing face, the sun decorating him gently.

You pick it back up, trying to replicate his arm shape, but he stops you. He looks up at you, a question on his face, his arms hovering by yours. You nod, and shoot him a sarcastic expression, but that quickly fades when his hand finds your forearm and he moves it further vertical, so it’s parallel to the ground. You’re too aware of him now, feeling his breath on your skin, but you don’t squirm. You just stay perfectly still, and you try to exhale as quietly as possible when he steps back.

“Okay, try now. And try to like, spin it as it goes through your palms. Sorry, I don’t really know how to explain it-” he begins, but you throw it determinedly, and it feels better when it leaves your hands. Looks better too, matching his example.

You grin proudly, raising an eyebrow at him expectantly. He opens his mouth, as if to congratulate you, but suddenly his head is pressed to the side of your waist and you’re on the ground, and he looks overly pleased with himself.

“Surprise attack!” he bellows, to the sky, to the birds circling above you, to anyone or anything that will witness his triumph.

When he offers you a hand, and you take it only to drag him down with you, neither of you feel the need to move as the sun kisses the sand you’re lying on. When his knuckles brush yours, you don’t move. You don’t open your eyes, or turn to face him. If you had, you’d see that he was already looking at you.

✧.*

yourusername

yourusername i am so insanely multitalented, so id like to formally announce i am now a professional rugby player. thanks olliebearman for the lesson! also look how cute we are 🥹 academygirls

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user14 is this a hard launch.

⤷ yourusername no lol

ilovekimiantonelli it’s happening it’s happening

⤷ helovesmeyeah dorisack duo incoming

⤷ dorianepin isackhadjar oh!🇫🇷

olliebearman if you can pass the bleep test you can replace liamlawson bc you pass better

⤷ liamlawson wtf dawg

⤷ yourusername im not doing allat

kimiantonelli okay do you have a tennis racket

⤷ yourusername i do

⤷ kimiantonelli lesson time!

✧.*

You have an unfamiliar hum in your chest, a buzzing, not dissimilar to a fly, as you take each step closer to the courts. You can see the green of the astroturf, and the back of Kimi’s curly hair. It’s nerves, you realise. You’re nervous, which is ironic, considering you haven’t felt a singular ounce of nerves since you first stayed playing netball. But here you are, pink racket in hand, and you want to run away.

“Ciao!” he calls, and you wave weakly, hoping he can’t see the slightly strange expression on your face. 

He clocks you immediately. “Huh, you look nervous.” he comments, casually, but you can see the corners of his lips tugging upwards.

“What? No, I’m not-” you begin, but he’s suddenly very much in your face and now you very much are nervous.

“Do I make you nervous?” he asks quietly, a wicked look on his face, and you can’t help but admire his annoyingly perfect eyelashes. Then he lets out a hearty laugh, and he’s back near the net, and you’re somewhat dazed and definitely confused as to why you can still feel his burning stare.

“No, I’m just embarrassed. I told you I was hopeless, and I was being deadly serious. My dad, he plays tennis. He loves it. He’s probably a fan, y’know? And he used to drag me to play, every weekend, and I hated it, and he was so upset. But I was just so bad, it was almost funny. I mean, I literally can’t hit the ball.” you admit, somewhat exasperated. And you don’t know why you’re so loud, or so worked up, but you hate that pit in your stomach that is slowly swallowing the joy out of the situation. And for a moment, you imagine Kimi will be staring at you with that same look of disappointment you’d see every Saturday. 

But he isn’t, he’s staring at you kindly. Warmly. In a way you don’t think anyone’s really looked at you before, like you’re something worth studying. Something a bit wild, and a bit confusing, but worth the risk nonetheless.

“Well-” he clasps his hands together absent-mindedly- “I’m not your dad. And frankly, I just wanted to spend some time with you, so I don’t care if you’re rubbish. It’ll be fun, come on. And I guarantee, by the end of it, you’ll be able to hit the ball.” he promises, talking quickly so his words weigh less. So they shoot out faster, and disappear faster, but he doesn’t realise that you’ve grabbed them and tucked them somewhere deep, somewhere safe.

You smile gratefully, carefully. Not obvious, just a small, slow curve. One he’ll only catch if he’s really looking at you. He smiles back, and that’s your answer.

“Okay, okay. Sure, you’re right.” you mumble, nodding, and he picks up his racket quickly.

He launches into gentle explanations and guides your hands around the handle, and then he’s throwing balls at you, trying to remain patient as you complain about your wrist hurting or your feet slipping. You try to break down your obstinance, to be open-minded, but with each weak shot you feel a familiar urge to smash your racket on the ground until it turns into plastic shards. You can tell he can sense your frustration, but he looks unsure on what to do, how to calm you down inside when you seem calm on the outside.

“Okay, I see what you mean now. Although, it almost seems like you want to be bad at this. You have the strength, and the speed, to hit it back well, so you’re being a bit obtuse, eh?” he suggests, and you would be offended, but you can tell he had decided on a whim to use the word ‘obtuse’ and he seems to be regretting it. So instead, you cackle.

“Obtuse? Well that is rather rude of you, Antonelli.” you mock quietly, and he frowns, but his smile betrays him. He shakes his head as he comes up behind you, placing his hands over yours.

“Okay, follow my movement.” he whispers, as he swings his arms back and forth gently. You comply, moving in time with him, and eventually he moves away. You pretend you don’t notice the absence of his body, and keep mirroring his swing. And then, a ball is thrown at you, and you watch as it bounces straight off the middle of your racket with a satisfying ‘thud.’ It flies over the net, and you wait for the clink of the metal fence, but it never comes, because Kimi returns it gently. So you do the same, until his shots grow faster, and harder, and you’re running, swinging your racket slightly erratically as you chase the ball, desperate to hold the rally. He sends a vicious shot, directly into the corner opposite, and you know you’re beat. Obviously, you wouldn’t be able to hold your own forever. But your body moves without thinking, and you manage to whack the ball pathetically and it flies just over the net. Kimi doesn’t return it, since he didn’t expect to see it come back his way. You have to stop yourself from yelling “Fifteen, love!”, but you still punch the air proudly.

He chuckles, and you can hear a hint of surprise in his tone.

“That was genuinely good. Like, impressive.” he exclaims, and you grin.

“Maybe we should have a proper match.” you suggest, but he raises an eyebrow.

“I wouldn’t go that far. But you should try playing with your dad again.”

yourusername

yourusername collecting sports like infinity stones or whatever the phrase is! kimiantonelli can confirm im on my way to wimbledon. isackhadjar gabibortoleto boys vs girls football next ??

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iloveantonelli ohmywordhowdoirecoverfromthis

helovesmeyeah dorisack football confiremd

aurelianobels why are my feet on ur main

⤷ yourusername absolutely no one wouldve notcied if u hadnt said that

francocolapinto no basketball then?

⤷ chloechambers no x

olliebearman rugby or tennis???

⤷ user46 this feels like a loaded question

⤷ yourusername neither- netball!

kimiantonelli you were better than i thought youd be

⤷ yourusername i told u i was crap in advance

academygirlsgossip

academygirlsgossip some memes after yourusername's new post, are you team ollie or kimi?

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helovesmeyeah im team dorisack

✧.*

“Alright, football. Now, I hope you know this is going to be a very serious game, highest stakes possible. Ninety minutes of solid locking in, no slacking. I will simultaneously carry the entire game and referee, so don’t try anything funny, understood?” shouts Isack, standing boldly in the middle of the pitch, and you wonder if you might’ve just accidentally enlisted into some shocking sub-section of the military, based on his loud voice and insane posture.

Gabi joins him, laughing quietly while shaking his head. “You can all relax, it’s going to be fun. Essentially, don’t touch the ball, and don’t attack anyone-” he begins, eyeing up Liam and Ollie aggressively, “-and don’t let Isack boss you around, okay? He doesn’t know how to take a day off.” 

The french man to his right scoffs angrily but still cracks a smile, and everyone lets out a sigh of relief. 

Soon, the game is afoot, and it’s so much more fun than you’d imagined, the ball sliding between your feet and flying erratically on the green as you lazily pass to any flashes of your girls you can find. You’ve found yourself naturally flanking the wings, sprinting up alongside the ball.

The goal is approaching quickly, and you’d never made it this close- the boys are annoyingly much better. But here you are, Aurelia in your peripheral vision, the ball dancing at her feet. Jack goes in towards her, trying to tap the ball away, but she kicks it in your general direction desperately, and you sprint for it.

It’s spinning, too close to the white line, too far away, but you keep sprinting, ignoring a burning in your chest.

Your right foot launches out and flicks it backwards, back into play, and you turn quickly to aim for a shot, but someone else has got to it first.

Ollie looks down at you, a small smile flashed on his face, his hair horrifically messy yet still horrifically perfect. There's something that resembles fondness in his stare, but his eyes are wide and his eyebrows are raised just high enough that you know he’s challenging you.

You laugh at him, just slightly, before your feet are against his, and you’re fighting desperately for the ball back, ignoring when your ankles collide on when he knocks your knees. It’s an erratic tangle of limbs and laughs and breaths and you barely notice your hands on his chest, balancing yourself as you finally, finally manage to tear the ball away from him. Your shot is on target. It sails past an unsuspecting Franco, and it’s your first goal.

You don’t notice how everyone stares at you when you go to high-five Ollie, you don’t notice the glower on Kimi’s face, because you’re too busy looking at him, how his hand fits against yours.

✧.*

Jack and Lia decide to force you all to try surfing next, a ridiculous ordeal.

“I don’t really do watersports.” you huff slightly, arms folded, as Kimi passes you a wetsuit.

“You’d hate our other friends, then. They’re rowers.” he says quietly, but you catch him sneering, and you smile weakly. 

He stops, and looks at you seriously.

“Are you okay? You look particularly miserable. Kind of how you looked before tennis. It’s not me, is it?” he asks, more genuine now, and you whack his arm.

“Don’t be stupid. Of course it’s not you, I just- I just really don’t like the idea of going surfing. I don’t know, maybe it was Jaws or whatever, but it never seems to end well.” you admit honestly, and you can tell he’s holding in an evil chuckle.

“You’re scared of sharks? There’s no sharks here, you’re fine.”

You huff, adamant. “Well, of course I know that, Antonelli. But there’s still a very high and valid risk of drowning, or something.” you reply, but he just looks at you ruefully, and you can't describe the way it tugs at your chest a little.

“Well, I’ve seen you swim. You’re strong, you don’t need to worry. Also, let’s stick together, okay? Because I think I’m going to be rubbish anyway, I have no sense of balance.” he replies carefully, but friendly. Warm, reassuring. 

So you pull on the suit, tuck your scuffed board under your arm and slip your hand into his, sprinting straight into the sea.

Jack and Lia shout instructions and demonstrate various ways to stand, an easy step-by-step type thing for you all to follow, and you copy them dutifully, aware that Kimi never leaves your side.

You’re up, soon enough, all thoughts of fear dissipated, because you’re too busy laughing at him as he tumbles again and again into the water, his hair growing more unruly and more curly with each violent dunk.

“You truly are rubbish at this!” you yell, hands cupped, watching him paddle awkwardly towards you.

He scowls at you, before wobbling to his knees, and then his feet. For one glorious moment, he’s standing, and the sun bounces around him like a perfect halo. He looks as though he was born of the ocean, something slightly other-wordly. And when he grins at you, you see his teeth, which you could almost affectionately call fangs.

But it is momentary, because he falls straight off, dragging you down with him.

And as you plunge headfirst, you forget to be scared of drowning, because his elated face is imprinted in your mind.

yourusername

yourusername recent dump!! summer looks good on us 😎 thx for the camera photo man olliebearman

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user79 not her only tagging ollie that’s her MAN

⤷ user68 bruh u saying that like she ain’t with my man antonelli #teamkimi

⤷ yourusername i’m team me soz 🤙🤙

helovesmeyeah r u kidding me. it happened IT HAPPENED fuck YEAH 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

isackhadjar i’m insanely attractive wtf

⤷ yourusername how do i dislike comments

user27 can ollie or kimi make a move already this is crazy

⤷ olliebearman 🫡 kimiantonelli the fans have spoken

user36 pls can she do something so insanely iconic and date them both???

⤷ chloechambers i liked this comment btw

✧.*

Ollie meets you where you’d seen him those weeks ago, where you’d thrown him into the sand. The sun is still rising, colouring the sky in so many shades and hues that it’s dazzling to look at. You marvel at it intently, trying to ignore how you can feel him staring at you, instead.

“I’m sorry, this is going to come out all wrong. But, I’m assuming you’ve seen all the jokes people are making, and whatever else. And I thought it was shitty of me, and shitty of Kimi, to keep this going, with no like, conversation. I mean, I don't think we’ve done anything wrong, or whatever, and you certainly haven’t, but I just thought I should maybe, I don’t know,” he begins awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck, and you look at him quizzically.

“Um, what is going on right now?” you ask, curious but careful, and he smiles at you bashfully.

“I like you. I mean, I was assuming that was fairly obvious, considering I've been tripping over my feet backwards, or whatever the phrase is, for the last few weeks. I would’ve dropped a banana peel and slipped on it to make you laugh, frankly.” he admits, his brows furrowed nervously.

“Oh.” you mutter, the sound dead and heavy in your throat.

He doesn’t wince, but he looks a bit hurt.

“And obviously if you don’t feel the same way that’s fine, but I didn't want you to think I was taking the piss or anything, or I was being a dick. Well, maybe I am. I am jealous of you and Kimi, I mean the way you guys look at eachother- whatever, it doesn’t matter. I just thought I’d tell you, so maybe you’d be less mad about all the comments? I was worried they were stressing you out. And if I’ve overwhelmed you, that’s fine, I’ll go. But y’know, if you’d let me, I’d like to go out some time. Just us, properly.” he rambles, bouncing his knee aggressively.

You instinctively place a hand on it, to calm him down, and he stops. His eyes meet yours, full of hope, and something else you can’t figure out.

“Ollie-” you begin, but he hears it. The depth of your tone, how you sigh a bit. You see it, in his eyes, the hope fading. It quickly being replaced with a dark, bitter regret.

He’s gone before you can finish your sentence. Before you can explain.

✧.*

You hum slightly, as you carelessly butter your bread, uncaring as you stain the table. Your headphones tangle below your neck, intertwined with your messy hair.

You try not to think of Ollie.

You fail.

Someone yanks your headphones gently, and they fall from your ear. A familiar flash of curls beams at you, and you inhale quickly.

“Hey, Antonelli.” you mumble, trying to smile, but it’s rough and broken around the edges.

For once, he doesn’t notice. He doesn’t ask if you’re okay. He doesn’t seem to notice your nervousness. Instead, he looks a little nervous himself.

“Are you free?” he asks quickly, drumming his fingers on the table.

“What, now?”

He pauses. “No, tonight? Or tomorrow night? Any night.” he explains, waving his hands slightly in manic gestures.

Your stomach plummets for the second time that day.

“Kimi, are you asking me out?” you murmur hesitantly, and he nods.

“That’s what I’m trying to do, yeah.”

Your face contorts into something simply indescribable, and he recoils.

“Did you know Ollie was here earlier, doing the exact same thing?” you ask pointedly, anger seeping into your words. He blinks.

“No, I genuinely didn’t. I’m sorry, he didn’t tell me, I didn’t realise- well, I did, kind of, but I didn’t think he’d actually ask. Anyway, I’ll go, sorry.” he replies rapidly, but you shake your head.

“I said no, sort of. But Kimi, I don’t know what bullshit is going on, but I don’t want to be involved. I’m not something to fight over, seriously. You’re both so nice, like I genuinely adore spending time with you, but I don’t want to be the reason you guys get into an argument, or stop telling each other things. I know how close you are.” you explain, firmly but not unkindly, and he nods.

“Okay, okay. But, if you put him aside, our friendship aside, would you consider it?” he mutters quickly, a strange gleam in his eyes.

“Um, maybe. But like, I wouldn’t say yes to you and not to Ollie-that would be mean. I genuinely like you both the same, and I don’t want to ruin our last weeks here by causing drama.”

Kimi pauses, and then stretches out beside you lazily.

“So, go out with us both. Give us both an equal chance, then if you still don’t want it to go anywhere, fine. And if you do, the other person won’t be mad. We can agree on it. It will be indefinitely worse like it is now, because we’d both think we could’ve tried if not for the other person. It wouldn’t ruin our friendship, we’re too close for that, but I know I’d be pissed if I watched you leave knowing I couldn’t say anything because you were scared of hurting Ollie.” he admits, shrugging, like it’s fine. Like this is normal. Like you aren’t feeling the strain of an entire childhood friendship on your shoulders, like the next few weeks seem more like doomsday than vacation.

So you swallow and stare at him skeptically.

“So, you’re telling me you’d rather I say yes to you, and yes to Ollie, and I give you both the next three weeks to essentially ‘woo’ me?” you ask, torn between laughter and incredulousness. Your arms are folded instinctively, but it seems so ridiculous that you almost laugh. 

Kimi hesitates, before nodding.

“It would make it a bit like a competition, no?” he murmurs.

You tilt your head slightly, trying not to look at him with too much scrutiny.

He lets out a shallow laugh as he exhales. “We’re athletes. We love competition.”

✧.*

Lia rests her head on your shoulder, her breathing in time with yours. The quiet of the night is welcoming, comforting. It gives you the capability to inhale, undisturbed. But you can’t shake the frown on your face, the heavy confusion in your chest.

“Whats wrong, you’ve been miserable all day.” hums Lia quietly, and you tussle with the idea of telling her. Aurelia sits down beside her, a look of similar concern on her face, and you smile gently.

“I’m okay, it’s just, um- Ollie asked me out today.” you admit, your voice low and dejected. Lia beams.

“I knew it! I’ve been saying this, for weeks now! Literally since that first night, that volleyball game. I love being right.” she rambles, grinning, and you nudge her.

“No, the problem is, so did Kimi.” you mumble, and her eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“Right, so you had to go back and cancel on Ollie for Kimi, then.” suggests Aurelia, but you shake your head.

“No, what? No, I just said no to them both.”

Aurelia sulks. “But I was convinced you liked Kimi. Lia and I had bets on it.” she admits sheepishly, and you scowl at them both.

“So, now you’re sad because you’re not going out with either of them?” Lia asks hesitantly, and you sink your head into your hands.

“I wish. No, instead, Kimi somehow convinced me to let them both try to win me over, so now I’m in some violent love triangle.” you mutter, exasperated, and Aurelia cackles.

“This is comedic genius. Brilliant. I cannot wait to see the memes that come out of this. They’re hilarious, already. Did you see that challengers one? Lia told me you’d get mad if I changed the group chat profile to that picture but I have been sending it without context to people in messages now.” she announces gleefully, rubbing her hands together like some evil mastermind. You can’t even be annoyed, no matter how wickedly she’s grinning at you.

“This is somewhat devious, especially by your standards. Makes sense you’re crashing out, fair enough. Good luck.” Lia adds, rubbing your shoulder in a way that's sarcastic and soothing simultaneously.

“I beg of you, post each date, or whatever. It would be hilarious. Imagine the fans thinking they know what's going on, and then you post a date with the other one. I doubt we’ve ever had so much attention.” demands Aurelia, winking at you, and you have to refrain from laughing and hitting her. Suddenly, she goes quiet, and Lia quickly conceals a slightly scary smile.

“He’s here.” she mutters into your ear, and she’s gone before you can ask which ‘he’ she’s referring to.

Long legs swing around next to you. 

Ollie.

“Hey, I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly earlier. I didn’t want you to feel awkward. I just wanted to say, you don’t have to do this, if you don’t want to. Like, I won’t be mad, Kimi is so dramatic. Just let me know, and I’ll back off.”

You let yourself sit with it, for a moment. Your last chance to go back, to pretend you don’t know how they feel. To pretend to not see the angry stares. To pretend you feel nothing at all.

Or, you let it happen.

You let them try, let yourself feel. Let yourself let go of some of the control you grip onto.

Your inability to be bad at anything, your inability to not lead, to not flit between people and check everything is in order.

Maybe, for once, you can let it be a bit messy. You can let yourself get in the way of a friendship, let some drama unfold around you. Instead of fighting for both causes, being the cause.

You could let them try. It wouldn’t kill you. If anything, it might kill them. Worst thing that happens? You never see them again after three weeks.

You already know what the hardest thing will be- distinguishing between the warmth that Ollie radiates and the fire that Kimi almost burns you with. Deciding which will slowly cause you to melt, and which excites you. 

Maybe you won't be able to.

Maybe that’s okay.

You turn to look at Ollie, properly. For the first time in weeks, you stare at him, unapologetically. The moon makes the moles on his cheeks look a bit like constellations, and you almost reach out to touch them. And he stares back, assessing you, but in a kind way, patience etched in his eyes. They don’t make your cheeks flush, in the same way that Kimi’s do, but they are no less welcoming. And you realise that you might be greedy, but if he doesn’t want to give up on you, you’re not going to give up on him. But you also can’t give up on the tennis player floating around in your mind, not yet, either.

So, although it might be unfair, in the very grand scheme of things, you decide to be self centred. And you tell yourself it’s the right thing to do, to try, at least. That way, only one of you might end up miserable. Instead of tip-toeing around for the next three weeks, simultaneously drawn to each other yet trying to avoid each other.

In some ways, this is easier. A strange but understandable agreement.

And it was still up to you, you still had some control, somewhere. You could stop it, get out of their orbit, whenever you needed to. 

You smile at him, nodding.

“I should be asking you that. Do you really think I’m worth all this?” you try to sound light-hearted, but the question is serious.

He shifts, and shrugs slightly.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so. But again, if you-”

You laugh at him quietly.

“-bearboy, relax. It’s fine. I mean, for me, it really is. I just hope you don’t regret it.” you interrupt, and he half smiles at you, his arm snaking around your shoulder cautiously.

You don’t move it. You just sit there, listening to him breathing as the waves crash on the shore.

You try not to think about the trainwreck you’re heading straight for, and you absolutely do not think about the fact that you might enjoy it, just a little bit.

✧.*

Tomorrow night arrives too quickly. By now, your predicament has reached everyone, including the boys. You pretend you don’t see them looking at you slightly differently, like you’re more dangerous than before. More volatile. 

They take the piss, of course they do. To Ollie’s face, to Kimi's face, to yours. But when you’re with either of them, it becomes more serious. They study you, with smiles hidden below stares. They make mental notes, place mental bets. You can almost see who they’re rooting for, as the day changes.

Kimi knocks at the door. Everyone else is out, you don’t know where. Can’t remember.

You open it gently, carefully, ignoring what this means. What this is the start of.

“Hi.”

He grins.

“Hi. You ready?”

This is insane this is insane this is insane i’ve gone fucking insane what am i doing oh my god in some twisted way im like a homewrecker even though that doesnt apply how do i even describe this situation im going on a date with his best friend tomorrow and he doesnt even care hes still smiling at me like that why is he smiling at me like that i cant do this-

“Are you, um, okay?” he asks quickly, and you nod fervently.

“I’m great! Super great, like, brilliant. Really hungry, yep. And I’m ready, yes.” you ramble, and his eyes crinkle.

“You’re cute.” he teases, but you’re still rambling.

“And I know it’s warm but I brought a coat anyway should I take it- um. Sorry?”

You blink, caught off guard.

“Um, thank you? Thank you. Let’s go before I change my mind.”

He gives you a somewhat sad face.

“Would you really run away from me that easily? I thought you liked me more than that.” Kimi murmurs, offering an arm.

You don’t reply, but you take it, and you calm a little, feeling his hand against yours.  

“So, it is me, huh. I do make you nervous.” he accuses, and you scowl.

“Shut up.”

It feels different. Sitting opposite him, playing staring games with each other. The waiter speaks Italian, so he replies for you, orders for you both. It’s too late when you realise he’s already paid, before you even get dessert.

You talk about your childhood, he talks about his. You find yourself relating to him in a way you never quite have with everyone else.

Sure, he talks of a church you never went to. Courts you don’t know. You talk of goalposts he’s never tried to shoot in. A school he’s never seen.

But your stories are identical, sickeningly similar. You can almost insert yourself into his life so easily, like you’ve been there forever. You can imagine running through cobbled streets, with bruised knees and scuffed rackets. Dreaming in the same language.

The relatability makes you sick, and you hate seeing your own wounds mirrored on someone else.

You quite quickly realise you’ll never be able to heal each other, if you ever try to.

But you realised you couldn’t be healed a long time ago, so you don’t even falter.

If anything, you inch closer. Your feet touch under the table.

It’s basic stuff. It’s movie stuff.

It works, the comfortability works.

But there’s still something darker, something that burns. Something that makes you a little scared, like the walls are up for a reason.

You don't press, he doesn’t push.

You don’t know everything about him when you both get up to leave, he doesn’t know everything about you.

You might be a little bit obsessed with finding out.

yourusername

yourusername i hate not being able to speak italian kimiantonelli

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user46 posting this after those fan photos of her and ollie yesterday is crazy

user90 this is a date, what is going on.??!!

kimiantonellifan andddd #teamkimi stays winning

academygirlsgossip oh my god.

kimiantonelli you promised you wouldn’t post that.

⤷ yourusername heehee sorry

user78 obsessed with her !!

user38 i’m so SO jealous

✧.*

It’s daytime, when Ollie decides to weasel you out of the group. No one says anything, when he drags you away. Kimi doesn’t even look. You hear him laugh, even when you can no longer see him, and you wonder how he’s so unbothered. How he’s so confident. 

You wonder if he cares as much as you think he might. 

Ollie doesn’t ask about the other night. You don't tell him. You just walk side by side, shoulders brushing, and breathe.

He told you to wear trainers. Told you that there would be a lot of walking involved. You hadn’t asked where to, or what was going on, you’d just complied. When you see the hill up ahead, you’re internally grateful for not being stubborn, for once.

He hands you a drink, a juice. Something pink. You take it gratefully, and continue to bask in the quiet with every carefully placed step.

The track is worn and beaten, but rogue stones and pebbles fly under your feet, and you slip ever so slightly. It's inconsequential, barely noticeable, but his hand finds yours immediately, holding you up. When you regain balance, and step forward, you feel his grip loosen.

It’s wicked, you know it is, but you squeeze his hand, and he returns the gesture, trying to hide the smile on his face unsuccessfully.

You can’t help but think he’s adorable. You’re not alone in that opinion, you’re certain of it. But as he beams at you like you’re even brighter than the sun above you, you can’t help but feel a bit evil. You want to plant a fleeting kiss to his cheek, assure him this foolery is over, but you can’t- you’re still torn. Still wondering if you should stop now, tell them both to knock it off and find someone else to pester.

You begin to talk. Not of childhood, not of the past, but of the present. Your interests, what music to listen to. You act like you don’t see him rapidly type names of songs and books onto a note with your name as the title. You act like it isn’t endearing.

He pretends that photography is just a hobby to him, but he gets too excited when you ask to see some of his work. He tells you he plays guitar, but he doesn’t force you to listen to him play on a scratchy video in his bedroom. You talk in turn, but it doesn’t feel awkward. It just feels right, like sharing parts of each other is easy. 

“Well, Summer did tell Tom she didn’t want a relationship in advance. I can understand his anger, but I think she’s misunderstood.” you argue, arms folded.

“They went on a date to ikea. That’s soulmate stuff!” he exclaims, and the seriousness makes you laugh.

“But he wasn’t her soulmate, and she knew that. She warned him! He wanted something deeper, something he couldn’t give him. She was unsure, that was obvious. To her, it was more like fun. When she knew, she knew.” you expand, but every word catches in your throat. You can’t look at him, because you’ll see Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and you know he’s probably looking at you like you’re an apparition of Zooey Deschanel.

He shrugs. “I think he’d do it again, even knowing the outcome. Like it’s worth having her like that, over not having her at all. I can understand that.” he admits slowly, but you shake your head.

“He deserves better.” ‘You deserve better.’ you almost mutter.

“Not really. You’re right, he knew. He convinced himself otherwise. That’s his fault. And sometimes, when you want someone, it doesn’t matter if they aren’t ’better’, because they are to you. I guess they both made mistakes.” he stresses, dragging out his obvious metaphor, and you sigh gently. Almost sadly, as you reach the grassy park-like area on the top of the hill.

He doesn’t let the moment linger. He pulls out some sandwiches, and a blanket, and gestures for you to sit down beside him.

“Um, I’ve booked pottery painting for us, after? I’m happy to cancel, if you don’t want to do that, but you seem like the kind of person who’d enjoy it. I’ve been scouring Pinterest for ideas all day, but all the rugby related ones look kind of bad.” he chuckles awkwardly, waiting for your approval. You don’t admit it but your heart explodes a little at the thought of it.

yourusername

yourusername bro said he knew a spot? olliebearman

user32 “bro” and a picnic in the same dump, ouch.

user18 my dream date, cute.

olliebearman my pot looks so ass

⤷ yourusername it’s okay there’s more to you than your pottery painting skills

user54 main fucking character period .

user11 not her going a date with both of them, it’s giving trial run

user27 they’re both punching like massively. she’s everything and they’re just… there

liablock #teamollie

⤷ aurelianobels #teamkimi

⤷ yourusername #teamshutup

✧.*

You decide you’re done with this bullshit when you wake up the next morning. You wake up, feeling guilty. Feeling gross. Feeling greedy.

You don’t like it.

You can’t see the humour in it.

You can’t see how this is better for anyone.

‘Like it’s worth having her like that, over not having her at all.’

Relief and regret mingles in your chest like an ugly cocktail, and it tastes sour. You shut your phone off, and stare aimlessly at the ceiling. You try to push them both out of your mind, but they haunt you, and you realise it’s going to be a very long three weeks.

✧.*

yourusername

yourusername week 4/6 done🙁🤗 francocolapinto doesn’t believe in sun cream and is now too burnt to show his face

view more comments

user79 team… bring back oscar and kimi? where are they.

⤷ francocolapinto it’s always where’s so and so and never thank fuck franco is on my screen

ellalloyd 😁

⤷yourusername are you real ?

user42 she’s so aesthetic

yourusername

yourusername week 5/6 and liamlawson we have ken at home…

view more comments

isackhadjarfan1 gah damn #NEEDTHAT

⤷ isackhadjar 😉

⤷ isackhadjarfan1 i meant liam…

chloechambers pic looked terrible btw

⤷yourusername cause we don’t have ollie’s good camera

user43 i miss prime ynollie like a MF.

user75 wasn’t gonna drink tn but remembered she hasn’t posted kimi in almost three weeks

yourusername

yourusername and just like that, it’s over ❤️☀️ academygirls academynetball, see you in the gym next week!

view more comments

gabibortoleto gonna miss you

⤷ yourusername dw im coming to all ur matches king

user29 she’s so gorgeous oh my gosh

⤷ user29 OLLIE LIKED MY COMMENT WTF??

dorianepin ready to smash it! 👊👊

tinahaussss most eventful yet relaxing trip ever!

academynetball the girls are back in town!🔥

✧.*

Once training starts up again, you try to forget them.

Truly, you curse them, just a little bit. If one of them had backed off, you could be happier right now. Would be happier right now, laughing on their arm.

You knew you were doomed, when you’d looked at them both properly for the first time. You just hadn’t expected it to get just so complicated.

You made the right choice, by not choosing at all, you decide. Because once you’d seen Kimi's spirit, you couldn’t let that go. But you also couldn't dismiss how Ollie felt a bit like sunshine, wrapped up in a person. Him, entirely too kind, entirely too good for you. Kimi, entirely too ambitious, but also entirely too willing.

In some other timeline, you’d chosen. In some other timeline, you’d only met one of them, and it was easy.

But in this timeline?

You had a league to win. You had something to prove. You did not need a rugby player or a tennis player wedged firmly in your unfocused mind.

You try to ignore all the comments about their instagram stories.

✧.*

The whistle blows, and the ball flies from your fingers straight into Lia’s outstretched hands, the ‘WA’ on her chest contorting slightly as she pivots, and you yell, your right arm extended erratically in the air.

7 seconds.

You’re aiming for those golden seven seconds, from centre pass to goal.

The ball reaches you comfortably, and then it’s to Chloe. She lands on one foot, but she can’t hold it. The shot bounces off the rim, and Aurelia catches the rebound.

It’s in, by the time you blink, her gold ponytail swinging as she shoots.

You don’t let yourself celebrate too much, as your body shifts into the defensive.

You shield the opposition’s ‘GA’ as their centre throws a violent pass, twisting to their defence behind. You curse, as it crosses the centre third effortlessly. They don’t do it in seven seconds, but they do it.

And so the game begins, and each centre pass is riddled with heavy breathing and pressure.

You win the match, but not easily. And every ounce of relaxation, every joy from the last six weeks, fades instantly. Like it was some far off fantasy, nostalgia clouding your mind. You almost like it, that it’s become something more mythical than real. Like the photographs are sacred, and the memories even more so. A summer of freedom, a summer without feeling your bandaged knees and cleaning trainers. You almost feel bad, for not training. Like you were unfaithful to the sport that carried your life, even for a measly month and a half. You almost wish you had been training instead. Because the burn in your lungs felt like exhaustion, but not in a good way. In a way that suggested you had less stamina. And winning felt more like not losing than it ever had before. That sentiment made sense in your mind, at least.

“Hey, just a warning? He’s here. As in, he watched the game. For you, I presume. And he’s stood like, right there.” mumbles Tina, into your unsuspecting ear.

“Do you want me to go and tell him to leave? I can, and I will.” adds Ella, eyeing him angrily, but you shake your head.

“I’ve got this, thanks guys. I’ll see you in a minute, okay?” you swallow nervously, nodding to yourself.

When he notices you walking up to him, he looks up awkwardly, his familiar stare making your heart hurt.

“Hi. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” you whisper carefully, and he lets a look of guilt cross his face quickly, before a smile replaces it.

“Maybe I should’ve warned you I was coming. Sorry about that.”

You laugh a little. “Yeah, next time. Anyway, what about-“

He looks at you firmly. “-he’s not here.”

There’s a finality in his tone, like something happened. An inside joke you’re not part of, but it’s not funny at all.

Your breath hitches.

“So, it’s just you.”

His face changes into a grin.

“Yep, it’s just me. Is that a problem? Or were you hoping it was him?” he asks, leaning into you slightly.

You grin back.

“No, this is fine. This is good. He got over it, then?”

The boy in front of you shrugs, his eyes gleaming slightly.

“I clearly didn’t, that’s why I’m standing here. But we came to an agreement.”

You pause. “You had a fight.” Your arms cross angrily, realising even in your absence you were still at fault.

He sighs, placing a careful hand on your arm.

“It wasn’t like that. Isn’t, we’re fine. I promise. But that’s not what’s important. This is the last chance I’m giving myself, okay? So I’m here. I’m here, alone. There is no competition.”

“I thought you guys liked competition.”

He laughs. “We do. But it’s not competition, if no one wins.”

You let that sit with you, and in some ways, you realise he’s right. It was never a competition, because they couldn’t make you love them, because they were holding eachother back.They couldn’t actually win.

But now, there is no one else to decide between.

“What do you want?” you ask carefully, and he raises an eyebrow.

“You know what I want.” 

You do. 

Now, on his own, it seems more manageable. And you wonder, if by not making a decision, the universe had decided for you. If maybe, all along, it should’ve been him. 

And now, if it went wrong, if it imploded, you wouldn’t feel so guilty.

It would be a risk, throwing your own heart around. But your risk. No one’s friendship, weighing you down. No feeling of greed, of indecisiveness. He’s right here. You can reach out, and touch him, and there are no repercussions.

So you do. ᥫ᭡.

[wileys-russo]

Mary earps, “wow I’m surprised your ego isn’t as big as this room!” on England camp

m.earps II ego

"is this really a good idea?" you questioned again with uncertainty, watching the girls all pairing off as the jeering and stabs already begun.

"we gotta let them get all their energy out darlin, or else they run amock all night." millie reminded, messing up your hair as you pushed her away with a huff.

"you two engagin in these juvenile shenanigans?" beth tutted as she popped up on your other side, millies heavily tattooed arm draping across your shoulder as you leaned into her, admittedly having missed having her around quite a bit when she had so much time off from her injury.

"not a chance." you chuckled, the three of you sitting down on one of the workout benches in the gym, workouts done for the day but a large majority of the girls all up for the challenge of a coaster flip tournament.

"what? not even for the missus?" beth teased jabbing at your side as you let out a bark of sarcastic laughter. "oh no she made sure to let me down nice and easy that i'd be best off sitting this one out for uh...what was it mills?" you glanced to the blonde who snickered.

"i believe mary said you had some hand eye coordination challenges which would uh, hinder your ability to compete. and the morally right thing to do to avoid a humiliating loss would be to sit this one out." millie recounted as beth chuckled and leaned her head on your shoulder.

"ahh thats our mary." "she makes everything a competition, you know she's started timing how long it takes me to get ready for bed?"

"nasty nasty girl." millie tutted as you grinned, watching on in mild amusement as grace and ella stood up behind the bar throwing their arms about as they explained the rules.

"course these two donuts are the mc's." beth chuckled as you hummed. "yeah cause they know they'd be rubbish at the actual game." you agreed with a smile.

slowly pairs would be knocked out going head to head, you sending each one a sweet smile of reassurance as they filed out of the gym, some grumbling in annoyance and others seemingly relieved to get out of the small and somewhat crowded stuffy room.

eventually it was down to the final two, alessia and mary up against millie and maya.

"is it bad if i hope she loses? she's going to be insufferable if she wins." you murmered to millie, beth having tossed in the towel and wandered off with leah once her and alex were eliminated in round one.

"the record to beat here is seventeen...can they do it girls!?" grace yelled now stood on top of the bar. "get on with it gracie we're hungry!" millie yelled from beside you sending you into a round of laughter.

"come on!" alessia protested as maya requested a quick strategy planning break, the two pairs breaking off momentarily as ella and grace began to argue over what music was appropriate for the occasion.

"sod this, i'm off kid." millie tugged on your hair pulling it out of its ponytail and racing off before you could retaliate. "you're a big stupid toddler bright!" you yelled after her, huffing as you ducked your head and scraped it up into a bun not bothered to slick it back again.

"victory kiss for the winner?" mary sauntered over with a wiggle of her eyebrows once you had finished, raising an eyebrow as her arms fell either side of you and she leaned in with a charming grin.

"you've not won yet smart ass." you honked her nose with an amused smile as she appeared unfazed. "confidence my girl, thats the key. dream, believe, achieve and i will always be the best in any room." mary winked, puckering her lips expectantly as you fake gagged.

"wow i'm surprised your ego isn't as big as this room. maybe thats why its so stuffy? mary help your confidence is suffocating me!" you pretended to choke, clasping at her shirt with shallow breaths.

"mary!" you laughed mid kiss as she surged forward capturing your lips with her own, ignoring the mocking and wolf whistles from the younger girls behind her.

"what? darling i was just providing aid by giving you mouth to mouth, a very selfless act of me honestly." your girlfriend winked, pecking your lips a few more times as she was demanded to return, your middle finger flipped in the direction of grace and ella's teasings.

"right get on with it then!" you waved for them to hurry, cutting off ella who sent you an annoyed glare as you interrupted her pump up speech, grace quickly stepping in and waving for both pairs to take their turns.

you tuned out momentarily, growing bored of the game as you scrolled through your phone, hearing their squabbling but paying it no mind, only looking back up hearing a familiar groan.

"mary!" you called after your girlfriend, hurrying to your feet as she stormed out of the gym clearly not taking the loss well as millie and maya jumped around celebrating.

you frowned in confusion as you stepped out of the gym not to find a single clue to where the goalkeeper had wandered off to, sticking your head in the cafeteria and frown deepening not spotting her there either.

a few more spaces searched and you were close to giving up, the brunette not in any of the recovery rooms, the rec space, the gardens, games room or the lobby, nobody else any help as they hadn't seen her either.

with one last place in mind you stepped into the elevator, ignoring the grumbling in your stomach and the smell of lunch wafting toward you.

grabbing out the spare key card to her room you swiped it in the door, throwing your hands up as once again that was also empty, trying to call her and your confusion growing as you spotted her phone on the bed but no mary to go with it.

now giving up you returned back downstairs in hopes she would be there too, wolfing down food as you sat squished between alex and millie, only half listening to keira as your eyes remained locked on the doorway.

the moment you'd finished you abruptly stood catching alex off guard who nearly fell off the chair with how quickly you zoomed away, dumping your tray and dishes and heading back upstairs.

over an hour now since you worked out you could feel the sweat dried on your skin and were longing for a hot shower, sending mary a few messages, eyebrows furrowing when they all remained on delivered.

though as you swiped your own key card and stepped inside you softened, catching a familiar looking lump curled up in the middle of your bed under the covers, your girlfriends comfort movie playing on your netflix account on the tv on the wall.

"you better not be under there with your gym clothes still on." you warned, moving to sit on top of her and yanking down the covers revealing a very pouty looking mary staring up at you.

"no i showered." your girlfriend mumbled sure enough dressed in different clothes as you peeked around to your bathroom to see the floor was indeed wet. "hey! would i lie?" you squeaked as her finger sharply pinched your thigh.

"yes you would." you confirmed with a nod and a small smile as she huffed and tugged the cover out of your hands once again burying herself beneath them. "have you been hiding in here the entire time? i was running around like a mad woman trying to find you!" you poked at her feeling her squirm slightly beneath you.

"yeah i have. and where were you then? i needed cuddles woman!" the covers were chucked off her head again as she pushed back slightly to lean on her elbows as you lifted your hips to let her slide her body up more.

"i was busy looking for you! and then eating lunch-" there was an offended gasp that had you rolling your eyes. "-because i couldn't find you and i thought you'd show up." you finished sincerely, mary shaking her head with a scowl.

"choosing food over comforting the love of your life? who are you." mary sighed in disappointment as you rolled your eyes again at her dramatics. "sorry my hand eye coordination challenges prevented me coming to your rescue." you crossed your arms over your chest as marys lips curled up into a somewhat guilty smile.

"have i told you today just how beautiful you are?" you squealed as your back hit the mattress, mary hovering over you with the usual charming smile plastered back on her face.

"no actually you've been too busy insulting me." you reminded as her smile grew. "well how about i make it up to you then." your girlfriend ducked her head, recoiling in shock as her lips made contact with your hand.

"excuse me?" "sorry babe, i don't kiss losers." you pouted mockingly, patting her chest and shuffling backwards out of her grip before rolling off the bed.

"a loser!" mary cried out sitting up bolt right in bed, hand snagging the back of your top. "mary i need to shower!" you groaned as she pulled you back down on the bed.

"i was mocked and humiliated and upset and sad and my own girlfriend calls me a loser and won't kiss me? why do i keep you around again?" mary questioned, arms locked in an iron grip around your waist.

"i'm very nice to look at." you winked, resting your head on her shoulder with a smile. "ahh, yep thats it. just purely around as relief for the old eyes." your girlfriend nodded her agreement, lips ghosting your own.

"old is right." you teased, pushing your head up and finally kissing her, swallowing the retort back which died on her tongue, reaching one hand up to tangle in her hair and pull the two of you even closer together, pulling away with a familiar glint in your eyes that had mary's swollen lips curling into a smirk.

"fancy a second shower earps?"

[incognito-girl]

matching - L.WILLIAMSON

NOT EDITED and i HATE this but i spent too long on it before it got deleted to just not finish it! hope you enjoy

new year’s eve. the start and end of a year, all at once. every pressure of the year can be left behind leaving you to only think of the future. friends, family, teammates asking what your big goals and plans for the year ahead are. the question had always left you thinking and as you do year after year you shrug out the same answer of “work on my shooting/defence/speed”, whatever you just decided to say that day. everyone around you felt hopeful at the prospect of a new year, new beginning. although for you every year felt the same it never felt as though this was a moment for big change. although this year you had a change. a big change waiting for you. you would be a new signing for arsenal during the winter transfer season. although will all this ‘negativity’ you had towards the prospect of a new year your little secret new year resolution was to get into a relationship, a real relationship. as the years go by though your hope of this dwindling as every prospect ended to be a one night stand or just someone completely awful.

this year your resolution was to do well at your new club. you were following your dear friend, alessia, over to arsenal just a few months later. when you told her the news of your transfer she screamed down the phone at you with excitement, rambling on about different things you can do when you move to london in a few months. this led you here, sitting on the floor on your new home unpacking as you and the blonde catch up on the last few months of your lives. “only thing we’re missing now is ella.” you say fondly thinking of your friend who you had left just a few hours ago. “she needs to come down for a weekend soon, we will just have to see who she stays with” she says with hint of cockiness to her voice. indicating ella would stay with her. this led to the pair of you getting into a playful argument on where the brunette would stay. eventually coming to an agreement she would definitely stay in a hotel not wanting to be staying with the either of you.

eventually the pair of you had mostly unpacked your clothes and had ended up sitting on your new bed ready to spend the evening there, before the blonde sitting next to you received a phone call “katie mc cabe” it read as you slightly looked into her phone. a new found sense of dead came over you realising she would definitely be asking her to go out and you would be left home alone on new year’s eve. she answered quickly while standing up and leaving the room to have the conversation. you sat patiently waiting for the girl as you scrolled on instagram. the taller girl came bounding back into the room with excitement evident on her features “we’re going out.” she states quickly, knowing your detest for celebrating the holiday hand. “no alessia.” you state leaving back against your headboard facing the television again. “come on would you” she moans out to you while flopping on your bed, “you will have to meet the girls anyway.” she says poking your leg. “alessia.” you start “i don’t want to just tag along especially not on a night out when i haven’t even been introduced to them before this.” you say frowning to get some sympathy on your reservations. “nope, no pouty face will work on me. we’re going.” she states standing up to now look at your clothes to see what she could wear.

after about half an hour of moping about while getting ready the pair of you were set for the night ahead of you. “okay so most of everyone is already there so we should probably leave soon.” she states while applying lipgloss in your bathroom mirror. you watching her while sitting on your bed in your short white dress. “alright!” you hear the taller girl shout from the bathroom “i’m ready” she says appearing at the door both her hands on each side of the doorframe. “looks so beautiful lessi!” you say sarcastically all the while giving her a sincere look. with a roll of her eyes she flicks your for each whole mumbling about getting a taxi.

you both stood waiting in the kitchen drinking the last bit of water you would get for the night before you left. “are you excited?” she asks narrowing her eyes at you, wanting a sincere answer. “nervous.” you state shortly back at the girl, not quite meeting her eyes, she doesn’t reply to this in hopes you will expand on your answer if left to your own thoughts. to her confidence you did just as she hoped. “what if they don’t like me. i’m stuck with them all for the next three seasons unless i go on loan, but i couldnt imagine myself liking that to be honest lessi. what if lotte or katie dont like me. i know ive met lotte before but like it’s still so stressful, and katie might not like me because we’re so opposite based on the stories you have told me. everything could just go to shit tonight, and then what will i do for the season. it will be so shocking.” you ramble on not even taking a breath during it all. “they will love you.” she states as if it was a fact written in a history book, someone never sounding so sure of anything. “but what if they don’t?” you quietly ask worry beginning to furrow your eyebrows. “nope! none of that no furrowing your eyebrows tonight. no more overthinking.” she shouts out grabbing her phone and your hand dragging you out of the apartment to the taxi waiting on the side of the roads few floors down.

you could hear the beat of the music from outside the building when you got out of the taxi. the taller girl grabbing your hand once again to prevent you getting lost from her. she dragged you through the bodies of intoxicated people, a mix of smells taking over your senses leaving you a little nauseous. this was before you were suddenly standing in front your entire future team, as they hugged your friend. then after they all said hello they realised you were standing ever so slightly behind her. an excited look came over each of the girls faces as they realised who you were, the new signing. a few of the girls you were familiar with, due to shared friendship with ella and alessia. you had visited the pair during the summer to watch a the final of the world cup, the aftermath very different to the euros. although this led you to be acquainted with a fair few of the english nationals. the few you had spoke to bolted over to your side an excited look on their faces due to seeing you.

you were dragged away from your blonde friend to a entire new group of girls staring at you as if you were their favourite person in the world. you laughed under their gaze of what could only be described as love - weirdly enough. the group around you all introduced themselves, vivianne , beth, leah and lotte. beth doing most of the talking asking you millions of questions. lotte eventually excusing herself from the group followed by vivianne a minute later after telling beth she will get her a drink while she is up. this left just beth and leah to speak to. the blonde girl who you hadn’t been taking much notice of before this moved in closer to the pair of you to join into the conversation. this is when you finally noticed the both of you were in the same dress. “we’re matching!” you state to the girl next to you, feeling the fabric that covered her thigh to see if it really was the exact same dress. to your shock it was. this led the both of you into a long conversation about clothes. the taller girl had a lot to say about this topic leaving you sitting and listening to her as her eyes lit up excitedly, as if she was a child in a sweet shop. “alright love birds” beth starts while beginning to stand up gaining the both of your attention “i’m going to find alessia.” she finished while walking away. leaving the both of you with a crimson colour taking over your faces. you turn back to face leah seeing her with a little smirk on her face. “you are really pretty.” she states as if at the possibility she didn’t say it she would burst. a second round of the crimson colour takes over your cheeks again as you look at her with a smile.

the pair of you now talking about your family’s you start to tell a story about about your brother mimicking his actions when he scored a goal in his sunday league match, doing his celebration that he has now gotten you to start doing for him. leah absolutely scarlet from the way you were throwing your hands in the hair shouting out about a goal she grabbed your hands down and pulled them into her lap. “stop, you will embarrass me.” she said laughing while rolling her eyes leaning closer into you. “oh shush.” you roll your eyes back at her. she looks down at your entangled hands resting on her lap with a small smile. you begin to remove your hands from hers as her smile drops as she starts on an apology. “oh god i’m so sorry i didnt realise” “shush leah” you say grabbing her hand and intertwining your fingers together.

the both of you, so engrossed in your conversation and light touches didn’t realise you had been sitting in each others company for the past two hours. your thumb was gently caressing her much larger hand that was now sitting on your lap. you could feel every little mole, vein and cuticle on her hand. her face barely inches away from your face you could smell the lip balm she had on her soft lips, that looked very kissable in this lighting. you could smell the linger of her perfume that she has sprayed on herself hours before. her eyes scanning over every bit of your face as you spoke. her thumb gently stroking your thigh as you spoke gesturing wildly with your hands. your hand ended up on the back of her neck and on her shoulder as you pulled her closer so she could hear you better. talking into her ear as your breath fanned over her neck and your fingers played with the hairs on the back of her neck, you could see goosebumps rising all over her due to your actions. pulling away once you were done speaking your hands stayed put on the girl keeping her close. not even having an inch between you and the other girl. her hands now coming to rest on your waist. she ever so slightly lifted you up so you could sit on her lap. her fingers dancing over your waist as you pulled her impossibly closer to you. one of her hands began to fall loved resting on your ass. the both of you leaving in breath fanning over each others lips. before you were rudely interrupted by an excited alessia “guys like thirty seconds until midnight come on!” she said while grabbing your hand dragging you off leah and then grabbing her hand. the pair of you being dragged behind her. sharing amused looks at the girls excitement. she bring you both to the middle of the room with the rest of the team to celebrate the beginning of the new year. “so.” she stars a smug look on her face “any new years kiss?” she asks grabbing your waist once again “i was thinking this blonde girl but she might be a bit too cocky.” you answer placing your hands around her neck. the sound of everyone beginning to count down from ten now surround you.

ten

“i’m sure she would love to kiss you” she answers one hand falling lover onto your arse.

nine

“maybe. but i’m not sure if i want to kiss her” you say looking at her through your eyelashes

eight

“well she would be very hurt then.” she said pouting her potting lip

seven

“then i’ll consider it” you say while placing your finger onto her lip getting rid of her pout.

six

her toothy grin gleams down at you.

five

her hands grip your waist pulling you closer.

four

your hands go to her face caressing it.

three

“so gorgeous” she whispered to you.

two

“just shut up and kiss me.” you whisper back to her before pulling her in and connecting your lips.

one

you could faintly hear everyone shouting out a happy new year celebration and wishing the people around them a happy new year as the taller girls lips were on yours. you could taste the alcohol on her lips as she pulled you impossibly closer. her tongue licking your bottom lip asking for entrance to your mouth, which you eagerly grant. her nimble fingers digging into the flesh on your hips as you groan into her mouth, a sudden wave of embarrassment coming over you as you pull back. with your cheeks turning red you look up at her embarrassed, although you were met with a smirking blonde looking down at you. “didn’t know i had that much of an effect on you gorgeous. you are so hot.” she mumbled out to you grabbing your waist and pulling your body against hers, getting you lost in her presence once again.

“alright girls we get it. you like each other, keep it in a room though.” katie shouted out her irish accent thicker than ever, probably due to the alcohol consumption. leah pulled away from you throwing the girl a dirty look for ruining the moment she was just sharing with you. “fine, we will go and keep it in a room!” she shouted out jokingly to katie, while mimicking her accent. she grabbed your hand pulling you away from the group while you followed her idly, barely noticing too caught up with the girl. the electric feeling of her hand in yours was exactly what you needed to start your year secretly you hoped that this was every year’s resolution coming through, just a little bit delayed.

[creatingblackcharacters]

Hi! I'm writing a story set in the late 1960s and my Asian American FMC's love interest is Black. She's a classically trained violinist (conservatory dropout, so she's really really good) who bonds with my FMC over music (they're both huge Beatlemaniacs but have diverging tastes otherwise). Since she comes from a middle-class Black family in Chicago, I originally planned on making her a fan of jazz artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone (aside from her classical and Beatles preferences) while my (raised on a two-person Marxist spy cell/commune) MC is more into Dylan/Guthrie/Joan Baez/anti-fascist folk music. However, I'm aware of the stereotypes surrounding Black people and jazz music and don't want to fall into lazy tropes about what Black people are supposed to enjoy as culture. Should I adjust my Black character's musical tastes, or is this fine? Thank you so much (and sorry for all the brackets)

Well the thing is, it doesn't matter what type of music Black people listen to and participate in (almost all of it); some people are gonna be racist regardless because they hate us in general. Jazz was associated with similar types of stereotypes that come with listening to rap, now.

I would never suggest not writing that a Black character loves jazz because of that. To tear us away from our own classical art form... The horror! And she's into music and the classics? What would be wrong with a Black character liking jazz?

Plus, she likes the Beatles too 😅 if she should be judged for anything, it's that. Let me stop. Point is, it would only be stereotypical if that's how you wrote it. "Oh yeah she's Black, ofc she loves jazz" = racist. "She's very passionate about this music as an art form and she loves the sound, especially given its counterculture roots both at the time of its inception and at the time of the story"= not racist. And as always, do your research!

[ultravioletqueen]

HOT TAKE OF TWISED WONDERLAND AND DIABOLIK LOVERS

aceyuu is a better ship than ayayui IN ALL WAYS!

Is even funny how Ace and Ayato look so similar to each other but their attitude towards the mc is SO different, even if both are writed as "kinda mean" in the start(abusive in Ayato's case) they have completly different attitudes towards Yui/Yuu.

I know that Ayato's background is the main reason of his way of being, BUT IN MOST ROUTES HE STAYS THE SAME, even if he has development he dosen't want Yui to be happy WITHOUT HIM.

Even if there's moments where he protects her or is "nice" to her those are moments that happen to make Yui feel like she "owes" him for just having a little decency towards her.

Even after their are dating Ayato still objectifies her, makes fun of her, abuses her, etc, there's no change in his way of acting towards Yui.

But Ace is a completly different story, he always looks after the mc/Yuu, he riskes his life IN MANY OCASSIONS for Yuu, he is protective over their well being and most of all YUU'S HAPPINESS IS IMPORTANT TO HIM, HIS FUCKING DREAM IN CHAPTER 7 IS ALL ABOUT YUU'S HAPPINESS AND BEING CAPABLE OF RETURNING TO THEIR NORMAL LIFE! THAT'S LOVE RIGHT THERE AND IS NOT EVEN AN OTOME GAME!!!

Even before chapter 7 there's many, MANY moments of Ace being protective,caring and even flirty towards Yuu, like punching riddle after making fun of yuu in chapter 1,the comments of sharing bed in the chapters 1 and 3, how worried he is for Yuu's safety in chapter 3, the fact that the moment he heard that Yuu was in trouble in chapter 4 he RUN to help them in the blink of an eye without thinking about his winter vacations, and there's more!

Ayato's would never think of Yui's happiness as much as Ace does for Yuu's, and thats why aceyuu is a more realistic and wholesome ship than ayayui.

Thanks for listening my ted talk:)

(Español)

OPINION DE TWISED WONDERLAND Y DIABOLIK LOVERS

¡aceyuu es un mejor ship que ayayui EN TODOS LOS SENTIDOS!

Es incluso gracioso cómo Ace y Ayato se parecen tanto entre sí pero su actitud hacia el MC es TAN diferente, incluso si ambos están escritos como "un poco malos" al principio (abusivo en el caso de Ayato), tienen actitudes completamente diferentes hacia Yui/Yuu.

Sé que el pasado de Ayato es la principal razón de su forma de ser, PERO EN LA MAYORÍA DE LAS RUTAS SIGUE IGUAL, aunque tenga desarrollo no quiere que Yui sea feliz SIN ÉL.

Incluso si hay momentos en los que él la protege o es "agradable" con ella, esos son momentos que hacen que Yui sienta que le "debe" sólo tener un poco de decencia hacia ella.

Incluso después de que están saliendo, Ayato todavía la objetiviza, se burla de ella, abusa de ella, etc, no hay cambios en la forma en que actúa hacia Yui.

Pero Ace es una historia completamente diferente, siempre cuida del MC/Yuu, arriesga su vida EN MUCHAS OCASIONES por Yuu, protege su bienestar y sobre todo, LA FELICIDAD DE YUU ES IMPORTANTE PARA ÉL, ¡SU PUTO SUEÑO EN EL CAPÍTULO 7 ES SOBRE LA FELICIDAD DE YUU Y PODER REGRESAR A SU VIDA NORMAL! ¡¡¡ESO ES AMOR Y NI SIQUIERA ES UN JUEGO OTOME!!!

Incluso antes del capítulo 7 hay muchos, MUCHOS momentos en los que Ace es protector, afectuoso e incluso coqueto con Yuu, como golpear a Riddle después de burlarse de Yuu en el capítulo 1, los comentarios de compartir cama en los capítulos 1 y 3, lo preocupado que está por la seguridad de Yuu en el capítulo 3, el hecho de que en el momento en que escuchó que Yuu estaba en problemas en el capítulo 4 CORRIÓ para ayudarle en un abrir y cerrar de ojos sin pensar en sus vacaciones de invierno, ¡y hay más!

Ayato nunca pensaría en la felicidad de Yui tanto como Ace piensa en la de Yuu, y es por eso que aceyuu es un ship más realista y saludable que ayayui.

Gracias por escuchar mi charla :)

[bri1234]

Neither of us knew we were lost until we found home in each other. ~ lonely.penguin

Currently obsessed with this amazing chibi art of Kieran and my MC Ella from TCH! I had a vision and @weetlebeetle executed it perfectly!

Tagging @choicesficwriterscreations

[n0t-evenhere]

¡Hola! Soy yo otra vez. ¿Cómo estás? Espero que estés bien. ………………………………………………🦦……………………………................... ¿Recuerdas que me dijiste que si necesitaba tu apoyo, estarías aquí? Bueno, estoy escribiendo un fanfic. La trama se desarrolla básicamente después del final del juego, donde MC escapa (aún no sé si con Doble o con Haley🤔). Ray conoce a mi personaje principal, que es ciega, con una condición que le hace ver borroso👁👮‍♂️, pero puede ver bien los colores. A pesar de esto, se desenvuelve bien y tiene una habilidad que le permite conectar sensorialmente con su entorno. "Siente" el espacio como una extensión de sí misma a través de sus otros sentidos, que se amplifican. Ambos se conocen de una manera extraña que involucra a un gatito y mi OC (su nombre es Alma💖) ayudando a Ray con una herida durante su "trabajo nocturno contra el crimen", sin que ella lo sepa porque no estaba lo suficientemente cerca para sentirlo, pero Ray estaba lo suficientemente cerca de él para notar que estaba herido, todo un malentendido XD, pero se encuentran y Ray no la mata porque ella es básicamente inofensiva y no se dio cuenta de lo que pasó^3^.

Durante la creación de la historia, he planteado que, a través de la experiencia previa de Ray con MC, esta vez no busca ser amado, al menos no románticamente. Probablemente esté deprimido☔, pero aún busca conectar con otro ser humano que lo haga sentir humano. Por eso, esta vez Ray intenta ser más paciente y no estar tan desesperado por conectar. Lo curioso son los pequeños puntos en los que ambos convergen, y que Alma es una persona que luchó durante muchos años con una enfermedad que le quitó la visión, pero ahora, más adulta, con experiencia y más sabia, vive en paz consigo misma. Parte de su sabiduría y forma de ser podrían hacer que Ray empiece a perder el miedo, a resistir, a perdonarse e incluso a mejorar para empezar a sanar, aunque sea poco a poco. Alma es una mujer que ha pasado por muchas cosas intentando compensar lo que podría disfrutar después. Hizo mucho, pero es solo ahora que siente que aún queda algo por lo que vivir; ya no piensa en eso. Me gustaría pensar que si alguien (como mi OC🌟) lo tratara como a otro ser humano, lo escuchara, lo comprendiera, pero no lo justificara, le enseñaría que lo que importa es lo que él elige ser a pesar de todo, que con paciencia y guía, puede perdonarse y redimirse, porque el perdón no siempre se trata de ser "absuelto" por la persona a la que lastimaste, sino de aprender a ser mejor, demostrando así que el arrepentimiento está ahí y que las acciones son importantes para sanar.💔

¿Qué opinas? Aún está en desarrollo, pero… quiero entender un poco mejor el personaje de Ray para integrarlo bien en la historia.

De todos modos, mucho texto XD. sorry ☠

How do you think Ray would be with a blind MC/OC? This is so I have an outside perspective to help guide me.

Do you think Ray would like tea, painting, or making ceramics? In fact, my oc does those things lol

How would Ray react if his son liked fictional heroes like Batman, Flash, Iron Man, etc.?

If present-day Ray met a teenager who strangely resembled him and claimed to be his son from the future, how would he react? Given that it's true and the son has some way to prove it, like a time machine or the ability to travel to the past and future (It reminds me of Five from Umbrella Academy lol)

If MC told Ray that he prefers Ray's natural hair color, would he leave it natural? How would he prevent it from being bleached? I find it funny how NAHA would react too.

If MC somehow had a relative who was also a hero, what would Ray do when he met him? Pretending he's a hero from another country to make him more interesting.

Ray reacting to an MC with British English. He's like, he speaks English, but sometimes his British accent comes out, and it's like he suddenly can't understand what he's saying. lol.

Creo que eso es todo por hoy. Me alegra mucho que hayas respondido a mi pregunta anterior. Por cierto, dejé un comentario y espero que te vaya bien. ¡Adiós!🌹💕

hola, amiga/amigo mi espanol esta oxidada. 😅Lo seinto. Me encanta la historia que tienes hasta ahora. Me gusta que la historia no sea intrínsecamente romántica. En cambio, hay una acumulación de sentimientos y una mayor carga emocional. La verdad es que Ray necesita ese tipo de ayuda. A alguien que lo ayude a superarlo. Que lo ayude a aprender a perdonarse a sí mismo. Utilicé alguna traducción para esto ya que no confío completamente en mi español. 😭

Ray would take nurturing role in the story. He’d almost be like a mother. Doing things for them, taking care of them. Making sure they go to appointments and have meds if they take them. Since your M/C takes in the world around her through other people by feeling that space. He will do that. Will be that person when they need it.

Ray has never had time for those kinds of things so he would have no experience with that. However I do think he’d like tea. Painting and ceramics take time, I think those activities would make him feel…wrong. He’s too stationary. He’d feel like he has to be doing something else. He is so used to being on the move that when he’s given that much time to do something like that. It’s hard to do. Granted, I feel he could learn to like those things. He’s definitely a culinary kind of guy and making art that way. However, oddly enough, I could see him doing carving. Like some wood carving. Idk why, but that feels like it could be something he likes. It’s not stationary, he only makes small things like small animals but, the details give him something to focus on and he can walk around while he does it. In an off note, if Ray was a free man, he’d definitely be the type to have a cabin in the woods. Alone and content. Living off the land. He could be that type. (Anyway, moving on.)

Ray wouldn’t mind his son liking those things. The child can choose, honestly it might even be better that way. It always kind of weirds him out looking at toy versions of his hero self. Especially when they are chewed on.

Holy, that would be wild! Man would be in shock. He wouldn’t know what to do. The very thought that he actually managed to have a kid? That someone loved him enough to have a child with him. To love him enough to bring a child into this world. Ray also has a perception on time travel, he’d be like, “you aren’t supposed to be here.” Cause who knows what could happen with unsafe time travel.

You like his natural hair, done. Ray clearly stopped the NAHA from bleaching his hair more in recent time and years. So, he’ll just keep working at it. Once it’s long enough, he’ll cut his hair. He might even get the James Sunderland cut to get rid of that blonde for good. 😌 personally, I love the grown in roots hair look BUT, I love Rays original, default setting hair color.

Hm, Ray will be polite, this hero is your family after all. So, if he cares for you he’ll care for your family. That’s about it, plain and simple. Unless your family suck then he’ll be a bit sassy to them.

The British accent and slang He’ll be like. “You what?” 😂 “okay. Repeat that but slower. Please.” That would be funny.

Lo siento por el texto, lo vi, pero como dije, he estado ocupado y no me siento bien. ¡Lo haré esta noche! ¡Lo prometo! ❤️

[iridescent-solstice]

DING! DING! Childhood memory unlocked

[tanaisokay]

Aster Button • Hogwarts Legacy MC • Character Information

(Character Sheet Commission by my amazing bestie, @unholytrio420)

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General Information

Full Name: Aster Jane Button

Nicknames: Princess of Hufflepuff, Sweetheart & Bug

Gender: Female

Sexual Orientation: Pansexual

Date of Birth: April 30th, 1875

Dominate Hand: Left

Zodiac Sign: Taurus ☀️🌙 & Cancer ⬆️

Personality Type (MBTI): ENFP - Campaigner

Blood Status: Half-blood

Alignment: Lawful Good

Nationality: English/Greek

House: Hufflepuff

Wand: Natural shape, English Oak, Unicorn Hair Core, 20 cm, handle is carved with oak leaves and has an acorn on the bottom of the handle.

Patronus: Swarm of Bees or Ibizan Bound

(One is my wants, the other is wizarding worlds take)

Boggart: Herself

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Physical Appearance

Hair Colour & Style: Has wavy/curly dark brown hair, with a bang fringe that curls at the ends because of her naturally curly hair. She tends to keep her hair half up in an updo with a white bow holding it back.

Eye Color: Her eyes are a dark green with a yellow center.

Skin Tone: Light olive tone with peach undertones. Has a flush of freckles all over her face. She also has light rosacea on her cheeks, nose and forehead.

Height: 5’7” (170cm)

Other features:

She does wear makeup, even though it was frowned upon at that time. She has a smudge of eyeliner on her upper lid and goes wear some lipstick/Vaseline for shine.

An overbite with bunny teeth.

Girly wears earrings as well. They are vintage screw backs from 1890 that match her colors and vibe. Gold & Black varnish with diamonds.

Face claim: Hande Ercel is her slight face claim. Hande Ercel has dark brown eyes and doesn’t have freckles, but she’s a Turkish actress with the perfect face shape. Which is why I say she’s a slight face claim. Her role in Azize just screams Aster with her hair as it is as well.

(The right photo was edited by Ellie to give her green eyes and freckles - she’s quite literally perfect!)

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Personality

Positive Traits: extroverted, empathic, patient, elegant, down to earth, in tune with her emotions, lawful, dedicated, loving & kind

Neutral Traits: sensitive, tantalizing, sensual, dominant, can not lie for shite, work oriented & overthinks constantly

Negative Traits: opinionated, materialistic, dense, slow, kind of a mean girl in a domineering way, fair to a fault & spoiled

Scent: Lilac, Moss and Honey

Strengths: Being a walking bug magnet, saying ‘No’, Stability

Weaknesses: being yelled at, crying to easily, Numbers/Math (Dyslexic), dealing with parasites

Fears: Heights & The Dark

Likes: Her family, Insects, Bee Keeping, Running, Gardening, Eating, Talking, Cuddling

Dislikes: The Wizarding Realm, Passive Aggressive Rudeness, People who have a twisted reality that being blunt is actually being nice, Dark Magic, Racism, Slavery, Pure-Blood enthusiasts

Future Dreams: A normal happy life in research entomology

Favorite Classes: Charms, History of Magic, Herbology, Divination

Hated Classes: Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Flying, Astronomy

Music Loves: Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, etc.

Aesthetic: Honeycore Coquette

Love Language: Physical Touch & Companionship

Pinterest Board (important): https://pin.it/5APIW6Lqo

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Relationships

Father: Theodore Button - Lord, Wizard, Business Man

Mother: Abigail Button - Lady, Normie, Socialite

Sibling(s): Timothy Button - Older brother, Future Lawyer, Normie

Distant Relatives: Percival Rackham - Many-Great Grandfather

Hogwarts Guardian(s): Matilda Weasley, Abraham Ronan, Aesop Sharp & Dinah Hecate

Love Interest: Sebastian Sallow

Best Friends: Nerida Roberts, Grace Pinch-Smedley, Ominis Gaunt, Adelaide Oakes, Anne Sallow

Rivals: Imelda Rayes

Enemies: Ranrok, Victor Rookwood, Ashwinders

Pets:

Ladybird Spider named Lily

All her bees

A full nest of Fwoopers

4 Nifflers - Quartz, Obsidian, Copper & Tin-Tin

2 Kneezles - Knee & Zazzy

2 Unicorns - June & August (Golden)

2 Hippogriff - Ares (Tawny) & Highwing

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Outside Character Inspirations

Cher Horowitz - Clueless

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Elora Danan - Willow TV series

Willow Rosenberg - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Lexi Howard - Euphoria

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I FOUND THE HL PEEP THAT INSPIRED ME FOR THIS POST!! Big thank you to @masqueradereveler21 for their post. I love Gwen so much ~ 💚

[meganekune]

Hey!! Se me vino otra idea 💡!!

Lo siento si es mucho dos preguntas en un día.

Me preguntaba cómo sería Ray si MC estuviera siendo acosado por su familia. (Cómo estás historias de Reddit XD) Digamos que MC se alejó de su familia (Digamos que sus padres, hermanos y algunos parientes) hace años porque era tóxica (todo el combo: manipuladora, narcisista, cruel, hambrienta de atención, dramática, abusiva, clasista, racista, sexista, fanáticos religiosos y autoritarios) y constantemente fue utilizada por ellos sin poderlo evitar, ella se alejó en cuanto cumplió los 18, pero ahora después de muchos años ellos quieren "reconciliarse" con ella (En realidad no, están en la mierda y la quieren utilizar), ella sabe que solo quiere que los ayude y les de dinero para luego desaparecer (No es algo nuevo), así que los padres empiezan a acosarla y hacer locuras para presionarla, aunque MC definitivamente no quiere ni lo va a hacer (No los quiere cerca, prefiere imaginar que es huérfana), no puede evitar que sus locuras le generen problemas y estrés.

MC definitivamente no quiere que Ray mate a alguno (ya han tenido esa conversación antes), pero ¿Que haria Ray? ¿Cómo lo manejaría? ¿Cómo sería su apoyo hacia MC?

La reacción de MC antes los "intentos de reconciliación" de su familia:

Hi! Sorry for the late response - I’ve been kind of busy irl so I’m slowly working through my inbox rn😭 Anyway I love this question! I understand it’s super tough to deal with narcissistic/abusive parents….But Ray can help you with that 😊 (Totally in a healthy way I’m sure…)

Ray hates it when people romanticize family, hates the way society treats blood ties like sacred chains. To him, being born into someone’s house doesn’t mean they earned the right to stay in your life—and he learned that young. He was sold, traded away by the woman who was supposed to love him unconditionally. And for what? A fix, a fleeting high. She handed over her sons like they were trash on the curb and walked away without even looking back.

So yeah, he’s jealous of people with functional families and loving parents. He sometimes wonders what his life might’ve looked like if his mother had chosen to protect them instead. Maybe in another universe, Ray could’ve had a normal, happy life. But it’s too late now—the Ray in this universe has 20+ years of quiet, pent-up rage, and the last thing he’ll ever do is forgive terrible parents, especially if they’re hurting the only person he cares about.

When you tell him about your family—the manipulation, the emotional stress, the way they’re crawling back now with open palms—there’s a stillness that settles over him, something colder, like he’s seen this too many times to flinch. I can guarantee Ray won’t let them near you—not physically, not digitally, not even if you beg him to let you see them. He never pushes you to talk about it. But if you do, he listens quietly, rubs your back, holds your hand, tells you over and over again: they don’t deserve you. You owe them nothing. And you have every right (need) to cut them off for good. (Or maybe he would just block their numbers for you, hide away your phone, and keep you locked up in the apartment—depending on how you react to his advice.)

He doesn’t want to break the “no killing” rule. You asked him not to. But god, he wants to. He really fucking wants to. That desire pulses under his skin like a second heartbeat—part fury, part protectiveness, part intense belief that no one should hurt you and just walk away. Not even your family can be spared.

But if they keep pushing? If they keep coming?

Maybe one day your family texts to say they’ve suddenly moved to Europe. And then they just… vanish. Radio silence. No calls, no emails, no drama. You might feel confused, even a little unsettled. But Ray just pulls you into his arms and tells you it’s over now, that everything’s going to be okay. And maybe you will never find out what’s locked in that closet behind a hidden corner in his apartment: a few old phones with cracked screens, blood under the glass.