#otp: if i believe in one thing i believe in her

[emjayewrites]

are you with me or what? (fouled by fate epilogue) • aurelien tchouameni

SYNOPSIS: Aurélien Tchouaméni, one of football’s rising stars, is used to navigating the pressures of the pitch—but nothing could prepare him for an arranged marriage. With his family’s legacy and cultural traditions at stake, Aurélien reluctantly agrees to marry a woman he barely knows. But as they’re thrust into the public eye, sparks fly in unexpected ways. The two must navigate the complexities of love, duty, and fame, all while figuring out if they’re playing on the same team—or if their hearts are destined for different paths.

PAIRINGS: Aurélien Tchouaméni x Zuri Awanto Nchang (faceclaim Samira Ahmed @/iamsamiira)

WARNINGS: cursing, football b.s., dry humor/wit, slight arguing, friends to lovers, instant attraction, angst, eventual smut (18+/minors dni)

TAGLIST: @trenterprise @f1-football-fiend @lettersofgold @hopefulromantic1 @deonn-jaelle @perfecttrashface @2serenity0 @muglermami @sucredreamer @julescpu @azzurvertz @greyishbach @shelovesfootie @certifiedlesbianbaddie @trinitoldyouso @bbgkoo @lottins-only @pepfectionary @peyiswriting @rosiesdior @yeea-nah @kj77 @imjustheretomanifest @judesvirtual @whoevenisthiz

A/N: This is the official end to ZuZu & Aurelien's story! I can't believe we are done! ZuZu and Aurelien are my OTP - I'm so happy to complete their story.

The last echoes of the crowd’s chants still hung in the air as Zuri made her way down the stadium steps, linking arms with Lila and Senait. The outcome of El Clásico had been brutal: Real Madrid had suffered a harsh 0-4 loss to FC Barcelona. Despite the sting of defeat, Zuri found herself laughing with her friends, her spirits lifted by the infectious energy surrounding them.

Senait was the most surprising of them all. She had spent the match enthusiastically cheering for Jules, and seeing her wave her Barcelona scarf and shout his name had almost felt surreal. Now, as they waited for the players to emerge from the showers, Zuri couldn’t resist teasing her.

"Never thought I’d see the day," Zuri mused, nudging Senait. "You really are Jules’ number one fan now, huh?"

Senait rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "Don’t get used to it. It’s a one-time thing," she quipped, though her gaze flicked to the tunnel with undeniable anticipation.

Lila snickered, while Zuri exchanged a knowing look with her. Jules and Senait might have been taking things slow, but today��s public display of support spoke volumes.

As the players finally began filtering out, Zuri’s heart softened at the sight of Aurélien. Despite the loss, he held his head high, his hair still damp and his shoulders tense from the intense match. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him, offering comfort.

"You were amazing out there," she whispered, even if the score said otherwise.

Aurélien exhaled, the frustration still evident in his eyes, but he softened at her touch. "Merci, mon cœur," he murmured, leaning into her embrace.

Meanwhile, Jules emerged with a smug grin, immediately gravitating toward Senait. His confidence was unshaken, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Zuri couldn’t help but smile, happy that her friends were finding their way, too.

Jude, however, was another story. His disappointment was palpable, and his jaw was set in a hard line. Lila noticed, slipping her hand into his and whispering something softly. The concern in her eyes spoke of their deepening connection, and she led him away, promising to catch up with the group later.

The scene shifted quickly after that. By the time Zuri and Aurélien were back in their home, the focus had turned from football to something far more exciting: packing for New York City. Malik’s engagement party was just around the corner, and Zuri carefully folded her dress into her suitcase. The gown, a stunning piece designed by a renowned Eritrean designer, honored Brynn’s heritage with intricate, hand-stitched patterns that shimmered under the light. The rich gold and deep red fabric felt like a celebration in itself, and she couldn’t wait to wear it.

Aurélien came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You look like you’re daydreaming," he teased.

She leaned back into him, a smile spreading across her lips. "Just thinking about how far we’ve come."

Indeed, so much had changed. Zuri had filed the restraining order against her father, and Aurélien had secured a cease and desist letter, deciding not to press for defamation. Malik had been her rock throughout the ordeal, and her mother had begun to find her own strength. Now living with Malik and his fiancée, Brynn, her mother was healing, and Zuri’s relationship with her was growing stronger by the day. The future, once clouded with uncertainty, now felt full of promise.

Madison Square Garden felt like coming home in a different way for Aurélien. He'd been to countless Knicks games over the years, but this was his first time bringing Zuri. Usually, he'd come with Jules, Cama, or other football friends during off-season breaks, but watching Zuri's excitement as they walked through the tunnel to their courtside seats hit differently.

"I still can't believe you're a Knicks fan," she said, settling into her seat. "Thought all Europeans were obsessed with the Lakers."

Aurélien grinned. "Been coming here since I was nineteen. The Garden just hits different."

A few of the regular courtside faces nodded in recognition – they were used to seeing him here during his NYC trips. Jalen Brunson came over during warm-ups, dapping him up.

"Thought you had a match this weekend," Jalen said.

"It got postponed," Aurélien explained, then turned to Zuri. "Babe, this is JB. JB, my fiancée Zuri."

Jalen's eyes widened. "Fiancée? When did this happen? Last time you were here you were talking about focusing solely on football."

Aurélien glanced at Zuri, who was trying not to laugh. "Long story, bro."

The game itself was electric – Knicks versus Cavs always brought intensity. Aurélien found himself splitting his attention between the court and Zuri, loving how she got into the game's rhythm.

"Your brother teach you all this?" he asked during a timeout.

"Please. Malik wishes he taught me about basketball," she shot back, making him laugh.

Speaking of Malik – tomorrow's engagement party loomed in Aurélien's mind. A chance for both families to come together, to show that the drama with Ernest was behind them. Zuri seemed to read his thoughts.

"Stop worrying," she said, squeezing his hand. "Tomorrow will be perfect."

His attention shifted back to the game as the Knicks went on a run. The Garden erupted, that familiar electricity he loved filling the arena. Zuri jumped up beside him, caught in the moment, and he pulled her close when she sat back down.

During halftime, they grabbed drinks – him sticking to water while Zuri nursed a beer. The second half was even better than the first. Knicks pulled ahead in the fourth quarter, Brunson hitting clutch shots that had the crowd going wild. Watching Zuri celebrate each basket, trash-talking with the Cavs fans nearby, Aurélien felt that familiar warmth in his chest.

When the final buzzer sounded – Knicks winning 115-109 – Aurélien felt that familiar Garden high. Zuri was still arguing with a Cavs fan about a questionable call in the third quarter, her energy infectious.

"Come on," he laughed, pulling her away. "Don't start an international incident."

"Did you see that travel though?" she protested as they made their way through the tunnel.

"Clearly you've been watching too much football. Getting all technical about rules. I see you, lil' ref."

The night air hit them as they exited MSG, the city alive with its usual energy. They'd both walked these streets countless times, but tonight felt different. Maybe because tomorrow would change everything – Malik and Brynn's engagement party marking a new chapter for their families.

"You're thinking too loud," Zuri said, wrapping both arms around one of his as they walked.

"Just thinking about tomorrow. Your father—"

"Won't be there," she finished firmly. "Mom's coming though. And she's excited about the traditional dances Brynn's family has planned."

Aurélien nodded, remembering the last conversation with Zuri's mother. The way she'd apologized, really apologized, for doubting him. For letting Ernest's lies cloud her judgment.

They walked past the bright lights of Penn Station, the sidewalks still bustling despite the late hour. A few people recognized him, but no one really cared about European football players in this city.

"You know what I love about being here?" he said, guiding Zuri around a halal cart. "No one cares that I play for Madrid."

"Humble," she teased. "But I get it. It's nice being normal sometimes."

They stopped at Zuri's favorite late-night spot – a hole-in-the-wall pizza place she'd discovered in college. The owner, Tony, brightened when he saw them, and Aurélien was surprised that he remembered him from his last visit with Zuri weeks ago.

"Lil' Zu and her soccer boy! Where ya been?"

"Back in Madrid," Aurélien explained, ordering their usual slice. "Here for my future brother-in-law's engagement party."

"Malik's finally doing it, huh?" Tony said, sliding their pizza across the counter. He'd heard all about her family during her previous late-night visits. "About time."

As they settled into their usual corner booth, Aurélien watched Zuri devour her slice. These simple moments – pizza at midnight, post-game highs, walking New York streets – felt precious now. After everything with Ernest, every peaceful moment felt like a victory.

"Stop," Zuri said, not looking up from her pizza.

"Stop what?"

"Looking at me like that. All soft and worried." She met his eyes. "Tomorrow is about Malik and Brynn. About celebration. No drama."

"Tomorrow's going to be beautiful," Aurélien said, stealing a bite of her pizza. "The venue Brynn chose, mixing both of their personalities... it's perfect for them."

"Like us at our engagement party," Zuri smiled. "Though with less family drama."

"Your mom's been different lately," he observed. "More like herself."

"She is. Finally seeing clearly again." Zuri wiped her hands on a napkin. "She keeps apologizing, you know. For believing him."

"She's your mother. She was scared."

"Still. The way she treated you..." Zuri shook her head. "But tomorrow's not about that."

They finished their pizza and headed out into the night again. A car zoomed by, hip-hop blaring from its windows. Tomorrow would be all tradition and family, cultural dances, and ceremonial blessings. But tonight was just them – a footballer and his fiancée, full of pizza and post-game excitement, walking New York streets like any other couple.

"We should head back," Zuri said eventually. "Early morning tomorrow. Brynn will kill me if I'm late helping with preparations."

Aurélien flagged down a cab, but before opening the door, he pulled Zuri in for a kiss. She tasted like pizza and possibility, like home and adventure all at once.

"What was that for?" she asked when they parted.

"Because I can," he smiled. "Because we made it through everything. Because tomorrow we get to celebrate love winning."

"Not you being a full-on sap."

"Only with you."

The cab ride back to their hotel was quiet, Zuri curled into his side, both of them watching the city blur past. Tomorrow would be grand and meaningful, but these moments – just them, just peace – were the ones Aurélien treasured most.

_______________________________________________

The evening was vibrant, alive with the rhythms of Cameroonian and Eritrean music blending seamlessly. The venue in Brooklyn had been transformed into a kaleidoscope of culture, draped in colorful fabrics and traditional decor. Brynn looked radiant, her intricate Habesha kemis dress sparkling under the twinkling lights, while Malik beamed with pride beside her.

Zuri’s dress caught the attention of many, the gold and red fabric flowing around her as she moved through the crowd. She found her mother near the dance floor, and before she knew it, they were swaying together to the beat, laughing like they hadn’t in years. The weight of the past few months seemed to lift in that moment, replaced by the pure joy of celebrating love and family.

Aurélien soon joined them, his broad smile lighting up his face as he pulled Zuri into his arms. They danced together, caught up in the music, the energy of the room, and the warmth of each other. Zuri felt her heart swell with happiness. They had faced so much, but love had carried them through every storm.

Malik’s voice cut through the music as he raised a toast, his arm around Brynn. "To family, to love, and to the future we’re all building together!" he declared, his deep voice full of emotion.

The room erupted in cheers, and Zuri felt tears prick her eyes. She caught Aurélien’s gaze, and he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered.

Zuri looked up at him, her smile radiant. "I love you too."

They danced into the night, surrounded by laughter, love, and the promises of tomorrow.

in december…

The Alpine air was crisp, a delicate chill carrying the scent of pine and freshly fallen snow. Megève looked like something out of a snow globe, with its cozy chalets draped in twinkling fairy lights and the hum of holiday cheer spilling from bustling cafes. Zuri had never seen anything quite like it, she couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty around her.

The lodge buzzed with activity. Lila, bundled in a thick cable-knit sweater and her hair pulled back into a bun, was bustling around the kitchen, making hot cocoa for everyone. Jude stood beside her, watching with an amused expression as she meticulously arranged marshmallows on top of the steaming mugs.

Zuri joined them, her own chunky sweater swallowing her frame, and she reached for one of the mugs. "Is this your famous hot chocolate recipe?" she teased Lila, who was known for adding a secret ingredient to make it extra sweet.

Lila grinned. "Of course. Only the best for our holiday crew." She passed Zuri a mug, then handed another to Jude, who pulled her in for a kiss.

Watching them, Zuri couldn’t help but feel a pang of happiness for her friend. Lila and Jude’s relationship had grown so much, and it was clear how deeply they cared for each other. Their love had a quiet strength to it, something Zuri admired and felt inspired by in her own relationship with Aurélien.

As she sipped her cocoa, she glanced over at Senait, who was lounging on one of the benches outside. Senait was bundled in what looked to a sweater belonging to Jules, her dark curls framed her thoughtful expression as she watched the snowflakes fall. Zuri's eyes then moved to Jules, who made his way into the kitchen to grab a mug of cocoa.

What's going on with these two? she wondered before grabbing another mug and making her way outside.

"Senait," Zuri's voice broke, appearing beside her best friend. "You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

"That soft smile you get when you look at Jules." Zuri handed her a mug. "You know, the one you swore you'd never have?"

Senait accepted the cocoa, breathing in the sweet aroma. "Therapy's helping," she admitted. "Making me see things differently."

"Like?"

"Like maybe being scared of something good is worse than risking getting hurt." Senait took a sip of her cocoa. "And maybe Jules is worth the risk."

Zuri's smile was knowing. "Finally figured that out, huh?"

Inside, laughter erupted from the kitchen. Jules had lifted Lila away from the stove, declaring her marshmallow-to-cocoa ratio "criminally sweet." Jude was recording the whole thing while Lila protested in between giggles.

"They're good people," Senait said softly. "Your friends."

"Our friends now," Zuri corrected. "That's what happens when you stop fighting the good things, Sen."

Later that afternoon, the group made their way to the ski resort, the mountain a breathtaking landscape of pristine white snow. Zuri had never skied before, and she was grateful to have Aurélien as her instructor. Dressed in sleek ski gear, he looked every bit the confident athlete, and she couldn’t help but tease him as he helped her adjust her boots.

"Are you sure you won’t leave me stranded at the top of the mountain? Like how Gabriel did to Emily?" she joked, her nerves bubbling to the surface.

"Fuck no," Aurélien scoffed, standing up then leaning in to kiss her nose. "I’ve got you, mon cœur. Always."

She rolled her eyes but felt her cheeks warm at his words. With Aurélien’s patient guidance, she managed to make it down the bunny slope without falling too many times, and by the end of their practice session, she was laughing so hard that her sides ached.

Senait and Jules had opted for snowboarding, and they moved together with an ease that spoke of unspoken understanding. There was a connection between them that couldn’t be denied. Senait caught Zuri’s eye at one point, and they shared a grin, both of them feeling the joy of the moment.

Jude and Lila, on the other hand, had ventured further up the mountain, their playful banter echoing through the air as they raced each other down the slope. When they finally rejoined the group, Lila was breathless and giggling, while Jude wore a triumphant smirk.

"I totally won," Jude declared, though Lila was quick to argue.

"No way! You cheated, and you know it!" she accused, her laughter spilling out as she playfully smacked his arm.

Watching them, Zuri felt a contentment settle over her. There was something magical about being surrounded by love and friendship, especially during the holiday season.

________________________________

The next day, Before Lila and Jude headed to the airport for his family’s Christmas celebration in Norway, the group had planned a special late lunch at a charming mountain restaurant, complete with twinkling lights and a roaring fireplace. Zuri had dressed in a velvet green dress that hugged her curves, and Aurélien couldn’t stop staring.

Much later that night, as Zuri and Aurélien lay in bed, tangled in each other’s arms, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. This year had been a whirlwind, full of highs and lows, but it had led her here, to this moment, with the man she loved.

Aurélien kissed her forehead, his voice soft in the darkness. "Merry Christmas Eve, mon amour."

Zuri smiled, her heart full. "Merry Christmas Eve, Aurélien."

And as the snow continued to fall outside, blanketing Megève in its gentle embrace, Zuri knew that this Christmas would be one she’d cherish forever.

THE END........

PLEASE CHECK OUT IN BETWEEN THE LINES FOR JULES & SENAIT'S STORY BUT HERE'S SOMETHING FIRST.....

June 2030

The morning sun streamed into the room, casting a golden glow over Aurélien and Zuri as they lay entangled in each other’s arms, the remnants of their passion still heavy in the air. Zuri, now seven months pregnant with their second child, tried to catch her breath, smiling at the way Aurélien’s fingers traced patterns over the swell of her belly. He kissed her shoulder, his lips warm against her skin, and grinned.

"You’re insatiable, you know that?" Zuri teased, her voice breathy but amused.

Aurélien chuckled, pressing another kiss to her neck. "I can’t help it. You’re beautiful like this." His hands gently cupped her belly, and she rolled her eyes at his shameless adoration.

"Right," she replied, laughing softly. "Enjoy it while you can, because after this one, I’m done. Two is the limit."

Aurélien gave her a mock-horrified look. "We’ll see," he teased, but Zuri playfully smacked his chest, making him laugh again.

______________________________________________

"Eti, please don’t give Mama and Papa any trouble today," Zuri begged as she finished packing the diaper bag. Aurélien walked in, effortlessly lifting their wriggling son and planting kisses on his chubby cheeks, eliciting a giggle from the baby.

"Ready to go?" Aurélien asked, his tone full of the practiced patience of a seasoned dad.

Zuri nodded, her fingers trailing over her bump. "Let’s hope Eti behaves for Uncle Jude and Auntie Lila."

Yet, as fate would have it, the drive to Lewis' Tuscan villa was interrupted by a major blowout. They’d suspected it might happen, which is why Eti wasn’t in his little wedding suit yet. By the time they changed him in the car, both parents were laughing and shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Alright, second outfit of the day," Zuri declared, her voice dry with humor.

Inside, Zuri was greeted with the familiar chaos of a wedding day, and an hour after they arrived, her son had another blowout. She cradled Eti as they navigated through the villa, finally arriving at the groom's room, where Jude and his groomsmen were making last-minute preparations. She paused just outside, bumping into Lila's maid of honor, Jade, who was rushing by.

"Hey, Zuri!" Jade called, then noticed Eti's situation. "Oh no, another one?"

"Would you mind?" Zuri asked, nodding towards her son.

"Of course not. Come here, sweet boy," Jade cooed, taking Eti. "I'll watch him while you talk to the guys."

Zuri then poked her head into the groom's room, spotting Jude among his groomsmen. All the guys were dressed in their tuxes, the room thick with cigar smoke and laughter. She made a beeline to her husband and whispered in his ear.

"Another blowout?" Aurélien asked, kissing his teeth in exasperation. "I'll be right back. Eti had another blowout."

"Damn, what are you guys feeding him?" Trent joked, adjusting his bow tie.

"Seriously," Jobe added with a laugh. "Give him some medicine or something. Poor lil' dude has to have tummy issues."

Zuri was about to follow her husband out when Jude caught her wrist. "How's Li doin'?" he asked, nervous energy radiating off him.

She folded her arms over her bump, giving him a pointed look. "No, I can't tell you anything."

"What? Not even if she's okay?" Jude deployed those puppy dog eyes that probably worked wonders on Lila. "Please, Zu, just tell me."

"Fine," she groaned dramatically, leaning in closer. "She's eating... and crying because your Mum gifted her something blue. It was your grandmother's earrings."

"At least she's eating," Jude mused.

"Yeah... weird stuff too... like she's—" Zuri stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she studied Jude's face. She leaned in to whisper, "She's pregnant?"

Jude's smug grin was all the confirmation she needed.

"Wow, wasted no time, did you?" she teased, though she couldn't hide her surprise.

"They both have my last name, so it doesn't matter," Jude shrugged, still grinning.

Zuri shook her head, laughing softly as she left the room. Trust these two to start their family before they even made it down the aisle. But then again, who was she to judge? She found Aurélien holding a wriggling Eti while thanking Jade profusely for watching him.

"Two blowouts already," Zuri gave a tired but amused sigh. "He's determined to make today memorable."

Jade laughed. "It wouldn't be a family event without some chaos."

They found a bathroom and changed Eti into a plain shirt and chinos, deciding to fully forgo the suit. As Aurélien gave him some medicine to settle his stomach, he shook his head. "Maybe those strawberries for breakfast weren't such a good idea."

"We should probably make an appointment with Dr. Martinez when we get back to Madrid," Zuri mused as they left the bathroom, watching their son's face for any sign of discomfort.

"Hey, Jules and Senait are here," he said, nodding down the hallway.

Senait's face was flushed, eyes brimming with frustrated tears. At five months pregnant with her and Jules' first child, she was visibly emotional. Jules' face had concern etched into his features as he tried to soothe her.

"What happened?" Zuri asked, rushing over.

Senait sniffled. "I wanted a chocolate bar from that shop we loved in Florence, but they're out. And it's not available anywhere else in Italy!"

"Oh honey," Zuri pulled her into a hug, careful of her bump. "Pregnancy cravings are the worst."

"It's not just cravings," Senait hiccupped. "I wanted to share it with the baby. Tell them about our first trip to Florence, how their papa scored the winning goal that night."

Zuri bit back a laugh, exchanging a knowing look with Aurélien. "Hey, they've got some amazing snacks in Lila's room," she said, wrapping her arm around Senait. "Go on, I promise it'll make you feel better."

Senait nodded, allowing herself to be comforted, and made her way to Lila's room, leaving Jules and Aurélien to talk. The men shared a chuckle, with Jules shaking his head in disbelief. "Pregnancy, man. Never a dull moment."

Aurélien smiled, his eyes drifting back to Zuri. "Tell me about it." He adjusted Eti, who was now babbling happily, oblivious to the chaos he'd caused.

"I'm taking Eti to the groom's room," Aurélien informed Zuri, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Zuri watched them leave, her heart swelling with love. Despite the mishaps and the stress, there was a deep sense of peace she felt in moments like these. Her family was her world, and as she made her way to check on Lila one last time, she couldn't help but think about how blessed they all were to share in this day.

Lila was fussing over the final details of her dress, looking every bit the fairytale bride and Senait was in much better spirits.

"Sometimes I still can't believe this is my life," Senait admitted softly from the couch. "Barcelona, Jules, the baby... if you'd told me six years ago this is where I'd end up..."

"You'd have run screaming in the opposite direction?" Lila supplied.

"Probably."

"And now look at you," Zuri stepped in and squeezed her hand. "Living your dream life with your dream man, growing your dream baby."

Tear welled up in Senait's eyes. "Stop, I just fixed my makeup."

"Blame the hormones," Lila suggested cheerfully.

A knock at the door interrupted their laughter. Jules poked his head in, his expression softening when he saw his wife surrounded by snacks and friends.

"Better?" he asked.

Senait nodded, holding out her hand. He crossed the room to take it, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Guess what?" Zuri heard him murmur to Senait. "Aurélien made some calls. That chocolate shop? They're sending a box directly to Barcelona. Should be there when we get home."

Tears spilled from Senait's eyes. "I love you," she said to Jules.

"Je t'aime aussi, mon coeur." Jules' hand found her bump. "Both of you."

Zuri's heart swelled at their tender exchange. Sometimes, her friends could be too adorable for words.

"And on that disgustingly sweet note," Lila announced, making every stare at her, "I need to finish getting ready. I have a wedding to star in."

The bridal stylist jumped in at that moment and helped Lila with her veil.

When she was done, Zuri placed a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder. "You look so perfect," she whispered, her eyes taking in the custom Zuhair Murad gown that fitted Lila exquisitely.

Lila smiled, her eyes glistening. "Thanks, Zu. I just can't believe this is finally happening."

Zuri smiled, her hand resting protectively over her bump. "Believe it, girl. This is your moment."

_____________________________________________

Looking around the small, recently renovated church at the edge of Lewis' Tuscan estate, Zuri couldn't help but smile. It had been six years since Jude first fell in love with Lila, and now here they were. The white roses and silk drapery seemed to glow in the Italian sunlight, the entire setting as romantic as anyone could dream.

Her hand rested on her bump as she thought about her own journey. Aurélien's proposal in late 2025, their wedding in 2026, deciding to wait for kids until she felt ready. Now here they were, expecting their second while Eti, safely nestled in Jules' arms in the crowd, kept them on their toes. So much had happened in those years - Aurélien's Ballon d'Or, France's Euro and World Cup victories, and her own success in building one of Madrid's most respected boutique influencer marketing agencies. Life had unfolded in ways she never could have imagined when she first arrived in Madrid.

The sound of "Ave Maria" starting pulled her from her thoughts. It was time. As she stood in her place with the other bridesmaids, Zuri caught Aurélien's eye across the aisle where he stood with the other groomsmen. He winked at her, and her heart swelled just as it had the first time they met. She watched as Anthony walked Lila down the aisle, tears streaming down his face, barely able to speak when the priest asked who gave this woman away. Lewis had to step forward to comfort their father, and Zuri felt her own eyes welling up at the emotion of it all.

Some arrangements might start unconventionally, but they could still lead to the most beautiful love stories. Looking at Jude and Lila exchanging their vows, at Lewis’ three daughters, at her own growing family, Zuri knew this to be true. Love had its own timeline, its own way of working things out.

______________________________________

six months later…..

The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over their Madrid home's garden, transformed for Zulaika's naming ceremony. Aurélien watched with pride as Zuri, dressed in vibrant traditional fabric, spoke confidently in Bamum and French, directing the preparations with an ease that made his heart swell.

This was a far cry from the uncertain woman he'd met six years ago. Now she commanded respect effortlessly, switching between languages as she consulted with Elder Nkeng and greeted arriving family members.

Mamie Adzoa, Zuri's grandmother, hadn't stopped beaming since she arrived from Cameroon, constantly cooing at four-month-old Zulaika in her arms. The sight reminded Aurélien of Etienne's ceremony - how nervous they'd both been then, first-time parents trying to honor traditions while navigating modern life.

"Your wife has grown into her heritage beautifully," Elder Nkeng commented to Aurélien in Bamum, nodding approvingly as Zuri organized the ceremonial elements.

Amina, Zuri's mother, was directing the food preparation, while Malik and his wife Brynn struggled to keep their twins from disrupting the carefully arranged offerings. The boys had been much smaller at Etienne's ceremony, barely walking. Now they were energetic four-year-olds, fascinated by their new baby cousin.

As Elder Nkeng began the blessing, bestowing Zulaika with her ceremonial name - Ngouenet, meaning "blessed gift" - Aurélien caught Zuri's eye. They'd already planned their next trip to Cameroon, waiting until Zulaika turned nine months and completed her vaccinations. Just like they'd done with Eti, they would introduce their daughter to her ancestral homeland.

The ceremony blended traditional elements with modern touches - ancient Bamiléké blessings alongside contemporary celebrations. It was a perfect reflection of their family: rooted in tradition but growing into something uniquely their own.

"Photos!" Brynn called out, corralling her twins. Aurélien stood next to Zuri, who held Zulaika while Etienne stood in front of them. Mamie Adzoa insisted on being seated in front next to her great-grandchildren, her face glowing with pride.

"En français!" someone called.

"Non, en Bamum!" another voice contested.

"Just smile!" Malik laughed.

After the formal photos, Aurélien pulled Zuri close, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss. Malik's twins made exaggerated gagging sounds while the adults chuckled.

"I love you," Aurélien murmured against her lips.

Zuri's eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "I love you more," she replied, then added in Bamum, "Forever and always."

Watching their families blend together - his parents chatting with Mamie Adzoa through a mix of gestures and translated phrases, their children being doted on by relatives from both sides - Aurélien felt complete. This was everything he never knew he needed until Zuri walked into his life.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[lurkingshan]

For the character ask game…

Fave character from the hwang da seul cinematic universe

Ohhhhhh my god I am having a crisis moment. I love several of her characters a whole lot. But I think I am going to succumb to recency bias and go with...

How I feel about this character

Dohoe is so complicated and so messed up and so deserving of love and I just want to hug him to death and then force him to go to therapy.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

There is only Juyoung.

And it's not because I think that he needs to stay in love with the first boy he liked for ~romance~ reasons, but because Juyoung understands him in a way others do not, has the patience and the generosity to give him the support and care he needs, and is the only person Dohoe truly wants.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

I actually really ended up loving his friendship with Hyeonho.

I think now that Hyeonho knows they will never be together the way he hoped and has accepted Juyoung's place in Dohoe's life, they can be there for each other in other ways. And lord knows all of these lonely boys could use another friend.

My unpopular opinion about this character

Judging by some of the Disk Horse, it was an unpopular opinion to believe that Dohoe's bad behavior was an understandable response to his abuse and that he deserved to be forgiven and loved. And I'll tell you what, y'all can just talk to the wall about that terrible take.

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon

Oooh I actually feel like I got everything I wanted for him by the end of the show. I'll just give him my wishes that he gets his degree as he planned and finds a career he can feel proud of and always remembers that he is enough as he is. UGH I LOVE HIM.

Give me a character ask game

[bengiyo]

Sailom from Wedding Plan? 👀 ✨?

Ah, Sailom, my beloved. Thank you, bestie.

How I feel about this character

I think he's one of the best versions of a closeted rich man we've ever had in Thai BL. Sailom works so well because Namnuea isn't poor, and Wiwa Square isn't struggling. He's also got completely valid reasons for withholding information from Namnuea. The way this situation spiraled is so believable, and it's also believable how they got themselves out of it. This is my favorite MAME work because I completely get both Namnuea and Sailom. I will forever love this man for putting his own life on hold to protect his best friend's lesbian relationship.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Namnuea, baby!! My man earned this moment!

But also...I know in my heart that he and Prapai fucked exactly twice in England.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Yihwa is the only answer. The entire story revolves around how much Sailom is willing to sacrifice for her. The reason why they are one of the best platonic OTP's of all time is that Yihwa and Marine never took what Lom was doing for them for granted, and they were also unwilling to let him sacrifice something real with Namnuea for them. He and Yihwa protected each other for over a decade. He was genuinely sad when they couldn't go to England for their wedding. Their friendship is so important to me.

My unpopular opinion about this character

My unpopular opinion is that he's not a bad guy, and Namnuea isn't a damsel being abused by him. I find it a bit difficult to engage in romance stories if we're reading one person as an giver and another as a receiver. It feels a bit reductive, and the characters start to feel inhuman. What I love so much about Wedding Plan is how actively engaged all of the characters are in their stories, even down to the supporting cast. I think this show captured queer peril in a real way. I think I'd feel differently if the show didn't directly confront Lom's actions as he flirted with Namnuea and stressed him out. As it is, they are married, and I love that for them!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I kinda wish we'd see Lom's dad. It feels pretty pointed that he's completely absent from everything that happened, and we know he's around. I'm a bit sad that we only ever saw Lom be flippant with his mom, when we saw Nuea's parents involve with the entire wedding.

For the Character Breakdown Ask Game

[neuroticbookworm]

Hello! For the character breakdown. Jae Yeong - Semantic Error. Have a good night! Rose💜

Rose! Thank you for giving me an opportunity to simp for this man on main.

Look at him, bein’ all delicious lookin’

How I feel about this character

Let’s get this out of the way: I desire him carnally, and I also fully support his carnal desire towards Sangwoo. I’m sophisticated like that!

I went into Semantic Error ready to rip out the group project slacker’s gizzards. I’ve been in Sangwoo’s position one too many times and I was primed to hate Jaeyoung with my entire being. But he earned my respect so quick by dedicating the entire rest of his semester to activities that will drive his enemy to madness. I am a passionate hater at my core, and I recognize his game. And then, when he decided he wanted to woo Sangwoo, my man ditched his head-to-toe tteokbokki cosplay, and donned his suave leather jacket and his all-black fits. He introduced spontaneity into Sangwoo’s routine, but backed off when Sangwoo actually avoided him and angrily told him to leave him alone. He is just enough chaos combined with genuine care and attention to detail, all wrapped up in a smoking hot face and body. I need to move on before I start drooling.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Me. And Sangwoo. End of list.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

The friendship between Choi Yuna and Jang Jaeyoung consists of 40% spending time together, eating together, helping with a move, saving seats, and so on, 30% roasting the shit out of each other’s existence, and 30% her whacking his stupid yet gorgeous face for his stupidity. The ratio is just so perfect and I am extremely envious of their friendship.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I really believe that Jaeyoung tried his best to find Sangwoo, explain his case, and correct the record before going the Annoy Him Into Submission route. And the reason why his mission was so successful was because he was such a competent annoyer. He had observed Sangwoo’s everyday activities so well that he was able to successfully disrupt every single aspect of his day. That takes dedication and a level of interest that can’t just be explained away with a “oh I hate the guy”. And he never really broke any rules and crossed any boundaries! That’s why Sangwoo found the disruptions so hard to deal with: Jaeyoung took his time to do research and covered all his bases for maximum annoyance. And it worked like a charm.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon

He should’ve worn all-black fits in more scenes. For research.

Give me a character ask game

[janeyre]

call me on the way home (1/2)

otp: tentoo x rose

word count: 5k

summary: After a slight mishap at Torchwood, Rose has gone temporarily missing. While Mia is out, she runs into her mum, but not as she last saw her - instead wearing a blue leather jacket with deep circles beneath her eyes. Worried about her mum's state and trying to comfort her, Mia calls the Doctor so Rose can speak to him.

AO3

Really quite a bummer when your mum goes missing, even if it’s just for a Torchwood mission and it’s probably fine anyways. Wandering the streets of central London, Mia Tyler was hopeful it would all be resolved soon – her dad wasn’t one to let anything happen to the one and only Rose Tyler.

The corners of her mouth turned up at the thought. She had fifteen years of experience in just how protective her dad was over “his girls.”

Apparently they’d been dealing with some aliens, Ainchenns, who had what her dad liked to call a “transport gun” – a teleportation device turned weapon. Whoever wound up on the receiving end suddenly found themselves somewhere else entirely. The beam wasn’t very strong though, so at most, her mum had just been displaced to some other location on this little island they liked to call home. God forbid she ended up somewhere the likes of Aberdeen, though.

The very thought made her shiver, no matter the summer sun that shone in the sky.

Lost in her frigid northern thoughts, Mia was quite content to let her feet take her wherever they may. Truth be told, it almost stressed her out more to be with her dad when things like this happened. Living in the uncertainty of the situation right there along with him was a lot different than being somewhere else and trusting that it would all work out. Besides, he was probably sitting there just trying her mum’s mobile anyway.

No sooner had she rounded a corner and found herself in front of the Thames, that she found her mum as well.

The sensation of the void ate at Rose Tyler’s very being as if pulling her apart from every direction and then– it was over.

Christ, but she was still in London.

Upon immediate reflection, it wasn’t the right one either, as the TARDIS key she had carefully tucked beneath her shirt remained cold.

“Control, shift me back in fifteen. Not the right universe, gonna take a quick look around.” Don’t even think I left this universe in the first place, she murmured under her breath. The zeppelins overhead certainly weren’t a good sign.

“Roger that, over.”

She looked up from sliding her phone into her pocket right into the face of a shocked teenage girl who had just rounded the corner and was now, at the sight of her, running up to grab her in a hug.

“Mum! Oh thank god you’re alright, we’ve been worried sick about you.” And suddenly Rose found herself with arms thrown round her neck, hugging her tightly.

Shit, shit, shit, she thought. Whoever this kid is, I’m not her mum. But I can’t go breaking her heart, if she’s vulnerable enough to throw herself at a stranger.

The young girl let out a laugh that seemed suspiciously wet. “Dad’s gonna be so upset when he hears that after all the work he did, it was me who found you.” She inhaled deeply, as if finally relaxing. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

What am I gonna say to her? Rose thought. She returned the hug gently, so as not to alarm her. Think of something, think of something…

She pulled away slowly to look the young woman in the eyes, brown enough to remind her of– she stopped that thought in its tracks as soon as it started, even if the metaphorical knife between her ribs was already twisting. “Sweetheart, I…. I may not be who you think I am.”

The look in the teenager’s eyes changed in an instant. “Mum?” The single syllable was dripping with confusion.

But before Rose was forced to think of something else to say in this painfully awkward conversation, a lightbulb seemed to go off in the young girl’s eyes. As if sizing her up, she scanned Rose up and down, before nodding her head ever so slightly to herself.

“You’ve not just come by way of Ainchenn transport gun, have you?”

Rose shook her head carefully, brows knitting in confusion. How could a kid think to ask a question like that?

This too had a profound effect on the stranger. Her cheeks burnt bright red, her eyes flying down to her trainers.

“God , I’m so sorry. I’m, well, I’m Mia. I’m, um,” she paused, searching for the right words in this impossible situation. How to introduce yourself to the person who chose your name, raised you? “I am still your daughter though.” She cringed instantly. Great word choice.

Rose only quirked an eyebrow before the girl – Mia – started again.

“Sorry, sorry, that sounded insane too. What I mean is, well,” another pause, “you’re not from this time period, are you?”

At this, Rose grew deeply, genuinely confused. It was her turn to size up the person in front of her. How could a girl who scarcely looked old enough for high school know about time travel? Why would she?

“I’m not, no. I’m travelling, trying to get back to this man I used to travel with, called the –”

“The Doctor,” Mia finished in unison.

Rose’s heart set quick to pounding. “You know the Doctor?” She could tell her eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open, but she didn’t care. If this girl knew about the Doctor, she would take whatever she could get. She could feel the blood rushing hot through her veins.

Mia smiled, and nodded cautiously. “Yeah, like I said, I’m your daughter.”

Rose’s head span. What?

“What do you mean?”

Mia smiled sheepishly. “The Doctor and Rose Tyler are my parents. You’re Rose Tyler.”

Rose’s ears were ringing. The Doctor and Rose Tyler are my parents. She and the Doctor had a kid? She’d never even considered kids with him, let alone thought he might want to have some with her one day.

But if she were telling the truth…

And if she really was still in Pete’s World…

And Mia’s eyes did remind her of the Doctor’s.

Rose shook her head; the thought was insane. She needed to get a hold of herself.

She swallowed the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat.

“How do you know about the Doctor?” she questioned again.

Mia bit her lip, deep in thought. Clearly this whole “knowing the Doctor” thing was a hang-up for her mum – makes sense if that’s the one thing that’s been kept out of her reach for the past few years.

Another lightbulb clicked on.

“Can I show you a picture?” When Rose didn’t show signs of dissenting, she pulled out her phone. “For us, your birthday was just last week, so we went out to dinner, the three of us. I can show you.”

Mia drifted into Rose’s personal space, where Rose practically vibrated with tension. She watched with rapt attention as Mia opened her messages, tapped a string titled “THE tylers” and then scrolled up a ways. She tried to read the messages as they flew past as fast as she could – the phrase “Grandma Jackie” stood out to her, and a text that read “so I’m still picking you up from school?” At last, Mia found what she was looking for, and tapped on the picture to let it fill the screen.

Rose’s heart stopped in her chest, her very breath freezing in her lungs.

There for her eyes to drink their fill was herself, squished between the young woman who stood before her and the Doctor. Right there, grinning so wide it could split his face, with his arm around Rose’s shoulders.

The Doctor.

She couldn’t help herself from lifting the phone from Mia’s hands to inspect it closer, or to quickly brush away the tear that had landed on the screen.

The face that she hadn’t seen in almost three years. Looking into the camera. Looking at her. She wanted to stand here and soak it up forever. She wanted to do whatever it took to be in that photo.

(As if flinging herself across universes wasn’t enough. If only it worked.)

Mia was finding it hard to be unaffected at the sight of her own mother being so distraught, no matter how far apart in time they were. Her own heart clenched at the way tears welled up and ran down her mother’s cheeks, unnoticed, because she was so entranced by the picture before her.

It was devastating. Hearing her parents, stupid, love-drunk as they were, talking about their time apart was one thing, but watching one of them trapped in the very middle of that heartbreak was something else entirely. Before she even realised she was doing it, Mia was searching for a way to fix this, to make it better.

She’d heard when she walked up that her mum was already planning on jumping back. Not reversing the transport gun like she’d thought, but jumping back. With the dimension cannon. Having her dad come over from wherever he was wouldn’t work. They might not have a lot of time.

A lightbulb didn’t flicker on this time so much as a neon sign above an all-night diner never really turns off.

“I can call him,” Mia suddenly heard herself say. Rose’s head snapped up, as if on a string that had been yanked. “If you want.”

Rose’s throat went dry. “Call him?” She blinked, tried to stand up straighter.

Mia nodded, unsure but hopeful. “Would that be okay? Would you like that?” Please say yes, she thought.

Rose nodded, trying to take hold of herself. “Yeah. Call him.” She tried to catch her breath. “Please.”

Her heart was pounding. It was like she’d just had ten shots of espresso, ran a marathon, and been awake for three days straight. In a few short moments, she was going to talk to the Doctor.

Rose delicately handed the phone back, treating it as if it were a newborn baby. As far as she was concerned, it was precious. She watched as Mia took it, navigated to the phone, and from the favourites list tapped on the contact titled Dad, followed by three banana emojis.

As it began to ring Mia brought it to her ear. The sound was deafening.

Make that eleven shots of espresso. She was going to throw up. The blare of the dial tone. She was going to pass out. She was going to–

“Hello, my ladybug,” a garbled – but unmistakable — voice said on the other end of the line.

The Doctor was on the other end of that phone call. It was all Rose could do not to break down into tears right there.

Mia felt suddenly winded. “Dad?”

“I’m here. Is everything okay?” It was so good to hear his voice. Why did she have tears in her eyes?

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Um, funny story, though.” Her eyes flickered nervously to her mum, who wasn’t so much looking at her as the phone pressed to her ear.

“Funny story in a good way, or a bad way?”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “You know how before Mum found you again, she jumped around to different places? Across, like, universes, and stuff?”

“I’m not likely to forget.” It was an attempt at cheek, but his suddenly sombre tone belied any humour.

Rose’s heart felt almost too big for her chest. She was going to explode. She was listening to the Doctor talk about what she was going through right now. He remembered. In whatever future he was in, he knew and he remembered because they were in that future together.

“Well, uhm.” Her voice picked up speed. “It’s not Mum now, it’s before she came back, she’s jumped here and she’s here and she wants to talk to you. She, uhm. She misses you.”

“What? ” Even without seeing him, both women could clearly picture the look of confusion on his face.

“I think she may have to –” she searched for the right word “-- go back soon, but I was thinking you could talk to her?”

Even from here, she could hear the gears turning in his mind.

“Can I give the phone to her?”

He came out of his stupor a little. “Yeah, yes, please. Thank you, Mia. You clever, clever girl.”

Mia looked up at Rose then, gently offering the phone towards her. Rose gazed back, as if she was being trusted with something too precious to be exchanged here, on this pavement beside the Thames, on a random over-bright day.

She brought the phone to her ear, ever so delicately.

“Rose?” the Doctor said.

She couldn’t help it.

She burst into tears.

“Rose, is that you?”

She tried to manage an affirmative mmhmm, she really did. But he was talking to her and she had missed him so much .

“I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry I’m not there with you right now.” The sound of his voice . She sobbed. “Are– are you alright?”

“I just–” She blew out a long breath. “I - I miss you.” The admission was enough to start her off again, her grief having finally found an outlet through which to pass freely; the water of the river finally crashing through the dam.

“I know,” he murmured, “I miss you too.”

And it was so terribly true, the Doctor thought to himself. Sitting alone at this table in a conference room at Torchwood, having spent the whole afternoon trying to find his wife. And she was looking for him too. His heart twisted and snarled in his chest, looking for something to close around, aching to be with her. No matter the time or the place. They were always trying to find their way back to each other.

Another sob breaking through her almost destroyed him. He’d spent (too much) time since opening his eyes to this new existence now more than twenty-some years ago, thinking about all the ways he wished he could have been there for her when she was doing this – jumping from universe to universe, no end in sight and no reason to hope, with the weight of all of creation and then some on her shoulders. All alone.

All but for this stolen reprieve.

“You are so brave, my precious, brilliant girl. I am so lucky being able to talk to you right now, to tell you that it’s all going to be okay. Because it is. I’m proof, and so is Mia.” Rose resigned all hope of reigning in her tears. Her eyes flickered up to Mia at the mention, who was watching her nervously but tried for a reassuring smile at the eye contact. She offered her mum a little thumbs up.

“We have a daughter, Rose.”

Even though he knew it, and had known it, and had revelled in the joy of it for more than fifteen years, the Doctor still found himself suddenly misty-eyed. “Every single joy in the universe lives in her, and in you, because you found your way back to me. I promise, you are so close to this nightmare being over, okay? I promise. Even though I’m not with you now physically, I’m always with you. My Fortuna.”

Her breath shuttered and halted and rushed back in. My Fortuna.

“Can I ask, when you’ve just come from?”

She cleared her throat and tried to take a steadying breath. She was going to find her way back to him. The thought overwhelmed her every sense. She was blind, unseeing in the dark, except for this one flicker of light she could now crawl towards.

“My birthday’s just gone, too. Just over a month ago now. 2008.”

The Doctor couldn’t help the short gasp he let out. If it was almost June 2008, then she really was close to this nightmare being over.

“Is – is that good?” Nervous.

She could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke, could picture it stretching his cheeks and shining like the sun. “Yes . I know I don’t need to tell you we’re toeing the proverbial laws-of-time line as it is already, but you are so close. You’re in the home stretch.”

A bomb could have just gone off, from the way her ears were ringing. The home stretch. She was in the home stretch and she was going to find him again and one day she’d be able to see the smile she could now only hear.

With cruel irony, her dimension cannon beeped at her side. A computer’s voice announced, “two minutes until shift.”

Damn that stupid cannon and these stupid universes and her stupid luck.

“It feels like I’m never gonna find you,” she whispered. Her darkest secret.

His heart twisted and shattered and broke. He missed her. He needed her. He loved her.

“You will, I promise you will.” He bit down on his lip. The Doctor was and always had been a fixer, but this was a moment where he couldn’t and had no choice; resigned to being a passenger as time ran its unrepentant course. But there was one thing he still hadn’t told her that he wished she knew.

Well, fuck it.

“I’m not going to rob you of any moments you have yet to experience, and there are going to be a lot of good ones,” he chuckled to himself, “but, well, there is something I want you to know. Do you remember the last time we spoke, on the beach?”

Rose Tyler, I- . As if she could ever forget. Pain twisted in her chest, sharp and stinging.

“Yeah,” she breathed out.

The Doctor took a deep breath. “You told me something. Something I don’t take lightly. And I want, need you to know, that… you’re everything to me. You have given me happiness more infinite than I could have ever dreamed of. You are the centre of my universe. You are my heart. I… I care for you more than I can say. Do –” he felt suddenly worried, worried that this opportunity might be lost, that she wouldn’t know, that she was doomed to suffer this next month in the dark, that she had never known until that second time on the beach; not at the Game Station, or Krop Tor, or— “Do you know what I’m trying to say?”

Rose’s tears were hot against her cheeks, her chest heavy with longing. She wanted to run until she found him, and rest with him in her soul at the crack of dawn after this long, long night.

He loved her.

“Yes, Doctor. Of course I do, I do too, I–”

The phone, suddenly without someone to hold it up, fell offensively to the ground. The way it laid there, staring unblinking into the sun against the pavement, was almost violent.

“Rose? Rose?!”

Mia picked the phone up gingerly.

“She disappeared, Dad.”

His head was full of static. His thoughts were rushing and all he could hear was the crash of a wave just about to take him under.

Of course I do. I do too, she had said.

He let out a breath, devastated and relieved as realisation struck like lightning to every one of his nerves.

Oh.

Oh.

She knows.

[janeyre]

i’ve got a few!!! <3

never change by crooked hearts by candyholly: i have read this fic HUNDREDS of times. it is one of my absolute, all-time favorite pieces of writing ever.

abstract art by candyholly: so precious and FUNNY. written sooo well

all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow by cupofsonic: reunions, marriage proposals, idiots in love, everything you could want in a fic

compliments by @gingerteaonthetardis: op is a GREAT author and this piece is VERY good. check it out!!!

Eleven x rose recs please 🥺

oh, hmmmm... most of the elevenrose i've read has been part of multi-doctor fics like connect the dots by fingersfallingupwards (a classic). also, it's been years since i read it, but i remember being a fan of out of order by lastincurableromantic. but those are, like, some of the most kudo'd elevenrose fics on ao3, so i'm probably not telling you anything new here.

instead, i will open up the floor to friends and followers:

what are your fav elevenrose fics? please tell nonny (and me)!

[snixx]

they don't know about my dark past (i was close mutuals with the most passionate finchel and mileven shipper on the goddamn planet for almost as long as i've been on tumblr and longer than i've had this account)

[fastandcarlos]

Since Day One : ̗̀➛ Lando Norris

summary: since the very beginning you’ve been by lando’s side supporting his career

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by ynusername, georgerussell63 and 3,850 others

landonorris: goodbye karting, thank you for everything. looking forward to getting into the world of formula racing next year ❤️

382 comments

username1: can’t believe you’re moving on from karting, big things are coming!

ynusername: so proud of you, even if I’m gutted not to be riding around in a go kart every week from now on 💔

landonorris: @/ynusername you haven’t seen nothing yet, just wait for those f1 hot laps 😘

username2: only a matter of time until we see you line up on that f1 grid now ☺️

charles_leclerc: end of a karting era, but hopefully many more races for us to come!

landonorris: @/charles_leclerc we’ll both be on that podium one day…I’m sure of it!!

username3: so deserving of the new things coming your way ❤️

georgerussell63: hopefully be lining up on the grid with you very soon 🤞🏻

olivernorris1: congrats bro, looking forward to the free trips to some more hot destinations 😂☀️

landonorris: @/olivernorris1 and here i was thinking you were flying out to support me…

username4: still gonna be your biggest fan!!

maxverstappen1: about time you gave someone else a go at winning a karting race 😂

username5: can’t wait to see where you go from here 🫶🏻

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by alex_albon, charles_leclerc and 13,968 others

landonorris: buzzing to get my first formula 2 win, thanks to the whole team for all your support so far this season. hopefully the first of many 💪🏻🏆

1,840 comments

ynusername: you’re incredible, my race winner 🥺

landonorris: @/ynusername can’t wait to show this trophy off to you when I get home 💞

username6: first win of many gotta good feeling for this season ❤️

charles_leclerc: turns out you’re just as good at karting as you are formula 2 😂👏🏻

username7: so deserved lando, hope you celebrate hard tonight!

georgerussell63: yes lando!! a jolly good race indeed my friend 🏆

username8: a white race suit and champagne, someone in the team needs speaking to 🤦🏻‍♀️

alex_albon: someone get zak brown on speed dial asap 📞

landonorris: @/alex_albon let’s not get too excited, it’s only one race…so far!

alex_albon: @/landonorris the first of many my friend!

username9: if driver of the day was a thing, you’d get my vote 🤩

username10: that smile is my new favourite thing in the world!!

adam_norris_pure_electric: good job son, so proud of you back over here at home 🤍

username11: can’t wait to see how many more wins you get this year 🥺

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by carlossainz55, alex_albon and 58,402 others

landonorris: first couple of weeks with mclaren done, safe to say carlando is off to a good start 😝🧡

9,497 comments

username12: carlando are officially my otp btw 🧡🫶🏻

charles_leclerc: it’s a miracle you two get anything done when you’re in the same room!

username13: i can already tell this pairing is gonna be trouble!!

alex_albon: looks like you don’t need me anymore 😭

landonorris: @/alex_albon team rookies forever 💯

username14: whoever decided that these two should be on the same team deserves a pay rise immediately 😂

mclaren: admin thanks you both for constantly giving her such a headache 🧡

username15: have you ever met two more well paired drivers in your life??

ynusername: *currently googling what to do when you feel like the third wheel in your own relationship…*

carlossainz55: @/ynusername he’s mine now 😘

landonorris: @/ynusername ignore him, I promise you’re still my number one 💞

username16: forever refreshing my feed in search of carlando content 🥺

username17: can we get these two to sign lifetime contracts at all!?

zbrownceo: you’ve been awesome so far and ik you’ll continue to be too!

username18: i love how carlos us taken lando completely under his wing in f1 😭

carlossainz55: couldn’t imagine my life without you sweetie ❤️

landonorris: @/carlossainz55 stop otherwise you’ll make yn jealous again!!

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by landonorris, carmenmmundt and 28,048 others

ynusername: finally managed to get to my first f1 race, so proud to see you do your thing in person lan 💞

2,960 comments

landonorris: so glad you were able to come and cheer me on, you’re definitely a good luck charm now 🫶🏻

username19: you looked stunning in the paddock, lando is one lucky guy!!

alex_albon: you’re not allowed to leave it so long next time, I didn’t realise how much i missed you!!

carmenmmundt: so happy to finally meet you, hopefully see you again soon girlie!

ynusername: @/carmenmmundt who cares what the boys say, we’re double dating asap 🫶🏻

username20: you two are just beyond stunning together 🤩

charles_leclerc: i still remember you being one of a handful of people watching us in karts all those years ago 💭

ynusername: @/charles_leclerc so proud of all you guys 💕

username21: silently praying for a yn appearance at every race from here on in 🙏🏻

carlossainz55: still secretly think you were coming to spy on me 👀

ynusername: @/carlossainz55 gotta find a way to stop you stealing my boyfriend somehow…

username22: from karting to f1, she’s really been by his side through it all!

mclaren: thank you for helping us keep lando under control for the weekend - admin 🧡

username23: hope you had the best time yn 💞

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc and 174,494 others

landonorris: first podium baby 🏆🥳

thank you to everyone in austria and back at the mtc for all your hard work. fans, friends, family and yn for always cheering me on and reminding me that i can do this 💕🧡

38,508 comments

username24: I don’t think I’ve ever been this proud in my entire life 🥺

alex_albon: the little go karter on an f1 podium 🤧

username25: idk how you did it but that was incredible, fastest lap too!!

carlossainz55: I feel like a proud father rn 🥺

username26: thank you for reminding us that mclaren can achieve podiums again 🧡

maxverstappen1: gutted I couldn’t be up there with you today

landonorris: @/maxverstappen1 next time we’ll be up there together like the old days!

mclaren: everyone at mclaren is so proud of you lando 🧡🏎️

username27: only got the podium thanks to a time penalty anyway 🙄

username28: @/username27 🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻

ynusername: have I mentioned yet just how proud I am of you?? 💞

username29: love how he gave a special mention to yn too 🥺

zbrownceo: the perfect stepping stone to get you to p1, I know we can do it 💪🏻

username30: hope you get used to being up on that podium, you’re gonna be there often!

georgerussell63: super drive buddy!!

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by landonorris, lilymhe and 38,497 others

ynusername: turns out monaco is the life after all, a whole new world but absolutely loving it 🥺

4,969 comments

username31: just goes to show just how much lando means to you remember!

landonorris: thank you for making such a huge sacrifice for me, i promise we’ll have the best time living out here together 😘

ynusername: @/landonorris anything to help make your dreams come true ✨

username32: look at them out here living their best lives

carmenmmundt: our next coffee date is when??? ☕️

ynusername: @/carmenmmundt I’m omw to you rn 🏃🏻‍♀️

alexandrasaintmleux: @/ynusername @/carmenmmundt make that three 🫶🏻

username33: the muscles in that first photo, yn you can’t do that to us without warning…

georgerussell63: thank you for finally giving me some proper competition playing padel 🏸

ynusername: @/georgerussell63 I did try to warn you that lando was rubbish

username34: yn always happy to satisfy the boyfriend lando fans ✨

adam_norris_pure_electric: we are so relieved that you’re out there with him 😂

ynusername: @/adam_norris_pure_electric this apartment would not still be standing without me 😂

username35: I cannot stress how obsessed I am with these two!!

maxverstappen1: I love that you’re now on our doorstep so I can constantly annoy you 😂

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by danielricciardo, landonorris and 42,950 others

ynusername: first holiday in a while with you 🛥️🏝️

7,597 comments

carlossainz55: missing my two favourite people right now

ynusername: @/carlossainz55 thank you honorary third wheel 😘

username36: no one deserves this rest more than you two 💞

danielricciardo: it’s not a true holiday cause I’m not there 🤷🏻‍♂️

landonorris: @/danielricciardo that’s what makes it such a good holiday

username37: summer break looks good on you two!!

maxverstappen1: so glad you guys are enjoying that place!

ynusername: @/maxverstappen1 thanks for such a great reccomendation! ☺️

username38: remember when everyone was obsessed with these two as karting teens, now look at them… 😭

oscarpiastri: shame he doesn’t look like he’s missing me at all 💔

iamrebeccad: wishing that I could look as good as you rn 🥺

username39: it’s not fair how good two people can look…

landonorris: the best time away with you 💕

username40: forever refreshing my feed for another gorgeous update of these two

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by oscarpiastri, carlossainz55 and 2,968,573 others

landonorris: the moment I’ve dreamt of for so many years, officially a race winner! thank you to every single person who has contributed to my career over the years, this one’s for you 🏎️🧡🏆

458,360 comments

username41: apologies to my neighbours for screaming so loud the entire street could hear

ynusername: wish I could’ve been there more than anything, can’t wait to celebrate with you when you’re home 💞

landonorris: @/ynusername I still felt you here cheering me on 🫶🏻

oscarpiastri: awesome drive, the only way for us right now is up

↗️

landonorris: @/oscarpiastri we’re chasing them down brother 💪🏻

carlossainz55: I always knew this moment would come one day for you 👏🏻

username42: asking for a friend…is it acceptable to cry when it’s not even you on the podium???

danielricciardo: about damn time 😂 super race today brother!!

username43: words can’t begin to explain how proud I am to be your fan lando norris

alex_albon: who’d have thought those two kids almost a decade ago would end up here 🥺

username44: so proud of how far you’ve come since the beginning lando!

zbrownceo: could barely contain myself on the pit lane, congratulations lando 🧡

charles_leclerc: such an honour to be up there with you 🏎️

username45: it’s been a long time coming, hopefully the platform for many more wins now ☺️

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by landonorris, alexandrasaintmleux and 60,597 others

ynusername: second time’s the charm! so proud of you lando and so proud to be there this time cheering you on with all your family. you’re so deserving of this moment…I couldn’t be any prouder of you ✨💕

14,974 comments

landonorris: I could never have got this far without you, thank you for always loving me angel since day one 🧡

georgerussell63: he’s not stopped telling people all weekend how happy he is to have you here btw 😂

username46: how do you two still manage to melt my heart like this!?

lilyzneimer: so happy for lan 👏🏻 and so happy you got to be there to see him win this time too!!

lilymhe: you looked so cute during those celebrations bby

username47: only yn and cisca would stand out in that crowd to surprise him 😂

oscarpiastri: at least I didn’t have to listen to him mope about how much he wanted you there this time

username48: I love the relationship yn has with all his family 🥺

mclaren: admin would also like to reiterate what oscar had to say too 😂

username49: I can’t begin to imagine how excited lando must’ve been to have his whole family there

danielricciardo: was it ever in doubt??

ynusername: @/danielricciardo that’s cause he learnt from the best 😉

username50: you must be so proud yn seeing his hard work firsthand ☺️

carlossainz55: so good to see you and catch up under such awesome circumstances 🧡

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

˗ˏˋ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ! ´ˎ˗

[capybaraonabicycle]

I have started writing some division!fics (okay I have started one on paper but two more are in my head) and in good old soulmate/mirror/equivalent to Dan faction, Karvanista has become the one to spell out for people that they like each other.

Just that with him it is less

I took way too long to tell somebody I liked them. Wouldn't want that to happen to you, Sheffield.

and more

[doubleragnarok]

This art is a declaration of love for oneshinyapple's story “Built To Fall Apart (and Back Together)”

I have to say, it's hard to find the words to describe the emotions her work evoked in me. Everyone who reads fanfics has one such fic that you can't forget, right? Big, dramatic, with wonderfully and canonically written characters? With a plot you couldn't even imagine? Where there are your favorite tropes? Has everything you need and more?

This one is exactly like that, and it's also written about SpideyTorch, a very underrated OTP that I originally wouldn't even dream of finding anything worthwhile on.

If you love Spideytorch, but skipped "Built To Fall Apart" because it's not finished…. trust me, it's worth your time.

OSApple created their universe based on canon. There are familiar characters and situations, but some things happened differently. The author took the story where it needed to go. And then…. introduced another Johnny and Peter from the 616 universe!

It was such a magnificent audacity, I still can't believe it. Their appearance was for me like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield appearing in the movie "No Way Home".

My draw certainly can't tell and convey everything that's in this fic. But I hope it will please you, dear Oneshinyapple.

[spop-romanticizes-abuse]

since it's pride month, i want to highlight my favorite underrated/underappreciated queer characters and ships! (part 1/???)

(feel free to add more!)

Lake - Infinity Train (non-canon)

it's not canon but you cannot tell me that Lake isn't an allegory for trans/nb people. her arc is so beautiful and her character resonates with me so much!

i have to admit, i actually kinda hated her in the beginning because of how aggressive and rude she was, but she actually gets good character development and you can also understand why she was the way she was, being a good representation of a minority who is constantly suffering because of the social norms she’s forced into. also i don’t ship her with jesse but i do like the idea of them in a qpr or just being platonic besties.

(i use she/her pronouns for Lake because that's what they use in the series, but also because not all non-binary people use they/them, and it's kinda weird to see people insist on using they/them for Lake just because she's nb-coded. she has never shown an aversion to bring referred to with she/her pronouns.)

Le Chevre x El Topo - Carmen Sandiego (canon)

they are side characters who don't play a huge role in the narrative but they are a really cute couple and have been confirmed to be canon! even without the confirmation, it’s clear that they were written to be a romantic couple.

mild spoiler: after the series ends, they stop being antagonists and instead put up a food truck together! it’s the cutest thing, i swear

Ryan x Min-gi - Infinity Train (non-canon)

my OTP through and through! i say non-canon but the romance is so heavily implied, you cannot ignore it.

they're a good example of childhood friends who had a complicated relationship where both individuals did something wrong, but in the end, they grow as people and manage to mend their relationship together.

Moomin x Snufkin - Moominvalley (canon)

i have only read one of the books and watched a few clips of these two characters but from that alone, it's clear that they were written as lovers (and the author is queer too!)

they are a beautiful portrayal of long-distance relationship where both individuals have different needs in life, but still want to be with each other regardless.

Terrestrius / Terry - The Dragon Prince (canon)

Terry is canonically transmasc and they actually manage to explain this in the series, without making it sound too forced or expository. he's such a sweetheart too, and his relationship with Claudia is actually really sweet, despite the fact that she's one of the villains.

Carmen x Julia - Carmen Sandiego (non-canon)

again, i say non-canon but it is heavily implied that they have feelings for each other, especially in the extra interactive episode, where Carmen leaves a bouquet of red roses for Julia, and Julia is shown to blush when receiving them.

Amaya x Janai - The Dragon Prince (canon)

what’s that? it’s actually possible to write an enemies to lovers romance that is healthy and not extremely abusive?

Amaya and Janai have such a good relationship in S5 (and Amaya is also a great disabled representation!) Janai actually learns sign language to communicate with Amaya, and there are no unnecessary miscommunication plots or drama, they’re just a really loving wlw couple.

Benson x Troy - Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (canon)

when i say we need more mlm ships in animated media!! i’m so glad us sapphics are getting a lot of representation but it’s time cartoons started including more queer men.

benson and troy are just a really sweet couple with a good relationship that doesn’t have a ton of pining or unnecessary angst. while i love complex and tragic queer relationships, i also think that it’s good to show teenagers just being teenagers sometimes.

this opinion seems to be scarce in the queer community, which really annoys me tbh.

Raine x Eda - The Owl House (canon)

i cannot believe that given the popularity of TOH, Raeda is still such an overlooked ship. this might be an unpopular opinion but Raeda is better written and has more chemistry than Lumity and Huntlow.

just within the span of Raine's introductory episode, they managed to establish a clearly romantic past between these two characters, and also an interesting dynamic. and even though they didn't have much screentime, they still turned out to be the best ship in the series. (again, just my opinion, don't come at me)

i think it's so important to show older queer people in media, just as it is important to show younger queer characters. it helps establish the fact that queerness has always existed and isn't some newfound trend that social media invented. not to mention, raeda is one of the very few canon ships that include a non-binary character.

[captain-barnes-writes]

What is soft launch? (Carlos Sainz)

Part three

Summary: Max Verstappen’s ex girlfriend moves on with none other than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and they’ve managed to keep their relationship under wraps until now. Part one | part two |

Face claim: Cindy Kimberly

Type: insta au

Pair: Carlos Sainz x reader x ex!Max Verstappen

Warning: this is all over the place, fluffy Carlos, Lando Norris all up in the comments lol, salty max

————————

YourUsername posted a story

Replies

Username shots fired!

Username the pettiness is real🫢

Yourbff and he always remembers not to cheat!

YourUsername: girl stop 😭😭 you know what I’m gonna delete this

Yourbff 🔪

DanielRicciardo Carlos might as well have bought the whole flower shop lmao

YourUsername don’t give him any ideas 🫣

LandoNorris this will cause more drama with Max😑

YourUsername he started it, he should’ve never posted that story in the first place!

LandoNorris I know, I scolded him for it trust me

CarlosSainz55 anything for you princesa

YourUsername 🥰♥️

MaxVerstappen1 I’m sorry

YourUsername just let me move on in peace

MaxVerstappen1 I just don’t know why it had to be Carlos

YourUsername we fell in love, simple as that.

YourUsername deleted their story

———

20,890 likes

F1Wags Carlos Sainz and Y/N arriving at the paddock for the Barcelona Grand Prix. This is the first time the couple are seen in public after recently confirming their relationship (after secretly dating for one year). I wonder how this will go down after Max’s insta story a few days about Y/N caused some drama.

Comments

Username honestly I ship it

Username same 😶

Username I can’t believe she’s back 🥹

Username max and y/n are still my one true pair

Username he definitely cheated, that’s not an OTP😑

Username those were just rumors

Username I smell even more drama just wait on it

Username I still can’t believe Max posted that story about her as though he doesn’t have his own family now🤡

Username True. I actually feel bad for Kelly after that

Username maybe he realized the grass wasn’t greener on the other side 🤐

Username 2 years too late for that

———

18,675 likes

F1world Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen were spotted having, what seems, a serious conversation ahead of the Barcelona Grand Prix. This comes after Carlos and Max’s ex-girlfriend, Y/N, confirmed they’ve been in a relationship for the last year. Max had an outburst and posted a story of Y/N holding flowers reminiscing on their relationship which he deleted after a few minutes. The drivers seemed annoyed and Carlos at some point walked away from the Red Bull driver.

Comments

Username i knew there’d be drama 😭

Username I hope they can get past it seeing they have to see each other all the time

Username same here

Username shouldn’t be dating his mate’s ex then

Username oh to be Y/N and have two drivers fight over her 😮‍💨

Username She has the grid rizz 😏

Username she’s immaculate

Username tbh she had most drivers on a chokehold ever since she was with Max👀

Username they’re all in her likes and comments a lot of the time 🫢

Username this is Max’s karma

Username ^^ yes

———

Liked by YourUsername, CharlesLeclerc and others

CarlosSainz55 Podium today, so many good things to celebrate 🙌

Comments

YourUsername proud of you baby!😮‍💨

CarlosSainz55 we’re celebrating tonight princesa 😘

LandoNorris keep it pg Carlos 😑 there’s kids here

CarlosSainz55 yeah, you!

LandoNorris 🤬

ScuderiaFerrari that’s our boy!

Username the way he included Y/N in his post too🥹

Username he’s simping hard

Username I wonder what max and him talked about

Username it didn’t look good🫢

Username definitely about y/n

Username she looks better with you than she ever did with max 🤤

Comment liked by CarlosSainz55

Username not carlos liking my comment lmao

———

Liked by CarlosSainz55, MaxVerstappen1, LewisHamilton and others

YourUsername Red for Ferrari ❤️‍🔥

Comments

ScuderiaFerrari Red looks good on you!

CarlosSainz55 I agree ❤️‍🔥

CarlosSainz55 more like red for me

YourUsername 😏

GigiHadid beautiful!

LewisHamilton so great seeing you again!

Charlottesiine ❤️❤️

Username she’s in love love

Username ok but what is Max doing here?

Username he doesn’t even follow her but is all in her likes all of a sudden?

Username apparently it’s a problem if she moves on but he moved on within a second lmao 🧐

Username someone take Max’s phone away!

Username he’s probably crying in the shower rn

Username red suits you so much better than blue ever did queen

YourUsername 😝🫣

———

15,870 likes

F1Wags There’s reports that Kelly and Max are taking some time apart after some drama-filled days following Max posting about his ex-girlfriend,Y/N, after she confirmed her relationship with Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz. Kelly was also pictured taking a solo flight to seemingly clear her mind and figure out the sudden halt of her 2-year relationship.

Comments

Username I called it!

Username it’d be hard to stay with someone who’s still clearly in love with their ex

Username you lose em how you get ‘em 🫢

Username poor Y/N can’t even move on in peace

Username she doesn’t seem to care tbh she’s down bad for Carlos lol

Username as she should 😏

Username lowkey feel bad for her

Username He should’ve fought for Y/N years ago, not now when he has his own little family

Username agreed! 😵‍💫

Username 20 sec penalty for ocon

Username 🤔

———

Liked by LandoNorris, CarlosSainz55, PierreGasly and others

YourUsername we’re good over here 😌 (that last one is for you guys, you’re welcome)

Comments

LandoNorris that last one was unnecessary 😒

YourUsername I disagree😋💋

LandoNorris 🤢

CharlesLeclerc I agree with Lando

YourBff is it simping hours??

YourUsername always 😶

ScuderiaFerrari giving the people what they want 👏

CarlosSainz55 😘

Username everybody just kind of overlooking the sassy caption 🤣

Username oh we noticed lol

Username my new favorite couple ❤️

Username queen keep giving us Carlos content

YourUsername 🫡🫡

———

Liked by YourUsername, LewisHamilton, CharlesLeclerc and others

CarlosSainz55 what she said 🤤

Comments on this post have been limited

YourUsername I love us🤤❤️‍🔥

CarlosSainz55 ❤️‍🔥

LewisHamilton beautiful couple!

YourUsername🫶🫶

LandoNorris third picture was unnecessary too

YourUsername 😐

DanielRicciardo the last pic on her post left me blind

CarlosSainz55 then how’d you type this?

DanielRicciardo 🫣

MaxVerstappen1 blocked CarlosSainz55 and YourUsername

———

Posting so late!

This is all over the place lmao but as always I enjoy making these social media au 🤭

[janeyre]

call me on the way home (2/2)

otp: tentoo x rose

word count: 5k

summary: After a slight mishap at Torchwood, Rose has gone temporarily missing. While Mia is out, she runs into her mum, but not as she last saw her - instead wearing a blue leather jacket with deep circles beneath her eyes. Worried about her mum's state and trying to comfort her, Mia calls the Doctor so Rose can speak to him.

AO3

It had been three weeks since Rose Tyler’s unexpected tumble through a far-away dream, and now she found herself towing the Earth home.

She had done it. 

Her gaze, as it swept over all the many happy faces bobbing in and out of her view, landed not on the pinstriped Doctor, but on the blue Doctor. Catching her gaze, he winked at her and clicked his teeth.

God, it was really him . Her face was going to split open from smiling so hard.

“Thinking about what adventures we’ll have next, Rose Tyler?” He said her name in that way that only he could.

Something once-blurry came suddenly into blinding focus. That picture of her and the Doctor and their daughter. Sharing a life — normal and yet not all at once. The text that said Grandma Jackie. The one adventure he could never have. The one adventure she never let herself fully believe she’d be able to find again.

Her gaze returned to his. Did he know? Did he know what could be waiting for them?

She wanted it so bad she couldn’t breathe . The voice she’d heard on the phone that day…. 

You are my heart. 

Singular.

She grinned at him. 

Do you know what I’m trying to tell you?

She wanted to kiss him, snog the living daylights out of him right here in front of everyone until they all went home and left them to their peace. 

Of course I do. 

The Doctor took a deep breath. “You told me something. Something I don’t take lightly. And I want, need you to know, that… you’re everything to me. You have given me happiness more infinite than I could have ever dreamed of. You are the centre of my universe. You are my heart. I… I care for you more than I can say. Do –” he felt suddenly worried, worried that this opportunity might be lost, that she wouldn’t know, that she was doomed to suffer this next month in the dark, that she had never known until that second time on the beach; not at the Game Station, or Krop Tor, or— “Do you know what I’m trying to say?”

He held his phone tightly in his hand; if he would have looked at his knuckles he would have found them white.

“Yes, Doctor. Of course I do, I do too, I–”

Her voice was suddenly cut off, marked by the sound of a harsh smack . 

“Rose? Rose?!”

Some rustling. His heart thundered. 

Mia’s voice. “She disappeared, Dad.”

His head was full of static. His thoughts were rushing and all he could hear was the crash of a wave just about to take him under. 

Of course I do. I do too, she had said.

He let out a breath, devastated and relieved as realisation struck him like lightning to the head of a pin.

Oh.

Oh. 

She knows. 

He blinked furiously.

“Dad?” 

He cleared his throat. His beautiful, wonderful, brilliant daughter.

“Thank you for thinking to call, you brilliant, clever girl. Do you want to meet back here, at Torchwood, and then we can both go home?”

“Yeah, that would be good.” She swallowed, somewhat shaken. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Not if I see you first.” He missed Rose. “I love you, Mia.”

He wasn’t mistaken if he thought she sounded a little choked up too. 

“I love you, Dad.” The line clicked.

He let the phone fall from his hands and clatter to the table, eyes wet and growing wetter. He scrubbed the palms of his hands into his eyes and then let them rest there, sitting his elbows on the table.

The events of the day flickered behind his eyelids like a thousand different film reels all playing at once. 

Finding out this afternoon that Rose had been teleported somewhere and rushing to Torchwood. Watching in frustration as everyone realised that she couldn’t have gone far and leaving him to figure it out. His wife was missing. Hearing her sob on the other end of the phone. Knowing that even though she would be fine, there was nothing he could do now. No possible way on Earth to be with her at this very moment. No matter how his heart ached. No matter how much he couldn’t fight the panic that grew when she was gone. No matter where she was.  

“What are you doing in ‘ere all alone?”

Her voice. His head snapped up. 

“Rose?”

It really was her. Back from the aether. Beautiful and perfect and not a hair out of place and smiling at him with that fondness she reserved only for him. 

“Rose.”

He was in her arms before he’d even realised he’d pushed away from the table, trying to regulate his breathing but finding himself overwhelmed at the feel of her familiar embrace. It’s only been a few hours , he chided himself.

“Doctor, is everything okay?”

He couldn’t help himself from sniffling a little, burying his head further into her shoulder. 

“Yeah, it’s just been a long day.” 

“Want to tell me about it?”

He nodded into her shoulder and took a deep breath before backing away to meet her gaze. God, but she was beautiful. Her every feature radiated safety, warmth, comfort. 

“Today was the day that you jumped here and met Mia before you really properly found me. Before we ended up here together. I just got off the phone with you.” 

Her eyes were wide. 

“Oh, Doctor, I’m sorry. I… I wish I could have been here, with you.”

He laughed in spite of himself. “Funny, that’s just what I told you.” He couldn’t help it – he gathered her into a hug again, just to feel her so close to him.

“It was so long ago, but that old fear that had followed me around during our time apart that you didn’t know that I – that I loved you, it came crashing back. All I could think was how guilty I felt for leaving you to carry the weight of every universe on your shoulders all alone.” His words were slightly muffled as he spoke them into her jacket.

“But you didn’t leave me,” she reminded him. “You’re right here. And I knew, Doctor. We’ve talked about this. I’ve always known, okay? Always.” She twisted her head so she could kiss just above his ear. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

He laughed again. Being hard on himself was one of his oldest strengths. “For you, I’ll try.” He took in a deep breath, then righted himself once more. “Where did you end up today, anyways?”

“You would not believe – Brixton! Brixton, and I didn’t have my wallet or my phone on me or anything.”

“How’d you get back?”

“I walked – I wasn’t that far away from the Estate Mum and I used to live on, so I made a little detour to see if it had changed in all these years. Wasn’t so far anyway, and less hassle than trying to borrow someone’s phone. Although I would have tried, if I would have realised it was going to be such a traumatic day.”

“Mum!” 

Rose whirled around just in time to see Mia rush into the room. In an instant she was in her mother’s arms, properly this time. Her tears flowed freely.

“I’m so glad it’s you, I thought I saw you earlier, and it was you, but you didn’t even know me, and you were so sad, and I didn’t know what to do.” 

Rose shifted a little, just enough that she could look her daughter in the eyes. She brought one hand up to cup her face, wiping away the fat tears that rolled down her cheeks.

“But you did so well, Mia. You were so brave. It takes a lot of courage to power through something like that when everything seems so wrong. But you were incredible. Okay?” Mia nodded softly, offering a tentative smile.

Rose’s voice grew softer, lower. “I thought about your face and the conversation I had with your dad every day until I came back. You gave me a light at the end of the tunnel. And I focused on it and fought for it until I found it. You’re the best daughter I could ever have.”

Mia’s face, previously recovering, broke down into tears again. 

“I missed you, Mum.” 

Rose’s heart broke a little. She brought her daughter close and felt it mend. 

“I missed you too, precious girl.” 

She felt the Doctor’s arms close around the both of them. Her family. The picture they’d taken last week at her birthday. The memory of the phone call she’d had had faded with time, the fear of future knowledge spoiling her present pushing it away until it really did feel like a dream. 

She took a deep breath. She could smell the Doctor’s familiar scent, same as ever. She could feel his singular, human heart beating against his ribs, pressed against her back. She could feel their precious daughter hugging her tight. 

I am so lucky being able to talk to you right now, to tell you that it’s all going to be okay. Because it is. 

She blew out her deep breath and smiled ear to ear. 

Everything was okay.

[girl4music]

‘When In Rome’ doesn’t seem all that important of an episode at first. But then you realize Xena basically commissioned Gabrielle to kill Crassus. It’s painful cause you know Gabrielle is a person that genuinely does appreciate human life and won’t kill just for the sake of it. If it can be avoided, she will avoid it. Yet, she’s forced to decide time and time again for what to do in the heat of the moment and the conclusion seems to always be for somebody to die. Whether it be herself, Xena or other, and sometimes even at her own hand. She said she accepted the consequences of living her life with Xena early in their travels together, but I don’t think she accounted for the fact she’d have to kill just to keep her and Xena alive. Or, like in the case of this episode, to save Vercinix, a good, innocent man and a hero to his people, from being executed at the order of Caesar. It wasn’t just about sacrificing her own life, it was also sacrificing and betraying everything she stood for so that her and Xena could survive. Season 4 was the storyline for this. Choosing pacifism because she believed it was the right Way for her, then breaking it again when Xena was left vulnerable and defenceless and she had no other option but to make that split-second decision to kill those soldiers that were going to kill her. It was inevitable the way she’d end up. Whether it is a good thing or not is up to you and how you perceive the situations that happen within the episodes. Your better judgement.

This is the life Gabrielle chose. To experience and face all the violence, blood and pain again and again, being just as much a partaker in it as trying to stop it from happening… Just to be with Xena. That’s got to be the most tragically romantic, beautiful and powerful thing I’ve ever known. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Xena and Gabrielle truly are the greatest love story ever told, and I’m not just saying it because they’re my OTP. I’ll be damned if I ever find anything more romantic than Gabrielle’s insistence to throw away her morality for Xena. She’s going against her own sense of self time and again just to protect and defend people’s lives. Especially Xena’s. It’s a testament to how much and how deeply she really loves her and that’s so incredibly romantic. Wouldn’t you agree?

This is another episode where no one really cares about the Xena/Caesar fued. This episode belongs to Gabrielle and her struggle to betray her ideals by personally sending Crassus to the executioner. Commissioned and expected to by Xena, no less.

She's the heart of the whole story here. It all wraps tightly around her.

Just like 'The Deliverer', without what's going on with Gabrielle, it's just another cat-and-mouse Xena VS Caesar game and even though I love the Rome episodes, they're not as interesting as you think they are without Gabrielle’s stuff. And as great as all the other writers are with Gabrielle’s representation and development, only Steven truly gets what Gabrielle’s about. Him and Renee really make this show resonate far beyond a villain-turned-hero seeking redemption story.

Without Gabrielle - this show is half its watch value. Well and truly.

[elephantlovemedleys]

otp moodboards: the doctor & rose tyler (doctor who)

I've seen fake gods and bad gods and demi-gods and would-be gods. I've had the whole pantheon. But if I believe in one thing... just one thing... I believe in her!

[dangermousie]

In which I, of all people, make a post in praise of a love triangle

I hate love triangles. I HATE THEM. They never make any sense to me - either it's an OTP and an interloper (in which case it's not a triangle, go away interloper) or I keep going "make up your damn mind" and "why should I be invested in one ship when you aren't."

But Lost You Forever proves that like any other tropes I am not too fond of (slice of life comes to mind), it's not that I hate the trope per se, it's just that it's almost never done in such a fashion as to satisfy me and when it is...oh boy!

Because the love triangle of Xiao Yao with Tushan Jing and Xiang Liu (sorry, Cang Xuan, I love you, and I am rabid about the fact that the ML of this is not the romantic interest, but you are not ever a contender) makes me RABID. The acting, the writing, the possibilities.

In the first season, I never felt that Xiao Yao was in any truly meaningful way considering Xiang Liu as a choice for any length of time (I don't mean it NEVER occurred to her, I just mean it was little flashes that disappeared quickly.) But in this season, she very much does.

Why do I, the obsessed Jing x XY shipper love it so? Because it so makes character sense.

The reason she largely never considered him in s1 was because by the time any such consideration could occur, she already allowed Shiqi in her heart. There are flashes of what-if and the sexual chemistry with XL is off the charts, but she is hopeful and happy with Jing, she's experiences the giddiness of first love and first mutually accepted desire with him. XL is a what-if but a not a particularly longed-for one, if it makes sense.

But in this season, Jing broke her heart (whether she should have that attitude is a separate question of course, but she does and so here we are.) Which means that XY, heartbroken over Jing, has a little space and here is where it all starts coming rushing in vis-a-vis XL.

I love this because this is so so so so human and so realistic. As I was mentioning to @aysekira - despite demanding unrealistic permanent constancy of her loved ones, despite needing them frozen in amber forever, XY herself is not like that because few people are and it's healthy actually and she's healing! (Yes, Jing is not like that but to me that is actually a sign of how broken he is. Separate tangent tho.) And so yes, it's so human to, after a relationship ended, mourn and grieve but also on some level open your heart to other possibilities.

I genuinely believe that if Xiang Liu allowed himself to be with her, she would move on from Jing and be happy and fall in love with XL fully and eventually Jing be merely a memory in the corner of her heart (pleasant or sad, depending.) Just as if/when she and Jing get back together, she will move on about XL and he will be a memory the same way.

And it doesn't cheapen her feelings or their feelings or anything. It's just life. We are the sum of our choices.

I hate hate hate the concept of fated soulmates, of one perfect soulmate destined by fate. That's lazy writing, that's a crutch when you can't narratively show WHY these characters should be together.

And this show gets that. It gets it so well.

She could have been happy with Jing. She could have been happy with XL. Maybe in some other universe she met someone else entirely and was happy with them. Alternatively, if she remained a spoiled and petted princess of Haoling, she'd have never looked at Jing and most likely never looked at XL and they may not have liked her either (look at Nian - you cannot imagine either of the men liking her.)

Just as if Jing was never tortured into near-dissolution of his self by his brother, he would have been a very different person and not capable of winning her heart or caring to, or if XL had a different life, same.

There are so many possibilities and paths and choices and the fact that the drama gets it is one of the best things about it.

We watch Xiao Yao heal and grow up (in a way, she's so emotionally stunted due to trauma, we are watching her going through her teen years in some ways - figuring out who she is and what and who she wants.) And I love that one of the ways she figures out who she wants is by looking at what kind of life she can have with that person.

Anyway, this drama is a MASTERPIECE.

The end.