#race and real estate

[thelonguepuree]

White flight, generally framed as a postwar phenomenon, has historically been understood to be a product of developments such as the GI Bill, the Highway Administration, and the FHA, as well as the second wave of the Great Migration after 1940. But contextualizing these midcentury phenomena in relation to early skyscraper narratives allows us to recognize the term white flight as a misnomer of sorts. Presuming whiteness to be a preexisting and stable category that simply moved from one location to another, the descriptor white flight gives the false impression that whiteness at midcentury was a concrete identity whose subjects simply relocated in reaction to the growing presence of racial others in cities. But representations of the skyscraper from its early era reveal the extent to which whiteness was already being actively reconstituted in this preceding moment.… The midcentury mass suburbs became a place to forge a broader coalition of whiteness—assimilating ethnic varieties into a broader racial umbrella through systems of redlining. The suburbs were not vessels receiving whiteness—rather, these spaces helped to remake this category by tethering whiteness more strongly to homeownership and making it a financial asset belonging to specific protected neighborhoods.

Adrienne Brown, The Black Skyscraper (2017)

[erotetica]

Hiii Lewie

Special thanks to @transarmand for making these great GIFs, which were a godsend when drafting that plaid. My other refs r below the cut in case anyone finds them useful:)

[s735]

7/20/23

I got around to reading Dragon Ball and DBZ for the first time recently. Raditz, Nappa and Vegeta are my faves. I wish we saw more of them before they died.

[tilbageidanmark]

[feraltwinkseb]

Sebastian Vettel visits the Infiniti Design Studios

October 10, 2011 - Atsugi, Japan

Source: Mark Thompson/Getty Images AsiaPac

[hayatoseyepatch]

Tagging my fellow Hoshina girlies 🙇🏻‍♀️: @eevees-hobbies @stunies @maruflix @the-original-skipps @jellyfishsart @17020

Good morning Vice Captain 💛

[nest-being]

i take psychic damage from phonecalls 🥴

[mobbothetrue]

Sometimes when i’m asleep my brain will show me a cool dude and I’ll go ‘goddamn that’s a cool ass dude I wish he was one of my characters’ and then when I wake up I get the euphoria of going WAIT IT’S FREE REAL ESTATE

[ponderingmoonlight]

How kny men treat their pregnant wife

Pairings: Obanai x fem!reader; Rengoku x fem!reader; Sanemi x fem!reader

Word Count: 2,5k

Warnings: I went absolutely insane in Sanemi's part lmao, let me know what you think about maybe even more kny complilations in the future?🤍🫶

Obanai – super overprotective

„Darling, you really don’t have to be cautious all the time. I’m fine and it’s mid-day.”

“You never know”, the man next to you mumbles while positioning himself in front of you.

Since the day Obanai found out that you’re expecting your very first child, he never left your side. Not even at night, when he’s usually out fulfilling his duty as a hashira. And if he must go, he always makes sure that you’re not alone.

“I really don’t want to bother you, but Iguro-san sent me here to keep an eye open for you”, Mitsuri explained with reddened cheeks after appearing in front of your door at sunset.

You sign to yourself with a small smile crawling up your face. You never really realized that your husband is so eager to have a child. When the two of you first met, he acted so cold towards you that you were convinced he hated you after saving your life in your village back then. It wasn’t until he showed up at the butterfly estate on a random day and handed you a bouquet of flowers that you realized how hard you fell for that man yourself. Despite his cool and composed walls, despite always staying in the background and leaving disgracing comments from time to time. You really learned how to love the serpent hashira for the man he is: kind, loving, protective and smart.

“Why are you not coming over to cuddle me instead?”, you suggest oh so sweetly while opening your arms as an invitation.

Obanai side-eyes you up and down, his mind visibly racing behind those gorgeous eyes.

“But what if I hurt you and the baby?”, he mutters, still standing his ground.

“I’m not made of paper and the baby isn’t as well. And also, I’m carving nothing more than a hug from my husband at the moment.”

Slowly but surely, he finally turns around. As if you’re made of porcelain, he wraps his arms around you oh so gently. Have you ever seen your husband this cautious and sensitive around other human beings? You’ve seen the way he beats up the other corps members in his training sessions on a daily basis. A giggle escapes your lips before you’re able to stop it. Your man really turned soft due to this pregnancy.

“What’s so funny?”, he grumbles, his vibrant eyes set on you.

“You’re too hesitant to give me a real hug and yet, you’re beating up innocent kids during training. Come on now, I said I want a real hug!”

Before he’s able to protest, you press yourself against him with full force, allow your head to rest against his beating heart. It’s been ages since he last cuddled you the way you always loved it. With your body resting on top of his and your arms wrapped around his broad chest, everything starts to feel like home.

“Don’t you think that’s too dangerous? The baby-“

“The baby will be fine. I can handle a tight hug, darling. I really missed this…”

He shifts his weight underneath you and gently starts rubbing your back. Oh, how much you adore your husband and those sweet little moments between both of you. You never imagined to love someone like this, to fall head over heels for a man who is the complete opposite of yourself. But here you are, falling even harder day by day.

“And…you really think this is safe?”

“I’m absolutely sure it is!”

Obanai pauses for a moment, his eyes almost piercing through you.

“I think you should go and see Shinobu later”, he finally presses out.

“Come on, I already told you-“

“This doesn’t feel safe at all. We’re leaving in just a few minutes”, he continues while wrapping his arms around you.

Rengoku – the proudest soon-to-be dad

“I made you breakfast, my love!”, your husband announces while entering your shared bedroom in his plain white kimono.

“You’re way too kind, Kyojuro. You know I could have done it myself”, you reply while lifting yourself off the futon.

“Oh, let me help you up!”

Gently, he grabs your shoulders and helps you to get up. With your swollen belly, things aren’t as easy as they used to be. By now, you aren’t even able to see your feet anymore.

But it’s all worth it. He’s all worth it.

“Look at you”, he mutters with unusual low voice.

When his hand starts caressing your belly along with that loving gleam in his eyes, you almost forget how to breathe. From the day both of you found out that you are expecting a child, Kyojuro fell head over heels.

“You look so breathtakingly good, my everything. I could stand here and stare at you all day, little flame.”

It almost seems as if Kyojuro’s already heavy feelings doubled during your pregnancy. Not a single hour goes by without him telling you how gorgeous you look, that you are an angel walking on earth.

Even though you know you gained a few pounds and how swollen your face looks. He doesn’t care about the fact that sometimes, you are too exhausted to wash your hair or that you didn’t dress in something nice since your clothes started to get too tight.

Your husband adores each and every fiber of your being.

“Stop, you’re making me blush”, you giggle while playfully freeing yourself out of his strong arms.

“I’ll never stop telling my pregnant wife how gorgeous she looks! How are you feeling, my love?”

You find yourself trapped in his arms with his eyes all over you again. God, will you ever get tired of looking at him, of seeing those vibrant eyes?

“I’m okay. I just feel a little heavy.”

“I’m so proud of you for enduring all of this. Shinobu already told me this pregnancy doesn’t go easy on your body. You’re a real fighter, (y/n)!”

“A fighter? My body is supposed to do this. There’s nothing special about that”, you try to brush his praise off, cheeks already turning dark red.

“Don’t think about it that way. Your body might be equipped for a pregnancy, but Shinobu informed me about all the things you have to endure and how painful and tiring it can be-“

“Did Shinobu really explain all those things to you?”, you mutter through your hands that cover your face in sheer embarrassment.

“Of course! After all, I’m your husband and it’s my duty to support you in the best way possible!”, his beaming voice replies proudly.

“And I can’t wait to meet our little wonder.”

The second he gets on his knees, you see stars. Oh so gently, he pulls your kimono to the side and starts caressing and kissing your womb. Your knees threaten to fail you, feelings all over the place. God, you really don’t deserve a loving and caring husband like him, you don’t deserve all those feelings he holds for you and your unborn baby so openly.

Before you’re able to stop yourself, a violent sob escapes your lips.

“No love, why are you crying?”

Kyojuro meets you eye to eye in an instant, his hand carrying away every little tear that threatens to stain your face.

“It’s just…You are too kind…I don’t deserve your praise…”, you croak out.

“You deserve this and so much more. Now come on, I made you mochis with the receipt Kanroji taught me…”

You sniffle uncontrollably in his arms.

Wait, did he just say…

“You mean my favorite mochis?”, you mutter.

“Of course, little flame!”

“Oh…Then…Maybe we should get going, then…”

Sanemi – doesn’t even know yet

Fuck fuck fuck.

You stare at Shinobu in sheer horror. This can’t be true. Definitely a mistake. A cruel joke, maybe.

You…pregnant?

“Tell me you’re joking”, you mutter under your breath.

Just when you thought things between Sanemi and you started to get better, than you finally managed to live besides. Calling yourself his wife was never easy, especially due to the fact that he only married you because your family literally sold you to him in exchange for not killing you right on the spot. The two of you never seemed to get along that well.

You swallow hard. That night was an exception. You came home drunk, you didn’t know what you were doing when you seduced him, when you began babbling about something as stupid as feelings.

You swore to yourself that you’ll never fall for your husband. And now you’re expecting his child.

“I’d never joke about something like that, (y/n). It seems like somehow, you managed to get pregnant”, Shinobu replies in all seriousness while taking off her gloves.

Fuck.

“He’ll fucking kill me”, you mumble to yourself.

“Maybe he’ll skin me before that, slice open my belly like a fish-“

“Can you just stop?”, Shinobu interrupts you in all urgency.

“Shinazugawa might not be the most empathic man walking on this earth, but he also didn’t marry you for nothing. I’m sure everything will be fi-“

“Absolutely nothing’s fine. I’m fucking screwed”, you huff in frustration while yanking up.

You’re completely fucked. There’s no way in hell Sanemi will ever find out about this, not in this lifetime. You have to make sure that this stays a secret.

“Don’t you dare to tell him a single word about this, got it?”, you literally threaten Shinobu with your shaky finger pointing at her.

You, expecting a baby.

From Sanemi Shinazugawa.

Without even waiting for her reply, you storm out. Are you able to get rid of this situation? Mindlessly, you rub your belly when a new wave of memories from that fateful night hits you.

“I might l-love you”, you blurted into the room, Sanemi’s widened eyes staring at you in sheer horror.

“You…love me? Just yesterday, you told me how much you hate me”, he clarified with harsh voice.

“Are you drunk, (y/n)?”

“I…might be, yeah. But I mean it.”

Against all voices that begged you to stop, you darted towards him.

Until you sat on top of him and wrapped your longing arms around his neck.

“I love u, Sanemi.”

“I can’t believe a single word you say, shithead.”

“Watch me, then.”

It happened so fast you still can’t believe it. One passionate kiss, your hands wandering underneath his uniform, his muscular frame on top of you.

“You really want this?”, he huffed against your cheek, usual so maniac orbs filled with nothing but pure lust.

“Yeah”, you breathed out.

Urgh. You dig your nails into your hair, head spinning instantly. What kind of fuckery is this? Your first night ever and now…you’re pregnant? As if things between you and him aren’t already cringe enough.

“Why are you looking like shit?”

His oh so familiar voice makes your guts turn. For the split of a second, you are literally one movement away from puking all over his feet.

“Why are you talking shit?”, you spit at him, shoulder bumping against his as you try to get away from here as soon as possible.

But Sanemi grabs your wrist before you’re even able to think about your escape.

“Why were you at Shinobu’s? You never visit her.”

“I’m not feeling well”, you jeer at him.

“You even refused talking to her when your bone splatted out of your damn leg. Don’t fuck with me, (y/n). You didn’t come here for nothing.”

“Yeah, I really shouldn’t have done that”, you snap, violently ripping away your wrist.

This is way too much. Your family, Sanemi, that damned pregnancy. You thought this hell trip was over when Sanemi somehow managed to accept you, you really thought you could leave a rather peaceful life.

God, what a fucking fool you are.

“Hey, what the hell is going on? (y/n)!”

Just before your knees hit the ground, you feel Sanemi’s strong arms lifting you back up.

“What the hell has gotten into you!?”

“I’m pregnant!”, you scream on top of your lungs.

“All of this because of that damned night, because I lost my fucking control. I’m pregnant…”

Sanemi’s arms around you tense up immediately. Fuck, you can’t even bring yourself to look at him.

Truth is, you love that man. Fuck, you fell for him harder than you ever imagined, so badly that you can’t stop thinking about him. And that night, you allowed yourself to get a taste of him. After all, maybe this was all you need to finally forget about him, right?

What a fool you are.

“You’re…what?”

Violently you rub away the tear that starts rolling down your cheek.

“You’re…pregnant…”

“Saying it again and again won’t make it disappear”, you bark at him.

“I’ll be a dad?”

Huh? What is that unusual tone in his voice. Did Sanemi Shinazugawa really sound…joyful?

“Yeah…”, you mutter.

In the split of a second, you find yourself devoured in his arms and captivated by his glossy eyes. Your heart skips a beat, mind not able to follow the scene that lays itself out in front of your eyes. He doesn’t look angry at all, not even sad. No, he looks as happy as you’ve never seen him before.

“I can’t believe it. I never imagined this to happen”, he whispers while grabbing your face.

“Gosh, let me kiss you.”

“You want to kiss me?”, you shriek.

Despite your growing feelings for the wind hashira and those countless secret looks you’ve shared with each other, it was always a quiet agreement between both of you to never express any feelings. No hugs, no kisses, no questions. Just living side by side. Fuck, you never even allowed yourself to even gaze at his lips before that fateful night.

And now you’re lying in his arms, pregnant while he asks for a kiss.

“I mean…yeah”, you finally breathe out.

And then his lips crush against yours. Longingly, passionately, filled with so many emotions that you fail to breathe. All this time, you tried so desperately to hate that man, to hide your feelings from him in order to protect yourself. But all it took was a single night and that unexpected pregnancy to make you realize that maybe, allowing yourself to discover your own feelings isn’t that bad, after all.

Maybe, everything will in fact turn out alright.

Tags: @chilichopsticks @hellkaiserinphoenix  @ynackerman9499 @keepghostly @beatrexworld

@froufrousnowman @hidazinie @tomiokathedepresso  @poketrainer2270 @chaoticwinnercupcake

@lees-chaotic-brain @wordskeeper @polarbvnny @sugu-love @ryva @baku2345

@komelrebi-san @kentocalls @barbuse @sunshine7queen @lavenderdrxp

@yaninnaacu @hopefulbelievertimemachine @laurencrsnt

[isaacsapphire]

They still exist in some areas, but overall they have been hollowed out and either skyrocketed in price so that ordinary working people can't afford to live closer than an hour away or become crime-ridden shitholes, and presumably these trends will continue, given how the housing market has been going for the last few decades.

Also presumably, this is how everyone wants it, or at least how everyone is rationally responding to incentives.

People don't want to live near violent and disruptive people, those who can afford to price out everyone who is in the high probability of being violent and disruptive, or even just a little weird live in those nice redlined suburbs of million dollar raised ranches and great school districts and pontificate about how the people in the cities just gotta do what they say and everything will be great, but like, we aren't going to let those uwu violent poors move here, lols.

Meanwhile in the cities, even the "good" neighborhoods are in walking distance to the projects, or have to go to the store near the methadone clinic, so living in the "good" neighborhood isn't going to inherently save you from carjacking or being in a drive-by, just improve your probabilities. Also good fucking luck about that school district and what type of classmates your kid will have, hope you can get into the magnet school or can afford catholic school, otherwise it's Prison Pipeline High for your darling.

[violetsiren90]

Pairing: Bang Chan x gn!Reader

Genre: drabble; cozy; established relationship; sensual fluff; slice of life/bedroom domesticity

Word Count: ~500

Content Warnings: 18+ (minors, DNI); kissing/cuddling in bed; bedtime states of undress; brief necking; intimate touching in the context of comfort; words unspoken

Author's Note: That Bubble photo has been taking up prime real estate in my mind all day, so here's a few simple and unpolished words of worship for this beautiful man. ❤️

If no one has told you yet today, you're loved and worthy of love. 🧜‍♀️ 💜

************************************************

“What?” he asks softly, his hand sliding up over your thigh where you kneel beside him.

Gazing down at him as he lays back against your pillows, you’re not exactly sure what to say.

The lamp offers only a little warm light, and the beauty of his features and the defined contours of his arms and shoulders are dappled by the hazy glow and the soft brush of shadows. He looks strong and broad where he’s hugged and where he’s left bare by his black tank, which stretches across his chest and bunches up around his waist, teasing a few toned inches of his manly abdomen. His eyes are tired, and still smokey with makeup, but they’re so soft, so tender, and they hold your face with quiet, contented regard.

You press a palm gently over his sternum, and your lips tug into a little grin as you shake your head, still gazing down at the unpretentious perfection of him.

He smiles in return, slipping his free hand over yours where it lays against his chest. You can feel his heartbeat. Steady. Strong.

“C’mere,” he whispers, tilting his chin up, and your heart thrums like a little bird as if you haven’t kissed him a hundred times before.

You slide your legs out beside his and lean over him, dropping your mouth obligingly to taste his lips. His hands slide over your waist. A thrill flutters in your belly. You’ll never grow used to this feeling, you think.

The rain patters against the windowpane behind the curtain as you lose yourself to his lips – soft and full, plush and sensual and assured as they press and part and nip, the hushed sounds and sighing breaths passing them arresting and submerging all your senses in him so completely.

His nose brushes your face, nudging it once, twice, again – the tip of it smooth and cool against your flushed cheek.

His right hand slides over your lower back and pushes up the fabric of your baggy tee to slip past the band of your panties, seeking the soft warmth of the fullness of your ass as he does so often, seemingly by reflex when he’s under your body – tucking his hand skin-to-skin and kneading gently, absently.

Scent, taste, touch…even with your eyes closed he’s familiarity itself, and yet…

How does he cloak you in serenity even as he makes your heart race? How does he quiet your mind as he sets you afire?

He pulls away from your lips to brush his mouth under your ear, and when you whimper, he chuckles against your skin.

Pushing up, you catch the sparkling warmth of his eyes. The heater kicks on and hums. Both of his hands slip to your waist again as you blink down.

“I need to wash up,” he murmurs.

You kiss his beautiful nose.

“Okay,” you sigh, shifting to nestle into his side.

But he doesn’t move as your arm stretches over him.

He touches it with soft tracing fingertips in the lamplight.

And the rain patters on the windowpane.

-Fin-

[celestialtarot11]

what can indicate someone making a lot of money in their career?

Signs for making 💰

Sag sun—always working multiple jobs, having multiple interests. May be into stocks, trading, engineering, software engineering, marketing. May be into tourism.

Capricorn venus, Capricorn moon—Always working and grinding. Networks easily. But I notice with these placements they may go on to start a side job earlier than getting a full time job. That full time job may come later depending on aspects to the moon. Has a superseding reputation for their determination and professionalism.

For example capricorn moon aspecting saturn has had jobs come in later to their life. May not have had their first job until 20 and onward. They may have been working on a side hustle the entire time.

Jupiter 1h, Jupiter 10h—Success follows these individuals. Career opportunities opened themselves up to them. The more the native works on their mindset they become a manifesting success story! Though don’t be fooled these individuals have had to work on themselves immensely.

Venus asp jupiter—Cash flows in. Though with this placement the native can spend just as easily and create just as much as they lost. (Trine, sextile, conj.)

Venus 5h—makes money off of doing what they love! Most definitely has a side hustle alongside their job.

Aquarius, sun moon, rising—also can be known for their unique side hustles. May be into designing clothes of their own, making music, but there’s something so fleshed out and distinct about their side hustle people are attracted to. May have a blog, make music,

Gemini venus, sun, moon—very multifaceted in their skills. Almost everywhere and nowhere at once with how busy they are. Paired with Leo: they may have a high position in their community and attract a lot of people. It creates the perfect audience for them to sell to! May crochet or sell handmade items!

Leo sun, rising—Has a knack for presenting themselves in any community. Does well with meeting new people to gain new opportunities and experiences. Likable energy. Most likely to own a vlog, or a blog where they can talk and share their stories. Makes money off of being themselves. Very hardworking individuals and determined!

Scorpio rising—Works in silence, keeps their success limited to people who celebrate it. Highly successful, looked up to, and is intelligent with their finances. Knows how to save. They are a fixed sign so once they see something in their mind they will not stop until they manifest success!

Capricorn/saturn dom—knowing how to budget and is successful because of their ability to save money. Not just their job!

Libra moon/rising—May work in a job requiring long travels, be in a position where income is higher. They’re beauty and brains. Some men are construction workers with this placement and make a hell of a lot of money. If moon is in the 12h they’re more likely to travel long distances. Can become models, nurses, doctors.

Cancer 10h, libra moon, libra venus—Can work in home renovation, be a real estate agent. Makes a ton of money off of bringing in clients. If they have aspects to mercury, gemini, exalted mercury, they can talk anyone into buying a home or service.

Libra moon—may also know someone who offers them a higher paying job.

Saturn 3h—Very skilled individuals. Disciplined and goal oriented. Slow and steady wins the race. Takes their time to learn new skills in their career thus making them knowledgeable. Whereas their coworkers tend to gloss over—no these individuals tend to stay late hours and put in more effort. Had a huge chance of being recognized and moving up in their position.

Taurus 2h—Check where venus is placed. If making an aspect to jupiter, moon, the native can become financially successful. (Trine, sextile, conj)

Jupiter 2h—Controversial perspective but a lot of these natives feel as though they have enough money to get by. It just somehow comes in when they need it. Same for sag ruling 2h.

Virgo mercury, virgo 2h—Can be concerned with spending habits and analyze them. May budget a lot and try different methods for saving. Has a critical eye for finances. May make a monthly spreadsheet! Can be into nursing as well.

Venus 10h—If the benefic is positively aspected it’ll bring lots of success to the natives career. Chance to become widely known for their work. Their charm and interpersonal skills leas to success.

Aries sun—Competitive in the career field. Sun is exalted here so these natives truly want to be the best they can be. Authoritative, determined in their work. Grinds a lot. Similar to Capricorn but more extroverted. Passionate, enthusiastic, and it drives them to make great connections in their career.

Sun 6h—Brilliant ideas, determined and structured. Puts in energy to their work. Day to day activities yield long term results. Their determination is what really gets them there. Has a great relationship with their coworkers and bosses if positively aspected.

[isaacsapphire]

Op and people like them accepting exceptions for sacred places and environmental protection is why all the expensive redlined towns use bird sanctuaries and open space regulations and similar laws to prevent affordable housing or any housing development.

“Sacred” land has been known to be claimed that was rather conveniently located by people who wanted to build a casino on it too.

“The problem with colonialism wasn’t ‘people moving to a place’, it was the violence and the genocide.” seems incredibly naive and poorly informed.

One of the things I'm not particularly sympathetic about is complaints about tourists in a "we, the locals, have a right to this place, and no one else".

All land, everywhere, and the resources on it, is the collective inheritance of all humanity. This is the basis of my views on open borders and LVT. Anyone who wants to move to a place out to be able to live there; If this drives up the cost of housing that's a problem of building housing, not a problem of people of the wrong race moving there. Anything else is inevitably blood-and-soil rhetoric screened through anti-colonialism. (The problem with colonialism wasn't "people moving to a place", it was the violence and the genocide)

I do give exception for sacred locations and for environemental protections; but if we need to limit the number of people living or using a location for the latter, that still gets rationed out among "everyone on earth", not just "locals".

[mommydearestella]

I WONDER IF ANYONE IN KEY WEST EVER HAD EXPERIENCES SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAVE DESCRIBED IN THIS BLOG ESPECIALLY IN THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES?

I WONDER IF ANYONE ENCOUNTERED A REAL ESTATE BROKER FROM OUT OF TOWN WHO HAS BLOND HAIR AND I THINK IS A WRETCHED OLD HAG AND ONE OF THE NASTIEST AND MOST AGGRESSIVE PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET THAT LIKES TO GO AROUND THREATENING PEOPLE?

SHE MAY HAVE SPOKEN AT LENGTH ABOUT HER HUSBANDS SON TELLING MANY LIES AND GOING ON AND ON ABOUT HER HATRED OF ME.  I DON’T CARE.  I’M JUST GRATEFUL I HAVEN’T BEEN INVITED TO DINNER!

[scented-morker]

⇢˚⋆ ✎ Three Ways

The three ways sunghoon tells you he loves you before being able to utter the words… 1.6k words, friends to lovers, fem!reader

Park Sunghoon has never been one for flowery words and declarations of love.

In fact, they often made him quite uncomfortable, and he more often than not would be caught responding to the affection with a thumbs up and hardly concealed cringe.

Thankfully, you were plenty comfortable with the words, 'I love you'. An expert, even, at reminding your friends just how much real estate they took up in your heart.

You were the first person that Sunghoon ever truly believed when you said the words. Sure, he knew crushes were real and some girls probably thought their love was true, but you KNEW him. You knew him, and still deemed him precious enough for your favorite three words.

And even though he knew it was in a platonic way, being able to grin softly and ruffle your hair in response was enough for him.

He knew better than to try to reciprocate verbally, fearful of the avalanche that would come if he let himself be truly honest.

The first time Sunghoon said 'I love you' was with a straw wrapper directly to your forehead.

He'd picked you up early in the morning with a blanket in his car so you could nap as he drove the two of you to brunch at an old diner.

You'd been rambling about a new project when his phone rang the first time, and he was listening to you so intently that he didn't even notice it.

It's hard not to blush when you recognize the intensity of his gaze and the way his ringtone fell on deaf ears while watching you.

You're almost glad when it rings again, giving you a quick reprieve to calm your racing heart while he swipes to decline Jake's call.

Sunghoon lets out a sigh as his screen lights up for a third time, and the annoyance on his face is enough to make you let out a bellowing laugh before snatching it out of his hands.

"Today is my Hoon time, you got him yesterday!"

The amusement is evident in your voice, but it still has Sunghoon's heart doing flips.

The fact that you were feeling protective over your time with him, that you wanted no distractions from being in the messy diner with him while he stared at you and offered little to your conversation. It made his heart warm that even in these circumstances, you were focused on time with him.

A stray beam of sunlight chooses that moment to peek through the blinds of the window next to you and he swears it makes you glow like the only person in the room.

The words are on the tip of his tongue when you hang up on his friend, his mouth open like maybe he'll finally have the courage to say it.

You catch him staring, looking up with confusion in your eyes, the twinkle of amusement still there.

You raise an eyebrow at him as a couple beats of silence pass, only to get thwacked in the face with his balled up straw wrapper.

"You monster!" You gasp, and his laughter fills the air.

You're sick with the flu the second time sunghoon almost ruins your friendship.

He finds you curled up under the blanket he'd got you for your birthday last year, the one he got specially made with his face on it.

The sight is ridiculous enough that he would have laughed if you didn't look so miserable.

“I told you this was gonna happen. You should have stayed home yesterday.” He scolds, stepping closer to place a gentle hand against your forehead.

He frowns at the heat of your skin, your fever putting up a valiant effort against the medication you had recently taken.

You pout when he leaves, and it’s still there when he returns with a cold rag in his hand.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

He plays it off as annoyance, but it’s really a cry for help because when you look up at him with shiny eyes and pouty lips it makes him want to say things he shouldn’t.

“I thought you were leaving me.”

His squeezes the rag in tandem with the clenching of his heart, and kneels down on the floor next to your bed.

“I’d never leave you like this.”

His voice is soft as his touch when he places the rag on your head, trailing a finger from your forehead down past your temple and along your cheek.

Your fever has you too delirious to question his actions, continuing to stare up at him like he was the cure to your sickness.

His breath falters as his index finger brushes against your lip, and he knows he needs to look away before he does something stupid.

He settles for poking against the corner of your mouth, pushing it up to resemble the grin you so often wear, and he finally succeeds in removing his eyes when you let out a breathy chuckle at his antics.

“There she is,” he whispers.

“Promise to stay?”

He nods, never having the strength to tell you no.

“Promise.”

It’s like a weight lifted off Sunghoons shoulders when you’re finally back to yourself, no longer “on your deathbed” as you’d so dramatically called it.

“You’re not sick anymore yn, so you have no reason not to come.” Jay says into his speaker, and sunghoon just knows you’re whining on the other side of the phone.

The boys had planned a get together for Jake’s birthday, and while you were plenty fond of the Australian boy, so were plenty of others. Which meant that you would inevitably be stuck in a room with FAR too many people for your liking.

Sunghoon always lets you stay by his side, but you could only take so much of sitting on the couch and pretending not to notice as fifteen different girls try to approach him while you pretended to be interested in literally anything else.

Not to mention, the past week had been so draining trying to get back into a routine and catch up on everything you’d missed while sick.

“No excuses, see you in ten!”

Sunghoon rolls his eyes as Jay hangs up on you, your groan being instantly cut off.

“Do you think she’ll come?” Jake asks, eyeing the man that knows you better than anyone else.

Sunghoon rolls his eyes, “yeah. that was her groan of acceptance that Jay just hung up on.”

Jay pumps a fist in the air as Jake laughs at the discovery that his friend knows you perhaps a little too well.

Fifteen minutes later you make your way into the living room, seeing your three friends sitting on the couch surrounded by people you don’t know. You’re not in the headspace to meet anyone new tonight, and a quick scan reveals the three boys were the only of your friends present.

You let out another groan, this one being in disappointment.

Almost as if he sensed it, you see Sunghoon’s head turn to where you’re standing.

The smile that graces his face instantly comforts you, and you return it with only slightly less enthusiasm.

He waves you over, and you steel yourself for discomfort as you approach the crowd.

However the only thing you hear when you get there is the sound of your best friend’s voice.

“I saved you a spot.”

You heave a sigh of relief as he scoots over to give you an opening right next to him, and he quickly flings an arm over your shoulders as you settle in.

You breathe in the smell of his cologne and melt into his shoulder.

“Thank you.”

Anyone else probably wouldn’t be able to hear you, but Sunghoon has always been fine tuned to your voice.

“Of course.”

He lets you sit in silence against him while the boys continue talking and joking.

You’re on the verge of falling asleep right in the middle of the crowd when his breath tickles against your ear.

“Can I take you home?”

You blink up at him curiously, and he explains further.

“You made your appearance, your friend duties are fulfilled. Let’s get out of here.”

You grin and gladly follow as he takes your hand and guides you out of the room after a quick goodbye to your friends.

His hand doesn’t let go of yours even as he drives to your apartment, and you realize just how lucky you are to have him.

“I love you.” You tell him, voice quiet as he flicks on his turn signal.

His face lights up when you say it, and he gives you a quick glance.

“I know.”

You smile, but a part of you feels like maybe he doesn’t.

“I mean it. I love your smile and your laugh and I love that you’re kinder to me than I could ever deserve.”

Your words are getting faster, and you know they’re on the verge of being a confession but you can’t bring yourself to stop.

“You have this way of making me feel cared for and known and i don’t think I tell you enough how much that means to me.”

You don’t realize he’s pulled to the side of the road until you finish talking and realize both of his hands are now clasping your one.

When you meet his eyes you swear he can see straight through you, and you blush furiously while attempting to look away.

Your name on his lips stops you, and you drag your eyes back to his.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

He doesn’t expand, but theres certainty in his voice and adoration in his eyes, and you know him well enough to know what he means.

[motorsportbarbie13]

What's A Soulmate? - Part 1

In which something magical begins.

Warnings: none, just a bit of mutual pining. but this will be an angsty one i think. Pairing: Lando Norris X SainzSister!Reader Words: 2.6k

Master List

(a/n: new series alert! friends to lovers featuring lando norris. this one will be several parts spanning from 2019 to present day. I've tried my hardest to make sure the timeline/race results are accurate but I may have adjusted something to make it work a bit better for the story line. this is a total work of fiction, purely for entertainment.)

February 2019 

Woking, Surry, England

“This is not going to be a year of partying and laziness, Chiquita.” Carlos throws you a sidelong glance as he pulls his new McLaren into a parking spot early one February morning. “You are here with me to work, not spend your gap year playing.” 

“If I’m here to work, then you can’t me ‘little girl’ while we’re here, Carlos.” You bite back, hauling your tote bag from the floor of the low slung sports car. 

Carlos chuckles, throwing his arm around your shoulder as you both begin the walk into his new workplace: the McLaren Technology Center. “Fair enough, Chiquita.” 

Last spring, you had graduated from high school and had spent one miserable semester at the University of Madrid in the fall before dropping out just a few months ago. 

Carlos dodges the swat that you aim at his bicep, taking a few quick steps ahead of you as you approach the front door of the large white building. The sprawling MTC is an intimidating building and you knew that if you hadn’t been here with Carlos, there was no way you’d be able to find your way. 

After spending a few listless months bouncing from Carlos’ couch in Monaco back to your parent’s estate in Spain, they had laid down the law. You needed to figure out what you were going to do for the foreseeable future if going back to University wasn’t in the cards for you at the moment. They were fine with you not going back to uni right away, in fact, they encouraged you to take a gap year but they expected you to do something productive with your life while you figured out what you wanted to do. 

And that had been when your older brother had entered the chat. He had finished third year as a Formula 1 driver a few months ago and would be changing teams come the new season in March. In December, he had parted ways with his long time assistant, who wanted to spend more time with her new husband and less time traveling. Carlos and you had always been the closest of the four Sainz siblings despite the six year age gap (his 25 years to your 19) so it had been the most natural thing in the world to have you be his assistant and social media manager for the 2019 F1 season. 

Up until today, Carlos had been attending pre-season meetings and putting time in at McLaren’s sim setup by himself but you had arrived at his flat five minutes from the MTC yesterday, suitcases in hand, ready to get started as your brother’s assistant. It had been ages since the two of you had spent this much time together and while you were mostly excited to spend the year traveling and reconnecting with your big brother, there was a bit of trepidation and anxiety sitting in your chest as you walked through those sliding glass doors this morning. 

You were barely 19 after all, little real world experience and you knew absolutely no one in this entire country beyond your brother. All of your friends were attending university in other countries, far away from the world you now found yourself in. Yes, you were excited but you were also insanely nervous. 

Carlos leads you down a long hallway, lined with trophy cases filled with motorsport winners trophies on one side and sleek F1 cars on the other. It was an entire shrine to McLaren history, of which there was a lot, and you were in awe as you followed after your brother. “Where are we going?” You ask as he turns down another quiet hallway, convinced you’d be utterly lost if Carlos asked you to show him how to get back to the front doors. 

“I have a little office tucked away back here next to Lando’s, I wanted to get you set up with the laptop and sync my calendar so you could get yourself ready.” 

You nod, ears perking up at the mention of your brother’s new teammate, Lando Norris. You knew a little about him from a few causal Google searches. He was 19 like you and this was his rookie season in Formula 1. From everything you read, he was a karting prodigy that had been signed by McLaren for a while and had been tapped to drive opposite of Carlos this year. Just knowing that there would be someone around the offices and on the road that was your age made the tight anxiety that sat in your chest ease just a touch, even if you two didn’t end up being more than acquaintances this year. 

Carlos hadn’t been lying about his ‘little’ office. It was barely more than a broom closet if you were being honest. Just enough room for a desk, a pair of chairs, and a bookshelf, but there was a large window that faced south so at least there’d always be sun spilling into the small space making it feel a little airier. 

You pull your MacBook out of the Dior tote Carlos had gotten you for your birthday last year as Carlos chatters away about schedules, press duties, and what he expected out of you. You listened carefully, taking notes in a little spiral bound notebook as you waited for your laptop to boot up. 

“Are you in here talking to yourself again, Carlitos?” 

Your head snaps up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice and you find yourself smiling at the boy standing in the doorway. He’s a few inches taller than you, with short brown hair, and bright green eyes surrounded by thick black eyelashes. The deep tan of his skin surprises you a bit, considering its February in England and you hadn’t seen the sun since you left Spain yesterday. 

The boy’s face instantly sobers when he sees that your brother isn’t alone. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He blushes, hand coming to cup the back of his neck. “I didn’t realize you had a guest.” 

Carlos laughs, “This isn’t a guest. This is my sister, the one I was telling you about Friday. She’s going to be my assistant this year.” 

“Of course, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Lando.” 

You stand, crossing the small office in just 2 quick strides to shake Lando’s outstretched hand, “Nice to meet you too, Lando.” You say, polite smile playing on your lips. 

Lando turned around then, not wanting to intrude on the sibling time but also needing a moment to collect himself. He had known that you would be spending the season with your bother and that you two were around the same age but what he hadn’t prepared himself for was for how pretty you were. Your hair was even darker than your brother’s and it tumbled over your shoulders in layered waves that shined in a way that made Lando’s mouth go a little dry. Those dark eyes, round and doe eyed, threatened to swallow Lando whole and he’d barely spent more than a handful of seconds in your orbit.

He leaned against the door frame leading into his office, the sound of your laughter drifting through the walls. He had been used to the constant travel that was required of drivers of his caliber, having spent most of his teenage years on the road but all that time, he always had someone with him. His father, mother, manager. Someone that was ‘in charge’ of him and his schedule.

Now though? Now everything is different. He’s of age, a driver in the pinnacle league of his chosen sport, and totally alone. His friends are either jealous of his success or away at school and Lando often finds himself spending the entire weekend alone in his little flat down the road from the MTC. He was happy, of course, ecstatic that he had been given this chance by McLaren but the truth of the matter was, Lando Norris was quite lonely. 

As the image of your face flickered through his mind, Lando felt the tight grip of anxiety ease just a little bit. There was something so open about the way you had greeted him, something about how easy your laugh seemed to come, that told Lando that you were a good person, someone that would somehow be very important to him this year. 

“That is your teammates sister, mate.” Lando mutters to himself as he pushes off the door frame, making a beeline for the sim rig that was on the other side of the MTC, hoping that the time spent focused on racing would be enough to get your image out of his brain. 

April 2019 

Baku City Circuit 

“Lando, I swear to God if you’ve slept in again I’m ordering fish whenever I eat with you for the rest of my life.” 

Somewhere between Australia and China, you had morphed into not only Carlos’ personal assistant but also the assistant and babysitter of sorts to his stupid, idiotic, hilarious teammate. You adored the boy but most of the time he drove you to the brink of absolute madness. 

“I didn’t sleep in! My alarm didn’t go off!” Lando groans, breathless on the other end of the phone. 

“That is literally the same thing. I have one simple job here, Norris: get you and my brother to where they belong during race weekends and right now? You’re making me look like an amateur.” 

“I just got into the paddock, relax darling, no one is even remotely close to being fined by the FIA. I’ll be on the fan stage in five minutes, meet me there?” 

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you desperately try to will away the Landache, the term you’ve come up with when you get a headache caused by the Brit. “Fine.” You breathe. 

It’s your fourth race of the season and while Lando and your brother were seemingly hell bent on driving you to an early retirement, you had never been happier. Managing the busy schedule and life of now two Formula 1 drivers had come naturally to you. Engineers and mechanics in the garage were always a little in awe of your ability to keep the two drivers in line and where they needed to be when. The communications team at McLaren loved you because sometimes, you were the only one who would be able to get the Carlando, as the duo was coming to be known as, to behave. 

It was total chaos pretty much all of the time but you were thriving. You and Carlos were closer than ever, working tighter like a well oiled machine. But Lando and you? You two were the textbook definition of Partners In Crime. While you were the picture of professionalism on the track and during business hours, you were the other half of the chaos gremlin duo that terrorized half the grid. 

Right now though? Now the chaos gremlin was the perfect paddock princess that had to make sure her best friend and brother got to the right places on time. You round the corner of the back stage area, desperately searching for the mop of wavy brown hair covered by a papaya colored hat. 

“Lando!” You call, relieved when your dark eyes catch with a familiar pair light colored eyes. Today, they were an icy blue thanks to the bright desert sun of Baku. “I didn’t think I had to add ‘alarm’ to my list of race weekend duties.” You grouse, brushing at the dust on his team polo. 

Lando shakes his head, easy smile spreading across his face. “Am I late though?” 

You glare at him, “No.” You huff. 

“I would never make you look bad, pretty girl.” He winks and your stupid stomach does its traitorous little flip that it’s been doing lately. It’s disgusting. 

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Norris.” 

“And please welcome to the stage, McLaren drivers Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris!” The presenter calls from behind Lando’s shoulder, interrupting your sparring match. 

Lando gives you a wink before spinning around following your brother up the stairs of the stage. 

July, 2019

Germany 

“That was my fifth DNF this year.” The pain in Lando’s voice sends your stomach twisting. You follow behind him, hands wringing together, as he stalks down the hallway of the hotel in Germany. The race had finished up hours ago but Lando had just been released from media duties a bit ago. Carlos had been caught up in some post-race meetings so you had hitched a ride back to the hotel with Lando instead but now, as you followed his stiff frame stalk down the hall, you wondered if that had been a good idea. 

“Lando, it wasn’t your fault. Your car lost power, it’s not like you binned it into the wall or anything.” 

Reaching his room, Lando stops and pulls out the key before letting himself in. He leaves the door open though, indicating he wanted you to follow him. “I know that.” He groans, scrubbing his hands over his face. The hotel room is pretty normal where hotels are concerned, 2 queen sized beds dominate the space with a large flat screen tv on the opposite side. Lando flops down on the farthest bed, his eyes closed. 

“I’ve barely finished in the points yet this season. Haven’t had a sniffing chance at a podium. I feel like such a fucking fraud.” 

You had stopped just inside the door, wanting to give Lando some space as he had his tantrum but now, seeing how truly upset he is, you cross the carpeted floor and sit down next to your best friend. “Lan.” You coo, running your fingers through his hair, knowing how the scratches from your nails relaxes him. “Lan, it’s okay. You knew coming in, just like Carlos, that McLaren is in a bit of a rebuilding stage. This isn’t unexpected.” 

The problem with Lando is that he is utterly too hard on himself. You had clocked the fact quickly, by the time you had been landing in Australia for the first race of the season, you knew he needed to work on his confidence. 

“I know. I mean, I don’t know but I know that you know and I trust you enough to know that you know what you know is right.” 

Your head spins. “Pardon me?” 

Laughter spilling from your lips pops the bubble of tension in the room, Lando unable to keep the smile off his face either.

“You heard me.” He gripes, sitting up. “And I know -” He stops, glaring at you when you double over with laughter once again. “I know you understood me, you cheeky monkey.” 

“I’m sorry but I’m just so terrified by the fact that I did understand that whirlwind of a sentence and can’t decide how to process it.” You say, chest heaving from laughing so hard. “We’ve been spending too much time together.” 

Lando grabs the remote from your hand before turning on the movie you had both fallen asleep to last night before the race. “Are you going to be mean to me all night, or are we going to finish this movie?” 

You roll your eyes, but toe off your shoes before settling against the headboard of the bed, shoulder bumping with Lando’s as he joins you. “Pizza or sushi for dinner?” You ask, grinning because you already know the answer. 

“You’re an idiot.” 

“Love you too, Lan.” You counter, pulling out your phone to order some pizza. 

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