#screw you Arnold

[randgugotur-6]

[sirtadcooper]

No one's past is that unremarkable.

Not unremarkable, just—

[lovegalor333]

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

my bad (paige x reader)

summary: paige accidentally hits you with a basketball and she feels bad so tries to make it up to you.

content warnings: none!

requested by: anon 💗

It was a warm summers evening in Storrs and there was nothing you and your roommate enjoyed more than ending your day with frozen yogurt.

You had walked to the dessert shop on campus, excited for your sweet treats but there was an unusually long line for this time off the evening. There was a group of girls outside of the shop and as you got closer, you recognised them as the womens basketball team.

There was six of them and all of their faces were familiar. Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Ice Brady, KK Arnold and two freshmen that, admittedly you didn’t know the names of. They had a ball in tow that they were bouncing and throwing to one another and every now and then, the ball would be dropped and it would roll away and one of them would scramble after it. You giggle as you watch the scene unfold, KK shoving herself into Paige, playfully trying steal the ball from her.

The team was somewhat famous on and off campus. They were the most successful womens basketball program in the nation with the longest winning streaks in college basketball, period. And more recently, the current team had shot to fame on social media and you could see why. Tall, muscular, athletic. The appeal was obvious.

You had been to a few games over your years at UConn and often saw the girls around campus and they seemed nice enough so you had no problem with how boisterous they were being while you waited in line.

“Be honest. Smash or pass?” Your Khloe asks you, catching your gaze focused on the athletes.

“Which one?” You ask back.

“I don’t know, any…the blondie?” She says pointing to Paige and you slap her hand down not wanting them to see her point.

“I don’t know.” You say but you do know and your roommate does too.

“Yes you do. That’s your type all over.” She teases and she’s right. That was your type. Tall, blonde, light eyes, athletic, there was no denying Paige Bueckers was your type.

“Whatever.”

“So…smash or pass?”

“Smash.” You say and your roommate grins but before can even roll your eyes in response, you literally get smashed, right in the face.

You’re thrown off balance and stumble back at the impact before you steady yourself.

“Paige!”

Your eyes are screwed shut as a sharp, stinging sensation spreads over your left cheek, that hurt like a bitch.

“Oh my God! My bad ma, I’m so sorry.” You feel two hands land on your shoulders and when you open your eyes, it takes a second for your vision to clear. When it does, you’re met with Paige, inches away from you, hands on your shoulders, a sorry look on her face.

“Does it hurt?” She asks, bringing her hand up to your face to angle it so she can get a better look at her handy work. Your cheek felt like it was on fire, it was definitely red as hell right now.

Your head spun and you wasn’t sure whether it was because of the unexpected impact or because of the beautiful, blue eyed girl with her hand on your face.

“A little.” You squeak out.

“I am so sorry, I feel so bad. You should ice it. I should get you ice. Where can I get ice? Someone get some ice!” Paige rambles out and you laugh at her frenzied words.

“It’s OK. I’ll survive.” You reassure her and she seems to calm down.

“Your frozen yogurt is on me.” She tell you and you shake your head, “You don’t have to do that.”

“I do. I just threw a ball in your face.” She chuckles, finally dropping her hands from your face and shoulder.

“Well, when you put it like that...” You respond, rubbing your cheek in hopes to defuse the pain.

The line moved quick and soon, Paige and her friends were at the counter making their orders and you were up next. Paige insisted on standing beside you until you had ordered, even when her friends went to sit at a table, just so she could keep her promise and pay for you.

“Could we also get a bag of ice for the pretty lady?” Paige interjects after you give your order, “I accidentally smacked her face with my ball.” She over explains and once again brings her hands up to turn your face to the server so he can see the mark, “Look.” She says but the guy behind the counter looks like he couldn’t care less. “I don’t need ice, it’s fine.” You insist and he gets on, adding your chosen toppings to your frozen yogurt.

You’re thankful for your red cheek because the way Paiges slender, slightly calloused fingers held your face so gently and the use of the pet name pretty lady made you blush, hard. You had been single for longer than you’d like to admit so at this point you were touch starved and Paige was feeding you.

She had already started eating her frozen yogurt and as you glanced up at her to thank her for paying, you notice a blob of it on her cheek.

“Um-you- you kinda have…” You point at her face, “some yogurt right here.”

You hate to admit it but you’re mesmerised by the way she flicks out her tongue and wiggles it, trying to swipe the yogurt away.

“It’s still there.” You inform her and she dips her head down, more to your level, “Do you mind?”

Does this girl seriously want me to wipe her face? You thought to yourself.

“Come on, I don’t bite.” She chuckles so you take your finger and wipe the yogurt away, “There.” You say, her face now clean and her next movement makes you raise your brows, taken aback. Her mouth is open, tongue poking out ever so slightly, she wants to lick the yogurt off your finger.

“Seriously?” You ask shocked at her brazen attitude, “You don’t know where my fingers have been.”

“I can only dream.” She smirks and takes it upon herself to guide your finger to her mouth, licking it clean.

“You’re so nasty.” You playfully shove her shoulder.

“A nasty girl who pays for your yogurt.” She says taking your order from the server and handing it to you.

“For real, thank you.” You smile genuinely.

“For real, I’m sorry.” She replies and you tell her it’s fine before turning to leave the store, Khloe waiting for you by the door.

“You’re not sitting in?” Paige asks making you turn around to face her again.

“No, we have…a spot.” You say, referring to yours and Khloes favourite place to eat on campus.

“Ohh, a spot?”

“Mhm.” You nod, taking a spoon full of frozen yogurt into your mouth.

“Where is this spot?”

“I’m gatekeeping.” You tease and Paige pouts exaggeratedly, “Maybe I’ll show you one time.” You offer not actually knowing why you said that and you immediately cringe.

But Paige agrees, “Deal.” She says, holding out her hand for you shake and you do. For someone you only really met a few minutes ago, her hands have been on you quite a bit.

You begin walking to Khloe and by the grin on her face, you know what the topic of conversation will be this evening.

“Wait, how can I reach you?” Paige calls after you, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.” You call back, turning your head to look at the girl one last time.

“I don’t even know your name!”

You shout out your first and last name as you walk out of the shop.

“Did blondie just suck your finger?!” Khloe whisper screams once the door closes behind you.

You laugh, “It was more of a lick.” You say matter of factly.

“But her finger was in your mouth?”

“Yes.”

“Wow…slutting it up in the Fro-Yo shop. That’s the most action you’ve got all semester.” Khloe jokes.

“Alrighttt, not to much on me and my sex life. I’m going through a drought.” You defend yourself.

“Well, from where I was standing, it’s due to get pretty wet.”

“Shut up!”

You and Khloe head to your favourite spot and eat your frozen yogurt like you did most nights. Side by side on the grass, watching the sunset.

Your phone pings from in your pocket and you pull it out seeing a notification from Instagram.

paigebueckers started following you.

Another notification came through almost instantly.

paigebueckers: its meant to be

“Damn, she’s quick.”

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

a/n: please let me know if you have any requests, id be happy to do them! 💋

[angelickisscs]

wants vs needs ~ blurb‧₊˚

୨ ୧ ˚₊ pairing ~ trent alexander arnold x reader

summary: a breakup leads to sleepless nights and texts from your ex !

THE DIGITAL CLOCK placed next to you boldly boasted it’s numbers, the time making you grown harshly into your pillow. Sleep was all you wanted and yet it was the one thing not your body refused to give to you at this moment in time.

Rolling over into the cold sheets beside you, you repelled back slightly. The low temperature was a shock to your system, no matter how much you had been trying to familiarise yourself to it over the past weeks. The sheets only were getting worse.

You had soon lost count of the number of times you had shoved them angrily into the washing machine, putting it onto the longest cycle you could paired cruelly with the highest temperature as you attempted to wash the lingering scent of him off.

But it soldiered onwards.

Fabrics wore the strong bite of his aftershave, in each strand of cotton or even each crack in the wooden legs, each surface in your apartment was sure to carry the sultry scent that he bathed himself in.

You had always wondered how long it would linger for. Hoping and praying every time he went away for a game that it could stick with you for a couple extra days and yet it never did. Each day it would slowly decay until not a note of it joined your side.

The one time you wanted nothing but for it to leave you however, it found a new way to fail you. It persisted in the way that you could only dread, leaving you no choice but to scroll for replacements for your innocent sofa throughout the empty days. Though at this point, not even that seemed like a helpful enough option.

Every new jumper you had brought to replace his picked it up within a matter of hours, the scent sticking to each hair on your arms as you dragged them over your head.

Slamming down your fist onto the emptiness beside you, nothing was able to replace him. No inanimate object caring for you in the same way he used to. No number of blankets could seem to produce the same amount of warmth as his arms as they wrapped around you, dragging you as close to his body as humanly possible. The memories taunted your mind with no remorse, giving you no break despite your pleads.

1:56

The clock next to you read in mockery, mere minutes having passed since you last checked. You brought your hands up to your head, gripping softly at the strands of hair that you could. Not even the plain white ceiling gave you a well needed break. Far too many times had you lead in the exact same position after an argument with him. Wishing the same thing as you were right in that moment. For him to come back to you.

It was an irresponsible thought, trailing off and away from all the others about the same man. Rouge even. Yet it plagued you every night, screaming at you from afar.

Rain pattered against the window in desolation, that same emotion looming throughout the dense atmosphere around you. It was a flannel, forced to empty out everything it had to a sink that would not accept it. A jumper having been washed one too many times, all softness disintegrating, yet you failed to throw it out, the memories that it held with it being far too important.

Maybe you had gone on your first date with it or even the last. Maybe it was the one you had worn when you snuggled down onto the sofa together for the first time, bickering like two children over what movie to wear.

Though he was quick to give in, claiming a disinterest in the romcom you had opted for. But the questions that tumbled over his lips in annoyance when the male main character screwed up told you a much different story.

The good memories outweighed the bad by far too much. So much so, it left you feeling lost when he sat you down only two rooms away to inform you of the decision he had made. A decision he had made for the both of you but somewhere along the way, he had forgotten to involve you in it.

Your phone buzzing beside you brought you out of your scrambled mind, the unexpected noise giving you quite the fight. Slowly, you reached your hand behind your head, tapping around on the wooden surface as you searched for the object without the usage of your eyes.

It took you a minute, but it was soon in your hands, the bright light taking you a second to get past as it shone luminously in your eyes. Tapping onto the notification without a second thought, it took you a while to process the contact at which you were staring at. The same contact that only this morning you had blocked and unblocked at least five times.

A cascade of swear words fell from your lips once you had read his message. You dragged your bottom lip into your lips, biting down harshly as you thought through your options.

Your mind was telling you not to respond, reasoning with you through the hundreds of movies and tv shows you had watched with the same plotline.

It never ended well.

But it was only a simple you up? text, it probably would go nowhere.

With short, regretful taps, you typed in the first answer that came to mind. why?

Putting your phone back onto the soft duvet you were wrapped in, you slapped yourself on the head in utter disappointment at the little hesitation you felt.

It was a couple minutes later when your phone once again was buzzing beside you. Slowly, you moved your hand from atop of your face, sliding downwards until you felt the texture of your phone case meet with your hand. You flipped over in bed, turning your head into the pillow as you squeezed your eyes closed, your hand retreating so it could join your head.

A scream escaped from your throat, the sound falling flat into the plush object that had to put up with your tears so many times, it was most likely unbothered by this new action added into your streak of dramatics.

When the third buzz in that hour vibrated throughout your body, you had nothing left in you to ignore it. The ideas that filled your mind in what he could say at this hour leaving you no other choice.

I need to see you.

please

“Oh, Trent.” You whispered under your breath, reading the five words repeatedly. To the point where you had engraved them into your brain, the same one that you had betrayed by answering.

Multiple texts, each with a different array of words, filled the bar at the bottom corner of your screen. Yet none got you closer to what you wanted to say. You knew what you wanted; you knew it the minute the first text had appeared on your phone screen. It was not what you needed. You knew that just as well.

The bright light began to burn into your eyes, the tears that were forming from mixing such bright light with the darkness you had plunged yourself into for so many hours, pushing you from an answer even further.

Come over then.

2:31

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Welcome to Villa Barton built in 1993 and remodeled in 2006. The villa is located in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. It has 5bds, 6ba, and is listed for €4.5M / $4,903,078.50. I don't know how to describe the decor, you just have to see it for yourself.

The tour begins with this very large room lined with wood paneling, and travertine floors.

If you like this carpet, good news, b/c you'll see it again.

Like here, in the sitting room with red walls to match. Note that the bar is quilted in red leather to match the Chesterfield sofas.

Quite a large bar with plenty of space for bottles.

The room also has an ornate fireplace.

This is my favorite room, big, white, and perfect for showing off the best feature of all- the big gold legs screwed into the ceiling.

This is some big dining room. It appears that the carpet is framed by the floor. This table seats 16.

Initially, I thought, what is a kitchen set doing in an office? But, it's the kitchen, which is so large, but so disappointingly sparse. They don't even show the stove or anything.

More hall, more carpet.

This is a very cool home gym. Barbie would love it.

Purple walls with the red carpet wouldn't have been my choice.

I think that this may be the empty wine cellar.

This is one of the bedrooms, and it's quite spacious. Could be a guest room.

The matching en suite has a big jetted tub. Does the floor match the wall? I've never see anything like that.

This palatial white, black & gold bedroom is the primary. You can see that it also has a large sitting room.

It has an en-suite, with that carpet. The shower seems awfully high off the floor.

Wow, look at the office. I've never seen computer screens attached like that. What the listing photos don't show, and I wouldn't expect them to, is the home's safe room, in case of a home invasion.

Look at this patio and garden. It's like in a movie.

The outdoor grounds are stunning.

The bad news is that the nearby golf course was designed by the famous golfer Arnold Palmer, and there is a mandatory yearly service charge and membership fee of €5,244.26 / $5,714.88.

https://www.daft.ie/for-sale/detached-house-villa-barton-1-churchfield-straffan-co-kildare/5723217

[trentslvrr]

omg can you PLS write a trent smut + include the phrase “yeah, take it” AHH IM SCREAMING! ill leave the rest up 2 u xo luv ur work

・❥・trent alexander-arnold, smut (mdni)

take it,

trent and y/n had been dating for a few weeks now, it was going very well so far. they see each other nearly everyday and spend every minute together. they bring out a side in each other they didn’t know they could.

but there was one thing and that was that they had not had sex yet, neither were virgins and it was bound to happen one day. both of them were lowkey hoping that now was the time.

they were sat on trent’s bed, her in his lap as they were innocently making out. it wasn’t anything new to them.

“we need to stop, otherwise i won’t be able to help myself.” he muttered in between kisses, making her smile.

“and what if i don’t want to stop?” she tested him.

“then we don’t have to.” he shook his head, making some of his dreads fall in front of his face.

“then don’t stop.” she almost begged him.

trent connected their lips again, pulling her to the bed, making her lie on her back and putting his weight on top of her.

“you want this?” he asked, his voice muffled as he pressed kisses to her neck.

“so bad, trent.” she breathed.

“me too, baby. just tell me what you want.” he lifts his head to look into her eyes, filled with lust and desire.

“i want you, i want you inside of me.” she begged, pulling at the back of his hair, resulting in a small groan from him.

he rested himself on his knees as he pulled his shirt off, revealing his toned stomach and small happy trail going into his calvin klein boxers.

“take this off.” he tugged at the bottom of her his shirt.

he ripped her shirt off her body and admired her for a while, before dipping his head down and kissing just under her breasts.

“trent please, just fuck me already.” she begged, lifting her back off the bed a bit.

“you sure baby?” trent raised his brows.

“never been so sure about anything.” she grinned, making him smile back at her.

he tugged down on her shorts and panties, shrugging them off and throwing them somewhere in the room.

“you’re so beautiful.” he admired his girlfriend underneath him.

he pulled his shorts down, leaving him in his boxers.

y/n let out a gasp at how big he looked just through his boxers, making him let out a breathy laugh. he grabbed her hand and put hers on his cock through his boxers, “just for you.” he mumbled pressing their lips together.

she pulled at the waist band of his boxers and pulled them down, pulling away from his lips to look at him.

“jesus, trent.” she breathed.

“you’ll be fine, beautiful.” he kissed her as he rubbed his tip up and down her slit.

“please.” she grabbed at his shoulders, begging him to be inside of her already.

he slowly pushed himself in her, making both of them gasp at the unfamiliar yet familiar feeling.

“you okay?” he asked as he pushed himself all the way in, placing kisses on her lips to distract her.

“more than okay.” she mumbled, kissing him back, “move, please.”

he slowly dragged himself out and pushed in again, rocking his hips back and forth slowly at first.

he grunted against her lips at the feeling of her wrapped around him.

“you’re so big.” she breathed out, moaning from the pleasure and a bit of pain at his size.

“yeah? you think you can take it all for me?” he questioned, looking down at himself going in and out of her.

“mhm.” she hummed, before moaning at his change in pace.

he quickened his pace, placing his face in her neck, letting out groans here and there.

“you feel so good around me.” he praised, “take it all for me.” he said before going even faster.

the pace catching her off guard, her mouth dropped open in pleasure as her eyes screwed shut.

“i’m not gonna last much longer, trent.” she moaned.

“i know baby, me too.” he grunted.

“i wanna cum with you.” she lifted his head to look in his eyes.

“yeah?” he raised his eyebrows, as he hit the right spot inside of her.

“yes! there trent, don’t stop please.” she clawed at his back, probably leaving marks.

“i’m gonna cum baby.” he moaned in her ear.

“do it.” she egged him on.

he grunted as he pushed one harsh thrust into her, she moaned at the feeling of him spilling inside of her, edging her to her orgasm.

their chests heaving as they reach their highs together. he collapsed on top of her as she played with his dreads.

“was that good for you?” he asked.

“it was amazing.” she breathed.

he laughed before lifting his head and giving her a kiss.

thank you anon ily <33

[azulera]

Retwist

Pairing: Trent Alexander-Arnold x Black Reader

Summary: You give your bf Trent a retwist (and some cuddles).

Notes: Trent's locs are everything 2 me ... but I just know he needs his scalp oiled + a satin bonnet I just know it. I would provide that for him … Anyways thank u for reading and gentle feedback is always welcome!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Grab me the mirror, comb, gel, oil, clips, and mousse – they’re all in the bottom cabinet.”

A moment later, Trent was stood in front of you with an armful of the requested items. His face was serious as he concentrated on not dropping anything. 

“Did you get everything I asked?” 

“Yeah, I’ve got it all.”

“Are you sure?”

Trent huffed out another yes, making the various bottles and items bobble. You probably wouldn’t use everything, but it was comforting to have each product in reaching distance. 

“Okay, sit.”

Though you loved his free-form look, retwisting your boyfriend’s hair was an activity you’d come to look forward to, even knowing that the fresh locs were likely to frizz just as soon as he went to training and showered after. Still, the time spent with him close together on the couch, and how handsome he looked in the aftermath, made the sedentary hour and a half worth it.

“Don’t pull too hard this time, alright?”

Trent was sat now on a pillow on the floor, with his head settled between your thighs. He’d wrapped his right palm into its usual position around your calf. 

“Trent, don’t be a baby.” 

“M’not a baby.” 

“Then stop acting like one. I haven’t even started yet.” 

He grumbled, but his brattiness soon melted away as you two got wrapped up in the plot of the movie he put on, and in the comfort of being so near to each other. You started with the locs in the back, gathering product into your hands and grabbing hold of the root of the twist. Then you twisted the hair in a clockwise direction, while holding it tight all the way until you reached the ends. After 45 minutes, you’d made it to the middle, but Trent had gotten antsy. 

“Keep your head still!” You scolded him. 

“I am still!” 

“No, you’re not, you’re fidgeting.”

“How am I fidgeting? I’ve not moved from between your legs, have I?” 

You sighed, not wanting to argue. 

“Let’s take a break.” 

You stood up to head to the kitchen, but Trent clung to your leg.

“Wait, where’re you goin?” 

“Just to the fridge, to get some water.” 

He relaxed back onto the foot of the couch.

“Oh, alright. Hurry back, though.”  

When you sat back down, he was calm again, and you two finished out the rest of the film while you worked. He kept his hand along your calf, and occasionally pressed his lips there absentmindedly, or to the inside of your knee. As the credits began to roll, you finished twisting the last strands in the front, and started to rub the peppermint oil through his scalp, which was his favorite part. 

“Mmm. All done?” 

“Yep, here.” You passed him the handheld mirror and you both looked into it. He turned his head this way and that. 

“You look so good, baby! I can’t let you out the house like this.” You called out, squeezing on to his shoulders. “I really did that, huh?” 

Trent scrubbed a hand over his chin, still tilting his head. His brow was furrowed. 

“Eh, it’s decent.” 

Your mouth dropped open.

“What?”

Trent picked at one of the locs above his eyes and dropped it, struggling to keep his face neutral.

“I mean it looks okay. S’alright.”

You leaned back from him, your face screwed up, and when he caught sight of your shocked eyes in the mirror, he cracked. 

“I’m just joking you, babe. Relax.” 

“Oh my gosh, get up - get away from me, move!” 

You got to your feet, and Trent followed after you. From behind, he wrapped you in a bear hug that you pretended to fight your way out of. That only made him squeeze you tighter, laughing as he pressed kisses to your cheek. 

“Stop it - stop fightin, I’m only playin. It looks great.” He smacked one last loud kiss to your neck, his hair tickling you. “Thank you.” 

You rolled your eyes but squeezed him back. 

“You’re not funny, you know, but you’re welcome. And remember that you gotta keep it wrapped up when you sleep.” 

“Well, that’s right now, innit? I'm knackered.”

“From what?” You looked at him wildly. “All you did was sit there?” 

“Exactly.” 

He walked back to the couch and stretched out, pulling off the quilt resting on the back. He patted the space in front of him. 

“Come here, why don’t ya?” 

You stared him down, hating and loving his big shiny eyes that you’d never been able to say no to. 

He cheesed when you started walking towards him. 

“Put on something new for us to watch, then.” 

You settled in alongside him, breathing in the sweet mixture of his scent with the product you’d put on his scalp. 

“But why? You’re gonna fall asleep in two seconds.” 

“No, m’not, I swear. I’ll stay up a bit.” 

You side-eyed him, but selected a movie anyway. It was a thriller, but you were comforted by his hand resting on your belly and his warm body behind you. Fifteen minutes in, you noticed the rise and fall of his chest against your back had become abnormally regular. 

“I called it! I called it. I swear I did.” You laughed in disbelief as you gently slithered from beneath his arm. When you returned with your scarf from the bathroom, and a bonnet for him, he was already snoring. With an annoyed fondness in your chest, you placed the silk carefully over his head, before tying your own hair up. You pulled his arm back over your chest, and cuddled in closer to him, eventually lulled to sleep by the quiet rhythm of his breathing.

[the-eternal-quest-for-balance]

Mike Cernovich responded to Schwarzenegger, stating:

You are a washed up moral coward. You impregnated your nanny, covered this up for decades, and then finally acknowledged your son when it could no longer be denied. During Covid you supported the most draconian lockdowns. You wanted every American forcibly injected with an experimental therapeutic, which was dishonestly called a vaccine. “Screw your freedom,” was what you said to people who refused to live in a state of panic and hysteria. Go screw another nanny, like Kamala’s husband did. How many abortions have you paid for? You were in movies and built a great body when you were in your 20’s and 30’s. When other people gave you the lines, you sounded smart. You have no insight, you’re not an intellectual or philosopher, and morally speaking, you’re a total goober. Go back to doing what you do best – mindlessly fornicating like an animal in heat. The rest of us will do the thinking and leading for this great country.

[formulalfc]

could you please make the request about trent and uni student reader where she’s struggling a long fic x (sorry forgot to specify before lol)

I'm Here Now

Trent Alexander Arnold x Reader

tw- none really, exam stress

The last few weeks of university were really hard for every student, tests, essays, quizzes, you name it. But you were really determined to do well on your upcoming exams having studied so hard over the year.

You spent every day sitting in your boyfriend's office, typing away trying to get all your work done so that you could finally relax after a long year.

But as your final week got closer, your routine went out the window and you were now pulling all-nighters to try and get everything done. You allowed yourself maybe an hour sleep, curled up on the sofa in Trent's office, and then you were up again going through notes.

Trent had been away on international duty for the past few days but was due back today and yet you hadn't even remembered. So engrossed in your work and so out of sorts with what day it is you had no idea your boyfriend was coming home today.

You were currently really struggling with this particular essay you were doing, it was a hard topic and your lack or rest was starting to catch up with you.

The words on the screen started to look jumbled and like they ddint make sense, you screwed your eyes in an attempt to make things clear again but you just couldn't focus.

Tears of frustration started pooling in your eyes, fuelled also by your lack of sleep. You were so close to finishing everything being able to relax and now you just couldn't concentrate.

What started as a few tears were starting to turn into steams of them, sobs racking through your body as you cursed yourself for not looking after yourself better as you were now paying the price.

Due to your uncontrollable tears, you hadn't heard your front door open and close as your boyfriend came in and you hadn't heard him call out your name.

Trent was confused at your lack of response and assumed that you were studying with headphones on or something but when he opened the study door he see you there crying and his heart near enough broke.

As you caught sight of your boyfriend its like you were finally ready to let it all out, now finding it hard to breathe as you cried.

Trent rushed over to you and lifted you from your chair, gently sitting down on the sofa with you cradled in his lap.

You had stuck your head into his neck and were sobbing into him as he cooed down at you telling you, "You're okay baby, you're okay. I'm here now, I'm gonna make it all better okay?"

Your cries eventually died down as you snuggled further into him, finally feeling content in his arms. And soon enough you had fallen asleep in the arms of your boyfriend, who stared down at you in worry.

He could tell from your face that you had worn yourself down, and he felt bad knowing that he wasn't here to stop you from beating yourself up over silly exams.

But he felt better now knowing that you were here, safe in his arms, where you always should be.

Your boyfriend carried you down the hallway to your shared room, slowly managing to peel the covers back before he placed you onto the bed and tucked you in.

He left for a moment to get you a glass of water and some paracetamol for when you woke up, knowing that you would have a headache after all those hours you spent at your computer.

When he got back you seemed to be tossing and turning restlessly without him by your side. And so he quickly dumped the things on the side and stripped down to his boxers, turning off the hallway lights before moving into bed behind you.

You lay still as Trent pulled you close to him and wrapped his arms around you, knowing you could rest now and that you could worry about your essays in the morning.

[miniherodesktales]

Day 6: Stranded

The Dwarf was always busy and never at rest. Shift work was scheduled around the clock - the miners, the cleaners, the chefs, the scutters, the engineers, the payroll people, the cinema attendants, the pilots, the security teams, the bar workers, the toilet cleaners, the librarians, the scientists and their singing lab mice....it was endless, restless, noisy, dirty, overwhelming, and it never stopped, not even for a second.

Rimmer, burnt out and sleep deprived and strung out on caffeine and failure and who knows what else, stood pressed against the wall of the crowded corridor ready to scream. He had his fingers pressed against his ears and his face screwed up, but no one noticed. Every person who brushed against him, who bumped against his legs, brought him a little closer to actually screaming.

Maybe he should scream. Maybe someone then would help him.

'You OK, Rimmer? Arnold?'

A heavy hand fell onto his shoulder, making the material of his shirt rustle. Rimmer winced.

'I'm having a migraine,' he hissed.

Todhunter smiled sympathetically and Rimmer's inside twisted with envy. Frank Todhunter - always capable, always kind, always in charge. He made Rimmer want to throw up, even when he wasn't in pain.

'Really? Well here's not a good place for a migraine,' said Todhunter. 'C'mon, let's get you to the medibay. Keep your eyes closed.' His hand moved to Rimmer's back and he began gently steering him towards the turbo lift.

Much to Rimmer's annoyance it was Todhunter who later volunteered to wheel him back to his bunk room.

'Is Rimmer alright?' he heard Lister ask as Todhunter carefully placed his blanket over his shivering body. He would have retorted back himself but he was too dosed up on pain and sleeping medication to manage it.

'Bad migraine,' Todhunter murmured. 'Do him a favour, Lister, have an early night yourself. Keep the lights dim and the noise to a minimum. He's wearing a medibraclet that'll keep him out over night, but let's skip the guitar practise, OK?'

'OK, OK,' he heard Lister groan. 'I can be quiet.'

Todhunter patted his shoulder one last time.

'You're on sick leave tomorrow, Arnold,' he whispered. 'Holly has already muted your alarm. I'll be back to check on you tomorrow, make sure you're not skiving.' He sensed Todhunter moving away again and whispering, 'Lister, come for a drink before bedtime?'

There's was a soft thump as Lister dropped - quietly - to the floor. 'Thanks, man, appreciate it.'

Rimmer wanted to throw up.

Note: I wasn't intending to ship Rimmer and Todhunter...but I enjoyed playing with the idea. Maybe I'll write more 😅I like to think of Todhunter as being like the school's favourite prefect or Head Boy. He gets on easily with anybody and that makes Rimmer jealous.

[ltwharfy]

For the ship game, gotta get in roudise!

Ship It

What made you ship it?

I've been a fan since the first airing of "Carpe Museum". I enjoyed Rudy right away as a character since he reminded me a lot of myself as a kid. And Louise's interactions with him were pretty different from what we'd seen with any of her classmates before- she treated him as an equal on their adventure, she was concerned when he had his asthma attack. I liked that he brought out a different side to her. By the time they were cuddled up next to Bob on the bus, I was sold.

2. What are your favorite things about the ship?

For starters, I'm a dork for friends to lovers. And I really enjoy the way the show has developed their friendship- it hasn't been static. While I love "Carpe Museum", I really think "The Kids Rob A Train" shows them kind of moving from classmates who get along to friends. And other episodes after that show their friendhsip continuing to evolve until you get a story like "The Amazing Rudy", which would not have rung true if it was earlier on in the shows run. As I've gone on about at length elsewhere even the epieodes that focus on the two being in conflict, "House of 1,000 Bounces" and "Bridge Over Troubled Rudy" , ultimately end up showing them growing as individuals and as friends (and the "growing" part is important since they are only 9, after all.)

But I also really love that their friendship doesn't have to be the focus of an episode to be there. It is often reflected in the show in little moments like Louise cheering on Rudy in kickball in "Stop! Or My Mom Will Sleuth!" or him laughing at her joke at the beginning of "Amelia".

And I like the way their personalities play off each other. I think they have similar personality traits but in different proportions- so they are able to bring out another side in each other. Louise encourages Rudy's more adventorous side, he brings out her more thoughtful and selfless side. They complement each other well and are capable of bringing out the best in each other ("are capable"- they don't always do so, because, again, they're 9).

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

That I ship it, LOL! (Sorry, but I feel like folks can say this about any "Bob's Burgers" ship except Boblin. I mean, if you don't ship Boblin how are you even watching the show?!)

Okay, seriously, I think an opinion I have about them that might go against the conventional wisdom is that, while Louise can be a force of nature, Rudy's not a pushover. I actually think that, after Tina (who has the big sister card to play), Rudy is the next best of any of the kids on the show at standing up to Louise when necessary. Not only is there a whole episode about Rudy setting a boundary and Louise realizing she screwed up by overstepping it ("Bridge Over Troubled Rudy"), you get little things ranging from Rudy being snarky to her in "The Gene Mile" ("How is this 'for Gene'?" and- one of my favorite Rudy lines- "Someone's fishing for a compliment...Good job, Louise!") to Rudy speaking up on behalf of himself, Arnold, and the Pesto Twins in asking for a refund in "The (Raccoon) King and I".

(I will admit that I find this "unpopular opinion" question to be tough! I don't know what's popular! I never have! That's why I'm so unpopular!)

[corriganatheart]

Deepest Secret 🔞 Pt. I/Jude Bellingham x reader x Trent A. Arnold

Synopsis: Jude is your boyfriend's best friend and your biggest nemesis, but sometimes he shows his hate in ways that have you questioning his intentions.

Pairing: Jude Bellingham x fem! Reader x Trent A. Arnold

Genre: Enemies to lover x Forbidden romance

Warnings ⚠️: Cursing, mention of sexual contents🔞

Jude stared at you across the room, champagne in his hands and a couple of blondes and brunettes around him. Although they were talking to him, pushing their boobs up, and exposing their legs to him, he couldn’t help but stare your way. He wasn’t sure if it was because you smiled at every little thing or because you had his best friend wrapped around his fingers, but there was something about you that he hated.

Trent was wiped, and Jude was sure his best bud would get screwed once you get the fame that he is sure you are desperately chasing. Jude has repeatedly warned his best friend about you, but the man wouldn’t listen and instead fell in love with you. He remembers the first time Trent brought you to one of their games and introduced you to everyone, and immediately, the whole team took a liking to you. You were always smiling, cheerful, and optimistic, which somehow transferred to Trent. Jude had never seen his best friend this happy, he even thought once that Trent was incapable of happiness, but here he was smiling and bowing down to you like you’re the queen of England.

Jude’s jaws tighten as he watches Trent’s hands trailing down your back and landing on your ass. You giggle at something Trent says and slightly push his chest. Trent then squeezes your ass and plants a kiss on your neck, which causes you to laugh more. Jude rolls his eyes and chugs the rest of his champagne before slamming the glass on the counter. There was something about you that he despised. Maybe it was the way your eyes glimmer when you smile, maybe it was the way that your cheeks would turn pink when Trent compliments you, or maybe the way your body held the perfect amount of curves and portions. Either way, he hated everything about you.

After the bartender gave him another glass of whiskey, Jude glances your way again, and this time he was admiring the way that tight black dress fits your body. It looked good on you, too good, and he wasn't the only one that noticed it. The other guys were also checking you out, some very obvious and some secretly. But the only person that has had your attention for the last couple of hours was Trent, and Jude shouldn't be bothered by that, but he was. You are his best friend's girlfriend, and by the way, things looked, you are probably going to be around for a very long time, and that only made him madder.

Jude deliberately slammed the cup on the table again, causing one of the girls beside him to yelp, and he glared down at her. She was pretty, and she actually looked familiar. Jude scans her from head to toe; and realizes that the girl is wearing something similar to you. But unlike the shy and innocent girl look, this girl was far from innocent. She was staring up at him like she wanted to eat him whole, which caused him to smirk and look back at you and Trent, publicly making out. He then turns back to the girl and grabs her wrist. “You’re coming with me,” he growls.

The girl was touching him everywhere as he licked and sucked her neck. She tasted like cheap perfume, probably ones that were sent to her for sponsorship. He doesn’t know her name or who the fuck she is, but this is a party for celebrities and influencers, so she has to have an NDA signed before entering the building. But either way, she was only going to be a fuck, not even a short-term.

“This dress,” Jude groans while staring down at the girl. She looked up at him with lust, and her lipstick was smeared. Her eyes were filled with so many sexual things, and Jude suddenly remembered your eyes. The way you looked at Trent while he grabbed you sexually; wasn’t just about lust; it was love. Jude tensely closed his eyes, annoyed that he was still comparing his situation to Trent's, and his hard-on was now gone. He sighs and looks down at the confused girl before stepping away. “Sorry, that should’ve never happened,” he apologizes. The girl angrily glares at him, and he is ready to get yelled at before the door to the bathroom opens.

You walked in expecting someone lying on the floor or throwing up, but you didn’t expect Jude and a girl to stare at you. The girl you recognized as a TikTok influencer looked like she just got screwed. Her lipstick and hair are messy, and Jude’s dress shirt is unbuttoned, so you awkwardly point to the door. “Ahum, the door was unlocked, so I walked in. I’m sorry, I’ll leave,” you apologized, but before you could walk out, the girl pushed you out of the way, causing you to stumble back, and she slammed the bathroom door in your face.

You cursed under your breath and slowly turned to Jude. He was now leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, eyes staring at you. “My bad,” you said. Jude didn’t say anything and continued to eye you with no emotions written on his face. He looks at the black dress that hugs your body tightly and the necklace that he remembers Trent picking out for your anniversary, lying on your half-exposed boobs. He gulps as his eyes trail down your exposed legs, which look shinier and longer than usual. He quickly averts his eyes and calms his breathing before glaring back at you. “At least some of us have the modesty to do things privately,” he spats.

You frown and close your eyes to calm yourself down because, once again, Jude has insulted you. “I didn’t think the player himself would get upset over a simple make-out,” you said rudely. Jude shrugs, “well, it’s normal at a party, but I know you secretly hoped someone recorded you acting like a whore so that you could sell it to TMZ." You glared at Jude; one minute with you, and he was already critiquing; this is precisely why you have avoided him since you arrived at the party.

You and Jude have never seen eye to eye, and you don’t know why. When Trent introduced you to his friends, everyone was welcoming and friendly, except for Jude. He was always giving you nasty looks, rude comments, and accusing you of chasing fame. At first, Trent explained to you that Jude was just being paranoid, but after the constant criticism, you stopped trying to be friends and put him in his place. Everyone knew you guys don’t get along, but they never understood the reasoning, and quite frankly, you don’t know, either.

“I have been with Trent for two years now, and if I wanted to chase fame, I would’ve called paparazzi every time we are out, and I would’ve posted him every day or been a millionaire by now,” you said. “No one knew we were together until our eight-month anniversary, so whatever false information you have of me is wrong.”

Jude chuckles and shakes his head. “And all the great things you get from being his girlfriend? Isn’t that also chasing fame? I don’t think you bought that necklace on your neck, nor did you buy the Chanel dress you’re wearing.” You wanted to strangle him and the smirk on his face. He was so infuriating, and if he weren’t Trent’s best friend, you’re sure to be anywhere but his presence. “Trent got me the necklace for our anniversary, and I bought these clothes myself because I have a job!” You spat and reached for the doorknob, but Jude grabbed your wrist and pinned you against the wall. You gasp, seeing his body tower over yours and the smell of his cologne filling your nose. “He doesn’t see it, but I see right through you. You’re a gold digger chasing his money in exchange for being his whore. But I’ll let you play this little game a little longer, and after he is done, maybe I’ll let you suck my cock, too, for a ticket to our game.” Jude smirks down at you and lets go of your wrist. You were too stunned to speak as he carefully shoved you out of the way and exited the bathroom.

You were quiet on the way back to Trent’s house. He was driving and rubbing your thighs while discussing his upcoming game. Trent would go crazy if he knew your secret exchanges with Jude. This wasn’t the first time you’ve accidentally been alone with Jude and exchanged nasty remarks about one another. You’ve never told Trent because you didn’t want him to cause a scene with Jude and make headlines about transfers or tension in the team. Jude had never brought any of the exchanges up to Trent either, so you assume he also values his friendship. Today though, drew the limit, Jude said things that hurt you so much, and you don’t think you can handle them anymore. He was constantly misjudging you, questioning your intention without even trying to know you.

“Did you hear what I said, babe?” Trent asked. You turn to look at him, and he is smiling down at you before turning back to the road. “Sorry baby, what did you say?” You asked. Trent chuckles and intertwines his fingers with yours. “I think Jude might be in a good mood tomorrow; he took a girl home with him,” Trent winked at you. You’re aware that in a couple of days, there is a friendly game between England and Spain, meaning you have to see Jude again. You would never escape that man as long as you’re dating Trent. “Ahum yeah, I hope he is,” you said with a fake smile. You honestly were in such a rush to leave that you didn’t even notice that Jude went home with a girl. Was it the same girl you saw in the bathroom? She was honestly so upset, so you must’ve disrupted them. “He hasn’t been bothering you lately, has he?” Trent asked while caressing his thumb across your fingers. “No, he hasn’t.” You lied.

Female fans were screaming and shouting Jude’s and Trent’s names as they ran to their position. Trent smiled and waved at you before focusing his attention on the field. You catch Jude‘s eyes before looking away. “Is that Trent’s girlfriend?” You heard someone shout behind you. “Yeah, I heard she’s only using him for fame, though,” another responded. You frustratedly groan and shake off the anger. Instead of letting people's words get to you, you focused on your boyfriend instead. Trent looked incredibly hot during the game, and you are very aware that he has many female fans, but Trent was such an honest and reassuring boyfriend that you don't even question anything.

Unlike his teammates, Trent has always been mysterious and quiet, but when he is in the game, he gets very competitive and aggressive. It was adorable how different he was around you, though, and only you know how much of a big baby he was. You smile, remembering the first time you met him. It was a rainy day, and you were finishing homework at a cafe. At the time, you didn’t know who he was because you were too busy to watch soccer, and you always thought it was weird that girls would go up to him and flirt with him. After that day, you kept seeing him at the cafe, and sometimes you would catch him glancing at you. It took him nearly four weeks before he approached you and asked for your number. You always thought Trent was too good for you because of his status, but he made you feel safe and loved, so you said yes when he asked you to be his girlfriend.

The scream around you made you come out of your thoughts; the England players jumped and circled Jude. You smiled and clapped while watching Trent lift Jude from the ground. Jude was the only person other than you that could make Trent happy. They’ve known each other for so long and have been stuck to one another before you came. You could not get in between them and ruin their friendship. You would never make Trent choose between you and Jude. But you are also selfish and want Trent despite the constant hate from Jude. It was clear that your differences with Jude will not go away, but for Trent, you are willing to hold your ground.

After the game, Trent held a celebration party at his place, and it was nearly midnight when people started leaving his house. You sat on a lounge chair by the pool, watching Trent talk to his friends inside the house. The big glass window gives you the perfect view of your boyfriend’s smiling face. You smile at how bright he looks, and your eyes slowly drift to the sofa behind Trent and see Jude sitting with a girl. She is beautiful; Kendall Jenner lookalike. Your smile slowly fades away because you realize that Jude finds you disgusting because he is always surrounded by girls that look like models. And no wonder he thinks his best friend deserves better.

You take a sip of your tequila as you watch Jude tuck a hair behind the girl's ears and whisper something to her. She giggles and slightly pushes his chest, causing him to smirk. You roll your eyes and advert your attention back to your boyfriend. He looks like he is finishing the conversation and walking them to the door. You gulp the rest of the tequila, and your eyes land on Jude’s. He was now making out with the girl, but his eyes were open, staring at you. He has his hands on the back of her neck, guiding her through the kiss while her hands slide up his thighs. Your lips stay stern while staring at Jude, refusing to look away because that would mean you lost. You aren't sure what game he is playing, but you are not going to look away from him. You see his eyes smile, noticing that you are challenging him. He continues to suck the girl's face, his hands squeezing her neck and also going down on the side of her neck without breaking eye contact with you. You feel the tequila taste on your lips, and you slowly lick it, and immediately this causes Jude’s eyes to darken, and you can tell he moaned from that. And you smirk, realizing that you won his game.

“Babe,” the smell of whiskey hits your nose, and you turn to your right to see Trent sitting beside you. He smiles at you and reaches for your hand. “Are you ok, baby?” You felt like the world stopped spinning as you looked into his gorgeous eyes. Gosh, Trent was a piece of art. “I am now,” you said, and Trent smiled before pulling you onto his lap. “You’re so beautiful,” his hot breath hits your throat, and his cologne mixed with the alcoholic beverage causes you to see stars. You smiled and pecked his forehead, causing him to smile even more. Trent slips his hand under your t-shirt and plays with your swimsuit underneath. “Wanna jump into the pool?” He asked. You giggled and stood up. Trent smirks as he watches you slowly remove your t-shirt and slip your shorts down. His eyes darken as you turn around and then jump into the pool. “You just love teasing me, don’t you?” He asked while standing up and taking his t-shirt off. “Because I know what happens next,” you teased. Trent groans and starts taking off his belt when Jude walks out of the house, staring at you and then at Trent. You don’t miss the small hickey on his neck. “Saka is drunk as fuck. Harry asked if you could follow him with Saka’s car.” Trent rolls his head back and groans, then look at you with desperation in his eyes. “I’ll still be here,” you smiled. Trent sighs and puts his shirt back on. “I’ll be quick,” he says and then nods to Jude before leaving you alone with his devilish friend. You glare at Jude, who is just watching you curiously. “Not a good idea to chug a whole bottle of tequila and then jump into a pool. You might drown,” he said. You roll your eyes and start floating in the pool.

“Oh please, you would’ve loved that,” you mumbled. Jude laughs and scans your body from head to toe. He then bites his lower lips, and when his eyes land on your center, which is covered with a bikini, he feels his dick swell. “Did you enjoy the show?” He asked while pointing at his hickey. You shivered, remembering the lust in his eyes when he made out with that girl. It was like he was trying to tell you something, and for some reason, you found it very attractive. “What was there to look at? It was child’s play,” you said. Your eyes drift to the glass door, and you realize that everyone is gone; you and Jude are the only ones left. “Oh yeah? Then what’s an adult’s play like?” Jude asked, and then a splash caused you to jump back. You gasped when you saw Jude in the pool with you, his shirt was off, and he jumped in with his jeans.

“Show me,” he mumbled as he walked closer to you. You step back but hit the pool wall, and Jude is fast enough to trap you between his arms. He looks down at you, the smell of alcohol coming out of his mouth and his breathing getting heavier. “Show me what it would be like to make out with you,” he says boldly. You bite your lower lips and turn your head, eyes on Trent’s living room. Your boyfriend could be walking in anytime soon, and you’ll be caught in an inappropriate position with his best friend. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I won’t fall for it, Bellingham,” you said and slightly pushed Jude’s chest, but he didn’t move. His eyes look down at you dangerously, and you blame it on the alcohol in your system because you were considering kissing him.

“There are no games right now. I want you to show me what Trent sees in you,” Jude whispers as he lowers his lips. “I just need a taste.” You stare at his chest, which is moving faster than usual. But you can’t give in; this man thinks you’re a gold digger and a fame chaser, and you won’t entertain him. “Trent is your best friend, and I am his girlfriend. It would help if you weren’t suggesting anything,” you mumbled. Jude didn’t respond to that; he lifted your chin so you were looking into his eyes. “He doesn’t need to know. This is our little secret.” As soon as you look up at him, Jude’s mouth is on yours. He hungrily kisses you like he is starving. His hands roam your body like he has wanted for months, and his tongue finds its way into your mouth. “You’ve no fucking idea what these lips do to me,” he growls while squeezing your ass. You whimper and bite his lower lips causing him to groan even more.

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” you murmured. “I hate you, and you hate me.” Jude doesn’t say anything; he devours your mouth while his hands roam your body. The pent-up attraction towards you was too much for him, and he wanted you to fix it. He hates you for being with his best friend, but he hates you even more for being so damn hot. You’re his best friend’s girlfriend, and he shouldn’t want you, but this was getting too much for him, and he needed to see what his friend sees in you. “I shouldn’t do this. I should be loyal to Trent, but I can’t do shit when you’re around. I need to feel you everywhere, Y/N,” he says with pleading eyes. For a second, you almost give in and let him take you to bed. But you remembered who he was and who your boyfriend was. Trent would never betray you, and the thought of you having sex with his best friend disgust you. With no hesitation, you guiltily look at Jude and push him away from you. “I-I love Trent, and he trusts you. That shouldn’t have happened,” you mumbled, and without looking into his eyes, you got out of the pool and went into the house.

You woke up to Trent getting ready for his morning practice. He whistled as he put on his jacket and prepared his duffel bag. As you stare at your boyfriend, memories from last night flash. After leaving the pool, you took a shower and went to bed. Jude probably left after Trent returned, and you remember your boyfriend whispering I love you before he fell asleep next to you. You shuffle out of bed, and Trent is about to turn towards you, but you wrap your arms around his waist before he can. “I miss you,” you whisper while laying your head on his back. “Baby, I’m going to be gone only for a couple of hours,” he chuckles while putting his hands on yours. You stay silent and inhale his cologne; even after a year and a half, Trent still wears your favorite cologne. “Wanna go to practice with me?” He asked as he took your hands off his waist and turned around. You shake your head, and he hugs you while caressing your hair. “Move in with me, baby,” he says and plants a kiss on your head. “I think it’s time we take it to the next level.” You stay silent; as much as you want to say yes, after what happened yesterday, you need to separate yourself from him a bit. Your feelings are messing with your heart, and Trent was bound to discover what happened. Jude was already sure you were using his friend, and after letting him kiss you yesterday, you’re sure he thinks the worst of you now. “I love you so much,” you whispered.

Everyone was hungover, and most didn’t even last ten minutes into practice before they were sent home. Marcus, Harry, and Trent are the only ones not as hungover, whereas Jude seems to need ten hours of sleep. “Jude is a bit off today,” Marcus says as the trio stretches in a circle. Trent looked over at his friend, lying on the ground with his hood on like a weirdo. “Look at his neck; he probably went at it all night,” Harry says, causing Marcus to laugh. Trent frowns, wondering which girl Jude slept with last night. He knew Jude made out with the model, but he sent her away after a few minutes. Hopefully, it wasn’t a random girl from his DMS that would only ruin his reputation. “I don’t remember Jude ever being interested in anyone. He just fucks around,” Harry says while glaring at the youngster on the ground. “He’s young; just let him be. I’m sure he’ll grow out of that phase.”

“Here,” Trent says while shoving a Gatorade into Jude’s hands. Jude sits up and takes the drink, avoiding as much eye contact as possible. Trent glares at his friend, noticing that something is wrong. He then sits down next to Jude, staring at the bottle in his hand. “Rough night yesterday?” Trent asked, noticing the sudden change in Jude’s eyes at the mention of yesterday night. Jude stared at the random hole in the grass and wondered what to tell Trent. After the kiss, he realizes that his feelings for you are past the sexual attraction and that he might like you. He agrees that it was a mistake to kiss you because now he can’t even look into his best friend's eyes. But at the same time, he wouldn’t be able to control himself if you were left with him again. If you didn’t stop him, he would’ve fucked you in the pool without caring about Trent.

“Who was it?” Trent asked while pointing at the hickeys on his neck. Jude shakes his head and sighs, “no one important,” he mumbles. Trent hums and checks the time on his phone, and Jude sees your smile on the Lock Screen. “I asked Y/N to move in with me,” Trent says, causing Jude to look at him immediately. “She said she’ll think about it.” Jude nods and lays back down on the grass. “You love her, don’t you?” Jude asked. This was an obvious question that he knew the answer to, but he wanted to hear it from Trent to remind himself that you were off-limits. “She’s the woman I see myself spending the rest of my life with.” The guilt only increases after he hears the words come out of his friend’s mouth. He was such a lousy friend, and he did not deserve Trent. “I’m sure she’ll come around,” Jude mumbles. Trent stares down at his friend; he is surprised Jude isn’t trashing you because he knows how much you hated one another. This was a good thing but a dramatic change in just one day. With a confused mind, Trent stands up, “I got to go,” he excuses himself.

You stare at the miss calls and messages from Trent. It has been a week since you last saw your boyfriend, and despite his busy schedule, he makes time for you, but you keep making excuses that you’re busy. You sighed as you looked at the different dresses on your bed. Today is Marcus’s birthday, and you can’t miss it. You know that Jude will be there, which complicates things because you’re trying to avoid him as much as possible. You keep telling yourself that both of you were drunk and it was a mistake, but you wouldn’t remember this much detail if it was a drunken mistake. You’ve always hated Jude simply because you assumed he hated you too. But after what happened, you don’t know how to feel anymore.

Trent stares at you in awe as you approach him at the bar. He suggested picking you up, but you said you’d be late, so he went ahead. “Baby, you look amazing,” Trent says as he twirls you around to check you out. You embarrassedly laugh as his friend whistles and cheers for the two of you. Trent smiled and pulled you into a tight embrace as he nuzzled his face into your shoulder. “I miss you so much,” he whispers. You giggled and wrap your arms around his waist. “I’m sorry I have been ignoring you. I have just been busy; I missed you too, babe.” Like the lover he is, Trent, forgive you, and you guys ended up drinking and dancing to the loud music.

It was twenty minutes later that you saw Jude walking into the club with a couple of girls behind him. You glanced at him, and he immediately looked at your ass on Trent’s crotch. Like everybody else in the club, you’re grinding on your boyfriend. You glare at the girls behind him; they are all models. And despite hating him, you couldn’t help but get angry at the thought of him touching other girls. You rolled your eyes at him and continued to grind and be free with your boyfriend. “Huh, I’m surprised to see Jude here,” Trent says as he guides you toward the bar. “Why is that?” You asked curiously. “He hasn’t been himself for a while, and he didn’t go to the club with Foden the last time.” You nod at the new information and glance over Jude’s way. He was now sitting on a couch with each girl on his side. They were touching his thighs and whispering in his ear, but Jude’s eyes scanned around the club, looking extremely bored. “Dude, this is lit as fuck!” Saka screamed as he swung his arms around you and Trent. “And you two looked hot as fuck dancing!”

Both you and Trent laugh at Saka, who is close to blacking out. The three of you continue to entertain one another until Saka starts whistling. “Damn, I didn’t know Jude was into that stuff.” You look over at the couch and to see one of the girls grinding on Jude's lap as the other kisses his neck, sucking and tucking. Jude looked turned on as he leaned his head back on the couch, and you didn’t miss his eyes catching yours before he closed it and smirked. You fist the cup and chug the rest of your alcohol. You then place it on the table and stand up. He was doing too much to get to you, and it shouldn’t get to you because he’s just your boyfriend’s best friend. “I’m going to the bathroom,” you told Trent, who was already staring at you. Anger and confusion were written all over his face as he watched you leave his side.

You were so glad Marcus booked a club that had private rooms because you cannot be around everyone while your emotions are all over the place. You love Trent, and he is the sweetest guy, but for some reason seeing Jude with another girl triggered you. If it were any other day, you wouldn’t care, but after having an intimate moment with him, you can’t help but feel disgusted that he was throwing it at your face. Feeling yourself sobering up, you take in the room that you’re in. There is a karaoke station and a bar, but what catches your attention is the large window in front of you with the city view. The room was dark, but the city lights gave you a good idea of the area.

You walk to the bar station and open the fridge to see varieties of alcohol. You went with a vodka and poured it into a cup. While you were busy making your drink, the door to the private room opened, and just by the silhouette, you immediately knew it was Jude. “Trying to make a living by becoming a bartender?” He asked as he walked towards the bar station. You grab another cup for him and also pour some vodka in. “Maybe that’ll make you realize I’m more than Trent’s girlfriend.” Jude hums, and you hand him his cup before you take yours and go around the counter to stand next to him. “Saka is passed out, and Trent’s trying to help him. He asked me to take care of you until he comes back.”

You nod, realizing that Jude came here upon Trent’s request, not because he wanted to. You haven’t spoken to him since the incident, and you aren’t looking forward to discussing that with him. “It seems like Trent trusts you a lot,” you muttered. Jude stays silent and takes sips of his drinks then and then. “He has faith in the both of us,” Jude shrugged, and you sighed, guilt rushing into your bloodstream again. Trent does not deserve to be hidden in the dark, but you’re so nervous and scared of the possible consequences of the situation. “Look, I love Trent and respect him a lot. I don’t want him to choose between his best friend and girlfriend. It would be nice if we could coexist,” you said. Jude doesn’t say anything; he chugs his alcohol while staring at your form. You took this time to look at him. He was hot, drop dead gorgeous, with perfect height and body. The white half-unbuttoned dress shirt he is wearing compliments his looks even more, along with the black pants. Feeling your face burning up, you look away and chug down your vodka. Being alone with him was a bad idea; you liked it better when you were criticizing one another.

“I respect the homie, I really do,” Jude says as he places his cup on the counter. “But I want to destroy his girlfriend, which beats the whole purpose.” You looked at him in shock as he slowly moved closer to you and placed both hands on the side of you, trapping you between the counter and him. “I want to fuck his girlfriend,” he bluntly declares with no emotions. You narrow your eyes and glance at the hickeys on his neck; they are fresh, probably from those model-like girls. “Why don’t you go fuck those girls? It seemed like you already were,” you said, a hint of jealousy in your eyes. Jude smirks and chuckles deeply, and you can smell the vodka on his lips. “I always imagine you when I need some relief. Just like I pictured you when I’m in bed or shower,” he confesses. You glared at him and pushed his chest, but he didn’t move; he wanted you to know how disrespectful he could be. “That night after I left Trent’s house, I took a girl home. She was hot and had a banging body. She kissed me like she meant it and sucked my dick like it was her last meal. Do you know who I imagined?” He asked, his mouth coming down closer to yours. “I pictured my best friend’s girlfriend in that sexy bikini of hers sucking my cock. And I got off from that girl thinking of you. But then I realize that must be how every guy sees you, a good lay. Maybe you’re just Trent’s girlfriend until he finds a wifey material. Maybe he’ll share you if I ask nicely.”

Jude didn’t need to say another word because you smacked him so hard his face tilted with a red mark. He chuckles slightly and touches the side of his cheek that you slapped. He had no remorse for what he just said because, in his mind, that is how he sees you, nothing else. "You are a fucking asshole. I love Trent, and he loves me. I have been dealing with your shit for two years now, and if I wanted to do anything other than chase his money, I would've done that long ago, you jerk! Stay the fuck away from me! I am fucking done." As soon as you said what you had to, you started walking away, but he grabbed you by the arms and did not hesitate to smash his lips on yours. "You are only done with me when I tell you," he growls. Instead of letting him have his way, you push him as hard as you can, and he does stop. His eyes were filled with anger but shifted as soon as he saw the tears in your eyes. "Y/N...I'm sorry-" you didn't let him finish; you just ran to the door and left the room. Jude hated you so much that he thought so low of you. But he was also confusing you with all this sexual tension and saying one thing and doing another. You wanted nothing to do with him and hoped never to see him again.

Back in the room, Jude grabs the full bottle of whiskey and starts chugging it straight from it. He hated you, yes, that was very fucking clear, but he also wanted you. Every time you were in his presence, he wanted nothing more than to kiss you, taste you and lock you up. But you were not his to keep; you were his best friend's girlfriend. He knows why he says shit that would hurt you badly; it was his way of denying his growing feelings for you, and he couldn't accept it. Jude knew he would hurt you with those words, and he immediately regretted it after seeing your tearing eyes, but how could he be around you, if he kept lusting after you? "Fuck!" he yells and throws the glass bottle across the room.

How do we feel about this one?

Pt. II: https://www.tumblr.com/corriganatheart/713552108767559680/deepest-secret-pt-ii-jude-bellingham-x-reader

[lady-margaret]

bridgerton season 3 part 1 opinion (as someone who has read all the books + is kathony biased so be warned)

after sitting and stewing on what i just watched for a few hours

i’d like to start this off by saying that due to my disappointment of the writing from the last season, i was way more gracious with this one. kate and anthony were great because of simone and jonathan; i’m not sure the writers had much to do with that.

anyway, what i’m saying is that i already knew not to expect the writers to be faithful to the source material (romancing mr. bridgerton), so i was able to enjoy myself more. additionally, polin’s book isn’t exactly a favorite of mine anyway, so there wasn’t a lot to be too disappointed with in my case.

what i liked:

penelope’s wardrobe; they hyped up the “transformation” so much and i’m glad it did not disappoint.

colin’s hot 😌

eloise’ wardrobe; someone pointed out that it had a lot of philip references, so yay 😀 (it has me worried that it’ll be her story next though, we need ben first)

eloise interacting with the other ladies of the ton was really cute and refreshing; she’s learning that despite them having different interests than her, they are still people of great value. the difference is eloise was raised in a loving and supportive family, unlike most of the others.

sibling’s g&h’s personalities coming through more (they are anthony’s children, truly).

featherington sisters as comic relief.

MARRIED KATHONY CRUMBS 💕💕💕 they carried episode 1 for me.

FRANCESCA 💕💕💕 gorgeous introvert representation.

FRANNY AND JOHN 💕💕💕 (i am both ready and NOT ready to get hurt 🥹)

book references (yay! the bare minimum!)

lord debling’s dope.

i actually do like that they gave cressida a legitimate reason to want to win the competition money to unmask LW in the second part.

the music choices haven’t disappointed yet!!!!!

colin’s line for the season is def the “well are you gonna marry me or not?” line HEHEHEHEHE i ALMOST screamed as loud as i did when john entered when he said that line to pen.

as an army, plus points for dynamite 🤭 i didn’t expect to like the orchestral version and didn’t see the vision of where they would even insert it, but i actually liveddd for it.

what i don’t really have strong feelings about:

mondrich plot; alice is beautiful but the addition of their family storyline didn’t make much of a lasting impact.

the queen; she was very meh so far.

the featherington storyline: the sisters are funny, but their whole situation mixed with the humor leads me not to take it very seriously.

violet x lady danbury’s brother: 🤷‍♀️ i don’t see it.

the “lady danbury’s brother” storyline in general is very forgettable.

what i disliked:

i think nicola and luke could use more chemistry; they fall short compared to daphne&simon and kathony (HEAVY ON KATHONY THIS IS WHY THEY REMOVED THEM FROM THE REST OF THE EPISODES SIGH)

they kinda mischaracterized colin (he spent the last two seasons being selfish and putting himself above everyone else violet, what the hell are you talking about “you never place yourself over others” 🤨)

the lack of ben time?? did he go back to the academy after taking over for anthony briefly??? what did he do besides dodging debutantes all season????

they glossed over benedict running the estate so quickly; this could have been an opportunity to draw out his storyline, especially since he mentioned that he liked having a purpose: WRITERS???? DO SOMETHING WITH THAT!

i also didn’t really care for the ben x tilly arnold plot; unless sophie’s actually a maid of her’s or something, i don’t see her point in the show besides just be another one of ben’s ever changing girl of the season.

im sorry but eloise would never SHOULD NEVER have befriended her (ex?) best friend’s bully, no matter what the circumstances. that is NOT eloise.

honestly, them revealing whistledown in the first season is really screwing with the writing; in this regard, i wish they stayed more faithful to the book and how colin finds out about LW. it all just seems so messy at this point.

so s3 starts when kathony end their honeymoon… how long was this honeymoon? math isn’t mathing cuz it couldn’t have been more than a week given that kate isn’t obviously pregnant yet in the first ep.

i know that colin and pen are longtime friends, but from how they’ve interacted with each other in the past seasons, it’s a bit harder to believe that they were close CLOSE friends; close friends to the extent of helping the other find a spouse through “lessons”? i don’t see it. that’s why i was a bit ??? when i first found out about the plot they were going with for the season (in the book, colin really just starts following her around cuz she was being sus)

i hate that they had to come up with an excuse to get rid of kathony for the rest of the episodes; i get that they’ve been running their separate households alone for most of their lives and want a break but… i don’t think they would abandon their responsibilities for an “extended honeymoon”. knowing them, running the estate isn’t gonna stop them from being wh0res!! they help each other out with the estate and are still sickeningly in love and have time for each other (in the books). i was also really hoping to see kate taking over the viscountess role. i swore they would have done something like that after that cute/awkward moment when they both respond to “lady bridgerton” in episode 1.

i get that it’s established that penelope’s one goal for the season is to get a husband, but as i know her character, she would NEVER get into races (?) or run just so she can talk to a suitor before anyone else does 😭 okay but it was funny.

i am kinda sad that they couldn’t have just let a mean character or a villain character be the villain character; yea sure, i did say that i liked that cressida had a legitimate and well thought out motive for wanting the LW reward money but, idk i could’ve lived without her storyline.

one of the BIGGEST THINGS for me is that i do not think they should have released so many clips/snippets of the show days or weeks before it came out. i understand like 1 clip, but i skipped SO MANY SCENES because i have watched them at least 5 times already on tiktok or twitter.

the two part season idea is dumb.

i’m scared for how messy part 2 will be (in terms of both writing and just how stressed i will be with the revealing of LW plot HUHU poor pen) but i’m still looking forward to it 😇😇😇 and despite all the things i didn’t like, i did still enjoy it. if i do rewatch it or not is still to be decided; s1 & s2 have such high rewatch value.

franny and john were TRULY a standout though. i cannot even begin to describe how loud i screamed when he finally said his name out loud 😭💕

verdict: the writing is getting messier, get jonathan bailey in that writer’s room ASAP

[spade-riddles]

Anonymous asked:

your anon asking about why she would look like a weak woman made me think.

In my opinion, Joe leaving (probably earlier than planned) screwed things up. He was supposed to “join her on tour when he could”, remember? There were articles about that even up to the week/days before the opening show….but on opening night, guess who wasn’t there? Guess who wasn’t there the next show either? Or the next?

Much like with reputation, when Tom split and Kimye happened, causing her to disappear, she needed a narrative to cover the songs on the album. Because she wasn’t being seen publicly, she didn’t have a way to plant the seeds of plausible deniability. Think Jake and the scarf. Or Harry and the airplane necklace. Katy Perry and Bad Blood.

So what did she use? The concept of mystique and secrecy in the form of an unknown actor who she magically got photographed with on a balcony in Nashville with. Ask yourself—have you ever seen pap photos of Taylor at her house in Nashville?

If you really listen to Midnights, or well at least when I listen to it, none of the songs make the album a breakup album about Joe. She told us they were different stories from over the course of her life. She even tried to say Lavender Haze was about them, didn’t she?

And what did she do when they “broke up”? Deleted the video even though when we all heard the song, it was clear the message was completely different than what she implied.

Long story short—look at the timeline. You go from a “boyfriend” of 6 years to having a new “boyfriend” weeks later and months later, another new “boyfriend”? Not shaming here, but putting it out on paper.

She’s trying to cover her tracks in the name of plausible deniability. It feels like she’s scrambling for someone to attach future songs to. People aren’t going to want to hear songs about the number singer because of the backlash she got from that. They don’t like the actor now because they decided he cheated. But people will want to hear songs about “Hey Arnold” (aka football head) because they currently think he can do no wrong though his actions have shown otherwise recently. They’ll love him until he affects her directly.

Plus, is this not the same woman who said she doesn’t tell who her songs are about…yet she made it a point to say on the record in LPSS who the person behind the pseudonym William Bowery is? Even though most people know otherwise? That just sticks out to me.

None of what I’ve said excuses her recent stunts or anything, I know; but that’s just what I get from observing the past few eras (reputation, folklore, evermore, midnights) specifically. Not saying the number singer or Hey Arnold have anything to do with those.

[fatsamsgrandslamspeakeasy]

Honestly, Arnold: I can't think of anything more "Un-American" than your comment 4 years ago when I was one of many who refused to follow the sheep and get myself vaccinated against Covid! You came out and said plainly: SCREW YOUR FREEDOM!!!!!!! That was enough to open my eyes and see you for the Commie/Nazi POS that you are. All your movies that were in my collection promptly went in the trash and I haven't looked back with regret not even 1 iota! Now, you align yourself with pure hatred and evil in the upcoming election, so I know I made the right decision 4 years ago. Do what you know what to do best, Arnie....cheat like you did all your young life by using steroids to attain a body that brought you fame and fortune, and cheat on your spouse with your house maids. Only this time, please use protection as the world doesn't need your tainted gene pool with any more of your offspring......

[lizisshortforlizard]

Living Dangerously - Chapter 35

Jurassic Park’s animal handlers: none of them ever mentioned by name in Michael Crichton’s original novel. Who were they? What were their lives like on Isla Nublar? Did any of them survive the disaster?

A year in the life of those responsible for the care of the dinosaurs. Many people would kill to have their jobs.

But would they die for it?

Jurassic Park novel/Jurassic Park film (1993)

Viewpoint: 3rd person female oc

Warnings: only mild swears this time (boooo)

Tagging: @heresthefanfiction @ocappreciation @wordspin-shares @howlingmadlady @arrthurpendragon @themaradwrites @starryeyes2000 @kmc1989 (please lmk if you would like informed of my sporadic updates)

Read on Ao3

Chapter 34 | Chapter 36

Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash

As the skipper steered away from the dock and out into the fog bank that filled the ocean passage between InGen sites, Lori Ruso only managed to keep sight of Muldoon and Armstrong for a few seconds before they disappeared completely.

In less than a minute, there was no sign that Isla Nublar even existed.

A productive site visit indeed.

She hadn’t made the journey with high hopes, but the sombre man and his that’s-not-my-girlfriend-she’s-just-a-colleague had turned out to be decent people. Lori had no interest in screwing them over, and nothing she had told them was a lie, per se…

But Muldoon’s proposal of a meeting couldn’t have come at a better time. The residents of Nublar had no idea that the “site visit” was the perfect cover for something else altogether.

Unbeknownst to John Hammond’s company, Ruso had received a rather intriguing phone call several weeks prior. It was from a man who seemed particularly interested in her position as a disgruntled current employee, and was offering her a lot of money for-

“That’s all? Just information?” Lori had shivered as she remembered how tight of a leash Ingen currently had her on. “You really aren’t asking me to do anything more…invasive?”

“No-” Lewis Dodgson had replied. “-I got another guy for that.”

***

”You’re panicking about Kathy leaving, aren’t you?” Lizzy felt compelled to say so.

”Panicking?” Muldoon turned to make his way back down the dock. “Hardly.”

“The raptors are coming-” Lizzy thought of the Scotswoman, the Kenyan and the Texan holding down Fort Nublar by themselves. It sounded and felt like a terrible joke. “-and you think three of us alone can handle more than one of them? What if they all turn out like…her?”

“I think one of us alone could handle three of them.” He called back to her as she struggled to catch up without slipping. “Though I’d rather it doesn’t come to that.”

“You may have to-“ Lizzy gasped, mock-dramatically. “-recruit!”

“Hope not. I’ve been lucky, the Team I ended up getting.” Muldoon admitted. “Never expected to get along with, let alone actively like any of you.”

He about-turned so abruptly that Lizzy misjudged her steps and had no choice but to collide head on to keep from swerving off the edge of the algae-covered boardwalk. He caught her around the waist as Lizzy huffed in surprise.

Muldoon didn’t even sway at the impact, so familiar with the shape of her. “Especially you…”

Lizzy wondered if he was also still thinking about Lori’s suggestive comment. Or if he was planning on doing anything about it.

”Even Tom?” She asked dazedly, spouting the first unfortunate words that entered her head. She could picture Arnold eye-rolling and dry-heaving if he were to snoop on them now, images blown up fullscreen on his monitors for the entire workforce to see. “Not just a pretty diversion if things go sideways?”

Muldoon looked down at her sternly.

“Don’t say things like that.” Then, somewhat reluctantly: “Yes, even him.”

”Would it kill you to mention it once in a while?” She asked quietly.

He only stared at her, and Lizzy persevered.

“He has a problem with male authority.” She didn’t have the guts to utter the words father figure.

“So; I’d like to point out, do you.”

”You know what I mean.”

She could see it, crystal clear. Muldoon couldn’t, not yet.

Tom’s past life, why he was that way, made Lizzy desperately sad. She’d already found her own mentor, someone to stick the broken pieces back together stronger than before. Tom’s mentor, standing in front of her now, remained unwilling. “He trusts you. Can’t you see he so badly wants your approval?”

“Suppose.” He was turning sullen, approaching blood-from-a-stone territory, and Lizzy backpedaled in a hurry.

“I’m not asking you to call him son, play catch in the yard and take him on fishing trips!”

“I should bloody well hope not!” He looked horrified. “It’s still asking a Hell of a lot, Armstrong.”

“Even if it’s me that‘s asking you?” She looked up from under her eyelashes, in a way she knew he found disarming.

Rico’s accident had put her on edge, worrying about things left unsaid in case the worst should happen.

”Hmm…think about it.” He finally said begrudgingly. “Don’t get your hopes up-“

The radio crackling surprised them both.

“-uldoon?” Muffled, no doubt by the perpetual cigarette. “-rmstrong? Come in, for the love of Christ-“

Arnold.

“We’re here.” Muldoon didn’t hesitate to answer, reflexively dropping his hold on Lizzy in case of prying eyes.

“-ig trouble.” The engineer was hurrying, not waiting to start talking until after he’d pressed the call button. “-uge. They’re maaaaad.”

“Why? What’s happening?”

“-need to get back to base…-better hope to God you find Regis before they do.”

“Why?” Muldoon and Lizzy looked sideways at each other. “Who’s they?”

***

”Mr Hammond, I have a, er-“ Regis fumbled nervously with the telephone handset. “-an angry mob situation.”

“Oh, really?” His employer sounded only mildly concerned.

”They know about the deal with that Rico kid.” Ed hissed quietly, trying to remember if he’d locked the office door in his panic. “Operation Backhoe.”

“I am in my car-“ Hammond replied tersely. “-en route to collect my daughter from the airport. This is not a good time, Regis.”

“But-“

“You are public relations. This is your job.”

“These are not the public! These are a bunch of very pissed-off animal hand-…hello? Sir?”

Regis was on his own.

They were drawing closer, he could hear lots of cursing in various different languages, and overriding them, loudest of all, a women’s Scottish brogue.

Oh Christ, no.

Hanmering fists on his door.

“Open up, Ed. We just wanna talk.” Baker’s level voice held a lot more venom than usual.

“Go away!” He yelled back, somewhat childishly.

”Why’d you cover it up, pal?” Armstrong demanded.

Kennedy followed suit. ”Yeah, why’d you lie, brother?”

Regis had a hunch that pal and brother weren’t to be taken as friendly terms. At least his life insurance policy was pretty damn watertight, from the looks of things they’d be paying out soon. Death by misadventure.

His boss had abandoned him, and the only way out was through a crowd of angry colleagues.

You got this, Eddie-boy.

Customer service was his niche. He had faced down plenty of entitled middle-aged women in his career. He could do anything. Time to pacify the brands and pitchforks.

“Okay, folks-“ He spread his hands wide, begging forgiveness as he opened the door. “I can explain.”

***

”Right, let’s make this quick.” Muldoon strode into Regis’ office, with only a cursory nod in Wu’s direction. “Remember, we have a funeral to get to.”

It was in fact a memorial service. The funeral itself had been in Portugal, already missed by several days due to management’s erasure, but the animal handlers decided they wanted to remember Rico in their own way regardless.

Muldoon didn’t agree with funerals. For him, it never make the inevitable goodbye any easier, just prolonged it. And he’d attended far too many in recent years. A stark reminder that he himself was getting on a bit. He had less friends above ground than a decade previous. But his team wanted him there. Lizzy wanted him there. His presence mattered.

That was why this end-of-day “urgent” meeting had wound him up so much. A few more minutes and he was in danger of being late, something he couldn’t stand, not at the best of times. Certainly not now.

“Oh, that’s still going ahead? Uh-“ Regis stammered. “I wasn’t planning on-“

“You’re going.” Muldoon ordered bluntly. “Least you can do. Find a clean shirt and get down to that beach.”

Regis nodded mutely and avoided eye contact.

“This better be good news, Wu.” Muldoon quickly got back to the reason he’d been summoned.

“Seven bouncing baby velociraptors are being delivered to you tomorrow.” Wu announced. Then, somewhat condescendingly: “Congratulations!”

Muldoon could already envision the animal handlers taking the news rather poorly, seeing it as an insult to Esteves’ memory. Stiff upper lip, and carry on. Get back to work.

”Seven?” He frowned. “Were we originally planning on that many?”

”Dr Ruso’s department seems to have had a long overdue stroke of luck.” Wu clarified. “A higher than average number of juveniles survived the last incubation cycle.”

”Out of how many viable embryos?”

Henry Wu cast his eyes to the ground; Muldoon shook his head in exasperation. “You don’t know?”

How many had hatched and suffered before finally succumbing?

“Ruso has the numbers.” Regis waved a hand.

Numbers. Was that all they were reduced to now?

”And another thing, that paddock you’ve had built is far too small for seven juveniles, plus an unexpectedly big one. Is it too late to change the itinerary?” Muldoon criticised, scanning the blueprint on the desk, looking for any labels that indicated a perimeter large enough to house eight (eight?!) adult raptors. “Can’t we move them straight into their permanent enclosure?”

He couldn’t see one. Maybe it was unmarked?

Regis and Wu exchanged a glance.

“That is their, er…permanent residence.”

“You have got to be joking.” Wu looked unhappy, Regis was grinning sheepishly. “That’s a holding pen at best.”

Straight up cruelty at its worst.

InGen hadn’t bothered to consult him. It somehow felt personal, this time. Muldoon wasn’t one to network, ever, but didn’t they know who he was?

He sighed deeply and ordered. “Get me Hammond, now.”

***

Muldoon had seen some remarkable things in his lifetime, but the animal handlers clamouring for Ed Regis’ blood while he wrung his baseball cap in his hands was one of the ugliest.

Baker was telling everyone within earshot he lied, he lied to us over and over.

The handlers began demanding to know what had really happened, Regis had cowered before them, then finally lost his marbles and yelled for quiet.

Why didn’t you tell us?

There followed directly from the mouth of Regis some convoluted; and, Muldoon suspected; untrue in parts, though he couldn’t prove it, tale; about how InGen hadn’t wanted word of the incident getting back to the investors, the paperwork (folks, honest to God, the amount of paperwork, you’ve got no idea) of a foreign worker being injured on a privately-owned island but kicking it- er, passing away on the mainland…

Regis had talked for a long time. Until the anger had subsided and the grief had taken over for his audience. Nobody was level-headed enough to question him further, coming to terms with the notion that whatever he said couldn’t change the cold, hard fact that Rico was dead.

That night had been all sorts of messy, Muldoon recalled. Nobody had really known what to do, himself included. Richardson had vanished, and was no use whatsoever.

Armstrong had been struck practically mute, Baker had a constant stream of tears for hours, soundless crying until raw tracks had been worn into her face. He’d finally convinced her to go to bed for Christ’s sake, pretending to ignore that Kennedy had quietly followed her.

He’d wanted nothing more than to disappear, hide from all of them, even Lizzy, with a bottle of the highest proof he could lay hands on because he couldn’t do this again.

The sports fan would have a tough job getting his respect back, not that he’d had much to begin with.

Especially when he said things like-

”That’s not possible.”

Sensing trouble brewing, Wu had quickly excused himself from the office. Meanwhile, neither Regis nor Muldoon was all that happy about being left alone with the other.

“Why isn’t it possible?” Muldoon ground out.

“Time with the family, I’m afraid. Mr Hammond simply cannot be disturbed this week.” Was the infuriating reply.

Regis was assertive, for once. The lad might be somewhat wary of him, but the trembling of his voice meant that he was clearly more afraid of the park‘s creator.

Although, there was another who was capable of making him sweat bullets…

Muldoon very deliberately reached for his radio and pressed down the call button with a crackle.

“Armstrong?” The ginger head jerked up in alarm, remarkably like a meerkat. “Stop whatever you’re doing and come to Regis’ office.”

”Okay, okay, fine!” Ed looked pained, reaching for the phone. “Please, don’t let her in here.”

His eyes darted to the door, windows, ceiling vent, as if he were afraid of any potential entrance Lizzy might suddenly jack-in-the-box from.

”That’s better. And Regis?” Muldoon waited a few moments until he was certain the US mainland number had been input. “Radio was on the wrong channel. She didn’t hear.”

Ed’s mouth fell open in surprise. But it was too late, the phone was already ringing, and with a click, Hammond’s housekeeper answered.

His mind went blank, his entire vocabulary far out of reach.

“Go on.” Muldoon urged.

Ed considered hanging up before it was too late, then reminded himself that the park warden was actually there in the room with him, and readily had access to a shotgun, and a Lizzy.

So he meekly whispered Mr Hammond please.

“Very good.” Muldoon nodded.

“Hello?” Impatiently. Then irately. ”Hello!”

“H-how are you, John?” Golly, he was sweating in places he didn’t even know he had. “It’s Ed.”

“…who?”

Was he serious?

”Ed R-regis. From Jurassic Park, sir.”

”My grandchildren are here, dear boy.” This time around the moniker didn’t sound quite so sincere. “Twice in one week, Regis? Really? Can’t you handle a bunch of zookeepers?”

”Mr Muldoon wants to speak to you, sir. It’s-“ Ed glanced up. “-quite important.”

The park warden nodded reassuringly again, mouthing very important. He straightened up from leaning on the wall and began to stalk slowly around the back of Regis’s desk. Ed tried to swivel his chair to keep him in view, but quickly ran out of telephone cable.

“I told you how to handle Muldoon.” Hammond was beyond exasperated. “Just keep the bottles stocked and he won’t bother you. Not unlike you’re bothering me now.”

“Uh…” The urge to mutter I’msorrysirwon’thappenagain and slam the phone down before scurrying off to hide was unbearable.

“That’ll be all, Regis.” Came the voice from behind him. “Move.”

***

“That is brilliant.” Lizzy exclaimed.

She found Muldoon’s threat of setting his dog on Regis hilarious.

“He’s scared of me. He’s terrified of you.” He had told the story to cheer her up after the memorial, when the news of seven raptors arriving the very next day was not well received, as he’d expected.

“Move.” She mimicked his stern tone and faintly began to chuckle. The relief and finality that follows the wake began to wash over her. Awkward jokes to break through the gloom.

Lizzy was still hurting, and would be for a long time.

“Drink?” Kathy had brushed her elbow, as she turned to follow the rest of the crowd to higher ground. “Food?”

She’d refused.

“It’s what he would have wanted…” Kathy had murmured softly, trying for humour.

Lizzy just shook her head and her friend gave a sad smile before taking Tom’s outstretched hand and letting him lead her away.

She stayed on the beach long after everyone else had left, sitting cross-legged with her toes buried in the sand, watching the waves roll in and wash back out again until horizon and water were merged, the same exact shade of inky blue.

Goodbye, Rico.

When she’d finally stood up and turned around, Muldoon was just there, still waiting patiently to give her a lift back.

She trudged bare-footed up the beach and slumped into his arms.

“Sorry, love.” He muttered against the top of her head. “I ended up running late.”

Blame Regis.

“At least you made it in the end.” Lizzy said simply, just grateful he’d shown. More effort than some.

Hammond’s absence had not gone unnoticed and would not be forgotten, nor this time forgiven.

On the beach at sunset, Kathy had sang in Portuguese, accompanied by Tom’s guitar, her voice rising like a siren over the soft crashing of the waves. Isaac had stood to give his part of the eulogy, faltered while his shoulders heaved, and Lizzy had gently taken the notes from his hand and read out his words, as well as her own.

She was both sad and grateful to have closure. Mostly, Lizzy just missed him, found it unbearably hard to believe she would never see his face again. Just a kid, someone for whom the awe of dinosaurs had truly never got old, the same childlike wonder on the day of his death as of his arrival to the island.

Gone.

“But I hope your tardiness was worth it.” She shrugged off the last of her remorse, trying to find herself again. “Good news?”

“Not really.” He filled her in.

”Seven?!” She was horrified.

”I, hm-“ He had debated telling her the full story when she was less fraught. No point. “-may have played all my cards in one go.”

”What do you mean?”

“I threatened to leave the park, and go to the press about what’s happening here.” He turned to look at her. “I wasn’t bluffing.”

“You-“ Lizzy shook her head and blinked. “I’m sorry, what?!”

”I think Hammond knew I meant it.”

“Oh.” Lizzy’s expression plummeted. Quickfire shock, worry, then anger. “I didn’t realise that leaving was ever seriously an option for you.”

“I said I felt responsible-“

Lizzy’s stomach dropped from sickening heights.

”Do you, for real?”

Why would he accept any form of blame? Why hadn’t he told her he felt that way?

“Of course not-“ Muldoon replied too quickly. “-we all wish that night had played out differently.”

Lizzy felt his fingers tighten on her hip, and wasn’t sure if she was in the place of a subconscious Scotch glass or the stock of a gun.

“Kinda seems like the sort of thing you should have talked to me about first.”

”Seems like the sort of thing you should trust me to handle.” His hand fell away from her side. “I’ve known Hammond for a very long time. You need to make everything seem like it’s his brilliant idea. He gets the hump if it’s your idea.”

“Uh-huh.”

”I do know what I’m doing.” She was hiding her face, resolutely staring downwards. “Lizzy?”

“Yeah?” She was tired, and it took all the fight she had left to not turn her shoulders and face away from him.

“He compromised. I’m getting weapons that will actually stop a dinosaur in its tracks. About damn time.”

Surely, that would brighten her otherwise terrible, getting-worse-by-the-second day?

“Compromised…” She fixated on the word. “Are telling me you asked for more and didn’t get it?”

Muldoon paused. “The raptors won’t be getting a bigger paddock. Not anytime soon.”

”Well, at least you got what you wanted.” She murmured bitterly. She might need Lori’s help with welfare requirements sooner than expected. “Screw what I want.”

“Listen, I want the best for these animals too.” Enough of the hiding, she would bloody well look at him. “Do you have any idea how concerned I am about integrating twenty-three-oh-eight with the younger ones in such a small space?”

“It’s an ethological nightmare.” Lizzy agreed, her voice flat. “I honestly have no idea how we’ll do it safely. I don’t think we can.”

“Tomorrow’s problem.” He shrugged. “And it will definitely be a problem.”

They both stared out to sea, listening the the water, the seabirds, and the sound of Lizzy’s nostrils flaring as she angrily breathed.

“You could have come with me, you know. Left. Back to Africa.” He said gruffly.

Lizzy blinked. Back? With him? Like…together?

”Oh-…it’s not that simple-“ Her voice was gentler. She reached up and tugged at her own hair in frustration. “I can’t just go. Hammond’s funding the elephant project, back in Namibia.”

Muldoon’s daydream of having Lizzy move in with himself and his daughter was raptured away. He had let himself hope too much.

Her research was in danger of drying up. If dinosaurs existed in captivity who would care about wild elephants when a couple of years down the line they could just make some more?

Extinction was no longer final.

“They really can’t lose that funding.” She explained. “They only get it if I stay here.”

She was thoroughly wrapped up in InGen’s web. A financial decision that had seemed like a godsend at the time but now only made her ties to the company that much harder to sever. Muldoon wondered if her lawyer man had taught her well enough, if she had read her contract in full before she signed the dotted line, or if things were about to get messy indeed.

“Sod it. I bet they’d rather have you than the money.” Tomorrow’s problem. “I know I would.”

“Stop it.” Half-heartedly swatting him away, she was only pretending to be mad, now. “Oh, please. They couldn’t wait to see me out of Africa.”

Peace at last. Muldoon smirked. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

”How many of them have called me, hm?” She demanded. “Or wrote?”

“Well, none. Because you aren’t a soldier gone off to war.”

“Feels like it sometimes.” She reeled off her long list of injuries in her head, not even counting the emotional damage she’d incurred.

And yet, Lizzy wondered, if she was truly free to go, would she really want to leave? She might not be able to return.

No, not yet.

At least, not by myself.

“I can think of at least one person who misses you.” Muldoon added.

”At least one.” She quoted. “Great. That’s…great.”

They stood, watching the stars appear one by one, the odd meteorite whizzing overhead through the clear skies, sauropod lowing and the odd Tyrannosaur rumble echoing over the island.

”But would you go? If you could?” He asked, somewhat awkwardly. “…with me, I mean?”

Lizzy quashed her eyebrow-raise. As if he still doubted her feelings towards him after all this time.

”I would.” A no-brainer really. “Of course I would.”

***

“Weapons, Robert?” The Animal Supervisor sniffed. “Getting rather Lord of the Flies in here, isn’t it?”

The ever-present, ever-demoralising Richardson. Always a joy to be in his presence.

Muldoon recalled a particularly unpleasant conversation with Armstrong’s main antagonist, tacked on at the end of yet another pointless meeting that could have been a memo.

“Isn’t Elizabeth a little above you, education-wise?” Gammon-faced Richardson was belittling as usual. “Remind me, what’s your doctorate in again?”

The portly man really couldn’t resist trying to draw a reaction out of him every chance he got.

“Well, is she beneath me or is she above me, which is it?” Muldoon made the mistake of entertaining his drivel by replying. “Make up your mind.”

“No need to snap, Robert! I’m just saying it's a bad idea to get involved with a woman who has more letters after her name than you.” Richardson preached smugly. “They start having opinions. Thinking for themselves.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Muldoon shrugged. “All I’m hearing is you still can’t control her, and you don’t like it.”

“Neither can you. That one does what she feels like.”

“At least she respects my orders.”

“When it benefits her!” Richardson countered. “She’ll get what she wants and then drop you, mark my words.”

”Then she’s playing a very long game.” He pointed out. “I’m not sure L-…Armstrong has the patience.”

Nor the capacity for such a detailed lie.

“Ask yourself, what does she see in you, apart from the salary and benefits?” The man just wasn’t letting it go. “And more importantly, what do you see in her?”

Sometimes she does seem too good to be true…

Nope, we’re not doing that. Not today.

”None of your business.”

”Go on. There must be a reason, and it can’t possibly be as stereotypically bland as ‘her mind’.” Richardson had noticed his hesitation, and his tone was loaded with disdain. “I genuinely can’t understand why you’re so useless when you’re around her. You let her get away with murder, Robert-“

”I wasn’t paying into my pension-“ He muttered.

”What was that?” Richardson interrupted.

“I wasn’t planning on living long enough to need it.” He said uncomfortably, though he’d gone with something factual. “But my feelings on the matter have recently changed.”

“My God, that’s nauseating. I suppose there’s ways of getting them to be quiet. At least she’s decent-looking, though that won’t last.” Richardson dismissed him.

Muldoon felt his patience running out exponentially. “Watch your-“

“You’d do well to not get caught doing anything…untoward.” He interrupted smugly yet again. “If I catch you I’ll have no choice but to report you to Palo Alto, and Hammond. Something I will take great pleasure in doing.”

“Nothing to catch.” Muldoon grunted.

”Good. Remember; InGen can separate you, quite easily. I hear she’s wanted over on Sorna.”

How was everybody hearing things all the time? Who ran the Nublar gossip column?

Face it, probably Arnold.

“And they’re even stricter about visitors over there.” Richardson prodded further. “Restricted access for conjugal visits.”

“What on Earth are you talking about?” Muldoon shook his head. “Nobody’s moving to Sorna, and I told you, nothing to catch.”

“At least it’s a warm body.” Richardson hesitated, savouring the moment. “That’s probably good enough for you, given your circumstances.”

Muldoon didn’t have the words or the ability to hold his temper any longer.

He chose to leave the room before he did anything rash. Not that he’d regret it, but because Richardson would likely never recover from what he had in mind.

***

Thanks for reading!

I always choose the chapter titles/songs very carefully. I originally picked Fado Português by Amália Rodrigues, a beautiful sad song which is the one I imagined Kathy sang on the beach, but The Clash seemed more meaningful/ominous from Muldoon’s point of view. “If I go there will be trouble, if I stay there will be double”.

Also I was rewatching Stranger Things S1 while I was editing this. Again.