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kumkaniudaku · 5 months ago

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Had Me At Hello

Summary: Terry and Patrice meet for the first time.

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black!OC

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: None

Francis Edwards High School was a pristine, two-story jungle filled with Cumberland County's most gifted teenagers. From the first bell at 7 AM until the final ding at 2:30 PM, impenetrable cliques and established hierarchies ruled the hallways, classrooms, and bustling cafeteria, turning the already daunting task of making friends into a nearly impossible uphill battle.

A new school year was nothing more than a formality for returning students. Friend groups were locked in. Moving up and down the sacred social ladder was a tall task many dared not undertake. Seniors looking to make a name for themselves before walking across the stage concocted grand plans to achieve legendary status. Incoming freshmen were given the golden opportunity to shed their image from middle school and step into brand new skin if they were lucky.

By mid-October of his freshman year, Terrence Richmond felt like he'd cracked high school's code. A massive growth spurt throughout eighth grade shot him up from a slight 5'7" to a respectable 5'11", aiding his first-string wide receiver campaign. Sure, he was brand new to the team and coming behind an all-state senior plus two juniors making waves in their own right, but stranger things had happened. One twisted ankle or subpar progress report, and he'd be well on the way to becoming the big man on campus.

While student-athletes gathered to work through math problems and critical thinking questions in factions during study hall, Terrence used his binder to deflect jagged paper balls aimed at his forehead from his teammate and lifting buddy, Robert.

"Bro, chill," Terrence laughed before chucking the piece of trash back in Robert's direction. "I'm trying to do my homework. You should be, too, by the way!"

Robert turned his nose up and scoffed. "Why? Get somebody to do it for you." He gestured toward a library full of students, then looked back at Terrence. "Pick somebody. Shit, ask one of your teachers. You on the football team. Your job is to play football."

"Yeah, okay," Terrence scoffed. "Try tellin' my mama that. If she found out I had people doin' my work, she'd kick my ass. Then tell my daddy, and they would kick my ass together."

"At least you got a dad. I'm still waiting on mine to get back from the store. It must take a long time to get cigarettes."

Their goofy, loud laughter eclipsed a spirited conversation between the senior defensive core, earning attention neither of them cared to have.

While being on the team shielded Terrence from the dog-eat-dog world of high school civilian life, it wasn't enough to escape the internal politics governing a rowdy bunch of teenage boys.

The pecking order was clear and meant to go unchallenged. Seniors commanded starting roles, leaving everyone else to fight for crumbs until their time came to rise up the ranks. Most underclassmen accepted the natural order of things. Eventually, an opportunity would arise, and they'd run with it. But Terrence didn't have time to wait. Four years wasn't long enough to play safe. He had his sights set on NFL glory. And, while his coaches found his ambition honorable, young men three years his senior considered Terrence a threat to stability.

Scowling, the starting defensive back directed his ire toward Terrence and Robert. "Fuck is so funny?"

“Nothin’!” Robert's quick response made Terrence roll his eyes. Robert's deer-caught-in-headlights gaze darted back to his friend, softening his brown eyes into apologetic saucers. He mumbled a timid, "Sorry." as an apology.

For Terrence, backing down wasn't an option. Even if it was, he couldn't imagine a universe in which his father's stern lesson about standing up for yourself wouldn't haunt him for all eternity.

He shrugged as cooly as he could as he leaned back in his chair. "Homework, Drew. You wanna talk about your's too, since you still in ninth- grade algebra with us? Let us help you, bro. We a team."

Raucous laughter at his expense made Drew shrink back in embarrassment. His intelligence, or lack thereof, wasn't a secret, but it also wasn't a line anyone dared cross. Unfortunately for him, Terrence had no reverence for tired rules.

Anger turned Drew's ears and nose red as he considered turning a light spat into a physical altercation. Terrence sat up straight to answer his adversary's unspoken challenge, narrowing his lids into slits and tightening his jaw repeatedly. His fists sat balled in his lap, clenching and unclenching in preparation. If things took a turn for the worst, his readiness was paramount. What he lacked in size, he could make up in speed. Either that or he'd have to deal with his father when all was said and done. He chose to take his chances.

Sensing a fight on the other side of harmless jokes, one of the senior linemen with a soft spot for Terrence's fearlessness stepped in.

"Alright, D, he busted yo ass. Let it go, man." Demarcus laughed before gripping his friend's shoulder to push him back into his seat. "Aye, Terry, you gotta chill. You a freshman. Be cool sometimes."

"It's Terrence. Not Terry."

Demarcus waved off Terrence's correction. "It's Terry, nigga. We already got a Terrence," he mentioned, pointing to a junior safety at the far end of the table. "Now, if y'all wanna fight about it, we can set something up after practice." Terrence eyed his older namesake, sizing him up before making a business decision. His father also taught him to pick his battles wisely. Demarcus took Terry's silence as an answer and continued. "Exactly. Now, move yo skinny ass out the way so we can see ol' girl behind you."

Catcalls and lewd whistling rippled around three tables pushed together to make one as young men coursing with raging hormones leaned over to get a glimpse of the new girl.

Long-legged and umber-skinned, she stood out in a room full of semi-familiar faces. Everyone at Francis attended school together at some point. Schoolyard bonds followed most students from pre-k to graduation, turning each schoolyear into a reunion of sorts. She, however, was different, fresh, and mysterious.

Dark brown pressed hair pulled into a low ponytail showed off high cheekbones and piercing eyes. Plump lips drooping into a slight frown told anyone wondering she wasn't interested in too many long conversations. A thin frame sporting naturally lean muscle might trick a less perceptive person into believing she was an athlete. The handwritten 'Francis Edwards Book Club' sign hanging crooked behind her head told a different story. She was a serious scholar with little time for public school games.

"Damn! She gotta be from outta town." One player commented after blowing the girl a kiss and receiving an annoyed eye roll in return.

Another boy added his two cents to the mix. "I heard she transferred from some private school. Catholic girl or something like that."

"You know how the Catholic school girls get down. Straight nasty."

Crass comments, growing increasingly inappropriate, turned into nothing more than background chatter while Terry stared at the only person worth existing as far as he was concerned.

Patrice Ellis. He'd seen the back of her head in one of his classes, not knowing the beauty hidden on the other side. She always smelled like the cocoa butter his mom used to keep his baby sisters moisturized. In class, she was quiet and observant. He liked hearing her answer questions and sometimes jotted her responses as notes in case they were hit with a pop quiz or he needed a reminder during his study time.

Seeing Patrice quietly adjust stacks of paper while waiting for anyone to interact with her table nearly stole all of the air from Terry's lungs. He couldn't look away. He didn't want to look away. She had his undivided attention.

Until a grating voice spouting crude nonsense forced him to rejoin the conversation.

"Bet $15 I can't take her down before Christmas break."

Demarcus extended his arm toward Drew for a handshake agreement, a disbelieving look settling on his face. "I'll bet you $20 you won't go over there and talk to her right now."

"Who won't? Man, stop playing with me!"

"Do it then!"

Terry's eyes darted between the two seniors, syncing to his rising heartbeat. Everything in him wanted to stay out of their antics. He begged his legs to stop bouncing, trying to negotiate with his brain to let go of the stupid idea it'd concocted. Mind your business. Make a good impression. Don't step on any toes. Sit down, Terry.

A hush fell over the group while they watched everyone's favorite mouthy frosh jam books and papers into his backpack before taking long strides toward the neatly decorated folding table by the library's entrance.

Patrice noticed his lanky body standing out in the crowd like a car wash inflatable with adorable curls forming a dense afro. His eyes, beautiful round orbs of sea green and honey, bore into hers like he owed her a tongue-lashing for something she couldn't remember. They sat near each other in third-period algebra. Maybe her constant pencil tapping was more of a distraction than she thought.

Then he smiled. Full lips beneath a wispy mustache smoothly slid into a bright, teeth-baring grin to show off all his pearly whites. His nose scrunched, and his eyes crinkled on the side, betraying the intensity he'd displayed only seconds prior.

Breathtaking. Patrice rushed to busy her mind and hands, hoping his attention-stealing grin was meant for someone she couldn't see and that he'd stroll right past her into the hallway.

A shadow the size of a beanstalk appeared over her navy blue tablecloth and spoke to her in a soft, small voice. "Are y'all still accepting sign-ups?"

Most of what he said was lost in the chaos of students transitioning out of the room for their respective sports obligations, forcing Patrice to finally look up. Terry stood before her, still smiling, his eyes expectant and curious as he looked down at her.

"I'm sorry, you have to speak up. I didn't…I didn't hear what you said."

"Oh. I-" Terry stopped short to clear his throat. "I just asked if y'all were still accepting sign-ups. Because I'd like to, um, join…if I can. Are you in the club?"

"Wouldn't be sitting here if I wasn't."

Terry nervously adjusted his heavy bookbag on his arm. "Right. My bad." He pointed at the sign-up sheet. "Can I?"

Patrice cocked her head to one side. "You sure? I figure you'd wanna join math club since you're so good at it. Or literally anything else. Didn't think you were the reading type."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Terry watched Patrice pluck a pen from her advisor's mug and slide it across the table to him. When she didn't answer, he pressed again. "Why'd you say that?"

"Say what?"

He bent over to scribble his last name into the appropriate box. "That you didn't think I'd be the reading type. Why?"

"Because you hang around a bunch of idiots," Patrice sassed as she nodded behind him to a table of boys jeering in the background.

Terry tried to contain his smile at how adult she was despite not looking much older than his fourteen years, instead fighting to keep his brow furrowed in feigned confusion. "What does that have to do with me, though? You think I'm an idiot?"

"Birds of a feather flock together. I've heard some things."

Stories of hazel eyes and broad shoulders kept young girls from 9th to 12th-grade giggling amongst themselves whenever news got around that Terry was in the vicinity. He took the ogling in stride with the guys, sending diplomatic waves to googly-eyed young women like the second coming of President Obama. But, privately, the new attention overwhelmed him. He wasn't sure how to exist in his body or navigate the sudden drop in his voice.

Patrice only knew unconfirmed rumor mill pieces of information. Terry was dating multiple girls in the ninth grade. Terry had a girlfriend at a school across town. Terry was an asshole. Terry this, Terry that. She couldn't keep up and preferred to steer clear of this Terry character. Still, there he was, standing in front of her and expecting an explanation for an offhanded comment she desperately wanted to move past.

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Nobody ever told you that?" Terry's eyes flickered up to Patrice's to find her making a face as she rolled her eyes.

She kissed her teeth. "Yeah, they did, and it's stupid. How else will I decide to pick a book if I don't judge its cover first?"

"Okay, well, what if I judged you?" He paused to make space for Patrice's rebuttal, but one never came. He continued. "In class, you don't talk and scrunch your face up at everybody. You bring your lunch to school instead of goin' through the line like the rest of us and rush down the hallway like you're late for something every day. What if I said you thought you were better than us because you came from private school?"

"You'd be wrong. I just… haven't been able to fit in yet," Patrice countered. "And who told you I came from a private school?"

Terry chuckled. "I'm judging you by your cover. And the St. Pius pin you keep on your backpack." He pointed toward the white and gold crest pinned to the left strap of her orange Jansport, then gave her a sympathetic smile. "You miss your friends. I get it. I would, too. But, if you wanna make some new ones that aren't teachers, you can't be so mean all the time."

"You don't know me," she countered in defiance.

"I want to."

Terry didn't know what made him make such a bold declaration. He wasn't usually so forward or willing to converse with strangers. This stranger, in all her beauty and endearing sass, was different. She'd drawn him in with little more than a slight scowl, which he knew was only a defense mechanism to ward off unserious would-be suitors. He wasn't them, though. He never said anything he didn't mean.

Capping the pen, Terry smiled, handed Patrice her utensil, and slid the paper back to her. "I'm Terrence, by the way. Or Terry. Either works."

"Which one do you prefer?"

"Um, Terrence…I think."

She smiled, finally showing her teeth, before giggling. "You think? Which name do you like more?"

"Terrence," he answered as he returned her smile. "Call me Terrence."

"Okay, Terrence." Terrence. Patrice wanted to repeat his name again and again to feel the easy cadence roll of her tongue. Instead, she extended her hand for him to grab and shake. Terry gently took hold of her fingers, forgetting to finish the process until Patrice initiated it for him. "Welcome to the club. I'm –"

He cut her off, still holding on long after they'd completed the simple formality. "Patrice. I know. Nice to meet you." Slowly, he released her hand, immediately creating a void she wished he'd fill again. A short laugh escaped past Terry's lips before he adjusted his backpack again and prepared to walk away. "Guess I'll see you during free block next Wednesday? Maybe you can get to know me for yourself instead of making all those assumptions."

"Yeah. Maybe."

A final once-over helped Terry and Patrice commit each other's faces to memory before Terry backed his way out of the library and temporarily out of her life.

As easily as her new connection's effortless cool calmed heightened anxiety, his associated band of buffoons infiltrated her serene bubble with their unique brand of foolish behavior. They filed out of the library one by one, some making faces and a few more spouting garbage in passing. Idiots, just as she thought.

When they were out of dodge, and the library was back to the quiet, safe haven she loved, Patrice looked back down at the sheet of paper with one name neatly written in slender, slanted print. Her index finger traced each letter as she tried to relive the smile and soft voice attached to the name she'd never forget.

Terrence Richmond. A beautiful cover to a book she hoped to read from front to back one day.

--------

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#aaron pierre #terry richmond #terry richmond x oc #rebel ridge

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enwoso · 4 months ago

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playing for more | alessia russo

(grumpy universe)

grumpy masterlist

alessia sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she stared at the pregnancy test. two lines, they stared back at her. her heart felt as though it was lodged in her throat, her pulse louder than any cheering crowd she had ever played in front of.

she had worked hard to get were she was — unc scholarship, a starting spot on the team, become captain, achieve her first call up to the senior england squad. she was a rising star.

and now, well right now she was a twenty year old college student staring down a future she hadn't planned for.

her phone buzzed on the desk, a message from her boyfriend: harrison.

—

alessia's usual type wasn't football players, they were too loud, too cocky, too much trouble.

but yet here she was, tying her boots on the sidelines of the practice field sneaking glances across the turf at harrison reed - the wide receiver who had too much charm and a smile that made her stomach flip.

it started during her freshman year, her soccer practice had run late and alessia sweaty and exhausted from the scorching sun of north carolina had cut across the football fields to get back to her dorm quicker.

she hadn't expected anyone to be there, let alone him.

"well if it isn't the soccer team's star girl herself!" harrison's voice rang out as she passed. she's rolled her eyes — of course he'd call her that.

"hey footbal guy." she shot back, not stopping. the only thing in her mind was the cold shower she was going to have when she got back to her dorm.

he jogged over, helmet in his hand as he fell into step beside her, "you always this friendly or did i get lucky today?"

alessia just snorted, brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face, "depends, are you always this annoying or am i just lucky?"

that should've been it, a quick exchange, a bit of teasing but harrison wasn't the kind of guy to leave things alone, he liked to push boundaries and push people's buttons — be annoying in simple terms.

so over the next few weeks, the end of the school year looming and they kept bumping into each other. in the corridor as alessia carried her books in her arms.

at the athletic center when harrison was nursing a sore shoulder. in the library when neither of them were studying but both of them pretended they were.

it was easy with him. too easy and that's what scared her.

they became friends at first - sort of. harrison would show up at her matches, yelling loud enough for half the crowd to hear as alessia claimed she only went to his games for the nachos but really her heart raced every time he made a big play.

one of the last games before the big final, alessia's team lost. alessia missing a crucial goal which ultimately probably cost them the game.

harrison was the one that found her sitting alone on the bleachers showered as her wet hair sat on her jumper.

"rough game," he winced as he sat next to her as he put a arm around her pulling her into a comforting hug which he knew she needed.

alessia sighed, as she leaned into him more, "yep, i missed an open goal."

"eh, you'll get the next one" his voice was softer than usual, not the usual cocky confidence he wore like it was amour.

for a moment they just sat there, the lights from the field buzzing faintly. alessia tilting her head to loot at him, "why do you even care?"

harrison hesitated, a small smile tugging at his lips, "maybe i like you"

the words just hung in the air, heavy and warm as alessia just blinked. "maybe?" she teased, but her pulse hammered in her throat.

"okay.. definitely" he admitted after a moment of silence, a grin creeping onto his face, "so what do you say soccer star? let me take you out sometime?"

"football. it's football."

"soccer. your in the states now less"

as she shook her head leaving the debate for another time and against her better judgement or maybe because of it — alessia smiled, "your impossible, you know that?"

"and yet your still haven't walked away."

that was the start, they started hanging out more after that. coffee dates between classes even though they'd both get a smoothie. late night calls when the pressure of school and sports became too much.

sneaking out to the quad when they should've been asleep, laughing about everything and nothing and supporting each other at the others games.

but it wasn't always easy. there were arguments, about missed plans, about the attention harrison got from other girls, about how alessia always seemed to put soccer first. the two being too stubborn for their own good.

in the end that was what made it work, the moments which weren't perfect, the times they argued they then made up and were stronger than ever. the late night cuddles and morning practices.

the way harrison would bring her a smoothie after every game, whether they won or lost.

so by the time their final year rolled around, everyone knew they were the package deal. alessia and harrison. the soccer star girl and football hero. two athletes who would do anything to win, but hopeless when it came to each other.

—

haz | 'can't wait to see you tonight, gonna get us a takeout from that taco place you love!'

her chest tightened as she looked at the message, harrison was everything she wanted in a boyfriend, charming supportive and ambitious.

but they'd never talked about kids or families or anything remotely close to this. from their late night chats they talked about their dreams of travelling the world and becoming the best at what they did.

children? that's was a word which never even entered the conversation. and she knew - she just knew this was going to be something he wasn't going to be ready for.

so she did the only thing she could think of. text her best friends: emily and lotte.

—

emily and lotte arrived within minutes, their concern palpable the moment they stepped into alessia's dorm room.

"less? what's wrong?" emily asked frantically dropping her gym bag by the door. lotte following close behind.

lotte, the over observant, noticed alessia's tear stealer face and the white stick lying on the desk. "oh less.." she said softly sitting beside her.

alessia took a shaky breath. "i'm pregnant." she said the words tasting foreign and heavy leaving her lips.

emily's jaw dropped, her expression quickly morphing into one of concern and determination. "okay, deep breath. we've got you, whatever you need. we're here for you, less."

"i don't know what to do," alessia admitted her voice quiet and shaky, "harrison's not ready for this. and my parents? there gonna be so disappointed."

lotte placed a comforting hand on alessia's knee. "first things first, you're not alone in this. no matter what you decide, we're with you. but you need to talk to harrison. you can't carry this on your own."

alessia knew they were right, no matter how strong she thought she was. she couldn't carry the weight of that on her own.

—

later that evening, harrison arrived at alessia's dorm his usual easy smile in place. he set out the takeout bags on her desk, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "what's up baby? you look like you've had a rough day."

alessia's stomach churned, rough day was certainly one way to put it. she motioned for him to sit on the bed, her hands twisting the hem of her hoodie. "haz, i need to tell you something and it's.. big."

his playful unserious demeanour faded, as his face paled, "you're scaring me less, what is it?"

she took a deep breath, looking at him with such fear as she bit her lips, "i'm pregnant."

for a moment, harrison froze, his expression unreadable. then he ran a hand though his hair, letting out a shaky laugh, "wait, are you serious?"

alessia nodded, her eyes welling up.

"wow," he muttered, standing up and pacing the small room, "this.. this wasn't supposed to happen. alessia we aren't ready for this. we barely managing school and soccer as it is."

"i know," she said quietly, "but it's happening, haz. we have to figure out what to do."

he turned to face her, his expression filled with frustration and fear, "look, i'm sorry but i can't do this. a kid? now? we are only twenty for god sake. i just started getting noticed in football. this would ruin everything - for both of us."

his words hit her like a punch to the gut, "ruin everything?" she repeated, her voice cracking.

"i'm not saying it's your fault," he said quickly, "but think about it less, we have our whole lives ahead of us. you've got the england squad, you're one of the best young players at the minute. a baby is gonna change everything, it's not the right time."

alessia just stared at him, her chest tightening with every word, she couldn't believe his words. "so what are you saying? you don't want to keep the baby?"

harrison hesitated, her silence speaking volumes. "i'm saying... i don't think we should."

alessia felt like the air had been sucked out of the room, she had known the conversation would be difficult. she had braced herself for his shock, his panic. but hearing him say it out loud 'i don't think we should' felt like a knife to the heart.

her fingers curled tighter into the fabric of her hoodie as she swallowed back the lump forming in her throat. "haz, this is our baby. my baby. i can't just pretend this isn't happening."

harrison exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "less, come on be realistic. a baby means we'd have to give everything up. football, school, our future - everything we've worked for. we aren't ready for this." his voice was desperate, like he was trying to make her see reason, but all alessia could hear was rejection.

"you think i don't know that?" she shot back, her voice trembling. "you think i haven't spent every second since i found out thinking about how this changes everything? but it's happening haz, whether we're ready or not."

harrison let out a frustrated sigh and turned away from her pacing again. his usual confidence, his easy charm - gone. now he just looked scared. "there are.. options," he said hesitantly. "we could-"

"no." her voice was quick and firm and when he looked at her, she shook her head. "i can't. i won't."

he stared at her for a long moment, his jaw tightening, "you're sure?"

tears burned at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, "i've never been more sure of anything."

harrison exhaled sharply, hands on his hips as he looked away. the silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating. when he finally turned back, his expression, again unreadable but his next words shattered her completely. in more ways that one.

"then i don't know if i can do this, less."

"what?"

her stomach dropped. he ran a hand through his hair again, exhaling shakily. "i'm not ready to be a dad. i can't be a dad." his voice cracked, but he pressed on. "and if you're keeping it... i don't know how to be part of that."

alessia felt like the floor had disappeared beneath her, her entire body felt cold, numb. "so, what? you're just going to leave?"

harrison's face twisted in anguish, but he didn't answer. that answer was enough.

alessia let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "okay," she whispered. "if that's how you feel.. then go."

"less..”

"no," she cut him off, wrapping her arms around herself. "you made your choice. i'll figure this out on my own."

harrison hesitated for a second, like he might say something else. alessia's silently hoping he would say something else. but instead, he grabbed his hoodie and moved towards the door.

he paused for a fraction of a second, then walked out, closing it softly behind him.

the moment he was gone, the first sob broke free from alessia's chest. she curled up on the bed, clutching her stomach, her heart shattering.

she had never felt so alone.

—

alessia lay on her bed, she felt numb. sitting on the bed as his words replayed in her mind.

not ready.

not the right time.

ruin everything.

alessia had managed to find the energy to message emily and lotte. so when they arrived alessia was still sitting there with tears streaming down her face.

"he doesn't want to keep it," she whispered as emily wrapped her in a tight comforting hug.

"of course he doesn't," emily said, her voice tinged with anger but also comfort, the type alessia was craving. "he's a twenty yet old boy who is scared out of his mind. but this isn't just his decision."

lotte crouched in front of alessia, her voice calm and steady. "less, what do you want? not harrison, not anyone else - you. this is your life, your body, your future."

"i don't know," alessia admitted, her voice breaking. "i feel like everything i’ve worked for is slipping away. but.. i also can't imagine just walking away for this. it's a part of me."

emily squeezed her should. "then that’s all that matters. you'll figure it out, and we'll be here every step of the way. harrison doesn't get to decide your future — you do."

alessia's breath shuddered as she leaned into emily's embrace, gripping the fabric of her friend's hoodie like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. the weight of the moment was crushing, pressing down on her chest until it felt like she could barely breathe.

she had spent years building herself into the player she was today - grueling training sessions, sacrifices, endless hours on the pitch. football had been her whole life for as long as she could remember.

and now.. everything felt uncertain.

"i don't know what to do," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "i don't even know how to begin figuring it out."

lotte, still crouched in front of her, took her hands in hers giving them a reassuring squeeze. "you don't have to figure it all out tonight, less. you just have to take it one step at a time."

"but what if i can't do it?" alessia's voice cracked, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "what if i ruin everything - for myself, for my career, for this baby."

emily pulled back slightly, her expression fierce. "listen to me. your alessia russo. destined to be one of the best footballers in the world, the hardest working, most determined person i know. if there is anyone can handle this, it's you."

"but what if he's right?" alessia asked, her voice raw, "what if this really does ruin everything?"

lotte shook her head, "it won't. it'll change things - yes. but that doesn't mean your dreams are over. your not alone in this less, we'll figure this out together."

alessia sniffled, looking between her two best friends. the unwavering support in their eyes made something shift inside of her - like a tiny sliver of hope breaking through the overwhelming fear."

she exhaled shakily. "i just.. i thought he'd be here for me. that we'd figure it out together."

emily's jaw tightened. "if he can't handle being here when things get hard, then he doesn't deserve to be here at all."

lotte nodded. "you don't have to do this alone, even if he's gone. you have us. and whatever you decide, we're with you - every step of the way."

for the first time since harrison had walked out, alessia felt the smallest bit of steadiness return to her. she was still terrified, still completely unsure of what the future held.

but at least she wasn't alone.

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artificialroux · 4 months ago

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maddie swallowed hard, staring at the blood on her hands. if this was survival, then why did it feel like they were already dead?

notes and lore about my yellowjackets oc, she's still currently in development as i wait for s3 to be finished. post layout heavily inspired by @puppybutcher.

MADELINE "MADDIE" SHEPHERD ( lamb drawn to the slaughter. )

played by olivia scott welch

PRE-CRASH

born madeline annabelle shepard, first name derived from the greek name magdalenē, which is associated with mary magdalene, a disciple of jesus who came from magdala.

maddie grew up in wiskayok, in a busy but loving household as the middle child of three sisters, constantly overshadowed by their academic and athletic achievements.

she was raised surrounded by faith. church on sundays, whispered prayers before bed, the quiet presence of religious symbols in her childhood home. it was something her parents believed in fiercely even if they weren't at church every day of the week. something that was supposed to make sense, supposed to make her feel safe, but for maddie faith was never simple.

she wanted to believe—really, truly believe—but it never settled into her bones the way it did for others. she tried. god knows, she tried. she went through the motions, clasped her hands together in prayer, recited the words with everyone else. but deep down, she always had questions. what if god wasn’t really listening? what if he was, and he just didn’t care? what if there was nothing at all? doubt crept into the quiet spaces of her mind, but she never spoke it aloud. because faith was supposed to be unshakable. and maddie? she was always shaking.

at age 12 maddie was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, right as she was entering middle school. it had been building up for years—stomachaches before big events, trouble sleeping, overthinking every little mistake—but it wasn’t until she started having more frequent panic attacks and struggling to focus in class that her parents took her to a doctor.

the diagnosis made sense to her, but it didn’t necessarily make things easier. she wasn’t the type to talk about it much, not wanting to be seen as fragile or difficult. she learned to manage it in her own ways—through routines, distractions, and throwing herself into hobbies—but it was always there, a quiet weight she carried.

spirit in her step, fire in her smile—wiskayok’s heartbeat on the sidelines.

from a young age, maddie was drawn to cheerleading. she loved the way it made her feel—like she belonged to something bigger than herself. she wasn’t the loudest or most outgoing cheerleader, but she had a natural talent for movement and rhythm, and she worked hard to perfect her routines. her sisters would sometimes help her practice, holding her steady as she tried out new stunts or braiding her hair before competitions.

on game days, she especially loved cheering for the girls' soccer team, the energy of the field fueling her own as she called out chants and pushed herself to keep up with the intensity of the game.

the weight of representing wiskayok was pressing on her shoulders—but even then, she never imagined it would be the last time cheerleading truly felt like her world.

maddie hadn’t expected to go to nationals. only a few of the senior cheerleaders were chosen to accompany the soccer team, and with so many girls ahead of her, she figured she’d be cheering from home. but when the final list was announced, her name was there. it felt unreal—one last big trip with the team before graduation, a chance to prove herself on a bigger stage.

she was nervous, excited, ready. boarding that plane, all she could think about was the game, the routine, the thrill of it all. she never imagined none of it would matter.

WILDERNESS

i don't belong here.

the first thing maddie registers is the heat. it rolls over her in waves, thick with smoke, stinging her eyes before she even opens them. something heavy is pressing into her chest, making it hard to breathe. the air smells like burnt plastic and fuel—and blood, and she hears muffled screams all around her. she blinks, vision swimming. everything is sideways. the world has tilted. the seatbelt digs into her ribs, keeping her suspended at an unnatural angle. maddie chokes back a sob, throat tightening with panic.

the screaming is getting louder. she has to move. her hands fumble with the seatbelt, fingers numb and shaking. the buckle won’t—fucking—budge. her breath comes too fast, too shallow, she can’t breathe, she can’t—then it snaps open. she falls forward, catching herself against the seat in front of her. her limbs feel like they belong to someone else, unsteady and sluggish as she stumbles into the aisle. bodies. so many bodies. some still, some barely moving, some missing parts that should be there.

after the crash, most of the few cheer members were killed on impact because they were sitting towards the front of the plane, either from the plane breaking apart, being thrown from their seats, or being crushed under wreckage. maddie stands frozen in shock after running out from the plane—she now was completely alone in a group that wasn’t hers to begin with.

she saw reminders of the other cheerleaders in the wreckage—a stray pompom, a crushed megaphone, a jacket that belonged to one of them—and it made her queasy. this makes her relationships with the soccer girls more complicated. she has no one who truly understands her old world, so she either has to integrate with them or be left behind. it pushes her toward lottie’s influence later on—looking for purpose in all the senseless loss.

maddie clung to scraps of warmth as the wilderness unraveled her.

maddie becomes closest to lottie in the wilderness. while she connects with others, lottie is the one who soothes her anxieties in a way no one else does, offering a strange but undeniable sense of comfort. their bond deepens during doomcoming when lottie quietly braids some strands of maddie’s hair—just like her sisters used to do for her. it’s a small but intimate gesture, one that makes maddie feel seen in a way she hasn’t since the crash.

after the crash, her faith became something else entirely. at first, she prayed like never before. desperate. hollow. raw. she begged for a rescue, for warmth, for safety, late at night when no one could hear. she prayed for the souls of the ones they lost, even the ones they had to eat. but the more time passed, the more survival demanded of them, the more god felt like silence. she watched as lottie’s influence grew, filling the void where faith had once lived.

maddie wanted to resist, wanted to hold onto what little she had left of the faith she grew up with. but she was tired. she was hungry. and she was afraid that if she let go, she’d have nothing left. so she followed. not blindly—not like the others—but because she needed something to hold onto. maybe lottie was right. maybe there was something in the wilderness watching over them. maybe faith wasn’t about god at all. maybe it was about survival.

but even then, doubt never fully left her. it was always there, lingering beneath the surface. a quiet, gnawing thing in the back of her mind. because if there really was something out there—if something was listening—then why did it demand so much from them? and if it wasn’t god, then what the hell was it?

the lamb wasn't ready, but the wilderness was.

after weeks of winter, food runs dangerously low, and the group begins to truly fear starvation. the tension has been building for weeks, whispers of sacrifice hanging in the cold air. maddie, already weighed down by guilt and a growing sense of detachment, starts to believe she is meant to be the one to go. she tells herself it would be easier this way—that if she gives herself up, maybe the others will survive, maybe the wilderness will be satisfied. she offers herself to be eaten instead of participating in the hunt. the guilt of survival, the desperation, and lottie’s growing influence all collide in that moment—she truly believes it’s the only way to atone.

but when the others refuse, when even lottie hesitates, she’s forced to keep living, to reconcile with the fact that she’s not ready to die. because now, she isn’t just surviving—she’s waiting. for what, she isn’t sure. but the wilderness isn’t finished with her yet. this changes her, deepens the conflict within her—between faith and fear, between surrender and survival.

ADULT TIMELINE

played by victoria pedretti

she tried to outrun the wilderness, but in the end, it was always waiting to take her back.

maddie had spent years convincing herself she’d left the wilderness behind. she built a life that was quiet, structured—something she could control. a career helping children, a marriage she thought was love, a world where the past couldn’t reach her. she had been young when she married him, blinded by devotion, desperate for something safe, something certain. but love turned to control, affection to manipulation, and soon she found herself trapped in a life that felt just as suffocating as the wilderness.

by the time the yellowjackets returned to her life, so had the unraveling of everything she had tried to build. the divorce was already in motion, a bitter, drawn-out fight that left her feeling hollow. but that emptiness was nothing compared to what came next. the hunt. the blood. the whispers of the forest that had never really let her go.

at first, she tried to hold on, to remind herself that she wasn’t that girl anymore. but the more the past unraveled around her, the more she felt it creeping back in. the fear. the hunger. the aching knowledge that some things were never meant to stay buried.

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theealbatross · 7 months ago

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Headcannon: Sebastian takes care of people

Tags: fluff, kinda low self esteem, kinda unhealthy codependency, short read had to get it out of my head

He takes care of strangers

Like silly little first years lost in the moving stairs, albeit with a frown and a sharp lecture about the dangers of walking around the castle and being too prideful to carry a map when they could barely locate their dorm rooms, firmly putting a quick end to older students' teasing when their jokes cross a line, and even ending up as the reluctant volunteer tutor (live training dummy) for Defense Against the Dark Arts after Professor Hecat assigned him the role to complete his detention.

This, in turn, makes him surprisingly popular with the kids to his bewilderment as they gravitate toward their grumpy but reliable senior.

"Have a good day, Sebastian!"

Both of you frown in confusion at the gaggle of cheerful first-year Hufflepuffs who eagerly greet him as you pass the halls. One even waved at him before they turned into a corner.

"What was that?"

He shrugs. "Hell if I know."

He takes care of his friends

"Amitt! Watch out!"

The Ravenclaw could barely turn to the familiar booming voice before he was shoved to the ground.

"Hey! You aren't allowed in the field!"

"Are you alright, Amitt?" He realizes the concerned voice of his friend, Sebastian, brought him out of his stupor. And in his hand is the bludger that nearly had an intimate interaction with the back of his head.

"Oh! Sebastian! Many thanks! I didn't know Slytherin practices ran this late. I was on my way to the top of the bleachers -- the best views of the summer night sky, I tell you."

"Thakkar, you don't have permission to be here!"

Sebastian rolls his eyes, feeling Amitt's anxiety rising as Slytherin quidditch players land one after another, looming over him. "Back off, all of you. He nearly got hurt. I'll handle it."

"But --"

"My apologies everyone! I truly meant no harm --"

"The captain's right, Sallow. Who knows if those Ravenclaws are using this nerd over here to spy on us --"

"I said back off, Thorncrest," Sebastian turned his back on Amitt to face all of his teammates, daring any of them to take another step. "The next time you ignore my orders, I'll stop using words since they can't seem to penetrate through your skull. So you either learn to play nice or I won't let it pass that it was because of your subpar performance that a bludger almost hit my friend."

Sebastian and the other Slytherin student glared at each other until Imelda smacked Thorncrest's head, cutting through the tension. "Listen to your Vice-Captain," he turns to Sebastian with a nod. "I'll take care of him, you get Thakkar out of here."

Sebastian nodded back at Imelda, ensuring everyone was back in the skies before turning to a guilty-looking Amitt.

"I'm sorry, Sebastian. I did not think I would cause such a disturbance."

Sebastian just waved him off with a friendly chuckle and a comforting hand on his shoulder. Amitt can't believe his fellow Ravenclaws don't believe him when he tells them Sebastian is a warm person, laughing to his face was just quite rude. To be fair, they could barely believe they were friends at all. "Don't worry about it, athletes are assholes during Quidditch season."

He looked sheepish, "Can I still go up the bleachers?"

Despite his subdued character, Sebastian can see that Amitt has all the determination in the world when it comes to achieving the things that interest him the most. Maybe that's why he liked the Ravenclaw boy so much. "Yeah, go ahead, Amitt. Just don't let any prefect see you."

"Ah! Thank you, my friend! I shall be as quiet as a mouse!"

Sebastian waved as Amitt haphazardly said his goodbyes.

"If anybody bothers you tell them to talk to me!"

He takes care of Ominis

Despite his great interest in the dark arts and his pure-blooded status, Sebastian will take any and every opportunity to fight Ominis' family. He hates them simply because they hurt his friend, which is unforgivable in his eyes. He had every opportunity to get in their good graces but he blew all of that to pieces when he got in a crude fight with the eldest son of the Gaunts the moment he called Ominis a 'useless cripple'.

From then on, Sebastian has been banned from the Gaunt's estate indefinitely.

"Yeah, they better fucking ban me or I'll burn that haunted house to the ground and lock that prick inside of it."

Despite himself and his pacifistic tendencies, Ominis couldn't but scoff out a laugh while Sebastian nursed a bloody lip, glaring at the gates of the manor as it closed on them. "You didn't need to do that."

"I don't think I did enough," he sneers, blood boiling at the fact that Ominis seemed used to their cruel words. Not wanting to fester on their cruel treatment, he throws his hands across Ominis' shoulders. "Who the hell wants to spend Christmas there anyway? Feldcroft is way more cozy."

Ominis smiled, patting Sebastian's back, the closest 'thank you' he could show now that he knew he had found a true friend. "You're right," He thinks of Anne, Solomon's bland stew, and the blinking lights of the Sallow home.

"Are you alright?" And Sebastian -- kind, true, painfully loyal. His first friend.

Ominis nods.

"Let's go home."

He takes care of his family.

Even though Anne no longer communicates with him after 'the incident' Sebastian still religiously sends letters to Beauxbatons Academy along with whatever trinkets he finds that remind him of her. And even though he detested Solomon and barely felt bad about his death, he still made a point to clean his grave, knowing the old man didn't like it when things were messy, and even emptied his favorite whiskey on his birthday.

"Seb?"

He blinks as you slip your hands into his. He squeezes it, letting the heat on your skin ground him as the two of you stare at the gravestone. Just as remorseful guilt creeps into your heart, he cuts it off. "I don't regret it, you know," he mutters firmly. "He almost ... he was hurting Anne. He was going to hurt you."

You nod, leaning your forehead on his shoulders, trying to comfort him through his quiet struggles knowing words or pieces of advice won't help.

"But I know he did his best. It wasn't enough but it was his best," he empties the other half of the whiskey on the grave, and his grip on you tightens. "I owe him this much."

He takes care of you.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Sebastian flinches awake at the recent memory, his breath shaky as he looks around the dim light of the Room of Requirement.

He did what he had to do, he knows this. Solomon has been eaten up by his own anger, if he didn't stop him ... Merlin knows what would've happened.

If the three of you had gotten out of that fight alive, with your participation in his insipid plans, it wasn't unlikely that Solomon would ship you off to Azkaban with him. That can't happen, he dragged you into that hellhole, he had to get you out of there unscathed.

No matter how high the cost.

"S-Sebastian?"

He sits up from the couch, surprised to see you awake on the open door that leads to your personalized bedroom. The two of you had holed up in your safe haven after the events of the night but it would seem rest evaded the two of you.

"I can't ..." you sigh shakily, biting your lips. "I can't sleep. I'm scared."

As if your fear had overpowered his own, he swiftly set aside the last traces of his fear and guilt, extending his hands, which you eagerly took. Sebastian pulls you in his lap, preceding any thought of impropriety as he curls himself around you, letting you bury your face in the crook of his neck while he covers the two of you in your blanket.

"It's all going to be all right," he promises, pressing his lips on the crown of your hair. "I won't let anything happen to you."

And takes care of you.

"Hey, Sebastian is waiting for you in the common room."

"Sallow said he'll pick you up after class."

"She's not coming, Sebastian's got her."

"Your hound is here."

You turned with a frown from Imelda to what she was staring at with a mischievous grin and by the door stood Sebastian, smiling when your eyes met.

"I --"

"-- have to go," Imelda playfully rolled her eyes. You gave her a smile as you gathered your books.

"Same time next week?"

"Maybe let's hide somewhere your hound can't sniff you up?"

"Get your own witch, Reyes," a deep voice from behind proved her point. Sebastian grabbed your book and satchel from your hands, hooking it on one arm, and the other gently offered his free hand to yours. "This one's mine."

And wants to take care of you forever.

"You should marry me."

Your next step faltered as you turned to Sebastian on the shore of the Black Lake, the setting sun illuminating his face and the vulnerability and determination written across it.

"W-What?"

"I've thought about it," he swallows, walking closer until he is right in front of you, the cold shallow water above your ankles a welcome reprieve from your burning body at such an announcement. "I've thought about letting you go, letting you find someone better than me. "

"Sebastian --"

"But I figured that I'm a selfish man. I always have been. And I want you more than anything else," you shudder at his fervor. "I love you more than anything else in this world."

Gently, as he always does, he took your hand, placing it on his warm cheek. "I can't offer much, I know, but I ... I will make you the sun my world will revolve on."

He presses a kiss at your palm, a warm tear falls from your eyes.

"Marry me," he begs. "Let me be the one to make you happy."

#sebastian sallow #hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow x reader #sebastian sallow x mc #hogwarts legacy sebastian #sebastian sallow headcannons #sebastian sallow fanfiction

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pookalicious-hq · 1 year ago

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Midnight Love - Prologue.

Paige Bueckers x Uconnwbb!Reader

next: 1 - See you again. || masterlist

Anyone would have sold their soul to be (Y/n) (L/n) in 2020.

Her senior year of high school, (Y/n) led her team to their first State Championship in over a decade. The whistle blew at the end of double overtime, and she walked off the court with a triple-double, along with her career-high of 41 points.

But looking at the scoreboard, she was two points behind, one shot behind, and in second place.

(Y/n) wouldn’t settle for less than first place in anything.

It's not that she was competitive, just that she had so much to prove, that which came second hand with always getting first place.

The day after their loss, (Y/n) was listed behind Paige Bueckers in second place among the class of 2020 high school recruits.

_______________________________

ESPN - May 5th, 2023

The recent news of (Y/n) (L/n)'s decision to enter the transfer portal in the NCAA women's basketball has sent shockwaves through the sports community. (L/n), a standout student-athlete, captured the hearts of fans nationwide with her remarkable performance in last season's March Madness. Despite her exceptional talent and single-handed efforts, her team fell short in the Elite Eight against UConn Women's Basketball, marking a bitter end to their journey. Now, with (L/n) poised to switch schools, anticipation mounts as enthusiasts eagerly await her next move, wondering how her departure will reshape the landscape of collegiate basketball.

_______________________________

The concrete beneath her soles wouldn’t give her a break. The endless scraping and crunching was enough to drive (Y/n) mad.

This situation wasn’t the best. As of now, her junior year is over. Currently, she has no home court, except for the one in the alley behind her house.

Who would’ve thought she would end up like this?

This off-season surpassed her last as the worst time of her life. But that’s being dramatic, (Y/n) had been through things much more trivial than playing basketball on a double-rimmed-no-net alley-way hoop. I mean, at least she hasn’t torn her ACL again (don’t worry, that isn’t foreshadowing).

At this moment, everyone was wondering: where the fuck is (Y/n) (L/n) going to play for her senior year? But (Y/n) wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing.

It was an interesting choice, and to be completely honest, no one saw it coming.

She wanted greatness. To win was to be the best. She would be the best.

But to do that, (Y/n) would have to play alongside the best.

In this day and age “the best” had been a person. Paige Bueckers. Her high school career had to be one of the most impressive of her time. Unfortunately for her injury, Paige wasn’t currently in the run for that title. Who better than (Y/n) to take it up for her on her team instead? Though it wouldn’t turn out that way, (Y/n) would at least fight for it.

---------

ESPN : (Y/n) (L/n) Makes a Power Move: Joins UConn Huskies

In a stunning turn of events, (Y/n) (L/n), the dynamic force who propelled her team to the cusp of victory in last season's March Madness, has announced her decision to transfer to the renowned UConn Huskies for her senior year.

(L/n)'s electrifying performances on the court have long been the talk of the basketball world, showcasing a blend of skill, formidable defensive IQ, and raw talent that few can match. Despite her team's heartbreaking loss against UConn Women's Basketball in the Elite Eight, (L/n)'s star continued to rise, drawing admiration and attention from fans and pundits alike.

For (L/n), the decision to join UConn represents an opportunity to challenge herself at the highest level of collegiate competition and pursue her dreams of achieving greatness within the world of women's basketball. With the support of her teammates and coaching staff, she is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in her senior year.

As the countdown to the upcoming season begins, all eyes will be on (L/n) and her UConn teammates as they aim to solidify their place as one of the most dominant forces in women's college basketball. With (L/n)'s addition to the lineup, the future looks brighter than ever for the UConn Huskies, and fans eagerly await the electrifying moments that lie ahead on the court.

a/n: Okay so that's sorta like a prologue to this fic. So originally, I wrote this with my oc, but i feel like it would come across better on here as an reader insert so yeah. Yes the title is named after the mitski song and yes that does mean I will add some poc elements to this fic. Doesn't mean if you aren't a poc you won't relate to as many things but like yeah im making paige and readers relationship inspired from that song.

ANYWAYS I HOPE YOU LIKE IT lmk if you have any suggestions like plot wise or writing wise its been a while...

#paige bueckers x reader #paige bueckers headcannon #paige bueckers #wlw fic #wlw #wlw post #uconn wbb #uconn women’s basketball #midnight love

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stepmarchen · 2 months ago

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Hi! I was wondering if you knew if this drawing from ORKA exists or if I just made it up in my head. I swear there was a school au that was drawn by ORKA and Shuri was wearing a white top with like a green skirt.. I wanted to see it again but I couldn’t find it IS THIS REAL?!

Hi!!! I know exactly what you're talking about!

It's this image from the Official A Stepmother's Marchen Limited Edition Collector's Set! The special edition artbook has a section called "What if 'A Stepmother's Marchen' was set in modern times?"

Here's what we know about the AU (note: Translations are from what little I could find online. Translations may not be 100% accurate. If anyone has real scans of this book, I can offer more accurate details!)

Shuri: A 3rd year student at Gold Highschool with excellent grades, outstanding athletics, and in the advanced class. She lives in the city with her aunt and she's neighbors with Jeremy.

Nora: A 1st year student at Silver Highschool in the art club. He has outstanding athletics and while quiet, he gets along with his peers. He seems to be attracted to Shuri, who he met by chance.

Jeremy: A 1st year student at Gold Highschool. He is great at sports, but doesn't have a lot of hobbies outside school. He just floats around because he doesn't have any goals. He bickers a lot with Shuri.

Theo: A 3rd year student at Infinite Highschool and the student body president. He has excellent grades and plays the violin. His nickname is "the Prince of Infinite High" and he has a secret fanclub.

Ohara: A 1st year student at Infinite Highschool and the student body vice president. She has excellent grades and plays the violin. She strives to go to the top college in the U.S.

Elias: A 2nd year student at Gold Middleschool whose hobbies include gaming, going to arcades or computer cafes. He dreams to become a pro-gamer. He's going through puberty and he has a mother-complex.

Leon and Rachel: They are 4th year students at Gold Elementary School. They have a cat named Cherry. They are strong and healthy kids and Leon, who loves books, wears glasses due to poor sight. The two attend Alberon's Taekwondo gym.

Maximillian: Chairman of a large corporation and a self-made businessman. He is a perfectionist and often argues with Elizabeth, who has an opinion against all of his matters.

Elizabeth: A politician with a fiery personality. Her skill is wrestling and her hobby is wrestling. She is great at her job.

Richelieu: Part of the legal team at a large corporation. He graduated school early and as soon as he did, he joined Maximillian's company's legal team.

Wolffe: A senior year college student in the law department. He's overwhelmed with assignments, applications, and essays. He dreams of joining Richelieu's legal team after graduation.

Albert: A diplomat that deals with internationally famous politicians and often travels to different countries. He's sad that he can't see his family due to his overseas business trips.

Heidi: A traditional tea shop owner located in a small alley. She's very shy and quiet, but passionate about her tea.

Everette: An interior designer that focuses on giving people a warm and comfortable home and accommodating to their customer's needs. She is a hard working interior designer in Shinchang.

Alberon: A Taekwondo instructor that's large in size and blunt in personality. He practiced consistently and refined his skills to become a national representative, achieving great results. Children often fear his large size, but the twins take him aback with their fearless attitude. He opens up to them and becomes very popular.

Johannes: A resourceful businessman. He spends more time abroad than he does at home. He sponsors Alicia's creative activities. They got married for their mutual beneficial business relationship.

Alicia: She is an artist that works as an art museum curator and a writer. Thanks to Johannes' sponsorships, she's become a well known creator.

Shuri's Family: They own a noodle shop in Shuri's hometown. They work somewhat diligently and business seems to be going well.

#a stepmother's marchen #the fantasie of a stepmother #stepyapping #askstepmarchen #shuli von neuschwanstein #nora von nuremberg #jeremy von neuschwanstein #cardinal richelieu #elias von neuschwanstein #rachel von neuschwanstein #leon von neuschwanstein #asm modern au

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so-i-did-this-thing · 3 months ago

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Hi, sorry about this, I don't really have anyone to consult on this so I'm kinda just looking for anyones input.

I'm a current high school junior, who is 99% sure they're trans yet won't be able to come out to their family in the foreseeable future, but I'm hoping to start socially transitioning during college. I've also been swimming the majority of my life, and I'm debating as wether or not to go through the recruitment process for NCAA swimming, which my coach is pushing for. The issue is that since I'm hoping to begin socially transitioning during college/possibly go on t in upperclassmen years, to join a team would be stalling that indefinitely, since although I could still socially transition, to go on t would be considered doping and therefore highly illegal. And even if I do socially transition it would still be known that I'm on a women's team and therefore a lot of peoples first impression of me; not to mention swimming is a highly revealing sport, so everyone on my team would see me as a girl/I'd never realistically be able to pass (in the pool and out).

But also I love to swim! So it feels like no matter what I'm either giving up something I love to feel comfortable or to delay feeling comfortable in order to do something I love. And I'm worried that if I don't transition the dysphoria I'm already experiencing will get worse, because now the fact I'm not transitioning won't be to not get in conflict with my parents, so it's completely in my control. But also if I don't take the opportunity to possibly swim at college I'll feel I've worked on my strength and stamina for years for nothing. And knowing that I'll still be able to transition after, it'll just be a few years longer than I previously anticipated, makes it feel like it might be worth it, but on the other hand I know I won't feel 100% if I do.

Hello, Anon. It seems like you're thinking already pretty solidly about your pros and cons, which is great to see! "Indefinitely" seems like a big concept - isn't this more so just about the next 5 years? But let's back up a moment. Maybe another question to ask yourself is: exactly what do you like about swimming? Is it the competitive aspect? Just being in the water? The structure? Hanging out with other swimmers? Do you want to get a scholarship? Go pro? Coach, eventually? For each thing like about competitive swimming, ask yourself - can you find similar joy elsewhere? (The answer can simply be, "no".) I wouldn't say that your training is for naught - building healthy habits at your age is going to mean you'll be a healthier middle-aged and eventually, senior person. You can always swim in a community pool for exercise and fun. Or become a lifeguard. Or teach swim classes. So again, I think it boils down to how swimming fits into your identity. "Swimming" isn't exactly a gender, but being a college athlete seems pretty important to you. If you're not going on a scholarship, I think your risk of deciding to stop swimming at some point is fairly low, other than having begun your college career socially female and then having a more awkward coming out. And getting a Lecture from a coach for "quitting". (And fuck them if they do this.) I don't want to tell you to stop doing something you love, but if you do swim, you should be in tune with your dysphoria and check in with yourself often. Come up with lines that, if crossed, mean you need to stop and reconsider. (Skipping too many classes, not taking care of yourself, etc, etc.)

And if you're serious about transition, have a Plan A (transition in college), Plan B (transition after college), and Plan C (hybrid model), with milestones you want to achieve, both socially and medically. Get your resources all researched, phone numbers ready to call. Having a plan can keep you motivated. Either way you decide, it's going to be stressful. So don't skimp on the self-care, like hanging out with friends and doing other things that affirm the various parts of your identity. All that said, I'd caution about a few things:

If you swim and socially transition, you are likely to face a lot of scrutiny, especially from folks who will think you are a trans woman. Things are very fraught right now for trans college athletes.

Keep an eye on the news for how trans students are being treated at your college. You might actually want to postpone your transition for simple safety reasons. The world is pretty unfriendly towards us right now.

I wouldn't assume you can socially transition without your parents finding out. Just assume it will happen and be prepared for those consequences.

I really feel for you here. I've had to choose between a career as a musician (fulfilling, what I went to school for) and a career in tech (more money and stability). I chose stability, knowing I could do music on the side. I'm still a little sad I'm not a fulltime musician, but my financial stability allows me to enjoy the gigs I do get. (Or used to, since I'm mostly retired now.) Transition and swimming might be the same for you. Maybe you transition for the peace of mind, so that swimming for fun is less stressful, even if you're no longer competitive. But if competitive swimming is that important to you and something you wish to carry with you all your life, the experiences and connections you make in school might outweigh postponing transition. I don't want to give you an answer either way -- we hardly know each other. But I do hope I've given you a little more food for thought to make a decision.

#trans stuff

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anonymousewrites · 4 months ago

Text

A Not-So-Disastrous Romance (Book 3) Chapter Eight

Saiki Kusuo x Reader

Chapter Eight: Future Plans and Robots

Summary: (Y/N) and Saiki think about their future and deal with Kusuke.

“You’ll all be seniors soon,” said Mr. Iguchi after handing out worksheets. “Think seriously about what you to do in the future. You have two days. Don’t forget to turn in your work.”

The future, huh? My most pressing goal is to escape this time loop so that there is a future, though Saiki. (So he could have a future with (Y/N)).

Two days later…

“Hey, isn’t the career planning worksheet due today?” said Kaidou, sitting down.

“Yeah, I did it,” said Kuboyasu.

“I finished it, too,” said Hairo.

“Same here,” said (Y/N).

“Nendou, are you still not done?” said Kaidou, seeing Nendou groan.

“What should I do?” said Nendou.

“You probably wrote something crazy like Prime Minister—” Kaidou stared. The paper said stuff like “ninja” and “superhero.” He really is crazy.

“Did you fill yours out?” said Kuboyasu, looking at Kaidou.

“For the most part,” said Kaidou.

“With your grades, are you planning on college?” said Hairo.

“For me, high school is like a fleeting miracle,” said Kaidou. “I just wrote forever for now.”

“Seems to me you gave serious thought to your answers,” said Saiki.

“Yeah, those are all good colleges you listed, Kaidou,” said (Y/N).

“With your grades, though, you could get into the best schools,” said Hairo encouragingly.

“I don’t know what to do!” admitted Kaidou, panicked. “Should I think it over more?”

“There’s still time to think,” said (Y/N). “This worksheet doesn’t decide your future.”

“What are you guys talking about?” said Teruhashi, walking up with Yumehara.

“Our worksheets,” said (Y/N).

“Oh, cool!” Yumehara immediately looked over at Kaidou paper and made a quick note on her paper.

“Chiyo,” whispered Teruhashi. “Don’t go to those colleges just because Kaidou is.”

Yumehara blushed. “…R-Right.”

(Y/N) smiled at Teruhashi, and Teruhashi smiled back. She was really growing. Now that Teruhashi was finding her own self-esteem and understanding what she wanted beyond being the perfect pretty girl, she was able to help others, too.

“You’re applying to college, too, Hairo?” said Kaidou. The boys had luckily not heard Yumehara and Teruhashi (except for Saiki). “I assumed you’d become a tennis pro.”

“Honestly, any athletic pro,” said (Y/N).

“I can still do that while going to college,” said Hairo. “I have another dream.”

“Dream?” said Kuboyasu.

“I want to be a teacher!” said Hairo, smiling. “I’ve always loved teaching others. I want the troubled kids of today to know how wonderful it is to have a dream.”

“That’s great! It’s perfect for you!” said Kaidou.

“That’s amazing, Hairo,” said (Y/N). “You’ll definitely achieve that.”

“Yeah, good luck, man!” said Nendou.

“Thanks,” said Hairo, beaming.

“This might be unexpected, but I wanna be a teacher, too,” said Kuboyasu, turning pink from embarrassment.

“No, that makes sense,” said Kaidou.

“Typical,” said Saiki.

“Good luck!” said (Y/N), smiling. “People definitely respect you!”

“Thank you,” said Kuboyasu. “I used to be a delinquent, so I know where troublesome students are coming from.”

“Like we said, that makes sense,” said Kaidou.

“Hey, pal, what did you put on yours?” said Nendou.

“Yeah, tell us,” said Hairo.

“Come on, you heard ours,” said Kaidou.

“I’m going to a normal college,” said Saiki.

“Let’s guess his future!” said Kaidou excitedly.

“Don’t turn it into a quiz show,” said Saiki.

“Great idea!” said Nendou.

“Sounds fun,” agreed Teruhashi.

“Ooh, yes!” said (Y/N). They were definitely going to tease him.

Saik sighed. “I said I’m going to a normal college—”

“I got it!” said Yumehara. “A baker.”

“That’s not me.”

“That’s more (Y/N) than Saiki,” said Kuboyasu. “What about an administrative scrivener?”

“Realistic but no.”

“A teacher, right?!” said Kaidou.

“No.”

“I know,” said Teruhashi. “(Y/N)’s husband.”

(Y/N)’s face warmed, and Saiki had to blush for the first time in his life.

“O-Oh!” said (Y/N).

“That would be cute,” said Yumehara, laughing.

“That makes sense,” said Kaidou, grinning.

“Yare yare,” said Saiki, trying to avoid looking at anyone. Still, the thought of being married to (Y/N)? Oh wow.

“I know the answer,” said (Y/N), smiling through their furiously blushing face. “Kusuo is going to study economics.”

Saiki blinked before flipping over his paper. Sure enough, his first choice was studying economics, then literature, all at three average colleges.

“Wow, it’s so…boring,” said Kaidou, blunt.

“Hey.”

“Kusuo’s practical,” said (Y/N), smiling. “Economics makes sense. Literature is a bit unexpected, but I think you’d do well, Kusuo.”

“I am in a book right now,” said Saiki.

(Y/N) smiled at him.

“Teruhashi, what are your plans?” said Kaidou.

Teruhashi smiled and held up her paper. All three schools were hard to get into it (but she, of course, would) and her listed major possibilities were botany, writing, and design.

“Botany,” said (Y/N), smiling. “I like it.”

“I want to do something so that I don’t have to constantly get attention after school,” she said, smiling. “And I like flowers.”

“You’ll do great,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“What are you planning on doing, (Y/N)?” said Teruhashi.

“There’s only really one answer,” said (Y/N), laughing as they held up their paper. It said “confectioner,” and they had listed a few different confectionary schools across Japan.

“That’s so you!” said Yumehara.

“You’re already so good at baking, I can’t imagine how you could get better,” said Kuboyasu.

“You’ve got this!” said Kaidou.

“Thanks,” said (Y/N), beaming.

“You’re going to do well,” said Saiki.

“Thanks, Kusuo,” said (Y/N), gaze softening.

“I guess we’ve all been giving our futures serious thought,” said Kaidou.

“Of course!” said Nendou.

“Not you.”

“We’re gonna be seniors, huh?” said Yumehara tearfully.

“As seniors, we’ll have a class change,” said Kaidou. “We won’t be able to hang out worry-free like this for much longer. If only we could stay second-years forever.”

(Y/N) and Saiki exchanged a look.

“Actually,” said (Y/N). “I think it would be good to move forward. There’s no reason that we have to ever stop being friends.” They smiled. “Life changes, but friendship doesn’t have to.”

Saiki smiled slightly as he heard them. Just for them, he’d ensure that they stayed in the same class together. He supposed these bothers weren’t too bad. His friends were actually pretty good.

“And once we move forward, we can achieve our dreams,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“Right!” said Kuboyasu. “I need to become a teacher.”

“College first,” said Hairo, smiling.

“Before we change classes, why don’t we all go somewhere?” suggested Yumehara. “Have a last hurrah!”

“Great idea,” said (Y/N), beaming and sitting down on Saiki’s desk.

He smiled softly as he heard his friends talking. Then, his mouth fell into a frown. It was time to move forward. And that meant facing the volcano and fixings things for good. Saiki looked up at (Y/N)’s smiling face as they spoke to their friends.

For you.

“A robot replica?” Saiki frowned at the TV screen where Kusuke had decided to pop up to speak to him.

“Yeah, I finally completed it!” said Kusuke.

“Hey, it’s Kusuke! What’s going on?” asked Mr. Saiki.

“He apparently made a robot replica of me,” said Saiki, already bored of the conversation.

“It can’t be that easy to build a robot, right, Warp?” Mr. Saiki cooed at their pet cat.

“You may have forgotten, but that cat is a robot, too,” said Saiki.

“I couldn’t perfectly your psychic powers, though,” admitted Kusuke.

“Just play with your toy then and leave me alone,” said Saiki.

“It’d be faster if you see for yourself,” said Kusuke. “Come here, Kusuomega.”

“That’s a stupid name.”

The screen switched to show Kusuomega, the robot, licking Kusuke’s boot.

“Bastard, what are you making him do?” Kusuke was being weird as usual. “Wait—” Kusuomega really did look exactly like Saiki. “This is—”

“That’s totally Kusuo!” said Mr. Saiki.

“Looks like I was able to surprise you a bit,” said Kusuke, smirking in satisfaction.

“Yare yare. It’s in such bad taste,” said Saiki.

“That’s not all,” said Kusuke. “It’s not how Kusuomega looks that’s impressive. It’s what inside. Show them, Kusuomega.”

“Yare yare. What a bother,” said Kusuomega.

“Sounds just like Kusuo!” cried Mr. Saiki.

“An AI with Kusuo’s thoughts and preferences. He speaks well, too,” said Kusuke.

“Yare yare. I guess I have to,” said Kusuomega. “Yare yare.”

“I don’t say, ‘Yare yare’ that often,” said Saiki.

“From previous data, I made his physical abilities as close to Kusuo’s as possible,” continued Kusuke.

“Why make this?”

“I wish he’d make a replica of me,” sighed Mr. Saiki. “Then it could go to work for me.”

“Wait, what time is it?”

“It’s 8:40 am—crap!” said Mr. Saiki.

Saiki stood. It was strange that he was wearing a school uniform.

“So, you’ve probably noticed by now,” said Kusuke, pleased with himself. “We’re not actually live. I filmed this yesterday. Meaning, your robot replica isn’t here. Where could he be? This is a challenge, Kusuo. Will you be able to stop Kusuomega?” Kusuke grinned. “Keep listening to me as you go.”

Saiki was frustrated but picked up the earpiece on the table (he had been suspicious when it arrived in the mail, and now he was scowling). Yare yare. Nothing to do but go to school and collect him.

“Saiki, you’re early today!” said Kaidou as Saiki walked into the hall of PK Academy.

“Kusuo,” said (Y/N), turning and smiling. Instantly, their smile froze, and they frowned. That was not Saiki. The person looked at them had all his features, but he lacked Saiki’s glasses, and something about the expression felt too cold. (Y/N) could always tell how Saiki was feeling underneath his stoicism, and this person had nothing.

“Hello, (Y/N),” said Kusuomega, approaching them and taking their hand. “How are you?”

(Y/N) blinked in surprise. Huh? “I’m, uh, alright.” They tried to draw back their hand, but Kusuomega held onto it.

“(Y/N).” Saiki’s words went directly into their head, and (Y/N) paused. “That’s not me. It’s a robot, Kusuomega, made by Kusuke.”

Due to their germanium earrings, Saiki wouldn’t be able to hear any response from them in their mind, but they nodded slightly so that wherever their real boyfriend was, he would know they understood.

Around the corner, an invisible Saiki glared at Kusuomega. Flirting with (Y/N) was unacceptable. I have to collect it and destroy it when it’s alone. It was one thing for Kusuke to send Kusuomega to PK Academy, but the way it put its arm around (Y/N) and they had to keep up appearances for everyone else made Saiki’s blood boil.

“You look pretty today,” said Kusuomega.

(Y/N)’s face warmed. “Um, uh—”

“And you’re so sweet,” said Kusuomega, leaning closer to their face.

I’m going to turn it into scrap metal.

“Kusuomega doesn’t have telepathy,” said Kusuke. “But he’s equipped to detect your limiter.”

What?

“He’s set to take a particular action when you’re within ten feet of him. He’ll attract people to him and flirt with (Y/N).”

Bastard.

“Now, what will you do?” said Kusuke.

I just need a distraction. Quickly, Saiki caused a window to burst to get everyone to turn around. He lunged out to grab Kusuomega. Good, everyone is distracted.

Kusuomega turned out, opened his mouth, and fired several rounds of a machine at Saiki.

(Y/N)’s eyes widened, and they gasped. “Kusuo!” They strained against Kusuomega’s arms. They couldn’t see Saiki, but they knew it was him that the robot was shooting at.

“What is it now?! What was that sound?!” cried the various students in the hall.

Saiki gritted his teeth as he hid around the corner, part of his sleeve ripped. What was that?!

“Oh, I forgot to tell you!” said Kusuke. “If you get within ten feet of him, he’ll fire the machine gun.”

He never planned on telling me that.

“You alright, Saiki?” said Kaidou, “What happened?”

“It was nothing,” said Kusuomega. “Are you alright, darling?”

(Y/N) cleared their throat. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine.” This is so weird…

Yare yare. What a nuisance. From the roof of another building, Saiki gazed down at Kusuomega showing so much PDA with (Y/N). I’ll have to take care of it after school when (Y/N)’s not in the line of danger…

“I’d advise you against that.” Kusuke’s genius knew what Saiki was planning, and he gleefully corrected him. “Well, I thought you might be thinking of taking care of it after school.”

Are we sure you aren’t psychic?

“I think that’s a bad idea because I’ve ordered Kusuomega to kiss (Y/N) at noon,” said Kusuke. “You’d better take care of it before noon.”

I’m going to turn him into scrap metal and melt it into a useless ball. Fortunately for Saiki, there was one thing Kusuke hadn’t taken into account with Kusuomega. Kusuke was all about the logic, but Saiki had more than just that—he had (Y/N). “(Y/N).” He spoke directly into their mind. “Can you lure Kusuomega to the roof?”

(Y/N) didn’t question him. They understood he needed their help and would help without any more questions.

Saiki smiled to himself. Kusuke was trying to use his emotions against him, but Saiki had (Y/N) on his side, which made him stronger.

“Hey, Kusuo?” said (Y/N), putting on a smile and leaning against Kusuomega. “Do you want to eat on the rooftop today?” They fiddled playfully with the collar of his uniform. “Just you and me?” Sorry, Kusuo, for flirting with a fake you…

“Yes.” Kusuomega had all of Saiki’s presences, and that included being head-over-heels for (Y/N) and willing to do anything they asked.

So, Kusuomega eagerly took (Y/N)’s hand and pulled them towards the rooftop. The moment they arrived on the roof, Saiki teleported behind them and ripped Kusuomega from (Y/N). In a single moment, he was pummeled into smithereens.

“Wow,” said (Y/N), staring at the smoke remains of the robot.

“(Y/N).” Saiki happily hugged them tightly and then kissed them passionately.

“Oh!” (Y/N) was surprised but laughed and kissed back. “Jealous, were we?”

“I hate Kusuke,” huffed Saiki.

“This was him? That tracks.” (Y/N) leaned in and kissed Saiki again. “But you have me, so we’re alright.”

“Yes,” said Saiki, holding (Y/N) close. “I love you.”

(Y/N) smiled. “I love you, too, Kusuo.”

“Aww, Kusuomega is in smithereens,” sighed Kusuke. “Oh, well, I got more data.” He smiled and scrolled through the files he had. “They’re a big weakness.” (Y/N)’s picture was on screen. “And he didn’t show up this time, but he’s like Kusuo…I can use that.” Toritsuka’s photo was plastered on the next file. Kusuke smirked.

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#a not so disastrous romance #x reader #gn reader #nb reader #x gn reader #x nb reader #the disaster of psi kusuo saiki #saiki kusou no psi nan #kusuo saiki #saiki x reader #saiki k #saiki no psi nan #saiki #saiki kusuo #saiki kusuo x reader #kusuo x reader #kusuo saiki x reader #the disastrous life of saiki k.#the disastrous life of saiki k

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zayed-gold87 · 7 months ago

Text

Zayed’s Ascent: The Journey to the Golden Team

The clang of weights echoed through the gym as Zayed gritted his teeth, his legs trembling under the barbell’s crushing weight. His golden tank, drenched in sweat, shimmered with an almost ethereal glow under the overhead lights. Every lift, every drop of effort, brought him closer to his dream: becoming a core member of the Golden Team—a multinational brotherhood of elite athletes.

Their mission was as radiant as their uniform: to become a living embodiment of excellence and unity. For Zayed, the golden kit wasn’t just clothing. It was a symbol of transformation and belonging, one he was determined to earn.

The Golden Team

The Golden Team was no ordinary group. Its members came from all corners of the globe, each bringing their unique strengths, styles, and cultures. Together, they formed a force greater than the sum of their parts, their golden uniforms gleaming like the sun as they trained, competed, and inspired. The golden kit was more than attire—it was a mantle of responsibility and a mark of achievement.

For Zayed, a young man with boundless determination, the allure of the Golden Team was irresistible. He imagined himself standing alongside his brothers, united in purpose, their golden kits glowing in unison. But to join their ranks required more than physical strength. It demanded discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the collective.

The Mentor and the Message

Among the Golden Team’s senior members was Zayed, a seasoned athlete whose name resonated within the team like a legend. A veteran of countless challenges, Zayed had become both a leader and a guide. He saw potential in the young recruit who shared his name and took him under his wing.

“You’ve got the strength,” the elder Zayed said, his golden vest gleaming as he placed a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “But strength alone doesn’t make you one of us. The kit shines brightest for those who train not just for themselves, but for their brothers. You’ll find your place when you focus on the team, not the mirror.”

The words struck the younger Zayed deeply. From that day forward, his workouts took on a new meaning. He pushed himself not just for his own improvement but to match the collective strength of the Golden Team.

The Struggle and the Glow

Each day brought new challenges. Some days, Zayed trained barefoot, the cool gym floor grounding him as he pushed through grueling circuits. Other days, he slipped on simple white socks for sprints and agility drills. But the constant was the golden kit—a tank top that seemed to pulse with its own energy. As Zayed progressed, the vest’s shimmer grew brighter, almost as if it reflected his growing connection to the team.

The trials weren’t just physical. One test required him to lift a barbell heavier than anything he had attempted before. His legs shook, his muscles burned, and for a moment, he doubted himself. But then he caught sight of the elder Zayed in the corner, nodding silently, his golden kit gleaming with quiet assurance.

The younger Zayed took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and let out a roar as he hoisted the weight above his head. The gym erupted in cheers, the sound of unity carrying him through the final rep.

“That’s how you do it,” the elder Zayed said afterward, clapping him on the back. “When you carry the weight, you carry it for all of us.”

The Team and the Kit

As Zayed moved through the ranks, he began to notice the true power of the Golden Team. It wasn’t just their strength or their discipline—it was their connection. Athletes from different countries and cultures, united under a single golden banner, moved as one.

Their golden kits weren’t just uniforms—they were symbols of the unity they represented. Whether they were sprinting on a track, lifting in the gym, or strategizing together, their golden gear gleamed with a light that seemed to come from within.

Zayed’s own kit began to transform. No longer just a tank top, it felt like an extension of his body, glowing brighter as his connection to the team deepened.

Toward the Summit

The day Zayed was inducted into the core team was unlike any other. The gym buzzed with energy as the multinational group of athletes gathered around him. The elder Zayed stood at the front, his golden kit shining like the sun.

“You’ve earned this,” the mentor said, holding out a pristine, glowing golden tank. “But remember—the kit is only as bright as the bond you share with your brothers. It will demand more of you every day. Are you ready to serve?”

“I am,” the younger Zayed said, his voice steady.

As he pulled on the golden tank, he felt a surge of energy, a warmth that seemed to flow from the kit itself. Around him, the team erupted into cheers, their collective strength lighting up the room.

A New Beginning

As Zayed stood among his new brothers, the golden kit glowing in harmony with theirs, he realized this was just the beginning. Every lift, every sprint, every bead of sweat was a step toward something greater—not just personal excellence, but the collective power of the Golden Team.

The floor beneath his feet, whether bare or covered, was a reminder of where he had come from. But the golden kit—the symbol of his transformation—was a reminder of where he was going. Together, with his brothers, Zayed would carry the team’s mission forward, glowing brighter with every step.

Ready to join the team?

The Golden Army awaits. Contact us and take your place.

@brodygold @goldenherc9 @polo-drone-001

#golden army #golden team #male transformation

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chocsra · 2 years ago

Text

"Lovesick (Interlude)"

Chuuya x fem! reader - highschool AU

A/N: hii how are yall doing, its the weekend and yk what that means 🙏 thank you to all to those who have send me requests! i have read them all and plan to write all of them 😻🫶

thank you sm @sstarshroom for the request again 🫶😭

content: detention w your friend and school gangster chuuya nakahara, oneshot, pre-relationship (almost), romance, fluff, friends to lovers, idiots in love, i was thinking of kunikida when writing the teacher but then i realised he and chuuya would be the same age 😨

"This behaviour is unacceptable, Nakahara, I'll be calling your brother. Sit down."

A deep hoarse voice pierces through the late silence of the empty classroom, your teacher clicks his tongue in annoyance as he urges your classmate, Chuuya, to take a seat. The teenage boy, in his school uniform, shrugs and strides his way to the empty desk next to yours. "Ah," your teacher scoffs, stopping dead in his tracks. "Sit somewhere else, you need to learn your darn lesson." the man points an angry finger at the ginger, you look over to him, suppressing bits of laughter as Chuuya glares at the floor in irritation before taking a seat a few desks away from you.

He had short orange hair and piercing blue eyes, not the kind of blue that was like that of an ocean or jewel, but a dark, whirling storm. Chuuya Nakahara was a classmate of yours who was relatively short, athletic, independent and smart; but he had a pretty big issue within school, violence. Fights on fights on fights, the kid really couldn't catch a break from beating up people, could he? From what you've accumulated, he loved taekwondo as a kid until now before forming a loving bond with soccer; Chuuya loved fashion and forming good impressions, so it wasn't much to your surprise for him to show up to school on a motorcycle to achieve some 'gangster' look.

He loved stray dogs and begrudgingly fed stray cats, the loudness of the teenage boy was normal; but it brought some sort of fondness towards you, especially as friends. Yeah, you enjoyed having a nice friendship with the scruffy Chuuya Nakahara, the human embodiment of a chihuahua or grumpy cat. Sometimes, he forced you to go on morning runs with him, or rant about the future wine he was to buy and collect - 'bullshit', you thought, who would spend 30 grand on alcohol?

The redhead had a few friends in school - you, Albatross, the honour roll and senior student Kouyou Ozaki, his friend group who called themselves 'Sheep', based on a movie or something. Oh, and Dazai, well, you weren't sure if they were really friends or not - but by the looks of it, they seem to be the closest out of everyone else.

"No talking."

Your teacher orders, clicking the door open ready to leave; he sends an exaggerated glare at the both of you in the dim classroom that makes you suppress a cackle. Then, he finally left - his leather shoes clicking against the school floors. A heavy silence entered the empty classroom, hearing your teacher's ghostly footsteps until they disappeared. Chuuya then scoots his chair far closer to you, an irritated but victorious smile accompanied by the pleasant features of his face.

"Now how'd you end up in detention?" He questions with a proud smirk, patting your shoulder affectionately. "Slept in class," you chuckle, sighing, then resting your head atop the wooden desk; the ginger laughs in amusement, his angry mood quickly dissipated at the simple conversation with you. "what did you do this time?" you question, quirking a brow as the redhead scoffs, "The usual, beat the shit 'outta Osamu." he clicks his tongue. "Again? Over what?" you snicker casually, it wasn't very good to be friends with a school delinquent - but you knew he wasn't that bad, considering he was in tears watching 'A Dog's Way Home'.

"Poetry," Chuuya mutters, looking away shamefully, making you smile cheekily and laugh at the stupid reason. "Poetry?!" you smack his back playfully, making the boy wince in pain at the aggressive happiness. "He fuckin' said my love poems were shitty, that's not true!" You laugh at him for a split second, before cocking another brow. "You write love poems?" the ginger goes beet red at your realisation, before turning away and blushing, "It's just- whatever," Chuuya quips, you chuckle in pure amusement. "I never thought you would ever write a poem, a love poem especially." The boy scoffs, "The more you know, I guess."

"So then, who's it to?" You ask with curiosity filling your eyes, elbows planted clean on the desk. Chuuya shakes his head in denial, pursing his lips, not wanting to speak up. "That doesn't matter." he quips, biting his inner cheek in a flustered crisis; you only smile cheekily at his reactions, leaning in closer to his face, "Osamu?" the ginger flinches and almost flies off his seat at the name, scoffing absolutely baffled. "No!! What the hell?" you laugh, hitting the desk at the moment, watching as a small smile creeps on the redhead's face, his cheeks flushed a rosy pink. "Did I not just say I beat the shit outta him?"

You both scoff and turn your heads away, "Well - you never told me you liked somebody." the redhead purses his lips in annoyance, "'Cause ya didn't need to know." you quirk a brow at the heavy tension in the room, both of you getting quiet. "So then who is it?" you ask again, tracing shapes on the wooden desk in front of you. "I can't tell you," the redhead states, fiddling with his fingers; you part your lips in a teasing manner, "Just tell me and-"

"and ruin our friendship?"

you widen your eyes at Chuuya's words, the ginger looks painfully ashamed at his slip-up, swiping his tongue against his inner cheek with the scrunch of his face. "What?" you blink, staring at him under the dimly lit lighting. "What?" he repeats, completely stunned at his own words.

A heavy silence filled the room, the boy pensively squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment. "Does that mean what I think it does?" You choke out, a pink blush prominent on your cheeks; the redhead runs a hand through his hair in mild frustration. "Sorry," Chuuya shies away, turning his head to face away from your pretty gaze.

In all those months of torturous school, you've met a nice boy by the name of Chuuya Nakahara. He loved soccer, taekwondo, motorcycles, and music, and had many friends that he held near and dear to his heart. To you, he was a short, competitive, school troublemaker that roamed those crowded hallways arguing with Osamu with boring eyes. But to him, you were a girl who kept him awake on those terrible, sleepless nights, he thought of your name when he was first introduced into poetry, and he gets reminded of your bright smile as he thinks of the word 'sonnets'. To the boy, sometimes he felt out of touch with reality; because he hated the thought of falling in love, he despised the slow melody in romance songs, but meeting you only made his life slow down, just like the poetic rhythm of a cheesy song.

No, Chuuya was an idiot in denial; everybody could tell - especially when he got hit in the face with a soccer ball as you captured his gaze, his vision blurred to only your perfection and your perfection only. Chuuya Nakahara, the boy who was your friend for God knows how long; is terribly lovesick because of you.

"You shouldn't be," you mutter, brushing your fingertips over his soft hands; the ginger only widens his eyes at your words and lingering touch, the sparkle in his eyes signalling his greatest happiness. "I like you too," you whisper, locking eyes with the floor as the heat in your cheeks never seems to dissipate. Chuuya's fingers shook slightly in shock, his lips parting ever so slightly; he stared at your beautiful features in that damn classroom, the soreness of his knuckles fading as your words were the best yearning kisses to it he could ever ask for.

"..Can I kiss you?"

He stammers, watching as your lips curve into a smile he adored so much. "You're such an idiot." you laugh, fingers grazing to cup his soft cheeks ever so softly, pulling his lips into a sweet kiss. Chuuya's heart thumped loudly in his chest, his shaky hands flying to your waist and hand to cradle them with the affection that danced with the praise he sang in all those poems. The redhead's hitched breath tickled your lips as you slowly interlock, eyelids and pretty eyelashes fluttering shut at the tummy twisting feelings; you both had fuzzy minds, losing the ability to even think straight.

And as you felt his endearing lips reanimate any bore or sadness in that tedious classroom, you found the dim lighting to be the most tacky source of illumination; because Chuuya was - a graceful presence that made any fairytale or novel vanish in envy.

"You two!! I leave you right under my nose and this is what happens?!"

Your teacher storms in, completely enraged with a hint of amusement as you both scream in terror.

Yeah, you were both fucked, but at least you got a great, loving boyfriend out of it?

#Spotify #bsd #bungou stray dogs #bsd chuuya #chuuya nakahara #15 chuuya #15 light novel bsd #chuuya x reader #bsd x reader #chuuya loves taekwondo canon #chuuya x you #chuuya fluff #chuuya bsd #chuuya x y/n

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curtisberzattos · 1 year ago

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darry simply Must have a letterman jacket based on how highly he prioritized sports and athletics in high school. he'd either get one gifted to him by the school for his achievements or save up enough to buy one himself (his dad pitches in what he can). he'd have pins from varsity football and weightlifting. he'd live in it his senior year (except during games, when he'd give it to his mom to wear because the stands get really cold). he stops wearing it as much when he doesn't earn a full ride sports scholarship. he boxed it up and shoved it in the furthest corner of the attic after his parents died.

#darry curtis #the outsiders #i have so many thoughts about darry and sports #the outsiders broadway #the outsiders 1983

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mr-laveau · 6 months ago

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A little NeXus Lore Tidbit

Here's some canonical info we know about some listeners + added lore about them that you won't get from the audios, directly from the discord:

Hot Shot - has a pair of strong arms, aether, visually defies gender norms in their appearance, secretive, asks a lot of questions, orphan, preference for earth elemental magic, smart and athletic but not very active in sports

Cher - has one arm, also secretive, does not have a green thumb, protective alpha, empathetic to a degree and is an artist who can still draw alright because they hadn't lost their dominant hand

Pet - smoker, just moved out of their home to New Orleans, best friends with a dog shifter, drifter telepath, now a vampire and was actually a very good cook

Sherlock - sneaky, mischievous, strategic, put together, a vampire who's over a century old, works as a freelance night guard and has actually family in new Orleans they don't talk to

Bud - Shape shifter, more withdrawn but can be firm, was bullied in AMP for a time, senior year student, works as a teacher's aid and has a custom coffee order that's too long for any person to actually think it's sane.

Trouble - daemon turned werewolf, rough around the edges, withdrawn, stubborn and does not like being touched without permission

Liege - talented liar, gaslight, gatekeep girl boss(gn), has committed several crimes, telepath, canonically has no issues with murder or blackmail, seems to know things about the criminal underworld and they have a bunch of playing cards they keep on hand to play solitaire

Seaweed Brains - shape shifter drifter, has not yet been fully registered, reckless, studied marine archeology in college, experimental, loves horror books and has a hard time putting names to faces if they're not close to someone

Angel - hacker, hard ass but cares, very intelligent, has a righteous streak, is pretty well known online and owns too many hoodies to make this look healthy

Best friend - dog shifter, has been a part of the garroway pacl for a while, protective, loyal, tough & intimidating and is a gym rat-or dog

Rascal - troublemaker, adventurous, solid leadership qualities, pretty down with cases of murder, married, most seen with a handkerchief over their mouth wild west bandit style and they are more fashionable than Joseph as shown by the many cowboy hats they keep on hand

Genius - stubborn, incredibly smart, does not know how to take no for an answer, loyal to a fault, not reckless all the time, daring, does not realize their own circumstances until it hits them like a brick, inventor and does know how to fire a gun because of their brother

Doll - married, loyal to a massive fault, ex-cop, very empathetic, community oriented, idealistic in some sense and they are an avid reader who prefers historical romance and non-fiction

Tanker - scientist, earth elemental, smart but also a bit of an ass, mischievous, does not hold themself in high enough regard or their achievements and is well learned in boxing

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enwoso · 1 year ago

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welcome to the world | alessia russo

-> three moments during pregnancy, and one which means the most.

navigation

one

you and alessia had been best friends since the two of you met all the way back on the first day of primary school when you were both were just four years old. alessia was older by two months and was something she loved to use to her advantage.

"y/n i'm older so i know what's best!"

"less! you use that same excuse every time!"

the two of you being polar opposites in school, alessia being the more confident one, who loved football with her entire heart while you were definitely the more introverted one who swore you were allergic to any form of athletic activity. you instead loved having a book in your hands, escaping to another world within the story from the book.

but that's what made you too the bestest of friends and that was something neither of you would change, ever.

you had gone through school together, knowing every aspect of alessia's life and in turn she knew every aspect of your life. and the older you got the more your family's began to become more and more closer.

like when you two were little, you would sit and pick the daisies from the grass on the field making a daisy chain to give to alessia while she would run around the field with a ball at her feet a big toothy grin on her face as she did so.

as alessia got older she made sure you were at every one of her football matches and you proudly did, alessia always making sure to make the point that she played a lot better when you were standing there watching her, even if you didn't have clue what was happening.

you had to there, you were her lucky charm.

so to your families it wasn't the least bit surprising when you both began to start dating when you were 17, however you held off telling them until just a few months before alessia moved to go to university in america.

there reactions being very far from what you both imagined it being a simple — “we knew all along" with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders leaving you and alessia more confused then what your parents were.

now the both of you were 24, having been together now for seven years. alessia had came back to england having made her break through into the lionesses senior squad and was now playing for arsenal after just having the summer of her life, even if england were unable to win the world cup, you know that just making a final was a huge achievement alone.

you on the other hand had graduated from university having gotten your dream job and you couldn't be anymore prouder of your girlfriend — life with her by your side was amazing and was just about to get a whole lot better.

you were finally pregnant.

after a few failed rounds of ivf, you and less decided this would be your last try before you stopped trying for a while in order to give your body a rest however you were now stood in your bathroom shaky hands holding a positive test a huge grin taking over your face.

you had been feeling horrible for the past few days, thinking you had just gotten a tummy ache but now it all made sense there was going to be a little human growing inside of you.

alessia being at the arsenal training ground as it was the beginning of the wsl season in just a few days time, this gave you a few hours to set up a little something in a way to surprise her.

alessia was due to be home in the next ten minutes so buzzing with excitement you found a sticky note and wrote 'hello mama!' on the note and placed it next to the pregnancy test

stepping back and looking down at your stomach and admiring it, it beginning to settle in that you were about to have a baby with the girl of your dreams. thoughts of alessia with a baby over run your mind but you were soon took out of that track of through by the sound of the front door shutting.

"baby i'm home!" she called out hearing her drop her keys on the side table and her bag hitting the floor as you came over to the door a giggle slipping from you as you watched her tussle with her trainers to try and get them off.

"hi love" you smiled as she engulfed you in a hug, "how was training?" you asked as the blonde moved her head into your neck, inhaling your perfume. "good but i missed you" she mumbled into your neck as you kissed her forehead.

you hummed, "i've missed you too but i've actually got something to show you" alessia's head rising from your neck, confusion knitting over her face. "show me?" she repeated hesitantly.

you nodded, "close your eyes" alessia looking at you apprehensively, "should i be scared?" the blonde asked, a nervous smile on her face. "no! no i actually think you'll really like it — just close your eyes and trust me!" you said as the blonde finally shut her eyes, you grabbing her hands and leading her to the kitchen.

"okay.. open them!" you say standing to the side as the room is filled with silence, you waiting for alessia who is looking at the little display as you waited for her to piece everything together.

"no way- really!" alessia gasped turning to you a wide smile not so dissimilar to the one you had on your face a few hours ago. you nodded as a squeal came from the blonde as she wrapped her arms around you, twirling you around attacking you with kisses.

placing you back on the ground, her hands staying on your waist as they travelled to your stomach. making sure she's gentle both hands rest on your stomach where your little human will live for the next nine months.

"this is the best thing that has ever happened to me!" alessia mumbled before placing her lips on yours, a slow and loving kiss taking place as your hands came to cup on her cheeks as alessia's hands stayed put on your tummy.

"i love you!"

"i love you too lessi."

two

it was a rainy sunday afternoon and alessia had just gotten home from playing at meadow park, a solid win and even bagging a goal, it was all a good feeling but nothing beat being tucked up next to you as you watched tv.

you lying with alessia on the couch, her head resting on your shoulder as your legs draped over the blondes, tangling themselves within hers as she played with the rings on your fingers.

“where you going?” the blonde asked a pout on her face as you made a sudden movement to get up, looking back at the blonde with a smile, “just to get a drink?”

before you had a chance to even move any further off the couch, alessia had sprung to her feet. “i’ll get it” the blonde sweetly said, pecking your lips quickly before rushing into the kitchen, not before stopping and yelling asking what it was you actually wanted.

“just a water love!” you yelled back, hearing her open the fridge as you smiled to yourself. ever since you found out you were pregnant alessia had been amazing.

helping you whenever your morning sickness struck, giving you your weird cravings whenever you wanted, being patient with you whenever you weren’t in the best of mood because you were tired or just weren’t have the best of days, you could already tell that she was going to be an amazing mother and the little human inside you was only about the size of a peach.

"oh my god!" you gasped as alessia almost ran back in the living room.

"what's wrong?" she frantically asked confusion hitting her as she wondered why there was a big cheesy grin on your face.

"little one just kicked!" you said watching intensely at you bump to see if it would happen again. "is it not a little early for kicking?" alessia asked as you shook your head. you were just hitting the fourth and a half month mark.

you midwife had told you to keep an eye out for any movement as it would begin to happen but it would all depend on the little one growing inside as some baby's were very active inside the womb whilst other weren't.

"no, she said it would be around about now" you explained as alessia nodded, you hands going over your bump trying to feel for any movement.

"pass your hands" you told alessia as she placed your water bottle down on the coffee table at the side of the couch before handing you her hands.

you moved you top up a little more to reveal your bump which was huge but was definitely getting bigger by the day. moving your girlfriends hands around you bump hoping for her to feel your little one's movement.

"can you feel there little kicks!" you looked towards alessia, a little “wow” escaping her as she felt the little kicks as she sat in awe.

"powerful little kicks" you whispered still loud enough for the blonde to hear you as she hummed in argreement her hands still holding your bump.

"gonna be a footballer just like there mama" alessia said smugly as you shook your head in amusement. looking at the blonde, leaning forwards to plant a kiss to her cheek, as she moved the kiss landing on her lips.

three

you were back at wembley for the first time since you had found out you were pregnant, the england girls were set to face the netherlands in the uefa nations league match in hopes of securing qualification for the the olympics next year.

you were nearing six months into your pregnancy, your body was changing massively and you had your 21 week scan telling you the gender of your baby a few weeks ago and with each ultrasound you were falling more and more in love with your little one and you couldn't wait to meet them.

watching as alessia would sit in the room with you, eyes in awh of the tiny human growing in your belly. listening intensively as the heartbeat would fill the small room in the hospital.

however as the weeks were passing, alessia was growing more and more protective of you. not allowing you to pick up anything heavier than an empty bottle or allowing you to stand in your feet for too long meaning she had been taking on the roll of cooking for the past few weeks but secretly you didn't mind that as you loved her cooking.

you were meeting with alessia's mum, dad and brothers at the match, alessia having left earlier this morning to do her usual pre match routine however every half an hour there was another message asking if you were okay - the blonde had been a little wary about you coming to the match but you had assured her that you would be perfectly fine.

walking in the entrance to wembley it was quiet for now fans still not allowed to enter for another thirty minutes. seeing alessia's family in the reception area all with england jerseys on, russo and the number 23 plastered on the back. yourself with the blue england away shirt on with your girlfriends name proudly on your back.

"hi honey, how are you, and the little one?" carol asked, engulfing you in a hug, she had been amazing to you since you had found out along with your own mum - the both of them giving you plenty of advice and tips on how to deal with pregnancy symptoms.

"i'm feeling good today, happy to be out the house!" you beamed it being to longest you had been out without the urgency of needing to go home.

"and little one is very happy and healthy in there" you smiled, "this is from the scan a few weeks ago- look!" you said getting the latest scan photos up on your phone.

"going to be such a beautiful baby" carol pouted, nudging her husband and alessia's two brothers to come and look at the scan photos.

"can't wait for me to pass on all my football secrets!" gio said as you shook your head at the younger russo's childishness. "i think less will beat you to that" you chuckled as giorgio shook his head rolling his eyes at your comment.

"and who do you think she learned them off, hmm?" gio said with a smug grin as it was your turn to roll your eyes, "your dad?" you teased as he scoffed beginning to walk away in a pretend huff.

"giorgio!"

you had all made your way to the family box, gio coming out of his little huff but not before alessia had made it her mission to find you before she began her warm ups.

"are you sure your okay? you haven't got any p-" alessia began before you cut her off. "lessi, i promise you i'm fine plus your mum and dad are here so i'm not alone okay" you said placing your hands on her shoulders squeezing them a few times as the blonde nodded a few times letting out a big sigh her body relaxing a little.

"now you go out there and play the game that you love!" you smiled as she sighed loosening herself up before placing a sweet kiss on your lips.

"i love you" she whispered as you lips lingered and you hummed repeating the three word back to the blonde before pushing her in the direction of the rest of her teammates.

"come on less, she's not made of glass, she's isn't gonna break in the next ninety minutes!" hearing a thick manchester accent of non other than ella. turning your head to wave at the girl before turning to your girlfriend who had a light scowl on her face in the direction of her bestfriend.

"go on!" you nodded your head in the direction of her other teammates, as the blonde began to walk away not before kissing your goodbye on the cheek. watching as she walked off towards her friends not missing the fact she tripped on the carpeted floor, shaking your head in amusement.

"typical"

it had been a tight game between the dutch, the current score being 2-2, lauren just equalising for england. it was all to play for and england desperately needed the three points in order to put them in a good place for qualification.

alessia had been substituted in the 68' minute having been brought offf from fran kirby.

england managed to pull the win with ella scoring in stoppage time meaning england secured the three points putting them in with a chance of qualifying for the next round of the nations league.

the girls walking around, stopping and signing shirts, books, you name it while also taking photos with the fans. walking around wembley waving and thanking the fans who took the time to come and watch them play.

alessia finally gets to where the box is, looking up trying to find you and soon enough she does giving you a wave as you blow her a kiss back. as she caught it holding it close to her chest.

you were now waiting in reception for your blonde lover to emerge from the changing room, a few of the england girls coming out, waiting in the reception area to board the bus.

mary, beth and lucy being the first of girls to come out all showered, wet hair in low buns and wash bags hid under their arms with big grins all over there faces, there being a hint of surprise in their faces when they find a sight of you.

"hey y/n! how's you and the little one?" beth asked as you sat scrolling through your phone. a smile appearing on your face, sliding you phone into your pocket.

"yeah i'm good, tired and little one kicking my ribs like no tomorrow!" you sighed leaning back in the chair that you were sat on, as the three girls joined you.

"less been teaching them football tricks already?" lucy joked as you all began to laugh before getting into the conversation of how long the blonde was going to take to get ready - knowing she loved her skin and hair routines too much as you found yourself spending a lot of your time waiting for her to get ready on a mornings.

"do you know the gender yet?" mary asks as the topic changed again, "i think it'll be a girl!" the manchester girl appeared beside you as you rolled your eyes nudging her slightly as she sat down next to you.

"and then you can call it ella!" she cheekily smiled as you shook your head along with a few weird looks from the other girls.

“you can take that up with less, yeah!” you say softly, patting ella on the back as you give her a look that tells the midfielder that the answer is a definite no.

"what! just saying ella is a great name" she was the one to now roll her eyes as you chuckled shaking your head, "we did find out the gender-" you began smiling as the debate began of what you and alessia were having.

"so what's the gender then?" lucy asked the debate stopping as they had ran out of points to back up why one thought it was a girl and why one thought it was a boy.

"you'll find out in good time!" you smiled as the four began to all talk at once crowding you but luckily your saviour came to your rescue who was in the form of a tall blonde wearing a tracksuit and a massive wash bag hanging tiredly under her arm.

her blonde hair which was still wet, racked back into a low bun at the back of her head. her tired movements getting closer to you, "woah, don't crowd the pregnant lady!" she yelled walking closer to you, standing behind you as she shooed the girls away. resting her hands on your shoulders as you looked up at her with a smile, as she leaned down to place a quick kiss on your lips.

"well we wouldn't have to if she would just tell us if your having a girl or boy!" beth complained as the other three joined in with their complaints.

"we might as well tell them all together" alessia said as she began to gather the rest of the girls around in a huddle, you and less being in the center,

"what's this about russo?" georgia asked as a few others asked the same.

"well we had planned to tell you all in a different way but some are clearly too impatient. but we did find out the gender of our baby the other day and we are having a little... girl!" alessia explained leaving a few pauses just for dramatic effect as the rest of the girls cheered at the gender.

"told you mary! you owe me tenner now!"

four

you were now officially nine months pregnant and if you were being honest you were over it, you wanted nothing more than for the little one to be born for many reasons, one being so you could finally meet your little baby and two so you could get back to doing things without feeling tired after two minutes or needing to go and pee every ten minutes.

alessia with a lot of convincing had gone to training after ensuring that you were going to be okay for a few hours by your self expect you were not going to be by yourself as she had sent her mum to keep you company for the duration she was away.

not that you minded as it meant it kept your mind of the contractions you were having every few hours that had been progressively closer together since yesterday.

you knew it was going to be any time now, your hospital bag sat at the bottom of the stairs which alessia had made sure to pack and then unpack it to then repack it to make sure you had everything you and the new baby would need.

you were currently stood at the kitchen counter folding some clothes of your own while carol insisted on making you lunch, "lessi said that the.. oh" you stopped feeling another contraction wave over you this being a much more intense one that the previous ones you had been having in the past few hours.

"honey, are you okay? do you want me to call alessia?" carol asked as you hummed, leaning over on the kitchen counter trying to steady your breathing.

"okay, just keep breathing, in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth” carol soothed as she picked up her phone from the kitchen counter and pressing on the blondes contact who answered before the call even have a chance to get to the third ring.

"mum? what's wrong? is y/n-" alessia blurted out in a panic before the older women even had a chance to say hello.

"alessia! y/n is fine, but her contractions are getting slowly worse and she's going to want you here to comfort her" carol explained as a sigh of relief was heard from the other line.

"tell her i'm leaving now i'll be twenty minutes max!" alessia said in a hurry as it could be heard of her rushing around, many sounds of doors opening and closing.

"alessia, please don't panic. she's okay and if anything changes i'll call you as soon as i can" carol calmly said as the blonde on the other line hummed along rustling still heard.

"okay mum, i won't be long!" alessia quickly said before saying bye and ending the call. carol puts her phone down, you still in the same position controlling your breathing.

"she's on her way. do you have a yoga ball?" carol asked as you gave her a look wondering why on earth she would need one of them right now - pain fogging your brain for a moment.

"it's for you to bounce on, it'll help you stay upright and active" carol explained further as a knowing look came across your face - it slowly coming back to you remembering the midwife telling you about a range of exercises to do on it but admittedly you were a lot more focused on the sound of your baby's heart beat than the midwife's words.

"oh.. um i think there's one in spare room upstairs, less put it in there somewhere" you paused every few words your voice shaky as with each contraction you tried to steady your breathing - in through your nose and breathe out you were repeating to yourself.

carol telling you she would go and get it for you but not before asking you a few times if you would be okay left alone for a few minutes, you nodding and the older omens coming back a few minutes later with a bright green yoga ball.

helping you into the living room, as you lent forwards thinking it would help with the pain but really it did nothing. carol placed the bright green ball in the middle of the room and helping you find a rhythm to follow as you bounced up and down on the green ball.

it admittedly helping to reduce the intensity of the pain from the contractions as you were able to fall back into conversation with the older women but just as you did your blonde lover burst through the door with a sudden urgency.

"y/n, oh thank goodness your okay!" the blonde said out of breathe as she held her hand on her chest, as she stood in the doorway of the living room. a small laugh leaving your lips as you shared a look with her mum.

"have you ran back from coloney or something? why are you so out of breathe?" you asked a small chuckle coming from her mum but nothing from alessia as she wasn't impressed with your joke.

"sorry for being concerned for my pregnant girlfriend, but i did run to tell jonas where i was going before running to my car!" the blonde rolled her eyes before going into the kitchen to get a drink.

"sometimes you would think it was her with the pregnancy hormones" you joked to carol who laughed slightly along with you.

"i can hear you, you know!" alessia yelled from the kitchen as you laughed a little more with the older women.

an hour had passed and gradually your contractions were getting worse, carol had gone back home and told alessia to call her when you were in labour and she would be straight there with you both.

you were getting yourself a bottle of water from the fridge when you felt a popping sensation, a groan coming from you as you lent on the counter as another contraction came along.

"baby?" alessia called out from the living room, "love are you okay?" she asked again after not getting an answer, you hummed letting the last of your contraction hit.

shaking your head as another hit soon after, "n-no- i think my waters just broke" you whispered feeling slightly embarrassed as the feeling of warm liquid rushed down your legs

"breathe, love. let's get you changed and then we'll head to the hospital" alessia said softly taking your hand and leading you to get a change of clothes.

within half an hour you were changed, hospital bag in hand and being lead down the corridor to the maternity ward by a nurse.

"your midwife will be here in a few minutes to do some checks" the nurse smiled as she lead you both to a private room. you nodded your head your contractions were still very much present and very often. "thank you" alessia spoke for you as she helped you over to the bed.

like the nurse said the midwife came through the door, a few trolleys of medical equipment following her through the door as she began doing your checks and telling you how far you were dilated - 5cm.

“we can give you your epidural now, and then in about an hour or so you’ll probably be ready to start pushing” the midwife explained as both you and alessia nodded along.

“i’ll have the epidural” you said immediately after the midwife had stopped talking, the women nodding and letting you know she would be back in a couple of seconds

"i can't believe that we are going to meet our little girl soon!" alessia whispered kissing the top of you head as you got comfy in hospital bed, a smile creeping on your face it not lasting long as another contraction hit you as your face scrunched up with the sudden pain.

"that's it y/n, one more push and the head will be out" the midwife encouraged as you face was pooled with sweat and tears, alessia holding your hand as you squeezed the living day lights out of it.

"you doing so good love!" alessia encouraged, kissing your head as you groaned again, the midwife urging you to push again.

a few more pushes and baby's head had officially been delivered, only a few more were needed to get the rest of the baby out.

"keep pushing, baby's nearly here!" the midwife told you as you hear alessia urging you on with words of encouragement stroking your hair out of your face and within seconds of your last push, you hear a baby cry.

your swear your heart stopped for a second, looking up to alessia who was grinning from ear to ear. "you did it!" she whispered into the side of your face as tears fell down your face and your baby was passed to you on your chest.

"congratulations, you've given birth to a beautiful baby girl!" the midwife smiled as you handed you your baby, as you pushed the towel from covering your little girls face. her little cries stopping as soon as she heard yours and alessia's voices.

"she beautiful" alessia said, stroking the side of her small face, you silently nodding as you both sat admiring your little girl. excitement coursing through you as after a long, tiring nine months your little girl was here.

"welcome to the real world, little one"