#shes the winner in our book

[misshuntereevee]

The Winner Takes it All, part 2.

( part 1. )

Synopsis: You look like the MC, and you actually remember bits and pieces of the myth (not all.) But MC finally shows up, with no memory, and Sylus can’t help but be drawn in. What will happen?

Notes: Thank you guys so much for the love. Part 3 will be coming probably in a few days as I prepare to start a new series for Raf. However, there has been some interest in a taglist for this series. I won’t be doing this at this time, but I will keep considering. Comments, likes and reblogs are encouraged but not necessary. Enjoy the groveling. (Also don’t forget I’m not beta-read.)

Sylus knows he fucked up. The moment you were gone -- Miss Hunter ceased to exist. Multiple calls from her went unanswered. And he didn’t even wonder once if she was okay. But every moment since you’ve been gone, Sylus has been searching.

If you’re mad at him, that’s one thing. But he has a duty to you to make sure that Ever never lays a hand on you. And no matter how mad you are at him, he refuses to let that promise go. If he has to rebuild the trust… he will. Brick by brick.

But the pit in his stomach doesn’t subside when he sees you. He’s not a jealous man, never felt the need to be. But right now -- he understands he’s the closest he’s ever been to losing you. And he is feeling envy creep up into his veins.

You were flirting with the cashier. Well, he started it but you definitely were returning it. In all honesty… the attention felt nice. It had been a few weeks since you felt like you got this sort of attention.

The cashier is already blushing. “You know, I get off around -,”

“We don’t care,” a smooth voice comes from behind you, and a shiver runs down your spine. Sylus. You hate that it elicits such a reaction, but there would never be a day it didn’t. Your memories of your past life were hazy at best, but his voice — you don’t remember a single time it didn’t made you fall head over heels.

A hand comes to rest on your shoulder but with a loud huff, you yank it off spinning around. You’re angry. Passionately so. “Don’t you dare,” you hiss at him. “You don’t have a right—,”

“Keep the change,” Sylus tells the cashier, ignoring you.

The cashier looks between you both before he lets out an awkward low whistle and backs up. “Sorry, ma’am, but I’m not risking my life for a date with you.” And with that he leaves the customer service desk, leaving the two of you alone. You swivel around to face him, and you notice a swirl of emotions around his face.

Relief. Anger. Annoyance. Relief again. Adoration. And then finally in lands on one thing you didn’t expect —

“You were actually flirting with him,” he points out, his eyes looking… hurt somewhere underneath an accusatory jealousy. You don’t say anything. In fact, you grab the book you purchased and start walking out the door. He follows you, and you try to put your earbuds in. He takes them immediately with his Evol. You scowl at him and yank him into a nearby alleyway.

“What the hell are you doing?” You spit at him. “Leave me alone. If I wanted to talk to you, I’d answer my phone.”

A flicker of hurt crosses his face for a moment. But finally, he forces a calm look on his face. “My little bird, I know I forgot our —,”

A flicker of surprise crosses his face when you laugh loudly and bitterly. “Are you kidding me? You think that’s all I’m upset about?” He stays quiet, seeming to realize you aren’t done with him yet. In all honesty, he needs to hear what you say. Sylus knows he can’t fix anything until he knows how you’re feeling.

You frown at him before continuing: “She comes along and just because she looks like me she grabs your attention? Oh and that stupid fucking linkage bond thing ---,” How could you forget? You could resonate with him, yes, but there has never been any physical bondage connecting the two of you. That was new -- something only Miss Hunter had. And you had wondered —

Was it enough that you should doubt? Your fears were confirmed when he forgot your anniversary to take her home after a mission.

“And Ever wants you both,” he adds, his eyes narrowing. “Which was enough for me to wonder if you left… or disappeared.”

“Ha, no, more like your ego couldn’t handle that I left!” You say, poking his chest. He scowls at you. “And you know what -- I fucking remember. Does she?! I might not remember everything, but I remember! She can’t… she’ll never —”

You stop, your voice about to shake with tears. A lump forms in your throat, your chest tightening. You remember when he forced the blade through his heart. You remember slaying the dragon. And you remember the pain your past self carried -- everywhere. “Does she remember losing you like I do? However hazy it may be, she doesn’t carry that pain.”

And that’s when you turn away from him. A hand comes up, pushing tears away. “Oh, my little bird,” he murmurs behind you, his voice sounding raw. He can’t stand the fact you’re crying… over him. Self-loathing was the only thing swirling in Sylus’ red eyes right now. “I’m sorry.”

“No. I don’t forgive you. I’m not willing to fight with another version of myself for you. Go away,” you spit. You need time. And you start to walk away from him. However -- You’re only about two feet away from him when you’re yanked backwards. Something is tethering around your wrist, pulling you back.

“Stop it,” you hiss at Sylus. “Let me go!” But as you turn around completely, you can tell — this is not his Evol. You’d be able to resonate with him and make him stop. This isn’t that.

Sylus stares at it for a moment before there’s a small smirk on his face. “Well,” he says. “It looks like you’ll have to hear me out now.” A linkage.

***

“No, don’t you even start,” you say to him, staring at the link. “I’m sure if I just resonated with you — when you finally resonated with her, it went away right?”

You try to resonate with him but —

“You’re blocking it!” You accuse him. “You’re trying not to resonate with me.”

“What can I say? If my little bird flies away before I can tell her how sorry I am, that just won’t do,” he nearly purrs.

“Oh, I hate you. Stop this!”

“You have every right to be angry,” Sylus starts. Granted, you weren’t expecting that, so your response doesn’t come quickly. He keeps talking. “I admit… seeing her threw me off. But anything drawing me to her was pure curiosity, nothing more. Any other pull I felt — it felt empty. Like it belonged to you. Because it does.”

You cross your arms, pretending not to be fazed by his declarations. He leans down, gripping your chin. “You’re right, my Queen. You remember me,” he says. The other hand — the hand linked to yours by the bond — laces fingers with yours. You don’t lace them back right away.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “If you wish for me to never see her again, I’ll let someone else investigate her appearance for me. I have to know — for both our sakes why she’s here. Just please -- I can’t lose you. You’re right.”

“Sylus —,”

“Please. You don’t understand. These last two weeks have been — eye opening.” He lets out a deep, ragged breath. “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I mean it.”

A deep breath. Your thoughts are so consumed with confusion. Because you’re also curious to why there seems to be two of you - albeit two crazily different lives. You mean, she had her life and you certainly had yours.

But you also missed him. Your dragon. And the look on his face. You found it remarkable how this crime boss of a man could look like a kicked puppy, begging for forgiveness. And you absolutely hate how much you’re softening. How much you’re still attracted and pulled to him.

“Mhm. Fine. Come back tomorrow and apologize again just as passionately… and I’ll think about it,” you finally say.

His mouth opens and closes. “My little bird — okay. If that’s what you want.” And he takes your hand, ready to resonate and undo the linkage so he can leave you for the night. Sylus doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want to give you a single chance to overthink it and -- not forgive him. But he also knows -- if he pushes this, he could lose you forever.

The glow of resonating begins — but nothing happens. Your heart drops. It’s not working. So… it wasn’t Sylus that was holding it together. A brief moment of confusion flits across his face.

He remembers what the scientists had told him when he failed to resonate with the hunter. That they wouldn’t be able to resonate because she was disgusted and angry with him. And in striking clarity -- he knows for a fact that it’s not him holding them back from resonating like he previously thought. It’s you.

“What’s happening?” You says, seeming a little panicked as the bond only tightens the more you try to pull away. In fact, the link tightens so much that you stumble forward into his arms. The more you try to get away from him, the closer you get.

“Hm.” Sylus says, staring at it. He’s currently trying to make sure he isn’t smiling -- this might be a small win, and he knows he has more opportunities to remedy your relationship. “I have a theory.”

“Okay -- so spill,” you say, your eyes widening at him. “I have work tomorrow, and I can’t bring you with me! You’re a crime boss!”

“We’re linked because you’re mad at me,” he finally says. “Or disgusted. Or --- you hate me.” He almost can’t get the words out. Because you can’t. You can’t hate him. There is so much he never got to do with you. You blink at him several times before it clicks -- you’re both bonded until he can fix what he broke.

[wileys-russo]

Hi my darlin, love your brain, could we possibly see something in the Mila universe please? Maybe reader and Leah “i want mama” or young Mila as a Velcro baby? Ily queen

another lil part of the milaverse

like velcro II l.williamson

leah at first thought she was dreaming, a strange stinging in her cheek as she dozed in and out, not quite awake just yet but not in the same deep state of slumber she was in moments before.

then again, a sudden sting that had her eyes fluttering open, a tired grunt leaving her lips as she felt something poking at her now, blinking tiredly and rolling over onto her side.

"five more minutes babe." the defender mumbled assuming her wife was the culprit, some rustling heard behind her before something tugged on her hair and her eyes shot open again, stretching her neck to glance over her shoulder.

"well good morning trouble." the blonde chuckled at the curious bright blue eyes and cheeky grin which greeted her, her two year old daughter wedged between the pillows.

"oh mila." leah grimaced as there was another little smack to her cheek and a tug on her hair. making a noise not unlike a wild animal her daughter launched herself on top of the blonde who rolled onto her back, the toddler now sat on her stomach.

"no no, no more of that please." she caught the tiny hands which swung toward her, the two year old pouting and trying to pull them free. "give!" she chirped with a frown as leah shook her head and kept her grip.

"excuse me. some help?" leah scoffed seeing you sat up in bed reading a book, entirely unbothered by the assault being rained down on her by the toddler you'd clearly collected and brought back to bed with you, a coffee sat steaming on the bedside table.

"no i think you've got this one, considering you refused to get up last night." you responded calmly, ghost of a smile on your lips as you didn't even look up from your book at her request.

"well you're her favourite, even if i went she wouldn't have gone back to sleep without- ah shit." leah hissed, mila's little pinky finding its way into the small hoop pierced into the top of her ear and pulling sharply.

"shit! shit! shit!" the two year old parroted with a grin and at that you looked up. "congratulations darling, you taught her a new word!" your eyes rolled, snapping your book shut and placing it down atop the table by your side.

"come here you." little giggles rang out as you grabbed the toddler, moving to sit her back down in between the pair of you. "no shit. shit is a bad word. bad word!" you spoke calmly but clearly, leah repeating the same words after you until mila nodded.

"bad word!" she chirped, lurching forward to pinch and squeeze your wifes cheeks. "bad word! bad word!" she sung out as leah grimaced but managed a smile.

"bubba! cartoons?" leah attempted to distract her, mila nodding enthusiastically as your wife sat up, swinging the girl onto her hip and pretending to drop her as giggles rang out and you smiled.

"walk!" mila prodded the blondes shoulder who placed her back down on the ground, the smaller blonde zooming off to the living room, sock covered feet thumping against the floorboards.

"you not coming?" leah frowned, hovering in the doorway as you made no move to get up, quite the opposite actually as you got comfortable, pulling the duvet up closer around you.

"nope. you can handle breakfast!" you sent her a smile as the girl scoffed. "i handle breakfast, i get smacked around as a wake up call, i-" leah began to list off on her fingers as you raised an eyebrow before interrupting.

"-you leave your dirty socks everywhere. you don't wash up. you can't cook. you're as much of a toddler as our daughter some days. you're a bad loser, an insufferable winner, you can't let anyone else beat you. shall i go on?" you challenged, leahs mouth snapping shut as she shook her head.

"no. point made." the blonde gave you a tight lip smile as you hummed, clearing your throat as she went to leave, tapping your lips expectantly. "oh so now i'm not so horrible yeah?" leah mocked slinking back over.

"well i married you didn't i?" you teased in between kisses as leah pulled a face and playfully bit your cheek before pushing herself back up and leaving you to your own devices.

well, for a few minutes.

"no! want mama! mama! mama!" "baabe!"

~

"well hello cheeky. look at you in your little arsenal jersey!" jen greeted the toddler who almost had you in a headlock as you carried her in, tickling your daughters stomach who hid her face in your neck to stiffle her giggles.

"mummys little gooner." leah beamed proudly, tugging down on the top which of course had little williamson splashed across the back. "mamas gooner!" milas head popped back up and scowled at leah as jen whistled and stepped away.

"what! i thought that was our thing? mila!" your wife scoffed with outrage as the toddler stuck her tongue out and rested her head on your shoulder, grip on you tightening even more.

the season hadn't quite started yet but today was a media day for some of the new signings and most of the senior team, both you and leah requesting a later call in knowing how long a morning routine with a clingy toddler took.

and clingy was the right word.

it had started a couple of weeks ago but you and leah didn't see too many issues with it at first, your daughter suddenly wanting you around for nearly every little thing, though at that point she was happy for leah to be there too.

only more recently it would seem this little clingy phase had blown up into territorial jealousy, the toddler in timeout only last night for biting leah when she attempted to kiss you hello after returning from seeing her mum.

but that was nothing compared to the humiliation of trying to drop her off at daycare this morning, both you and leah in agreement the day would go smoother without mila under everyones feet, and even though the pair of you had been around almost constantly in the off season, that was due to change soon.

but with the two year old screaming louder than you thought even remotely possible with such a small body, to save everyones eardrums you'd quickly abandoned that idea, well aware you were pretty much rewarding her tantrum as you packed her back into the car and she was suddenly bright and smiley again.

the velcro stage your mum had called it when you'd rang her up to ask for some advice, pushing that as hard as it was you and leah needed to learn not to give in when she kicked off, and that it was better off addressed early on and not once it had gotten even worse.

but that of course all went out the window as your best friend arrived, cooing at her goddaughter and trying to grab her for a cuddle as was always the case with the striker being one of milas favourite people in the entire world.

today was not a day where that was the case though, and once again it seemed you were the only person mila wanted to do anything with, tightening her grip around your neck and refusing to let go as alessia tried to coax her into a hug.

"join the club!" your wife rolled her eyes as alessia gave up and you shot her a glare and continued to try and pull your socks up with a wiggly two year old strapped to you like a backpack.

"maybe she wants her aunty wally! i think they saved you some of the special chocolate milk this morning mila. should we go get it?" lia tried next, crouching down with a wide smile as the tiny blonde shook her head.

"only if mama go." the girl grumbled, head tucked into your neck as you sighed, hearing them call for you and alessia for an interview with sky sports.

"mil, babe mama has to go and speak to some people. can you please stay with aunty wally? mama will be right back!" you tried, mila shaking her head and locking her arms around you like a vice as you tried to pull her off.

"mila. please let go? mama needs to work." you spoke calmly, wincing as tiny hands wound themselves into your ponytail for extra leverage. "no! want mama. stay with mama." the toddler huffed stubbornly, kicking away leah when she tried to help.

"come on bubba. we can go find aunty steph? look at some pictures of calvy?" leah cooed, the fluffy four legged furball one of your daughters favourite things in the whole world, spending hours running around stephs house chasing him from the moment she could walk.

"no calvy. mama!" mila snapped, growling at leah to attempted to unwind your daughters hands from your hair. "hey! you are not a dog. no growling!" leah warned, mila poking her tongue out and holding on tighter, leah grabbing her ankles and not trying to physically pull her off you.

"ow ow ow leah she's still attached. she's still attached!" you winced as your daughter dug her little fingernails in your shoulder and back, desperate to cling on as your wife let go with an annoyed huff.

this was going to be a long day.

~

"you know people are going to think you've left when you're not in any media content for like three months." your wife teased quietly as she pulled up in the driveway and you pulled a face at her.

"my neck is killing me." you exhaled tiredly, rubbing it with a grimace from where your toddler had hung off of it all day, only finally letting you go to do two interviews when she'd finally passed out from exhaustion, curling up on alessia's lap instead of yours.

thankfully her day of tantrums and clingy behavior had tired her out enough that she'd slept the whole way home, thumb in her mouth which was another thing you and leah needed to wean her off of, but one battle at a time.

though she wasn't tired enough to grumble grumpily at leah who tried to lift her from the carseat, a quiet grunt for you all it took for the blonde to raise her hands in defeat, an apologetic kiss pressed to her lips before she moved to grab the bags.

"mama." mila mumbled tiredly as you hummed, lifting her out of the car seat and once again she clung on tightly, eyes still closed and thumb tucked securely in her mouth as you made your way up the driveway.

"you know she loves you baby, its just a phase." you assured leah, not missing the envious side she tossed your way as she was unlocking the front door to let you all in.

"yeah i know. she just loves you more." leah mumbled with a huff, disappearing into your shared bedroom while you headed off down to mila's.

"okay bubba, nap time." you sighed tiredly, trying to detach your daughter to lay her down in bed, hoping she'd sleep for another hour or two considering her nightmare had kept her up last night.

"want mama." mila exhaled sleepily, half asleep but with the grip strength of a monkey as you tried to pry her off to no avail, the two year old once more strapped securely to your chest.

but after a day of tantrums and arguing proceeding a night filled with tears and screaming, you had to admit you could feel your eyes getting a little heavy too.

"okay mil, five minutes." you gave in and moved to lay down on her bed, the two year old curling into your side, tiny fists bunching at the arsenal jersey still adorning your top as if you could disappear at a moments notice.

you had almost fully dozed off despite the way your limbs hung off the tiny bed, much too long for the kids single you were laid on, when you heard the door scuff against the carpet.

cracking one eye open your wifes head popped in, the defender unable to stop the small smile curling into her features at the sight before her.

"tired are we babe?" the blonde whispered moving a little closer as you hummed, puckering your lips expectantly as leah chuckled but ducked down to kiss you none the less.

a few more sweet pecks and leah was taking a step back before mila stirred beside you, blinking sleepily. "want mummy." the two year old spoke up groggily, leahs head whipping around as she did.

"mummy." mila repeated, a small grunt leaving you as the two year old pulled herself up on top of you, leaving the tinest of gaps for leah on the single bed you were laid on.

none the less the blonde was beside you in an instant, the pair of you squished together awkwardly, mila letting go of you with one hand which then promptly latched onto leah, and in a blink she was sleeping soundly again tucked up between you both.

"little nap, then i'll get a start on dinner." your wife whispered as you gave her an odd look. "cooking it?" you questioned quietly as your wife grinned.

"nah, picking what takeout we order."

[yourlocalsmutwriter]

Bookish girlfriend you're my yum yum - Mark Webber x reader

Summary : After going viral on book social media, you give the fans a completely new side of you. It catches the eye of an author (who happens to be a 9 GP winner)

inkscentedglamour: Squeezing in some last girly romance books before I film a new video for you 👀

username: Our queen is finally trying romantasy, I can feel it.

username: I need another object x human romance. I know it was an April Fools thing, but I need her to read Double Stuffed

username: DARK ROMANCE. DARK ROMANCE. DARK ROMANCE.

username : I know the sports romance PR is talking to her like the Green Goblin Mask

> username : Especially the new book with the MMC inspired by Danny Ricciardo

> username: need to rewatch her F1 romance streams on patreon.

username: Do you think this is after Two Girls One Formula podcast backlash?

> username: The girls brought her on to talk about books, specifically romances. I don't understand why the fans were attacking her for not talking much about the current grid and things like that and focusing on the fiction.

> username: Especially when she has said many times that she's easing into the fandom. How would you feel if people bullied you for starting with edits/ fanfics and books, like she's doing?

inkscentedglamour: Writing my script for the upcoming video and staring at what got me here

username: Throttled slander era, you will forever be famous

> username: The way she started off so hesitant to give it a bad review or DNF it. This was her first 1 star. People died.

> username: Asking people to still try it for themselves and to not just judge it based on her review. Cemented her as my favorite BookTuber, I fear.

username: The fact that she still followed through and read the entire series. And rearranged her entire Goodreads ratings after that? Iconic

> username: I miss her giving 5 stars. But the quote "if I can be cruel enough to give 1 star, then I don't think I should be generous to give 5 stars to any book, but one" will forever live on.

inkscentedglamour: New video, out now

username: MARK WEBBER????? OVER EMILY HENRY????

> username: over Christina Lauren?????? Ali Hazelwood? Katee Robert

username: you're telling me an Australian driver who retired like 10 years ago is her favorite author??? And was the driving force for her to get her to watch a GP?

username: she's the queen of Booktok, has talked about every book boyfriend, and now she's into cars that go fast?

aussiegrit: Talked about Porsche, F1, Mentoring Oscar, and my book, somehow. Why is Aussie Grit trending?

username: Oh no, our little Booktuber girl bossed too close to the sun (she has a million subscribers and multiple brand deals)

> username: she got it to 5 stars on Goodreads and onto the trending page on Amazon.

username: Mark, wear the My fake boyfriend drives for F1 mech, and my life is yours

username: @inkscentedglamour, look who sorta knows you exist.

inkscentedglamour: Oh oh

inkscentedglamour: Reading the book 😄🤩🥺 vs. having to describe its impact on you, your career, and the future 🙃😑☠️. If you see me verbally abusing a Google doc at the airport, no you didn't

username: Mark Webber in the likes?????????

> username: I guess he found out why Aussie Grit was trending

username: reading video hiatus is over, society is healing

> username: we haven't gotten a part two of her trip to a random destination yet

> username: true, she just packed and left us on a cliffhanger. Surely we're getting that first

> username: her caption says it all. For book lovers, some of you have no reading comprehension.

inkscentedglamour: I finished reading my book, so it only makes sense to hit the thrift, right? Reading vlog will be up when I'm back home (I was strictly told to relax)

username: the two glasses (which could mean nothing)

> username : this is the girl that relies on our discord pins to drink water, what is going on in the house of commons

username : Mark Webber, here again????????? Before me?????????????

> username: she sped through her book cause she has his new book on pre-order

> username: I just know she'll get it on Kindle too, no way is she waiting til it ships to her house

username: Mark's pr team was sleeping because wdym they didn't reach out to her

> username: And apparently, he's got a launch party coming up with "surprise BookTube influencer" attending

inkscentedglamour : Photographic proof that my favorite author knows I exist. Thank you, @aussiegrit, for the invite. And thanks for getting a decent picture before I cried at the blurb and dedication

aussiegrit: Figured you'd wanna skip the queue at Waterstones. Can't wait for your review of this one (also please re-read the new prologue before posting)

username: Mark has been secretly divorced for a year and was writing this whole book as a therapy exercise??????

> username: he couldn't tell anybody and felt like he was slowly fading into obscurity, which affected his mental health

> username: he was not thinking of releasing this until the OG Aussie Grit review

> username: Mark saying that the YouTube video changed his life, just as much as it did hers

inkscentedglamour: Night and day

Comments on this post have been disabled

14.02.2025,approximately 3 months after the book launch

inkscentedglamour: Valentine's Day, Book Buying Day, and Merch Drop Day. Shop the My Real Boyfriend Drove for F1 tee. And yes, he signed off on this specific hard launch

inkscentedglamour: time to be sappy real quick after the merch plug. Mark has been inspiring me, guiding me and showering me with praise ever since his second book launch. I'm so happy he's in my life and I intend to keep him there for as long as I can. He beats all the bookish boyfriend one can have (yes, even Zafir)

aussiegrit: I'm so glad to have you in my life. You see me and be with me, sharp tongue,flaws and all. I wanna build you bookshelves and watch you put my books on them last. Now stop being a YouTuber for a second and get back to being my girlfriend.

[olivialivvy17]

Racing to the beat - Daniel Ricciardo

summary: Daniel gets a new teammate in VCRB, a F2 female championship winner for the 2025 season. What he didn't expect was her to be extremely genz and a kpop fan.

pairing: fem rookie driver!reader x Daniel Ricciardo

AU: Social media!AU and Written!AU

warnings: swearing, use of yn, hate comments, reader is 25.

face claim: Amna Al Qubaisi for professional f1 photos, the rest are from pinterest.

a/n: hey guysss. this is my first time writing something like this, so any feedback is welcome! the story is set more in the future so it's not correct races wise. also let's pretend Daniel didn't retire (I miss him sm). okay love you and enjoy! <3

part one next>

F1 made a post

liked by ynusername, visacashapprb and others.

F1 BREAKING: Yn Yln joins RB for the 2025 season! The F2 graduate will replace Liam Lawson, who heads to Red Bull.

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visacashapprb Welcome to the team Yn!

ynusername ahhhh so excited to be part of the 2025 season! :D

user1 serving face on the track is what we need

user2 MOTHER MADE IT TO F1 !!!!!!

kimi.antonelli Can't believe we made to F1 together 🥺

ynusername so proud of us 😭

danielricciardo Welcome mate! :)

ynusername i'm so honored to race with you Daniel! :D (i'm totally not freaking out rn)

kimi.antonelli (yeah she's totally not freaking out)

user3 let's hope she doesn't bring drama into f1

user2 🤓☝🏻 just put the fries in the bag bro

ynusername made a post

liked by bestfriend, kimi.antonelli and others

ynusername little me, I hope you are proud <3

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bestfriend literally crying over here. I'm so proud of you pookie 😭

ynusername now I'm crying😭 thank you for supporting me through everything <3

olliebearman our journey continues 💪🏻

kimi.antonelli together forever 🤞🏻

ynusername together forever 🤞🏻

user4 can't wait to watch her eat up all these men

f1 everyone is proud!

danielricciardo we gotta show them what duo we can be

ynusername heck yeah we will!

user5 what does she exactly know about racing? hope she doesn't drag Daniel down

user2 there's the door 🫵🏻🚪

user6 I love women in stem 🙏🏻 liked by ynusername

liamlawson30 good luck Yn! have fun :)

ynusername thank you Liam :D

ynusername posted a story

story replies

bestfriend no way you're bringing all of them!?

ynusername yes way, I paid for them, they are coming with me 🙂‍↕️

user7 A KPOP FAN???????? OH MY GODDDD

danielricciardo What is all that? looks like weirdly shaped books🤔

ynusername they are my kpop albums :)

danielricciardo Kpop? Definitely didn't expect you to be a fan, you have so many

ynusername you can call me a big fan lol. I can play you some of my favorite songs while training

danielricciardo Yeah sure, I learn something new everyday

[zweiginator]

"Maybe you should respect yourself more"

EM

Gives law student pat energy - maybe you're having angry hate sex after weeks of just hating each other

Thinking about this in the context of oral arguments!!! being paired with patrick and it’s all just an assignment but you’re both competitive and argumentative and now your grade is on the line. and the whole year patrick has been getting on your nerves; he never listens to a word you say, he steals your ideas, he mansplains concepts that you show a clear understanding of.

So as your professor reads off the pairings you’re looking throughout the classroom, realizing that she only has your and patrick’s names left from the roster.

It’s a month of avoiding each other. you don’t want the other to know your arguments, your counter arguments, the cases you meticulously searched for and rifled through for any relevant rule of law.

“Will you give me a hint?” patrick sneaks up behind you at the library.

“we aren’t supposed to work together.” you’re blunt about it, tilting your laptop away from him.

“It’s nine pm. nobody is here.”

“It’s not about that.”

you start to type again. patrick sits down next to you.

“arguments are tomorrow. i think you’ve done enough. don’t you have to, like, memorize it now?”

“can you stop acting like i don’t know what im fucking doing?”

“can you stop being a bitch and tell me what you’re arguing so we can argue it, get a good grade and fucking move on with our lives?”

you slam your laptop shut. “don’t fucking talk to me like that.”

and as you move to shove him away from you, he grabs your wrist.

“don’t fucking shove me.” he pauses before letting go of you. “nobody is here. we have to be at the courthouse at 8:30 tomorrow. it would be a lot easier if you just helped me out.”

you take your glasses off and furrow your eyebrows. “patrick, we are arguing against each other. and anyway, i don’t like you. i think you’re a prick. i think you’re a know-it-all. i think you’re spoiled and rude and entitled.”

he smirks. “anything else? i can go too.”

“i have to go.”

“no you don’t.”

and he grabs your wrist again. this time, he raises his eyebrows like he’s testing you. seeing how far he can take this.

“give me a hint.”

you get closer to him, your eyes flitting from his blown pupils to his pink, bitten lips. “beg me and maybe i’ll budge.”

“i’m not begging for anything.”

you grab your book bag and shove your textbook under your arm, flustered from him.

“i’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

and at 8 am sharp, you’re both at the courthouse. you’re early, you’re surprised he is too. patrick is smoking in the alley, dressed in a grey suit. you tug your pencil skirt down a bit further. and you hate to admit it, but patrick looks so fucking good and your nerves make your hands shake, the stack of notecards tucked inside threatening to fall onto the pavement.

he shakes his head at you as he puts the cigarette out under his shoe. and as he strides past you, he whispers in your ear.

“good luck, sweetheart.”

it’s so condescending, that it fuels your fire. and thirty joint minutes of arguments become heated. neither of you can tell who’s winning because your personal hatred for each other rears its angry head, threatens its way through your speech. the mock judge has to put his foot down when time is up.

“that was very, um—heated.” he straightens his documents , pushing his bifocals up his nose. “but i believe our winner is mister zweig. although id say this was close. i’d work on keeping composed; in practice this will have actual clients and reputation on the case. i’d sort out whatever animosity exists between you two before it interferes with your profession.”

patrick straightens his tie. he doesn’t take his eyes off you.

“yes, your honor. i agree completely.”

and in the hallway, you’re heated. you should’ve won. you knew the fucking rules. you knew the exceptions and the case law and you rebutted his arguments perfectly.

“don’t be mad. maybe next time?”

you grab his tie in your fist. for the first time, patrick looks truly taken aback by you.

“i fucking hate you.” you spit.

patrick doesn’t like that this shoots blood straight to his cock.

“no you don’t.”

your noses are touching. patrick backs you into the stairwell.

“we dont want to ruin our reputation, do we?”

“like you give a fuck about your reputation.”

patrick grabs your hand, pushing it onto his erection.

“right now i’d throw it all away.”

and you should rip your hand away, slap him across the face and walk away. you squeeze him.

he slams his lips against yours. his hand finds your jaw, fingers strong on the back of your head.

"i want nothing to do with you." you push him away, but his eyes are dark, his tie loosened. his lips are smeared with your lip gloss, mouth ajar. you taste cigarettes and spearmint.

but you go back for more, letting him back you against the wall. your hands yank his shirt from his trousers, feeling up his abdomen, his chest, up to his neck. you squeeze.

he yanks your hair back.

"you're not in control here."

"i'm not?" you yank on his tie.

"no. you're not."

he flips you around, pressing your cheek against exposed brick. it hurts. you don't care.

hooking a finger in your mouth, he smirks at you. "no fucking self respect." he uses his other hand to bunch your skirt up, forcing your panties to the side. "you fucking hate me. you don't want anything to do with me." he pushes another finger in your mouth. you choke. "but look at you." he takes his fingers out with a pop. you try to turn around to face him.

he's stronger than you. he fumbles with his belt.

"do you want me to fuck you?" he asks it lowly, against the shell of your ear.

"no." it's a blatant lie; patrick lets go of you.

but you just don't want to admit it. you don't move an inch. it's you that pulls him back into you. mumbling into his mouth how you don't want him, how you should've won.

he gnaws on your lip, forcing his tongue into your mouth as he hikes your leg up.

"but you didn't win." he wraps a hand around your throat. "i did."

he pulls himself out of his pants, and lines himself up before quickly deciding to turn you back around, so he can fuck you from behind.

"what's--"

"I'm not fucking making love to you." he shoves himself inside you. "i'm using you."

[jayhyunglover]

On the first snowfall

Fairytale AU

Prince! Zayne x princess! Reader

Contents: depictions of violence (not hardcore because I am soft) , mentions of injuries and blood , slightly suggestive at the end , childhood friends to lovers. Angst but happy ending (yippie)

Synopsis: After merely dodging an assignation attempt from his own stepbrother , Prince Zayne fell in a deep slumber ter getting tricked by the evil Queen and only a true love kiss can bring him back . will his dear pain in the ass of a childhood friend save him ? There's only one way to find out .(based off Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs )

Word count : 8.9k

A/N: this took me forever to finish (4 days to be exact). It's my first long fic and English is not my first language so please be kind. Reblogs and like are appreciated. Happy reading !!

"Please Daddy" the toddler tugged at Zayne's sleeve lips jutting out in a small pout that made her resemble so much to her mother

"Ok but you promise you'll go back to bed after" Zayne sighed in defeat it was past curfew and his little angel seemed intent to give him an hard time.

The little girl nodded,  hazel eyes lighting up at the prospect of getting a bedtime story.

Zayne picked her up effortlessly making his way towards the bed to lay down on her bed full of plushies

With his daughter tucked comfortably against his side on the small bed he spoke in a rather monotone voice.

"Once upon a time , in a kingdom far far away lived a prince"

"Was he pretty ?" She interrupted him , voice filled with childlike excitement and wonder.

"According to some yes" he replied making small projections with his evol.

"This prince lived with His dad and never knew his mother"

"What happened to her?" She asked tilting her head like a sad puppy .

Not wanting to crush the 5 years old little girl's spirit Zayne choose his next words carefully.

"She joined the Angels up in the skies where she now look after him" he replied

"Oohh" her lips was forming  a small Oh,  surprise painting her soft features.

Zayne felt his heart melt at the sight , the love he felt for this literally bundle of joy too overwhelming.

"One day the prince's father the king got married to another woman , who had a son" Zayne continued the story while she listened intently,  eyes flickering over the snow figures he created with his evol to animate the story.

"The Queen didn't like our prince none bit"

"Why?" She asked pouting.

"Well because,  my snowflake,  the Queen wanted her son to become the next king" he retorted flicking her nose which make her pout deepens

"But our prince was there first" she huffed crossing her small arms over her chest.

Zayne just smiled patting her hair that was already ruffled from turning in her bed before picking the story where he left it.

"One day there was a big event taking place in the Palace. An hunt where the Winner will have to go in a forest and catch the biggest and fastest animal and bring it back to the Princess to earn a kiss from her"

"You're not considering participating right Zayne?"

Her voice made the young man jolt almost dropping his book.

"You" he looked at her who was standing on her tip toe to peek over his shoulder.

Adjusting his glasses he replied

"I am the Prince of Eladia , it is my duty to attend"

"You know there's no need" she waved him off "I am willing to give you a kiss whenever you-" her words got cut off by Zayne's hand who dragged her in a secluded corner , the tip of his ear flushed red , eyes darting around awkwardly to make sure nobody heard them.

"So you want it now?" She smirked deviously at  him , her words slightly muffled by his hand he hastily removed.

What is wrong with her?

"This is not-" a sigh "this is not what you think" he pinched the bridge of his nose but her smirk just got wider

"Sure your majesty" she nudged his elbow playfully before speaking in a more serious tone "but Seriously Zayne you really shouldn't participate to this hunt"

"And may I know why ?" He shook his head

Not even letting her answer he strutted his way ahead leaving her rotted to her spot.

"Why is he so rude?" The little girl exclaimed making Zayne stammer in his tale , the tip of his ear flushing bright pink.

"He might  be a bit stubborn" he replied before continuing

"I've heard the forest is dangerous with weird creatures roaming in it" she jogged after him but he was quicker , his legs way longer .

"You've  heard,  not seen" he retorted pace not faltering.

What a jerk I am looking out for him and this is how he Thanks me ? She thought to herself.

"But isn't it better to be prepared?" She retorted holding the pans of her dress while literally chasing after him , not even a care for the weird glances the servants and the Guards were casting toward them.

Everyone in this palace knew the Prince of Eladia and the princess of  Eralyon were close.

"I will be" Zayne reassured her finally stopping in his track.

"Fine" she sighed raising her hands in surrender "go ahead and participate but you better win because ain't no way I am kissing that pearlescent frog" she jabbed a finger in his chest earning a small smile from him.

He caught her wrist gently before bringing it to his lips and leave a delicate kiss on her skin.

"Anything for you your highness" he murmured against her skin , hazel eyes looking up at her.

She quickly withdrew her hand from his grasp , feeling her cheeks flush and her heart thump

"Hmm w-well" she stammered , words failling her . Cheeks blushing the prettiest shade of pink he has ever seen.

"All I can say is good luck and make sure to come back in one piece." She uttered after finally regaining her bearings

"I sure will" he nodded but she was already making her way toward God knows where leaving him dumbfounded in the alley.

What's wrong ? Was kissing her wrist inappropriate?

Zayne's eyes followed her form until she turned into a corner. Mind still mulling over her reaction as he made his way to the Royal library to return the book he was reading.

"How I hate this" she muttered herself,  moving her fan like she was wrestling with it , this dress felt too tight , the heat unbearable even if they were outdoor .

The Queen  was sitting on a small platform while the princess was sitting alone on another. The King well wasn't present because he was ill its been 3 months since he doesn't step out of his room. Only the Queen knows about his whereabouts.

The princess's eyes were roaving around the crowd below searching for Zayne When her eyes fell on him she quickly excused herself to go wish him Good luck.

"Zayne" she sauntered over him., eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and worry. 

A small smile crept up Zayne's lips when his eyes fell on her.

"I cant believe you didn't listen to me" she crossed her arms over her chest, a small pout tugging at her lips .

She looked so adorable he caught himself of thinking about leaning down and kissing that pout of her lips.

"I thought you gave me your blessing" he said tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear making a small shiver ran down her spine.

"You were gonna take part with my blessing or not" she retorted batting his hand away. "Just come back safely" she murmured in a small voice hands grasping his

He looked down at their hands before looking back at her face

"Why do you worry so much about me?"

His question seemed to catch her off of guard making her sputter out

"Because you're my friend of course" yet she didn't seem herself convinced by her words "and you have to win because I am not kissing that pearlescent frog you have for a brother" she let go of his hand to cross her arms over her chest .

Zayne was tempted to prob further but the sound of clarion interrupted them.

Before he could hop on his horse she took his hand and left a kiss on the top of his palm.

"Good luck kiss" she winked at him before making her way to her seat leaving him a fluttery mess of heartbeat and flushed cheeks.

The princess made her way toward her seat,  eyes heavy with a mixture of sorrow and sadness she couldn't quite pinpoint.

Zayne rode through the forest mind still reeling from the unexpected kiss she gave him , he could still feel the skin where her lips touched him tingling.

Get a grip Zayne he scolded himself.  You're here for a purpose not to daydream like lovesick fool.

The sound of scrunching leaves made his ear perk up , his horse coming to a stop when he felt a shadowy presence around him.

The forest was eerily quiet,  not even a bird singing only the rustle of leaves could be heard . Drawing his bow , his senses were on high alert ready to eliminate Whatever threat was lurking in this dense forest

"Well well look like his majesty can't even catch a simple prey" his stepbrother's voice Christian echoed , grating his ear as always.

"Christian" he lowered his bow , eyeing him suspiciously. "I dont recall inviting you"

Christian let out a small laugh stepping out the shadow, brown locks neatly styled , gray eyes filled with mischief. Hands raised in mock surrender

"Relax brother we're on the same boat aren't we ?" He grinned pearly white teeth gleaming like fang "both fighting for the princess's Attention and maybe more"

Zayne ignored him getting off of his horse to lead it through the dense foliage.

Christian was never up to no good and he wouldn't let him ruin his day , nope not today not when he has a beautiful princess waiting for him with a kiss.

"Do what you want" Zayne spoke not sparing him a glance. "Just stay out of my way"

Christian just trailed behind him, unnervingly silent

"The princess seems quite fond of you" he observed trying hard to sound disinterested  "Its a shame you didn't listen to her" he shrugged nonchalantly

"What the-" before Zayne could process anything he found himself pined against a tree a dagger pressing against his stomach

"Such a shame we could have been best buddies" he let out a dramatic sigh , eyes gleaming with a feral hunger "all because you had to be a legitimate son" he tsked dagger piercing through Zayne's stomach making hot white splashes of pain wash over him , the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth.

He withdrew his dagger , letting Zayne slump against the ground

"Its nothing personal you know" Christian reassured him cleaning his dagger in Zayne's overpriced coat "just politics and dont worry" he pressed his feet down Zayne's wound making him choke on his own blood . "I'll make sure to take care of your princess , I bet her lips taste sweeter than those  desserts you love to indulge yourself in Huh?" he smirked feet pressing harder against Zayne's stomach.

"Rest in peace , your highness, the kingdom will hardly misses you" he bowed dramatically before turning his heels leaving Zayne for dead in the deep forest

The young man couldn't do nothing but lay there in his own blood as his murderer walked away leaving him hopeless mind swirling with thoughts of her , his mom, his father , her bright  smile when she found him crying in the palace gardens after his mom death , how she offered him sweet to brighten his day  , how he likes them since that day.

What a shame she will never know how her smile brighten up his day , how he loves seeing her scrunch up her nose in annoyance when he tease her too much or how he likes it when she openly flirt with him even if he pretend he's annoyed by it . She will never know how much he loves her,  never know how much he wanted to win so she won't have to kiss his brother but it was too late now laying in the blood soaked ground , only his dead body and regrets remain.

"Is he dead ?" The little girl tugged at Zayne's wrist making his heart clench in his chest.

"No my little snowflake" he reassured her stroking her cheeks gently.

She nudged closer to him , her head resting against his shoulder waiting for him to continue.

The princess was pacing back and forth in her room , heart twisting with worry . It was already late in the evening and Zayne haven't returned.

"Be safe , be safe" she continued to murmur , clutching the jade necklace he offered her for her 18th birthday 3 years ago.

"Your highness" the sound of 2 guards standing at her doorstep pulled her out of her trance and before she knew it she was standing in front of them.

"What happened? Has his majesty returned?" She fired  question after question,  her anxiety coming off in a wave.

The guard looked oddly uncomfortable,  eyes darting away from her.

"What's wrong? Where's Zayne?" She pressed on

"His majesty hasn't came back" one guard spoke up eyes looking anywhere but her

"According to Sir Christian" the other continued "he got attacked by a beast and didn't make it"

"Bullshit"

The guard's eyes widened.  It was the first time they heard the princess Swear .

"Zayne is the best archer in the kingdom unless that beast was a certain pearlescent frog , I don't believe your charades" she waved them off strutting her way out of the room

"Your highness where are you going ?" The guards called out after her

"Going to do your job since you are so incompetent at it" she shouted adjusting her cloak.

"The princess did what?"

"S-she left" a small gasp left the messenger's lips when the butter knife that was in the Queen's hand flew pass his head.

"This little Eralyon brat" she stifled through her teeth before excusing the trembly messenger

"No need to get so worked up Mother" Christian who just arrived in the dining  room patted her shoulder.

"She's just a little girl with no defense ,a damsel in distress and who will be the prince that will save her?" He offered his mother that same mischievous smile.

"You" she scoffed "but that still doesn't solve our issue"

"What issue ?" Christian plopped himself on a chair across the dining table

"You haven't done your job properly Christian,  he's still alive" she retorted

The man drew a long breath , the gears already turning in his mind .

"How could you be sure ? The dagger was poisoned and the wound was fatal"

"Those nuisances of creatures saved him , the mirror told me so"

Ah this infamous magical mirror, such a pain in the ass Christian thought.

"So now what do you suggest?" He asked caressing his stubble.

"We finish the job obviously" she rolled her eyes as if the answer wasnt obvious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~◇~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Is he alive ?"  A fluttery voice asked

"Obviously- what the fuck!!! Why are you naked? we have guest over"

"Narilyn stole my clothes- ouch! That hurts"

Zayne's head was throbbing , the pain in his stomach almost unbearable and now he was hearing voice ?? Was he in hell?

"Stop fighting you 2" another voice more mature, more firm "you're disturbing his sleep" 

Zayne's eyes fluttered open only to see 3 colored heads snapping back toward him

"He's awake" the same fluttery voice exclaimed making the blue haired being smack a book on her head. 

"PUT SOME FUCKING CLOTHES ON" she continued to smack her making her fly away.

Wait fly . Zayne eyes widened further . Aren't those early signs of schizophrenia ?

"No you arent dreaming" the white haired one who seemed the oldest spoke up.

Zayne had so much question . How did he get here ? Wasnt he supposed to be dead ? What were those winged being ?

As if reading his mind the white haired fairy provided him with answers

"We found you for dead in the forest and brought you here and as for what we are-"

"We are the 7 guardians of the forest" Zayne was startled by the presence of another fairy , this one had green hair and eyes , long wings shining with bright glitter that looked like stardust.

"Narylin" she offered him her hand with a bright smile. Zayne hesitated to grasp it still confused by this situation but she didn't seem to mind .

"Narylin you pest give me back my clothes" the fairy who was still apparently naked exclaimed, blonde hair sticking to her skin as she tried her best to avoid her sister's  book attack.

"I didn't take it" Narylin shrugged while the white haired fairy let out an heavy sigh.

"I am here" another presence stepped inside the small house only to quickly bend down to avoid a lamp thrown after the blonde fairy.

"They are fighting again" the red haired fairy who just arrived shook her head.

Feeling her patience wearing thin the white haired fairy flicked her fingers  making them stop their useless bickering.

The fairies all gathered around her after the blonde one successfully found her clothes.

"State your name stranger" the purple haired one pointed a lance at him making the blonde one giggle and the blue haired facepalm herself

"Melida this is not how we greet a guest" the oldest scolded her gently.

Zayne just watched them dumbfounded,  the fairies were no bigger than a water bottle ,  there were 7 of them all with different hair colors and translucent wings that shone brightly.

"Its an honor to meet you, your majesty" the withe haired one bowed at him making the other follow suit. 

They knew he was the prince ? How ?

"I-" Zayne's words failed him , this was too outlandish to be true , he never believed in fairytales or the existence of strange creatures not even when the princess would tell him tales about them.

"The pleasure is mine?"  He found himself replying , the words more like a question than a statement but that seemed to satisfy them.

"I am Sonia" the blonde haired one exclaimed flying land on his shoulder.

"And this is Melida." She pointed at the purple haired one , "Hydrangea" blue haired one that chased after her for dear life "Lily" red haired one , "Narilyn" green haired one "Rose" pink haired one "and our older sister "Sapphire" she pointed at the white haired one. She was the only fairy whose eyes were a different color than her hair , they were blue not white.

"What about you ? What's your name ?" Sonia inquired head tilted to the side to look at him.

"Zayne" he murmured eyes snapping from Sapphire

"Zayne it's pretty like you" she giggled

"Its pretty like you" she smiled brightly.

Zayne felt his head throb at the memory eyes screwing shut as the pain washed over him.

"We should let him rest he still hasn't healed properly" Sapphire said making everyone hang their head low in shame.

Sonia who was perched on his shoulder flew towards the rest of her sisters leaving him alone.

"Rest well your majesty" she waved at him.

Zayne waved back at her mind swirling with unanswered questions.

He plopped himself down on the small bed he was resting on thinking.

He's alive . Well that's a good sign . But how many times has passed since he's here? Does everyone think he's dead ? Does she think he's dead ?  Is she alright ? Knowing how stubborn she could be , she's probably searching for him everywhere but even him didn't know where the hell he was Exactly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~♡~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What made her think hopping on an horse and rode through this forest a good idea?

The thing you'd do for love. Wait love no she's not in love with him,  she's  just doing her duty as a future Queen and his bestfriend. That's it.

"Yeah that's it- AHH" the footsteps of nearby horse made her own drop her

"Fuck" she massaged her head taking of dead leaves stuck on the strands

"Princess,  princess" Christian tsked kneeling to be at her eyes level "don't you know this forest is dangerous for such a precious thing like you"

"You tell me it seems the perfect a habitat for a pearlescent frog like you" she shrugged leaning against her palms.

Christian chuckled trying his best to mask his irritation

"Such a sharp tongue" he cupped her chin , thumb caressing her bottom lip "makes me wonder if it can only give witty remarks"

she felt a wave disgust washes over her . Bile rising up her throat

Who the hell does he think he is ?

"It can also bite" she retorted making his eyebrows furrow before he could process her words she bit him hard enough to draw blood before starting to run away in the dense forest

"This little bitch" he hissed  "get her" he ordered the Guards "seems like I'll have to teach this Eralyon brat a lesson"

She ran as fast as possible, her heart pounding in her chest, breath erratic. She didn't have a destination in mind, engulfing herself deeper in the dark forest without a care for her safety. She needed to get away from this mad bastard and find Zayne.

But alas, fate had other things in store for her since she tripped on a dead branch and fell flat on her face, the impact causing the breath to get knocked out of her lungs.

No, you can't stop now. She was about to stand up and keep running, but Christian's booted foot pressed against her shoulder blade, pushing her against the ground.

"Such a shame, Princess. If only you didn't have to be so difficult," he yanked her by her hair while she tried to fight off his grip.

"So feisty. I'm going to have so much fun with you, Princess of Eralyon," he grinned ,nosing her pulse while she felt like throwing up. "I'll tame you," he murmured against her neck, inhaling her scent, "make you my little puppet."

"In your dreams, Christian," she spat, eyes blazing with fury.

"A dream that's about to become true," he chuckled darkly before injecting a potion into her side, making her body fall limp in his arms.

He carried her back to his horse after instructing the guards to get back to the palace.

Zayne was getting better with the fairies tending to his wounds when they weren't busy fighting that is

"It's mine" Hydrangea shouted  hugging the small snowman Zayne made for them with his evol.

"Nope" Sonia countered pushing Hydrangea off the snowman with a jet of gold glitters "my friend's confection,  mine" she retorted standing on top of the snowman,  wings fluttering.

"And stop fighting over this human ?" Melida who was sharpening her weapon added

"Will you 2 stop shouting for 2 minutes? There's people trying to read in peace" Lily who was reading a book interrupted them

"Its her fault" the blue haired fairy pointed at Sonia who stuck her tongue out mockingly.

Zayne just observed their interaction with a small smile while chopping the vegetables for dinner.

The oldest fairy suggested that he stayed here until he completely heal . The others were eager for hjm to stay (Sonia and Narilyn in particular) while Melida was still wary of him.

"Your majesty are you single?" Sonia asked flying to rest on his shoulder which seemed to be her favorite spot.

The question caught Zayne off of guard making his cheeks flush

"Mmh I guess" he replied focusing on the dinner he was making.

"You guess ?" Hydrangea tilted his head at him , eyeing him suspiciously.

"I mean I am not engaged or married" he shrugged,  stirring the pot on the stove.

"Strange your heart says otherwise" Rose the pink haired fairy spoke up , she has the softest voice out of them all.

"Haha told you he was taken" Hydrangea exclaimed before dodging the pea thrown by Sonia who was pouting arms crossed over her chest.

"How would you know?" Zayne asked in disbelief.

"Rose is a fairy of love of course she knows when someone's heart is taken" Lily who was still absorbed in her book replied.

"And your dear crush is" Hydrangea taunted Sonia who was now on top of her fighting again.

"Why would you have a crush on a human?" Melida who finally put her weapon down scoffed.

"Yeah he's so big it's not like it's gonna fit" Narilyn who appeared out of nowhere shrugged making Zayne's eyebrows furrow

"What is not gonna fit?" Zayne asked curiously making Sonia's cheeks flush red and Hydrangea giggle.

"How is he so innocent?" Lily whispered under her breath.

Some days when They weren't bickering they all gathered around Zayne to hear him talk about his life back at the palace or the princess who've taken his heart (not that he'll ever admit it )

Days turned into weeks and even if Zayne appreciated the fairies and their care one part of him longed to return to his home , to see his people,  to see her , hold her,  kiss h- no Zayne get ahold of yourself

They were in the forest,  picking up branches and berries for dinner when the pink haired fairy came up to him with a flower crown in her hands

"And a flower crown for the prettiest prince of the kingdom" Rose put the flowery crown on his head making his heart melt and his mind jog back to vivid memories

"I am the only prince of the kingdom and what's that for ?" The 14 years old boy asked , his eyebrows furrowing in confusion

"Consider this as a pre wedding gift until you actually accept to marry me" she replied resting her hands on her hips

"aren't we a little bit too young for that?" He asked adjusting the crown on his head

"Why ?" She muttered creeping behind him to steal a glance at his book "we are both from Royal family arent we ?" She smiled looking up at him and she was so close , her perfume enveloping him in a soft cloud.

"you cant even tie your own  shoelaces properly and you're already thinking about wedding" he flicked her forehead playfully causing her to let out a small oof nose scrunching up in annoyance

"I'll have you know I can perfectly tie my shoelaces" (lie she couldn't)  she retorted rubbing the sore spot on her forehead "and beside I don't need that to get married"

"To get married to me you do" he countered already making his way ahead while she trailed behind him. "And beside as I said  you're too young" he added making her huff

"I am 12 years old already" she retorted clutching the hem of her dress while she tried to keep up with his pace.

"Exactly too young" he deadpanned still walking ahead , flower crown sitting perfectly on his head.

He really hoped his words would dissuade her but it seemed doing quite the opposite

"Does that mean you'll marry me when I get older?" She asked , eyes gleaming with excitement

Please no.

Zayne let out an heavy sigh finally turnin back to face her.

"If you can tie your shoelaces by this time,  then yes" he nodded , the tip of his ear turning red while his eyes darted away awkwardly

"But I can tie my shoelac-"

"We both know that's not true" Zayne retorted pointing at her shoelaces that were undone

Before she could say anything he bent down on one knee to tie her shoelaces leaving her dumbfounded and blushing like a tomato

"Here future wife" he winked at her.

"Future wife" Zayne smiled to himself caressing the Jasmine petals of the flowers crown sitting on his head

"You really do love her, dont you?" Rose sat down on his shoulder pink eyes looking up at him

"Who ?" Zayne asked in disbelief

"Your princess" Rose offered him a soft smile

"You're mistaken" Zayne shrugged making her fly off  his shoulder. "She's my friend"

"It doesn't change the fact that your heart belongs to her" she retorted shrugging her shoulders playfully while Zayne bent down to pick up a stray branch.

"Aren't you planning to tell her ?" She asked wings fluttering as she flew around him

"There's nothing to tell" he replied making his way deeper through the woods

"Are humans always this stubborn or is it just you?" She asked her voice soft and genuine.

"Its not called being stubborn, it's the truth" he mused aloud adjusting the strap of the bag that was carrying the wood for the fire.

"It doesn't sound like it" she retorted

Now she was the one being stubborn. He thought

They continued to bicker (more like Rose trying to open his eyes and make him realize he's hopelessly in love. ) unaware of the fact the Queen was observing them through her enchanted mirror.

"Stupid creatures" she spat under her breath nails digging in her palms

"Why cant he just die?" She muttered to herself voice dripping with venom before turning her head to the princess who was trapped in a deep slumber

"Hopefully we got the perfect bait" she smiled , creeping closer to the girl peacefully asleep .

Once she was at her level , she cut a strand of her hair to carry on her schemes.

"Dont worry dear" she caressed her face "your beloved will join you soon" her devilish laugh rang across the room bouncing off against the walls

"The wound is healing nicely,  you'll be able to go back home in a few days" Sapphire who was checking his almost non existent wound spoke up.

"What do you mean 'go back'?" Sonia who was playing card with Hydrangea and Narilyn exclaimed making her way to where Zayne was sitting on the bed

"You didn't seriously expect he'd stay here?" Melida scowled but Sonia's eyes were already gleaming with tears making Zayne's heart clench.

Even if it was hard to believe during this short time Zayne spent here , he's grown quite fond of the fairies , even if they fought (over him) a lot , he found their relationship endearing .

"I mean" he rubbed the back of his neck nervously "I have to go back to my duties"

"And his lover" Hydrangea added earning a glare from Sonia

"But you won't forget about us right ?" Rose who also flew towards where he was sitting asked in a gentle voice pink eyes shining with a mixture of sadness and hope.

"Of course no" Zayne reassured them and before he knew it they were all tackling him on the bed in a group hug even Melida who seemed hostile towards him at first (and still now)

Zayne hugged them back carefully to not crush them with his arms when a shout of his name echoed outside.

This voice.

"ZAYNE" another shout.

"Who dare interrupting us ?" Melida grumbled under breath before they all carefully untangled from Zayne.

"Zayne" the girl shouted again voice bordering on desperation.

Zayne stepped out the small house only to fall face to face with her , his princess,  his love , the one he spent all those days longing for , all those nights dreaming of .

"You're here" he whispered,  he couldn't believe it , she was there standing in all of her glory. Face lighting up when her eyes fell on him.

"Zayne" she ran towards him arms wrapping around his neck to squeeze him tightly "you're alive, I was so worried" she cupped her cheeks to look closely at his face "I thought you were dead" her thumbs stroked his cheeks softly.

Zayne's head was swimming in an ocean of relief and joy , his love was there , she was there with him looking way to lively , clean and polished for someone who just rode all the way through those woods

The fairies who followed closely behind Zayne observed the scene with wary gazes.

"Something is off" Lily muttered making Rose nod

"She doesn't seem to be the one his heart call for" she murmured in that soft voice of hers

"How did you find me?" Zayne asked cradling her head gently

There was not a  single leaf in her hair as if she appeared out of nowhere but Zayne was too happy to notice

"I went through the hell that are those woods , even when I felt like  giving up I didnt because I knew I'd have to find you" she stood up on her tiptoe , hands caressing his chest in a way that felt way too wrong way too out of character.

She's there with you no need to get lost in semantics

"I don't know what I would have done  if I didn't find you" she murmured eyes dropping to his lips in a way that made Zayne shudder.

"Shouldn't we intervene?" Sonia asked voice bubbling with a mixture of jealousy and concer.

The energy coming off of this girl screamed to run away but they didn't want to come off as rude and possessive so they watched from the sidelines.

"So worried" she murmured tugging Zayne closer by his collar and he didn't  fight her off because why would he ?

After all this time , he finally get to see her ,to touch her , as if hypnotized he let her pull him in her grasp lips hovering above his.

"We need to do something" Sonia exclaimed shaking Narilyn by her shoulders.

But alas it was too late because as soon Zayne's lips collided with hers he sank to his knees,  a wave of fatigue  washing over him.

"So pathetic" she scoffed pushing him with her foot "it was almost too easy" she knelt beside him while Zayne was fighting to keep his eyes open.

"I knew taking this little bitch's appearance would do the trick but I didn't think you'd fall for it so easily" her tone was cruel,  dripping with venom so different from the Princess he knew.

"Who are you?" Zayne mumbled eyes drooping.

"I am the last face you'll see before leaving this world." she bent down to whisper in his ear before Zayne's body fell limply on the cold ground.

"Me?" Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of madness and feral hunger that reminded him so much of Christian.

The fairies all bolted towards him , Sonia furious threw a bolt of lightning toward the impostor princess who dodged it easily.

"Its too late" she laughed out features twisting into such a feral grin "it's just a matter of time before he die"

"You scum" Melida surged  forward planting her lance above the corner of the impostor's eyes who let out a shriek of pain.

The soft features that was once the the face of the one who stole Zayne's heart morphed into the sharp features of his stepmother.

"You have no right to be there Onyx" Sapphire who just arrived spoke up.

The Queen stopped dead in her track eyes narrowing at the fairies.

"You won't be able to save her this time sister" she spat before turning her heels , leaving Zayne cold and unconscious on the ground.

Will he make it out ?

Her eyes fluttered open , her head throbbing ,her mouth and throat dry.

"Where am I?" She sat up only to realize she was bound to the bed she was laying on by chains.

"What the-"

"Your majesty , you're awake" she heard a small voice says .

She turned her head toward the sound only to see a white owl talking.

Wait a white owl talking???

"What the fuck??" She almost shouted but the owl quickly shushed her

"You're gonna wake him up" he hushed out.

Pressing her lips shut , she observed the owl curiously,  after days being unconscious the first thing she sees when she wakes up is this!!.

"We need to find a way to get you out of here" the owl exclaimed landing on her arm with the key in his mouth.

Since only one of the Princess's hand was bound she took the key from him to unlock the locket that bounded her chains together.

When she was finally free she got off the bed not without caressing the owl's head.

"Thank you for your help"

The owl nuzzled against her hand before replying

"You're welcome,  your majesty,  please find my son and save him I've been too blind by love to see she was a degenerate,  only you now can save us all"

His son wait was that owl the king who apparently got sick 3 months ago ?

She had so much question but she knew now wasn't the time to ask them she needed to get away from here and fast.

The room she was staying in obviously wasn't hers , there was a large mirror clad in the walls and a table full of weird potions and instrument.

This has to be the Queen Room.

"Hurry, your highness" the owl croaked out.

The princess quickly grabbed a dagger that was resting on the table with a bottle that had "Don't touch , for emergency only" written on it . Shoving them on her nightgown's pocket , she stole one of the Queen's overpriced coat and stormed off the room with the owl following closely behind her.

The palace seemed to be in a whirlwind,  servants walking back and forth preparing what looked like a grandiose banquet.

Not wanting to dwell on this she clutched the cloak tightly around her making her way toward the palace horse boxes to steal an horse.

Her plan went smoothly,  way too smoothly for her taste as if someone laid out the path for her to take.

Focus , we need to find Zayne and fast. She shook her head, pulling on the reins of her horse.

The owl continued to follow her , leading her way through the forest to find Zayne.

"How did the Queen managed to trap you in this form?" She questioned him curiously

"She poisoned me" he replied  , still flying

"Poisoning you?" She tilted her head curiously.

"With a kiss" he responded before landing on a stray branch.

"How outlandish" she whispered under her breath.

She hasn't spent a lot of time with the Queen but she always found her shady , especially since her son Christian couldn't stop trying to win her over even when she make it clear she wasnt interested.

They continued their journey through the forest only stopping to feed her horse , she was too anxious to eat anything. The knot in her stomach not easing until she found him.

It was past 3 weeks since he disappeared the day of the Hunt. She didn't know what  could have happened to him during this time . Was he safe ? Was he alright? Oh Christ she was going die of worries at this rate.

"Do not worry" your majesty the owl reassured her, resting against her shoulder.

"My son is a tough one , he'll be alright"

"I hope" she let out a small sigh.

"Will he make it out ?" Sonia asked caressing Zayne's pale skin.

He was laying in a sanctuary of Jasmine's flowers , eyes closed shut , his beautiful features relaxed in a peaceful slumber.

"The incantation is strong" Sapphire mused blue gaze dropping to the ground "I fear only a true love kiss can bring him back"

The silence that fell upon them was deafening.

"A true love kiss" Rose repeated voice distant as her eyes roamed over Zayne's face.

"Snow" she looked up at the sky feeling a small snowflake landing on her nose.

"Its snowing" she murmured to herself.

"Its snowing Zayne , come and play with me" the little girl exclaimed tugging at his arm.

"No you'll probably catch a cold" the little boy shook his head not budging an inch from where he was sitting on the couch.

"B-but" her lips wobbled "it's the first snowfall of the season and you know what the legend said"

"I don't" he retorted,  hazel eyes boring into hers "please enlighten me"

"Don't you know" she sat down legs crossed in front of him , eyes gleaming with that same spark of excitement they had everytime she talked about something she was passionate about.

"If 2 people share a kiss under the first snowfall, they wil last forever" she smiled widely , eyes knowingly gazing at him.

"And what does this have to do with us?" He asked still skeptical

"Let's go outside and kiss so we will last forever" she exclaimed making him choke on thin air.

What is wrong with her ?

Zayne erupted in a fit of coughs , face red from embarrassment .

she's only 11 for God's sake . Why does she keep catching him off of guard like this?

"Are you ok?" She quickly stood up massaging his back as he slowly regained his composure

"I am fine I am fine" he uttered , his embarrassment finally subsiding.

She nodded seemingly reassured even if her eyes still held a trace ofconcern.

"Then let's go play , your majesty" she took her hand already dragging him outside to play.

"The first snowfall" she murmured letting the snowflake melt on her palm.

"2 people who kiss under the first snowfall will last forever. Sounds straight out of a fairytale,  don't you agree princess ?" Christian's sly voice made her ears perk up. Her senses on high alert.

"Here are we meeting in this forest again" he creeped closer towards her , boots scrunching the dead leaves , the same feral look in his gray eyes that haunted her nights . "I am starting to think this is becoming our little secret place" he smirked still wincing closer towards her while she took step back after step back putting as much distance between them as she can , mind running a mile per minute to find an escape

As if reading her mind he spoke again

"Don't be scared I won't hurt you as long you collaborate"

As if to prove his point he opened his arm widely.

"You are right" she sighed in defeat finally stopping backing down.

A flash of surprise passed over Christian's face.

Why the sudden switch up?

"Chasing after Eladia's little brat can be so exhausting, I tought if I tried hard enough and found him I'd finally seal an alliance between Eralyon and Eladia but now" she looked up at hom shoulder slumping in defeat.

"All hope seems to be dead just like him" she sighed before a slow smirk pulled at the corner of her mouth.

"You really think I am going to believe you did all of this for an alliance" he chuckled shaking his head "princess princess" he tsked crossing the distance between them in two effortless strides.

"You are so naive" he whispered hands hovering above her face and to his surprise she leaned into his touch

"Not naive" she left a kiss on his palm "just as power hungry as you are"

Oh now she was talking his language.

"And you haven't seen nothing,  your majesty" she leaned in to whisper in his ear the sound sending shiver down his spine. Coating his mind with the sweetest intoxication.

"And here I thought you were just a lovesick brat" he cuppoed her cheek caressing the soft skin with his thumb "you're full of surprises,  princess"

"Princess" he leaned in to nose her pulse , inhaling her scent.

"Yes my king" she caressed his shoulder blade , palm gliding down until it reached his side.

Lost in the sensation of finally having the princess at his mercy.  After years dreaming of this moment,  finally,  finally he had her Exactly where he wanted but not for long because a sharp pain on his side brought him back to reality,  paralyzed he sank to his knees,  eyes wide open looking up at her while the syringe stayed planted on his side

"You" he croaked out , the taste of blood filling his mouth.

She planted a foot on his shoulder pushing him down.

"Stay down Christian,  the only thing you'll rule is the dirt beneath my feet" she said voice dangerously calm and serene , eyes devoid of any emotions.

He convulsed on the ground , coughing blood while his skin started to darken eyes rolling to the back of his head.

"Do not worry,  the kingdom will hardly misses you, I just hope you have the most peaceful descend on hell" She turned her heels , leaving him laying on the ground writhing in pain with his unfulfilled dreams and wishes , like an unfinished canvas.

After leaving Christian for dead in the forest she hopped on her horse following the white owl who guided her toward Zayne.

She looked serene on the outside,  eyes fixed on the path in front of her but deep down she was shaking,   mind reeling as the impact of her actions finally sank in . She took a life , no matter how evil Christian was he was an human , a living being and she took his life  she was a murderer , a murderer.

"We almost there Princess" the owl's voice snapped her out of her morbid thoughts,  horse coming to a stop before she hopped off it , trembly legs running on the Snowy ground.

She was exhausted both physically and mentally,  legs almost giving out , head spinning , heart racing but she couldn't stop, not now , not when she was that close , not after all those sacrifices,  she had to find him.  She promised so.

"No matter what happens I will always find you" she intertwined her pinky with his offering him a toothed smile

"Always?" the little boy squeezed her pinky wiping  the remnants of his tears

"Always" she nodded eagerly leaning in to kiss his tear away.

"I'll always find you my prince" she hugged him.

"My prince" she murmured breath coming in short condensed puffs , vision blurring.

A loud crash made the fairies's head snap back toward the entrance of the sanctuary.

They haven't left Zayne's side since he was cursed by the King , waiting , hoping he'd woke up.

"You" Sonia surged towards the intruder tigging harshly at her hair but the poor girl didn't have any energy to fight back,  sinking to her knees at the sight of Zayne laying among the white colored flowers,  looking pale and lifeless.

"I am too late" she whispered tears streaming down her face.

The fairies a stood frozen and dumbfounded.

She was crying.

"His love is here" Rose murmured pink eyes fixed on the princess who crawled her way toward where Zayne was resting.

"What If it's that evil Queen" Sonia exclaimed still wary but no longer attacking her

"No" Sapphire murmured "her heart is not as evil as Onyx"

"I am so sorry" she sobbed , bouce broken, limp body resting at his side " sorry for not keeping my promise" she murmured against his hand , it was so cold but nothing was colder than the sorrows engulfing her , torturing her already battered heart. "Sorry for not finding you earlier"

The fairies all hand their head low , watching helplessly as she poured her soul out tears coating the white fabric of Zayne shirt. Hair splayed out like an halo around her.

It was still snowing outside , the first snow of the season.

"Your highness" Rose approached her , patting her hair gently making the heartbroken princess finally look up at her.

"Do not cry" she wiped her cheeks "he wouldn't like seeing you so heartbroken"

"It doesn't matter anymore" the princess sniffled softly "he's gone"

"Not quite" the pink haired fairy retorted

"you can still bring him back" Sapphire spoke up approaching them as well.

"With a true love kiss" Sonia trailed eyes fixed on the ground.

The Princess's eyes widened,  a new found flick of hope glimmering in her earlier dull eyes.

"A kiss?" She croaked out, voice hoarse from her sobs

"A kiss" the fairies nodded looking between Zayne still trapped in his dream and her.

Her eye flickered to Zayne as well , inhaling deeply. She moisten her dry lips bracing herself to kiss her childhood friend , her long last love. The man she sacrificed so much for but a fluttery voice interrupted her.

"Wait you cant just kiss hil withe day lips" Sonia interjected making Hydrangea groan

"Sonia now it's not the time" but  she wasn't listening already making her wat towards the strawberry plant then come back with a fresh and red strawberry.

"Here" she placed the fruit in the girl's hand who tilted her head curiously at her.

"For your lips" Sonia instructed.

"Oh" a flash of realization washed over her features before she hastily applied the red berry on her dried up lips.

Smacking them together to smear the pigment.  She took another deep breath.

"Ready now" she murmured more to herself than anyone.

She leaned down,  eyes darting between Zayne's closed eyes and startly parted lips.

Just do it just do it.

All the fairies hold their breath Sonia burying her face in Hydrangea's flower to not see her beloved being kissed by a woman.

When the Princess's lips finally pressed against Zayne's she felt small tingles down her spine. Her heart speeding up  but as he stayed still unconscious she untangled herself from him , sitting up to gaze at his peaceful face.

It didn't work

She looked over the fairies who were as lost as her.

Losing hope she sank against him , eyes filling with tears that trickled on his skin.

"Strawberry" an hoarse voice croaked out "I thought you hated them"

She quickly sat up, eyes widening in disbelief.

"You" she bursted in sobs , smacking his chest making him let out a small grunt "you're awake" she wrapped her arms around his neck , holding as physically close as possible.

Zayne caressed her back softly  , letting her cry against his chest.

"Dont cry" he murmured chin resting on top of her head.

"You stubborn little" she smacked him again still sobbing. "If only you listened to me and didn't participate to that damn hunt" she sniffled finally untangling herself from his form to glare at him.

"Well at last, I got my reward" he caressed her cheeks softly wiping her tears.

"On the first snowfall" he looked up at the Snowy sky through the glass above their head

"You know what that means?" He looked back at her cupping her cheek to bring her closer to him "we'll now last forever" he whispered against her lips before capturing them in a passionate kiss pouring all those years  of  longing  and  unconditional love in a single kiss.

"I love you my Queen" he murmured between kisses refusing to part enen for a second , afraid she might slip through his finger "and yes I wish to marry you" he rested his forehead against hers thumbs stroking her cheeks.

She was too stunned to speak , overwhelmed by too many emotions to process them properly

Her hands found their way to his hair caressing the soft  strands while she planted a kiss on his mouth another and another puncturing each of them with a small o love you. They were both lost   in their own words

While the fairies were celebrating ,dancing around them while causing small snowflakes raining upon of them .

"So how does it feels to see your dear crush having his happily ever after ?" Htdrangea teased Sonia who seemed to be the happiest of them all.

"It feels good I feel happy just by seeing him happy" she chuckled making Hydrangea's eyebrows furrow

Why isn't she jealous?

"I am still not forgiving you for not listening to me though" the princess murmured against his lips hands caressing the hair at his nape

"Its alright" he hummed still holding her close against his chest " I have a whole lifetime to make up for it." He placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

And this how hidden in secluded sanctuary in the deep forest , under the first snowfall they sealed their fate , after facing the hardest of the challenges , they finally got their happily ever after.

"And what happened to the Evil Queen and the owl king ?" Te little girl asked , brown eyebrows furrowed in confusion

"The evil Queen had to pay the price for borrowing the power of her mirror , some legends said she got trapped in that said mirror while her son rotted in the deep forest." Zayne replied adjusting her in her bed , tucking the little girl nicely under the covers

"Did the princess and the prince get married and the king ? Did he turn back into an human?" She fired question after question

"Yes , yes he did and the princess and the prince indeed got married and had a lovely daughter together" he said before leaving a kiss on her forehead

"Now go to sleep my little snowflake" he patted her head softly.

She hummed in response sinking into the plush mattress

"Goodnight Daddy" she murmured before letting out a yawn

"Goodnight my angel"  he smiled softly before carefully getting out of her room

"Is her majesty finally asleep?" A voice rang out behind him

"Finaly yes" he murmured turning around to face his lovely wife.

"Well now I guess it's my time to have the King's attention" she said before wrapping her arms around his neck

"Hmm" he braced his hand beneath her thighs lifting her effortlessly "I am all yours , my Queen" he murmured against her lips

"Ever since you kissed me on the first snowfall or even sooner" he added carrying her towards their shared bedroom.

"Careful if you keep saying things like that it will make it hard for me to stay quiet" she grinned cheekily , caressing the hair at his nape.

"Better keep it down sweetheart, we don't want to wake up our little angel do we ?" He teased closing the door behind him with his foot.

-----------------------------------

A/N pt2 : if you read it all the way there Well thank you for staying with us , this is the first Fic of the Fairytale series so stay tuned for the other fics (Sylus is next with The beauty and the beast )

Taglist: @jinwoosbabyboo @sunsethw4 @yourlocalcatscammer @mangooes @chibichibi-mia @zayneiezaynezayne

[pitchsidestories]

stay strong like a lioness II Ingrid Engen x Mapi León x Lioness!Reader

masterlist I word count: 1854

a/n: Hi, it's based off this request here, we hope it lives up to your expectations !

It suddenly felt hard to breathe, you fell to your knees on the pitch side, the whole England team was devasted, while the Spain team was celebrating the world cup win in front of your eyes.  The tears of disappointment and sadness you were holding back made your vision turn blurry.

In addition to that a lot of your Barcelona teammates were ecstatic by their glorious achievement which made it even harder for you to accept the loss.

An inner voice was screaming at you, you lost, you looser, you were bad, simply not good enough, not worthy to represent your country on the world’s stage !  The hateful monologue was interrupted by a familiar voice and a hand which was encouragingly placed on your shoulder.

“Good game, y/n.”, Mariona who was under the winners of the night congratulated you.

“No, it wasn’t, Mario.”, you shook your head frantically.

“Hey, you fought hard. It was a close game.”, she countered softly.

“If you excuse me now.”, you announced, shaking of her hand who was padding your back seconds earlier, as you prepared yourself to leave.

“Where are you going? I’m sure the others want to talk to you too.”, the midfielder questioned confused.

 “I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like talking to anyone, really.”, you apologized in an honest tone.

“But-“, Alexia joined your conversation, looking alarmed at you. Her worry made your inner demons even louder in your head, you almost screamed at her, why do you care about me now? You just won the biggest title in football and I’m just a looser who will be just a footnote in the history books.

Instead, you chose some words which wouldn’t hurt your club’s captain feelings:” No, please, I just need some time alone.”

“Come on, y/n.”, Keira who lost just like you, opened her arms empathetically, but you refused to let her touch you.

“I’ll go to the dressing room.”, you declared sternly.

“We win and loose together, y/n.”, Lucy added, her eyes were red from crying too, the sadness she felt was written all over her face, she was an open book to anyone who would catch sight of the defender.

But you did notice that a hand steadied her posture. It belonged to Ona who smiled at the older woman. Much to your surprise she returned the smile, an unhappy one, but it counted, nonetheless.

“I don’t want to talk.”, you stated stubbornly. The loving words of your teammates who were also your friends didn’t reach over the wall you built around yourself since the final whistle.

“But when you want to, we’re here for you.”, Keira offered.

“Sure.”, you nodded absent minded.

“Girls, I think we should let her alone now.”, Ona muttered biting her lip disheartened by your reaction.

“She’ll get over it soon.“, Lucy agreed calmly while she watched you leave.

What you did not know while you locked yourself into your hotel room as soon as the team was back at their base camp, was that your girlfriends where sitting at home in Barcelona worrying about you.

“Mapi, she’s not answering our messages or calls!“, Ingrid complained and slammed her phone on the kitchen table in frustration. Her team was already sent home after the Round of 16, so she and Mapi had supported your journey to the world cup final from home.

Mapi frowned: “Still not?“

“No…“

There was silence at the kitchen table for a moment until the Spanish defender cursed: “Shit!“

“Maybe I could call Lucy.“, Ingrid suggested, nervously tapping her fingers on the table.

Mapi shrugged: “It’s worth a try.“

While she waited for Lucy to take the call, Ingrid put her phone on speaker. The English defender sounded tired when she finally answered.

“Lucy, could you please look after y/n? She doesn’t respond to us since the loss…“, the Norwegian got straight to the point, trying to keep the urgency out of her voice.

“She’s pulled away from everyone. She doesn’t want to talk.“, Lucy explained.

Mapi joined the conversation. Nervously she asked: “Not even to you or Keira?“

“No, she’s locking everybody out.“

Your two girlfriends shared a concerned look.

With all the hopefulness she could manage, Ingrid suggested: “Maybe after a good night’s sleep, it will be better…?“

“Maybe.“, Lucys voice agreed but sounded less than convinced.

“Fingers crossed. Thanks, Lucy. See you soon, champ.“ Mapi ended the phone call, still not much calmer than before.

But your girlfriends had no other chance than to wait until you arrived home from Australia just a day later. They really tried their best to make you feel better about returning home without the trophy. There was even a cake on the table but all you wanted to do was lay in bed until you felt less empty.

“She’s home. Hello, my love!“, Ingrid smiled brightly.

Before she and Mapi could come over to embrace you, you had already shrugged off your jacket and kicked off your shoes. You silently waved at them before disappearing into your room.

Mapi looked at the suitcase that you left standing in the middle of the floor: “Still?“

“Mapi, that’s not normal.“, Ingrid voiced her concern.

“What should we do?“

“I don’t know…“

The two of them stared at the locked door for a moment before Mapi suggested: “We should make some dinner. She must be hungry after that long flight.“

Ingrid gave a short nod: “That’s a good idea, we’ll cook her favourite meal.“

“Yes, come on.”, the Spaniard got up from the stylish sofa they have been sitting on, while offering the Norwegian her hand, as she followed her to the kitchen to start cooking.

It didn’t take them long to cook the dinner you loved most, the delicious scent of it quickly filled the whole appartement, but smelling this only caused your stomach to turn.   

“Y/n, we made dinner for you.”, Ingrid told you in an uplifting tone, knocking softly at the closed door.

“Not hungry.”, you shot back. Immediately you regretted the harshness in your voice. After all it wasn’t your girlfriend’s fault that you’ve lost the final. It was yours alone.

“You need to eat something though!”, Mapi protested, she sounded almost mad at you for not accepting your favourite food.

“Later maybe.”, you replied quietly. It was so soft that your girlfriends were almost unable to understand what you’ve been saying.

“Okay.”, the defender sighed, clearly frustrated that they couldn’t get through to you.

The mist of sadness surrounded you and didn’t pass, even when the training with the Barcelona girls started it clung on to you like a second skin.

While you were pushing yourself extra hard in the gym Lucy’s green eyes noticed it with growing concern until she had enough and yelled at you:” Y/n, stop it!”

“What?”, you blurted out, still heavily breathing from the exercise you’ve just done.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.”, Mapi added, the defender has been doing her training along side the English player.

“You all don’t get it!”, you countered angrily. The mist has been lifted in your mind, instead there was a thunderstorm of emotions rolling through your whole body.

“Yes, we get it! We’re all players just like you. We all want to be our best.”, Lucy disagreed furiously. The pain of the loss was fresh for her too, but she knew that new challenges were laying ahead of her, with potential wins as a reward to lessen the hurt.

“Exactly, and you can’t shut everyone out, because you lost one game.”, Ingrid tuned in, her facial expression saddened as she glanced at you. The Norwegian felt helpless against the state you were in. Nothing seemed to lift your mood and made you return to your usual cheerful self; the one, she fell in love with.

“It wasn’t just any game.”, you replied through gritted teeth.

“You were in a World Cup Final. Other players don’t even make it that far.”, Mapi reminded you.

“Right, this was a big achievement.”, Ingrid continued, beaming proudly.

You looked from one of your girlfriends to the other. Everything they said felt like pure pity, it made your blood boil.

“No, it was a failure… My dad said I had to be strong and I wasn’t strong enough!“, you exploded.

There was silence in the gym, your teammates stared at you.

Mapi took a step towards you.

“You’ve been very strong.“, she assured you.

You sniffed once, fighting the upcoming tears: “But not like a lioness should be… I let everyone down.“

“We all lost the stupid game.“, Lucy replied.

Keira nodded confidently, gesticulating to herself and your other teammates: “Yes, and we’ll win a lot this season together.“

“Oh yes.“, Mapi agreed.

“Now heads up, little one. There will be another World Cup final coming for you.“, Lucy winked at you.

“And you’ll be in it, no doubt.“, Ingrid added, her gaze soft.

You could feel your breathing slow down as you stood there and listened.

Keira quietly continued: “Plus, it might sound weird coming from me but it does help to talk to someone professional about it because…“

“Because you don’t need to be strong all the time, mi amor.“, Mapi finished for the midfielder, bridging the distance between the two of you and taking your hands into hers.

“Kei’s got a point.“, Lucy said before quickly following up with: “That excludes me though.“

This caused Ona to raise her eyebrows at her girlfriend: “Lies. You cried about it on the first night of our vacation.“

“Shut up, Ona!“, the English defender shot back quickly but with a laugh.

You paused, looking at her. Lucy was without doubt the toughest person you had ever met. “Wait, you cried?“

Instead of her Ona answered, shooting Lucy teasing look: “Oh yes, like a little baby.“

“I didn’t cry. Especially not like a baby!“, she protested.

For the first time since the World Cup, you could feel a smile appear on your face: “I believe Ona.“

Returning your smile, Lucy shook her head: “Of course such blatant lies cheer you up.“

“They do.“

The sadness still weighed heavy on your chest but you felt like a dark veil had been lifted. The conversation with your teammates earlier had helped and you were ready to finally let people in again.

Exhausted from your gym session, you laid in bed with your girlfriends, one on either side of you.

“Can you two just hold me until it doesn’t hurt as much anymore?“, you asked quietly, your gaze directed towards the ceiling.

Your sweet girlfriends immediately wrapped you up into their arms, keeping you safe in their middle.

“Sure, as long as you need us to.“, Ingrid whispered while Mapi pressed gentle kisses onto your temple.

You were so grateful for your teammates and your two girlfriends. Right there, between them, the voices in your head seemed to quiet down and you fell asleep almost feeling at peace.

Maybe you failed at winning the most important game of your life so far but you would always be more than just good enough for Mapi and Ingrid.

[maudie-duan]

Summary: You were an almost lover, now a hushed whisper in the dark when his Ex moves back to town. Nothing is worse than a love than a love triangle you weren't expecting--old flames, new love, and lingering feelings, but who's the real winner when everyone gets hurt?

Warnings: 18+All Angst, Mentions: Cheating/Sex. Sexual Situations.

Word Count: 5.4k

POV: Ex-Girlfriend

Some people need a villain in their story.

I guess that’s me.

I cheated. 

Yes, I know it’s one of the worst things you can do. 

Call it a mistake; call it a momentary lapse in judgment. I could give you every excuse in the book, but it wouldn’t make it right. I know I hurt him. Harry didn’t deserve it, but would it make a difference if I told you I regretted it, that I wish I could take it back? 

Four years. 

I dated Harry for four years.

I always thought he could save me, be the one to save me from myself, but I was wrong. It was going to happen, whether it was then or somewhere down the line. I knew all my tiny deceptions were blooming like a storm on the horizon, that it was just a matter of time before the downpour —tell me this. Have you ever been so happy that it hurt, so in love that you suffocated with it, a ball and chain at your ankle, a love so deep that you would destroy yourself for it? 

And maybe I did, but it wasn’t for the sake of love.

It was for me. 

I chose myself.

If I had stayed, it all would have been a lie. 

 I know that I went about it the wrong way, but at that point in our relationship, it didn’t seem like I had any other choice. Love was the rope cutting into my neck that left me hanging motionless, suspended in time, in a place, in a person, my whole identity unchanging because there was nothing else that existed outside of me and Harry. There could be no Leah without Harry or Harry without Leah. 

Pitiful, I know. 

I could tell you my sob story, but would you believe me? Would you keep an open mind and try to understand? I’m not a victim, but maybe everyone is a victim of their own demise. I chose mine, and now I have to live with the consequences. They say there are two sides to every story, and now there will be three.

I DM’ed him. Harry had blocked me on everything else, so it was my last resort. It was selfish, I know, but obviously, we’ve already established that… hence the cheating. 

It was strange to see him happy. I had heard the stories that he had moved on. I guess I wasn’t expecting to see it in person, be that close, witness the way they meshed—it was his hand in hers, an arm around the waist, a whisper in her ear—I felt the balance, their smooth give and take, nothing like us. There was something devastating about the connection. The disparity was in the history lost, the friend, the lover, now a stranger because he was different. That part was clear, and it was me looking for proof of their authenticity. I needed to know if it was real.

And when he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head, so intimate, so tender, the both of them in their own world—jealousy grabbed me by the hand, and all in that moment, I never felt so alive and so dead.

In that instance, jealousy became me.

But jealousy would also destroy me because there’s a reason they say not to go looking for things you shouldn’t be looking for.

I was a passing glance. His familiar eyes, like looking in the mirror, flitted past me, not even a second glance—and I get it, I really did get it, I deserved it, this was all my fault, but that doesn’t change the fact that it hurt, that I was beside myself all night, that I pretended to yield some kind of power over him when I didn’t. She must have sensed it, felt the tether I was trying to pull. One look was all I was asking for, but would it have changed anything? But then she looked at me, and that in itself was devastating. I saw the fear as soon as we locked eyes, and it gave me the delusional courage I needed.

I didn’t want to make a scene.

I just wanted him to acknowledge me, the slightest bit of recognition, that yes, there’s the person I spent four years of my life with, entangled in the same sheets the new girl was probably sleeping on—a single degree of separation between us both.

And this is where maybe I was the villain.

I wanted to test the waters. I wanted to see how much our history meant to him, to see if I still had any pull. At the time, I thought it would make me feel better or give me the boost I needed. Yank me from the depth in which I had let myself fall because, if I’m being honest, cheating on Harry was the worst mistake I had ever made, and looking back, it was one of those moments when you think the grass is greener.

It wasn’t, and I’ve learned that it never will be unless you learn to water your own.

Even if I wasn’t expecting him to speak, when he left with her that night, all I could think about was her in his bed, and the second he walked out of that door, it was like losing him all over again. That tether being snapped, a finality that I never understood until that moment. Every action that got me to that point started carving out that hollow that I created, digging into me until it emptied me out—every piece, all the temporary fixes that I tried to fill myself with, swallowed me whole and spit me out as if I was nothing. 

That ache for him was bone-deep, but I did it to myself.

It was easier when there was distance. I could distract myself, chase those temporary highs as if they would last forever, and the more someone was in my bed, the more I stopped thinking of Harry, but did he ever think of me? Would he think of me that night when he laid her down? The thought made me a monster, and I wanted him to think of me. I wanted him to fuck her and see my message and feel something, anything, it didn’t matter, but at least I would be an impression on his mind again.

What had he told her about me? Did he tell her I was crazy? All those times he held me, kissed me, told me I was his only one flooded in, haunting me, and now the ghost of what we were would torment my every thought for weeks to come, and all I could think about was the last time we had sex. I never thought it would be our last, thought that we would ever break up. 

L: Hey, I know it’s been a while, but do you think you would ever be down to talk? I don’t know like clear the air or something?

That was all I said, and as soon as I sent it, I knew it was wrong, but here’s the thing: This was my problem. This was the reason for most of our fights. As soon as Harry and I went off to college, something changed. It was like we were thrust into this new world that we had to reestablish our relationship. What once felt solid felt weak in my grasp. 

There were so many girls pining for him. It turned into me claiming him like he was some sort of possession, which made me feel crazy because he never, not once, gave me a reason to fret over anything he was doing, but I couldn’t stop. It was like once it started, it became a slow-burning obsession. I liked the attention; I liked being the girl with the cute guy that everyone wanted, and it wasn’t just the attention from the girls; it was from the guys, too. 

And this was our downfall. 

The storm beginning to brew.

The more possessive I got, the more desperate I became, and the more Harry and I fought—not just little fights, but big blowouts, yelling at the top of our lungs, volatile. The more he said, “I love you,” the more I pulled away because I knew he loved me. I really did, but there was always going to be something or someone who brought out the insecurities I was fighting tooth and nail to hide. 

Push and pull, push and pull—If he told me I was beautiful, I didn’t believe him, and then I would drink, and it would be a good time, and the second we got home, I would pick a fight, and I would end up crying over the bathroom toilet—me crawling to him on our bedroom floor, Harry screaming he had enough—It was always me picking a fight. By the end, I just wanted to get a reaction; I wanted him to make me feel something, call it sick, a deceptive, manipulative mix of contradictions. I wanted him to fight, I wanted him to fight for us, and dammit, he was so good, and I took him for granted. 

How many times was my mouth empty with the words I wanted to say? How do you tell someone you love, who loves you, who’s on their knees begging for you to stay, that you’re bored, that with every touch you felt nothing, that their devotion was killing any desire you had left? That every time they gave you that look, the desperation swelling in their eyes, that bribing stare that made you doubt yourself with every fucking plea, that you had enough, that you were at your breaking point, and in that moment, you know that you’re hurting them, that you’re dead were your standing, but it doesn’t change the way you feel.

Because nothing was enough. 

More. 

I wanted more.

And then, when that wasn’t enough, I fucked his friend. I wanted something new, to taste the kiss of someone else. Feel their passion, their want. It was always something more, and now, when I look back, I don’t even know what I wanted—I wanted more, but more of what? To feel wanted, to feel attractive, to feel like I was just as desirable as him, I wanted to be seen the way that they saw him, and what is that? Jealousy? 

I wanted to take and not have to give.

Desire led to deception.

The deception was me moving through all the empty spaces in my life. The guilt was knowing and choosing to plot and scheme ways to toe the line before I even acted on anything. It was all in my head; that was the danger. The silence, the dissociation feeding the conceptions until I was playing them out. 

I started going to more parties with my friends, choosing the night that I knew Harry was busy. More guys started noticing me, then, when I wasn’t glued to his side. At first, I thought the attention was enough; it was harmless. Most of them knew I was the girl they couldn’t have, the girl that was off limits. So, a couple of flirty comments, here and there, was nothing—until Jake came along.

Jake fucked me in his mom’s minivan because his car was in the shop, and the second he pushed inside me, I felt disgusted. I felt my desperation like greed seeping from the tips of my fingers, willing to accept anything—my standards out the window like the condom he tossed when we were done—yet it was the most alive I had ever felt. The sex wasn’t even good; it was the idea that I could be my own person that turned me on the most, and yes, I realize now there are healthier ways to go about it, but at the time, it didn’t feel like there was any other way out unless I destroyed it all. 

Our relationship was a reminder of the safety I chose, knowing that Harry would always be there, and my fickle heart was a reminder that he deserved better.

 The day I willed our love to die was the day my heart turned wicked.

I just wanted to be free.

H: I didn’t know how to respond to that message. Honestly, it kind of felt weird. I wasn’t expecting to talk or anything. 

L: Can I call you?

H: I don’t know…I’m kind of seeing someone.

L: Kind of?

H: Yeah, for like a little while now.

L: Gotcha. I’ll be back in December for my sister’s wedding. Maybe I’ll try again then.

H: Wow! So Ash is getting married??? I bet her and Jackson’s wedding is going to be badass.

L: Haha, yeah, my parents are going all out. 

H: Cool, well tell her congrats for me.

L: Will do!

Now fast forward to the wedding. 

I didn’t think he would come. When we talked on the phone, it was the first real conversation we had since it ended. I told him everything. My hurtful truths fell out as long pockets of silence weighed heavy on the line, and when I heard him cry, I cried too, begging for a second chance, and there I was, pushing the words from my tight chest like that plea was my only chance at forgiveness because I wanted it so fucking bad, I wanted him. I wanted him back, and I was willing to do anything to hold on to the idea of what we were.

And that is what it was,

 An idea.

I was so wrapped up in the idea of what we were, in the temporary comfort that it brought just knowing that he was willing. I thought that if he went to the wedding, it would fix everything. He would see my sister and Jackson, who were so happy, a couple we both admired, and it would bring us back. We could still play out that future, that maybe he could still see himself fulfilling that daydream we always talked about. 

A plan, an intention. That’s all it ever was, and plans change.

All night, we found ourselves circling around a mask of niceties fit for strangers, trying to slip back into a role that no longer belonged to us. He had changed, and so had I, and that devastation that I had felt before was back tenfolds. I had him there, but I could tell he was somewhere else, and every time he checked his phone, I found myself right back in that place, that same toxic pattern of thinking, and if I thought I was insecure before, well fucking rake me over the coals because my whole body was on fire with it. 

A storm of jealousy.

Fuck jealousy.

It’s been done to death, but fucking tell me how to stop.

Why does desperation have to go hand in hand—a vicious act, a vicious cycle, and then I’m lost in it?

Desperation took way as I pulled him into my childhood room that night. I thought this was something that we knew; this was something that could bridge the gap—the distance between our past and present. 

All night, I could see it in his eyes, a caution threatening the surface, the safety in his precise words when someone put him on the spot, his body guarded anytime I got too close. It wasn’t until the drinks started flowing that he finally loosened up, but even then, there was a flicker, a ripple of reality that would sweep over his face, and then he would reel himself back in, and I watched him wage war, an inner turmoil, that mask now an art of self-preservation. 

What was right and wrong in this situation?

When his phone died, I could see the guilt weighing on his features, his furrowed brows, the way his gaze lingered on the black screen. All evening, I found myself pleading that internal plea for him to grasp the tether that I was so obviously pushing when, in all reality, he was already tethered to her. She was the one on his mind; she was the one who was going to get him, and still, I couldn’t let him go.

As I sat on the edge of my bed, silence hummed out the emptiness, the lack of words that would make this any easier, and that hollow deepened as I watched Harry’s eyes roam the room. The room he had seen so many times was as familiar as his own. Still, his eyes scanned every surface as if it were new, staring at the plains with new eyes, and then I felt myself doing the same, watching him through a new lens, and the feeling was scary, an awkward indifference neither one of us knew how to navigate. 

My body seized at the thought, and when his eyes met mine, I felt that sinking feeling all over again, a stranger gazing back at me, yet my soul knew him, wanted him, wanted to please him, wanted to do anything to keep him, and when he got close enough for me to pull him closer, I looked up at him, hoping that he would see it in my eyes, that unspoken desire, that there was a time that we didn’t need words to play out an act we knew like the back of our hands. 

I wanted the comfort of someone knowing my body, not having to guess, to know the things I liked. How many times had we made love? We were once the same, but maybe that was another idea because he would have never left. 

I wanted to undo it all. 

And when he didn’t move, I reached for the waist of his slacks; his lack of enthusiasm was a sharp sting of rejection, my throat already tight with it. How could I make him want it, make him want me, and then I was down on my knees, pulling at the top of his boxers, his dick at half mass, spilling out before me, and when I looked up, he was closing his eyes, head shifted toward the ceiling, he couldn’t even look at me, get hard for me like I knew he could.

It was a straight blow to my ego, but I couldn’t let her win.

How many hours, days, how many months, and years had I put in? 

My pride wouldn’t let me suffer, so I turned up the act, and I shoved his dick into my mouth like a sweet treat, feeling it grow and lengthen, working him in and out, a hand stroking, a gag there, choking on his dick until finally he breathed out a sigh of satisfaction and I had him, pulling out all the old tips and tricks. When I finally rose to my feet, I started unbuttoning his shirt, kicking off my shoes, and once I reached his last button, I let him take over, reaching for the back of my dress to unzip it. 

His movements were still guarded, but he was moving, and that was a good sign that maybe he wanted it, too. 

Then I opened my stupid mouth.

“I want you to fuck me—” I said, and maybe it was the wrong thing to say because he looked at me then, really looked at me, and as his eyes flitted down my body, I saw him pulling away. My words taking him out of the moment. 

Desperate. Need I remind you because then I was pulling him onto the bed, our naked bodies colliding, foreign and familiar, as his hands began to touch me, roaming over places that once were his, my mind and body in overdrive, “ I want you so bad—” I breathed into his neck as his mouth found mine, and it was happening just like I wanted, Harry’s lips moving against mine.

“Baby—” I moaned when he slipped the bud of my nipple into his mouth, “Just like that…” I told him, spurring him on, and he groaned, the vibration humming over my skin, and I clenched my thighs, the memory of his dick filling me, pulling between my legs. 

“Harry…” I began to plead, trying to meet his eyes, but it was only a quick glance as Harry continued to my other breast. 

His silence made me nervous, his lack of words making me double down on the words that were slipping out of my mouth. I could tell he was in his head. I had known him long enough to know he wasn’t fully present, and I bit back the rejection by overcompensating, my hands raking through his hair, my words out in high praise.

If I built him up, would it make me smaller? If he felt bigger, would he want me more? Would it dull the ache of our past? Soothe the sore spots in our minds because every touch felt like a reminder of what we used to be. 

Would it remind him that he was once the center of my universe?

The more I said, the more he slipped further and further from my reach, and when I said, “I need you inside me,” he halted his movements, his eyes meeting mine, a pause like I was coming into focus, his brows pinching almost like he was confused, staring back at me as if my words perplexed him.

And I knew it. I knew at that moment where his mind went or was, but it wasn’t with me and what we were doing—she was here—she was the implicit air filling the room, her presence at the tip of his tongue. I could see it, feel it in the way his body stilled over mine, his body stiff as he pushed himself up and sat back on his heels, my denial a figment of my imagination, thinking he would dare breathe her into existence, not here, not now, not when I’m lying here naked, not when his hard dick was just pressed against my thigh implying something different, was I even the one turning him on? Or were we back at the idea again?

“Do you have a condom?” He asked.

I pushed myself up onto my elbows, then, “A condom?”

“Yeah…”

Harry drags a hand down his face, a silent exhale leaving his chest, “I’m on birth control…it’s cool…” I tell him, not thinking anything of it because we’ve been here so many times. 

Denial. Denial. Denial.

“It’s just that—” Harry shakes his head, his whole body tensing, frustration at the surface. I know what he’s about to say, but it’s like I need to hear him say it, feel the weight of it, let it crush me, feel the pain of his loss all over again because it will never be enough.

“What?” I breathe, “Just say it.”

And when he looks at me, remorse is stealing his features, “I’ve only slept with the same person for the last…I don’t know, like a year, maybe.” Then he puffs out his cheeks, pushing a shaky breath past his lips.

“Like exclusive,” he adds, “I just don’t want to like…I don’t know—”

“Is she cool with you fucking other people?” I interject, fighting back my disappointment, his rejection hitting me right where it hurts, and I deserve it, but I’m stubborn, and here is that pattern, the push and pull, because now I want to make him hurt like he’s hurting me, and it’s all so fucking confusing.

“We’ve never talked about it, but I can’t imagine she would be thrilled with the idea of me fucking my ex,” he answers; the word Ex another blow, and now they’re piling, burying me alive. 

“Okay…” I say, pushing myself up, and I drag a pillow over my chest. For the first time, the thought of my naked body being on display for him is turning the pit of my stomach, a sick twist of regret rising up. “If you’re so concerned with how she feels, why are you in my bed?”

“I don’t know…” He tells me, shrugging his shoulders as he pulls himself toward the edge of the bed, “This feels really weird—”

“Harry, you’re making it weird—”

“I’m not making it weird, Leah. You’re making it weird by acting like this isn’t strange, like you can’t feel it.” He pushes.

“It’s just sex. We’ve done it so many times. What’s weird about that?”

Harry lets out a faint laugh and rises from the bed, reaching for his boxers, “Yeah…I definitely can’t do this.”

“Now you’re just being cruel, Harry.”

“Cruel, Leah? Are you joking right now? Do we really want to talk about who’s cruel?” He tosses right back with no hesitation, anger taking over. 

“Just say it, Harry! Say what you want to say—” I force. 

“This—!” He yells, his voice breaking as his arms fan out, “This is fucking cruel… you bringing me here.”

And the pain is sharp, his eyes filling with tears, his face flush, “You call me cruel, but want me to stick my dick inside you when I know nothing about you anymore—” 

“Me?” I shout back, pissed that he would even go there. Especially since I heard the stories, “And you’re some fucking saint? Like you didn’t fuck every girl you could as soon as I left, fuck you, dude!”

“Oh my god! Do you fucking hear yourself?” He belts, grabbing at his hair, my words crawling under his skin just like I intended because how dare he call me out. 

“Leah, you literally fucked my friend in the back of his mom’s minivan…that’s fucking desperate—”

“You know what fuck you—” I tell him. 

“No—because we’re back here now. You brought us back here. You don’t get to shut me down.”

“I’m not going to sit here and let you shame me, Harry—”

“Shame you? I only fuck those other girls once you left…god—I don’t get you. I was on my fucking knees for you. I never even thought of another girl. I didn’t want anyone else—and obviously, I wasn’t enough. What do you even want from me, Leah? 

I shrug my shoulders, “I don’t know—”

“Well, what the fuck did you want tonight because I feel like you’re sucking me into one of your mind games, and now that I’ve been away. I can see it…crystal fucking clear.” He says, and he stares back at me, waiting for an answer, but I’m suddenly at a loss for words because he’s right. 

“I think I’m going to go.” He breathes, bending down to gather his clothes. 

“I fucking miss you—okay… that’s what it is. That’s what this is. I just wanted to be close to you again. I thought this was the only way.” 

And this stops him, his eyes flicking to me, “We could have just talked—” Harry says. 

“Can we talk now? Can we please not leave it on this note?” I plead, trying one last time because I have a feeling that once he leaves out that door, I won’t get another chance.

“I promise I won’t yell. I’ll listen. We can start over. That was the worst of it…” 

Harry drops his shoulders, the tension slowly ebbing as he exhales a weighted breath, “No more yelling?” He asks. 

“No more yelling…I promise.” I answer.

Then I was back.

And it’s stepping out of a time capsule, stepping into that dire state all over again. All it took was seeing her one time at a party for me to switch to fight or flight, and I don’t know why I did it, but my first reaction was to drag Harry’s arm around my waist. It was embarrassing, childish even. The warmth rushing to my face told me it was wrong, and then he pulled it away, and dammit, it hurt, crept down my spine like an act of betrayal, like he owed me anything; I was just lucky to be there.

Then I was falling down into that self-induced hollow of my own making, crying on the bedroom floor; not even sure how I got there, but there were tears, the room dense with silence, and when I turned my head to search for Harry, he was facing away from me, seated at the end of the bed, slumped, a scene of defeat unfolding as I piece together my reality. 

Another fight.

Another fucking fight.

And we’re here again, and I don’t think there’s any going back to what we were because it’s always going to be there, hidden away or at the forefront of our minds, the damage now a chasm consuming us both, and if this is goodbye I want an ending fit for the times that were good, pretend that there isn’t an end, because this needs to end. 

This has to end. 

 It’s like deja vu, and I’m crawling on my hands and knees, kneeling before him, both hands on the tops of his thighs, looking up at him, pleading my final plea, hoping he sees it in the tear spilling, and it’s brutal, the despair etched into every line on his face, the sorrow in knowing that I broke this person, that I’m breaking this person, and I can’t seem to stop—I’m the villain, call me the villain, but I love this man.

But is it love if all you want to do is win? 

The look in his eyes says enough. He doesn’t even have to say it, and even though I’m sinking into a sea of doubts, I’m standing to my feet, climbing into his lap as if I belong there, his arms wrapping around me, giving me the false security that I’m silently praying for—and we can pretend. 

We can pretend this one last time because if we don’t have tomorrow, can we just have this one last time, and then I’m asking:

“Harry, just one last time,” The words rising, holding every truth I have left because this will be the last time, and I let him go, an ask I don’t deserve, but he complies, and he’s lifting us both, my legs wrapped tight around his body, the excitement a double-edged sword that will gut us both but it’s playing out, and this is all we have left. 

Pain and pleasure.

Then he’s laying me down. 

Here’s the consequence of all my wants, the final goodbye, bittersweet when he pushes into me, that storm moving in, stealing the color from our world. Tired was all I could think, exhaustion in every movement as a subtle desperation rolled in. The storm was no longer on the horizon—it hung above us, a shift, the room growing dark, the static charging the air, crawling over our skin—His eyes were trained on my face, and I felt the words swirling in my mouth, the clouds ready to come down on us both, and as I laid there, the pleasure took over. All the while, the heartbreak of it all threatened to destroy me, engulf me in the truth that he was no longer in love, that this perfectly good-hearted, devoted person who loved me didn’t want me anymore. That I was no longer part of his future.

Now forever will be the noose that’s still cutting into my throat, a distant memory of what love was and could have been, a growing pain, a lesson learned. A regret that will shape my future and a shame I’ll have to live with, but this is my truth, and I am the person I have to live with, the person I have to face every day. 

Love is real, but there should never be a time you have to destroy yourself for the sake of existing or destroy those you love for the chance to grow. You’re only a villain in someone else’s story if they allow it, and there may be times when you’re the villain in your own story, and that is a consequence you’ll have to accept, an accountability you’ll have to hold, a punishing reality of your own demises.

And my punishing reality was that I was free the entire time. 

With or without him, I was always free. 

Taglist: Let me know in the comments if you want to be tagged for this series. @sassamanda77 @panini @unfuckwitablenarry @triski73 @haleyannaw @dipmeinhoneyh @angeldavis777 @matildasatellite @cendrineee @prettygurl-2009 @harry2121 @fangirl509east @bethiegurl19

Almost Lover Masterlist<-

Let's talk about it??<-

Other work<-

Part Three<-

[tthesongofachilless]

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL

♟️ — relationship: Max Verstappen x fem!teammate!reader

♟️ — face claim: Pinterest

♟️ — WARNING: This smau includes hate, death threats and sexism.

♟️ — a/n: thank you everyone for the support recently! Its been a wild ride making this, so I hope you enjoy it! For requests on my next smau, feel free to put in an ask! Enjoy

maxverstappen1, yourbestfriend and 384,752 other liked..

f1: F1 BREAKING: Y/n Y/l/n signs with Redbull! ✏️

view comments:

user1: WHAT HUH WAIT WHAAA

user2: RUE... WHEN WAS THIS?

user3: IM SHAKING

redbullracing: welcome 🫶🏻

user4: OH HELL NO

user5: checo come back the kids miss you (im the kids)

maxverstappen1: 👋

user6: i thought we were getting a maxiel reunion..

user7: she's a fucking rookie what do redbull expect is gonna happen

user8: the history book on the shelf is always repeating itself 😔😔😔

yourusername: 🫶

user9: shut your goofy ass up go to Williams instead they will LOVE you there

yourbestfriend, landonorris and 23,038 others liked..

yourusername: trying to live my life till the fullest until my trainer forces me to stop 🙈

view comments:

user10: oh don't worry girlie you'll be back to living your life till the fullest in no time

user11: gosh lando in the likes she's already tryna bag every driver

user12: all i wanna know is how does y/n make that many cups of coffee and not finish any of them?

user13: cant wait to see her make a post talking about her leaving F1

user14: y/n is about to become the james charles of f1

yourbestfriend: miss you xxx

yourusername: miss you more!!!

—

liked by redbullracing, maxverstappen1 and 197,296 others..

f1: 👋 Hello Max, Hello Y/n! Who's ready for our opening round of the season?

view comments

user20: gosh she won't even let the photographers get a good picture for the official f1 insta

user21: did they..... arrive together...?

user22: uhm!!! who is this girl!!!! where is checo!!!!???

user23: max run

redbullracing: Hello, f1!

yourusername: ME!!!🙈🙈🙈

user24: shut UP ALREADY

schecoperez and 482,074 liked..

f1: CONTACT! 💥 Max Verstappen is okay, safety car is deployed.

view comments:

user25: im going to murder y/n.

user26: turning the tv off it isn't worth watching anymore

user27: CHECO IN THE LIKES HAHAHA

user28: hey y/n do a mazespin

user29: redbull shaking in their boots

landonorris, redbullracing and 963,285 liked..

f1: Y/N Y/L/N, A FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX WINNER!

view comments

yourbestfriend: THAT'S MY GIRL

redbullracing: 👊👊👊

user30: ugh

user31: can't wait for her to crash at every other race!

user32: wondering how the haters feel now...

yourusername: I FEEL AMAZING 🥁🥁

user33: kill yourself

yourusername posted a story!

caption: I'm winning

tagged: maxverstappen1

view comments

maxverstappen1: uhm you cheated

yourusername: you literally ate one of your cards

user34: leave that man alone

user35: jump out of the bus

maxverstappen1, taylorswift and 38,284 others liked..

yourusername: Taylor was right! Haters gonna hate hate hate while I'm just gonna shake shake shake!

view comments

user36: she's so annoying

user37: she's a swiftie? Gonna stop listening to Taylor now 🙉

taylornation: glad we could help 💕

user38: are we not going to talk about the second picture

user39: im scared for that mans wellbeing

maxverstappen1: 🏌️ Score!

user40: MAX RUN

—

— 7 Months later..

maxverstappen1, yourbestfriend and 918,024 others liked..

yourusername: wanna die but at least I've got my boo 💐

view comments

yourusername: you deserve so much better baby 💕

maxverstappen1: 👫 twinssss

user44: I'm sorry YOU SAY TWINS IN THAT YOU WANNA DIE OR YOU GOT YOUR BOO

user45: girl has been through it all in the past few months

user46: show them that they're wrong!!

user47: who is the boo?

user48: ugh such a pinterest lifestyle

liked by redbullracing, maxverstappen1 and 486,019 others

f1: Our final race of the season is upon us! Who will take the title? Verstappen or Y/l/n?

view comments

user50: if y/n manages to win the title in her rookie year despite all the hate she's getting I'm going to be so proud

user51: both deserve it so much 🧡

redbullracing: We are happy either way!

user52: DU DU DU DU MAX VERSTAPPEN

user53: y/n prove the haters wrong!

liked by 401,851 others.

F1: RED FLAG 🚩 Mick is okay.

view comments

user54: SHITTTT

user55: Mick baby you need a new seat

user56: doesn't this now make redbull 1-2?

user57: yeah! y/n is leading while Max is second

liked by 1,052,852 others

F1: We go racing again in Abu Dhabi! Y/n is leading with Max in second and Lewis in third.

view comments

user58: YOU GOT THIS Y/N!!!

user59: Lewis could do so something really funny now

user60: MAXIE 2024 CHAMP

user61: last race with Lewis at merc... im not sad... no...

user62: im shaking

maxverstappen1, yourbestfriend and 4,952,012 others liked..

F1: OUR NEWEST WORLD CHAMPION, Y/N Y/L/N!

view comments

user64: fucking bitch

user65: YESSSSSS

user66: UGH

user67: the way max looked at her when he got out of the car 🥹

user68: can't tell if she used him to get the wdc or if they are actually in love

user69: MAX AND Y/N OH MY GODD

user70: 💕

yourbestfriend: AHDHDHHGDDHHD IM GONNA DIE

yourusername, redbullracing and 6,308,157 others liked

maxverstappen1: Y/n, I've loved you since I first met you in our junior years. Your personality matches mine, and I could've never asked for anyone more beautiful than you. Please let us grow old together and look back on these moments and laugh.

Love you, world champion. 💛

view comments

yourusername: 💛 Gosh I love you come back to our room let me kiss you

user71: "let us grow old together" max what if I just died now

redbullracing: So happy for you both 💛

user72: THE THIRD PICTURE?

user73: gonna cry myself to sleep

user74: THEY ARE SO CUTEEEE

user75: UGHFHFHFHD

— fin 💐

— ♟️ a/n : thank you all so much for reading this! This took a while to make, as i was really stuck on how to progress the story further without making it too short. Again, if you have any smau requests, feel free to put them in my asks! Love you all 🦅🦅

[a-kind-of-merry-war]

NOW CLOSED!

Wanna win a queer historical romance book? Wanna win.... TWO queer historical romance books??

@tjalexandernyc and I are hosting a joint giveaway to celebrate our upcoming novels!

Enter for a chance to win a prize pack that includes ALL THE PAINTED STARS by Emma Denny, an advance reading copy of A GENTLEMAN'S GENTLEMAN (UK title: THE EARL MEETS HIS MATCH) by TJ Alexander, plus secret extra swag and treats.

To enter, just fill in this Google Form.

Giveaway will close on the 5th November - the date All the Painted Stars comes out in the US - so you've got one week to enter! Full blurbs as well as Ts&Cs under the cut.

ALL THE PAINTED STARS

When Lily Barden discovers her best friend Johanna’s hand in marriage is being awarded as the main prize at a tournament, she is determined to stop it. Disguised as a knight, she infiltrates the contest, preparing to fight for Jo’s hand. But her conduct ruffles feathers, and when a dangerous incident escalates out of Lily’s control, Jo must help her escape.

Finding safety with a local brewster, Lily and Jo soon settle into their new freedom, and amongst blackberry bushes and lakeside walks an unexpected relationship blossoms. But when Jo’s past catches up with her and Lily’s reckless behaviour threatens their newfound happiness, both women realise that the choices they make will always have a cost.

***

A GENTLEMAN'S GENTLEMAN/THE EARL MEETS HIS MATCH

The notoriously eccentric Lord Christopher Eden is a “man of unusual make” and even more unusual habits: he prefers to live far from the prying eyes and ears of the ton, and would rather have the comfortable company of his childhood cook and his aged butler than the swarm of servants and hangers-on befitting a man of his station.

But Christopher’s pleasant, if occasionally lonely life is upended when he receives word from his lawyers that, according to his late father’s will, he must find a wife by the end of the Season if he intends to keep his family’s fortune and the Eden estate. If his quest to marry has any hope of succeeding, he must move to London posthaste and acquire some more suitable staff. Enter James Harding, Christopher’s new, distractingly handsome—if rigidly traditional—valet.

***

Terms & Conditions

Open internationally. No purchase necessary. One entry per person at the link provided. Sweepstakes not affiliated with or endorsed by Google, Vintage Books, HQ, or any other entity. One winner will be randomly selected at 3 PM EST on November 5, 2024 and alerted via email. Winner will be required to share a valid mailing address in order to receive prizes.

[mysteryshoptls]

SR Deuce Spade - Night Sky Chiffon Vignette

I heard him challenge me and I just…

[Library – Entrance Hall]

Riddle: The Princess in the Tower used a frying pan on a thief built like a brick in the closet…

[staaaaare]

Jack: ME!?

Kalim: I mean, you're the tallest out of all of us, right?

Deuce: There aren't any closets in the library… So I guess we'll need to use a supply room instead.

Jack: Hey, don't just ignore me! How were you planning on using "this" to lock me in, anyway?

Deuce: That's where I'm stuck. Housewarden, none of the books said how it was done, right?

Riddle: Correct. There's nothing written other than "The thief was locked up using the frying pan."

Deuce: So we gotta come up with something on our own, huh. Hmmm… I can't really think of what to use it for other than frying eggs.

Jack: I think "frying eggs" is a bit too specific. But I do agree, I can't think of anything else but using it to cook.

Kalim: Saaame. I can't think of anything.

Riddle: Perhaps when she came across the thief, she just happened to have a frying pan in her hands.

Deuce: I see. I guess if you're holding a frying pan, it could be used to intimidate a thief somewhat.

Deuce: Plus, maybe if I raised it up high like this…

Jack: Hmph, what, you think that's threatening?

Jack: It's said he was a thief, so he's probably had to deal with guards, or needed to run for long periods.

Jack: But the princess had been locked up in the tower forever, and never squared off against another person before.

Jack: Can't imagine the thief would ever lose to the princess unless he was somehow tied down or something.

Deuce: Who knows? The princess was always doing a ton of climbing, which woulda build up muscle.

Jack: What, you wanna go?

Deuce: Yeah, let's go!

Kalim: Ahahaha, suddenly Deuce's the Princess in the Tower and Jack's become the thief!

Riddle: You two are getting too heated. Leave your little tiff for later.

Deuce: Ah, sorry! I heard him challenge me and I just…

Deuce: …Oh!

Deuce: What if the princess didn't fight him or use force to stop him, but challenged him to something to make him listen to her?

Kalim: What's that supposed to mean?

Deuce: Jack just said, "Can't imagine the thief would ever lose to the princess," right?

Deuce: What if the thief also thought the same thing? I bet he wouldn't turn down a challenge from the princess, then.

Riddle: I see, so she used his carelessness to her advantage.

Jack: If what Deuce says is true and he lost to her in some way, I can understand the thief listening to her, sure…

Jack: But that still doesn't explain how the frying pan was used.

Kalim: Mmm… Oh hey, maybe it was used for tennis? A frying pan and a racket are pretty much the same thing.

Riddle: There's no ball, now is there? And it would be a massive issue if a ball or racket were to hit the books!

Riddle: Although, it may not be too bad of an idea to consider some sort of game that would utilize something similar to a frying pan.

Deuce: Something similar to a frying pan, huh. It'd have to have a rounded end and a thin handle…

Deuce: …A spoon?

Deuce: Oh yeah, if it's that one game that uses a spoon, then...!!

Kalim: Hm? You come up with something, Deuce?

Deuce: Yes! The "Egg Race"!

Jack: Egg Race? What's that?

Riddle: It's a common game that's played on sports days back in the Queendom of Roses.

Deuce: You balance a whole egg on a spoon and run towards the goal. The fastest one is the winner.

Deuce: I think the rules are different depending on where it's played, like some places'll disqualify you if you drop the egg, and others just make you start all over.

Jack: So, in other words, you're saying we should try playing this Egg Race thing with a frying pan instead of a spoon?

Deuce: Yeah. Wouldn't that make it a challenge that can be done with a frying pan?

Kalim: I like the idea! Oh, but… We don't have eggs. Should we ask someone to bring some?

Riddle: I find it hard to believe that an egg would fall easily from the surface of a frying pan, in the first place.

Deuce: It'll work. I've thought about that too!

Deuce: We still have a ton of sugar cubes left over that was brought in with the tea set.

Deuce: We'll stack them up high in the center of the frying pan, and whoever makes it to the goal without letting them topple over wins.

Deuce: How's that sound?

Riddle: It's not that difficult to stack cubes of sugar, though…

Kalim: Ack, they all fell over when I picked up the frying pan. It's gonna be hard to run while keeping it balanced.

Riddle: But it may be easy to implement in the library… Let us try Deuce's idea.

Deuce: Alright. So, Jack!

Deuce: IT'S TIME TO DUEL, YOU AND ME, WITH THIS SUGAR CUBE RACE!

Jack: What!?

[Library – Entrance Hall]

Deuce: Alright. So, Jack!

Deuce: IT'S TIME TO DUEL, YOU AND ME, WITH THIS SUGAR CUBE RACE!

Jack: What!?

Riddle: Ah, yes, if we are to consider this a competition between the prince and the thief, then a head-to-head duel is appropriate.

Kalim: Ahahah! Jack and Deuce, one-on one, huh! This is gonna be good～!

Deuce: If I win against you, I'm gonna have you go into that supply room over there.

Jack: You really want that duel with me, huh… What are you trying to pull here?

Deuce: Nothing? Oh, I get it. You're scared.

Deuce: I mean, if you think you can't beat me, we can think of a different idea…

Jack: Huh? Who's scared?

Jack: I didn't say I wasn't gonna do it. I'll take you on!

Deuce: The goal is the bookshelf on the far wall. The one who can make it there without letting the sugar cubes fall over wins.

Jack: Yeah, yeah, I know the rules. Let's start already.

Kalim: Okay, get yourselves lined up. Ready… SET, GO!

Jack/Deuce: LET'S GOOOO!!!!!

[dash!!]

Jack: Woah, the sugar cubes almost fell over already.

Jack: Tch… I want to pick up more speed, but running without letting it fall is taking all my focus.

Riddle: His sugar cubes almost toppled over right at his starting dash, but it looks like he recovered somehow.

Riddle: It seems like Jack has changed it up and opted to take larger strides.

Riddle: There's not a single wasted movement in his steps, he's very consistent. I'm sure his core is very well built.

Kalim: Jack's just zooming along! But Deuce hasn't moved at all from the start line.

Kalim: He's been adjusting how he holds the frying pan for a while now… Is he having trouble keeping the sugar cubes standing?

Riddle: No… Take a look. DEUCE IS OFF AND RUNNING!

Kalim: He's so fast!! But if he hurries too much, the sugar cubes'll fall over.

Kalim: …Huh, they're not moving at all. Deuce is almost caught up to Jack. This is turning out to be an awesome match!

Riddle: This is no time to be enjoying the race with your commentary. It will all come down to whether this can be considered passable for this specific anecdote.

Kalim: Oh, right. But we can still cheer for them, right? KEEP IT UP, YOU TWO!!!

Riddle: How carefree… Oh.

Riddle: Deuce has almost caught up to Jack, even though he had a delayed start…!

Jack: Urk, when did you...!

Deuce: You sure you can afford to look away? I'll be taking the lead now!!

Jack: Wait! Dammit, his running is so smooth…!

[dash!!]

Kalim: Deuce has passed Jack… and widened the lead!!

Riddle: THE RACE IS OVER! THE WINNER IS DEUCE SPADE!!

Deuce: YEAH!

Kalim: Deuce, you did amazing catching up. I totally thought Jack was gonna win.

Riddle: Indeed. I hadn't expected you to be able to run at such speeds while keeping yourself steady as you did.

Jack: …So it's not like you were trying to pull some trick on me, but you were challenging me in something you knew you could win in.

Jack: Tch… It's your win, Deuce.

Kalim: Huh, what's that mean?

Deuce: I knew I'd be able to win in the sugar cube race, is all.

Deuce: I've had tons of experience riding blastcycles up bumpy gravel roads and steep slopes.

Deuce: I'm pretty confident in my ability to keep my balance.

Riddle: So, back at the starting line, were you adjusting your grip on the frying pan, trying to figure out the best way to hold it steady?

Deuce: Pretty much, yes.

Jack: Looks like I got provoked into it.

Jack: I hate to say it, but a loss is a loss. I'll let myself get shoved into the supply room.

Jack: I'm ready to go. Do it now, Deuce!

Deuce: RIGHT, HERE WE GO, JACK!!

[SLAM!!!]

[Exterior Hallway 2F]

Riddle: We're finally back on the campus proper. We can still see the lanterns so clearly from here.

Kalim: It's so pretty～ I'm glad I get to enjoy this view with you guys.

Kalim: And hey, that sugar cube race thing that Deuce came up with sure was fun. We should all do it someday!

Deuce: I'm up for it. Though, I might just sweep all of you.

Jack: Yeah, right. I'll be the one to win it next time.

Riddle: I've grasped the concept after watching Deuce. If I participate, I won't stand to lose, either.

Deuce: You too, Housewarden…!? But, fine. Doesn't matter who I go up against, I'll never lose!

Requested by @farfalla049 and @skibidibabygirl.

[sexilene]

Hi angel! thoughts on 80s!slasher!jj ?? I loveee ur work btw! sending hugs and kisses! 💗

ofccc!! this is fun lol - 80s!slasher!jj

₊ ⊹ warnings! 18+ - p in v, non con, violence, jealous!jj, death, slight breeding kink, threats, obsessed!jj, dark!jj - ₊˚⊹

you and jj would have never become friends if you both hadn't met while working together at the little fast-food diner inside the mall. he was usually working in the back, preparing the food, and you were usually on server duty. with your short white tennis skirt and the diner polo shirt uniform you could usually draw attention from guys who wanna take you out and possibly eat you, you were so sweet. but there were days when you and jj would both be on cashier duty, those were his and your favorite days, it was basically like hanging out all day side by side.

as the day dragged on it was getting closer to closing time, thank goodness you thought, already super exhausted. after a few minutes a group of preppy jerk jocks come in, one of the guys walking up to your register with a stupid smirk on his face, danny. "hey babygirl, can i get uh, the number 5 with a milkshake anduh- your number? " he tilts his head up, proud of his little pickup line. you shake your head with a small smile and silently scoff at his stupidity. jj who is currently helping another customer, listens in and watches the interaction by side eyeing you both every few seconds. jj's jaw ticks as he tries to let you handle it. 

"a number 5 will that be all?" you continue to try and be professional with a sweet smile. 

"uh no actually, how about- you let me take you to the prom," he smirks again.

"i'm actually out of town that day so-" you tilt your head and act uninterested. 

"oh cuhmon- it'll be fun, you know you want to. i even booked a hotel room for that night and we'll-" danny persists further until he's interrupted by jj who snaps his head toward us. 

"she said no man." jj warns, danny's mouth agape as he turns over to look at jj. 

"was i talking to you maybank? cuz uh- i don't think i was." danny snickers almost trying to size jj up. 

"i don't give a shit, she's clearly not interested." jj squints his eyes and nods to himself. 

"oh woah! you've got yourself a little protector huh? no way this guy is your boyfriend right?" the guy turns to you and then back to jj. "i mean look at you! she's a total betty and you...you and your deadbeat dad aren't even good enough to scrape the dirt off our shoes." the boy scoffs and the rest of his friends snicker on cue.

jj tongues his cheek and grins in faux amusement, the guy turns around to walk off like a winner when jj reaches his arm out and taps the guy's shoulder. "hey man you forgot your-" jj grabs one of the milkshakes ready on the counter and throws it in the asshole's face, 'ruining' danny's gelled hair and expensive polo shirt. the diner fills with gasps, 'ooohs' and snickers.

"milkshake." jj finishes his sentence, and laughes through his nose. you stand there eyes wide as danny wipes the melted pink milk off his eyelids. "quit fuckin' around and get outta here" jj shoos the guy away with the motion of his hand as the humiliated boy walks away shouting back loudly "you are so dead maybank!" 

"whata piece of shit." jj mumbles and slams his hand on the counter and turns to see the manager shaking his head, disappointed. jj goes into the kitchen leaving you there to process what just happened. 

as the restaurant was about to close, you and jj were the only ones left, since you would have been closing together that night. the manager did fire him but somehow managed to stick around without him seeing jj.

you decided to let him do this thing inside the kitchen while you did the final table wipe-downs and setting up everything for tomorrow morning, time after time playing in the background. you hear some concerning noises coming from the kitchen area, knowing only jj was in there makes you stop and wonder why all the banging?, when another loud scary sound can be heard throughout the diner. you run behind the counter and around the corner to see what was making that noise, your eyes land on danny, dead, laying flat on his back on the floor with his face all burnt, bubbling, and bloody. you let out a horrified scream and cover your mouth immediately afterward, stumbling backward a bit and feeling nauseous. 'how did danny even end up back here?' you thought.

you feel your back bump into something, and you let out another spooked yelp, you feel two strong hands spin you around and when you look up, you realize it's only jj. 

"jj, danny...he must have- the deep fryer-" you stutter, and he shushes you "i know, i know."

"we have to call the police! i-is he dead? oh god, i'm gonna be sick..." tears start to fall down your cheeks, terrified and confused by how jj isn't freaking out or doing anything about it. you squirm out of his grip and back away from him.

"jj? did you hurt danny? oh my god, did you burn his face off?" you ask with wide eyes, chest heaving. 

jj nods but he doesn't look remorseful. you start to burst out in tears, unsure of what to do, you look over at the door and back over at jj who gives you a look of warning. he's all sweaty and dirty, his white shirt stained with grease and blood. 

the jukebox continues to play music, where otherwise silence would fill the diner. you decide to make a run for the door, but he beats you to that. jj manages to stand in front of you, clenching his jaw and squinting his eyes. 

"i did that for you, i did it to protect you." he spits, looking down at you in disappointment. 

"you're scaring me jj" you whine.

"why? i think you're being ungrateful." he whispers, looking down at you.

"you murdered him! jj you'll get in so much trouble, they'll know you did it!"

"no, manager man thought i left already..and i'll get him outta here so" he shrugs.

you whine again, eyes moving towards where danny was lying on the ground. jj snaps his fingers in front of your face to get you to pay attention to him again. 

"what you want him? you liked that guy? huh?" he spits out frustratedly. you shake your head no, now too afraid to even speak "what so now im the bad guy? cause i got rid of him for YOU!" he shouts and you flinch, unsure of what to do now. 

"you know what, fine, i think i deserve a little thank you don't you think?" he clenches his jaw again and yanks at your top pulling you to the other side of the counter, overlooking danny's corpse. 

he bends you over and yanks your skirt down, you begin to cry when you realize what he's going to do. "no, jj no, i'm scared please" you sob too frozen in fear to move. 

"you should see what i did with the rest of the bodies" he laughs quietly and reaches his hand around your waist to meanly grab your poor cunt, then pulling your panties to the side. you look down at the bloody dead body again and shut your eyes tight, then you feel jj's fat tip teasing your hole, sliding in your stickiness. "no, you are supposed to be my friend jj! friends don't do this!" you mewl.

he wraps his arm around your neck, trapping you in a headlock when he starts to push in to keep you from thrashing around. "shush, s'fine see? s'fine drama queen." he grunts in your ear, starting to slowly thrust in and out. 

part of you wishes you had the strength to kick him off of you, but the other half is in heaven. "look at danny, you want him? wanna go to the prom with that? hmm?" he taunts, squeezing you tighter in the headlock with his beefy arms when you don't respond which makes you let out a whimpery moan. 

"no! no, i don't wanna keep looking at him! it's making me sick!" you cry.

"i know, i know...grossing you out kinda turns me on though," he grunts again and laughs. he spits in his hand and uses that to sloppily rub your clit. the feeling of his spit mixed with your wetness makes you whine.

he keeps on pounding your pussy, letting you out of the headlock, and pushing your tits to press against the countertop. he smiles at all the little 'uh-uh's' you let out with each thrust. 

"you feel better? yeah? you calm now?" he hums and brings his hand down to smack your ass causing you to squeal and push your ass out almost asking for more. 

"yeah, i know mama, nobody's ever gonna touch you again kay?" his voice soft, making you nod slowly and dazed. 

"say thank you and i'll let you cum." he pressures you, so close to spilling all over him. 

"mmnnm jay-"

"use your manners c'mon" he cuts you off and brings his hand down again to start to rub your clit faster.

"thank you jayjay, thank you-" your cunt pulsing around his dick as you cum hard.

"atta girl, atta girl" he praises, then pushes into you harder than before, filling you up, and pulling out. he tucks himself away and moves your panties back to cover your cunt and to keep his cum and yours pooled in them. he pats your covered pussy and lets out a satisfied hum. 

"go wait by the mall entrance n i'll take you home, jus' gonna get ridda this guy." he pats your ass and walks over to get rid of the bloody body.  ᥫ᭡

[just-1-scorpio]

So Madeline Miller is writing a Persephone retelling. So let's make our bets about the book.

The winners will win this picture of a brick.

So let's make a bet.

A.) She will potray Demeter as an abusive mother, whaile the kidnapping will be ereased, and Hades will be baby boyfied.

B.) Hades will be potrayd as eveil incarnate, and Demeter will be potrayd as a poor poor blorbo (similar to how she potrayd Circe)

C.) Both will be potrayd as the worst. Demeter, and Hades will be potrayd as abusive, and Persephone will be potrayd as a poor poor girl who always has to suffer.

My bet is that it will be C.).

[literaryvein-reblogs]

"troublesome" words

Lie, Lying, Lay, Lain vs. Lie, Lying, Lied, Lied

"Lie" is an intransitive verb meaning "to rest" or "to be at rest." Its forms are: lie, lying, lay, lain. Examples: Lie down. 2) Lying in the sun dries our skin. 3) The parcels lay on the table. 4) We have lain in the sun for thirty minutes.

"Lie" can also mean make an untrue statement. It is an intransitive verb whose forms are: 'lie' and lying (present), 'lied' (both past and participle.) Examples: 1) Please don't lie to me. 2) He was punished for lying. 3) They lied to their parents. 4) They have lied before.

Unlike "lie," "lay" is a transitive verb, so it always takes an object. Remember that "lie" never takes an object because it is intransitive. The forms of "lay" are lay, laying, laid, laid. Examples: 1) Lay the bricks here. 2) He was laying the bricks in rows. 3) Yesterday he laid the bricks ten high. 4) He has laid all the bricks in the wall.

Note that the present tense of "lay" is the same as the past tense of "lie."

Its vs. It's, 'Tis

"Its" is the possessive of the pronoun "it." Note that there is no apostrophe. Example: Its appearance was misleading.

"It's" is a contraction meaning "it is." Example: It's a long way to Tipperary. "It's" can also be a contraction meaning "it has." Example: It's been a long day.

"'Tis" is also a contraction meaning "it is." Example: 'Tis seldom used in modern English.

Set vs. Sit

"Set" is, in most ordinary uses, a transitive verb needing an object. It means to put or place something in a certain position, or to arrange. Its principal parts are: set, setting, set, set. Examples: 1) She set the table. 2) He set the watch.

"Sit" is, in ordinary usage, an intransitive verb. It means to rest somewhere (like a chair) in an upright position. Its principal parts are: sit, sitting, sat, sat. Examples: He sits down.

"Sit" can also be used to talk about where an object is located. Example: The clock sits on the shelf. In a few instances "sit" is used as a transitive verb, such as in: He sat himself down.

Your vs. You're

You have probably encountered confusion between your and you're in many Internet posts.

Sometimes people write comments like "your so pretty in this picture" when they really mean "you're so pretty in this picture."

So what's the difference? Just remember—you're (with the apostrophe) is a contraction meaning you are, but your (no apostrophe) indicates possession or ownership. 

Their, There, and They're

"Their" is the possessive form for the plural pronoun "they." Example: They used their money on video games.

The word "there" has several meanings. As an adverb it means in, at, or about that place. Example: Place the book there.

When used as a noun, "there" means that place. Example: Are you from there, too?

When used as an interjection, "there" expresses an exclamation of triumph or relief. Example: There! It is finished.

"They're" is a contraction meaning "they are." Example: They're going to the show.

To, Too, and Two

"To" is used as a preposition or part of an infinitive phrase. Examples: 1) We are going to the store. 2) Are you going to sing a song?

"Too" is an adverb meaning also or to an excessive degree. Examples: 1) I am going too. 2) You are just too much.

"Two" is the number 2. Example: I have two dollars.

You and I vs. You and Me

"You and I" are pronouns used as either the subject or the predicate in a sentence. Examples: 1) You and I are going. 2) The winners are you and I.

"You and Me" are pronouns used as direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions. Examples: 1) They have chosen you and me. 2) The reward is for you and me.

Who vs. Whom

Some people think the main difference between who and whom is the way they sound, with whom being the more formal way to say who. In reality, the distinction between them is grammatical.

Even though who and whom are both pronouns, they do completely different jobs in a sentence—who acts as the subject while whom acts as the object.

Just remember to use who to refer to the person who is propelling the action in a sentence; use whom when the person is having the action done to them.

You also use whom, never who, as the object of a preposition.

Who: Subject pronoun; never use as the object of a preposition Whom: Direct or indirect object pronoun; Must use with prepositions

Some examples:

Students who study hard usually earn excellent grades. The pronoun, who, is referring back to the subject, students. (Who earns excellent grades? The students do.) Because the pronoun is referring to a subject, it would be incorrect to use the object pronoun whom.

Earning excellent grades also depends on whom you study with. This sentence has two clauses, but for the purposes of this lesson we'll focus only on the second one, whom you study with. In this clause, whom is the object of the preposition with, so it would be incorrect to use the subject pronoun who.

Hint: You can replace who with other subject pronouns (he, she, I, we, they, etc.) and whom with other object pronouns (him, her, me, us, them, etc.).

The comedian who is on TV right now is the funniest guy I've ever seen. ⇒ He is on TV. Who is the subject of the verb is, so you can replace who with he.

My cousins are the family members whom I see most often. ⇒ I see them. Whom is the direct object of the verb see, so you can replace whom with them. You'll notice that the placement of whom is different from that of other object pronouns—whom generally comes before the subject and verb while other object pronouns like them come after the subject and verb. For that reason, it might not be obvious at first glance that you can replace whom with another object pronoun (you would never say them I see).

A Couple of Sticky Situations: Who vs. Whom

There are certain sentence types that make it difficult to decide whether to use who or whom.

Object of One Clause, Subject of Another This situation involves two verbs with a pronoun between them:It was pitch dark, and I couldn't see who was coming down the hall.Notice how who seems to "stick" to both verbs—it looks like the object of the first verb and the subject of the second. So which pronoun do you choose, who or whom? There's a simple answer—subjects speak louder than objects because they propel the action in a sentence, so always "stick" with the subject pronoun who.

Preposition Separated from its Object Take a look at this example of traditional formal English: For whom are those flowers? Chances are you've never heard anyone ask a question that way. When we talk, the preposition "unsticks" from the pronoun and moves all the way down to the end of the sentence: Whom are those flowers for? Still sound strange? That's because most people would say Who are those flowers for?  but it's really better to use whom because it's the object of the preposition for. It's easy to tell when you're dealing with an object-preposition separation because you can replace whom with him, her, me, us, them, etc. Question: Whom are those flowers for? Whom is the object of the preposition for. Answer: The flowers are for her. Now, in the answer, her has become the object of the preposition for.

Note: Traditionally, it is incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition, but when we talk it happens naturally. Many teachers still prefer their students not to end sentences with prepositions, but this rule has become more relaxed in recent years.

All Ready vs. Already

"All ready" refers to a state of readiness. Example: They were all ready to go. In the case of a singular person, the "all" in "all ready" can be dropped to just say, "Are you ready?"

"Already" means prior to some specified time. Example: They were already packed and ready to go when he arrived.

All Together vs. Altogether

"All Together" means in concert or in unison. Example: They sang all together.

"Altogether" means wholly, completely, or absolutely. Example: This is altogether strange.

All Ways vs. Always

"All ways" or "all the ways" means every manner possible. Example: She was in all ways very humble.

"Always" means at all times. Example: She was always humble.

Everyone vs. Every One

The terms everyone and every one may look the same, but they are used in different contexts. 

Everyone, as one word, is a singular pronoun that refers to a group of people. It's synonymous with its sister pronoun, everybody.

Remember, even though a group is made up of several members, everyone is always singular because you refer to those members as a single group. 

Everyone is used only for people, never animals or objects.

Everyone I know is coming to the pool party on Saturday. Multiple people are coming to the party, but they are being treated as a single group.

These cookies are for everyone. The cookies are for a group.

Every one, as two words, is a phrase that refers to the individuals that make up a group, not to the group as a whole. It is synonymous with the phrases every single one and each one.

You can also use it for emphasis to give your sentence a little more "oomph." Just like everyone, every one is always singular.

However, unlike everyone, every one can refer to anything, including people, animals, and objects.

I think every one of these cakes is delicious. This sentence emphasizes that each individual cake in the group is delicious. You could simply say "These cakes are delicious," but it wouldn't have the same effect.

Every one of them is coming to the party. This sentence also uses every one for emphasis. It's not just everyone who's coming to the party—it's every single person in the group.

Hint: Here's a little trick to help you remember the difference between everyone and every one:

When every and one join together (everyone), you are focusing on the group as a whole—the two words work together as a single unit.

Everyone laughed. (The group laughed.)

When every and one stand alone (every one), you are emphasizing individuals—the two words work separately.

Every one of them laughed. (Each person laughed.)

Award vs. Reward

"Award" means to bestow an honor or object by a considered decision. Example: The principal gave academic awards to the top students.

"Reward" is something given in return for something done, either good or evil. Example: He was rewarded with cookies.

Anger, Angry vs. Mad

"Anger" (Angry) means a strong displeasure and antagonism directed toward the cause of a possible wrong or injustice; wrath; ire. Example: I am angry.

Madness (Mad) means a suffering from or manifesting severe mental disorder; insane; lunatic; psychotic; crazy. Example: Madness is a severe mental disorder.

Note: It is common in informal everyday expressions for the word "mad" to be used for "angry." This covers the explicit and formal meaning of the words.

Can vs. May

In formal speech writing, "can" implies the ability to do something. Example: I can throw a ball.

"May" implies a need for permission. Example: May I throw a ball?

In informal speech and writing, "can" is now acceptable in the sense of "may." Example: Can I leave now?

At the formal level the distinction between "can" and "may" is still observed.

Fewer vs. Less

If you've been to the grocery store lately, you've probably noticed a sign at checkout that says "15 items or less." You'll learn in this lesson that the sign should say "15 items or fewer."

The reason is straightforward—when talking about a quantity you can count with numbers, use fewer, but for an amount you can't count, use less. Below are some examples:

There are fewer students here today than there were yesterday. Use fewer because you can count the number of students. Maybe there were 30 students in class yesterday and only 25 today.

The teacher assigned less homework today than he did yesterday. Use less because the word homework is not countable. It's not possible to make homework plural—homeworks is not a word. You wouldn't say I have three homeworks tonight ... and that actually leads us into this lesson's hint:

Hint: Usually, if you can add s to the end of the noun to make it plural, use fewer, not less.

Just be mindful of exactly what you're trying to communicate; sometimes you can use either less or fewer, but the word you choose will change the meaning of the sentence:

You gave him less pie than you gave me. Yes, it's true that you can add s to the word pie to make it plural. However, this sentence is talking about the amount of pie, not how many pies, so use less.

Last year's pie-eating contest champion ate fewer pies this year than last. This sentence tells us that there is more than one pie. Maybe last year he ate 10 pies, but this year he could only choke down 8. Because you can count the number of pies, use fewer.

Be careful when discussing time, measurements, or money. These often seem countable, but in reality they refer to an amount, so use less, not fewer.

Our business pulled in less than $100,000 last year. You'll be able to finish the race in less than 10 minutes.

Lose vs. Loose

The word lose, with one o, is a verb that means you have lost something that belongs to you. It can also mean to reduce or lessen.

My little sister always loses her toys. Vitamins lose their potency when they are left out on the table.

Spelling Hint 1: When you say the word lose aloud, you pronounce the s like a z.

Spelling Hint 2: Think about the words lose and lost. Both words have the same meaning (when you lose something, it's lost), and both are spelled with only one o.

The word loose, with two o's, means that something is not tight, or that it's coming apart.

He loosened the reins on his horse. My shoelaces always come loose during gym class.

Spelling Hint 1: Unlike lose, the word loose is pronounced the way it looks, with the s making a regular s sound.

Spelling Hint 2: Remember the phrase loose as a goose. Both loose and goose are spelled with two o's.

More Helpful Hints: Lose vs. Loose

Note that these two words can fulfill different grammatical roles.

The verb lose can be turned into a noun by adding a different ending.

The word loose can be used as a verb, an adjective, or even an adverb, depending on the ending you choose.

The words lose and loose are used in many idiomatic expressions (that's a fancy term for slang). This basically means that their conventional definitions can be stretched a bit.

Accept vs. Except

"Accept" means to receive. Example: I accept your invitation.

"Except" means to omit or to exempt. Example: Everyone except Bill will attend.

Affect vs. Effect

"Affect" may be a verb or a noun, but for the purposes of this lesson, treat each instance of "affect" as a verb meaning "to influence or to change." Examples: 1) Illness affects his patience. 2) She attempted to affect a caring attitude.

"Effect" may be a verb or a noun. As a verb it means to bring about. Example: We will effect the changes we want.

As a noun it means result of a cause. Example: What effect will this bring?

Advice vs. Advise

"Advice" is a noun meaning a suggestion or recommendation. Example: What is your advice?

"Advise" is a verb meaning to recommend. Example: I have been advised to attend.

Between vs. Among, Amongst

"Between" shows connection with two persons or things and may refer to space or time. Example: There was an alley between the buildings.

"Among" and "amongst" show connection with more than two persons or things. Sometimes people use "between" when they want to show a connection with more than two things, but this is not correct. Example: They stood among the trees.

Bad vs. Badly

"Bad" is an adjective meaning sick, in pain, unpleasant, or immoral. It is always used with nouns and linking verbs, and it can never be used with action verbs. Example: I feel bad.

"Badly" is an adverb that is used with all other verbs. You use it when you want to say that someone is not good at something or that someone did a bad job. It should not be used as an adjective and is never used with linking verbs. Example: He drives badly.

Breath vs. Breathe

"Breath" is the noun pronounced to rhyme with death. Example: I lost my breath.

"Breathe" is the verb pronounced as to rhyme with sheathe. Example: Breathe deeply.

Bring, Take, Fetch, and Carry

"Bring" implies moving or conveying something from a distant place or person to a nearer place or person. Example: Bring me a drink.

"Take" implies motion away from speaker to a person or place. Example: Please take me to your leader.

Some easy ways to remember the differences between "bring" and "take" are: You bring something here, and you take something there. You bring something toward a person, and you take something away from a person.

"Carry" implies the conveying of something from one place to another. Example: Please carry this to the car.

"Fetch" implies a two-way trip that is to go for something and bring it back. Example: Rover, fetch the ball.

Capital vs. Capitol

"Capital" as a noun can mean either the seat of government or wealth and resources.

As an adjective it means first or excellent.

Sometimes it is used to mean punishable by death (a capital offense). Example: Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming.

"Capitol" is a noun meaning the building in which a state legislature convenes; a statehouse. Example: The Wyoming capitol building is in Cheyenne. Also is referring to the official building of the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C., the word is capitalized as part of the proper noun: Capitol Building.

Complement vs. Compliment

"Complement" means that which completes. It can also be a complete number or set of people or things. Example: Those shoes complement that outfit.

"Compliment" means an expression of admiration or approval given freely as a courtesy. Example: Her compliment on the outfit was appreciated.

Sometimes the adjective "complimentary" also means free. Example: The hotel provided a complimentary breakfast.

Emigrate vs. Immigrate

To "emigrate" is to leave one's country for residence in another. Example: I emigrated from my home country.

To "immigrate" is to come into a country of which one is not a native. Example: The person arrived in the new country as an immigrant.

Farther vs. Further

"Farther" usually implies the idea of physical distance. Example: San Francisco is farther away than San Diego.

"Further" usually implies the idea of greater abstract degrees. In other words, it is used to talk about concepts such as time and progress, among others. Example: His dreams were further in the future.

Council vs. Counsel

A "Council" is an assembly or group that meets for deliberation. It can only be used as a noun. Example: A council of teachers considered his case.

"Counsel" is a noun that means advice or deliberating together. Example: He accepted the counsel of his mother. Note that "counsel" can also be used as a verb, as in "I am counseling my friend," while "council" can only be used as a noun.

Principal vs. Principle

"Principal" as an adjective means main, chief, leading. As a noun, "principal" means a leader, a head, or a sum placed at interest. Examples: 1) The bus was his principal means of transportation. 2) The principal of the school was new.

"Principle" means a rule of action, a moral standard, or a fundamental truth. Example: The principle of the statement was understood by all.

Whether vs. Weather

"Whether" is a conjunction meaning in either case. Example: Tell me whether you are considering our plan.

"Weather" is a noun meaning a prevailing condition or atmosphere: mental or moral climate. Example: Stormy weather is coming.

Allay vs. Alley vs. Ally

"Allay" is a verb meaning to reduce the intensity, lay to rest, or pacify and calm. Example: His mother attempted to allay his fears.

"Alley" is a noun meaning a narrow passageway. Example: There is an alley behind the buildings.

"Ally" is a verb or noun meaning to connect by some relationship usually showing helpfulness or kinship. Example: The United States is a close ally of England.

Allude vs. Elude

"Allude" is a verb meaning to make an indirect or passing reference. Example: The speaker alluded to his fame.

"Elude" is a verb meaning to evade or escape from something. Example: The soldier attempted to elude the enemy.

Allusion vs. Illusion

"Allusion" is the noun derived from the verb "allude," which is to make an indirect or passing reference to something. Example: She made allusions about her wealth.

"Illusion" is the action of deceiving the eye or mind by what is unreal or false. Example: The magician created the illusion of flowing water.

All-round vs. All Around

"All-round" is an adjective meaning versatile or general. Example: He is an all-round mechanic.

"All around" has the meaning of being all over a given area. Example: Fir trees were all around the cabin.

Alternate vs. Alternative

"Alternate" (as a verb) means to follow one another by turns. Example: Please alternate the colored pages.

"Alternate" (as a noun) means a substitute or second for another person. Example: I am the alternate committee member.

"Alternative" means a choice between two things. Example: We have only two alternatives.

Apprehend vs. Comprehend

"Apprehend" means to take into custody or grasp mentally. While "apprehend" sometimes means "understand," it is best to use "comprehend" because it's easier for most people to understand. For the purposes of this exercise, always use "comprehend" for "understand." The noun form, "apprehension," means a foreboding or dread of something. Example: Please apprehend the criminal.

"Comprehend" means to grasp mentally or understand fully. Example: Do you comprehend this material? The adjective "comprehensive" means all-inclusive or having a wide range. Example: Final exams are usually comprehensive because they include questions on all the material covered in a semester.

Born vs. Borne

"Born" is an adjective that means brought forth as by birth. It can also describe someone who has a natural talent for something. Example: She is a born musician. Common patterns use "born" as a past participle verb form, as in: She was born on the Fourth of July.

"Borne" is the past participle of the verb "bear" (bear, bore, borne) meaning to support, to carry, to hold in mind, to suffer. Example: The fluffy seeds were borne by the wind.

Censor vs. Censure

"Censor" as a noun means any official examiner of books, plays, etc., empowered to suppress them if they are found to be politically or morally objectionable. Example: Is there a censor for our library?

"Censor" can also be used as a verb meaning examine or suppress. Example: Many movies have to be censored before they are put on TV.

"Censure" means the expression of disapproval or blame, strong criticism, reprimand. Example: Will we be censured for our article?

Notable vs. Notorious, Notoriety

"Notable" and "noted" are used chiefly of persons or things that are remarkable or distinguished for favorable reasons. Examples: 1) The notable remark will be remembered for a long time. 2) The noted author spoke at a local club.

"Notorious" is now almost always used to mean of ill repute. In other words, if someone is known for doing something bad, he or she is "notorious." Example: The notorious outlaw was hunted by the law.

"Notoriety," likewise, means unfavorable publicity or distinction. Example: She did not want any more notoriety.

Persecute vs. Prosecute

"Persecute" means to subject a person or group to persistent ill treatment. Example: People tend to persecute teenagers for their different styles.

"Prosecute" means to pursue, carry out, or bring a lawsuit against a person or group. Example: The court will prosecute anyone who breaks the law.

Continual, Continuous, and Consecutive

"Continual" means happening again and again at short intervals as "continual reminders." Example: The loud trucks were a continual problem.

"Continuous" means uninterrupted, whether of time or space, as in "continuous misery," "continuous rain," or "continuous range of mountains." Example: The stormy weather was continuous.

"Consecutive" means occurring one after the other, as in "consecutive days of the week." Example: Are we to attend on consecutive days?

Sight vs. Site, Cite

"Sight" used as noun means vision or the act of seeing. Example: Sight is one of our senses.

"Sight" used as a verb means to take aim or to spot something that is difficult or unusual to see, or make an observation. Example: Sight along the barrel of the gun.

"Cite" is a verb meaning to quote as authority, to mention in a report, or to summon to appear in court. Example: Please cite the applicable law.

"Site" is a noun meaning a place where an event has occurred, or a place where something is located, a place set apart for some specific use. Example: It was a large school site.

Stationary vs. Stationery

"Stationary" means fixed in one place. Example: The cabinet in the kitchen was stationary.

"Stationery" means writing supplies. Example: The stationery had a flower motif.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[thisismeracing]

To be alone with you | CS55

― Pairing: Carlos Sainz x fem!reader ― Warnings: mentions of food; typos. ― Summary: A glimpse into Yn's little reading world and how Carlos supports her passion. ― A/n: None of the pictures used are mine, they are all from Pinterest and other apps, but the work is, and I do not allow it to be published on a different platform. I would appreciate it if those things could be taken into consideration 💛

▸ my masterlist | my taglist | patreon guide ▸ support my writing by reblogging, leaving a comment (don’t forget to follow me if you like the piece), or buying me a coffee

yourusername

liked by landonorris, charles_leclerc, and others

yourusername slow afternoons with books, coffee, and my lover 🤍 to be alone with you 🤍 (I am obsessed with the copy of 'the book of disquiet' he got me, te amo, carlito!)

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carlossainz55 te quiero, cariño 💓

carlossainz55 I just got to chapter five of that book, answer my messages my mind is *blowing* 🤯

⤷ yourusername going goingggg

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sillyseason_ did yn just turn carlos into a reader or am I tripping?

lecsainz I love her aesthetic so much

hammertimee can you imagine reading fernando pessoa from the original? I'm so jealous of her, omw to get myself enrolled into a Portuguese course .............

carlossainz55

liked by yourbestie, lewishamilton, and others

carlossainz55 Still don't get her thing for coffee, but I get it for her anyways ☕️

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nicoraspberry he gets her flowers, read with her, posts her regularly, buys her coffee, I- 🥹

yourusername

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yourusername It's not my bday, I just reached my reading goal faster than ever so mrs. funny pants decided to do this 🥸

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carlossainz55 Mrs. Funny pants huh? 🤨

⤷ yourusername yeah, but your humor won me over

⤷ landonorris he's not even that funny, yn

⤷ alex_albon are you kidding me? don't you remember the MaRÍA CAREI video?!

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lando.jpg

liked by pierregasly, danielricciardo, and others

lando.jpg went on a date with these two and it was awful 👎👎👎

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yourusername liar! you asked us to let you join again!

⤷ lando.jpg you made me thrid wheel the whole time

⤷ oscarpiastri it's not their fault you're single, lando

⤷ carlossainz55 yeah, next time invite oscar too!

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⤷ lando.jpg I'm not going!!!

norizzricciardo is that carlos wearing converse?

⤷ lando.jpg no, it's me :)

⤷ formulaten OMG LANDO AND YN MATCHING SHOES GKJSDKHJS besties goal

yourusername

liked by francisca.cgomes, mclaren, and others

yourusername he joined us 😜😁 (and osc too)

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oscarpastry they really did the double date thing LOL

landonorris you take your coffee terribly 🤢

⤷ yourusername I'm gonna call the team's nutritionist and tell them you take your sugar with a bit of coffee

⤷ carlossainz55 ayyy cabron jajajajaj

oscarpiastri it feels great to be a chess winner 😎

⤷ mclatas81 soon to be f1 winner 🧡

mclaren 😍😍😍

formulareader osc 😭 she called him osc 😭

yourusername

liked by landonorris, scuderiaferrari, and others

yourusername best Sunday ever ❤️🏎️ (also I loved the paddock's coffee!)

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scuderiaferrari we loved to have you, yn! 😍

⤷ mclaren us too, yn! you should watch the next race from our garage (we'll get you all the coffee you want!)

⤷ scuderiaferrari shut up 🙄

⤷ carlossainz55 you guys know she's MY girlfriend, right?

⤷ yourusername yes and I'll watch from merc garage next race! 🫣 lew invited me 🤭

⤷ carlossainz55 ¿qué?

⤷ mercedesamgf1 hehe 😌😎

schumischumi lmfao not the admins fighting over yn

hammert1m3 she did charles so dirty HAHAHAH

charles_leclerc hated the pic, but love you

⤷ landonorris you won't join the besties dates!

⤷ yourusername I already invited him :(

⤷ landonorris omg I thought it was an exclusive club!

⤷ pierregasly I was invited too

tifosidirectioner she's so simple yet so glowy, I love her energy! 💗

booktoker22 f1 romance books rec?

bieberselenator it's like she's carlos' lucky charm

szagooddays I want what they have so bad

monzatwentytwo day 352 of feeling single than ever with carlosyn posts 😺👍

────── ⋆🪩 VOICEMAIL: Hi! I hope you guys liked this piece! This is part of that convo about posting my drafts hihi so yeah, here goes another one :D no twitter edit this time, hope this was ok, AND with tons of fluffy and funny moments after that angsty wave (that will come back bc I have at least three other angsty wips hihi sorree). let me know your thoughts!

If you liked this piece and want early access to new ones and exclusive access to others, subscribe to my patreon!💘

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[starkwlkr]

Hi anon with missing cillian request this side!!!😅😅

I just wanted to say ur work on cillian with nolan!reader was soooo good and was wondering if u could write one where she attends the award shows with him and chris and they include her in their speech

(Maybe nolan reader had given the book to her father🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️)

And if u could include some sweet couple and parents moment that would be AWESOME!!!!!!

what a night | cillian murphy (nolan!reader)

when you heard cillian’s name being called at the 2024 oscars, you felt like a tearing up, but you promised you weren’t going to cry. eh, some promises were meant to be broken.

the audience stood up to applaud for your husband. he turned to you and kissed you. you made sure your lipstick didn’t get on him like it did before. “i’m so proud of you.” you whispered to him as he gave you a hug.

when he released you, he stepped aside and saw his father in law, christopher, ready to give him a hug. you were sure twitter was going to make memes about the hug. it was something you discovered recently about how your father was always casting cillian in his work. you saw many jokes about it that it made you genuinely laugh.

finally, cillian made it to the stage to receive his oscar. in a room full of people, he found you staring at him with eyes full of love and proudness.

“i’m a little overwhelmed. thank you to the academy. um, chris nolan and emma thomas it’s been the wildest most exhilarating most creatively satisfying journey you’ve taken me on over the last twenty years. i owe you more than i can say. thank you so much. and thank you for not firing me after you found out your daughter and i were dating.” he said as the audience laughed.

the camera showed chris and you laughing at his joke.

after thanking the crew and cast, he looked at you. “thank you for being my partner in life, the mother of our beautiful children, my best friend, you are my person. i love you.” your father watched as you teared up.

after cillian finished his speech, you were tapped on your shoulder by your father, who offered you a tissue. “thanks, dad.” you chuckled as you took it.

next it was time for best director, a category you were nervous for your father.

“and the oscar goes to . . . christopher nolan, oppenheimer.” steven speilberg announced. your father had done it, finally. he was an oscar winner. after eight nominations, he finally got his golden statue.

after he hugged and kissed emma, he walked to your direction. cillian was still backstage, but he was watching close by. your father hugged you for a few seconds then kissed your cheek.

“you did it!” you cheered.

“it’s yours too, love.”

when he got to the stage, he was greeted by steven and got handed his oscar. it was truly a surreal moment. he first thanked the studios and several people who helped make the film.

“to my daughter, you are the reason for this.” he held up the statue. “you have a brilliant mind and a kind soul and i’m extremely proud to be your father. you gave me the book that this film is based on and you helped create a masterpiece. thank you forever. i share this with you.” his words made you cry even more.

you blew a kiss to your father then wiped away a tear. it was a dream come true.

shortly after, cillian got back to his seat, golden statue in hand. “did i do okay?”

“you did it perfectly, my love.”

when it was time for best picture to be announced, you were a bit confused. you weren’t sure if al pacino was didn’t care or if he was joking, but your father’s film had won best picture. it was a weird way to announce it, but your father and the oppenheimer team walked to the stage to receive the award.

it was definitely a perfect way to end the night.