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emjayewrites · 10 days

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Private Landing (Lewis Hamilton) (10/15)

SUMMARY: In the high-speed world of Formula One, Lewis Hamilton subtly introduces a mysterious partner via Instagram after a slight mishap during an interview. Sparking media intrigue, everyone wants to know: who is the enigmatic figure that calls herself Mrs. Hamilton?

INSPO: this post

PAIRINGS: Sir Lewis Hamilton x Aurora "Rorie" Phillips-Hamilton (faceclaim is Justine Skye)

WARNINGS: drama, angst, sexual content, formula one b.s., pre-established relationship (with flashbacks). RATED M (18+)

TAGLIST: @queenshikongo3 @cocobutterqwueen @mauvecherie-writes @a-moment-captured @yeea-nah @lovebittenbyevans @alika-4466 @saintslewis @cherry2stems @liamundi @trinitoldyouso @scorpiobleue @certifiedlesbianbaddie @httpsserene @motheroffae @perfecttrashface @xoscar03 @saturnville @weetjy @pinkcatcus @lewlewlemon44 @cranberryjulce @chaoticcoffeequeen @vile-harlot @periodjosh @melanin-queen369 @destinyg237 @niahxo @purplelewlew

A/N: Please let me know if you want to be added/removed from the taglist. The headers/dividers are by @inklore

CHAPTER 10: The Hills

The Colorado mountains loomed in the distance as Lewis's car wound its way up the private road to their secluded home. Exhaustion from the Las Vegas race and recent events weighed heavily on him, but the anticipation of seeing his family pushed it all to the back of his mind.

With only two and a half days at home before he had to leave for Abu Dhabi for the season's final race, the Hamilton family had decided to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. It was a chance to gather everyone together before the hectic end to the Formula 1 season and the upcoming holidays.

As Lewis pulled up to the house, he could already hear the muffled sounds of activity inside. A wreath hung on the front door, and the scent of pine and cinnamon greeted him as he stepped out of the car.

Before he could even reach for his bags, the front door burst open. Roscoe's excited barks filled the air as the bulldog bounded towards him, tail wagging furiously. Close behind, a blur of motion that could only be Lyric toddled out, arms outstretched.

"Dada! Dada!" Lyric called out, his face beaming with joy.

Lewis scooped up his son, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Hey, little man! I missed you so much."

As he carried Lyric inside, with Roscoe circling his legs, Lewis took in the scene before him. The house filled with people, everyone pitching in to prepare for the early celebration.

In the kitchen, he spotted Rorie and his mother, Carmen, working side by side at the counter, flour dusting their aprons as they prepared what looked like pie crusts. His father, Anthony, and stepmother, Linda, were in the living room with Rorie's parents, arranging decorations and setting up extra chairs.

"Look who's here!" Lewis called out, unable to keep the smile from his face.

Rorie looked up, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and rushed over, enveloping both Lewis and Lyric in a tight hug.

"Welcome home," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

As the family gathered around, exchanging hugs and greetings, Lewis felt the tension of the past few days begin to melt away. Here, surrounded by the love of his family, he could almost forget the challenges that awaited them.

But as he caught Rorie's eye over the heads of their excited family members, he saw the shadow of worry there. They had much to discuss, decisions to make. But for now, for these precious two and a half days before he had to leave for the crucial race in Abu Dhabi, they would celebrate. They would be thankful for what they had – each other, their families, and the strength to face whatever came next.

"So," Lewis said, bouncing Lyric on his hip, "what can I do to help with this early Thanksgiving?"

The room erupted in laughter and a chorus of suggestions, and Lewis dove right in, grateful for this moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of their lives.

The family bustled around, preparing for the early Thanksgiving celebration, and Lewis found himself alone in the living room with his father, Anthony. The older man's face was etched with concern as he helped hang a string of lights.

"Son," Anthony began, his voice low, "we need to talk about what happened in Vegas."

Lewis tensed, knowing this conversation was coming. "Dad, I–"

"I saw the TMZ video," Anthony cut in, his tone stern. "That woman, Deja... she seemed pretty convinced about your history. What's that all about?"

Lewis sighed, running a hand over his face. "Honestly, Dad, I don't remember meeting her. It was All-Star weekend in 2017, I was partying a lot back then."

Anthony shook his head, disappointment evident in his eyes. "Lewis, you know better than to let situations like this escalate in public. What were you thinking, engaging with her like that?"

"I wasn't thinking," Lewis admitted. "It caught me off guard. I never expected–"

"That's the problem, isn't it?" Anthony interrupted. "You always need to expect the unexpected, especially with your profile. This could have serious consequences for you and Rorie."

Just then, Rorie entered the room. She sensed the tension immediately. "Everything okay in here?"

Lewis looked at her, guilt washing over him. "We were just discussing the Deja situation."

Rorie's face fell slightly, but she squared her shoulders. "We're in this together, Lewis. Whatever happened in the past, we'll face it as a team."

Anthony nodded approvingly at Rorie's words. "That's the right attitude. But Lewis, you need to be more careful. This woman's claims, whether true or not, could affect your reputation, your career."

"I know, Dad," Lewis said, feeling like a chastised teenager again. "We're working with our legal team to handle it."

Rorie moved to stand beside Lewis, taking his hand. "We also need to discuss the situation with Luisa," she said softly.

Anthony's eyebrows shot up. "Luisa? Your housekeeper? What's she got to do with this?"

Lewis and Rorie exchanged a look before Lewis spoke. "It turns out she's been the one leaking information to Deja and possibly the press."

"Good Lord," Anthony muttered. "It never rains but it pours, does it?"

Just then, Lyric ran into the room, breaking the tension. "Dada, play!" he demanded, tugging on Lewis's pant leg.

Lewis scooped him up, grateful for the interruption. "Sure thing, little man. Let's go see what trouble we can get into."

As Lewis left with Lyric, Rorie and Anthony shared a concerned look.

"We'll get through this," Rorie said, her voice firm. "We always do."

Anthony nodded, patting her shoulder. "That you do, my dear. That you do." He paused, his eyes softening as he looked at Rorie. "You know, you're the best thing that's ever happened to Lewis. He's grown so much since being with you."

Rorie smiled, touched by his words. "Thank you, Anthony. That means a lot."

"But," Anthony continued, his tone turning serious, "his past... it's not all pretty. Are you prepared for it all to come out? There might be things even you don't know about."

Rorie met his gaze steadily. "I know about what happened in his life before me, Anthony. We've been open with each other from the start."

Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Even what happened with Nicole?"

Rorie nodded. "Even Nicole. And his mistakes in their relationship. We worked through it in counseling a long time ago, and he even apologized to Nicole for cheating." She took a deep breath. "I've got this, Anthony. Trust me. Nothing is coming between me and my husband. Whatever Deja is saying is nothing we can't handle."

Anthony studied her for a moment, then broke into a warm smile. "You're a strong woman, Rorie. Lewis is lucky to have you."

"We're lucky to have each other," Rorie corrected gently. "And we're lucky to have such a supportive family. Now, come on. Let's get back to these decorations before my mom comes looking for us."

_______________________________________________

As the afternoon wore on, the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of more guests. Tia, Ayesha, and Britt bustled in, arms laden with bags of food and gifts, their laughter filling the entryway.

"We're here!" Tia called out, shaking snow from her boots. "And we brought reinforcements!"

Behind them, KiKi entered more hesitantly, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. As Lewis came to greet them, there was a palpable tension between him and KiKi.

After a moment's hesitation, Lewis pulled KiKi into a hug. "We need to talk later," he whispered in her ear.

As they pulled apart, KiKi glanced at Rorie, who gave a subtle nod. "Sure," KiKi muttered, her voice unsteady.

The group dispersed, with the women heading to the kitchen to help with dinner preparations while the men, led by Lewis and Anthony, began setting up the expansive dining room table and arranging the bar area.

In the kitchen, Rorie was carefully preparing Lewis's vegan meal alongside the traditional Thanksgiving fare. The aroma of herbs and roasted vegetables mingled with the rich scent of turkey still cooking in the oven.

"So," Ayesha said, sidling up to KiKi as she chopped vegetables, "when were you going to tell us about Khalil?"

KiKi's knife paused mid-chop. "What are you talking about?"

Tia joined them, her voice gentle but firm. "We know you've been seeing him again, Ki."

Rorie turned from the stove, wiping her hands on her apron. "We're worried about you, that's all."

KiKi's shoulders slumped. "It's not what you think. He's changed, he–"

"Girl, please," Ayesha interrupted. "That man has more lines than a geometry textbook."

"What about Miles?" Britt asked softly. "He really cares about you, Ki."

KiKi's eyes darted between her friends. "Miles is... he's great, but–"

"But nothing," Rorie said, moving closer to the group. "Miles is a good man who treats you right. Khalil? He's shown you who he is time and time again."

"Miles is actually on his way here," Tia added. "He should be arriving soon."

KiKi's eyes widened. "What? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because we wanted to talk to you first," Rorie explained. "KiKi, you deserve someone who values you, who's ready for the same things you are. Give Miles a real chance."

KiKi was quiet for a moment, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm scared," she admitted finally. "What if I'm not good enough for him?"

The three friends enveloped KiKi in a group hug. "You are more than good enough," Rorie assured her. "Just be yourself. That's who Miles fell for in the first place."

As they broke apart, KiKi managed a small smile. "Okay, okay. I'll talk to him when he gets here."

"That's our girl," Tia grinned, playfully bumping KiKi's hip.

The kitchen buzzed with renewed energy as they continued their preparations, the air filled with the warmth of friendship and the promise of new beginnings. Outside, the sound of another car pulling up signaled Miles's arrival, and a fresh wave of anticipation swept through the house.

As Miles made his way inside, greeting everyone with warm hugs and handshakes, the women put the finishing touches on the meal. Rorie and Carmen carefully transferred the golden-brown turkey to a serving platter, while Tia and Britt arranged side dishes on the expansive dining table. KiKi, with a newfound determination in her eyes, volunteered to pour the wine, stealing glances at Miles as he chatted with Lewis and Anthony.

Soon, the dining room was filled with the enticing aromas of the feast and the soft glow of candles. As everyone settled into their seats, the room resonated with laughter and the clinking of cutlery. Miles had slid into the seat next to KiKi, offering her a warm smile that she tentatively returned.

Greg raised his glass, proposing a toast to family, friends, and new beginnings. As glasses clinked and the meal began in earnest, the room filled with animated conversation and the warmth of togetherness. Lewis eventually caught KiKi's eye and nodded towards the kitchen. Excusing themselves, they stepped away from the bustling dining room.

In the relative quiet of the kitchen, Lewis turned to KiKi, his expression serious. "KiKi, I owe you an apology. I was wrong to suspect you of talking to The Sun. I'm sorry for doubting you."

KiKi's shoulders relaxed slightly. "It's okay, Lewis. I understand why you might have thought that, given everything that's been going on."

Lewis nodded, relieved. "Still, I should have known better. You've always had our backs."

KiKi took a deep breath. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you. I was... kind of involved, but not in the way you think."

Lewis's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Deja invited me out to lunch one day," KiKi explained. "When I got there, she started talking shit about Rorie. I left immediately, but... well, let's just say I handled it."

Lewis's eyes widened. "KiKi, what did you do?"

KiKi took a sip of her wine, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let's just say the bitch knows better than to open her mouth again."

Lewis couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "You're wild, you know that? But seriously, what did you do?"

KiKi just shrugged, a haunting smile playing on her lips. "Some things are better left unsaid, Lewis. Just know that I've always got your back – you and Rorie both."

Lewis studied her for a moment, then broke into a grin. "You really are a ride-or-die friend, aren't you?"

"You know it," KiKi winked. "Now, can we get back to dinner? I've got a fine ass man waiting for me out there."

As they rejoined the dinner party, Lewis couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the fierce loyalty of their friends. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew they had a strong support system to lean on.

Back at the table, Rorie caught Lewis's eye, raising an eyebrow in silent question. He gave her a reassuring smile, mouthing "Later" before diving back into the lively conversation around him. For now, he was content to enjoy this moment of warmth and togetherness with their extended family, savoring every bite of the lovingly prepared meal and every moment of laughter.

On a sunny afternoon in California, Rorie stood outside Luisa's modest home in the Valley. The streets were lined with deciduous trees, their leaves a mix of golden yellows and deep reds, a reminder that even in sunny California, autumn had arrived. With Lewis still in Abu Dhabi preparing for his final race of the season, Rorie knew he and Julian would have a conniption if they knew she was there, but she needed answers.

Rorie adjusted the basket of toys and gifts in her arms, filled with items for Luisa's daughters - Isabella, now a vivacious 7-year-old, and Catalina, a precocious 9-year-old. She thought back to all the times she'd visited this house, the laughter and warmth that had always greeted her. Luisa had been more than just a housekeeper; she'd become family over the years.

Taking a deep breath, Rorie knocked. When Luisa opened the door, surprise and fear flashed across her face.

"Por favor, Luisa," Rorie pleaded, her Spanish much improved from their years together. "Necesitamos hablar."

A small smile cracked Luisa's stern expression. "Your Spanish gets better every time," she said softly.

"I had the best teacher," Rorie replied, her voice warm with affection.

After a moment's hesitation, Luisa stepped aside, allowing Rorie to enter. The familiar scent of coffee filled the air, mingling with the aroma of something savory simmering on the stove - perhaps Luisa's famous pozole, perfect for the cooler weather. It reminded Rorie of countless afternoons spent in this kitchen, chatting and laughing as Luisa taught her to make traditional Mexican dishes.

"Where are the girls?" Rorie asked, looking around the cozy living room, noticing the fall-themed decorations.

"With their abuelita at the park," Luisa replied, her voice softer now. "Mamá is visiting for the month."

Rorie's face lit up. "Oh, I've missed your mother! Her stories always make me laugh."

Luisa's tension eased slightly. "She misses you too. She asked about you just this morning."

They settled at the small kitchen table, soft autumn light filtering through the lace curtains Rorie had helped Luisa pick out last year.

"I'm so sorry, Rorie," she began, tears welling in her eyes. "I never wanted to hurt you or your family."

"Then why, Luisa? Why did you help Deja?"

Luisa took a shaky breath. "Alexander... he promised to help Miguel. He said he had connections at the embassy." She explained about Miguel being held up in Mexico after a short visit to see his parents and border patrol agents noting him missing certain documents claiming his resident status in the U.S. "But it's not true. They're just being difficult."

Rorie was stunned. "Luisa, why didn't you come to us? We could have helped Miguel!"

Luisa broke down, sobbing. "You've done so much for us already. I couldn't ask for more."

Rorie felt a mix of hurt and frustration. "Luisa, I love you like a sister. We would have helped in a heartbeat."

"I know that now," Luisa whispered. "I was scared and desperate."

Rorie reached across the table, taking Luisa's hand. "I understand. But we can fix this. I'll talk to Julian about not pressing charges and I’ll see what I can do about helping Miguel."

Luisa looked up, hope in her eyes. "Really?"

Rorie nodded. "But we need your help with our lawsuit against Deja. Maybe you could meet with her again?"

Luisa squeezed Rorie's hand. "Anything. I'll do anything to make this right."

After their emotional conversation, Rorie and Luisa spent some time catching up on lighter topics, the familiar rhythm of their friendship slowly returning. As they chatted, the front door burst open, and Isabella and Catalina rushed in, followed by their abuelita.

"Tía Rorie!" the girls squealed, throwing themselves into Rorie's arms.

Rorie hugged them tightly. She exchanged warm greetings with Luisa's mother, promising to visit again soon for a proper catch-up.

As Rorie prepared to leave, Luisa walked her to the door. "Thank you for coming, Rorie. For listening and understanding."

Rorie squeezed her hand. "We're family, Luisa. We'll get through this together."

On the drive back to Malibu, Rorie's mind wandered to her conversation with Lewis about KiKi. KiKi's ominous words about handling Deja worried her. While she appreciated KiKi's loyalty, they needed to ensure their case against The Sun and Deja was solid and above board. They couldn't afford any complications.

Arriving home, Rorie headed straight to the office area. As she settled in, Nina knocked softly on the door frame, Lyric balanced on her hip.

"Look who's up from his nap," Nina said with a smile.

Lyric's face lit up at the sight of Rorie. "Mama!" he squealed, reaching for her.

Rorie scooped him up, peppering his face with kisses. "Hello, my sweet boy. Did you have a good nap?"

Lyric nodded enthusiastically. "Play now?"

"In a little bit, baby," Rorie promised. "Mama has some important calls first. But after that, we'll have some playtime, okay?"

Lyric considered this for a moment before nodding. "Okay, Mama."

As Nina took Lyric back, Rorie called out, "Thanks, Nina. I should be done in about an hour."

"No problem," Nina replied. "We'll be in the playroom when you're ready."

Taking a deep breath, Rorie logged into Zoom for her interviews with potential personal assistants. Yael and Penni had screened several candidates, narrowing it down to two promising options.

The first candidate, Zoe, appeared on screen. She was a Black woman in her late twenties, with box braids pulled into a neat bun and warm, intelligent eyes. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Hamilton," she began confidently. "I'm excited to discuss how I can support you and your family."

Rorie was impressed by Zoe's organization and attention to detail as they discussed the role. "How would you handle a situation where the media is pressuring for a statement on a sensitive family matter?" Rorie asked.

Zoe's response was measured and thoughtful, demonstrating a good understanding of media management.

The second candidate, Olivia, was a white woman in her early thirties with auburn hair and an air of calm competence. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hamilton," she said. "I understand the unique challenges of your position and I'm prepared to handle them discreetly and efficiently."

As they talked, Olivia demonstrated a solid understanding of crisis management. "In my previous role, I dealt with several high-profile situations," she explained. "Discretion and quick thinking are key."

By the end of the interviews, Rorie had a lot to consider. Both candidates had their strengths, but she knew she needed someone who could navigate the complexities of her life with grace and discretion.

As she ended the calls, Rorie made notes to discuss with Yael later. They had a tough decision ahead, but having a capable assistant would be crucial in managing her increasingly complicated life.

True to her word, an hour later, Rorie found herself in the playroom with Lyric, their laughter echoing through the house as they built towers with colorful blocks, the weight of the day's events temporarily forgotten in the joy of these precious moments with her son.

As the 2023 F1 season officially came to a close, Lewis felt the familiar mix of fatigue and relief. After wrapping up his final promotional duties with his sponsors, he was more than ready for some quality family time. And boy, was it needed. Between the bullshit with Deja and The Sun, Rorie's impromptu visit to Luisa's home, and the scrap metal of a car he drove this season, he wanted nothing more than to relax. He'd wish that his wife would've gone over her plan before visiting their housekeeper, but he was happy to know that Luisa wanted to make it up to them.

Thank God for small miracles.

Lewis, Rorie, and Lyric made their way inside SoFi Stadium for the Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers game. As part of the Broncos ownership group, they bypassed the main crowds, a discreet security detail ushering them towards a private elevator. Rorie couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement - no matter how many games they attended, the experience never got old.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a corridor of luxury suites, but theirs was special. At the end of the hall, a door marked with the Broncos logo slid open, revealing a space that was more akin to a high-end apartment than a typical stadium box.

Floor-to-ceiling windows led out to a private balcony that hung over the field, offering an unobstructed view of the action below. The players looked like action figures from this height, but the roar of the crowd was crystal clear.

"Wow," Rorie breathed, stepping out onto the balcony. The rush of being so close yet so far above the field still amazed her.

Lewis set Lyric down, the toddler immediately racing to the balcony railing, securely designed with little ones in mind.

"Mama, up!" Lyric demanded, his eyes wide with excitement at the bustling stadium below.

She chuckled, scooping up her son. "What do you think, sweetie? Pretty cool, huh?"

As they settled in, a staff member approached. "Mr. Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton, is there anything special you'd like prepared for today's game?"

This was just one of the many perks they enjoyed - personalized service that catered to their every whim. As Lewis discussed some vegan options with the attendant, Rorie sank into one of the plush outdoor seats, Lyric clambering onto her lap.

She couldn't help but marvel at how far they'd come. From watching games on TV in Lewis's bachelor pad to owning a piece of an NFL team and enjoying this incredible view - life had certainly taken some unexpected turns. They were soon joined by other members of the ownership group, including Melody Hobson, a successful businesswoman and friend.

"Lewis, Rorie! So good to see you," Melody greeted them warmly. "And look how big Lyric's getting!"

As kickoff approached, Lewis found himself explaining the basics of American football to Lyric, who was more interested in the colorful uniforms and the massive screens around the stadium.

"See that, Lyric? Those are our guys in the orange," Lewis pointed out.

The game was a nail-biter, with both teams trading leads throughout. In between plays, Lewis chatted with fellow owners about potential team strategies and upcoming decisions. Rorie, meanwhile, was deep in conversation with Melody about balancing career and family life.

As the fourth quarter wound down, the Broncos managed to pull ahead with a last-minute touchdown. The box erupted in cheers, with Lyric joining in, more excited by the adults' reactions than the game itself.

"We won, little man!" Lewis exclaimed. "Can you say 'Go Broncos'?"

"Go Boncos!" Lyric attempted, causing Rorie to laugh.

"Close enough, baby," she said, ruffling his braids.

As the excitement settled, Melody approached them. "Great game, wasn't it? Lewis, have you given any thought to that youth program we discussed?"

Lewis nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. I think it's a fantastic idea. Maybe we can set up a meeting in the new year to flesh out the details?"

"Sounds perfect," Melody agreed. "Enjoy your family time. You've earned it after this season."

As they prepared to leave, Rorie spotted Ciara and Russell Wilson making their way over.

"Rorie! Lewis!" Ciara called out, embracing them both. "It's been too long."

Russell shook Lewis's hand warmly. "Congrats on a good season, man. And thanks for bringing that energy over to us."

They chatted for a few minutes, catching up on family life and recent events.

"We're heading out for pizza," Lewis mentioned. "Care to join us?"

Russell glanced at Ciara, who nodded. "We'd love to, but we've got an early flight tomorrow. Rain check?"

"Absolutely," Rorie agreed. "We'll set something up when we're back from Brazil."

After saying their goodbyes, Lewis, Rorie, and Lyric made their way to their favorite vegan pizza place in L.A. As they settled into a cozy booth, Lyric coloring contentedly, Lewis and Rorie finally had a moment to discuss their upcoming trip.

"So, Brazil," Lewis began, a smile playing on his lips. "I was thinking we could start in Rio, spend a few days there before heading to that secluded beach house in Bahia."

Rorie's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect. Lyric will love the beach."

"Beach!" Lyric chimed in, clearly recognizing the word.

Lewis chuckled. "That's right, buddy. Lots of sand and waves for you to play in."

As their pizza arrived, they continued to plan their trip, discussing potential activities and places to visit.

"Oh, and I was thinking," Lewis added, lowering his voice slightly, "maybe we could have a few days just to ourselves? I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind watching Lyric for a bit."

Rorie raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Sir Hamilton, are you suggesting we sneak away for a romantic getaway?"

"Maybe," Lewis grinned. "After the year we've had, I think we deserve it, don't you?"

Rorie leaned in, kissing him softly. "I couldn't agree more."

"Is that right?" he whispered against her lips, being mindful of their impressionable toddler just a few feet away. "Are you going to f-u-c-k me like that one time during our honeymoon?"

Rorie’s eyes widened in recollection as they parted. "Oh, you mean with the ‘cuffs?" Her husband bit his bottom lip, nodding vigorously. "Maybe…as long as I can bring the new toy we’ve yet to use."

"You mean the–"

"Yes, exactly that and something else I bought just for you. Something with leather…"

Lewis’ mouth tilted into a mischievous grin. "I love winter break so much."

As they continued to enjoy their meal, the conversation flowed easily from travel plans to reflections on the past year and hopes for the future. The stress of the F1 season, the drama with Deja, and the challenges they'd faced seemed to melt away in the warmth of family time.

Later, as they drove home with a sleepy Lyric in the back seat, Lewis reached over and took Rorie's hand.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"For what?" Rorie asked, squeezing his hand.

"For everything. For being my rock, for giving me this beautiful family, for just... being you."

Rorie smiled, her eyes glistening slightly in the dim light. "Always, babe. We're in this together, remember?" Her eyes softened as she looked at her husband. "And speaking of being in this together... I've been thinking about what Dr. Chen said. About trying for another baby through IVF."

Lewis's breath caught slightly. "You have?"

"Yeah," Rorie said, her voice gentle. "I know it's been tough, but I think we're ready. If you are, that is."

Lewis was quiet for a moment, his thumb tracing circles on Rorie's hand. "I think I am," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe... maybe we could start the process after we get back from Brazil?"

Rorie smiled, bringing his hand to her lips for a soft kiss. "I think that sounds perfect."

Lewis nodded, a mix of emotions playing across his face. "It won't be easy, but we've faced tougher challenges together."

"We have," Rorie agreed. "And just think, this time next year, we could be celebrating the holidays with a new addition to our family."

They got out of the car, carefully lifting a sleeping Lyric from his car seat. Lewis cradled Lyric close to his chest, feeling the weight of their decision.

"You know," he said softly, "no matter what happens, you and Lyric are more than enough. You're everything to me."

"And you're everything to us," she whispered back.

A few days later, Rorie found herself in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, stepping out of a sleek black car onto the red carpet of a FWRD event. The evening air was crisp, and the city lights twinkled against the darkening sky.

Rorie smoothed down her outfit - a stunning, form-fitting black dress from the latest FWRD collection, paired with strappy heels and minimalist jewelry. Her hair was swept into an elegant bun, and her makeup was flawless, emphasizing her natural beauty.

As she made her way down the carpet, camera flashes erupted around her. Rorie smiled and posed, years of experience allowing her to navigate the media gauntlet with grace.

"Rorie! Over here!"

"Mrs. Hamilton, a moment please!"

"Rorie, who are you wearing tonight?"

She answered a few quick questions, her responses polished and warm. "I'm excited to be here supporting FWRD and their incredible new collection," she said to one reporter. "Fashion has always been a passion of mine, and FWRD continues to push boundaries in the industry."

Inside the venue, the atmosphere was electric. The space had been transformed into a chic, modern wonderland, with avant-garde installations showcasing the latest FWRD pieces. Rorie mingled with other celebrities, fashion insiders, and influencers, her natural charisma shining through in every interaction.

As she sipped on a glass of champagne, Rorie caught sight of her reflection in a nearby mirror. She looked every inch the successful, confident woman she was, but her mind couldn't help but wander to Lewis and Lyric at home, and the possibility of expanding their family. It was a balancing act, this life of glamour and domesticity, but one she navigated with increasing skill and appreciation.

The event began to wind down, and Rorie found herself reflecting on the night's significance. This was their last big event before heading off to Brazil for their family vacation. The excitement of their upcoming trip mingled with the lingering buzz of the fashion world.

Saying her goodbyes, Rorie stepped out into the cool night air. In the back of her town car, she kicked off her heels with a sigh of relief. She pulled out her phone, smiling at a text from Lewis:

Hope you had a great night. Can't wait to see you.

As the car wound its way through the LA streets, Rorie's mind drifted to their impending lawsuit, set for April of next year. It felt far away, yet ever-present in her thoughts. She made a mental note to touch base with Julian before they left for Brazil.

Arriving home, Rorie quietly made her way upstairs. She peeked into Lyric's room, her heart swelling at the sight of her peacefully sleeping son. Then, she slipped into her own bedroom, where Lewis was still awake, scrolling through his phone.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, looking up with a smile. "How was the event?"

Rorie sat on the edge of the bed, starting to remove her jewelry. "It was great. Lots of networking, and Kendall even mentioned a potential capsule collection with FWRD."

Lewis's eyes lit up. "That's fantastic, babe. You deserve it."

As Rorie unzipped her dress, she added, "I was thinking about the lawsuit on the way home. Should we check in with Julian before we leave?"

Lewis nodded, his expression turning serious. "Good idea. We can give him a call tomorrow. But for now," he patted the bed beside him, "let's focus on us. I miss you."

Rorie tossed her dress onto the chair, a playful glint in her eye as she caught Lewis's gaze. "Oh, you miss me, huh?" she teased, stepping closer to the bed in nothing but her lingerie. The way Lewis’s eyes darkened with desire made her feel powerful, and she decided to make the most of it.

Lewis leaned back against the pillows, his grin widening as he watched her. "You know I do," he replied, his voice low and smooth, filled with anticipation.

Rorie moved slowly, deliberately, letting the moment build. She unclasped her bra and let it slip from her shoulders, tossing it aside with a mischievous smile. "Maybe I miss you too," she said, her voice soft and teasing, as she slid under the covers next to him.

Lewis's hands were on her the moment she was within reach, his touch firm yet gentle as he pulled her closer. "Is that so?" he murmured against her ear, his breath warm on her skin.

Rorie giggled softly, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw as she straddled him. "Mmhmm," she hummed, leaning down to brush her lips against his in a feather-light kiss. She loved the way he looked at her, as if she were the only person in the world, and she intended to make him feel the same way tonight.

Their kisses deepened, growing more intense as Lewis's hands roamed over her body, tracing the lines of her curves with fervent desire. Rorie felt a familiar heat building between them, her skin tingling at every touch and caress.

Lewis flipped them over effortlessly, his strong arms easily pinning her beneath him as he continued to kiss her deeply. "I've been going crazy thinking about you all night," he whispered against her lips, his voice rough and eager.

A smile tugged at the corners of Rorie's mouth as she ran her hands down his back, feeling the muscles tense under her touch. "Then why are we still wasting time talking?"

Without hesitation, Lewis shed his own clothing before returning to hover over her, their bodies pressed together in perfect synchronization. Agonizingly slow, Lewis positioned himself between her legs and gradually entered her, eliciting a low moan from Rorie's throat. Every inch of their bodies melded together now, their movements becoming more frantic and frenzied with each passing moment.

Her nails dug into Lewis's back, leaving faint red marks as she urged him on. She couldn't get enough of him, her body craving his touch again and again. Lewis's movements became more urgent, his hips thrusting harder and faster as he neared his release. Rorie's moans grew louder, her body arching up to meet his every move. She was close too, her skin flushed and her eyes half-lidded with desire.

"Just like that, don't stop, baby," she gasped, her voice filled with need and desire. "I'm so close."

"Fuck, baby," Lewis groaned, his fingers digging into Rorie's hips as he increased his pace. He was so close now, and he could feel Rorie trembling beneath him.

With one final thrust, they both reached their climax together, their bodies shuddering and crashing against each other in waves of ecstasy. Lewis collapsed onto the bed next to Rorie, both of them panting and trying to catch their breath.

"That was..." Rorie trailed off, unable to find the words to describe how amazing it felt.

"Unbelievable," Lewis finished for her with a satisfied grin. He rolled onto his side, pulling Rorie closer to him as they lay there in a blissful haze.

Rorie nuzzled her face into Lewis's chest, feeling content and happy in this moment with him. She loved these quiet moments after they made love, when they were just together without any distractions or obligations.

Lewis kissed the top of Rorie's head before pulling away slightly to look at her. "I love you so much," he said softly.

"I love you too," Rorie replied with a smile before leaning up to kiss him again.

They touched down in Rio de Janeiro, where the city’s vibrant energy welcomed them like an old friend. Over the next few days, they immersed themselves in the rhythm of the city, exploring iconic sights and soaking up the atmosphere. They visited the breathtaking Corcovado Mountain, where the towering Christ the Redeemer statue watched over them, and spent time wandering through the colorful steps of Escadaria Selarón. Everywhere they went, the city buzzed with life, providing the perfect backdrop for their family adventures.

Lyric was utterly fascinated by the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. His little legs carried him excitedly across the warm sand, chasing after seagulls and marveling at the endless expanse of ocean. Lewis and Rorie took turns running after him, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the surf and the chatter of beachgoers. It was a carefree time, a brief escape from the pressures of the lawsuit and their next phase in expanding their family.

After their time in Rio, they traveled to a secluded beach house in Bahia. Here, the true relaxation began. The private stretch of coastline became their sanctuary, a place where they could unwind and reconnect as a family. Mornings were spent building sandcastles with Lyric, who giggled as the waves knocked them down, and afternoons were for lounging under the sun, the gentle breeze carrying away their worries.

That night, after putting Lyric to bed, Rorie and Lewis found themselves alone in the serene quiet of their beach house. The soft sound of waves crashing outside mixed with the gentle rustle of the warm night breeze filtering through the open windows. Moonlight poured into the room, casting a silvery glow that bathed everything in a soft, intimate light.

Rorie stood before Lewis, her naked body still glistening from the water droplets that clung to her skin after their shared bath. The steam from the bathroom still lingered in the air, carrying with it the faint scent of lavender. Her braids, damp and curly, cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made Lewis's breath catch in his throat. She was breathtaking, and in that moment, she was all his.

Without a word, Rorie moved closer to him, her hips swaying slightly with each step. Lewis was already seated at the edge of the bed, his eyes dark with desire, following her every movement. His hands rested on his thighs, fingers twitching with anticipation. As she straddled him, her legs on either side of his, he reached out, his hands finding their place on her hips, pulling her closer until their bodies were pressed together.

Rorie leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a soft, teasing kiss. Lewis groaned softly, his hands gliding up her back, feeling the smoothness of her skin under his fingertips. She could feel the tension in his body, the way his muscles tensed as he held himself back, savoring the moment.

She kissed him again, deeper this time, her tongue slipping past his lips in a slow, sensual dance. Lewis responded eagerly, his hands roaming over her body, exploring every curve, every inch of her that he could touch. His lips trailed down her neck, pressing kisses along her collarbone, tasting the faint saltiness of her skin.

Rorie moaned softly, her body arching into his touch, the heat between them building with each passing second. She could feel him hard beneath her, the evidence of his desire pressing against her thigh. She moved her hips slightly, teasing him, eliciting a low growl from deep within his chest.

"You're going to be the death of me," Lewis murmured against her skin, his voice thick with need.

Rorie smiled, her hands cupping his face, bringing his lips back to hers. "Then let me bring you to life," she whispered, her words a promise.

With a gentle push, she guided him to lie back on the bed, her body following his down until she was atop him, their bodies perfectly aligned. She could feel the heat of him between her legs, the ache of desire that pulsed through her, begging for release. Slowly, she lowered herself onto him, taking him in inch by inch, a soft gasp escaping her lips as he filled her completely.

"Jesus Christ, baby." Lewis's hands gripped her hips, guiding her as she began to move, a slow, deliberate rhythm that drove them both wild. "Yes, ride this dick, baby. Fuck…"

Rorie's head fell back, her long bohemian knotless braids spilling down her back as she rode him, the pleasure building with each thrust. The feel of him inside her, the way his hands caressed her body, sent shivers down her spine. "Shit, Lewis....mmhmmm..."

Their movements became more urgent, the rhythm faster, more desperate. The bed creaked beneath them, the sound mingling with their heavy breathing, the soft moans and gasps that escaped them both. Rorie leaned forward, her hands braced against his chest, her lips finding his once more as they moved together, their bodies in perfect sync.

But just as their passion reached its peak, they heard a tiny voice at the door. "Mama? Dada?"

They froze, their eyes widening in surprise. Lyric stood in the doorway, clutching his stuffed bunny, looking at them with innocent curiosity.

Rorie quickly covered herself, biting back a laugh. "Oh, sweetie, what are you doing up?"

Lyric toddled over to the bed, his eyes wide as he tried to climb up. "Bunny fell," he said simply, holding up the toy.

Lewis couldn’t help but chuckle as he rolled off the bed to put on a pair of boxers. He then scooped up their son, settling him on his hip. "Well, looks like we’ll have to continue this later," he said, giving Rorie a knowing look.

Rorie sighed, glancing at Lyric with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "My parents cannot come fast enough," she muttered, though she couldn’t help but smile at the way Lyric snuggled beside Lewis, oblivious to what he had interrupted.

Lewis grinned, pulling Lyric closer. "We’ll have our time. I’m going to put him back to bed."

As Lewis carried Lyric back to his room, Rorie slipped on a silk robe and followed them. She leaned against the doorframe, watching as Lewis gently tucked their son back into bed.

"There you go, little man," Lewis said softly, placing the bunny next to Lyric. "Bunny's all safe now. Time for sleep, okay?"

Lyric nodded sleepily, his eyes already drooping. "Night, Dada. Night, Mama," he mumbled.

Rorie stepped forward, pressing a soft kiss to Lyric's forehead. "Goodnight, baby. Sweet dreams."

They quietly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. In the hallway, Lewis pulled Rorie close, his arms wrapping around her waist.

"Now, where were we?" he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear.

Rorie chuckled softly, placing a hand on his chest. "Hold that thought. We should probably make sure he's actually asleep this time."

Lewis groaned playfully but nodded in agreement. They retreated to their bedroom, leaving their door open to listen for any more midnight wanderings from their son.

As they settled back onto the bed, Rorie curled up next to Lewis, her head resting on his chest. "You know," she said, tracing patterns on his skin, "as much as I'm looking forward to some alone time with you, I'm going to miss him when my parents take him for those few days."

Lewis nodded, running his fingers through her hair. "I know what you mean. But it'll be good for us to have that time together, especially before we start the IVF process."

Rorie looked up at him, her eyes soft in the dim light. "Are you nervous about it? The IVF, I mean."

Lewis was quiet for a moment, considering. "A little," he admitted. "But mostly, I'm excited. The thought of giving Lyric a sibling, of expanding our family… it feels right."

Rorie smiled, leaning up to kiss him softly. "It does, doesn't it?"

As they lay there, talking softly about their hopes and plans, the interruption from earlier faded into just another cherished moment of parenthood. The night stretched on, filled with quiet laughter and tender touches, a perfect prelude to the adventures that awaited them in the days to come.

_______________________________________________

A few days later, Rorie's parents, Marian and Greg, arrived at the beach house. The Hamiltons welcomed them warmly, grateful for the extra hands with Lyric and the chance to catch up.

One afternoon, as they lounged on the patio enjoying the ocean breeze and some fresh fruit, Marian decided to broach the subject of recent events back home.

"So," Marian began, running a hand through Lyric’s braids, "any news about Martin? Has he tried to contact you guys again?"

Rorie nodded, her expression concerned. "He called a few times last week. Keeps saying he wants to talk to me, to explain himself. What’s happening back at home?"

Greg added, "The paparazzi situation hasn't improved much. They're still camped out near the house most days."

Rorie sighed. "I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this because of me."

"Don't you dare apologize," Marian said firmly. "We're family. We handle these things together."

Lewis reached over and squeezed Rorie's hand. "Your mom's right. And we'll figure out how to deal with Martin and the media. We're not letting them ruin our time here."

As they continued to discuss the challenges ahead, Lyric, perched on Marian's lap, happily munched on a piece of mango, oblivious to the adult concerns.

"So, sweetie," Marian cooed at her grandson, changing the subject, "what have you been up to with Mama and Dada?"

Lyric's face lit up. "Mama Dada hug!" he exclaimed, his limited vocabulary conveying the essence of what he'd seen a few nights ago. "A lot!"

Rorie and Lewis exchanged a quick, embarrassed glance. Greg raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"Is that so?" Greg chuckled. "Lots of hugging going on, eh?"

Rorie felt her cheeks flush. "Dad, please," she mumbled, while Lewis suddenly became very interested in his drink.

Marian laughed softly, bouncing Lyric on her knee. "Oh, leave them be, Greg. They're young and in love."

Eager to change the subject again, Lewis cleared his throat. "Actually, I've got some news. My 2025 contract with Ferrari is through. I just need to sign to make it official."

The family erupted in excited congratulations, the mood lifting instantly.

"That's fantastic news, Lewis!" Greg exclaimed, clapping him on the back. "Ferrari, huh? That's quite a change."

Marian beamed, "We're so proud of you, dear. Both of you," she added, smiling at Rorie.

"Thanks," Lewis grinned, visibly relaxed now that the news was out. "It's a big move, but I'm ready for the challenge."

Rorie squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with pride. "He's been working so hard for this. I can't wait to see him in that red suit."

"Red! Like Elmo!" Lyric chimed in, making everyone laugh.

"That's right, buddy," Lewis chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "Daddy's going to be like Elmo."

Greg stood up, stretching. "Well, I think this calls for a celebration. How about we fire up the grill? We've got that fresh fish in the fridge, and I picked up some plantains earlier."

"Ooh, yes!" Rorie agreed enthusiastically. "And I can make that mango salsa you love, Mom."

"Perfect," Marian nodded. "Lewis, why don't you and Greg handle the grill? I know you're vegan, sweetie, but could you grill some vegetables for yourself?"

"Of course," Lewis smiled. "I saw some great-looking bell peppers and zucchini in the kitchen."

As they all moved to start preparing the impromptu celebratory dinner, Lewis scooped up Lyric. "Come on, little man. Want to help Daddy and Grandpa with the grill?"

"Yes! Help!" Lyric clapped his hands excitedly.

The patio soon buzzed with activity. Greg and Lewis stood by the grill, with Greg seasoning the fish and Lewis preparing his vegetables. Lyric "helped" by handing them utensils and watching in fascination as Greg sliced the plantains. In the kitchen, Rorie and Marian chopped fruits and vegetables for the salsa and side dishes, the rhythmic sound of their knives punctuated by laughter as they shared stories.

The afternoon stretched into evening, filled with delicious food, flowing conversation, and the warmth of family. As they sat around the table, enjoying their meal under the starry sky, the worries of paparazzi and complicated family dynamics seemed far away. For now, they were simply a family, celebrating good news and cherishing their time together.

______________________________________

As New Year's Eve approached, Rorie and Lewis prepared for their night out in Salvador. They said goodbye to Lyric, leaving him in the capable hands of his grandparents.

"You two have fun," Marian said, shooing them out the door. "We've got everything under control here."

"Thanks, Mom," Rorie said, giving her a quick hug. "We'll see you next year," she added with a wink.

Rorie and Lewis headed towards the city, and the excitement of the coming celebrations and the promise of new beginnings filled the air. They found themselves in the heart of the historic Pelourinho district, surrounded by music, laughter, and the infectious spirit of Bahia.

Rorie, dressed in a flowing green lace dress that caught the warm breeze, swayed to the rhythm of the samba playing in the square. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, enhanced by the few caipirinhas she'd enjoyed throughout the evening.

"Come on, babe!" she called to Lewis, grabbing his hand and pulling him closer. "Dance with me!"

Lewis, sober but caught up in the festive atmosphere, laughed as he allowed Rorie to guide him in the dance. Though he wasn't as fluid as the locals, he moved with the natural grace of an athlete.

"You're getting better at this," Rorie teased, her arms draped around his neck.

Lewis grinned, his hands on her waist. "I've got a good teacher."

As midnight approached, they made their way to the beach where thousands had gathered to watch the fireworks. The crowd was a sea of white, following the Brazilian tradition for good luck in the new year.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!" The countdown began, and Lewis pulled Rorie close.

"Seven! Six! Five!" Rorie's eyes met Lewis's, full of love and anticipation.

"Four! Three! Two! One! Feliz Ano Novo!"

The sky erupted in a dazzling display of fireworks, but Lewis and Rorie were lost in their own world as they shared a deep, passionate kiss.

"Happy New Year, love," Lewis murmured against her lips.

Rorie smiled, her forehead resting against his. "Happy New Year. Here's to new beginnings."

As the celebration continued around them, they stood there on the beach, arms wrapped around each other, watching the fireworks paint the sky. The promise of the year ahead - with all its potential joys and challenges - stretched out before them, but in that moment, they were content to simply be together, savoring the magic of a new year's beginning in this beautiful corner of the world.

"You know," Rorie said, her voice slightly slurred from the drinks, "I think this might be my favorite New Year's Eve ever."

Lewis chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Even better than the one in Aspen?"

Rorie pretended to think for a moment. "Okay, maybe it's a tie. But this one definitely has better weather."

The fireworks faded and the crowd began to disperse, and Lewis and Rorie decided to take a moonlit walk along the beach before heading back to their hotel. The warm sand beneath their feet and the sound of the waves created a perfect end to their night of celebration.

"We should properly celebrate," Rorie murmured, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Especially since we don't have to worry about being interrupted."

Lewis grinned, understanding her meaning immediately, and his hands found their way to her ass. "I like the way you think, Mrs. Hamilton."

Rorie laughed and playfully swatted at his hand. "Not here," she whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby. "You gotta wait until we’re back at the hotel."

When they finally reached the privacy of their hotel room, the door had barely clicked shut behind them before Lewis had Rorie pressed against it, his lips crashing down onto hers in a searing kiss. She responded eagerly, her hands threading through his hair, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed together.

Lewis's hands roamed over her curves, squeezing her ass as he deepened the kiss. His tongue teased hers, exploring the warmth of her mouth with a skillful rhythm that left her breathless. Rorie moaned softly against his lips, her body tingling with anticipation as her hands worked to unbutton his shirt, revealing the hard planes of his chest.

Breaking the kiss, she pushed him back just enough to give herself some space, her hands trailing down his torso, appreciating the firm muscles beneath her fingertips. "Get on the bed," she commanded softly, her voice laced with desire.

Lewis grinned, his eyes dark with lust as he obeyed, quickly shedding the rest of his clothes before lying back on the bed. Rorie followed, slowly stripping out of her own clothes, letting each piece drop to the floor in a deliberate, tantalizing manner. She could feel his eyes on her, drinking in every inch of her as she revealed herself to him.

Once she was completely naked, Rorie reached for the small duffle bag they’d packed for the trip, her fingers brushing against the new toy she’d brought along for their special night. She pulled it out—a sleek, remote-controlled clitoral vibrator. The look on Lewis’s face when he saw it made her smile with satisfaction.

Rorie crawled onto the bed, straddling Lewis's thighs as she held up the toy, her eyes locking onto his. "I thought we could finally try this new toy," she said, her voice sultry as she flicked the vibrator on, the soft hum filling the room.

Lewis’s breath hitched, his eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and arousal. "You’re full of surprises tonight," he murmured, his hands sliding up her thighs, gripping her hips as he watched her intently.

Rorie leaned down, kissing him deeply as she guided the toy between her legs, pressing it against her clit. She gasped at the sensation, the gentle vibrations sending pleasure coursing through her body. Lewis groaned against her mouth, clearly enjoying the way she was responding.

She pulled back slightly, her hands gripping his shoulders as she began to ride him, the vibrator nestled between them, heightening the sensation with each movement. Lewis’s hands moved to her breasts, his thumbs brushing over her taut nipples as he thrust up to meet her movements, each motion sending waves of pleasure through her.

The combination of the toy and the feel of Lewis inside her was intoxicating. Rorie’s head fell back, her moans growing louder as she moved faster, her body trembling with the intensity of her arousal. She could feel herself getting closer, the pleasure building to a point where it was almost too much to bear.

"Fuck, you’re amazing," Lewis groaned, his grip on her tightening as he thrust up harder, his dick hitting that perfect spot inside her over and over again. "Come for me, baby. I want to feel you come all over this dick."

"Lewis!" she gasped, her hands clutching his shoulders as the pleasure wracked her body. "Oh, God, I’m coming so hard!"

Rorie finally shattered, her body convulsing as she came, the pleasure washing over her in waves. The vibrator fell to the side as she clung to Lewis, riding out her orgasm until she was spent.

But Lewis wasn’t done. He flipped them over, pinning her beneath him as he thrust into her, his pace relentless as he chased his own release. Rorie could feel him, still rock hard inside her, and the aftershocks of her orgasm made her even more sensitive, every thrust sending sparks of pleasure through her.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, her nails digging into his back as he drove them both toward the edge once more. His name was a mantra on her lips, each moan urging him on.

"Fuck, yes," Lewis groaned, thrusting into her one last time before his own release took over, spilling himself deep inside her with a guttural moan. "Rorie, oh fuck…"

They stayed tangled together, their bodies slick with sweat and the remnants of their passion. Lewis pulled Rorie into his arms and held her close as they both caught their breath.

"Holy shit, woman," he murmured against her hair, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Rorie smiled, still feeling the afterglow of their lovemaking. "Worth the wait?" she teased, snuggling closer to him.

"Absolutely," Lewis replied, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "But next time, I’m not waiting until we get back to the hotel. I’m just gonna fuck you on the beach."

Rorie laughed softly, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. "You’re insatiable."

"For you, always," he said, his hand gently caressing her back as they drifted off to sleep, their hearts full and their bond stronger than ever.

As the first day of January dawned, Deja stood before her bathroom mirror, examining the fading bruises on her body. The assault in late November had left its mark, both physically and emotionally. While the acute pain had subsided, a dull ache remained, a constant reminder of the attack.

Her fingers traced a yellowing bruise on her ribcage as her mind drifted back to that fateful night in New Orleans during the 2017 All-Star weekend. The memories were vivid, almost taunting in their clarity.

The pulsing beat of the club, the electric atmosphere of celebrity and excitement. She remembered the way Lewis had looked at her, or at least how she thought he had looked at her. His smile, the warmth of his hand on her lower back as they danced, the intoxicating mix of his cologne and the whiskey on his breath.

"You're special," she thought she heard him say, the words barely audible over the music. But had he really said it? Or was it just what she wanted to hear?

Deja shook her head, forcing herself back to the present. The attack had thrown a wrench in her plans, forcing her to cancel appearances and partnership deals to focus on healing. It had also planted a seed of paranoia. Who was responsible? The attacker had robbed her, yes, but the beating felt personal. A nagging suspicion that Rorie might be involved refused to leave her mind, though she had no proof. She picked up her phone, scrolling through recent photos of Lewis and Rorie at public events. Their happiness felt like a personal affront, fueling the bitterness that had driven her actions.

The alliance with The Sun and Alexander had seemed like the perfect revenge, a way to shatter the perfect image of the Hamilton family. But now, as she sat alone in her apartment, nursing her injuries and haunted by memories, Deja couldn't help but question her choices.

Her phone buzzed - another message from Alexander, demanding more information. She ignored it at first, the weight of her decisions pressing down on her. The revenge she had sought was leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, and the collateral damage to people like Luisa was weighing heavily on her conscience.

But pride and stubbornness kept her from backing down. She had come too far to turn back now. Steeling herself to respond to Alexander, Deja couldn't shake the feeling that she was on a path that would only lead to more pain - for everyone involved.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

#emjayewrites #lewis hamilton #sir lewis hamilton #lewis hamilton fanfic #sir lewis hamilton x black!reader #lewis hamilton x black!reader #lewis hamilton x black oc #lewis hamilton x black reader #f1 x reader #private landing #Lewis Hamilton x Rorie Hamilton

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disneyprincemuke · 9 months

Text

"wanna hang out?" * ls2

it's never fun feeling like an outsider, so you'd sworn that nobody would ever feel the way you did all those years ago

pairings: logan sargeant x platonic fem!driver

notes: also nothing to do with vr, but ON GOD I'VE GOT SOMETHING PLANNED WITH THEM I- i am also making this a mini series, because i cant physically sit down and write anything too long because this ask was very long and i simply can't not break it down into parts im sorry anon i love you

"mate, just go up and him and say 'hi'. it's not that hard."

"i know, but i'm scared."

"scared? he's a 22-year-old. he won't bite you."

"you don't know that!"

"he's a really nice kid. just go up to him and ask him if he wants to hang out."

"okay, but only if you come with me?"

"you're a fully grown adult! you don't need me with you to play matchmaker to get a new friend."

"please, george? i'm asking you this one favour."

"no can do. look! there he is! go!"

that's the last thing you hear before you are rudely shoved out of alex's driver's room. you press your lips together into a thin line, fists balled by your side as you hear george close the door behind you. you knew hanging out with george in alex's room without alex is stupid.

you had simply noticed the american rookie quietly following the thai driver around, not making many conversations with other drivers during the pre-season test a couple of weeks ago. while you're very well equipped with making friends and incorporating yourself with the rest of your colleagues, logan seemed to be one of the people you found quite difficult to approach.

not because he's unapproachable. simply because he is also very quiet and reserved on his own. once upon a time, when you first joined formula 1 as the only woman on the grid, you were good friends with charles. that was before you had drifted apart amidst all the outright comparisons everyone would make, and eventually, you had fallen into his shadow while he achieved greater things in the sport.

you had learned to find solace in your own company for about a year or so, only speaking to whoever spoke to you. it wasn't until things started falling into place when toto wolff had picked you to race with mercedes, following lewis hamilton's retirement in 2021 after failing to secure himself a championship.

logan, who has just finished his climb up the stairs, flashes you a friendly smile as he fiddles with his keys. "hey," he greets you, before abruptly turning to unlock the door to his driver's room.

"hi," you smile, awkwardly wiping your palms against the material of your shorts. "i haven't had the chance to properly introduce myself to you. i'm (y/n)."

he pushes his door open, craning his neck to acknowledge you. "i know. i've been a big fan since you joined the sport," he glances elsewhere before meeting your eyes again, "i'm logan?"

"right, we already know that," you sigh, shaking your head. you take a step forward, maintaining your distance from the entrance of his driver's room. you don't want to wind up overstepping your welcome. "um, well, welcome to formula 1."

he smiles at you, slightly more genuine this time. you watch as he puts his bag down by the door. "thank you."

"no problem." you bite on the inside of your cheek, turning around to open the door to alex's driver's room. you hear the door creaking behind you, and you vaguely remember that all this awkward conversation wasn't initiated for nothing.

you turn back around and try to hold the door open. your palm meets the door, logan flinching back in surprise as you tilt your head to peek up at him. "have you had your lunch yet?"

he shakes his head. "why?"

"george and i are waiting for alex to finish his meeting with james before we go and grab lunch somewhere in the paddocks," you smile. "wanna hang out?"

#logan sargeant #logan sargeant x reader #logan sargeant x you #female driver #fem!driver #f1 female driver #f1 x you #f1 #disneyprincemuke #disneyprincemuke imagine #disneyprincemuke imagines #disneyprincemuke f1 #disneyprincemuke inthaf #logan sargeant platonic #disneyprincemuke 3k celly

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woso-fan13 · 11 months

Text

Comfortober 2023: 3 (Arsenal)

3. Leaves Changing

The changing leaves only meant one thing- autumn was arriving. The season was bittersweet this year. It has always been your favorite season- thanksgiving being your favorite holiday, but being away from home puts a damper on your spirits. As you watched the fallen leaves tumble in the wind, you couldn’t help but long for home.

This was your first year in London, and the excitement of playing for Arsenal had yet to wear off. It was the greatest thing to happen to you and you loved all of your teammates dearly.

But you were in London. Your family was back in the US. You had talked to them for a while this morning, but the conversation was cut short by a pot boiling over and a frantic goodbye from your mother. No doubt she was stressed about making the perfect meal.

Now, you were alone in your apartment. You couldn’t think of much to be thankful for at that moment. While your father was getting everything ready to carve the turkey, you would be eating a spoonful of peanut butter and calling it dinner.

Luckily, an urgent knocking on your door pulls you from your pity party. You want to ignore it and pretend you’re not home, but some nagging part of your brain insists you open it.

As soon as you pull the door open, Katie pushes past you carrying a large pan.

“Took you long enough, didn’t it? I was burning my fingers waiting for you to open this door,” she exclaims as she hurries to the kitchen.

Looking back out the door, you see a few more of your Arsenal teammates. They’re all holding dishes and pans, eagerly waiting to put them down. You invite them all inside, moving to shut the door behind them and investigate what’s going on. Leah stops you.

“I’d just leave that propped open if I were you. Save yourself a couple trips when the others arrive.”

This confuses you even more. Who else was coming? Why were some of your teammates here in the first place?

Before you could question it though, the door was pushed open as more of your friends invited themselves into your home. They greet you eagerly, also moving to the kitchen. You follow them.

Inside, a group of girls have opened a few bottles of fine and are passing glasses around. Food is stacked on the countertop, an eclectic array of colorful dishes. A glass is passed into your hand as soon as your body is fully in the room.

“Guys?” you ask, gaining their attention, “not that I don’t love you all, but what are you doing here?”

It’s Leah who answers, looking similarly confused, “did we get the date wrong? I thought it was today?”

“What date, what are you trying to do?”

“It’s Thanksgiving, isn’t it? We’re trying to celebrate.”

And suddenly, you had so much to be thankful for.

#woso imagine #womens soccer #woso imagines #reader insert #woso x reader #woso #woso soccer #woso fanfics #woso community #arsenal women #arsenalwfc #arsenal wfc #awfc #arsenal x reader

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iwhyzumiihajimee · 10 months

Text

dessert before dinner~ [ mature 18+ ]

pairing: iwaizumi hajime x fem.reader

content: deciding to cook up a meal together, hajime playfully flirts and teases you which result to missing dinner once again.

warnings !! 18+ // explicit smut, moaning, licking, biting, fucking, kissing, teasing, grinding, unprotected sex, pussy eating, making out, sixtynine

word count: 2.3k

author's note: happy thanksgiving!! uhm eat yummy and enjoy!!

Looking good!~ you praise Hajime for his cooking skills as he responded with a "Thanks~" He stirs the food and cooks it carefully while watching you peel the potatoes and instructs you throughout the time we cooked. "Those look good enough now. We can use them as a side dish or some topping if we need to." He then turns to you and kisses you softly, "You're doing a good job, my little chef~"

"Thank you~" You giggled. Hajime starts to season the pan and taste the food. "Hmm~ it taste good, but it need one more thing..." He adds a splash of soy sauce and stirs it into the pan. "Mm~mm~ that's good." He then puts the lid on the pan, "Okay, dinner is almost ready. Are you sure you don't want to eat some of me up before dinner? I'm all yours~"

Yours eyes widen from his flirt, "Hajime!~ You did not just say that!~"

Hajime then finishes his portion of the dish and turns to you. "Why not? I can't help, but be a little tempted right now..." He grins and nibbles your ear. "Can I eat you up a little bit tonight? I can't think of a better way to spend my Thanksgiving night than eating some of you..." He licks your ear and nips it gently.

All you can do is blush as your ears also get red, "Uhmm I can't deny that..."

He smiles and comes close to your lips and licks them real quick. "You're looking like a snack, love~ You taste so good~ I want to have just a little taste~" He then lowers his head to your neck nibbling gently, then licking the spot. "Your skin is so soft~ I feel like I have to control myself so I don't devour you right now~"

You chuckled and try to focus on your dish that you are currently still cooking. "Hey~ I'm trying to focus here~ My sides are almost ready~"

"Yeah yeah, almost done... I can't help but want to eat you up now~" He continues to nibble your neck even more. He pulls you closer from behind and starts to nibble your ear, licking you all over "I just can't wait~ I want to have you now~" He whispers into your ear.

"Please after 'real dinner', okay? Do you not hear my stomach growling?"

He pulls away a little, "We can wait a little longer. I'm hungry too, but I'm more hungry for you~" Hajime nips your neck gently and ear once again while you cook. His mouth waters, "Just want to have a taste~ Just a small one~ please~" He continues to plead. "Come on~ you know you want me to have a taste~ It'll be so sweet~"

You then turn around with the cooking spoon in your hand and shoved the sauce at him to taste, "How's that?"

"mmm~ sweet and savory~" He looks up at you with lustful eyes and goes back to pulling closer. "Please~ I'm begging, just a tiny taste mhm? I'm so hungry"

Thinking you could return Hajime from his trance. You look at him with your darken eyes as he is pulling you into his void. "Damn it Hajime~ Don't tempt me..."

Hajime smiled and nibbled your ear softly, "I’m not just tempted, love. I’m ready to devour you~" He licked his lips, and his lustful eyes stares into yours, "I want to eat you so much right now~ I can’t wait anymore~ please~"

explicit smut below

Turning off the stove, you turned around and wrapped your arms around him. As you did this he pulls up and places you on the kitchen counter. Hajime moaning silently and nibbles your neck more intently, pulling you in close as he pushes himself against you. "oh god~ I can’t take it anymore~ I need to eat you!~" His lips against your neck and nibbles you little more harder, licking slowly up your neck, as he let out a moan.

He then gets you off the counter carrying you towards the living room couch as it was the closest surface to lay you down properly. "Oooh~ you like that, love?" Hajime nibbles and lightly bites your chest, licking the spots where he nibbled. His eyes are glued to your body. "You taste so good~ I know there’s some place else here I want to eat~ Please~ let me have all of you~ He continues to lick your neck again, then moving onto your lips for a kiss. He gently pulls you on top of him with half-lidded eyes, you moan, "Gosh~ I hate you~"

"Why? Because I'm driving you crazy?" He grins and whispers to your ear. "I want you to be so desperate right now~ You want this too right?" He pulls at your clothes and start taking them off. "Are you ready for me now?"

"Do I have a choice?"

All he could do is smirk and start taking his clothes off as well, "Not right now you don't~ We will be having dinner later~ I'll just be having my snack~ He slides his shirt off before taking off his shorts. "Don't worry~ I'm still gonna finish cooking dinner~ but I'm gonna have my fair share of dessert~"

"Fine... You owe me dessert as well~" You say as you got back on top of him, but instead of facing him your staring back at his juicy lolly. "Sure~ whatever you need~" Hajime then brings his tongue out to finally have a taste of your juices. "You're so hot... I can't wait any longer~"

He kisses up your cheeks and pulls your hips down to his lips slurping you until your dry. As he entertains himself with your entrance, you also enjoy your dessert. Licking up his tip, and bobby his head with your mouth as if your actually enjoying the way you eat a lollipop. This position and movements continues, and it gets a little rougher.

"Yes, love.... eat me... it feels so good~" Hajime start to slight move his hips back n forth in your mouth trying to get as much friction and feeling down his harden dick. Not keep you from also feeling good, he stick his tongue in your entrance and moves in n out of you. You moan and gasp from the feeling. Wanting to feel more pressure and get yourself on edge you both repositioned and got on top of him.

Hajime inserts into your entrance, and you both became one connecting unit. Moving your hips back n forth at a good pace, hajime holds onto your hips and presses down a bit to add more pressure to both your genitals. "Mhmm~ yeah... I love it... don't stop... I need it..." He goes back to nibbling your neck and kissing you passionately, "Oh~ god~ love you feel so good~ I can’t control myself anymore~"

Continuing the movement of your hips he praises you non-stop. "Ah-Ah~ That feels so good~ Yes, my love~" Hajime moans loudly as you nibble his neck, and his body trembles a bit from the sensations. "Don't stop now, love~"

Whispering into his ear as you slightly catch your breath, "not stopping... don't stop, don't stop"

Hajime keeps nibbling and licking you, then nibble down below your neck a bit before licking you on your chest. "I can’t get enough.. I want more~ you taste so good right now~" Closing his eyes and moaning. He bites you a little longer, nibbling down your body, "Ooh, it feels so good~ Don’t ask me to stop~ I love this~"

He turns you over and gets on top of you. He makes sounds of satisfaction and surprise as you lick him "Ahh~ Mmm~ Mmm~" his body moves with your tongue, his hands hold onto you. He pulls away from his licks and kisses, and raises your leg nibbling the back of your knee, just below your thigh, then moving up to your hips.

Going back to your lips for a kiss, he slips tongue and dances with yours. "Ahh~ I’m going crazy~ Oh~ Mmm~" his hands play with your hair and neck. Arms wrap around you. And he moves his legs a little bit around yours. "I love this~" he whisper something in your ear, something he knows you’d like.

"Ahh~ I’m gonna explode~ You make me feel so good~" Hajime moans and groans as you continue to hold onto him. His hands move a bit, but can’t really move much because of how good you make him feel. "Don’t stop~"

"Ahh~ Mmm~" You groan as you lick

Hajime's entire body trembles as every sensitive spot were being hit. "Don’t stop, I’m enjoying your tongue~ I love you being all over me~" You press his body against yours. "I feel like I can’t get enough of you right now. Oh god~ please keep going~ don’t ever stop~" He says. His hands grab onto yours for support as you please him with your tongue. "Ah~ Mmm~ Don’t tease me~ I can’t keep taking much longer~" Hajime's breathes deeply to steady himself.

Switching positions every so often he slowly moves down and start licking and nibbling your thighs. "Oh yeah~ Mmm~" he nibbles up and down your thighs, moving slowly, then his tongue goes fast, almost like it’s teasing and taunting. "You feel so good, love~ I could do this all day~" he bites your thighs gently before licking and nibbling them some more. "Mm~ Yes~ Oh god~ So good~" moving his hands higher up on your body and holds you tightly.

Finally trying to finish this up you take a little control and move on top one last time never separating the connection you both have. His fingers clench up as you bite his soft spot on his collar. "Ahh~ yes!! Mm~" You can hear how hard he is moaning right now. Legs slightly clench up, his entire body trembles and shakes as we continue. His arms hold onto you tightly. "Keep going~ ohh~" Hajime's breathing gets heavier as he starts to let out tiny screams. "Ahh!! Don’t stop now!! I’m losing it!!" He moans loudly, eyes wide open.

Taking charge Hajime flips you onto your back. He bites down a little harder and his hands grips your hips even tighter. His other hand slowly starts going higher up your body, and nibbles on you just a little quicker. His tongue goes down your chest and slowly goes higher up again, making sure to touch the same spot." Come on, make some noise!" He nibbles and bites you a little more intensely. He grabs your legs and lift them up a bit higher now thrusting into you faster and rougher as his tongue speeds up kissing you lips.

"Ahh!! Yes!! Right there!" You moan loudly as your legs start to shake a little. Pressing his body down on yours even harder and you can hear how hard and fast I’m breathing. "Don’t stop! Don’t stop!" You begged. He moves his hands higher up your body again and you tug on his hair back. You can feel him shaking and his moans are getting even louder just like yours.

"Don’t be quiet now! Moan louder for me! I wanna hear how much you love this!" He bites down a little more and keep his tongue moving, going even faster just to make you happy. Lick the same spot over and over again, making sure that sweet spot is hit over and over again. "Ah!! Ahh!!" You can hear him trying to get control of his breathing and moans, but can’t help it as they are getting louder.

Rolling your eyes back and moaning from the intense sensation, "Ah yeah! You’re loving it~ I know that face!" He nibbles and bite your chest harder, he start licking and nibbling the same spot repeatedly to hit the exact spot you like. "Ahh~ ahh~” Hajime hears how much you’re enjoying this right now. "That’s the spot!" He thrusts even faster, making sure to hit the sweet spot still.

"Oh my god~ mmm~ yes~ that’s the spot!" You finally spoke. You press your body against his even tighter and hug the back of his head and neck. "Don’t stop! Don’t stop!" Your breathing is very fast. Legs are shaking a lot more now as his hard wood is hitting you in all the good spots. "Please~ I won’t last much longer~" You moaned very loudly and start talking in a more begging way.

"My legs are shaking and I’m so close~" There is a new kind of desperation and intensity in his voice. Our breathing is really heavy and fast, and his legs are shaking more and more now. My voice sounds so desperate the way he begs you to keep going. You can feel how close both of you are. "What am I supposed to do…" Hajime ask you as he doesn't want to end, but we have to finish at some point. My hand reaches around and grips hair hair tightly.

"Finish love~" You whispered in his ear. Hajime tries to ask you again in between his pleas for you not to stop.

both of you are close to the breaking point now, and holding onto every last bit of strength. One last thrust. Hajime finishes as you also come with him right after his.

He look at you for a second, then collapse on your figure breathing hard as his legs go numb from all the work. He grabs your wrist sliding up his fingers to intertwine with yours. With his shaking state, embarrassed but still smiling. "T-t-thank you, l-love~ Y-y-you did so well…" He says as chests still rises and falls, and he tries to hide the fact that he looks slightly embarrassed that he did that. "I-I couldn’t stop…" He says in a hushed tone.

He adjusts on top of you. Eyes closed and his head is resting on your chest. "Can I stay here, my love?" He whispers, smiling slightly.

You moved your head a little to look into his eyes nodding as you play with his hair and whisper back to him "We missed dinner again~"

#haikyuu #haikyuu imagines #hq imagines #hq x reader #hajime iwaizumi #haikyuu smut #iwaizumi #iwaizumi fanfic #iwaizumi hajime imagines #iwaizumi imagine #iwaizumi smut #iwaizumi x reader #iwaizumi hajime smut #iwaizumi hajime #iwaizumi x y/n #haikyuu x reader #hq smut #hq iwaizumi

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arielburrow · 1 year

Note

Joe being nervous of you meeting his family

Pumpkin Pie

nothing like a Thanksgiving fic in June 🤭

Fall in Ohio was definitely your favorite time of the year. The leaves changing always signaled to you mentally that football season was in full swing and the holidays were around the corner.

You take in the scenery for a moment before continuing to your boyfriends front door. “Joe!” you call out, entering his home.

“Hey you!” he welcomes you with a warm hug after being away from each other for a week. You traveled to Pennsylvania to visit family and attend an event with other NFL photographers that the league hosted annually.

“How was your trip? How’s your mom doing?” he questions as you both take a seat on the couch.

“Shes doing good, I saw my sister, it was really nice to be home for a bit and see everyone before they leave.” Your mom was traveling to Europe with her lifelong best friend, which you were a little concerned about at her age, but she insisted it had to be checked off the bucket list. Your sister was also heading to Florida to stay with her husband’s family for Thanksgiving, so your mom wanted everyone to be together since you’d be apart for the holiday.

“That’s good to hear, but i’m glad your back, I missed you a lot.” He smirks pulling you to his chest.

“I know Joe I missed you too, you know it’s funny we’ve only been officially dating for a month and I don’t even like being apart from you for a week.” You giggle into his chest.

“Yep. Joe Burrow effect.” He innocently shrugs receiving a nudge from you causing him to laugh.

“Hey I have a question….” he leads on. You look up to him with a bit of concern.

“Can you…I mean….do you by any chance like pumpkin pie?”

You laugh at his demeanor, he seemed almost scared for your response. “ I love pumpkin pie Joe, why do you ask?”

“oh thank GOD.” he looks almost relieved as he stands from the couch and walks to the fridge. You watch as he pulls a Costco pumpkin pie from the fridge, this of course being the only thing in the fridge besides a bottle of ketchup. He grabs two forks and heads back to you, placing the pie between you two and handing you a fork.

“Here.” he smiles and reaches for the remote to find a movie.

“Plates?” you ask.

“Nope, we don’t need them.” he insists.

“alright then.”

After a long night of Joe showing you how much he missed you, you got up early for a workout with your best friend.

She catches you up on her guy drama and you fill her in on Joe.

“Oh so you’re going to Thanksgiving with Joe’s family? That’ll be fun!” She responds to you’re blurb about you being home for the holiday.

You whip your head towards her as you both push through the stairmaster.

“Um what?” You respond in complete shock at your assumption.

“Well yeah…I mean, what is Joe gonna do, drive to Athens and leave you here for Thanksgiving? No way, he’s gonna want you to go with him.”

“I’ve never met his family before though, he makes them sound so sweet but that’s like a huge thing.” You respond between huffs, wiping your hand of the sweat along your forehead.

The two of you go back in forth on the conversation as you finish your workout. Leaving the gym you couldn’t help but to overthink the situation. Was Joe assuming you would just go with him? He might not even be considering it?

After showering and ordering takeout, you finally have time to wind down in your own apartment. You were finishing up some editing when Joe texted.

Joe❤️- dinner tmr night, I’m cooking

you- you mean your chef is cooking?

Joe❤️-😉

The next day you spend at the facility and finishing up more editing. Heading to Joe’s house the question rings through your head again. Does he want me to meet his parents?

You can immediately smell the fajitas Joe requests weekly as you walk into his house. You greet his chef and make your way upstairs do find him on the phone with someone. You walk into his room quietly and plop down next to him, soon able to put together that he must be talking to his mother. As he hangs up he turns back to face you, pulling you into him. “You hungry?” he questions. “Starving” you respond pulling him up from the bed to go back downstairs.

You both take a seat at the table as the chef brings over the food; both expressing your gratitude for the meal, after all, neither of you could cook. Without Joe’s chef, takeout would be the only option. You both make small talk throughout dinner and go over each others days.

“I heard you talking to your mom, how is she doing?” you ask picking up the glass of water. “She’s good, she was just checking in on things, asking me about Thanksgiving and stuff. I’m on pumpkin pie duty because she knows i’m picky about where the pie is from.” He babbles on, you laugh at the pie comment. “You know i’ve know you for almost a year and was given no insight into the punpkin pie fanatic that you are.” he gives you a surprised look. “Umm, what do you mean? Friendsgiving last year? At Jamarr’s? The pie that everyone was raving about…the one that I brought.” He goes on bragging about this situation which you have zero memory of, but give him the credit any way.

“So, since your family’s all out of town, what are you going to do for the holiday?” he looks up to you with seemingly hopeful eyes. “Um I don’t really know honestly, maybe i’ll just hang around here or go to Anna’s place?” you responded taking both of your plates to the sink.

“Why don’t you come with me?” he asks. “To Athens for the night, we won’t stay long cause of practice and everything but it would be nice for you to meet my family” he picks up the dishes to clean as you seat yourself in a barstool across from him.

“You’re ready for me to meet them?” you ask watching him load the dishwasher. “Yeah, I mean i’ve been wanting you guys to meet for a long time and they never get to see you at games cause your always on the field.” he says.

You think for a moment, then smile. “Yeah i’ll go with you.” He smiles in return, walking over to you and sitting with you on the couch. “Can you stay tonight?” He asks pushing a strand of hair from your face. “I have to go to the office early tomorrow, like earlier then you go for practice,” you say to him. “That’s fine, I have to meet with Brian anyway.” he returns. “Okay then, im staying,” you respond shifting yourself to lay in his lap as he finds a show to watch. “My moms going to be so happy your coming,” you smile as you hear him say it before dozing off.

A week later your packing a bag for Joe’s house. You were heading over there tonight, and leaving tomorrow morning for his parents house. You had him on FaceTime at the moment as you got everything together. “I hope you like them, I mean i know they’ll love you, but I hope you like them and-”

“Joe” you cut him off laughing. “They’re you’re parents, i’m going to love them, don’t you worry. I’m the one whose supposed to be nervous not you!” you giggle. “I know, I know, it’s just really important to me you know? I love you and I want you to feel like you’re apart of the family.” You smile at what he says. You and Joe confessed your love for one an other a while ago, but it still made you blush hearing him say the phrase. “I love you too Joe, and I promise i’m so excited to become apart of your family.” You pick up the phone to see his face. You and Joe had a funny dynamic. Technically you had only been together for a month, but you fell for him way before that. The day you were hired by the Bengals you knew there would be a professional problem because you became addicted to him. His looks, his jokes, just being around him was like a drug for you and you knew there was no escaping. You were definitely a little nervous about meeting his parents, but you were excited that this was happening. It made this whole dream feel a little more real.

The next morning you wake up in Joes arms. The two of you spend the morning getting ready and Joe expressing his little worries to you which you insisted he stoped talking about. “You know they’re going to drown you with questions right?” He asks you getting in the car. “Joe, that’s okay, all you need to worry about is your pumpkin pie.” You console him cupping his cheeks as you lean over to kiss them. He glances to the backseat to ensure it’s there, making you laugh.

The drive to Athens is quiet and relaxing, you let Joe have aux for about 15 minutes before you steal the cord. Pulling into his parents driveway, you take in the old red brick home that seems to be gushing with childhood memories. Joe’s parents appear and you meet them with a warm hug and hello. Robin hugs Joe tightly after not seeing him for a few weeks. Walking into the house you’re immediate hit with the sweet smell of cinnamon spice and you can’t help but smile. The four of you take a seat on the couch and Robin explains that others will be joining soon. She asks about your job and how you like working with the organization. “It’s honestly amazing, I worked in Seattle for a while, but it doesn’t even compare to this organization, and it’s nice to be able to work back in my home state,” you say. “It’s definitely something special, they really care.” Jimmy chimes in with a smile. After some more small talk Joe and his dad talk football while Robin gathers photo albums. She sits with you as she shows you baby Joe and gives you a backstory on the pictures. You die over each picture which Joe rolls his eyes at. “I was three!” he yells over your reaction to the picture of him running bare naked in the street with a football in his hand.

You could immediately tell Joes parents were something special, they are a big part of the man he is today and you were so happy you got to join the Burrows.

Others arrive soon after, and the house fills with chatter. You make your way around meeting the others and saying hi to Joes friends who also joined dinner, who you have met before.

You help Robin and Joes aunts in the kitchen for a while, the four of you chattering for hours before Joe pulls you aside.

“So?” he asks. “So what Joey? You want a rating on your family? I love them, I love all of this, I promise. Stop overthinking this and go sit with your friends.” You reach up to kiss him on the cheek and he smiles and nods.

You finish helping with dinner and setting the table with Joe. You all finally sit down together, the table beaming with chatter and laughter. “Thank you all for being with us, those of you who were on time, and those who showed up five minutes ago.” Jimmy says glancing towards Joes brothers, causing everyone to laugh. “I’m just kidding, but really it’s nice to have everyone under the same roof for the holiday.” “we love you all, now please eat!” Robin adds with a smile. You make small talk with different relatives at the table and with Joe. After dinner, you sit with Robin and Joe’s aunts, while the guys do the dishes.

“So y/n, you and Joe are absolutely adorable, really I know that boy and how he is with girls and he is really in love with you.” His mom’s sister comments with a smile. You return the smile and you can’t lie that you felt a blush from that comment. You loved that she picked up on that. “Do you see your family often?” the other sister asks. “Sometimes, most of them are in Pennsylvania so they come to games some times and I just went up there last week to visit.” you respond. Everyone joins in the living room as Joe serves the pumpkin pie. Robin puts on a Christmas movie, insisting that it was now Christmas season, which you couldn’t argue with.

Joe takes a seat next to you and you rest your head on his shoulder. The rest of the night is filled with reminiscing on childhoods and lots of football. You hug everyone goodbye and Robin pulls you in tight. “Thank you y/n” she whispers “he really needs you” she smiles and moves to hug Joe goodbye. The drive home is again a comfortable silence that you happily doze off to, knowing you’re family just expanded tremendously.

#joe burrow #joeburrow #joe burrow fic #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow x y/n #joe burrow x reader

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theitgirlnetwork · 10 months

Text

Better

Ch. 11: Three Months But It Feels Like Forever

Note: Hello! Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it and just a warm hope you had a good day to those who don't. Another chapter written in the middle of the night, so...you know. Still I hope you enjoy it. Unfortunately our fave couple still has troubles ahead, but there's a fun, a little (a lot) crazy surprise at the end. As always, thank you for all of the love on this story, I'm really grateful for it. It really inspires me and makes this stuff even easier to share. You're all great. I love interacting so feel free to continue. Also this is short but the next one will be longer bc it's something big. Also again, this taglist situation is probably my bad so I'm gonna sort it out, try again next chapter, and then y'all can tell me if it worked, bc atp I'm embarrassing myself. Thanks and I hope you enjoy. <3

Charlotte's Work Party Look

Lip's Work Party Look

“So this is bullshit. He dumps her for one basketball game?”

“That’s not what happened, he was having an inner conflict, and he was only sixteen.”

“Sixteen year old piece of shit.”

Charlotte huffs, continuing to run her fingers through his blond curls. Lip is laid across the couch, his head in Charlotte’s lap, hand underneath her thigh. Debbie is sitting on the floor in front of the television and Troy Bolton had just told his friends he didn’t give a shit about Gabriella.

“He’s just choosing basketball and his friends.” Debbie protests, breaking free from her basketball boy trance to argue with her brother.

“Basketball and his friends can’t get his dick wet-ow! Charlotte.” he winces, rubbing the spot on his scalp where his girlfriend had decided to bury her hand and tug. “Damn it, I was just sayin’ he’s got like one game left in the season, why does he need to break up with her to play? And that shit she just wrote on the board is wrong-why the hell are we watchin’ this shit?”

“You just don’t get it.” Debbie huffs, pausing the movie. She pushes off of the floor and grabs the popcorn from the coffee table. “Let’s watch try again when he’s not here.”

“Oh excuse me.” Lip rolls his eyes as his sister storms off, running up the steps. When he looks back up at his girlfriend, her cheek is dimpling with her deep frown. “What?”

“You ruined movie night” she fake pouts, rubbing her hand along his chest.

Lip smirks, before indulging her, sitting up and tilting her chin with his finger. “Aw, did I?” he kisses her cheek, “I don’t think I did.” her jaw, “We could go in my room and make our own movie.”

“Yeah?” Charlotte hums, meeting his lips briefly with her own before pulling back. “Can’t. I have work.”

“Stay here,” he murmurs, pulling her back to him. “You can dance for me.”

Giggling, Charlotte lets herself be pulled back in, exchanging kisses with the blond until his phone buzzes on the couch next to him, a dreaded name lighting up on the screen. She pulls back fully this time, standing to go get dressed. “Your professor is texting you. At 8:36 at night.”

Blue eyes watch Charlotte disappear up the staircase before closing tiredly. Lip had been dodging almost all of Helene’s communications. He would read her texts to make sure they had nothing to do with his job, and only responded when they did. He’d hoped that was enough, but everytime Charlotte saw that name pop up on his phone she would retract from him. Leave the room, pick up Liam, interact with anyone but him. One morning she asked again, if she had a thing for him, or if they’d hooked up in the past. No matter how much he wanted to, Lip just couldn’t bring himself to answer her with a yes.

“Fuck,” he breathes to himself, before running up the stairs after her. He pushes the door to his bedroom open. “Charlotte-” he pauses, staring at her, taking in her form. She stands in her work outfit, if you could call it that, the only thing offering an ounce of covering is the one leg of a juicy tracksuit she was putting on over it. “Um, what the fuck?”

She turns, meeting him with confusion, giving him a glimpse of the front which only has him letting out a laugh of disbelief. “What?”

“What? You’re gonna wear that to work?”

“Oh,” she shrugs, putting her leg through the other hole and pulling the pants up. “Yeah.” she chirps, reaching past him to grab the matching jacket, zipping it over the small bikini top she has on.

“The only thing that shit covers is your nipples.” Lip says, scratching his head.

“S’a stripclub, Phillip. They’re supposed to see stuff.” she giggles. Her laughter stops when she sees his stoic face. Charlotte makes her way over to him, cupping his cheek, “Hey, you said you were good with this. You’re not?”

Lip looks away from her for a second, shifting on his feet. He’s too embarrassed to admit to her that he thinks he agreed to this whole stripper situation too soon. He’d never been a jealous guy, so he didn’t think it was a problem, but he supposes that jealousy is a new feeling that Charlotte had brought into his life. “No, baby I am, just…shit.”

“What shit. Like shit? Or shit.”

Lip closes the distance between them, waiting for her to meet him in a peck, patting her ass when she does. “Watch your mouth.” he mumbles against her lips.

Big brown eyes just stare up into his blue ones. “M’workin’ for us, remember?” She whispers, wrapping her arms around his neck and rubbing his hair at the nape. “Besides, why would I look at the losers that hang out at the club, lookin’ at me all night when I could come work and be with my sexy boyfriend?”

“Good point.”

“Yeah?” she laughs, letting him pull her into a bunch of small pecks, between matching smiles. The couple starts to get lost in each other again, only breaking away at the sound of Lip’s phone going off again. Charlotte pulls back with a blank look on her face. “Your other girlfriend is trying to reach you.”

Lip rolls his eyes and sighs as she slips past him again, running down the stairs. “Bunny-”

“Just take me to work, Gallagher.”

“You do privates, honey?” A drunken man slurs, leering at Charlotte, waving a hundred dollar bill in front of her face. He’s with a group of older men who’d been tipping shittily and buying the cheapest drinks since they’d gotten there.

“No, sir I don’t, but the ladies that do are on the other side of the club…and they charge more than that.”

The man’s lip curls as he stands, scowling at the woman. Charlotte subtly takes a step back, glancing over at security, ready to call them if he got aggressive.

“Hold on, wait a minute, Trent. That’s my daughter in law you’re talkin’ to.” a voice rasps.

“Frank?”

The scraggly man emerges from the crowd of older men on the couch, positioning himself between Charlotte and the other man. “The one and only.” His gaze drops briefly. “Nice outfit.”

Charlotte wraps her arms over her chest and frowns at the man. “What’re you doing here, Frank?” She looks at the group behind him. “Are you in trouble?”

“Trouble? I’m enjoying the ambience! You and your lovely naked friends are a sight to behold-”

“Oh, God, Frank!” Charlotte gasps, covering her mouth to hide her disgust.

“What? You have a beautiful form!”

“I’m calling Phillip.” she huffs, turning to go to the locker room, she pauses as a thought passes through her mind. Twirling back around she makes her way back over. “Frank, what are you paying with?”

“Oh,” the older man produces a sock full of cash from his pocket. It’s familiar to Charlotte. Ever since Frank and Monica located the first squirrel fund, Fiona had started keeping the money in a new place. In the dry rotted hole on the floor between the wall and the dryer. Inside of the sock that Frank was currently dangling in Charlotte’s face. “I came into some money.”

“Hey, that’s-” Charlotte tries to grab it, only for Frank to yank it away at each attempt. “For the house! For bills, for Carl’s field trip this month-”

“That’s my house that you’re shacking up in fyi. This is Gallagher money, and therefore it’s mine to spend. Now point me in the direction of the ladies giving private dances. I’m a private man.”

“Frank, I can’t let you spend that-” Charlotte argues, grabbing one end of the sock and pulling. Frank is tugging at the other until he stumbles into a table, causing a couple glasses to fall and shatter, leaving Charlotte with the sock. Charlotte stands over the man angry, disgusted, and feeling a wave of hate she’s never really felt for anyone. Up until this point, she really didn’t consider Frank beyond the far and few in between memories Lip shared. But now she was seeing the man be shitty live and in person. And she was fed up. “It’s for your fucking kids you deadbeat!”

Two seconds later security is grabbing Frank and the manager on staff that night, Sarah, is pulling Charlotte a couple steps away. She can distantly hear Lip’s father yelling and cursing as he’s dragged from the club. “Lottie, what happened?”

“I…Frank is my boyfriend’s father, and he’s trying to spend their house money, and he was being a dick about it-”

“Okay, okay. Well, Frank knows he’s not really supposed to be in here anyway, so it won’t happen again. The new guy at the door must have let him slip through. But, because a personal altercation occurred out on the floor, I have to send you home, babe.”

“Damn, really?” Charlotte whines, looking at the crowd starting to pour into the club, no doubt big spenders. She could practically see the dollar signs fading away. Sara offers her a sympathetic look, shrugging. “Fine, okay, let me call my boyfriend to pick me up.”

Lip had been dead asleep when Charlotte let him know she needed to be picked up from work. He has work tomorrow and so in an attempt to get some real sleep, he was in their room at V and Kev’s house, taking advantage of the quiet. He’d rushed over to get her, grabbing Kev’s car keys without asking and noting to himself that a car should probably be the first thing on their list to purchase with the Bunny Bank. When he pulled up out front she was already waiting there for him, the big burly security man, John waiting beside her to walk her to the car.

He and Lip exchange nods as Charlotte climbs into the car pouting. “What happened?” Lip immediately questions, barely letting the door closed. “Someone was fuckin’ with you?”

Charlotte huffs, buckling her seatbelt, allowing him to turn the light on and try to check her for any bruises or injuries. “No…kinda, just- your dad showed up.”

“Fuckin’ Frank.”

“Yeah, right, and he had all of your house money, and I tried to get it back, and he wouldn’t give it back, and we fought and I told him he was a piece of shit deadbeat.”

Lip frowns at that. He hates this part of having a girlfriend. It’s fucking humiliating. He doesn’t know how Fiona lets a bunch of different guys get involved with their family shit. Finding Frank drunk in the yard, Monica coming and spewing her bullshit, now Frank was showing up at Charlotte’s job. And she was fighting with him over money he’d stolen from his children. It’s fucking embarrassing. “Yeah, well, that’s Frank, don’t worry about that shit okay?”

“Well he was stealing from-”

“Fiona and I handle it, it’s not your problem, alright?” Lip says, muscle in his jaw jumping in irritation.

From the corner of his eye he can see Charlotte stare at him with a hurt expression for a moment, before sitting back in the passenger seat, facing forward. “Okay.” she drops the sock full of money on his lap.

The rest of the ride is quiet, Lip drives her through dingy streets, in a borrowed car and wallows in shame. Charlotte is leaning as far into the door as possible, far from him. When they pull up to their neighborhood she hops out of the car before Lip can open the door, going over to Kev and V’s house. Lip follows a couple paces behind quietly, assuming the fact that she’d left the door unlocked was a sign she still wanted him to come with her.

As he enters the room he finds Charlotte already in her pajamas, curled up on the bed facing the wall. Small movements let him know she’s crying. The blond quietly slips behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist and resting his face against hers, pressing soft quiet kisses against her cheek. “M’sorry, baby.”

She just offers a sniffle in response.

Lip sighs loudly, dropping his head to the desk. His eyes fucking burn. He got little to no sleep after he’d basically told Charlotte off and made her cry, and she was quiet as hell this morning. He was such a screw up. “Fuck” he curses, grabbing a cigarette and his lighter from his bag, leaning back in his desk chair as he sparks it.

“Gallagher! You have a visitor!” Eric calls from the hallway. Immediately, Lip’s mind goes to Charlotte. Maybe she was feeling better and didn’t fucking hate him for telling her off for caring about him.

“Let her in!”

The door creaks open revealing Helene with a condescending smile plastered on her face. “You’re a hard man to hunt down, Phillip Gallagher.”

He just sighs, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air. “M’busy.”

“With what? Work or your girlfriend?” Helene sits in the chair across from Lip, crossing her legs, rolling her eyes when he doesn’t bother answering, taking another drag. “I’m kidding. But you have been ignoring my calls.”

“Well, you’re here now. What’d you wanna talk about?”

A muffled voice that could only be Eric’s is heard through the door. “His office is this way. You look great by the way.” The door to Lip’s office pushes open again, and who enters this time has him shooting out of his seat. “Gallagher, your girlfriend’s here.” Eric grins, tucking his hands into his pockets as Charlotte slowly makes her way in, eyes flicking between Lip and Helene.

“Fucking shit, okay-” Lip mumbles under his breath, holding his arm out for Charlotte to come to him. He watches as she rolls her shoulders back, standing straight and walking behind Lip’s desk, leaning into him. “Hel-Helene, this is my girlfriend Charlotte, Charlotte, this is my old Professor Helene.”

“Nice to meet you, young lady.” Helene says, holding her hand out.

Charlotte takes a deep breath before setting down the bag she was carrying in her hand, reaching over and taking Helene’s hand. “Nice to meet you too, Mrs.-”

“Miss.”

“Ms. Helene.” Charlotte finishes, a tight smile on her face.

The blonde woman laughs, tossing her head back. “Just Helene is fine.”

“Mm well, I dunno. Doesn’t seem right.” Charlotte shrugs, leaning further into Lip. “Thank you, by the way, for helping him get this job, it’s been wonderful.”

“You’re welcome. It was no problem at all, Phillip is a special boy.”

“I know,” Charlotte grins even harder, roughly patting Lip’s cheek. “A very special man. So proud of him.”

Lip watches the exchange trying to figure out if he should be nervous, laugh, or think it’s hot that Charlotte is staking her claim right now, running her hand along his hair, face and chest as she pretends to smile at Helene.

Eric clears his throat stepping further into the room himself. “Charlotte, something smells great, and it came when you did so either you smell amazing or you cooked something.”

“Oh, I,” She takes a piece of blue tupperware out of the bag, placing it in front of Lip. “I made you lunch, you didn’t eat breakfast this morning and you didn’t take lunch so…I thought we could eat and talk, but, I see you’re busy.”

Lip turns to her, voice softening as he grabs her hand. “Bunny, I’m sure I can-”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Eric sighs, tapping his own forehead. “I meant to give you some assignments from my dad, I know it’s your lunch break, but you’d have to stay late otherwise.”

“Fuck.” Lips breathes, running his hand through his hair.

“It’s alright bro, I could take Charlotte to lunch.” Eric offers, not withering under the looks he received from the couple. “My girlfriend and I are meeting up anyway, let the girls hang out and spend my money, Becca’s always looking for a partner in crime.”

Charlotte looks at an apprehensive Lip. And she knows it’s wrong, but the way he and the cradle robber across the desk interact makes her feel petty. “Sure, if Lip’s busy.”

Lip fixes Charlotte with a look of betrayal that has her questioning her decision, but Eric is already guiding her away from him out of the door. Yeah, fuck that. Lip thinks, grinding his teeth as he goes to follow them out of the door. Helene’s hand shoots out to stop him before he can get far. “Oh, and Lip, before you get back to work, there’s a work dinner for all of the different departments that I’m hoping you’ll attend. I mean, I know your boss, Mr. Avery is excited to meet you there.”

“Look, uh, Helene, I mean, thank you for all of this. For the job, recommending me and shit, but,” He scratches his nose, “the texts, the calls, they have to stop. Like, now you’re visiting, and that’s weird, you see I have a girlfriend so…”

“Of course, I wouldn’t ever want to disrespect that, I just thought, after everything, we could be friends.” Helene stands, grabbing her purse. “Well, I can see now that’s inappropriate. But you really should come to this party. It’s good for your career to make friends and shake hands. Bring Charlotte with you.”

Lip tucks his head, “I dunno, I don’t…don’t really think Charlotte is gonna be in the mood, we uh, need to talk.”

“No matter what was going on, my husband and I always made it to each other’s work functions. We always supported each other’s careers. If someone can’t do that for you, are they really the one?”

The young man recoils, frowning at the implication. Yes. She is. Period. Full stop. They were out of tune today, but Lip knows what he knows. And he knows he and Charlotte are there for each other. He knows they love each other. He knows that these past few months were the best of his life. Even when he and Charlotte weren’t on good terms, he knew he wouldn’t want to be struggling to communicate with anyone else. “You uh, mean ex-husband. And she’ll be there.”

Helene barely hides the hurt look on her face before she lets out a short, “Great.”

“Do you think this is okay?” Charlotte twirls, the skirt of her brown dress flaring around her gives Lip ideas that he knows he shouldn’t be having. Especially while they were fighting. Kinda. Something else he’s learned over these last few months is that Charlotte holds stuff in. When she’s upset she doesn’t explode like his family does, shit like he does. Breaking property, getting arrested, fighting. She doesn’t withhold affection like Helene and Karen used to. No, she still let him touch her. Quietly letting him press his lips to her cheeks, not moving when he rubs his hips, bringing him lunch. It was the stillness. The angry tears. The lack of warmth that let Lip know things were strained. And it hurts.

“You look great, bunny. Fuckin’ beautiful.” Lip says from his bed, tapping his cigarette ashes into Ian’s ashtray.

“Okay, good. You ready?” Charlotte asks, smoothing her hands over her dress as she looks in the mirror. Her voice is so devoid of emotion, but her eyes are extremely expressive. Big brown pools full of sadness as they meet his in their reflection.

But Lip is new to this. New to trying to maintain. New to trying to keep someone of value. “Babe, uh, should we talk or somethin’?”

Charlotte takes a deep breath before turning to Lip with a tired smile. “Later. Let’s get you to your work thing and after you wow them with your big genius brain, we’ll leave early and try to get on the same page.”

“Yeah?” he stands, looking down at her.

Charlotte just shrugs, reaching over and adjusting his tie with a small smile playing at her lips. “Yeah.”

And that’s the game plan. When they arrive at the party, which they find is being hosted at a friend of the company’s house. If one could call it that. It looks like a fucking mansion, down to the marble columns. Lip felt out of place, everyone here looked so…expensive, and not in the ‘I worked my ass off way’. He felt different than he did when he’d met Helene’s friends back when they were hooking up. The only thing preventing the bounce in his leg as he basically paraded his intelligence to the highest bidder with the future of his family on the line, was Charlotte’s soft, steady hand on him at all times. Fingers intertwined with his. Rubbing circles on his back. Rested on his thigh as she leaned into him. All Lip could think about was the fact that he was here for her, for them. He could secure their futures together if he turned this internship into a permanent job. He could…could…shit. Is that what he wants? Hell, is that what she wants?

Lip’s thoughts are interrupted by Eric and Rebecca’s entrance. The latter immediately beams as she sees Charlotte, squeezing her way between crowds of people, turning her nose up at a tray of hors d'oeuvres being passed in front of her face. “Lottie!” she cheers, tugging Charlotte up by her hands, pulling her into a hug. “You look gorgeous my love, who are you wearing?”

“Um, I’m sorry, my mother got me this dress, but if you wanna pull the tag out-”

“Oh, no, honey it’s fine. You can call me with outfit details later, I need to go find Eric’s bitch of a mother.” she murmurs under her breath. “Sorry I couldn’t make lunch earlier, but thanks so much for reminding that asshole to bring me something. It’d be just like him to go to my favorite restaurant and bring me nothing.” Rebecca scoffs, tossing her hair before fixing a fake smile on her face, leaving to find her boyfriend’s mother.

“You,” Lip pauses, laughing in disbelief as he stands, looking between Eric and Charlotte. “You went to lunch together. Alone.” He nods to himself, still chuckling, slowly walking closer to Eric.

“Phillip.” Charlotte tries, putting her hand on his arm. “Phillip, we were already there when Rebecca said she wasn’t coming, stop.”

“Yeah, man, it’s nothing serious, I just took your girl to lunch, she’s probably never been to the nicer restaurants in Chicago before-”

“Man, I’m about to knock your fuckin’ head off.” the blond continues, calmly putting his drink down, the force making a sound that gathers the attention of passersby. Charlotte tugs at Lip again, pleading to him his ear, telling him to go get their jackets and she’d use the bathroom.

“Please, Phillip. Please. Just go get the jackets. Please. We don’t have to talk to him. Please.” she begs, cupping his face. Eric huffs as he watches the woman coddle her boyfriend and takes a deep swig of his drink wandering off to go find Rebecca.

Lip runs an angry hand through his hair stalking off to the room where the jackets are being kept without saying a word, trying to maintain his temper. But of fucking course. Of course he’d meet a girl like Charlotte. Of course she’d make him fall in love with her, and like a fucking idiot, he would. And of course they’d meet a jackass like fuckin’ Eric who wanted her, who could give her the things she deserved like nice dinners, cars, houses, the pretty fucking outfits she likes to wear. He could give her that without planning for months, saving, taking money in and out of their joint savings to take care of his batshit family. Lip slams the door behind him, going to sift through the coats before pausing, hearing sniffling from the other side of the room. “Uh, hello?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” a watery voice says, stepping out from the closet area Helene is clutching a tissue in her hand, going over to Lip. “I’m sorry, it’s just-” her words are cut off by sobs.

“Uh, shit, sit down.” Lip says, guiding her to sit on the bed in the room.

“I…my son just called, let me know he made it back to school okay. And…it slipped in conversation, his father went on a date. He’s started seeing someone. I’d thought…he’d maybe surprise me by coming here. Oh, and I was so rude about Charlotte earlier, but my partner is the one not here.”

Lip watches awkwardly as the older woman sobs, placing his hand on her shoulder after a moment, glancing around. Sure he felt bad for her, but after all this time, he’d realized she really had been a bitch to him. And her ex-husband. He’d thought so highly of her before, thought she was the best thing that would ever happen to him. Now she was crumpling in front of him and he could barely bring himself to comfort her. “Sorry. But, I thought that was like…you guys’ thing. Fucking other people.”

“No, that was more me, he…tolerated it.”

“Oh. That’s…shitty.” Lip whistles.

“It is.” Helene sighs, sniffing one last time. She wipes her face before fully looking at Lip. “I think I was filling some kind of void you know? Low self-esteem, issues with aging, I have them all. The only relationship I had outside of my marriage that meant anything is you.”

They hadn’t even heard it. At least, Lip hadn’t. The door opening. The sound of Charlotte coming to check on him since he hadn’t returned with their jackets. But he did hear her curse before slamming the door. He couldn’t move fast enough, leaving Helene behind he slips between the bodies of movers and shakers in scattered throughout the house, swinging open the door and running down the steps, finding Charlotte stumbling in the grass as she kicks off her heels, grumbling. “Charlotte!”

He catches up to her quickly, grabbing the car keys from the valet stopping at Kev’s truck. The woman keeps walking, head held high as she limps out of the gate. “Charlotte, are you serious? Get in the car.”

“No!”

“Fucksake.” he growls, getting into the car and backing out of the driveway, following alongside her slowly as she makes her way on foot. “It’s fucking dark, get in the car.”

“Leave me alone.” she huffs, crossing her arms, whining to herself about the dirt touching her feet.

The muscle in Lip’s jaw jumps, his scowl going deeper. He reaches over and lights a cigarette, smoking out of the window. “You know, you’re the one who went on a fuckin’ date with someone else today.”

Charlotte laughs, speeding up. “It wasn’t a fuckin’ date. His girlfriend was supposed to go, and she canceled. We were already there, and you were too busy eye-fucking that old professor that you conveniently left out you used to literally fuck.”

“I really don’t wanna talk about eye-fucking when you get naked for half of Chicago, alright?” Lip grits. Too far. He knows it immediately. He watches her stop, and look at him with hurt he never wants to see, her tear tracks shining in the lights from the streets. His own eyes glisten with unshed tears. He puts the car in park, cigarette still balanced between his lips as he hops out walking around the side and grabbing a kicking, protesting Charlotte by her waist, tossing her over his shoulder. Lip places her in the car and slams the passenger door before getting back into the driver’s seat, staring forward at the road.

Charlotte pettily snatches the cigarette from his mouth, opening her window and flicking it to the road. “Why didn’t you tell me you dated her?”

The blond takes a deep breath, letting his eyes slip closed. “I was embarrassed, and I thought it’d freak you out. That you’d ask me to quit cause she helped me get the job. And I would if you asked me to.”

“I would too. Quit. If you asked me to.” Charlotte sighs.

“I don’t wanna ask you to do that. You like it, it's good money, shit you just started. But I do hate it. Thought I wouldn’t, but I do.”

“So, we’ll talk about it more. Until we both know where we stand on it.” she says, facing forward too, she's quiet for another beat before speaking again. “I’m telling the truth about Eric.”

“I know.” Lip scrubs his hands down his face. “I know. And I am sorry that I yelled about that stupid shit with Frank. That bullshit just shouldn’t be your problem.”

“I want it to be my problem. I love your family and I love you. I want to be part of it. I want…I want to be your family. So I care about the money you guys saved being stolen, I care if Liam’s diapers get bought, and I care if Carl gets to go on his field trip.”

“Fuck, bunny, I know you care. I just don’t want you to deal with that shit, it’s fuckin embarrasin’ you having to see my family like that. Having to kick in money for the house.”

“It’s stuff I wanna do. Ian doesn’t walk on eggshells with Mickey. None of you do. You treat him like an honorary Gallagher. Why can’t you do that with me?”

The couple turns to each other now, Lip reaching over the console, grabbing Charlotte’s hand. “You’re fuckin’ better than us, bunny.” He says, one tear finally falling.

Charlotte reaches up, wiping away the drop before smoothing his hair. “You’re gonna stop talkin’ about my boyfriend and our family like that. Nothing is better than you.” She smiles as Lip brings her hand to his mouth kissing her hand. “Well, except Chad in high school musical, I mean, I let the Troy slander go, but he’s different-” she laughs into the kiss that he pulls her into, the two of them smiling into the embrace as they share soft, tender kisses.

The pair stays like that for a while. Wrapped up in each other. Sitting in the dimly lit car, running Kev’s gas on the side of the road without a care in the world. After a few moments of peace Lip decides to take a risk. It’s a big one, a very Fiona style decision. But those were random loser fuckers who got her off when she was vulnerable. This, this is Charlotte. His Charlotte. Who'd singlehandedly made his life better in the short time she'd been here. Who he loves an unexplainable amount that almost pisses him off. And he’s scared. Fuckin’ terrified. But he has to try.

“Sweetheart, how long have we known each other?”

Charlotte scoffs, playing with his fingers with an absent smile. “Well, three months, but it feels like forever. You know, I never know if people mean that in a good or bad way. I mean it the good way, obviously.” she beams at him, looking into his eyes and finding him with a serious face, her smile fades. “What?”

“Do you work tomorrow?”

“Hm, nope, not supposed to. You?”

His chest tightens as he answers her. He doesn’t believe in stars aligning, or cosmic whatever, but he thinks that this might just be the fate shit that Debbie is spewing all the time that makes no scientific sense. “Nah, I uh…threatened my boss, so I gotta see if I still have a job. I think he has a thing for my hot girlfriend that I’m..I’m uh really in love with.”

“If he does, he doesn't stand a chance. Because I really love my boyfriend.” she hums. If anything was gonna be his confirmation, Lip thinks this is it. Those words were enough. “So what’s with the questions? You wanna do something?” she asks cutely, leaning her cheek into his hand.

This is it.

He looks down into her brown eyes and decides this is what he wants to see forever. Looking at anything else sucks anyway.

“Yeah, um…”

Just fuckin’ do it pussy.

“You wanna go get married?”

#oc #fiona gallagher #ian gallagher #kevin ball #lip gallagher #lip gallagher x oc #lip gallagher x reader #shameless #veronica fisher #gallagher #charlotte fisher #love #mickey milkovich #ian x mickey #better

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afreakingdork · 9 months

Text

Except for a Mouse

RotTMNT Donatello x Reader One-Shot

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Fluff, Mistletoe, Gift Fic, One Shot, Short & Sweet, Aged-Up Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gender-Neutral Reader

Synopsis: Scurrying around, you help your boyfriend as he tries to rekindle the excitement of the gift giving season.

Also Available on Ao3

A Secret Santa gift for dearest @s-s-ironnie

Didgeridoo you are an endless delight and I'm so happy to have met you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy!

The luster of receiving gifts had dulled with age. You tried not to include yourself in that, but it was an unfortunate fact across the board. The whole how to do of the holiday had eclipsed the supposed reason for the season. It was an odd thing; understanding why your elders had been exhausted and spent most of their days lounging while the kids ran around with their new toys. Practicality won out as you got older and with it came a stagnant sense.

“Socks?! Fantastic! Oh, they’re even the boot kind!? That’s great because mine have been wearing on my ankles all season!”

“A new whetstone, this is just what I needed. You even got the right grit. Thanks! I can’t wait to use this with those new tutorial vids I’ve been watching.”

“Can’t have enough floofy soap!”

For Donnie, it was absolute misery. In all the years you had known him, he was a gift giving master. He prided himself on knowing just what to get someone even if it wasn’t something of this world. It was his chance to flex not just his inventions, but seek the validation he so desperately craved. He considered Christmas to be his big sports game and he had enough winning rings to fill a jewelry shop.

Which was why with each consecutive year, as the requests got more mundane and the reactions gentler, he was losing that glint in his eye little by little.

It crushed you.

“A gym membership renewal!?” Donnie pushed his palms into his eye sockets so hard his chair tipped lethally backward. “Nardo wasn’t even joking!”

“Nice to have the expense taken care of…” You mourned beside your partner.

“He has an entire home gym, built by moi, what does he need-!?” Donnie groaned loudly. “The rest are just as bad: ‘that shell wax you make,’ ‘back scratcher,’ ‘gift card to that craft store I like!’” In a swivel, Donnie turned to face you while throttling the arms of his chair. “At least Casey and April chose spirited items! ‘A home defense system to vanquish audacious insects’ and an upgrade to her invisibility cloak. Fine, great, interesting enough, but not inspired! They’ll receive them, but they won’t dazzle! All my intelligence! Wasted!” In another turn that made his seat creak, Donnie threw up dozens of security camera screens filled with footage of his family. “They want not! They came up with objects to appease me!”

“It can be like that…” You dampened now that he was out of sight again.

“What can I do?” He spoke a hopeless rhetorical.

“Spend time with them? Your dad always loves having the kids back home.��

“Something constructive, please.” Donnie griped with a bitterness you knew wasn’t for you.

You finally stood and approached to put a hand on his shoulder.

One of his came up to take it as he continued to glower at the monitors.

“This is what it’s like sometimes.” You leaned in and kissed the side of his head. “The child-like wonder is gone.”

Donnie stayed statuesque and you were about pull away when his grip suddenly seized to a painful degree.

“A-ah!”

“You’re a genius!” In one swift twirl, he was out of his seat and you were up in the air being showered with kisses.

So began operation ‘Help to Make the Season Bright.’ Starting right after October as Halloween was always given its due and with little to do for Thanksgiving as that was Mikey’s territory, Donnie folded you into his plan. You were there to reign him in which you knew to be an integral role.

Never mind the weather, the Hamatos were in for a white Christmas. Donnie had crafted a new-age snow machine after you’d talked him down from one that manipulated the atmosphere. Inspired by a certain famous holiday film, Donnie had acquired gifts from his family's younger days. Having had to talk him down from time travel itself to purchase the items, you then fielded him when it came to decorations. Wanting the lair to take on that magic imbued by children’s eyes, it meant for more decorations than the past.

All counting down to the titular eve, he’d knocked Splinter out with pre-festivity cake and milk and waited for the others to retreat before you were called upon. Together you spent the entire night transforming the space and setting up in a secluded section of the nearby park. Exhausted and without a wink of sleep, you’d roused the group at an agonizing 5am as was past tradition and the day began.

Grouching about the time was quickly overshadowed by wide gleaming eyes. Whispers of how Donnie had done this were brushed past as everyone was whisked outside into a winter wonderland. Donned in coats that exactly replicated ones of their youth, Raph was the first to devolve into water works. The ensuing snowball fight brought out a heat that you hadn’t seen playfully enacted in years and a break with hot chocolate made from a pilfered recipe meant Mikey was the next to weep.

Worn out bodies were pulled inside, where upon getting their actually requested gifts, Leo stubbornly fought sobbing as he opened a mint version of his first and favorite Jupiter Jim action figure. April fell next with a newly sized version of her Hamato-crested top and Casey turned red in the face after being given validation with a combined plate of cookies and brownies.

Donnie, ever shining in his element, rode the high straight through the day until everyone collectively lost their steam. A turtle pile now with the addition of partners formed and Splinter snored loudly as a fond backdrop. Lingering sentiments meant you couldn’t join in and you had just pulled a pan of green bean casserole out of the oven to cool even though it was debatable whether it’d be eaten warm or at all. Shuffling out of the kitchen, you found Donnie leaning and watching the group and telegraphed your approach with heavier footsteps.

Instead of addressing you, he folded back an arm at the ready.

You tucked yourself into his side and he wrapped you up in the appendage. “You did it.”

“I couldn’t have without you.” He gave his family one last wistful look before bringing glowing adoration down to you.

You smiled where your head was sleepily resting against his plastron.

“One last thing…”

Your lips tugged downward. “The dinner was last…” In a slight shuffle against him, you unearthed your phone along with the list. “Yeah… we marked them all off.” You showed him.

“Oh!” He put on airs as he leaned forward to examine your phone with great feigned interest.

“Donnie…” You pursed your lip.

“Seems there was one missing.” With a tap, your list refreshed and a new item appeared.

☐ First Kiss

“When did you…?” Your head shifted back from the addition. “A kiss? Who’s that for?”

Turning confusion to your partner, you watched as an mechanical arm emerged from his battle shell. Tipping to watch it, there was a bit of green with white dotting tied up in a purple ribbon and just like that you were in your early twenties again.

Shy and at your first Hamato Christmas, you and Donnie had a brand new situationship that had started up at nearly the same time the temperatures had dropped. Nerves had him inviting you along with a flurry of worries over what you were about to be thrust into. Naivety meant you wrongly brushed him off and, it was after unknowingly boarding a rollercoaster, you had snuck away for a breather in the hall. Not second guessing your decision to pursue the purple turtle, but instead having so quickly agreed to meeting his family after what hadn’t even been 30 days, you exhaled and prepared to reenter the foray when he met you.

“There you are.” He caught your visage and softened. “You alright?”

“Yeah… just… you were right.” You gave an awkward laugh.

“I’d usually gloat, but it is a holiday.” He teased.

You chuckled as he came in to grab your hand with what looked like an offer on his lips.

“Boom!” Leo exploded a flurry of limbs into the moment causing the pair of you to back up against the wall. The slider slammed his arm between you both causing you to yelp.

“Nardo!” Donnie growled.

“You’ve been hit by!” Leo dodged a swipe from his brother with a pose.

Donnie leapt at him a second time.

“You’ve been struck by!” Leo avoided the attack a second time with finger to the air.

“Enough!” Donnie squared himself and you knew he was about to go for his weapon.

Leo stopped him with a finger pushed right into the genius’ forehead. “A smooth mistletoe!”

Fleeing with a flurry of giggles, Donnie sat a fuming mass staring after where his brother had gone where you had the wherewithal to turn toward the wall Leo had accosted. There, stuck with far too much duct tape was a sprig of mistletoe, obviously coordinated for this brother based on the color of its ribbon. “Uh… Donnie…” You paled.

“Infuriating! He was just loafing around and now he-!” Donnie spun around, saw the dismay on your face, and then the bit of greenery on the wall. “O-oh…”

“It’s a silly tradition!” You squawked. “Y-You were g-going to say something. I think!?”

“That…” He stepped closer, resuming his earlier position by your side. “… we could sneak away… That I know a good Chinese place…”

“T-that sounds good, we should go!” You went to grab his arm and flee when he steadied you by catching your appendage first.

“One… last thing…?” Donnie flicked his gaze to the mistletoe and back to you, beet red. “If you’re… agreeable?”

You gave a jittery nod, your own face a blushing mess.

He leaned in to close the gap just as he was doing now. You melted against him with a coordination you hadn’t had all those years ago and slipped your arms around his neck to deepen the move further. Parting came with a nuzzle of nose to snout and a little giggle from you.

“Next would be getting that peking duck.”

“What a coincidence, my data indicates the group will be asleep for at least 3 more hours.”

“We should go…” You breathed against him, stealing another kiss.

He nodded with an agreement that neither of you bothered making good on.

💜

I plotted two version of this fic based on Digi's preference! I thought it'd be fun the include the other here: In a similar vein, the other fic was Sweet Ironnie where Donnie and Iris go all out to give the kids the best Christmas. Only problem is that they forgot to treat themselves for the holiday so the kids snare them in a mistletoe trap! Thank you @rheawritesforfun for hearing me out!

Also thank you @thepinkpanther83 for being a beta boss!

#rottmnt #rottmnt donnie x reader #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #rottmnt x reader #donatello hamato #donnie x reader #rise donnie #rise donnie x reader #rottmnt donnie #rottmnt donatello #christmas #me #fanfiction #my fanfiction

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sanjisblackasswife · 2 years

Text

Thanksgiving is over so it is officially Christmas so here..

Imagine Sanji Eating You Out Under the Christmas Tree (NSFW)

WC: 1k

Black Fem Reader

CW: Riding, Cunnlings, Pet Names(Angel, Baby, Love), Kissing, Praise, Tongue Sucking, Cursing, Vanilla Sex,…Reader is Only Wearing a Christmas Hat and braids

“Shit…just like that…you’re so beautiful, Angel….”

The sight of Sanji’s naked body under you, eye lids heavy, not on your face anymore, but fixated on how your pussy swallows him whole as you slowly bounce on him with the guidance of his strong hands. His hair damp rubbing against the cool floor beside the pretty white Christmas Tree you both spent the entire day decorating in the Aquarium. It was so beautiful. Sanji picked it just for you after you guys were looking for a huge Tree for the middle of the Sunny’s deck.

The least you could do was thank him.

The colorful lights in addition to the reflection of the dark blue water bounces off your darken skin, you were shining like silver with your hand pushing back your braids and adjusting your hat that was rising from your head. You wasn’t sure what it was, but Sanji was so infatuated with how you looked in his Christmas hat. He called you “ his little helper “, and that you were.

It was already late and originally it started with a kiss under the mistletoe that Sanji kept pulling out of his pocket which made you laugh each time, but the atmosphere was so right, it felt cozy, something about the holiday season with the Strawhats always felt like home. Snowball fights with Chopper, Luffy and Usopp, Present shopping with Robin and Nami, making up Christmas songs with Brook, and decorating the outer Sunny with Franky and Jinbei. Tonight however you wanted to spend this night with your pretty man Sanji not only underneath the mistletoe, but by the Christmas Tree.

Heavy breathes were exchanged when you reached his parted lips to peck with many appreciative kisses making the love cook burst in giggles instead of whining, you loved these little moments of intimacy with him, he always made sex fun, sweet, and memorable and you knew it would take a greater effect in his mind if you both did so in such a perfect setting.

Sanji cupped your ass with both hands, giving it a firm massage of admiration because he can never get over how soft and squishy your are down there. The sweet pecks of kisses turned into him kissing your tongue, your eyes opened at the touch, but didn’t oppose of course, you stuck your tongue out with a smile inviting him to do more and he took it by licking and sucking on it. You mentally chuckle at how lewd you both tend to take it when it comes to kissing, not letting the other breath, sucking his bottom lip and teasing to wrestle your tongue in his mouth, but there was no complaints it was all a mutual love. You kept slow grinding on his cock as well not ignoring the pretty sounds coming from Sanji’s mouth.

“Lay back, Baby.” He pulled away and held your lower back, your legs instinctively wrap around his waist to be lowered on the thin blanket that was placed under his legs for some comfort, he pecked your hot forehead and pulled out his cock to stroke it a bit, you missed him already clenching around nothing as you stared at how lubed up it was from your arousal. He smiled at your anticipation biting your lips waiting for his next move, Sanj pried you open kissing your thigh sucking up the dripping juices you kept releasing. “Can I Taste you once more, my love? Please?”

You nodded before he even finished his question earning you a wink, dammit he was so sexy when he was in the zone of making you feel good. The blonde hummed rubbing your folds for a second, just loving how wet you get for him and him alone.

“So gorgeous…” was all you heard until his hot muscle wrapped immediately around your soft sensitive clit, you arched your hips with his name spilling out your mouth, “We taste so good together, baby…”

You had to give Sanji credit, his tongue and fingers always left you a wet and panting mess. If Sanji wasn’t a proud man he’d definitely become one with how weak you are to him when he’s between your thighs.

“Sanjiiiiiii..” You cry out boosting his ego, your hands gripping his scalp while trying to squeeze him in , his head and tongue moved all around you with no sense of rhythm or direction he just was enjoying his favorite meal laying on his stomach with his favorite ear muffs called your thighs.

You moved up and down, riding your orgasm until tears prickled your eyes, legs shaking and twitching cuming like a complete pornstar screaming his name over and over already too dumb to make any other words form. You swear each time he goes down in you your orgasm is better than the last,

“Sanji….” He rose up to face you, mouth covered in your slick, your face warmed at the sight, his pupils were small shaped of hearts looking at you as you squeezed his cheeks a little making you huff out your nose.

He kissed you again, now messier and sloppier, it was so needy, but this was probably Sanji’s second favorite part about eating you; your kisses are so needy.

“Please…please fuck me, Sanji..” You beg grinding your slit on his harden cock, he quickly obliged holding up your right leg, nearly at your side kissing you slowly while pushing his way inside you.

“You’re so stunning, Angel…” His shaky voice in your mouth looking at your darkened lust filled eyes snapping his hips feeling as if he is going deeper inside you with each thrust making you moan each time. “I love you…”

He wished somehow this night was caught on camera , your body pressed so closely against his by the tree, not stopping until the point of a painful overstimulation overtakes you both nearly falling asleep right after the 4th orgasm, he knew he’d have to carry you back to the room and clean the mess before anybody came here, but it was all worth it.

You were his favorite present to get that year.

#one piece #one piece headcanons #TimikosSanji #black reader #one piece smut #one piece x female reader #sanji #sanjionepiece #sanji imagine #sanji x black reader #sanji x reader #one piece x black!reader #x female reader #female reader #black foot sanji #one piece scenario #sanji smut

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daisies-daydreams · 10 months

Text

Office Hours - Chapter 7 (Professor!Miguel O'Hara x F!College Student!Reader)

Pairing: Professor!Miguel O’Hara x F!College Student!Reader Category: Angst/Comfort Warnings: Hangovers, Mentions of Drinking, Swearing, Hospitals, Grief/Trauma, Emotional Turmoil, Mentions of Minor Character Death(s) Word Count: 2.5k+

A/N: Thought I’d post a chapter that correlates with the current holiday season (though I apologize for being a day late). Thank you all for reading this series - the next chapter will be the penultimate or last chapter (I haven’t decided yet). Thankful for each and every one of you. 🫶

MINORS/AGELESS BLOGS DNI

Ch. 6 <- -> Ch. 8 (WIP)

Thanksgiving Day

The sound of cardinals chirping outside your window stirred you from your uneasy rest. You slowly blinked as your head throbbed with a dull ache.

"Shit," you cursed as you rubbed your face. The two crimson songbirds tilted their heads as they glanced at you through the blinds. You smiled at the vibrant creatures despite the pain that shot through your skull. They instantly flew away the second you pushed yourself up on your forearms. You frowned and squeezed your eyes shut.

“What the fuck happened last night?” you muttered. Your eyes shot open when you remembered coming home after overhearing Miguel on the phone. Your heart immediately filled with lead and sank into the burning pit of your stomach as you turned on your side.

Relief washed over you when you saw a glass of water and a bottle of ibuprofen sitting on your nightstand. You shivered as you sipped on the cold drink and guzzled down two red pills, mentally keeping your fingers crossed that the pain would fade quickly. You closed your eyes after you set the glass down and rubbed your sore temples. You tried to rummage through your foggy memory in an attempt to recall last night's events.

Let's see...you stumbled through the door and Hobie was on your couch. You remembered the slightly tangy flavor of beer washing over your tastebuds and the stinging, acerbic feeling of it sliding down your throat. You remember crying on him...and then-

"Room service," Hobie called from the other side of the door, breaking you from your train of thought. You glanced down and quickly smoothed your hands over your hair and clothes before straightening your posture.

"Come in," you replied. Your bedroom door creaked open as Hobie stepped inside with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in hand. You felt your cheeks warm as he came over and set the plate down on your nightstand. Your mouth watered as steam rose from the freshly cooked food.

"Thought you could use some breakfast. Always helps me when I have a nasty hangover," he said while scratching the back of his head and averting your gaze. You shifted your gaze between the plate and the tall, lanky man standing in front of you. A small gasp left Hobie as you pulled him into a tight embrace, his hands hesitantly hovering over your upper back.

"Thank you," you sniffed against his stomach. Hobie nodded as he patted the space between your shoulder blades.

"No problem," he replied. You smiled a little as you pulled back.

"You can stay...if you want," you cleared your throat as your body glowed with heat. Hobie carefully studied your face before he slowly sank down on the edge of your bed. His eyes widened as he fully sat on your cozy comforter and smoothed his hands over the soft fabric.

"Don't think I've ever felt somethin' this comfortable in my life," he sighed in astonishment. You giggled as you took one of the slices of toast. The Brit raised a dark brow as you held it out to him.

"No thanks, love. I already ate," he said with a small smile. You shrugged and brought the food to your mouth. The room was quiet as you slowly munched on the crispy, golden bread. Hobie drummed his palms against his ripped jeans.

"So...how're you feelin'?" he asked. You swallowed and looked down at the wrinkles and creases of your plush blanket.

"Honestly? My head feels like complete shit," you laughed tiredly. Hobie chuckled, a soft warmth glowing in his eyes.

"I'll bet. Never seen someone down a beer that fast," he said. He laughed quietly as you playfully flicked his arm. You ate a bit more of your breakfast before you felt a pang of guilt reverberate through your chest.

"Hobie?" you piped up. The man hummed in reply before you bit your lip.

“I-I’m sorry about last night,” you began as you glanced down at the remaining fluffy eggs on your plate. Hobie pursed his lips and shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it,” the man said with a flick of his hand. You shook your head.

“No, it-” you tightened your lips as you thought for a moment. “It wasn't right for me to kiss you. Especially since you and Gwen-”

“We aren’t seeing each other,” Hobie interrupted. You blinked.

“Wh-What?” you stammered. Hobie gave a small grin.

“Gwen and I…we get along great. But I’ve honestly never felt that way about her,” he explained. Hobie chuckled at your shocked expression-mouth agape and eyes as wide as dinner plates.

“I see,” you eventually cleared your throat as you felt the tips of your ears burn. Hobie tilted his head as you remained silent for several minutes.

“You doin’ alright, kid?” he asked. You shifted your gaze between your lap and his deep, brown eyes.

“I…I don’t know,” you sighed. You cringed when you thought about vomiting all over his lap last night. “Oh God,” you whined as you ducked your head into your hands.

“What?” he asked.

“You probably hate me for throwing up on you,” you groaned. You heard Hobie shuffle a bit.

“I mean, I was a bit surprised. But everyone has their rough nights, you know?” he said. You exhaled loudly and slightly tilted your head up, still too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

“I’m a fucking mess, aren’t I?” you laughed bitterly as tears pricked at the corners of your blood-shot eyes. Hobie sat up when the steady trickling of tears turned into sobbing. You tensed a little as he scooted closer and gently placed a hand on your shoulder.

“Hey, you’re not a mess, love. You’re just goin’ through a lot right now,” he murmured softly. He squeezed your shoulder as you gulped for air, your heart feeling like it could unravel at any second. Hobie hummed as you tilted your head down and rested your forehead on his thin shoulder. He rubbed your upper back as your tears flooded the sleeve of his crimson shirt.

"I'm here, (Y/N)," Hobie reassured you.

You sniffed and gripped onto him like he was your steady anchor to this reality. Your heart rate eventually slowed as you felt your eyes puff up and body tremble. The man beside you patted your back. “You want to come to Gwendy’s with me today?” Hobie asked. You pulled back a little and wiped your cheeks.

“I…I don’t know,” you frowned. Hobie adjusted himself as he slotted his thumbs inside his jean pockets.

“You don’t have to. Just thought-“

“I mean, I kind of want to,” you said. You tightened your lips at your sudden interruption. “Sorry,” you laughed awkwardly and glanced away.

“T’s alright,” Hobie said. There was a brief, tense pause between the two of you. You shifted in your bed as you felt another wave of heaviness wash over you. You nearly choked as you tried to hold back another wave of tears, cursing yourself for breaking down right after you just put yourself back together. Hobie remained at your side as you clutched your blanket.

“I should’ve known better,” you cried. You hiccupped and squished your palms over your eyes. “I-I should’ve known,” your body shook violently as you sobbed. You relaxed this time as Hobie wrapped his wiry arms around your trembling form, the warmth of his body cascading over your own. You sighed as you pressed your face against his chest while he caressed your upper back.

“It’s not your fault, (Y/N),” he gently whispered. You dipped your head lower and rested your hands in the middle of his back. Hobie let you soak his shirt once more as he held you.

“Hobie…could you, could you stay with me today instead?” you eventually asked with a shaky breath. He leaned back, his expression gentle as he gazed into your eyes. You swallowed the thick lump in your throat. “I’m sorry. I know you want to be with Gwen and her dad. I just…I don’t know if I’ll be able to go out without…” you trailed off and sniffed.

“If you want me to stay, I’ll stay,” he said with an assuring murmur. Your heart melted as you pouted. He grunted as you squeezed him in another tight embrace.

“Thank you,” you said before sucking in another sharp breath. Hobie nodded as he rested his sharp chin on your shoulder.

“You're welcome, love," he replied. "I’ll even order us some takeaway if you get hungry again,” he said with a soft smile. You gave him a puzzled expression as you pulled back. “Sorry, ‘takeout’,” Hobie chuckled. You nodded as a small, exhausted smile graced your features.

“That sounds great,” you grinned.

Meanwhile, at St. Temple Hospital...

Miguel stared mindlessly at the television hanging in the corner of his dimly lit hospital room. His phone was propped up at his side, a picture of Mari and Gabi smiling brightly displayed on the slightly cracked screen. His lips twitched a little as a familiar bald-headed boy and his friends sat around a table and passed out their unusual Thanksgiving meal. He shifted his gaze when a few gentle knocks came from the door.

“Mr. O’Hara? Your brother’s here to see you,” a nurse called. Miguel glanced back over to the television without saying a word. His brother, Gabe, strolled into the room with a brown bag in hand. Miguel kept his eyes trained on the cartoon as the shorter man sat in the chair nearby.

“Hey,” Gabe said as he adjusted himself in the plush chair. Miguel remained silent as he traced his finger along the thin blanket draped over his legs. His younger brother cleared his throat as he rummaged through the bag and pulled out a Styrofoam container. "Figured you'd want something more close to home," he said with a nervous smile. Miguel remained still as Gabe popped open the container, revealing a row of fresh, steaming empanadas.

“We would watch this every year,” Miguel suddenly muttered. Gabe paused as he pulled out a plastic fork. The older brother sighed, his eyes quickly becoming glossy as a lump swelled in his throat. “Gabi loved these cartoons. Her favorite was the Christmas one, though,” he choked. Gabe hesitantly rested his hand over his older brother's, his own eyes a little glassy as he frowned.

“Lo siento, hermano," Miguel sighed as he wiped his eyes [I'm sorry, brother]. Gabe shook his head.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Miguel," he said. The large man in the hospital bed sighed.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” he murmured bitterly. Gabe remained quiet as Miguel took the box into his large hands and examined one of the golden empanadas with his dry, cracked hands. He sighed as tears poured down his sharp cheeks. "It's my fault," Miguel muttered. Gabe straightened in his seat.

"Miguel," he began. The older brother scowled as he dropped the food back into the bin, his chest feeling unbearably tight.

"I-I should've driven the car that day. I should've spent more time with Gabi. I should've...should've..." his voice trailed off as his entire body trembled. Gabe hesitantly placed a hand on his brother's back. Miguel sobbed and gulped for air, old wounds starting to resurface and tear his heart to shreds vein by vein, muscle by muscle.

"No es tu culpa, hermano," the younger man said [It's not your fault, brother]. Miguel snapped his head up, his eyes lit with conflicting emotions that seeping out of every pore.

"¡No lo sabes!" he suddenly shouted [You don't know!]. Gabe frowned as he let his hand fall back into his lap. Miguel sniffed and gripped at his dark locks. "You don't know..." he heaved. The TV continued to play in the background as Miguel felt himself falling apart and pulling himself back together over and over again. "That day, when the police called..." he took a deep breath as he felt his phone fall against his hip. "It was snowing. I just finished grading some modules even though I told Mari I would...I would be out early," Miguel said with a broken frown. The cartoon shut off before a new program flickered onto the TV screen.

"She was coming to pick me up. And I waited and waited until I saw those red and blue lights," he clenched his fists at his sides as he felt his jaw nearly shatter. "Why didn't I just leave when I said I would?!" he yelled and smashed his fist against the mattress. A nurse came rushing to the door before being quietly shooed away by Gabe. The younger brother slowly turned back to the man weeping in his bed. He laid a hand on his broad shoulder, making Miguel tense.

"Hermano...there's no possible way you could've known," he said in a slightly shaky voice. Miguel slowly tilted his head up to see his brother's big, brown eyes glazed over with tears. Gabe sniffed as he squeezed his brother's shoulder.

"You lost your wife and child. I lost a sister-in-law and niece," he muttered as a tear fell down his cheek. Miguel parted his lips and furrowed his thick brows. "What I'm trying to say is everyone in our family lost someone that day," Gabe stated in a more firm tone. Miguel released a shaky breath as he gripped his blanket. "You're not alone in this, Miguel. You never were," Gabe said. Miguel's mind was swimming as a dull haze settling over the landscape of his consciousness. He could feel his body and mind sink lower and lower in the dark waters of an unbearable pain.

He never knew emptiness could feel so heavy.

"Miguel? Miguel?" Gabe's voice faded back in. Miguel opened his eyes as he grunted. His younger brother sighed.

"Are you okay?" Gabe asked, his face slightly paler than before. Miguel's lips fell into a straight line before a small croak left his throat. He couldn't stop the tears from falling even if he tried. His violent sobs reverberated inside the small, dull hospital room as he constantly wiped at his eyes. Gabe patted his brother's shoulder before slowly pulling him into an embrace.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Miguel choked. Gabe nodded as he rubbed Miguel's upper back.

"Lo sé, hermano. Lo sé," the younger man replied [I know, brother. I know]. Miguel soaked his sibling's coat with his thick tears as memories of the past year rushed through his mind.

Eating Thanksgiving dinner by himself in the silent space of his kitchen. Waking up to a cold, empty spot in his bed where Mari used to be curled up at his side. Driving past Gabi's school every day, his heart growing heavier each time he laid eyes on the brake lights of the drop-off line. All of them flooded his mind like a violent tidal wave.

"Por favor, perdóname," he murmured like a broken record [I'm sorry, forgive me]. Gabe only nodded as Miguel shivered.

Even in the midst of the chaos that tore him from the inside out, your face slowly came to Miguel's mind. He gripped his hands against Gabe's coat as the sharp blade of guilt pierced his heart. He blinked away a few tears before his face slowly hardened. Despite how much pain he was in, he realized that he at least still had a chance.

A chance to set things right with you.

----

Thank you for reading and Happy Thanksgiving! 💖

Taglist: @maybethatfanfictionwriter @depressesoespressorat @yuhhtricki999 @lavenderbabu @thedevax @famouscattale @spktrgantenk @zombieblogx @mrswhitethornbelikov @migueloharastruelove @galaxy-dusk @samanthashadowriley @theloneshadow24 @xxkay15xx @inspace1 @manlikemilesmyguy @ghostslynx @synamonthy @oharasfilipinawife @scaleniusrm @jotarossshark @acotarobsessed @8xbygirl @blueapplesiren @catchmeupimgettingoutofhere

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odditycircus-2002 · 10 months

Text

Baraka and Medusa!Reader Headcannons

A/N: For some reason, when I check out the tag for Barakaxreader, there are a lot of dancing headcannons. Which I thought was odd, but then I thought "Oh Beauty and the Beast opportunity," And decided to write this this headcannon. So Happy Thanksgiving and don't forget about the people who suffer to this day. Never forget.

youtube

You and Baraka got the idea of throwing a feast of Thanks from Johnny Cage's invitation for an Earthrealm holiday. This feast came to fruition because Baraka didn't want to risk infecting any of Mr. Cage's guests and you wanted to raise the Tarkatan Colony's spirits.

You were able to request some extra supplies ahead of time from Empress Mileena, including alcohol in preparation. Baraka was in charge of preparing the meals for this feast along with some other able-bodied Tarkatans. Preparing food for all of the species who now reside in the colony. You asked many of your patients, including Shokan, Zaterran, and Naknadan, to pitch in to mix in their culture's traditions, including food, games, and events.

Although you helped to plan the entire event, you spent half of your time at Johnny's party so you could meet up with Mileena, Kitana, and Syzoth again. You opted for a mask that only covered half your face, leaving your mouth exposed for easier access to food. You made sure to act as a polite guest by gift Johnny a freshly caught beast native to the Wastes, as you heard from Kitana it's Earthrealm custom to bring food for this holiday.

"Well, talk about fresh... thanks, I guess."

"Its meat pairs well with a nice heavy dose of citrusy seasoning and roasted evenly."

You found yourself enjoying Johnny's party, with you and Syzoth often secretly picking away pieces of a bug-related dish Ashrah originally made for the Zaterran before the feast could officially start. It turns out that you rival Kung Lao in terms of how much you can stuff your face granted he can't widen his jaw to fit everything on his plate all at once. You also enjoyed some of the Earthrealm board games, although you constantly questioned the rules for how ridiculous they seemed. When you eventually departed, you made sure to take a heaping amount of leftovers to share with the colony.

You and Baraka could safely say this Feast was a successful idea despite the expected hiccups, including scheduling conflicts that led to an all-out brawl between a Shokan and Naknadan. Baraka and a few others had to assist you with some of those conflicts.

While the rest of the Colony was enjoying the festivities, including some of the food you brought back from Earthrealm, you and Baraka were content with speaking with one another while occasionally pausing to eat. Sometimes, you separate to partake in some games or events.

Eventually, when the dancing portion of the events began, you decided to dance to it rather than just contently sway to the music. Of course, your first choice of a dance partner was Baraka. However, the afflicted Edenian initially politely rejects your offer. You frowned but then remembered how this dancing may remind him of the wife he once lost, so you didn't push him. Instead, you take on another dance partner with one of the Tarkatans you became close to.

For a while, Baraka just watched you dance the night away. You seemed to enjoy yourself as you moved from dance partner to dance partner. You even dance with a Tarkatan child at one point, a sight that especially causes Baraka's heart to ache. He can't help but think again of the family he lost to Tarkat and how he wishes they were here again. Yet, a thought enters his head, with a voice of reason sounding similar to his late wife.

'Why waste what little time you have left miserable?'

Baraka then turns his gaze towards you again as you're dancing with another Tarkatan and your snakes swaying to the music. Furrowing his brows, he decides he's done watching from the sidelines and makes his way towards the dance floor. When he catches your attention, he holds a hand and asks for the honor of dancing with you. Your other dancing partner pushes you towards Baraka in silent encouragement. You end up stumbling into Baraka's arms just as the song changes into something slower, more thoughtful, with an air of mystique.

"I'm glad you came around, wouldn't want you missing the fun."

"As am I, Y/N"

At first, your dance was awkward with Baraka, who hasn't danced in a very long time, and since you didn't often partake in it, eventually, it all comes rushing back to you and Baraka as you partake in a simple and graceful dance. You two become physically closer to one another as the song ends, until eventually, you're holding one another while swaying gently on the spot. While you can't directly look into each other's eyes, you can still convey your unspoken thoughts through touch alone.

Playlist while writing this:

"La Llorona" feat Alanna Ubach and Antonio Sol.

"Still Here" by Digital Daggers

"Secret of My Life" from the anime Kyousougiga

#mortal kombat #mortal kombat x reader #mk x reader #mortal kombat 1 #baraka x reader #oddball writes #dancing headcanons #baraka #mk1 2023 #Youtube

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wambsgansshoelaces · 10 months

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a/n: hi ! this is the first part of hopefully a series ! it’s the plan that multiple characters all get their own series :)

for reference, I’m never going to use actual plot lines for fics so that we can avoid spoilers. i hope my writing is in character- and good lol. Prologues will always be shorter than actual chapters- think of it as getting into character lmao.

Enjoy + please leave your thoughts !

chapters 1 and 2!

Kendall Roy x Reader

Something Sweet; Prologue

5:30 A.M.

You stare at your alarm clock as it beeps- you swear that thing has grown eyes and is staring at you. You drag yourself out of bed, and before you know it, you’re flitting about your bakery getting ready for the day. The night before, you’d made a perfect batch of Eclaires that you’re sure will sell well today. When it finally hits seven, you flip the sign hanging on the bakery’s front door from ‘closed’ to ‘open’.

You normally don’t get that many people in the early mornings, and today is no different. A few people come in and buy some of your Thanksgiving themed cookies, a few others the seasonal peppermint coffee. It being Thanksgiving, you don’t see anybody in your store at all after nine.

Until it hits noon, anyway.

When the bell fastened above the front door tinkles, you’re in the way back messing around with some dough for a prospective holiday pastry you’ve been thinking about. “Coming!”

When you round the corner, you’re a bit surprised to find who’s looking back at you. His eyes wrinkle in exhaustion, and he’s subtly fidgeting with his fingers. He’s wearing a smoothed out sweater vest, crisp dress pants, and a watch that looks like it cost more than your bakery. You wonder why he isn’t wearing a coat- November in New York was by no means warm. You feel like you’ve seen him somewhere before- online? On the street, in the news? Before you can open your mouth to ask how you can help, he begins.

“Why are you open on Thanksgiving?”

Again, he takes you by surprise, but you don’t miss a beat. “Why are you here on Thanksgiving?”

“Touché. Sorry. I’m drunk. And high. I think.” He drops his head into his hands. “I just needed to get inside. Sorry,” he repeats, attempting to wipe the weariness from his eyes.

At first, you don’t know what to say. You don’t really dabble in the world of drugs, nor do you drink, but you feel for him. There’s just something about him- some part of your subconscious that knows something you don’t. He looks like he’s been through it, anyway. It doesn’t hurt to be kind.

“Why don’t you take a seat? Stay in as long as you like. I’m not exactly busy.” You gesture to the various booths and café tables that line the walls and sit throughout your store.

He ducks his head down, pinking slightly. “I’m really sorry.”

You sigh, and feel a tinge of pity. “Go sit. I’ll get you a glass of water.” Reluctantly, he shuffles off, and you fill a glass with bottled water then open your pastry display.

You round the counter and sit in the chair across from him, sliding him the water and setting a prettily decorated cupcake on the table.

“Drink up.” You look at him expectantly. He stares back, then looks down into the glass. “Like you said, you’re drunk and probably high. It’s best you start flushing it out.”

He mumbles a quick ‘thank you’ and takes a dainty sip of water.

“Come on. You have to drink more than that.” I peel the wrapper on the cupcake back and push it into his hands. Hesitantly, he eats.

“This is really good,” he says quietly. “You made it?”

“Of course I did. I bake everything here.”

Eventually, he finished both the water and the treat. With what you read as shame, he thanks you profusely again before being interrupted by someone entering the shop. Before you get up, he says softly, “Let me pay.”

“What? Absolutely not. It’s on the house.”

You go to help your customer, but when they’re gone, you realize that so is the man from before.

#kendall roy #kendall roy x reader #kendall roy x you #succession x reader #succession fic #succession hbo #succession

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disneyprincemuke · 9 months

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beating the heat * ls2

it's never fun feeling like an outsider, so you'd sworn that nobody would ever feel the way you did all those years ago

pairings: logan sargeant x platonic fem!driver

notes: this actually took me longer than thirty minutes to write im sorry

your eyes widen as your eyes stay on the tv screen in george's side of the garage. you readjust the headphones sitting in your ears as you push yourself towards the screen in the corner.

"logan's retiring," you mutter to yourself. you hurriedly tear the headphones from your head. you cover your ears from the sound of george's car driving into the pitlane for a stop.

"excuse me," you mutter to toto, tapping him on the shoulder as you say it and immediately disappear. while this should be concerning for the team principal, you are old enough to know what you are doing. you have been around for long - he doesn't need to keep tabs on you.

he just shrugs and goes back to speaking into the mic.

you navigate your way around the paddocks quick. perhaps it's a good thing that you and george had accidentally crashed into one another at the start of the race, forcing you to retire the car due to irreparable damages. you're not a big fan of the heat in qatar, and it seems that neither is logan.

you're not angry at george. actually, you will definitely be laughing about the whole thing over some late-night food in the hotel together with some soda.

you find benny standing outside the medical centre with his phone to his ear. you wave at him to catch his attention as you approach. he pulls the phone from his ear when you do.

"is logan inside?" you point towards the door. "is he alright?"

"dehydrated and unwell," he sighs, shaking his head. "i'm on the phone with his mother - you head right in."

you mutter a quick thank you, already a bit regretful that you had interrupted his phone call to update logan's mother. you head right into the medical building and try to find the one room that had the most movement.

you stumble in, chest heaving as you're greeted by james and logan sitting in the corner of the room. you sigh in relief as logan smiles at you weakly, his head resting on the wall behind him, arm stretched out as a nurse connects him to an iv drip.

"are you okay?" you ask, finally walking in. "what happened, mate? i thought you were drinking water and felt better from the flu."

logan shakes his head. "apparently the flu doesn't go great with the qatar heat. i tried to see it through, you know. but i just- i couldn't. it's too much. it's so stupid."

you glance at james and tilt your head. james shrugs. "i keep telling him it's okay. if he carried on racing, who would've known what would happen?"

you slump your shoulders and pat him on the knee. "don't be so hard on yourself. the heat really is something, you know? you're not the only one feeling it," you explain slowly, "i'm already fighting the heat while standing in the garage all night."

"but everyone else is having a go at it. look at oscar?" he throws his free hand into the air to show you his frustration. "stupid. everything about this is stupid. the fact that i'm here and still not in the car is stupid."

"i used to be this hard on myself when i was younger, you know," you sigh, putting your hands behind your back. you lean on the wall to prop yourself up and nod when logan raises an eyebrow at you. "yeah. i'm a woman in motorsport - i was my biggest critic. i was very uptight until george and i became teammates."

"why? you were amazing even when you first started out. you were on the podium in the first half of your rookie season," logan mutters. "everyone kissed the ground you walked on. you're still in chatter as a title contender for years to come."

you shrug. "maybe you only consumed articles that put me in a great light. there were a lot of those," you admit, remembering the way you'd tear yourself apart indulging in articles about your place in formula one, "but there were also a lot that picked me apart and treated me less than.

"i retired once because i wasn't feeling great from my period. imagine the backlash i got after that. from the media, the fans, and people i thought had my back. but i had to retire - it's the safer route than pushing through and potentially passing out and crashing in the car. i could've died if that were to happen."

logan's eyebrows furrowed. "that's not fair. it's just your period - it's natural."

"i know," you point a knowing finger at him, "your flu is also just natural. do you know what i did the next weekend after i retired that weekend?" you grin, glancing over at james. he knows this story because he had been around when it happened. "i bounced right back up - i won my first race."

he laughs softly and looks away. "i'm not as great as you, come on. no way i'm winning the next race."

"to make it far, you have to stay true to yourself. you did the right thing today, kid." you folded your arms over your chest and smiled. "don't get lost in the sport, logan. f1 will always be here like it's always been. you're human. don't forget that."

he looks at you again, tears welled in his eyes from your speech. he breathes out shakily and smiles. "has anyone ever told you that you'd make a great ted talk?"

"ah, shut up, logan."

@cashtons-wife

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warningsine · 5 months

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Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels can’t seem to quit each other. For two seasons, the love-hate relationship between Hacks’ imperious, old-school comedian, Deborah (Jean Smart), and the woke, down-on-her-luck, 20-something comedy writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) hired to update her material fueled some of TV’s funniest and most provocative humor about people who tell jokes for a living. Then, for a year or so, it seemed as though the joke was on Hacks. First, Smart needed heart surgery. Just days after she’d recovered and the Emmy-winning series had gone back into production, the WGA and then SAG-AFTRA went on strike.

Hence the two-year wait for Season 3, whose first two episodes debuted May 2 on Max. Such a disjointed production schedule could have been disastrous for a show that relies so heavily on the chemistry of its cast—and especially between its intergenerational leads. Fortunately, the actors seem to have flourished amid adversity, just as Deborah and Ava often do. Creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky have crafted Hacks’ best season yet, one that allows the characters to grow without killing their spiky, push-pull bond. Smart and Einbinder further elevate that story arc with a rapport that feels more natural and intimate than ever.

When we last saw the divine Ms. V, her career was soaring on the strength of a smash-hit, self-released special in which she dropped her dated stand-up schtick and told the funny, sad, real stories she’d amassed as a pioneering woman in a male-dominated entertainment industry. It was Ava who pushed Deborah to push herself, and Deborah thanked her by pushing her out of the nest. In the Season 2 finale, the diva fired a protégée she’d come to respect, in hopes that the younger woman would seize the opportunity to start making her own dreams come true.

But Hacks would not be Hacks if its stars spent all their screen time apart. Season 3 picks up one year after its predecessor left off, as the Vance-aissance continues with Deborah’s appearance on—what else?—the TIME 100. Things are going great for Ava, too. She’s secured a staff job writing for a comedy-news show in the vein of John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight and is living with her actress girlfriend, Ruby (Lorenza Izzo). Then she runs into Deborah at Montreal’s Just for Laughs festival and they bond over Tom Cruise’s coveted coconut cake.

Ava misses working with a boss who can certainly be a self-absorbed pain but who also really gets her sense of humor. Deborah is surrounded by sycophants, from the two mediocre writers she hired to replace Ava to the stylist who co-signs her bad fashion choices to audiences who laugh appreciatively even when she isn’t cracking a joke, and longs for a collaborator who will tell her the unvarnished truth. So, with Deborah in the running for her dream job as a late-night host, Ava agrees to spend her show’s three-month hiatus helping her prepare.

Deborah’s new place at the center of the comedy universe gives Aniello, Downs, and Statsky an excuse to survey the strange, fragmented and often-contradictory state of that art form in 2024. There’s a roast that brings both hired-gun comics and Deborah’s aggrieved adult daughter, DJ (Kaitlin Olson), together to say the meanest things they can think of about her. Then there’s her G-rated gig cheerily co-hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At one point, Deborah’s history of insensitive humor resurfaces. While she initially vows never to apologize for any joke, Ava urges her to at least hear out a generation that wasn’t even alive when she made many of them, in what is perhaps the least hysterical “cancel culture” plot TV has produced.

For all its timely self-awareness about the industry it represents, Hacks is, in many ways, a traditional sitcom. It’s a professional will-they-or-won’t-they centered on a classic odd-couple duo: two women of vastly divergent ages, politics, and bank balances, one just starting her career and the other a battle-scarred veteran. Season 3 smartly ups the show’s focus on another well-mismatched pair, Deborah and Ava’s dangerously decent agent, Jimmy (Downs), and his flighty assistant, Kayla (the wonderful Megan Stalter, now more than just wacky comic relief), who have left the agency her dad runs and struck out on their own. (The season’s one notable flaw is the dearth of substantive storylines for two chronically under-developed characters, DJ and Deborah’s repressed deputy Marcus, played by Carl Clemons-Hopkins.)

The writers make inspired use of sitcom standbys, from the character who absolutely needs to be in two places at once to the bottle episode; Deborah and Ava are forced to spend hours alone together, as Deborah finally confesses her mixed emotions about getting everything she’s always wanted so late in life. “You know,” she tells Ava, “your whole life you say, ‘One day I’ll do this, one day I’ll accomplish that.’ And the magic of ‘one day’ is that it’s all ahead of you. But for me, ‘one day’ is now. Anything I want to do, I have to do now, or else I’ll never do it. That’s the worst part of being old.” The speech resonates whether you’re Deborah’s age or Ava’s, made all the more poignant by Smart’s gradual shift in mood, from tough to vulnerable. In this scene and others, the tumultuous love between her character and Einbinder’s has a familial authenticity.

Like its best forerunners, from Seinfeld to 30 Rock, Hacks is hitting its stride a few seasons into its run because it takes that long for a cast and a writing staff to learn how to make each other as brilliant as they can possibly all be. Early on in the series, there was a bit of a disconnect between Einbinder’s affable performance and some of Ava’s nastier moments. Now, the character seamlessly coheres. Deborah has always been the role of a lifetime for Smart, and in the new episodes, the creators reward her virtuosity by giving her more fodder for introspection and growth than ever before. In the heyday of broadcast comedy, a sitcom that had achieved such ideal synergy could retain its audience—and the support of its network—for upwards of a decade. It’s fitting, when you consider that one of its heroines is the ultimate Hollywood survivor, that Hacks has become the rare streaming show with the potential to have the same longevity.

#oh we're gonna be fed so well #hacks #hacks hbo

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kierreras · 1 year

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This is my theory for the rest of the season:

5-10 will be a bellyjere snooze fest with Conrad self sabotaging himself from the sidelines and Belly gaslighting herself into thinking she is in love with Jeremiah. The girl is grieving, wants to feel closer to Susannah and Jere is the one not pushing her away. Belly is 10 feet deep in denial. Second half will push the narrative of “Jeremiah is the one who’s been there for Belly and Conrad only makes her suffer” narrative. As if Conrad isn’t legit depressed. I can see some bellyconrad flashbacks here and there to signify the connection that still ties them together.

As for the finale. S2 will end similarly to how book 2 ended w bellyjere canon since some reviewers spoke about it being pretty spot on to the books but one thing a lot of reviewers also say is that even by the end of the season and without reading the books you still get the idea of who’s the endgame couple (bellyconrad) because of the narrative and soundtrack.

The necklace and motel scenes are happening because that’s the only way to justify bellyjere even being together. But I think the difference will be that they will showcase how much Conrad hates telling Belly he doesn’t want her and pushing her away and how she wants him to say that he loves her and fight for it. How much it hurts him to allow Jeremiah to be with her. I think it’s important the it showcases he does this because he thinks he can’t be what she wants right now. It still feels weird that Jeremiah will be okay dating Belly when they were in an actual relationship in the show. In the books, Belly and Conrad were undefined. So, I think both Jeremiah and Belly need to believe Conrad doesn’t care about them being together in order to move forward with that relationship hence motel scene.

I don’t think the show will end with Belly and Jeremiah in their relationship bliss. Romantic song and credits rolling type. I think we will get a montage of flashbacks between Belly and Conrad and a nod at the fact Belly is in love with Conrad and just going w the guy that wants her, not the one she wants. Belly’s narration is key to express this. Back To December being played in a montage of them by Conrad’s viewpoint is perfect and showing how he regrets everything that happened. I could see the season ending this way but:

A reviewer said there’s a cliffhanger so I think they might tease a bit of their relationship in that 2 years mark and a flash forward to Conrad 2 years later (still with the necklace). It builds anticipation for the next season and leaves both teams with a fighting stance for the next one.

And if I was Jenny, I’ll drop Season 3 in two parts (filmed as one). First part about the mess that was Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship leading up to the proposal, meeting Conrad again at Cousins and the planning fiasco. It could end on the wedding day for dramatic effect. 2nd part about the failing of the wedding, the fight, Belly leaving to Spain, reconnecting with Conrad after years, a montage of their one year relationship and finally marrying him.

sorry for the late reply, your ask message is huge and very interesting to me, so i wanted to take some time to gather my thoughts here too! thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your vision, it's really amazing! so yeah, i think that starting from the 5th episode we're going to dive more into bellyjere and how their connection together influences them both. i think we're going to actually get jere's pov in 5th or 6th episode because they should start bellyjere by showing how jeremiah handled bellyconrad when they were together. thanksgiving flashbacks, i think, are going to be shown through jeremiah's pov, which is a pity cause i can only imagine how cute belly and conrad were there. however, i think that conrad isn't going to be as harsh as he is in the books. i still think that he'll be following the natural flow and thinking that one day when he's in the right mental state him and belly can get back together. and conrad has a tendency of thinking that he is fine once something good happens, so i think he might mistaken getting to a better mental state with passing finals. i actually love your thoughts about conrad needing to actually vocalise that belly should move on because i also don't see any other way for belly and jere actually starting something in the show. how i see things in the finale - conrad passes his finals, he goes to his dorm room and collects the infinity necklace to give it to belly, goes back to the car and witnesses bellyjere kiss. i also think that before the kiss conrad could be really unaware of how close belly and jeremiah are. so yeah, after that the whole bellyjere thing unravels and i can see everything that you've mentioned happening. soundtrack should tease that the story is not over for belly and conrad, so i think it definitely could be back to december with tons of bellyconrad/bellyjere moments, but also i can see jenny choosing exile or even betty/august/cardigan because of the whole betty/james/augustine parallel. so i'm not really sure, but i also would be down for any of taylor's songs, who am i kidding? i can absolutely see the last scene in this season being a flashforward to tease the third season and maybe tease the potential reunion of belly and conrad, so your version with conrad + necklace scene is really great. i'm actually praying that it's conrad and necklace, not bellyjere wedding photos, ugh and yes to everything you said about season three. agree with every word! but also i would want to actually see an episode of belly in spain, conrad's letters and maybe even jeremiah healing process, i don't think that montage would be enough for me, a girl can dream, anyway. thank you for sharing your thoughts, that one was of the most interesting asks that i've ever received!

#ask #bellyconrad #bonrad #tsitp #tsitp spoilers #the summer i turned pretty

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kittenwalker · 2 years

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can you do a part 2 of take a break but like this time there is a massive fight between y/n and evan bc at some diner organized by ryan murphy to celebrate dahmer serie, he jokes about having thinking on another serial killer to play for evan and evan just smiles and says yes everything you want but reader starts to answer to ryan that this time he should do a casting bc if it’s not a comedy her boyfriend won’t be in it so tensioooon in the restaurant bc reader and ryan starts to jokes sarcastically about each other ( maybe reader could also be a famous actress, so ryan starts to paternalize her and tell her that’s she should go make shooting photos or tiktoks ) and evan isn’t defending reader so at home y/n and evan fight about that bc he doesn’t want to take a 2 years break of acting and she doesn’t want him to end up like heath ledger for example

notes : i love this idea! thank you for requesting it. Also, sorry it took so long for me to write / update, school is really eating me up even though I should be having a break right now :( But i do hope you have a nice thanksgiving and enjoy this story xxx!

WARNINGS : sexism, cursing, paternalism, mention of dahmer show ( ps : i know ryan murphy is much nicer in real life and would never say such things but this is fictional so keep that in mind! thank you xxx )

“ The worst part is that YOU didn’t even try to DEFEND ME, you were just SITTING THERE EVAN WHY!? “

“ WELL MAYBE because I think HE’S RIGHT! “

All these hectic arguments started with a simple invitation to dinner by Ryan Murphy. They held this dinner at a classy restaurant to celebrate the success of the first season, Monster. Of course, Evan was invited and he needed a plus one so he took Y/n with him. Y/n was also a well-known actress across the world, as she has starred in multiple movies that have received many awards. She has also gotten a few awards for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and many more. But now because of her gender, it started a whole lot of trouble.

7.35 pm, in about 30 minutes you have to scurry out of the house to attend Ryan’s dinner. You slipped on a gorgeous red silk slip dress before doing your hair and makeup. A little bit of lipgloss and you were done, pulling out your rollers and running your fingers through your fluffy hair. Finishing off the look with a few spritzes of perfume before slipping on your heels and going out to impatient Evan. You saw that Evan’s back was facing you so you decided to scare him, tipping your toes carefully to be quiet.

“ BOO! “ you whispered into his ear

Seeing that your little trick worked as he flinched, dropping his phone. His scared face made you burst out laughing but soon you were being tickled as payback. Giggles came out of you left and right as you attempted to push his hands away, asking him to stop.

“ Okay okay my beautiful girl stop messing around, we’re going to be late. C’mon let’s go “

Click clack, Y/n’s heels made against the glossy floor as they arrived at the fine dining. They were directed by a waitress to the respective table, seeing Ryan and the other cast members already seated. They all greeted the couple, standing up and shaking hands while introducing themselves to Y/n. The two sat down across from Ryan and started making small talk with the other members until they heard a clinking sound. Ryan was raising his glass, making a toast.

“ Hello everyone, thank you all for being here to celebrate the success of our latest show The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Since the first season was such a big hit, I've decided to renew the series and make two more seasons! Wishing all the best for the future seasons to be as successful as the previous one. It was also amazing to work with you all, it was my pleasure. Now, cheers! “

All the champagne glasses met in the middle and clinked with one another. Chatter filled the table after as they talked about the plans for the second season. They got onto the topic of casting and asked Ryan if he already had someone in mind that he wanted to play as the next serial killer.

“ Well I was thinking maybe Evan can play as the next killer I have in mind as he did a great job for Dahmer. “ he joked

Y/n knew it was a joke but she also knew deep down that it was going to be turned into reality. Plus Evan will do anything Ryan requests like he was some slave obeying his orders. She was not going to let that happen again, it already happened one too many times and she was even there to witness it. Y/n dated Evan way back when he was still filming for American Horror Story and when he was handed the role of Kai. He would always come home wrecked, either crying or not wanting to talk. Evan even had to start taking therapy sessions after that role as it affected him mentally and physically. She couldn’t imagine what his newest role did to him and adding even more to his plate by potentially giving him another serial killer role. Y/n couldn’t just sit there and watch him suffer, so she was going to defend him.

“ Yes yes, anythin- '' Evan spoke halfway through before getting interrupted by you.

“ No no I’m sorry but he won’t be doing any more psycho roles or any roles in general unless it's lighthearted ones. So maybe you should do a casting instead of just pushing the role to him.“

You could tell that Ryan’s face immediately dropped but was back into composure when he saw you looking at him. Evan also turned to you with a confused and disapproving expression, but you ignored it as you said that for his good. The air seemed to have gotten tense after that interaction and to admit it, even you were uncomfortable but the good thing is that the dishes have been served so you would be busy eating.

But quickly they all started talking again, talking about whether they thought this series is going to win the People’s Choice Awards. You didn’t participate in that conversation as you thought your opinion on this topic wouldn’t matter. Until Ryan decided to pick on you.

“ Hey, Y/n how bout you? Have you ever won even a single award? “ he asked, acting curious.

But you caught on fast, he was trying to mock you as everyone at the table was way more famous than you.

“ Of course, plenty in fact, “ you said proudly as it was true

“ Oh sorry my bad, I meant have you ever won an Emmy as everyone you're seated with has gotten one “ Wow, he was really getting on your nerves.

“ No “ you whispered

“ Pardon I didn’t quite hear you “ he pushed further, putting a hand to his ear

“ No I haven’t got the chance to win one, “ you said more confidently this time to not seem weak.

“ Oh well it’s quite expected, you’re a woman. I’m already impressed that you even got the chance to be in this industry because it’s kind of a men's thing. Maybe you should do photoshoots and be an influencer, I feel like that would suit you better and make you more famous. “ he said with a smug face

You were in disbelief, you’ve always heard nice things about Ryan so why was he such a bitch to you? Just because you defended Evan by saying he wouldn’t do his next role then he became sexist? All you wanted was to let him know that Evan is not going to play any more of these types of roles as he seemed unaware because he kept pushing him into more and more serial killer roles. But he took it personally for some reason, so if he was going to play some game you were going to play along.

“ I didn’t pursue this career to be famous, I did it because I truly enjoyed doing so. How about you? Why do you always have Evan in your films? Scared they're going to fail without him? “

You could tell he was deeply insulted as his face twisted but he deserved it. He picked on you because you were a woman, like hell you had the choice to be one. The sarcastic bickering kept going through the whole dinner until Evan had to kindly excuse you both saying you two had to go home as it was getting late. But of course, when you reached home more arguments just began to brew up.

Evan jiggled his keys in anger, jamming the key in and unlocking the door. You walked in first and flopped onto the couch but the sudden sound of the door slamming shut made you jump. Seeing Evan walk to you angrily before he roughly picked you up by the shoulders, making you stand up.

“ Y/n what the fuck was your behaviour during dinner!? “

His shouting caught you off guard, you really haven’t seen Evan shout at you before. He promised he would never hurt you.

“ What…? “

“ Oh come on don’t act all innocent, you were SO RUDE! You EMBARRASSED ME Y/n! “

You saw where this was going, Evan was mad because you defended him and yourself from a sexist fucker. But you weren’t going to sit there and get shouted at or lectured on how to behave when all you did was stand up for yourself.

“ Oh really? So you’re infuriated because I stood up for myself? EVAN you are SO OBLIVIOUS of what Ryan was saying! HE WAS SEXIST TOWARDS ME AND PATERNALIZED ME EVAN! He acted as if he was my dad and knew exactly what was good for ME! The worst part is that YOU didn’t even try to DEFEND ME, you were just SITTING THERE EVAN! WHY? “

“ WELL MAYBE because I think HE’S RIGHT! “ Evan blurted out

You were shocked, goosebumps running all over your skin. Feeling like your heart had just stopped, you have never felt this betrayed and hurt. Your lover agreed with the villain instead of helping you, you felt like he had stabbed you in the back. Freezing there on your spot as a single tear slipped out. As the words came out of Evan’s mouth, his face dropped and immediately you could see the pure regret on his face. But it didn’t matter, he already said it.

“ So… you think he’s right and that men are better than women in this industry. You also agree with him that I shouldn’t be here and should be an influencer on the internet right now… You do realise that all I just wanted was for you to take a break because I don’t want to see you go down anymore. Right? “ you spoke the words slowly, letting them sink into you as your voice croaked.

“ No no, no shit, I’m really sorry Y/n. I was just mad and spat it out, I didn’t think before saying it I’m sorry. I certainly didn’t mean it as well. I'm sorry, so sorry my love. “ Evan came to your side and hugged you while kissing the crown of your head.

“ I’m sorry as well, I know I was petty and rude during dinner but I just couldn’t stand the sexism coming towards me like I had a choice to be a specific gender. I also want you to have a break, please Evan, I know how much you love acting. But I don’t want you to receive another challenging role and break down, ending up like… Heath Ledger for example. “ you sobbed at the thought of losing the light to your darkness.

“ I know you mean well love and to be completely honest I am also very tired but I just don’t want to disappoint anyone. It just feels like because Ryan kicked-started my career then I have to say yes to whatever he wants. It’s… difficult to explain. “ he admitted letting a few sobs out

“ I understand what you’re saying, but I want you to know that you don’t owe Ryan anything. He gives you a role and he asks you, so that means you have a choice to say no. He isn’t forcing you and saying like ‘ if you don’t do it I’m going to blow your brains ’. I know he can be very persuasive but it’s after all, your life and your decisions. I’m sure he would respect your choice to say no. “

Evan looked star-struck after hearing your comforting words. He truly was in love with you after you said those words. You fell for him first but he fell harder, way harder. He felt like a little girl falling in love again, his heart beating fast and him blushing. You noticed the shade of pink on his cheeks and giggled.

“ Is someone touched by my words? You're like a little boy after their crush just did the bare minimum Evan. “ you chuckled

“ Believe me y/n, I feel like one too. “

After that little incident, Evan has chosen to listen to you and take a break. Spending every month, day, second and moment with Y/n. Before that, he also made a call to Ryan, addressing the argument that happened that day. They both apologised for their childish behaviour and now they’re both great friends. Yes, Evan is going to take a break, but what’s even better is that he decided to extend his break. So now Y/n has almost 2 full years of Evan all to herself, she even persuaded him to go travel around the world. They are going to the Bahamas, France, and Italy so they’re going to be away for 2 whole months. It was definitely one of the most interesting, funniest, and most memorable vacations you have taken with Evan. But the couple was happy together, in their little love bubble.

I feel a little icky about this one (⇀‸↼)

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