#ten years of this i think i've earned a break

[midnightfict]

What History?

— 𓆩𓆪 —

𓆩 Lee Byung-Hun x F!reader 𓆪

Summary — Squid Game fans have been shipping two actors not knowing they have a history together.

A/N — aaaa, writer’s block is killing me. but the reqs i've been getting is starting to help. i promise i’m currently drafting for the other reqs.

request post

— 𓆩𓆪 —

The room was brightly lit, cameras positioned at every angle, and a familiar nervousness settled in the pit of your stomach. You weren’t new to interviews, but something about these promotional videos always made you a little jittery. Maybe it was the anticipation of how fans would react, or maybe it was the fact that sitting next to you was none other than Lee Byung-hun—your former high school boyfriend and now your co-star in Squid Game Season 2.

The two of you walked into the room together, followed by director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who greeted the crew with a casual nod.

“Alright,” a staff member announced. “We’re shooting two videos today. The first segment is watching fan edits, and the second is reading fan letters. Just react naturally, have fun, and remember—no breaking into hysterics.”

Byung-hun chuckled beside you. “That sounds like a challenge.”

You smirked. “You sound scared.”

“I might as well be. Have you seen those AI edits of me and Lee Jung-jae?”

The staff gestured for silence, signaling that the cameras were rolling. You introduced yourself to the camera, followed by Byung-hun and Dong-hyuk. The screen before you flickered to life, and the first video started playing.

The first edit was cinematic—a high-energy montage of Squid Game 2’s most intense moments. Gunfights, chase sequences, close-ups of steely gazes. It had everything. The booming orchestral soundtrack made every scene feel ten times more dramatic.

Byung-hun let out an impressed whistle. “Did we actually shoot something this cool?”

You nodded. “Because I don’t remember looking this badass.”

Dong-hyuk leaned forward, squinting. “Wait—when did you do that roll behind cover?”

You snorted. “That’s the one where I landed wrong and bruised my entire arm.”

Byung-hun grinned. “Ohhh, right. And you tried to play it off like you meant to do it.”

“I did mean to do it.”

Dong-hyuk shook his head. “That’s not what you said when you screamed in pain afterward.”

Byung-hun burst into laughter. Your light punch to his side silenced him, earning a dramatic yelp.

“Give respect to your elders!”

You gave the camera a look. “He’s so dramatic. We’re literally only one year apart.”

The next edit was a deep dive into In-ho’s past, set in black and white with emotional piano music. It contrasted his life as a police officer with his role as the Front Man, highlighting the tragedy of his choices.

Dong-hyuk hummed thoughtfully. “This fan basically made a better teaser than we did.”

Byung-hun nodded. “Can we hire them?”

You pointed at a particular shot. “This scene—this is when you had to retake your mask removal, what, twenty times?”

Byung-hun groaned. “Ugh. The mask kept getting caught on my hood. Every time I tried to look dramatic, I just looked stuck.”

Dong-hyuk chuckled. “We had to cut out three takes where you sighed right into the mask.”

Byung-hun held up his hands. “No need to expose me like that.”

Then came the brainrot edit. An animation of Squid Game characters dancing to some bizarre, upbeat song.

You had the biggest grin—too silly not to laugh. The video didn’t even make sense.

Dong-hyuk had his brows furrowed, an amused but not entirely entertained smile on his face.

Byung-hun, on the other hand, sat perfectly still, eyes locked on the screen. No one could tell what he was thinking.

When it ended, you all exchanged an awkward glance.

“I mean… I like it. It’s an interesting video,” you said, wiping tears from the corners of your eyes, still laughing.

Dong-hyuk fixed his glasses. “Is this what people see when they watch my show?”

Byung-hun crossed his arms. “They didn’t do me justice. Why is the Front Man not included in this video?”

The staff smirked. “Don’t worry, there’s a Front Man edit in the next one.”

The next video was different. The music was softer, the pacing slower. It highlighted your character’s interactions with In-ho—subtle glances, moments of hesitation, scenes where your characters moved in sync. It wasn’t obvious in the actual show, but with the way the editor framed it…

It almost looked like something was going on.

Byung-hun blinked. “What’s this?”

Dong-hyuk raised an eyebrow. “They created scenes that aren’t even in the series.”

You squinted. “Are we too old to understand what this is?”

It was a ship edit.

Silence.

Then, Byung-hun let out a slow, amused chuckle. “Well. That was unexpected.”

Dong-hyuk crossed his arms. “You two do have really natural chemistry.”

You cleared your throat. “I mean, our characters have history, so—”

Byung-hun nodded. “Right, right. Former police officers.”

Dong-hyuk hummed. “Well, I had another love interest in mind for In-ho, but thinking about it… your characters being shipped makes sense. Maybe I should make it canon in Season 3.”

Both you and Byung-hun snapped your heads toward him.

“Huh?!”

The crew erupted into laughter. Dong-hyuk smiled and closed the segment with a thank-you and a Squid Game 2 promotion.

After a quick makeup touch-up, a staff member placed a stack of envelopes in front of you, Byung-hun, and Dong-hyuk.

Dong-hyuk stretched his arms and grinned. “Alright, let’s see what the fans have to say. If anyone insults my writing, I’m walking out.”

Byung-hun smirked. “I’d say you’re bluffing, but we all know you’re dramatic enough to do it.”

You laughed. “Place your bets, everyone. How many letters will be about Byung-hun’s attractiveness?”

Byung-hun scoffed. “Excuse me, I am a serious actor. Not just a handsome face.”

The cameras rolled.

You picked up the first letter and smoothed it out before reading aloud.

‘Dear Director Hwang, your storytelling is a masterpiece. Every scene feels like it has so much depth and emotion. How do you come up with such gripping narratives?’

Dong-hyuk’s face lit up. “Ah, A letter for me!”

Byung-hun immediately reached over, fingers grasping at the paper. “Skip it.”

You swatted his hand away. “No, let him have his moment.”

Dong-hyuk straightened his posture, adjusting his jacket with mock importance. “Well, since you asked… My process is simple. I think, ‘What is the most stressful, painful situation I can put my characters in?’ And then I do that.”

Byung-hun leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. “I knew you enjoyed torturing us.”

Dong-hyuk grinned. “Absolutely.”

Byung-hun exhaled, then grabbed the next letter from the pile, unfolding it.

‘Was filming action scenes difficult? Especially the parkour scenes.’

You didn’t hesitate. “Oh, definitely. That scene where I had to jump from bed to bed? I had bruises for days.”

Byung-hun winced at the memory. “Oh yeah, you took a pretty bad fall.”

You sighed dramatically, throwing your arms up. “And no one even said ‘cut’ when I landed wrong! I had to just lie there in pain.”

Dong-hyuk raised a hand in defense. “Okay, to be fair, it looked intentional.”

Byung-hun let out a deep chuckle, shaking his head. “You heard it here first, folks. The director is a masochist.”

Dong-hyuk smirked. “It builds character.”

Byung-hun rubbed his temple. “I worry for your future wife.”

You sifted through the pile and grabbed the next letter.

‘To Byung-hun, was it difficult wearing the Front Man’s mask for long periods of time? It looks heavy.’

Byung-hun groaned dramatically, flopping against the back of his chair. “Oh, you have no idea.”

Dong-hyuk snorted. “He complained about it every single day.”

Byung-hun sat up, pointing at him. “Because it was a legitimate problem! The mask was so heavy, and it pressed into my face so much that I had red marks after every shoot.”

You bit back a laugh. “And let’s not forget the time it got stuck.”

Byung-hun groaned, covering his face with his hands. “Oh, please, let’s forget that.”

Dong-hyuk smirked. “We have footage.”

Byung-hun immediately turned to the camera, eyes pleading. “Dear editors, if you have any mercy, don’t include that clip.”

They did.

Dong-hyuk chuckled and grabbed the next letter. “‘Director Hwang, who is your favorite character in Squid Game?’”

He let out a dramatic sigh. “Yikes. That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child.”

Byung-hun smirked. “But we all know you have a favorite.”

Dong-hyuk tapped his fingers against the table, pretending to contemplate. “Well… I have a soft spot for In-ho.”

Byung-hun gasped, clutching his chest as if he’d been struck. “You love me?”

Dong-hyuk’s deadpan stare didn’t waver. “I said I love In-ho. Not you.”

You burst into laughter as Byung-hun recoiled in mock betrayal. “Wow, I won’t return to Season 3 then.”

Dong-hyuk ignored him, his expression thoughtful. “I love complex characters, and In-ho has so much depth. There’s still so much left to explore with him.”

You leaned in. “So, does that mean he’s safe in Season 3?”

Dong-hyuk smirked. “I mean, it’s possible, but I don’t know. We’ll have to find out.”

Byung-hun cut in, laughing. “What do you mean you don’t know? You created the story.”

Dong-hyuk simply shrugged. “Let’s just say… No one is ever truly safe.”

The next letter Byung-hun picked up seemed harmless at first.

‘I don’t know what it is, but…’

He stopped mid-sentence, chuckling as he glanced at the camera, then at you and Dong-hyuk. “I don’t know if I can continue reading this without someone getting mad.”

Silence fell over the room.

Curious, you snatched the letter from his hands and scanned it. A laugh bubbled out of you. “Who’s gonna get mad over this?”

Byung-hun gave you a knowing look, subtly hinting at someone you had dated during filming.

Your expression faltered for half a second before you quickly masked it with a tight smile. Keeping your mouth hidden from the camera, you mouthed, “We broke up.”

Dong-hyuk grinned and leaned forward to peek at the letter over your shoulder. “Well, well, well. They think you two have some history together because you make the characters so compelling together.”

Byung-hun cleared his throat, spitting out a joke before anyone could dwell on the comment. “Have you guys ever considered we are both just very good actors?”

Dong-hyuk stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. “Seeing how everybody seems to ship you two, maybe I should create a romance movie with you both.”

You and Byung-hun turned to him in horror, simultaneously shaking your heads.

Dong-hyuk simply shrugged. “What? The fans love it. I should give them what they want.”

Byung-hun laughed nervously and quickly faced the camera. “Okay let's end it! Thank you for watching this video. Don’t forget to watch us on Netflix!”

After finishing the shoot, the three of you parted ways—but the internet did not.

A week after the video was published, fans went crazy. The shipping theories got worse. Your social media was flooded with comments. Multiple media outlets invited you and Byung-hun for interviews together, riding the hype.

One afternoon, before another press event, you texted him.

Want to grab coffee before the next interview?

Thought you’d never ask.

At the café, he took a sip of his drink and smirked. “Remember how broke we were from getting coffee every other day in high school?”

You groaned. “Oh god, that was what? Twenty—no, thirty years ago? High school was rough. I don’t even want to remember that.”

“You’re mean. So I meant nothing to you?” He feigned hurt, holding back a smile.

“Oh, shush. You know what I mean.” You playfully pushed his forehead as he held the door open for you. “Besides, we lasted ‘til university, no—”

Click.

A camera shutter.

You froze. He froze.

Through the café window, a crowd had formed. Some held up phones. Others were whispering excitedly.

Fuck. They found you.

Byung-hun exhaled. “Well, I guess there’s no turning back.”

Then, with a smirk, he grabbed your hand, laced his fingers through yours, and yanked you out of the sea of screaming fans.

[folklvrsworld]

between the books ♡

pairing: harry james potter x fem!reader

warnings: smut, unprotected sex, kissing, swearing/cussing, slightly spying

summary: reader is doing assignments in the library when she feels a pair of eyes watching her, harry decided to distract her and get her mind off of school for a hot minute

song: collide - justin skye, tyga

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

Being a sixth year doesn't mean you can relax. Yes, we do have a lot more free time, but those free times are mostly used for doing homework, which the professors gave a lot, or studying for N.E.W.T. exams that we will have to do in our seventh year.

I was in the library, scribbling down answers for my defence against the dark arts homework, while constantly switching books. The library wasn't empty that day, but it wasn't full either. As I was writing, I felt like someone was watching me. I looked around, but no one was looking at my direction.

I shrugged it off and continued on what I was doing. I finally finished my homework and I closed the books, before putting them back in the right shelves. As I was returning the last book, I felt a presence behind me and before I could turn around, I felt someone kiss my neck.

"Harry..." I giggled quitely while turning around to see the raven haired boy standing in front of me.

"Took you long enough to notice me." he grinned and pecked my lips slowly.

I kissed him back and pulled away with a raised eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"I've been watching you for the past ten minutes, I thought you would notice me, but you were very focused on your homework." he chuckled, kissing me again.

"I knew I felt someone was watching me." I said in between kisses, "Now we really shouldn't make out here, I have homework to do."

He groaned, "Oh come on, it's time for you to have a little break. What d'you say?" he smiled while running his hands up and down my waist.

I gulped and stared at him in the eyes, he wasn't wrong, I do need a little break. I've been doing homework for the past three hours, my fingers were tired from writing, my brain was tired from thinking, I needed a distraction.

"Fine.." I finally said, earning a big grin from him before he pinned me to the bookshelf and kissed my neck, "W-Wait...Here?!"

He pulled away and shrugged, "Why not? If you're comfortable with it, of course."

I reminded myself that we were on the back of the library, the section where no one really comes to, so if we were to do it here, it would be somewhat safe. We just have to be quiet.

"Okay...We have to be quiet though."

He chuckled, "You mean you have to be quiet, princess." he smirked as his hand started to go under my skirt, "Let me take care of you, yeah? I know you're tired, you don't have to do anything."

His words gave me butterflies on my stomach. Sex with him was always either gentle and sweet, rough and kinky, or lusty and passionate. Him being cute and gentle was always my favorite one.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and stroked the back of his neck before leaning in to kiss him, as our lips collided and moved in sync, his hand made its way to my underwear. He stroked my clit through the fabric making me gasp and  have goosebumps from head to toe.

"Shh, relax. I'll be gentle." he muttered through the kiss as he felt the wetness on the underwear, he fiddled with the fabric at first, before slowly taking it off of me.

When it was off, he kept it in his pocket and started to trail his thumb over my clit. I shuddered at his touch and he did it over and over again, "Can you tell me what you want, princess?"

I nearly come undone hearing his words, but I managed to look him in the eyes while saying, "Touch me...Please, Harry..."

He smiled and pecked my lips before slowly entering a finger in, while still caressing my clit with his thumb. I held back a moan as I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip.

"Merlin, you're so wet." he groaned quitely as he went in and out with his finger, and not long after, he added a second finger.

I threw my head back to the bookshelf and couldn't help but let out a little gasp, he started moving faster and faster, it was getting really hard to hold back my moans. When he added a third finger, he knew I was about to moan, because he slammed his lips onto mine.

"F-Fuck..." I moaned quitely through the kiss, his fingers moving in and out frantically, I pulled away and gasped for air.

Suddenly, I felt the knot in my stomach forming, my body was starting to shake, I was close. Harry seemed to realize as he stopped for a second to rest his fingers before going in and out in a frantic pace, his thumb stroking my clit.

"Come for me, baby." he said while unbuttoning my shirt and squeezing my boobs gently.

Not wasting another moment, I bit back a moan as I felt my body completely let go. I let out little whimpers of pleasure as my body jerk and shake a little from the force of the orgasm. When I've relaxed, he gently pulled his fingers out and licked them clean.

"Good girl." he smiled at me and kissed me, letting me taste myself on his tongue, "Do you want more or was that enough for you, my love?"

I panted heavily, still recovering from the orgasm, and looked at him and his bulge. I knew I would have to really fight myself to not moan if we go further, but my body needed him. Badly.

"You deserve some too, Harry. Not just me." I smiled while fumbling with his pants, he raised an eyebrow before smirking lightly.

He understood what I wanted so he quickly took of his pants and underwear, while I completely took off my shirt, leaving me only in my skirt and bra. He picked me up and made me straddle him before taking one of my boobs into his mouth.

I moaned quitely as I tug his hair and let out a sigh of pleasure. He continued sucking on my breast while playing with the other one, before pulling away and looking at me in the eyes, "You're the most beautiful person I've ever met, Y/N."

My body instantly was filled with euphoria hearing that, my cheeks went red as I smiled at him and kissed him. He kissed me back with tongue as he gave his dick a few strokes before gently and slowly entering me.

"O-Oh, fuck...." I pulled away from the kiss and moaned, with our foreheads still touching.

He breathed heavily and continued to thrust himself deeper. When he's fully in me, he paused for a second to take a deep breath, before slowly moving in and out.

"H-Harry..." I rested my hand on his shoulder and clawed his back, we were only getting started and we were already such a moaning mess.

"Y-You feel so good, Merlin..." he moaned, squeezing my ass as he continued his rapid movement.

We were looking into each other's eyes as he moved in and out of me. Both of us sweating and breathing heavily, euphoria and pleasure feeling both our bodies. It wasn't until we heard someone talking that we knew someone was in the shelf next to ours.

"No, that's not the one I'm looking for. Maybe it's in the next shelf."

I widened my eyes and mouthed to Harry, "We're the next shelf!"

He was about to pull out of me but before he could do anything, another voice was heard, "Wait, here it is. Nevermind, we don't have to go to the other shelf, Celia. I got it."

We both took a deep breath of relief and waited for them to leave, when they did, he looked at me and smirked, "Now, where were we?" he started moving in and out of me again. 

Not so long after, he thrusted deep inside me, hitting my g-spot. I had to bury my face on the crook of his neck to hold myself from screaming out of pleasure. I was in absolute bliss. His thrust became faster and harder by the second.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck baby..." I whimpered into his neck, my body jerking from the force of his thrust.

He stroked my back reassuringly and eagerly kissed my neck to calm me down, "Shh, I know, sweetheart. I know."

He started hitting my g-spot over and over again, my body was jerking and shaking from the amount of pleasure I was getting. Little gasps and moans coming out of my mouth, as I feel the knot on my stomach forming again.

"I-I'm close, Harry..." I gasped and my legs tightened the grip on his waist.

He nodded his head and groaned, while pulling away from my neck after successfully making a hickey there, "Me too. Oh fucking hell, love.."

His movement suddenly became fast and hard, he was trying to reach both of our orgasms. My mouth was hung open in a silent scream, he was gasping for air and watching me slowly come building up to my release.

"Beautiful. So fucking beautiful."

With his words, I come undone. I tried my best to moan quitely, as my body convulsed and my thighs shake. I saw stars and I couldn't feel anything else except for pleasure. I never wanted it to end. I was having uncontrollable spams. It was the hardest orgasm I've ever had.

A second after my release, he had his. He buried his face into my chest as he groaned and released inside me. I felt his hot liquid filling me up, making me shudder and jerk slightly. As we were both coming down from our high, he stroked my stomach gently to calm me down, and I stroked his hair.

When we both have relaxed, we looked at each other and couldn't help but smile. He pulled out of me slowly and set me down on my feet, I trembled but I quickly leaned against the shelf so I don't fall down.

"Did you enjoy it, my love?" he said out of breath, while moving a strand of hair from my face.

I nodded my head vigorously and chuckled, "Every second of it, darling." I smiled, "God, I really needed that. Homework has been stressing me out lately."

He smiled and kissed my forehead, "I noticed, princess." he took out my underwear from his pocket and gave it to me, "We should dress up before anyone sees us."

We quickly tidied ourselves up. We made ourselves look like we did not just fuck the shit out of each other as much as we could. I fixed him a bit and he did the same for me, before we both walk away from the shelf hand in hand.

I quickly gathered my stuff that was still on the table before walking out of the library with him, "That was one of the craziest things I've ever done."

He chuckled and shrugged, "Hey, everyone does crazy things from time to time. But you didn't regret it, did you?" he said as he put a bit of my hair at the front, to hide my hickey.

I smiled up at him and shook my head, "Not one bit, Harry."

[starsenha]

[10] FIRST IMPRESSIONS - progress

synopsis: riki was a big fan of your group Devilish, but when he met you for the first time, he made a very bad first impression and now you hated him. rumors started to spark saying how you hated each other and to calm the rumors, the company decided to make you two hosts a variety show together for two months. wc: 1,3k

The third episode of the variety show had been the longest filming day yet, and honestly, you couldn't take it anymore. You and Riki had spent hours interviewing Meovv, a newly debuted girl group that came to promote their first comeback. The group's members were bright and bubbly, but their energy exhausted you, as well ad the fake smile you had plastered on your face.

You sat across from them, maintaining your polite and attentive demeanor. Riki was also struggling with their energy. As soon as the director yelled, "That's a wrap," you stood, thanked the staff and the Meovv members with a small bow, and quietly slipped out of the studio. Riki noticed but decided not to say anything, choosing to stay back and what with some of the crew.

Behind the studio, you found a quiet corner surrounded by tall trees where you could feel the cool evening air. Sighing, you leaned against the wall, your head tilted back as you closed your eyes. You loved what you did, but sometimes, it took just too much energy.

About ten minutes later, you heard footsteps. Opening your eyes, you found Riki standing a few feet away, hands stuffed in his hoodie pockets.

"Figured I'd find you here," he said causally.

"You followed me?" you raised an eyebrow.

"Followed is a strong word. I just....guessed," he said with a sheepish grin. "You looked like you needed a break."

You turned your gaze back to the darkening sky. "It's been a long day."

He leaned against the wall next to you but was careful to give you space. "Yeah, those girls have endless energy. I don't know how they do it."

"They're probably running on adrenaline," you said, your tone soft. "They're still new. Everything's exciting for them."

Riki nodded. "True. But I don't think I've ever been that energetic, even when I debuted."

That earned a small huff of amusement from you, which surprised Riki, but he decided not to comment on it and thought it was the moment.

"Can...Can we talk for a bit?" he asked, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

You sighed a bit, "Sure, sunbaenim."

He winced at the formality but didn't comment on it. Instead, he took a step closer. "I just...wanted to talk. About, uh, stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Yeah, like..." he scratched the back of his neck, clearly struggling to find the right words. "Like how you probably don't like me very much."

You didn't respond immediately. "I wouldn't say that, sunbaenim. I respect you as an artist and as my senior."

"Okay, but like," Riki said, his voice almost pleading, "you definitely don't like me. And i get why. I've been...kind of a disaster." You didn't deny it, which made Riki laugh quietly. “But, uh, I think part of the reason you don’t like me goes back to that first time we met. At the music show.”

Your eyes narrowed slightly, but your tone remained neutral. "What about it?"

"You remember, right?" Riki asked, glancing at you. "It was, like, two years ago. Your group had just debuted."

You nodded slowly, your gaze turning to the dark sky. "You told me I was an 'okay' dancer." Your voice was calm, almost sounding unbothered.

He winced at your words. "Yeah. That. I...I didn't mean it like that," he said quickly, his words stumbling over each other. "I swear. I dodn't think you were just 'okay'. I thought you were amazing. I just-"

“Then why did you say it?” you interrupted, your tone sharper now. “If you thought I was amazing, why didn’t you say that?”

Riki ran a hand through his hair, his nervous energy making him shift again. “Because I was nervous! Like, really nervous. I was a fan, and I was so freaked out about meeting you that I just… messed it up. I didn’t know how to act, so I said something stupid.”

You turned to face him fully, your arms still crossed. “You were nervous?”

“Yes!” Riki said, nodding emphatically. “I mean, you were—are—this incredible dancer, and I didn’t want to sound like I was just fanboying. I wanted to look cool, but instead of being cool, I made it worse and came off as a jerk.”

You stared at him for a moment, your expression softening ever so slightly. “So, you didn’t mean it?”

“Not even a little bit,” Riki admitted. “You’re one of the most talented dancers I’ve ever seen, and I’ve thought that since day one. I just… suck at expressing myself sometimes.”

You were silent for a moment, your gaze searching his face for any sign of insincerity. When you finally spoke, your tone was quieter. “Why are you telling me this now, sunbaenim?”

“Because we’re stuck working together for seven weeks,” Riki said with a small, self-deprecating laugh. “And I don’t want you to hate me the whole time. I’d like for us to at least get along. Or, you know, tolerate each other.”

“Thank you for explaining,” You said finally, your tone softer but still measured. “I… appreciate the clarification.”

“You’re welcome,” Riki replied, grinning slightly. “Does this mean I’ve earned a little less of the death glare on set?”

You raised an eyebrow, but there was a glint of amusement in your eyes. “Don’t push your luck.”

Riki chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “Noted. But, seriously, I’m glad we talked. I was starting to think you had me on some kind of blacklist.”

You tilted your head slightly, pretending to think. “I wouldn’t call it a blacklist. More like… a warning list.”

“Wow,” Riki said, clutching his chest dramatically. “And here I thought I was climbing my way into your good graces.”

“You’re at the bottom of the list,” You replied coolly, though your lips twitched as if suppressing a smile.

Riki leaned back against the wall, looking up at the sky. “You know, this reminds me of something.”

“What?” You asked, curious despite yourself.

“Well,” he began, a mischievous grin forming, “it’s like one of those rom-coms where the leads start off hating each other, but then they end up being best friends—or more.”

You stared at him, your expression deadpan. “This isn’t a rom-com, Riki-sunbae.”

“Riki,” he corrected, glancing at her hopefully. “Just Riki.”

You didn’t respond immediately, and he continued, trying to break the silence. “Besides, if this were a rom-com, I’d have some dramatic rain scene to win you over, and I left my umbrella at home.”

You blinked at him for a moment, and then, to both your surprise, you laughed. It wasn’t just a small chuckle but a genuine laugh that lit up your face for a brief moment.

Riki froze, his eyes wide as he stared at you. “Wait… did you just laugh? Like, actually laugh?”

Your laughter trailed off, and you looked almost as surprised as he did. “What? No. That wasn’t—”

“No, no, you totally laughed,” Riki said, pointing at you triumphantly. “I made Yn laugh. Someone call Dispatch. This is breaking news.”

You rolled her eyes, but the corner of your mouth twitched upward again. “Don’t let it go to your head, Riki.”

“Hey, you called me Riki. No ‘sunbaenim.’ Progress!”

You blinked, realizing your slip. “It was a momentary lapse. Don’t get used to it.”

“Too late,” Riki said, beaming. “You’ve already made my day.”

You sighed but didn’t correct yourself, your tone more teasing than annoyed. “You’re so easily pleased.”

“Only when it comes to you,” Riki replied, his tone light but sincere.

You glanced at him, your expression softening for just a moment before you pushed off the wall. “We should head back. It’s getting late.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Riki said, following you but unable to hide the triumphant grin on his face. “Just don’t trip on the way. I’m not catching you again today.”

You gave him a side-eye that was more amused than annoyed. “You’re really pushing it.”

“Maybe,” Riki said, walking beside you. “But I think I’m finally getting somewhere.”

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[jpmarvel90]

Always the Bridesmaid

Masterlist Scarlett Masterlist

Word Count: 7236

Relationship: Scarlett x ReaderPugh

Summary: Y/n and Scarlett have become close friends since they met whilst Y/n was working as her little sister's manager. Y/n has feelings for Scarlett but has firmly been friendzoned and has to watch on as Scarlett makes her way through endless men and women.

Y/n's POV:

I've known Scarlett for the last 4 years. I meet her through my little sister Florence, and we've been great friends since. After doing my business degree, I became Florence's manager. We didn't know if it would work, but Flo wanted someone that she could trust, and she knew that I would always do what was best for her.

It's ended up working out really well and we've got a great working relationship that doesn't affect our personal one. It was through Black Widow that I first met Scarlett and we hit it off really quickly and became best friends. Flo would always laugh, saying that if she couldn't find me on set, she would just need to look for Scarlett and we'd be together.

Spending so much time with Scar led to inevitable feelings to develop. She's naturally flirty and I forget that sometimes. Unfortunately, that just made the feelings grow quicker. Flo worked it out pretty early on and always tried to convince me to tell her. But just as I would work up the courage, she would be with someone else.

Scarlett is openly bi, so there was never a worry about her not liking women, but it seemed that it just meant there were more people for her to end up with. It never got in the press, but Scar liked to sleep around. If she wasn't in a relationship, she was having one night stands with people on nights out or after movie premieres. Something I had a front row seat too which made my heart ache.

The closer friends we became, the more times I was invited to be her plus one. Though I was never the person that was lucky enough to go home with her. 9 times out of ten, I would be making my own way home as Scarlett would have her driver take her and that night's conquest to her place.

Thankfully, Flo and I are in LA for a few weeks, meaning that I get a break from seeing Scarlett. Which actually is a double edged sword. I love spending time with her. Our friendship is one of the most important ones that I have. But it also is becoming quite painful to be around her. She's recently out of a relationship, which means her one night stands are increasing in number. So this time with my sister on a rare break has been nice.

"What are you thinking about?" Flo asks me from her sun lounger. We're currently sat by her pool. When we're in LA, I live with Flo. I have my own place in New York, but not being on the same money as Flo, means owning multiple properties isn't an option. But Flo is a great sister and instantly offered for me to live with her when we were both in LA. There's only two years between us and we get on really well. We're not just sisters, we're best friends.

"Not much, just what I need to get sorted for Dune. When we're back in New York, I need to finalise the contracts with the team." I respond, earning an eye roll from Flo. "You're always in work mood. Relax a little." She huffs, adjusting in her lounger to turn and look at me. "Besides, I was sure you were thinking of Scarlett, you always have the same look when you do." She teases me, poking at my cheek. I hit her hand away. "I do not!" I glare at her.

"You do! It's a mix between complete adoration and pain. You're like a brooding teen from a teen drama." She insists. "I do not brood." I bite back. "I still think you should tell her." She shares, turning to lie on her back, closing her eyes. "We've talked about this. She seems quite happy with the lifestyle she has at the moment." I respond and she nods in agreement. "She has taken this latest breakup harder than usual." She observes.

"I think what I actually need is to find someone for myself. Maybe you could help?" I admit, causing Flo to shoot up in her seat. "Really?" She asks, lifting her sunglasses onto her head. "Yeah, desperate times and all that." I joke. "Oh, I actually have the perfect person. I should set you up with Hailee." She thinks excitedly. I roll my eyes as she starts excitedly rambling. I might end up regretting this. "She's in Europe for a month but when she's back I'll talk to her." Flo eventually comes to a decision, and I agree, knowing that it'll be easier.

Flo and I have a nice few weeks off in LA, It was good to get some sun and relax, although she's right. I do struggle in switching off from work, so I did spend some time making sure everything was in order for her.

Our time in LA was ending with us attending the Antman and Wasp premiere. Flo was attending with Charlie whilst I had the pleasure of attending with Scarlett. She had asked me not long after her break up as she was meant to go with Colin. She didn't want to go alone and basically begged me to go with her. And me being a sucker for her puppy dog sad eyes, I agreed.

As she was just attending the premiere there was a lot less faff than there can be when it's a movie she's in. When I attended the Marriage Story premiere with her, we were getting ready hours before and being briefed so much by her team. I much prefer it like this. She'll pick me up and I can just hang back whilst she gets her picture taken and does a couple of interviews. The rest of the time we'll be together and get to enjoy the movie.

"Wow. Y/n, you're looking beautiful." Scarlett greets me as I make sure the house is locked up. I spin around and see her resting against the side of the car in the most incredible black suit. Her cleavage is on show, and it hugs her in all the right places. I gulp seeing her looking incredible. "I think you need to look in a mirror. You look sensational Scar." I tell her as I approach the car. "Thanks babe." She smiles at me, wrapping her arms around me. There goes my fluttering heart.

"Let's get going, shall we?" She asks, holding the door open for me. "Thank you, Johansson." I smirk at her, giving her a wink and letting my hand run along her bare arm. I'm sure I see her shudder under my touch. She's frozen a little, before she shakes her head and gets in the car the other side. "I missed you." She says, turning to pout at me. "I was only gone for three weeks." I laugh at her childlike face. "Three weeks too long without my bestie." She sighs. That causes a pang in my heart when I remember that's all she sees me as. Her friend.

"Seems like you had plenty of company to distract you." I point out, causing her to drop her gaze. "Yeah, I took the breakup a little harder than I thought and let myself go a little too far. I'm ready to focus on me for a bit." She says a little embarrassed. Feeling guilty for pointing it out, I reach over and take her hand. "It's ok to be hurt. You just need to find a healthy way to vent." I reassure her, giving her a warm smile when she finally looks up to me.

"What would I do without you Y/n?" She asks, a sadness in her eyes. "Suffer endlessly no doubt." I tease, making her laugh. "You're right there. You better not leave me." She lightly threatens. "Unfortunately, I think you're stuck with me." I chuckle. She lifts my hand to her lips and presses a kiss to my knuckles. "Good." She smiles.

The premiere goes well, and I really enjoy the movie. I'm a huge Marvel geek so I understand how lucky I am to get to see the movie at the world premiere. I watched on as Scarlett did everything she needed to. People were used to seeing me with her. Our friendship was well documented, but they knew it was a friendship and nothing more, so we didn't get inundated with rumours.

We make our way to the after party and we have a great time dancing and drinking. Flo and Charlie are in a world of their own and I smile seeing my sister so happy. Scarlett is quick to drag me to the dance floor and her hands find my hips, swaying us to the music. Her touches are extremely flirty as she dances close to me, her body pressed into mine.

After some time dancing, I feel a tap on my shoulder. "We're heading home" Flo tells me, as Charlie has his arms wrapped around her, placing kisses to her neck. "Stop." She laughs, playfully pushing him away. "Have fun. I'll see if I can crash at Scarlett's" I tell her, knowing it's the first time she's seen Charlie in a few weeks. "Thanks. I love you Y/n/n. Stay safe." She tells me, pulling me into a tight hug. "You too. Safe sex is good sex!" I shout after them, earning a middle finger from Flo.

I hear Scarlett laughing next to me. "You two have a great relationship." She observes and I nod. "Yeah, I'm pretty lucky she's my little sister." I smile. "I'm going to run to the loo and grab some more drinks. Do you want one?" I ask and she nods. "Please, I'll have whatever you're having." She responds. I nod and leave her to continue dancing whilst I make my way to the loo.

There's quite the queue at both the bathroom and the bar. But I eventually manage to grab us both a cosmo and turn around to rejoin Scarlett. I look around the dance floor and my heart drops when I see her lip locked with a red headed woman. I don't know why I'm surprised. This happens more often than not.

When she pulls away for air, she notices me, and I plaster on a fake smile. "Y/n/n! You're back. This is..." She greets me with a big smile, turning to the woman. "Kacey." The redhead introduces herself to me. "Oh, thanks for these. You're ok getting another right?" She asks, taking the drinks from my hand and passing one to Kacey. "Uh yeah. No worries." I respond, turning back to the bar knowing I've lost any attention from her for the rest of the night.

I go to the bar and order a shot of vodka, that I down pretty quickly, and then grab a beer. I don't know why I let this get to me so much. I know this is what she's like. I need to just move one. Hopefully when Hailee is back in the US something might go right for me.

"Y/n!" I hear my name being shouted. I turn around and see Scarlett with her lipstick smudged and a big smile on her face. Her hand tightly grasped around Kacey's. "We're heading home. You ok to getting back on your own?" She asks me with a drunk glaze to her eyes. "Yeah sure." I respond, downing the rest of my beer and leaving before anything else can be said. I'm done with this.

I head outside and order an uber before finding a hotel nearby that has a vacancy. Luckily there is one not too far away, though my bank balance isn't going to thank me! Whilst I'm waiting for my cab, I see Scarlett drag Kacey into the back of her car, laughing the whole time.

That night in the hotel, I started to re-evaluate my life. I need to either move on from this stupid crush or remove myself from the situation. It's a hard decision as I love my friendship with Scarlett, and I don't think that I want to lose that. But in my current state, I don't think I can keep seeing her like this. I come to the decision that I'm going to take a bit of time away from her. I can use work as an excuse and hopefully get the chance to meet Hailee and see where things go.

I have a difficult night and only manage to get a couple of hours sleep. But I don't rush home, wanting Flo to be able to have the most time with Charlie. I don't have to check out until 11, so I spend it chilling in the room. Not having a phone charger, my phone died during the night, and I sigh. I only have the dress I was wearing last night. I call down to reception and ask if they can book me a cab to take me home. I just want to wash the night off me.

Reception calls when the cab is here, and I make my way down as quickly as possible to avoid the stares I'm bound to get when I walk out with smudged makeup and a crinkled dress. I slip into the back of the cab and rest my head back against the headrest as the car rocks along the road.

When I pull up at Flo's I thank the driver and head to the front door. But before I can open it, it swings open, and a body collides with mine. "Y/n/n. Where the hell have you been?" I teary Flo asks me. "I thought you knew I wasn't coming home last night so you and Charlie could have the place to yourself." I reply, unsure why she's so upset. "Yeah, you said you'd crash at Scarlett's. I tried calling you to see if you wanted to join us for breakfast, but it went straight to voicemail. Then when I called Scarlett, she said that you didn't go home with her." She starts to panic again so I pull her into me. "Sorry. I stayed in a hotel last night and my phone died." I explain. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you." I tell her, guilt filling me. I should have messaged her last night to let her know.

"That's ok. I was just so worried when I couldn't get a hold of you. I thought something might have happened to you." She says a bit more calmly this time. She hugs me tightly again and we turn to head inside, but the harsh breaking of a car catches our attention. "Y/n! Thank God you're ok!" Scarlett says as she rushes out of the car, launching herself at me.

"When Flo called and said you hadn't come home and weren't answering your phone, I was so worried about you." She rambles out and I find it hard not to scoff. She had no concern about me getting home safely last night. "I'm fine." I respond a little too harshly and I see Flo raise an eyebrow at me. "Are you ok? Where were you?" She asks, taking my hands. The touch is making me uncomfortable, so I gently pull them away. "I stayed in a hotel. I had already agreed that Flo could have the house with Charlie as they hadn't seen each other in ages." I inform her. "Why didn't you tell me? You could have stayed with me." She says but I once again fight to hide the scoff.

"I was going to, but you were a bit distracted." I point out. "Oh." Scarlett says when the realisation hits. "Look, I'd really like to shower and get some sleep. I'm heading in now." I say, not wanting to be in this situation any longer. "Of course, Y/n/n. I'll make you some breakfast, you must be hungry." Flo smiles, sensing the tension. "I'll see you later Y/n/n." Scarlett calls after. I turn and give her a tight lipped smile as I continue to walk backwards. I see hurt flash across her face. But I brush it off, heading upstairs.

Once I'm showered and in some comfy clothes. I climb into bed, hoping to hide away for the day, but I don't get my wish as Flo appears at my door with a tray in her hands. She walks in and places the plate of fried goods in front of me. "You looked like you could do with something greasy!" She smiles, taking her seat next to me. "Thank Flossy." I smile, tucking in straight away.

"She did it again. Didn't she?" Flo asks giving me a sympathetic look. "Yeah, but it's not like it's a surprise." I reply, trying to play it down. "Seems odd after how she was talking about focusing on herself and taking a break from all that." She shares aloud. I just hum in response. "It's her life. She can do as she pleases Flo." I remind her. "But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt you." She comforts me. "You're right. But today is the last time I'm going to let it affect me. I'm ready to move on from this. In fact, I was thinking that maybe I could stay here whilst you go back to New York. I can still work from here but it just gives me a bit of time to sort my head out." I suggest, hoping she agrees.

I watch her face to see what she's thinking. But I can't quite get a read on it. "Sure. Hailee will be back by then anyway so some time for you to get to know each other." She smiles, making me let out a sigh of relief.

We spend the rest of the day hanging out together with Charlie. They'll be flying out tomorrow to New York, so it's nice to have some time together before we're apart for a few weeks. Scarlett texts me a couple of times and I respond to be nice.

Scarly: So when do you get to New York? We should head for dinner to celebrate being reunited.

Y/n/n: I'm actually not flying back with Flo. I'm staying for some last minute work in LA for a few more weeks.

Scarly: Wait what? You didn't mention anything last night. We were meant to be reunited to take New York by storm.

Y/n: You were a little distracted last night. I'm sure you'll be fine until I get there next month.

My response is a little short and I feel bad. But I don't think I can keep up with the charade anymore. She's not too happy that I didn't tell her, but eventually stops complaining about it. She makes me promise to have a bestie weekend when I get home and I reluctantly agree. Hopefully by then, I'll be in a better place and can be a good friend to her without being hung up on her.

__________

The first few days in LA on my own were weird. I had always been around Flo and having this time working with her but from the other side of the country, is strange. But I soon get into a routine and start to focus on myself a bit more. I start going to the gym and eating better. I'm really starting to feel good about myself and the more days that pass the less I'm thinking of Scarlett.

Flo contacted me after being away for a week to inform me that Hailee is back in LA and would like to meet up. She shares my number with her, and I end up getting a text from her 5 minutes after hanging up from Flo. She works fast!

Over the next few weeks, I spend a lot of time with Hailee. She is so sweet and hilariously funny. I really enjoy spending time with her, and we've gone on some interesting dates. Flo is super excited as she gets the gossip from both sides and is even more excited when I tell her that Hailee will be coming to New York for a few weeks for work, so we arrange to all go out together.

Whilst Hailee and I are having lunch together at a local Italian, she looks up to me a little nervously. "Everything ok?" I ask her and she nods. "Yeah. I um. Just have a question for you." She stutters a little. I nod encouragingly, smiling to show her I'm listening. "Kevin Feige is setting up this charity gala in New York. There are loads of the cast from different Marvel movies attending. I was wondering if you would like to be my date?" She asks me through a wave of confidence.

"I would love to." I respond a little too quickly, but Hailee doesn't seem to care as her eyes go wide. "Really?!" She asks and I nod. "Yeah. I'd be stupid to say no to getting to turn up with a beautiful lady on my arm." I flirt, making her blush. "Amazing, I'll get my team to sort it all out." She says excitedly, reaching out to take my hand.

After extending my stay in LA for another week, I finally return to New York. I've kept in contact with Scarlett whilst I've been away, but she's been busy, helping me in creating the needed distance. I definitely feel like I'm in a better position to see her again. Although Hailee and I are only friends at the moment, she's brought a new happiness to my life and even if she's just a new friend, she's helped me more than she knows.

I'm only home for about 4 hours when there's a knock at my door. I know it's not Flo as she's out of town for a couple of days. But I'm also not surprised when I see Scarlett smiling excitedly, a bottle of wine in her hand. She instantly pulls me into a tight hug. "Thank God your home. You're never allowed to be gone for so long again." She tells me firmly, letting herself into my apartment, making her way into the kitchen and grabbing two glasses.

We spend the evening catching up and I can see how far I've come. Looking at Scarlett, I know there are some feelings still under the surface, but I know I'm on my way to getting over her. I actually enjoy myself, seeing that our friendship is intact and I hope that it continues that way.

"So, Y/n/n I was hoping you'd be my plus one for a charity Gala next week. I wanted to ask you earlier, but I also wanted to ask you face to face." She tells me with a smile, but it drops when she sees my frown. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm actually already going with someone else." I tell her. "Oh, is Charlie not able to go with Flo?" She asks but I shake my head. "I'm actually going with Hailee." I tell her and I'm sure I see pain flash across her face.

"Steinfeld?" She asks and I nod. "Yeah, we've been getting to know each other in LA." I tell her. She gulps a little and forces a smile on her face. "Are you dating?" She questions. "Not really. Well, maybe kind of. We've just been spending time together. Flo introduced us." I explain. "Hmm. I'll be talking with her." She mumbles. I don't think she realises that she says that out loud, but I let it slide. "Well, at least I'll get to see you there." She says, forcing that fake smile again.

The rest of the night feels a little awkward. Is she unhappy that I'm unable to go with her. I mean, I'm only ever there for her until she finds the person that she wants to head home with. At least this time, I'll be with someone that wants me there with them entirely.

___________

The night of the gala comes around quickly. Hailee and I get ready together at my apartment as she doesn't have a property in New York. It's quite relaxed, even though there are about 10 strangers in my home, getting us, all made up for the night.

We meet with Flo and Charlie to go into the gala together. Hailee holds her arm out to me and I link with her. "Shall we." She smiles, scrunching up her nose at me. "After you Miss Steinfeld." I return. We take our time taking photos along the red carpet. It's strange being in the photos like this. Normally, I stand back as Scarlett has her photos taken. But Hailee has her arm tightly around me, only letting me go when her manager insists she needs solo photos.

As we reach the end of the carpet, I hear Scarlett's name being called and turn to see her walking down the red carpet on her own. She's killing it and the crowd are eating it up to see her going solo. I smile, seeing her doing so well, but turn back to Hailee, giving her my full attention.

When we get into the hall, we find our table and I see that Scarlett is sat next to me. Also on our table are Flo, Lizzie and Seb. As I'm pulling out Hailee's chair for her, I hear the familiar raspy voice from beside me. "Always the gentlewoman is Y/n." She smiles.

I turn and give her a hug in greeting. "You look lovely Scarlett." I tell her and she returns the compliment. "Have you met Hailee before?" I ask. "Very briefly, but it's lovely to see you again." She says, leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Dinner is actually really fun. There is live music through the night, an auction and a couple of speeches to talk about the cause they're supporting. We're having a good time on our table and the drinks are flowing. I notice that Scarlett is looking fiercely at Hailee and I. But each time I make eye contact, she smiles and lets the façade drop.

The last musical act of the night is Niall Horan. He's great but I see that Hailee becomes more uncomfortable. Then I remember that they broke up not too long ago. I lean into her and place my arm around her shoulder. "Are you ok?" I ask quietly and she nods. "Yeah. Just haven't seen him in a while." She admits. "Do you want a drink?" I ask and she nods. "Yeah, let's go." She smiles, taking my hand and leading me off to the bar. I can feel Scarlett's eyes on me as we walk away but I ignore it. Focusing on Hailee in this moment.

Whilst we're at the bar, I hear an Irish accent and Hailee freezes. She looks at me and I smile, taking an exaggerated breath which she copies. She then turns around and greets Niall. "This is Y/n." She introduces me after they have a short hug. "Pleasure to meet you." He smiles, holding his hand out to me. I take it and smile in return. "You too."

There is an awkward silence and I suddenly feel like I'm the odd one out. "Could we uh. Maybe talk?" Niall asks and Hailee stutters at the request, turning to look at me. "Go on, I'll take our drinks to the table." I tell her and she smiles gratefully. "Thanks Y/n." She replies, placing a kiss to my cheek and following Niall.

I return to the table and Flo looks at me with a confused look. "Where's Hailee?" She asks. "Uh. Niall wanted to talk to her." I inform her and she looks shocked. "Oh." Is all she says. "Yeah. Oh." I say back. There are clearly feelings still between them and I'm expecting the inevitable to happen.

"Where are the others?" I ask, not lingering on the subject of Hailee. "On the dance floor." She replies, pointing in their direction. Lizzie and Seb are dancing like idiots whilst Scarlett is dancing with a man I don't recognise. Probably her conquest for the night.

"Shall we join them?" She asks and I nod, downing my drink, wanting to dance with my sister. We join the others and Scarlett's eyes flick to me and then around us. I'm not sure what she's looking for, but whatever it is, makes her leave the arms of the mystery man to join us in a group dance.

I let myself go, not dwelling on the disaster that is my love life. In this moment, I'm having a great time dancing with everyone. It's nice actually having this time with Scarlett too. She's giving far more attention than she normally does. I wonder if Flo has told her the whole Hailee thing and she's feeling sorry for me.

My happiness doesn't last for long though when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I see Hailee with a guilty look on her face. She nods her head to the side of the dance floor, and I follow her. Feeling Flo and Scarlett's gaze on us. "I'm really sorry." Hailee rushes out but I stop her. "It's ok. You still have feelings for him." I answer for her. "H-how did you know?" She asks shocked. "I could see it. It's quite obvious." I chuckle. "Oh. I didn't mean for this to happen. I really do like you." She says but I can tell it's conflicted.

"It's really ok. We aren't together. It was nice being able to spend time with you." I reassure her, but it doesn't stop tears falling down her cheeks. "Why are you being so kind?" She asks. "There's nothing to be angry about. As long as you're happy, that's what matters." I respond, and she pulls me into a tight hug. "I'd love to still be friends with you. You've really brought some light to my life." She says, almost with a pleading look. "Friends it is." I smile, holding my hand out jokingly. She takes it and shakes it laughing. "Now go find your man." I instruct her.

She looks at me once more, almost like she's checking that I'm ok. When she sees what she's looking for, she turns around and I watch as she makes her way to Niall. Not feeling like staying around anymore, I head to find Flo, who's with Charlie on the dance floor.

When I reach her, she looks at me with a sympathetic look. "Well?" She asks, although I'm sure she already knows. "It seems like I'm never destined to be more than friends." I chuckle coldly. "Oh Y/n/n. You deserve so much more." She wraps her arms around me and holds me tight. "Maybe one day. But right now. I think I want to head home." I say and she nods. "Of course. We can come take you." She offers but I shake my head.

"No. Stay you're having fun. I can just grab a cab. I'll text you when I'm home" I reassure her. "Ok. If, you're sure. Please be careful." She says, placing a kiss to my cheek. I say goodbye to Charlie and Lizzie and ask Flo to tell Scarlett that I've headed home. Assuming that she's off with that guy from earlier.

Scarlett's POV:

Seeing Y/n hand in hand with Hailee was a pain I did not enjoy feeling. The jealousy built up within me, but I forced a fake smile on my face. When she told me she was going to be her plus one, it broke my heart. I love going to events like this with Y/n. She's so much fun and I feel like I can be completely myself around her.

I had developed feelings for her about a year ago, but I knew she was off limits being Flo's sister. Though seeing her tonight, I think I need a conversation with Flo. I don't think I can see Y/n date someone else. It would break me.

When she and Flo joined us on the dance floor, I looked around to see where Hailee was, but I couldn't see her which was odd. What I did notice was the change in demeanour from Y/n. I know her like the back of my hand, and I can tell when her feelings change. Has Hailee hurt her? If she has, I'm going to be having words.

When Hailee returns, I glare at her and watch intently as Y/n follows her off the dance floor. "Easy there you might kill her with that glare." Flo laughs at me. "You know, if you like her, you should just tell her. Stop fucking around with randoms and get your act together for her." She calls me out and I look at her shocked. "Come on, your feelings for her are pretty obvious. No matter how many people you sleep with, it won't change that. But you should know, you're going to lose her if you don't sort it out." Flo warns me.

"I uh. That's not what's going on. Besides, she's your sister." I try to defend weekly, and she just laughs loudly. "That doesn't bother me. As long as you're both happy that's all that matters. But I'm telling you now, if you decide to go there, you better not hurt her anymore. I won't take seeing her sad." She threatens lightly. "Wait, what do you mean anymore?" I question, which makes Flo's eyes go wide.

"Flo?" I question lowly but she just looks around her for an escape, which comes in the guise of Charlie, who she quickly pulls into her for a heated kiss. "Ok, wow. No need to eat his face. I don't need to see this." I say with a scrunched up face. I turn and make my way to the bathroom.

I splash some water on my face and try to psych myself up. "Come on Johansson. Just bite the bullet and tell her how you feel." I give myself a pep talk, looking at myself in the mirror. I need to do this before it's too late and her and Hailee are together.

With a wave of confidence, I make my way out of the bathroom on the hunt for Y/n. I catch the back of her and see her leaving. I run towards Flo in a panic. "Where's she going?" I ask her, worried I'm about to miss my opportunity. "She's heading home" Flo replies, a sad look on her face as she watches after her sister. "What about Hailee?" I ask but she simply points towards the bar where she's in the arms of Niall.

It makes my blood boil to know she's hurt her. It takes all of me to not head over there and give her a piece of my mind for hurting my best friend. "If you're quick, you might be able to catch her." Flo smirks at me. I don't think, instead, I rush off in pursuit of Y/n.

When I get outside, I see her propped against the wall, clearly waiting for a taxi. I take a deep breath and slowly walk over to her, resting on the wall next to her. "I'm sorry." I say, not really sure how to approach the situation. "It's ok. I'm used to leaving these sorts of things on my own." She chuckles dryly. "What's that supposed to mean?" I ask her. She's normally at these things with me.

"Oh, come on Scar. I'm normally getting a taxi after you've headed back home with whoever you've decided you want to sleep with that night." She responds with a bite to her tone. "Come on, that's not fair." I defend but she rolls her eyes. "When was the last time we left something like this together?" She asks me. My mouth just opens and closes as I try to find the answer, but it doesn't come to me.

"There's my cab, I better go." She says whilst I'm still lost in my head. But before she can walk away, I grab her arm and pull her into me. I don't even think, and I press my lips against hers. It takes her by shock and takes a moment before she starts to kiss me back. Her lips are soft, and I feel fireworks ignite in my stomach. But as she starts to sink into the kiss, she suddenly pulls away.

"NO!" She shouts as she pushes me away. "What?" I ask her shocked at her response. Oh God, have I totally misread this situation? I was sure she had feelings in return. "I will not be another notch on your bed post." She yells at me, her hands rising to her hair. "God, every time we come to these, I have to see you leave with some random person who you inevitably kick out and never see again. I force myself to come with you under the hope that maybe one day you might see that I'm here, right in front of you, and can give you what you've been looking for. But instead, I torture myself each time." She rants, angry at both me and herself.

She starts to pace, and I step in front of her to stop her. "Please stop pacing and listen to me." I try to get her attention. But she tries to walk around me towards the taxi. I manage to stop her and wave the taxi off, much to Y/n's annoyance. "Scarlett, that was my ride home." She exhales whilst glaring at me.

"Just stop and let me talk and I'll make sure you get home. Please." I practically beg her. She looks at me and sighs, nodding, indicating for me to go ahead. "You're right. I've been an ass, bringing you along and ditching you when I find someone to leave with. But you have to understand I only did that because I am madly in love with you and thought that you were out of reach." I admit.

She looks at me in complete shock. "No. This is some sort of joke." She tries to deny it, but I grip her arms a little tighter. "I didn't think that Flo would allow me to date you. So, I pushed my feelings down and tried to forget about you. But I never could." I share, embarrassed to admit that I chose to cope in this way.

"When I broke up with Colin, it hit me hard, not because I wasn't with him anymore. But because it became more obvious that I wasn't going to be able to avoid my feelings for you. So, I did what I do best and slept around so I could at least numb that feeling for a while." Tears start to build in my eyes as I admit my deepest feelings for Y/n.

I know that this is my only chance with her. I may miss any chance of being with her and may even ruin our friendship. I look at her, hoping to see any response or get an understanding for how she's feeling. But for the first time in a long time, I can't. Everything I've learnt about her, is wasted in this moment. "I was selfish. I didn't want to lose our friendship. Instead of being truthful, I dragged you along, pretending that I didn't know the pain it was causing you." I confess, ashamed of it.

"Please, just know that I do truly love you. I would do anything to have a chance to prove that to you. I don't think I can live this life without you in it. Please just tell me I have a chance." I plead, taking her hand in mine. She doesn't pull it away which gives me some comfort. "Scarlett, I don't know. I've tried so hard to move on from you." She says, pain lacing her voice. "That's why you stayed in LA?" I finally realise and she nods.

"It hurt when you would flirt with me and treat me like I was the only person in the room, to just ditch me at the first sign of someone else." She shares her feelings, and I can see how much damage I've caused. "I am so sorry that I made you feel like that. I wish I had just had the confidence to admit my feelings in the first place. I could have saved us both a lot of pain." I sigh.

"Y/n, please let me try to make this up to you. Even if it's just as friends. As much as that will hurt." I plead, hoping she'll give me a chance. She looks at me, her eyes darting between my own. She lets out a long sigh and shakes her head. "I'm going to regret this." She mumbles to herself, before lifting her head to look at me. "Ok, but we need to go slow. I want to know that you're 100% in this." She responds, making my heart sore.

"Of course, Y/n. I will do everything in my power to show you my true intention. We'll go at your pace, and I will make sure that I have clear communication with you. Thank you for giving me a chance. I won't waste it." I thank her, taking her other hand in mine, my smile growing with happy tears falling. "Can I start by taking you on a date?" I ask her nervously. "I'd like that." She responds shyly, which makes my heart flutter. She's so cute.

"Perfect, I'll pick you up at 7 tomorrow. Wear something comfy. I'm going to pamper you." I tell her through a big smile. "Someone's eager." She chuckles. "I've wasted too much time. I'm not wasting anymore." I tell her, our gaze locking on each other. I want nothing more than to kiss her, but I know I need to take this slow and do this right. Hopefully if the date tomorrow goes well, I'll get to kiss her then.

"Come on, I'll take you home." I tell her, directing her towards my driver. I hold the door open for her and she slides in. When I get in next to her, I take her hand in mine. The ride to her apartment is silent, but it's not awkward.

When we pull up outside her building, I get out to walk her to her door. "Thank you for giving me another chance Y/n. I promise I'll make this up to you." I thank her, feeling a relief that hopefully we're on the right track now. "Don't mess this up Johansson." She smiles at me, opening her door. "Oh, trust me. I don't plan to." I smirk, waving to her as she goes to shut the door. "See you tomorrow." She smiles, lingering for a moment. "See you tomorrow, Pugh." I grin, walking back towards the elevator.

As soon as the door shuts, my whole body relaxes. I can't believe she agreed. The smile is plastered on my face, with no plans on leaving anytime soon. As I make my way home, I think of how I can give her the perfect date. I want it to be everything that she deserves. Because I know that Y/n is it for me. There is no one else in this world that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I just need to prove that to her and this date will be the first step to doing that. 

[alexbkrieger13]

Some more about the potential 10th league win from danish media.

https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/kvindelandsholdet/harder-faar-holdkammerat-til-ryste-paa-hovedet-og-hende-selv-til

Harder makes teammate shake his head - and himself laugh

The Danish striker is on his way to winning his 10th championship in a row.

Today at 11:29

https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/kvindelandsholdet/harder-faar-teamkammerat-til-ryste-paa-hovedet-og-hende-selv-til

There was room for both laughter and shaking of the head during the bus ride.

Because Pernille Harder would have to use both hands to count the number of championships won in the past decade. Is she quickly heading towards number nine or ten?

- I probably thought it was the tenth title I could win. It's special, and I really want to win that title, because it's pretty cool to be able to say that you've won ten championships in a row, says Pernille Harder and laughs.

Yes, it's good enough. If the national team captain - who will most likely be in the squad when Denmark takes on Italy in the Nations League tonight - wins the German championship with her club Bayern Munich, she will have won 10 national titles in a row.

The 32-year-old striker has not played a season since 2015 without finishing in first place with each of his four clubs, Swedish Linköping, German Wolfsburg, English Chelsea and Bayern Munich in Germany.

And that kind of thing earns respect from national team colleagues like Signe Bruun.

- I shake my head. Has anyone ever done that before? It's completely crazy. She has won the championships with four different teams, and that says something about her abilities as a football player and leader. She is incredibly impressive, says Signe Bruun.

Below you can see and hear Pernille Harder explain her success:

However, the 32-year-old attacking star has never had difficulty getting fired up for himself.

She has a clear recipe for how to go about winning title after title after title after title.

- It's a winning mentality and a feeling that it (winning titles, ed.) is normal. That you have this feeling that I play for teams that win championships. It gives you self-confidence, and I do everything so that we end up with the gold, explains Pernille Harder.

In addition to the national titles, Pernille Harder has won a number of cup tournaments, so things are going very well. But the high level brings with it pressure of expectations.

- It's a pressure I put on myself. I always have, and if I didn't win a championship one season, it would be a huge disappointment for me. It would be the worst season I've had in ten years, says Pernille Harder.

- But right now I also see it as an opportunity to break records and do something that not many others have done.

The Swedish championship with Linköping in the 2015/2016 season will forever rank as something very special for Pernille Harder. It was the first of its kind, just as the team went from being a mid-table club to Swedish champion in three years.

After a strong period in Sweden, the Dane moved to Germany and Wolfsburg in 2016, before moving on to Chelsea and now scoring goals for Bayern Munich. Everywhere Pernille Harder left a mark of winning mentality and championships, but what has made the difference?

- It's me, says Pernille Harder and laughs.

- No, of course I choose top clubs, and I am well aware that it is very difficult to win a championship with a club at the bottom. And I think my winning mentality and my training every day rub off on my teammates.

- There is nothing for me but winning matches. Everything else is a failure. That also applies to training. If we lose, it is also a failure for me.

Yes, so you can probably guess what Pernille Harder thinks about tonight's Nations League match against Italy. It must be won. But the striker obviously doesn't stop her dreams there.

She also hopes for success at this summer's European Championships in Switzerland.

- The biggest dream is to be in another European Championship final, like we did in 2017. That would be incredibly cool, says Pernille Harder.

[alicia-18]

Second Choice — Eminem x Reader

Summary; Y/N was used to being a second choice to everyone, so it didn’t surprise her at all when Marshall broke off their situationship in order to give things a try with Kim again. But she was surprised by the emotions that came with it.

Warnings; this fic will include mentions of domestic violence (not between Em and Y/N), drug and alcohol abuse, adult content, swearing, idiots in love, and moments where you hate both Eminem and yourself :)

Notes; I haven't mentioned this previously but in this fic you are younger than Em but not enough to say you have a large age gap. He's in his early 30s and you're in your Mid 20s. This chapter is also a little shorter then typical but chapter 11 should be out today also as it is also written, it just needs editing! But I'm 22 with 2 kids so finding the time to edit can sometimes be challenging.

Chapter Ten; Nate

"To Y/N's new album!" Your best friend squealed as she clinked yours and your other friends glasses with her own. You all drunkenly giggled together and did a few shots before "shake that" by Eminem and Nate Dogg came on. Your friends screamed and tried pulling you over to dance but you declined with a laugh. It was extremely inconvenient when you old fuck buddy was as famous as Em, it was like you couldn't escape him.

"Ain't no way I'm getting seen dancing to an Em song right now. Go, I'll join yall in a minute." Your friends pouted but accepted your reasoning and disappeared into the see of clubbers, leaving you alone at the bar. You tried to tune out the sound of Marshall rapping, needing a break from him. You couldn't help but feel upset over him being back in Detroit, and was trying your hardest to avoiding thinking or dealing with your feelings. The best way to do that in the past was to go clubbing and get more drunk than you should, but the issue with that now is his music seemed to follow you everywhere you went.

With a sigh, you ordered your favourite alcoholic drink, and was about to pay when a hand stopped you. Turning to your left, a young man with dark hair and baby blue eyes had placed his hand over yours and paid the bartender himself. You creased your brows at him, and earned back a boyish grin.

"Feel free to tell me to fuck off, but a pretty lady like you shouldn't be buying her own drinks." He spoke smoothly despite having to be loud to be heard over the music. Your eyes gave him a once over, and although you didn't usually go for men younger then you, there was no denying he was cute. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but you were sure that was just your drunken brain talking and so you shut the thought down promptly. As if trying to prove to yourself that you could flirt with someone other then Marshall, you smiled back at him and gestured to the seat beside you.

"Well atleast someone in here is chivalrous." You smirked teasingly, earning a corny bow from the man. You chuckled at his nerdiness and held your hand out. "I'm Y/N." You introduced.

"Nate. And to avoid being that guy, I wanna say I recognised you. My niece loves your music and I've heard of you through my brother." He revealed truthfully and you couldn't help but smile at him. You've had issues with guys recognising you and not letting you in on that until after you had done things with them. Fans today would do anything to be close to musicians, including lie.

"Well I appreciate the truth. Guys who tell the truth are a massive turn on for me." You semi-joked, and was rewarded with a light chuckle. The pair of you made light and flirty small talk over a tray of shots, and you learnt he was 22 (only a few years younger then yourself) and was meant to be surprising his brother out here but didn't realise he went back home. You were about to ask what state he was from originally but your friends popped back up at your side as the song changed.

"Y/N! You need to come dance, we all know Britney Spears is your guilty pleasure!" Your best friend cackled as she dragged you off of your bar stool. You swatted her hand with a laugh as you stumbled in your heels.

"Wait let's all do a shot first." You commanded and picked a shot off of the tray you and Nate were working through already. You picked up a second and handed it to him. "Can you dance?" You wiggled your eyebrows, making him shake his head and chuckle.

"Not usually, but you're difficult to say no to." He licked his bottom lip and suggestively looked you up and down, making you cheeks flare. He was yet to make you feel any major attraction, but the guy was nice enough and that would do for tonight. You clinked your glass to his and then your friends before taking them. His hand found yours soon after, and he allowed you to drag him along into the pulsating crowd, your friends leading the way. It didn't take long for the alcohol as well as the beat of 'toxic' to control your body, and you sensually danced with Nate. His hands ghosted over your skin, no real rush in his actions and he had a much softer hold of you than you were used to. As if he was scared you'll break under his touch. You weren't sure if it was the lack of urgency in his touches or his gentle nature, but nothing about him was bringing any jolts to your centre. You could easily befriend this man, he was nice and easy to talk to. But nice isn't an adjective you'd use to describe someone who turned you on.

Once the song ended you turned back to him with a friendly smile, and saw one mirrored on his face. The expression on his face made Marshall's small smile flash in your mind, and replaced your smile with a frown. Thoughts of him and Kim were bombarding you quicker then you could manage, and your intoxication made any bad feelings you had about them harder to bottle. It hurt that this man you barely knew would happily stare down at you like you had been friends for years when you had to work so hard just to make the man you actually wanted to see smile. The thought made your eyes sting.

"You okay?" He questioned with frowned brows, and blinked down at you as your eyes clouded over. You shook your head, and leaned to his ear.

"I'm gonna go. But it was really nice meeting you!" You genuinely tried to smile at him, which he nodded at and reciprocated even though he looked slightly concerned.

"Do you want me to walk you to your ride?" He asked politely, which you declined. After battling the protests of your friends, and saying goodbye to Nate again, you fled the club before any tears could leave your eyes. Just as you were about to call a taxi to pick you up, a message pinged through your phone.

Dre: meeting bout touring 2morrow, 10AM. Don't b l8

MASTERLIST

taglist: @rx1nydxyz

[oneday73333]

Hey yall ik its been a bit since I've updated I still love Top Gun however I have now taken a like to Arcane so this is a Lightcannon fic!

The Apple Juice Theif

TW:drugs kinda

"Jinx Where are you going?" her sister yells as Jinx scurries out the door. Leaving quickly…

"Out to dinner I'll be back," she screams.

Vi shouts something else but Jinx doesn’t care.

Apple juice, here I come, she thinks.

Vi told her about her girlfriend's yoga place but Jinx had forgotten where in piltover it was.

Oh Welllll, she thinks, Time to explore I guess, all I know is that I'm getting more juice tonight.

Walking down the street she sees a person glowing in a window. With the lights off.

Weird. She looks at the sign on the door that reads CL Yoga Inc. This is the place.

She tries the door but it's locked. However she finds a way in through an open window. She looks around for a fridge. And finds it. Across the room from this crazy ass light demon who is singing pop music to herself.

Great.

Just great.

She thinks.

Jinx makes it across the room without the girl noticing her, and gets to the jackpot. A fridge full of water bottles and apple juice?

One by one, as she quickly takes bottles of apple juice from the fridge, Jinx stares at the pretty girl having a concert with herself in the yoga studio glowing. Literally.

Shit

Jinx thinks to herself. She sees the girl running over.

Just as Jinx scurries to the door, she gets pounced on. Her, and the once cradled bottles scatter to the floor. The blondie who pounced on her now standing on her chest. She throws a glass bottle at Jinx who shortly gets back on her feet. Attempting to grab the beloved bottles. She feels restraint, and turns.

This bitch

She thinks.

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!” the mystery girl slams her against the glass door.

“Man, chill. I just want juice, it's not that deep.” Jinx tries to break free.

“What?” Blondie's voice lowers and her muscles relax. She looks at Jinx like she has five heads.

“LeT mE take the bottles and I'll leave you alone. Light bulb.” The girl returns to squishing Jinx, as if she was a moth, against the door.

“That insult stopped working years ago, and those juices are only for my students.”

Jinx rolls her eyes and the girl steps away. While walking to the light switch the girl says.

“Well then if you want apple juice you have to take a class and show me some yoga.” She turns Around and winks.

Jinx is now getting a full view of the pretty girl in front of her. Thinking…

I'd be down for a bit of yoga with her.

“If you insist.” Jinx rolls her eyes.

“Kay blueberry show me what you got.” They walk to the middle of the wood floor.

“That insult stopped working years ago.” She scoffs.

“I'm Luxanna but please, call me Lux” The blondie shares a charming smile.

“Jinx”

“Ahhh so you are the one my roommate hates.” Lux recalls.

“Damn no need to get personal I just want some juice.” She holds her hands in surrender.

“Oh my god I have a great idea. Go to the grocery store down the street.” Lux Scolds.

“That's not as fun as stealing some from the cute girl down the street.” Jinx pouts.

The blondie feels blush crawling across her cheeks. She then asks Jinx to show her a downward facing dog pose. After acing that they moved onto warrior one and two. One by one Luxanna led Jinx through different poses. Trying not to giggle as the blue haired girl bitches and moans.

It's about ten of ten when Lux Decides to let Jinx go through her last pose.

“ May I correct your form?” Lux smiles.

“ Sure thing Light Bulb ” Jinx winks, and Lux straightens the bottom leg in her scorpion giggling.

“You’re free, Jinx. Take your juice and go home.” She smiles, and within minutes the bottles return to Jinx's hands and she's on her way home.

_________________

Jinx returned to her and Vi's house helping herself to the brand name apple juice earned from Lux. She gets stopped in her tracks…

“Where have you been?” Vi stops her, capturing her braid.

“That fancy yogurt studio your girlfriend owns.” She avoids eye contact admiring her bottle. “Hell, you didn't tell me her roommate was rich and sexy.” She plops on her sister's bed.

“ It's yoga, also Lux? And why were you going there for di-…You raided the fridge.” Vi shakes her head.

“Have an Apple Juice before it's gone.” Jinx winks.

“Get out.” Vi points to the door.

“Sir yes sir.” Jinx salutes.

___________________

Jinx couldn't sleep that night. Thinking about Lux.

Her gold hair, blue eyes, thick thighs, and a voice which speaks a calm melody.

But more importantly

How did she do that thing with her body where she made herself glow and it radiated onto the whole room.

I'll never know unless…

_________________

“ Lux, have you seen my eyeliner!?!?” Caitlyn panics.

“No but you can use mine.” Lux smiles.

“ Thank You.” Cait says.

The girls were getting ready for the Demacian Ball at the studio utilizing the wall of mirrors around them. Lux was nervous because she hasn't seen her family since she moved out so she decided to take Caitlyn as her plus one for moral support.

The door opens, the girls look over,instantly Caitlyn disappears to the bathroom.

“ Hey Jinx, what brings you here? We don't have classes on Sundays you know.” Lux giggles. The sun beaming through the windows illuminates her features in addition to the smoky grey ball gown with chrome accents.

“ Date me.”

“What?”

“What”

Shit.

Both girls blush. Jinx wants to crawl in a hole and die but she commits.

“Lux I wanna take you on a date uhhhhhh please?” She flashes the blondie puppy dog eyes.

“ That sounds amazing.” She Looks down.

The girls share their telephone info and they decide on a date for their date; next saturday evening.

“ Why you and Caitlyn dressed so fancy?” Jinx cocks her head.

“ Demacian Ball tonight!” Lux smiles. Jinx looks through the glass easily.

“ Nervous?”

“Uh yeah.” Lux looks at her in confusion. How could she tell?

“ Well I don't know why because your amazing. Have fun today.” Jinx smiles wich turns into a smirk as she walks towards the bathroom. “ Hiiiiiiiiiiiii Caitlynnnnnn you can come out of hidinggggg.”

Lux looks at her confused but she's captivated by Jinx's actions. Blue haired Vixen struts towards the yoga studio door.

“ Bye Jinx.” Blondie grins ear to ear.

“ Talk to ya toots.” Jinx blows a kiss and leaves. Cait reappears.

“ She did not just ask you out” Cait growls.

“SHE DIDDDDD.” Lux jumps; glows.

“ Say no!” Cait snaps Lux out of her trance.

“ What's wrong?” She shoots Cait a look.

“ Your reputation in your family is bad enough for leaving, I wonder what they will think when they hear you're dating piltover's most wanted criminal.” Cait steps towards her friend.

Lux's jaw drops she gasps.

_____________

Music blasts. Vi doesn't even try to say Jinx's name as she walks over to the speaker and unplugs it.

“ What the fuck!”

“ I could ask the same thing to you. What's with the clothes everywhere?” She scoffs.

“ I have a date and I need something to wear now shoo.”

Vi did anything but that.

“ With who?” Vi starts Looking through the tiny pile of clothes.

“Luxanna Crownguard.” Jinx finally finds her favorite jorts with the heart shaped rips.

Vi's jaw drops “Lux? Like the blonde star guardian? Caits roommate?”

“ YuP!”

“ Awwwww have fun!” Vi coos.

Shortly Jinx kicks her sister out so she can change. She slides into the shorts and then replaces her well worn tank top with a clay color one sleeve blouse, then goes to the mirror.

3 miles away another girl looks in the mirror.

“ What should I do with my hair?” Lux says re-brushing her locks out in the bathroom in her and Caitlyn's apartment her friend sits on the bed in the other room.

“ How about a half up twist?” Caitlyn shouts.

“Thanks!” The blondie blushes just thinking about her night that awaits. Where Is she taking me? Lux thought.

The hair was done.

“ When's she coming?” Cait asks Lux as she walks out of the room.

“ Any Minute now she said 5:30.”

“ Hey, I wanna let you know. I'm happy That you're going on this date. I don't like Jinx but I haven't seen you this happy since the yoga studio opened and that makes me happier than you know.”

The door pounds before Lux can answer her best friend. The door opens.

“ Hi.” Lux blushes.

“ Good afternoon! COME ON!” Jinx pulls Lux through the door but is Shortly stopped by Cait.

“ Wait!” the girls turn around. “ Have her back by 10 no later. Lux I need to know where you are going at all times. Jinx… you break her heart I will find some damn way to break you.” Cait barks.

“ We are going to the book store you can calm down now richy rich.” Lux and Jinx finally leave.

“ THE BOOK STORE! WHERE? WHICH ONE?” Lux is buzzing, lighting up with joy.

“The two in Piltover and the one in Zaun. If it's okay with you maybe we could get some pacos or regular tacos. I know a guy who sells them!”

“What are pacos?” Lux says,looking puzzled.

“ pot plus taco equals paco.” Jinx confidently struts praying she doesn't scare the goddess right next to her.

“ definitely a regular one!” Lux smiles.

“ I wanna hold your hand.” Jinx looks at Lux.

“ You don't need to ask silly” Lux giggles, an invitation for Jinx to incases her hand in Lux's envelope.

And they walk off into the night with thoughts of books, pacos, and a new light.

-One_day

[foibles-fables]

Foibs, I am placing the blame entirely on you for how unhinged eternal strands has made me. For a game that gives you so much amazing lore, I still have so many questions! I need the DLC. I need a sequel. I need a series of origin comics. I need a week long seminar on cultural practices within the Mayda😤Anyways, long way of asking a littlest big guy question. How does the rest of the band interact with Emryn? Also, very important: does he get to take naps curled up with Arva?

if you're looking for an apology, you won't find one here 😌😌😌ougghHHh we need so much more. a trilogy. companion novels. an art book. a lore podcast. merch. this gorgeous world YBG has put so much love into creating deserves to be fleshed out. i won't rest until i've yapped about it enough to help make that a possibility. THANK YOU for giving it a chance and for adoring it! so so so glad you've loved it.

and thank you AGAIN for your questions about Emryn--my heart is so happy!!!!

I do think Brynn and Cas keep their family plans pretty private until they're really ready to go for it--maybe Brynn confides in Oria, seeking advice and guidance given the way having a child would affect both her duties as point and the band as a whole, but that's probably the extent of it. The others are probably a bit surprised when the two of them announce their intentions, but they're thoroughly supportive from the start--then by the time Em is born, and they see how much Cas and Brynn adore him, any lingering surprise or doubt is long gone.

Despite the very frank advice Oria gives to Brynn about being a point and a parent--that it's not impossible, but not easy, and also not for everyone, herself included in that count--she is taken with him, and always speaks to him quite seriously as a full and equal member of the band from his infancy. It's not uncommon to see her standing at the scry while Brynn is out, wearing him in a sling (or, when he's older, letting him sit on her shoulders), giving Cas a well-deserved break. Most of all, she's proud of his mothers, having watched them grow so much both individually and together in the years since she first met them.

Sola and Dahm are the equivalent of the double income, no kids aunt and uncle who spoil the absolute hell out of him. A typical moment of overexaggerated exuberance from Dahm is what earns Em's first real laugh, and Dahm doesn't stop talking about it for weeks. (finally, some overt appreciation!)

As the band's alchemist, Laen has plenty to do with Emryn's conception and Casmyn's pregnancy--though they respectfully ask to be spared of any granular details regarding the former. (even as a dedicated lorekeeper, there are certain things you don't have to or want to know about your good friends.) When possible, they choose to love Em from a few feet away until he's old enough to hold a semblance of conversation--infants aren't their strong suit--but after that, they quickly become his favorite minder, with stories and panjal lessons galore.

One night, when Em is a newborn, Sev shocks the band by effortlessly soothing him from screaming to sleeping when even his mothers couldn't calm him. When asked, he mutters something about younger siblings before he left home to join his found.

As for the hearthsiders--Hirun, while typically stoic around children, often comments on his striking resemblance to Brynn, saying that if he acts like her, too, then they're truly in for it. (he does, and they are.) Arek is the epitome of Jock Uncle who gets him all riled up with playtime and then hands him back to his mothers when he needs to wind back down. (let's be honest, though—nine times out of ten, Brynn is also complicit in the winding-up.)

and ARVA. Oh, Arva. She's like a sweet and gentle golden retriever meeting her owners' newborn for the first time--Emryn is her baby, too. Even if, at first, there are times when she gets a little jealous of the attention he receives, she makes it known with nothing more than an indignant little huff or moo. She accepts all nap cuddles and is gracious about accidental fur-pullings.

[vierlieben]

Heavenly.

choi san x f!reader

genre: fluff

desc.: your boyfriend came home, feeling like the entire world is on his back. as a loving and caring girlfriend, you did something for him to make him feel not just "better", but "heavenly".

wc: 1,059

the hands of the clock told you that it's now 6:45 pm. then you continued washing the dishes. the sink's loaded after baking cookies for an order. you have been standing for like ten minutes now in here.

you know that any moment, your boyfriend would find you doing the dishes and would give you a warm back hug. as you were just thinking about that, you felt something pressed onto your body; arms wrapped around your waist, head resting on your shoulder.

you didn't even hear San enter the apartment, all you can hear is the flowing water—the faucet's loud as hell.

"well, good evening to you, mister." you greeted with a sweet tone.

you were thinking that he was just sleepy or lazy to talk, as how he always is when he gets home—but no, his head resting on your shoulder right now is heavier than ever. it is like the entire world is on your back. San is putting all of his head's weight on your shoulder but you didn't mind at all.

"hey," you turned your head to him, quickly finishing the dishes. "love, are you alright?"

you felt him shake his head lazily. few seconds passed and you are finally done with these damn dishes. you quickly dried your hands and turned around to see him; his eyes are half opened, shoulders almost dropping on the floor, and you can also feel the weight that he's carrying right now although you don't know what's going on yet.

"come here, what's wrong?" you wrapped your arms around his upper body, he rested his head on your shoulder again. "rough day at work? exhausted? tell me, baby..."

the caressing on his back made him feel calmer. San sighed so deeply. "i am not going to have rough days at work for a while because the investors in our company are now gone..."

you felt like tearing up when you heard that tone. it was low, and sad... this is your first time hearing your boyfriend talk like this and it's breaking your heart.

"oh, baby..," you gave him a couple of pats on his back. "you're going to be alright. i mean, it's fine to feel that way for now. but we're going through this, okay?"

"i know.." his tone sounded a lot better now. "it's just... i don't know, it kind of hurt me. I've been working for that company for almost two years now and it's going to close out of nowhere. i am just going to miss them. plus, i don't think i could ever stand being just here all day, doing and earning nothing."

"no, love, shush," you broke the hug and looked straight to his eyes. "come on, it's going to be fine. i will help you find a new job. but for now, the world won't end if you would just stay at home for a while with me, right? i will take care of you."

he painted an upside down smile and pulled you again for a hug. "alright then.. i just couldn't help but to feel bad. but I'm fine now that i head those from you."

"yeah..." you caressed his back once again. "would you do me a favor?"

you know so well that San is kind of workaholic... well, it's because he wants to earn and earn for his and your future together. he likes to invest in big things. he's been very helpful when it comes to financial problems, especially to his friends. that's one of the millions of things that you love about him—he is truly reliable, dependable all the time.

he can't stand it whenever he's not doing something productive. well, if it's not a job to work on, he'll be all over you; spoiling you, taking care of you as if you're a queen, taking you everywhere you'd like, just EVERYTHING. sometimes you'd feel bad because he's just doing things for you and often forgets to do something for himself, but then he would reassure you that he's fine and would finally do something about it just so you won't feel bad anymore.

"what favor?" he asked back.

"will you please stop thinking about getting a job for a while? maybe a month or two? just... i want you to get some rest, you need that. we have more than enough here, my love. what's very important right now is that you get some relaxation and time for yourself. everything's taken care of, keep that in mind. will you?" you asked him with the calmest, sweetest tone ever—the one that he won't even dare to disagree with.

he nodded, his head still on your shoulder but now lighter. "i will, baby. thank you, i love you. maybe i have been overworking a bit... i will rest for now."

"perfect," your eyes shined. you broke the hug and kissed his forehead. "now, come with me. i'll do something to make you feel better."

"but i already feel better—"

"just shut it and come with me," you glared at him, and he looked at you with his eyes smiling.

"how's that feel?"

San feels like dreaming — like he's on the clouds and there are angels singing for him.

he didn't answer your question yet. the whole bathroom is filled with nothing but silence.

he's like a child sitting on the toilet while you are shampooing and massaging his head. this is the kind of therapy that he's been craving for—too bad, why did you just think of it now? you could have made him feel good in this way before.

"hey? are you sleeping?" you whispered.

"i don't know what to say..." he whispered back, you almost didn't hear it. "heavenly..."

you smiled at the thought that maybe he's feeling so good. he really does. you're glad that you're finally making him feel this way...

"you should do this to me everytime that I'm taking a bath..." he murmured, eyes still closed. "will you?"

"you don't even have to ask." you replied. "i have been also wanting to do this but you take quick baths, how's that possible?"

he chuckled. "afraid to be late at work."

you two laughed silently.

"i'd do this to you as well, baby." he added. "maybe reward me with a kiss?"

"how many kisses are we talking about?"

[octuscle]

Full time barista here I’ve always been envious of the men on stage especially the heavy weights. Don’t want to over work the chronivac but help me become a muscle bull as big as jean pierre fux.

Mate, I understand you only too well…. There are few things hotter than the real heavy beefcakes. I've tried it long enough myself… But I didn't make it either. Jean Pierre is a pretty good role model… But I have an idea…

Friday morning. It's 06:00, you have to hurry, in one hour you have to prepare the first coffee. You don't have time for much more than a few situps and pushups. In the bathroom you have to hurry. You need longer and longer to conceal your receding hairline. You are now 40 years old, slowly you just notice that you are getting older. If you go out tonight to party, it will take you almost the whole Saturday to recover. The cosmetic industry has nothing effective to offer against the wrinkles in the corners of your eyes. And even if you don't need to be ashamed of your body: You won't gain much more muscle in your lifetime.

Shit, at 07:00 o'clock people are already queuing up. You hate it when you can't open the store in peace. But as it looks, it will be 10:00 o'clock, until you have the first moment of rest. In fact, it's even 10:30 when your colleague thinks you can take a break. If you need it, he adds with a wink. You look fantastic today! You take a mineral water and sit down in the warehouse. In fact, you feel pretty damn good right now. You drink the water in one go. You don't have much time for a break. And you have to piss again before the lunch business starts. Your lower jaw drops as you wash your hands. Fuck, what happened to you. There are no more receding hairlines or laugh lines. You look ten years younger than when you got up today. The only difference is that you look as if you'd spent the last ten years doing little else but lifting iron. Your T-shirt is almost blown up by your biceps and pecs. And your jeans look like they're painted on your monstrous legs. How could you not notice that? As you tie the apron back on your way back to the counter, you wonder why you were just amazed. Since your 20th birthday, you've spent every spare minute at the gym, investing every penny you earn in protein and supplements. Hell, if you didn't look the way you do, you would have wasted a hell of a lot of time and money.

The calm in your coffee bar begins to subside again. The lunch business is starting up. There's a beefcake in your line that makes you jealous. Yo, bro! he greets you. It's nice to see that there are real men working here, too. What you can recommend to him. You suggest the protein bomb. A scramble of 10 eggs with 400 grams of chicken breast. He grins and nods. And a liter of still mineral water. The bro shares your taste. While you type everything into the register, he asks you if you're all-natural. Of course you are. With the money for the meal, he slides you a card. In case you want to think about it.

It is 17:00 o'clock, when you tie off your apron. Fuck' according to your watch you have walked 12,000 steps today on the few square meters behind the counter. But it also looks like it's been a pretty good day so far. You're 20 now, and the idea of opening your own café with healthy and, above all, protein-rich food came to you when you were 16. That's when you started getting into high performance bodybuilding. And a place like this was missing at that time. And then you built this place with your mentor and trainer as a straw man. But you can't stand behind the counter for more than ten hours. Even if you are the best advertisement for your products, you have to work out at least four hours every day. Otherwise you don't stand a chance on the big stage.

You might not be one of the big ones yet… But you are on a really good way to get there. You met Jean Pierre Fux once at a fitness fair in Germany. A great role model for you. And he said that at your age he would have been a linnet compared to you. The prerequisites for a brilliant career are there. Enjoy it and make the best of it!

This and other hot pics @anton227ludwig

[oneatlatime]

Appa's Lost Days

Dare I hope?

You know, if ten year old me had turned on my TV to watch my weekly dose of Avatar and been greeted with a nearly two minute long uninterrupted sequence of a frightened and distressed animal being mistreated, that TV would have turned right back off again.

I don't buy that a ten tonne bison who has the leverage of his own weight as well as his airbending abilities would succumb to so few people.

Name one other character that Avatar has presented as so thoroughly without any redeeming characteristics. Even Zhao was at least kind of funny. Everything about the chucklehead on the left is rotten to the core. "What's your dad going to do when he finds out we broke his stuff while doing crime?" "Nothing. It's not his stuff; it's previous crime."

I thought beetle-headed was a commentary on their intelligence, but it's actually a description.

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I should have waited to get my hopes up until I came to an episode called Appa's Found Days. Is this whole thing going to be a series of near misses with the Gaang?

You know, if I had a nickel for every time an animal companion on this show has been threatened with a trip to the butcher's, I'd have two nickels. In the space of two episodes.

This is not fun to watch guys.

Not if I break you first asshole.

The way this Nurse Ratched type circus guy says "earn it" is chilling.

Of course the Fire Nation would find a way to turn bending into animal abuse. Of course.

a) that cage is way too small b) who knew cabbage suction could be so cute?

Completely unsubtle parallel with the boy here, right down to the complete disregard they show to the threats thrown their way.

Stubborn and wilful are not adjectives I would use to describe Appa this episode, or ever.

Wind buffalo. Wind Buffalo. Really? Was Fart Cow taken?

That's a very relatable facial expression.

That makeup and costume is awful.

Now that's satisfying.

Is the Fire Nation kid voiced by Aang's voice actor?

Nevermind. THAT'S satisfying.

I was right - this episode is Appa always being a step behind the Gaang.

Baby Appas! This almost makes this episode worth it!

It's funny how a single feature can contribute so much to a character's design. Arrowless Aang is just some kid. Let me rephrase that, since such a big part of Aang's character is the fact that he's just some goofy kid. Arrowless Aang is indistinguishable from other kids for the first time this series, because every other time we've seen him on screen he's either the only child airbender with his arrows, or the only airbender left.

Lady monks. Nuns? I don't think I've seen those before.

Appa and Aang share a dreamscape? That could be useful.

There's dumb, there's really dumb, and then there's 'wake a completely asleep and therefore harmless unknown creature with threats of violence' dumb.

Close call for Iroh. Do you think he's suspected that Appa (and presumably the Avatar) haven been in Ba Sing Se this whole time?

Bipedal Appa is strange. A very effective fighter, but strange to look at.

I'm amazed that giant boar thing walked away from that.

And now they're hitting me with an 'Appa's given Up' montage. Someone who works on this show hates me.

*Heroically refrains from ranting about the impracticality of using white fabric for an active warrior's glove.*

"This could be our most important mission yet." Foreshadowing?

Did Suki and Appa actually meet at any point in the Warriors of Kyoshi episode?

Turns out 'Aang' is a magic word.

Appa kisses!

Appa is apparently legally banned from having anything good for more than five minutes. Although it's good writing that they're using a previously established weakness - Appa's shedding - to bring the danger ladies back in.

I guess they have Azula drop the line about her brother to remind the audience of who she is, but surely Suki's like "Who are you? Who's your brother? Why should I care?"

Azula going after the Kyoshi warriors is completely unnecessary right? The Avatar isn't there. Neither are Zuko and Iroh. It doesn't even net her Appa. She's just looking for someone to beat up.

WOW this is bad writing. Like really bad. My Immortal levels of bad.

Would it be too much to ask for the Kyoshi warriors to do even slightly ok against the Azula ladies? Couldn't they at least get a couple of hits in?

Kudos to Suki for essentially sacrificing herself and her warriors to save Appa. 'Most important mission yet' was a bit on the nose.

Out of options, Appa goes home. Ouch.

Someone explain this to me. Air Bison teething ring?

My what a human sounding cough you have buddy.

This is why you don't use Air Bison as guard dogs.

I like what this Guru is saying. Fear displacing trust but not love feels more accurate than how I usually see the consequences of trauma discussed.

The music playing throughout this sequence fits so well. I think it's some sort of metal thing you hit - I want to say a variation on tubular bells, and maybe something Glockenspiel adjacent? It's unlike anything I've heard in this show before and it fits so well that I'm nerding out a bit.

Disney princess Guru. Aang has Disney princess moments too. Maybe it's an Air Nomad thing?

No wonder the monks built a temple here. Even destroyed, it's gorgeous.

And Appa decides to trust again. I love it when an animal visibly comes to a decision about your trustworthiness.

This energy reading stuff makes sense given that Aang and Appa already share a dreamscape.

He IS a great beast. The best!

OH COME ON

Someone whip up a wanted poster for Long Feng: Cattle Rustler. It had also never occurred to me that he was an earthbender.

That flip move with the earthbending platform must have caused Appa to land on his back. I bet that hurt.

One of the times I am very grateful that the closing credits music is so upbeat.

Final Thoughts

@aboutiroh I see why you recommended I save my chocolate for this episode.

The Tale of Momo was really just a preparatory taste of things to come, huh? Almost a microcosm of this episode.

This is the first episode where I had to take breaks while watching. Especially the circus sequence, I think I got up twice to do things like get a cup of tea and stare randomly out windows at squirrels. I didn't even have to do that with Zuko Alone, despite freaking out a lot about it, because at least that episode took breaks from the child abuse to check in with Aang being miserable. This episode was unrelenting.

If I had seen this episode when I was the age of the target audience, this may well have turned me off the show for good. If my Mom had seen this episode, I would have been banned from watching the show entirely. Not a decision I'd agree with, but my Mom is the type of person who banned her kids from watching Bambi.

To watch through all of that unrelenting animal (at best) unhappiness, and still not get Appa back at the end of the episode? That's a bit much. It's not often that this show ends its episodes without at least a little bit of something positive.

Once again, the music did a lot of heavy lifting this episode. The animal noises weren't quite as emotive as the ones in Momo's Tale, but Appa's face is more expressive, and more was shown through his expression than through Momo's, so I feel like this episode had just as much non-verbal animal communication as Momo's Tale.

I think I'm renaming season 2 "the Suki redemption arc." I really didn't like the Warriors of Kyoshi episode, and I didn't like what her character did in that episode. But every time Suki appears in season 2? She absolutely nails it.

The show since losing Appa has taken to wallowing. Even with bright spots like the poetry bouncer, the overall tone since Appa's appanapping has been ever more dark. If this keeps up for many more episodes, it will no longer be fun to watch.

Somehow I don't think this one is going on my rewatch list.

[papervenom]

✩ chapter ten: fleur delacour ✩

summary: your fourth year starts with the return of the triwizard tournament— and a relationship with cedric diggory that should feel steady, but doesn’t. when harry’s name gets pulled from the goblet, everything shifts. the trio starts to crack, and being with cedric only adds to the tension. you’re sure about how you feel , you love him. but someone else is pulling for your attention, and it’s getting harder to ignore. a slow-burn, character-driven take on goblet of fire, told through your perspective

chapter warnings: friendship conflict, light angst, fleur and reader discuss sexual harassment, mild violence

word count: 4.6k

INSATIABLE MASTERLIST⋆˙⟡

October 10th, 1994

The last few weeks have been the worst I've spent at Hogwarts yet.

It was difficult to be Harry and Ron's friend when they weren't speaking to each other. 

It was absurd, and I tried to tell Ron how unfair he was being— but Harry told me not to bother. 

Fortunately, Hermione believed Harry when he said he hadn't submitted his name in the goblet. 

We were walking around the Black Lake during breakfast as Harry mulled over his fight with Ron.

"Oh Harry, isn't it obvious?" Hermione exclaimed exasperatedly, "He's jealous!"

"Jealous!?" Harry replied incredulously. "Jealous of what? He wants to make an idiot of himself in front of the whole school!?"

"Harry..." I spoke to him gently, trying to get him to see the situation from Ron's perspective, "it's always been you who gets all the attention. I know it's not your fault—" I added quickly, seeing Harry open his mouth furiously. "I know you don't ask for it... but—  Ron already has all those brothers to compete with back at home. And then he has you as his best friend, and you're really famous. He's put up with you getting all the attention, which is probably why he's never mentioned it, but I guess he reached his limit... "

"Great," Harry spat out. "Really great! You two can tell him I'll swap any time he wants! People gawking at my fucking forehead everywhere I go... "

"I'm not telling him anything," Hermione replied to him curtly, "Tell him yourself."

"I'm not running around after him to get him to act his age!" Harry yelled so loudly that several birds in a nearby tree took flight in alarm. "Maybe he'll believe I'm not enjoying myself once I break my neck or—"

"That's not funny," I snapped at him.

So far into the Triwizard Tournament, Harry nor Cedric could enter a room without it breaking into applause. 

Cedric had the support of most of the school, though— and only the Gryffindors would cheer for Harry whenever they saw him. 

The Hufflepuffs, who were usually friendly with Gryffindors, had become cold toward us. 

They clearly felt as if Harry had stolen their champion's glory. 

I could understand the Hufflepuffs' attitude— they had their own champion to support, and I expected nothing less than vicious insults from the Slytherins, but I hoped that the Ravenclaws might have found it in their hearts to support Harry as much as Cedric. 

But they didn't. 

Most of the Ravenclaws seemed to think that Harry had been desperate to earn himself more fame and tricked the goblet into accepting his entry. 

More than half of the school considered Harry to be a cheat and viewed him as someone who thirsted for attention.

Harry and I would linger in the Common Room every night, after everyone left for bed, and sat in front of the fireplace to talk about his troubles until we felt tired. 

I knew this was mainly because he didn't want to go up to his shared dorm room with Ron, but I didn't mind— I wanted to provide comfort for my friend in any way possible.

Harry told me he was having the worst time at Hogwarts, as well. 

The closest he had ever come to feeling like this had been during his second year when the school suspected him of opening the Chamber of Secrets and attacking students. 

But Ron had been on his side then. 

He thought he could have coped with the rest of the school's behavior if Ron had his back, but he wasn't going to try and persuade Ron to talk to him if Ron didn't want to. 

I was surprised when Harry also shared his insecurities regarding Cedric with me. 

He claimed that Cedric looked the part of a champion more than he did— being exceptionally tall and handsome with his dark hair and grey eyes— which got him to receive a lot of admiration.

I couldn't argue because he was right. 

Cedric was being treated completely opposite to Harry. 

People were behaving towards him as if he were some sort of hero, and I hated to admit that it got on my nerves. 

It was hard to say who was receiving more admiration these days— Cedric or Viktor Krum. 

Groups of girls would go up to Cedric to ask him to sign their school bags and would follow him around like lost puppies, swooning over his every step. 

Even when I was with him.

I felt like I wasn't able to say anything because, even though Cedric and I were romantically involved, we weren't exclusive— so I had no right to be territorial over him. 

Besides, he didn't seem to mind the attention at all.

Cedric and I were talking less and a rumor even broke out that we weren't seeing each other anymore and that I've left him for Harry. 

This only resulted in the group of simpering girls that stalked Cedric to duplicate. 

Nevertheless, Harry felt lonely with dislike pouring on all sides for him and my heart broke when he even started crying. 

We didn't talk much after that. 

I just hugged him tightly as we sat in silence.

This all weighed in on Harry's miserable mood and he finally snapped one day before our Potions lesson. 

Hermione, Harry, and I arrived at Snape's dungeon one afternoon, after lunch, and found each of the Slytherins wearing a large badge on the front of their robes that read: 

SUPPORT DIGGORY— THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION!

And when they pressed on the badge, the previous messaged vanished and was replaced by another which read:

POTTER STINKS!

"Ah, look, it's the champion! Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer... Half the Triwizard champions have died... how long d'you reckon you're going to last, Potter? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet! " Malfoy announced loudly as we approached.

"Like them, Potter?" he sneered at Harry, showing off his badge proudly. 

I scowled at Ron who was standing against the wall with Dean and Seamus. 

He wasn't laughing, but he wasn't sticking up for Harry either.

"Want one, Granger?" asked Malfoy after Harry didn't answer, holding out a badge to Hermione. "I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it— don't want a Mudblood sliming it up."

People around us scrambled out of the way and backed down the corridor when I reached for my wand, but Harry stood in front of me and pulled out his own instead.

"Harry!" Hermione said warningly.

"Go on, then, Potter," Malfoy murmured quietly as he drew out his wand as well, "Moody isn't here to look after you now... do it if you've got the guts..."

Both boys stared at each other loathsomely and then, synchronously, they both acted. 

"Furnunculus!" Harry yelled.

"Flipendo!" screamed Malfoy. 

Jets of light from both wands collided in mid-air and bounced off at different angles, with Harry's hitting Goyle in the face and Malfoy's hitting me. I felt a blow on my torso as I got thrown on the floor violently, the air getting knocked out of my lungs. 

"(Y/N)!"

Ron threw himself on the floor next to me to check if I was alright. 

I felt light-headed as he picked me up in his arms, perching me onto his lap so I wouldn't be laying on the floor limply.

Every Gryffindor was calling my name anxiously, and I even caught a glimpse of Malfoy craning his neck as he looked down at me worriedly. 

"(Y/N), are you alright?" Harry crouched down to check on me and I nodded back to him weakly.

Snape had arrived, and the Slytherins were clamoring to give their explanations, but the Professor pointed a long finger at Malfoy, who looked incredibly guilty. 

"Explain," Snape demanded.

"Potter attacked me, sir—"

"We attacked each other at the same time!" Harry shouted. 

"— and he hit Goyle, look!" 

Snape examined Goyle, whose face was springing up with ugly boils. 

"Hospital wing, Goyle," Snape said calmly. 

"Malfoy got (Y/N)!" Harry and Ron both growled angrily and I started to stand up slowly, wincing slightly at the soreness I felt. 

I already knew I would be bruising up. 

"(Y/N) is fine," I grumbled. Ron held on to me tightly to prevent me from falling down. 

I glared at Draco angrily.

"The Knockback Jinx? Really, Malfoy? Even your dueling is pathetic!" I seethed at him, and his ears started reddening as he stared back at me in shock. 

"Very well, very well. (Y/L/N) seems perfectly fine, by me, so let's see... Fifty points from Gryffindor and detention each for Potter and Weasley. Now get inside, or it'll be a week's worth of detentions." 

We walked into the Potions classroom angrily from the injustice of Malfoy being let off. 

Both Harry and Ron slammed their bookbags on their desks and were shaking with anger. 

They weren't talking to each other but were both staring at Snape so furiously, and for a moment, things almost seemed normal again. 

I smiled to myself slightly, willing to recieve thousands of Knockback Jinxes if it meant for my friends to reconcile.

"You should all have prepared your antidote recipes. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one..."  Snape instructed, looking around the class malevolently. 

I caught Draco peering at me over his shoulder a few times, remorse painted all over his face. 

Around the fifth time of him doing this, I raised my middle finger at him when Snape wasn't looking, causing him to roll his eyes and face the front of the classroom. 

༻✦༺

October 24th, 1994

Ever since Harry and Ron stopped talking, it put a strain on Ron and my friendship as well, since I rarely left Harry's side.

After I got jinxed by Draco, though, Ron would check in on me a couple times a day to make sure I was okay. 

I missed Ron, and even though he was being so childish, I spared some of my leisure time to spend with him.

"I taught you all of this last year, how did you already forget?" Ron teased as I made a wrong move during Wizarding Chess which caused one of his pieces to smash mine off the board.

"I didn't forget. It's just unfair playing against you," I pouted. 

Ron's blue eyes roamed the board intently, his tongue peeking out the corner of his mouth as he concentrated on his next move. 

He reached forward and moved another one of his pieces again, which sprung to life and knocked one of my own off the board again.

"Fucks sake— that's it," I huffed as I picked up one of my pieces and smashed it onto one of Ron's, causing it to break as they did to mine constantly.

"OI! CHEATING!" Ron exclaimed and we giggled skittishly.

My eyes roamed around the Common Room where the other students were doing coursework, or just conversing with one another. 

Harry was nowhere to be seen, and I frowned as I imagined him sitting alone in his dorm room.

"I'm going to find Harry... want to come?" I asked Ron hopefully, jumping to my feet and offering him a hand.

"No, I don't want to find Harry," he gruffed, taking my hand anyway and standing up to his full height, "I rather spend time with you."

"Why? You both are being so ridiculous. He's your best friend, Ron..." I complained again, frowning at him. 

Ron was quiet as he looked down at his feet, and that's when Harry walking down the staircase. He hesitated before walking towards me, seeing that I was standing next to Ron.

"Hey..." he greeted me, ignoring Ron completely. "All the champions are meeting right now. Something about... a photoshoot. I didn't want to go alone..."

Ron snorted contemptuously when Harry mentioned a photoshoot, causing me to narrow my eyes up at him. 

Harry flushed pink and looked away. 

"Yeah, sure. Let's go." 

I followed him out of the Common Room and we walked in silence towards the entrance hall. 

"What do they want photos for?" I asked.

"The Daily Prophet, I think." Harry replied dully, "Exactly what I need. More publicity."

I looked at him sympathetically and reached up to his hair and tried to make it look tidy. 

It was hopeless, as it had its tendency to stick out at awkward angles, but I did my best. 

When arriving, Harry knocked on the door hesitantly, and it immediately opened for us to enter. 

It was a regular, small classroom. The desks have been pushed to the back of the room, leaving a large space in the middle. 

Standing in the centre of the room was a blonde witch that I've never seen before, wearing a bright green outfit that made my eyes hurt.

Viktor Krum was standing moodily in a corner, not talking to anybody as he usually did, and Cedric and Fleur were in conversation. 

My eyes widened when I noticed that Fleur looked happier than I've ever seen her, throwing her long, silvery hair back as she flirtily spoke to Cedric. 

The cameraman was basically drooling over her, but Cedric wore a polite, tight-lipped smile as she spoke. 

"Ah, here he is! Champion number four! In you come, Harry, nothing to worry about, it's just the wand weighing ceremony.  The judges will be here in a moment—" the blonde witch exclaimed when she noticed Harry.

"Wand weighing?" Harry repeated anxiously. 

"They have to check that your wands are fully functional. And then there's going to be a little photoshoot. My name is Rita Skeeter, I'll be doing a piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet... I wonder if I could have a little word with you, Harry? Before we start?"

"Er—" replied Harry, glancing at me apprehensively but Rita Skeeter was already pulling him away, towards a broom cupboard. 

I watched them inquisitively as they both squish into the tight space, and closed the door behind them. 

My eyes flickered back to Cedric and Fleur, and this time his eyes met mine. 

My heart did summersaults as he excused himself to Fleur and was walking towards me. 

Fleur seemed so appalled and offended to be dismissed so nonchalantly, that she glowered at me furiously. 

I crossed my arms tightly across my chest in defense, feeling intimidated by the gorgeous Beauxbatons champion.

"Hey... what are you doing here?" Cedric asked me with happy surprise in his tone, as he pulled me into a one-armed hug.

"I'm here with Harry," I replied shortly. 

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, so discreetly that I almost didn't notice.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"No, nothing... but it's just a photoshoot. Why would he need you to accompany him here?" he asked, his eyes peering to the broom cupboard where Rita and Harry have disappeared. 

He almost looked jealous.

"My friend needs me, Cedric... he's not enjoying this like you are. People aren't being as enthusiastic towards him like they are to you..." I was annoyed with Cedric. 

Not only because we didn't speak for days, but because he didn't even try to understand what Harry was going through right now. 

He was so wrapped up in his own perspective as a champion, that he disregarded everything else.

"I know... I'm sorry. You're a good friend, (Y/N)..." he apologized, lacing his fingers with my own but I pulled away.

"Have you been avoiding me?" I asked him curiously.

"No, I thought you were avoiding me. You seemed distracted, so... I figured you needed your space."

"Maybe I was avoiding you, I don't know." I sighed, looking away shamefully. "I didn't want to ruin your fun. You're so thrilled to be a champion, and I'm happy you're happy but you know I still have my concerns with this tournament... Besides, I had to be there for Harry— no one else believes that he didn't put his name in the goblet."

Cedric's eyebrows furrowed together as he cupped my face in his hands, tilting it up so my eyes met his.

"You could never ruin anything," he muttered lowly so only I could hear. My eyes flickered to look at Krum and Fleur behind him and saw that they were looking at us with great interest.

"I've missed you, (Y/N). I don't enjoy not talking to you..." Cedric retrieved my attention, and we stared at each other for a few seconds in tender silence.

"Please, never give me space again..." I sighed and he pulled me into a bear hug. At this same time, the cupboard had opened and Harry came stumbling out looking disoriented and uncomfortable.

"Ai 'ave been instructed to get Cedric so we can take ze photographs," Fleur informed us snottily, and Cedric stepped away after planting a big smooch on my cheek.

Fleur lingered though, looking at me curiously and I felt braver this time as I stared back at her defiantly. 

"You are just like me.... You are Veela..." she finally spoke out in a heavy French accent as she inspected me closely.

"Y-yeah, I have a distant relation, how could you tell?" I replied back, startled. 

Fleur tossed her long, silvery hair back and gave me a warm smile, to my surprise.

"Because you're absulute-lee gorgeous, mon chérie. Ai 'ave been trying to get Cedric to ask me out ever since ai first met him. Ai even used my Charm on him, which usually works, but not wit him, ai suppose... until you walked in and stole all ze attention." 

"What 'Charm'?" I asked curiously, and her blue eyes widened.

"Your Veela Charm, of cours'! Nobody ever taught you to use ze Charm before?"

I shook my head, curious to learn more about my Veela capabilities which I was clearly unaware I possessed. Fleur looked over her shoulder where all the other champions were now arranged for their photos, and smiled at me apologetically. 

"Ai 'ave to go now. How about after le wand weighing? Ai can tell you all about it!" she suggested excitedly and I agreed immediately, having something to look forward to now.

Fleur sat next to Krum, and both Cedric and Harry stood behind their chairs. 

Standing behind the cameraman were Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Mr. Crouch, Dumbledore, and Rita Skeeter.

Flashes of light went off as the cameraman took a few photos that I knew would be moving when displayed on the Daily Prophet. My eyes were on Cedric the entire time, as he looked at the lens with his charming smile. Rita sprang up from her seat when she felt there were enough photographs, and approached the champions.

"What a charismatic quartet!" she gasped at the sight of the group. "I'm Rita Skeeter. I write for the Daily Prophet. But of course, you know that. It's you we don't know..."

Rita trailed off, running her tongue over her teeth as she stared at the champions hungrily. They were all evidently uncomfortable around her.

"You are the juicy news... What mysteries do those muscles mask? Does courage lie beneath those curls?" Rita approached Cedric, running her hand up his arms and my mouth dropped as I watched it disappear into his hair, ruffling it slightly. His jaw clenched and his grey eyes glanced to where I stood and we shared a look of disturbance.

  "May I introduce Mr. Ollivander?" Dumbledore interrupted, disregarding Rita and talking to the champions. "He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament."

I recognized Ollivander from when I purchased my wand a year ago. The champions all stood in a line and Ollivander took his time to inspect each of the champion's wands closely. He spent much longer examining Harry's wand than anyone else's— making a fountain of water shoot out of it, and handed it back to Harry, announcing that it was still in perfect condition.

  "Thank you all," said Dumbledore, standing up once the wand weighing ceremony was over. Harry and Cedric both approached me, greeting each other awkwardly. Cedric's arms snaked themselves around my waist, pulling me into him to cuddle me from behind. Harry looked at us uneasily and I rolled my eyes remembering how Cedric looked slightly jealous earlier when we talked about Harry. He was probably buying into the school's ridiculous rumors that Harry and I were a thing. 

"You heading back to the tower?" I asked Harry and he shook his head.

"No, I'm going to check if... Padfoot replied to my letter. I'll see you at dinner?" 

Harry's green eyes flickered to Cedric to check if he was suspicious at the mention of Sirius' nickname but he clearly wasn't. I nodded and watched as Harry left the room with everyone else. 

Cedric nuzzled his face in my neck and I grinned, missing the feeling of having him close.

"Padfoot?" He murmured against my skin, and I turned around to face him.

"A friend of ours," I replied and smiled up at him warmly, admiring Cedric's handsome features.

"Where do you want to go? We can hang out at the library before dinner? Or you can come back to the Hufflepuff Common Room...?" Cedric suggested, and my heart sank, knowing I couldn't flake on Fleur.

"Fuck, I wish. But I have to go, too. Fleur and I were going to talk just now..." I frowned at him. Surely enough, Fleur was already standing by the door, waiting for me. She gave us a dazzling smile when she saw us looking. She looked like a model.

"I didn't know you two were friends," Cedric replied to me, surprise in his tone.

"We're not. Not yet, at least. She figured out I was of Veela descent, somehow, and offered to inform me more about it."

"Alright, then. But I miss you, okay? I want to spend time with you."

"We will," I assured him, and got up on my tippy toes to reach my lips to his cheek. I said goodbye and walked to Fleur who was smirking at me.

"You 'ave got zat boy whipped," she giggled. I blushed and followed her out into the hallway.

Fleur asked me to show her around the castle, claiming that she spent most of her time in the Beauxbatons carriages, and I complied. She wasn't exactly impressed, though, with her constant remarks about how her school was much more elegant and more magnificent than Hogwarts could ever be. 

We walked past the high ceilings, the Courtyard, and the moving staircases but nothing dazzled her. 

There were a couple of male students who gaped at the sight of us strutting down the halls. One of them even walked into a pillar because he couldn't take his eyes off us. Fleur giggled brightly as she watched the boy scramble back to his feet.

"How long 'ave boys been actin' foolish around you?"

"Oh, no... that was all you," I replied, gesturing back to the pillar that the boy bumped into. "That has never happened to me before..."

"Really? Nevair?" Fleur asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. I was about to emphasize that I have never gotten such an intense reaction but then I remembered that cat-calling and jiving from the boys' in the compartments of the Hogwarts Express and the chaos of the entrance hall that began once I walked in.

"Ai thought so. It gets more intense as we grow older. How distant is your Veela relashion?"

I thought about this for a few seconds as we turned to walk down another corridor. 

"I, uh... I'm not sure. My grandmother could've been half-Veela? And maybe my great-grandmother was a Veela? It should be very distant, though..." 

"Well," she sniffed proudly, "My grandmother was a Veela. It 'as its perks but also its downfalls... You said you didn't know about le Veela Charm? I'll teach you 'ow."

Cormac McLaggen was walking on the opposite side of the corridor. He was a Gryffindor and a year older than I was. He would flirt intensely with every girl in our House. It was borderline perverse.

We caught his attention and a lecherous smirk grew on his face when he noticed me and Fleur. He puffed his chest out, trying his best to look attractive but he soon faltered in his step. His glazed eyes were fixated on Fleur, and the books in his hands all fell to the floor— pooling around his feet. 

A surprised laugh escaped my lips as I watched Fleur comb her hair with her fingers seductively, staring at Cormac. When she turned to look at me, Cormac seemed to snap out of his transfixed state and looked at his surroundings, clearly disoriented, and bent down to pick up his books.

"How do you do that?" I whispered to her excitedly as we walked away.

"Confidence! It is vital. You find your confidencé and let it surge you. You will feel zo powairful, and if you direct it towards someone, you'll charm zem. You can usual-lee get a man to do whatévair you want, zis way."

I thought about this newfound ability and wondered if I would ever use it. It felt wrong— like coercing.

"You said there's a downfall in being Veela?" I asked her curiously, and her face suddenly fell. She looked more serious and slightly uncomfortable.

"Oh... oui. Men are pigs, sometimes. It is in zeir nature. Zey flirt and touch wizout consent. Women are beautiful flowairs, we are more powerful than ze man— Veela or not. Zey don't deserve to even look at us. Ai had men unconsentfully kiss me, before. It was répulsivé."

Fleur shuddered and my heart sank.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Fleur," I replied solemnly and she smiled at me kindly. 

"It is what it is. Men are usual-lee interested in Veelas because zey aré Veela. Zey objectify us. Don't gét to know us but are transfixed by our beauty."

My thoughts wandered off to last year, when I doubted if Cedric liked me for who I was or because he was under the Veela spell. It was still an underlying insecurity that I had. I wanted to think that everything that has happened between me and Cedric had been genuine. 

"You don't 'ave to worry abut Cedric. Ai charmed zat handsome boy ze bést ai could and he didn't even look slightly interested."

Fleur spoke when she noticed my silence, seeming to have read my thoughts. She had a scowl on her face, looking remarkably pissed and I tried to hide the pleased look on my face. 

"How do you know if they're truly into you or just interested that you're a Veela?"  I asked.

"You usual-lee can't know. But you can tell when zere are other Veelas around. If they are charmed by you, zén they could be easily charmed by another Veela. But if zey only 'ave eyes for you... zen is you zey truly like..."

The bell that indicated that it was time for dinner rang, and students started spilling into the corridor. Girls and boys waved at Fleur giddily, thrilled to see one of the Triwizard champions.

"Well, ai 'avé to go back to le carriages. Madame Maxine is probably wondering where ai am."

"Fleur, thank you so much. I wouldn't have known these details if it wasn't for you. I appreciate it."

She startled me when she pulled me into a hug, kissing both my cheeks lovingly.

"Of course, mon chéri. Ai am here for you, anytime. Us Veela girls 'ave to stick together."

She winked and walked elegantly towards one of the exits to head outside.

"Good luck on the tournament!" I called after her, and she paused at the doorway, smirking at me over her shoulder.

"I'm going to take those liddle boys down"

✩ next chapter: dragons ✩

[leonsliga]

Keeping On

–> It's been a long road back from injury for Manuel Neuer, but at 38 he is once again integral to Bayern München's success. After breaking the Champions League clean sheet record against Arsenal in the quarter-finals, he reflects on a career that still has plenty of road ahead.

Manuel Neuer is in a reflective mood. Now 38, the Bayern München goalkeeper became a father for the first time in March - something which can add a fresh layer of perspective to anybody's outlook. Yet right now, as he sits speaking to Champions Journal, his focus is on another event which prompted much introspection on his part - the career-threatening lower-leg break he suffered in a skiing accident in December 2022.

"If we were to ask the medical staff and the rehab team, they would scarcely believe that we are where we are today because I think out of every ten people only one or two manage to come back from that," he says. "Particularly after the injuries and with the games I played, it couldn't have gone any better than it did, for me to be standing in goal and performing well again. It was a big strain for me, which is normal for a serious injury. I think everything takes time and ultimately nature decided if it would work out or if I would never be able to play again.”

That he was back playing for Bayern ten months after the fracture to the tibia and fibula in his right leg was down to "thinking positively and the desire to play football and play professional sport again". That determination should surprise none of us given the admirable longevity of a player who, among the goalkeeping fraternity, is second only to lker Casillas for most appearances in the Champions League, with 138 (prior to this month's semi-finals) to the Spaniard’s 177.

Moreover, with his clean sheet in the quarter-final home victory over Arsenal, he did not just help his team into another semi-final but surpassed Casillas's record of 57 shutouts in the competition. "It's not the most important thing there is but it's nice for my team-mates - and all the colleagues I've played with in the past - if we think about our defensive work. I started with Schalke and then continued at Bayern, right up to the present day, and it's great that it's not over yet."

Those clean sheets are part of a bigger picture in which he has made over 500 appearances for Bayern and worn the captain's armband since 2017 - earning a special place in the club's pantheon as one of only three goalkeepers to have held aloft the European Cup along with Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn.

As an interviewee, Neuer speaks with the clarity and maturity of a man on the verge of 500 Bundesliga games and - ahead of this summer's EURO - 117 senior caps for Germany. He is polite to the point of shaking the hand of every member of the film crew present as he introduces himself.

Since his early days at Schalke, his first club, he has been considered a pioneer of the sweeper-keeper role though in his eyes, defensive security still represents the most important thing a goalkeeper can give his colleagues. "I think being able to give the rest of the team the feeling that they've got someone at the back that they can rely on to provide assurance, that's the decisive factor.”

That assurance was there again in Bayern's semi-final first leg against Real Madrid as he flung himself to his left to keep out a deflected shot from Toni Kroos, then stood tall to foil Vinícius Júnior in a one-v-one. Arguably, it has always been there - at least to some degree. His first clean sheet in the Champions League was on 3 October 2007 in a 2-0 Schalke win at Rosenborg. Then he was a fresh-faced 21-year-old playing for his home-town team. Looking back on his younger self, and how he has changed, he says: "I would just be more relaxed [nowadays] and also not try and decide everything on the pitch - that is kind of the difference from Manuel at the beginning, at Schalke, who wanted to take a lot into his own hands, to do a lot himself. I also know that I cannot influence everything. I'd say I was a bit wilder - I didn't have this sense of calm and maybe the charisma as well. I was, of course, always an attacking goalkeeper who tried to join in the build-up play.”

"It's obviously been a long time since then when you look back on it. It's also very normal, given that I'm now 38, that I've developed a fair bit since then. But it's nice to cast your mind back to those days, and how things were at that time."

Now we are back in those days, let's stay there a little longer. With Schalke, he reached the Champions League quarterfinals in his debut season of 2007/08. In 2011 he helped the Gelsenkirchen club into the semi-finals where they lost to Manchester United. That summer he headed south to Bayern. Remembering the move, he says: "It certainly wasn't easy. There was a lot of media scrutiny about my character in making the switch from Schalke to Bayern. There were lots of fans who weren't thrilled about it.

"I think that the support of the club, of the team, was very important. I already knew lots of the German players from the national team - they were definitely very excited that I was coming to Bayern. That was something that I realised from the first day when we started training at Säbener Strässe [Bayern's training ground in the south of the city] and then at the training camp. And so, I felt very comfortable from the beginning."

His first campaign in Munich ended with a Champions League final defeat at Bayern's home stadium against Chelsea. He had shone in the preceding semi-final victory over Real Madrid, saving from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká in the concluding shoot-out. These were not his first spot-kick heroics, mind: two saves against Porto had taken Schalke to the last eight in that debut season.

"You have to radiate confidence and try to show your opponent that you are stronger than they are," he says of the mano a mano challenge that penalties bring. Yet he tasted the downside of those duels in the final against Chelsea, with Bayern beaten despite his stop from Juan Mata. "Fundamentally, we were satisfied with how we performed on the pitch, but in the end we didn't get over the line," he recalls of a year in which they also finished runners-up in the Bundesliga and German Cup. "It meant that we were extra motivated when we went into the next season and that made a difference. I think that the coaching staff around Jupp Heynckes were also very motivated. From the first day, it was clear that we all wanted to achieve something that season, and you could see that from then on."

Cue a treble-winning campaign, with successes in the German league and cup allied to a 2-1 Champions League final success over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. Back-to-back clean sheets against Barcelona in the semi-final had underlined, in Neuer's own words, that he was "someone that can be relied upon". It meant he ended his first two campaigns in the competition with Bayern with a total of ten clean sheets. And his development continued the following year with Germany’s World Cup triumph in Brazil, where he racked up four more shutouts.

He relates: “I gained a lot of experience from 2012 to 2013, from the success, and also the next stages because we had coaches who taught us a lot. I think the team developed too, which we also benefited from, and then the German national players became world champions. We had a lot of self-confidence. I was able to learn a lot from the good coaches and from my good team-mates and no one can take that experience away from you. That is why I can always play to the best of my ability, even in big games."

If that was one golden chapter, another came in 2020 when he lifted the Champions League trophy again, with the Bayern team who defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Lisbon. That was the competition that concluded in empty stadiums in Portugal owing to the pandemic. "It meant a lot to me; he remembers. "I think it was the best team performance that we put together for the club. It was a bit harder given the conditions that we had to play under during the coronavirus period. How we prepared, and the spirit and fitness we went into these games with... put simply, we earned that success. It wasn't always clear that we would beat Paris in the end. We worked really hard to stay in the game and then Kingsley [Coman] made it 1-0.

"That was a team success and, unfortunately, you could not celebrate with the fans. That was the downside, that we won the Champions League in Lisbon, which of course meant just as much to us, but it would have been even better if the spectators had been there."

Neuer, for the record, registered clean sheets in both the one-off semi-final against Lyon and then that final versus Paris. His enduring excellence has been on display this season too, since his return from injury - with four shutouts in seven outings up to the semi-final stage.

It would be no surprise if the first of those, clean sheet no55 of his Champions League career at home to Copenhagen on 29 November, had felt especially sweet, coming 421 days after the previous one against Viktoria Plzen on 4 October the previous year. If this takes us back to the difficulties - physical and mental - of his injury, he cites a silver lining.

"I think every break and every injury also has some good in it. Nothing comes at the right time. The injury was supposed to be simple but you have to look deep into your eyes and say, 'Hey, I will take this challenge on and will try to come out of it stronger.’ That took a little while of course but I couldn't expect anything else."

Once again, Neuer has experienced enough of football's ups and downs to see the bigger picture. And right now, it holds more than one reason for optimism, including the prospect of playing in Germany's home EURO this summer - home town Gelsenkirchen and adopted home town Munich are among the ten venues. He has not forgotten the feeling of the last major tournament his nation staged, the 2006 FIFA World Cup. "In 2006, I was watching in public viewing areas and soaking up the atmosphere - it was just sensational how Germany hosted the world," he says.

Back then he was 18 and had just completed his first full season with Schalke's second team. We go back to the question of his evolution as a player over the years. "I would say that maybe I am a bit calmer, and also more disciplined in my actions, though it always depends on the team-mates we have, who is playing, how do I have to adjust as the goalkeeper, what game plan we have, what does the coach want, how high is the line, how are we defending, how do we want to play out from the back? There are always little things that change and that is the case whether I play for the national team or for Bayern, and it is the same from coach to coach in the seasons when we have competed in the Champions League - there are always nuances that are different, but fundamentally I have always stayed true to the way I play." And while that involves Neuer's work with the ball at his feet, he has not lost sight of the one thing that matters above all for a goalkeeper: "The clean sheets." 

~ Written by Simon Hart for Issue 19 of the Champions Journal

[dimmadomeglobal]

Dale is def the extreme emotional pregnant like, prolly sobbed and bought out McDonalds or smth cuz they put onions on his burger

Agreed. He's already a very emotional guy, I mean, he was straight up crying a river in Founder's Day. And onions? You know how much those stink? One whiff of that and he's going to throw up!

I've seen some fanfics on Ao3 depict him as very cold and unfeeling. However, I disagree with that interpretation. Bro feels a lot! He gets angry when things don't go his way and he falls into fits of despair when his ability to earn money is hindered even slightly. He stalked a ten year old because he got upset that she didn't want to buy his crap! He's super emotionally unstable and being pregnant certainly didn't help with that.

The fact that he was pressured into having a baby when he really wasn't ready for it didn't help either. I'd even go as far as to say that he only went through with the pregnancy because his father was pressuring him to produce an heir. Him getting pregnant, let alone keeping it, is out of character, I admit. He had to have gotten some pressure from an external source, such as his father. Though to be fair, Doug didn't expect Dale to produce an heir that way. He figured that since the Dimmadomes are super mega rich, he could just hire a surrogate. Although he's aware that Dale's trans, he didn't even think that him getting pregnant was an option. Although Doug found it embarrassing that his son was pregnant, an heir's an heir. He can't complain.

I also like to think he experienced some postpartum depression. Bro had the worst pregnancy ever and even after it was done he couldn't catch a break. He couldn't care for baby Dev, especially considering that he refused to take parental leave from work. So he reprogrammed two of the au pairs care for him instead. Over time, he just stopped taking care of Dev. Cue child neglect.

[adobe-outdesign]

if you haven’t yet, could you review the dragonite line?

I'll be upfront, I've always really liked this line, with Dragonair being one of my top ten favorite Pokemon. I think part of it is just the simplicity; there's just the right amount of real-world elements and fantasy elements, without too much detail to over-clutter things.

Dratini, for example, is just a small sea serpent, and there's not even a clear theme at this stage. However, details like the fins on its head and the white nose make it stand out enough so it's not overly generic. It also does a good job of looking enough like its evo while still being distinct due to most of the main elements being different (head fins, bump instead of horn, white nose, rounded underbelly, lighter color, etc.).

Speaking of its evo, Dragonair is just straight-up beautiful. The long slender body is really elegant, and the minimalist details give it just the right amount of flavor without being overbearing. It's one of the only Pokemon in my top 10 favs that earns that spot solely through visuals alone.

The new orbs on its body are perfectly placed, and their addition makes the theme of this line clear—it's an imugi, a Korean lesser dragon that only becomes a true dragon when a jewel falls from the sky every 1000 years. In addition to the theming, these orbs are also distinctive and serve to convey the vibe of a semi-mythical animal.

In addition to this, the body has some white countershading that starts and ends at the orbs, which breaks up the main body just enough. This white is then accented by the white of its horn and the two wings on its head; another unexpected element, and another very pretty one at that. As far as I'm concerned, nothing about this design could be improved.

I know some people really dislike Dragonite, but I'm going to defend it to a degree. Yes, it is much more generic than Dragonair, having lost some of its more distinctive features, and I do think that's a shame (losing the orbs makes sense because that's how imugi work, but why replace the fluffy wings with utterly generic dragon ones?). And yes, the change between it and its pre-evos is a little jarring.

HOWEVER, people tend to act like its completely detached from the rest of the line, which is just plain wrong. It still has:

The same rounded head shape

A horn

Two things on either side of the horn

A lighter-color underbelly

A smooth, curved body shape

Even thematically, the change from a serpent to a dragon ties into the imugi thing, with Dragonair obtaining the orbs and then becoming a true dragon. It's definatley not the best evolution out there in terms of memorability (it's a fairly generic dragon at this stage) or coherency, but it still makes sense as an evo.

If I were to make any tweaks to Dragonite, it would simply be to change the colors. I don't know why it suddenly becomes orange, and the change is jarring when a clear pattern was established with both of the pre-evos being blue. The line looks 200% better just by keeping the colors consistent, and you could always make the orange its shiny:

I also would've kept the wings on the back but kept the feathered look of Dragonair's; its much more interesting and would've further helped with consistency. Everything else, however, I think is fine. Not as good as its pre-evos, but certainly not awful by any means.

Side note: there's a lot of talk about this line getting something in the future. In all honestly, I don't think it needs it; it's still an iconic and well-loved line with decent stats. That said, Dragonite is one of the only psuedo-legendaries that doesn't have a new form, so I guess it would be fair enough to give it something. A regional could work, maybe something that brings Dragonite in-line with Dratini and Dragonair a bit more. I could also see a split evo being a thing.

Anyway, overall: Dratini and Dragonair are the perfect blend of mystical and normal attributes, and are quite beautiful all around. Dragonite is also good, but more generic and suffering a bit from some strange color choices. As a whole, however, this line is pretty fantastic.

[infamousbrad]

This was hard for me to watch all the way through because it's personal for me. But for the grace of god, that would have been me. As a lifelong crazy person, I've feared institutionalization since I first heard of it 50 years ago.

I am presently on disability for chronic major depression and complex PTSD, after growing up in a chronically abusive household and then, outside the home, surviving a homicide attempt. When I could find ADA-compliant employers I was able to work a successful 30+ year career. I still eventually broke down and, now that I'm drawing disability insurance, I do need support with some regular activities, the ones that overwhelm my coping skills. In my case, my representative payee works for free, as a volunteer with Overland Baptist Church, because in a typical month all I need is 3-4 zoom calls. So it costs the state basically zero dollars for me to live in the real world, and occasionally be as useful as any other retiree, and, important to me (and, one would think, to anybody who believes in the American creed), I am free.

As a lifelong mentally ill person, I have known since I was 12 or 13 that this state, that most states, want me permanently in some kind of prison. If you can't take care of yourself, then you need to be locked up at gunpoint and forced to do as much as you can, right? "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?"

Except that locking me up would cost the state tens of thousands of dollars per year and get maybe a thousand or so dollars' a year back from labor at gunpoint. Labor I'd undertake at standard wages if I could find an ADA-compliant employer willing to hire a 64 year old, which, yeah, right.

Supportive housing preserves freedom, maximizes employability, and costs not even a tenth of what prison costs (or involuntary commitment, which is just prison with a fancier name and very nearly just as expensive). But supportive housing looks, to stingy people with deadened souls, like an un-earned benefit (as if anybody wanted to live dependent on supportive housing!), and prison/commitment looks like punishing the unworthy, and boy oh boy howdy do (miserable, soul-less) human beings love punishing the unworthy.

(For more details see also Clara Bates, "Missouri is breaking federal law by housing mentally ill in nursing homes, DOJ finds: Majority of Missourians sent to restrictive nursing homes because of mental illness would be better served in a less restrictive setting, a year-and-a-half federal investigation determined," Missouri Independent. June 20th, 2024.)