#the two of them hugging for every anthem for no reason

[alchemistc]

goon | chapter one | bucktommy

check out the hockey glossary here read from the beginning or read chapter one here

It takes Tommy a few breathless seconds to remember to skate in and hug the rest of his team, and another five to realize that technically the assist is his. He stopped caring about stats so much the second year his time in the box exceeded his time on ice for more than five games out of the season, but it sits there, in the back of his mind, his name next to Buckley’s on the score sheet.

There’s a rush that comes with division rivalry games, a certain something in the air when the crowd noise rushes in after the anthem, a call for blood and guts and gore and glory.

Tommy’s been in the league for almost two decades. He’s played for every division in the league, at one point or another. This isn’t even his first time in the central, although the configuration of teams is different than the last time.

Sometimes one team is shit (more often than not he’s on that side of it) and the other is on a tear. Sometimes they’re battling it out in four-point games to keep their points lead in the division — or knock the other team down to second. Sometimes it’s a scrape to pull out the wildcard spot. Sometimes the game itself is meaningless but they’ve played each other often enough that there’s friction. Sometimes there’s just one fucking guy on the opposition that the fanbase harbors some deep resentment for.

And this one actually means something — there’s some extra bad blood between these two teams, a star goalie with a grudge on the far end of the ice, three first round matchups in the last ten years, a run of wins that was bringing tonight’s opponent a little too close for comfort to the Avs divisional points cushion.

Tommy shifts his weight and settles the nerves, accepts the smack to the back of his helmet, and watches Binnington throw a fit between the pipes when the stripes don’t whistle the play dead and call an icing when the puck trickles in behind his net.

They’re five minutes in and everyone’s getting testy. He can feel it.

This is where Tommy does his best work.

It’d been a task, ten years ago, a part of the job he’d accepted because he was good in a fight and fully capable of taking a few punches. Under the thumb of the old boys club it’d just been expected of him — the ability to throw his weight around was what had kept him from complete obscurity in a lower league that would have worn him down much sooner. Tommy’s fists and his ability to drop his shoulder just in time to knock a guy flat on his ass were the only things that mattered when his agent settled him down with two offers, a few years into the league, and he’d chosen the team most likely to make his dad proud.

Never mind that his dad had come to three games when Tommy was a bright eyed rookie, seen Tommy get his ass handed to him by a man twice his size, and stopped bothering to show up.

He’d turned that around, in recent years. Longer stints with the affiliate teams, less time under the microscopic eye of the national press (even as a role player he’d had his moments under that eye) — he’d learned when to pull his punches, when to turn the other cheek, and when to lock his ankles and aim for the fucking chest. He had friends up and down the continent who knew him as the guy who’d take them all out to dinner after a bad loss, find something stupid and entertaining for them to do after, and then go into the next game with a chip on his fucking shoulder.

There were three kids with insane star power in the league who had him on speed dial even though he hadn’t played with them for a year or more, because for some fucking reason he had the ability to talk them off a ledge when the pressure drove them towards it.

He’d never tell a soul that Crosby still sent him gym selfies so they could compare the relative size and plumpness of their ass during the offseason.

There was still a reverence for real enforcers, in the league, even if they’d fallen by the wayside as teams got smaller and quicker. They were more a deterrent than anything else these days, but that usually meant Tommy got to lumber around on the ice for a few minutes a game, remembering what it had felt like the first time he’d laced his skates and stepped out to a roaring crowd, before he took another dumb penalty and spent the next forty-five minutes riding the bench. He’d been instructed not to take any dumb penalties, tonight, because St. Louis didn’t tend to get sloppy until the game was on the line.

Thirty-six minutes in, Schenn takes a chop at Diaz’s knees under the guise of a poke check and the home crowd gets loud, and ornery.

Nash smacks him on the shoulder on their way back down the tunnel for the third, eyes a little wild, and Tommy immediately recalls the old highlight reels of Nash shaking hair out of his eyes while he squared off against a guy twice his size, motor-mouthing his way into getting the other guy to take the first swing. Minnesotans and their right hooks weren’t something to fuck around with. Too much time in the cold not to have a little crazy in them.

Tommy rolls his tongue over his teeth, tilts his head to where Diaz and Buckley are bent over the boards together on the bench, already prepared to hop out the moment Bannister tries to get a matchup that’ll tilt in the Blues favor.

Nash sends him out with the rest of the fourth line, and Tommy doesn’t waste any time.

It’s immediately clear that they’ve all been warned to keep level heads. Schenn won’t engage, Buchnevich barely acknowledges Tommy when he hip checks him into his own bench — he goes ass over tea kettle and Tommy gets nothing more than a few shifty looks and some smack talk from the guys sitting.

There’s an easy way around that, though.

Tommy clambers back over the boards and waits out the next shift, practically vibrating with it when a shot pings off the crossbar and Greenway skates right through Binnington’s crease chasing after it.

Kyrou tries to take out Buckley against the boards, looks livid when Buck skates just free of it, and Buck does some ankle breaking in a rush to the goal. It hits the post, and when the whistle gets blown fifteen seconds later Tommy watches level heads not prevail when Binner says something snippy to Kyrou that has him rolling his eyes on the way back to the bench.

It takes another minute and a half for Nash to set up the line matches the way he wants them, but as Greenway skates off in relief and Schenn’s line stays stuck in their own zone spinning their wheels, Bobby smacks a thick hand down on Tommy’s shoulder. “Kinard, you’re up!”

Tommy takes an awkward pass once he’s past the blue line and goes full tilt towards the net. Full tilt for Tommy isn’t anything special, but it’s not what the Blues are expecting, and most of them have been out for two plus minutes at this point, hemmed in by their third and fourth lines just shoveling the puck back in every time it nears the blue line.

The snow shower he aims at the goal, half an inch into the crease when he fully stops, isn’t anything to write home about, but it has it’s intended effect. Already short on patience, Binnington watches Schenn intercept and send the puck careening down the ice — a third icing in a row — and lashes out with the butt end of his stick, a glancing blow Tommy laughs at as the rest of the players start to circle up at the whistle. Tommy’s laugh pisses him off. The laugh pisses him off so much.

It’s so fucking easy to rattle him when he’s already two goals down. There’s some shoving, a few hockey hugs to keep things from escalating, but Panikkar has apparently cottoned on to Tommy’s plan, and he says something under his breath that has Sundquist in his face, and Binnington skating around behind the net in irritation while the zebras break up a few of the more reticent shoving matches.

Tommy wins about one face-off out of every fifty, but that’s not the reason he’s bending across from Schenn now at the circle.

“We could end this before he loses all his cool and breaks his stick on the pipes,” Tommy goads, and the linesman with the puck rolls his eyes towards Schenn expectantly. The other man shifts, readjusts the grip on his stick. “Or I could just keep taunting him for something that isn’t even his fault, this time.”

Schenn’s not a particularly bad dude, just a little gun shy about fighting when his coach has clearly told them all not to engage.

Tommy wants him to fucking engage.

Schenn waits for the puck to drop, and miraculously, it’s Tommy who scoops it up to a fresh-faced Buckley just in time for the man to wind up and sneak it through about four bodies on it’s way over Binnington’s shoulder.

It takes Tommy a few breathless seconds to remember to skate in and hug the rest of his team, and another five to realize that technically the assist is his. He stopped caring about stats so much the second year his time in the box exceeded his time on ice for more than five games out of the season, but it sits there, in the back of his mind, his name next to Buckley’s on the score sheet.

And then Schenn gets sloppy again, a check into the boards that has Panikkar limping back towards the bench while the crowd boos the refs — no call, again, which is fucking typical and normally Tommy’d be in his face about it, ready for the unsportsmanlike just ready to tumble off the refs tongue, but not tonight, tonight he’s got other plans — and Tommy doesn’t give Schenn any time to think about it when Nash sends him out in the immediate chaos.

He catches Kyrou mid-ice with his head down, a shoulder right to the chest that sends him reeling back, skates leaving the ground as he crashes backwards, and Schenn is on him in the next five seconds, gloves off and a resigned look in his eyes. Tommy grins and shifts his weight back, tossing his own gloves and reaching for the neck of Schenn’s sweater.

In the heat of the moment, man to man, the noise of the crowd always dies away, blood pounding in his ears and his entire focus on keeping his weight balanced and his fists loose. He’s been a heavy-weight for over half his career, and Schenn knows he’s outmatched but someone has to answer the bell.

There’s a ref circling them, and Tommy gets three right hooks in before Schenn can even get a hand out to hold Tommy back.

Hen’s gonna be pissed when she sees the state of his hands, but Tommy doesn’t really care, all that much, as he tightens his grip and yanks him close enough for an uppercut aimed at his ribs.

The refs break in before Schenn gets a hit, and the roar of the crowd rushes back in, loud, raucous, the mob appeased as Tommy skates his way to the box with a grin on his face. He’s a little disappointed that they’d broken it up so quickly, but — he’s probably got twenty-five pounds on Schenn, so fair enough.

Diaz scores a shorthanded goal three minutes into the major and Chim holds the line through the deluge of pissed off Blues who are now down four goals.

Tommy spends about ten seconds out of the box before the refs assess him a game misconduct for tapping his glove along the visitors side gate, and he accepts it with all the grace he can muster, smacking his fist into a screaming kids palm as he heads off down the hall.

The cool off doesn’t take him as long at it used to — sometime in the first ten years of his career he’d figured out how to shake off the hotheaded temper that made him so fucking good at getting under people’s skin, and by the time the rest of the team returns with a victory on their shoulders he’s relaxed and loose-limbed again.

Diaz makes a beeline for him, smacking his bare chest, hands curling over his shoulders so he can shake him a little, and he gets a few hoots and hollers as the rest of the team trickles back in. Someone names Tommy third star, but Nash has a rule about keeping up appearances, and he had technically been tossed from the game, so. He keeps his seat and waits until Buckley and Chim both return from taking their bow.

They’ve got a tradition, going back a few years now, a game puck tossed from player to player throughout the season for whatever the hell the previous recipient wants to acknowledge someone for. Tommy’s spent a few weeks hyping up the recipient with the rest of the team, but tonight Diaz calls for silence and every eye in the room swivels towards Tommy.

“Next time we’re getting you the full Gordie Howe,” comes the concise speech, and Tommy chuckles when Diaz leans in for a half-shake, half-hug where he admits in an undertone that Binner had definitely done his best to hold on to this particular puck at the game horn, so Tommy had better appreciate his efforts in acquiring it.

It’s not even March, but there’s a string of tension running through the whole group of them, a line of unspoken expectation as their home record extends to fifteen games — but as they trickle off to the showers with pats on the back and the giddy adrenaline of another win, Tommy can feel something brewing in the room.

He’s halfway through stretches, twenty minutes later, when Panikkar parks up next to him and knocks his knee against Tommy’s.

“That was some pretty decent work, Kinard,” Ravi says, like he hasn’t spent two weeks annoyed that Tommy can’t keep up with him when he’s on a breakaway, barely holding his tongue when Tommy lumbers down the ice after him. Diaz has made some noise, in recent days, about running suicide drills at the start of optionals, and Tommy is absolutely gonna get his ass handed to him. He’ll be there with bells, but he’s gonna be feeling that shit for weeks.

“Not so bad yourself, kid,” Tommy tells him, and Ravi ducks his head around a grin.

“Hen’s pissed I didn’t keep my mouth shut,” he admits, and gestures to his ribs, where Tommy can already see some nasty bruising. Tommy cocks an eyebrow.

“I’d have gotten them there on my own.”

Ravi’s grin brightens, and when he stands, Tommy can’t quite help the way he wants to stand as well, maybe give this kid a noogie, tease him about the height difference for a second. He’d grown up without brothers, but he’s found about a million and two in his time playing up and down the continent. “It’s more fun when you’ve got the whole team to move it along.”

He’s halfway out the door when he spins on his heel to give Tommy another look. “Hey, you know Gardiner’s had it out for Buckley for like, four years, right?”

Tommy shifts. Panikkar doesn’t need to know that he’s had the calendar date circled in his mind for three weeks, now, since the moment he’d hopped on the plane to Denver. He’s not going to admit to knowing every single guy in the league who’s ever set their sights on 18. He’s certainly not going to admit to spending most of his first evening in his rental watching highlight reels of Buckley (and Diaz) until he’d fallen asleep on his surprisingly comfortable sectional. He knows enemy number one for every game from now until the end of the season, but he knows Buckley’s best of all.

It’s what they’d brought him over for, Tommy rationalizes, again, and if he spends the drive home thinking about the wide slash of Evan Buckley’s smile when he’d skated in to celebrate Buckley’s goal, no one but Tommy has to know.

[sainzfilm]

would to see Kimi with friends to lovers! I also had a little idea: so you and him in th podium maybe you getting a win at your home race (i shouldve mentioned its would be a driver!reader) and kimi is on the podium (prob 2nd)

and he then after seeing reader covered in champagne or something along those lines he's like 'maybe I should make a move'

the rest is up to you!!

-🐺 (also u are gonna see a lot more of me prob)

pairing: kimi räikkönen x driver!reader

a/n: this is so CUTEEEE i love kimi so so so much. he’s been one of my favorites and i definitely miss him even more from this now. and definitely enjoying when i write out your ideas :) i hope you like them too!!

⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅

“She left Alpine, she went to Mercedes, she’s gone to Ferrari – Y/N Y/L/N is going to get victory now! It’s Ferrari and Y/L/N that bring home the trophy in the Italian Grand Prix!”

You screamed through you radio as you crossed the checkered flag, “Let’s fucking go, baby!”

“Great job, Y/N! From P9 to taking the trophy home,” Your race engineer spoke through the radio, “Proud of you.”

“It feels like I’m on a high,” You exhaled as you drove up to park the car near the podium, “What position did Kimi finish?”

“He finished P2,” He replied, “Great day for the team. Well done, brilliant race.”

You sighed happily as you pulled yourself out of the car, standing on top of it and basked in the glory of your victory. Taking off your helmet, you smiled and waved to the fans.

As Kimi pulled his car up next to you, he couldn’t help but notice the way your hair perfectly framed your face, how the wind seemed to be a paid actor from how you looked like you were in a film.

Turning around to see Kimi taking off his helmet, you stepped down the car and ran up to him, hugging him tightly, “Great race today, Iceman.”

Kimi chuckled softly as he patted your back, surprised from your actions, “You too. You keep surprising us with your skill.”

“Aw, shucks. Kimi being a softie?” You grinned as you nudged him, “C’mon, let’s get up to the podium!”

Before Kimi could say anything, you grabbed his hand and walked to the podium. Kimi couldn’t fight back the blush when his friend, Sebastian, winked at him from the scene unfolding in front of him.

The top three finishers were called one by one, your country’s national anthem playing as you stood proudly on the top spot of the podium. Kimi couldn’t help but take a few glances at you every now and then – he knew the media was going to have a field day from this, but did that matter?

As soon as the celebration started, champagne being sprayed all over – you couldn’t stop laughing as you sprayed Kimi and Lewis, running away from the two of them.

Kimi thought that you looked nothing short of beautiful, you had the biggest smile and he sure hoped that he could be the reason behind that.

“Kimi!” You laughed as you backed up, directly spraying him with the champagne, “Payback’s a bitch!”

“No fair,” Kimi droned as he put his bottle down, “Mine’s all gone.”

“Looks like I’m the winner,” You poked your tongue out, “Well, technically I actually am.”

Taking a deep breath, Kimi stood by you and intertwined his fingers with yours, facing the crowd and waving to the fans.

“Kimi…” You mumbled as you couldn’t help but blush from Kimi’s actions, “What are you doing?”

Kimi gave you a small smile as he turned to look at you, “Just making my move.”

Turning to look back at him, you raised an eyebrow, “You know the media’s going to have a field day, right?”

“So?” Kimi shrugged as he held your hand, walking down and heading off to the Ferrari garage, “I win anyways. I got the girl, what about it?”

“How sure are you?” You teased, not letting go of his hand just yet, “That you got the girl?”

Kimi squeezed your hand as he trailed behind you, “You’re not letting go of my hand obviously.”

You laughed as you rolled your eyes, letting go of his hand and fighting back a smile while you held onto your trophy, “Pick me up at 9.”

Kimi shrugged as he tied his fireproof suit around his waist, “I’ll pick you up at 9.”

You tiptoed as you kissed his cheek quickly and ran off to do your interviews at the media pen. Kimi scoffed as he brought up a hand to his cheek, his face warming up from the way you made his heart flutter. Yeah, he sure did get the girl this time.

bonus scene!

Liked by lewishamilton, charles_leclerc, and 362,221 others

yourusername invading the raikkonen household for the weekend before the next race 🥸❄️

view all 127,293 comments

lewishamilton looks like romance was indeed in the air during last weekend 😉

yourusername sure there was, thirdwheeler

scuderiaferrari power couple both on and off the grid 🔥

ynupdates SO ITS ACTUALLY CONFIRMED NOW THAT FERRARI REPLIED TO THE POST

yourusername maybe 😉

kimimatiasraikkonen would always have you over if you wanted. love you!

sebastianvettel Y/N just called me screaming from how you professed your love. happy for the two of you

[avidfics]

Meeting Vi Pt. 2

Author’s Note: Hi guys. I’m pumped that so many enjoyed Meeting Vi so I decided to make a part 2. You don't have to read Pt 1 to read this post but here's the link anyway. Hope you enjoy it. 

Summary: It’s now been a month since your testy first encounter with Vi and since then your friendship has been doing good…too good. The chemistry between you both is electric however you are hesitant about giving into it because of how it might ruin your friendship. 

Word Count: 2.8k

Warnings: Cursing, sexual content 

“Oh, this is just freaking great.” Thick smoke hung in the air and found its way into your lungs. You frantically waved a couch pillow at the smoke detector even as hard coughs rattled your body. Your entire profession was centered around using a stove and yet you somehow forgot the thing was on before you decided to hop in the shower. 

At least your kitten didn’t wake up from her nap. The little black furball managed to sleep through the entire scare, which maybe should be concerning. However, she was probably just getting her power nap in before her archnemesis, Jinx, came here in a few minutes. For some unexplainable reason, your kitten found no greater delight than hissing and making circles around Jinx as if they were intense rivals in a past life. 

Yet, despite their strife, Jinx was coming to deliver food for your kitten and pick up some of the gadgets she always leaves behind in the most random places. You just hoped Jinx would be a bit late to give you time to air out the room.

You’re still flapping a couch cushion in the air at your kitchen smoke alarm when a hard knock comes from the flimsy front door. 

“Crap.” You scramble to replace the cushions. There was still some baking you had to do for some clients and there was no way you’d make any progression with Jinx around. Sure you two always had a blast together but it was never productive. 

The succession of knocks became more persistent. “Jinx, hold on!” You call out. “Don’t you dare blow up my door!” That black grit was still on your doorframe from the last time. 

Your hair is in complete disarray and you’re out of breath by the time you fling the door open to see, not the 5’4 blue-haired menace, but the hoodie-clad vision of her sister, Vi, instead.

Vi’s infamous slow grin has your heart committing a marathon.

“Nice look, cupcake-”

You slam the door in her face.

“Absolutely not.” You think to yourself. 

You weren’t prepared to see Vi today. You pressed your eyes closed in hope that when you opened them Vi would be gone, but instead, all you think about was this past month. After your first tense meet with Vi, when she basically accused you of being a bad influence on Jinx while also injuring your ankle, as if Jinx could be influenced by anyone, Vi spent the month apologizing by aiding your recovery. She was now a constant fixture at your bakery and your home. It’s been pure torture. 

Vi had a way of dominating your every waking thought until you couldn’t escape her smile no matter what you were doing. Thoughts of her hid in every nook and cranny. And, even now, you still wanted more. 

Everything about this was a big problem. Friends weren’t supposed to crave each other’s attention and touch to this degree. And you were trying! You would be cool and relaxed and then VI would pop up at your bakery and spin you around in a hug. Or the two of you would be chilling on your couch…as friends. And then she would complain about the cold air and snuggle you like a freaking koala. And lords above, last week, when Vi had been too tipsy to walk home and climbed into your bed instead, once she was knocked out, not a minute later her heavy arm wrapped around your torso and her leg nestled its way between your thighs. You couldn’t close your eyes without imagining her holding you down to the mattress and replacing her leg with her fingers.

You had to sing the national anthem ten times just to not lose your mind. 

But that wasn’t what you wanted. Well, honestly, you did want the toe-curling sex (oh it definitely would be good). Vi hasn’t even told you she had feelings for you so why were you jumping to conclusions. And even if a night of cuddling led to something more physical, did you want that if made you another one of Vi’s casual flings? 

A few taps at the door make you jump. “You got a hot date in there, cupcake? Or are you just happy to see me?” Vi asks through the door. 

“Hi, Vi.” You repeatedly bang your head against the door. “It’s good to see you.”

Vi chuckles lightly, voice laden with doubt. “Same to you, cupcake, all two seconds of me seeing you.” A teeny tiny smile escapes. “Jinx asked me to bring this cat food over. She said you’d be fine with it.” Sneaky Jinx; however, ‘fine’ is definitely a word you’d use to describe the boxer on the other side of the door. 

“So are you going to let me in anytime this year or do I have to break in through your bedroom window?” 

You couldn't handle her being anywhere near your bedroom with the lewd thoughts you were having.

“Can you leave the food outside the door? I can’t let you in because, Uhm, I have a bad cold.” You let out a few theatrical coughs. 

After an empty pause, you quietly look through the door’s peephole. Vi had left your door and was leaning against the adjacent wall, arms crossed over her chest, and a hard frown marking her frustration. “Sweetheart, if you have some fucktoy hiding in there just say that.”

She must be joking. When would you have the chance to mess around with anyone else when this pink-hair woman was all you could think about for the last month?

“Vi, you’re being ridiculous. Can’t you just trust that I have a really good reason for not letting you in?” 

You don’t realize you’ve been holding your breath until she finally looks up and zero ins on the door, walking back up to the door. Her intensity makes you want to back away, but you hold your ground. Both her arms come up to brace against the doorframe. So close it feels intimate as if the door isn’t there and she’s crowding around you. If you closed your eyes, it would feel like the door wasn’t even between you two. 

Her head hangs low, eyes were hidden. “I do trust you. We also don’t keep secrets. So can you humor me and open the door, Y/N?” 

Fudge.

You open the door. Vi’s arms still brace the frame. Her black hoodie was unzipped, and peaking through was just a sports bra. You can't help but bite your lip at the view of her toned abs and chest that had a light sheen of sweat.

“If you laugh I’ll make my kitten bite you.” You threaten as you begrudgingly bring her inside.  As soon as she passes the foyer and steps into the kitchen, rough coughs have her doubling over. 

“What-” cough cough “the hell happened?” the bag of cat food hits the flood with a thud as she covers her mouth. 

“I might’ve burned something on the stove.” You mumbled.

“Seriously? You were embarrassed and didn’t want to let me in because you burned some food? It’s not like you burned water.”

You let out a loud groan and slam your head against the fridge. 

“Oh shit, really?” And the evil traitor doesn’t even try to hide her laughter. 

“It wasn’t water! It was roman noodles.” You mutter into the fridge, wallowing in your shame. 

Vi still finds the situation hilarious. Chuckling as she circles the counter to wrap her arms around you. Her head rests against your shoulder. “You’re so dramatic.” 

“Vi, what if I had set the place on fire? Everyone would only know me as the baker that burnt her own apartment complex.” Against your better judgment, you return Vi’s hug and snuggle deeper in her embrace. “My rep would’ve been more toasted than the bottom of that pan.”

A hard shudder passes through your body as Vi’s rough hands rub your arms. “Don’t worry, you can be my personal baker complete with a skimpy uniform and sweets at my beck and call. Speaking of, got anything I can snack on? Begging for entrance outside your door has made me hungry.” 

You squirm away from Vi’s arms and walk to the stove just to stop the buzzing happening between your close proximity. Even though wearing a skimpy apron at Vi’s place did send a wave of warm fuzzies through your body, friends didn’t want to breathe in each other’s smell when hugging. That was probably a no-no. 

“Oh, now you want to eat my desserts after you blamed my food for making you sluggish before your last match?” You still rolled your eyes at the ridiculous idea. 

“I mean your desserts are definitely to blame.” Once again, that hated frown appears between her brows as she sits on a stool on the opposite side of the kitchen island. Her head resting on her fist. “Plus, you being a chatterbox with the people in the stands sure didn’t help my concentration in the match.” 

The jab was so unexpected that you almost dropped the butter knife into the pie you were cutting. You could feel Vi’s blatant stare burning into your back but you weren’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing your confusion. 

But Vi doesn’t give you the chance to reply as she mumbles about your apparent “distraction” at her last fight. 

“Y/N you were my guest, but from what I saw from the ring, your attention was centered on the guy next to you.” 

A guy? Your attention to men or women had damn near disappeared since Vi slammed her way into your life like a 5’9 battling ram.

By the time you’re done slicing her pie, you were feeling less than hospitable. You slammed the plate down in front of Vi and stuck a metal fork in its crust with a bit more force than necessary. 

“Vi, I could go into a whole spiel explaining what that guy and I were laughing about at your match, but I don’t freaking feel like it. But I would love to know why you’re so pressed about some random playboy with muscles. Why are we even arguing over him?” More than anything you needed this conversation to end before you started to speculate why Vi was so attentive to your conversation with him. Or before something is said that was irreversible. 

Your frustration by the turn of this conversation is noticeable as you impatiently wait for Vi to say something in response. But she doesn’t. She just keeps eating that damn pie. Usually, she eats with hast as if she’s being timed but today, it’s slow. Like she’s toying with you. And it freaking works. Your attention spaces out only to focus on the trail of the metal fork she scoops with pie and slips in her mouth. Your breathing drags as the fork slides from Vi’s plump lips. Your eyes flick up to Vi’s. Her gray mischievous eyes are teasing and heated. A dangerous smile stretches over her mouth as she proceeds to leisurely lick the fork clean.

The “only friends” train was running out of track.

But Vi doesn’t seem to give a damn as she rises off the stool, plate in hand, and stalks toward you around the counter. Every logical brain cell was screaming at you to walk away. But the pull to stay still kept you frozen in place. It felt wrong to walk away from the boxer as she cornered you against your own counter. 

“You’re absolutely right, cupcake. I don’t want to talk about that fucking asshole. I don’t want to hear you talk about that fucking ‘playboy with muscles’. I want your full attention. You want muscles? Done. Humour? I’ll have your sides hurting.” Vi keeps pressing you against the counter. In an ill attempt to escape, you make a move to flee. But Vi’s hands snap to your waist, holding you where she wants you. “And cupcake, if you want a causal fucktoy?” You feel her toned thigh pry between your legs, hitting a delicious spot through your leggings. A low moan escapes your throat as you fall forward on her chest. “I’ll let you see stars.”

You want to tell her ‘casual’ is not what your want, but it felt too good. Her hands give a frantic squeeze around your hips, then move up to the nape of your head. Pulling your head back to give access to your exposed throat as if it’s hers to play with. You squeeze your eyes shut as her lips graze your collarbone, seeking unspoken permission.  

“You’ll let me, right Y/N?” the soft words hit your skin with a promise of satisfaction. 

A whimper is all you can give. Your inexperience was not playing in your favor at the moment. The burning need between your thighs was turning all logical thinking into mush.

“Vi, I-I-I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” You pant.

Vi’s warm breath puffs against your neck as she chuckles darkly. “Oh, I plan on getting very friendly.” Her teeth nip your ear, inflicting just a sliver of pain before pecking apology kisses up and down your throat column. 

Your body is in warfare, grasping Vi’s hard biceps to push away while also pulling her closer, needing to feel her breast rub against yours. 

More than anything you wish you had fewer layers between your body and Vi’s. It’s almost embarrassing how wet your pussy gets. But it made rubbing against Vi’s thigh delicious torture.

“Shit, Y/N.” She painfully groans. “ if you keep fucking your pussy on my thigh I’m going to lose my mind.” Vi’s hands on your nape slide down your back and possessively grips your ass. With a grunt, she hoists you up higher on her thigh, and immediately you can feel the difference in your clit. You can no longer keep it in and a cry is pulled from you. 

The tortuous new angle has you close to begging for any and everything. Friends be damn.

Vi thrusts her thigh faster, helping you reach the peak. “Open your eyes.” Vi commands and you easily comply in a heated daze. Vaguely you see her dip her finger dip in the blueberry syrup on the discarded plate. Her rough finger gently smears it across your parted lips. Her eyes are heated as she sucks on the same finger she rubbed against your lips.

A salacious smile blinds you as you still chase the climax that’s on the tip of your tongue. “This is the best fucking pie I’ve had in my life.” She said before slamming her lips against yours. You’re finally kissing Vi and it’s heavenly. Her lips guide yours, slowly moving against yours. The feel of her lips feels so right you wonder why you guys didn't make out during all those movie nights. Her hands remain squeezing your ass as she devours your lips. Her lips are just what you needed to have you at fever pitch. 

Vi finally releases your lips when it’s apparent your not breathing. “I could kiss you forever.” 

The “forever” word is like a bucket of cold water because this wasn’t permanent, this was all casual for Vi. Vi leans back down to press a kiss to your cheek but you dodge it. She notices your shift in mood and gives you an inch of space. Her hand cups your jaw. “Woah, what happened? Did I do something wrong?”

You shake her hand away and nervously bite your lip. This time when you squirm away she lets you go. Your heart squeezes at the thought of distancing yourself from Vi, but you need answers. Pacing away from the kitchen and into the foyer, you finally look at Vi who is once again nervously pulling on her short hair. “Vi, I can’t do casual. I wish I could but I just couldn’t handle being casual with you.” 

Vi follows you into the foyer. And reaches for your hands. “Y/N trust me, you don’t want to deal with me in a relationship. But I can do this.” She points between the two of you. “We’re good like this.”

She could do this, but you couldn’t. “Vi, I care about our friendship too much to take that kind of risk.” 

Vi looked slightly panicked at the finality of your tone, reaching out again, only for you to step back. “You’re not even considering!-” The front door flings open and freaking Jinx casually struts in, dragging a bag of cat food behind her. “Here to feed the angry demon. “She stops short when she sees the two of you.” Did you two fuck?”

You roll your eyes and Vi huffs, storming past you to the door. But before she reaches the door she circles back, pulls you into a hug, and kisses your forehead. “This isn’t over.” She stresses before continuing to storm off and slam the door. 

Jinx makes a noise and then goes over to your couch to terrorize your kitten. But you stay frozen, wishing there wasn't a horde of butterflies swarming your stomach and the taste of blueberries still lingering on your lips. 

[wrenqueenisboss]

DSMP Angsty Imagines - React to Your Death pt. 3 --- c!Wilbur Soot

Part 3 to my series of “dsmp boys react to your death”:  Pronouns used: they/them (if mentioned) Warnings: explosions, spoilers for the events of Dream SMP, death, grief Words: 1.3+

The list: c!George c!Bench Trio c!Wilbur - (you are currently on this post)  c!Dream c!Technoblade - (coming soon!)

You had tried convincing your boyfriend not to blow up L’Manburg. But Wilbur Soot wouldn’t listen to you. He wouldn’t listen to anyone. Not in this state.

It had been a long time coming, honestly. Everyone should have noticed the signs. You should have noticed the signs, but it wasn’t as if you were actively looking for a reason to paint your lover as an insane psychopath. 

For months, Wilbur had slowly been descending into insanity. Looking back, the tells were all there. Very irregular sleeping patterns; sleeping not at all and then way too much, days when it seemed as if his emotions had been completely turned off, days when his temper seemed too volatile, the times when you’d catch him obsessing over books explaining the mechanics of tnt. It had all been laid in front of you, but you were too blind. 

That’s the thing about love, children. You either find yourself forced into relationships that make you unhappy or find yourself so in love with someone that it practically erases reality and judgment. There are a few lucky people. A few who find the loves of their lives and spend the remainder of their days in perfect happiness. No intoxicating amounts of infatuation, no feelings of emotional claustrophobia. You were not one of those lucky people. Not at all.

It was already too late to turn back by now. The two of you were already heading to the Button Room. Tommy, Tubbo, and Quackity were supposed to be with you, but they didn’t agree with Wilbur’s plan, so they stayed behind.

The three had been desperately trying to convince Wilbur to step down, to destroy the button and give up on his wild fantasies of watching his unfinished symphony burn to the ground. But that hadn’t worked, So they turned to you.

And as much as you agreed with their reluctance - and disagreed with your boyfriend, you had to support him. For that’s what he did with you. When you had been a newcomer to the server and no one would help you, he did. At the very least you owed him that. But you were beginning to doubt how far your support would actually go when you found yourself standing in the button room.

You and Wilbur looked up at all of the signs on the walls, each singing L’Manburg’s National Anthem in your head.

I heard there was a special place where men could go and emancipate the brutality and tyranny of their rulers Well, this place is real you needn’t fret with Wilbur-

“You’ve been so good to me, Y/n.” Wilbur’s unusually quiet voice interrupted the anthem playing in your mind.

“I’m your partner, Will. I’m also your friend. It’s my job.” For some reason, you could bring yourself to say it was because you loved him. Your heart knew it was because you didn’t love him anymore. Actually, that wasn’t entirely true. It was a different type of love now. Much less blinding, and much more clear.

Wilbur reached up a faintly-scarred hand to touch one of the signs on the walls. “You’ve stuck by me and supported me even when no one else did.”

You could feel your face begin to heat up. “Will, about that.... Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

Your boyfriend whirled around at that. And for some reason, your mind began to sing the National Anthem once more.

My L’Manburg My L’Manburg

“Don’t flake out on me now, Y/n. We’re so incredibly close. We’ve come this far together. You can’t possibly be thinking of abandoning me?” His eyes narrowed dangerously, sending ominous shivers down your spine.

My L’Manburg My L’Manburg

“No! Of course not! I just think it would... make sense if you... thought about this some more,” you stammered, desperately fumbling for the right words.

Wilbur stepped toward you suddenly and you flinched backwards. He didn’t seem to notice - or care. “Y/n, if you don’t support me in this plan, I have no choice but to kill you. You know too much. And yes, I do remember that you’re on your last life. That changes nothing.”

Your thoughts froze, so did you. Never, did you expect him to go this far. Sure, you’d been aware of the fact that he was slowly becoming insane for weeks, but threatening your life? That was something you could never prepare yourself for.

You were trapped. Either way, you were pretty sure you’d die. If you agreed, the explosions would kill you. If you didn’t, Wilbur would. 

For freedom and for liberty our nation sought to build on these a victory for all under our freedom

“I’m going through with the plan, Will. We’re going through with it.”

Well the darkness came and then it went we built a home and watched it sink and from the rubble emerged my great-

Once again, the anthem in your head was interrupted. This time by Philza. Philza Minecraft. Your boyfriend’s father.

Your heart raced as it realized how close to pressing the button Will had been only heartbeats before. Philza and Wilbur were having a whole debate in the background. It was only when your name was called that you snapped out of your trance.

“Y/n?” Will asked softly, placing a hand on your shoulder.

Your head snapped up. “Yes?”

You almost shut down at the sad acceptance in Wilbur’s eyes. Had it worked? Had Phil really talked him out of pressing the button and triggering the tnt?

“Phil here has convinced me that maybe the button isn’t worth pressing.”

Hope sprung in your chest. It spread its wings.

My L’Manburg My L’Manburg My L’Manburg My L’Manburg

Your boyfriend leaned down to hug you, head resting on your shoulder as his back faced Phil. You were just about to hug him back when his whispered voice reached your ears, making you shiver.

“It’s all up to you now, Y/n.”

He straightened and left the Button Room, but not before giving you a pointed glance. 

With bloodied hands and weakened knees.

Your body felt frozen, pinned by impossible choices. By the future and the past.

“Y/n?” Philza’s concerned voice carried across the cave. “Are you okay?”

You scrambled for a convincing enough excuse. “Y-yeah. I just need a moment. Today has been... rough.” None of that was a lie.

With a slight furrow of his brows, Phil nodded. He began walking away.

Our people rose like the phoenix

You stopped him, though. “Philza.”

He turned around.

Our empty fields and canals ‘round L’Mantree

“There was a saying, Phil, by a traitor, once a part of L’Manburg.”

Phil didn’t know how to react. He just nodded, clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere, the tension.

With sweat and tears we armed our ranks we laid foundations in our land

“Have you ever heard of Eret?”

Once again, Philza only nodded.

You could feel your body heat up with anticipation. The moment was nearing.

And from every lips for here up to infinity

“Yeah, he had a saying, Phil.” You felt your fingertips ghost the surface of the button.

We sing L’Manburg We sing L’Manburg We sing L’Manburg We sing L’Manburg

“It was never meant to be.”

~-~-~-~-~-~-

Wilbur Soot was too busy smiling at the series of explosions going off behind him to realize the fact that you were dead.

And even when those around him cried as they mourned your death, not a single tear streaked down his cheek. No pang of sadness or remorse was felt by this man who had strayed too far down the path of insanity.

Perhaps once, he would have torn up the world looking for a way to revive you. But that Wilbur was long gone. That Wilbur was the one you’d fallen for, the one you’d follow to the ends of the server.

But you’d failed to realize that the Wilbur of today was not the Wilbur you loved. And that mistake turned out to be fatal.

[13uswntimagines]

Gravity (Alex Morgan x Press!Reader)

Request: Christen Press x sister reader with a shooter at a game where the reader saves as many people as possible but not themselves? 

10,000 words of angst, fluff and everything in between. 

Pt. 2

Author’s Note: This is a very heavy fic with several trigger warnings. First there are some depictions of violence, and homophobia. We also don’t advocate for doing anything that y/n does in this fic during an active shooter situation.  This is my longest fic to date, and i really wanted to do the topic justice. 

special thanks to @literaryhedgehog​ cause without her it would be a mess. 

You always thought it was bullshit when people said that it started out like any other day. Shouldn’t there be something in the air that told them everything was about to go wrong? Shouldn’t there be some sign that their life was about to change forever? 

But it was a completely normal day. 

The bus was rowdy on the ride over to the stadium, with Megan blaring Taylor Swift through the speakers and the youngins cackling loudly over the latest viral TikTok. There was an excited air about the locker room as you pulled on your Pride month jersey. You were proud that your number showed off a little piece of who you were, and that maybe seeing you wear it could offer some sense of comfort to the people watching you from around the world. 

You joked with your sister about her latest bout of teasing the fans via Instagram and talked through several strategies to get past the Canadian defenders with Tobin (all while avoiding your recent ex-girlfriend). 

It was business as usual as you (were forced) to stand through the anthems, and as you tried to outmaneuver Canada’s annoying 5 back formation.

Everything was absolutely normal until it wasn’t. 

“They’re firing on all cylinders tonight aren’t they?” You groaned, wiping the sweat from your brow, and wrapping a heavy arm over Christen’s shoulder. It was a tough first half filled with heavy tackles and hands where they didn’t belong (you being a prime target because of how often you slipped through the cracks in their backline- the only problem being that you and Alex were entirely unable to connect). 

At least Christine hadn’t slipped past Kelley and Abby yet. 

She stuck her tongue out at you and shooed you off. You laughed loudly, stumbling back just a bit and wrapping an arm around yourself feigning offense. She never did like sweaty hugs, but you always liked to give them to her (after all, it’s what little sisters were for). 

“But we are too, we’ll break through their defenses,” Christen said, rolling her eyes and grabbing your hand instead. Her thumb moved soothingly over the back of your hand. She could feel your frustration at not being able to score yet, but you guys would get them in the end. You all just had to be patient (not one of your strong suits). 

“And if you can link with Alex in the box, we’ll be golden,” Tobin mumbled, scratching the back of her neck. It wasn’t that you weren’t playing well together, but so far the timing between the two of you was just off. 

Things had been weird since you broke up with Alex, and as much as you tried to keep the awkwardness off the field, it was a challenge. It wasn’t like you two were just on separate pages, no the two of you were in completely different books (which was part of the reason the two of you had broken up in the first place). 

Despite what your head said, your heart still ached in your chest every time you saw her. 

You shook your head, breaking the awkward silence Tobin’s comment had created. “I’m not the one who-...” 

Several loud firecracker-like pops sounded in through the stadium cutting you off, and you instinctively turned to search for who the fuck was setting fireworks off. “What the-“ 

You couldn't even get the words out before the wall very close to your head exploded. Concrete showered over you like deadly confetti from a cannon, nicking and scraping your exposed skin as it fell. 

It almost didn’t feel real. This couldn’t be real. There was no way. 

More pops echoed, and this time they sounded less like fireworks and more like the sound effects from those gaudy war films your father was obsessed with. It wasn’t just some idiot playing practical jokes, no this was something much more sinister. 

A breathless “shit,” left your lips, and you heard a “Holy fuck,” from beside you, but you had no idea which teammate said it. 

Terrified voices blended together and insistent hands dragged you down the hallway. You were shoved through a door onto a bench before you could process what was happening. 

Lights were turned off, a lock was clicked. You idly wondered if the deadbolt would actually stop someone who wanted entry. You remembered a Mythbusters where they tested locks against firearms, but you couldn’t seem to recall if they were effective against the one currently protecting you. 

Your eyes flickered around the room, taking in your teammates. Some were pacing, some were huddled in the corners and a few others were glued to their phones, but what really stuck out was how quiet everyone was (a rare occurrence for the team). 

Even with your racing thoughts, you still searched for blue eyes and a pink pre-wrap headband (a small part of you knew you would always look for her). 

Kelley’s hands were running through her hair, forming and reforming a sleek ponytail that she never put up. “What do we do?” 

“We stay here and wait for help,” Ashlyn whispered. She was leaning with her ear against the wall on the side with the door, as though listening for movement on the other side. 

“I’m already on the line with 911, it’s pretty backed up.” Becky pointed to the phone in her hand and Ali raised up her own phone slightly, adding a soft “Me too,” from her place tucked into Ashlyn’s side. The gesture reminded you of the way Alex always saluted towards you with her drink during toasts. 

“Where are the youngins and Alex?” You asked, blinking out of your daze. The room paused, all eyes turning to you like you had just grown 3 heads. 

The silence was deafening. No one wanted to be the one to speak, the one to remind you of the lockdown rules everyone had learned since elementary school. The one to condemn their friends to...

“We can’t worry about them right now,” Christen said, her lips trembling as she met your eyes, “We need to stay here until help arrives.” 

“Nearly half the team is missing guys, we can’t just sit here and do nothing!” You walked to one end of the small room. It took 6 steps. You walked back to where you had started. 5 steps, you turned, again. Alex was somewhere out there. And you were here. What if you never saw her again? You couldn’t raise Charlie by yourself. 

5 steps.  

The last words the two of you had exchanged didn’t end with an I love you. 

“We can’t confront a gunman empty-handed,” Kelley said, her voice breaking. You saw her red-rimmed eyes as you turned again. 5 steps. 

“You have to let the police and security do their jobs,” Tobin whispered.

“Because that has always worked out real well in the past,” You shot back, barely glancing at where she was sitting by Christen’s side. You turned again. 5 steps. 

“I’m through. Hello, my name is Ali Krieger  and I would like to report an active shooting at —— stadium.” 

“I’m not going to leave all of the youngins out there to fend for themselves,” you took 3 steps and grabbed the door handle, bracing yourself as several arms grabbed you and tried to pull you back.  

“Stop!”

“You can’t”

“Walking the halls with them out there isn’t a good idea, Y/n.” 

“Because staying in here like sitting ducks is?” Tobin shrunk slightly, falling back into the group of women now surrounding you. “Don’t let anyone in unless they do the special knock. Got it?” 

“You’re not leaving this room Y/n,” Christen said sternly, her shaking hands not leaving your wrist. She was always more than just your older sister, she was more like your second mom and she couldn’t stand to lose you too. Not after the year the two of you had. 

“Imagine if it was me out there Chris. I can’t abandon them,” You said softly, squeezing her hand. She heard your unspoken “I can’t lose her.” 

You stared into each other's eyes, the rest of your teammates watching you both. Christen had always won the staring games you played as kids. This time something passed between you, and she finally nodded, squeezing your hand once, twice, three times, before letting go. 

“Be safe.” 

“Promise. I’ll see you later.” 

You didn’t believe in goodbyes. There was no reason to say goodbye. Nothing was ending, you were just going down the hall and would be right back. 

“I love you.”

“Love you too,” you shot her a quick smile and eased out the door, closing it with a whisper behind you as you turned to face the hallway and its echoing silence. 

****

The air was heavy as you made your way through the deserted underbelly of the stadium. The stillness that surrounded you was smothering, punctuated only by the tapping of your cleats on the concrete and the loud pops creeping closer. 

Or maybe you were the one inching closer to them. With the number of twists and turns and connecting paths, you honestly couldn’t tell. 

You pressed yourself tighter into the wall, trying to soften your steps. Your cleats had never sounded so loud before. They clicked with every step, like a beacon, broadcasting your location to anyone within hearing distance. 

No matter what you did, you couldn’t seem to quiet them. 

You held your breath as you approached a fork in the path, glancing down both the left and right paths before slipping into one of the many alcoves around the stadium just across the way. Then you tucked yourself into a corner behind the low counter that spanned halfway across its entrance. Down here it would be difficult for anyone who walked past to spot you unless they knew to look. 

You crouched low (still too wired to actually sit down) under the water table and untied your cleats. Your grippy socks would keep you from sliding around all over the place, but honestly, you would take slipping over being heard right now. 

You took a deep breath, trying to prepare yourself to leave your hiding spot. 

Going out into the hallway unprotected the first time had been easy. This second time, definitively less so. 

You steeled yourself. You had to find Alex and your teammates. You could be brave for them, for her.

Just as you were about to peek your head above the counter, a screech echoed down the hallway, followed by deep laughter and several loud pops. 

You froze. Heavy footsteps approached your hiding place. Then the counter above you shook as something thumped down onto it.  

And then you heard his voice. 

“Ah, I love it when they scream.” 

You bit your tongue to prevent any noise from leaving you. 

No sane person should be able to say that sentence with such delight. A shiver ran down your spine. Deep breath in, hold, breathe out. You pulled your jersey over your mouth and nose, to muffle the sound of your breathing.

He was so close to you. 

You could hear his foot tapping in time to the song he was humming under his breath as he used the ledge to reload. 

 “All the other kids with their pumped-up kicks. Run baby run, faster than my bullet.”

You closed your eyes, trying to block out the sound of bullets clinking on the counter and bouncing on the floor. Blocking out the little click they made as they were loaded into the magazines. The sound of incorrect lyrics being sung out of tune above your head. It would almost be funny, if. If. 

Deep breath in, hold, breathe out. 

You didn’t want to think about where the bullets might end up. 

“Gotta give them time to hide first, makes it more fun,” He mumbled to himself in between verses, his weapon making a loud clack. “Might as well make sure it works.”

Your ears rang as the hallway echoed with his shots.  Between the echo and the sound of your heart pounding, you almost missed the giggle that followed.

Giggle. Not a laugh. A giggle. A soft little giggle, like the ringing of bells. And somehow the most terrifying sound you’d ever heard. 

“Come out, come out wherever you are. Ready or not, here I come,” He said, eerily. Like a child playing a game. 

But this wasn’t a game. Not one you could lose. 

You needed to find Alex and the others.

You were never particularly religious. You sent out a prayer to whoever was listening that he hadn’t found them already. 

Deep breath in, hold, breathe out. 

You waited for his heavy footfalls to fade, then you peeked out from behind the wall. There was no good path to take.  It was a bad idea to follow him in case he doubled back and a bad idea to go the opposite way and risk seeing the carnage you were sure he left behind. 

You didn’t know if you could handle seeing your teammates like that. 

But a loud yelp (and more cackling) came from the direction he went. You couldn’t just leave whoever he was chasing, it was against everything in your nature. 

You hopped over the counter, ignoring the way the shrapnel dug into your sock-covered feet and began to slowly follow the sounds you knew would haunt you for the rest of your life. 

With every step, you grew closer to the gunman. 

*****

You pressed yourself to the wall just outside of the visitor’s locker room, listening hard to the voices inside. This was a very stupid plan, did you even have a plan? God, this was such a bad idea. 

The clang of metal on metal was unmistakable, as were the whimpers that followed each heavy footfall. 

He giggled, the sound of his footsteps moving back and forth behind the wall.  “Don’t worry little nonstarters, I’m going to take such good care of you. Wouldn’t want to disappoint our audience, now would we?” 

“W-what do you mean,” 

That was Sophia's voice. 

“I have a show planned, one that will really get my point across.”

“A show?”

And Morgan too. Fuck. 

“So much good, pure-hearted talent is being wasted in favor of letting abominations play. It’s a shame really,” 

Fuck. You squeezed your eyes shut, knowing that you would regret this decision later. But he had the babies of the team. They were at the very beginning of their soccer careers.  You would be damned if you let some asshole take that away from them. 

 You already regretted this decision, but you were also absolutely unable to stop yourself. 

“Hey fucktard, the only abomination I see is the loser shooting innocent people.” 

There was a loud squeak of a Combat boot as if he had spun on his heel to look for the unseen threat. 

“Ooo, you two have a friend, how cute,” his voice dropped down on the last word, and you tensed listening. “I think innocent is a relative term, don’t you? Something meant for children?”

“I don’t see you sparring any kids either, so are you a hypocrite or just a coward?” You scoffed, edging back from the corner. The side hallway had enough twists that once you started running, you should be able to get away before he saw which direction you went. It shouldn’t take much more pushing for him to change targets. 

He paused, and his voice turned almost proud. “I’ll give it to you, you’ve got some balls. Why don’t you face me? Or are you the coward?” 

You gulped. It shouldn’t take much more pushing. “ I actually have two brain cells and don’t need a gun to work out my issues. Maybe that just makes you a dumbass.”

His deep chuckle and heavy steps got a little louder.

“No, I’m the judge, jury, and executioner,” 

****

You raced through the hallway, taking random lefts and rights with no real direction in mind. 

It was stupid to antagonize him, but at least he wasn’t terrorizing the babies of the team anymore. The vets never would have let you live it down if you sat there and listened while he-. 

Nope, not continuing that thought. It was too horrible to think. 

You knew he was following you, the first couple of turns had been very sketchy. Corners exploded just after you passed them, and shrapnel had followed you like a fucking heat-seeking missal for the first 3 turns. But then he made a wrong right. 

But you still weren’t slowing. 

Left, right, left, righ-. 

“Whoa!” You gasped and stumbled sideways as hands grabbed your jersey and tugged. 

“Are you crazy?” Emily hissed, pulling you into a supply closet as Lindsey pulled the door closed behind the three of you as quietly as she could. 

You blinked owlishly at the women, sucking in deep breaths as you leaned heavily against the wall. Maybe a small part of you didn’t expect to make it out of that hallway alive. 

It took you a second to actually see them and to realize that someone was missing. 

“Alex isn’t with you?” 

“No, Mr. rifle came down the middle hallway, we went right and she went left. Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Emily grabbed your arm and restrained you as you started to get up. 

“I know what you’re thinking” Lindsey whispered, “but leaving this room is a suicide mission-” 

“Didn’t you get the lesson about lockdown drills in school?” Emily’s whisper rose in pitch as she spoke. “You’re supposed to stay put and Hunker down!” 

“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m leaving her alone out there with a Homicidal maniac,” You said, pinching your arm to keep yourself from crying.

“Y/n-“

“No,” You said way too loudly, ripping your arm away from Emily before you realized your mistake. The three of you paused and waited, staring at the door. When it didn’t move, you looked back towards the woman. 

“I have to make sure she’s safe. I promised I would never abandon her when she told me she was pregnant. I’m not going to go back on that now,” 

“This is different,” Emily said sternly. 

You shook your head “I will not leave the mother of my child out there,”

“So what? You’re going to leave Charlie with no parent at all?” Lindsey scoffed trying to get through to you. 

“You can’t change my mind, Linds. When I leave, lock the door and put some of those,” You pointed towards some random benches leaned up against the supply closet wall, “against it.” A layer of benches might not stop him, but they would be a real pain in the ass if he tried to open the door. 

You waited for them to nod, and then you took a step towards the door. You could do this, you would find her and everything would be fine. 

With one last “see you later” you headed out into the hallway. 

****

The hallway still felt too quiet as you wound your way towards where Emily and Lindsey had last seen Alex. At least this time you had an idea of where you were going. 

There were only two rooms off that hallway. You would check the shower room first and then go to the conference room. If Alex wasn’t in either place then maybe she took the connecting hallway to the stadium. Was it any more safe out there? You didn’t know what to hope for. 

You winced at the squeak the door to the shower room made as you slowly opened it. When it was cracked just enough to squeeze through, you slipped in and tried to let it whisper shut behind you. Then you turned to round the corner into the main room. 

You barely dodged the ball bag.  

“Damn, I know we’re on a break, but I didn’t think you actually wanted to kill me” You laughed rubbing your head lightly where the corner of the bag grazed you. 

Her makeshift weapon clattered to the floor and she nearly knocked you over with the force she threw herself against you. You wrapped your arms around her and began to slowly rub her back. “Shh, I’ve got ya. I’m here Alex.”

She shook against your chest, each sob wracking through her entire body. You held her tightly and kissed her ear. 

“I don’t want this to be how it ends between us,” She whispered, burying her face in your collarbone.

You sighed, closing your eyes tightly “I know.” She smelled like sweat and grass, probably because of that goal she had nearly made in the 25th minute. But underneath you still smelled the subtle spice of her favorite perfume. You held her closer, just breathing in the feeling of her. 

This wasn’t really your ideal ending either. You wanted to live a long life, to watch Charlie grow up and accomplish things. You wanted to kiss Alex in front of the whole world after you won the Olympics. 

“Let’s get out of the hallway, alright?” You asked quietly, pulling her through the shower room and into a small supply closet in the back of it, where extra towels and toiletries were usually kept. You only pulled away long enough to click the lock, frowning when you didn’t see anything you could use as a barricade. 

The two of you sat pressed together to the left of the door. 

“You’re bleeding.” 

You blinked down at the woman, following her eyes to look at your feet. Your socks had been bright white when you started this journey, but now they were a strange reddish-brown color and had a few little holes. 

You weren’t sure if it was your blood. In the hall there were, there was, evidence of other people who had gotten hurt. You didn’t know where most of them had gone. How hadn’t you noticed you cut your feet? 

“Must have stepped on something. I’ll be alright though,” you shrugged, giving her a squeeze. 

The silence enveloped you again, heavy but comfortable all the same. It didn’t matter if you were technically broken up, she was your person and you were hers. 

She shook her head and used the edge of her sleeve to wipe something off your temple. She showed you the red smear, before dabbing at the area again. 

It was nice. Very twisted, but domestic. 

“Charlie misses you. I miss you. I can’t sleep without you anymore,” She said suddenly. You stiffened. 

You had flown out just hours after the fight, not even going back to your shared apartment before you hopped on the plane back to North Carolina. You were just so hurt, so mad that you couldn’t bring yourself to face her again. The start of camp had been the first time you saw either of them in nearly a month. 

“You had a fine time sleeping when you took her to England without me,” you said, lightly. Maybe a bit bitterly, but that was unintentional. This was not the best time to have that fight again.

“We both agreed that it was the best move for my Career. Tottenham could offer me minutes Orlando couldn’t,” She huffed. 

You rolled your eyes. That had been the crux of the issue (minus one very important detail). It was fine for Alex to do whatever was necessary to make it to the Olympics, but the same didn’t go for you. It was unfair that you were held to two different standards (and that she just assumed Charlie would always stay with her). 

“Just like Arsenal can offer me minutes North Carolina won’t,” you said, in the same “it’s only reasonable” tone as Alex. That voice didn’t even work on Charlie.  

She crossed her arms and scooted away from you. You needed to be face to face for this conversation. “I didn’t tell you not to go to Arsenal. ”

“You turned down my marriage proposal because you didn’t want to deal with the distance,” you shot-back, voice entirely void of emotions. 

Her saying no stung worse than anything you had ever experienced. It played on your insecurities and made you question everything you thought you knew about your relationship. 

“We’re not in the right place in our careers to get married,” she whispered, reaching forward as if to stroke your face before quickly pulling her hand back. 

“But we were totally ready to have a kid?” You scoffed. 

Some may call you old school, but you found comfort in the conventional get married then have kids bit. Instead, you had done it all out of order. 

“That’s different and you know it,” Alex said, her voice hard. 

The only difference was that if the two of you got married, she would finally have to admit that she wasn’t 100% straight to the fans. There would be no hiding anymore. 

You sighed, shaking your head and pinching your eyes. You didn’t want to have this fight in a closet while you were being hunted by a fucking shooter. “Now is not the time for this conversation.”

“And when is Y/n?” Her voice was near pleading. You had avoided her and this talk out of fear, when were you finally going to be brave enough to confront those feelings. The hurt of her saying no, and the frustration with the perceived hypocrisy of her argument. 

You opened your mouth to respond, when a loud pop sounded just behind the door, followed by a childish giggle. “It’s impolite to lock your friends out, now isn’t it?” 

There was another bang, and the door exploded, sending splinters flying in all directions. It swung open and the shooter stepped through, a Cheshire Cat grin painted across his face. 

“Peek a boo, I see you!” 

****

You held your hands up in a pacifying motion as the gunman shooed you and Alex out of the closet and into the larger room. He was shorter than you thought he’d be and ironically wearing a Jersey that was nearly identical to your own, save for the large Iceman written across his shoulders. 

His hair was dark, slicked-back in a style meant to look suave, but reminded you of those guys obsessed with their tiny black combs in the musical Grease. The only indication that he wasn’t a normal person (besides the large gun in his hand) was his wild eyes. 

“So you’re the one trying to ruin my fun,” he said, with a smile at you that didn’t reach his eyes. 

The top of his gun nudged your shoulder as he gestured for you and Alex to both sit against the wall. 

You wanted to reply with a snippy remark about him being the one shooting innocent people for no reason but thought better of it. Pissing him off could lead to Alex getting hurt and you wanted to avoid that if you could. 

His annoying smirk widened at your non-response, but that wasn’t enough for him. He poked your cheek with the barrel of the rifle, tracing a very small scar on your chin (one the famed Kelley O’Hara had given you in college). 

“Not so cocky now are you? Was it worth it?” He sneered, poking your cheek once with the barrel before stepping back and leveling it towards you.  

You frowned. “Was what worth it?” 

“Parading your filth around for everyone to see. Advocating for rights that people like you don’t deserve.” His voice darkened, going from a sing-song voice that was clearly meant to imitate you, to practically spitting at you as he spoke. 

Your eyes widened with the realization and an idea. A dangerous idea. One that you knew Alex wouldn’t like, but it would give one of you a shot of making it out of this room. You couldn’t not take the chance. 

“If this is about LGBTQ rights, then let her go,” you said, pointing at Alex, and subtly scooting away from her so there was space between where you were sitting. 

He paused his pacing, turning back towards you and leaning down so your faces were merely inches apart. “And why would I do that?” 

“Alex isn’t gay. She’s got a baby of her own. If that is what this is about, then you’ve got me and I’m one of your biggest transgressors.” You shrugged, trying to make it seem like you weren’t as invested as you clearly were. 

“Y/n,” Alex started, her voice rising in pitch as she realized what you were saying. 

You glared at Alex, effectively shutting her down, and continued as though you hadn’t heard her. “Hurting her would hurt that baby, and I thought you said they were the innocent ones here,” you said, voice nonchalant. 

The man’s fists clenched and unclenched around his weapon, and he stood upright. He squinted at you as if he was trying to figure out if you were lying. It was the first time in all of this that he looked unsure. 

You did everything in your power to keep a straight face and maintain eye contact. You only had one shot to get this right. 

The man finally tore his eyes from yours to look thoughtfully at Alex. “You have a kid?” 

You sent her a pleading look. If you couldn’t save yourself, at least you could save her. Her eyes pleaded with you not to do this. 

She finally broke eye contact with you and looked at the man. “Yes, a little girl.” Her voice was barely a whisper. 

Your little girl. 

He looked away and began to pace, his free hand tugging angrily at his hair. You tilted your head to the side, watching him carefully. You hadn’t expected this response, you didn’t think a homicidal sociopath was capable of such a response. 

“Did you have to grow it in a test tube and have it implanted?” He spat, his fingers tapping his gun more insistently and the other in his hair tugging the roots more aggressively. 

You so desperately wanted to yell that Charlie wasn’t an it. That she was a beautiful and radiant child. 

“No,” Alex rapidly shook her head, tears streaming down her face. The two of you hadn’t needed IVF to have Charlie. She was another surprise from the post World Cup celebrations, but you couldn’t imagine your life without her anymore. 

“If you let me get out my phone I can pull up pictures on Instagram,” you said, quickly. “There are pictures of her and her husband with the baby there.” Your private Instagram was covered with pictures of Alex and Charlie, you were sure there was at least one with a member of the male coaching staff.

The gunman suddenly straightened, his composure slipping back into place like a mask. He turned on his heel, a gleeful smile back on his face as he gestured at Alex with the barrel of the gun. 

“You’ve got 15 seconds to make it down the hallway before I start shooting.” 

Alex turned towards you, desperately grabbing your hand. This wasn’t the way the two of you were supposed to end. You weren’t supposed to give up yourself in some twisted sense of heroism. Charlie wasn’t supposed to grow up without you. 

One squeeze. Your eyes traced her face, trying to imprint her features into her brain. 

“14.”

Two squeezes. You tried to make your face neutral, to show her that it was alright. 

“13.”

Three squeezes. It felt heavier than it ever had, more charged with words you couldn’t speak. It was a silent I love you and Charlie. 

“12.”

You gave her a final nod, and let go. She paused for barely a second, before taking off out of the room at full tilt, disappearing out of your sight. 

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Times up,” He laughed, firing 4 shots into the wall. “Should have made it 10.” 

You both stared at the door for an unnaturally long time, and you found it odd that he looked nearly as wistful as you were. 

Despite being in a worse situation yourself, you couldn’t help how the knot in your chest loosened now that Alex was safe. 

He finally turned back to you, his smirk sending shivers down your spine. 

“Now as for you, ” he said, tilting his head from side to side like he was trying to crack his neck, “you shouldn’t be so smart with me.”

“Can’t help it.” You shrugged. Your sister was the sibling that inherited all the grace, while you got the bullheadedness. 

“You don’t talk back to your superiors.”

Slap. 

Your head snapped to the side with your force, and you couldn’t help the bubbling laugh that left your lips. “We’re all humans at our base, right? What makes you better than me?”

Slap.

“I’m not an atrocity to our society,” he yelled inches from your face, so close that you could feel the moisture from his breath hit your cheek. 

You used your arm to wipe your mouth, not even flinching at the red streak now staining your white kit top. 

“In the Bible, it says all sins are equal, doesn’t it? So mass murder is just as bad in your book as me loving a woman,” you said, glaring up at him from under your eyelashes. “It also says that he who holds no sin may cast the first stone. Murder is a sin isn’t it?” 

You knew the words that condemned you by heart after having people who didn’t understand use them as ammunition for most of your career. Your family was understanding and supportive, but other people weren’t. Of course, just another piece of their argument that didn’t make sense was that if you and your love were an abomination, then how did you create something as beautiful as Charlie? 

 “Never compare yourself to your betters.” The gun was suddenly out of your face, replaced by the man’s sneer. “I was gonna let you die here, but I have a better plan now.” 

You looked away. You didn’t want the last thing you ever saw to be his face. He grabbed your chin tightly, forcing you to make eye contact. “I’m going to make an example out of you.” 

Bang! 

You couldn’t help the cry that left your lips, or how you instinctively grabbed your side. He chucked, batting your hands out of the way and pressing his fingers into the oozing hole. 

You cried out at the burn. He pushed harder for another second, smiling vindictively at you, before bringing his fingers up for you to see. 

If you had a clearer head and weren’t breathing like you had just run a marathon you would have commented that his blood was just as red as yours.

You spat in his face. 

If you were going to die, you might as well get your money’s worth. 

He growled, grabbing your arm (so tightly you were sure to have bruises) and hauled you to your feet. 

You wobbled dangerously. The pain in your side got more intense. He laughed, shoving you into the wall and pressing himself against your back. He wrapped an arm around your neck and used the other to keep a handgun under your chin. 

You could feel his heavy breathing in your ear. 

“Let’s go. We have an audience waiting on us.” 

He tugged you off the wall and marched you towards the door.

*****

It looked like a scene from a movie. One of those bad action movies where the hero overcomes soul-crushing odds and outwits the bad guy and a hundred armed minions with only a sword and some well-timed dynamite explosions in the background to walk away from. 

Hell, it could have been a movie set surrounding Alex and Christen. They were surrounded by cameras, and EMTs checking them all for injuries. There were police cars and fire trucks and other emergency vehicles surrounding the stadium, with a helicopter hovering overhead like a buzzard.  

She knew to expect the worst. She left you alone with the gunman. She expected the police to finally make entry through the tunnel, and to have to identify you later after you were transported to the coroner's office. She (and the police it seemed) hadn’t expected the gunman to come out and confront them head-on, using you as a human shield. 

He was much less intimidating now that she was standing behind a row of men in riot gear. 

He was short and thin (scrawny she would venture to say). He looked more like a nerd than a stone-cold killer. The only intimidating part about him was how he held a handgun just under your very pale chin. 

Scratches and cuts littered your face, but your most dominant feature was the large red stain just over your stomach on your white jersey. You leaned heavily against him, so much so that he had a hard time shuffling the two of you to stand before the army of police officers. 

“One move and she dies!” He screamed, nudging your chin with the barrel of his gun. It was alarming how your head just bobbed listlessly like you couldn’t lift it on your own. Christen’s nails bit sharply into Alex’s arm.  

One of the FBI agents (Morgan, Alex thought, agent Morgan) slowly put his gun away and stepped around the vehicle. 

Alex winced when the gunman pressed the barrel harder into your skin, daring the agent to take another step. 

The agent held up his hands in a pacifying motion, the headlights glinting amber off his dark skin. “It doesn’t have to be this way Tyler, it doesn’t have to end like this.” 

“It’s the only way this ends!! How else will they see?” The gunman, Tyler apparently (it felt weird to know his name. It strangely made him more human), spat back. 

“See what?” 

“They’re corrupting society, poisoning a generation,” Tyler yelled, his voice edging on pleading. 

Agent Morgan tilted his head to the side, taking another step forward. How was he so calm? Alex felt like her heart was going beat out of her chest “This isn’t the way to show them,”  Agent Morgan said, his voice almost pleasant, like a mother explaining a set bedtime to her child. Like you always negotiated with Charlie. 

The gunman’s reaction was instant, moving the gun from your chin to the top of your right shoulder and pulling the trigger. 

Alex clenched her eyes shut at your cry of pain. 

“I said not to come closer. One step and I shoot somewhere it’ll really matter. Don’t think I won’t!” Tyler yelled, his voice tilting up at the end like he thought this whole thing was one big joke. 

The agent nodded, “You’re in control here Tyler. You’re in charge. Don’t let them turn you into the bad guy.” 

“Like they won’t already,” the gunman growled, tightening the arm on your neck when you slipped further down his chest. You brought both hands up to tug uselessly at the appendage. 

“If you let her go, they can’t twist it,” Another, much younger agent, said. 

The gunman cackled mechanically “And let her roam free? She has to pay for her sins.” 

He nudged your cheek with the gun again. 

“Are you going to make her pay for everyone else’s too? Is that what you think is fair? She’s just like you. She has a daughter just like you,” Agent Morgan said. 

The air on the field shifted, the glee bleeding from the gunman's face, along with all the color (leaving him pale, but not as pale as you were). 

“You didn’t tell me it was your kid,” he whispered into your ear, barely loud enough for Alex to hear. 

Her and Christen shared a look. This wasn’t going to end well. 

“Don’t leave another child without a parent Tyler,” Agent Morgan said, soft but stern. 

The gunman’s eyes snapped back to the agent, his lips curling. 

Alex felt the pit in her stomach grow, any hope of this ending peacefully slipping away. It was stupid to try and reason with a homicidal psychopath, no matter how well trained the BAU team were. 

“Only if she repents,”

He shook you, laughing loudly at your obvious anguish. Your eyes rolled unseeing around the crowd, and Alex could tell how out of it you were. 

“I..- Ah. I'm sorry,” You wheezed. 

The man giggled, using the gun to brush a strand of hair out of your face. “For?” He asked as if he were coaching a small child through an apology. 

You made a gurgling sound, sucking in shallow breaths when he put pressure on the hole in your chest. 

Your eyes found Alex’s in the crowd, and she knew that you were talking directly to her. She was the only person you had an apology for. 

“I’m s-s-sorry I left,” you said, your voice breaking on the words.

The gunman growled loudly. “Wrong answer.”

Bang

*****

Being dead (half-dead? Stuck in limbo?) was a really weird experience. One second you were standing, facing a hoard of blurry police officers and Swat teams, your side screaming, and a reedy voice making muffled demands in your ear. Then in the next, you were waking up in this very strange place. 

It kind of reminded you of the waiting rooms at doctor’s offices, except there was no counter for the receptionist and it was entirely white. You felt oddly comfortable in the waiting room chair, warm and content to just sit (something very strange considering you normally couldn’t sit still). 

Your eyes traced the walls, covered by photo frames that held no photos and canvases that were the same bright white as the wall. 

You lingered in the large bay windows covered by tightly shut blinds. 

You couldn’t seem to keep your eyes off of them. 

They would flutter every once in a while and you could just barely make out murmurs on the other side. 

You weren’t sure how long you stared at them before you finally decided to investigate (time was very hard to keep track of here). 

It only took you 4 steps to cross the room. You stood in front of the windows, a small part of you felt like you weren’t supposed to mess with them, but the larger part couldn’t seem to curb your curiosity. 

You leaned in close to the blinds, trying to understand the voices on the other side. They were frustratingly muffled, but something in you desperately needed to hear what they were saying. 

You pulled back, glaring at the indistinguishable noises. 

They fluttered again, and you very slowly bright your hand up, preparing to thumb them open. 

Butterflies erupted in your stomach, and your cheeks felt hot as you touched the blinds, but you had no idea why. 

Just as you leaned down to look, the door beside you swung open. You jumped back from the window as though they had burned you, and were met with a laugh you never thought you’d hear again.

“Mom?”

Her smile was blinding as she opened her arms for a hug. You launched yourself at her, burying your face in her neck and taking in her scent. It washed over you and soothed the little piece of your soul she had taken with her when she passed away. 

For the longest time, you slept with one of her shirts, trying to be closer to her, to ease the ache in your chest. It was strange because though that little void was filled, a larger piece seemed to be missing now. It left you longing for something you couldn’t describe in words. 

“Hey baby,” She said softly, her fingers carding through your hair as she wrapped you up tightly in her arms. 

“I missed you, so much.” 

Your voice was muffled by her soft skin and wet from unushered tears. Her fingers scratched your scalp a little bit harder. 

“I know baby,” she said, pressing a kiss onto the top of your head. 

You pulled back suddenly, nearly vibrating with excitement. “We won the World Cup for you,” 

She laughed again. “We were all cheering so loud.”

 You smiled wildly. You and Christen had done it for her, and you could have sworn the woman was the reason both of you scored in the final. 

“We do have to have a conversation about some of your reckless behavior though,” She said soberly. You frowned. It took you a second to realize what she was talking about. To remember racing through hallways and giving yourself up to protect the people you loved. 

“I couldn’t just leave them.” 

She shook her head and smiled indulgently at you. “Your heart's too big for your own good.” 

“Chris and dad always said that I have your heart,” you smirked. 

“And your father’s bravery. A very dangerous combination. Sometimes you should look before you leap baby,”  she said, brushing a strand of hair from your eyes, before cupping your cheek. 

Your face grew warmer and you knew you were blushing up to your ears. “True,” you admitted, looking away from her. But only for a second, and then you looked back at her again, drinking in her image. 

She laughed, rubbing your face lovingly with her thumb. 

The blinds behind her rattled loudly, drawing both of your attention. You untangled yourself from her, and took a step towards it, frowning when you heard the distinct call of your name, but you couldn’t pick out who was calling. 

You again brought your hand up and felt the same pounding in your heart and heat in your cheeks. It intensified as you got closer. You paused. What was behind the blind? 

You turned suddenly towards your mom, who was watching you, an emotion you couldn’t place stretched across her features. 

“Where are we?” 

She smiled sadly at you, holding out a hand for you to take. “Why don’t we take a walk,” 

You nodded and took her outstretched hand, sighing at the way her thumb rubbed your skin. It was so comforting. 

She opened the door opposite of the one she used to enter the room and pulled you out into the bustling hallway. 

****

You froze, recognizing the noise and machines of a hospital hallway. 

You hadn’t been in a hospital since…

 You held your mother’s hand tighter as she gently pulled you along, out into the waiting room. A waiting room that reminded you too much of the last time you were here, all the worry and grief on everyone’s face. Your sister tucked tightly into Tobin’s side, biting the edge of one of her nails, while the other hand tapped on the edge of the chair’s handle. 

You stared at the waiting room packed to the brim with soccer stars. Your eyes lingered for another moment on your sister before they drifted to Alex. Even with red eyes and puffy cheeks, she was absolutely gorgeous. 

She blew out a deep breath, scrubbing her hands down her face and shifting restlessly in her chair. 

“Y/n is strong, she’ll pull through,” Tobin mumbled. 

“Yeah Al, she’s too stubborn to leave you and Charlie here,” Christen nodded, almost like she was trying to convince herself. She couldn’t lose you and her mom in the same year. 

“She flatlined,” Alex’s voice came out soft through her hands. “Again.” 

You took a step towards the woman, squatting down in front of her and trying to grab her hand. “Shh, don’t cry. I'm right here.” 

Her sobs didn’t stop. She didn’t even look up to acknowledge that you were there. 

“They can’t hear you, baby,” Your mom said softly, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. 

“There was just so much blood,” Her shoulders shook with the force of her heart, and her hands scrubbed at each other, almost like she was trying to get something off of them.

You tried to grab her hands again, to stop her nails from digging into the soft skin of her arms. The only response she had was the quaking shiver that seemed to rock through her. 

You dropped your hands, turning to your mother. 

“Am I dead?” You asked, your voice wet with tears. 

Your mother shook her head solemnly. “Not yet.” 

“At least they got that son of a bitch,” Tobin said in a low, gravelly voice, glancing at the TV in the corner running the story. 

You turned to look with her. The TV was showing a high shot of the stadium, showing several detectives surrounding a black bag in the middle of the field. Your eyes were drawn to the large 24 at the bottom of the screen and you gulped. 

The shot shifted to one of you being loaded into an ambulance, Alex running alongside the stretcher. 

“I still don’t understand why he had to go on a murder spree because his girlfriend left him for a woman,” Christen said, drawing your attention away from the screen. 

“It’s called small penis syndrome,” Tobin mumbled, her fist clenching on her knee. It was fucking discussing that he thought going on a rampage was the answer to his problem. “I’m sure he’ll learn all about it in hell.” 

“What do you mean not yet?” Your voice shook a little as you finally stood to face your mother. 

Was this what being dead was like? Was it just watching the people you cared about live their lives without having the ability to tell them that you were there? 

“It’s not your time yet,” Your mom said simply like it was the most obvious answer in the world. 

“Then why am I here?” You huffed, running a hand through your hair and yanking at the roots. 

Gentle hands grabbed your wrists and untangled your fingers from the strands. She rubbed her thumbs on the back of your hands. You blinked up to look her in the eyes. 

“You have to be ready to wake up first,” She said, brushing a tear from just under your eye, and letting her warm touch linger on your cheek. 

You didn’t know what that meant, but then again you had just realized that you weren’t actually standing in the room with your family. Where were you really? 

The door to the side of the room clattered open, and all of your thoughts stalled at the entrance of the new, very tiny, presence in the room. 

Charlie raced through the door (Alex’s mom following very closely behind) and practically launched herself at Alex. 

“Mommy!” Charlie yelled. 

Alex hugged her tightly to her chest, pulling her up into her lap. She took a deep breath against your daughter's hair, seemingly trying to ground herself (Charlie didn’t need to know the seriousness of the situation and Alex needed to be calm to keep her calm). She would be forever grateful that the little one had been taking a nap when it was time to leave for the stadium, forcing her grandmother to stay back at the hotel with her. 

“Hey baby,” she murmured, taking comfort in holding a little piece of you close to her. 

Charlie let the hug go on for a minute, before she pulled back, and looked around. 

“Where Mama?” She asked, her little eyebrow quirking up nearly identical to the way yours did 

“Let’s go see her, yeah?” Alex gave your daughter a smile, trying to hide the pain underneath it. 

Charlie nodded excitedly, as Alex stood with her in her arms, and began to make her way down the twisting halls. You hesitantly trailed after them, afraid of where they might be heading. 

“Ok baby, remember mama’s sleeping ok,” Alex said as she pushed one of the many doors open, and stepped through. 

Your breathing hitched when you saw exactly what was in the room. 

It was you in a hospital bed. There were at least 15 wires connecting you to various machines, and several screens showing what you assumed were your vital signs. There were wires along your cheeks and chin, and thick bandages just visible below the comforter. 

Alex settled into a chair by your side, holding Charlie in her lap and grabbing your hand. Christen took up your other side, Tobin holding her from behind to offer her whatever comfort she could. 

*****

You were frozen, torn between the desire to run to your little family's side and by the paralyzing reality that you were hurt in a hospital bed. A warm hand rubbed the top of your back, squeezing lightly. 

But this time it did little to soothe you. It spurred you on. 

You gulped, and finally took a step inside the room. The hand slipped off your shoulder, and you turned to look at your mother. 

She stood just outside the doorway, smiling sadly at you. “This is as far as I go, baby.” 

“But don’t you want to meet your granddaughter?” You asked, your head tilting to the side. Charlie was your proudest accomplishment and you so badly longed for your mother to know her. 

“How do you know I haven’t already?” She smirked. 

“She said she saw you,” You said thoughtfully, thinking about every time she said that your mom was right next to you. 

“She’s very bright for her age,” Your mom nodded, laughing a little. 

You smiled too. Charlie was too smart for her own good sometimes. She was just at the stage where she was repeating everything you said and asking why constantly. You knew she was going to be a handful when she got older. 

“How did you do it?” 

“There’s no instruction book to raise children, honey. Between you and Alex I think you’re doing pretty alright,” Your mother shrugged, brushing a fallen strand of hair from your eyes. 

“There isn’t a me and Alex anymore I don’t think,” You mumbled, looking away. 

You weren’t proud of how you handled the fight. How you had just left. They didn’t deserve that. 

Gentle fingers under your chin forced you to look your mother in the eyes. “Hmm, you don't face a gunman for someone you don’t care about,” your mother said with a wry smile. 

“What if she doesn’t forgive me?”

“I think she’s more worried about you forgiving her, but you’ve already done that,” She said with a quirk of her eyebrow. 

You did forgive Alex, but you had just been too stubborn to admit it. Too annoyed by her response to tell her that you weren’t trying to run off to Europe without her. “I should have told her Arsenal wanted to sign her too,” you admitted. 

Your mom smirked again. “Just like she should have told you that Mark was looking into getting you to Orlando.” 

You squeezed your eyes shut, groaning out a “We’re idiots,” and facepalming. 

“No, just young and stubborn,” she laughed, her thumb rubbing your cheek. ”I have faith the two of you will figure it out.” 

The two of you stood in silence for a few minutes, listening to the beeping of the machines connected to you and how Alex was trying to explain to Charlie that you were sleeping. You so desperately wanted to go over to the two of them. To reassure them in some way (you weren’t quite sure how this whole thing worked). 

Sensing your growing restlessness, your mother patted your shoulder gently again and gave you a little nudge forward. “Go honey.” 

“I don’t want to leave you,” you whispered, eyes tracing the lines of her face. 

Your mother shook her head. “That little girl needs you more than I do sweetie.”

“I love you,” You said, pulling her into a final hug, trying to ingrain exactly how it felt into your memory. 

She held you tightly, before pulling away and nudging you towards the room again. “I love you too, now go. I’ll be watching.”

“Promise?” 

She kissed your forehead. “Always,” 

You nodded and turned back towards your little family. You could do this. 

One step, two steps. You paused. 

“Wait, is this real, or is it just all happening inside my head?” 

Your mom laughed, catching the reference to the series the two of you had read together so many years ago. “Well of course it’s in your head, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.” Then she winked at you and you closed your eyes. 

****

Your mouth felt like cotton. Like that moment at the dentist when they need your mouth to stay dry and they stuff cotton balls between your gums and cheeks. You felt the top of your mouth with your tongue. You weren’t sure water had ever sounded so delicious. 

You thought about trying to sit up to get some but then realized something felt different. There was a strange weight on your nose and arm. 

Ow! You had tensed your arm muscles, intending to lift it up, but your arm hurt. Actually, now that you were thinking about it, everything hurt. Your arms and legs were sore like they usually were after a particularly grueling game, but there was also a different, dull pain radiating out from your shoulder and mid-abdomen. It was there, but also not there, like an annoying horsefly buzzing around your head. Easy to ignore for the moment, but you had a feeling you would really notice the sting later. 

There was a sharp poke to your cheek by what felt like a tiny finger, and a little whine “Mama, wake up! It’s daytime.” 

There was another hard nudge to your cheek, just before a larger hand very carefully removed the appendage. 

It reminded you of all the mornings Alex had used your daughter to force you out of bed. How she would set the little one on your chest and give her free reign to get you to open your eyes. 

Those mornings always ended with giggles and tickle attacks. 

But you just felt so heavy, like your eyelids were covered by weights. 

“Remember baby, gentle hands. Mama’s got lots of boo boos,” Alex whispered, her voice slightly muffled by what you assumed was Charlie’s ear. 

“Careful wit mama,” Charlie murmured and you could picture her nodding with a pout. 

The fingers were back, this time much more gentle than before, rubbing little circles in your cheeks. 

“That’s right,” Alex said softly, a larger finger running a gentle finger down your nose. Charlie’s tiny finger followed, pausing for a second too long at the tip. 

Your nose wiggled involuntarily, earning a loud giggle from Charlie. 

It was your favorite sound on the planet (though Alex’s was a very close second). 

“Mama, we know you wake,” She laughed, poking your cheek. 

“What are you talking about baby?” 

“Look!” 

A little finger gently ran down your nose and again paused at the tip. You couldn’t help the way your nose scrunched. 

Two gasps sounded, one on either side of you (you assumed one was Alex and the other was your sister). 

The air around you suddenly felt crowded, and the light behind your eyelids dimmed, as though someone was standing over you. A hand slipped into yours and a palm was pressed into your cheek.  

“Y/n, honey, can you hear me?” Alex asked. 

The pause that followed was deafening while they waited for you to respond, to give them some tiny sign that you were present. You channeled all your strength and energy to gently close your fingers around the warm hand, ignoring the twinge you felt in your wrist as you did so. 

“Oh my gosh, she squeezed my hand,” Alex let out a wet laugh. The hand on your cheek ran down your shoulder to grab your other hand. 

“Hey y/n, can you do that again for us?” Christen’s voice was soft but stern. The same tone she used when you weren’t cooperating when you were little. 

The one she always used to coax you into brushing your teeth or coming off the pitch when you were fixating after a bad game. 

Wiggling your fingers the second time was so much easier than the first, like a little bit of the weight holding you down was shed with every successful movement. 

You felt lips touch your forehead. “Good job kid,” Christen breathed into your skin.

“Eyes open Mama. It’s time to wake up!” Charlie cheered. She bounced wildly on the bed beside you, for a second. 

“Whoa kiddo, remember we need to be careful with mama?” Tobin said, and suddenly Charlie’s weight was gone from the bed. 

You frowned. You didn’t want them to take her away. You needed to tell them to let her stay. 

You scrunched your face and forced your very heavy eyes open. 

You squinted at the bright light, groaning softly. Alex’s face was suddenly in your view, blue eyes glassy with unushered tears, her hands very carefully holding your cheeks. 

“Hey, baby,” She said softly, her tears dripping from her face into your cheeks. You leaned into her touch, enjoying the warm butterflies it sent to your stomach. 

But something was missing. Charlie. 

You frowned again, attempting to push yourself up, your eyes darting around the room trying to get a glimpse of your daughter. 

“Try not to move,” Christen scolded, one hand on your uninjured shoulder to keep you in place. 

“Shh, relax baby. We’re not going anywhere,” Alex added, noticing just how frantic you seemed. 

“I’ll get the doctor,” Tobin mumbled from behind Christen, taking a step towards the door. 

All you could register was that she was carrying your daughter out of the room, away from you. 

“No!” The horse cry left your lips, and the room froze. 

Christen and Alex shared a look you couldn’t read. They both turned to the midfielder paused in the doorway, holding the squirming toddler. 

“Tobin,” Alex said, holding her arms out for her daughter. Tobin complied, passing her Charlie. 

The forward resumed her place on the edge of the bed, as Christen reminded the three-year-old to be gentle with you. Charlie nodded seriously at her and then turned to you. 

“Mama,” She smiled widely (a smile you tried to return despite a slight grimace- your pain meds were starting to wear off). You pursed your lips for a kiss. 

Charlie giggled and gave you a peck on the cheek. (Very carefully as Alex helped her so she didn’t end up pressing on your chest). 

“Mommy get kiss too?” She asked, looking sideways a Alex. 

You sent the toddler a cheeky smile (or as close to one as you could muster), tilting your chin up at the woman in question. 

Alex rolled her eyes goodnaturedly and leaned down, placing a very quick and gentle kiss on your lips. 

It was like the world tilted on its axis, and reality shifted. A little piece of yourself that had been missing finally clicked back into place. 

It was cheesy and romantic, but you didn’t care. They were your tether to the world. The thing keeping you grounded and the thing that brought you back. 

They were your gravity. 

[uwuwriting]

Bakugou, Shinsou, Todoroki, Dabi and Shigaraki checking out their s/o

Request: Pretty pls hcs for Shinsou, Shoto, Dabi, Shigaraki, and Bakugou getting caught checking out their s/o? thank you! - anonymous

Pretty boys you’ve got there sweet anon. Pretty boys with a capital P. Love yaa. 💖💖💖

rules

warning: some suggestive thoughts, swearing

Bakugou Katsuki

-Bakugou doesn’t like showing his feelings. 

-Like to no one. 

-Not even to you sometimes.

-So when you started to officially date you understood why he would want to keep our relationship a secret.

-He was good at keep it that way.

-Like really good.

-You got no extra attention or special treatment, he never lost his poker face around you and would never NEVER stare at you.

-So you never really checked on him to see if his eyes wondered to ...places. 

-Today your skirt had ridden up your thighs while you were bouncing around the room along side Mina.

-Your favorite band was coming near you guys since they were on tour and you both were ecstatic. 

-The skin of your thighs looked so soft and plum who wouldn’t stare?

-You did mind when people stared at you but now dealing with your excitement was a priority. 

-Your boyfriend had gotten excited by something else though. 

-His eyes were glued to your thighs, his red orbs following your every movement.

-Kaminari and Kirishima were telling him something about Mineta but he couldn’t focus on them. 

-His head was constantly turned to you to the point that Kaminari had to shake his shoulder to get him to look at them.

- “Yo what are you looking at?”

-His head was again turned to you his eyes widening only by a fraction while he mumbled something to the two boys. 

-Kaminari followed his gaze and his own jaw dropped for a moment before a smirk formed on his face. 

- “Well he IS drooling over Y/N like a dog.....”

-At the sound of your name on Kami’s lips, Bakugou’s attention was fully on the boys his right eye twitching at the comment. 

-He let out a snarl and raised his hand creating a few small explosions. 

- “And what if I am drooling sparky boy?? She wouldn’t mind me looking anyways.” 

- “And why is that Bakubro?”

-His smirk widened as he said proudly. 

- “Because she’s my fucking girlfriend.”

-Way to be secretive Bakugou.

Shinsou Hitoshi

-Baby doesn’t want to show his true emotions to the outside world. 

-Heart been broken too many times.. *isn’t that how the meme goes?*

-He shows it to you because you are HIS and he adores you. 

-He knows you won’t hurt him so he gives you his all.

-Such a sweetheart OMG!!!!!!!

-While you two are in school grounds there is not many things that would indicate that you two are together. 

-People would have to watch closely to see the sings of your relationship. 

-How he sits really close to you during lunch. 

-How you tend to come to school sporting his hoodie during cold days. 

-It’s all cute and fluffy but so so on the down low. 

-Yall are out on a date and you decided to go to the arcade.

-You convinced him to have a dance off with you and now you are both sweaty and panting while you are jumping up and down to the rhythm of ‘Party anthem”. 

-Shisnou kinda gave up after a while and he is now just staring at you. 

-You on the other hand are giving it your all trying to get everything right. 

-You are sweaty and feeling gross which is not cute at all since you are on a date but he promised you ice cream if you beat him with a significant difference. 

-You are not letting this slide. 

-Hitoshi’s eyes are on your chest that is em...going along with your jumping. 

-He is stuck and he is already dreading that you’ll look at him and call him out.

-But he can’t stop. 

-He really wishes you were at your dorm right now, the things he would do. 

-His blush is getting darker as his thoughts are getting dirtier by the minute until the music stops and you are left panting. 

-There’s another thing to add to the list of things to add to his small fantasy. 

-You notice that he has been silent for some time now and you try to meet his eyes but you see where they are glued. 

-Waltzing up to him you leave a kiss to his cheek and another right under his ear, making him shiver. 

- “Stop being so dirty we will be back soon.” 

-Winking you walked out of the arcade leaving a very turned on Shinsou behind. 

Todoroki Shouto 

-Baby boy is slow.

-Yall aren’t together yet.

-He really can’t understand what is going on whenever you enter the room.

-His heart starts to race, his palms get sweaty and he has a weird tendency to smile. 

-He wants to be the reason you are laughing. 

-He wants to talk to you non stop.

-He wants to be around you 25/8, 366 days a year. 

-But he doesn’t understand why this is happening so he just plain out ignores it. 

-You have a massive crush on him so it kinda hurts when he doesn’t take any hints. 

-You dress up just a little bit while you are out with your friend group since he is part of it. 

-You cook for him.

-You offer help or ask for help with studies.

-But nothing. 

-You were chilling in the common room.

-You were spread out on the couch, your t-shirt exposed your stomach as you were hanging half off the actual couch and just a pair of short shorts underneath. 

-Shoto was coming back from his father’s agency, his nerves were everywhere and his mind wouldn’t shut you out. 

-Your soothing voice was there when his father yelled at him that afternoon and even though you weren’t there you helped him get through the day.

-So when the poor thing walked through the door and was met with you hanging off the couch in such a suggestive position, his mind ran wild. 

-He couldn’t stop the blush that irrupted on his face as his cheeks and ears became the same color as his scar. 

-He almost choked on his spit when you giggled at something on your phone. 

-Midoriya came through the door next and was shocked when he saw his friend beat red and eyes wide. 

- “Todoroki-kun are you alright?”

- “She’s hot- It’s IT’S hot in here.”

-You turned at his voice, sitting up as your shorts rode up your thighs ever so slightly. 

-Todoroki saw and he couldn’t take it any longer, covering his red face with his hand as he mumbled a small ‘excuse me’ and left the room. 

-He certainly had an image that would get him through the night.....

Dabi

-Salty boy™.

-Him and Tsukishima would have been best buds I swear. 

-He is VERY vocal about his attraction to you. 

-Like legit non stop flirting even after you are exclusive.

-Compliments, dirty remarks, dirty promises, dirty actions, dirty dirty dirty things in general. 

-He won’t hesitate to make a dirty remark in front of the rest of the league. 

-He has NO shame whatsoever. 

-Look he finally grew the balls to make you HIS okay?

-He wants to show off. 

-But he knows when to not look at you like he wants to devour you. 

-He is respectful of Kurogiri so he isn’t a horny bastard while he is around. 

-But one day he slipped. 

-His hold on his horniness snapped. 

-Poor guy. 

-Actually scratch that poor you, you are the one who is gonna get it rough later so yeah. 

-You had just returned from a mission that had gone sideways.

-Your clothes were ripped and your pants were half burned off. 

-Your pretty face had smudges on it and you looked exhausted. 

-Immediately you went to take a shower not letting Dabi ogle at you.

-When your shower was over you came back downstairs and order a strong drink, rubbing your temples in an attempt to ease your headache. 

-Your hair was wet and sticking to your shirt making it wet and Dabi could SENSE that you weren’t wearing a bra. 

-That’s his sixth sense. 

-The shirt was black so nothing showed. 

-That’s why you couldn’t understand why Dabi was giving you that smirk and glancing down your shirt. 

-You rolled your eyes at him and shoved him away from you only for him to grip your waist and set you on his lap. 

-He left a kiss on your neck and smirked as you shivered. 

-His eyes were right on your chest since he could see EVERYTHING from this angle.

-That’s when Kurogiri stepped back in the room, the drink you ordered in hand. 

-He almost YEETED you off of him as a blush bloomed on the few patches of unscathed skin that he had. 

-Kurogiri *being the Nomu he is IFHOQOASB I RUINED IT* didn’t really respond to the position you were in. 

-He just gave you your drink and went back to polishing the shot glasses. 

-Dabi wanted to crawl into a whole and die even though Kurogiri said nothing. 

-Poor guy every thought and scenario he made about that night was out the window. 

-He cuddled you to drown his shame. 

-Bastard..........

Shigaraki Tomura

-I dare you to try and make him check you out in public. 

-Sure he might stare at you ass in the DIM LIT bar yall are staying in but that’s just because no one can see his eyes. 

-He is beyond shy when it comes to these matters and unlike Dabi even after you are together he wouldn’t stare at you like a crazy person. 

-He is very very careful with his glances and calculates when would be the right time to stare. 

-Meetings are easy.

-You all are sitting down so how hard could it be to keep his horny side in check?

-Well most of the time is easy. 

-You are usually wearing your civilian clothes which are very casual and comfy. 

-Nothing is showing and nothing really makes him want to rip your clothes off. 

-He wants to cuddle at the sight. 

-The problem appears when one day you had to go out on a mission and were called into an emergency meeting by Shiggy. 

-Your costume is um... sexy to say the least. 

-Everything you are wearing is hugging your body in all the right places and the mask you wear shades your eyes just right. 

-You look seductive as hell. 

-Shiggy rarely sees you in your villain costume. 

-He sees you while you are getting ready and might make a comment or go for a quick round. 

-But now it was unexpected. 

-He didn’t remember you were to go on a mission. 

-Totally forgot. 

-So when you come down and since all the seats are taken you have to stay standing, Shiggy is in trouble. 

-His eyes won’t leave your thighs and he can’t really form coherent words.

-Dabi is drooling over you and so is Toga. 

-They keep pointing out how good you look and how sexy your costume makes you. 

-More than you already are. 

-Shigaraki has to really one up his self control and not cancel  the meeting and drag you to the nearest closet. 

-He’s so disoriented during the meeting. 

-Kurogiri points it out after the meeting ended and you left for your mission. 

-Shiggy had the darkest blush the LoV had ever seen and he had to leave the room. 

-Took a cold shower afterwards. 

-Waits for you like a lost puppy..... which turns feral once you step into the room. 

TAG TEAM AY:

@iwaqchan​ @the-arcana-fan-fic​ @angelwritings​ @axerrri​ @reinyrei​

[kenmasangel]

getting back together after years

synopsis : the get back, part 1 “why am i even with you”

characters : sakusa, tsukishima

genre : fluff

warning : cursing, mention of alcohol

an : sorry for any gramma or spelling mistakes, everytime i’d right it was nighttime and i’d be really tired so i wasn’t able to focus 100%. please notice me of any mistakes masterlist

Sakusa Kiyoomi

years have passed since your break up with sakusa, it was a sad but necessary break up for you to move on and finally glow up

you also realized that the only person you truly ever needed was yourself and you worked hard to be the person you are today

“at the end of the day, men are trash,” you would try to cheer your friend who had a fight with her boyfriend in one of the best clubs of tokyo. “so wipe your tears and come move your hips,”

on the professional side you became tokyo's favorite journalist, sports related; not only because of your looks but also your professionalism and personality

every hot athlete you've ever interviewed tried to get with you, but they always got rejected

on the other hand sakusa joined MSBY Black Jackals; a professional volleyball team in japan's v.league, in the top tier of division 1

yes sir period

he never dated someone else, the break up kinda broke his heart but he'll never admit it

he also became more distant with people lowkey

however, one day your manager called you to tell you about who are you going to interview next

as she mentionned the name of a famous volleyball team you couldn’t stop your mind of thinking about your ex who used to play volleyball

little did you know that he was a part of the team

lmao who gon tell you

when you got back home you decided to do some research about that MSBY team or whatever

...

oh to your surprise when you saw sakusa kiyoomi’s face there

“no shit,” you mumbled to yourself lowkey annoyed

after the brake up you grew stronger and more independent as you put in mind that all men are trash, you didn’t want to go through that steretipycal sad phase where your self confidence would be all crushed. you wanted to remain strong and you learned how to truly love yourself without expecting anything from anyone as you had your own self

period boo

anyway, you kinda had numbed all your feelings, and to see him now made all your memories with him comeback; how you first met, your first kiss, your first dates and that fight

so here you were, in your appartement checking out their previous interviews trying to get all the juice you needed yet your mind would still zone out on his face

“just keep it pro, y/n, he probably even forgot about you, just keep it pro,” you told yourself before turning off your pc

the day of the interview, here we finally are. the MSBY team knew they had an interview with the most appreciated journalist of all times so they got ready.

“do y’all think they’re cute ?” asks atsumu, “if they’re cute you better back off guys, i’m sure i’m going to catch their attention anyway,” he cockily adds flipping his bang and flexing his muscles, no one bothered answering him at this point they were used to him

“they’re here,” their manager clapped in his hands. “don’t forget what i told you guys, they are very influent so don’t mess it up and don’t scare them away,” he looked at atsumu and bokuto who just stuck their tongues out

“good morning,” you greeted all of them and bowed, “i��m l/n y/n, the journalist who’ll interview you today,” you looked at all of them with a poker face. saying that sakusa was surprised would be an understatement; he was in shock, his brain forgot how to function correctly. you followed the others who took you to the room where all the staff would chill, offering you coffee, tea and snacks

sakusa couldn’t keep his eyes off you, seeing you after all these years was like a wave of fresh air; he was relieved to see you successful and blooming, what a beautiful sight he thought when he saw you laughing with his teammates as he got in the room. but at the same time his heart ached him as he remembred what made you two go separate ways and the guilt he tried to hide deep inside him all those years started creeping up again in his chest

“c’mon, it’s just an interview,” he sighed before sitting on a chair behind his team

the interview started and it was going fine, sakusa’s teammates were cool and you had a lot of fun interviewing them. you liked their chaotic energy and it happened for you to match it, they immediately liked you

“y/n-chan,” started atsumu getting close to you, ”would you like to go out with me tonight, we could have dinner together or just grab a drink-”

“okay barry b. benson, you’re not my type sorry,” you stopped him as you pinched his cheek making all his teammates laugh, you got a pout from him but he eventually laughed liking your attitude

“y/n-chan, why don’t you come and have dinner with us tonight?” asked bokuto with sparkles in his eyes, “oooh~ say please we’d love to!” joined him hinata with the same sparkles in his eyes

you akwardly chuckle looking at sakusa then bringing your stare back at them, “i don’t kno-”, “please come, it would be nice,” finally adds sakusa what made you look back at him

you kept staring at each other for  moment before you nodded makinf the three balls of chaotic energy; bokuto, hinata and atsumu scream a ‘yes!’ you exchanged numbers and you went back home

well, that wasn’t too bad you thought to yourself once back at you appartement plopping on your couch

for some reason your heart was beating fast and you damned those feelings you tried to hide and not get rid of for coming back

he was looking as handsome as ever, you were not going to lie

and that look in his eyes... was it regret ?

“as he fucking should,” you shook your head thinking about what he’d said in that fight

but you were young, he probably regrets, “stfu stupid heart,”

you got up and got ready for tonight’s dinner

“keep that poker face y/n, you’re doing great” you said to yourself before getting into the restaurant, you quickly saw hands waving at you, spotting the team and you went to the table. there was a place left next to bokuto and sakusa, just great, you tried hard not to roll your eyes and sat

the diner was going well, you were not bothered by sakusa’s presence, he didn’t talk much anyway and you had fun talking to the others who were really funny, the thing is that everyone got drunk; hinata and bokuto were hugging each other singing the yarichin bitch anthem, atsumu kept saying ‘ya like jazz?’ every time the someone would pass by, you and sakusa were the only ones in a good state. you couldn’t help but laugh at them trying to stop them but you’d eventually fail

“atsumu please stop,” you tried to stop him from getting on the table to ask everyone if they liked jazz, “i won’t unless you tell me ya like jazz, honey,” he wiggled his eyebrows as you couldn’t help yourself from laughing, “i do like jazz now sit down,” you finally said

sakusa kept thinking if he should talk to you or not in the mean time, he couldn’t help but to create two imaginary cases in his mind one for that says ‘yes’ and the other one ‘no’, he finally came back to earth when you sat back down after stopping tsumu from performing a jazz song

“but y/n i swear it’s a good jazz song, it is called... Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley,” he grins proud of himself, you stare at him trying to hold your laughter and when you were going to anwser you heared sakusa do it first, “no miya, and make the owl and the tangerine stop crying,” atsumu salutes him and goes to talk to the crying duo

“long time no see, l/n,” he finally says making your heart miss a beat

“never thought i’d see you again sakusa,” you answer, finally looking at him

“glad to see you’re doing well,” he adds. “even tho i wish we’d be on good terms,” you sigh turning your head. “gotta admit i am the one to blame,”

“glad to see you are mature enough to admit your wrongs,” you anwser him sipping on your drink

“i’ve always knew that i was the one who fucked up, y/n... maybe back then i just didn’t have the guts to admit it, nor to try keeping you close to me. i just saw how you were doing better off without me, and i thought it was better to let go even if it did hurt me...” he finally admits

all what you wanted to hear, craved to hear when you broke up with him. you felt some type of way, good memories you had with him flooding your mind and the feelings you’ve once had for the pretty germaphobe

what were you gonna say? were you finally ready to forgive him and move on or stay on your positions and just live like you’ve been living since the brake up

“well... we’re grown ups now, it’s all forgiven and forgotten,” you give him a small smile,

“thank you,” it was then quiet for a brief moment before he finally decided to man up, “i missed you,” he looked down at his plate

wow the butterflies in your tummy, heart and brain went off with no warnings, you stared at him with wide eyes trying to comprehend what on god’s green earth did he just say

did you miss him too ? did you hate him ? were you over the fight ? did you really stop loving him or did you just hide those feelings ?

too many questions yet no answers, as he realized you didn’t answer he mumbled few apologies but you stopped him telling it was fine

“it’s just... it’s been so many years and we didn’t end up on good terms,” you explain

“yeah, no, i totally understand that is normal,” you nodd looking down at your lap. “can i hold your hand?”

“pardon me?”

“can i hold your hand? fuck that y/n, can i have another chance? allow treat you right, to love you deeply. that guilt that built up in me kept growing with the years, and now that you’re finally here i just want one thing as i see your face is to make up for everything, even after years.”

oh wow, you were definitely not expecting that; not from sakusa who wasn’t this expressive with his feelings and especially not after all these years

you held his hand and smiled sincerly at him, “it’ll take me time; to figure out how i feel and to trust you again, but i’d like to give it a chance,” he smiled back, hope filling his eyes

after that night you tried to spend a lot of time together

usually he would be the one to initiate it

he did his best to prove you that you can trust him and that he became a better person for you

your heart would melt everytime he told you about a memory of you together or how he still remembered stuff about you

you were on your guards in the beginning but slowly you began to soften

eventually you got back together, but that’s another story

it took several months but you don’t even know how happy he was

oh and let’s just not talk about the media and how powerful you guys were

anyway you were happy and that’s what matters

Tsukishima Kei

ara ara what we have here

do you know how the life works in a weird way sometimes? a compilation of events that happen by sheer luck, fucking coincidences that are just way out of this world that lead you to bump into that one person even if you don’t want to?

no ? aight sorry

anyway, that is lowkey what life had in store for you and salt shaker man

tsukishima had gotten into that college he wanted to attend

he was happy but he would’ve secretely loved if you were there to share his happiness

oh how little did he know that you got into that college too

ahaha *awkward laughter*

homeboy found it out in a special way, not the best way there is but you know he had to know a way or another

he went to that party with his two roomates who actually lowkey forced him ngl

as he was making his way to the kitchen he heard someone laughing, a laugh he’s heard way too many times but he shook it off thinking about how many people may have the same laughter

“oi y/n, you look hot!” a male’s voice shouted

what ?

there was no way you were there and he decided to make sure by checking out by himself

he was CHOKED when he saw you there

“tell me something i don’t know,” you laughed as you approached the boy who called you. “what’s up hot stuff ?” he said as you were finally next to him

hot stuff? tsukki almost gagged at the horrible name you were just given, yet it was not false that you were indeed ‘hot’; you looked as flawless as ever, you did a 180° change

the sweet, soft, innocent y/n was replaced by the baddest bitch in the motherfucking block he almost didn’t recognize you. he wondered if you stayed together would you have gone through this change an didn’t notice you coming his way

“god, don’t stand in the middle of the- tsukishima ?” you stopped when you saw his face. “you attending a party, what a surprise,” you stood there a hand on your hip

“oh y/n, how are you?” homeboy didn’t know how to act at this point, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck

“i’m doing great actually, so did you get into here ? the ‘college of your dreams’,” he could feel the sarcasm in your voice, he also noticed how cold you were

“yeah, thankfully. where’d you go ?”

“oh i go here, the same college as you,” you fake a smile, he feels his heart miss a beat.. or two.“you know sometimes i look back, and i can’t help from noticing that being in a committed relationship didn’t stop me from attending one of the best colleges out there and you, on the other hand who didn’t want anything to do with a relationship got here too,” you spat, obviously you didn’t get to tell him how you felt when you broke up. “good thing i’m not in the same major as you though,” you sighed

“y/n i_,”

“no save it tsukishima, there’s no need to say whatever you want to say. at this point i’ve moved on, i just found it funny to see you here after what you’ve said and how i actually also got here; now i know for sure that you were the problem... and i hated myself thinking it was me,” you scoff. “hope i won’t get to see you often, good luck for the rest,” and with that you left, joining a group of friends who waved for you to join them

needless to mention that he was pissed and heartbroken

he was not expecting that from you, he always saw you as this delicate person whose kindness is infinite

now, oh now he didn’t recognize you

even your voice got more.. mature? cold? idk

anyway after your encounter he directly headed back to his dorm

he couldn’t sleep the whole night rethinking about all what those years with you and what you said, you hated yourself as you thought you were the problem

bravo tsukishima they hate you, he thought to himself

uhm lol so the rest of your college ‘journey’ went without the two of you seeing each other

you were both majoring in different stuff, the campus is huge, y’alls schedules didn’t match and you had different friend groups

yet rarely he would find you at the library at 4am, many empty coffee cans on your table, looking all sleepy with your glasses falling off and your hair in a messy bun

“fucking ass why on god’s poluted earth did i ever want to major in that fucking shit of a topic, couldn’t i do something basic like stripper or something ? ugh fml,” he caught you once in the middle of an existencial crisis

he couldn’t help his lips from twitching upwards and he couldn’t stop the memories of the two of you studying together flooding his mind

he never came close to you tho, especially after what you told him in that party

sad </3

you guys graduated from college fucking finally

congrats folks you did it!

and you thought it was the end of your story

how sweet, how naive

uh-uh baby life decided otherwise and you saw each other years later

in the same company 🤪 

“oi tsukishima-san, don’t forget we have a metting with the new manager in 10,”

how could he forget ? everyone has been talking about this manager for a week

tsukki was respected by all his work mates as he was such a good element what made him get the best promotions and claims from his boss

n e way

he got into the conf room where everyone was seated and took his place waiting for the new manager and the boss to come in, he was clearly annoyed and didn’t want to be there; he just wanted to finish his work on go back home

anyway his attention was brought back by his boss entering the room, “good evening everyone, with no longer introduction let me introduce you to y/l/n y/n your new manager,”

tsukki’s head SNAPPED, he almost broke his neck

tsukiskima.exe has stopped working

you were surprised when your eyes landed on him too but you’re a bad bitch and kept it professional

he couldn’t focus for the rest of the meeting, even tho it was just presentations and basic information for the future collaboration

the meeting ended and everyone went back home, except for you as you stayed in late to work on some stuff

you thought you were alone since it was late, but you were wrong since tsukishima had also stayed in late to finish up whatever file he was asked to analize

this is why you were startled when you heard some noise and a tall figure got out of the office ahead of you

“oh my,” you held your chest and relaxed when you noticed it was tsukishima, “i thought i was alone,”

“staying in late on your first day huh, didn’t know you were still here,” he responded, you noticed how his tone didn’t change from when you first met him in highschool, maybe his voice got a bit more deeper tho

you couldn’t help noticing how good he looked in his suit, it fit him really well. his broad shoulders covered by the dark blue vest, the first few buttons of his white vector shirt opened letting you lowkey see his collarbone

“yea well i’m leaving now, good night,” you quickly say and took your leave, seeing him after all this time was weird and you didn’t know how to feel

you still remember what you said the last time you saw him at that party, you were hurt and you said some things you probably regret by now and you thought that he probably hated your guts and as long as you wanted to be at the top in your  new work you still decided to stay away from him

“ugh what a dumbass,” you whined and slapped the back of your head thinking tsukishima was still in the floor you left him in, but he saw you and his lips twitched upwards

everytime he thinks you can’t look any better you prove him wrong, he thought to himself as he went to his car finally heading back home. after all those years life decided to still play with you guys and put you in the same company, i mean, he wasn’t complaining but he wished it wasn’t awkward between the two of you

you guys started working together, a new journey for the both of you started

he thought you still hated him and that is why he was cold with you :(

so you were both distant with each other and if you ever had to talk it was cold, formal and quick

it’s been a few weeks your collegues had noticed the tension between the two of you

they were lowkey sus of something but didn’t want to butt in

it was physically painful to watch

n e way everything was going more or less smoothly until a new face made an appariction in the company

“my god! what are you doing here?” you hugged the good looking man

“i missed you and i thought that i couldn’t live without you, so i am here to cling,” you pull away and playfully slap his chest. “nah more seriously i am here to get that bag boo,”

“as you should hun, so you’re a trainee huh? i’ll ask them to put you under my supervision,” you wink

“say less,” he flirtily gets close to you

“uhm, sorry to interrupt your i bet very educational discussion but y/l/n, here, the file,” tsukishima butts in out of nowhere, his voice colder than usual and his eyes lowkey darker than usual

“oh thank you,” and he left

“well, that was awkward,” your friend cringes

“shut up, yuuji,” you roll your eyes

“wait wasn’t that tsukishami? sushikima? suspicual tall bitch who broke your heart?” the last attempt made you chuckle

“yes, it is,” you sigh, going through the file. “i can’t believe you still remeber that!”

“miss girl, you were not the one listening at your own self sobbing at how some tall, blonde, salt shaker broke your heart and how you’d want to, and i quote “punch his beautiful face then hug him so tight that i’ll squeeze his organs”,”

you narrow your eyes at him then for quite a while, then you scoff, “i am glad you’re here, dickhead,”

“so am i, headass,” he gives you a sincere smile

yuuji’s presence made things complicated even more

tsukishima didn’t appreciate the new flirty, good looking, lowkey smart trainee who was under your supervision

he was more irritable than usual, he knew he had no right to feel like that but still, he couldn’t help it

everytime he saw you two together working, laughing, grabing lunch together or even just being in the same area it made him want to break walls

but he couldn’t

he also saw how yuuji would flirt with other female collegues and it made him furious; you didn’t deserve that!

deserve what tho lol you and yuuji were friends but since tsukki was blinded by his jealousy or whatever he was feeling he assumes you were a thing or soon to be a thing

dumb mf

anyway

your boss had assigned you an important file to work on

all cool and shit until he mentioned that you had to work with tsukishima

ahaha.......... right

you started working the day after

°3°

it was awkward as fuck ngl, y’all would share max up to 3 words in a matter of 20mins

each one of you was sitting in their side

the tension buddy, the tension!!!!!

idk how you survived

day 2: you slapped some sense in yourself and an old relationship that ended in bad terms shouldn’t affect your work years after

so you started talking more, always pro stuff, but still

kei was the same as yesterday but that didn’t surprise you since he was always like that and you weren’t expecting anything from him except contribute effectively to the work, what he did

day 3: work in progress, nothing less

day 4: same as day 3 except that you stayed in later than the previous days

day 5: yuuji bursted in because he had broought you food, he kissed your temple before he left wishing you good luck. tsukki almost gagged, homie was fuming in rage

day 6:

it was late, everyone had left but you and kei still working on that goddamn file, thankfully he had given enough time to finish the work

“y/l/n, the food is here,” tells you tsukishima as he got back into the office

“thanks, i almost died from hunger,” you get up getting what you ordered

you were eating in silence until tall man decided to speak up, “funny, huh?” you looked at him confused. “how we went to the same highschool, same college and now we are working together,”

you just let an “oh” thinking about what you told him in that frat party, “i guess you were right, i was the problem,”

“tsukishima look, it’s been years and it’s all forgotten now okay?” he looks at his food, his mind elswhere

“remember what you told me in that party?”

“tsuki-”

“i mean, now that we’re grown ups we can talk about it, right? i feel like i didn’t get closure, not like i deserve it but still,8

you just nodd and go sit in front of him

“well, i lashed out on you on that party because i didn’t get closure, i was obviously still hurt and petty and immature. Seeing you there was like a slap in the face, i really want to apologize but i feel like what i said was true,”

“and it was true, it took sometime to accept it and realiwe it, but you don’t need to apologize; i didn’t treat you right, so i am sorry,”

you give him a small smile, “i am also sorry, i shouldn’t have talked to you that way it was rude,”

“but true,” he adds and you chuckle

“yeah, it’s all fine now. we can start over again,”

“i mean, i’d like to,” he gives you a small, tiny smile but you could still see it

“y/n?”

“mmh?” you look at him, your mouth full and cheeks about to explode

“i know we just made up and stuff but... please be careful with that new trainee,”

“yuuji? what why?”

“look i’m a man and i know wha another man thinks when i see him in action, and he’s just... not trustworthy i guess,”

“tsukishima kei, tf are trying to say?”

“look, i don’t want you to get hurt! but he is all flirty with other women and it’s just a huge disrespect to you and your relationship,” he explains

you look at him with wide eyes than laugh your ass off, you couldn’t believe what you just heard

“tsukki, yuuji is my bestfriend we’re not dating,” you wipe a tear tha slipped

he just stares at you, “oh” is all what he could say

“thanks for worrying tho,”

“whatever,” he rolls his eyes

as the days went by you and kei got closer

he would tease you and you’d tease him back

“oi, salt shaker, put my stuff on a high shelf again and i’ll pull your highschool pictures when you played vb,”

“as if you still have them” he scoffs

“don’t mess with me!”

“whatever shortie- OW why would you throw the stapler at me?”

“it’s your mouth that i’m gonna staple next time,”

anyway it was all giggles and shit

you enjoyed working together and gaining your complicity back

the due date came, you had to present in front of 3 other CEOs and your own ceo

you did an amazing job, obviously

everyone liked the harmony between the two of you and how neat your work was

“WOHOO here’s my bad bitch,” yuuji hugged you after the deliberation

“stfu we’re not alone,” you laugh. “did i look good?” you ask

he smirks and checks you out, twirling you and wolf whistling, “hotter than ever and thicker than snicker,” you laugh at his remark

“uhm-uhm,” tsukishima came behind you

“hey, sushimika, good job out there,” yuuji gives him a big grin

tsukishima just nodds and his eyes dart to yuuji’s arm around your waist, something he notices

“erm anyway, Vanessa is calling me gotta go,” he kisses your head and leaves

“he’s one of a kind, i gotta admit,” you say pulling him out of his trance

“i mean, y’all are bestfriends so i’m not surprised,” you roll your eyes

“we did a good job out there, i mean i was better but you weren’t too bad yourself,” he smirks

“you’re so annoying,” you laugh. “i guess we make a good duo,”

you lookn at each other for a while before tsukki finally speaks up

“uhm look, i know it’s only been one month since we’re back to normal but... would you maybe like to have dinner with me?” he rubbs the back of his neck

“like a date?”

“you know what i mean y/n,” he rolls his eyes

“uhm sorry i don’t clearly see what you mean,” you grimace

“ugh alright, like on a date, would go with me yes or no ?”

you laugh at his impatience, “pick me up at 7,”

“is that a yes?”

“you know what i mean, tsukki,” you say as you leave

so the date went well

really well

you didn’t want to burn steps so you lowkey took your time in the process of getting back together

going on dates, talking everything out to build a strong base

work together was fun

i mean i’m not gonna talk about the sneaky make out sessions but haha you know 👀 

surely you got back together, even shared an appartement and you are the happiest you’ve ever been

he proposed 3 years after

fin

taglist : @fallingforyuu @ukhyeonn @yeonayona  @terminallyvolatile @bryai003​ @ichigo-post​ @virgyalizu​ 

i truly hope you like it, <3

[multi-fandom-freak0221]

You Killed Me, but I Survived and Now I'm Coming Alive

Hey guys. It's been a minute. My job have been kicking my ass. I quit one of them a few months back cause 16-18 hour days were kicking my ass. But my dad died of Covid 1/20/21, on my older sisters birthday and month before my 20th birthday. I am half a country away from him and I won't be going to see the rest of them, but I do have 3 paid days bereavement and while I'm trying to distract myself I decided to try and finish this part. Your feedback motivates me so much. This part was the part I've been waiting for. The whole reason I created this fic. Like for real I had like maybe one sentence summaries planned for the other two parts in my head but this part played out like a full movie in my head down to the last details. This one will probably be the longest. It also has like 3 songs in it because it's the concert/gala scene hopefully I'll be able to cut it down some because i won't need descriptions between every lyrics but who knows. C'est la Vie. Anyways this will be the official last part, but I do already have one for sure bonus planned and a possible bonus that I might do if enough people want it.

This part's title is from "Miss Moving On" by Fifth Harmony. And this part includes the songs "Sorry (I'm not Sorry)" by Demi Lovato, "Home" by Philip Phillips, and "Symphony" by Clean Bandit ft . (Which for me is like a fucking poly anthem. I'm mean a symphony is a perfect metaphor for a healthy poly relationship! I mean it is a lovely way of asking to join into a poly group! Anywho I'm ranting and projecting. Ignore me.)

This is Part 3 of my fic based on @maiisdaddy 's Love of Three.

Tagging list:

@thestressmademedoit @colorfulmongerpsychicranch @lizziejay @indecisive-mess-named-me @captainmac6 @luveverything12 @kris-pines04 @brokenwordsarehard2 @roselynfey @mewwitch @stainedglassm

Part 1 Part 2

Marinette was ecstatic. She was extremely proud of all that she had accomplished in the 6 or 7 seven months since she left Damian. She became a singing sensation and recorded a whole album that would be releasing soon. She spent time healing and hanging out with her friends and pseudo family. Hell she even created outfits for herself and all her friends for the album release/identity reveal gala her Uncle Tony decided to throw for. Not that other guest knew that what this gala was for. Uncle Tony had picked the next closest international holiday and claimed it was a charity gala in honor of said holiday. While he may mot have been being entirely truthful there is never a bad reason to give to charity so she wasn't going to dwell on it.

She could truly say she totally over Damian. She even had Adrien take the ring back to her old apartment for her. She was not worried about him anymore. She had more important matters to attend to. Like the 3 boys who stole her heart while helping her piece it back together. Which she would say was great timing because she was sure Bruce Wayne would be at this gala. She guesses it was some kind of billionaire/millionaire code to never miss a charity event hosted by a fellow billionaires/millionaires.

Either way it was for the best because as soon as Uncle Tony had suggested a gala to reveal at, she had Uncle Jagged help her with two songs that she kept secret from everyone. One to show her appreciate for all her family and friend's support for her and one to confess to the 3 boys who loved her when she felt unlovable. She was going to preform these song for her friends in front of a lot of influential people but she wasn't even nervous. Not even when Alix told her that the gala was to be live streamed. No she was just excited and happy to let her friends know how she was feeling.

The gala was in full swing. All the guests who were coming were already there by the time Marinette and everyone else she came with arrived. She was talking with Chloe, Kagami, and Alix when she decided to grab herself a drink. She was walking to the refreshments table when accidentally bumped in someone's back slightly. "Oh! I'm sorry, sir."

The man then turned around to reveal to be Bruce Wayne himself. "Marinette! I'm surprised to see you. Damian said you were feeling too sick to attend."

Marinette wanted to scowl, but she managed keep her face neutral. She knew there were reporters swarming here and she did not want to make a spectacle. "I'm sure he did. Now if you'll excuse me, Mr. Wayne I was on my way to get a drink." She didn't even get a chance to leave Bruce in confusion from her statement. No sooner than she took a step to leave did Dick walk up to her.

Dick smiled at her as he greeted her kindly. "Sunshine! It's been a while. I thought Damian said you were under the weather?" As he moved in to hug her she sidestepped out of his reach.

Once upon a time she loved Dick's hugs, but now it would just feel fake. "I'm sure your brother has said many thing about my lack of attendance to many social gatherings. Unfortunately those claims were false as Damian has not been privy to my whereabouts in months. Now if you please excuse me."

She went to walk away again, but she guesses Dick's interference was enough time for Bruce get over his shock because he blocked her path again. "What are you talking about Marinette?" Marinette resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Mr. Wayne it has been nice talking with you but this really is a conversation for another time." Marinette sighs. She was trying to be civil. She was sure there were reporters everywhere waiting for the big scoop. She wanted that to be her reveal not her past relationship with an asshole. "Besides this is probably something you'd need to talk to Damian about."

"Talk to me, about what?" There is no God, she was convinced. The sigh that left her mouth was long and full of suffering as she turned around with a clearly fake smile. Facing her now was Damian himself with Tim and Jason behind him. Damian was clearly extremely shocked to she her, but he played it off quickly. "Angel I thought you weren't feeling well. Why didn't you tell me you changed your mind? You could have came with us."

Marinette ducked out of Damian's reach, barely restraining from stomping on his foot with her heels, as he tried to kiss her. "Do not call me Angel. And don't you dare even try to kiss me, Wayne."

Before Marinette could lose her temper anymore Luka came and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Everything okay, Melody?" Marinette took some calming breaths as she attempted to regain her composure.

While she was trying to calm down, it seemed the Wayne family was getting worked up. "And who is this, Marinette?" Bruce asked accusingly.

Marinette looked at the family in front of her in disbelief. "You all met Luka. He's my best friend. Signed under Jagged. In a committed relationship with two of my other best friends, Kagami and Adrien." She shook her head as the all held sheepish expression for assuming the worst. "Not that who I'm with is any of your business anyways."

Before any of them could question to her statement, Felix comes to her other side and whispers into her ear. "Do you want me to call security?" She didn't even get a chance to respond before she heard Dick gasp, scandalized.

"Marinette!! Are you cheating on Damian?" Dick exclaimed. At this point Marinette knew they were drawing a crowd she was trying to keep everyone's dignity intact, even though her reputation wasn't the one at stake.

"Mr. Wayne I once again implore you that we have this conversation in a more private setting." Marinette spoke calmly, but through gritted teeth. She was on her nerve.

Bruce crossed his arm and spoke loudly drawing more attention to them. "No. I demand you explain to me at once why you are here with another man when you are supposed to be marrying my son. Was this all some kind of ruse to go after the Wayne Fortune?" Her jaw dropped. She knew it did but she couldn't stop herself from the shock. The sheer audacity of this family before her. She quickly shut her mouth as her eyes narrowed into a deadly glare. Her Ladybug glare. The Wayne family would never admit it but an involuntary shiver went down their spines at the sight of it.

She knew her friends had gathered behind her at this point and see could see the reporters pushing past each other to get the scoop. Vicki Vale was the closest one. In the corner of her eye she saw the camera that was set up for the livestream as well.

Marinette face finally settled on a look mixed with anger and mischief. "Oh? So want to cause a scene, Mr. Wayne? Well how about I put on a show?" She continued to stare Bruce in the eye as she spoke to one of her, "Chloe, can you tell Jagged that I'll be opening with Sorry. The rest of the show will go as planned." Chloe smiled wickedly before going to do asked.

The Wayne family began to smirk when they heard her say sorry, but whatever they began to feel was quickly shut down as she spoke to them again. "Let's get this straight, Mr. Wayne. I am not cheating on Damian and I never once desired to a part of your family's fortune. It was foolish of me to even once want to be a part of your family but I quickly learned better. I would not want to even look at the money that is connected to your family's name if the requirement was to be even cordial with Damian, let alone married to him."

She then towards the crowd the surrounding them. "If everyone would please take their seats facing the stage the show is about to to begin." Without a second thought Marinette headed towards the stage while the rest of her friends took their seats. Some one who was in the staff working tonight led the Wayne family to seats right in front of the stage. Soon everyone was seated and Marinette was standing center stage with a microphone.

Marinette smiled brightly at the crowd. "Thank you all for coming. I'm sure you all know me as Marinette Dupain-Cheng, pseudo niece of Tony Stark and Jagged Stone, and for some of you ex-fiance of Damian, but for others you still current fiance of Damian Wayne. Well I hate to inform that some of you are wrong. Anyways I'm sure your wondering why I'm up here. Well Uncle Tony promised a surprise musical guest so I'd like to reintroduce myself to all of as Neon Titanium! I'm going to be preforming a few songs for you tonight from my new album about to release but before that I decided I should clear the air. Let me start by saying it has been about 7 months since I broke off my engagement to Damian Wanye. While most of you know I chose to kept the reason of said break up private, someone here tonight decided that they were entitled to the reason to being told to them, very publicly. And who am I to deny such a request?" There was a false sincerity to her final sentence that seemed almost menacing.

In the front you can see the paling faces of many of the Wayne men as Tim is on his phone. He finally pulls up Marinette interview that was released prior to Damian announcement. "Damian, what the hell did you do?" Tim voice was barely above a whisper but they all heard it.

Marinette continued on quite content to the situation before her. "Well here's the truth. Damian did the unforgivable. He repeatedly cheated on me while emotionally abusing me and gaslighting me.

"He kept me from seeing everyone I cared about and his own family, claiming it was for my own safety and called me selfish for wanting to leave the apartment he kept me locked in. And while at first he seemed to actually be concerned my wellbeing, over time he stopped caring.

"He became distant, turning back into the Ice Prince you all knew him to be. He would lie about why I wouldn't leave the apartment constantly while still leaving me alone in the apartment constantly. Then he started getting late night calls from "work" to the point I would barely see him. I overheard one of these calls once. I heard him telling who ever was on the other side of the phone that I had no clue and to be waiting for him naked. But I stayed hopeful. I thought I could fix things. But he got worse.

"He was slept with the one person who made it their life goal to take everything from me. Even before I moved to Gotham, this girl hated me and she took all of the people who I thought were my friends and turned them against me. My true friends stayed and knew the truth but it still hurt. And Damien knew this. I told him all about this girl abd how she hurt me. Yet he still slept with her.

"The girl knew I was Damien's fiance. Somehow she got my number and sent me a picture of her in bed with Damian, both of them naked. I'm not going to lie I broke down when I saw that. Before her I could play ignorant and act like I didn't know what he was doing. But this? This was impossible for me to ignore. He cared so little about me that he slept with the one person who do whatever it takes to hurt me. I left that same night with only the things that were mine. Everything I bought came with and everything he bought me stayed. Including the cell phone he bought me when I moved in with him. The only thing that wasn't mine that came with was the engagement ring because I couldn't bring myself to truly accept the truth that it was over yet. I later on had it returned because I remember Mr. Wayne saying it belonged to his mother, though I'm guessing Damian didn't notice."

Marinette saw Bruce whip his head towards Damian who shrunk in on himself.

"Oops. Guess it wasn't noticed indeed. Anyways. For the last 7 months I have been living in Stark Towers with my Uncle Tony, healing with some of my closest friends helping me. And after some convincing working on an album with Luka and my Uncle Jagged. I will preforming a few of those songs for the gala tonight and they will also be live streamed for those who paid for virtual tickets. My album will be released in the next following week." Marinette took a deep breath as she prepared for her first song.

"Originally I planned to open with a different song tonight but after this impromptu info dump, I thought only fair to follow it with the song I wrote dedicated to Damian. I like to call this one Sorry" As Marinette finished the music started playing over the speakers. Soon she was singing passionately.

Now I'm out here looking like revenge

Feelin' like a ten, the best I ever been

And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this,

But it gets worse (wait a minute)

She pointed to Damian while rolling her eyes.

Now you're out here looking like regret

Ain't too proud to beg, second chance you'll never get

And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this

But it gets worse (wait a minute)

She took the mic off it's stand as she walked along the front of the stage.

Now payback is a bad bitch

And baby, I'm the baddest

You fuckin' with a savage

Can't have this, can't have this (ah)

And it'd be nice of me to take it easy on ya, but nah

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Being so bad got me feelin' so good

Showing you up like I knew that I would

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned

Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns

Baby, fineness is the way to kill

Marinette gestured to herself from head to toe.

Tell me how it feel, bet it's such a bitter pill

And yeah, I know you thought you had bigger, better things

Bet right now this stings (wait a minute)

'Cause the grass is greener under me

Bright as Technicolor, I can tell that you can see

And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this

But it gets worse (wait a minute)

By this point Chloe, Kagami, and Adrien had got up and started dancing along to the song.

Now payback is a bad bitch

And baby, I'm the baddest

You fuckin' with a savage

Can't have this, can't have this (ah)

And it'd be nice of me to take it easy on ya, but nah

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Being so bad got me feelin' so good

Showing you up like I knew that I would

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned

Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns

Marinette waved to her 3 friends to join on stage for the next part.

Talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

If you talk, if you talk that talk, baby

Everyone was clapping to the beat while Marinette pranced across the stage, except for the Wayne family.

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

Oh yeah Talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby

If you talk, if you talk that talk, baby

Better walk, better walk that walk, baby (oh yeah)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Being so bad got me feelin' so good

Showing you up like I knew that I would

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned

Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns

As the song came to a close, there was a roar of applause as her friends went back to her table.

Marinette did a little half bow. "Thank you. Thank you."

She wait till it was quiet again as she returned the mic to the stand. "Now as you can all see I'm doing much better now and I'm happy without him, but if it wasn't for the support system I have I never would have made it to where I am. My parents are in France so in my time of need I turned to my family who was close. My uncles Jagged and Tony, and my aunts Penny and Pepper. They're wonderful and they have always been there for me when I need them. And also my friends, both old and new have stood by me through all of this and helped me come out stronger. So this next song was a surprise gift for them."

Jagged had grabbed an acoustic guitar and was playing her in sitting in the background of her as a projection shined on the wall behind her, showing pictures of her with her friends and her uncles and aunts.

Hold on, to me as we go

As we roll down this unfamiliar road

And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone

'Cause I'm going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear

Don't pay no mind to the demons

They fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone

'Cause I'm going to make this place your home

She took the mic off the stand again as she walk off the stage to her friends and family in the crowd giving the hugs as vocalized along with music.

On the screen was several pictures she found. She put together the slideshow herself. There was a picture of herself crying in the midst of group hug while the people around her comforted. Another was her and all her friends playing in the pool. There was one where they had an impromptu free-for-all dodgeball game and she had won. She was laughing as the guys lifted her into and the girls were all cheering around her.

She made her way back to the stage after the final hug.

Settle down, it'll all be clear

Don't pay no mind to the demons

They fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone

'Cause I'm going to make this place your home

She smiled as projector turned off and the crowd applauded again. "Thank you all. But truly thank you to my friends and family for helping and supporting me."

She waited till it was quiet once more before speaking again. "All those who love me have done so much for me, but right now I wanna talk about 3 very special people."

She smiled softly as she looked over to where Peter, Felix, and Jon were sitting. "These 3 boys did so much for me even though they were the ones who knew me the shortest. They've been kind and patient and understanding with me. They all started to love me when I felt my most unlovable. And soon they found a love in each other as well. The best part is even after loving each other they offered to include me in their love as well, whenever I was ready. They gave me their friendship unconditionally no matter what my answer came to be and never rushed me for an answer ever. So Jon, Felix, and Peter this song is for you."

She saw the Wayne family's eyes widen, but she paid them no mind as she started singing.

I've been hearing symphonies

Before all I heard was silence

A rhapsody for you and me

And every melody is timeless

Life was stringing me along

Then you came and you cut me loose

Was solo singing on my own

Now I can't find the key without you

And now your song is on repeat

And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat

And when you're gone, I feel incomplete

So if you want the truth

I just wanna be part of your symphony

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

Symphony

Like a love song on the radio

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

I'm sorry if it's all too much

Every day you're here, I'm healing

And I was runnin' out of luck

I never thought I'd find this feeling

At this point Marinette had walked down the stage grabbed Jon's hand and led him back to the stage dancing.

'Cause I've been hearing symphonies

Before all I heard was silence

A rhapsody for you and me

(A rhapsody for you and me)

And every melody is timeless

She repeated the process with Felix as Jon danced nervously danced on stage.

And now your song is on repeat

And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat

And when you're gone, I feel incomplete

So if you want the truth

She left Felix and Jon dancing together as she brought Peter back to the stage with her. She continued to dance with him as she sang.

I just wanna be part of your symphony

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

Symphony

Like a love song on the radio

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

Ah ah, ah

She smiled as Peter dipped her before bring her back up and handing her off to Felix.

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

Ah ah, ah

Felix twirled her, letting her dress flare, as she spun right in to join awaiting arms where he lifted her into the air.

And now your song is on repeat

And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat

He slowly set her down and she turned until her back is against his chest. His hand are on hips as they sway gently.

And when you're gone, I feel incomplete

So if you want the truth

Peter and Felix were mimicking her position with Jon in front of her and she put an arm around Peter's neck while the other still held the microphone.

(Oh, oh, oh)

I just wanna be part of your symphony

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

Symphony

Like a love song on the radio

Symphony

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

Symphony

Like a love song on the radio

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

This time as she finished singing the crowd was silent as she looked at the 3 boys who held her heart. "Jon. Felix. Peter. You guys are some of the best people to ever walk into my life. I want nothing more than to be with you 3. So if you are still willing, will you do me the honor of calling me your girlfriend?"

She looked hopeful as the silence filled her ears. It felt like hours, even though it was definitely seconds, before she heard them all say yes.

Cheers erupted as Peter kissed her and Jon and Felix kissed each other over the former two's heads. She then turned kissed Jon as Peter kissed Felix, before kissing Felix as Jon kissed Peter. She grinning wildly when the all finally pulled away from each other.

She raised the mic to her lips as she closed out. "Thank you all for being here for my reveal/debut! I got one more song that I'll be preforming at the end of the gala, so y'all have fun and mingle. Once again, this is Marinette Dupain-Cheng aka Neon Titanium, I'm glad you enjoyed the show!"

She winked at Bruce on her last word as she walked off the stage with the loves of her life to where her family and friends were waiting for her.

Her and her boys (and Kwami does she love that -Her boys) were in the midst of getting congratulations when she heard someone clear their throat behind her. Bruce Wayne stood as tall as ever though he refused to meet any of her group's eyes.

"Ms. Dupain-Cheng, I apologize for my early behavior tonight, I was missing the whole story." He voice was steady but some shame shone through. His boys were behind him all of them also looking sheepish except Damian who was glaring at her new loves Jon in particular.

Marinette rolled her eyes. "You know as well as I do that the media are sharks, and events like these are a feeding frenzy for them. I tried my hardest to keep all of our reputations intact tonight, a lot harder than I should have since I had nothing to hide since I was the victim here. Yet, you in no regards of the truth, attempted to smear me with no hesitation. Personally the rest of you did nothing to me so I had no ill will towards you, but you forced my hand. The results of today are direct consequences of your own actions."

Before anyone else could speak up Damian did. "Kent," He nearly growled. "Why didn't you inform me as soon as you knew she was gone. As my best friend you should have informed me immediately!"

Jon answered lowly in a dark tone no had ever heard him use before. "My father tried to warn you father, Wayne, but when questioned you just dug your own grave deeper. Besides as my father explained to me it is not our job to make sure you two are aware of the going ons of your own household. Also you lost the right to be my best friend when you decided to be so cruel to the person you were supposed to love and then lie when confronted about it."

Marinette scoffed. "I figured when you finally noticed I was gone you'd assume I was off throwing a temper tantrum in hiding somewhere and that I'd come back. The fact that you weren't even worried about me in all that time I was missing is really telling."

Bruce glared Damian down from respond as his brothers held him back. "I just have one more question before we rightfully leave you alone. You said you had the ring return? Where could it possibly be?"

Marinette shrugged. "I had Adrien return it a couple months ago. Damian was fucking some girl in his apartment when Adrien walked in and he didn't even notice him set it on the dresser. I believe heard on the grapevine someone named Lila is claim she's Damian's true love and he had to keep up our engagement for appearances. She also claimed he proposed to her with a Wayne family heirloom until he get away from me. I guess maybe next time Damian should pay better attention to his house guests." She giggled sarcastically afterwards.

Bruce frowned as he nodded. "I see. I'll leave you all alone now. Have a wonderful evening, and congratulations." As he led his family away Marinette could hear whispered yelling but could make out a few phrases like "PR Nightmare", "priceless heirloom", "huge mistake", and even "major fuck up".

As soon as they were out of hearing range Marinette started laughing, causing everyone around her to laugh too. She finally calmed down eventually but her large smile never went away. This is the happiest and the most free she's felt in the long time.

[griffintail]

Dear Dad, We won Lmanburg, but we lost a lot. Eret betrayed us and we all lost our first lives in the control room. Tommy lost another in a duel with Dream. But we got our country. I-I'm going to be the best president- Dad, I lost the election. Schlatt and Quackity won and then exiled Tommy and I. Fundy was part of the mob. I lost my second life. We started a new country in a hole in the mountain. Tommy is trying to keep our spirits up. I'm not sure what to do, dad. I want to ask you for help but I know I can't- Dad, We found a ravine and Tommy and I asked Techno for help winning Lmanburg back. Tubbo is on our side but everyone else still hates us. Even Fundy. I'm not sure it's still Lmanburg. Dad, It's not our Lmanburg, I don't know what they've done but it's all wrong now. It's not a community, there's no freedom. It's gone. Everything we fought and killed and died for is all gone, now. The place Fundy grew up is gone. The place my little brother gave his two lives for is gone. It's just gone. Dad; I put explosives under Lmanberg. I'm going to use them if anything goes wrong. I have it all rigged to a secret button that only I know about. I'm not sure if I can press it, or if I should. Tommy says we shouldn't. Techno doesn't care. I don't know if I do, either. Dad; I think I might be the villain. Dad; I finally got rid of my stupid uniform. I got better clothes, now. They're for me. I have my beanie, again, and I don't look like the stupid soldier who risked his life for nothing. Who died for nothing. Dad; It's okay. I'm okay. Techno is right. Techno is right, about the government. About every government. The power just corrupted them. Just the thought of it did. I held the country together for years and it all has fallen apart. They changed the name to Manberg ages ago, but it only proves my point. Lmanberg is gone. Dad I'm never sending these letters. I know I'm not. You have no idea whats happened. There was a festival. Schlatt had Techno kill Tubbo in front of the crowd. The sick bastard had him planning his own execution just to prove a point. He knew about the TNT and got rid of it before the festival even happened so nothing happened when I tried to get us out of there. We had to run away from Lmanberg again. From the mob. From Fundy. Dad; I've never been so lost. Dad; I think Eret was right. Lmanberg was never meant to be. I keep visiting the room, I even rewrote the anthem. I can't seem to bring myself to press the button, though. I died for this scrap of ground and the rights of the people there, but they killed me for it. Maybe...maybe I should return the favor. Dad; Quackity left Lmanberg. He was Schlatt's husband and vice president. He's half the reason Schlatt won. He said he made a big mistake. He said he didn't understand. He says he wants to help us take down Schlatt. I think he's a spy. Dad; Fundy said I wasn't his dad today. Dad; Everyone is joining our side and they're all lying. They're all lying, they're all spies for Schlatt. If they hated him they wouldn't have killed me. They wouldn't have supported Schlatt every day. They would have left the second the election was announced. They would have left when he changed the flag. They're just using me. They're just using Techno. Dad; I keep visiting the room. The button is always there. I still haven't pressed it. But I should. Even if we win, Lmanberg is still gone. They people that made it have all turned against eachother anyway. Dream is with Schlatt. There's nothing left here. There's no one left. Dad; Fundy said that he was being a spy the whole time. He kept a diary. He's lying. Dad; They're all lying. Dad; I've decided I should do it. I'm going to press the button. I hope it kills me. There's nothing left here anymore. I want to die with Lmanberg. Maybe then they'll stop lying. Maybe then they'll understand. -Lemon

Phil reread the last line of the last letter over and over. The others gave him privacy while he read over the letters. It was heartbreaking to see the mental breaking his son had over the loss of the country he had built for freedom. Tears were slowly running down his cheeks before he startled feeling a weight around his waist.

He looked to see the little girl hugging him tightly. “(Y/N), when did you wake up from your nap?” He wiped his tears away before giving her hug back.

“Why are you crying?” She asked instead.

“I just...I read something really sad is all. I’ll be ok, thank you for the hug, it’s already helping me feel better.” He muttered. “You...really can’t talk to Wilbur at all?”

She shook her head and he sighed. “Why?”

“I just, I want to tell him I love him too.” He smiled sadly to her. 

“Sometimes he hears me when I talk about my day, I can try to tell him then.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Alright, thank you kiddo. It would mean a lot to me.”

[pacifymebby]

Little Faith / Van

Van x reader 

TW mentions of previous abusive relationship/ physical hurt

You were out with all your mates, this club you despised but that your friends still loved despite you all having grown out of it since uni. You didn't like it there for a multitude of reasons, the sticky floors you were certain carried more diseases than the inside of a rats colon, the bar where drinks got spiked every couple of minutes, the toilets which were always sick stained, and the smoking area which was always full of absolute roasters.

Sure when you were a student it had been decent, cheap drinks, indie rock and roll anthems, and more importantly, all your mates and everyone from uni all crammed into the same club on a Thursday night. You'd had some good times there once but now the place felt claustrophobic. Like every time you stepped inside and headed down the stairs towards the dance floor, you were stepping back in time. Losing the last two years of your life and returning to your student days.

The only consolation tonight was that you'd brought Van with you. The two of you had been dating for a little while but he was yet to meet your friends from uni because you'd moved up north after you'd graduated and you didn't get back down to London all that often.

This weekend though you and Van had decided to take a trip down south, have a little city break. When you'd told your friends you'd come down they'd insisted on a big old reunion at the social, and so now here you were.

In the midst of a big night out at the social, wishing you'd not bothered telling them you were coming down at all.

The music was loud, naturally, you were in a club after all and it was the least you could expect but the playlist had changed since you'd been here last, and you didn't recognise these gen z indie kids playing out over the speakers.

You lingered beside Van at the bar, looking down into your glass with a bored and unimpressed expression on your face. You tapped your fingers along to the music but you weren't really feeling it and he could tell.

"You want shots?" he raised his hand to your ear and shouted over the music, you just smiled and nodded.

You were going to need to get obliterated if you were going to enjoy this night.

Your friends had squealed when you'd met them at the bar, they'd all pulled you in for a group hug, squeezed you half to death. They'd fussed and fawned over Van and told you a dozen times that you looked so good together, and you'd all done preliminary shots together, but after awhile the group had done as it almost always did and broken up into much smaller groups.

You and Van standing alone together at the bar the smallest of groups.

"Tequilla for the underwhelmed little miss in the little black dress," Van smirked offering you the shot, the two of you doing a little toast before necking the alcohol back, ohysicslly cringing and shaking your heads at the burn.

You stood up and raised your fingers to your mouth to indicate that you needed a cigarette, hoping that he would follow you up onto the rooftop smoking area where you would be able to get a little peace for awhile. Your friends would be on the verge of complete piss head chaos by now and they probably wouldn't notice your absence on the dance floor.

Van grabbed your hand and let you lead him outside, pulling you in for a drunken hug as you burst through the doors out onto the roof top.

"Christ alighty why do a let you put me through this shite?" he chuckled into your hair as he landed a kiss to your forehead before stepping back, waiting impatiently on you to take two cigs from your bra.

"Cause you love me," you grinned back, immediately realising what you'd said, hoping he would realise that you were only messing with him. Because those weren't words you had said to one another yet.

"Aye must be somet like that," he grinned taking the cigarettes from your fingers which were dithering a little.

He placed your cig between your lips and lit it first before lighting his own, closing his eyes as he took a dramatic first drag.

"Christ a needed this," you mumbled smirking before apologising to him, "sorry am forcing you to put up with this," you said, "an am sorry about me friends they can be a bit.... Intense,"

"Don't be daft love," he grinned shaking his head, "there're great, an this place isn't so bad..." he said looking around, doing his best to find a positive. You could tell he was only trying to be polite because he thought the place meant a lot to you.

In truth you'd never have set foot in that club again had you had a choice. You were only there because your mates were and the only reason you'd agreed to come with them tonight was because you knew it was the only way they were going to get to meet Van.

They'd all been bugging you for ages wanting to meet your new man, but now they had the opportunity to they were off getting pissed, chatting up men at the bar to score free drinks.

You thought that was funny, typical behaviour from your uni mates actually.

"Don't lie Van," you giggled, "this is the worst club I've ever been to," you said, looking at him in disbelief only to laugh at him again when he tried to tell you he'd seen worse. "Nah way you never have!!" you giggled pushing him lightly letting him wrap his arm around your shoulder to pull you back into his side.

That was when you saw him. Your laughter trailing off as your chest grew tight. The other reason you hated this club.

Your ex boyfriend still mixed in the same circle as you and your mates and you probably could have put money on him being there that evening had you thought about it beforehand. In fact he was stood talking to two of your mates, flirting with Elsie as he lit her cigarette for her and offered her his jacket.

Van noticed you stiffen, heard your silence and felt the way you seemed to have drifted for a moment.

This club. Every time you stepped inside you felt like you were being dragged back into a past you actually didn't get nostalgic for the way your friends did.

Because the last year of your degree had, when you thought about it, been hell.

You'd been getting over that slowly, healing over time, and with Van things had been feeling good. You'd been feeling hopeful.

Sure you'd had some wild nights out with your mates, you'd had some real emotional ones too, but you'd also been trapped in a terrible relationship with a controlling, manipulative lad.

One who had left you questioning yourself every second, over every detail of your personality. One who had convinced you you'd been too much, too hard to love.

But now you were stood looking across the smoking area, a little dumb struck with the shock of it. Of seeing him again, someone you'd hoped you never would see again.

And to make it worse he was looking straight at you, a smile on his lips, that calculating look in his eyes.

"Y/N!" he called out with a warm smile on his lips, "get yourself over here lass it's been ages! Where have you been?" he asked gesturing for you to join him and your friends until you gave in.

You'd hesitated for a moment, debating how weird Van would think you were if you just snatched his hand and dragged him back inside without a word. If you'd just left altogether, flagged a taxi down and gone home.

You knew if you did that you'd only come off looking like thst bad guy. You'd look like the unhinged ex who was bitter and couldn't move on. You'd look like a bitch.

So you forced a smile, kept a hold of Vans hand and headed over, shrinking back against Van when you said hello to Josh. If Van noticed your sudden smallness against him however he didn't say anything, just let you introduce him to your other friend, smiled and started getting lost in conversation. The usual Van.

You couldn't blame him for being a chatterbox, he was just a really friendly lad, but something about seeing him be so laidback and amicable with someone who had caused you so much trouble in the past left an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach.

You lit another cigarette without offering one to Van but he didn't notice, he was too busy talking music with Josh.

"I don't think I've ever seen someones ex and their boyfriend get along so well," giggled Elsie lighting a cigarette of her own as she nodded to Van and Josh.

"Yeah," you smirked, "kinda weird," you said with half a laugh, feeling more awkward by the second.

You hadn't meant anything by that "kinda weird," hadn't even asked for Elsie's opinion and you'd thought you were just agreeing with her, but when you looked back at her you saw how her expression had changed and you knew exactly what was coming next.

The things that had gone down between you and Josh in the end had been more than just a little unpleasant, it had been a pretty grizzly end emotionally and physically but the thing you'd always struggled with the most was how your friends had never really backed you.

You'd tried to talk to a few of them on separate occasions, naively expecting even just a little sympathy and understanding from your friends. At the time you had considered them your best friends, these days not so much.

"Y/N," sighed Elsie, "you know he's really not a bad guy..." she said, leaving a lump in your throat, your jaw tensing immediately. This was a familiar line, one you'd heard over and over again.

"We really don't need to talk about this," you smirked shaking your head, opening your mouth to say something else before she cut you off.

"No we do because you're both my besties and I miss the old days when we were all friends," she said grabbing your hand, her eyes pleading with you. You felt the guilt swell, that too a familiar feeling.

"Fine," you said, "fine, carry on..." you weren't sure why you weren't just walking away, already you could feel the cocktail of bitterness, guilt and disappointment swirling into a whirlpool of emotion in your stomach. But your night was already ruined, you may as well let her get it off her chest.

"Look I don't know how bad it really was between you in the end but it was years ago now..."

"I told you how bad it was, and it was literally one year ago,"

"And he's a really good guy! He's never treated anyone else like that and he's always been really sweet to the rest of us... and he's always so nice about you..."

"What so its my fault?" you smirked bitterly, you needed another drink, you should have said that and gone back inside, just walked away, but instead you lit another cigarette and let her keep talking. You felt there was some truth to what she was saying. You were after all the one who had kicked up the fuss, when it had all turned sour you were the one who had dragged your mates into it. Josh had never said a word about any of it to anyone until you had, he'd never have had to lie if you hadn't trapped him in a corner where he had to defend himself.

"Look I'm not saying its your fault exactly y/n but you are the one who hasn't let it go... Josh hardly even talks about you anymore and look at him, he's really making an effort with Van..."

But Josh making an effort with Van didn't surprise you in the slightest, he always made an effort with everyone. That was why no one had really believed you, it was certainly why your shared friendship group had rallied around him.

"And youre the one who broke his heart remember..." she added, "he was devastated when you left... so I actually think he's doing really well for trying..." she said, "and y/n I really don't think hes a bad guy, whatever happened between you its in the past and like I said, he's never been like that with anyone else...."

And you knew what that was code for, you knew the quiet part she wasn't saying.

Either you were a liar, either you'd made it up for attention, or you'd deserved it. He'd never hit anyone else, never threatened anyone else, so it must have been something you did.

Thats what she was saying to you, a narrative that really hadn't changed at all since your uni days.

"Yeah alright Els," you sighed dismissing yourself for real this time so that you could go inside and get another drink. So that you wouldn't have to see Van getting on with your ex so well, the two of them laughing about something like best buds. It made your skin crawl, made tears prick in your eyes.

This really was turning out to be the worst night.

So you pushed your way to the bar, ordered four Sambucca shots and instead of sharing them knocked them back one by one. Van found you on the third shot.

"Wondered where you'd snook off to!" he grinned, his hands on your waist making you jump as he cocooned around you from behind, "one of these shots for me or what?" he asked, you just nodding, offering him a half hearted smile as you let him take the last one. "Can't believe you snook away inside without me!" he grinned only teasing you as he downed his shot and kissed you on the cheek. You screwed your nose up and pushed him away.

"You smell like Sambucca," you said your hand on his chest. He laughed a sarcastic dork kind of laugh.

"No shit love," he grinned, chuckling away with you as you leant against him.

"Your mates seem cool, that Josh lad is sound..." he said but you just smirked against his shoulder.

"He's not that sound," you said trying not to sound like a bitch, but not wanting your boyfriend to be conned the same as all your mates.

You pressed a kiss to his shoulder and sighed, eyes closed, trying to remind yourself that this was only for one night. Tonight you'd go back to your hotel with Van and everything would return to the present day, no shitty reminders of a not so distant past, no shitty ex boyfriends cosying up to your current boyfriend.

But that was when Josh and Elsie returned with the rest of the group and just like that you found yourself floundering again, shrinking away next to Van for a little while before drifting into a conversation with Kiera and Serena about times gone by. All the messy Thursday nights you'd spent in this club together. How good every one of them had been.

Van got a round in and though you tried to nurse our vodka lemonade you couldn't, you drank it far too quickly and Josh noticed.

"Bloody hell love you haven't changed a bit have you," he grinned at you, you desperately trying to keep the sour look off your face, "you shoulda seen her back in the day, a right pisshead," he said turning to Van, Van laughing along.

You took another sip and held back the urge to say Fuck you. You wanted nothing more than to chuck your drink over him all dramatic and tell him that actually you had changed, you'd changed a lot no thanks to him and the hell he put you through.

But you didn't. You just smiled softly and shook your head.

"I wasn't that bad..."

"Don't listen to her mate she was!" grinned Josh, Van agreeing with him, teasing you too. You couldn't blame him, it wasn't his fault because he didn't know.

But if you'd told him would he believe you now? No one else did, your closest friends hadn't. And you'd only been dating Van a few months...

You felt another lump rise in your throat, felt a little teary and so, you forced another smile and excused yourself, telling the lads you were going to the toilet. You half expected the girls to come with you but they didn't and though you knew it was another indicator that you just weren't as close to them as you once had been, you were glad of the promise of a few minutes alone.

You pushed your way through the crowded dance floor and headed up the stairs to the girls bathrooms, waiting in the queue for what felt like forever until you finally made it to a cubicle.

You sat down, let your pants drop to your ankles carelessly and sat there sipping the last of your drink, tasting it as the ice melted and watered it down with every sip.

It was the most pitiful piss of your life. You could hear other groups of girls having their dmc's in other cubicles, you could hear snippets of the classic drunk girl in the bathroom motivational speech, but somehow you were alone. It was the loneliest place to be alone.

You wondered what Van and Josh were talking about now, wondered what jokes would be being made at your expense. It was almost enough to make you cry, but you'd gotten good at saving your tears, holding them back in the presence of Josh. Not so he wouldn't see you cry, but so your friends didn't think you were ruining another evening for them by bringing up old drama and refusing to let the breakup rest.

You sighed, you'd finished your drink and you knew that eventually you would have to leave, may as well bite the bullet and go back now. You looked at the time on your phone, it couldn't last that much longer could it?

But it wasn't that late and you knew you had potential hours of this torture left.

But tomorrow it would all be in the past, you could get through a couple hours, you were stronger than this. You smirked at yourself bitterly in the mirror as you washed your hands. That was another phrase you hated, you didn't feel strong, you felt tired and sick of having to be strong. You shouldn't have needed to put on a brave face, deep down you knew your mates should have been there for you. Deep down you knew they were the ones being dickheads for making you hang out with Josh, for staying friends with someone who had done all those horrible things to you.

Perhaps that was the hardest thing to deal with. The anger you felt when you let yourself acknowledge the way in which you'd been mistreated. That anger which to other people was ungracious and bitter. Childish and bitchy. Perhaps it was feeling all those emotions you knew made you a bad, bitter woman. Holding them in, never being allowed to express how much youd been hurt, how much you hated the things they'd put you through.

The fact that you just had to keep swallowing that disappointment, that resentment because it made you the crazy one.

You left the bathroom with the intention of heading straight to the bar, walking straight past your friends to order yourself another drink. If you got blackout drunk at least you'd forget all of this in the morning.

"four shots of vodka please," you said knowing the taste would be miserable but that they would get the job done, you were already tipsy and hopefully these would see you well on your way to the worst hangover and a blackout morning after. You smirked, now you did seem like the "mad woman."

You felt a hand on your waste and thinking it was Van you turned around with a smile. It disappeared quickly however when you saw the face of a stranger, some lad looking at you with lust in his eyes and a smug little smirk.

"Having a good night love?" he asked, leaning in close to you, his breath on your cheek making you feel sicker than you already did. You bristled, knowing there was no way out of this, you were just going to have to hope he got bored or saw someone prettier.

"Not really no..." you shrugged him off, stepping out of his hold on your waist, trying to shuffle closer to the bar. It pressed into your belly and ached, nauseating too. Your elbows leaning on the sticky surface you felt cornered, there were bodies to the left and right of you and you had no way to get away from him.

"You want me to make it better?" he asked, his breath too warm, too wet on your skin. You tried again to shrug yourself free from his grip but you couldn't. Your shots arrived, you took one.

"Not really no."

You took another two shots and when he laughed you rolled your eyes praying that Van would look over and swoop into your rescue, but Van was probably talking to Josh and your friends still. You felt guilty for being so bitter about that, you were the one who had wanted him to meet your pals.

"You're a moody little thing aren't you," said the man who, when you turned around and got a better look at him, you realised was probably a good twenty years older than you. Probably here for the oasis songs and so he could pretend that he'd been young when Kasabian got big. Probably looking for his very own "i'm not like the other girls my age, I like the beatles" indie girl.

"Not really no," you said again, trying to get the barmans attention so you could at least get another drink.

"You want a drink darlin?" they asked you this time, you tipped your head back to the ceiling visibly fed up now, unable to hold your irritation in.

"Not really no..." and that was when he got irritated, that was when you pushed him over the edge and he stopped flirting, started defending his wounded ego.

"Then what are you doing at the bloody bar you miserable bitch get out of my way," he rolled his eyes snapping at you as he used his grip on your waste to physically shove you out of his way so that you lost your balance and stumbled backwards into someone. You'd have hit the floor if it wasn't for them and as you turned around to thank them, embarrassed and trying to hold back your shocked tears, you froze again.

It was Josh. Josh had his hands on your waist, Josh was looking down at you smirking, chuckling as he began to make a show of being a caring friend.

You were going to be sick if he didn't let go in the next five seconds.

"Get off me oh my god!" you snapped, surprising yourself with your aggression, not realising until it was too late that it was because you were panicking. You'd been in panic mode since that man at the bar had shoved you over, since his tone had changed and you'd heard the vitriol in his voice. Josh's hands on your waist and that familiar smirk had simply tipped you over the edge.

"Calm down love its alright its only me!" he laughed, his grip on your waist tightening, he was trying to steady you but his hands on your skin made bile rise from your stomach.

"Fucking get off me alright!" you snapped a solid ten seconds away from bursting into tears when Van saw you, his face falling at the sigh of you looking so upset.

You didn't care about how insane you looked anymore, elbowing Josh in the ribs so that he let go of you, though he probably only let you go because he'd seen Van too and Van was heading over to you now with a frown on his lips.

You practically fell into Vans arms, the moment his arms wrapped around you and your face met his chest you burst into tears, the embarrassment and the panic all curdling out of your control.

"hey baby girl whats the matter?" he asked you but you couldn't breath you were so upset, clinging to him for dear life you just wanted him to take you home.

"Some cunt at the bar shoved her over, I think she's drunk," said Josh, his classic caring facade shining through now, but you didn't have the energy to speak up, just kept sobbing into Van's chest, too humiliated to stop hiding your face in his shirt.

"fuckin hell really," he said shaking his head before placing a kiss in your hair, his hand stroking your back soothingly. He didn't realise that nothing would sooth you now until Josh had pissed off too. Your skin still felt gross where he'd touched you.

"Can we go home?" you sobbed into his chest, "sorry," you sniffled only making Van chuckle as he kissed you again.

"You're joking right, course we can love, no way are we staying here..." he said smiling softly as he kissed you again. He took a step back from you then, looking down at you though you tried to hide away from him, tried desperate to dry your eyes and fix your mascara which had no doubt run down your cheeks. "Ey," he said softly, swatting your hand away, using his shirt sleeve to dab away at your makeup. "Let me do that," he said leaning down to you so that you could hear him as he pulled you in for another hug.

"Thanks for looking after her for me mate," he said to Josh then, "a think we're just gonna go home, tell the others it was nice to meet them yeah," he said, "we'll have to do somet again soon," he said waving Josh off with a grin, friendly as ever. You really were going to be sick if you didn't escape this nightmare soon.

"Reet you," said Van his arm around you, "lets get you home,"

He lead you outside into the cool night air, flagging a taxi down almost immediately because it was still fairly early and no where was at kicking out time yet.

He helped you slip into the back seat and when he slid in beside you he leant over to do your seatbelt up, planting a kiss on your cheek sweetly as he pulled away. He leant forward to let the driver know where to go and as you pulled off from the curb he slid his hand into yours and gave you a squeeze.

"You feelin okay love?" he asked, "did it hurt?" he looked at you with concern in his eyes but you were still crying and you didn't want to speak for fear your voice would crack.

So you just nodded and offered him a sheepish smile. Maybe if you hadn't been so drunk you wouldn't have lost your balance.

"Lucky Josh was there ey," he said, "he seemed sound," but this time he noticed how you didn't smile, how you stiffened and turned away.

"Whats wrong love?" he asked, a frown on his brow when you didn't turn back or answer, only shrugged and mumbled that it was nothing. You thought back on what Elsie had said about you earlier, about how you were the one who wouldn't let the break up rest, you were the one who wouldn't move on. "It's not nothing babe, a can tell..." he said, his hand squeezing yours again, trying to reassure you, "cmon baby girl talk to me..." he said, waiting for you this time. You chewed your cheek debating whether to say anything or just pretend you were tired.

But you didn't want to lie to Van, things had been going so well between you. You really felt like you were onto something good this time and you could already tell Van was the polar opposite of Josh, and you'd met his friends who were all very different from your own. You didn't want to get your hopes up but you couldn't help it, things with Van were good and you needed to trust him. Needed to tell him.

"Josh isn't that cool," you said again, looking up at Van just in time to see his confusion.

"Oh really?" he looked a little disappointed, "he seemed alright..." he said but you just sighed and he trailed off realising that perhaps that was just it.

"He always does," you shrugged, "but i don't hes..." you bit your lip, freezing up again, struggling to find a way to say it without sounding bitter or bitchy. You didn't want Van to think you were being a bitch.

"He's what?" he asked, his suspicions rising in your silence, you cringed as you spoke.

"He's my ex and he's a.." you trailed off, remembering what Elsie had said, he'd never treated anyone else like that before, he wasn't really a bad guy. Van just sat quietly, you couldn't even read his expression which made it worse. You couldn't tell what he thought of you.

"I don't know," you sighed giving up, "he's probably not even that bad I don't know, my mates are all still pals with him so..."

"i don't know love you don't seem to think that..."

"Yeah well," you shrugged, biting your lip, tears in your eyes again, you'd not done this before. Van was the first lad you'd gotten close with since the break up, the first person you'd been willing to let in even slightly and this was hard. Letting your walls come down was really hard.

"He just... it didn't end well and it was really messy and he really messed me up you know..."

"Messed you up like broke your heart?" he asked but you shook your head.

"I broke up with him," you said quickly, knowing that sounded childish, but you needed people to know that, that you had left him, that you hadn't let him abuse you and break up with you. You'd taken control in the end, you had to cling to that, call it bitter or pride or whatever you liked, it was important to you.

"So he was a dick then?" Van smirked but the moment you smirked back and nodded his fell.

"He was fuckin vile," you said with this embarrassed, awkward little grin that he didn't mirror, "he uh... I don't know he went a bit off the rails and like, did a couple of completely insane, scary things..." you tried to be vague but when you saw the look in Van's eyes, this one of concern and sympathy you felt compelled for the first time since the break up to tell someone everything. And you didn't feel like you were begging him to understand or believe you, didn't feel like you even needed to ask him to believe you.

He just sort of did. And it stunned you.

So you told him every detail of every trauma that Josh had put you through, all the fights that had ended up with you bruised or hiding in a locked bathroom. All the arguments, all the snide little comments, all the jokes he'd made at your expense, every time he'd told you you were over reacting... All of it.

"Babe," he sighed, "christ a wish you'd told me," he said softly, "shit I'm so sorry av spent all evening being pals with him!"

"Van its fine you didn't know did you and like, look at the rest of me mates, they're all still pals with him, its fine..."

"In all fairness love they're bad mates," he said stunning you for a second time that evening, "why do they even invite him out with you? Nah why are they even hanging out with him?" he asked leaving you a little lost for words, forced to admit that you didn't know.

"I don't know, they just don't think he's that bad... and like Els says, he's never done it to anyone since and like, I don't know... it was probably a me thing..."

"It definitely wasn't" he said quickly, "absolutely not!" he said again shaking his head emphatically, "love they're bad friends, they should be on your side..." he said but you just shrugged.

"Nah it doesn't matter anymore I hardly even see them now I've moved away..." you said trying to shrug the whole thing off, you'd grown comfortable just ignoring it, pretending it was nothing, that it was all in the past and you didn't still cry about it sometimes.

"It does matter love, it matters that someone hurt you like that," he said taking both your hands in his, telling you again when you tried to argue.

"Nah, its probably a me problem," you smirked, trying to joke about it now, "give it another few months an you'll be saying the same, am probably just hard to love," you smiled one of those drunk, self deprecating smiles, expecting him to just laugh along or at least hoping he would.

"You definitely aren't," he said, not even cracking a smile, the most serious you'd ever seen him, "definitely not..." he said holding your gaze as he spoke, so intense you could hardly hold his.

"Believe me love you, you can't be that hard to love cause av loved you since day one..." he said, your heart stopping for a moment when you heard that, your lips frozen slightly parted as you looked back at him stunned.

Did he mean that?

He looked like he meant that.

[wormstacheangel]

for @one-more-offbeat-anthem follower celebration. day 1 (shh i know i am late)

They drove past it three days ago, and he didn’t think anything of it. Sam mentioned it in passing, but Dean only hummed in response, not caring about a dumb big garden in the middle of nowhere. He didn’t care about the endangered plant life or how beautiful it looked at night; he just wanted to get the hunt over with so they could head back home.

The thing was, Cas cared.

Every free second they weren’t working the case; Cas was on his phone or the laptop looking at pictures or watching videos of the garden close by. Then, he’ll randomly shoot out a random fact about the local wildlife in the area--good to know that they’re some bears stealing picnic baskets around them--before talking about the case again.

And he didn’t mind Cas going off on tangents about invasive plant species; what Dean had a problem with was that Cas wasn’t going on about them to him.

All conversations about the garden were directed at Sam, who admittedly actually looked interested in the subject. Still! He didn’t like feeling like Cas--his best friend with a deep and more profound bond--felt uncomfortable geeking out to him.

By the fourth night, Dean stayed up scrolling through his phone, trying to learn as much as he could about the local garden conservatory so that he could join in on the conversation. Cas was sound asleep beside him--they usually share bed since Sam usually goes full starfish on his--probably dreaming about meadows and...and shit like that.

Cas won’t know what hit him in the morning.

“What are we doing here?”

Dean turned off the car when they were parked outside the botanic garden. He turned his sly proud little grin towards Cas, holding his hand out to motion outside their front window.

“You won’t shut up about it, so here we are.”

Cas didn’t look as excited as Dean pictured in his head, though he doubted he would have been thanked so nicely. Instead, Cas seemed almost suspicious. Eyeing him like he was a shifter instead of the real deal.

“What? You don't wanna go?”

“You let me sleep in.” Sleep in was putting it nicely. It was noon by the time Cas even opened his eyes for the first time today. “You even took me to breakfast and let me order a dumb coffee drink-”

“It’s not coffee.” Dean rolled his eyes while Cas ignored him.

“Without you complaining to me about it. You even tried it.”

“So? What’s your issue?” The coffee was pure sugar, so of course, it tasted good. “Am I being too nice to you?”

“Yes. I find it unsettling.” Cas crossed his arms over his chest, staring daggers into Dean as if that would make him admit things he needed admitting to. As if Cas forgot that he was just as stubborn, maybe even more if he tries hard enough.

“Shut up and get out of the car. We’re going to see the damn birds and the bees.”

At that, Cas raised his eyebrows in surprise before he quickly followed Dean out of the car. They walked with shoulders brushing to the entrance, and before Cas could ask what they should see first, Dean took his hand and expertly took him around the garden.

“You researched this place before we came.” The sun was setting as they walked through the shady forest, fingers now gently intertwined instead of the tight, nervous grip from the beginning. “Why are we here, Dean?”

“I told you.”

“Okay. Then tell me the reason you don’t want to admit.” Cas pulled his hand back and stood in front of Dean, eyes kind but determined. Nowadays, they don't look so sad. “We have spent over two hours here, and you just let me ramble nonstop about stuff you don’t care about. You even held my hand the whole time. It’s...It’s confusing.”

“What’s so confusing?”

“Dean,” Cas sighed as if it was obvious, and it was, but Dean just can’t think of that right now. “I said I would give you space to sort out your feelings, but I do not appreciate being strung up like this. So unless you mean it, then I-I….” Cas trailed off and looked almost disappointed when he reached for Dean’s hand to hold. “Who am I kidding? I take whatever you give me.”

“Cas.”

“Come on. It’s getting dark, and I want to see a few more things in the daylight.” Cas started to tug him along, already talking about the plants they would see next, while Dean looked at the back of his head.

He knew he kept doing this to Cas. Sam and Eileen have lectured him about it since Cas came back, but Dean can’t help it. He wanted Cas’s attention, he craved it, but he can’t seem to admit to wanting more even if he was desperate for it. Something keeps holding him back from just...loving him.

Love.

I love you. Goodbye, Dean.

“I love you.”

Cas dropped Dean’s hand like it stung him but didn’t turn around to face him, so Dean repeated it. Again, feeling the words seep out between his lips, more confident than the first time.

“I’m-I’m sorry, Cas. Sorry I keep messing up and-and fucking up.” Dean walked closer to place a hand on his shoulder. “But don’t go around thinking you deserve this. Cause you deserve so much better, Cas. You do. Deserve a lot better than what I can give you. Deserve someone better.”

Cas tightened up and slowly turned around to face him. Crying. He was crying.

Dean quickly patted his pockets for the tissues he packed just in case his allergies started to act up, but he fumbled, hands shaking, at the sight of the crying man in front of him.

“Wait. I got-I got...shit! Don’t cry, just give me-Here!” Dean held the bundle of tissues he stole from the motel. When Cas didn’t take them, Dean started to press the napkins to his cheek. “Sorry!” He said when Cas winced because he pushed too hard.

Cas shoved his hands away, and before Dean could feel hurt from the gesture, Cas pulled him in for a hug.

“I should take you to the forest more often.” Cas chuckled, and Dean looked around to see they were in the oak area of the garden, branches crowding the sky above them. Cas hid his face into Dean’s shoulder, whispering. “I love you, Dean. So please, stop holding me at arm’s length. I lived long enough to know that I won’t love anyone else this way, so please, give me a chance. No. Give us a chance.”

Dean hesitantly wrapped his arms around Cas, feeling his every breath under his palms. His forehead fell into Cas’s shoulder as his eyes shut, as he finally relaxed into the embrace.

“Okay.”

[optimistic-dinosaur-nacho]

My Patriot

*Gif not mine

Chris Evans x Daughter!Reader

Warnings: Slight injury, One curse word Summary: Your high school was able to allow girl’s to join football. Being around a football fan who happens to be your dad, he taught you the ropes in your freshman year, you made it to the Varsity squad your Sophomore year and your last game turned out to be a disaster at first but you made it a win.

A/N: I’ve wanted to join football after being in marching band and hearing from my guy friends (football players) who offered me to join. But I think I rather play in a band than be a low-life football player. Basketball is better along with baseball. Marching band may not be a sport to some but it is to me.

Amazing dividers by @whimsicalrogers​ I guess I lost the fan for 49ers and Raiders, I became a Patriot. 

Senior year was one of the most stressful and overwhelming. The season was at its end and it was gonna be one of your last games before you take on your wrestling season in February. This last game was gonna be one of the most powerful games of all. The last ones should always make it worth. Show that the Boston Reds were no match for the Spartans. 

You took football since you were a freshman.

One of the worst decisions you made but you’ve learned to become the first quarterback as a girl. A woman if you might add. Living in a family who were into football, you were the only oldest grandchild in the family. And only one person out of your family approved it. Your dad, Chris Evans.

Your grandma, Lisa didn’t like the idea and almost slapped the back of her son’s head while Scott came to every game with a box of bandages and water. 

Your dad and Scott were part of the football volunteers. They would stand on the sidelines, help your teammates with water, Gatorade, courage and support. Chris wasn’t your coach, no, but he did coach you at home if you needed it. You two on the weekends would go out jogging, try out new healthy foods, always took you to your school and practice some throws out in the field, since they did allow the field to be a public place at some times.

You loved your dad, more than you loved football. There were times where he wasn’t there, but Scott and your aunts were there to record your touchdowns and take downs. 

You had a couple friends on the team, almost half of them were part of the marching band up in the bleachers.

The boys on your team always supported you. Not only because you were practically Captain America’s daughter, they knew you were the best out of all of them. They treated you as an equal. Which was a good feeling to have. You were tall and strong. You weren’t positive this was gonna be a career after you graduate. It was something to do and have for the rest of your life. Something to have fun with.

Chris didn’t expect you to continue this football thing, he knew you would start something better. He was just proud to see you out in the field doing something to prove anyone could do any sport no matter what they looked like. 

School was just about to end and you pulled out your phone after you felt it buzz. A message sent towards you, you opened it and saw the message.

Dad Few minutes away. 

You grinned while shaking your head. He always wanted to be there for your training just after school. You assumed Uncle Scott would be there before your game starts. Your dad was there early to make sure what the team had and didn’t. He was a volunteer anyway.

The bell rung and you stood up, walking over to your locker. Once you got it open, someone pats your back. A random guy who nods at you, “Good luck at the game!” You smiled softly with a nod and reached in to look for your large water bottle. 

You cursed under your breath. You must’ve left it at home. You closed your locker and made your way to the side building where the footballers were gathering up. Everyone wore their jerseys with their numbers. On a game day, every sport player should wear their jerseys through the school day and you had yours on.

Your coach comes in and claps his hands, “All right, everyone. Let’s get out there fast! The other team is coming in few minutes, take the field. Coach Henderson will be separating groups and I want good spirit out there! Let’s go!” Everyone in the room went their own ways, most of them heading to the locker room for their gear. You went to a separate room and got your things on alone. 

Even for a girl, you couldn’t get ready in the boys locker room, of course. You slipped on your shoulder gear and slipped your jersey on over it. Your skin tight pants with pads over your knees, your cleats on real tight. You put your phone in the locker and closed it, taking your helmet and rushed out to the field. 

“All right ladies! Let’s line up.”

You rushed around the corner and almost bumped into someone, they shout, “Woah. Easy there, hey!” Your dad says with a grin, your eyes widen and you let out a laugh. “Sorry. I didn’t see you.” Your dad takes your helmet by the bars of your facemask and lifts it up to see small strands fall over your face. He grins, “Maybe put on your helmet after you get to the sidelines.” 

You smiled and saw in his hand that he had your water bottle. “You found it!” You said, Chris lifts it up and nods. “That’s not the only reason why I came.” You furrowed your brows, “I thought you had a flight to Los Angeles?”

Chris lifted up his shoulders, “I can’t miss a final game in your lifetime, now could I? Besides even if you did NFL, your grandma would be pulling at our ears.” You smiled and took the bottle from his hand, giving him a large hug as he lets out a huff. He lightly chuckles and hugs you back just as tight. He shakes you a little, “Now, go out there and practice. I’ll be around, Scott will be around before the game. I love you.”

You pulled away and slipped on your helmet, “I love you too.”

Your coach called you in and you made your way over. With a nod of approval, you took that and followed your team onto the field. Warming up your shoulders, tossing your throws and kicks. Chris stood on the sideline, arms crossed as he chatted with your coach. You stretched your legs and slammed into a couple of your teammates to get yourself warmed up for this last game.

The families began to stack the whole bleachers, people with balloons, you knew your whole family will be here. Especially for your last game as a senior. They would start introducing the seniors. Half of your team were seniors and they were really supportive of you.

You thought they just liked your dad around. You saw what looked like your family. Lisa, Scott, and the sisters along with your cousins. They were waving at you from the bottom of the bleachers. You look over to Chris who waves you over from the sidelines and you rushed over to him and walked over to the fam.

“Hey! Sweetheart!” You smile big and hugged Lisa first, who gave you large kisses on your head. You hugged your two aunts, Shanna and Carly, your cousins Ethan, Stella and Miles. They started to admire your gear while Stella held onto you like a koala, ‘cause she loved you. Being her only girl cousin, you always did dolls and makeup while you did football and tag with the boys.

You started to hear the marching band play and you turn around. Chris nods, “You’re up, #4.” You grin and slipped on your helmet while the family waited. Usually on Senior games, they’d always read off what these seniors wrote for their last year and the family follows them down the row with balloons and large posters.

After the short time of the marching bands introduction to the field and the national anthem, the band makes a aisle for the senior families to walk down. They let a couple cheerleaders down the aisle, everyone following behind the senior friend. 

They did that for more students till it was your turn.

Your team were very chaotic so they began to cheer your name. “Evans! Evans!” They shout, you couldn’t help but laugh at them. “Now, quarterback on the football team, number 4 on the field. Y/N Evans.” You feel a couple of your team chant your name as you walked down the aisle with your dad by your side. The man on the speakers began to read your last words for your senior year and you were just lucky to be here.

After they represented every senior, the game was starting. You felt like your dad in Not Another Teen Movie, Jake Wyler, quarterback asshole jock. It was a hilarious movie. Chris stood by the sidelines and watched you stand behind your teammates. 

You hear your teammate yell hut and you run forward to catch the ball i your hand. Guarding it in your arm, you head to the right. Then you feel a harsh jab to your back. The referee blows his whistle and you stand up. Okay, you knew some were quick. 

Your teammate helps you up and you glance across the field, watching your dad give you a thumbs up while shouting, “You okay?” You replied with a pair of thumbs up and he gives you a nod. The team sets up by the yard line where you fell.

The teams began to line up in their positions and you bent your knees. Breathing slowly, you focused on the directions you could go. Maybe throw it to one of your teammates who could be open. “Hut!” You catch the ball and aimed it, your defenders are slamming into the others.

You catch your teammate with his arms open. You imagined him being your dad in your backyard. With a large throw, the ball darts towards your teammate and he catches it smoothly before charging for the end of the field. You see him reach the end and the crowd in the bleachers cheer on. You couldn’t help but grin.

This was gonna be a good game.

Halftime was gone and you were slightly behind the other team. A couple touchdowns, you could make an easy win. A kick to the goal post could do you some good. You were almost close to exhaustion. You hear your coach call you guys in and the referees give you guys two minutes. 

Running over to the coach. He began to explain a plan and you followed every single order. Once he broke the team, your dad hands you your water bottle. “You need to hydrate, sweetheart.”

You grin, lifting up your helmet a bit to pour water into your mouth. You gotten a lot of sips in and slid your helmet back down. The referees call you back in and your team positioned on the field.

You see that the team had slightly larger guys than the last ones. You needed to run pass them. You hear the shout and the ball comes into your hands. Your feet pick up and you took a sharp turn that causes your ankle to lock and you feel someone tackle you to the ground.

A large hit to the ground, your helmet bounces off the ground and you feel the player get off you. You breath in harshly and hear someone say, “Are you okay?” You roll onto your hands and knees, instantly feeling someone’s hands on you. “Hey, hey. Don’t stand up, yet. Take it easy. Honey, are you okay?” You hear your dad ask, you nod your head, not bothering to speak. 

Your arm gets pulled up and Chris helps you onto your feet again. He leans over, “Hey? Look at me? Are you okay?” He asks.

“Yeah. Can I just sit down for a second?” Your dad didn’t refuse or hesitate. He helps you over to the bench and gives your family a thumbs up to know you were okay. He cups your helmet, “Can I take this off? It’ll help you breath better.” You nod and he slips it off your head. Your coach calls in a replacement onto the field and you lowered your head.

You lift your head up, “Coach, I’m sorry, I-” The coach gently shook his head. “It’s okay, Evans. You did good. You rest.” You felt embarrassed, being a woman and falling on the field made everyone lose hope in you. Your dad puts his hand on your shoulder, “Hey. You did good halfway through. I’m proud of you.”

You smiled up at him and watched as the team struggled to push through. No one scored and it just kept going back and forth. The coach calls out the last break. You needed to jump back in. Taking your helmet, you stand up and run over to the team circle.

You lean in, “Coach. Put me back in.” Your coach stared at you in disbelief till Chris jumps up. “No, you need to rest-”

“Please, dad. I know I can do this. I’m okay, now.” Chris looks up to the coach who does as well. Silently the two nod and your coach looks over. “All right. Y/N’s back in position. Stay strong and remember the plans.” The team breaks and you slid on your helmet. Standing in position, you breathed in slowly. You felt the memories come flooding into your head.

“You got this,” You hear your dad’s voice.

The shout breaks your position as you dart for the ball and grab it. You turn to the side and see a player in front of you. You realize he’s going to dive. It felt like slow-motion once he began to dive toward you. Your legs lift up and you hop over him like nothing. The crowd screams as you run for the touchdown yard line. 

Your team runs over and almost tackles you to the ground. They chant your name and your dad runs over. “Yes!” He shouts, too proud of a dad, he takes you off your feet and holds the back of your helmet, laughing uncontrollably. You laugh happily as he takes off your helmet and pulls your head to his chest. 

“I’m so fucking proud of you!” He says, you pull away and your team gives you a large hug. The team ended with a win and you were proud to take step back into the field. And your dad was happy to put your trophy on the fireplace.

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[aion-rsa]

The Sopranos’ Best End Credit Songs

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There are so many legendary aspects of The Sopranos that it’s hard to pick just one. Between masterful storytelling, deep character development, and uncanny acting, everything comes together to create a show that has been enjoyed for over two decades now. The most artistic aspect of the package, however, may just be the use of music, specifically the unique songs curated personally by creator David Chase that run during each episode’s end credits. 

Ranging from oldies, foreign ballads, jazz compositions, and pure instrumentals, the variety is stunning and can keep you exploring the track list of the series for days. We’ve decided to narrow all of the end credit songs down to the best 15 in the series, listed in chronological order of airing. Enjoy! 

Season 1 Episode 4: Meadowlands 

“Look on Down from the Bridge” by Mazzy Star

The nice father-son moment between Tony and A.J. at the closing of this episode is accompanied by this beautiful track from Mazzy Star. A.J. sees his dad in a whole new light after Meadow tells him that he’s in the mafia, but a simple smile and wink from Tony reassures the youngest Soprano child that he certainly will still “look on down from the bridge” and see his family as the only priority in his life, no matter what criminal occupation he tries to hide on a daily basis. 

Season 1 Episode 7: Down Neck 

“White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane

This one follows the pattern of the show choosing to play a song earlier in an episode and then again during the final scene and credits. The Jefferson Airplane hit refers to drug use and being intoxicated, therefore changing as a person in the process. The song plays when Tony is taking prozac mid-episode and during the final scene in which Tony and A.J share an ice cream sundae and some whip cream together. No matter how much the therapy and the meds try to alter Tony’s life, he’ll remain the same man: a depressed mobster and a father who softens for his children. 

Season 2 Episode 10: Bust Out 

“Wheel in the Sky” by Journey

If you haven’t noticed by the time you’re done watching the show, The Sopranos loves to point out how trapped all of the characters are in the lifestyles they have either chosen or been forced into. Tony has betrayal surrounding him at every corner at the end of the second season: Richie and Janice plotting his removal, Carmela falling for a painter who is working in the family home, and Pussy’s FBI informancy reaching a climax. Still, the “wheel in the sky keeps on turning”. Tony finishes the episode having some fun with A.J. on the Stugotz, and he doesn’t “know where he’ll be tomorrow” but he’ll enjoy the time he has in the present. 

Season 2 Episode 12: The Knight in White Satin Armor 

“I Saved the World Today” by the Eurythmics

Tony returns home after disposing of Richie Aprile’s body because Janice shot him to death over a domestic dispute. After informing Carmela of the night’s bloody events, she quickly moves on to the list of chores and homemaker responsibilities she is going to lay at Tony’s feet for the next week while she goes on vacation with Ro Aprile. This apt song from the Eurythmics exemplifies everything Tony has to be in the lives of friends and family around him: always there to save the world for them.

Season 3 Episode 4: Employee of the Month 

“Fisherman’s Daughter” by Daniel Lanois

This Dr. Melfi-centric episode is one of the most deservedly acclaimed hours in the drama’s history. When the final scene gives her a chance to let Tony loose on the monster who assaulted her, she powerfully takes the moral route and declines his services. The camera pans to black solemnly with this haunting instrumental track by Daniel Lanois, a perfect backdrop to allow the audience to ponder everything that just happened and why Melfi was able to maintain strength that so many others wouldn’t have mustered. Anything with singing would have detracted from the environment the writers were trying to create, so this is a great song choice. 

Season 3 Episode 12: Amour Fou 

“Affection” by Little Steven and the Lost Boys

The penultimate episode of the third season features the climax of the relationship between Tony and Gloria, in which the crazy affection that they have for one another boils over into violence. Yet another of the brilliant musical choices this show made was to use the same song twice: once earlier in an episode, and then again in the final scene and credits. This tune, sung by Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt) himself, plays with Tony and Gloria spending time together mid-episode and then again at the end credits. 

Season 4 Episode 4: The Weight 

“Vesuvio” by Spaccanapoli

Another example of double dipping on the same song in one episode. The above scene between Carmela and Furio dancing and falling in love right underneath Tony’s nose uses this romantic Italian track by Spaccanapoli, and then uses it again in the final seconds when Carmela is daydreaming about Furio while having sex with Tony. So sensual and heavy, the audience knows that Carmela is going down a path she can’t see through to the end, but the music signifies the passion that she will inevitably entangle herself in for the time being. 

Season 4 Episode 7: Watching Too Much Television 

“Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites

When an assemblyman starts an affair with Tony’s ex-lover, Irina, there is quite a bit of jealousy and ownership that exudes from the mob boss. This classic from the Chi-Lites plays in the car on the way over to the assemblyman’s house as Tony drives over to confront him about “taking” his mistress from him. It is a song which causes deep reflection and nostalgia for a lost love, and prompts Tony to get emotional listening to it. Wonderful acting by Gandolfini and superb use of in-world music that plays over to the credits, something the show got down to an art and a science simultaneously. 

Season 5 Episode 10: Cold Cuts 

“I’m Not Like Everybody Else” by The Kinks

No, Tony Soprano is certainly not like anybody else. He insists that Janice see anger management counselors at the beginning of this episode, and when she actually improves her mood because of it, his narcissism makes him antagonize her until a typical Soprano family fight breaks out at dinner. Tony walks out of the house with a despicable smile on his face to the tune of this intense rock anthem.

Season 5 Episode 11: The Test Dream 

“Three Times a Lady” by The Commodores

In an episode in which Tony spends 20 minutes literally dreaming about past and future problems in his life, culminating in the murder of Billy Leotardo by Anthony Blundetto, The Commodores soft romance hit plays us out. Tony calls Carmela to report about said dreams, part of which were repeat ones that have happened previously in Tony’s life. It’s nice for the audience to see these two having a tender exchange rather than the tense arguing that normally characterizes their marriage, especially because this was when the two were still separated previously throughout the fifth season. 

Season 6 Episode 4: The Fleshy Part of the Thigh 

“One of These Days” by Pink Floyd

Paulie Walnuts is a fan favorite for a myriad of reasons. Between his gray-haired wings and his immature one-liners, many forget that the mobster had one of the scarier violent streaks in the show. After discovering that his mother was actually his aunt, Paulie gets jealous of Jason Barone’s mother trying to protect him from the mafia after selling the sanitation business that serves as a front for the DiMeo crime family. This psychedelic, hard-rock snippet from Pink Floyd that blares in the credits after Paulie threatens Jason’s life at the end of episode is a strong reminder to the viewer that this is a character who borders on sociopathic most of the time. 

Season 6 Episode 12: Kaisha 

“Moonlight Mile” by The Rolling Stones

Unlike other iconic dramas, The Sopranos loved ending their season finales (and “Kaisha” is technically a season finale with season 6 split into two parts) with relative closure and absolutely no cliffhangers. The family has an enormous Christmas gathering at the Soprano residence, marked by A.J. bringing over an older girlfriend and Meadow’s rare absence from family time. This classic from The Rolling Stones that describes the feeling of trying to get back home off the road fits lovingly with the rare moment of calm before the storm that is the final season of the show.  

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Season 6 Episode 14: Stage 5 

“Evidently Chickentown” by John Cooper Clarke

This closing piece by John Cooper Clarke is actually considered a poetry performance, and the anger and fury that it inspires as Phil Leotardo laments being taken advantage of a few too many times is palpable. This is when we knew that war in New York was going to be bloody. The song also symbolizes the perpetual frustration both Christopher and Tony have with one another when they hug at the former’s baby’s baptism. The final season was certainly kicked up a couple notches as these final credits rolled. 

Season 6 Episode 17: Walk Like a Man 

“The Valley” by Los Lobos

This somber piece plays alongside Christopher picking up a tiny tree in his front yard after Paulie had attempted to destroy everything on his property as revenge for a violent incident. After Christopher thinks they’ve made up, Paulie and the gang start making fun of his infant daughter and laughing in his face. It is at this point that Chris understands he is forever an outsider, not loved by a single person on the planet. He will just trudge along and try to keep upright, which are themes displayed in this chilling and melancholy song of choice. 

Season 6 Episode 21: Made in America 

“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

The most famous song in the show is also the final one that plays right before the screen goes to black and Tony Soprano’s fate is left up to our own imagination (kind of). It’s technically not an end credits song, but there’s no way it can be excluded from this list. The song represents the nostalgia of sharing one final family meal together, the simplicities of the Soprano family when you strip away the mobster lifestyle and the murder, and it encourages the audience to never stop believing their favorite mob boss is still alive if that’s what they so choose to desire. A special ending to a legendary show!

The post The Sopranos’ Best End Credit Songs appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[kleines1904]

Imagine – Alex Morgan - Part red

My heart nearly broke all the bones to find its way out of my chest the first time I played for Portland. The Thorns were such a good and respected team in the US, it was always my dream to play in the NWSL, to play for them. Never would I’ve imagined that these years would be the best time of my life, especially the six months after my first season. Being the top scorer in the league opened a few opportunities, like playing in some European countries, but I decided against all of them.

 The reason for that?

 Pretty easy.

 Alex Morgan.

 I always believed that I wouldn’t fall in love with someone head over heels, that I’m independent, that I don’t need another person to be happy. Everything I needed was a ball, the cheering of the crowd in the background the second I stepped on the field, and my friends.

 I was so wrong.

 From the moment I met her I knew Alex would play an important role in my life. Being openly gay and supporting many foundations for LGBTQ+ soccer players made me one of the most popular players in the league. But the most important advantage: I didn’t need to hide who I was. Everybody in the team knew, it wasn’t weird at all (read: ‘Lesbians in the locker room? No problem’). When I got kicked out of my apartment, I had a few options, but Alex telling me she would love to have a roommate again shut out everything else. I can still remember the moment I told my friends back in Germany, everyone laughed at me for a whole minute before they realized I was serious about it.

 Alex being openly bisexual and single for a long time never bothered with hiding her beautiful, naked body at home. Sure, we did shower together a lot, ‘cause we were both playing for the Thorns, but walking around the apartment in nothing but a towel or even less was something different. I needed Christen to talk me into talking to Alex, and Tobin telling me she would do it otherwise, to actually girl up and tell the forward about my feelings for her.

 It took us five minutes to lay down on the couch and make out, I was never happier in my life. I never thought life could be this wonderful, that one could be this happy.

 I closed my easy smiling at all the memories. Biting my lip to stop a big smile spreading across my face I started playing with the tape around my left ring finger, realizing I’m not wearing my favorite ring. It was different every time I had to take it off, especially when I was playing for the German national team and Alex wasn’t by my side. When we didn’t start a game together with the Thorns, we always support each other from the bench or the stands.

 Today was different.

 It was the first match of the Women’s World Cup in France and while we had to play Alex and the team were busy preparing for their first match miles away. It certainly felt different without her, that’s why I was often caught playing with the ring around my finger (‘a promise ring’ Alex told me when she gave it to me on my birthday, I cried a little), my teammates really thought it was a good idea to record it and show it to the whole world on twitter. I will never hear the end of it from Tobin, Kelley and Christen…

 I took another deep breath when we got out on the field, knowing my teammates and my whole country needed me to be at my best tonight. While the national anthem was playing, I looked around the stadium. I didn’t sing, something I picked up from my good friend Megan Rapinoe, we both had our reasons for that. After the whistle blew to start the game I was in my zone. It wasn’t a surprise when I scored twice that game, always kissing my ring finger after a goal and thinking about the love of my life.

 /////

 “You did it! Semi-finales!” I laughed as I jumped in Alex’s arms.

 “You too,” Alex let me down slowly and kissed me on the lips before I could breathe in properly. Who needs to breathe when you can feel Alex Morgan’s lips on yours? “I’m so glad you’re here.”

 Behind her I saw Kelley shuffling around nervously, knowing she was anxious to finally walk over and get a hug too. Kelley, Christen and I knew each other from college, where we played together for years. Back then I was so inspired by the USWNT, if I had a say in it, I would play for them, unfortunately I’m not making the rules. Germany has a great team and I loved playing a big role within the team, but my heart always belonged to the NWSL and everything the USWNT stands for.

 “Come on in here.” I finally said when Kelley was about to bolt over and was only hold back by Allie who was shaking her head. Seconds later I was surrounded by my teammates and friends.

 “So, you have a few days off,” Alex began when everyone calmed down and Kelley was done teasing me about all the Instagram stories and twitter.

 “I do have a few days off, yeah.” I looked over at my girlfriend who wore the promise ring I gave to her, I smiled and tried not to blush when she gave me a kiss on check, despite us being in the hotel lobby where everyone could’ve seen it.

 “Okay so after we got some food, I need to show you something in my room.”

 “Is that so?” I stopped and whirled her around so I could look into her beautiful eyes, I saw her eyes shining with something and swallowed. “You have a room for yourself?”

 “Yeah.”

 “Oh.”

 Alex tugged at my hand, and a few seconds later I followed her out of the hotel. We dropped each other’s hands automatically and started walking to the vegan place Alex claimed being the best in Europe. My head was still clouded with her having a room for herself, which was rare. I felt a bit guilty when I only answered short, but Alex seemed to know what was going on, because she kept smiling and smirking at me teasingly.

 Playing a World Cup game is always exciting, but I can tell you, having a half-dressed Alex Morgan sitting on your lap is much more thrilling. My hands wandered to her sports bra while she was trying to get my pants off in a hurry, I had to laugh and break the kiss to help her because her fingers were shaking so much.

 Two days later I had to say goodbye, gaining a few hugs from the team again, but everyone knew we would see each other shortly after, because two days later it was the semi-finale: USA against Germany. I loved and hated everything about it.

 /////

 I ran out on the field with my teammates, enjoying the cheering of the crowd while we started our warm ups. A few minutes later I heard the crowd going wild again, I automatically looked up at the USWNT coming out on the field. Luckily, I was too focused to let a goofy grin take over my face when I saw Alex. She was also focused, as everyone else, this was a big game for our respective countries.

 When we walked to the locker room, I saw Pinoe running my way. With a big smile I hugged her and ignored the ‘I love you, but we’re gonna beat you’. Moments later I locked eyes with Alex, who smiled. My body moved on its own, while we hugged each other I heard the crowd around us going wild again. Being wrapped up in her scent made me take a deep breath, I never wanted this to end.

 “Good luck babe.” I said and smiled at her when we broke the hug. “Just stay healthy okay?”

 “Yeah, you too. See you after.” Alex replied and touched my shoulder again before she headed off to her teammates.

 /////

 It was the 30th minute when I saw one of my teammates break through on the wing, I instinctively stayed a few yards behind the defenders. Seconds later the ball came my way, I stopped it and dribbled around Julie, before I was in a good position and shot the ball right by Alyssa into the net. My heart skipped a few beats when I heard our fans cheering, but after a few seconds I held up my hands, signaling I won’t be celebrating much. My teammates jumped on my back yelling at me how amazing the goal was, and yes, I was proud, I was excited for us going to the finale, but we still had to beat the best team in the world.

 Only ten minutes later Christen scored a goal, I had to physically stop myself from walking over and congratulating her, and stopping the tears forming in my eyes. She has been through so much last year and now she scored such an amazing goal. Slowly I leaned down and took a deep breath, this was going to be the most difficult game in my life, and I would do everything for us to win.

 /////

 “Shit are you okay?”

 I wanted to scoff, but put my foot on the ground and hissed when I felt the pain. Becky looked at me apologetically, Kelley was also on her knees by my side, same as a few of my teammates. It was a mistake by Sam, who tried to play the ball right by me, but I was wide awake and stole the ball before it could get to Christen. Minutes before I did something similar and nutmegged Tobin, if it wasn’t for the whole world watching she would deny it till her death, but the counterattack ended with me only hitting the post.

 This time I waited for my teammates to get into the box and tried to dribble around Becky, who obviously wasn’t having my shit today. Just when I was looking up, I felt a sharp pain in my ankle and then my body fell on the hard ground. I knew immediately something was wrong.

 My breath caught in my throat when our medical signaled to the bench that I couldn’t play anymore. Becky walked away after I nodded at her, but everyone knew I wasn’t okay. I made eye contact with Alex, who was hovering close by. I could see how worried she was, I gave her a nod, even if the pain in my ankle didn’t stop for a second.

 Watching the following 20 minutes from the bench was hard. I know we had the potential to maybe get to overtime, but realistically I know they were too good. When I saw Lindsay kicking the ball inside and Alex being a bit faster than her opponent, I know she would score. My heart sank into my stomach, I knew this would most likely be our last game, they wouldn’t give away a 2-1 lead.  

 “Wow, bold.” I heard someone mumbling beside me. When I looked at Alex, I saw her making the tea sipping celebration we talked so much about. I smiled, truly happy for her.

 When the final whistle blew, I slowly stood up and hobbled on the field. I had to comfort a few of my teammates, especially the ones who played their hearts out tonight for 90 minutes. After I limped to the circle in the middle of the field, I listened to our coach saying a few words. In this moment it all became real; we hadn’t made it to the finale. My whole body screamed at me, after the long tournament, the physically and emotionally exhausting game days, it seemed like it was all for nothing.

 The following minutes flew by, I could only breathe again when I saw Alex walking my way. She had that little smile on her face I loved so much. She was also still worried, because she looked at my ankle, which I still couldn’t put weight on, and up to my face again.

 “Congrats babe,” I mumbled when I put her into a long and emotional hug. We didn’t let go of each other for what seemed liked minutes. “I’m good, don’t worry. Your goal was so great.”

 “Thanks.” Alex buried her face into my neck, before she took a step back and looked down again. I rolled my eyes. “But, you can walk, right?”

 “I can.” A smile took over my face, her voice was rougher than usual, due to all the screaming on the field.

 “Thank god. Becky just tried-“

 “I know,” I interrupted. “don’t worry about it. You’re going to the final, and it’s your birthday- happy birthday by the way.”

 “This is the fifth time you’re congratulating me today.” Alex laughed a bit, she still had her arm around my waist while I was leaning on her, only partly because of my hurt ankle.

 “I don’t care.” Her eyes sparkled when I grinned at her. “And now go and celebrate with your team, prepare for the Netherlands.” I ignored Alex rolling her eyes about me being diplomatic again when she helped me stumble to the sideline. “You deserve it. I will call you tomorrow, okay?”

 “Okay babe.”

 Alex made sure that someone was near me to help me go to the locker room when Kelley and Tobin came over. We talked for a few minutes before we parted ways. I took one last look at the stadium and then at the team across from us.

 I knew they would make it.

 /////

 If someone would ask me what has been worse, my still injured ankle or sitting in the stands while your girlfriend and most of your best friends are playing a World Cup final, I wouldn’t know the answer. Every time the US was close to scoring a goal I stood up, at one point I couldn’t even feel the pain in my ankle anymore, I was too excited and too anxious.

 Alex had a few chances to score, but it took a defender trying to kick the ball away from her high in the air to start the game entirely. I worriedly watched as Alex still laid on the ground, even from this distance I knew she was hit. I could breathe again when Alex stood up and Pinoe scored, we were on our way.

 A few minutes later I frowned when the Netherlands had a few breakthroughs, luckily without scoring, Alyssa made sure of that. A counterattack lead by Rose brought Alex into a good position, she stopped and dribbled by the defender, before she took a shot. I jumped out of my seat when she scores, my hands held high, before I gave my ring a kiss. When I looked back down Alex formed a heart with her fingers and hold it my way, it was the first time a tear escaped my eyes since we lost in the semi-final.

 /////

 Everyone around me was smiling, laughing, having the time of their lives. Pam, Alex’s mum had her arm around me while we watched the players on the field getting their gold medals. I’m sure at least five different cameras caught the moment, but I didn’t care. Alex and I loved our privacy, we tried not to kiss and being overly romantic in public, just because we thought it was something between and for the both of us. It was even more surprising when she came running to the stands after the game and immediately pulled me in for a long and passionate kiss. At that moment I didn’t even care about the headlines in the morning, or the possible hateful comments, I was so proud of my girl that I could only grin, she deserved it. They deserved it.

 That smile dropped from my face when I stood in front of Pam’s car minutes later. I had to blink a few times and look at my phone again, but Alex really did just do that.

 “What are you looking at sweetie?” Pam asked, I jumped and locked my phone before she saw what her daughter just did in front of the whole world. The dancing, the champagne, Jesus Alex.

 “Nothing, just- they are celebrating.”

 “Sure they are.” Pam eyed me, before she helped me into the car. It was definitely inappropriate to have these kinds of thoughts while sitting in your girlfriends’ parent’s car, but, damn it Alex.

 /////

 During the drive to the party location I had to laugh too hard and too often at the different Instagram stories the USWNT posted, Pam literally took my phone away because she nearly drove us off the street due to my emotional outbursts. She ignored me pouting like a pro.

 The second the door busted open I knew we were in for a long night. I got a lot of videos and pictures from the girls celebrating, hence the motherly act from Pam to separate me and my phone, but it was so much better live. Kelley screamed into my ear when she hugged me, already wasted but still thoughtful to not step on my injured ankle. After she ran off to her girlfriend, I was pulled into a hug by Christen who gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

 “I’m so proud of you.”

 “And I’m proud of you.” She leaned into me while we watched Tobin who talked to her family. I literally couldn’t put into words how proud I was of my friends. Then I caught a glimpse of Alex who already had two wine glasses in her hands and bit my lip.

 “Is everyone really that wasted?”

 “Because of the nonstop drinking for two hours and the ignoring-concussions-thing going on?” Christen and I looked into Kelley’s direction, who was oblivious while she chugged down a beer. “Yeah.” She laughed while I pushed her softly in the direction of Tobin, who couldn’t stop glancing over at us. I could see how happy she was to have Christen by her side again.

 “Hey babe.” I whipped around to look at Alex, still with two glasses in der hands while I had hardly touched the beer her father gave me minutes ago.

 “Hey Champ.” I laid my arm around her and gave her a soft kiss, but this obviously wasn’t enough for both of us. Alex circled her arms around my waist and opened her mouth while we kissed, I couldn’t breathe for a moment. After a full minute of kissing her passionately I felt a tap against my shoulder and smiled while I took a step back. Alex pouted, but Tobin didn’t look that impressed while she pointed at all the cell phones around us.

 After I congratulated everyone on the team and staff, I sent Alex off to keep partying. She didn’t really want to leave my side; I couldn’t decide if it was for her being protective of me or her not being able to walk straight anymore (as if ever). She was seriously drunk.

 While everyone took pictures of the team dancing on the counter, I only had eyes for her. I felt a bit embarrassed when I caught myself being grateful for the USWNT winning the World Cup. I would’ve given everything for us to win, but I’m also glad that my best friends get to have these moments together. By the looks of a few of them, especially Alex, Julie, Kelley and Rose I knew they would be hangover tomorrow and the days after (read: please, drink water).

 I knew that a week, months or even years later we would look back at this tournament knowing it was one important milestone for so many things. But the most important one for me: My girl was world champion, again.

[somebodytolovesx]

National Anthem - Steve Rogers

Summary - Everyone spends Fourth of July weekend at Tony’s home in the Hamptons, Mr America himself is there to celebrate his birthday too.

Author’s Note - I don’t actually think Steve’s birthday is on the Fourth of July but I could not resist this opportunity.

Warnings - Fluff/Alluding to smut. 

Fourth of July was celebrated by all of the Avengers at Tony’s home in the Hamptons for the independece of America but for Mr America’s birthday too.

For the weekend, Tony Stark’s driveway would be taken over by the fast cars of his friends and family and his house would be full of people talking and dancing with each other. It was always a rather larger ordeal at one of the three Stark homes (It normally was on a rotation, where the party would be held each year). There would be the endless music and the ever-flowing bottles of champagne, then the firework display which was to die for as always. On any one of Tony Stark’s Fourth of July weekends, his neighbours would think that he was The Great Gatsby. 

Some of the cars had already arrived by five O’clock in the driveway like they would annually with three spaces spare, one of them for Steve Rogers who had driven from Brooklyn with his sweet, little Y/N sat next to him in the sleek, black Audi. Bucky Barnes was in the car behind them, following Steve’s directions to the address, he and Natasha, who sat in the passenger seat with her hand on his thigh, were coming together this year for the first time.

                                                         ***

The front windows were down and the wind was through Y/N’s hair, pushing some of it out of her face sparing some of the tight curls to blow over her forehead and her Y/E/C eyes that were so electrified by her red lips. Her dress had no wrinkles in it, fit for every curve on her body and sewn with the shade of blue that made her look so gorgeous, as Steve thought.

That morning whilst they were getting ready after their quick birthday rendezvous, she could not stop staring at him. It was like every morning when they woke that Y/N admired how handsome her man was and doted on him but that day, it must have been his extra birthday glow that was making her feel hot.

Before Steve Rogers came along, Y/N was astray from what she needed. She was on a rampage of wining and dining every night with nobody to do it with and no reason to do it at all, her excessive buying of things she used but never needed was some nights it was collateral damage.Other nights, she would be driving with nowhere to go in mind after finishing a bottle of wine to herself. When one leads such a reckless life, she was bound to meet bad people who fed her bad habits but the lines were blurred between the real and the fake so it needn’t matter to Y/N. Before Steve came along, in quite the damsel in distress manner. He pulled her out of all of that and held her up until she could stand for herself and in the process, whether he realised it or not, he fell in love with her and kept her safe in his bell tower for the years that followed until now. Quite the old love story.

Though even Steve Rogers had had his bad habit of running through dates and abandoning them when the women wanted a second date, it was just a cycle that he could not find a way to break, other than to carry on living alone until his time came to enter the pearly white gates. 

There was no dates with Y/N until they were together and even then there had been no spoken confirmation of their togetherness, they were just together and grew to love each other quickly; they were holding each other ransom as Bucky Barnes often thought but that did not mean it was awful, he saw that now that the two had found what they had dreamed of finding, they over-dosed themselves on every emotion they could feel with each other, the love, the rage, the sex, the times of tiredness. The love was no surprise to Bucky, Steve was the type that even if he did not like the girl, he would at least romance them and he liked Y/N a lot.

When they parked in front of Tony’s house, Steve held Y/N’s hand tightly so her heels did not give under her feet along the cobblestone and stopped and stood in front of her when she needed to adjust her dress before walking in to the house - which’s doors was wide open for all and any guests.

                                                         ***

To say that the energy of summer was in all guests would be a lie, there were a couple of guests that Steve and Y/N were briefly familiar with that looked like they were at a business meeting, trying to impress the boss in the top of the tower instead of at a party. For the rest of the party guests that Y/N and Steve knew however, summer was in the air and all around them, they were jovial with their drinks in their hands and talking with their friends and dancing. In a few corners of the room, there were their colleagues making sure to socialise and have themselves a little fun whilst they could. 

“Steve, sweet Y/N!” Tony opened his arms to them and hugged Y/N, “Drinks are over there and you know everything else”. 

Steve thanked Tony and walked with Y/N over to the bar with his hand on her lower back. 

“Oh, going with the red wine?” Steve teased.

“You’ve never known me to drink white” Y/N replied.

“You only drink white when you’re nervous” He said.  

“I’d be drinking white wine all day if it was when I was nervous. It’s if I’m with my parents I drink white” Y/N told him.

“So I was right then? When you’re nervous”.

After they replenished themselves on wine, Steve brought Y/N over to Bucky and Natasha who were sticking to themselves; their love story was different in every way to Steve and Y/N’s but when they all went out together, there were never problems with finding something they all wanted to do or something to talk about.

So as the four of them walked around the party together, Steve and Bucky cracked jokes about the guests that they knew secret things about and Natasha reminded them that they’re meant to be the good people in the room, Y/N was amused on the comments they made but told Steve that Natasha was right. 

“Why don’t you two go dance? That used to be your past-time right?” Natasha laughed. 

“There’s a reason it’s called a past-time, Steve might though?” Bucky squeezed her shoulder.

“I’ll stick to my normal pace” Steve spoke. 

The music playing on the stereo that cut out then and there was a crackling in the speakers then a voice, “All Americans, please direct yourselves out to the backyard for our wondrous firework display directed by the lovely Pepper Potts” Of course, it was Tony stood at the top of the staircase clinking his glass.

“And Russians” Natasha yelled up at him. 

“And Asgardians” From another corner of the room. 

“Get out in the backyard” Tony said into the microphone. 

The double doors into the backyard were opened and whoever was standing closest to them exited out first then the people closest to the front door were out on the grass last. The backyard seemed endless and whoever the Stark’s gardener was, was probably kept busy all day - the grass was trimmed in neat rows and vibrant and the sea was below with a few people in it celebrating in their own way. Steve imagined how nice it would be on a Sunday morning to sit out there with Y/N and listen to the waves once they both were retired and done with the worst of the world, maybe with another dog or a few kids too.

***

Steve stood behind Y/N in the middle of the crowd and held her against him with his arm tucked around her waist so she wouldn’t get bashed around by all of the people, she lent her head against his chest and kissed over his shoulder. 

“How much do you want to bet that they’ll be red, white and blue?” Steve asked. 

“I don’t know if I want to take that bet because I already know” Y/N laughed at him. Steve didn’t know how she knew but he was defeated already, he wanted a fair bet with a fair price. 

“I thought I could pull you into a bit of fun”.

“When do you not?”. 

When the fireworks went off, they fizzed up into the sky and exploded into a dazzling array of red, silver and blue. They went up in all different shapes and exploded in all different mesmerising ways, they lasted for the best part of an hour. And to even further convey the spirit of Fourth of July, Tony had the National Anthem playing through the speakers whilst the display lasted which had made Natasha mutter something about hating him. 

Steve was humming along to the anthem against the back of Y/N’s neck, rubbing over her hips with the backs of his hands.

“Do you mind coming with me afterwards?” Steve muttered. 

“This is your birthday, Mr America” Y/N looked back at him. His eyes got more blue the longer she looked at them, she could see the fireworks going off in the reflection of them and enjoyed how she felt with his eyes on her. His eyes lowered over her figure and the smile on his face grew.

“You’ll enjoy it” Steve promised and squeezed his arm around her wist. He gave her a kiss then watched the last fizz of fireworks.

***

It was nearing dark outside and the temperature was dropping slowly but surely, some of the guests with kids or pets to tend too or work the next morning had started to say their goodbyes but not many had left, they wouldn’t start to leave until later in the evening. Especially Bruce and Thor who had made a bet with Tony earlier that week saying that they could easily be Iron Man for the day, they had lost, so in return, had to stay behind to tidy up the bar (The messiest part of the home after one of Tony’s Fourth of July parties).

The other Avengers had had their own plans to be concerned with; Clint was heading back to be with the family, Wanda and Vision were back to their apartment to catch their favourite television programme, Bucky and Nat were leaving at ten, Sam was hanging out till Bucky left because he was his ride and Peter had left already. Steve and Y/N were staying around until ten then they had to leave to get back to the dogs in time. Everyone else was scattered. 

Steve and Y/N came into the house when everyone else started too, they agreed the fireworks were as good as last years but wondered if Tony was ever going too change them, Y/N said he should change them so that it’s just Steve’s face, that would be amusing and she was sure that she could twist Tony’s arm enough for him to do it in time for next year.

“Where was it you wanted me to come with you?” Y/N asked with her chin on Steve’s shoulder.

“Just a moment, sweetheart”, he leaned over to Bucky and whispered a few words in his ear that made him have to stifle a laugh. 

Natasha eyed Y/N to see if she had any idea to what they were talking about but Y/N had no idea. 

“This is the price we pay for dating best friends” Y/N mouthed to her and rolled her eyes. Natasha tipped her head towards her friend and her lips curved into a mischief-ridden smile. The both of them tried to listen in on what Bucky and Steve were saying.

They didn’t hear anything before Steve was finished whispering but they caught what was said afterwards. 

“You’ll still be here when we get back?” Steve asked.

“Don’t worry about that, by the time your finished, I’ll still have the same drink in my hand” Bucky laughed. 

“I’m sure Nat could say the same about you, Buck. We’ll be back later”.

He squeezed Y/N’s hand and told her to come with him, he was leading them up the staircase of Tony’s house and through one of the doors along the hallway. 

The room was dim with the curtains open but the sun setting, it was a large bedroom with a television, a freshly-made bed against one of the walls, it had the serenity in it’s silence that made you feel as if you had just walked into another part of the world.  

“Well I can finally lay down” Y/N turned on her feet to face Steve. 

“Too tired?” He asked. 

“Oh, I’d love to see you walk in heels all day”. 

“Yeah?”. 

Steve put his lips on hers and kissed her, it felt like they were in their own romance movie but better than that because it was real and Steve was so sweet and gentle with her. It was even dangerous, the way it was when Steve kissed her, she would have done anything he asked in that moment, she could have stood in the way of her worst fears because it was like falling into a pit of gold. 

Y/N kicked off her heels and pulled Steve by the collar of his button up shirt, over to the bed.

“Tell me how much you want me Steve” Y/N muttered. 

“You already know” He muttered back. 

He took Y/N’s hands off his shirt and made her sit down on the edge of the bed, “Well, lay down then”. 

Y/N looked up at him for a moment, waiting for him to say something more or do something, he looked back down at her and waited. She laid her back against the duvet and buttoned down the first three buttons of her dress.

[soundofseventeen]

How Would You Feel (Chwe Hansol)

It’s still technically your birthday, so I’m not late!!!!!! Happy birthday, @dvoz-writes​!!! Never forget how much we love you!!!! And this also works (a little) for our 2/18 birthday boys!!!!

Word count: 3000

Inspo: How Would You Feel

The first time Hansol almost said he loved you, he had bumped into you on a busy Saturday night. He remembered walking backwards as he admired the bright lights illuminating one of the movie theaters and straight into you, which made you lose the perfect shot of the town clock striking midnight. He turned around the moment he made contact with you and in a split second, his vocabulary flew out the window and something jolted inside his brain. It processed “Sorry,” in English but it crossed with his Korean, and the “Sar-” was already ready to fly out his mouth and he caught it, finally stumbling out his apology.

Luckily for him, you didn’t notice the slip up, but you were trying not to fall captive to his brown eyes and the lights making them sparkle didn’t really help your case. Instead, you assured him that accidents happened and when you saw his shirt and recognized the group. You asked him a question, followed by another, and then ten minutes later, he invited you to a small coffee shop to further discuss the group. 

“Yeah, I’ve seen them a lot of times,” he admitted shyly, sipping on his hot chocolate, “they’re really good live and it’s always worth the money. How about you?”

“I try to go to as many shows as possible. They’re my favorite outside of kpop.” You stirred your own coffee pensively, unsure whether to tell this stranger your deepest regret. Well, he wasn’t a stranger; you would’ve been a fool not to recognize Hansol Vernon Chwe, but he was still someone you didn’t know. “One of their shows I missed, this most recent one I couldn’t afford to go because work hates me and I need the money, but they said it was their best one yet.”

“Oh yeah, I went to that one. They added a song that wasn’t normally on the set, and I recorded it.” He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through it as if his life depended on it. “There it is.” He debated whether to show you. He was aware you knew him, but he appreciated the way you treated him like a normal person. He hadn’t felt this way around anyone in awhile, so he handed it to you.

“No way,” you gasped when you pressed play. “This is my favorite song. I mean, I saw it on YouTube and everything but-” you didn’t finish your sentence, you hand covering your mouth in awe and shock. You could feel the tears coming but you wouldn’t cry. Not tonight in front of an idol.

Hansol cocked his head, processing all your emotions, feeling the smile coming on and he didn’t fight it. His heart did a thing, and for a moment, he regretted not telling you he loved you, but then he remembered he didn’t know you or your name, and he wanted to know you. The moment the song finished and he locked eyes with you, he knew he had fallen in love with you.

*

The second time he almost told you he loved you, it was after he invited you to come with him to see his family. Sofia had a thing to do and after countless hours of begging him that he needed to see this, he relented and you crossed his mind, and he said he’d go on the condition that he could bring a friend and she agreed. So he called you, and he left you a voicemail when you didn’t pick up, when he forgot that you worked that day. You called him a couple hours later on your break (leaving your own voicemail because he had idol duties to attend to) and let him know that you cleared a few days off the ones in question. 

The look on Sofia’s face when she had opened the door and saw you instead of one of the members was amusing, to say the least, but she warmed up to you really quickly. She still had a few hours until she had to go to a school graduation, one that had asked her to sing the Korean national anthem so she was doing everything she could to keep her nerves under control. You were currently on the floor, playing a board game and they were both yelling at you and accusing you of cheating. Even through everyone's fit of giggles, Sofia couldn’t miss the way your competitive streak came out and how Hansol just egged your annoyance on. A few rounds later, you called it quits by throwing your cards on the board, mostly because it was time for the little sister to start getting ready and because when it was siblings against the one person, they usually won. You reached over and mussed Sofia’s hair and she jumped up quickly, claiming she needed to shower before everyone was late. You helped Vernon pick up the game, joining in his sing-along and him telling you about how he grew up and pointing to the various juice stains on the ceiling and showing you all his favorite books. 

Sofia found you both in the kitchen about 20 minutes later, huddled over bowls of cereal and arguing over which was the best one and she announced it was time to go.

Although you only stayed at the graduation for a few minutes, everyone treated Sofia as if she had performed a full concert and everyone was now celebrating it, not that there were any complaints. Everyone was having a good time; the parents were drinking and he saw you and Sofia squeezing your eyes shut from the pain that brain freeze brought. He looked at the milkshake cups, his sister having drunk more than you did and he decided to help you out by eating as much as he could before his own brain freeze followed. He placed his palms on his temples, exhaling deeply, his breath cold and he still laughed along with you. 

Later that night, once everyone was sound asleep, he snuck to the kitchen to get a glass of water and stopped at seeing you still up. He watched the way you turned the page intently and how you struggled to keep the flashlight on your phone steady. He smiled, the thirst no longer a problem to him and instead thumped the couch cushion to get your attention.

You jumped, the light blinding you momentarily as you heard Hansol laughing. “I’m gonna kill you,” you whispered.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Sofia gave me this book and I wanna finish it before we go home.”

He liked the way you said we; it seemed like you were on the same team. Home too. It was like he pictured his future with you looking at him the way you were if he ever accidentally dropped your favorite mug on a night like this. Again, the “Sa-” was on the tip of his tongue but he didn’t know how you’d react, so he had to switch tactics asap. “Sofia has good taste. She’s the reason I grew to like books. Even if we have to stay a little longer, we will. Or I can just buy you a copy...but we have to have joint custody.”

“Sounds like a deal, Chwe.”

*

The third time he almost said it, you had managed to pull off a surprise birthday party for not one but two boys....with the help of the ‘95 line helping you decorate the place, the ‘96 line going out and buying the ingredients you needed to make the birthday boys a cake for each of them; Mingyu and Minghao taking Seokmin to go to a carnival in the next town, and Seungkwan and Chan taking Hansol to a record store and buying some stuff. Hansol had wanted to spend the day with you but he had been under the impression that you had to work that day and that his respective brothers had some recording to attend to. 

(It wasn’t easy to pull it off, considering Hansol kept bugging Seungcheol every few minutes, asking when the maknae line was due to arrive to the studio and Minghao asking Jeonghan how else to distract Seokmin. Your efforts were almost blown when the front door slammed open and you dropped the frosting, and you couldn’t help but beat Chan (he was alone) with the dishrag you used to pick up the mess. 

“When you marry Vernon hyung, you still better be spoiling him like this because it’d be false advertising as my future in-law,” he said eyeing the sink and pulling out a dirty spoon you used to make the frosting. He didn’t think twice as he licked the chocolate.

“I have no intentions of marrying Vernon.”

“Your loss,” he shrugged and turned to the oldest boy. “Hyung, are you almost done here? I’m tired of hearing Kwannie hyung sing all the songs on his phone.”

“Almost. Just be patient.” And with that, Chan left satisfied, and Seungcheol looked at you trying to focus on the last of Seokmin’s cake. “So is it okay if I ask you what’s going on with you and Nonie? Or is that too personal?”

You shook your head. “Nothing’s going on. We’re just friends.” The blush on your cheeks and your trembling hands didn’t exactly help your case but Cheol was kind enough to drop the subject.)

You weren't exactly sure how you managed to balance Vernon’s chocolate cake and Seokmin’s red velvet one but you did, even singing the birthday song when the boys in question processed what you were doing some few hours later when they walked in the front door. Once they made their wish and blew out the candles, Seokmin gleefully grabbed his cake and skipped to the table, sticking his finger into the frosting and licking it clean. He paraded across the room, showing it off to everyone and gloating that he had the bestest friend in the whole world. Hansol, merely took the cake with one hand and gave you a side hug as tightly as he could manage before Soonyoung intervened and grabbed the dessert so he could hug you with both.

“Happy birthday Hansol,” you whispered. “I hope this was okay.”

“Wait, this was you?”

“Well, I had help. I couldn’t have done this without your group mates.” You pulled away with a gasp. “Oh crap! I forgot your gift! I’m so sorry!”

“Why would you get me a gift after doing all this?”

“Because it’s your birthday.” 

“Did you get something for DK?”

The horrified look on your face told him everything he needed to know and he marched right up to his birthday twin who had somehow been able to find somewhere to sit and was currently stuffing his face with Junhui and you couldn’t tell who looked more like a chipmunk and you hoped someone would get a picture of these two looking like that because your heart multiplied. 

“Hey hyung?”

“Mmm?” He looked up at you, face full of frosting and he swallowed loudly. He scrambled for a napkin and wiped at the spots frantically. “Yeah?”

“So would you be bummed if we didn’t get gifts from our friend here?”

“The surprise party wasn’t a gift?” You had yet to get used to Seokmin’s naïtivty and his knack for being easily surprised.

Hansol shook his head. “Never mind. Enjoy your cake hyungdeul.” He turned back to you. “See? You don’t need to give us more than this.”

“So you like it?”

“I love y-” He froze the moment the words almost slipped out and just started coughing to thwart his speech, and didn’t speak again until you had given him some water. “Sorry...I meant to say that I love it. Thank you Y/N. I have the greatest friend in the world.” 

Various offended “heys” sounded throughout and he reiterated slightly. “Besides you guys.”

*

The fourth time he almost told you he loved you, you were in his car in your front yard after coming back from your first date together. You kept leaning over to the driver’s side and stealing kisses from him and all he could do was relish in them and kiss you back. 

“So has anyone ever made you this happy?” you asked him. 

He shook his head. “I can’t remember the last time I was like this.” He welcomed the warm feeling of your hand caressing his cheek gently. “Have you ever had this much fun?”

“Once,” you admitted. “I went to visit some friends and somehow we all stayed up past our normal bedtime just looking at the sky and feeling at peace. It wasn’t a big thing or anything, but it was just us, all the stars and all the wishes we made. A lot of them have come true since then.” You looked over at him, not saying more. “What’s the dumbest thing you ever wished for?”

He covered your hand with his before bringing it to his lips to kiss them repeatedly. “It wasn’t dumb but I remember putting it on my Christmas list every year. I just wanted to go back to New York. At least there, no one gave a shit if you were black, white, mixed, missing an eye or tooth or whatever.” He brought you close to him to kiss you again. “Why did you agree to go on a date with me?”

“I figured it was about time to be real with my feelings and you.” You smiled at him. “I’d been wanting to tell you for awhile, but you beat me to it.”

He nodded slowly, liking the answer. He leaned in for another kiss, but his phone ringing disturbed the moment, and just for that he ignored it. “I should get going. Can I walk you inside?”

When you nodded, he quickly removed his seatbelt and ran to the passenger side to open the door for you. As soon as you were out, he wrapped his arms around you, back hugging you and kissing your cheek. He finally felt like a rebellious teenager to be doing this with you. It was a little past curfew, you had to be up early and so did he, but he didn’t want this moment to end. He was even more in love with you than ever before.

“Hansol, you have to go,” you whined after you realized he didn’t plan on moving from that spot.

“A few more minutes,” he sighed. “I don’t wanna let you go just yet.”

“Either you do now, or Seungcheol will pry you away from me if you're not home in the next ten minutes.”

“I’m not scared of that grandpa.”

“You hear that Cheol?” 

And with that, his head snapped up, looking in all directions for the leader, already looking for words to excuse his actions. “You liar.”

“I thought you weren’t scared.”

“I’m not,” he pouted, but then he sighed. “Do we really have to say goodbye?”

“I don’t want you to go either.” You reached for his hand so he could finally walk you to your front door. “Hansol, thank you for tonight.”

“Anytime. Thank you for agreeing. I’ll call you soon, okay?”

You nodded. “Okay.”

He waited for you to unlock the door so you could go in and just as you were about to close the door, he called you.

“Yeah?”

“Sa-” The saranghae didn’t go past his throat; neither could the I love you, so he cleared his throat and tried again. “Sleep well.”

*

The fifth time he almost told you he loved you, he had convinced you to sit on the roof with him at his house. You had long ago admitted to him that you had never seen a sunrise, so he vowed that the next time neither of you had plans, he was gonna invite you to Seventeen’s dorm to make you watch it. Two months later, it happened, and he spent the day making sure he had everything to spend the night up on the roof with you, and despite the chilly air, it was worth it. 

You sat in between his legs and he had his arms wrapped around you, often tightening around you every time he felt overcome with emotion. He would take your hand and trace a pattern in the sky with your finger and then tell you the name of the constellation. You offered him your earbuds sometime during the night, and you took turns listening to your favorite songs, singing along to all the words. 

Every time you could feel yourself nodding off, Hansol would gently shake you awake and offer you something to snack on so you could stay awake. “We’re almost there Jagi,” his hoarse voice would encourage you. “Just a little longer.” And then he would kiss your cheek and cuddle you a little more.

You were both blissfully unaware of the 12 other boys spying on you and seeing what you were currently doing. More often than not, someone had to stop Soonyoung from barging in and interrupting, but they quietly left out extra blankets and water bottles and other snacks by the window so neither of you would have to move much. 

Finally, the first few rays of sunlight came peeking through over the horizon. It wasn’t much at first, but then suddenly, the whole world seemed to wake up along with it. You could hear the birds chirping and the insects buzzing, and everything warming up. 

“What do you think?”

You nodded, finally closing your eyes and resting against his chest. “It’s beautiful,” you managed to mumble sleepily. Can we do this again?”

“As many times as you want,” he promised.

“Okay, good.”

He waited a little longer in case you had more to add, but the only thing he could feel was you breathing in and out deeply and evenly, finally fast asleep. “Hey Jagi, how would you feel if I told you I loved you?”