#they are both Emotionally Compromised

[fruity-hub-blog]

If I had a nickle every time there was a morally ambiguous grey haired man who always wears a business suit with a red tie and has an affinity for the Packers Football team in a kids cartoon I'd have two nickles, which isn't a lot but it's weird it's happened twice.

[mozart-the-meerkitten]

Been rewatching the early Marvel movies and apparently this is the time of my life where I just get re-obsessed with characters I love so here's some random thoughts about Loki/Thor the Dark World:

Why. In the world. In the universe. Did Odin not ask Loki ANY questions when Loki was brought before him for judgement in Dark World? Like, at the BAREST MINIMUM he should have asked where Loki got an ARMY, the last time he'd seen Loki was when Loki fell off the Bifrost and then he vanished for a year and showed back up with the glowstick of destiny and an army that Thor says "are not of Asgard or any world known". ODIN. WHY ARE YOU NOT ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS?!

Like, we are aware that Odin is. partial to giving his kids harsh punishments. He obviously doesn't care about Loki's motives. Like, a good parent would look at their kid who disappeared for a year and then came back insane and be like "hey so what happened to you when you disappeared? you didn't get captured by a super powerful being and tortured into submission did you?" (Thanos tortured Loki I have SOURCES and I WILL cite them upon request) But even a bad parent who was a decent king would wonder how their kid suddenly got an ARMY out of NOWHERE and yet Odin never questions this at all. Even Thor in Avengers at least asks Loki "Who showed you this power? Who controls the would-be king?" (which just shows Thor would honestly be a better king than Odin tbh) but Odin is just like "nah this is not important. imprisoning my son for life and telling him how worthless I think he is is more important in this moment."

I wonder if she'd had more time if maybe Frigga would have been able to get Loki to tell her what happened and if maybe that was part of her goal of visiting him (beyond just, you know, actually being a decent parent who cares about her child and wanting to keep him company) because we know she's clever (she's smarter than Odin good gravy, is there like an age difference between them is he going senile or something) so PERHAPS she thought if she talked to Loki she could puzzle out what had happened to him and find out if there was, you know, a potential universal threat Asgard should be aware of. And like, if she had found out anything what was Odin going to say? He can't actually punish his wife in any meaningful way (lol imagine he tries and she just grabs her two grown sons and leaves, help xD) especially if she found out IMPORTANT INFORMATION that he SHOULD have discovered on his own.

This does kind of highlight an underlying problem with Odin, where he seems to think that Asgard is invincible and is, well, lazy about defending it. Like, I've seen posts about how Loki letting the Frost Giants into Asgard in the first movie is actually him not just showing that Thor is not ready to be king, but also demonstrating that Asgard has dangerous holes in its defenses. Because yeah, Loki can HIDE HIMSELF FROM HEIMDALL and sneak into Asgard. Heck, he can sneak OTHERS into Asgard while he's not even WITH them. That- that is a security threat, because if anyone BESIDES Loki could do that then Asgard could easily be invaded and- wait a second, that happens in The Dark World! The Dark Elves hide themselves from Heimdall and sneak an invasion force into Asgard! Destroying it's defenses and KILLING ITS QUEEN. Like, my goodness, do you think Loki is the only person with these abilities? Are you even trying Odin? At all?

TLDR; Odin is an idiot for not questioning Loki about the Chitauri/where he was for a year between Thor and Avengers, not to mention an awful father and an incompetent king.

[trampfranky]

On one hand the fact that both luffy and sanji trusted pudding as an ally potentially speaks more about the reality of puddings self and feelings BUT the idea that luffy completely fell for pudding because she started sweet talking about his cook and promised to bring sanji back to them is so funny. pudding started gushing about how cool and cute and charming sanji is and how she is kinda in love with him and luffy went 'omgggggg she gets me AND sanji no way is she lying :D'

[dent-de-leon]

What if...Kingsley starts to get flickers of memories from Lucien's childhood, slipping in and out of dreams. What if King...remembers setting fire to the family caravan? Can still feel himself choking on the ash and smoke, can still hear his parents' voices? King starting to wake screaming from nightmares of burning flames, just like Lucien for all those years.

What if Caleb sees the all too familiar signs, the way King just loses himself for a moment when he feels the searing heat of his blood rite.

What if...the first time Caleb actually tells Kingsley about his past, it's to help comfort King over his own--

[dear-mrs-otome]

Oh my god this event is custom-designed to crush me isn't it? Two of my favorite routes, and more peeks inside their heads during it???

[bbcphile]

I finished Mysterious Lotus Casebook and OMG AHHHHHH FEEELINGS!!!!!

I don’t want to spoil anything about it here, but if anyone wants to flail in feelings about the ending with me, send me a message!

[last-flight-of-fancy]

finally got around to doing the dark knight questline (to level 50 anyway. are there more after that???? i know dragoon got a bit more but. im Uncertain on literally every other class) and like. what he hell am i supposed to do with myself after that

[heywriters]

Details That Convey Intimacy

Developing fictional relationships that feel authentic takes more than dialogue and grand gestures. Every detail below can be used to show platonic, familial, agape, or romantic love depending on context.

cooking a meal for someone, bringing them food, or spontaneously sharing a snack

sharing body heat/warming someone with outerwear like jackets and scarves

fanning them with something if overheated

getting a cold/hot drink for them

offering to carry something, whether it's heavy or just a jacket, to lighten someone's load or free up their hands

more below the click!

changing the subject of a group conversation that will be personally discomforting to someone in the group

making sure to include someone in a group conversation, especially if it's a topic they have special knowledge of

waiting for someone to catch up when the rest of the group has walked ahead

remembering preferences/allergies ahead of time when preparing/ordering food

planning trips, whether in a pair or as a group, that provide something positive for every individual to enjoy

procuring personal healthcare items like sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, pain relievers, or a snack and keeping them on hand for that friend who frequently needs them

making room for someone in a crowded vehicle or on public transit

making room for someone under an awning or in another limited space to help them avoid bad weather

warning or wordlessly covering for someone with a wardrobe/cosmetic malfunction

remembering a small luxury someone mentioned they enjoy, and getting it for them the next time it's convenient

running an errand for someone to make their day easier ('importance of errand : depth of relationship' ratio should be explored)

escorting someone to safety in a sudden unsettling event

escorting someone who is drunk, sick, infirm, injured, or emotionally compromised

asking if light, noise, or other sensory factors are bothering someone and taking steps to make them more comfortable

getting gag gifts for someone to show you reciprocate their sense of humor or quirky self-expression (not everyone does this, not everyone appreciates it, and some people predominantly express love through humor and gag gifts; works well with some characters more than others)

holding someone's hand or arm as reassurance, especially when they are afraid*

using their body to block someone from wind, rain, or heat

picking up a dropped item, or carrying a train or other dragging garment for someone else

returning a recognizable possession to someone who may have lost it

This is an inexhaustible list as humans have many ways of showing love for each other. If you are writing spec fic with non-human characters, you can play with variations on these by remembering three core values the "lover" has to consider:

physical comfort of others

emotional comfort of others

social reputation of others

I'd add "sensory comfort" though I think it's tied to physical and emotional comfort.

Please do not try and force any of these into the mold of the misogyny-based "Love Language" trend. Human emotions and expressions of love are diverse and endless.

*While hand holding can be construed as romantic, in reality it varies. Some cultures do not see this as romantic, and some individuals only mean it as a sign of support or compassion. Same goes for long embraces and kissing, both can be done platonically and of course naturally between close family members or friends.

---

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[rewrittenwrongs]

Suddenly struck with a vision of Roy helping Tim get his ear pierced… vigilantes with piercings my beloved…

Something something Tim witnesses Roy’s attempted suicide via killer croc something something emotional adoption Tim with a bow

[nanasrkives]

Navigation : midnight records! the starlight EP! haikyuu EP!

── .✦ "IWAIZUMI HAJIME VS. WEDDING" — iwaizumi hajime

a/n : sorry for being inactive!! finally found motivation to write for haikyuu content : post timeskip. iwa crashing out. pre wedding. he’s so in love. seijoh 4. fluff. crack.

Iwaizumi Hajime doesn’t spiral.

He doesn’t pace. Doesn’t panic. Doesn’t start talking just to fill space. He’s the one people lean on. The level-headed one during a crisis.

Which is exactly why the Seijoh 4 are now watching him like he’s a science experiment gone wrong. The groom’s waiting room is too quiet. Tense. The kind of quiet that happens before someone snaps.

Oikawa, back from Argentina just for the wedding, sips sparkling water with the smugness of someone who saw this coming. Matsukawa is filming. Hanamaki looks both entertained and slightly afraid.

And our dear Iwaizumi paces. Mutters something to himself. Then—without warning—drops to the floor and starts doing push-ups in his suit.

Everyone stares.

"Everybody stay calm, he’s spiraling,” Matsukawa says.

“He doesn’t spiral,” Hanamaki replies, blinking. “I’ve never seen him spiral. This feels illegal.”

“I once saw Iwa-chan roll his ankle and tell me to breathe,” Oikawa says, horrified. “This is terrifying.”

“I’m not spiraling,” Iwaizumi mutters, chest nearly kissing the floor. “I’m keeping my heart rate in check.”

Push-up. Push-up. Push-up

“I’m grounding myself. This is tactical. I am not emotionally compromised.”

Push-up.

“She’s gonna look like a goddess and I’m gonna forget how to breathe.”

“What was that?” Oikawa asks.

“I said I’m fine, Shittykawa.” Oikawa blinks. “You haven’t called me that since we were 18. Oh god, he’s malfunctioning.”

Iwaizumi keeps going. “She’s gonna smile. At me. In front of everyone. And I’m gonna cry. I know I’m gonna cry. I can already feel it. It’s sitting right here—” he gestures to his throat, “like a threat.”

He stops and lays flat on the floor. The silence is deafening. “I’ve never seen him like this,” Hanamaki whispers.

“He cried when she said yes, didn’t he?” Matsukawa murmurs. “This is stage two.”

“I didn’t cry,” Iwaizumi says flatly. “I teared up. Briefly.”

“You FaceTimed me,” Oikawa adds. “There were tissues involved.”

“I was sick.”

”You were sniffling,” Oikawa corrects.

“It was February.”

Iwaizumi sits up slowly. “She’s gonna be in a dress. With her hair done. And makeup. She’s gonna walk toward me like she means it and I’m gonna stand there looking like I forgot how knees work. And then I’ll cry. And then she’ll cry. And I’ll ruin everything.”

Oikawa kneels and hands him a water bottle like it’s an offering to a storm god. “You’re in love. That’s not ruining anything.”

“I’m so in love,” Iwaizumi whispers, like a confession. “It’s making me physically ill.”

Hanamaki just nods. “That tracks. We’ve been waiting years for your emotional constipation to catch up.”

“Push-ups aren’t fixing it,” Matsukawa adds. “Try burpees.”

“I will throw up on your shoes.”

There was a knock on the door: “Five minutes.”

Iwaizumi stands. Adjusts his suit. Rolls his shoulders like he’s heading into combat. “I’m marrying my girl. My terrifying, gorgeous, brilliant girl.”

He turns to them, solemn.

“If I cry—don’t say anything.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Hanamaki says.

“If I pass out—don’t catch me.”

“You’re gonna cry in, like, thirty seconds,” Matsukawa grins. “But you’re gonna look shredded in the photos.”

“I better.”

2025 © NANASRKIVES. / do not copy, repost, edit, plagiarize, or translate any of my works on any platforms, including ai.

TAGLIST (OPEN). / @ayatakanosstuff @angelkiyo @honeycrispappletree @itsmeaudrieee

[alfascorpiionux]

Things to focus on/develop ~ astro observations ✨

Moon in 8th house - emotional self-sufficiency; being your biggest emotional support; letting go of old resentments, attachments and learning to move on; learning to channel your emotions through art/journaling/cooking etc.

Gemini Sun - being constant, reliable, true to your word;being honest and not lying/twisting facts; being there physically and emotionally for people you love; less over-explaining and quarreling;

Libra Moon - learning to make decisions by and for themselves; so many times I see these people always asking for advice on what to do or struggling to make decisions even when it comes to important things in their life; also learning to speak your mind instead of letting emotions build up inside you and acting all passive-aggressive; it’s okay not to agree just let us know;

Leo ascendant - and always wanting to appear polished, put-together, perfect. Lots of emphasis on being clean, well-dressed and having nice hair. Sometimes it’s okay to tone it down a notch. Many imperfections about yourself are only in your mind, very few if anybody at all notices them; also you know what diplomacy is, I guess? Sometimes it’s better to reach an agreement/compromise than to relentlessly pursue your point of view. It’ll attract enmity on the long term and people finding subtle ways to put you down behind your back, just saying.

Virgo Mercury - learning to talk about how you feel and don’t always fret the small print; being vulnerable is not a weakness;

Stellium in 11th house (especially in air signs) - accept yourself first and foremost and stop trying to fit in with crowds; some people will always judge you and not like you. You’re good at being a social butterfly and it likely brings you benefits but don’t lose yourself in always gaining other people’s approval. It’s better to walk alone than constantly clinging to people who bring you down or are just not right for you.

Ascendant square Mercury/Mercury retrograde/3rd house Mercury(possibly) - take time to improve communication skills, it’ll serve you big time in the future. Don’t hurry when you talk and think it through before you say something. Don’t just blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind; it might come out messy. Don’t butt into conversations or try to dominate them. People won’t be more interested in what you are going to say, it’ll just reflect poorly on you.

Lilith-Venus aspects(especially the square)/Lilith-Moon hard aspects - don’t blindly trust women; this aspect is said to attract both admiration and jealousy from women. It adds extra charm to your appearance but can also spark enmity/bad intentions in others. Beware.

Moon-Jupiter aspects (especially square) - take care of your weight!! Make sure to eat healthy food and exercise regularly. There could be a tendency to put on weight. You’re a connoisseur of life and very curious person by nature so it makes sense you would like to try out new delicious food/beverages, but don’t give in to excess.

Sun opposite Moon - this aspect suggests a conflict between the Ego(Identity) and the emotional life of the native. Sometimes these people have zero clue what they are feeling and if you ask them they might just shrug. Or they might suppress their emotions in favor of their intelect/rational side. This can lead to big internal turmoil, crisis and even depression later on. My advice: don’t ignore what you feel. Speak about it or write it down. It’s important to at least be conscious of what is going on with your emotional life. Is it sadness/annoyance/boredom maybe a sense of relief? Whatever it is, write it down. It’ll make you feel better, I promise.

Sun in 5th house - you cannot make up your mind about who to be with, am I right? Many people attract you and make your heart flutter for different reasons. Your interest may be short-lived. You definitely love a nice figure, beautiful clothes and an “expensive-looking” appearance. Personality-wise you like a good sense of humor, a beautiful smile, solid social skills and if the said person is desired by many others, it might awaken your interest even more! My advice to you: make up your mind. Who is the person you truly want to be with? What is their personality like, their values, interests, life-goals? Will they align with yours? How will you be supporting each other along the way? Solve the conflicts that would arise? Don’t get too picky or cocky though. Just as your chosen person will try to be the best they can be, you shouldn’t succumb to laziness, complacency either. Nobody is perfect. We got to do the best we can with what we have.

Virgo Moon - you’re way better and more than you ever give yourself credit for. Be proud of your accomplishments and all those times where you persevered when everything seemed to be going wrong and you couldn’t see the light. You’re a hard-working, very resilient and pragmatic person. You likely always help those in need especially your family/friends/acquaintances. They’ve always got somebody they can rely on to give them a car ride for example or cook them delicious food. Life is not always black and white and you’re certainly not the loser you might sometimes think you are. If only you could see the beauty I and other people can see in you!

Chart ruler in 12th house - oh boy, this one is quite annoying at times. People might just simply ignore your presence and not willingly. It’s like you somehow manage to blend into the background. Not one time have I heard people going “You’re here? I really haven’t noticed.” And it is not said with bad intentions. Your presence is calm, a little mellow and blends in easily with any crowd. Maybe you could be a spy? Just saying XD

The point with this placement (especially if you have many aspects to your Mercury, particularly the square) is to be patient! Do not raise your voice or butt into conversations you are not welcomed in. Wait to be invited, stay silent or better yet: leave. If it’s done repeatedly by the same group of people it’s not longer unintentional.

Also - protect your energy and make sure you sleep 8-10 hours. It might be that you tire easily, are susceptible to other’s energy, feel it when somebody is ill or suffering. You’re sensitive and probably empathetic to boot (regardless of other positions in your chart). Make sure you don’t overexert yourself or let others take advantage of your sensitive side.

Chiron conjunct Midhaven - it might actually be healthy and recommended for you to work! Especially if it’s the kind of job that suits you and that you find satisfaction in. With this aspect it’s possible that not having a goal/career will make you feel aimless/confused/irritated. This aspect suggests an ambitious, driven and hard-working individual that might find much more in their career than satisfaction, purpose and money. They might also find healing. These people are likely to work in healthcare and dealing with other people’s ailments and emotional wounds. But instead of bringing them down, it is where they actually find their place. Especially in the sign of Capricorn, these people don’t wish to lead easy/privileged lives, but meaningful ones where they leave a legacy behind.

People typically trust them because they sense they are trustworthy and share their problems with them.

Venus in Aries - this is not talked about nearly enough. These folks are courageous and very devoted to their loved ones, to the point where they would do almost anything for them! Venus is not just about your love life but also about your feminine side, your values and self-worth, your sense of aesthetics, creative expression, wealth&comfort and social harmony. It’d be silly to narrow it down simply to one domain: your romantic life. Sure, it plays a significant role when it comes to the way you express and accept love, what appeals to you most but it not all that it is!

A Venus in Aries person makes a dynamic and gutsy friend somebody that would go on almost any adventure with you. They could be blunt but you can be sure they will always tell the truth. They will speak up for you when needed and they could be plenty generous.

The point with this placement is to not get carried away or be too pushy. Many people are simply not ready to be as bold and honest and unapologetic as you are. They might just be unsure, more skeptical, or have a different way of expressing their attention/affection. Don’t always put demands on them or assume dishonesty at the slightest disturbance.

Edit-completion to Venus in Aries.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading my post!! Please tell me what you think and let’s have a discussion 🤗🌟

[astrologydray]

~~Juno In The Houses~~

Juno’s house placement in astrology shows where and how commitment, marriage, and long-term partnerships play out in your life. It reveals the area where you seek stability, loyalty, and a deep bond with another person.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Juno in the 1st 🏡: Juno in the 1st house makes commitment and partnership a core part of your identity. Relationships play a significant role in shaping who you are, and you may feel most fulfilled when in a serious, long-term partnership. You likely seek a partner who reflects your personal ideals and complements your self-expression. Others may naturally see you as relationship-oriented, and commitment could come early in life or feel like a major theme throughout your journey. You may also attract partners who are strong-willed, independent, or who help define your sense of self. You may feel a strong pull toward partnership, but it’s important to ensure that you don’t lose your personal identity or compromise too much to fit into a relationship dynamic. Finding balance between self-expression and commitment is key to a fulfilling partnership.

Juno in the 2nd 🏡: Juno in the 2nd house indicates that stability, security, and shared values are essential in your committed relationships. You seek a partner who provides a sense of reliability—emotionally, financially, or both. Commitment for you is deeply tied to material security and long-term investment, whether that’s building wealth together, establishing a stable home, or simply knowing that your relationship is solid and dependable. Partners who are practical, financially responsible, or who help you feel grounded. There’s often a strong emphasis on loyalty and trust, as you need to feel that your partnership is steady and enduring. Placing too much focus on material security or staying in a relationship out of comfort rather than true emotional connection. Learning to balance security with emotional fulfillment will help you create a truly rewarding commitment.

Juno in the 3rd 🏡: Juno in the 3rd house emphasizes communication, intellectual connection, and shared ideas in committed relationships. You seek a partner who stimulates your mind, engages in deep conversations, and keeps things mentally exciting. A strong verbal or intellectual bond is essential for long-term commitment, and you may be drawn to someone who is curious, witty, or well-spoken. You might meet your partner through school, travel, or social networks, and relationships could involve a lot of movement, such as frequent travel or long-distance communication. A partnership that allows for learning, growth, and the exchange of ideas will be the most fulfilling for you. Juno in the 3rd house can be restlessness or a tendency to overanalyze relationships rather than fully feeling them. You may also struggle with scattered energy, needing variety to stay engaged. Finding a balance between intellectual stimulation and emotional depth, ensuring that your relationships are both mentally and emotionally fulfilling.

Juno in the 4th 🏡: Juno in the 4th house signifies a deep need for emotional security, family, and a strong home foundation in committed relationships. You seek a partner who makes you feel safe, nurtured, and at home—both emotionally and physically. Marriage or long-term commitment is often closely tied to building a family, creating a stable household, or finding someone who understands your deepest emotional needs. You may be drawn to partners who have strong family values, are protective, or provide a sense of belonging. A domestic, cozy, and emotionally intimate relationship is ideal for you. Your commitment style is deeply personal, and you likely invest a lot of energy into making your home and relationship feel like a sanctuary. Juno in the 4th house can be emotional dependency or holding onto relationships for the sake of comfort and familiarity, even when they no longer serve you. You may also need to heal childhood wounds or patterns before fully embracing a healthy commitment. A fulfilling partnership is creating a balance between emotional security and personal growth within the relationship.

Juno in the 5th 🏡: Juno in the 5th house seeks a passionate, romantic, and creative relationship. You desire a partner who brings joy, excitement, and self-expression into your life. Love for you should feel like an adventure—full of fun, playfulness, and a deep emotional connection that keeps the spark alive. Partners who are charismatic, artistic, or have a youthful energy. Romance is a major theme in your commitments, and you likely enjoy grand gestures, affectionate displays, and a sense of spontaneity in love. Creativity, shared hobbies, or even children could play a significant role in your long-term relationships. Juno in the 5th house can have a tendency to seek constant excitement in relationships. If things become too routine or serious, you may struggle with staying engaged. There can also be a need for validation through love. Balancing passion with stability, ensuring that romance remains alive while also allowing for depth and long-term emotional security.

Juno in the 6th 🏡: Juno in the 6th house indicates that commitment and partnership are closely tied to daily routines, service, and mutual support. You seek a relationship that is practical, dependable, and built on shared responsibilities. Acts of service and reliability are key love languages for you, and you may find fulfillment in a partnership where both people contribute to each other’s well-being in tangible ways. You may be drawn to partners who are hardworking, health-conscious, or have a strong sense of duty. Relationships may develop through work, health-related activities, or acts of service. A structured and organized partnership, where both partners help each other improve and grow, is ideal for you. Juno in the 6th house can be falling into a caretaker role or treating relationships too much like a duty rather than a source of joy. You might also overanalyze your partner or focus too much on practical matters instead of emotional connection. The key to a fulfilling commitment is balancing responsibility with love, ensuring that your relationship remains both supportive and emotionally nourishing.

Juno in the 7th 🏡: Juno in the 7th house is in its natural placement, emphasizing the importance of commitment, partnership, and marriage in your life. You are deeply relationship-oriented and seek a balanced, equal, and harmonious union. Long-term commitment is a major focus for you, and you may feel most fulfilled when in a serious partnership. You are likely drawn to partners who complement you, offering qualities that balance your own. Fairness, mutual respect, and strong communication are essential in your relationships. You also attract partners who are diplomatic, charming, or relationship-focused themselves. The challenge with Juno in the 7th house is the potential for dependence on relationships for a sense of identity or fulfillment. You may also struggle with people-pleasing or compromising too much to maintain harmony. The key to a successful commitment is finding a partner who supports your individuality while also creating a strong and equal partnership.

Juno in the 8th 🏡: Juno in the 8th house seeks deep, transformative, and intensely bonded relationships. Commitment for you is not just about partnership—it’s about merging souls, sharing resources, and experiencing profound emotional and physical intimacy. You crave a connection that is passionate, loyal, and built on trust, but also one that has the power to change you on a fundamental level. You may be drawn to partners who are intense, mysterious, or deeply emotional. Relationships can involve themes of power dynamics, shared finances, or psychological growth. Commitment for you often comes with major life transformations, and your ideal partnership is one where both you and your partner evolve together. Juno in the 8th house can have issues of control, jealousy, or fear of betrayal. You may have difficulty trusting fully or experience emotional extremes in relationships. Learning to balance intensity with emotional security, ensuring that passion doesn’t turn into power struggles and that love remains a source of healing and growth.

Juno in the 9th 🏡: Juno in the 9th house seeks a relationship that is expansive, adventurous, and intellectually stimulating. Commitment for you is about growth—whether through travel, philosophy, spirituality, or education. You are drawn to partners who broaden your horizons and challenge you to see the world in new ways. You may be attracted to people from different cultures, backgrounds, or belief systems. Long-distance relationships or partnerships that involve travel and exploration could be common. A deep philosophical or spiritual connection is important in your commitments, and you thrive in a relationship where you and your partner share a quest for knowledge and truth. Juno in the 9th house can be restlessness or have a fear of being tied down. You may struggle with commitment if it feels too restrictive, needing a partner who allows you freedom and personal growth. Finding someone who supports your adventurous spirit while also providing emotional depth and stability.

Juno in the 10th 🏡: Juno in the 10th house connects commitment and long-term partnerships to career, public image, and social status. You seek a relationship that is not only personally fulfilling but also aligns with your ambitions and goals. Marriage or commitment may play a significant role in your professional success, and you may be drawn to partners who are influential, respected, or career-driven. You are likely attracted to responsible, ambitious, and well-established individuals who help you build a strong future. Your relationship may be highly visible, and others might see you and your partner as a power couple. Commitment for you often involves shared goals, public recognition, or a sense of duty. You may feel pressure to choose a partner based on societal expectations rather than personal happiness. The key to a successful commitment is balancing ambition with emotional connection, ensuring that your relationship is both meaningful and supportive of your life goals.

Juno in the 11th 🏡: Juno in the 11th house seeks a partnership that is rooted in friendship, shared ideals, and a sense of community. You desire a relationship that allows for freedom, individuality, and mutual support in pursuing dreams and goals. Your ideal partner is someone who not only feels like a best friend but also aligns with your long-term vision for the future. You may be drawn to partners who are unconventional, progressive, or socially active. Relationships may develop through friendships, social networks, or shared causes. There can also be an element of uniqueness in your partnerships—whether through an unconventional relationship dynamic, a strong emphasis on personal freedom, or a bond that is built on shared humanitarian or intellectual interests. You may resist traditional commitment if it feels too limiting. Finding a partner who gives you both the freedom to be yourself and the deep emotional connection needed for a lasting commitment.

Juno in the 12th 🏡: Juno in the 12th house indicates a deeply spiritual, karmic, or hidden nature in relationships. Commitment for you is often tied to subconscious patterns, past-life connections, or a sense of destiny. You may attract or be drawn to relationships that feel fated, mysterious, or even secretive in some way. You may be drawn to partners who are deeply emotional, artistic, spiritual, or in need of healing. Relationships might involve sacrifice, secrecy, or a sense of surrender, and you may experience love in a deeply intuitive or almost telepathic way. There can also be a tendency to idealize your partner, seeing them through a romanticized lens rather than as they truly are. You may struggle with clarity in commitment or attract partners who are emotionally unavailable. Bringing subconscious patterns into awareness, setting healthy boundaries, and ensuring that love is both spiritually fulfilling and emotionally grounding.

[the-most-humble-blog]

Taint Misbehavin’: The Gender-Neutral Tragedy of the Human Gooch

Also known as: “Yes, Women Have Taints Too, Karen”

Let’s not dance around it.

Let’s not whisper like this is health class with a priest in the back row.

Let’s walk straight into the fleshy Bermuda Triangle and ask:

“Is the word ‘taint’ gender-specific?”

And by the end of this hellride, you’ll be spiritually aligned, anatomically educated, and emotionally compromised.

☠️ What Even Is a Taint?

Let’s get it out of the way:

Medical term: perineum

Street name: taint

Alias: gooch, grundle, the devil’s slip-n-slide, sin canal, the no-fly zone, the forbidden footpath

It’s the stretch of skin between your hoo-ha and your oh-no.

Between the exit wound and the splash zone.

Between your business and your past due notices.

In medical terms:

“The perineum is the area between the anus and the genitals.” In real terms: “The taint taint your genitals, and it taint your butthole.” Hence: taint.

It’s an anatomical gray area. A biological liminal space. A no-man’s-land paved in skin, sweat, and shame.

🧠 The Real Question:

“Do women have one?”

Yes.

Yes, they do.

Unequivocally. Universally. Unapologetically.

That smooth criminal between the peach and the portal?

That’s a taint.

Whether you’re packing meat or melons,

bulge or buffet,

beef curtain or bologna pony —

you got a taint.

🧬 But Isn’t “Taint” a Guy Thing?

Let’s be fair.

The term taint got famous via male-coded locker room vernacular.

It traveled in sweaty gym bags next to Axe body spray and bad decisions.

It’s been used in:

Xbox Live lobbies

Middle school roast battles

Joe Rogan monologues

Divorce court

Why?

Because it’s hilarious.

Say it out loud:

TAINT.

It hits like a cartoon punch.

It sounds dirty, but vague.

You can say it on TV but not in church.

But just because the culture gave the word to men…

Doesn’t mean the anatomy is exclusive.

🚺 Let’s Talk Female Taint

You know what else taint the butthole or the vag?

That smooth little fleshy runway between the two.

That’s right.

That’s the taint.

Scientifically? Still called the perineum.

But culturally?

We never branded it.

Never gave it a nickname.

Never gave it the comedic reverence it deserves.

So what happened?

Society failed the female taint.

📉 Cultural Bias: We Named Everything BUT the Taint

Let’s review:

Boobs: check

Butt: covered

Clit: overanalyzed

Labia: poetic if you're a feminist or an art student

Taint: absolute radio silence

It’s the only part of the female anatomy that hasn’t been objectified, hypersexualized, or used in a Billie Eilish metaphor.

And that’s the tragedy.

We gave the taint to men and let women walk around with an unclaimed flesh strip of mystery.

Not anymore.

💀 Taint Equality = True Equality

The taint is the only body part that:

Isn’t gendered

Isn’t politicized (yet)

Isn’t Instagrammable

Isn’t sacred

Isn’t slutty

Isn’t shamed

Isn’t holy

It’s just… there.

Raw. Unfiltered. Indifferent.

And that’s why it’s beautiful.

It taint one thing. It taint another.

It’s both. It’s neither. It’s us.

📚 Linguistic Warfare: Other Terms for the Taint (Unisex Edition)

Gooch

Grundle

Fleshbridge

Forbidden Fajita

The No-No Tundra

The UnderCooch

Devil’s Hallway

Sin Sled

Emotionless Alley

The Oathbreaker’s Strip

Let’s take back the language. Let’s name the female undercarriage.

Let’s democratize the grundle.

🧼 Taint Maintenance: Because Gender Don’t Matter When You Sweat

Male or female �� taint funk is real.

That’s where:

Gym shorts go to die

Sweat turns into regret

Body wash loses its nerve

You don’t need a gender-specific care routine.

You need a loofah, some humility, and the knowledge that if your taint smells like old garlic knots, you’re the problem.

🥇 The Taint Test (For Equality Warriors)

Ask any feminist, activist, or gender studies professor:

❓ “Do women have a taint?” ❓ “Can we say gooch in a female context?” ❓ “If ‘taint’ only applies to men, are we guilty of linguistic patriarchy?” ❓ “Can you reclaim your power if you haven’t acknowledged the zone between zones?”

Watch the hesitation.

Because when it comes to taint talk, everyone’s a coward.

Not you.

You’re still reading.

You’re brave.

You believe in gooch equity.

🤯 TL;DR

“Taint” = slang for perineum, the strip of skin between genitals and butthole.

Scientifically accurate for both men and women.

Culturally, it’s been branded as male — but that’s a lie.

The female taint is real. Untouched. Sacred. Neglected. Powerful.

It’s time to stop acting like the perineum is a gendered mystery.

It taint male. It taint female. It’s humanity’s final frontier.

💣 CALL TO ACTION (You Know What Time It Is)

🔁 Reblog this before someone says “cisnormative taint privilege” unironically

🍑 Share if your gooch deserves more respect than your last situationship

🧽 Screenshot and send to someone who definitely forgot to wash theirs today

🫧 Repost this if you believe in full-body equality — from nipples to Netherrealm

⚖️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER (BECAUSE TUMBLR SOFTIES LOVE TO SNIFF DRAMA):

This post is satire, commentary, anatomy education, performance art, literary disobedience, and a goddamn act of bravery.

It is protected under U.S. law, natural law, and the sacred covenant of locker room humor.

If this offends you, congrats — your gooch is probably neglected.

This post does not discriminate. It exfoliates.

Take a seat. Open a book. Scrub your taint.

We out here equalizing the perineum discourse with no apologies.

[chanranghaeys]

🎼 complementary wavelengths

Wouldn’t falling in love with your research partner compromise the integrity of the research study? You had no idea. But if that were the case, then you were in for some major trouble.

pairing: university professor!vernon x high school teacher!fem!reader word count: 2.8k+ genre: fluff for valentine’s day! rating: g tags: non-idol au, distant college friends to ???, first love :(, they both grew up!, we stan emotionally healthy MEN in here warnings: i claim no accuracy on the academic process because i am not a teacher and no accuracy on the mathematics and scientific concepts here because i am absolutely not a mathematician or a scientist

a/n: surprise lexi @heechwe, i’m your secret cupid! a huge thanks to jupiter @ddeonghwa-s for hosting this secret cupid valentine’s event! it took A WHILE for me to churn this out but we persist and bounce back to writing! a very very special thanks to kae @ylangelegy for beta reading! and to @svtreverie, @choitcherryanne, and k for being my forever hypegirls mwa mwa

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ masterlist . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

“So, Ms. Y/L/N, do you have a Valentine's date already?”

You roll your eyes for what must be the millionth time. “For the last time, this is grounds for unbecoming conduct, young lady.”

“I’m just saying!” Your student Sofia laughs. “You deserve to have a good Valentine’s Day this year.”

“Since when have you played matchmaker for me, Ms. Chwe?”

“Since we saw you crying in the school parking lot,” Sofia’s best friend Meena chimed in supportively. Come on, Ms. Y/L/N. You can’t expect us to sit around and do nothing.”

“Especially not for our favorite Maths teacher!”

You shake your head at these two high schoolers. You knew you couldn’t play favorites amongst your students, but these two and their stubbornly infectious energy sparked a little of your youth back in you. Plus, you really couldn’t blame them because they were right about that school parking lot incident.

It was after this brunch date went terribly wrong a few weeks ago. And while it was very unbecoming of a teacher for her students to find her squat and sobbing against her car, these two were like guardian angels that took you under their wings and brought you ice cream and were girl’s girls all the way—as if they weren’t almost a whole decade younger than you.

Since then, Sofia and Meena would secretly try to find you a potential Valentine’s date amongst teachers, guardians, single parents, older siblings, school staff, or anyone at this point. They were wholly invested—and not just because you were the best teacher they’ve ever had in their very subjective opinion.

From afar, you see a familiar figure leaning against his car, signature plain white tee with jeans underneath his selected outerwear of the day—this time, it was a black denim jacket with a matching Yankees cap.

You've noticed him for a while now, dropping by a few days a week. You've thought about approaching him several times as well, but you always stopped this impulse. However, today was different.

“Sofia, would you mind calling over your brother here for a second?”

“What is this about?” Sofia had her eyebrow raised. Despite her age, it was hard not to take her seriously given that you were both standing at the same height.

“You know what this is about. He told me that you gave him my email address.”

A look of understanding lit in Sofia’s eyes. “Ah, that thing. Yeah, gimme a second.”

Meena stayed behind to continue the line of questioning. “So what’s that thing?”

“It’s a post-grad thing of sorts. Don’t mind it, you have enough schoolwork on your head to be thinking about this.”

She just chuckled in return. “Ms. Y/L/N, may I remind you that Sofia’s brother is single, handsome, respectful, decent, and smart. You can see why I personally have a vested interest in this thing already.”

“Meena.”

She heard your tone shift and straightened herself. It was a subtle reminder that she was still your student and that you were still her teacher.

“I’m just stating facts,” she said with a shrug and a quieter tone.

Sofia’s distant voice calling out for her friend caught both of your attention. At the same time, you see the figure in black and white walking toward you in his confident and deliberate strides.

“I’ll go ahead Ms. Y/L/N. See you tomorrow! And good luck on the thing,” Meena said with a smile and a wave. When she passes the figure, she does a slight bow out of respect, which he reciprocates. This exchange quirks up the corner of your lips. You recall what Meena said earlier, and it prods at you with an irk of frustration.

It frustrates you that she’s right.

When he finally stood before you with a smile, a flood of memories came crashing back. Suddenly, you’re back on your college campus standing underneath your favorite tree, a girl in front of a boy.

“I got your email, Professor Chwe. It’s been a while.”

“It has been a while Ms. Y/L/N.”

You chuckle at your monikers. Who knew two scruffy college students would turn out to be respectful academicians? “Formalities aside, it’s so nice to hear from you again Vernon.”

“Likewise.”

“I see the teaching gig in university hasn’t changed your sense of casual style.”

Vernon looks you up and down in your sensible collared button-up and slacks ensemble. You completely ignore the growing flutters in your stomach. “I can see that this high school has changed yours.”

“Well, you gotta do what you gotta do. The kids actually like my sense of style, mind you.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed Sofia starting to wear blazers all of a sudden. I never thought that it’d be you I’d blame for that.”

You feel something in your chest, a sudden churn and an unexpected leap. As a teacher, you’ve mastered your emotions enough to mask your face into one that wouldn’t give everything away. But these primal emotions were almost too much to bear.

Is this what it really feels like to face your first love after so many years apart?

“Anyway,” you continue as a means to deflect before anything else gives away your true feelings. “You emailed me about your dissertation? You really didn’t give much away. And you know you could’ve just sent me a message.”

“Oh, yeah!” Vernon nods vigorously in emphasis of your statement. “I need someone good in applied mathematics.”

“And you need me for that because?”

He blinks at you. “Because you are good at applied mathematics. I want your help for my musicology dissertation.”

You let out a sigh of disbelief. “Vernon, I—”

“And don’t you dare say you’re not good,” he insists with his finger pointed at you. “I’ve read your research papers. I don’t even know why you stay teaching in high school. You could’ve been tenured by now. Or on a sabbatical like me.”

He’s read my research papers? So he’s been following my work? You shake your head to clear these unnecessary thoughts, which are immediately replaced by a sense of uncertainty. “I don’t know, I’m pretty busy these coming months…”

You really didn’t know why you were avoiding it. This was the perfect academic opportunity and you had no idea why you were avoiding it.

Okay, scratch that. You knew exactly why—because of him.

“No problem, we’ll be able to pace the progress. Besides,” he continued, “you’ve always been my study buddy. I know we’ll be really good partners for this one.”

With one sentence, he has almost reduced you to a blushing schoolgirl with a huge crush.

Oh wait, weren’t you one already?

But still, you couldn’t resist stoking the flame that had been sparked inside you. So you ask, “Why me? Were there no other worthy research partners in your esteemed university?”

“Nope. I choose you,” he answered with a lopsided smirk. “I think you’ll understand why when you hear what my dissertation is about.”

“What is it about?”

“Do you wanna go out for coffee?”

“What?”

“What?” Vernon said in more of a statement than a question.

“What does coffee have anything to do with this?”

“Unless you want to keep standing here with your students watching us, I think it’s better if we continue this discussion somewhere else.”

You peer over his shoulder to see Sofia and Meena watching the two of you from the car like hawks, ready to catch any significant interaction that might give away what you two were talking about. When you met their line of sight, they were ready to bring their phones up to feign their disinterest.

“There’s a cafe on the next street over. If you’d like to go there…”

“Nice,” he said cooly, his voice low and sure.

He lifted his phone to his ear. From your peripheral vision, you see his sister raise her own phone in response. It was almost comical how you could see their silent reactions from across the courtyard, with Meena vibrating with excitement and slapping the other girl’s arm as you hear Sofia’s voice trying to sound calm through the speaker of Vernon’s phone. You see them hurriedly lowering the car window and lifting their thumbs up toward your direction.

They seem to think they have finally succeeded. You wouldn’t give them that benefit yet.

When he hung up, Vernon addressed your confused look. “Sofia’s been annoying me about getting the car anyway, so they can have it. Let’s walk?”

It was silent at first. The early afternoon sun cooperated with the cool breeze, setting the atmosphere for a nice leisurely walk. Students and office workers were milling around the nearby commercial strip, with the sounds and conversations all mingling in the background.

It had been years since you last spent time together like this, in an environment not too different from this one. After your study sessions in the library, you two walked together to your shared classes, which by some stroke of luck always seemed to happen for at least one class every semester until you graduated.

You both hung in different circles. He hung around with his fellow music majors in band practices and the college’s musicians organization, while you spent the majority of your time with your mathematics batchmates in the library or the school quad, catching up on problem sets and homework before you needed to make it to your choir’s rehearsals at night.

But when you ended up as seatmates in your first semester, you made a comment on the Bach piece he was listening to, how Bach was actually a pretty mathematical composer. He asked you how you knew that.

You said, “I take mathematics. I needed a cool fun fact for introductions.”

From that moment on, Vernon took it upon himself to make you appreciate how mathematical Bach’s pieces were. Music became your common language amongst everything else in the background, and the rest was history.

“Okay,” you began, “You know that we haven’t really spoken to each other since graduation. So…why choose me? Not that I’m complaining, though! I’m just…shocked, I guess. And confused. Because if you’ve read my research, you’d know that it’s been years since I published anything.”

Throughout your rambling, Vernon simply looked at you. When you finally stop, you notice the clear brown of them looking straight into you. It had been years, but they were the same eyes that looked at you, that listened intently when you were explaining a complex math concept.

It had been years, but that almost unblinking gaze of his still made your heart do unexplainable leaps in your chest.

You broke away from the intensity of his gaze. He took this as a cue to answer your question. “I was looking for research papers to help me form my framework. Then I stumbled on your computations of metered wavelengths and frequencies, and their relation to different kinds of sound.”

That paper. “Oh.”

His lips turned up in the corners when he continued. “I suddenly remembered how we randomly theorized this during one of our study sessions. I couldn’t believe you actually turned it into your master's thesis.”

“You still remember that?”

“Of course. I never thought I’d find someone so in tune with me and my random theories.”

“If you’ve read the paper, you’ll know that it wasn’t a random theory at all. You might just have discovered the makings of a postulate as a college sophomore.”

“It wouldn’t have been possible without your mind making sense of it. You really are the brightest of your batch.”

You scoff at the remark. “We’re not in college anymore, Vernon. There are a lot of other bright minds out there.”

“None quite like yours, I’m sure.”

You reach the cafe and order in—a decaf iced americano for you, and a hot chocolate for him. As soon as you two get seated, he finally launches into an animated discussion of his dissertation topic about discovering the medical applications of using the various sound wavelengths from certain types and compositions of music to aid in both the operation and healing process of a person, with the goal of identifying a singular formula to determine the right wavelength for each medical situation. He had his medical experts, all he needed was his mathematician.

It was a lot to digest, to say the least.

But by the end of it all, you were in awe of both Vernon and his mind. He is smart. He’d always been smart, but it felt like the confines of university and immaturity bounded his full potential. Now that he’s seen and explored the world of academia, he was able to finally showcase how bright of a mind he really is.

“Can I tell you something?” You set down your coffee and leaned forward.

As if second nature, he mirrored your action to the tee. “Shoot.”

“I’m proud of you. Really. You used to be this mysteriously awkward guy in college who just played around with guitars and 808s. But I always knew you’d put that big brain of yours to good use.”

He opens his mouth as if in reply, but stops midway and just smiles and scrunches his nose. After a beat, he nods with a look of quiet decision. “Can I tell you something, then?” He asks, worrying his thumb with his other hand as he looks at you. You nod in response.

“It was you that inspired me to be this version of myself. Because you can’t only be smart, you also have to work hard. None of my friends back then had that mindset, then came you.”

“What are study buddies for, yeah?” You raise your fist in front of you. He looks at it and smiles his trademark gummy smile. In return, he bumps his own fist into yours, reminiscent of how you two would check in on each other during extended hours in the library finishing a project or a paper. A fist bump to make the heads bump, you two used to say.

Instead of lowering his fist after, he holds it there flush against yours. “Would it be weird for me to say that it’s honestly more than that?”

“What do you mean?”

He took in a deep breath and let out an exhale just as deep. “When I read your papers, I remembered everything we went through in uni and I just…kinda fell in love with your brain again, I guess. Even until now, you—and your work—inspired me to just do it. Then you started popping up everywhere in my life again and…I remembered how I did kinda fall in love with everything else about you. I was just too young and chicken to see it before.”

It took you a whole minute to find your voice again because how could he be this nonchalant? “You’re really just here dropping all these truth bombs without any warning, huh?”

“Like you said, we’re not in college anymore. I’d rather say it now than never.” Vernon’s smile is a shy one, hidden behind his hot chocolate cup. You can’t believe it took a dissertation paper for anyone’s feelings to be revealed—much less his.

As your mind reels with Vernon’s revelation, you scramble your brains to come up with a lighthearted retort. “So are you still kinda in love with me? Just so I know what and how we’re working on this project.”

He chuckles. “I don’t think you’re doing any better. Don’t think I don’t see you staring whenever I fetch Sofia from school.”

You gape at his reply. “How do you even know where to look for me?”

“You’re her last teacher of the day and you both leave the school at the same time. I told you. You just came barging into my life again unannounced, and it wasn’t even your fault. You just sort of…fell in there.”

A smug look took over your features, one you really couldn’t help after hearing all that he had to say. “Vernon Chwe, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were so down bad for me.”

“For that whip-smart brain and that adorable smile, maybe—theoretically—astronomically and catastrophically down bad even.”

You fight the heat rising to your cheeks—and fail. After a cough to hide your growing embarrassment, you say, “I think we’re done for the day.”

“Sure. So. Same time tomorrow?”

You were about to answer when you suddenly realized, “Vernon, it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Don’t you have any other plans?”

He shakes his head and looks you straight in the eye as he says, “Just you. If you say yes.”

Wouldn’t falling further in love with your research partner compromise the integrity of the study? You had no idea. But if that were the case, then you were in for some major trouble.

[verstappenverse]

Lost in the Spin

Pairing: Max Verstappen x Reader

Summary: A night of celebration spirals into scandal when compromising photos surface leaving Max trapped in a media storm, battling rumours, and desperately fighting to prove his innocence to the woman he loves.

3.5k words / Part 2 / Masterlist

The hum of engines still echoed in Max’s ears, familiar after years on the track. His adrenaline faded after another win, but today, without you in the paddock, without your smile when he stepped out of the car, it all felt just a little hollow. No number of trophies could quite compare to the warmth of your arms wrapping around him, or the way you’d press a kiss to his sweaty cheek as he grinned ear to ear.

This weeks work schedule had kept you away and the emptiness gnawed at him. The paddock was colder, quieter without your laugh or your teasing smile before the race.

For years, you had been Max's anchor. From the early days when he was still finding his feet in Formula 1, to now, where he was reigning champion, you had always been the one he relied on. You understood him in a way that no one else did, his obsessive drive, his passion for the sport, and his thoughts about what came next.

There were nights when Max would come home from the track, emotionally spent, drained from the pressure and you’d pull him into bed, running your fingers through his hair as he rested his head on your chest, listening to your heartbeat until he fell asleep. You never pushed him to talk, never tried to make him explain the unexplainable weight of his career. You just understood.

And now, without you here, he felt the absence keenly. He’d spent the day texting you between sessions, short conversations where you asked how things were going, and he asked about your day, but nothing felt like the real thing.

Most of the other drivers were still buzzing, and the team celebrations were just getting started. The victory champagne had already been sprayed, and the post-race media obligations were done.

“Mate, come on! We’re heading out,” Lando called from across the room, grinning as he waved his arms to grab Max’s attention. “You’re not skipping out on us are you?”

Max groaned inwardly but forced a smile as he pushed himself up from the couch. He didn’t really want to go. You weren’t here, and that always made everything feel... off. But they were his friends, and he didn’t want to bring the mood down.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Max muttered, grabbing his jacket. Maybe if he went out for a couple of drinks he could slip out and go back to his hotel early. Maybe then he’d call you, see if you were still awake, and you could talk until you both fell asleep.

The night stretched on longer than Max had anticipated. The first couple of drinks went down easily, and before he knew it he was a few rounds deep.

“Max, man, you’ve gotta lighten up!” One of his engineers grinned, slinging an arm around him. “You won! Let loose!”

Max chuckled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I just... I miss her, you know?”

He gave him a sympathetic look, nodding. “I get it, mate. It’s hard when they’re not here. But hey, she’ll be proud when she sees you killed it today. She always is.”

“Yeah,” Max mumbled, taking another long sip of his drink.

The drinks kept coming, and Max’s thoughts became more and more scattered. The music was loud, the energy electric, he found himself pulled into random conversations, drinking more, and being swept up in the atmosphere. He briefly wondered what you were doing right now, probably getting ready for bed back home, maybe thinking about him, maybe—

“Hey, let’s take a photo!” someone shouted, interrupting his thoughts. Before Max could protest, a group gathered around him, pulling him in. He barely registered what was happening, his mind a swirling mix of booze and thoughts of you.

The next morning hit Max like a sledgehammer. His head pounded, his mouth dry as sandpaper. Groaning, he rolled over in bed squinting at the bright light filtering through the curtains of his hotel room. He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, eyes still half-closed.

He had missed calls. Several, in fact. And dozens of unread texts.

The first thing he noticed was that they were almost all from you.

His stomach sank.

He immediately sat up, the haze of last night still fogging his memory. He scrolled through his notifications seeing message after message from you, at first they were light-hearted, asking how his night was going, but then as the hours went on they grew increasingly concerned and then... angry. He hadn’t even heard his phone go off last night. But why would you—?

And then he saw it. The photos.

There he was, in a series of several blurry, cropped photos, originally part of larger group shots that had been edited to focus solely on him and a girl he didn’t even recognise. His arm slung around her, though the angle of the photo made it seem much more intimate than it truly was. She was leaning into him, and in one of the images it appeared as though she was whispering in his ear—his grinning face too close to hers, the proximity creating an illusion of something more. In another her hand rested on his chest, her fingers brushing the fabric of his shirt, while his face tilted toward hers, their laughter caught mid-gesture.

And then, the worst of the bunch showed them so close that it looked as if their lips were just inches apart. The angle was impossible to decipher, the blur making everything uncertain, leaving the question of whether they were about to kiss or possibly already had.

“Shit,” Max cursed under his breath, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

His mind raced, trying to piece together the events of last night. He barely remembered the girl, didn’t even know her name, but now the entire world had seen them together. And worst of all, you had seen it.

He dialed your number immediately, his heart pounding in his chest. It rang once. Twice. Three times. Then it went to voicemail.

Max swore again, dialing you back right away. He was met with the same result.

“No, no, no... come on, please,” he muttered under his breath, quickly typing out a message.

Max:

Baby please call me. I need to explain. I didn’t do anything I swear. Please talk to me.

He sent it, but the ticks didn’t appear. You didn’t read it.

Frustration bubbled up in his chest, mixing with panic. He tried calling you again. Still nothing.

“Fuck, come on,” Max muttered, pacing the room as he tried again.

Straight to voicemail.

Max was worrying now, the events of the night before replaying in fragments in his mind. He hadn’t cheated. He was sure of it. He would never ever do that to you. But the photos... the way they looked. He couldn’t deny that they looked bad.

He looked to where they’d originally been posted and scrolled through the comments, his stomach turning with each one.

@f1fanatic: Wow didn’t expect that from Max. Wonder how his girlfriend feels…

@paddockinsider: This is so disappointing. Max always seemed so loyal. Looks like he couldn’t keep it together for one night.

@grandprixgossip: Cheating rumors about Max Verstappen? Yikes, thought he was better than that.

The speculation was everywhere, spreading like wildfire. People were jumping to conclusions, dissecting every detail in the photos, claiming to know the truth about what had happened. It didn’t matter that Max knew nothing had happened—perception was everything, and it looked bad. Really bad.

Max's phone buzzed as he scrolled through another post, this one even worse. The headline screamed:

"MAX VERSTAPPEN CAUGHT CHEATING? EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS SHOW FLIRTING WITH MYSTERY WOMAN"

He felt sick.

More comments flooded in, each one more damning than the last.

@motorsportchatter: Can’t believe Max would do this. Poor girl she doesn’t deserve that.

@f1drivergirls: They were all over each other last night. Disgusting.

@paddockqueen: I always thought there was something off about him. Fame’s clearly gone to his head.

Max’s head spun as he read the comments. It was like watching his entire reputation unravel in real time. Fans, media outlets, even people who barely knew anything about him were chiming in with their opinions, their judgments, their assumptions.

@F1Insider: BREAKING: Max Verstappen seen partying with a mystery woman after race win.

He scrolled through more comments, his hands shaking. The social media storm was relentless. More media outlets were picking up the story, running with it, blowing the situation out of proportion.

@racingnews24: Max Verstappen's off-track antics are making headlines today. Are the rumors true? Is he the latest F1 driver caught in a cheating scandal?

@f1gossip: It's always the quiet ones. She’s better off with someone else.

@formulastyles: Another guy who can’t keep it in his pants. Max seriously? Thought you were different.

Max’s breathing quickened, his chest tightening as he scrolled faster. He’d never cared much about social media. To him, it was just noise—a distraction from the things that really mattered. But right now that noise was deafening, and there was no way to escape it.

He clicked on one of the photos again, staring at the image of himself with the girl. The way her body leaned into his, the way his arm draped casually over her shoulders. The kind of picture that told a story all on its own, regardless of the truth. And in the age of instant judgment, perception was reality.

Max clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He hadn’t even known her. She was just some fan, some random girl who had been part of the celebration, someone he’d barely spoken to. But the photos didn’t care about the truth. They didn’t care that he’d been too drunk to notice how close she was standing, or that he hadn’t been thinking about anyone but you the entire weekend. All they showed was a snapshot—a moment out of context that painted him as the villain.

And now the entire world was running with that narrative.

His phone buzzed again, a new notification lighting up the screen.

@sportscelebgossip: Max Verstappen seen cozying up to a mystery woman at a bar after his latest race win. Does this spell trouble for his long-term relationship?

Max’s stomach twisted. Cozying up? They made it sound like he’d been on a date, like he’d planned it, like he wanted to be with someone else. It was absurd, infuriating—but most of all, it was terrifying.

Max dropped his phone onto the bed, burying his face in his hands. How had things gotten this bad? He had always been careful, always tried to protect the privacy of your relationship, to keep it out of the public eye as much as possible. He never wanted you to get dragged into the chaos of his life, especially not like this.

He couldn’t stop the comments. He couldn’t erase the photos. And now, he couldn’t reach you.

He wanted to punch something, scream at someone, do anything to make it stop, but nothing would change the fact that you had seen the photos, and you thought he had betrayed you.

Max tossed his phone onto the bed, his frustration boiling over. His heart ached as he thought about what you must be feeling right now. He could picture you scrolling through the photos, reading all the horrible comments people were making online. He knew how it must look to you, like he had broke your trust, like he’d been out celebrating without a care in the world, getting close to someone else.

But that wasn’t what happened. It wasn’t. He had to make you understand. You had to believe him.

He stared at the screen, waiting, hoping to see the dots appear, telling him you were typing back. But nothing came. The dots never showed up.

The hours dragged on, and with each minute that passed, Max felt more and more trapped in his own head. You still weren’t answering his calls or texts. He had sent message after message, each one more desperate than the last, but still you gave him nothing in return.

His team had already started damage control telling him not to say anything publicly yet. “We’ll handle it,” they’d said. But Max didn’t care about the media. He didn’t care what the rest of the world thought of him. All he cared about was you.

His phone buzzed in his hand, and for a split second he thought it was you.

Daniel:

Hey man those photos are all over the place. You good?

Max stared at the message, unsure how to respond. Was he good? No. Not even close.

Max:

No. I’m not good. She won’t talk to me she won’t even answer my calls. I think she believes I cheated.

The response came almost immediately.

Daniel:

She knows you Max, she’s just hurt right now. Give her some time.

Time. That’s all anyone ever said in situations like this. But Max didn’t want to wait. He needed to fix this now.

His phone buzzed again, and his heart jumped when he saw it was you this time, but it wasn’t a call just a single heartbreaking text.

You:

Stop calling. I can’t talk to you right now I’m too upset to even think straight. I never thought you’d put me in this position. Give me some space.

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. Max stared at the screen, reading them over and over again, disbelief clouding his mind.

“No, no, no... fuck…this can’t be happening,” he whispered to himself.

He dialed your number again, it went straight to voicemail this time like you had turned your phone off, or worse blocked his number.

His throat tightened, a sense of helplessness washing over him. For the first time in years Max didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know how to make this right, how to fix the mess he was in.

You sat on the edge of your bed, the same spot where you’d been for hours, your phone clutched in your hand. You wanted to believe Max. You really did. But the photos...they looked so convincing. The way he had held her, the way she leaned into him, it made your stomach churn.

Max had never given you a reason to doubt him before, but seeing those images had stirred up insecurities you didn’t even know you had.

You wanted to talk to him. A part of you needed to hear his voice, to hear him explain what had happened. But you were afraid. Afraid that if you did, if he told you some half-hearted excuse or tried to brush it off, you’d believe him because you loved him too much to let him go.

The worst part was, you knew Max. You knew him better than anyone. And deep down, some part of you didn’t believe he’d cheat on you. Not Max. But doubt had crept in, planting seeds that grew with every hour.

Your phone buzzed again lighting up with another message from him. You glanced at it your heart aching as you saw his name. Part of you wanted to open it, but the pain was still too fresh.

You tossed the phone onto the cushion next to you, pulling your knees up to your chest as tears stung the corners of your eyes. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. You had built something with Max, something solid, something real. And now it felt like it was slipping through your fingers because of one stupid night.

You grabbed your phone back to scroll through the photos again, your stomach twisting with every swipe. The comments were brutal, and while you knew better than to believe everything you read online, the pictures... they weren’t so easy to ignore. The images of Max and that girl were burned into your mind, replaying over and over until you felt physically ill.

You’d trusted him. For years, you had stood by his side, believing in him, loving him through everything. You had always known the kind of world he lived in—the parties, the media attention, the constant pressure to perform both on and off the track. But you had never questioned him. Not once. Until now.

You blinked back tears still scrolling mindlessly through social media, reading the comments from people who didn’t even know you. Strangers who were dissecting your relationship like it was some sort of spectacle, something to be debated and analysed.

@gossipgirls: I feel so bad for his girlfriend. She seems so sweet, and now this? Max really messed up.

@racingqueen: Cheating rumors about Max? Saw it coming tbh. Athletes, any of them can’t be trusted.

@formulamak: I don't know why anyone shocked, let's be real these wags know what they sign up for

@fanofthewheel: Honestly she should leave him.

Everyone seemed so sure of what had happened, so sure that Max had betrayed you. And as much as you didn’t want to believe it, the photos were right there, clear as day.

You wiped away a tear, feeling the pain of it all settle deep in your chest. You had loved him so fiercely, so completely. You had built your life around him, supported him through the highs and lows of his career, always believing in the man he was off the track. But now, it felt like you didn’t know him at all.

Max spent the entire day spiralling. He couldn’t reach you, couldn’t fix it, couldn’t even explain what had really happened. Every missed call felt like a weight pressing down on his chest, every unanswered text another punch to the gut.

He couldn’t stand the thought of losing you, not like this. But you weren’t answering, and the fear that you might actually believe the worst was starting to consume him.

By the time night fell, Max was a wreck. He sat on the edge of his hotel bed staring at his phone, willing it to light up with your name.

Daniel:

How are you holding up?

Max hesitated for a moment before responding.

Max:

Not great. She still won’t answer my calls. I think she believes it.

Daniel:

Have you tried showing her everything? Like, explain it step by step?

Max clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Max:

I’ve tried. She probably thinks I’m lying. What if she really leaves?

Daniel:

It won’t come to that. She knows who you really are. It’ll be alright.

Max stared at Daniel’s words, wishing he could believe them. But the fear that you might not forgive him gnawed at his insides.

You had been there through it all—through the wins, the losses, the injuries, the late-night flights, and the endless media scrutiny. You had seen him at his worst and still loved him anyway.

Max swallowed the lump in his throat. He had to fix this. He couldn’t let this be the end of everything.

Later that night as you lay in bed the quiet of your apartment was deafening. Your phone buzzed again, and this time, you couldn’t help it—you reached for it, your heart in your throat.

Another message from Max.

Max:

Please, baby. I need you to listen I need you to believe me. I love you so much I would never, ever do this to you. You’re my world. Please, talk to me.

You stared at the message, the sincerity in his words was unmistakable. You typed a response, your fingers trembling as you hesitated over the words.

You:

Max, I don’t know what to believe right now. Those pictures…

The dots appeared almost immediately, and then his reply came through.

Max:

I know they look bad but I swear to you nothing happened. I didn’t cheat. I didn’t even talk to her for more than a few minutes. I was drunk and I didn’t even realise how close she was. But you have to believe me I would never do that to you. You know me. I love you.

You squeezed your eyes shut, your heart pounding in your chest as you read his words. Part of you wanted to believe him so badly, but the doubt still lingered. Was he using the trust and love you had for him to get away with something? The thought made your stomach churn, but you didn’t believe he would be capable of that.

Your phone buzzed again.

Max:

Please. Just give me a chance to explain. We can talk in person. I can fly to you right now. Just... don’t walk away from this. Don’t walk away from us.

Tears welled in your eyes. You didn’t want to lose him. You didn’t want to throw away everything the two of you had. But you were scared—scared of being hurt, scared of trusting and finding out you were wrong. The thought of more photos or videos coming out, exposing more of what you didn’t want to see terrified you.

Finally you typed back a single word.

You:

Okay.

Max saw your message and felt like he could finally breathe again. It wasn’t everything, but it was something. You were willing to listen, willing to let him explain, and that was all he needed. He quickly typed a response.

Max:

I’ll be there soon. I love you.