#turns out when you don't make time for romance. you don't. have romance.

[jungwnies]

tamed - max verstappen (3/4)

୨ৎ : pairing : max verstappen x fem!reader ୨ৎ : synopsis : a viral pr blunder transforms your tense relationship with max verstappen into unexpected camaraderie and playful banter

୨ৎ : genre : romance, angst, humor ୨ৎ : tws : workplace stress, social media anxiety, mentions of conflict, light teasing ୨ৎ : wc : 990

part one | part two | part three | part four | epilogue

a/n: a rare wednesday post ...

You burst into Max's office, a whirlwind of apologies and self-recrimination ready to tumble out of your mouth. You'd planned for a tough conversation, a verbal lashing, maybe even a resignation letter slapped on his desk. But the scene that greets you is far from the anticipated storm.

Max isn't a raging bull, red-faced and furious. Instead, he's leaning back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips, and the sound of his laughter echoes through the room. It's a rich, genuine sound that you haven't heard from him before, and it throws you completely off balance.

"I can't believe you actually did it," he manages to say between chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. "You actually posted that photo."

You stand frozen, your carefully rehearsed apologies dissolving on your tongue. "You're not… mad?" you stammer, your voice barely above a whisper.

He shrugs, still fighting back a grin. "At first, I was. But then…" He trails off, tapping his phone screen and turning it towards you.

Your stomach clenches as you see the offending photo – the one of him mid-sneeze, looking like he'd just been startled by a ghost – plastered across his Instagram feed. But then you notice the caption: "Thanks to my amazing PR team for capturing my best side. 😂 #SneezyMax #Blessed."

Below the photo, a torrent of comments has erupted. You scroll through them, your initial horror giving way to surprised laughter. The internet has, as it often does, taken your epic PR fail and turned it into a meme-worthy masterpiece.

Daniel Ricciardo: "Mate, you look like you just smelled a dirty diaper! 😂"

Charles Leclerc: "This is my new phone wallpaper. Merci, Y/n!"

Lando Norris: "Sneezy Max is my new favorite superhero. 🤧💪"

George Russell: "I'm framing this and putting it in my living room."

Lewis Hamilton: "This is the best thing I've seen all week. 😂"

Pierre Gasly: "I knew I should have taken that photo when I had the chance!"

Even your own colleagues have joined in on the fun.

Sergio Perez: "Hey Max, next time you sneeze, try to aim it at Hamilton! 😉"

Christian Horner: "Y/n, you're a legend. 😂 (But please don't do it again.)"

You're laughing so hard tears prick your eyes. You can't believe that this PR disaster has turned into a viral sensation.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised," Max says, his grin widening. "You always did have a terrible sense of humor."

You manage a sheepish smile. "I thought it was funny."

"It was," he admits, his eyes twinkling. "But I'm still going to get you back for this. Just so you know, this isn't over."

The playful threat hangs in the air, a silent agreement that this is far from the end of your unexpected feud.

The following weeks see a noticeable shift in your dynamic with Max. The icy glares melt into amused smirks, the sarcastic jabs morph into playful banter. You find yourself looking forward to your meetings, even the ones where he inevitably grumbles about the "stupid PR stuff" you make him do. You start noticing things you hadn't before – the way his eyes crinkle when he genuinely smiles, the surprisingly deep dimples that appear when he laughs, the way his voice softens when he talks about his family.

One afternoon, he surprises you by inviting you to join him in the paddock during a practice session.

"Come on," he says, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'll introduce you to the guys. They're dying to meet the person who turned me into a meme."

You hesitate, a flicker of nervousness in your chest. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

He shrugs, a playful smirk on his lips. "Why not? It'll be fun. Besides," he adds, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "they won't stop asking about you."

Intrigued, you follow him into the bustling heart of the Formula 1 world. The paddock is a sensory overload – the roar of engines, the smell of burnt rubber, the sight of mechanics swarming around cars like worker bees.

Max leads you through the maze of garages, introducing you to the other drivers with a casual ease that surprises you. Daniel Ricciardo greets you with a bone-crushing hug and a booming "G'day, mate!" Charles Leclerc, with his charming accent and impeccable manners, compliments your "excellent taste in humor." Lando Norris, ever the prankster, tries to take a selfie with you and Max, only to have Max swat his phone away with a playful scowl.

"Don't you have a simulator to be messing around with?" Max grumbles, earning a chorus of laughter from the other drivers.

As you navigate the paddock, you notice the curious glances and whispered comments. You can't help but feel a sense of pride. You've not only tamed the beast, but you've also earned the respect of his peers.

Later that evening, as you're reviewing some social media analytics, Max walks into your office.

"Hey," he says, leaning against the doorframe. "I just wanted to say thanks."

You look up, surprised. "For what?"

"For everything," he says, a rare sincerity in his voice. "For putting up with me, for making me look good, for… well, for being you."

He hesitates, then adds, "You know, you're not so bad for a PR person."

You laugh, a genuine warmth spreading through you. "And you're not so bad for a driver."

He smirks. "I know."

He turns to leave, then pauses. "Oh, and one more thing," he says, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm still going to get you back for that photo."

You smile, a playful challenge in your voice. "I'd expect nothing less."

As he walks away, you can't help but feel a flutter in your stomach. You're not sure what the future holds for you and Max, but you know one thing for sure: this is just the beginning of a very interesting ride.

taglist: @residentdemonhunter , @nctislifue , @kqliie , @loveitwhenhelies , @edgyficuselastica , @chirasama , comment to be added

© 2024 jungwnies | All rights reserved. Do not repost, plagiarize, or translate.

[chugging-antiseptic-dye]

seventeen as words you can't translate🖋️ :

playlist: aurora album by toneejay

✦ Scoups: Ya'aburnee (Arabic)

▻ Meaning: A way to declare your hope that your loved one will outlive you, as it would be unbearable to live without them.

➔ Ya'aburnee literally means "you bury me" but the depth of its meaning goes beyond literal. When you don't, can't, won't think of a future without the other person, you use this word. And who else is the embodiment of Ya'aburnee if not choi seungcheol? He breathes seventeen, lives seventeen, and it's as if he will die without seventeen. There's no one as devoted as scoups.

✦ Jeonghan: Toska (Russian)

Meaning: A sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without a specific cause; a longing with nothing to long for

➔ For me, personally, ever since Jeonghan went to the military, it's as if something is missing in my life (dramatic I know). But it's not just me! Jeonghan is the emotional pillar of svt and we all know it. How many times do you think the members turn around to talk with him and have to remind themselves that he is not here with them? He is also the first one to enlist so everyone feels his absence deeply. It's as if he is in another universe that we can't to go even if we wanted to. Jeonghan, when I catch you, jeonghan.

✦ Joshua: Kilig (Tagalog)

▻ Meaning: The feeling of butterflies in your stomach specifically associated with romance

➔ One of my favourite words in tagalog and one of my favourite persons in svt. The closest literal meaning is 'to shudder' but I think the most accurate english translation is 'the fluttery feeling you get due to love-related things'. And Joshua is so first love coded that I am convinced that everyone looks at him feels their heartbeat speed up me. He, as a person, is made up of all the things I associate love with: softness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, consideration, kindness, and pure loveliness. He is the ultimate kilig feeling: falling in love

✦ Jun: Goya (Urdu)

▻ Meaning: A momentary suspension of disbelief that occurs when fantasy is so realistic that it temporarily becomes reality, usually associated with a story very well told.

➔ Goya has different meaning depending on the context, but, here, I am referring to the word as it is used in literature. It's not so much as a word but rather it is a concept. When you can almost 'taste' a piece of art because it's so vivid, then it's 'as if' (goya) it were real. And I think Jun fits this word quite well cause it's 'as if' he was real. Most of the time he doesn't feel like a real person to me. He is someone who is so ambitious and yet so kind. Someone who will keep mum about their sufferings but do everything they can to distract you from yours. Someone who works like an ox day and night yet takes the time to appreciate every little thing. We don't deserve jun. Not even a little.

✦ Hoshi: Ré Nao (Chinese)

▻ Meaning: A place or situation that is 热闹 (ré nao) is not only fun and lively. It also has a special vibe that makes everyone want to be there.

➔ The literal meaning of ré nao is “lively” or “bustling.” But it's more so about a vibe. Imagine that moment with your friends or family when you guys are out in public, in a crowded scene, like a flower market or the night stalls, and everyone around you is having fun and you are at peace yet full of joy. Contentment at the liveliness and the feeling that everyone is joining in to make it fun is approximately the closest meaning of ré nao and that's so hoshi. He is what makes bss and svt so fun. Once he steps in a practice room, it gets brighter in that instant. Hoshi makes everything full of life and everyone feels a little more alive, a little more in love with life. He is unlike any other idol. You can't mimic that jest for life even if you try.

✦ Wonwoo: Prozvonit (Czech)

▻ Meaning: Ringing somebody’s phone once so that they call you back.

➔ I think wonwoo's charm is that at first he seems unassuming (even, stoic) but the more you know about seventeen the more he reels you in. In that sense, he is 'prozvonit'. Like ringing someone's phone so that they will call back, a glance or look at wonwoo will have you double back and fall into the rabbit hole of falling for him. His playfulness, cheekiness, and emotional sensitivity is the best thing about him.

✦ Woozi: Commuovere (Italian)

▻ Meaning: A heartwarming story that moved you to tears.

➔ To me, Jihoon is a story that never ends. Every song of his is a story straight out of "one thousand and one nights" and each of them leave me brawling. Whether it's the concept or the melody or the lyrics, each song has a tiny bit of his soul. Jihoon touches not only my heart but the very essence of what makes me, me. And I am convinced that is true for most carats. He is both the art and the artist and deserves all the nice things the multiverse has to offer.

✦ Dokyeom: Retrouvailles (French) 

▻ Meaning: The happiness of meeting again after a long time.

➔ Our sunshine, dokyeom! His ability to put a smile on anyone's face needs to be researched in a case study format. He is so humble, down to earth, and funny that even if it's your first time seeing him on a screen, you will feel that you have known him forever. Dokyeom is always a sunshine, both in his personality and also as the light in everyone's life. Even if you go wayyy back to svt's debut time, you will see the same bright grin which can brighten up your day, night, and universe.

✦ Mingyu: Wabi-Sabi (Japanese)

▻ Meaning: Finding beauty in imperfections

➔ Mingyu is someone who finds beauty in everything, be it an object or experience. His optimistic and hopeful nature helps him see life through rose-coloured glasses and it's one of my favourite things about him. I even bring evidence! Only mingyu could find love in shoelaces *_*. Another evidence is him being an outfit repeater. He clearly loves his clothes and cherishes them. If someone in this world could find beauty in imperfect things, it's him. He always tries to make any and all situations better. The loveliest human.

✦ Minghao: Merak (Serbian)

▻ Meaning: The feeling you get from simple pleasures that adds up to a sense of happiness and fulfilment

➔ Whenever I hear minghao speak in interviews or in livestreams, I think to myself, "Wow, he really got life figured out." Not because of how self-assured he always is but more so why he is that self-assured. He understands what is important in his life and acts accordingly. And that makes him such a simple and unassuming person who appreciates life's small pockets of happiness. He also creates this happiness for himself and his loved ones. Xu minghao is my favourite role model.

✦ Seungkwan: Hyggelig (Danish)

Meaning: A delightfully cozy, intimate moment or thing

➔ The synonym of Hyggelig is 'gemütlichkeit' in german and 'gemytlig' in swedish but it is 'seungkwan' in korean hehe. And it's because whenever seungkwan talks its as if he and the listener are the only person in the room. The same feeling as when you are gossiping with your best friend and giggling into smithereens. The reason behind me calling him 'Hyggelig' is cause seungkwan is a person who treats every person honestly and earnestly. He is genuine in his desire for connection and companionship. It's one of his many good qualities. Someone like him is unique even in the midst of billions of people.

✦ Vernon: Fernweh (German)

▻ Meaning: The feeling of homesickness for a place that you’ve never been to

➔ Vernon always felt like home to me. He is comfort manifested as a person. The understanding and quiet support he always offers to everyone is filled with so much kindness and grace. I just know that everyone who talks with him feels as if they were in their home, in pajamas, sipping on their comfort drink on a sleepy, rainy day. Vernon is always himself and he makes the other people feel okay to be themselves too. He is a home that a lot of people me miss when he is not there.

✦ Chan: Duende (Spanish)

▻ Meaning: A work of art’s mysterious power to deeply move a person

➔ Chan is a person with too much power over svt and carats. His earnestness and dedication to put his best foot forward and to help svt be the best it can be is unbelievable. He is that work of art that will move a person to tears if they take just a glimpse. His sense of rhythm and the art of dancing make him a living masterpiece. The diNOW of kpop indeed.

[nebulations]

[ID: Image one is the chapter cover of Naruto chapter 485: "So Close, Yet So Far". It features Naruto and Sasuke standing in front of each other with intense expressions. Following is a collection of comments by redacted users left on March 3, 2010.

Is it only me that think Naruto on the cover looks sorta weird? / Looks like he's going in for the kiss

Is this a romance drama? Is Kishi watching too much soap opera? / Yes and yes.

this is a yaoi manga. kishi probably was in love with his friend or something / Brokeback Naruto (smirking sticker)

That's borderline gay AND stolen from Hinata's confession. Poor girl, he ignores her and instead tries to use her confession on Sasuke. (laughing sticker) / Kishi has trolled the NaruHina fandom once again (Cookie Monster sticker)

why are people acting like this chapter is off the scales gay? their part 1 meeting was many times gayer. people should be used to these little speeches.

BS (angry sticker) that doesn't make sense. this means that sasuke had the same influence on naruto as eurica had at that time (wailing sticker) / That flashback Naruto had at the VotE in which he smiled at Sauce and Sauce smiled back, love at first sight (Cookie Monster sticker)

Sasuke and Naruto, Ying and Yang, Romeo and Juliet... Epic love story right there,

I'm hoping I translated wrong...it sounds so...gayish... (horrified emoji)

This is the gayest manga in history. There are yaoi and shoenen ai mangas that aren't as gay as this

wonder what karin is thinking about this "no wonder sasuke never liked me he had Blondie all along."

I'm not bitching, I'm laughing my ass off. At this point, I want to yell out "Get a room you two!"

Kishi drew Sasuke with the rasengan and Naruto with the chidori as an attempt to strengthen the idea of Naruto and Sasuke being like "soul-mates"

wonder if there a fetish for Naruto and Sasuke trend to clash Rasengan and Chidori. They still don't realize that doesn't work? / That's how they express their love for each other (Cookie Monster sticker) It turns them on (Cookie Monster sticker) Sex through chakra (laughing sticker)

I have no idea where kishi gets his material from no kid ever have these gay talks about feelings is this how he got down in school??? He must be thinking naruto & sasuke are girls talking about these feelings crap. Is there a special edition chapter realese without teh gay lines???

yak... That's official Yaoi Manga / Not Yaoi. Shoenen ai. Yaoi would be Naruto buttfucking Sasuke on panel. And that won't happen no matter what.

Lol oh god. Terrible Naruto, just terrible

When will this gayfest come to an end?

lol at reactions/ NF is crowded by homophobes. End ID]

[frostedclock-writes]

Crimson Magnolias

Part 5

Warnings: r rated and for a mature audience, one sided romance, Hanahaki disease

Alastor x female! Reader

(Art by me)

Part 4

Part 1

------

New Orleans in the fall was always so gorgeous, the cool nights filled with music in the streets and the smell of shrimp and pork permeated through the very bricks of every home. Alastor's home was no different, you always were smelling something delicious cooking in his kitchen anytime you stopped by. Today it smelled like he was making blood sausage, so you knew to expect dirty rice, collard greens and cornbread to accompany it.

You messed with the hem of your dress as you watched Alastor bring out two plates from the steam of smokey flavors and smells escaping the archway of his kitchen. His smile was as big as ever and his brown eyes met yours as he set the plate down in front of you. It made your heart flutter in your chest, your stomach turned flips as he moved to his side of the table and took his seat. His fingers smoothed the curls of his dark brown hair, then dusted his hands off and pulled the napkin down.

Carnsarnit. You forced yourself to stop staring at him for so long. Friends don't do that. Don't turn on the radio at the same time he's airing every night and listen to his voice as he provided entertainment across this grand city. Shouldn't sit at home and think of the outfit you were picking out, and would be to his liking or was it too tawdry. You knew you were sweet on him, and it made you feel like a foolish school girl at times.

Especially after he dipped you the last time the two of you were cutting a rug. Gosh, his face had been so close to yours that you noticed he had a small gold band around his iris surrounded by a rich brown. He was stronger then his slender frame suggested, his hands were so firm on you that it didn't even cross your mind that you might get dropped. His long think fingers played across your hip like you had been his piano.

Just breath. Forget about it. Push it down.

" Alastor, this looks delicious. " You laugh a little and look at the filled plate.

" Ah, it's nothing but a simple dish I make time from time. Perhaps I should ask you over when I have a better selection of meat available. Now that! That will be a meal simply to die for I assure you. " His smile seemed to stretch a few inches.

" Oh, well, if your cooking it, I'll die happy then. " You joke. You poke your fork into the sausage.

Blood streaked across the white plate.

" Would you have prefered something else? Perhaps I should serve up shark next time," Alastor made a laugh.

The smell of raw meat brought your mind back to reality for a moment. You realize you had been poking at the same piece of rare venison on your plate next to a small collection of sides. The noises of the swamp came crawling back, cicadas and the dripping of water mingled together. Alastor's red ear flicked and his eyebrow was cocked, his smile stretched thin.

" Oh! No, no," you make a gentle laugh, hoping to lighten the mood at the table. You take a bite of the meat, the savory flavor hit your tongue. Tender and melted almost like butter in your mouth.

Alastor gently placed his fork down next to his half finished food, his red colored finger lingered on the handle of the fork for a moment as his hand lifted up. His eyes met yours. He picked up his whiskey glass and swirled it right under his nose before taking a drink. He took a small drink and after he swallowed, he looked so intensely at you. You opened your mouth to speak when it turned into a startled yelp as you felt goosebumps prick your forearm And you looked over and see the phantom shadow affectionately called Shade by yourself. You made a small laugh as you put your hand over your heart.

" Shade, you startled me!"

He looked at you with an unnaturally tilted head, his crooked smile was large and stretched. He made what might have been mistaken or radio static kind of hiss. His eye-like features turned downward like he was upset. You made a chuckle and reach and touch the silhouette of the left ear. Always made your skin almost feel cold, goosebumps.

" What? Are you mad at me too? "

Flicking of channels kind of sound. You really wish you could interpret what the mostly coporial shadow was trying to say.

" Dont be like that. "

Static hisses. The shadow wrapped around you like a boa constrictor, it felt funny and made your whole body feel like it was tingling. You make a laugh and stroke under where his chin would be if he was more then a simple silhouette of his master.

" It wasn't like it was my intention to get picked up while I was out on my errands."

You look ahead to Alastor, hearing the drumming of fingers. His eyebrow twitched and he cleared his throat. And unspoken order it seemed. Shade seemed to look abashed before it dispersed, you make a small hum and pick up your own glass of rye. You took a small swig and let it burn down your throat.

" He just picked you up? On the side of the street like some.... " Alastor tapped his hoof on the soft swamp ground but you could still feel it.

" He saw me and he wanted to catch up. " You make a shrug. " He didn't do anything, so I don't see an issue." You take another bite.

" That isn't the point, Cher. " Alastor tutted. " He wants to use you for his own gain. "

You made a laugh. Perhaps a bit harder then you had intended. " Says Master o' Manipulation himself. " You set your fork down.

" That makes me uniquely qualified to tell when someone else is doing it. " He rubbed his knuckles against his chest and glanced at the red tips of his fingers.

" And being a friend of yours for so long, gives me the talent of recognizing when someone's trying it on me. Or do you not trust me to make my own decisions?"

A sound like a mix of an elk bugle and a record getting scratched. Alastor's ears folded back a little. " That is not what I was meaning in the slightest. "

Was he jealous?

That was silly though.

" Alastor, we've been friends for a long time. Don't you know if I felt threatened I would have told you? I did it once before, remember?"

He paused and his smile was still strained. Forced on his lips at this point. " Yes. "

You tap your glass with your fingernail, " If Vox wants to know what your up to, I already told him he's out of luck on that." You look back over to Alastor. " You never let anyone in. "

Alastor picked up a folded cloth napkin and brought it up to his lips to wipe them clean. He fell quiet after that, it was moments like this that you really wish you could at least guess what this man was thinking. Just a little would do. Such an enigma in his thought process, when you think you know what he might do, he goes and makes a change. For the shits and giggles it seems more often then naught.

The sounds of the conjured bayou filled the silence between the two of you.

You picked back up your fork and take a bite of your food, it almost cold at this point. You didn't mind. The sounds of silverware scraping gently against porcelain plates mixed in with the melody of crickets and creaking willow and magnolia limbs. You look back towards Alastor, who had returned back to what remained of his meal.

" Alastor..."

" Tomorrow I have an overlord meeting, would you be amenable to accompaning me?" He cut you off about the same time as you spoke.

" What?" You make a small laugh. " Am I even allowed to be there?"

Alastor made a hum. " Doesn't matter," he placed his fork on the empty plate, "in fact it would be amusing of thrm to argue with me. "

You cock an eyebrow. " Are you taking me just to see what the others say?"

Alastor laughed and slowly rose to his feet. " Oh, of course!"

You paused for a moment and then make a chuckle under your breath, you look at the man you have loved for decades. " Why should I have expected anything different...." You set your napkin from your lap inti the empty plate. The edges stained with blood and leftover juices.

A hand was extended. Alastor had his gaze away from you but his hand offered to help you from your seat. You took his hand. Soft. You suppose that was one way to discribe his palm. The dark color that coated his palm and crawled up his forearm was like soft short fur that felt like running your fingers across velvet. The tips of his fingers curled around the top of your hand for a breif moment, like polished hoof that grazed across your hand. Smooth and hard.

Your thoughts wondered for a moment, how would those hands feel traveling up your arm, lingering touches across flesh you kept covered. Would the soft fur on his palms tickle your thighs as they glided across your skin like it was a dancefloor to him.

Alastor escorted you across the swamp ground until it turned to hardwood. He glanced down at you, you could feel his gaze. He was still holding your hand, you took a small moment to enjoy the lingering touch. Ginger really did ruin the lingering flavor of meat in your mouth. You swallowed down, petals moved in clumps down your throat. You coughed and cleared your throat a little, pushing down the itch in your throat down. His fingers slipped from your own.

He looked down at you with a softer expression then when you had followed him up here to begin with. His red eyes seemed to scan parts of your face. He reached forward, his red finger slowly seperated a piece of your bangs and his thumb ran across it as he brought it out from your face a few inches. Your heart felt like it was in your throat, your pulse quickened. His fingers slid down the piece of hair he had within his gentle hold, down towards where it met your shoulders.

" Hmm.." The hum in his throat seemed so far away for a moment. The strands of hair slipped from his fingers and he stood back up straight, reminding you of his towering height. He had something between his fingers. A stained white petal. " Trouncing about a garden?" He cocked an eyebrow as he gazed at the petal as if it was foreign to him.

Your stomach clenched. " Oh... Haha! " You made a quick laugh and you glance away from the offending flower petal. " Oh yeah, well..."

" My magnolias aren't in bloom this time of year..." He spoke under his breath.

" Ahah well who knows where my hair snagged it .. maybe a sinner I had passed. " You were quick to make an excuse.

Alastor tilted his head at an awkward angle as his gaze met yours, he seemed to be searching for something in your face. " Hmm ...." He snapped his head back into place in a quick motion that made a sound not unlike when you crush an empty bottle, " No matter! I have a broadcast to do!" He put his hand on your shoulder and he walked with you towards the door. " If you could check on Niffty for me, my dear, and then I shall see you in the lobby tomorrow morning. Bright and early! " He chuckled and adjusted his lapel to make sure it laid flat.

You chuckle. " Until the morning then. " You stepped out into the hallway with him. You look over towards him one more time. " And.... Alastor, " you began.

Alastor made a hum as he flourished his hand and his microphone materialized into it and he stamped it gently into the crimson and gold carpet. " Hmm?"

" I missed you. "

Alastor chuckled and he leaned his weight onto the cane for a moment. " And I you. " He melted like black sludge into the ground and was gone.

You took a small breath and turn and began down the hallway towards the staircase at the end. You could use a drink to wash the taste that stuck to your tongue like bile. Husk would have a good drink, maybe something fruity. The long walk down the staircase was quiet all except for the creaking of old wood beneath your weight, the lobby seemed pretty bare. No Angel or Pentious, and Charlie and Vaggie seemed like they had already retired for the evening.

You caught sight of Niffty laid out on the stained carpet, kicking her little feet in the air, already in her nightwear. She seemed to be messing with something. You glance over her pinkish-red hair to the little roaches in her hand like a child would hold a doll. Oh how could you forget the little roach plays. She must have heard your approach, she cracked her neck and looked up at you, a wide smile across her face.

" Y/N! Do you want to watch the show? Anton and Victor are fighting over Elizabeth, but Elizabeth is only in love with Anton. " Niffty waggled the roach corpses like they were little puppets.

" Oooh. Uh..." You look down at her and give a small smile. " I really would, but I feel like I've missed to many episodes to keep up right now, dear. "

" Oh. Okay. I'll let you know when the season recap is. " She nodded like it was the most sane thing she could imply about her roach play.

You pet the top of her hair, her hair was fluffy and soft despite it's appearance most of the time. You walk past her and avoid the extra insects off to the side waiting their turn in the morbid show. You take a small breath as you enter the bar, your shoulders relaxed and you could see the grumpy winged cat himself behind the bar. He scrubbed at a stain on the counter of the bar, his gold eyes glanced up as a creak of a floorboard announced you.

Husk made a grunt of acknowledgement.

" How was the day? At least it looks like the wall was left alone today. " You laugh gently as you take a seat at the bar.

Husk took out a clean glass and set it in front of you. He poured two knuckles of dark liquor. He made a shrug and his tired eyes stared at the rag as he wiped the few splatters that landed after he opened the bottle. " Better then a swift kick in the ass. "

You make a hum and take a small sip from your glass. Whiskey at least. A few minutes pass in silence, you let the whiskey burn away the taste of ginger. You set the glass down. " Husk, have you ever loved someone?"

Husk cocked an eyebrow, his hands stopped the job of cleaning the same spot over and over just a few feet down the counter. He set his rag off and he picked up the bottle of whiskey he had been pouring from, popped the top back off and took a swig straight from the bottle. He tapped a white claw-like didget from the hand that grasped the bottle.

" Once or twice. A long fuckin' time ago now. "

You rubbed the side of your glass with your fingers. " Did they ever love you back?"

" One, I think anyway. She's somewhere. " He made a shrug like it didn't matter.

" Did... You ever let the other one know?"

He set the bottle down and leaned on one elbow, leaning closer across the bar. His heart shaped nose twitched a little as his frown made his face scrunch. " I did."

You felt the tickle in your throat. " Ah..." You took a drink of whiskey. " What happened?"

" I told her to late and she was already gettin' fucking hitched to some guy who beat her to death about a year later. " He said it so bluntly, but his gruff tone held a twinge of regret.

You look at Husk for a moment and then you look back to your cup.

" Ya want my advice?" Husk narrowed his eyes and his long think red eyebrows scrunched together. " He ain't worth the shit your puttin' yourself through. "

You make a small frown. " That isn't -"

" Look at yourself. Anyone who fuckin' cares about ya would have noticed that ya look like a hellhound drug ya around and spat ya out. "

You make a huff of a laugh. " Thanks Husk. Really. You always have such encouraging and lovely words. "

Husk refilled your glass. " I just don't like seein' someone like you hurtin' yourself for a man that I fucking would bet my cards wouldn't do the same for you. "

You felt a twist in your gut. You shake your head. " I... He's different when your-"

"On his good side. " Husk said bluntly.

You sigh. You know he would feel this way. You drink from the whisky, drinking more than necessary and it made your head swim. " You just don't fucking get it... You only know him from down here... You didn't know him from when he was alive."

" Oh I'm sure he was peachy keen and rainbows."

" Husk. "

" Look ain't none of us good down here. And he's one of the worst. I just don't get how you can give any piece of that heart of yours to that bastard. " Husk turned around. " I ain't your afterlife coach. I just thought you wanted a pice of advice from a friend. And killin' yourself a second time for him isn't worth shit."

You lay your head down on the counter and make a gentle sigh.

You should either tell him.

Or...

Try to move on.

You can feel the petals in your lungs. Everyday it seemed to always get harder to breathe. Your throat was sore enough you might start loosing your voice. Your fingers go into your pocket and mess with the hard stock of the personal business card that Vox had given you.

You had enjoyed not thinking about it for once... And it doesn't seem like Alastor would ever be interested in you beyond being a long-time friend. And perhaps that's been your only saving grace in his bloody path through hell. He didn't even care enough to tell you he would be gone for years.

You take a deep breath and then thump your head back against the counter.

Outright rejection would hurt you as well.... You have a feeling the flowers would never go away then.

Magnolias.

You were once told that they represented perseverance.

But how much longer can you preserver?

taglist: @boldlyenchantingfox22 @sirens-and-moonflowers @phoephan-123 @girl-nahh-two @kerosene--lamp @l3rittany

[ruiniel]

Another Way - XII

Fandom: Castlevania series (2017-2021)

Summary: what if someone in the 21st century stumbled upon this stranger during a turbulent storm, narrowly avoiding running them over, and what’s more they can’t understand a word coming out of their mouth.

Pairing: Alucard x Reader

Rating: Mature / 18+ only

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Explicit Language, References to Depression, First Meetings, character-meets-world, Near Death Experiences, References to loss, Grief/Mourning, Fantasy, POV Second Person, Language Barrier, Violence, Portal Fantasy, Isekai, Slow burn, References to canon, Rewriting show canon, Because why not, POV Alucard, POV original character, More tags to be added

Also on AO3

Part I

AN: been a while

XII.

He doesn’t like coffee.

This becomes quite apparent with the different flavor of mild disgust over his features after each sip.

“It’s an acquired taste for some,” you try saying with a straight face, because it is more amusing than you’d thought to see a grown man with a perfect jaw and bedroom hair seated at your small table, coming up with the most telling, candid expressions. 

After breakfast—during which he insists on turning the cooker on and off, ‘to learn’, and during which, once again, he eats little to nothing—you head over to your desk and obtain for him the work Adrian asked for. It’s not difficult to find, and happens to be the first book printed in the English language, in the 1400s. 

“Is… this it?”

His enthusiasm says ‘yes’ when seeing the title page, and you let him take your place and scroll through as you head to get ready for the adventure of helping him look less conspicuous. “All right, enjoy your courtly romance, I’ll be back in a bit.”

“All right.”

You pause, turning to stare but his eyes are feverish on the screen, attention absorbed by the text. Whatever works. You decided to stop wondering. 

Having made yourself presentable enough to be outside, you tap back into the room on bare feet. “Ready to g—...” you trail off at the sound. His voice. His voice, with that same mild inflection, but the words are oddly shaped to the ear.

He’s reading aloud from the online scan you fetched him, nodding, writing in the agenda.

“What’s… this?” You near him, narrowing your eyes at the screen. 

Adrian turns to you with an excitement you’d not seen or felt in a long, long while. Somehow, it’s endearing. This side feels like him too, a natural expression in contrast with all those confused, dour moods he’d been mired in. 

“I need…” He pauses, hand in his hair, eyebrows pinched together. 

“What… do you need?...” 

He points at the scan of the text, long fingers gliding along the little black rows of archaic words. “... from now.”

“From now?... Oh! A modern version, you mean? From our time?”

Adrian nods. “Possible?”

“Y-yeah. There might be one… wait…” As you search it for him, Adrian waits patiently with his arms crossed, rubbing at his chin. “I get it. You want to learn modern vocabulary equivalents, don't you?” You bring up the 1400s version of the work again. “Wait… you understand this one?” Not that it's impossible, shouldn’t be. But you didn't exactly take him for someone pursuing comparative historical linguistics.

“Yes,” comes the answer, leaving you bemused.

“You know what? I won't even ask. Go ham. Here, I found it.” 

As he nears and glues himself to the screen, you dare to gently pull on his sleeve.

“Remember…clothes?”

Adrian blinks in realization, then stares back at the screen with a sort of longing. You get it. He’s making a breakthrough here, or so he thinks, one that’ll be of help in wading through terrain unfamiliar to him. 

But the rare practical side of you insists. “You can pick this up when we get back, right?”

He meets your eyes, nodding in acceptance. “Right.”

~~

The bell rings as you open the door to the second hand shop you sometimes frequent, looking behind you to see Adrian entering with care, gazing about with mild interest. 

“Well, here we are,” you say as he meets your stare, before looking towards the shop attendant who’s sitting behind a desk, phone in hand, chewing on some gum and watching the both of you with piqued interest—no, rather, watching him.

You cough, “Hi, we’re looking for some—” 

“Men’s wear is over there,” she answers, not taking her eyes off Adrian.

“All right, thanks.” Starting to think this is a typical reaction. You make a gesture, urging him to follow. 

He has a befuddled look on his face, but walks after you as you reach the rows of clothing boasting jeans, t-shirts and jackets. 

“So, listen.” You turn, waving a hand around the space. “You look for something you like.” You pull at your own blouse, pants, and coat. “And there’s a cabin over there, where you can try stuff out, if you like.”

He seems to understand, nodding and tentatively following your lead as you rummage through the merch on display. You notice the way he feels the garments, looking at you with a question in his eyes.

“Take your time,” you offer, going over and taking a seat on a chair. 

It doesn’t take long, really. Soon enough he’s gathered a few items under his arm, a bundle of… mostly black, cream and white garments. “Want to try these on?” you ask when he nears, standing before you, uncertain.

When Adrian doesn’t reply but tilts his head in slight confusion, you rise and walk towards the cabin, drawing the curtain and showing him the space. “In you go, let me know if…” You pause as he pulls the worn shirt over his head without much ado, spinning around and drawing the curtain behind him. “... call if you need help,” you mumble, stiffly walking away.

Your heart beats strangely, faster as you meet the stare of the shop clerk, who apparently has less important things to do than follow your exchange. 

Whatever. You go and idly sift through the items of clothing, humming to yourself. 

“Your boyfriend’s out,” comes the clerk’s voice after a while, and you blink in confusion, head swiveling to stare at her.

 “Oh, he’s not my—” Before you can finish that thought, movement has you turning in time to see Adrian emerging from the cabin. 

“Right, uh, you look… they fit, don’t they?" Heat rises to your face, damn the air conditioning. 

Black faded jeans, tight. A simple, white fitted t-shirt—was he always this…slim? Fit? A dark blue coat, reaching to his knees. “They look like they fit,” you follow, scratching your head. 

“Oh yeah, they sure do,” comes the young shop attendant’s voice, and a niggling sensation you’ve been unfamiliar with pinches at your mood. 

Adrian seems to agree, looking at himself, then at you. “Good?” he says in English.

You nod. “Yeah, good. That’s one round. Things here are affordable, so uh…” you retrieve your phone, type it in, and translate. “Find another item of each, to have spare clothing.”

He’s surprisingly efficient after that, and it’s not long before you’re returning to your apartment block, Adrian following with a bag in each hand. 

“Okay, that was relatively painless,” you comment, turning to look over your shoulder at him, and—

“Adrian?...”

His expression is frozen, light-amber eyes wide and lips parted. It’s not out of fear as much as it is… consternation?

You turn back around, a different tremor running through your limbs at the person approaching.

A tall woman, wearing a flowing white dress suit, her red coat slung over one forearm. Her long, straight dark hair is done up in a ponytail, swinging languidly with each step taken on black pumps. She’s always had a distinct sense of style. Her attitude is the usual—one of those people carrying themselves like the world lies in wait at their feet. You never did know how to feel about her, nor do you know much about her. You do know this is but one of many businesses she has under her care. Well to do, in any case.

Guess it had to happen sooner or later. “Mrs. Hawke, hello.”

The landlady smiles in greeting, blue eyes alighting first on you, then focusing beyond your shoulder. She lands a hand on her hip, “How have you been, my dear?” 

The question was directed at you, but you’re perceptive enough—you like to think—to notice the unspoken query following the first. 

“Doing well, um. You know how it is…”

“Mm.” Her eyes are still on Adrian, but her gaze is different from that of the store clerk earlier. It holds no fascination, merely a calculating sort of curiosity that disappears the moment she stares back at you.

“I actually wanted to contact you, but didn’t get to until now. You see, Adrian here will be staying for a while, and I know that affects the rent, so…”

Mrs. Hawke tilts her chin. “That’s right, normally so—do you have an idea as to how long your additional tenant will be staying?...”

“Um. Well, I…” You feel an urge to turn and look at Adrian, but somehow her stare arrests you enough that you can’t.

Just then, she waves a hand. “You know, nevermind. I know you’ve had a difficult time lately. Consider no fee added to the rent, for now.”

The impossible has happened. Mrs. Hawke, being… lenient? Forgoing business? Not asking the ‘how’ and the ‘who’ and the ‘why’?

“Er… you mean it? Really?” Your jaw might be somewhere on the floor for all you know.

She nods. “I do. If the time of stay extends indefinitely, then that’s another matter, of course… but for now, we should be fine.”

“Thank… you…?”

She laughs, a light, glittering sound. “Oh don’t look at me like that. After all…” her gaze flicks back behind you, only briefly. “Life does seem to hold all manner of… surprises, doesn’t it?”

There’s something unusual in her tone, but, ah, the prospect of not having to scrounge up more money regularly is a godsend. “You can say that again…”

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to run!” And she does just that, without another glance, leaving the two of you alone in the hallway.

“Well, I’ll be…” you murmur, then remember Adrian. “What is it about you, seriously? It's either the worst of luck or the strangest change... Adrian?”

His stare is unfocused, like something blew a fuse behind his eyes. When you touch his arm, he snaps out of it with a start. “Let’s go up?... You wanted to continue reading, didn’t you?”

Shaking his head like someone having been splashed with ice-cold water, Adrian looks down at you. “... reading. Yes. Let’s…let’s go.”

Picking up fast, you think as he walks ahead of you towards the elevator. And maybe it’s just you, but his steps are more determined than before.

Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV - Part V - Part VI - Part VII - Part VIII - Part IX - Part X - Part XI

Taglist: @hornyf0ckers @the-keep-under-gresit @pencildrawer12 (this is old, let me know if you want to be removed!)

Want to be added to the taglist for updates? Drop me an ask

MASTERLIST: CASTLEVANIA SERIES x READER

More of my work is on AO3 [many stories not on tumblr]

BLOG MASTERPOST (all you need to know)

Likes/comments/reblogs always and forever appreciated

AN:

Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye (1464) is a translation by William Caxton of a French courtly romance written by Raoul Lefèvre.

[hustlemeanokay]

Solavellan vs Dread Rook? When did it become a competition? Ship all the ships, I say.

So as much as people like Solavellan (or whatever they call it) - I don't get why people don't like Solas x Rook. It's all there. It's perfect. The tension, the range, the enemies to lovers trope or hell, just the potential for so much writing to be involved. Like, okay... so okay... I go into my personal opinions about what makes each of their relationships different (just a few opinions not like power point presentation style or anything).

When I first played Inquisition, when it first came out, I naturally picked an elf and unknowingly romanced the bald dude. And Solas' romance is a good one. But it's only good because he leaves Lavellan. It's the first time that's happened to a player character in either DA or ME games. A legit breakup. With, at the time, no real reason! It wasn't until after the game, of course, that we were like "OMG!!!" But on the whole, there really wasn't a lot to their romance if you remember what actually happened in the game. But you have to ignore all the fan fiction and fan art that has been done in the decade since then. Just counting the game itself? Not a lot going on there. A couple of kisses, a couple of talks, and that's about it really.

And the whole time, he wasn't being who he really was. He was playing a part. He was Solas version soft-core, so to speak. Because while he may not have started calling himself the 'Dread Wolf', he very much is that person. Solas is prideful. He is a bit of an asshole. He is cold and calculating. The Solas we see in the memories in Veilguard was already turning into that person so the Solas that meets Lavellan is 100% already there. He uses her. The fact that he falls in love with her has very little to do with him using her, he can compartmentalize like that. As Cole says, it changes everything but it can't. But, point being, Lavellan never really got to know him. He always had a mask on. Was always so careful about what he said and how he said it as to not raise suspicion.

But with Rook? Oh, he's pissed. Gone is his careful way of speaking. Gone is his gentle tone and light smile. Rook gets Solas unfiltered. Solas without a mask. Solas the Dread-fucking-Wolf. There's still parts of him that are recognizable. But on the whole, he's more real. Because he's not worried about pretending to be something he's not. Rook knows what he is. Rook knows he's going to betray them, knows he's going to turn on them, is expecting it. (And Solas' manipulations are painfully transparent, with the exception of Varric). What he's worried about with Rook is keeping their blood-magic link in tact and molding them into someone the prison will accept (still not sure how that worked but w/e). But as far as when he talks to them? Sees them? Rook gets under his skin and he slips up and lets it show. He nearly misspeaks almost immediately and he does misspeak later. Rook does that to him. Because he's not keeping himself at arms length with them, he can't.

So the idea of Solas x Rook? Much more... real, as in 'keepin' it real', than Solavellan to me. Does that mean I have zero fics with Solas x Lavellan? Hell no. I have like at least half a dozen with different Lavellans x Solas. But! What it means is that the relationship between Rook and Solas is very intriguing and compelling and is definently fic-fuel. It means that I already have 2 separate fics WIP for them.

You don't have to stand on either side of this line, you can draw a big circle, stand inside of it and clutch both Solavellan and Dread Rook tightly to your chest with you. I'm not sure why there's this insistence that you have to pick one. You've never had to pick one. That's what having multiple OC's is all about. That's how that works.

[kerryweaverlesbian]

When will it be fingers in my mouth monday....

[depresseddepot]

trying to determine which parts of my relationship with sex are asexuality, which are trauma, and which are autism is like trying to have a conversation with three people talking loudly and all at once

[ruvviks]

made the realization my vampire story would work best as a video game and now i can't stop thinking about it

[mysteriouslybluepirate]

(I would love to hear your explanations in the tags, as always, share to get a larger data pool!)

[awesomestarfighter]

#it's an incredible disservice to the characters because the Fandom Popular Pairings typically are not canon! at all! #so of course there's more to the characters than this hypothetical relationship

It’s not that I don’t LIKE the Fandom Popular Pairings, it’s that I find the assumption that everyone ships them and the general all-consuming nature of said pairings to be kinda exhausting,

[genericpuff]

Tbh at this point you should just make your own webcomic app/website because it would probably be 100 times better than whatever going on with webtoon right now.

hahaha it wouldn't tho, sorry 💀

Here's the fundamental issue with webcomic platforms that a lot of people just don't realize (and why they're so difficult to run successfully):

Storage costs are incredibly expensive, it's why so many sites have limitations on file sizes / page sizes / etc. because all of those images and site info have to be stored somewhere, which costs $$$.

Maintenance costs are expensive and get more so as you grow, you need people who are capable of fixing bugs ASAP and managing the servers and site itself

Financially speaking, webcomics are in a state of high supply, low demand. Loads of artists are willing to create their passion projects, but getting people to read them and pay for them is a whole other issue. Demand is high in the general sense that once people get attached to a webtoon they'll demand more, but many people aren't actually willing to go looking for new stuff to read and depend more on what sites feed them (and what they already like). There are a lot of comics to go around and thus a lot of competition with a limited audience of people willing to actually pay for them.

Trying to build a new platform from the ground up is incredibly difficult and a majority of sites fail within their first year. Not only do you have to convince artists to take a chance on your platform, you have to convince readers to come. Readers won't come if there isn't work on the platform to read, but artists won't come if they don't think the site will be worth it due to low traffic numbers. This is why the artists with large followings who are willing to take chances on the smaller sites are crucial, but that's only if you can convince them to use the site in favor of (or alongside) whatever platform they're using already where the majority of their audience lies. For many creators it's just not worth the time, energy, or risk.

Even if you find short-term success, in the long-term there are always going to be profit margins to maintain. The more users you pull in, the more storage is used by incoming artists, the more you have to spend on storage and server maintenance costs, and that means either taking the risk at crowdfunding (ex. ComicFury) or having to resort to outsider investments (ex. Tapas). Look at SmackJeeves, it used to be a titan in the independent webcomic hosting community, until it folded over to a buyout by NHN and then was pretty much immediately shuttered due to NHN basically turning it into a manwha scanlation site and driving away its entire userbase. And if you don't get bought out and try your hand at crowdfunding, you may just wind up living on a lifeline that could cut out at any moment, like what happened to Inkblazers (fun fact, the death of Inkblazers was what kicked off the cultural shift in Tapas around 2015-16 when all of IB's users migrated over and brought their work with them which was more aimed towards the BL and romancee drama community, rather than the comedy / gag-a-day culture that Tapas had made itself known for... now you deadass can't tell Tapas apart from a lot of scanlation sites because it got bought out by Kakao and kept putting all of its eggs into the isekai/romance drama basket.)

Right now the mindset in which artists and readers are operating is that they're trying way, way too hard to find a "one size fits all" site. Readers want a place where they can find all their favorite webtoons without much effort, artists wants a place where they can post to an audience of thousands, and both sides want a community that will feel tight-knit. But the reality is that you can't really have all three of those things, not on one site. Something always winds up having to be sacrificed - if a site grows big enough, it'll have to start seeking more funding while also cutting costs which will result in features becoming paywall'd, intrusive ads, creators losing their freedom, and/or outsider support which often results in the platform losing its core identity and alienating its tight-knit community.

If I had to describe what I'm talking about in a "pick one" graphic, it would look something like this:

(*note: this is mostly based on my own observations from using all of these sites at some point or another, they're not necessarily entirely accurate to the statistical performance of each site, I can only glean so much from experience and traffic trackers LMAO that said I did ask some comic pals for input and they were very helpful in helping me adjust it with their own takes <3).

The homogenization of the Internet has really whipped people into submission for the "big sites" that offer "everything", but that's never been the Internet, it relies on being multi-faceted and offering different spaces for different purposes. And we're seeing that ideology falter through the enshittification of sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. where users are at odds with the platforms because the platforms are gutting features in an attempt to satisfy shareholders whom without the platforms would not exist. Like, most of us aren't paying money to use social media sites / comic platform sites, so where else are they gonna make the necessary funds to keep these sites running? Selling ad space and locking features behind paywalls.

And this is especially true for a lot of budding sites that don't have the audience to support them via crowdfunding but also don't have the leverage to ask for investments - so unless they get really REALLY lucky in EITHER of those departments, they're gonna be operating at a loss, and even once they do achieve either of those things there are gonna be issues in the site's longevity, whether it be dying from lack of growing crowdfunding support or dying from shareholder meddling.

So what can we do?

We can learn how to take our independence back. We don't have to stop using these big platforms altogether as they do have things to offer in their own way, particularly their large audience sizes and dipping into other demographics that might not be reachable from certain sites - but we gotta learn that no single site is going to satisfy every wish we have and we have to be willing to learn the skills necessary to running our own spaces again. Pick up HTML/CSS, get to know other people who know HTML/CSS if you can't grasp it (it's me, I can't grasp it LOL), be willing to take a chance on those "smaller sites" and don't write them off entirely as spaces that can be beneficial to you just because they don't have large numbers or because they don't offer rewards programs. And if you have a really polished piece of work in your hands, look into agencies and publishing houses that specialize in indie comics / graphic novels, don't settle for the first Originals contract that gets sent your way.

For the last decade corporations have been convincing us that our worth is tied to the eyes we can bring to them. Instead of serving ourselves, we've begun serving the big guys, insisting that it has to be worth something eventually and that it'll "payoff" simply by the virtue of gambler's fallacy. Ask yourself what site is right for you and your work rather than asking yourself if your work is good enough for them. Most of us are broke trying to make it work on these sites anyways, may as well be broke and fulfilled by posting in places that actually suit us and our work if we can. Don't define your success by what sites like Webtoons are enforcing - that definition only benefits them, not you.

[saeist]

what are we? ── bakugo k. (1.4k)⊹ ࣪ ˖ part two

"so.. who here has a secret boyfriend we don't know about?" mina asks the first thing that came to mind not even a minute after this impromptu slumber party that's currently held in yaoyorozu's room

after a long week of training and pro hero studies, you lot decided to why not unwind by having a little sleepover at one of the girls' rooms. yaoyorozu was kind enough to volunteer to hold it in her room as she has never experienced sleepovers with others

you all looked at each other with curiosity. curious if anyone was actually in a committed relationship that the class didn't know about. not like it was their business or anything..

"what? nobody? that's kinda hard to believe.." hagakure comments, genuinely surprised since usually at this age where everyone is in high school, you're bound to get into relationships

"i mean it's like we have the time to mingle around since we're busy with training and on top of that, trying to keep afloat with our academics" tsuyu points out, a finger on her chin as she recalls if anyone actually had free time to spare amidst all the chaos your class has been through

hearing what tsuyu said, mina whines, dramatically flailing her arms around

"ugh i hate that what you said is true, tsuyu-chan.. but what about crushes! do you guys have a crush on anyone in class or anyone in ua?" mina continues to bombard everyone with questions related to romance. to you it almost feels targeted because you're not too sure if she knows something about you

"crushes?" uraraka trails off. all of a sudden she shakes her head vigorously.

"what's wrong uraraka-chan?" tsuyu asks, worried

"oh my god! are you crushing on someone?!" hagakure squeals, "you have someone in mind don't you!"

the girls (minus you, tsuyu and yaoyorozu) start to bombard her with questions

"is it midoriya?!"

"is it iida?!"

"who?!"

"it's nobody!" uraraka defends herself, shaking her hands around. mina pouts but drops the subject.

you didn't even realize that you were holding in your breath til jirou points it out

"what's with the sigh of relief, y/n?" jirou pokes your side jokingly.

wrong move on your part

suddenly there was a certain glint on mina's eyes. like you just walked into her trap

"you haven't said anything since we started talking about crushes, y/n-chan.. anyone in mind?" mina grins mischievously.

"no one" you say abruptly but it turns out your own body betrays you. you can literally feel the heat creeping up to your cheeks

"oh my god she's blushing! WHO! IS IT IN OUR CLASS OR CLASS B? WHO?! WE NEED TO KNOW" hagakure squeals in joy, suddenly clasping your hands together as she shakes you

"it's nobody you guys-"

"i've been meaning to ask, y/n-san.. if there's anything going on between you and bakugo-san" yaoyorozu speaks up for the first time tonight

mina and hagakure both scream in delight

"what makes you say that, yaomomo?" you ask, trying to calm your heartbeat at the mention of the boy you think you're seeing..

you and bakugo had a weird, for lack of better word, "relationship" going on at the moment. one would call it a situationship but you're still not 100% sure if it's even heading to that direction

it all started after the provisional license exams. the same night where he and deku had a brawl at ground beta. right after bakugo and deku got dismissed by aizawa, you bumped into him in the kitchen. obviously scared out of your wits that he was looking all beaten up, you brought him to the nearest bathroom to clean his cuts and bruises

since then you and him had found yourselves in this weird "relationship". sure, he's still the same bakugo you first met during the first day of classes. always brash and rowdy but when it was only the two of you.. he was.. a littler calmer than usual

to others, he was his usual explosive self but when it came to you, his tone would be a little softer. still, it's still rough around the edges but the subtle change is noticeable if you were a close friend of his

overtime, you and bakugo slowly became touchy with each other. there were lingering stares, lingering touches when you two were paired up to spar during training and what not

obviously with this sudden change of attitude towards you, the whole class noticed it. why were you getting treated differently by the king explosion god himself?

and before you even noticed it, you found yourself almost by his side at all times in the dorms. may it be in the kitchen where you're basically his second in command when he was in charge of cooking, in the lounge whenever everyone decides to have a little movie marathon or a little celebration, literally everywhere to the point everyone had made assumptions that you two have something going on

have you guys said anything about your little situation? no

have you guys shared a kiss? maybe

have you guys been caught holding hands? definitely. on multiple occasions

but nobody dared to question it. or else they would've been blown away by boom boom boy himself.

that is until, the girls found an opening which was tonight at yaoyorozu's room, in the middle of your slumber party

"i didn't mean to eavesdrop that one time but i overheard you giving him your notes when he was under house arrest for a few days" yaoyorozu sheepishly admits. she suddenly clasps her hands together and bows as she spews apologies for eavesdropping that one time

and like a domino effect, it seems like all the girls have noticed something about the two of you all along

"that reminds me! when we were practicing for the school festival, one time i saw bakugo teaching y/n how to play drums!" jirou quips

"did you guys notice the look on bakugo's face during the joint training with class 1-b when she got hit by gevaudan?! he was pissed!" uraraka adds

"don't think we didn't notice the look you have on your face whenever bakugo comes home from their remedial classes" hagakure teases

"god i've been dying to know! kirishima keeps telling me that he hears bakugo laughing to himself late at night at times now it's all clicking!" mina gushes

all this time you thought you and bakugo hid it well. then again it's like you two even had the chance to properly talk about whatever you two have going on

"so what do you have to say for yourself, y/n-chan? or cat got your tongue?" mina teases, nudging your shoulder

all the girls lean forward, awaiting for your answer

"... we're friends- yeah that's right! we're just friends you guys" you say awkwardly, scratching the back of your head as a nervous habit to top it all off

mina and hagakure don't buy it

"that's not very nice of you to deny your boyfriend like that" mina teases, poking you multiple times in hopes you break (you almost do)

not wanting to say anything else that could potentially jinx whatever you have going on with the blonde, you shrug. it might be a little embarrassing on your end to admit that you and the infamous bakugo katsuki were in a little dilemma you call a situationship

sensing that you weren't gonna budge anytime soon, mina moves on with the subject. talking about what quirks they wished they have from the class

you took this time to pull out your phone and send a little update to your.. friend

[9:24PM] you: so the girls asked me if i had a boyfriend.. [9:24PM] kitkats: and what did u say?? [9:25PM] you: i said no lol cus i dont have one [9:26PM] kitkats: ?? [9:26PM] kitkats: so am i just an arm accessory now or?

right before you were able to reply back, mina snatches your phone from your hands.

"no texting during the slumber party!" she yells, before taking a peek at who you're messaging

"give it back, mina!" you scream, trying to get your phone back to prevent her from reading what seems to be a new message from bakugo

"oh my god it's bakugo! wait let me send him a pic so he won't disturb our party" she squeals, taking a quick selfie of everyone with you looking all stressed out

"and.. sent!" she smiles proudly. after what seems like torture (it was only a few seconds) mina tosses your phone back to your hands before continuing on whatever you guys were talking about

not even a minute later, bakugo replies

[9:30PM] kitkats: raccoon eyes you better not set yn up with someone else when im literally right fuckin' here

[masterhallmark]

Rant incoming

I feel like the problem with a lot of Disney's live action remakes (and arguably Wish) is they're trying to appeal to a crowd that no longer exists, namely the people who used to claim that the Disney Princesses were sexist.

All the interviews tend to include, "Well she's not chasing a MAN anymore" which...almost no one sees the princesses like that, anymore. Virtually NO ONE still believes the princesses are man-chasing sexist caricatures of women.

Cinderella is now hailed as an abuse victim who stayed strong long enough to get help to get out of her situation. Anyone who says she should have saved herself is basically regarded as a victim blamer. And it's very clear in the film she wasn't looking to marry the prince, she just wanted a night off. She was the only one who wasn't in line to meet him. She didn't find out she met the prince until he went looking for her!

Snow White is now hailed for her negotiation skills, ability to calm down after extreme stress (she had a moment of panic and had to cry for a bit, but who wouldn't after finding out The Queen hired someone to kill you?), and ability to take charge of a house of adult men. And again, she was an abuse victim, this time trying to escape ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS. While she dreamed of her prince, it was secondary to her main goal of SURVIVAL. There are also entire video essays about how Snow White gave hope to people during The Great Depression.

Everyone acknowledges that Ariel wanted to be human BEFORE meeting Eric. We all know she was a nerd hyperfixating on humans, and also standing up to her prejudiced father.

We understand Sleeping Beauty wasn't the main character, the Three Good Fairies were, AND PHILLIP WOULD NEVER HAVE BEATEN MALEFICENT WITHOUT THEM! He literally depended on them! WOMEN SAVED THE DAY! But even then, is it really such a sin for a girl to fantasize about romance and fall for someone with corny pickup lines?

We all understand Jasmine just wanted someone to treat her LIKE A PERSON. She rejected every Prince before Aladdin because they treated her like a prize. So why did they need her to want to be Sultan? How did that make her more feminist when she already wanted to be treated like an equal and have a say in her future? Is it only empowering if you want a career in politics?

We admire that Belle, despite living in a judgemental village, was kind to everyone (even though she found the village life dull), and her story teaches girls that the guy everyone else loves isn't always a good guy. What's sexist about teaching girls about red flags? And she didn't start being nice to The Beast until he started treating her with respect and kindness.

Do I really NEED to defend Mulan or Tiana? I think they speak for themselves.

Rapunzel was yet another abuse victim who just needed a little help to get out of her bad situation. In this case, she also needed to learn that she was an abuse victim, and that what Mother Gothel did WASN'T normal, much like many victims of gaslighting.

And don't get me started on the non-princess animals.

Perdita had a healthy relationship with Pongo to the point she was open to express her pregnancy fears to him, and was ready to TEAR APART Cruella's goons for daring to touch her puppies as well as adopting the other puppies. Like, she was so ferocious the goons mistook her for a hyena! She's basically that "I AM THAT GIRL'S MOTHER!" scene from SpyXFamily if Yor were a dog. She and her husband were a TEAM.....but they made a Cruella live action to turn her into a girlboss?! The literal animal abuser!? THAT'S the woman you wanted to put on a pedestal when Perdita was RIGHT THERE!?

Duchess kept her kittens calm after they had been catnapped and was classy as heck. Nice to everyone regardless of social class during a time period where that was uncommon.

Lady stood up to Tramp when she believed he had abandoned her and didn't really care about her. She found out he was a heartbreaker and was like, "Nuh uh. No. You are not doing that to me! You put me through enough."

Miss Bianca from The Rescuers was IN CHARGE the whole movie, and was willing to risk life and limb to save an innocent child. THAT TINY MOUSE TOOK ON ALLIGATORS! And she picked Bernard to accompany her because he was the only one who wasn't ogling her. And then in the sequel SHE DID IT ALL AGAIN! I wish I were as brave as her.

Like, the public haven't accused these ladies of being sexist caricatures since 2014 (Actresses and actors don't count, they're out of touch like the rest of Hollywood) yet Disney is operating under the assumption that the public still thinks that way, hence all the "sHe'S nOt AfTeR a MaN iN ThIs VeRsIOn" talk.

The live action remakes are trying to attract an audience that doesn't really exist much, anymore, and back when it did exist, was comprised mainly of people who didn't actually watch the films. The Disney princesses are no longer seen as sexist, and feminine qualities are no longer seen as weak or undesirable.

[polarisjisung]

ꨄ X-O, KISS ME, DON'T SAY NO

KISSES WITH ENHYPEN

pairings: enha x fem! reader genre: fluff wc: 1k warnings: use of petnames, slightly suggestive notes: I wrote this for dream had to do it for enha too ! | LIBRARY

HEESEUNG — desperate, flirty kisses

A simple peck doesn't exist for Heeseung. You're like his drug, once he gets a taste, he's addicted. Quick morning kisses are impossible. One peck on your forehead easily turns into a full makeout session and suddenly you're late for work. And not for a second is Heeseung worried about your impending anger, instead he'll try and convince you to call in sick, no work meant more time for kisses, right?

“Heeseung, I have places to be” You know it's no use arguing but you seem to try anyway.

You'd been in this situation countless times before, and it ended the same way each time. In your defence, Heeseung was pretty good at convincing.

“Yeah, want me to list a few?”

Something about a kiss-driven Heeseung is so exceptionally flirty. You both know that you're never getting out of this your way. “My arms, the bed, against the wall if you're into that.

Okay maybe you didn't take much convincing either.

“All of the above?”

Heeseung can't dispute that.

JAY — forehead kisses

Jay's kisses are spontaneous, but so tender and loving, like a scene cut out straight from a high school romance.

You're perched up on the sofa with your nose stuck in one of those picture-perfect romance books you love so much.

Jay can barely make out your face from the material of the hood pulled over your head.

You look cute. There's a pair of blue light glasses resting on your nose and your eyebrows are furrowed with concentration. Jay couldn't help but leave a soft peck against your forehead. He takes a couple moments to just sit beside you and stare, truly wondering how he ever got so lucky.

Next thing you know, his hand moves carefully to tuck a stray piece of hair behind your ear, his thumb positioned just under your chin, guiding you into a slow, soft kiss.

JAKE — messy kisses

Jake kisses like a man starved.

Hands tugging at your hair, arms around your waist, loud, shallow pants filling the room. It's like he can't get enough.

He pulls back to stare at you, breathless. But only for a moment.

To Jake, catching his breath seems awfully difficult when you're staring up at him with swollen lips and a sultry gaze.

“I could kiss you forever.”

His words are more a promise than a statement, and how could you not believe him when he pulls you back in so impossibly close, letting his cold fingertips run across your skin.

Both his hands cup your cheeks, passionately. Lips moving over yours with an unsteady, fervent rhythm, and so much urgency, you swear you feel your heart beat out of your chest.

Each time you kiss is like the first, brash. But Jake always holds you so tight, like he's afraid you'll disappear the second he lets go.

When he does finally pull away, Jake exhales a soft laugh, giggling almost.

“You alright?”

You can only nod, burying your face in the crook of his neck.

SUNGHOON — distracted kisses

Playful fights or debates like whether orange juice is better than apple (it's not) or whether milk comes before or after the cereal always seem to arise with you and Sunghoon.

Part of it has to do with the fact that Sunghoon thinks you look so insanely fine when you're passionately arguing your point forwards.

But somewhere along the way Sunghoon stops listening to what you're saying, eyes zeroing in on your lips when he'd come to a sudden realisation. That shade of lipstick suited you, a little too well maybe.

“Hoon, are you even listening?”

He nods, he's not listening.

He wouldn't have this problem if the lipstick wasn't there. But you were still explaining in full detail, hand gestures and everything. And as much as he loved to hear you ramble, Sunghoon could not concentrate.

He was going insane— he needed to kiss you. Now.

You don't really know why you continue, seeing as Sunghoon's clearly not present, but you can't help but gasp when he pulls you in close and crashes his lips to yours.

“You're right, I wasn't listening”

JUNGWON — soft morning kisses

Soft and intimate, that's what kissing Jungwon feels like.

There’s quiet whispers of ‘I love you's’ and the sweetest compliments.

Even if you've just rolled out of bed, when your hair's a mess and your eyes can barely open all the way, Jungwon thinks you're beautiful.

“Good morning my love” he presses a kiss to the back of your head, just below your ear as he slips past you on the couch, making his way to the kitchen so he can check on breakfast.

But he can only stay away for so long, running back a few minutes later with your morning coffee and a couple kisses to keep you occupied while you wait for it to cool down.

“I love you.” he'd keep it short and sweet, holding your face in hands with so much care. By the time breakfast is ready, not a single inch of your pretty face remains unkissed and that's an achievement Jungwon is insanely proud of.

SUNOO — giggly kisses

You and Sunoo are like the epitome of PDA— cuddling, quick pecks on the cheeks, always holding hands— you have to have your hands on each other at all times. It's sickeningly sweet.

And matters only get worse when your behind closed doors, Sunoo would spend all his time with his lips glued to yours if he could.

He's obsessed with you, and your strawberry flavoured chapstick is anything but helpful. He needs kisses, no matter what it is you're doing.

“Sunoo, I'm busy.” You roll your eyes at him playfully, but he only shrugs, spinning you around on your desk chair.

“Too busy for kisses?”

When you nod, it's Sunoo's turn to roll his eyes.

“Wrong answer.”

And he crashes his lips to yours just as he had intended, illiciting a few giggles from you, laughing at his urgency.

NI-KI — kisses in the rain

Kisses never last too long with riki, quick pecks, passionate and loving but short. Long kisses, something you'd both be down to try but had never actually made the effort to. It's felt scary, awkward, maybe?

The two of you always had a more easygoing relationship, so your more affectionate gestures had always been kept to a minimum.

Until one night when your car broke down and you found yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Rain pelted down from the sky and the wind whistled loudly, but even so, you'd be a fool not to step out of the car and watch the sunset in person.

You and Riki sat with your legs crossed, dangerously close to the cliff edge, bodies pressed against each other as an attempt to conserve heat.

There was something about that moment— maybe the soft glow of the sky as the sun dipped just below the horizon — or the way your eyes beamed and sparkled as each strand of your hair slowly grew wet. Something so raw.

Riki couldn't even bring himself to hesitate, pulling you into his lap in one swift motion and kissing you urgently.

One hand reached back to grip your hair, and another cradled your chin, guiding your lips further into his.

Safe to say, kissing in the rain might just be his favourite.

taglist: @chenlezip @nanawrlds @mystverse @jenobubbles @flaminghotyourmom @lotties-readings

[motorsportbarbie13]

Whispers & Guesses

In which Max lets the news of his secret relationship with you slip out of jealousy.

Warnings: nothing Pairing: Max Verstappen x Singer!Reader Word count: 1.3k words

Shoutout to @shelbyteller for sliding into my DMs with this idea. Inspired by the song ‘Guess’ by Charli xcx and Billie Eilish. This was SO FUN to write omg 🤭 and happy Christmas to all those who celebrate!!

Master List

You were used to the whispers that followed you. The questions that weren't meant to reach your ears, meant to stir up gossip were just part of your life. You had gotten used to people talking about you years ago. You had to or else all of the gossip and rumors would eat you alive.

Nearly ten years into your singing career, with almost 15 Grammy's to your name, the whispers about your weight, your outfits, your hair? They all just rolled off your back. None of it affected you anymore.

So when you walked into the paddock on Sunday morning at Silverstone as one of the celebrity guests, the whispers that followed you didn't even make you to miss a step. It seemed as if people were confused at your presence here, especially since you were in the middle of the European leg of your aptly titled 'Whispers & Guesses' tour.

To the outside world, you were in the paddock as Red Bull's guest just like any other celebrity but those closest to you knew better. You weren't just there to watch a Formula 1 race, you were there to watch your boyfriend race for the first time since you'd started dating him earlier in the year.

You hadn't meant to fall in love with Max Verstappen and you certainly hadn't meant to fall in love with him so quickly but sometimes things don't work out the way you plan for them to. It had all started right after the New Year when Max had treated his sister and mom to VIP box tickets to your concert in Amsterdam.

Your assistant had coordinated a quick meet and greet with the Dutch driver and his family before the concert and you had been stopped in your tracks when you first laid eyes on the Dutch driver. You'd never even heard Max's name before, didn't know how legendary he was in the racing world. You no idea he was a 3 time world Champion and you certainly had never even watched a F1 race but the moment he looked at you with those icy blue eyes, mouth hitching up in that signature lopsided grin, you had been an absolute goner for him.

Max, on the other hand, knew exactly who you were and if he had been pressed, he would have been forced to admit that the meet and greet he had pushed for had been more for his benefit than his niece's. You'd secretly topped his Spotify Wrapped list for the last three years running, although if anyone saw that he'd blame the fact that he shared an account with Victoria and she was a huge fan.

What started out as simple infatuation turned into clandestine meetings carefully coordinated by your entire team as both you and Max wanted to keep the budding romance as quiet as possible for as long as you could. Secret flights for you into Nice to sneak into Monaco on weeks Max wasn't racing were thrilling and when that wouldn't work, Max would charter his plane to find you wherever you were in the world. It was difficult and honestly, not an ideal way to start a relationship but the chemistry between you and Max was undeniable. You both had decided early on that whatever was happening between you two was worth exploring and worth the extra work that it took to spend the precious free time you both had.

You had wanted to see a race for months now but it had posed quite the security headache since access to the paddock was kind of played fast and loose sometimes. The head of security at Silverstone had taken a particular interest in making sure that things were secure for you and after several meetings with your team and theirs that lasted multiple hours, it had finally been enough for your head of security to agree to let you attend.

It had been a complete surprise when you turned up at Silverstone Sunday morning, no one but Red Bull's PR team had known you were even considering coming to the race. As you walked through the paddock with your best friend Alice and PR manager Ginny, the whispers kicked up and only intensified when you 'accidentally' ran into Max where he was stood with Lando and Charles in front of the Red Bull garages.

"Max, it's so good to see you again." You say, pretending that you two don't know each other beyond that time you had met at your concert earlier in the year. When Max had made the request to Red Bull's PR team, he said that you had mentioned at the meet and greet all those months ago that you wanted to attend a race and your schedule had finally lined up.

"I'm so glad your schedule finally opened up to come see me at work." He says, enjoying the role you're both playing in front of everyone else, knowing that you're going to be in his bed later that night.

Introductions are made with you and Alice spending quite a bit of time chatting with the drivers. Lando flirts shamelessly with you, not knowing that your heart already belongs to his friend standing next to him instead. Max thinks it's cute, how Lando thinks he has a chance.

"Ok, ladies, we've got to get over to the hospitality suite before the race." Ginny says eventually.

You give all three drivers quick hugs and wish them good luck, Max's arms holding you just a beat longer than Charles and Lando. "Come back to me safe and sound, okay?" You whisper, mind drifting to that awful crash Max had gotten into with Lewis a few years ago. You had happened upon footage of the crash late one night when you were lonely in a hotel room and Max had been half way across the world at a race. It had scared you half to death and you hadn't been able to watch a race the same since.

Max simply nods, resisting the urge to press a kiss to your forehead. "Always, schatje." He whispers back, voice low so only you can hear him.

All three men watch you saunter away, hips swaying with each step.

Lando catches his fist in his mouth and groans. "God, I love when you can just see the little bits of lace peeking out under their clothes like that."

"And the little sliver of skin? Did you see that tattoo on her lower back just barely making an appearance?" Charles can't take his eyes off your retreating frame either.

Max isn't usually much of a jealous man but the way his friends are talking about you has something burning hotly in his chest. He works to keep his mouth shut as Lando continues to chatter on about you.

"Do you think it's a matching set? The strap I saw was navy...I bet it's a matching set." Lando mutters as he rubs his hand over his jaw.

"It is." Max says simply, hands tucked casually in his pockets. He nearly laughs when both Charles and Lando whip their heads around so fast it's a miracle neither of them snap their necks.

"How...What?" Charles stammers.

"It's a matching set." His tone implies that he knows something that the 2 other drivers don't. "Navy lace with one of those little red bows right in the middle" He points in the middle of his chest as a visual aid.

Lando's jaw is on the floor as he tries to figure out the implications of what Max has just said. Max simply smirks, allowing Charles and Lando to put two and two together on their own.

"I'm not saying your wrong, mate but like, how the fuck do you know?" Lando asks, voice heavy with confusion.

"Well, I picked the set out this morning when she woke up in my bed." Max has to stifle a laugh when Charles' jaw joins Lando's on the floor. "And it's the set I bought for her a few weeks ago when we were in Japan."

With a shrug, Max claps both men on the back and turns away without another word, wandering towards the garage before pulling out his phone to text you about what just happened.

Tag list: @formulaal @martygraciesversion381 @longhairkoo @samantha-chicago @stelena-klayley @dark-night-sky-99 @luckylampzonkland @chlmtfilms @aykxz98 @forensicheart @cheer-bear-go-vroom @lieutenantchaos @willowsnook @sltwins @linnygirl09 @meglouise00 @mixedstyles @strawberryy-kiwii @secret-agents-stole-my-bunnies @mrosales16 @charlesgirl16 @leclercdream @eloriis @daemyratwst @dramaticpiratellamas @mochimommy2002 @bibissparkles @llando4norris @chelseyyouraverageluigi @iamaunknownsecret @maxivstappen @imlonelydontsendhelp @nina-or-anna-or-nora @a1leexxa @littlegrapejuice @sunflowervol18 @freyathehuntress @finn-dot-com @swiftie-4-lifes-stuff @chirasama