#we are so definitely having this again some time

[keferon]

It just occurred to me (and to add more angst to the angst pile): Prowl as a lone orca being used to having to do everything for himself. Extra not having any concept of rest or taking a break because if he rested who would keep watch for danger? Where would the food come from? There’s never been any stopping or moments of peace before. Because he’s been on his own. And if he can’t do it himself then he’s dead.

But all that could change over time in reaching the ocean with Jazz. Even as Jazz learns from Prowl to build up his stamina, Prowl would be experiencing for the first time what it would be like to have someone else to rely on. Someone to help hunt. To help keep watch. To help fend off danger. Making the idea that each thinks they are holding the other back — with Prowl thinking he’s keeping Jazz from finding more company and Jazz thinking he’s slowing Prowl down — all the more tragic. Because the reality is that they also both need each other.

Yes yes yes ye s

Also I'm just imagining. At some point after the escape they would run into. Uh. Let's say a sea monster of some kind? Definitely something BIG.

And Prowl would be like. Alright this couuuld be our dinner but we need to work together.

So they come up with a strategy, agree on signals, and set up a coordinated ambush on this monster. Jazz is a bit unsure at first because he's never done anything like that before but it feels SO RIGHT. For both of them. Not just the hunt but the team work. The thrill off sharing the moment. Feeling that yeah we can defeat anything in this entire ocean because it is alone and we're in it together.

They would kill the monster and Jazz would get SO EXCITED. He would literally radiate joy and be all like WE SHOULD DO THAT AGAIN THAT WAS SO FUN

And Prowl would get a tiny 505 error in his head because not only he found someone who can follow his strategies without complaining and whining?? But also greatly enjoys it??? Hell yeah they should do that again!

Bonus points if after the hunt they just sit on a giant dead monster and laugh because holy shit Prowl missed this so much. And Jazz didn't even know he missed it until that moment

Also after some time Jazz would start to have his own ideas on how to fight with sea monsters and half of his ideas would be SO bizarre but they will try them anyway because Jazz loves to improvise and Prowl loves getting a fresh perspective on things

[zimmbzon]

I was in this job where there were lots of employees from different departments all sharing one big open plan office with a hot-desking situation. Well I struck up a friendship with Peter from Finance (full name: Peter from Finance but not actually an Accountant). We never worked together but we liked sitting next to each other. Peter from Finance was maybe 30 years older than me, had a very impressive broom moustache and always dressed in a professional button up shirt and trousers. He was also very quiet, polite, and quite shy and reserved. I am, on the other hand, one of those I-bring-the-fun kind of adhders. I have tattoos and wore jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers everyday.

We bonded over how annoyingly noisy some of the other department’s employees were and that Peter from Finance had definitely been to prison (he hadn’t) and that he had learnt to make shivs from toothbrushes whilst in prison (where’d he never been) and that if this particularly noisy department didn’t quiet their mouths soon he was going to show them all the other things he had learnt is prison (again this man had never seen the inside of a jail cell). Basically all of our conversations where absolute nonsense and lies generally instigated by him (but no one ever believed that).

Well my boy Peter from Finance had never had a bubble tea, so I explained the concept to him and promised to bring him one at 1pm sharp. I delivered the bubble tea to his desk but he was not there and I had to jump into a meeting myself.

I wrote a little post it note and left it beside the cup and straw with the instructions: “stab the bear in the face!”

I poked my head out of the meeting just in time to see Peter from Finance holding the cup in one hand and the straw in the other, contemplating the violence he was being asked to commit. He looked up at me, I solemnly nodded, his face changed from that of a confused questioning look to one determination (and a little bit of defiance) and he stabbed that mother fucker hard in the face!

We went out for bubble tea together shortly before I left the job (a big deal for our socially anxious lunchtime loner boy) and got double serves of bobas. We planned on getting actual lunch as well but Peter from Finance discovered with both delight and shock that after eating that many bobas he didn’t need lunch!

On my last day I discovered that his government name was also a lie because the damn man was and always had been a full certified actual accountant, but had for well over a year been letting me call him “Peter from Finance but not actually an Accountant”.!

I did at least do him a solid and change his documentation to “Peter from Finance but not actually an Accountant but ACTUALLY an Accountant” before I left.

i was drafting a post that said “a single boba tea can replace up to two meals if you are pure of heart” and the reason i didn’t post it is because as i was typing those words i got so dizzy i felt like i was being abducted by aliens

[salemlunaa]

YES, WE ARE ALWAYS SHIFTING ˚∘𓇼

manifesting and shifting are one. but why, and how?

so i did promise a longer post and had many asks prompting me to go into more detail

and to do that we must define what shifting is, like what is really is.

The GENERAL DEFINITION for the word “shifting” is "A change in position, direction, or tendency."

A change in position as in where you are in life, direction as in where your life is going and tendency being a likelihood or natural indication. For example, "she has a tendency to be lazy" a shift in that would refer to a reality where she isn't lazy.

That's it, that's all it is

You can interpret manifestation any way you want, however the reason a lot of you can't see this is that you don't understand. The stigma around "shifting" has altered your perception of the word and the process. Shifting isn't just you being whisked away on a broom to Hogwarts. Shifting isn't just you being a kpop star. You've seen people speak about shifting in such a way that you think it's this crazy astral, otherworldly experience.

Both concepts are altering your reality, whether you are inducing the void, manifesting or shifting, you are changing your position, tendency and direction. Shifting isn't change, that's it. Both concepts rely on the principle that consciousness creates reality. And in both cases, you are embodying it until your desired reality until it becomes your experience truly.

There are infinite realities, the reason why there is no difference between manifestation and shifting is that in both cases you are moving/placing your awareness in your desired reality. Yes, you shift because you manifested green eyes, because there was already a reality in which you had green eyes and all you are doing by affirming and watching subliminals for green eyes is resonating with that reality and placing your awareness in that reality.

The same goes for pure consciousness or the void, without the barriers of the time, the 3d and outerman limitations, you are able to shift timelines to a reality where all your desires have materialised.

TO SHIFT IS TO EXPERIENCE CHANGE. TO CHANGE IS TO EXPERIENCE A SHIFT. THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO IT

✺✺✺

Now for everyone's favourite counter argument: "Why would my entire family change if im losing some weight?" "I don't want to leave MY reality, with MY people for manifesting something small"

cue deep sigh….

You aren't "Leaving" anyone, when you shift your awareness and place it in your desired state, because everyone is you pushed out, the people around you will "shift" with you to update to YOUR assumptions. This isn't to say that you can shiftier enter the void to help others it means your perception of the people around you will change to accommodate your new assumptions.

You don't "lose" people, you experience them in alignment with the reality you see as desired, eg, you experience the mother who knows you with green eyes instead of brown, nothing else about her changes. You’re not getting some other mother like in Coraline

The Law didn't start existing when you found out about it or when it's convenient for you. This HAS been happening but because you didn't notice, you were fine. When you have made small changes through manifesting, your reality has shifted to where that has been true, again if you wanted green eyes, great there is a reality where you have blue, brown amber or even multi coloured eyes, but you are choosing to place your consciousness in the reality where you have green eyes.

Your family and friends aren't going to disappear because you have made a change about yourself. Your perception of them changes. If you manifest that you always had blonde hair, your parents will change but the only thing that will change about them is their recollection of you with brown hair, as they now know you've had blonde hair your whole life.

It's not some out of body experience it's shift, you're not waking up in magic world because you wanted a change in weather. A shift doesn't have to be this extravagant event. You only have that assumption because when you've seen people use the word "shift" they use it to describe massive life changes, completely changing the world around them, whether that be for a tv show or something they've scripted themselves.

Shifting means to change, that's it, that's all. "I just want to manifest in my reality" you don't have a home reality as you're always changing. There is no such thing as "your reality" for just one. All these realities are yours in the same proximity. And we are always changing.

There is no such thing as a "home reality" because reality is not fixed-it's fluid and ever-changing. Every time you manifest, you are shifting to a version of reality where your desire is already true. You're not "bringing" something into one set reality; you're aligning with a new version of it. So whether you call it manifesting or shifting, you're doing the same thing, selecting a different reality from infinite possibilities.

I think looking into quantum jumping and a quantum shift will allow you to easier see the unity in shifting and manifesting

Manifestation = having a desire → deciding you have it → by using methods, your awareness is placed in your desired state where you have that desire, nothing else has to change, but it's still a change, a shift.

WHEN YOU STOP SEEING THE CONCEPT OF A SHIFT IN SUCH A HEAVY LIGHT, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND

THERE IS NO SEPARATION, IN THIS COMMUNITY WE’RE ALL DOING THE SAME THING

[eviesaurusrex]

Harry Styles x High School Sweetheart!Reader (x Wife!Reader)

summary: Harry and YN were high school sweethearts and are celebrating their 15th anniversary.

faceclaim: Selena Gomez

warnings: none, pure fluff, not entirely proofread because it's late over here and I wanted to finish this before bed

author’s note: My first smau in a very long time. Please bear with me ;_; Disclaimer: The used manips are not mine, and I have not created them—the credits go to the creators (the creators’ names are on some of them). The reader is a classical music composer. Enjoy!

CelebrityStoryWatcher harrystyles just uploaded a new story of him and yourinstagram cooking at their family home in London, England, before deleting it again.

2,318,991 likes | 665,001 comments

ynfan1 How can she be so stunning???

ynandharold the way he made her laugh. "you sure you don't try to feed an entire army, love? who is supposed to eat all of that??" in that over-dramatic tone of his ;_; <3

hsfangirl Who still wants to be YN even after all these years?

Liked by 362 people.

yngirlboss Exfuckingcuse me while I try to process this. I'll be forever grateful for Harry because he makes her so bloody happy

hsfan2 i'm pretty sure this video was meant for his finster :x

↳ ynfan2 oh, definitely. It was gone so fucking fast, I barely could click on it lol

harryisdaddy He's such a simp for his wife. If he could, he would spam Instagram with her pretty face, can't tell me otherwise

ynismommy i love how cozy they both are at home. you can see how comfortable they are around each other ;_;

↳ hs_fineart that just comes naturally when you've been besties since 14, a couple since 16, and married since 26 <3

styles_spotter They have their anniversary tomorrow, don't they???????

annetwist Today, we celebrate your special day. Thank you for making my son the happiest boy ever since the day you two met. Happy anniversary, my loves ♡

978,351 likes | 35,227 comments

hsfan1 not anne making me cry in the early morning hours ;_; look at these two cuties going strong for 15 years! happy anniversary mom and dad!!!!

hs_ynfandom Happy anniversary!

ynfan1 Anne shipped them from the very first day, YOU CANNOT CHANGE MY MIND

hsfan2 my single-heart cries in both happiness and envy. how does someone find their soulmate??? yn really need to write a guide for all those singles out here

harry_and_yn Power couple since day 1!

yourinstagram Thank you so much, Anne <3 It's easy when your son is a literal angel walking this earth

Liked by harrystyles, pillowpersonpp, and 12,886 others.

↳ annetwist You helped turn him into the man he is today ♡

yn_and_harry_haven The way they both started as cuties and grew into the most handsome/gorgeous people on this planet is INSANE. We, as a society, are not ready for their daughter to grow up.

gemmastyles MY FAVORITE SISTER IN LAW. I am forever thankful for having you as my sister—perhaps not by blood, but we are as close as they come. Happy anniversary, lovies! Make him treat you like a queen today

↳ harrystyles I obviously treat her like a queen every single day she walks on this earth.

↳ yourinstagram G ;_; ♡ I love you so much! And he really does <3 I love you too, H

Liked by annetwist, gemmastyles, and 5,209 others.

harrystyles_fangirl this family loves each other so much, i want what they have.

hanszimmer In our years working together, I not only had the pleasure of getting to know yourinstagram both creatively and personally, but harrystyles as well. In those years, I witnessed their love grow in the most beautiful of ways, and not just once have they been my inspiration for certain pieces. I wish you all the happiness for the next 15 years. Happy anniversary to our music power couple!

948,990 likes | 45,628 comments

ynfan1 Being besties with this century's mastermind of film music composition (because he taught you everything) is certainly a flex

yn_fandom imagine mr hans zimmer congratulates you on your anniversary because he grew so fond of you during all the years you were his protégé. AND he likes your husband. my life would be completed. happy anniversary, yn and harry!

hsfan1 Hans Zimmer likes Harry. Love that for our music king!

harrystyles Your words mean so much to me—to us. Thank you! I hope we can dive back into our discussions someday soon. I know YN would love to see you again. x H.

↳ yourinstagram I only can agree with my husband, Hans. Thank you for your wonderful and loving words—and for every moment you gave your all when it came to my training and education. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. You're always welcome in England!

↳ hanszimmer I'll never say No to a Styles invitation x

ynismommy for everyone who doesn't know: mr zimmer is the godfather of their daughter! that's how close they are. it's insane when you think about it. this girl (and any future children) will grow up with so much music and love and talent in their genes, they'll conquer the world.

↳ harry_and_yn And their children will probably the loveliest human beings because their parents are (I once met them on a stroll through London and they were THE NICEST, I still think about their kindness)

↳ ynismommy they definitely will! and truuuue, i only met yn, but she's such an angel. harry is probably the exact same because i can't see her being with someone unkind and uncaring

Liked by harry_and_yn, ynfan3, hsfan5, and 56 others.

ludovico_einaudi No one has ever spoken truer words, my friend. Happy anniversary, YN and Harry! May the next 15 years be as wonderful as the last.

↳ yourinstagram Why is everyone trying to make me cry today? ;_; Thank you so incredibly much, Ludovico

Liked by ludovico_einaudi, hanszimmer, and 4,815 others.

harrystyles My best friend. My wife. The mother of my sunshine. My darling love. You have collected so many titles in our time together, but either way, you will be, first and foremost, the love of my life. My soulmate. My muse. The essence of my happiness. You are the light of my life, the sun around which I orbit, the center of my universe, and the guiding star I look for in the sky in moments I am lost. I will forever be grateful for every second of your attention you grant me, for every tired I love you whispered in the darkness before drifting off into sleep, for making me a father and giving me something I have always wished and hoped for.

Thank you for the past 15 years, my love. Happy anniversary. x H.

4,686,998 likes | 1,329,750 comments

hsfan1 The way I am sitting on my couch now, contemplating this post, and knowing I will cry myself to sleep tonight.

yn_stylesforever no one has won in life as much as YN LN-Styles <3

ynfan1 Uhm... A NEVER BEFORE SEEN YN PHOTO?! She looks so happy T_T <3

↳ yn_and_harry my thoughts??????? Harry is feeding us

gemmastyles You, my beloved brother, are absolutely and entirely gone for this woman (and I don't want it any other way). Happy anniversary, baby brother. You deserve nothing less.

↳ harrystyles Don't make me cry, Gemma. YN will never stop teasing me about it. I can feel her watching. x

↳ yourinstagram Oh, you mean like I never forget to mention your tears at our wedding? <33

↳ harrystyles Exactly. xx

↳ gemmastyles To be quiet honest, you weren't any better that day, YNN. And why do I only get one kiss?!

↳ yourinstagram I don't know what you mean.

↳ styles_spotter these three are literally everything ;_;

mitchrowland Congratulations, H. And YNN, of course!! A life without your love can't be imagined ♡

jefezoff Congrats to my dream couple and one true shipping! To more beautiful children and wonderful years

↳ yourinstagram Not too many and not too soon, mind you. Or do you want to babysit Darcy? She loves to keep you awake for the majority of the night :3

↳ jefezoff ... I appreciate my sleep.

↳ hsfan2 poor babies ;_; but we need more beautiful styles babies!

ynfan2 Not me sobbing over those pictures and the fact how fast little Darcy is growing T_T

yourinstagram I love you more than life itself, H.

↳ ynfansite after all this time <33

pillowpersonpp Happy anniversary to my favorite singer and favorite composer!

yourinstagram Harry. Ever since the day Mrs. Merryweather put me on the seat next to you, I knew it was destiny. I knew you'd be my best friend; I knew you'd be my love if I had the courage to act on my feelings, and I knew I'd marry you someday. I just knew. And I was right. You gave me more than I could have ever hoped for; you loved me more than I could have ever hoped for. You, my love, are the best thing that could have ever happened to me, and I thank the universe every single day for allowing me to love you—and be loved by you. Thank you for making me a mother, being the incredible father you are, and raising our children together—with love and kindness.

Happy anniversary, H. To more love, more anniversaries, more happiness ♡

2,701,632 likes | 998,582 comments

annetwist I am so proud of you both for being such wonderful parents to Darcy and always supporting each other ♡

ynfan1 Gosh, today is an emotional day.

↳ gemmastyles My thoughts exactly

↳ hsfan1 Gemma is here D:

harry_and_yn i love how much they love each other

hsfan2 Both treat us with never before seen pictures of each other and I can't handle it. Mustache!Harry still is a sight to behold lol

harrystyles Oh, my love xx

↳ yourinstagram Come upstairs as soon as that call is over. I want to kiss my husband

↳ harryisdaddy YN decided to see the internet burn

ramindjawadi_official Happy anniversary to my favorite composer! Please bring little Darcy and your husband to our next meeting

↳ yourinstagram <3 Will do!

↳ ynfan2 Everyone loves Baby Styles so much

taylorswift I hope Harry is taking over some of those night shifts! Happy anniversary, you two, and let me play auntie as soon as you both need some time alone <3

ynfan3 Seeing them kiss still makes me blush because even on pictures, you always feel their burning chemistry ;_;

harry_and_yn_fandom On the anniversary of our favorite couple, we need to have a throwback to YN's Instagram story of their road trip to Italy a few years ago.

2,681 likes | 548 comments

hsfan1 I was so freaking anxious because I didn't know who was driving holy shit

↳ hsfan2 lol same. Until I realized they were stuck in a traffic jam at the Swiss border xD

Liked by hsfan1 and 21 others.

ynfandom The way her eyes always softened when looking at him <33

hsfan3 Harry felt the playlist on that day—and YN was just happy to be in his presence :3

yn_and_harry to be honest, her story made me realize they would be together forever and ever. Until death do us part and all that

↳ harry_is_fineart Definitely. And the way he took her hand after his solo of Another One Bites The Dust and how he asked her if everything was okay and if she was happy. He's the stuff women write about in romance novels.

ynfan1 Fun fact: I met Harry at a Subway right after the Italian border because YN got hungry and craved a sub and a cookie (and he was pretty tired and wanted a coffee). He stood in line while YN snuck to the driver's seat to drive their remaining route. It was so cute seeing him stand on the driver's side, sighing with a head shake, and submitting to his woman's decisions :D

↳ hsfan4 no way! That's so cute T_T

harrystylesfangirl "You know, I always get to hear you sing without paying for concert tickets." - "I'll always sing for you, my love. Doesn't matter where and when. You're my favorite audience." - "And you are mine, H." Heart eyes ensuing. This video and their conversation lives rent free in my head :D <3

↳ ynismommy I'm sure they are each other's first listeners, even before the crew and their labels.

↳ pillowpersonpp They are. Always.

;

As always: Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my silly little writing. Please consider leaving a like, a comment, and a reblog! <3

[davinawritings]

Minotaur Husband Drabble

Okay, so many months ago, I made a post about getting nipple piercings to match Minotaur Husband’s nose piercing, (Link Here) and I just thought of something else about that. So we know there’s no touching for several months while the piercing heals, right? But can you imagine when they do finally heal…

Your husband has spent months only being able to stare at your tits but not touch, lick, or suck. You are both well aware that it’s his favorite body part of yours. He doesn’t stop staring at your chest even more now. To him, wearing those tight tops is like a blessing and a curse. The ones that hug your tits so tight and allow him to see the outline of the piercings. He had practically banned you from wearing bras once you both moved in together, and the last few months truly put him to the test.

Fortunately, all that waiting was finally over, which brings you to the present moment. The second you had told your minotaur that you were fully healed, he had you in his lap, and your shirt ripped right off. It’s been almost an hour of him plating with your now puffy and swollen nipples. Denying your dripping cunt any stimulation other than some light grinding. Each time you try to take it further, he tells you not to rush him as he makes up for lost time with your chest.

“I spent months being tortured, baby; you can handle a few hours,” he told you with a grin. Your answering whine only made his grin widen. 

You writhe on his lap, trying to get any stimulation as he continues relentlessly with your chest. Each bite, lick, and suck sends electric currents to your swollen clit. He’s keeping you right on the edge but not giving you the final push to fall into your climax. You aren’t sure how much more you can take. All thoughts are consumed with riding his large cock until you have tears streaming down your face from the overstimulation. 

Not even pulling and stroking his sensitive horns is enough to make him give in a fuck you properly. Usually, one slight touch is enough, but months of being denied his favorite part of you made him unwilling to give it up now that he finally has it again.

You are definitely in for a long night. After all, he has months of lost time to make up for…

🖤💕❤️❤️💕🖤

[megs-1800]

No Strings Attached

Summary: Friends with benefits is always difficult especially when one of you catch feelings. Will Mason have the same feelings or will you lose him forever?

Pairings: Mason Mount x Reader

Word Count: 11.2K

Warnings: Angst, Fluff and Smut

“T-that was i-incredible” Mason pants as he rolls off me and flops himself on the bed next to me trying to catch his breathe. “Our sex always is incredible” I say rolling onto my stomach crashing my arm onto his chest whilst he tickles up and down it. I look into Mason’s eyes which I can see the spotlight from the ceiling are making them sparkle. Fuck he is so gorgeous. Mason sits up and looks at the time “I probably should make a move, I got training early tomorrow morning”. I give him puppy eyes hoping he would stay but I knew what I signed up for. Mason and I met a year ago, my best friend Paige is dating Ben Chilwell, she introduced me to Mason at a party of theirs. At the time I was happily engaged but the bastard ended up cheating on me, well turns out he was cheating all along. Me and Mason got drunk and ended up sleeping together, but from there we kind of just stayed a type of friends with benefits, he was there for me when I needed and vice versa. ‘No strings attached’ we said. “When am I next seeing you?” I ask and Mason gives me a smirk as he looks me up and down. “I will call you yeah”. I wink at him knowing he always calls.

I didn’t hear from Mason for the next couple of days but that’s not out of the ordinary, we go days not talking then we can go days with non-stop talking. I could say he is on the border of being one of my best friends, if I being honest he knows me better then I know myself sometimes, but I feel like we could never be proper friends due to our activities together. I throw myself on the sofa after a awfully long week, I turn on the TV and see that United are playing, it’s a Saturday early game so not much else to watch and thought it would be nice to show Mason some support. That’s why Mason hasn’t been talkative he has been putting his all into preparing for the game I thought. However 38 minutes into the game I watch how the opposition player tackles Mason and takes him completely down, I watch how he is screaming and rolling around in pain. I can see the pain in his eyes, I know he is more annoyed at being taken off rather than the pain of the tackle, he has worked so hard to get back and already being subbed must kill him. I quickly text him knowing that when he is free he will respond:

Y/N: How you feeling? x

I couple of hours passed and I hear my phone buzz and looking down and seeing Mason has replied:

M: Like shit how do you think I am feeling

Y/N: sorry silly question x

I feel bad for him but I didn’t know what else to say, I am taken back by his bluntness but I know he is hurting right now, I know deep down he doesn’t mean it. Another hour passed and my phone buzzes again:

M: Sorry y/n/n its just so frustrating you know I worked so hard for what, to play 38 minutes its just shit. The press has already slaughtered me, I just feel like shit but I don’t mean to take it out on you xx

Y/N: Don’t listen to the stupid press they just want a story. You are amazing Mase, injuries happen that’s the joys of being a footballer but don’t let them get you down. You know I am always your number one fan. I will whip you back into fitness in no time ;) xx

M: I can always count on you to make me laugh. Chilly said you are out with Paige tonight but I don’t suppose you can come here beforehand please? You can get ready here, I just hate being alone right now xxx

Y/N: I am already on my way superstar xxx

I quickly pack all of things that I would need for the night and then make my way to Masons. Everytime I go there it leaves me speechless, it definitely puts my one bedroom flat to shame. Mason opens the door, I can see he is wearing a pair of shorts and has he left ankle wrapped and is limping to the sofa. “Can I do anything?” I ask assessing his wounds. “you can do a lot of things” he raises his eyebrows and smirks seductively, he quickly continues “I am joking, you can get me a jumper please I just cannot bring myself to tackle the stairs yet”. I nod and quickly run upstairs and grab my favourite hoodie of his. I run back down the stairs and give it to him, he looks at me and smiles “how did I know you were going to get me this one” he laughs “am I that predictable?”. I make me and Mason a cup of tea and come join him on the sofa. He puts his arm up so I can turn my body into his chest, he has his ankle rest up in front of him. He continues to stoke my hair and we sit there in silence for what feels like forever. I go to look at the time, “jheez I gotta start getting ready” I start to move which Mason holds me tighter. “5 more minutes you have no idea how easy you take away the pain”. I smile into his chest, I love that I have that impact on him.

I look at myself in the mirror as I make one more curl in my hair, I am wearing a short black dress with laced sleeves and I matched it with a pair of black heels. I carefully make my way downstairs, I watch as Mason’s eyes look up from his phone and his eyes follow up and down, as I do a little playful swirl “you look insane” Mason states and I can feel myself blush. As I walk over to get my bag I heard my phone ding, I walk over to check it and my face drops “whats up?” Mason looks at me concerned. I take my heels off and flop myself on the sofa next to Mason “well that’s Paige cancelling last minute- again!” I groan. Mason looks at me sympathetically “has she cancelled on you a lot?”  I nod to his question “yeah since she got with Chilly she has all her WAG friends now so I am kind of second best. I still love her but I guess she has more important places to be” I say defeated feeling sorry for myself.

Mason smiles “well we can party here?”  I look at him and laugh “what with you that has one leg and is on strong painkillers so cannot drink? Great party!” I joke back. Mason clutches his chest where his heart is like I hurt his feelings “ouch!” I jab him in arm “thank you for making me feel better. Well I guess one good thing is I could go and put a tracksuit on and stuff my face now” I start to make my way upstairs when I hear him shout “You can wear that new tracksuit of mine that you like, I will order your favourite”.

I am laughing away with Mason, I am wearing his new Gucci oversized tracksuit, its massive on him so it drowns me but I am so comfortable. “I have never known someone who looks as beautiful all dressed down as they do all dressed up. You are going to make someone a real lucky guy one day”. I can feel myself blush at Mason’s words, he always knew how to pull on the heart strings. “Why you being so cute Mount? You wanna get into my knickers or something?” I heard him laugh and then lean in close to me “Maybeee?” I snigger at his comment “well you are in no state to ‘rock my world’ tonight Mase” he learns back and raises his eyebrows at me “Maybe but I bet even with my injured ankle I am still the best sex you ever had”. I laugh, I love how he has such a big ego.

Another hour passes, “its getting late I best get going” Mason gives me pleading eyes “please stay y/n. I need help to get up the stairs please” I nod “okay  I will help you up the stairs and into bed then I am leaving”. Mason gives me a slow nod in response but I can tell there is something deeper in his eyes. I help him hobble up the stairs as I allow him to put the pressure onto me, I am struggling under his weight but I am determined to get him there. We eventually make it to his bedroom and I help him walk over to the bed. “I still cannot get over this room, this room is the size of my whole flat”. Mason shrugs his shoulders “perks of being a footballer I suppose”. He starts to get underdressed and I quickly shield my eyes “right I need to be going. Thanks for tonight Mase”. Mason pats the spot next to him in bed “why do you hide away its not like you haven’t seen it all before, but come join me” I hesitate for a minute but I know he will win. “There is a pair of my boxers and tshirts in the drawer you can wear for now” I thanked him and put them all.

His glaze doesn’t leave mine as he watches me get into his clothes “I have never known someone to look so fit in a pair of mens boxers you know” I am taking that compliment. I throw the covers back and join him in bed “I never get over how big and comfy this bed is” I stretch out as I show gratitude to the bed. Mason leans in and tickles up and down my sides which gives me goosebumps, he then extends his hands strokes the sides of my face “you are so beautiful never let anyone tell you different” I lean in closer to Mason so our lips are brushing against eachother “you are full of compliments tonight Mount”.

With that our lips come crashing together, our tongues fighting for dominance which I eventually allow Mason control, I always end up giving into him. I can feel Mason grinding his hips into mine and the blunge between us becoming apparent, Mason moves him lips to my neck and I cannot stop the moans that come out. I reach down to take him in my hands and I feel Mason stop my hands, I look at him confused. “I am not going to last long I need to be inside you” I nod knowing exactly what he means, I am in no mood for foreplay I need to feel that dick stretch me out. He removes his pants and climbs on top of me and puts legs so they wrap around his waist he slides the boxers I am wearing to the side and slowly lines himself up with me. “F-fuck” he moans into my neck “I love feeling that pussy stretch out for me” Mason starts a slow pace then it hits me “Mase your ankle lets swap” I offer. Mason shakes his head and continues his pace, I can hear him getting harder and faster and I know that he is close and he is edging me closer too. I can then feel his pace slow down and then I see him wince “swap” I demand and Mason gives him and flops down next to me “sorry I want to ruin you right now, bloody fucking ankle”. I kiss him to shut him up as I climb on top of him, I usually hate being on top as I am insecure about my body but Mason makes me feel so comfortable, I have no objections. I line him up with my entrance and slowly lower myself down, we grown in unity as I start to bounce up and down on his dick. He removes the tshirt I am wearing and starts playing with my tits, I can feel his fingers grazing over my nipple as he is inching me closer to my orgasm. “uh right there M-Mase r-right t-there” I moan as I come undone all over his dick, with that I feel Mason’s dick twitch inside me as he moans my name into my neck.

I flop off him as we both catch our breathe “see injured and I am still the best sex you ever had” which he winks at me. “Who said that you was the best sex I have ever had?” I tease as we both know he was the best guy I have slept with, “I think from the way you just screamed my name as you cum all over my dick had something to do with it”. I quickly get up and get cleaned up and bring Mason in some tissue as I know he is going to struggle to get out of bed. I go to get dressed as Mason stops me “what are you doing?” I look at him confused “I am getting dressed what does it look like I am doing?”

Mason shakes his head “stay with me tonight”

“Isn’t that breaking one of our rules ‘no sleepovers’ remember you were there when we set them”

“Yes and now I am saying lets break this one just for tonight. Please it will be nice not to be on my own. You know in case I need the toilet or something” I know there is more to that but I am not going to argue.

“Okay just this once” I reply as I throw back on the tshift I was wearing earlier and climb back into bed with him. Mason grins like the Cheshire cat as he pulls his arm out so I can lay on his chest. The small sound of his heart beating sends me to sleep.

A wake up as I see the sun drifting in through the blinds, I see Mason hobbling out the bathroom “Hey you are not supposed to be walking without support” I scold him.

“Well if I waited for sleeping beauty to wake up I would of exploded I have a bladder of a child” he giggles as he hobbles back to the bed and throws himself next to me. “Whats your plans for today?”  he asks

“Not much I am helping one of the girls I work with move this afternoon, so probably have to leave soon” Mason pouts at that statement, “what about you Mount?”

Mason looks down like he doesn’t want to tell me the next part “Rebecca is coming down to spend time with me today”

I look at him confused as I bring his chin up to me so our eyes meet “whos Rebecca?”

Mason looks back down again as he didn’t wants to meet my gaze “she is a girl I have been seeing?” I jump out of bed at this comment.

“What the fuck are you talking about Mason? We just had sex and now you wanna tell me you are seeing someone. What the fuck Mason!!!” I am now screaming and throwing my hands around. I am starting to get dressed as I am shouting.

“We said no strings attached Y/N”

“I know that Mason! I don’t mean it like that, I mean that you have cheated on that poor girl with me. You have made me the other women that’s disgusting Mason! You know I have been cheated on why would you do that to me!” Mason gestures for me to sit at the end of the bed so I do, hoping he will let me calm down.

“We are not exclusive, we have only been on a couple of dates. We haven’t even slept together yet. I know its wrong Y/N you just do these things to me, you make me feel so much better and I know I do the same for you. I am sorry we can stop now if it will make you feel better.” I give him a look so he knows I am not impressed but I know nothing is going to change what happened so no point dwelling on it, so I nod in agreement.

“No more sex but still friends yeah” I lean to him and put out my pinkie finger. He wraps his pinkie around and places a kiss to it. “the best of friends” he replies.

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A year has passed since that morning and Mason and I have kept our word and haven’t slept together. We are still close and talk near enough everyday but we are just keeping it to friendly flirting and not taking it any further than that. I miss that closeness though, I feel like I haven’t been able to feel that closeness with anyone else. Even with my partner James its different, we have been dating for nearly a year, I met him shortly after Mason and I’s ‘no more sex’ pact, Mason is still dating that Rebecca, it seems to be going well. I am happy with James, he is successful and passionate and loving and everything I should want in a man, but I don’t know I feel like something is missing. Maybe that’s just me being silly, always looking for a ‘but’ in a relationship. Maybe this will be my happy ever after, after all.

“Pleaseeeeee come out tonight y/n/n! It won’t be the same without you” Paige begs on the phone.

“I don’t know Paige. It’s a very A list party I am not sure I would fit in babes”

“Oh come on Y/n you said that James is working so what else are you going to be doing on New Years Eve. I hate the thought of you sitting at home on your own pleaseeee. You know us and Mason is going to be there.” The thought of Mason there does heal the anxiety of going a little bit.

“Okay Paige I agree I will think about it okay”

“That’s all I am asking babes. Love ya”.

I am still not sure if I want to go or not, I am constantly fighting with my head. Paige is hosting a New Years party at Ben Chilwell’s but my anxiety is going through the roof of the thought of going to the party with all these famous people and I am just little old me. I just got home from work when I get a text message:

M: Please tell me you are going to Chilly’s NYE Party! Paige said you haven’t got back to her yet. Please I need to see drunk y/n, I haven’t seen her in a long time. She is a laugh, give the people want they want!!! Drunk y/n drunk y/n! xx

I giggle at his message and quickly hit reply.

Y/N: I don’t know, my anxiety isn’t great Mase there is going to be a lot of people there and I will literally know Chilly, Paige and you. But at the same time work has been mad recently so would be nice to let my hair down. Aww I don’t know Mase xxx

M: Pleaseeeee do it for me xx

Y/N: Okay you have persuaded me. You are my weakness Mount. I will see you there xx

It takes me days to decide what to wear for New Years Eye, I don’t want to be too dressed up as its only a house party but I don’t want to show up not making an effort. Its got to NYE, I finished work early so I got time to get ready but I still have no idea what to wear. I have finished my hair and makeup but just no outfit.

M: What time are you getting there for? I am staying the night so I can come and get you on the way if you want? X

Y/N: Thanks that would be great. I will be ready for whatever time you want me ready for xx

M: Ready for 7? X

Y/N: Perfect! Well it would be if I knew what to wear x

M: You look amazing in anything! Wear that white thing with the trousers and the fluffy bits I like that one x

Y/N: Thank you but I have put some weight on since I last worn that so I don’t know x

M: Well try it on and see I bet you will still look amazing ;) x

I quickly find the outfit he is talking about and snap a photo of me in it. I really don’t know about it but I send it to Mason and see what he says.

M: See I knew I was right. I am leaving mine now so see you soon xx

Mason messages me when he is outside, and I make a way to his car. He is wearing a pair of baggy jeans and a nice top. “See I knew I was right you look lovely” I can feel myself blush “thank you Mase you look really nice too. I just don’t know if it’s a little tight around the stomach” I say trying to grab the material away from the stomach feeling insecure. I watch Mason’s eyes flicker up and down over me “you look amazing! Now stop it we going to have a great night!” I nod knowing he was right, tonight is going to be the best.

The rest of the night is amazing, Mason barely leaves my side as we speak to others at the party. I know he can sense my anxiety I even feel his hand rub my waist when he can sense I am uncomfortable, he always knows how to make me feel safe. I am on drink ‘I cannot even remember’ now and I can feel myself start to get a little tipsy. Mason looks over me with his hand wrapped around my side as he looks down at me “so where’s James tonight?” for a second I want to say ‘who is he talking about?’ due to the alcohol consumed. “He is working tonight. What about you? I am sure Rebecca would of jumped at the chance to be at a NYE party with you? I like Rebecca she is sweet”.

I can feel how tipsy I am with how unstable I have become on my feet “she is a nice girl. She is with her family tonight though. She thinks a lot of you though y/n, she really likes you too”.

I pull away from Mason’s grip “yeah she wouldn’t like me though Mason if she knew we slept together when you first got together”. I watch Mason’s face drop as I know he feels as guilty about it as I do. “Come on lets not dwell on that, lets just enjoy the night” which with that he grabs his arm around my waist.

The rest of night I can feel my anxiety start to fade with the amount of alcohol consumed. I loose Mason for a little while but with the liquid courage I have brought myself to chat to other people. I am dancing with a couple of girls that I have got chatting too when I can feel someone behind me and wrapped their arms around me, at first I thought it was Mason so I settle into it a little but then I felt their hands roll down the outside of my thighs and pushes their body into mine. I hear them whisper into my ear “I love the little show you put on for me. Shake it for me baby”. I quickly tense up and I turn around realising I have no idea who this guy is. “Who are you? What are you talking about?” I suddenly feel uneasy and try and back away from the guy. “Come on don’t be a tease baby. I know you were shaking it for me”. I watch how his eye darken and he grabs my waist. I can feel his fingers digging into me whilst his other hand wraps around my wrist. I suddenly begin to panic. “please let me go” I beg, but he doesn’t reply he just tightens his grip.

Suddenly I feel another’s presence “If I were you were mate I would let her go”. I feel the grip loosen slightly. I know that voice, Mason!  I see the guys face turn from lust to anger “and who are you mate? She wants it! She has been dancing in front of me all night telling me she wants it. Look at her of course she wants it!” I can feel my heart drop do I really look like a slut? I was just trying to have a good time. I watch the rage in Mason’s eye’s “I will say it again I suggest you let her go before we got a problem.” The guy lets me go and squares up to Mason “yeah is it now. I suggest we take this outside”. I know Mason isn’t a fighter and I really don’t want him to get injured over me. I take Mason’s hand “come on just leave it Mase its not worth it.” I plead for Mason to drop it, not wanting to make more of a scene about it. ”Stay out of this you little slut! If the famous Mason Mount thinks he can try it with me, then lets go!” Mason doesn’t reply all I see is a swing and Mason’s hand colliding with the guys cheek which knocks the guy onto the floor. Chilly and a couple more people seeing the commotion quickly dragged the guy out whilst Mason looks at me and then quickly storms into the kitchen. Feeling embarrassed with all eyes on me I quickly run to the bathroom.

I can feel my heart beating in my chest, I cannot believe Mason just hit that guy. I can feel my eyes starting to water. Mason is always there to save me, but he didn’t need to do that. I compose myself after a couple of minutes and make my way back to the party. I bump into Paige “are you okay babes? I don’t know who that guy thinks he is? I don’t even know who he is I think he is a plus one”. I wrap my arms around Paige and settle into the hug “I am okay Paige, honestly. Well thanks to Mason I am. I am probably going to make a move though that guy has ruined my vibe”. Paige pulls away from the hug “no please y/n/n don’t leave!” I hesitate “I need to go find Mason and check he is okay”. Paige nods “I think he is in the kitchen”. I thank her and made my way to the kitchen.  

I turn the corner and I can see Mason having a conversation with a couple of the boys “come on man! There was no need to punch him” I hear one of them say, I hear Mason grunt “he was groping her! Then you should of seen the way he spoke about her it was fucking disgusting I didn’t mean to hit him I just flipped”. I hear one of the cough and they all look up to me which the other men remove themselves from the kitchen.

“How you doing?” he asks me, I melt at his compassionate.

“You are asking me how I am doing? You are the one who punched someone. Hows your hand?” He lifted his hand up so I could inspect his knuckle. He winces as I touch the wound. I grab the bag of ice that is lied on the side and put it back onto the knuckle, which Mason hisses and swears. “I’m sorry”.

Mason looks at me and grabs the side of my face “what are you sorry for? He was the asshole and it was my choice to punch him. None of this is your fault”. Mason uses his un-injured hand to place a stand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t listen to a word he said. You look incredible and you deserve to dance and have a good time without being harassed.” He shoots me a reassuring smile. Which I return.

“Thanks Mase for saving the day! I am probably going to make a move now tho. I just want to forget tonight ever happened”. I see the sadness in Mason’s eye.

“What?! You cannot leave now. Its New Years in an hour come on just see the New Year in then I will let you go. Please I punched a guy for you, the least you can do is stay for me”. He jokes the last part but still it has persuaded me.

“Okay Okay you really are my weakness Mount. I will stay for you, but just until midnight” Mason gives me a toothy smile in return. “Just until midnight” he repeats back.  

The rest of the evening is a laugh, I continue drinking  and I am now totally smashed, which looking at Mason he is the same. We are dancing away together, chatting away with everyone. It gets to the New Years countdown and we are all cramped into the living room counting down together. As the numbers are getting smaller, I am not sure what to do. 12….11..Should I kiss Mason? 10…9.. Mason looks down at me, I am wondering if he is thinking the same? 8….7 Mason wraps an arm around my side and holds me closer. 6…5.. He closes the gap between us I look between his lips and his eyes. 4…3…2…1… before I know it our lips are connected. I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer as we continue to kiss. He pulls away and I see him bite his lips “happy new year beautiful” I lean in again which Mason returns the kiss as we pull away I talk “happy new year Mase”. I can feel butterflies in my stomach, right now in this moment, everything feels right.

Another hour passes and I can start to feel the alcohol wearing off, I say my goodbyes to Paige and Ben and I continue to walk round trying to find Mason. I haven’t seen him for the last 20 minutes which was weird as we have been attached at the hip during this party. I really don’t want to leave without staying goodbye. I look everywhere I can think of but he is nowhere to be found where can he be? I thought. My uber messages to say they are outside and I know I need to go, I check one more place before going Ben’s spare room. I knock lightly on the door and slowly open the door. I see Mason sat on the bed smiling at me “there you are!” I grin “I have been looking for you”.

Mason gets up and comes to meet me at the door, “I came to say goodbye, my uber is outside”. I explain. Mason doesn’t say a word and continue to look at me. We continue to stand there in silence, “okay well thank you for tonight. Its been the best night, and you know thank you for saving me and all that. So I guess I will see you soon”. Mason still doesn’t say anything and I can feel the air between us is weird, its never like this between us I wondered what’s happened. Mason then closes the gap between us, he brings my chin up so I am looking into his eyes. There is a sparkle in his eyes, Passion! He slowly lowers himself down and I can feel our lips brushing against eachother, it’s a slow loving kiss. It’s a kiss we have never had before. Mason hands lower and I can feel them brushing against my bum, he gives it a little squeeze before he continues the kiss. This time the kiss is needy as I can feel his tongue dominating my mouth. We both pull away fighting for breathe “I really gotta go my ubers waiting” Mason hums into my mouth as he continues the kiss “then go then” he kisses me, another deep kiss “or I can refund you the money you paid for the uber and you can stay here”. Mason and I continuing to kiss and right now in this moment all I can think about is the growing bulge between us. I can feel myself fighting with my head.

Mason rips his shirt over his head and exposes his toned chest, my lips water at the sight of it. We haven’t been this intimate in a year. I run my fingers down his chest as we continue the kiss, I can feel him moaning into my mouth. Mason turns me round and I can feel him grinding into my bum, which his dick is now rock hard. He starts to kiss down my neck and I know he is leaving me a hickey, I can feel the zipper of my jumpsuit and before I know it I am left in my underwear. Mason turns me around and looks me up and down “fuck you are so beautiful” he says making me blush and my instinct is to suddenly try and cover up. He grabs my arms away “come on its me. No need to hide away”. Our lips are connected again, I help Mason remove his trousers so we are both left in our underwear. Our hands are exploring eachother’s bodies, I can feel myself moaning as he brushes over the spot I need him most. That’s when reality hits me I quickly pull away “Mase what are we doing? We cannot do this?” Mason pulls away and takes a deep breath “I don’t know y/n you just do something to me. I just can’t handle myself around you. If you don’t want to do anything then its fine you can do home.” We both stand there, staring at eachother. My heart bonding through my chest whilst my head is fighting with my heart.

I wrap my arms around his neck “Mase I don’t know! I got James and you got Rebecca. We cannot do this to them. What if they find out?” Mason is continuing to tickle up and down my back “I will repeat y/n if you don’t want to do anything we don’t have too. But why are you worrying about them finding out? Its only us here”. I know he was right, I jump onto Mason which he catches me and wraps my legs around his waist. We both look into eachothers eyes and I can feel my heart melt, “I’m guessing that means you have opted in for the best sex of your life”. I roll my eyes as Mason walks me over to the bed and throws me down.

He quickly joins me and climbs inbetween my legs, I know what I am doing is wrong. I know I shouldn’t be doing this to James, but its Mason, its like he has a spell over me. All thoughts of James disappear as Mason kisses down my body, he unclips my bra and I can feel him flip my tipple through his tongue and slowly grazes them with his teeth “m-mase” I whimper. Mason continues to kiss down my body until he is finally at my core. He lifts my hips up so he can remove my thong then leaves a trial of kisses up my thighs, I try and contain my moans as I know we have to keep quiet but its so hard when I can feel his hot breathe on my pussy. He gives me one long swipe with his tongue and I scream out his name. He giggles and looks up at me, I give him pleading eyes begging him to go back to where he was “as much I love hearing you scream my name y/n we need to be quiet so we don’t get caught okay”. I nod in agreement hoping he will quickly return to where he was. Mason focuses on my clit and I can feel myself coming undone underneath him, Mason quickly inserts 2 fingers inside me as his tongue pays attention to my clit. I grab the pillow next to me and place it over my mouth to give me something to bite down on to stop me from screaming, I am a mess from Mason’s touch “fuck I have missed your fingers and mouth. Its so fucking good!” I am able to mutter which I can feel Mason smile into it. I am so close “go on baby let yourself go I know you wanna”. I relax my body and I can feel myself hitting my high, I try my hardest to be quiet but his name escapes my lips a little too loud.

Mason hovers back over me “I am sorry I didn’t mean to be so loud” I cover my face a little now feeling slightly embarrassed. Mason shakes his head “Baby girl you screaming my name is my weakness”. I smile into Mason as connect again, I can taste my cum in his mouth. I help Mason remove his boxers and his dick suddenly springs free I reach inbetween us and start to slowly pump him. I can feel him moaning into my neck from my touch which is giving the confidence to keep going. I connect my mouth to his neck and I start sucking away giving him a matching hickey to the one he gave me earlier “U-uh y-n d-don’t stop” he moans into my neck. I quickly flip us over so I am now in control, I can see the lust in Mason’s eyes as he watches me kiss down his toned body. I reach his cock and play around with it in my palm, I give the top small kisses and licks and then put it into the back of my throat as I choke on it, I know Mason loves it when I choke on it. I can hear Mason mutter words of recognition which is urging me to go harder and deeper. Mason reaches down and starts playing with my hair as he pushes my head down onto his cock when I hear a loud moan escape his lips. He quickly brings me back up so we are eye to eye again. “I need you” he begs.

Understanding exactly how Mason feels I climb back into my seated position and line myself up with him. Mason quickly stops me, looking at him confused “whats wrong?” I ask. Mason quickly shakes his head so I know its nothing that I am doing wrong. “Last time we slept together, me ankle was all messed up. So this time I wanna be on top, I need to absolutely ruin you y/n”. With that Mason flips us over so he his hoovering over me, placing all his weight on his arms that are either side of my head. Mason lines himself up with me and we both watch eachother as it goes in, I can feel myself stretching due to his size. Mason gives me a couple of seconds to adjust and then starts his rhythm. He is starting to speed up and I know he has got the pace that he wants, he starts hitting the spot and I can feel myself seeing stars “fuck your cock is so good”  I manage to get out. “Believe me its nothing compared to this pussy, fuck yeah just like that”. Masons thrust have become sloppy and I know he is close. “You got another one in there for me baby” I nod my head as I cannot manage any words, Mason is destroying me. He pins my hips down and gives another couple of hard thrusts and with that I unravel onto his cock. This helps Mason hit his high as a couple of seconds later he quickly pulls out “fuck yeah shit so f-f-ucking good!”  he moans as he cums all over my stomach and flops next to me on the bed. “Have I told you before how incredible our sex is?” Mason asks, I giggle in response “Yes, you have actually a couple of times”.

It’s the best night sleep I have had in ages, I roll over and Mason has his back to me. I allow myself to trace his the outline of his muscles with my fingers as he groans in appreciation. He rolls over to meet my eyes. “I gotta get going soon” Mason says bringing me out of my daydream. I look over at the clock and see its 11am “Yeah I need to as well. I need to sneak out before anyone sees me here”. Mason laughs knowing I am right. I get myself out of bed and force my feet into the ensuite, I gasp as I see the purple bruise that is glistening on my neck “Mason what the fuck! How am I going to go home with that?” Mason is quickly behind me, and laughs. I turn around and give Mason a stern look “Its not funny Mason how am I going to explain this?” Mason shrugs and turns his neck so I can see the matching hickey on his too “see you got too carried away as well y/n. You are not the only one who has explaining to do”.

I groan and storm back into the bedroom and flop onto the bed “we are horrible people Mason, I cannot believe we did that. I cheated on James. I hate myself”.  I can feel the tears pricking in my eyes, Mason crouches in front of me so he is in between my legs, he quickly uses his thumb to wipe away the tears “come on don’t cry. We both had a lot to drink and got carried away. No one needs to know okay it can be our little secret. I hated doing that behind Rebecca’s back but last night was amazing I am not going to regret that”. Mason always knows what to say to make me feel better. He brings me to stand so we are facing eachother “No more sex” we both say together. My head is all over the place, I don’t know why I let myself do this to James but Mason has something over me I cannot explain. I just wish it wasn’t this complicated.

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Another 6 months has passed and Mason and I kept our word ‘no more sex’, its been like before NYE. No awkwardness has occurred and we have pretended nothing ever happened, we have never spoke about it since, we still talk everyday he is still my best friend though. Just to me this time feels different. James and I have been amazing, he is so kind and caring and I still beat myself up for what happened but I cannot change the past, I just need to focus on the future so I have decided to put my all into the relationship. I know James loves me as much as I love him, I never knew how I got so lucky with him. We had the best day when he asked me to marry him, I was so shocked as it was totally unexpected but of course I said yes, I would be stupid not too.  Paige is having some girls over tonight and invited me over too, Lauren, Declan’s girlfriend was there and few other WAGs.

I sat with Lauren chatting away about life and I was telling them all about the engagement and them all gauging at the ring. That’s when I heard the whole group conversation turn about Mason. “I cannot believe Mason and Rebecca broke up like what the fuck” Paige says.

“I would snatch him up in a moment” one of the single girls of the group who I know as Monica contributes. I look at everyone confused, they broke up? Why didn’t he tell me?

“What they broke up?! Why what happened?” I turn to Lauren thinking out of all the girls she would know the answers.

Lauren shrugs “I don’t really know much. Apparently Mason became really distant and Rebecca thought there might be another girl. Mason always denied it but I agree he really didn’t seem that invested in the relationship recently, he seemed pre-occupied.”

“So what who ended it?” another girl asks but I am sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for Lauren to reply.

“Mason ended it, apparently he couldn’t deal with her constantly accusing him of there being someone else. I agree with Rebecca though Mason has seemed different its only been recent I would say since like New Year. He has totally distant himself from the relationship, maybe its for the best they both weren’t happy”. I can feel my heart beating in my chest.

“I’m surprised Mason didn’t tell you. Usually he tells you everything” Lauren continued turning to me.

“Yeah I guess he has decided to keep girl troubles out of our conversation this time”. Which I gave a little laugh which the whole giggle in reply. The conversation changes topic and everyone is engaged in conversation, I go to make myself another drink when I feel a presence behind me, I saw Lauren standing there. “What happened New Year?” she asks, I can feel my heart pounding, I like Lauren and I don’t wanna lie but I am not sure what Mason told her or not?

“I-I um-um not sure what you are talking about Lau” I try and act dump

“You know Declan and I stayed at Chilly’s that night too. When the party finished we walked past the room where Mason was staying and we could hear muffle sounds, it sounded like he was sleeping with someone. Then first thing in the morning I was downstairs when you tried to sneak out. So what happened? I am not dumb you know. I won’t judge whatever it is. We tried to ask Mason about it but he wouldn’t give us a straight answer”.

I look at Lauren in defeat I know she has found out our secret. “Okay okay I slept with Mason on New Years Eve.” I look down trying to not meet her eye, admitting it now makes it feel real.

“WHAT!!”  I quickly grab Lauren and move her to the other side of the kitchen away from where the other girls are sitting. “Shhh will you keep your voice down no one else can know please”. I plead with her.

“Why didn’t you just tell me. What happened? How did you two randomly just get into bed together. Tell me everything”. Lauren picks up the glass of wine next to her and starts taking a couple of sips, knowing that she wants the gossip.

“Okay me and Mason had been a kind of friends with benefits since we first met.”

“Nooooo shut up!!!” she squeals

“let me continue…” she makes the action of zipping up her mouth and lets me continue.

“So well remember when he hurt his ankle..” she nods “well that’s when everything changed. I went round there to comfort him and well one thing let to another and we ended up in bed. I actually stayed the night which never happened. The next morning he told me he was starting to see Rebecca so we called it quits. Shortly after I met James and everything was fine, me and Mason were just friends and no lines where blurred”.

Lauren took another sip of her drink “so what happened New Years then?”

“Well obviously we both had a lot to drink, and then it kicked off with that guy started to make advances to me and he called me a slag and all that then Mason punched him and I don’t know maybe it was the heroic action or the amount of alcohol consumed I generally don’t know. I went to say goodbye and one thing let to another and we ended up in bed together. We woke up both feeling like shit so we agreed to not discuss it. Please I already feel awful about it, please don’t say anything to James.���

I am now starting to panic but Lauren is quick to assure me “babe my loyalties are with you not James. So whatever is said in this room stays in this room okay. So whats happened since because Mason has been all over the place have you guys continued to sleep together or what?”

“No nothing like that Lauren. We have agreed nothing will happened since that night and me and Mason are still close and talking everyday but nothing like that. Well I thought we were close but he didn’t tell me he broke up with Rebecca so god knows”.

“I have no idea what goes on in that guys mind. So whats Mason like in bed anyway? I would feel like his ego couldn’t match his performance if you know what I mean”. She is now giggling away like a little school girl.

I take another sip of my drink now feeling the after effects of the alcohol. “he is amazing Lau! Like obviously I would never tell him this because I wouldn’t want to boost his ego more but he is the best sex I have ever had. The way he makes me feel damn no one comes close”. Lauren smirks at me.

“So tell me again why you and Mason are nothing more then ‘just friends’?”

“I am engaged Lauren” she nods slowly but I can tell she knows there is lot more to that answer.

“Come on we should go back before the girls wonder where the hell we are?” I nod in agreement.

“I will be right in just need another drink”. I wait for Lauren to leave the room before I let out the deep breathe that I didn’t realise I was holding in. I cannot believe he broke up with Rebecca but why didn’t he tell me? Was it because of me? I need answers.

The next couple of hours I am completely distracted, all I can think about is Mason. I have drink after drink before I am completely tipsy. I say my goodbyes to everyone as my taxi notifies me they are outside. I wrap my arms around Lauren and thank her as it has been good to get it all out, “call me if you need anything”. She says and I know she means that. Before I knew it the taxi was pulling up outside Mason’s house, I hesitate for a minute. I don’t even know why I am here. Before I even walk up the steps I see Mason emerging from house, he looks confused until he recognises it was me. I go to say something but the taxi man interrupts “love you need to pay” I quickly look for my bag and then the realisation hits me “shit I left my bag at Paiges”. The taximan does not look amused but Mason just giggles “typical y/n. No worries I got this mate”. He turns to the taximan and chucks some cash at him and helps me inside.

“Soooo I-I heard you b-broke up with Rebeccaaaa” I slur before Mason even shuts the door, I am struggling to get my words out due to the alcohol consumption. Mason stops in his tracks.

“that’s why you are here”.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I say pouting

“It wasn’t anything to really tell. Rebecca kept accusing me of being absent and had it in her head I was cheating on her. It was constant arguing I couldn’t be in that toxic relationship, I have had them with my exs I couldn’t do that again.”

“Well she wasn’t wrong about the cheating” I say plopping myself on the sofa, Mason rolls his eyes and sits next to me.

“I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I have just had so much going on it kind of escaped my mind but I am sorry. You look lovely tonight you know”.

I can feel myself blushing. I hate that he has that impact on me. “So now tell me y/n why are you here and not at home with your fiancé?”

I take a deep breathe “I don’t know”

“Come on y/n of course you do”.

“I spoke to Lauren tonight. She said she heard us on NYE then saw me leaving the next morning she asked about us. It actually felt good to tell someone the truth. I am sorry I know we agreed to keep it a secret.”

Mason is tracing lines across my cheek and smiles “its fine y/n I am not angry. Before I broke up with Rebecca I came clean to Declan so chances are Lauren already knew she was probably just giving you the chance to tell her the truth. I had to talk to someone I had to get it out”.

“I love you Mason” I blurt out.

Mason drops his hand from my cheek, and shuffles back. “What do you mean you love me? You are engaged y/n”.

“Mason I have loved you from the first night we met. The way we connected, the way you made me feel. The only way we could ever be close enough was ‘friends with benefits’ so I accepted that’s all we are going to be. But now Mason I am not sure if that’s enough, I fucking love you Mason. I love the way you make me feel, the way you know me better then I know myself. Come on Mason you cannot tell me you don’t feel the same”. I don’t know where this courage as come from I am guessing its going something to do with the amount of drinks I have done.

“Y/N I will repeat it again it doesn’t matter how I feel you are engaged.”

“Lauren said the reason why you broke up with Rebecca was because you became distant like you were focussing on someone else. Are you seriously going to tell me that wasn’t me?”

“No y/n me breaking up with Rebecca had nothing to do with you! Not everything is about you. We had sex y/n that was all it was. No feelings, no strings attached remember that’s all we were. We used eachother to make eachother feel good at our time of need that’s what we were y/n. I am sorry if you caught feelings but this is what we were, nothing more.” Mason spat out. I wanted to be sick and I can feel tears starting to prick in my eyes. I hate myself how could I let myself confess my feelings for someone who doesn’t care. I start to sniffle to hold in the tears and make a beeline for the door.

“Y/n wait!” I hear Mason shout. I quickly turn around on my heals.

“No you are right Mason. That’s all we were, it was me being stupid. How could someone like you ever catch feelings for silly little m-m-me”. I stutter the last part and the tears are now completely falling down my face, I run out the house and never look back. I can feel my heart shattering into a thousand pieces, how can I have these kind of feelings for someone who I am not even engaged too? How can I feel this way about someone who doesn’t love me back.

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

Mason’s POV- 6 Months later

 After a couple of rings Declan picks up the phone “Mason I got your messages mate, I am not replying for a reason, please you cannot do this”.

“Please Dec understand she needs to know how I feel. She needs to know how I feel before she marries the wrong person”.

“Mase don’t you think you have put that poor girl through enough. Just let her be”.

“I can’t Dec. I have tried to put her out of my head. I can’t please Dec. I love her”.

“Then if you loved her Mase you wouldn’t hurt her, on her wedding day on all days”.

I know deep down Declan was right, I just cannot let you go. I cannot let you make the worst decision of your life. Ever since that night I have beat myself up with how I acted, I just never thought you ever felt that way about me. Please, look at you, you are the most perfect women and I never thought you would get with a guy like me. I tried to ring and text you everyday since that day but you ended up blocking my number and I even showed up at your flat which you refused to open the door eventhough I knew you were home. I would give anything to go back in time and admit my feelings too, I should of never let you go. And now its probably too late.

Chilly was invited to the wedding as Paige was the Maid of Honour, I asked Chilly to give me the address of the wedding. He fought very hard to not give it to me, I am not sure if he knew what happened between us but he must know me asking for the address of the wedding will not end good. Eventually I got it out of him. I couldn’t sleep all night I was so worried about what I was going to say to you tomorrow, I have to give myself a chance, a chance for love.

I walk through the venue and its absolutely breathtaking, I look at all the little details and I know that is totally your input. I know you would have everything looking perfect. I pump into one of the waiters “oh sorry” I quickly apologise. He looks completely shocked.

“Oh my god! You are Mason Mount! Can I get a picture?” I agree and he quickly snaps a selfie and thanks me.

“What room is the bride in?” I ask

“Down the hall and to the right is the bride’s suite”.

I thank him and quickly hurry down the hall. I can feel my palm’s sweating I don’t want to burst into the room with a load of people in there. I wait outside hesitating if whether I should do this when Paige comes out. She scowls at me, she definitely knows what has happened. “what are you doing here Mason? If its what I think don’t even think about it. I will tackle you to the floor now”. She laughs but I know she is totally serious.

“Please Paige, 5 mins that’s all I am asking. Please.” I see Paige hesitate but looks around down the hallway.

“ 5 mins okay. She is on her own but we all coming back in 15 minutes to get photos done and I want you gone by then”. I nod grateful for her.

“Thank you Paige” I hug her and then make my way to the door.

I hesitate again but I know I am wasting precious time, I quietly knock as I hear the ‘come in’ from the other side. You quickly spin around as our eyes meet. You looks absolutely incredible, I have never seen someone so beautiful. I can feel my mouth go completely dry.

“Mason? What are you doing here? I thought me blocking you was enough of an understanding for you.”

I am stood still in my tracks, I still cannot get over how mesmerising you look. “I-I’m sorry you look unreal. Wow absolutely incredible”.

I took a step forwards in which you take a step straight back to remain the distance between us. “Thank you but I will repeat Mason what are you doing here?”

“I-I’m an idiot” is the only thing I can get out. I have never been this nervous my mouth is totally dry.

“Yeah no shit” you spit back. I kind of deserved that.

“5 mins y/n please” I grab your hands in mine and this time you don’t pull away. “I love you y/n”

You let go of my hands and shove me away I can see the tears starting to appear in your eyes as you try to look up to prevent them from falling down. “No Mason. No fucking way you don’t get to do that. You don’t get to par me off when I confess my feelings then want to wait until my fucking wedding day to confess yours fuck you Mount!” You are now starting to get heated.

“I tried y/n. You blocked me remember and refused to open the door. This was my only chance”

“D-Don’t you think you hurt me enough. Now you g-gotta come and ruin my wedding day too why Mason”.

I hate that I am making you cry, especially when you look that beautiful. I slowly close the space between us trying to not make you flinch, I slowly wipe away the stray tears that have fallen down. “I needed you to know how I feel before I lost you forever.” You start to sniffle and I can hear you trying to control your breathing, you do not incept so I continue. “Y/N I have always loved you. From that first moment I met you, I was taken back by how someone could be that beautiful on the outside was so beautiful on the inside. Our sex is amazing, I have never connected with anyone on that level before. But its not just the sex y/n, I love how you listen and understand me. You are always there when I needed you. You know me better then anyone else. I was stupid y/n and I shouldn’t of said what I did. I didn’t mean it none of it was true. The reason why I left Rebecca was because of you, I guess I started distancing myself from her because every time I looked at her I started comparing her to you and I saw everything that she wasn’t. Fuck I love you y/n and I am a stupid stupid man for not confessing my feelings to you that night. I was scared I have never felt for someone the way I feel for you and it scared the absolute fuck out of me. Please y/n you cannot tell me those feelings have just gone away”.

I can hear your breathing now as your struggling to breathe, I rub your hand trying to get you to calm down. “Please y/n even if you don’t want this, then please can we still be friends. I cannot live my life knowing that you are not apart of it. These past 6 months have broken me, you can ask anyone”.

“M-Mase I cannot do this now. Why did you wait until now to tell me all of t-t-this. I-I g-get m-married i-inn 30 m-minutes.” You are struggling with your words and all I want is to wrap you up in my arm and take away the pain. I know there is nothing I can say or do, its too late you have made your decision and you are marrying him. I can feel the tears starting to fall down my face as I watch the love of my life marry another guy.

“I-I’m sorry for everything y/n. If I could rewind time I would do this so much better I promise. If your change your mind I will be at the docks in an hour waiting.”  I place a small loving kiss to your lips, I know I shouldn’t but I needed to feel the softness of your lips on mine one last time. I can feel both our tears running down our faces onto our lips as we pull away. With that I turn around and walk straight out the venue, knowing deep down that I have lost you forever.

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

I look at the time, and I see its 3pm. The wedding was taking place an hour ago. I look around the docks but I cannot see you. I look down and flip my hoodie over my head as I let the tears fall down. A small part of me thought you would change your mind, but here we are I am wrong again. I walk a couple of steps and I feel a tap on my shoulder.

I turn around to see you standing there, you still have your bridal hair and make up on but you have got changed into a tracksuit. Looking over the tracksuit I actually realise that’s mine that I have been looking for, for ages, but that’s a question for another time. I am stunned that you are stood in front of me. You were first to speak “you were right Mase. I couldn’t walk down the aisle knowing the love of my life is here. I couldn’t do that to me or James. Sorry I am late I had to speak to James and then my dad. Both understood actually it was a lot easier then I thought, my dad just upset about the money paid for the wedding.”

I quickly respond “I will pay your dad back every penny he spent on the wedding. It will be a clear slate I promise”. It’s the least I can do I suppose, I am the reason the wedding was ruined.

“Thank you but I am not here for your money mase. I want you. I fucking love you” you jump closing the gap between us and our lips connect. For the first time this kiss feels right, like everything is happening how its supposed to. As we pull away I gather my thoughts, you still unreal even in my tracksuit. That when the sun reflects on the necklace you were wearing, it was a small sliver heart with your birthstone in it, looking at it I remember what it is.

“You were going to get married in the necklace I got you”. I run the necklace through my fingers as I caress your neck. “What did James think about the necklace it literally has the number 7 on the back of it?”.

You giggle at me “please can we not speak about my ex-fiancé who I literally just left at the alter. But I told him the number 7 was my lucky number. Well I guess it still is”. You wink at me and pull me in for another kiss. Our tongues fighting for control, I finally give in and allow you the control. We quickly pulling away remembering where we are.

“Shall we get out of here.” You wink at me.

I grab your hand in mine as we begin our walk along the docks “yeah lets get out of her before you change your mind”. I joke. You look up at me and playfully punch my arm. You link your arm into mine. We stop walking and you look up into my eyes “here’s to forever”.

[vesseloflukola]

Did Nicola give us a hint?

We all know that Nicola is good at giving us crumbs. We have also seen that she has been wearing mostly black when she knows she will be photographed at events for quite some time.

I believe she was doing so to hide her pregnancy. For anyone who has been paying attention, we could see how her body slowly changed (and I will not entertain any talk of noticing her body changing as body shaming in any way. Pregnancy is beautiful and Nicola continued to be beautiful as her body was going through changes. I would never shame Nicola for her body).

The one time Nicola did wear some color, was at The Fashion Awards 2024 that were in London this past December. She wore a black dress with blue draping on the sides.

I believe this was her first hint to us that she was going to have a baby boy.

Those of us who believe in baby newts think that he was born the beginning of February. I believe because of the timing of his birth, Nicola was able to go to the SAG Awards.

I predicted (correctly as it turned out) that she would wear a Bridgerton Blue dress to the SAG Awards. The reason I thought she would not wear black to this event is because she no longer needed to hide a pregnancy. Of course, the color I chose was just a lucky guess. Or was it?

Even though I had not thought Nicola was giving us a hint (with her hint of color in her Fashion Awards dress), maybe I subconsciously thought it was a hint when I made my prediction for her SAG Awards dress.

The SAG Awards were a big deal for her (and the cast of Bridgerton as a whole). She knew a lot of eyes would be on her. I believe her choice of color for her custom made dress was done with purpose (as I believe most things she does are). I think it was her way of saying “hey, we have a baby boy” without having to say anything. I also believe that Luke coordinated with her purposely.

I think we were all so happy to see Luke and Nic together, being giddy, smiley and completely enjoying their time together at the SAG Awards that we simply didn’t pay attention to the fact that her dress color could be a crumb for the part of the fandom that knows about baby Newts.

I also love that @frantastical pointed out that both Nic and Luke currently have clear phone cases on their phones (as noticed in the pic of the selfie they took at the SAG Awards). It was also pointed out by @carylmeanslove that clear phone cases lend to being able to put a picture in them (Polaroid) that will show through the case. Of course, we know Nicola has had a clear case for some time.

I noticed that Luke’s phone was sitting on the table screen up. I don’t know about anybody else, but when I lay my phone down, I always put it screen down. I think Luke may have put it down the way he did because he has a polaroid of his new baby. I think Nic probably does too.

We got a couple cute pics of Nic today at her friend Jake’s play. I don’t care for the red headed stalker who took the pictures, but I do love to see how cute Nic is looking wearing color again.

One thing I did notice was that she definitely has a polaroid in her phone case. Of course we just see the corner of the picture, but I’m ok with that. I still believe it is a picture of her baby, and I fully support celebrities who don’t want to show their kids to the public.

[littlestl4mb]

you should make a little blurb about jealous lu!

PS: I love your work you are so cutesie

thank you dear anon!!!! i will put this under the cut because i kinda wrote more than i meant to lol oops

okay so i was thinking about this heavily. at first i thought hmmm luigi doesn’t strike me as the jealous type idk… he’s so intelligent and he’s an engineer so like… you know that mf is as logical and solution-oriented as they come. for better or worse. but then... i thought about it again and i went no YEAH lu definitely gets jealous... i think college lu FOR SURE would. and it drives him mad bc he knows his jealousy is stupid. it’s a foolish feeling, he probably thinks. yet one he can’t shake himself free from. especially when you’re first seeing each other but it’s not completely exclusive yet. when things between you are casual because you’re just getting to know each other?? yeahhhh his brain is going wild 24/7. he can’t stop thinking about you. he can’t stomach the idea of you spending your time with another person that isn’t him. he hates it too because he just knows he’s being too obsessive, that he’s being way too much. he has a lot of self awareness— he knows how to rationalize his heart with his head. but… he can’t stop the compulsive bitterness he feels towards anyone that shows you any sign of affection!!! the hormones just go crazy in that man’s head. he tries to keep a cap on most of his feelings, but when it comes to you it’s nearly impossible. and it only drives him more mad because he’s soooo aware of his jealousy and how futile such a feeling is, but he literally cannot save himself from it. 

he sees you walking down the sidewalk with some guy, and he hates the way his stomach drops. he acknowledges the fact that he has no autonomy over who you see or hang out with, and still he can’t stand it. loathes it. feels so powerless to an emotion that is eating him alive inside and out. the worst part is he kind of knows the guy you’re walking with too. not very well but enough. the kid isn’t even that bad— has exchanged some kind words with luigi before in passing. but all it takes is for the guy to be in the place that luigi has self righteously already claimed as his in his head, and now luigi fucking detests the guy. 

he rants about it to his friends the moment he sees them, “i just don’t fucking get it. the guy has no hobbies. he can’t write. have you seen the books he chooses to read around campus? horrible taste. i don’t see what she sees in him.” — and all his friends are telling him he needs to cool it because it’s out of his control. 

don’t worry though, luigi does not believe in cooling it. in fact, he calls you up on the phone and leaves you a 3 minute long voicemail. he’s not afraid to say how he feels so he lets it all out. he’s telling you how “you’re wasting your time with whatever-his-name-is.” says something like, “does he even do anything? i mean it. does he? at least i started the video game development club.” 

luigi is going OFF in his little voicemail. you listen to the full thing when you’re out of class, generally surprised by how out of the blue it is. the thing is, you didn’t even see luigi earlier when he evidently saw you. he must’ve spotted you and then slipped out of sight immediately.

you have another class to attend to, and not enough time to deal with whatever melt down the man is having. so all you can text him is ‘luigi, he was walking out of class with me and we were talking because we just got put together for a group project.’ it’s the truth too, there wasn’t anything nefarious going on between you two. 

of course, luigi calls you right away. you can’t pick up, but that doesn’t stop him from calling about 5 more times. when he finally sees you later, he probably stands by his word. he’s got too much pride to admit his wrong doing. or the fact that he jumped to conclusions so fast. 

…and then i think once you’re in a proper relationship, the way in which luigi gets jealous shifts. it’s not so much over the simple and stupid stuff. not the silly little things that you get jealous of when you’re young and think you’re the center of the world. when you’re finally exclusive with each other, he has no insecurities that you’re all about him. but … he is a taurus man and every taurus man i’ve ever known is jealous in the most covert way. and in my experience it’s in a very specific way too?? which i would call the “i have to know i’m important in your life” kind of way. 

it’s not so much about being jealous of you hanging out with others. no, in fact he likes that you have your own ways about you and you’re independent. but there’s still a part of him that needs the reassurance that he’s very much important to you. i hope this is making sense. like, he wants to know when you think of him, and he wants you to admit when you’ve missed him. he’d straight up tell you this too. “can you just admit when you think of me? i can’t just know it. i have to hear it in person from you.” 

also, i think he’d have this strange kind of possessive jealousy, where he has to know you through and THROUGH. he has a need to know you as much as humanly possible. he needs to be closer to you than anyone else. he gets jealous and bitter at the thought of others knowing you better than he does.

he’s observant, yes, and knows you that way. but he likes hearing you talk about everything and anything too, so that he can understand you more than anyone else ever has. he needs to know the memory you have of being a little girl and walking down the street, and how the people and buildings were just so tall. something so mundane that you never bothered telling anyone else, he has to have that knowledge like it's a drink of water when he's been walking through the desert for months. and i’m telling you right now— that man wants to know the block you grew up on. he wants to go there by himself and walk down it. he tries to see what you saw as a little girl, wants to see things how you saw them when you were young. thinks that if he does that, he can fathom your thoughts a little better. maybe be able to think your own thoughts himself— that he might know you so well that he becomes a part of you. 

[stevieschrodinger]

Part One Forty

“I’m not sure about this,” Eddie says quietly.

“It’ll be fine, and you need to learn, it’s been over a year, what if you fall in the pool?”

“I’m not gonna’,” Eddie tells him stubbornly.

“You can’t know that. We have to keep you safe.” It’s mid afternoon on a weekday, so the place is pretty deserted. Steve looks around the changing room real quick, but it’s definitely empty. He pulls Eddie close by the hem of his shirt, kissing him softly on the lips, “you’re going to do fine.” Eddie had spent the first six months of last year concentrating on basic motor function and gaining weight, not to mention getting a pretty good grasp on a whole language, learning to drive, learning to play guitar, plus all the other stuff he’s gotten up to. And then suddenly he had a job and Eddie made friends with Chrissy, there was all that stuff with Owens, and before Steve really knew it, it was too cold again to use their pool.

Eddie really needed to learn how to swim without a tail.

Eddie follows Steve out of the changing rooms and to the edge of the pool, “ow ow ow,” he picks his way carefully along the tile.

“They’re not that bad,” the anti slip ridges in the tile feel a little weird, but not painful. Eddie just glares at him.

“No one else has a shirt on,” he whispers when he finally makes it to Steve, but he needs to wear it because of the no nipples and no belly button thing.

There’s like two other people in the pool, both older guys swimming laps, “no one cares babe,” Steve whispers, before sitting on the edge and slipping in, the water only coming up as far as his middle. “In you get.”

“This is stupid,” Eddie says as he copies Steve, following him into the water, his trunks ballooning a little with air and the material of his shirt darkening and clinging to his skin.

“Everyone should know how to swim,” Steve tells him for about the fiftieth time.

“Legs are stupid,” Eddie grumbles.

Steve squats down, bringing the water to chin level, “okay come on we’re going to stay right here, now float.”

Eddie does, flopping over, Steve’s hand under his middle to steady him and stop him from sinking if he panics, “good now...kick with your stupid legs.”

“I’m so tired,” Eddie sits curled up on the bench in the changing room while Steve gets dressed.

“You did good though,” and Steve is now confident that Eddie won't actually drown if he falls in some water.

Eddie breathes out a long sigh, “I’m so slow now.”

“Yeap, just a regular human guy. How awful for you.” Eddie manages to muster a scowl, “go in the cubicle and get dressed, come on.”

Eddie huffs, but he goes.

Steve’s finger tips leave trails of glittering veils through the air. There’s a sound, far off and diffuse, water, like the steady swish of waves. The air is sparkly, the light soft, and every breath fills his lungs so fully and wonderfully he can’t help but feel it.

“Stevie.”

It comes from far away, and Steve’s more aware of it than he’d like to be, really. He kind of wants to stay here.

“Stevie, come on, I gotta go.”

Steve grumbles, the dream falling away as he nuzzles into the pillow. He cracks one eye open, the shape of Eddie hovering over him in the dark room.

“You’re so cute when you just wake up. Your face is all folded up, like an empty chip packet.”

Steve grunts, “s’early.”

“I know, we have to deliver the bouquet and stuff, and then decorate the church. I wanted to say goodbye before I went. Chris will be here in a minute.”

Steve grumbles, “okay. Love you.”

“I love you, too” and then Eddie is covering Steve’s face with smacking kisses while he tries to escape back beneath the covers.

Eddie bounds off the bed and shouts, “winning!” as he clomps down the stairs.

Steve goes back to sleep.

Steve has his elbows resting on the counter, watching listlessly.

“Stop leaving the sink full of water,” Robin bitches from the bathroom doorway.

“It wasn’t me,” Steve mumbles his protest, not having the energy to fight it.

“Uh hu, it’s one of the many other employees we have here today,” she finishes drying her hands with the paper towel, throwing it in the trash before she lets the door swing shut behind her.

Steve sighs, watching the empty car lot through the glass doors. Robin rolls past on the office chair, then pushes off against the opposite wall and rolls back again, “what’s up with you?”

Steve sighs again, “you ever wonder where...like. Where you’re going? Do you ever think that it might just be this, but forever.”

“I retract my question, go have your midlife crisis some place else.”

Steve bumps his head against the counter, “if this is my midlife I’m dead before I hit forty five, thanks Robs.”

“Is it the crushing and inevitable knowledge that you’re in a dead end job but all the kids are definitely going to go to college when they graduate?”

“Ooof. Nope. Too much, back it up a bit.”

“Okay, how about you still live with your parents?”

“Still quite close to the bone there Robs, thanks, and I don’t live with my parents-”

“Objection. Technicality.”

“...because they aren’t there,” Steve finishes weakly.

“Uh hu.”

“And you, also, live with your parents, I cant help but note.”

She shrugs, “yeah, but not for long. Wait,” she shuffles closer, pulling the chair along, looking up at Steve, being serious for once, “is this because I’m going to college? Because it’s not for a few months yet, and it’s not too far away! We can still see each other on weekends, you can visit-”

Steve sighs, turning away, “No. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know I just...everyone has direction. Even Eddie with his GED. He’s doing something, you know? Him and Chrissy are growing her business, she has this whole five year plan thing.”

“Yeah, she’s told me about it...in detail...there’s a color coded diagram. But how is that going? The studying thing?”

“Well, he’s only really been working through the books for a couple of weeks, Nancy helped him apply for a couple of evening classes, did I tell you?” Robin shakes her head, “yeah, Math and English, classes start soon, just a couple of nights a week for a semester.”

“That’s so good!”

“Yeah,” Steve feels himself soften, talking about Eddie, “it’s really good. Nancy and all the kids said they’ll help him study.”

“But you don’t have a thing? And you want one?”

“I don’t know I just...feel like I should be aiming higher than Family Video. But I don’t...I really don’t want to go back to school or do college or anything like that, it was never my strong suit, you know?”

Robin gets up to ferret under the desk, pulling out a newspaper, “well then, lets look.”

They have three adds circled when Eddie calls, Steve gets part way through the Family Video spiel when Eddie interrupts him, “Stevie? Can I use the car tonight?”

Steve flicks through his internal calendar a second, “I promised I’d take the kids to the arcade, what do you need it for?”

“I was at the place, you know, centerpieces for the reception,” Steve doesn’t really know, but he knows this wedding has been a lot of work for both Eddie and Chrissy, a job Chrissy wouldn’t have taken on if it was still just her at the shop. But with Eddie’s help, they handled it, and it’s probably going to lead to more of this sort of thing now they know they can do weddings and stuff, “and there was a flyer, a band looking for a guitarist. I called the number and the guy, Gareth, he’s really cool!”

“Right...you want to go meet them?”

“They have practice tonight, I said I only have an acoustic now but they said they could listen and see. Maybe I could get an electric with my savings?” Steve can hear Eddie’s excitement about this practically vibrating down the phone.

“How about I drop you, go get the kids, then come and get you after I drop them home? We’ll probably only be at the arcade a couple of hours anyway.”

“You sure? A lot of, you know, there and back.”

“I know, it’s fine. But you sort the times out with the kids, walkie them when they finish school, okay? I’ll be home around four.”

Eddie hums down the phone, “maybe I should get a car?”

Steve thinks for a second, because, yeah, that would give Eddie more independence, but realistically running another vehicle costs money and they have been managing with sharing the beemer, “we might need to think about cost.”

Eddie hums again, “I think there’s going to be more work with Chrissy. But. Yes, okay. Talk later?”

“Sure babe.”

Steve pulls into a driveway, the garage door open despite the cold, and a drum kit already set up, three guys milling around inside. Eddie is practically getting out of the car before Steve has it in park, hefting his guitar out of the back seat, the excitement coming off him in almost palpable waves.

Well, either that or they do have mind powers, Steve doesn’t know, but it makes him think for a second as he climbs out at a much more sedate pace. Eddie’s already saying hello to Gareth, and now Steve is here, he recognizes these guys from school. Gareth’s already giving him some side eye, which, great.

Because Steve, at some point or other, was probably an absolute prick to these dudes, or at least, a prick to their friends or other band nerds or whatever, “this is Steve,” Eddie is saying.

It’s almost painful when Gareth replies, “yeah, we know who that is,” in a tone that even Eddie can’t possibly miss.

It’s suddenly quiet, and suddenly incredibly fucking awkward, the other two guys still in the garage are watching Steve wearily, “I’ll be back in a few hours for Eddie, that cool?”

“I don’t know man, is it?” And Gareth is now looking at Eddie a little uncertainly, like Eddie is...a bully simply by association.

Steve just shakes his head and backs down, “I’ll see you in a bit,” he tells Eddie, and high tails it out of there. He prays, vaguely, on the way to pick up the kids that those dudes won’t associate Eddie now with Steve’s behavior at school. He second guesses himself all the way to the arcade, Dustin chirruping in his ear, should he have tried to straighten things out? Staying when they clearly still think he’s a massive prick, or worse, actually a danger to them, didn’t feel like the right thing to do.

He remembers smashing Jon’s camera, the whole school would have known about that. The fights he got into. Every time he intimidated someone, surrounded by his sad little army of dickhead jocks. Every shitty thing he’s ever done might just have come back to bite him. Well, worse, if Steve was taking it, it would be fine, he deserves it...but if Eddie’s now being treated badly because he’s friends with Steve well that...that feels shitty.

Steve tries to remember Gareth at School, or Jeff...or the third kid that Steve recognizes but can’t place. Robin would know, he’s pretty sure they were all in band together. He tries to remember if he did anything specifically to any of those guys but he...can’t. He shoved so many kids into open lockers over the years that he’s pretty sure he probably got one of them at some point. Odds are not in his favor, at least.

Steve prays vaguely while watching the kids play games that they’re bigger men than Steve and they will give Eddie the benefit of the doubt. Besides, it’s Eddie, and he can win pretty much anyone over.

Steve hopes.

Steve pulls into the drive, killing the engine. The garage doors are mostly shut, it is still January and fucking freezing. Steve sits and stares absently at the slither of light escaping out from beneath the door. It feels like it’s been dark for hours already, and Steve is caught squinting when the door slides open unexpectedly and the light blinds him a little. Eddie’s sitting on a roughed up couch, sipping something orange out of a glass, his acoustic cradled on his knee. Steve takes a deep breath, and debates getting out of the car.

Eddie makes the choice for him, he gets up, leaving his guitar lent against the arm of the couch, and comes around to the drivers side. Steve opens the door to speak to him, “okay?”

Eddie frowns at him, then looks back at the guys for a second, “Stevie? They told me things about...about you before and I don’t think they’re true-”

“They’re true.” Eddie really frowns then, but what's worse is the clear disappointment.

“I didn’t...I said there was a mistake?” Eddie says gently, hopeful to the last, “when Chrissy said you used to be a prick I didn’t...I didn’t understand then, what she meant. But when they said about...well it made me remember.”

Steve feels a bit sick, “I can’t change it and…it’s no defense but...I was stupid, then...I didn’t understand how much I was hurting people. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say it to me,” Eddie huffs a little, looking away, and disappointing Eddie feels like the worst thing in the world.

“No, yeah, you’re right,” Steve climbs out of the car. And the three guys watch him wearily enough that it really hammers home to Steve just how fucking horrible he’d been some times.

He knows he’s stalling, and he knows he’s fiddling with his hair and he makes himself shove his hands in his pockets instead. All eyes are literally on him, and Steve looks to the side, Eddie looking back at him, eyes big and brown and hopeful. Steve huffs a breath. He can do this.

He’s been tortured by Russians, there’s no way this will be worse. Probably.

“I...was a terrible person. I did shitty things that...absolutely no one has to forgive me for, and I know this is probably way too little way too late. But I am sorry, and I...do get it now. And I regret it. And I’m sorry.”

Eddie’s smiling at him, at least, looking encouraging. And kind of proud.

“So...yeah, I get the damage is done, and I can’t...change it. But Eddie’s a great guy okay? And he’s real excited about being in your band so, yeah, thank you, for having him over. That’s...cool of you.”

“Right,” says Gareth, looking over at the guy Steve is pretty sure is called Jeff, “well that’s...I mean. Thanks. I guess.” Jeff just shrugs.

Steve thinks his body might cave in on itself with how painful this is. He vaguely hopes that he will just disappear into the ground to escape.

“Okay,” Eddie finally says to break the silence.

“Yeah,” Jeff says, “whatever, same time next week Eds?”

“Yes!” Eddie has the biggest grin on his face.

“And remember about that electric, yeah?”

Steve makes himself scarce, waiting in the car as the guys say goodbye to Eddie. He watches as Eddie packs away his guitar, getting a round of fist bumps as they wrap up. They’re all smiling and laughing, relaxed again now that Steve’s out of the way, so Steve figures it’s all good.

[gin-juice-tonic]

To make a long story still long but shorter than it was originally: I went to a lake with a trail today. You have to take the trail to get to the sandy "beaches", so I set out on it. Once I got to one of the beaches, I walked up to the water and try to take in the all majesty.

The majesty was quickly dispersed by seeing half of a dead fish on the sand. I think: "Oh, something must've been eating this and just left it here." I start to walk away from it only to notice 3 more dead fish, which registers as "definitely weird" this time. I do a scan of the area and realize the entire shoreline is littered with dead fish. They were practically lined up along the entire perimeter. I don't know how I missed them before, but I am extremely aware of them now.

At this point I decide being close to the lake maybe isn't a great idea and I walk back to the trail, passing one more dead fish along the way that was admittedly pretty far from the water. I don't know how it got up there. Despite this dead fish experience, I do not particularly want to leave, so I keep walking along the trail further into the woods.

After regaining my distance from the shore things start to turn majestic again and I'm back to having a good serene forest time. My mom calls on the phone and we talk about my nephews basketball game. I pass by some kind of feathery mass a bit off the trial.

It was a dead gull.

I wonder aloud if maybe it ate one of those dead fish and got sick from it and died. Sometimes there's dead animals in the forest and sometimes we want to keep walking along a trail on a nice day. I will not be deterred. I keep going.

A little bit after that I notice something large up ahead ON the trail.

Twas but a dead goose, blocking the entire way forward with its body.

Lacking confidence in my ability to side-step the goose and figuring that logically the next dead thing I would run into would be a human jogger or perhaps someone who had been walking their dog, I decided to call it quits and go home.

The end.

[butterflydm]

WoT rewatch thoughts (1x5-1x08)

Still has spoilers through the s3 information that we have so far and book spoilers through a memory of light.

1x05

Both beginning and ending this episode on funeral rituals worked so well. Great structure.

Time skip for traveling! Mark a month off on the calender.

We can really see how Mat has deteriorated in the last month by the way he snaps at the kid who runs into him.

Love the shot of Dragonmount looming behind Tar Valon. They exist always with that reminder of what the Dragon did.

Mat has no appetite. Poor sad wet cat.

The betrayal of there being Two Beds in this inn room, lol. Why are we not respecting the classic fic tropes?

Rand reassuring Mat that he didn't kill that little girl or her family. Rand believing so hard in Mat's goodness maybe partly because he can see that Mat is having a difficult time seeing it in himself.

Even with Nynaeve's coat off, she's still half Green and half Yellow.

Moiraine trying so hard to mentor Nynaeve and she Does Not Want It.

Man, Perrin and Egwene had a much more cheerful journey than either of the other sets. But they get plenty of trauma right now, so they don't need to be jealous.

Once again, the show does such a good job showing us the strength in the Tuatha'an. And this thread will continue into Perrin's storyline in s3, with both Whitecloaks & Tuatha'an. They've done a solid job of tying Perrin to them both.

Loial shows up and immediately calls Rand an Aielman, lol. Poor Rand!

Oh, I see you, Fain!

Oof, people throwing food at Logain and mocking him. Baffled at the people who say the downsides of being a man who can channel weren't shown.

The promise scene between Mat & Rand is so good. Ultimate sad wet cat Mat. I really do love everything about this scene.

I really like our exploration of Stepin's utter and compete grief and emptiness after Kerene's death. How much the other Warders try to help him, how Nynaeve tries to help him but it isn't enough.

Love love what they did with the old rings being melted down (to create new).

Between what happens with the Whitecloaks here and then the Seanchan in s2, Egwene reacting by being as fiercely independent as possible makes all the sense in the world.

The Whitecloaks and Tower novices both wearing all white seems like it might create some emotional dissonance for Egwene, but I understand why the show didn't go there. That's just down to Jordan making too many groups of people wear white.

Oof, the Whitecloak stuff with Egwene & Perrin is hard to watch.

But our first hint of Perrin's golden eyes.

I note how Valda feels about all channelers similarly to how Liandrin feels about male channelers. And then we can get into the Seanchan's dehumanization of channelers as well.

Liandrin trying to bond more with Nynaeve. Has she been having ta'veren dreams? Ishy has had a month to try to figure out at least some of the places where his potential ta'veren have gone.

Our first reunion! It's always such a relief when any of them get to reunite. Man, Mat really does look on the verge of death.

Nynaeve can now join Rand & Mat in the Not Trusting Aes Sedai or Moiraine squad. Oops.

She tells Rand a story about Egwene to reassure him of Egwene's strength, never realizing that it's also the moment when Nynaeve likely channeled for the first time (to heal Egwene).

Perrin shares his deepest shame and secret with Egwene here - that he killed Laila by accident during the battle. So Perrin & Egwene's journey ends up being also very traumatic but the trauma was concentrated into the last day or so of the journey.

And just like was hinted at with the fire, Egwene & Perrin are finding their power at the same time. I wonder if this will happen again with their TAR training in s3? I really hope they run across each other in TAR. Let the characters stay connected!

Liandrin definitely got shot down by Moiraine at some time in the past.

Love the whole "shrine to ward off the Forsaken" thing. Great touch.

Siuan has been off in Caemlyn - was she talking to Elaida about Elayne, or was it about politics?

Moiraine: the White Tower's Woman of Mystery. Everyone wants to know what she's up to!

Alanna got such a glow-up in the show compared to the books. She's great here.

We get another nod to accepted poly relationships (amid the Green Ajah, at least).

Great conversation between Stepin & Lan. And a heartbreaking conclusion to Stepin's little mini-arc of grief and the Warder bond.

1x06

Little baby Siuan! ❤️ ❤️

Our first look at Tear as well.

Such a great way to introduce Siuan, considering they wouldn't have her for more than one episode this season.

And we learn in some places that it's dangerous for a woman to learn to channel - it's not only the Whitecloaks who assume that everyone who can channel is a Darkfriend.

Given that we know now (as of s2) that Moiraine & Siuan are older here than in the books, I wonder if that means her dad has already passed on.

Much like Egwene, Siuan is strongly associated with the water.

(This scene made me tear up too. I've cried three or four times today, I think)

Leane wearing light colors here vs the darker colors she wore in the s3 sneak peek to bash a Darkfriend's head in.

Another scene that gains so much depth on rewatch- knowing about Moiraine & Siuan's relationship & knowing about Liandrin being Black Ajah.

We just saw Stepin choose death in the previous emptiness of losing his bond, now Logain seeks and is refused death while suffering the emptiness of losing his connection to the One Power.

Everyone does still look good here, but the costumes definitely got a glow-up in s2 & again in s3.

The only main player in this scene not playing an elaborate game is Alanna. Siuan and Moiraine are pretending not to be in cahoots, Liandrin is pretending not to be Black Ajah - Liandrin trying to fracture the divides between the Ajahs, and also throwing Moiraine under the bus. A lot of Daes Dae'mar going on.

I also feel obligated to note that around this time frame is the jumping off point of my (now over 500k!) fic series: voice in the back of my head (archiveofourown.org/series/2688649). It is Cauthor-focused (Mat & Rand romance), though it does bring in the canon romances for Rand later on and we have some fun poly relationships going on, and it is currently spoiling through the twelfth book, but each fic in the series says how far that particular fic goes with regards to spoilers. The fic premise is: Liandrin found Rand & co instead of Moiraine finding them, and Rand is motivated enough to instinctively Travel himself, Mat, and Nynaeve to Tear because he wants to escape her.

This fic has been a lot of work and I am pretty proud of it so if you feel at all inclined to read an AU of the series that starts with the idea of "what if we gently slid Mat into Rand's romance situation?" and is a mix of show and book canon... give it a try. If you like it, please let me know your thoughts. <3

Anyway, Moiraine be spying on Rand & co., waiting for Nynaeve & Loial to leave to go talk to Rand & Mat.

Rand's protectiveness over Mat on this scene is really what threw my shipping switches on for them. He pulls a sword on Lan, despite knowing he had no chance against him!

"The world doesn't need a Dragon like me."

But Moiraine has figured out this is something else, not going mad from saidin, and Mat gets healed of the dagger's sickness.

So... was Rand using the One Power to help keep Mat from succumbing to the dagger's pull? Moiraine thinks that Mat shouldn't have been able to resist as long as he did.

We get some Tower politics, and we get the first hints of the Seanchan.

Moiraine is just encountering so much weirdness with these kids. Now there are wolves, she must be thinking to herself. Wolves!

The romance reveal scene! I like this change for several reasons- it's better romance than either gets in the books, it follows naturally from the NS relationship setup, and it adds drama for Moiraine, who did get a bump from mentor figure to being a protagonist.

It also gives the show a chance to show softer and warmer sides to both Moiraine & Siuan. Plus the nice play between duty & love bodes well for other romances.

I love how they reunite and only afterwards does Moiraine let Siuan know about the Dragon. Priorities!

And it makes so much sense that Moiraine has been doubting their prophecies after all this time on the road, while Siuan hasn't been out there with disappointment after disappointment.

This conversation also (unintentionally, given that it was a last-minute change) sets up Moiraine deciding she'd rather have the Reds potentially gentle the Dragon than risk Mat choosing to join the Shadow, because she thinks he's not strong enough to resist.

Ishy deliberately sent Siuan that dream. 😭

Liandrin knows too much. She definitely has been getting Ishy dreams.

Another reunion!

And the convo with Siuan is great. Nynaeve not bowing still cracks me up. Egwene going "wtf, nynaeve can channel? and she's stronger than I am?" with just her face is also hilarious.

Egwene & Nynaeve get a much kinder pep talk from Siuan than poor Rand gets in s2.

Moiraine's exiling is another great, emotional scene. And it also teaches us more about how the Oath Rod works, and sets some reasons in place for the Hall to be wary of Siuan. And sets up some precedents for the future.

And Moiraine trusting and giving more to Siuan than she was asked to give in the Oath - not just exile but obedience. That's gonna hurt a lot when we get to s2.

Even though she literally asked for it, it's obvious how hard it is on Moiraine to see her Sisters turn their backs on her.

But now we do (briefly) get our full Two Rivers reunion, and that is lovely. Hugs all around! Fond teasing! They love each other!

So we know that it wasn't actually the Dark One who was trapped at the Eye, so... it sounds like the knowledge of the location of the Dark One's prison is lost to time. It does make sense that Darkfriends would target that info specifically.

Moiraine not able to tell them that she trusts them, due to her Oaths, is a. so funny and b. makes it mean so much in s2 when she is willing and able to say that she trusts Rand (this is the real reason why it's difficult for me to get on board with The Ruse (TM) theory - because it feels like it would retroactively ruin that 2x07 moment between Moiraine & Rand).

Now that he's pretty sure Mat can't channel and isn't the Dragon, Rand knows deep down who it really is.

But then we lose Barney-Mat at the Waygate and I'm sad!

You can tell this very last scene was shot after the post-covid shutdown, because Maddy (Egwene) lost some roundness in her cheeks during those in-between months and it makes her eyes look a lot bigger.

I adore Donál's Mat but also miss Barney's. The feelings are both very present.

1x07

The Blood Snow! So epic. I love everything about this scene.

I will say, given that we have a stabbed pregnant Tigraine in the side here and it looks like we're getting a flashback to pregnant Morgase in s3, it does feel fairly likely that we will get pregnant Elayne as well, later on in the series. Tigraine gets stabbed the same way that Elayne is described as being stabbed in one of the super-late books (can't remember which, so I'll tag through AMoL) iirc.

Tigraine really did give every ounce of herself to her destiny, and I'm so glad the show version of her got a moment of kindness and compassion at the end.

Moiraine's cynicism about Mat vs Rand's rose-colored glasses about Mat: fight!

Nynaeve doing her job as Wisdom to keep all the kiddos together and make a promise to find Mat later.

"The one thing that we cannot afford is for the Dragon to turn to the Shadow."

Lan trying to cheer Nynaeve up is very sweet.

Egwene wants to sleep near Rand and he lets her this time (contrast to 1x02, when he pushed her away).

I like negging Machin Shin better than the version in the books, I admit it. It's more personal! Just relentlessly dunking on everyone's deepest fears.

Everyone looks so haunted. Poor kiddos.

I don't understand the people who don't understand the big fight. Everyone is so on edge from what they just went through! They are all overly emotional and vulnerable right now. The fight could have been MUCH uglier and still been valid tbh.

Uno! Congrats on your s2 upgrade to Hero of the Horn!

Another confession: I find this Lord Agelmar & Lady Amalisa much more interesting and memorable than the ones in the books. And I was kinda relieved that the show took the whole Five Great Captains thing off the table right away.

I also love their outfits.

Oh, hi, Fain! I suspect we'll get to see more of him in s3.

Min is so much better in the show than the books, omg. Just... on every level. She actually is jaded and world-weary.

"There is a man they must find. A boy, really."

Given that we saw Mat visibly recoil at hearing the Red Ajah mentioned in that s3 clip, I wonder if we're going to see him & Moiraine actually talk about it. I mean, it's in character for both of them to avoid that particular convo, so we will see!

Egwene's little quip at Rand's cooking is cute but I bet contributes to that feeling of Rand's that she doesn't see him as a man but as a boy.

I like how Min's visions were used here. And that she does what Moiraine blackmailed her into but holds back enough to protect what she knows would be the biggest secret (that Rand is the Dragon) because she doesn't feel like it's hers to reveal.

I really love how the shot with the three kids is framed to show the empty chair at the back to emphasis Mat's absence.

Anyway, I like the fight. Characters should be allowed to be messy and argue. Each of them has a perspective and is stubborn about that PoV.

Egwene is right that Moiraine can't lie, but the others are right that she can mislead or withhold.

And I love that the tipping point for the actual fight is Mat & his absence.

And then Nynaeve lobbing a bomb into the conversation as soon as it gets heated enough that she's getting uncomfortable. I mean, they aren't arguing about Mat anymore, at least?

Perrin's super-close "the only woman I've ever loved is my wife" and the hot five seconds that I shipped Perrin & Rand (but then Mat was mentioned in Rand's 1x08 fantasy world and I was right back to Cauthor lol).

I like that Lan had Malkieri friends alive in Fal Dara & I'm pretty stoked about the s3 Melindhra spoilers as well. Very cool to dive more into those relationships than we did in the books. Nynaeve getting an introduction to Lan's people & culture! After he got to know hers in 1x01! Very nice.

Jump-scare Lan does crack me up.

Anyway, good for Nynaeve and Lan for hooking up when they think there's a chance they might die in the morning.

Rand struggles with coming to terms with being the Dragon but Egwene thinks this is all about the big fight earlier. So they are having two different conversations right now.

Hey, in light of this convo- Rand is going to go to, well, Tar Valon anyway. Maybe not the White Tower itself. We'll see if he gets a doorway visit or not.

But this is Rand's big final burst of denial before he goes and talks to Min, confirming to himself that he's the Dragon, as he's tried not to believe that he is. So we've now had two instances of Randgwene sex used to delay or avoid an important conversation.

I am... very curious if the pattern continues in s3. Pretty sure they'll sleep together again, from what we've gotten in the trailers & such, but I am curious about the framing & context.

This montage of Rand accepting the truth about himself gives me chills.

Min's exhaustion here makes her so relatable.

I am so glad Tigraine had someone to hold her hand at the end. That she saw that her son would be taken care of.

"Rainbows and carnivals and three beautiful women." 😍

Elayne only three episodes away (2x02, right?), and Aviendha a little bit after that, but they are on their way! And this is our first hint about them.

1x08

3000 years ago, whoo!

Love their outfits.

Love the choice to have the AoL scenes in the Old Tongue.

LTT is perfect. Genuinely so good.

And the gut punch of seeing how technologically advanced the world used to be. It was a magitek utopia (or at least seemed that way to them).

I do wish that Rafe & co could have brought their original vision of this episode to life, because it is so devastating to go over all the things they lost (a principal actor! Their original Blight location! Their stunt team! Even more that I can't recall at the moment too I bet) but they did so much with what they had. I am so fucking impressed.

"I love him, Perrin." And then she thinks he died to save all of them. Yeah they do need to finish things off properly in the show.

Lan 100% thinks that going after Moiraine right now means his death, hence the sweet but flowery speech to Nynaeve here.

Ishy and Rand come face to face. I wonder who Ishy thought the Dragon was (he says he didn't expect it to be Rand). I love the reveal of Ishy's true face. And trying to touch Rand's face right away lol.

"Stubborn as ever, Lews."

The convo between Moiraine & Rand is interesting (all of them are) but partly because Moiraine doesn't actually say that she believed it was Egwene. I think she hoped it was Egwene but that's not quite the same. And Rand doesn't ever really think it was Egwene either, except maybe at the start, because we know he was worried it was Mat during that month of them journeying together.

Hey, the horrible bully from Moiraine's story! We're gonna meet her in s3. Because that story is about Elaida. She beat a novice with the One Power to force her to channel.

Min is very amusing in the show. I like her a lot. I really like that we get to go on an emotional journey along with Min about the downsides of having her viewings in s2, instead of it all happening before we show up in her life.

Again, really like the relationship between the siblings here - Lord Agelmar & Lady Amalisa. It's sweet.

"Let us hope we will buy the women and men of this world enough time to stand a fighting chance."

Rand recognizes the place where he locked Ishy up years ago. Love that we get to see that moment in s2.

Moiraine talking about the Tower's histories getting destroyed by Darkfriends. Very important note, I feel.

And Ishy springs his win-win trap. There was no actual way for Rand to win here, because he didn't know who he was fighting.

I've mentioned this before but I love that the show split up the battle into philosophical (Rand) vs physical (everyone else) because that's the Last Battle too. Rand's fight is a philosophical one and it always was. The Power is there to get him to where he needs to be to make that choice.

Our mention of Mat in Rand's temptation world, where Egwene is clearly being fondly exasperated but not truly annoyed. So, you know, like how Rand feels about Mat.

Ishy plays with his food, taunting and shielding Moiraine.

Perrin and Loial's friendship being a throughline for all three seasons, getting to know each other here, spending more time together in s2, and Loial going home with him in s3.

Rand struggling against a hollow perfect reality. Major, major foreshadowing for the endgame so I'm glad I already listed amol spoilers.

And Rand also needs to forcibly let go of Egwene and his dream of their life together in order to wake up from his encounter with Ishamael, something that Egwene doesn't get the opportunity to do, because the boyfriend she recently reunited with heroically died in order to save the world (to her understanding). So Rand and Egwene go into s2 (and presumably s3) with very different contexts about where their relationship left off.

You know, in retrospect, it's so appropriate that the Horn was being guarded by one of the Heroes.

Ishy is so smug here because he really does win no matter what. Tbh I feel like waking up Lanfear was his big mistake in s2. Because her agenda is different enough from his that they ended up conflicting, even though they share an LTT obsession.

That being said, even though this is a win-win for Ishy, what Rand learns here can/will help him win the Last Battle. So it works out in the long run.

Rand & Moiraine believe that the Last Battle is won, so she's willing to let him wander off to die in the wilderness if he wants... and then she kicks herself forever when she realizes how wrong she was. Like, it's Moiraine & Siuan's plan that fully releases Ishy. They thought they could do an endrun around the prophecies (which Moiraine has to be fully aware that Rand has not accomplished!).

As Moiraine might say "the arrogance".

Love the setup here at the end by Fain.

"Rand may be the Dragon but all five of you have a part to play."

And Moiraine. "This wasn't the Last Battle. I fear it was the first."

And our great intro to the Seanchan and how wildly different they are to anything we've already seen.

Tomorrow, I'll start rewatching s2 and see how far I get!

[viviwah]

CHOI SU-BONG (THANOS), NAM-GYU - ONE MORE GAME

warnings: f!reader, unprotected sex(creampie), threesome

a/n: aaaah thangyuxreader lesgoo ^^

The third vote had just ended and now you stood alone, singled away from the group of people that were once your friends, only because you decided to make a reasonable choice. These games had strained you both mentally and physically. Being surrounded by death made you uncomfortable, leading to sleepless nights and you knew that you couldn’t survive in a place like this without enough energy. Knowing this, you made a logical choice and voted “X”, especially since you had faith that the X’s would win this vote and unfortunately they didn’t, which left you trapped in this hell hole, alone and eying the “X” patch on the left side of your chest. As you trailed out of your thoughts, you could feel a pair of eyes staring at you from behind so you turned, unfortunately meeting the gaze of Nam-Gyu, who stood next to Thanos chuckling before finally opening his mouth.

“Woah, this bitch suddenly grew a pair of balls.”

His venomous words felt like a harsh slap across the face and if you weren’t regretting your decision to vote “X” before, you definitely were now.

“What happened, Señorita?” Thanos questioned as he made his way up to you, quickly closing the space between the both of your bodies. “I thought we all agreed on one more game.”

Thanos’ gaze met yours as he grabbed onto the “X” patch on the side of your tracksuit jacket, pulling harshly before throwing you onto the floor as Nam-Gyu laughed loudly. It didn’t take long for the other players to notice this, watching and gasping while whispering from afar as you dropped your head into your palms, embarrassment quickly washing over you.

“Hey, leave her alone.” the voice of a man could be heard, and you curiously lifted your head, locking eyes with player 001.

“How about you shut the fuck up?” Nam-Gyu’s teeth gritted as he spoke and the tension between the two men began to rise.

You didn’t want a fight to break out because of something you brought onto yourself so you stood from your place on the ground, voice trembling as you spoke.

“Stop it. I’m okay.”

Thanos and Nam-Gyu’s faces both crept up into smirks before Nam-Gyu spoke up, chuckling as he did so.

“You heard her old man. She’s okay.”

Your gaze met the eyes of player 001 for a slight second before you turned away, running towards the restroom. Once you were there, you entered the nearest stall and began crying your eyes out. All you wanted to do was make a good decision for the first time in your life, a decision that would help the people who wanted to get out of here, and here you were, being judged for it. Your tears rushed down your reddened cheeks, halting once you heard the door of the restroom open.

“Come on out, Señorita, we’re not mad at you.” Thanos’ voice rang throughout the restroom with a slight echo.

You unlocked the door of the stall you were in, immediately locking eyes with Nam-Gyu, who smiled at the sight of you.

“There she is.” his smile quickly became a smirk as his eyes glanced across you and your body.

Nam-Gyu and Thanos both made their way into the stall you were in, leaving you in a vulnerable position. Thanos grabbed the “X” patch on your jacket once again, shaking his head lightly as he questioned.

“What should we do about this, hm?”

His eyes went over to Nam-Gyu, who wasted no time giving an answer.

“Fuck some sense into her.”

You gulped as you heard this, breathing suddenly becoming uneven as you imagined having one of them deep inside of you while the other shoved himself down your throat. The sadness that once took over your body, washed away and was replaced by lust.

“Okay. Fuck her, Nam-Su.” Thanos smirked, opening the necklace that was around his neck, taking what seemed to be a pill.

“Bro, it’s Nam-GYU.” he scoffed, rolling his eyes slightly before pulling you by your jacket, dragging you out of the stall with him.

Nam-Gyu pulled you closer and stared into your eyes intensely, making your knees weak as he unzipped your jacket and pulled his hand under your shirt, groping your breasts as he spoke.

“Take the rest of your clothes off, slut.”

You nodded your head and did as he asked you to, ridding yourself of all your clothes and once you were completely naked, Nam-Gyu smirked and his eyes suddenly darkened with a strong sexual desire. Thanos watched as Nam-Gyu dropped his pants and underwear, freeing his cock that quickly sprung up against his lower abdomen. Thanos suddenly looked away, gulping, as his cock began to harden within his pants.

Did the sight of his friends cock turn him on?

Your moans filled the restroom as Nam-Gyu’s fingers trailed along your pussy, teasing you.

“Look at this, bro, she’s so fucking wet.”

Nam-Gyu voiced out to Thanos as he slid two fingers inside of you, forcing your eyes to roll back. Thanos watched in awe as Nam-Gyu’s fingers thrusted in and out of you, making you whimper, before he appeared in front of you.

“Open your mouth.”

You wasted no time and opened your mouth just as he asked you to, expecting it to be filled with his cock, but instead he placed a pill in your mouth, the same kind of pill that he took earlier.

“Be a good girl and swallow.” he cooed, watching as you obeyed his orders.

Nam-Gyu’s fingers slid out of you and he wrapped his hands tightly around your hips, forcing his cock inside of you. You yelped loudly before feeling Thanos’ hand up against your mouth, shushing you as Nam-Gyu continued to rail into you at a somewhat fast pace, groaning lightly as he did so.

“So fucking tight.” Nam-Gyu groaned from behind you, tightening his grip around your hips, forcing his nails to dig into your skin.

You moaned loudly but since Thanos’ hand was on your mouth, it was muffled. Nam-Gyu’s pace fastened as he forced himself deeper inside of you, pushing the tip of his cock against your cervix and your moans only became louder, angering Thanos, who tried his hardest to keep you quiet. Thanos quickly stood up, trailing his hands away from your mouth and onto the waistband of his pants, giving a light pull and revealing his thick cock. Your mouth opened slightly at the sight of his cock that slowly leaked pre-cum from the tip. Thanos’ fingers laced through your hair as he grabbed the sides of your head, watching as you widened your mouth, ready to take every inch of him.

“Maybe this’ll help you be quiet.” he groaned as he forced himself down your throat.

You moaned once again, sending vibrations against his cock, forcing him to groan and Nam-Gyu continued to pound into your pussy as you tightened around him, forcing him to throb inside of you. Thanos’ hands played in your hair before trailing back to the sides of your head, holding tightly as he thrusted his hips into your mouth, fucking your throat mercilessly. The amount of pleasure you were experiencing right now was nothing like anything you’ve ever felt before and before you knew it, you were coating Nam-Gyu’s cock with your slick juices as your reached your orgasm and luckily, Nam-Gyu wasn’t too far behind you, giving a few more sloppy thrusts before releasing his warm cum inside of your pussy, coating your walls with his seed. Thanos continued thrusting into your throat before slowing down and pulling out.

“Stick your tongue out.” he groaned, watching as you obeyed.

He stroked his cock a few times before releasing his cum all over your face and tongue, you swallowed what had got on your tongue and hummed at the sweet taste. Nam-Gyu’s cock suddenly slipped out of your plump pussy and you could feel his warm cum trailing down your leg, he smirked at the view and pulled his pants and underwear up before sending a harsh slap to your ass.

“One more game, slut.” Nam-Gyu spoke with a smirk before making his way out of the restroom, leaving you alone with Thanos who smirked as he pulled his pants up.

“Just one more game.”

He spoke and held up one finger before following behind Nam-Gyu, exiting the restroom and leaving you alone, sweaty and covered in cum.

One more game didn’t sound too bad now.

[hunkygreenbean]

We have more in common with Trump voters than Trump voters do with Trump.

Read that again. And again. Read that as many times as you need to until you understand it.

I'm from Appalachia, and its filled with Trump supporters. But these folks are far from the rich bougie archetype you're imagining; there are mfs in my hometown living in trailers, getting their eggs from the plywood chicken coop out in the back, who have to drive 20 mins into town to wash and dry their clothes, who still willingly voted for Trump despite the fact that his policies will directly hurt the working poor.

So many Leftists exist within their own bubble of other urban Leftists. As I'm now entering college in an urban area, it's jarring to hear how Leftists talk about working, poor, and rural folks who just so happened to vote for Trump. Like yeah, there are definitely racist assclowns in my hometown who like Trump because of how he plans to deal with Latinos and Blacks, but I'd say a good 80% of those who voted for Trump did so because they were genuinely convinced that he would make life better for them on an economic level.

When you've lived through generations of poverty, and some flashy New York con man comes through and promises that if he gets rid of the Woke, you'll finally get money, is a very enticing offer to many of his voters. These are human beings that are in desperate straights who do not have the privilege of knowing how the economic workings of America and the world work because they are too fucking busy working 3 jobs to enrich their minds through education. This could have easily been any one of us just by sheer chance. There's nothing ontologically different about an urban leftist and a rural Trump supporter except Leftists (supposedly) have set aside their kneejerk reactions and put in a little more work to fully comprehend how the world around them works. Any one of us could have and still can be radicalized. Leftism is not a linear, progressive path where you just keep becoming more and more leftist. You can backslide, fall off, whatever. Same with Trumpism. These people can change, just as you were changed.

And so many fucking Leftists, both irl and on this website, wet their panties at the thought of the rural working poor losing vital resources just so they can point and laugh at the dumb hick MAGAts. I get that we're in a political shitstorm right now, but those are still human beings who deserve healthcare, food, clean water. These people need help, not your derision. I dont give a flying rat's ass if you think these people are nothing more than the shit on your toilet paper, but you still need to advocate for their human rights as well.

The whole reason Trumpism thrives is because its a cult. Cults operate by making their members feel cut off from the rest of the world, by positing that the mainstream hates them. When a Trump supporter leaves the cult of Trumpism, they need to see that we do not hate them so that way they can begin to heal from their time in the cult as well as begin to get involved in efforts to rescue more people from said cult. Even if you do hate them, can you at least force a smile, at least tolerate them? Even if they don't go for leftism, can you at least be happy that they've finally seen the light?

you can be hurt, you can be mad, and you certainly don't have to forgive former Trump supporters. But the thing with solidarity is that you stand up for all working folks, all the poor folks, all the backwoods hillbilles. You don't have to love all the people who happen to share the same race/class/disability/gender/sexuality/sex that you have, but you can't really pick and choose when all of our asses are on the line.

like idk as someone who has been deeply, disablingly affected by trump’s policies, i am never going to understand people who get so up in arms about the idea of a former trump voter realizing they fucked up and wanting to join progressive spaces instead. polarization in this country is what gave us trump. i am never going to agree that perpetuating that polarization is the right move.

[gayofthefae]

We've established that via how they shoot reaction shots and blocking, not to mention billboards and posters, Mike and Will are a "duo" in the show. Now, this isn't inherently romantic, Steve and Robin are one too.

But I'm just saying it's a little unorthodox to have a "duo" where one party has a love interest that's another main character who is not in any other "duo".

So let's go through platonic duos we've had, shall we?

Steve and Robin: Vickie is not a main character and Steve's love interests fluctuate. It also of note that this duo even poked fun at the pattern of duo = romance in season 3, self-awarely.

Steve and Dustin: Dustin is interested in Max, but she's a duo with Lucas and not his main love interest. Suzie is an occasional guest star and Steve's love interests fluctuate.

Dustin and Erica: Erica has no love interest and Suzie is an occasional guest star.

Joyce and Murray: the only reason for this pairing is lack of access to Joyce's usual other half, her love interest.

but then

Mike and El: They are paired because they are love interests in season 1: a classic case of Byler Mlvn parallels where to deny Byler is to deny Mlvn.

Mike and Will: hm, but I thought his love interest was El? She has no other pairings, she's completely independent from him in her storyline in season 4 and season 2

See Mike is a special case, because he alternates pairings, as he is the only true love triangle in the full show (all other being one season or the closest case: season 1 and season 4, unmaintained between). He is consistently torn throughout so his screen time is shown that way.

But we can see the camera work. And we can see the marketing. The marketing chooses sides for us.

Here are promotional posters from seasons where Mike and El were more of a "duo":

(I could not find anybody. They literally market Byler or nothing. I thought I found some but then found out they were cropped)

Anyways duos can be platonic, but not if you another main character are exclusive love interests. Lucas and Max are a duo, Joyce and Hopper are a duo, Jonathan and Nancy are a duo. Dustin, Steve, Robin, Erica, and Murray lack love interests, their love interests change frequently, or their love interests are not main characters.

Those are the only cases. They want you to associate love interests together. They want you to think as couple as, quite literal to the definition of "two", a couple.

And they want people who've seen the show, when they think Joyce to think Hopper, when they think Nancy to think Jonathan, when they think Max to think Lucas, and when they think Mike to think Will

and when they think El, to think badass independence. (or Eggos)

And that's what we've seen happen time and time again. Posters of all the couples, the same true of blocking, occasionally El joins Mike and Will on one, but otherwise she is shown alone.

Joyce and Hopper have a season 4 poster together and they're separated fighting to get back to each other, so physical location isn't what's keeping it off the table.

Spot the difference?

Joyce spent the season with Murray, but she's still officially a duo with Hopper. And screentime aside, Mike spent season 3 with El, but was still officially blocked, shot and marketed as a duo with Will.

Every single main couple, babes. Every one.

[airandyeah]

Animals (Alpha!Sukuna X Alpha!Toji X Omega!Reader) Pt.4

My Masterlist Series Masterlist Warnings: Obvious A/B/O dynamics, suggestive comments or actions, just generally Minors DNI-just in case. This will be similar to Pink Pony Club and Sins, where I just mark every chapter as 18+ This also has the general warning of Toji and Sukuna both honestly being menaces.

The screen flickered as the call connected, and before you could even greet anyone properly, your mother’s voice rang out—sharp, commanding, impossible to ignore.

“Are you eating well?”

You sighed, already regretting answering. Should’ve let it go to voicemail.

“Hi, Mom,” you deadpanned, but she wasn’t having it.

“Don’t ‘Hi, Mom’ me. Have you been eating properly? You looked thin the last time we saw you.”

You rolled your eyes, shifting on the couch. “I eat fine.”

“And exercising?” she pressed, narrowing her eyes through the screen.

You groaned. “Yes.” A lie. You’d barely been moving from your couch unless absolutely necessary.

Your father was in the background, half-listening, half-distracted, while your three brothers lounged around like oversized wolves, occasionally throwing glances at the screen.

Then, the question you knew was coming.

“So,” your mother drawled, eyes gleaming. “Any boys caught your eye?”

Your entire body stiffened. Nope. Absolutely not. Not doing this.

“No,” you said firmly.

Your brothers perked up immediately. “No one?” the eldest asked, skeptical.

“No,” you repeated, more agitated.

Your mother hummed. “Not even a little?”

Flashes of muscle and smirks crossed your mind—Sukuna’s sharp teeth, Toji’s lazy, knowing grin, their irritatingly smug confidence—

NO.

“No,” you bit out again, too fast, too defensive.

Your brothers definitely noticed.

“Ohhh, shit,” one of them muttered, grinning.

“There is someone,” another accused, leaning in.

“No, there isn’t,” you snapped.

But your mother was already smirking, far too pleased. “Well, you are at that age. If someone has caught your eye, you should bring them home. They’ll need to be evaluated.”

Evaluated. Like a damn threat assessment.

You scowled. “I said there’s no one.”

Your father, silent until now, finally sighed. “Leave her alone,” he muttered, barely looking up from whatever he was doing.

But the damage was done. Your mother knew you were hiding something. And worse? So did your brothers.

If they found out about Toji and Sukuna? You were never going to hear the end of it.

The call had finally settled into something normal—or at least as normal as it ever got with your family. Your mother had moved on from interrogating your love life (thank god), now talking about some new fitness routine she wanted you to try.

Your father chimed in occasionally, offering quiet grunts of agreement, while your brothers bickered in the background over some ridiculous bet. It was comfortable.

Buzz.

Until your phone started vibrating.

You ignored it at first, assuming it was some random notification. But then—

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

A rapid string of messages lit up the screen, the vibrations rattling against the table.

You glanced at it, frowning.

Toji: Hey. Toji: Did you eat yet? Toji: Answer, brat.

Then—

Sukuna: Oi. You alive? Sukuna: Answer before we show up at your door.

You clenched your jaw, glancing at the laptop screen where your mother was still talking.

Another message.

Sukuna: Maybe we should’ve kept you in town, huh? You get lonely out there?

You glared at your phone.

“What’s with that face?” one of your brothers asked, smirking.

“Nothing,” you muttered, flipping the device over.

Your mother narrowed her eyes. “Who’s texting you?”

Your shoulders tensed. “No one.”

A beat of silence.

Then your eldest brother—the worst of them—grinned. “It’s a guy.”

Your mother’s eyes lit up. “Oh? So you do have someone.”

“No, I don’t,” you shot back.

Buzz.

You were going to kill them.

Your brothers started laughing, already sensing blood in the water.

Your mother smirked. “Well, now I have to know. Who is he?”

“No one.”

Your laptop screen was filled with their amused faces, but all you could focus on was your phone—still lighting up with messages from the two Alphas who refused to leave you alone.

You gritted your teeth, forcing yourself to ignore the persistent buzzing of your phone as your family continued their interrogation. Every second felt like a warzone, with your brothers circling like vultures, trying to pull out the most embarrassing details about your nonexistent love life.

You kept your face neutral, answering only when necessary. It wasn’t that you didn’t love your family—it was just that you could already tell what was coming. They never stopped.

You gritted your teeth, trying to tune out the incessant buzzing from your phone as your family continued their usual questioning. Your brothers were relentless, teasing you about every little thing, while your mother turned her attention to your eating habits—as if you were still a teenager.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

The vibrations from your phone rattled the table, but you resisted the urge to check it. You didn’t want to deal with it right now.

The call was live, your laptop screen filled with the faces of your family, each one pushing for more details about your nonexistent love life. It had been a long day, and your patience was wearing thin.

Then, through the chatter and your mother’s never-ending advice about how you needed to eat better and exercise more, the faint, familiar crunch of gravel echoed through your window. The sound of doors slamming followed, and your heart skipped a beat. You didn’t have to look to know exactly who it was.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

You froze.

It was the unmistakable sound of the two of them. Toji and Sukuna.

“Who’s at the door?” your mother asked, squinting at the screen in confusion.

You didn’t answer right away. No, not now, you thought, panic rising in your chest. The last thing you wanted was to deal with them while you were on a video call with your family.

Another knock.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Your heart pounded. You glanced at the screen—your family was still oblivious, completely unaware of the storm at your door. They didn’t feel the sudden shift in the air, the way you could.

You sighed, defeated, and stood up, walking towards the door as you muttered under your breath. Your family’s voices faded into the background as you made your way toward the door, trying to steady your nerves.

You opened it, and there they were—standing on your doorstep like they owned the place.

Toji grinned, his hands casually tucked in his pockets, looking every bit the smug bastard he was. Sukuna stood beside him, arms crossed, his smirk somehow even more insufferable.

Both of them looked like trouble.

“Hey, brat,” Toji greeted you, his tone a lazy drawl as he looked you up and down.

Sukuna, always the one to push things further, took a step forward, his voice almost too casual. “What’s up?”

Your heart sank as you realized your family was still watching. They hadn’t noticed the shift in your demeanor or your tension, but you knew it was only a matter of time before they did.

“What are you doing here?” you hissed, trying your best to keep your voice steady, though your frustration was clear.

Toji’s grin only widened. “You weren't responding. Figured we’d swing by.”

Sukuna’s eyes flicked to your laptop, where your family’s faces were still visible on the screen, their expressions starting to shift from curiosity to suspicion. “It’s not every day we get to meet the family,” he added, eyes glinting with amusement.

You shot him a death glare, desperate to shut this down before it spiraled further. But of course, it was already too late. The damage had been done.

They were here. And your family had seen them.

Your mother, ever the sharp one, raised an eyebrow through the screen. “Well, well, well,” she said, her voice teasing. “Looks like we have some guests, huh?”

Toji’s grin never faltered, and Sukuna simply leaned back against the doorframe, his smirk growing.

You were trapped.

It was only a matter of time before your family started asking questions you didn’t want to answer.

You felt your face flush with embarrassment as you heard your mother’s voice on the other side of the screen. “Well, it’s nice to meet you both,” she said, far too cheerful, like this was some sort of normal occurrence. You could already feel your brothers’ laughter bubbling up in the background.

Your patience snapped.

You had had enough. You didn’t even hesitate.

You turned on your heel, slamming the door with all your might. The sound echoed, harsh and final.

But of course, Toji wasn’t having it.

You heard the door thud as his hand shot out, catching it before it could close all the way. You barely had time to react before he was pushing it back open, grinning like the devil himself.

“You don’t really think you can just get rid of us that easily, do you?” Toji’s voice was low, playful, but there was no mistaking the challenge in it.

Sukuna leaned in the doorway, his gaze still sharp, still as smug as ever. “We’ll leave when we’re good and ready.”

Your mouth went dry. You had just made everything worse.

Your stomach churned. You wanted to scream at them to leave, to let you have your peace. Instead, you stood there, trying not to let your irritation show too much. The last thing you needed was for them to see your weakness, your frustration.

Without asking, they made their way to the laptop on the table, both of them towering over it, staring down at the screen.

You quickly turned your attention to the video call, half-worried that your family was about to get a show they weren't prepared for. The last thing you wanted was for your mother to ask them questions or for your brothers to make some inappropriate comment.

To your surprise, though, Toji and Sukuna didn’t say anything crude. They didn’t make any obnoxious jokes or flirtatious comments like you expected. They didn’t make a scene.

Instead, both of them leaned in close to the screen, grinning like they’d won some sort of game, but their demeanor was almost… respectful.

“Hello,” Toji said, his voice smooth, with an air of warmth that almost caught you off guard. He was smiling, but it was sincere—nothing at all like his usual teasing tone. His eyes flicked to the screen as he added, “We’re Toji and Sukuna. Nice to meet you.”

Sukuna’s smile was a little more restrained, but the glint in his eye didn’t soften. He nodded politely, just enough to be courteous. “Pleasure,” he said, his voice deep and calm.

You blinked. This wasn’t what you expected.

You could almost hear your mother’s voice crack through the screen, her eyes now focused on the two men standing at your table. “Well, hello,” she said, her tone still a bit skeptical, but undeniably curious. “It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Y/N’s mother.”

The two men straightened up a little at the introduction, both nodding, but neither making a move to get too close to the camera. They were oddly reserved, like they knew the boundaries and were respecting them.

“Thanks for looking out for her,” Toji said casually, but there was an underlying sincerity in his voice. It caught you off guard, and you felt your shoulders tense as you looked between them, trying to keep your composure.

Sukuna’s eyes flicked to yours for a split second before he turned back to the laptop. “She’s been a pain in our ass, but we’re keeping an eye on her,” he added with a small smirk, though his voice lacked the usual taunting bite. It was more like an inside joke—something that was just between the three of you.

Your mother smiled at them, clearly not picking up on the layers of meaning in Sukuna’s words. “You two must be very close,” she commented, her tone light and friendly. “I’m glad my daughter has people like you around.”

You could feel the heat rising in your cheeks. You wanted to snap at them, to tell your family to stop, but you were caught between your growing frustration and the bizarrely polite, almost charming version of Toji and Sukuna you hadn’t seen before.

Toji’s grin returned in full force as he gave a quick nod to your mother. “Of course. She’s a stubborn one, but we’re good at dealing with stubborn people,” he said, his voice warm but still carrying that unmistakable edge of teasing.

You narrowed your eyes at him, but before you could say anything, Sukuna spoke up again, his voice softer than usual. “We’re just making sure she doesn’t get into trouble. She tends to cause it without even trying.”

You tried not to flinch at his words, but deep down, it stung. It wasn’t exactly wrong.

Your mother chuckled, clearly enjoying the conversation. She had no idea how much this conversation was grating on your nerves. “She sure does like to cause a little trouble, doesn’t she?”

You shot them both a glare, but they didn’t even flinch. They had already won this round.

The strangest thing, though, was that as much as you wanted to push them away, this version of Toji and Sukuna—the one who wasn’t pushing you, wasn’t being crude or overwhelming—felt even worse. This respectful, controlled version of them was a whole new kind of frustrating.

As the conversation continued, you silently cursed yourself. How was it that every time they showed up, you were forced to face something new—something you weren’t ready for?

“I’m sorry, I’ve got to go,” you said abruptly, not even giving them a chance to respond. You quickly clicked the ‘end call’ button on your laptop, cutting off the image of your family before they could protest.

You heard the faint buzz of their protest on the other end, but you couldn’t stand it anymore. You needed to get away from this—them. The awkward silence that followed the call seemed to stretch endlessly in your head.

When the screen finally went black, you exhaled a shaky breath, shoulders sagging in relief. You didn't want to hear your mom's nagging or deal with the endless stream of questions from your brothers. Not with them here.

But as soon as the silence settled, you realized—they hadn’t left yet.

Toji and Sukuna were still standing there, smirking, still like they owned the place. They hadn’t moved an inch since the video call ended.

You didn’t know if you should be more frustrated with your family or them.

“So,” Sukuna drawled, breaking the silence with a lazy stretch, “that was fun. Do you want us to stick around? We could’ve stayed longer.”

Your hands balled into fists at your sides, but you tried to stay calm, not wanting to lose it in front of them—again. “No. You’ve done enough. I appreciate the help, but—”

“To be fair,” Toji interrupted, his voice teasing, “you didn’t exactly look thrilled to see us show up, did you?”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “I’m just... I’m tired.”

The last thing you wanted was to get tangled up in another one of their games.

But, damn it, you could feel the pull again—despite everything. Their presence was still so overwhelming. The way they just stood there, watching you, like they were waiting for you to fall in line. Like you were supposed to bend to whatever they wanted.

Sukuna grinned, that sly, knowing smirk creeping up again. “Yeah, I think you are tired. But, you know,” he added, glancing at Toji, “we wouldn’t mind hanging out for a bit. Make sure you're settling in.”

You could see where this was going—again.

“Look, I just need some space.” You said it firmly, stepping toward the door, hand gripping the handle. “Thank you for everything, but I’m fine now. I just need some time alone.”

Toji’s eyes flicked to Sukuna before he shrugged. “Alright, but don’t take too long,” he said, voice heavy with that damn teasing tone. “You’ll need us eventually.”

Sukuna snorted, but said nothing as he followed Toji out of the door.

You closed it behind them, the moment they were out of sight, and leaned against it, breathing in a deep breath. You didn’t know whether you were angry, embarrassed, or just utterly frustrated by the whole situation.

But the feeling that gnawed at you most was the one you couldn’t shake—the one that left your heart pounding in your chest. Even after everything, even after pushing them away, you couldn’t deny the pull they had on you.

And that made you madder than anything else. ~~~ The following days dragged on in a blur of restless waiting. You kept busy around the cabin, trying to distract yourself from the reality that you had to rely on them to fix your car. The constant tension between wanting independence and needing help felt like an endless back-and-forth, and you were starting to lose patience with the entire situation.

But then, finally, the message you’d been waiting for appeared on your phone.

“Car’s fixed. We’ll drop it off tomorrow. I’ll drive it, and Sukuna will bring the truck.”

You stared at the message from Toji, a mix of annoyance and relief bubbling inside you. At least it would be over soon. You’d have your car back, and hopefully, you wouldn’t have to deal with them for a while after that.

The next day, you tried to keep yourself occupied, but every noise outside seemed to send your mind spiraling. The quiet of the woods made the waiting feel even worse, like the world was holding its breath just as you were. You could already feel the pull of them, like gravity, reminding you that you were too close to them for comfort.

By midday, you heard the rumble of engines. You couldn’t help but glance out the window, seeing their truck pulling up to your place—Toji in the driver’s seat of your car, Sukuna at the wheel of the truck.

They stopped in front of the cabin, both of them stepping out with that same smug expression you’d grown to hate and secretly crave. You rolled your eyes, though you could feel the heat creeping up your neck despite yourself.

Toji made his way toward your front door with his usual confident stride, throwing a casual wave as he approached. Sukuna followed behind, taking his time, eyes lingering on you as usual.

“Your car’s good as new,” Toji said with that teasing grin you could never quite figure out. He leaned against your doorframe casually, his eyes raking over you, as if he knew the effect he had on you. “Ready to take it for a spin?”

You folded your arms, standing your ground. “Yeah, thanks.” You could feel the irritation bubbling beneath your cool facade. "I appreciate the help, but I don't need a babysitter."

Sukuna snorted behind you, his deep voice smooth. “Who says we’re babysitting? We’re just making sure you don’t break down on the way back into town, sweetheart.”

“Right,” you said dryly, looking over at them both. “I can handle it. But thanks for fixing it.”

Toji gave a lazy shrug, “Figured we’d make sure it was working properly. No more issues, at least not for a while.”

You hesitated, then stepped outside, locking the door behind you. The air was crisp, and the woods around you felt silent except for their voices. Toji walked to your car and opened the door like it was just another day, while Sukuna lingered by the truck, his eyes never leaving you.

You couldn’t deny the way your heart skipped a beat, but you pushed the feeling aside, telling yourself it was just the tension from being near them too long.

“Let’s go,” Toji said, tapping the roof of your car with a grin. “Sukuna’s getting impatient.”

You glanced at Sukuna, who was leaning on the truck with a smirk, arms crossed over his chest. He raised an eyebrow at you as if daring you to make a move.

“Fine,” you muttered under your breath, finally walking over to your car and sliding into the driver's seat.

Toji climbed into the passenger side of your car, Sukuna following you both to the truck with an almost lazy swagger. You started the engine, and as you pulled out of the driveway, you couldn’t shake the feeling that they were still watching, still pushing you in a way that made your heart race.

The drive into town wasn’t long, but with both Toji and Sukuna by your side, the tension felt unbearable, thick enough to cut through the air between you. The thought of breaking away from them, of getting to a place where you could think clearly, was something you ached for—but they weren’t making it easy.

"How does it feel to finally get your car back?" Toji asked, his voice low, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You were starting to get used to us, huh?"

You bit back the urge to retort, but instead focused on the road ahead. The last thing you needed was to play into their teasing games.

Sukuna, ever the troublemaker, shot you a smirk. "You look like you're about to bite someone's head off. What's wrong, princess? Not enjoying the ride?"

You gritted your teeth, pretending their teasing didn’t affect you. But deep down, you knew the truth—you hated how much it did.

Taglist is always open for anyone! Just comment, send an ask, or a DM and I'll add you! Taglist: @tojislongshlong , @jaxawinchester , @ectomotive , @hishearttohave Perma Tags: @thenightperson

[click4rainy]

Could you do NSFW headcanons of Shang Tsung please?

Sassy Sorcerer//Shang Tsung Boyfriend HeadCanons

👽:I gotchu pookie bear. teehee 🫶🏼

✅:Proof Read

🖇️:Shang Tsung x Reader

⚠️:NSFW/AFAB!Reader/Mentions of fucking a sassy ass man

SFW 👉🏼👈🏼

★ He’ll never admit it outright, but he’s utterly enchanted with you. He’s used to manipulating others for his benefit, but with you? He uses that silver coated tongue of his for sweet, whispered praises and slow, teasing declarations of devotion.

★ “You think I only speak sweet words to sway you? No, my love….I speak them because every syllable is true. And if you doubt me, allow me to prove it— again and again.”

★ He never openly displays jealousy (or at least he thinks he doesn’t….) but the millisecond somebody’s eyes linger on you for too long, he gets subtly possessive, his hand on your lower back and keeping you close.

★ “I do hate it when people forget their place….shall I remind them?” “They do know you belong to me, don’t they?” “Come love, overeager eyes irk me.”

★ This man absolutely loves to tease you. Mercilessly. Your reactions always amuse him, especially when he gets you all flustered and stammering. Or even if you try to fire back, he revels in it. Always having one up over you.

★ “Oh, why so shy suddenly? We both know there’s no need for that, precious.” “Mmh, witty today, aren’t we?” “Don’t be coy, pet.” “I do love it when you’re angry, it’s quite cute.”

★ A slow graze against your spine, fingertips lightly tracing your pulse, a “casual” brush of his lips near your ear, just remember every touch from your lover is always calculated and intentional.

★ “Every inch of you fascinates me. It’s only natural I indulge in my….curiosities.” He’ll murmur, ghosting his fingers over your collarbone, looking at you with something akin to admiration.

★ I’m gonna say he enjoys watching you sleep. (Not in a creepy way of course! Unless…?) but seriously, there’s just something about the way you look so peaceful. A softness to you that seems to warm his cold heart. It’s a rare moment of genuine affection with a man of his caliber.

★ Softly chuckling as he brushes a lock a hair from your face (or just cupping your cheek lightly) he whispers, “So vulnerable….yet the power you have over me is everything, but.”

★ Shang Tsung loves gift giving—and all of his presents are nothing short of extravagant and mysterious—surprising you with trinkets and artifacts that always seem….otherworldly. When you ask where he gets said gifts, he merely smirks.

★ “Does it really matter where it came from, love? It belongs to you now. And nothing in this realm—nor any other—will change that.”

★ He’s actually an amazing listener despite his self absorbed attitude. Shang values your thoughts, and you intellectually stimulate him. He enjoys conversations where you challenge him, even if he’ll never admit fully when you’ve bested him. “Ah, you truly believe that, do you? Then convince me. I do so enjoy watching you argue with such fire in your eyes.”

★ You two definitely have matching, over the top, lavish robes for spa time. Because Shang Tsung insists on a bi weekly spa time with you. Cucumber eyes, mud baths, green stuff on the face—the whole thing, on top of regular mani/pedis. (Material gworl!!!) he’s just that guy, you know?

★ Finds your defiance extremely attractive. You could be spitting venom into his face until you’re red in your own, challenge his every word, and he would only find himself more obsessed.

★ “Tsk tsk, such spite coming from those sweet lips. You defy me because you’re dissatisfied? Or maybe it’s what comes after, that you’re craving, hmm?”

NSFW 🗿🙈

★ This man is obviously into ownership. You’re his, just as he is yours. Though you’re the one who’s on your knees before him, eager to please more than half the time.

★ “So obedient, you must be wanting some sort of reward,” He coos, cupping your face before tangling your hair around his fingers (or gripping your collar because he’s most definitely into collaring you), pulling your head back to look at him.

★ Shang Tsung is an extremely meticulous man, very passionate when it comes to bringing you pleasure beyond your own comprehension. Toys, his fingers, tongue, dick. Whatever he’s using he knows exactly how to. In fact, he probably knows your body better than you do at this point.

★ “You like this, love?” He’ll grunt out, angling his hips to drive his cock into that sweet spot even deeper than before, making your head fall back as you moan out his name, clawing at his shoulders and back. “And this?” He asks, feigning innocence while drilling into you with more force, hands gripping your hips, sinking his fingertips into the soft skin.

★ Loves overstimulating you to the brink of tears. Using a bullet vibe against your clit with your arms bound behind your back, sat at the edge of the bed, Shang Tsung kicking your feet apart, opening your legs for him, forcing you to take the buzzing sensation, the numbing—tingling—hot feeling builds up, coiling tightly at the pit of your stomach.

★ “Please—I can’t take anymore!” You huff out, but Shang Tsung simply hums in delight, sliding down to his knees as he bumps up the intensity of the bullet, watching you squirm and writhe in his hands, he looks up at you through his lashes, those devious eyes glinting in the dim lighting of your bedroom.

★ “I assure you, darling, you can.” He presses a small peck to your inner thigh, keeping your legs spread for him as he peppers more kisses along your skin.

★ Shang Tsung is a man who gains pleasure from having power and control over others. But especially when he has power over you in bed. Pinning your hands above your head, hiking a knee over his shoulder, shoving your face into the sheets—his actions are usually dominant. (Though pookie is for sure a switch—like he don’t mind getting fucked—but he’s still in charge either way. You know?)

★ “Don’t think for even a moment you have the upper hannnh~” he sputters with his hands tied above him as you grind on top of him, stirring his cock around your insides with a coy little smile. “Of course not, Master”

★ Luxurious BDSM, and by that we mean he fancies extravagant sex swings, bounding you in the finest of silks and fabrics. (No rope burn here—he likes to keep his treasure in pristine condition.) get used to mulberry silk blindfolds. A new color and design for every encounter because a special occasion such as making love with you deserves an equally lovely gift.

★ Breeding Kink. He likes to claim what’s his, and what’s the most personal, intimate, invasive way to do so? To fill you up with his cum until you’re the perfect cream filled dessert, of course.

★ it’s just—the thought of you being filled by him and only him? The idea of planting his seed into your garden? Makes him more than reel. It makes him insatiable. Not that you mind. “That’s it, love, you’ll be sure to take nicely…”

★ Pulling out to just the tip, teasing your clit just before he slams right back into you, hilting with an audible grunt—over and over again and again—until you’re a fucked out mess, thighs quivering and dripping with his essence.

★ “Take nicely…and take all of it, pet.” He warns seductively, scooping whatever dared spill from between your thighs back inside, adding a third finger for good measure, pushing into you deeper, with slowed, controlled movements, making your back arch as you clench around the invasive digits.

★ He may be a selfish man, but once he fucks you up and down the block, he’s always sure you’re comfortable after the fact. Clean sheets, pillows, fresh pajamas, a tray of elegant finger foods displayed before you with your favorite drink in arms reach.

★ “I do not say this lightly, but you have undoubtedly become my greatest weakness…” He’ll croon with a soft smile, caressing your jawline before brushing your hair and putting it in a protective style. (Or he’ll simply give you a scalp massage) praising you on how well you took him as he presses soft kisses to the top of your head, cradling you against his chest.