#we then played a few card games with her and her mum

[lesbicosmos]

i love finding sapphics out in the wild <3

was just on the train home from a university open day, me and my mum were assigned seats at one of the tables and we were with another mother and daughter who'd been to the same open day

we'd chatted a bit, then went quiet

then after a while she's talking to her mum and she just says "if chappell roan doesn't release subway i might die" and the way i ACTIVATED

we then spent like 10 minutes talking about music, obviously i hadn't assumed anything but then she was saying she wouldn't be that obvious as queer but her music taste gave her away, sooo i showed her the phoebe bridgers and girl in red cds i bought from hmv earlier :))

just...finding your people in the wild <33

[vogelmeister]

i feel like every household needs a banned board/card game that’s banned for a reason

[enwoso]

What about a part to of for the better please? With Lovies reaction to Less scoring against united (and when Leah was shoved into the dug out👀🤣) from todays game ❤️

THE GREATEST — alessia russo x child!reader

honestly never wrote a fic so quick but i loved this request thought it was so cute☺️

grumpy masterlist

it was that time of the season, again. arsenal come against manchester united on manchester soil. alessia wasn’t as bothered this time around, her departure from the reds was buried and wasn’t as fresh and raw as it had been this time last year.

still, it brought some unwanted feelings coming up against her old club especially one she started her professional career at.

you on the other hand, since learning it was time for team to make the long journey up north and back to leigh sport village you had a frown plastered across your face.

you used to love being and watching your mummy play at leigh sports village but now you liked your new home in north london. you didn’t dislike manchester by any means especially since you sometimes made the journey with your mummy to see your auntie ella which was one of the few good things about manchester.

“so what’s so awful about manchester, that’s got you frowning like that tiny?” emily asked with a playful smile as she was sat opposite you on the team bus having been playing card with your mummy while you sat watching a frown plastered across your lips getting deeper and deeper as the bus made its way up the road.

“manchester is mean.” you said bluntly as a small chuckle came from your mummy who was sitting beside you as she took a sip of her water.

“you liked it there, when we lived there?” your mummy pointed out as you only hummed crossing your arms across your chest — well tried to. alessia trying to also figure out what and why you were in such a strop about going up to manchester for.

“you used to tell me all about your life in manchester on facetime, and how much you loved it” emily said as she recounted some of the memories of when her and less would facetime and you would babble about your days in manchester long before the american moved to north london.

“yep but that not home anymore, manchester is mean” you mumbled sliding down the chair as you huffed, a small look of realisation flashing across alessia’s face as to why you were in such a strop.

“oh lovie the fans have gotten over that now” alessia assured you as she side hugged you, you sighed not knowing whether to believe what your mummy was telling you or not.

“still” you grumbled as alessia shook her head playfully as emily grinned at your innocence as you went back to watched your show now that you were cuddled into the side of your mummy.

“she’s so dramatic-“

-

finally, the game had rolled around after it feeling like you’d been in manchester for days not when really it had been less than twenty four hours. walking by your mummy’s side as she wheeled her small suitcase in, a backpack most likely filled with more of your things in than your mums which hung from her shoulder.

people stood at the entrance, shouting and screaming the players which walked past as some shouted your name as you walked past with your mum, you giving the odd shy wave before walking into the stadium.

“lovie- where are you- oh” alessia called out as she felt you let go of her hand, your small steps could be heard as you rushed over and jumped into the arms of a very familiar face, one you’d just said goodbye to a couple a days ago from england camp.

“tooney!” you cheered as she spun you around a big grin on the united players’ face. “i’ve missed you, tiny” ella smiled as she stopped still, players walking past saying a small hi either to you or tooney.

you furrowed your brow, “i seen you two days ago though?” you said as a small giggled left ella’s lips as she realised you hadn’t understood what she meant.

“am i not allowed to miss my favourite russo!” ella quipped back as she tickled under your chin making you squirm in her arms as alessia caught up with you, stopping mere metres away from ella as she side hugged the manchester united player.

“i missed you too auntie ella” you admitted lowly, as you hugged her tight. ella rubbing your back as a soft smile came across alessia’s face. yours and ella’s bond being one of the best kind, so cute and pure and alessia loved it.

“and anyways missus i thought you said you would wear your united shirt for me today!” ella gasped as she replayed the conversation the two got of you had on england camp, you telling ella the next game you watched her play in you would wear your old united shirt — which would definitely and most likely be too small for you.

you shook your head with a firm hum, “north london forever!” you grinned tapping the badge which was displayed on your chest. it drawing a few chuckles from both alessia and ella.

“you’ve changed your tune!” ella joked but she knew since the move how much you’d fell in love with arsenal and north london. but manchester would always be somewhere in your heart.

“well i suppose it’s better than being a blue” ella shrugged as she laughed at her own little joke before saying her goodbyes, kissing your forehead and letting you back down on the ground. yours waving goodbye to ella as she promised she’d find you after the game.

you holding back onto your mummy’s hand as she led you into the away changing room. in your mind this was the worst part of game day, the waiting around for the game to actually start as you always wondered why they needed two whole hours to get ready.

but nevertheless you waited making your own entertainment along the way, walking with steph and kyra as they went out onto the pitch. your mummy opting on going to get treatment just before the warm ups.

joking on a little as you ran up and down the touchline as they warmed up before having a very serious conversation with fred the red as he danced around and waved at the fans in the stands. the mascot you used to love.

but then it was time for the team to go back into the changing room as you scared beth as she came rushing off the pitch, small giggles coming from you as she chased you back inside.

as you sat back down on the bench, coming down from your high energy state. catching your breath from all the running around you’d done, you’d think you had just ran around for ninety minutes.

your mummy was fixing up her hair as you watched fondly, “mummy?”

“yes baby” your mummy cooed as she tied the bobble into her hair before kneeling down so she could hear you among the loud chatter and the music which was booming through the speakers.

“what happen if you score today?” you asked as it had been on your mind the past day or two, you wondering if the goal would count towards united or arsenal. your brain getting a little confused.

alessia’s brow furrowed, not quite getting what you meant, “what do you mean by that lovie?”

“well cause you played for united will it be their goal” you asked your tone laced with confusion as alessia’s brow softened as she realised what you now meant.

your mummy firmly shaking her head as her hands rested on your knees as you sat on the bench, “no lovie, it’ll be an arsenal goal cause that’s who i play for now” your mummy explained as she pointed to the jersey you were wearing as you nodded along as your mummy continued her explanation using her when she scored for england as an example.

you hummed in realisation as you brain now made sense of your doubts, “will you score today?” you asked as alessia laughed a little shrugging her shoulders — she wishes she could see the future.

“i’ll try score just for you, prove the booing wrong ay?” your mummy grinned as she tapped your knees feeling you tense up at the mention of the booing knowing italy you experience some pretty big feelings the last time. but your mummy was quick to reassure you before placing a soft kiss on the top of your head as she stood back up.

the exciting part of the day had finally arrived where you could watch the match, one you’d been excited for the build up but not the actually match itself. this time though you found yourself sat with kyra instead of leah, that and the fact leah was back on the pitch playing again.

sat in the dugout, a blanket over your legs which kyra had given you as your arsenal jersey was now covered with a hoodie your mummy had insisted on you wearing much to your complaints that you didn’t need it.

but as always your mummy won the argument as the moment you came from the warmth of the changing room you were complaining that you were cold, so your mummy quickly got your hoodie placing over your head and sliding it down so it sat perfectly in you.

so instead you had to settle for the arsenal scarf around your neck all with white and red letters of arsenal plastered across it as you way of showing your support for the team.

the first half you can’t lie was a little boring, no goals being scored but your mummy did come close a few times. after he first attempt in the 12’ minute you tapped kyra on the shoulder, the australian peeling her eyes away from the pitch to listen to you.

“my mummy said she was gonna score to today!” you proudly smiled as kyra nodded along agreeing, “well it is looking likely tiny!”

but it was very likely to happen in the first half as it ended still with neither team scoring so when the team finally came out for the second half, you were a little more eager to watch. hoping the goal from your mummy was coming.

so in the 63’ minute when mariona played the lovely pass to emily who crossed it to alessia, you were on your feet in seconds when you seen the net bulge. your mummy didn’t celebrate with her aeroplane arms like she usually did instead a small yes slipped from her lips as she pointed over to the dugout, mainly to you before all the girls engulfed her in a group hug and head taps.

that was your mummy’s last action of the day as she was subbed off shortly after, kyra having been subbed on in place with the other girls who came off.

alessia getting her jacket and wrapping it around her arms to shield herself from the manchester coldness as she made a beeline to sit next to you in the dugout. you launching yourself to her the moment she was close.

your mummy wrapping you in a hug as you explained your view of the goal and your excitement fueling through your small limbs as your arms flung around explains it.

“t’was all for you, lovie” your mummy whispered against your hair as she placed a gentle kiss on-top of your head you hugged your mum tightly as your eyes wondered back to the pitch.

the game unfortunately after alessia’s goal wasn’t over, far from it actually, manchester united threw on some subs and were looking likely to score.

alessia glanced up to the clock as you sat on her lap, watching intently. your fingers in your mouth something you did when you were concentrating on something.

rachel williams had made a breakthrough as leah ran to catch her except, leah got a shove in the shoulder knocking her to the ground and quite literally off the pitch as she rolled and hit the dugout.

you not seeing the initial shove as you were too busy looking at the fans who were shouting and yelling their chants you trying to decipher the words. so when you seen leah on the ground, lying on her back you let out a loud laugh.

“le!” you called out as leah stood to her feet waving at you as she mouthed to alessia that she was okay, “your supposed to be playing football not having a nap!” you yelled after as leah was looking over her shoulder walking gingerly back to the sideline as the medical team crowded around her.

a small gasp coming from your mummy as she bumped your shoulder giving you a stern look for your cheekiness as leah just laughs at your cheeky comment running back onto the pitch.

the match ended not in the way you wanted which kind of damped the mood but nevertheless, you were able to run about a little as your mummy was off signing things.

“le!” you called out as you ran after leah as she was walking away from some fans, your mummy watching you intently as she spoke to some fans, busy signing shirts, books and phone cases.

“you okay, tiny?” leah smiled as you ran into her arms, leah throwing you up in the air and catching you making you squeal as she did, falling back into her arms giggling.

“are you okay after your fall?” you asked, your mummy after you cheeky comment filled you in on the fact leah hadn’t gone for a nap mid game like you thought but instead had been nudged over, you feeling slightly bad about your comment.

“course i am, just a little graze!” leah waved it off as you let out a sigh of relief, “next time i’ll just have to stay on my two feet” leah joked as you nodded.

“cause you spend too much time with mummy as she really clumsy!” you so innocently said as a laugh rippled through leah, you not being in the slightest bit wrong. as alessia could trip over thin air and still land on the floor.

“is that so?” leah questioned as you nodded proudly, totally forgetting that you yourself was also born with two left feet as like your mum you also found your self tripping over thin air.

leah just laughed at your response as she watched ella walk over to the two of you.

“leah do you think i can convince less to let tiny stay with me, we have a movie night in the books which is planned for tonight sharpish!” ella smiled as you nodded along, this being something you had planned during england camp but had yet been able to convince your mummy of — as a result of alessia not being any of the wiser of said movie night.

“um i dunno know you’ll have the ask the boss lady herself” leah shrugged as you wriggled out of her hold, tugging on ella’s hand as she tried to pull you in the opposite direction of your mummy.

“c’mon tooney, my mummy’s this way!”

[nochukoo97]

we can’t be friends (wait for your love) - teaser

pairing: childhoodfriend!jk x childhoodfriend!oc

summary: you and jungkook have been friends since birth, and as you both grow into teenagers, you can’t help but have some sorr of longing feeling towards him. but after a turn of events, you move away from your home town, growing apart from the boy you onced were close to. almost a decade later when you decide to move back, there’s someone familiar yet unfamiliar waiting for your arrival… was this the universe giving you a sign about him?

warnings/tags: story starts off when the both of them are children, but most of the plot is when they are adults :)), eventual: kissing, an emotional rollercoaster 🥲, they’re stuck in a ‘what are we’ moment, playing a waiting game of who confesses first, a little bit of angst, smut, but fluff too hehe

a/n: IM BACK 🥲 after being in writers block sighhh but i am back hehehe hope u r excited for this!! anyways this is just an intro for the actual fic, its more of what happened before the present which will be in the main part hehehe

TAGLIST OPEN!!

(this is the introduction, the main part is coming soon :)))

MASTERLIST

23 July 2007

You’re currently wedged between two bookshelves in the living room of your house, eyes trained on the words in your book, giggling to yourself when the plot takes a funny turn. Meanwhile in the background, Jungkook and your brother Taehyung, both a year older than you, the two ten year old boys play fighting in your parents backyard, their game was way too rough for you to even watch, you decided.

That’s always the way it’s been since you were young, Jungkook’s mum dropping him off at your parents place as he spent time with your brother, mostly roughhousing like they are now, and you, at nine years old, simply tucking yourself in another fairytale, which to you seemed like a much better way to past time.

You never truly spent a lot of time with the two of them when Jungkook would come over, besides the once-in-a-while moments where your parents would make you guys bond a little through board games or card games which the two elder boys would never take seriously, the games always ending in them either throwing the board game pieces at each other or stacking the cards into a pyramid.

When it came to school, you tried your best to stay away from bumping into your brother at school, but you’d always end up being teased in front of your friends by him and Jungkook, making fun of your two pigtails or your very glittery pink bag you had just gotten as a birthday gift, but you were used to it anyways, having grown up with a brother.

12 August 2011

Four years go by and now you’re finally completing your last year in middle school, Jungkook and your brother having moved on to high school, and as expected, they end up attending the same school, as they have done their whole life.

But since four years ago, a lot has changed. You’ve grown much closer to Jungkook, having gone on quite a few trips with his family, and you could even consider him a close friend. Most importantly, he’d grown from being a kid to a teenager, even though he was only a year older than you, the 14 year old boy suddenly became someone you always wanted to hang out with. To you, you saw him as someone cool. Instead of teasing you along with your brother, he now would defend you from your brother’s teasing, treat you to ice cream on the weekends and even teach you the video games he played with your brother.

“And then he let me get as many toppings as I wanted,” You tell your friends, clicking the buttons on your phone to show them the picture of your ice cream, filled to the brim with all sorts of toppings because Jungkook said you could.

“You’re so lucky, I wish I had a boyfriend like that,” Jiyeon sighs, pouting her lips as she sulks.

Your face turns red, tip of your ears warm as you quickly deny, “He isn’t my boyfriend! Just a friend… In fact he was my brother’s friend first,” No, you couldn’t even begin to try and imagine Jungkook as someone more than your friend!

“Well, but you should definitely confess to him on valentine’s day, it’s in like six months,” Yuji twirls her hair, nudging your leg slightly as she giggled.

To the three of you, as 13 year old girls, having a valentine was a big deal, especially since the whole idea of a crush and all was new to you guys as teenage girls.

“No! I don’t have feelings for him! He’s just nice to me I guess,” You frown at Yuji, just because she confessed to her crush and now apparently has a boyfriend, doesn’t mean you need to do it too, you decided.

You didn’t have a crush on Jungkook right?

You push away the thought quickly, this whole topic was so taboo to you, it made you feel squirmy thinking about it. No, you didn’t have any sort of feelings towards the older boy, never.

-

So that day when you arrived back at home, spotting Jungkook and Taehyung sitting at the table and doing their homework, you decide to take a seat away from the certain boy.

“Huh? Why are you sitting all the way there? Come back here,” Jungkook hums, pulling out his earphones in bewilderment, you had always sat next to him whilst the three of you would do homework together after school, nudging him here and there to ask for help with a math problem.

“I- okay,” You scooch towards the chair next to him, dragging your books along the table as you avoid eye contact. Your cheeks heating up again as you remember your conversation with your friends in school earlier, it made you feel all tingly inside, but why were you being so weird in front of him?

“You’ve been staring at that math problem for ages, need help?”

You jump up in surprise at Jungkook’s voice , letting out a small yelp as your brother snickers at you from across the table, you kick his shin in response, sending his hands flailing to the injury, mumbling some cuss word you don’t understand.

“Yeah,” You only muster out a whisper, handing over your pencil to the boy, who finds your behaviour a little off but nonetheless, doesn’t comment on it.

And while he explains the solution and working to find the value of X, you can only notice his eyes, his nose, the mole under his lips, the scar on his cheek from when he fought with your brother years ago, his lips.

And then you for yourself to snap out of your daydream when his eyes lock with yours in confusion as to why you’re staring at him instead of your workbook.

03 January 2012

But then five months later, opportunity for valentine’s day didn’t even come for you anyways, as you pack your bags to move miles away from the place you once called home, since your father had been posted to a new country for his work.

The whole idea of leaving your life behind and all the people you’ve ever known since young was such an overwhelming feeling that you didn’t even think once about your feelings for Jungkook anymore, or maybe you did once, but it didn’t matter.

So when you tugged your luggage and watch your brother sadly hug his best friend goodbye at the airport, reality struck, you wouldn’t ever get a chance to even properly assess your feelings for Jungkook anyways, so you simply wave him goodbye, not looking back so you don’t think further than a goodbye.

He did make sure to exchange his Instagram and Facebook with you, promising you and your brother to keep in touch, which you agreed to. Maybe there was a part of you that wanted to cling onto the idea of him, but you didn’t let yourself believe that anyways.

[x-gabrielle-x]

Withered Cards | I

Pairings: Jason Todd x Reader.

Warnings: Blood, gore, violence, murder, swearing, major and minor injuries, death.

Summary: Despite the many problems you overcome with Jason Todd, you always eventually make it back to each other. Even after his death, how could you still love a man who changed so much? Even when you made a turn for the worst.

Series Masterlist

No child would ever imagine the world to be as cruel as it really is.

Yet then again, most adults would refrain from exposing their children into the world, the harsh reality of it, at least, and Gotham was definitely a place of violence and rage.

The small nightmares every child would experience would never live up to the cruel reality of the world.

"Y/N, baby, get up," your mother whispered into your ear, panicked and rushed, causing for your eyes to flutter open.

It was still dark, meaning that it couldn't be morning, but your mother was hunched beside your bed with her fingers trailing through your hair, and that was when your gaze met her own fearful ones.

Her voice was so low in a whisper that you could barely manage to hear, fearful of what - or who - could hear us.

"We need to leave, baby. Come on."

With your eyes still groggy and barely comprehending the situation, your mother's arms carefully scooped your body up from beneath the warmth of your blankets, her grip tight and secure as she adjusted your body in her hold. You didn't fail to notice the heavy thumping of her chest and the pale complexion to her face.

“Mummy?” You asked, but she was quick to hush you, her gaze burning into the door with a look of terror you would never forget.

She waited, as if she were expecting the door to swing open any moment, but it only left the both of you in a deafening silence. Despite the obvious confusion set on your face, your mother chose to ignore it, not giving any indication as to what was occurring on the other side of the door.

With the few passing moments, your grip on her tightened, and the many fearful questions were swarming your mind. You were scared, but of what?

Without a word, she took a single step toward the door with you still held tightly in her arms, and just as her hand went to grasp the handle-

“Mum!” You spoke, too loud for her liking, because she jumped back away from the door as if it had burnt her flesh and clasped a tight hand over your mouth. She listened carefully, and when she was comfortable enough, she took her hand away.

“What did I tell you?” She whispered harshly, but her eyes softened when she saw the fearful gaze you held. “What is it?”

You pointed behind you both, back to your bed where your favorite teddy laid beside the unmade sheets. It was only small, the perfect size for a small child, with soft brown fur and button eyes. You remembered that night your father came home from work, a bouquet of various different flowers for your mother in one hand, and in his other hand he held the brown bear. He had just gone away on a long business trip, and you were overly excited after not seeing him the last few weeks. Maybe it was the fact it was from your dad, or maybe it was simply because of the soft fur, but it was by far your favorite teddy to hold while you slept.

Letting out a long cautious sigh, your mum quickly picked up the bear before giving it to you, your hands instantly going to clutch at the teddy while your mum went back over to the door.

“Ok, sweetheart. I’m going to need you to play a game with me, ok?” She looked down at you, and you nodded despite the darkness of your bedroom, only your lamp casting a small glow around the room.

She smiled gently and gave a quick peck to your forehead.

“Ok, we’re going to see who can be quiet the longest. I know you always beat me, and that’s why when I put you down, you’re going to run and hide so we can do some hide and seek.”

If it weren’t for the dim light, you only just managed to catch a glimpse of the hot tear streaking down your mother's cheek.

“Do you understand, baby?”

You nodded once more, holding a finger up to your lips as your sign you knew you had to be quiet. She let out a quiet breathy laugh.

You watched as she reached forward, her hand shaking as she grasped the door handle and slowly twisted it, pushing the door open. It was dark, the only source of light being the living room light from downstairs. You heard a small muffle of voices, one you recognized to be your father.

You wondered if maybe your dad had decided to play with you, too. Maybe that’s why your mum had been so quiet and told you to hide.

Your mum knelt down, carefully placing you down onto your feet before she stood up to her full height. You thought that it was your time to start hiding, but right as you went to turn, her hand was grasping yours tightly and she was walking down the stairs to where your father and the unknown strangers were.

There was a wall dividing the living room and the stairs, so anybody on the other side wouldn’t be able to see your mother and you crouched down at the bottom of the stairs. You watched as your mother peeked around the corner, probably to check that nobody was looking, because she was quick to pull you along to the other side of the room. You only caught a glimpse of the living room.

Your father was leant up against the kitchen counter, still clad in his pajamas, whilst five men you had never seen before stood beside the dining table. Four of them were each dressed in black, but the one in the middle was wearing what looked to be a clown costume. A purple suit with a weird bow tie, his skin as pale as a sheet of paper that made him look almost sickly. His hair was also a deep green, and for a moment you wondered if you even saw right.

The clown had a huge grin plastered onto his face, almost too wide to be natural, revealing his slightly yellowed teeth.

Your mother pushed you against the wall to remain out of sight, and when she knelt down to your level to get a good look at you, you could see the tears now freely falling from her eyes.

“Ok, my sweet girl. It’s time to hide,” she whispered next to your ear, her breath tickling your skin.

You nodded, and that’s when she leant forward to press a lingering kiss to your cheek, her fingers combing through your hair, just like how she would do it any other day to simply play with your hair.

With a quick nod, she gently pushed on your shoulders and watched as you sneakily crept to your chosen hiding spot.

It was by far your favorite spot, a small hatch underneath the desk pushed up against the wall. It was hidden beneath the few piles of shoes cluttered around, and you had to hastily move them enough to open the hatch.

You cringed once the hinges made an old rusty screech, and with ease you crawled inside, making sure to close the hatch securely behind you. Hugging your knees to your chest, you shuffled your position and felt the rough dirt and dust cling to your clothes. The bear that was still held in your hand was put at your feet, even though you couldn't see it with the darkness.

Although you could still vaguely hear the ongoing conversation, most of what you could hear was muffled. You tensed once you heard the loud cackles of the green haired man, shivers erupting over your body.

“Mrs. Y/L/N! How lovely to see the family together- oh wait, no… your little girl isn’t here?” He mocked sadness.

“She won’t be coming, Joker,” You heard your dad speak before your mother could, his voice stern and protective.

“Aw, what a shame. I was really looking forward to meeting the little lady! Perhaps maybe I can after this has all blown over.”

At this point, your confusion only grew. Nobody was coming to find you yet, and your mum was now in the same room as your dad and those other men. You felt your gut twist uncomfortably, and the fear was coursing through your body.

You wanted your parents. You didn't like this game anymore. You could only wish you were back in the warmth of your bed, peacefully asleep and unaware of the world around me.

Your mother let out a sudden loud sob.

“Please, just- just don’t hurt us or our baby. She doesn’t know anything,” you heard her cry more, and before another word could be said, a loud gunshot echoed throughout the house causing you to jump and bump your head on the hatch door.

“No!” You heard your dad scream, and it was then that you knew none of this was right. His voice was a tone you had never heard before, filled with pain and anger. You didn’t hear your mother anymore. Was she-

“I did you a favor,” the Joker cooed, your fathers muffled crying echoing throughout the house. “Women are picky. You can’t tell me the girl didn’t annoy you at least once?! You should be thanking me!”

“You monster!” Your dad screamed, before he was harshly cut off by him grunting in pain.

“Now, now, don’t be so picky. She was bothering the both of us. Now, where’s your little girl?” The Joker said, clapping his hands in a ‘chop-chop’ motion.

There was no response from your father, and you didn’t even realize the fresh tears streaming down your cheeks and falling onto your knees. You held back any whimpers in order to stay hidden.

“If you won’t tell me,” the Joker started, his tone switching from cheerful to dark. “Then I’ll get her myself.”

It was barely a few seconds, five at least, before the hatch door was swung open and your arms were grabbed. You screamed and thrashed, before you were harshly pushed forward onto the floor. Your head made impact with the wooden slats, and you cried out.

Despite the tears clouding your vision, you didn’t fail to notice the body of your mother laying lifeless on the floor, hot crimson blood spilling from a hole in her head and pooling around the floor, her blue top now stained red. Her eyes were open, glazed over and lacking life, and it looked as if she was merely frozen in fear.

You weren’t crying anymore. The tears had stopped, and now you could only watch with wide eyes the sight before you. Your mum, who you had touched and talked to and heard only a few minutes ago, was dead.

“Y/N,” your dad called, his arms outstretched, and you were knocked from your thoughts and practically stumbled into his open arms.

“Don’t look, baby. It’s ok, just don’t look,” he whispered into your ear, but his voice was shaky, and you could feel his own tears soaking into the fabric of your pajama shirt.

You heard footsteps near, but you refused to remove your face from the crook of your dad's neck, the only way to hide the scene behind you. You felt a cold hand pat your head, and your dad tugged you away from the stranger.

“Beautiful little girl you’ve gotten yourself, Xavier. She looks almost identical to you,” the Joker teased. “You know, I bet she’ll become just as great a fighter as you, huh? Just imagine it, father and daughter, working alongside the one and only Joker to rule over Gotham! Oh, it will all be so much fun, what do you say?”

You turned your head a little, catching a glimpse of the Joker crouching at the knees in front of your father and you, the smile never leaving his face. When your dad didn’t say anything, the Jokers sickening gaze drifted to you.

“How about we let the little one decide, huh? What do you think, little clown?”

You didn’t need to try answering, because your dad's grip on your body was tightening to the point you could just barely breathe.

“No, you sick shit! She’s only a kid! She’s only just started second grade. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”

For a moment, it was quiet.

“You’re right…” You heard Joker sigh, standing to his feet. “Maybe that’s why we need to let her choose for herself, and to not be influenced by the wrong kind of people.”

The Joker clicked his fingers once. Two of the guards came forward and pried you from your father's warm embrace, and once more you were crying, reaching out for him. You watched as he attempted to fight to get you back but was pinned down by the other two guards while Joker stood over him.

“Such a shame, really. I did enjoy your small family. Unfortunately, it might just need to be a little smaller now.” he reached into his suit pocket, pulling out what looked to be a long needle filled with a black tinted liquid. “Recognize this?”

You watched as your dad's eyes widened, and tears streamed down his face while his voice cracked with each word.

“P-please, not my little girl. Not my girl. I’ll do anything!”

Joker laughed, loud. “Oh, you poor man. This wasn’t for the child! I’m not that cruel!” He stalked closer to your father, watching in amusement as he thrashed wildly in an attempt to escape. You saw the fear flash in his eyes.

The Joker leant close to his face, licking his lips in a mocking manner while holding up the small needle so that your dad could see.

“This wasn’t meant for your daughter, it was meant for you, silly!” And just like that, the sharp tip of the needle was penetrating your dad's flesh at the neck, his eyes grown wide in horror. He didn’t even try to fight anymore, his body giving up while he turned his head to you for the last time.

“Y/N,” he chocked, and you watched with frightful eyes as black veins spread across his neck, traveling over his body like bolts of lightning. He groaned in pain.

"I love you so much, baby. I'm sorry," he cried. "Do you understand? I love you so much."

Your body shook as his eyes met yours. You didn't have the voice to say it back, and you saw the hurt flash in his eyes. Opening your mouth, the only thing that would come out was a chocked sob.

He fell onto his side, limp.

The Joker wiped a fake tear. "Oh my, how sad..."

He paid no mind as you continued to cry, calling out for your parents. You were sure that you were next, and you flinched when you felt the Joker's hand pat your head. He let out a maniacal laugh the more you cried, and you physically struggled to inhale more air. Nearly instantly, he frowned to what you thought was sympathy, tutting.

“Don’t worry about them, my new apprentice! Life would have been so boring here; I'm giving you another chance! How exciting! Harley will be thrilled!"

You didn't fight as he took your hand, your shaky body going to stand beside him. Even when he continued to drag you toward the door, your gaze was trained on the bodies laid out in the middle of the room, and it was then that you realized that the only person you had now was this man.

A monster brought from your nightmares.

©x-gabrielle-x. Do not steal, copy or translate my works.

[its-all-papaya]

okay for the prompt ask game: landoscar, the most cliche thing: only one bed, and getting together - go!

only one bedddd MY LOVE. I ADORE making the boys CUDDLE.

tell me what you wish I'd write

I will set the scene: Lando and Oscar are in their second year as teammates, now, and they’re proper friends, right? Much closer than they were the year before. Time to…. meet the family?

snippet enclosed at the end under the break just fyi :,)

Meddling Nicole. We know now that she will canon throw her son under the bus and expose him for a little laugh. She also knows that Oscar has been maybe a little obsessed with Lando for years, and getting to know him as a teammate has not dulled Lando’s shine for Oscar at all. He’s actually worse. Tries to be really lowkey about it, not bringing up Lando too often, only mentioning him when he feels it’s relevant, but Nicole can tell by the change in his voice when he talks about Lando, the way he edges Lando into conversations he doesn’t really NEED to be in. Anyway. A few weeks ahead of the Australian GP she’s on a call with Oscar and is like “You should bring Lando round when he’s here, honey. Have him stay a night, we’d love to meet him properly.” And Oscar is like… oh. uh. Yeah. Sure.

In what world is Lando going to say no to Oscar on that when Oscar’s got his soft Lando Smile on and he’s like “just for a night, my mom really wants you to”?

The day after the race perhaps? Because Lando podiums and Carlos wins so they go out and Lando is perhaps a little hungover and cranky when he arrives, but immediately goes soft for Oscar. He’s headachy and tired and reaches for Osc as soon as he’s in the doorway, wrapping his free arm around Oscar’s back and resting in the hug for a long, long second. They’re speaking in soft little private voices to one another and giggling and Oscar is smiling his hopeless, besotted smile, and Lando’s eyes are sparkling even through the hangover exhaustion. And then “Lando, so glad you could make it!” and they spring apart and Lando rubs at his cheek with his palm and Oscar rolls his eyes at his mum and gives Lando a little squeeze around the wrist as apology.

“Let me take your bags, Oscar can show you around a bit and you can get some lunch in you.”

They’d hang out all day, maybe with Oscar’s sisters (who love Lando obviously bc they can all team up on Oscar together), perhaps kicking around outside or whatever.

Dinner has Meet the Family (tm) vibes where Oscar’s parents are quizzing Lando about his own family and racing and how Oscar is at work. And maybe there’s some food Lando doesn’t eat and he feels really bad and is stressed but Oscar is like “you don’t have to eat that. Mum, I told you Lando doesn’t eat seafood.” Very Romantic. Very Domestic.

Afterwards, they all convene in the living room to play a game or something and Lando doesn’t understand the rules and doesn’t have the attention span to learn so he’s like “I’ll just be on a team with Oscar.” Except he’s really just leaning into Oscar’s side, looking at the cards but mostly just Oscar’s hands, and watching Oscar play. Eventually he kind of catches the gist and makes a suggestion about something right at Oscar’s ear, lips brushing skin, and the move… works? And Oscar is like “thanks, mate” all soft and Lando is like “I’d say we make pretty good teammates, yeah? someone should hire us that way” and yawns and smirks at the way it makes everyone giggle.

Eventually Lando starts nodding off against Osc’s shoulder, everyone’s talking and laughter warm around him. After it sticks, Lando’s cheek smushed against Oscar’s bicep, Oscar’s hand curled around Lando’s knee, Nicole goes “you should take that one to bed, honey, he looks exhausted.” And Oscar is like… simply why would you phrase it like that? but “okay, is he staying in the guest room?” and Nicole is like “oh! did I not tell you? we’ve got your grandmother there. huh. could have sworn I told you this. I figured Lando could just bunk with you, hope that’s alright!” and Oscar is like... well. I’m not going to make him sleep on the COUCH 24 hours after a race.

So he wakes Lando up sooooo gently and Lando blinks soft and sleepy and a little frowny because he was cozy there, actually. And everyone else feels like they’re intruding, as is prone to happen around Lando and Oscar.

Oscar apologetic explaining the situation, but Lando just shrugs and stretches and follows him up the stairs, because it won’t be the first time he’s fallen asleep in the same bed as a teammate, probably.

Oscar’s childhood bedroom hasn’t changed much since he left for boarding school, and Lando perks up once they get there so he can poke fun of Oscar about the posters and the knickknacks on his desk. And Oscar’s blushy and laughing and a little defensive, but mostly just fond fond fond having Lando in this part of his life.

They brush their teeth side by side, elbows knocking, and it’s… so domestic. Overwhelming. Oscar is scared of how easily they move around each other, Lando’s hand on the small of his back as he sneaks by to grab his face wash from the bedroom where he’d forgotten it, Oscar handing over a towel to dry Lando’s face before Lando can even ask.

Oscar’s stressed that it’s going to be awkward when it comes time to actually get in bed, but Lando just tucks himself in against the wall and curls up on Oscar’s pillow. Oscar dilly dallies a bit, but Lando huffs and pats the bed and goes “Oscar,” drawing out the last syllable, “turn off the light and come to bed, I’m tired.”

Which. Does THINGS to Oscar. But Lando asked nicely, so he flips the switch and crawls in next to Lando.

They don’t touch at first. And Oscar’s bed is only a full, so it’s like… intentional. And that lasts a few minutes. But Lando whines and pats at Oscar’s side until Oscar says “what“ and Lando’s eyes are big and soft even in the dark and he says “‘m not very comfy” with a small little smile and Oscar is… only a man. So he lifts his arm up and lets Lando crawl happily under and settle against his chest with a contented sigh. And from there it’s easy to pet Lando’s hair and let Lando practically purr into his chest about it. SOFT. CUDDLY.

Lando falls asleep almost immediately because he’s still recovering from the night before. Oscar watches his eyelashes flutter prettily and toys with his curls and strokes the side of his cheek and just. Yearns. Because Lando fits so easily here in Oscar’s life. Everything felt so natural and right. Feels even more right now, with Lando in his bed, in his arms. So Oscar presses a little self-indulgent kiss to Lando’s forehead. Except the skin wrinkles beneath his lips and Lando’s fingers flex where they’re tucked against Oscar’s waist. Lando’s eyes crack open and he looks. so! soft! but Oscar’s heart is racing because he just really, really thought Lando was fast asleep.

SNIPPET‼️

Lando doesn’t look mad, but he doesn’t really look anything discernible at all in the dim light filtering through Oscar's window. Mostly he just looks sleepy. From a distance, Oscar hears the familiar sound of the air-con kicking on.

“‘s nice,” Lando says after too long, eyes fluttering back closed. There's a little smile turning the corners of his lips up and his nose twitches a little where it's rested above the collar of Oscar's loose pajama shirt. He doesn't normally wear one, but he'd figured, given the circumstances, that it would be best to.

Emboldened again, Oscar places another light kiss, just to the left of the first. Lando's smile grows with it, and he turns his face into Oscar's chest, like he's bashful about it. Oscar wonders, if he turned his bedside lamp on, whether Lando's cheeks would be pink with his attention.

"Keep going," Lando says. Mostly breath, eyes still shut.

"Yeah?" Oscar's not sure what they're doing, where they're going with it, but it's been 18 months and he hasn't learned how to say no to Lando yet, so he puts his lips next to Lando's eyebrow, on the bridge of his nose. He pauses after that, and when he breathes in, he swears he can taste his own toothpaste on Lando's exhale.

"Os-car," Lando sing-songs. Oscar doesn't think it's fair, how Lando gets to hide behind his eyelids while they do this. Whatever it is.

"Lando," he gives Lando a scratch between the shoulder blades, "look at me."

It's bolder than he normally is, bolder than he feels, still, but it gets Lando to crack his eyes open. Lando's still smiling, but it's a little tighter again.

Oscar's heart is beating hard. He remembers suddenly, absurdly out of place, that he'd lost his virginity in this bed. He thinks that was easier.

"Are we doing this?"

Lando's fingers twitch at his side. Oscar can't tell whether they're curling into his side or into Lando's own palm.

"I mean," he's at least properly awake again, "yeah. If you want to. I want to."

Oscar's pulse hasn't slowed down. It feels like a final flying lap, one shot to get everything just right.

"I want to," Oscar confirms, "But not just to do it."

"Like how?" Lando says. He props himself up on his arm so he's looking down at Oscar. Oscar's hand falls to the small of his back. Keeping him close.

"Like not just to kiss, or whatever. Like I want to because I like you. And you're important to me. So I don't want to make things weird if it's not like that for you."

Something changes in Lando's gaze, and Oscar thinks it should probably be a look he hasn't seen before, but instead it's familiar, the way it settles over both of them.

"Os-car," Lando says in that same tone from before, "I'm in your fucking twin bed. Your sisters added me to a group chat while you were at the bathroom this afternoon. I learned a card game for you." He lifts his free hand to run a thumb under Oscar's eye, "It's weirder that I've done all that before we got here."

Oscar thinks that's a yes, but he has to be sure, so he catches Lando's fingers in his hand and brushes his lips over them.

"So?" Oscar says.

"So," says Lando, "your mum is going to be so happy when you tell her."

Like qualifying on pole. Like coming home. Lando kisses him.

And then every member of Oscar's family teases them endlessly and it's sooooo fluffy and cute and domestic xoxo the end

[arsenal-womens-1]

Marry me

June 10th, 2021.

You're sitting on the bus on your way to CASA Arena Horsens stadium, freaking out. You had only been told today that you are playing, which means this is going to be your debut for Denmark. How you got to this point in life is still a mystery to you. The bus comes to a halt. Getting up, you walk off the bus. There are people taking pictures. Getting in there as fast as you can, you walk over to where your top is. Yours is next to Pernille Harder. Setting your bag down, you all walk out to the pitch. Spinning around, you look at all the seats, feeling like you're about to be sick. You rush over to the closest bin. You feel someone's hand on your back. Looking up after you finish being sick, “I don't think I can do this.” She passes you a water bottle. “You can. It looks scarier than it actually is. You're just going to scare yourself if you think about it too much. You're here for a reason.” You get where she's coming from, but it's still petrifying.

As you're walking in, the Australians are walking out. One catches your eye. She has brown hair, let's say she is about 5'2'' or 5'3''. She looks around your age. Walking into the changing rooms, you see Pernille on the phone, probably to Magda. She has a game tonight, which starts, I think, like 30 or 40 minutes after ours starts. Setting down next to her, you lay your head on the wall that is colder than you think a wall would be. Pernille nudges your shoulder. She points her phone your way. You see Magda on the other end of the phone. “Hey, how you doing, kid? Pernille said you were sick.” Looking at Pernille, she betrayed you. “I'm good, just nerves, that's all.” Magda and Pernille are like your mums at Chelsea. You had got offered a contract last December, you accepted it, and now you're here.

After 30 minutes, you're back out there doing warm-ups. The Australians come out about 5 minutes after you, doing something you've forgotten the name of. You make eye contact with the girl from earlier. You give her a small smile. She returns it, turning away. You finish what you were doing, walking back to get changed into the kit. After about 5 minutes of nothing, you get talked about tactics one last time. Walking to the seats, you wait for them to walk out and do the anthems. 20 minutes later, the whistle is blown. In the 15th minute, Tameka Yallop scores an own goal. Six minutes later, Rikke Sevecke scores for us. Four minutes later, Mackenzie Arnold scores an own goal. The whistle is blown, 3-0.

Walking into the changing room, everyone was happy. We talk about the changes that are going to be made. Simone Boye Sørensen was going off; I was going in, and Stine Larsen was out, and Luna Gevitz was in. Walking back out, the ones going in stand on the right side, and the Australians on the left. I recognize a few faces, but one, her, you still don't know her name. Well, now you know her last name, Cooney-Cross. Your number goes up, 28. You run into position. You hear the person announce your name, then they say, "Number Caitlin Foord out, Kyra Cooney-Cross in." So her name is Kyra. The game starts. Nothing really happens; a few yellow cards are given out. Nothing really happens until in the 87th minute, Mary Fowler scores. In extra time, Clare Polkinghorne scores. The game ends 3-2.

Walking around, you shake hands with a few Australian players. You come up to one player in particular. “Hey, you did good out there.” You both shake hands. “Yeah, you too.” Before you can say anything else, you are called over to do an interview.

————————————————————————————

The next part of this will be out sometime next week

[xdacted]

The art of sibling hood

Paring: sister!Reader & Charles Leclerc

Warnings: angst, fluff, hurt/comfort

Word Count: 3,815

Status: Complete

***Request made by reader***

Summer break offers us a sliver of peace. 

No teams are calling, no coaches screaming, no clients to take care of - there is nothing but family. For a few weeks out of the year, all we have is each other. I can’t ask for anything better. 

We all gather at our mother’s house, hiding away there with her. It’s nice, to all be under the same roof again, we haven’t been since Lorenzo first moved out. It only worsened when I decided to take my training to France. 16 years of living under one roof was gone in an instant. We had lived together our entire lives until that point. 

It was like losing a piece of myself. 

But then, after the sadness rolled away, I was filled with so much joy. To know that both Charles and Arthur were chasing their dream, to see them every weekend battling it out on the track. Though my mother refused to watch, I always did. 

But there is always more I want to know, more I want to see. I can’t help myself from asking questions. The countries they see, the people they meet - it’s a world I’ll never know. I almost got involved, my father put me in karting as a child, but it was never my passion. Not the way it was with Arthur and Charles. I found my calling in school. 

At six, I was sitting among my classmates in the gymnasium, watching as our instructor introduced the sport of fencing. He was trying to start a club, with a school as small as ours, it wasn’t very likely to happen. 

He brandished the swords, explaining the rules. My friend, Anies, had fallen asleep on my shoulder, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I was transfixed, hooked. That day, I ran home, with the club papers in my hand and begged my parents.

At first, Papa was hesitant, telling me that this sport was a fighting spot - I wasn’t a ‘fighting girl’. But I pleaded, hooking my arms around his neck and staring up at him. This was my dream. Fencing was racing to me. Fencing was everything. 

What I didn’t understand was that fencing was also incredibly expensive. With two children karting and one in fencing, I remember the night I caught Mum and Papa talking it over, they couldn’t afford it. 

I was lucky enough to be given a scholarship by a fencing club, I would have the funding to chase my dream. Arthur, however, was not so lucky. I remember how he cried, screaming and howling into his pillow. He mourned the loss of his sport, but he was never angry. Just sad. 

I shake off the memories when Charles calls my name. 

“What?”

He looks at me, staring at me from his seat on the floor, arms holding his knees close to him. He and Arthur are playing some card game they explained more than once - but I have never cared to learn. Arthur glares at the cards below him, flipping them over in his hand.

He laughs, “I asked how training was going?”

“Good,” I burrow further into the couch, pulling a blanket across my shoulders, “When I go back, I have a tournament in Italy.”

“Well,” Arthur huffs, still fixed on the game, “You’re already a World Champion - Ugh! Charles, you’re cheating! This is why I hate playing with you!”

Charles throws his hands up, turning to Arthur with an indignant expression, “I am not a cheater. I am a man of honor, you just suck.”

With a curse, Arthur throws his cards down. 

He stands, “You’re a cheat and you know it.”

“You just don’t know how to lose.”

Arthur throws himself beside me, moving the pillows so he can lean against them, crossing his arms in front of him. I don’t have to hide my laughter, I let it slip from me. The laughter is easy, the tension from yesterday gone. Charles had still been insistent on apologizing, even when I told him to just drop it. 

My brother is one of the kindest people in the world. 

“What about you?” I dare to ask, offering Arthur some of my blanket, “How’s Ferrari treating you?”

I don’t need to ask because I already know. Even from across the world, every Sunday, I watch him. Every Sunday, I watch my brother get into that car and put his life on the line. And every Sunday I watch Ferrari screw him over. My teammates were getting far too tired of my outbursts. 

Charles clears his throat, looking down at the cards scattered across the floor. He sweeps them together, shuffling them, “Fine.”

“Fine?”

I’m stepping on thin ice. My brothers like to assume that when it came to racing they knew everything, but I had grown up around this. My father was a racer and now my brothers were racers - it was in my blood. I had just chosen not to pursue it. 

“Yes, fine.” He pushes himself up, standing and walking to the edge of the couch. 

“If you say so, brother,” Charles opens his mouth to speak, but the sound of the doorbell cuts him off. 

He practically leaps over the couches, nearly tripping over the carpet, to throw the door open. My mother hardly has time to scold him as she steps inside her room because cheery voices are ringing out through the house. 

“Hello!”

Lorenzo comes bounding from upstairs and Arthur rolls off the couch, kicking the blanket away from him. The three women who step inside the house bring the light of the shining sun with them. 

“Girls!” I cry, it has been so long since I’ve last seen them. 

Carla sees me first, throwing her hands in the air. She pushes past Arthur to sweep me into a hug. The position is awkward, as her body curves over the couch and I attempt to reach up to her, but I can feel her laughter vibrate within her chest. 

“Did you get in today?” Her eyes are shining and the glasses perched atop her head threaten to fall, “Why didn’t you text me?”

“I wanted to surprise you, of course!” When we pull away, Charlotte and Alexandria are right beside us. 

“We need to get breakfast while you’re here,” Charlotte says, pressing her hands together. It isn’t so much a request as it is a plan in motion. 

I just nod along. I look around, my brother’s waiting behind them with crossed arms and a less-than-pleased expression. 

“What?”

“They’re supposed to be here to see us.”

“No,” Charlotte says, wrapping her arms around me, “We’re here for her and of course - Pascale.”

“Hello, dear,” Mum says, Carla placing welcoming kisses on her cheeks. 

I turn to my left, Alex having taken a seat in the open space that Arthur left. 

“Hey,” I whisper, pulling her close. 

“Hi,” She whispers back. 

There’s something different. I can tell when she hugs me, pressing a kiss on my cheek. When we pull away, there’s a glow to her skin and a twinkle in her eyes. 

“Is there -?” 

Charles is draped across her in a second, gentle hands on her shoulders, “She is my girlfriend. Please, do not be selfish.”

Alex only rolls her eyes and I can’t help but follow. 

What a drama queen. 

__________

I watch Charles and Alex as Mum bustles around the kitchen. It’s little, but something is different. I can feel it. Something about the way Charles has an arm curled around her waist or the way she clings to his arm. They keep eyeing the rest of us, Alex turning around to whisper in his ear. 

Hm. How strange. 

Alex was quite shy, this much became evident when I first met her, but she was by no means afraid of the family. Just a few weeks earlier she had come to visit me in France, we spent the day together and had been texting each other constantly. 

What could it be?

I met her eyes and she sharply turned away from me. 

A secret then. 

Papa liked to say that I inherited Mum’s gift for reading people, especially my brothers. Even when we’re separated by seas, I know when something’s bothering them. I know when something is wrong. 

But this - this was different. 

I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. 

But, my mind can help but wonder, what if - no. Could it be?

“Arthur.”

He hardly looks up from his phone, “Hm?”

“Wanna make a bet?”

“What kind of bet?” He asks, still scrolling. 

I lean in closer, “I think Alex is pregnant.”

Arthur nearly drops his phone. He whips his head over to look at me, mouth agape, “What?!”

“Sh!” I smack his arm, he is going to give us away, “You’re so loud…”

“Why do you think she’s pregnant?” He whisper-shouts, “That’s crazy. Charles would’ve told us.”

“Maybe he’s going to tell us tonight,” I shrug, pulling away from him. 

“Are you in or out?” I crossed my legs, my gut feelings were always strong. I’d guessed many things over the years and felt a change within the people around me before they told me. I’d known Charles got signed to Ferrari before he told us, or that Arthur was going to be moved to F2, or that Lorenzo had met someone new - all of these things, I’d felt. All of these things I guessed. 

Maybe I was a bit psychic. 

“You’re on,” He stuck his hand out, “€10?”

I scoffed, “That’s nothing - €100.”

“You could be wrong.”

“I could be right,” I looked down at his waiting hand. 

“€50?”

I slapped my hand in his, “€50 it is!”

“You’re going down,” He whispered, squeezing my hand. I kick at his shin.

“Ow!”

“That’s what you get, dumbass.”

“LANGUAGE!”

__________

Dinner is an easy affair. The time ticks by slowly, but none of us mind. Warm and laughter fill the house, everyone staying at the table after the food has long been eaten. Stories are tossed around and jokes float about, it's peaceful. 

A peace that’s so very addicting. 

Here, I can forget that I have to leave in only a few days. I can tell that the boys forget too, throwing themselves over Mum and the table. Arthur laughs so hard that he snorts and Lorenzo’s jokes have Charles reduced to tears - it’s all so nostalgic. 

As we eat, I can see Charles and Alex glance at each other, watching as he scoops her hand in his. She whispers something in his ear and he nods. 

Before I know it, they are both standing. 

“I,” He clears his throat, “I have something to say - well, we do, actually...”

“Well,” Alex begins, a bright smile pulling over her face, “Charles and I are expecting a - a child.”

The table erupts into cheers and exclamations. Mum drops her head into her hands, and before we can rush over, she looks up with tears in her eyes and a dazzling smile on her lips. We stand to offer them hugs and kisses, pats, and words of encouragement. 

“I told you!” I cry. 

Arthur lets out a loud groan, pushing his face into his hands, “Why?”

Confusion is written across their face and I can only laugh

I hold out a waiting hand.

With another groan and a roll of his eyes, he shoves his hand into his pockets, pulling out the €50 I’m owed. The bill is crunched and he drops it into my palm with little fanfare. 

“This is so unfair,” Arthur throws his arms around my shoulders, “How could you have possibly known?”

“I just do,” I shrug, looking up at him with a smile, “I’m just that good.”

“I knew it,” Carla giggles, “You are a psychic.”

I lock eyes with Mum over the table, she flashes me a smile.

“Of course,” I say, “I learned from the very best.”

__________

The ocean calls our name, the lull of the tides and the crashing of the waves. Such a beautiful song and we can do nothing but dance to it. With the sun shining down on our backs, we pile into Charles’s boat, clinging to the railing as we push away from the dock. The salt of the air tangles in my hair, and gentle winds give us a beautiful day. The weather was perfect, the sea was calm. What more could we ever ask for?

We spend the day lounging about the boat, pushing and shoving each other in the water. I manage to convince Charles to let me take the smaller boat out for a spin, with Carla clinging to the seats, and Charolette cheering us on from the deck above. I can’t help but dissolve into laughter at his face, twisted with worry. 

The water is cool against our heated skin, it invites us in for more. The longer we stay, the more we forget about the world that surrounds us. It is nearly enough to make me forget about my flight in only a few days. I will have to leave and this will all become a memory. 

But what a beautiful memory it will be. 

I can’t dwell on my thoughts, because Charlotte demands that we all jump. There is little fanfare for Charles and Lorenzo as they practically wrestle to the sea below. Arthur grips my hand as we jump, throwing ourselves into the Moncao air, caught by the arms of the sea. 

It is perfect. It is home. 

When the sun begins to dip in the sky, my mother draws herself up from the couch and claims that dinner will not ready itself. The others agree and begin to shuffle off but Carla and I are the last to get back from the boat. Though Charles has always held the title of ‘captain’, I have always maintained that the sea is but a little requirement for boating. We stayed behind to just lounge about in the sun, only coming back to the house when she got a frantic call from Arthur, telling her to come back. 

“What’s…” The words die in our throats when we see Alex huddled in the corner, sobbing into her hands. Charlotte stands over her, rubbing a reassuring hand over her back, whispering something into her ear. 

Before we can say another word, Arthur and Lorenzo interrupt us. He pulls us into a corner of the house, wiping his hands on his shorts. His eyes dart around the room, lip caught between his teeth. 

“What happened?” Carla demands. 

“It - it was the press,” Arthur manages, “They got pictures from earlier, on the boat.”

I need to hear little else. I dig my phone from my bag.

Finding the photo doesn’t take much work. It’s there as soon as I open Twitter, Alexandria and Charles standing on the balcony of the boat. Her hands on her stomach, nothing there to show - not yet - but the implication is enough for the media to run with. 

I can hardly breathe. 

Anger coils tight within me. 

Fucking vultures. 

Carla gasps from beside me, pressing a hand to her mouth. The headlines make my stomach turn. Far too atrocious to look at, I shove my phone back into my bag. Carla is quick to slip from beside me, rushing over to the couch, and dropping to her knees beside Alex. 

Haven’t they gone through enough? Have people not thrown Alex into the fire already? Had they not already ripped her apart? I remember the articles and the tweets when their relationship went public, the look of sadness on her face. People hated her simply because she loved Charles. How they got together and why they got together was no one’s business but their own. 

“Where -” I cut myself off, dropping my voice lower, “Where’s Charles?”

For a moment, Lorenzo doesn’t answer me, phone in hand. I can’t tell who’s calling, but the grave look on his face is all I need to know. He shakes his head, dragging a hand through his hair. 

“He’s outside,” He whispers, sparing a look over at Alex, “He stormed out and won’t come back in.”

“Of course! He’s upset!” I hiss, this was private. This was personal. The media has taken that away from him. 

Lorenzo holds his hands up, “I’m not saying he shouldn’t be - I’m not saying that I’m not,” He sighs, “But this is more - this is more than just…”

He looks away, rubbing a hand over his face, “He can’t run from this now.” 

I turn away from Lorenzo and the tears begin to gather in my eyes before I can gather the courage to force them back. I wrap my arms around myself, afraid that I might throw something across the room. 

This wasn’t right. 

Summer is our time. 

There is never any anger, never any sadness. That’s the world that waits beyond the walls of our home, that is the world we leave behind. We shut it all out because summer break is just us. I don’t realize that I’ve begun to dig my fingers into the flesh of my arm until Arthur yanks my hands away. 

He doesn’t say anything, just squeezing my hands in his. I can’t look at him, but I feel his gaze on me. When he releases me, my hands drop back down to my sides. I suck in a large gulp of air, trying to calm the pounding of my heartbeat. 

Before I can make my way to Alex, Charlotte stops me. She holds her hand up, a sad smile on her face. 

‘We’ve got it,’ She mouths, ‘Go.’

Her eyes flicker to the terrace, doors closed tightly. I can see, in the shadows of the darkness, Charles. 

“I’ll be back,” I whisper, reaching out to squeeze Arthur’s shoulder before I walk towards the doors. 

I gently push them open, waiting for Charles to scream out that he wasn’t privacy, that he needs space, but he never does

I step through. 

Charles stands out on the balcony, hands clutching onto the terrace railing. He stares into the swaying trees of our backyard, the melting sun casting a glow around the shadow of the house. Though the wind blows, there is no twinkle of windchimes. There is no echo of laughter or memory of youth, there is nothing. The light from the entry room spills across his back, but he doesn’t turn. 

The silence is thick, sitting heavily atop the both of us. With his back turned to me, I can’t see his face. There’s a selfish part of me that never wants to. I never want to see the pain and anger on my brother’s face. I never want to watch his heart fall apart before me. He is my family, an extension of myself. 

“Why can’t they just leave us alone?” 

His voice is hardly above a whisper, nearly consumed by the distant sounds of the city, but I hear. It cuts through the silence, piercing it with ease. There is sadness in his voice and I can feel the tears burn once more. His shoulders slump forward, a heavy sigh leaving his lips. For a movement, I fear that he might collapse. 

I take a tentative step forward. 

My brother is many things. Charles is competitive and rash, he is hard-working and self-deprecating. But he is also kind and forgiving, with a smile like the sun and a laugh like the sea. He is good. Our Papa used to say that Lorenzo and I got all the anger and bite, as it never seemed that Charles could hate, to be spiteful. 

Always the first to take the blame, always the first to vouch, always the first to arrive, always the last to go. 

My brother is good. 

And the world is cruel. 

“Charles,” I whisper, he doesn’t turn.

I reach for him, my fingertips barely grazing the fabric of his shirt, “Charles.”

He finally turns, biting his lip, tears in his eyes. The words die in my throat. There is nothing I can say to fix his pain, nothing I can do to take his unhappiness away. It kills me. They may be my older brothers, but I have always been fiercely protective of them. To hurt them was to hurt me - and to hurt them was unforgivable. 

And Charles. 

Charles, who flew through the night to catch my competitions. Charles, who cheered me on, even if he knew nothing about fencing. Charles, who always had an extra Paddock Pass for me. Charles, who always let me have his last cookie or pastry. Charles, who held me when I wailed for weeks after Papa’s passing. Charles put the money he earned in Formula 1 into getting Arthur back into carting. Charles, who always called to scream ‘Happy Birthday’ in my ear. 

That Charles. 

My brother Charles, would forgive. He will see it as a mistake, he will blame himself. In only a few hours, he will make a statement and tell the truth - because that’s just who he is. 

I throw my arms open and catch him as he falls into them. 

He doesn’t cry, not at first, just clinging onto me. But then, the moment that Alex’s cries drift onto the open terrace, he begins to weep. He sobbed into my shoulder, pressing his wet face into the fabric of my shirt. He clutches my hand, and I can do nothing but hold him. 

I hold him and let him fall apart. 

From over Charle’s shoulder, I see Arthur peeking out at us. He wrings his hands, twisting his fingers around. He can’t sit still, pacing around the room, brushing Carla away when she tries to calm him. 

I gesture for him to come and he does. 

Before I can say a word, he’s wrapping his arms around Charles, burying his face into his back. 

“We’ll fix this,” He mumbles, “I - I don’t know how, but we will.”

Charles doesn’t speak, he just searches for Arthur’s hand blindly in the pile of libs and holds on. It’s all we can do. I feel like I am 15 years old, losing our father again. It feels just as it did then, unbearable. But we do just what we did then, we hold each other. Clinging onto the only people that we have known since before we knew them, the only people that will love us even when no one else does. 

The only person -

Lorenzo is there, strong arms trying to tuck us all into him. I can feel his warmth against my back and push my face into his chest. 

“We’ve got you, Charlie,” He says, “We’ve got you.”

We do. 

We always will. 

_________________________

A/N:This work has been cross-posted on Wattpad and AO3. All are under the name XDACTED. Thank you for reading and feel free to request fics about any of the drivers <3

[seriesxwriting]

Let me show you who I really am

Pairing- Kol Mikaelson

Series- vampire diaries

Summary- usually you’d get quite a few boys ask you to prom, but not this year. Apparently they were all scared of your admirer who wanted you all to himself.

Warnings- kissing, vampire killing, mentions of blood, detailed description of killing.

“I can’t believe it was over a month since I posted- I apologise! I will try to be more active but sitting A levels has apparently hindered my ability to come up with ideas. Just bare with me <3”

It was finally the day of our school prom. I’d been stressing about what to wear, how to have my hair, what colour to use on my lips. But the biggest thing I was stressing about, was who I was going to go with. It’s not a flex but in the past I’ve had multiple offers from boys to go to dances or gatherings. But this time, nothing. Not one offer. I even went out my way asking hector wathe to come with me, seems we’d gone to a dance together last term. But he just shook his head and ran away from me. I would have been embarrassed if I wasn’t consumed with confusion about his behaviour.

So I gave up on the date thing, assumed I’d be going myself. But my girl’s picked me up, ditched their dates so they could come with me. Prom was about friendship anyway. Not a random boy I’d forget once I made a life for myself.

“Y/n? Is that you?” My mother called as I walked through the door. I smiled as she entered the hallway with a giant box in her arms. “This came for you sweetheart” she edged over to me passing the box into my arms. “What is it?” I questioned frowning. “We haven’t opened it, it’s private” she shrugged staring at the box. I could see her mind was racing with the possibilities of what could be inside. “Thanks mum” I swallowed joining in with her thinking myself. Who was it from. What was in it. I carried it up the stairs as my mum filtered back into the living room to watch whatever was on the tv. I put the box on my bed and then lifted the lid off it, curious about the details. There was a note on top of the white tissue paper.

“Saw this and it reminded me of you, thought you’d look good in it, like you do in everything” I whispered as I read it out to myself. My eyes flicked down to the bottom “from Kol” my eyes widened at the three letters of his name. Kol? Why would Kol send me a dress? What game was he playing? Sure id noticed his eyes lingering on me for a while too long before and noticed how his deep eyes compelled me to stare into them until I melted. But that doesn’t give him a reason to send me a dress. I placed the card on my bed and unwrapped the tissue paper. I pulled out this gorgeous emerald dress. It had a silver strip coming from the waistline all the way down the sides of the leg spilt. It looked as if they’d put the gems on by hand, one at a time taking precaution not to ruin or snag any part of it. The dress was slightly off the shoulders which would make my chest look great.

It was overwhelming. It must have cost a fortune. But here it was in my house, lying on my bed. All because of Kol? A Mikaelson was showing me more interest than any of the boys from school. He was supposed to be a sworn enemy, and because of that, I folded the dress back up and put it back in the box. I already had a dress. It was a lot simpler and less expensive but it was mine. And it wasn’t gifted to me by a deranged, gorgeous psychopath. No I meant a deranged, bloodthirsty, psychopath. Not gorgeous. I couldn’t have meant gorgeous. Putting the note back, I lifted the box putting it under my bed where no one would find it. I’d give it back to him if I ever got the chance. It wasn’t right to keep it let alone wear it. Plus I was running out of time overthinking this, I had to get ready.

I curled my hair after my shower and put on my red dress. It didn’t have sparkles on it, but it did have a cute leg slit and a nice tied up back. “Mum!! Can you come and do me up!!” I yelled out of my room. A minute or two later she came plodding up the stairs. She stopped in front of me smiling and her eyes filling up as she raised a finger to wipe her tear. “Oh y/n you look so gorgeous” she whimpered walking over to hug me. “Thanks mum” I whispered nuzzling my face into her neck with a grin across my cheeks. “Come on, let me tie the back” she smiled ushering me over to the mirror. “Oh- y/n have you noticed this rip?” She blinked looking at the back of me. “RIP?! Where!!” I turned around trying to have a look in the mirror. “Here?” She pointed looking stressed herself. “Oh god- what am I going to do- can you fix it?” I blinked at her in utter panic. “No- well yes- but not in time for your prom” she shook her head having a closer look at it. “Come on, I’ll need to work fast, you’ll only be a little late, take it off” she patted me on the back but I eyed the box sticking out from under my bed. “No- no it’s okay, I’ll wear something else” I blinked, not taking my eyes off it. “Something else? What else do you possibly have to wear to a prom?” She raised an eyebrow following my eyeline.

“I’ll meet you and dad downstairs, give me ten minutes” I smiled rubbing her shoulder. “Alright…” she trailed off leaving my room full of confusion. I didn’t move. I swallowed staring at the box. Would it be completely wrong to wear it? I had nothing else I could wear. Surely my friends would understand. I sighed walking over to it, clipping on the floor in my black heels. Taking it out from under my bed. I held it up over my body looking at it in the mirror. I put my head on one side thinking for a second. Before removing all the thoughts out of my head and putting it on. I walked down stairs to my parents sitting in the front room. Their eyes widened as I walked in. “Y/n! That dress is stunning where did you get it?” My mother gasped covering her mouth with her hand.

“It was a gift” I bit my lip not wanting to say anymore. “You look amazing darling, you’ll be the best dressed there” my dad smiled at me. With that the door bell rang. “That must be the girls” I smiled rushing out as fast as the dress would let me go. But when I opened the door the girls weren’t there. Kol was. He stood with his famous smirk, his hand held a big bunch of roses as his eyes looked me up and down. “So I was right, it does suit you” he joked, my jaw was ajar now staring at him. “What are you doing here- why are you wearing a suit and- why do you have flowers- why did you send me a dress?” I hissed coming outside closing the door so my parents wouldn’t hear us. “Because I’m taking you to prom” “erm- no you’re not!” I scoffed almost laughing. “You don’t have a date? So why can’t it take you?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“There are a number! Of reasons why you can’t take me to prom kol” I laughed before the realisation sank in. “How the hell do you know I don’t have a date?” I whispered frowning at him. His brown eyes slimmed on me as his smirk widened. “I may have sent out a message to some guys- that you were taken” he shrugged his shoulders. “What?” I blinked in disbelief, my breath hitched. “I want to take you, I don’t want other guys putting their hand on you” he told me slamming his eyebrows down. “You’re serious?” I asked him in a quiet voice. “You’re a vampire kol- you’ve hurt my friend- not only that you’re an original…” I trailed off holding the door handle. “And what?” He shrugged laughing. “I’m here aren’t I? I’m not lying I’m not causing trouble- a vampire can’t admit his feelings for a girl?”. “Feelings? For me? I’m just an ordinary human Kol” “you’re not ordinary y/n- you’re different from your friends, different from all humans” he smiled staring into my eyes. “How” I slimmed my eyes at him shaking my head not believing a word that came out of his mouth.

“You think you can put me on the spot y/n?” Kol chuckled to himself. “The way you carry yourself, the way you stick to your morals, your loyalty to those you love, your way of seeing the best in people even if they have hurt your friends- you’re out here talking to me, you could have stayed in your house in the safety- so you must be slightly intrigued or trust me slightly- just give me a chance y/n” he put his head to the side as I consumed everything he dumped on me. “I will protect you- treat you right- I just want a chance to show you who I really am, I don’t want anything more to do with klaus and his mess- let me show you that” he begged, I saw it in his eyes. He wasn’t lying, if he was he was a damn good lier. I wasn’t wearing vvraine so he could have compelled me but, he didn’t. “Okay- you have one night to make me feel anything but uncomfortable around you” I raised my eye brow at him reaching out for the flowers. I smiled at them clutching them between my arms. “I’m gonna grab my bag and text the girls to meet me there- you can wait here” I told him with a little smile warming up to the idea of Kol Mikaelson liking me. If he was a normal boy this would be so much easier, he was attractive- he was gorgeous. But he wasn’t normal, he’s a vampire who’s been around 1000 years longer than me.

I did as I said I would before saying goodbye to my parents. I met Kol outside his car where he opened the door for me before getting in his own side. He drove us to prom while keeping up basic conversation, which just intrigued me more. I wanted to know what he was up to. We got to the prom location in under twenty minutes. When no one was looking Kol vamp ran round to my side and opened my door for me. “Kol!” I hissed shaking my head. “Don’t do that you could get caught” I whispered as he put his hand out for me. I took it gently. “They wouldn’t be alive very long if they did catch me darling” he whispered in my ear as I stepped out. “I don’t want any killings here tonight, or I’ll never forgive myself” I widened my eyes at him. “Yes mam” he smirked leaning in closer to me. There wasn’t much room between my back and the car or my front and kol. “I can hear your heart racing darling” he whispered tucking my hair behind my ear. “Don’t worry, I won’t kiss you until you ask me to, and you will” he winked before stepping back and putting his arm out for me.

“You’re delusional” I giggled rolling my eyes taking his arm. We walked towards the enterance and kitty Renfeild stood outside with a camera. “Hey y/n- and y/n’s handsome date” she winked at Kol who completely blanked her without him even knowing I was looking at him. His arm wrapped around my waist and he whispered “going have to get a little closer now love” he pulled me into his body. The flick of jealously I felt from kitty’s comment was what I blamed my actions on. I pressed my body against him putting my other hand on Kols chest. I heard him chuckle as I posed for the photo. “Have fun” she told us after snapping the photo and in we went. There were lot of people here even though we were maybe ten minutes early. There were flashing lights and drink tables everywhere. People were already dancing to the shit music playing. “Has Kol Mikaelson ever been to a high school prom?” I asked him smiling up. “Oh I’ve been to my fair share of dances, balls and whatever was going on in the 1920s but never a prom” he laughed catching my eyes. “And I’ve never had such a gorgeous date to attend any of these events with” he winked. “Quite the charmer ain’t you” I nudged him gently.

“Y/n? What’s this all about?”. I look up and see Elena, Bonnie and Caroline all staring at me like I’m an alien. Or, staring at Kol like he’s an alien. “Hey girls…” I trailed off as my heart started pounding. Kol clearly picked up on it because his grip round my waist became tighter. “I can explain, I have a thing for y/n- have done ever since I laid my eyes on her and i decided now was the time to tell her” “what” Carolin blinked in horror. “He’s a Mikaelson y/n” Elena widened her eyes at me. “He doesn’t want to be involved anymore” I shook my head at her hoping they’d find some way to look at this differently. “You can’t trust him- he’s a vampire” Bonnie hissed at me, her face pulled into disgust. “Well that’s why I’ve braught him- to see if I can trust him” I told them with a little bit of a shrug. The girls all looked round at each other. “I’m done with all klaus’s shit, I want to prove that- not necessarily to you guys but to y/n” he told them blankly. “I’m sorry y/n, but I don’t like it” Elena stepped back before rushing off into the crowd. Kol rolled his eyes at her “she’s always so dramatic”. “I…” Caroline trailed off not knowing what to say in this situation.

“I’m going to get some air, will you be alright for a second” I tapped Kol on the bicep. “Yes gorgeous” he nodded brushing my hand with his. That made me smile. Even within this mess. My friends hated the idea of me and Kol being together, on a serious level. Elena was ready to cry about it. But what made it worse was the fact that I thought I was really starting to like him. He was charming, he was handsome, he was bold and confident. He was my type. I made it outside to the side of the tent and took a deep breath. I had two options here, to lose my friends and continue on with Kol- or leave him now. And that was a hard decision. “Y/n, i didn’t expect to see you here”. I whipped around seeing klaus standing opposite me. He had a girl in his arms and blood was dripping all down his chin. Her neck had been torn open. Klaus’s eyes illuminated orange as fear spread across my face. “Klaus- what have you done…” I whispered blinking at the lifeless girl.

“I came to create a massacre, I’d say I’m going to start with you but I’ve already started” he chuckled throwing the body on the floor. Klaus walked a few steps towards me while I took a few back hitting the tent behind me. “Why are you doing this?” I gasped as he vamp ran in front of me. I could smell the blood that was smothered across his mouth and T-shirt he was that close. “Because i simply can” he smirked reaching out for my hair. I pushed his hand away from me scrunching my face up. “That was stupid” his eyes lit up again as anger starting to corse through his veins. I saw his jaw tighten emphasising his anger. “It was stupid to come out alone anyway” he grunted and my last thought was about to be ‘klaus is right’. As he lunged forwards towards my neck his body got ripped away from me and he flew backwards hitting a tree with a thud. I pannted looking around before finally seeing my hero. Kol stood there scowling at his brother who was in the process of standing up. “She didn’t come alone brother” Kol raised his eyebrows. Once klaus stood up he flicked his eyes between us assessing the situation.

“A human?” Klaus chuckled from a distance. “I thought you were into witches” “I thought you were into Caroline but we all know how that worked out” Kol walked closer to me standing in front of me as if he was a shield. “What are you playing at Kol?” “I like her, and you aren’t going to touch a hair on her head without going through me” Kol answered folding his arms across his chest. Klaus laughed, it went right through me making my blood boil. “I could easily get through you” “so do it” Kol shrugged letting his arms lose once again. “I’m sure we will see each other real soon little brother” klaus nodded before vamp running away into the forest. Kol turned around and came to me fussing and checking I was okay. “Kol! I’m fine- do you realise how many people you just saved” I questioned almost weak from the shock of his protection. “I don’t care y/n, you are my priority, when you’re with me you will be safe I’ll make sure of it” he told me brushing a finger down my cheek. I felt my cheeks going red. He made me feel emotions I’d never felt towards a guy before.

I pushed my body against his and wrapped my arms slowly around his neck gently pulling his head down to meet mine. Our lips met, gently at first but then Kol gripped my waist, pulling me even closer to his body. There’s something about almost dying that makes you do crazy things. Life is short, and I want to try life with Kol. No matter the repercussions.

Kol masterlist

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[familyvideostevie]

what abouttttt eddie being a regular at your place of work (coffee shop? bookstore? some place he had to go one time and it’s not His Scene but he saw you & can’t get enough?)

omg hi bestie you got it! this made me lol also totally stealing your idea here and this is you working at a flower shop when eddie starts to become a regular for some reason | fluff, pre-relationship, 1.3k

--

It's a quiet day in the shop. Your favorite kind, since it means you get to spend more time on your arrangements and less time explaining to frustrated moms why you cannot bring their orchids back to life.

Is it weird that you like the company of flowers better than people? Yeah, maybe. But it's good money and you like to make people happy, however indirectly. Which is why you try to be nothing but kind to everyone who walks through the door.

But when the bell chimes and you turn to find this guy stumbling into the shop, you can't help but wonder what the hell he's doing here. You've never seen him before -- you'd remember. Long, frizzy curls and ripped jeans, a flannel on under a leather jacket and boots that make his footsteps heavy. He looks a bit scary, to be honest, but the way he almost knocks over a few pots of mums makes him less intimidating and more annoying than anything.

"Can I help you?" you call. He startles like he didn't expect anyone to be here. And then he does a double take.

"I need...flowers," he says. You try to keep a neutral expression on your face. Sometimes you play a game with yourself and try to predict what someone is going to ask for. Maybe he missed a birthday? Needs something to apologize to his mom? Maybe he's picking something up for a party.

"I think I can help you with that."

He coughs and his cheeks darken. "Right, yeah, obviously." He looks around and shoves his hands in his pockets.

"Do you need something specific?" you prompt. His eyes snap back to yours.

"Yeah," he says. "Yes. What says 'sorry I broke your couch?'"

Ah, you think. Apologizing to a girlfriend, probably. You're a little disappointed to realize it.

"I'm not going to ask questions," you tease. His mouth tugs up at the corner and he looks less embarrassed and more like a man on a mission.

"Good idea," he says. You leave the arranging table behind and wander around the shop, pulling stems from buckets as you go. The guy follows you around.

"Do they all mean something?" he asks. You glance over your shoulder at him. He's got his hands tucked in his pockets and his eyes are...really big and brown. And he's got lovely eyelashes. Wow.

"More or less," you say. Your bouquets are a mix, normally. Some flowers for meaning and some just for looks, unless a customer asks for something specific. You bring the bundle back to the table and wrap it in cellophane and then paper, tying it with a ribbon.

"She likes purple," he chimes in. You snip a length of that ribbon and tie the flowers together. Yes, for sure a girlfriend.

"Do you want a card?"

He blinks a few times. Was he staring at you? "What?"

"For the flowers?" You hold up a small folded piece of paper.

"Oh," he says. "Yeah, sure. Do you write it?" You nod. "Okay, uh. Can it say: Robin, We both know I can't afford to buy you a new couch, but hopefully this makes your place smell good. Eddie."

Eddie. Well, now you have a name for this guy you'll never see again.

"You've got nice handwriting," he says. You tie the card at the end of the ribbon and gently place the bouquet on the counter.

"Thank you." The cash register rings as you type in the price. "Twenty dollars, please." Eddie digs in his pockets and produces the bill. Your hands do not brush when he pays. "I hope she likes them," you say.

He looks confused for a second. Jeez, this guy isn't really focused on his girlfriend. "Oh," he says. "Yeah, thanks."

He waves and manages not to knock anything over on his way out. The door chimes and you sigh. Man, he was cute. You do hope this Robin girl likes her flowers.

Eddie comes back two days later and you find yourself worrying that he's broken something else.

"Did she not like them?" you ask without thinking. Eddie raps his knuckles on the table when he reaches you.

"Who?" His eyes travel up and down your form very quickly. Not like he can see much behind your apron, anyway, but still. Dude!

"Your girlfriend?"

Eddie blinks owlishly and then laughs very loudly. Like, with his whole body, leaning over with his hands on his knees. Oh, he's got rings on. Your stomach does something funny.

"She is not my girlfriend," he says. "Christ, that's funny."

You cross you arms, a bit peeved. "Well, I don't know how I was supposed to know that."

"Sweetheart, if I had a girlfriend and I broke her couch I sure as hell would buy her a new one."

Sweetheart. Is he flirting with you?

"Well, what do you need today, then? Break something else?" This close you can see that he's got some freckles on his nose. You rub your hands on your apron.

"I...do," he says. "Uh, I need something that says 'please don't tell anyone I stole your grill'."

He grins at you. You scoff. "Not asking."

It goes like this for two weeks. Two weeks! Eddie comes in to the shop almost every day and asks for something from you. The requests get more and more absurd.

Sorry you lost your sword crossing the parapet and died. Sorry I smoked too much and ate all of your pickles. Sorry you're not as good at skateboarding as me and fell.

You wonder if he's actually giving these to people.

You ask him so one day.

"Cant a guy just get flowers? Maybe they're all for me, sweetheart." He looks entirely too pleased with himself as he says it.

Or...maybe he's coming in to see you.

No, that would be ridiculous, right? Even if he's been asking you questions about yourself. What you like about flowers, what's the weirdest bouquet you've ever made, what you make most often. They manage to be personal and impersonal questions at the same time.

After two weeks, Eddie comes in and plants his forearms -- very nice forearms, you've noticed -- on the counter and says your name. As if you weren't aware the second he walked into the shop.

"Hi, Eddie," you say. "What is it today?"

"I need to ask a girl on a date," he says. Your stomach sinks.

"Okay," you say softly. Well, it was nice while it lasted. "What does she like?"

"That's the problem," he replies. "I don't know."

"Have you asked?" He might be cute and funny and charming but he certainly is still just a boy.

"Not yet." You wader onto the floor and he follows you as always. "What's your favorite?"

Your heart picks up. He's just asking to be nice, you think. He's just asking because it's a natural part of the conversation. You don't answer, instead lead him to a barrel of dark purple roundish flowers. "These," you say, stroking one of the petals. "Dahlias."

"Beauty, commitment, kindness," Eddie recites. You whip around to face him. He shrugs, a soft smile on his face. "I've been reading up."

"Why?" you ask, breathless.

He reaches past you and plucks one stem from the bunch and holds it out. "Will you go on a date with me?"

Oh. You're going to say yes, obviously. "Have you been coming in here to buy flowers?" you ask. It's not a clear question, but Eddie understands.

He takes a step forward. The flower brushes your chest. "I've spent about a million dollars on flowers just to see you as much as possible."

A laugh bubbles up from your throat. "You're silly, Eddie," you say. He grins.

"So is that a yes?"

You take the flower from him and smell it. "Yes."

thank you for reading <3 reblog, send feedback, masterlist here!

[mamabearcatfanfics]

Cairo Prison - InuKag

Sometimes, I write things just for myself, as a little treat. I might write my other favourite scenes here and there. Who knows, eventually I might have enough to string together a whole plot line. But lookie here @elkonigin and @coquinespike - have a little InuKag scene from The Mummy on me. If I ever find where I've put my laptop pen, there may even be some art to go with this.

Kagome swept across the courtyard, her anger making her simmer even hotter under the midday sun. She wasn’t sure who she was more annoyed at – the squat prison Warden for the obviously lecherous looks he was giving her, or Miroku, for lying about where he got the puzzle box. She shivered a little as they passed the gallows, not wanting to think too much about what usually took place here. When the Warden paused for a moment to speak to one of the guards, she rounded on Miroku, her voice a hissing whisper.

“I can’t believe you Miroku! You said that you found that box at a dig in Thebes! And now I find out you stole it from a drunk at the local Casbah! You told me a barefaced lie!”

Miroku looked a little chastened, but then fought back with a winning smile, hooking his arm into hers as they continued across the courtyard.

“That’s a bit harsh, Kagome dear”, he said, patting her hand affectionately. “We were playing cards, a gentleman’s game. I would have won it fair and square if he hadn’t got himself into an altercation. He left it unattended in his pocket. What was I going to do, leave it behind? He probably didn’t even know what it was.”

“You. Lied. To. Me.” Kagome hissed.

“What’s a little white lie between family members, ey?” He tried a winsome smile, which faltered quickly under Kagome’s withering gaze. “I mean, you’re not the only one I lie to old mum. But at least the lies I tell you are pretty ones.”

“That makes it worse! I’m your sister Miroku! Whatever happened to us against the world, together through thick and thin!”

Miroku looked taken aback, even slightly hurt.

“I’m deeply offended. Didn’t I come straight to you with the box? I could have just sold it, but I knew it was something special. And I knew you would be smart enough to recognise that. We both know you’re the one with the brains in this family Kagome dear.” Glancing nervously around, he tugged on her arm, trying to turn her back towards the way they’d just come. “And anyway, I don’t think this is the best place for a lady, so how about we just pop back to-”

Kagome glared at him furiously as he tried to make a run for the door, wrapping her hand around his bicep tightly so he couldn’t get away.

“Stop trying to get out of this Miroku. You can’t sweet talk your way out of this one. Oh, I am absolutely livid! Not only have we lost the most important part of the map, but we have to come here, to this place. You are going to stay here with me and see this through!”

She shuddered a little self-consciously. There were quite a few leering eyes directed towards her, and not all of them were owned by prisoners safely behind bars. Miroku patted her hand again, obviously trying to soothe her, and Kagome straightened her spine.

They’d been through plenty of scrapes together, her and Miroku. They only had each other since their parents died, social outcasts amongst the English elite due to their mother’s Egyptian heritage. She’d barely got Miroku back in one piece after the war, one of his hands shattered by a bullet directly through his palm. She knew it still hurt him, even though he never complained. He’d always been devil may care, even before he was conscripted, but since his return it was like he invited trouble. She was constantly worried about him. This was a chance to find the legendary Hamunaptra together, and there was no way she was going to back down, even if she was more than a little out of her comfort zone here.

Warden Mukotsu came back, his eyes running over her lasciviously, and Kagome lifted her chin in defiance, staring back at him with spirit. She pulled her elbow away from his grasping stubby fingers as he ushered both her and Miroku over to the rusted iron bars surrounding a holding pen. The locked metal door behind it probably led to somewhere unspeakable.

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Wasn’t this what she had always wanted? A chance to show that she was not only a scholar, but able to go toe to toe with all the pompous, overstuffed Egyptologists? A chance to put all her knowledge to good use? She could do this.  

Clearing her throat in an attempt to make her voice as unaffected as she needed it to be, she turned her attention away from the locked metal door to Warden Mukotsu.

“So, what is this man in prison for?” she asked, attempting an imperious tone. She hoped it wasn’t something horrible, like rape or murder.

The warden preened under her gaze, and she turned her eyes forward again, not wanting to encourage him one iota. He was giving her the creeps. Besides, there was some kind of ruckus going on behind the closed door, yelling, swearing, chains rattling. What on earth was going on back there? Miroku was looking more and more like he was going to bolt, and she pinched his arm viciously to keep him beside her, gratified when he yelped like a little girl.

The warden chuckled, his dark eyes squinting in the hot, midday sun.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting lady, but he’s not human.” He spat derisively on the ground, and Kagome grimaced, tucking the toes of her boots safely back under her long skirt. “He’s a dirty half djinn, with the ears of a jackal. His words cannot be trusted. But I did ask him.”

“And what did he say?” Kagome asked, unsure if she actually wanted the answer to that question. What on earth had Miroku gotten them into this time?

The warden leered at her, before leaving momentarily to handle a disturbance on the other side of the courtyard.

“He said, he was just looking for a good time.”

The metal door burst open with a clang. Four guards dragged a prisoner forwards, their arms and legs wrapped in chains. Despite the handicap, he seemed to be fighting them every step of the way.

His shirt and pants were ragged, his grey, hip length hair matted and oily, hanging in clumped tendrils around his face. Both her and Miroku took a step backwards at the absolute stench that surrounded him. One of the guards walloped him on the head with a truncheon, hard enough for them to hear a solid thump as it connected. Kagome winced in sympathy as it smacked one of his canine ears, blood trickling onto his scalp, and he snarled loudly, baring some very obvious fangs. Another guard beat him again, and the other two kicked him in the back of the knees, forcing him to kneel in front Miroku and Kagome. He grasped the bars in front of him as best he could with his shackled wrists, teeth still bared in anger, amber eyes full of rage.

“This is the person you took the box from?!” Kagome squeaked in surprise, shuffling backwards a tiny step. She’d never seen anyone like him before, and the scholar in her was already wanting to know more. Why did he have dogs ears and fangs? He had slitted pupils like a cat – could he see things human eyes couldn’t? Where had he come from? Did he speak English or Arabic? Or some other language she had no knowledge of?

“Shush, not so loud,” muttered Miroku from the corner of his mouth, turning his face away from the prisoner kneeling in front of them.

“Who are you?” the prisoner demanded, looking Miroku up and down, then turning his eyes almost immediately towards Kagome, as if he’d judged Miroku’s worth and found him lacking. “Who’s the wench?”

“Wench!?” Kagome sputtered, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. The sudden smirk on the prisoners face, and the accompanying glint in his inhuman amber eyes, made her want to slap him. She’d been feeling a little sorry for him after witnessing his treatment at the hands of the guards a moment before, but now she was seething.

“Ah, hello my good man,” smiled Miroku, pushing Kagome a little behind himself. “I’m just a humble local missionary, visiting the prison to save the souls of unfortunates such as yourself…” He faltered a little as he watched the prisoner ignore him, picking at his teeth with the very pointed, and probably very sharp, claw on his little finger. He dragged a reluctant Kagome forward. “And this here is my younger sister, Kagome.”

“How do you do?” said Kagome, attempting a cordial tone, then stiffening as the prisoner looked her up and down.

“Tch. Well, I guess she’s not a total loss.” He turned his head away.

“Excuse me!” said Kagome, tapping her foot at a rapid pace on the dirt, in an attempt to mitigate the burst of anger that was beginning to rise at this man’s attitude. “Excuse me, Mr…”

“Inuyasha. Just Inuyasha.”

Kagome nodded, and tried her best to smile winningly at him. “Inuyasha then.” She made the tone of her voice as warm as possible, speaking slowly and carefully, her expression coy. “You see, my brother and I found a puzzle box that we believe you might be able to help us with.”

“Bullshit.”

“I beg your pardon!?” she exclaimed. Both Miroku and Inuyasha winced at her loud and high pitched tone of indignation.

“I smell bullshit,” Inuyasha repeated gruffly. “We both know you didn’t come here to dirty your pretty little shoes in this hellhole to ask me about some box, lady. You and this stuffed shirt came here to ask me about Hamunaptra, am I right?”

Both Kagome and Miroku’s eyes widened in surprise. They both looked around nervously, hoping the guards hadn’t heard anything, and moved a little closer to the bars.

“How do you know the box has anything to do with Hamunaptra?” asked Kagome, barely able to keep the excitement out of her voice. Now they were getting somewhere!

“Because that’s where I found it.”

Miroku leaned forward, his voice a little suspicious.

“How can we believe anything someone like you would say?”

“Wait, do I know you?”

Miroku gave a nervous chuckle.

“Oh no, I don’t believe- “

Inuyasha’s nose twitched slightly, and then his eyes widened in recognition. He glowered at Miroku.

“You!”

Before Miroku could even think about taking a step backwards, Inuyasha’s fist shot forwards, catching Miroku on the chin. Even hampered as Inuyasha was by the chains, as soon as the blow connected, Miroku was laid out cold. One of the guards whacked his already bleeding ear again, hard, forcing his forehead to bounce off the metal bars in front of him.

“Hey, watch it, fucker!”

Kagome looked down at Miroku, laying prone at her feet, then delicately raised her skirt a little as she stepped over him to get closer to the bars, her eyes full of excitement.

“You were actually at Hamunaptra?” she asked, her voice full of wonder. Inuyasha stared at her in amazement.

“Don’t you care that I just decked your brother?”

She waved a placating hand at him.

“Oh, he’s had worse, I’m sure he’ll be fine in a moment. But Hamunaptra! You were actually there?!”

She watched as Inuyasha’s amazement changed into a lazy grin.

“Yeah wench, I was there.”

She was so excited that she hardly noticed what he called her.

“You were there? Oh my goodness, I can’t believe it!” Her eyes narrowed a little in suspicion, and she moved even closer. “Do you swear?”

The lazy grin grew wider, a pointed fang lowering over his cracked lower lip.

“Every damn day.”

Kagome scoffed.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

The grin was still there, then it dropped away from his face.

“I know what you meant. But I was there alright. Seti's place. The City of The Dead.”

Kagome could hardly contain her excitement.

“What did you see there?”

“A lot of sand.” He almost shuddered. “And a lot of death.”

But Kagome would not be put off now. Not when she was so close. She could see the warden coming back, and she just had to get this information. She leaned closer to him, taking off her hat to guard their conversation.

“Inuyasha,” she whispered, her tone determined. “Could you tell me how to get there?”

He looked at her, and blinked slowly, his expression nonplussed.

“The exact location,” she wheedled, eyes shining with excitement, “pretty please?”

“You really wanna know?” he asked.

“Yes!”

“You really, really wanna know?”

“Yes, yes, more than anything!” she said, almost bursting with nervous excitement.

He beckoned her closer, gesturing with one pointed finger.

“C’mere then.”

She was now almost nose to nose with him, ears straining, eyes wide, ready to commit anything he might say to memory so she could write it down as soon as a pen and paper were handy. If only she’d bought one of her notebooks with her! But before she knew it, one of Inuyasha’s hands shot out, not to punch her as he had Miroku, but grab her chin firmly. And then his chapped lips were planted firmly against hers.

Before she had a chance to register anything more than shocked astonishment at receiving her very first kiss in such a manner, the lips were dragged away.

“You wanna know so bad? Then get me the fuck outta here lady!”

She watched as all four guards rained blows down on his head, dragging him backwards. She heard the warden laughing maliciously behind her.

“Wait, wait, I’m not done talking to him yet! Where are they taking him?”

“To be hanged.”

“Why?” Kagome gasped, her shock at this sudden turn of events evident. She grimaced at the wide grin Warden Mukotsu gave her.

“Apparently, he had a very good time.”

Kagome hurried after Mukotsu, almost tripping over Miroku as she strove to keep with the warden.

They climbed a set of stairs to a balcony overlooking the whole courtyard, Mukotsu sitting down to watch the show, while Kagome hovered anxiously, fingers tapping nervously on the balcony railing. She watched as Inuyasha was dragged up the stairs to the gallows. Other prisoners hollered and jeered as the noose was roughly forced over his head, then cinched tightly around his throat. He made direct eye contact with her, his expression stoic. What could she do? Suddenly she had a brain wave, turning to address the warden.

“What if I offered you one hundred pounds to secure his release?”

The warden shrugged, noisily snacking on a plate of dates on a small table at his side. Juice and spittle ran down his chin as he answered.

“I would pay one hundred to see him hang,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the gallows below.

“Two hundred pounds, then,” she bargained, eyes darting back and forth between Inuyasha and the warden, who ignored her totally. He stood for a moment, bellowing down to the guards below.

“Proceed!”

“Three hundred pounds!” Kagome said desperately. She could tell Inuyasha could hear their conversation even over the dreadful noise of the screaming prisoners, his ears twitched in their direction. She looked back towards him and saw him nod at her, as if to say, keep it going. The yelling suddenly grew quiet as the hangman addressed Inuyasha.

“Any last requests, dog?” he sneered, spitting on the trapdoor near Inuyasha’s feet.

Inuyasha pretended to look thoughtful for a moment, then spat his reply.

“Yeah, I'd like ya to let me go.”

The Hangman grabbed the lever to the trapdoor with a leering grin.

“FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS!” yelled Kagome, sitting down on the seat next to the Warden, her eyes pleading, then recoiled as he set his greasy, lecherous hand high on her thigh, fingers grabbing hard enough to bruise.

“Anything additional to offer?”

Before she could think, Kagome slapped his hand in revulsion, then gasped as Warden Mukotsu angrily turned and gestured to the Hangman. The trapdoor dropped away with loud bang.

“Oh no!”

She watched, horrified as Inuyasha dropped through the hole, his body jerking as the rope pulled taut. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. His legs kicked wildly, then stopped, and for a moment, she thought all was lost. The rope spun him lazily around to face her again, and she realised he was still alive.

“Ha! His neck did not break! Good! Now we watch him strangle to death,” jeered the Mukotsu, stuffing another date into his mouth.

Angry chanting began amongst the prisoners, and the guards shouldered their guns nervously. Kagome could see Miroku climbing the steps, staggering a little, but she didn’t have time to help him right now. Not when a man’s life and finding Hamunaptra was at stake. She leaned towards the Warden.

“He knows the location to Hamunaptra”, she whispered urgently.

Warden Mukotsu’s head jerked toward her, his expression incredulous.

“You lie.”

“I would never!”

She glanced back towards the gallows. At the end of the rope, Inuyasha was making horrible choking and gagging sounds, his face a grotesquely mottled shade of red. She had to hurry!

The Warden eyed her suspiciously, wiping date juice off the corner of his mouth with a dirty sleeve.

“Are you saying this filthy godless son of a dog knows where to find The City of The Dead? Truly?”

“Yes, and if you cut him down, we will give you ten percent,” she said quickly, hoping that this would work. Inuyasha didn’t look like he had much time left.

“Fifty percent.”

She hesitated a moment, glancing back to Inuyasha, and watched his eyes widen at her incredulously at her bargaining. She quickly turned her eyes back to the Warden.

“Twenty.”

“Forty.”

Kagome hesitated again, biting her lip. Inuyasha’s eyes were looking up at her, almost bulging out of his head, like he couldn’t believe her.

“Give .... give him .... give him,” he coughed.

Under pressure, Kagome shrieked, “Twenty-five percent, and not one single farthing more!”

The Warden leered at her, then yelled down to the hangman. The sunlight bounced off the scimitar in his hands as he swung, cutting the rope, sending Inuyasha plummeting to the ground. His bound hands scrabbled in the dirt as he fought to get himself onto his knees, coughing and wheezing, taking deep breaths. His bloodshot eyes looked up towards the balcony.

Miroku finally made it up the stairs, leaning against the railing with a groan.

“So, how’d we do old mum? Did we win?” he asked, looking with some distaste at the leering grin of the Warden, then down into the courtyard at Inuyasha, who was still on his knees.

Kagome smiled broadly, and waved down at Inuyasha, who glowered at her.

“Yes Miroku, I do believe this visit was a success,” she said, excitement bubbling up. They were going to Hamunaptra!

“Jolly good show,” replied Miroku, gently fingering the darkening bruise on his chin.  

[crescentmoonsandroses]

Deltarune's themes of escapism and why they hit me hard

I was going to do some Deltarune art based around this and then just have the definition of escapism under it, but I can't think of what to draw, so I'm just going to ramble about it instead.

Deltarune, as I'm sure many many other people have pointed out before, has strong themes of escapism in addition to its themes of control, freedom, the narrative, etc. The Dark Worlds transform objects into people, rooms into environments, high school students into heroes. They seem to bring to life the sorts of games you played as a kid, with your toys and your friends, making up a story that played out in your mind, enhanced by your imagination. It's theatre of the mind, helped along by the toys and props and whatnot - like when you're playing D&D, too. This sort of thing is mainly in Chapter One, with the game pieces and cards and toys. I remember playing make-believe with practically everything as a kid - I made up stories with chess pieces a few times, that was fun. Castle Town and Card Kingdom are both reminiscent of a very traditional form of escapism: fantasy.

The Cyber World is a little different, but it still holds the same sort of idea - hell, we're all here on Tumblr, we know what it's like to bury ourselves in the internet, in videos and memes and posts, and forget the world for a little while. This is emphasised by Queen's commentary - I can't find the exact quote, but it's something about being worried that the Lightners will become depressed without the 'bliss' of the internet, which isn't currently working in Hometown. We also know that Chapter 3 will take place in Toriel's lounge room and seems to be specifically based around the TV (and, this is off topic, but I literally just realised Mike could be, like, mic, as in microphone, and Tenna could be short for antenna), which can also be a form of escapism for people. I know that my mum, for one, watches TV most nights.

There's also the specific characters who fall into the Dark Worlds - Kris, Susie, Noelle, Berdly.

Kris seems to be considered weird by most of Hometown, where they are the only human and don't seem to have many - or, well, any - real friends apart from their brother, who was the town's golden boy, who everyone keeps talking about and seems to hold in high regard, whose side of the bedroom holds trophies and pictures and colour while Kris' is bare and grey (they also have Susie now, but she only became their friend during the first Dark World). In the Dark World, however, Kris gets to be a hero, sword and shield raised, saving the world with their friends. Everyone in Castle Town loves them. The room Ralsei built for them has trophies aplenty. And then there's the matter of Ralsei, who looks so much like Toriel and Asgore and Asriel, who is so nice and so supportive of Kris, who has pink horns like maybe a certain red headband faded (yes I headcanon that Ralsei is Kris' old horn headband and will continue to do so until proven wrong).

Susie, who drinks milk from back alleys and threatens to eat people's faces, who didn't actually call home when she had a sleepover with Kris, who gets uncomfortable around the block of flats in Hometown, who doesn't seem to know how to react when shown kindness or friendship, who considers herself the 'bad guy'. Well, she gets to be that bad guy, strong and powerful and scary, with a big axe and sharp teeth and enemies to defeat. And then she gets to have friends, she gets to have food, she gets to be the hero and maybe that's not so bad after all if she does it alongside people she cares about, people who care about her. We can see how much happier she is in the Dark Worlds.

Berdly, who tries so hard to be perceived as smart, who loves videogames. I don't have as much to say about him, honestly, but his Dark World design is quite distinctively Cyber World when compared to the other Lightner's more fantasy-inspired designs, and being in the Dark World gives him the chance to be a hero, even if he's not great at that for most of Chapter 2.

And Noelle. Noelle, whose sister seems to be missing or dead, whose dad is in hospital, whose mum is the town's mayor and works a lot and has an icy personality. Noelle who searches for bugs and secrets in the games she seems to love. Noelle who wishes she had magic to heal her dad. Noelle who seems to feel powerless to help someone she loves, who doesn't stand up to Berdly or her mum. Once she's in the Dark World, she can heal people. She stands up to Queen, who is a sort of mother figure. She gets to spend time with Susie. She gets to see the city lights that Dess promised her.

All this to say that Deltarune in general and the Dark Worlds specifically have some not-so-subtle themes of escapism.

Now, the 'why it hits me hard' bit. Escapism has always been one of my main coping strategies, and even beyond that, I love fantasy, I love stories, I love burying myself in another world. It's much easier to be in a world where there's magic and quests and maybe there's struggles and strife and people still get hurt and mess up and go through bad things, but eventually there's a happy ending because that's how stories work, they don't have the constant uncertainty of real life. And, you know, if I could go to a Dark World, I would. I can understand why Susie likes the Dark Worlds so much, why Noelle and Berdly wanted to make another. Escapism is something that I can understand, especially after having struggled with my mental health for a few years (I'm a lot better now though). The world can be messy and complicated and hard, and wouldn't it be nice to be in a different world for a bit, one where you can be who you want to be and you don't feel lost anymore?

So, uh... yeah lol.

[stuffymcstuffsworld]

Lucky card

From the moment of birth, he had always been lucky. Such was the way of his family's bloodline. It was both a blessing and a curse.

◇mum-mum-mum-mah, mum-mum-mum-mah, mum-mum-mum-mah, mum-mum-mum-mah, mum-mum-mum-mah◇

He smirks as he struts into one of the many casinos his family runs. One of the few places he is able to go all out with his luck. The heavy techno beat pulsing in the air.

◇I wanna hold em like they do in Texas, please. Fold em, let em hit me, raise it baby, stay with me.◇

Here he's on the hunt. His eyes scan the room. Looking for a rush. Some kind of thrill to appeal to his monstrous appetite.

◇I love it◇

He takes a seat at one of the table games. The pretty dealer plucks the money from his hand with a practiced ease and replaces it with a large pile of chips. A shark-like grin on their face.

The game begins. The cards are dealt smoothly. This wasn't normal poker, though. Here at this table, they like to challenge the big fish using 666 decks in the mix. Making it a tad harder for any card counters to keep track.

◇Love game intuition, play the cards with spades to start.◇

High cards, low cards, big wins, huge losses. It made his skin crawl. A knowing feeling that ate him alive as he tosses more chips in. The dealer flips one of the cards showing the ace of spades.

◇and after he's been hooked, I'll play the one that's on his heart.◇

The dealer flashes a cheeky grin, batting their eyes as they collect the pot. Orias can't help but throw his head back and laugh. It seems he had a sassy opponent tonight.

◇oh, oh-oh, oh, oh oh oh oh oh, oh-oh. I'll get him hot, show him what I've got. Oh, oh-oh, oh oh oh oh oh, oh-oh. I'll get him hot, show him what I've got.◇

The smell of cigarettes and the flow of neverending alcohol fuels him forward. Poor thing, he wasn't planning on losing tonight. He ups the ante.

And so it continues, round after round. Bet after bet. Good hands, bad cards, it was a familiar dance. One that he dominated.

◇Can't read my, can't read my no, he can't read my poker face.◇

Untill he starts to lose... he narrows his eyes and looks at his dealer. They have a calm, serene smile as they shuffle a new pile of decks. Quick hands working fast.

◇She's got me like nobody.◇

So that was their game. It wasn't uncommon for the demons who worked in the casino to cheat. In fact it was encouraged when going up his kin. It made things exciting.

◇Can't read my, can't read my no, he can't read my poker face.◇

All he needed to do was figure out the trick, and it would unravel. He'd start winning again in no time. Only... the trick kept changing.

◇She's got me like nobody◇

Just when he thought he figured it out, they seemed to have changed tactics. It was a game of cat and mouse. It made him giddy.

It irked him and pleased him at the same time. He watched their delicate hands deal the cards yet again. As they pull their hands back, he acts on impulse and grabs it.

◇Po-po-po poker face, po-po-fuck her face. Mum-mum-mum-mah. Po-po-po poker face, Po-po-fuck her face. Mum-mum-mum-mah.◇

For a moment, they eye each other. Neither looked away. The thick silence between each other could be cut with a knife. He kisses their palm. "For luck." He says.

◇I wanna roll with him, a hard pair we will be. A little gambling is fun when you're with me.◇

Eventually, the two reach a stale-mate. An endless stream of ties. Frustrating both of them. He looks at his dealer and says. "Let's change the game." Here at this casino, the whales like him could change the games at will, and the dealers complied.

◇I love it.◇

His dealer pulls out a gun. Showing him three bullets. Carefully loading the pistol in front of him before cocking it and aiming at themselves. A challenge was issued.

◇Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun, and baby, when it's love, if it's not rough, it isn't fun.◇

He licks his lips and nods. The trigger is pulled.... nothing. He's handed the gun. He kisses the barrel staring directly at his dealer.

◇oh, oh-oh, oh, oh oh oh oh oh, oh-oh. I'll get him hot, show him what I've got. Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh oh oh oh oh, oh-oh. I'll get him hot, show him what I've got.◇

Click. Nothing. Only one safe move left. But that was the point. Demons like them wanted the risk. They wanted the uncertainty. He offers the gun back. His dealer accepts it without hesitation.

◇Can't read my, Can't read my, no he can't read my poker face.◇

Running their fingers through their hair, they eyed him as they liked it up. The shot rings out. Many customers turn to look. It grazed their ear and shattered one of the light fixtures.

That peaceful smile still remained as they looked at him. It made sense. In order to work here, you had to be willing to risk it all, even your life.

◇She's got me like nobody◇

The blood drips from their ear as they hand it to him. The gun barely balanced on a single finger tauntingly. Two shots and a safety left. He liked those odds.

◇Can't read my, can't read my no, he can't read my poker face.◇

He takes am. Bang! Another shot knocks his hat right off his head. The pair chuckled as they examined the bullet hole that just barely missed his skull. Intoxicating.

◇She's got me like nobody.◇

He places the hat on his dealers head, and a glimmer of amusement flashes across their face. Once more, it's their turn. They aim right in between the eyes. Click. Nothing.

◇Po-po-po poker face, Po-po-fuck her face. Mum-mum-mum-mah. Po-po-po poker face, Po-po-fuck her face. Mum-mum-mum-mah.◇

That just leaves the last bullet with him. He takes it and aims to the roof. It clicks again. He raises an eyebrow. Looking at his dealer, he finds them with a new accessory.

There where the bullet had grazed their ear before sat a new piercing. He snorts. How poetic. The game is over, he's lost.

◇I won't tell you that I love you, kiss or hug you. Cause I'm bluffing with my muffin. I'm not lying. I'm just stunning with my love glue gunning.◇

He's had a lot of fun tonight but has also lost a lot as well. They've really moped the floor with him tonight. He watches as they tuck something into his pocket.

◇Just like a chick in the casino, take your bank before I pay you out. I promise this, promise this, check this hand cause I'm marvelous.◇

He pulls it out to show the Ace of Hearts. That little brat. He looks up, and his dealer is already gone. No doubt to rob another pour soul of their cash.

◇Can't read my, can't read my no, he can't read my poker face. She's got me like nobody. Can't read my can't read my no, he can't read my poker face. She's got me like nobody.◇

[canirove]

Broken Hearts Football Club | Bonus chapter 3

Author’s note: I managed to do it, and here you have the last bonus chapter! Though writing has been a bit stressful, because I thought I wasn't going to finish it on time 😅 Anyway, hope you like it, and thank you very much for reading and being part of June and Ben's story 💜

First chapter | Last chapter | Bonus chapter 1 | Bonus chapter 2

Masterlist

🚨 On this chapter there are mentions of mental health struggles and infertility. 🚨

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A couple of years after the previos chapter...

“Meow.”

“What…”

“Meeeeow!”

“Pepper?” June murmured.

“Meow!” 

“What are you doing… here?” she yawned, slowly opening her eyes.

“Meow, meow” he replied, curling next to her. 

“You shouldn't be here. Who let you in?”

“I did.”

“What?” 

“Good morning, Maxwell” Ben smiled from the door, a tray with food in his hands. “Fancy some breakfast in bed?”

“Always” she smiled, sitting up. “Thank you, husband.”

“You're welcome, wife” he smiled back, kissing her cheek and sitting next to her and Pepper.

“Peach juice and coffee, toasts, chocolate cookies, some fruit, a rose that I suspect has come from the garden… To what do I owe this honour?”

“Today is a special day, June.”

“Is it?” she said, picking one of the cookies.

“Here” he said, giving her an envelope.

“What is this?”

“Open it and you'll see.”

“Happy retirement?” she laughed.

“Happy football retirement” Ben corrected her, pointing at the word he had written on the card. 

It was happening. June was retiring from football, her career coming to an end that very same day since Chelsea were playing their last game of the season. 

She had thought about it for months before making her final decision, many times regretting it and then telling herself it was the best thing to do. But it actually was the best decision. Her muscles had already started to say no more, and in her heart she felt it was time to start a new chapter. 

“I can't believe you got me a card” she laughed again.

“I saw it in the supermarket and couldn't resist myself” he shrugged. “Anyway, eat. We don't want your toasts to get cold and soggy.”

“Yes, of course. But what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Aren't you eating breakfast with me?”

“Pepper and I already did, don't worry. Today is all about you, June” Ben said, caressing her cheek. 

“Thank you” she replied with a small smile. “Are you ok, tho?”

“Ok?”

“Yeah. About today, about me retiring. Is it… Are you…”

“Am I?” he said, his hand still on her face.

“Is today bringing you bad memories? From when you… from when you had to retire.”

“Don't think about that now, June.”

“But are you ok?” she insisted. She knew how hard it had been for him, how much he had struggled. And now that he looked happier than ever with his new job training a kids team, she didn't want him to go back to all that. 

“I am, that's in the past.”

“Promise?”

“I promise” he smiled. “Now eat, Maxwell. I want you to score tonight as a goodbye, and for that you need your energy.”

“I need to recharge” she smirked.

“Exactly” Ben smirked back. 

“But one last thing…”

“What” he sighed.

“I love you, husband.”

“And I love you, wife. Now eat” he repeated.

“Yes, mum” she replied, rolling her eyes and making them both laugh.

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“Finally, Lauren. What took you so long?” Vittoria complained.

“Traffic. How is my niece today?” she asked her, touching her bump before letting herself fall on one of June's sofas. 

“Good” Vittoria smiled. Like June, she had retired the previous season, announcing her pregnancy just a few months later. 

“Your beer, Lauren” June said, giving it to her and also sitting down.

“Urgh, beer. I miss it so much” Vittoria said. “I can't wait for the little one to be here so I can finally drink a very cold one. And eat jamón.”

“What?” Lauren laughed.

“You can't eat it while pregnant. Or sushi, though I don't like it.”

“I don't envy you, then. What about you, June?”

“Uh?”

“June, are you ok?” Vittoria asked her. “You look a bit… off.”

“I'm fine, don't worry” she said, forcing herself to smile.

“Are you sure?” Lauren said. “Because you look like you were about to cry.”

“What? No, no. It's just that I looked out the window because I thought I had seen something, and the sun blinded me, nothing else” she said, still smiling. “So, tell us. How was training today? You are the only one who is still playing, make us jealous.”

“I… ok” Lauren said, her face giving away that she hadn't believed June's excuse. “Today they had us doing some strength exercises, so it wasn't the most fun thing to do…” 

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“Hello, wife” Ben smiled, kissing June's cheek and sitting next to her. 

“Hi.”

“How was your day? Did the girls come around?”

“They did.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“We did” June nodded. 

“And Vitto? How are she and the baby?”

“Good” she said, getting up from the sofa and moving to the kitchen. 

“June, is everything ok?” Ben said, following her. 

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Chilwell. I'm sure” she smiled. Or forced herself to. “What about you? How was training with the kids today?”

“Oh, it was the best” he said. “We’ve got a new kid who also is called Ben and who would not want to leave my side, he was super shy. But then I convinced him to join the others after playing some games, and he is so good, June. You have to watch him, he reminded me a lot of myself and… June. June, are you ok?”

“Yeah, yeah” she said, looking away.

“June, you are crying. What happened?”

“Nothing” she replied, quickly wiping away her tears.

“June” Ben said, taking her hands on his and making her look at him. “Talk to me. What happened?”

“Nothing, I already told you.”

“I know you and something is bothering you, June. Talk to me, please.”

“I… I…” she mumbled, hating the way he was looking at her, how worried he was. “It’s just that I got my period today, and you know what that means.” She wasn’t pregnant. They had started trying even before she had played her last game, and nothing. 

“June…” Ben said, letting go of her hands and hugging her by the waist, pulling her closer to him.

“I noticed not long before Vittoria arrived, so when I saw her looking all happy with her bump, it wasn’t the easiest thing. Then when we were talking she was telling us about certain things she can’t eat or drink, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how jealous I was. About how I would give anything to be in her position, about how I would be ok with not drinking alcohol ever again if it meant that I was pregnant. And now you tell me about a mini you, and I… I…”

“I’m so sorry, June. I’m so sorry” he said while hugging her, June crying on his shoulder.

“What is wrong with me, Ben? Why can’t I get pregnant? What am I doing wrong?”

“You aren’t doing anything wrong, June” he said, hugging her tighter. “You know you aren’t. And there is nothing wrong with you either, the doctors already said it.” 

They had told them that this was normal, that it would take her some time since her body had to adjust to her new life, to the stress of playing football at the level she had for so many years being over. And at first that had stopped all the thoughts that had been crossing her mind, but when Vittoria had gotten pregnant so early and so easily…

“Then why am I not getting pregnant?” she cried. “Why, if we both are healthy and everything is fine, nothing is happening?”

“I… I don’t know, June” he sighed while she kept crying, trying really hard to not do it himself. He hated seeing her like this. “But there are other options. Do you remember Barbara, my mum’s neighbour?”

“Yes” she said against his shoulder. 

“Both her kids are adopted, and they’ve had the happiest life together. And the eldest actually works helping other kids find a family, so I’m sure that if we asked him, he would help us with anything we may need. I know your dream has always been to get pregnant, but not being able to isn’t the end, and it won’t make you less of a mother.”

“I know.”

“Then don’t lose hope, ok?” he said, cupping her face and making her look at him. “Promise me that you won’t.”

“I won’t. I promise” she sobbed.

“I love you, June. I love you and will always do, no matter what.”

“I love you too, Ben” she said before resting her head on his shoulder and starting to cry again.

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“Happy Valentine’s day, wife.”

“Happy Valentine’s day, husband” she smiled.

“Your breakfast, my lady” he said, putting the tray with all the food on her lap.

“Thank you, sir” she giggled. 

Getting breakfast in bed had become their new thing for the past few months. June had struggled a lot, some days not wanting to leave their bed, crying so much that Ben feared she was going to dehydrate herself or get sick. So he had kept making special breakfasts for her, always adding a different flower from the garden or that he had bought, and a little note where he would write one of the many reasons why he loved her. That usually made her start crying even more, but it also managed to make her smile and leave their room, so it was worth it. 

“You're welcome” he replied as Pepper jumped on the bed and took his place next June. He had not left her side for the past few months either, following her wherever she went. They had even allowed him to sleep with them in their bed since he would spend the night meowing and calling for them. “But there is more.”

“More?” 

“It is Valentine's day, Maxwell” he winked before leaving the room.

“Ben” she gasped when he walked back in, the biggest bouquet of red roses she had ever seen in his hands. 

“What do you think? Too much?”

“Maybe” she laughed. “Where are we going to put them?”

“I don't know” he shrugged. “But my beloved wife deserves this and much more.”

“Thank you, husband” she smiled again. “Aren't you going to join me?” June asked, patting the spot on the bed next to her.

“Not yet, there is something else I need. But you better start eating, we don't want…”

“My toasts to get cold and soggy. I know.”

“Exactly” Ben said. “Now eat, I'll be back in a minute” he said, kissing her forehead before disappearing again.

“Do you know what he went looking for?” she asked Pepper.

“Meow” he replied, sniffing her food. 

“I can't give you anything, Pepper. The doctor said you are getting a bit fat.”

“Meow!” he replied again, sounding as if he had understood what she had said about him. 

“I'm sorry, darling” she smiled, scratching his head. 

“You better not be giving him part of your toasts” Ben said, joining them again.

“I was actually telling him that he can't eat them.”

“Good” he said, sitting down on the bed.

“Why did you bring your laptop?” June asked him as he opened it.

“Because there is something here I want you to see.”

“Something like what?”

“Eat and I will let you know.”

“Urgh” she groaned.

“Love you too, Maxwell” he said, kissing her cheek. 

“Can you show it to me now?” she asked after finishing her toasts.

“Ok, fine” Ben said, moving the laptop towards her.

“What… what am I looking at?”

“A house.”

“I know it is a house, Chilwell. But why am I looking at one?”

“Because this house, isn't just any house. It is a bed and breakfast.”

“And?” June said, giving one of the heart shaped cookies a big bite.

“And? Seriously, Maxwell?” he said, rolling his eyes. “You are the one who came out with the idea of getting our own bed and breakfast and moving to the countryside.”

“But it was just an idea, Ben. A dream. Something to think about to help you feel better and forget about the real world for a while.”

“And isn't that what you need right now, June? Somewhere where you can feel better and forget? Somewhere where you can disconnect?”

“I…”

“Look at this” he said, taking the tray from her lap and putting the laptop instead. “The house is like 100 years old and needs some fixing, but we could do that together if we are brave enough. And there are some rooms that seem to have gotten stuck in the 70’s and that you could redesign” he said, showing her the different photos. “And look at the garden. It is so big we could have an area to throw parties, one just for flowers, one to grow our veggies, and one just with grass where we could set some goals and play football. I know it needs a lot of work, but I also know I would love working on getting everything ready. And, look at this” Ben said, showing her the last photo. “Cats. We've been thinking for a while about getting another one so Pepper won't be alone, and here he wouldn't. And according to what the owner told me, it is a safe place for them.”

“Wait, you've already spoken with the owner?” June said.

“I… Yes” he replied with an innocent smile. “Her name is Mary. She is about to retire and move to the city to live with one of her sons, and since they don't want to keep the family business, she has to sell it. Cats included.”

“What?”

“The son she's moving with apparently is allergic” he shrugged. “But look at it, June. This place is perfect. It is in a little town that if you check a map, is like half way between London and Milton Keynes, which means that we will be close to both our families and friends. And it has all the basic services we may need, we won't be living disconnected from the world despite feeling like we are living in the middle of nowhere.”

“It does look great…” June said, biting her lip. “But what about your football team? What about… your kids?” she said,the last two words making her feel a pang in her chest.

“Mary isn't moving until the summer and the paperwork will take its time. I can end the season with them.”

“And then? You were loving this new job, Ben. I can't ask you to give up on it just because of me.”

“June, I won't be giving up on anything” he said, taking her hand on his. “There is a school in the town nearby and they have a football team, I could ask them if they need help. Though if the house needs all the fixing I think it needs, I don't know if I'll have enough free time for both things.”

“See? You would be giving up on something important for you just because of me! And I can't do that to you, Ben. I can't” she cried.

“June… June, look at me” he said, caressing her cheek. “You, June Elizabeth Maxwell, are the most important thing in my life. You and only you. And I would do anything to make you happy, to make sure you are ok.”

“But Ben…”

“And it's not as if the idea of the bed and breakfast is something that doesn't interest me. I actually am really excited about it. About the garden and all the possibilities it offers, about coming up with new recipes and cooking for new people. You know how much I've been enjoying that and having our friends and family coming over to try them.”

“You've turned yourself into a little chef, yes” she chuckled, wiping away a tear. “But Ben… are you sure? Like, really really sure this is what you want? To leave London and start again?”

“Only if you want it too, June. You have the last word.”

It could work. Moving somewhere new, with new people and new surroundings, while also keeping her mind busy, could work and help her with everything she was feeling and going through. And she loved the idea of the bed and breakfast, it had been a dream of hers since she had been young, always telling her parents that's where she was going to invest her money once she retired from football. And now, she could actually do it, and with the man she loved by her side.

“Let me think about it.”

“Ok” Ben smiled. “But today actually is a beautiful sunny day, just a bit chilly keeping in mind that it is February. Why don't we go on a little road trip and pay Mary a visit?”

“Today?”

“Unless it is too much and you feel like I'm pressuring you into saying yes to all this. Which is not what I'm trying to do, and if I am making you feel like that, I am very sorry, June.”

“No, no, it's ok. It's just… I'm still trying to process it all.”

“Yes, of course” he nodded.

“Why don't we stay home today and celebrate Valentine's day by cuddling in bed and watching some tv, and leave the visit to the bed and breakfast for another day?”

“Is that what you want?” Ben asked her, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and caressing her cheek.

“Today, yes. I want to cuddle and be cuddled by my husband” she smiled.

“Then that's what we will do” he smiled back.

“And thank you for all this, Ben. The breakfast, the flowers, finding that house, and just basically being there for me. Thank you for loving me.”

“Thank you for letting me love you, June.”

“Urgh, you are the best, Chilwell” she said, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him. “The very very best. I love you.”

“I love you too, Maxwell” he replied.

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“And? What do you think?” Ben said, hugging June around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

“I think we could also have a swimming pool.”

“What?” he laughed.

“Yes, over there.”

“Maxwell, we live in England. We can't build a swimming pool, we will barely use it.”

“But we can always buy one of the prefabricated ones and put it over there.”

“Is that a yes, then?”

“What?” she said, moving on his arms until she was looking at him and resting her hands on his chest, one of them over his heart. That broken heart that, as he loved reminding her, she had fixed with her love, making it be healthier than it had ever been.

“If you are thinking about putting a swimming pool, it's because you are already thinking about our future here. About all the things we could do. Though if I'm being honest, your face when Mary showed us the attic and you got to meet the cats, had already told me everything I needed to know” he smirked.

“And what is that, if I may ask?” 

“That you already love this place as much as I do, June.”

“I… Who am I kidding. I love it, Ben” she smiled. “With some changes here and there, this totally is what I had in mind.”

“I know” he smiled back. “Should we go tell Mary that she can take down the on sale sign?”

Besides the house being what June had imagined so many times, and having everything to bring her Pinterest mood boards come to life, there was something about the town and the people living there that so far they had had the chance to meet, that had made her feel safe, calm, at peace. Almost at home. And with everything that had been going on in her life the past year, with all the thoughts that had crossed and were still crossing her mind, it was exactly what she needed. And Ben, that man that loved her unconditionally, had seen it. He had seen that this was what she needed to get out the dark space where she was headed, and had found the perfect place for her. For them. 

“Yes” June said, her smile growing wider as she looked around one last time. “Let's go find Mary.” 

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A couple of years later...

“I've missed this so much, girls” Vittoria said. “We seriously need to meet more often.”

“We do” June agreed.

“Maybe next time we can do it at your b&b and ask that husband of yours to make us dinner. Who knew Chilly cooked so well!” Lauren chuckled. 

“One of his many talents” June smirked.

“I don't want to know about the others, tho.”

“Neither do I” Vittoria laughed. “But I do love seeing you like this, June. Smiling, making jokes and just… happy” she said, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. 

“Thank you, Vitto” she smiled.

It had not been easy, but leaving London for the countryside had been the best decision she and Ben could have ever made. Renovating their bed and breakfast had kept her mind busy, the slow pace living and just being surrounded by nature doing wonders for her mental health. She still had had bad days, days where she didn't want to leave her bed. But now it had been months since she had felt like that, and she had even managed to meet Valentina, Vittoria's daughter, without feeling like someone was opening her chest in half and ripping out her heart. 

“Should we ask for the bill and go clubbing?” 

“What?” June laughed.

“Like old times!”

“My bed and my husband are calling me, I'm sorry. Not in that way, tho” she said, pointing at Vittoria and the smirk on her face. “And yours and your daughter probably are too.”

“They can survive a night without me. What do you say, Lauren?”

“June, have your boobs always looked like that?” she blurted out.

“Lauren!” Vittoria gasped. “Though now that you mention it…”

“Stop checking out my boobs!” June laughed, covering her chest with her hands. “Though I've actually noticed that lately I've put on a bit of weight, and most of it seems to have gone there. I guess that not having the lifestyle I used to have when I was playing football, and eating Ben's amazing food, has finally caught up with me” she shrugged.

“I mean, you look great, don't get me wrong” Lauren said. “It's just that I've known you since your ladies started growing, and they've never been that big.”

“Oh my God!” Vittoria suddenly said, startling June and Lauren and the couple having dinner on the table next to theirs. “Sorry” she smiled at them. “But oh, my God, June.”

“Oh my God what?” she chuckled.

“This may sound crazy and I'm sorry for bringing it up, but…” she said, biting her lower lip.

“But?”

“Could you… Could you be… Have you and Ben… you know…”

“Vittoria, you are making no sense.”

“June, could you be pregnant?” she said, whispering the last word.

“What?” she laughed, the couple sitting next to them giving them another disapproving look.

“I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, I don't want to hurt you, June. I truly don't. But… It is one of the signs.”

“I can't be pregnant, Vitto.”

“Can’t you? Have you stopped trying? Are you using protection again?”

“Yes. I mean, no. Like… We've obviously kept sleeping together, and we aren't using any kind of protection. But we don't do it thinking about what could happen.”

“What about your period? Are you late?”

“My… wait” she said, checking her phone. 

She had always been quite regular, even while playing football. But when she was stressed or too worried about something, it wouldn't be weird if she missed a month. And lately, she had been stressed. They had had a leak on the roof that had taken them ages to find and fix, someone had tried to break into their London house, and Pepper had been sick, which in her head, made missing a month kind of normal and she hadn’t paid it too much attention. The problem was tho, that she currently was almost two months late. And that, had never happened before.

So could she… Could she actually be pregnant? Like she had told Vittoria and Lauren, they had stopped doing it with that goal in mind. They just wanted to enjoy and love each other, let things flow. If one day she got pregnant, good. If she didn't, good too. There were other options and possibilities for them to start their own family. 

“Girls, I… I… Can we please go home?” she said, her chair making a horrible noise as she got up, the couple next to them once again giving them a disapproving look. “I… I think dinner hasn’t sat too well with me.”

“Do you want to go to the bathroom? Are you feeling sick?” Lauren asked her.

“No, no. It isn’t that. I just… I just need some fresh air, I'm too hot.”

“Oh, of course” Vittoria said as she and Lauren also got up. “I'll pay for the bill. You two can wait outside and start googling where the closest pharmacy is.”

“A pharmacy? Why do we need a pharmacy?” June asked.

“Because we need to find out where those boobs have come from.”

“You mean…”

“You need to take a pregnancy test, June.”

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“Chilwell… Chilwell, wake up.”

“Uh?”

“It’s time to wake up, c’mon,” June said, kissing his cheek.

“I’m tired.”

“Of what?” she chuckled.

“You couldn’t stop moving last night, Maxwell. Are you nervous about something?”

“No.”

“That has sounded so suspicious…” Ben said, slowly sitting up on the bed. “And you made me breakfast? Is that why you couldn’t sleep last night?”

“Busted!” she said with a nervous laugh. “I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me since we moved out of London. I… I don’t think I could have left that dark place without you.”

“June, I love you. I would do anything for you.”

“And I for you” she smiled. “That’s why, today, I am the one bringing you breakfast in bed.”

“You didn’t have to, June.”

“But I wanted to” she said, getting up from the bed and picking up the tray she had left on the bedside table.

“Thank you, wife” Ben smiled.

“You’re welcome, husband. But wait!” she said when he was about to lift the lid that was covering one of the plates. “You must leave that one for last.”

“Why?”

“Because I say so. First you drink your juice and eat your toasts and your fruit, and then you can open that.”

“Did you plan a surprise for me?” he smirked.

“Maybe” June shrugged. “Now eat. We don’t want your toasts to get cold and soggy.”

“We don’t, no” he laughed. “Am I allowed to open this now?” Ben asked once he had finished all the food June had brought him.

“You are, yes.”

“June, you look so nervous… Is it bad news?” he said, taking her hand on his. “You are shaking.”

“Chilwell, I’m fine! Open the damn thing!”

“I’m fine.”

“June…”

“Ok…” he replied, giving her one last concerned look before doing as she had asked him. “What… What is this?”

“Don’t you know what it is?” 

“It looks like a… June” Ben gasped, his eyes wider than she had ever seen them. “Is this yours?”

“Yep” she nodded.

“Are you… Because this is… June, are you…”

“I’m pregnant, Ben” she said, tears already rolling down her cheeks.

“No!” he gasped again, the trail with all the plates and glasses rolling down the bed as he moved to hug her. “June, you… Oh my God, June.”

“I’m pregnant, Ben” she repeated while hugging him back. “That’s our baby.”

“You… Oh my God, June.”

“You already said that” she chuckled.

“I’m sorry, but… Holy shit, June” Ben said, moving his head to look at her face. “You are pregnant.”

“Yes.”

“But… how? I mean, I do know how, I’m very familiar with it. I mean… Now?”

“The doctor said that sometimes when you stop trying and just relax, it’s when it happens” she shrugged.

“The doctor? You already… Of course you already visited one. You wouldn’t have the scan if you hadn’t visited one” he chuckled, reaching for it. “Is this why you wanted us to stay a bit longer in London?”

“They actually are the ones who realized there was something going on. Had you noticed that my boobs were bigger?”

“It is. After doing a test the girls wanted me to visit a doctor and be 100% sure.”

“Wait, the girls know?”

“Your boobs?”

“It apparently is what gives it away with many women.”

“I… I don’t know. You know I prefer peaches over melons” he smirked.

“Chilwell!” June laughed.

“Sorry, I’m sorry” Ben chuckled. “But… holy shit, June. You are pregnant. This here…” he said, looking at the scan. “Is our baby.”

“Our baby” she said, taking his other hand and placing it on her stomach. 

“I love you, June. I love you so much” he said, the tears that he had been trying to control finally being free. 

“I love you too, Ben.”

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A few years later...

“Guys, lunch is ready!” June called from the kitchen.

“Mummy!” the little boy said while running towards her and hugging her legs, the cats behind him. “Mummy, I didn't mean to.”

“What?”

“Benjamin Maxwell!” Ben shouted from the garden.

“I swear I didn't mean to, mummy” he said again, tears coming to his eyes.

“What happened?” she asked him, running her hand through his curls to try and comfort him.

“What do you think happened, June?” Ben said, joining them in the kitchen.

“I don't know” she shrugged.

“He hit the flowers with his ball. Again.”

“Did you?” she asked her son.

“It was an accident, mummy. I didn't want to hit daddy and his flowers.”

“You hit daddy too?” she said, trying not to laugh. 

“First he hit my head, and then the ball went into the flowers.”

“Are you ok?”

“I am, yes. My flowers, not so much.”

“At least they haven't bloomed yet and he didn't ruin them.”

“Yeah, I guess” Ben sighed.

“I'm sorry, daddy. It won't happen again, I promise.”

“It's ok, little man” he smiled. “But you have to be more careful, ok?”

“I will” he promised. 

“Ok, now that you've made up, it's time to go wash your hands” June said.

“Yes, mummy!” he said before running away, the cats following him again.

“Did he seriously hit your head?” June asked Ben.

“He did. And it hurt like hell.”

“Aww, poor Chilwell” she teased. “Do you want a cuddle?”

“That would be very helpful, yes” he said, hugging June and resting his head on her shoulder. “I don't understand how he can hit the ball so hard. He's just three!”

“Maybe his football manager should work on that with him. I've heard he is this hot ex Chelsea player who then became a pundit and used to say a lot of shitty facts on tv.”

“He sounds like a twat.”

“You have no idea” June laughed. “Oh, shit.”

“Are you ok?” Ben said, lifting her head and looking at her.

“Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. She just kicked my ribs. She must be a fan of that guy.”

“That, or that we have another football player in our hands, Maxwell” he said, caressing her bump.

“Poor flowers, then” she chuckled.

“And poor me” he sighed. “Though maybe April will be a bit more chill than her older brother.”

“April?” June laughed. “When did we decide we were going to name her like that?”

“We agreed on it when they told us that she was going to be born in April.”

“What is she chooses to come early, uh?”

“June, April is in two days and your due date is the 10th.”

“Then what if she takes her time and is born in May?”

“The doctor said they will induce you if she takes longer than a week, so still April.”

“But what if…”

“Nothing, June” Ben interrupted her. “You will say yes to calling her April just like you said yes to Benjamin. That's how good at persuading you I am” he smirked.

“Yeah” she scoffed.

“I am, Maxwell. Do you want me to show you?”

“I… Ben!” she giggled when he started kissing her neck.

“I’m here, mummy.”

“Oh, hi, darling” she said, moving on Ben's arms to look at her son while he kept kissing her neck. “Did you wash your hands?”

“I did, mummy. Look” he said, moving them so she could see them.

“Good job. Now go sit down, daddy and I will join you in a minute.”

“What about them?” he said, looking down at the cats. They had become his shadow and not left his side since the moment he started moving and crawling, kind of making sure he was ok. “We haven't given them their lunch yet, mummy.”

“You are right, darling. Go get their bowls.”

“Ok” he smiled before running away, the cats following him once again.

“And you, Chilwell” June said, moving again to face Ben. “You are the worst.”

“What did I do know?” he laughed.

“What did I do know?” June repeated, making fun of him. “You've made my life confusing as hell by convincing me to name him after you. Now I can't say your name without having him reply too! 

“Lucky you, you can still call me Chilwell. Or husband. Or love of your life.”

“I can do that now, when my brain is properly working. But did I tell you that the other day he asked me if I have nightmares where something bad happens to him, because one night he heard me calling his name?”

“No!” Ben gasped. 

“Yes. We were so lucky he didn't come to our room to check what was going on…”

“Yeah, try to explain to a three-year old why his daddy was between his mummy's legs” he chuckled.

“Not funny, Chilwell” she said, hitting his arm.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry.”

“Mummy, the bowls” Ben said, running back to them.

“Great. Let's go feed the cats while daddy finishes setting the table. Though first wash your hands, Chilwell. You also were in the garden.”

“Your wishes are my commands, Maxwell” he smiled, letting go of her and doing an over the top curtsey that made her roll her eyes.

“C'mon, darling” she said, taking her son's hand, Ben not being able to stop smiling while looking at them, at how the little version of him was helping June with the cats’ food, offering to do it for her because her tummy was too big and she had to be careful so his little sister was ok, something he had definitely heard him say before. “Chilwell!”

“Maxwell?”

“Stop smiling like an idiot and go wash your hands.”

“Mummy, don't call daddy an idiot! That isn't nice.”

“I'm sorry, darling” she said, running her hand though his curls once again, just like she had imagined so many times. “But when I call daddy an idiot, I do it with love. Because I love him very much” she said, looking at Ben.

“I love you too, June. Very much” he replied.

“And because you do, you are gonna go wash your hands, aren't you?”

“I'm going, I'm going!” he said as he left the kitchen, looking at June and Ben one last time. At the way she was smiling at their son while he told the cats to eat slower, feeling like his heart could burst of love for them and the little addition that was on her way. 

His heart, the one that wasn't that broken anymore. The one June had mended with her love, same way his love for her had mended hers. 

Because like that quote she had once found on Pinterest said:

[atombonniebaby]

So, I've seen a few posts lately that highlight Deacon's habit of ending up in just his undies...

I've been sitting on this for a little while...But I think it's time...

I use this nifty little mod called 'Liga of my Companions' (by far the best multi-follower mod out there!)

One feature is the companions can dress themselves...which is great! They go home and change into some casuals... Put on their armor when we're in combat zones, etc...But it can be a little glitchy at times.

I can no longer bring myself to use this feature.😳

Mature content Warning: suggestive/innuendo

Cards on the table. I like to use 'Enhanced Vanilla Bodies.' and not NeverNude...(Certain mods call for such a thing...it is just weird to bathe in your underpants, okay! 😜 CWSS for working bathroom fixtures btw.)

So, I'm running with Mac and Deeks, and suddenly, the pair of them started stripping...like full-on terrorizing enemies by charging at them with their 'assets' on full display. (body slamming enemies, leaping over obstacles...running out of bullets, and fist fighting instead of using their weapons...because I kept forgetting to turn on infinite ammo for them)

So here I am, chasing them around and yelling: "Deacon! Put your pants back on...oh, for f@#k sake Mac, not again!" Because after they did it once, they just kinda ran with it...They'd also be standing there with big grins, which is just normal companion behavior, but I dunno.

This time, it felt personal...

Guys...My fugging mum was watching me play...😱

She, of course, thought this was hilarious, and I guess I must have too considering how much my cheeks hurt from laughing.

I think my man walked in at one point, then walked right back out again once he realized what we were in hysterics about.

I am still not sure if that has been our weirdest mother/daughter moment, but it is definitely up there 🤣🤣🤣

(Mum's where I get most of my weirdness from, and my love for gaming. She spends her evenings playing FO76 or COD online...so she's a bit awesome. I'm not gonna lie!)

Note: I did eventually get it working properly, and actually stopped using the "dress yourself" feature because they are like toddlers dressing themselves!

They come up with some weird combinations....hmmm maybe I should give them a bunch of stuff and see what they come up with to illustrate my point some time 🤣🤣🤣

[thegothingtons]

At the same time in Ciudad Enamorada.

Jana Julie was on the way and Michaela is busy with painting. Therefore, Bishop took the opportunity to spend time with Anne.

Bishop: "Would you like to play a round of cards?"

Anne was surprised at first, but then she smiled and agreed. They went upstairs to the game table.

Bishop: "How's it going at school?"

Anne shrugged her shoulders awkwardly. "Well, that's how it goes."

Bishop laughed sheepishly. "High school is complicated. I remember. I'm not the high-flyer. Unlike Alden and Clementine."

Anne: "How did Aunt Bridgette fare?"

Her father's gaze turned sad. Although years had passed since her death, he still missed his twin sister as if it were the first day. "She lived for acting. Everything else was unimportant."

Anne pressed her lips together. She had read a lot about vampirism and magic in the last few weeks. At first, she thought becoming a vampire was the real deal. But she found the descriptions that she had to kill Sims for immortality terrible. She would never put her own life above that of others. But eternal youth was also described in magic, at a much lower price. "But you had the magic."

Bishop looked at her thoughtfully. "Not really, neither I nor Bridgette were talented at magic. Which almost drove Pa crazy. Thanks to the Watcher, Clementine can use the magic to its full extent."

Anne: "Is it true that Grandpa made Danielle's mum a magician?"

Bishop swallowed hard. "How do you come up with that?"

Anne shrugged innocently.

Bishop exhaled heavily. He had always been afraid of this conversation. After Bridgette's death, he had decided that neither Anne nor Jana should ever have anything to do with the Occult World. It was enough that they bore the name Gothington, for that reason alone they were already in danger.

Bishop: "Anne, it is true that there are ways to obtain magical powers. But it is dangerous. The Occult world is dangerous. I don't want you or Jana to ever come into contact with it."

Anne: "It's okay with Danielle?!"

Bishop: "Danielle is very blessed with magic. She had to learn to control them and she was a danger to you."

Anne: "And now she's not, thanks to Aunt Clementine. I want to be like you and Danielle. I don't care how dangerous it is. Will you help me, or do I have to find the way myself?"

*******

A few hours later.

Bishop himself could not believe that he had traveled with Anne to the realm of magic. That was pure madness.

As soon as he was there, he looked for Kolamano. The sage of untamed magic. He didn't know exactly what relationship he had with his sister Clementine, but she obviously trusted him. Therefore, he had decided to do so.

Kolamano: "Bishop Gothington."

Bishop nodded in greeting. Anne stayed behind a few meters away. "I have a request," he choked out.

Kolamano: "I hear."

Bishop: "My daughter Anne was born without magic."

Kolamano: "Not all of our descendants are worthy of the old power."

Bishop: "She's a Gothington. Therefore, it can only be an mistake of nature."

Kolamano: "A mistake?!" He paused and thought. "The times are difficult and dangerous for magicians."

Bishop pressed his lips together and nodded in agreement.

Kolamano: "If it is her wish, I will examine her."

Bishop withdrew, leaving his daughter alone with the sage.

Kolamano: "Anne, so you think nature was wrong and you should be accepted into the ranks of the magicians like your father and grandfather?"

Anne: "Yes."

Kolamano: "Why? You are aware that we magicians are currently being hunted and killed."

Anne's pulse quickened. "Yes. I still want to, because I want to help the Sims."

Kolamano: "You can do that even as an ordinary Sim."

Anne straightened her shoulders and stretched her chin defiantly towards the sage. "I'm not ordinary. I'm a Gothington."

Kolamano: "You're right. Good if it's your wish." He cast a silent spell and made Anne one of them.