#which is true !!! but then why are ALL OF YOU complaining to me and only me
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O: Youâre quite a writer. Youâve a gift for language, youâre a deft hand at plotting, and your books seem to have an enormous amount of attention to detail put into them. Youâre so good you could write anything. Why write fantasy?
Pratchett: I had a decent lunch, and Iâm feeling quite amiable. Thatâs why youâre still alive. I think youâd have to explain to me why youâve asked that question.
O: Itâs a rather ghettoized genre.
P: This is true. I cannot speak for the US, where I merely sort of sell okay. But in the UK I think every bookâ I think Iâve done twenty in the seriesâ since the fourth book, every one has been one the top ten national bestsellers, either as hardcover or paperback, and quite often as both. Twelve or thirteen have been number one. Iâve done six juveniles, all of those have nevertheless crossed over to the adult bestseller list. On one occasion I had the adult best seller, the paperback best-seller in a different title, and a third book on the juvenile bestseller list. Now tell me again that this is a ghettoized genre.
O: Itâs certainly regarded as less than serious fiction.
P: (Sighs) Without a shadow of a doubt, the first fiction ever recounted was fantasy. Guys sitting around the campfireâ Was it you who wrote the review? I thought I recognized itâ Guys sitting around the campfire telling each other stories about the gods who made lightning, and stuff like that. They did not tell one another literary stories. They did not complain about difficulties of male menopause while being a junior lecturer on some midwestern college campus. Fantasy is without a shadow of a doubt the ur-literature, the spring from which all other literature has flown. Up to a few hundred years ago no one would have disagreed with this, because most stories were, in some sense, fantasy. Back in the middle ages, people wouldnât have thought twice about bringing in Death as a character who would have a role to play in the story. Echoes of this can be seen in Pilgrimâs Progress, for example, which hark back to a much earlier type of storytelling. The epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest works of literature, and by the standard we would apply nowâ a big muscular guys with swords and certain godlike connectionsâ Thatâs fantasy. The national literature of Finland, the Kalevala. Beowulf in England. I cannot pronounce Bahaghvad-Gita but the Indian one, you know what I mean. The national literature, the one that underpins everything else, is by the standards that we apply now, a work of fantasy.
Now I donât know what youâd consider the national literature of America, but if the words Moby Dick are inching their way towards this conversation, whatever else it was, it was also a work of fantasy. Fantasy is kind of a plasma in which other things can be carried. I donât think this is a ghetto. This is, fantasy is, almost a sea in which other genres swim. Now it may be that there has developed in the last couple of hundred years a subset of fantasy which merely uses a different icongraphy, and that is, if you like, the serious literature, the Booker Prize contender. Fantasy can be serious literature. Fantasy has often been serious literature. You have to fairly dense to think that Gulliverâs Travels is only a story about a guy having a real fun time among big people and little people and horses and stuff like that. What the book was about was something else. Fantasy can carry quite a serious burden, and so can humor. So what youâre saying is, strip away the trolls and the dwarves and things and put everyone into modern dress, get them to agonize a bit, mention Virginia Woolf a few times, and there! Hey! Iâve got a serious novel. But you donât actually have to do that.
(Pauses) That was a bloody good answer, though I say it myself."
(Terry Pratchett in an interview with the Onion)
J. R. R. Tolkien, undisputedly a most fluent speaker of this language, was criticized in his day for indulging his juvenile whim of writing fantasy, which was then consideredâas it still is in many quartersâ an inferior form of literature and disdained as mere âescapism.â âOf course it is escapist,â he cried. âThat is its glory! When a soldier is a prisoner of war it is his duty to escapeâand take as many with him as he can.â He went on to explain, âThe moneylenders, the knownothings, the authoritarians have us all in prison; if we value the freedom of the mind and soul, if weâre partisans of liberty, then itâs our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as possible."
Stephen R. Lawhead
#also pterry's i had a good day today and that's why you're still alive bit about fantasy#eh hang on it's worth finding
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lmao this is my first time giving a request. Could you maybe do dick Grayson head cannons?
Most of these hdc come from my little brain that I thought fit Dick in general, itâs not based on stuff (some of them are but not all) if ppl agree or donât agree, I couldnât care less honestly. Also thanks for the request anon, hope you like it! đ«¶
I know I write him as a little goofy goober but he tends to play up this character so that he doesnât have to open up about anything. Is it foolproof? Not entirely and it solely depends on the person and their relationship to him,those of whom that pick up what heâs putting down, and those (you) who can easily see through this facade and know something is up.
Heâs more often than not the type who will become more affectionate in private where itâs just you, him and Hayley. Dick doesnât need anybody else other then you two, his confidants as he so playfully called you both one day, and heâs more then content then heâs ever been.
Older sibling syndrome is strong in this boy.
Foot wars are a common occurrence in your shared apartment as you push against the others foot with your own to see whoâs going to be victorious, only for you to accidentally smack him in the face with your foot and the foot war becomes ten times worse, seeing as how as Dick often wins them more then you did.
He will never stop feeling guilty about Jasonâs death. Never. That boy who was filled with love and life and claimed that being robin was magic was still within Jason somewhere, dick just knows this to be true, even if Jason loves to claims that that little kid was gone.
And while heâs glad that Jason is back in his life, dick couldnât help but feel as though he couldâve done better by him at times, holding onto that guilt and shame for not being their for his brother that still killed him inside to this day whenever he saw Jason laugh and or smile at something. It hurts but Dick will never stop being in Jasonâs corner, not once. If Gotham was against Jason then Dick will gladly be by Jasonâs side, to show that his allegiance to his brother would outweigh a lot of things.
(Iâm so normal about dick and Jason being brothers canât you tell đ„Č leave me here and be delusional)
The same applies to Damian also, which is why your mostly acquainted with both Jason and Damian in comparison to the rest of his family because they often come over by pure coincidence, or because dick dragged them by their ears with a smile on his face.
Insists that you cling onto his legs while he does pull ups and or sit on his back while he does push ups as he lets you count.
Complains to you when he looses the nightwing look alike contest, and to Jason no less, which no one that knows him personally allows him to live down.
They (Tim and Stephanie) even make memes out of it.
Has Hayley as his Lock Screen, you as his Home Screen. Both wearing cute matching pyjamas. So when heâs on his phone people think heâs smiling at his picture of Hayley -which is true- but heâs also smiling at the picture of you also.
His family pester him about you a lot, even Bruce asks when heâs going to meet you, claiming heâs not going to get any younger should Dick hold back on introducing you to him.
Even Alfred gets in on this as well but Dick always has an excuse locked and loaded when these questions are asked, but even he knows that Bruce knows that itâs all bullshit, however he doesnât say anything outright incase Dick didnât feel comfortable introducing you to them yet.
Wears only boxers to sleep or boxers and a light blue shirt, it depends on what heâs feeling really.
Loves living in the moment with you as you enjoy the others company without feeling the need to fill the air with chatter, you could just both exist and still love each other regardless because Dick didnât feel the need to talk all the time, so moments like these were what he longed for most.
Ungracefully fell on his ass in fuzzy soaks once and hurt his tailbone in the process. It was funny until he asked to you put a bag of ice on the afflicted area.
Loved narrating what you and or Hayley do in a goofy voice that never fails to make you smile.
Doesnât open up immediately but once he does itâs a sign of trust. He admits to his flaws in past relationships and how he wasnât the most faithful and often saw commitment as a challenge. He understands if you see that as a sign to leave the relationship, he doesnât expect anything from you, but if you did stay then heâs more then happy to not repeat those mistakes in your relationship.
Knows that people see Bruce when they look at him, he expects it because after being with him as long as he has it was only logical that he picked up some habits along the way whether he liked it or not.
Has a big heart but claims that Jasonâs heart was twice as big because heâs so full of love and believed in love.
#dc imagine#dc x reader#dc x you#dc fanfic#dc comics x reader#dc fic#dc x y/n#dc fanfiction#dick grayson x y/n#dick grayson x you#dick grayson imagine#dick grayson imagines#dick grayson x reader#dick grayson fluff#nightwing x y/n#nightwing x you#nightwing fluff#nightwing imagines#nightwing imagine#nightwing x reader
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Stealing this image from twitter and bringing it over here, because holy shit, some of the clowns I have been seeing talk about the game lately.
#Novice Network is a toxic waste pit right now#filled to the brim with returners who think theyâre hot shit talking about âIf Square really thought a cutscene was important they would hav#e put voice acting in itâ and other shit like that#âI just skip all non voiced because the voiced cutscenes recap all that boring shit anywayââ#no they donât???#Is THIS what a new Expac brings out?#because itâs genuinely dreadful#do you even enjoy the game at that point? Complain about fetch quests complain about the dialogue complain about the writing quality#why not just go play a game you like???#Itâs getting to the point where I just have my chat log closed most of the time#not leaving NN because it WAS really nice during the post-Endwalker patch cycle#when mostly only people who actually liked the game (????) were still playing.#but the amount of toxic attitude returners Iâve seen in there lately is disheartening.#I hope itâll come back down in the following weeks#once theyâve burnt through Dawntrail and decided the game doesnât have anything for them#and theyâve sufficiently wasted their time#instead of just⊠taking it slow and taking in the world and the sights and the storyâŠâŠ..#Iâve heard that Dawntrail is basically ARR 2. Which. big if true.#Because we could use that.#A return to form#with the new systems and developments in the game#bringing the story back down a little bit and reining it in#I am VERY excited to get there some day.#but I know that these people Iâm bitching and moaning about arenât thrilled#(honestly that just makes me like it more)#Anyway#point is#if youâre playing a game why the hell arenât you engaging with said game?#Whatâs the point of skipping to the end as fast as possible only to get annoyed when thereâs no more content?#This is exactly the problem that Iâve heard ex-WoW players complain about with regards to their player base
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Giiiiirrrrrl, I'm back. Finally đ
(It's been awhile lol We need to catch up in dms đ)
I was so excited to get into this story, this universe, this character, and, most of all, your immaculate writing đ€đ (I finally caught up on all things Tracker, so nothing is stopping me from devouring this deliciousness now đ)
First of, Professor Goldstein is a piece of work... đ I wouldn't blame her for spitting into his coffee every time he calls her sweetheart. But Russell, I see you. She's gonna be so annoyed with him đ
As a Professor of History with two doctorates in your name
Ooooh, another professor character paired with some rugged Mountain Man đ I'm addicted to those couples. She's all business up front, and he's all party in the back (seat of his Chevelle) đ€Ș
âIâm sorry, Iâve got to run. Meeting my massage therapist at noon,â he said
UGH. The nerve!!!!! Massage therapist????? How about I step on your back with my high heels, bro...
And then to go on about his trip and parasailing... Guess it's true. Ignorant people are happier đ
Why, oh why did the Sciences building have to be on the other side of campus?
Or why are campuses so big in general? My university actually had several faculties strewn throughout the city. Sometimes it took an hour and several subway rides to get to your next lecture đ
and these heels were killing your feet.
She needs a pair of sneakers in her purse. Or rollerskates!!! One of those electric scooters? đ€ (Dory's or Russell's next Xmas present for her would be something like this after they listened to her complain for months lmao)
Goldsteinâs up my ass again and all Iâve had today is a crusty donut from the teacherâs lounge, which Iâm pretty sure was stale,â you said, with your brows furrowed in frustration.
Please tell me Russell's in the room when she said that đđ€
When you finally looked up from your struggles, you realized that Dory wasnât alone. She smiled at you in amusement, sitting at her desk beside a man who made you pause. Your eyes widened.
Yes, he is. Bahahahaha!!! đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł
He's gonna love her đ
Dory had told you someâŠinteresting things about her family, including the fact that she had two older brothers.
Ooooh, right! I wonder how much she knows about the Shaws. Not something that comes casually up in the cafetaria I imagine đ
âSriracha on fries, huh?â you remarked, gesturing at the manâs plate. Your brow was quirked, but he shot you a smile. âI said avert your eyes,â he teased. âDonât knock it âtil you try it, sweetheart.â Ugh. Another sweethearting man.
Love this whole exchange. You're making my dreams come true, babe đ
âYou gave her some PTSD,â Dory said with a laugh.
Dead đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł
His tousled hair and beard, while well-trimmed and neat, still gave him a roguish quality.
I keep thinking he probably has that look now because he was in the army for so long. Young Russell was pretty much young Dean Winchester in a uniform (hello there, soldier đ)
âGuilty. Though Iâm the handsome one,â he said with a wink.
Well... It's a toss-up, I'd say đ
You raised a brow at that. âYou make your own beer?â
In. His. Car đ©đ©đ©đ
âNext time Iâll bring you some. You can tell me what you think.â
If any strange man said that to you... đ©đ€Ł
âYou know, itâs amazing how much you and Colter have in common,â Dory said.
Well, at least, Colter has an Airstream đ
đ€·ââïž
His intentions couldnât be any clearer than a mallet over the head, but you kind of found it endearing.
He is a professional flirt. Kind eyes...
âSo youâre on board with a ânext time.â Good to know,â Russell remarked.
Dear God, he does not stop, does he? đ (On the show, I loved his persistence with Reenie too, even though it was mainly just to annoy Colter. But you captured him beautifully here with this sort of charm đ„°)
PS: schmutz, schlep... I love the sprinkles of Yiddish in this đ€
âAnybody ever tell you, you got soulful eyes?â he asked.
STOP IT! And he upgraded too!!! đ€Ł
Which only left the alternative: somethingâŠcasual.
I mean... Why not? đ€·ââïžđ€·ââïžđ€·ââïž I'm with her on this. Red flags be damned đ
I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS! Gah, this was fabulous! I'm hooked! đđ
Are they gonna stay casual? Something about her brooding and reluctance tells me it's not usually her style? Which means, will he eventually settle? Get out of the dangerous hitman-nomad life? And then there's the stories about their respective families. We already know some about Russell's. How is she gonna react if she learns everything? And there's something odd about her private life as well. Can't wait to dive into that bombshell đ
Zep, my sweet genius Alex, you've outdone yourself once again. Bravo!!! đđđ
A Line and a Half
Pairing: Russell Shaw x F. Reader
Summary: When Doryâs eldest brother comes to visit her at Wyoming University, you donât know quite what to make of Russell Shaw. But he knows exactly what he wants to make of you.
AN: Okay, hereâs my first toe-dip into the world of Tracker with Russell Shaw! 1x12 gave me too many ideas not to explore this intriguing character. This is set before episode 12, but I have a little series I want to sketch out that will continue after this one-shot, so think of this as a âPart 1,â if you will. đ
Word Count: 3.2K
Tags/Warnings: A kind of âmeet cute,â attempts at flirting, and hints of setup for more to comeâŠ
You watched, silently simmering, as Dr. Goldstein added yet another packet of internship applications from his graduate students onto your desk.
Applicants that he, as the History Department Chairman, was supposed to review himself. Instead, heâd been adding these hours quite literally onto your desk.Â
âIf you could review these for me as well, sweetheart. Thank you,â he said. âGet âem back to me by Thursday, okay?â
As a Professor of History with two doctorates in your name, you once again grated internally at sweetheart, but you tried to keep that cringe off your face as well.
Goldstein barely even met your eyes when he dropped off his burden, and then aimed to leave your office.
âUh, Paul,â you called out, raising a finger. You stood from your desk as quickly as you could in your pencil skirt, but the man was already out the door. You followed him out, your heels clacking on the tile floor.Â
Damn it. Knew I shouldâve gone with pants, you said, continuing to hasten after your boss.
âPaul! Just a second,â you said. That finally managed to turn the manâs head off of his phone. He glanced at you while checking his watch.
âAbout the internship applicationsâŠand your midterm exam essays for that matter. Donât you thinkââ you started to say, but the man spoke over you.
âIâm sorry, Iâve got to run. Meeting my massage therapist at noon,â he said, and rolled a seemingly stiff shoulder under his tailored blazer. âSomethingâs just not right here after my trip to Cali last weekend. I donât know what I did, pulled muscle or something. But hey, they do say parasailing is a sport.â
You quirked a brow. âDo they?â
You werenât sure that being strapped into a parachute for a nice air glide over the Pacific counted as a sport.
Goldstein shrugged at your question and he kept walking down the hall. Though he turned back to toss you a pointed finger.
âNeed those by Thursday. Thanks, youâre the best,â he said.
You watched him go, as proverbial steam began to escape through your ears. Slowly you pivoted on your heels, and you went back to your office. You grimaced at the large stack of applications. You were pretty sure he padded them with an extra section of midterm exams.
Tapping your nails on your desk, you grabbed your phone next to your desktop and checked the time. 11:30 a.m.
Screw it. Iâm going to lunch, you thought.
Dory had to be out of her Intro Physics class by now, which meant sheâd be in her office, ready for you to drop in on her a little early. You took up your purse and almost made it out the doorâŠbut at the last moment, your anal brain made you turn back to grab a shoulder bag and the pile of applications. Maybe you could knock out a few during lunch.
Frigginâ doormat, as your brother would say. Laughing at you, probably.
You rolled your eyes and headed back out the door with your haul of papers, purse, work bag, and keys, locking your office behind you.
Why, oh why did the Sciences building have to be on the other side of campus?
It was damn near a mile walk from your Humanities building over to Doryâs office on the second floor. Your hands were laden with packets that couldnât be contained by your heavy work bag, your purse was slipping off your shoulder, and these heels were killing your feet.
It was a miracle you and Dory had ever met on this campus. On your first day of teaching, youâd of course been hopelessly lost. Somehow you ended up at the tail-end of one of her classes in one of the science auditoriums.
Sheâd been gracious enough to help you, and even walked you all the way to the Humanities building so you could find your World History class before the students decided to just get up and leave. (And after fifteen minutes, they very well would.)
That day, she became your first real friend at Wyoming University. In the three years since, sheâd become your best friend.
And now, her door was mercifully open halfway. You pushed it open and stumbled just a little from the transition of tile to carpet inside her office. Your papers nearly flew from your hands, so you struggled to right yourself and contain them all back into the semblance of neatness.
âHey, girl. You better be ready for lunch because Jesus fucking Christ. Goldsteinâs up my ass again and all Iâve had today is a crusty donut from the teacherâs lounge, which Iâm pretty sure was stale,â you said, with your brows furrowed in frustration.
When you finally looked up from your struggles, you realized that Dory wasnât alone. She smiled at you in amusement, sitting at her desk beside a man who made you pause. Your eyes widened.
He was leaning casually with an elbow propped up on her desk, dressed in jeans and a worn, pale green jacketâa good match for his eyes. He looked a little rugged for Doryâs tastes, but you couldnât fault her, with the cut of that bearded jaw, and the smile raising the corners of his lips.
âHey,â Dory laughed. âI see youâre having a good day.â
You bit your lip in embarrassment, probably smudging your lipstick.
âIâm so sorry. I shouldâve knocked first,â you said, though you could see she seemed to be having an actual good day. Office picnic? Or maybe the handsome stranger was getting ready to take her out.
Dory just waved you in. She stood and set a hand on her companionâs shoulder, and he got up along with her.
âItâs okay. This is my brother, Russell,â she said, and she introduced you in kind.
âWell, hi there,â he said. He subtly took you in with his eyes as he held out his hand. Already you felt your face heating up with more than just embarrassment.
You were a bit shocked as well, to say the least. Dory had told you someâŠinteresting things about her family, including the fact that she had two older brothers. You wondered which one this was, the middle child, or the eldest.
âHi! Sorry. Again. Nice to meet you,â you said. You tried to hold your hand out to reach his, but a few papers began to spill out. You clutched at them on reflex, but Russell drew in quickly to help you.
âGot yourself a load there,â he said. You agreed with an awkward laugh and a shrug of your shoulders.
âMy bossâs idea of extra credit,â you said wryly.
âYou can set it down on that chair over there,â Dory said, pointing to one against the back wall, next to a tall filing cabinet.
You and Russell meandered over and managed to set down the stack without casualty. You were able to pull up the straps of your bag and your purse from falling off your shoulder and give him a grateful look.
âThanks,â you said.
âNo problem,â he said, giving you an easy smile back. âI actually crashed in unannounced, so if you two wanna to head to lunch, you go right ahead.â
âUh, no. I havenât seen you in months! You should come with us,â Dory said. She grabbed her purse to join you and Russell by the door.
You raised your hands in placation. âOh, I wouldnât want to intrude, especially if itâs been a while since youâve seen each other. You guys should catch up.â
Dory shook her head and grabbed your hand.
âUh, uh. I want to hear the latest on Paulâs bullshit, and why youâre carrying half your office across campus. Letâs go,â she said, and gestured at your work bag. âLeave that here. Youâre gonna eat and talk to me. No working involved.â
You laughed, but you agreed to her cajoling. With another glance at her brother, and those green eyes that seemed to be dancing, you joined them for lunch.
The three of you ended up at a diner that you and Dory frequented at least once a week. The food was good, the service was quick, and it was close to campus. Wins all around. Russell seemed to be enjoying himself, as he hummed in delight after the very first bite of his Philly cheesesteak.
âSriracha on fries, huh?â you remarked, gesturing at the manâs plate. Your brow was quirked, but he shot you a smile.
âI said avert your eyes,â he teased. âDonât knock it âtil you try it, sweetheart.â
Ugh. Another sweethearting man. You narrowed your own eyes at him a bit. He caught the look and raised a hand in defense (the one that wasnât holding his cheesesteak).
âUh oh. Whatâd I do?â he asked.
âYou gave her some PTSD,â Dory said with a laugh. âDr. Goldstein likes to sugar coat his demands with sexism.â
Russell noted your souring look with apology. Youâd just finished recounting your morning for your friend, and recapping years of âsugar-coated demandsâ for Russell.
âWhy donât you just tell him to cram it up hisâŠuhâŠâ he paused. Seeing his little sisterâs look of amusement, he amended. âOr you know, stuff it.â
A smile twitched at your lips. âOh, believe me, Iâd love to tell him to stuff it. But heâs technically my boss, and the department chair. Even though Iâve basically been doing his job for two years now.â
âWell, that sucks,â Russell said. âAnd I feel for ya. Iâve had my share of shitty bosses in my time.â
You sighed and accepted his commiseration with a nod.
It wasnât fair, but Goldstein planned to retire early in a few years. Must be nice.
When he did, it would make you the most likely candidate to replace him as department chair. The way you saw it, this was giving you plenty of practice before you (hopefully) inherited the position.
Anyway, you shook your head. You didnât want to talk about it anymore. You were more curious about one Russell Shaw. You now knew he was an army vet, and he carried himself like one. Calm, controlled, even though his smiles came easy. His tousled hair and beard, while well-trimmed and neat, still gave him a roguish quality.
âSo let me guess. YouâreâŠthe eldest?â you asked. You blotted at your mouth with a napkin, having finished your chicken panini.
Russell treated you to another one of those smiles, though this one held a hint of more.
âGuilty. Though Iâm the handsome one,â he said with a wink.
You found yourself smiling behind your napkin.
âIâm sure,â you replied.
Dory rolled her eyes. âDonât mind him. Apparently my brotherâs an incorrigible flirt.â
He chuckled and sipped at his beer, but then he grimaced.
âEch. Frigginâ weak,â he said. âI brew better than this outta the trunk of my car.â
 You raised a brow at that. âYou make your own beer?â
âDamn straight,â he said. His gaze turned a hint more playful. âNext time Iâll bring you some. You can tell me what you think.â
You shared a telling look with Dory.
âNext time, huh?â you asked.
âSure,â he inclined his head. âI pop into town from time to time. Gotta check in and pester my little sister, the physics professor.âÂ
He laid a hand on Doryâs shoulder, squeezing warmly. You could see the pride in his eyes, and it warmed you as well.
She turned to him with a smile, reaching up to cover his hand with hers.
âYou donât pester me. Iâd love it if I got to see you more often,â she said.
âAh, I know, Iâm sorry,â he said, releasing her. âMy jobâs got me all over the place. But Iâll be here for a week or so on this gig.â
That intrigued you. âWhat do you do for work?â
âAh, well, you could say I'm a contractor. Private security mainly,â said Russell. His shoulders shifted as he became a little more guarded, you noticed. âMy company connects me with the client for as long as the job lasts. Could be a few months, sometimes a few days, depending.â
âOh, wow. Do you live here in Wyoming?â you asked. He paused, but tilted his head a little, back and forth as he considered your question.
âI kinda bounce around,â he said. âJust go from one job to the next. Sounds a bit unorthodox, I know, but itâs a living.â
âInteresting,â you nodded, but inside, you thought that sounded like a hard way to live.
UnstableâŠand lonely.Â
âYou know, itâs amazing how much you and Colter have in common,â Dory said. She folded her hands on the table and met her brother with a pointed look.
He huffed in response, though he glanced at you, then back at his sister. As if he was saying, You really want to do this now?
Dory had told you before that Colter was a ârewardist,â or some kind of bounty hunter. The nature of his work kept him busy, and seemingly too busy for his sister. But you also sensed there was an edgier history here.
For the first time, you felt like you were intruding in a moment between brother and sister that went beyond words.
After a moment, Russell shook his head.
âLook, I tried with him, all right? He wonât talk to me,â he said. He went back to eating, polishing off his fries. He offered you one that was half-smothered in sriracha.
âCome on. Live on the edge with me,â he teased.
You eyed the sauce-covered fry in distaste, but after glancing up at his more playful smile, you accepted his offer. You chewed in contemplation, and found that the tangy hint of kick wasnât so bad.Â
âEh? Eeeh? Delicious, am I right?â he said, his hands going wide.
You rolled your eyes, but you nodded in agreement.
âItâs all right,â you replied.
âYes!â Russellâs hands swept up higher, like he was celebrating a touchdown. "See, I told ya."
You couldnât help but laugh. Dory shook her head fondly and gave him a clean napkin for the bit of schmutz she spotted at the corner of his mouth.
âHere, wipe your sriracha face.â
âYou really donât have to,â you said, as Russell helped you gather your stack of papers and slung your work bag over his shoulder.
âNo, no. Iâm a bonafide gentleman. Ainât that right, D?â he asked his sister. She barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes again, but she did give you a knowing smile.
âOh, his intentions are pure,â she said.
 And by that, you both understood her meaning. His intentions couldnât be any clearer than a mallet over the head, but you kind of found it endearing.
This man really carried your stuff from the Sciences building across the entire campus to your office. All the while, he asked you about how you and Dory met, the kinds of things you two did together, and if you thought she was happy working here.
You had a feeling he was trying to learn more about his sisterâs life. On one hand, it was rather sweet. On the other, it made you realize that there was distance in this family, both literal and figurative. You were glad to hear that Russell, at least, was trying to bridge that gap with his sister. Dory deserved to have more of that in her life.
As you explained to Russell while you led him down the hall to your office, your friendship with her had justâŠclicked. From the very beginning.
âDory, you know. Sheâs more than kind,â you said. âSheâs a real one. I can rely on her, even when I canât rely on my own family.â
Russell hummed at that. âThat sounds like a story.â
âYeah,â you said, glancing away for a moment. You smiled and met his gaze once more. âMaybe one for another time.â
âSo youâre on board with a ânext time.â Good to know,â Russell remarked. Your smile deepened.
It was good timing when you two finally reached your office. You unlocked it and let him inside, so he could set down your bag, and the god-forsaken stack of internship applications back onto your desk. Youâd probably be stuck here working late on those.
âWell, thank you so much. You really didnât have to schlep for me,â you said.
When you turned, Russell was a bit close. Not uncomfortably so, but enough to make a trill of something zip up your spine. You smelled more intensely his cologne, woodsy and warm. Looking up at him, you once again found his smile.
âItâs no problem,â he said, but his eyes met yours for a moment, as if he lost his train of thought.
âWhat?â you asked, a bit nervous.
âAnybody ever tell you, you got soulful eyes?â he asked.
It took your brain a second or two to compute, but when his words registered, you had to laugh. You held it behind your hand, while the other went to steady yourself on your desk.
 âWell, thatâs a line if Iâve ever heard one,â you said, shading your âsoulfulâ eyes with a hand.
You didnât know it, but Russellâs face warmed in slight embarrassment. He recovered though, taking in your pretty laugh, and the shade of your hair, let loose around your shoulders, and yes, your eyes, when you let him see them again.
If he hadnât known before, now he was convinced.
He wanted to see more of you before he left town.
âHey, now that was 100% genuine,â Russell said, but his grin spoke volumes. When your mirth died down, he scratched the back of his head.
âOkay, cards on the table. Would you be interested in grabbing a drink with me sometime?â he asked.
You took in a breath at that. You actually did consider his offer, because homebrew and sriracha fries be damned, there was something more to him. It was lying in wait, behind those eyes that were drawing you in.
However, this was also a man whose job basically made him a nomad. It didnât exactly scream relationship material.
Which only left the alternative: somethingâŠcasual.
You just didnât know if that alternative was such a good idea. Not with your best friendâs brother.
âJust a drink. No frills, no more grilling you about my sister,â Russell said, breaking you from your deliberation. He gestured a hand between the two of you. âJust this. You and me.â
Eventually, you sighed. Your lips raised into a more genuine smile.
âSometime, huh?â you asked.
He smiled back. âTonight?â
You hesitated, but despite your better judgment, you nodded before you could change your mind. You still werenât sure what to make of this guy, but you were willing to find out.
âSure,â you said. âHowleyâs at eight?â
âWell, all right,â Russell said.
He surprised you by sweeping up your hand into his. You looked up at him, curious, but not wary. Anticipation tingled down your spine.
He pressed his lips to the back of your hand. Soft shock made your eyes widen as you blushed, feeling the subtle graze of his beard against your skin.
Who is this guy, Cary Grant? you thought.
But when he pulled away, you had to remind yourself to breathe. Again, you caught sight of his cheeky grin.  Â
âSee you tonight,â he said.
AN: He is beauty he is grace, he is Mr. Sriracha Face. đ
Let me know if you guys liked this! đ It's my first time writing a character based solely on one episode, but next up is a series that will continue this one-shot. It's called Every Second Counts.
Next Time in Part 1:
âAre you absolutely sure?â you asked, with your hands on your hips.Â
You wanted no miscommunication here, no read-between-the-lines mishaps, no subtext or nuance to bite you in the ass later. So here you stood in the middle of your best friendâs office, still on the Wyoming University campus after your last class.
Dory had to laugh at you. She pushed away from her desk and threw her hands up.
âYes, for the love of God, you can grab a drink with my brother,â she said.
â¶ïž Keep Reading: Part 1
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Russell Shaw Masterlist
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@waywardxwords @deanwinchestersgirl87 @this-is-me19 @rachiem4-blog @sweettimelady
@leigh70 @clinicallydepresso @xiphoidbones @skoveu @nyotamalfoy
@kmc1989 @jackles010378 @emily-winchester @waynes-multiverse @jessjad
@my-stories-vault @deans-spinster-witch @syrma-sensei @stellasfictionalworld @ultimatecin73
@jesllianaquilesrolonsworld @pieandmonsters @lhymer1995 @taehyungxjungkookistaekook @lovelystoriesaj
@nicksalchemy1 @spnwoman @onlyangel-444 @sexyvixen7 @illicithallways
@wolkenprinzessin007 @alwaystiredandconfused @carpenterswife @cheynovak @grilledcheeseandtomato
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god i need therapy and to move out
#aka i need to move out#idk how much longer i can take listening to my parents just say shit and have opinions and then expect me to feel the same way#and when i disagree suddenly iâm siding with the wrong people#when quite literally iâm trying to make you understand that your thoughts are not the only thoughts to be considered#while also trying to validate their feelings but that theyâre not communicating at all and are taking it out on ppl#i am so so so tired of being the constant middleman between my family members and ultimately having to hear everyone say shit abt everyone#and expect me to immediately agree or understand#like girlies you can all be wrong and you all are and the fact that you arenât willing to admit your wrongdoings is your first problem#your second was expecting me to hype you up and encourage your behavior#having to constantly remind myself that itâs not my responsibility to keep the peace or to solve my familial issues#and the one time i tried to explain this it was met with âno oneâs asking you toâ#which is true !!! but then why are ALL OF YOU complaining to me and only me#why are you burdening me with all of this information#and if i tell you i canât handle it or donât want to talk about it iâm suddenly the bad guy too#i canât win here your honor !!! the only solution in which i win is to get OUT#and of course i canât make anyone say or do or believe anything#iâm not naive enough to think i can#but sitting there silent isnât helping and speaking doesnât either and thereâs no other good solution#itâs just exhausting
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Probably because those arguments are⊠wrong?
Like I mentioned already in another post, someone on here was complaining they didnât understand why Victor was flying through space. And I had to explain to him heâs not LITERALLY flying through space. The space backgrounds are symbolic of him being ethereal and unteathered to reality. Heâs not literally flying through space like a human space ship. And he blocked me for pointing that out.
Like thatâs just someone being flat out WRONG in their interpretation of whatâs happening. Viktor isnât a space ship. Heâs not literally flying through the cosmos.
My issue is less about people understanding the themes properly (itâs a work of art, and art is subjective most of the time) but rather this bizarre hypocritical attitude towards the show for being âtoo fast pacedâ while m the show is spending a lot of time focusing on the issues they seem to be missing. Like how did Vi and Jinx just flip back into sister mode? Gee I dunno.. wish there was a whole 40 min episode dedicated to seeing them work out their issues on screen⊠oh wait there was!
Also news flash, not all criticism is valid.
Some is just BAD. Bad criticism doesnât deserve to be treated with the same respect as good faith criticism. If you say âX didnât happenâ and I point out in the episode where it very literally did happen⊠your original criticism is invalid.
I donât think that the writers all always right. There are plenty of valid criticisms you can lobby against the show. Absolutely. But when you intentionally misunderstand the themes, or ignore them all together, or whine that character X serves no purpose because youâre ignoring half the plot.. thatâs on YOU. Not the writers. If you willingly ignore what the show is telling you, you only have yourself to blame for that.
For example, calling Caitlyn a dictator. Sheâs not a dictator. The show doesnât think sheâs a dictator. She doesnât say or do the things a dictator does. So when you criticize Caitlyn for being a dictator and get confused when she doesnât do a dictator thing, thatâs on YOU for using the wrong terminology to describe her actions and her character. And if you KEEP DOING IT, thatâs again on you for not allowing yourself the ability to look at things from a different perspective.
As to the ideological stuff⊠thatâs mostly because you WANT it to be about classism and oppression through power. And while that definitely is a running THEME of the show⊠I donât think itâs the MAIN theme. I think the main theme is about family bonds and how all actions we take for them can have amazing and disastrous consequences. Viktor himself basically sums up the thesis of the show in his latest episode.
So when you look at the show from THAT perspective a lot of the weird hang ups you guys have start to make sense. Vi says Jinx is not her sister anymore and that Powder is gone. This is not true. Jinx says Jinx is gone, that is not true. Vanderâs death broke the family apart. Vander being alive brings them back together. Caitlyn loves Vi. Sheâs done terrible terrible things out of the misguided attempt to protect the people around her, which sadly includes hurting Vi. Just like Vander and Silco did. Jayce and Viktor work towards saving humanity, but they are always on polar ends of the spectrum. Family is super important to Ambessa, which is why sheâs working so hard to secure HexTech so she can protect her family (and Mel) from the Black Rose. And it causes her to do terrible terrible things. Every single plot point in this show is about FAMILY. And thatâs going to matter when the Arcane rears its ugly head. The Arcane is going to try and break up the familiar bonds. Itâs going to challenge and test those boundaries like itâs already doing with Jayce and Victor.
Class and oppression and systemic issues help explain WHY characters do what they do⊠but theyâre not the main cause of things. Silco wouldâve tried to kill Vander without Jayceâs Hex Tech interference after all. Jinx and Vi wouldâve come to blows one way or another without the Arcane core going wild. The classism and systemic oppression is background noise. Itâs there to set the scene. The REAL problem they have to face is the Arcane and what itâs going to do to try and separate everyone. To take away their individuality and choices (good and bad) that make them who they are.
So yeah, when you complain that you thought this show was about fixing Piltover and Zaun and youâre mad that âloreâ is coming in⊠thatâs why I think youâre wrong. Because the Arcane is going to challenge the bonds that unite everyone together. And the systemic issues are background dressing to set up the ultimate conflict of pure unchecked evil.
Happy?
I find it hilarious when the show called ARCANE starts talking about the ARCANE and the ARCANE starts having a more prominent role in the trajectory of the show named ARCANE that people are only now complaining about âloreâ being added to the show.
Like, my dudes⊠the show was about the ARCANE. Now that itâs reacting and developing and becoming the big thing the whole show is heading towards⊠NOW youâre worried about the âloreâ messing things up??!
Hahah
Sorry guys. I know we started with class inequality, and thatâs definitely a theme of the show⊠but the TRUE star has ALWAYS been the ARCANE and how it reacts to the events around it.
They wouldnât have named the show ARCANE if they werenât going to address the ARCANE.
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on the one hand, i really like working on the script for this video essay. on the other hand, it feels like im just being super negative and and a hater towards the entire toh fandom because they like making their dolls kiss
#im not trying to intentionally bash ships? but I also very rarely care about ships so#im worried this is just gonna come off as âughhhh I hate fandom because theyre' always shipping stuff and I hate shippingâ#which like. thats a little true but I actually do wanna talk about things yk#like why is this ship popular? why is this ship loved/hated by the fandom?#i dont know#like i spent 3 pages tearing into goldric for being boring and only existing bc people love snarky teen mlm#which is like. its true but also feels unecessarily harsh lmao#i dont knowwwwwwwwwwwww#i need more people to bounce ideas off of maybe#bc i am not super involved in the shipping side of fandoms#ive chatted w/ some people but mmmmmmm#idk. im definetly gonna ask if anyone wants to beta read my script but only once I actually. finish it#currently im like. maybe 3/8 of the way through it#lilac post#idk. feel free to talk 2 e about it in the replies of this post or smthn bc I loveeeee this topic#it's also like. The issue of. I feel like I'm making a big deal out of nothing#like someone's gonna come in here and he like âwhy are you being such a hater we're all just playing around and having fun leave us aloneâ#I'm not trying to bash any ships!!!#im just trying to be like okay here's what the ship#it's difficult to say what I'm doing#because it's partially A. Documenting of toh fandom and shipping culture#and B. Social commentary about that culture#which is kind of like. A weird balancing act#and it comes back to how much of what I'm complaining about actually matters?#At what point does it turn from thoughtful commentary to me bitching about the general fandom as a whole?#It's kind of difficult to explain what I'm even doing which is mmmmmm#Like does this actually matter?#then again. People make videos about stupid internet drama all the time and that definitely doesn't matter so#maybe I can be self indulgent and a bit of a hater#sigh
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Please stop using disabilities you don't have as comparisons.
I saw a video trying to explain that autistic people don't make eye contact because it can be painful for them (good, this is true) and telling them to "just do it anyway" is ridiculous, saying "you wouldn't tell a wheelchair user to "just walk, its better for you" so don't tell autistic people to just make eye contact".
But people do. They do all the time. It's well documented that doctors will withhold their ok for patients to get a wheelchair (which is needed unless you're paying out of pocket, because insurance and most public disability services like the NDIS need proof from a doctor). I've known people who can hardly walk and are having to fight because the doctor still insists it better for them to walk, even if it's painful and sevearly limiting their quality of life.
Then in the comments, someone pointed out that people do say that to wheelchair users (good, this is true) but then continued on by saying "unless you just don't have legs" which is just as bad as the origonal.
I had to fight to get my first wheelchair as a double leg amputee, and every wheelchair since then I've had to justify not wanting the "better option" (prosthetics) to the government so they'll approve me for the funding. Doctors and even strangers too, all want to know why I'm not walking, why I'm not using prosthetics all the time. When I go on trips with my family I'm told to "just walk" so they don't have to pack my wheelchair. at my own graduation from university I was chastised by the organisers for not bringing my prosthetics (because wearing them was exceptionally painful back then and i hadnt worn them in nearly 3 months. I had asked before if this would be ok. they knew) because the venue was accessible but not the part of the venue the graduates were in. On the topic of university they also put my class in the only non-wheelchair accessible room and held meetings i was expected to take part in, in the non-accessible lunch room. When I complained, I was told to just use my legs for a few minutes so I could get into my classes. Being an amputee with no legs didn't shield me from these experiences either, it often made it worse.
I have all 3 of the disabilities mentioned (autistic, wheelchair user, amputee). If you don't have the disability you're using for a comparison, don't use it. Please
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champagne coast // ln4
pairing:Â lando norris X reader
word count:Â 19k
warnings:Â cursing and alcohol use
includes:Â friends to lovers, summer!lando, clueless reader and lando, pining, fluff, and a little angst
summary:Â when lando and you spend summer break together you don't expect italy to eventually hold such a special place in your heart... or lando and you go on vacation and everyone keeps thinking you're a couple.
playlist for the fic: spotify | apple music
masterlist
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
It was the Monday before the Belgium Grand Prix when Lando asked â what are you doing for summer break?
The sun had started to set over the coast, its golden reflection rippling across the water and onto the balcony of Landoâs Monaco apartment. The same balcony that the two of you currently resided on, choosing to share the wicker couch instead of one of you sitting in one of the empty chairs.
You were sat sideways on the couch with your legs crossed, your view consisting more of Lando than the picturesque sunset over the sea. A cheap bottle of pink moscato, which was your favorite, was sitting on the table where Lando had his feet propped up.
Heâd always complain about how sweet it was, but then drink more of it than you. In all reality, heâd actually grown to love it because of you, but heâd never tell you that. Heâd only been able to find it at one place in Monaco, so when he knew you were coming to visit he always made sure to have a couple bottles on hand and maybe a bottle for himself when he was missing you.
Your eyes met his as you processed his question. This right now was your summer vacation. He surely knew that, right? âSummer break? I donât have a summer break like you do, Lando.â It was true, you had barely managed to get this week off from work to be able to go to Belgium, let alone have a month off. âI figured me being here for a couple days then going to Belgium would be my vacation.â
A disapproving sigh escapes past his lips as he speaks. âThat is not a vacation.â
âWell it sure as hell beats being stuck at an office in London.â
He downed the remainder of the wine in his glass and fully turned his body towards you. His arm resting across the back of the couch, his fingers nearly touching you. âI think you should come with me on vacation.â
You stifle a groan by taking a drink of your wine. âLando, you know I donât do Ibiza. It's not my kind of place, especially this time of year.â It was a beautiful place no doubt, but the big party scene was not your favorite. And the couple times you had gone with Lando and your shared friend group it was so chaotic and you had a hangover that lasted for what seemed like a week. So noâ Ibiza and you werenât the best of friends.
âWho said anything about Ibiza?â Heâs got a smirk toying at the corners of his lips, you can tell by the way his upper lip twitches slightly. Not that you stare at his lips that much to be able to notice that kind of thing.
âLando Norris not going to Ibiza during his summer break? Should I alert the press? Did you hit your head? Are you running a fever?â You lean forward to check his temperature, but he playfully swatted away your hand with a giggle before you could get close enough. âHave you broken the news to Fewt-â
That smirk had fully developed across his face as he cut you off. âWho said anything about Max?â
Now you really thought that heâd bumped his head or was slightly tipsy already. You cocked an eyebrow at him in question. âWhere are you going then? Especially without Max?â
Lando leaned back, the wicker creaking beneath him, but his eyes were still trained on you. Golden hour had made them even more blue, resembling the crystal blue water that was just a short walk away. âIâm going wherever you want to go.â
âLando.â
âY/N.â Heâs the one to cock an eyebrow now.
âI canât go with you.â
His smirk had turned into a pout and he knew how to work those big blue eyes, especially on you. âWhy not? Wherever you want to goâ we will go. Not many people get that opportunity Y/N.â
You go to take another drink and realize your glass is empty, but before you can reach for the bottle Landoâs already got it in his hands, reaching over slightly to pour you another glass. âWho all is going then if Max isnât going?â
He sets the bottle back down on the table, hesitating for a moment before speaking. You two are close, probably the closest friend he has compared to Max, but he worries that you wonât be up for what heâs about to suggest. âIt would just be me and you.â
You feel your cheeks get hot at his proposal, but you shake it off, blaming it on the wine.
As much as the idea of Lando and you going on a trip together sounds amazing, you just donât think you can make it work. You live a normal life and being able to just go on lavish trips at the drop of a hat is not something you get to experience, no matter how much Lando wants you to or you would like to.
âI would love to Lan, but I don't think I could get the time off again.â Your finger nervously circles the rim of the wine glass as you contemplate even bringing your other reason up. Mainly because you know what his answer will be, but against your better judgment you take another swig of the wine as liquid courage before telling him the embarrassing truth. âI also just canât afford it.â
And without skipping a beat he blurts out. âIâll pay.â Youâre immediately shaking your head no, but before you can verbally deny his offer heâs speaking again âSeriously Y/N. I will pay. Itâs not a big deal.â
Except him paying your way for this trip is a big deal. Just how itâs a big deal everytime you come and visit him in Monaco and he insists that you donât spend a dime while youâre here. Itâs bad enough that you stay at his place, let alone have him pay for your dinner every night. Or how he is always offering to fly you out to races on your free weekends. Or insisting that the random gifts he gives you donât cost that much, like you canât read the designer labels on the boxes or labels.
It makes you feel bad that you canât offer the same back to him. The constant worry that he might think you are using him for his money makes your stomach hurt because itâs the last thing youâd ever do. Heâs one of the most giving and kindest people you know and to be able to call him your best friend is something you treasure. And you truly hope he knows how much you appreciate everything he does for you, but how could he not when you tell him every chance you get.
âLando, really I cannot let you pay for me to go on vacation. Itâs one thing to let me crash at your apartment and for you to get me passes to races, which I appreciate more than you will ever know. But I draw the line at a whole vacation. I donât want to seem like a freeloader who is using you, thatâs honestly the la-â
âOh my god will you just let me spoil you!â Lando had enough of your endless rambling. Your need to always try and decline his gifts or offerings until he convinces you that you are worthy of them drives him crazy. To Lando there isnât a person on Earth who deserves everything and more than you. And the fact that he can afford to give you anything youâd ever want tickles him pink. Hell if it was possible, heâd buy you the whole damn universe, even if you hadnât asked for it.
âI hate that you thinkâ that I would think youâre using me. Never in a million years would I think that. You mean a lot to me Y/N, truly. Youâre one the most important people in my life and you deserve everything and more that I give you. If I thought you were using me, I would not be asking you to go on vacation with me, believe me. I love having you around and with us not seeing each other like we used to, I figured a trip with just the two of us would be nice.â
He pauses for a moment as he scoots a little closer to you on the couch, your legs touching as the glow from the sun envelopes around you two. âNow please donât try and worm your way out of this trip. Iâve missed you so much and if you donât end up going I think youâre just gonna have to move in with me.â
You roll your eyes at his dramatics, but try not to let his heartfelt words get to your head. âHow would I even get the time off work again? Tell them âOh my famous F1 driver best friend wants to take me on a trip. Can I please have some more time off?â I donât think that would work.â
âWell I think it would work. Especially if you add in that Iâm super hot.â
The giggles that come from you lets you know that youâve drank your fair share of wine for the evening. âOh I donât think they would ever tell me no If I added that in.â
âIf they do say no then just quit and Iâll get you a job somehow with McLaren or Quadrant or something. I just really want to go on this trip with you.â
You arenât sure if it's the wine in your system or the fact that you want nothing more right now than to spend a week with Lando in some beautiful country, without a care in the world. But you ignore every responsible and logical part of you and tell him what he wants to hear.
âAlright. So where are we going then?â
His eyes light up and the smile that spreads across his face is comparable to that first win smile. âThatâs all up to you baby.â
Both of your hearts skip a beat at the term of endearment that came from him. His because he canât believe he let it slip and yours because you canât believe he called you that so easily. But you both ignore it and you focus on the one place youâd had on your mind since he mentioned taking a trip.
âItaly?â You suggest with a hopeful smile on your face.
He fills up his glass with the last of the fruit juice like wine and holds it up towards you, your glasses clinking together in a toast. âItaly it is then.â
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
Six days later an email notification pops up on your phone as youâre sitting in McLarenâs hospitality, talking with Landoâs Mom. You glance at who itâs from, not wanting to be rude and get on your phone mid conversation, but when you see your bossâs contact you canât help but open it. âIâm sorry, itâs from work.â Cisca waved you off, the conversation had only consisted of why they couldnât stock better snacks in hospitality, and she knew if work was emailing you on a Sunday it had to be important.
You had emailed them Monday night requesting the time off and when they hadnât responded by Friday you figured they were denying it. Or firing you for requesting more time off while currently being on a vacation. So to be getting this email on a Sunday had you worried, but as your eyes scanned the email you couldnât hold back the excitement. By some higher power unbestowed to you, they had granted you the time off.
âNever seen someone so excited over an email from work.â Cisca teased.
âYeah. Honestly thought I was getting fired, but they approved my time off for the Italy trip Lando and I are taking.â You leaned back in the chair, relief finally washing over you.
âJust the two of you?â Cisca had her suspicions about her sonâs feelings towards you and your feelings towards him. Sheâd secretly hoped the two of you would end up together the first time she met you years ago. She honestly thought you were his girlfriend that day and was surprised when he introduced you as his friend. Then she thought maybe he was hiding your relationship because she had never known her son to bring around a female friend like he had you.
You had attended family dinners, a couple holidays, races, and so many other things that just didnât seem normal to bring a friend to. They had become so accustomed to you being around that when he finally said that he was bringing home his girlfriend for everyone to meet and you didnât walk through the doorâ everyone was a little shell shocked. The relationship didnât last long and she had her theories as to why. To Cisca there was just no way the two of you didnât have feelings for eachother, she could see it plain as day, and it drove her crazy that the two of you didnât see it.
âYeah. At first I thought he was asking me to go to Ibiza again with everyone and you know me, itâs not my thing. But then he said we could go anywhere I wanted and that it was just me and him, so I chose Italy.â You gathered your things, eager to tell Lando the good news before race time. âYou raised a good man, Cisca. I couldnât ask for a better person in my life than him.â
Thereâs a smile on her face as she watches you talk about Lando, how your smile never falters and how that twinkle in your eye seems to get brighter the more you talk about him. âThank you honey. You had better go tell him, hadnât you?â
âIâll be back!â
Thankfully Landoâs not that hard to find, heâs in the garage looking over some data on the monitors with Will when you spot him. You stand back out of the way, waiting until heâs done, but as soon as he turns to walk away youâre racing towards him. Your arms flinging around him from behind and you can feel him tense under you, but when he hears your laughter his muscles relax.
âWhatâs got you in such a good mood?â Lando asks as he turns around to face you, his hands lingering on your hips.
âHmmm. It may have something to do with work approving my time off.â
That same smile from the other night finds its way onto his face and heâs pulling you into his arms, the two of you swaying back and forth as he nuzzles his head into your neck. âI knew they would approve it, it was meant to be.â His voice tickles your neck as he speaks causing a giggle to escape past your lips.
âCanât believe we get to spend a week together in Italy.â You state as he releases you from his grip.
âWouldnât have it any other way.â
You furrow your eyebrows at him, still not sure that he wouldnât rather be going to Ibiza with his friends.âYouâre sure youâre not gonna miss Ibiza?â
His fingers toy with the hem of your shirt as he speaksâ his blue eyes boring into yours. âIâd miss you more if I went.â And there isnât a single ounce of doubt in his words. If he ended up going to Ibiza without you, heâd be at a club wondering what you were doing. Eventually downing one too many shots to try and numb that annoying ache in his chest that forms when you arenât around. The one that even with you around this week, he had felt occasionally at the idea of you not being able to go to Italy.
The idea of him spending his summer break back in England had crossed his mind a couple times, especially if that meant he got to spend time with you. Luckily though fate was on his side today and he wouldnât have to deal with that ache for the foreseeable future.
You can feel the slight blush on your cheeks as you process what Lando had said to you and you pray he doesnât notice it. Just him simply saying heâd miss you if he went to Ibiza should not have you blushing, but here recently it seemed like that was all he could do was make you blush.
A familiar Australian accent hits your ears and around the corner comes Oscar, his hand clamping down on Landoâs shoulder as he comes up behind him. âY/N. Havenât seen you in awhile.â His bunny teeth showing as he flashes you a smile.
Your mouth barely opens to speak before Landoâs speaking for you. âI know. Sheâs been too busy working back in London to come see her favorite person.â
âIâm really such a horrible friend. Iâm so sorry Oscar, I really should make more time to see you. In fact, howâs Australia this time of year? I think I might come visit you.â The playful smirk on your face and Oscarâs laugh does nothing to tell Lando that youâre just joking and like a little kid heâs got his arms crossed across his chest with a slight pout on his face.
âUm. I think Iâm your favorite person Y/N. Plus you canât even go to Australia because we are going to Italy.â
Oscar and you canât help but laugh at Landoâs dramatics, but Oscar wants to tease Lando even further. He knows how his older teammate feels about you, even if Lando wonât give the idea any time of day when Oscar brings it up. Lando had confided in Oscar about his idea to take you on a trip, but Oscar didnât think heâd actually go through with it. âItaly? Whoâs all going? Maybe Lily and I could tag along?â
Landoâs eyes widen at Oscarâs suggestion, mainly because he knows youâd jump at any opportunity to spend time with Lily and this trip was meant to be just for the two of you. âItâs just gonna be me and Y/NâŠâ He trials off, trying to figure out how to nicely tell Oscar that he canât come.
âThere's a month between Singapore and Austin. We should all plan something for then.â You chime in. As much as you would love to spend time with Oscar and Lily, you really want to have this trip just be Lando and you.
Landoâs surprised at you turning down Oscarâs suggestion, but smiles and nods towards Oscar, agreeing with your idea. âYeah that sounds like a good idea.â Oscar states, a small smirk on his face as he eyes the two of you, fully knowing that youâll come back from Italy together. And if you donât Oscar thinks he may have to knock some sense into his teammate.
The driverâs parade was set to start soon, so you tell Oscar youâll see him around and give Lando a hug, knowing you wonât see him again until after the race. âIâll see you later, yeah? Be safe and good luck.â
Landoâs grip on you lingers, not wanting to fully let you go just yet, but when they get the final warning that itâs time to go he reluctantly frees you. A small frown on his face as he heads towards the track and you go back to hospitality.
The two McLaren drivers stood side by side on the flatbed of the moving truck, smiles on their faces as they waved at the fans in the grandstands. âNever seen two friends like you and Y/N go on a trip togetherâ alone.â Oscarâs voice is low, thereâs an interview going on to his left, but heâs loud enough that Lando can hear him.
Lando keeps looking straight forward as he speaks. âDonât know what you mean by that.â
âI think you fully know what I mean.â
Max, who was on the other side of Lando, had been eavesdropping the whole time, and couldnât help but put his two cents in. âIf youâre talking about what I think youâre talking about. I just want to say, do us all a favor and finally tell her how you feel.â
Lando shook his head at the two drivers. You two were just very close best friends, there wasnât anything he needed to admit to you. It was just a trip that two best friends were going on and there was nothing more to itâ right?
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
A week and a half later your plane touches down in Naples and even though the flight from London is only around three hours you want nothing more than to just get to the hotel and relax.
The Uber ride from the airport to the hotel thankfully doesnât take long and you have no issue with sitting down in the lobby of the hotel with all the luggage while Lando checks you two in. You do notice that itâs taking quite a long time for Lando to check in and as you glance up from your phone towards the reception desk you see him talking with the worker and showing her something on his phone. Then with a sigh and a shake of his head he turns on his heel back towards you.
âEverything alright?â You ask.
He slips his phone back into his pocket and grabs his suitcase. âI booked us a two bedroom suite and they told me that all they have available is a one bedroom. Even though I showed them the booking on my phone, someone is already in it. So, Iâll just take the couch and you can have the bed.â
This place was fancy, and Lando had undoubtedly paid a pretty penny for the two nights that you were staying here. You would have thought they would have comped the room or something for their mistake. But by the displeased look on his face it didnât seem they offered him anything but a sorry for the inconvenience.
Even with the hotel screwing up the room, the one you end up with is amazing and as you enter the room your jaw drops slightly at it. You set your bags down and explore the room further, taking in all the beautiful artwork on the walls and the natural light streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows. You enter a door to your left and itâs the bedroom, which is even better than the main room, mainly because of the huge balcony that overlooks the sea.
Thereâs a gentle breeze in the air as you lean against the railing, taking in the view and the hustle and bustle from the surrounding area.
âBeautiful isnât it?â Landoâs voice makes you jump, you were so lost in your own little world you didnât even hear him come out onto the balcony. You nod your head in agreement as he slots himself beside you, mimicking your actions of leaning on the railing. âAnd itâs not even the best part of our trip.â
âYou know you didnât have to get such a nice room, we are only in Naples for two days.â As much as you try not to feel guilty about him paying for all of this, you do.
âAnd what did I say a couple weeks ago?â
A groan emits from you as you remember his words to you in Monaco. âYou said to let you spoil me.â
âExactly. I just want you to enjoy yourself and stop worrying about how much everything costs. We are here to relax and have fun, which means figuring out what we want to do tonight.â
You ponder your endless options and all you really want to do is sit on this balcony and enjoy the view, but your stomach growling tells you maybe dinner would be a good idea first. âWe are in Italyâ how about getting some pizza and then just come back here and relax?â Lando agrees and while youâre freshening up he looks up good pizza places within walking distance.
You two are just about ready to leave when there's a knock on the door, followed by room service!
A confused look is shared between you two, but when Lando looks through the peephole there stands a worker with a room service cart. He opens the door and is greeted with a smile from the employee.
âFrom the hotel as an apology about the room.â The employee hands Lando an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne nestled in it. âHave a nice rest of your stay.â
Lando looks back at you with an amused look on his face as the guy quickly leaves, the wheels of the cart squeaking as he hurries down the hall. âWell, we have something to drink on the balcony later.â Lando states as he sets the bucket down on the coffee table.
âChampagne and pizza? No thanks.â You see thereâs a card attached to the bottle and as you open the envelope and read the words written, your cheeks turn scarlet.
âWhat does it say?â Lando questions, moving to stand behind you so he can read it too. His eyes scan the letter and he soon finds himself in the same state as you. He clears his throat as he steps back, suddenly feeling too close to you at the moment.
to the happy couple,
we are so deeply sorry about the mix up with rooms and we hope you can accept our apologies. weâve sent a bottle of the finest champagne that you can get in naples and have comped any room service you may order during your stay. as always if you need anything please donât hesitate to call the front desk and once again we sincerely apologize for our mistake. we hope you enjoy your stay here and the city of naples.
The letter isnât spoken about, actually what you two were addressed as isnât spoken about, but you both agree that their actions were nice. The walk to the pizza place is quiet, the both of you occasionally pointing out things that you think are interesting or pretty, but both of your minds are preoccupied with being mistaken for a couple. Anyone else would have laughed it off, but clearly not the two of you.
By the time youâre back at the hotel and sat on the balcony with the pizza and champagne your conversation had returned to normal. You teasing Lando about not even drinking the glass he had poured for himself and him complaining about you insisting that you get a pizza that has peppers on it.
âYou know what would make this evening even better?â The pizza is long gone and the two of you are sat admiring the painting in the sky left behind from the sun.
âSome pink moscato?â Thereâs a grin on his face as he says it. If thereâs one thing he knows you love, itâs a glass of pink moscato on a balcony with a view.
You try to hide the smile on your face as you glance over at him, but heâs caught you. âYou know me too well Norris.â
âShouldâve told that employee that we wanted a ten dollar bottle of wine instead of that champagne.â Lando jokes.
âThought you didnât like it? That it was too sweet?â
He shuffles slightly in his seat, fully knowing that youâd caught on to his facade. âI may have grown to love it.â He admits quietly.
Youâd known for a while, but hearing him say it was much more satisfying. âYeah. Kinda figured it out last year when you started drinking more of it than me.â
Nighttime draws near and once you start yawning, so does Lando, and after the fourth round of yawning Lando states that itâs time for bed. The subject the two of you hadnât discussed any further than what was said in the lobby earlier. The guilt started to eat at you as you brushed your teeth, heâd invited you and is paying for everything and he doesnât even get to sleep in a bed? What kind of friend were you?
Lando was making the couch up as you walked out of the bathroom and for this being a luxury hotel that couch looked stiff and seemed to be more for show than actual comfort. He already had a bad back and it looked like sleeping on that couch was going to have him trying to find a chiropractor tomorrow instead of sightseeing. âLan. You take the bed and Iâll sleep on the couch.â
He doesnât even look back at you, still occupied with trying to make the couch somewhat comfortable. âNo. Iâll be fine. You take the bed.â
âLando.â
âY/N.â
âLando, look at me.â You knew he wasnât going to budge with the whole couch thing, so you thought of the next best thing. The two of you sharing the bed. It was plenty big and truly it shouldnât be that big of a deal if you two shared it. You were grown adults and bestfriends, no one should have to sleep on the couch.
His focus tears away from the couch and over to you, whoâs already in bed and under the covers. âLook at how big this bed is.â Your body extends over to the other side trying to show him just how big the bed is. âJust sleep in the bed with me, there is plenty of room.â
Your offer takes him by surprise and he stills for a moment, heâd love nothing more than to climb into that bed right now, but a part of his brain is telling him not to. And heâs about ready to tell you no once again until he makes eye contact with you. Those damn eyes of yours could be used in interrogation rooms across the world, one look into them and heâs crumbling like a poorly built sandcastle. The gentle pat on the empty side of the bed is what flattens the sandcastle and heâs mumbling out an okay before sliding under the sheets next to you.
The two of you donât know what to do for a moment, both still and flat on your backs under the sheets, like if you moved an inch the gremlin under the bed was going to get you. But eventually Lando turns on his side, mumbling out a goodnight as he pulls the comforter closer to him. You take his actions as a sign for you to roll over too and you figured that falling asleep wouldnât be an issue after all the yawning earlier, but you were wrong. You tried counting sheep, tried laying on your back, tried anything you could think of to fall asleep and nothing worked. It wasnât like there was a major time difference between here and London, it was literally only an hour, so unfortunately jet lag could not be to blame.
Lando hadnât moved the whole time and you figured he fell asleep as soon as he turned over, but you were bored and going a little crazy because even though you were tired, you couldnât fall asleep. âLando.â You whispered, but got no response. âLando. Are you awake?â You whisper a little louder this time, but still no response. So with a defeated sigh you roll back over and shut your eyes, praying that this time you can go to sleep. But within a matter of seconds you feel the bed shift and Landoâs voice echoing through the room.
âIâm awake.â
You roll back overâ the two of you now facing each other. âWhy didnât you answer me a minute ago?â
âI was trying to go to sleep myself.â
âOh sorry. Iâll go out to the other room and watch some TV or something.â You barely move an inch before Landoâs got his fingers wrapped around your forearm, gently pulling you back towards him.
âNo, don't leave.â
You can feel your heartbeat quickening as you realize just how close the two of you are. The glow from the moon cascades through the balcony doors allowing you to make out the moles on his face and those pretty long eyelashes of his that make his already breathtaking eyes seem even more beautiful. Sometimes you think he has stars in his eyes from the way that they sparkle. And as the two of you lay here right now, you realize the only reason that the moonlight is flooding into the room is because sheâs looking for her lost stars that have found a home in Landoâs eyes.
âYou got any ideas on how to fall asleep? Iâve tried just about everything in the book.â For some reason you're whispering and you wonder if itâs from how close you are to Landoâs face or how suddenly nervous you are to be this close to Lando.
Heâs silent for a moment, the logical and sane part of him screaming at him to not even suggest what heâs been thinking about ever since climbing under these sheets. The mere idea of it being the thing that had prevented him from being fast asleep by now. But heâs got you at literal fingertips length and he thinks there may not be another opportunity like this again. Soâ he acts with his heart and not his brain.
âCome here.â Heâs moved onto his back with his arm outstretched towards you.
âHuh?â You know exactly what heâs insinuating, but you canât actually believe that he is.
âYou wanted an idea on how to fall asleep and this is my idea. Iâll get you to fall asleep in no time.
âYou think us cuddling is gonna get me to fall asleep?â You definitely hadnât wondered what it would be like to be wrapped up in Landoâs arms before. How it would feel to have his fingertips trance mindless patterns across your skin or have your head on his chest. He was your best friend, which meant those thoughts had never crossed your mindâ right?
He shrugs, trying to hide the nervousness in his demeanor, the mere thought of you denying him right now was enough to have him on the next flight back to Monaco in the morning. He should have never put himself in this situation, but god as soon as he climbed into this bed all he wanted to do was have you wrapped up in his arms.
It had consumed his brain, and then consumed it even more because why was he having this desire to have such a tender moment with his best friend? Though his brain stops spiraling when he feels the bed shift and youâre suddenly tucking yourself into his side, arm slung over his torso, and your head laying on his chest. The same chest that his heart is about ready to beat out of and he prays you canât hear how hard itâs working.
But as you both get settled and Landoâs heartbeat finally mellows out he realizes just how right this feels, like the two of you were matching puzzle pieces. Any other girl he had cuddled with before now seemed to feel wrong because as far as he was concerned, nothing felt better than this. It felt natural and easy and he found himself drawing absent minded patterns on your side where your shirt had bunched up.
Heâd spend the rest of his life here in this moment with you if he could. And when he hears your slight snores something short circuits in his brain and heâs pressing a kiss to the top of your head mumbling out goodnight before heâs out like a light too. The moonlight blanketing over the two of you, who right now look more like lovers than best friends.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
The next morning youâre already up and ready for the day by the time Lando wakes up and he tries to hide the disappointment of not waking up next to you, already missing the feeling of having you so close. A feeling though nice, he knew it was one that he probably shouldnât be feeling. He asks you if you slept well while heâs getting ready and you tell him yes, not going into very much detail, for your own sake and his.
The day is full of sightseeing and lots of walking, which is something that Lando likes to complain about. You visit Pompeii and a handful of other places for you and Lando to nerd out about and truly be tourists. You eat amazing food that Lando says his trainer will hate him for, but he justifies it with the excuse of being on vacation. Hundreds of pictures were taken, your phones already begging for more storage and it was only the first day of the trip. Lando even went as far as bringing an actual camera, stating that lando.jpg would be revived soon.
But in between the sightseeing, eating, and everything elseâ both of your brains immediately go back to the sleeping arrangements from last night. You both canât stop thinking about it, but no one brings it up, almost like itâs something you should be ashamed of. No one wants to admit how right it felt to be in eachothers arms last night or how both of you probably had the best sleep of your lives.
You didnât want to admit that when you woke up this morning to Lando spooning you, your stomach was doing flips over the realization that you had moved in the middle of the night and he had found his way back to you. So many thoughts and emotions running through your brains, yet you both think itâs better to just act like it's not a big deal.
Night falls once again and Lando crawls into bed next to you. Youâre both absolutely spent after the eventful day youâve had and Lando worries that you wonât need him to fall asleep, but his worries soon dissipate because youâre tucking yourself into his side as soon as heâs gotten himself comfortable. Youâre like a moth to a flameâ the consequences of these actions never even enter your mind as slowly feel yourself drifting off to sleep.
And when morning comes you donât run away when you feel Landoâs arms around you, even with the butterflies making an appearance again. You enjoy your moment alone, the sun shining in through the windows, the sound of the city already alive, and the way Lando looks as he sleeps. It's truly a beautiful morning.
He wakes up not too long after you and thereâs a funny feeling in his chest when he realizes that heâs gotten to wake up with you still in his arms. That you were the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes. It all just feels so natural and right, that once again no words are spoken about this very non-platonic thing that is happening between you two.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
âWeâve got a little bit a drive ahead of us today.â Lando states as he comes out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel. Water droplets are scattered across his tan skin, his damp curls falling slightly onto his forehead. Youâre trying not to stare, but good lord how could anyone not.
âItâs only like an hour.â You're still sitting in bed, propped up against the headboard as you now watch him rummage through his suitcase.
He holds up a shirt and shorts, silently asking for your opinion. You give him a nod of approval and he heads back to the bathroom to get dressed, but he leaves the door slightly cracked so he can still talk to you. âYeah it was an hour. Iâve canceled the driver and made some new plans for today.â
âNew plans?â You raise your voice slightly so he can hear you.
âItâs a surprise.â He peeks his head around the slightly open doorâ a mischievous smile painted across his face, before disappearing behind it once more. âSo you had better start getting ready.â He commands as the door fully opens, revealing a fully dressed Lando.
A few short moments later a domestic scene plays out in the bathroom mirror. The double sinks both occupied, various hair products, makeup, and other random items are scattered across the counter. Youâre watching Lando through the mirror as he tries to wrangle the mop of curls on his head, but everytime you look away heâs watching you brush your teeth or do your skincare. And the occasional times your eyes do meet in the mirror youâre both like little kids, eyes immediately darting away with smiles on your faces and little giggles echoing through the bathroom.
âYou gonna tell me what the surprise is?â Patience had never been your strong suit and thus knowing about surprises was like a form of torture to you.
âIf I told you it wouldnât be a surprise now would it?â Heâs still screwing with his hair, but heâs looking at you through the mirror.
âOh come on, just tell me. Pretty pretty please?â Youâve come up behind him, your chin resting on his shoulder as you flash your best puppy dog eyes at him through the mirror. And for a split second Lando almost cracksâ those puppy dog eyes working on him better than you would have ever thought.
âThe faster we pack everything up, the faster you get the surprise.â Heâs shocked his words come out smoothly, his brain still foggy from your pretty eyes and close contact.
Ten minutes later youâre walking out of the elevator and into the hotel lobby, where Lando tells you to wait while he goes outside for a moment. You assume the surprise is outside and so you try to peek and see whatâs out there, but heâs coming back in before you can get a good look.
âAlright letâs go.â
You donât see anything that you would consider surprise worthy as you walk out the doors, but then Lando leads you towards the cars parked outside the hotel and stops in front of a vintage yellow Ferrari. Your eyes dart back and forth between Lando and the car, unsure if he was just stopping to admire it or if you were going to be riding in it. He answers your unasked question by opening the passenger side door, motioning for you to get in.
âIs this the surprise? Where did you even get this car from?â Your eyes widening over the car itself and the fact that heâd gone through the trouble of even finding the car.
âItâs part of the surprise-â Heâs got a smirk on his face as he speaks âand I have my connections.â He motions once again for you to get into the car and this time you donât oblige. The leather seat soft under your legs as you sit down, the car was surely close to 60 years old, yet still looked brand new.
Lando puts the luggage in the trunk while you're examining all of the carâs little quirks and details while you wait.
âOk, you ready?â Lando asks as he gets in the driver's seat.
âGonna tell me the other part of the surprise?â
He sighs, he wanted you to figure it out on your own, but you were so persistent sometimes. âYou know how youâve always talked about wanting to drive along the coast of Italy?â You nod, a smile already forming on your face as you realize what heâs planned for you. âWell, instead of just taking the straight shot over, weâre gonna take the long way all along the Amalfi coast. And I figured it was only fitting that we do it in a Ferrari, considering we are in Italy after all.â
You canât wipe the smile off your face as you stare at Lando from the passenger seat. Sometimes you wondered if he was even listening to you when you spoke, but then he pulls stuff like this and you know that heâs always listeningâ remembering things that you care about or like. âGod, I donât deserve you.â
Thankfully the car is still parked because youâre pulling Lando into a bone crushing hug, your cheek smushed up against the side of his head, a giggle emitting from him as he tries to hug you back.
âWhen you told me your work approved the time off, I knew for sure that this was one thing that I wanted to make happen. That same night I was online trying to find a car to rent for the day, but then I saw this one for saleâŠâ His words trail off and your jaw drops at the realization, but in all reality you know itâs a very Lando thing to do.
âAnd now weâre sitting in your newest baby?â
Heâs got a sheepish look on his face as he speaks. âAs soon as I saw it I knew it was the perfect car for this. Plus itâs the ultimate vacation souvenir!â
âYouâre crazy.â He actually couldnât be more perfect.
âYeah, but you love me.â He teases as he starts the engine.
âUnfortunately.â
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
The long winding road along the coast provided scenery that was beyond your wildest dreams. It was serene and picturesqueâ like something straight out of a movie. The bright blue water on one side of the road and the white stone mountains on the other. The various tunnels that somehow had even more breathtaking views on the other side of them. The handful of towns that you had to drive through, each of them more charming than the last, you only wished you had enough time to stay a week in all of them.
As simple as this was, you would have been more than content with this trip if you went home tomorrow, not that you wanted to, it was just that sometimes the simple things in life meant more than anything lavish to you. You werenât hard to please, all you needed was Lando singing along to some song on the radio, beautiful scenery, and the wind blowing in your hair for you to be the happiest girl in the world right now.
The whole trip your attention was divided between the coastal beauty and the beauty in the driver's seat. You couldnât help but glance over ever so often at Lando, especially when youâd hear him start to sing along to a song. He just looked so ethereal sitting next to you, one hand on the steering wheelâ the other resting between you two.
There was a moment where you felt the sudden urge to reach out and intertwine your fingers with his, a moment of insanity youâd thought. It surely had nothing to do with how sunkissed he looked from only being in the sun one day, or how the wind had made his curls the perfect amount of messy, or how youâd catch him looking over at you with a smile on his face.
If only you knew that Lando had been fighting the urge to reach out and grab your hand too. Heâd never seen you so ecstatic over something as simple as going for a drive, but heâd drive this car till he ran out of road or gas, whichever came first, just to see that smile of yours. The way your eyes sparkled in the sunlight and how you giggled at his singing was just an added bonus, but all of them made his chest feel funny. Heâd been around the world more times than he could count, seen so many breathtaking places, but right now none of those places compared to the beauty that was sitting next to him in this car.
Youâre in your own little world so much that you donât even realize youâve made it to your destination until Landoâs putting the car in park in front of a very luxurious looking villa. âWeâve arrived.â Lando states in a sing-song voice.
âIs this when you tell me Max and everyone else are actually coming too?â You question, flabbergasted over the size of the house. And you can tell what heâs thinking just by his facial expression. âLando this place is huge just for the two of us.â
He rolls his eyes before getting out of the car to get luggage. âItâs actually a lot smaller than you think.â
When you step foot into the two story villa it immediately has that Mediterranean coast charm with intricate tile floors, artwork that adorns the walls, and windows with the most gorgeous viewsâ needles to say youâre in love.
Then you take in just how big the place is with itâs one too many bedrooms and bathrooms and various other rooms that you probably wonât even use. Landoâs words echo in your head as you explore the house some more, and thereâs nothing small about this place at all. âYouâre such a liar Lan.â Your words are playful as you walk through one of the many french doors in the house that leads out to the back.
âLie? I would nev-â
âOh my god!â Heâs cut off by you realizing that the backyard of this villa is nothing shy of paradise. A massive pergola covered part of the back of the house with vibrant bougainvillea lining the top and hanging down the sides. Various other flowers and plants are scattered strategically around the area. Under the pergola there's an outdoor kitchen and a large glass dining table, clearly meant to host a group of people, not two. Further out thereâs a pool with sunbeds lined down one side of itâ a poolside bar on the other.
All of these things are great, but the real show stopper is the view that this place has. From the front of the house you canât really tell just how close you are to the water, but from out back itâs a completely different view. Thereâs a separate sitting area slightly further out from the pool. Itâs got a little pergola of its own with couches and chairs and one of those fancy rock fire pits and that is where you get the best view.
Itâs like something out of a nature documentaryâ itâs so perfect that it almost seems fake. The sea is so close that you can hear the waves crashing against the rocks and itâs just endless bright blue water for days. You thought the view in Naples was pretty, but this was breathtaking.
âKnew youâd love this place.â Lando states as he comes up beside you, acting like he hadnât been lingering behind you the whole time, admiring the view (you) from afar.
It was true though, Lando knew as soon as he saw this place online that it was the one. It didnât matter that he paid an astronomical amount for it or that the house was way too big for just the two of you. All it took was for him to see the view to know youâd be the happiest girl in the world here.
He could picture you two sitting out here in the evening, watching the sun set over the coast, undoubtedly with a bottle of pink moscato. Youâd end up drinking one too many glasses and your cheeks would get red and youâd get the giggles.
As Lando stood hereâ eyes never leaving the beautiful scene in front of him. He canât help but feel that funny feeling in his chest over how radiant and happy you look. And he thinks that if this house was for sale heâd buy it in a heartbeat, if that meant he got to see you like this all the time.
A smile finds its way onto your face as you glance over at the guy you call your best friend. âYou werenât lying when you said you were gonna spoil me, huh?â You gently nudge him with your elbow, your smile growing even bigger at his response.
âOnly the best for my favorite person.â His smile is equally as big as you lean your head on his shoulder and in that moment he thinks that maybe the reserve driver could just finish out the season and he could just stay here with you.
That night as you both head to your rooms thereâs an obvious tension in the air. Youâre both slowly making your ascent up the stairs and lingering in the hall, trying to milk every last second until you inevitably have to go into your separate rooms.
After so long though, youâre the first to cave as your hand reaches for the doorknob. Your door creaks open and youâre mumbling out goodnight lan, iâll see you in the morning before entering the room. Although you donât close the door behind you and Lando takes that as an invitation to linger in your doorway. He doesnât need to speak for you to know heâs there, you can feel his presence, and subconsciously youâve left that door open for him.
âGoodnight Y/N.â Youâve got your back turned to him as you're digging through your suitcase for pajamas, but you can hear the slight grin he has on his face as he speaks.
The sight of Lando as you turn around has butterflies erupting in your stomach and it makes you feel weird to be feeling those things about your best friend. Heâs leaned up against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and that grin that youâd sensed him having was still on his face as he looked at you. Your eyes scanned over him, focusing on little details like his hair still being wind tousled and how the tops of his cheeks were slightly burnt from the car ride today.
And for someone who claimed to not need a ton of sleepâ he looked so sleepy as the two of you locked eyes. Those big blue eyes slowly blinking and drooping ever so slightly as his head now too rested against the door frame. He still donned the hoodie that you teased him about putting on earlier after his claims of it being chilly once the sun set, only adding to the sleepy look he had going on right now.
Someone had never looked so cozy and you wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in his arms, but that wasnât going to happen tonight. You will tell him goodnight again and heâll close the door behind him before shuffling over to his room. Your mind will be preoccupied with him as you get ready for bed, the image of him in your doorway forever burned into your mind as you brush your teeth. As you crawl into bed you wonât think about how cold the sheets feel or how you want to be cuddled up to your best friend. You wonât think about how itâs been two hours that youâve laid here and sleep has yet to greet you. And you certainly wonât think about how youâd be fast asleep right now if Lando was beside you.
But unfortunately you do think about all those things and youâve exhausted every resource to try and distract you from it. It was different at the hotel when there was only one bed, but now with multiple bedrooms to choose from there was no reason for the two of you to sleep in the same bed. Lines were already blurring between you two without either of you knowing it and if you chose to go seek solace with Lando then those lines would blur even more.
But you didnât know that your actions would eventually have consequences and seconds later youâre throwing the covers off of you with only one destination in mindâ Landoâs room. The journey though, is short lived because as soon as you open your door youâre met with a wide eyed Lando, his fist frozen in the air like he was getting ready to knock on your door.
The frozen fist moves to rubbing the back of his neck as he speaks to you. âSorry, was coming to see if you were still awake.â
âI was coming to see if you were up too.â Heâs still got that hoodie on from earlier, but you noticed heâd changed out his shorts for boxers. His hair was even more messy and youâd wondered if he had even fallen asleep yet. âCouldnât sleep either?â
Lando shrugs. âNot reallyâ kept tossing and turning.â He acts like the reason he canât go to sleep isnât right in front of him as he rests his head on the familiar door frame.
âYeah I can tell by your hair.â You tease. He just gives you a half assed smile and when he doesnât tease you back thatâs when you realize just how tired he is. âYou want to watch some TV or something? â
He shakes his head no. The only thing he wants to do is go to sleep, but how can he when youâre not next to him? It was embarrassing to admit that only after two nights of sharing the same bed that he couldnât sleep on his own, but here he was. His big bed felt too empty and he realized that even if he slept in a twin sized bed it would still feel empty without you next to him.
Not to mention heâd found comfort in you being his personal heater at night. It was no secret that Lando ran cold, often seen sporting a jacket during race weekends while his teammate was in shorts. So with his personal heater gone, heâd resorted to wearing a hoodie to bed, which didnât come close to holding a candle to you.
When he finally worked up the courage to get up and go to your room he was pleasantly surprised to find you up too and facing the same problem as him. A little sliver of him hoping that it was the exact same problem and that you couldnât sleep without him.
For a split second you caught his eyes looking past you and towards your bed. He couldnât have made it any more obvious, but if was actually hinting at what you thought he was hinting at, then you werenât going to pass up on the opportunity. It wasnât a coincidence that he had come to your door and that you both had trouble sleeping in separate beds. So, you act on impulse and tell him come on just sleep in here tonight and like a little kid whoâs gotten scared of the thunder at night heâs crawling into your bed in an instant.
Itâs like you two are magnetsâ immediately finding your way to each other under the sheets and it doesnât take long for the both of you to finally fall asleep. And some time in the middle of the night Lando had shed his hoodie, no longer needing it with you pressed against him. When you two wake in the morning with the sun streaming through the windows and sleepy smiles plastered on your faces, thereâs an unspoken agreement that even with the plethora of beds in this house, you two would be sleeping in the same one every night.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
Lando and you were best friends, nothing more. Nevermind the sharing a bed every night or the longing glances or the sometimes suggestive thoughts you had about him. So maybe your friendship wasnât practical or normal, but there was nothing romantic going on between you two. It was something you had drilled into your head for some time now. Youâd try to ignore the way your heart would speed up when youâd catch him looking at you or the way he always has to have physical contact with you. And any other crazy thoughts that youâd speculated about had always been pushed aside rather quickly. He was your best friend after all and once again nothing more.
Though over the course of the week youâd found yourself having a hard time in pushing aside those non platonic thoughts about Lando. There were instances you two had found yourselves in that you just couldnât ignore.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
âWhatâs the plan for today?â You ask as the two of you are sitting outside the cutest little restaurant, enjoying brunch.
Lando finishes the last little bit of his eggs before answering you. âWell nothing that involves you getting behind a motor vehicle with the way youâve been downing those bellinis.â You roll your eyes at his dramatics. Yes, youâd had your fair share of bellinis, but they were so damn good and there really wasnât that much alcohol in them for it to be an issue. âHow about we just see where the day takes us?â
âWell I already had the idea of renting jet skis in my head, but I guess weâll do what you suggested.â You joke.
Now Landoâs the one to roll his eyes at you as he flags down the waiter for the check. He doesnât even look at it when itâs brought over, he just hands his card over like itâs nothing. Itâs something that you still arenât used to him doing even after knowing him for so long and youâre sure heâs gotten ripped off more times than he could imagine.
He quickly signs for it once the waiter comes back and with his card back in his wallet youâre free to go. Except when you stand up all those bellinis hit you and youâre a little unsteady on your feet, something that Lando clocks immediately. You arenât drunk, just buzzed, but Lando isnât going to let you live this down. âYou wanted to rent jet skis huh?â He teases as he wraps an arm around your waist to steady you.
âThink we still could to be honest.â Youâre confident in your ability to walk on your own, but Lando insists on keeping his hold on you.
âWell I donât want to waste a day at the hospital, so letâs just look around at the shops.â
Youâd passed them on your way to brunch and Lando had promised youâd come back to them. They were cute little stores, each one specializing in certain things. You took your time in each one, feeling the silky material of some of the dresses, admiring the leather detailing on the handbags, and gawking at the dazzling jewelry in the displays. Everything was quite luxurious and your eyes couldnât help but linger on a certain bag and bracelet, but the price tags were all you had to see to know they werenât coming home with you.
Lando had been watching you the whole time, fully prepared to be your bag boy and was ready to pull out his wallet whenever heâd see you pick something up. But much to his disappointment, all you did was look and after going through all the stores you left empty handed. âYou didnât see anything you wanted?â Lando asks as you continue down the street.
You simply shrug your shoulders at him. âNothing that I couldnât live without.â He doesnât press the matter anymore, fully knowing that heâd be coming back sometime this week to get you that bag and bracelet that you kept circling back to.
The streets are charming and bright. Itâs a place that you canât help but feel alive in, especially as the summer sun beats down on you, but the light breeze coming in off the sea makes it bearable. Your buzz was long gone, but Lando still insisted that you link your arm with his as you stroll down the streetsâ just in case. You donât oblige to his request, enjoying the feeling of holding onto his solid bicep as the sound of him slightly humming the song that was playing at brunch fills your ears.
A sense of peacefulness washes over you and itâs at this moment that you donât feel like youâre on the arm of the famous Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. He doesnât have a million cameras on him or people flocking to him for an autograph. Itâs just you and your best friend Landoâ the boy who was gagging when you teased the idea of ordering fish at dinner last night or who you laid in bed with this morning, watching dumb Tiktoks until you were both in tears laughing. It was nice for once, to just have Lando.
Youâre just about ready to circle back to the villa when you hear a woman shouting in Italian from down the street. Youâre not anywhere near fluent, but you recognize some basic words and what youâve heard has you pulling Lando towards the voice.
Fior! Bei Fiori!
At the end of the street there stood the lady, who had a cart of the most vibrant fresh flowers. When she spotted the two of you approaching, a smile painted itself across her face. âI think your pretty girl deserves some flowers, donât you?â
The corners of your mouth turn upwards and a smile is painted across your face. You can feel your cheeks getting warm at her statement, at the implication that you were Landoâs, but itâs his response that makes them comparable to the roses found on the cart.
Lando feels his chest get tight over the lady assuming the two of you were together. Itâs nothing new, for people to assume that heâs with a girl just because heâs seen with one. Though for some reason when someone says it about you, it gets a reaction out of him. Heâs grinning as he looks at you and then back to the sweet old lady. âYouâre right, my pretty girl does deserve some flowers.â
The butterflies that erupted in your stomach at his words were embarrassing and not the appropriate reaction to be having over your best friend, but his comment wasnât very platonic either. Youâre blushing and grinning, probably very easily comparable to a school girl at the moment. Heâs got a smug look on his face as he hands you of course the biggest bouquet the lady had. Itâs truly a beautiful bouquet and it smells divine, it had anything you could have gotten at the shops beaten by a mile.
As you head back towards the villa you canât wipe the smile off your face and you canât stop thinking about my pretty girl. The words shamelessly repeating over and over again in your head. âSo you think Iâm pretty huh?â You tease.
Now Landoâs the one to blush and he hopes you just think itâs just from the heat and sun as you look at him. âOf course I do. Iâd have to be blind to not think so.â Heâs sincere with his words, he truly thinks youâre one of the most breathtaking women heâs ever metâ intellectually and physically.
You lean your head on his arm, the same one youâve still wrapped yourself around. âYou sure know how to swoon 'em.â
âYouâre my best friend. I wouldnât lie to you.â
And for the first time, for both of you, it feels weird and almost stings to hear the word best friend said out loud. Because deep down you know youâre way more than that.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
Although you werenât that much of a party girl you didnât mind going out every once in a while. So when Lando suggested going out to one of the bars tonight it didnât seem like a bad idea. Youâd done your fair share of relaxing and to you that meant a night out deserved to be had.
With a final spritz of your perfume youâre ready to go and as you looked in the mirror one last time you couldnât help but think damn, I look good. You found Lando waiting for you in the foyer, his head lifting up from his phone at the sound of your heels clicking down the stairs. âMight want to close your mouth before you attract flies Lan.â He hadnât even realized he was in that much of a trance until you said something, he could feel his cheeks getting warm at getting caught.
You hook your arm with his as he leads you out the front door. âSorry, you just look unreal tonight.â
âWell you donât look too bad yourself.â Heâd chosen his tried and true white button up, leaving the first few buttons undone, which revealed even more of his gorgeous tanned skin. How someone could make something as simple as a white button up shirt look so good was beyond you, but it was clearly something he was skilled at.
The bar you end up at is relatively small and you realize it must be the most popular one with how packed it is. Itâs on the coast and thereâs a gorgeous outdoor area that you are immediately drawn to, mainly because thereâs slightly less people out here. Itâs still a good time though and the people are somehow even more rowdy out here and you wonder if itâs the fresh air.
Youâve danced, drank, laughed, talked, everything you could think of on a night out. It's been nice, especially doing it all with Lando, who somehow through the course of the night has undone more buttons on his shirt and you think he might as well just undo them all. Itâs clearly getting late from how the crowd is slowly starting to thin out, but you two are still having a ball, and you figure youâll stay till they kick you out.
Landoâs gone inside to get you both another drink, which he easily could have gotten from the bartender out here, but he claimed that the guy didnât know what he was doing. While you wait you venture off to a far corner of the patio thatâs somewhat empty. Thereâs a couple people sitting in chairs sharing a cigarette, but other than that youâre alone. Even in the dark the view is amazing and as you lean on the railing a nice breeze comes in off the water. Itâs relaxing and nice, especially when youâre that sticky kind of sweaty and a little more drunk than you realize.
âAbsolutely beautiful.â You jump at the unfamiliar, yet familiar voice. It had been a minute since youâd heard another British accent besides Landoâs. When you turn around to put a face to the voice you arenât expecting to see such a gorgeous man standing there. Heâs really the whole packageâ stunning blue eyes, pretty smile, fluffy light brown hair, nice facial hair.
âUh- yeah it is.â You assumed he was talking about the view.
âCan I join you?â
Heâs cute and you wouldnât mind some company, so you tell him yes.
âWhereâd your boyfriend run off to?â He asks as he nurses his Corona.
âHeâs not my boyfriend, but Iâm not wrong in assuming you know who he is, right?â This guy is in his twenties and British, if he didnât know who Lando was then he had to be living under a rock.
He takes a swig of his beer before responding. âI know who he is.â
You scoff, there was a big possibility that he was using you to get to meet Lando, it was something youâd dealt with many times before. Guys showing interest in you only in hopes of becoming Landoâs friend or even worse girls who would befriend you only to try and get with Lando. You werenât some step on the ladder that led to Lando, you were your own person with feelings and a life, who deserved to have people like you for you, not who you knew.
Maybe itâs the alcohol or maybe itâs the fact that youâre done being led on by people, but either way you confront the guy about it. âAre you using me to get to him?â
You hear him laugh a little and it lights a fire in you, but his words extinguish it before it gets out of control. âI was brave enough to come over here and willingly flirt with you before I even knew if he was your boyfriend or not. If I was trying to use you to get to him, I donât think that would be a good plan. Which now that I know youâre not his girlfriend, kinda makes me think heâs an idiot. How could he have a girl like you in his life and not be madly in love with you?â
Your brain is fuzzy as youâre trying to process what heâs said. âSorry wait- you were flirting with me?â
Heâs got a cheeky grin on his face and he lets out a chuckle at your cluelessness. âWhen I said âabsolutely beautifulâ I wasnât talking about the view.â
âOh.â Youâd thought it was kind of weird for him to just randomly say that about the view, but for it to be aimed towards you was the last thing you had thought of. âWell, flirt all you want then.â
Not only did this place have one bartender that was incompetent, it seemed like all of them were. Lando had waited for what seemed like ages for a beer and a vodka cranberry. It wasnât even that busy at the bar for it to be taking so long and at one point he contemplated just going behind the bar and doing it himself. By the time he finally got them he was surprised you hadnât come looking for him, but when he made his way out onto the patio he saw exactly why you hadnât.
Over in the corner Lando sees you doubled over laughing with some guy as he watches from afar. His grip on the glasses gets tighter as he sees you place your hand on the guy's arm. The tightness in his chest increases the longer he stands here and watches. It bothers him more than he cares to admitâ to see you with some random guy. To hear that laugh of yours and him not being the source of it is driving him crazy. But what really sends him over the edge is when the guy tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear and without a second thought heâs storming over there.
Lando tries to play it cool as he approaches and heâs glad heâs got these drinks to use as an excuse. Your mid conversation when Lando interrupts, but he doesnât care one bit. âHereâs your drink.â He says as he pushes the slightly watered down glass towards you.
âOh thanks Lan.â You flash him a smile, but his face is emotionless and the fun light hearted atmosphere has suddenly turned awkward. For some reason you feel like youâve been caught doing something you shouldnât have. âUm, Lando this is-â You remember at that moment that you hadnât even asked the guy his name, which to you makes this even more awkward.
âHarry.â
âRight. Lando, this is Harry.â You motion between the two men. âHarry, this is Lando.â
Harry extends a hand out to Lando and they very awkwardly shake hands. âNice to meet you mate.â
Lando only nods his head at him before turning his focus back to you. âI think we should get going, they are gonna close soon.â
You think heâs joking, considering heâd waited all that time to get these drinks, and now he suddenly wants to leave. âI just got my drink, can we at least stay until I finish it?â It also feels rude to just abruptly leave in the middle of the conversation that you were enjoying with Harry. But Lando doesnât know how to hide his emotions very well and by the look on his face you know heâs being serious.
âWell you can stay, but Iâm leaving.â He knows he shouldnât leave you alone with some guy you just met, but god he doesnât think he can stand here and watch you flirt with him anymore than he already has. So, without hearing your response he starts making his way towards the exit.
A regretful look washes across your face as you look at Harry. âThat was so rude of him, Iâm so sorry. I donât know whatâs up with him, he never acts like that.â You take a big swig of your drink, fully knowing dealing with Lando is gonna be a pain. âIt was really nice talking to you, but I better go hunt him down.â
He shrugs, clearly not as upset over this whole situation as Lando or you are. âNo biggie, Iâm sure weâll see each other around. Itâs a small place.â You bid him goodbye, but you donât get very far before heâs hollering. âCan I at least get your Instagram?â Which has you coming back and quickly exchanging usernames before you're off again to find Lando.
You run into him in the bar and it looks like he was coming back out towards the patio. A look of relief washes over him when he sees you and heâs leading you away from the loud music and out the front exit before either of you can say anything. Only once the bass of the music is a faint sound in the distance does Lando speak up. âIâm sorry. I shouldnât have left you alone with that guy. I was coming back in when you found me.â
âI appreciate you looking out for me, but you were kinda rude to him for no reason.â
Guess you were diving in head first with this.
Lando stops walking and turns to face you, a confused look on his face. âI wasnât being rude.â
âYes you were. We were having a conversation and you just butted in and demanded we leave. Not to mention you wouldnât even speak to him. He was nice, you would have liked him if you gave him the time of day.â
âYou barely know the guy, you talked to him for what ten-fifteen minutes? I just didnât have a good feeling about him.â
You couldnât help but roll your eyes at his dumb excuse. He shook the guy's hand and didnât get a good feeling about him? Bullshit. âWell if you didnât have a good feeling about him then whyâd you leave me with him?â Heâd started to walk again, but stopped dead in his tracks at your words, spinning on his heel to face you once again.
âI already told you I regretted leaving you. I just had to get out of there for a second.â
âWhy?â You were being adamant, your arms crossed across your chest as you waited for his answer.
He knew exactly why, but he couldnât tell you that, he hadnât even fully accepted it himself. âI donât know Y/N.â
Youâre getting frustrated with him and these damn heels that you chose to wear are not making your mood any better. âThereâs a reason for everything, Lando. How would you like it if I acted like you did tonight with a girl you were talking to? Youâd be livid.â
He completely ignores your accusation and turns the conversation in another direction. It had been itching at him to know if you were just being nice or if you were actually interested in the guy, so he plucked up the courage to ask. âSo you were flirting with him?â
The look on your face is one of pure confusion, but your tone is nothing but shitty. âIâm not sure how you jumped to that conclusion from what I said or why itâs really any of your concern, but yeah it was just some harmless flirting. Iâm sorry for having a little fun!â You were thankful that it was late enough for the street to be relatively empty, the last thing that needed to happen was pictures or a video getting out of you two arguing. You were sure there were already rumors about you two being on vacation together, you could only imagine how this would be misconstrued.
Hearing that his best friend was potentially interested in someone else had his head spinning and he could no longer blame his reactions on the alcohol. He couldnât lie to himself anymore, ignore the way his heart raced when he looked at you. Or how he loved hearing that old lady call you his girl the other day.
It had been building upâ festering almost this whole week and maybe subconsciously he wanted to go on this trip with you to see if there was some truth to what everyone had teased him about. He just didnât think it would actually be true. Or that at two in the morning on a dimly lit street in Italy, during an argument, he would finally accept that he was in love with you.
But even with him realizing heâs in love with you, that doesnât stop him from being an absolute idiot. âHe was probably just using you to get to me.â Lando immediately regrets what he said as soon as it comes out of his mouth. He knows that's a sore subject for you and the look of hurt on your face makes his stomach churn.
âNow youâre just being mean.â Youâre sure itâs a mixture of things that are contributing to the salty tears welling up in your eyes at the moment, but itâs Landoâs comment that actually makes them fall. Youâre storming off before he can say anything, wishing you would have just stayed at the bar with Harry.
Lando knows heâs an idiot, but he also knows heâs the one who lit the match, which means heâs gotta be the one to put it out. âY/N come on. Iâm sorry. I know I shouldnât have said that.â He catches up with you rather quickly, your heels slowing you down.
âJust leave me be Lando.â
âY/N. Stop walking for just a minute.â Heâs grabbing at your arm, trying to halt your movement.
You stop and face him and for what itâs worth he does look sorry, but that doesnât change how you feel. âWhat? You want to poke fun at me some more?â
âNo I-â
âYou know I was just having a little harmless fun with that guy, like you said I talked to him for what? Fifteen minutes? Nothing was going to come out of it. But is it really that far-fetched of an idea for a guy to actually be interested in me just for me? Am I that undesirable and unlovable for it to seem like a reality? Or was he like everyone else whoâs used me and threw me away as soon as they got their five minutes of the almighty Lando Norris experience?â
The tears that slide down your cheeks are a mixture of anger and embarrassment and maybe you were being a little dramatic. Perhaps the multiple drinks youâd consumed werenât helping either, but when the person you care about the most says something like that, something youâd confided in him about, it hurts.
Lando feels his heart break to hear you talk about yourself like that. All he wants to do is to scream out that youâre not undesirable or unlovable. Heâs wanted you and loved you for some time now, the moment it started heâs not sure, but he knows it didnât happen overnight. Itâs always been thereâ he was just too blind to see it.
Heâs not entirely sure on how to make this right, he knows he was an ass, but he also knows he canât take back whatâs been said. The worst part is that he knows exactly how you feel and somehow he still thought that was a good thing to throw in your faceâ all because he was jealous. He could deal with people trying to use him, heâd developed a sixth sense for them and never let it get too far, but you were too kind. Your big heart and trusting of others had gotten you burned one too many times and it hurt Lando even more to know that all that had happened because of him.
âI should have never said that to you. I know first hand how it feels to have people use me and the only reason youâve had to deal with that is because of me. Iâm so fucking sorry.â
Your sniffles fill the night air as you try to calm yourself down. While people used you to get to Lando, at least they didnât want to be your friend to leech off your fame. Use you for your money and generosity, expecting paddock passes and some lavish lifestyle. People saw Lando as an object rather than a person more times than not. While your feelings were valid and Lando was still an ass for saying that, you realized to be in his shoes was worse. So, you wipe away your tears and accept his apology indirectly. âThink weâve only got each other at this point.â
His voice is soft as he approaches you, his hand reaching up to brush a stray piece of hair out of your face. âDonât think I need anyone else but you.â
The tender moment has you turning to putty in his handsâ the argument pushed to the back of your mind. His hand moves to cup your face and his tumb brushes gently across your cheek. You feel like time has frozen in this moment and for a split second you swear he looks at your lips, like heâs going to kiss you. The fact that this is your best friend is no concern to you at the moment. Then the moment between you two is ruined just as fast as it began, the sound of a very loud and drunk group of people leaving the bar up the street brings you both back to reality.
You back away from each other slowly, like you werenât sure exactly what had just almost happened. Youâd already resorted to blaming it on both of your emotions still running wild and the alcohol still coursing through your veins. The group of people are getting closer, their obnoxious singing getting louder as each second passes. They might not even know who Lando is, but you arenât in the mood to wait around and find out, the last thing you want to deal with right now is drunk fans. âWeâve had too much to drink, my head and feet hurt. Letâs go home.â You grumble as you begin the trek home once again, your feet aching more and more with each step.
Lando stops for a moment and kicks off his shoes, he couldnât let you walk in pain the whole way home. Especially after the pain he had caused moments ago. âHere put these on, your feet are killing you.â He hands you the white sneakers before squatting down in front of you to help you get your heels off.
Your feet already thank you as you slip on the oversized shoes that clomp on the stone street. And like a magnet you find yourself wrapping your arm around his as you walk down the street. Youâre sure you two are a sightâyou in shoes that are way too big and Lando only in socks as he holds your heels for you.
âYou know youâre still an ass.â You tell him as you lean your head on his shoulder.
âI know.â
âYou know you arenât unloveable.â He hopes you know heâs being sincere, your words still replaying in his mind as you walk.
âI know.â
By the time you make it back to the villa youâre both exhausted. The alcohol, the argument, that moment between you two, the walk homeâ you were sure tomorrow morning would be a rough one. There arenât many words spoken as you get ready for bed and as you slide under the covers next to Lando you canât shake something from your mind from tonight, and it wasnât the argument.
It was the fact that during the whole time you were chatting with Harry, you couldnât help but compare him to Lando. There wasnât the same sparkle in his eye like Lando, his smile wasnât the same, his laugh. It seemed like everything that you noticed about this guy came second best to Lando. Sure you were having fun and he was nice, but not once had the thought of Lando slipped your mind. And even right now, with Lando next to you, youâre still somehow thinking about him.
It didnât take long for Lando to fall asleep and you were on the verge of it when your phone went off on the nightstand. Usually, you would just ignore it, but something in you told you to see what it was.
harryinsta is now following you
You then see that he had sent you a DM and youâre expecting it to be about meeting up some time, which you were going to politely decline, but itâs quite the opposite.
harryintsa: i must have been mistaken earlier. lando's not an idiot.
yourinsta: huh?
harryinsta: heâs in love with you lol
Your heart nearly beats out of your chest as you read the message over and over again. Lando wasnât in love with you, was he? Sure youâd heard it from just about everyone in your life that you two were in love with each other, but you always thought it was silly. You guys were just best friends is what you would always say, but to hear it come from a literal stranger was different.
You couldnât lie that you hadnât recently had your moments of perhaps thinking that he did, though youâd always talk yourself out of the idea. Although, if he was in love with you that may explain his behavior tonight. Or maybe it was just the alcohol like youâd originally thought. Then the tender moment you two shared entered your mind and suddenly the gears in your head are working overtime.
You locked your phone and sat it back down on the nightstand. Just from a simple DM youâd gone from being dead tired to now being wide awakeâ staring at the ceiling. Youâre not sure how much time had passed as you laid there over analyzing every interaction with Lando. You were struggling enough trying to figure out the things you had recently felt about Lando, let alone the possibility that he was in love with you. All you knew for sure was that things werenât the same between you two, youâd felt a shift when you were with him in Monaco before the Belgium GP. It had only amplified during this trip and you had a feeling that by the end of it things would be different.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
Two days later youâre sunbathing on a comfy lounger on the beach, while Landoâs out in the water doing god knows what. Youâd given up on watching him a while ago, deciding instead to be productive and try to catch up to Landoâs tan level. Which, after laying here for some time now, it seemed impossible. That boy could be in the sun for a day and have a glowing tanâ you not so much.
Moments later you think a cloud has passed in front of the sun, but when you feel cool water droplets on your hot skin you peek open one eye to find a wet and grinning Lando standing over you. âHi.â
âHi.â You greet him back as you sit up, your smile matching his. âDid you have fun out there?â
âI had a lot of fun and the water felt amazing. You should have got in.â
âI will later.â You notice heâs got one of his hands behind his back like heâs hiding something. âLan, what have you got?â He tries to play dumb for a moment, trying to wind you up, but he eventually caves and pulls a plastic pail from behind his back. âPlease donât tell me you stole that from a kid.â Your half joking and half being serious, because where the hell did he get that from?
âI did not steal it from a kidâ I borrowed it.â The smile on his face never falls as he continues to speak. âThey had a bunch of them. I don't think theyâll miss it. Plus I needed something to put your present in.â
You cock an eyebrow at him, curiosity written all over your face. âMy present?â
Heâs smiling so hard as he sits down at the end of the lounger that you think this must be the best present in the world. Seconds later the pail is turned upside down and out falls the prettiest seashells. Your heart swells when you realize all that time he had spent out in the water he was looking for shellsâ for you. Thereâs a light pink one that catches your eye and Lando notices when you reach for it.
âKnew youâd like that one.â
Of course he knew that, sometimes you think he knows you better than you know yourself. âCanât believe you spent all that time finding them.â
He shrugs like itâs an everyday thing. âI knew it would make you happy, which meant I enjoyed doing it. Really only took me so long because I wanted them all to be perfect for you.â
The sun beating down on you feels cold with how hard youâre blushing. âYouâre my favorite person, you know that?â
Lando starts to get shy when you get sappy, like he hadnât just said the sweetest thing a second ago. Heâs smiling, but focuses on carefully putting the shells back into the pail. âYouâre my favorite person too.â
A while later you decide to open up the umbrella between the two loungers. You had chosen to give up on the tanning lifestyle and instead dive into a new book. While Lando was fast asleep on the lounger next to you, apparently all that hunting for shells had worn him out.
Youâd noticed out of the corner of your eye awhile ago that a little boy kept glancing over in your direction, specifically at Lando. You knew he had to have been a fan or he was the kid Lando stole the pail from. The nervous glances back and forth tell you that thankfully heâs a fan and you think itâs the cutest thing. Youâre in the middle of considering waking Lando up so the boy could come over when you hear a groan that is undoubtedly Lando awaking from his slumber.
âWhat are you looking at?â He asks as he rubs his eyes.
You nod your head in the direction of the boy whoâs just seen that Lando is awake and is practically bouncing with glee. âThink you may have a fan.â
A big grin spreads across Landoâs face as he sees the little boy. Lando loved meeting all his fans, but meeting the kids was his favorite. He thinks a big part of the reason he always makes sure to find time for the younger fans was because he was that kid once. Before he was ever F1 driver Lando Norris, he was just a kid who finally got the chance to meet their idol and he knows that picture or an autograph means the world to them
Lando motions for the boy to come over and heâs instantly tugging on his Momâs shirt to get her to come with him. She gives you guys a questioning look and when Lando motions again they both come over.
The little boyâs Italian accent is the cutest thing ever as he greets you two and you can tell just how much it means to him to be talking to Lando.
âWhatâs your name?â Lando asks as he signs a beach towel of all things.
âLuca and Iâm seven!â
âSeven is a great age. You know I started karting when I was seven!â
Lucaâs eyes get as wide as saucers as he glances back at his Mom, who is already shutting down any talk of Luca karting. âI told you possibly next year. Youâre still my little baby. I don't want you getting hurt!â
Lando gives the Mom an apologetic look. âHow about a picture?â Which easily takes Lucaâs attention away from karting, as heâs already at Landoâs side with a big smile on his face before his Mom has her phone out.
They take a couple pictures and high fives are exchanged throughout their interaction. The whole thing is very sweet and you canât help but look on in adoration, fully knowing that Lando would make a great Father one day.
You see that Luca keeps looking over at you and then back to Lando, but you donât pay that much mind to it. You figured he was just nervous or something, but what comes out of his mouth next takes you by surprise.
âYour girlfriend is very pretty.â
You feel your heart skip a beat and you glance over at Lando to see what his reaction is. You prepare yourself for the worst, but in true Lando fashion heâs all smiles. In fact heâs sporting that full face smile of his and it makes you feel funny.
âThank you buddy, I think so too.â He looks over at you with nothing but love in his eyes and youâre immediately looking away like some shy school girl.
Thankfully, the Mom comes to your aid and quickly changes the subject. âOk Luca, youâve bothered them enough. We should get back to our spot. Thank them for their time.â
His cute little voice mutters out grazie as he gives you a small wave goodbye.
âIt was very nice to meet you, Luca.â Lando bids him farewell and you both wave back at the little boy.
As soon as theyâre gone youâre immediately shoving your face back into your book, you donât even want to talk about what had just happened. It was nothing really to be so worked up over, it was just a little kid who saw two people together and assumed they were together. It happens all the time. But it is a big deal when you find yourself liking being referred to as Landoâs girlfriend. It doesnât help when neither of you deny it and correct the person. Lando likes to play into it and you love it too much to say anything.
Ever since getting that DM the other night your mind had been in a whirlwind over how Lando felt about you and how you felt about him. Hell you canât even look at him right now, youâre so in your head that youâve been staring at the same page for the last five minutes. You just wished the book you were reading could tell you how to come to terms with the fact that youâre in love with your best friend.
It was something youâd realized the other night while you were awake overthinking everything. Those feelings had always been there, but you had just pushed them aside, ignoring every little butterfly or rapid heartbeat. When they actually turned into romantic feelings you have no clue because as far as you knew, you and Lando had always been like this.
You two just dove in head first into the co-dependent friendship that was more like a relationship lifestyle. All those times youâd gone to his parents house for family dinners and holidays, both of you attached at the hip. How he wanted to ask you to move to Monaco with him and then almost didnât even move because he said heâd miss you too much. The group vacations that always ended up with you two going off and doing your own thing. The texts from him every Wednesday before a race asking if he needed to get you a paddock pass and a flight. This trip in particularâ sleeping in the same bed when you donât have to, the cuddling, the getting mistaken for a couple three times so far, the fact that it was just you two alone on the trip.
It was all there the whole time and you wondered how you could have been so blind to not realize it sooner. You were in love with him. You loved his pretty eyes and curls and the way his real laugh only seemed to come out around you. You loved his big heart and his caring nature and sometimes you thought he was too nice to be a Formula 1 driver.
You loved everything about him and truth be told it made your stomach hurt from how much you loved him. You wanted to actually be his and be able to kiss those pink lips that you sometimes found yourself staring at. When people said you were his girlfriend you wanted it to actually be true and not have it be Lando just playing along. You were so down bad that you prayed that Harry was right and that Lando was actually in love with you too.
While you were freaking out, so was Lando. When you immediately went back to reading your book and not speaking a word, he figured he had weirded you out by basically implying that you were his girlfriend. He just figured it was easier to go along with what the kid thought than explain that you werenât his girlfriend, but god does he wish you were. He didnât know what to say to try and test the waters because he knew whatever he would say would come out awkward and he didnât want to make things worse. So, once again itâs not talked about and you two pretend that it didnât happen when you finally speak again.
âââ àŒșâàŒ» âââ
Itâs the last day of the trip and youâre dreading going back to reality and away from this little slice of heaven. The only thing you have to look forward to is the supposed fancy dinner that Lando had planned for tonight, which was what you were currently getting ready for. Music plays through your phone and you softly sing along as you do your makeup. When you look up after digging in your makeup bag you spot Lando in the mirror, leaning against the door frame behind you. Your eyes lower and you see that heâs holding two gift bags.
"Those better be for your Mom.â You state as you put the finishing touches on your makeup.
âI think we both know they arenât.â He sees you roll your eyes in the mirror and it only makes him want to spoil you more. âItâs our last day, I think you deserve a parting gift.â
You turn to face him as he makes his way over to you. âI havenât gotten you a single thing this whole time. It makes me feel bad.â
Lando only shakes his head at you. âYou being here with me is the best gift you could have ever gotten me. I truly donât need anything else.â He hands you the bags. âNow open them please.â
A small smile finds its way onto your face as you take the bags from him. You decide to open the bigger bag first and once you pull out the tissue paper you know exactly what it is. Itâs still in its dust bag, but you see the branding and your jaw is dropping before you even see the actual thing. âYou did not get me this bag Lando!â You exclaim as you remove the dust bag and see that itâs the same bag you were eyeing at the store the other day.
He shrugs like itâs no big deal. âSaw you eyeing it and knew I had to get it for you and before you say anything else open the other present.â
You set the handbag down and grab the smaller gift trying to figure out what else he could have possibly gotten you. When you open it and see the bracelet you were also looking at the other day youâre at a loss for words. âLando Norris!â You could slap him, hug him, kiss him, and yell at him all at once. Heâd dropped probably close to six grand on these two gifts and your head is spinning at the thought of it.
âDonât even say anything about the price. I know youâre thinking it, but I wouldnât have bought you them if I couldnât afford it. I wanted you to have them, you deserve nice things.â You deserved a lot more than a handbag and a bracelet, but what he thought you deserved money couldnât buy.
You know there's no use in fighting him on it, but you still feel bad that he just spends all this money on you. He takes the bracelet from the box and fastens it around your wrist, the diamonds glittering in the light as you move it around. Itâs truly stunning and the handbag will go great with your outfit tonight. As soon as you two make eye contact again youâre pulling him into a bone crushing hug and you two stay like that for probably longer than necessary. âThank you a million times Lan. I love them both so much.â
Itâs time to leave for dinner shortly after that and when you arrive at the restaurant the host guides you back to a secluded corner. Itâs a very romantic ambiance and you canât help but feel like youâre on a date, which wouldnât be a horrible thing. Moments later a waiter comes over with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. âItâs on the houseâ for the special couple.â
There it is again and it seems like with each time it happens it makes your heart race even more. Lando shifts in his seat and you focus on the rising bubbles in the glasses as the waiter pours the champagne. Lando tells him thank you and your attention moves to the menu.
âWhat are you thinking about getting?â You ask, ignoring the obvious.
âProbably the steak.â He grabs the flute of champagne and takes a drink. âWhat was that? The fourth time now?â
You know exactly what heâs talking about, but youâre surprised heâs decided to talk about it. âYeah it was.â You set the menu down and grab the other flute. âThink Iâll get the steak too.â
Dinner actually turns out to be an amazing time. The food is decadent and Lando and you have good conversations that donât revolve around you two being mistaken for a couple or being in love with each other. When the waiter brings the bill youâre quite sad because that just means this trip is that much closer to being over.
You take your time heading back to the villa, trying to savor every last moment youâve got here. The sun was low in the sky by the time you get back and you tell Lando just how you want to spend your final evening in Italy. You hurry and change into comfier clothes and take off all your makeup before heading to the spot with the best view out back. Lando makes his way out there not too long after you, but heâs got one more surprise for you.
âDonât think the evening or this trip would be complete without this now would it?â He pulls a bottle of pink moscato from behind his back along with two wine glasses.
He knew you too well, but it was something you loved dearly about him. âYouâre a man after my heart Norris.â
He hands you a glass as he sits down next to you, the sun just beginning to set on the horizon. âI try.â
Thereâs a comfortable silence between you two for a while and the only sound to be heard is from the waves below. It feels like paradise sitting here with this amazing view and the guy you love next to you. Itâs probably boring to the majority of people, but this was everything you could ask for and more and the perfect way to end this amazing trip. You lean in closer to Lando, your head resting on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around you. A content sigh escapes past your lips as his thumb starts to draw mindless circles on your arm.
âThank you again for everything. This trip was amazing and Iâm glad we got to go togetherâ just you and me.â
âIâm glad too. It was probably the best summer break trip Iâve had. Donât think Ibiza will be seeing me for a while.â
Youâre not even looking at him, but you can sense the smile on his face and you canât help but laugh at his lie. âYeah, and I donât like pink moscato.â
âAlright so Ibiza will inevitably see me, but not as much as Italy.â He pauses for a moment, glancing down at you still resting on his shoulder, his heart swelling just by looking at you. âI think this may be our place now, just for the two of us.â His voice is soft when he says it, like heâs not sure if he wanted to say it outloud.
You lift your head up and are met with his piercing blue eyes staring back at you. He looked radiant as golden hour cascades over him and itâs like youâre in a trance as you look at him. You take in every last bit of him, all the little details about him that youâve memorized over the years. The slight stubble on his face from not shaving for a couple days, the little moles, his long and somehow always curled eyelashes, those pink lips of his. Heâs everything you could have ever dreamed of and more. Youâve had him at fingertip length for so long now and all you want to do is reach out for him, take what you want and never let go.
Lando feels his breath catch in his throat as you two make eye contact. Youâd never looked more beautiful than in this moment and he doesnât know how much longer he can take without you actually being his. You were the love of his life, his best friend, and everything heâs ever wanted. It may have taken him a long time to realize it, but heâs never felt like this about anyone before. You know each other like the back of your hands and it only makes sense that youâd be the one for him.
And itâs in this moment that it clicks for you two that itâs now or never. Youâre never going to have a perfect moment like this again. It feels right, like the universe wants this moment to happen and if you let it go to waste you may never get the chance again. Lando takes his free hand and gently cups your face, his thumb ever so softly rubbing across your cheek. Youâre practically putty in his hands and you feel like your heart is gonna beat out of your chest. You want to scream out to him that you love him, that you want to be his, but you can barely get your brain to communicate with your mouth.
âLan-â
Thatâs all you can get out before Landoâs leaning in and his lips are on yours. He tastes like the sugary sweet wine and his lips are soft as they move in sync with yours. Kissing him is even better than youâd imagined and as your hand reaches up to his neck you deepen the kiss. It feels like you two had kissed a thousand times before and as he pulls away youâre already left wanting more.
Your foreheads rest against each other, both of you breathless and a little light headed from that singular kiss. When you both actually internalize whatâs just happened youâre both grinning, that then turns into laughing and itâs like music to both of your ears to hear each other laugh.
âI think that was a long time coming.â You state as you finally lean back onto the couch.
Lando reaches out for your hand, intertwining his with yours. âWhen did you realize?â
âThat night when we got into that argument, which looking back now, you were totally jealous.â
âI was not jealous!â He tries to be serious, but the knowing look on your face has him cracking. âOk I was jealous.â
âWhen did you realize?â You question.
âThat same night. I couldnât understand why you flirting with that guy bothered me so much. Well I guess now we know.â
âYeah cause youâre in loooveee with me.â Youâre laughing as you speak, but he shuts you up with another kiss and leaves you pouting when he pulls away.
âOnly kissed you twice and youâre already pouting when I pull away? I think youâre in loooveee with me.â
You lean back in, capturing his lips in yet another kiss and youâre like teenagers whoâve gotten into their first relationship.
Lando sighs when you stop kissing him, he canât believe he could have had this sooner if he would have just opened his eyes. âYou think you could get another week off from work?â
Youâd do anything to get another week in a paradise with him, but you know itâs not possible. âHmm, why donât you just spend a week in London with me?â
âWell you havenât even told them that you now have a famous F1 driver boyfriend. Who if they didnât know already is very needy and needs to see his girlfriend.â He teases.
âWell you forgot to add that youâre my hot and famous F1 driver boyfriend.â You counter back.
Youâre both grinning like fools at each other and as you curl up into his side and take in the last sunset youâll see in the place that now holds such a special place in both of your hearts, youâre glad you let him convince you to come on this trip.
As the sun finally sets over the water you actually say those three little words.
âI love you.â
âI love you too.â
#lando norris#lando norris x reader#lando norris fic#lando norris imagine#lando norris fanfic#formula 1 x reader#formula 1 imagine#formula 1 fic#lando norris fluff#mine#writing
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whatâs the story about the generative power model and water consumption? /gen
There's this myth going around about generative AI consuming truly ridiculous amount of power and water. You'll see people say shit like "generating one image is like just pouring a whole cup of water out into the Sahara!" and bullshit like that, and it's just... not true. The actual truth is that supercomputers, which do a lot of stuff, use a lot of power, and at one point someone released an estimate of how much power some supercomputers were using and people went "oh, that supercomputer must only do AI! All generative AI uses this much power!" and then just... made shit up re: how making an image sucks up a huge chunk of the power grid or something. Which makes no sense because I'm given to understand that many of these models can run on your home computer. (I don't use them so I don't know the details, but I'm told by users that you can download them and generate images locally.) Using these models uses far less power than, say, online gaming. Or using Tumblr. But nobody ever talks about how evil those things are because of their power generation. I wonder why.
To be clear, I don't like generative AI. I'm sure it's got uses in research and stuff but on the consumer side, every effect I've seen of it is bad. Its implementation in products that I use has always made those products worse. The books it writes and flood the market with are incoherent nonsense at best and dangerous at worst (let's not forget that mushroom foraging guide). It's turned the usability of search engines from "rapidly declining, but still usable if you can get past the ads" into "almost one hundred per cent useless now, actually not worth the effort to de-bullshittify your search results", especially if you're looking for images. It's a tool for doing bullshit that people were already doing much easier and faster, thus massively increasing the amount of bullshit. The only consumer-useful uses I've seen of it as a consumer are niche art projects, usually projects that explore the limits of the tool itself like that one poetry book or the Infinite Art Machine; overall I'd say its impact at the Casual Random Person (me) level has been overwhelmingly negative. Also, the fact that so much AI turns out to be underpaid people in a warehouse in some country with no minimum wage and terrible labour protections is... not great. And the fact that it's often used as an excuse to try to find ways to underpay professionals ("you don't have to write it, just clean up what the AI came up with!") is also not great.
But there are real labour and product quality concerns with generative AI, and there's hysterical bullshit. And the whole "AI is magically destroying the planet via climate change but my four hour twitch streaming sesh isn't" thing is hysterical bullshit. The instant I see somebody make this stupid claim I put them in the same mental bucket as somebody complaining about AI not being "real art" -- a hatemobber hopping on the hype train of a new thing to hate and feel like an enlightened activist about when they haven't bothered to learn a fucking thing about the issue. And I just count my blessings that they fell in with this group instead of becoming a flat earther or something.
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Terry Pratchett about fantasy â€
Terry Pratchett interview in The Onion, 1995 (x)
O: Youâre quite a writer. Youâve a gift for language, youâre a deft hand at plotting, and your books seem to have an enormous amount of attention to detail put into them. Youâre so good you could write anything. Why write fantasy?
Terry: I had a decent lunch, and Iâm feeling quite amiable. Thatâs why youâre still alive. I think youâd have to explain to me why youâve asked that question.
O: Itâs a rather ghettoized genre.
Terry: This is true. I cannot speak for the US, where I merely sort of sell okay. But in the UK I think every bookâ I think Iâve done twenty in the seriesâ since the fourth book, every one has been one the top ten national bestsellers, either as hardcover or paperback, and quite often as both. Twelve or thirteen have been number one. Iâve done six juveniles, all of those have nevertheless crossed over to the adult bestseller list. On one occasion I had the adult best seller, the paperback best-seller in a different title, and a third book on the juvenile bestseller list. Now tell me again that this is a ghettoized genre.
O: Itâs certainly regarded as less than serious fiction.
Terry: (Sighs) Without a shadow of a doubt, the first fiction ever recounted was fantasy. Guys sitting around the campfireâ Was it you who wrote the review? I thought I recognized itâ Guys sitting around the campfire telling each other stories about the gods who made lightning, and stuff like that. They did not tell one another literary stories. They did not complain about difficulties of male menopause while being a junior lecturer on some midwestern college campus.
Fantasy is without a shadow of a doubt the ur-literature, the spring from which all other literature has flown. Up to a few hundred years ago no one would have disagreed with this, because most stories were, in some sense, fantasy. Back in the middle ages, people wouldnât have thought twice about bringing in Death as a character who would have a role to play in the story. Echoes of this can be seen in Pilgrimâs Progress, for example, which hark back to a much earlier type of storytelling. The epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest works of literature, and by the standard we would apply nowâ a big muscular guys with swords and certain godlike connectionsâ Thatâs fantasy. The national literature of Finland, the Kalevala. Beowulf in England. I cannot pronounce Bahaghvad-Gita but the Indian one, you know what I mean. The national literature, the one that underpins everything else, is by the standards that we apply now, a work of fantasy.
Now I donât know what youâd consider the national literature of America, but if the words Moby Dick are inching their way towards this conversation, whatever else it was, it was also a work of fantasy. Fantasy is kind of a plasma in which other things can be carried. I donât think this is a ghetto. This is, fantasy is, almost a sea in which other genres swim. Now it may be that there has developed in the last couple of hundred years a subset of fantasy which merely uses a different icongraphy, and that is, if you like, the serious literature, the Booker Prize contender. Fantasy can be serious literature. Fantasy has often been serious literature. You have to fairly dense to think that Gulliverâs Travels is only a story about a guy having a real fun time among big people and little people and horses and stuff like that. What the book was about was something else. Fantasy can carry quite a serious burden, and so can humor. So what youâre saying is, strip away the trolls and the dwarves and things and put everyone into modern dress, get them to agonize a bit, mention Virginia Woolf a few times, and there! Hey! Iâve got a serious novel. But you donât actually have to do that.
(Pauses) That was a bloody good answer, though I say it myself.
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For my lovely anon from this request: "jealous!reader if james was to be flirted with? and like how james would react to it."
Hope you enjoy it!!
"Who does she think she is?" you asked to no one in particular, you eyes trained on the hand of some bimbo who obviously doesn't understand personal space.
You had been looking for your boyfriend, wondering what had been taking so long, only to find him... preoccupied.
Sirius is the first to notice the look you're sending across the room "Uh oh" he lets out causing the others to turn to you "Someone's jealous"
Your brows furrowed together as you tore your eyes away to look at him. "Who me?" you say baffled "Why would I be jealous? I am perfectly fine" you scoffed
"Your drink would say otherwise" Marlene smirks eyeing the crumpled cup in your hand.
Your eyes widen dropping the cup on the table next to you. "Shut up" you mumble.
Lily rolls her eyes "No need to be jealous, sweetheart. Everyone knows he's yours, practically walks around with 'property of y/n' stamped on him"
"Listen here, Red" you start "I'm not jealous, got it?" you say pouring yourself another drink
Jealous pfft why would you be jealous? You are in a perfectly secure relationship with the most loyal man in the world, how could you be jealous?
The others brows raise in response, "Surrre you're not" Remus says taking a puff of his cigarette.
"I'm not! Who would I be jealous of huh? Blondie over there? The one who's been eyeing James from across the room the whole time? The one who had his quidditch number on her cheek during the game? The daft, dense, mindless little tart who is currently trying to make a move on my boyfriend" you let out with a sarcastic smile "Puhlease, I am totally unbothered"
"Riiight" Sirius is the first to speak the rest looking at you amused. "Well then good thing you're unbothered because looks like she's getting comfortable over there"
In an instant you're out of your seat, heading over there. Leaving behind a smirking group of friends.
"Anyone got popcorn?" Peter asks leaning back in his seat, ready to watch the event unfold.
---
James had just wanted a drink, now he was stuck with some random Hufflepuff girl whose name he couldn't be bothered to remember. Molly? Polly? who cares?? She was becoming way to touchy for him to care.
"Uh yeah" James nodded agreeing to whatever she had been saying whilst trying to shift away.
James' sense of discomfort eases when he sees you making his way over to him. His lips parting as he takes you in. You looked really fucking hot. You were wearing his extra jersey which, with the help of magic, you had made bigger and cinched in all the right places to create a dress. A dress that left James drooling the moment he saw you this morning, not only did it accentuate your curves but it brandished his name. Everyone knew you were his girl and Merlin did he love it.
"Hi darl-" he was cut off but your lips pressing into his. Your fingers threading through his hair tugging softly, whilst pressing closer to him. James hummed in delight pulling you into him his hands travelling down to your ass, paying no mind to girl awkwardly watching the scene. This was not the greeting he was expecting, but who was he to complain?
When you finally pulled away you giggled at his dazed state, straightening his glasses and wiping the lip gloss from his lips as he looked at you with glossy eyes.
The girl coughed, turning your attention to her âOh sorry! did I interrupt something?â you exclaimed in faux surprise, smiling at the obviously irritated girl.
âYes actuallyâ she scoffed âMe and Jamie were just making hogsmeade plans, werenât we?â she pouted looking towards him, only to find him watching you with wide eyes and a stupidly adorable smile.
Jamie? The. Fucking. Audacity.
âOh were you?â you smirked stroking the back of Jamesâ head âIs that true, my love?â you sent him a soft smile.
âHuh?â he murmured letting his eyes trail over your body.
You couldnât help out but let out a laugh watching the girl scowl.
âJamieâ you gained his attention cupping his cheek.
âYeahâ
âItâs rude to not respond baby, sheâs asking you somethingâ
âOhâ he blinked â What was the question?â he asked keeping his eyes on you.
âWhateverâ The girl scoffed walking away.
James payed her no mind, pulling you back into him kissing over your face.
âYou. Look. Fucking. Ethereal.â he emphasized kissing you after each word
âMhmm couldâve seen me in something better if you werenât distractedâ you teased, pouting as you trailed a finger down his chest.
Jamesâ head filled with ideas of what that âsomething betterâ his breath catching before he caught up with your words.
âDistracted?â
âMhm with that girlâ you say eyes drifting to the Hufflepuff, who was still watching, complaining to her friends.
James smirked as he saw the look of disgust on your face. Were you jealous?
"Find something amusing?" you raised a brow, pulling away "Were you having a nice time her?"
"With Polly?" James chuckled "I couldn't give a shit about her, love."
"I thought her name wa-"
"Who gives a fuck?" James deadpanned pulling you back into him "Why would I care about her when I've got all this" he reasoned running his hands over your body. "As if she could compare to my sexy goddess of a girlfriend"
You couldn't help but smile all your worries washing away, you leaned up whispering in his ear "Yeah well your sexy girlfriend has a present for her champion boyfriend" kissing under his ear before continuing "A red lacy present"
James groaned, his pants tightened as he burrowed his head into your neck. "I should make you jealous more often"
" 'm not jealous" you roll your eyes
"Whatever you say princess"
You locked eyes with the girl over his shoulder, smirking as he kissed at your neck.
So maybe you were jealous? It doesn't matter. Because at the end of the day, your sex god boyfriend only had eyes for you.
#THE sex god boyfriend#iykyk#james potter x reader#james potter fanfiction#james potter#james fleamont potter#james potter fic#james potter fluff#jealous reader#james x reader#james x y/n#reader insert#reader insert fanfiction#aaron taylor johnson#loml#marauders fanfiction#marauders x reader#james potter imagine
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can i have this dance? k. bakugo x gn!reader
one two three
âMmm I like the black jacket moreâ
Katsuki hums softly at your answer as he holds the suit jacket up to his chest. He scoffs, tossing it haphazardly on the bed before flopping down on top of it. He held his phone above his face at arm's length, staring at your face through the screen as you ate your cereal. âThis is fucking stupidâ he complains softly and you giggle as he moans and groans, chewing your breakfast.
âItâs not stupid Kats, itâs a dance! And technically, it's your first high school dance. If you ask me itâs long overdue.â
That part was true. It was the first formal UA has hosted in the past three years. Usually, there was a dance twice a year: one during the Christmas festival and the other during the spring semester. It was exclusive to students and staff as everyone dressed to the nines and had a good time celebrating the holiday season and the loveliness of spring. Katsuki grew up hearing about it, and sort of looked forward to them. But due to the League and AFO, class 3-A never got to experience one. Until now.
Japan was slowly returning to normal after the events of the war a year prior, and to celebrate the students after all of their hard work and sacrifices, Nezu had finally cleared the spring formal to take place just a few months before graduation. When the class got the news, they were thrilled and even Katsuki had to admit that he was the tiniest bit excited. That was until Mina mentioned that they were all gonna have to find dates- then his balloon popped. He only wanted one person to be his date at any event, and that was you. Unfortunately, you were halfway across the world. This is why as you sat at your breakfast nook munching on Frosted Flakes, Bakugo laid on his comforter in his pajamas in preparation for bed. You called each other almost every day and when one of the first things he told you was the news about the dance, you begged to see his suit options. Thatâs what led you here, keeping him up two hours past his bedtime as he gave you a little fashion show. But he didnât mind. He would explode the planet to make you smile, and he valued your opinion. He just wished you were there to give it in person.
âYeah I guess,â he huffed and sat up, putting his suit back in his closet, turning off his ceiling light, and getting beneath his comforter. âI just donât see the fucking point in going.â You raised an eyebrow at him and frowned. You knew he was excited, you could tell because of how fast he told you the news when you called. But now he seemed disappointed. âWhy not?â You pried softly, trying to get to the root of the problem as he pouted. His room was dark, so you couldnât see his entire face, but you could hear in the way he spoke that his bottom lip was slightly jutted out in disappointment. âRaccoon eyes was talking about everyone getting dates and shitâŠand you arenât here.â
Your heart broke a little and your eyes stung a bit. He wasnât upset that he had to go to the dance..he was upset that you wouldnât be there to accompany him. âOh babyâŠIâm so sorryâ you whispered. All he did was shrug and grumble to himself, which is what he did when he didnât want to outright tell you he was sad. âYou know I would love to be your date KatsukiâŠI wouldnât want to be anything more. But I canât..we both know that.â
While Japan was making leaps and bounds in its recovery, its reputation in the eyes of other countries was still extremely damaged. After the death of Star and Stripe, all travel to Japan was halted indefinitely in your country. Not to mention, due to the aftermath of Americaâs number oneâs death, as a hero student, you had to fight against the villains that tried to take advantage of the gap she left behind. Between the travel ban and your responsibilities, not to mention general travel costs, there was no possible chance you would be able to accompany Katsuki.
âYeah, I knowâŠjust wish I could dance with you, thatâs all. Wanna see you all dressed up and shit.â
All you could do was smile sadly at the camera and muster as much hope as you could for the both of you. âMaybe one dayâŠespecially since weâre both graduating soon.â
It was silent for a moment, both of you sitting in your own disappointment. You glanced at the clock, seeing the time and knowing that it was way past the time Katsuki usually slept, so he must be exhausted. But before you let him go, you just had to ask.
"Kats...can you even dance?"
His face filled the screen, eyebrows pulled together in offense. "HUH? What the fuck are you talking about?" You couldn't help but smile at him, and the heaviness of the prior conversation lifted off both of your shoulders. "I'm just asking!" " Of course I can dance! The fuck do you take me for??" "Okay prove it!"
Before he could respond, Katsuki yawned and you took that as your cue. You gave him a warm smile, depsite the fact that he was still glaring at you. " You can show me your moves tommorrow-" " m'not showing you shit-' "Tomorrow! I want to see what you got! Now go to bed, I'll text you later. Love you!"
He scoffed, rolling his eyes. But seeing how goofy and happy you were made him smile slightly. " Love you too. Talk later."
#mha#mha fic#boko no hero academia#bakugo x black reader#bnha x reader#mha headcanons#katsuki bakugo mha#bnha bakugo katsuki#katsuki bakugo x reader#bakugo x reader#bakugo x reader angst#bakugo katuski#bakugou x reader#mha bakugou#bakugou katsuki#bakugou x you#bakugou fluff#bakugo katsuki#my hero academia#katsuki bakugo#katsuki x reader#bakugou x y/n#bakugou x black reader#my hero academia fanfic#my hero academia x reader#mha x black reader#katsuki bakugo fluff#mha x reader long distance#bakugou x reader long distance#katsuki x y/n
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(A bit of OM! Mammon comforting MC. TW: Lots of crying? Depressive episode? No specific cause is mentioned, the reader is free to use their own scenario, but anyone who is uncomfortable with scenes of crying and being really upset might not like this one.)
The loud rustling of a plastic bag falling to the floor, its contents shifting noisily as they dropped, drew your attention. Mammon stood there dumbfounded.
He knew you were probably upset that he ate your ramen. He expected some harsh words, maybe a light berating and a slap on the wrist. Thatâs why he preemptively went and bought replacements. The spicy kind that he liked, some fancy new steak flavor that seemed cool, and a bunch of the tried and true classics. That way youâd have nothing to complain about.
He expected a cold shoulder. Playful teasing. A punishment, like having to eat one bowl with ten ultra spicy flavor packets. He never expected to find you curled up in tears. Eyes red and swollen. Your face looked pale with visible streaks trailing from your eyes and nose. Your expression remained a quivering frown when you weakly looked up, and it didnât change as you buried it back into your knees.
How long had you been at this? he wondered. Was all this over a cheap pack of noodles?
Deep down somewhere, Mammon knew this wasnât about the ramen. But he didnât know what this was about, and it scared him.
You needed a tissue, or a glass of water, or a big hug. Mammon had no idea which to get first. He hadnât even shrugged off his outdoor jacket yet. It slid down his shoulder as he scampered towards the kitchen for a glass, then stopped. He couldnât leave you alone like this. His hands rooted around in his pockets which held only receipts and some loose change. No tissues or anything suitable for nose-blowing.
Up close, your shoulders shook. Your back heaved with every fresh sob. It tore his heart to little pieces. Your sleeves and the front of your top were soaking wet, no doubt from attempts to curb the crying. Mammon had a difficult time approaching you, unsure what to do or if he could even take being rejected when you obviously needed him.
Overthinking things was not his strong suit. Mammon didn't like the feeling of being stuck, of not having a plan. He was the kind of man with a goal in mind who always gets results. The goal right now was to see you smile, to eat some ramen and joke around. Most importantly, it was to get your mind off of whatever was currently happening. He wasn't going to change that by standing around like a fool.
"Hey." This wasn't his usual boisterous voice. It was a hushed tone filled with concern. You hardly acknowledged him, you had enough going on inside your head already and anything outside just felt like an afterthought. Mammon lowered himself next to you and fidgeted awkwardly with his jacket zipper. "What can I do?"
You weren't in a state to respond, that much was clear. Your answer was to shudder and hug your legs tight against your face.
Your knees were as soaked as your top. Seeing that was Mammon's last straw. He didn't want to be rough, but he was a man of action. He tried to coil an arm around your shaking shoulders, resolution only growing stronger when it caused you to cry harder.
"Knock that off, c'mere." Tough words never sounded gentler. You had no energy to move, but luckily, Mammon had plenty to spare as he brought you in to lean against his side and draped the edge of his jacket over you. You blindly cried against the first surface you could press your face against - his shirt. It smelled of deodorant.
"Don't forget, you're my responsibility, aight? When stuff like this happens, ya gotta come straight to me."
The silence wasn't as awful with Mammon around. It didn't feel suffocating. It took time, but the heartache began to fade. Your sobs became more infrequent. Mammon patiently waited the entire time, occasionally tugging you closer. Occasionally murmuring things like, "you're gonna have to use me as a tissue. I don't have any." Or, "just say the word, I'm gonna beat that sadness into a pulp. Gonna show it I'm the boss around here."
He may not be most eloquent of speakers, but he's got the right spirit.
Even after calming down, Mammon didn't budge and you remained locked against his side. Perhaps you still didn't have the strength to move yet, but you could manage to whisper out a grateful "thanks." A word that finally eased the pain tugging at Mammon's conscience.
He ruffled your hair and leaned down, placing his head against the top of yours. "I always tell ya, I'm the best. Call for me if this happens, ok?"
#any time i mention hair i feel bad for any bald readers. dont worry. mammon will ruffle the skin on your head.#next day the two of you go shopping for new clothes#obey me#obey me!#omswd#obey me shall we date#obey me scenarios#obey me x mc#obey me swd#obey me fanfic#obey me fic#obey me fandom#obey me mammon x you#obey me mammon x mc#obey me mammon x reader#obey me mammon#om mammon#obey me x reader#obey me x you#is... is this angst? idk ahhh#tw depression
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âLAST POST,THE FINAL ADVICEâ
(Basically answers to asks I got)
Ok first thing first there is no one here to help you manifest,not the bloggers,not me, no one,if reading multiple post on same topic can't help you then why do expect bloggers to help you who are gonna give you same advice,they have been mentioning on their posts. It's not like they are writing about different things,every bloggers are telling you the same thing YOUR 4D/imagination is the true reality,you just have to PERSIST and be CONSISTENT. No like seriously I really feel like you guys are just lazy,why are you depend on bloggers,Im not saying that you can't ask for help and by help i mean understanding certain concept or doubts but you straight up ask to help you manifest or coaching don't do that until and unless they themself mention about being a coach,because see we have a life of our own too,we are God but also human who are busy in their life. Bloggers post this amazing posts talking about law and how beautiful it is. But y'all are so into the victim mindset,as if you are the only one suffering,which is correct YOU are the reason you are seeing the person taking away your sp,you are so into imagining yourself in a broke state and dwell in it,because you feel comfort in it,get a bit uncomfortable dear,you'll endup being comfortable.
You cannot just get comfortable when you are transfered in a new school,new class and the new environment,you first adjust,you go to the school everyday and get used to the new environment then you get comfortable isn't it guys. Manifesting is exactly like this you get in the state of having the desire,it feels uncomfortable,fake,delusional but the more you persist the more you get used to this feeling of knowing. It's not even necessary to be in the state a 24/7,because we are in different state all the time,just when you remember about the desire get in the state or do whatever fulfills you.
No amount of methods won't be useful if you are not even persisting and keep look for 3d validation. To sum up everything all you have to to is persist. Bloggers won't be there for you all the damn time,most of you want to manifest being independent but with a mindset of a dependent person,who are depend on other's for method and doesn't even persist in it then cries,and trauma dump on other's dm.
There is no use of DMing us too you know,we as bloggers are the one end up getting bored or annoyed,because I'm telling y'all legit leave another method and come up with a new one,I have about 50+ dms and asks asking me how to manifest or trauma dumping telling me how they aren't able to manifest,dear of course you won't be able to manifest if you keep looking for validation. I'm not saying that your circumstances aren't that bad,it's probably really hard for you but darling,everyone had faced this challenge,it's hard but learn to ignore the 3D even if it was right on your face. Be stubborn when it comes to manifesting,it took me alot of time as well to adapt that mindset,so I read alot of fanfics where reader gets whatever they want this really got me into the brat mindset,you can also find methods or ways that you help you feel fulfill,I don't care what method you are using JUST DO WHAT FULFILLS YOU NOT ME,I've got alot of asking if they should do or this,you know honey do what you believe is gonna work for you,I'm not the one using that method,i purposely don't even reply because I want you guys to try it out yourselves. That's what every bloggers did too,they learn to trust themselves and their imagination.
OK here, since most of you ask me to help manifest I'm challenging you,for the next two weeks,affirm robotically for your desire,lazy to affirm? You shouldn't be,because majority of you complain about not being able to get in a state and endup saying you'll affirm,then do exactly that.
Wavering? Keep affirming and persist.
Don't believe the affirmations? Keep affirming and persist.
Seeing the opposite? Keep affirming and persist.
Make those affirmation your dominant thought,you will know when it will become your dominant thought when it come up on it's own and you don't get effected by the negative thoughts.
But Chrissy some say affirmation don't work. SO? Keep affirming don't be a weakling just because it didn't work for them doesn't mean it will not work for you,you are not them,you are YOU ,they probably didn't even affirm enough or probably checked their 3D,there are many successful people who affirm Jennifer Lopez,Ice Spice and my fav Taylor Tookes despite being petite she still become a model and even walk on runway and now in cover magazines,if they can do it why can't you,they also affirmed right? Not gonna lie majority of the successful people who are into manifestation are into affirming.
Also log out of X and Tumblr,yes it can be motivating to see success stories or reading motivation but they are of no use,you might see a new post talking about a new method and end up leaving affirming and start following that method. Instead you should've scroll on tiktok,or youtube or making vision board while affirming,it's way easier to then wasting your time here reading posts on same topic written in different ways or perspective. So instead just log out and affirm and PERSIST.
If you are so stubborn about the fact that you can't manifest,then start being stubborn about the fact that you can manifest.
This is now my last post I will be logging out might come to check in sometimes happy manifestingđȘ·.
#neville goddard#affirmations#law of assumption#manifesting#manifestation#SATS#affirmation#affirming#self concept#loa#law of manifestation
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7:02pm â gojo satoru ; part two to this imagine
"gojo, your hair is in my mouth."
"you're lucky i washed it a few days ago."
you peer up at him over your phone. "a few days? how many? gojo, tell me."
gojo hums to himself and you hate that it might be serious consideration that he's under. "like maybe seven?"
you gag, flailing at your mouth and spitting out the few strands. you faintly hear gojo complain but it's overridden as you deal with your dilemma.
the two of you were curled inside the stomach of one of getou's curses as it flew across the ocean to arrive back at jujutsu high. the cramped space and gooey flesh makes you shiver, effectively increasing your poor mood, but perhaps the biggest detriment was the person you were stuck with.
sure, public transport was a viable option but yaga had specifically emphasised on the "top-secret" and "classified" written in big bold red letters on the mission file. this meant no one was to know, not ordinary people, not curses and not even other sorcerers.
granted, the school had access to one private jet which they were willing to offer, but that jet only had space for one.
the three of you had sat down and played a game of scissors paper rock to determine who takes it, and while you were lucky to win it for the trip forward, getou ends up victorious for the way back.
and now, you were stuck in close proximity with gojo inside the gut of a flying dragon.
"why are you in such a bad mood anyway?" gojo has the audacity to ask, as if he wasn't the sole reason why you were uncomfortable. you keep your mouth shut though, nothing good will come out of admitting your undying, and unfortunately unrequited, love for him.
"i'm in a perfectly fine mood."
"why do you look like that then, all constipated and everything? did you not go to the bathroom before we left?"
you curl your fingers into a fist and punch him in the chest. it hits his uniform, smearing some of the curses' stomach juice. "of course i did! i'm not a newbie sorcerer."
"ouch!"
"that didn't hurt you."
"how are you going to tell me how i feel?" gojo jabs back. "because it did hurt, it hurt my feelings."
"oh boohoo."
"so you are mad."
you bite your lip and turn away, finding the abdominal wall of the beast easier on the eyes than your own friend. "i'm not."
"you're sulking."
"i'm not." you hiss before taking in a deep breath. "look gojo, can we just stay quiet until we get there?"
gojo keeps staring at you through his glasses and his face fails to give his thoughts away. the suspense is killing you, but before you can relent and ask what he has to say, he clears his throat.
"i have something to tell you."
you sigh, rubbing at your head. "what is it?"
"wait, don't turn around and keeping looking at the wall. hey, what did i just say?"
"gojo, the view isn't really the best to sightsee. why can't i look at you?"
"because if you do, i don't think i can tell you after all."
you close your mouth. "is it that serious?"
"yeah." he clears his throat again, adjusting the collar of his uniform. "look, i know you've been weird around me the past few days and i donât think itâs because i stretched out your uniform when i wore it last weekend. i don't know why youâre being mean to me, and shoko and getou won't tell me either."
you resist the urge to look at him. "you're having this kind of talk with me now? here? seriously?"
"you won't even stay in the same room as me for more than a few minutes! getou may call this curse his bad-luck curse but for me right now it's the only way to get you to listen to me." he stays quiet for a few seconds. "this is really serious, okay, so don't make any comments. i know you're practically brimming with them."
it was true you had a lot to say, but gojo's serious attitude was putting you off. still, having him call you out made you more aggravated and you let one slip. "well, this is really bad-luck for me."
gojo clicks his tongue and you can see the irritation on his face before his words are even coloured with it. "i'm not telling you this so you can feel the same way butâ"
the curse suddenly tilts to the side, throwing you into gojo as the four walls of its stomach becomes a wheel, rotating you around. you yelp as your forehead hits him hard in the chest, tears springing to your eyes at the pain.
âwhatâs going on?â
the two of you spin round and round, and you can't distinguish your screams from gojo's as gravity plays you like a toy, throwing you around.
the movement makes you sick. "gojo, do something! blast it!"
"getou'll get mad if i kill another one of his curses!"
"are you kidding, we're going to die!"
gojo swears, grabbing you around the waist and pulling you into his chest. with his other arm, he holds out his hand and presses it on the flesh.
you tuck your chin in, squeezing your eyes shut when you realise he hadn't started chanting his technique. "what are you doing?" you look up at him and find him staring at the exit of the stomach through all the goo and chaos.
with a trembling finger, he points to it. you stare into the abyss, squinting your eyes to make out its indistinct shapes. what was that pulsing thing, attached to the side? and was it just you, but was it getting bigger?
with a start, you realise that the curse was about to throw up. and coincidentally, so were you.
"it's going to throw us up!" you share your realisation with gojo but the look on his face tells you he already arrived at the same thought.
he opens his mouth to say something, or scream you're not too sure as the walls of the stomach contracts. distantly, you feel gojo slide his other arm around you and his infinity takes over, shielding the two of you as you're forcefully ejected from the curse's mouth.
a scream escapes your throat as you escape the curse's, wind rushing through your ears. gojo swears again, bringing his arm up to protect your head.
you only know you're safe when you feel air again, the real kind, not the gas built up in the curse's stomach. a thud tells you gojo has landed on solid ground again and you've never felt more grateful to be alive, your entire body relaxing as your soul leaves.
gojo sighs with you, his hold slightly loosening.
getou watches as you're spat out, stepping out of the private jet with a big smile on his face. "you guys look rough."
you feel gojo tense his jaw rather than see it. "what was that for?"
getou shrugs, throwing a bag over his shoulder. he starts digging through it. "i told you that curse is some serious bad-luck. at least you both arrived in one piece.â he looks up and raises an eyebrow at you. âliterally in one piece, are you guys going to stay like that forever?"
your mind slowly pieces together your position, still curled up in gojo's arms as he is sat on the pavement, before you leapt out. gojo makes no move to stop you, though you think he might have tsked.
"here, this is for you." getou finally pulls out what he was searching for from his bag and throws it at the two of you.
you catch it instinctively, studying the object in your hand. "a can of soda?"
"for surviving."
"that curse of yours is a safety hazard." you mutter, but accept the can. you crack open the lid and tilt your head back, taking a long, cool sip.
gojo stares down at the drink. "i told you i don't like this flavour!" he complains and you roll your eyes at his antics.
"then don't drink it."
"no. give me your one instead."
getou pauses, halfway to opening his own iced coffee. "huh? i got this for me. and you don't even like coffee! you should be glad i even got one for you in the first place."
"let's play a game of rock paper scissors to decide who gets it."
"no. i just told you i got this for me."
gojo stands up, taking a step forward menacingly. "huh? after what you put me through, you think i'm just going to take no for an answer?"
getou's eyes flicker to yours before he takes up gojo's challenge, activating his cursed technique. black liquid opens up the air beside him, a peering red eye on the other side. "can't handle rejection, gojo? because you better get used to it."
you take another sip as you watch the boys, absentmindedly wiping at a stain on your sleeve. you remember the feeling of gojo's arm around your body and you blush despite yourself.
"are you feeling sick?"
you look up to see that gojo had stopped fighting with getou, his entire attention on you.
"huh?"
"you're red in the face. you look like a tomato."
ignoring the last part, you hide your face behind your drink. "i'm fine."
getou looks between the two of you and there's a glint in his eyes that you've seen before, one that you've grown to dread.
he throws back the rest of his coffee, grimacing as it gives him a slight brain freeze, before crushing the can in his hand. gojo mutters a quick, "show off" that he ignores, instead chucking the can into a bin a few metres away.
"what a time." he starts saying, the words static. "that was great. well, now that i've finished my drink, i should head back inside."
âi should head in too. i smell real bad.â you sigh and give gojo a glare when he agrees.
âactually, can the two of you stay here? i think my curse isnât feeling too well after eating you two. just until i come back, okay?â
you think there might be an ulterior motive but glancing over at the curse, you find that it did look greener than before.
"where are you going, and for how long?" you ask and hope the look in your eyes will make him stay.
"i need to tell yaga we finished the mission. you guys can just stay here, i've got it." then to you, he says, clenching his fist in support, "you got this."
you want to break his arm.
getou hurries away despite your silent plea, leaving you in an awkward silence with the one person you wanted to avoid most. you take multiple quick sips to busy yourself, but you canât ignore the person standing by your side.
gojo shifts his balance to his other foot and the sound of his shoe against the pavement breaks the silence. "so."
"so."
"it's really bright, huh."
"you're wearing sunglasses."
"and do they completely cover my eyes? no they don't. i can still complain about the sun."
"just push your glasses up then."
"no." gojo huffs. "i look cooler this way."
"who told you that? because i know for a fact it wasn't anyone whose opinion actually matters." you jab back.
"your mum said that, actually."
"are you a child?"
"what, are you too cool for old jokes? they're iconic for a reason."
"and there's a reason why 'your mum jokes' died and should stay that way."
the natural way in which you banter with gojo gives you confidence. maybe it didn't matter that you liked him, or that he didn't like you back. it was enough that he was here with you now, joking around. perhaps you could even live with knowing that your unrequited love had come to an end, perhaps you could even pair them up yourself without a sense of bitter jealousy.
"i know you like getou." gojo says in one breath.
the peace you had come to, shatters.
"what?" you say in an inhale, and it comes out sounding weird.
gojo pouts, crossing his arms. "i'm right, aren't i? you like getou. i heard what you were saying to shoko that one time."
"don't eavesdrop on other people's conversations!"
"you were saying it pretty loudly, what was i meant to do? shut my ears?"
you wave away his whining. "stop, hold on. you think i like getou?"
gojo nods. "i don't think you do, i know. you said you like people like him."
"when did i ever say that? also, i'm not the one who likes getou, you are!"
"what?"
"what, what? you do, don't you? you told me yesterday that you liked getou."
"i never said that!"
"then who were you talking about?"
"who were you thinking about?" gojo shoots back. "because you didn't even hesitate when you explained your type to shoko. you were thinking of someone, weren't you?"
you gulp. "i asked first."
he looks at you long and hard and you stare back at your reflection through his glasses. his mouth opens and there's a mixed sense of dread and anticipation brewing in your stomach.
"tch."
"did you just click your tongue at me?"
gojo faces away. his jaw is tense as he blatantly ignores your question. "you're really annoying."
"huh? speak for yourself!"
"you have a problem with me?"
"i have a problem with your stupid attitude."
when gojo closes the distance between the two of you, you take a step back out of instinct. it doesn't matter though because gojo steps forward again, pushing you up against the curse getou had left behind. he slams a hand into the flesh of the curse and it makes a startled sound. the both of you ignore it. "it's you, idiot, i likeâ"
the force behind his slam is frightening, but the thought is torn from you when the sound of regurgitation grabs your attention. with a start, you turn around at the curse and find your phone on the ground at the entrance of the curse's mouth, covered in goo.
"my phone!" you exclaim, bending down to pick it up.
gojo backs up and groans loudly, but you don't care, wincing instead when the item is sticky.
"i didn't even know i lost this! thanks gojo, i think." your voice trails off wearily, holding up the phone and watching as viscous liquid slowly drips off it.
gojo rubs his face with his palm and you wonder why he looks so distressed. "that curse is seriously bad luck." meeting your eye, he points a finger at you. "listen to what i have to say!"
you raise your eyebrow at him. "damn okay, gojo's arrived." you mutter, wiping down the phone and pocketing it.
the clouds overhead parts, sunlight shining down in rays. the trees whistle in the summer breeze and light filters through the gaps in the leaves and branches. it hits gojo perfectly, adorning him in a golden light and you've never seen him so beautiful. guilt fills you at the thought and you hold your soda tighter.
he breathes in one more time. "i don't care that you like getou." he says. "because it doesn't matter to me. it just means i have to work harder to change your mind and get you to notice me instead."
"it's kind of hard to not notice you." you say. "i mean, look at what you're wearing."
gojo hisses. "don't ruin the mood, you're throwing me off. like i was saying, it's not your fault you like getou but i had to tell you this anyway, because it's been making my heart feel all prickly and stuff. so shut up and just stand there looking pretty, or whatever." his last few words trail off uncertainly, as if he never intended to say them at all.
"what are you even saying?" your heart picks up. was he about to confess?
"i'm saying that i think i likeâ"
"there you guys are!"
your head whips around at the voice, scanning the familiar landscape before settling on a single person. shoko stands metres away, waving a hand to grab your attention. "over here!"
"shoko!" a grin splits across your face. "i haven't seen you all day!"
"am i interrupting something?" she yells to get her voice across the distance.
you don't even look over at gojo as you shake your head. you had a feeling he was just going to tell you something you already knew, that he liked getou, anyway. âno! hold on, i'm coming over."
before you can run up to her, gojo grabs your arm, a deep frown etched on his face. "wait, you still haven'tâ!"
without another thought, you hand him your half-finished can of soda and wriggle out of his hold. "you can have the rest of that. i'll hear you out later, okay?"
"but the mood was so right!"
"look after the curse until getouâs back, later!"
gojo stands there in front of the bad-luck curse, one arm limp by his side and the other holding a can of blue soda. he watches as you fling yourself into shoko's arm, already listing all the things you've been saving up to tell her.
there's that prickly feeling again, gojo realises, noting the way the sun lightens the shade of your hair, the way your eyes curve up as you smile, and the way you hold onto shoko's hand, wishing that he had enough courage to hold yours.
defeated, battered and drained, gojo looks down at the can in his hand, and notes the slight lipstick stain on the rim.
with a red on his cheeks that didn't come from the sun, he presses the aluminium to his lips and takes a sip. it tastes sweet.
gojo decides that he'll just have to settle for this.
i hope this was okay considering i had no intentions of writing a part two. sorry for all the descriptions of stomachs and throw up, i was studying the digestive system đ if this isnât what u guys expected feel free to leave a request !!
#gojo x reader#gojo x you#gojo satoru x reader#gojo satoru#jujutsu kaisen#jjk#gojo fluff#gojo imagine#gojo drabble#getou suguru#ieiri shoko#gojo satoru x you
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