#why is solana dropping

[trippinsorrows]

looking through your eyes + twenty three

authors note: the day of the big party has arrived. reminder, this has a time jump. solana is now home from treatment, though that's touched on in here as well.

also, if you watched arrow, i totally use one of my favorite characters from that show for a certain character. don't own him or anything wwe related. lol

cw/tw: fluff, angst, and violence

song inspo: ‘looking through your eyes’ by leann rimes

masterlist +story playlist + taglist request form

words: 12k

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Solana stops humming as she rips her gaze from the several pots that she currently has sitting on the fire. “It’s not too late.”

Rolling her eyes, she rubs her hands off on her apron and walks over to her husband. Roman pulls her into him as she lifts her hands around his neck. “Ro…..”

“We could just not open the door.”

“Roman.”

This would be Solana’s welcome home party. Two weeks. She’s been home for two weeks, and it’s been a beautiful transition. Being back with her husband and Dulce has meant the world to her. It’s why she wanted to take some time to enjoy the two most important figures in her life before hosting such a social function.

But now the big day has arrived, and while she’s filled with excitement, her husband…..is not.

“What if I buy you something instead? Like an island? Just for us.” Solana is taken back for a moment. She’s still yet to fully grasp the perennial extent of the Bloodline’s reach and wealth. Of her husband’s billionaire status. “Have security set to shoot to kill if anyone tries to bother us.”

She smiles, because while his words are borderline disturbing, the seriousness in his voice and expression are slightly humorous. “Ro, that’s not nice.” 

Roman also rolls his eyes, Solana having a bit of a hard time taking him seriously. He’s so petulant, like a child. “Baby, how many times we gotta have this conversation? I love you and hate everyone else.”

“Dulce?”

“Tolerable.”

Shaking her head, she shifts her hands to his chest. “This is what I want, Roman. I’ve been gone for so long. I just….I just want to be surrounded by the people I love.” And before he can say anything else, she clarifies, “beyond just you and Dulce.”

“She don’t like this shit either. She likes us. That’s it.”

“That’s not what I heard. Apparently, Jimmy really is her new bestie.” Solana giggles, thinking back to the photos Naomi sent and shared with her of Jimmy sitting on the sofa with Dulce, Dulce even sleeping in the bed with him as he took a nap. Almost identical to the ones she received while they were in Mexico. It seems Roman’s cousin has taken a liking to her sweet little puppy.

Roman looks even more irritated as he shares, “you know he had her sleeping in the bed with him again?” Solana does in fact know. She’s got photographic evidence to prove it. “I swear, I saw her little ass standing up on her legs on the side of our bed like she wanted to get in the other day. She can try that shit with us if she wants to, but—”

Solana leans up and kisses him, effectively silencing his rant. Roman’s hands are on the small of her back, deepening the kiss as his tongue glides across her bottom lip, Solana having to prematurely end the kiss when he starts guiding her towards the nearest clear counter that he doesn’t hesitate to prop her up on.

She knows exactly where this is headed, and she has way too many things left to do before the party kicks off.

Ignoring his scowl at her drawing a line in the sand, she does her best to encourage him, “today is going to be a good day. We’re going to have a good time—”

“debatable.” 

“—and if you can try to be nice and not curse at or hurt anybody—”

“—do you not know who I am?”

“Then after the party and everyone’s gone—” her eyes drop to his chest, a bit of sheepishness overcoming her. “—when it’s just you and me….” Solana pushes past her shyness at even thinking of it, sharing in a quiet voice, “then I’ll do the thing.”

Roman looks skeptical, clearly not following, “the thing?”

Solana swallows. She hates how uncomfortable and embarrassed she feels about discussing this. “You know���.the…..thing you want me to do where I…..sit.” 

And it’s that elaboration that brings a smug smile on his handsome face. “You finally gonna sit on my face, baby?”

Solana’s cheeks are flamed and reddened. “Not so loud.” She looks around, as if someone could be eavesdropping on quite literally the most sexual thing she’ll have ever done. “But…..y–yes.” She lifts a finger, reminding him of the stipulation. “But, only if you can b–behave.” 

Roman smirks, dropping his gaze to her chest that looks amazing in her little dress. “For you, I can be very good.” She smiles up at him, “but something before could also be a nice incentive.”

Solana slaps Roman on the chest and tugs herself away, hopping off the counter as he squeezes her ass. “Ro, I have to finish cooking, and Melina should be here any minute.”

He scowls, eyes briefly falling to her ass as she moves back over to the stove. “Who is that again?”

“One of my friends from treatment,” she answers over a sigh, grabbing the almost emptied bottle of Adobo. “I told you that this morning.” 

“Yeah, while you were getting dressed. I wasn’t paying attention to anything except them titties.”

She turns to him, cheeks red, and not from her makeup. “Roman, you can’t…nevermind....can you do me a favor?”

“Can we cancel the party?” She gives him a look, forcing him to resign. “Fine. What do you need?”

She motions to the aluminum trays of food lined up all on the kitchen island. A small part of him feels bad for not helping her cook. He’s far from the best, not even remotely close to her in terms of talent, but Solana woke up at the ass crack of dawn this morning to finish cooking. Because she started yesterday evening, and it’s only occurring to him now that he hasn’t done a ton to help her.

She asked the security around them to set up the backyard, chairs and tables and shit. Now that he thinks about it, she hasn’t asked him for much, really. 

Sighing and realizing his role, or lack thereof, in this thing brings on small amount of guilt.

Roman moves behind her, speaking before she can scold him yet again for trying to distract her. “I’m sorry.” He feels the way she relaxes in his embrace, sees how she angles her head to look at him with all the confusion. “I know this is…important to you, and I don’t mean to be difficult.”

Because it is, and because he doesn’t. He’s immensely proud of her, of how well she’s adjusted to being back home full time after being gone for so long. The least he can do is try to be a bit more supportive, even if just the thought of this damn party and being forced to interact with people makes him physically ill. 

“You? Difficult? Never.” He rolls his eyes at her sarcastic tone as she turns her body inward to his. “It’s okay. I know you’re not very…..social, but it’s just one party. And when everyone’s gone….it’s just you and me.”

Roman loves the sound of that. His dick stiffening at just the thought of her climbing on top and sitting on his fa—

“But until then, party first.” She bursts his bubbles, separating and motioning to the trays. “Now, food, please.”

Roman rolls his eyes but follows suit, reaching for the first set of food that smells delicious and has him tempted to just eat before everyone else arrives. He’s near the back door when she calls behind him. 

“Muchas gracias, papi.”

It’s by the grace of God that he doesn’t drop the tray onto the floor. Truly. Because while Roman is far from fluent in Spanish, he’s picked up a few things. Learned some more since being married to Solana. 

He knows muchas gracias is ‘thank you very much’.

And he knows that papi…..is ‘daddy’.

Solana just called him daddy. 

Fuck.

A quick glance back in her direction reveals a small, coy smile. Intentional. She knows exactly what she just did.

He has to take a minute to compose himself.

This woman will easily be the end of him. 

“Ain’t nobody sleeping tonight,” he says it loud enough so she can hear, the last thing filling his ears is her soft laughter. 

————

“Mrs. Reigns.”

Solana has just finished pouring the pasta into the aluminum pan when she hears her name called by one of the security guards. Turning around, a huge smile falls onto her face as the guard steps aside.

“Melina!”

Solana’s smile is stapled as she carefully places the sizzling pot into the sink and runs a bit of water to prevent staining before shutting it off and heading in Melina’s direction.

A hug is initiated and a lack of tensing is prevalent in both women. The two of them just enjoying the embrace. Solana is the first to pull back, sharing, “I’m so happy you could make it.”

It’s been two weeks since they’ve last seen each other in person, since they completed residential treatment, but they’ve texted consistently since them. A couple FaceTime calls as well. With Cam and Mickie, too. 

“Thanks for inviting me.” Melina’s smile isn’t as big, but it’s just as genuine. That’s just Melina. She looks around the house, eyes widening a bit. “Your house is beautiful.”

Solana starts to correct her. Starts to point out that it was Roman’s first. She just happened to move in when they got married, but she stops herself, because that’s not the truth. This is her home. Hers and Roman’s. It’s just as much hers now as it is his. So, she settles on a much better response, “thank you.” She motions to the kitchen. “You still willing to help me cook?”

Another thing they bonded over includes cooking. Something Melina loves just as much as Solana. 

Melina smirks. “Of course.” She digs into her purse, pulling out the brand new bottle of Adobo seasoning. “Even brought an extra one, just in case.”

Solana gives a big sigh of relief. “I’m running low, too.” She was almost tempted to ask Roman to make a grocery run for her in the event the little she has left wasn’t enough to season the remaining food. “Now, I made most of the main dishes last night. It’s just some appetizers and desserts.”

“You want me to do the conchas and sopaipillas?”

“If you don’t mind?” It would help Solana out a ton. Especially since they’re the favorites of her husband and his ravenous cousins. 

Melina shakes her head. “Of course not, just show me the apron.” 

————

Mickie and Cam show up shortly after, but as both are not cooks and don’t hesitate to express as such, they’re relegated to finishing up some of the little things that need to be done in the backyard.

The Wise Man arrives as well, him and Roman disappearing in his office to discuss some work matters. At least, that would be Solana’s guess for their departure.

A little while later, the doorbell rings and Solana rushes over, excited that the bulk of the guests are preparing to arrive. 

Roman happens to meet her at the same time she’s near the front door, only for her to pause when she overhears a voice.

Jey’s voice.

“.....and when we get up in this house, ya’ll better act right. Don’t break nothing. Don’t burn nothing. And that goes for each other, too. Ya’ll know how your uncle Roman is. He not gon’ hesitate to put us all out, and I’m not trying to have that happen, cause ya mama is refusing to fix dinner tonight, so we gon’ need to ea—Josiah! Did you just flip off your brother?”

“He’s being a dick!”

“Aye, don’t be using that kind of language. I’m not gon keep telling you that!” A pause. “Journee! What happened to the bow in your hair?”

“I don’t want a stinkin' bow!”

“Lil girl, I’m tired of you leaving the house looking homeless. Got people thinking I’m neglecting you and shit!”

“If we’re not supposed to say bad words, how come you can say bad words?”

Solana grabs Roman’s hand and pulls him so they can take a step back. “Are—are those his kids?”

“More like demons, but yes.” Solana gives him that disapproving look. “Hey, you wanted to invite them. I tried to tell you.”

Solana shakes her head. “They’re—they’re probably just having a bad day.”

“Every day is a bad day for them then.” 

Solana slaps him on the arm and clears her throat. She takes one last look at Roman who’s giving her that ‘I tried to warn you’ look, which she discards to open the beautifully designed front door, a big smile on her face when she locks gazed with a grinning Jey.

“What’s up, Soso!” Before Solana can even process what’s happening, Jey is in front of her, hugging her, picking her up. 

She’s almost moved on an emotional level at how this doesn’t trigger her, doesn’t cause her to tense up. Just feels like a warm embrace from a good friend. 

From family.

Jey sets her down on the ground and compliments, “you look good, girl!” She smiles, biting down on her bottom lip. Compliments are still a bit of a struggle for her. Especially ones not from her husband. “We missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” Because she did. She missed them all. Solana sets her focus on the set of children, of various ages and sexes. Two girls and two boys who all look like their father in various ways, sans their complexions, which are a few shades deeper. “You must be—”

“Boobies!” Solana’s jaw drops at the exclamation of the boy who’s the tallest and probably oldest. His eyes are as wide, dazed, and mesmerized as he points to her chest. “They’re so big. Are they real?”

“Josiah Fatu!”

He ignores Jey’s harsh use of what Solana would guess is his name. “Can I feel them….” Solana goes to straighten up as the little boy starts to reach for her chest. 

Roman is quick to yank Solana so her back is against his front, his arm wrapped protectively around her as she uses her own forearm to cover the cleavage showing with her dress. “You better get your son before I kill his ass, Jey!”

“I’m so sorry, Soso.” Jey apologizes and turns his attention to Josiah. “Boy, have you lost your damn mind?”

Josiah scowls. “You’re the one who said Aunt Solana has nice tits!”

“I was talking to your uncle Jeremiah, not you!” Jey clears his throat, nervous eyes briefly darting to Roman who Solana absolutely makes sure to hold onto. She can feel his anger growing by the second. “Uhh, let me—let me talk to him for a minute.” Jey then directs the kids, “ya’ll go on in the house, and remember what I said!”

Not even seconds later, the remaining three children dart into the home, Solana yelping and pressing herself into Roman to avoid being run into.

“Don’t be running in my damn house!” Roman calls after them, looking down at Solana as Jey drags Josiah away from the door and to the side. “You see what I’m saying now?”

Solana opens her mouth and then closes it, finally settling on, “they’re just excited an—”

She’s cut short by the sound of glass shattering. Her mouth shuts again as Roman closes his eyes. “Ro, just breathe—”

“What the hell did ya’ll just break?” Roman yells out, and she moves her hands soothingly up and down his chest. “Excited, my ass, Solana. I’m telling you. I’m going to kill one of these kids before the day is over.”

“Roman, you are not going to kill one of the kids,” Solana assures, bringing her hands to his face, forcing his gaze back on her. “It’s—it’s going to be fine. Remember, I—”

The sound of loud laughter and the quick patter of feet, both human and not human, redirect the couples attention as Dulce comes running up to her parents, seeking asylum from the little girls hot on her trail. Quickly, Solana leans down to pick up Dulce who instantly starts whining. 

“Ya’ll leave the damn dog alone,” Roman warns, Solana using her elbow to lightly bump him for his tone. 

“She’s just a puppy, so she gets scared a lot. That—that’s all.” Solana explains in a kind voice, recognizing they probably just want to pet her. “Maybe if—” 

She’s silenced by two of the kids rushing past her and Roman, prompting him to remind them yet again, “I said stop running in my goddamn house!” Roman takes a step back from his wife, shaking his head. Fuck this. “Solana, I can’t do th—”

“Whassup, my dawgs!”

“Sami?” Roman is visibly confused and now even more annoyed at the presence of a genial looking Sami in their doorway “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I told Jimmy to invite him,” Solana explains, walking over while still holding Dulce who immediately stops whimpering when she sees Sami. “Hi, Sami. Thanks for coming!”

“Yeah, of course. I would never deny the Tribal Chief’s wife anything.” He says with a nervous thumbs up to Roman who still looks murderous. Sami nervously clears his throat, leaning down to look at Dulce. “And who is this?”

“This is Dulce,” Solana introduces and offers. “Would you like to hold her?”

“Of course!” Sami is careful with how he takes the puppy, who Solana notices immediately starts wagging her little tail. “Well, aren’t you just the cutest little thing? Well, yes you are.”

“Soso!” Solana looks past Sami to see Naomi and Jimmy, the latter of which bumps his wife out of the way to rush towards her for a hug. Similar to Jey, he picks her up and lightly spins her. “You finally out of lockdown!”

“Jimmy!”

Naomi looks horrified, shoving her husband before pulling Solana in for a hug. Roman just looks pissed. Meanwhile, Jimmy shrugs, sniffing the air. He claps his hands and rubs them together, “man, that food sure does smell good. I’m about to go fix my plate before—”

“No,” Solana interrupts, clarifying. “Kids eat first.”

“Kids?” Jimmy scowls as Sami walks in the house to the back, most likely to head out in the backyard, having handed Dulce to Roman. “Man, Jey’s bad ass kids can wait.”

“Solo is bringing his sons too.”

“He what?” Roman and Jimmy are synched, Solana and Naomi sharing an amused smile. Roman cuts in, asking, “Solana, you’ve never even met his kids.”

���I’ve never met his wife either, but I invited her too.” Solana explains, ready to try to help her husband understand it felt rude to her to invite Solo who, despite rockiness at some points, she has appreciated over the past months serving as her protector when Roman can’t, but not his family.

“Ahhh! Solana!” Bianca’s excited voice sounds, drawing the group's attention to not only her but Jade and their respective partners, Montez and Trick. Solana accepts the hugs and compliments from both ladies.

Montez lowers his sunglasses taking in the mansion, red solo cup in the other hand. “Damn. This how the Tribal Chief living? This shit nice as hell.”

“Gated and everything,” Trick chimes. Both men straighten up and clear their throats at Roman’s irritated, piercing gaze. Trick coughing up a quiet, “sir.”

Roman says nothing, the men following Jade and Bianca as Naomi directs them to the backyard. 

“Oh my gosh!” Melina’s shocked voice sounds as she comes from the kitchen, pointing with a horrified expression. “What the hell is wrong with these children?”

At that, Roman demands Jimmy. “Get them.”

Jimmy shakes his head, running over, disappearing from the line of vision. “Hey! Ya’ll stop trying to kill the Wise Man!” Jimmy’s shout can be heard even if he can’t be seen. “Take that tie from around his neck right—are you recording? Girl, put that damn phone down right now!”

Melina walks over, clearly disturbed, Solana offering both her—and Roman—apologetic smiles.

“I hope they have some weed at this party. I haven’t gotten high in over 12 hours.”

“Mother, you will not get high at this party, do you understand me?”

“You know that old hag doesn’t listen.”

“Suck my dick, Escobar!”

“Abuelita, please!”

The remaining three adults, as well as Dulce, redirect their attention to the next set of arrivals. Bayley and her mother Juanita who are accompanied by a man Solana would guess is Bayley’s father as well as an older woman.

“Solana!” Bayley walks up to Solana, giving her a big, warm hug. One that Solana reciprocates with all the warmth in the world. “Melina?”

“Bayley?”

Confused, watching Bayley move to hug Melina, Solana asks, “you guys know each other?”

Bayley is the one to answer with a soft smile. “She’s been with my cousin Santos for years.” Bayley takes Melina’s hand in hers. “Practically family.”

Wow. That’s a connection Solana most definitely didn’t see coming.

Bayley's dad clears his throat, addressing Roman, “Thank you, sir, for allowing us in your beautiful home.”

“I didn—”

“You must be Bayley’s dad?” Solana cuts off her husband, already knowing he’s about to say something rude. Or worse. She offers her hand. “I’m Solana.”

The older man shifts his focus, accepting the handshake, offering his name as his eyes settle into something almost soft.

And sad.

Juanita steals a hug from Solana, holding onto her a bit as she asks her husband. “Bernardo, who does she look like? I know you’ll know!”

He smiles, but there’s nothing happy about it. “Alma.” Now Solana is the one frowning. “She looks like Alma.”

Instantly, Solana can feel Juanita’s energy shift, matching that of her husbands.

“Who the hell is that?” Roman’s annoyed voice cuts in as he switches Dulce from one arm to the other. 

Bernardo gives a solemn nod, explaining, “My late brother’s daughter. She…..passed away many years ago.”

Oh.

“So, you’re saying my wife looks like a dead woman?”

“Roman!” Solana harshly whispers, though she’s also a bit unsure how to respond to that. “Umm—”

“Got any weed around here?” The older woman who Juanita shares the same eyes and lips with asks in a rough voice, adding on, “though the food smells pretty good too.”

“Mother, please.” Juanita shakes her head, apologizing. “I’m so sorry we had to bring her. She’d been staying at this nice nursing home we found for her, but she got kicked out….again.”

“This is the fourth damn one in six months,” Bernardo mutters. 

“Didn’t even hit that bitch that hard,” Abuelita defends when her gaze suddenly falls to Roman. “Oh.” She walks over to him, her hand on his bicep, Solana seeing the instant look of disapproval and disgust that appears on his handsome face. “Now, you are a man, aren’t you?” Switching her attention to Solana, she so casually asks, “it’s big, isn’t it? Heavy too. I can tell by the way he stands.”

“Abuelita!” Bayley’s face is reddening by the second as she carefully grabs her grandma by the arm. “I’m just gonna take her out back.” She sends Roman an apologetic look and ushers Abuelita away as the older woman asks something about cocaine. Bernardo and Juanita follow suit with Melina excusing herself to check on Conchas.

Left alone with just her husband, Solana relieves him of Dulce, her sweet little baby nestling her head against Solana’s chest. 

“Roman, please, you said you’d behave.”

“Well, that was before I found out you invited half the damn city,” is his counter as he asks, “Solana, just how many people did you invite?”

“Enough,” is her vague answer. She sighs at his unchanging expression of wanting to know. “Okay, I didn’t tell you how many because I knew you’d be annoyed.” 

“I’m not—”

“And I made sure that Jimmy and Jey vetted everyone, so there wouldn’t be any safety concerns,” she offers, hoping that it ebbs away some of his frustration.

Roman has a lot of questions, but the most important one is the one he asks next. “Do they all know—”

“No,” she answers in a quiet voice. “Outside of like the obvious, they all just think it’s a get-together.”

Roman nods. That chips away some of his irritation. Solana’s mental health is not the business of all these damn people. 

“Good.” Is all he says, reaching for Dulce. “It’s best she stay in our room. Away from—”

“Hey, Uce!” Jey suddenly sounds, standing by the still open front door. “You got a ladder or something? Journee ass on the damn roof!”

————

All things considered, it’s a fun time. Solana enjoys serving people and is granted a major confidence boost from all of the compliments she receives over her cooking. It truly warms her heart, almost as much as the seamless meeting and introduction of Bayley and Naomi to the rest of her new friend group: Cam, Mickie, and Melina.

The ladies all seem to get along well, so much so that the conversation and idea regarding a girls trip to Mexico isn’t even something that Solana has to bring up. Some of the other ladies do it for her.

And it’s beyond exciting to her. 

The whole party is an ordeal. Mostly fun with some hiccups. Roman having to eventually delegate all of Jey’s……excited kids to staying in the backyard where they can be monitored. It’s an interesting juxtaposition. Jey’s kids with Solo’s children who are almost scarily obedient. Yes sir and no sir. Staying seated, almost afraid to interact with anyone other than their parents. Solo’s wife, Madi, is also not as friendly as Solana was hoping for, mostly staying with her quiet children. Her nose is turned up almost the entire time too, her arm looped with her husband’s.

Abuelita is placed in the house in the living room where she’s left to watch The Price is Right reruns after being upset at the lack of available substances outside of alcohol.

“What the fuck kind of Mafia boss doesn’t have any drugs in his house?”

It’s an especially fun time with the music, a combination of Rap, R&B, with, of course, Spanish music. The last of those creating many fun memories of Solana, Bayley, Melina and even Juanita sharing some classic Spanish dances with the other attendees.

Though there does reach a point where Roman not so subtly pulls Solana away from dancing, whispering something in her ear that’s far too NSFW with all the children present regarding her tempting him.

She stays by his side for a little bit after that, noticing how he really only interacts with herself, the twins, and the Wise Man. 

That’s it. 

Solana is starting to wonder if he really does hate people as much as he says he does.

A random little thing she does find kind of…..cute almost is the interaction between Nia and Bautista. There….there could be something there.

It’s not nearly as hilarious though as the interaction between the twins, Montez, and Trick. Trick and Jey somehow creating a new combination of  ‘Yeet’ and ‘Whoop that Trick.’

Roman, as expected, is the only one not amused.

He actually looks like he’s in some form of physical pain. 

The real challenge, however, is finding an activity that’s both appropriate and enjoyable for adults and children, especially with such a mixed group of people. Naturally, Uno is the first thing brought up, but logistically, that doesn’t work out for lack of enough cards for everyone. It’s also something that, according to Naomi and Bayley, would end up in probable murder given the competitiveness of the men. Bloodline and not.

A couple of additional ideas are thrown out before the vast majority settles on a simple, easy game of red light, green light.

At least….it was supposed to be easy.

“Damnit!” Bayley cusses as she and Jade are the next set of players to fail to make it to the next round. Jade rolls her eyes and mumbles something incoherent as she flips off Trick who makes a smart comment as she moves back by his side, taking her wine cooler from him.

Bayley comes near Solana who sits on Roman’s lap after having been eliminated in the last round. Of course, Roman opted to not participate, much rather keeping his eyes and focus on Jey’s kids who were also eliminated earlier on.

Especially a smiling Jayla as she sits there counting a surprising amount of money for a young child.

Huh. 

Solana wonders where she got it from.

Bayley shakes her head, downing some more of her coca cola. Like Solana, she’s remained sober thus far. “Shit is hard.”

“Not really,” Roman comments without much consideration as he takes a sip of his beer. Solana doesn’t know what to make of the fact that the stressors of the party thus far have driven her husband to drink. Her husband who rarely ever drinks.

She’s most definitely going to have to make this up to him, though she has a good mind that he’s well ahead of her with that.

Bayley scoffs. “Whatever, Reigns.”

Solana subtly moves her hand on top of Roman’s free hand that’s placed on her stomach, his arm wrapped almost protectively around her.

She starts to lean into his strong chest but ultimately decides against it, mindful of the image. Cognizant of the fact that their current position simply looks like the possessive Tribal Chief making known what belongs to him. A necessity given not everyone present is privy to the fact the marriage between the two of them is so much more than a business transaction, an arrangement common to their world.

It’s real.

As real as their feelings and love for each other. 

“Red light!” Sami calls out. As a self proclaimed ‘master strategist,’ he was easily voted as the one to judge who does and does not make it to the next round. He starts listing off the names of people who moved afterwards. Two of Solo’s sons, Cam, Montez, Carmelo, and Jey.

The almost drunk latter of which is not pleased by. 

At all.

Jey sucks his teeth. “Whatchu’ mean I’m out?” Deep scowl on his face, he argues. “I didn’t even move.”

A group of disagreement sounds, including Roman who says so matter-of-factly, “you moved, Jey.”

“Uce, listen, it’s all good. Maybe in the next game—”

“I said I didn’t move!” Jey snaps, cutting off Sami’s attempt at normalizing his elimination. “Now, let’s keep going.”

Sami walks over and almost nervously runs his hand through his unruly hair. “Jey, man, you—you got eliminated—”

“Imma eliminate your ass if you don’t get the fuck away from me!” Jey’s growing aggressiveness seems to capture the focus of the attendees, current and former players alike. “I don’t know why you’re even here!”

Sami’s eyes go wide as he gestures to himself. “Me? I—” He points toward Solana who has a small frown on her face, seeing where this is headed. “Soso—”

That’s clearly the wrong thing to say, a visibly inebriated Jey snapping yet again, “aye, you don’t call her that! She not your family, motherfucker!.”

Jimmy rolls his eyes, calling out as he prepares yet another plate of food. “Fool, would you calm your ass down.”

“Naw, cause I’m sick of this shit. Sick of him acting like he one of us!”

“Hey, I’m just as much Bloodline as you, Uce!”

Jey shoves Sami, forcing the other man to the ground. “Call me that one more time, and Imma lay your homeless looking ass out!”

Roman’s heavy sigh comes from underneath Solana as he lightly taps her stomach, prompting her to get up so he can stand. She does so, watching him roll his big shoulders and walk over to the now arguing men, deep voice declaring, “enough!”

At that, not a single watchful eye isn’t on Roman. The Tribal Chief. “I’m sick of this shit with the both of ya’ll. You want to act like kids? Then I’m gon’ treat you like kids.” Solana swallows. Everything about her husband is so commanding and powerful. From the way he stands, to the way he speaks, even his presence. One knows who he is without even needing to really know who he is. “I don’t believe in airing shit out in public. I believe in handling it like men or in the ring, but since you two can’t seem to do that, I want you to lay it all out because I want this problem fixed. Right now.” Roman ends his speech with an almost growl, the Wise Man rushing over as Roman turns away, his back toward Jey and Sami, head down, hands clasped together.

Power.

A wide eyed Paul looks between the other men, “the—the Tribal Chief said—”

“Of course,” Sami cuts him off, standing again and looking down a bit as he seems to struggle with how to start. “Well, uhh, okay, umm.” Solana briefly surveys the backyard. From the youngest to the oldest, all eyes are on the scene before her. “I’ll be the first to admit, there’s been a bit of a communication breakdown as of late, and it’s been pretty specifically with Jey, but I gotta be honest, I don’t understand exactly what’s going on here.” Solana neither. She just suddenly remembers it was Jey and Sami who got into it during WarGames all those months ago and still haven’t seemed to hash it out. “I–I like you. Man, I like you. I’ve always liked you. But, it seems ever since I joined the Bloodline, I don’t know what it is, but it seems you can’t seem to stand me, and I don’t understand it.” He motions to Jimmy who’s eating. “Jimmy seems fine.” He points out to each man that he begins to list. “Solo seems fine. The Tribal Chief seems fine. The Wise Man seems….not fine, but that’s okay. Everyone, for the most part, seems fine except you, and I don’t know what I did to offend you. I really don’t. But, whatever I did to offend you, but whatever it is, I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry.” He shakes his head. “I just don’t want this to keep going on like this anymore.” He steps closer to Jey. “Seriously, I’m sorry. Whatever I did. I’m sorry. So, can we just be cool? Can we bury the hatchet once and for all?” Sami now has his hand extended to Jey. A peace offering, of sorts.

Solana finds herself waiting with a withheld breath, Bayley beside her, watching just as keenly as she is. 

It’s a good minute before Jey speaks. “Sami, you got about two seconds to get that out my face.” There’s a chorus of hushed reactions around the yard, Solana sighing heavily. So much for peace. “I don’t like you.” That much, to anyone with good eyes, is painfully obvious. “I don’t like your hair. I don’t like your face. I don’t like that shirt you wearing.” Solana can admit she found the black shirt with ‘the honorary uce’ written in red letters a bit….much. “Hey, hey! I don’t like you being around my family every single week. My dawg this, My dawg that.” Jey mocks, anger rising in his tone and body language. “How you think you part of the Bloodline, and you ain’t blood!” Solana swallows, redirecting her attention to Roman who has his eyes closed. She can see it. His own wrath growing at his clear directions not being followed. This problem is far from moving in the direction of fixing. “Newsflash for you, Sami. You never will be, Uce. You don’t belong here.” Solana looks back over at Sami, feeling bad for him. To be talked to like this in front of everyone has to be embarrassing. It also makes her feel personally responsible, to some extent.

She maybe shouldn’t have invited him. Especially if she knew how tense things were between him and Jey.

“Don’t nobody in this group like you. I’m just the realest one to say it out loud. You’s a fake ass, Uce.” Damn. “You know what the difference between you and me is? I shed blood for every single one of my family members here, because it’s my family! Not yours!” Silence. “Would you do it? Huh? Would you? I’m asking you a question! Would you—”

‘Why are you yelling at me, huh?” Sami finally cuts in, raising his voice a little as well. “Why are you yelling at me? I’m trying to make peace!” He’s outright shouting at this point, face turning red from his own escalating anger. He then points to Roman. “The Tribal Chief said he wants peace!”

“Man, I don’t give a damn what the Tribal Chief say!”

Solana can’t look at Roman fast enough. Her eyes widening in alarm as his head shoots up, his expression something both shocked and cold. Solana doesn’t rip her gaze from him, seeing how he slowly turns his head and then his body in the direction of Jey, who doesn’t look nearly as terrified as everyone else seems right now.

She’s almost certain she hears Montez mumble something about, “oh, that nigga dead now for sure.” Trick murmuring back, "rip to the homie. yeet for life."

Roman’s fury is palpable, felt and stretched across the spacious backyard. He’ livid. Naturally, she moves to go by him, to try to calm him down. Irritation is one thing, like his annoyance with the party. But, this is something different. Deeper. Heavier.

She doesn’t like seeing him this upset. It worries her for his blood pressure.

However, Bayley suddenly reaches for her, stopping her, subtly shaking her head. Solana starts to pull away when it hits her.

She can’t interfere. 

Because if Roman were to back or even calm down because of her, it would reveal the influence she has on him. It would expose some depth of his feelings for her, and that can’t happen. For a variety of reasons. So, she remains where she is, despite the coiling in her stomach.

She lets the Tribal Chief do what needs to be done.

Sami, surprisingly, is the one to try to interfere as Roman steps closer and closer to Jey, big shoulders squaring, fist forming at his side. “Hey, uhh, My Tribal Chief, Jey didn’t—he didn’t mean that. He just—” Sami is silenced by Roman shoving him nearly across the damn yard, the man tumbling to his bottom looking even more flustered.

But, the focus isn’t on him for long, because before Solana can even process what’s happening, Roman is on Jey. Tackled to the ground, Jey is suddenly under the onslaught of Roman’s heavy fist raining blow on top of blow onto him. 

Solana is momentarily taken off guard, briefly in a state of shock, both at what’s unfolding before her but also the lack of anyone trying to intervene. Even Jimmy. Even Jey’s kids who Naomi tries to herd and steer from seeing their father being so brutally beaten.

She doesn’t know how to feel, what to think, or how to respond. A part of her wants to call out for her husband, try to pull him from his fit of rage, but it’s when she thinks about it, really thinks about, she knows she can’t. 

She could, but it would only make things worse.

Solana hates this for Jey, hates this for her husband, hates this for both of them.

But……she also knows that Jey messed up. Really messed up. To say something so disrespectful is one thing, but to say it so loudly and boldly in front of a group of people is an entirely different ballpark.

Jey publicly disrespected Roman. Disrespected his Tribal Chief in front of people, thus Roman has to address it properly.

And violently.

Jey’s coughing up blood as Roman stomps on his ribs. She has to turn her head, to look away. This is the side of Roman she knows exists but would rather never see. The same way she knows he would prefer she never see either.

“Acknowledge me!” His furious voice travels through the yard and penetrates everyone’s five senses. It also makes Solana realize he’s been saying as such for the past few minutes. Demanding it. “Now!”

Jey is beaten pretty badly, blood spilling from his nose and seeped in between his teeth as he opens his mouth. It’s an ugly thing. All of it. And Solana notices the slight snarl of his lip before he forces out, “I—I acknowledge you—” he coughs up a mixture of phlegm and blood. “My Tribal Chief.”

Roman’s heaving, hulking figure straightens, his hair now down, having come out of his bun. The next thing to come out of his mouth sending chills down her spine. “If you ever disrespect me like that again, I’ll kill you.”

Solana doesn’t want to believe he’s being honest. That he’s telling the truth. She’d prefer to believe that he’s putting on a show of sorts, because he has to. Because he has to show his dominance. But, there’s a part of her that knows he’s not lying.

He means that.

Roman doesn’t look her way as he announces to the crowd, “party’s over!” She wants to be surprised at that, but she’s not. Maybe a bit disappointed. But, not surprised. “Everyone get the hell out of my house!”

He keeps his focus on the house and motions for the Wise Man to follow him as he stomps out, again without sparing her a single look.

Roman only needs to speak once, Solana seeing the people starting to throw their trash away as they clearly prepare to depart.

“This is my fault,” Solana finally speaks, turning to Bayley. Shaking her head, eyes watering, she shares, “I should have never—”

“Solana, it wasn’t your fault.” Bayley places her hands on Solana’s shoulders, explaining. “Jey….Jey should have known better than to say some dumb shit like that. I thought they were past all that.”

At that, Solana frowns, catching out the corner of her eye as Naomi and Jimmy tend to Jey. “What do you mean?”

“Years ago, like when they were in their twenties, Jey and Roman hit some sort of rough patch. I don’t know all the details, just what Naomi told me. But, I guess Jey was being difficult and almost testing Roman, in private and in front of other Bloodline members. It got to the point where Jey even challenged Roman for the title as Tribal Chief.”

Solana gasps. That’s the last thing she expected to hear. Even more surprising than the brutal beatdown she just witnessed. “What?”

Bayley nodded. “It was an in-ring fight, something to do with their Samoan traditions. Obviously, Roman won, and Jey officially acknowledged him. They’ve been fine since then, so I don’t know where that came from or what inspired it, probably the alcohol, but….just know it wasn’t your fault, and I’m sure Roman hated he had to do that in front of you, but he couldn’t just let Jey disrespect him like that.” And then, clearly wanting Solana to understand that Jey actually got off easy, she adds, “if he wasn’t family, Roman would have killed him. He wouldn’t have had a choice.”

And if that was the alternative, Solana is filled with an overwhelming amount of appreciation for what just transpired.

The lesser of two evils. 

“This was exciting!” Abuelita’s enthusiastic tone sounds from beside them, Solana seeing her accompanied by Juanita and Bernardo. “That husband of yours is a beast.” It’s said in an almost complimentary tone.

Bayley rolls her eyes. “Abuelita, please.” She shakes her head, asking Solana, “do you want me to stay behind and help you clean up?”

She thinks about it for a moment, remembering that Roman already arranged to have a cleaning crew handle outside. Inside is relatively easy to tackle. Definitely something she can handle on her own. “No. That’s okay…..I’ve got it.”

Bayley nods and reminds Solana to call her if she needs anything, the Tribal Chief's wife bidding farewell to some of the other attendees before briefly bringing her attention back to Jey. 

Solana happens to catch Solo saying something to Jey, prompting the latter to shove his little brother. Jimmy jumps in, ushering Jey away while Solo smirks. 

She’s curious about whatever it is that Solo said, but she’s mostly focused on Jey. For someone who was objectively in the wrong, he doesn’t look remorseful or contrite.

He looks angry.

————

It’s after everyone has left that Solana seeks out her husband. An intentional thing because she also wants to grant him some space to calm himself down. 

He’s in the bathroom, in the shower, based upon the sound of the running water. 

A glance at Dulce who’s sleeping peacefully in her bed, Solana hasn’t the slightest clue what drives her to go for the hem of her dress as she pulls it up and over her head. It falls to the floor as she reaches behind her to unclasp her bra, also allowing it to fall to the floor. And finally, with a deep breath, she slides her underwear down her legs, letting them join the rest of her clothes.

Stepping out of her shoes, she moves in the direction of the bathroom door, completely ignoring all sudden insecurity regarding her nakedness. Solana closes her eyes and swallows as she carefully opens the door, walking in, eyes shifting to the shower.

As expected, he’s standing there under the running water, back toward her, hands braced against the wall, head dropped.

Solana frowns. She can practically feel his distress.

Closing the door behind her, Solana is intentional about her footsteps, doing her best not to catch his attention. Something that’s highly unlikely but exactly what happens. Even as she steps into the spacious shower, water instantly drenching her just as much as it soaks him due to the several showerheads.

She’s nearly inches away when he turns around, harsh expression instantly melting into something of shock and confusion. Her lips go dry as his gaze briefly drops to her naked body, water droplets rolling off her heavy breast and down the slope of her pudgy belly.

“Solana….” His eyes shut as she moves toward him. Her hands rest on his chest, as she chews on her bottom lip. “I’m—I’m sorry.”

“Don’t,” she cuts him off, shaking her head as the water continues to soak her hair, weighing it down just as much as his. “You don’t—it’s okay.”

Eyes opening, his expression is as pained as his voice. “I don’t like you seeing that side of me….” 

She knows. Knows that he’s always tried to be mindful of his temper around her, tried to always and only show her the caring side reserved just for her. But, that’s just it. “There’s no side of you that I don’t love, Roman.”

Because it’s the truth. 

Because if there’s one thing that Solana has learned, especially after meeting and speaking with Fetu, it’s that Roman never stood a chance. From a young child, he was groomed and tailored into the killer he is now. He wasn’t given the space and freedom to ever be anything but the best and to be unfeeling. She’s happy that with her, he has some escape, but she also knows that majority of the time, he can’t be that.

He has to be the Head of the Table.

And that’s exactly who he was in this situation.

Who he had to be.

The Tribal Chief.

“I’m not scared of you, Roman…” She murmurs, wondering if that’s part of the concern. She moves her hands to his cheek, stressing, “I could never be scared of you.” 

He seems relieved by that. But, still torn. Solana’s stomach coils a bit as he moves his hands to her waist and pulls her against him. Her eyes shut feeling his impressive length, even in a flaccid state, against her stomach. 

It gives her an idea.

Dropping one hand and venturing it down his chiseled, wet body, Solana shoves away her nerves as she touches him, wraps her fingers around him as best she can given his girth.

Roman hisses, eyes closing again. “Solana….”

He’s so good to her, always so good to her. She just wants to return the favor. Wants to take away some of his burdens the same way he never hesitates to take away hers.

Gradually sliding her hand down his dick, feeling his grip on her hips tightening—as well as the hardening in her hand—she licks her lips and murmurs a simple request. 

“Show me how to please you……”

————

After their lovemaking in the shower, Solana manages to encourage Roman to take a nap, recognizing his exhaustion from the day’s events. Something he only agrees to because she agrees to nap with him. Not that much of a sacrifice considering she’s probably just as exhausted as him.

And it’s clearly much needed sleep for her husband who doesn’t even stir when she moves to take Dulce outside to pee.

It just so happens that Solana is about to ascend the staircase, Dulce ahead of her and already heading back to the room courtesy of Jimmy teaching her how to go up and down the steps, that she hears the doorbell. She pauses on the first step, quickly and mentally going over who could be ringing their doorbell at almost 10pm at night.

She starts to ignore it, not sure if it’s a good idea to open it, but Solana also remembers the gate. The secured gate as well as security that constantly patrols the premises. No one who Roman wouldn’t want getting past, for safety reasons, would be ringing their doorbell. 

Especially this late.

It’s why she eventually settles on closing her up the front of her robe and walking over to the door, opening it. And when she does, she’s instantly wondering if it was a good idea. Two men. Both tall. Very tall. Built. One moderately more built than the other. Both their complexions are tanned, but the man with the bald head wearing expensive looking glasses and half a sleeve that peeks through his short sleeve polo is a brick. 

Solana has always thought Roman to be muscular, but this man could give her husband a run for his money.

It’s the other man though, long hair pulled back in a slightly messy bun. Similar to how Roman keeps his hair. It’s as he lifts his sunglasses from off his face and sets it atop of his head that she sees something so familiar. 

Eerily familiar. 

“Hi.” She finally finds her voice, clearing her throat as she asks, “can I help you with something?”

“We’re looking for Roman.” The familiar looking one speaks with a slightly thick accent as he asks with a small smirk. “Is he home?”

Solana’s not sure where it comes from, but something almost protective fills her as her grip on the door tightens just a bit. “What—what do you want with my husband?”

The slightly taller one smiles “Solana.” He lazily rakes his eyes over her in a way that’s not objectively problematic but makes her shift her weight from one leg to the other. “Of course.” She’s not sure how to feel about him knowing who she is, but it’s a short lived concern, because not even a full minute later, a welcome familiarity appears.

“Sol.” Roman’s deep voice calls her attention, startling her. She turns around to see him only a few steps above the ground, shirtless, wearing only dark joggers. Slowly, he steps down to the floor and she naturally moves beside him. Solana holds onto his arm as he focuses his attention on the two men. His face shifts into something of surprise. “What the hell are you two doing here?”

The one who identified her by name chuckles. “Good to see you too, cousin.”

Solana frowns. 

Cousin?

“Solana.” He looks down for a second, gesturing to the other two. “These are my….my cousins. Dwayne and Matteo.”

There’s a brief look of something in Matteo’s face, something that’s pushed away as he offers an almost charismatic smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Solana.” His eyes twinkle almost as he asks. “Solana….that’s Spanish, right? Sunshine?”

Her smile is a bit less reluctant to appear. He seems so…..pleasant. “It is. Do you speak it?”

“I do. One of the languages I picked up in my younger years. A beautiful language.”

She’s taken back by him speaking to her in Spanish but naturally, she responds in the same language. “Yes, it is. You speak it well.”

“Well, thank you. I take it you are native?”

She nods. “My mom was Mexican. She taught me.”

“What the fuck are you saying to her?” Roman cuts in, irritation present in his deep voice. “Speak English.” She keeps herself from rolling her eyes. A playful thing in intention but something that could be perceived as disrespectful, she’s certain. “Answer my question. What are you doing here?”

Solana is also partially curious what could have apparent cousins at their front door at such an hour. Something tells her it’s nothing good.

“We need to talk.” Dwayne answers, smile wiped from his face, tone solid and firm.

Solana looks up when she feels Roman tap her hip. Voice dipping a bit in volume, he instructs, “go upstairs.”

She’s not sure why, but there’s a level of anxiety that forms following his instruction. It makes sense. He clearly needs to talk business, and that’s something she doesn’t need to be present for. But, there’s something about leaving him alone with these two random men that makes her feel scared.

Scared for him.

She doesn’t want to leave him.

Roman must recognize this, thumb gently and subtly moving over her hip. “Go.” It’s firmer this time around, but she hears it. Hears the unspoken please in it.

Nodding, she offers Dwayne and Matteo a small smile. “It–it was nice meeting you.”

“Oh, I’m sure it won’t be the last time,” Matteo answers, eyes briefly flicking to Roman. “We are family, after all.”

Solana sees the slight snarl of Roman’s lip and almost palms his cheek, a comforting gesture when she remembers where they are and who they’re in front of. Clearing her throat, she instead takes heed to his guidance, moving up the steps and into their bedroom where she closes the door.

Solana is barely out of the line of vision when Dwayne, who had his eyes glued on her retreating figure, the switch of her hips and sway of her ass the entire time, comments to Roman, “I see why you haven’t come yet.” He smirks, heading in the direction of Roman’s office. “At least not to Italy.”

Roman gives a chuckling Matteo a look that could kill, if possible, walking without another word to his office where Dwayne already sits, plopped on the sofa.

“What happened?” Is the first thing Roman asks after sitting down at his desk. Because Dwayne wouldn’t have come all this damn way for something that could be covered in a phone or video call.

Matteo smirks. “Maybe he missed home.” 

Roman glares. It’s bad enough he has to be around him at his official office but now the fucker is in his home too. Today has just been a complete shitshow. “And maybe I should put a fucking bullet in your head.”

Dwayne sighs. “Brothers.” But, before Roman can spear him through the nearest wall, Dwayne gets to business. “We have a problem.”

“Obviously,” Roman hisses. “What is the problem is is what I want to know.”

“We had a shipment infiltrated. Stolen. 7 figures worth of arms. Eight men killed,” Matteo explains, cutting right to the chase as he sits in the chair opposite Roman’s desk. “IT found a phone on the scene. Russian.”

“The Russians?” At that, Roman scowls. “That doesn’t even make any sense. Our alliance with them has been strong for almost twenty years. Why would Knyazev risk that?”

Anatoly Knyazev. Leader of the Russian mob, the same man Roman secured and formed an alliance with as one of his first accomplishments as Capo. The older man is smart, seasoned, and practical, for all things considered. He rules ruthlessly but wisely. For them to interfere in Cosa Nostra business makes no sense whatsoever. 

“I agree,” Matteo voices. “But, the administration isn’t happy. The loss of product is one thing, but our men’s blood being spilled is another thing entirely.”

Roman curses quietly. Product can be replaced. Lives can’t. And while Roman feels nothing of the sort, the Administration views any and all members of the Cosa Nostra as family. From the little man to their top assassins. Loss of life is something they don’t stand for.

At all.

“They want vengeance,” Dwayne supplies, clearly reading Roman’s mind. 

“They’re not going to do shit,” Roman growls, slamming his fist on the table. “The last thing we need is a war with our biggest ally.”

Especially with very little proof outside of a damn phone that very well could have been staged, which is exactly what Roman is betting on. 

“I agree,” Dwayne sounds, “but guess who’s going around trying to instigate?” 

Roman doesn’t even have to think. “Luca.” This fucker has always been annoying, even in the few interactions Roman had with him, but now he’s older and even more annoying. Starting shit that Roman is going to have to deal with, and if there’s one thing Roman hates, it’s having to clean up other people’s messes. 

Matteo nods, leaning forward in his chair. “I told you. He wants you out. Bad. Personally, I think he was behind it.” Roman’s intrigue must show, his desire to hear more, proven by his continued silence. The other man explains. “You were right in that the business is the best it’s ever been under your command, but if he can change that, can make it seem like we’re starting to fall off the top of the food chain. Make it seem like you don’t care about the Cosa Nostra—”

“He can make a case to uproot me,” Roman finishes in a dark tone. 

“Or worse,” Dwayne adds, shaking his head. “Look, Roman. It’s obvious there’s some shit going on that we haven’t figured out, but until then, we have to be careful. Matteo and I are the only ones who seem to find the Russians deciding to start shit after years of partnership fishy. And to be honest, we need to keep it that way. Keep our speculation between us, because we don’t know who we can trust. Especially with Luca’s ass in the background scheming.” Dwayne leans back in his seat. “The Administration wants a briefing though. Wants to know how we proceed. If we strike back. And they’re not going to want to hear shit from the mixed breeds. At least not Matteo and I.”

Roman looks away, already knowing what’s coming.

“You need to go there. Make a statement. Not a phone call or video conference. In person. Make your orders clear. Reaffirm and remind them that you’re the Capo.” Matteo isn’t saying anything Roman doesn’t already know. Not that makes hearing it any better. “You can’t push this off anymore, Roman.”

“He’s right,” Dwayne agrees. “The longer you wait, the more it looks like your priorities are for the Bloodline only. That you’re only capable of running one, meaning it’s time for new leadership.”

His words drip with a truth that only has Roman’s anger rising. “Unfortunately, because it’s clear there’s an uprising brewing, you coming now puts you at higher risk for an assassination attempt. You’ll have to travel covertly. I’ll take care of that. I just need you to get on the damn plane.”

None of that is surprising as Roman provides his timeline. “Two weeks.” Both Matteo and Dwayne seemed far from pleased at this. Oh fucking well. “I have Bloodline business to handle next week. I can leave the week after.”

It’s not a lie. Jey’s little stunt will require a more public display of dominance, and what better way to remind everyone of who runs things than a public execution?

It’s time to grant Drew MCIntyre that match he’s been so desperate to have. Roman having his Wise Man make the arrangements earlier following Jey’s outburst.  

“Fine. Two weeks,” Matteo relents. As if he had a choice. “You’ll need to stick around at least a week. Or two. A day or two appearance will give off the indication you’re uninterested and being performative.” Again, not something Roman doesn’t already know, but again again, there’s an issue. A huge issue.

Solana.

It’s only been two weeks since she completed treatment and returned home from the residential facility. But, in those two weeks she’s expressed on several occasions the best thing about being back home is being with him.

With Roman.

And now he has to leave her. Has to handle business. Dangerous business. A situation that could very well end up in some type of attempt on his life.

That doesn’t bother him. Roman’s been attacked and the subject of assassination attempts his whole damn life. It’s almost boring to him at this point.

What does bother him, however, is Solana knowing about this. Knowing the real reason why he has to fly halfway across the world seemingly out of nowhere. 

Which is why she can’t know.

He can’t and won’t put that on her. She already worries about him. If she knew the real reason for the trip, she’d be terrified and beg him to not go. And not going simply isn’t an option anymore. He’s almost wishing he had just gone before. 

It might have been a hell of a lot easier leaving her then compared to now when there’s so much more at stake.

Fuck.

“This conversation needs to remain between the three of us. No one else.” Matteo’s reminder irks Roman. He’s not fucking stupid.

Dwayne senses Roman is about to say some out of pocket shit, cutting in, “Matteo. You said you may have some contacts to further investigate what really happened with the shipment, right? Reach out. See what you can find.”

Matteo nods, smirk on his handsome face. “Already on it.” 

Dwayne mirrors his expression. “Good.” He then gestures to Roman. “Let me talk to this asshole alone, please.”

Matteo scoffs quietly, standing up and adjusting his collar. “My pleasure.” He shoots his younger, half brother a wry grin. “Your wife is much better company than you.”

Roman shoots up from his desk, wanting to pitch something after Matteo’s laughing, retreating form.

“I like that guy,” Dwayne also laughs, lifting his hands in a surrender motion when Roman directs his murderous gaze to him. “Still a sensitive subject, I see.”

Roman plops back down in his chair, looking off as he asks his cousin, “you trust him?”

Dwayne’s answer is almost an instantaneous thing. “Wouldn’t have sent him here or brought him to your house if I didn’t.” It’s similar to his response when Roman first inquired about Matteo being sent as the ‘spy’ for the Cosa Nostra. “We’re gonna have to play this careful, Roman. I can’t describe it yet, but I got a feeling some shit is about to go down.”

Roman doesn't say anything, but that doesn’t mean he’s not listening. Not planning. Strategizing. 

“Solana….” The change in subject takes him a bit by surprise. “How she doing?”

Discussing certain details regarding Solana and her mental health is something few are privy to. Roman can count on one, maybe two hands who knew Solana has been away receiving mental health treatment. To most, she was hurt and shot that night at the lounge and has been away recovering. That’s the story Roman wanted put out in an effort to protect her privacy.

But, Dwayne is one of those few who knows the truth about where she’s been.

And why she was there.

“Better.” A part of him wants to say much better, because she seems that way, but he also doesn’t want to get too comfortable. To let his guard down. “She said it helped a lot. Medication seems to be making a difference too.”

“Good. She seems sweet.”

“She is.” The kindest person Roman has ever met. Much too kind for someone like him.

Dwayne sits back in his seat, wolfish grin on his face. “That’s a fine woman you got there, brotha.” And just like that, Roman’s older cousin is teetering the thin line between life and death. “Not sure I’d want to leave her either.” Brows furrowed, Dwayne asks, “what’s the Bloodline business?”

Roman quickly catches his cousin up on today’s events. Jey’s disrespect, mostly. 

Dwayne’s response, however, is another thing Roman wasn’t entirely expecting. “You did what you had to do. Jey knows how this goes. He brought it on himself.”

There’s not a ton of disagreement there. Doesn’t make him feel much better about it though.

“Well,” Dwayne releases a heavy sigh, standing up after slapping his thighs. “I better get out of here. That son of a bitch Austin owes me a beer.”

Roman chuckles. “Just one?”

Dwayne’s smile is as mischievous as whatever he has planned once walking out that door. “Or two.”

A smile breaks on Roman’s face as he stands up, sharing a brief hug with his cousin. He has a strong feeling the next time he sees him will be on Italian soil. “Be safe.”

“I’m not the one with a bounty over my head, brotha.” It’s both comical and serious at the same time, in only the way Dwayne can achieve. “Tell that fine ass wife of yours I said goodnight.”

At that, Roman cuts his eyes, shoving his chuckling cousin away. “Shut the fuck up.”

Giving himself a few minutes to settle and push away any sign of stress or frustration, it’s not until about ten minutes later that he returns to the bedroom.

Roman is unsurprised to find Solana sitting on the middle of the bed, earbuds in, writing away in her journal. However, she’s almost immediately aware of his presence, ripping out those same buds and shutting her notebook. She’s instantly climbing off the bed and walking over to him.

“Are you okay?” Her hands ghost over his arms, as if she’s trying to feel for some sort of injury. “What was that about?”

He shrugs. “Just business stuff.” Not a lie. Just a very vague answer.

“This late?” Truth be told, the work never stops in this life, but he knows that’s not exactly what she’s referring to. “It’s—it’s something bad, isn’t it?”

“No.” The answer—a lie—comes out much easier and smoother than he’d like it to. “Just something that needs to be handled, and I’ll handle it.”

 “But—”

“Hey.” He brings his hands to her waist, sneaking them past the open robe she wears, partially wanting to take it off her entirely. The two piece pajamas she has on deserve to be seen and not cloaked in any way. “Everything’s okay. Alright?”

She still looks concerned, and he hates that. Hates all of this. The lying to her, especially. “You would….you would tell me if it wasn’t….right?”

No.

That’s what he wants to say. The truth. Roman would and will absolutely keep anything and everything from her if it meant/means keeping her safe. Even if it makes her upset with him. He’ll deal with that.

He’ll take it any day, because her safety is the most important thing to him. 

Mentally and physically. 

“Yes.” Even if it makes him have an almost visceral reaction at having to lie to her like this. Even if it is for the better. “But nothing’s wrong, so there’s no need to worry, alright?” 

He needs to tell her about the trip. That he has to leave in two weeks. There’s definitely no way around that, but it doesn’t need to happen tonight. Especially when he needs to work out the details and logistics, because Roman’s been administering Solana’s medication to her every morning since her release. She doesn’t even know where he keeps it, where he keeps any of the prescription and OTC pills in the house. Because he has them all hidden, something he’s not sure he’ll ever feel ready enough to change.

He also takes her to her continued weekly therapy appointments with Gail.

All of that can’t be interrupted with his absence, but the same person he called before to stay with her while he was gone to see his aunt is the same person he still holds partially responsible for Solana’s attempt in the first place.

Bayley.

Roman won’t make that mistake ever again.

So, until all of that is figured out, he’ll say nothing.

Plus, he already feels bad enough for ruining her party. No need to ruin her night as well.

At least with the party thing, he can make that up. He will make that up. Even if it means what he has planned including more people than he originally accounted for. The thought alone is far from exciting, but he’s determined to do right by her this time around.

Even if it does mean forcing himself to behave.

Somewhat.

Solana is visibly less anxious, but the remaining apprehension seems to melt away the minute she presses herself into his chest. She’s instantly relaxed and so is he. Having her in his arms seems to give him just as much comfort as she gets from it.

“Roman?”

He runs his hand across her back. “Hmm?”

Peering up at him is a mixture of skepticism and worry. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Not exactly. “You said you’d try talking to me more.”

He did. And he will, but the full extent of what is now on his plate is a weight he can’t and won’t share with her. He won’t burden her with his woes. 

He can, however, give her something.

“Jey…..” Because that’s most definitely not a lie. The shit with Jey was the last thing he expected to happen today. Almost as unexpected as Dwayne’s visit. “The twins annoy me majority of the time, but they’re still….still my family.”

“You didn’t want to do that, Roman.” Solana is suddenly comforting him, her soft voice offering what he already knows to be true but appreciates hearing. “You……you didn’t have a choice. Jey….Jey should understand, right?”

“Should.” There’s a conflicted hint to his voice, because Jey should have known better than to disrespect Roman like that in front of an audience. Because truth be told, Roman would not have responded so violently had it even just been the usual group of Naomi, Bayley, and Jimmy. Even the Wise Man. Roman would have preferred a different, less physical route, but that wasn’t an option. The ‘choice’ Roman made was really the only choice he could make without looking weak in front of others.

Solana hugs him a little tighter, continuing to put him on a pedestal he has no business being on. “You’re a good man, Roman. I know….I know you don’t believe it, but you are.” 

That’s because she has no idea a fraction of the things that he’s done. If she truly knew the horrors he’s committed over the years, the lives he’s taken, she’d never look at him the same.

He sometimes wonders if she’d even still feel the same way.

If she’d still love him.

Solana leans up and kisses his cheek before taking his hand in hers. Sliding her robe off and tossing it onto the bed, she murmurs, ��let’s go to bed.” Roman wordlessly follows her over to the California King bed, watching her move her journal and case for her earbuds onto the nightstand as she pulls him down with her. Naturally, Solana falls into their go-to sleeping position. Her body nearly on top of his, her arm sprawled across his abdomen and her head on his chest.

She’s partially soothed by the way he keeps his hand planted on the small of her back. Partially because something tells her Roman isn’t being entirely honest about whatever conversation he had with his cousins she’s never even heard of until this evening. In all the time they’ve been together, she doesn’t remember once anyone ever coming to their home this late to discuss business. 

Maybe a phone call.

Never an in-person visit. 

A part of her wants to push him on it, but she also knows the Jey situation is still bothering him, so she doesn’t want to overwhelm him. 

But, the other part, maybe an even bigger part doesn’t want to because it feels hypocritical. Him to be honest with her when she’s not being entirely honest with him. When she actually wanted to tell him something instead of asking again if he’s alright.

A split second decision being made to keep certain information to herself until she’s 100% sure, because she knows that he’ll most likely have to inform the Elders he’s spoken about a couple of times. And the last thing she wants is to send him with a message that ends up being a false alarm.

Because her period has been late before. Sometimes up to two weeks late. It’s just that this is the first time it’s been late with her being sexually active. With her having regular sex with her husband as a potential variable. Regular, unprotected sex.

But again, she’s not certain. Wants to give it a little while longer before she finally pulls out one of the pregnancy tests she’s had collecting dust in one of the cabinets in their master bathroom. It’s too soon though. Too many other things it could be besides that.

So, until then, she waits.

She’ll wait until it’s 100% confirmed, without a doubt, that she’s pregnant.

Ignoring that small, nagging gut feeling that she already knows the answer.

Knows that she is, without a doubt, pregnant.

[cheftsunoda]

secrets are no fun (unless shared with everyone)

part two

smau + real life

lewis hamilton x !sister reader

hamilton reader x max verstappen

ayana hamilton, the younger sister of seven-time world champion lewis hamilton, has seemingly achieved everything she could ever desire— a successful career as a music producer and artist, been all around the world, has a supportive family and a loving husband—however, that’s a secret that no one, not even her brother, knows about—her husband is also an f1 driver. lewis has always made it his mission to prevent ayana from dating a driver— but is it technically considered dating if they are married? ;)

part one here

fc : tyla

tag list : @klauslovemepls , @omgsuperstarg , @msliz @samanthaofanarchy , @mayax2o07 , @goldenstrawberryx , @hannahmotors10 , @alireads27 , @1800-love-me , @htpssgavi , @cmgmikealson , @babygirl-4986 , @star73807-blog , @glow-ish , @just-tingz-virgo , @majapapaya4 @lina505, @hc-dutch

—

ayanaaa

liked by sza, carmenmmundt, charles_leclerc & 7,594,375 others.

ayanaaa : countin my blessings twice as much

username : you and sza been in the stu recently?

ayanaaa : obvvv- we abt to deliver album of the year

liked by sza

sza : album of the century mamas

liked by author

kikagomes : ^^ can't even begin to explain how excited i am for this album

liked by author and sza

alexandrasaintmleux : ^^same

liked by author and sza

ayanaaa : i vote for wag listening party

liked by alexandrasaintmleux, kikagomes, carmenmmundt, lilymhe and lilyzneimer

charles_leclerc : what about me

lando : i have fomo

georgerussell63 : bless my ears please

scuderiaferrari : are we invited?

sza : girls onlyyyy sorry

liked by author, alexandrasaintmleux, kikagomes, carmenmmundt, lilymhe and lilyzneimer

lewishamilton : are big brothers allowed?

ayanaaa : possibly...and admin you are invited !!

scuderiaferrari : best day of my life

usermame2: sza and that damn bug mask

liked by author

ayanaaa : she won't take it off...she was just casually sitting in my apartment with it on and scared the living shit out of me

liked by sza

sza : im instilling survival skills in you

liked by author

username8: there is a man- this album will be V E R Y good

f1 : Paddock appearance soon??

liked by author

ayanaaa : sooner than you think ;)

ayanaaa : and merc admin wherever you are - you have a soft spot in my heart so you're invited too

liked by lewishamilton and mercedesamgf1

mercedesamgf1 : hold on im fangirling

—

This event was supposed to be chill.

That’s what I told myself as I checked my mic backstage, adjusting the sleeves of my oversize blazer. The event was part of a music and innovation summit — nothing too flashy. Just a casual Q&A with some of the industry’s top producers. I was there to talk about the future of sound design.

Then Max walked in.

My heart stopped like a needle scratching off a record. He looked unfairly good in that fitted black polo and jeans, hair still slightly messy like he’d just run a hand through it on the way over. He wasn’t even looking for me — he was talking to someone from TAG Heuer, who happened to sponsor this event and is a major sponsor for...Redbull.

I ducked behind a speaker, hissing into my mic pack like it was going to help. “Solana. Emergency.”

Solana, who was currently sipping a matcha backstage and doing her best “I’m not famous today” routine, poked her head out. “What’s the—oh. Ohhh.”

“Why is he here?” I whispered.

“I dunno, babe, maybe fate? Karma? F1’s brutal PR schedule?” she shrugged. “Also, why does he look like that? Like he just stepped off a runway-slash-motorcycle ad?”

“Sol!”

“Okay, okay.” She cleared her throat and straightened. “It’s fine. Just pretend you don’t know him. Like a normal ex—wait, no. Current. Very-secret-husband thing. Right. I got this.”

We both peeked around the corner just in time to see Max spot me.

And smirk.

The moderator opened the floor to audience questions.

And Max’s hand shot up.

My stomach dropped. Solana, seated next to him, physically grabbed his arm and pulled it down. “Nope. Nope,” she said under her breath, but the moderator had already called on him.

“Yes, you—front row in the black shirt.”

Max stood. “Hi. Max Verstappen. Big fan of your work,” he said, eyes locked on me.

I blinked. “Hi… Max.” My voice cracked like a teenager’s. “Thanks. Um. Likewise.”

“Just wondering,” he said, somehow managing to keep a straight face, “how you balance creative expression with, you know, maintaining… discretion in your personal life.”

I almost choked on my water.

Solana let out a sound that was either a laugh or a cough — no one knew, not even her.

I narrowed my eyes at Max and leaned into the mic. “Well, when you’re married to your work, discretion kind of comes with the job.”

Max raised an eyebrow, clearly biting back a grin. “Right. Of course.”

After the panel ended and the crowd dispersed, I slipped backstage, fully ready to tackle him. But he was already waiting.

“That was a great answer,” he said, stepping into my space with that low, smug confidence that made me weak and annoyed all at once. “Very subtle. Especially the whole ‘married to your work’ bit.”

“You are such a menace,” I whispered, poking him in the chest.

He caught my hand and kissed my knuckles, totally unbothered. “I missed you.”

Before I could reply, Solana stormed in, waving her phone. “Okay, fun update — Twitter thinks you two made eye contact for too long, and now there’s a whole thread analyzing your body language.”

Max looked pleased. “Was it a good thread?”

“No!” she groaned. “You two are a disaster.”

I sighed and leaned into Max’s shoulder, hiding my smile.

Maybe. But we were a disaster in love.

And somehow, against all odds, still undiscovered.

For now.

—

f1gossipgirls

28,367 likes.

f1gossipgirls : Ayana Hamilton was a special guest at a recent event for music innovation that was hosted by Tag Heuer, a sponsor of Redbull Racing. Max Verstappen was also present due to contract obligations and asked Ayana how she dealt with work life balance— the two shared quite a lot of eye contact and user f1girllyyy on twitter analyzed the two’s body language throughout the event! let us know what you think about these two!

—

username : oh i never ever thought of this couple but i ship it so hard

username2 : guys they don’t even follow each other on ig 😭

username4 : max even introduced himself like they had never met before

username8 : they’d be so damn cute together

username10 : I don’t see lewis ever letting this happen

usernameee : yall are reading wayyyy too deep into this — it was like a 20 second interaction

username1 : he was lowkey probably just teasing her bc she is Lewis’ sister

usernameeee : side note she is SNATCHED

—

alexandrasaintmleux posted to her story!

seen by charles_leclerc, lewishamilton, ayanaaa & 256,368 others.

charles_leclerc : pls stop rubbing it in

alexandrasaintmleux: sorry mon amor😁

—

The loft smelled like vanilla candles, takeout sushi, and just a hint of fresh vinyl. Solana and I had spent all day setting up for this — pillows fluffed, drinks on ice, and the speakers queued up with our joint project: an album we’d spent the better part of six months pouring our hearts into.

Tonight wasn’t about promo. It was about celebration — girlhood, music, and champagne in real glasses. Our favorite kind of night.

Carmen was the first to arrive, hair effortlessly slicked back and hugging me like we were old friends — which we kind of were at this point. Lily showed up right behind her, carrying cupcakes. “I couldn’t show up empty-handed. You know my brand,” she joked.

Then came Alex and Kika, both looking straight off the cover of Vogue, laughing about something that had happened at a shoot the day before. Kika pulled me in for a tight hug. “So proud of you, babe. I’ve been counting down for this.”

Solana popped a bottle in the kitchen. “This isn’t just a listening party — it’s a vibe. A ritual. A girls’ night only.”

We all cheered and clinked glasses.

As the first track played — a sultry, layered intro with a slow-burn beat and the kind of harmonies only Solana and I could stack — the room went quiet in that sacred way music sometimes demands. Heads nodded, eyes closed, a few quiet “oh my Gods” murmured between verses.

“This is crazy,” Alex whispered, reaching for her phone like she needed to write the lyrics down immediately.

“I feel like I’m floating,” Lily said, curled up on the arm of the couch. “Like… this is what silk sounds like.”

“Y’all,” Carmen added, “track three made me want to text an ex and delete it in the same breath.”

We were halfway through track five when we heard the sound.

Keys. In the door.

Solana froze mid-sip. “Wait. Did you give anyone else the code?”

Before I could answer, the front door opened — and in walked Lewis.

Wearing sweats. Holding a Tupperware of something suspiciously healthy. Completely aware of the very curated girlhood bubble he’d just walked into.

Everyone turned.

He blinked. “Hello Ladies.”

A beat of silence.

Then Kika leaned over and whispered to Lily, “That’s your cue to hide the tequila.”

Solana narrowed her eyes. “Lewis. This is a girls-only space. Read the vibes.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “I brought protein brownies?”

Another beat.

Then Carmen shrugged. “Okay, he can stay.”

I gave him the death glare I usually reserved for nosy journalists. “You’re so lucky these girls like you.”

Lewis flopped onto the floor with a grin and popped a brownie into his mouth. “What can I say? I bring the snacks.”

The next track rolled in — the one I was most nervous about. A little more vulnerable. A little more me. The one Max had quietly helped me produce in our home studio on a rainy Tuesday, layered with sounds he’d chosen just for me. The lyrics that he very clearly inspired. My heartbeat picked up as it played.

Lewis nodded slowly. “Yo… this one’s special.”

Solana caught my eye and smirked, clearly knowing who inspired it. I bit my lip to keep from smiling too much.

The girls, now sprawled across the floor with wine and throw blankets, were lost in it. And I realized something.

This was the kind of moment you didn’t plan for — the kind that just happened. Messy, loud, emotional. Full of secrets and sound.

Exactly like me.

Exactly like us.

—

The party had trickled into soft goodbyes and sleepy hugs. One by one, the girls had slipped out — Kika stealing another cupcake for the road, Carmen promising a playlist trade, and Solana leaving to go meet with someone she probably should not.

I was curled up on the couch, hoodie now half-zipped, when Lewis came back from the kitchen carrying two mugs of tea.

“I made that weird ginger-honey stuff you like,” he said, handing one to me.

“Look at you,” I teased, “embracing your inner wellness girl.”

He chuckled, settling into the other end of the couch, legs stretched out and socked feet poking near mine. For a moment, it was quiet — the kind of stillness that comes after something really good. Or something really real.

Then he said it.

“That track. The one after the interlude. The one with the synths layered under your vocals?”

I glanced at him over my mug, heart skipping. “Yeah?”

“Who’s it about?”

I blinked. “What?”

He gave me a look. Not pushy, but curious. Brother-level curious. Protective-level curious. “You wrote that about someone. I know that tone. It’s not just vibes and metaphors — that one’s personal.”

I laughed a little too quickly. “You think everything has a hidden meaning.”

“Because in your songs, it always does,” he said, leaning forward. “It’s not just the lyrics. It’s the way you sing them. Like… I dunno. Like your heart’s right there in the booth.”

I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening around the mug.

“You don’t have to tell me,” he added, voice softer now. “I’m not trying to pry. Just… whoever he is, sounds like he means a lot to you.”

He doesn’t know.

He really doesn’t know.

But my throat is thick and there’s this stupid, overwhelming warmth in my chest, because it’s Lewis. My brother. And even without the full truth, he sees me. He always has.

“Yeah,” I say, keeping my eyes on the tea. “He does.”

Lewis nods slowly, a quiet little smile tugging at his mouth. “Well… he better treat you like gold. Or I’ll have to start asking questions.”

I raise an eyebrow, smirking now. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

We sit in silence a little longer. Outside, the city is humming. Inside, the track is still looping quietly in my head — the one Max helped me finish, without ever needing to sign his name to it.

I glance at Lewis again, this time grateful he hasn’t pieced the puzzle together. Not yet.

Some secrets deserve a little more time.

—

The apartment was still.

Late afternoon light poured through the tall windows, casting warm, honey-gold streaks across the hardwood floors. I was curled in the studio nook, legs crossed under me on the swivel chair, laptop open, final mix exported. I’d been sitting on this track for a while now — too long, maybe. Part fear, part nerves.

Max was in the kitchen, barefoot and shirtless, humming off-key as he made tea. I hadn’t told him I was going to play it.

I just… hit spacebar.

The song started.

That slow build. The synths we’d layered together. The crackle of vintage tape I’d added without telling him — the same sound from the first night we ever stayed in, rain falling outside, him humming under his breath while I tweaked knobs on my sampler.

He stilled.

Didn’t turn. Didn’t speak. Just listened.

And then my voice came in.

Soft. Honest. No layers this time. Just me.

I watched him slowly put the mug down on the counter.

His shoulders rose, then fell — like he was breathing through something he hadn’t expected to feel.

By the time the chorus hit — that surge of melody, that ache I hadn’t been able to explain when I first wrote it — he turned around.

His eyes were a little glassy.

“You finished it,” he said, voice low.

“Yeah.”

His eyes searched mine, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to ask what it meant — even though I knew he already knew.

“You used that sound from that night… the rain,” he added softly.

“I wanted it to sound like home,” I said.

He crossed the room in a few strides and stood in front of me, silent for a long second before reaching out — fingertips gentle under my chin, tilting my face up toward his.

“This is about us,” he whispered.

I nodded. “Every word.”

He kissed me like he didn’t know what else to do. Like music had said the part his voice couldn’t. Like he’d just fallen in love with me all over again, even though we were already too far in to fall any further.

When we pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine.

“Can I be cheesy for one second?”

I smiled. “Only if you’re really committed.”

“I never thought I’d be someone’s favorite song,” he said. “But you just made me one.”

—

p2 finished! let me know what you guys think and as always requests are open:)

[wingsofthesun]

Insane to me that there wasn't a side mission to help Garrus' family. Or even just a chance to meet them. Like c'mon man I wanna see the in-laws. Like hey hello Mr. Future father in law I know you hate my ass on the account of the whole being a specter thing but I swear I'm normal and usually don't abuse that power unless it'll be really funny. And right now, so I can help your family escape sooner

Funny thing is I headcanon that Garrus and Solana think Shepard is Castis' favorite kid once he gets to know her x)

In universe I do get why there wasn't a mission to help Garrus' family. Palaven was actively being invaded, and it doesn't seem like Garrus had their exact location at any point. That's a heavy risk when they don't know where exactly to go.

(Out of universe, I blame the fact that the writers shot themselves in the foot a bit by making it so anyone on the squad can die in the Suicide Mission. Garrus and Tali get hit by this way less than everyone else, but it's still clear if you look.)

Though if Garrus had gotten their coordinates somehow, you bet that Shepard would have dropped everything to go save his family. The only way she wouldn't would be if they had someone on the ship that was injured and getting to the hospital was a matter of life or death.

Castis would be torn between being grateful that he and his daughter (and probably any other random civilian in the area, it is Shepard after all) are safe, and the worried at what this says about Shepard as a spectre x) (The gratefulness wins out, of course)

[girafficparka]

Tagged by @continuous-spec for a WIP. Here’s a little something from Advanced Comparative Anatomy - the sequel to my me2 shakarian fanfic Comparative Anatomy (you can find it on ao3).

This sequel (to be set just prior to and during me3) is a long way from being posted on ao3, but I’ll do anything for @continuous-spec so, here we go:

~~~

He was surprised to find his room exactly as he had left it, all those years ago, when he had left for the active duty portion of his military training at 19. He had returned a handful of times when on leave, moving out for good when he joined up with C-SEC several years later. It wasn’t dusty or anything - it has obviously been care for during his long absence - but he was surprised the room hadn’t been repurposed into…something. He suspected utility, versus nostalgia, had been the cause. Why change up a perfectly good bedroom?

Garrus placed his bag on a table and went to the closet. Unsurprisingly, it was empty. In his duffle bad he had a set of fancy clothes from Kasumi, a few changes of undersuits for his armor, a few spare heat sinks just in case, but not much else. While armor worked fine for dinner on the Citadel, on Palaven turians didn’t wear their armor unless they were on active duty. He would have to ask his dad for a change of clothes. Garrus turned to go do just that but was stopped by a bundle of cloth being thrown in his face.

Once he had pulled the clothing from his eyes he caught Solana smirking at him from the doorway. “I figured you only had guns in that bag. It’s Dad’s so, you know, don’t spill anything on it,” she said before wandering off. Garrus sighed and closed the door.

He glanced down at his omni-tool to check the time - not quite enough time to take a full shower, but he could freshen up a bit. Taking his clothes, he moved into the attached bathroom and proceeded to splash water on his face, neck, cowl, and hands. He ran a buffer down his fringe a few times and checked the effect in the mirror: good enough. He began to change his clothing and then had a moment of panic when he realized Solana hadn’t gotten him gloves.

While not really necessary for a family dinner, Garrus had a feeling his father would not miss Garrus’ dulled claws. Being a former C-SEC officer, he knew exactly what conclusions Castis would make.

Garrus left the bathroom and went to Solana’s room - down and across the hall from his own - and knocked. “Sol?” he called. Through the closed door she softly replied, “It’s open.”

Garrus opened the door to find Sol sitting at her desk, leaning back in her chair and staring at him. She raised a brow-plate in a questioning glance.

“I was wondering if Dad had a pair of gloves I could borrow,” he said.

Solana looked even more confused. “Gloves? But you’re home, why would you need…what’s wrong with your hands?” she asked suddenly, standing up and marching towards him. Garrus briefly thought about hiding them behind his back, but that felt childish.

He regretted his hesitation when Solana grabbed his hand and lifted it up between them. “Why are your…talons blunted? Garrus, are you dating an asari?!”

Garrus nearly choked. “W-what? No! And how do you know…I’ve just been too busy to sharpen them. Why-”

“Don’t treat me like I’m stupid. I’m 26. I know why turians blunt their claws.”

Garrus felt heat rise up his neck. “I…don’t want to talk about this right now, Sol.”

Solana gave him a look of such disappointment that Garrus was reminded, shockingly, of their father. She dropped his hand. “What else is new?” she said, turning her back to him to return to her seat.

“Sol-”

“Gar, if you aren’t here to talk to me, to tell me something, anything, about who you are now and what you’ve been doing, then I guess…I’ll just see you downstairs.” she said, sounding defeated, younger. Garrus sighed. He closed Solana’s door and then turned back to her. She looked up at him with carefully guarded hope.

“Can I at least sit before we begin the interrogation?” he asked and Solana’s expression broke into a smile. She waved her hand to her mattress.

“Absolutely. Make yourself comfortable. I have a lot of questions.” she said. She turned her chair to face him fully, now.

Garrus sat down, glancing at her excited expression with wariness. “I can’t promise I can answer everything…right now. I’d still like to speak with Dad first. Hell, you can listen in, but I don’t want to have to tell that part twice so…”

“Who did you blunt your talons for?” she asked, blue gaze gleaming.

Garrus choked. “Not…ahem…not pulling any punches with this interrogation, are we?”

Solana rolled her eyes. “Who, Garrus?”

“I’m not sure…I’m not sure you’d want to know.”

“Spill, or you aren’t getting those gloves.” she said, crossing her arms and giving him a sly smile.

Garrus sighed. He had a feeling he’d be doing a lot of sighing this visit. “All right, I’ll tell you. But! I need you to keep an open mind. And not tell anyone. Especially Dad…and definitely not Mom…”

“You’re stalling.”

“All right! Fine. I wasn’t…lying. I’m not dating anyone. Not really. It’s just this thing-”

“A booty call?”

“What?”

“It’s human slang, it means…casual sex, a hook up. Who are you hooking up with casually?”

“Spirits! I cannot believe we are discussing this…”

“Stalling,” she crooned.

“Shepard,” Garrus finally admitted in a whisper. He looked up, shocked at Solana’s silence. He had expected something; a laugh, a scream; but instead she…she looked like she was about to explode. Solana’s gaze was wide with shock, and Garrus heard a growl rumble from her subharmonics.

“Commander Shepard? First human Spectre, Shepard? The one who worked for Cerberus?!”

[pichiru]

The Sun Also Smiles - Chapter 3

Chapters - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Summary - With Mabel and Dipper's 16th birthday party on the horizon, Grunkle Stan takes to online dating to find a date for the party. Things start to get real weird real fast.

Word Count - 3,251

Pairing(s) - Stan Pines x OC

Genre(s): Romance, Comedy, Mystery

~~~~~~~~

Solana said:

Good morning, Stanley Pines 🖤

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Mornin toots

Solana said:

Did you sleep well?

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Like a damn rock. What about you?

Solana said:

I slept wonderfully. Had a hot date with a nice and shy old guy and my favorite tv show last night

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Oh yeah? Hope he was handsome

Solana said:

He is. Sexy even.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Damn. You think I’m sexy? Wish I could give you a compliment too but I have no idea what you look like, toots

Solana said:

Soon, soon. Very soon. I promise. I wanna make sure that you’re not gonna up and run away the moment you see me.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Why would I book it?

Solana said:

Iunno. It happens all the time.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Even for me, that’s rude as hell. I’m sorry

Solana said:

Why are YOU sorry? You didn’t do it. I appreciate the kindness though.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Lemme meet you at your job some time?

Solana said:

Maybe. Let me get through the day today and I’ll give you an answer to that. I’m in a rush right now. Boss is on my ass about being present and punctual.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Yeah I gotcha. I’ll be waiting for that answer, babe

Solana said:

🖤🖤🖤

“Grunkle Stan, are you ready yet?” Mabel called from up the stairs.

“Did you sleep in your chair again? That’s not good for your back, you know,” Dipper said with playful disappointment in his voice.

Stan smiled to himself at the kids looking out for him despite the fact that he was a grown man and could take care of himself. It was just nice to know that people other than Ford cared for once.

He dropped the leg rest on the recliner then pulled himself to the edge of the seat. With a large and very much audible grunt, Stan pushed himself onto his feet. He knew Dipper was right but sometimes forcing himself to lay in an empty bed was tough. A loud crack was heard when he stretched out his back, immediately creating relief.

“Yeah, yeah, kids. I got it,” he yelled up at them, knowing they were standing at the top of the stairs listening to his morning routine.

“Lemme take a shower and snag breakfast on the way there,” Stan offered as he continued to stretch and crack bones in his rickety old body.

“No chance Grunkle Stan! It’s almost noon and I’ve been waiting alllllll morning for you to wake up and take me and Dipper-“

“I told you, it’s Maze now. Short for Mason,” Dipper murmured to Mabel, hitting her arm. Not hard though.

Mabel rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “I’ve been waiting alllllll morning for you to wake up and take me and MAZE to that massive art store that just opened up recently.”

“Maze?” Stan asked under his breath to himself in confusion. “I’m sorry, kid. I stayed up a little later than usual to watch the rerun of The Duchess Approves. I’ll make it up to ya. I promise.”

Mabel peeked down the stairs to see Stan standing at the bottom, looking as if he was deep in thought. “Okay. As long as you keep that promise.”

“I’m a man of my word! I’ve never made a promise I couldn’t keep. Ask Sixer.” Stan yawned as he stretched one last time to get the residual tiredness out of his body.

“Shower then store!” Mabel said with a nodding huff.

“You got it, kid,” Stan chuckled. He turned the tv off and tossed the remote back into the recliner. He trudged up the stairs and past the kids at the top, immediately making his way into the bathroom. He shut the door quickly and sighed heavily.

Why was Solana being so avoidant about being seen? Was she actually a catfish or even a modicum of who she said she is? It was hard to tell through just a screen or a phone call. Stan was used to being scammed and the scammer but this one…this one felt like the worst kind of scam and that’s saying a lot considering he was actually a criminal.

He shook his head to try and shake the feeling off. Today was about Mabel and starting up her weird earring business. This wouldn’t even be a thing he’d consider if she wasn’t looking to be a business owner like her good old Grunkle Stan. It lit up the darkest corners of his heart to know that fact.

As he went through the motions of taking a shower and getting dressed, Mabel was sitting with Dipper in the living room. She was sitting in the seat of the recliner and Dipper on the arm with his leg up. They were barely watching some old cowboy flick that had a lot of staring and not a lot of action. It could almost be classified as media's longest staring contest if one to be honest.

Dipper had on a black denim vest with distress on the sleeves, (what he thought was) an obscure band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and combat boots. Even though it was the beginning of summer, he chose fashion over comfort. He even started donning "guy-liner" which everyone knew was just eyeliner he tried to masculinize. Mabel did it for him every morning without complaint because she wanted her brother to look pretty.

Mabel however barely changed her fashion sense in the years since they were last in the mystery shack. Except she upgraded to overall dresses over her sweaters instead of regular skirts and wore high top converse instead of regular black flats. Sometimes she would steal Dipper's band t-shirts if they had a weird enough logo.

"Dip-" Mabel started before she got a death glare from her brother. "Maaazzzeeeeeee," she said in a drawn out way to try and get the name on her tongue. "Maze, did you hear any of what Grunkle Stan was saying on the phone last night?"

"No, I was _actually_ sleeping."

"Hey! I was too excited to sleep because we're starting up my business soon! And going material shopping today. I had to make sure I had everything written down and designed so the art store people could help me," she explained before puffing out her cheeks at the end.

"ANYWAY!" she continued. "He was talking to a mystery woman and watching The Duchess Approves. It had a crazy plot twist at the end. I won't spoil it for you though," she rambled.

"Mabel, you're getting off track again," Maze said as he flicked the shoelaces on his combat boots.

"Oh! Right! Well anyway, I think he asked her on a date," she whispered to him.

"A date? Grunkle Stan? Yeah okay. Funny joke Mabel," Maze said as he rolled his eyes. "Grunkle Stan doesn't have it in him to even talk to a woman let alone ask her on a date."

"I dunnoooooo! He got pretty far on courting Lazy Susan before things went downhill. I just think they thought they were better as friends. But this woman...She's different. I think he really likes her."

"How could you know that from one conversation on the phone?" Maze asked.

"I can tell by the tone of his voice when he was talking to her. Grunkle Stan never talks to anyone like that. Not even us! And you know he loves us to death."

"He'd never admit it though," Maze added.

"Of course not. But we will always know his truth," Mabel sighed gently as she sat back into the chair.

"Kids? Ya ready to hit the road?" Stan's voice suddenly called from up the stairs.

Mabel and Maze sat up straight when they heard his voice. They looked at each other, scared that he might have heard their conversation. They gulped in unison.

"Y-Yeah! I got everything in my bag and Di...Maze is ready too!" Mabel called back with a nervous laugh, grabbing her tote bag and standing up straight.

"Nice," Maze said sarcastically with no real bite to it. But he's glad she said something because he knows they would have both been sitting there in stunned silence until Stan came down to see if they were even still alive.

"Shhhhhh!" Mabel covered his face with one of her hands. Maze didn't move in the slightest. He was used to Mabel doing that at this point.

They could hear footsteps descending down the first half of the steps then onto the landing. Stan was standing there in his mystery shack suit with his red fez, a sleek gold chain with his stylish, totally for show, cane in his right hand. Which meant...he was ready to haggle the art store workers at any cost. He only wore that suit when he wanted to scam during daylight hours.

"Grunkle Stan, you better be nice! I know what that suit means," Mabel warned, putting her hands on her hips and puffing her cheeks out.

"Hey, don't ya want the best materials at half the cost? Which means ya can get even more!" Stan retorted with his signature, boastful grin plastered on his face.

Mabel sighed loudly while leaning her head back. "Yeessssss," groaned playfully.

"Exactly. Let's get going." Stan looked at Maze and gave him a thumbs up. "I had a goth phase too, kid. Just want you to know that," he said as he finished coming down the stairs. He patted both of their heads with heavy hands and smiled even more. Nothing made him happier in this moment than seeing his niece and nephew continue growing into their own person. He just wanted them to be happy and he'd do anything to make that happen.

"Grunkle Staaannnnnn," Maze groaned, shaking his head from under Stan's hand and fixing his hair.

"Sorry, kid. Takes a lot of hair gel to get it like that, eh?" Stan chuckled as he walked towards the door. "Keepin it in mind for the next time."

Maze smiled at his uncle's apology. Stan was the last person he expected to understand him right now. How could Stanley Pines of all people understand what it felt like to be an outcast? It always seemed like he knew just what to do to fit in and Ford was the outcast.

"Maze?" Mabel called from the door. She was looking at him with concern at the way he spaced out suddenly. "You okay?"

"Y-Yeah! Sorry. I was just thinking about what kind of earrings I could make for myself when you get everything. Twin discount, you know," He said coolly.

Mabel grinned, clutching the strap of her tote. Her family's support meant the world to her. "It'll probably be something emmoooooo," she teased. "Shotgun!" she yelled suddenly before darting towards Stan's car.

"NOT FAIR! You got a head start!" Maze said as he ran out of the house past Stan to try and beat Mabel to the car.

Stan laughed to himself as he closed the front door and locked the door. He strolled over to the car as the twins argued over who was going to sit where in the car. "The lady of the hour should sit in the front." Mabel stuck her tongue out at Maze. "Then...Maze can sit in the front when we come home." Maze stuck his tongue out at Mabel in retaliation. Stan unlocked the car and hopped in. Right after, the twins piled into the spots in the car.

"Buckle those seatbelts up," Stan reminded as he turned the radio on a low volume so there wasn't any awkward silence.

"Grunkle Stan, you literally never put your seatbelt on," Mabel laughed as she put hers on.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm an adult. I could take a car crash to the head right now and be fiiine," Stan said smoothly but in a way that would definitely be conveyed as a joke. He admired her for calling him out on his shit. He needed to be setting a better example for them since they were much more sentient and impressionable than the last time he saw them. He popped it on, adjusted his rearview mirror and drove off towards town.

Stan and Mabel were singing along to a random pop song that they both were surprised that each other knew. Once they realized that they were karaoke buddies, they sang their hearts out to the song while Maze sat in the backseat, marveling at their ability to not care so much. Once the song was over with and they calmed down, Stan adjusted his rearview mirror so he could have a direct eye line with Maze.

"So uh, Maze. Ya wanna talk about the name change?" Stan asked as he turned down the radio so he could hear him if he decided to respond.

"Oh, uh..." Maze's cheeks flushed shyly as he sunk down into the seat. "I felt like Dipper was too little kiddish and Mason wasn't cool enough. It feels like an old man name. So I came up with Maze," he explained, feeling his ears heat up from embarrassment. "It's like a cooler and more edgy version of Mason, you know?"

Stan smiled to himself. He was proud of his nephew for taking steps to trying to find himself in this crucial stage of his development. "Yeah? It sounds badass," he admitted with a grin. "The ladies'll go crazy over Maze."

"You think so?" He asked, his cheeks fully flushed now. He had a smile on his face that was so relieved that Stan was extremely supportive without a second thought to it.

"Hell yeah! Better than borin old Stan," Stan said with a nod, smiling even more now.

"Well someone seems to like that, 'boring old Stan'," Mabel chimed in bravely with a devious grin while she wiggled her eyebrows knowingly.

The car swerved slightly after she said that. Stan was shocked that she knew _anything_. His own cheeks started turning red in response.

"Got no clue what you're on about, kid," he deflected quickly.

"Oh yeeeaaaahhhhhh? Who's Solana then?" Mabel asked, putting her head in her hands with her elbows on the arm rest between her and her uncle.

"B-Bill collector!" He stammered before turning the radio up loud enough to where he couldn't hear her if she tried to speak again.

Mabel giggled and turned to face forward in her seat again. She knew he was lying of course and it was hilarious watching him trying to explain his way out of it.

After what felt like an agonizing amount of time to Stan later, they pulled into a parking spot at the new art shop he promised he'd take Mabel to. He turned the car off then immediately pulled the keys out.

"Ready to get the ball rollin, kid?" Stan asked Mabel.

"I'm ready like Freddy!" Mabel said excitedly, practically vibrating in her seat at this point.

"Go on in. I'll meet you kids in there. Make sure you look all helpless so they'll feel bad for some kids and give even more of a discount," Stan reminded, looking between the both of them. The twins nodded and rushed out of the car to run into the store.

Stan took his phone out of his pocket to see if Solana had texted him. She didn't. He figured it was because she was at work so he figured he'd hear from her later on in the day after her shift. Or maybe on her lunch break? He hoped lunch was the option.

Wait what? Stop. Full stop. Why was he acting like this about a woman he barely knew?

Get it together, Stanley, he thought to himself, shaking his head and rubbing his face in disbelief. His eyes trailed over to his reflection in the rearview mirror. He almost didn't recognize himself.

"Ya got this. You are the man. Ya'll get Mabel the best deals in the history of Gravity Falls on art supplies. Keep it together around them. Don't let them see you crack," he said to his reflection in the mirror, trying to hype himself up like usual. He always did this before every Mystery Shack tour back when he still ran it. He left that up to Soos long ago. It'd been a while. He was rusty but he hoped he still had the charm.

Before he could get inside his own head any more than what he already was, Stan got out of the car. He made sure to grab his cane just in case he had to play up the old man card. As he locked the doors, he was already walking into the store.

The doors slid open and he was hit with the crispest wall of air conditioning he'd ever felt since he moved to this, not so, sleepy town. They weren't kidding when they said this was the biggest art store this town has ever seen. It seemed locally owned. By who, he didn't know. Nor did he care. He was about to scam the fuck out of them.

There was a loud clatter heard in a nearby aisle.

"Fuck!" the voice said in a defeated tone.

Stan grew curious if the kids had anything to do with that. He went to inspect almost immediately. Once he reached the aisle where the commotion was, there was a woman bent over in a short skirt. If she didn't have her striped tights on, her ass definitely would have been showing. It was nice and round plus her thighs were the perfect size to match. When he caught himself staring, Stan screeched to a grinding halt in his tracks when he remembered that he was still very much interested in Solana.

"Excuse me, toots. Ya need a hand?" he found himself asking without even thinking a millisecond about it. He cussed himself out internally for treating this woman the way he did initially and wanted to right the wrong. Even though she had no idea.

"Ah, no. I got it," she said as she stood up straight and turned around to see Stan. She froze in her tracks when their eyes met. She stood there, statuesque.

Stan couldn't help but look over her in the few seconds he had to respond. She had a light yellow color to her hair and it was almost reminiscent of Betty Boop with all the little curls she had covering her head and part of her face. It was short too. Above her shoulders. Her skin was dewy and brown. Her eyes were a deep and chocolatey brown. Her lips. Her shirt had one of those little heart shaped keyholes. It showed every bit of her cleavage.

He snapped himself back to reality first, still finding her seemingly frozen in time.

"Hello?" Stan asked, waving a hand in her face. "Anybody home up there?"

"Hi, Stanley," she said in a very familiar voice with a smile and a tiny wave of her fingers.

Stan froze in his spot as well. His throat immediately started feeling like it was closing up and his heart started racing.

"S-Solana?" he asked in quiet shock. His entire demeanor changed almost instantly. He was looking everywhere but her, feeling the anxiety of seeing her set in quickly. This was something he hadn't accounted for. At least not today.

"Tsk, tsk, Stanley," Solana said as she did the two finger wiping motion at him. "Eye fucking me already?" she laughed. "How ungentlemanlike of you."

[c-t-r-l14]

Special

“I wish I was special

I gave all my special

Away to a loser

Now I’m just a loser.”

—————————💔————————-

Synopsis: You refuse to go out quietly.

This is the second part to Session 32.

———————————💔————————-

In all of his panic, it took Alex a couple of seconds to notice that the drawers to the dressers were ajar and the suitcases with your clothes inside. You saw his eyes widen as the realization hit, but the feeling of incredulity made him ask one singular question:

“W-Where are you going?”

The quiver in his voice made you die inside, and yet you kept you voice low, and your tone firm and flat.

“Away,” You simply replied, “I’m moving out.”

…….

He simply stared at you—his doe eyes wide with hurt and distress. His stare burned into your own, and it was painful to look at him. Despite that, you kept your expression neutral, and your back firm and straight. You made sure your face didn’t show your true feelings.

“Right now? Why?” He inquired.

“Because we broke up. There’s no reason to stay anymore, so I’m leaving,” You simply answered, and you continued packing your stuff.

“I just—I guess I didn’t think that you’d leave so soon…I thought that maybe you were gonna stay a bit longer.”

“Why?”

“Well, I haven’t even started packing yet—I don’t leave ‘till February 16th and I still got a whole lot of paperwork to sort out and everything before I go. So, I just thought that we’d have a little bit of time left to sort this—”

“Well, you thought wrong.”

You felt Alex’s gaze as you continued to pack. You can feel as he was trying his best to contemplate what exactly was going on right now. Your short, curt responses and air of indifference was clearly bothering him, and you could tell that he didn’t know what to do.

“Okay—what is your problem??” he asked, annoyance and confusion evident in his tone, “You’ve been gone for days, you haven’t been answering any of my messages—”

“Why are you acting like you didn’t know where I was? I sent you a text. I told you where I was and who I was with.”

“Yeah you did, but I—“

“Okay, so stop acting like I didn’t. I needed some time away from you. Who I was with and my location was all the information you needed.”

“What is with you?? It’s the first time I’ve seen you in days, and all I’ve been greeted with is a bad attitude, a suitcase filled with clothes, and you telling me you’re leaving!”

You could hear the frustration in his voice, and even though you weren’t looking at him, you could practically feel the pain in his eyes. You continued to pack regardless.

“Yep, sounds about right,” you responded non-cholantly, “I got my girl Solana downstairs with the car. When I’m ready to go, she’s gonna drop me off at my mom’s house. Denise, Kimahri, and Dehlani are gonna be here in a couple of days for winter break, and they’ve agreed to help me pack up the rest of my stuff—Oh! I already told our Super that I’m moving too, he told me that I still have to pay my part of the rent—”

“Wait—Wait. Other people know about this?? You’ve had this whole thing sorted out already?” He asked incredulously.

That question confused you a little. Did he think you were at your mom’s house only for moral support?

“Shouldn’t it be obvious, Alex?” you sighed as you put a pair of pants in your suitcase, “I literally just mentioned the people who’ll be helping me move.”

“How come I was the last to know about it, though???”

You stopped packing, and turned your head in his direction and just stared. Your expression of neutrality was no more; your brows were raised and your eyes were wide with pure astonishment. You stared at his knitted brows, and the wrinkles on his forehead that were creased with worry. You stared at his glassy, doe eyes—and saw the hurt and pain they beheld behind the color of burnt sienna. His whole face held an expression of betrayal, agony, and bewilderment.

Oh, the irony.

“Yeah well, it doesn’t feel good now, doesn’t it Alex?” you sneered, trying your best to keep your voice low, “Being the last to know about shit you really SHOULD know about REALLY bites the big one, doesn’t it??”

“Oh my GOD, here we GO,” Alex groaned as he rolled his eyes.

“Oh what?? You’re mad now ‘cause you’re feeling what I felt that day??”

“(Y/N), How in the HELL did you expect me to tell you about the job offer if you couldn’t even handle me working with Natalie?? You looked through my phone, accused me of cheating, and expected me to not be at least a little bit hesitant about telling you?? And it seems like you STILL aren’t handling it well now, considering how you’re just ready to get up and leave!”

You faltered a little bit. Some of the things he said weren’t wrong. You lost your cool and made some very stupid decisions and it definitely wasn’t your proudest moment. Usually, when situations arose, you made sure to keep your feelings in check and be more logical and rational about things. But you were so worried that another person you loved would leave you for someone else. But that still wasn’t an excuse. And there was definetly a better way of communicating how you felt—one that didn’t involve you going through his phone and making stupid accusations.

“Look. I understand that you were hurt and surprised about what happened. I know what I did was wrong. I violated your privacy, and accused of shit you didn’t do, and I will always be sorry for that. I’m usually not like that—“

“I know,” he interjected.

“That’s the thing—you know! You know that I’m usually calmer. You know that I’m usually level headed. What I did was dumb, yes—but I would think that the one time I lose my cool and do something stupid wouldn’t be my defining characteristic!“

“It’s not!”

“Well you sure acted like it was when you made up that fuckass excuse—talkin’ ‘bout how you ‘thought you knew me,’ Alex. We were together for four years—and you me know better than anyone.”

You sighed.

“I’m not angry because you want to move to New York. It’s where your dream job is, and you should totally go for it. I’m angry because you tried to get rid of ME in the process.”

Alex’s eyes widened.

“What?” He gasped.

“It was so obvious that you’ve mentally checked out of this relationship long ago—and even more obvious that you’ve had your mind made up from the jump. And that’s comepletely fine. Sometimes, relationships don’t last forever…”

You swallowed the lump in your throat. You tried your best to hold it together.

“But the way you ended things between us was absolutely trifiling!!”

And it was true—that’s how you felt. You weren’t angry at him for leaving you. You weren’t angry that he wanted to go to New York. You were angry with the way he broke up with you—because the things he said that day didn’t make a lick of sense.

“I—I ended things for BOTH of our sakes! I did it because I love you!”

You couldn’t help but scoff at that statement. It took everything in your power not to roll your eyes.

“You did it because you wanted me GONE.”

“Wha—I can’t believe you’d say—”

“During the whole time you broke up with me, all you did was blame me for everything and make excuses, Alex! You say I’m not the right person to handle long distance—“

“Oh my GOD, there you go AGAIN with the assumptions!”

“Alex, how in the HELL did you expect me to take that??? You were most definitely alluding to it, don’t play with me!”

“I wasn’t—”

“If you weren’t alluding to it, then there was no reason to say it in the first place! If you really wanted to leave then that’s fine—but don’t get mad at me and accuse me of ‘jUmpiNG tO ConCLUsiONS’ when you say outta pocket shit like that! Especially since I ended up being right about you wanting to leave me in the first place!!!”

Your heart felt like it was about to leap out of your chest and your lungs were on fire. You could feel the tears welling up in your eyes, and your throat closing up. You just wanted all of this to be over. Having this conversation hurt too much. And suddenly, you found yourself wishing for the hollowness that had once consumed your body to come back. You were in too much pain. You’d rather feel nothing at all. This was so damn difficult to do.

But anything worth doing is hard.

So you took in a deep, quivering breath and let it out slowly. You blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, and you cleared your throat.

“You talked about how much this hurts you—how much it hurts to leave me, but it really doesn’t feel that way. You talk about how much you love me, but I feel like if you loved me as much as you said you did, then you would’ve at least tried to make this work, Alex. I KNOW how you are. You put your all into everything—into volleyball, into photography, and yet you couldn’t even muster up a little bit of effort to try and keep relationship going. You couldn’t muster up any effort, despite you telling me how much you loved me. So like hell, you do Alex. Like hell.”

You let the tears flow. There was no use in stopping them now. But despite that, you still continue on. A shaky sigh passed through your lips.

“I’m not mad that you want to leave. I’m not mad that you wanna pursue your dreams. But don’t tell me that I’m the love of your life and then do everything in your power to leave me behind! Nobody who claims to love someone as much as you do would be so blatantly dishonest! Your actions don’t match your words and it’s sickening!!”

You didn’t hide the quiver in your voice. You wanted him to hear the pain in it. You continued still, despite how horse your voice had become.

“I tried everything in my power to make things work, because I love you. I know I did wrong, and I’ll own up to that every single time. But do NOT put all the blame on me just because YOU don’t wanna be with me anymore! You are NOT completely blameless in all of this, and I’m sick and tired of you acting like you are!”

Your heart was pounding so loudly you could hear it in your ears. But you continued still.

“And I’ll be DAMNED if I let you go to New York thinking that what you did was even REMOTELY okay! You can’t just pull me out of your life with excuses and flowery words and cast me away whenever it suits you! I will NOT go out quietly, Alex! You will hear my mouth, and I want you to know that what you did was trifling!!”

Another shaky breath. In and out.

“If you had any love or respect for me at all, then you would’ve been straight up with me from the jump. There would’ve been no need for excuses or pointing fingers if you were just honest, Alex. I don’t know what was going through your head that day, but I’m telling you, I haven’t felt less human than in that moment, and I will NOT let you have the luxuary of living your best life in New York—not when you don’t understand what you’ve done wrong!”

Your eyes met his. They were as red and glassy as your own.

“I’m giving you a chance to break up with me the correct way. I want you to be honest. I want you to realize what you’ve done wrong. I want you to tell me straight up. No lies. No B.S. Please.”

A long, suffocating silence ensued. But Alex never said a word. He’d open his mouth, but nothing would come out—almost like the words would get caught in his throat before melting away. And whenever that happened he closed it. He did this for a good while—and each time, you waited for a response. And it felt like you were waiting forever.

But after what felt like an eternity, he simply hung his head and closed his mouth. He didn’t open it back up again. He didn’t have anything to say.

You couldn’t believe it. You were honest on the day he broke up with you, because that’s what he asked of you—and you felt like thats what he deserved. You were honest about where you were and who you were with when you left the apartment because thats what he deserved. You’ve been honest throughout this entire conversation. You poured your heart out to him, and told him how he made you feel, because thats what he deserved. And EVEN after all of that, he still wasn’t man enough to be honest with you. It was bad enough that your relationship was crumbling before your very eyes. It was even more terrible that you were losing him.

But you were literally giving him the oppurtunity to be honest with you right now, and he still wouldn’t take it. You weren’t even worthy enough for the truth.

That revelation cut deep. And it hurt so damn much.

And that hurt made you ANGRY.

“Forget it,” You growled, turning your attention back to your suitcase, “I should’ve known better than to ask a man who has such a hard time being honest to tell me the truth.”

He lifted his head as you began to pack.

“The craziest thing about this was how much you wanted me to be truthful to you on the day we broke up. You told me that trust is something that is crucial in a relationship, but I don’t know how you expect me to trust you when you can’t even practice what you preach. Integrity and effort is what keeps a relationship going, and you clearly lack BOTH of those things. I suggest you grow a fucking backbone and quick,”—You looked him directly in the eyes—“Or don’t be surprised when all of your future relationships end up like ours did.”

He didn’t say anything. He merely walked quietly out of the room.

………

You rolled your suitcase out of the bedroom. You wanted nothing more than to get out of this apartment and away from him.

“I’ll be back next Tuesday with my friends to pick up the rest of my stuff.”

You turned around and saw him standing there, right by the couch. He stared at you, eyes red and wide. His eyebrows knitted—creased with worry. And that same hurt and pain that was beheld behind the color of burnt sienna.

But you didn’t feel anything this time.

You opened the door.

“Goodbye, Alex. Hope your passion keeps you fucking warm at night.”

You walked out of that apartment—leaving Alex with nothing but a hollow feeling in his gut and the loud slam of the door ringing in his ears.

———————————💔———————————-

A/N: Good GOD, ya’ll. This was probably one of the most difficult fics I’ve ever written because it has so much dialogue in it!

I’m so sorry for the wait, ya’ll. But writing for Alex is actually really friggin’ exhausting because of how pissed he makes me. There will be more stories with Alex in them, but they will be spread few and far in between!

Also, sorry that’s so damn long💀 I didn’t wanna break it up into a third part because that’d be just stupid.

I hope ya’ll like it!

(And before any of ya’ll ask, YES, Kimahri was named after Saku’s pet cat.)

@tranquility-base-casino

Masterlist

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Trouble's Brewing Remake: What's it about, and why is it happening?

//So, I think I kept everyone waiting for quite a while after I announced this, and I think it's finally time that I explain what's going to happen with this arc, and what it's all about.

//After some deep reflection and feedback, I realized there were areas that could be improved, and I’m really excited about the direction this rewrite is taking. I know some of you might have questions, so I wanted to address a few that might be on your mind. From what inspired the change, to how this will affect the story moving forward, and what new things you can expect, I’ll cover it all right here.

//No need for a long, drawn out explanation, so let's get started.

1 - Why is Trouble's Brewing being re-written?

//The simple answer is because it's easily the most outdated arc of the story.

//For those who haven't seen the beginning of this blog, this was before I came up with the structure that I currently have, and suffice to say, the plot of the first arc was rushed, and didn't really explain ANYTHING. It was just a quickly fumbled together introduction with no real characterization.

//Basically, all it was designed to do was drop Shuichi and his friends into the world, and it didn't have much of a story besides that.

//The reason why I'm rewriting Trouble's Brewing, and making it from scratch, is to take that plot, and actually make a full-length story arc for it, instead of a few quick posts that were hastily scrapped together, and uncomfortably bad compared to my current writing.

//Now, normally, I really hate the idea of going back and recreating work that I've already made, but in this case, I have more than one good reason for doing so. Considering he's still a key player in the story, it's also the first chance I have to actually use Kuripa's new sprites as part of the story, as well as to give a little more early characterization to some characters who severely needed it in preparation for future arcs.

2 - Will the new arc change the overall direction of the story?

//Yes, but not massively.

//The general plot of the arc will be the same. It will generally be set up to explain the world, the current state of the Future Foundation, as well as introduce the V3 kids into the fray, and the OC's like Kuripa.

//All this is is me taking that original story, and expanding it into something full fledged, like all the current arcs do.

3 - Are key characters being changed or removed?

//I'm sure a lot of people are wondering this, and the answer is yes.

//Because this takes place at the very beginning of the story, the following characters, who only appear in later arcs, will not be featured: Junko Chiaki Alter Ego Junko Kizakura Munakata Yukizome Kaede Ryoma Kirumi Angie Tenko Miu Kaito Kokichi Tsumugi Keebo Gonta Rantaro Kiyo Monaca Yuta Taichi Sora Mikako Teruya Setsuka Iroha Syobai Mikado Kanata Kanade Akane Taira Ando Hibiki Yamato Akeru Mikihiko Yosaku Kana Misako Kanjiro Seina Shozo Ryo Akira Narumi Misuzu Eloise Taulner Kibin Karma Matta Tsutsuji Ella Hanami Mii-Yu Mona Eden Maya Four Hunter Kouji Leona Oliver Yomi Yui Kanon Natsumi Kuroba Solana

//And a few other characters on top of that. Just...anybody who was not present prior to the first arc, so most of the V3 characters, sans Shuichi, Maki, and Himiko

//However there are also characters that will be coming back for the arc, namely Hajime, Yukari, and regular Himiko.

4 - How will the asks function? Will there be any for this arc?

//To make it easier on myself, no. But I will not be closing the box during the duration.

//Asks will be asked in the context of where the story is currently. Because it's a rewrite, I want Trouble's Brewing to be entirely story.

//After all, there's not much point in asking questions when most people already know the current plot developments. There isn't much potential for questions when the reset button gets hit.

5 - How different will the rewritten arc be from the original?

//As I said before, the basic plot is the same, but it's been expanded to include more character moments, story beats, and just...plot in general. Below, I've included some of the important considerations for those looking forward to it:

The main characters of the arc are the Branch 14 trio, i.e. Makoto, Mukuro, and Kuripa.

As teased in the title though, all the main protagonists (with the exception of Kaede, who is not present at this point in the story) will play significant roles in the plot, Shuichi especially.

Yukari Koime will be the main antagonist of the arc. The reason is because I feel that her introduction in Neo World was a bit too bare bones for how important she is throughout Phases 1 and 2, and I wanted more of a chance to have her be the main antagonist.

The big key difference of this arc, compared to the original, is that Maki and Himiko don't just show up as easily as Shuichi does. Like in the original Trouble's Brewing, Shuichi will appear through a wormhole and arrive on Jabberwock Island, but unlike their rushed arrival in the original arc, the main plot of this new arc will involve the Future Foundation tracking down and rescuing Maki and Himiko, to help reunite them with Shuichi. Effectively, it;'s something of a Saving Private Ryan kind of story.

6 - Will we see new scenes or characters?

//Yes, and yes.

//Although, for whatever new characters we DO add to this, don't expect them to stick around for the rest of the story. We need to kind of retain the canonicity, and it doesn't make sense for new characters to appear, and then not be present for the rest of the story.

//The new scenes are designed to better establish the current state of the world 8 years after DR3, and to establish the new characters, like Kuripa and Mukuro, although they don't have their current development, of course.

7 - Can we still access the original version?

//Yes, of course, it should hopefully still be up. But the whole premise of this is to improve the first part of the story, so hopefully, you won't need, nor want to after this.

8 - Will the themes or tone of the story change?

//I can't say for certain, but if they do, it'll likely be to better elaborate and improve upon the general themes of Survivor as a whole, so that new readers can get better acquainted with the premise.

//I think for now, that's it. If there are any other questions about this, please ask me, and I will answer as best I can.

[sunlights-daughter]

Telemachus’ nightmare — ☁️

tw: blood, throwing up, death described

— — —

“Run little wolf run.”

“No! Please!”

“Bite little wolf. Bite!”

Antinous pounced on Telemachus, holding a dagger as he slit his throat. The prince felt the pain.. like he was actually experiencing it.

Telemachus kicked Antinous off him, tears streaming his cheeks. And he ran off, even if his dream self was bleeding more than anything before.

The young man coughed up blood. Almost choking on it.

“Choke on your blood and your tears..”

A melodic voice sang, he felt compelled to follow. But two arms dragged him. His friends, Pisistratus and Nausicaä.

“No Telemachus!”

“Don’t do it!”

He sobbed and fell, he didn’t know where he was falling. He felt numb now as he landed, stood shakily, walked, limping towards a door. It was locked.

He dropped to his knees, banging on it. Begging for someone to let him out, he was going to throw up. He was going to-

His guts felt like they were spilling out of his body. What was wrong with him? Why is he getting these dreams?

The prince didn’t like his body.

“Honey?~” a voice called, it was his mother. “It’s time for supper dear!”

“Please.. leave me alone.”

“Oh, I’m afraid not.” The picture of his mother flashed to Poseidon. Telemachus screamed as his feet moved on his own, his vomit was all over him, blood was all over him, he was going to-

He saw Solana, and smiled, before rushing over to her. Before.. he saw her with another man? His smile quickly faded, and he felt someone tap his back repeatedly.

He gasped, breathing shakily as he woke.

“Hey.. Telemachus? Nightmare?” Zagreus handed him a cup of water.

His eyes narrowed, “Yes..” he said bitterly.

— — —

- 🪻

STOP PUTTING MY BOY THROUGH THIS..... ONE WIN IM BEGGING

@imnotaman @ithacas-prince

[vilapollo-arts]

getting ready with Volker

pairing: OC x reader

a/n: this is another OC in the upcoming otome novelette I'm writing! Volker is a knight tasked to protect Runa (the reader), which is funny because Runa could feel how much Volker tries to distance himself from her. Unfortunately, duties are much more important than personal feelings.

You admire yourself in the mirror in front of you. A beautiful black velvet gown adorns your figure. It was a simple gown paired with a pair of long gloves. Your lady-in-waiting helped you put your hair up in a tight bun, leaving two locks of your hair on each side of your face.

“So, the prince won’t be coming tonight?” you ask, letting your lady-in-waiting apply her last touches on your makeup.

Another figure stands by the door of your dressing room. He wears a dark red formal suit, nothing too fancy. However, since this is the first time you’ve seen him in such clothing, you try not to look at him a little too long. On the other hand, his green eyes refuse to look at you, which is something you’ve already gotten used to. After all, you’re the last person in the whole kingdom that he ever wants to be with in an empty room. Unfortunately, the king has a great sense of humor by appointing him as your official bodyguard.

“No, Lady Runa,” Volker replies. “Unfortunately, Prince Shiloh won’t be coming with us tonight. That’s why he specifically instructed me to be your…escort for tonight’s charity gala.”

You nod. “Very well.”

Your lady-in-waiting steps away after helping you put your coat on. You then dismiss her and tell her to not wait for you until you get back, since you’ll surely be home late.

You approach the door and stop before the knight. When your eyes meet, you resist the urge to take a step back. The way he looks at you makes you wonder how he’s currently trying to strangle you in his mind.

“Prince Shiloh tasked me to give this to you,” he says, pulling out a small but heavy white box and presenting it in front of you.

“This must be the necklace that Solana asked me to wear,” you say and gently unlock the box.

Inside was a diamond necklace with several emerald pendants. To call it a necklace is an understatement. It looks like a small chandelier with the amount of diamond chains artistically interwoven with one another. Now you know why Solana, Shiloh’s cousin, asked you to specifically wear a gown with a low neckline. It’s a good thing you also decided to wear a plain velvet gown. You’d surely be the center of attention if you wore something a little more fancy.

“Could you help me put it on?” you ask, looking up at him.

Volker nods. “Of course, My Lady.”

He walks towards the vanity table and puts the box down. He pulls out a pair of gloves and puts them on. He picks the necklace up and unclasps the lock of the diamond necklace. He bends down over you to match your height.

“May I?” he asks.

You nod.

You feel the cold touch of the necklace as he wraps it around your neck. You feel how heavy it is. Unfortunately, this necklace will be auctioned at the end of the night. You just hope your neck and shoulders can survive throughout the night.

Your train of thought gets cut off when you see how Volker is bent towards you awkwardly as he tries to clasp the necklace on your nape. Aside from trying his best to work on the necklace, he seems to be trying his best to keep his distance between the two of you. Whether it’s out of respect or out of his personal vendetta against you, you don’t know.

“Please don’t make things harder for yourself. You can come closer if you’re having a hard time with the clasps,” you tell him.

His go from the necklace up to yours. “It’s alright. I almost got it,” he replies before returning his gaze to the necklace once again.

You hold yourself back from sighing at his stubbornness. Instead, you take a step closer to him. This takes him by surprise and the heavy necklace slips from his fingers. Your heart drops along with the necklace, but it is immediately forgotten when Volker suddenly pulls you by the waist and presses you against his chest

Your widened eyes meet each other. The necklace is awkwardly stuck between your bodies, stopping it from fully crashing to the ground.

“S-Sorry,” you breathed. “I didn’t mean to surprise you.”

“No, it was my fault,” Volker replies. His fingers slightly twitch on your waist. “But, can you please grab the necklace for me, My Lady?”

You look down and realize that the necklace is just below your chest. Your face heats up. “Y-Yeah. Of course,” you say and get a hold of one of the clasps.

He pulls away slowly and immediately takes the necklace in his hands. “Perhaps it’s better if you sit down for this, My Lady.”

“Yeah, I think so too,” you say as you fan yourself.

You take a seat on the fluffy couch and watch as Volker leans over you. This time, he leans in closer. His breath is on your shoulder as he works on your necklace once more. He has this woody scent emanating off of him and you can’t help but try not to squirm too much.

Finally, you hear the click of the clasps which means that he’s finally done. He pulls away a bit, checking to see if the necklace looks okay on your neck.

“Is it heavy?” he asks.

You blink, not expecting him to even think whether this piece of jewelry is comfortable or not. “It is, but I’ll be fine,” you reply. “It’ll just be for the night.”

He nods and stands up straight while pulling the gloves off of his hands. “I’ll bring the box with me. If you need to rest your neck and shoulders, at least we have someplace to put it away.”

You smile. “Thank you, Volker.”

He nods. “The prince specifically told me to not only be responsible for your protection, but also your comfort. I’m merely doing what is asked of me,” he says before offering you his hand. “The carriage is ready outside.”

You take his hands and he helps you up from the couch. Despite your gloves, his warmth reminds you of the contact you had with him earlier. However, you immediately force yourself to get rid of such thoughts. Aside from being engaged to the prince, you’re aware of the past that will forever leave a gap between the two of you.

“Are you ready to go, My Lady?” Volker asks.

You straighten your back. “That, I am.”

[paisholotus]

Chapter 5

January 20th , 1996. New York City

Solana’s Pov

It's been a minute since I've seen Jack. I've been trying to reach him but he's been busy with school and his idiot friends. I was laying on my bed with Summer as we did our homework. I huffed as I looked down at my essay my mind on Jack. Summer must have noticed because she took the pencil out my hand and smiled lowly at me.

"What's wrong Lana? You've been distracted all day." She asked, leaning on her elbows. I sighed and sat criss cross on the bed placing my head in the palm of my hands. "I haven't heard from Jack in so long. Like, I know he's been busy with school and basketball but I wish he wouldn't ignore me." I said, looking down at me lap.

Summer sat up as I looked back at her and bit her lip looking nervous. I raised my brow at her and folded my arms, "what is it? Tell me. And, don't lie neither." I said, sternly. She huffed and looked down at the ground guilty. "I know where he is." She whispered. I dropped my arms and frowned looking at her confused. "Oh." I said, not understanding why she was hiding that.

"Okay....? Where is he?" I asked, slowly. She looked at me with a sad look and whispered, "he's at Nicole Murphys house." And, heat rose to my chest. "HE'S WHAT?!" She flinched as tears filled her eyes. "One of my friends told me at school and I wanted to tell you I just didn't know how. I promise I wasn't going to keep it from you." She rushed out pulling me into a hug.

I was a little upset at her not telling me because she knew I liked Jack. But, that's not what I was really angry about. "Summer, Nicole, is a druggie." I said, serious. She quickly pulled back and wiped her eyes frowning at me. "What? How you know?" I got off the bed and went into my closet to put warm clothes on. "Girl, how you think Erika got hooked on that shit? Nicole and her sister gave it to her. And, now she in rehab. You can barely recognize Erika now."

Summer got off the bed and put on her shoes. As we rushed out my room. I may be mad at Jack right now but that's still my friend first.

-Time Skip-

I told Ciara that we would only be a minute as she told me to hurry up. We walked into the building going towards the elevator. We glared up at the numbers as it went to the top of the building, the penthouse. As the elevator doors opened we walked out down the hall to the door. "Alright, this is it." I said, and knocked on the door hard.

Summer stared at the door with her arms crossed as I tapped my foot impatiently and knocked on the door again. The door finally swung open as Nicole opened the door glaring at us.

"What do you want, Brown?" She said, with a attitude. I glared at her and clicked my tongue. "I want Jack out of there. Now!" I said, sternly. She smirked at me and crossed her arms looking Summer up and down. "He's not here."

I walked closer to her so my face was in hers, "Murphy, if you don't get Jack out this door in five minutes I'll tell your father what happened in the boys locker room. And, trust I have video evidence. NOW GET YOUR FRIED EGG LOOKING ASS BACK THERE AND BRING ME MY FRIEND!" I yelled, as her face fell and she glared harder at me. Summer smirked and pointed her finger telling her to move.

She slowly turned around and walked back into her house and yelled for Jack to come downstairs. We continued to glared at each other as we waited for Jack to come down. As Jack came back down he saw us at the door and froze. I clenched my jaw and walked in grabbing him by his shirt and dragged him out, cutting him off as he began to yell, "SHUT YO ASS UP!"

Summer pushed him down the hall and I looked back at Nicole and grimaced at her. "Get fucking help." I said, before walking away hearing the door slam. As we got into the elevator everyone was silent. I was fuming. He couldn't even look at me. He just stared at the ground.

As we met it outside I snatched his arm and looked at him with angry tears in my eyes. His eyes softened and tried to speak but I shushed him and told him to get in the car. Ciara looked at us through the review mirror but I shook my head that this wasn't the time. The car ride back to my house was silent. Dead silent.

As Summer and Ciara got out the car they stopped Jack from getting out the car. He looked at me and sat back down, knowing we had to talk.

We sat for awhile before I broke the silence. "What the hell were you thinking? You know that girl was 21 years old? And, she was gonna have sex with a 16 year old boy. And, not only that but she does drugs Jack. This is why I said your friends are idiots. Because if they cared about you they wouldn't let you do that. I've told you what that shit does to you. We see it every day. EVERY FUCKING DAY ON THE STREETS! DOING WHO KNOWS WHAT FOR MONEY! YOU WANNA END UP LIKE THAT, HUH!? WHAT.... YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE IT'S YOU IT CAN'T HAPPEN TO YOU! ADDICTION DOESN'T GIVE A FUCK WHO YOU ARE! IT'LL SNATCH YO ASS UP TILL THERE'S NOTHING LEFT OF YOU!"

I yelled with tears in my eyes as Jack finally looked at me with his eyes welling up. My heart felt like it was in my throat, I felt like I couldn't breathe. And, my heart was a little broken. "And, of all people you was gonna lose it to her? You was gonna have sex with her? You-..." I tried to calm myself my voice cracking. "D-do you know how that made me feel?" I said, watching tears fall down his cheeks.

"Jack...you know I love you. But, more than a friend and it hurt me that...you would be that stupid. It's not the fact that you was with another girl...well it is to an extent..but you was willing to have sex with a 21 year old drug addict. I love you and I don't care if you're mad at me, as your friend i wasn't going to let you do that to yourself."

I grabbed his shoulder and looked into his eyes, "promise me you'll never do anything this stupid again." He nodded and grabbed my hand. "I promise." He whispered. I nodded and wiped my eyes opening the car door but he stopped me. I turned and looked at him, "I love you too, Lana." He said. I smiled, lowly, but my heart still felt broken.

We got out the car and walked into the building

[sparatus]

👀

send me a 👀 and i’ll post a snippet of art/writing that i never got around to finishing this year

so my plan for not-affiliated-with-certain-orgs nanowrimo this year had been a post-itlog novella feat. garrus and feron in no-reapers au lair of the shadow broker but then life kinda. hit me in the face with a whole freight train so it dropped off but i do still want to pick it up again cause im invested in the story, it adds plot stuff for exdiff but also it deals with garrus's trauma and depression after omega and how he finds his drive in life again. and also furthers my garrus/tasora propaganda and includes feron and tazzik and quentius + nautilea and their mildly feral xenoarchaeologist daughter

it also gets into my hc that after The Rocket Thing garrus is rendered mostly blind on his right side and reduced hearing so here's some of the first chapter that includes that

--

Whoever had decided that omni-tools needed to default to yellow text on orange holo, with low contrast and a tiny font size, deserved to be shot.

Solana had been the one to help Garrus find the display settings and figure out what would let him actually read. High contrast, large font size, yellow text on blue holo, and a button in the corner to turn on a screen reader that never moved so he didn’t have to hunt for it. He didn’t ask, not wanting to run the risk of a lecture and more shame over his actions than he already gave himself, but Sol was always the smart one. She let him have the courtesy of not calling him out in front of anyone, too, just waited until they were alone in the spaceport waiting for their shuttle to Palaven for Solstice while Tasora was in the restroom, slid a seat over, and asked if she could show him some tricks she’d found in the settings to customize the display.

She never once said the word blind. He didn’t even know if she knew yet, not right then. By the time Tasora got back, he could read his own notifs again, and they were watching dumb extranet vids on it like nothing had happened at all. He let her pick the toppings on their cheap spaceport pizza lunch in quiet thanks.

Staring at the screen now, though, reading felt just as impossible as before. The old Normandy group chat from over a year ago had randomly come back to life early that morning, Torres popping in to say he would be on the station again soon and would love to meet up with anybody still there, and it had been buzzing periodically ever since as other crew in other time zones woke up, saw the chat, and got excited with the rest. Kaidan was stationed on a training base down in Zakera, Ashley was doing a guard rotation at the embassies, Haugen and Isotalo were here, Khulozai was there. In the past hour, maybe fifteen more messages had popped in as people got off work or woke up for the day or took a convenient break to see why their ’tool was buzzing so much.

His gizzard rolled over on itself. The message bubbles scrolled past in a vague mass of shapes. Seeing, but not reading. If any of them had noticed he was online but not speaking, none of them had said.

He fluttered his mandibles and forced himself to tab back to his home screen. It was the end of the work day in the turian embassy, and Tasora would fuss if she came out of her office to him having a pity party. She didn’t need to be fussing over him, not right now. He could be a big boy and ignore it.

He fluttered his mandibles and instinctively started to look around, only for the blurry shadows that made up most of the right side of his field of view to make him dizzy, so he had to stop and remember to scent the air instead. The rocket hadn’t damaged anything in his nose, at least. He’d managed to learn the scents of a fair number of the embassy team in the past few weeks, and they'd started recognizing him, too, and said hello to him on the days he came in to pry Tasora away from her work on time. There was Auggie, of course, rocketing around collecting last-minute notes and reports and whatever else the councilor's assistant was responsible for at the end of the day. Ambassadors Orinia and Treninius were loitering outside the latter’s office; a turn of his head so he could look with his good eye confirmed they were chatting as they got their cloaks on. A mess of scents he only barely recognized was milling about by the door to the lawyers’ suite. Old Ambassador Itatumus was approaching on his bad side, and gave him the courtesy of a click-whistle to announce his presence before Garrus turned his head.

A door at the other end of the lobby, just before the doors to the big office and the Blackwatch soldiers bristling with guns guarding it, chimed a warning, and he turned his head just as his nasal plates tingled with bourbon and salt.

The whole lobby seemed to suck in a breath as Ambassador Quentius strode out of his office, mandibles set and crest slightly raised like a man on a mission. Orinia and Treninius stepped further out of the walkway, Auggie paused to look where the embassy’s resident giant was going, the lawyers fell to a buzzing hush. Garrus lifted his head, fluttering his good mandible in curiosity, but not too much, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

Red-orange eyes snapped to him, and he tried not to wince. “Oh, good, you are here,” Quentius huffed, taking a few more long strides before stopping not too far from the couch Garrus had parked himself on. “If you can convince her to go home within the next half-hour and without causing any more fusses, I’ll send you a few fish.”

Garrus blinked, fighting the urge to shrink back into the cushions. Quentius had been a major in the Imperial Army, and carried himself as such, and it had been all too obvious the first few times Garrus had dropped in on the embassy after the disastrous anniversary gala at the end of last year. He didn’t think tensions between the embassies had ever been higher; following the funeral, he’d seen more talons left ungloved, unbooted, and filed sharp around the Citadel than a younger him would have thought legal. Tasora had told him nobody saw the councilor very much at all outside him arriving in the morning and departing several hours late each day, embroiled as he was in calls and conferences with various Imperial leaders trying to decide what to do about the rot in their midst, and there were some days where you could go an entire day without even realizing the old man was there. That had been half of why Garrus started coming up at the end of the day to walk out with her, a nagging fear in the back of his head that if he let her out of his sight for too long, something terrible would happen.

His therapist had said that was the PTSD talking, and they’d work on it. He’d told him he’d feel better in a Palaven month, and then he wouldn’t have to go anywhere anyway, just stay home and protect the nest. This was also apparently not a normal thing to say.

[trippinsorrows]

dreamland: twisters

authors note: i can't remember or find which ask, but at some point, we discussed aroha interrupting roso's shower time. that inspired this lil oneshot.

hope you enjoy!

warnings: super light sexy time.

words: 3.2k

masterlist

“These damn kids are giving me all this gray hair.”

Solana looks over her shoulder to see her husband inspecting his salt and pepper beard in their bathroom mirror. 

Rolling her eyes, she walks over and hugs him from behind, kissing the back of his tatted shoulder. “Baby, you were starting to go gray when I married you.”

Something she's always loved about him and found attractive. One of many things she loves about him and still finds attractive.

At a truth he cannot deny, Roman instead opts for rationalization. “Yeah, well they’re not fucking helping.”

Giggling, she steps away to pull her shirt over her head. “Whatever you say, mi amor. Whatever you say.” Solana continues to remove her clothes until she’s left in nothing but skin, walking over to their massive walk-in shower, stepping in and twisting the knob to turn on the water. She plays around with the temperature as Roman also undresses, shortly joining her right as the temperature settles into her preferred number.

Turning around, she sees Roman hissing, bringing a small smile to her face. “All these years later, and you still like to damn near burn us.”

She giggles, reaching her arms up and around his neck. “And you’re still just as dramatic.” Connecting their lips for a kiss, Solana feels his hands moves down to her ass, pulling her against him, his flaccid penis pressed against her stomach. Breathing into his mouth, water drenching both of them, she whispers, “you know it’s been a couple days…”

He makes a sound, squeezing her ass. “Too long.”

Smiling against him, she reminds what he already knows, “all the kids are down for bed, too.”

“Hmm.” He hums, starting to back her against the closest wall, his finger trailing from her backside to her front, fingers ghosting over the short curls on her apex. “What should we do then?”

Solana gasps, eyes fluttering shut as she gently bites down on his bottom lip. “You tell me.”

Roman’s groan is followed up with him quickly turning her around, Solana’s mouth dropping open at being pressed against the shower wall, his strong, wet body pushed up behind her, the feel of his hardening dick on the small of her back.

“I have a couple ideas,” he murmurs, pressing open mouthed kisses on the back of her neck, trailing down her back, his hand moving to spread her thighs.

“Baby…” She moans, fingers scraping the wall. “Please.”

His deep voice chuckles, mouth atop her ass, hand spreading her cheeks. “Please what, sweetheart?”

She groans, forehead against the wall, the shower doors steamed all around them and not just from the humidity of the shower. 

“Roman—”

Her eyes begin to shut once more when three, hard, successive knocks completely pull both herself and her husband from the moment. “Mommy! Daddy!”

Solana turns around, Roman now standing up, his eyes shut from obvious irritation. 

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

Solana clears her throat and manages the best normal tone one can achieve in that sort of situation. “What’s wrong, Roro?”

Another question versus an answer followed by the door being jiggled, hence why both Roman and Solana opted years ago to make sure that that damn bathroom door stays locked no matter what. “What are you guys, doing?”

“Nothing, now.” 

Solana casts a small glare to Roman’s back, his body now turned away from her, hands on the shower wall as he works to calm himself. 

“Baby, what do you need?”

Solana already has a good idea, but there’s a small part of her that’s hoping it’s not that, even though she knows exactly what that is. “Can I sleep with you?”

At that, Roman breaks his silence. “No, Roro, you’ve already slept with us twice this week.”

There’s an emphasis on the twice and understandably so. The parents have been working to help their youngest sleep in her own bed more nights than not, given a recent increase over the past few months of Aroha finding her way into their bedroom—and bed—in the middle of the night.

One of the methods to deter this has been limiting her sleeping with them to two nights a week, and as she’s already utilized both, her “freebies” are all gone. 

Not that she really cares about that.

“But, daddy—”

“No, Aroha.” Roman stands ten toes down, clearly dedicated to the agreement they all made and she was “okayish” with at the time. “Now, go to your room, and go back to bed. We’ll see you in the morning.” 

Naturally, Roro goes for her emergency line. “Mommy!”

Unfortunately, it’s a no-go, as both parents are on the same page. “You heard your daddy, Aroha. Go back to sleep, mija.”

An expected whine, protest, and stomp from outside the door followed by the sound disappearing altogether, signifying her departure. 

Roman still braced against the wall, Solana moves to stand behind and hug him. “You think we were too hard on her?” She feels him tense under her, prompting her to mumble a quiet ‘sorry.”

Poor choice of words.

He sighs. “She has to learn, babe. We don’t get this under control, she’ll be sleeping with us until she’s 10, and we can’t have that.” 

Solana is the one to sigh this time. He’s right. She knows he’s right. It’s just difficult, because all of their kids, sans Koa and Kai, have all gone through some phase like this, wanting to sleep with them. Especially the OG’s. But, that was often limited to when one parent was out of town, or Leya’s OCD was particularly bad. It’s also never been as frequent as it’s been with Aroha these past few months.  

They’re doing what’s necessary.

Dancing her fingers down his glistening back, Solana attempts to revive the mood. “I think…I think she’s gone now.”

Roman chuckles underneath her, prompting her smile to grow. 

If only it wasn’t temporary. 

“Roro, get out of our rooms!”

The sound of Kai yelling angrily pulls both mother and father from their attempt as husband and wife time. 

Solana shuts her eyes as Roman knocks his head against the wall. 

“I’m not in your room!" Aroha shouts back, mother and father practically able to see the the cave of her brows and scowl that’s 100% Roman. 

“Yes, you are!” Koa disputes, also something that can be visualized as an annoyed outburst through a closed door.

“No, I’m not!” Another staunch defense followed by an explanation. “I’m waiting for Tama!”

At that, Roman and Solana frown. What does she want with Tama?

Finally realizing and accepting the moment is long gone, Roman straightens, Solana backing away from him as he goes to shut off the shower. “Every fucking time…”

“Baby…” She warns, the two exiting their shared shower and drying off as much as possible before throwing their clothes back on, Roman the first to unlock and head out. 

She blows out a breath, not far behind him as they walk into the boys wing of the house to see Aroha standing in the middle of the hall, holding her "blankie" and stuffed bear, clearly upset. Koa and Kai stand in the doorway of their respective rooms that are right across from each other. 

Roman places his hands on his hips. “Aroha, what are you doing?”

She pouts, pointing to Koa but speaking of both. “They’re being mean to me!”

“No, we’re not,” Koa scoffs, looking over at his parents, pointing to his sister. “She’s bothering us.”

Aroha doesn’t skip a beat, protesting. “No, I’m not!”

“Yes, you are!” 

“Enough,” Roman’s deep voice travels the hall, silencing the three of them. A heavy sigh leaving him as he moves to kneel in front of a clearly upset Aroha. “Baby, what’s wrong?” His voice is lowered and softer, clearly recognizing what Solana is also seeing is more than just her wanting to sleep with them.

Aroha pouts, answering in a soft voice as she clutches her teddy bear. “I wanna sleep with Tama, but he’s in the bathroom.”

Solana frowns. “Still?” Her oldest son was in the shower about half an hour before she and Roman got in. “What’s he doing in there?”

At that, Koa and Kai snicker, muttering, “you don’t wanna know.”

Her frown deepens. 

What does that mean?

However, Roman remains focused on the issue at hand. “Why do you want to sleep with Tama?”

She starts to sniffle, signifying tears are coming. “He said he’d protect me from the twisties.” 

Now, Roman is frowning. “Twisties? What are twisties?”

She sniffles once more, pointing up, voice high and soft, “the things from the sky that suck people up and make them go bye bye.” Her explanation is both clarifying and confusing, as she shakes her head. “I don’t want them to come get me.”

It’s that last sentence along with her gaze dropping to the ground, face turning red that puts the last piece together. “You’re scared…”

One more sniffle followed by her face turning up into a frown, and then the waterworks. Roman quickly pulls her into his arms right as she begins to cry loudly. “It’s okay, baby,” he comforts, kissing her temple and walking her over to Solana. 

Aroha continues to sob as Solana takes her, also kissing and comforting her. She shoots her husband a glance, an unspoken, “I’ve got her,” as she turns to take their youngest to the master bedroom, clearly to get her settled. 

Roman waits until he hears the door close to turn around, jaw clenching and flexing as he looks at his two youngest sons. “You—” He points to Kai. “And you—” Then, Koa. “In the kitchen.”

Expected protests. “But, dad–”

“Now.” Roman’s tone leaves no room for protest as he moves down the hall, banging on Tama’s bathroom door. 

“What the he—”

“Get your ass downstairs in the kitchen now.” Another statement of finality. Roman then moves over to the girls wing of the house, banging on Lina’s door, waiting to hear her groans on the other end before he directs her. “Get up. Wake up Aria, and go to the kitchen.” 

Roman last hears the sound of his eldest daughter groaning and cursing before he heads toward the staircase when he sees Leya’s door open. 

She frowns, rubbing her eyes. “Daddy, what’s going on?”

Roman walks over and cups her face. “Nothing.” His voice is gentler, eyes softening. “Something I need to handle with your siblings. You didn’t do anything wrong, baby. Go back to sleep.”

Because if there’s one thing he knows for certain, it’s that if Leya was somehow involved, she was surely the one trying to talk her brothers and sisters out of it. She’s not complicit, therefore, she doesn’t need to be a part of this.

Leya, understandably, looks confused but simply nods with a quiet ‘okay,’ heading back to bed and closing the door behind her. 

Roman takes another deep breath before heading down the steps and into the kitchen where Koa and Kai sit around the island, irritated as all outdoors. 

“Fix your faces.”

They do so by turning away, clearly wanting the privacy to sulk in private. Roman blows out a breath, glancing at the time on the microwave. 

2:10.

His eyes shut. 

Of course.

But, a few minutes later, more footsteps followed by Aria, of course, complaining.

“Do you guys have any idea how disruptive this is to my sleep routine?” She complains, some kind of fucking sleeping eye mask sitting on her forehead. “It’s unforgivable.”

Roman bites back a smartass reply. His middle child is so damn dramatic.

Lina, however, rolls her eyes, completely ignoring Aria and straight up asks, “what is this about?”

Tama is also infestered. And, irritated. “Yeah, I was….busy.” 

Roman smartly decides to not comment on Tama’s statement. “Sit down,” he directs, offering no answer just yet. 

The remaining three do so, all five looking equally sleepy and annoyed but mostly curious to know just what has them all being summoned at such an ungodly hour.

Good.

Satisfied he has their attention, Roman gets straight to it. “Whose damn idea was it to let your sister watch Twister?” The irritation almost instantly shifts into shocked and nervous gazes, each suddenly avoiding eye contact. 

The minute Aroha started to describe the “twisties,” the Tribal Chief already knew what had happened and why they were in that damn situation in the first place.

“Now ya’ll suddenly don’t know how to speak?” Roman mocks, shaking his head, voice even. “I’m not gon’ ask again.”

It only takes him using that tone for the easiest of the bunch to break.

Samaria lifts her arm, pointing to the twins. “It was their idea!”

Koa and Kai look thoroughly surprised and irritated. “No, it wasn’t!” They gesture to Tama and Lina. “They said she could handle it!”

Busted, Tama lifts his hands almost defensively, pleading his case. “We thought she could!”

“She’s six,” Roman says, like it should be the easiest thing in the world, because it should be. “What the hell made ya’ll think she could handle a movie about fucking twisters?”

Lina groans, elbow on the table, chin in hand. “Daddy, she wouldn’t leave us alone.”

Tama nods. “Yeah, we kept trying to get her to go to her playroom, but she wanted to be around us.”

Roman pinches the bridge of his nose. “So then, you should have put something else on for her.”

Koa scowls. “What? Like Frozen?” 

“I don’t care if it’s fucking Melted, put it on for her.” Lord, these kids really are trying to send him to an early grave. “Ya’ll keep letting her watch shit she shouldn’t be watching, and then your mom and I have to deal with the repercussions, and I’m sick of it.” 

Because, this isn’t the first time this has happened. It was some other sort of disaster movie before this and a horror movie before that one. His older kids seem to think it’s okay to let the baby of the family watch these adult themed shows and movies and don’t care because most nights, Aroha isn't waking them up. She's seeking comfort from her parents. Hence, her wanting to sleep with them more than usual. 

And, he’s over it.

It seems his serious tone as well as the overall frustration radiating off his big body seems to start to penetrate the kids' incomprehension.

Samaria is the first to apologize, shoulders dropped, “sorry, dad.”

Sentiments echoed by the other kids, Lina speaking up and also taking accountability. “I guess we didn’t really think about that.”

Clearly. But, there’s less of a desire to further stress his point and more of a willingness to try to meet them halfway. “I know your sister can be a lot at times, but if she’s giving you a hard time, you need to tell me or your mom. Don’t just try to handle it on your own.”

Aroha may be his little girl, and he may be blind to some of her misbehavior at points, but Roman also knows how demanding and…difficult she can be with her siblings. He can just imagine her damn near obstinate and refusing to leave her brothers and sisters alone until they caved and let her watch these movies, not realizing the impact they’ll have on her later.

But also, that’s not really something he wants his other kids to have to deal with. One thing he and Solana have always been big on is never putting them in a position where they feel like they have to play parent. Any of the kids. OG’s, Samaria, or even Koa and Kai. 

Yes, naturally, some of the kids gravitate to one another. Like how Samaria likes to hang out with Lina or Aroha hangs on Tama a lot. However, there’s a difference between big brother and little sister or little sister shadowing big sister and that.

Roman and Solana would rather be on the verge of a stroke from all that stress than put that pressure onto his kids, because at the end of the day, he and Solana opted to have this big family. As parents, it’s their responsibility to be parents. They never want to do anything to take away from the kids just being kids.

So, he knows a conversation with Aroha will also need to take place regarding her understanding that she can’t always do what the big kids do. Plain and simple. 

“We won’t let her watch anything else inappropriate with us, dad.” Tama speaks up, Roman recognizing the shift in his demeanor. Less irritated. More understandable. Mature, almost. “Promise.”

“And, you guys need to stop being so mean to her,” Lina crosses her arms, looking over at her little brothers. “You know she’s sensitive.”

“Not our problem,” Koa mutters, groaning when Samaria pinches his arm. “Ow!”

“She’s just a little kid,” Samaria defends, looking around the island. “We all need to do better.”

“And, your mom and I are going to talk with her.” That’s a given. Even if Roman has to bite his pride and allow her to start having more playdates over at the house, then that’s just what needs to happen. 

Tama and Lina give him a nod, signifying understanding and appreciation. 

“Alright, ya’ll can go back to bed.” Sounds of appreciation for a different reason that only deepens when Roman adds on, “and don’t worry about school tomorrow. You can stay home.” 

Because it's been a long night and disturbing their sleep, then forcing them to get up to go to school all day seems unfair. One missed day of school won’t kill them. 

Cheers and “thank you, daddy!” from his daughters, especially Samaria, who says something about her sleep needs being “restored” as they all walk off one by one to head upstairs, back to bed. 

He does the same, returning to his master bedroom where he’s both relieved and unsurprised to find Solana still up, laying in bed, Aroha cuddled up next to her sound asleep, teddy bear beside her. 

Solana lays her eyes on him as she gently caresses their youngest forehead. “Well?”

Roman sits on the side of the bed, careful to not disturb Aroha, though something tells him she’ll be out for the rest of the night. “They let her watch Twister.”

Solana’s jaw drops. “What? Why—”

“I know, I know,” he cuts her off, gently, offering explanation. “I talked to them all though, and they know not to let watch her anything else inappropriate.” Solana looks slightly relieved by this, Roman reaching out to caress Aroha’s hand that rests on her mother’s chest, clutching almost. “But, baby, we gotta talk to her, too. She wants to do everything her brothers and sisters do—”

“But, she’s too little,” Soalna finishes, kissing Aroha’s bonnet covered head. “I know. I figured.” She nods. “We’ll do it tomorrow…keep her home?”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “I told the other ones they could stay home, too.” 

As expected, she offers no protest, chewing on her bottom lip. She speaks a minute later, voice almost tentative. “You ever wish we had another ki—”

“Don’t even say that shit, Sol.” While Roman looks borderline mortified at just the unfinished question, Solana simply giggles. “You say it, next thing you know, your ass ends up pregnant again.”

She rolls her eyes. “Pretty sure it doesn’t work that way, Ro.”

“It does for you.”

Solana shakes her head. “Don’t worry, my love. It was just a thought.” She watches as he climbs in the bed beside herself and Aroha. “We’re too old for that now. Our days of pregnancies are long over.” 

[the-red-mafia]

The Prince

Solana and Velvet leave on a mission to steal some paperwork on the next planet in Prince Nolan's peace tour. While Solana and Nolan catch up, Velvet...well. She's Velvet. Also available on Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/TheRedMafia Next Update: [Updated] Word Count: 4239

2 weeks after “The Maze”

Velvet quickly grabbed the man’s arm and pulled him into the alleyway, away from the guards. They didn’t notice, and kept walking and chatting like nothing had happened. 

“Prince Nolan.” The man turned around and almost let out a scream, but Velvet quickly covered his mouth.

“Watch it, idiot. You’re gonna get me in trouble.” Nolan stared at them for several seconds. 

“Are you going to be quiet?” He nodded, causing Velvet to sigh and remove her hand. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” He whispered.

“I need to talk to you. In private.”

“Why would I go anywhere with you? You literally shot my mother.” Velvet rolled their eyes.

“Are you really upset about that? She was about to kill Solana.”

“Yes but- whatever. Is Mo- Solana with you?” 

“That’s actually what I need to talk to you about.” Nolan’s face dropped immediately and a look of worry took over.

“Did something happen? Is he ok?” Velvet raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, he’s fine. Why’s that the first thing you assume?”

“Can you really blame me?”

“Not really,” they mumbled, “Will you come with me now?” Nolan looked up and down the alley before sighing. 

“Alright, I’ve got time until my speech. Lead the way, Velvet Bolton.”

When Velvet woke up at about 10 a.m., they were surprised to see Solana wasn’t awake yet. After running downstairs to grab an energy drink, much to Mad’s dismay, the teen found themself in front of his door.

“Solana!” she called out, sliding the hood of her navy hoodie off of her head, “The hell you doing in there?” “Sleeping, leave me alone!” Velvet narrowed their eyes at the closed door.

“If you’re sleeping, how are you talking to me?” The elf didn’t answer, causing Velvet to sigh.

“What are you actually doing in there?” 

“Trying to sleep.”

“Dear gods,” the teen mumbled, reaching out to the doorknob. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. They stepped in, shutting the door behind them. Solana’s fairy lights were set to a soft blue which almost managed to distract them from the chaos sprawling across the room. Clothes sat in various piles while the desk under the loft bed was covered in open notebooks and loose papers. Predictably, Solana was sitting on the suspended bed, glaring at Velvet. He was still in his pyjamas, donning a pair of black gym shorts and a white t-shirt. Their red hair was down, resting just below their shoulders.

“Really?” they asked, crossing their arms. The assassin shrugged.

“You did it to me, might as well return the favour.” 

“Cool, you can leave now.” 

“Mad will just come up after me.”

“I think I prefer Mad.” Velvet rolled her eyes, pushing a few clothes to the ground so she could set her drink down on the dresser next to the door.

“Why are you sulking in here?” Solana sighed, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and jumping down. 

“I’m not sulking,” she began, grabbing a hair tie off of the desk, “I just don’t want to talk to people today.” Velvet raised an eyebrow before grabbing their drink off of the dresser again. 

“Well, that’s too bad. Guess I’ll just go on this mission to Hinak by myself.” Solana pulled their hair back, staring at the teen.

“What are you getting at?” 

“Oh, nothing. Just that Hinak is the next location in Prince Nolan’s peace tour and I thought you would’ve wanted to go. But it’s fine, I’ll go on my own.”

“...I’ll be ready in 10.”

“You’ve got 5 until Zaeor gets here.”

“Fuck you.” 

“So what were you saying about Mo- Solana?” Nolan asked as they walked down the alleyway. 

“You can just call her Mona, I’ll know who you’re talking about.”

“Oh- right. What’s going on with Mona?” Velvet adjusted their black beanie and sunglasses before turning back to him.

“Does today mean anything to you, Your Highness?” she asked. Nolan paused for a moment.

“Uh, please just call me Nolan. And…I’ll be fully honest, I’m not sure what day it is.” Velvet raised an eyebrow.

“October 14th, 2364.” Nolan’s eyes grew wide as he stopped in his tracks. Velvet stopped as well, turning around to look at him.

“It’s…Mona’s birthday.” 

“Ah. I figured it was something like that.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Velvet sighed, crossing their arms.

“Let’s just say Solana hasn’t been the most…cooperative person today. They seemed out of it, so I thought since I’d be here anyways we’d pay you a visit.” 

“Oh- wait, ‘we’?” Velvet smirked before raising her hand up to activate her comms microphone. 

“Hey Solana, get over here.” Nolan smiled brightly before quickly adjusting his crown.

“How the fuck did you disappear so fast?” Solana responded. The assassin rolled their eyes. 

“Just get over here.”

“Where are you?” Velvet rubbed their temples, catching Nolan’s attention.

“Is…everything okay?” the prince asked. Velvet nodded.

“Solana, our comms have fucking trackers in them.”

“Wait, they-”

“Dear gods, the alleyway by the jewellery store. Hurry up.” They turned off their mic before groaning again. An awkward silence took over the alleyway as Velvet glanced at Nolan. He was dressed in a simple grey button-up partially tucked into black dress pants. His gold earrings hand various flower charms hanging from them, matching the small lilac pendant hanging around his neck. His crown had flower patterns as well, but only on the gems. 

“Velvet? You down here?” Solana’s voice called out from the entrance to the alleyway. Nolan’s smile grew wider as Velvet shouted back.

“Yeah, get over here.”

“Did you find the papers…” Their teammate’s voice trailed off as she stopped in front of Nolan. The two elves stared at each other for several seconds before Solana rushed forward and pulled him into a hug. 

“Holy shit, what are you doing here?” they muttered. Nolan let out a slight chuckle.

“Your friend here may or may not have kidnapped me.”

“Shut up, you came willingly,” Velvet stated, crossing their arms. Nolan laughed again.

“Yeah, that’s true.” Solana took a step back, smirking at the teen.

“Wow, Velvet, I didn’t think you had it in you to do something nice.” 

“Fuck you, Solana.” Nolan looked between the two of them before chuckling. 

“But seriously, thanks Velvie,” the elf said, ruffling Nolan’s hair. The teen rolled their eyes.

“Whatever, your moping was pissing me off.”

“I wasn’t moping-”

“Yes you were.”

“No I wasn’t.”

“Yes-”

“Anyways!” Nolan chimed in, taking Solana’s hand, “What are you guys doing here?”

“That’s confidential. But speaking of that, I should go.” Solana grabbed her wrist as she took a step backwards. 

“Wait, don’t you need help with the mission?” Velvet raised an eyebrow.

“Did you really think I needed your help? No, this is an easy mission. I just brought you along so you could see your boyfriend.” The elves’ faces grew scarlet as Velvet laughed and turned around.

“You two have fun. Solana, leave your comms on and tell me when you’re done.” Before Solana could get another word out, the teen disappeared around the corner. He looked up at Nolan, who smiled at him. 

“You know, this isn’t what I thought I’d be doing today,” he joked. Solana chuckled. 

“Yeah, that’s the story of my life.” They were quiet for a moment. The birds chirped above them, flying in mesmerising patterns that caught both of their attention. Nolan looked over at her before his eyes grew wide and he quickly dropped her hand. Solana turned towards him while he turned away. 

“So…how are you?” the prince asked. 

“Uh- Fine. You?”

“I’m good.” Solana looked up at the birds. 

“Peace tour, huh? I know you’ve been wanting to do that for a while.” Nolan smiled. 

“Yeah, Mom finally agreed to it after the recent revolt.”

“Revolt?” Solana asked, looking up at him again, “What happened?” Nolan sighed. 

“I’m still trying to figure that out myself. It happened last week in the Lehol district.”

“Probably was a wage revolt, then.”

“That’s what Mom said, but I already declared better wages last month.” Solana put their hands in their pockets before sighing. 

“I know you mean well, Nolan, but it’s gonna take a while for anything you say to take effect. And that’s gonna leave people starving.” Nolan groaned and slowly took his crown off of his head.

“How do I fix it, then?”

“That’s the question…” she mumbled, “Send the ambassadors down with supplies to keep them afloat until the wages can take effect.” Nolan looked over at him. They were looking back up at the birds. 

“Maybe even go there yourself. Put pressure on employers to actually do it. Your dad ordered things but didn’t enforce them, so that’s what they’re expecting. You need to show them that’s not how it’s going to work under you.” Nolan smiled as she turned back to look at him. He looked into their white eyes for several seconds.

“...what?” 

“I forgot how good of an advisor you were.” Solana chuckled and took their sunglasses off their face. He slid them onto the collar of his purple t-shirt and put his hands in his pockets. 

“What can I say, I'm a genius.”

“Pfft, yeah. Uh- thanks for the advice.” 

“Anytime, dude. Well, anytime you see me, I guess.”

“Solana, your mic is still on.” The elf jumped slightly, causing Nolan to jump as well. The prince nearly fell to the ground but Solana quickly caught him.

“Have you been listening this whole time?”

“Yep. Decent plan, by the way.”

“Velvet, I swear to Gazra-”

“Oh would you look at that, I’ve gotta go.”

“Velvet-” The beep from Velvet’s microphone muting caused Solana to groan.

“That little…”

“What’s going on?” Nolan asked. Solana looked down at the elf in his arms.

“Nothing, I’m just going to have…a few words with a certain red-haired bitch later.”

Velvet chuckled to herself as she walked down the sidewalk. With the mission papers safely tucked in their bag, all there was left to do was wait. The teen swung into a small coffee shop at the corner and quickly reemerged with a cup in hand. That’s when she nearly ran headfirst into one of Nolan’s personal guards.

“Fuck-” they muttered, quickly steadying their coffee, “What the hell?”

“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” a voice said as a hand grabbed onto their arm. They locked eyes with a man, maybe in his mid-20s or so, dressed head to toe in Gazran body armour. 

“It’s okay,” they said, shrugging his arm off. Another guard appeared behind the other, a concerned look on her face.

“You alright, kiddo?” Velvet tugged down on her beanie before resting a hand inside her side bag.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” The first guard smiled at them as the second raised her wrist to glance at her watch. Her eyes quickly grew wide.

“Shit,” she exclaimed, “We’re late, Connor.” The first guard turned towards her, pushing his purple bangs out of his face.

“What?”

“It’s noon.” 

“What?” Connor quickly looked around the trio. 

“W-Where’s the prince?” Velvet suppressed a smirk. The second stared at him.

“Shit.”

“Where was he last?” 

“I know he got off the ship.”

“No fucking shit, dude. Anywhere else?” 

“I…don’t remember,” the second guard mumbled, “Should we alert the captain?” Connor quickly grabbed her arm, causing her to jump slightly.

“Are you crazy, Alex? We’ll lose our jobs!”

“That’s going to happen anyways!”

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Connor muttered, crossing his arms, “We’ll search the whole area. He probably just got distracted and wandered off, no big deal. So he’s a little late, so what?” Alex narrowed her eyes at him.

“Oh, and I’m the crazy one. Queen Orbita will have our heads. Not to mention how upset Nolan will be! He’s been planning this tour for years.”

“Um, if I may,” Velvet called out, raising a hand. The two guards turned back to her, Connor letting out a quiet chuckle.

“Sorry, kid, forgot you were there. What’s up?” Velvet looked between the two guards before clearing her throat.

“Are you talking about Prince Nolan Byes-Sobt by chance?” Alex’s eyes lit up.

“Yes! Have you seen him?” 

“I saw him go into that clothing store across the street when I went to get my coffee. No idea if he’s still there, though, it was about twenty minutes ago.” Connor set a hand on Velvet’s shoulder as a large smile overtook his face.

“Thank you so much…uh…I never caught your name.” A chill went down Velvet’s spine.

“Oh, right. Um…Vivian. I’m Vivian.” Alex grabbed Connor’s arm and waved at them.

“Thank you, Vivian!” The assassin watched the two guards sprint in front of a car. It honked at them, but they ignored it as they ran into the store. Velvet took a sip of her coffee before chuckling.

“This should be fun…”

Alex let out a groan as she stepped out of the store, her twin on her tail. She rested her hand on her pistol as she scanned the street. 

“I think we just missed him in there,” Connor said quietly, “Maybe we can go see if Vivian saw him leave after we went in?” Alex gestured to the coffee shop.

“They’re long gone, Connor. We have to alert Captain.” 

“No!” he exclaimed, crossing his arms, “Alex, we’ve worked so hard to get to this point. We’re not going to lose it all because the prince decided to wander off. No way.”

“He’s nearly half an hour late to his speech, they’re going to be sending search parties out for all of us soon.” Connor frowned.

“Where could he have gone…” Alex glanced over at her brother before her eyes widened.

“Connor, where’s your gun?” His hand quickly fell to his empty holster. Alex locked eyes with him.

“I-I don’t know- I had it a moment ago!” 

“Shit shit, this isn’t good.” A laugh came from behind them, seemingly coming from the store’s entrance. The twins spun around, greeted by an empty doorway with a certain handgun in front of it. A chill went down Alex’s spine. 

“Oh thank Gazra, I must’ve just dropped it,” Connor breathed, kneeling down. 

“Yeah…weird…”

“Boo.” Two hands quickly collided with her back and shoved her towards Connor. They both fell onto the concrete, drawing the eyes of passing pedestrians. Alex was soon back on her feet, Connor close behind. The sidewalk and street were empty. 

“What the fuck,” Alex breathed. Connor took a deep breath.

“Alex, are we being haunted?” She turned back to look at her twin.

“Are you crazy, Connor? Who would be haunting us?”

“M-maybe the prince is dead and his soul is haunting us because we failed to keep him alive and-” Alex grabbed her brother’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. 

“Connor, shut up. There’s no such thing as ghosts. Not in that way.”

“But-”

“I’m offended, you’d deny my existence?” a cold voice whispered in Alex’s ear. The soldier jumped and turned around, but all she saw was a certain red-haired teenager walking down the sidewalk. 

“What…” she breathed. Connor smiled behind her.

“Vivian!” he called out, “Hi!” The teen turned around and waved slightly. She stood on the sidewalk as the two guards caught up.

“Did you ever see Prince Nolan come out of the store?” Alex asked, crossing her arms. Vivian shook their head. 

“No, sorry. Are you two okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Connor let out a strained laugh.

“That’s pretty close, actually.” Vivian raised an eyebrow.

“Really?” Alex elbowed Connor before turning back to the teen.

“Connor’s just paranoid. Can you do me a favour, Vivian?” She nodded.

“Do you have a phone?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Can I see it?” Vivian narrowed their eyes at her but slowly unlocked and handed over the device. Alex typed in her number and handed it back.

“If you see the prince around, give me a call. Okay?” Vivian looked down at the phone before nodding.

“Thanks, Vivian,” Connor added. The teen smiled at him.

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad I can help.”

“You’re helping us a lot, Vivian,” Alex said, “We’re going to go search the east side of the city now. Thanks again.” Vivian nodded before turning on her heels and continuing down the sidewalk. Connor turned to Alex.

“What a nice kid.”

“Yeah. Something about her seems…familiar.” 

“Oh, and I’m the crazy one.”

“Shut up.”

“And that’s when you met your wife?” Solana questioned, “Gods, you were so upset that day but you wouldn’t tell me what happened.” Nolan laughed sheepishly. 

“Yeah…she. Can be annoying. But I don’t have much of a choice…”

“For now.” Nolan looked at them.

“Huh?” 

���You only have, what, two more years until you’re of age? Then your mom can’t control you anymore.” 

“It’s- well. There’s not much I can do about it even when I’m king.” Solana raised an eyebrow. 

“Why?” Nolan looked to the ground.

“Gazra is in disarray. Riots are breaking out left and right, corruption, etc. Our military is about as skilled as a group of children with sharpened sticks. Politically, we are the weakest government in most of the known galaxy. Imagine if their leader was unmarried? It’s bad enough I don’t have an heir yet.” Solana stared at him for a few moments before sighing. 

“You’re right,” she mumbled, “So Kandace was right, then?” Nolan froze. 

“W-what about Kandace?” 

“When I was captured in Gazra, Kandace came to talk to me. Said what’s-her-face was pregnant.” The prince’s eyes went wide.

“N-no!” he paused as Solana chuckled, “I…even though it would help a lot…I don’t think I could bring myself to do that.” 

“Even for the sake of the country?”

“I don’t know. If it was absolutely necessary, maybe? Isabella hasn’t tried to make me do anything, so…”

“Ah.” Nolan glanced at them.

“Did…did you hear what happened to Kandace, then?” It was Solana’s turn to look away.

“Nolan…that was me.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” The alley was quiet as Nolan looked her up and down. 

“Can I ask why?” Solana sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. 

“She tried to kill me and Velvet. I had to do my job.”

“What is your job?” Nolan questioned, causing his friend to shrug. 

“Keep Velvet alive so she can do her job.”

“And that is?” 

“Killing Unor Bolton.”

“Oh.” Solana sighed and turned back to him.

“Don’t worry about that, Nolan. You’ve got other things to deal with.” 

“Mona, we’re on the brink of a civil war and you’re talking about assassinating one of the leaders of our main ammunition and supply dealers. You’ve got to understand how terrifying that thought is.”

“Right, I know,” they began, resting their head in their hand, “But…the alternative is so much worse.” Nolan sighed. 

“And I’m guessing you can’t tell me what that is?” 

“...no.” The prince groaned. Solana looked up at him. Nolan held his crown in his left hand while running his right through his hair. Solana gently took the headwear from him and straightened out his hair. 

“Nolan, listen,” she said quietly, setting the crown back on his head, “If Unor’s allowed to run free…a lot of people are going to die. And if we don’t stop him now, there won’t be any way to do so. He’s already too powerful.”

“So what do you suggest?” Nolan asked, “If we go into a war…” 

“You’re not going to go into a war, Nolan.” 

“I find that hard to believe.” Solana held both of his hands and met his eyes.

“Unor isn’t fully in charge of B.A.D., right? Nala is. I’ll talk to Velvet and see what they can do about helping you stockpile.” Nolan looked away from her. 

“Well…” Solana lifted his chin and smiled at him. 

“It will be okay, okay?” 

“...okay.”

Nolan jumped slightly when Velvet jumped down in front of Solana and him. Solana sighed and crossed his arms, stepping away from him.

“What, did you realise you need my help with the mission?” they asked. Velvet rolled her eyes. 

“No, I completed the mission like an hour ago,” the teen replied, turning to look at Nolan, “I just came to tell Nolan I’m currently leading his personal guards on a wild goose chase and they totally think he’s haunting them.” Nolan’s eyes widened.

“What?” Solana broke out into a fit of laughter as the prince stared at Velvet. 

“I even got one of their phone numbers, so I can call them almost anywhere in the city claiming I saw you. Your guards are fucking stupid.” Nolan sighed.

“Why am I not surprised?” Solana took a deep breath, suppressing another laugh.

“Who are your guards nowadays?” they asked.

“A new pair of twins, Alex and Connor. I don’t think they had enrolled when you left.”

“Ah. What happened to Helo?” Nolan looked away as Velvet raised an eyebrow. 

“He…he uh…” After a few more moments of him stuttering, Velvet stopped him.

“Do you want me to tell her?” Nolan looked up at them.

“...yeah.” Solana narrowed his eyes at the teen.

“How do you know and I don’t?” 

“I watch the news and you don’t.” 

“I watch the news with you!” Velvet rolled her eyes.

“No, you sit next to me on the couch while I watch the news. There’s a difference.”

“Anyways, it was an assassination attempt. The guard, Helo I presume,” they glanced at Nolan, who nodded, “Jumped in the way of a bullet headed towards Nolan.” Solana’s eyes widened and she turned to look at the prince, but he looked at the ground.

“Nolan…” they began. Nolan shook his head before looking at them.

“It’s okay, he…he saved me. He’s a hero now.” Solana stepped towards him and pulled the prince into a hug. He rested his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes. Velvet looked between the two before sighing.

“Anyways, I’m off to bully them some more-”

“Actually, shouldn’t you get back to your tour, Nolan?” Solana asked, taking his hand. The prince quickly lifted his wrist.

“Crap- I’m so late!” 

“How long did you think you had when I grabbed you?” Velvet asked, crossing her arms. 

“About three hours?” The assassin laughed.

“No, you had maybe half an hour.”

“I-” Solana let out a chuckle. 

“Yeah, you should go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” Nolan nodded before letting go of Solana’s hand. Velvet took a few steps back before turning around. 

“Solana, meet me back at the Umbrella?” Solana raised an eyebrow.

“What are you doing?” 

“Just gonna escort the prince back to his guards, would hate for something to happen to him.” 

“I-” they paused, “You know, I don’t think I want to know.” A wicked smile appeared on the teen’s face.

“Smart.”

“Please don’t kill anyone.” Velvet let out a gasp. 

“Me? Commit murder? I would never!”

“I’m serious, Velvet. I’m not breaking you out of prison today.” 

“Fine, gods. Let’s go, Nolan.” The prince looked up at his friend one more time. 

“Bye, Mona.” Solana smiled at him. 

“See you later, Nolan.”

Alex’s eyes lit up when she saw a certain teenager walking over, Prince Nolan in tow. 

“Vivian!” Connor called out next to her, “You found him!” The teen smiled at them.

“That I did.” Nolan glanced at them.

“Vivian?” They looked up at him.

“That’s my name.” A confused look covered the prince’s face for a few moments before his eyes widened.

“Oh! Right, Vivian.” Connor jumped forward and pulled him into the hug.

“Don’t disappear on us like that, man!” Nolan chuckled.

“Sorry, Connor.” Alex placed a hand on Vivian’s shoulder. The teen jumped a bit but looked up at her.

“Thank you so much for your help today, Vivian. If you ever need anything, the resources of Gazra are at your service.” Vivian raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

“Really. You’ve done the entirety of our kingdom a huge favour.” Nolan stifled a laugh, causing Vivian to send a glare at him.

“Thank you so much, Alex. I really appreciate it.” The guard smiled at them. 

“Of course. Do you need a ride anywhere?” 

“No thanks. My…sibling is waiting for me,” they replied, getting another chuckle from the prince, “Although, I do have a piece of advice for you.” Alex raised an eyebrow.

“Alright, what is it?” Vivian went up to her tiptoes and leaned close to her ear.

“Pray to whatever god you believe in.” Alex froze.

“W-what? Why?” She heard a small chuckle come from the teen.

“If you can see me, it’s already too late.” Alex quickly turned to look at Vivian, but they were gone. She whipped her head around to look at Connor. 

“Where’d they go?” Connor shrugged.

“Where’d who go?” Nolan asked, crossing his arms. 

“The teen who brought you here, Vivian.” The prince raised an eyebrow.

“Huh? I found you guys on my own. You feeling okay, Alex?” The two guards looked at each other.

“You definitely saw them, right Connor?”

“Yeah, I did. I swear we got their number and everything.” 

“Right! Here, hold on-” She quickly unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts, but the one labelled Vivian was gone.

“...What?” Nolan put a hand on her shoulder and let out a strained laugh.

“Let’s get back to the tour. You guys should get some sleep if you’re hallucinating.”

“We’re not hallucinating!”

“I’ll believe that when I meet this…’Vivian’.”

“You already did!”

[thedailydecrypt]

Ethereum’s 100x Gas Limit Plan: A High-Wire Act That Could Save—or Break—the Network

Ethereum has a plan to scale its mainnet capacity by 100x. And no, it’s not another Layer 2 solution or another exotic shard architecture. It’s simple, brutal, and brilliant: just raise the gas limit—aggressively, predictably, and exponentially.

On April 27, Ethereum Foundation researcher Dankrad Feist introduced EIP-9698, a proposal that would systematically multiply Ethereum’s gas limit 100 times over four years. If approved, the mainnet could theoretically process up to 2,000 transactions per second (TPS), compared to today’s paltry 15–20 TPS.

This is a radical shift in thinking—and it’s long overdue.

Ethereum’s Self-Imposed Speed Limit

For years, Ethereum has lived with a self-inflicted wound: an artificially low gas limit. Initially, this was necessary. Ethereum prioritized security and decentralization over throughput, creating a safe but slow Layer 1 network. Meanwhile, competitors like Solana, Aptos, and Sui raced ahead, offering thousands of transactions per second.

Ethereum’s answer? It wasn’t to fix the base layer. It was to outsource scalability to Layer 2s like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base. Rollups became the darlings of the ecosystem, and Vitalik Buterin himself championed a "rollup-centric roadmap."

This strategy worked—for a while. Layer 2s brought speed and cost-efficiency. But they also fragmented the user experience. Instead of one coherent Ethereum, users had to navigate dozens of semi-siloed rollups, each with different bridges, wallets, and liquidity pools.

It was messy. It still is.

And worse, many Layer 2s rely on centralized sequencers—trusted entities that order transactions. In trying to scale without sacrificing decentralization, Ethereum may have unwittingly reintroduced it through the back door.

EIP-9698 dares to ask: what if the base layer could scale too?

Scaling the Base: The Dankrad Doctrine

Feist’s proposal is deceptively simple:

Start in June 2025 (epoch 369017).

Gradually increase the gas limit every epoch (roughly every 6.4 minutes).

Reach a 10x increase in two years.

Apply a final 10x boost after another two years.

By mid-2029, Ethereum’s gas limit could grow from 36 million to 3.6 billion.

This would allow Ethereum blocks to fit around 6,000 transactions instead of today’s 60–80.

Think about that. Ethereum wouldn’t just catch up to Solana’s real-world TPS numbers (~1,000); it would sprint far beyond.

It’s like finally taking the governor off a Ferrari that’s been stuck at 30 mph for a decade.

The Obvious Risks—and Why They’re Manageable

Of course, there are risks.

Critics immediately point to node centralization. If the gas limit balloons, only operators with beefy hardware will be able to keep up. Lightweight hobbyist nodes could drop off, further concentrating power among professional validators.

Others worry about block propagation delays. Bigger blocks mean it takes longer for data to move across the network, raising the odds of chain splits and reorganizations.

Feist isn’t naïve about this. His defense? The growth will be extremely gradual. Operators and developers will have years to adapt, optimize clients, and upgrade infrastructure.

Frankly, this feels like a risk Ethereum has to take. Hardware has improved massively since 2015, when the gas limit was 5,000 per block. Today, even consumer-grade machines are vastly more powerful—and the next four years will only widen that gap.

Scaling cautiously is wise. Scaling glacially is suicide.

A Response to the Fragmentation Crisis

There’s a deeper reason this proposal matters—and it has nothing to do with pure throughput numbers.

Ethereum’s biggest enemy isn’t Solana or Aptos. It’s user apathy caused by a fragmented, confusing ecosystem.

Today, newcomers who want to “use Ethereum” often find themselves stranded on Layer 2s that feel like entirely different blockchains. Depositing, bridging, swapping—it’s a labyrinth even for veterans.

Scaling Layer 1 would reduce the need for every single transaction to be outsourced. It would make simple DeFi interactions and NFT mints fast and cheap on the base layer itself—without needing to jump through 10 different bridges.

In short: Ethereum would become simple again.

Critics Will Say: “This Will Break Ethereum”

They’re not wrong to worry. If node centralization accelerates, Ethereum’s decentralized ethos could erode. If block propagation slows too much, chain health could deteriorate.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Ethereum is already bleeding users to faster, simpler chains. The network is becoming a settlement layer nobody settles on directly.

This is the slow death. Not the kind you notice overnight—but the kind that happens one developer, one builder, one user at a time.

Feist’s proposal is an act of urgency. A bet that improving the user experience now is worth the technical debt incurred later.

Ethereum has always evolved. Remember when people said switching from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake would "break" Ethereum? Or that adding EIP-1559's fee burn would "wreck" the fee market?

Each time, the network adapted and came out stronger.

EIP-9698 could be another chapter in that story.

Where This Is Heading

If Ethereum embraces EIP-9698—or something like it—it fundamentally reshapes the competitive landscape.

Solana will no longer be able to say, "We’re fast, Ethereum is slow." Ethereum would finally have an L1 throughput that matches its L2 ambitions.

Rollups won’t disappear. They’ll still be critical for specialized scaling, privacy, and application-specific chains.

But the mainnet would matter again—as more than just a hyper-secure notary service.

And in four years, when we talk about Ethereum, it won’t be about gas fees or congestion or "Layer 2 this, Layer 2 that."

It will simply be the best place to transact, build, and innovate.

Not just for whales. Not just for institutions. For everyone.

Feist’s gas limit scaling proposal isn’t perfect. No serious EIP ever is. But it captures something Ethereum has been missing lately: urgency, clarity, and ambition.

If the community has the courage to back it, Ethereum's best years aren't behind it—they’re just getting started.

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[core-cifdaq]

Why Is The Crypto Market Down Today?

Why Is The Crypto Market Down Today?

How is the Crypto Market Performing? The crypto market is in a significant surrendering phase, with Ethereum and Bitcoin experiencing sharp declines. The key market factors include political uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, economic data, and ETF performance.

CoinSwitch Markets Desk said that after seeing one of the biggest crashes in crypto of all time—BTC losing more than 250 billion dollars in market cap in a single day—the world’s largest crypto found support at just below 50k USD and bounced back more than 14% to trade around the 56k USD mark. The crash was primarily triggered by the Middle East escalations of the war between Israel and Iran and the Japanese stock market recording the greatest single-day crash ever since 1987.

He added, however, that the Nikkei index jumped more than 10% today – after losing 12% yesterday to recover most of its losses, which might trigger a rally in global stock markets again. Since this crash can be attributed to the rate hike by the Bank of Japan, it has to be seen whether this pump sustains.

Mr. Sathvik Vishwanath, Co-Founder & CEO of Unocoin, says that the cryptocurrency market is facing its steepest decline since the collapse of the FTX exchange in November 2022, which is in line with the broader global market decline. A key factor behind this decline is the easing of yen-dollar trades. Traders typically borrow in low-interest currencies such as the yen and invest in higher-yielding assets.

He also added that the recent increase in interest rates by the Bank of Japan has made these trades less profitable, leading traders to close their positions. This prompted a significant sell-off in both the stock and crypto markets. Over $1 billion was liquidated in the crypto sphere, mostly from long positions, further accelerating the market’s downward trajectory.

Mr. Himanshu Maradiya, Founder and Chairman of CIFDAQ Blockchain Ecosystem Ind Ltd, said that “the recent sharp decline in the cryptocurrency market, with major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum falling over 10%, can largely be attributed to the Bank of Japan’s decision to hike interest rates. This move has significantly impacted carry trades, a strategy where traders borrow in low-interest-rate environments, such as Japan, and invest in higher-yielding assets, including cryptocurrencies.

The Bank of Japan’s interest rate hikes, the first in 17 years, have caused the yen to rise, leading to ‘carry trade unwinding.’ Additionally, rising geopolitical tensions and growing concerns about a potential U.S. recession have further exacerbated the sell-off in crypto markets. The combination of these factors has created a challenging environment for cryptocurrencies, which are particularly sensitive to changes in investor sentiment and macroeconomic conditions.

He added that the current correction phase, driven by the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy shift and the resulting yen appreciation, highlights the interconnected nature of global financial markets. Despite the short-term volatility, cryptocurrencies’ fundamental value propositions remain strong. As the macroeconomic landscape stabilizes, we expect a recovery and sustained growth in the crypto market.”

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Bitcoin has fallen nearly 17.38% in the last seven days and is trading at $55,004 as of August 6 2024. On the other hand, Ethereum almost dipped by 26.85% and is trading at $2,447.

The price of Bitcoin fell, hitting below $50,000 on Monday, while Ethereum dropped by almost a third to $2,340 over the past week. Altcoins didn’t escape the rout: Cardano plunged around 27%, Solana by 36%, Dogecoin by 34%, XRP by 23%, Shiba Inu by 30%, and BNB by 25.7%.

Cryptocurrency’s bloodbath appears to be part of a broader flight to safety. After last week’s worse-than-expected unemployment report, the economy entered a technical recession, according to a measure called the “Sahm Rule.” It marks the beginning of a recession when the unemployment rate’s three-month average rises by at least half a percentage from its lowest point in the last year.

In response, the S&P 500 is nearly down by 2%, the Nasdaq by 2.5%, and the Dow by 1.5%. However, considering the Monday bloodbath overseas, this may be just the beginning of a broader rout.

Is Investing in Cryptocurrency Safe? The cryptocurrency market has seen the good side as well as the worst side of the market, be it post-Russia-Ukraine effects, Terra-Luna crash, FTX collapse or tightened tax regulation, it has witnessed roughest storms during the past few years.

The year 2023 gave a fresh start to the crypto world, showing positive signs of recovery. Crypto investors believe that in situations like this, investing in stable digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum in SIP format is a safe choice. Crypto experts consider that in the overall portfolio, investors should just look at investing just the 5% exposure to cryptocurrencies. The most important part is to invest only a miniscule amount and not all your life savings as the market is highly volatile and there are chances of you losing it all.

Steps On How To Invest In Indian Cryptocurrency Market Step 1: Select the best cryptocurrency: Choose a cryptocurrency you wish to invest in. Like any other asset class, crypto has its own fundamentals and different blockchain networks back them, intrinsic value and mining techniques. Make sure that you research and analyze before investing as the crypto market is highly volatile. Choose an exchange that is FIU-registered.

Step 2: Select a crypto exchange: After you made up your mind about a cryptocurrency it’s time for you to find a perfect crypto exchange platform for yourself. It is a necessity to have a functional account in a crypto exchange which will help you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. Check out our article on the best cryptocurrency exchanges in India.

Step 3: KYC: Once you select a crypto exchange you need to register yourself by providing personal details like name and address and complete the entire KYC formalities. After setting up your account you’re ready to invest in cryptocurrency.

Step 4: Choose payment mode: For buying a cryptocurrency you need to select a payment option that you find comfortable. You can choose peer-to-peer, bank transfer, online payment mode or a crypto wallet.

Step 5: Purchase cryptocurrency: After adding the funds to your account you can smoothly buy your selected cryptocurrency. All you have to do is press on the “buy” tab and you can easily buy the cryptocurrency of your choice.

Step 6: Storage: After you purchase the crypto coins, don’t forget to store your currencies securely because they are not regulated and you must keep them safe as there’s always a risk of hacking or theft. You can check out the crypto storage options from here.

Step 7: Selling cryptocurrency: This is as important as buying as this helps you make money out of investing. You can sell the cryptocurrency the same way you purchased it, just click on the tab “sell” in your portfolio. You can fully or partially sell your crypto investment based on your choice but don’t forget to timely book your profits.

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