#zac's year of writing

[did-i-do-this-write]

Writing Year in Review

2024

Goals

Daily Words: 300

Yearly Words: 109,500

Daily Time: 20 minutes

Yearly Time: 121 hours 39 minutes

[Complete]

Final Statistics

Daily Average Words: 532

Yearly Total Words: 192,602

Daily Time Spent: 26 minutes

Yearly Time Spent: 148 hours 46 minutes

Words Posted: 140,088

Author's Note: Looking back at everything this year, it’s hard to believe that I finished my 30 chapter, 135k fic and made so much progress on the sequel projects in the same year.  Keeping track of it all really puts everything into perspective.  I am really proud of all the progress I made this year, all the work I did, and how much I’ve grown as a storyteller and writer.  I hope to take all this momentum into the new year and finish all my ideas strong!

Wishing everyone luck in completing their own projects and reaching all of their writing goals.

Here’s to another year!

(Monthly breakdown under the cut)

January Word Count: 26,542 Time spent: 16 hours 29 minutes WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest, Paragon Mission Log Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 5

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 6

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 7

Paragon Mission Log: Shaun and Matt’s recon mission

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 8

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 9

February Word Count: 13,266 Time spent: 10 hours 43 minutes WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest, Paragon Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 10

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 11

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 12

March Word Count: 19,544 Time spent: 16 hours 3 minutes WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 13

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 14

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 15

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 16

April Word Count: 21,489 Time spent: 16 hours 26 minutes WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 17

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 18

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 19

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 20

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 21

May Word Count: 16,168 Time spent: 9 hours 50 minutes WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 22

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 23

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 24

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 25

June Word Count: 23,730 Time spent: 17 hours 50 minutes WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 26

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 27

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 28

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 29

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 30

July Word Count: 10,554 Time spent: 8 hours 23 minutes WIPs: Home is Where You Come to Roost Completed

Home is Where You Come to Roost Ch. 1 (first draft)

Home is Where You Come to Roost Ch. 2 (first draft)

Home is Where You Come to Roost Ch. 3 (first draft)

August Word Count: 11,271 Time spent: 8 hours 58 minutes WIPs: Home is Where You Come to Roost, Home is Where You’re Loved the Most, Vytal Festival 2024 Completed

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 4 (first draft)

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 5 (first draft)

Vytal Festival 2024: Home is Where Your Wounds Heal

Home is Where You’re Loved the Most: Ch. 1 (first draft)

September Word Count: 11,145 Time spent: 11 hours 53 minutes WIPs: Home is Where You’re Loved the Most Completed

Home is Where You’re Loved the Most: Ch. 2 (first draft)

Home is Where You’re Loved the Most: Ch. 3 (first draft)

October Word Count: 14,050 Time spent: 12 hours 38 minutes WIPs: Home is Where You’re Loved the Most Completed

Home is Where You’re Loved the Most: Ch. 4 (first draft)

Home is Where You’re Loved the Most: Ch. 5 (first draft)

Home is Where You’re Loved the Most: Ch. 6 (first draft)

November Word Count: 10,408 Time spent: 6 hours 43 minutes WIPs: Home is Where You Lay to Rest, Paragon Mission Log, Home is Where You Come to Roost Completed

Home is Where You Lay to Rest: Ch. 1 (first draft)

Paragon Mission Log: Nate shares how he uses his anger

Home is Where You Lay to Rest: Ch. 2 (first draft)

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 1

December Word Count:14,435 Time spent: 12 hours 40 minutes WIPs: Home is Where You Come to Roost Completed

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 2

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 3

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 4

Home is Where You Come to Roost: Ch. 5

[myuniverseinabox]

they're in love, your honor

[sea-buns]

Forgive me if I'm a bit nervous about Gorgug this season. It's just that the last Zac Oyama pc was Colin Provolone, who was arguably one of his greatest D20 performances, if not the greatest.

Zac always does great with every pc he plays, but Colin was something else. He came out swinging with actions and words that were teeming with unspoken emotional baggage. The way Colin's presence affected the other pcs; there was this level of depth that I don't think I've seen in any of his other characters. It was understated and quiet in that signature "just a guy" way that he tends to be, while still captivating everyone instantly with just how raw it was.

Not to say we haven't seen emotional depth in Gorgug. It's just that, compared to the other Bad Kids, Gorgug's journey and progression as a character has been very... impersonal? Like, yes, he found his birth parents, and he found friends who appreciate him, and he faced his insecurities about his intelligence, and he navigated relationship troubles, and his trial through the claustrophobic bug-tunnels was a horrifically-uncanny parallel to how he's spent his entire life trying to make himself as small as possible.

But how much of that has actually changed him from the Gorgug we started with? I would agree that he's definitely happier with his life, given all the loving and supportive people that have been added to it when it used to be just him and his parents. And he's certainly grown into himself and become more self-assured in his abilities, even if he's still, and always will be, our anxious little guy. And there's nothing wrong with that. I've always liked how Gorgug was a representation of all the little things. The subtle acts and kindnesses that don't seem like much to most, but to some are everything.

We don't need another Bad Kid living in fear that their mouth could be shit-in at any moment. We've already got one-too-many.

All that being said, I just feel like Gorgug's personal story beats are much easier to sweep under the rug than everyone else's. He has the same soft and understated quality that Colin held, but they lack that extra oomph that pushed Colin over the edge from being just another guy in a series of dudes, to a character that the vast majority of us could not get out of our heads. He took someone who was anxious and softspoken, who ultimately never wanted to be violent— someone who is remarkably similar to Gorgug in many ways— and maintained that demeanor and core in Colin's character while still hitting us in the feels with character development at max velocity at every turn.

I think Zac gets better and better at this with every season that goes by. With each new character, there is always something that leaves me stunned in awe. And it's been, what, three? Four years since we last saw Gorgug?

I'm just,,, I'm cautiously optimistic but also going into a bit of a worry about what violence this man may inflict upon us

[latinashepard]

listening to paramore’s earlier albums is so funny because they really were a bunch of 15 year olds

[fifteensjukebox]

11, 20, 23 <3

hiii tysm dani im sorry it took me so long to answer iI wrote my answers in the order of hat I thought of and i think they make the most sense in the order i wrote then:

20. If you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be?

it wouldn't have meant as much at the beginning of he year iirc but i think my current mental health journey became very real for me the day of some unrelated appointments on april 18th in that people were touching me and my stuff (actually feb 15th appts definitely apply to

anyway new paragraph now that im actually getting to the point which is that i wish i had seriously considered an ssri earlier, im only couple weeks in so idk if it'll work but i have so much hope and i wish i'd gotten here sooner but new year new me will have to do! it's mostly taken so long bc i keep thinking i want to see if fixing my sleep schedule fixes my brain but. my brain the ay it is i can't seem to fix my sleep schedule so.

11. Something you want to do again next year?

oh i definitely said this when this ask game went around last year but travel!! we'd started planning this year's trip by the time i last answered this and while it was hard bc i was trying to stay soooo clean physically which is impossible while travelling, im learning to let go and get clean when get home (will get to apply this plan on our tropical trip in. holy shit 9 days single digits i have to pack ??)

anw it was so much fun portugal and spain (aka spordugal per my brother's typo when he made a folder for my photos) are soooooooooo beautiful and we were hoping to go back to italy next year but we may not have n opportunity in good weather bc my brother's going to catch up from part time uni so he can go full time next year and be on pace w his new gf

(have i mentioned hannah on here? wore a v cool burgundy velvet dress w combat boots to a school formal (which i did not expect in uni??) and she and matt organically started something at the dance anw i just met her bc they're doing a studying sleepover at our house and i already love them (hannah they/she im sure i will mention her plenty more oh one more thing i followed them on ig and they follow zac oyama and ally beardsley but interestingly no one else i follo interestingly.... must discuss tomorrow... they went down to matt'sroom to play video games w his projector oh actually i hear pool table activity v fun)

20. Whats something you learned this year?

im answering this one last and both of my other answers relate to learning about my mental health and cleaning stuff so i desperately want this answer to be unrelated... oh in an indirect way this is related but isn't everything : i learned that my way of over preparing and making packing lists for travel is super worthwhile bc i did not have time for europe bc i as too busy cleaning stuff i didn't end up using and ended up packing my suitcase the day we left and forgetting so many important things (really just everything related to my period including pain meds)

i really wanted to think of a fun new skill orsth but i don't think i have any from this year so this'll have to do! still rly enjoyed answering even thought there's like 0.5 fun answers in here thanks again dani for asking!

[katherinejblackwell]

literally no one cares but i think they should've labelled the last section of The 5-Year Christmas Party "Alice and Max's Opening Night" because it fits the "Alice and Max . . ." pattern and has a double meaning for Alice's play opening and Alice and Max finally getting their crap together

[emiko-matsui]

Here's what you missed from the ScreenRant+ interviews with the Fantasy High: Junior Year cast

The reason Gorgug and Zelda broke up was a natural drifting apart. There were no animosity or harsh feelings, but Zac felt it unnatural for them to stay together for such a long time and still be true to the characters

The reason Cassandra's name is found in ancient stones and writings even though Ally was asked to make it up in Sophomore Year is because it wasn't Kristen choosing a name, it was Ally choosing the name that came to Kristen in a holy revelation of remembering a forgotten name

Ayda Aguefort wasn't removed from the season because she was too powerful to have around, but rather that Brennan genuinely felt a natural follow to her arc was to spend time creating a family bond with Arthur

All of the cast are clear with the fact that Senior Year is not being discussed at the current moment and is something that would be far in the future, but all of the cast are also excited to return to Senior Year and Brennan has plans for what he wants to expand on and plot threads in Senior Year. Additionally, Brennan said he left Sandra Lynn and her relationship to Bobby Dawn unresolved because he rather wanted to leave that storyline for a Senior Year.

Ally considers Gertie's action of immediately declaring Kristen as her nemesis after realising Kristen didn't want to be with her forever after kissing her once was Kristen "getting a taste of her own medicine" and finally being on the end of the insane chaos she's been dealing out to NPCs for years.

Emily was the one who came up with Fig taking on Gilear's bad luck/curse and she was inspired to do it by Fabian's delevelling in Sophomore Year.

After being pitched the headcanon that the adventuring party Goldenhoard was talking to in the first freshman year episodes was The Rat Grinders Brennan liked it so much he, on the spot, retconned it into canon

The cast thinks the four dogs joke is even funnier because they know Ally's mom is a dog breeder

[fully-functioning-pigeon]

Reading the Rolling Stone article for Gauntlet at the Garden, and I just cannot get over the descriptions of the cast:

Brennan Lee Mulligan, a 37-year-old improv performer with bouncy theatre kid energy, ginger-red hair and an AM radio DJ’a voice

Lou Wilson, a teddy bear of a man who announces for Jimmy Kimmel Lve

Siobhan Thompson, a peppy Brit with cat eye glasses and a blonde bob with writing credits on Rick and Morty

Zac Oyama, a soft spoken soul who’s sharp cheeks house a boy band smile

Ally Beardsley, a nonbinary individual with a cropped mullet and a skateboarders zen

Emily Axford, a New York native with undertones of Bettie Page and Tina Fey

Brian Murphy, an ex-MTV host with horn-rimmed glasses and gelled hair whose habit of bad dice rolls can be appropriately called Murphys Law

[bullet-prooflove]

Fifty Shades of Robby: Michael "Robby" Robinavitch x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @dizzybee03 @cosmic-psychickitty @puredicks @queenslandlover-93

Companion piece to:

Lipstick (NSFW) - It's love at first blow job for Dr Robby.

Crisis - Robby has a bad day.

ASMR For The Soul - Robby doesn't sleep when you're not around.

Bunny - Robby discovers you've been keeping secrets.

Something To Complain About (NSFW) - You ignite the ire of Robby's neighbour with your bedroom noises.

Noise Cancelling - Robby discovers his neighbour keeps a spreadsheet of your antics.

Poolside - When Robby has a shitty day, he just wants to be whereever you are and usually that's the pool.

The Betting Pool - Robby discovers that his collegues have been taking bets on his relationship.

It’s Mateo that finds your Instagram. It’s under the username BaywatchBitch and the profile picture is you and Robby dressed in tiny red shorts and a blue top just like the ones from the 2017 movie. You’re both even wearing the same pair of aviators that Zac Efron is on the marketing posters.

It’s from a New Year’s Eve costume party the caption reads when he locates the picture on your feed. One you both attended with the Abbots.

“It’s like they both have this secret life that nobody knows about.” He tells Cassie as they flick through the pictures studying them with an intensity they usually reserve for their work.

Your Instagram feed it’s fifty shades of Robby.

Him sleeping on a couch they don’t recognise, his headphones on, a blanket draped over him. The caption reads ‘My heart’.

Robby wearing an old white t-shirt with Baby written in blocky, slashed writing across the front of it. An ode to Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, a group he’s loved since the 90s. He’s in the midst of cooking lemon cake for your mother’s birthday, a dab of flour smeared across his cheek.

A reel of him out on the water at an undisclosed beach, standing on a paddle board silhouetted by the sunset.

There’s dozen’s of them all depicting a different version of Robby, one that none of them of them have seen before. A happier, healthier one.

Topless Robby hoisting himself out of a pool, Robby pulling a face because he’s gotten brain freeze from eating ice cream, Robby driving with the hint of a smile on his face somewhere up the coast.

“This is why you’re going to lose the bet.” Dana says gesturing at the phone when she catches wind of it. “It doesn’t take a neurosurgeon to see that they’re in love.”

It’s three days later that Robby comes into work with a smile on his face and a little sun burn on his nose. He has ‘Baby’ playing in his ears because he’s still riding high from the weekend the two of you have spent at Geneva-on-the-Lake.

Sun, sea and sex, there’s nothing like it.

He swings into the security office, taking his time to review the betting board. The stakes are torn between you robbing him blind and killing him mid coitus. There’s still some debate as to whether it’ll be intentional or not.

He takes the polaroid picture out of his top pocket, using one of the magnets to fix it to the board amongst the post-its.

It’s one from two days ago of you both on the beach in Ohio. You’re wearing a white lace dress with an orchid woven in your hair and he’s looking into your eyes, his lips curved up into a smile as he says I do.

Married, he writes on the bottom, his wedding ring glinting in the light from the fluorescent. March 29th 2025

Love Robby? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Before you join the taglist make sure to read the rules here as you otherwise you won’t be added.

Interested in supporting me? Join my Patreon for Bonus Content!

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[did-i-do-this-write]

Writing Year in Review

2023

Goals

Daily Words: 300

Yearly Words: 109,500

Daily Time: 20 minutes

Yearly Time: 121 hours 39 minutes

[Complete]

Final Statistics

Daily Average Words: 432

Yearly Total Words: 150,945

Daily Time Spent: 26 minutes

Yearly Time Spent: 141 hours 49 minutes

Posted: 40,099

Author's Note: Holy shit, I can’t believe this year is already over. That’s fucking crazy! This year was a little different for me because I wrote a shit ton, but I barely posted any of my work because it was all drafting for one story. The whole year was basically prep work and now I get to share that story with everyone in 2024 (as long things go according to plan haha)! I learned so much about myself as a writer and my own process and I hope I can take these lessons forward into the new year to complete more of my long term projects.

Here’s to another year of writing! 🥂

(Monthly breakdown under the cut)

January

Word Count: 10,149

Time spent: 7 hours 45 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 9 (outline)

February

Word Count: 6,687

Time spent: 5 hours 21 minutes

WIPs: How an Angel Gets Its Wings, Songs that Tell a Story, Home is Where You Are

Completed

Songs that Tell a Story: If I Could Sleep

Home is Where You Are

March

Word Count: 9,529

Time spent: 7 hours 34 minutes

WIPs: How an Angel Gets Its Wings, Prompt, Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

How an Angel Gets Its Wings: Ch. 17

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 11 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 12 (outline)

Prompt: Past, change, hope

April

Word Count: 7,658

Time spent: 7 hours 04 minutes

WIPs: How an Angel Gets Its Wings, Prompt, Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

How an Angel Gets Its Wings: Ch. 18

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 13 (outline)

Prompt: A scene about something breaking

May

Word Count: 16,950

Time spent: 16 hours 30 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 14 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 15 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 16 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 19 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 17 (outline)

June

Word Count: 19,010

Time spent: 16 hours 33 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest, Prompt

Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 18 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 20 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 21 (outline)

Prompt: Oz and Qrow go on a shopping date

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 22 (outline)

July

Word Count: 18,031

Time spent: 13 hours 46 minutes

WIPs: Ozqrow Week 2023, Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

Ozqrow Week 2023: Day 3

Ozqrow Week 2023: Alt. prompt

Ozqrow Week 2023: Day 1

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 23 (outline)

August

Word Count: 20,657

Time spent: 16 hours 37 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest, Prompt

Completed

Prompt: Sleepy morning antics

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 24 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 25 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 26 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 27 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 28 (outline)

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 29 (outline)

Prompt: Oz and Glynda appreciating Qrow

September

Word Count: 6,563

Time spent: 12 hours 23 minutes

WIPs: Prompt, Paragon, Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

Prompt: “I need to make this work…”

October

Word Count: 9,548

Time spent: 7 hours 30 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest, Prompt

Completed

Prompt: Blanket, anxiety

November

Word Count: 6,985

Time spent: 9 hours 37 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Second Draft

December

Word Count: 19,178

Time spent: 15 hours 30 minutes

WIPs: Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest

Completed

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Third Draft

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 1

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 2

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 3

Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest: Ch. 4

[prettygirl-gabi]

Can I Have This Dance?

Paring:Paige Bueckers x Reader

Fandom: UConn’s women’s basketball

Word Count: 2.4k

First-Person POV | Fluff | Hopeless Romantic Reader

Summary: it was never a stupid thing… not once

🏷️: @yailtsv , @sitawita , @thatonesuschix , @vamptizm , @elalfywhore , @starfulani , @authentic-girl03 , @paige05bby , @paxaz535 , @azziswrld , @paigeluvvr

A/N: Yes, i wanted hsm3:sy while writing this… (in my feels… blame da hormones)

I’ve always been a hopeless romantic. The kind that believes in love letters, forehead kisses, and slow dancing under the stars. The kind that dreams of a fairytale moment, rain falling, music playing, and two hearts moving in sync like they were meant to.

But every time I brought it up in past relationships, I was met with eye rolls or dismissive laughs. “Dancing in the rain? That’s childish.” “We’ll get sick.” “That’s something out of a movie, babe. Be real.”

And so, I buried that dream deep, convincing myself that maybe it was silly. Maybe love wasn’t meant to be like the movies.

Then I met Paige.

Paige, who always listened, even when I thought she wasn’t. Paige, who memorized my coffee order down to the exact pumps of vanilla. Paige, who pulled me closer in crowded rooms like she was afraid of losing me. Paige, who—on our one-year anniversary—reminded me that some dreams were never too silly.

⸻

The rain started sometime in the late afternoon, a gentle drizzle tapping against the windshield as we drove back from our anniversary dinner. It had been perfect—Paige took me to this small, candlelit restaurant in town, the kind that made you feel like the only two people in the world. We shared dessert, she let me steal bites from her plate, and she had that soft, lovestruck look in her eyes the whole night.

But as the rain picked up, thunder rumbling low in the distance, I sighed, pressing my forehead against the window.

“You good, baby?” Paige asked, sparing me a glance as she drove.

I hummed, tracing patterns in the fog gathering on the glass. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

“About what?”

I hesitated before shrugging. “Nothing important.”

She didn’t press. Paige never did. She let me have my space when I needed it, knowing I’d talk when I was ready.

Lightning flashed across the sky, and suddenly, Paige’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel in a thoughtful rhythm. I turned to look at her, but she was already reaching for her phone.

“What are you doing?” I asked, watching her unlock it.

“Something I should’ve done a long time ago,” she murmured, a small, secret smile pulling at her lips.

She scrolled for a moment, then tapped the screen. A second later, the car filled with a soft, familiar melody.

“Take my hand, take a breath…”

I froze.

My heart skipped a beat as Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron’s voices floated through the speakers, their harmonies weaving a memory into the air. Can I Have This Dance.

My dream.

I turned to Paige, my throat tightening. “Paige…”

She pulled the car onto the side of the road, turning to face me fully. The rain was coming down harder now, a steady curtain outside the windows, the occasional flicker of lightning illuminating her face.

“You told me once,” she said softly, reaching for my hand. “That you always wanted to dance in the rain to this song. And every single person before me made you feel stupid for wanting that.”

My breath hitched as she squeezed my fingers.

“But I don’t think it’s stupid,” she continued, voice warm with something that felt a lot like love. “I think it’s you. And I don’t ever want you to think that what makes you happy is silly.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to fight the sting of tears. “Paige…”

She grinned, pushing open the driver’s side door.

“Come on, baby,” she said, stepping out into the downpour.

For a second, I just sat there, stunned. Then, I let out a watery laugh and followed, shivering as the rain soaked through my dress.

Paige met me in front of the car, her blonde hair sticking to her forehead, her blue eyes shining even in the dim streetlights. She reached for my hands, pulling me close.

“Keep your eyes locked on mine…”

I exhaled shakily, placing my hands on her shoulders as she guided me into a slow sway. The world melted away—there was only Paige, only us, only the soft glow of the headlights and the music wrapping around us like a spell.

She spun me gently, then pulled me back in, resting her forehead against mine.

“Won’t you promise me… that you’ll never forget?”

My breath shuddered as I gripped her tighter.

“I won’t,” I whispered. “I swear.”

Paige smiled, tucking a wet curl behind my ear. “Good.”

The thunder rumbled again, but it wasn’t loud enough to drown out the chorus as it swelled around us.

“It’s like catching lightning, the chances of finding someone like you…”

Paige twirled me again, her laughter mixing with mine as our feet splashed through puddles. The rain blurred everything around us, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t cold, wasn’t uncomfortable—how could I be when I was wrapped up in Paige, in this moment that was everything I had ever wanted?

The song swelled into the final verse, and Paige pulled me closer, her hands warm on my waist.

“Let it rain, let it pour,” she murmured, her voice melting into the lyrics. “What we have is worth fighting for.”

I swallowed hard, my heart swelling in my chest. “Paige…”

Her fingers brushed against my cheek, tilting my face up.

“I love you,” she said, as sure as the rain that fell around us.

Tears slipped down my cheeks, but they blended into the rain, lost between the drops. “I love you too.”

She leaned in, and I met her halfway, our lips colliding in a soft, rain-soaked kiss. It was slow, unhurried—like a love song unfolding between us.

And for the first time, I didn’t have to dream.

This was real.

Paige was real.

And she had given me my dance.

⸻

When the song finally ended, we were both breathless, our foreheads resting together as we swayed in the quiet hum of the rain.

Paige chuckled, wiping a stray droplet from my nose. “So… did that live up to the fantasy?”

I let out a watery laugh, cupping her face. “It was better.”

She grinned, kissing me one more time before taking my hand, leading me back to the car.

As we climbed inside, shivering but grinning like idiots, Paige reached over and took my hand, lacing our fingers together.

“You deserve every fairytale moment, baby,” she murmured, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.

I squeezed her fingers, my heart so full I thought it might burst.

With Paige, I didn’t have to hope for love like the movies.

Because this?

This was better.

⸻

---

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                 -Thank You For Reading!🩵🩶

                             -prettygirl-gabi🎀✨️

[ac3may]

"Mountain Time"

(Lando Norris x Reader x Oscar Piastri)

F1 Requests = Open

It's not my favourite thing I've ever written, but it's been sitting in my drafts for a while. It's due a part 2 with so much further for the idea to go. But in celebration of pre-season testing and to mark the end of winter break hopefully you enjoy.

Description: "Reader tags along on McLaren's winter break team-bonding trip to the mountains, maybe Oscar doesn't have to continue being as perpetually single as he believes himself to be"

Masterlist

Who I Write For

Words: 1.4k

“Team bonding.”

That’s what Zac had called it when he’d insisted Oscar spend the first of his few sacred weeks of winter break cut off from society in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

The lack of internet was the least of Oscar’s worries, but he certainly would’ve preferred it be a conscious choice he made from the shores of Australia with his family instead.

His attitude wasn’t helped by the ass-crack-of-dawn flight he’d been stuck on. Despite the luxury of a private jet, he may have preferred crying babies to the soundtrack of Y/N and Lando’s cutesy words across the aisle.

Lando and your relationship had been going steady for over a year, and with you being a key presence in the McLaren garage over the past season the extension of an invite wasn’t surprising. He loved you and Lando separately, but with his own love life non-existent the constant reminder of loneliness was often a punch in the gut.

Rolling through the crisp snow Lando’s soft gaze hasn't left the overwhelming joy that decorated your face since the jet touched down. Pine trees and snow-blanketed mountains could be seen for miles surrounding the luxurious cabin that stood, twinkling with fairy lights.

Gaping in child-like wonder, you take in every inch of the property. Neither McLaren driver could help but chuckle at the girl before them as you clamber excitedly from the car. Footprints mark the snow below as you gaze around joyfully.

“Easily impressed?” Oscar smirks light-heartedly. A comment Lando belly-laughs at, almost folding himself in half, although his eyes never leave you. Following your lead the pair of them climb from the vehicle. Oscar, ever the efficient, immediately rounds to the boot of the car to collect his luggage. Lando however, detours to you, taking your hand and twirling you elegantly as snowflakes begin to fall.

Rolling his eyes, a light-hearted chuckle mixed with a scoff, is the next sound to leave the younger driver. Lugging his bag and beginning up the stairs to the porch he calls out, “C’mon love birds!”

Snapping your attention from your handsome man you let out a squeal of excitement. Darting across the freshly fallen powder. Lost in excitement your sense is overridden as you continue to keep pace up the wooden stairs. Before your head can catch up with your movement you feel your arms whirling, any attempt to keep your balance as your feet slip and slide from under you.

“Ahhh!” Yelping in terror, fingers fumble to grasp the handrail, the icy layer threatening your balance. Hopelessly unable to stabilise yourself, within seconds you're conceding to gravity you brace for the incoming hit from halfway up the stairs. The fall that never comes. Instead, warmth seeps through the thin layer of your sweater. A hand, in a flash, wrapping tightly around your wrist eases you back to your feet. A further hand comes to rest gently on your lower back to keep you steady.

Feeling the rush of panic depart at the safe hold you glance timidly upward toward your saviour.

Meeting a, concerningly familiar, pair of deep hazel eyes, you hope the red rushing to your cheeks can be mistaken for the chill in the air. Breathing heavily, the steam caused by the frosty temperatures provides a visual representation of the way your breath mingles.

Spluttering in shock you don't have a chance to formulate even a muttering of a word before your boyfriend claps Oscar on the shoulder heavily. His grip on you releases immediately. “Thanks, mate,” the elder of the two grins, “let’s go klutz! Time to find our room.”

“Zac! Andrea! What?!” “I know this is team bonding and all but surely we deserve at least a little privacy!” Perhaps it was the twinkle in his boss's eye, or perhaps it was the fact his PA had told him not two weeks ago that Zac had been planning the trip since Easter, but Oscar was having a hard time believing this was all a last-minute mixup.

According to their team principal, the cabin had been booked last minute and was the only accommodation available to cater to the demands of the team trip. As a result, the pair allocated Lando and Oscar to share a room. Something that wouldn’t have been such a concern if it was just Lando and Oscar.

“Come on you guys…” Extending your words with a whining tone, you disrupt the arguing of the four men. “It’ll be fun!” You grin optimistically, “like a big sleepover!”

And with that, they’re left to watch your bobble hat bounce as you hop away up the grand pinewood staircase.

You’re settled against Lando’s chest, lights dimmed and reading peacefully. Your boyfriend tangled comfortably around you, scrolling on his phone.

A beam of light floods the room, distracting you from the pages briefly as the bedroom door opens and closes. It’s the rush of Lando’s heartbeat, pounding directly below your ear, that diverts your attention entirely.

Flicking your gaze toward him you see his phone abandoned on the sheets, his eyes glazed as he stares across the room. Turning curiously it’s not hard to determine the cause of his lust-filled look.

Across the quaint and rustic cabin room, Oscar rummages through his suitcase. The towel haphazardly draped around his shoulders does little to stop the droplets of water that fall from his damp hair, accentuating the bare back muscles that flex delightfully every time he moves.

Momentarily distracted yourself, as eyes trail to the plaid pyjamas hanging low on his waist, you take a second to collect your thoughts before you pinch at Lando’s side.

Your palm reaches quickly to silence his yelp of complaint as your eyebrows dance teasingly, eyes flicking towards his teammate in jest.

It wasn’t the first time you had caught your boyfriend’s loving look towards the younger driver. He’d caught you staring many more times than appropriate too. It had become a running joke and expected practice within your relationship that if you aren’t staring at each other then the Aussie is the one who’s captured your attention.

You continue teasing him quietly in your own bubble, Lando hastily attempting to shush you. Fearing attracting any attention or questions from across the room.

Oscar, however, paid you no mind as he shook out his freshly showered hair and tugged a shirt over the messy mop before flopping into his child-sized twin bed.

“Lights out?” He questioned, finally sparing the pair of you a glance.

Oscar had been tossing and turning for at least an hour now. Not only was he stuck in the most uncomfortable bed known to mankind. But within ten minutes of his shower, he had felt the temperature drop and there was no amount of layers that could warm him up again.

“Osc, mate, I can hear your teeth chattering from here.” Lando’s grumble eventually breaks the tension.

All three of you had been trying to sleep to no avail. “Sorry,” Oscar mutters, his discomfort immediately evident to you and Lando through the lack of sarcasm.

Perhaps the tiredness was fogging your brain because your next move was braver than you had ever dared to be toward the Aussie.

Prodding at Lando’s side you murmur, “Invite him to join us.” The disbelieving look he returns is almost laughable. “What?! I can’t do that!” His tone is hushed but astonishment undeniable.

“Can you two quiet up? I’m never going to sleep if you keep smooching.” “We are NOT smooching!” Your boyfriend declares, louder than necessary. Rolling your eyes you roll into your own space and bite back, “No need to sound so offended.”

He’s immediately pulling you tighter to his body, flashing a sheepish but cheeky grin.

“We were coming up with a solution to help us all sleep actually.” You informed the boy across the room. “Oh yeah? And what would that be?” He responds, open to trying anything, but sceptical of your ability to help nonetheless. “Well, penguins use body heat to stay warm right?” Lando contributes, “We were wondering if you wanted to try a similar tactic?”

Oscar’s brain shortcircuits the second he processes Lando’s words, “as in…?” He can’t quite compute the request.

“Get over here you big lump!” You demand, whipping the covers down on the left side of the bed. “We're the only source of warmth in this stupid cabin, come to bed before any of us get hypothermia.”

And really how could Oscar possibly argue with that?

[hoshizoralone]

a post where i separate every woman in smash by how i would categorize them in relation to samus if she had a dating sim and they had to be assigned a character type (that im saving here in case i ever want to go back to think about this) . and other samus & smash girls shipping thoughts

firstly i originally posted this on bluesky so if you’re not following me there.. go do that!! @hoshizoralone.bsky.social

explanations for the tropes are as follows:

childhood friend - palutena (kid icarus and metroid game overlaps of which there are many. like come on man... this is a nobrainer)

energetic cute girls - peach/daisy/pyra (daisy is jock leaning)

jocks - wii fit trainer/alex/mythra

mysterious transfer student - sheik/mii gunner/rosalina/lucina (though samus is not in school. but i'm not sure how else to explain this trope. maybe just "mysterious character")

the love interest that openly flirts with the mc - bayonetta

(varying degrees of) nerds, the smart girls - byleth/robin/zelda/isabelle (like lets say they were put into a scenario with samus. they would be the brains of the operation. robin would have had the adam stuff in dread solved immediately)

i don't care - corrin (i really tried to think of what trope she could be but i don't even imagine samus would like her)

not viable (teenagers). these two become a background couple - min-min/leaf (well, i had thought this, but after making the post on bluesky someone told me leaf’s canon age is 11. i had thought she was nebulously teenaged…. so either age her up here, or forget this tier exists)

not viable (babies) - villagers/inklings/wendy/nana

i do think the idea of creating a sim revolving around samus would be fun, only issue is the pression has truly kicked my ass this year and i really am all out of writing ability. i have two other games already sitting in my drafts half finished…

it could make for a fun rom hack though. Maybe instead of the chozo giving you power ups its the other girls . And at the end you have to Save The Girls not the animals. Someone make that happen.

~~~~

the above isnt arranged by how much i ship it but the below is. imagine gandrayda (of metroid prime 3 fame) right under samus and then a massive powergap and then the rest of the chart:

two professional girlfailures are facing off head to head in this 500 chapter slow burn sam/palu fanfiction - palutena (palutena is a girlfailure at everything but samus only falls into that category for women. it would be an extremely long time for samus to realize palutena likes her . could they make it work when they're both so busy? read my nonexistent fic to find out)

samus has a one sided crush - peach/rosalina/wii fit trainer. (samus will never confess. peach has mario and samus isnt messing w that. samus thinks she's not cool enough for rosalina. wft is already in a relationship consult the lone wii fit trainer lore)

(in my head samus’s one sided crushes are justified like this:

peach - she is literally so pretty it’s blinding. peak femininity is making samus short circuit

rosalina - parentless lady from space who has been left alone/feels lonely resonates hard

wft - she gives constant positive feedback which i think samus is starved to hear)

i used to love sam/bayo but bayo3 sucked so i kinda dont care about it anymore - bayonetta. sad day.

one sided crush on samus - alex/robin/zelda/lucina

samus-neutral - sheik/byleth/isabelle/gunner/pymythra/daisy/corrin. (they probably wouldnt pass up the opportunity to kiss samus if given one but they're not having their thoughts occupied by her)

one sided childhood crush (thinks she's cool) (not reciprocated) - min-min (samus is sort of like a celebrity. it's sort of like having a crush on zac efron when hes 18 and youre 7)

i consider samus in her 30s so every teenager and baby who doesn't have a cute unreciprocated crush is out of the running - leaf/villagers/inklings/nana/wendy

someone had asked… where’s dark samus. for me as one of the five samus x gandrayda shippers, i think if there was a dating sim and dark samus was in it samus would immediately halt the events of the dating sim to go hunt her down as repayment for everything + the whole killing her girlfriend thing. like she cant exist in this world.

the only other samus thing i ship that isn’t mentioned here already is samus x cortana. it could be cute. i do Naut ship her with any guys. lesbian samus for life

aside from samus x gandrayda which will probably always be my ride or die ship, i think the ship with the most interesting stuff to explore is samus/palutena… they aren’t alike characterwise at all, but it’s just that their series are linked in a metatextual sense, so its fun to imagine them together. in a “we’ve been hanging around each other for a while!” kind of way. well, opposites attract..

anyways that was my post. If you read this and have thoughts let me know. Maybe i’ll draw some stuff in my freetime. Cool thanks love ya bye.

[aj-norizz]

Have You Ever Tried This One?- Lando Norris

Hiiii this is my first smau and first fic in about 4 years so it might not be the best.

I write x readers and mainly for females so im really sorry if that isn’t your preference.

DISCLAIMER: Please don’t copy my work onto any other sites, translate it and more or less steal it without asking for permission first. Thanks guys :)

Warnings: just a bit suggestive, swearing

Back to Masterlist

My requests are almost always open!!

Where Lando Norris’ girlfriend realises her boyfriend has the perfect Juno poses.

yourusername

A nice little weekend with my love 🧡🧡

liked by landonorris, maxfewtrell, maxverstappen1 and 67,537 others

username1: the best f1 couple

↳ username2: REAL

maxfewtrell: wasn’t aware Lando was this flexible

↳ landonorris: how kind mate

↳ yourusername: he has a point lan

francisca.cgomes: have you taken him to seen sabrina yet?

↳ yourusername: I don’t trust him to not go feral

↳ landonorris: excuse me miss girl

↳ francisca.cgomes: …that may be our influence

yourusername: Juno (Lando Norris’ Version)

liked by landonorris, oscarpiastri, francisca.cgomes and 63,982 others

username1: NOT MY FAVOURITE WAG BEING A SWIFTIE

♡ liked by creator

landonorris: i thought we agreed not to post that photo :(

↳ yourusername: i’ll make it up to youuu

↳ landonorris: YES MA’AM

↳ oscarpiastri: i am messaging Zac

alexandrasaintmleux: please let him watch juno

♡ liked by creator

↳ landonorris: don’t give me ideas about our ‘cardio’

↳ username3: NOT LANDO BEING HORNY ON THE MAIN

↳ useename4: they will never be able to train this boy

↳ mclaren: PR training on Monday morning :)

landonorris: she asked (begged) and now i know what a juno pose really is

liked by yourusername, oscarpiastri, maxfewtrell and 83,574 others

yourusername: may need to show me that Juno pose later

♡ liked by creator

↳ landonorris: PLEASE

↳ landonorris: ILL EVEN PLAY THE SONG

↳ landonorris: I BEG

↳ carlossainz55: I don’t think I can ever be seen with you in public again

charles_leclerc: you should have come with me and alex!

↳ yourusername: it will be the soonest that me and alex see on fyp

↳ alexandrasaintmleux: too real

yourusername: i guess i let him make me juno

liked by landonorris, mclaren, francisca.cgomes and 54,432 others

Creator has limited comments

alexandrasaintmleux: gorgeous girl cant wait to be godmother (kika i will fight)

♡ liked by creator

francisca.cgomes: cant wait for little baby norris that i will be the godmother of (alex i will also fight)

♡ liked by creator

carlossainz55: cant wait for this baby to become a ferrari driver and me become his favourite uncle

♡ liked by creator

↳ oscarpiastri: excuse me? that baby will BLEED papaya so help me god. and uncle ozzy will be the best uncle.

♡ liked by creator

↳ charles_leclerc: if i have anything to do about it the baby will be wearing red as soon as he can.

♡ liked by creator ↳ maxfewtrell: who says any of you will be his favourite? that baby is literally my godson

♡ liked by creator

mclaren: we can’t wait to see little baby norris in the paddock next season!

♡ liked by creator

landonorris: well I don’t think sabrina will be using our juno pose

♡ liked by creator

[cheriladycl01]

My love, is mine all mine - Max Verstappen x Norris! Reader x Charles Leclerc Part 6

Plot: Norris' Twin sister is also a driver in the 2021 line up and is in her rookie era. Not only do the commentators struggle to now talk about the pair in the race, but they also struggle to talk about talent. What happens when two drivers find her eye-catching.

A/N: I've brought Luisia into things because of the timeline and it being 2021. Don't hate on her, or the fact that i've brought her into my writing please!

After the shit show of a party, you woke up earlier than everyone else and left the docked boat. You caught the earliest flight back to the UK. You were so pissed with your friends and brother that they’d just up and left you in the club.

The whole flight home, you pondered whether you just really needed to grow up about ever situation in your life.

Lando and the clubbing group leaving you? They were drunk and probably saw you with loads of other people and assumed you were safe and good.

Charles admitting his feelings for you? You arguably needed to focus more on your career that you’d worked so hard for, you didn’t have time for boys and if Charlie really did care for you like he said, he would understand.

Max sleeping or dating your best friend? Good for him, he should be happy.

You needed to not be bitter about all of these minor blips in your life and just get on with it.

Little did you know that this would create a version of you so far from her normal bubbly self that even people who hadn’t spoken to you in years would be able to tell something wasn’t right with you.

Max and Charles had both tried to contact you through texts and phone calls all which had been ignored, you knew it was for the best to just let it all go and leave it at a what could have been. You had responsibilities far greater that you needed to focus on.

When it came to after the summer having left your brother and gone travelling on your own, updating your Instagram and family group chat whenever you managed to get wifi, you were back and raring to go for your home race.

Lando had sent a text to the family group chat asking who would be coming. He wanted to invite Luisa and only had two passes to give out. So that would mean one for Luisa and one for his dad.

Lando - Can you give your paddock passes to mum and Flo, Cisca can’t make it because of Uni

Y/N - Kinda awkward i had someone in mind i wanted to bring :(

Lando - come on its mum and your little sister Y/N don’t be rude and give up your pass to some random dude you met in Bali …

You ignored it, before going to McLaren and begging Zac for a spare paddock pass. You gave your original 2 to your mum and Flo, but your next one went to Nathan Bishop, he was a goalkeeper for Manchester United and you’d met him on a trip you’d been doing in Bali and he immediately knew who you were and you guys got talking and one thing led to another and you were inviting each other to your sports.

In the time you’d travelled he’d became a really good friend and you didn’t feel as lonely as you had since starting in F1. It was really refreshing.

You met him before, driving him to the paddock in your McLaren and pulling up into the Silverstone car park together.

“Thanks for the pass, I’ve never been to a race before so this is actually really exciting for me” he smiles waiting as you grab your bag from the back seat.

“Always welcome!” You grinned back.

“Mmmm and I’m excited to see if you are really as good as you say you are!” He teases elbowing you as you swipe your pass through the paddock scanners.

“Hey! I am a good driver! I got you here safely didn’t I?” You smile and he just nods, you point out various bits of the paddock talking about all the hustle and bustle and all the different teams and the workers running around fitting last minute bits to the motorhomes.

“Oh come on! We need to get you some McLaren team merch!” You grin pulling him to the quiet fan zone thanks to the early time it was and going to the merch stool.

“Hiya! Oh Y/N! How are you?” The worker smiles noticing it’s you.

“Hey! I’m really good! How are you? It’s hot today, make sure you drink lots of water! Radio through and ask for top ups yeah? And don’t forget sun cream!” You chide knowing sometimes the workers forget that they are humans and will push themselves till breaking point!

“Thank you! Really and I’m all good” she says flashing you the large icy bottle of water she had behind the stand with her. “What can I get for you?”

“Any chance we can get the Y/N number hat?” You grin turning to look at Nathan who just rolls his eyes but can’t help the smile that comes into his face.

“Sure! We have lots on stock today, as you know it’s home race! Good luck by the way! I know you’ll do great!” She smiles and hands you the number 42 on the baseball cap. You place it on Nathan’s head who just laughs at your antics but keeps that hat on before paying the lady for it in cash.

“Hey! I was gonna pay for it! I’m the one that got you to buy merch!” You exclaim in horror.

“Mmmm but it’s my hat … so I should pay for it!” He explains with a cat like grin.

“Argh fine come on! I want to show you round the garage and do track walk with you!” You say gently taking his hand and pulling him through the growing numbers of people in the paddock.

You showed him all around the garage and even let him sit in your car which he was really impressed with how low to the ground it felt, and how much the halo restricted vision. After showing him the pit wall and all of the engineers working and running around before free practice you took him out onto the track to do a walk.

The sun wasn’t as harsh anymore and it had started to cloud over a little bit meaning that the track walk wasn’t as strenuous as you anticipated it would be.

You guys walked around talking about the season so far and how it felt being a rookie along with Yuki Tsunoda.

Afterwards it was time for you to have a team meeting and you didn’t want to leave Nathan on his own so you walked him to the hospitality suite to find your parents.

“Mum Dad! Hey this is Nathan! Can you just watch out for him while I’m in the car please!” You ask kindly showing Nathan to a seat with your family.

“Of course sweetheart! Hi Nathan, I’m Adam, this is my wife Cisca” he introduces standing up slightly and leaning forward to shake the younger gentleman’s hand.

“You gonna be okay?” You ask, unsure if you should just bring him to the garage and find him a seat and headphones and leave him there.

“Yeah - I’ll be” he starts only for commotion behind to stop his words.

“Sorry, I’m running late. Oh … whose this?” Lando asks looking over to Nathan, someone he didn’t think would be around his family.

“This is your sisters guest, hence the hat” your mum explained pointing to the hat still on Nathans head.

“Right … yeah I just came here to drop Luisa off. Please look after her and … you know don’t be weird” he begs as Luisa starts to talk to both Flo and Nathan.

“We’re never weird! Now you both have to go get ready!” your dad grins forcing you both away.

You start to walk together to the garage in an awkward silence until Lando breaks it.

“So you brought a boyfriend with you?” Lando scoffs looking towards you.

“And what if I did?” What’s it to you, you brought Luisa!” You say looking to him confused why it was such an issue you’d brought a guy (who wasn’t anything to do with you romantically).

“Because your playing with a lot of hearts here Y/N and it’s not exactly fair. First Charles, then Max, then Charles again and then Max and now this guy? Max and Charles are my friends Y/N and I can’t help but feel like your going to go one step too far and ruin all of this …” he complains and for a second your stunned into silence not knowing what to even say.

“How am I toying with Max and Charles when Max is off with my best friend and Charles … is so hot headed that I don’t know if I can take the heat of him yelling at me for an overtake every race weekend! So how am I the one playing with hearts when it’s feels like mines the only one being toyed with, even by my own fucking brother!” You cried out frustrated with him, but that was Lando. He always spoke before he thought about what he was saying. Both a blessing and a curse.

You started to hurry off no longer wanting to entertain this conversation.

“Y/N wait … I didn’t mean it like that” Lando admits speeding up after you and walking in step with you trying to slow you down.

“We have a meeting to get to. Let’s not waste anymore time” you say coldly, so coldly it actually caused Lando to shiver as he never had heard that tone of voice or anything remotely close come from you.

Briefing for what it was, was pretty boring only talking about the upgrades they’d brought to this weeks Grand Prix. Lando had the full package and you had half, the others to come next week in Hungary.

You were in the garage after changing into your fireproofs, your race suit hanging down off your hips talking to your engineer about strategy for Silverstone, but it was always changeable depending on the track temp and the weather.

FP1 clearly showed Landos new flashy upgrades and how much quicker it made the car placing him in P2 in between Max and Lewis, the two battling it out for the championship this year.

As for you down in 9th you’d just been testing the track and were on different tyres to the top few people, wanting to test out the hards.

As the weekend progressed and the less you concentrated on all of yours issues and just had fun while concentrating on the race weekend you got better. Ending up starting in a decent P6 for the race and getting points in the Sprint that was held earlier on in the day.

“Okay Y/N, it’s looking like Plan B. Reports of rain on the radar for the last half of the race” your engineer says as you pull up into your P6 stop, next to Lando both your Orange McLarens locking out your row.

“Okay, do we have a pit plan?” You ask knowing you were on mediums in hopes they’d last long enough to get you onto Intermediates or Wet if it’s due to rain that badly.

“We’re checking now, looking into stuff with Lando too and seeing what the other teams and looking at doing, but looking like Pit Plan E”

“Yep, copied” he grit out unhappy that they are already prioritising your brother.

“Well Y/N let’s get racing for you first F1 home race! Lecelrc and Bottas in front of you and Lando, Alonso and Vettel behind you and both. And then Max and Hamilton front row” he explains, you knew you had to get a good start to overtake your brother and possibly Charles if there was an opening so as you were driving round the formation lap, you cleared your mind of everything but racing.

Taglist:

@littlesatanicassholebitch @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @daemyratwst @lauralarsen @the-untamed-soul l @thewulf @itsjustkhaos @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @summissss @gulphulp @starfusionsworld @jspitwall l @sierruhhhh @georgeparisole @youcannotcancelquidditch @tallbrownhairsarcastic @ourteenagetragedy @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @bigsimperika @blueberry64857959 @eiraethh @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @dark-night-sky-99 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @laneyspaulding19 @malynn @viennakarma @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @yourbane @teamnovalak @nikfigueiredo @fionaschicken @0picels0 @tinydeskwriter @ironmaiden1313 @splaterparty0-0 @formula1mount

[agentstarkid]

ENCHANTED TO MEET YOU ✦ DR3

✦ DEBRIEF: Amid the vibrant energy of a New Year's Eve party, chance encounters led to unexpected connections where captivating eyes, a charming accent, and a carefree personality were all she needed to be forever enchanted by his presence.

✦ PAIRINGS: daniel ricciardo x famous!latina!reader

✦ CHECKERED FLAG: 7.3K words

✦ TRACK LIMITS: female!reader, latina!reader, fluff, really sappy thoughts, there's a nine-year age gap.

✦ MAY'S RADIO: holis babes! i'm back with another attempt at writing! the last chapters were angsty and i needed a lil bit of equilibrium so please enjoy reading how the night they met went. Y'all can thank Tally for it <3 + FYI, the next chapter is nowhere being finished yet—this is a little treat for y'all because of that— this past month has been crazy at my job and the chia seeds' harvest season starts in June so I'm not sure how much time—or energy—I'll have. I'd probably be a bit absent but I'll try my best to keep this show going. Also, can you guys find all the references? 👀 PLEASEEEE let me know what you think of this. 'kay, byeee.

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December 31st, 2019 | 6:27 p.m.

As the world buzzed with excitement in anticipation of the approaching New Year, with its promises of new beginnings and fresh starts, I found myself yearning for something different. While others eagerly made plans for extravagant celebrations and wild parties, my heart longed for the simple comforts of home. The allure of crowded festivities and glittering fireworks paled in comparison to the warmth of my own cozy sanctuary, where I could embrace solitude. In a world that seems to thrive on noise and commotion, all I desired was the quiet embrace of familiarity and peace.

Despite my steadfast resolve to stay home, I found myself facing relentless persuasion from a certain Dutch DJ, my long-time friend Martin Garrix. His invitations to join him at a New Year's Eve party in New York, where he was scheduled to perform, grew more insistent with each passing week. Not content to pursue this endeavor alone —and knowing he wouldn’t be able to win this battle by himself—, Martin enlisted the help of my closest confidantes—Fio, my ever-reliable personal assistant; Vittoria, the vivacious soul who never shies away from adventure; and Danna, the wise and grounding presence in our lives.

You'd think that at 21, with a career that keeps reaching new heights everyday, I'd be excited to join those types of celebrations.

Nuh-uh.

Years ago, the prospect of attending a high-profile party filled with celebrities and socialites would have thrilled me beyond measure. Back then, I reveled in the glamour and excitement, relishing the chance to mingle with the elite and bask in the spotlight.

Furthermore, the aftermath of my final breakup with Harry —after two years together and the last year of it being on-and-off— had left me feeling disillusioned and wary of the intentions of those around me. Once the darling of the celebrity circuit, I now found myself excluded from the inner circles I once frequented, my invitations to exclusive events dried up almost overnight. It's a harsh reality I had to come to terms with, one that has left me questioning the true nature of the friendships I once held so dear.

With Martin's persistent pleas ringing in my ears, I gathered my resolve and attempted to explain my desire for a quiet evening in. “Guys, I really appreciate the effort, but I just want to stay home tonight,” I insisted, sinking deeper into the cushions of the couch. “I've been looking forward to a High School Musical marathon all week.”

Fio, my fiery assistant, raised an incredulous eyebrow. “High School Musical? Are you serious, chica? This is New Year's Eve! Yo lo que quiero es que salgas a janguear patabajo y pasarla de show. You can watch Zac Efron dance any other night!” Hailing from the sun-kissed shores of Puerto Rico, she wore her heritage proudly, her voice ringed out with the rhythmic cadence of her native land.

Vittoria, the true embodiment of Brazilian beauty and spirit with her sun-kissed complexion and luminous smile, chimed in with a playful grin. “Yeah, fofinha, come on! You can even ask Martin to play ‘The Start of Something Newʼ if it pleases you,” she grabbed my left hand between both of hers and tugged at it, “We can dance and sing along to Zac Efron together at the party!” she exclaimed, shaking my arm excitedly. 

Well... I could definitely ask Martin to play it, he'd probably say yes in a heartbeat if it meant I would cave in and go to this party. After all, he's been awfully insistent on my attendance. 

Danna, the 23-year-old American with an effortless grace and quiet confidence, offered a gentle smile. “I understand wanting a cozy night in, but trust me, you'll regret missing out on this party. It'll be a night to remember.” she punned with a wink and smiled when Vitto offered her an enthusiastically high five. Vitto sometimes reminded me of a puppy with an impressive amount of energy and excitement, always prompting me to try and keep up with her and leave my comfort zone.

Despite their protests, I remained steadfast in my decision. There was no way I was moving from this couch. “Thanks, guys, but I'm sticking to my plan. You all go ahead and have fun without me.” However, I was but a simple human surrounded by three forces of nature and it was super clear that my friends had other ideas and soon they were bustling around me, pulling me off the couch and insisting I get ready for the night ahead.

Reluctantly, I allowed the girls to coax me off the couch and into action. With Fio's enthusiastic energy, Vittoria's impeccable sense of style, and Danna's calming presence, they transformed my quiet night in into a whirlwind of preparation for the party.

Fio rummaged through my closet, pulling out a stunning short dress made with net-woven high-end silver jewelry that would—quoting her—help highlight and show mi sazón latino among the precious stones, while Vittoria offered her expert opinion on the perfect outfit. “Uff mami, that definitely screams ‘New Year's Eve glam’!” she declared, holding up the sparkling ensemble that catched the light just right. 

Meanwhile, Danna took charge of my hair and makeup, opting for a soft, glamorous look. “You're going to turn heads tonight, babes,” she assured me, brushing a hint of shimmer onto my cheeks. 

Despite my initial resistance, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement as I watched my reflection transform before my eyes.

“Who knows, babes,” Danna paused, carefully applying a nude shade gloss to my lips. “Maybe you’ll find your own Troy Bolton tonight, and have your own The Start of Something New moment” she wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

“You are on a roll tonight with the puns and references, aren’t you Dannita?” Fio peeked out her head from inside my closet and asked jokingly, letting out a laugh while she ducked from a damp sponge lightheartedly tossed her way by Danna.

“Nossa, cara! Você parece uma deusa!” Vitto exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration. (Wow, dude! You look like a goddess!)

A blush crept up my cheeks at her compliment, and I turned to Danna with a grateful smile. “Seriously, Danni, you've outdone yourself,” I praised her, marveling at her skill in transforming me for the evening. “Thank you for making me feel like royalty.”

With a modest smile, Danna accepted my gratitude, her eyes shining with pride at the success of her handiwork. And then, just as the last finishing touches were being applied, she posed the inevitable question: “So, what are your New Year's resolutions?”

With a playful grin, I shrugged, the weight of the question settling over me like a familiar cloak. “I think this year,” I replied, my voice tinged with determination, “I just want to have fun and focus on myself. No boys, no drama, just me.” It was a simple resolution, yet one that carried a weight of significance, a commitment to prioritize my own happiness and well-being above all else.

As I sat there, unaware of their subtle exchange, the girls exchanged knowing glances and smiles, a silent understanding passing between them. Little did I know, they had orchestrated this moment with a shared knowledge of Martin's plans for the evening.

After I was allowed to rose from my seat, I grabbed and put on the large hoops and a set of very discreet rings that Vitto opted for, she explained to me that the expensive design I was wearing ‘perfectly adorned my tanned skin in such a way that I did not need almost any other accessory to elevate the look to its maximum potential’. 

As I waited for the girls to finish getting ready, I idly scrolled through my WhatsApp contacts' status updates, seeking a distraction from the anticipation bubbling inside me. My mom uploaded a video showing all the food they had cooked for dinner. A homesick feeling hit me even if I just came back from spending two weeks at home. Next, Martin’s status showed up on my screen, he posted a photo showcasing his DJ set getting set up for the party. I tapped on his name and took a quick selfie flipping him off playfully and sent it, he didn’t take long to respond with “Does this mean I won?” followed by two pairs of eyes emoji. “Yes” I answered, also followed with the rolling eyes emoji. 

I scrolled through a couple others, when I stumbled upon Selena’s. She posted a selfie all dolled up with her friends and pinned New York City as her location which piqued my curiosity. I composed a brief message, my fingers dancing over the keys as I typed out a casual inquiry about her plans for New Year's Eve in NYC. A response appeared on my screen moments later, “Hey girl! We’re actually heading to a party at The Bowery Hotel. What about you?” a smile tugged at the corners of my lips as excitement coursed through my body, I haven’t seen Sel in a while! We’ve been friends for years and she was one of the few people that was always there to lend me an ear and words of advice whenever I went through a rough patch in my life. “No way! That's where we’re going too! Maybe we'll bump into each other!”

“That’s awesome!!!!! I'll keep an eye out for you. See you there!” she replied. I let out a little happy sigh and shook my head. With my friends by my side, laughter filling the room, I began to anticipate the night ahead with a newfound sense of anticipation. Maybe, just maybe, this New Year's Eve won't be so bad after all.

Unbeknownst to the singer, Martin's persistent efforts to persuade her to attend the party were driven by a secret agenda. For months, he has harbored a hidden desire to introduce her to a friend of his, in the hopes of sparking a connection between them. Despite Martin's best intentions, his attempts to orchestrate their meeting have thus far been thwarted by her obliviousness to his matchmaking schemes.

After receiving the confirmation that the first part of his plan had been successful, Martin discreetly sent a text message to his friend, informing him of her attendance. “She's finally agreed to come,” he typed, a hint of excitement evident in his words. “Be ready to charm her off her feet.”

On a different hotel floor, a 5'10'' curly-haired Aussie’s mind raced with possibilities, wondering who this mystery woman could be.

With a shrug, he tapped out a quick reply, his fingers flying over the keys as he crafted a response. “Sounds intriguing,” he typed, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. “Looking forward to meeting her. Just hope I can keep up with your high expectations mate!” As he hit send, Daniel couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that lingered in the air.

Daniel's phone buzzed again with a response from Martin, and he couldn't help but chuckle at the playful banter that ensued. “Oh, don't worry,” Martin's message read, “I have complete faith in you. Just be yourself, that’s all you need”

Daniel grinned at his friend's confidence. Despite not knowing much about this mysterious woman, he couldn't deny the thrill of anticipation that coursed through his veins. With a sense of determination, he resolved to make the most of this opportunity, determined to leave a lasting impression on whoever this enigmatic figure turned out to be.

Little did he know, this chance encounter would set the stage for a fateful meeting that would change the course of his life in ways he never could have imagined.

As the sleek black car pulled up to the curb outside The Bowery Hotel, the pulsating energy of New York City's nightlife enveloped us like a warm embrace. Stepping out onto the bustling sidewalk, we were greeted by the soft glow of string lights and the distant hum of music drifting from the rooftop above.

Linking arms, we made our way through the elegant lobby of the hotel, the click of our heels echoing against the polished marble floors. Excitement crackled in the air as we rode the elevator to the top floor, anticipation mounting with each passing moment.

As the doors slid open to reveal the rooftop terrace bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights, we were met with a breathtaking view of the city skyline glittering against the night sky. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the air, mingling with the infectious beat of the music that pulsed through the crowd.

We stepped out onto the terrace and navigated through the crowd, the scent of champagne and laughter filled the air; our eyes alight with wonder as we took in the scene before us. The air was alive with the hum of excitement for the new year ahead.

Finding a secluded corner of the rooftop, I paused and craned my neck in search of the blond responsible for me being away from my cozy apartment that night. I spotted him talking with some people near where his set was set up. When our eyes met, he waved enthusiastically, his excitement palpable even from a distance.

Exchanging quick pleasantries, Martin excused himself from the group he was chatting with, his strides purposeful as he made his way towards our little circle. With a grin that could light up the entire city, Martin reached our group, his charismatic presence immediately drawing us in. “Ladies, you look stunning tonight,” he greeted us with a cheeky smile on his face, “and well, well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence,” he teased, his voice laced with playful banter as he directed his attention towards me.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes in mock exasperation, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. “I had four people ganging up on me, Martin, I couldn't exactly resist for long” I replied, my tone teasing as I shot him a playful glare.

Martin chuckled, his laughter infectious as he leaned in to give me a playful nudge. “That's what I like to hear! Now, let's show you what you almost missed by being a grumpy old lady tonight,” he exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious as he gestured towards the bustling rooftop party surrounding us.

Half an hour later, Daniel made his way through the vibrant crowd, his eyes scanning the faces around him, he caught sight of Martin amidst the sea of revelers. With a nod of recognition, he approached his friend, a curious glint in his eyes. 

Martin turned towards him with a grin, anticipation dancing in his eyes. “Hey! What’s up, mate?” he gave him a quick hug. “She's already here," Martin exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement.

Daniel's interest was piqued, and he glanced around the crowded rooftop, searching for any indication of who Martin was referring to. “Oh, really?” Daniel replied, his curiosity evident in his tone.

Martin nodded eagerly, but instead of gesturing towards our group, he simply smiled mysteriously. “Yep, but I'll introduce you later. Duty calls,” he said with a shrug, gesturing towards the stage where he was needed.

Daniel's brow furrowed slightly in confusion, but he simply nodded in understanding as Martin hurried off to fulfill his obligations. 

Martin's cryptic reply intrigued Daniel, sparking his curiosity further. He decided not to dwell on it for too long. With a shrug, he turned his attention back to the lively atmosphere of the party, eager to enjoy the night ahead. As he mingled with his friends, his thoughts occasionally drifted back to Martin's enigmatic words, wondering who exactly the DJ was referring to and what significance they held. But for now, he was content to simply soak in the excitement of the moment and let the night unfold as it may.

As Daniel's gaze lazily scanned the room, it landed on a group of vibrant individuals, among whom stood a figure that instantly commanded his attention. His eyes locked onto hers, and he felt a jolt of electricity course through him as their gazes met. In that fleeting moment, the noise of the party faded into the background, and all he could focus on was the captivating presence of the woman before him. Despite the nagging reminder of his supposed obligation to meet someone else, he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from her, his curiosity piqued and his interest unmistakably piqued.

Throughout the night, I found myself engaged in conversation with Selena and both of our friend groups, along with a few others who had approached us. However, the initial excitement I had felt was beginning to wane as my social battery ran low. I forced laughter and plastered on fake smiles as the people around us tried to create conversation, drawn to us for our status and connections rather than genuine friendship. My walls were up and I couldn’t help but be filled with nostalgia for the days when I effortlessly navigated the social whirlwind. God knows how I was able to endure all that, but now, that shiny façade of fame no longer held the appeal it once had. My eyes kept shifting around the multitude, trying to find an escape in the midst of the bustling party. Martin had to leave us after a while to greet other people that I’m sure he also invited. And now he was on the stage making sure everything was ready for the show, so that ruled him out of the equation. 

I found myself wishing I could channel Fio's bold attitude, and just tell all these phonies to go pal’ carajo. She had this undeniable strength and fearlessness about her that I envied. I couldn't imagine myself possessing even a fraction of her confidence. Yet, all of these thoughts melted away when my gaze landed on his face across the rooftop.

In that moment, it felt as though the chaos around me dissipated, leaving only him in sharp focus. Our eyes met, and a smile graced his lips, instantly captivating me. There was something magnetic about him, an inexplicable allure that drew me in without a word spoken.

His smile held a warmth that felt achingly familiar, as if we shared some unspoken connection that transcended the bounds of time and place. With each passing moment, his gaze seemed to deepen, as though delving into the depths of my soul with a silent question: “Have we met before?” It was a question that echoed in the recesses of my mind, sparking a curiosity that I couldn't shake.

As I stood there, locked in this wordless exchange, I couldn't help but wonder about the secrets hidden behind those piercing eyes. Despite the throng of people around us, it felt as though we were the only two souls in the room, bound together by an invisible thread of fate.

Suddenly, his silhouette cut through the crowd, moving with purpose and determination. With each step he took, my heart quickened its pace, anticipation rising in tandem with the rhythm of my pulse. The air crackled with a silent energy and I found myself holding my breath caught in the gravity of his presence. The distance between us narrowed, until finally, he stood before me, his eyes locking onto mine with a magnetic intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

As he extended his hand towards me, a rush of warmth flooded through me, tingling at the touch of his skin against mine. “Hey,” he said, his voice smooth and resonant, sending a ripple of anticipation coursing through me. “I'm Daniel.” His name rolled off his tongue with a certain charm and a twinge of an accent, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him even more. 

“Hi” I managed to say, attempting to regain my composure. “I'm Y/N.”

“Y/N,” he repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with a hint of curiosity. “Lovely name for a lovely lady.”

I could feel my cheeks flush at his compliment. “Thanks,” I replied, trying to play it cool. The spell broke for a moment as he suddenly realized that there was a group of people staring at him, his own cheeks seemed to redden for a second but he recovered fast and greeted them with a radiant smile. I couldn't help but admire the way he carried himself with such effortless charm. The realization sinked in that this wasn't just any charming stranger – holy shit, this was Daniel Ricciardo, the Formula 1 driver. 

A playful glint danced in his eyes as his eyes drifted back to me, and a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips. His easy charm catched me off guard, and I found myself blushing involuntarily. I stole a quick glance at my friends, who shot me knowing looks, clearly amused by my reaction. It's as if they could read my mind, teasing me silently. 

Okay Y/N, keep your cool. He is just a dude, I thought as I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. He is a gorgeous, smoking hot dude with a megawatt smile who smells wonderful. ¡Agh, mierda!. 

Yeah, I was fucked. I guessed it was time to put those acting skills to use.

“So, Daniel, what brings you to this fabulous party?” I tilted my head as I asked, I prayed it came out in a flirty but nonchalant way and not in a way that revealed the nervous flutter in my stomach. Daniel grinned, his gaze lingered on me. “Well, a friend insisted that I come, said it was going to be the party of the year. And, I must say, meeting someone as captivating as you was an unexpected bonus.”

A light blush spreaded across my cheeks at his words, and I glanced away momentarily, trying to regain my composure. “Flattery will get you everywhere, won't it?”

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I certainly hope so.”

I chuckled, trying to play it cool. “Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?”

He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Challenge accepted,” he replied, leaning in closer. With a playful smirk, he asked, “But first, would you like to grab a drink?”

The playful exchange between us continued as we made our way towards the bar, the atmosphere around us seemingly faded into the background as we became engrossed in each other's company.

Our playful banter flowed effortlessly, each quip and witty remark met with a matching response from the other. It's like we were in our own little world, oblivious to the party swirling around us as we exchanged jokes and anecdotes. There's something about him that feels like coming home, yet I know we've never crossed paths before. His genuine smile and easygoing demeanor put me at ease, and I found myself opening up to him more than I had in a long time. 

We both paused to stare at the DJ in his element, the corners of my mouth turned up when the Dutchy’s words ringed in my head: I almost missed this by being a grumpy old lady. I glanced over to find him already fixated on me, he smiled at me softly and a soft flutter danced in the pit of my stomach as I caught his eyes lingering on my lips. Was it just my imagination, or did the air around us suddenly crackle with an electric charge?

I tried to keep my tone light, “So, what's been the highlight of your evening so far?”

“If you’d asked me this about two hours ago I’d say the good vibes and great company,” he replied smoothly, his gaze never leaving mine. “But now that I've found you, I think I've found the best part of the evening.”

“Oh, stop it,” I chuckled, feeling my cheeks warm further.

“I mean it,” he insisted, his eyes sparkling with sincerity. “You've got this magnetic energy about you. I couldn't resist coming over to say hi.”

I felt a flutter in my stomach at his words. “Well, I'm glad you did,” I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “It's nice to meet someone genuine at a party like this.”

Daniel grinned, leaning in a little closer. “Tell me about it. Most people here seem more interested in flashing cameras and rubbing elbows with celebrities than having a real conversation.”

I nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief wash over me that he felt the same way. “Exactly. It's refreshing to find someone who values authenticity.”

His smile widened. “Well, authenticity is my middle name,” he quipped, earning a laugh from me.

“Is it really?” I teased back, raising an eyebrow playfully.

He chuckled softly. “Not quite, but close enough,” he replied. The sound of his laughter was like music to my ears, washing over me in gentle waves. I couldn't help but smile in return, feeling a warmth spread through me at the sight of his genuine amusement. There was something so effortlessly charming about him, something that made it impossible not to be drawn to him.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Martin, from his place behind his console, grabbed the microphone, sending a burst of excitement through the crowd. The music softened, and all eyes turned towards him, eager to hear what he had to say. With a smile, he leaned into the mic.

“Alright, everyone! Get ready, because we're about to kick off the countdown to the new year!” his voice boomed over the speakers, igniting cheers and applause.

Daniel and I exchanged surprised glances, realizing how swiftly time had slipped away during our conversation. A sheepish grin spread across our faces as we chuckled at the realization.

“Wow, can you believe it?” Daniel exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I replied, “I know, right? It feels like we just got here!”

But despite our astonishment, there was an undeniable excitement in the air as we eagerly awaited the start of the countdown. Time may have slipped away unnoticed, but we were more than ready to welcome the new year with open arms.

With the pulsating energy of the crowd and the anticipation building up, Martin's announcement seemed to mark a pivotal moment in the night. It was as if time paused for just a brief moment, allowing us to reflect on the year gone by and the possibilities that lay ahead.

As the countdown began, the atmosphere on the terrace grew electric. Each second ticking by felt charged with anticipation, drawing us closer to the threshold of a new beginning. Daniel and I joined in with the crowd, counting down in unison as the numbers on the screen dwindled.

“Ten!... Nine!... Eight!” The voices around us echoed, filling the place with excitement and joy.

As the final seconds ticked away before the stroke of midnight, I stole a moment to scan the crowd, searching for familiar faces amidst the sea of revelers. My gaze locked onto Fio, Vitto, and Danna, who were huddled together nearby. Fio, ever perceptive, caught my gaze first. With a playful nudge to Vitto and Danna, she directed their attention towards me, and they turned in unison, their eyes met mine with knowing looks and a mischievous grin spread across their faces.

With playful antics, they puckered their lips in exaggerated kissy faces, teasing me in a lighthearted manner. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their antics, a light blush tinting my cheeks in response to their jovial teasing.

Amidst the playful exchange, a fleeting thought crossed my mind. I wondered, for just a moment, if perhaps Daniel, standing closer than before, was considering the same playful gesture. But before I could dwell on the thought, the clock struck midnight, and the room erupted into cheers and celebration.

As the cheers filled the air, Daniel and I turned to each other with shy smiles, caught up in the infectious excitement of the moment. “Happy New Year,” we said simultaneously, our voices barely audible above the din of the crowd.

For a brief moment, there was a subtle shift in the air, a silent pause that seemed to linger between us. In that fleeting instant, it felt as if time slowed down, and I found myself meeting Daniel's gaze, our eyes locking in a silent exchange filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions.

There was a palpable tension, a delicate balance hanging in the air, as if both of us were teetering on the edge of something unspoken. In that moment, it seemed as though Daniel might lean in, his movements tentative and hesitant, as if contemplating a gesture that could change everything.

Was he gonna kiss me? Oh, I wouldn’t be mad if he stole a kiss. 

Or several.

But then, just as quickly as the moment had arisen, it passed. With a soft smile and a gentle nod, Daniel seemed to reconsider, pulling back slightly as if to preserve the moment's delicate equilibrium. And in that simple gesture, the unspoken understanding between us remained.

As the moment hung in the air between Daniel and me, on the brink of something uncertain, the sounds of joyous screams suddenly pierced through the atmosphere, drawing our attention away.

Before I could fully process what was happening, I felt warm arms wrap around me, pulling me into an exuberant embrace. It was the girls, Fio, Vitto, and Danna, their laughter mingling with the cheers of the crowd as they enveloped me in their enthusiastic greeting.

"Happy New Year!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with genuine warmth and excitement.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the timing of their arrival, grateful for the distraction from the almost-kiss tension that had begun to linger between Daniel and me. With their infectious energy and playful banter, they effortlessly diffused the slight awkwardness that had threatened to overshadow the moment.

As we exchanged hugs and well wishes, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for their timely intervention. In their presence, the lingering tension dissipated, replaced by a sense of sisterhood and shared joy.

And as we laughed and celebrated together, I couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps some moments were meant to be savored, not rushed. Whatever the future held for Daniel and me, I knew that in that moment, I was exactly where I was meant to be.

With infectious enthusiasm, the girls dragged me towards the terrace railings, eager to get a better view of the fireworks illuminating the night sky. Laughing and chatting animatedly, we leaned against the railing, our eyes fixed on the colorful explosions lighting up the darkness.

As we marveled at the spectacle unfolding before us, Daniel excused himself with a smile, promising to join us in just a moment. I watched him disappear into the crowd, his easy charm drawing smiles and greetings from everyone he came across.

Alone for a brief moment amidst the excitement of the celebration, I took a deep breath, allowing myself to soak in the energy of the night. The air was alive with anticipation, the promise of new beginnings hanging in the air like a tangible presence.

And as the fireworks continued to paint the sky with bursts of color and light, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the moments shared with friends, old and new. In that fleeting moment of tranquility, amidst the chaos of the celebration, I found solace in the knowledge that no matter where life took us, our bonds would always endure, guiding us through the highs and lows of the journey ahead. I felt grateful to call these incredible women my friends. And as the last remnants of the fireworks faded into the night, I turned to raise my glass in a toast with the girls following, my heart full with the promise of the new year ahead.

Just as I turned back to try and catch a glimpse of a certain Aussie in the crowd, Daniel appeared at my side with a warm smile. His eyes sparkled with the residual excitement of the celebration, and his easygoing demeanor put me at ease.

“Hey there,” he greeted me, his voice carrying over the lingering echoes of the fireworks. “Did you enjoy the show?”

I returned his smile with a nod, the exhilaration of the moment still coursing through my veins. “It was amazing,” I replied, my voice filled with genuine awe. “I can't believe how quickly the year flew by.”

Daniel chuckled softly, his gaze drifting towards the horizon where the last traces of the fireworks faded into the darkness. “Yeah, 2019 feels like it was yesterday,” he quipped, a playful twist to his words.

I couldn't help but laugh at his silly joke, shaking my head in amusement. Despite its simplicity, his humor didn’t fail to bring a smile to my face. And as my laughter echoed into the night, I noticed Daniel's own smile widening, his eyes alight with infectious joy.

As my laughter subsided, Daniel's eyes softened, his gaze lingering on me with a warmth that sent a flutter through my chest. In the soft glow of the terrace lights, his features seemed to soften, his smile taking on a tender quality.

“You know,” he began, his voice gentle, “you look absolutely beautiful under the firework lights.”

A blush rose to my cheeks at his words, a rush of warmth spreading through me at the unexpected compliment. It was a simple gesture, but it carried a weight of sincerity that touched me deeply.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, but filled with genuine appreciation.

Daniel's gaze held mine for a moment longer, his expression softening even further as he had the purest beam of light on his face that made my heart melt.  “Actually,” he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “you outshine even the fireworks themselves.”

A surprised chuckle escaped my lips, and I could feel my cheeks flush with a warmth that spread from his endearing words. His unexpected compliment caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless.

It was such a simple yet profoundly sweet sentiment, and it took me by surprise in the best possible way.

As Daniel's sweet words lingered in the air, a comfortable silence settled between us, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the continuing celebration. It was a couple minutes after midnight, and there were already a couple resolutions broken.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly at the thought, the warmth of Daniel's presence enveloping me like a comforting embrace. Despite the inevitable imperfections of the past year, there was a sense of hope and possibility lingering in the air for this new one, a reminder that every moment held the potential for growth and renewal.

We continued to chat and laugh as we made our way to one of the high tables to continue our conversation in a more comfortable setting. Martin even made an appearance, greeting us with his usual kind and friendly attitude. A shit-eating grin adorned his face as he saw us talking. He inconspicuously winked at me which prompted me to affectionately roll my eyes. 

Okay Martin, I get it, you were right...again. 

But one curious thing happened when Martin approached. I noticed a flicker of apology in Daniel's eyes, a subtle shift in his demeanor that caught my attention. Confused, I glanced at him, wondering what had prompted this sudden change. It wasn't until much later that I would come to understand the reason behind his apologetic expression.

Unbeknownst to me, Daniel had misunderstood Martin's intentions, believing that the girl he had spoken to him about was someone else entirely. In his mind, there was no connection between Martin's matchmaking scheme and the girl he had been conversing with all along—me.

And so, we were unaware of the intricate web of plans and schemes being woven around us. Little did I know, the seeds of something special had already been planted, waiting to bloom and blossom in the days and weeks to come.

A while later, one of the waiters passed by, weaving through the crowd. Seizing the opportunity, Daniel called out to him, “Excuse me, do you have a pen?”

The waiter nodded and swiftly produced one, handing it over with a friendly smile. Once he left, Daniel grabbed a napkin from the table and quickly sketched out a tic-tac-toe grid with the pen. With a mischievous grin, he declared, “Let's make a deal. If I win, you have to give me your number.”

I couldn't help but laugh at his spontaneous challenge, the playful glint in his eyes infectious. “Alright, you're on,” I replied, picking up the pen to make my first move. 

“But,” I paused with a smirk. I raised an eyebrow at Daniel, unable to suppress a playful grin. “What do I get if I win?” I challenged him, my tone teasing and light. 

Daniel's lips curled into a flirtatious smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well,” he replied, leaning in closer with a playful glint in his eyes, “if you win, you get my number instead.”

His response elicited another laugh from me, the playful banter adding to the already vibrant energy between us. With a nod of agreement, I made my move, determined to give him a run for his money.

However, despite my best efforts, Daniel proved to be a formidable opponent—athletes do tend to have another level of competitiveness after all, even with the smallest and silliest things—, and before I knew it, he had emerged victorious, marking the final square with a triumphant flourish.

With a mock sigh of defeat, I conceded, acknowledging his win with good humor. “Alright, you got me,” I chuckled, conceding to his victory. “Looks like I owe you my number.”

With a pleased smile he passed me his phone. As I began typing my number into Daniel's phone, focused on the task at hand, I felt a sudden movement beside me. Glancing up, I saw Daniel grab another napkin, his expression mischievous as he quickly scribbled something onto it. 

Curious, I watched as he slid the napkin across the table towards me. My eyes widened in surprise as I read the words written in his handwriting: “You are cute.”

A warmth spread through me at his unexpected gesture, a rush of flattered excitement tingling in my veins. With a playful smile, I looked up to meet his gaze, my heart fluttering with anticipation.

“Smooth move,” I teased, unable to hide the smile that danced on my lips. “But I think you've already won me over with your charm.”

As I finished adding my number to his phone, I slid it back across the table towards him. With a grin, Daniel accepted his phone back, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction at my response. “Can't blame a bloke for trying,” he quipped, his tone light and playful. 

The playful energy between us only seemed to intensify and I found myself drawn further into the magnetic pull of Daniel's presence, captivated by his whiskey-colored eyes that held a depth that seemed to unravel the secrets of the universe. And when he spoke, his Australian accent danced with a melodic cadence that resonated deep within my soul, infusing every word with a warmth and charm that was impossible to resist.

But it wasn't just his accent that captivated me—it was his carefree personality, his easygoing demeanor that made every moment feel effortless and free. He laughed with abandon, his infectious joy spreading like wildfire and igniting a spark of laughter within me.

And then there were his hands, expressive and animated as he spoke, each gesture painting a vivid picture of his thoughts and emotions. It was as if his hands had a language of their own, weaving tales of adventures that left me hanging on his every word.

Just as the party was reaching its peak and the energy in the room soared, one of the girls came up to me with a sense of urgency in her expression. “Hey babes, we need to head out already,” she informed me, a hint of regret in her voice.

My heart sank at the sudden announcement, realizing the abrupt end to the evening's festivities. With a mixture of disappointment and resignation, I turned to Daniel, silently conveying my apologies with a glance.

“I'm sorry, but Vitto's had a bit too much to drink,” Danna explained, her tone apologetic as she gestured towards our intoxicated companion. “We need to get her home.”

There was a flicker of disappointment in Daniel's eyes, mirrored by my own sense of frustration at the untimely interruption.

With a sympathetic smile, Daniel nodded in understanding, his expression reflecting a mixture of disappointment and acceptance. “Of course, safety first,” he replied, his voice filled with empathy. “Take care, and hopefully, we'll see each other again soon.”

As I exchanged final farewells with Daniel, a pang of regret lingered in the air, accompanied by the bittersweet realization that our time together had been cut short. Yet, amidst the disappointment, there was a glimmer of hope, a silent promise of future encounters.

With a nod of gratitude, I turned to join my friends. And as I reached the girls, I couldn't help but sigh softly, my concern for Vitto mixing with a hint of amusement. “Ay, Vitto,” I murmured, shaking my head in disbelief at how quickly she had managed to get drunk in just an hour.

Vitto, in her intoxicated state, offered a drunken apology and let out a soft laugh, her carefree demeanor infectious. “Sorry,” she slurred, her words accompanied by a playful giggle.

I couldn't help but smile at her antics, reassured by her good spirits despite the unexpected turn of events. “It's okay,” I assured her, placing an arm around her shoulder. “Let's get you home safely.”

As I turned to leave, I couldn't resist stealing a last glimpse back at Daniel. To my surprise, I found him still staring at me, his smile widening as he waved goodbye. A rush of warmth flooded through me at the sight.

On our way home, the girls couldn't resist teasing me about Daniel, joking about how we had spent the whole night together. Their playful banter only served to deepen my blush, fueling the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. The city lights blurred into a mosaic of colors outside the car window and the laughter of the girls faded into the background as I found myself lost in the memory of Daniel's captivating smile, the warmth of his gaze still lingering in the corners of my mind.

I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something truly special about that smile, something that lingered long after the party had ended and the night had grown quiet. To me, it wasn't just any smile—it was warm, genuine, and filled with an undeniable spark that seemed to reach straight into my soul. It was a smile that spoke volumes, conveying a sense of understanding, a twinge of mischief, and unspoken promise that left me breathless with anticipation.

With a soft sigh, I couldn't help but reflect on the serendipitous twist of fate that had brought us together tonight. In that brief moment of connection, amidst the music and laughter, I had felt a spark of something special—a connection that defied explanation and left me yearning for more.

And as I stared out into the night, the city lights twinkling like stars in the darkness, I knew that I would carry the memory of that encounter with me forever. In that moment, meeting him felt like a spell had been cast upon me, capturing my heart in an instant.

The thought made a soft smile tug at the corners of my lips, my heart fluttering with the anticipation of what the future might hold.

At the end of the night, all I knew was, 

Daniel, I was enchanted to meet you.