#zai play games

[sweetwhitechoco]

Anyone of you who played Zelda: Twilight Princess; I wish to know something.

This happened during Gamecube days, so I don't know if this happened to other versions too. I was looking for videos to prove this incident to my partner and found nothing much about it.

If you remember the postman from the game, he would mail you stuff from other NPCs sometimes when you're out in the field.

So there were some mails that I didn't get from him, and I went ahead to fight Ganondorf.

During the horseback fight, I recall falling down from Epona and wanted to hurry back. Then the postman suddenly came running to deliver mails.

In the middle of war.

I wanted to know; did this happen to any other player out there? Was it something glitchy that wasn't supposed to happen?

This was just a funny thing I remembered while watching others play Zelda games, I thought it'd be fun to write this down for memory. xD

[boxesblr]

I never moved on from pib's final pickpocket on the Baba Yaga and saying "I would like to try to steal back everything she took from us" btw. It's the perfect capstone on a running joke that underlined the character archetype. It's loving and heartfelt and simple and cheeky. It makes no apologies about being a trickster move. Real in what it means to accomplish and unreal in what it makes true about the world.

And then he's honest with her about it. And she remarks that it's just like the two of them, for him to steal and her to be stolen from. That they're so alike, that they transcend this corruption and unmaking and soon to be remaking. They're just so archetypal - a witch and a black cat

[cursedwithgloriouspurpose]

[rivzai]

⋅ ˚. ⋆ zai's posters, a poster set ☆

hi everyone! this set is inspired by my playlist. if you read some of the descriptions for the items i literally put my playlist on shuffle and decided to make posters based off the artists that played. enjoy!

☆ set includes ☆

wave to earth stage posters [41 swatches]

'playlist' posters [6 swatches]

wave to earth posters vol2 [9 swatches]

'playlist' posters vol2 [10 swatches]

☆ more info ☆

base game compatible

posters are official posters + photographs.

some posters appear small in game, use the '[' and ']' keys to resize.

☆ download (patreon, always free)

@love4sims4 @emilyccfinds @maxismatchccworld @mandy-ccfinds @itsjessicaccfinds @ivyccfinds

[ranpazz]

ARE YOU DEATH OR PARADISE? ft. Dazai Osamu

synopsis ; He thought he could prevent your inevitable death. How foolish he was to believe that he'd succeed where he failed in every world.

cw ; beast!zai, character death, angst/no comfort, gn!reader, not proofread (it's me.), someone needs to take Billie Ellish away from me.

Death.

Humans fear two things. The inevitable, and what they dont know. The first thing is what most humans tend to try and avoid, knowing that it's impossible. Some fear it, some wish for it. To Dazai, it was something that he felt the duality of. He feared it– only when it prayed and caught onto those he cherished most, yet he wished for it to the point it was not sane.

In this world, the very one he fabricated every tiny detail down to the wire, he assured himself that nothing could truly avoid his watchful eye. He even brought you along with him to ensure that fact. You're something precious, possibly even otherworldly, to Dazai, even in the realities that he's a mere spectator of. The memories of you that plague his mind like flies swarming food.

He wanted to believe that, even just for a moment, you were his. That you didn't belong to the versions of him from another world– you were solely his. Dazai protected you, he has the resources in this world to save you from the very fate that found you in every universe– death. You were supposed to be safe. You were not supposed to be lost. This wasn't supposed to happen again. Then again, Dazai knew better.

So why did he hope that you were any different?

Why did he believe that when he witnessed you die on the CCTV footage, killed by a threat greater than himself, you were merely playing a game? Why did he, for once, pray to a God that this was not the horrid reality it was meant to be? Why was life so far away from fair, taking away the only string of sanity that kept him going in this world?

It was simple, really. He was Dazai Osamu. Everything he wants is lost the moment he obtains it.

Which led him here, hovering over your body, clutching you tightly in his grasp as if you'd vanish the moment he let you go. He was trembling, your blood was staining his hands, tainting the bandages he wore a deep shade of scarlet. Dazai had never cried before, but he could feel his tear ducts stinging, his vision blurring.

Chuuya’s shouts were ignored, all Dazai could focus on was how at peace you looked. Your hair was disheveled, yet it framed your face with the upmost delicacy, your lifeless eyes were closed, thick lashes mocking him, causing him to ponder that you might just be toying with him. Unfortunately, the lack of a heartbeat in your ribs, the paleness of your skin, and the way no air entered nor left your body, said otherwise.

The pages of that godforsaken book tunneled his vision, the sentences that spelt out your death tantalizing him. He knows, so stop it. Stop reminding him of what he lost. Dazai knew he was reckless, stupid for bringing you into this life when he should have left you alone. He should have learned from those other versions him that it's best not to become attached. The original version learned from Oda, so how come he just had not learned his lesson from you?

It could have been that he did not want to accept the truth of your demise. You had loved him so tenderly, accepted every one of his flaws, remained patient with him no matter what occurred. You were practically his safe-haven in each universe. Maybe it was your understanding that led him to forgetting the reason why he told himself to stay away. Or possibly it was the sheer love that he refused to acknowledge until the last minute.

.

.

In the next life, he'll try again. You'll stay safe, you'll stay alive. He'll do whatever it takes for you to stay by his side.

Next time, he'll do things differently.

divider by @kodaswrld

[nhlclover]

𝐇𝐀�� 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 | 𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐓

— cozytober masterlist !

summary: homecoming takes an unexpected turn for gabe when he meets you and your infectious energy that takes his attention completely off the game.

warnings: brief mention of drinking, a lil kiss scene

word count: 1.65k

notes: fic number five of cozytober! based on 'had me by halftime' by morgan wallen. fall = homecoming = football games and school spirit (roll eagles)

Gabe adjusted his Boston College hat, the brim low to shield his eyes from the mid-afternoon sun as he stepped out of the Uber, scanning the sea of maroon and gold that sprawled before him. The crisp October air carried the unmistakable smell of charcoal grills and the distant hum of laughter and music. Fall was definitely here, but the warmth of the day still clung in the air, that perfect mix of cool breezes and lingering heat that made it hard to believe summer was really over.

Gabe weaved through groups of students and alumni, looking for Jacob. He had texted him earlier to meet up in the parking lot where the tailgate was going on, Gabe figuring he was already set up in the thick of it. Sure enough, he spotted Jacob, who was laughing alongside his girlfriend Olivia, and a small group of her friends.

“Hey man,” Jacob greeted Gabe, dapping him up when he approached.

Gabe returned the dap with a smile, already feeling the buzz of energy around him. "What’s up, bud?" he replied.

“You gonna get in on our pool? We’ve got a bet going about the over-under for total points.” Jacob explained.

“Don’t do it, Gabe, the buy-in is forty bucks,” Olivia warned, receiving an eye roll from Jacob that didn’t go unnoticed. “You blow money on stupid things and then lose them, Jacob, you need better spending habits.”

Gabe slightly tuned out the bickering couple, his eyes scanning the lively crowd around him when his wandering gaze fell on you. You stood just a few feet away, engaged in a heated game of cornhole with some guy, tossing playful trash talk his way. You wore a cropped Zay Flowers BC jersey slightly exposing your midriff and a sparkling stud on your bellybutton. Your hair fell in loose waves around your shoulders, and the bright smile that stretched across your face was infectious.

“You see something you like?” a voice teased from beside him. Gabe forced his eyes away from you as he realized Olivia had caught him staring. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “That’s y/n. She’s one of my friends from bio, I’m sitting next to her in the game. I should introduce you.”

“What?” Gabe tried to play it off cool, but he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. “Nah, I was just—”

“Staring, yeah, I know,” Emily teased, giving him a playful nudge. “She’s great, by the way. She’s super smart, a little intense but in the best way, and she’s got this whole Georgia thing going on. You’ll hear it when she talks, trust me. You should totally go say hi.”

“Ah, I don’t know…” Gabe said, looking back at you. He watched as you threw your head back with laughter, the joyous sound rising to the noise of the crowd.

“Come on man, don’t be wimp.” Jacob urged, giving him a soft shove.

Gabe rolled his eyes but couldn’t deny the spark of interest flaring inside him. “Alright, fine. I’ll go talk to her.”

He stepped forward, weaving through the crowd, trying to figure out how to approach without coming off like a total idiot. Just as you were lining up your next shot, he cleared his throat. “Pretty sure you’re making this guy’s life miserable.”

You let out a laugh, the sound melodic. “Hey, it’s not my fault he’s terrible at this,” you teased, taking your shot and sinking the bag perfectly into the hole, winning your game.

“Wow, I’m impressed,” Gabe said. “Mind if I challenge the winner?”

“You want in on this?” you asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Alright, but just know I won’t go easy on you.”

Gabe chuckled, appreciating your boldness. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

The game started, and you made sure to keep the banter alive. As the two of you exchanged playful jabs, Gabe quickly learned a few things: you were from Georgia, which explained the slight twang in your voice and what Olivia said earlier, and you were majoring in biology. It was clear you had a contagious energy about you, something that made it easy for Gabe to be around you.

When the start time of the game neared, you shifted inside the stadium where you and Gabe ended up sitting next to each other, leaving Jacob and Olivia to their own little world. The stands were packed, the atmosphere electric as the Eagles took the field. Throughout the first quarter, Gabe tried to keep his focus on the field, but his mind kept drifting back to you—how animated you got with every play, the way you yelled at the refs, and how you’d nudge him whenever something exciting happened. Football was supposed to be the main event, but now? You were stealing the show.

Midway through the game, you pulled out a couple of airplane bottles from your purse, handing a tiny bottle of Fireball to Gabe. “Security didn’t catch these,” you whispered, winking. “Wanna share?”

He grinned, feeling a little rebellious as he took the bottle from you. “You come prepared.”

“Always,” you said, clinking your bottle against his.

And when the fight song started blaring through the speakers, you threw your arm around his shoulder, singing loudly and pulling him into it. “Come on, Gabe! You gotta show some school spirit!”

He laughed but joined in, letting you drag him into the moment, singing along with the rest of the crowd, even though he didn’t know the words as well as you did. There was something infectious about your energy, the way you were so unapologetically yourself, and Gabe found himself caught up in it.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Eagles were trailing by 3, but you were still holding onto hope, your eyes glued to the field. When they scored with just 15 seconds left, you let out a scream of pure joy and launched yourself into Gabe’s arms. His arm instinctively wrapped around your waist as he picked you up, the two of you caught up in the moment as the crowd roared around you.

“They did it!” you yelled, beaming as you hugged him tightly.

Gabe couldn’t help but smile back, caught up in your joy. There was something about the way you were looking at him in that moment, so full of life and excitement, that made him realize something. He wasn’t just into you because of the game, or because of how you looked in the jersey, or even the way you made him laugh. He was into you because of you.

As the crowd started to thin out, you hooked your arm through his, still talking about the game, about how this was exactly what the Eagles needed to turn their season around. He listened, though his mind was elsewhere — on you, on the feeling of your arm around his, on how easy it was to be around you. As the crowd spilled out into the streets, Gabe offered to walk you back to your dorm, which you accepted gratefully. The sunset bathed the campus in a golden light, casting a warm glow that made you look radiant in his eyes. You chatted the whole way back, the conversation flowing easily, like you’d known each other for longer than just a few hours.

When you reached your dorm, the orange and pink hues of the sky made you look almost ethereal. The lingering warmth of the day clung to the air, Gabe feeling a sudden rush of nerves. The conversation had slowed to a comfortable lull, and you were smiling at him, your eyes glowing in the soft light of the setting sun. Gabe rubbed the back of his neck, taking a step closer to you, feeling like now or never.

“You know,” he began, his voice a little lower than usual, “I’ve had a really great time today. Didn’t think I’d get this lucky at a football game.”

You tilted your head, grinning, “Lucky, huh? I feel like I’m the one who should be saying that. You were a great seat partner.”

Gabe chuckled, but his smile faded slightly as he searched your eyes. His heart pounded in his chest as he leaned in just a bit, testing the waters. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” you replied, your voice softening in the quiet of the evening.

For a moment, Gabe hesitated, his fingers brushing lightly against your arm. “Can I kiss you?”

The question hung in the air between you for what felt like an eternity, but when you nodded, your lips curved into a small, inviting smile. Gabe didn’t waste another second. He closed the gap between you, gently cupping your face with one hand as he pressed his lips to yours.

The kiss was soft and tentative at first, the faint taste of Fireball still lingering on both of your lips. But as you leaned into him, wrapping your arms around his neck, the kiss deepened. It was sweet and full of excitement as Gabe’s hands moved down to your waist. Gabe’s heart raced as the warmth of your body melted into his, and for a few moments, the world outside your little bubble ceased to exist.

When you finally pulled away, both of you were breathless, your faces inches apart. Gabe couldn’t help the goofy smile that spread across his face. “Wow,” he murmured.

You laughed softly, the sound sending a shiver down his spine. “Wow is right.”

You probably think that it was the kiss that did it for Gabe, that made him want to make you his. That maybe that was the moment when it all clicked for Gabe — the warmth of your lips, the way you smiled right after, or how the sunset framed you like something out of a movie.

But if you ask him, he’d tell you he knew by halftime.

[pdriesta]

CHAPTER FOUR

"baby, i'm talkin' crazy, i need you right in my space"

pairing — trentxblack!r&b artist

tropes — fake dating, enemies-to-lovers

warnings — sexual tension, toxic relationships, mature themes (minors dni)

word count — 9k

summary — y/n, a rising r&b star, is stuck in toxic situationships, with tabloids constantly overshadowing her music. to fix her image, her team pushes her into a fake relationship with liverpool’s trent alexander-arnold. both reluctant, they soon realize keeping things strictly business isn't so simple. will pretending to be in love stay a game, or turn into something real?

an — we’re getting somewhere. or are we?

masterlist

y/n threw another folded wedding invitation onto the growing stack with a sharp flick of her wrist, her movements still heavy with frustration. she grabbed another card, but her hand trembled slightly, and she let out a loud sigh, leaning back on her hands.

zaia, now fully lying on the couch with her legs tossed over the armrest, had a bowl of strawberries balanced on her stomach, lazily munching as she observed y/n. her gaze flicked to her for the fifth time in a minute, eyebrows knitting in curiosity. finally, she couldn’t hold back.

“okay, seriously. what is wrong with you?” she set her glass down and swung her legs onto the floor, leaning forward. “you’ve been folding these invitations like you’re mad at them. they didn’t do anything to you. spill.”

“nothing,” y/n said quickly, though her voice cracked slightly, betraying her.

zaia narrowed her eyes. “don’t lie to me, y/n. you’re my best friend, but i will fight you if you’re mad about jadon while folding my wedding invitations. do not bring that man into my sacred marital process.”

y/n scoffed, though her lips twitched at the absurd threat. “it’s not jadon.”

zaia raised an eyebrow. “then what? because you’ve been in a mood all afternoon. girl, i know something happened.”

y/n sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “it’s trent.”

“trent?” zaia repeated, sitting up straighter. “what did he do? because the last time i checked, you were flirting and texting nonstop. the vibe seemed immaculate.”

“well, apparently, it wasn’t,” y/n snapped, sitting up and crossing her arms. “because he rejected me.”

zaia froze. “wait—what? rejected you?”

“yeah.” y/n laughed bitterly. “he actually had the audacity to act like I was reading too much into things. like I imagined all of it.”

zaia blinked, struggling to process. “hold on. the same trent who’s been facetiming you, texting you, and practically falling over himself to spend time with you?”

“yep.”

“the same trent who’s been flirting with you so much that even jadon started noticing?”

“the one and only,” y/n replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

zaia sat back, utterly baffled. “wow. the nerve of men. i mean, what even is his excuse?”

“he said I’m ‘complicated,’” y/n said, rolling her eyes.

zaia frowned. “complicated? girl, you’re a hot R&B star. of course you’re complicated. but that’s not an excuse—it’s a selling point!”

y/n groaned, burying her face in her hands. “it’s just... ugh! my ego, zai. i don’t even know if I like him that much. but to be rejected like that? by someone who was literally pursuing me?”

zaia hummed, her tone thoughtful. “so... you don’t actually like him?”

“no!” y/n said quickly, then hesitated. “i mean, not really. it’s not like i’m in love with him or something. it’s just... he played me, zai. and it’s embarrassing.”

zaia tilted her head, studying her friend. “okay, but real talk. aren’t you still technically... seeing jadon?”

y/n flinched, guilt flashing across her face. “i mean... kind of? but we’re not, like, exclusive or anything.”

zaia smirked knowingly. “mm-hmm. but you’re sitting here all worked up about trent, folding my wedding invitations like a woman scorned.”

“shut up,” y/n muttered, her cheeks burning.

“look,” zaia said, leaning forward and placing a hand on y/n’s knee. “you’re y/n. you’re a hot, talented, world-famous singer. why are you even wasting time on these guys? you should be out there looking for a husband, not playing these little games with boys who don’t know what they want.”

y/n laughed softly, though it was more out of exhaustion than amusement. “a husband, huh?”

“yes, a husband,” zaia said firmly. “these guys? jadon, trent? they’re just passing through. they’re like appetizers at a fancy dinner. nice to look at, fun to taste, but not the main course.”

“you’re ridiculous,” y/n said, but her lips twitched into a small smile.

“i’m just saying.” zaia shrugged, picking up her wine glass again. “you’re too good for all this nonsense. let them chase you if they want to, but don’t lose sleep over it. you’ve got bigger things to focus on.”

y/n sighed, leaning back against the couch. “you’re right. as always.”

“damn straight,” zaia said with a grin, raising her glass in a mock toast. “now, stop abusing my wedding invitations and let’s get back to folding them like civilized people.”

y/n laughed, finally letting go of some of her frustration. but deep down, a small part of her couldn’t stop replaying trent’s words in her mind. complicated. messy. was that really how he saw her? and if it was... why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?

y/n found herself standing in front of a door she knew all too well, her heart heavy and her mind a jumbled mess of emotions she couldn’t untangle. she stared at the wood grain, her fingers hovering just above the doorbell. she hadn’t even realized where her feet were taking her until she was here, at jadon’s place—her safe place, whether she liked it or not.

her hand trembled as she pressed the doorbell, the faint sound echoing inside. within seconds, the door swung open, and there he was—jadon. his dark eyes immediately scanned her face, his expression softening when he saw the distress written all over her features.

“y/n,” he said gently, his voice carrying that familiar warmth. “what’s wrong?”

the dam broke at his words, her shoulders slumping as tears she didn’t even realize she was holding back threatened to spill. she tried to speak, but all that came out was a shaky breath.

“hey, hey,” jadon said softly, stepping aside to let her in. he didn’t push for answers, didn’t bombard her with questions. instead, he guided her inside with a hand on her back, leading her to the couch. “sit down, yeah? i’ll grab you some water.”

her throat felt dry, the words caught somewhere between her heart and her lips. instead of answering, she stepped inside, brushing past him as if that might help her escape the ache in her chest.

jadon closed the door behind her, watching her closely. “is this about trent?” he asked after a beat, his tone knowing but not unkind.

she froze, her back to him, and he took that as his answer.

“come on,” he said, his hand lightly brushing her arm to guide her toward the couch. “sit down. tell me what’s going on.”

she sank into the cushions, her shoulders slumping as she buried her face in her hands. the room was silent except for the faint hum of the tv in the background, but even that felt too loud against the whirlwind in her mind.

“he rejected me,” she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. “he—he pulled away, like i wasn’t worth it. like i was just... too much for him.”

jadon’s jaw tightened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. “he really said that?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with quiet frustration.

she shook her head, tears spilling over despite her best efforts to keep them at bay. “not in so many words, but i could tell. the way he looked at me, the way he said... everything. it’s like he changed his mind about me, and i didn’t even see it coming.”

jadon leaned forward, his hand resting gently over hers. “y/n,” he started, his tone soft but firm, “you know i don’t like seeing you like this. and honestly? it pisses me off that he’s making you feel this way. you’re better than this. you’re better than him.”

she looked up, her eyes red and filled with unshed tears. “don’t, j. don’t make this about him.”

“why not?” he shot back, his voice low but steady. “because it is about him, y/n. he’s the one who couldn’t see what he had right in front of him. he’s the one who made you feel like you weren’t enough. that’s on him, not you.”

she swallowed hard, his words hitting her in a way that felt both comforting and unsettling. “i just... i didn’t want to be alone tonight,” she admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “and you’re the only person i could think to call.”

jadon’s lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. “you know why, don’t you?” he asked, his tone softening. “because you always know where you stand with me. despite what it looks like, i’ve never played games with you, y/n. i’ve never made you guess how i feel. i always follow your lead”

she let out a shaky breath, her chest tightening at his words. she wanted to believe him, to let his reassurance fill the void trent had left behind, but there was a part of her that couldn’t let go of the rejection.

“i know you’re hurting,” jadon continued, his fingers brushing against hers. “but don’t let him make you think for one second that you’re not worth it. you’re more than worth it. and if he can’t see that, then... maybe he doesn’t deserve you.”

his words were like a balm on her wounded pride, his presence grounding her in a way that felt almost too easy. she leaned into him, her head resting against his chest as his arms came around her, warm and secure.

“i don’t know what to do, j,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt.

“you don’t have to do anything,” he said, his tone gentle but resolute. “just let me take care of you tonight. no pressure, no expectations. i just want you to feel like yourself again.”

she closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. it wasn’t love—it wasn’t even close—but it was comfort. and right now, that was enough. at least, that’s what she told herself as she let him pull her closer, his touch steady and sure.

but deep down, as much as she wanted to believe his reassurances, she couldn’t stop the thought creeping into her mind: why couldn’t trent see her the way jadon did? and why, even now, was she still hoping he would?

jadon let out a slow breath, his hand still resting on hers. “maybe he can’t see what’s right in front of him, but that doesn’t mean you’re not worth it. you are, y/n. and i’ll remind you every day if that’s what it takes.”

she leaned into him, the warmth of his embrace wrapping around her like a shield against the storm in her mind. she didn’t know what the future held, but for now, in jadon’s arms, she felt safe. seen. wanted.

even if it wasn’t love, it was enough.

the next morning, y/n shifted slightly, trying to ease herself out of jadon's embrace without waking him, but his arm tightened around her waist. his voice was soft, groggy, but still teasing. "trying to sneak off already, beautiful?"

she froze, her lips pressing together. "just... didn’t want to wake you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

jadon sat up slightly, propping himself on one elbow to look at her. his hair was a mess, his expression a mix of sleep and concern. "you don’t have to overthink it, y/n. i told you, you always know where you stand with me. no guessing, no games."

her heart twisted at his words, guilt threading through her chest. she wanted to believe him, to let those words comfort her the way they were meant to. but in the back of her mind, all she could think about was trent—his words, his distance, the way he made her feel like she wasn’t enough.

she managed a small smile, hoping it masked the storm inside her. "i know, j. you’ve been... amazing." her voice cracked slightly on the last word, and she hated how unsteady it sounded.

jadon's hand found hers, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. "hey," he said softly, his tone steady but warm. "you don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready. i just... i hate seeing you like this, like someone’s made you doubt yourself. you don’t deserve that."

her eyes welled up, and she blinked rapidly, turning her face away. "it’s not that simple, j. i thought..." she trailed off, biting her lip to stop herself from saying more.

"you thought he was different," jadon finished for her, his voice calm but edged with frustration. "and he’s not. i get it. but don’t let him make you feel like you’re hard to love, y/n, because you’re not. you’re incredible, and anyone who can’t see that is blind."

his words hit her like a wave, warm and reassuring, but they didn’t erase the hollow ache in her chest. "you make it sound easy," she whispered, her voice fragile.

jadon sat up fully now, his hand cupping her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. "it’s not about easy. it’s about knowing your worth. and you’re worth everything, y/n."

her breath hitched, and she nodded, even though the doubt still lingered. jadon's sincerity was overwhelming, and yet her mind kept circling back to trent—the rejection, the uncertainty, the way he made her feel small even without meaning to. she hated how much space he still took up in her thoughts, how much power his actions still had over her.

"thank you," she said finally, her voice shaky but genuine. "i mean it. you’re... you’ve been everything i needed."

jadon leaned back slightly, his trademark grin slipping back into place, though it was softer now. "that’s what i’m here for, beautiful. to remind you of who you are, even if you forget sometimes."

she laughed lightly, the sound hollow to her own ears. "i don’t think i’ve ever been as lost as i am right now."

"then let me help you find your way," he said simply, no hesitation in his voice.

y/n wanted to believe him, wanted to let herself fully sink into the comfort he offered. but deep down, she knew this wasn’t about finding her way—it was about running from the fear of rejection that had been carved deeper into her soul. jadon had been her solace for the night, but he couldn’t fix what was broken inside her. only she could.

and right now, she wasn’t sure she was ready to face it.

y/n tugged at her earrings, checking her reflection in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time. her fingers were tense, tugging at the silver hoops as if they’d snap from the pressure. her outfit was a perfect contradiction—stylish yet understated, carefully put together to look like she hadn’t put in any effort at all. but the truth was, she had. too much.

it wasn’t for him, she told herself for the tenth time that evening. not for trent. but even the thought of his name made her stomach churn, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. the nerve of him—to flirt with her, to text her like he couldn’t go a day without hearing from her, to kiss her like she was the only woman in the world... only to turn around and act like none of it mattered. like she didn’t matter.

her grip tightened on her phone, and she took a deep breath. there was no way out of this dinner. their schedules had aligned for once, and skipping it wasn’t an option without raising questions. still, she wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

trent sat at the restaurant, his jaw set as he glanced at the clock on his phone. she was late—not surprising, given the way she’d been acting lately. every interaction with her over the past week had been short, distant, and clipped. her messages came hours late, if they came at all, and when they did, they were devoid of the warmth he’d grown used to.

he shouldn’t care. it wasn’t like they were anything official. she should be happy, he told himself, his leg bouncing under the table. she can be with jadon now. isn’t that what she wanted? isn’t that why she’s acting like this?

but the thought didn’t sit right. it didn’t explain why he felt a pang of something—jealousy? irritation?—every time her name flashed on his screen, knowing her messages would be curt. or why he’d spent the past week replaying the way she looked at him that night at the club, the way she melted under his touch.

his train of thought was interrupted when she walked in, and for a moment, his breath hitched. y/n had a way of commanding attention, even when she wasn’t trying. she looked effortlessly beautiful, but there was something guarded about her demeanor, like she’d wrapped herself in a layer of armor.

“you’re late,” he said as he stood, his tone light but edged with something he couldn’t hide.

“and you’re observant,” she replied, breezing past him to take her seat.

trent blinked, caught off guard by her coolness. “everything alright?”

“perfect,” she said with a tight smile, flipping open the menu as if she hadn’t just brushed him off.

the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife, and the meal began in stiff silence. trent tried to make small talk, commenting on the menu, asking about her recent work, but every attempt was met with a short, disinterested response.

by the time the appetizers arrived, he’d had enough.

“so, this is how it’s gonna be?” he asked, setting down his fork and leaning back in his chair.

y/n didn’t look up. “what’s that supposed to mean?”

“you’ve been acting like this all night—no, scratch that, all week,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “if you didn’t want to come, you could’ve just said so.”

her eyes finally met his, sharp and unyielding. “oh, please. like i had a choice? we have appearances, remember? it’s not like i’m here for the company.”

trent’s jaw clenched. “you know what? fine. if you’re still mad about the other night, just say it. at least then we can stop with this passive-aggressive nonsense.”

y/n let out a bitter laugh, setting her napkin down. “you think this is about me being mad? you’re the one who’s been playing games, trent. one minute you’re all in, the next you’re acting like i’m some kind of inconvenience.”

“maybe you are,” he said, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

she froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. the hurt flashed across her face for only a second before she quickly masked it. “wow,” she said, her voice trembling with barely restrained anger. “you really know how to make a girl feel special.”

trent exhaled heavily, running a hand down his face. “look, i didn’t mean it like that—”

“no, you meant it,” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “and you know what? you’re right. everything about me is complicated, trent. i’ve got baggage, issues, whatever you want to call it. but don’t sit there and act like you’re above it all. you’re no saint.”

he leaned forward, his tone quieter but no less biting. “this is why i stopped... whatever this is. because with you, it’s always something. always drama. always more than it needs to be.”

the words hit her like a slap, and for a moment, she was too stunned to speak. when she finally found her voice, it was cold, clipped, and dripping with disdain. “you know what? you’re right. i am complicated. and you? you’re a coward. but don’t worry, trent. you won’t have to deal with my ‘drama’ anymore.”

she grabbed her bag, her grip tight on the strap as her fingers curled into it, her entire body rigid with anger. her breath was shallow, chest rising and falling with the intensity of the moment. trent’s eyes followed her, but he didn’t move. he stayed planted, his gaze lingering as she stood, her chair scraping against the floor with a harsh screech.

“y/n—”

“no, this date is over,” she snapped, cutting him off, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and hurt. she didn't even wait for him to respond before she turned, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she stormed toward the door.

trent didn’t move to stop her. he couldn’t. part of him wanted to, wanted to run after her, say something, make her stay, but the words stuck in his throat, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. instead, he watched as she disappeared out the door, his chest tightening with a strange emptiness.

he stayed there, alone with the lingering silence, and he couldn’t shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, she was right. maybe everything between them had been a game all along. but what stung more than anything was the sinking feeling that he’d just let something real slip through his fingers without ever truly knowing how to hold on to it.

trent stood outside y/n’s house, his hand hovering over the doorbell. the soft glow of the hallway light did little to calm the storm inside him. he’d spent all night replaying their argument, her voice tight with hurt, the way her eyes had brimmed with tears she tried to hide. he hated himself for the things he’d said, for the things he didn’t say. he’d come to fix it, to explain himself, to tell her he was sorry.

but when the door swung open, it wasn’t y/n standing there. it was jadon.

trent froze, his jaw tightening as his eyes flicked over the other man. jadon leaned casually against the doorframe, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as if this wasn’t the last place trent expected to see him. he was wearing sweats and a t-shirt, looking entirely too at home.

“trent,” jadon greeted, his tone easy, like they were old friends instead of whatever this was. “didn’t expect to see you here.”

“yeah, clearly,” trent bit out, his voice low and controlled. his gaze darted past jadon into the apartment, searching for any sign of her. “is y/n here?”

jadon shrugged, leaning his shoulder against the frame like he had all the time in the world. “she’s in the shower.”

trent’s chest tightened at the casual way jadon said it, as if this was normal, as if he was always here. “and you’re here because…?”

jadon raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. “because she wanted me here. anything else you wanna ask?”

trent’s fists clenched at his sides, his mind racing with a thousand questions he couldn’t voice. instead, he forced himself to keep his tone steady. “what’s going on with you and y/n?”

jadon’s expression didn’t falter, but there was something sharp in his eyes, a flicker of satisfaction as he straightened up. “we’re friends,” he said simply, the word dripping with a familiarity that made trent’s stomach churn.

“friends,” trent repeated, his voice flat, skeptical.

“yeah,” jadon replied, his tone light, almost teasing. “you know, the kind of friend who shows up when she needs someone. the kind who doesn’t make her guess where she stands.”

trent’s jaw tightened, the words hitting harder than they should have. jadon’s ease, his confidence—it grated on him, like salt in a wound. he wanted to call him out, to ask what the hell he was really doing here, but he couldn’t. not without giving away just how much it bothered him.

“look,” jadon continued, his voice calm but pointed. “if you’re here to talk to her, maybe come back later. she’s had a rough couple of days, and honestly? i don’t think you’re helping.”

trent’s chest burned with frustration, the unspoken accusation in jadon’s words cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. he glanced past him again, as if she might magically appear and explain everything, but the sound of the shower running only reminded him how out of place he felt.

“right,” trent said finally, his voice colder than he intended. “tell her i stopped by.”

jadon’s smirk softened into something almost pitying, and trent hated it. “sure thing,” he said easily, stepping back into the apartment. “take care, trent.”

the door closed before he could say anything else, leaving him standing there in the dim hallway, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and something dangerously close to jealousy. he turned on his heel, walking away with a stiffness in his step, the questions swirling in his mind louder than ever.

he’d come to apologize, to make things right. but now, all he could think about was the way jadon had looked so comfortable, so sure of his place in her life. and trent? he wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

he didn’t even know where he was going. his heart was pounding in his chest, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts, all of them leading back to one thing: it was too late.

he should’ve been more clear. he should’ve told her what he wanted, instead of pulling away and leaving her confused. and now, seeing how comfortable jadon looked, how at ease he was in her space, trent realized with a heavy weight settling on his chest: y/n didn’t feel the way he felt. she was already getting what she needed from someone else.

trent slammed his hand against the steering wheel when he got to his car. he wasn’t going to wait around anymore, hoping she’d come to her senses. he’d made his choices, and she had made hers.

and maybe it was for the best.

but it still hurt.

trent sat in his car, the engine idling but his mind far away from the present moment. he hadn’t expected it to feel like this. he hadn’t expected the ache in his chest, the gnawing sensation that left him hollow when he saw y/n with someone else. but he couldn’t blame her—he had drawn the line, built the wall between them. he couldn’t fault her for finding comfort in someone who had never made things complicated.

you made your choice, he reminded himself, gripping the steering wheel tighter. but even as the thought echoed in his head, the reality felt harder to accept than he’d imagined.

she doesn’t know I know, he thought bitterly. she doesn’t know I saw them. she doesn’t know it’s already too late.

with a sigh, he threw the car into drive and pulled away from the curb. there was no point in pretending anymore. they weren’t together. not anymore. y/n had made her choice, and he had to respect that.

trent approached her with that same charged energy she’d felt all night, his jaw tight, his movements deliberate. she could tell something was brewing behind his sharp eyes, and she braced herself.

“you gonna keep giving me attitude, or are we actually going to talk about whatever’s eating you?” he snapped, stopping a foot away from her.

y/n tilted her head, feigning nonchalance even though her pulse quickened. “what makes you think it’s about you?”

trent huffed a laugh, low and humorless. “don’t do that. don’t act like you haven’t been throwing daggers at me all night. just say what’s on your mind.”

“fine,” she said, crossing her arms. “you want to talk? let’s talk about how you’re the one who’s been stringing me along, acting all interested one minute and then pulling back the next. what do you even want from me, trent?”

“i’ve been stringing you along?” he repeated, his voice rising. “are you serious right now? you’re the one jumping between me and jadon like it’s a game.”

her expression faltered, confusion flickering across her face. “what are you talking about?”

he took a step closer, his eyes blazing. “i came over the other day. to your place. to apologize for how i handled things. guess what i saw?”

her lips parted, but no sound came out. she didn’t need to guess. the realization hit her like a truck.

“yeah,” he said, his tone biting. “i saw him there. with you. i left before you even knew i was there because, honestly, what the hell was i supposed to say?”

y/n stared at him, her mind scrambling for a response. “trent, it’s not—”

“don’t,” he interrupted, holding up a hand. “don’t stand there and try to explain it away. i saw what i saw.”

“he was just—”

“spare me,” trent cut her off, his voice sharp. “you don’t owe me an explanation, y/n. but don’t act like i’m the bad guy here. i’m putting boundaries in place because you’ve already put yourself in a mess i’m not interested in being involved in.”

her shock quickly gave way to indignation. “a mess? is that what you think of me? of my life?”

“what else am i supposed to think?” he shot back. “you’re running back to someone who doesn’t respect you, and then you’re angry at me for stepping back. you don’t see how that looks?”

“i’m not running back to him!” she snapped, her voice shaking. “you don’t know anything about what’s going on between us.”

“then enlighten me,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “because from where i’m standing, it looks like you’re holding onto something that’s only dragging you down.”

y/n clenched her fists at her sides, her anger boiling over. “you don’t get to judge me, trent. not when you’re the one who’s too scared to even admit how you feel about me. at least jadon’s clear about his feelings. he doesn’t hide any chance he gets.”

trent’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “you think this is about me being scared? i’m not scared, y/n. i’m choosing not to get involved because i know how this ends. i’m not interested in being someone’s rebound, and i’m not interested in competing with him.”

“you’re not competing with anyone,” she said, her voice cracking.

“aren’t i?” he challenged, his voice lower now but no less intense. “because it sure as hell feels like it.”

she looked away, unable to meet his piercing gaze. “it’s not that simple,” she said quietly. “things with jadon are… complicated.”

trent exhaled harshly, running a hand over his face. “complicated,” he repeated. “of course, they are. everything with you is complicated.”

she flinched at the bitterness in his tone. “i know what it looks like, okay? but when things are good with him… i remember why i fell for him in the first place.”

trent’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, her words slicing through him. he wanted to say something, to ask her why she couldn’t see the damage she was doing to herself, but the words lodged in his throat.

he looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before finally speaking. “are you in love with him or something?”

the question hung in the air between them, heavy and suffocating. y/n hesitated, and in that hesitation, trent felt his chest tighten. her silence was confirmation enough for him.

when she finally answered, her voice was barely audible. “i don’t know.”

trent nodded once, his jaw clenching. “right,” he said simply, his voice flat.

she wanted to say more, to explain herself, but the look in his eyes stopped her. it was a mixture of disappointment and resignation, and it made her stomach twist painfully.

the silence between them stretched on, neither of them knowing what to say. and for the first time that night, y/n felt like she’d truly lost something she couldn’t get back.

trent's frustration hit a boiling point, his words tumbling out without restraint. “you know what, y/n? maybe you like the drama. maybe that’s why you stay in this mess. it gives you an excuse to never take responsibility for yourself.”

y/n’s face twisted in anger, and she took a step closer, her voice razor-sharp. “and maybe you think too much of a yourself to admit that you’re no better than he is. at least jadon doesn’t pretend to care and then push me away the second things get real.”

trent’s jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring as he took in her words. he opened his mouth, then closed it, his hand twitching at his side. finally, he snapped, “you know what, y/n? forget it. i’m done.”

she threw her hands in the air, her laugh bitter and disbelieving. “of course you are. running away again—classic trent.”

she turned on her heel, her shoulders rigid as she moved through the crowd. the pulsing bass of the club seemed to echo her anger, and she didn’t look back. but trent couldn’t let it go. something in him twisted, a knot of frustration, desire, and the raw, unspoken feelings he’d been burying for far too long.

before he could stop himself, he was chasing after her, weaving through bodies until he spotted her heading toward a quieter corner of the club. his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and spinning her around.

“what the hell is your problem—” she started, but he cut her off.

“what did i tell you about that attitude, y/n?” his voice was low, dangerous, his grip firm but not painful. her eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching, and he stepped closer, crowding her against the wall.

“you’re such a brat, y/n,” he said, his tone laced with both frustration and something darker, something that made her heart race.

her eyes narrowed, defiance flashing in them. “and you’re an asshole, trent.”

he smirked, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. “maybe. but you’re the one who keeps pushing me, aren’t you?”

she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could get a word out, his lips crashed against hers. the kiss was anything but gentle—it was raw, desperate, all the tension and unspoken words between them finally finding release.

y/n gasped against his mouth, her hands instinctively gripping his jacket. trent didn’t pull back; he only deepened the kiss, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer. her resolve melted, her anger dissolving into the heat of the moment as her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

“i told you not to push me, y/n,” he murmured against her lips, his voice rough and breathless.

he kissed her again, his lips trailing down her jawline to her neck. his movements were deliberate, each kiss igniting a fire under her skin. she felt his breath against her neck as he whispered, “you drive me crazy, you know that?”

her knees felt weak, her mind a haze of sensations as his hands moved to grip her hips. “trent,” she managed, her voice shaky but firm.

he pulled back slightly, his lips brushing against her skin as he spoke. “tell me to stop, y/n. tell me, and i will.”

but she didn’t. instead, her hands moved to his chest, gripping his shirt as if to anchor herself. his lips found her collarbone, and her breath hitched, her head tilting back against the wall.

“you’re impossible,” she breathed, her voice tinged with frustration and longing.

he chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against her skin. “and you’re stubborn as hell.”

just as his lips found hers again, the reality of the situation hit her like a bucket of ice water. her mind snapped back into focus, and she pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss.

“i... i can’t,” she stammered, her voice barely audible over the pounding music.

trent froze, his hands still on her waist as he looked at her, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration. “y/n—”

“i have to go,” she said quickly, stepping away from him. her lips were swollen, her heart racing, but her mind was screaming at her to leave. without another word, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving trent standing there, his chest heaving as he watched her go.

the car ride was quiet, the low hum of the engine filling the silence as y/n stared out the window, watching the city slowly fade into the countryside. she hadn’t expected trent to bring her out of manchester, much less to a small family restaurant tucked away in what felt like the middle of nowhere. the smell of jerk chicken and spices hit her the moment they walked through the door, the warmth of the place wrapping around her like a blanket.

she glanced at him as they were led to a secluded table in the back, her curiosity bubbling up. “so... why are we here?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.

trent leaned back in his chair, his eyes steady on her. “we needed privacy.”

her brows furrowed as she looked around the cozy restaurant, the walls decorated with photos of jamaican beaches and families. it was clear this place meant something to him, but she wasn’t sure what. “privacy for what, exactly?”

trent hesitated, running a hand over his jaw, a telltale sign he was gathering his thoughts. “for us. for this... conversation we need to have.”

y/n’s stomach twisted at his words, her appetite disappearing before it even had a chance to surface. “fine,” she said, her voice steady even though her nerves were anything but. “let’s talk about it.”

trent leaned forward slightly, his forearms resting on the table. “look, y/n, i’m sorry for everything. i don’t know why, but with you, i can’t help but say the wrong things.”

she scoffed, her arms tightening across her chest. “hurting me time and time again isn’t some accidental slip of the tongue, trent. it’s a choice.”

his face tightened, like he’d been struck, but before he could respond, she continued, her voice sharper now. “do you even realize how badly you’ve treated me? how you made me feel like i was a joke? you jumped to conclusions about me, about jadon, about everything, and you rejected me based on signals you sent. and then—then—you kissed me in that club like none of it mattered. do you have any idea how hard it is to not get whiplash with you?”

trent’s jaw clenched, his gaze dropping to the table for a moment. “i know,” he admitted quietly. “clearly, i’ve never done this before. i don’t know the 101 on fake dating, y/n.”

she let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “this isn’t about fake dating, trent. this is about how you’ve made me feel. you pushed at insecurities you knew i had about relationships. you made me feel small, like i wasn’t good enough.”

his hand twitched as if he wanted to reach for hers but thought better of it. “i’m sorry,” he said again, his voice heavier this time. “i swear i didn’t mean to. what i do know is... since i kissed you, i can’t get you off my mind—more than usual. your lips, your body, the way you felt against me... it’s all i’ve been thinking about.”

y/n’s heart skipped, but she shoved the feeling aside, her eyes narrowing. “so you just want to fuck me? is that supposed to woo me? because that’s just lust, trent.”

he exhaled sharply, frustration flashing in his eyes. “it’s more than that. i can’t describe it, but it’s more.”

she sighed, leaning back in her chair as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “i can’t keep up with you. i can’t just move on from how you’ve treated me so far.”

trent nodded slowly, his jaw working like he was biting back whatever he wanted to say. “i know. i don’t expect you to just forgive me overnight. but i want to fix this.”

for a moment, they sat in heavy silence, the sound of clinking plates and quiet laughter from other diners filling the space between them. y/n rubbed at her temple, trying to make sense of everything he’d said, everything she felt. but before she could respond, he shifted gears, his tone softer.

“what about jadon?”

her head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. “can we not?”

“why not?” he pressed, his tone edging on frustration. “you seemed close.”

she frowned, crossing her arms again. “because he has nothing to do with this.”

trent’s brow furrowed. “nothing? i saw him at your house.”

y/n froze, her heart skipping a beat. “what? when?”

“a few weeks ago,” he said, watching her carefully. “he was there, and you were... in the shower.”

her stomach dropped. jadon hadn’t told her trent had been there, and now the weight of the revelation hit her like a truck. “are you serious?” she muttered, her voice tight.

trent leaned forward again, his elbows on the table. “why was he there, y/n?”

she shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. “why do you care? it’s not like we’re anything. you made that very clear with your boundaries.”

trent’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping low as he leaned in. “i don’t want boundaries. i want you.”

the words hung in the air between them, and y/n’s breath hitched. she blinked, taken aback by the intensity in his tone, the rawness in his expression. “what?” she whispered, barely able to get the word out.

he sat back slightly, his gaze steady. “end it with jadon.”

her head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. "it’s not that simple.“trent... there’s nothing to end. it’s not that simple."”

"why not?" he challenged, leaning forward. "if it’s making you feel this way, if it’s messing with your head—why not just end it?"

"because..." she hesitated, her words faltering under his intense gaze. "it’s not just about me, trent. things are complicated. you said it yourself—I’m complicated."

his jaw clenched, and he sat back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest. "the way i see it, real or fake—when i laid my lips on you, y/n, you became mine."

her breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest as his words hung in the air. she tried to muster a response, but nothing came out. instead, she stared at him, her mind racing.

"you can’t just say things like that," she finally managed, her voice shaky.

"why not? it’s the truth," trent shot back, his voice calm but resolute. "i’m not the one dragging this out, y/n. you are."

she let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. "he’s leaving, okay?" she blurted out, her voice rising slightly. "he’s going to germany, and i just... i just need to sort things out, okay?"

trent’s expression hardened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "you’re holding onto something that’s already slipping away. and for what? to spare his feelings? to avoid your own?"

"it’s not about sparing anyone’s feelings," she snapped, glaring at him. "i’m trying to do the right thing."

he shook his head, his frustration evident. "and where does that leave you, y/n? stuck in the same cycle, over and over again."

she looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "if i’m so complicated," she said quietly, "why did you do that? why kiss me?"

the question hung in the air, and for a moment, trent said nothing. then, he leaned forward, his voice soft but steady. "why? because i couldn’t stop myself, y/n."

her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling exposed. "you’re the most difficult man i've met," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"and you're the most difficult women i've ever met" he countered, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

trent’s eyes darkened, and he leaned closer, his voice low. "even with all that... it doesn’t make me want you any less, y/n."

her breath hitched, and for a moment, she thought he might actually kiss her again. but instead, he pulled back slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "figure it out, y/n. because i’m not playing second to someone who doesn’t even know what he wants."

the words hit her like a punch to the gut, and she nodded, swallowing hard. "i will."

"good," trent said, his tone softer now. "because i know what i want. and it’s you."

the intensity in his voice left her speechless, and as he stood to leave, she realized just how much she’d crossed a line she couldn’t uncross.

she stared at trent, her eyes wide with disbelief at the words leaving his mouth. gone was the quiet, gentle trent who used to let her vent about her frustrations, her career, and, yes, even jadon. the man in front of her now was brimming with confidence, his tone sharp and unrelenting.

y/n blinked, the audacity of his demand pulling her out of the swirl of emotions. she leaned back, crossing her arms as she looked at him, her tone sharp. “you said i was a problem. now i’m supposed to drop everything for you?”

"so, you'll be my problem, not his," he said, leaning forward, his voice low and steady. "either way, last night already confirmed what i know."

her brows furrowed as she crossed her arms, trying to steel herself. "and what exactly do you think you know, trent?"

he smirked, leaning back slightly, the casual arrogance in his demeanor only fueling her irritation. "you want me just as bad as i want you."

she scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "yeah, right. keep dreaming."

trent's smirk only grew, and he tilted his head, watching her closely. "your body told me a different story, y/n. you can deny it all you want, but I know the truth."

her breath hitched, and she froze, absolutely stunned by the shift in his demeanor. the quiet, patient trent she had grown used to was nowhere to be found. this trent was bold, unapologetic, and completely unwavering in his confidence.

"excuse me?" she managed to choke out, her voice barely above a whisper.

"you heard me," he said, his tone softer now but still laced with an undeniable intensity. "last time, in that club—you didn’t pull away because you didn’t want it. you pulled away because you’re scared. scared of what it means."

her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing to find a rebuttal, but she couldn’t deny the truth in his words. her reaction last night had been instinctual, driven by emotions she wasn’t ready to confront.

"you’re so full of yourself," she finally said, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound strong. "you think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?"

trent leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers, leaving no room for escape. "i don’t have to figure it out, y/n. you already told me everything i needed to know."

she shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. "you’ve changed," she said, her voice laced with disbelief. "where’s the trent who listened to me complain about work? who let me vent about jadon without judging me? you’re not that guy anymore."

he smiled faintly, the softness of it contrasting with the sharpness of his words. "maybe i got tired of pretending i don’t care about you. maybe i finally decided it’s time you see me for who i really am."

her stomach flipped, and she didn’t know if it was from anger, confusion, or something else entirely. "this isn’t you," she said weakly, more to herself than to him.

"you don’t know me as well as you think you do," he said simply, his eyes never leaving hers.

and just like that, the dynamic between them had shifted entirely, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew about trent—and herself.

and with that, the conversation shifted, the weight of his words pressing down on her as they finished their meal, the tension between them lingering like a storm waiting to break.

as the night wound down, the tension between them seemed to settle, though it never truly disappeared. they left the restaurant in a comfortable silence, the kind that felt heavy with unspoken words but not unbearable. trent walked her to the car, opening the door for her like it was second nature.

the drive back to her place was quieter than before. the earlier emotions had worn her down, leaving her subdued, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights. trent stole a glance at her every now and then, trying to decipher the thoughts running through her mind.

when they finally pulled up to her building, y/n unbuckled her seatbelt but made no immediate move to leave. instead, she turned to him, her features soft in the glow of the streetlamp outside.

"thanks for tonight," she said, her voice quieter than usual but no less sincere. "for... everything."

trent nodded, his fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. "you don’t have to thank me. i meant what i said, y/n."

she smiled faintly, her eyes lingering on him a moment longer before she leaned over. he froze as she placed a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek, the warmth of her lips sending a jolt through him.

when she pulled back, he blinked, feeling his face heat in a way he hadn’t felt in years. it wasn’t just the kiss itself—it was the tenderness behind it, the softness in her eyes. he was so used to her sharp edges, her fiery words, the way she’d dig her heels in when they argued. this version of her—gentle, warm—caught him completely off guard.

"goodnight, trent," she said softly as she opened the door, stepping out before he could fully process what had just happened.

he watched her walk to her door, pausing only to wave briefly before disappearing inside. sitting there in the quiet of his car, trent touched his cheek, the spot where her lips had been still warm. he exhaled deeply, leaning back in his seat, his chest tight with emotions he couldn’t quite put into words.

she always managed to throw him off balance. but tonight, it wasn’t her sass or stubbornness that had him reeling. it was the way she let her guard down, even if just for a moment. and he realized, as he sat there replaying the evening, that she had him more hooked than ever.

y/n's home felt colder than usual as y/n paced near the window, the faint street lights flickering against the glass. she wasn’t sure how this conversation would go, but the weight of it pressed heavy on her chest. jadon was leaving for germany tomorrow, and despite all the ups and downs between them, she owed him a proper goodbye.

the knock at the door came softly, almost hesitant. when she opened it, jadon stood there, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, looking as boyish and familiar as ever. for a moment, it reminded her of better times, the easy comfort they used to share before everything got so complicated.

"hey," he said, his voice low.

"hey," she replied, stepping aside to let him in.

they settled in the living room, both of them keeping a careful distance. the silence between them was heavy but not hostile, and for that, she was grateful.

"so," jadon started, leaning back against the couch, "i guess this is it. back to dortmund."

she nodded, biting the inside of her cheek. "it’s what you need, though. a fresh start."

he gave her a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "yeah. but it’s not just for me, you know. i think it’s for us too."

her brows furrowed, and she shifted uncomfortably. "what do you mean?"

"i mean," he said, sitting forward, elbows resting on his knees, "we’ve been stuck in this loop, y/n. hurting each other, trying to fix things, and then hurting each other all over again. maybe it’s time to let it go."

the words hit her harder than she expected, and she blinked quickly, willing herself not to cry. "so, this is you ending it?"

he shook his head, his gaze soft. "it’s not about ending anything. it’s about moving on the right way. you’ve got your own thing going on here. i’ve got mine back there. but that doesn’t mean i don’t care about you."

her chest tightened, and she looked away, focusing on the floor. "it’s just... it’s hard, jadon. you’ve been a part of my life for so long."

"i know," he said gently. "but you’ll be fine. you’re strong, y/n. stronger than you think."

jadon sat back against the couch, exhaling deeply as he ran a hand through his hair. "y/n," he started, his tone softer now, "you’re worth so much more than this... than being in some non-exclusive, undefined relationship. i should’ve realized that sooner. i’m sorry for hurting you, for making you feel like you weren’t enough."

her eyes widened slightly at his words, her throat tightening. "i’m sorry too," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "i didn’t mean to keep going back and forth with you. i guess... i didn’t want to be alone."

jadon gave her a small, understanding smile. "i get it. but you shouldn’t settle for less than what you deserve just because you’re scared of being alone. you’re better than that, y/n."

his words sank in, and she nodded, unable to meet his gaze. the weight of their shared history made the moment feel heavier than she anticipated.

he hesitated for a moment before adding, "but i need to ask you something."

she looked at him, her brow furrowing slightly. "what?"

"trent," he said plainly, watching her reaction. "is he treating you right?"

her cheeks flushed instantly, and she shook her head quickly. "it’s not about trent," she said, her voice defensive.

jadon tilted his head, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "i can tell, y/n. the way you talk about him, the way you look when his name comes up—it’s the same way you used to be with me."

her blush deepened, and she crossed her arms over her chest, feeling caught off guard. "jadon, stop. it’s not like that."

"if you say so," he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "but if it is, just... make sure he’s good to you, alright? you deserve that. and if he’s not, well," he paused, leaning forward slightly, his smirk fading into something more serious, "you know where to find me."

his words were surprisingly genuine, and she felt a pang of gratitude amidst her embarrassment. "thank you," she murmured, her voice soft.

jadon smiled, the tension between them easing slightly. "no problem. i just want you to be happy, y/n."

they sat there in silence for a while, the weight of the past years settling between them like a soft hum. and for the first time, she felt a sense of peace about letting go.

but as she walked him to the door and watched him leave, the reality of trent’s words from earlier came rushing back. the way i see it, real or fake, when i laid my lips on you, y/n, you became mine.

she pressed her back against the closed door, her skin still burning from the way trent had looked at her, the way his words had cut through her defenses. she didn’t know what to make of it all, but one thing was clear: whatever this was with trent, it was different. and it terrified her.

next

© PDRIESTA 2025

[blueberri-blu]

𝙷𝚒𝚒!! 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊 𝚏𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚖𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊 (𝚁𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚖𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎) 𝚜𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚈𝚊 𝙼𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑? (𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎)

𝙰𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚒𝚣𝚣𝚕𝚎~ 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚢𝚝 𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚘 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝙸 𝚜𝚞𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾 𝚋𝚘𝚢𝚜 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙵! 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚘𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚢- 𝙸'𝚖 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚛𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋�� 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝙶𝙷𝙷𝙷𝙷- 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎- 𝚇𝙳𝙳𝙳

Ooooo, I'd never heard of this game before now! Had to watch a couple of videos and read it's instructions first, but yesssssss, it's so fun!

I don't really know if you meant separate HCs or all of them together, so here is an HC & Oneshot combo of Family game night:

Watch Ya' Mouth! •▽•

[Rise] TMNT x gn!reader - Platonic

This is utter chaos

You guys play this on family game nights, where the brothers invite you and April down to the lair, and play a series of games, taking turns choosing.

Tonight was Mikey's turn

He had asked you to get the board game for him, and honestly?

After reading the instructions, you struggled so hard to stop laughing

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So I believe everyone has seen the Lair Games episode?

Leo and Donnie are literally like that

Raph & Mikey

First Match:

You & Leo

Donnie & April

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"Come one April, speak clearly!!" "Oh goy I suer ig you don stog yelling ag ge!"

The lair was filled with yelling

"Focus ON THE CARD APRIL!!"

Donnie & April: 4 Points

"C'mon raph, my bro! You can do it!!"

"gog heergoo" "Go Hero?!"

*silently cries*

Raph & Mikey: 1 point

"Come Ooooon mi amigo! Si se puede!" "Gagunga Atata!" "Hakuna Matata!!" "Ges!!" "And this is why you're mi favorito y/n!"

Leo & Y/n: 6 points

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In the end, you and Leo win the first match <3

"Scoff! This is very unfair! Y/n is gold at this game, I demand a rematch partnered with y/n!!"

"exCUSE ME DONATELLO?"

"Nervous laughter, ahem, y/n save meee"

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Rematch:

Leo & Mikey

Raph & April

Donnie & y/n

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"Jake gor gony aker!" "Jae your money maker?" "Nooo" "SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER?!" "eGIL LAUGHOHOHOHO"

Donnie & y/n : 8 points

"gat jen tsay guget!" "Uhhuh batman saves Gotham?" "Gaaaaaa ñooooo" "gad nen zay juket!" "Bad men say bucket?!" "YAAAAASSS"

Leo & Mikey: 6 points

"uhhh igle ook clug?" "Uhm idle look club?" "Uh uh.. igle gook clug" "Raph, you're full of drool" "auuug"

Raph & April: 3 points

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You & Donnie win the 2nd match!

"YES said with much enthusiasm!" "Haha, try! 2 wins in a row for me :D"

"THAT IS SOOO UNFAIR! YOU STOLE MI BUEN AMIGO!! THATS SO UNFAIR DONNIE!!"

"uh... Raph, I think we need to separate them..." "*Sigh* I think you're right Mikey, also, thanks April for the paper towel" "Of course raph! Gosh, do those two always do this?" "Yea.... Don't you remember the Lair games?" "Ugghhh yes, those two are just a bunch of drama queens" *eye roll*

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Donnie & Leo proceeded to fight the whole night, ending only after Raph and Mikey separated them. It took 2 weeks of no game night for them to no longer hold a grudge.

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[bellyaz]

Snippet from my book that I forgot to post (Wattpad: belllyaz)

When they met, Nicky was just a little chubby. She had wide hips, nice titties, and a little waist with a relatively flat stomach; it just had a little pooch at the bottom.

They found out their mutual interest a few months later after his homecoming game.

Their team won, everybody got drunk, and a few of his teammates and their friends ended up by him for an after party. Gradually, everybody left until they were there only two there. The two were close friends by then so it didn’t seem out of place for them to be alone together.

He ordered some pizza for them to share and they watched a movie until it came. During this time he really got to focus on every detail of her. Her tight little tube top, her shorts (which looked about a size too small) that the bottom of her ass cheeks were hanging out of, her slight double chin that was coming in, the little pucker her elbows had, and the way her thighs would spread and touch his ever so slightly when she sat next to him. But what stood out the most was how bloated she was getting off the drinks she had; and she had plenty.

She was a ditsy drunk. Not super sloppy, but just carefree enough to let out a couple of belches without caring about it. Snacking on the chips and cookies in his fridge and licking her fingers instead of wiping them off. Mostly oblivious to the fact that her tube top rolled up a bit a couple times throughout the night and she would go minutes without noticing before pulling it down and shooting a quick glance at Zay; probably feeling a bit of guilt in her moment of clarity. The way she swayed slightly while walking about and laughed at anything remotely funny that came out of his mouth was also enticing to him.

And the drinks had her bloated… extremely bloated. Her top was at least an inch above where it was at the game and her hoochie shorts rolled up so they fit like panties. If you didn’t know better, you’d think she was five months pregnant.

When the pizza came she practically swallowed half of a slice in one bite. Zay noticed and tried to look away, but the way she moaned while chewing made it hard for him. She slouched back on the couch where they were sitting and finished off her slice, making her bulge more prominent.

She giggled and asked him to pass her another.

He put two slices on a plate and gladly passed it to her, amazed at what he was seeing.

“Hmmm,” she dragged, “I have an idea.”

She stacked the slices and took yet another monstrous bite.

She let out a big belch mid-chew.

She covered her mouth, “Sorry.” She chuckled.

“Here try it.” She said reaching to feed him, which made her shirt fully ride up over her belly.

She immediately recoiled, struggling to hide her bulging belly. She pulled her top down three times before it stayed.

“Oh my god- I’m sorry.” She dragged, looking genuinely embarrassed.

His pants grew tighter.

“Nah, you good.” He said trying to play it cool.

He noticed her demeanor change and he felt bad for her. But, her embarrassment also aroused him.

He lifted his shirt up, “Look mine does that too.”

She let out a laugh followed by a snort.

“That’s different” she slurred. “You got these abs-“ She said rubbing his stomach.

She let a moan slip out.

He readjusted his pants.

“Belly is belly.” He shrugged off.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled, “That’s not a belly.”

She grabbed his hand and placed it on her gut, “This is a belly.”

She noticed he briefly furrowed his eyebrows and bit his bottom lip.

This is when she started picking up a vibe.

She’d always speculated that he was into chubby girls. His feed was filled with girls with a little extra stomach, the girls who he would talk to all had thicker bodies, and his friends would always joke that he “liked his girls BBW.”

Since hearing the rumor, Nicky would always fantasize about Zay fulfilling her fatty dreams.

Every once in a while, when she would stuff herself to her max, she’d picture him there rubbing her belly, feeding her, teasing her, encouraging her… the works.

She finished off her slices and put it to the test.

“Can you get me a cup? Ion feel like getting upppp.” She asked.

“Me neitherrrr.” He mocked before passing her the 2L of soda he ordered. “Just drink out the bottle, it’s only us here.”

She cracked the bottle open, closed her eyes, and started sucking down the carbonate beverage.

Each gulp made her stomach tighter. She was getting a little uncomfortable, but her throbbing pussy made it hard for her to stop. She was making a spectacle of herself, acting like a complete glutton in front of this D1 athlete and it turned her on like crazy.

Zay was getting hot too. He’d dream of scenarios like this all the time, but experiencing it in person was a whole new feeling. He was so caught up in the moment. From watching her fill her gut with fatty foods all night to seeing her chugging a quarter of the bottle in one sitting was mesmerizing.

She finally put the bottle down and started panting before letting out a few rounds of burps.

She unconsciously pushed her belly in to force some more out.

His jaw dropped.

“Oh, my b-URRRRP-ad.” She said with a slight tease.

She tried to sit up but plopped back down, she swung her weight again but still couldn’t manage to get up.

“Ugh, can you feed me?” She asked before letting out a huge belch, “I can’t get up, but I’m still really hungry.”

She knew she might’ve been on thin ice but she didn’t care. She was finally fulfilling one of her deepest sexual fantasies. She was soaked and her horny brain blocked out any shame receptors she had.

He got another slice and brought it to her mouth. She took a bite and he went to put it down until she protested. She took a few more bites until her mouth was packed.

He couldn’t take his eyes off of her belly. The button on her shorts looked like it was crying out for help from how strained it was and her top was almost at the same spot as it was when she had the little hiccup earlier.

It didn’t take long for her to finish her slice before he reached for another one.

She turned her head, “That’s yours, I had four.”

“I’m not that hungry,” he answered quickly.

She chucked, “You can save it for tomorrow.”

“Nah, you can have it.” He said putting it to her face. “For real.”

She shrugged and opened her mouth before he shoved half of the slice in it.

She let out a noise of discomfort and he stifled a moan.

She clenched her thighs while chewing before putting her hands on her stomach.

“Ughh my stomach hurts.” She moaned. “This is so embarrassing, but can you rub my belly?”

“I gotchu.” He said immediately sitting closer to her and wrapping his arm around her.

He put the pizza down and rubbed the part of her stomach that was exposed, which was most of it.

“Mmm, thank you. That feels so much better.” She slurred before burping.

“Of course.” He replied.

“Damn, yo shit tight.” He chuckled in amazement.

She put her head on his shoulder and belched again. She bit her lip after, enjoying the experience.

Both of their breathings picked up. The sexual tension was thick.

“I don’t usually eat this much,” she admitted, “It’s only when I’m drunk… or high. Especially when I’m high.”

He chuckled, “So I gotta get you high, huh?”

“Mhm.” She moaned.

“Mhmm.” He replied.

He unbuttoned her shorts and she gasped as the bottom of her stomach spilled out.

“What are you doing?” She asked feeling slightly embarrassed, but very aroused.

“Shh.” He said before using his other hand to hold her chin up.

He put his thumb in her bellybutton and grabbed her pooch. She moaned as he moved his thumb around in there.

“You want me to stop?” He whispered.

She hesitated for a moment while he continued, “No.”

“I know.” He said pulling her in for a kiss.

[brodygold]

Versus the Vanguard

Written by @polo-drone-070, pics done by me

The golden glow of the stadium bathed the field in brilliance as fans roared their support for the Gold Team. Flags waved, chants echoed, and mascots Milo @polo-drone-151 and Chevy @chevy-gold led the charge, joined by golden knight Grayden @polo-drone-084 who rallied the crowd with grand gestures. Behind the scenes, Milo, in his PDU-151 mode, ensured every preparation was perfect, alongside PDU-049 @polo-drone-049 and PDU-069 @polo-drone-069, whose precise coordination kept the players pumped and ready.

On the other side, Vanguard stood, their players poised and formidable. Known for their precision and elite mentality, they exuded confidence but carried the weight of their fragmented team dynamics.

The whistle blew, and the match began at a blistering pace. Vanguard’s discipline was on full display as Steele (#8) commanded the midfield, threading passes that tested Gold’s defense. But Zayed (#87) @zayed-gold87, unyielding as sweeper, quickly set the tone, intercepting Steele’s early attempts and rallying his team with calm efficiency.

In the 15th minute, Zayed anticipated a pass from Steele and launched a counterattack. Eddy (#73) @eddygold relayed the ball to Daniel (#16) @danielgold-16, whose quick decision-making split the defense with a through ball to Herc (#9) @goldenherc9. Herc surged forward and fired the opening goal past Reyes (#1), Vanguard’s keeper. 1-0, Gold.

Vanguard retaliated with a moment of individual brilliance. Vance (#10), their star forward, dazzled the crowd by weaving through Gold’s defense. His technical dribbles left two defenders in his wake before unleashing a low shot that left Brody (#11) with no chance. 1-1.

The second half began with relentless pressure from Vanguard. Steele and Drayton (#11) attempted to break Gold’s defensive rhythm, but Zayed and Henry (#70) @polo-drone-070 formed an impenetrable backline. In midfield, Eddy and Ambrose (#49) continued to control the game’s tempo, outmaneuvering Vanguard’s calculated plays.

In the 50th minute, Zayed cleared a dangerous cross from Drayton, sparking a counterattack. Herc received the ball and breezed past Lang (#4), Vanguard’s central defender, before slotting it neatly past Reyes. 2-1, Gold.

Vanguard refused to relent. Vance orchestrated another dangerous attack, slipping through two defenders. This time, however, Henry read the play perfectly, executing a clean, game-saving tackle that drew cheers from the crowd.

Minutes later, Vanguard equalized with a lightning-fast play. Steele launched a pinpoint pass to Drayton, who dribbled past Xavier (#39) @polo-drone-039 and made a perfect cross met by Crane (#19), the substitute. His header soared past Brody. 2-2.

Closing Moments: The Final Push

The match hung in the balance until the 75th minute when Ambrose intercepted a pass from Lang and delivered it to Ross (#79). Ross surged down the left flank, outpacing the defense and curling a shot into the top corner. The stadium erupted as the scoreboard flashed. 3-2, Gold.

Ezan (#1) nearly added another with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Reyes, however, made an extraordinary save, leaping to tip the ball just over the bar, earning admiration even from Gold’s fans.

Gold sealed their victory in the 85th minute. Eddy intercepted a sloppy clearance from Crane and passed to Zayed, who charged forward with unexpected speed. His low cross met Daniel on the edge of the box, and Daniel’s thunderous strike rattled the net. 4-2, Gold.

Post-Match: Celebration of Unity

As the final whistle blew, the Gold Team erupted in celebration. Zayed and Eddy were hoisted onto their teammates’ shoulders, hailed as the match’s architects. Herc and Ross exchanged victorious grins, their contributions decisive in securing the win.

The Vanguard players, despite their individual brilliance, walked off solemnly. Their fragmented focus had been no match for Gold’s cohesion and teamwork. The scoreboard told the story: Gold Team 4, Vanguard 2.

In the stands, Milo and Chevy led the victory parade, with Grayden raising a golden shield to the cheers of the crowd. The night was a triumph not just of skill, but of unity—proving once again that the Gold Team’s strength lay in their bond, a force greater than the sum of their parts.

[zayed-gold87]

The Golden Team: A Bond Forged in Dedication

The setting sun cast its golden glow across the soccer field, a perfect reflection of our team’s identity: The Golden Team. This wasn’t just another training session. Tomorrow, we would face Team Vanguard, a squad as sharp as its name implied. Our captain, Brody, stood in the middle of the field, his voice rising above the sounds of practice.

“We don’t just play. We inspire,” he declared, his voice brimming with confidence. “We’re not just a team. We’re a family.”

I stood near the defensive line, scanning the field as always. As the team’s sweeper, my role was to read the game and turn defence into attack, something I took immense pride in. Ahead of me, Herc, our star striker, thundered through the training cones, practicing his powerful and precise shots. Beside him, Maximus and Ezan worked together, perfecting their quick passes to break through any defence.

Further back, Grayden ran agility drills, his speed a weapon that could tip the scales in any match. Our goalkeeper practiced relentlessly, leaping to deflect incoming shots with incredible focus.

Watching over it all were the Polo Drones. Once players themselves, they now dedicated their lives to making us better. Their uniform rubber polo shirts glinted faintly in the warm light. They moved with a strange synchronicity, wordlessly setting up cones, retrieving balls, and even stepping in for one-on-one challenges when needed. Their minds seemed singularly focused on one thing: our success.

“Zayed, step up!” Brody’s voice pulled me back to the moment. A ball arced toward me. With a sharp step, I intercepted it, pivoting cleanly and sending it forward with a long, precise pass to Herc.

“Nice work, Zayed!” Herc called out, a grin spreading across his face as he received the ball and fired it into the net.

As training progressed, Brody gathered us into a huddle. The Polo Drones silently moved to the sidelines, their job for now complete. Brody’s eyes swept over us, his presence commanding.

“Tomorrow isn’t just about skill,” he began, his voice low but powerful. “It’s about unity. Every move we make, we make together. Remember, the strength of The Golden Team isn’t just in our individual talent—it’s in how we lift each other up.”

We all nodded, a wave of determination washing over us. Brody clapped my shoulder. “Zayed, you’re the link between our defence and attack. I need you sharp tomorrow.”

“You can count on me, Captain,” I replied, the weight of the moment filling me with purpose.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the field basked in an amber glow. The Polo Drones resumed their silent tasks, preparing for tomorrow’s game. I stayed behind a little longer, practicing my positioning and passing.

Tomorrow, we wouldn’t just face Team Vanguard. We would prove the power of dedication, friendship, and unity. Whatever the outcome, The Golden Team would stand together as one.

Want to join the golden team? Contact @goldenherc9 @polo-drone-001 or @brodygold

[sweetwhitechoco]

Some of the stuff I discovered while re-watching Sonic Prime.. what are those?

Keep in mind that these odd figures (statues?) only appeared in the Shatterspace of No Place, and only in episodes 7 and 8 of the first season. I don't think they'd make a major appearance, they just stood out to me in that area. Idk. 🤷🏻‍♀️

EDIT; one of the comments mentioned that these statues originated from Sonic Frontiers! They're a cameo from a puzzle in the game, and this is how they looked like there:

Mystery solved, I guess. xD

(Shoutout to @estellardreams , thank you! ^^)

[its-ya-girl-phoeni]

@zay-does-things

Every episode of the GF AU in a nutshell:

Season 1

Tourist Trapped: Local woman gets transported into a sleepy town in Oregon, more news at 11

The Legend Of The Gobblewonker: Bonnie tries to bond with her new friends and they almost get murdered by a lake monster

Headhunters: Bonnie, Dipper and Mabel try to figure out how the wax got axed

The Hand That Rocks The Mabel: Local woman tries to fistfight fat Southern child

The Inconveniencing: Turns out breaking into a haunted convenience store isn't the best idea, who knew?

Dipper Vs. Manliness: Dipper tries to be "manly" while Bonnie thinks it's all a bunch of bs

Double Dipper: Dipper clones himself and Bonnie gets really confused

Irrational Treasure: Local woman and two kids spill some serious tea on the richest family in town

The Time Traveller's Pig: Dipper and Mabel screw around with time travel while Bonnie grows increasingly worried about them messing up the past

Fight Fighters: Dipper brings a video game character to life despite Bonnie's warnings

Little Dipper: Dipper wants to be taller, and discovers a magic height-altering crystal! Oh, and also Bonnie fights a weird alternate version of herself that came out of a cursed mirror

Summerween: A cryptid made of candy tries to eat people and Bonnie realizes she's basically a mom/older sister to the twins at this point

Boss Mabel: Mabel runs the Mystery Shack for three days, and chaos ensues

Bottomless Pit!: Undertale but not really

The Deep End: Mabel tries to get with a merman while Bonnie is the best wingwoman

Carpet Diem: Aw hell nah the goobers got Freaky Friday-ed

Boyz Crazy: Mabel gets her own pet boy band and Bonnie is concerned

The Land Before Swine: Everybody goes on an adventure underground to find Waddles and Bonnie fistfights a T-Rex or some shit

Dreamscaperers: Bonnie meets Bill Cipher and immediately dislikes him

Gideon Rises: Local woman punches child in the face

Season 2

Scary-oke: "GOD DAMMIT, DIPPER!"

Into The Bunker: basically The Thing but if it was rated TV-Y7

The Golf War: Bonnie punts a golf ball dude with the voice of Remy

Sock Opera: Dipper gets possessed and Bonnie is terrified

Soos And The Real Girl: Bonnie has seen enough haunted dating sims to know where this is going

Little Gift Shop Of Horrors: Bonnie is a supporting character in several tales designed to sell Stan's merchandise

Society Of The Blind Eye: "Okay, maaaaybe you guys shouldn't Fuck Around and Find Out with the memory-erasing gun. Just a suggestion."

Blendin's Game: Three goobers try to cheer up their friend on his birthday by fighting to the death in an interdimensional colosseum

The Love God: Bonnie is concerned while Mabel tries to literally drug two people

Northwest Mansion Mystery: The Scooby Gang try to solve a mystery and nearly everyone gets turned into wood and almost die

Not What He Seems: Bonnie watches family drama unfold

A Tale Of Two Stans: Bonnie finally gets to meet the man who wrote the journals

Dungeons, Dungeons And More Dungeons: The gang plays D&D with wizard Weird Al

The Stanchurian Candidate: Stan tries to become president and some morally questionable mind control is involved

The Last Mabelcorn: Bonnie and the girls beat the shit out of unicorns to get their hair as a Dorito Demon repellent

Roadside Attraction: Stan gets catfished by a spider woman and Bonnie has to rescue his dumb ass

Dipper And Mabel Vs. The Future: Bonnie witnesses family drama 2: growing up and the fear of it boogaloo

Weirdmageddon: Dipper and Bonnie try to survive the apocalypse

Escape From Reality: Bonnie and the gang try to free Mabel from her personalized prison

Take Back The Falls: Everything's pretty much the same, except Bonnie spits in the Bill statue's eye at the end as a final "fuck you" to him

[polo-drone-073]

Get focused, Zayed!

This story was created in collaboration between

@polo-drone-073 (text) and @zayed-gold87 (images) @polo-drone-070, thank you for checking the content of the preliminary note

Preliminary note for readers who are not so familiar with the Golden Amy, consisting of the Golden Team, also called Gold Bros, and the Polo Drones, or PDUs (Polo Drone Units). As a rule, people join the Golden Team – in other words, they become Gold Bros. For the Gold Bros who want to choose a disciplined, focused path, there is the option of being converted into a PDU and thus following the maxims of the Hive. The drones support the Golden Team in several ways. However, all Gold Bros who become PDUs in this way retain their gold status and can temporarily switch back to their old ego on special occasions. In their old ego, however, the knowledge or what they learned in drone life is also available to them. So that they are basically an optimized form of this old ego. The switch takes place symbolically and practically by exchanging the uniform for sportswear and vice versa. There was also a time when people could join the PDUs directly without any detours. In this case, they were typically given numbers beyond 100, although it is not the case of all PDU-1XX units. These pure drones do not have gold status and are therefore not bound to a Gold Persona, but the Gold Influence can still allow their former human side to come out if it is needed somehow.

------

After the first training session, a young, athletic Arab with light hair approached Eddy. Eddy immediately noticed his very muscular legs.

„Hi, I'm Zayed, Cap Herc recruited me from another team to help the Golden Team win. Here I play as a sweeper.”

Eddy now understood why the 23-year-old had such strong legs. A sweeper had to be flexible and ready to intervene in defense.

“Not to boast,” Zayed continued, “but I'm good—very good, or Cap Herc wouldn’t have brought me here. Still, I have weaknesses. Sometimes I’m too imprecise, and it affects my game. The guys told me you’re a PDU with Gold Status, and I’ve learned you’ve got plenty of experience—both as a player and with drone training. I’d like your help.”

Eddy was honored. He had always enjoyed mentoring younger players. The PDU’s role also involved supporting the Golden Team. He considered Zayed’s request, thinking beyond physical training. The PDUs had specialized rooms, typically used for drone conversion, but they could also facilitate hypnosis to enhance focus and discipline. Eddy promised Zayed he would arrange something.

After training and a shower, Eddy returned to his drone form and consulted PDU-070, responsible for managing treatment and hypnosis rooms. Together, they scheduled a session for Zayed.

The next morning, at 6:00 AM, Zayed met PDU-073 outside the Polo Drone Conversion Complex. The building’s design reflected the team’s colors, gold and black, giving it a sleek, professional look.

Despite trusting the PDU, Zayed felt uneasy. He understood this was a form of hypnosis to enhance his focus but couldn’t help worrying.

What if something went wrong?

What if the programming went too far?

Would he end up a drone?

Still, his drive to improve won out. He followed PDU-073 into a small, minimalist room with rotating spiral disks on two walls and a chair in the center.

“Sit and focus on the disks and my words,” PDU-073 instructed in its monotone voice.

Zayed complied.

The disks began to spin, accompanied by a low, pulsing tone. A calm male voice spoke:

„Get ready – take slow deep breaths – in ……… out ……… in ……… out ...relaxing your mind a body – it is good to relax – imagine yourself standing at one end of a vast athletic field on the other side are your goals – your ultimate goals – you begin to walk across the field – moving towards your goals – as you walk you feel the transformation – thoughts and body changing – training transforming – every choice in your life is to achieve. Your goals – always in a training mindset – always ready to play – keep walking across the field – you realize that you are wearing your shiny golden jersey” further words followed, and of course there were the words „disciplined, focused, controlled” among them.

The session lasted an hour. When it ended, Zayed, still dazed, was led to another room by PDU-073. This room featured modern equipment and a high-tech chair in the center.

“Sit down,” PDU-073 instructed. “The straps are for your safety. This method is stronger.”

Zayed hesitated but complied. The PDU’s monotone voice explained: “We will scan the brain regions controlling behavior and optimize weak points. This will reinforce discipline, focus, and self-control—crucial for assessing your actions and improving performance.”

Reassured, Zayed relaxed. The procedure began with a faint whirring noise as the PDU worked systematically. Two hours later, the process was complete. Zayed emerged from the trance, unstrapped, and energized.

“How do you feel?” asked PDU-073.

“Great,” Zayed replied, smiling. “Let’s keep going—I’m ready for more.”

“Acknowledged,” PDU-073 said. “Now, we proceed to physical training.”

In the gym, Zayed displayed remarkable focus and discipline, executing each exercise flawlessly. PDU-073, acting as his trainer, rarely needed to correct him. After another two hours, Zayed was drenched in sweat but visibly proud.

„You see what you can achieve when you have your sights set on the goal properly - disciplined, focused, controlled.” Zayed looked at him. His happy eyes looked at him questioningly. „No. Now it's lunchtime and then we'll have training together with the bros. „

Eddy was back in the afternoon. „Well bro, did you get through the procedures well. The ones you had to endure in our 'torture chambers'?” „It's not that bad!” was Zayed's short answer. „I feel really motivated to do something. Let's get started.”

Compared to the previous day, Zayed’s performance on the field had significantly improved. Even Eddy struggled to match him. At the end of training, Eddy patted Zayed on the shoulder with a paternal smile.

“You did great today. Well done,” Eddy said. “Keep meeting 073 each morning, and you’ll be at 100% for the game. It’s great that you took this step.”

Hey, don't you dream of being part of such a great team? It can become a reality for you. Just apply to our recruiters: @brodygold, @goldenherc9, or @polo-drone-001.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5812

JWMari,Jaipur Jan 15/16, 2024 Mon/Tue 12:41 am

🪔,

January 16 .. birthday greetings to Asha of Egypt 🇪🇬 - Ef Rasha Zayed .. and Ef Krishna Ramdas from Washington DC the Capital of the United States 🇺🇲 .. love and affection from all the Ef Family .. 🙏🏻🚩 .. LE PANGA !! 👊🏽🩷💋

yes Le Panga be the call of the Jaipur Pink Panthers, Kabaddi team, owned by Abhishek .. who played brilliantly today .. on home ground, Jaipur .. the Pink City !!

and victory ..

.. and a confusion in the understanding of the game points .. 🤣

anxious moments in the game ..

... a few questions in the offing ..

.. and questioning the referee decision ..

but the ref is the ref .. can't argue .. so long as we win ..😁

glum ..

... and the love of the people ever blessed by it ..

!!!!!!

A confusion on birthdays .. there are 2 Rasha's .. both from Egypt .. Rasha Zayed .. birthday Jan 16 .. and Rasha Fouad .. birthday Mar 2 .. so wished the wrong one , got corrected and discovered the error .. my apologies .. 🙏

Jaipur .. the city where several work related took place .. now a revelation .. huge development and changes .. such a delight and yes a surprise to see all that has come up in and around ..

Came in here to cheer the team and be with Abhishek and his 'baby' ..

😂

back to the grind .. early ..

Love and wishes

Amitabh Bachchan

[nocturnalazure]

A-Z Challenge: List your sims in order, trying to complete the alphabet (1)

Thanks for tagging me, @wannabecatwriter!

Here is the veeeery long list of all of my Sims (318 in total). Keep in mind that I've started playing the game in 2009, and that the story has properly started in 2012. I've got the whole alphabet. ;)

It's so long that Tumblr refused to save my post and I have to do it in 2 parts...

This is A to L.

Abigail (Abby) Golzine Adam Jamsheed Adeline Moya Adonis Golzine Adrian Savigny Agnès Sorel Aiden Fangmann Alain Sedat Alan Blake Aleksander Pedersen Alesha Drudge Alex Cooper Amber Fangmann Amelia Leneuf Amina Nagi Andrew Lee Ange Golzine Anh Wong Anna Daumillier Annabelle Duval Annette Babin Araime Nugtyub Ashley Blake Aymen Chaumier Babeth Lauper Bao Hei Basil Lazlo Beau Merrick Belinda Angelista Benedict Murdoch Benjamin Duval Béranger Golzine Bindweed Startree Bjorn Carlsen Blaise Collinson Bonehilda Bouchra Zayat Brianna Drudge Buttercup Icewitch Cain Simson Candice Hamming Carmen Benavides Caroline Duval Cash Cedric Corcoran Céleste Duval Charlene Scott Charlie Chester Crewe Chikage Umeda Chloe Savigny Chris Daumillier Christine Crastaing Claire Jamsheed Clara Randall Clemence Blake Cordelia Savigny Daisy Fleury Daniel Simson Darrick Bohn Deirdre Macmullen Devon Lucas Devon Murray Dorothea Heilmann Dot Dounia Zayat Drake Striker Ebenezer Clavier Ed Grant Edwin Macmullen Elaine West Eleanore Ngoyta Elias Alverstoke Elie Abebah Elizabeth Ellingford Ella Macmullen Elliott Granger Eloise Simson Elsie Elvira Slayer Emilia Ferguson Emily Golzine Emmy Sedat Enrico Pinero Erik Zay Esther Atkins Eton Jamsheed Eugene Dodds Eva Drudge Eve Fangmann Evelyn Parsons Evelyne Cornel Ezra Murray Faith Blake Fanglin Wong Feather Willowglitter Fei Wong Felipe Benavides Fidget Peppertree Filiberto Moya Finn Lucas Frank Parsons Frederick Golzine Gabriel Leneuf Georgia Pastorini Gilles De Rais Gina Ashford Giselle Blake Gladys Moon Evendale Gloria Deville Grace Moya Hasan Badr Al-Din Hector Parsons Hector Zayat Helena Wong Henry Cornel Henry Tartleton Holly Huey Huaixin Wong Hugo de Lalaing Ian Strickland Irma Parsons Ivy Brooks Jacob Golzine James Parsons Jamie Steel Jeong Sen Myung Jeremy Simson Jessica Lazlo Jessie Cooper Jezebel Jie Lan Jim Parsons Joakim Ferguson Johan Blake Jonathan (Jay) Leneuf José Luis Simson Joshua Deville Juan Salas Julia Layton Julian Blake Juliet Striker Juniper Catfrost Karen Ferguson Karl Leneuf Karolina Drudge Katelyn Missoni Katherine Golzine Keith Blake Kelly Frazier Ken Takemura Kendra Deville Khadija Rkha Khari Simson Kheops Zayat Kojub Iowal Kyle Delmott Kylian Lazlo Lance Terrell Laura Leneuf Lauren Nettles Lawrence (Laurie) Golzine Layla Lazlo Lea Daumillier Leona Ferguson Leonard Heilmann Li Wong Liang Wong Lilian Drudge Lilith Ellingford Lisa Simson Liu Lu Logan Jones Louis Simson Louise Heilmann-Cooper Luca Pastorini Lucas Blake Lucille Daumilllier Lucy Blake Ludo Golzine Luisa Guerrini Lulu Dia Luna Golzine