#Need the next season so much sooner than a year

[bluew0lf123]

Guess who finished the Puppet history finale💔💔

I have many thoughts and emotions because WHAT THE HECK but that gave me the inspiration to make some art!!

While Sprat/Pythagoras’ monologue was incredible and I am very worried for Ryan + the Professor, at the same time him boasting about taking over the show and murder was very funny with the context of what Ryan and The Professor have been through

Next we have the TEAM TO PERHAPS BRING BACK RYAN AND THE PROFESSOR BECAUSE THEYRE THE ONLY ONES LEFT (you do not understand my joy and shock at the return of the plauge rat AND THE BOX) also drawing Shane twice right next to each other is a new one and hey maybe God will finally do something again!!

also apparently watching a history show too much accidentally gives you the power of prophecy because I drew this picture based off a random idea and for a weird lighting test in JANUARY

Yeah kinda cringe probably BUT IT IS ACCIDENTALLY SUPER RELEVANT NOW BECAUSE THEYRE NOT HOME ANYMORE!! THEYRE IN PUPPET PURGATORY!! CAN RYAN EVEN SURVIVE IN A PUPPET BASED PLACE??

anyway I hope you all enjoy the finale and are coping best you can with it-

[obligatory-name-change]

anyway back to thinking about fionna and cake for the night because simon compels me

[thinkinonsense]

Bewitched: The Rake and The Risk

˖⋆࿐໋ james logan howlett ✦ bridgerton au series

bewitched masterlist

chapter two

cw: flirting (mix of 1800s and modern day), jealousy, old time thoughts of women and marriage, james is a slut

pairing: viscount!logan howlett x fem!reader

a/n: sorry this is later than intended! i try to aim for a new chapter every friday but college is kicking my ass right now. next chapter will be longer!! also!! if you want to be tagged for the bewitched series please comment on the original bewitched masterlist post linked above this<3 there are so many of you lovely readers who want to be tagged and i need a more organized way to find everyone to add. sorry for the minor inconvenience. i appreciate every one of you!!

main masterlist

in all the twenty-nine years of knowing james howlett, lady chamberlain never would have pictured him coming to her home to ask about the eligible bachelorettes of the ton.

"what do you want to know, my dear?" lady chamberlain asked, sipping a cup of tea as the two of them sat in the living room.

"i am coming to you because as you know, my mother is expecting me to wed sooner rather than later and i was wondering whom might be the best women to seek out this season." james said, lying through his teeth.

if james really wanted to know who the best women this season were, he would've just opened the latest issue of lady cavanaugh. both of them knew this but it was more fun for lady chamberlain to tease the viscount.

"hm.." she smiles. "anyone in particular?"

"no."

the lie falls with ease. too much ease but lady chamberlain sees right through him.

"well, i did take note last night that the only lady you danced with was lady worthington's niece." she remarks slyly.

"the french girl?" he asks, playing coy. "i think i remember her."

lady chamberlain wasn't going to play games with the boy in front of her.

"i would hope so, you seemed quite fawned of her."

"i don't know if i would say that much."

"hm, so you don't want to know who she's planning to attended the mask ball with?" lady chamberlain smirks, knowing she's got him hooked.

everyone in the ton looked forward to the queens mask ball each season. it was the perfect way to help break the usual ice of finding 'the one'. that's where most couples tend to meet for the first time.

"let me guess..." james rolls his eyes. "prince harrison?"

lady chamberlain shrugs, placing her tea cup back on the dish. "the two of them talked quite a bit after you stormed off. she seems quite smitten with him."

"it's the first ball of the season. she has plenty of time to look for a better husband." he scoffs.

"well, dear... there are people who search their whole lives for something that's been right in front of them the entire time."

the elderly woman's words rang true in the room but james was far too in denial to notice them. instead, his ego was eating him alive. why would you not jump at the opportunity to be with the viscount?

˖⋆࿐໋

this afternoon was the queen's annual tea party. all the ton's debutantes gather to make friends and share their predictions for this season. anxiously, you paced the cobblestones outside, waiting for the carriage to pick you up.

"dear, it's not lady-like to pace back and forth." your aunt calls out from the doorway.

"my apologies," you reply, not stopping your feet.

"you're snagging the hem of your gown!"

thank heavens that the carriage was approaching. she waves you off, wishing you luck on your first adventure alone in the ton, wishing desperately she could join you.

your goal today is to make at least one friend. you'll even settle for an allied.

once you arrive at the queen's castle, you step inside. covered in soft pastels, flowers, and butterflies; you immediately feel calm. everyone is chatting and sipping tea at the tables. you sit down in the first available seat.

"you're the diamond, correct?" someone whispered next to you asks.

you turn your head to see a blonde girl to the right. she's wearing a soft yellow dress that doesn't quite fit her right.

"correct." you nod, offering the girl a smile to which she returns.

"shouldn't you be sat with the queen?" she asks, nodding to one of the beautiful girls surrounding the queen.

"probably but this was the first seat i saw." you joke, sipping on your tea.

the girl laughs with a small nod and introduces herself. her name is bridget and her father is a jewelry maker for the queen.

"i saw you dancing with the viscount last night at the ball." she smiles. "do you fancy him?"

almost choking on your tea, you shake your head.

"no, no, no. i don't fancy the viscount." you state.

bridget hesitates, watching your body language closely. the pressure gets you to speak up again.

"why do you ask?"

"because the viscount is a major rake."

the word rake rolls off her tongue with pure disgust. you'd never heard someone with such respect as a viscount be called something so dishonorable. rakes were known for their ability to seduce and lead on women with no promise of marriage.

"but he talks of his desire for a wife?" you question, more to yourself than to bridget but alas, she answers anyway.

"only because his mama is practically begging for a viscountess." bridget whispers.

you suppose this made sense due to the fact that most rakes never even intend to wed and after your conversation with james last night, he made it clear that marriage was not something he craved.

"trust me, you aren't the first lady to attempt to tie down the viscount. well, at least you have a shot since you're the diamond this season and all." the blonde girl rambles.

"oh, heavens no!" you repeat.

"hm, that's sad..." she sighs. "he is quite handsome."

"most definitely but i intend to wed for pure reasons."

"if that's truly the case, stay as far away from the viscount as possible."

˖⋆࿐໋

for the rest of the afternoon, bridget's words stuck to the front of your brain. if james wasn't so intolerable, perhaps he would make a good husband to someone.

once everyone finished with their tea, you decided to go sketch in wisteria park. the weather was beautiful outside and gave you the perfect inspiration needed to work on a new piece. normally, you would only draw on the sides of the letters written to your father back home. no one was more supportive of you than your parents. in a world where women mean nothing more than their wombs to society, it was rare to have parents who let their daughters have dreams.

sat on a patch of grass near the small pond, you set up your quill, small tray of paints, and paper. in the area where you decided to sit, across from you stood a beautiful cherry tree. as you work on the outline, you can hear footsteps approaching.

"i should've known i would find you here." a familiar voice says.

you don't even glacé up at the person near you, paying no mind to the man who seeks your attention most.

"do you want something, my lord?" you ask, fighting the urge to roll your eyes.

james' head spun every time those last two words fell from your lips, sounding to pretty the way that they roll of your tongue.

"you may call me, logan." he says. "if you so wish."

"logan?" you cock a brow, finally looking up at him.

"it's my middle name." he replies awkwardly.

"hm..." you pretend to ponder for a moment. "that's far too personal for me."

" 'too personal'? how might that be?"

james stands arms crossed against the cherry tree, glaring in your direction. you don't rush to answer his question instead you continue adding details to the branches and trees. he huffs under his breath, clearly irritated your lack of interest in him.

"well, we have no intentions to be together this season and we aren't friends so, there's no need for nicknames and such." you reply nonchalantly.

"you don't know my intentions"

a sweet giggle escapes you. james brushes off the warmth flooding his chest, rather focusing on topic at hand.

"oh, i bet i do."

suddenly, you drop your quill and give him your undivided attention.

"why are you even here, james?" you sigh.

"i was visiting an old friend this morning and wanted a stroll through the park."

"an old friend?"

the words left your lips before you could stop yourself. james was quick to notice the tone shift. he smirks, walking over to you and sitting on the grass to your right.

"mhm..." he hums.

"is she viscountess material?" you scoff, returning to your scribbles.

"and why would you care?"

why did you care? it's not like the two of you really know each other; yet, something about james made your blood boil. perhaps it was how he has a near perfect life and somehow still complains. he has no issues in finding a partner because everyone wants him. if he didn't have his head up his own ass, he would realize that.

"i don't."

"sounds like you do."

james liked watching your face scrunch up at little with dislike for him. how your pressure on the quill increases. how you avoid his gaze. how you pretend he doesn't exist next to you.

"i don't." you repeat. "i just cannot believe that someone like you is complaining about having to take a wife when all the women of the ton are smitten with you."

"someone like me?" james pretends to be offended but he was too busy enjoying this riled up version of you.

"someone who never gone with unmet needs, never struggled financially, never been under minded or overlooked." your words come out sharp but james doesn't let them cut deep.

"look, sweetheart..." he squints those hazel eyes, glaring deep into your soul and leaning in closer than he should've. "you know nothing of my families struggles."

"and you know nothing of mine."

james was so close to you. your noses almost touching before you pull away. being within his close proximity made you feel a foreign warm tingle deep in your stomach.

thank heavens that the park was empty, minus the two of you. the last thing you needed was for someone to see the two of you this close and label you as one of the viscounts mistresses.

"i-i must get going." you stutter, collecting your belongings.

"where are you off to?" he asks.

"i'm supposed to be accompanying lady chamberlain and prince harrison to dinner this evening."

his face scrunches with distaste at the mention of the prince. also, why would lady chamberlain hide this piece of information from him?

"isn't it quite early to prepare for dinner?"

"i must look perfect for the prince." you smile.

but not at james. you're smiling for that no good excuse of a prince who couldn't see that you already were perfect.

"you look fine to me." he huffs.

"it's vocabulary like that, that keeps you from finding a wife."

"and to think it was my insufferable personality that kept the ladies of the ton away."

it's difficult to hide the laugh you want to let out. instead you bite down on your cheek, not giving him the satisfaction of your laughter.

"ha ha ha." you mock dryly.

"do you always have a stick up your ass?"

james question makes your jaw drop. never in your life have you heard a man speak so vulgarly.

"that's no way for a viscount to speak to a lady." you scold. he can't help but roll his eyes at your comment.

"i'm sure that a man has spoken even more colorfully to you."

"what are you insinuating, my lord?"

"that i highly doubt a lady such as yourself still has her virtue." he shrugs.

never has your head spun so fast at a single sentence. you couldn't fathom that a rake like him has the nerve to question anyone's virtue.

"excuse me, viscount howlett but my virtue is none of your business." you rage. "and you have quite the nerve to question it."

"and why's that?"

james was playing with fire but he didn't mind getting scorched by your flames.

"i've heard the stories about you."

"like what?"

"like what you do with the promiscuous women of the night." your words leave a smirk plastered on his face as he watches you intensely.

"don't act so innocent either." james hums. "i'm sure you've had your fair share of promiscuous adventures in france."

a flush of red hits at your cheeks. the last person you wanted to talk about promiscuous acts with is james. mostly because your lack there of. only your own hands have touched you so intimately.

james studies your facial expression before it clicks for him. he shouldn't ask. he really shouldn't. but come on, he has to.

"have you never—" his words come to a halt when there's a ruffled noise inching closer.

"i'm under no obligation to answer you, viscount howlett." you scold, collecting your belongings.

"hm... seems like you've already answered my question." his cocky tone sends you over the edge of annoyance.

"shouldn't you be more concerned with finding a wife rather than my virtue? this season will be over before you know it and you will need to find one sooner rather than later."

james admired the way you spoke with such sharpness. you were shy and reserved but the weight of your words were heavy. there was grace in the way you spoke and he loathed it.

he loathed how perfect you were. how absolutely perfect you would fit into his life. how perfect you would be at being his little wife. only needing to plan parties and open your womb to his child. he would never stop you from your dream of painting either. all he wants is someone who can handle the duties that come with being his other half.

by the time james snaps out of his thoughts, you are long gone. off to get ready for your date with a man who's twice as rich as him and much more likable. the only thing he could do is hope that nothing good comes from this dinner.

──★

i'll tag everyone else who commented in the morning when i wake up <3

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[callofdoobie420]

In honor of the end of tax season…please enjoy my thoughts on the 141 and how they would deal with taxes…

JOHN

Being the most senior officer, he was used to this — but that didn’t mean he liked going in to the local tax office to get his done.

That was until he met you.

Sat at the front desk, all chipper and bright as you greet him. You smile and direct him back to one of the accountants offices, asking if he’d like anything to drink. He politely declines, but his mind is now solely focused on you.

When he leaves, you bid him a good day and let him know you can’t wait to see him next year. A small, shy smile on your lips. He pauses, stopping at the desk and leaning against it.

“I’m actually hopin’ to see you sooner than that darlin’,” he says his voice, smooth and low. “Dinner?”

“I actually have to work late,” you say, a disappointed sigh escaping your pillowy lips. “We pull late nights during season…”

“Well it’s a good thing I’m more of a night owl sweetheart,” he grins at you, all cool confidence. “So eight?”

You blush but nod, and quickly scribble something on the notepad in front of you. Drawing a small heart with your cute, pink pen.

“Here,” you say holding the sticky note out to him, “I’ll see you at eight.”

With one last smile, he turns to leave and looks down at the note. Your phone number on it, along with a short message.

For my favorite client 🩷

SIMON

You groan as you look down at the documents you were just handed.

“Mr. Riley, we’ve discussed this…” you sigh, and look up at the hulking man. Dressed in his usual dark attire and black mask, he probably tries to come off intimidating. It doesn’t phase you though.

You flip through the papers, shaking your head, before passing them back to him, “You can’t redact all of this information. It’s a tax return!” You huff, “we kind of need to know your income, if you’ve moved, what your stock accounts made…you’ve blacked it all out!”

Simon scowls down at you, but takes his documents back. He won’t admit it, but he kind of enjoys when you get frustrated with him. It’s why he always makes two copies of his documents. It’s why he always redacts the first copy, just so you reprimand him.

No one talks to him like that except his team. And now you. And it thrills him.

It’s also why he will bring back an unredacted copy in two days — just so he can see you again before next year.

“Sorry princess,” he grumbles, “I’ll remember next year,” he says, so casually. Turning and leaving before you can respond.

Though he can feel you fuming, because you know. He won’t remember next year.

JOHNNY

“I’m sorry lass!” Johnny whines, as he buries his face into your shoulder. “I’m trying to pay attention I promise.”

You rolled your eyes, and shook your head because he absolutely had not been paying attention.

“Johnny, you promised you’d behave if I helped you out with your taxes, but if you aren’t going to then I can go,” you say, and start to stand.

Johnny reacts quickly pulling you back down on the couch next to him. His hand going back to the track pad on the laptop.

“No no, I’m paying attention see,” he says, furiously scrolling on the page, “where were we? Charitable contributions?”

You chuckle softly, and lean your head against his shoulder, “Yes love, charitable contributions. We are so close to being done!”

At that revelation, Johnny smiles and starts to type quickly. He moves through the rest of his tax return much quicker. A new goal in his mind. He clicks the submit button, and shuts the laptop.

He turns to you with a shit-eating grin, batting his eyelashes, “So now I get a reward right? For being so good!”

KYLE

Kyle looks at his phone curiously as it buzzes on the table in the rec room.

“Hello?” He answers, his voice laced with caution and confusion.

“Hello! Is this Mr. Garrick?” A voice answers, so saccharine sweet he almost chokes in surprise.

“Oh um- yes,” he says, clearing his throat, “this is him. Who is this? And how did you get my number?” He asks, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone.

He hears a soft giggle, “Mr. Garrick, it’s the tax office, I’m just calling because we finished your return. We just need you to come in to sign, so we can send it for filing.”

He feels a slight blush heat his cheeks. Oh, duh. Of course it was you, he had dropped his documents off two weeks ago. You had said it would be two weeks, and here you were. Calling him. Right on time.

He liked that. Punctuality. It was important.

“Oh, yes of course, I’m sorry,” he scrambles a bit, trying to recover from his embarrassment. “Could I come in an hour?”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Garrick,” you respond, almost a chirp with how chipper you should. “I will see you then!”

An hour later, on the dot, Kyle shows up to the office. Looking as handsome as you remembered from two weeks ago. Immediately, you are all smiles for him.

“Hello Mr. Garrick!” You say, holding a pen out for him. Already prepared. So on top of things. Kyle was smitten.

“Please, call me Kyle darlin’” he smiles back at you, going to look over the tax return and sign. When he hands it back to you, he also hands you piece of paper torn from a small note pad.

His number.

“I’d prefer not to wait until next year to hear your sweet voice, love,” he smiles, something more sultry about it this time. “I’d like to take you out…”

[apricustar]

hii jd! in your kitchen scene post you mention that buck and eddie are incompatible on how they handle emotions and communicate and stuff which on some level i understand because we’ve seen how their conflicts play out but i was hoping you could maybe explain? no pressure you just explain things in a way that makes sense to me ❤️

hi nonnie <3 thank you so much for this—i’m really touched you asked, and i’m happy to explain! (the og post for anyone wanting to read)

when i say buck and eddie are “incompatible” in how they handle emotions and communicate, i don’t mean that in a hopeless or negative way. it’s not that they can’t work—it’s that they move differently, shaped by their respective pasts, and sometimes that causes them to be emotionally out of sync.

buck is an internalizer; this is where we see people misunderstanding and mislabeling him as selfish. he turns inward and attributes whatever is happening around him to something he did wrong. even when it’s not about him, he makes it about him—not out of ego, but because that’s what he was conditioned to do. a good example of this is in season 5, when chimney leaves to find maddie. buck is grappling with several layers of guilt, fear, and self-blame:

he’s holding residual guilt over maddie leaving—he knows exactly why she left, but he's telling himself: i should have seen it sooner. i could have done more. i could have prevented this.

he’s also feeling responsible for chim leaving—not because anyone says it’s his fault, but he’s the one sitting in the firehouse absorbing the silence, the grief, the shift in dynamic. and because buck reads emotional atmosphere like weather, he interprets that silence as blame.

and underneath all of it is the deeper fear—one that’s lived in him for years—that he’s the problem. again. that his presence hurts the people he loves. that he ruins things just by being there.

so no, buck doesn’t think he made maddie or chim leave, but he feels like he failed to stop it. like he should’ve known, should’ve fixed it, should’ve held things together better than he did—and because he couldn’t, he assumes everyone resents him for it. no one says it’s his fault—but buck feels it like it is. because blame—even misplaced—gives him something to hold. it gives him a reason, a narrative, a way to make sense of loss. if it’s his fault, then maybe there’s something he can do to fix it. maybe next time, he can be enough to stop it from happening again.

eddie is buck’s opposite: he externalizes. when something hurts, he pushes it outward. he doesn’t always know how to sit with his emotions, doesn’t always have the language to explain them—so it comes out sideways. it comes out as frustration and misdirection.

buck takes on other people’s emotions and makes them his fault; eddie takes his own emotions and filters them through the people around him. buck internalizes distress. eddie displaces it. buck thinks, “what did i do?” eddie doesn’t say it outright—but what slips through is, “why aren’t you showing up for me the way i need?” and neither of them knows how to say that out loud.

so when eddie lashes out, it’s not usually about the thing he’s saying. he’s not lying, exactly—but he’s not telling the full truth either. the fight in the grocery store during the lawsuit arc? when he says,“you’re exhausting”—that’s not really about buck. that’s eddie talking about himself. he’s exhausted: christopher is having nightmares about the tsunami and shannon, eddie’s been arrested, and above all—buck hasn’t been around. eddie's been holding everything together by himself and it’s too much, but he doesn’t know how to say that, so he says something cruel instead.

same with sob stories this season where he tells buck if he's going to make him choose between chris or him, he'll lose every time. buck never asked him to choose. never implied that was the case. but that’s what eddie feels like he’s choosing between: buck, LA, the life he’s tried to rebuild—and the terrifying pull of leaving it behind to fix what’s fractured between him and his son. eddie’s not mad at buck—he’s overwhelmed and scared. and once again, it comes out wrong.

and the thing is—they both mean well. they’re both doing their best with the tools they have, shaped by upbringings that didn’t teach them how to be vulnerable safely. buck wants to be enough. eddie wants to be understood. but the way they express those needs can make them miss each other entirely. they love differently. they cope differently. they react differently.

but what makes their relationship so beautiful is that despite these differences, they keep trying. they don’t give up on understanding each other—even when it’s hard, even when it hurts. where one falters, the other finds footing. where one pulls away, the other stays close. they meet each other—perhaps not perfectly or cleanly, but truly.

love is not easy; it’s not effortless. it’s something that requires work—something that asks for patience, grace, and the willingness to try. you keep choosing your partner, again and again and again, even when its hard. and that’s what buck and eddie do. in all their messiness, all their misfires—they keep choosing each other, keep trying with one another, keep showing up—because even when they miss each other in the moment, they never stop trying to find their way back.

[logos0]

From Ice to Fire

Leah Williamson x Reader Enemies to Lovers | Happy Ending

The wheels of the plane touched down at Heathrow, and the hum of the engines died as you peered out the window at the grey skies over London. It was a far cry from the snow-dusted landscapes of Scandinavia that you called home. But here you were, ready to embark on the next chapter of your footballing career. Arsenal FC had been a dream for years, and now you were one of their newest signings.

As you stepped out of the taxi at the training grounds, nerves prickled at your skin. You had achieved so much to get here, yet a voice at the back of your mind whispered that the hardest part was still to come. Meeting the team, proving your worth, adapting to the intensity of English football—all of it loomed large.

The team welcomes you warmly on your first day at Meadow Park. The first person to greet you was Beth Mead, her grin wide and her energy infectious. "Ah, the new signing! Heard you’ve got a killer left foot. Let’s hope it’s true." Vivianne Miedema followed with a calm nod, and Kim Little, the captain, offers a handshake that carries a quiet authority. But then there’s Leah Williamson.

The Lionesses’ captain greets you with a polite, almost perfunctory nod. Her reputation precedes her: confident, charismatic, a born leader. But something about her intensity feels off. The Lionesses’ captain carried herself with a quiet intensity. Her eyes assessed you from head to toe, and her polite nod felt more like a formality than genuine welcome.

For the rest of the day, her presence loomed. During the first drills, she was the one who barked out directions, corrected positioning, and, more than once, seemed to single you out for criticism.

"You need to stay tighter to your mark," she said sharply after a defensive drill.

You clenched your jaw. "Maybe I wouldn’t have to if you’d tracked your runner."

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the air between you crackled with tension.

It was going to be a long season.

Your integration into the squad is smooth… except when it comes to Leah. The rivalry between you two grew over the weeks. On the surface, everything seemed fine. You worked well enough together during games and even exchanged the occasional word of praise when necessary. But in training, it was a different story. She seemed to find faults in everything you do. A misplaced pass? She’s the first to point it out. A moment’s hesitation on the field? She’s already barking instructions.

"That’s not how we press here," Leah said during one particularly gruelling session, her tone clipped. "Maybe in Scandinavia, you can take your time," she snaps after one particularly tense drill, "but here, we move fast."

You wiped sweat from your brow, shooting her a glare. "I’ve been playing football since I could walk. I think I know how to press."

"Not in the WSL, you don’t," she snapped back. You glare at her, chest heaving from exertion. "Maybe if you passed the ball sooner, I wouldn’t have to clean up your mistakes."

The tension between you was palpable, and the team could feel it. Beth smirked knowingly, muttering, "Oh, this is gonna be fun to watch."

During the next weeks, your Scandinavian coolness continued to clash with her fiery intensity at every turn. The team, much to your dismay, seemed to find your friction entertaining. Beth Mead started taking bets on when the two of you would finally explode, and even the usually reserved Vivianne Miedema would smirk when you and Leah squared off during drills.

It wasn’t that you disliked her—at least, that’s what you told yourself. But her constant nitpicking, her relentless need to push, got under your skin like no one ever had before.

And yet, you couldn’t help but notice her. The way she commanded the field with such confidence, the way she celebrated every goal like it was her first, the way her laugh—rare as it was—lit up the room during team dinners.

But noticing wasn’t the same as liking.

One evening after training, you stayed late to practice free kicks. The floodlights cast long shadows across the empty pitch as you lined up ball after ball, aiming for the top corner.

"You don’t rest much, do you?"

The voice startled you, and you turned to see Leah leaning against the goalpost, arms crossed.

"And you don’t know when to leave people alone," you shot back, though your tone lacked its usual bite.

To your surprise, she didn’t respond with a snarky remark. Instead, she grabbed a ball and joined you. The two of you fell into a rhythm, each taking turns at the goal. There was an unspoken competition in the air, but it felt different this time—less antagonistic, more playful.

When you finally stopped, both of you breathless, Leah gave you a small, genuine smile. "You’re not bad," she said.

"Coming from you, that almost sounds like a compliment," you replied, earning a quiet laugh.

For the first time, the tension between you seemed to ease.

The match against Chelsea was a turning point. Arsenal was down 1-0, and the clock was running out. You intercepted a pass from Sam Kerr and drove forward, weaving through defenders before threading the ball to Leah, who was perfectly positioned. She scored with a thunderous strike, and the stadium erupted.

Before you knew it, Leah was running toward you, a wide grin on her face. She wrapped her arms around you, her excitement contagious. "That was all you," she said breathlessly, her forehead briefly touching yours.

For the first time, her words felt entirely sincere, and something shifted between you.

After the Chelsea game, the team celebrated with a night out. You found yourself seated next to Leah, and to your surprise, the conversation flowed easily. She asked about your life in Scandinavia, and you told her about the snowy winters, the northern lights, and the small village where you first fell in love with football.

"You’re full of surprises," she said softly, her eyes searching yours.

"So are you," you replied, feeling a warmth you hadn’t expected.

A few weeks later, after a late-night training session, you and Leah ended up alone on the balcony of the team’s hotel. The city lights glittered below as silence stretched between you.

"I was wrong about you," Leah said finally, her voice quiet.

You turned to her, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I thought you were just another hotshot here to make a name for yourself. But you’re more than that. You care about the team. You push me to be better." She hesitated, her usual confidence faltering. "And I… I think I like you."

Your breath caught, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

"I like you too," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

She leaned closer, her hand brushing yours. When she kissed you, it was soft and tentative, as though testing the waters. But when you kissed her back, it was with all the passion and fire that had burned between you from the start.

The shift from enemies to lovers wasn’t seamless. You still bickered during training, but now it was laced with humour rather than hostility. The team noticed the change immediately.

"You two are ridiculous," Beth teased one day. "Just get a room already."

Leah rolled her eyes, but her hand found yours under the table.

On the field, your partnership flourished. Leah’s leadership and your creativity drove the team to new heights, and Arsenal climbed to the top of the league. Off the field, your bond deepened through late-night conversations, stolen moments, and an unspoken understanding that you had found something rare.

The season ended with Arsenal lifting the trophy. As confetti rained down, Leah pulled you into her arms, her smile brighter than ever.

"We make a good team," she said, her forehead resting against yours.

"We always did," you replied with a grin.

In that moment, surrounded by your teammates and the deafening cheers of the crowd, you knew this was just the beginning—for Arsenal, for your career, and for you and Leah.

From enemies to lovers, from ice to fire—you had found your home.

[gguk-n]

Pivotal choice (Carlos Sainz x Race Engineer!Vowels!Reader)

Summary- Just as the summer break 2024 started Carlos Sainz Jr announced that he would be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. Everyone thought it was because James Vowels was persistent little did they know, Carlos's decision rested in Vowel's daughter's hand who was currently working as a race engineer at Williams.

There had been a shift in Williams from the start of 2024 season, it wasn't visible to the world but anyone in Formula One could see it. James Vowels, it seems was making the right decisions, but in actuality it was his daughter, Y/N who had just joined as a race engineer who was calling the shots during race strategies and giving her opinion to her dad which helped him make decisions. She was the reason Logan got his first point last year and the reason Alex was able to compete for points. That's how her and Logan had grown closer together since they were closer in age and had the same sense of humour.

Vowels spent a lot of his time courting Carlos Sainz Junior, especially after he had lost his seat to Lewis Hamilton in the start of the season much to his daughter's dismay. She couldn't believe her father was being so irrational and persistent which translated into her growing annoyance and hatred for the Ferrari driver. Y/N had caught Carlos's eyes the first time her dad had dragged her along to dinner with Carlos after the race. She had made sure to let her father and the potential Williams driver know of her annoyance at being dragged here and the fact that they were possibly making Logan seatless for next year.

She remembers it like yesterday when her dad after much deliberation and push had resigned Logan. She had even offered to be his race engineer to help him; her dad didn't think she could do much but agreed. She was currently not only Logan's race engineer but his therapist. So, you can imagine how much she was hating being here. Vowels got up to use the restroom leaving the two together; Y/N ate her food quietly not even looking up. "I heard you're Logan's race engineer" Carlos began. She nodded. "I know it must be difficult to sit and have dinner with the guy who might take your drivers seat. I'm sorry but the world of motorsports is cut throat and" she cut Carlos off with "I know, I'm just salty dad's being like this since Logan has potential if given the right chances, not looking for a replacement." she said looking into his eyes. Carlos's breath hitched in his throat, those were beautiful eyes he thought. "Again I'm sorry but I need to weigh all my options" he continued. "I know" she hung her head down while continuing to cut into her food. Her father was back soon, trying to cozy up and butter Carlos up. There was a perpetual grimace on her face apart from her usual frown.

The dinner couldn't end any sooner because Y/N bolted out with a quick good bye. Carlos was intrigued. He wanted to know more about this girl who looked at him with more disdain than Logan himself. Carlos found himself looking at her whenever she was around or searching for her during race weekends. He had found out from Alex that she was James Vowel's only daughter; extremely smart since she graduated from mechanical engineering and masters in automobile. She had used her connections to land good internships so that her being hired by Williams wouldn't be weird. She was a nepo baby who knew what she wanted and how to get it. To add insult to injury, she was friends with Logan which explained the disdain. Carlos found her interesting; she was funny from what he had gathered and found himself laughing at her jokes when he would over hear her conversations, she was pretty which he had decided the first time he saw her walk in with her dad, she was close with not only Logan Sargeant but Oscar Piastri who she didn't glare at like she would glare at him from time to time. It was starting to hurt Carlos's feelings.

The next time they met, Y/N looked even more annoyed with his presence then she could've been the last time they met, he thought. She was being dragged along by her dad again even though she threatened to run away. "Dad, I'm not having dinner with him. For goodness sake, let me mourn in peace." she snapped. "I don't get what you're mourning. Having Carlos on Williams is what we need. Also, I would like you to be his race engineer. Both of you are smart and will make a great team, I can already see it" Vowels reasoned trying to get his daughter to see the bigger picture. "Well I don't. I'll be Alex's engineer if Logan's no longer on the team" she stated. "You do not get a say in today's dinner, we'll discuss your plans for next year later. Now get dressed before I fire you" he commanded. "Ugh, that's why I didn't want to work for you. Even Sauber would've been fine at this point" she whined. "Well, we have points and they don't" he snapped. "Would've had more, had you not fucked Logan over" she snapped back and went to get dressed. "Language missy" James shouted back at her.

Carlos was bearing the brunt of much of Y/N's annoyance who got jabbed in her rib by her dad about 4 times since they sat down and the food wasn't even out yet. "I really want you and Y/N to get along since I feel like if you join Williams, Y/N would be a good fit as your race engineer even though she's a rookie. I'm not just saying this because she's my daughter." Vowels told Carlos. "Well, I'm not a good fit for him" she muttered. "If you'll excuse us Carlos" Vowels said sternly dragging her out, "I swear, if you do not behave I will drop Logan right now, God knows how much I want to" he seethed. "dad" she whispered with tears in her eyes. "Now, you'll walk in and be on your best behaviour." he commanded. She nodded and quickly wiped away her tears and walked in with her dad. Carlos noticed the sudden shift, her demeanour sadder and hurt, not the usual snappy and sarcastic self. Dinner ended without anymore hiccups, Y/N only nodded her head along to whatever her dad had to say.

Carlos wasn't sure what Vowels told his daughter which made her look like a puppy that had been kicked. But he did ask the restaurant they were eating at to pack him an assortment of their best dessert; he had heard from the others that she loved desserts, maybe this would cheer her up, he thought. He grabbed the bag before exiting the restaurant and handed it to her, her dad was waiting for the valet to bring his car who was now watching the pair interact. "What's this?" she asked. "Something to cheer you up" Carlos said. "I don't want it and you don't need to cheer me up" she said trying to hand him the bag back. "I know but I want to" he clarified. "You're already in my dad's good books, you don't have to try this hard" she said. "I don't want to, I want to be in your good books" Carlos smiled. Y/N's heart skipped a beat watching him smile, this was weird. "I don't think you can be" she corrected. "Well then, just enjoy the food. Don't think about it too much" he leaned into whisper in her ear, winking at her before climbing into his car which was ready for him. Y/N was staring at the bag in her hand and the driver that just handed it to her before leaving. She felt guilty now for treating him like shit when he was just trying to stay in the sport like anyone would.

She was in her home, slowly unboxing the package from Carlos which had a collection of macaroons, donuts, cheesecakes, red velvet cakes. This was so much food for anyone, she could have this for a couple days. The next time she meets Carlos, she should thank him, she thought as she took a bite of the coffee flavoured macaroon which tasted too good to even be real.

She got to meet Carlos in the next race, instead of running away or frowning like she had been doing the past couple months, she smiled at him and walked up to him; Carlos thought he was dreaming. The Y/N Vowels was walking up to him, it felt unreal, he almost pinched himself. "Thanks for the sweet treats, I loved them." she said. "That's a relief, I wasn't sure what you liked so I got you a few of everything" he replied. "Well, next time you wanna get me something, there is this patisserie in Paris." she began. "Tell me the address and I'll bring that to you next time" he interrupted. "I was just kidding. I enjoyed them. Thanks but that doesn't mean I'm okay with whatever is happening" she corrected. "If it means you'll stop looking at me like I killed a man than that's a win in my books" he laughed. She waved him off and walked away to the Williams garage.

"Were you talking to Y/N?" Lando asked. "yeah" Carlos said. "Why? Fancy her?" Lando laughed. "Maybe" Carlos thought out loud. "Mate, I think she likes Logan or something" Lando said immediately. "Really?" Carlos asked, a little hurt. "Yeah, I think that's what Oscar was talking about to Lily or something, I just over heard them anyways" Lando shrugged.

Carlos didn't think he liked Y/N, not until Lando asked him. That's when he realised that he did. There was a reason he tried so hard to make her like him and wished she would talk to him in all those dinners. He felt like he understood why she was being so annoyed with him since he would possibly replace the guy she liked. Carlos was a little hurt, he wished that was a piece of information Lando hadn't passed onto him.

Y/N on the other hand, found herself thinking about Carlos a lot, since he tried to cheer her up. She realised that she was being too harsh on Carlos when it was not his fault and if there was anyone she should be angry at was her dad and not Carlos. She found herself looking through his race stats and his strategies. She couldn't help but admire him for his craft. Maybe, she was being a little too unwelcoming. Obviously, she would fight tooth and nail for Logan; her dad wasn't having his way this easily.

The next dinner, Y/N felt like Carlos wasn't talking to her like the previous dinners. He would try to get her input on anything and listen intently even if she was bad mouthing him but right now, he was talking only business with her dad. She had decided to be civil today and didn't even make a snide remarks. A part of her was hurt, maybe she deserved it after the shitty way she had been treating Carlos. Dinner took forever to end, for other reasons than the previous ones. She tried to strike up a conversation with Carlos but nothing came of it.

A few weeks later, her father had stopped pestering her to tag along to dinners with Carlos. She was happy this way, until at family dinner. "I think I'm close to signing Carlos" James told his wife. "That sounds wonderful, darling" she remarked. "What do you mean?" Y/N almost shouted. "Not having you around seemed very fruitful to me, considering you're always frowning at the poor guy" your father corrected. "You can't kick Logan out without giving him a fair chance." she pointed out. "I gave him a chance and he blew it, it's not my fault" your father reprimanded. "No you did not. I can't believe you're behaving like this" she pushed the food away. "If you are going to be this rude, leave. I'll see what you can do without my name" your father replied. She had tears pricking her eyes. "dad" she began. "Just because you're my only daughter, doesn't mean I will let you behave like a rude brat and get away with it. Go on, I want to see what you can do with out me or my help" he said. He wasn't like this, she thought. Her mother tried to calm her father down but Y/N left.

Their fight wasn't over. It had seeped into their work where they would only talk when necessary. Everyone in Williams could fell the tense environment. Logan and Alex tried to diffuse the environment but Y/N just brushed it off, until she couldn't anymore. There were rumours floating around that Logan would be replaced next year or worse mid season because of the shit her dad was blabbering about in interviews. She was sick and tired of that man, that's why she was now storming into his office. The secretary left quickly, sensing the atmosphere.

"Dad, what is wrong with you? You need media training, not your drivers" she snapped. "What is this behaviour? Is this how you talk to your father?" he raised his voice. "Mr Vowels, please behave like an adult. Please don't talk crap about your drivers while they are driving for you at least" she reprimanded. " Miss Vowels, I'll talk however I like" he snapped back. The Miss Vowels hurt, "dad" she huffed. "I'm not your dad in this office. I'm the team principal of a team that is failing and I want to bring to the top" he replied sternly. "You can do all that without disposing people off like collateral damage" she pointed. "I'll do what I think is right" he said. "If you want Carlos to sign, stop talking about him in every interview like a love sick teenager. Tell him our stats and make promises you can keep and then if he signs give your driver who had been with you since his junior career a respectful send off" she said turning around. "You don't mind Carlos joining" he asked hopeful. "It's your team. I'm just an employee" she replied dejected.

Y/N had tears streaming down her face when Logan met her. "I'm sorry, I'm such a shitty friend. I told you I'll do anything for you but I can't" she cried. "It's okay. I know you are trying your best" Logan said wrapping her in his arms. "It's hard fighting your dad" she sobbed. "I know" he patted her back. "I don't blame you for it" he smiled bitterly rubbing her back. "Maybe I shouldn't have joined Williams" she sobbed. "Hey! You helped me score points and are giving valuable input, don't say that. I'm so proud of you and how far you've come" he said looking at her and wiping her tears. His hands were cupping her cheeks, "You did what you could, now it's my turn" he smiled at her. "I'll do whatever it takes. I'll continue racing even if it's not in formula one, I won't stop racing" he declared. He wiped away her tears, "Now smile, I hate it when my best friend cries" he teased.

Maybe talking to Carlos was like fraternising with the enemy, maybe that's why she felt awkward approaching him. She should have no reason to approach him anyways. There are already weird rumours floating around because of her father, she didn't want to add fuel to the fire.

Y/N ran into Carlos when she was rushing to her garage at the Spanish GP, where there were rumours floating around that he would announce the team he was joining. "Sorry" she apologised looking at the man she had run into. "It's okay" Carlos replied. "Did you sign a contract yet?" she asked abruptly. "No" Carlos replied scratching his neck. "Weigh in all you options. Whatever choice you make, let it be the best it is for you" she advised. "I thought you didn't want me at Williams" he commented. "I was being too emotional about losing my best friend. I've matured now" she smiled at him. "Logan's your best friend?" he asked, Carlos really needs to focus on more important things instead of the fact that his crush isn't crushing on another man, but he was a man of simple needs. "yeah. I mean you'll probably understand since....if something like this happened to Lando" she said shuffling her feet. "yeah" Carlos nodded. "Good luck with the decision" Y/N wished him. "You know, maybe we could go out for food" Carlos suggested. "Isn't it unethical since I'm William's team principal's daughter?" she smirked. "I haven't signed yet, so no" Carlos smiled. "Don't you want to spend time with your family" she asked. "Maybe you could join me" he winked. "What?" she asked, blushing. "I was kidding, but if you want to, I don't mind" now he was smirking. "Ah, no. Let's go out after the triple header's done" she told him. "No take backs" Carlos insisted, his tone firm as he scanned her eyes. "Ferrari's hottest driver just asked me out, I'd be a fool to say no" she teased. Carlos was now blushing, "I'll see you in Silverstone" he said, "for our date" he added tentatively. "yeah" she said biting her lower lip trying not to smile.

Y/N was counting down the days to Silverstone. The weeks didn't seem to pass. She didn't want anyone knowing either, not now anyways, what if she jinxed it?

The British GP was a big deal since it was Williams home race. Y/N was very busy with preparing everything related to work on the car. She had been working with Logan closely to get him the upgrades, which was taking longer than she hoped. Logan finishing just below points and Alex in points was great news. Everyone was ecstatic in the team and Vowels called for a team dinner which Y/N was thinking of ways to avoid. Her relation with her father was repairing it self slowly with the helpful intervention from her mother; "I will not be caught in a cross fire. This is a house not a war zone. Get along or I'm throwing you out James" her mum told her dad. That's why they had started being civil which in turn led to the atmosphere at Williams improving as well.

Y/N had lied saying that she was catching up with old friends and escaped the dinner after a lot of whining and cribbing on Alex and Logan's part for leaving them.

She got back, showered and got dressed. A white midi body con dress was calling her name. Carlos picked her up from her home, like a gentleman and held the door. "You look gorgeous" Carlos smiled checking her out. "Thank you Carlos, you look quite breath taking yourself" she breathed out.

They drove to the restaurant, talking about the most random things but racing was off the table. "If I knew how pretty you looked laughing I would've stolen you away ages ago" Carlos commented making Y/N blush. "I'm not that easy to entertain" she chided. "I know, I've been on the receiving end of some very angry stares" he laughed. "In my defence, my dad was being an ass" she spoke. "It's okay. I forgive you" he smiled.

The dinner ended rather quickly, much to the pair's dismay. "Do you want to do this again sometime?" Carlos asked hesitantly. "I would love to. Next week is off" she suggested. "Would you like to come to Monaco?" Carlos asked. "Yeah, see you then" she said kissing his cheek. "What will it take for you to kiss my lips?" he teased. "hmm..I'm a simple woman, a couple more dates maybe" she teased back. "I don't mind seeing you as often as I can but are you really going to keep me waiting?" he leaned in. "Maybe. But I could change my mind if you behave" Y/N bopped his nose and opened the door to her house biding him good night.

She was in Monaco next week, Carlos had come to pick her up from the airport and drove her around. She hadn't been in Monaco in a while. The place was warmer and the sun was shining down on them as they drove around. At night, they had dinner at a really nice Italian place. When they were walking around on the beach, "Spend the summer break with me?" Carlos asked. "I don't spend my holidays with random men" she teased. "Am I a random man?" Carlos cocked his eyebrow. "You aren't my boyfriend either" she retorted. "Well, maybe I'll ask you to be my girlfriend over the break, you'll have to find out thought" he joked. "Hmm..you drive a hard bargain Mr Sainz" she acted like she was thinking. She turned to him, "If this kiss is worth it, I might just spend the break with you" she provoked. "You're spending that break with me" he stated before he crashed his lips against her. Y/N's lips were warm and cushiony as Carlos's soft ones moved against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands found home on her waist. His nose bumping her cheek as they deepened the kiss. She pulled away, out of breath, "I guess I'm spending my break with you" she smiled at him. Carlos began to pepper his face with kisses.

The two of them had to wait for 2 more races. They were itching to be together; she couldn't go up to him and kiss his perfect face whenever she wanted. Carlos couldn't spend all his free time in the paddock with her; it was torture for the two of them.

Carlos had made up his mind, he would be signing with Williams. He saw a future and a very alluring exit clause just the way he wanted. He did mention something to Y/N about it but they didn't talk about racing during their dates.

It was the first day of the summer break, Carlos was laying in bed with Y/N in his arms; "I have an announcement to make" Carlos whispered. "At 9 in the morning" Y/N grumbled. "I'll be announcing which team I'm joining today" he spoke. "Really?" she asked, now wide awake. "yeah. I signed with Williams" he spoke slowly. It took a moment to register for Y/N and then tears prickled her eyes. She wasn't sure they were tears of joy or sorrow. "Congratulations" she croaked, kissing his lips. "I'm sorry about Logan" Carlos apologised squeezing her hips. "It's okay" she smiled weakly. "I'll make a few calls and be right back" he said getting out of bed. The video had been recorded and would be uploaded soon. Y/N was pacing around the house sending a few texts to Logan to check up on him and looking up what the fans had to say. As soon as the news went live, Y/N got a message from her dad; 'Carlos Sainz Jr is your new driver from next year' it read. She had a bitter sweet feeling reading the message.

Carlos came back, done with the initial announcement. "I'll be your engineer next year" Y/N said cupping his cheeks. "Yeah, that was one of my clauses for signing" he said cupping her cheeks too. "Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked looking into her eyes. "I don't know about mixing business and pleasure" she hesitated. "Just say yes" Carlos begged. "Promise me you won't get hurt" she asked. "I'll try my best" he replied. "Than, Yes" she said leaning in to kiss him, pushing up on her toes to close the distance. "I can't wait to kiss you in public" Carlos stated breaking the kiss. "Let's wait. After the way my dad has been courting you" she laughed. "Well I was trying to court his daughter" he retorted. "And you succeeded" she kissed him again. "Let's enjoy these 3 weeks of peace before we have to return" he said sweeping her off her feet and carrying her bridal style back to the room as she pressed open mouth kisses on his neck.

I've been working on this since the announcement. I had fun writing it. Hope you enjoy too.

[runnning-outof-time]

Congratulations, I adore your story!!

Could you please do 23 with angst and then fluff? Thank you so much I appreciate it!💕

Thanks so much for sending this in, anon! I’m so happy you like my stories! I decided to go with Tommy for the character and chose “I don’t want to go.” for the prompt because it was the 5 word #23. I hope you don’t mind that. Enjoy! :)

I’D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! - YOUR COMMENTS & REBLOGS HELP ME WRITE!

Part of my 3.5k Celebration — find more stories here!

To Keep You Safe

Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warnings: season 4 spoilers (like right from the jump), language

Word Count: 1042

Summary: (Y/N) and Tommy discuss the decision to have her go into hiding while the war with the Changrettas rages on.

Things were heating up in the vendetta between the Shelbys and the Changrettas. What both sides thought would be a quick battle had now turned into a full-on war. And after Luca managed to get to Michael in his hospital bed and try to get him to switch sides, Tommy was convinced that no one was safe.

He called a family meeting. He arranged it in the morning and it was set for that evening. The air in the room was so thick with tension that you could practically cut it with a knife. (Y/N) noted that they were currently in the midst of a thunderstorm, which she had a feeling was foreshadowing for what was to be talked about.

And oh boy was she right. Things were quiet between her and Tommy that night. Neither of the two spoke a word to the other before they both went to sleep.

(Y/N) didn’t really sleep much though. No matter how many times she wished it wouldn’t, tomorrow still came.

Soon enough, there was a man in a car sitting outside their Watery Lane home.

“I don’t want to go,” (Y/N) huffed as she crossed her arms. She was aware of how much she sounded like their three year old daughter, but she quite frankly didn’t care.

“You have to, love,” Tommy insisted, not wanting this to turn into something bigger than it had to be.

“Why?” she asked, her one eyebrow quirking upward.

“Don’t fucking start…” he trailed off with a sigh.

“You owe me a reason, Thomas. I’m not just going to be shipped off into the fucking wilderness for no fucking reason,” she harped on, sharing her feelings about the decision that had been made — essentially without her consent — the night prior.

“You know why,” he told her, insisting it was common sense.

“Enlighten me anyway,” she shrugged.

“(Y/N).”

“Tommy.”

“It’s to keep you safe!” he finally came out with it, his voice raising as his eyes went wide, showing the frustration and stress he was currently under. “It’s to keep you fucking safe.”

(Y/N) was taken back by his outburst, but she really should have expected it. She was poking a bear; a powder keg that was bound to explode sooner or later. “You’re keeping me safe here, though. And besides, it was agreed between the both of you: no civilians. No women or children,” she pointed out in a softer voice, recalling the rules of the vendetta that he’d told her a few weeks prior.

“Yeah, I know that was agreed upon,” Tommy started, nodding as a sigh escaped his lips, “but with how things are going…we need to expect everything. And I can’t have you get taken by him or his men as a way to get me. So I need you to go. Just for a little while.”

Silence fell between them as she took a minute to think things over. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Tommy’s side while all of this was going on.

“I don’t want to leave you, Tommy,” was the next thing she said. She couldn’t get through the sentence without choking up, tears brimming up in her eyelids.

Tommy exhaled a breath before he closed the short distance between them, taking her into his arms just as her body began to shake from her sobs. “It’ll just be a little while, love,” he spoke in a soft voice, his chin rested on the top of her head as he rubbed her back in a comforting manner.

They stood like that for a few minutes. (Y/N) had no shame in crying into her husband’s suit coat. She didn’t want to let him go and leave because she was afraid that this would be the last time she’d see him.

“Hey, the car’s waiting outside,” Tommy was the one to speak first. He loosened his hold on her as he did, moving his hands to her shoulders so that he could bring her out at arms length.

“I know,” (Y/N) nodded, sniffling as she wiped her tears away. “I’ll miss you, Tommy,” she added then, looking at him with watery eyes.

“I’ll miss you too, love,” he responded without a second thought, raising one hand to run it down her cheek.

“Make sure you go visit the kids for me…or at least send Pol or someone if you think it’s too risky,” she added, thinking of her children who were currently residing at her parents’ home.

“I will,” he assured her with a nod.

(Y/N) took a moment to look at her husband then, making sure she could commit every part of him to memory. She didn’t know when she’d see him next. Her bottom lip began to quiver as that thought stuck in her mind.

“It’s just a little while,” Tommy repeated what he’d said to her before.

“I know,” she nodded, holding back the tears. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he repeated the phrase, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. (Y/N) held him there, making their embrace as long as it could possibly be. But eventually she had to pull away, and as she did, she finally decided it was time. “I should go.”

“I’ll come get you when this is finished,” he promised her, their eyes locked as he spoke.

“Just stay alive,” she said to him, sending one last smile her way before they finally broke their embrace so that she could grab her things.

Tommy ushered her outside and made sure she got into the vehicle. He then gave the driver and his accomplice strict instructions on what to do. After sending one last smile to (Y/N), he let them go and headed back inside.

He took two steps away from the door and placed his hands onto the side table sitting there so that he could brace himself as he leaned back against it. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes for a moment, his family flashing in his mind. Then he released the breath he’d been holding and stared straight ahead. This vendetta would be finished soon, and he’d make damn sure of it.

**tags are in a reblog, so that hopefully the notification gets sent

MASTERLIST

[softspiderling]

✦ . * red hearts, red hearts (social media au) | m.d

summary: despite a tremendous defeat in your personal life, you don't let it get in the way of your professional one. but you swore off dating, at least for a while. even if the adviser of your new movie is really cute.

pairing: miguel diaz x reader

author’s note: don’t EVEN okay😩 this has been occupying my mind like crazy, so i had to do it. as usual, reader/yn will have no face claim but instead diff diverse girlies to represent her. @katcoquette don’t look too closely girl

add. info: let’s talk timeline! this takes place several years after the sekai taikai where miyagi do have won. everyone’s finished college and it takes place in 2024, so most characters are in their early twenties🫶🏼

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

liked by demit, pennbadgley, jennaortega and 879.931 others

youruser IT: Welcome to Derry bts photo dump🤩 Final season out on Netflix NEOW🗣️

view all 4.219 comments

ynsbaby 😭😭

codychristian proud of you baby

➞ youruser ❤️

madelyncline Miss Isabelle was that girl #GirlBoss

➞ youruser she and Sarah Cameron would make an unstoppable duo

haileesteinfeld season four was a thrill, you really gave Isabelle life

➞ youruser love you Hails

foreveryn my fave season BY FAR!!!

ynismyqueen okay but when are we seeing you on the big screen again? 😫

────────────

your phone:

liked by madelyncline, sabrinacarpenter, torynchls and 839.211 others

youruser onwards and upwards

view all 3.499 comments

obsessedwithyn wait

haileesteinfeld prettiest girl❤️

➞ youruser ❤️

foreveryn it’s giving single girl

madelyncline bomb🤩

➞ youruser ily

astroprincess yn in her single era

ynsnation my girl is finally FREE

codychristian dramatic

liked by larussam, demit, rob_keene and 2.421 others

migueldiaz peek-a-boo

view all 21 comments

elihawk clever use of the convex mirror

➞ migueldiaz putting that stanford education to good use

rob_keene is that my camera??

➞ migueldiaz ... no

torynchls literally come by the dojo if you have so much time on your hands

➞ migueldiaz fineeee

liked by antoniasworld, codychristiansbae, champagnepapi and 23.019 others

codychristian whatever i will play your villain

view all 4.121 comments

averyynchristmas seriously?

jennyes you’ll never be a villain😘

ynsteaparty bro is unable to read the room

thiam_lore 😍

teenwolf15 Cody’s giving Theo energy

foreveryn im so glad yn got rid of you

► COMMENTS ON THIS POST HAVE BEEN LIMITED

────────────

youruser unfollowed codychristian

liked by jennster, graces, madzz and 98 others

definitelynotyn me after dating a guy all my friends told me was bad news

view all 103 comments

madzz i’m sorry bby

➞ definitelynotyn it’s fine, i’ll get over him

↳ madzz ... by getting under someone else..?

↳ definitelynotyn absolutely not 🙅🏻‍♀️ no MEN for the foreseeable future

haifeldsteinlee take you out for froyo next time you’re in LA?

➞ definitelynotyn yes❤️ might be sooner than u think

↳ haifeldsteinlee 👀 work or play?

↳ definitelynotyn work🤭

shortandsweet you have ALWAYS been out of his league, girl

➞ definitelynotyn kissing you

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

author's note: what're your thoughts so far??? 🤭 very minimal miguel so far but I need to set the base of the plot, I promise he'll (and the rest of the ck characters= make more appearances in the next part!!! also, what's your favorite cameo??

[malk1ns]

april 6 @ blackhawks, 3-1 loss

go ahead and plop right into his lap, sidney. super normal and regular mid-game behavior.

i've written sid as an incubus a few times now, but the above clip inspired me to make it geno's turn.

Zhenya knew that time he spent away from the time and his primary food source while he tried to will his shoulder into healing faster would be miserable. He’s been here before, stuck back with the trainers and sequestered from practices while he works through whatever torturous rehab program he’s been assigned.

He heals faster than humans do, but he can’t totally defy the laws of physics, and inevitably by the time he’s allowed back with the team he’s irritable and jumpy and consumed with a deep, aching hunger that drives him to distraction until he can get Sid alone for a quick rendezvous. It’s been the same song and dance for years now—incubi fixate, and Zhenya tried his hardest to figure out how to accept another source of food, but his demon got a taste of Sid up in his bedroom at Mario Lemieux’s house in 2009 with the noise of the Cup party raging just outside the window and never looked back.

Zhenya takes supplements when he can’t feed, and it tides him over physically—it’s not like he’s actually missing nutrition or something—but a demon’s hunger is deeper than just physical, more than a simple need to eat. When he can’t have Sid on a regular basis Zhenya misses him down to his bones, a primal, urgent thing that hijacks every thought and keeps him awake, tossing and turning with the urge to drive to Sid’s house and bury himself in Sid’s scent, even if the team is on a road trip.

It’s always been that way. It’s wildly unpleasant, and it gets painful at times, but Zhenya’s not allowed to feed while he’s rehabbing out of fear he’ll lose control and take too much from Sid in an attempt to heal himself faster, so Zhenya’s learned to deal with it, to breathe through the throbbing ache and force himself to get rest until he’s cleared for sex again.

He never thought about how his time away might impact Sid, because it shouldn’t. It never has in the past. Sure, Sid misses regular sex, especially the types of orgasms Zhenya can wring out of him when they have enough time off to really go at it, but he could get that anywhere if he were so inclined—he doesn’t need it like Zhenya does. He’s human.

And yet, Sid’s been glued to his side like a limpet since Zhenya rejoined the team for the final stretch of the season, tracking him during warmups and tugging Zhenya down next to him on the plane. He almost bit Tanger’s head off at breakfast this morning when Tanger tried to sit next to him—Kris rolled his eyes and made a big show of ushering Zhenya into the chair instead, but Zhenya noticed the concerned look in his eye and resolved to talk to Sid about it on the plane back to Pittsburgh.

When Sid shoves Rutger out of the way and practically sits on Zhenya’s lap mid-game, Zhenya decides to bring it up a little sooner.

“Stop it,” he hisses, sliding to the right and dumping Sid’s ass onto the bench instead of practically on top of his dick. “What’s wrong with you? We’re playing game, like, what you’re doing?”

When Sid looks at him, his pupils are blown and his gaze is vacant. His mouth is hanging open and he’s breathing way too hard for the length of the shift he just took.

Zhenya frowns and drops his hand on Sid’s thigh. Sid’s eyelids flutter and he sways closer, tongue darting out to wet his lower lip.

Something in Zhenya’s chest purrs, and Zhenya shoves it down. They’ve got over half the game to play; now isn’t the time. And besides, even if they weren’t playing, Zhenya needs to figure out what’s going on with Sid.

They make it through the game. They lose, and Sid breaks his point streak, but he’s cognizant enough to play a solid game, and Zhenya manages to wrench his focus back to his own line and put in a strong effort too.

He doesn’t think anyone noticed. Rutger probably figured it was just another weird Sid-and-Geno thing, and nobody else was looking at them when Sid briefly lost himself.

Zhenya waits until the plane is at cruising altitude before he reaches over to tug Sid’s earbud out of his ear.

“What’s happen?” he says, ignoring Sid’s protests. “You’re weird at game, like, been strange for a few days now but…”

Sid shakes his head slowly, mouth twisting. “I don’t know. I didn’t really realize until then, but it’s like…I don’t feel good when you’re too far away. It wasn’t so bad earlier this season, but the couple of games you just missed it was like I had to stop myself from calling you every two seconds. Once I woke up in the middle of the night and was halfway down to my car to drive to your house before I realized what I was doing.” He leans closer, dropping his voice—the team knows about them, but Sid’s squeamish about their sex life being public. “It got better the first time they cleared you to feed a few days ago, while we were together at least, but the second I got up to leave it was like, all I could think about was going back upstairs and getting in bed with you.”

Zhenya has to clench his fists to stop from reaching for Sid and having him right here and now. He can feel his thrall sneaking out and reaching for Sid, and by the time he gets it reeled back in and under control Sid’s slipped under, sprawled back in his chair with his legs splayed invitingly. He’s hard in his sweats, and Zhenya throws a blanket over him before anyone can walk by and see.

“Sid,” he hisses urgently, shaking Sid’s shoulder until Sid sits up and rubs his eyes. “Sorry, not mean.”

“You owe me,” Sid grumps, pressing down on his crotch over the blanket and groaning.

Sid likes when Zhenya puts him down and lets the demon seduce him into compliance. Zhenya’s not entirely sure why; he chafes at the idea of losing control like that, but Sid loves it, begs for it even, and it’s not like Zhenya’s demon minds. There’s a part of Zhenya, a tiny piece of himself that he works hard to keep far from the surface, that wants to keep Sid like that all the time, waiting and eager for him whenever Zhenya wants.

Usually, reminding himself that he likes watching Sid play hockey works well enough to tuck that urge away.

Zhenya holds Sid’s hand the rest of the flight, barely letting go to let him get his bag and deplane before tucking Sid close to his side. He wants to take Sid home and tuck him away safely in bed, and from the way Sid leans into him he thinks Sid’s going to let him.

He’s vaguely aware that there was something he was worried about, but Sid keeps his right hand firmly planted on Zhenya’s thigh on their drive home, and Zhenya’s hungry, still keenly feeling the days he went without feeding. His attention narrows to the heat of Sid’s palm on his leg, and by the time they pull past the gate into Zhenya’s neighborhood and up to his house he’s practically vibrating.

Sid lets Zhenya take him upstairs, pliant in Zhenya’s grip as Zhenya manhandles him into the bedroom and pulls his clothes off. He lets out a little oof when Zhenya tumbles him onto the mattress, but spreads his legs and pulls Zhenya close when Zhenya crawls on top of him.

It’s hard to describe what being a sex demon is like. Zhenya’s found that people are more comfortable around him if he treats the incubus like it’s separate from him—another personality, maybe, another entity residing in the back of his brain that only comes out when he needs to feed. It’s not true, though. Zhenya is the incubus, all the time; the only difference is how much of his baser instincts he’s allowing out.

Sid’s always understood that. Zhenya thought it would scare him off, but Sid likes it, encourages it even, doing little things to coax Zhenya to loosen his iron grip on his human mask and indulge.

He figured out pretty early that Zhenya likes when Sid begs.

“Please,” Sid gasps into Zhenya’s ear, clawing at his back and winding his legs around Zhenya’s hips. “G, I need you, please.”

Zhenya growls into Sid’s neck and reaches down between them, petting over Sid’s hole. Being an incubus comes with a lot of perks, one of which is not needing to buy lube—his fingers are slick with a simple thought, sliding easily into Sid’s body.

“You want?” he purrs into Sid’s ear, edging a third finger in and crooking them over Sid’s prostate. Sid’s halfway gone already, Zhenya can tell by his breathing, but he refuses to send Sid all the way down without permission.

“Please,” Sid manages, and Zhenya runs his tongue along Sid’s neck. He focuses on Sid’s want, his arousal and desperation, and tugs.

Sid goes limp in his arms, head lolling to one side and legs falling to the mattress. His eyes are half-closed, and Zhenya can feel him now, aching and needy and sweet enough to make Zhenya’s mouth water.

Normally when he’s this hungry he draws it out, edging Sid until he cries and making him come over and over until Zhenya’s sated, but he’s feeling his own desperation tonight, and it makes his hands shake as he pulls back and pushes Sid’s thighs further apart.

Zhenya rubs the head of his dick over Sid’s hole to make Sid squirm and beg incoherently, then slides into him, too fast to truly give Sid time to adjust but not fast enough to stimulate him the way he clearly wants. “Take,” he grunts, pinning Sid’s shoulders to the bed.

Sid does. He melts under Zhenya’s touch, keening and shifting his hips in an effort to entice Zhenya into fucking him harder, reaching up and weakly grasping at Zhenya’s arms. He’s sweet like this, fully under Zhenya’s control because he wants it; the power in that goes to Zhenya’s head every time.

Sid’s arousal is sweet, indulgent in the extreme and so cloying that it’s almost too much, like a rich cake that you can only eat one bite of. Zhenya gorges himself on it, gasping and greedy as he swallows great gulps of Sid’s lust until his stomach aches and his teeth hurt.

When he’s had his fill he gropes between them, taking Sid’s dick in his hand and stroking him just a hair too hard, bending down and setting his teeth lightly to Sid’s throat at the same time he thumbs over the head. Sid comes with a guttural cry, back arching painfully and thrashing under Zhenya’s body, and he squeezes so tightly around Zhenya’s dick that Zhenya follows him over with a grunt.

He collapses on top of Sid and winces as his dick slips out, ignoring Sid’s protests until he catches his breath enough to roll onto his side. He feels euphoric, out of his mind with the high of a good feed and full-up with orgasmic desire.

Sid’s the best meal he’s ever had. Zhenya can’t wait until they’re both retired and they can gorge themselves into somnolence as often as they want.

Sid’s hand fumbles across his torso, creeping up to cup Zhenya’s pec, and Zhenya suddenly remembers earlier—Sid’s odd behavior during the game, the way he’s been since Zhenya returned from injury.

Before he can say anything, Sid rolls onto his side. “I can’t…turn into what you are, right?” he asks hesitantly. “Like. It’s not contagious?”

Zhenya would laugh, but Sid sounds genuinely worried. “No,” he says soothingly, catching Sid’s hand in his. “You’re born, like, can’t turn into. Not werewolf or vampire.”

“Good,” Sid says with a sigh. “I guess…I wasn’t sure, because it felt kind of like how you’ve said you feel when we go too long. Like, maybe it’s not the same, but I’ve been so distracted, this was all I could think about. Do you think I should talk to the doctors?”

He doesn’t sound enthusiastic about that. Zhenya agrees. 

“If you want,” is what he responds. Sid needing him nearly as much as Zhenya needs Sid is heady. Zhenya’s jealous and doesn’t like to share, and the idea of Sid being inextricably drawn to him soothes the part of him that rages every summer when they have to part for the off-season. “If you think it’s problem, like, we talk to Vyas, see if there’s something to do. But…if not, like, it’s no problem for me to take care.”

“I can’t get lost mid-game again,” Sid warns. “We’ll have to figure something out.”

“You need more?” Zhenya says, reaching over and squeezing Sid’s hip. “Like, more often, for longer? We do. I always want. We make time, and you’re ready to play. I make sure.”

Sid’s jaw nearly cracks in half with his yawn. “I can work with that,” he says, sounding smugly pleased.

Before Zhenya can tease him for that, he’s asleep. He looks pale and worn, cheekbones sharper than they should be even this late in the season.

Zhenya maybe took too much. He finds it hard to care.

[spookysteddie]

The Very First Date

Modern!Steve Harrington x college!fem!reader

Part two to "lemon drop martini" ... Read part one here

18+ MINORS DNI

desc: you finally call Steve for that first date. And it goes better than you imagined

cw: alcohol mention (reader is not in the slightest drunk), slight Dom!Steve, cocky!Steve begging, pet names (baby, sweetheart, angel), unprotected sex, p in v, creampie. (let mw know if I missed anything)

wc: 2.8k

a/n: I hope y'all enjoy this! based off of this ask who asked me for a part two a while ago (I am so sorry). My writers block has lifted after like a year and here we are! So expect more fics soon!

...

Three days. 

You’d waited three days before calling the number on the napkin. 

Well that’s a lie. You actually called the number the next day (after eating a greasy meal, drinking a shit ton of water, and downing some aspirin… nothing like a hangover) from your roommate Alixs phone. But the second he answered, you hung up very fast. 

Alix, of course, called you a little baby back bitch and told you that you needed to call him. That it’d be nice to have some perks around your little college town. 

You rolled your eyes at the sentiment. 

To say you were nervous talking on the phone with him would be an understatement, in fact you were shitting myself. Scared he’d be able to hear it in your voice how nervous you were. Or, worse, that he wouldn’t remember you. 

Four days ago: 

“This is Steve Harrington speaking. How can I help you?”

You took a deep breath, putting a smile on your face in the hopes it’ll translate through the telephone.

“Hi, Steve. I-it’s y/n. From the bar the other night.” You cringe at the slight stutter and the wave in your voice. “You gave me your number on the napkin.” 

You can practically hear the smile in his voice, coolness seeping from his voice, “lemon drop martini girl. Of course I remember you, sweetheart.” 

You quietly sigh in relief that he remembers. 

“Oh good! I’m sorry for not calling sooner. I was a little hung over and then I had to study and take exams. Finals season.” You laugh awkwardly, cursing yourself for rambling and making a fool out of yourself. Alix would be rolling her eyes. 

Steve laughs on the other end of the line, “ah yes. I hated finals. Very frustrating. Hence why I dropped out, much to my fathers dislike.” 

One thing about you is that you love oversharing. But you love when other people overshare even more. There’s nothing like bonding over a trauma dump. 

You giggle into the phone which makes Steve giggle too, the sound mimicking a sweet song. All you want to make him do it again. 

“Anyway, sweetheart, I was wondering if you had plans for Friday night?” His tone is cool and relaxed. You could only wish to sound like that. 

Your heart pounds in your chest, words failing you for a moment. “Oh! Um, nothing actually.”

“Perfect. Hows ‘bout you and I go on a little date? I know a great place. Kinda fancy. What do you say?” 

You could kick your feet like a little girl at the prospect of going out with him. You, also, are tempted to make him wait. To give him just a little bit of a hard time. It was what you'd usually do to the men you like. But there was something in the back of your mind begging you not to. 

“I-I would like that, Steve.” 

“Great! I’ll pick you up at 7. Give you time to study and get ready. Take a nap even.” 

…

 “I can’t do this. I can’t go. I mean, fuck, I have nothing to wear.” 

Nothing to wear was an understatement. You could hardly see the floor of your bedroom, clothes littering it with only a small path for where you keep walking from the mirror to your closet. 

Alix sits on your bed, drinking some wine and eating some popcorn. “I liked the black leather. I don’t know why you won’t just wear that one. You look hot in it.” 

You slide your hands down the front of the blue, sequence dress you have on. “I just feel like that’s not enough. And isn’t it a little … short for a dress for a nice restaurant?” 

Alix shrugs, “I mean, probably but who cares. You look hot.” She sips her wine and says again, “well you look hot in everything.” 

You look over at her, “while that’s sweet, he’s going to be here in fifteen minutes and I need a few shots to calm my nerves so help me pick a dress, please.” 

She rolls her eyes at my dramatics, downing her wine. “I think you should wear the short black one you wore two weeks ago. Not the leather one, the velvet one. Makes your ass look great. Oh with your Louboutins! You spent a lot of money on them and have worn them once. It’s a sin.” 

One thing is for sure, you did spend a lot of money on them, charging them to your dads credit card. 

One change and two shots of vodka later, you were walkin down the steps of your condo to an awaiting Steve. He’s in dark jeans, a black t-shirt and a gray jacket. His hair is just as perfect as the last time you saw him. (which was via instagram… gotta do the research right?)

He whistles long and low as you approach, and in a quick stroke of confidence you decide to do a little spin. He claps slowly as you face him and so, you bow. Just slightly so you don’t accidentally flash him. Not the way you want to start this date. 

“Well hello to you too, Harrington,” you say as you smirk. 

He slips his hand in his pockets, a smirk on his lips that you feel right between your legs. “You look very pretty tonight, sweetheart. I mean you’d look pretty in a potato sac but,” he shrugs. “We should get going.” 

You smile and nod at him. 

And the bar is clearly in fuckin hell, because him opening the door for you makes you want to jump his bones. But then again, no man has ever opened a door for you so… we can let it slide. 

“Such a gentleman.” “Chivalry is not dead sweetheart.” 

… 

Steve is very thoughtful. Sure, he asked all the usual questions you ask on a first date. 

What’s your major?

Do you have any siblings?

What do your parents do for work?

Oh, your dad is in sales? Funny mine too.

He gives you guilt money? Mine too! Look at us 

He also, orders you and him a bottle of wine (he has great taste) but lets you order your own meal (again the bar is in fucking hell). The place he takes you to is nice and the food is the best food you’ve had since you left home after summer break. 

“So Steve, what made you decide to open up a bar in town?” You eat a spoonful of dessert, eyes never leaving his. 

He takes a spoonful of his own dessert. “I was sick of working for everyone else. I knew if I made a unique bar, something you and your friends have never seen, others would want to check it out. Then you’d tell all your friends, who’d tell their friends, etc.” He grins as he talks, keeping eye contact with you. 

It felt like a game of ‘who is going to look away first.’ A game you weren’t going to lose. Slowly, you pull the spoon out of your mouth, dipping it back in to your dessert. “Interesting. Great concept if you ask me.” 

He huffs a small laugh through his nose, “I’m glad you enjoyed my bar.” 

You scrunch your brows, the wine making you bold, “who said I enjoyed it?” 

Now he really laughs, “you seemed to really enjoy all those lemon drop martinis. So much so you had a hangover the next day. I tried giving you waters but you threatened to gut me.” 

Your jaw hangs open, “fibber.” 

“I haven’t been called a fibber since I was a kid,” he smiles. “But yes you did tell me you would gut me. And then you left and I thought I’d never hear from you again.” 

You can’t help but feel slightly guilty inside for not calling sooner. Well, you did call sooner but chickened out. 

“And here we are.” 

“Yes, here we are.” 

He seems to think for a moment, sipping his wine (one he ordered that would go well with the dessert. He was right.)

“Wanna get out of here, sweetheart?” He looks up at you through his lashes, tongue rolling down the inside of his cheek. 

He wasn't… demanding. You knew without a shadow of a doubt that you could turn him down. That he would take you home with a smile on his face. There would be no fuss, no fight, no name calling. No pressure. 

And for that very reason, with a smile on your pretty face you answer him, “yours or mine?” 

… 

You’re not even through the door of his apartment before his mouth is on yours, his large hands on your face. The kiss starts soft, testing the waters and it isn’t very long before you deepen it. Your tongues dance but there is no fight for dominance, you let him win. You want him to win. 

His lips trail over your jaw before slowly moving down your neck, gently nipping at your skin. 

“Such a pretty girl,” he says in between kisses. 

He sucks a bruise into your shoulder, easy to cover up, just in case. You let out a soft moan, hands coming up to tug at his hair. 

“You-you’re pretty too.” 

You can feel him grin against you, head lifting as his body cages you in, “I don’t think anyone has ever called me pretty. Well besides Eddie but that was mocking.” 

You laugh, moving in and kissing him slowly, sweetly, “you are a very pretty boy.” 

You can feel his hard dick jerk at the sentiment, and you keep it as a mental note. You know, just in case you need it. 

“Fuck, can’t say shit like that.” 

“No? Why not?” 

“Cause it makes my cock hard. And it’ll be very embarrassing if I cum in my pants. Can't ruin my reputation.” The smirk on his face makes you almost pass out. You swear to God you can feel every word in your core. 

“Hmmm, we can’t have that can we?” You push his jacket off his shoulders before running your hands down to the hem of his shirt. “Should take me to bed so we don’t risk you cumin’ early.” 

It’s all the permission he needs. His lips are back on yours, his hands under your ass and picking you up. You wrap your legs around his waist, hands in his hair as he carries you to the bed. 

He puts you down gently, his lips never leaving yours. Not for a moment. Not until he pulls away to tug his shirt over his head. You take the moment to take him in, his body lithe and toned.  You also can’t help noticing the scars on his side that look a little like bite marks. Bite marks from something that isn’t human, something you make a mental note to ask him about at a later date. 

“Sculpted from marble, god damn.” You don’t mean to say it out loud, never wanting to stroke a man's ego. 

Steve just grins as he finds the zipper on the side of your dress, pulling it down slowly down, his knuckles slowly touching your skin, leaving goosebumps in his wake. You shiver under the touch and he notices. You’re quickly learning that Steve notices everything.

It isn’t long before he’s pulling the dress down your body, leaving you in only your underwear. Underwear that barely covers you, a wet patch on full display. If it was anyone else, you’d be embarrassed. 

“Are you this wet for me?” His tone is mocking and he’s practically cooing at you, “go on. Answer me.” 

Your eyes widen. Men have been demanding in the bedroom, plenty of them thinking they’re little tough guys. But none of them get that from you, none of them deserving. You’re not sure why you want to give that to him. You’re not sure what makes him different. And honestly, that is a problem for future you to talk about in therapy. 

“Yes,” you reply, voice a little higher than usual. “S’all for you.” 

The smirk he gives you makes your heart speed up. “Such a sweet, pretty thing. God, I want to devour you.” 

His lips move to your chest, sucking a peaked nipple into his mouth. You can’t help but arch into his mouth, a small moan falling from your lips, his hand coming to play with your neglected breast. And it isn’t long before he swaps sides, his teeth nipping and sucking. 

“Please. More.” 

He laughs, moving to oblige you and kissing down your sternum before settling between your legs. “May I?” 

Him asking makes your heart stutter in your chest, “yes. God yes. Please.” 

Steve tugs your underwear down your legs, tossing them to meet the rest of the clothes on the floor. “I think I could get used to praying to me.” 

He doesn’t give you time to answer before he licks up your cunt, stopping at the top to suck on your clit. The moan that comes out of you is loud and you’re thankful the windows are closed. “Fuck, Steve!” 

He pushes a finger inside of you, curling them to reach the spongy spot inside you. “And you moaning my name is even better. Why don’t you do it again, angel” 

He pushes another finger inside you, the burn causing you to grip his hair. “Steve please!” 

“Please what, sweetheart?” 

He moves his fingers faster, continuing to hit your sweet spot over and over again. His mouth moves to your clit, sucking gently. He keeps his eyes on you, observing, listening to every sweet moan and sigh that comes out of you. He files them away in his brain so he never forgets what drives you crazy. 

“Need to… I-I need” 

He sucks hard before pulling back, “need what? Go on, use your words.” 

You gasp, “to cum. I- please.” 

Begging wasn’t what you did for men. If anything, they begged you. Begged you to let them cum. 

Steve doesn’t say a word, just grins and uses his free hand to press on your stomach. That is your undoing. “Steve!” You pulse around his fingers, breath getting caught in your chest. You feel warm all over, head emptying as he works you through it. 

“That’s it baby. That’s a good girl. Bet that feels so good doesn’t it?” 

You try to answer, you really do. But all you can manage is a small nod. 

“Gonna let me fuck you?” 

Again, you can only manage a nod. 

“That’s my girl.” 

And before you can even process his words, he flips you over on your stomach, hands pulling your hips in the air. You’re on full display for him. He can see everything. But you couldn't care less, all you want is him inside you. 

And you get your wish. He moves slow, making sure he doesn’t hurt you. He’s big and you can feel every inch of him stretching you. It’s a tight fit even with how wet you are. 

“Holy shit this pussy is amazing baby. Squeezing me so tight.” 

His other hand braces himself by your head before dropping down to his forearms. He’s so close to you now, inside and out, his hips moving slowly so you adjust to him, and his breath fanning across your face. 

“F-faster. Faster.” Your hands rake down his back, nails digging into his back, making him hiss. 

He snaps his hips faster, grinning down at you. “Just so needy huh?” 

You nod feverishly, “yes. F-feels so fucking good.” 

He laughs at you now, kisses you. “Such a dirty mouth, baby. Pretty girls aren’t supposed to swear.” 

“Says-says you… swear all the time. L-like a sailor.” 

He hums. “Dirty mouth for a dirty fuckin girl.” 

“That-that’s me.”

He fucks you faster and you feel like coil growing tighter and tighter inside you. You wrap your legs around his waist, not wanting him to get too far away. He groans and you can tell he’s close. 

“Want… no need you to cum inside me. I’ll d-die if you don’t,” you beg. You know you’ll probably regret it in the morning, all that you’ve said here in this bedroom. But at the moment you can’t find it inside you to care. Mainly because he was taking up every inch of you. 

“Yeah? Need it? I’ll give it to you baby. Will give you anything you want.” 

And it’s all you need to fall over the edge, walls clenching around him so hard he falls with you. A mutual “fuck!” falls from both your and his lips. 

You're both panting as you come down from the high. He pushes your hair out of your face and kisses you sweetly. Suddenly Steve is giggling, his head falling into the crook of your neck.

“What? Why are you laughing?” you ask with just a little bit of worry. 

“I am so fucking glad you ordered a lemon drop martini.”

[woso-fan91]

Forever After All (Steph Catley x singer reader)

Steph and reader started dating before both got famous. Let‘s get a sneak peak on a few parts of their story.

2015:

Steph stepped onto the pitch as a Melbourne Victory player for the last time. It was already decided that her next loan step would be Melbourne City. Her eyes scanned the stands before landing on her girlfriend of four years Y/n. She smiled and waved at Steph with a bright smile and Steph waved back. Both of them decided to go out tonight, no matter the outcome of the game just enjoying eachothers presence.

Later that night both Steph and Y/n sat in their booth at their favourite pub enjoying a cold beer with some fries and the jukebox playing softly their song in the background.

Later after their dinner together Y/n took Stephs hand and they walked to Y/n‘s truck. Charmingly Y/n opened Steph the door on the passenger site and let her get in.

Y/n started the truck and drove to the hill where she and Steph kissed for the first time.

After she parked the truck she grabbed the Maglite in the back of the truck taking Steph to an old oaktree cuddling up with her favourite defender.

Steph relaxed into your arms with a content sigh playing with Y/n‘s fingers knowing her scedule will become more hectic once the season starts.

She had no clue how right she was. Sure they lived together but their time alone became sacred.

They got into a routine and Steph felt, that was something that was bothering her girlfriend.

2020

The defender woke up alone in bed and your side of the bed was cold. With a sigh she stood up brushing the wrinkles out of your shirt she usually slept in. Steph usually slept in one of your shirts because they were more comfortable than her own and they smelled like you. She found you in the kitchen drinking tea: ”What are you doing up Baby?“ Surprised Y/n looked up: ”I could ask you the same dear. You need rest after your tough game yesterday.“ Steph stepped between your legs, wrapping her arms around your neck: ”I know but I usually sleep better when you‘re with me.“ You wrapped your arms around Steph‘s waist: „Sorry Love, I couldn‘t sleep properly so I thought getting up would be better than to wake you up.“ The moonlight shone through your kitchen window and danced across Stephs face. You couldn’t help yourself and kissed your girlfriend lovingly, she looked so beautiful in just your shirt, hair up and face void of makeup. It wasn‘t always easy dating a professional footballer who was on the move to England and with your own career kicking off but you knew deep down, that your love was worth everything.

A cold beer's got twelve ounces

A good truck's got maybe three hundred thousand

You only get so much until it's gone

Duracells in a Maglite

A needle drop on a forty-five

Are the kinda things that only last so long

When the new wears off and they get to getting old

Sooner or later, time's gonna take its toll

They say nothing lasts forever

But they ain't seen us together

Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes

Just a t-shirt in the kitchen

With no make-up and a million

Other things that I could look at my whole life

A love like that makes a man have second thoughts

Maybe some things last forever after all

2023

You and Steph did a year of long distance but with close to 17.000km distance you decided to follow your girlfriend to England. Of course you were scared that Steph would not be happy to have you close again but with the help of Caitlin you decided to bite the bullet and hop on the plane.

You usually lived ob the outskirts of town so the bustling city of London kinda came as a cultural shock. You felt out of place but Caitlin‘s sure hand helped you relax. You were aware that Stephs ex was also in London and both met up regularly. A part of you was bothered by it, knowing how close they both still are but the other, bigger, part of yourself trusted Steph with your life and knew she would never cheat on you. They were still friends after their love fizzled out.

Caitlin drove you to the training facilities and you followed her inside. She guided you to the field where the rest of the Arsenal girls were practicing.

Katie McCabe looked up when she saw her girlfried return with another girl by her side and hollered playfully: ”Oi babe, you cheating on me?“ Caitlin snorted next to you before yelling back: ”Yep, you caught me with my missus.“ Katie laughed and the other girls came closer. Last one coming closer was Steph and when she realized it was you, she dropped her bottle surprised: ”Baby!“ Nervously you scratched your neck and smiled sheepishly: ”Hi…“ Steph stepped closer placing her hands on your cheeks: ”What are you doing here?“ You placed your hands on Stephs hips: ”Surprise?“ und smiled nervously. Steph kissed you infront of her team and you happily kissed her back, picking her up and twirling her around.

Kim cleared her troat: ”Want to introduce us Steph?“ Steph smiled brightly at her teammates: ”This is Y/n, my girlfriend of 12 years.“

Leah and Alessia put 2 and 2 together figuring out who you were: ”Wait, Y/n as in Y/n Y/l/n the country singer?“ Blushing slightly you nodded: ”In the flesh.“ Alessia squealed: ”Oh my god, we‘re such huge fans!“

Later that evening Steph posted a photo of the two of you curled up on her couch with the simple caption: ‚My love is finally home ❤️‘ and tagged you in it. You weren’t sure if it was a hard launch or a soft launch bit you didn’t exactly care either.

FM station on the outskirts

Blue jeans after years of shift work

All fading out like I always knew they would

The strings on this guitar

The first love lost on a young heart

Those things are gonna break after the getting's good

'Cause the new wears off and they get to getting old

Yeah, sooner or later, time's gonna take its toll

They say nothing lasts forever

But they ain't seen us together

Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes

Just a t-shirt in the kitchen

With no make-up and a million

Other things that I could look at my whole life

A love like that makes a man have second thoughts

Maybe some things last forever after all

They say nothing lasts forever

But they ain't seen us together

Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes

You settled in nicely in London living with Steph again getting back into spending your time between the studio, writing songs, planning a proposal and spending time with Steph.

Your chance for the proposal came, when you had a huge gig at the O2 Arena in London. Steph and the girls interested got VIP tickets on your insistence and enjoyed their night and the sold out Arena.

You picked up your old guitar, the one that Steph got you for your one year anniversary, and smiled into the crowd: ”Well London, how are you guys doing? Enjoying yourself tonight?“ The crowd cheered loudly and you laughed happily: ”Well, I‘m so happy we’re on the same page here. I got a little surprise for you. You guys know I‘m not a fan of phones during concerts but for this I‘m willing to make an exception. Most of you know I‘m happily taken and very much in love with my girlfriend Stephanie and she is here tonight with some of her friends.“ The crowd cheered for Steph who blushed prettily and you turned to your security: „Guys, can you please help her up her?“ while the staff brought out a chair. As instructed they helped Steph onto the stage and she looked mildly nervous but intrigued what you were up to.

With a smile you took her hand and led her to the chair placed infront of the stool you would sit on. You pressed a tender kiss onto her lips under the roudy cheers of the crowd. Laughing you pulled back: ”Okay, okay, sorry I couldn’t resist. I mean can you blame me? Look at my Missus…“ Steph swatted you playfully: „Thin ice buddy.“ You gave her a crooked smile: „I know but I enjoy living on the edge.“ Steph shakes her head laughing and you decided to get back on track: ”But let me be real now… Baby, we‘ve been together for 12 years now. I watched you thrive on and off the field and I‘m so extremely proud of you. Watching you kick ass at the worldcup in the summer leading your team to such hights I couldn’t help but fall more in love with you every second of every day. We had our ups and downs but we always managed to get through and end up back on top. You‘re my everything Steph and I want to spend my forever with you. The next song kinda puts our relationship to paper and I‘m extremely proud that I wrote this song completely my myself. This is Forever After All.“

When the song finished you took the guitar off and got on one knee infront of Steph: ”I don’t want to do life without you Steph. You made sure I started to believe in a forever kind of love again so I want to ask you something really important: Stephanie-Elise Catly would you do me the honour to become my wife? Will you marry little old me?“

Stephs eyes were brimming with tears: „Fuck yes!“ The laugh that bubbled in your throat was a laughter of facilitation and you took the ring out of the box and put it on her finger. You shared a sweet kiss while you saw the flahes from the cameras: ”Make sure to send me those pictures aye?“ You looked over: ”For the last song I want the Arsenal girls here with us! This is The Angel“

A little look in the future

You were sitting at Stephs hospital bed, holding her hand where her weddingbamd glimmered in the sun. She was weak and you felt it won‘t be long until the Lord called her home first. Deep down you knew that you would soon follow your wife. A lone tear ran down your cheek and you pressed a kiss to the back of her hand: ”Rest love. I know you‘re in pain, just sleep I will be right here. With one last deep breath you knew he took Steph home. Your kids cried out but you smiled despite the tears: ”Kids, look at your mother… she is at peace now and will watch over you guys from above.“ Just as you said that, the sun seemd to get stronger and warmed all your faces and hearts "See, she shows us, that she‘s home. That she‘s fine“

Just a few weeks later, after you made sure that there was nothing to worry about your kids anymore you followed your wife home.

As you arrived you saw your parents laughing with a younger, healthier Steph. You looked down on yorself. The wrinkles were gone and you looked just as young as Steph. With a last look back you heard the voice of your son ”Tell mom hi. We love you so much.“

Your parents pulled you in a hug after all these years apart ”We‘re so proud of you dear. You got a good one there.“ With a bright smile you nodded ”I know. She‘s my Forever After All“

Steph stepped up to you ”Hi Baby. Welcome home, I missed you“ and with that you did what you always did when you still could: Picked the Love of your Forever up, twirled her around and kissed her with all the love you felt.

And I know there'll be that moment

The good Lord calls one of us home and

One won't have the other by their side

But heaven knows that that won't last too long

Maybe some things last forever after all

After all

[atinystraynstay]

Angel Season - Jeong Yunho

Synopsis: Yunho first noticed you when you moved into the building. He was attracted not just by your physical beauty but the way your smile outshined the sun. He has spent the past year making little conversation, trying to be a good neighbor. However, he refused to go into the new year without making a move.

Pairing: neighbor!Jeong Yunho x reader

Genre: strangers to lovers, next door neighbors/cute boy next door, angst - heartache, jealousy

Contains: mentions alcohol consumption

Word Count: 8.9k

December 30, 2022

"Miss, what floor are you on?" "Third floor, apartment 3A," you called out.

The mover nodded his head before whistling for the other. "3A boys!"

One was lifting your bed out of the back of the moving truck, another person still in the truck for support. You stood on the curb of the sidewalk, watching. You were able to help with the smaller boxes, the ones filled with either trinkets or kitchen items. But for the longer furniture, you were more than happy to let the professionals handle it.

As people were carrying things into your new home, you took a moment to look around your surroundings. You've always been attracted to city living. For some people, you knew that they could get overwhelmed by the high-rises and busy streets. That was what attracted you to living here. You liked the idea that you could go about your day without being noticed, being able to blend into the crowds. Yet, you liked the endless possibilities of making this city whatever you want it to be.

Despite the rainy, chilly weather, there was no place you'd rather be.

Seeing as all your furniture had been taken out of the moving truck, you decided to lend a hand now. The faster the movers could drop off your stuff, the sooner you could start unpacking and decorating.

You stepped Ito the truck, going to retrieve one of the boxes you knew you could manage. "Do you need some help there?"

Caught off guard, you jumped at the sound of the new voice. You turned around to see who was talking to you. Much to your surprise, you were greeted by a tall, young man. He couldn't have been older than you.

Wow, he's absolutely stunning.

He wore a gentle smile, feeling a bit bad for giving you a scare. He stood with his hands in his pockets as he stood at the bottom of the truck. You felt a bit guilty at first contemplating taking up his offer. What if he had somewhere to be? What if he was just trying to be nice? However, you came to your senses because he wouldn't have offered if he was serious, right?

"If you don't mind!"

The young man nodded his hand, extending his arms out to take the box from you. You grinned at the gesture, quickly grabbing the box for him. "You have no idea how much this means to me. Lucky for you, the movers got all the heavy stuff, so we just have a few more boxes," you laughed. You quickly grabbed a box for yourself before joining him out of the truck and on the ground. "Hey, I am pretty strong," he said, pretending to be offended. "By the way, my name is Yunho." "I'm y/n. I should've asked before leading you up to my apartment."

You both shared a laugh. Carrying one of the boxes, you took the lead in showing the man to your new apartment. Your mother always told you not to talk to strangers, but there was no way you'd let this handsome stranger just walk past you. Not when he approached you first. "Wait, you're moving here?" He asked, shocked. "Oh no. Please don't tell me there is something wrong with the apartment," you whined. He quickly shook his head, wanting to ease any worries or concerns you may have. Yunho never thought that offering assistance, trying to be a good person would lead him to probably the best thing to happen to him all year.

Yunho was out on his usual routine on a Saturday morning. He went out for his usual coffee and bagel after running errands. It was a little reward for him for getting out of bed rather than staying in. The bigger reward was running into you. "No, I actually live here," he chuckled softly. Yunho was glad that you were in front of him, back turned as you guided him up the steps to your new unit. Because if you turned around, you would see him with the widest grin on his face. He was like a little boy on Christmas morning who opened up the one present he has been asking for all year. "Small world!" You giggled. "What unit are you?" "3B, what about you?" "Well hi neighbor," you teased. "I'm moving into 3A."

Correction, this was now the best present he could have received.

Valentine's Day - February 2023

Over the past month or so, Yunho and you have passed by each other. Sometimes it is when you are entering the building and he's leaving, which he'll open the door for you. Or sometimes it is when you are both returning after a night out.

He was starting to pick up on things that consisted in your daily life. For example, he knew that you liked a fresh bouquet of flowers for your apartment every 2 or 3 weeks. You always had one bad of groceries, presumably buying just for the week. Friday nights always included a bottle of red wine.

All of his friends were aware of the girl next door. They often tried to catch a glimpse of you when they were over to visit. Yunho certainly has developed a crush on the girl next door. How couldn't he? You radiated brighter than the lights atop the Empire State Building.

Tonight was Valentine's Day. Both of your respective jobs kept you out of the apartment most nights. You two had exchanged numbers, for the sake of knowing someone else in the building and for emergencies. Yunho hadn't brought himself to text you outside of those conditions as he was afraid of giving the wrong impression. He didn't even crack under the relentless teasing of his friends on his failure to make a move after a month and a half of knowing you.

He felt a stronger urge to text you today. Did she have a date for Valentine's Day? Did she even want one? Was she even single?

Yunho was on the unlucky side of not having a date for the evening. His work had consumed the better part of days, so he hadn't put much of his energy towards dating. He often came home, reheated dinner if he hadn't ordered takeout, and slept before doing it all again the next day.

Trudging up the steps, he was contemplating if tonight would be the night he finally texts you. However, he knew texting you was pointless. Not when you were practically standing in front of him.

His eyes widened, taking you in. You wore a black peacoat with the red dress you were wearing peaking out underneath. Silver heels were hugging your feet. He has never seen your hair done in curls, but it was becoming one of his favorite looks on you. You wore red lipstick to go with the dress. The one accessory he wasn't pleased to see was your hands gripping the plastic loops of a white takeout bag. Oh no, she did have a date tonight. Fuck, I missed my opportunity.

Seeing movement from your peripheral, you turned your head over. The light frown on your lips was soon replaced with a gentle smile. Yunho always brought joy into your life, even if the interactions were minimal. "Hi Yunho," you spoke, your voice softer than usual. It didn't carry its usual tone of happiness. He could tell that there was something wrong. He felt the urge to take care of anything that might be troubling you, but he didn't want to overstep his bounds. "Hey y/n. I'm surprised you're not out tonight. No suitors catch your attention?" You smiled wider at his compliment. Yunho always knew how to make you feel special. Any girl would be lucky to have him as their boyfriend. "Unfortunately no. I, uh, got stood up, so ended up picking up Chinese from the place around the corner on my way back." This time, Yunho frowned. You got stood up? How could anyone do that to anyone, but especially how could anyone do that to you? You were literal treasure in Yunho's eyes. He felt saddened for you, but angry at whoever made you upset.t

"Oh, y/n. I'm sorry to hear that. Are you ok? Is there anything I can do?" "You're too sweet. No, I'll be okay. I think I just want to be alone, if that's ok?"

Of course, whatever you felt like you needed. He nodded his head, offering a gentle smile. "I'll see you around?" He asked. You smiled back, a bit wider. Seeing Yunho was the favorite part of your day.

The two of you entered your respective apartments. Once the door was shut to his, he let out a soft sigh. He slipped off his winter jacket, hanging it by the door before slipping off his shoes. He trudged himself over further into his apartment, turning on the floor lamp in the living room. He claimed his seat on the couch before looking out the windows into the city.

His earlier dilemma seemed to resolve himself. Sitting up slightly, he pulled his phone out of his pocket. His fingers made quick work at typing a text. A very important text to you.

"He's a loser, y/n. You deserve the whole world and I know there's someone out there ready to give it to you 🙂"

He set his phone on the arm of the chair. He wasn't sure if you would respond, or even read his text tonight. It tore him up inside knowing some jerk made you upset. He also felt some responsibility. Maybe if he had gotten the courage to confess to you, he could have saved you from the disappointment? I mean, he couldn't even dream of letting you down by any means.

Yunho was surprised to feel the vibration of his phone. He never acted so quickly to pick something up before. "You're the sweetest in the whole world. Thanks Yunho 🩷 to hell with him I guess"

He chuckled at your words before trying a response back. "To hell with him. You are an angel, don't settle for less."

Little did he know how wide you were smiling next door. You were at your kitchen countertop. The tears of frustration quickly forgotten the moment Yunho texted you. It was as if he answered your silent prayer.

April 2023

It was a rainy day in the city. Spring was in full swing, the green buds on the trees in the neighborhood beginning to peanut. People all around the city were beginning to put plants out on their balconies. You always loved rainy days. They always soothed your soul, loving to just curl up and watch rain run down the window.

"I can't believe they cancelled the game," Yunho sighed from outside the hallway. You've learned that he can be loud when he's excited or frustrated. This seems like it is the latter.

There were no other voices on the side of the door. He was probably on the phone. Maybe with Yeosang? You've met his friends here and there as they float in and out of his apartment. There were all friendly towards you. It was just a bigger testament to who Yunho is as a person.

You didn't hear much of the conversation before the door closed. Maybe this was your chance. You planned on having a lazy day anyways. Maybe read a book, watch a movie, but you know that it is always better with company.

Taking your phone from beside you, you unlocked it with ease. Your fingers eagerly typing a text message to the boy next door. Your speed of texting matched the butterflies fluttering in your stomach.

"Hey neighbor! Think I just heard you get home, wanna come over to watch a movie?"

Your heart was pounding both with excitement and anxiety. You weren't typically the person to make the first move. Since moving in, you were very grateful for your friendship with Yunho. He's treated you with nothing but kindness, really setting a standard on how your guy friends and even dates should be treating you.

At night, your mind often got curious about the topic. What would it be like to be with Yunho? Not once have you seen a woman enter his apartment. He never even mentioned going on dates. There potential was there, but you just weren't sure if he was just being a good friend, an exceptional neighbor, or if he was into you.

"Wow perfect timing, angel" You grinned seeing his nickname for you. "Plans got cancelled, so I'll be over in 5? I'll bring the popcorn!"

Springing up from the couch, you rushed over to your bathroom. You were wearing a pair of shorts and an oversized t-shirt. You were unsatisfied with your hair though. It was curled in a messy bun on the top of your head. You quickly pulled at the scrunchie, releasing your hair so it fell down to your shoulders. You began brushing it out. You didn't have much time.

This could solve every answer you've had over the past few weeks. This could easily just be two friends hanging out. What if it turned into something more?

Y/n, chill. You took a deep breath, trying to ease your racing mind. You didn't like building up expectations. While you would like it if Yunho made a move or gave some indicator he is attracted to you, you didn't want to set yourself up for disappointment.

Knock knock knock.

Here goes nothing. You took a deep breath in the reflection of your bathroom mirror. It is just two friends hanging out.

You turned off your bathroom light before attending to the front door of your apartment. Your heart beat matched the pace you were walking, trying your hardest not to be too fast. You were conscious maybe he would hear you racing to the door, even thought you were eager to have him over.

Opening the door, you smiled wide to be greeted by Yunho. He was standing on the other side, holding a bowl of freshly popped popcorn. The hallway beginning to smell of the delicious food. "Sorry, it took me so long! I just wanted to make sure I got the popcorn ready."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun was hidden behind grey clouds, providing little light throughout your apartment. You insisted on lighting a few candles, to create a warm feel to your home compared to the cold weather outside. It also helped create a bit of a romantic ambiance to the afternoon.

You two were sat pretty close together on your three-seat grey couch. An emerald blanket was spread across your laps with the bowl of popcorn in between.

After hearing that you have not seen a single Spiderman movie, Yunho was determined to show you all the movies. Or at least the big 3 - Maguire, Garfield, and Holland. He tried insisting the two of you didn't have to watch all three movies today, but you had no other plans. You would be more than happy to spend the afternoon like this with Yunho.

Throughout the movie, you guys would balance light conversation and watching the movie. When you were focused on the film, Yunho would glance at you to see your reaction. He adored Spiderman, so seeing if you liked one of his favorite things captured his attention. He also would focus on how you smiled at certain parts of the film, particular the scenes between Peter Parker and Mary Jane.

When you weren't focusing on the film, you two would talk more. Sure, you've made light conversation when passing, and a bit more meaningful over text, but this was the perfect time to get to know each other. Yunho wanted to know about your dreams, your passions, your dislikes. He wanted to know all the little things that made you who you are.

It was about 5:18pm when you guys started the the first movie with Andrew Garfield. You felt your eyes getting a bit heavy. Yunho took notice, moving the bowl of popcorn out of the way for you. Noticing, you smiled appreciatively to him. He always had your best interests at heart.

Your eyes grew heavy, body sinking more into the couch. Before either of you knew it, your head fell on his shoulder. Without the bowl of popcorn in the way, your body curled into his. Yunho's eyes were wide and heart nearly stopped before speeding up.

Glancing down at you, your chest was resting against his shoulder. You looked adorable. Your eyelashes were resting against your cheeks, lips slightly parted. Your hands were grazing the side of his body. There was no chance of him going anywhere now. Not that he would want to.

Very slowly, cautious as to not wake you up, his arm draped over you. He sunk slightly into the couch before resting his head on yours. Sleep began taking over his body. He was content.

May 2023

"What do you mean you're leaving?" You frowned.

Yunho suggested that the two of you hung out weekly. It started off with going to local bars to vent about the woes of work and life. Those quickly changed into dinner out, to get a change of scenery and explore the neighborhood. Tonight, Yunho suggested dinner at his place. You weren't sure why at first, but obviously excited to spend quality time with your best friend. But now you get why he opted for staying in.

"I'm not leaving forever," Yunho reassured. "I'm just going to Korea for a little bit. It's been a while since I visited my family, and I can finally afford a ticket after my promotion."

Of course, you knew that family was important. If you got the opportunity to visit your family more often, you'd easily say yes. You couldn't help though but feel a bit selfish in wanting Yunho to stay.

"How long am I going to be without seeing you around?" "3 months," he said sheepishly.

Dramatically, you let out a whine and threw your head back. Yunho couldn't help but chuckle at your antics. It made his heart swell seeing as that you were going to miss him.

He moved his hand over to place it gently on yours. The light touch, even though it was feather like, felt like electric shocks throughout your body. You always craved his touch. Ever since that day last month when you woke up to his arms wrapped around you on his couch.

"Angel, it'll go by quick, I promise." "Can you also promise me something?" "Anything." "Promise that you won't have a realization while you're away that you actually want to stay in Korea? Because the thought of you moving and actually having to say goodbye will kill me."

He chuckled again, a wide smile on his lips. "I promise."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turns out that all of Yunho's friends were traveling with him to Korea. All of the boys have apparently been speaking about it for months, but the idea was finally leaving the group chat.

Even though you wanted to accompany all the boys to the airport to see them off, you knew that it would be too painful. Even if he was going to be gone for 3 months, it felt like a part of you was leaving as well. At least with saying goodbye at the apartment, you could hurry back to your place and shed tears if you want to.

Going down the steps of the apartment building, you two headed out the front door. Yunho had called an Uber to take him to the airport, not wanting to pay the overnight prices for parking at the airport especially with how long he was going to be.

It felt very reminiscent to the day you two met. You even tried to offer carrying one of Yunho's bags, but he refused to let you help. You rolled your eyes at him. The least you could do was get in front of him to open the front door rather than watch him struggle to do it with a rolling suitcase, a duffle bag, and his backpack. "Thank you, angel," he chuckled. He could sense you were a bit annoyed for not being able to help. He loved the way your nose scrunched up like a bunny when you were annoyed.

He walked towards the edge of the sidewalk, on the lookout for the vehicle. You stood back slightly, smiling up at him. You were trying your best not to let your sadness ruin the moment. He has been excited about traveling home since he bought the ticket. Yunho described all his favorite places in Seoul, all the things he missed.

"You better still talk to me while you're in Seoul," you said teasingly.

With his bags on the concrete, he turned towards you. He wore that wide smile of his, that wide smile that caused your knees to get week. He opened his arms, inviting you into them. No way were you going to object.

Walking into his arms, he wrapped them around you. He pulled you in close to him by your waist. His lips pressed against your forehead, causing your eyes to flutter shut at the sensation. How am I going to survive 3 months without him?

"I'll talk to you as much as I can, take all the photos I can," he promised.

Satisfied with that answer, you nodded your head. Your arms had found a place around his torso, holding yourself go. Maybe if you held onto each other long enough, he would want to stay. If only.

You felt two taps on your lower back. Raising an eyebrow, you pulled back to lookout Yunho. He was already looking at you. It was as if time froze. He towered over you, but his face was so close to you. His eyes never leaving yours. You could melt into a puddle due to his gaze.

Keeping one hand around you, his other hand moved to cup your face. He tilted your head slightly to the side. His fingertips rested against your cheek. The whole time, he wore a smile on his lips. Regardless of what he had up his sleeves, you put your whole trust in him. You never doubted his intentions with you.

A shiver ran down your spine feeling the padding of his thumb run across your lower lip. Was this actually happening? He glanced at your lips before looking into your eyes. Yunho was looking for any hesitation from you, any sign that he should stop before getting to ahead of himself. Yet, you never looked away.

"Wait for me?"

You couldn't bring yourself to speak. You were frozen in place. Your mind had become fuzzy, all the sounds of the busy city around you faded. All that mattered was the man standing in front of you, the man who seemed to be saying everything you've been yearning to hear since you two met. Was this actually happening? Somehow, you got yourself to nod.

Yunho smiled wider before letting his desires take over. Not wanting to waste anymore time, he pressed his lips against yours.

HONK!

The kiss was rudely short after hearing the sound of a car horn. You two pulled away, both confused and upset at the interruption. Yunho looked over his shoulders before gasping softly. There was his Uber to whisk him away from you. "Shit," he sighed.

Looking back at you, he smiled apologetically. You smiled back before leaning up on his tiptoes. Sensing that Yunho was actually going to leave, the Uber driver got out of the car to grab Yunho's suitcases and place them in the trunk. Just enough time to do one last thing.

"Don't worry. I'll save all the kisses for you, I promise to wait for you."

You leaned up to press one last lingering kiss on his lips. One last kiss for now at least.

June 2023

Since Yunho left, you got pretty good at figuring out timezone differences.

You didn't want to interfere with Yunho's daily life. You were sure that he has plans to visit family, local places he hasn't been able to go to in years, and make meaningful memories with his best friends and loved ones. Yet, Yunho was insistent he will make time for you.

Every Wednesday night and Sunday morning, you two would FaceTime. Thank God for modern technology. "I wish you could be here," Yunho admitted one night.

You frowned and nodded. Ever since Yunho left, he was all you think about. You tried getting yourself involved more in your work, but it as summer. Work was a bit slow. You had friends in the city who tried to help you out of your conundrum, taking you out on the weekends. But you still thought about him, wanting to experience summer in the city with him.

It made you sick to your stomach when you saw couples in the park. You often thought about the kiss you two shared on the morning he left. You wondered where you guys would be, romantically, if he had stayed. You could easily envision dates in the park, nights out with friends, and everything in between. You were anxiously waiting for his return to know where things could go. "Y/n?"

You blinked a couple of times as he called out to you. A soft blush coated your cheeks, coming to realize you haven't spoken in a few minutes. "Sorry, Yunho. Just thinking about what it would be like when you get back here," you explained.

He seemed to smile at your response. It was good to know you missed him as much as he missed you. Though, if it was a competition, he could say that he missed you more. "Oh angel, I know. Just two more months, right?"

All you could do is nod, trying your best to smile along with him. He looked good, even with the low quality of FaceTime with a poor wifi connection. He glowed from being out in the sun, probably glowing also with happiness by being back at home. "I know what will make us feel better," he suddenly announced. You perked up with curiosity. Yunho always had some trick up his sleeve. That was what you loved about him. He always kept you on your toes, never settling for a routine. "Go check the front door."

"You better not be pulling a prank on me, Jeong Yunho!" "After you called me by my full name? Absolutely not."

You rolled your eyes playfully before pushing yourself away from the desk in your bedroom. Yunho watched with amusement as you disappeared from the frame. Following his request, you made your way to the front door of your apartment. What did he do?

There was no knock at the door to indicate someone was there. However, you trusted Yunho. You slowly opened the door, confirming there was nobody standing behind there. Instead, there was a bouquet of flowers on your doormat. You gasped softly to see it wa a rather large bouquet, much larger than the ones you pick up from Trader Joe's.

You bent over to take the glass vase into two hands. There was a yellow bow wrapped around it. You also noticed that there was a card sticking in between the flowers. With one arm securing the vase, you flipped the card over.

"Happy birthday, my angel. Hopefully these make up for me being away."

Your heart fluttered at the sentiment. How did you get so fortunate? Wanting to hurry back to Yunho, you returned to the inside of your apartment. Both of your hands held the vase, so you closed the door with your foot. You began to make your way back to your bedroom where he awaited for you.

"Yunho, I love-" but you froze. Instead of his face on the monitor, you were met with your laptop background. You frowned a bit, assuming that maybe the connection got disrupted.

He'll call you back. He always did when this happened.

For now, you walked over to your windowsill. You placed the vase there, so it could get the necessary sunlight. He knew just the ways to make you smile, even when he is thousands of miles away. You pulled your phone out to snap a photo of it, with the card showing.

August 2023

The conversations between you and Yunho began to become less frequent. It chipped away at your heart when you would go days, sometime a week without hearing from him. Yet, his friends reassured you that he was having a great time back at home.

All of Yunho's friends easily became yours, despite them being on the other side of the world. You then decided to throw a welcome back party for all the boys. You had your own friends enlisted to help with decorations - there were balloons, streamers, and even a cake. You were excited to have some of your favorite people back. But not more excited than you were to have Yunho back.

It was 7:40pm when the boys began to come to the party. Seonghwa and Hongjoong were the first to arrive. Your friends started to trickle in one at a time. After a whole summer without Yunho, you wanted to have a room full of positive energy. San, Yeosang, and Wooyoung arrived next. Then quickly came Jongho.

Each time the door opened, you looked over, hoping to see the man of the hour. Yet, you felt your smile flatten when it wasn't Yunho.

Your friends all giggled at your reactions. They were quick to reassure you that he was on his way. While Yunho's friends all were quick to take your mind off of Yunho's absence.

Mingi was the second to last person to arrive. Mingi was the first person in the friend group to meet. He's known Yunho the longest, so meeting him felt like you were meeting the president. While you and Yunho remained in undefined territory, you wanted to make a great impression. "Y/n!" "Mingi!"

You two approached each other, wrapping each other in a hug. You laughed as Mingi began rocking you back and forth. He definitely became like a big brother to you, often using your drastic height difference as a great point for laughter. "What's up, short stuff?" "Nothing much, Mingi. How's the weather up there?"

Before he could respond, there was knocking at the door. Your heart skipped a beat. Yunho. Mingi glanced at the door before looking at you. His hands were placed on your forearms, keeping you still rather than running towards the door like you wanted to rush to the door. "Wait, y/n. There's something I need to tell you." "Mingi, come on. Can't it wait?" Your best friend beat you from going to open the door. Your attention on Mingi was lost before you quickly looked over at the door.

You could feel your stomach drop at what was revealed behind the closed front door. There was Yunho. With a girl by his side. Her hand was on his chest which made you physically ill. Yunho was smiling from ear to ear, saying hello to his friends until his eyes landed on you. That's when your smile faded. He looked as if he was about to say something to you but you quickly looked away.

This can't be happening.

"I need to get out of here," you murmured. Getting the hint, Mingi stepped aside, blocking Yunho's view of you. Your eyes looked around your room until you eyed the fire escape by your kitchen window.

With your eyes on the target, you maneuvered yourself through the crowd to the fire escape. The majority of people at the party were in your living room, enjoying the food you laid out and making conversations amongst themselves. You just needed a chance to breathe before returning inside.

You propped open the window, slipping out to climb the steps. You at least climbed until you were out of sight from inside the room. Your eyes were burning slightly, your emotions catching up to you.

"Mingi, where is she?" "Where is who?"

You heard Yunho groan before there was more shuffling of footsteps throughout your apartment. You should have closed the window behind you, but it was too late. You put your hands on your forehead, trying your best to stop crying before the inevitable happened. It didn't take long anyways. "There you are," Yunho sighed. Fuck me for having a tiny apartment. You didn't pick your head up to hear Yunho climb out to join you. "What? You're not going to even look at me?"

Who does he think he is? "You made me promise," you murmured. "Y/n, angel, you gotta at least speak up."

You felt your blood begin to boil now. He doesn't get the right to call you that anymore. Not when he broke your heart. You did pick your head up, your jaw clenched. You stared at him.

He leaned against the iron railing of the fire escape. He looked guilty. He knows what he did. "You made me promise to wait for you. And I held up my end of the bargain." "Angel, I know-" "Don't you dare fucking call me that."

Yunho's eyes opened wide. He has never heard you shout before. Let alone he never thought you would shout at him. He was at a lost for words. "Is that why you stopped our FaceTime calls?"

You watched as he sighed, dropping his head. Your heart dropping and shattering along with him. "Get out." Y/n, please. Let me explain what happened." "I said get out, Yunho!"

Mingi quickly appeared at the sound of you screaming. You didn't even notice that there was a small watch party watching you experience heartbreak from the kitchen. "Come on, mate. Take Ara with you." Yunho glanced between the two of you, even more thrown off as to why Mingi was coming to your defense.

However, Yunho didn't want to make matters worse. He didn't want to further upset you in your own home, but the damage was done. You turned your face to focus on the skyline, not wanting to watch Yunho walk into the art of someone else.

When you noticed Yunho was gone, you groaned loudly before resting your head back in your hands. What were you going to do?

October 2023

You haven't spoken to Yunho in weeks. You constantly had music playing from the speakers in your living room or walked around your apartment with headphones to avoid hearing any and all interactions between Yunho and his girlfriend. You even were contemplating on moving to a new place in the new year, but your financial situation limited you on where you could go.

Since things went radio silent, your conversations with the other boys have also gone quiet. It pained you to lose them as friends, but you couldn't bring yourself to reach out there. Not when Yunho might be brought up.

At the moment, you were reading a book on your couch. You had the music playing in the background as you had connected your iPhone to your wireless speaker, drowning out any noise. At least someone gets a happily every after in the novel. You had a glass of red wine on the coffee table, getting lost in the pages.

You were about to flip the page to your book when the music cut out. Your eyes widened as you feared the worst. No no no. You couldn't afford your phone dying. You were sure you put it on the charger. There was no room for mishaps like this.

However, it wasn't the worst case you imagined. It might have been something worst, definitely unexpected to say the least. You weren't sure how to feel seeing the name flash on your phone screen.

Mingi.

Slowly, you reached over to pick up the phone. You stared at it for the time being. What could he want? Mingi was the last person you thought would reach out to you. Wasn't there a rule under bro code that said not to take your friend's exes, if you could even call yourself that? You weren't sure what you even were to Yunho.

Mingi's name vanished from your phone screen, the music restarting. You let out a sigh, about to sink into your couch to ease your racing heart when he started calling again.

It had to be serious if he was calling you twice. Hesitantly, your thumb hit the green accept button. You held the phone up to your ear.

"Hello? Mingi?" "Long time since I've heard from you," he said cheerfully. "Mind coming to open the door for me?"

What? You glanced the door before standing up. You walked over to the door slowly. Once you were at the peephole of your unit door. There he was, standing as he looked around the hallway with his hand up to his ear, holding the phone.

Slowly, you opened the door and gazed up at Mingi. He noticed the movement and finally looked ahead of him. His smile grew when he saw you for the first time in months. "Hi, y/n," he spoke softly. You could hear his voice from right in front of you and from the speaker. "Hi Mingi. What can I do for you?" You said, unhanging up the phone to address him properly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the first time in weeks, you felt genuinely happy. You arm was linked with Mingi's as he guided you to your apartment unit.

While it's been weeks since contact with him, it felt like you guys were picking up right where you left off. Maybe that is why it was so easy to say yes to Mingi when he asked you out for dinner. There was also a special connection between you and Mingi. From the moment you met, the communication between you two has been strong.

Tonight, you got to explore that on a deeper level. Mingi waited patiently in your living room as you got ready. He took you to a restaurant around the corner, which was a bit more upscale than what you were anticipating. You put on a black body con dress, wearing a light leather jacket to go with it.

Mingi looked at you as if you were made our of the stars. You looked enchanting. And since the fallout, you felt just as amazing.

Being the absolute gentleman he is, Mingi walked you to your front door not just of your apartment building but to your unit. Part of you was contemplating about inviting him inside for a nigh cap, but you really appreciated where things were between the two of you. It felt like Mingi just walked back into your life, and you didn't want to risk losing him again. "Mingi, I cannot thank you enough for this evening," you smiled.

He looked over at you as he led you up the staircase. "It really was long overdue, sweet girl. I've been meaning to do this for a while, but I didn't want to overstep," he confessed. You felt your cheeks get hot at his confessional, looking down as you watched your feet move up the steps. Mingi laughed lightly in response, leaning over to kiss your cheek.

You two soon arrived at your front door. Biting your lip gently, you stood in front of him yet you couldn't bring yourself to detach yourself from him. And deep down, Mingi didn't want you to eat go either.

"So, I gotta ask," you began. "What was this? I mean, was this two friends getting reacquainted with each other or..?" "Or something more?"

Mingi wrapped one arm around you, pulling you in closer. You blushed even harder, a hand going to rest on his chest. Your heart was pounding even after. You were convinced that Mingi could feel it. He opened his mouth to speak but froze when he saw movement behind you. You raised an eyebrow and dared to look over your shoulder, wanting to see what stole your date's attention.

You felt your throat suddenly get dry.

There was Yunho. He was holding a bag of groceries, standing at the top of the steps that led to your respective units. He was staring at the two of you, eyes flickering back and forth. There was no way he just caught his best friend and his old crush together? It was the way you were dressed up for Mingi that rubbed Yunho the wrong way. Was this a date?

Mingi didn't say anything to Yunho. He quickly looked back down at you, offering a gentle smile. His hand on your lower back moved to your hip, squeezing it reassuringly. "How about I'll give you a call when I get home?" He whispered.

You simply nodded. You weren't sure how to even respond. Mingi kept a smile, an attempt to ease your worries. He murmured a goodnight before kissing your cheek lingeringly. Your fingertips grazed his body as he maneuvered around you to head home.

You turned around, to watch him leave. There was no Yunho. Did you imagine the whole thing? You stood there for a moment, trying to wrap your mind around what happened.

Yunho, on the other hand, was in his apartment. He stood with his back against the closed front door, staring ahead of himself. He too was trying to wrap his mind around what he just witnessed.

November 2023

The sound of a door slamming caused you to jolt. It shook your walls a bit. "What the hell?" You murmured. You heard the sound of another door, maybe the same, opening again, realizing it was coming from next door. Yunho.

"You haven't even told me you love me in the past 5 months that we've been dating," Ara screamed.

You shouldn't be eavesdropping, you know you really shouldn't. However, the events unfolding peaked your interest. With having blocked out Yunho pretty much from your life, you had no updates on the relationship or anything about him.

"Maybe because I don't! Have you ever thought about that? That maybe I've been trying to find ways to love you or get myself to love you but I can't be in love with you?!"

Your jaw fell open. Not the update you were expecting.

"This is because of y/n, isn't it?" Ara voice spoke, but you could tell it was shaky. She was scared of knowing the truth, and secretly, you were too. "Honestly? Yeah." "She's with Mingi now. You're with me, Yunho. Get over her." "I can't. I don't think I ever will because if I can't date you and forget about her, how can I date anyone?"

Before you know it, you heard the sound of the door slamming. This time, you recognized it to be the front door to Yunho's apartment. You were staring up at your ceiling.

Well, this makes things complicated again.

New Years Day - December 31, 2023

Mingi was hosting a New Years Eve party at his place. You were invited, seeing as you and Mingi had rekindled your friendship.

The two of you went on several dates before releasing that there were no feelings between the two of you. You cared deeply for one another, but were more like siblings than anything else. The attention he was giving you on those dates is something that you'll never forget. You were grateful for him helping you get back and your feet. And he was grateful that you passed along his number to your best friend.

"Hey, I'm going to go find Mingi," your best friend announced as you entered the party. "Trying to ensure you'll get your New Years Eve kiss from your new boyfriend?" You teased. She rolled her eyes playfully before giggling. She couldn't even deny herself as she nodded her head, confirming your suspicions. "Are you going to be okay if I go over for a little bit? I know he might show up.."

He. Yunho. Since you overheard their argument last month, you two haven't spoken. He hasn't texted you to meet up, but to be fair, you also haven't texted him. You weren't sure what to make out of the whole situation. While you think you want Yunho back, you remember the pain he caused.

You weren't even sure if him and Ara actually called it quits! The fight sounded ugly. And you knew if you heard those words from your significant other, you would have walked out as well. Yet, people constantly get back together even after the worst of storms. Looking at your best friend, you smiled reassuringly and nodded. "Yeah, I think I'm going to be okay. Just be quick? He can have you at midnight but you're still my date for the evening," you teased.

She laughed and nodded, thanking you and giving you a quick hug before rushing to locate Mingi. You shook your head playfully before going over towards the kitchen island. If there was a chance you were going to encounter Yunho, might as well boost your confidence. Seeing a bottle of white wine, you smiled. Mingi remembered. Bonus points for being a screw top.

"So you switched from red wine to white?"

It was almost as if the universe needed a laugh, a way to really close out your 2023. Setting the bottle down, you turned on your heels to see Yunho behind you. He smiled sheepishly, that smile that made you weak in the knees. For a while, you wanted to slap him for what he had done to you. But even after all this time, you wanted to melt in front of him.

Glancing at the bottle, you shrugged. "I guess I just wanted to try something new."

He was attractive as ever. It wasn't fair that after all this time, he could look at you with that soft gaze and you crumble. You wanted to make him jealous, make him regret not taking a chance on you. However, you were ready to gravel if given the chance.

His eyes remained on you. To him, you radiated brighter than before. It was as if you were made out of stars. You captivated everyone's attention with ease, but he wanted you all to himself. He wanted to make things more concrete, never making you doubt or worry again.

"So um," he said. "Ara and I broke up."

You frowned getting confirm of the news. Of course, this worked out in your benefit, but you still didn't like to hear the news. Any sort of heartache is tough.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Yunho. How have you been holding up?" "A lot better than you'd think," he chuckled. "How are things between you and Mingi? Are you guys dating officially now or?"

Your eyes widened slightly. That's right. Last time he saw you, you were about to kiss his best friend after a spontaneous date. You were a bit surprised to hear that Mingi hadn't mentioned anything to him. All you did was motion over to your left side, where Mingi and your best friend were giggling and kissing each other.

Yunho's jaw dropped. You could see his fists clenched but you quickly reached out to rest your hand on his bicep. He relaxed under your touch, gaze softening. He watched them for a moment before it clicked for him that you were touching him. His cheeks reddened, glancing at you before looking down at his feet. "We never got started. I think we were both going on dates because we were missing something," you explained. "Missing something like what?"

He looked at you surprisingly. Yunho's friends always said he was like a golden retriever, but you've never seen it until now. He looked at you like you were holding the golden key to the treasure chest. Literally, you could provide him with the entrance into your world one and for all.

"Missing you," you confessed. "Oh really? How should we fix that?" "Hey, you two, midnight is still 15 minutes away!"

Smack.

The sound of laughter filled the room as eyes went from you and Yunho to Mingi, who just got smacked upside the head by your best friend. It became painfully apparent where you two were. You were standing by all the alcohol at the party, a high traffic area.

"Wanna get out of here?"

You nodded your head, smiling at Yunho. He smiled back at you before grabbing the red wine, the bottle you genuinely liked. To assist, you grabbed two red solo cups. Mingi couldn't trust anyone or himself with glass. With Yunho's free hand, he grabbed your hand and began leading you out of Mingi's unit to the door to the rooftop.

"After you," Yunho gestured, as he pushed open the door with his shoulder.

You smiled appreciatively as you stepped out onto the ledge. A shiver, both from the chilly air of late December to the excitement of New Year's Day. It was always your favorite time of year. Your eyes moved around as you took in the sights of the city from this vantage point.

Yunho made sure you got to the rooftop safely. Setting down the wine bottle for a second, he grabbed one of the bricks to prop the door slightly, not wanting to get the two of you locked out. But boy, would it create a memory for the two of you. Picking up the bottle again, he rejoined you. "This is absolutely beautiful," you stated.

Watching you, he smiled. You wore a smile on your lips as your eyes, he swore, literally sparkled. He wasn't sure if it was from the decorative lights around the city or your pure excitement, but he liked to believe that he had something to do with it. The wind pushed your hair around, revealing your face. "Yeah, the best view," he whispered.

Slowly, he walked up to you. Noticing you were still holding the two solo cups, he took them for you. You watched, thinking he was going to pour a glass for you for midnight as a cheers.

Instead, he stacked the two cups before putting them down on the top of the wine bottle. Maybe he wanted to open the bottle right up at midnight?

Still full of surprises, Yunho took both of your hands in his instead. His thumbs ran over your knuckles. He took a step close to you, closing in on the space that divided you two.

"I think we've spent too much time apart, don't you think, angel?" That nickname. It stirred mixed emotions from you. The last time you heard that nickname, he was smashing your heart into a million pieces that you didn't think could be put back together. Yet, hearing him call you that was like hearing your favorite song from your childhood. He was the only one that called you that. He was the only one who will ever call you that. "I know I fucked up this year. I fucked up so bad," he began. "And I know we have a long road ahead where you could let me into your life again. I don't want to just be the boy next door anymore. I want to be yours. I want to show you that I can take care of your heart, your wellbeing like I should've done this entire time."

No way this was actually happening.

From instead the apartment and around the neighborhood outside, you heard people begin to count down.

10

9

"I can't go back in time and erase what I did."

8

7

"Y/n, I will do whatever it takes to win your trust back. We can take things are you pace," he vowed

6

5

All you could do was smile at Yunho. He was trying to get all the words out that he could. You could see the panic in his eyes that he might end up saying the wrong thing. He was too adorable

4

3

You took a step into him, dropping your hands so they were at your sides. Still holding his hand. Your fingers slipped in between his, which cut him off from speak. Your heart was racing as you gazed up into his eyes. Both of our faces moving towards each other.

2

You decided to step up on your tiptoes. He smirked lightly, always loving how much shorter you were than him.

1

A chorus of "Happy New Year!" echoed from inside the house. You could hear it from other people who gathered on their rooftops and from the street below. Fireworks went off around you, signaling the start of 2024.

"Happy New Year, Yunho," you whispered. Without wasting anymore time, you tilted your head up to fully press your lips against his. His hands left yours to hold onto your hips, keeping you stable. You weren't the type of person from traditions, but this was one you couldn't pass by.

You always learned from your past and took those life lessons into the new year. And it seemed like Yunho was ready to do the same.

He squeezed your hips affectionately, smiling against your lips. You couldn't fight off the smile on your lips as well. His lips chased after yours slowly, wanting to savor this moment but also to show you through his actions that his words carried weight with them. He wanted you to know everything was genuine.

2024 was a new year, a new chapter for you and Jeong Yunho.

[wejustfit]

Non-exhaustive list as to why Alex leaving Seattle in a letter made zero sense

-The existence of the twins makes zero sense. I know the Grey's Anatomy timeline makes no sense to begin with, but if Alexis and Eli were supposed to be five (six?), that means they would have already been born by the time Alex was being faced with felony charges in s13. You would think the court or the lawyer would have figured out the embryos had been used, and we would have known sooner.

-Alex would not have handled the news nor that situation well. He would not have been able to just go on with his life until he left. When he first heard over the phone, he would have had some extension of a breakdown. He wouldn't have just been able to move on with his life, sleep next to Jo, etc following the news. But in the show? He does.

-He knows damn well he was who Meredith had. Sure she had her sisters, but she needed Alex too. It's not like she was in a thriving relationship at the time either, so I genuinely do not see how he could have left Meredith in the dust without so much as telling her in person.

-Jo was recovering from a depressive episode. She was doing great, their relationship was great. I don't believe Alex could have possibly pulled this stunt on her. He physically couldn't. Imagine this set her back and he wasn't there to know? Alex Karev couldn't do that to her. He wouldn't.

-This isn't truly a win for Izzex shippers. She lied. And if she didn't lie, she withheld a truth. Legally she wasn't entitled to tell him, but morally? We know Isobel Stevens is a morally wrong person, but this? And Alex not only FORGAVE her but proceeded to fall in love with her? That makes no fucking sense. He couldn't forgive her for that.

-Alex has a history working with lawyers/investigators and the like. You really think he doesn't understand co-parenting? I know Alex Karev would have gotten a lawyer involved. Knowing Izzie he should have made sure she can't cut him out of Alexis and Elis life if Izzie and Alex have an argument. Thats what he would have done had the show not been RUSHING to get him off-screen. Granted, I am well aware JC left abruptly.

-His Iowa family. Given, Kansas is closer to Iowa than Washington, thats the only thing. His mother knew Jo, was familiar with Jo. Jo also clearly knew Amber personally. And she had met Jimmy while he was still alive. Izzie didn't meet Helen, or Jimmy, or even Aaron since he came to Seattle after Izzie left. I genuinely believe his mom doesn't know because how can he explain this to her without setting her into an episode or a break.

-Izzie left him in a letter. He wouldn't do that to Jo, Meredith, and Bailey after knowing VIVIDLY how badly it hurt him many years ago.

-Back to how it isn't some screwed win for Izzex. He didn't WANT kids with Izzie. He reiterated time and time again that he WANTED kids with Jo, and they both WANTED kids together. He didn't want kids with Izzie—if he did he would have.

-He addressed Jo's letter to "Jo Karev". KAREV. You cannot sit here and tell me he did that and it didn't completely gut him.

-"Our bed". He would never fucking say that. The our bed line? May have been the most painful part of his letter to Meredith. He wouldn't say that, he just wouldn't. And I can say that on good authority because he was my favorite character for sixteen fucking seasons. Yes, even season 1.

-How could he just pack up his life and move to "middle of nowhere, Kansas" without knowing enough about Alexis and Eli. What if they had a health condition? What men had been in their lives? What women? How did Izzie plan on raising them? Are they religious? Private or public school? Has anything bad ever happened to them? Was she ever going to tell him?

-Alex Karev is known for being a little cynical. You are really telling me he handled the news of having KIDS he didn't know about positively?

-The handwriting in those letters is not fucking his handwriting. We saw his handwriting in season 5/6 when he wrote the cards for Iz after her brain surgery. The handwriting (rushed or not) lines up ZERO with the handwriting in the three letters.

-He isn't in love with Izzie, it's stockholm syndrome.

-"I tell the truth, it's the one thing I've got going for me", where the fuck did that go? You lied to Jo for DAYS before you left, aswell as Meredith, Bailey, and everyone else

-His character development was beautiful. Hate on him all you want, but he was a good guy. The last thing he did? Cheat on his wife and lie to his best friends.

-The letter insinuates that he slept with Izzie or at least in the same bed WHILE jo was still at home in Seattle wearing her rings, being fucking married to him. Thats cheating

-The letter passes the message that he cheated/is actively cheating on Jo. How UNREALISTIC is that.

- He left part of him in Seattle 1000% percent. Some things don't fade with distance and I can't imagine he's perfectly okay in Kansas. I think this ending of his was the worst thing he's endured. He deserved a happy ending and did not get that if you think about the logistics.

[ilguna]

☼ responsibilities (Johanna Mason) ☼

summary; as a peacekeeper, it's your job to keep your head down and do what you're told. you never thought you'd find yourself caught up with a victor, and the issues they face with the capitol.

warnings; swearing, mention of death, murder and prostitution, a ll bit of assault, betrayal.

wc; 4.9k

--

When you originally signed up to join the Peacekeeper Program based in District Two, you were under the impression you’d be permanently stationed here. Especially since the base commander himself told you that you wouldn’t be relocated unless absolutely necessary—like if there was an emergency in another district. Even then, it would be temporary.

You’d be under a minimum of a five-year contract, with the program extending as needed based on your performance and attitude. If you did as you were told and didn’t object to the commands given, you could stay on track. If you began to stir up trouble, then you could find yourself in Peacekeeper custody following the end of your contract to ensure you made it up to them properly. 

It sounded like the perfect deal when it was pitched to you.

It was a guaranteed job for the next five years with a steady income, even if it wasn’t much. You’d be able to support your parents, allowing them to keep the house you grew up in. While also giving your siblings the normal childhood they deserved, since you were able to experience it. 

The only downside you found was how you wouldn’t be allowed to live with your family. You needed to be on-call, at the base at all times on the off chance something were to happen. You’d still be able to see your family regularly, just after you were done with your work for the day.

If you had known that same base commander would initiate a transfer less than a month later, you likely would’ve looked into the dozens of other job options that had been offered to you. The only reason why you had turned them down in the first place was because the Peacekeeper Program could keep you for years at a time, the others were seasonal and on the fritz because of budget cuts. 

You were so desperate for a steady job, you’re still upset that the district was able to get you to that point in the first place.

When you tried to argue with the commander about his decision, he justified his actions. First, it was on your contract that you could be moved to a new district that needed you more, and you didn’t have to be notified about it, either. He said he was doing you a favor by giving you a heads-up the week prior. 

Because of this, you couldn’t appeal the transfer immediately. You had to wait at least a year and even then, there was no promise. This was made worse by the commander’s reasoning why, and how you’ve been denied three times already. 

In the notes of the transfer, he wrote that it was a conflict of interest. You cared too much about the people in District Two, and you knew more people than they had originally thought. They were afraid you wouldn’t be able to punish those you grew up with, and that was grounds enough to get you sent away. 

You were hoping it would be a neighboring district, someplace close to Two, so that way if someone in your family was on death’s door, you’d be able to get to them sooner to say goodbye. It wasn’t until they had you sign a new contact, stating the rules in the new district were different than Two, did you find out where you were going.

You were going north, thousands of miles away from the family you were trying to support, to a district that resembles nothing like Two. District Seven had just shipped a large portion of their Peacekeepers off to Eleven, which meant that the Capitol was pulling new recruits from every which way. 

The only condition you were able to negotiate with the base commander was a higher pay. After that, you were forced to sign your life away for a second time, and made to be sent out the following week. You had six days to spend time with the family you were trying to do right by before you would leave them. The only contact you would have with them going forward were letters you wrote every week, that became every other week, and then further as your life got busy and so did theirs.

On Monday, you hauled your packed bags to the train station with a few of your bunkmates, making you feel a little better about the situation. You wouldn’t be the only Two Peacekeeper in Seven, you would have some of the girls and boys from home. Even if you didn’t get along with them all the time.

You kissed your family goodbye on the platform, and went on to step foot on a train for the first time. Your last memory if your siblings are of them bursting into tears, as the reality set in that you were leaving for good. It wasn’t just a joke you were playing on them.

On the bright side, you don’t think you’ll ever be able to forget how you were treated on the train ride. You, and the others, were waited on hand and foot. Anything you wanted, even if it was a Capitol luxury, had been brought to you. Seasonal fruits, rare vegetables, colorful drinks, and course meals.

You’re sure you gained several pounds from the amount of food you ate, wanting to try everything. You remember your uniform getting tighter as the hours went by. While Two is rich, and most of the district is able to afford what they dream about—there’s got to be a limit at some point, right?

When you finally made it to District Seven, you were the last one to get off the train, hoping the Peacekeepers would tell you there was a change of orders, and you were going back to Two. Reality set in when the doors shut behind you, and the train took off, going to its next destination.

There was a Peacekeeper truck waiting for you at the bottom of the platform. You each took turns climbing into the bed and taking a seat on the open benches. And while you got hauled away to the new Peacekeeper base that you’d eventually call home, you looked at your surroundings for the first time.

It was beautiful. It is beautiful. 

District Seven is such a colorful and bright place to be. The variety of tall, thick and healthy trees that crowd their forests with long limbs, providing a blanket of shade to those beneath. The air is fresh, clean, devoid of the smoky air that seems to hover over Two.

And the temperature—there is no dry heat. Seven is stationed along the coast, so overcast is more common than sunny days. For once, you’re grateful that you have a full head-to-toe uniform to wear, and not something more revealing. Otherwise, you’d be soaked from the rain constantly.

You’re almost resentful that you were born in Two, instead of Seven. Except, that would mean having to give up the many privileges you have of being a Career District. Which you never would have been willing to do as a teenager just for a change of scenery. 

At least in Two, you’re trained to have a fighting chance in the Games.

Besides, your duties in Seven are nothing like they were back home. When you had been transferred, it was merely a couple days after Reaping Day for the Seventy-second Games. Within that first week, you were already receiving orders on base about executing a rebel family, which you didn’t even know still existed.

It sounded so funny—you almost laughed—until you realized the base commander was being serious. Who’s a rebel against the Capitol nowadays? And where had the scene taken place in order to elicit a reaction like this? At home, rebel thoughts are met with a slap on the wrist compared to this, mostly because all it takes is a week or so in the Academy simulation of a district like Twelve, and everyone changes their mind.

You learned from the Peacekeepers around you who had been in Seven for longer that to go ahead and kill a family without a trial must mean they have gone through with a plan. Either they injured innocents or killed Peacekeepers in an incident, like a bombing or a group attack.

Except, no one had heard anything of the sort.

You weren’t in any position to argue with the commander over your orders, even though you weren’t comfortable going through with an execution for a situation you knew nothing about. Within the hour, you were sent with five other Peacekeepers to a neighborhood that appeared quant and close-knit. 

You watched as neighbors peered out their window curtains, some sticking their heads out of their front doors, only to be barked at to go back in their residence. Bear, one of the Peacekeepers that are native to Seven, in a position much like your own, clammed up when he saw the numbers on the outside of the house.

“What is it, Bear?” You asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. The two of you had gotten close in the past week, he reminded you a lot of one of your cousins because of his blatant carelessness. And he said you treated him like an older sister, which he grew to appreciate. “Are you okay?”

Bear paled, as he turned away to look down the street to confirm where he was. “I know this place.”

“It’s a house, they’re all nearly identical here.” You told him.

The rain and thunderstorms of the district brought early wear on the buildings, despite the architect's efforts to get ahead of the game. Most residentials had mud paths leading up to doors, paint chipping off the wood, roofing hanging on by a thread. You can’t recall the amount of times you got turned around because it seemed as if the streets were replicated house for house.

“No, (Y/n), everyone knows this place.” He told you, before walking away to talk with another Peacekeeper. 

You backed off the doorstep, allowing the others to head forward, pounding on the front door, demanding the family to answer. When no one came, the door was kicked in, and the six of you flooded into the living room. You broke off to search the home separately, not worried about being attacked because you had a gun, compared to a knife that would barely injure you with the amount of armor you were wearing.

Bear was dragging his feet, as well as the other Peacekeeper he had gone to talk to.

“Found them!” A voice shouted at the back of the house, three shots following the statement. 

With that, the Peacekeeper came out of what looked like a bedroom, gun lowering at his side. “Let’s set the house on fire, and then we can report back to the base commander.”

“Set the house on fire?” You asked, face twisted. “What sense does that make? Won’t it set fire to the houses around it?”

“That’s not for us to worry about. The neighbors will take care of the house if they know what’s best for them.”

You didn’t want anything to do with it. You stood out on the gravel street with Bear, and who you would come to know, Elwood. They were silent and still, watching as the other three Peacekeepers dumped gasoline inside of the house.

“Who are these people?” You asked after a long couple of minutes.

“The Mason family.” Elwood whispered so quietly, you almost missed it. 

You didn’t ask anymore questions, figuring you could investigate on your own. Once the house had been set on fire, you piled back into the Peacekeeper truck. As you were driven away, you watched the flames get higher, the neighbors flooding out, buckets in their hands, throwing gallons of water at the fire.

A couple weeks later, after the Hunger Games ended, you found out very quickly who the Mason family was when their daughter came home from mentoring in the Capitol. She told everyone she could on her way off the train station platform that President Snow had the audacity to ask her some stupid question, that she refused to oblige with, of course. 

Johanna Mason was the most recent victor of District Seven, winning just the year prior. She was famous, whether she liked the attention or not, and she was well respected in District Two for the strategy she carried out. Not a lot of people can cry their way through the Games and still come out victorious. Although, with her, it was all an act.

You were guarding the station as she was leaving, per base orders. You were told that Johanna could be a firecracker if she wanted to. With the situation regarding her family, they were afraid she’d start a problem as soon as word got to her about them. And while they didn’t think she would outright physically attack you, they wouldn’t put it past her to try. 

This is why they tried to limit the amount of people allowed at the station to zero. 

“Where’s my family?” Johanna asked, heading down the steps. “I can’t wait to tell them about the shit Snow tried to pull with me.” She let out a laugh. “Why are all you brainless shits here?”

She didn’t stop to wait for an answer, but as soon as she stepped foot into town, the news reached her about her family home and it went downhill from there fast. You weren’t there to see what she did exactly, but you do know that a dozen Peacekeepers were dispatched to the town's area to handle a rowdy citizen. 

After that, you decided you would do your best to keep quiet and get through your contract in District Seven. You keep close friends with Bear, and Elwood, and everyone else in the Peacekeeper Program, but you didn’t want anything to do with the people of Seven. Not after you helped aid in killing a victor’s family.

In District Two, it’s a great honor to fight in the Hunger Games, and an even bigger honor to win. Children are taught how to defend themselves at a young age in preparation—you even went through it. The victors have this big homecoming and a grand house is given to them in the village and while some of them are stuck-up, most of them are just like everyone else.

At home, it would be unheard of to kill the family of a victor. 

You were ashamed to take part in such an act. And you think whatever prejudices Bear and Elwood had about Two melted away when they saw just how shaken you were from it.

It became a lot more manageable to be a Peacekeeper once you were able to put your focus into your work. Executions aren’t all that common in District Seven anymore, this was just a one-off. Bear told you he would bet you wouldn’t see another one in the next five years.

He’s been right so far. This past year has been cake compared to your first month of being here. You spend most of your time cleaning the base and guarding places that don’t really need it. Occasionally, you’ll be asked to accompany the lumber crew out to the forest, but you’re usually second choice for a job like that.

And on your days off—well, you spend them with Johanna Mason. 

You ran into her by accident on your day off in late September, two months after she had come home and discovered her family was murdered by Peacekeepers on Snow’s orders. You hadn’t done it intentionally, it was just a case of the wrong place, wrong time.

You were out with Bear at the local bakery, telling him about the different shops you have back home in Two, and the prices that came along with the goods. It’s expensive back home for the simplest things compared to Seven. You walked into the bakery with a pocketful of change, assuming you’d be able to get a small bundle of croissants, when you had enough to afford a whole two-tiered cake if you wanted.

You hadn’t gone for that, just for the croissants for the breakfast scramble you were planning on making for your bunkmates back on base the following morning. You had just passed off the baked goods to Bear, telling him to meet you at the farmers market so you could pick out jam together, when you backed straight into Johanna.

She must not have had two feet planted on the ground, because she toppled over, dragging you down with her. You nearly dived face-first into her body because of the angle, but you were able to catch your balance at the last second, bent over her with wide eyes.

Johanna glared back at you, “Watch where you’re going, moron.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you behind me.” You stammered, offering her a hand to pull her to her feet. “I wasn’t thinking, this is my fault. Are you okay?”

She slapped your hand away from her, getting to her feet on her own, brushing the dirt and pine needles from the back of her jeans. “Of course, it’s your fault. Who else would it be?” 

When she looked up at you, her eyes narrowed, but then her face lightened up. “Bear!”

You turned your body, looking at your friend, who hadn’t moved from where he stood. He smiled, “Hey, Johanna. I see you’ve met (Y/n).”

Johanna looked back at you, this time with less ferocity. “(Y/n), that’s not really a district name.” Her face began to drop again. “Are you part of that stupid Peacekeeper shit?”

“No.” Bear answered from behind you. “No, she’s in replacement crew training with me.”

Johanna made a face, “Still doesn’t explain her name.”

“I’m from further north.” You told her. You’d done some research in those two months, finding out where the richer part of Seven was. After the first couple of people commented on your name, you knew you’d have to have some sort of excuse. “I’m from Spokane.” 

She then gave you a big nod, as if it all made sense then. “I should’ve figured. They’re a bunch of wannabe Careers up there, no offense. You seem cool, why haven’t I seen you around?”

“She doesn’t leave the building much.” Bear told her. “They were trying to get her acclimated since it’s such a difference. Tell her what you were just telling me, (Y/n).”

You stared at Bear for a long moment, not sure what you were supposed to say. He’s told her he works as a replacement crew? A replacement crew for what exactly? And not leaving the building doesn’t make sense either. 

Unsure, you spoke slowly to Johanna. “Yeah, it’s been difficult. I’ve missed my family a lot because they’ve limited me so much.”

She nodded slightly, disinterested. It must’ve been something you said. You did mention family, maybe that wasn’t the way to go with her? But she made a quick exit after that, and Bear told you that you did a good job.

“Doing what, exactly? I’m confused.” You shook your head.

“Johanna and I have been friends for a while. We grew up around the same area. I haven’t told her that I’ve joined the Peacekeeper Program, so me and some of the others that know her have told her that we work for a replacement crew. It’s an experiment in District Seven to replace the Peacekeepers and try for something more natural.”

You blinked, not believing him. “She’s not that stupid to believe that, is she?”

“District Seven gets a lot of the Capitol experiments. Things come and go a lot, most of it never gets implemented. Most of us don’t bat an eye anymore, and she hasn’t either.”

“So, what? It’s just an alternate Peacekeeper Program?”

Bear made a face, nodding. “Basically. Except, we’re called Hunters instead of Peacekeepers.”

You slowly looked away to him, to the fleeing Johanna. “That sounds stupid as hell.”

“We know, but most of the shit that comes out of the Capitol is stupid, so it’s believable. Anyway, are we still going to split up or do you want to stick together from here on out?”

After this, you would proceed to run across Johanna in the town area a lot more often, usually by yourself. Since she considered you a friendly face, she would gravitate toward you to have a conversation. Whether it be about the Hunters, what it’s like to live in the Spokane area, or what you were up to that day, she wanted to listen to you talk.

It was uncomfortable the first few times, especially knowing the truth of what had happened to her family, but it became easier as you saw a friend out of her. She never seemed to mention her family, albeit she did get uncomfortable about the topic regarding families in general. 

It actually wasn’t long before she was inviting you over to her house, telling you that you needed to experience the true Capitol luxuries. And she wasn’t lying when she said it was nice inside of her victor house, but you did feel like the walls were closing in when you stepped inside.

So, you hung out in front of the house on a bench, and that’s the way it’s been since.

This past year has flown by because of how much fun you’ve had with just Johanna alone, not even considering the amount of places you’ve gone with Bear and Elwood.

A couple weeks ago, you hadn’t even realized the Reaping was coming until the day before, when the base commander gathered everyone together in the cafeteria. It would be all hands in the yard, everyone needed to be up early and ready to attend the ceremony. In the morning, you’d be told where you were going to be stationed during the event. 

On Reaping Day for the Seventy-third Hunger Games, you found yourself on the stage, in charge of standing in front of the Justice Building doors. On one hand, you would call it exciting, because in Two the Games are a great honor. On the other, you weren’t in Two, you’re in Seven, and the faces of these teenagers never reflect happiness when their name is called.

Not to mention, your heart was beating out of your chest the entire time you were on stage. The victors are required to be on display as an example for the potential tributes. Which means that Johanna was sitting just a few feet away from where you were, and she had no clue.

Since Johanna’s been shipped away to the Capitol to mentor, it’s been fairly boring here in Seven. You try to hang around Bear, but you know he’s irritated with you because of your mindset regarding the Games. He found it entertaining the first week when the tributes were doing the Capitol duties, and he stopped hanging around after the bloodbath. 

You get it, you really do. You know how insufferable the people from Two can be, especially since you have dozens of people telling you that every time you open your mouth about home. But you don’t understand why you can’t be prideful in your people, in your district’s tributes?

You hear them—you hear Bear’s reasonings on why they don’t cheer on tributes because it seems wrong. Yet, that’s always taking place. If it’s not in public, it’s in private. You’ve already met several illegal bettors, offering to double your money. Truly, what does it really matter?

The Games are almost done, though. In the end, District Seven’s tributes didn’t make it to the final ten, which is a shame. Only the girl tribute for Two is still surviving, and at the rate she’s going, either she’s going to win or she’s going to get very close. And while you would like to show your excitement, you would be beaten down if you did.

Instead, you’ll keep quiet.

“I think I want something sweet.” You tell Bear, finger playing with your lip as you stare down the street. “I don’t know what.”

“Candy?” Bear suggests. “A muffin?”

“No, I think I want ice cream.”

Bear’s lips part, staring at you for a moment before he speaks, “We don’t have that here.”

You raise your eyebrows, “Not at all?”

“No, I thought that was just a Capitol thing.” Bear says.

You press your lips together, not wanting to argue with him. You’re sure District One even has ice cream, but you’re also the two districts that surround the Capitol. You two probably get the best stuff, and it kinda thins out from there.

“Let’s just get a cake or something.” You tell him, starting towards the bakery. “Oh, maybe they have cinnamon bites.”

“What are those?” Bear asks, following you.

“Let’s see if they have them first.” You tell him.

It turns out that they do, and District Seven makes them almost as good as they do back home. Which is good news, because now you have a go-to dessert at all times, and it cures your homesickness to a degree. When you write to your family later this week, you’ll be sure to mention it to them. 

“This is better than I thought it would be.” Bear admits, sticking his plastic fork into the warm roll. “Is this icing?”

“Yes. It’s so much better when it’s gooey.” You tell him, “If you can, never eat it cold. Always—”

A sharp pain splits across your jaw as you’re thrown to the ground from the force, hands and knees scraping against the sharp gravel. You stay on fours for a moment, trying to realign with reality to figure out what just happened.

You bring a shaking hand to your jaw, touching the tender skin, and wince at the pain, tears in your eyes. You carefully lower yourself to the ground to sit on your butt, watching blood spring from wounds on your legs that your dress couldn’t cover. You find several small holes torn into the fabric at the bottom.

“Johanna.” Bear says. “What the fuck—”

Johanna points at him with a pointed finger, eyes crazy. “I’ll get to you in just a fucking second, wait your turn, you Peacekeeper piece of shit.”

Bear’s eyes widen, his treat lowering away from his face. “I don’t—I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“I’ve seen it all, President Snow showed me.” She tells him, you swallow hard as she turns to look back at you. “Which means I know that you two have been lying to me this entire fucking time.”

“Johanna—” You start to shake your head.

“Don’t!” She shouts at you. “You’re a fucking liar! You’ve been leading me on this entire time, I bet you’re just reporting back about me, aren’t you? You’ve been asking me these questions, my feelings about the Games so you can tell Snow? What the fuck is wrong with you? Did you even like me?”

You open your mouth, but she’s not done yet. “Why didn’t you just tell me the truth when you met me? You lied about being a Peacekeeper—you lied about being from the north. You’re not even one of us, you’re from District Two, one of those prissy-bitch places.”

She’s shaking her head, looking at Bear. “And you, you’re the exact same. You’ve been lying to me about the experiment. And so has all your fucking friends. I’ll give you a headstart to run and tell your friends before I go over there and kill all of you.”

Bear drops his treat, taking off running in the direction of the base, leaving you alone.

“You killed my family.” Johanna says, it’s a statement, it’s not a question. She knows the truth. “And you’ve been hiding it from me the whole time. What makes you think I would want to keep you around?”

There’s a pause, long enough to allow you to answer her. “I didn’t know.” You’re shaking your head. “It was my first week, I don’t even think I met you yet. I was just given orders, I didn’t have a choice—”

“But you knew it was my family.” She accuses.

“No, I didn’t find out—I didn’t connect the dots until you’d come back from mentoring last year. I was at the station, I saw your meltdown in the town. I knew I had made a mistake. I had no choice.”

“You did.” Johanna says. “You just chose not to think outside the box.”

“I can’t put my family in danger like that.” You tell her, tears in your eyes. “I’m thousands of miles from home. I took this job to support them.”

“But I can put mine in danger, right?” Johanna asks back, livid. “I didn’t even know they were going to get killed when I told Snow no. Did you know that?”

“Johanna, I’m not saying you put them in danger on purpose. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” You cry, wiping the tears from your face. 

“Get the fuck out of here.” She snaps. “You’re not welcome here.”

“I can’t leave.” You shake your head. “I’m under a contract.”

“I don’t care. Just wait until people find out who you are. You think I’m bad, think of what would happen with a group of us.”

[coffeegnomee]

HAIII ^_^ so I've wanted to get into princezam since like. November last year but i got scared away by the sheer amount of streams i saw omg?? im wondering if u could help but its okay if not /gen

for a little context i VERYY recently got into lifesteal (like this week) (mainly clownpierce + a few squiddo kab and branzy videos) and im really interested in watching zam bc i fw him so heavy but. idk where to start ? like i want to get into his lore and watch his stuff and whatever #toxic yaoi / yuri (whatever the hell devotion duo is) he has going on but i physically don't have the time to watch like 200 streams yk💔💔 im mainly interested in whatever the hell was happening in s4 (bc ive seen ?? quite a few references to his s4 idk why or how) but in general !! like s4, maybe s5 and def s6! Also curious like . what UU + KSMP is?? SORRY im really new to this side bc I've only seen like 1 oomf yap ab ls on their private but. are those worth getting into and more importantly is it easy 😭because time is a constraint for me YEAH OKAY IM SORRY FOR THE PARAGRAPH KSHSJSHSHSH okay baiii

ok this was asked like two weeks ago, you probably already figured it out. But devotions specifically is primarily experienced through streams. Both aren't good at making videos about their plots or about making them nearly as impactful as it is when you see it unfold.

For a stream breakdown of s4 castle arc when Mapicc stalked and hunted Zam there's a doc made by @mapicccc (who is like The Devotions person. literally gave them the name). you can see it here

And then a google doc of a general s4 breakdown of streams by @myrmica that is here. It's incredibly well fleshed out for everything that happened in s4.

Devotions is Complicated. But it is by far my absolute favorite minecraft story ever told. It is literally well worth the hundreds of hours of streams. It is constantly expanding and unfolding.

Though anywhere you jump in is good, like Zam just recapped pretty much everything you needed to know about him and Mapicc in his coming back stream (Born Again). Mapicc was always there for him. Mapicc destroyed Zaun. Mapicc has been broken by this season. Zam desperately wants him around. If you just join in you'll figure it out sooner or later. He's always reminiscing and analyzing the past with chat. Honestly discovering it as you go can be really rewarding in itself. And Zam has so much more lore than just with Mapicc, but I'll just focus on devotion duo since you specifically called it out.

For a little arc by arc breakdown, streams were archived around the end of s3, but zam and mapicc have been a duo since zam joined in s2. They did a lot together that is lost to time. At the end of s3 they clip farmed with Spoke who was spawning withers in their bases. Basically two silly friends having fun in minecraft.

s4 was where it started to get complicated. Zam joined a month late and Mapicc was already teamed with Ro and doing a duo thing with him. But Zam eventually joined their team. Mapicc and Ro (Duality duo) removed the whole end island, then made a spawn prison, then were Medusa (turning spawn builds to obby). Zam joined near the end of Medusa. The team was called Team Awesome.

After Medusa, the team got back up to their usual shenanigans of killing people for any reason at all. Zam has a massive bloodlust the second fighting starts, so all it would take is one suggestion from Mapicc and his bloodlust and next thing you know he and Mapicc would go on rampages together. Two bloodthirsty friends out on the hunt.

But over the night, Zam would be filled with regrets about how much murder he was doing. But one night they attacked Subz and blew up his whole base and Zam jumped into the fight making it an unfair 2v1 and Subz died.

Because of that event, and because they broke all Subz' chests of quartz that he needed for a future build, TA decided to dupe. It created a whole war, but by the end of it Zam was sickened by the fact that they had such an unfair advantage over the server. He wanted to leave the team, so he betrayed Mapicc (and Ro) and retreated to his sanctuary castle in the snow.

Mapicc found him on the first day and would come back day after day to torment him because he left the team and betrayed him. That's the castle arc.

Eventually Zam got banned by Mapicc (on accident) and Mapicc revived him (saying he was not worth being banned), but it left Zam terrified of Mapicc and on one heart. He called Subz for help and gave him his story and Subz took him in (starting the Eclipse arc, the other widely loves and talked about arc. Eclipse is the big Zam arc that has ripples to today as well).

Mapicc was pissed Zam had protection now but would still go hunt him down. One time he jumped Zam while he was using villager and it scared him for life (also cause clown did the same thing in s3) Eventually they had a 1v1 where Spoke spawned a warden in (#wormhole) and then had another 1v1 to really settle the score and Zam won.

The wormhole was upon them and there was an uneasy peace between devotions, Zam was going Through it with Eclipse and the fact that they had exploits too. Eventually he would betray eclipse and join Bacon and Planet, eventually betraying/leaving them to join Spoke for the wormhole bc Pangi trapped him in bedrock. A lot happened end of s4.

But Mapicc was teamed with Spoke already, so devotions found themselves fighting side by side again, here at the end of the world. They ended the server together, jumping into two portals to ensure that it would be destroyed.

s5 mapicc and zam started not on the same team, there was some conflicts between them, some fights. Eventually Zam took a 3 month break and Mapicc was the one to tip the scales and get him back on, running a poll in his chat asking them if they wanted zam to start streaming again. Obv chat said yes.

Mapicc had started the Abyss, and so Zam joined right on, the two (and Bacon) having the goal to drop every player into the void bc they could and to start conflict bc the server was dead. Eventually Jumper and Pentar would be added to the team. The Abyss arc was great devotions time, Mapicc and Zam fought together a lot and Mapicc hung out in vc to keep zam company while he built the freakinator, the bedrock breaker.

But jumper betrayed. And devotions were pushed closer together because of the common pain of the betrayal. They went on a months long mission to kill Minute and Jumper, fighting countless battles and encouraging each other when they lost hope. Eventually Zam decided he needed more hearts to be of more help to Mapicc, and he killed 4c. The shock and bloodlust from killing an innocent player spiraled him into contemplating spawn killing pangi over and over and all he could do was laugh. And so he became the Joker. He gave up on pvp more or less and took Minute in a psychological and yap battle. But all the time, Mapicc was left a little bit on the side. They were still teamed and still plotting to end the server with Bacon, but Zam did the Joker arc on his own bc Mapicc didn't express interest. Eventually Mapicc would say, bitterly, that he had to find out the next day that Zam had done something.

Zam got completely caught up in being the Joker (it was a fantastic arc) to the point of getting himself banned by Minute's team. He had always been taunting them to kill him if they wanted him to stop. And then they did. But it left Mapicc alone.

Mapicc took up the mantle for Zam for a bit, but Zam was banned. Mapicc made a plan to get Zam back to give a blessing and curse (long story) but Zam was so over the season and so character coded that he blessed minute with fire res (which was pointless bc Minute had 64 god apples). That was the final straw. Mapicc told Zam he felt like Zam betrayed him. Zam went into a panic bc it was his one goal this season not to betray and now he had betrayed Mapicc of all people?? So he literally sold his soul to every member he could convince to get Mapicc and the team more blessings (promising any IOU for s6). He got Pangi's account and later Spepticle's account to be able to keep fighting with Mapicc. Eventually they won the season finale and banned the other team.

s6 starts and Zam is paralyzed with remorse over being so evil as the Joker and everything before. And so very done with pvp after trying to kill Minute for so long. So he becomes a pacifist. No fighting at all. It's a great idea, except that all Mapicc is is fighting. By becoming pacifist he directly broke so much of what Mapicc relied on with devotions. But the two love each other so much that both are respectful of each other's paths. But this season has been The Devotions season of all time. So much pain and joy, so many conversations, trying to get on the same page, each wanting their partner back but being too different this time. Deciding to be teammates despite other teams, but even that isn't enough.

Early on Mpaicc killed Zam 3 times for getting Spoke killed, and found that Zam is fully a pacifist and won't fight back. So he stalks him for over a month, listening into his conversations, convinced that Zam is just faking it. (He made a video on it, fantastic devotions content) He goads Zam into fighting him but Zam escapes, he tries to drive him crazy with noise machines, but nothing works.

Eventually Mapicc decides that he would rather have Zam as a teammate than enemy and they end the arc in an alliance.

Mane (and wemmbu) starts blowing up spawn and Zam decides that he has to fight and be a protector of lifesteal, not just be pacifist. Mapicc gets really excited and they fight together. But there is some tension in this time, Zam is using a knockback sword and it feels like to Mapicc that he just calls Mapicc in to fight, as a sword, instead of as a friend. Every time Mapicc wants to kill anyone besides Mane or Flame, Zam holds him back. Tensions build slowly until Zam tells Mapicc that he has a new teammate: Derap.

This sends Mapicc into a spiral and eventually he starts Mawn, Mapicc Spawn. Flame joins him so he can have power. It's an arc that is Not about Zam while being entirely and completely about Zam. Absolute denial from Mapicc. But Mapicc also just needs a solo arc, he needs to do something, he doesn't need Zam, he just likes having Zam, but Zam has Derap. So he's both jealous and indifferent. He becomes convinced that Zam is opposing Mawn and starts fighting Zam, eventually dropping wardens all over Zam and Derap's area, Zaun. But Zam gets him into call and tries to convince him that he is not at all opposing him and in fact has never wanted to oppose him ever. He just can't join Mawn bc it goes against his oath, but he won't oppose it either. They resolve the arc and end teammates.

But Mapicc makes a video saying they weren't. And then Zam went on break for personal reasons and was unable to log on for months. But in the break Mapicc got the server's only mace. Finally proved himself, finally did something really good for his team and something that would bring more fun pvp.

But instead, within a week, SB duped the mace, gave it Clown and Mane making the most overpowered team of all time. Flame joined Mapicc and together they would defeat Subz/fight together against Mane and co. But Flame noted his logout spot in the End. And revealed that he was always teamed with Mane (his bestie) and they made a hole to the void. When Mapicc logged back on he died instantly. No battle. No fight.

Mapicc is entirely about the pvp, about the hunt, about the honor of the battle. Everything devotions used to go back to them fighting. Either together or with each other.

And nobody fought him. And Zam was gone. Unable to log on. Mapicc broke.

And now Zam returns and realizes not only that Mapicc needed him, that he abandoned him, that Mapicc went through hell, but that Mapicc was always the one to cheer him up. Without him, what is lifesteal? They may always fight each other every season, but he always sees Mapicc more of a friend than enemy. He desperately wants him around.

And that's where we end up.