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[cipher-legal-and-ethics-dept]

➻❥ 𝓥𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓼

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝟕: 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

Yellow eyes darted back and forth behind sunglasses, taking in the scenery of Lumiose City, and Lysandre had to suppress a chuckle when he noticed how persistent Ardos was in his efforts to look unimpressed. 

He couldn't resist asking, "There is no place quite like this in Orre, hm?"  

It prompted an eye roll from his companion. 

"Of course not." Ardos turned his head to face him. "But we intend to change that in due time." 

"Oh?" With a placatory smile, Lysandre offered his arm for Ardos to take. "Please, do tell me all about your plans for Orre's future." 

[ghostlyferrettarot]

𓈒✨₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔Pick a Picture: 𝖠 romantic scenario in your future with your future partner𓈒✨₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔

❗️This is a collective reading, take what resonates and leave the rest❗️

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🫧⋆｡˚Masterlist🫧⋆｡˚ 🫧⋆｡˚Masterlist 2🫧⋆｡˚

𓈒✨₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔Pile 1:

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆Cards: The Lovers · Knight of Cups · Six of Cups

Hi pile 1! wow pile 1… what's coming for you is straight out of a movie and im not kidding, im even in awe with this 😭. I get the hint that there's a reunion, but not necessarily with an ex; it could be someone with whom there was a short bond, a connection from the past that never quite blossomed, or even a new person who, when you look into their eyes, you'll feel like they've been in your life before. It's a very intense scene, very much like a romantic movie. I imagine you walking along on random day, lost in your thoughts pile 1, and suddenly you see them. It's not just the shock of meeting each other, it's the emotional connection that unleashes (i even feel like you two will pick the emotional intense situation from the get go). It's as if everything stops for a second. There's going to be a conversation, and probs and exchange of something, this could be info, maybe sudden gift, etc.

This person comes with the Knight of Cups, and that tells me about someone who not only feels deeply, but is also ready to say it. They don't come with games. They come with their heart on their sleeve. And that's where The Lovers comes in. It's not just romance or attraction, it's that moment when both of you feel that this is FINALLY it. You see each other, you choose each other, and this time it's with maturity, with a real desire to build something. You're going to find in each other something that you've been missing for a long time, a sense of belonging in each other <3. Im picking up on the song Ditto by NewJeans 😭, so cute <3.

𓈒✨₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔Pile 2:

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆Cards: The Moon · Page of Cups · Two of Pentacles

Hi, pile 2! This pile has a completely different energy than the first. This feels intimate, so to speak. I see a very specific scene as I channel you reading: its a room with low lights (maybe candles, a warm lamp). Outside, it's cold; but you are inside with your partner and they are looking a bit different this time, like you are picking up on them acting weird (?) It's like they're doing a lot of emotional calculations inside (I'm listening: should I tell them? Should I shut up? Is it time? What if everything changes?) but they still make up their mind. They say it. It's something more real, more human. Maybe it's a shy phrase, like: "I don't know when it happened, but I care about you more than I thought." They will be SCARED AF pile 2😭, its cute tbh. And you're going to stay silent for a second, because you feel the same way. Or because you didn't know how much you needed to hear that until you did. It's so cute. It's love in its purest form, like when someone shows you a side of themselves they don't let anyone else see. This person may have been struggling internally to balance all of this. Maybe they're afraid of commitment, or at a point in their life where they don't know how to fit into a relationship. But they still choose to take a chance. Because there's something about you that calms them. That gives them peace. That makes them feel like maybe this time it's worth it for real.

𓈒✨₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔Pile 3:

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆Cards: The Chariot · Ace of Wands · Ten of Cups

Hi, Pile 3! Your next partner is going to have that spark that pushes you out of your comfort zone. A person with a "what if we do this?" energy, who proposes something sudden, out of the blue. A getaway, a mini-trip, a different night. And you're going to say yes clearly. You and this person are going to share something so spontaneous and unstructured that you'll have no choice but to show yourselves as you truly are; i feel like you may be soemone who likes to have control over everything, and this person will challenge you to show your more carefree side. And that's where the magic will happen. Im seeing the image of the two of you sitting in a car looking at the city lights from afar, somewhere lost, talking about life. No distractions, no cell phone, no obligations. Just you. You're going to feel as if this is what you were looking for. The Ace of Wands speaks to me of a strong desire, not just physical (although that's also true, obviously), but that desire to be present with the other. What begins as an adventure will transform into something lasting. And i feel like it's not just the place, the trip, or the plan, it's your person. And that person will choose you, every day, even when things get complicated <3, so cute honestly pile 3, let go and let yourself enjoy <3.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆Thanks for reading and let me know if it resonated!⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

[thewisecheerio]

Messmer's actually terrible at his job. (affectionate)

Messmer is a fascinating villain, because he is strangely compassionate. I would go so far as to argue that this same compassion that is so at odds with his villainy is the very thing that drove him to become that villain in the first place. Hang with me; this is a long post.

Spoilers for Elden Ring DLC. Obviously.

Messmer tells us himself that his purpose is to purge all those stripped of the grace of gold. "Yet...my purpose standeth unchanged. Those stripped of grace of gold shall all meet death...in the embrace of Messmer's flame." We can piece together who gave him this genocidal purpose from his armor set's description, which tells us directly that he's working on his mother's behalf *and also* taking all the blame for it.

So he's playing war criminal on Marika's behalf. And I do mean playing. I'm not downplaying the fact that he is a war criminal; he has murdered on entire people. But here's the thing: he's *terrible* at playing the sole part of the spiteful, hateful overlord. He's *awful* at reveling in war and its victories.

Why? Empathy.

Messmer is strangely empathic for what could have otherwise been a cut-and-dry villain:

1. His relationship with Gaius, an Albinauric: We learn from Gaius's Remembrance that he was Messmer's bestie. We also know that Gaius was an Albinauric both from his armor as well as the location "Albinauric's Hut" in the direction he comes from at the beginning of his fight. Albinaurics are despised by the Golden Order, but Messmer didn't seem to care. In fact, he cared so little that he gave Gaius command of either a huge chunk or perhaps his entire army, second only to him. And what is given as the basis of this friendship? The fact that they were "both cursed from birth", i.e. a mutual understanding of what it is to be despised. They're trauma bonded because they have empathy for each other's predicament.

2. His relationship with the Jar people: Even though the Jar people were used as weapons of war against his own people, he doesn't seem to resent them. How do we know? There is a hospital where the Jars and their innards are being cared for in the Storehouse, a stone's throw away from where Messmer spends all his time. There are even a few baby Jars running around in it. Strange thing to do to what is essentially an enemy of your people, unless you consider them to also be victims of the same conflict.

3. His relationship with his soldiers: Messmer shares his own flame with his army. Yeah, that absolutely could be interpreted as a utilitarian move for the sake of war. Power up the troops, boost your chance at victory. But it's a strange choice when he could have just armed them in the traditional way of handing them sharp, pointy objects and pointing in the desired direction of stabbing. Instead, arming your soldiers with your own power could also be interpreted as something you do when you care about their survival and are potentially working directly with them to ensure it.

4. The mourning of people who betray him: Speaking of his soldiers, Messmer gets betrayed by at least a few of them. We learn this from the ashes of Andreas and Huw. Huw's ashes further tell us that Messmer *mourned their loss* as brothers-in-arms. Weird thing to do to someone who has betrayed you, unless you care very deeply about them to begin with.

5. The implications of the Storehouse: Even though he is actively genociding Hornsent on Marika's orders, he somehow has preserved an entire library of their history. At first, I thought this was maybe just British Museum vibes: steal all the artifacts and refuse to give them back. (And that could still be a correct interpretation.) But in context of the rest of these points, if you're truly hellbent on erasing a culture, why would you bother to preserve any of it? Would you not burn the libraries along with the people? It's a fairly common thing to do in our world's wars--destroy the art and history to ensure full erasure. And yet, it seems he can't even bring himself to avoid some small amount of sympathy for the people he was explicitly tasked with killing. If you really *think* about the basis for his sympathy for Marika, this does make a lot of sense. Messmer is following Marika's orders because he knows about what the Hornsent did to the Shaman. Wouldn't it then also be the case that once Marika's reign became nothing but genocide, i.e. an exact reversal of what was done to her people, he would have the same kind of sympathy for them? Perhaps this is a form of harm reduction in the only way he could square with what he thinks is his purpose.

6. His own self-hatred: Messmer despises his own flames, which we learn from the Messmer's Orb description. If you were happy to be Doing a Genocide, would you not celebrate your weapons of war? Wouldn't you take pride in them as tools of power? Unless, of course, you're not actually as happy as we think and maybe having regrets and come to be filled with severe self-hatred. Woops.

So then, if Messmer is this guy running around with a lot of Big Feelings (and probably a deep need for a Prozac prescription), why does he even agree to this genocide in the first place? Isn't that an *odd* choice for someone who seems to care pretty deeply about people, even people despised by his family's governing order? Why does he carry out these orders even to the point of developing a deep self-hatred?

This is where Messmer's sympathy, one of his best aspects, also becomes his fatal flaw.

I mentioned above in 5 that Messmer has access to information about both sides of this conflict. As much as he might have sympathy for everyone around him--including weapons used against the Shaman like the Jars--that means he *also* has sympathy for the Shaman. So if you have sympathy for the other side and sympathy for your side, and you are raised by your own side, then what is the natural outcome? Your side wins. If you must choose a side, then you fight on behalf of Child Soldier Fostering Mother Marika. She raised you, after all. It's inevitable.

In the end, that same sympathy he seems to extend to others also is what causes him to do war crimes. Out of an abundance of sympathy for what happened to the Shamans, he agrees to take up arms.

At the end of the day, he's still a villain that needs to be stopped so that he'll stop oppressing an entire people on behalf of his mother's misguided attempts at revenge. But making his reasoning to agree to become that villain in the first place *empathy* of all things? Fascinating.

[witherby]

i need more damian x mer!reader plssss😞😞😞 im literally OBSESSED with it

YOU'RE ALL SUCH SWEETIES!!! Ok gang, just for you 🩷

⚠️ HEADS UP: this part features conflict. There's blood, some unintentional self harm, language barriers, and general chaos! ⚠️

Human!Damian x Mer!Reader Part 4

Click to read parts 1, 2, and 3 here!

There's another rock sitting on the lip of the tank — one of the painted, water-safe ones they let you have — when Damian and Bruce arrive for dinner.

It's the weekend, meaning the aquarium is closed, and it takes a little more smacking on the surface of the water than usual for you to pop up. You shoot Bruce a disinterested glance, his presence vaguely familiar, then chirp sleepily at Damian, evidently having been awoken from a nap.

"Hey, Pr—" Damian catches himself and fakes a cough, then addresses you by your actual name. You furrow your brow, irritated, but still reach forward to take the offered bucket.

Holding it carefully in one arm, your other, webbed hand nudges the rock into Damian's lap. Damian pockets it with an easy nod, signing Thank You. Delighted, you offer him some crab after splitting the shell open with your teeth. He declines. Oh well; more for you!

Eating in front of Damian is little issue, but having Bruce stare at you so intently makes you turn away, hugging the food to your chest and rumbling quietly. Conversation floats in the air behind you.

" — might already be bonded. How often...swim together?"

"At least twice a....insisted it wasn't harming...wouldn't if I realized...promise."

Hmm. Your mate-to-be sounds upset. You dislike that greatly. You spit a half-chewed carp back into the bucket.

"Damian, I know...not mad at you for...unprecedented, you understand that, right? This...to a wild animal...vastly unintelligent..."

You growled and spun back around, tail swishing around fast enough to make the surface of the tank slightly choppy. Unintelligent?! Who was unintelligent? You learned every stupid spin, squeak, and trick you'd been taught! And your Damian was the brightest, kindest, most special caretaker in this whole place!

Bruce looks at you in confusion. Damian looks at you with awe, because he knows you're smart enough to pick up on the gist of most things, like the conversation they're having with each other. English is not your mother tongue, but you are learning, slowly and steadily. Because you are not unintelligent!

You bare your teeth, snapping them twice at Bruce, and firmly push the half-empty bucket over the lip of the tank. It clatters to the floor, the metal twang echoing around the room loud enough to make your head-fins flatten. Both land creatures jump back to avoid getting fish guts all over their legs (a word you learned recently, because you're very smart!), but Damian comes back to the edge of the tank to soothe you quickly.

"Easy, Princess," he mutters, the nickname slipping out this time. You preen and rest your chin on his extended palm, blinking up at his beautiful, green eyes. Your tail stops swishing as hard, and he seems to ease up at the same time you do. Reading your physical cues and responding accordingly is one of the reasons Damian quickly became your favorite, and this demonstration only hits that nail on the head. "Everything is just fine. Father and I are simply talking." He gestures to your discarded dinner. "Do you want any more?"

You huff and turn your face away. Damian takes your dismissal for what it really is and looks at Bruce next.

"You should apologize."

His father's eyes widen. "For what? I didn't throw a bucket on the ground."

"For the slight regarding their cognitive ability. You hurt their feelings." Damian sounds offended on your behalf. It makes something in your chest thrum pleasantly. "I'll fetch a broom for the mess while you say you're sorry."

"I can grab the broom —" one sharp look from his son quiets Bruce down immediately. You and he both watch Damian leave the room, then the human regards you warily while you regard him with a scowl.

Bruce tries to approach the tank. You bare your teeth and he stops. Good human. Good, rude human. Do not approach. You are very scary and fearsome. You might just use your teeth for something more than food if sufficiently provoked.

"You really can understand me, can't you?" He asks, almost rhetorically. The flat look you give him makes his cheeks flush with color. "You can. That's...fascinating. I've skimmed your file of course — I co-run the aquarium, I have to be knowledgeable of all the animals — but I obviously don't know you like my son does."

Ugh. This land creature uses small words. Damian uses big words, which helps you learn faster even if it's more difficult to latch onto what he's talking about.

Bruce calls your name again, and your eyes snap to his. He looks less embarrassed and more curious. More like he's recognizing you as a being capable of proper thought and not some dumb, prey animal in a big play pen. Something in you becomes less tense.

"I'm sorry," he finally says. "Really. I'm coming from a place of concern, is all. I never intended to hurt your feelings. You mean a lot to my son, and the feeling seems to be mutual. My concern is just...the extent of the feeling. Damian doesn't have many human friends, and hiring him on to help manage the aquarium hasn't encouraged him in that regard. I just don't...I just want him to..."

He trails off and sighs. This time, when Bruce tries to take a step closer, you keep your teeth hidden behind your lips. He perches on the lip of the tank to look at you, blue eyes taking in all your aquatic features. They're pretty, reminding you of the water, but not as pretty as Damian's.

Just for fun, you puff up and flare out all of your fins just to see him flinch back. Your chirping laughter makes Bruce crack his own smile, and he shakes his head.

"I understand why he adores you," he mutters, something fond in his tone. You sway back and forth in the water with a prideful trill. Obviously you adore him back. That's why you gave him your scales, to prove your devotion. As soon as Damian gives you something valuable back, you'll be life-mates! You're so excited!

"I think... I think that's the biggest reason why I have to separate you two."

You freeze when your brain processes what he just said. Damian reenters the room at that moment, carrying a broom and dust pan to sweep up your abandoned meal.

"Those imbecilic interns moved the cleaning supplies again," he scowls, taking care of the food with a shake of his head. "I swear, father, no one knows how to put anything back in this facility. Some days it feels like Tim and I are the only competent people here."

"And your old man, right?" Says Bruce, rising to his feet. Damian doesn't answer that. "Oh, ouch." His teasing tone shifts, becomes earnest and quiet. "You know I only want what's best for you, right, Tadpole?"

"I know," the boy sighs, dumping the food into a nearby garbage can. He turns to face you, smiling, until he sees the fear on your face. "Something wrong?"

You click your tongue and whistle imploringly, lifting a hand out of the water to beckon him closer. Damian moves to comply, but Bruce's hand curling around his arm impedes his progress. You immediately whistle again, more insistent. More distressed.

"Father, let go, they're upset by something. Let me —"

"I can't do that, kiddo," Bruce frowns, firmly but not unkindly. "I'm reassigning them a new primary caretaker. The emotional attachment to you is too detrimental to their life here."

Damian's eyes widen. "You're not serious."

He tries to yank his arm out of Bruce's grip, but the man is taller and stronger than his son. He wraps his other arm around Damian's waist, guiding him towards the doors.

"Father, let go of me! This is not — everything is fine! I-I won't swim in the tank anymore, I won't physically touch them anymore, I promise! Don't do this!"

Your trilling becomes sharper as you note the distress in your beloved's voice. You throw your arms up to the edge of the tank and try to hoist yourself over, but you've never done it without the help of a caretaker, and you slip back into the water with a rough splash. Undeterred, you flick your tail to give you more momentum, scrabbling against the smooth, concrete edge and crooning for Damian.

You see his vibrant, green eyes, focused on you and glittering like your scales. They've never looked so shiny. Instinctively, you know this isn't a positive trait for a land creature to have.

"Stop, please stop! Look at them, they'll get hurt if you take me away," Damian insists, thrashing against his dad. Bruce hangs on tighter, almost dragging him at this point. "Don't — don't, Baba, please, I'm not hurting them at all, I'll figure out how to break off the engagement, I'll do whatever you want!"

"Calm down, Damian," Bruce murmurs, "please, we're gonna talk about this, I promise, but right now you need to —"

Both of them startle when you finally jump out of the tank, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. The hard surface scrapes against your skin and scales in a distinctly uncomfortable way, but you ignore it and start dragging your body towards Damian. Your arms buckle under the strain of maneuvering yourself out of the water, and the flopping of your long, heavy tail isn't helping as much as you'd hoped.

Bruce yanks Damian behind him protectively and pulls a radio off his hip. You hiss and snarl, offended that he would dare think you'd hurt him. Damian tries to duck out from under him, calling to you with obvious concern.

You croon back, the sound low and warbly in your anger, and lunge for him. Scales get scraped painfully off of your tail, leaving a trail of red that you pay no mind. Bruce dodges your clumsy attempts and hoists Damian up by the waist so he doesn't break away either. More of your caretakers burst through the doors, one of them holding a funny, shiny contraption, and there's lots more yelling. They all look as panicked and distressed as you feel.

Good. They should know how much pain they're causing by taking away your precious Damian.

One of the caretakers — named Clark, you think; he comes around mostly to do your health checkups — crouches low and flashes his palms in a show of no ill intent. You reach out with your own palm and lurch forward again, shoving him out of your way. He will not impede you. None of them will.

More scales litter the concrete, stained red with blood. The shiny contraption held in another person's hands — Dick, the loud one you remember — makes a sharp popping noise, and you feel something stab your shoulder.

You flinch back momentarily, palming at it. Damian's distressed yelling reaches a crescendo, and you feel compelled to meet it.

Your jaw clicks from stretching your mouth open so wide. Instinct and rage guide you to draw breath, deeper than you ever have, and bellow.

The resulting sound is a haunting wail, piercing the air around you and making the water in the tank ripple, making the land creatures cry and cover their ears, making the windows rattle and warp. You wail and cry and scream at the injustice, at the audacity of these people to take from you what is yours. You want it back. You want him back. You want Damian!

You see Clark buckle and clutch at his head. You see Dick drop the shiny device that hurt you. You see Bruce grit his teeth and cover one ear, the other busy holding onto Damian.

You see Damian pressing his hands to his ears. You see water running down his face. You see him looking at you with a mixture of fear and upset.

Your mouth falls closed with a snap of your teeth, startled and ashamed. You had hurt Damian. You hurt him and he was scared of you now.

That was not supposed to happen. You didn't mean it.

What have you done?

There's movement in your periphery you pay no mind to. Your back lights up with pain in two more places, and the world slowly starts to spin and lose focus. You stop resisting and slump to the floor, eyes drooping as you continue to look forlornly at Damian.

Damian, who looks back as more tears run down his face. Damian, who is screaming again. Damian, who vanishes through the doors that Bruce finally drags him off to.

You warble miserably and close your eyes, letting the sedatives take you away into a fitful slumber.

[michaela-o]

Random things i think Cybertronians would find adorable about humans ~♡

1. Humans getting spooked by random loud noises because humans are naturally very jumpy about loud noises

Imagine:

you're sitting over at Swerve's bar, just chatting, having your drink on the counter Swerve let you sit on, because your makeshift little table and chair are work in progress. Suddenly some bot decides to honk their horn near you which makes you yelp and jump (like cats when they get scared of cucumber) which makes you almost spilling the drink as you were about to take a sip.

The whole bar stops and laughs at you. You just look at the bot who did it with the most unimpressed look ever (ㅍ_ㅍ)

2. Watching you stretch yourself because Cybertroniams aren't as flexible as humans

3. Sleeping

this may sound a bit creepy but from what i saw Cybertroniams sleep very eerily still and almost never move when they're in recharge because they're very vulnerable when doing so. So i think when they have their first sleepover with a human and they happen to fall asleep sooner and they start to either sleep walk or sleep talk (which fun fact, i do a lot ( -᷄ ᎑ -᷅ ) ) the bots would look in utter confusion like- "ya all don't stay still?? How???" I think Cybertronians would also find cute how groggy humans are when they wake up and them needing proper time to load into the world around them. Oh god and wait till they hear about the weird ass dreams humans can have or humans trying to explain déjà vu to a bot💀

(makes me think of Sunder being frustrated bc he wouldn't be able to get into a human's brain😝)

4. Physical Clumsiness

The occasional clumsiness and lack of precision in human movements. I think a lot of bots would find this very amusing to occasionaly watch since Cybertronias are typically more coordinated and precise in their actions. Like imagine bot walking with a human who let's say just woke up earlier to a meeting and are slowly walking around occasionaly hitting themeselves or their arm with a corner of a wall because their sleepy processor didn't calculate the trajectory good enough. I think they would find this rather adorable (๑´>᎑<)

5. Emotional Reactions

Yes i think humans are way more sensitive than Cybertronians are. Human's exaggerated emotional reactions to minor events, like getting overly excited about a sports game or being deeply upset by a small mishap, could be seen as amusingly disproportionate. Like imagine you drop your favourite mug on the floor and it breaks as much as your heart in that moment. You walk around the ship super sad, like a kicked puppy, and the bots can almost feel the sadness dripping off of you so they ask: "Hey uh- you okay?"

And then you proceed to explain that you broke your favourite mug and that you'll never find a mug similar to your favourite one. The bot stares like ಠ_ಠ. Oh so that's the reason? Okay so apparently humans don't pack bond with only random things that are alive but even with things that aren't.

6. The uncanny valley effect

I think bots would find rather fascinating how human brain responds to this phenomenon. Like- the human brain can feel that something is off and can't be fooled. Imagine holoforms in Cybertronians. Like yeah they can look very appealing but only up to a certain point which when that point is reached it tickles that one part of the human brain which tells us "na-a-ah something ain't right"

At one point they wanted to wtiness this in real life so some bots (Percy, Brainstorm) made a set up of holoforms and real looking hologram of humans and waited for you to figure out which unsettles you the most. They were surprised that you were 100% accurate in this and that you were able to tell which one are holoforms and which aren't.

7. Expressions of Wonder

the awe and wonder in the human eyes when we are encountering something new or beautiful, such as a breathtaking landscape or a technological marvel. I think Cybertronians would find this pretty adorable, very innocent and reflective of our curious nature.

8. Human Fragility

I think the most popular one. The general physical fragility of humans, along with our tendency to bandage minor injuries or get flustered over small pains, might be viewed as cutely vulnerable for many Cybertronians.

Feel free to add anything you'd like !!😄🫶🏻🫶🏻

[womanofwords]

Everybody's Favourite (Part 5)

You had the time of your life with your newly acquired criminal family. You'd wake up to the smell of breakfast made by Harley (lots of pancakes with smiley faces), and once you'd brushed your teeth, you'd get to eat it. You'd brush your hair, read, and then discuss the benefits of having little penguin animatronics waddling around the chain of ice cream stores.

"What if they scare kids?" Penguin mused. "I don't want the animatronics to scare kids."

"Size and style will have to be considered. Make it in more of a cartoonish style with soft curves so it appeals to kids, and the height should be no more than . . . let's say three feet. Program them to serve ice creams to tables and make it an adorable gimmick. I already have artists considered and we'll need a test audience before they're launched."

Penguin gazed at you with awe. "You're a genius, Y/N. As clever as a corvid."

"Thank you." You felt your heart lighten and your face heat up. Someone finally noticed how smart you were. After all this time of wanting someone to notice, someone had finally picked up on it.

"Oswald, must you hog Y/N for the whole day? I had plans to play video games with them," Riddler whined.

"And Harley and I have plans for a therapy session," Scarecrow said. "The damage done by their family, you would not believe."

"Boys." The sweet smell of nectar waltzed around the room as Poison Ivy draped herself against the door nobody heard open. "I've been wanting to teach Y/N about propagating plant cuttings for quite a time. I won't stop you from having your own bonding time, but if you cut into the time I want with them, you will become plant fertiliser."

"Of course," Scarecrow said, voice shaky.

Your voice hardened. "Ivy, that is mean. I don't want you to be mean to people because of me."

Ivy looked at you as if you were a tragic saint. "Of course, my dear petal. Anything for you." The moment your back was turned, Poison Ivy glared daggers at the obstacles between her and you.

Penguin's business session wrapped up early, and then you went to propagate plants with Ivy. You had gaming sessions with Riddler, therapy and crying with Scarecrow and Harley, and then workouts with Bane in case anybody tried to hurt you. That was when you were introduced to the strange yet exhilarating sport of chessboxing.

"You are becoming a worthy adversary," Bane congratulated, as you went a few rounds with the bag. "I pity the fool that tries to hurt you."

Bane took you home, where a warm bath and clean pyjamas were waiting for you to relax your muscles and remove that workout stink. Once you were dry and clean, you collapsed into your new bed, fully exhausted and so, so happy. You finally had a place where you were loved without having to beg or be endlessly hurt.

You never wanted to leave.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5 <- You are here

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Taglist: @tinybrie, @hopingtoclearmedschool, @sh4rk-k1d, @prorpy, @angelicbear, @sulleha, @sirenetheblogger, @omgfangirlland, @iwannaflyaway

[pearlescentparade]

Hi I’m wondering if you can do 007n7 x reader x 1x1x1x1 Fluff, Maybe even headcannons of all of them taking care of coolkid.. 😼😼

"ah yes. me. my partner. and the personified derivation of shedletsky's hatred" -007n7

🍔007n7 x reader x 1x1x1x1❎ fluff headcannons 💝💞 ft. 🍭 c00lkidd

007n7 and 1x1x1x1 do not get along. the former may try to be friendly and act the bigger person, if only for your sake, but the latter likes to be difficult and exasperating for 007n7 to deal with. the only thing that they can mutually agree on is you

007n7 is gentle and sweet with you, he's essentially your husband and he likes to think of you as c00lkidd's other parent since he raised him alone. he's very openly affectionate! with them, you have a dynamic similar to a nuclear family

1x1x1x1 is teasing and sardonic, but they listen (though begrudgingly) to you when you scold them for it. while his tone is harsh, his actions and attitude to you in comparison to others reveal he likes you more than he lets on. hatred, like love, is a feeling of passion after all. though 1x1x1x1 won't ever say they feel 'love', you can be certain they don't completely despise you, and that's saying something.

007n7 calls you honey, my love, dear, and a bunch of other sappy nicknames typical of a couple. it's not corny, it's cute!

1x1x1x1 either calls you by your name, little one, or "theirs" if 007n7 isn't around. sometimes he'll refer to you by a god-awful terrible pet name to be an ass

you all frequent the park and bring c00lkidd along. he terrorizes the other children and out of you three, you're the only one who tells him to stop because 007n7 is an absolute enabler parent who makes excuses for him and 1x1x1x1 is a d1 instigator. this is another one of the few things they agree on

"he just wants to have fun with the other kids, honey! sure he's a liiittlle too excited, but there's nothing wrong with that!"

"l3t th3m run f0r th31r l1v3s."

"HE'S MAKING THE OTHER CHILDREN CRY."

because of your partners, c00lkidd is very used to having his violent ways. but you know he's a good kid with good intentions, so you need to play the role of the responsible parent and tell him he's doing something wrong. and that fellow children do not, in fact, like to be hit. or choked. or pushed during tag. you're very likely the only reason that he acts semi-normal

007n7 always cooks, with occasional help from you and c00lkidd! 1x1x1x1 is banned from the kitchen ever since he tried to cut vegetables with the daemonshank. don't blame him, shedletsky never taught him how to cook. blame john!

c00lkidd likes to boast to his classmates that he has 3 parents and they could all totally beat up everyone else's parents

he's gotten into a few disputes with the other kids because of this, and once you all had been called to his school to discuss his behavior. though, the moment the faculty saw 1x1x1x1, they immediately dropped it and assured that c00lkidd behaves well. you weren't convinced, and lectured him anyway when you got home

c00lkidd's favorite game to play with his parents is hide and seek. he counts to 10, immediately finds 1x1x1x1 who isn't even attempting to hide, then they tell c00lkidd where you and 007n7 are hiding. he always wins!

1x1x1x1 is definitely c00lkidd's 'fun' parent, they share the most interests and behaviors. thus, he's usually in charge of babysitting him

007n7 loves quality time and physical touch because he think it's the best way to bond. 1x1x1x1 likes gift giving because the gifts speak for his affection when he can't. though his gifts are usually more cryptic rather than sweet and cute trinkets... hope you like twitching and terrified mice

1x1x1x1 is your scary dog privilege. you like to go on late night walks with him because he acts like a repellent for creeps.. and people in general

they're a surprisingly good listener, and especially like it when you have something to complain about. he revels in your hatred and likes to join in the hating

their life's mission revolves entirely around the destruction of their creator. even so, you always assure them that they are more than his shadow. he thinks it's naïve and cute that you think you can derail him from his purpose using puny words, they act like they're listening so that you continue comforting wasting your time

secretly, he does enjoy it when he can hog all of your undivided attention. as if it's only you two and nobody else. they're greedy like that

you have movie nights together, and you sit in the middle of the couch between the two. 007n7 likes action, romcoms, sci-fi, and comedy. 1x1x1x1 finds thriller/slasher and drama appealing. c00lkidd likes action and comedy, similar to his dad. it's always up to you to choose, because the other three alone wouldn't be able to come to an agreement

sometimes 1x1x1x1 sends c00lkidd to beg you for something like getting takeout for dinner or a puppy because 1. they probably want it but you're more willing to listen to c00lkidd and 2. they like to be a headache

whenever you kiss 007n7, c00lkidd loudly screams "EWWW!" and covers his eyes. 1x1x1x1 does the same, then cackles at your unamusement

whenever you kiss 1x1x1x1, 007n7 jumps to cover c00lkidd's eyes because 1x1x1x1 turns an innocent peck into a full-blown makeout sesh

parade postscript: i' never realized how starved 007n7 fans are until i posted the drunk 007n7 fic to ao3 and a commentor got very excited ARE YALL GOOD?

[nekonaps0]

Your writing is really wholesome and sweet :3

If it's okay can I request rook and silver separately with a reader who loves collecting seashells and making matching bracelets and giving one of them as a gift to him?

Seashells

✦characters: Rook Hunt, Silver

✦gn!reader

✦(omg that was so CUUUUTE!! I loved writing this so much! I hope you gonna enjoy✨)

Rook Hunt

The golden sand kissed your toes as you strolled beside Rook, a small woven basket swinging on your arm, already filled with tiny, colorful seashells and smooth sea glass.

Rook, as always, had been utterly charmed by the way your eyes lit up when you found a particularly unique shell.

“Ah, ma chérie, the way your eyes shine when you uncover each little treasure… It is as if you are the muse of the very sea.”

You laughed softly, brushing wind-tossed hair out of your face. “I love finding the pretty ones. They all have little stories to tell, even if they're broken.”

You both settled beneath a rocky outcrop, sheltered from the breeze. With careful hands, you laid out your favorite pieces and pulled out a thin thread of braided hemp.

Rook watched, utterly rapt, as your fingers moved deftly. He stayed quiet for once, chin resting on his palm as he studied you with reverent awe. You barely noticed how soft his gaze had turned.

When you were done, you held up a pair of matching shell bracelets one for you, one for him.

“For you,” you said, offering his with a shy smile. “So you can remember today.”

Rook’s eyes widened, and then like a swoon from a tragic romance he placed a dramatic hand over his heart.

“My dear… I am struck! This bracelet shall never leave my wrist! It was made by your hands, guided by affection and intent! How could I not treasure it above all else?”

He took your hand and kissed it, then gently tied the bracelet on your wrist first, fingers warm and lingering.

“Every time the sea breeze brushes my skin, I shall think of your touch. Every time I hear the waves, I shall remember your laughter. Truly, this gift is not a trinket… but a bond.”

Your cheeks turned warm as he pressed a soft, reverent kiss to your knuckles, bracelet glinting in the light.

And Rook? He’d never worn anything with more pride.

Silver

The sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm amber glow across the shore. You knelt by the waterline, humming quietly as you sorted through the shells you'd found. Pale blues, delicate creams, a tiny spiral in lavender.

Silver sat nearby with a book half open in his lap, not reading a word. He watched you with soft, half lidded eyes, his usual drowsiness mixing with the peace of the sea and your presence.

“You always seem so at ease here,” he murmured.

You glanced back at him and smiled. “I used to collect seashells when I was little. I still do. There's something comforting about finding something small and beautiful that no one else noticed.”

He stood and quietly walked over, kneeling beside you. Without needing to ask, he reached into your basket and handed you a curved, speckled shell.

“Would this one work for what you’re making?”

You nodded, heart fluttering. “Perfect.”

After some time, you held up the finished product. Two simple bracelets, adorned with your best shells and tied with threads of twine. You reached for his wrist gently.

“This one’s yours. I made it for you.”

Silver blinked, lips parting slightly. You could see the faintest dust of pink bloom on his cheeks.

“For me…?” His voice was quiet, reverent. “You made this by hand… for me?”

You nodded. “So you’ll always remember today.”

He let you tie it around his wrist, gaze fixed on your fingers as you worked. Once it was secure, he ran his thumb over it slowly, like it was the most precious thing he owned.

“Thank you,” he said, voice hoarse with emotion. “I’ll take good care of it. I promise.”

You barely had time to respond before he leaned in and pressed a soft, earnest kiss to your temple.

“It means a lot. You mean… a lot.”

As the sky turned to soft lavender and the waves whispered against the shore, Silver fell asleep beside you—your head on his shoulder, your bracelet glinting beside his, tied by the same thread.

..............................................................................................................................

Btw! I texted my bestie that “look! they said Im wholesome!” And she said: “not you… your writing…” 🥹 she was right ofc BUT ITS STILL HURT!!!

[w1dowatrace]

The Call

Chapter 3: 7 Minutes In Heaven | 7.5k

Summary: You are confronted with a question from the ex-spy.

Pairings: Ex-Russian Agent Natasha Romanoff x Senior S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Female Reader | Agent Daisy Johnson x Reader (Past)

Tags | Warnings: 18+ fluff, sparring, jealousy, triggering Natasha's trauma, yummy awkward Nat, sexual innuendos, flirting, dirty talk, praising, Natasha making r make inappropriate sounds, kissing

Author's Note: Scheduled repost

⧗

"Johnson was there in her office."

"What?!" Yelena shot back.

"She had flowers with her." Natasha added not sure if she should say it now that she knows how Yelena will overreact.

"What?!" Yelena exclaimed again as she palmed her forehead, "What are they talking about? Did you hear?" she added in a rush. "No, she asked her to leave when I came in."

"That's good, that's good." Yelena said, trying to calm herself or gaslight herself rather.

Natasha posed a question that left Yelena stunned, "Do…do you think Y/N still has feelings for her?"

"She told me she's over it and I'm making sure that it really is."

Natasha just nodded slowly pulling the sleeves of her pink shirt up to her shoulders innocently, "I'll go get some water."

"Sure, sure," Yelena tried to hide the devilishly smile naturally forming in her face but as soon as Natasha walked away, she aggressively tapped Madisynn's thigh.

"Aw!" Madisynn swatted Yelena's hand away.

"Do you know what's on my mind right now?" Yelena asked the girl who was dumbly tilting her head at her. But Yelena gave her a knowing look that made the girl's head light like a bulb.

"Oh, I think I do know what's on your mind," she said as she looked at your figure walking towards them. "Hi boss!" she greeted in a squeal.

You looked at the two confusingly not liking the evil faces they're making right now. "Okay, enough of that look. Stop grinning at me, you both look like a pervert."

"Foul!"

"You're so mean!"

"Where's…Agent Romanoff?" you asked ignoring their whines and you wished it came off casually. But the two agents only grinned once again at your question, you immediately caught their reactions and you crossed your arms at them waiting for an answer.

"There she is!" Madisynn pointed behind you, her nails never failing to flex.

You immediately turn to see Natasha, her shirt sleeves rolled up to her shoulders and her biceps were godly…you thought to yourself. If only you knew the two agents caught you checking Natasha out.

"We haven't done anything yet but it's working already." Madisynn whispered to the blonde.

"I know, I know. This is gonna be so much fun."

⧗

The team-building event got off to a great start. All the agents were thoroughly enjoying themselves as they played various games together. Shouting, clapping, laughing here and there, it was a sight to see and it was a fun experience. Could you imagine that these agents were trained to save the world but right now they're trying to balance plastic cups on their heads? It was the only time when the entire agency came together to unwind and have some fun and be free with themselves while simultaneously strengthening their bonds with each other.

Many teams had already been eliminated, but thankfully, yours was still in the running for the game. You heard Yelena taking charge and leading your team as if they were on a real mission, you couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles.

"Okay you idiots, balloon bust, the instruction is very easy we've done this last last year guys. We just have to keep the balloon up on our stomach, no dropping, no popping. Be gentle with the balloon," she relayed, as if it was a serious mission. "It's our baby!" she clapped between each word.

The team just nodded eagerly cheering themselves as they went to grab their own balloons. You hyped your team up by giving them thumbs up and a lot of claps.

Your gaze shifted towards Natasha and you observed how she seemed a little lost throughout the game. Yet, she hadn't lost her endearing smile the entire time. She has been asking Yelena over and over on how she's supposed to play in each game, on how she is going to contribute to win and Yelena has been nothing but patient towards her, guiding her and giving her tasks on what to do.

The thought hit you then, it is her first time experiencing something like this. Her entire life she was used to working alone. You knew her past, of course you do. You know how she hadn't had the luxury of playing with dolls, teddy bears, and make-up like you had. Instead, she had spent her childhood toying with real guns, learning to crack codes on computers, and mastering the art of physical combat that if she fails every time—she'll end up tied up in a cell or eat no food for days.

She was too young for that, she was supposed to be protected—no kid deserves that.

As you stared at Natasha, a pang of pain gripped your heart. You watched as she laughed when she saw Yelena huffing in frustration after her balloon popped. Your entire team had given up, and all of them just ended up bursting into laughter, lying on the ground.

Your team ran back at you, waiting for the next game. Natasha was still giggling her life out, shaking Yelena's shoulder.

"Hey Romanoff, water?" she was the first one you offered water.

When she looked stunned and didn't respond, you chuckled faintly, which seemed to make her even more surprised.

"C'mon, take it before I take it back," you urged and Natasha quickly snatched the bottle from your hand. As you handed out the water to the rest of your team, you couldn't help but notice the adorable blush spreading across her cheeks.

You watched Natasha as she gulped down the entire water in the bottle in one go. You were fixated on her neck, watching the way her throat moved with each gulp. She had chugged it down so quickly, like it was just a matter of three quick swallows. The sight of her holding onto the empty bottle, squeezing it tightly, was doing strange things to you. As you continued to observe Natasha, a warmth crept up your face.

"Hey, boss, we need you for the next game." Yelena informed behind you, pulling you out of your trance.

"Me?" you turned to look at her as you pointed to yourself as if you weren't just checking out the redhead.

"Yeah, it's three-legged race. We're only five," she shrugged innocently but in the back of her head she's plotting something.

"You're my partner," you immediately told her.

"Nuh uh, Nat's your partner. You're almost the same height though she's taller than you. Madisynn and I have the same height so…" before you could even protest further, Yelena tightly grasped your wrist and forcefully dragged you towards Natasha. As you approach her, you catch sight of her lifting her shirt to wipe some sweat from her forehead, revealing a glimpse of her well-toned abs.

You had seen all her muscular frame in all its glory for today.

"Where's your ribbon Nat?" Yelena asked. As Natasha hesitantly handed it to Yelena, Yelena pushed you down, causing you to yelp. Before you realized what was happening, Natasha was also pushed down and you found yourselves side by side. The blonde then knelt down in front of both you and Natasha, preparing to bind your legs together.

Yelena smirked mischievously as she observed the scene in front of her, her task completed, "Perfect!" she exclaimed before walking back in front of your team's line. You and Natasha were left stunned, your bodies pressed close together.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, tugging her sleeves down, embarrassed at how sweaty she was, "You're tight?" Realizing how she worded the question Natasha immediately palmed her face looking the other way, "I mean no-not t-tight for you?"

You didn't miss the curse that came after that.

"I'm fine, you?" you replied, not bothering the silly, nasty, cute mistake and tried to sound authoritative. She just gave you a thumbs up and put both her arms on her knees.

An awkward silence hung in the air after your brief exchange, until the shrill sound of a whistle pierced through, signaling the start of the race.

Darcy, the designated emcee for the day, called out, her voice echoing through the area, "Are the teams ready for the race?" A twinkle danced in her eyes as she added, "Did you know that they say 80% of the paired players for this game usually end up together?"

Yelena leaned over to Madisynn and muttered, a mischievous smile on her face, "Darcy definitely knows the assignment." Madisynn smirked in agreement, seemingly in on the unspoken plan they had in mind and nodded.

However, you and Natasha missed the playful comment because you were too focused on planning your strategy for the race.

"Coordination, Natasha okay?" you reiterated and she agreed, her cheeks turning a slight shade of red. Natasha felt a different kind of warmth as you spoke to her with a gentle tone, different from your usual cold and robotic tone. And the way you called her by her first name sent a flutter through her heart.

Daisy stood at a distance, her eyes locked on you and Natasha as you talked. She clenched her fist tightly, not liking how close you were to the redhead.

A shrill whistle pierced the air once again, signaling the start of the race and a chorus of cheers and shouts echoed loudly as the first pair sprinted off, kicking up dust and sand behind them.

Sensing a bit of struggle on Natasha's part, you offered, "You can hold onto my shoulder if that'll make it easier for you."

Natasha nodded appreciatively, her left arm about to reach for your shoulders when she surprised you by gently taking your right arm instead. She positioned it around her back, creating a more intimate position as you both clung to each other for support. The unexpected action caused you to blush and you found yourself pulled closer to her as Yelena and Madisynn handed you the flag, signaling your turn to start.

As you began the race, the mood was lighthearted, filled with laughter and giggles. You started off good, however, just as things seemed to be going well, you suddenly tripped and lost your balance, causing you to stumble forward. But Natasha was quick to hold you back, grabbing you by the waist, preventing you from falling forward. In the process, your hands inadvertently landed on her abdomen, seeking support.

"That was really stupid," you manage to say between giggles.

"You're fine, we're close c'mon," Natasha encouraged sheepishly, her response catching you off guard as it was the first time she had talked to you again this entire game.

"Left, right, left…"

You and Natasha continued with the race, Yelena and your team eagerly watched and cheered from the sidelines, supporting you every step of the way. They shouted encouragement and teasing comments.

"I am going to tie you both for life!" Yelena exclaimed.

"Fall for Nat, boss! She'll catch you!"

"Don't get too tangled up now!"

As you dashed towards the finish line, an unexpected trip caused you to falter—again. Natasha's quick reflexes kicked in once again. Her hand moved swiftly to support your head, preventing it from hitting the surface with a thud. She acted instinctively, shielding you from further harm. With a soft thump, you found yourself on the ground and Natasha was now on top of you. Her right hand holding the back of your head, her body hovering over yours.

Natasha's gaze remained fixed on you as you burst into a fit of laughter, lying on the floor. She couldn't help but marvel at the sight before her, no cold voice just your laughter filling the air. No hint of seriousness on your face, your unguarded expression and carefree attitude were delightful to behold.

As you continued to lie on the ground, laughing uncontrollably, you didn't notice Daisy appearing and giving Natasha a push from the sides. This unexpected shove caused Natasha to stumble and fall beside you, landing rather clumsily on the ground.

"Get away from her."

"Fuck off, Daisy," Yelena snapped coldly as she shoved Daisy away, Madisynn immediately knelt in front of you and Natasha to untie the ribbon.

Daisy was already back in her team's position when you got up, her team trying to soothe her. Natasha saw you looking at Daisy's direction as if you were checking on her—on your ex-fiance.

"Y/N…I'm sor—"

"I'm sorry about that Romanoff, are you okay?" you turned to her and touched her arm which made the redhead shudder.

Back with the last name basis now?

"I-I'm fine boss." She stuttered, stunned at your apology. She scratched the back of her neck as she looked away but looking away wouldn't hide the redness of her face.

"Piece of advice, please don't interact with her," you gave her a half smile tapping her arm twice before shouting to your team. "Get up! Get up!"

⧗

The sudden news hit you like a flash. One of your agents had accepted a sparring challenge from a senior of another division. It is one of the activities your team-building events often took as a competitive edge.

You realized from the start that you had forgotten to remind your team not to participate. But it was a well-established rule that shouldn't need to be constantly reiterated, the sparring challenges were typically reserved for the more seasoned members, the oldies of the agency—the seniors and Natasha isn't one.

"Fucking hell." You hissed, striding towards the area where the sparring match was taking place, "Romanoff is really testing my patience."

How come that you were really soft with the agent earlier and now? You're back being a meanie to her?

Yelena tried to defend her partner, her voice a squeak. "She didn't know!" she protested. "She's only been here a few months. She's clueless and her senior isn't even making things easy on her."

You were seething with anger as you heard Yelena's words. You halted in your tracks and turned around, your gaze locking onto the blonde, who suddenly looked like a frightened child under your intense stare. You fought to regulate your breathing, trying to maintain your composure. Deep down, you knew that Yelena had a point. Her words were stinging because they held a measure of truth. Yet, your ego couldn't help but bristle at the audacity of her calling you out like that.

The sound of raucous cheering jolted you back to reality, you pushed the door swinging open with a harsh creak, you felt a sudden wave of attention directed your way. Numerous agents turned their heads in your direction. It was obvious that your arrival had caused a ripple of interest amongst the crowd. Well, let's just say that the opponent that your agent is fighting is none other than your ex-fiance. Didn't you just tell her to not interact with her?

"Fucking hell." You muttered to yourself as you balled your fists.

You hate her for being so naive…but God, she is now positioned in the ring and greeted you with an innocent wave. The protective mouthguard showed as she tried to smile. How are you supposed to hate that?

Despite your anger towards her naivety you managed to wave back but she wasn't able to see it as your ex-fiance landed a punch on her face, you involuntarily flinched and placed a palm on your forehead. Well, that was awkward.

"Get her Romanoff!" Yelena shouted from behind, you swear you heard her betting $20 for Natasha.

"She was supposed to take you out," Daisy growled at the redhead, her boxing gloves poised to deliver another punch anytime.

Natasha furrowed her brows together but she didn't mind what Daisy was trying to say. Natasha seized an opening and threw a punch on her sides, catching Daisy off guard and regaining the upper hand in the fight. The impact sent Daisy stumbling back a few steps, momentarily stunned by the unexpected offensive move. But then a smirk creeped out on her face.

"You're supposed to be history by now if it wasn't by Barton." Daisy's words, though meant to rile Natasha up, seemed to be taking effect now. "If it was Y/N, you'd be dead by now."

Natasha's breath hitched at the revelation and Daisy saw the horror that flashed into the redhead's eye. Natasha clenched her jaw and squeezed her eyes shut.

Rule number 1: Never take your eye away from your opponent.

Another wave of cheers and shouting from the crowds surrounded the boxing ring as Natasha seized another opportunity, throwing another punch this time connecting with Daisy's cheek. It seemed as if Daisy was deliberately allowing Natasha to land blows, letting her get a few hits in. No, letting her hit her.

You stood there, frozen. You are really not liking this.

You saw Daisy's lips moving, clearly as if she was saying something to Natasha. While you also noticed how the redhead's body tensed up and you saw her focus seemed to be shaken a little.

"Dreykov's daughter?" you whispered to yourself as you read the words coming out of Daisy's lips. The redhead tried to throw another punch but Daisy was able to dodge it sending back a punch to Natasha's stomach.

"I won't let Y/N be with a killer like you."

The words made Natasha's emotions reach a breaking point, as if something snapped inside her she immediately moved forward encircling her arm around Daisy's neck locking in a tight grip. She then swung her other fist at Daisy, her boxing glove landing a powerful punch on her face as she kept her arm locked around her. The impact sent Daisy kneeling while Natasha stood behind her not letting her go, causing gasps and murmurs from the surrounding crowd.

The referee blew his whistle with a sharp, shrill sound, which echoed through the ring. He then extended his arm and pointed directly at Natasha, who had staggered backward losing her hold on Daisy.

Daisy recovered from the forceful blows, she rose unsteadily to her feet, her left eye was swollen and there was a cut on her lips. She let out a guttural snarl and stalked Natasha who was crawling backwards, Daisy leaned down to her and yelled, "Are you tryna kill me, too? Huh?!"

"You fucking kill—"

"Watch your next words Johnson!" you yelled as you ran and jumped towards the ring. It's funny because the old you would say the same thing your ex-fiance would about to say.

"Y/N she went out with the rules! She…she almost—" Daisy stopped when she saw you kneel in front of Natasha.

"I'm sorry," Natasha immediately whispered. You furrowed your brows at her.

"Romanoff…"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" her voice became hoarse as she repeatedly whispered. As she continued to apologize, you stared into her eyes, noticing a look in them that revealed something deeper than mere regret. It was as though a hidden trigger had been set off within her.

"Romanoff…" you called out to her again.

"I'm sorry, Y/N…I—" she choked.

"Nat," you called softly as you brought your hands on her cheeks. Her lips trembled as she finally looked at you, "You're okay," you gave her a smile and she nodded slowly as if she was high with the sound of your gentle voice and your soft feathery touch.

As if she was an evil and you were an angel attempting to soothe her troubled soul.

"Yelena," you summoned the blonde over. You removed the gloves on her hands and Natasha's gaze remained fixed on your every move, her eyes never straying as if she feared losing this connection between you—it was the closest she's been with you. Her breath hitched when you moved away to give Yelena a way to help Natasha stand. Yelena knelt in front of her and propped her up with a supportive arm around her shoulder.

You watched as Natasha and Yelena slowly moved out of the ring and away from the center of attention.

You ex-fiance, who stood surrounded by her team members from her division, remained surprisingly calm. She has been watching how you treated Natasha and she didn't like it—she wanted to tear you away from her.

You stepped up closer to her, your voice low and filled with venom as you spat out, "You know she was a new recruit and you still challenged her."

"Oh Y/N we all know she's more than just a recruit."

You huffed at her words, you couldn't hold the outrage any longer and you hissed back, "You think I didn't notice? You triggered my agent!" your voice trembled in anger. "Dreykov's daughter? Really? You would bring that up? How did you even know about that?" you started eyeing each of her team who were looking down to try and avoid your gaze. You know damn well that they know something about it. You huffed on how pathetic they looked.

Natasha's information was kept under you since she was your mission back then. No one could access this information unless they possessed the same level of clearance and security clearance as you did as a level 7 SHIELD agent.

Dreykov's daughter was the collateral damage to end Dreykov himself, to end the empire he built that brought horrors to the lives of young little girls. It was the last thing Natasha did before getting into the SHIELD with the help of Clint.

You turned your gaze back to Daisy who is now looking down too. "Daisy…" you squeezed your eyes shut, "I forgave you for what you did to us," you gulped as you tried to hold your tears at bay, you couldn't even utter the words that would bring up the memory of her betrayal. That she cheated.

The silence that had fallen over the entire room was almost deafening and you could feel the weight of everyone's gaze bearing down to the both of you. You've had so much attention today already.

"Please stop going out of your way for this. Stop embarrassing yourself, you look desperate." With that, you immediately stepped out the ring leaving her, she tried to go after you but her team immediately held her back.

⧗

After reading the text from Yelena, you can't believe it, they're still planning on going to the after-party after what just went down. You can feel the frustration rising inside you, almost boiling over as you read the message again.

"Please, Y/N join us, we're all here with Natasha. She's okay now but she's got bruised lippie though."

"If you're scared that earthquake's gonna be here, no she's not, so please join us here boss."

Yelena then sent a video after she noticed that all her messages were just marked as seen by you. It's your team whining in the background, begging you to come to the party, but your gaze was fixated on Natasha's face on the screen. She waved shyly, her bruised lips forming a tight-lipped smile, the sight just making you sigh disappointingly before getting out of your car.

As you made your way into the party, you were relieved to find that most eyes were averted from you. You had been expecting a similar scene as the one earlier when you confronted your ex-fiance, but it seemed that the focus was on other things now. Maybe they're tired of the drama you had with her.

You spotted your team at a table near the bar, a few drinks already in front of them. They looked up as you approached, welcoming you with broad grins.

Yelena was the first one to greet you with a sly smile, acting as if nothing had happened earlier. "Well, look who decided to show up," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Here, let me help you with that."

Before you could protest, Yelena had taken your purse and was leading you to a seat at their table. She pulled out the chair for you, gesturing for you to sit down.

Madisynn who was next to you, slurred slightly, a sure sign that alcohol had definitely gotten into her system already. She stumbled over to you, her eyes lighting up as she turned and saw you. Her gaze lingered on you for a second before realizing it's you, her voice was slightly slurred as she exclaimed, "Boss! I'm so happy to see you. You look hella sexy in that dress! Right, Romanoff?!"

Natasha, who had been quiet until now, spoke up timidly. "Yeah, you look…" she trailed off, careful on what to say, you really looked sexy right now. The way that your black dress hugged your body and highlighted your curves, but she didn't want to sound perverted

"Beautiful," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yelena leaned in closely, her lips hovering mere centimeters from your ear. She looked at Natasha before whispering, loud enough for the redhead to hear, "I think you look delicious right now, Y/N."

She then playfully nipped at your earlobe with her teeth, a sly smirk on her face. The brief contact sent a shiver down your spine. Yelena was never one to hold her tongue, she didn't have a filter and often spoke her mind without thinking.

You however, decided to play along with Yelena's antics, you faced her with a coy smile. Your faces were now mere inches apart, and you could see a hint of redness creeping up on Yelena's cheeks.

For a moment, it seemed like she was taken aback by your boldness, but then she regained her composure. Still, she couldn't help but back down slightly, her gaze lingering on your face before quickly looking away. You smirked as Yelena visibly backed down, her confidence faltering for a moment. Deciding to tease her further, you leaned in even closer and said, "What's wrong, Yelena? I thought I looked delicious."

Natasha watched the exchange between you and Yelena, her eyes narrowing slightly. She hadn't realized just how close you were with Yelena, and it made her shift a little awkwardly in her seat.

A pang of jealousy flared up within her, but she quickly pushed it down. It was none of her business who you chose to be close to even if it's with her closest friend, and besides she had no right to feel possessive over you. Not when you hate her.

Not when you were supposed to be the one to take her out.

Still, the sight of Yelena being so flirtatious with you made her feel a little bothered. She found herself coughing involuntarily. It was an unexpected reaction, and she quickly tried to cover it up with a sip of her drink.

Yelena caught sight of Natasha and a sly grin spread across her face. She exchanged a glance with Madisynn in a brief second enough for you and Natasha not to notice.

"You okay, Romanoff?" The blonde asked, as she wrapped her hands on your waist, you on the other hand leaned to the blonde—not aware of the antics that she and Madisynn planned.

You were comfortable with Yelena's closeness, having known her for a long time and having shared many experiences together. She was like a strict baby sister, the type of sister that would ask you who you were with and what time you would be back. And If anyone hurt you, she wouldn't hesitate for a second to go after them. Her protective nature went into overdrive, and she would hunt down whoever had caused you pain. She cares for you and she would go far to keep you safe.

She had been there for you during tough times, like when Fury had to call her to make you come out to your childhood bedroom after your ex-fiance cheated on you or when she had to clean your room after she finally get you out to eat at the dinner table with your father. She had seen you smile because of your ex but she saw you cry more about her. Tough and good times, she had been there—always.

You yourself look out for her too—she can be careless at times so you gently correct her when she crosses the line or make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble. But at the same time, you also relied on her quirky sense of humor and unwavering support. She was part protector, part best friend, and part sibling all rolled into one.

"Let's play medusa y'all!" An agent shouted in the distance and it made you laugh.

"What are we? In college?" you huffed after, only to be dragged by Yelena.

"We're joining!" Your eyes widened in disbelief and attempted to pull away from her grip, wanting nothing to do with this childish game. But just as you were about to tear yourself away, Madisynn suddenly latched onto your other arm, effectively trapping you. You were too confused when you noticed that Yelena was gone and Madisynn replaced her as if it was all planned.

"This will be fun boss, c'mon." She slurred with a drink on her other hand.

You forgot to breathe as you saw Daisy across the room, conflicting emotions bubbled up within you, how in the hell she's here and you didn't even know?

Part of you wanted to run away from the room to escape the memories of her betrayal. But another part of you, driven by your desire to maintain your composure and dignity, compelled you to stay and keep things professional after what she did to you and to your agent.

But…a small, a sly part of you, tucked away in a hidden corner of your mind, whispered a tempting thought.

What if I make her jealous?

The idea was a little petty and you knew it, but you couldn't help the flicker of satisfaction it brought you. The chance to show Daisy that you were doing just fine without her, perhaps even better, was tantalizing.

But with who?

As various agents approached you with smiles, greetings or drinks, a wave of realization washed over you. Deep down, you knew this whole thing was ridiculous. Trying to find someone to make out with solely to make your ex jealous was a far cry from the person you aspired to be.

You shook your head slightly, silently scolding yourself for even contemplating such a childish idea. This whole situation was just plain stupid, however, despite the logical part of your brain telling you it was a stupid, a small, defiant part of you still wanted to go through with it.

If only you had known, but you were oblivious to the fact that Daisy had been burning with jealousy since the moment she spotted you with Natasha during the game.

Darcy, with her usual enthusiasm, called out to the group of agents gathered around you, "Alright, everybody! Form a circle, it's time to start!" She then saw you and let out a squeal, "Hi boss!"

You waved shyly before you settled down on the cold floor of the room with Madisynn beside you, "Where's Romanoff?" You asked, "and Yelena…" You rushed out. Madisynn then gestured with her drink, drawing your attention to the direction she was pointing. There, across from you, sat the redhead and the blonde.

Yelena had made sure that you and Natasha were seated directly across from each other, perfectly setting up the game of Medusa to play out exactly how she had planned.

"Alright, everybody!" Darcy shouted, getting the group's attention. "Everyone sit in a spot where you can see all of the other players."

Once the group had taken their seats, she continued, "Now, each of you put your heads down. On the count of three, you'll raise your heads and stare directly at someone else. If you lock eyes with someone, both of you lose, and I will yell 'Medusa' if I caught y'all staring at each others' asses and I will be sending you to 7 Minutes in Heaven!"

The agents began shouting and whistling, creating a chaotic atmosphere, hyped up from the game.

With a flourish of her hand, Darcy counted down, "Three, two, one."

Everyone raised their heads, and you were suddenly faced with a sea of staring eyes. You quickly darted your eyes to an agent who was luckily not staring at you. The room buzzed with tension as people nervously tried to avoid locking gazes with the other players. Darcy stood in the center, ready to call out the first pair of victims. Her eyes scanning the group, spotted a pair that had locked eyes with each other. A sly grin spread across her face as she called out, "Medusa!"

The two unfortunate players were singled out and a chorus of "ooo" and whistles erupted from those around them. They sheepishly got up, blushing as they made their way toward the 7 Minutes in Heaven.

As the players shuffled off to the 7 Minutes in Heaven room, the game continued. It was only a matter of time before another pair would be called out for staring. You found yourself becoming more nervous as the round progressed.

Darcy's eyes glinted mischievously as she scanned the group once more, eagerly awaiting her next opportunity to pounce on a paired set of victims.

You were contemplating your strategy. And thought of Natasha, part of you knew that Natasha was averse to staring, always quick to look away—especially on you. But this might work to your advantage.

As the countdown ended, you found yourself staring at Natasha. She, as expected, was not looking at you. However, your heart raced when you noticed her eyes on someone else in the group. You furrowed your brows, trying to follow her line of sight to see who she's staring at.

Who was she looking at? Is she eyeing someone else? Oh, how you hoped that whoever she's staring at isn't looking back at her too.

You finally let yourself breathe, a wave of relief washing over you as Darcy called out "Medusa," pointing at the pair who had been caught staring at each other. Thankful that it wasn't Natasha and whoever she's staring at, you felt a weight lift from your shoulders.

As Natasha navigated her way through the game, a plan formed in her mind. She glanced over at you, contemplating the likelihood of making eye contact with you. Her thoughts ran through her head, reasoning that you wouldn't look at her because you harbored a deep dislike for her—who would lock eyes on someone they hate, after all?

Natasha glanced around the room full of agents, her gaze falling upon Daisy, who was watching you as giggles escaped your lips at whatever Madisynn was whispering to you. The sight of your ex continuously eyeing you only made Natasha wish that you wouldn't look at your her the same way again as you did when you were still together.

She wished that you would look at her—this time.

"3"

"2"

"1"

You find yourself staring at the green orbs staring right back at you and the world seemed to stopped only for it to continue when Darcy shouted Medusa, her fingers pointed decisively at you and Natasha.

A collective gasp filled the room as everyone realized what had just taken place. Darcy's gleeful expression revealed her satisfaction at having caused this unexpected twist. Madisynn and Yelena traded smug grins, thrilled to see their plan unfolding flawlessly. They had orchestrated this moment carefully and their plans had paid off.

As word spread about your unexpected pairing with Natasha, your ex, Daisy, couldn't help but glance your way. She tried to hide her fueling rage, but her emotions were laid bare in her eyes. A lot of agents were looking her way too, satisfied at her reaction and silently rooting for Natasha.

Madisynn placed a gentle hand on your shoulders, helping you stand up from being seated on the floor. Your mind was still reeling from the sudden turn of events, unable to fully grasp what was happening. As you looked at the small cabinet not so far away from of you, the realization of who you would be sharing such a confined space with finally sank in.

"Times ticking boss." Darcy whispered as she gently held your hands and pulled you. Meanwhile, Natasha was being ushered ahead by Yelena. Yelena then pushed Natasha gently into the small chamber, causing her to stumble forward slightly as she made her way into the cramped space. The room was dimly lit, its walls closed, not enough to leave little room to maneuver.

Natasha looked up as you stood just outside the small chamber. She saw how hesitant you are and she spoke up softly, "If you don't want this, you don't have to." Her voice was gentle, giving you the option to back out of the situation if you so desired.

But you didn't listen to her, you immediately climbed into the small room and found yourself sitting beside the redhead. Before you had a chance to process the tight space, the door closed with a distinct click, sealing you inside with her.

Darcy's voice echoed from the other side of the door, she knocked, reminding that your time starts now, "Alright, lovebirds, 6:59 minutes. Enjoy your time there!" Her amusement was evident, and her words were followed by a series of giggles and shouts heard in the distance.

As Natasha hugged her knees and said, "We don't need to do anything," she did so with a sense of finality, as if speaking aloud the thoughts that were already in your head. She already assumed you wouldn't want to do anything in this tiny-spaced room.

You haven't really scolded her for accepting the challenge from your ex and for going in here when she's supposed to be resting, you wanted to, though, but seeing her right now at this moment, you just couldn't bring yourself to.

You broke the silence, your words reverberating in the small chamber. "We can talk," you suggested softly—too softly, your fingertips grazing the ceiling inches above your head. You asked once again, "Do you want to talk about something?"

Natasha sat silently, her eyes locked on the door as if she just wanted all this to be over, and for a moment, she didn't respond to your question. The quietness in the tiny space seemed to stretch on and her lack of response left you unsure of how to continue—so you just stayed silent too.

A couple of minutes have passed and you two just sat there. The silence between you was heavy, almost unbearably so, until Natasha finally spoke.

"Do you think you would make the same decision as Clint," she started, her voice soft yet steady, "if you were the one sent to take me out?"

You were taken aback by Natasha's question, her words piercing through any facade you may have tried to maintain. How did she know about it? Panic and anger surged through you as you thought of the only person who could have told her about it—intentionally told her. But you quickly pushed that thought aside, realizing it was a moot point now. The dilemma of how to respond to her question left you momentarily tongue-tied.

Would you? You asked yourself.

"I…" you trailed off, "I don't know."

You took a deep breath, your voice low and steady as you finally admitted the truth. "Everything happens for a reason, Romanoff," you began, your words measured, you've never been like this when you were talking to her. You've always been so honest, no, harsh when it comes to her, "It was originally my mission to take you out."

"But Clint was the one sent with the same mission, you." You sighed disappointingly as you recall the memory. "I was upset, bitterly disappointed, angry." You looked down at your thighs plopping sideways, "I immersed myself in studying you, devoting significant time understanding your every move, training myself on how to…" you stopped realizing what the next words would be, but Natasha knew what it was you've been trying to say.

You've been training yourself on how to eliminate her—to kill her.

There was a silence between the two of you again, not heavy this time, you leaned back against the cold wall and squeezed your eyes shut for a moment before opening them again.

"He made a different call for a reason."

Natasha looked at you intently as you spoke again, "He saw something in you. And I think I do see that now." You finally looked at her.

As you locked gazes, your eyes involuntarily fixated on her bruised lips, and you were certain that she was doing the same. However, the intensity of the moment became too palpable and you found yourself awkwardly turning your eyes away from her in an attempt to alleviate the growing tension.

"Boss, are you still alive in there?" you heard Darcy call out, how dare she ask if you were the one still alive? If there is someone supposed to be out of breath right now, it would be the redhead beside you. "You still got 2 minutes…and 32!"

"I wonder what other agents did in this room." You suddenly spoke, but you didn't mean it to come out as if you were trying to hint to do the same thing you know agents did in this tight room which is releasing some sexual frustrations. "Gross." You then whispered that made the redhead laugh.

"Yeah, I think they really need that." She replied in a low voice, trying not to burst into more giggles.

"Wow, aren't you sexually frustrated too Agent Romanoff?" Maybe now you are hinting at something.

Her voice echoed through the small space as she quipped, "I don't wanna get another punch from your ex."

"You wouldn't catch a punch for me? Agent Romanoff?" you teased, your seductive tone adding an extra layer to the already charged atmosphere between you two.

Only if you know the things she would do and take for you.

"Trying to make your ex jealous?"

"Hm?" you eyed her before focusing with the necklace around your neck, fiddling with it absentmindedly as you avoided the redhead's accusation when suddenly, her hands reached out and pinched your waist.

The action caught you off guard and an unintentional gasp escaped your lips. At that moment, Yelena's voice echoed through the door, as she whisper-shout, "What was that?!"

"What was that for?!" you quickly slapped Natasha's arm in retaliation, causing her to exaggerate a groan of pain that was heard outside.

"Oh God, it's happening. Shit! Shit!" Yelena exclaimed, apparently unable to contain her excitement. A chorus of shouts and whistles erupted from the agents gathered just outside the door, their reactions evident even through the thick boundary.

The situation was too absurd to not find amusing and you struggled to contain your laughter. Your hand shot up to cover your mouth, attempting to hide the impending giggles and shock at the chaos happening outside. You looked over at Natasha, you found her wearing a smirk. She then gestured for you to tap on the walls and you followed her lead, making a moaning sound as you did.

"Oh God!" you exclaimed, feigning a sense of ecstasy, playing into the moment and the reactions you knew you were eliciting from the agents outside.

"Oh God?!" Yelena and Madisynn shouted in chorus, "Praise the Lord!"

As you continued your act, Natasha suddenly spoke, her voice low and seductive. "Oh yeah?" she purred, "Mhm, yeah. That's my good girl," she murmured, the praise and the nickname making you feel and think inappropriate things right now.

Is this even appropriate?

Both you and Natasha released synchronized grunts and moans, intentionally creating the illusion of some... passionate act.

As your performance continued, you could hear Yelena's voice rise above the others, "Romanoff, if you hurt Y/N, I swear I'll chop you into tiny pieces!" Yelena threatened. "42 sex-onds!" she reminded in a rush.

"Get on my lap," you hadn't even realized what you were doing until you found yourself sitting sideways on Natasha's lap, your tight dress not allowing you to straddle her but you still complied with her commanding order. The space between you grew even tighter, the proximity leaving you heady and breathless.

Natasha then shifted her thighs beneath you causing you to squeal in surprise.

"Sorry," she whispered, but you just nodded, your face a burning kettle. Outside the door, the agents' voices grew louder, their excitement evident as they reacted to the sounds you and Natasha were making.

"They were rushing it out!"

"Give them more time! C'mon!"

"I hope at least one of them could finish."

You brought your hand on your mouth to contain your laughter once again. You blushed at the comment of the agents, the other was holding Natasha's shoulder so you can steady yourself.

"18 seconds!"

The countdown and the outside world faded into the background as you bit your lip, your breath coming in short, shallow gasps. Overwhelmed by the moment and the intensity of your emotions, you leaned in and surged forward, your lips crashing onto hers, bruising them further in a desperate and passionate kiss.

As your lips melded together, Natasha's hands instinctively found their way to your waist, gripping it firmly, grounding you both. Pulling away, you locked eyes with Natasha, the gravity of the moment finally sinking in. Your heart hammers against your ribcage as you notice her lip, slightly bloodied with traces of your lipstick smeared across it.

And with that, the door of the small room you were in swung open, the people all over you, shouting and screaming seeing you sitting on the lap of your agent.

The Call: Masterlist

[littlegeecko]

Headcannons for the father & son duo :> or just lore- whichever one you wanna talk abt more

(007 & c00l)

Aw yes, my parent/kid bond of all time :J Keep the characters coming!! my askbox is open!!!

Extra deets under the cut

7n7

-He used to have a more...demonic appearance during his prime hacker years, both as self-exploration, scare the shit outta people and not be recognized in public, it worked pretty well but it took a toll on his health after a while so he only used that appearance while hacking. Kidd looks a little like him in his 20s...

-Used to date Noli around college years and a bit after, however after he got Noli infected with the VoidStar, the guilt made him break up with Noli, ghost him, and move someplace else after Kidd appeared at his door, fearing an angry Noli might find him, for whatever reason

-He really, REALLY likes to play being a cute, helpless loser man sometimes just to pass for a non-threat, it makes the sentinels grow soft for him, the worst kindof gay you'll find if you ask me. (but it also keeps them from bothering him too)

-He's slightly paranoid the admins got shit against him even if they're all stuck in hell trying to survive together, so he grows suspicious everytime anyone invites him to the hang outs or simply try to interact with him directly. He tends to be a loner... Guest was the first one to break thru the walls he made around him.

-Sometimes Kidd calls him mama, he doesn't mind

-In this AU he used to have a thing* with Mafioso before being forsaken'd, it scared him shitless to see him as a killer, but he's happy Kidd has a familiar face on the other side.

-Jesus is this man volatile. He's often neutral and even shy in his little corner but he's the type to take Chance's flintlock straight from his holster if he feels threatened, and mumble nasty things about the admins under his breath like a weirdo.

-He forcibly taught himself to cook because he truly had to improvise some kid-safe dishes when kidd was a toddler, he eventually took a liking to it though, "cooking its like coding, in a sense" he says. Nowadays he makes delicious food for the survivors when it's his turn to, most of them won't admit it's pretty good (except Guest, who always throws a compliment here and there)

-Insane typing speed, what that hand do? lmao

-Can do crazy shit with his GUI don't ask me about it

C00lkidd:

-He's energetic and with a contagious (scary) smile!! a true extrovert, much to n7's surprise, though he never had many friends...most of his friends were animals he'd find

-He's actually a really sweet kid like any other, but he likes to "prank" people that mistreat him or his dad, like Elliot making a nasty face at him when they went to his pizzeria (he then proceeded to un-anchor the cash register and made it fall on Elliot's foot, he still has the scar to this day) He had many problems with this attitude at school, specially when the pranks turned from simple hahas to actual violent payback to his bullies, like scratching and biting(You know the school system, they blamed him for reacting)

-Loud noises make him anxious, specially sudden ones. He DESPISES Taph and his mines because of this.

-Used to be very short around 6-8 then had a sudden growth spurt at 9. Now she's average!

-They're, surprisingly, VERY resistant to many things like strong illness, falls, disasters and even fire, they just bruise really easy because of their skin condition and the rashes are their worst enemy most of the time. n7 is not sure if the GUI has something to do with this or they're just built like that??

-Kidd LOVES reading about strange animals, mythos and cryptids, the Drakobloxxer being her favorite by a long shot. Delli was a gift from n7 to her at age 6 and that turned their brain into an chest of crazy information about these topics.

-Likes to draw and make crafts, like their bracelet :3 they have a lot of time in their hands since they're kinda lonely

-He loves swords he thinks they're cool but N7 never got him one, Mafioso on the other hand.... got him a (toy) one. Best uncle ever!!!

-He calls Mafioso "Uncle Mario" and isn't aware of the extent in which he and his dad's relationship goes, but he likes him a lot!!! its nice to have adults that dont treat him like a little freak :]

-Doesn't know who Noli is, n7 refused to tell him much about him so imagine this poor kid's face when Noli tried to play-pretend being a dad for him when becoming a killer. Stranger Danger!!!

-he likes Guest and Chance he think they're cool, he doesnt like it when they attack him though :/

-Just like in her original concept, she has a bigger, scarier AND stronger form while playing Killer, she only keeps half the memories when she goes back to regular form

anyway theres alot more but this shit long already lmaooo

[dixonsdarkelf]

➼ I will continue to add to this list as I read.

❤️ fluff | 🖤 angst | 💓 smut | 👀 implied smut | 😉 suggestive content but no smut

I decided to make a collection of my top favorite fics from other writers, so I made this list to compile them all in one place. They're in no particular order & cover a variety of characters. Please make sure you read the warnings. I am not responsible for your consumption, nor are any of the respective authors. Please respect any boundaries the author has in place when it comes to the consumption of their content, such as age restrictions. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! 🖤

➼ 'Risky Business' by @dixons-sunshine (Daryl Dixon x Reader) 💓 Warnings: Smut, swearing, porn with a little plot, quickie, semi public sex (they're in someone else's bathroom), risk of getting caught, unprotected p in v (wrap it before you tap it), creampie, aftercare, mentions of pregnancy

➼ 'Sweet Like Candy, But He's Such A Man' by @tinysunshine (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 💓 Warnings: Fingering, light dom/sub, pet names, oral, swallowing, slightly rough sex, dirty talk, they fuck on a motorcycle, age gap, formersexworker!reader, trauma bonding, violence, death, slut shaming, bullying

➼ 'Imperfectly Perfect' by @janiehellion (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 🖤 Warnings: Hurt to comfort, trauma, mentions of childhood neglect & abandonment, mentions of emotional & physical abuse

➼ 'Don't Scream' by @daryltwdixon (Dark!Daryl Dixon x Reader) 💓 Part 1 Part 2 Warnings: DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT--horror, blood and implied violence, no walkers, motel room encounters, morally grey reader, predator/prey vibes, dubious situations/consent (Reader consents, but they're trying to convince themself this is a bad idea), serialkiller!Daryl, fear-turned-arousal, misattribution of arousal, thanatos/death drive theory, unprotected p in v, fingering, oral (female receiving), some knife play, fear kink

➼ 'In Silliness & Mischief' by @letterstodixon (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ Warnings: None

➼ 'One Night Or Forever?' by @holdmytesseract (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 🖤 💓Warnings: Smut, slight dom/sub dynamics, unprotected p in v (y'all know better), oral (male receiving), Daryl's a little mean in this one, slight angst, a bit of drama, alcohol, drunk-ish Daryl, tipsy Reader, swearing, bickering

➼ 'Teach You' by @daryltwdixon (Daryl Dixon x Reader) 💓 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Warnings: Foreplay, oral (both male & female receiving), unprotected p in v (I do not endorse), dirty talk, fingering, Daryl is a man possessed in one part, Reader is gentle with Daryl in other parts, some of Daryl's POV

➼ 'Sex Deck' by @deansapplepie (Daryl Dixon x Reader) 💓 Warnings: Smut, talks about sex, a sex deck, virgin!reader, virginity loss, age gap (Reader is in her late 20s/early 30s), unprotected p in v (don't do this y'all), fingering, oral (female receiving), creampie

➼ 'The Horror and the Wild' by @lightning-hawke (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 🖤Warnings: Angst, hurt/sort of comfort, injuries, awful communication skills, canon-typical blood, canon-typical violence, blood, death, injuries, mutual pining, gore, mild sexual content, unnamed animal death and butchering, fluff and bonding

➼ 'Feed My Frankenstein' by @lightning-hawke (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 🖤 💓Warnings: MDNI, 18+ only, coffin sex, mutual pining, sort of established relationship, assumed death of the others, grieving, hurt/comfort, angst, smut with feelings, hand jobs, unprotected p in v, brief mention of pregnancy fears/contraceptives

➼ Domestic playing house drabble by @tinysunshine (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 😉 Warnings: Swearing, suggestive content, a lil' spanking

➼ Cuteness aggression drabble by @tinysunshine (Daryl Dixon x Reader) ❤️ 😉Warnings: Swearing, biting, suggestive content/commentary

➼ 'Performance' by @dixons-sunshine (Scud Frohmeyer x Reader) ❤️ Warnings: None

➼ 'Stay Quiet, Pretty Boy' by @dixons-sunshine (Scud Frohmeyer x Reader) 💓Warnings: Oral (male receiving), semi-public (they're in the workshop), praise kink, pet names, risk of getting caught, swearing

➼ 'Do You Feel It?' by @stellar-waves (Connor MacManus x Reader) 🖤 Warnings: Major angst, Reader has a panic attack, implication of past self-harm

➼ 'The Only Heaven I'll Be Sent To' by @stellar-waves (Connor MacManus x Reader) ❤️ 🖤 💓 Part 1 Part 2 Warnings: Smut, slight angst, virgin!Connor, unprotected p in v (you know better than this), fingering, handjob, multiple orgasms, explicit language, Catholic guilt, canon-adjacent

➼ 'The Hat Rule' by @ghost-proofbaby (Eddie Munson x Reader) 💓 Warnings: Smut, Reader is dressed as a black cat, 'slutty' costumes, pet names, public teasing, unprotected p in v (again, wrap it up), choking kink, oral (female receiving), ass slapping

➼ 'Pretty Girl' by @daryltwdixon (Joel Miller x Reader) ❤️ 💓 Warnings: MDNI 18+, Joel is down bad in love, self conscious reader, no physical description (except 'soft belly') but reader is insecure of their body, no specific timeline, age gap mentioned but not specified, p in v, oral (female receiving), little bit of ass play (female receiving), dirty talk, praise kink, daddy kink, soft!joel, he calls you like every pet name in the book. some aftercare

➼ 'Cause I'm So Into You' by @dixons-sunshine (Joel Miller x Reader) ❤️ 💓Warnings: Swearing, mentions of unrequited feelings, smut, oral (female receiving), fingering, unprotected p in v, creampie, a lot of petnames from Joel (darling, baby, etc), no use of y/n, maybe ooc Joel.

➼ 'Family Matters' by @daryltwdixon (Joel Miller x Reader) ❤️ 🖤 💓 Warnings: Fluff, angst, smut, MDNI 18+, p in v, no outbreak, talk of infertility, situation that starts off as definitely not kosher but lowkey evolves into cheating & very unhealthy dynamics, baby makin', breeding kink, dirty talk, size kink, boundaries being crossed, oral (female receiving), rule breaking, riding, Joel starts to catch feelings he shouldn't, some mentions of pregnancy, blowjobs, love triangle (?), jealousy, possessiveness, power play, bad communication, threesome, some dubious consent at first then reader fully consents, Tommy is an asshole, pregnancy, soft/domestic Joel & Tommy, mentions of gender/sex, arguing, fingering, pregnancy kink?, possessive Joel, thigh grinding/riding, handjob, fighting (physical and emotional), labor & delivery

➼ 'Heated' by @dixons-sunshine (Joel Miller x Reader) 💓 Warnings: Smut, swearing, porn without plot, dom!Joel, edging, orgasm denial, praise, dirty talk, fingering, unprotected p in v, creampie

➼ 'Do It For Dale' by @daryltwdixon (Joel Miller x Reader) 💓 Warnings: Smut, MDNI 18+, cheerleader!reader, bratty!reader, overprotective!joel, grumpy!joel, sarah's best friend!reader, sbf!reader, bfd!joel, college au, brattamer!joel, no outbreak, p in v, Reader is on birth control, blowjob, oral (female receiving), no use of y/n, riding, dirty talk, tiny bit of degradation but also praise kink, spanking, big girthy age gap (Reader is 21+)

'Green Is The Color' by @lostcherise (Jesse Pinkman x Reader) ❤️ 💓 Warnings: Roommates!au, pining, jealousy, allusions to masturbation, light angst (if you squint), jealous Jesse, smut, oral (m and f receiving), p in v

Georgianna Marianne Hawkins Created by: @dixons-sunshine Fandom: The Walking Dead Paired with: Daryl Dixon Tag(s): georgie hawkins, 𝑚𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙 ࣪𖤐.ᐟ, 𝑔𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑒 𖤐.ᐟ, 𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑙 ࣪𖤐.ᐟ, 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑡𝑝 𖤐.ᐟ

Matthew Christopher Hawkins Created by: @dixons-sunshine Fandom: The Walking Dead Paired with: N/A Tag(s): matt hawkins, 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡 𖤐.ᐟ, 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑗𝑎𝑦 ࣪𖤐.ᐟ

Elena Michelle Jensen Created by: @stellar-waves Fandom: The Boondock Saints Paired with: Connor MacManus Tag(s): elena jensen, colena

Amelia Fawn Hayes Created by: @bambidixon Fandom: The Walking Dead Paired with: Daryl Dixon Tag(s): amelia hayes

Ivory Walsh Created by: @bambidixon Fandom: The Walking Dead Paired with: Daryl Dixon Tag(s): ivory walsh

Meave Rosie McGinty Created by: @sa1nt-bambi Fandom: The Boondock Saints Paired with: Murphy MacManus Tag(s): 🌷 meave

Cortana Yvette Riley-Dixon Created by: @valisadixon Fandom: The Walking Dead Paired with: Noelle Meyer Tag(s): cortana riley

Noelle Meyer Created by: @valisadixon Fandom: The Walking Dead Paired with: Cortana Riley-Dixon Tag(s): noelle meyer

i do not own any of the above mentioned works or characters. each piece of work and original character belongs to its respective author. gif banner, 'you are responsible' banner & character dividers were created by me. three-heart divider was created by @/enchanthings.

[suguslve]

‧˚꒰🍷꒱༘‧— DO I LOOK LIKE HER? part ii

synopsis: in which you, the new human transfer in Devildom realize bit by bit that you are only seen as a replacement for Lilith.

part i. part iii.

♰ pairings. obey me brothers x fem! Reader

♰ genre. angst

♰ word count. 2.2k

♰ a/n. haha...hey...i know its been so long since i posted part 1 but you can't blame me! i've been swamped with school and lost the motivation to write, so this is my apology pls accept it </3 enjoy reading and don't forget to lmk your thoughts! (p.s. im so sorry that lucifer's part was so short ehe)

Over time, you began to notice the small things, the subtle gestures that hinted at something you couldn’t quite grasp. The brothers were kind to you, undeniably so. They treated you with warmth and affection, and you had grown close to each of them, bonding in ways that made you feel at home in the Devildom. But there was something... slightly off about it all, something you couldn’t shake.

You had formed a close relationship with Mammon, finding it easier to bond and connect with him in comparison to his other brothers. It wasn't just that he was loud or impulsive, or that he often dragged you into crazy schemes—there was something in his eyes when he looked at you, something softer, more genuine. With him, you felt less like a replacement and more like a person—your person, but boy were you mistaken.

One random evening, Mammon had barged into your room, grinning like he always did, but in his hand was a bouquet of flowers. They were lilies. The kind with soft white petals and delicate purple hues that seemed to shimmer in the light. 

“Here ya go. I just! found them on my way back home…” He handed them over to you, a soft blush painting his features. “They’re special….I guess.” 

You gave him a soft smile before standing on your toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Mammon. They're lovely."

He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly looking a little awkward. “Well, uh... Lilith used to love these, thought you’d like ‘em too.”

At that, your smile faltered, and your gaze lingered on the flowers. Lilith, huh? You question if the gift was really meant for you or if they were meant for her. You shook your head slightly and met his eyes again, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. "Thanks. But, um... I’m really tired, so if you don’t mind, could you leave?"

He looked taken aback but nodded quickly. "Oh, yeah, of course. Rest well, Y/N." You closed the door softly and immediately walked to the trash bin, you grabbed the flowers and tossed them inside. You hated lilies.

But the lilies were just the beginning.

Lucifer followed soon after.

He knocked on your bedroom door one evening, holding a small, ornate music box, intricate carvings polished to perfection. “This is for you.” he stated before opening it, a beautiful melody filling not only the room but the whole house as well. You stood there, in awe, yet something about it made your chest tighten.

“This belonged to Lilith,” he said, his voice soft. “She was enamored with it, bringing it everywhere we went and playing with it. I thought you might like it as much as she did.”

“Thank you.” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper as your hand shook before taking the box. Lucifer nodded, his gaze lingering on the music box for a moment longer. He then bid you goodnight, walking back towards his room, you noticed the faintest trace of a sigh escape him, as though the act of handing over that music box had taken something from him. As soon as he left, you placed it on a high shelf, far out of sight.

Leviathan’s room was dim—the only source of light coming from his monitor. It was another one of your late night anime watching sessions and you had both stayed up all night binge-watching a newly released anime. You sat beside him, wrapped in a blanket he had tossed your way earlier, your eyes heavy with exhaustion but you were just too invested to stop.

“Okay, okay, this is finally the last episode.” Levi said, barely containing his excitement. “This is gonna be so good.” You chuckled at his enthusiasm, adjusting your position on the couch. “Alright then, hit play already!”

As the opening credits rolled, Levi shot you a glance before grinning. “You know… the main character kinda reminds me of you.” You raised a brow. “Oh? How so?”

Levi gestured toward the screen. “Just look at them! Their whole vibe—the way they act, the way they talk, even some of their features!—it’s just so you.” Curious, you turned your attention fully to the character in question. They had a quiet strength to them, a soft but determined presence. And yet, as the scene unfolded, your stomach twisted.

Because the character didn’t remind you of yourself. They reminded you of her.

The resemblance to Lilith was undeniable—the same gentle eyes, the same way they carried themselves, the way they spoke, even the way they looked all felt eerily familiar. Your heart sank as you realized what Levi was seeing.

He wasn’t seeing you.

You swallowed, forcing a small laugh. “You think so?” Levi nodded enthusiastically, completely unaware of the weight behind his words. “Yeah! It’s uncanny. Maybe that’s why I felt comfortable around you so quickly—it’s like I already knew you.”

Tears were threatening to fall from your eyes. So that was it. Even here, in a world separate from reality, you were still standing in someone else’s shadow.

Next came Satan. 

It was a quiet afternoon, and you had wandered far from the House of Lamentation, seeking peace and quiet. Seated on a bench, you immersed yourself in a random book from the library, enjoying the peace.

A soft ‘meow’ pulled you from your reading. Glancing up, you spotted a small black kitten approaching, its green eyes warm and curious. Setting your book aside, you cooed at the tiny creature, extending a hand to beckon it closer.

You picked it up softly, making contact with its soft fur. The cat looked at you curiously before meowing once more. Your heart softened at it, and you placed it on your lap, petting it slowly. The cat’s eyes became more and more droopy, and soon after it fell asleep.

Smiling, you reached for your D.D.D. to capture the moment—only to pause at the sound of a quiet chuckle behind you.

Turning quickly, you found Satan watching you, amusement flickering in his eyes.

“You’re good with cats.” Satan remarked, stepping closer before seating himself beside you. His voice was smooth, but there was something softer in it than usual—something almost fond.

You relaxed slightly, offering a small smile as you glanced down at the sleeping kitten in your lap. “I think this little one just likes me.” you said, running a gentle hand over its fur.

He watched the kitten with adoration, petting it softly as well. “You’re quite similar to Lilith.” he murmured and you froze at the mention of her name. “Animals were drawn to her, especially cats. She had this… certain gentleness about her.”

Your fingers stilled, the weight of his words settling over you like a familiar shadow. Here it was again. Another moment, another memory that wasn’t really yours. When will it end?

You were out shopping with Asmodeus, hopping from store to store. Your feet ached unbearably, but despite the discomfort, you found yourself enjoying the moment. He was going on and on about the latest fashion trends and gossip, and you smiled as you listened, entertained by his enthusiasm.

His rambling came to an abrupt stop when his eyes landed on a fragrance shop. With a delighted squeal, he grabbed your hand and eagerly pulled you inside.

The shop was filled with soft, ambient lighting and shelves lined with elegant glass bottles, each containing a different scent. The air was thick with floral, citrus, and musky undertones, blending together into something almost intoxicating.

Asmodeus let go of your hand and immediately darted from display to display, picking up bottles and spritzing them onto tester strips. Meanwhile, you wandered through the shop at your own pace, picking up bottles and sampling various scents, searching for a new one that suited you.

You had just found a light, floral fragrance that you liked when Asmodeus turned to you and gasped dramatically. “Oh! That one!” he exclaimed, holding up the sleek glass bottle. His eyes shimmering with excitement as he spritzed some onto his wrist. “You’ve got good taste Y/N! You know, Lilith also loved this scent! She used to wear it all the time—it was practically made for her.”

Your face fell at the mention of her name once more. God, why does everything have to be about her?

“You should buy it!” he insisted. “I just know it’ll smell amazing on you—just like it did on her.”

You hesitated, staring down at the delicate bottle. The weight of it felt heavier than it should have.

“Go on.” he urged, smiling brightly. “It’ll be perfect on you.” Just like how it was perfect for Lilith.

Then it was Beelzebub. 

You were sitting in the living room, scrolling mindlessly on your D.D.D. Your attention was then interrupted when you heard the main entrance open and close. Beelzebub walked towards you, a smile evident on his soft features, he was holding what looked like a basket of pastries, the sweet aroma filling the air.

“Hey Y/N! I was over at this new pastry shop earlier and look what I got!” He said excitedly, you smiled up at him before he picked one out of the bunch and handed it over to you. It was a strawberry flavored bread, your favorite. You took it from him, about to thank him before he beat you to it. 

“That was Lilith’s favorite!” he said, his voice tinged with a rare gentleness. “I thought you’d like to try it.” You stared at the pastry on your hand, your appetite vanishing. 

“Oh…Thanks, Beel.” you murmured, disappointment evident in your voice. He smiled up at you before heading to his room, surely to eat the rest of the pastries, while you sat there, staring at the bread before placing it in the fridge and walking back to your room.

The bread sat untouched on the refrigerator for days until they went bad, and you threw them away.

You sat hunched over your desk, your room dimly lit by the soft glow of your lamp. The assignment in front of you was due tomorrow, but the words on the page blurred together, your exhausted mind struggling to focus.

This had become your routine—staying up late, drowning yourself in schoolwork, anything to keep your thoughts from spiraling. The dark circles under your eyes had deepened over the past few weeks, proof of just how little rest you were getting.

But it wasn’t just the assignments keeping you up. It was them. 

A soft knock on your door pulled you from your thoughts. Before you could respond, it creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

Belphegor.

He rubbed his eyes, looking just as sleepy as ever, but there was something different in his expression—something more aware, more concerned. He didn’t say anything at first, just took in the sight of you, the exhaustion weighing heavy on your frame.

“…You’re not sleeping.” His voice was quiet, but certain. It wasn’t a question. You sighed, leaning back in your chair. “I’ve got a lot to do.” Belphegor didn’t respond right away. Instead, he walked closer, something bundled in his arms. When he reached your side, he held it out to you. A thick, worn blanket.

You blinked at it, hesitant. “What’s this?” He didn’t meet your eyes as he spoke. “It was Lilith’s.”

Oh.

“She always used it when she couldn’t sleep.” he continued, voice softer now. “Said it made her feel safe.”

Your throat tightened as you stared at the fabric in his hands. Still, you reached out, your fingers brushing against the fabric. It was soft, familiar in a way it shouldn’t have been.

“Thanks.” you murmured, forcing a smile. Belphegor nodded, watching you for a moment longer before turning away. “Get some sleep.” he muttered before slipping out of the room.

You held the blanket close, staring down at it, your chest heavy with something you couldn’t name. You were being given another piece of her.

It wasn’t just the gifts that hurt—it was the way they looked at you. Like they were searching for pieces of her in you, hoping to fill the void she’d left behind. Each gift came with the same unspoken message: You’re not Lilith, but we wish you were.

That same night, as you stared at the collection of gifts scattered around your room, you finally broke. The memory of Lilith lingered like a ghost in the House of Lamentation, and no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t escape her shadow. And with every gift, every gesture, it became clearer—you were never truly seen. Not for who you were. Not for who you wanted to be. You were a ghost in someone else’s place, a cruel imitation of the sister they lost. Every kindness they offered wasn’t meant for you, no matter how much you laughed, cried, or screamed, it wouldn’t matter. They never cared for you. They cared for the pieces of her they saw in you.

You were her, in all the ways that counted. And you wondered if they would ever realize—if they would ever mourn you, the way they mourned her. Or if you were never meant to be anything more than Lilith’s shadow.

all rights reserved to © suguslve.

[hotmusclebabe]

rise and fall, again and again

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

sevika x reader / 7.2k words

summary: you've known sevika for most of your adult life. despite your differences, you two share a bond that you cannot find in anyone else. when she begins to act reckless and uncaring towards herself, you decide that you physically can't handle watching her tear herself apart. however, you realize that the bond you share with sevika can't be so easily severed, not when it hurts so badly to see her go.

tags: friends to strangers to friends to lovers (??!?!), there are periods of time where sevika and the reader stop speaking, minor mentions of blood and violence, reader gets jumped at some point, isha and jinx mentioned as minor characters, some angst (but fluff to compensate), as slow burn as a 7k fic can get i think, i'm not that great at tagging i'm sorry, completely sfw

notes: again, major MAJOR shoutout to @massiveragingdyke ٩(>ᴗ<)و !!! not only have they been proofreading my work, but they're my main source of motivation to put these out. also, if you catch any typos or grammatical errors, don't be afraid to lmk! i'm still pretty new to writing, and i appreciate all and any critiques. much love, hope you guys enjoy <3

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Connections were scarce in the Undercity. You were lucky to not wind up dead by twenty, but even those who did get to live did not have much reason for it. Family was rare; as most of those around you did, you grew up without a family in Zaun. Community, the veins that run through Zaun and keep the blood of many flowing, had been a vital part of maintaining the livelihood of the city.

Here, you had met Sevika. In her younger days, there was not a large difference in her personality. However, it was clear enough that she was young. Impulsive, reckless, brash at times— she hadn't learned the world well enough yet. Even then, you two had butt heads. The most noticeable trait she'd carried when she was younger was her sarcastic, blunt personality. A vast contrast to you. You did not prefer violence, not when it could be helped. Sevika understood that violence was the necessary baseline to incite change. When faced with harshness or rudeness, you understood that some people may have been having a bad day. Sevika's had a bad life, and she is never rude unless given a reason to be.

Somehow, it all worked. You liked her differences; her perspective was refreshing. She taught you how to be colder, and you taught her to open her heart.

Though your memories had faded, they would never disappear. Embedded in your heart is memories of the relationship between you and Sevika. Often, you would find her in the backroom of the Last Drop, fresh bruises on her cheeks, knuckles beaten raw.

Sevika could never put those moments past her either— she could never forget the feel of your gentle hands cleaning the bruises off her cheeks and the blood off of her knuckles. . Your soft hands contrasting against her rough ones; she knew that there was a vast difference between the two of you. Your hands were soft, untouched, had never seen a day of work in your life— your warm heart shone in the way your hands were always soft. Sevika's life had been rough; she had fought her way through every predicament and every obstacle she's been challenged with, and her hands were an reminder of every person that had ever tried to beat her down.

While Sevika's hand is in yours, you use a soaked rag to swipe her knuckles, cleaning her hands with care. "You're going to get yourself more than a couple bruises one day," you tell her quietly. Releasing her hand, you hold her jaw, maneuvering the rag to clean her face. "God, you smell awful."

She lets out a sharp exhale, her eyebrows furrowed. "The guy I fought is passed and missing a gold tooth. And I smell bad because I was out, trying to make a living. Not like you would know."

"I would know. You've just brought in more business by getting your ass kicked." Dramatically, you shrink away from her face. "Your breath reeks of salmon and eel, too," you respond. "Got an excuse for that one? Or were you "making a living" by slacking off at Jericho's?"

"Blame your mother for that one."

"Hey!" Vaguely, you can make out the corners of Sevika's lips pulling upwards, which is enough for you. "Jerk," you mutter, without any conviction. You grab a roll of bandages, wrapping her knuckles. "Seriously. You have to be more careful—"

Sevika cuts you off. "I know. Same shit you tell me every day. I'm going to get myself hurt, I'm going to end up being the guy on the ground missing a couple teeth, I need to pick my battles more wisely." A sharp sigh escapes her, and you tug at her other hand, furrowing your eyebrows to give her an annoyed look. "I don't just fight people because I feel like it. So don't go thinking that's the case."

"Just worried about you, Sevika," you reply, voice quieter now. She doesn't respond to that; she's unsure how to. Caution is as foreign to Sevika as care or worry is. Although most of her life has past her by quite quickly, she cannot recall much instances where she has been told not to fight, especially when that is the one thing she feels she is good at. Her father taught her to fight, as did her father's father likely did for him.

With conviction, she replies: "I'll try to be more careful." Still, you take her words seriously.

You recall, the few years later, when her arm had been injured to the point of amputation. Sevika had grown, in size and strength, but her preservation and care for her own life did not. Ingrained into your memory is the sight of Gustavo carrying Sevika in; she had grown to be at least 6'3 at this point, yet here she was, being carried as if she were a child again.

For the first time, Sevika had seen you cry. From the moment she had met you all those years ago, up until now, she had never seen you cry. Night by night, you had stayed at her side until she healed. It had taken her about two weeks to recover fully, and Silco had a prosthetic arm crafted for her in this time. After you were sure she was okay, you refused to speak with her. A childish move, you knew it, but you couldn't stand to look at her. The shimmer scars on her cheeks, her missing arm— the Sevika that you once knew was warping out of control, and it hurt. The mess she was putting herself through was unbearable to watch.

Sevika had been hyper-aware of your absence. Despite what she may insist, and how calloused she'd like to portray herself, you are her best friend, and you always have been. Sevika had constantly tried to convince herself that you were just adjusting to Silco's new leadership, and that you were simply just hurt by the demise of Vander and what once was in Zaun— but she knew deep down that it wasn't true. She was hurting you with her reckless behavior, but clearly, she had no intention of stopping. The choices she made were necessary in the movement towards freeing Zaun, and if you didn't have the same vision, then clearly you did not share the same vision for a free Zaun as she did, and it was good that you were gone.

That's what she tells herself, until you get targeted for being close to her.

The Last Drop was no longer the safe place it was before. What used to be a safe, hospitable tavern where community could gather had turned into a trap house, a place where shimmer addicts and thugs came to drink until their livers spoiled and deal until their pockets were full. And a group, a penniless one, had lost their earnings to Sevika— but no one was stupid enough to fight Sevika face on.

Instead of fighting Sevika, they targeted where it would really hurt her. You.

It was no secret that you and Sevika had some kind of unsavory break-up— break-up used loosely because you were not dating, but breakup also used specifically because you might as well have been— so you were the perfect target.

They had rounded you up about an hour later. You weren't quite so hard to find; you were typically in the Last Drop too, opposite of Sevika. As soon as you stepped out of the door and made it halfway down the alley, they'd pounced. Now, it wasn't that you were weak, or unable to fight, you were unprepared. More than that, you were soft. You didn't enjoy violence, and the last thing you'd do is provoke a fight with anyone. Overcome by shock, you didn't find it in you to fight against 5 people. Like an idiot, you laid and took the beating without questioning why. You had just curled into yourself and prayed that it would stop.

You weren't found until the next morning, and it wasn't Sevika who found you. Ironically enough, it was Gustavo, who knew better than to pass you by without incurring Sevika's wrath. The same way he'd carried Sevika when she lost her arm was the same way he carried you. He brought you into Silco's office without knocking, and as soon as Sevika had laid her eyes on you, her stomach dropped. Your once full cheeks had bruised and blood stained upon them, your bottom lip split down the center. Your ribs had been bruised as well, back marked with scrapes from where they'd thrown you onto the pavement.

But nothing on your fists or knuckles. Not a single sign you had fought back.

Signed provided everything she needed, but Sevika took care of you personally. She didn't leave your side for anything, and told Silco she would refuse to take any jobs for the week until she knew you were better. However, even as she took care of you, she was silent. There were no words she could say that would make up for how your relationship had unfolded. You wanted so badly for her to say something, to be angry, to tell you that you were an asshole for ghosting her the way you did— but she didn't. You knew that in some aspect, she knew that she was wrong. But even knowing, she didn't change, and that's what hurt.

After a few days pass, you finally regain your strength. She's brought you some food, sitting quietly at your side as she waits for you to eat some. It was rice and curried eel, the way you had it when you were younger. But you weren't young anymore, and had grown tired of curried eel every day. You push the bowl of food to the side, swallowing the lump in your throat. "You really aren't going to say anything to me? At all?" Your voice is quiet and hoarse, scratchy after a week or so of not talking.

A part of Sevika was relieved you were talking to her, but the other side of her wished you hadn't said anything at all. She wasn't ready to confront this. "Thought you weren't talking to me."

"You could've said something." You reply, trying to rub the heaviness from your eyes.

For a moment, Sevika is silent—and you think she might just ignore you. But then she inhales sharply. "Nothing I could've said would have made things better between us."

"Is that what you think?" Your eyes meet her finally; before, you'd been trying to avoid looking at her. The weight of your separation had been hitting you now. The reason you'd stopped speaking to Sevika was because she didn't care about her fate; she prioritized the fate of Zaun over herself. The reason Sevika hadn't spoken to you was just the same reason; she didn't care enough for herself, she didn't think highly enough of herself to pursue that connection once again. "You know who I am. If you said something, I would've forgiven you in live two minutes—"

Sevika interrupts you. "I know," she responds. "That's why I didn't. That's why I wanted to stop talking to you. Look at where knowing me landed you." She gestures to your state on the cot.

"I'm fine," you insist. "But even before that. You could have said something."

"No, I couldn't have," she retorts. You notice that her eyes have a vague hint of purple, behind the grayish-blue color you'd come to love so much. "I'm working for Zaun. You knew that when you met me, you knew who I was when you met me. Don't try to change it now, because it won't happen. That's why we stopped talking."

You feel your throat becoming dry, and your eyes the opposite. You don't know what's come over you, but your legs strain to lift off the cot, and your feet touch the ground. "Fuck you, Sevika," you spat. Sevika looks mildly shocked at your sudden outburst; not only had she been the source of seeing you cry for the first time, but now, she's made you angry for the first time too. "You knew I would have forgiven you. You knew it. But you didn't come back to me—"

Sevika had tried to interrupt you. "I couldn't.You kn—"

"No!" You retort. "You don't get to pull the, I couldn't. You don't get to pull the Zaun card on me, or the fact that you need to work for everything. I have nothing to do with that, and you know it. Zaun is nothing without our communities, and our families, and you broke that. You broke it! You don't even know what the hell it is you're fighting for!" Hobbling away from the room on one leg, you head for the door, wincing as you limp.

With desperation, Sevika calls out your name. "You're going to hurt yourself, don't—"

"Too bad," you spat. "I already get my ass beat. I can get myself home, whether or not you're in my life, Sevika." You limp out the room with your bum leg, ego and emotional state wounded just as much as your physical state is.

Sevika stands and stares at you, a pit growing in her stomach. The sight of you, angry, limping away injured, she wasn't prepared for it. She doesn't try to stop you, not when you've made it clear you want to leave. After you've hobbled out the door, she sits on the cot you were once on, staring down at her hands: one mechanical, and one human. She knew you were right; she should have never let you go, not in the way she did. While you curated the softness in her, she had made you so angry and hurt. Sevika sits and stews on the fact that the person she admires most in the world, someone who is so caring and generous, someone who never had a bad word to say about anyone— that person is pissed with Sevika.

After that ordeal, Sevika is positive that she needs to make things right. Two weeks go by. It hadn't been ideal, but Sevika wanted to allow you some time to heal from your injuries. She ensures through Silco and through her own will that no one will try anything with you again. Moreover, she'd figured out the group that'd hurt you. Sevika made sure wouldn't be seeing daylight for a long, long time.

One evening, she sees you sitting at the bar on your own. There's a cup of orange soda in front of you, a straw sticking out the top. At least that didn't change about you. Tentatively, she walks over to you, taking the seat beside you. You're positive she's not looking at you, and you refuse to look at her too. Though your face is fixated toward your drink, you side glance at her a few times so that you can try to read her expression. It doesn't really help.

A sharp exhale escapes her lips. "How've you been?"

"Guess." is all you mutter in reply.

She sighs again. She doesn't blame you for being angry with her, but it hurts trying to amend things without your cooperation. "Listen," she says quietly. "Are you busy right now?"

"What's it look like?" A part of you feels horrible for being so snappy with her, but you can't find it in you to not be angry.

Finally, Sevika blurts it out. "Can we talk?" She asks you, voice rough. "On the rooftop, like we used to."

Like we used to. A ballsy statement. You want to turn her down. You strain yourself, trying so hard not to look at her. Don't turn your head, don't turn your head, don't turn your head—

Shit. You turned your head. Her eyes are fixated on yours, filled with nothing but sadness. God, you shouldn't have looked. "Now?" Against your will, your voice is softer too.

Sevika nods, standing from the chair. Tentatively, you follow behind her. The route is all too familiar; every day, after you both had finished your shifts at the Last Drop, you'd wander up to the rooftop of her flat. Typically, Sevika would bring snacks, and you'd sneak two cherry sodas you'd stolen from Vander's kitchen. Both of you would spend your night chatting about anything and everything you could think of while looking down at the city lights.

There's nothing you yearn for more than to be young and innocent like that once again.

When you finally reach the rooftop, you had been inclined to sitting where you always had. You were usually on the right of Sevika. However, when she sits beside you, you notice that she had switched it. Her human arm is next to yours. Wordlessly, Sevika reaches into her satchel, tugging out a bottle of cherry soda and a small pack of chips. "I got these for you," she mutters. "Its not a lot, but I wanted you to have it. You weren't eating when you were sick." Sick is an embellishment. Beaten to a pulp would have been more accurate. You take the bottle of soda from her, eyeing it carefully, and then you hand it back to her. Without a second delay in her reaction, she opens it and hands it back to you. Just like she always had.

You take a sip of the cherry soda, and it brings you back. "Did you pack your own?" She shakes her head, and you hand her the bottle. You notice her hesitation before she takes a sip and hands it back to you. "Why did you bring me up here?"

It doesn't go unnoticed, the way her jaw clenches and the way her eyebrows furrow. "I'm sorry," she relays the message as soon as she can. "I don't know what else to say, other than that. I was wrong for all of it. For not reaching out, for accusing you of shit that wasn't true."

Legs dangling from the edge of the rooftop, you let out a quiet exhale as you stew on her words. "Sevika, why do you think I was angry with you?"

"Because I was a dick," Sevika responds.

"You're always a dick. That makes no difference. But I meant after you got your arm blown off." You say.

Mulling over the situation in her head, Sevika's mind goes blank. "I don't know," she admits truthfully.

You chew at the skin of your bottom lip. Of course she doesn't understand, you didn't really expect her to. "You promised me you'd try to stop getting yourself into trouble. I can't count how many times you shattered that promise." You swallow. "I wasn't angry because you were a dick. I was angry because you kept getting yourself hurt. I had to sit and watch you teeter on the verge of death, time after time, while you refused to do anything to help yourself." You avert your gaze from the city line to her. "When I stopped talking to you, I wanted you to reach out again. I didn't want you to fight for me, Sevika, I wanted you to fight for yourself. I wanted you to want to have someone for yourself. And you refused to."

"I meant what I said," Sevika reiterates. "Zaun is what's most important to me. Everything I do is to fight for this cause. But you were right too." Her eyes avert down to her hands. One human, one mechanical. "Zaun is about community, and family, and I lost that. I lost you."

"You never lost me," you scoff quietly. "I was right in front of your eyes, always. You just refused to even look." The air goes quiet between you, but somehow, the silence is comfortable.

In Sevika's head, she bears the weight of how she had treated you. "I missed you," she says quietly, but without meaning to. She feels as if she's overstepping, too much too much. But after all the weeks she's spent away from you, it's all she can think. She feels the air shift around her, feeling you stand up. Momentarily, she thinks you might step away from her or leave the rooftop.

"Move," you tell her, much to her confusion. She shifts over, and you take the spot at her right side once again, despite her mechanical arm. Searching for something to fill the silence, you look down at Sevika's hands. Gently, you take the prosthetic hand into your own, wincing as the fingers prick you. "Hell on Earth, how do you even use this thing?" you mutter. "Bet you could make some pretty good kebabs with this."

A smirk tugs on the corner of Sevika's lips. "This is a weapon of mass destruction, but you're thinking about kebabs?"

Though in hindsight her comment was funny, the situation is not. "That's not a joke. All you seem to be doing lately is beating on people and gambling. You need to do something nice and helpful—"

"I just got you back, and you're already lecturing me?" Sevika cuts you off with a grunt. "I'm not making kebabs."

You give her a glare. "You're making kebabs. Matter of fact, you're going to do more than just make kebabs…" you continue to lecture her, despite her annoyed expression and her sulking attitude. Despite how she's responding, its nice. You're glad you can finally berate her the way that you used to.

Even as you lectured her on her life choices, it didn't slip past you that you were still holding onto her hand.

Time practically flew by when you were in the company of Sevika again. You were joined at the hip like you once were. Due to your presence, Sevika had been begrudgingly volunteering around Zaun. Moreover, she'd been drinking and smoking less, and eating better. It wasn't one sided; since you began talking to Sevika again, you'd found that even your own health had improved. Though you thought you'd never see the day, strangely, Sevika had become softer. Even if she did still feel the urge to break the fingers of drunken idiots at her poker table, it was undeniable that she had changed for the better.

Moments spent between you were spent in gratitude. Things between you had changed, but maybe change wasn't such a bad thing. Not anymore. You hadn't found yourself so reminiscent on what had once been, rather focusing on the way things were going now. And things were going good. Life in Zaun had been going good.

And then, word of Silco's death had spread like wildfire.

Sevika had not been inconsolable. She did not cry or beg, nor did she scream out in anguish or deny that it had occured. She had been silent. When you two found out, you were together. Sitting at the bar, talking over two glasses of Shirley Temples. When she heard, her face had frozen to stone. She simply stood up, muttered, "there are some things I need to take care of," and then left the room. In the moment, you hadn't cried or shown that you were upset. You weren't nearly as close to Silco, not as much as Sevika was. You wanted to remain composed for her. However, when she left the room, you didn't chase her. More than anyone, you knew that she would value her space.

The death of Silco sank heavy in your heart. Never had you ever considered you and Silco as seeing eye to eye. Most of Silco's views wildly opposed yours. However, you knew who he was. Despite his actions, despite how crooked he had made this world, you believed deep down, he had a good heart. The violence he projected had only been the violence he was shown, a reflection of the hand Piltover had dealt. Not only did you reckon with the loss of his character, you had to face the implications on what this meant for Zaun. Chem barons were going to run rampant. Without Silco's guidance, the shimmer industry would likely crumble, bringing more economic despair than what was already present.

Sevika was going to have so much on her plate, so much to take care of.

Rumors had spread that Jinx was the one who had done it. Though you had never held a personal vendetta against Jinx, you could not say that you did not believe such rumors. You deeply pitied the girl, empathized with her mental state. Jinx and Sevika had always been butting heads, especially when it came to Silco.

You wonder how they will bridge that gap now that Silco is gone.

Its been about a day since Silco's passing. Sevika is sitting in Silco's office at the small coffee table, documents spread all over the table. You knock on the door before entering, shutting it behind you. Wordlessly, you walk over to the couch, sitting beside her. Your hand gently brushes her arm, squeezing her bicep. I'm here, is what you want to say, though you doubt Sevika will want to mince any words right now.

Your doubts had been incorrect. Sevika's eyebrows contort, anger evident in her expression. "I can't believe him," she spat. "All this work, all this effort, and he just dies. And who has to clean up his shit like always? I do. I have to."

"Sevika…" your voice is quiet and gentle.

"Don't Sevika me," she scowls. "He's dead. Just up and dead." Despite the anger in her expression, you can decode the pain behind her eyes. Silco had been irresponsible, selfish, inconsiderate— but above all, he had been there with Sevika. Nothing could part the years they had between them. "I told him to get his act together. He was falling down a path of shit, going soft," she shakes her head. "but of course, he didn't listen to me."

You observe her expression with concern and slight hesitation. Tentatively, you allow your arms to stretch forward, wrapping her neck with care. "I know," you whisper. "I know, I'm sorry."

For a moment, you can discern a sniffle escaping Sevika's nose. But she doesn't allow herself to cry, not in front of you. "This is bullshit," she mutters. "How the hell am I going to figure this shit out now?"

"You'll figure it out," you tell her quietly, and she pulls away. "I'll be here to help you. You've still got Ran and Gustavo, and… Dustin, I suppose." Forehead licker. You suppose he has his uses. "But you're not alone, Sevika. You don't have to figure this all out yourself."

Sevika goes silent, and then she slumps back against the couch. "Tell a man to fix his act, and he just dies instead. Typical." She mutters. Mirroring her position, you slump back against the couch with her. Though you worry about her condition, you hope sincerely that your presence, as well as the help of Silco's other workers, will be able to quell her worries. Most of all, you hope time will help Sevika absolve the hole Silco's absence has created.

Time begins to mend the wounds Silco had left. Sevika, ever full of surprises, shocks you once again when she becomes somewhat amicable with Jinx. You had worried about Jinx's mental state after the passing of Silco, though with the support of you and Sevika, you managed to keep her afloat. Jinx had managed to pick up a child, a girl named Isha. Part of you did not rule out the possibility of Jinx snatching a child from her parents's hands, but when you caught sight of the hat Isha donned, it became clearer to you that Isha was likely a child that was forced into the mines.

Sevika had taken a liking to Isha. The girl was ambitious, even attended some protests and riots despite her young age. Now, not only did you have Sevika to worry about, you had to ensure that Isha was not also getting herself into danger. On numerous occasions, you had to lecture Sevika and Isha, side by side, for getting themselves into trouble.

Despite it being obvious that both Jinx and Sevika missed Silco, it was clear that this newly found family was helping them out. Isha and Jinx had been sleeping in Jinx's room, which was makeshift from an old mining ventilation shaft, while you and Sevika had been staying in her flat. After Silco's passing, you insisted you keep an eye on her. She didn't have any argument against it.

You'd been spending a lot of late nights with Sevika. Through all this conflict, you refused to allow Sevika to consider for even a moment that she was alone. Soon, your time spent together felt like something more. You would never allow Sevika to sleep on the couch, certainly not when it was unlikely she'd even fit. You two shared your small bed at night. On the nights that were cold, she allowed you to curl into her, your body molding perfectly to hers.

Over this time, you began to question if you two had something more. Friends don't do this. The quiet reassurances, the gentle touches, the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you— this is not something friends would do.

Still, you don't push her for anything more.

Isha had passed away. She had died attempting to protect Jinx, as well as a whole lot of other people. Losing her had felt like losing a part of yourself. The weight of her death reminded you of the fact that this was Zaun. Nothing was fair, not in this city. Not in this world. She had been so young and ambitious, only to have it ripped away from her.

You hadn't heard from Jinx since, and you'd feared that she was dead too. Sevika had been becoming colder, and you were trying your hardest to keep it together. The last thing you needed was to lose her too, especially while she was still alive. Nights which were once spent with quiet talking and giggling were now spent in silence. You stared at the ceiling until you fell asleep every night. You fought off sleep for as long as you could, because whenever you shut your eyes, all you could envision were the faces of the two children you'd failed to protect.

Then, the fighting started again. Sevika fighting other people, while you fought with her to stop it. She was stubborn more than anything else. Not only was Zaun falling apart, but Piltover was in shambles as well. And for some Godforsaken reason, Sevika wanted to help them. She wanted to help the people who would do anything from allowing your people from crawling out of the hole they'd been forced into.

Sevika was going to leave in the middle of the night. You were in your pajamas, while she was wearing her fanciest attire. "You can't be serious," your voice is close to a berating one. "You can't actually want to help them."

"I'm not doing this for them," she mutters, fastening a few of the buckles on the front of her shirt. "If we win this, they'll finally hear us out. They'll give Zaun a chance. That's what that councilor boy said."

"And you believed him?" You stare at her. "Sevika!" You grab her arm as she attempts to head for the door. "You can't just leave like this. Every opportunity they've had to keep us down, they've shoved us even further into the gutter, and you're going out there to help them?"

Sevika's eyebrows furrow. "And since when do you care about Zaun?"

"Are you kidding me? Since when do I care about Zaun? I'm sorry I don't have the capacity to fight the world head on, Sevika, but I've always cared about Zaun. And you joining the Piltie draft isn't going to help!" You argue back.

"I'm doing this, whether you like it or not. This isn't your choice to be making." Sevika heads to the door, not daring to look back.

A pit forms in your stomach. You know how this goes. You don't want to lose her, not this way. Not when it is something you can try and change. "Sevika, you promised," you plead with her. "You said you weren't going to do this anymore. You said you weren't going to get yourself hurt. Please, Sevika. Don't do this to yourself."

"Haven't broken that promise," Sevika mutters, opening the door. "Goodbye," she mutters your name quietly. The door shuts quietly behind her, and you slump onto the couch.

Everything you had built, the family you'd curated, it had all vanished right before your eyes. Despite your effort, nothing was ever going to save them or keep them safe. No amount of pleading would have diverted the fate of any of your fallen family members.

Jinx had been alive. Had been. Since the battle of whatever-the-fuck at Piltover, you had been doing what you could to assist people who needed it in Zaun. Jinx had passed away, trying to save Vi, her older sister. Despite her demise, you were proud of her. You were proud of the girl she had been, flaws, triumphs, and all. She had a pure heart, which was what had mattered.

But if Jinx died, without a doubt—

You tried to keep the thought of Sevika out of your mind. Anger and bitterness surged through your chest whenever her face popped into your head, which was quite often. She could have saved herself, you thought, but she didn't. She never does. She never picks herself.

There was a high possibility she was dead. No matter what you were doing or what you were thinking, it always intruded upon you.

The more you thought about how your relationship had unfolded with Sevika, the more you perceive yourself to be a coward. You could have done more to stop her. If you had half the balls, you could have even fought beside her. But you were here, in Zaun, away from any fighting and action. Though you were far from safe, you were alive. That was more than many could say.

The Firelights had been a rock in keeping you afloat. You needed something to do constantly, or your thoughts would creep up and take over. Your family is dead, and you did nothing to stop it. You could have done something to stop it. It was a struggle, constantly, to keep these thoughts from consuming you. You had people to help.

Days after the battle in Piltover, the volunteers from Zaun had been permitted to return home. At the bridge checkpoint, the Zaunites were being processed through. You were there, alongside the Firelights, to help reunite the Zaunites with their families. The fissure folk had filed through in large groups, making it slightly difficult to keep track of everyone.

Soon, the crowds began to shrink. Everyone was returning home. Some Zaunites, many of those who had no families, were now taking the time to cross over. They had still been met with enthusiasm and care, just as much as those who had families had been given.

You freeze. Throat going dry, your eyes lay upon Sevika. Her eyes meet yours from across the way. Without really thinking, you abandon your post and move towards her, ignoring the dozens of people shoving past you. You hadn't noticed, but she'd been moving towards you too. She stands in front of you, seeming mostly unscathed. Embarrassingly, you can't control yourself; your voice breaks as you speak to her. "I thought you were dead," you tell her. "I thought—"

Sevika's arm wraps around you first. "I know," she mutters. "I told you. Didn't break your promise yet." Your chest feels tight. The wave of relief that encloses upon you is overwhelming. She's not dead. She's not. Though it takes you a moment to process it, your arms come around her tightly. For a moment, you just hold her there. When you pull away, your eyes graze over her face, checking for any injuries, bruises, or cuts. "Hey. Hey. I'm okay." Her hand pulls your face away from hyper-focusing on her face. "Didn't lose any more limbs."

You wish you could laugh at that, but all you can process is her hand holding your jaw. "You're okay," is all you can spit out. Her thumb strokes over your cheek; you hadn't realized you were crying until now. Breath hitching, you crane your face closer to hers, then pausing. You swallow thickly, and thankfully Sevika isn't as dense or timid as you are. Hand still on your jaw, she pulls your face forward, her lips connecting with yours. She handles you with gentleness, as if you are water in her hands that might slip through.

Wrapping your arms around Sevika's neck, you pull her closer. Tugging your face away from her lips, you tuck your head into her shoulder, holding her tightly once again. You could be angry at her later. But she's here, and she's safe, and you couldn't ask for anything more.

The entirety of Sevika's flat has been deserted. Most of her furniture has been donated, and you've packed her clothes into bags and suitcases. Given the position the council has offered her, she's going to have to move Topside. Neither of you have addressed it directly, nor have you addressed your kiss. You're glad for it. For the time she has left in the Undercity, you want to spend some time with her without any worries in your head.

Its getting late. You open up her closet, needing a pair of clothes to sleep in. When you open it, the closet is empty. "Sevika?" you call for her. She's in the kitchen, but you're not sure what she's up to. She enters the bedroom, holding what seems to be a cup of rum with whipped cream on top. You sigh, not even wanting to bother. "Where's all my clothes?"

Sevika swallows. "In the green suitcase."

"Why'd you put my clothes in there?" You say, mostly to yourself as you open the green suitcase up. You pause once you've opened it. All your stuff is in there. "Sevika???"

"I have to go eat." Sevika tries to leave the bedroom, licking the whipped cream from the cup.

You're not having that. "Sevika! What the hell?"

Finally, she stops, turning around to face you. "What?"

"Why'd you pack all my stuff up?" You ask her. "You— did you sell the flat off already? I thought you said they were gonna give me three months."

Sevika nods. "I did," she responds. "But they cancelled."

It doesn't take an idiot to know that she's lying. "Sevika." You stand up, taking the cup from her and eating the rest of the whipped cream off.

Sevika crosses her arms, back leaning against the doorframe. "…imgonnabringyouwithmetopiltover…" She's mumbling, and you can't make out anything she's said. Once you glare at her, she finally spits it out. "Fine. I'm bringing you with me."

"What the hell? Were you just gonna pack all my shit and hope I didn't notice?" You question her. Sevika grabs the cup back from you, setting it right onto the floor. You give her a confused look, but she then grabs your hand and leads you into the living room. She pauses momentarily, seeming to remember all the furniture is gone. She instead decides to make you two sit where the couch used to be. A smile tugs at your lips as you sit next to her on the floor.

"Shut up," she sighs. You hold your hands up defensively, raising an eyebrow. Gently, she smacks your hand down. "Listen, alright?" Sevika's back is leaning against the wall. "We haven't talked about what happened when I got back from Piltover."

"Was hoping to keep it that way," you say in a joking manner, but truthfully, it makes you nervous to think about. The thought of altering things, especially when you've just reached normalcy once again— it scares you.

"Do you regret it?" Sevika asks bluntly.

Your stomach begins to churn. No, not even for a second. You wish you could have stayed in that moment forever. "No," you admit quietly.

"I don't either." Her words hang over you."I don't regret any of it. Even when we weren't talking, I wouldn't have taken that back for anything." You give her a confused look. "Look at where we are. Bullshit and all, we're both okay. That's more than most people can say. And if it took us not talking for a while, then that's just the way things have to be." Her hand comes up to your cheek once more, and you feel your previously furrowed eyebrows become relaxed. "We're here now, and I'm not passing this chance up." For a moment, you thought she was about to kiss you, so you allow your eyes to flutter shut. But instead, she pulls your face forward and presses her lips to your forehead. "I love you."

For a moment, your heart stops. Is she trying to kill you? "That's a little…" God, you need to think of something sweet or cute to say. But you don't. "That's gay."

"Can you be serious for once in your life?"

"I'm trying!' You say defensively. "I'm— its just a lot, Sevika."

Sevika looks at you, and you see her body language change slightly. "Listen," she tells you. "If its too much, you can keep the flat."

"No!" You blurt out. "No, no, its not that. I'll go with you." Instinctively, your hand presses over hers. "We've been through a lot together. And… a lot apart." You look at her. "I've been clinging to the idea of getting back what we had before. But I think I'm ready to let that go now."

Piltover is going to be an incredibly scary change.

But your entire life as been full of changes— if you can keep the one constant in your life that provides your happiness, then you're damn sure going to try.

Your lips press to her temple in return, though you have to crane your body up slightly to reach hers. Instinctively, her hand releases your hand, and she wraps her arm around your waist instead. Thing are going to be different now. "I love you too, Sevika." But different, it doesn't always mean bad. Not when you have her.

[isetfiretomyself]

Yandere Shapeshifter X Reader (G/N)

Guess who's back!!!! >:3 Hey,hey,hey! Did I say I'd draw my Oc's....lets not talk about it I got self conscious 😭 They're in my notebook so I might upload it one day! Since my last fic my friends are following me lmao. They're super supportive though so shout out to them :)Next post will be the Yandere Villain like promised! :p

Trigger warnings! gaslighting, Mentions of Violence, Mentions of stalking. This is all fiction I don't condone toxic behaviour irl!

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who had tried time and time and time again to get your attention but it never worked! From a hot guy at the gym to a flirty girl in a club nothing made you fall for them.

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who finally finds a form you bond with! It's not their favourite but anything for you!

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who definitely switches forms to look into (stalk) anyone who might want to date you. You haven't given them a chance yet!

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who will shift into you to log into your phone. No face ID is gonna stop this yandere!

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who's forgotten their true form. They refused to look at themselves because anyone who did ran away.... apart from a reader who thought they were a messed up animal and tried to pick them up. That's when they knew they needed to stay by your side! Not all shape shifters are kind hearted you know?

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who you swear is taller then normal and then they're smaller again, Oh! Now they're taller again...must be your eyes buggin' out.

"Did you dye your hair?" you say, titling your head to the side to look at their hair better. "What do you mean.." They say nervously shifting their weight from side to side. "I don't know it just looks... lighter."

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who's extremely insecure that someone will be prettier then them in your eyes. If they hear you mention attractive features they'll change themselves to meet that want. If you mention it they'll act like you're crazy. What do you mean their eye colours changed? It's always been like that silly!

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who can also shift into animals! Which is great for intimidating (mauling to death) rivals! (People who say hi!)

💌 Yandere Shapeshifter who shifts into random people to scare you into their arms. It's just to protect you! It hurts them as much as it hurts you!

"Aw that's awful! I didn't know people could say such cruel things" They say rubbing your back when you cry. They were trying not cry themselves! They didn't mean to be so harsh when yelling at you. They just wanted you to not make it to your meet up not make you cry!....oops. But it's okay because you have them!

[luigilore]

hi! girl dad luigi thoughts incoming (I'm the same anon from the loveshackfancy perfumes hyperfeminine thoughts)

he's very proud of his Italian heritage so I think he'd give his daughter an Italian name but one that easily integrates well in American society. Names like Valentina, Aurora, Bianca and Stella.

Bianca Mangione has a nice ring to it ngl

his little girl is the apple of his eye and that little girl is a true daddy's girl. she looks up at him with her big brown doe eyes like he could do no wrong. he is fully aware of this, is honored to have had her unconditional love from the moment she was born and tries his absolute best to set the best example for her.

he's very big on manners so he's constantly teaching his daughter from the moment she's old enough to talk to say "please" after a request and to say "thank you" as an expression of gratitude. Teaches her to hold the door open for the people behind her, teaches her to never speak down to others and to never talk about people behind their backs. he's never going to go hard core into table manners since he never liked that as a kid but as long as she's holding her utensils, isn't leaving a trail of crumbs around the plate and isn't talking with her mouth full, he's good.

he's taking that girl to museums every other weekend. learning is a good bonding experience especially at that age. the museum of natural history (basing this off of museums in nyc) to see dinosaur remains, the Hayden Planetarium Space Show which I think they'd both be fascinated by. He'd take her to the MET to see the exhibition on Japanese kimono styles or Renaissance Art.

he's taking that girl to the library too. he'll take her the big library in the city sometimes but most of the time he'll take her to their small local library and go to the children's section to look at the little chapter books. When she accidentally yelps a little too loud, he holds up his index finger to his mouth in a shushing motion. "Bianca, we need to be quiet remember? Other people are reading, we need to be respectful" Once he's done picking out her chapter books for the month, they go to the adult science fiction/ fantasy section where he picks up a new science fiction book.

He's always holding her little hand too and his heart swells every time he hears her calling him "Daddy!" Will secretly give her sweets while they're out alone together even though you explicitly told him not to give her sweets until after dinner.

She's girly, she's playful, she's inquisitive and he's only too happy to indulge in her desire to learn everything about everything. Bianca is him but a girl LMAO

STOPPPPPP hi 🩷🩷omg this is amazing tysm for blessing us w this… i truly love ur mind 😁

i also agree about a traditional italian name esp one that he can make a cute nickname from!!!! and bianca is sooo cute stop i love it<//3 she would be a total daddy's girl from day one (which ur okay with u get it 🤗) like omg imagine her first word is ‘dada’ is luigi is SO happy and proud and videotaping and sending it to everyone but also telling you “dada” is much easier to pronounce than the “mama” sound phonetically so this is extremely common and ur like 🙂 k. but then she’s prob be babbling “mama,” like the next day… he would be soooo proud of her and would put a pic of bianca and then one of you and her together in his wallet <3 and ofc his phone lock screen .

omg yeah he def would be big on manners and she would be so sweet and his heart would swell when she's telling him about the friends she made in pre-k and the other kid she sat with bc they were eating alone!!! 🩷🩷

omg omg he would loveee taking her to museums; there's a children's one nearby that has a mini fake grocery store, fire fighter station, hospital, farm, etc, like literally everything she wants to try every single thing and he's all for it like patiently going with her and smiling and taking photos for hours.

a planetarium would be SO cool he would just love seeing her awe and her reaction to new things, seeing her experience everything for the first time. she would be very curious which did lead to quite a few messes as a toddler (the worst maybe when she got into your makeup but she just wanted to be like you :'))

omg a lot of nature and hiking maybe a picnic... just anything to get outside. lathers her face with sunscreen but then u still have to nag him about putting on his own 🙄

has always always always been reading and talking to her since she was born it's so good for her brain and speech development. the library knows the mangione's and love you guys and bianca!!! they think you're the sweetest fam ever he'll grab a book for you he thinks you'll like or a new release you mentioned you wanted to read.

she will stick her hand up to hold or both of them up when she wants to be picked up, which is often... he loves loves loves holding her. and also this would be when she's a baby baby but i feel like he would really love baby-wearing (she does too lol!!!) but he would watch you so so intently wrapping her against your chest, and help you, but one day would just be like can i do it? and then he's hooked 😭

he would just be sooooo proud of her and take being a father very seriously. he would be so involved. i agree she would remind him a lot of himself and it would make him quite emotional... ive mentioned this before but fr he would never ever tell her ‘because i told you’ or ‘just because,’ he would try to explain everything to her. <333 she'll tug on his pant leg when she has a question usually... omg just their hand size difference would be insane as she tries to swing their interlocked hands side to side :’)

[mrsfancyferrari]

Destiny's Will

Summary: You and Carlos were childhood friends until you two were separated before he got to F1. The next time they meet, they're enemies.

Song: Under The Influence by Chris Brown

Author’s note: This might be the longest story I've written! I hope you enjoy this long journey which may take a full day to read. Warning: sex scenes at the end. Please like, reblog and share this! <3

Word count: 18.6k

MASTERLIST - F1

You and Carlos had been inseparable as childhood friends, spending countless hours playing and exploring together, until your parents had to move and you were separated. It was a painful time for both of you, as you mourned the loss of your dear friend.

You both knew that life would take you on different paths, but you were determined to find Carlos again.

Years went by, and you grew into your own person. While Carlos pursued his dreams in F1, you dedicated yourself to studying mechanics. You knew that being with Carlos would require you to be by his side, and you were determined to find a way for that to happen.

Fate had a different plan in store for you. One day, McLaren, one of the most prestigious teams in F1, offered you a job. It was an unexpected turn of events, but it felt like a sign that your paths were destined to cross again.

With this opportunity, you realized that not only would you have the chance to work in the same industry as Carlos, but you could also potentially be reunited with your childhood friend.

The excitement and hope filled your heart as you eagerly accepted the job offer, knowing that this was the beginning of a new chapter in your lives.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and you couldn't resist.

However, little did you know that this decision would make you an enemy to Carlos. . . .

Today, you were going to get a tour of the paddock and the McLaren's garage.

As you stood in front of the mirror, you couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. You wore a sleek black McLaren team jacket, proudly displaying the team's logo on your chest.

Underneath, you had chosen a crisp white shirt, symbolizing your dedication to professionalism and attention to detail.

Completing the ensemble were tailored black pants and polished leather shoes, reflecting your commitment to excellence in every aspect of your life.

Adjusting your tie one last time, you took a deep breath and reminded yourself that today was not just about impressing your colleagues, but also about showing Carlos that you had made something of yourself too.

As you looked at the bracelet that you wore, a surge of nostalgia washed over you. You remembered the day you and Carlos made those bracelets for each other, promising to always stay connected no matter where life took you. It was a symbol of your unbreakable bond and the unwavering friendship you shared.

When you heard the honk of your Uber, you quickly left your apartment, excitedly locking the door behind you. As you settled into the car, you couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and anticipation building up.

The ride to the paddock was filled with thoughts of what the day would bring, wondering if you would have a chance encounter with Carlos and how he would react to seeing you in the McLaren team jacket. . . .

As you walked through the bustling paddock, you couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and excitement. The smell of burnt rubber and the sound of engines roaring filled the air, creating an atmosphere of adrenaline and anticipation.

You couldn't wait to see the state-of-the-art equipment and meet the talented engineers who made it all possible.

Stepping into the McLaren's garage, you were greeted by a symphony of metallic clinks and the sight of mechanics working diligently on the sleek race cars. The precision and attention to detail were evident in every corner, and you couldn't help but feel a surge of pride knowing that you were now a part of his world.

As you stood in awe of the McLaren garage, a staff member approached you and introduced themselves as Sarah, the tour guide assigned to show you around.

"Welcome to McLaren! We're thrilled to have you here," she said enthusiastically. "Let me show you our state-of-the-art facilities and introduce you to some of the talented engineers who make it all happen."

You followed Sarah, eager to soak in every detail and seize this opportunity to learn from the best in the industry.

As you walked together, Sarah pointed out various areas of the garage, explaining the intricate processes involved in preparing the race cars for competition. You listened attentively, asking questions and marveling at the level of expertise displayed by the mechanics.

The conversation flowed easily, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie as Sarah shared stories of her own journey within the team.

It was clear that everyone at McLaren shared a passion for excellence and a dedication to pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the world of motorsport.

"Since you are assigned to be Lando's engineer," Sarah stated, "you will have to be able to keep a professional relationship with him. It's important to establish clear boundaries and maintain a focus on your responsibilities. However, don't worry, Lando is a great guy to work with, and I'm sure you'll build a strong working relationship with him."

You nodded, taking in Sarah's advice and feeling a renewed sense of determination to excel in your role as Lando's engineer.

As you listened to Sarah's advice, a flood of memories rushed back to your mind. You couldn't help but smile as you remembered the days when you and Lando were childhood friends, racing go-karts together and dreaming of one day making it big in the world of motorsport with Carlos.

Despite the professional boundaries that now needed to be established, you were grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend and work alongside him in this prestigious team.

Deep down, you knew that your shared history would only strengthen the bond between you, both on and off the track.

"Oh there he is, Lando Norris," Sarah said, seeing him talking to Oscar in the room.

As you looked over at Lando, you couldn't help but notice how much he had grown since those go-karting days. He carried himself with a newfound confidence and maturity, a testament to the years of hard work and dedication he had put into his racing career.

Gone were the boyish features and wide-eyed enthusiasm, replaced by the steely determination of a seasoned professional.

Yet, despite the changes, there was still a spark in Lando's eyes that reminded you of the child who would stay up all night discussing racing strategies and dreaming of victory.

It was a reminder that, underneath the polished exterior, he was still the same passionate and driven individual you had known all those years ago.

His eyes then went to you as his name was called, his eyes flicked from identifying you to recognizing you, and a wide smile spread across his face.

It was a heartwarming moment as you saw the genuine excitement and warmth in his eyes, confirming that the bond you once shared as childhood friends was still alive and well.

"Lando, this is-" Sarah tried to introduce you but there was no need. You already knew each other too well to forget.

"Y/N! What the hell?" Lando yelled in excitement, running towards you and leaving Oscar in a flash.

Sarah was shocked when Lando had said your name, looking at you for some explanation. She looked at you, waiting for an explanation as to how you knew each other so well.

As Lando reached you, he enveloped you in a bear hug, lifting you off the ground for a moment. The familiar warmth and strength of his embrace instantly transported you back to the countless playful wrestling matches you had as kids.

It was a nostalgic reminder of the unbreakable bond that had formed between you, a bond that had withstood the test of time and distance.

You couldn't help but chuckle at her bewildered expression. "Surprise," you said, flashing a mischievous grin. "Lando and I go way back. Childhood friends, in fact."

"Y/N! I can't believe you're here!" Lando repeated, his pitch getting higher with excitement.

"Lando, it's so great to see you too," you said, returning his hug with equal enthusiasm. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to come and support you at such a momentous race. Plus, I wanted to see the incredible racer you've become with my own eyes."

Lando beamed at your words, his eyes shining with gratitude and excitement.

"I can't wait to catch up and hear all about your journey," you added, knowing that there were countless stories and experiences to share since the last time you saw each other.

"So you were the new engineer that graduated from that rich school huh?"

"I've gotten some skills under my sleeves," You smirked, giving out your hand. "It's nice working with you Mr. Norris."

Lando looked disguised at your formalities to him, and you couldn't help but burst into laughter at his reaction. "Mr. Norris? Seriously?" he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Come on, Y/N, we're way past that. Just call me Lando, like you always did."

You chuckled and nodded, realizing that no matter how much time had passed, some things would never change between the two of you. "Alright, Lando, you got it. Let's get to work and show them what we're capable of."

"Oh Oscar, come over to meet my childhood friend Y/N!" Lando called over Oscar, who looked shy but intrigued.

You extended your hand and gave him a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Oscar. I have heard so much about you. We're going to make a great team."

Oscar's shyness melted away as he shook your hand, and he replied, "I'm looking forward to it, Y/N. Lando speaks highly of you."

As you and Lando started reminiscing about your childhood adventures, Oscar's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Tell me more! What kind of mischief did you two get into?" he asked eagerly.

You and Lando exchanged mischievous grins before launching into a series of stories, recounting the epic treehouse battles, daring bike stunts, and secret hideouts that defined your friendship.

Oscar listened intently, captivated by the bond you both shared and excited to be a part of the team.

"Have you met Carlos? I knew you were very close to him before you had to move," Lando asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Actually, I haven't had the chance to meet Carlos yet," you replied, a hint of nostalgia in your voice. "We lost touch after I moved, but I'm glad to hear that you've stayed close. How is he?"

"I'm sure he'd love to catch up with you," Lando said with a smile. "He's doing well since he moved to being in Ferrari. You should find out yourself, Y/N. I know he would be thrilled to reconnect with you."

"I will, when the time comes," you said, understanding the importance of not distracting Carlos before an important race.

"Today is all about getting to know the team and settling into our new roles. But I'm definitely looking forward to catching up with Carlos and hearing about his experiences in Ferrari."

You spent the rest of the day learning about McLaren's garage. The McLaren garage is a state-of-the-art facility that houses the team's cars, equipment, and personnel.

It is a highly organised and efficient workspace, designed to maximise the team's performance on the track.

The garage is divided into several distinct areas, each with a specific function. The main work area is where the mechanics and engineers work on the cars, making adjustments and repairs as needed. There is also a separate area for the pit crew, who are responsible for the lightning-fast tyre changes during pit stops.

The garage also features a dedicated area for the team's data analysis, where engineers pore over telemetry and other data to identify areas for improvement.

The attention to detail and the level of organisation in the McLaren garage is truly impressive, and it is clear that the team leaves no stone unturned in their pursuit of success. . . . .

After the race, you went up to Lando to congratulate him on getting on the podium.

"Lando, that was an incredible drive! You really showed your talent out there today," You said, giving him a hug.

Lando smiled, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the race. "Thanks Y/N. The team has worked so hard, and it's great to be able to deliver a podium for them."

"You were so composed under pressure, especially towards the end when you were defending that position. It must have been nerve-wracking, but you handled it brilliantly," You commented, impressed by his mature performance.

Lando nodded. "It wasn't easy, but I just focused on hitting my marks and not making any mistakes. The car felt great, and I knew if I could just keep it together, I had a shot at the podium."

"Well, you more than delivered. This is just the start for you, I'm sure. With performances like that, the sky's the limit. Congratulations again, Lando. You should be very proud of yourself today," You said, giving him a warm pat on the back.

Carlos had gotten 2nd place, which you were extremely happy about. He had put in so much hard work and dedication, and it was wonderful to see that effort pay off. As he was bombarded with interviews, you tried to talk to him, to offer your congratulations and share in his success.

However, the throngs of reporters and cameras made it difficult to get a moment alone with him. You could see the pride and excitement on his face, and it filled you with joy to witness his achievement. Even though you couldn't speak with him directly, just being there to support him meant the world.

As Lando stepped up to the podium, the opening notes of the British national anthem began to play. A hush fell over the stadium as the crowd rose to their feet, placing their hands over their hearts in a show of respect and national pride.

The stirring melody filled the air, evoking a sense of tradition and history that resonated deeply with the British athletes and spectators alike.

Carlos was second place and looked proud of himself as he looked over at the crowd. He had given it his all during the competition and was pleased with the result. The hard work and dedication he had put in over the past months had paid off.

As Carlos stood on the podium, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He knew that coming in second place was no small feat, and he was grateful for the opportunity to showcase his skills. The crowd's cheers and applause filled him with a surge of pride, and he couldn't wait to celebrate his achievement with his team and loved ones.

You were in the crowd, supporting Lando, but your eyes were fixed on Carlos the whole time.

Carlos has always been a handsome man, even from a young age. His chiselled jawline and piercing brown eyes have always been captivating, drawing the attention of those around him.

As he has matured, his features have only become more refined and attractive.

Now, in his later years, Carlos' good looks have only improved. His once youthful features have developed a distinguished, sophisticated air about them. The slight lines around his eyes only serve to enhance his rugged charm, making him all the more alluring.

It is clear that Carlos has aged gracefully, his natural handsomeness only growing more pronounced with time.

You've always had a crush on him, ever since you two were young. There was just something about him that captivated you - his kind eyes, his infectious laugh, the way he carried himself with such confidence. Even back then, you found yourself drawn to him, stealing glances when you thought he wasn't looking.

And now, seeing him face-to-face again after all these years, those feelings have only grown stronger. The way he smiles, the sound of his voice, the little mannerisms you had never forgotten - it's all flooding back, and you can feel your heart racing.

You find yourself falling for him all over again, and you can't help but wonder if he feels the same way too. . . .

Carlos stood on the podium, a wide grin spreading across his face as he gazed out at the crowd. His eyes scanned the sea of faces.

He remembered the time when they were young and he came in second place, and you were there cheering me on like a madman.

He couldn't help but chuckle, the memory flooding back to him. "How could I forget?" he muttered to himself.

When the results were announced, you threw your arms around him. "Second place, you legend! I'm so proud of you."

He looked at you, eyes shining. "Thanks, my friend but I wish I had gotten first place for you,"

Your face blushed at his words, a mix of joy and embarrassment washing over you. "Oh Carlos, you don't have to do that. Just having you here, seeing you succeed, is enough for me," you replied, your voice filled with sincerity.

"Just make sure you're here when I get first place okay?"

"Of course! I'll always be by your side!"

It was one of the last races you saw of Carlos and you were there with him to cheer for him all the way to the finish line . . .

He continued to scan the crowd, his eyes darting from face to face until they suddenly caught someone else's eyes.

His eyes widened in surprise as he tried to identify them, but he was certain that it was you. Memories of your shared past came rushing back, and a mix of emotions flooded over him - excitement, curiosity, and perhaps even a hint of nervousness.

Your features were still the same from when you were young. Your bright, expressive eyes had the same warm, captivating gaze that had always drawn people in. The gentle curves of your face, the delicate structure of your cheekbones and jawline, remained unchanged, giving you a timeless beauty.

Even the small, unique details - the faint freckles dusting your nose, the slight upturn of your lips when you smiled - were exactly as they had been years ago, a testament to your enduring allure.

Time had done nothing to diminish the striking, natural elegance that had always been a part of you.

When our eyes met, your face fell as you realized he was staring at you. The intensity of his gaze caught you off guard, sending a shiver down your spine.

In that moment, you felt exposed, like he could see right through you. His unwavering stare made you suddenly self-conscious, unsure of how to react. The tension hung heavy in the air, leaving you feeling uneasy and uncertain.

You knew instinctively that he would stop at nothing to track you down and locate your whereabouts.

No matter how hard you tried to evade his search, you were acutely aware that his unwavering resolve would lead him directly to you.

You weren’t ready to face him, to face his younger self, who just wants to yell at you for leaving him at his worst moment. . . .

When the podium celebration was over, the McLaren team went into the garage to celebrate more for Lando's win. The team was ecstatic and filled with joy after seeing their driver secure a well-deserved victory.

Inside the garage, the mechanics, engineers, and the entire crew gathered to congratulate Lando and toast to the team's success. It was a moment of pure elation as they savored the triumph and looked forward to more victories in the future.

You were walking to the celebration when suddenly someone grabbed your arm. You whirled around, startled, ready to defend yourself.

But then you recognized the person - it was Carlos.

Carlos was still a sight to behold, even as the years had passed. His features had only grown more refined and distinguished with time. Standing just a few centimeters away, one couldn't help but be captivated by the striking symmetry of his face.

His strong jawline and chiseled cheekbones gave him an air of rugged masculinity, while his deep, soulful eyes conveyed an intensity that was both alluring and compelling. The subtle lines that had formed around those eyes only served to lend him an air of wisdom and experience, a testament to the life he had lived.

His full, sensual lips remained as tempting as they had been in their youth, beckoning to be kissed.

Even his brown messy hair added to his undeniable charisma, a visual representation of the maturity and refinement that now graced his appearance.

"Carlos, I... I didn't expect to see you here," You stammered, caught off guard by Carlos' sudden appearance. The words tumbled out hesitantly, as you struggled to regain your composure.

Carlos spoke quickly, his tone rushed and urgent. "Y/N L/N, it is you. I wasn’t being delusional. I'm sorry, I just - I had to come to see. I couldn't stay away any longer."

I felt my heart racing, unsure of how to respond. "Carlos-"

“Hey guys, what’s going on here, a family reunion?” Lando said, coming out of the corner and unaware of the tension.

“You knew?” Carlos asked his best friend, clearly offended that this was hidden.

“Of course I knew, she’s my engineer, I have to know her,“ Lando stated as he stood beside you, “Well I knew today but we all have history don’t we?”

Carlos was still in shock at your sudden appearance. We had been close friends when we were young, but you had disappeared years ago. Now, here you are, unexpectedly reappearing as Lando's engineer.

Carlos couldn't believe his eyes. After all this time, you had suddenly reemerged, and in such an unexpected role. Carlos struggled to process what was happening, as you stood before him, once again a part of his life, but in a completely new capacity.

The reunion was undoubtedly surprising and disorienting for Carlos. Just the sight of me, after so long, was enough to leave him reeling. It was as if the past had come rushing back, bringing with it a whirlwind of emotions and questions.

“I’d hate to ruin your reunion but I’ve got a win to celebrate and the team wants to toast our lucky charm,” Lando explained, gesturing to you with a smile. “But you two have the dinner to talk,”

Lando didn’t even give you time to say goodbye before dragging you away.

When you looked back to even get a glimpse of him, Carlos' eyes locked onto your, burning with a raw, primal desire. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down your spine, igniting a spark deep within you. His eyes smoldered with an unspoken hunger, yearning to devour you wholly.

There was a wild, untamed quality to his stare that made your breath catch in your throat. You could feel the weight of his desire pressing against you, electrifying every nerve.

You must have seen his expressions wrong because there was no way he liked you or desired you in that way.

The McLaren crew and Lando welcomed you with open arms, and you spent the rest of the night celebrating Lando’s win together. Over drinks and laughter, you got to know the team on a more personal level, gaining insights into their passions, aspirations, and the camaraderie that fuels their success.

It was a night filled with shared stories, friendly banter, and a genuine sense of excitement for the future. As the evening drew to a close, you felt a deeper connection to the McLaren family, inspired by their dedication and the palpable energy that permeated the room.

It was an unforgettable experience, and you couldn't help but feel honored to have been a part of it.

As you unlocked the door to your apartment, a wave of guilt washed over you. It was in this moment that you recalled how you had abruptly disappeared from Carlos' life without any explanation.

The weight of your actions settled heavily on your conscience, and you couldn't help but feel remorseful for leaving him in the dark. The realization hit you hard, and you knew that you had to find a way to make amends for the pain you had caused.

But with no contact information for Carlos, you were left feeling helpless and unsure of how to reach out to him.

No matter how hard you tried to focus on the data in front of you, Carlos's presence lingered in your thoughts like an unwelcome guest.

Each line of code and every spreadsheet cell seemed to remind you of his piercing gaze, his touch, and the unspoken tension between you. It was as if the numbers and figures on the screen were mocking your attempts to escape the memories of that night.

As you scrolled through the data, a mix of longing and regret washed over you, fueling a desire to find a way to reconnect with Carlos and make things right.

But with each passing minute, the task of finding his contact information felt more daunting and elusive, leaving you in a state of uncertainty and longing.

You'll see him at the group dinner. You'll explain everything to him at the dinner party. You tried to reassure yourself but it didn't reduce the thoughts of Carlos hating you even more.

You rehearsed the words over and over in your mind, hoping that they would come out just right when you finally saw Carlos at the group dinner. You wanted to apologize, to explain yourself, and to make things right between the two of you.

But deep down, a part of you feared that your words would fall on deaf ears, that Carlos would never be able to forgive you for what you had done.

The thought of facing him at the group dinner filled you with a mix of anxiety and anticipation, as you prepared yourself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead.

There were two possible outcomes that weighed heavily on your mind as you prepared for the conversation with Carlos at the group dinner.

Either he would listen to your explanation and find it in his heart to forgive you, or he would remain resentful and unwilling to give you a second chance.

The uncertainty of which path the conversation would take only intensified your anxiety, leaving you on edge as you awaited the moment when you would finally face Carlos.

You just hoped that he would listen to you with an open heart and give you the opportunity to express your remorse.

You knew that words alone might not be enough to mend the broken trust between you, but you were willing to try anything to salvage what was left of your relationship with Carlos. . . .

╔═ * . · : · . ✧ ✦ ✧ . · : · . * ═╗

╚═ * . · : · . ✧ ✦ ✧ . · : · . * ═╝

As you stood in front of the mirror, examining the various necklaces laid out on your dresser, you couldn't help but feel a wave of indecision wash over you.

Should you go for the delicate silver pendant that your mom had given you on your last year? Or perhaps the bold statement necklace that always seemed to catch everyone's attention?

The weight of the decision felt overwhelming, as if the necklace you choose could somehow determine the outcome of the conversation you were about to have with Carlos.

As a knock came on your door, Lando's voice came through, breaking your train of thought. "Hey, are you ready?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.

You turned away from the mirror and walked towards the door and opening it for him, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. "Almost," you replied, trying to hide your indecision. "Just give me a few more minutes."

Lando nodded understandingly, and you couldn't help but wonder if he could sense the weight of the decision you were about to make.

As you glanced back at the mirror, you couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that this choice was more than just about a piece of jewelry. It symbolized your inner struggle and the uncertainty of the path ahead.

The weight of the decision seemed to hang in the air, intertwining with your emotions, as you knew that whatever necklace you chose would carry a piece of your heart into that conversation with Carlos.

"I would pick the silver necklace, if that's what you're debating about," Lando commented as he leaned against the wall.

"Thanks Lando! We can go now," You replied, quickly clipping the necklace and grabbing your handbag before heading for Lando's car.

As you sat in the passenger seat of Lando's car, the nervous energy in the air was palpable. The drive to the restaurant felt like a journey into the unknown, not just because of the impending conversation with Carlos, but also because you were about to reunite with the other drivers who were once your childhood friends.

Memories flooded your mind as you thought about the times you spent racing through the streets, laughing and dreaming together.

But now, things were different. Would they still see you as the same person? Would they understand the choices you've made and the struggles you've faced?

These questions swirled in your mind, adding to the already overwhelming weight of the decision you had made in choosing the silver necklace.

Meeting them now, with the weight of your decision hanging over you, felt like a moment of truth - a chance to showcase who you had become and how far you had come.

As the car pulled up to the restaurant, you took a deep breath, clutching the silver necklace for strength, and stepped out into the unknown, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As you walked into the restaurant with Lando, a staff member guided you to the reserved area where your childhood friends were gathered.

The familiar faces brought a mix of comfort and anticipation, but you couldn't help notice the absence of Carlos, Charles, Oscar and more.

Their absence added an extra layer of uncertainty to the already weighty decision you had made, leaving you wondering how their reactions would shape the conversation to come.

"No way, is that Y/N?" Max yelled as soon as he saw you, being one of your childhood friends.

The excitement in his voice eased some of the tension you were feeling, and you couldn't help but smile, knowing that at least one person was genuinely happy to see you.

Max rushed over to you, his eyes wide with excitement. "Guys, you won't believe who just walked in!" he exclaimed, gesturing towards you.

As the rest of the group turned their heads, Max introduced you one by one, each of them greeting you with warm smiles and expressions of surprise. The atmosphere shifted from uncertainty to familiarity as you engaged in lively conversation, reminiscing about the good old times and catching up on each other's lives.

It was a heartwarming reunion that reaffirmed the deep bond you all shared, reminding you that despite the choices and struggles you had faced, your friendship remained intact.

"Sorry we're late," Charles' voice came through the restaurant and everyone turned around to see them. Their arrival brought a mix of relief and anxiety, as you wondered how they would react to your presence.

As you turned to look at Carlos, your heart skipped a beat. He was wearing a crisp white shirt that accentuated his tan skin, paired with dark jeans and brown leather shoes. His hair was neatly styled, and a silver watch adorned his wrist.

The sight of him brought back a flood of memories, and you couldn't help but notice the slight curve of his lips as he caught your gaze.

It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that his presence could either strengthen the bond you once shared or further complicate the weighty decision you had made.

As you locked eyes with Carlos, you couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, unsure of what his reaction would be.

You followed Carlos with your eyes to his seat, which happened to be right in front of you at the table.

As you settled better into your chair, you couldn't help but notice the subtle tension in the air. Carlos glanced at you briefly, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention to the conversation at hand.

The aroma of the freshly cooked dishes filled the air as the waitstaff brought out steaming plates of food, placing them in front of each person. The sight of the delicious spread added to the already palpable tension in the room, as everyone's focus shifted from conversation to the culinary delights before them.

As the group began to dig into their meals, the clinking of cutlery against plates filled the space, momentarily breaking the small silence that had settled over the table.

With each stolen glance from Carlos, you couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were running through his mind. His eyes seemed to hold a mix of curiosity, longing, and perhaps a hint of regret, leaving you even more uncertain about the impact of your presence on this reunion.

You decided to break the tension by joining the conversation with Lando and Max, discussing the latest Formula 1 race and sharing your own insights. As you spoke, you noticed Carlos listening intently, his eyes flickering between you and the other two.

As you engaged in the conversation with Lando and Max, the room seemed to come alive with energy.

The three of you exchanged ideas, shared laughter, and debated passionately about the race. Carlos, though still observing from afar, seemed captivated by your animated discussion, his eyes betraying a mix of admiration and intrigue.

When the last morsel of food was taken away, you finally mustered the courage to break the tension. With a subtle gesture, you motioned for Carlos to follow you away from the table.

He looked momentarily surprised, but nodded in agreement and followed you. As you walked towards a quieter corner of the room, you could feel your heart pounding, unsure of what would transpire in this private conversation.

The moment had come for you to address the unresolved emotions and confront the weighty decision that had brought you both here.

You turned around, and for a brief moment, you were able to admire Carlos. His face, usually stoic and unreadable, now held a hint of vulnerability mixed with determination. His eyes, deep and intense, seemed to search for answers within your gaze.

The way he carried himself spoke of a man accustomed to command and control, yet there was a softness to his demeanor that you had never seen before.

With a deep breath, you began the conversation, ready to confront the emotions and decisions that had brought you both to this pivotal moment.

"First of all, I want to say that I'm sorry for leaving you before without any answers," you started, unable to look into his eyes. "I never meant to hurt you, Carlos. It's just that... I was confused and scared."

"It's okay Cariño, you being here is all that matters to me," Carlos said, his voice filled with sincerity and understanding. "I've missed you so much, and I just want to hear what you have to say."

As you quickly looked up at the nickname he used, the same one that he used to call you before you left, you felt a rush of nostalgia wash over you. It was a bittersweet reminder of the connection you once shared.

You smiled at his choice of words, realizing that despite the time and distance apart, a part of him still held onto the memories and feelings that had brought you together in the first place.

You took a deep breath, gathering your thoughts, and began recounting the events that had transpired since the day you left with your parents.

From the sacrifices you made to pursue your dreams of becoming an engineer, to the challenges you faced in your journey, you poured your heart out to Carlos. He listened intently, hanging onto every word, as you shared how your hard work and dedication led you to the opportunity of a lifetime - being hired by McLaren as Lando's engineer.

As you spoke, you could see the admiration in his eyes, mixed with a hint of pride for your achievements. The weight of your decision and the emotions that surrounded it slowly lifted, replaced by a sense of relief and hope for what the future held for both of you.

The more you shared, the more you realized how much you had missed having him by your side.

The conversation flowed effortlessly, as if no time had passed, and it seemed that both of you were willing to confront the emotions and decisions that had brought you to this pivotal moment.

"Wow Y/N, it looks like you've been through a lot," he said after you finished talking. "I can't imagine how challenging it must have been for you."

As he spoke those words, tears welled up in your eyes, catching you by surprise. No one had ever shown such genuine empathy and understanding towards your struggles before.

The tears were a release of all the pent-up emotions you had carried within you for so long, a testament to the profound impact Carlos had on your heart.

In that moment, you realized that you had found someone who truly cared about your happiness and well-being, and it filled you with gratitude and a deep sense of connection.

You were brought into a warm embrace, your face tucked into the crook of his neck. The familiar scent of his cologne enveloped you, and you felt a sense of safety and comfort that you hadn't experienced in years.

As the tears continued to flow, you could feel his steady heartbeat against your cheek, a rhythmic reminder that you were not alone. All the pain, the sacrifices, and the uncertainties faded away, replaced by a profound feeling of being understood and cherished.

After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice filled with a mix of pain and hope. "I've missed you every day since you left," he repeated, his vulnerability echoing in the quiet corner of the room.

You took a deep breath and held onto his embrace a little tighter, feeling the weight of his words. With tears still streaming down your face, you whispered, "I missed you too, Carlos. More than you'll ever know."

In that moment, time seemed to stand still as you both stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying the presence and comfort that only each other could provide. The outside world faded away as you reveled in the joy of being reunited and the realization that this was where you were meant to be.

The tears of both pain and happiness continued to flow, but they were now accompanied by a sense of renewed hope and a shared understanding that together, you could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After you then realized that you had spent more than an hour away from the group, you quickly moved out of the embrace, embarrassed of taking so much of Carlos' time.

"I'm so sorry," you stammered, wiping away the tears. "I didn't mean to keep you for so long. We should probably go back now."

Carlos gently held your hand and smiled, "Don't worry about it. This time with you is more important to me than anything else."

You smiled back at Carlos, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over you. "Thank you for understanding," you said softly. "It means the world to me to have someone like you in my life."

As you and Carlos continued to talk, the conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter, shared memories, and genuine connection. It was as if no time had passed since you last saw each other.

The more you talked, the more you realized how much you had missed his presence in your life. Finally, mustering up the courage, you asked Carlos if you could have his number to stay in touch.

Without any hesitation, he smiled and gladly gave it to you, expressing his own desire to keep the connection alive.

"Should we join the others now?" You asked reluctantly.

"Cariño, I only came here to talk to you. We can do whatever you'd like."

"Even. . ."

That's when you woke up in your bed, the remnants of the dream still clinging to your thoughts. What had happened last night? Was it all just a figment of your imagination?

The emotions and sensations felt so real, but now they have slipped through your fingers like sand.

Even though it felt so real, you couldn't help but question whether it was all just a dream. How could something that intense and meaningful have happened overnight? Was it just your imagination playing tricks on you?

As you lay there in bed, the memories of your encounter with Carlos lingered, leaving you wondering if it was a sign of something more or simply a figment of your subconscious.

You thought of the only thing that could confirm your time with Carlos was real. His number.

You reached over to your nightstand and grabbed your phone, heart pounding with anticipation. Scrolling through your contacts, you found Carlos' name right where you had hoped it would be.

It was a small but undeniable confirmation that your encounter with him had indeed been real, and that the connection you felt was not just a figment of your imagination.

As you stared at Carlos' name on your phone screen, a sense of relief washed over you. It was a joyful realization that you had indeed reconnected with your best friend, and the bond you thought you had lost was now restored.

You couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as you realized that today was the last day in Canada before everyone had to travel to Spain for the next grand prix.

You knew that you had to leave the comfort of this dreamlike encounter with Carlos and return to the reality of your responsibilities in the paddock, helping the McLaren crew.

As you gathered your thoughts and prepared to face the day, you couldn't help but carry the memory of your connection with Carlos with you, finding solace in the fact that even though the dream may have ended, the bond you shared was still intact.

You knew that as the last day in Canada came to an end, all the drivers would be either already at Spain or were getting a plane there now.

Carlos would be among them, and the thought of not seeing him for the next few days filled you with a sense of melancholy.

However, you took comfort in the fact that your encounter had been real and that the bond you shared was still intact, even if you were physically separated for a while.

As you prepared to face the day and fulfill your responsibilities in the paddock, you carried the memory of your connection with Carlos with you, knowing that it would sustain you until you were reunited again.

Putting on your McLaren uniform, you felt a surge of excitement and determination. You climbed into your car and drove off to the paddock, excited to do your job and tried to place Carlos at the back of your mind.

As soon as you arrived at the paddock, you were immediately put to work gathering data for the upcoming race. Your focus shifted from thoughts of Carlos to the tasks at hand, as you meticulously collected and analyzed the necessary information.

The hustle and bustle of the paddock provided a welcome distraction, allowing you to immerse yourself in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 and temporarily forget about the melancholy of being physically separated from Carlos.

Every second counted, and you focused all your energy on fulfilling your responsibilities with precision and efficiency.

The staff relied on your expertise, and you worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was in order for the upcoming race in Spain.

You were responsible for coordinating with the engineers and mechanics to gather and analyze data on the car's performance.

This involved monitoring telemetry, conducting simulations, and making adjustments to optimize the car's setup. You played a crucial role in strategizing race tactics, analyzing competitors' performance, and providing valuable insights to the team.

Your attention to detail and dedication to your responsibilities were vital in ensuring the team's success on race day.

When you were finally able to take a break from your intense work in the paddock, you leaned against a nearby wall, gasping for breath. The physical and mental exertion had taken its toll, leaving you feeling drained and in need of a moment to recuperate.

Slowly, you closed your eyes and let the sounds of the bustling paddock fade into the background, allowing yourself a brief moment of respite before diving back into the fast-paced world of Formula 1.

Suddenly, something cold touched your face and you jumped at the feeling, opening your eyes to see what it was. To your surprise, Carlos stood before you, grinning mischievously as he held a can of ice-cold soda.

"I thought you could use a refreshing break," he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth and affection.

"Carlos? Aren't you supposed to be in Spain?" you asked as you took the soda from his hands and allowed it to cool your body.

Carlos chuckled and leaned in closer, his eyes locked with yours. "I wanted to see you before I leave," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and affection.

You froze, his words sinking in. What did Carlos mean by "I wanted to see you"? Was he hinting at something? Your mind raced with possibilities, unsure of how to interpret his words.

The uncertainty gnawed at you, leaving you with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

You took a moment to collect your thoughts, trying to hide your own feelings of confusion and excitement. "It's great to see you, Carlos," you replied, your voice betraying a hint of curiosity. "But why did you want to see me before you leave? Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

As he tucked a hair strand behind your ear, his hand lingered, conveying a tenderness that left you breathless. "Because I want to see you every day," he whispered softly, his eyes searching yours. "I don't know what it is, but I missed you even though I saw you yesterday."

A shiver went down your back as Carlos's words sank in, and a smile tugged at the corners of your lips.

You were filled with happiness and relief that there were no paparazzi lurking nearby, ready to capture this moment between the two of you and twist it into a scandalous rumor. It was a precious moment, meant to be cherished in the privacy of the paddock.

"You must have missed me because it's still a shock that I'm here with you after all these years, right?"

"Nope," he denied, his eyes trained on you. "I miss you because I'm not going to be able to see you every day from today,"

"We still will. We can still talk over the phone when either of us isn't busy,"

"But that's not enough Cariño," Carlos continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

You could feel the heat coming from your cheeks, a rosy blush creeping up as Carlos's words sank in. You weren't used to someone expressing their feelings so openly and directly, and it both thrilled and unnerved you.

It was a vulnerability you hadn't experienced before, but deep down, you couldn't deny the warmth and excitement that filled your heart.

Reality then hit you like a ton of bricks. You were just an engineer of McLaren, while he was a popular F1 driver with a massive fan base and a glamorous lifestyle.

The difference in status and fame between the two of you was undeniable, and it suddenly dawned on you that pursuing a relationship with Carlos would come with its own set of challenges and potential complications.

Despite the warmth and affection in his words, you couldn't ignore the practical obstacles that lay ahead.

"Oh my break is over, Carlos," you quickly said, gently pushing his messy hair out of his eyes before running off. "See you in Spain,"

As you made your way back to work, your mind was filled with conflicting emotions.

On one hand, you couldn't deny the deep connection you felt with Carlos, but on the other hand, the practical obstacles and potential complications of a relationship with him were impossible to ignore.

You knew that maintaining a long-distance relationship would be difficult, especially with both of your busy schedules.

Carlos couldn't help but smirk as he watched you run off, your hair flowing behind you. He watched you intently as you ran over to the other staff, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

He knew that pursuing a relationship with you would be challenging, but he was willing to take on those obstacles.

As he stood there, he made a silent promise to himself that he would do whatever it took to make it work, even if it meant defying the odds and finding a way to bridge the distance between you.

"Cariño, don't worry, I won't let you slip away this time," he muttered to himself, determined to overcome the challenges and bridge the distance between them, no matter what it took. . . .

Sitting alone in your apartment, you couldn't help but feel a sense of regret wash over you. You wished you hadn't run away from Carlos earlier, and now you were anxiously counting down the days until your flight to Spain.

As you looked out the window, you couldn't help but wonder if you were making the right decision. Would the challenges and complications be worth it in the end?

Only time would tell, but for now, all you could do was wait and hope for the best.

You then looked at the McLaren uniform that was on your bed and remembered that you were basically enemies, working in different teams.

The competitive nature of your respective careers added another layer of complexity to the already challenging situation. It seemed like fate was playing a cruel joke on you, intertwining your lives in a way that presented both opportunity and conflict.

Would you be able to navigate the delicate balance between love and rivalry, or would it ultimately tear you apart?

As you arrived in Spain, you couldn't wait to go to your room and finally get some much-needed rest. The long flight had left you exhausted, both physically and mentally. You hoped that a good night's sleep would help clear your mind and bring some clarity to the complex situation you found yourself in.

As you opened the door to your room, a sense of tranquility washed over you. The soft, muted colors of the walls and the gentle glow of the bedside lamp created a soothing atmosphere.

Your eyes were drawn to the large window, through which the warm Spanish sunlight streamed in, casting a golden hue on the room. The curtains gently swayed in the breeze, inviting you to relax and unwind.

You took a moment to appreciate the simple yet elegant decor of the room. The comfortable bed, adorned with crisp white linens and plump pillows, beckoned you to sink into its embrace.

A small desk tucked away in the corner provided a cozy space for you to work or reflect, while a plush armchair in the opposite corner offered a spot for quiet contemplation.

The room emanated a sense of serenity and possibility, providing the perfect backdrop for you to gather your thoughts and make sense of the intricate web of emotions that entangled your heart.

You immediately jumped into the bed and fell into a deep sleep, the exhaustion finally catching up with you. As you drifted off, your mind was filled with dreams and fragments of the tumultuous journey that had brought you here.

In that moment, the complexities of love and rivalry faded away, and you found solace in the peaceful embrace of sleep, hoping that clarity would come with the dawn.

"So how did you sleep for your first coming with McLaren?" Sarah, a staff asked you as you walked through the new paddock of Spain.

You smiled and replied, "I had the most restful sleep in a long time. The tranquility of the room and the gentle breeze made all the difference."

Sarah then proceeded to outline your tasks for the upcoming month as an engineer. She emphasized the importance of fine-tuning the car's aerodynamics and optimizing its performance to ensure that Lando would have every advantage on the track.

She emphasized the need to carefully analyze data from previous races, identify areas for improvement, and collaborate with the rest of the team to implement changes. She expressed confidence in your abilities and reiterated the team's goal of securing a podium finish once again.

With renewed determination, you eagerly embraced the challenges ahead, ready to contribute your expertise and help propel McLaren to further success.

You couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as you settled into the small open office to analyze the data. At first, the solitude seemed like a blessing, allowing you to focus without distractions.

But as the clock struck midnight and you found yourself the only one there, the isolation became suffocating. The hum of the air conditioning seemed louder, the darkness more oppressive, and the weight of responsibility heavier than ever.

As the days went by and the drivers finally arrived at the paddock, you devised a plan to avoid Carlos. You strategically planned your tasks and schedule, making sure to coordinate with Sarah to ensure minimal overlap with Carlos's presence.

You focused on maximizing your productivity during the times when he would be occupied with his own responsibilities, effectively minimizing any potential encounters and maintaining a professional atmosphere within the team.

"You should take a break," someone whispered behind your back. Startled, you jumped at the voice and turned to see Carlos standing there with a concerned expression.

"Carlos! How did you get here?" You yelled, looking around for any cameras that could capture the both of you.

"I came to see you, I told you that I miss you when you're not around," Carlos said effortlessly as if it didn't just give you a heart attack.

Your cheeks flushed at his words, and you found yourself becoming shy under his gaze. The way he effortlessly expressed his feelings made your heart race, despite your best efforts to maintain a professional atmosphere.

You couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to balance your personal connection with Carlos while also prioritizing your responsibilities to the team.

As you stammered a response, your mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.

Did Carlos really miss you? Or was he just playing with your emotions?

You couldn't deny the flutter of hope that rose within you, but you also knew that getting involved with a teammate of an enemy could jeopardize your professional relationship and the harmony within the team.

You then heard footsteps approaching the office, and the voices became louder, causing you to freeze in your spot.

With a sinking feeling in your stomach, you realized that the rest of the team was heading towards the office. The last thing you needed was for them to discover your moment with Carlos and potentially create tensions within the team.

In a panic, you quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him into one of the smaller rooms before locking the door behind you.

In the confined space, your heart raced even faster, unsure of what to say or do next.

The room was dimly lit, and as you stood there, heart pounding, you couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension. You knew that this impulsive decision could have consequences.

"Carlos, you can't just come in here whenever you feel like it," you tried to emphasise it to him but none of your words passed through his head.

As you looked into Carlos' eyes, you noticed a flicker of sadness mixed with longing. It was as if he was transported back to the time when you were together, before circumstances tore you apart.

"I know I can't just show up like this," he finally whispered, his voice filled with regret. "But seeing you again, after all this time... I couldn't resist. You still look as beautiful as the day you left."

You were left speechless, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Memories of your past together flooded your mind, causing a mix of emotions to swirl within you.

Part of you wanted to give in to the undeniable chemistry between you, but another part knew that the stakes were too high. You had worked so hard to establish a harmonious dynamic within the team, and getting involved with Carlos could jeopardize everything you had built.

Taking a deep breath, you mustered the strength to respond, "Carlos, we can't go back to how things were. We both have responsibilities to the team, and getting involved again would only create chaos. We need to focus on our work and maintain professionalism."

"Cariño, I don't care about work, I care about you," Carlos replied as if it was the simplest thing in the world. His words hung in the air, tempting you to abandon reason and give in to your desires.

But you knew deep down that prioritizing your personal relationship over the team's dynamics would be a dangerous path to tread.

Gathering your thoughts, you looked into Carlos' eyes and said firmly, "I understand your feelings, but we need to consider the consequences. Our focus should be on maintaining professionalism and preserving the team's harmony."

"We wouldn't have this problem if you would work for Ferrari and be my engineer," Carlos muttered, slowly coming closer to you.

"Well it can't helped," You replied.

Carlos frowned. "So if you got a chance to go to Ferrari, would you take it?"

You paused for a moment, feeling torn between your commitment to the team and the allure of an opportunity with a prestigious racing team.

Finally, you looked at Carlos and said, "Yes, I would take it. But right now, our priority should be on the team and maintaining professionalism."

Carlos smirked and walked over to you, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and longing. Your back was against the door as he slowly placed his hand over your head, trapping you in his gaze.

The intensity of the moment was palpable, and a part of you yearned to surrender to the passion that still lingered between you.

As his lips brushed against your ear, he whispered, "I hope you stick to that, cariño," before pushing the door open and leaving you in a daze.

A mix of emotions swirled within you, but deep down, you knew that prioritizing the team's dynamics and professionalism was the right choice.

You took a moment to collect yourself before diving back into your work, determined to maintain the harmony and focus of the team.

'Don't focus too much on work - CS' said a note was on your desk with your favourite coffee beside it.

You smiled at the note, trying to remember when Carlos had placed it on your desk. As you took a sip of your favorite coffee, the taste brought back memories of the times Carlos had surprised you with little gestures of affection when you were young.

"Geez Carlos, you're making me lose my mind," you muttered to yourself as you couldn't concentrate anymore with him running in your mind. . . .

During qualifying races, you found yourself spending a significant amount of time with Carlos.

While he had always been present nowadays, there was something different about his demeanor during these specific events.

You noticed him making an effort to avoid being spotted by the paparazzi and the public eye when he was with you especially after giving you a fright last time.

One morning, as you two sat alone in the grandstand, Carlos turned to you with a mischievous grin on his face. "I can't help it if the paparazzi keep catching glimpses of us together," he said, his voice filled with a hint of flirtation. "It's just the nature of the sport."

You blushed, feeling a flutter in your stomach. "I understand why you have to be careful but you don't have to make it a thing to see me every day," you replied, looking away to hide your embarrassment.

"But I must admit, it's a little frustrating not being able to be fully ourselves."

Carlos leaned closer to you, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't deny that," he said, his eyes locked on yours. "It's a struggle, but I manage it for you."

Before you had the chance to respond, the sound of Carlos' phone echoed through the stands. Carlos' face lit up with excitement as he jumped up to his feet. "I have to go but I will see you tomorrow." His voice was tinged with a hint of regret.

You watched as Carlos sprinted off to where his sleek red car would be racing around the Spanish track. You couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as he disappeared into the distance.

Despite his efforts to keep the paparazzi at bay, you couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

Throughout the day, you couldn't help but think about your conversation and the enigmatic racing driver that had made such a lasting impression on you. His charm, confidence, and undeniable charisma had left you wanting more.

Only time will tell, but for now, the memory of our conversation and the thought of Carlos racing around the track lingered in your mind, fueling a flame that refused to die. . . .

You and a Mercedes staff were having a casual conversation in the break room, reminiscing about the days of your careers as engineers. As you shared your experiences and exchanged stories, you couldn't help but notice a certain tension between the staff and yourself.

Although you didn't realize it at first, the staff's behavior seemed to hint that he was being flirty. However, you decided to brush it off and maintain a professional tone, focusing on having a friendly conversation with him.

"So what about your dating life?" the staff asked, his voice full of lust.

"Yeah... so how does being George's engineer feel like? It must be a lot of pressure?" You avoided the question, changing the question for the sake of your patience with the man.

"Yes, it gives me a lot of stress but do you know what would take the stress off?" the staff said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You,"

"Oh, that's flattering," you said, slightly irritated by his persistence. "But I'm not really interested in that right now."

"Oh come on," the man insisted, coming closer to you.

"I'm sorry but I'm really not interested," You said, trying to get the message through the staff's thick skull.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The staff's demeanor became stiff, and he averted his eyes, seemingly distracted by something behind you. Confused, you turned to the staff, questioning him but he didn't answer you.

You turned your head to find Carlos Sainz glaring at the staff angrily. The staff excused himself abruptly, leaving us alone.

"What was that all about?" You asked Carlos, turning around to face him.

"Who was he?" Carlos quickly asked, staring at the back of the man's head as he was still walking away from both of you. His eyes only returned to you when the staff wasn't in sight anymore. His eyes were now filled with happiness but jealousy.

"He's just a staff member," you answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Why do you let him talk to you in public but not to me?" Carlos asked, now sulky. You sighed.

"Carlos, you are a Formula 1 driver while he's just a staff member. You'll be hated by the public or questioned by your team. I don't want to jeopardize your career or mine." You explained.

"You know that I don't care about jeopardizing my career if I get to see you," Carlos said without any hesitation.

"Carlos! You can't say that," You said, surprised by his statement.

"I just don't want to lose you again," Carlos whispered. His eyes were on the ground as he didn't want to hear you hear him say it.

Your eyes softened at his words, and you reached out to gently touch his arm. "Carlos, that's not going to happen again, I promise," you said sincerely. "We've both grown since our past, and I'm committed to making this work. But we need to be careful and considerate of the circumstances."

Carlos nodded, a mix of emotions playing across his face. "I understand," he replied quietly. "I just... I can't help but worry."

As you sensed Carlos' vulnerability, you slowly brought him into a hug, not caring about getting caught or the potential consequences. His arms instinctively wrapped around your back, while your hands found their place around Carlos' neck.

"You said the same thing all those years ago, that you would never leave me," he muttered into your shoulder.

"Well I was a child then, now I'm an adult," you reassured him. "I can make my own decision now so my decision is to stay by your side for as long as you will have me,"

"Then I will have you forever cariño,"

"Good because I'm not leaving," you stated and you could feel Carlos smiling against your shoulder, making you grin at your achievement.

Carlos then pulled back to look at you with eyes filled with love, causing your heart to skip a beat. Was this the feeling of love that you were experiencing? Was this the love you had been longing for? Were those butterflies in your stomach a sign of something deeper?

The rhetorical questions swirled in your mind, but one thing was certain - in that moment, you knew that you never wanted to let him go. . . .

"Alright, Lando, the final qualifying race is about to start. I've done the final checks on your car, so you're all set to go out there and give it your best."

"Thanks Y/N! You're the best!" Lando said, giving you a fistbump before entering the racing car.

As the race began, you kept your eyes fixed on Lando, watching his every move. But you couldn't help but glance over at Carlos' progress as well.

As the race progressed, Lando showcased his exceptional driving skills, maneuvering through the twists and turns with precision and speed. He maintained a strong position throughout the race, overtaking opponents and defending his place fiercely.

The intense competition on the track fueled his determination, and he pushed the limits of his car to extract every ounce of performance.

To your delight, Lando secured pole position, but your heart sank as you saw Carlos finish in 17th place.

You watched on the screen as Carlos stormed out of his car and quickly made his way to the Ferrari garage, his frustration evident.

After congratulating Lando on his impressive performance, you turned to him and said, "Lando, I'm worried about Carlos. Could you help me get over to the Ferrari garage without drawing too much attention?"

"Of course, anything for my favourite engineer," Lando agreed without hesitation.

Together, you and Lando made your way to the Ferrari garage, strategically navigating through the bustling paddock. Lando, being the quick-witted and charismatic driver that he is, effortlessly made excuses to pass through the crowd without drawing too much attention.

You knew Carlos well enough to sense that something was truly bothering him, and you were determined to find out what it was and offer your support.

When the coast was clear, you knocked on the door to Carlos' drivers' room, but there was no answer.

"Carlos, it's me," you called out loud enough for him to hear you if he was inside the room.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Carlos ushered you inside. His eyes were filled with a mix of disappointment and anger.

He quickly closed the door behind you before going back to sitting down on his couch, his face in his hands to hide his disappointment from you.

You cautiously approached Carlos, taking a seat beside him on the couch. The room fell into a heavy silence as you waited for him to gather his thoughts.

Finally, he looked up at you, his voice filled with frustration as he confessed, "I can't believe I let my team down like this. I had high expectations for this race, and I feel like I've disappointed everyone."

"You didn't disappoint me," you said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Racing is unpredictable, Carlos. You gave it your all out there, and that's what matters. We win some, we lose some, but what's important is how we bounce back from it."

Carlos looked at you, and with a hint of a smile, he replied, "Thanks for saying that. It means a lot coming from you."

Getting a closer look at him, the dark circles were more visible to you now. It was clear that Carlos had been under a lot of stress lately. You realized that you hadn't been seeing him as often as usual, only exchanging quick greetings here and there.

It was time to dig deeper and find out how he had been truly doing.

"Carlos, how has your sleep been?" you asked, concerned about his well-being.

Carlos hesitated for a moment before replying, "Oh, you know, just the usual. A few restless nights here and there, but nothing too serious."

However, you could tell from the weariness in his eyes that he was not being completely honest with you.

You then patted your lap and Carlos looked bewildered by your action. "Put your head here, just like when we were young," you said, trying to lighten the mood. Carlos hesitated for a moment before finally resting his head on your lap.

The familiar comfort seemed to wash over him as he closed his eyes, allowing himself to finally release the weight of his disappointment and frustration.

As you gently stroked his hair, you whispered, "You don't have to carry this burden alone. Let me help you, like we used to help each other."

Carlos sighed in relief at your head massage, his tense muscles gradually relaxing under your soothing touch. "You're right," he murmured, his voice filled with vulnerability. "I've been struggling to handle everything on my own. It's been overwhelming."

You nodded understandingly, your fingers continuing their gentle rhythm in his hair. "You don't have to face it alone, Carlos," you reassured him. "We're in this together, just like we've always been. You can lean on me whenever you need to."

"I'm going to be late for the media if I fall asleep," he mumbled but he didn't budge like his body was fighting for sleep but his mind was fighting for being awake.

As Carlos' body relaxed against your lap, you could see the toll that sleep deprivation had taken on him. His eyes kept drooping, fighting the urge to close, but eventually, his body succumbed to exhaustion.

You gently covered him with a blanket and whispered, "Rest now, Carlos. I'll make sure you won't be late for the media. Your well-being is more important."

Carlos's resistance faded as he succumbed to sleep, finding solace in your presence and the promise of support.

As Carlos drifted off to sleep, you noticed the deep lines etched on his forehead, evidence of the stress he had been carrying. His shoulders slumped forward, burdened by the weight of his fatigue. Even in his sleep, he seemed restless, his body twitching with the remnants of anxiety.

Carlos's body seemed to sag against your lap, as if all his energy had been drained from him, leaving behind only weariness and the need for rest.

Carlos' face was incredibly expressive, even as he slept soundly. You continued to gently stroke his soft hair, mesmerised by the subtle shifts in his features - the occasional twitch of his brow, the slight curl of his lips.

It was a captivating display, and you found yourself endlessly entertained by the nuances of his sleeping countenance.

You didn't know that one hour had flown by until you heard a loud knock on the door. You froze, hoping that it wasn't some Ferrari staff looking for Carlos until you heard Charles' voice behind the door.

"Carlos! The media want to take your interview now. You can't stay here forever." Charles said while opening the door.

Charles' face was filled with worry and fear before he saw the two of you on the sofa. His face immediately changed to a relieved look as he looked at the sleeping figure of Carlos on your lap.

"Oh hi Y/N, how long has he been like this?" Charles now whispered as he closed the door behind him.

You looked at the clock, shocked at the time. "Around an hour or more."

"You've been like that for one hour." Charles repeated in shock.

"He was tired. What else was I supposed to do?" You whispered after feeling him stir into your lap, your hand returning back to his messy hair.

Charles sighed after he noticed how your eyes softened when you looked at Carlos and he knew it was over for you.

"Just tell him that the media are waiting for him now," he said gently before leaving the room.

Slowly, you roused Carlos from his slumber, watching as the grogginess gradually overtook him. A faint smile crept across your face as you observed the dishevelled state of his usually neatly styled hair, now tousled and unkempt, a testament to the deep sleep from which he was emerging.

The light came from the ceiling, casting a warm glow on his face, highlighting the drowsiness in his eyes. He blinked repeatedly, his movements sluggish and disoriented, a stark contrast to his typically alert and composed demeanour.

You couldn't help but let out a gentle giggle at the endearing sight of this usually put-together man, now rumpled and disoriented, his messy hair a playful reflection of his current state of mind.

“What happened?” Carlos muttered, slowly sitting up to face you.

“You still have media to do,” You reminded him, standing up to stretch from the sitting position you were in for an hour.

Carlos sighed at your words, rubbing the back of his neck. "I completely forgot about the media," he admitted with a hint of frustration. "I guess I needed that nap more than I thought.

"Thanks for being here for me, Y/N."

"It's no problem Carlos, oh wait, let me..." you started but your voice went in vain after you looked at Carlos.

His shirt was wrinkled, and there was a faint crease on his cheek from where it had been pressed against your lap. Nevertheless, he still managed to look effortlessly charming, his tousled hair adding a touch of disheveled appeal to his already handsome features.

"Let me fix your hair," you muttered, stepping closer to him and gently running your fingers through his tousled locks. Carlos smiled gratefully, his eyes sparkling with appreciation as he allowed you to tend to his messy hair, cherishing the intimate moment between the two of you.

"Thank you, Cariño," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I don't know what I would do without you. You always know how to bring me back to reality and take care of me."

You smiled softly, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "It's my pleasure, Carlos. Taking care of you is something I love to do."

"There, now you're ready," you said with a playful smile, gently patting his cheeks to remove any lingering traces of sleep. Carlos chuckled, his eyes brightening as he looked at you.

"Thanks, love. I feel much better now," he replied, his gratefulness evident in his voice.

As he started to walk to the door, he stopped in his tracks and turned around to you. "Will you be here when I come back?"

You looked at Carlos with a soft smile, your heart fluttering at the hope in his eyes.

"Carlos, McLaren will get worried about where I am," you replied, your voice filled with regret at the change on Carlos' face. "I'll check on you later okay?"

He nodded before leaving the room, but you couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment. As much as you wanted to stay by his side, duty called, and you knew you had to prioritize your responsibilities.

"Off to go celebrate Lando's pole," you muttered to yourself as you left the room, a mixture of excitement and disappointment swirling within you. You knew that supporting Carlos meant sometimes sacrificing your own desires, but it didn't make the longing to be by his side any less intense. . . .

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As you prepared for your dinner with Carlos, you carefully selected a glamorous outfit that exuded elegance and style. The dress in question was a captivating red number that perfectly complemented your complexion. With its intricate woven design, cowl neck, and lace-up back, it exuded captivating allure.

The Shape Red Woven Cowl Neck Lace Back Mini Dress was a short, figure-hugging dress that accentuated your curves. The vibrant red color added a touch of vibrancy to your overall look, while the woven pattern gave it a unique texture. The cowl neck oozed sophistication, while the lace-up back added a touch of playfulness.

As you adorned yourself with various accessories, you carefully placed a delicate gold necklace around your neck. However, it didn't quite sit right, and you found yourself struggling to achieve the desired look.

Just as you were about to give up, there was a knock on the door. It was 7 PM, and to your surprise, it was Carlos standing in the doorway, holding a bouquet of vibrant red, black and white flowers. His smile lit up his face, and your heart raced with anticipation.

He then looked shocked as he took in your outfit. His eyes widened, and his mouth formed a silent "wow" as he admired the captivating red dress that perfectly hugged your curves.

The intricate woven design, cowl neck, and lace-up back emphasised your elegance and style, leaving Carlos momentarily speechless.

You couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity, wondering if you had made a fashion blunder.

"Is it bad? I can change it if you want to," you ranted, scared of Carlos' expressions.

"Wow," Carlos finally managed to say out loud, his voice filled with surprise. "You look absolutely stunning in that dress. I never would have imagined you could look even more beautiful than you already do."

You blushed at his words, feeling a mix of relief and delight. The insecurity that had crept in earlier began to fade away as you realised that Carlos genuinely appreciated your efforts and found you stunning in the dress.

His sincere compliment filled you with confidence, and you couldn't help but smile back at him, grateful for his presence and the way he made you feel.

"Thank you Carlos, you can come in," you said shyly, letting him walk into your apartment.

As you walked back to your dresser, you picked up the necklace and walked over to Carlos. "Can you help me with this?"

With his cold hands gently touching your skin, you inadvertently shivered, feeling a surge of goosebumps. Despite his gentle touch, they managed to give you an unexpected thrill. As you turned around, our eyes locked, and a surge of warmth washed over you.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure cariño,"

In a car adorned with luxurious leather seats, you two drove to your dinner date. The fancy restaurant Carlos had taken you to was the epitome of elegance and exclusivity. However, as you two entered, you couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The glamorous ambiance and foreign faces made you feel like an outsider, despite the glamorous attire you wore.

Carlos, ever the gentleman, pulled out your chair for you, ensuring you were comfortably seated before sitting opposite you. The anticipation in the air was palpable, as you two exchanged fleeting glances, waiting for the right moment to break the silence.

As we settled into our seats, we began to engage in conversation, discussing anything and everything.

"So, how do you like the restaurant?" Carlos asked, breaking the silence with a charming smile.

You took a moment to observe the elegant surroundings before responding, "It's certainly impressive, but I can't help feeling a bit out of place."

Carlos squeezed your hand reassuringly and replied, "Don't worry, my love. You belong here just as much as anyone else. Besides, I brought you here because I wanted to spoil you and show you how special you are to me."

His words melted away your unease, and a sense of gratitude washed over you. As you continued your conversation, you couldn't help but feel lucky to have Carlos by your side, making you feel like the most important person in the room.

After indulging in a delicious meal, our conversation continued in comfortable silence. The soft ambiance of the restaurant and the lingering warmth of Carlos's presence created a peaceful atmosphere.

As you two savored the last bites of dessert, you couldn't help but reflect on how lucky you were to have found someone like Carlos, someone who made you feel cherished and valued with every word and gesture.

"So do you still feel bad about yesterday's race?"

"Not anymore, not after you are right in front of me," he replied, grinning at your shy reaction.

"Carlos, you have to be focused for the grand prix tomorrow," you said, trying to steer the conversation back to the upcoming race.

"Yeah, I am focused," he replied, his gaze still fixed on you.

Despite his flirty demeanor, you couldn't help but feel a shyness creep over you, making it difficult to concentrate on anything other than his captivating presence.

Carlos' magnetic charm emanated from his piercing blue eyes, which seemed to hold a universe of depth and mystery. The way his dark, tousled hair fell effortlessly across his forehead only added to his ruggedly handsome appearance.

With a fit and athletic physique that hinted at his prowess on the racetrack, Carlos exuded an undeniable allure that made it impossible to look away.

The evening was coming to a close when we were caught by something unexpected.

The paparazzi had gathered outside the restaurant, snapping pictures of us. Their presence brought a sudden realisation to both of us. In that moment, we realised that our evening had been captured, immortalised for the world to see.

The potential consequences of the paparazzi's photos being made public loomed over you both. The invasion of privacy could subject you to scrutiny, judgment, and even hate from the public.

The intimate moments shared between you and Carlos, which were meant to be cherished and kept private, could be distorted and sensationalized, leaving you vulnerable to the harsh realities of fame and public opinion.

Carlos immediately took your hand and led you to the back of the restaurant where a staff member was waiting with his car ready to go. In a swift and coordinated move, he opened the car door for you and helped you inside, shielding you from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

As the car pulled away, you felt a mix of relief and gratitude for Carlos's quick thinking and protective nature.

Carlos whispered, "Don't worry, I'll make sure your face will not be seen by the public."

You reply with a grateful smile, feeling a sense of comfort in Carlos's reassurance. "Thank you, Carlos," you say softly, appreciating his efforts to protect your privacy amidst the chaos of the paparazzi.

"Anything for you Cariño," He said with a grin on his face, taking a look at you before looking back at the road. "So which house are we going to? Yours or mine?"

"I think it's best if I go home and get a good night's rest for tomorrow," you stated, feeling the heat creeping up your cheeks.

"Sure Cariño," he replied with a gentle nod, his eyes flickering with a mix of concern and longing.

Inside the car, a comfortable silence enveloped you both, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. As the city lights blurred past, a sense of intimacy filled the air, as if the world outside ceased to exist, leaving only the two of you and the promise of a new day ahead.

When you arrived at your apartment, Carlos was about to turn to leave after saying goodbye, but you quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. "Carlos," you whispered, your voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and longing.

He turned to look at you, his eyes searching yours for a moment before a smile tugged at his lips. "Yes?" he replied, his voice gentle.

"Stay," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. "At least stay with me for a while since our dinner was cut short."

Carlos's smile widened, and he squeezed your hand reassuringly. "I would love nothing more," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "I'll stay with you as long as you need me, Cariño."

As you both entered your apartment, you couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and nervousness. The atmosphere was charged with unspoken feelings, and you wondered if this was the beginning of something more than just friendship.

Closing the door behind you, you turned to face Carlos, your heart pounding in your chest.

"I've enjoyed our time together tonight," you said, your voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and hope.

Carlos's eyes softened as he looked at you, his body language reflecting a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush against your cheek.

Your breath hitched at his touch, your heart racing in response. The air crackled with tension, both of you feeling the electricity between you, unsure of what would happen next.

"I don't want to rush things, but can I kiss you?" he whispered, his voice filled with longing and desire. The question hung in the air, intensifying the tension between you.

"Okay, but remember you have an important event tomorrow-" you warned. Your voice tinged with concern. However, Carlos hardly let you finish your sentence.

With a surge of desire and longing, he closed the distance between you and kissed you passionately, his lips capturing yours in a moment of undeniable connection. In that electric embrace, the worries about the future faded away.

As his lips melded with yours, a rush of warmth spread through your body, igniting every nerve ending. Time seemed to stand still as the world around you faded into insignificance, leaving only the intoxicating taste of his lips and the intensity of the moment.

The kiss held an undeniable spark, a perfect harmony of desire and affection that left you breathless and craving more.

Your hands instinctively found their way to the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his hair, while his hands tightened their grip around your waist, pulling you closer. In that moment, the world disappeared, and it was just the two of you, lost in the intoxicating rhythm of the kiss, savoring the electrifying connection between your bodies.

When you finally broke apart to catch your breath, you couldn't help but smile. The taste of his lips still lingered on yours, and the intensity of the moment hung in the air.

As you moved back slightly, you couldn't help but notice a faint trail of saliva connecting your mouths, reminding you of the raw passion that had consumed you both.

The anticipation and desire that had built up before the kiss only intensified in its aftermath. Both of you were left wanting more, your hearts yearning for the next encounter, as the taste of his lips and the lingering connection between your bodies filled your thoughts and fueled your desire.

"Do you still want me to stop?" Carlos teased, reminding you of your words before.

But as you looked into his eyes, filled with equal parts mischief and desire, you couldn't help but shake your head and pull him closer, surrendering to the undeniable electricity between you.

"We can't do anything that will weaken you and your legs before your grand prix tomorrow. Just kiss for now," you muttered reluctantly.

With a mischievous grin, Carlos whispered, "You better come to my driver's room after my home win then." The anticipation of what may happen next filled the air, fueling your desire for him even more.

"Of course," you replied with a mischievous smile. "But only if you promise to make it worth the wait."

Carlos chuckled. His eyes lit up with anticipation. "I'll make it a race you'll never forget," he whispered, before capturing your lips once again in a passionate kiss, leaving you both eagerly counting down the hours until his victory. . . .

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As you sat on your break, scrolling through the Twitter posts about you and Carlos from the previous day, a rush of excitement and anticipation filled you.

You couldn't help but smile as you read the comments and speculations from fans and followers. They were intrigued by the mysterious person who had captured Carlos's attention, wondering who you were and what your connection to him might be.

Although most of the pictures didn't fully reveal your face, they were captivated by the chemistry and passion that radiated from the moments captured.

The passionate kiss you shared replayed in your mind, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

The passionate kiss with Carlos had ignited a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions within you. It was as if a flame had been sparked, intensifying your desire for him and leaving you eagerly anticipating the next encounter.

The memories replayed in your mind, making it impossible to think of anything else but the electrifying connection you shared.

"Are you ready to celebrate with me after I win?" someone whispered, a hand sliding onto your waist. You turned to see Carlos, his eyes shining with excitement and anticipation, and couldn't help but feel your desire for him grow even stronger.

"Carlos, shouldn't you be talking to your team before the race?" you asked, turning around to face him.

But his gaze was unwavering, and with a confident smile, he replied, "I've already done everything I need to do. I just needed to talk to my good luck charm and my future engineer."

"Carlos-"

"Remember our promise? You said that you would work for Ferrari if I won this race?"

You sighed. "Why don't you win the race before we discuss that?" you said, trying to hide the nervous flutter in your stomach.

Deep down, you knew that if Carlos won, everything would change between you, and the thought both thrilled and terrified you.

The mischievous glint in Carlos's eyes only grew stronger as he leaned in closer, whispering, "Oh, I will win. And when I do, you better be ready to fulfill that promise."

With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, you leaned in closer to Carlos, playfully brushing your lips against his ear as you whispered, "Oh, I'll be ready, Carlos."

Carlos couldn't resist the playful challenge in your voice, and as he grinned, he pulled you even closer, his lips meeting yours in a passionate and electrifying kiss. Time seemed to stand still as the world around you faded away, leaving only the intense connection between the two of you.

"Good luck," you muttered as you broke away to the sound of the speakers announcing the start of the race.

The anticipation and excitement in the air were palpable as Carlos gave you one last lingering look before heading towards his team, leaving you with a mix of hope and uncertainty for what the future held.

"So you're cheering for the enemy now?" a voice said behind you, and you turned around to see Lando, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Well, I always knew you had a thing for bad boys," he teased, causing you to playfully roll your eyes.

"I wouldn't call it cheering for the enemy," you replied, returning his smirk. "Just enjoying the thrill of competition. Besides, a little friendly rivalry never hurt anyone."

"Just remember that you're my engineer, at least for now from what I heard."

"Lando-" you tried to explain but he stopped you.

"I understand, I can't stand in the way of true love," Lando said with a bittersweet smile. "But it's not like we're going to lose contact again, right? We'll still be friends, even if things change between you and Carlos."

You smiled reassuringly, placing a hand on his arm. "Of course not, Lando. We may be on different teams, but our friendship goes beyond the track. We'll always stay in touch."

Lando nodded, his smile widening. "That's what I like to hear. No matter what happens on the racetrack, our friendship will remain strong. And who knows, maybe one day we'll even end up as drivers and engineers again."

As the speaker asked again for the drivers to get ready, Lando rushed over to get ready for the race. His excitement was palpable. Meanwhile, you focused on your role as his engineer, meticulously checking the data and making last-minute adjustments to ensure that Lando had the best possible performance.

The countdown had begun, and the adrenaline surged through your veins as you prepared for the start of the race. . . .

The roar of the engines filled the air as the cars lined up on the starting grid, their sleek bodies glistening under the bright lights. The anticipation was electric, with the crowd holding their breath in anticipation of the exhilarating race that was about to unfold.

As the signal for the start of the race was given, the cars shot forward, their tires screeching against the asphalt, and the drivers expertly maneuvered through the first turns, jostling for position.

Each lap brought new challenges and heart-stopping moments, as the drivers pushed themselves and their machines to the limit, battling for victory.

The atmosphere was intoxicating, a heady mix of adrenaline, strategy, and sheer determination, as the race unfolded with breathtaking speed and precision.

The roar of the engines filled the air as the cars lined up on the starting grid, their sleek bodies glistening under the bright lights. The anticipation was electric, with the crowd holding their breath in anticipation of the exhilarating race that was about to unfold.

As the signal for the start of the race was given, the cars shot forward, their tires screeching against the asphalt, and the drivers expertly maneuvered through the first turns, jostling for position.

Each lap brought new challenges and heart-stopping moments, as the drivers pushed themselves and their machines to the limit, battling for victory. The atmosphere was intoxicating, a heady mix of adrenaline, strategy, and sheer determination, as the race unfolded with breathtaking speed and precision.

In the end, Carlos proved his skill and expertise, crossing the finish line first with a triumphant roar from the crowd. Lando, though disappointed not to take the top spot, showcased his talent by securing a solid second place, earning him well-deserved recognition and applause from the spectators.

Despite the competitive nature of the race, the friendship between Lando and Carlos remained strong, with both drivers acknowledging each other's abilities and celebrating their shared passion for the sport.

You were filled with a sense of pride as you watched Lando secure a solid second place, but deep down, you couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness for Carlos. Seeing him cross the finish line first, his skill and expertise on full display, was a moment of pure joy.

You knew that this victory meant so much to him, and you couldn't help but celebrate alongside him, grateful for the camaraderie and shared passion that united everyone in the thrilling world of racing.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause as Carlos crossed the finish line, their jubilation echoing throughout the stadium. Flags waved, horns blared, and spectators jumped up and down in excitement, caught up in the exhilarating moment of victory.

The atmosphere was electric, filled with a mix of admiration, awe, and sheer joy for Carlos's well-deserved triumph.

As you looked around, you realized that you were surrounded by fans of Lando's team, who were understandably disappointed by his second-place finish. Feeling slightly awkward, you tried to contain your excitement and join in the applause for Lando's impressive performance.

But deep down, you couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret that you couldn't fully express your joy for Carlos's victory among like-minded supporters.

You stayed with the McLaren team throughout the podium celebration, witnessing the bittersweet mix of emotions among the fans.

Some were still caught up in their disappointment for Lando, while others couldn't help but applaud Carlos's remarkable achievement.

As Carlos stood on the first-place podium, his eyes scanned the crowd, searching for you. When his gaze finally met yours, a wide smile spread across his face, and he raised his trophy in triumph.

In that moment, you knew that your support and shared joy meant everything to him, and you felt a deep sense of pride and happiness for being there to witness his victory.

Throughout the celebration, Carlos had been winking at you whenever he had the chance, a secret gesture that only the two of you understood.

As you locked eyes with him during the podium celebration, he winked at you once again, a silent reminder of the special connection you shared and the unspoken bond between you. In that moment, the world around you faded away, and it was just the two of you, celebrating his victory together.

You couldn't help but blush as Carlos's wink hinted at the private celebration that awaited you in his driver's room.

The teasing and flirty gesture only added to the excitement and anticipation that filled the air, making you eagerly anticipate the intimate moments you would share after the public festivities were over. . . .

You quickly changed out of your McLaren staff clothes into some casual attire, ensuring that you wouldn't draw any unnecessary attention as you made your way into the Ferrari garage.

With the ID that Carlos had obtained for you, you confidently walked past security and into the inner sanctum of the team.

As you entered, the atmosphere shifted, and you could feel the excitement building as you prepared to celebrate Carlos's victory in a more private setting.

The Ferrari garage exuded an air of opulence and exclusivity, with sleek Italian design elements, polished surfaces, and dimmed lighting that added a touch of mystery.

The atmosphere was filled with the intoxicating scent of leather and the faint sound of engines purring in the distance, creating a sensory experience that heightened the anticipation of the private celebration that lay ahead.

When you made it to Carlos's driver's room, you knocked on his door and immediately the door opened, revealing Carlos standing there with a wide grin on his face. He pulled you into a tight embrace, whispering how grateful he was that you were there to share this moment with him.

As you looked into each other's eyes, you knew that this victory was not just his, but yours as well, and you couldn't wait to celebrate together in the privacy of his sanctuary.

With a mischievous smile, he whispered in your ear, "I've been waiting for this moment all day." As you melted into his arms, you knew that the private celebration you had been eagerly anticipating was about to begin.

"I'm so proud of you," you whispered, your voice filled with genuine admiration and love. Carlos's eyes sparkled with joy as he pulled you even closer, cherishing the words that meant so much to him.

You felt a surge of heat course through your body as he pulled you into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around your waist, and his body pressed against yours. You could feel the warmth of his breath on your neck as he leaned in close.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear. 'I'm so glad you're here."

You reached up and ran your fingers through his soft, dark hair. "I couldn't miss this, "You whispered. "Congratulations, Carlos. You were incredible."

"Thank you, mi amor," he said. "I couldn't have done it without you."

With that, he leaned down and kissed you. His lips were soft and warm, and I could taste the champagne on his tongue. I felt a surge of desire wash over me as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the contours of my mouth.

"Can I touch you?" Carlos whispered, staring from your lips to your body, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and anticipation.

You nodded, unable to resist the magnetic pull between you, as his hands gently traced the curves of your body, igniting a fire within you that only he could quench.

He tastes of mint and victory, and you feel the hard muscles of his chest against your breasts as he pulls you tight against him. Your hands explore his strong back, feeling the power in his body, the sinewy strength that has just won him the race.

Pulling away slightly, Carlos nips at your lower lip, his eyes burning with a hunger that matches your own. "I need you," he growls, his breath hot against your ear. "Right now."

You whimper at his words, all shyness forgotten in the face of your overwhelming desire. "Yes," you plead, arching your back, offering yourself to him. "Please, Carlos."

His response is to lift you up and sit you on the nearby table, his hands gripping your thighs as he pushes your legs apart. You can feel the hard length of his cock pressing against your core, and you grind your hips down, wanting to feel him inside you.

With one hand, he reaches between your legs, his fingers stroking your wet pussy through your pants. You gasp at the contact, your head falling back as he teases your clit with his skilled fingers.

"So wet for me already," he groans, dipping his head to suck at the sensitive skin of your neck.

"Please," you beg, your hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. "I need you now."

Carlos chuckles, the vibrations sending shivers down your spine, and then he pushes your pants down for them to fall on the ground, his fingers finding your aching cunt.

With one sharp thrust, he pushes a finger inside you, and you cry out, your hips buckling at the sudden pleasure.

"That's it, baby," he whispers, adding another finger, stretching and filling you. "Take it. Take all of me."

You can't form words, your mouth open in a soundless cry as he fingers your pussy, his thumb rubbing your swollen clit in circles. Your juices coat his hand, and he adds a third finger, scissoring you, stretching you deliciously.

As you hover on the edge of an orgasm, Carlos pulls his fingers out, leaving you whimpering and desperate. Before you can protest, he hooks one of your legs over his shoulder and lines up his thick cock with your waiting hole.

With one swift thrust, he sinks deep into your wet cunt, burying himself balls-deep.

"Fuck!" you cry out. You claw at his back, your legs tightening around his waist, pulling him closer, needing him deeper.

Carlos begins to move, his hips snapping as he pulls almost all the way out before slamming back into you. The table shakes with the force of his thrusts, and you meet him thrust for thrust, your bodies moving in perfect rhythm.

"You feel so good," he grunts, his eyes screwed shut as he concentrates on the feeling of your tight pussy gripping his cock. "So fucking tight."

Hearing him talk dirty sends you over the edge, and your orgasm crashes over you, your body shaking uncontrollably as you cry out his name. Carlos doesn't stop, pounding into you as you ride out your climax, your juices coating his shaft.

With a few more hard thrusts, Carlos tenses, a growl tearing from his throat as he spills himself deep inside you, his hot cum filling your hole. He slumps forward, his forehead resting against yours as he catches his breath, his cock still buried deep.

You wrap your arms around him, holding him close, feeling your hearts pounding in unison. "That was..." you start, unable to find the words to describe the intense, passionate sex you just shared.

"Incredible," Carlos finishes for you, kissing you softly. "But I have a feeling this is just the beginning for us."

You catch your breath and look into Carlos' eyes, a satisfied smile playing on your lips. "Incredible doesn't even begin to cover it," you say, your voice filled with a mix of desire and anticipation.

"Wanna do round 2 in your bedroom?" you smirked, your eyes glinting with mischief as you playfully suggested taking the passionate encounter to the next level.

Carlos grinned back at you, his fingers tracing gentle circles on your skin. "I thought you'd never ask," he replied, his voice filled with anticipation and desire. . . .

yourusername

liked by carlossainz55, charles_leclerc, landonorris, and 1,702,847 others.

yourusername: Life has a beautiful way of surprising us. Carlos and I met when we were just kids, and we instantly became the best of friends. Unfortunately, circumstances pulled us apart, and we lost touch for years. But destiny had its plans, and we found each other again. Now, we're not just friends, we're partners, and our bond is stronger than ever. Our journey has been filled with twists and turns, but it's led us to this incredible place. 💖

view comments below

yourusername: ALSO GOOD JOB BABY ON GETTING PODIUM!!

carlossainz55: 🥰🥰

carlossainz55: Mi amor, I thought we agreed not to post that picture of me

yourusername: But baby you looked cute in it! Can I still keep it on??

carlossainz55: of course mi amor, anything for you ❤

*liked by yoursername*

user1: OMG they are so cute!!

charles_leclerc: congratulations on your relationship!

yourusername: OMG Charles Leclerc! Can I have your autograph?? charles_leclerc: sure! I'm sure I will meet you in the paddock to give you one 👍

user2: NOT Y/N BEING A BIGFAN OR CHARLES WHILE DATING CARLOS????

user3: Y/N is actually living the dream 🥹

landonorris: Great podium mate 👊

carlossainz55: Thanks mate, got the love of my life and a home win in the same day. Best day of my life 🥰

*liked by yoursername*

landonorris: Stole my best friend 😒🙄😮‍💨

yourusername: Lando you know you will always be my number 1 bestie 🫶

landonorris: I GOT MY BESTIE BACK 🥰🫶

carlossainz55: What about me?????

*liked by yoursername*