#it deserves a bit of recognition at least

[lil-melody-moon]

Things go yeet, aka Keith Moon throws the entire room out the window

New Zealand offered some respite, partly because both the concert schedule and the atmosphere were less oppressive. On January 30, the occasion of Steve Marriott's twenty-first birthday, the bands took a plane ride from Auckland to Wellington in the morning and, ensconced in their high-rise hotel in the latter city, gathered in Marriott's room for a party. The Small Faces' record company EMI had kindly bought Marriott a portable record player, and singles to go with. With the night off and the booze in, it looked like being a good party. But when one of the records skipped, an excited and inebriated Steve Marriott smashed the player with his fist, unwittingly breaking it in the process. Realising the error, the former Artful Dodger decided to make a proper job of his destruction, and in the madness of the moment, he picked his broken birthday present up and threw it out of the window. Everyone rushed to the balcony and watched the player turning as it fell, the fans who were gathered on the forecourt several floors below parting like the Red Sea before Moses as it landed in their midst. "It looked so good when it went down," recalls John Wolff, "and the smash it made was fantastic, it was music to our ears, that we shouted, 'Leave those bits there!' I rushed downstairs in my dressing gown, gathered it all up and brought it back upstairs so we could throw it out again!" But as Steve Marriott recalled in The Small Faces biography The Young Mods' Forgotten Story, that "was the wrong thing to do in front of Keith Moon, because the next thing that went out was the telly, armchairs, the lot went out of the window, the whole room… It was just mad." Marriott was stunned. Even though he had started it, he didn't realise anyone went in for that kind of behaviour, and he was right; for all that Moon had been building up to something like this, his actions represented a new high - or low - in on-tour vandalism, an over-the-top reaction to Marriott and Wolff's already crazed actions in a moment of collective, chaotic high spirits. As best as conflicting recollections of what happened next can be correlated, with his furniture now on the hotel forecourt Marriott invented a stupendous lie about unknown intruders breaking into his room and destroying it. Apparently (and amazingly), the hotel took him at his words, the room was redecorated, and the next day EMI supplied Marriott with a new, even better record player. The bands played their two shows each at the town hall and came back for an end of tour party, again in Marriott's room. Keith walked in, complimented the hotel on their redecorating job, admired Marriott's new record player - and promptly threw it straight out the window. "Me and Wiggy looked at each other in amazement," recalled Steve Marriott, "and we screamed "No! No! No!' And Keith was going 'Yes! Yes! Yes!', bunging things out and smashing things. The whole room gets duffed up again. Fucking wrecked."

Tony Fletcher: Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon, pages 214-215

[mangofresca]

zephyr | 18+

ii.

“We could leave, y’know.”

Romano startles, head turning over his shoulder as if he were searching for a spy, a conspirator. Sometimes, that’s not unlike how Portugal feels here, always a little too relegated to the outside for comfort, too close to the inside for tranquility or freedom.

He shakes the thought away, eyebrow raised in question at the only other person here who hasn’t exhausted him yet.

Romano’s eyes flick from his face to the windows, to the rain pelting the windowpanes, and he scoffs. “And do what? Get soaked?” His fingers tap the glass in his hand, and Portugal watches with muted disinterest as the wine rocks back and forth, back and forth, an ocean all its own, confined and confined and confined.

“Better than staying here.” Staying here and playing pretend with a government who can only just tell him and Spain apart, and Portugal doesn’t have the stomach anymore for the accent or the language or the face of it all.

Romano tsks, and, for some reason, this infuriates him, as if Romano is content to sit here and be lessened, nothing more than a jewel on a crown on a head who so blatantly picks favorites. Like they’re above it all, the two of them.

He turns, and he leaves, and he doesn’t care enough to see if anyone watches him go.

vi.

“That was–”

Portugal is already pushing up off the bed, flicking hair from his eyes. “Want a drink?”

“Obviously,” Romano snorts, but he sounds like he’s amused, and when Portugal turns around to look at him, all he can see is the way Romano’s lips curl around his teeth, how his cheeks look when he smiles.

ix.

Romano snores when he sleeps, raspy and rough, and when his hair falls in front of his eyes, his nose crinkles with the tickle of it, too deep in dreams to bother moving it away.

We shouldn’t be doing this, Portugal thinks, because things are messy, only getting worse, and he doesn’t understand how Romano doesn’t grow restless beneath a thumb that demands obedience, that is all too comfortable pressing down on the pulse of their throats, hard enough to feel it beating, not hard enough to choke.

“I wish this was easy,” he says instead, and his skin goes cold when he realizes he means it, green eyes already looking down at tanned legs tangled with his, errant curl brushing his collarbone.

He’s gotten used to that, too.

iv.

Portugal can see him on the docks again, hair just as windswept as that first time, waves falling over each other to brush against dark eyelashes, to curl into knots at his hairline.

Spain’s hand is heavy on his shoulder, smile tipping into something that more resembles a bridler than a brother. “You look like you’re thinking hard,” he says, and Portugal hears the warning in it like a bell tolling within his head. “Everything all right?”

“Fine,” Portugal replies. The weight on his shoulder feels suffocating.

vii.

“We should have sex here,” Portugal says, out of the blue and apropos of nothing, voice hushed into a conspiratorial whisper when he leans himself into Romano’s ear.

Romano coughs, splutters, eyes narrowing when Portugal only grins at him.

“Not now, obviously,” he continues, because his brother is here, and his—their, because God forbid any of it is really his—government, too, and he isn’t stupid enough to try anything here, now.

Romano wipes the coughed wine from his lips, arm crossed over his chest as he settles back into the wall behind him. “Please,” he says, and he already sounds scandalized and petulant, “as if I’d settle for anything less than a bed. You think I’d let you fuck me on a settee? Not a chance.”

“I think,” Portugal replies, smiling, “you’d let me fuck you anywhere I want you to.”

Romano scoffs again, furious and blustering, but his shoulder brushes Portugal’s arm, and he doesn’t move it away.

v.

Lively doesn’t adequately describe it when it finally happens.

Romano has him pinned up against the library wall, holding Portugal’s wrists against hand-bound books and shelves which haven’t been dusted in God only knows how long, but all Portugal can think is how difficult it is, when kissing Romano, to push him away, to have him be the one pressed between linen and literature.

He manages, only just, and the heady, groaned gasp of surprise he receives pleasantly makes it worth his while.

x.

Portugal can see him on the docks again, hair wind-knotted and wild, exactly like it was that first time, exactly like the second, like every other time, every other time.

He can’t discern the expression on Romano’s face, too far away for detail, sunlight blinding on wave-crested waters, but he can see him turn around, see him walk away, back to that house and that voice and that hand and that crown.

He almost regrets leaving without a goodbye, but he knows, is certain in the knowledge, that expectation for their kind is the heartbeat of disillusionment, and he doesn’t have it in himself to be disappointed by someone so supine as to find comfort here.

Nothing ever gets resolved with avoidance and shame, but their arrangement never really did have room for much else, anyway.

iii.

He has a dream, then, that lingers worse than a bad hangover or a bloody wound. Maybe it’s years after their last conversation, or maybe it’s days, or maybe it’s hours; he can’t be bothered to keep track, not that their kind usually does when it comes to time.

(Hard. He wakes up hard, and that’s not how his dreams usually go—or, not the ones with Romano, at least.)

Romano was over him, or under him, maybe—not that it matters, because it doesn’t matter, not really. What matters is that Romano was close, breathing against his neck, sighing his name, and it’s—

It was slow, the way they moved. Tender, close.

Odd.

viii.

He’s gotten used to it—the way Romano’s voice hitches, goes taut, tight as his white-knuckled grip on pearl-hued sheets. He’s gotten used to it.

He’s gotten used to it.

i.

They meet officially, formally—and notably without supervision—on the docks of Almería, both windswept and water-worn, and it makes Portugal wonder how long Romano had been standing there for him to look like that, like he himself had blown in with the breeze of the ocean, side-swept bangs tangling into soft knots at his temples.

He is sure he himself is no better, likely worse—a ribbon can only do so much with the whipping winds that dance themselves through his sails—but he doesn’t bother brushing his hair from his face before approaching, grin ticking at the corners of his lips.

Romano blinks at him, hazel eyes owlish before settling into something calmer, almost bored. “Oh,” he says, “it’s you.”

Portugal smiles and tips his head. “Hello,” he replies. Always best to start with hello.

[mexashepot]

I don't know what I was expecting to hear during lunch at work, but hearing my colleagues discuss how good the meme I uploaded to my insta story the other day was was not it.

[baronessofmischief]

I think Tarzan also has one of the best setups for a villain who monologues their true intentions at the end of the movie.

Clayton’s introduction is someone we hear before we see, spending the entire time hacking through the brush bragging about his accomplishments as a safari hunter. He lives for the thrill of the hunt and the recognition, praise, and notoriety those exploits garner. It means when Tarzan is restrained at the end on the boat, it’s entirely in character for Clayton to brag about exactly what he plans to do in betraying them and capturing the gorillas. He doesn’t even have to do it for long, just long enough to break the spirit of the hero before throwing him to the lowest point he’s been in the story.

If you’re going to have a character monologue it can’t feel out of place or disrupt the flow and pacing of the movie, and it definitely can’t be out of character for that particular character to give it. Too often monologues can sound like they were written for the satisfaction of the writer instead of serving the story, and when that’s the case it’s a “kill your darlings” scenario; every word in a monologue has to be necessary, or else it needs to be cut out

[blueberrybirdsworld]

Out of frame 1/4

Summary : Y/N and Lando Norris have been together for three years. Their relationship is real, steady, and full of quiet love but always behind the scenes. While fans know they’re a couple, Lando has never posted about her, avoids public displays of affection, and never mentions her in interviews. At first, Y/N understood. She believed it was about privacy, about protecting what they had. But over time, being constantly left out of frame has started to hurt.

Genre : angst, SMAU

Pairing : Lando Norris x reader

Faceclaim : @suanbeiii

Main Masterlist

Series Masterlist

@landonorris

Solid weekend for the team. Proud of the progress, still hungry for more.

@_user1 he really posted a whole carousel and not ONE pic of his gf who was literally trackside all weekend 😭

@_user2 not even a mention to Y/N… 🫠

@_user3 he posts more Oscar than his actual girlfriend 💀 priorities???

@_user4 if you didn’t already know they were together you’d 100% assume he’s single. this is just weird now.

@_user5 i get wanting privacy but this feels like pretending she’s not part of his life at all 🙃

@_user6 she looked so pretty this weekend too and nothing?? not even a tag? a repost?? okay then.

@_user7 lando i love you but if you post oscar one more time before your actual girlfriend... 😩

@_user8 she shows up to support him every time and he won’t even acknowledge her... she deserves someone proud to be with her tbh.

@_user9 THAT OVERCUT WAS SO SMOOTH. give this man a trophie 😤👏

@_user10 can we talk about how good he looked in that third pic omg 😮‍💨

@_user11 LANDO MASTERCLASS LET’S GOOOOO 🔥🔥🔥

@_user12 he’s so serious here omg bring back chaotic lando for a second pls

@your_username 📍Melbourne

Driver number 4 is kinda cute 💌

@_user1 the caption??? Y’ALL ARE SO LOWKEY BUT SO CUTE I’M CRYING 😭

@_user2 girl you’re soft-launching your boyfriend of 3 YEARS 😭😭

@_user3 that polaroid of lando casually thrown in there… I SEE YOU 👀

@_user4 ok but why is this post more romantic than anything he’s ever posted 🥲

@_user5 her at the track >>>>>

@_user6 driver number 4 better WAKE UP and post you too, queen.

@_user7 the way she supports him so quietly and consistently... deserves more recognition fr

@_user8 prettiest girl at the paddock 💘

@_user9 nah cause this aesthetic is everything

@_user10 “driver number 4 is kinda cute” is the most girlfriend thing i’ve ever read lmao

@landonorris

Recharge day after the race 🌊

@_user1 sir who is taking these pics 👀

@_user2 ok but you could’ve at least tagged your girlfriend if she’s behind the camera 🙃

@_user4 jumping into the ocean like he’s diving away from accountability

@_user5 you look happy but why does this give ‘i’m gonna ignore my gf again’ energy 😩

@_user6 lando pls post your gf for once we’re begging 😭

@_user7 this whole post is ✨aesthetic✨ and also suspiciously solo

@_user8 i know y/n is there i can FEEL it through the screen

@_user9 how are you real. like actually. it’s offensive at this point 😍🔥

@_user10 lando + blue water = serotonin

@your_username

Lost at sea but in love with it and maybe a little bit with him too @landonorris 💙

@_user1 oh she’s SERVING

@_user2 lando… baby… if you don’t want her I WILL 😌

@_user3 you’re literally the prettiest woman on this app i don’t understand how he keeps you hidden like a secret

@_user4 nah bc if i looked like this and he never posted me i’d simply disappear

@_user5 can lando even fight?? because you’re way too stunning for this level of invisibility 💅🏼

@_user6 he posts boats. she posts him. let that sink in.

@_user7 if she ever becomes single i’m standing outside her house with flowers

@_user8 the towel pic is giving summer movie ending energy 🥺

@_user9 not to be dramatic but he should be GRATEFUL to be in this post

Texts messages

Lando Got back to the hotel. You home safe?

Y/N Yeah. Landed an hour ago. Just got in

Lando You okay? You’ve been quiet since you left Did I do something?

Y/N Not really. I’m just tired

Lando Y/N. Don’t do that thing where you pretend you’re fine but I can feel it’s not

Y/N Well Maybe there’s something

Lando Talk to me

Y/N I don’t want to argue with you, Lando. Not over text

Lando Then let’s not argue. Just tell me what’s on your mind. Please

Y/N Okay It’s stupid. I know it’s stupid But I saw the comments under your post

Lando The boat post?

Y/N Yes And the one from Melbourne to Every single one saying “where’s your gf” or “why doesn’t he post her” or “does she even exist”…

Lando Y/N You know that stuff isn’t real It’s Instagram. Fans talk

Y/N Yeah, but I am real And I was there. I’m always there But if I wasn’t posting you, no one would even know we’re together

Lando What are you trying to say?

Y/N I’m saying it’s starting to feel like maybe I’m the only one proud to be with you That maybe… you don’t want me to be visible. That I’m not someone you want to show off

Lando That’s not fair You know I’m private. I always have been. I don’t need to prove anything to strangers online

Y/N This isn’t about strangers It’s about me.

Lando We are public. People know we’re together. It’s not like I’m hiding you

Y/N Then why does it feel like you are?

Lando Y/N…

Y/N You say you don’t want to share too much online. Okay. But you don’t even talk about me in interviews. You don’t look at me in the paddock. You walk ten steps ahead. You don’t touch me in public. You don’t even smile at me if cameras are around

Lando You’re exaggerating.

Y/N Am I?

Lando So what, you want me to start posting couple selfies and PDA every weekend just to make people shut up?

Y/N No. I want you to want to Not for them. For me

Lando You know I love you. Why does it matter how many people see it?

Y/N Because maybe I want to feel like you’re proud of me Of us

Lando I am proud of us. I just don’t show it the same way you do

Y/N Then maybe we want different things

Lando ...what did you just say?

Y/N Maybe I want more More than quiet acknowledgments and careful distance

Lando You’re making it sound like I don’t care about you

Y/N Oscar is private too But he still posts about Lily. He talks about her in interviews, he includes her He makes her feel seen without compromising anything

Lando Are you serious right now?

Lando You’re really bringing up Oscar in the middle of this?

Y/N It’s not about him. It’s about how he finds a way to love her loudly without putting her in the spotlight she didn’t ask for

Lando Unbelievable.

Lando So what, now I’m not just a bad boyfriend, I’m worse than Oscar too?

Y/N That’s not what I’m saying, Lando...

Lando No, that’s exactly what you’re saying You want a boyfriend like Oscar? Go be with Oscar.

Y/N Wow. That’s what you got from this?

Lando You’re throwing comparisons in my face and expecting me to stay calm?

Y/N I’m trying to make you understand! I want to feel valued, Lando. I want to feel like I’m part of your life, not just your locked-away secret. Is that so unreasonable?

Lando So because I don’t perform our relationship for strangers online, I don’t value you? Do you hear how that sounds?

Y/N You’re twisting my words

Lando You’re making this about other people. About Instagram

Y/N No, I’m making this about how you treat me About how I feel invisible when I’m next to you and the world’s watching

Lando I didn’t realize dating me came with a rulebook on public affection

Y/N It doesn’t But I thought being with me came with basic emotional effort

Lando I’m always there for you. I love you. I give you everything I can But it’s never enough, is it?

Y/N Not when you act like this

Lando Fine. Enjoy Monaco. I’ll see you whenever

Taglist : @angelluv16, @httpsxnox, @anunstablefangirl, @chocolatemagazinecupcake, @mayax2o07, @freyathehuntress, @verogonewild, @lilyofthevalley-09, @esw1012, @its-me-frankie, @linneaguriii, @ezzi-ln4, @rlbmutynnek, @actuallyazriel, @sofs16, @thulior, @sltwins, @henna006, @stylesmoonlight12, @lilaissa, @sideboobrry11, @l3thal-l0lita, @lorena-mv33, @ispywlittleeye-blog, @lesliiieeeee, @sageskiesf1, @adynorris, @curlylando, @rebelliousneferut, @justcharlotte, @secret-agents-stole-my-bunnies, @emneedshelp, @lando-505, @yukimaniac, @sashisuslover, @f1norris04, @hi26loveie, @bunnisplayground, @nina481, @reallifemermaidprincess, @cars-and-frogs, @delululeclerc, @txmhxllqnd, @lydia-demarek, @destinyg237, @rhaenyrasversion, @sarascabiosa, @readz4u, @tvdtw4ever, @mynameisangeloflife, @teti-menchon0604, @suns3treading, @op814kitty, @prettyboyroseberg, @willowsnook, @ariesandwolves, @clarksgf, @knivesdoingcartwheels, @pinklemonade34, @fat-meh, @tiaajosephin, @landosbabe4, @easy4, @jule239, @mercrussell, @skylandori, @ryuucollapse, @nickie-amore, @fairyjinn, @seonaw, @mattslovelygf, @strawberrylov-er, @linnygirl09, @dilflover44, @bell1a, @f1fantasys, @sillyfreakfanparty, @janonymus0, @taetae-armyyyyy, @charlesgirl16, @angstynasty

[gyuswhore]

Statistically Speaking...

part of the svt TA collab

[full fic here]

kim mingyu x reader

est. word count: 10-15k [fat chance]

est. release date: 10th September

warnings: TA! mingyu, fluff, smut [MINORS DNI], angst, statistics, more to be added in final post

synopsis: In all your years of academic endurance, you’ve never failed. A 100% success rate, despite you cutting it close at times. However, the line graph that is your life starts tanking somewhere around the time you began taking this hellsent Statistics in Psychological Research class. With a professor that wouldn’t know his ass from his head, and an overworked, overenthusiastic, and overcaptivating TA, it couldn't possibly get any worse than this. However, statistically speaking,…it could.

‼️ JOIN THE TAGLIST by sending an ask or replying under this post. AGE INDICATORS ON YOUR BLOG ARE NECESSARY. ‼️

[a/n]: first look into the TA collab fic!!! @camandemstudios has been along time in the making and I cant wait for you all to read all of the fics in full. accept this piece offering from me and please let me know what you think of it so far!

masterlist

“Right. How can I help you?”

Pulling out your printed assignment, you bring the sheets of stapled paper to the centre of the table, writing facing him. 

One look at the sparse format of the cover page, Mingyu blows a full mouth of air at the sight of recognition. Without you having to say a thing, he flicks to the very last page, finding the rubric printed on a separate page. 

“It’s a 37,” you inform him like he couldn’t see the bold 37/100 in the bottom Total cell. 

“Do you think you deserved a better grade?” he asks. It would have sounded direct, an accusation even. But he asks with an intonation of genuinity, like he genuinely wanted to know. 

It stumps you regardless.

“Well…I know I can do better, at least,” you decide to answer. 

“You’re here, which means you’re at least willing to try. That’s a start,” he murmurs. His eyes are laser focused on the sheet beneath him, holding it open as his eyes move faster across the page than you can keep up with. Somehow talking to you while taking in the words on the paper.

“I remember marking this,” he says, looking up to address you. “Your concepts are nearly there, but your structure and wording were the problem.”

“You marked them?”

He raises his brow, “I hope that wasn’t an accusation. I need to stick to the rubric.”

“I thought the professor marked the lab reports.”

“He’s…supposed to.” There’s a forced reservedness in his voice. “I mark them and he puts in his comments if he has any. But I’m not sure you’d fare any better than this if it was him behind that pen either.”

Every question that floated in memorisation, from the form and structure, to the nitty gritties of the data presentation, all evaporate as you realise you’re at a loss for words. 

Even more embarrassingly, you feel tears prick the back of your eyes as the next words leave you in a low voice, “I don’t know what to do anymore.”

“That’s alright,” he says as reassurance, though it sounds awfully rehearsed. Like he says it everyday. “We’ll work through it.”

He lets out a big sigh, adjusting in his chair and running a hand through his hair. The motion has you noticing the dishevelled nature of the mop on his head, un-uniformed and sticking out at certain places, yet still somehow cohesive with his look. His shoulders are straight and taut, fingers working as they fiddle and flick the pen in his hand. 

Despite it all, his shirt is ruffled and creased, unbuttoned at the first couple steps. The buttons are misaligned, one side of his collar higher on his neck than the other. It takes an effort to not reach over and fix it for him.

“Lab reports can be quite tricky if you aren’t sure what you’re doing. Did you refer to the tutorial?”

You mean the one that did nothing to help? “Yes.”

“You got those bits right, format and whatnot. But—”

“It was a lump of writing about subheadings and word counts,” you say plainly.

Mingyu lips are in a tight line. “Well, yes, but it helps—”

“I know the results are supposed to go in the results section. I don’t need a PDF to tell me that,” you cut him off. Your voice is reserved, and you hope it comes off as a point across and not a complaint. Although it was a complaint. “I want to know why the entire section was ruled off as incorrect when we were never properly taught how to write it in the first place.”

“Dr. Cho—”

“Is no help.”

“I understand—”

“He can’t even mark his own papers. I’m quite sure that’s not in your job description. It’s supposed to be him here. Not you.”

It’s silent. There was nothing in your voice that suggested you wished to pick a fight, on the contrary, quite calm and matter of fact. Mingyu’s fingernails are going white as his grip on his pen and paper grow stronger. 

“And yet, we continue to show up. Because we do what we must.” He raises his head in control, a small smile on his face, eyebrows unnaturally raised. “And, better that I’m here rather than no one at all. I can help you too.”

Help, he did. 

Mingyu had made it quite clear his time with you was limited, but by the end of the near 25 minute session, nearly every inch of your printed assignment was covered different colours of notes and corrections, additional papers and post-it notes pasted on the back as you remain careful to not lose them as you slip the stack in your bag. 

It’s only then that you spot the segregated stack of papers in your bag that you remember. 

“I almost forgot,” you say, grabbing the pile and placing it in front of him. 

“Where did you find this?” he asks sharply. 

“You left them at the desk of the lecture hall last week,” you say, before quickly adding, “There was a class right after you left. I took them off the professor’s hands before they got lost. Thought it might be important.”

“I’ve been looking all over for these,” he says as he goes through the pages and files. Random sticky tabs and highlighted regions across the pages. The leather strap watch with the broken clock face remains on top, and he picks it up. He looks up to you with wide, sparkling eyes and a smile that feels genuine. “Thank you.”

You flush for some reason, “O–of course, couldn’t just leave them there.”

It isn’t till you’re pushing yourself out of your chair that he says something. “You can come in at 3:30 tomorrow.”

“Pardon?”

He’s stood up as well. “I have a free thirty minutes before office hours formally start. I can help you out a little more without the crowd.” 

Feet planted on the ground, there’s not much you can do but stare. “Um, sure. I can come in a little early.”

He nods casually, “Thanks again for the papers. And the watch.”

You smile, “No problem.”

[afterglowsainz]

friends | max verstappen

summary: you and max broke up a few months ago and he can’t seem to get over it, looking for a second chance with you or at the very least, be friends

fc: camila morrone

warnings: food

a/n: so happy for max!! (a bit sad for lando but he said he had fun so happier for max overall) anyways enjoy this one based on that justin bieber song that’s been on loop in my head this whole week

—

liked by maxverstappen1, sukiwaterhouse and others

yourusername a never ending series called yn being obsessed with food

view all comments

username how are you so gorgeous doing everything like what is your secret

username omg yn finally posted !!!

username girl we MISSED YOU

sukiwaterhouse my beautiful baby😚

yourusername not the iconic suki waterhouse on my comments 🤭

username what is max doing on the likes ???

username 🤨🤨🤨

username i thought he was out of the picture what is he doing here 😩

liked by samclaflin, maxverstappen1 and others

yourusername daisy jones & the six is now on streaming🌟 who’s watchinggg

tagged samclaflin, rileykeough and daisyjonesandthesix

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username FINALLY THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

username and she looked sooo good throughout the whole show

username the perfect camila dunne🫶🏽

samclaflin ❤️❤️❤️

username love the first pic they legit look like a couple ☺️

username max punching the air right now 🤣

username you really did the book justice!

username YN NATION WINS AGAIN

maxverstappen1 loved the show!

username what is this

liked by maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc and others

yourusername so happy to see all the support daisy jones and the six has gotten🤍 now the goldens 💫

tagged samclaflin

view all comments

username she’s legit getting prettier and prettier each day

username and that dress 😍

username i’m so happy she’s getting the recognition she deserves💕

username and of course she’s slaying on the red carpet

username i love her friendship with sam❤️‍🩹

username are they dating tho??

username max still on the likes seems a little…

username and now charles too

username what karma is she paying 😩😩😩

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[inkbybambi]

they never consider you. not like you do them.

always more than eager to please, to the point it almost feels like self-harm. you try to ignore the lump in your throat when you catch their smiles to each other, the way their eyes crinkle at the corners, the gentle nudges and touches and everything you’re deprived of.

they never save you a seat at the mess or offer to take you off base for a few hours after a particularly rough day; but you’ve more than once caught them doing that for each other. price cupping the back of simon’s neck, thumb gentle on his jaw as the stress of the day melts away off him. the way soap viciously guards the last pudding cup from the mess, making sure gaz gets the treat he loves so much.

it’s your birthday and they haven’t said a word. you understand — it’s busy, and even kate gives you a tight-lipped smile when she passes you in the hall.

(at least she acknowledges you).

it’s late, the stack of papers on your desk significantly smaller than it was this morning. you groan as you stretch your arms above your head, back clicking and cracking into place. you shake your hand out, rubbing at your wrists as you hope that maybe price would be okay with taking you to your favorite bar with the boys once you’re done. it’s close, after all. just one drink.

you think of the little cupcake you tucked away in the fridge earlier. you bought it yourself and even put a little bow on top; just something small to make your night a little better. it was 15 pounds; a bit ridiculous to spend on a cupcake, but didn’t you deserve at least that much?

a knock on your door, the hall light spilling in as price walks in, steps sure and measured.

“hey, kiddo,” he rasps, looking as tired as you feel.

you try for a small smile, relieved to see him after being cooped up in your office practically all day.

he doesn’t return it.

“sorry, i forgot about this,” he starts, hand coming out from behind his back.

your heart thumps hopelessly, that spark of happiness almost enough to crush you.

he stacks some papers on your desk, signature line empty and pages out of order.

“think you could take care of that for me?”

you swallow the lump in your throat, only able to nod as heat from shame and embarrassment flood your face, eyes stinging harshly.

“oh,” he says as he turns back to you, “soap ate this cupcake in the fridge. it had your name on it, but you know how soap is.”

you still, breath dying in your throat.

“i want those on my desk no later than 0800,” he says with finality, the door closing behind him.

your hands shake as you reach for the new pile of papers, words blurring past the point of recognition as tears slip down your cheeks.

maybe next year will be different.

[ohodie]

SECOND THAT

luke castellan x reader

★ “i’m restless, i’m wrestling with the song that you love, it’s been stuck in my head”

ABOUT - luke castellan is the only one at camp who sees right through your perfect and poised persona; and all he wants is the satisfaction of ruining it.

WARNINGS - smut, mentions of choking, both the reader and luke are TERRIBLE but luke is much worse lol, swearing, written from the perspective of a deranged luke, penetration, only loosely proofread.

A/N- i have NEVER written and posted smut before EVER. like i get close but i never go all out. so… no hate guys 😘 also i feel like this is a bit ooc for luke so just pretend he’s actually insane and terrible guys!!! if you ignore his incoherent ramblings, it’s PWOP sooo… anyways this might be the first and last time i ever write smut who knows

luke castellan is no amateur when it comes to pretending to be something else. growing up, the only thing that mattered to luke was receiving praise or recognition for being ‘great’ or ‘honourable’ or whatever.

when you live your whole life pretending to be a perfect person, you kinda start to believe you really are a perfect person.

and if everyone you meet also believes you are indeed a perfect person, what’s the harm in continuing to pretend?

at the end of the day, both parties gain something. you get the validation and acclaim that you truly deserve, and they get a role model they aspire to at least halfway resemble.

luke is the sweetest guy at camp- everyone loves him. and he deserves it, doesn’t he? he deserves their praise and love and respect. gods, he should be rewarded for pretending to be so admirable for so long. he’s entitled to it.

you, on the other hand? you don’t. you don’t deserve an ounce of the praise luke has worked so hard to receive.

to luke, you’re vermin. behind your polite smiles and sweet words, there’s darkness. there’s an evil lurking within you- he’s sure of it.

he sees it during early morning sparring sessions, watching from the wings while you tactfully dodge every attack that comes your way. and when you eventually falter, he sees how your eyes turn cold and your smile fades.

he sees how you take a shaky breath, brushing yourself off with your bony hands before flashing a toothy grin. he feels nauseous when you extend your arm out to shake the hand of your opponent- because how the fuck can they believe your little act?

your gentle kindness and bashful charisma is so obviously fake. of course, he’s not pissed that you’re acting; everyone at camp is acting to an extent. but you’re going all out, and he can still see through it. what pisses him off, is that nobody else seems to recognise how truly malicious you can be.

maybe it’s because you’re pretty. luke is no stranger to getting special treatment based on his appearance, and neither should you be. maybe that’s the whole basis of your appeal. it seems to be the only thing holding your pathetic little facade together, considering your sloppy acting skills.

if you were ugly everyone would be able to call out your bullshit straight away, and then he wouldn’t have to worry about sharing the spotlight. honestly, the only reason why everyone loves you so much is because half of them want to fuck you, and the other half want your attention or approval- not that it’d be worth anything.

it was the last week of spring, meaning only the year-rounders and a few of the older kids were at camp. you just graduated high school, and arrived at camp early.

of course, you just had to return to camp prettier, taller, more confident, and with a fancy college acceptance letter. maybe you were much smarter than you let on- but it became very apparent that your intelligence wasn’t the reason you got accepted into NYU once he learned what you were studying.

“oh, i’m getting a degree in art history,”

seriously? art history? that’s gotta be the funniest thing luke has ever heard in his entire life.

“really? why art history?” he asks politely, watching your every move as he awaits your dumbass explanation.

you shrug cheerfully, looking around at the few other campers scattered around in a tight-knit circle as they wait for you to tell them about your ‘lovely’ 18th birthday and ‘eventful’ senior year.

“i don’t know, my mum works with a lot of artists, so she said it’d be a good conversation starter,” you say cheerfully, as if it wasn’t the stupidest thing to ever exit your mouth.

luke can’t help but let out a little giggle, before instantly lowering his head to offer some non-verbal apology. but to his surprise, you laugh along. “yeah, i really wanna score a job at the MET or something. i don’t mind either way,”

luke nods politely, letting the conversation continue without interrupting with a snide comment or unsolicited laughter.

he plays along as the conversation continues, pretending he doesn’t want to grab you by the throat and push you against the wall, demanding you to confess. demanding you to tell the fucking truth; that you’re a manipulative sycophant who’s bound to end up in rehab for getting addicted to designer drugs.

why is he the only one that sees you for who you truly are? gods, if he knew any better he might be charmed. you were naturally picturesque- or at least you seemed to be. the way that you were sitting on the grass with your hair draping over your body; you looked gorgeous. but you always look gorgeous, that’s your best quality after all.

of course all of camp half-blood was fooled- you were to pretty and kind to be lying. maybe it was better to let them keep on believing that you were this perfect image of a girl.

but he’d still appreciate the satisfaction of seeing you for who you are- seeing you in your rawest form.

and then suddenly, he saw it. some athena girl asked you if you wanted to go on a run with her later, to which you politely declined. of course, you kept your composure, told her that you had to take a nap, offered her a sympathetic smile and a ‘maybe next time’. but she didn’t see the way your eyes rolled to the back of your head as soon as she looked away.

luke was astonished. you really were getting sloppy, huh?

and yet, nobody else saw it. nobody else saw the look of disgust on your face as soon as she finished talking. he was seething- how on earth could everyone be so blind?

luke looks around at the group of people surrounding him, his eyes darting back to you ever 5 or 10 seconds. they all look at you with awe- as if you’re the most precious thing on earth.

fuck that. he was going to put you in your place.

a few hours pass, and it was finally time for everyone to walk back to their cabins.

luke spots you walking alone to your cabin, your face dimly lit by the moon as it shines over the camp. he’s so overwhelmed with anger, he couldn’t fathom caring about the consequences of whatever situation he was about to put himself in.

he quickly catches up to you, meeting your walking pace as he shoots you a friendly smile.

“hey, y/n. you got a minute?” luke asks, still adorning that charming smile. you smile back at him, nodding your head ever so gently, as if it would fall off if you moved it too fast. like a rusty elvis bobble head bought 1976 that resides on the dash of your grandmother’s busted car.

“yeah, why?” you hold your hands behind your back as you walk beside him, slowly approaching your empty cabin. luke shrugs his shoulders. “oh, i just had a little question. mind if we talk in your cabin?” he asks.

you nod, opening the door for luke and letting him walk through. you close the door behind him, before leaning your back against the wall. luke stands in front of you, his cheery demeanour vanishing as he crosses his arms.

“why the fuck are you such a little bitch all the time?”

you furrow your brows, mirroring his posture as you cross your arms defensively. “excuse me?”

luke rolls his eyes, letting out dry laughter as he looks you up and down. “you heard me,” he adds, watching you anxiously begin to pick at your lips with your freshly manicured fingernails.

“do you have a problem with me or something?” your whole body feels tense as you continue picking at your lips, your eyes locked onto his.

“yeah, i do have a problem. i’m tired of your little ‘nice girl’ act. it’s getting fucking annoying,” luke scoffed, taking a step closer towards you. your eyes darken, before shaking away your hostile expression.

“are you sure you wanna do this right now, castellan?”

“is that a threat?”

you pull your fingertips away from your lips, shifting your weight to the other side of your body as you cross your arms once more. you let silence fill the room before finally speaking up.

“listen, luke. everyone pretends to be someone they’re not. you and i just tend to do it more than others-“

luke cuts your off, taking another step forwards. “fuck off, we are not the same.”

you roll your eyes, banging your head against the wall as you groan irritably. “so what? are you gonna go around spreading cheap lies about me now?” you ask tiredly. luke shakes his head, slightly shrugging his shoulders.

“nah.” he replies curtly, his voice blunt and expression vague. “mkay, then what the fuck is your problem?”

luke takes another quick step forward, tightly holding your chin in his hand as he lifts your head to face him. “you’re my fucking problem.”

you let out a dry laugh, staring into his eyes as you attempt to intimidate him. “you’re such a loser.” you whisper, refusing to fight back against the way he’s gripping your face.

he stays silent, biting his lip as he looks over your form. “and you’re a brat.” he retorts.

“are we just going to keep throwing insults back and forth all night, or are you gonna explain why you’re so obsessed with me?” you ask playfully, cupping his face in your hand as an attempt to patronise him.

luke is stumped. to be fair, he is entirely obsessed with you. and he has been for years now. and now he has you cornered, watching your weak attempts at asserting dominance over him.

luke was over it.

suddenly, luke leans in, harshly pressing his lips against yours. you retract your hand from his face, pressing it against the wall as you feel his body moving towards you.

he wraps his other hand around your neck, only gently gripping it as to not alarm you.

luke is surprised by how you sink into his grip, pulling away to see your closed eyes and swollen lips. when you wipe your mouth and look at him with those hauntingly innocent eyes, he’s almost fooled.

you scoff, smirking as you tear away from his grip and take a few steps back. “is that all you wanted?” you say confidently, watching him turn around to watch you carefully pace around the room.

he shakes his head, groaning quietly as he walks over to you once more.

luke purses his lips, trying to suppress any sense of genuine attraction to you. but when his eyes gaze over to your red lips and flushed cheeks, he can’t help but let his mind wander.

“if you’re done, you can leave, castellan.” you say irritably, leaning against your bed frame.

it goes straight to his dick when you call him that, especially when your voice sounds so hoarse and cocky. he feels as though he’s finally accomplished what he’s been yearning to do for years now. he’s seeing the real you.

he couldn’t dare squander this opportunity now.

he pushes you down onto your bed, watching how your hair flows over your newly made bedsheets as your head hits the pillow.

“but you don’t want me to leave, do you?” luke says lowly, hovering over your body as his hand hold your wrists together above your head.

“i don’t care what you do, castellan.”

luke groans, pressing another rough kiss against your lips. you kiss back for whatever reason, and your firsts relax within his grip. it was almost as if you got off on the idea of someone calling out your bullshit. or maybe you got off on the idea of somewhat hating your guts. either way, luke knew you were more than eager to continue.

he let go of your wrists, before biting your bottom lip. your mouth opens slightly, offering entry to his tongue, deepening the kiss.

you hand cups his face, while the other grips his shoulder. after a few moments, he pulls away and begins sucking at the skin of your neck, leaving purple marks on your delicate skin while you let out hoarse whimpers.

his hands begin to fiddle with the fabric of your shirt, causing you to push his body forwards as you position yourself to sit on his lap. you take off your shirt, throwing it away as you run your hands down his back.

luke looks down at your chest, growing more aroused at the sight of your lacy little bra. it’s as if you knew someone was going to see it.

you feel a hardness growing from under his jeans, poking against your upper thigh as you slowly grind against his lap. luke let’s put a low moan, continuing to bury his face in your neck.

“i fucking hate you,” he growls, gripping the sides of your waist with his hands as you move against him.

“don’t care, take off your shirt,” you demand hurriedly, running your fingers through his hair as you tilt his head up to look at you.

luke rolls his eyes, before taking off his shirt. he quickly presses another series of harsh kissses against your neck, fiddling with the clasp of your bra as you push your chest up against his. you giggle softly at his incompetence, before he finally unhooks it and ravenously pulls it from your chest.

luke pushes your body backwards onto the bed, trailing kisses down from your neck and onto your tits. you let out a quiet moan, before biting down onto your hand in order to stifle the sound. his large hands knead your left breast, while the other grips the area just under your right breast, resting on top of your ribcage.

luke’s hands slowly move downwards, hip thumb tracing circles against the side of your hip as you gently grasp onto his hair. his fingertips gently pull down your shorts, leaving you in only your underwear.

he rubs his thumb over the wet fabric, before tilting his head to look up at you. “pathetic,” he mutters, smirking at your flushed faced. you groan, burying the back of your head further into the pillow as your back arches involuntarily.

luke’s thumb massages your clit from over the soaking fabric, watching you squirm in response. he lets out a dry laugh, before pulling down your panties and tossing them onto the floor.

“luke…” you moan quietly, closing your eyes as your hips jerk into the mattress. his fingers trace your wet folds, before letting his thumb rub circles against your clit and forcing two fingers inside of you.

you whimper before pursing your lips, rolling your head around as he slowly pumps his fingers in and out. he quickens his pace, pressing down harshly against your clit while beginning to suck on the skin of your upper thigh.

luke holds down your hip with his free hand as you begin to squirm.

suddenly, he stops.

you look at him with a confused expression, your face red as he pulls his fingers out. he chuckles at your disappointed face, before taking off his pants and boxers. you stare at his length unashamedly, biting down on your bottom lip.

“so fucking needy.” he says lowly, his voice horse as he softly begins to continue massaging your clit. you moan, feeling your back arch as he positions himself in front of your legs. he forcefully spreads them open as he teases your folds with the tip of his erect member.

you let out a little whine, your voice trembling as you try to move your hips against his length.

luke rolls his eyes at your poor attempts at penetration, before slowly pushing his cock into your entrance. you let out a breathy, high pitched moan, your hands eagerly gripping your bedsheets.

he gradually pushes in the entirety his length, continuing to rub circles into your clit. luke tightly grips your waist as he begins to slowly pull out, before jamming himself back in. you let out a breathy yelp as you body moves with his thrusts.

like continues relentlessly pushing in and out of you, massaging your waist as his thumb gradually increases the speed of its attack on your clit.

you try to steady you breathing, your face flushed as lukewarm continues to deliberately overwhelm your body.

“mm… luke, i’m gonna…” you mutter, your hips jerking upwards. he smiles at you, amused by how blissed out you look taking his cock. “so soon?” he teases, rapidly moving against your body.

you let out a stammering series of whimpers as your back arches upwards, feeing yourself suddenly release. luke grins, continuing to rub circles into your clit as he rides out your orgasm.

luke slowly retracts his thumb, repositioning the hand to gently grip your hip. he begins to slow down his movements, before quickly thrusting into you repetitively. you squirm, the movements of your hips constrained by his grip.

suddenly, he pulls out, releasing onto your stomach. see? he was a gentleman.

luke gazes over at the girl he just reduced to a panting mess as he stands up and puts his clothes back on. he smiles at you as he zips up his jeans, before kneeling besides you as you turn your head to look at him.

“i wont tell anyone how fucking pathetic you are, don’t worry, princess.”

you nod, staring at him as he continues to look at your defenceless body. “such a pretty girl,” he hums, cupping your face in his hand before kissing your forehead.

he reaches over to your discarded underwear and gently pulls them up your legs, the gesture acting somewhat as a peace offering. he takes a step back, simply taking in how endearingly stupid you look.

you slowly sit yourself up, grabbing your camp t shirt and putting it on. “goodnight, luke,” you choke out, your voice hoarse and breathing shallow. he nods, smiling softly as he turns to walk away. “night, princess.”

[mygaynesshasnolimits]

This is sweet

https://x.com/ducharme_girlie/status/1938309355658473801

Carol talking about the struggles that no one saw for azzi to be where she is making the espy thing sting a bit more. I mean, from just what we have seen and what we know of her struggles of making it back, she deserved at least a nomination. Like the girl went through hell and worked her way back to win not only a national championship but also the most outstanding player. She deserved a nomination. She deserved that recognition.

But on to the positive, I love that the momentum from winning MOP carried over and she's leading with confidence. "people respect her, so people listen" it's gonna be amazing to see her lead the team her way. "she's not necessarily as loud" it's reminding me of how Katie had to give her a megaphone in one of her camp because she can't yell to save her life 😂

(Thank you anon 🥰)

[onlyangel4]

soft spot. damian priest.

damian priest x single mother!reader

synopsis: when you, a single mom join the smackdown roster, you are ready to fight both for your career and your child. damian priest isn’t known for his warmth, but the moment your kid starts following him around backstage, something in him shifts. he didn’t mean to care. he didn’t mean to fall.

but some families find you when you least expect it.

faceclaim: jenna dewan

wrestlingupdates

liked by user1, user2, user3 and 45,682 others

wrestlingupdates: y'all already know that i'm so excited. y/n y/ln has been drafted to smackdown and i can't wait to see what my favourite girl gets up to on the main roster.

view all 4,586 comments

user1: i am so excited for content of cleo causing chaos behind the scenes

user2: i have been a fan of y/n since she started in tna, twenty years later she is finally getting the recognition she deserves

user3: that's my girl

user4: OMG IT IS FINALLY happening

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you’d gotten used to new locker rooms.

ring lights changed, logos swapped out, but the feeling always stayed the same, a twist low in your stomach, like your body hadn’t caught up with your brain. you’d stood under banners that read impact, aew, nxt, and now, finally, the unmistakable blue and white of smackdown.

your daughter cleo clutched your hand tighter than usual, her fingers curled into your palm. she was six, impossibly curious and maddeningly fearless, until it came to loud arenas and unfamiliar faces. you knelt beside her in the hallway, brushing a curl away from her cheek.

"remember what we said?", you asked softly.

she nodded, eyes wide. "no running. no yelling. no getting suplexed."

you smiled despite the nerves. "good girl."

there were wrestlers moving past you, some familiar from nxt call-ups, others legends you'd only brushed shoulders with at cross-promotional events. a few gave you polite nods. a couple of the women smiled at cleo. no one stopped.

a pa pointed you toward your locker room. it was smaller than you expected but clean. functional. you dropped your duffel bag and helped cleo settle onto the little folding chair beside your things, handing her a snack and her tablet.

"stay here, okay? i’m going to go check the board and find my producer."

she pouted. "can’t i come?"

you hesitated. the hallway would be full of people. "five minutes. don’t move."

you didn’t like leaving her, but you didn’t have a choice. you didn't want to overwhelm her, or yourself

the rundown board wasn’t far. you scanned the paper tacked to the cork, finding your name buried in the second hour, promo segment. no match yet. safe start.

you turned back.

cleo was gone.

your heart slammed into your ribs.

you pivoted fast, eyes darting down the hallway, nothing. the crowd around the gorilla position blurred as your adrenaline surged. you took a step forward.

then froze.

there she was, about thirty feet down the corridor, standing in front of someone tall, imposing, and completely draped in black.

damian priest.

you recognized him instantly, taller in person, every inch the brooding solo act he’d become post the judgment day. hair slicked back, leather jacket gleaming under the fluorescents. he looked down at cleo, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

cleo pointed at his boots. "you look like a vampire."

for a split second, you thought he’d ignore her.

then his mouth twitched. just barely. "maybe i am."

you moved quickly, heart still pounding. "cleo", you said, a bit more sharply than you meant to. she turned, grinning.

"mom! he’s huge."

"i see that", you breathed, placing a hand on her shoulder. you looked up at damian. "sorry. she tends to wander when i blink."

he looked at you then. something passed through his expression. not judgment. not even amusement.

recognition.

"it’s fine", he said simply. his voice was low, calm. "she’s not bothering me."

you blinked. "still, i should’ve... thank you."

he nodded once, then walked past you both, disappearing down the hall without another word.

cleo tugged at your hand. "he’s cool."

you let out a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. "yeah", you murmured. "he really is."

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y/ninsta posted a story

written: if anyone is wondering why i showed up last night wearing a dress it was because miss cleo needed us to match

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the second week felt less like walking into a storm and more like stepping into a tide you were starting to understand.

no one looked twice when you passed catering this time. a few nodded. bayley threw you a quick wink. you didn’t stop. you had your gear bag slung over one shoulder and just enough caffeine in your system to fake confidence if needed.

cleo was safe. that mattered most.

she’d cried a little when you dropped her off with the wwe childcare team, new toys, kind staff, still too many strangers. but she was in good hands. better than last week, where she’d nearly walked into the lions den.

speaking of…

you rounded a corner and nearly walked straight into him.

he caught the strap of your bag before it could slide off your shoulder, steadying it like it was nothing. like you were nothing to worry about either.

"hey", he said.

you blinked up at him. "hi. sorry. i didn’t see you."

he let go of the strap and leaned back against the wall, arms folded. Same as last week. dark clothes, focused expression. less intimidating now, but only just.

"no cleo today?" he asked.

you raised an eyebrow. "you remembered her name."

he shrugged. "she made an impression."

you gave a short laugh. "yeah, she tends to do that. She’s with childcare this week. probably convincing someone to let her run a match or eat five granola bars in a row."

a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. it was quick. almost shy.

"you okay with that?" he asked.

the question caught you off guard. not how’s your kid, but how are you handling this?

you hesitated. "i guess i have to be."

he nodded, not pressing. just listening.

you sighed. "she’s great. adjusting fast, better than me half the time. but i still feel like i’ve got one foot in the ring and the other one stuck in a daycare cubby. not exactly the image you want when you're trying to prove yourself."

he tilted his head. "image doesn’t win matches. hunger does."

you looked at him. he said it like he’d lived it. like he still was.

"you always talk like that?", you asked, half a tease.

he smirked. "only when i mean it."

you paused, then leaned next to him against the wall. not touching. just closer.

"you’ve been on top of this brand for months", you said. "so what are you still hungry for?"

for a moment, you weren’t sure he was going to answer. his gaze drifted to a production cart nearby, like something just offstage had taken root in his head.

"quiet", he said finally. "something real."

you turned to him, brows furrowed.

"wrestling’s loud", he added. "noise. hype. people cheering for who they think you are. i like when someone sees through that."

you weren’t sure what to say. but the silence between you didn’t feel awkward.

it felt safe.

you watched as he pushed off the wall, giving you one last look before heading down the corridor.

"tell cleo i said hi", he said, voice quieter now.

you nodded. "i will."

and for the first time since your call-up, you didn’t feel like you were walking into the spotlight alone.

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the hotel room was small, but clean. two beds, dim lamplight, the low hum of some animated show playing on the tablet.

cleo sat cross-legged on the comforter, still wearing the glittery blue hoodie you’d packed for her in case she got cold. she had a juice box in one hand and was absently brushing her doll’s hair with the other.

you sat at the edge of the opposite bed, unlacing your boots one slow loop at a time. your body ached in all the familiar ways, tight knees, stiff shoulders but your heart that was quieter tonight.

cleo looked up suddenly. "mommy?"

"hmm?"

"did you see my friend at work today?"

you froze.

you didn’t need to ask who she meant. there was only one person she’d fixated on enough to give that title to. not rey mysterio, not liv, not even charlotte. damian.

you swallowed a smile. "i did, yeah."

her eyes lit up. "what was he doing?"

"standing around looking serious. you know. like always"

she giggled. "he’s so big. but he doesn’t scare me."

"i noticed."

you crossed the room and knelt next to her bed, brushing the juice-sticky hair back from her forehead. she yawned, blinked slowly.

"he asked about you", you said softly.

her whole face lit up. "he did?!"

"hhm. said to tell you hi."

She tucked her doll under the blanket like it was the most important thing in the world, then looked up at you with sleepy seriousness. "he’s nice. he seems a little sad though"

you paused.

"yeah", you murmured. "he kind of does."

"maybe he needs a hug."

your throat tightened unexpectedly.

you kissed her forehead. "you’re something else, kiddo."

she grinned, proud.

a few minutes later, she was asleep, small limbs curled, hair sticking out in every direction. you turned off the lamp, sat in the dark for a long time, scrolling through match footage on your phone.

but your mind wasn’t on wristlocks or crowd reactions.

it was on a man with shadows behind his smile, and the way your daughter had looked at him like she already knew he was safe.

you weren’t sure what was happening yet.

but it was starting to feel like more than just coincidence.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

damian wasn’t sure what made him do it.

one second he was walking past the crew hallway, the next he was crouched in front of a wide-eyed little girl in sparkly sneakers and a ponytail, whispering: "want to see your mom’s match?"

cleo didn’t hesitate. she just grinned and nodded like it was the best idea anyone had ever had.

it probably wasn’t.

he knew talent weren’t supposed to pull kids from daycare mid-show. knew security would ask questions if they spotted him dragging a six-year-old through the maze of cables and crates near gorilla. but when cleo slipped her small hand into his without a second thought, it was already done.

now she sat beside him in a folding chair behind the curtain, her legs swinging, her eyes locked on the monitor.

"is this where she comes out?" she whispered.

he nodded. "any second now."

cleo squirmed with excitement, holding a small bag of dinosaur-shaped gummies, he'd grabbed them from his own stash. he told himself it was just a kindness. something small. nothing more.

but then your music hit.

and cleo lit up like the fourth of july.

"there she is!" she squealed, pointing at the screen. "that’s my mommy!"

damian smiled, small, private. he watched as you stepped into the light for the first time under that enormous main roster stage.

no nerves on your face. just fire.

and something else. something determined.

he didn’t realize he’d stopped breathing until cleo tugged his sleeve. "she’s gonna win, right?"

he nodded. "i’d bet on it."

and when your match started, he didn’t look away once.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

you didn’t have time to be nervous. this week was your first real match on smackdown, it was even more daunting considering seasoned pro naomi was your competition.

your music was already queued. your wrists were taped. the production team was shouting cues and pushing talent past you toward Gorilla.

it wasn’t your first match, not by a long shot. you’d bled under different banners, fought in cages, flipped off balconies. but this one felt heavier. brighter. more visible. it was the first time under the big lights with wwe’s main roster eyes all on you.

your heart pounded like a drumline in your chest. not from fear.

just pressure.

you glanced toward the tunnel, looking for someone, anyone familiar but the spot was crowded. and cleo she was supposed to be far from here, in childcare on the other side of the building.

at least she was safe. that was all that mattered.

you rolled your shoulders, focused forward.

then the match producer tapped you. "you’re up. good luck."

you exhaled and stepped into the curtain.

and the crowd roared.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

you didn’t hear everything after that.

the match moved in flashes. you remembered the pop when your name was announced. the sound of boots on canvas. the thud of your finisher landing clean. the heat from the lights. the way you breathed harder than usual, not from cardio, but from emotion that had no place in the ring but showed up anyway.

and then, three slaps on the mat.

your theme hit.

you’d won.

just like that.

you stood in the centre of the ring, arm raised, chest heaving, and scanned the crowd almost by instinct. you didn’t know what you were looking for

until you saw them.

tucked behind the timekeeper’s area, down low by the barricade where the cameras wouldn’t catch them unless they looked hard

cleo.

perched on someone’s lap, wearing her sparkly hoodie, waving both hands in the air like she was trying to call down lightning.

and behind her?

damian.

hat pulled low, hoodie up, clearly trying not to draw attention. but his eyes were unmistakable. focused entirely on you.

he gave you a slow, subtle nod.

not for the cameras. not for the roster.

for you.

you almost missed your cue to leave the ring.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

later, when the show wrapped and the adrenaline faded, you found them both in the hallway near your locker room. cleo ran toward you the second she spotted you, arms outstretched.

"you did it!" she yelled. "you beat her so fast! and you flipped! and he let me sit in the chair with the headphones but i didn’t touch anything!"

you caught her in your arms, burying your face in her hair. "wait, what?"

cleo turned and pointed dramatically at damian. "he broke me out! like a ninja!"

you stared at him.

he looked almost guilty. almost.

"before you get mad", he said, hands up in mock surrender, "she asked nicely."

you just looked at him, speechless for a beat. "you snuck her out."

"she missed you", he said softly. "and i thought she’d want to see you win."

your heart stuttered.

and then melted.

You looked down at cleo. "did you have fun?"

"best day ever."

you looked back up at him. "you know this means she’s going to ask for this every week, right?"

he smirked. "guess i'll have to start showing up early."

you didn’t say anything else. you couldn’t, really, not with your throat tightening the way it was. so instead, you smiled.

a real one.

and somewhere inside you, something warm and dangerous started to settle in.

because this? this was starting to feel like something you might not want to walk away from.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

the hotel room was dark, save for the faint blue glow of the tv. some mindless rerun played without sound, but he wasn’t watching.

damian sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped between his knees, still half in his gear. he hadn’t bothered to take off his boots. Just the hoodie. the adrenaline had worn off hours ago, but something else hadn’t.

he could still hear her laugh. the kid.

cleo.

she’d sat on his lap like it was nothing. like she’d known him forever. no hesitation. no fear. she’d asked him how he got his hair so shiny and whether or not he’d ever wrestled a dinosaur. she’d called the match like a pint-sized commentator, whisper-shouting into the headset when her mom hit the finisher.

and when the match ended, she’d clapped so hard he thought she might break her hands.

damian hadn’t smiled like that in a long time.

he’d told himself it was just a gesture. something nice. a favor. maybe a small rebellion against the usual rules.

but that wasn’t true.

the truth was he wanted to see you win.

not just the match.

he wanted to see you find your place here. to be seen, the way you deserved to be, not just as "new call-up" or "former AEW star" or "the one with the kid." he’d watched the roster underestimate you for weeks. he knew the look. he’d lived it himself when he started.

but tonight, they couldn’t deny you.

not after that pop.

not after that finish.

and watching you walk up the ramp, shoulders squared, chin high, eyes scanning the crowd he’d felt something settle low in his chest. not nerves. not pride.

something quieter.

more dangerous.

damian sighed and leaned back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

this wasn’t just about admiration anymore.

it was becoming personal.

and that scared him more than he wanted to admit.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

you didn’t sleep deeply that night.

cleo curled into your side, one small foot lodged beneath your ribs. the hotel ac rattled faintly, and your back still ached from the match. But that wasn’t what kept you up.

it was him.

damian.

you kept replaying the moment you saw them down by the barricade. the way he’d looked at you, silent but so present. no big gesture. no smirk. just solid. like someone you could fall into and not hit the ground.

it was a ridiculous thought.

this business didn’t allow softness. or time. or relationships that lasted longer than the next tour loop.

but then there was cleo, asleep beside you, mumbling his name in her dreams.

you weren’t sure what was happening.

but it felt like the kind of thing that didn’t stop easily once it started.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

wwe posted a story tagging y/ninsta

written: y/n has arrived ahead of her first ple, the elimination chamber where she has a tag match with tiffany stratton against nia jax and candace larae

wwe posted a story tagging archerofinfamy and rhearipley_wwe

written: the terror twins have been reunited for the first time since damian priest left raw during the transfer window

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

finally being back with damian rhea felt like she had missed a whole season of damian's life.

she noticed it before she even made it to catering.

damian, leaning against a stack of production crates, arms crossed, pretending to scroll his phone.

you, sitting cross-legged on the floor with cleo in front of you, helping her colour a foam championship belt from the merch table like it was the most serious thing in the world.

cleo asked something. you smiled, laughed, pushed her curls out of her face.

and damian?

that man didn’t so much as blink, but everything in his posture said, locked in.

rhea smirked.

she detoured straight toward him.

"let me guess", she said, stopping beside him. "you're just coincidentally standing here. middle of traffic. next to this specific hallway."

damian didn’t look up. "it’s not like that."

"right", rhea drawled. "it’s not like anything. you just ‘happened’ to wander near the girl you’ve been brooding over for the last three shows while her kid paints glitter on a fake belt."

he glanced over. "you done?"

"nope." she leaned on the crate beside him, arms folded. "she’s cool. you like her. cleo loves you. you’re literally the only person on this brand that kid listens to. this whole soft-parent-energy thing is actually very cute. so what’s the holdup?"

damian exhaled, jaw flexing. "it’s not that simple."

rhea tilted her head. "why not?"

"because she’s new. and talented. and already has enough to prove without everyone whispering that she’s sleeping her way up the roster. because she’s got a kid and i’m..."

he stopped. didn’t finish.

rhea watched him for a moment, the edge softening slightly in her expression. "because you’re scared."

he didn’t deny it.

"look", she said, voice quieter, "i'm not saying get down on one knee and propose tomorrow. but you’re already halfway in. the kid adores you. she clearly feels something. you showing up? that means something."

he shook his head slightly. "i don’t want to mess it up."

"then don’t." she nudged his shoulder. "tell her. before someone else does."

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

later that evening, following the elimination chamber cleo had passed out on a row of production cases, mouth slightly open, marker still clutched in her fist.

you were half-watching the monitor rewatching your match, the rest of your brain stuck in that foggy space between exhaustion and gratitude.

and then damian sat down next to you.

quiet. no preamble. close enough to feel the warmth of him but not enough to press.

"hey", you said.

"hey."

you both watched the screen for a beat.

then, without looking at you, he asked, voice low "if i said i wanted to take you out sometime what would you say?"

you blinked. looked at him, really looked.

"i’d say" you paused, smiling softly, "it’s about time."

and for the first time since you’d met him

he smiled back.

fully.

openly.

like something had finally been decided.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

one week into dating damian

cleo had a habit of crawling out of bed before you and wandering straight into whatever hotel room was across the hall, usually damian’s.

one morning you woke to an empty bed, slipped on your hoodie, and crossed the hall barefoot, fully ready to scold her.

but when you pushed open his door, you froze.

there she was, knees tucked under her, balancing on the edge of his bed with a tablet in hand, while damian sat beside her cross-legged, head tilted, listening intently.

"okay", cleo said, very seriously, "this one’s a therizinosaurus" , her pronunciation of the word was terribly wrong but utterly adorable. "it had really long claws and was a herbivore, but also terrifying."

damian nodded. "that’s actually a great name for a finisher."

you blinked. "are you guys naming moves after dinosaurs?"

he looked up. "only the deadliest ones."

cleo grinned. "we already picked one that is yours momma. wanna know what it’s called?"

you couldn’t say no.

and you didn’t want to.

archerofinfamy posted a story

written: tired on pretending dinosaurs aren't cool as hell

wwe posted a story tagging archerofinfamy

written: damian priest just debuted a terrifying new move that is calling the spinosaurus ddt

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

three weeks into dating damian

you had a big match, one you wanted cleo to watch.

damian had been eager to be the one to watch her.

he sat at gorilla, watching you from behind the curtain. not in a possessive way. just proud. like watching the moment before lightning struck.

cleo stood beside him with a headset way too big for her head, shovelling gummy sweets into her mouth, free hand holding his wrist tape like it was treasure.

"do you think she’s nervous?" she whispered.

"no", he said, eyes still forward. "she’s ready."

he meant it. but he also meant: you always are. that’s who you are.

cleo giggled and held up the tape. "can i wear it?"

"only if you promise to cheer loud."

she nodded like it was a blood oath.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

a month into dating damian

cleo was sick.

nothing major, just a fever and exhaustion, but it hit hard after travel day, and she clung to you like gravity. you were supposed to wrestle that night, a solid match with a new push behind it.

but cleo had her arms locked around your neck, flushed and sweaty, and you’d already texted the producer your regrets.

then damian appeared in the doorway.

you started to tell him it was fine. that you had it under control. that you’d ordered Pedialyte and she’d be okay by morning.

he didn’t say anything.

just walked over, sat on the floor beside the bed, and held cleo’s tiny, fever-warm hand until she fell asleep.

later, after everything calmed down, you whispered, "thank you."

he shook his head. "you don’t have to do all of this alone."

and somehow, for the first time in years

you believed it.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

eight weeks into dating damian

you weren’t exactly hiding anymore.

people talked. rumors swirled. a few fans had caught on via glances, hallway sightings, or the time cleo accidentally called him "d" in front of a camera crew.

but you kept it quiet. protected.

not for shame, but for peace.

still, moments slipped through. you brushing glitter off his shoulder. him sneaking you cleo’s favourite snacks in catering. cleo climbing into his lap during a production meeting, chewing on a lanyard, and declaring him her "most bestest backup daddy."

he didn’t correct her.

not even once.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

two months dating damian

you didn’t mean to say it that night.

not in the way people usually plan for those moments. there was no candlelight. no big romantic speech. no music playing in the background. just the hum of the a/c, cleo’s quiet breathing from the second bed, and the weight of his arm draped across your stomach.

damian was half asleep beside you, still in joggers and a thermal shirt. the room smelled like takeout and travel-sized lotion. it was one of those rare nights where you had nowhere to be. just here.

just with him.

you rolled to your side slowly, brushing a piece of hair off his forehead. He looked peaceful like this. less guarded. younger, even.

he stirred at your touch, blinking at you.

"you okay?" he asked, voice low and rough.

you nodded. "yeah. just thinking."

"about what?"

you hesitated, then exhaled.

"how lucky i am", you said quietly. "to have this. to have you. to not be alone in it all anymore."

damian didn’t say anything at first. just brushed your wrist with his thumb, soft and steady.

then, before you could talk yourself out of it, you whispered it, barely above the buzz of the a/c.

"i love you."

silence.

and then

his hand stopped moving.

your breath caught.

he sat up slightly, his eyes finding yours in the dim light.

"you do?", he asked, not teasing. just stunned.

you nodded, nerves bubbling under your skin. "i didn’t mean to say it like that. not all weird and sleepy and-"

"i love you too."

he said it before you could spiral further. no hesitation. just warm certainty.

"i’ve been trying not to say it for weeks", he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "didn’t want to freak you out. or mess this up."

you laughed, quiet and shaking. "you could never."

damian leaned in, pressing his forehead against yours, both of you breathing the same small space.

"i love you", he said again. "both of you. it’s not even a question anymore."

across the room, cleo turned in her sleep, murmuring something about "dinosaurs and pancakes."

you smiled.

this wasn’t flashy. it wasn’t loud.

but it was real.

and for the first time in years, love didn’t feel like something you had to fight for.

it just was.

y/ninsta

liked by archerofinfamy, beckylynchwwe, biancabelairwwe and 489,322 others

tagged: archerofinfamy

y/ninsta: just us. some snacks. a few late nights. cooking classes. & a man who carries stickers in his gear bag "just in case."

view all 18,283 comments

archerofinfamy: my girls

beckylynchwwe: i knew it. didn’t even need the detective hat. congrats mama

rhearipley_wwe: i’ve been WAITING. cleo’s the real star here tho, sorry not sorry

user5: the soft launch era is OVER. we are FEEDING

user6: damian "i destroy men for fun and braid toddler hair" priest??? iconic

user7: you went from indie darling to smackdown star to mom of the year with a hot wrestling boyfriend. living the dream fr.

[unluckiestmember]

can I get the main characters of blue eye samurai with a innocent fem reader? I loved your Arcane innocent reader <3

Coming right up!

Blue Eye Samurai X Innocent Fem! Reader

Characters: Mizu, Taigen, Ringo and Ito Akemi

Tags: Friends to lovers, workers to lovers, brothel, overprotective boyfriend/girlfriend, yandere themes, Ringo being Ringo, fluff, toxic(?) and open ending.

Warning: SFW

A/N: I'm so happy Blue Eye Samurai is getting the recognition it deserves! Who would you date? I'd get with Mizu or Taigen.

Mizu

“The stars are out tonight?... I can barely see them… It’s okay. At least I can see you… You’re beautiful…”

At first, Mizu found you to be as annoying like Ringo. You weren’t as annoying, but it was infuriating to travel with someone who was so fragile and couldn’t even defend themselves. She was surprised that with your demeanor you weren’t in a brothel or married to the next idiot of a samurai. She kept you at a distance, arm's length. But someway. Somehow. You slithered into her good graces and touched her heart.

When you two became a couple, Mizu began to treat you like a porcelain doll. If a man tried to touch you, their hand would be severed from their body in seconds. If someone bad-mouthed you, their tongue was cut out. Suddenly, you found yourself becoming a precious jewel to Mizu instead of a nuisance. During down time, she always checks up on you to see if you’re okay. Expect her to check if you have a temperature, if you’re hungry or thirsty. She wished deep down she could give up her mission to live a perfect life with you because that’s what you deserve. But promising such a thing is hard. At least for now, she has you and she will savor the time you both have together.

Taigen

“That was pretty cool, huh? You know I can teach you a thing or two if you say please… Haha! You’re cute when you pout!”

Unlike Mizu, Taigen found you to be a breath of fresh air on his journey to assist Mizu. He enjoyed how you were so pure in a world that was getting colder by the day. For a second, he was fearful of pursuing anything with you because of his relation to Akemi. But as the days went by and word started spreading fast of his lover’s affairs, the more Taigen lost hope in any future he could have with her. However, he gained hope in a future painted for you two.

Taigen is a mix of a man child and an amazing boyfriend when you two become a couple. He will tease you whenever you are being cute unintentionally or when you mess up doing something. It’s only because he loves your reactions to his commentary. He will also teach you how to protect yourself, preferably with a dagger. If you master using one, he’ll have you use a sword, but even then he’ll be a bit concerned it’s too much for you. On the battlefield, if he’s not showing off and winking at you after every kill, he’s quick to protect you from any harm. Let’s admit it. Taigen can be a pain in the ass. But he’s a great boyfriend.

Ringo

“You really think I can be a great samurai?! Then I’m going to train hard for both of us- I’ll be the greatest samurai for me and you!”

Ringo is a sweetheart. He didn’t expect to go on this journey to end up with a girlfriend, so when he scored one with you, you can imagine his surprise. He didn’t think much at first admittedly, but the more you kissed his cheek, nuzzled into his body on cold nights and threw him words of endearment, the more it settled. And boy did he adore having the title of being your amazing boyfriend!

With someone now to take care of, Ringo pushes himself to be an amazing samurai. He’s more persistent with his master to teach him how to use a sword and possess honor. He’ll even go as far as to ask Taigen to assist him if he can! Whenever he learns something new, he’s excitedly telling you all about it. If he finds anything interesting, he’s grabbing you gently to share it with you. If you’re looking for a ball of sunshine who’s both your friend and partner, look no further than Ringo.

Ito Akemi

“My darling. We will make our own path, away from this prejudice, these men- Everything that’s ever hurt us. That’s ever hurt you… You will never be hurt again. I swear it.”

Akemi knows all too well how it feels to be used and thrown away for your body if not your status. So when she met you at the brothel, she immediately clicked with you. She found your personality to be contagious along with your laughter. She spent every moment staring into your eyes filled with life, gently caressing your smooth skin just to make sure you were still there with her in this hell. You were the most beautiful flower she’s ever seen. You were a flower she couldn’t afford to be tainted.

She didn’t know why she fell for a woman or if it was a curse, but she loved you. She loved you enough to run away and spend as much life as she could with you until she was found by her father. But even then, nothing could hold her down. She was a princess who laid eyes on a commoner she wanted. That she needed. And no one would get in her way of having them. Of having you. She would destroy everything and bathe Japan in flames if it meant she could keep you in her warm embrace. She’d turn everyone into her enemy if you could be her lover. She’d be the villain if you were her savior… And that’s exactly what she was going to do.

If you got any requests for Blue Eye Samurai, send them my way!

Likes and retweets are always appreciated! I love you all, stay hydrated and have a good day! <3

[meazalykov]

thanks for your help

kika nazareth x platonic!aitana bonmati x reader

summary: aitana does you a huge favor

after two seasons at barcelona, you had finally found your rhythm. adjusting to a new city, a new club, and a new pace thanks to aitana.

she had taken you in when you transferred from psg, and now, she was like the big sister you never had. she had been there for you through it all—whether it was the pressures of the game or the simple moments off the pitch. the two of you spent countless evenings together, whether it was eating out or at her place with her girlfriend, the christmas when you didn’t fly home being one of your favorite memories.

aitana’s home was warm, welcoming, and filled with love, the way her girlfriend looked after you both like family.

that bond grew even deeper when you were there to witness one of her biggest achievements—the ballon d’or. you’d never forget that night. watching aitana step onto the stage, the joy in her eyes, your chest swelled with pride. 

you clapped until your hands hurt. she deserved every bit of that recognition. afterward, at the celebration dinner, aitana had pulled you aside and hugged you tightly.

when you played benfica in the champions league towards the end of the 23/24 season, your thoughts were far from distractions. at least, that was until you noticed one of benfica’s players during warmups—a girl whose presence seemed to command the pitch. kika nazareth. 

even from a distance, she stood out. there was something about her—the way she carried herself, her confidence, her undeniable talent. she was beautiful, that much was clear, but you weren’t the type to let yourself get carried away by a crush, especially with football at the forefront of your mind.

after the match, as you walked back to the locker room, something caught your eye—aitana, talking animatedly with kika, laughing like they had known each other for years. you blinked in surprise, wondering how aitana knew her. curiosity getting the best of you, you approached them hesitantly.

"oh! y/n, come here," aitana called out when she spotted you, a smile on her face as she gestured for you to join them. 

"i want you to meet kika."

you swallowed the nervous lump in your throat, stepping closer to them. kika turned her attention to you, her eyes sparkling with amusement as aitana continued, 

"y/n, this is kika. kika, this is y/n."

“nice to meet you,” kika said, her voice smooth, playful even, as she extended her hand. instead of the quick handshake you expected, her fingers lingered against yours, sending a jolt of warmth up your arm. 

“i’ve heard a lot about you.”

you felt your cheeks heat up, the sudden rush of shyness catching you off guard. 

“uh, yeah, nice to meet you too,” you mumbled, glancing between kika and aitana.

"oh, she’s cute when she’s shy," kika teased, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. she didn’t let go of your hand right away, and the contact made your heart race faster than any match had.

aitana chuckled, clearly amused by the entire situation. 

“y/n is never this shy. i wonder what’s going on.”

you tried to laugh it off, but your voice came out weaker than you intended. after exchanging a few more pleasantries, you and aitana headed back to the locker room. as you both walked in silence for a moment, aitana nudged your arm with her elbow, a teasing smile still on her lips.

“you okay?”

“yeah,” you replied quickly, maybe too quickly.

aitana raised an eyebrow. 

“you sure? because i’ve never seen you get that shy around someone before. you like her, don’t you?”

you hesitated, then shrugged. 

“maybe… i think i might.”

aitana’s grin widened. 

“i knew it!” 

“how do you know her?” you asked, trying to steer the conversation away from your flustered state.

“mutual friends,” she answered, her tone casual but her smirk suggested she knew more than she was letting on. 

“i can put you on to her, you know.”

you laughed, shaking your head. 

“sure, if you think it’ll work.”

what you didn’t know was that kika was already planning on moving to barcelona at the end of the season. aitana knew, of course, but she decided not to tell you just yet, figuring it’d be more fun to let things unfold naturally.

when the new season came and kika officially joined the team, it didn’t take long for you to feel the pull between you two. she was outgoing, charming, and effortlessly funny, which made it easy to be friends despite your initial nervousness. 

you were the same age, which helped a lot, and with aitana in the mix, you spent more and more time together on and off the pitch.

one day after training, aitana cornered you with that same mischievous smile. 

"so, when are you going to tell kika how you feel?"

you blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. 

“what? it’s too early for that.”

aitana crossed her arms, giving you a knowing look. 

“too early, huh? i don’t think so. besides, she feels the same way.”

your eyes widened in surprise. 

“wait, how do you know that?”

aitana’s smirk faltered for a second as she realized she had slipped up. 

“uh… well, I mean, I just… you know, I have my ways.”

you stared at her, speechless. 

“you’ve known this whole time?”

aitana shrugged, grinning like a cat who received churu. 

“oops?”

weeks later, at a dinner with aitana, ingrid, mapi, esmee, frido, and ellie, you found yourself sitting beside kika. it was one of those cozy evenings where the conversation flowed easily, laughter filling the air. 

the restaurant had benches instead of chairs, and at some point during the night, kika casually placed her hand on your knee. the gesture was so natural, so intimate, that it took you a moment to realize what was happening.

you felt a flutter of nerves in your stomach, but at the same time, you didn’t want her to move her hand. you glanced at her, trying to keep your expression neutral, but you knew your face must have been giving you away. 

kika, on the other hand, acted like nothing was out of the ordinary, continuing to joke with the group as if she wasn’t driving you a little crazy with her touch.

just as you were starting to relax, your phone buzzed. it was your mom, calling from home. you excused yourself and went outside to take the call, the cool evening air helping to calm your nerves.

the call lasted longer than expected—almost twenty minutes. when you finally hung up, you turned around to see kika standing in the doorway, concern in her eyes.

"everything okay?" she asked, stepping closer to you.

you nodded, trying to steady your breath. 

“yeah, just my mom checking in.”

kika studied you for a moment, her gaze softer than usual. 

“you look beautiful tonight, by the way.”

her words caught you off guard, and you glanced down at your outfit—simple levi jeans and a brown cashmere sweater. 

“thanks,” you replied, your voice quieter. “you look beautiful too.”

there was a pause, the air between you thick with something unspoken. kika stepped closer, her hand brushing yours as she looked into your eyes. 

“i… i can’t keep this in anymore. i really like you, y/n. more than a friend.”

your heart skipped a beat, the confession sending your mind into a whirl. “i… i like you too,” you admitted, feeling the weight of the moment between you both.

without another word, you both leaned in, your lips meeting in a soft, tender kiss. it was slow, sweet, filled with all the emotions that had been building for months. 

when you pulled back, you shared a shy smile, the world around you fading as the connection between you deepened.

“we should probably head back inside, its chilly” you whispered, though neither of you moved right away.

back inside, you and kika sat closer than before, your legs brushing under the table as you rejoined the group. you pretended like nothing had happened, but aitana’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the way you were now sitting practically glued to kika’s side.

later, as you dropped aitana off at her place, she turned to you with a grin. 

"so… you and kika?"

you couldn’t help the smile that spread across your face. 

“yeah, we’re dating now. thanks to you."

aitana laughed, leaning back in her seat. "i knew it. you're welcome!"

“yeah ha, thanks for your help!”

masterlist

[uncannydevotion]

“ would you fall in love with me again? ”

a/n: someone sent in a request tht was for masky in relation to this song (epic the musical my beloved <3) but then it spiraled and i started thinking of other creepypastas w this song in mind and it became this so. so. so. yeah. i was gonna include more but i didn't wanna overwhelm myself so you only get these 3. weirdly turned into a sequel post for some of my other work?? somehow??

includes: masky, ticci toby, and homicidal liu.

warnings: purely self-indulgent, varying lengths, so many references to the song, mentions of murder, toby thinks of hurting the reader it's brief but idk heads up there, a lot of guilt and self-loathing, masky's part is technically a sequel to this post, and toby's part is vaguely a sequel to this post, lots of crying, many religious references in liu's part, attempted violence against reader in liu's part dw it's brief and not graphic, borderline unhealthy dependency in liu's part?? idk but the vibes are there i think.

MASKY

Two years. Two years had gone by since Slender wiped your memory of Masky. Two years since he was forced to leave you, forced to give up on the only thing that ever brought him happiness.

Two years, and you were standing right in front of him. And you remembered him. He doesn't know how, but you were looking at him with recognition in your eyes, his name falling from your lips.

His heart was racing so fast he thought he was dying, and his hands were shaking. It took everything in him to not run up to you, to not cling to you until he was certain you'd never leave.

He had been so sure that he'd never see you again. Truthfully, had he not been so utterly overjoyed seeing you, he would've been scared. When Slender finds out about this—and it will—it'll have you killed.

When he asked how you remembered, how you knew where he was, you smiled and told him that you didn't remember everything, just bits and pieces. But it had been enough to make you search him out, picking up on a trail he hadn't even realized he was leaving behind.

Honestly, Masky had dreamt of this moment far too many times. From the moment he left you behind, he would dream of reuniting with you. Dream of returning to your arms. It was hard to believe that this was real.

But he knew it was real.

Your touch felt far too warm to be fake as you gently took his mask off his face, revealing the tears staining his cheeks as he looked at you. He didn't even realize he was crying, he was just so caught up in the fact that he was with you.

Though his joy was short lived when he realized that this meant you knew what he was. A murderer, a cog in whatever machine Slender was running. He didn't deserve you. He didn't deserve your love, or your touch, or your smile.

He choked on his apology, barely able to get the words out as you pull him into a hug. He wants to tell you that you should just forget about him. Your life was probably easier with him gone, right? How could you ever fall in love with someone like him?

But all of his concerns seemed to go quiet with you here. Just this once... just this once he'll be selfish, and focus on the now.

TICCI TOBY

For as long as he can remember, Toby's felt as if he were missing something. He's never known what, but ever since Slender... took him in, it's felt as if a piece of him had disappeared. Or maybe he never felt whole? He... he can't remember.

Sometimes he'd have dreams. Dreams of his family, he thinks. A mom he can't remember, a father he murdered, a sister... did he have a sister? He doesn't know. He's not sure if he wants to know. But what he does know is that in some of his dreams, there's always someone else. Someone who isn't part of his family.

Someone who makes his heart ache when he wakes up. It's a confusing feeling, one that he finds himself loathing and clinging to at the same time. It's a feeling that reminds him that he's alive, at least.

A feeling he becomes unbearably aware of when he reunites with you in the forest. He was going to kill you. Wanted to kill you. But then you said his name, and so many memories came rushing back that he didn't know what to do.

So he scared you off.

But now, a few days after your less than friendly reunion, Toby wanted answers. You knew him, and he's sure he knew you. That's how he found himself lingering near the edge of the forest, hoping that maybe you'd come back.

And you must've wanted answers too, because you came back. You came back, and the conversation that followed was painfully awkward. He didn't apologize for trying to kill you. The urge was still there, really, and if you didn't have the answers he wanted, he'd probably give in to it.

According to you, you and Toby used to be friends. You had been in love with him, apparently, back when you were both younger. And strangely enough, Toby believed you. Something inside him told him he could trust you, something he didn't quite understand.

There was this fond expression on your face as you rambled off memories you had of him. He couldn't remember anything you were talking about, but it sounded familiar, and the look on your face had this tightness in his chest easing.

It was like he was home, in an odd way. He's not sure he's felt this content in a long time, just sitting here in the forest with you. There's this sick feeling of want in his chest as he looks at you, and it felt like he was going to suffocate because of it.

He doesn't even process the words he's spoken until you're looking at him with a shocked expression.

"Would you fall in love with me again?"

It was a stupid question. It was so fucking stupid, and he can't help but internally berate himself for asking it. How could you ever love him again? He tried killing you! He's killed more people than he can count, he's prone to violence, he's barely keeping himself together. How could you love someone like him?

But instead of you brushing the question off, you coax him into meeting your gaze, "I never stopped loving you."

And suddenly, the world didn't feel as lonely anymore.

HOMICIDAL LIU

Liu was never meant to fall in love with you, he thinks. You were like an angel, one he would never deserve. But meeting you, it made him realize that it was... okay to live, even just a little.

He's always been so caught up in hunting down Jeff, in trying to kill his own brother, that he's forgotten how to be a person. But you reminded him of that, like some sort of blessing from God.

He never knew what he was going to do once he finally killed his brother, but now he finds himself picturing a future with you. It seems a bit silly, especially since there's no telling whether or not he'd be able to deal with Jeff without dying himself, but...

It's a dream he finds himself thinking of often.

And Liu was, by no means, shy about his past with you. You knew everything, right down to the smallest little detail. The small things, like what his mother's favorite food was, and how he used to spend the weekends at his granddad's.

You knew everything. You knew that Liu was out to kill his brother, something he had admitted to you one night under the stars. He had been ashamed, the confession coming from him quietly, his hand tightly grasping yours, scared that you might shy away from him.

The fact that you didn't leave him meant everything, more than you'll ever know. You didn't condone murder, but you also understood that this was something he had to do. And you promised to be with him every step of the way.

Truly, a gift from God.

Which is why Liu could feel his head pounding, knife shaking in his hands. His chest was heaving, and he was only vaguely aware of the blood staining his clothes and skin as he stared down at the person he just murdered. Someone who tried to hurt you. He doesn't know the full story, all he knows if that their grip on you was too tight, the fear in your gaze making him see red.

He only really understands what he's done when he hears you saying his name. Tears were streaming down your face as you gently pried the knife out of his hand. Liu never killed. It was always Sully. Never him. Never. But this... this was him.

Liu just murdered someone. For you. Right in front of you. You... you witnessed it. Oh dear lord, what has he done? He barely registers the tears in his eyes, apologies spilling from his lips. He didn't apologize for committing the act, but he apologized for letting you see it.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to see that. You shouldn't--fuck--are you okay?"

There was a feeling of panic swelling up in his chest at the thought of you realizing how horrible of a person he truly is. The thought of you leaving had his throat closing up, and it was difficult trying to take in deep breaths. It was bad enough that he could feel Sully trying to take over, to spare him from the panic and stress.

Anything you were saying went unheard until he felt your hands cupping his cheek, forcing him to look at you. There was a look of determination in your eyes, and it's almost as if you knew where his thoughts were spiraling as you spoke.

"Nothing can make me leave you. I don't care if you kill thousands of people, I'd fall in love with you over and over again. I'm here, always."

And Liu can't help but cry. You were too good for him. He didn't deserve you. He'll never deserve you. But he clings to you.

God may never forgive him for his sins, but getting into Heaven didn't seem so important anymore as you pulled him into your arms.

[aeriikiessss]

𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬

TAGS: fluff, mutual pining, first kiss, soft!hwang in-ho, au!hwang in-ho, a bit of slowburn (?), strangers to lovers

A/N: helloooo, this is my first time posting my fanfic here!! idk if this will reach the algorithm but im wishing on a star that it does, thank you for reading!! ><

WORD COUNT: 2.4k

DIVIDERS: saradika-graphics

AO3

It always began with the soft hiss of the espresso machine and the low hum of jazz melting into the corners of the café. Outside, the city moved like it was still half-asleep — puddles gathering on the sidewalk, streetlights flickering off one by one, the scent of last night’s rain still clinging to the air.

You liked this time of day.

Before the noise. Before the rush. When everything felt suspended — like you were the only one awake in a world that hadn’t opened its eyes yet.

That was when he’d walk in. Every morning. Exactly at 7:43.

You knew because you checked the clock.

At first, he didn’t seem remarkable. Not flashy, not someone who tried to stand out. Just another early commuter — tall, quiet, wrapped in a long black coat with a scarf wound too neatly around his throat. His hair was always slightly tousled, like he hadn’t looked in a mirror. Or didn’t care to.

But there was something about him that made you slow down.

Maybe it was the way he carried himself — like he was always listening to music only he could hear. Or the way his eyes never lingered on anyone too long, as if holding a gaze might reveal something he wasn’t ready to share. He moved with the quiet precision of someone who hated attention, but still earned it without trying.

And then there was the voice.

Low. Smooth. Controlled.

“Americano. Hot.”

Every time, the same order. No sugar. No milk. No hesitation. Like even his caffeine was emotionally unavailable.

He never gave his name, never lingered at the counter, never asked for anything more than what you could give him in a paper cup. But his hands — pale, long-fingered, a little too careful — always brushed yours when he took it. Lightly. Accidentally.

At least, you told yourself it was accidental.

You were the first one to break the rhythm.

One morning, when the sun spilled through the windows just right and the music was something you didn’t know the name of but suddenly loved, you wrote on his cup.

Hope today is gentle.

Just that. No smiley face. No flourish. Just something true.

He didn’t react when you handed it to him. Just nodded, took his drink, and sat in his usual spot — far corner, right side, by the window. You watched him out of the corner of your eye as you wiped down the counter, half-expecting him to toss the cup without looking.

But he didn’t.

He read it.

He turned the cup slowly in his hands and stared at the words like they meant something. And for the first time, he didn’t sip his coffee right away.

He just held it.

You didn’t know what it meant, but it was something.

The next day, he came back.

Same time. Same coat. Same silence.

But this time, his eyes flicked to you as you handed him the cup. Not long. Not even a full second. Just a flash of something — surprise, maybe. Or recognition. Like he’d been expecting you to say something again, and when you didn’t, he almost looked… disappointed?

You didn’t know. You weren’t sure if you were imagining it.

But the next day, you did it again.

Good things take time. You’re allowed to take yours.

This time, he didn’t just glance. He stared.

Not at you—at the cup. At the words. At whatever they stirred in him. And when you turned back to the counter, pretending not to care, pretending you weren’t watching, you didn’t see him slip something under the sleeve of the cup.

You found it later.

A short line written in your own pen, the ink barely dry.

Gentle isn’t something I deserve. But thank you.

The handwriting was neat, slanted, cautious.

You stared at it for a long time.

From that day on, it changed. Slowly. Quietly. Like frost melting off the edge of a window.

He started looking up when he ordered. Not always. But sometimes.

You started brewing his coffee before he asked. Just as he walked through the door.

Some mornings, he left behind a book, or a napkin with a poem scrawled in the margins. Never signed. Never explained.

You responded with quotes from authors he hadn’t mentioned yet. Rilke. Han Kang. Someone had once told you that conversation could exist without speech. Now you believed them.

You didn’t even know his name.

But you started waking up just for 7:43. Just for him to walk in your cafe in time, doesn’t it feel so good when he walks in looking peaceful and calm?

The clock ticks at 7:43, you were ready for the moment he walks in. The bell above the door gave a soft jingle, and then he was there—tall, quiet, like a shadow folded into light. The soft beige colored coat and those black glasses, it looked absolutely perfect on him, there was nothing loud about him—not the way he moved, not the way he dressed. And yet, he had that kind of presence that made the room shift slightly to make space for him. “Oh hey, back for that bitterest thing on the menu?” You quipped, tone light but sharp. “I guess you remembered.” He huffed softly, amused at your quipping. “Hard to forget someone who orders black coffee like it’s a personal challenge.” You then reached for a cup, already turning towards the coffee machine. “Let me guess, the usual? No cream, no sugar, no joy?”

He smirked slightly, his lips quirked. Barely. But it was there. “Guess that’s one way to put it then.”

You busied yourself with the coffee machine, your fingers moving with practiced ease. You could feel his gaze, though, still on you. Quiet. Observant. But not unkind. “So, what’s the occasion today? Coffee and silent judgment, or just the usual ‘I’m here to exist in your café and make you wonder why you’re still making me coffee’ routine?” He chuckled, the sound barely audible, but it was there — a crack in the stillness. “No silent judgment today. I just… prefer things this way.” You handed him the cup, your fingers brushing against his for a moment. “Real cozy, huh?” The small touch sent a jolt through you, but you kept your expression neutral. He took the cup, his hand brushing yours, just a little too long, as if he was trying to hold onto something. Or maybe, just avoiding letting go. He didn’t speak at first, his gaze flickering to the cup in his hands. His fingers traced the edge of the paper, and for a second, it was as if he were thinking over something unsaid. “It’s comfortable,” he said quietly, eyes lifting to meet yours again. “More than I expected.” You raised an eyebrow, not quite hiding the small smile tugging at your lips.

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. I make a mean cup of doom.” You leaned against the counter, your gaze holding his.

“But if you keep coming back for it, I might start thinking you’ve got a thing for doom.” The faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and for the first time, it felt real. Less like a formality. Less like a mask. “Maybe I do.” Your breath caught, but you didn’t let it show. You forced a nonchalant shrug, hiding the warmth that was creeping up your neck. “Well, I guess you’re not the only one who enjoys a little chaos now and then.” For a long moment, you both just stood there, the air between you full of quiet tension. Neither of you moved, neither of you spoke. The only sound was the gentle hum of the café and the rhythmic clink of cups.

And then, just as he turned to leave, he paused.

“I’ll be back.”

You weren’t sure why, but his words—so simple, so casual—made something stir in your chest. The door swung open, the bell jingling lightly as he left, but you were still standing there, watching him go.

“See you, 무뚝뚝 씨.” (Mr. Blunt) You muttered to yourself with a half-smile, already looking forward to the next visit. He chuckled at the nickname you gave him, hearing it far away even as if he was heading out. “정말 예리한 소녀야.”(What a sharp girl.)

The days start to blur a little.

He comes in more often now. Not quite daily, but enough that you catch yourself watching the clock around the same hour, pretending it isn’t because you’re hoping he’ll walk through the door again.

And when he does, something’s different.

He doesn’t just nod or give that minimal “I’ll have the usual” anymore. He lingers. He watches you a second longer. His hands don’t stay in his coat pockets like they used to — they rest on the counter now, close enough that your fingers brush when you pass him his cup.

Today, he comes in early. No crowd, no noise. Just you, the hum of the espresso machine, and that quiet kind of morning light that makes everything feel softer than it is.

“Careful. Show up any earlier and I’ll start charging you rent.”

He doesn’t smile, not really. But his eyes do that thing again — like he’s holding something back. Something gentle.

“Maybe I just wanted to see what you’re like before the sarcasm kicks in.”

“What a brave man. Trying to catch me before caffeine? You’re lucky I haven’t banned you.”

It’s light, familiar. But the air between you feels different. Warmer. He’s not just a quiet customer anymore. You’ve memorized the shape of his hands, the rhythm of his voice, the way he leans a little to the left when he listens like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.

He sits at the counter this time, not by the window like always.

You slide his coffee over and grab a second cup for yourself. It’s slow. Deliberate. Like an invitation.

“You always drink it like that?”

“Like what? With regret?”

He chuckles. You don’t hear that often, but when you do, it stays in your chest for hours after. Not loud. Not deep. Just… real.

“With no sugar. Bitter.”

“Some of us have emotional range. Some of us drink black coffee and write poetry in our heads. Which one are you?”

He doesn’t answer immediately. His eyes are on you, softer than you’ve ever seen them.

“I think I come here for the warmth.”

You blink. That throws you. Just a little.

“The warmth of what? My glowing personality or the flickering heater in the corner?”

“…You.”

It’s quiet. So quiet you almost think you imagined it.

But he looks at you, and he doesn’t look away this time. His gaze doesn’t drift or falter or hide behind silence. He looks at you, steady and unflinching, and it lands heavy in your chest.

Your mouth opens. Closes. You can’t think of a comeback fast enough. And that scares you more than a little.

Because now, the air feels fragile.

Like something’s finally cracked.

The world slows down, was he serious? or was he just joking? You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. God you could just punch him in the face if he was joking. You try to laugh, but it doesn’t come out right. Too soft. Too uneven. “You’re lucky I don’t charge extra for flattery.”

“It’s not flattery if it’s true.” You glance at him, trying not to look like it matters. But his eyes are still on you. Focused. Calm. You’ve gotten used to his silence, but not this kind — the one that hums like a secret just waiting to be told. “You always this charming, or is it just with baristas who tolerate your brooding?” He lifts the cup, takes a sip. His fingers curl around the warmth, and when he sets it down again, he doesn’t move away. “Only the ones who talk back.”

There’s a pause. Not uncomfortable. Just… new. Like neither of you knows what to do with the space you’ve made between words. You pretend to clean the counter. He pretends not to notice. But he stays.

And you let him.

The stool creaks as he shifts. He’s not drinking anymore, just holding the mug like he needs something to do with his hands. You watch the way his thumb strokes along the ceramic edge, slow and absent, like maybe he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. Your own hands rest flat on the counter. You don’t move them. It feels like one small shift might break whatever this moment is trying to be. He clears his throat, and it’s the first sound in a while that makes you look up.

“You’re quieter than usual.”

“That’s rich,” you reply, voice low. “You’ve said more words to me in the last hour than in your entire first week coming here.” He lets out a soft sound — not quite a laugh. More like a breath that got tangled with a smile. “I guess I didn’t want to ruin it.”

“Ruin what?”

“This,” he says, and the word lands gently, without pressure. “You. Talking. Looking at me like that.” You freeze. “Like what?”

“Like you see right through me.”

You’re not sure when you leaned in. Maybe it was gradual. Maybe it was always going to happen.

He’s close now. His knee brushing yours under the counter, his scent—clean, familiar—threaded through the warm bitterness of roasted beans. His eyes are steady, holding yours like he’s trying to say something without saying it.

You tilt your head just a little, a habit of curiosity you’ve never shaken. “Maybe I do.” He watches your mouth when you say that. Not obviously. But enough.

You don’t smile. Neither does he.

It just… happens.

One breath.

One slow lean.

His hand brushes your jaw — hesitant, like he’s waiting for you to pull away.

You don’t.

And when he kisses you, it’s not sudden. It’s not a crash. It’s a slow exhale. The kind that unfurls deep in your chest, warm and careful, like he’s memorizing the shape of your mouth, the way your lips part just slightly like you’ve been waiting for this, too.

His thumb grazes your cheek. You don’t know when your hand found the front of his coat, but you’re holding it now, fingers curled in soft wool.

When you part, it’s not far. His forehead rests against yours, breath shallow.

“You’re going to make my coffee taste sweet,” you murmur.

“You deserve that,” he says, just as quiet.

You stay like that for a while.

No rush. No words.

Just warmth, and the softest kind of silence — the kind that says, I see you, too. And for the first time since you started working here, you forget to flip the sign to Open.

[writeriguess]

I need some comfort (whenever you get to mine in the que and what bit) I just became a single mother of two under two so do you think you could write shoto todoroki or Toya todoroki x reader who is in a custody fight with her POS baby daddy and he starts talking all this shit to her and they stand up for her once she starts crying

Fireproof

Custody battles weren’t about truth.

They weren’t about love, or who deserved to raise a child. They were about power—who had it, who didn’t, and who could manipulate the system better. And right now, your ex had all the power.

You hated the courthouse. The walls felt like they were closing in every time you had to sit through another meeting with your lawyer, listening to legal jargon that all boiled down to the same thing—you weren’t winning this fight.

Not yet.

You pushed through the heavy courthouse doors and stepped into the cool evening air, trying to breathe, trying to stop your hands from shaking. But just as you thought you’d finally gotten a moment to yourself—

"Well, that was humiliating," came a voice you wished you could forget.

Your whole body tensed.

You turned, already bracing yourself. Your ex stood a few feet away, arms crossed, smirking like he had just watched you get kicked to the ground.

"You really thought that meeting was gonna go differently, huh?" he scoffed. "Thought maybe you’d finally get the upper hand? That was sad to watch."

You clenched your jaw, fingers tightening around the strap of your bag. "I'm not giving up."

He let out a laugh. "Of course you’re not. You never do, do you? You keep dragging this out, wasting time and money when we both know how this is gonna end." He took a step closer. "You’re broke. You’re barely holding your life together. What judge in their right mind would side with you?"

"I can take care of my kid just fine," you shot back, trying to keep your voice steady.

"Oh, really?" He tilted his head mockingly. "With what? That shitty apartment? Your dead-end job? Hell, even if you do win, what happens then? You gonna cry every time things get hard?"

Your breath hitched, but you forced yourself to stand your ground. "At least I actually care about our child’s happiness. Unlike you."

His smirk disappeared.

"You think you're better than me?" he asked, voice suddenly colder. "Because from where I’m standing, all I see is a failure. A weak little girl who can’t even keep it together long enough to fight her own battles."

Your throat tightened.

"And that’s why you’re gonna lose." He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Because you don’t have what it takes. You never did."

The words sank in like a knife to the gut. You fought so hard to be strong, to prove you weren’t the weak, helpless girl he wanted you to be. But the way he said it—so sure of himself—made that doubt creep in again.

You swallowed hard, fighting the tears burning at the back of your eyes.

"Aww," he cooed mockingly, "did I hit a nerve?"

"Hey, asshole."

The voice was quiet, but it cut through the air like a blade.

Your ex froze.

Slowly, he turned, his expression shifting from amusement to confusion as he took in the man standing a few feet away.

Touya.

He had been there the whole time, leaning against the courthouse wall, watching. His hands were shoved into his pockets, his usual lazy smirk in place, but there was an unmistakable sharpness to his gaze—a simmering, barely contained rage that made the air feel hotter.

Your ex frowned. "Who the hell—"

Then recognition dawned.

The color drained from his face.

"Shit," he whispered.

Touya grinned. "Took you long enough."

Your ex took an instinctive step back, hands slightly raised like he wasn’t sure whether to run or try to talk his way out of this. "You—you’re Dabi."

Touya rolled his eyes. "No shit, genius. What gave it away? The scars?"

Your ex didn’t even acknowledge the sarcasm. He was too busy staring at him like he had just come face-to-face with a rabid animal.

"You’re with him?" he snapped, turning to you, disbelief twisting his features. "You’re seriously fucking dating Dabi? The lunatic who burns people alive? The guy who doesn’t care about anything except bringing down his old man? Do you realize how easy you just made this for me?"

You opened your mouth to respond, but he cut you off.

"The second I tell my lawyer about this, it’s over," he said, practically vibrating with excitement. "No judge is gonna let our kid be around him." He gestured wildly toward Touya, voice rising. "He’s a fucking terrorist, for Christ’s sake! He kills innocent people! He’d burn the whole damn world down if it meant getting back at his daddy!"

Touya let out a low hum, seemingly unbothered. "Man, you sure talk a lot."

Your ex ignored him. "This case is done. I don’t even have to try anymore. The second I tell the judge about this, I—"

A hand shot out, grabbing his collar and yanking him forward so fast he barely had time to gasp.

The smirk was gone.

Touya’s blue eyes burned with something dangerous, something unhinged.

"You so much as breathe my name in court," he said, voice eerily calm, "and I’ll rip your fucking tongue out."

Your ex froze, his whole body locking up.

Touya tilted his head slightly. "You ever heard what it feels like?"

Your ex swallowed hard, but Touya kept going.

"I have," he murmured. "Apparently, the pain’s so bad you wish you were dead. But the worst part?" He leaned in, lips curling into something cruel. "You can’t even scream properly."

A flicker of blue fire licked at his fingertips.

Your ex twitched. "Y-You wouldn’t—"

Touya’s grip tightened. "You sure about that?"

For a second, there was nothing but silence.

Then—your ex nodded. It was small, barely a movement, but it was there.

Touya held his gaze for a few seconds longer before suddenly letting go.

Your ex stumbled back, almost falling, his breathing ragged. He stared at Touya like he was looking at a monster.

"Now," Touya said casually, stuffing his hands back into his pockets, "be a good little bitch and run along, yeah?"

Your ex didn’t need to be told twice. He turned and bolted, practically tripping over himself in his rush to get away.

The second he was gone, you let out a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. Your whole body still felt tense, your heart pounding from the adrenaline.

"Hey," Touya said softly, turning to you.

You looked up at him.

"You alright?"

You exhaled, wiping at the corner of your eye. "Yeah. I think so."

He watched you for a second, then reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against your wrist. His touch was warm—not from his fire, just from him.

"You know," he murmured, "I could make this whole custody fight disappear if you wanted."

You let out a breathy laugh. "As tempting as that is, I’d rather not have to explain why my ex suddenly vanished."

Touya chuckled. "Fair enough."

His arm slipped around your shoulders, pulling you in close. You let yourself sink into his warmth, letting the tension in your body finally ease.

"You’re not weak," he murmured against your hair. "You never were."

For the first time in a long time, you actually believed it.