hartofxmatter

[hartofxmatter]

his words were a bullseye. yet they didn't bring her the comfort she wanted. like he had see through her in a way she didn't ask for. her feelings with him weren't as hidden as she thought. "oh," the only words she could find. "i didn't realize you could tell." but she hadn't done a great job of hiding it.

she felt like a coward. maybe she was. running from feelings, her feelings for chance, it was a cowardly thing. this was the most straight either of them had been with each other. eva's fingers wrung together. her voice dropped. "i guess for me." she looked up at him. "i want this too."

chance let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck like he was trying to navigate through the words before saying them. “i didn't say it ‘cause i thought you’d run. every time it got close to being real between us, i could feel you pulling back. so i figured if i kept it light, maybe you’d stay.” he glanced at her. “but that wasn't fair to you either. i should’ve just been straight up. I wanted you to know without having to question it.” his shoulders lifted in a half-shrug, not dismissive, but as if he were finally letting the anxiety off. “i don’t blame you for running. i get it. but the truth is, i still want this, rocky or not.”

[hartofxmatter]

They had never meant for this to happen. Though who did? Hands covered her face, muffling every sound that threatened to escape from her lips. It was already hard trying to navigate everything. Work was testing her in everyway possible. No matter how hard she tried, very little people wanted to give her a chance to break out from the cute, sweetheart, innocent role she had spent so much of her childhood building. Creating that persona had trapped her in it. Directors couldn't see her as anything else even when they praised her skills. Now, well, that was clearly being shed but not in the way she had hoped. If they still saw her as innocent then she could safely say they didn't see their leak. Serena looked up as her partner paced. His steps only driving her anxiety through the sky. Scandals weren't new to her world, but other than random rumors that faded once it was announced she was dating Beckham, she hadn't dealt with many. People liked their relationship, doubted at first, but eventually people took them seriously. Besides the public, she liked their relationship. Liked to cheer him on at games, only started watching football when they were talking. She wasn't sure how to comfort him, barely sure how to comfort herself. "I don't know. I mean we can try and say it's not us." But she doubted it would be believed. Serena ran her hand through her hair, leaning back into the couch. Her manager was going to freak out at her. "I'm so sorry babe, I didn't... I don't..." She wasn't sure if this would happen to him if they weren't together. "It's been spread too much to get it taken down." Hell, someone probably recorded it already. They were fucked.

open to: anyone, 25+ muse: beckham fairchild. 28. he/him. bisexual. nfl quarterback for the los angeles chargers. portrayed by michael evans behling. connection: celebrity couple - give me your musicians, actors, fellow athletes, etc! plot: based loosely on the plot in the source, except he's obviously not an actor.

He had never asked to be part of Hollywood's favorite scandal at the moment. Football was his world (since he was a kid), and it was controlled in a way the rest of Los Angeles could never be. He knew how to command a huddle, how to silence a roaring stadium with one perfect spiral, and how to keep his focus when cameras and critics were watching. But this was incredibly different. The leak wasn't just about him, it was about them. His partner — the one the industry still insisted on calling the 'Sweet Disney Alum,' the one trying so hard to shed that bubblegum image and step into grown-up roles — was suddenly everywhere. Headlines screaming, social media dissecting, late-night hosts making jokes. Beckham wasn't some Oscar or Grammy winner like the kind of people they usually got paired with. He was the face of the Chargers, the quarterback who had spent years building a reputation on discipline and grit, not controversy. Now, the world wanted to watch them burn tenfold. Over a small lapse in judgement, despite thinking the video they filmed for their eyes only would never be out there for the entire world to see. Beckham dragged a hand down his face, pacing the living room before glancing at them with a mix of disbelief and anger. "What the fuck are we supposed to do? Shit like this doesn't happen in the NFL."

[hartofxmatter]

while she was certain his opinion was due to his sister, her best friend, it helped a little to hear that she should stay from someone other than her. if only to make sure the bride had the best day. "would you be in trouble if i disappeared? is that why you think that?" lucy was deep in her own emotions but she also hadn't missed the subtle glances her way when those two were talking. why else would oliver be so attentive. brows knit together, her arms wrapped around his neck as they moved. "well there are other men here." still his words bring a small smile to her lips that she tried to fight back. "the hyenas from lion king, huh? does that mean they're dumb? wait aren't you a groomsmen too?" that was the strangest description she could have heard today. he was trying, she could appreciate the attempt even if she didn't want it. why wouldn't he just let her mope in peace? "he did snore," she started, but all she could think was the things she missed about him "but he tried to let me sleep before he did so i didn't hear it."

@hartofxmatter · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · continued from here

"i think it's better if you stick around." he said simply as he looked at her expectantly, his hand still hanging in the air in front of her, not taking no for an answer. oliver let out a chuckle and nodded his head "i'll try not to do that then." he said as he guided her towards the dance floor. he let his other hand wrap around her waist as they slowly started moving to the music. "you know how they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else?" he said. "well, that is not true at all. it's a horrible idea, and it won't make you feel any better. no offense to my sister's husband but his groomsmen reminds me of the hyenas from the lion king." of course she could sleep with whoever she wanted, he was just trying to look out for her. "no, what you do. is you think of all the things you're not going to miss. how he pronounced a certain word, if he chewed loudly, or you know if he just was an all around dick that helps too." he teased with a little smile, trying to cheer her up.

[hartofxmatter]

not really wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear but the not at all? well that was good to know. that was certainly a compliment if she had heard one. and now she was sure he wasn't fucking every girl he could. "so i'm special?" she teased. she could have guessed, he wouldn't be able to keep his garage running with deals like hers. his gaze caused a beat to run down her spine. his touch radiating warmth. layla didn't mind his move. "well, sounds like you should show me."

quiet up in his apartment means that they didn't have to worry about being interrupted. her question makes him raise a brow before he's smirking at her. " nah. not really. not at all. but it ain't often that someone that looks like you walks into my sop needing help. special circumstances for special folks, " mason admits as he looks her up and down, this time a bit more flagrant with the way he was checking her out. her fingers dragging over his muscles has him smirking devilishly as he gaze right into her eyes. one hand reaches out towards layla, fingers splaying out across the small of her back as he tugs her closer to him. her body felt soft when pressed up against his own. " i think i could show you better than i could tell you. "

[hartofxmatter]

grace grinned, taking his phone off the table and waved it lightly in the air. "it's more fun. i can send you anything, since it disappears." she hoped he picked up on what she meant. "it's not that hard, oliver." playfully she clicked her tongue, "i guess if you aren't using it, i can't send you pictures of my new lingerie."

open to: f/nb based on source

oliver shakes his head as he looks at them, pushing his phone away from him, "i don't even know how to use this app. why can't you just text me pictures then?"

[hartofxmatter]

brooks had terrible timing. it was either that or the universe liked to torture her. as if their break up hadn't been hard enough, it was like she couldn't get far enough from him. everywhere she turned, he was there. even when he wasn't suppose to be. she had moved on. well. physically, she had moved on. brooks would always have a place an her heart. one she had tried hard to remove and yet it only embedded him more. he didn't want her, and no matter how hard meg had tried. she couldn't force him to open up where he didn't want to. still she did her best to not break down whenever he was near. now, having moved on, it felt a little easier. just a little.

megan paused as he appeared before her again. before she could even question him, the words spilled from his lips. an awkward smile sat on her face, trying to navigate the shuffle of words clouding her brain. where was this expression when they were actually together. "you know i have a boyfriend, brooks." those were the only words she could find. "i'm - i'm dating someone."

open: any connection: here etc: pick any of my guys

brooks had tried every last trick in the book, everything he could think of to get the other off of his mind, but still nothing had worked. maybe it was partly because they were constantly running into one another, but no matter how hard he tried they were ever present in his thoughts. their relationship had ended, not necessarily on bad terms, but it could have been better too. he'd knew that he messed up, unable to fully give himself over to them - and that was something brooks could admit. the saying the true that you didn't know what you had until it was gone, and they were the best thing that had happened to him. there was a short pause in his steps as he rounded the corner of the hospital, knowing that he could catch up with them. taking the stairs by two as he quickly shuffled down them it was amazing to him even that he had beat the elevator, stopping to catch it breath as they appeared.

he was quiet for a moment, just taking in the sight of the other before the words tumbled from his lips. ❝ i love you. ❞ brooks spoke in a hurry, cursing himself for not saying it any better. ❝ i'm still in love with you. i tried not to be, but it didn't work. ❞ he elaborated, letting out a short breath as he pulled his gaze to meet with theirs. ❝ i want another chance. i'm so in love with you. ❞ 

[hartofxmatter]

trying to keep a smile on her face had proved harder than she thought. her best friend had been an angel throughout everything while planning her wedding - so lucy had done her best to keep her mood up. it was a celebration today and she didn't want to ruin that by being selfish. finding escape in slipping outside was interrupted faster than she anticipated but she was less than surprised to see oliver coming her way. "that's why i took my moping outside." she stated, glancing down at his hand. lucy hesitated, letting out a sigh as she took his hand lightly. "if you step on my feet oliver, i'll be moping."

open to: f/nb plot: oliver is currently at his little sister's wedding, he spots her best friend sitting alone, recently dumped by her ex, something oliver knows cause his sister had made it his duty to watch out for her and make sure she's okay.

it was hard not to spot her as she was sitting watching and watching everyone else dance, oliver was currently dancing with one of his friends who he had invited along, he explained the bride's wishes and his friend understood as she walked outside to smoke a cigarette, something oliver desperately wanted too, it was a bad habit he never managed to quit. oliver walked over to his sister's best friend and he held out his hand. "as the brother of the bride, i have to inform you that there is no moping in this wedding. so i will have to insist you dance with me."

[hartofxmatter]

"ok." why had honesty been so hard for them up to this point? even now it was a struggle for them both to be real with each other. she wasn't sure whether or not it was it was a sign. the newfound honesty surely had to be something. eva just didn't like the idea of ruining where they were now. even if the ground was somewhat rocky.

"i guess i just don't understand why you couldn't just... say it. i never needed some big show or special words from you." but maybe she was too blame just as much as he was. actually, she knew she had some blame to take. "that's not fair. i ran the first time, the moment i knew things could be serious with us." hell, she was only a few steps from running now. "but i appreciate your honesty too." it brought some comfort.

chance looked at her for a moment, like he was deciding how much to say. “i guess i'm being honest here... when you were trying to tell me how you felt before ⸻ there was part of me that wasn't sure whether i wanted it due to the things that were holding me back.” he said quieter than originally expected or intended. “i just… don’t know how else to tell you what you already mean to me.”

he shifted, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck, searching her face. “i can't answer if i’m what’s best for you. that’s something only you can figure out. but i know what i want ⸻ and that’s you here, with me. i don’t imagine my life without you either.... but i won't sit here and pretend that it wasn't all my fault, because i could've done better at expressing how i felt and what i felt when it came to you.”

[hartofxmatter]

If you were to ask how they got here, she wasn't sure. Serena blinked, confusion evident on her face as she sat back in her seat. She had never had a man try to convince her that she wasn't interested in him. Not ever. It was weird, slightly amusing but still weird. "Coffee isn't a deal breaker," not for her, as long as he didn't judge her coffee addiction.

She laughed, disbelief coloring her tone. "When I met you, this wasn't what I expected." Dinner at a French restaurant as he blatantly rejected her. "You seem really confident but I know what I like." And it was him. She couldn't understand why he was taking himself out like this, unless he wasn't attracted to her, then he just needed to say that. "If it doesn't work out," fingers clasped as she leaned towards him, "will you give me a chance? Or are you just not attracted to me, Nicholas."

OPEN: F, NB, 30+ PLOT: Based off this – our muses met at a wedding and instantly hit it off. Except, Nicholas is a professional matchmaker who thinks he can find your muse a better match. Or, TL;DR - matchmaker to lovers trope MUSE: Nicholas Lee, 35, He/Him, Lewis Tan FC. Observant and a way with people. Love’s finding connections for others but rarely makes his own.

“You don’t want me. For starters, I don’t drink coffee.” One of the many quick observations he’s made since meeting her; non-coffee drinker? A non-starter. It’s what makes Nicholas great at what he does. No degree, no specific training; but Nicholas has a talent for finding what people are really looking for. And that’s what he wants to do for her, even if it means meeting her at a French restaurant and splitting a bottle of champagne.

“I think you can do better. More importantly? I know I can find him for you.” There’s always a him - the idealized version of ‘the one.’ And though there’s something flattering in being seen as a catch, Nicholas would rather not waste either one of their times. “Just – three matches. Hire me for three dates, and if it doesn’t work out, you don’t even have to pay me.”

[hartofxmatter]

Well, that was certainly a greeting she could get used to. His kiss made her melt. A weight off her shoulder after those rounds. A brow raised at his words. Everything that happened after seemed to move slow. Her brain moving even slower than everything else. Unexpected was putting it lightly. "Oh, u-uhm," Nia stuttered, trying to find the right words. "Are you, are you sure?" Not only was it a big decision, it was messy as hell. She took a small step back herself. "It's... I'm".

Arthur waited outside for her and as she found her way out of the room and they found each other alone as he grabbed her hand to pull her close into him and gave a long, passionate kiss on her lips. "Hey there!" He said with such a happy tone, it felt like some happiness popped inside him. "I got a surprise for you!" He said as he took a step back and slowly pulled a small box out of his pants to reveal the diamond ring he got for her. "Will you marry me Nia?" He asked without anyone noticing and obviously asking her to take a leap with him.

[hartofxmatter]

Damn it. He was attractive and clearly knew it. "There are other ways to charm a woman." Lila just didn't want to give him the credit that he was right. His ego already seemed big enough without her help. Lila hummed, a sly smile on her lips. She was certain they could find something fun together. It was just a matter of how many lines she was willing to cross. With him? It felt like she was thinking less and less about those lines. "Waiting for you to take me wherever you want." Unless he hadn't thought that far ahead. Maybe he knew she would give in. "I still don't know your name."

"Come on, there has to be something a little charming about a guy willing to risk looking like an ass for you," he went with it, giving a sweet smile to help his case. "And I have no doubts that you and I could find something that we both find fun." His eyes stayed carefully on hers, though they wanted to roam. Take another look at her perfect lips and get to know every inch of her body. Riggs waited patiently on her decision, ready to do more convincing if needed. His eyes shone at her response. "Then what the hell are we waiting for?"

[hartofxmatter]

For a moment she considered how wrong she was. The bar and the hotel could have been completely unrelated. GPS fucking her over wouldn't have been a first. At least her car was working. When he answered with a question about her drink, brows knit. Did he not know her previous question? "Strawberry sounds good." At least if he was a terrible bartender, strawberry would make it more drinkable.

Rose shuffled slightly in her sit, trying to make herself comfortable. She let out a soft sigh, shoulders dropping at his confirmation. "Thank God." She muttered. Raising a brow, she glanced around again. Wondering if maybe the tiredness had her seeing incorrectly. Her gaze went back to the man. "Are you messing with me?" If 3 people was busy, she couldn't imagine how they were still running. She dug into her back, pulling out her wallet. "I understand, here is my card." She slid the credit card across the counter, before resting her elbows. "So on your busiest night, how many people are in here?" Now she was curious.

Luciano glanced over her as she approached the bar and he huffed a soft breath at her question, he nodded, wiping down the counter in front of her just to be sure then drying it swiftly before he placed a coaster down and set to making her a margarita. "Do you want the original or strawberry flavor?" He asked, mixing what he needed before he found out what she wanted to taste and again his eyes swept over her.

It wasn't unusual to get complete strangers, humans even, in here asking for a room and Luciano generally wasn't one to turn people away. He met her gaze and offered what he hoped to be a friendly expression, dark eyes tinged with curiosity. "I can help you with a reservation... rooms are $75 a night, I'll just need a credit card to put on hold in case of incidentals." His eyes swept over the mostly vacant place and an almost amused grin tugged at his lips. "This is actually busy for a Wednesday night."

[hartofxmatter]

she didn't want him to stop. whatever barrier she had put up to distance push him away clearly hadn't been strong enough. from the start the foundation was weak and now, she knew no matter how much she needed to, it would never go back up. layla focusing on catching her breath, processing his words as well. he was so damn respectful to her, it was almost annoying. she couldn't start to imagine where it could take them to say yes. she had to say no. had to respect the vows she made. "you know i can't," her brain and her heart couldn't agree. "i can't say no to you." words spilled from her lips. her husband, the consequences, to hell with them. "i want you," she confessed.

the please shattered him. it wasn’t a word — it was a fracture in the universe. her mouth moved against his, trembling, and zion knew then he’d crossed a line that would scorch them both. but christ, her fingers were in his hair, her body arching like a bowstring, and he was the arrow, finally loosed. he pulled back just enough to see her face—flushed, fractured, alive—and his thumb swiped the wetness from her lip. "tell me to stop." he breathed, voice raw as stripped wire. "tell me, and i walk. but if you don’t…" the rest hung between them, a grenade with the pin already pulled. her husband’s name lingered in the air like rot, but here, now, it was just her rapid breaths syncing with his.

[hartofxmatter]

Serena let out a sharp breath. This wasn't how she wanted him to find out. She hadn't wanted him to find out. This was far from her plan. "It's not how it looks," it was exactly how it looked. The video should have never been leaked. She had been using him from the start but she couldn't say that. "I don't know where that video came from."

" Look me in the eyes and tell me that I wasn't just some other rich guy that you could add to your list. That the video of you saying why you were with me is not the truth. That you actually love me for more than my family's name and the money that comes with it. "

Open: Females 25+.

[hartofxmatter]

he said that and yet what she felt was pressure. and eva did not like to be pressured. taking it out on him seemed wrong. he didn't deserve it. not fully. if she closed the door on them, would she regret it? "i can't imagine you not in my life." she murmured. "Are you what's best for me?" was that what he thought? she wasn't completely sure.

chance kept his gaze fixed on her, trying to feel out whether or not their entire dynamic was based on fact or fiction; he just knew that he didn't want to be without the feeling that she gave him. "that's all i'm asking you to do, e. i'm not trying to get in your head, or slither my way back in without it being what you want me to do... i just want what's best for you."

[hartofxmatter]

Gabi was glad she hadn't insulted the event or even more importantly, made a fool of herself in front of him. "That's amazing. Congrats on your company." He had approached her, so he couldn't act like she was interested in him and his money. Gabi licked the bottom of her lip, trying to determine what she could say now with that information. She took a pause to sip her own drink. "Do you often throw parties like this for your company?"

Ezekiel nodded his head at her for a moment. He remembered the man she spoke about. Slightly shorter and thin in stature but had a loud mouth. He was also certain he was married but it wasn't his business to interfere in the personal matters of others. What they did with their own time and money was their business as long as they did their jobs properly. He had never had any problems with any of his employees before so that was that. It seemed like she didn't know who he was and that certainly was a plus. At least she wasn't feigning her interest in him for his money or something. "I see." He said before sipping on his champagne for a moment before continuing. "Employee, no love. I am the owner." He said to her with a grin.

[hartofxmatter]

Well. He could never deny his attraction to her. More than once his eyes had lingered on her. And every time he did, she gave him an innocent smile. As if her actions weren't on purpose.

Serena almost laughed, covering it up with a small cough, as the professor froze. He was so easy to mess with. To her entertainment. To everyone else's confusion.

As she packed up, Serena paused hearing her name. She shrugged lightly, as if she had no idea why. Packing up her backpack, she slowly made her way to the front. A glance around the emptying classroom.

"You wanted to see me professor?" Serena grinned, sweetly. "Did I do something wrong, sir?"

Andrew tried to keep his voice steady, to keep his attention pinned on the lecture, but his focus slipped every time his eyes drifted toward her. She wasn’t making it easy. The way she sat—composed, deliberate—made it clear she knew exactly what she was doing.

Then he caught it: the subtle shift of her chair, the slow parting of her thighs beneath the desk. A flash of skin. A glimpse meant for him alone. His words faltered, his sentence breaking off as his gaze lingered longer than it should have. For a heartbeat, the room blurred, and all he could see was her silent provocation.

A few students frowned, puzzled at his sudden pause, but Andrew forced himself to push through, tightening his grip on the lecture until the last minute. He held it together just long enough.

When the final students began filing out, his voice cut through the chatter, calm but edged with intent.

“Miss Aquino,” he said, his eyes fixed on her, “stay behind. We need to talk.”