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yelena-bellova · 11 months

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Heartfirst: A Ted Lasso Story - Chapter One

Chapter One: A Chance Meeting

Plot: Fresh off a sudden sacking, Y/n unexpectedly encounters salvation in the form of the kindness of two strangers. (Takes place between s2 and s3)

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: language

A/N: Hihellowelcome. I had no intention to write anything for Ted Lasso, but this idea came to me as a migraine-induced dream and I figured I’d give it a go. I’ll leave it up for a day or so to see if anyone’s remotely interested and if so, I’ll do a full series.

I’m tagging it under the characters who will play central parts in the series, so no one come for me if I’m “tagging it wrong.” If anybody wants to be added to the (potential) taglist, just drop a comment.

Seriously, I don’t know what this is. I’m just following the Writing Fairy where she takes me. Enjoy!

————

There was no better place to be sad than at a bar.

Y/n swirled her second glass of white wine, watching the liquid spin and bubble slightly. She was in that comfortable space of numbness where the alcohol was mixing with her sorrow and diluting it enough that she didn’t know one from the other. Though she suspected that she felt she could have three more glasses and it still wouldn’t fully take away the pain.

This was the third job - the third job - she’d been fired from in the last two years. Where one might start to question if they were the problem, Y/n didn’t have to venture there. Either the companies had faced budget cuts and her position had been deemed unnecessary or they’d gone under. This time it was the latter. She hadn’t felt particularly passionate about the work, but that had never bothered her. Work wasn’t supposed to do anything more than keep the lights on and the fridge stocked.

And yet, at 5:02, as she packed up her bag and readied herself to head home, her boss had called her into his office and told her that her position was being eliminated. The world that had seemingly just settled back down was spinning once again.

Y/n sighed, pressing the rim of her glass to her forehead. She’d been walking London in a haze since 5:03 until she found her way into some posh restaurant. She’d managed to order her drink and not much else, too wrapped up in shame and confusion. Why was seemingly nothing working out? Why did she keep getting placed in these inevitably temporary positions? Was a business degree some cruel joke the universe had led her to and the punchline was repeatedly playing out?

Throwing back the last of the white, she figured it was worth a go to see if her answers lay at the bottom of another glass.

“Can I get one more?” Y/n asked the bartender, shaking the stemware a little to signal them.

A few feet and a world away, sat at a table were two blonde women, engrossed in their own conversation. During one of their natural pauses, both their eyes caught on the hunched figure sitting alone at the bar.

“That’s a picture worth a thousand words,” Rebecca mused.

“Right?” Keeley replied, “She’s been here since before you got here. Hasn’t moved.”

Rebecca hummed in agreement, there was some part of the woman’s sadness that was palpable. Her arms were crossed over the bar as if the shield herself. She was in no rush to finish her drink indicating that she had nowhere to be. This was shame and heartbreak and all other emotions that, while men were entirely capable of feeling, typically landed only on the heads of women.

Rebecca and Keeley turned to one another at the same time with the same idea.

Keeley slid out of the booth, the more extroverted of the two, and carried her drink with her to the bar. She approached the woman carefully, coming into her peripheral vision slowly as not to startle her. Though Keeley suspected the restaurant could spontaneously burst into flames and the girl would have barely moved an inch.

“Hi,” Keeley said softly, her voice’s cheery pitch raising slightly, “Can I buy your next glass?”

Y/n turned her head to the petite blonde woman smiling at her. It had easily been an hour since she’d had to say anything to anyone other than the bartender. She had to try and remember how to speak.

“Oh,” she started, slightly confused, “Um…I, uh-“

Keeley quickly held up a hand, “Oh, I’m not, like, hitting on you or trying to recruit you for a cult. Me and my friend, Rebecca,” she pointed back towards her and Rebecca’s table, “Saw that you’d been here a while and you looked sad and we just wanted to see if we could lift your spirits is all.”

Y/n looked over her shoulder towards where the woman was pointing, her finger aimed towards a taller and older blonde who gave a polite wave.

“Oh,” Y/n said again, unable to tell if the depression or the wine was making her feel so tired, “That’s very kind of you.”

Keeley raised an expectant eyebrow, “So can we?”

Y/n gestured to her glass that had yet to be refilled, “I suppose so.”

With ease, Keeley slid onto the barstool beside Y/n. When the bartender came around with the bottle, she patted the counter. “This round’s on our bill,” she informed the employee, pointing out their booth.

“Thank you,” Y/n said in as warm a tone as she could manage.

“We’ve gotta look out for each other, yeah?” Keeley replied with a smile, “Can I ask why you’re drinking alone?”

The whole point of not calling any of her friends or now former co-workers was to not have to talk about being let go. And yet there was something about the woman that Y/n trusted, that she felt drawn to even. Like she could tell her all her secrets and she wouldn’t bat an eye, but rather make her feel better about them.

“It wasn’t a guy, was it?” Keeley asked, “‘Cause if it was, you need something way more expensive that’ll get you drunk way faster.”

Y/n unexpectedly chuckled, “No, I got sacked today.”

“Oh, shit,” Keeley adjusted her tone to match the disappointment, “I’m sorry.”

“I wish I could say it was my fault,” Y/n continued, the wine stripping away a layer of self-consciousness, “Then there’d be a good reason at least, something I can fix. But this,” she tapped her pointer finger against the counter, “Is the third job in two years I’ve been let go from.”

Keeley’s eyebrows furrowed in shock, “Who the fuck are you working for?”

Another laugh escaped Y/n’s chest, “No one extraordinary,” she caught herself, “No one at all, at the moment. It’s not even exciting or anything, just boring business shit. They all go under or they all just implode,” Y/n lowered her voice, “And, for some God only knows reason, I’m always caught in the crossfire.”

“Hang on,” Keeley grabbed her drink and hopped off the stool, “You’re going to come and join us.”

“What?” Y/n looked to the woman, “No, I’m not interrupting your night with my bad luck. At this point, it might be contagious.”

“Absolutely not,” Keeley pushed back, wrapping her hand around Y/n’s wrist and practically pulling her off her stool, “You’re going to come and drink with us and you can bitch and moan as much as you’d like.”

The absurdity of it was tripping Y/n up and also drawing her further in. Strangers were never this kind and yet, the woman and her friend were both gesturing her towards their table and into their evening.

Relenting, Y/n grabbed her purse, her fresh white wine and followed the small blonde back to the booth.

“Success,” the older woman cheered as Keeley and Y/n arrived, “Rebecca.”

“Oh shit, yeah, I bought you a drink and didn’t even tell you my name,” Keeley laughed, sliding into the booth seat, “I’m Keeley.”

“Rebecca, Keeley,” Y/n repeated the names as she sat down, trying to put a polite amount of space between them, “I’m Y/n.”

“Y/n here’s been sacked today,” Keeley hit the highlights before Rebecca got the chance to ask, “Third time in two years.”

Rebecca’s brows furrowed in shock, “Bloody hell. What does a person do to get fired three times in two years?”

Though it was phrased accusingly, Y/n could tell there was no actual malice behind it. “Hitch your wagon to the wrong fucking horse.”

Keeley and Rebecca stared back in silence.

“Sorry,” Y/n apologized, remembering what continent she was on, “American expression.”

“That was my next question,” Rebecca replied, picking up her glass of merlot.

“I went to school here on scholarship,” Y/n explained the cultural difference, “After I graduated, I was so settled that I didn’t feel like leaving. Though I’m starting to question if that was the right choice…”

“I suppose you would,” Keeley agreed, “What is it that you do? What’d you get your degree in?”

Y/n took a sip of her chard before answering, “Business with a minor in public relations. I’m the person people pay to handle all the fine print shit they don’t want to deal with, but sometimes I’ve handled press for my companies.”

Y/n was unsure why Rebecca was nudging Keeley with her elbow, but there was clear meaning to it.

“You do PR?” Keeley asked, leaning on the table with her elbows.

“I can, yeah,” Y/n answered, feeling like what she said was under a spotlight, “I’ve been in more of a managerial capacity as of late, but yeah.”

Rebecca smiled into her own glass as she drank, as if all the magical pieces of a puzzle she hadn’t meant to solve were suddenly coming together.

“Well, shit,” Keeley exclaimed, “I think the universe brought us together tonight.”

Y/n squinted a little, “I’m sorry?”

Keeley excitedly scooted closer to the table, “I’ve just started my own PR firm. You should come and work for me.”

Now she was entirely convinced she was more buzzed than she thought. “What?” Y/n asked.

“It’s just a small start-up,” Keeley explained further, “We’re not that big yet, but it’s good work. We’ve already got some pretty big clients.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Y/n set down her wine, fully invested now in the conversation, “You just met me and you’re offering me a job?”

Keeley shrugged as if she was simply offering to buy lunch, “Yeah, why not? You seem lovely and you’re in need of work and it cannot be a coincidence that we met.”

Suddenly, it all clicked in Y/n’s mind.

“Holy fuck,” she half cried, half whispered, “You’re Keeley Jones, aren’t you? I saw you in Vanity Fair!”

Keeley’s admission was her toothy grin.

“And,” Y/n’s raised finger drifted to Rebecca, who seemed to already guess what was coming, “Shit, you own th-th-the football club!”

“AFC Richmond,” Rebecca filled in the missing title with a smile.

“Holy shit,” Y/n whispered, letting her back hit the booth. The night was taking an entirely different turn than she’d expected.

“My firm exclusively handles PR for Richmond,” Keeley explained, “Are you a football fan?”

Still in shock, Y/n managed to answer. “I mean, sort of? I don’t root for anyone, really. I dated an Arsenal fan for a while, but I don’t really watch it all that much, to be honest.”

“Oh, well,” Rebecca adjusted herself in her seat, “We’re going to have to change that.”

“But-“ Y/n brought herself back to the original topic, “How can you offer me a job? You don’t know me. I could be a terrible employee for all you know.”

“You said that the firings weren’t your fault,” Keeley stated.

Y/n shrugged, “How do you know I’m not lying?”

“Oh, please,” Rebecca mumbled over a bite of her appetizer, “You’re far too smart to be fired for a valid reason. I’ve known you ten seconds and I can already tell that.”

Y/n chuckled, this was the most she’d laughed in a long time and it was with strangers that were feeling less and less like strangers.

“Look,” Keeley spoke up, laying her hands out on the table, “You don’t have to say yes. You can forget this night ever happened…but I really don’t think you should.”

Y/n’s eyes darted back and forth between Keeley and Rebecca, weighing her options and the insanity of the proposition. These were women higher up in business than she’d ever aspired to. These were women who knew exactly what they wanted and what they were doing, and they were reaching down to offer her a helping hand.

All her life, Y/n had been adrift. Floating on a little raft that somehow managed to weather every storm. Nothing had yet to find her that felt like magic, nor had she ever sought it out. Attending school in England had been the most shocking decision she’d ever made, and thousands of people chose the same path every day. She had never taken a step fully into the unknown, and sitting across the table from Keeley Jones and Rebecca Welton was the first time she’d ever considered it.

It was that or the unemployment office.

“Y’know,” Y/n sighed and smirked, “If we were men, you’d be making me this offer over the urinals.”

The three women burst into snorts and laughter.

#i really have no frickin clue what this is #ted lasso fanfiction #ted lasso fanfic #ted lasso imagine #rebecca welton x reader #keeley jones x reader #ted lasso x reader #jamie tartt x reader #heartfirst

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justburningdaylight · 2 years

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The Art and the Aesthete

Eddie Munson x Fem Henderson!Reader, Best Friend Steve x Fem Henderson!Reader

Summary: The first time reader meets Eddie is also the first time she truly appreciates art.

Warnings: fluff, slight paul mccartney idolization, a LOT of art comparisons, ted bundy reference, no real ending at all (sorry guys), like one f-bomb i think, no spoilers!

Word count: 1.4k

a/n: i finished stranger things and naturally i wanted to write a lil something for eddie so here we are. p.s. requests are open come talk to me!

You were sitting on the floor of your bedroom with your back pressed contently against your bed, silently willing your best friend to stop talking. Steve had come over to complain after what you could only hyperbolically guess was his hundredth date this month.

“And it’s like okay, it’s cool if we have similar opinions! But there’s no way you actually agree with every single thing I say! I mean seriously (y/n), I said the Beatles were better than the Rolling Stones just to see what she’d say and she agreed!”

“That’s because the Beatles are better, inordinately better actually-”

“Woah, hey, I just wanted to make sure you were listening! Please don’t give me the Paul McCartney is a god speech again.”

“I was listening, I just wasn’t sure how to reply. You don’t want to go out with her again because she agreed with you? You really dodged a bullet Harrington. I mean imagine if you had gotten serious with this girl? ‘Hey honey do you want to go out to dinner tonight?’ ‘Yes Steve, that sounds nice.’ I mean seriously? What a psycho!” You quip, making sure to use a vocal impression of him that you know Steve hates.

“You’re not funny, Henderson, anybody ever tell you that?” He exclaims, flopping backwards onto the plush fabric of your duvet.

“I do! Tell her all the time actually.” Dustin suddenly appears in your room without knocking you can’t help but notice.

Steve lets out a diminutive chuckle, unsubtly attempting to cover it with a cough.

“You know what I tell you all the time? To knock, like on my door, before you just walk in. Does that sound familiar?”

“Hmmm. No, no not really.”

“Oh? Do you want me to tell you again in a way that you won’t forget?” You threaten, trying less than gracefully to pull yourself off the floor while conjuring up the most menacing look you can and aiming it toward your little brother.

“Ooh I’m real scared. I shouldn’t have to knock anyway cause you were supposed to drop me and Mike off at Hellfire Club like five minutes ago.”

“So because I forgot, the basic concept of privacy is thrown out the window?”

“Yep! Let’s go, chop-chop! I’ve got a campaign to win.” Dustin throws haphazardly over his shoulder as he walks out of your room, knowing you already agreed to drive him and wouldn’t want to chance getting another lecture from your mother about the importance of being there for each other.

“Hey how much do you know about this Eddie guy? Dustin hasn’t shut up about him for weeks,” Steve says as you start your walk to the driveway.

“Well I’ve never actually met him, I just drop the boys off for their club sometimes.”

“You’ve never met him? And you just leave them there? That sounds right to you? What if he’s some Ted Bundy type?”

The look you give him is the middle ground between amusement and confusion. Though you’re sure a small part of him could be worried for your brother’s safety, it seems far more likely that he’s jealous Dustin has another older friend to hang out with.

“Please! If you were a killer, would you let Dustin live this long?” You’re joking, but you’re completely convinced that your little brother is far too annoying for someone with murderous tendencies to keep around long-term.

“Ha! And I said you weren’t funny,” Dustin’s voice sounds again, dripping with sarcasm, “Seriously (y/n)! If I’m late to this thing you’re gonna have to explain it to Eddie.” He’s bordering on whining now and you resist the urge to roll your eyes and take twice as long just to spite him.

“Alright!” You shout and turn back to Steve “See you later. Oh hey! Watch out for agreeable girls on your way home! You can never be too careful.”

“Alright, okay, point taken. Maybe I’m being a little too picky.”

“I’m glad you picked up on that.” You say getting into your car.

“See you later Hendersons!”

“Bye Steve!” Dustin’s impatient form calls out waving goodbye from the passenger seat.

“Finally!” Mike and Dustin chorus in unison as your car pulls into the parking lot. You silently praise yourself for mustering up the strength not to fling an insult or two at the boys after what was one of the more infuriating car rides in your recent memory.

“Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up! Glad you boys found the time to fit me into your busy schedule.” An unfamiliar voice weaves its way through the crisp evening air.

“We’re sorry!” “So sorry! My sister doesn’t seem to know the meaning of the words I don’t want to be late so y’know here we are, late.” Mike and Dustin sound as they promptly scramble to get unbuckled and out of the car.

“What was that Dusty?” You question sarcastically, “Thank you for driving me even though I’ve been a proverbial thorn in your side for the entire night? Oh you are just so welcome!”

Unappreciative little-

Your internal strife is short-lived as you hear a chuckle sounding from the unfamiliar boy, who you’re now certain must be Eddie. You finally look over at him and your eyes widen emphatically at the sight you behold.

You’d heard tales of Eddie Munson. Word of mouth told you that he’s a Hawkins aberration, an unwelcome presence in a town with an already less than stellar reputation. Hearing what you have, you weren’t entirely sure what to expect. What you hadn’t expected, however, was for him to look so entirely beautiful.

His face was comparable to a work of art, an ancient roman statue permitted to be standing in a museum somewhere, as though his cheekbones could have been carved out by Michelangelo himself, dimples and all. His eyes were the purest shade of brown, tantamount to a jar of honey, warm and saccharine. Sinuous dark brown hair lay lustrously on his head, winding its way toward his broad shoulders. Perhaps he was a recently stolen work from a modern museum.

You were staring, taking in his statuesque form nearly unabashedly until you realized how impolitely it could be perceived.

You found yourself lifting your gaze back to his eyes, only to find them already looking into your own.

“Forget about it.” He’s talking to the boys but his caramel eyes haven’t moved from yours.

Dustin furrowed his eyebrows at the interaction but muttered a quick ‘bye’ to you as he and Mike hastily dashed inside.

“So. You’re the sister huh? (y/n) right?” He asks, the beginnings of a smile leisurely forming on his delicate lips; a true masterpiece in the making.

There’s a flicker of something in his eyes and, though you can’t discern what it is precisely, you don’t mind it for a second. Surely there was an art gallery somewhere itching to put him on display.

“Yeah, mmhmm, yep, that’s me.” Okay. That’s definitely something you just said. Cool. “You must be Eddie.” He nods, that same ghost of a smile still perfectly haunting his graceful lips. You’re pulling it together, a coherent sentence and everything! “I feel like I should thank you or something,” He furrows his eyebrows together in a winsome display of confusion, and you hurry to continue before you make yourself appear nervous again.

“Y’know for looking out for Dustin. All of the boys, really. They’re good kids but high school can be hell and they’re insistent that it would be if it weren’t for you. So thank you, really.” You smile widely, visibly pleased that you haven’t made a complete fool of yourself in front of the perfectly composed work of art before you.

He’s smiling now. An expertly crafted smile. A smile that makes it feel as though the sun itself is rising higher into the sky. How does he do that?

“They’re good kids you know? And high school is a fuckin’ nightmare, I would have wanted somebody to do the same for me.” He’s downplaying his kindness, but you can see straight through the display.

The two of you stay like that for a while, gentle small talk flowing between you like a river through a secluded valley. His caramel eyes locked on yours and both of your faces adorned by unwavering smiles.

Reluctantly he releases a soft sigh and straightens his form out “I should probably get in there, give ‘em a little hell.”

“Yeah, go on. Have fun! Preferably kick Dustin’s ass.”

“Always do.” He smirks at you, bowing his head in a near imperceptible nod before turning his back and walking off.

And without a moments notice, you were an aesthete.

#stranger things

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f1-disaster-bi · 1 year

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Roy/Jaime fic idea: Jaime is super late to training one morning and everyone is annoyed because a huge game is coming up. Everyone is already out on the pitch when Jaime finally appears, but all anger goes out the window when he emerges from the tunnel still dressed in his street clothes, with a tiny little bundle cradled in his arms. Tartt Sr. had shown up just as Jaime was about to head in, unceremoniously presenting Jaime with his new baby sibling, paperwork signing over custody, and a hospital bag of baby essentials before he fucked off back to Manchester without a glance back. Needless to say training is cancelled that day, as everyone basically falls over themselves to help Jaime and the new little Tartt, especially Roy who falls into the role of protector and partner in the span of a breath.

Anon, I love you for this. I'm absolutely I'm love with this idea.

I have so many thoughts and emotions about it but for now....please have this little drabble I wrote about it (and that @f1-birb is trying to make me write a fic for)

"Is that Jamie?" "Fuckin finally man" "Wait...whys he dressed normal like?" Roy growls, turning away from where he was leading the second team through a drill to look towards the tunnel and sure enough, Jamie is there at the opening. He's dressed in street clothes, but that's not what catches Roy's attention. No. Jamie is holding what looks like something small and swaddled and Roy is moving in an instant. As he gets closer, out pacing Ted and Beard despite his knee, he can hear Ted calling for him to stop but Roy doesn't. He doesn't stop until he's standing in front of a very tense, very distraught and confused looking Jamie who can't tear his eyes off the baby in his arms that can't be more than a week old. "Tartt, oi, Jamie", Roy calls softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping baby, "where'd'ya get the kid? Is it...." "Is not mine...well he is, but he isn't", Jamie stutters, eyebrows pinched together, "Me dad, yeah? Showed up at me 'ouse and he...he had this babeh and he just left 'im to me. Says he's my brother and just leaves. Left me some papers, legally he's mine, but Coach...Roy....I can't" Jamie is on the verge of a panic attack, his distressed making the baby in his arms start to wake and Roy can hear the team murmuring behind him. "Jamie", Roy drops his voice low, knowing it'll catch Jamie's attention as he gently grabs the back of Jamie's neck, "breath" The touch has Jamie melting. He's stepping closer to Roy until his head hits his shoulder, and both him and the baby are shielded by Roy as Jamie's shakes. Roy keeps his grip gentle, thumb soothing the tense muscles in his neck as Jamie sniffles. "What's his name?" "Charlie"

"How old?" Roy asks, peering down at little Charlie as Jamie lifts his head from Roy's shoulder, and Roy pretends he doesn't miss the weight of it. "Ten days, his mum don't want 'im and me dad....well he'd rather drink than spend moneh on his kids," Jamie replied, adjusting his hold of Charlie and rocking him softly. "Ten days old and he's already better looking than you, that's a good start to life", Roy hums, watching as the joke gets a smile off of Jamie and little laugh. And that laugh is all the team need to come closer. Dani reaches them first, his grin so wide Roy is genuinely worried the kid is gonna split his face in half as he almost vibrates with joy. "Oh, oh, it's a baby. How beautiful, our Jamie is a dad!"

#ted lasso #ted lasso fic #roy x jamie #roy/jamie #roy kent/jamie tartt #roy kent #jamie tartt #i love this idea so much #pre-relationship

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my-soupy-brain · 7 months

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For prompt: I loved the recent therapy story but missed reading the makeup sex 😈 Can you do one where Ted blows up at reader but they later make up and smut ensues? It would make my week!

I sure can try. Who doesn't love a little angst + makeup? I know I sure do. Ted would definitely make it up to you, too. Let's gooo!

---

Relationship: Ted Lasso x reader

Warnings: Angst, makeup sex

---

You were in for a stressful couple of weeks.

Ted was busy taking heat for the team's performance, trying to get them back to fighting order.

You were bogged down with work and deadlines that had your head spinning.

But you always made time to see each other. Either he came to your flat, or you went to his.

And on a particular Wednesday night, he's at your flat. He was nose-deep in his notebook, working on plays. Reading football books for inspiration. Trying to shake out the negative feelings he's had the last month with the losses and the locker room tension.

"Ted?"

He looked up at you. You'd clearly been standing there trying to get his attention.

"I asked if you wanted to watch a movie?"

His eyebrows are furrowed and he shakes his head.

"Can't."

His mood has been sour off and on, but this aura was very off for your Ted.

"C'mon, sweetheart. Put that all away, let's forget our troubles. It'll be good for us to ---"

"I SAID I CAN'T!" he shouts, louder than he even knew he was capable of. You freeze. Your breath is caught in your throat.

"I'm glad you have a job you can just leave on a computer but I don't, OK? This team's success and my career rides on us getting better! You don't understand."

You still say nothing, your mouth open. Tears prick the corner of your eyes.

"So when you ask if I wanna watch some silly little movie, the answer is no. Because I've got to focus! I don't need all this..." he gestures around and makes a point to look at you. "Distraction!"

You nod, the anger rising like bile in your throat. Your tears are springing out of the corners of your eyes. You take a breath.

"Got it."

"Good."

You take another breath and say the next thing you hoped you'd never have to say to him.

"Maybe you should leave."

Ted's head pops up, confused. As if he doesn't remember what he just said.

"What?"

"You heard me," you say, a little more stern. "If this is such a distraction, if I'm such a distraction, maybe you should go home. And stay there until you figure out what you want."

Ted's eyes furrow and he looks angry again.

"You don't need to make sucha big deal outta this, you know. I'm just asking for some goddamn quiet!"

You shake your head with a chuckle.

"As if my home is some kind of circus. Go, Ted."

He gathers his things and marches toward the door, slamming it behind him.

Now you can sit down and let the tears erupt. Your breath heaves, staggered, as you cry your heart out on your sofa.

...

No text. Not a word.

You refuse to be the one to crack the ice. He blew up, he can apologize.

That works for the first few hours of the day. But you're starting to miss him. Terribly.

Stay strong, stay strong.

When you get a text message and your phone buzzes, you look in excitement, except it's nothing but a coupon code from a retailer you follow.

Dammit.

You wonder what he's doing. What he's thinking. Maybe he's thinking about what a mistake it was to date you, to begin with. About how needy you are. There's no room in his life for you.

Panic. Breathe. Breathe.

The day drags on. You struggle to focus on your work, and you really need to. You put your headphones on and try to block out your feelings, focus on what you need to get done today.

The sun goes down. Still nothing from Ted.

Maybe it's over.

Oh tears, and panic. Great.

But outside your door, down your street, walks Ted Lasso. His eyes are red and watery. He has bags under his eyes.

He didn't sleep worth a damn. Not when he knew how he upset you. How you didn't deserve that. You were only looking out for him, trying to give him the space he needed between work and life.

And what did he do? He yelled at you.

He yelled at you when he said he never would.

He knows you've been in relationships like that before. Where you felt belittled and betrayed for caring. God, he could kick himself.

When he gets to your front steps, he looks up at the lights on. Wonders what you're doing.

Maybe you're regretting dating him. Maybe you wish you'd found someone with more emotional sense. Someone less selfish. Someone who could divide work and life better.

Someone who deserves you.

He holds his chest as he feels the panic rise. He convinces himself that the best thing he can do right now is just try. Try to talk to you. Try to see you.

He knocks.

...

And he knocks again.

At the right time, you slip your extra loud headphones off and hear a knock at the door, your heart pattering in your chest. You try to avoid getting your hopes up.

But when you open the door, you see a tired, beaten-down Ted standing in the London drizzle.

"Sweetheart? Come in, you'll catch cold!" you say, pulling him in by the hand. He already feels a little better, knowing you're caring for him.

Once he's in the doorway, you start to say "I'm sorry" at the same time he does.

"You don't have a damn thing to apologize for, sugar," Ted says, pulling you into his chest, his hands holding your face and looking into your eyes.

"I know, but I don't mean to be so needy... so selfish with your time... I know you're..."

Ted shakes his head as he smiles.

"I knew you'd do that, darlin'," he interrupts again. "Try to blame this on you. No. You didn't deserve a damn word of that garbage I spouted. You were lookin' out for me. And I stepped on it."

You look in his eyes, and yours well with tears. Fat, salty drops of water roll down your cheeks. His thumbs wipe them away.

Seeing your eyes fill with tears reminds him of how wrong he was.

"I will never, ever let myself do that again," Ted says, kissing your lips, the salt against his where the tears rolled into the corner of your mouth.

"Ted, I love you so much. I thought you never wanted to see me again," you exclaim, your breath coming in quick. Being in his arms again, feeling his lips on yours... it's...

"I couldn't stay away from the love of my life," he says, kissing your neck now, his hands traveling all over your body, under your sweater, across your breasts and ribs and waist.

You gasp as he walks you backward to your bedroom, sitting you on the bed and moving down with you. Your lips hot and needy against each other, your hands pulling his polo off, then working open his belt.

He sits up on his knees and tugs his layers off, unbuckling his belt. The chime of the metal sends sparks down your nerves.

When he works his pants off, you can see his excitement behind his boxer briefs, your legs wrapping around him to bring him back. He works your shirt off, and unbuttons your pants.

"I was scared I'd never get this again," you murmur between kisses, his lips tracking down your neck to your collarbone and breasts. His hand kneads your breast, tickling under the cup as he moans.

He looks up at you, his lips red from pressing against your soft skin.

"I can't live without ya, sugar," he says, kissing your lips gently, his mustache tickling like always.

His lips go to your ear, your neck, your sweet spot. He loves hearing you moan and writhe for him.

"I'm sorry," he whispers. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. And you're always right when I need to take care of myself."

You sigh and run your fingers through his hair, gently over his scalp.

"You deserve the best and I'mma give you the best I can," he adds, kissing your neck again as you push off the rest of your clothes.

His hands are needy, touching and grabbing and caressing you, his tongue working against your skin. His low, husky moans against your body, his cock bobbing behind the cotton. Once he's over you again, you push the elastic down to free him, letting him grind with you on the bed.

It's hot in the room, the temperature rising as your bodies create friction.

"Oh God," you murmur against his ear, and his tip ruts against your center.

"You're so wet for me, aren't ya, doll?" he asks. "You're my sweet girl, only mine."

"Only yours," you chant, making Ted groan.

"Say it again."

"Only yours."

He moves your panties to the side and slides in, no preamble needed as your bodies connect and you move in rhythm together, his big hands holding your neck as he kisses you, then wraps his lips around a nipple, then kisses under your breast on your ribcage.

"My perfect girl," he murmurs. "Made perfect for me."

You writhe at the praise again. "Oh, Ted... baby..."

He looks up, your eyes fluttered closed, your mouth open and panting, and he smiles.

"That's right, sugar..."

He increases his pace, turning you both to your sides, your leg thrown over his hip as he pushes in at a new angle, your breath coming in short and sharp now.

"Right there, yeah?" he asks in a husky drawl. "Gonna make ya feel so good, sugar. Show you how I'm yours."

You moan, your head thrown back, perfect for him to nibble on your neck. His hands roaming your body and the angle of his cock splitting you in two sends you careening off the edge.

Your channel clenches around him, flooding around him, as you come, making him smile. He leans into your ear once more: "Oh, that's it, baby. That's my sweetheart. Gush all over that cock."

Another wave slaps you.

"Yeah, just like that," he soothes, his body pushing harder and faster, his deft fingers working between your bodies against your hardened clit. As you start to shake again, moaning his name, he feels his spine tensing and...

"Fuck, sweetie," he murmurs, grunting as he fills you. "Y'feel so damn good..."

You try to catch your breath, and his big, dark hazel eyes look to your face. When your eyes blink open, he cups your cheek and kisses you.

He lays his head on your chest, your arms coming around him, fingers in his hair.

"I love you, Ted," you whisper, and he looks back up at you.

"I love you," he answers, kissing your lips sweetly. "How about that movie? I think I owe you one...or a million."

You smile. "Movie night it is."

---

It's hard to imagine Ted snapping but we know he does and he'd hate himself for it. But he's learning. Good for therapy! Thanks for this prompt, friend!

#ted lasso x reader #ted lasso fanfic #ted lasso fanfiction #ted lasso smut #ted lasso x you #ted lasso angst #making up with ted lasso

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cosmal · 1 year

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boygenius — send me a character and a concept and i’ll write some headcanons!

ok so like … this is kind of vague but thoughts on jealous!eddie? he’s def the gets-jealous-easily type I feel. (also pls ignore this or any of my other asks if u want to. I know u probably have lots to get through!! love u <3)

I feel like a lot of it comes from his own insecurity.

because he's definitely capable of it.

eddie munson? it's canon that he's not liked. he's total charmer idc but he's not lucky with the men and women </3

until you!!!!! god he's so in love with you its not even funny. you're caring and sweet and you put up with his antics. you tell him all the time he isn't anything to put up with but still, he's always doubting himself.

at first, he doesn't even notice it. he's not overprotective with it, or overbearing, but there's always that nagging on the back of his head.

when you go out, he'd be stupid not to notice if anyone else is looking at you. men that might try to talk you up. you're mostly oblivious about it. dancing away or chatting his ear off, ignoring the other guy that's at your side.

"you want another drink, teds?"

eddie stops staring at the guy eyeing you down. "yeah, baby. wanna dance as well?"

at the end of the night when he realises you don't care about other guys who he thinks are better than him, after you spend the whole night dancing with him and hanging off his side, giggling about how much you like him, he forgets about it all.

then, there's steve. steve who you've known forever, who he's sure you belong with. he's sure you're perfect for each other.

steve makes you laugh, he's sure harder than he ever has. he knows things about you that eddie doesn't. things he thinks he should, not him.

one day, when he's feeling down, he asks you about it. "hey, you and steve....you guys ever...y'know, been together?"

you almost spit out the milkshake he's just bought you. "me...me and steve? what? no!"

"oh, you guys just seem so close. he's so nice to you."

"we've been through a lot, eds. we're best friends. that's all."

"okay."

"promise."

"sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"no, it's okay. only you, eddie."

eddie feels a lot, a lot better after that conversation. still, eddie is eddie and he can't help the jealousy, insecurity that claws at his throat.

he makes sure it doesn't affect your relationship, you deserve better than that, but he can't help it.

he's definitely always got a hand on you. your waist. wrist. elbow. thigh, if he's lucky.

you're none the wiser, you think he's just super touchy. because he is, he loves to feel you all the time. it's just much worse when you're around other people.

AND!!!!!! if someone actually does try to make a move on you and it's quite noticeable, he makes sure everyone definitely knows you're his.

will kiss you, probably too roughly, a lot more tongue than necessary, hands in places that you're definitely too shy for. hips, ass, the underside of your boob oh em gee.

you pull away dizzy, breathless. a little confused at his sudden show of over-affection. "everything okay?"

"yeah, yeahyeahyeah. you just looked really pretty. had to kiss ya."

#mwah #aerial answers #—mal!#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x gender neutral reader #eddie munson x male reader #eddie munson thought #eddie munson headcanon #eddie munson x yn

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ratskinsuit · 1 month

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I just finished "Moth Left The Flame Burning" and man—you can't just leave me on a cliff hanger I wanna know what happens next.

I'm just imagining this platonic relationship turning into this one-sided "romance" where Vox is just dependent on reader since so far they're the only healthy relationship he has. He confuses their kindness for (romantic) love, He thinks it's love but really it's just his abandonment issues so he clings on to reader since Val is gone. This could either go two ways, reader tries to help Vox or Vox projects and makes reader his "new Val"

Now thinking about it, I really enjoy reading mentally unstable Vox lmao

You have read my mind.

*Little spoiler for pt.2*

So I actually had an idea like that for part two, it’s not directly stated but implied. When at one point reader tried to go somewhere Vox tries to like get romantic with them, because in my story Valentino would make Vox think that to earn his affection he had to do it through sexual matters.

So I like to think that Vox kind of assumes that’s normal, and that to convince people to not leave him he has to do something for them, whether sexual or not.

Because he’s so used to Valentino being gone off with other people like Angel Dust, and he’s scared to be replaced. So to counter that he tries to make himself more appealing to Valentino, so that Val with realize Vox is the one he would love. But it’s really hard for Vox because of Valentino being…. Valentino.

I honestly think their relationship is so toxic (but it could get a tad better if they get through their issues eventually together) with Valentino sleeping with so many people and his obsession with Angel dust, and Vox with his abandonment and dependency issues, thinking he’s always second best to Angel dust.

So it could eventually lead to some jelousy or resentment of angel dust from vox in the show

Now back to reader (sorry I got a tad off topic I just woke up and my ADHD meds haven’t kicked in)

Vox would def have a dependency on reader in an unhealthy way. Like he goes to them for validation and comfort, which normally is okay. But he gets so obsessive to the point where he freaks out if he thinks they like someone more than him, or are going to quit. So he would try and use manipulation tactics to get them to stay.

Honestly still toxic, but if your version of reader is empathetic but can see through the manipulation tactics that Vox uses and helps him, he could end up gaining some more stability and better coping mechanisms.

I personally couldn’t see him trying to make them be like Valentino, but more like a replacement of his figure in Vox’s life. Like he would try to put reader on a position where he doesn’t have complete control over them, but where they stay with him to make sure he’s okay and stick by his side.

Like the aura of Val being someone who cares about Vox (which I think he does imo) but can also take initiative in trying to “help” him.

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk. (These are just my opinions, if you don’t agree with them or have other ones that’s perfectly okay and I respect that :) )

Also idk when pt 2 will be coming out because I’m going to be working on requests Gino’s, but expect slow ass updates because exams are coming soon.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin #hazbin x reader #hazbin headcanons #hazbin hotel headcanons #headcanons #hazbin hotel vox #hazbin vox #valentino hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel valentino #hazbin valentino #Abuse

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itsclydebitches · 1 year

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The fandom reaction to this season is fucking bonkers, I’m seeing so many ppl talk about how this is their new favorite volume and the arcs are so good!! Ruby is fucking dead and the show is treating that like it’s a good thing. Ruby fucking died and her closest friends are happy about this?? How do you look at that and think it’s amazing???? RWBY fans baffle me

Got distracted by Ted Lasso for a couple of days, but I've gotta throw out a couple more asks before we hit the Volume finale tomorrow!

Yeah, I'm not at all confused by fans enjoying a major character "death" (that is, really a suicide allegory resulting in a likely transformation of some kind, not death-death) because that's a complex, compelling, emotionally charged arc for a character, particularly the protagonist. I still think back to kid!Clyde whose jaw was on the floor when YYH opened with Yusuke dying, or the feral phone call I made to a friend when I got to Ned dying in GoT (back when I enjoyed the books lol). The idea of taking a character who is presumably safe due to plot armor/genre expectations and going, "Actually NOPE" does have a certain kind of charm.

... provided it's pulled off well.

Which, you know, is the entire problem with Volume 9. Or the whole of RWBY, really. Awesome concept! Horrendous execution. It's potentially telling that - anecdotally - I think this is the most RWDE-charged Volume we've had in years? Meaning, regulars of the tag are posting more frequently, there are more occasional newcomers than I'm used to seeing, I'm coming across more posts that start off with the necessary (in this fandom) explanation that they still adore the show, but aren't happy with this, that, and the other thing, criticism posted in the wider community is receiving more consideration rather than just being mocked and downvoted on principal.

I mean, full agree, anon. I'm also seeing a lot of celebration for this Volume that I personally can't understand. But I'm also seeing a LOT of worries too, from critics and non-critics alike. I don't think disappointment in the writing will ever outweigh the praise - especially during a Volume where the bees became canon - but the mere fact that each season I'm seeing more and more fans drop the show, give criticism a fair shake, or actively join the RWDE tag speaks, I think, to RWBY's overall trajectory. Again, I'm on a Ted Lasso kick, so it's really easy to compare RWBY to this well-written, highly successful show. RWBY fans think their enjoyment is semi-universal, with critics being a vocal an inaccurate minority, but when you compare that to a show that's actively bringing in new viewers due to its success, knocking it out of the park each week with the character development, giving us FIVE queer characters in as many episodes, inviting criticism primarily in the form of "What we got was great, but wouldn't it have been even better if they'd done ____?" as opposed to, "What the actual hell was that?" ... it really highlights that a community enjoying a show isn't the same thing as that show being "good."

#rwde #rwby #mymetas

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mgnifiqueyoo · 9 months

Text

— "old friend."

requested by: @lluvjjun pairing: zb1 taerae x fem!reader song recommendation: hello (adele) lowercase is intended…

— a/n: so i'm back again with my second zb1 oneshot! (which is so angsty and honestly, pretty realistic this time btw but oh, well- luv me some angst T.T) and i just wanted to clarify that i'm a multi so y'all can always request for other groups as well such as p1harmony, xikers, boys planet trainees, etc. + also, u might really not care about how i felt about this oneshot but damn, i had tears in my eyes so i hope you all enjoy it! </3

[ total words: 2.5k ]

click here to support me on ko-fi! ☕ click on this g.form link to request!

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

“... oh?”

opening the front door of your home after hearing a knock or two, you found yourself a little confused when you were met with your seatmate’s gaze. it was christmas eve and the simple dinner between you and your family had just ended, which meant you were returning to your normal life, asking yourself if santa could even give you what you wished for. — maybe a different way of living where you could afford anything you’ve laid your eyes on.

but even the elves would think that’s more impossible than riding a bunch of floating reindeers.

“merry christmas, i guess?” taerae chuckled, still holding out a neatly wrapped present in both of his hands. the box’s red cover shone under the dim light above the two of you as he continued to encourage you in taking it from him.

you never expected anyone to give you a present, especially since you’ve never gotten one after your father passed away. “... what made you think of… doing that?” you shyly questioned his initial ideas about this as his eyes looked up at the ceiling, probably searching for an answer as he bit his bottom lip, his fingertips tapping across the sides of the box. “well… i saw the way you looked at chaehyun last week and i thought that maybe i could make your christmas a little better.”

“you didn’t have to-”

“oh, but i wanted to,” he butted in quickly, not letting you finish your way of denying the present as he even pushed it further, waiting for you to just take it. “and i really do want you to open this in front of me.”

“why? i mean, isn’t that weird? it’s the middle of the night,” you retaliated, making him chuckle as he didn’t seem convinced with your excuse. “... but if that makes you feel better, then i’ll do it.”

you had no other reason for you to not take the gift as the anticipation slowly grew in you, tearing off the wrapping paper from the box. carefully, you lifted its lid as taerae’s eyes were soon fixated on the way your eyes widened at what’s inside of it. — it had a clutch-sized teddy bear; perfectly sewn to fit in your arms without it having to feel either too big or too small as you put down the box on the floor, holding the stuffed animal closer to you.

"... so, how does he feel? how does mr. ted feel?" taerae's eyes glimmered in excitement, eager to know what you'd tell him about the teddy bear his own hands created. in return, you chuckled, tightening the way you hugged the toy. "he feels like christmas." you answered, smiling back at the boy in front of you as he stared at you with belief; with so much fondness that no one could ever explain in words.

"merry christmas, taerae."

and now, you're staring into the distance, disappointed at how messy your room is. it's been six years since you took that christmas gift. to this day, you still knew that specific christmas eve stood out from the rest.

because somebody actually thought of giving you at least one thing.

“mom, please, i don't really have the budget right now," you pleaded, gripping your phone tightly as you continued to still clean up your room. you're looking for something you could get money from. being a waitress at a local, small coffee shop is not quite the answer for situations like this. "... i'll call you back once i get paid, okay? i just have nothing at the moment."

while you're at seoul trying to survive in a shitty apartment, your family is left stuck with raging debts after your father died. — you could tell that it really wasn’t the best decision for him to not even give your mother a chance to work for the family; there was always an insecurity laying beneath his motifs.

and now, you don’t even know what to do. your mother had been asking you for extra cash and your sister had been switching odd jobs here and there. the most surprising thing was the fact that you were the “stable one” compared to the two.

it’s disheartening to think of it.

a waitress being the stable one in the family.

“... ah, shit.” you muttered a curse, burying your face in your still dirty, unwashed palms in frustration. you were your family’s only chance in surviving such a poor life.

heading towards the cabinets, you pulled out a few more boxes. it baffles you that you’ve been living here for two years already and you’ve never even finished arranging your belongings but that’s not so surprising. you didn’t even finish school.

as all of the packed, still taped up boxes were taken out, you decided to look into them with questions circling your head. — what are the ones that’ll make everyone interested? which ones would make up for your rent? so many questions, so little time.

but while you took a few things out of the box, you were suddenly hit with a blast from the past; like a gust of lonely wind.

he’s there.

mr. ted was still here with you.

you backed away from it, taking a better look at it from afar rather than too close. you could already feel your eyes itch just by seeing it, the allergies worsening the longer you stared at the now dusty, slightly gray care bear that used to be so full of life before.

but it all had to end someday.

and it already did.

"... huh…" you tilted your head to the side, pulling it from the box. you almost couldn't remember how you kept it there, let alone how long it stayed there. nonetheless, it was a pity that two people from a memorable, almost a decade of friendship would just fade to dust… just like the ones that covered the bear’s golden fur in years.

you asked yourself, was the choice you made the right one? was it for the better, just like how you told yourself, your other friends, and most importantly, him?

younger you would’ve stood by her choice.

but this is the present and you know that you’ve taken the wrong route.

puffing your cheeks out in frustration, you picked up your phone from the mattress of your bed, which felt so used and replaceable already but somehow, you couldn’t afford to change it. you’ve been sleeping on that bed since you were nine. people around you would advise that maybe spending a few cash wouldn’t hurt and sometimes, you thought they were right.

yet in the end of the day, you always tell yourself that you just can’t. — why? because you just had nothing. not even a shoulder to lean your head on. not anyone but yourself. and people with everything in their soft, soaped palms won’t get that! they can’t even bring themselves to realize that people like you are just trying to make living life feel a little less miserable.

now, you’re here.

you’re walking in circles, staring at nothing but the bright yet cracked screen of your old iPhone 5 as you read his name over and over while trying to come up with a choice. another choice that’d decide your fate.

‘kim taerae… kim taerae? can i talk to kim taerae?’ your inner voice was almost as monotone as ever as you found yourself still lost in the sea of choices again.

can you talk to kim taerae? that question can be answered easily: yes, you can. but here comes a much more difficult situation – should you talk to him after everything? you’re not even surprised that he has someone sitting next to him with a bright smile on her face, maybe as bright as his. an unfamiliar girl but an obvious message for you.

he’s moved on.

good for him, right?

“can you promise me something?” taerae spoke, the uncertainty was in his voice as he seemed to be fearing the next few things you were about to tell him. it disturbed you. it was the first time he’s ever sounded so serious about something.

something you’re not ready to find out. “friends will always keep each other’s promises,” you cluelessly said back, even smiling back at him so cheekily that taerae had a glimpse of hope. — that maybe everything will turn back to normal if things don’t go his way.

“i think i’m in love with you, y/n.”

you didn’t know what even was real and not. were these words really coming out of taerae’s mouth? did taerae, your best friend, just tell you that he thinks he’s in love with you?

and the first thing you asked yourself was how.

how did he even think that?

“i know it sounds crazy but,” taerae quickly gave an excuse for it as he approaches your hands with his, his thumb pressing against your soft palm. it almost convinced you into smiling back at him but all you did was stare, visibly terrified over what he just told you. “but it’s what i feel… it’s what i feel about you-”

“what?” you weren’t thinking straight that time. you weren’t sure if you liked him back or not but he was always important to you. always; to the point that you were scared of this happening as if you’d already expected it. “... i don’t get it, what do you mean?”

the second time you asked him, he just froze like radio static. your confusion started getting to him, haunting him with the single-worded response that he’d hate to hear from you – no.

“it’s nothing.”

“taerae, i-”

“let’s just,” taerae cuts you off, tightening the strap of his backpack as his eyes dared to never look back at you ever again, “let’s just forget about all of this, okay?”

well, you tried.

but that day kept on repeating in your head that it was impossible to not at least think about it and from the looks of it, he felt the same. the distance between the two of you was just getting farther and farther until you couldn’t even remember each other’s birthdays. yet at the same time, you were always in each other’s minds with one wish.

wishing to be called by the other once.

“taerae!” you shouted from the crowds and he barely even heard you. the rest of your classmates were waving goodbye at him, excited for him to take in the trophy after an international talent competition, where everybody expected him to take home at least one gold medal from it.

and there was another call… and another.

oh?

and another as you watched him get into the bus, not even looking back at your direction. you told yourself that maybe he just didn’t hear you. maybe your voice just wasn’t loud enough. — in the end, at least you tried to patch things up even though you had no clue that it was the last time you’d ever see taerae in person.

“hey, maybe i shouldn’t!” you blurted out in the middle of your room, breathing deeply as you just couldn’t control yourself from scrolling down his posts; by now, he’s gotten five golden medals from differently, yearly major vocal competitions overseas. you could never say it in words or a bunch of facebook posts how proud you are of him.

you wished you were there with him, helping him accomplish these goals he once had pinned down on a bulletin board from third grade. you wished that you were the one who sat next to him, giving him a pep talk before he came up that stage to steal the show from every other singer around.

you wished you’ve touched the skies that hovered above him.

but you were too far down.

forgotten.

“... oh, who am i kidding? he’s not gonna respond anyway. he’s too far up there now,” you told yourself, letting out a groan before jumping on your bed, torn between asking him how he’s been and just letting him live his new life; the life where you never existed at all. “god, this is all my fault…” regret was starting to take over again. it was like you couldn’t call a normal day “normal” if you hadn’t considered regretting anything.

you could tell that your life was already a few steps away from being a complete failure… well, that was until you looked back at your phone.

widening your eyes, there was a flood of terror, humiliation, and regret (yet again) in our mind as several airy curses come out of your mouth. you weren’t sure if you should start throwing a fit or start planning in deleting your facebook account. — who uses facebook anymore these days, right? well… you.

and apparently, taerae as well.

“what the fuck? no!” you belted out as if you were a soprano, burying your face once again in your palms after seeing a blue thumb on one of taerae’s older posts.

great job, y/n.

you just liked his post after six years of not even mentioning each other’s names.

“why… why did i do that?" this was the moment where you actually wanted to dig a hole in the ground, live in there, and never ever come back. — and well, in the real world, you can’t really do anything as extreme as that, which isn’t as embarrassing as the fact that you just accidentally liked one of your ex-best friend’s posts from last year. “ugh… i just hope he ignores it… god, this is the worst.”

ping!

you took in a deep breath, letting out a mixture of both a groan and a sigh as you accepted your fate; he saw it… and god, why did he even respond?

and in just a span of ten minutes, that conversation ended. you knew deep inside that none of this was easy to take in. he’s already living his dream life, he’s got tons of people who’d support him no matter what, and he even has this perfect girlfriend who wanted to meet you for the sake of getting to know who taerae is… and who he used to be.

you clutched your phone close to your chest, laying on your back as you stared at the dull ceiling of your room. you wondered how your life turned into something like this. — why did the circumstances bring you down lower than before? why did it turn so different from taerae’s? what was holding you back?

even though you wouldn’t admit it, you always knew the answer.

and it was the fear of that big change that held you in your place.

“... maybe this is it,” you told yourself, sitting up from the bed as you stared at the dusty boxes that were still left unopened, “maybe it’s time for me to change things for the better.” saying those words felt like a foggy evening was clearing up as you took in one last deep breath, ready to face anything without having to look back.

this was it.

you’re ready for change.

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deeply-unserious-fellow · 3 months

Text

I think part of why most people I've talked to like Hazbin Hotel better then Helluva Boss, and why most of the writing problems in Helluva aren't as present in Hazbin, are because Hazbin is an ensemble show that treats all it's characters as EQUALLY IMPORTANT, while Helluva Boss is an ensemble show that just. Really wants to be the Blitzø and Stolas show.

Like oh my god that show wants to be about only Blitzø and Stolas so bad. It's why Moxxie gets more focus then Millie(he's closer to Blitzø), it's why the Stolitz drama gets dragged out the way it does, it's why Fizz has been getting more attention then the rest of the supposed main cast lately. Viv and Brandon(who doesn't get brought up very often when discussing the writing in Helluva Boss despite being the main cowriter?) CLEARLY just wanna focus on Blitzø and Stolas' backstories and relationship, despite marketing Helluva as an ensemble show. Moxxie gets some time as an individual, but I think that's more of a biproduct of him being around for longer then the other side characters tbh. Like they were initially concieved FOR Hazbin, and I'm not really sure where production went from there, but I believe they were originally just supposed to be an assassin duo that showed up in Hazbin a couple times? Idk details are fuzzy so if anybody knows more and feels like sharing feel free to rb/comment with your knowledge. Anyways Moxxie has more depth because he's been in development for longer, and as season 2 progresses it really feels like they're running out of shit to talk about with him. Everybody else is secondary to those two, which would be FINE if the show was PRESENTED as being about Stolitz, but it's kinda. Not. The show, especially if your going off of the pilot, is presented more like "the Office but in Hell". That is the concept most people are drawn in by. So when the people who signed up for a funny ensemble show in Hell start watching and end up with just a bunch of relationship drama and some occasional focus on like 1 or 2 other characters, they get confused and put off. It's like trying to watch the Office but getting Bojack Horseman(I think. I don't know much abt BJH-) instead.

Meanwhile Hazbin is advertised as an ensemble show and, so far, has fulfilled that promise. All 4 of the episodes we've gotten so far have focused on different characters and, between them, given an equal amount of focus to everyone except maybe Niffty. Episode 1 had Charlie and Vaggie leading the subplots, episode 2 had weirdly Vox and Sir Pentious as the focuses?, episode 3 was about. Pretty much everyone really but Velvette, Carmilla and Vaggie got especially highlighted because of their songs, and episode 4 was focused entirely on Angel and his relationships with the rest of the cast. Like. That's how ensemble shows are supposed to work. And while Charlie is still the main focus of the show, and I'm sure we'll see her get highlighted a whole lot more in coming episodes, Hazbin is still at it's core about EVERYBODY. Even characters that aren't even close to mains are getting attention! And aside from some uh. Very obvious pacing issues, the show handles the ensemble cast surprisingly well! And like, I think the main complaint I've seen(that isn't a straight up controversy) is that the Hotel isn't the main focus of the show? Which like. To be fair we're only like four episodes in? And also fits into my false advertising argument about Helluva but honestly this post is getting long and my brain is kinda melting and it's almost 2am and I have school tomorrow so I'm gonna cut this off here.

In conclusion Hazbin Hotel is generally more well liked than Helluva Boss because it's a true ensemble show, while Helluva is actually the Blitzø show PRETENDING to be an ensemble show. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk :)

#hazbin hotel #helluva boss #late night ramblings #gal overanalyzes random shit

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lostfracturess · 1 month

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ate niciii 🥹 sorry for bothering huhu but where do you find some rrl other than google scholar and other websites huhu because I'm struggling looking for rrls and can't find anything around 2000s it's always years around 1980s but we're only allowed to use rrls around 2000s to present year but i only found a little and some has payment but I'm broke 😭 huhu

Our experimental research study is about art making as a reduction for academic stress huhu but i always see relating to art therapy 🫠 but I can't use that because it will only add as a variable and it's kinda clinical so mostly we're not allowed to add it since we're only students.

(I'll call you ate it means big sister in my language hehe) 🫶💟

soooo, welcome to my academic ted-talk haha:

must admit i mainly use google scholar and pubmed for literature research. also springer and wiley sometimes, but both is provided by my university.

if you find a paper on google scholar that is behind a paywall and your university doesn't have access to it, just use sci-hub. i know it's illegal or whatever, but man, if you need the paper, you need the paper. everyone i know uses it 😂

lately i've also been experimenting with consensus.app, it's an ai-powered research website. it's free at first, but then you'd have to pay for it. it costs $11/month, but for me it's so worth it because it saves me so much time omg. maybe you want to try it as well.

just tested it with the search "how does making art influence academic stress?" and it gave me some literature reviews published since 2015. would also suggest searching for meta-analyses on the topic, because meta-analysis > literature reviews. they also give you better insights on the effect size.

i don't know how strict your university is on this, but if it's not some theoretical framework or groundwork, only use research from the last 5-10 years. my professors will give me points off if i cite something older, because research moves so fast lol.

i'm not really familiar with your research question now, but i think the main problem you're not finding much new literature is because you're using the wrong keywords. you'd need to be more specific about what you want to research, like what type of art, and what aspect of stress you want to analyze.

stress and art are SO broad, i'd always suggest you be as specific as possible in your research question. because let me tell you, your research question can ALWAYS be more specific ☠️☠️

but that will help you so much and you'll have an easier time finding the right literature and answering your research question.

anyways, i also think it's hard NOT to include studies related to art therapy? because if you want to test some sort of effect of a variable (in your case art) on stress, it's usually in the form of some treatment or intervention (in this case art therapy)??

maybe it's just not getting it now, but that confuses me, why would you not be allowed to use these studies because in the context of art therapy they would analyze the effort of drawing for example on stress. you can still cite the effect drawing showed on stress in these studies even if the intervention was delivered as part of art therapy.

you'd just have to point that out in your analysis when comparing different studies, that the intervention design is different, and how that might have affected the outcome. maybe you can discuss this again with your professor?

soooooo i hope this will help you somehow ehheh. also love you calling me ate, so sweet!! sending you all the love right back <3

#inbox

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sortofanobsession · 8 months

Text

Bright lights and futures (Ted Lasso Fic) RoyJamie Time travel AU Surprise Sequel!

A/N I know I teased this last Saturday have a few other fics that have sequel ideas Early Morning Visitor/Maggie fic & Jamie's Birthday. 😉 A bunch of other promised fics I have been working on too. Let me know which you want to see most of you can.

Reminder! Minors Do No Interact (not super 18+ just the recent YouTube drama has reminded me that it needs to be stated.)

Ch 1 (AO3)

Ted Lasso Masterlist

Pairing: Roy x Jamie (romantic), Keeley x Jamie/Roy (platonic), Colin x Jamie/Roy (platonic), Ted x Jamie/Roy (platonic), Beard Jamie/Roy (platonic), Team x Jamie/Roy (platonic)

Word count: 5k+ (turned into a monster of a sequel 😂)

Content Warnings: canon injury, abuse, past child abuse, past violence, anger, fear, cursing/cussing/swearing

Chapter 2: Never NOT in mind

Roy can tell something is off when Jamie is unusually quiet and subdued as they board the bus. He starts to worry when Jamie sits in the window seat. And Roy sits beside him on the way to Liverpool.

"Talk to me," Roy says quietly once the bus is well on the way. He leans ever so slightly into Jamie's space as he does. "You don't have to right now, but-"

"My dad texted me," Jamie says. He will probably regret it because they are trapped on a bus for the next like 6 hours and this will anger Roy. He just knows it. But he also doesn't like the idea of Roy knowing something is wrong and just letting Roy worry the whole time. Jamie doesn't want that. Roy has been a fucking rock for him since they saw the future. A future that he knows is gone now. But were they supposed to change it? Because the bauble hadn't glowed since. Was it some sort of destiny that he was to find that bauble and change things? Sometimes Jamie's head hurts just thinking about it all. Was it all a change for the better? His thoughts are interrupted by Roy's hand on his knee.

"Hey," Roy says. "What did he say?"

Right, his dad. They were talking about his dad. Jamie nods and gets out his phone. He opens the message and hands his phone to Roy. Roy has to remind himself that James Tartt is not there. That James Tartt can't get to Jamie if they don't let him.

He hands the phone back to Jamie.

"Be right back," Roy gets up. He catches Beard's attention before he reaches him.

"Hey, Coach," Roy says as he crouches beside him, ignoring the discomfort in his knee. He'd endure much worse for Jamie if needed. This was nothing. "Anyway we can make sure Jamie's dad can't get anywhere near the hotel? Because the stadium already knows. Welton and Pep got that out to the right people."

"You got a specific reason or is it just a bad feeling being closer to Manchester?"

"About every threat a person can fit into a handful of texts dated this morning says it is going to be a shit show if we don't do something. And-"

"If you see him, you'll probably catch a charge for manslaughter," Beard states.

"Manslaughter?"

"Oh yeah, sure we could get charges lowered, if not dropped because it's a clear pattern of behavior and he is dumb enough to put actual threats in text. But you'd miss the game, Jamie too most likely. So I'll see what we can do."

"Thanks, Coach," Roy says going back to his seat. Jamie looks at him, confused.

"Beard's going to see about getting your father barred from the hotel."

"Oh, okay," Jamie says.

"If he shows up, you leave him to me, yeah?"

"And let him hurt you, no. He's-"

"I don't care if he hits me. He'll get one hit, then I will end him."

"And then you get arrested," Jamie states. "No, it's not worth it. He isn't worth it. I'm-"

Roy growls. A few of the other players look over at them. Colin is a few rows away and gets up to approach them, but Roy gestures for him to stay put. And Colin obeys.

"The voice in here," Roy taps Jamie's temple. "That says you aren't worth it, it's just your old man's shit. And it's wrong. Ask anyone here. They'd be right there with me because you're one of us. Your father is a right prick and knows he's nothing without you. You are the only thing he has ever done right, and he still fucked that up. You are who you are because of your mum and your own hard work. He has nothing. He is nothing. You are Jamie fucking Tartt. And you are one of the best strikers in the league and only getting better now that you're on the right team. He is an old drunk tosser that your mum was right to give the boot. She and you deserved better. Still do. So I will fucking tell you every day that you are fucking worth it and he deserves to be locked up."

"You always manage to say the sweetest thing in the most terrifying way possible. Kinda hot."

"Almost makes you regret promising these idiots we'd behave."

"Fuck it," Jamie grins and pulls Roy in for a kiss. Earning a wolf whistle from someone.

"Alright, you two, save it for the hotel," Ted hollers. "Keep it professional, or we'll separate you."

"Ooooooooo," most of the team teases like children. Jamie laughs and Roy grunts, but they settle in for the long ride. Roy knows Jamie hates sitting for that long so he does his best to keep his mind busy. Halfway through the trip, Jamie looks up at Roy. They had swapped seats, and Roy's bad knee was over Jamie's lap. Jamie's fingers working at the sore joint. It was something that had helped Roy be able to manage the longer trips with less pain, and it gave Jamie something to do with his hands. "Do you think we were supposed to change our futures? And that's why we went through what we did?" Jamie asks, and Roy sighs. He doesn't blame Jamie for not being able to stop thinking about it. They had discussed what happened more than a few times, but it was something Jamie could never seem to stop thinking about. Sometimes they told others. Colin and Keeley had doubted them at first but the fact that their attitudes and behaviors changed so drastically in a literal flash did lend credence to the idea. Jamie had told Keeley about everything. He told Dani, too, but Dani hadn't doubted the story at all. Roy had told Colin and Issac because he just needed to tell someone who wasn't a 6-year-old child that asks a million questions. Colin was easily becoming one of the people he trusted most. And with Colin, comes Isaac. Neither had called him crazy. Roy found it amusing that Jamie's old lackeys were now Roy's closest mates, other than Jamie, on the team. Jamie still had Jeff. Jeff was a good friend. Even Roy could see that. But Jamie had drifted towards Dani Rojas. Which made sense. Rojas was like the sun. Bright, warm, and people sort of gravitated to him. Jamie needed more happiness. So Roy was glad the happy-go-lucky guy was there. Even if his overly cheery mood often clashed with Roy's. What Roy was most proud to see Jamie change was his relationship with Sam. Jamie had been attempting to make amends with Sam. And it seemed to be working. Sam may not have understood what changed that day in the locker room, but he agreed that it had changed both Jamie and Roy. Both for the better. Sam had told Roy that if Roy said Jamie had changed, then Sam would believe it. Sam trusted Roy. Sam was a bit surprised when Roy told him he was proud of him and grateful for the trust he had in him. Even Ted had found that amazing. But no one was happier that Sam had accepted it all than Jamie. Jamie was happy to have the chance to have the friendship like he'd seen the future versions of them to have. Even if it would be different because they were changing things already. Jamie spent most of the time he didn't spend with Roy or Keeley with Dani and Sam. And Roy knew things were going well for the morale of the team. Between Jamie and Dani, the positive energy in the team was a boost. Having Jamie as a uniting force, as opposed to a dividing one, was literally a game changer.

Beard pulled through and the hotel assures them that all security had been alerted and that James Tartt should not be a problem. Their comfort had been the hotel's priority. And Jamie hadn't realized how much a weight was actually lifted off his shoulders by having Roy and the coaches know the truth.

The moment he door closed to their shared room Jamie kissed Roy like his life depended on it.

"Fuck," Roy chuckled when they broke for air. The look of awe in Jamie's eyes did funny things to Roy. "Been fucking fighting that one have you?"

Jamie smiles. "You don't know how much it means to not have to worry about-" Roy cuts him off because he doesn't want to talk about Jamie's fucking father. He just spent over 6 hours with his boyfriend half in his lap and vice versa. He glances at the clock. They had a bit of time before they needed to meet with the team. And Ted had told them to save it for the hotel. They may have been the last to join the team for movie night, but they kept it relatively appropriate and pda free. That was always going to be a difficult task since Jamie loved to push buttons and boundaries. Jamie was always a cheeky prick. It only got worse when his heart got involved. They were the last again before heading to the match the next day but they still made it on time.

The match went well and even the team could appreciate how Jamie had brought the lighter side out of Roy. Though the pair did disappear from the celebration before anyone else, but no one really blames them. Most of the team just tried not to think too much about it. They were just happy their teammates were happy.

The team was doing better, but relegation was still on the table. They still had a lot of work to do.

"It wasn't over until it was over," Ted told them. "Which means we still had time to show the world what you all are made of."

The game was tied, and all they had to do was keep it that way. Jamie was going to do everything he could to get them the advantage. He was halfway across the pitch, keeping track of the ball and looking for possible advantages. He didn't have time to step in as Roy went on the defensive more aggressive than usual. Roy was taking the chance of relegation seriously. They all were, but even as the captain, Roy was pushing it. And when Jamie realized what Roy was doing the striker's stomach turned. He ran towards him but was blocked by one of City's defenders, and Jamie almost threw a punch. But he didn't get the chance because the play was over and Roy wasn't getting up. He ran towards him only to be stopped by Colin.

"Get the fuck off me!" Jamie tried to shove him off. His eyes have barely left Roy. Jeff had come over to help Colin.

"If you go over there, one of two things will happen: you'll end up in an argument with someone and get carded," and Colin leans closer to limit the risk of anyone hearing him. "Or you'll be so focused on Roy that you risk outing both of you. Let the others handle it."

Jamie wants to put up a fight. Wants to shove Colin and fight anyone else that might stop him. It pains him as he watches the others get Roy up and it's a struggle to watch him limp away.

"Colin, please," Jamie says, and when Colin looks up at Roy, Roy looks back at him and just nods. Colin lets him go, and Jamie meets Roy on the sidelines as he hands the captain band to Isaac, much to Isaac's shock, but it was an easy choice, having seen Isaac as captain in the future.

"Are you-" Jamie starts to ask, but Roy cuts him.

"Don't fucking waste it, got it, Tartt?"

"What? I mean-"

"Finish the fucking match," Roy tells him.

"Roy," Jamie says, but Roy is already being taken to the locker room by the medics.

"You heard the man," Ted says.

Jamie doesn't hold back once back in the game. Get yellow carded and nearly gets into it with the ref over a call but Sam and Dani manage to reign him in. Colin and Isaac handle the rest. Jamie ends up setting up a shot for Dani that ends up beautiful with the ball in the back of the net. And their defenders keep the lead for a win. They get to stay in the league. But Jamie doesn't stay to celebrate longer than needed. He shakes hands with his old team. Some of them were actually happy Jamie was thriving in Richmond. But he was the first off the pitch as he rushed to the locker room. His heart sank when Roy wasn't there. He went over to his cubby and checked his phone. He has a text from Keeley telling him she took Roy home. And that worried Jamie. He hurried to change out of his kit, and didn't even bother showering. He was half-changed when the coaches came in.

"Hey, Coach?" Jamie says, and Ted comes over.

"Rushing off to check on Roy?" Ted asks.

"If that's-"

"Sure, yeah, just let me know how he's doing when you get there."

"Yeah, sure, Coach."

"You did good, Jamie," Ted tells him. "That last goal you set up for Dani was amazing. I may not fully understand what you guys went through with that rock thing, but you played better than I ever expected. Well done, Jamie."

Jamie smiles at him. "Thanks, Coach."

"Tell Roy I'll check in with him tomorrow."

"Yeah, I will."

Jamie finishes getting changed and grabs his stuff. He sends Keeley and Roy a text to let them know he is leaving. He just has to run by his place first.

Roy gets a bad feeling in his gut when almost an hour goes by, and neither he nor Keeley can get a hold of Jamie. Keeley had already checked with the team and confirmed he left. Keeley was just about to call Ted when there was a knock at Roy's door. His bad feeling only grew when Keeley gasped. And despite how fucked Roy's knee was, he goes to see what was happening.

"I swear, Keels, it looks worse than it feels."

And before he even sees him, he knows Jamie isn't alright. Jamie pulls away from the hug he was giving Keeley.

"I doubt that very much," Keeley says. And that's when Roy gets a good look at Jamie, and the pain in his knee is nothing compared to the rage in his heart. He isn't even sure Jamie knows he's there because one of his eyes is swollen shut. And he is covered in newly formed cuts and bruises.

"What the fuck happened?" Roy asks.

"You should probably not be up and-" Jamie starts to deflect, but Roy isn't having it.

"Fuck off," Roy snaps. "Tell me what-"

"Roy!" Keeley glares at him. He glares right back. "Both of you go sit, and I will get Jamie some ice, and then you can yell."

Roy isn't happy about it, but he doesn't argue. Especially not when Jamie gets close enough that he can actually assess the damage.

"Who do I need to kill?" Roy says.

"Come on," Jamie says and moves to help Roy more easily limp his way back to the living room.

"Not hiding some cracked ribs or some shit, are you?" Roy asks as he avoids putting too much weight on him because he still has no idea what happened, and the last thing he wants to do is hurt Jamie.

"Nah," Jamie assures him, but the next words out of his mouth are anything but reassuring. "Bug just thought my face deserved to get acquainted with the hood of my car."

"I am going to kill him," Roy growls. "You fucking father too. The whole fucking lot."

"You aren't killing anyone on that knee," Keeley says as she joins them. She sets down a bottle of water and grabs the bottle of painkillers that Roy had out beside it. Once they both sit on the couch, she hands Jamie an ice pack for his face.

"What happened, babe?" She asks.

Jamie tells them that his dad and his mates caught a ride with some lads from the pub that had gone to the match. Of course, they weren't allowed anywhere near the dog track. But they weren't going to miss an opportunity to make Jamie regret telling anyone. They had always promised him that they would make his life miserable. Thankfully, one of Jamie's neighbors had come out to congratulate him on the match and ended up calling the police. Which meant James and his cronies took off.

"Could have been worse," Jamie assures them.

"You could be dead," Keeley states.

"Maybe, but I'm not. I should have sent you a text and let you know, but I got done with the cops and the medics and just wanted to get here."

"Did they find your dad?" Keeley asks.

"No," Jamie says as he readjusts the ice pack and leans back now that he is done with the story. He looks over at Roy, who hasn't really said much. And it doesn't bode well that his hands are balled into fists.

"You okay, Roy?"

"No, I am not fucking okay," Roy says. Jamie can tell he is trying to keep his voice down because Jamie's head is killing him. "You fucking father would have killed you if your neighbor hadn't shown up. And you are fucking apologizing to us."

"Can you give us a minute, Keeley?" Jamie asks.

"Sure, babe. I should probably call Ted and Rebecca. Let them know. I'll be in the kitchen." She squeezes his shoulder as she passes.

"Thanks, Keels," he says.

"I should have known he'd fucking try something," Roy grumbles. "Should have fucking been there."

"You can't be everywhere, Roy. Was bound to happen."

"Wouldn't have happened if I had-"

"You have your own shit to deal with," Jamie says, cutting him off. "How bad is it?" He gestures to Roy's knee.

"It's fucked, but I'll live," Roy says. "You almost didn't. So don't change the fucking subject."

"The police will handle it," Jamie assures him. "Them and the medics would have insisted I go to A&E if it was too bad. So the fact I'm here means that it's fine. Now tell me what the med team said about your knee."

"They said it's fucked. I'm done. Are they going to actually fucking charge him this time or what?"

"Yeah, since they have a witness and a report," Jamie says as he sets the ice pack down so he can actually look at Roy. "But fuck, Roy. You're-"

"Fuck off," Roy says, but the harsh edge of his words is undermined by the way Roy reaches over and puts the ice back on Jamie's face. "My knee has been fucked for a while and this was long fucking overdue. You tell me I'm too fucking old for this all the time. Bout fucking time I listened."

"You know that's not what I meant," Jamie says. And Roy is more worried about how hard Jamie hit his head for him not to have a smartass retort. "I never wanted- not even when I thought you hated me."

Roy tosses the ice pack away and gently grips Jamie's face. "Hey," Roy starts. "Fuck off with that shit. I know you were just being a prick. Didn't fucking mean it. Just trying to say it could be fucking worse because you could be dead, and that's a lot more fucking terrifying than never playing again. Because I can live with retirement, just not if you aren't part of it."

"Wow, that is probably the sweetest thing you've ever said," Jamie says.

Roy rolls his eyes, but Jamie can't resist. He leans in, and despite his anger and annoyance, Roy meets him halfway and kisses him. He kisses him again because he had a shitty fucking day, and Jamie could have died.

"I should have stayed. I didn't want to deal the the fucking team looking at me with fucking pity. I know it's over for me. And that takes some getting used to, but I should have stayed, and that fucking bastard never would have had the chance. You wouldn't be-"

Jamie cuts him off with a kiss because he fucking loves this man. Roy was probably having the worst day of his life, and all he could think about was Jamie's well-being. His childhood hero didn't seem to care his own career was over. It dawns on Jamie that it's because Roy knew this was coming. They had seen it, not this exactly, but they had known it was going to happen sooner rather than later. Roy knew what was going to happen by a certain date. Roy knew he'd have a place at Richmond still. Roy also knew that Jamie would fucking thrive at Richmond even without Roy on the team. He knew they would be alright and that they'd be together. And Jamie just wants to crawl in Roy's lap and stay there because fucking hell he adores this man.

"Nothing to do about it now," Jamie says.

"I can fucking kill him," Roy says.

"No, you can't!" Keeley shouts from the hall. "So just shut up, tell him you love him and go the hell to bed!"

"Fuck off! This is my house!" Roy shouts back.

"Make me, I dare ya," Keeley challenges.

"Don't fucking tempt me, Jones!"

Jamie chuckles.

"You find this fucking hilarious, don't you?" Roy says to Jamie, but the way Roy's lip twitches at the corner betrays him. Roy can't really help it. Jamie's laugh, even just a chuckle, does stupid fucking things to him. And the fact Jamie is safe in Roy's home, tucked into Roy's side, laughing and smiling despite half his face a bruised and bloody mess, makes Roy feel things he never thought he would. Absolute love and adoration for Jamie fucking Tartt. Keeley might have a point.

"What do you say?" Roy asks and gets a confused look from Jamie. And Roy smiles. "You look fucking knackered."

"Says you, old man," Jamie counters, and Roy huffs a laugh because there's the classic Jamie Tartt retort.

"You better watch that pretty little mouth of yours, Tartt."

"Why? What's it gonna do?" Jamie says. "What you gonna do about it?"

"Oh, I'm going to fucking-"

"You two are ridiculous," Keeley says. Jamie jumps because he hadn't realized she was back in the room, and Roy winces as it jostles his knee. Jamie curses, but before he can fuss, Roy stops him.

"Fucking quit that," Roy insists.

"Sorry, babes," Keeley says as she hands a cup of tea to Roy and sets another down for Jamie because he is too busy focusing on Roy.

Roy waves her off as he accepts the drink. "It's fucking fine. Cheers." He takes a drink and nods. Jamie watches him carefully before he looks back at Keeley. She nods at his cup.

He thanks her and is reminded why he still cares so much for her because she remembers exactly how he likes it. He is so damn lucky to have her as a friend after all the shit he put her through.

"Oi, stop that," Keeley says as she playfully shoves his knee, but not enough that it would jostle Roy's busted-up one.

"What?" Jamie blinks at her.

"I know that look," she says. "You know that look?" She asks Roy. Roy grunts but nods. And Jamie can see the way Roy's brows have furrowed.

"Whatever your fucking worrying about, fucking quit it," Roy says.

"Exactly," Keeley agrees. "You've had a long day. So drink your tea."

"Fucking right," Roy says.

"And you," Keeley looks at him.

"The fuck did I do?" Roy glares at her.

"For starters, you're both idiots," she says. "And you both reek. And I know this one," she nudges Jamie, "hates showering alone, so for my sanity, I'm going to head out." She gets up to leave.

"Wait!" Jamie says, setting his tea down and getting up.

"Yeah?" She stops.

"What did Lasso and Welton say?" Roy asks.

"To call them tomorrow, they will handle the press for now. And you two stay here together because it is safer that way until they catch them."

Roy nods.

"Am I good to go?" She asks.

Jamie hesitates, and Roy gives him an odd look.

"Jamie?" Keeley prompts. Jamie goes over and gives her a hug.

"Thanks for looking out for us," he says to her. "You're the best. We're lucky you put up with us."

Keeley is a bit surprised by it, but she smiles.

"What friends are for, babe," she taps his nose. "Rest up, both of you." She gives a pointed look at Roy. "No murder. You're injured, and your sister will kill you if you do something stupid." She turns back to Jamie and pats his unmarred cheek. "You be good, yeah? Behave."

"He's not a dog," Roy states. Jamie's heart flutters at how quick Roy is to defend him. Even though he knows Keeley doesn't mean anything bad. She just knows Jamie isn't always one to think before he acts, especially when it comes to Roy fucking Kent.

Keeley rolls her eyes.

"Don't be jealous, tough guy," Keeley grins. "We all know he loves you more." She hugs Jamie again. "Text me if you need anything. Later, babes."

Jamie walks her to the door. He notices Roy glaring into his cup of tea as he sits beside him.

"She's just trying to lighten the mood. Just a bit of fun."

"It's fucking fun having your ex-girlfriend having a laugh at you?" Roy asks.

Jamie grins. "She's earned it. I was a fucking prick and treated her-"

"That wasn't fucking you, Jamie. Not the real you. That was who you thought you needed to be because of the same fucking bellend that had you faced smashed in." Roy says as he reaches over and brushes his fingers along the edges of the bruises on Jamie's face.

"Pity that, yeah? Probably a sorry sight to look at, innit?"

"Fuck off," Roy shifts his grip to the side of Jamie's neck. "Could still fucking stare at you all fucking day. Changes nothing. Still you." He presses down every so slightly to emphasize his point. "Fucking lucky I still get to see you after what that fucking prick did. Never again. I'll drive you to and from training. Everywhere else if I need to."

"You can't be with me every second of every day, Roy," Jamie sighs. The exhaustion of the day finally catches up to him as he rubs his eyes. "We've been over this. Your family needs you."

Roy realizes something as he sits there with a battered and exhausted Jamie sitting on his couch, half tucked into his side. There is nowhere else he would rather be. He would take painfully sitting on the couch with Jamie in his arms over damn near anything. It had been fucking miserable waiting for him when both Roy and Keeley knew he should have been there already. Not knowing where Jamie was or if he was okay was fucking awful. All because Jamie had to run by his flat first. And now Jamie's trying to put Roy's family before himself despite the fact that Roy needs him just as much, if not more, than his niece and sister. He loves them with all his heart, but he loves Jamie Tartt with everything he has. Jamie is his family now.

"Fuck off," Roy says, earning a chuckle from Jamie. "Like you're not family." And that stuns Jamie. Jamie's hand that had been absentmindedly rubbing Roy's good knee stops. And Roy wonders if he shouldn't have said that. Sure, they had sort of labeled what they were. They were together, exclusively so, but not publicly. Jamie still had plenty of doubt that Roy would actually want to stay with him in the long run despite having seen the future. He had his doubts because that wasn't their future anymore. Things had changed. They had changed.

"Hey," Roy says, nudging his chin until he looks up at him. "You remember what you saw, Uncle's day, yeah?" Roy asks. Jamie nods as best he can with his face still in Roy's grip. "Good," Roy continues. "Because that's the only family that matters, got it. You, me, the kid, and my sister. Your mum and stepdad, too, I guess, but that's it. Anyone else can fuck right off." His fingers ghost over the edges of Jamie's black eye again. "Especially your old fucking man. He can fucking rot like the rubbish he is for what he's done to you."

Jamie sniffles. He can't help it. Even if his face hurts, he buries it into Roy's shoulder because that's all Jamie has ever actually wanted. He wanted to be wanted. To be loved as much as he loves someone. So he cries, and Roy lets him. It's a bit awkward, and the position is slightly painful as he tries to make it comfortable for Jamie without hurting either of them too much. He plants a kiss on Jamie's messy hair. He doesn't care that Jamie is caked in dried sweat and dirt from the pitch. Roy isn't much better despite washing up a bit when he got home. He had hurt too much before the ice and meds, and he wasn't about to ask Keeley to help him. Nope. That was not an option. He holds Jamie as he cries. Telling him over and over that it's okay and that he is there. Tells him he loves him and that Jamie is fucking perfect. Jamie calms after a few minutes.

"Better?" Roy asks. Jamie nods as best he can from where he is pressed against Roy's chest. "Good." Roy shifts and kisses Jamie's forehead. "But if Keeley texts and finds out we haven't moved, she'll kick both our asses." Jamie huffs a laugh and slowly pulls away. Roy carefully wipes the tears away from Jamie's bruised face. Jamie winces, and Roy pulls away, but Jamie shakes his head.

"Your knee, it's gotta be-"

"No worse than it was before," Roy assures him.

"Probably best to get that shower and go to bed."

Once they are clean and tucked away into Roy's bed, neither of them is able to fall asleep yet because of what happened.

"Move in with me," Roy says. And Jamie wonders if he was asleep in the warmth of Roy's arms. Roy would have wondered if Jamie had heard him in the dark and quiet room if it hadn't been for the way Jamie's hand stopped. Roy had gotten used to the way Jamie's hands always seemed to be moving or searching for warmth along Roy's skin when they were alone. It was surprisingly comforting now that he was used to it. It was a constant reminder that Jamie was there. That it was real. Jamie was not only comfortable but safe and happy. Jamie always pulled away and isolated himself when he was upset.

"What?" Jamie asks.

"Move in with me," Roy repeats.

"Are you asking me because of what happened or…"

"I'm asking you because I sleep like fucking shit when you aren't here. If you'd rather-"

"Yeah, sounds good," Jamie says as he snuggles in closer.

"Yeah?" Roy asks.

"Sure, gonna have to get out of my lease, but it shouldn't be too hard."

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mandiffe · 1 year

Text

probably ted lasso spoilers

I went through the TL season 3 playlist so you don't have to and made some notes! (I considered this playlist done but we'll see how this goes) hope you enjoy!

The song Superstar is from the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. It’s sung by Judas’ spirit who had committed suicide earlier. I don’t want to put a parallel between Ted and Jesus and Nate and Judas but it kinda lies on the surface? And lines Every time I look at you I don't understand Why you let the things you did get so out of hand. You'd have managed better if you'd had it planned. Why'd you choose such a backward time in such a strange land? OH MY GOD

Three songs by Nigerian artists go in a row, so ep3 or 4 is probably about Sam and his restaurant or include this plotline in any way. Or we're getting another Nigerian player!

Everybody knows is an interesting choice because this song raises a lot of social and relationship problems. I think the most important is hypocrisy or, rather, knowing about issues and not doing anything to fix them, letting them be. Maybe it refers to everyone who is close to Ted and notices what’s happening with him but not paying proper attention.

Joker and The Thief is used in “The Hangover” which is referred in s2e11 when Beard calls Ted out for being too closed off.

I bet Fist Fight! is either about Jamie’s dad or Rupert being beaten up. Please.

Sinister Kid may be about Nate and him thinking that he was naturally-born evil and he can’t change it? But he’ll soon find out that it’s untrue. (And that's me, that's me The boy with the broken halo That's me, that's me The devil won't let me be)

Something tells me that Don’t think twice, it’s all right is about Tedbecca. Also second Bob Dylan song per season, first one plays when Ted cleans up his flat. So it’s also can be about Michelle. (I ain't saying you treated me unkind You could have done better, but I don't mind And you just sorta wasted my precious time But don't think twice it's all right) Upd: it occurred to me that it might be about Jamie or Keeley referring to each other.

Oh What A Performance! (I won an Oscar for playing a fool) and Quiet (Goodbye Don't cry You know why And it'll be just as quiet when I leave As it was when I first got here) give me an ache for some reason. Ep 6’s (apparently) gonna hurt.

But Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go straight after Nirvana’s song is suspicious. Hopefully it’s about Roykeeley who are back together.

CONGRATS GUYS HET WERD ZOMER, VENUS AND ZIJ GELOOFT IN MIJ ARE DUTCH SONGS AND IN THE PLAYLIST THEY’RE SOMEWHERE NEAR EP8 THEREFORE “WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS” IS MOST LIKELY THE NETHERLANDS EP!

Let’s talk about Boy by Book of Love!!! The song is said to be about woman who has feelings for a gay man. To me this song is also kind of trans-coded. AND Book of Love’s songwriter stated that this song “written about Boy Bar, which was a very exclusive gay club in the East Village.”. (I want to be where the boys are But I'm not allowed I wait outside of the boy's bar I wait for them to all come out)

I’m 99% sure that ep8 is THE episode.

It’s interesting that after Three Little Birds (Ajax anthem) comes The Angel (North London Forever) (song dedicated to Arsenal). Maybe we’ll see UEFA Champions League in some way or it’s just a coincidence and it’s just Richmond playing with Arsenal.

Dreams was used in the trailer of “Boys on The Side” where one of the main plotlines is unrequited love of a woman to a woman who has something with a man. But then both girls admit their love for each other (not necessarily romantic but still). Interesting, right? Might be another coincidence though.

Centerfield confuses me, song about baseball in a show about football? Is it irony or what.

Doomed speaks about the experience of aromantic people, the song is in the album “Aromanticism” and its writer explores corners of life without possibility of feeling romantic attraction. Are we getting an aromantic character??

Criminal feels like a Nate song, him feeling bad for mistakes and wanting to pay for his wrongdoings. (Heaven help me for the way I am Save me from these evil deeds before I get them done I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand But I keep living this day like the next will never come)

And finally songs from “La Cage aux Folles”, a 1983 musical about gay couple, Georges, who’s an owner of a drag nightclub named “La Cage aux Folles”, and Albin, who’s a drag queen. Let’s add a little bit of a context. Georges and Albin’s son Jean-Michel is engaged to Anne whose parents are conservative and they don’t know yet that their daughter’s future-in-laws are a gay couple. Jean-Michel asks Georges to tell Albin to absent himself from his extravagant behavior and even invite Jean-Michel’s biological mother for a dinner instead of Albin so they can seem ‘normal’. Georges hadn’t had a chance to explain the situation to his spouse as Albin went performing to the club.

It’s the moment when La Cage aux Folles plays, the song describes the nightclub, its vulgarity and eccentricity, how it’s tolerant and welcoming to everyone (https://www.songlyrics.com/la-cage-aux-folles/la-cage-aux-folles-lyrics/ - here’s the lyrics if someone needs). I have no idea when this song might play in s3, especially when it comes to the end of it, honestly.

So, Georges and Jean-Michel started redecorating their house to make it look less gay without Albin knowing. Albin accidentally notices the two, Georges has to explain and Albin performs I Am What I Am practically letting them know that he’s proud of being himself and won’t change for anyone.

As someone had mentioned before this song basically became a “gay anthem” and was widely recorded. It’s the finale number of the first act as it apparently will be the last song of the third season. Considering all of the above I doubt that they chose both of these songs by accident and put them in an exact same order as they are in the musical. Something’s coming.

We know that we’re getting Ted at the airport as the last scene of the season. He might be waiting for his mother or Michelle with Henry to arrive (or leave) but either way he’s not going to change for them and they’ll have to accept him the way he is. And yes, I believe it’ll be a message about queerness. There are too much signs (and songs) pointing at that.

Perhaps when Jason said “Maybe by May 31, once all 12 episodes of the season [have been released], they’re like, ‘Man, you know what, we get it, we’re fine. We don’t need anymore, we got it.’” he addressed conservative fans of the show (they form a great percentage of the audience, don’t forget) who wouldn’t want more of TL since it became ‘woke’.

That’s it, let me know your thoughts :)

#thoughts?#and prayers #ted lasso #ted lasso season 3 #ted lasso s3 #ted lasso spoilers

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