#Baffling Brits

[give-grian-rights]

btw jimmy solidarity is going to make me lose my mind. someone who cannot pronounce law should not be rolepalying as a sherrif ESPECIALLY when he pronounces it "lore" on a LORE BASED SERVER

like king. i cannot pronounce my "r"s but LAW and LORE are identical in your accent istg please just put on a southern accent whenever you say the word law. it would be funnier and clearer

[thisbluespirit]

I'm currently watching the 1971 Sense & Sensibility on YT and having issues that only the approx. 2 other Poldark 1975 fans on here will understand.

I knew Robin Ellis was in it (he and Joanna David being the two main reasons I was so keen to see it). I'd just assumed he was Willoughby - it's 1971, the year he played Essex in Elizabeth R and if you want dashing, handsome but definitely trouble in the early 70s he's yr man.

AND THEN HE TURNED UP AS EDWARD FERRARS.

Who, I asked, curious, could be Willoughby, then?

... and then Clive Francis walked in and my brain exploded.

[thekuraning]

i went to upload the zubat fangs chapter to my FFNet account since its the last fic im maintaining there and just for funzies i checked my stats for the month and i was like wow!! people are still coming to my profile!! look at all these hits/visits!! are they all for zubat fangs??

dear reader 90% of them were for slowpoke tails and koffing fumes for some reason

if ur one of my slowpoke tails and koffing fumes girlies i love you but also why do you put yourself through that. dont you knwo. that it is hot garbag

[butcheredtongue]

Just saw someone on tiktok say that hhgttg was problematic for centering around a British(™) sense of humour and therefore, and I quote, "relying on the idea that British culture is normative". Which, bc it is inaccessible to Americans, is imperialist???

[dracothelizard]

While I'm on the topic of US settings being overused for modern AUs for canons not set in the US, I've seen US-Americans react in one of two ways:

"But researching another country for my fic is hard!"

Oh gosh, is it? Tell me, a non-Anglophone who has mostly been into fandoms for canons set in the UK, more about how hard it is to research a foreign country!

(Bonus points for adding that you've written a fic set elsewhere and now for the sake of your sanity your next fic has to be set in the US!!)

2. "Well, why don't you write fic that takes place where you live?"

And this response is more interesting and extremely telling because of the underlying assumption that obviously I want to read fic set where I live.

Which, no?

If I wanted stories set where I live, I would be reading books or watch TV shows or movies set in my country. (Which I do, on occasion)

But I am into canons set in other locations and other times than mine for a reason! I like seeing other locations! I like seeing different things than what I see outside the window!

And fanfic to me is also a way to read about other things. New to me things. Why would I want to write a fic set where I live? I already live there.

I also wonder if the impulse of using the US as a fic setting is so common among US-Americans because so many of the canons they consume are set in the US that the thought of other countries as a story setting just doesn't compute.

[falderaletcetera]

gotta say, pretty much everyone who left a poor review on the tsuranga conundrum on imdb (the episode has an alien dude who's heavily pregnant, treated serously by the story) would not survive hanging out with aliens at an outer space bar, and would not survive diplomacy with any alien race. they can stay home while we go out and dance greet the universe, okay? okay.

[supercantaloupe]

woke up to a text from our first oboe this morning saying "Dude. I need to try some d’amore crooks quite urgently. Like today or early next week. Are there any shops that might have some anywhere near here? Dx" literally the beginning of our text convo. i have several questions

[nickmillerscaulk]

OH MY HEART i caught up with an irl friend today over facetime and i've been floating on a cloud ever since

[heyhihellosworld]

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐭

Lando Norris x reader

Word count: 5.3k

Summary: An innocent round of golf with your friend's friends turns into a wirlwind of emotions and feelings

Warnings: Golf written by a no golf-fan, smut, fluff

Notes: Landoo again... I was going to write it about Charles but then it was golf, and Alex so it became a Lando one again but he has kinda grown on me, not gonna lie. As always it's gone a bit long...

"Okay, that was just bad y/n" Lily teased, bumping her hip with yours as she went past to gather her ball. "Shut up Lily!" you pouted following her example and picking up the ball that was laid close to the hole but not in it. Typically.

"It's not my fault you haven't trained enough sweetie" she mocked, her expression playful and teasing as you just huffed. "How the fuck have you had so much time training huh? You've been traveling with Alex for months now" you asked, baffled how she could accuse you for not training enough.

"Well we have played together, and even though Alex is not big competition it's still practice, plus some of his friends are slightly better"

"Well I've tried to train as much as possible but you know I have another work" you hummed, slightly envying her lifestyle. "I know y/n and I'm only teasing you, It's just fun to make you envious"

"Yeah it's so fun to stand in the café when you send me pictures of you and Alex on track or when you are swimming, who swims in November?"

Lily giggled as you walked side by side, dragging your carts behind you. Decided it was more fun to walk together than driving a car.

"It's not November cold there, it's hotter than summer so of course we will swim and why not tease you with it?"

"Because it's mean?" you suggested but Lily only laughed, shrugging her shoulders.

"I think it's fine, plus I invite you to come with sometimes"

"I know, but-"

"You work, I understand that" she smiled gently, knowing you needed the money to have a place to live and study.

"Anywaaays" she drawled out, her eyes telling you what she was gonna ask you and you shook your head immideately. "No Lily, don't even suggest it"

"Why not! They are all coming here next week for break, well all that lives in Monaco of course and Alex already invited me for a game, just... join. Once. It could be a nice break from work"

Your head shook through all of her words, telling her no no NO

But she didn't listened, Lily never did. She was stubborn like that.

"Once"

"No, I don't want to meet these people"

"Why not y/n, why not. Also you've already met them!"

"Because-" "Because what?" she interupted making you groan "Because. It would be weird!" you exclaimed, making her giggle

"Is this because of Lando?"

Her eyes gleamed with teasing and laughter. Her tried serious face failing miserably.

"No"

"Oh it is, it is" she giggled, poking you in the side, completely ignoring your deathglare as she continued to giggle

"It's not about him, it just... it would be really awkvard"

"Because of Lando?" "Because of Lando and all the others"

"I think it's more because of a certain brit who slid into your Dm's"

"Well okay that will be awkvard as hell, especially since I didn't even answer" Lily laughed, a light laugh that made you smile even though you didn't want to, this was a seruous thing.

"I think you're fine sweetie" "No I am not going"

-

The chatter continued through the whole round, your play slowly picking up, after all it had been long since you last played a whole round like this.

The one thing that didn't get better was Lily's nagging and by the time you stood at the parking lot, waiting for Alex to pick you up for lunch you were going insane.

"Alex tell your girlfriend to shut up"

Alex's eyes went wide as he looked between you, Lily giggling at him, poking her tongue out at you "he would never"

"You are too cute"

"Wha-what?" Alex stammered out, mouth slightly open as he looked between you.

"She has been nagging me the whole time about going with you to play golf"

Alex's eyes lit up and suddenly you regretted telling him that,

fuck

"That's a great idea! It would be so much fun! They love you!"

You let out a groan, glaring at Lily who clapped her hands together in excitment. You felt yourself bend, giving in to their excitment.

"Fine! Fuck you both because why are you always agreeing with each other but fine I will go on ONE golf round with you and if it's awkvard I will decide what we do for the rest of the year"

Both Alex and Lily giggled together over your words and tone, they had won this time.

"Why are you nerovus?" Lily smirked as you climbed into her car, already pouting.

"Stop it already, I will walk back in and lock myself with my tv" you huffed not very threathingly but Lily seemed to take your little threat seriously because she stopped the teasing immideately.

"Well you look cute at least" she smiled, patting your leg reasuringly "And I promise it will be fun, they are all cool to be around even if you don't know them too well which by the way is incredible seeming as your best friend is dating a driver"

You smiled at her, shrugging "It just never interested me that much, it's cool sure but I don't really think the men are the interesting part of it"

"I think you can change your mind, they are all nice enough"

"I have met some!" you defended and she sniggered "Yeah right, George because that went so well?"

"Stop it, he will not be there tody will he?"

By her face you knew he would before she hesitantly admitted it, "Maybe he will" she winced and you groaned

"Nooo, Lily! This was awkvard enough with Lando! Now George as well"

"It's fine, he didn't seem to hate you after it" "Lily, do you not remember?! I literally said he looked like a Ken and turned him down when he asked me on a date, that is awkvard as hell!"

"Well it was ages ago, plus he has a girlfriend now, it's fine!" Lily waved you off and you couldn't do anything but to pout about it.

-

"Where is the girls?" Alex questioned as he walked out towards the small group on the green grass, clubs and carts ready, smiles on their faces and caps on top of their heads. It was a sunny day, the warmth burning their bare arms and legs as they waited.

"I haven't seen Lily" George shrugged, it wasn't especially often both Alex and Lily joined the small golf cirlce on the grid but when they did it was always loud complaints because Lily always won.

"Did I not tell you that y/n is joining as well?"

"No bro, what the fuck" Lando murmured, his hand combing through his curls before putting the cap on again. "Fuck it's gonna be awkvard"

"Why would it be awkard?"

"Uh-I I kinda slid into her dms telling her she was pretty and all but she never responded"

An echo of laughter spilled from the group but Lando wasn't amused in the slightest "Welcome to the club man, I think soon all of us has been rejected by her some time in life" "Really?"

"She told me I looked like Ken and I qoute 'no thank you' when I asked her on a date and Carlos here tried to charm her with Spanish but she physically nudged him away and even Charles didn't manage to get her number, but to his defence she was with her ex then"

"So I'm not the only one at least?" Lando hummed, feeling a bit less awkvard at the revealation.

"For sure not" Alex smiled, patting his shoulder as he spotted the girls finally, smiling gently at your nervous look.

-

It went better than expected, nothing too awkvard and nothing horrendous happening even though it's awkvard enough to meet with the three guys you rejected in some ways but they were nice enough to brush it off and have a good time with you and Lily, after all the attempts from both Carlos and George had been a long time ago. What was a dread became a fun afternoon of mixed great and awful swings and laughter.

-

"So, the guys says you've rejected half the grid?"

Lando's voice brought you out of your concentration of watching Alex put. His eyes looking gently at yours, his skin crinkling around his eyes as he smiled wide. "Do they now?" you smiled back, shrugging your shoulders

"I wouldn't say I have rejected all of them, more... lack of interest and all of them have given up straight away. But some I did reject directly, sure"

"Like George?"

You couldn't help but giggle "Like George yeah"

"What about me? Was it a direct rejection or lack of interest?"

The question was sincere, serious and it caught you of guard. You had actually never meant to ignore Lando's dm but after you'd opened it it kind off just disapeared in your memory until it seemed too weird to answer it.

"I guess lack of interest"

"So does that mean you will go on a date with me if I show more interest?"

You grinned, teeth showing as you shrugged with a smile

The idea didn't oppose you, you kinda liked how direct he was, straight to the point. He didn't look bad, not at all. He was extremely hot with his bright smile and brown curls dripping into colourful eyes. You pondered it a little, date? It seemed inocent enough but was it?

Your lips pouted in thought as you met his eyes again "If you win the next hole I'll go to dinner with you"

"Really?" Lando smiled so brightly it made you chuckle "Sure" you grinned, winking at him as you walked ahead.

-

He was not bad, you had to give him that but you were better there was no question about it. However you seemed to slack on this hole, bad first hit-mainly because of Lando's distractions- made it one more swing than Lando in total, something the Brit celebrated in earnest.

He was so happy he could start skipping and it made the blow soften a little. You did want to go on a date with him afterall so in a way it didn't feel like a loss.

The whole round went the same, chatting and joking. Observing the Brit every given second, trying to play it off before repeating it.

It was not subtle but you didn't try to be either. He was nice to rest your eyes on, so you did.

When the round came to an end and you all stood at the parking lot, chatting and joking about the just played round Lando pulled you away slightly, smiling small as he combed his hand through his curls.

"Hey, you think I can get your number?"

Your eyes snapped up to his, lips pulling into a sly smirk. "Sure"

"Really?" he asked with suprise

You laughed softly, shrugging "I did agree on a date did I not? It would seem weird to not give you my number" Lando chuckled "Sure"

Despite your reluctance to go in the first place it turned out to be a common thing in the next couple of weeks. You felt yourself growing fond of the guys and spending time with Alex and Lily was always fun.

After Lando's win you had decided on a date weeks forward, why so far away you didn't know but apparently it had something to do with his training schedules and something around the topic. You didn't bother.

Regardless you felt a sear of hapiness everytime you saw his brown curls amongst the group. Usually hearing his gorgous laugh before you laid eyes upon him. But the sear of hapiness was nothing against the rumble of disapointment you felt whenever he wasn't there. Trying to mask the disapointment was hard.

He texted you. Every day, especially the days you didn't see him. It made your heart almost skip a beat whenever his name popped up on the screen, grumbling at yourself for the stupid reaction.

To keep it short your heart did sommersaults at the mention of him and it was stupid because you were still practically strangers.

He looked like a rom-com perfect date. Black dress pants and a dark button up. His curls were styled, not overly much but still enough to not flop around everywhere and he sported a warm, comfortable smile as he waited.

You felt giddy, something you hated but it was inevitable. His face lit up as he saw you striding towards him, eyes glittering in the dim light of the lobby.

"You look gorgous" he smiled, a line you deemed cheesy, something everyone said but it still made your heart skip a beat. Because it was Lando.

"Thank you" you smiled, kissing his cheek softly, loving the way his face flushed at the action, a sudden shyness taking over the usually confident guy.

Lando tried to compose himself as he led you out the door, smiling softly as you jumped into the car.

You had decided for a simple dinner date. Eating at a small comfortable place where you hopefully could be alone to just talk, get to know eachother in private and focus only on you, not the other idiots you called friends.

Lando's restuarant choice didn't disapoint. You had agreed on not going to any fine dining or exclusive super place but a normal cozy place. And he had done well. Booked a private table in a extremely cozy little restuarant. Red velvet sofas with dark wood tables and dim lit candles. It gave a homey feeling and your table seemed to be the furthest away from everyone else's giving you the perfect lone time you could posssibly find in Monaco.

"Wow, I didn't think you would manage this well"

Lando snorted, looking almost offended as you giggled at his face. "What?"

"Well not to bring you down but this is Monaco after all, it's an fine dining country"

Lando tilted his head, that was true and to be completely honest he couldn't take all the credit. He had gotten some, well, a lot of help from Lily and Alex to find the best spot possible for you but you didn't have to know that.

"I'm happy you like it" he said instead, smiling dumbly at you in a way that made you have to smile back.

"I do, it's great" you nodded as he poured up some water in the glass in front of you"

He was so easy to be around, silence never uncomfortable, talk never pushed. It flew naturally like you had known the guy for years. He made you laugh so loudly even the personel seemed to pick up on it, his flattering seemed to make you blush endlessly and his stories made you intruiged.

You loved how easily he was telling you about formula one, how he spoke to you easily about it, not complexing the sport you knew very little about. You loved how he trusted you with more private stories, loving how his eyes turned into hearts as he talked about his family and their support. But what you loved the most was how easy he fell apart under you. One comment and his cheeks turned a deep pink colour, eyes fleeting away from yours as a choked sound made it past his lips with a giggle.

To put it shortly the date was amazing, making you feel the same flutter you had felt every time you had seen his curly head on the golf course or everytime his name had popped up on your phone this last weeks.

It was riddicolous, you knew that but it didn't stop the spiralling feelings and flutter in your tummy.

After a heated discussion about Alex's golfing skills you left the restuarant, sated and full of the warm belly-filling food the place had provided. Lando had blushingly asked you if you wanted to go to his apartment, to 'watch a movie or something' and you had accepted, not caring what that would include or not just not wanting to seperate from him yet.

The walk was short, Lando's laughter filling the air of Monaco and lightning it up as you walked along the darkening streets.

His apartment was nothing short of amazing, not because you had thought differently. He was a formula one driver after all but still. It was a lot bigger than yours, not to bring down your own place which you loved, but this was the next level.

"Wow, this view is fantastic" you mumbled, going straight past him to look at the view of Monaco from his window. He had not put a lot of effort into decorating, something you deemed fine since he barely was here anyway but the space still looked nice. Modern as hell, but nice.

"Wow, just walk right through me why don't you" he muttered sarcastically making you huff out a laugh as you tore your eyes away from the view. "Sorry but this is... remarkable"

"And I am not?"

"Well I can't see the whole of Monaco in you can I?"

"I don't think you have even tried, have you?"

You giggled, poking his chest teasingly as he stood in the open room. His coat and shoes discarded, revealing his great looking button-up once again. "Fuck you look good in this" you hummed, teasing your finger on his first button on his shirt.

"Mhm, is that how it is miss y/n?"

You peeled your eyes off his gorgous shape and looked him in the eyes, the orbs screaming with cockiness and a hidden smirk.

"Been thinking all evening off what's underneath it" you admitted, letting your eyes travel again "I invited you here to watch a movie, but you have such dirty thoughts" he tutted jokingly "Sure" you scoffed, smiling at him

"A movie was what you were thinking"

Lando didn't answer, just gave you a giggly smile you reciprocrated.

His lips met yours in an instant, moving softly and slowly against yours, no hurry just savouring the moment. His lips were soft against yours, following you as you tilted your head slightly.

When you broke apart that was it, no itchy hands on each other no intention to do anything more right now. Both just sated to have shared that. Instead you took a step back. Grinning at the brunette as you walked around the sofa and plopping down in the comfortable furniture. “What’s the movie then?”

Lando smiled, not sitting next to you but leaning over the back of the sofa to get closer to you. “Whatever you want, you choose. Do you want something to drink?”

“Okay, uhm yes please, I take whatever you do” you smiled softly before reaching for the tv remote. Scrolling through the many apps and channels he had to pick a movie.

-

The movie was meh, not interesting enough to take your mind off the guy next to you but not boring enough to stop.

Lando kept on joking with you, straight up teasing you during the movie. Hands moving down your body, not in a overly sexual way but the way he cracked a joke, or a dirty comment made you boil with need and hotness.

It didn't take long until you broke. Shuffling up in the sofa, catching his gaze as you watched him with need in your eyes. His own eyes gleaming with cockiness and success. Watching his eyes were enough, scootching over you straddled his lap, catching him with slight surprise as you pushed your lips against his, needy and rough.

However it didn't take him even a second to respond to the kiss, battling for control, tongues fighting and hands gripping wherever they could reach.

Neediness pooled in your stomach but you kept it in control, not wanting to let him have all the control. "Fuck y/n" he sighed, leaning his head back over the couch as you pulled apart for a moment.

"Bedroom?" he smirked, one eyebrow raising and if you wouldn't want this so bad you would scoff at his expression but it was also Lando, you would not excpect any less from him.

Instead you nodded, letting him lead you to his bedroom which was just as gorgous as his livingroom. Big windows with view over Monaco, a few pictures on the wall and nice furnitures.

However he didn't let you spend a lot of time looking at the decor, instead towering over you, attacking you with his lips.

"I usually don't agree on doing these things on the first date" you hummed against his skin, his smile warming your heart even more. "Well technically I wouldn't count this as a first date because I feel like I know you by now"

You giggled "You are really full of it aren't you?"

His smile was so achingly sweet, made butterflies swarm in your belly and overflow with adoration.

You leaned up, catching his mouth with your again, kissing him slowly and affectionately, hand scratching on his scalp and luring out a soft sound from him which only made your heart beat faster.

Heat bloomed in your stomach, desire to touch him and make him feel good took over your thoughts as you kissed down his jaw, hands gently sliding under his shirt.

His muscles tensed under your cold fingertips, feeling out his sculpted stomach and muscles, gently rubbing over his nipples before trailing down towards his v-line and then back up again.

His mouth had dropped open slightly, eyes following your every move as he breathed hard, small noises tumbling out of him whenever your hands rubbed over his nipples or teased his pant-line, frustration bubbling in the small grunts and huffs as you took your time, feeeling him up, memorizing every part of his skin under your fingers.

When he had had enough he ripped the buttons open in a hurry before tugging it right off his body, throwing it away before he roughly guided your face to his again, wanting, no needing to kiss you.

The kiss was rough, heated and a battle of control. A battle you won as he pulled back and locked eyes with yours. His pretty eyes was glazed over with pure desire, visable in every centimeter of his body. In the way his shoulders tensed, body heaved and eyes glazing over.

You looked as he unbottoned his pants before tugging them off, taking a seat on his bed with an open invation dangling in the air. An invitation you took.

Two short steps and his hands enveloped you, pushing you against his hot body, limbs and breaths entangled as you sat straddled on his lap. His hands ran all over you, ripping your shirt off your body, your skirt bundling up around your hips as they moved against him.

His hot hands settled on your thighs, eyes not seeming able to leave were your panties where showing, sliding against his boxers.

When he met your eyes again you slid off his lap to the floor, loving the way his eyes widened and mouth opened as you settled on your knees, prompting him to sit up better on the edge of the bed.

Hands teasing over his boxers before his patience ran out. Eager fingers pushing yours away to discard the item. You couldn't help but to giggle at him, eyes narrowing him down "Eager much?" "Shut up" he grumbled, visably relived over the freedom he know had.

Your eyes slowly looked him up and down, completely naked in front of you, so easily and comfortable displayed on the bed. Not an ounce of embarrasment or selfconciousness, with all right.

He was gorgous from head to toe, his legs tense placed on the floor, hands gripping the bedsheet, arms flexing his toned muscles, chest heaving, his sculpted body, muscles showing, abs glistening, his face already looking fucked out despite having barely even started. His brown curls were a wirlwind of chaos, eyes looking at you with so much attention and focus, dick standing proudly against his stomach. He looked dreamy. Drool worthy.

When he grunted you realized how long you had been staring at him, clearing your head you stood up only to crawl out of your skirt and brah before dropping to your knees again. Hand immideately reaching for his hard dick.

It was already leeking pre-cum, a result of the teasing you had been keeping up for long now. You jerked him slowly, relishing in the way his eyes fluttered, not knowing where to look, eyes flickering between your newly revealed skin, eyes and to where your hand was currently moving over him.

A groan left Lando's lips as you thumbed his tip, hips jerking to try to savour the feeling but you didn't let him instead leaning forward to lick a bold stripe from base to tip. The sounds he let out was filfthy eyes closing, mouth agape. You could probably cum just looking at him.

"Fuck y/n" he grunted, hips jerking slightly, trying to get your tongue closer to him again and you let him, swirling your tongue over his tip before taking him in your mouth, slowly sinking down until you couldn't anymore.

You set a brutal pace, hand twirling around his base whilst your mouth sloppily worked over his tip, messily running your tongue on the underside of his dick every now and then.

He had lost the little control he had, groaning and moaning without a care, his head thrown back and hips thrusting desperately. You knew he was close without him having to say it and when he started to jerk more promiment you stopped, letting go of his dick with a pronographic pop.

He whined

He fucking whined and you felt like you were on fire. He was so sexy, so fucking sexy and you couldn't let it go. Desperation flowing in your core as you looked up at him, no shields from what you felt.

"Come up here" he whispered, his hand on your cheek guiding you up to his lips, gently flipping you into the matress, his body covering yours. A sudden gentleness taking over the whole sitatuion as he peppered kissed over your body. Moving from face down to your core. Licking over your nipples, gently sucking your skin, licking over your navel, inner thighs. Teasing you just like you had with him, delicate fingers peeling your underwear off.

When his mouth ghosted over your core you jerked, hands finding his curls pulling them like nothing else mattered.

He was skillfull, more so than you had imagined as he ate you out. Tongue moving, fingers holding, lips sucking, murmurs traveling through your body.

You moaned, thighs clenching around his head. The Brit let out a soft chuckle at your reaction, relishing in the way your eyes fluttered and body arched under his tongue but it didn't stop him from diving straight in. Licking and sucking until all you could do was pant.

He didn't let you come, the whimper on your lips disapearing as you bit your lip, hips chasing his mouth, another chuckle. A mocking one.

He didn't have much resolve left, eyes searching yours before positioning himself, gently pushing in as you nodded, too much excitment.

His head in the nape of your neck breathed hard against your collarbone, barely containing the lewd sounds escaping his soft lips, setting a gentle slow pace.

"Ah"

"Fuck baby" he groaned, meeting your hips with his making the friction tenfold. It felt like your head was swimming with emotions, moans you didn't even notice tumbled from your lips, sweet like sugar, filthy as few.

His hands hooked under your legs, drawing you even closer to him, using the hold to go harder, deeper and it felt like you would black out, eyes closing as he pounded into you. Eyebrows frowning in concentration as he tried to focus his thrusts.

"Feel good hm?"

It felt all too much, body squirming to get away from him, away from his thrusts touching your most sensitive places. Away from the overwhelming pleasure but he didn't let you. Just held you in place as he continued and you were positive you would soon start to sob.

"Fuck you take it so good" he grunted, hands tightening on your hips, pace never relenting, you couldn't answer just moan at his words. You couldn't in your life imagine him being this good in bed, nor so good at dirty talk, so hot.

"You close?" he mumbled, his hips starting to jerk slightly as he got closer to his release, keeping a hold on himself. "Hm?" he pushed as you didn't answer him, head spinning. "Yes, yes so close" you mumbled, positively trashing on the soft sheets.

It came fast and hard, blindingly so as you fell over the edge. Body crumbling, mouth open in silent moans. Lando came immideately, loud groans escaping his lips before he could stop himself, eyes dropped close, jaw slack. His eyes burning with pleasure and adoration, curls slick of sweat on his forhead, body heaving. He looked so gorgous you never wanted to forget this, wanting to etch this picture in your brain.

You felt spent to your very core as you relaxed, Lando's body covering yours once again but this time in a soft manner.

Falling asleep had never felt so easy as it did in his arms, his soft calm breaths tickling your cheek, arms wrapped around you thightly.

"Wow y/n! What has happened with you?" Lily giggled, watching as you did the perfect swing, the ball landing exceptionally close to the hole. "How much have you practiced?"

You grinned at her, raising one eyebrow, shoulders shrugging. "Not that much"

Lily didn't reply but her eyes held so many words you didn't want to reply to. So many questions danced behind her irises, smile saying it all.

"Maybe it's just the extra energy?"

"Don't start" you grumbled, pushing her to make her swing but she didn't, stubborn to say what she wanted to and at this ocassion she wanted to tease you to crumbles. "What, I mean I haven't pointed it out yet but let's talk about hickies huh? What is this y/n, are we back to being teenagers?"

You horrid face made Lily crumble in laughter, almost dropping her cart in the commotion. Your hand instinctively went up to your neck, grimazing as you did so. "That little prick!" you exclaimed, shaking your head as Lily continued to laugh.

When the laughter sobered off you turned to look at her again, a warm smile now etched on her face. "But hey, y/n. I'm really happy for you, he is a great guy and all that matters for me is that you are happy" "Aw, going soft on me now Lils?" "Maybe? I just always wanted what's best for you" she said softly

"I know" you smiled, throwing your arm around her shoulders as you continued walking

"But If you say anything to Alex about this!" you half heartedly threathened making her laugh, head leaning against yours.

[news-tey]

Brits are left baffled after BBC weather app gives them the forecast for Ghana

Brits are left baffled after BBC weather app gives them the forecast for Ghana

‘Lovely weather in Takoradi– but I’m in Leicester!’ Brits are left baffled after BBC weather app gives them the forecast for GHANA despite being sat at home in the UK A glitch on the BBC weather app is showing people’s current location as Ghana Confused Brits have questioned they the app thinks they are in Africa The BBC said it is working with Apple to fix the issue that is affecting iOS…

[emotinalsupportturtle]

I can’t stop thinking of how despite it baffling most non-brits, and most of the Hollywood a-list audience, David Tennant decided to do a skit on his little lockdown rpf show, make a bunch of puns that only people familiar with British culture would get, wear a kilt and be his usual manic self when hosting an internationally prestigious award show

fucking power move

[pretentiousgayguyidk]

-Human Service Dog-

Ghost, Soap, Price, and König

Sorry if some of them are short, I was running low on juice (i need caffeine)

Well i straight up forgot i wrote this- so uh here have it i think it's finished (I'm really not good at this author thing 💀)

"Ghost" Simon Riley

Ghost grunted quietly, sitting down on the couch of the Survey Corps lounge. He leaned forward a little bit,clasping his hands tightly, his breathing was heavy as if he were stressed.

(Name) took note of this, approaching the Lieutenant without any hesitation. Soap watched from afar, anxiously anticipating the rookie getting beat to hell and back. Ghost glared up at the rookie in agitation, the young man simply smiled a little before sitting next to Ghost. The British man huffed a little, staring at the rookie with an unamused look.

"Stressed?" The younger asked quietly, Ghost just looked away slowly shaking his head in annoyance. (Name) sighed quietly before laying across Ghost's lap making the older man freeze up.

"Bloody 'ell are you doing?" He grumbled, not exactly angered - more so confused than anything else. (Name) smiled happily.

"DPT," he stated plainly, before joining the service he was a Psychology major who worked a little with service dogs. He had learned all the minute details of nearly every human emotion, easily able to read people and respond accordingly. Soap had choked on his drink, coughing aggressively as he watched the bizarre scene before him.

"The hell is that?" Ghost questioned again, no longer stressed or angered. He was utterly shocked, baffled as to why anyone would do something like this.

"Deep pressure therapy, it's used by service dogs to help ground people who are in disarray." The Brit sat there for a moment, staring at the newer addition for a while before finally speaking up.

"Get off."

"Alrighty!" He said, unbothered by his superior's aggressive tone. He could tell just by the solder's stature that he felt a little better. The (colour) haired man got up and left with a small wave, going back to his room.

Once left alone, Soap smiled cheekily looking over at the Lieutenant.

"So Lt. You enjoy your little date?" He asked smugly, earning a death glare from the masked man.

"Shut. The fuck. Up."

"Soap" John Mctavish

Soap paced around, running his hands through his mohawk as he huffed and puffed. The others sat and watched as he continued this display, sighing aggressively.

"You done?" Ghost asked, clear annoyance present in his gaze. Price crossed his arms, also growing tired of Soap's dramatic display. (Name) stood up from his seat, and walked closer to Soap.

"Hey, Soap sit down." The Scot paused in his pacing before shaking his head and continuing. The (light/dark) haired man sighed, grabbing Soap by his hood and dragging him over to the nearest chair.

"Hey! What-" Soap was cut off as he was sat down in a seat with the more stubborn man sitting in his lap. The Scottish man flushed pink from the embarrassment and or humiliation as he tried to push him off.

"Chill out, I'm trying to help you." Soap looked up at him with bewilderment.

"Help me? How is this-"

"Deep pressure therapy, now shut up and breath dummy." The other grumbled, leaning against Soap lazily. Gaz burst out laughing at the display, earning a slap to the arm from Price, who attempted to hide his amusement.

"You suck..." Soap grumbled into the others shoulder, gently hugging the other as he came to accept his fate.

"Love you too buddy."

Capt. Price

The older man sat at his desk, exhaustion and stress oozing out of him as he slumped slightly. (Name) quietly knocked at the door of Price's office, peaking in as he cracked the door. Price looked up with a tired smile.

"You need something?" He asked quietly, (Name) looked at him for a moment before stepping in. His expression was a mix of concern and determination. Without much hesitation he plopped down into his Captain's lap, hugging the older as he did so.

Price has already beared witness to this display before, silently accepting it. He sighed tiredly, gently patting the younger on the back.

"Thanks."

"No problem Captn."

König

The squad took shifts going out for supplies like groceries, and this week it was König. Despite his aggravated curses he begrudgingly went out for food. By the time he got back he was slouching, his heart hammering in his chest as the anxiety lingered.

(Name) greeted him, helping him carry in the groceries despite knowing König was more than strong enough to do it himself. König appreciated the help, although he would rather have emotional support than help carrying things.

Once inside, König dropped the groceries in the shared kitchen before speed walking to the nearest comfy chair. Once seated he leaned forward, his forearms resting his upper body weight on his thighs.

(Name) was quick to notice this, approaching his larger friend. König sat up slightly, looking up at his companion with half lidded eyes. The shorter smiled a little before sitting down, straddling König who exclaimed in incomprehensible German. (Name) hugged him as he sat there, earning a appreciative sigh.

"I hate people." König grumbled grumpily, his face pressed into (Name)'s shoulder. The shorter gently ruffled his hair as he continued to grumble and complain about how he would "get back at them" for this.

"It's alright, König... Just beat their asses during training," he suggested, earning an enthusiastic gasp of realization.

"Im gonna kick all of their arses!" He growled, almost literally earning a small chuckle from the smaller.

[hp-hcs]

Hello.

I really like the way you wrote gay Mattheo. Could I request another fic from this "series"? Thanks in advance 😘

(Fine, I’ll do it my damn self: part 7 of my silly lil mlm stories <3)

ENGLISH AIN’T ALWAYS ENGLISH (Chapter Three of Gay Awakening) — british! mattheo riddle x male! american! reader

basically the pair realize their cultural differences

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Here,” you grin, plonking down on the couch next to Mattheo and holding out a cut-out paper turkey shaped like a handprint. “I’m thankful for you this year.”

He took the paper with a baffled expression on his face. “…what?”

“I’m thankful for y- oh. Right. England. Sorry, American holiday, I forgot.”

Mattheo blinked. “You have a holiday where you give each other paper fowl?”

“No. Well, yes, but- y’know, it’s complicated.”

“I see,” he said slowly, in a way that suggested that he did not, in fact, see. “Is it like your… Freedom Day? America Day? Er… what’s it called again?”

“Independence Day. And not really. Sort of. It’s complicated.”

“Well, then what does this holiday celebrate?” Mattheo asked, somewhat amused as he shook the paper turkey to emphasize his point.

You hesitate. “Well…”

“It’s not good, is it?”

“Nope.”

“Ah. Why the turkey?”

“Americans make abhorrent amounts of food for Thanksgiving. Turkey is the main dish, usually.”

“Thanksgi- oh, is that why you said you’re thankful for me?” He looked quite pleased with himself for deducing that.

“Yeah,” you laugh. “It’s a pretty odd cultural event, I guess. We eat a shit ton, watch football, have to see our homophobic relatives; it really is a wonderful holiday.”

“Football? Like the… muggle sport? Where you can’t use your hands at all?”

“Oh, no. I’m talking American football; where they only use their hands. And like, tackle each other and shit.”

“…right. Anyways, back to the turkey day. When is it? Is it today?”

“Nah, it’s in a couple weeks. It’s the fourth Thursday of every November.”

“You’ve got to be shitting me.”

~~~

“Y/N, could you hand me a rubber?”

Mattheo looked up at you after he didn’t hear a response. You were sitting there, dumbfounded, mouth hanging open slightly.

“…Y/N?”

“Jesus Christ, ‘theo, that’s one way to be forward.”

“…what?”

Your face was burning in embarrassment as you fumbled for words. “Please tell me that means something else in snobby Brit.”

“What, rubber?”

“Yes!”

“A… a rubber. You know, to remove errors?” He gave you a baffled look.

You paused. “…I mean you’re not wrong.”

“No, I’m not…?” He trailed off before shaking his head and laughing. “Oh, Salazar. Tell me what it means in American.”

“A rubber is a condom.”

“Oh!”

Mattheo looked startled, a pink flush rising in his cheeks. “A rubber- it erases, Y/N. Pencil lead.”

“Then why wouldn’t you just call it an eraser?!”

You’re both silent for a moment, with matching blushes, before you both crack up.

“Oh, god, you don’t wanna mix those up, huh?” You get out between laughs.

~~~

“Hey, ‘theo, you oughta read this A&E article. It’s hilarious.”

“Hilarious feels like an odd term to use, Y/N,” he says, looking puzzled.

“American,” you say reflexively, after months of these vernacular conflicts. “Stands for Arts & Entertainment.”

“Ah,” Mattheo nods, used to your immediate explanation. “Accident & Emergency.”

You both snicker.

~~~

“Oh, man. Looks like Enz and Nott went on a bender,” you snicker.

Mattheo raises an eyebrow wordlessly.

“Got absolutely shitcanned.”

“Gotcha.”

~~~

“What the hell is an aubergine?”

“A vegetable. Purple?”

“An eggplant?”

“Americans really suck at naming things.”

“Like you’re one to talk, Mr. Pants-Aren’t-Actually-Pants-In-British.”

“You’re still mad about that? Well, I’m still disappointed from when you made me ‘biscuits’.”

“Oh, shush.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

had a very awkward conversation today with a british friend and we had that eraser/rubber mixup ourselves 💀

thank you for requesting, you a real one homie <3

[jimmy-j-james]

Request..mayhaps where reader gives Gaz a kiss every time for Goodluck on the forehead, so kinda one day before reader gets sent on a mission Gaz is all like “you forgot something!!” And reader just perks up and gives him a smooch before running away to catch up, it takes Gaz a few seconds to realize that reader still hasn’t noticed his missing helmet and so catches up to give it to him

Something along the lines of that, feel free to change to your taste in any way because I’m sleepy as hell as I write this out, love your writtinnggg 🫶🫶🫶

KISS FOR LUCK

- M!reader x Gaz

- Proofread:

- Genre: Fluff

- Synopsis: M!reader and Gaz have a tradition of sharing good luck kisses before missions. Of course, when luck is all you’re focused on, you tend to forget the bigger things.. like your helmet.

════════════════

“(L/n), aren’t you forgettin’ somethin’..?” Gaz calls out, a grin splitting his face as he watches the love of his life eagerly rush back. His mouth opens to remind the man of his belonging, though it’s quickly slammed shut as the other grasps Kyle’s face and places a chaste kiss atop his forehead.

“I’ll miss you, Kyle~” He coos, placing another longing kiss to his lips before rushing off to join his squad.

Kyle stands there baffled, left in a loving daze before snapping awake. It’s only then that he’s reminded of the helmet in hand, the same shitty stickers decorating the piece, alongside a small sharpied in ‘Gaz + (C/n)’.

His smile softens, only to have a laugh escape past his lips as he chases after the other. “You forgot your helmet!” He cries out with a giggle.

(Y/n) quickly turns to face the Brit, patting atop his head before flushing. “Oh-“ He chuckles, jogging back towards Kyle. “Thank you, darling~”

Kyle smiles, a look of fondness in his eyes as he buckles the helmet atop his lover’s head. “Don’t go ruining that pretty head of yours today.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it Kyle,” he hums, placing a couple more quick kisses against the Brit’s face “besides, wouldn’t want to miss out on your cuddles.”

“Get back to your group, sergeant.” Gaz muses, pushing away his boyfriend’s face. “You’ll get yer cuddles when you get home.”

“Yessir!” He teasingly salutes, turning back to the aircraft. As he begins heading towards the others, his laughs grow faint.

“Get back to me in one piece!”

“Anything for you, Love!”

════════════════

© Copyright @jimmy-j-james, 2023

All rights reserved

do not copy/paste, claim as your own, post on different sites, or translate without prior consent from me

[blingblong55]

Small Family-141

This is a collection of interactions that I think the team has had with r/n. R/n drives everyone crazy with their shenanigans. R/n is a lover. R/n is a friend. That's all you'll get..now ready love.

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

Ghost is beyond annoyed with you but he won't let it show because he knows you thrive the most when he shows how pissed he is.

That is until now. He's had more than enough.

Ghost: I find you intensely irritating some days!!!

R/n: *calmly* Its what I live for

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

Soap has been trying to tell both Gaz and you that you two belong with one another. You are clueless of how Gaz feels about you. So soap decides to tell you in a way you would understand. (In this one reader is American and doesn't understand the brit slang soap is tell them(yes I'm aware I said brit))

R/n: what do you mean he fancies me? That is such a weird thing to say. Like what is he?

Soap: Just let him whack in ya!!!

R/n: *speechless*.....

Soap: Right?

R/n: *barely got it* ....right

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

Ghost and r/n have had a relationship for quite some time. But you let your insecurities get the best of you. He won't have any of this bullshit any longer.

R/n: most people, when they see us , must be thinking, "oh he must be mad, going out with that" *you start choking on your tears*

Ghost: *no idea what you're upset about, he simply finds you perfect* At what?

But you stay silent, trying not to cry any more.

Ghost: AT WHAT!!

Ghost: You don't tell me who I can and can't fancy alright?!

Ghost: *points as his dick (no..I don't have a kind-er way to say it) That is mine! That belongs to me! No one. Not even you.

R/n: so why do you like me?

Ghost: Because I do! That's it!

R/n: BUT WHY?

Ghost:Because! Now, are you gonna stop being a dickhead?

R/n: STOP CALLING ME A DICKHEAD!

R/n: you're the dickhead!

Ghost kisses you without a warning

Gaz and soap are watching from afar.

Gaz: oh and now they're kissing

Price covers both sergeants eyes.

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

M! Reader(for my lovies<3)

Soap and the team were baffled when they heard you were gay. Graves, who was detained was there when you so causally had come out to your team

Graves: So you're gay? How does that work?

R/n: well..I'm not gay because I blew my step-dad

gaz: *from afar* whaaaa

R/n: I'm gay because I loved it

(you were somewhat joking..but it was all worth it because his face yelled "get the fuck away from me")

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

Once a week you have "r/n's introduction meeting"

basically you run over introduction you cam up with the while week and present yourself with those. You go up to each team member and just chose which one fits best with them.

R/n to Ghost: I have a spectacular opportunity that could benefit both of our sex lives, but I'm unwilling to disclose the details, r/n

Ghost: its better this time

R/n: thanks

R/n to Gaz: and you're lucky my breast are small and humble so you don't have to confuse them with mountains, r/n

Gaz: I stared one time!

reader puts on a blonde wig.

R/n to price: I'm the beautiful blonde babysitter who won't get out of here until she can only crawl...r/n

Price: gosh*walks away*

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

a/n: and cue the mic drop...thanks..adios bitches

[joelalorian]

Tides of Desire - Chapter Eight: As the Crow Flies

*mood board by the lovely @/janaispunk

Pairing: Yacht Captain!Joel Miller x f!reader

Series Summary: TLOU no outbreak AU. Joel Miller is a luxury yacht captain running charters in the Caribbean. You join the crew as a deckhand and unexpectedly complicate Joel's peaceful existence. Basically the TLOU bunch on a Below Deck yacht.

Chapter warnings: 18+ MDNI, fluff, stolen kisses, meet cute for Tommy, anaphylactic reaction (not Joel or reader), terms of endearment (sweetheart, etc.). Reader is a badass. Smallish age gap (reader is 32 or so, Joel is 40). No use of y/n, though reader is of British descent and has the nickname Brit (occasionally used).

Series masterlist

Chapter 8: As the Crow Flies

The return to the yacht was underwhelming. You don’t know what you expected, but it wasn’t a completely smooth transition, that’s for sure. You really thought Joel would pull another 180 now that you crossed the ultimate line, push you back to an arm’s length away, and shut everything down again. Instead, he was just… normal. It was as disconcerting as it was soothing.

Your moments together reverted to shared smiles across the deck, morning coffee chats, longing glances while you worked, and a quiet goodnight before heading to bed. The only change from ‘before’ was the addition of little, soft kisses stolen when no one else was around. Those were your favorite moments, as short and sporadic as they were with a crew this size. Joel’s kisses left you floating on air every single time. You’d never tire of them.

The two of you were still careful, though. Joel was adamant that you did not show the change in your relationship in front of the crew and there could be no evidence of it in front of charter guests. You agreed, more than happy with the way things were progressing as it was. You were not about to push his boundaries now that he’d given in so much.

The biggest change you’d noticed after the events at the resort was your propensity to drift off into daydreams. It was becoming a bad habit.

“Earth to Brit!” Sarah’s voice startled you, drawing your attention to the young woman standing with her hands on hips, brows pinched. “Can you stop daydreaming about my dad for five freaking minutes and help me with something?”

You were sitting in the crew mess enjoying a quick snack break, completely unaware of the daze you were in as Sarah called out to you several times. Heat rushed up your neck to your soft cheeks and you mumbled a quick apology. Sarah was finding immense joy in teasing you about her dad now and you fought off embarrassment each time. She was smart, though, and never teased you in front of others.

“What do you need help with?”

“Follow me, I’ll show you.” Sarah led the way up to the bridge, your curiosity mounting with each step.

“What are we –” Your words cut off as Sarah shoved you through the door. You spun to see her slamming it shut in your face. “What the bloody hell?” you breathed, baffled at the younger woman’s behavior.

A soft chuckle had you spinning in place again, eyes meeting Joel’s dark eyed gaze. “She’s a bit dramatic sometimes,” he said, his broad form moving closer to you. The bridge was empty but for the two of you and he pulled you to him as he closed the distance. “I needed to see you and Sarah offered to be the messenger.”

Snuggling into Joel’s broad chest, you breathed in the crisp, delicious scent of him. “What did you need to see me about?” Your head tipped back to gaze up at him.

“Something really important,” Joel replied, slipping his glasses off. His right arm held you tight against his chest, your own arms wrapped around his shoulders, hands clasped behind his neck.

“Oh?” You wracked your brain thinking of what he could possibly need to see you about. This week’s charter guests were due to arrive soon, and you needed to get down to your cabin to change into your whites. “What is it?”

Eyes remaining locked on yours, Joel leant impossibly closer, your bodies practically sharing the same skin at this point. “This,” he murmured, and his lips slotted against yours in the next breath. You weren’t expecting it, a pleased gasp leaving your mouth, and Joel took full advantage, his tongue darting past your open lips to tangle with your own.

Fucking hell, the man could kiss. You would never tire of kissing him. The plumpness of his pouty lips, the taste of him, the way his tongue caressed yours, it was all so overwhelming to the senses. You could stay like that forever, pressed against each other with your fingers weaving through his curly locks, but duty called as your name came over the radio.

“Tommy always did have horrible timing,” Joel grumbled, breaking the kiss. Stepping back, quick hands ran down your sides, straightening your uniform. “You should answer that. The guests will be here soon.”

Flustered, a needy ache in your belly, you responded to Tommy, letting him know you’re on your way to your cabin to change. Stepping forward, you brushed Joel’s lips with yours in a chaste kiss. “I’ll see you later.”

“You can count on it, sweetheart.” Joel’s lips twitched into a lopsided grin, winking at you as you stepped out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I think I’m in love.”

The five words were spoken into the air out of nowhere.

Your head snapped toward Tommy in surprise. His voice sounded so serious, but he had to be joking, right? He didn’t seem the type to fall in love, especially at first sight, more of the consummate bachelor playboy type. “With whom?” you inquired as you both brought out the water toys.

It had to be one of the charter guests as he didn’t seem interested in any of the crew. They were a group of women in their mid-thirties who were all friends from law school, now scattered across the country in various high-powered law positions.

“Maria,” Tommy replied dreamily. There was a smile on his face, a glaze in his eyes you’d never seen before. He was a man smitten. “She’s stunning. Did you see that smile? Brighter than the fuckin’ sun, I tell ya. And her skin! So dark and flawless. She’s perfect.”

Yeah, he had it bad. You did not have Tommy Miller falling in love at first sight on your bingo card this season. It made you wonder if that’s how Joel felt about you.

“She’s brilliant, too. She’s a prosecutor at the DA’s office. In Austin, no less. She transferred there last year.”

“What? How do you know all that already?” you asked, surprised. “They just came aboard like five minutes ago.”

His chest puffed up proudly. “She told me,” Tommy explained. His face was lit up with brilliant happiness. “I helped her find the sundeck. Said she liked my accent and asked where I was from. It just spiraled from there. Can you believe that?”

You smiled at the happy coincidence. The Miller brothers were having a great season in the romance department, it appeared. “Are you going to ask her out?”

“Fuck yeah, I am. Not ‘til the end of the charter though. I don’t need Joel up my ass about impropriety and whatnot.” After a beat, he glanced at you with a broad grin. “Actually, speaking of impropriety, maybe you could keep him distracted for me so I can get to know Maria more. You know how he is about the crew mixing with guests.”

“Oh, hell no, I am not getting in the middle of you two.” You laughed, patting him on the shoulder. “It took me more than half the season to get him to kiss me, you must pay your dues, mate. Or just sneak around like the rest of us do.”

Tommy laughed raucously. You loved seeing him like this, all that happy, boyish energy bubbling over the surface. It made working with him so much fun. The pair of you continued chatting as you worked, though most of the conversation revolved around his dogged teasing you about Joel.

“I’m just glad the old man still got it!” he declared when you assured him that Joel did not, in fact, ‘blow his wad’ in the first two minutes.

“Indeed, he does.” Your mind flashed back to that night, your bodies tangled up in the sheets and each other, round after round of mind-blowing sex and equally intimate conversations. Yet the best part of the entire thing was waking up in his arms feeling cared for and wanted. It was something you hadn’t experienced in a very long time, and you weren’t sure if Joel even realized how much that meant to you.

Tommy watched your eyes glaze over and smirked. He knew his brother had it bad for you and you just confirmed for him that you felt the same way about his brother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first day of the charter was mellow, the group of women lawyers preferring to relax and enjoy the decadent food and sunbathe on the sun deck rather than go crazy with activities. The second day they wanted to do something adventurous, and Sarah booked them a shark dive. Two of the deck hands needed to accompany them and all four of you wanted in.

“Well, we can’t all go. How about we play rock, paper, scissors?” Tommy suggested. He could have pulled rank and picked someone – he really wanted to show off for Maria, after all – but he was a gentleman at heart and wanted to make it fair. You laughed at the suggestion, but readily agreed.

The first round, Jake lost to your rock. Next Ellie lost to Tommy’s scissors.

“Come the fuck on, man!” Ellie complained. “I never get to do the fun shit.”

“What are you talking about? You got to do all the ‘fun shit’ last season; you spoiled brat. Let someone else have a chance this season,” Tommy reasoned.

“That doesn’t count, it was last season!” The pair of them went back and forth for a while and Jake shuffled closer to your side.

“Are they always like this?” he asked, leaning down to whisper in your ear.  A chill ran down your back, but it wasn’t a pleasant one and you took a subtle step back.

“Always. They’ve known each other for a few years and argue like brother and sister.” Your focus remained on Tommy and Ellie as they argued, but you could feel the heat of Jake’s ice blue eyes on you.

“I understand her frustration, though. I was kinda hoping it would’ve been me and you going on this trip.”

Jake’s admission made you sigh. He certainly was tenacious and did not pick up on subtle hints. He was clearly waiting for an acknowledgement, but you had no idea what to say. You needed to let him down easy without affecting the dynamic of the team. Best to just be honest… or at least as honest as you could be given the situation.

“Listen mate, I’m flattered, really, but I’m with someone. Just wanted to put that out there in case you were hoping we could be something.” It was awkward and you watched his expression carefully, waiting for the change. Your experience taught you that a lot of men didn’t take rejection well.

Jake merely shrugged, a sheepish smile gracing his chiseled features. “Tommy warned me that would be your response to any advances. I had to shoot my shot though, yeah?”

Relieved at his response, you nodded with a laugh. “Don’t know until you try?”

“Exactly!” Jake grinned, bumping your shoulder. “Friends then?”

“Yeah mate,” you confirmed. The vibe changed at once, morphing into playful camaraderie as the awkwardness washed away. This was the way the team was meant to be, you thought, just people working together and having fun in this exciting environment. The pair of you tuned back in just in time for Tommy end the argument with Ellie.

“Finally, it’s settled. Brit and I are going on the shark dive and you two will stay back. You can take a break, have a swim or whatever, but make sure you’re available if the captain needs anything,” Tommy instructed. “Let’s get changed, Brit. They’re picking us all up by tender in thirty minutes.”

Tommy led the way down to the crew deck and you changed, quickly freshening up in the bathroom. You’d been diving a bunch but never on a dedicated shark dive. It sounded exhilarating and you hoped to actually see some sharks on the adventure. Just not any really big ones!

Twisting your hair into two braids an adjusting your rash guard one last time, you opened the cabin door to walk out, and face planted into Joel’s chest. “Ah, fuck!” you exclaimed, rubbing your tender nose as your eyes widened. “W-what are you doing here, Joel?”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he replied, voice gravelly as his hands grasped your shoulders to steady you, strong fingers flexing into your skin. “I, uh, just wanted to tell you to have fun and be careful. I told Tommy he’s fired if anything happens to you.”

A giggle burst from your chest, surprising you both. “You can’t fire your own brother, Joel! I’ll be fine but thank you for caring about me.”

“I can if he let’s my girl get hurt,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “And I care about you a lot.”

“Your girl, huh?” you ask, voice equally low and soft, barely dancing through the air to his ears. The grin spreading across your lips was involuntary, yet wholeheartedly welcome. Joel merely nodded, a gleam shining in those dark eyes as they gazed down at you like you were the most precious thing in the world.

You talked about everything under the sun at the resort, yet this was one topic that neither of you brought up – putting a label on what you were. It was early days, you figured, and decided not to push it. But your heart skipped a beat at hearing him call you his girl and the anxiety in your belly you didn’t even realize was there vanished. You needed that label after all.

Glancing around to make sure they were alone, he ducked into your cabin and placed a soft, sensuous kiss on your lips. “My girl.” Your lips tingled long after he slipped away.

“Let’s roll, Brit!” Tommy called, running up the stairs to the top decks with the excitement of a young child on Christmas morning. Chuckling to yourself, you followed. The guests were waiting on the aft deck, chatting animatedly. You watched as Maria gravitated toward Tommy – they were like magnets, those two, and it warmed your heart.

The afternoon was a blast. The tender picked the group up right on time, taking you fifty miles west of Puerto Rico proper to the rocky coast of Mona Island. A few of the women, including Maria and the primary guest, were SCUBA certified and they geared up for the dive with Tommy. The rest of the women were given snorkeling gear and you guided them through shallower turquoise waters to see a variety of coral fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks.

After a couple of hours, the guests were pleased to have seen several sharks on their dive including a hammerhead and were ready to head back to the yacht. Tommy flirted outrageously with Maria the entire trip, causing the beautiful woman to burst into spontaneous giggle fits. They were really cute, and you hoped that Tommy followed through with asking her out.

“How was the trip?” Joel asked, greeting the guests as you and Tommy helped them off the tender.

“Wonderful! We saw so much!” the primary exclaimed, regaling Joel with a colorful account of their adventure and the sharks they saw. He winked at you as he listened intently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner on the third night started out strong. Tess’ culinary delicacies were on point, as always, and the guests were pleased with every dish that came out of the galley the entire time. The preference sheets indicated that none of the guests had any significant dietary restrictions, and they were open to trying new things, so Tess designed a menu to showcase her best work. For dinner on the third night, Tess opted for a Japanese Omakase, preparing a variety of sushi dishes she thought the guests would enjoy with one course consisting of uni.

The interior team went above and beyond with the table decorations, going with a sea theme featuring turquoise sea glass, starfish, shells, and sailor ropes strategically placed across the table. Their service was on par as well, with you and Ellie jumping in to assist with bringing up the food.

“This is delicious,” the primary told Sarah as they finished the second course – a salmon temaki. “Compliments to the chef.”

Everyone was happy and having fun… until they weren’t.

Tommy and Jake just cleared the plates from the second course, making room for the third course. Sarah led the way with Emmy, Talia, Sammy, Ellie, and you following, each with a plate and a glass of dry sake in hand.

“For the third course, we have uni sashimi accented with lemon and a dash of salt, and a ponzu drizzle. It is paired with Junmai dry sake. Enjoy,” Sarah explained as the plates were set down in front of the guests with intricate coordination that Sarah made you all run through three times.

Initial murmurs indicating they loved the presentation and taste, you all turned to head back down to the galley in preparation for the fourth course. You were the last one to step through the door, just catching the hint of something gone wrong as you crossed the threshold.

It started off as a clearing of the throat, nothing atypical, but you paused. Something about it seemed… off. It didn’t stop, quickly turning to loud wheezing and the clear signs of someone struggling to breathe. Spinning on your heels, your eyes searched the table. The women’s eyes were all on the primary guest, her face flushed as she struggled to breathe. Was it your imagination or were her lips slightly bigger than they were moments ago, too?

Everything clicked in your head – she was having an allergic reaction to the uni. You’d heard of it before but never witnessed an anaphylactic reaction before. Your training kicked in immediately and you sent out a distress call over the radio, your voice clear, belying your internal panic. “Medical assistance needed on the sundeck! Repeat: medical assistance needed on the sundeck.”

“Help her, please!” Maria begged, dark eyes wide and panicked as her slender hands gripped your forearm. “I didn’t know she had any food allergies!”

You rushed to the primary’s side, helping her lay back on the deck. Hives were spreading from the sensitive crease of her elbows down her arms, and you knew the same was likely happening on her belly. The wheezing was quickly getting worse. This was a severe reaction. Shit!

Where was everyone? How were you the only one on the deck?

You were just about to make another call for help over the radio when Tommy and Joel came crashing onto the sundeck, a med kit in Joel’s hands.

“She’s having an allergic reaction. Hives and compromised breathing,” you blurted, heart beating out of your chest from the adrenaline. The primary was just starting to lose consciousness, the swelling closing her throat and preventing her from taking in a breath.

“Ok. There’s an injector pen in here,” Joel replied, calm and cool under pressure as his big hands quickly searched through the medical supplies. “Ah, here it is.” Tommy was already calling for medical transport.

Joel directed you to hold primary’s leg steady as he injected the pen into the meat of her outer thigh through the fabric of her dress. The epinephrine kicked in immediately, reducing the swelling of her tongue and throat, allowing the primary to breathe again.

Some of the guests were crying, worried for their friend, and Tommy stepped closer to comfort Maria as you and Joel continued to help the primary guest.

“What happened?” she asked, confused, as you dabbed at her forehead with a cool cloth napkin.

“You had an allergic reaction to the uni, doll. We gave you epinephrine,” Joel explained, gently holding her hand as she grasped for something to tether her back to reality. “The medics will be here any minute to take you to shore. You still need emergency care to make sure you’re ok.”

“Th-thank you,” the primary replied tearfully, and you helped her sit up against the railing with gentle movements. You sat with her until the medics arrived, making sure she was alright. The other women argued over who would go with her, finally coming to a decision as the primary was carried on a backboard onto the ferry.

Your hands were shaking from the adrenaline crash when Maria approached, grasping them. “Thank you for reacting so quickly and getting her help. I don’t want to think what would have happened if you weren’t there. You may have just saved her life.”

Stunned, you tried to stammer out a response before Joel wrapped an arm around your shoulders.

“She’s got a lion’s heart, this one,” Joel chimed in, beaming at you proudly. Unable to help himself, his thumb caressed your upper arm and you leant into the touch, soothing your spent nerves.

The rest of the evening was a blur after that excitement and Tommy sent you off to bed early, having earned it with your heroics. Before you could head down to your cabin, Joel texted you, asking you to join him on the bridge. Frank was standing at the helm when you arrived.

“Hey kid. Nice save today.” Frank’s kind eyes sparkled. “He’s in his quarters.”

“Thanks Frank!” You nodded, shooting him a half-smile as you turned in the direction of Joel’s private room. It warmed your heart that Joel was okay with his senior staff knowing about the two of you. He had significant trust in them after years of friendship and working together.

Your knuckles barely rapped against the door before it was ripped open and you were unceremoniously tugged into the room. Large, warm hands grasped your face, dark eyes staring into your own, searching for something.

“Sweetheart,” Joel breathed, the puff of air washing over your skin. “You did amazin’ today. Are you okay after all that?”

You nodded, drained from the adrenaline rush and subsequent crash. “I’m alright. That was intense and I’m exhausted, but otherwise I’m fine.”

“Good.” His lips pressed against yours, needy and wanting, as his hands roamed your body. His tongue teased at your puffy bottom lip, seeking entrance to dance with your own. Your lips parted, deepening the kiss until you were both breathless. Thick fingers tangled in your disheveled hair, holding you close as Joel’s mouth met yours again and again in a series of longing kisses.

“I wish I could stay here with you tonight,” you said, hating the neediness in your voice. “I slept so well with your arms around me the other night.”

“Believe me, I want nothing more, but we can’t. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Wide, puppy eyes were glassy and remorseful as they stared down at you. “I…”

“No, it’s okay,” you cut him off. “I know we can’t, but it’s a nice thought.” Tucking your head against his chest, you breathed Joel in, enjoying the scent and warmth of him. Perhaps you would be here with him in your dreams.

TBC