#I genuinely think we'll all be amazing!!!

[astro-inthestars]

GUYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSS ITS MY MUSICAL TOMORROW ITS ALMOST TIIIIIME OH MY GODDDD ITS ALMOST TIME HOLY SHIT AUUGAHUHGHH I need to work on my lines and say them more slowly, and somehow make my singing voice louder while also deeper (the dysphoria's mean :( but if I can't make it deeper, it's okay, for the SAKE OF THEATER!!!) but otherwise we're all doing great!!!! I think we'll all do just fine!!

We had a full dress rehearsal today with full costume changes and we did pretty good! Only a couple mistakes and missing props, but we'll deal with that tomorrow. Overall, I think we'll all be AWESOME! Can't wait to watch the other sections too tbh. But anyway, WISH ME LUCK!!

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Fellow Honest - Playful Dress Vignette

"My stars, a grave insult!"

[Scalding Sands – Silk City]

Fellow: Now, ladies and gentlemen!

Fellow: What you are about to see here is a one-of-a-kind wonder.

Fellow: This is truly a genuinely invaluable show you are about to witness.

[rabble, rabble]

Fellow: Nice, them people're finally startin' to gather…!

Fellow: If you're interested in what I have to show, please, drop a few madol in this can over here. Any amount is fine～!

Fellow: And now, feast your eyes…

Fellow: On this… A one-of-a-kind puppet that can walk on its own without strings!

Fellow: What do you think, Mister? Madam? Doesn't it look so life-like? Amazing, is it not!?

Fellow: This exquisite beastman doll is the only one of its kind.

Fellow: You all are fortunate indeed to see such a fantastical sight. If your interest was piqued, I implore you to leave a token of appreciation…

[rabble, rabble]

Fellow: …Eh? It's not a puppet? A normal living being?

Fellow: HOW RUDE! WHAT EVIDENCE HAVE YOU FOR YOUR ACCUSATION!?

Fellow: Please, look carefully. It might be able to move without strings, but even if I poke or tickle it, it won't even cry out or laugh.

Fellow: It is a beautifully crafted puppet. Yes, that's right, there can be no question.

[Gidel nods]

Fellow: Ah, stop, Gidel!

Fellow: …It moved? Oh no, it must have just been a trick of the eye.

Fellow: Or, are you perhaps trying to insinuate that I, Fellow Honest, am a liar?

Fellow: You didn't mean it…? Ahhh, oh, but you've hurt my feelings so～!

Fellow: I've been known as Honest John, a man of integrity, pure and innocent, and yet you would call me a liar…

Fellow: I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SUFFER SUCH A DAY! MY STARS, A GRAVE INSULT!

Fellow: Hey now, Mister. Since you've damaged my pride like this, feels like you should provide me with a show of good faith and…

Gidel: [sneeze]

Fellow: AH!!

Fellow: U-Uhh… Ladies and gentlemen, I… Hm? You want your money and time back? …No need to get so angry… Hahaha…

Fellow: …Crap.

Fellow: RUN, GIDEL!!

Fellow: Haah… Pant, pant… Did we lose them?

Fellow: …YOU NITWIT! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE RIGHT THEN TO SNEEZE!?

Fellow: Just a little longer and we woulda gotten something extra on top of their spectator fees!

Gidel: …

Fellow: Ugh, whatever. ...All we got to show for that in the end was just a little bit of spare change…

Fellow: …And whatever small bits and bobs of jewelry they had on them.

Fellow: I stealthily swiped them with my magic while those idiots were all focused on you, but there's not much here. Shame.

Fellow: This dump ain't worth staying in. Time to move on, Gidel! Fwahaha!

[Fairest City – Crystal Galleria]

Fellow: Look carefully, fair people! What I have here is a magestone. However, this is no ordinary magestone.

Fellow: The date: 1000 years ago; the place: the depths leagues below the Coral Sea. This magestone was said to be sought even by the Great Seven!

Fellow: It may look like an ordinary pebble. So, what makes this an extraordinary find? Once you hear what I have to say, you'll never recover from the shock!

Fellow: Listen and be amazed! This is a miraculous stone where whosoever holds it becomes capable of using magic!

Gidel: ! [honks horn]

Fellow: For you, ladies and gentlemen, I risked life and limb searching high and low for this in the most secluded southern regions.

Fellow: There is only one of these gemstones in existence. We'll start the bidding at 50,000 madol (500 Thaumarks)! Come, come, all who are interested, please raise up a hand!

[silence]

Fellow: …Huh, no one wants to raise a hand? What, do I have before me a gaggle of broke spectators?

Fellow: Heh, gutless, all of you. Ah, but damn it all! Is there not a single one among you with the courage to reach out and grasp the miracle laid out before you!?

Fellow: With icy demeanors like that, even my fleas will laugh at me.

Fellow: …I'm sure you all are simply thinking there's no way you could trust vagabonds like us, isn't that right?

Fellow: You think I'm selling you a fake? You think you'll be wasting your money?

Fellow: Aah, that's no good, my dear fellows! If you mistrust me so fervently, it's not as fun...

Fellow: Don't worry. If you believe in what I tell you, there's nothing for you to be afraid of.

Fellow: COME ON TO THE THEATER!

Fellow: LIFE IS FUN

Fellow: …Ah, there we go, that was quick. 80,000 madol from the gent over there! And 100,000 madol from the one over here!

Fellow: A good call, everyone! With such wise decision-making skills, you all have a future scholar inside you!

Fellow: Fwahahaha! Look at 'em idiots believing at whatever stupid story I throw their way!

Fellow: A magestone that'll give you the ability to use magic～? If something like that really existed, I'd've used it myself.

Fellow: Even the guys who were the most skeptical leapt at the chance once I used my Unique Magic. I sure enjoy pulling the wool over idiots who try to look down on me.

Fellow: Hm, let's see how much we earned today…

Fellow: Two, four, six, eight… Oho, not a bad haul. Look, Gidel, we'll be feasting tonight!

[Gidel hops happily]

Fellow: Word's probably got around by now, especially after I raked in this much. This might be the end of the line for our earnings here…

Gidel: …

Fellow: What? You want to head south this time?

Fellow: Not a bad idea. How 'bout we target vacationers at them fancy resorts?

Fellow: Let's see if we can kindly crash their little enjoyable vacations.

Fellow: …Yeah, that's perfect. You're a genius, Gidel. This time, we'll be the fancy, rich folk out on vacation.

Fellow: We go where we want, when we want. We have nothing and no one tying us down.

Fellow: That's the least we deserve as free-spirited folk!

[Sunset Savanna – Sunrise City]

Fellow: EEEEP～～! I PROMISE, I WON'T DO ANYTHING BAD ANYMORE, I PROMISE!

Fellow: HELP～～～!

[Sunset Savanna – Sunrise City]

Fellow: SHIT! THAT MASSIVE CHEAPSKATE!

Fellow: They were carrying around a crazy fat wallet. They could've spared even a little bit and nothing woulda hurt their bottom line.

Fellow: Yet they caused a fuss just from me trying to swipe a few thousand madol… Ouuuch, it's still throbbing where they hit me.

[stomachs gurgle]

Fellow: Man, I'm starving. It's gonna suck to go another night without dinner.

Fellow: Ain't there something we can find to eat…?

[Gidel starts to drift away]

Fellow: …Hey, wait, Gidel! Don't open that can!

Fellow: Geez… Don'tcha see what it says right here? It's got OIL inside. You can't eat it, even if you open it.

Fellow: You do the same thing every time you're hungry. I've taught you dozens of times, can't you read what it says?

Gidel: …

Fellow: C'mon, squat here a little. I'll draw it out on the ground, so don't forget this time, 'kay?

Fellow: O is for Orange! It looks round and tasty, don't it?

Fellow: I is for Ice Cream! That thin, ice popsicle was pretty tasty the other day, wasn't it?

Fellow: L is for laugh! Don't it look like a smile when you look at it on it's side?

Fellow: …Why is L the only thing that's not food? I couldn't think of anything, so sue me.

Fellow: There's only so much I can teach you, too.

Fellow: Tch. If I had been able to go to school… By now I woulda been more…

[Gidel pats Fellow]

Gidel: …

Fellow: What? We don't need school to fill our bellies?

Fellow: Sigh, oh, Gidel. You know, you're…

Fellow: TOTALLY RIGHT!!

Fellow: That's right, we're living just fine even without going to school.

Fellow: Learning whatever with books and pencils is utter nonsense.

Fellow: We'll just clean out those suckers that went though their oh so lovely education, and just live a life that's even fuller.

Gidel: !

Fellow: That's right, leave it to me! Follow me, kid, and one day, you'll be a grand showstopper too.

Fellow: We'll get some halfwit students to dance for us on a stage for our own amusement!

Fellow: Now… What's more important right now is figuring out what we're going to eat tonight. I'll try to find something, so you start a fire.

Fellow: Just throw whatever you find into the fire, like wooden crates, or posters or… Hm?

Fellow: This job posting here… Oh, well, well!

Fellow: Look here, Gidel, That one prick is looking to hire someone. And this time, it's at an amusement park!

Fellow: I don't know what they're planning, but… Last time we did work for 'em, we made a killing.

Fellow: I can't stand how he looks down on us, but there's a lot more to gain out of it…

Fellow: Why don't we just go hear them out, Gidel? If we don't like it, we can just bail.

Fellow: We live only for today, never thinking about what tomorrow might bring. We do whatever work keeps our lives free and fun. 'Cause we can go and do whatever we want.

[Gidel nods, Fellow whistles as they go off]

Requested by @sakurakudo.

[hiitsm]

Transient Connection: A Meeting of Worlds

Part 2.

You meet a beautiful woman at your workplace, who isn't a professional actress like you.

Fluff

Note: I'm not very well-versed in the acting world, so it's not described in great detail.

Request here

-

Transient Connection: A Meeting of Worlds Series

-

As you and Alexia make your way to the set, you can't shake the feeling of anticipation mixed with a hint of nervousness. The connection you felt with her during your impromptu dance was undeniable, and you hope it translates well into your scene together.

The set is a picturesque stretch of beach, with the sun setting in the background, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The director, a tall, energetic woman named Lisa, greets you both with a wide smile.

"Alright, ladies, this is a simple scene. It's all about natural chemistry and conversation. Just be yourselves, and remember, less is more," Lisa explains, her hands gesturing animatedly.

You and Alexia nod in understanding, taking your positions on the sand. The scene is supposed to be an intimate conversation between two strangers who find solace in each other's company at the end of a long day. It's a pivotal moment in the movie, meant to showcase vulnerability and genuine connection.

"Action!" Lisa calls out, and you both start the scene.

You look at Alexia, and for a moment, you forget the lines you had memorized. Her eyes, still shimmering from your earlier encounter, draw you in. You remember the dialogue and begin.

"You know, sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger than to people we know," you say, your voice soft and contemplative.

Alexia nods, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Sí, strangers don't have expectations. They don't judge."

You pause, letting the gentle sound of the waves fill the silence. "But sometimes, talking to a stranger can feel like finding a kindred spirit."

Alexia turns to you, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Like meeting someone who understands a part of you that others don't."

The conversation flows naturally, your characters' lines blending seamlessly with your own thoughts and feelings. You feel the connection deepening with each word, the vulnerability you both share palpable.

"I think everyone needs someone like that," you say, your eyes meeting hers. "Someone who can see them for who they really are."

Alexia's smile widens, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the setting sun. "It's rare to find, but when you do, it's worth holding onto."

The director, Lisa, watches from a distance, a satisfied smile on her face. She can see the authenticity in your performance, the real emotions shining through.

As the scene progresses, you feel a sense of ease, as if you and Alexia are the only two people on the beach. The script fades into the background, and you find yourselves speaking from the heart.

"Maybe that's what this moment is," you say softly. "A chance to be real, to connect without any pretenses."

Alexia nods, her expression serious. "Maybe it is. And maybe, it's a moment we'll both remember."

The scene ends with a shared look of understanding, a silent promise of more to come. Lisa calls cut, and the crew erupts into applause, impressed by the genuine connection they witnessed.

"You two were amazing," Lisa says, walking over to you both. "The chemistry was perfect. It felt so real."

You glance at Alexia, a shy smile on your face. "Thank you. It felt real to us too."

Alexia nods in agreement, her eyes twinkling with a mix of relief and joy. "Gracias. It was… special."

As the applause dies down and the crew begins to pack up, you and Alexia exchange a look filled with unspoken words. The connection you felt during the scene lingers in the air, almost tangible. However, the reality of the situation quickly sets in as Joseph approaches.

"Great job, Alexia," Joseph says, a hint of urgency in his voice. "But we need to get going. The plane is waiting, and you have an important match to prepare for."

Alexia's expression shifts from joy to reluctant acceptance. "Sí, I know," she replies, turning to you with a wistful smile. "Duty calls."

You nod, understanding the demands of her career but feeling a pang of disappointment. "It was amazing working with you, Alexia. I hope our paths cross again."

"Me too," she says softly. "Maybe next time, we won't be so rushed."

Joseph checks his watch, his impatience growing. "We really need to go, Alexia."

"Right," she says, taking a step closer to you. "Thank you for everything today. You made it… special."

You smile, feeling a warmth spread through you. "Likewise, Alexia. Good luck with your match. I'll be rooting for you."

She grins, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Gracias. It means a lot."

With a final, lingering glance, Alexia turns and follows Joseph towards the waiting car. You watch her go, the sense of longing returning. But you also feel a sense of hope, a belief that this isn't the end of your story with Alexia.

Valentina walks over, a knowing smile on her face. "She likes you, you know."

You chuckle, shaking your head. "We barely know each other."

"Sometimes, that's all it takes," Valentina says with a shrug. "But for now, let's wrap things up here. You've got a big day tomorrow."

As you help the crew finish packing up, your thoughts keep drifting back to Alexia. You replay the moments on the beach, her laughter, and the way her eyes lit up when she smiled. The connection you felt is undeniable, and you can't help but hope for another chance to explore it.

Later that night, as you lie in bed, you check your social media. To your delight, you see a new post from Alexia. It's a picture of the sunset from earlier, accompanied only by a single heart emoji. You instantly recognize the photo, you took it for her. Seeing it there, shared with such simplicity, makes your heart flutter. You know exactly what it represents, and it stirs a mix of emotions within you, hope, connection, and an undeniable sense of something special just beginning.

You stare at the image for a long moment, a smile playing on your lips. The fact that she posted it, even without words, speaks volumes. It’s a silent acknowledgment of the bond you felt today, a reminder that maybe, just maybe, this is the start of something wonderful.

Feeling a warmth spread through you, you double-tap the photo, leaving a discreet like, hoping she sees it and understands that you felt it too.

Several weeks later, you find yourself with a small break in your hectic schedule. After the whirlwind of filming, promotions, and interviews, the idea of escaping to Barcelona feels like a breath of fresh air. You've always loved the city, its vibrant culture, and beautiful architecture. More importantly, it's where Alexia lives, and the thought of possibly seeing her again makes your heart race.

Despite your excitement, there's also a nagging nervousness. You and Alexia had exchanged only a few messages after the shoot, mostly polite and friendly, but nothing deep. The connection you felt on the beach still lingers in your mind, but you're unsure if she felt it as strongly as you did. You've been contemplating whether to message her and let her know you're in her city, but the fear of making the first move holds you back.

Settling into your hotel room, you unpack your bags and take a moment to relax. The memory of your brief but memorable encounter with Alexia lingers, and you wonder what she's been up to. Your thoughts drift back to the sunset photo she posted, and the connection you felt.

Taking a deep breath, you open your social media app and navigate to Alexia's profile. You hesitate for a moment, your fingers hovering over the message button. It's been a few weeks since you last saw her, and although you've thought about reaching out, you haven't had the courage to do so.

Gathering your resolve, you start typing a message:

"Hey Alexia! I'm in Barcelona for a few days and was wondering if you'd like to catch up. Would be great to see you again if you're free. 😊"

You read the message over a few times, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. Finally, you hit send, and the message is on its way. The next few minutes feel like hours as you wait for a response, your mind racing with possibilities.

A notification pops up on your screen. It's a message from Alexia.

"Hey! That's amazing, welcome to my city! I'd love to catch up. How about we meet for coffee tomorrow? ☕"

After setting a time and place to meet with Alexia for coffee, you decide to take a leisurely stroll through a nearby park. The evening air is crisp and filled with the aroma of blooming flowers, adding to the sense of anticipation bubbling inside you.

As you walk, you find yourself lost in thought, replaying the upcoming reunion in your mind. You can't help but smile as you imagine catching up with Alexia, wondering how the conversation will flow now that you have the chance to talk without the distractions of a film set.

Finding a cozy spot at a café in the park, you order a coffee and settle in. Pulling out your phone to check the time, you become engrossed in a message from a friend when suddenly, you feel a slight bump and hear a soft apology.

Looking up, you're surprised to see Alexia standing before you, a small Pomeranian dog on a leash beside her. She looks equally surprised, her eyes widening in recognition.

"Hey! I was just…" you start to say, but your voice trails off as you realize she's on a phone call. You catch snippets of the conversation as she continues speaking in Spanish.

"… sí, mañana," Alexia says with a grin, clearly excited about something. "Sí, creo que sí. Gracias, María. Nos vemos mañana. Intentaré invitarla a salir. Adiós María, que tengas una buena tarde. Hablaremos pronto, sí, te avisaré cómo fue, sí, es mañana. ¡Adiós!"

"Hey!" Alexia exclaims with a slight blush when she put her phone away, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected encounter. She quickly composes herself, flashing you a warm smile. Her small Pomeranian dog, Nala, wags her tail happily at your feet.

"I was just… talking to my friend María," Alexia explains, her cheeks still tinged with a hint of shyness. "She was… uh, teasing me about something."

You chuckle softly, feeling a rush of relief that she's just as flustered as you are. "Sounds like an interesting conversation," you reply, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Alexia nods, regaining her composure. "Yeah, she's… Maria always has a way of getting straight to the point," she says, her smile returning. "But I'm glad I ran into you tonight. I was actually hoping I'd see you."

"Really?" you ask, pleasantly surprised by her admission.

"Yeah," Alexia admits with a sheepish grin. "I mean, I wasn't sure how to reach out after our last chat. And here we are, bumping into each other."

You smile back, feeling a surge of happiness at her candidness. "Well, I'm glad we did," you say sincerely. "It's nice to see you again."

Alexia nods, her gaze lingering on yours for a moment longer than necessary. "Would you like to take a walk together?" she asks, nodding towards Nala. "Nala could use some more exercise, and I'd love the company."

As you walk together through the tranquil park, Alexia shares stories about Nala's antics and her favorite spots in Barcelona. The conversation flows effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and shared interests that make the time pass too quickly.

As the sun begins its descent, casting a warm orange glow over the park, Alexia suggests heading towards your hotel.

"Let me walk you there," she offers with a gentle smile. "It's getting late, and I want to make sure you get back safely."

You agree, feeling a flutter of anticipation as you walk side by side. When you arrive at your hotel, Alexia looks around, taking in the quiet street and the dimming light of the sunset.

"This is my stop," you say softly, gesturing towards the entrance. "Thank you for walking with me."

Alexia's gaze lingers on yours, her expression softening with a mixture of fondness and something more. "It was my pleasure," she replies, her voice barely above a whisper.

Standing there, the air thick with unspoken desire, Alexia takes a small step closer. The intensity in her eyes draws you in, and without a word, she leans in slowly. Her lips meet yours in the gentlest of kisses, sending a jolt of warmth through you.

Time seems to stand still as you melt into each other, the world around you fading into insignificance. Alexia's touch is tender yet filled with longing, her lips soft against yours.

When she pulls back, a blush colors her cheeks, and she chuckles softly. "I've been wanting to do that since I first saw you again," she admits, her voice husky with emotion.

You smile, your heart racing with happiness and anticipation. "I'm glad you did," you reply softly, reaching for her hand and intertwining your fingers with hers. Leaning in for another kiss.

"So, this means that we are still on for coffee tomorrow?"

[sebscore]

if you feel comfortable doing so, how do you think the grid would react if gzd was going through a rough patch and she’s being like really quiet and in her head?

i’m kinda slipping back into this era and i just need the grids comfort

THIS IS ALL I NEVER WANTED

pairing: lando norris x driver!reader / daniel ricciardo x driver!reader / sebastian vettel x driver!reader / lewis hamilton x sebastian vettel

warnings: reader feels defeated and is ready to give up. swearing. mention of sexism.

author’s note: the comfort fic is finally hear, lmao :) sorry that it took me this long, got caught up with gentle hit, but it’s here now !!

masterlist

• • • • • • •

''That's the car of Y/L that goes into the gravel- another DNF for the young driver.'' Crofty commented as he watched her retire from the fight for the third consecutive race. 

Meanwhile in the car, Y/N's radio was bombarded by her engineer. ''We're so sorry, Y/N. A podium was possible, but we'll keep pushing harder for next time. We'll debrief.'' Marco apologised, frustration and guilt audible in his voice. 

''Understood.'' The indifferent tone came as a surprise to the team and viewers, but it was understandable as the driver hadn't been able to finish a race in over a month. 

The ride back to the paddock was humiliating to say the least. The pitiful looks from fans, the judging eyes of critics and the loud whispers didn't do much to brighten the dark cloud that was her mind. 

Her post-race interviews also weren't a great help to her already declining confidence. 

''It's the third consecutive DNF for you- how are you managing to stay positive and to not lose hope in the car?'' Nathalie asked her, sounding compassionate. 

Y/N shrugged her shoulders. ''Nothing is positive at all,'' she sarcastically chuckled, ''I think I'm doing everything right and then it all goes wrong for some reason.'' 

''I'm working hard with the team, but it doesn't seem like it's paying off at the moment. I'm just very disappointed and I- yeah, well, I hate the car.'' 

The reporter in front of her wasn't used to the visible pessimism of the female driver. Y/N was known for her cheerful and up-beat character, always open for a chat and ready to take on any challenge. That figure seemed to be missing at the moment. 

''I hope it gets better for you, Y/N. You're an amazing driver and I wish you good luck for the next race weekend, thank you so much for talking to us.'' Nathalie rounds up the interview before signalling to her cameraman to stop the filming. 

Y/N was about to leave, but a gentle grab of her wrist stopped her. ''Hey, darling- don't let this get you down, alright? There are many people rooting for you here, me included, and we all want to see you do well. You have incredible talent and we know these lasts results aren't a reflection of that.'' 

The Sky Sports presenter had a soft spot for the young woman ever since her arrival to the paddock. Nathalie has always been amazed by Y/N's ability to shrug off all the sexist remarks and to prove the people that doubt her wrong. 

''Thanks, I appreciate it.'' The soft smile on Y/N's face was a fake one, even a child could spot that. However, her words and gratefulness were genuine and that's all that mattered to Nathalie. 

The driver moved quickly between the different journalists, not in the mood for the long and lovely chats that would have happened had she crossed the chequered flag. ''If one more person reminds me of all the DNF's, I'm going to knock myself out with one of these microphones.'' She mumbled to her team's press officer, making the woman laugh but also look at Y/N with a bit of concern. 

Luckily for her, all the media responsible people must have listened to her prayers and went easy on her- maybe sensing her agitation and worsened mood. She and her press officer moved back to the team's hospitality, where a dreaded team briefing would take place. 

''Obviously these aren't the results that we want. We want wins, podiums and points.'' Her team principal started off the meeting, standing at the head of the table. ''It is clear that changes need to be made, whether that be the car, the strategy or the driver even.'' The eyes of the team shifted from their leader to the young woman staring daggers at him. 

''It's not my fault that the fucking engine blows up or that another drivers decides he wants to play bumper cars.'' Y/N defended herself, not seeing why she should be replaced. 

He shook his head. ''I didn't say it was your fault, but we have to look at all the options and that includes you, Y/N.'' The man clarified, taking a deep breath. 

The woman rolled her eyes, causing Marco to send her a stern look that said ''Please, don't make this harder on yourself.'' She got his sign and sat up straight in her chair, figuring her slumping didn't give off a great impression. 

The briefing continued for another hour, going over all the alternatives they had and all the work they had to do while waiting for the next race weekend. ''Alright- thank you, everyone! Have a great break.'' The team principal dismissed the team. 

Y/N was the first one to get up and leave, debating if she would slam the door, but she didn't want a Kevin x Guenther moment with her boss. 

By the time she was on her way to her hotel, most fans had gone home themselves and the paddock was occupied by crew members cleaning the place up. Y/N had a slow pace while walking, not in any hurry to leave the circuit. 

''You're going back to the hotel?'' A voice behind her spoke up, making the female driver yelp as she didn't expect someone to walk up on her. 

Y/N turned around, Lando looking at her with a grin. ''Did I scare you?'' He laughed, finding amusement in making his friend flinch. 

''You could have been a serial killer for all I know, you idiot.'' She slapped his arm, the tension leaving her body as it was only Lando and not some creep. 

''Only on track.'' He winked. 

The young woman frowned at his action. ''Please, never do that again.'' Her feigned disgust with his wink resulted in a light push from her friend. 

''So… you're going to the hotel now?'' Lando asked her again, not having received an answer yet. 

Y/N nodded. ''Yeah, I could use some sleep before the flight tomorrow.'' 

''You, uh, wanna take a car together to the hotel? You know- that way we're not wasting gas, I guess.'' He nervously asked, mumbling the question almost under his breath. 

''Sure,'' Y/N chuckled, ''Seb will be proud of us.'' 

They decided to take his car as she wasn't in the mood to drive anymore and Lando didn't seem to mind. She was grateful for Lando's company, at least her bad day would end on a good note. 

''Sorry about the race today, I know you could have done more.'' Despite being competitors, they were also great friends and it's not fun seeing your friends have bad results. 

Y/N sighed. ''My team- they're, uh, thinking about replacing me.'' She wanted to get her worries off of her chest and Lando bringing up the race seemed like the perfect oppurtunity for it. 

''What?'' He exclaimed, not anticipating that sentence to come out of her mouth. 

''They say they just have to think about all the changes they could make to get better results, but they've been talking an awful lot about the junior drivers so I'm just preparing myself for it.'' She clarified for him, resting her head against the window. 

Lando let her words sink in. ''They- they can't possibly do that, you're one of the best drivers on the grid.'' It came out louder than he intended, but the thought of one of his best friends not being with him on track anymore upsets him. 

''They can do that,'' she sarcastically chuckled, ''I'm impressed I lasted this long- I just know the FIA will be throwing a party now that they don't have to be feminists anymore.'' 

''What do you mean 'lasted'? You're not going anywhere, we have enough races left where you can show your true skills.'' Lando took his eyes off the road to look her in the eye, perhaps wanting her to see how serious he was. 

Y/N shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to talk about it any further. 

The car stopped in front of a red light. ''Hey,'' Lando put his hand on top of hers, ''I'm being serious. We've been racing against each other for over 10 years now- you're a good driver. You'll probably be a World Champion one day.'' 

''You really mean that?'' Her usual confident demeanour had been traded in for an insecure one, her voice coming out smaller than normal. 

He chuckled, nodding his head. ''Of course, I wouldn't lie to you.'' The gentle way he was looking at her assured her that he was in fact being serious and meant everything he said. 

''Thank you,'' Y/N turned her hand and squeezed Lando's, ''now, shut up and drive me to the hotel!'' She pushed his hand away. ''Enough of this emo shit.'' 

''This is the one time I am being nice to you and you just reject my love.'' 

''Stop being so emotional, Norris.'' 

''There she is!'' Daniel loudly announced as Y/N stepped onto the plane, his hands up in the air. 

She tiredly waved at everyone, exhausted from the lack of sleep she had gotten. The young woman groggily sat down next to her Australian colleague, Michael sitting in front of them. 

Daniel snickered at her disoriented state. ''Good morning to you, mate.'' He greeted her, his infamous bright smile on his face. 

''It's fucking early, what are you so happy about?'' She mumbled, while trying to find a good sleeping position. 

''I'm grateful that I get to live another beautiful day, Y/N! We don't appreciate our existence enough, we need to-''

''I'll be grateful for my life when you shut up and let me sleep.'' She interrupted him, closing her eyes and pulling her hat slightly over her face. 

The McLaren driver opted for another teasing comment, but he could see the obvious exhaustion she had going on and let her be, a light pat on the shoulder working as his way to say ''have a good nap''. 

About an hour later the turbulence of the plane woke her up from her much needed sleep. Y/N took her hat off and noticed Daniel still awake, scrolling on his phone while listening to music through his headphones. 

A soft push against his arm brought his attention from his device to the woman next to him, immediately smiling upon seeing that she's awake. ''Sleepyhead.'' 

The beam on his face slowly changed into a nervous frown, worrying his friend. ''What is it? The reality of life finally settled in?'' Y/N awkwardly said, trying to cheer him up. 

''No, uh, it's just that uhm interview you did with Nathalie yesterday- I watched it.'' He answered, sympathy written all over his face. 

''Oh,'' she sat up straight in her seat, ''well, you know it was just after the race so obviously I was very frustrated. You know how it is.'' The driver tried to come off as nonchalant, failing horribly. 

''Lando told me, Y/N.'' Daniel revealed, wanting her to drop the 'it's not a big deal'-act. 

She sighed. ''Oh, that little snake.'' She muttered under her breath. 

''No, I'm glad that he told me. He said he's never seen you so defeated and the way you were talking to Nathalie- you haven't given up, have you?'' Daniel had seen how her recent race results had affected her, but he wasn't aware how deep her frustrations and insecurities had settled in. 

Her silence to his question was an answer in itself. 

''You've been working your ass off since you were like what? 5-6? You're not gonna throw all of that away just because of 3 bad races, right? That's nothing like you.'' The Australian ranted, baffled over her ruined confidence. 

Y/N glanced outside her window, seeing they were high above the clouds. ''I'm not throwing anything away, it's just… my teams seems to have already made up their mind and are just waiting on the right time to tell me that someone else is taking my place.'' The young woman clarified, her words not helping Daniel's growing worries. 

''They would be fucking idiots to replace you, you know that.'' He sneered, rolling his eyes at the thought of another person driving in her seat. 

She weakly chuckled at his response, not finding much humour in the insult to her bosses. 

Daniel's shoulder gently pushed against hers. ''Hey, maybe you need to talk to Seb or Lewis, they're better at this pep-talk shit than I am.'' He suggested, figuring the two older men might have more of an influence on her. 

Y/N let his words process for a few seconds, considering seeking a listening ear in either of the world champions. ''I- I don't know, Dan. They probably have better things to do.'' 

''Like what?'' 

''I don't fucking know- planting trees, feeding Roscoe, whatever.'' She blurted out, making both of them laugh at the random activities they could be doing. 

''Just think about it, I think you'd feel a lot better after talking to one of them.'' Daniel didn't want to push her, knowing it would have the opposite effect on what he wanted for her. 

A tired smile made its way onto her face. ''I will, thank you.'' 

''Good,'' his face mirrored hers, ''and if they do replace you, they're just like Netflix.'' 

''Like Netflix?'' 

''A bunch of cunts.'' 

''I've never seen her that quiet.'' Sebastian mumbled to the Brit next to him, observing the young woman who sat slumped over in her chair. 

Lewis looked over at her, being as equally bewildered as his German colleague. ''I don't blame her, all the stuff they've been saying about her is awful.'' He whispered back. 

''What do you mean?'' Sebastian frowned. 

The Mercedes driver uncomfortably shifted in his head, leaning more towards his friend. ''People have been saying a lot of shit on social media and those fucking annoying journalists certainly don't help. Also, that interview their team principal did.'' 

Sebastian rolled his eyes at the mention. ''Hanna showed me, that was so out of line. He knows people have been wanting her out since the day she got in- shame on him for making all of that so public.'' 

Her team principal had given a quite lengthy interview over the break between the race weekends, publicising the team's problems and their possible solutions, which included a hint to a potential driver change-up. 

''None of the DNF's were even her fault, it's absolutely ridiculous.'' The slander on her name greatly upset Lewis, aware of the talent she possessed and it made him angry that there was even a chance that she might not be on the grid with them the next year. 

''I know and it has taken such a toll on her, Daniel said he talked to her, but I'm a little worried.'' The Aston Martin driver told Lewis, his puzzled look turning into one of sadness. 

The Brit scratched his voice. ''Maybe you can give her some confidence? You've known her for a long time, I'm sure she'll appreciate it.'' 

Sebastian slowly nodded his head, figuring the World Champion might be right. ''Yeah, I'll talk to her later.'' He confirmed, still watching the obvious daydreaming woman from across the room. 

The driver's briefing went on for about half an hour more, the director seeing the visible boredom on every person's face and calling it a day for everyone. 

Y/N couldn't have been more relieved that the meeting was finally over, wanting nothing more than going back to her own hospitality and figuring out ways to make the car work, and actually finish this time around. 

She was one of the last people to leave the briefing room, only George, Lewis and Sebastian walking behind her. The latter tapping her shoulder. ''Hey, haven't talked to you today.'' 

''Yeah, lots of briefings with the team, you know.'' The younger one responded, giving him a quick glance. 

''How's that going?'' 

The woman remained silent for a few moments, considering how much she should tell her mentor about the current state of her place in the team. ''Uhm, well, it's going… decent, I guess.'' Y/N muttered, trailing off. 

''Decent?'' Sebastian repeated, as if asking ''are you serious?'' 

''There are like a bunch of reporters around us, what do you want me to say?'' She replied, a defensive tone to her voice. 

The German patted her back, sensing her agitation. ''It's okay, let's discuss somewhere private.'' He calmed her down, suggesting a different place to have a conversation. 

''Okay.'' 

They opted for her personal driver's home, that being the closest space where they could talk with just the two of them. Some of her team's staff had given the Aston Martin driver some weird looks while they walked through the hospitality, but he brushed them off. 

The pair sat down on her small couch once they arrived, not much space between them. 

Y/N felt some nerves settling in her stomach as she waited for Seb to start speaking, not knowing what he was going to tell her. 

''I'm just gonna be straightforward,'' he started off, ''you can't continue with this attitude, cause you're only setting yourself up. You are a great driver, Y/N. We all have our off weeks, we're not perfect.'' 

''I understand that this isn't a nice situation to be in. Trust me, this green vegetable that I'm driving isn't doing much better at the moment,'' he chuckled, making her crack a smile, ''but if there's one person that can completely turn their season around, it's you.'' 

Y/N avoided eye-contact with him, not sure how to respond to his kind and encouraging words. ''I appreciate that, Seb. I'm not giving up, it's just… very difficult and people are constantly bringing it up, and making articles and shit- that doesn't help me at all. I'm still gonna do my best, but… yeah- it's just difficult.'' 

''I know it's hard and I've heard the media has been hard on you. That's what they do and they see you as an easier target for clicks and whatnot,'' Sebastian rolled his eyes at his own mention of the media, ''But you're better than believing their words.'' 

''You are a talented driver, you have so much potential. Do you think I would have spent all these years with you if I thought you shouldn't be in F1?'' He asked her, a look on his face that told her he wanted an answer. 

The young woman timidly shook her head. ''No, you wouldn't have done that.'' 

Sebastian smiled at her response. ''See?'' He put his arm around her, pulling her closer into him. ''Whether you believe it or not, you're leading this new generation. You're a decent car away from being a World Champion, you know that right?'' 

''Did you talk to Lando? He also said that.'' Y/N nervously grinned. 

''Just accept the truth!'' The German squeezed her shoulders. ''You've proven that you can do anything. You don't want to let down all those young girls that started karting because of you, right? What message would it send to all of them that their role model quit, because she got bumped off the road or her car simply decided to turn itself off.'' 

''You're right,'' she sighed, admitting to herself she needed to drop the pessimistic attitude, ''I don't just owe it to myself, but also to them.'' 

Sebastian nodded along to her words, letting out a deep breath. ''I'm relieved you're seeing it, I don't like seeing you like this. It's weird not seeing you smile or making fun of the drivers.'' He smirked, patting her shoulder. 

''I guess everyone deserved an off-day, tomorrow I'll start again.'' Y/N grinned, laughing at Sebastian's reminder of her fondness to poke fun at their colleagues. 

The senior driver gave her one last squeeze and stood up from the couch, adjusting his pants. ''No more frowns, alright? You're gonna do great this weekend and you're gonna show everyone why you deserve your seat.'' 

Y/N nodded, more confident than when she first walked back into her driver's room. ''Yes, I'm gonna do my best, Seb.'' 

They bumped their fists as if to solidify it was going to be a great race weekend for them both. 

''And go easy on me tomorrow with the teasing.'' 

''I'd rather be run off the track again then let that happen.''

taglist :: @cl16version @missskid @missthem @rosesintj @evans-dejong @thehistoryone @dreamycloudsworld @alonsogirlie @muushmeg @topguncultleader @the-great-adventures-of-me @love13tter @xcharlottemikaelsonx @kiwisa @starkwlkr @nora_moon @princesselle2111 @valluvsu @thatsadsmallchild @babyyoda89 @milkbreadforlife @fxllfaiiry @hc-dutch @its-ash-not-grey @princessbetsy123 @mehrmonga @nyenye @screechingtrashkid @ahnneyong @holybatflapexpert @itsnotgray @beautycinders @rowansshit @uhhevie @revengze @nylaslife @majx00 @multi-universe21 @jaydensluv @isasalom @gentlemonsterjennie1 @appledashhh @breathinfive @lighttsoutlewis @champomiel @ooooohmicky @koufaxx @flannelforthetoads

@mysticfalls01 @ghostcorazon @mango-bear @totally-random-person @youkissedareaderinthedark @phoenix-luv @hamilton-mount @calcaneous @aurora-maria @idkiwantchocolatee @anonymous-platypus1

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

i've been having a couple of downer days recently, and i kept looking for a verse i haven't read thrice yet for some comfort, but you're age! gap verse has been a pleasant escape even though its not what i was looking for. you're writing never fails to make me feel better ari 💕💕

Here's how they met 💜

Bruce sighed. He was starting to hate talk show appearances, but at least this one had never been too bad. Angelique was chatty and fun but not grating. Her show ran as school let out. So grannies watched after their naps and kids watched getting off the bus. She ran a little something for everyone.

He assumed he was here for the grannies.

"I'm so sorry I'm late the shoot ran over and I couldn't get away."

The voice caught his attention. Not the fake starlet over dramatic gushing, but genuine distress. And he half turned to look. You looked like you came from a shoot. Straight off the pages of a glossy magazine.

"No worries, Miss Y/L/N we got your call in enough time. We'll just touch up your face and you'll be good to go," the manager greeting you, said.

Bruce smiled a little. Clearly, you were a frequent guest. You thanked him profusely and trotted off. Not needing to be told where to go. And as you go, there's several crew members you can greet by name. You've either been here a lot or worked with them before. Or both. But, it's endearing.

He turned back around listening to Angelique get her updates on where production was. "-And Y/N is in hair and makeup as we speak."

"Oh, bless her heart," Angelique said. "That's what I get calling her last minute." She turned to Bruce and held out her hand, "Are you ready?" she asked.

"As I'll ever be," he chuckled taking her hand, "You know these sorts of things aren't my forte. My oldest on the other hand-"

"Don't you worry about a thing," Angelique reassured him, patting the hand she was holding before letting it go. "Y/N is an old pro- Ah! speak of the devil!" She swooped over and kissed you on either cheek. "You look absolutely divine, is that one of yours?"

"You know it is," you tell her laughing, returning the gesture. "As if I could walk in and NOT wear my own design, you'd never let me live it down."

"So true. Darling," she said grabbing your hand and pulling you over to Bruce, "I want you to meet Bruce. You'll be on stage together today. You know it's charity week and I though it would be great to highlight all the work you do for school arts programs along side the Wayne foundation," she said.

"Hello," you tell him, holding out your hand.

"Pleased to meet you," he said, taking the hand you offered warmly. Giving you his most charming smile. You did look good. And he could tell they hadn't done much to your face or your hair. "I'm a big fan of your work," he commented.

Your smile didn't falter but your eyes narrowed slightly. And Bruce cringed internally Shit. She thinks I mean the Playboy spread, he thought. "Your last movie, the drama, especially. The range of emotion and the depth- It really was incredible."

"Thank you," you tell him. "It was challenging but I really enjoyed it."

Bruce felt his face heat when Angelique coughed and he remembered hearing that you had the ability to make someone feel like they were the only person in the room. He'd forgotten for just a second. In just that brief moment that he was waiting for an appearance. "It showed I uh- my kids made fun of me when I cried at the end-"

"Aww, Angelique gushed, "This is amazing. you guys keep up this chemistry. It'll go totally viral." She bounced on the balls of her feet and kissed your cheek again, "I'll have someone bring you a coffee, sweetie. You're going to start wilting soon."

And before you could say anything or Bruce could offer to go and get it for you himself, Angelique had bustled off to find and assistant to give marching orders to.

[mariclerc]

unexpected role request here! can you do one where the situation is about the Oscar and Ollie adoption joke? where they like invite them over and spend time like a family and another fic where the timeline was when Charles introduced y/n and lily his family :))

Thank you so much for this request!! I love the idea 🥺🥺🥺 and don't worry, I will make your other request very soon!!

An unexpected role (pt.7) | cl16

Summary: you revealed your little secret to your date, you didn't expect he would take it so well. Warning: none, just fluff as usual featuring Ollie and Oscar!!

Follow the series! Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6 , Part 8, Part 9

Sunlight streams through the large windows of yours and Charles' apartment. Charles sits at the counter of the kitchen with Lily perched on a high chair wearing a bib. He's cutting up strawberries and feeding them to her, dodging sticky fingers with a smile.

In the living room, you are curled up on the couch, scrolling through Twitter on your phone. You let out a surprised laugh.

“Charles, you'll never guess what I just saw!” you say walking into the kitchen.

Charles glances up from Lily, a strawberry halfway to her mouth. “What's that, amore?” he says with his mouth full of little raspberries.

Lily happily chomps on the strawberry.

“It seems you've become a social media dad already.” you say giggling.

Charles raises an eyebrow, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “A social media what now?” He says a little confused.

You hold up your phone, showing him a screenshot. It's a tweet with a picture of you, Charles, and Lily photoshopped beside Oscar Piastri and Ollie Bearman, the caption reads: "Charles Leclerc expanding his family with the next generation of talent! #adoptdontshop #F1fam"

Charles bursts out laughing, shaking his head. Lily claps her hands, delighted by the sound. “Oh my god, these fans... they're something else.”

“So, are you thinking of breaking the news to Lily that she has new brothers?” you say teasingly.

Charles picks Lily up from the high chair, placing her on his hip as he walks over to you. “Maybe someday, when she's old enough to understand that Oscar and Ollie are more like... racing cousins, I guess?” He leans and kisses Lily's head. “Though, the idea of them all hanging out here... it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, would it? I mean, you already know them and, well, they seem to like Lily a lot!”

You raise an eyebrow, a playful smile on your lips.

”You mean a whole house full of young, competitive drivers? Sounds like a recipe for chaos, you know?” you asked him.

“Maybe, but think of the stories they'd have for when they're older... "Remember that time Aunt y/n almost lost it when we turned the living room into a go-kart track?" That would be so funny!” he say grinning.

You reach out and softly touch his cheek. “Alright, alright, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. As long as they promise not to give Lily any racing ideas before she's old enough.”

Charles throws his head back and laughs, a genuine sound that fills the room. Lily joins in, giggling at the sound of her parents laughing.

“Don't worry, amour. We'll keep her grounded... For now.”

He leans in and kisses you, the promise of a playful evening with the guys hanging in the air.

***

One week later, the kitchen is a whirlwind of activity. You're juggling chopping vegetables with keeping Lily, who's sporting a bright yellow construction hat, out of the precarious piles of flour on the counter.

Charles bursts in, a wide grin on his face, followed by two young men, Oscar and Ollie, they both have shy smiles on their faces, despite already knowing them in the paddock, they tend to be a little shy.

“Here they are! The prodigal... racing sons, I suppose?” says Charles, making an exaggerated announcement when they enter.

Oscar and Ollie exchange awkward smiles.

“Hey Charles, y/n. Thanks for having us! This place smells amazing, what are we making?” Ollie says, waving friendly.

“It's nothing Ollie, we're making pizza! Lily's been demanding it all week.” You say while cleaning the flour from your hands.

Lily, perched on a stool by the counter, happily bangs a wooden spoon on a metal pot and looks up at Oscar. “Osc! Osc! Osc!” she giggles while looking at the Australian.

Oscar smiles and carefully approaches Lily.

“Hey there you girlyclerc, you want some cuddles?” He says, caressing Lily's cheek gently, she nods and extends her little hands towards him. Oscar chuckles and Ollie bumps him with his shoulder.

“So, uh, is there anything we can do to help with the dinner?” Ollie asks a little shyly as he smiles.

You smile, relieved at the offer.

“Actually, yes! Can you two keep Lily occupied in the living room for a bit, please? We need some grown-up time to get this pizza dough under control.” you smile at the young boys.

Oscar and Ollie look at each other, then back at you, a mixture of amusement on their faces.

Charles notice their hesitation. “Don't worry guys, she's pretty easy to please. Just don't let her near any markers, and maybe hide the remote... Besides, she already adores you two, so... I don't think it's a big problem.”

Oscar and Ollie share a determined look and smile.

“Consider it done. Come on, pipsqueak, let's go build a fort!” Ollie says as Lily jumps into his arms.

Oscar starts singing a children's song, earning a delighted squeal, and they disappear into the living room. You and Charles exchange a look, then you two burst out laughing.

“Maybe they'll make better babysitters than racing drivers, don't you think?” you giggled.

“Maybe... But at least they're good driving too amour.” Charles says, pulling you in for a quick kiss, flour dusting his cheek. “Now, about this reckless dough...”

Meanwhile in the living room, where Ollie and Oscar are sprawled on the floor with Lily, surrounded by pillows and blankets. Lily, wearing a princess crown made of construction paper, is holding a plastic microphone, belting out a made-up song at the top of her lungs. Oscar and Ollie, despite themselves, are smiling so hard at lily's creativity, completely captivated by their pint-sized audience.

***

You and Charles have managed to wrangle the pizza dough into a presentable shape. Flour dusts your aprons and the air smells pleasantly of tomato sauce and oregano.

“Alright, that looks good. Time to get these in the oven!” you say while wiping your hands.

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierces the air. You and Charles exchange a panicked look.

“Lily!” Charles says exalted.

You both race towards the living room, bracing yourselves for the worst, the scene that greets you is unexpected.

Oscar and Ollie are sprawled on the floor, their faces painted in bright, uneven stripes. Lily, holding a colourful marker in one hand and a triumphantly mischievous grin on her face, stands over them. Pillows lie scattered on the floor, a half-built fort forgotten.

“Uh, she may have gotten a little carried away with the markers...” Ollie says sheepishly.

Lily lets out a giggle that's both adorable and slightly terrifying. You and Charles can't help but laugh, the tension dissolving.

“Lily, sweetheart, what did we say about markers, huh?” says Charles as he tries to keep a straight face.

Lily sticks her tongue out at him playfully and he does the same, you giggle at the father-daughter interaction.

“Well, this is certainly a first. Looks like we need to add "washing paint out of hair" to the post-pizza agenda, don't you think guys?” you say smiling.

Oscar and Ollie exchange a sheepish glance, but there's a spark of amusement in their eyes.

“Consider it payback for the flour fight Charles had us do at Monaco last year.” Ollie giggled softly.

Charles throws his hands up in mock surrender. “Hey, a little initiation never hurt anyone!”

You shake your head, but a smile tugs at your lips. It's chaotic, messy, and completely unexpected. But as you look around at the scene - the flour-dusted kitchen, the paint-striped drivers, a giggling Lily in the middle of it all - you can't help but feel a warmth spread through you.

The sound of the oven timer cuts through the laughter, Charles pats his stomach with a theatrical sigh.

“Alright, alright, enough shenanigans. Pizza's calling! Who's hungry?” Charles says.

Lily, ever the opportunist, throws her arms up in the air.

“Dada, pizza!” Lily says smiling.

Oscar and Ollie share a look, then grin. “We could definitely use some fuel after all this... creative art expression.” Ollie says smiling.

You herd everyone towards the table, grabbing cleaning wipes on the way. Charles pulls out a high chair for Lily, her paint-streaked face a masterpiece of pure joy.

“Alright, first things first, let's get this paint cleaned up. Then pizza, maybe a movie to wind down before you two head home?” you say while wiping a smudge off Ollie's cheek.

Oscar smiles “Sounds like a plan, y/n. Thanks again for having us today.” says Oscar, wiping his face with a cloth.

Charles ruffles Oscar's hair playfully and smiles. “Anytime, mate! Just don't give Lily any ideas about supergluing my helmet on next time, alright?” he says with a chuckle.

Ollie lets out a laugh, shaking his head.

“No promises, Charles. No promises.”

As everyone settles around the table, the air is filled with a cacophony of chatter, laughter, and Lily's enthusiastic demands for more cheese. The scene fades on a warm, messy tableau of a family, unconventional as it may be, sharing a meal and a stolen moment of joy.

***

After eating the pizza, Lily, now sporting a clean face (and a suspicious orange stain on her shirt), bounces around the living room with a juice box in one hand. Oscar and Ollie are sprawled on the floor, attempting to build a precarious tower out of Legos.

“You think they'll be alright for a movie? Or will they be bouncing off the walls?” you say towards Charles while stacking some dishes in the kitchen.

“They might be a bit wired, but a good movie should tire them out eventually... What did you have in mind?” he says grinning.

You grab a movie from the shelf, a classic Disney animation.

“Something guaranteed to put them into a sugar coma... Besides, Lily's been obsessed with this lately.” you say in a sweet giggle and Charles smiled.

You return to the living room, putting in the movie. The Lego tower teeters precariously before collapsing with a dramatic crash, Lily squeals with laughter, then turns to Oscar and Ollie with wide eyes.

“Movie time! Movie time!” she says giggling. “Ollie?” she says towards Ollie, while making little hands, a sign she makes everytime she wants to be hold up in arms.

Oscar scoops her up, settling her on his lap while Ollie grabs a blanket, draping it over them both. You and Charles settle on the couch, popcorn bowls in hand. As the movie starts, a comfortable silence descends upon the room, Lily snuggles into Ollie's side, her little eyes already drooping.

A small smile plays on Charles' lips as he glances at you. You catch his eye and reach for his hand, squeezing it gently. On the screen, a princess embarks on a grand adventure... In the warmth of your apartment, your own unconventional adventure continues, one messy pizza dinner and movie night at a time.

[secret-smut-sideblog]

Heavy Metal Lover

Karlach x F! Tav

18+ physical combat (consensual), so much teasing, public sex (kind of), manhandling, roughness, restraint, dom karlach/sub tav, strength kink, hand kink, size difference, fingering (f!), grinding, light choking, overstimulation, porn w/o plot

With her touch newly returned, Karlach is hungry for contact. Seeking out Tav for a little hand to hand combat that quickly turns heated...

Masterlist

-

Tav resisted rolling her eyes at Astarion's wide grin. That face meant only one thing, he was about to be insufferable about something.

"What?" She sighed, resigned to the incoming teasing.

"You haven't noticed, have you?" He purred, an indulgent edge of pre-emptive preening in his voice.

"Obviously not, if you're being this unbearable." She sniped flatly, turning back to hanging laundry on tip toes.

He slid his foot under the arch of her heel, biting at her teasingly when she turned to give him a glare. Baring her own absent fangs.

"Look real close now..." He pointed across camp to Karlach. She was trying to talk Wyll into sparring with her, him trying to wave her away good naturedly.

Tav roved her eyes over the tall muscular body, pushing the slow creep of lust aside to focus on any changes.

She was starting to get frustrated, suddenly sure that Astarion was just fucking with her again, trying to get her to ogle their companion.

That's when she caught it. Two newly rounded talons on her right hand, pointer and middle finger.

Tav sucked in an involuntarily breath, lips falling open. All higher thinking pulled from her mind.

"Eager, isn't she?" Astarion crooned, jolting Tav back. His voice far too knowing for her taste as he hovered behind her.

"It's only been one night since she's gotten touch back, I admire her ambition."

Knowing his hands were clasped behind his back in that leaning way he always does.

Karlach's eyes caught Tav's, waving excitedly. Like they hadn't been together all day, rocking on the balls of her feet happily.

Tav groaned, heart jelly.

"Oh," Astarion lilted out a laugh. "She's got it bad for you."

"Wait, really?" Tav turned to him, clothespin in hand. Her snarky play falling back for a moment in genuine confusion.

Astarion tilted his head at her, his demeanor falling back in kind. "Seriously? Gods, Tav, you really are unobservant."

"Hey, it's not that I don't pay attention. I'm just blind to when it's aimed at me." She huffed, crossing arms.

"Oh, I know. I'm still amazed that you were blindsided to Gale's pining."

He relented when Tav threw her arms up in frustration.

"Ah, ah, okay. You're just blind to your own suitors, we'll agree. So trust me as an objective pair of eyes. That tower of muscle wants you. Badly."

"Oh, and here she comes now!" Astarion giggled, trapezing away on delighted feet. "Good luck with your new knowledge, darling!"

"Someone wants to go hungry tonight!" She threatened after him. Him giving her a little twirl.

"Uh-oh, you two are always at each other's throats." Karlach laughed, watching him go with fond eyes. "Literally."

"Oh, we were just playing." Tav assured, returning to hanging sheets.

"What's up, Karlach?" She asked, back on tip toes. Smoothing hands over the pleats, stretching up to pin the fabric down.

Karlach grabbed the clothespin from her hands easily, pinning it above her natural reach.

"Oh! Thank you!" Tav squeaked. Trying not to give the height difference between them any thought at all.

"Well, no one will spar with me." Karlach pouted. Her eyes starting to swim with tears that she brushed away with angry fingers. Huffing out a steadying breath, smiling down at Tav.

"But I think you might be under my weight class, might be an unfair fight to ask you."

Tav's heart thrilled.

"I mean... I am stronger than I look."

This was true. She was eyeline with mostly chests, but she could pull some weight. Hells she's carried unconscious Gale over her shoulders several times now in the heat of battle.

Huh. Okay, his crush on her makes sense.

"I would love to spar with you, Karlach." She smiled, handing her up another sheet to hang.

"Really?!" Karlach bunched the fabric in her hands in excitement.

"Oh, whoops." She shook out the fabric, giving it one hard flick of her wrist. The fabric snapping in the air.

Tav let out a little involuntarily moan, then clapped her hand over her mouth. Gods below, what was that...

"You okay, soldier? Felling up to it?"

"Yeah, just.. uh, a little woozy." She tapped the side of her neck where the given pinpricks lay.

"You know, now that I'm touchable again, I wouldn't mind giving you a break some nights. Mama K's got a lot of blood to give."

Tav saw a silver head pop up in her peripheral.

"Ah, I'm alright." Tav flapped her hands in an affable way. "Though something tells me our favorite leech might start circling now."

"He's a hungry boy, we gotta keep him big and strong!" Karlach laughed.

"Okay, big and strong, I'll see you tonight." Tav teased.

Karlach's tail curled up, arching at the base. Her cheekbones heating.

"Okay... Well. Bye..." She sighed, turning and walking in a forced casualty that even Tav could clock.

Astarion's mouth had fallen open, hand hovering over his jaw. When he caught Tav's gaze, he pointed to where a tail would be on his body. Raising his eyebrows in salacious glee.

Tav didn't know much about tiefling tail etiquette but could glean enough from his pantomiming. Her own cheeks warming as she stomped at him to quit it, only fueling the bouncing suppressed laughter in his shoulders.

-

Initially, several of their companions had agreed to sit ringside. But as the day wore endlessly on with sun bearing down, most of them either decided to retire early or wade into the cool river with a few bottles of wine.

"Don't take too long..." Astarion sing-songed over his shoulder, a wine bottle hanging loose from his fingertips.

"Oh! Wait!" Tav called, standing and meeting him in the middle. Unbuckling the strap on the dagger at his hip, taking the bottle from his fingers and uncorking it with her teeth.

"Ugh, don't do that. You'll ruin your teeth." He chided, angling his hip for her to pull the dagger free.

"Shush." She cut into the back of her hand, dripping it into the rim of the thick glass. Swirling slowly.

He took his dagger back with a spin of fingers, seating it back with an unconscious flourish.

"Say when." She flexed her hand, encouraging more flow.

"Is never an option?"

"No, unless you want to get punched again."

"Gods, you do have a mean hook." He rubbed his jaw in memory.

"Alright fine. That's plenty." Leaning forward, he licked the stem of blood until it slowed to a stop.

"You know that only closes your wounds, right? Or I'd put you to use as a cleric on the battlefield."

He sighed dreamily. "Oh, it would be delicious. But very uncharitable motivation, I assure you."

"Well, best be off." He eyed the approaching tiefling with a mischievous twinkle. "Thank you, my darling."

She kissed his cheek. "No problem, have fun."

He waved over his shoulder as he departed, Karlach coming to Tav's side.

"Aw, you two are so cute together."

"Oh, we're not together." Tav laughed, the thought strange. "He reminds me of so many of my siblings."

"So many?" Karlach laughed. "Wait, how many do you have?"

"Entirely too many." Tav huffed, unconsciously settling into that authoritative posture she used with them.

"Aw, man. I want too many!" Karlach clicked her tongue. "Ah, well. Can't win 'em all."

"Speaking of, prepared to lose?" Tav teased, rolling her shoulders back.

"Oh, ho," Karlach laughed, settling back into a crouch. "Bring it on, babe."

Tav widened her stance, rolling her arm back in a curved elbow. Loosening her neck.

"Ready?" Tav hummed, balanced on the heels of her feet.

"Very." Karlach urged, fingers flexing.

"Then come get me." Tav smiled.

Karlach lunged forward, trying to sweep her leg.

Tav picked up her feet, ducking around her. Dodging another hand reaching for her wrist.

She laughed as she planted a foot to stand on Karlach's crouched hip. Using her shoulder as a hold to step up, swinging around her back to put her in a headlock. Hand pushing into her throat.

"Choking, huh?" She chided.

Karlach kneeled down abruptly, slamming her back into the ground.

Tav released, the air taken out of her. Still trying to lock her legs around Karlach's thighs.

"Oh, come on," Karlach laughed, prying her legs open with her hands. Her shoulder muscles rippling with exertion.

Tav's mouth fell open at the sight and sensation. Even with the full strength of her thighs, Karlach split her like cleaved wood.

Karlach turned and pinned her thighs open between her own, sitting on her pelvis.

"Hah!... Hey, why'd you stop?"

Tav's eyes darted down to the position they were pushed into.

Karlach paused, looking down as well.

"Oh..."

Neither moved, both huffing with exertion.

A stand still, the air charged with tension. Thighs straddled criss cross, their centers pressed together.

Tav tried not to moan, just the heat coming from her core pulling slick from her.

All it would take is one of them moving their hips.

Karlach looked down at her with blown out eyes, a desperate hunger, near anger, pulling her face slack. One hand gripping into Tav's propped thigh, starting to rock her hips.

"Gods, this heat!" Gale exclaimed, emerging from his tent. Fanning himself with a thin tome, heading towards the water.

Karlach flipped Tav up by the hips, pulling her up into a more appropriate position kneeling next to her. Tav squeaked, being manhandled so easily sending another wave of arousal to her lust dumb mind.

Gale turned towards them, unaware. "Oh! Are you guys coming too? I wouldn't mind the company on the walk."

"Absolutely!" Karlach called, giving Tav a questioning raise of her eyebrows.

"Oh! Uh, yeah! I'd love to hear about that." She pointed to the tome he was holding.

Rising to feet, led by Karlach's hand. Another shock of arousal as she stared at the mesmerizing sight, curled around hers with its diabolically implicit fingernails.

Gods above and below help her.

Gale chattered excitedly ahead as they walked, and Tav was really trying to listen. Truly, she was. But Karlach was walking just behind her, a hand flat against her lower back. The spread of fingers absurd, so wide it made her knees weak. Thumb rubbing mind numbing arcs into the sensitive skin.

Through the haze of her lust she managed a few well timed sounds of affirmation, trying to focus on silly things like words.

Oh, what fresh hells had she unleashed. Feeling Karlach's wide smile behind her. Enjoying tormenting her so innocently. Wanting to swat her away and lean in as hard as possible at the same time.

After an eternity, they reached the water. The gentle swell and lapping mockingly peaceful, moon ribboned and dark. Their companions gathered, floating conversation and passing wine.

Gale sat on the dock, rolling his sleep pants up to the calf. Dipping legs in with a deep sigh.

"Not getting in, Gale?" Karlach remarked in gentle disappointment. Fingers slipping inside of Tav's waistband behind her.

Tav breathed out a fast breath through nose, stomping her foot just slightly. Sliding the movement into shifting her weight casually.

"Ah, too much skin for present company." He smiled, a slight blush rising to his cheeks. Eyes darting to Tav, then quickly away.

"But don't let me discourage you. Go on, enjoy the water in all it's glory."

"Well, what do you think, Tav?" Karlach asked in a deceptively neutral voice.

As she was about to respond, Karlach pulled her fingers taut into her waistband, snapping it against her lower back. Covering the sound with a cough.

A rush of wetness pooling in her underclothes, she hissed out a quiet threat. Karlach's fingers grazing her skin, a quivering of contained laughter in the chest she stepped back into.

"I think that's a great idea. If you'll pardon us Gale?"

She didn't wait to get his response, pulling Karlach in her wake. Her low laugh slipping out as she was led, Tav in a fast stomp, Karlach in an easy wide stride. Long legs not having to rush at all to keep up.

Tav was about to turn to lay into her when a wide hand caught around the front of her throat. Another pushing flat against her lower belly. Both burning hot.

Her breath caught, leaning head back as those fingers splayed up her neck. Sharp talons pressing into the underside of her jaw.

"I wasn't done back there." Her voice all gravel. Pressing the words into the side of her head, heat pressing into her back. The expanse of muscle a heavy presence behind her.

Tav whimpered, twisting to look behind them to gauge how close they were to the group.

"Nothing important back there, baby." She laughed, pulling Tav's chin forward with a force belieing her easy words.

"Gods, Tav," She sighed, voice all heat again. Fingers sliding down the front of her waistband, long fingers traveling a short distance quickly. "I've been so hungry to fuck you."

Tav moaned a little whine at the vulgarity, knees buckling in earnest. Karlach's own knee pushed into hers, forcing her down into an open kneel. Her large body enveloping behind, thighs encircling around hers.

Her fingers strained against the fabric for a few seconds before she huffed out a frustrated breath. Hands gripping up onto Tav's hips, pulling her up onto her belly, wrenching her leggings down onto her knees, then seating her back onto knees with barely an effort.

"There, that's better." She said decidedly. Tav delirious with lust from being handled like a five pound weight.

Karlach's fingers found her center again with a happy hum. Rounded fingertips pushing inside her with no further pretense. Tav bucking at the sudden introduction.

Karlach's other hand came back up to spread along her throat, pressing down just hard enough to make her moan. Long fingers thrusting slow thigh shaking pleasure into her. Her hips rocking into the hilt of her palm.

"Fuck, you're so tight around my fingers." Karlach hissed, rising on one knee to grind into her lower back.

Tav arched her ass into her in time, her hand and hips pulsing a rhythm into her. Gasping out staggered breaths.

"Take your top off for me." Karlach murmured, unwilling to give up her hold. Fingers tightening a wide cage into her neck.

Tav pulled her blouse open with fast fingers, pooling onto her elbows. Unclapsing the front of her bra, breasts falling free. Her hard nipples pebbling even more rigid. The combination of the sweltering night air and the fire at her back making her feel untethered.

Karlach's grinding sped up at the sight, sucking in a breath through teeth. Fingers picking up the pace a few moments later, taking a second to catch up to her hips.

Fingers now slamming into her, Tav's legs gave out, head falling back. Squeaking out fast indignant whines.

"Shhh..." Karlach urged, hand coming up from her throat to muffle over her mouth. Pulling her head back into her. "We're far, but not that far."

Tav's nails dug into her thighs, Karlach groaning quietly against her back. Tav's eyes rising into her skull, lids fluttering. Her cunt clenching in irregular pulses as her orgasm circled, drawing ever closer.

She murmured against Karlach's hand and she released slightly, fingers still plunging into her in lewd squelching.

"What was that?" She whispered, voice as sweet as her hands were rough.

"Choke me again, please."

Karlach's cunt ground into her so hard it pushed her forward. Her hand snapping back down around her throat, pulling her back flush in a sharp grip.

"Fuck yes." Karlach breathed, feeling the tremor coming from her core, pelvis bucking uncontrolled. "Give it to me, baby. Cum all over me."

Tav whimpered, cunt chasing her fingers with abandon. Her moans silenced in her throat. Head falling back, orgasm about to crest.

Karlach looked down into her eyes, pulling her jaw open further with her thumb. Licking up the inside of her lower lip with a groan.

That wrenched the orgasm from her far faster than she was ready for, her cry cut off abruptly into a hiss by Karlach's tightening fingers. Loosening as she enveloped her mouth in a muffling kiss. Tav gripped the back of her head and the curve of her horn desperately as it ripped through her. Cunt tightening down in visible pulls of her fingers, cum pushing out onto her palm with every thrust.

Karlach moaned against her mouth, the heat of her lips reigniting the hunger in her belly. Her body overstimulated all the same she whimpered against her, fast fingers still plunging.

"Just one more for me, baby. You're so pretty when you cum." Karlach urged, thumb rubbing hard circles into her cum slick clit.

Tav whined, buckling forward.

"Back." Karlach growled, fisting her hair into a ponytail. Pulling her flush once again.

"Yes, saer." Tav moaned.

"Fuck, call me that again." Karlach groaned, hips bucking hard into her back. Hand winding in a taut circle, pulling her hair back to her knuckles.

Tav moaned, a ragdoll to her demanding, in both body and words. Crying out as her second orgasm hit.

"Cum on my back- please, saer!"

Karlach shuddered against her, biting down hard into her shoulder to muffle herself. Her sharp teeth sending a shock of pain through her already unbearably high pleasure. Tav's nails curving with bruising intensity into her thigh, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out. The second wave of slick pushing into the first, dripping down Karlachs wrist. A spreading wet against her lower back as Karlach's hips slowed into choppy pulses.

"Fuck..." She slid her fingers free, veiled in a thick layer of pulling arousal. Spreading it between her two fingers indulgently, making Tav blush despite the absolutely lewd behavior she just displayed.

"Karlach..." She whined, uncomfortable.

"Okay, okay." She chuckled. Popping the fingers into her mouth, sucking them clean with a thorough tongue. As if that was any better.

When her mouth opened again, Tav caught sight of something that made her cunt ache again.

"Karlach, why do you have a tongue piercing?" She whined, finding the whole situation extremely unfair.

"Huh? Oh, I hadn't realized you hadn't seen it! Though maybe you're usually not at an angle where you can, you tiny thing."

Karlach stuck it out flat, the small rounded stud displayed in the middle of her long pointed tongue.

Tav moaned, cupping her face and licking a line up the middle. The little smooth bump sending a renewed shock through her exhausted pelvis.

Karlach groaned, eyes fluttering up then returning to hers dark again.

"Careful soldier," She warned. "You're going to burn us both up."

~

[doumadono]

OK hear me out? What is the MHA boys? Dabi, Hawks, Bakugo, Deku, or any other character with reader, who surprised them by dressing up as them for Halloween (since that spooky season is just around the corner😁) what do you think?

A/N: What a delightful idea, dear anon! I believe it would indeed take them all by surprise!

MASTERLIST

Dabi

At first, Dabi would be completely caught off guard, staring them in disbelief.

"You know, you've got some guts, dressing up like me."

Dabi would likely keep a close eye on them throughout the night, intrigued by their dedication.

After the initial shock, he might smirk and sarcastically comment on how they managed to nail his signature look.

"Alright, your costume's not half bad. Maybe you're not completely useless."

Eventually, he'd admit that their costume was pretty cool, but he'd still maintain his aloof demeanor.

Hawks

Hawks would burst into laughter when he saw the reader dressed up as him, finding it absolutely hilarious.

"You really went all out! I love it."

Hawks might challenge them to a "pose-off," seeing who can mimic his heroic stances the best.

Hawks would generously offer a couple of his feathers to enhance their costume.

He might suggest taking flight together, giving them a taste of what it's like to soar through the night sky.

Bakugo

Bakugo would likely explode in anger at first, thinking the reader was mocking him.

"You think you can outdo me, huh? We'll see about that!"

However, after a moment of intense ranting, he'd begrudgingly admit that their costume was pretty accurate.

"Fine, your costume is decent. Don't get used to compliments."

By the end of the night, he might grumble that their costume was "passable" but still secretly appreciate their effort.

Deku

Deku would be overjoyed and genuinely flattered to see someone dressed up as him.

He'd likely approach them with a big smile, thanking them for choosing his costume.

"Wow, I can't believe you dressed up as me! It's amazing! I'm feeling honoured!"

Deku might even share some of his favorite hero stories and moments with them.

"When I was a kid, I always wanted to be All Might for Halloween," Deku'd open up.

By the end of the night, Deku would feel a deep connection with them and consider them a new friend.

[chheolie]

ready get set go get it go ♪ (part 1) part 2 here

the members were scattered around the dance studio, lounging on the sofas, warming up with relaxed steps, or exchanging jokes. the rehearsal for lollapalooza berlin was about to begin, but the atmosphere was light, filled with the low sound of music playing in the background and the laughter that echoed as mingyu teased seungkwan about a move he kept messing up.

suddenly, the door burst open, and seokmin entered the studio with an explosive energy that made everyone look up at once. he had his phone in one hand, his breath quickened, and his eyes shining like never before. a huge smile dominated his face, and he could barely contain his excitement, practically bouncing with joy.

seungcheol furrowed his brow, both concerned and curious. "what's going on? did you win the lottery, seokmin?"

seokmin shook his head frantically, his breath still heavy, and clutched the phone to his chest as if it were the greatest treasure in the world. "you won't believe it... you... you know who just sent me a message?"

the other members exchanged confused looks, but curiosity was growing. "who, man?" vernon asked, watching closely as minghao approached, intrigued.

seokmin dropped to his knees on the floor, the sparkle in his eyes almost radiating. "y/n! y/n herself!" he repeated your name with a mix of disbelief and pure joy, as if he needed to confirm that it was really happening.

the members' eyes widened in visible surprise. jeonghan, who was closest, widened his eyes and let out a low whistle. "are you serious? y/n, the singer you talk about all day long? her?"

"yes!" seokmin nearly shouted, laughing in shock as he struggled to contain his excitement. "she reached out because she wants me to perform with her! at lollapalooza! she wants me to sing with her!" he threw himself back on the floor dramatically.

"this is amazing, seokmin!" wonwoo shouted, smiling genuinely. "man, you're going to sing with y/n! this is huge!"

seokmin nodded, still in disbelief, and sat down on the floor. "i can't believe she knows who i am! that she wants me to be there with her! she even mentioned she likes our songs!" he waved his phone as proof, and the smile on his face was the widest anyone had ever seen. "you have no idea how much this means to me... it's y/n, guys!"

the excitement was palpable, and the members didn't miss the chance to tease their friend. "i told you all that fanboying was going to pay off," seungkwan teased, pushing seokmin's shoulder with a broad grin. "it's going to be incredible, hyung! you're going to kill it, and she's going to love singing with you!"

seokmin laughed, his heart still racing, and took a deep breath, trying to process the surreal moment. "i still can't believe it..."

"and if you get nervous up there, just remember that you're dk, seventeen's vocalist, and now also y/n's partner," jeonghan said with an encouraging smile, patting his back. "she couldn't have picked a better person."

seungcheol, with a big smile on his face, asked, "so, what did you say to her? you accepted, right?"

seokmin hesitated, biting his lower lip. he looked around, taking in the friends who had always been with him during the most important moments of his career. "actually... i haven't replied yet." the studio fell momentarily silent, and seokmin laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "i wanted to check with you guys first. like... i don't know, if you think it's okay for me to accept, if it won't mess anything up. you guys always help me with the big decisions, so i didn't want to do this without hearing what you think."

the other members looked at him for a second, and then seungkwan shook his head with an amused smile. "are you serious, seokmin? we're talking about y/n asking you to perform at lollapalooza! of course, it's okay! go and show her why you're the best vocalist around."

minghao patted seokmin's back. "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. we'll be here supporting you all the way, so don't even think twice. just say yes!"

jeonghan nodded with a gentle smile. "this is going to be amazing for you and for us too, seeing you accomplish something so big. don't worry, we're all proud of you."

seokmin's eyes filled with emotion, and he nodded, deeply grateful. "you guys are the best. really, thanks for this." with an excited sigh and his heart pounding, he unlocked his phone, opening y/n's message. he typed with slightly trembling fingers, trying to contain his excitement as each word was carefully chosen.

seokmin: hi, y/n! this is dokyeom. seokmin: i’m so happy about your invitation! seokmin: first, i need to say that i’m a huge fan of your work, and getting this message from you is surreal for me. seokmin: i’d love to be part of your performance at lollapalooza and share this special moment with you. count on me to make something amazing on stage!

he took a deep breath before hitting the send button, and the members gathered around, curious and excited. when he finally hit send, everyone jumped on him in celebration. laughter and cheers filled the room, everyone thrilled that seokmin was fulfilling a fan’s dream. it didn’t take long for the phone to vibrate, and seokmin’s eyes widened as he started shouting, "she replied, she replied!"

you: hi, seokmin! i’m so glad you agreed! you: i love your talent, and i’m sure that together we’ll create an unforgettable performance! you: let’s schedule our first rehearsal tomorrow afternoon at the studio, at 3 pm, if that works for you. you: i can’t wait to get started! see you then! 😊

seokmin read the message with a smile that seemed to light up the studio. "she scheduled the first rehearsal for tomorrow! at 3 pm! she said it’s going to be unforgettable!"

the members burst into more celebrations, showering seokmin with hugs and words of encouragement. the group’s rehearsal was important, but at that moment, everyone knew that seokmin’s next step would be something extraordinary. he was about to live one of the biggest dreams of his career, and the thought of sharing the stage with you made his heart race like never before.

the day of the first rehearsal arrived faster than seokmin had imagined. anxious and determined to make a good impression, he arrived at the studio early, well before the scheduled time. his hands were slightly sweaty, and his heart was racing, but he felt ready to face that surreal moment. he sat on one of the benches in the hallway outside the recording studio, trying to calm his nerves while repeatedly checking the clock.

the anticipation grew with each passing minute, and he could hardly believe he was there, about to rehearse with you, the artist he admired so much. he took a deep breath, listening to calm music through his headphones, trying to relax, but his thoughts were running wild, imagining how your first interaction would be. so he rehearsed mentally what to say and how to act.

a few minutes later, you appeared in the hallway, carrying two takeaway coffee cups and a warm smile that lit up the space. seokmin quickly stood up, almost tripping over his own feet but managing to compose himself just in time.

“hi, dokyeom!” you greeted him with a friendly smile, extending one of the cups toward him. “i hope you like coffee. i brought one for you.”

he blinked, surprised and touched by the simple but thoughtful gesture. “oh, yes, i love it! thank you!” he carefully took the cup as if it were a precious gift. he was truly moved that you had thought of him on your way. his heart raced even faster, but he managed to maintain his composure, internally grateful that he hadn’t let his emotions show too much.

as you walked together down the hallway toward the studio, you started chatting casually, lightening the mood. “you know, i love seventeen. the energy you all bring to the stage is incredible, and your voice always impresses me. it’s powerful and full of emotion at the same time.”

seokmin felt his face heat up, trying to hide the blush that was surely appearing. “really? thank you! that means a lot, coming from you. i... i’ve always admired your work. your songs have a unique sensitivity, and being able to sing with you is just amazing.”

you smiled, appreciating the sincere compliment. when you reached the studio door, you paused before opening it, turning to him with a gentle look. “this studio is one of my favorite places to rehearse. i like to keep it quiet; i know you’re used to having a lot of people at rehearsals, but i hope you don’t mind it being just the two of us today.”

seokmin almost laughed in relief and surprise. “mind? not at all! actually, this is perfect. i was a bit nervous, but now... it feels like i’m exactly where i’m supposed to be.”

you opened the studio door, revealing a cozy space with soft lighting and a decor that exuded creativity and comfort. the environment was comforting, with instruments neatly arranged and some personal touches that showed how much that place meant to you. and he walked in, observing everything with great care.

“i’m glad you feel that way,” you said as you both entered the studio. “i’m really excited to create something with you."

seokmin smiled, finally allowing himself to relax. the warm atmosphere and your calm presence made him feel that he was about to experience something truly special. and he was ready to give his best, for you, for himself, and for the fans who were about to witness something unforgettable.

after you entered the studio, the first thing you did was take off your jacket, revealing a comfortable t-shirt that perfectly matched the relaxed vibe of the studio. you casually hung it on the chair next to you, showing a familiarity and ease that left seokmin impressed. there was something about the way you moved, confident and natural, that made him feel more at ease too.

you turned to him with a warm smile, crossing your arms in a relaxed manner. "there’s a specific song i’d really love to sing with you at the festival," you began, and seokmin felt his heart leap. "ever since i first heard it, i’ve been completely hooked on it. it’s from the soundtrack of twenty-five, twenty-one..." you laughed shyly as you revealed your current favorite song.

seokmin stood still for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise. he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. "you... you know i’m the one who sings 'go!'?" he asked, still a bit stunned.

you giggled, nodding affirmatively. "of course i know! your voice is unmistakable. from the first time i heard it, i couldn’t stop listening. the energy, the emotion... it’s incredible. and i think it would be perfect for us to sing together."

seokmin felt a wave of pride and happiness wash over him. not only did you, the artist he admired so much, know the song, but you wanted to sing it with him. he could barely contain the smile spreading across his face. "i... of course, i’m in! it would be an honor to sing 'go!' with you. actually, it’s one of my favorite songs to sing."

your eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "great! it’s going to be amazing. i was hoping you’d say that." you approached the soundboard and began preparing the space for rehearsal. "shall we start then? i want to see how our voices blend in this song."

seokmin felt his heart race even faster with your excitement. he had been nervous before, but now it was a different kind of nervousness—one that came from anticipation and the joy of being about to create something really special. he knew this rehearsal would be unforgettable, not just for what it meant to him, but for the connection he already felt beginning to form between you through the music.

as you prepared everything, seokmin approached the microphone, adjusting it to his height. he still couldn’t believe his luck at being there, sharing the studio with you. when you finally positioned yourself next to him, ready to start, he took a deep breath, feeling the energy in the air. he took a deep breath. "let’s do this," he said, with a smile that mixed emotion and determination.

and when the first notes of 'go!' began to play, seokmin knew that this would be one of the most memorable moments of his career.

during the rehearsal, without realizing it, seokmin had a natural talent for making you laugh. every time he spoke, he made you smile in a genuine and carefree way. whether it was a spontaneous joke or a funny gesture, he was always creating a light and fun atmosphere, unaware of the impact he had.

you were enchanted. the connection you felt with seokmin during the rehearsal was something that transcended the music. you were so involved that laughter came easily, and the small interactions between you were creating a natural harmony. seokmin, in turn, was amazed that he was actually making someone as talented and admired as you laugh that way.

when the rehearsal finally ended, you looked at seokmin with a sincere smile, satisfaction written all over your face. “i want you to know that it was a huge pleasure meeting you in person. you have such a light and happy energy; it’s contagious. i really hope our contact doesn’t end after the festival performance. i’d love to build a friendship with you.”

seokmin was visibly moved, his eyes shining with gratitude. “i also really enjoyed meeting you, y/n. it was an amazing experience, and i really hope we can keep in touch. this rehearsal was one of the best experiences of my career.”

you said goodbye with a shy hug, laughing just as shyly, and seokmin left the studio with a sense of fulfillment and joy. the way home felt lighter and brighter, and he couldn’t wait to share what happened with the members.

when he got home, seokmin immediately grabbed his phone and sent a message to the members.

with a smile on his face and his heart still racing from the wonderful day, he typed:

seokmin: guys, you won’t believe how amazing today’s rehearsal was! seokmin: i met y/n, and she’s even more wonderful than i imagined. and even more beautiful!!!! seokmin: we rehearsed "go!" together, and it was an experience i’ll never forget. CAN YOU BELIEVE SHE LOVES THIS SONG? seokmin: she’s super fun, and her energy is simply contagious. we got along so well, and she even said she hopes we keep in touch after the festival. seokmin: i don’t think i’ll be able to sleep tonight.

[amaltheas-garden]

What if Jon's sweetness in the bittersweet ending is his short lived love with Daenerys?

While I do think the show is probably accurate to what we'll get in the books in the broadest of strokes, there are still a lot of other plotlines to get through before Jon and Dany can even meet. For how long his books are, grrm really doesn't cover all that much time, meaning in just two books, Jon has to be resurrected (which I suspect won't happen until around the halfway point in Winds, since there's no point in Jon dying and coming back just a few chapters later), Sansa has to make it to the Wall, Arya has to return from Braavos and confront Lady Stoneheart, Littlefinger has to be taken care of, Jon and Sansa have to retake Winterfell, and the Starks have to reunite all amidst the growing threat of the whitewalkers. On Dany's side, Aegon has to get to King's Landing, Dany has to become leader of the Dothraki, fulfill all the bits of her prophecy (the 'to go West you must go East' one), and rally her armies to cross the narrow sea, and resolve ALL the loose ends in Essos since whence Dany leaves, that will be the last time we see it. And that's not including all the other stories, like the Dorne plot, Cersei/Jaime/Brienne, and Stannis/Davos/Melisandre, or accounting for the characters still very separate from everything (Sam off in Oldtown and Bran doing three eyed raven stuff). And all this is build up for the final cataclysmic conflict, the song of ice and fire. Now, that is a lot of content to get through, and when you start laying out every single thing that needs to be resolved, it becomes rather apparent why WoW is taking so long. The point is, Jon and Dany are not meeting in Winds, and it would be a miracle for them to meet even in the first half of Dream of Spring. That's why I highly doubt the relationship between Jon and Dany will be a genuine romantic one. Grrm is not the type to do a quick, star-crossed lovers plotline that ends tragically all within the span of a few hundred pages. A Jon x Sansa romance makes more sense, seeing as, if we accept Sansa as the girl in grey, she and Jon will spend the majority of two books with each other.

As for the show, there was nothing bittersweet in Jon having to kill his lover after she becomes a tyrant and threatens to murder his sisters, and for him to end the series by leaving his family for a lifetime of solitude. If book!Jon is destined to go beyond the wall after DoS, the 'sweetness' will be in knowing he did everything in his power to protect his family. No short-term love affair with Dany could ever replace the love Jon holds for the Starks.

Book wise, I doubt the Jon x Dany relationship will be one of genuine romantic love on Jon's part (see pol!Jon theory), and while Jon could end his story alone, I don't think a relationship with Dany is enough to fulfill a 'bittersweet' ending. I also recommend this incredible meta on Jon's ending (it does skew heavily Jonsa-centric) FedonCiadale — Sometimes scrolling through the Jonsa tag, I find... (tumblr.com) and they also have some other amazing answers on the bittersweet ending.

[pseudophan]

i love you nora i am in no job no degree limbo and i hate my life and i'm doing real bad but i love when you pop up on the dash and you're funny and you make me snort and giggle and i love that you have cool opinions on stuff and that you're nice to people and i really am rooting for you so hard and actually am positive that good people and good things will happen to you because you're great and i love dan and phil but fandom is maybe more special and you are so important to us on here and i love you . i hope your days will get easier and easier and that life will surprise you with so much joy forever

you sent this like twelve hours ago and i've been thinking about it ever since. thank you, genuinely, i appreciate it so so much. it really did cheer me up a lot. i feel your pain, we're in this together. we'll get through it though, we're gonna get out on the other side and do amazing. i know it. again, thank you so sincerely. sometimes i feel like i'm a nuisance and being more annoying than anything but asks like this make me think maybe it's all worth it <3

[lixiepixiedust]

"You work just as hard as me"

pairing — idolbf!jeongin x fem!reader; established relationship

word count — 3.2k

warnings — she/her reader, hurt/comfort, angst, fluff, lots of kissing and cuddling, mild cussing, insecurity themes, reader is depicted as being really smart

summary — jeongin has always been insecure about his academics. ever since he met you, he knew you were the smartest girl he's ever met. you also always made it feel like he learned more from you than from school itself and he admired you for it. he never really attended high school and barely ever had good grades. due to this, jeongin always told himself he was just stupid and never deserved someone like you.

As you anxiously logged into your student portal to check your midterm results, your heart raced. Jeongin, being the supportive boyfriend he is, sat beside you, his eyes filled with anticipation. You both knew how much effort you had put into your studies, and the results would finally unveil the fruits of your hard work.

As the grade appeared on the screen, your eyes widened with disbelief. You had not only passed but had excelled beyond your own expectations. A brilliant smile broke across your face as you turned to Jeongin, who was watching you with eager eyes.

"Jeongin, look!" you exclaimed, pointing at the screen. "I got a 96! Can you believe it?"

Jeongin's face lit up with genuine joy as he took in the fantastic news. "Wow, that's amazing, Y/n! I knew you could do it!" He enveloped you in a warm hug, radiating pride. "I'm so proud of you."

You couldn't contain your happiness. You leaned back, gazing into Jeongin's eyes. With a beaming smile, Jeongin cupped your face in his hands and planted a sweet kiss on your lips. The excited bubbled up within you, and without thinking, you jumped onto him in sheer joy.

Jeongin, caught by surprise, chuckled at your joy. He playfully tickled you, his fingers dancing along your sides as you giggled uncontrollably. The room echoed with the sound of your laughter. Jeongin's laughter mingling with yours made the celebration even more special. As the tickling subsided, you found yourselves catching your breath, still enveloped in each other's warmth.

"I'm so, so happy, Jeongin!" you exclaimed, your eyes shining with delight.

Jeongin grinned, his eyes reflecting the shared happiness. "Oh, Y/n, I can tell! I'm thrilled for you. I love seeing you this happy."

Suddenly, your phone rang, and you quickly grabbed it, excitement still coursing through your veins. It was your best friend, and as soon as you answered, both of you screamed into your phones simultaneously. Jeongin watched with amusement as you and your best friend shared your excitement.

"I got above 95!" your best friend exclaimed.

"Stop it right now, same. I knew you'd do good, I literally told you," you shouted back, a wide grin on your face.

Jeongin smiled fondly as you and your best friend screamed at each other over the phone.

After the call, you turned to Jeongin, still beaming. "Can you believe it, Jeongin? We both did so well!"

Jeongin's eyes softened with pride. "I never doubted you for a second."

"Oh yea and she wants to go get food together tonight. Wanna come? It's just gonna be a few friends."

Jeongin thought about it for a moment, his expression shifting between contemplating the invitation and the commitments he had. He had literally rushed over to your apartment from practice earlier to be in time to see the results with you.

"I'd love to, Y/N," he said with a warm smile. "But I might need to head back soon. Practice and all."

You nodded in understanding, "No worries, Jeongin. Thanks for being here with me though. You really didn't have to,"

Jeongin gently cupped your face, placing a tender kiss on your forehead. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Go enjoy dinner with your friends, and we'll celebrate properly after, just the two of us."

A grin played on your lips as you asked, "So, you're coming back after practice?"

Jeongin's eyes sparkled with affection, and he replied, "Of course. When you come home, I'll be waiting right here for you."

You couldn't help but break into a wide smile, and you wrapped your arms around him in a tight hug. "I can't wait, Jeongin."

As you pulled away, Jeongin's phone buzzed with messages from his fellow members. He chuckled as he read the texts, realizing that he had overstayed his initially planned break.

"Looks like they want me back," Jeongin said, showing you the messages. "I told them I'd be away for only half an hour, but turns out I went over time."

You playfully shooed him away, "Go, go! They need you. We'll have plenty of time together later."

Jeongin grinned, giving you one last kiss before standing up from the couch. "I'll see you soon, Y/N. Save some of that happiness for me."

As he made his way towards the door, he slipped on his shoes. Opening the door, Jeongin turned to look at you, his eyes filled with fondness.

In a soft tone he said a little "Bye," with a smile. With that, he stepped out into the hallway, closing the door gently behind him.

Once Jeongin was out of your view, the smile that had adorned his face began to fade, replaced by a subtle expression of sadness. He had known all along that you were going to get a good grade, it didn't surprise him one bit.

His mind wandered to the times you rambled about your college experiences—the late nights filled with assignments, the tiring study sessions, and the challenges of balancing academics and life. Those were moments when he wished he could have experienced the college life, as difficult as you made it sound.

Yet, deep down, Jeongin knew that he willingly chose the path of an idol. The wide stage, the love of fans, and the thrill of performing were what he aspired to. It was a choice he made with full awareness, and yet, he sometimes longed for a different path.

What has always troubled him the most, however, was his insecurity about his academics. Ever since he met you, he could tell instantly how bright and insightful you were. When you'd explain concepts, like the intricacies of human behavior or the subtleties of psychology, he admired you. You had a way of teaching him that made it feel like he learned more from you than from school.

Jeongin always believed you were smarter than him, and that thought weighed on him heavily. He didn't really attend high school and barely ever had good grades. Due to this, Jeongin always told himself he was just stupid. But the truth was, he had been a trainee since he was only 13 so it wouldn't have been easy to leave room for school.

In his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was lacking compared to you. Your achievements made him question his own worth. The occasional longing for the academic experiences he missed out on only fueled his insecurities.

However, he never dared to share any of these feelings with you. Jeongin kept this internal struggle hidden, not wanting you to bear the weight or feel like you're the reason he's insecure. He valued your successes and happiness and didn't want them tainted by his own self-doubt. Instead, he chose to navigate these emotions privately, wanting to be the supportive boyfriend you deserved.

Jeongin arrived at the JYP building, the familiar surroundings enveloping him as he scanned his keycard to gain access. The glass doors slid open, and he made his way through the lobby, swiftly heading for the elevators.

As the elevator ascended, Jeongin's thoughts lingered. The elevator doors opened on the designated floor, and Jeongin walked down the corridor, passing by various studios and offices. Finally, he reached the door of the dance studio where he was practicing initially. He could feel the bass of the music from outside.

Jeongin opened the door and as he stepped inside, he found the members taking a break, scattered around the room, catching their breaths.

Lee Know, catching sight of Jeongin, approached him with a stern expression. "Jeongin, please don't stay out too long next time. You know it's bad habit," he said, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Jeongin, feeling a pang of guilt, quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, hyung."

Lee Know's stern expression softened, and he patted Jeongin on the shoulder, saying, "You're fine. Just try to be on time, okay?"

As the conversation shifted, Minho asked, "How did it go?"

"She did good, as always."

However, despite his words, Lee Know noticed Jeongin expression. "Aren't you happy for her?"

Jeongin immediately forced a smile. "No, I am. I guess I kinda zoned out."

Lee Know's expression remained uncertain, but he decided not to press further. "Alright, if you say so. Just remember, we're here for you if you need anything."

Jeongin nodded gratefully, appreciating Lee Know's understanding. He reached for his hoodie, pulling it off and revealing his practice attire underneath.

"Okay, we should wrap up. It's been like five hours, that's enough." Chan declared.

Jeongin, too caught up in dancing for the past few hours, checked the time and was surprised to see it was already 10 PM. His eyes widened.

He quickly grabbed his belongings and bid a quick farewell to the members. "See you guys tomorrow," he said with a tired smile.

Exiting the building, Jeongin was met with a sudden realization as he saw that it was pouring rain outside. He hadn't anticipated the weather, and the absence of an umbrella made the situation less than ideal. However, with your apartment only a few blocks away, he figured it could be worse.

Pulling his hood over his head, Jeongin braced himself for the rain and started to briskly walk along the sidewalk. The sound of raindrops hitting the pavement filled his ears, and with every step, he could feel himself getting more and more soaked.

The once dry sidewalk turned into a glistening path as the rain danced around him. Jeongin's clothes clung to his body, and his hair became a mess of damp strands.

Upon reaching your apartment building, he tried his best to dry himself off but he made his way inside. He quickly climbed the stairs, his wet footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. Unlocking the door with the spare keys you had given him, he stepped inside the familiar space.

In the entrance, Jeongin wasted no time. He removed his wet shoes, placing them on a rack to dry. His clothes clung uncomfortably, and he surveyed the living room, noticing the warm glow of lights.

As he made his way into the living room, he saw you. There you were, perhaps caught up in a book or lost in thought, unaware of his drenched arrival. He wanted to get home earlier than you and he cursed to himself knowing you beat him to it.

"Hey," he greeted.

Still absorbed in your book, you didn't look up immediately. "I assumed you weren't gonna show up after all. With the rain and everything."

Jeongin felt a pang of guilt. "Sorry, we got too caught up, and time flew," he explained.

"No, no, it's okay," you responded with a smile. Then, finally looking up, you noticed Jeongin. "Oh my god, you're soaking wet!"

A sheepish grin spread across Jeongin's face as he nodded. "Yeah, the rain got me good. Surprise, I guess?"

You couldn't help but chuckle at his unexpected entrance. "Surprise indeed! Let's get you out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold." The concern in your voice was evident as you motioned for him to follow you, warmth in your eyes. "Go to the bathroom, Jeongin. Change out of those and take a warm shower. I'll get some dry clothes out for you."

Jeongin nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Y/N."

As he went into the bathroom, you headed to your wardrobe to retrieve some clothes for him. It wasn't unusual for Jeongin to stay over, so he had accumulated a fair share of his clothes at your place. You selected a comfortable set and laid them out on the bed, making sure everything was ready for him.

While Jeongin was in the shower, you went to the kitchen, deciding to prepare some tea to help him feel warmer. The comforting aroma of the tea filled the air as you carefully brewed it. Once ready, you carried the mug upstairs, hearing the shower turn off as you reached the top.

Setting the tea down on the nightstand, you took a seat on the bed. Moments later, Jeongin emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and droplets of water glistened on his skin.

You motioned for him to sit down beside you on the bed. Reaching for a bottle of moisturizer, you squeezed some onto your hands and gently started rubbing it onto his face. The subtle scent filled the room as you continued, your touch a soothing gesture.

Jeongin closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax under your care. As you worked on his shoulders, you couldn't help but smile at his tranquility.

"Thank you for taking care of me," Jeongin said with a sincere smile on his face.

Setting the moisturizer aside, you picked up the mug of warm tea and handed it to Jeongin. He took a sip, the comforting warmth spreading through him as he enjoyed the soothing effects of both the tea and your touch.

You then handed him the pile of dry clothes and Jeongin nodded appreciatively, proceeding to change. As he did, you subtly looked away, giving him the privacy he needed.

When he was done, Jeongin sat back down next to you. "I'm 100% sure I won't get a cold now," he declared with a satisfied grin.

"I hope so," you replied, returning his smile. Then, with a playful twinkle in your eye, you added, "Also, did you know that the rain itself can't actually make you sick? But if you stay wet and cold for a long time, it can lower your body temperature and weaken your immune system, making you more likely to catch a cold or flu."

"Way to go, Smarty," he responded with a teasing smile.

Your laughter filled the room as you playfully pulled him down, laying next to you. Leaning on him, you enjoyed the closeness, reveling in the comfort of the moment. Jeongin, not one to miss an opportunity, gently brought your chin up, and with a tender kiss, your lips met.

The initial softness of the kiss soon deepened into a passionate moment. Jeongin loved the sensation of being close to you, and the intimate connection sparked a desire for more. As the kiss continued, he gently teased, parting your lips. With a bold move, he inserted his tongue.

His hands, fuelled by a growing intensity, moved to your waist, feeling the warmth of your skin beneath his fingertips. In response, you reached under his shirt, your fingers tracing the contours of the milky skin on his chest and abs.

The moment, charged with desire, took an unexpected turn as Jeongin pulled away. His eyes, reflecting a mixture of emotions, met yours. "Y/N, you're so, so beautiful," he began, his voice filled with sincerity. "You're smart, you're caring—you're literally perfect. I'll never deserve you."

You looked back at him, a soft smile playing on your lips. "Jeongin, you're all those things too," you reassured him. "Smart, caring, and incredibly beautiful. What do you mean you don't deserve me? I feel like most people would think it's the other way around."

Jeongin's frustration and insecurities tugged at him, and he began to ramble, his words stumbling over each other. "It's just... I see you, and I see everything you are, and it's like you're this amazing person, and I'm just me. You're achieving so much more than I ever will. And I'm sorry that I can't measure up to what you deserve. That I'll never be enough for someone as perfect as you."

"Jeongin," you interrupted gently, reaching out to hold his hands. "I'm not perfect, so stop thinking that. And you've achieved so much. You're well known worldwide, you get to travel to these wonderful places. Sometimes, I wish I could do that too."

"But," he interjected, his frustration evident, "I feel bad when I can't help you with studying like your other friends do. I went into high school late, never even attended it much even after and you literally skipped a whole grade. I feel so stupid compared to you."

You squeezed his hands gently, "You do help me study, Jeongin. Just having you next to me while I'm studying helps me. That's why I always drag you to the library with me because you're my support. Your presence is more than enough."

Jeongin smiled slightly at the comment, his frustration easing a bit.

"And you know," you continued, "I learn a lot from you too. About different cultures from the countries you've visited, how you manage to sing trot, how to act, how to dance, how to get your perfect skin, and most importantly, how to tolerate seven guys who are constantly trying to baby us. You bring so much into my life, Jeongin. It's not about who's better or smarter. It's about how we make each other happy."

Jeongin looked at you, a hint of doubt still lingering. "But what about what other people think? Everyone will think you're so impressive, and I'm just a guy who wasn't smart enough to do anything else but music."

"Don't beat yourself up about what others think," you asserted. "Plus, nowadays, who cares about how well people do in college? They all know idols work their asses off to be what they are. Everyone admires you, Jeongin."

"But, Y/N," Jeongin began, "you work just as hard as me."

"And that's exactly my point," you replied, a warm smile on your face. "We both work hard in our own ways, and that's what matters. It's about the effort we put in, not some standard of success. You're amazing just the way you are, Jeongin."

Feeling the sincerity in your words, Jeongin buried his face in your neck, his arms wrapping around you in a tight embrace. "I love you so much, Y/N," he mumbled against your skin.

Smiling, you ran your fingers through his hair. "I love you too, Jeongin," you replied, causing him to hum contently against your skin. The two of you stayed in that comforting embrace for a while, the world outside seemingly fading away. However, a practical thought crossed your mind. "Wait, let me put your wet clothes in the washer," you suggested.

Jeongin, with his eyes closed, murmured, "Baby, no, stay. I was about to fall asleep."

You couldn't help but chuckle at his half-asleep endearment. "What did you just call me?" you teased. A soft, content smile graced Jeongin's face as he kept his eyes closed. "Okay, Innie, I'm staying," you replied, using the playful nickname his members often used.

In response, Jeongin shifted, scooting up to become the big spoon. His arms wrapped around you, squeezing you gently as if you were his favorite teddy bear. A chuckle escaped your lips as your legs tangled together, finding a comfortable position. He rested his head on yours, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest creating a soothing lullaby.

[voidandabyssal]

Meet cutes with the Fell boys!

Red:

Cafe meet cute: You're paying for your drink, before turning around you smash into the person behind you.

You topple over, landing right on your butt as your drink goes flying through the air and spills across Red's shirt. Immediately before Red can say anything, you jump up, desperately trying to apologise to him as you wipe away some of the dripping liquid off his shirt.

Honestly, he's just kinda shocked to silence. Red is used to responding with violence. When you jumped up, he was sure you were going to sock him across the face or something. His fists tense and jaw clenched in anticipation for a fight, the other Monsters in the area quickly ducknig their heads to avoid getting pulled into it.

But when you start wiping your hands across his covered chest? Yeah, he's got nothing, genuinely just doesn't know how to react. This is pretty embarrassing for him to yanno, he's got a reputation to keep!

"Sweetheart, Sweetheart, no worries, all is forgiven" he gives you one of his winning smiles, gold tooth flashing in the light. "If you give me your number of course" he adds on, watching you fluster around before finally agreeing.

Initially, Red doesn't think he'll bother texting you, really, he just got your number so he could keep up his bad boy reputation.

He gives in one lonely night, you were kinda cute looking after all...

And of course we all know how to goes from there

Edge:

You meet at the start of a cooking class. The teacher decides to pair everyone up. The goal of the lesson was to create a beautiful batch of macarons within a certain amount of time. The winning team would get a small prize.

At first Edge just scoffs at you and tries to take over your pairs designated section of the kitchen. He's taken aback when you push back on his leadership and start working against him.

The two of you stand at the edge of the kitchen, glaring at each other as you both mix your ingredients.

the rest of the lesson carries on awkwardly, at least for the rest of the class. The two of you are to busy competing against one another to really notice (or care).

Both of you are struggling by the end of the class. The teacher had created pairs for a reason. Eventually you give in, walking up to him.

"We should probably start working together again," Edge scoffs,

"WHY WOULD I EVER WANT TO WORK WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU?! YOU CAN'T EVEN TAKE ORDERS PROPERLY!"

"Because we'll lose and the other students will win! duh!" you hiss out, leaning into his face. He blinks, he had not thought of it that way.

"VERY WELL HUMAN! WE WILL WORK TOGETHER, JUST THIS ONCE! I THE TERRIBLE EDGE WILL ENSURE OUR VICTORY AGAINST THESE OTHER WEAK FLESHBAGS!" you resist rolling your eyes but you get to work with him.

The two of you make a pretty amazing team. Quickly you finish off the macarons and present them to the teacher.

You do end up winning first place. You can't help but smile and cheer when you're both announced as the winners.

When you're packing up to leave Edge approaches you. Standing tall and regal as he usually does.

"HUMAN! YOU WERE AN EXEMPLARY HELP TODAY! YOU ARE NOT AS USELESS AS SOME OTHER HUMANS I HAVE MET." before you can interrupt he hands you his number and keeps his hand open, waiting for you to give him yours.

"WE SHALL COOK AGAIN HUMAN! OUR DISHES WILL BE LEGENDARY!"

You do eventually meet up outside of class, he was right, your lasagna dish was legendary

[do-not-resuscikate]

A long, slight critical, rant about The Bad Batch.

Let me preface this by saying, I love this show, I think it has been one of the best animated shows to ever come out of Disney or Star Wars. This rant comes from a place of love.

-------------------------------------------------------

I think it's pretty clear at this stage that The Bad Batch Season 3, while excellent in so many ways, is not quite sticking the landing when it comes to human moments.

There's a reason The Outpost is a fan favorite ep.

There's a reason a lot of people resonate with The Crossing.

And the reason is not action or setpieces, it's the human moments. The emotional moments.

The moments where characters stop and react.

I always thought it was an odd choice to bring back Echo but then have him not even mention Fives, nevermind not giving us any insight into Echos feelings about the circumstances surrounding his death. Rex even talks about how Fives tried to warn him about the chips, in front of Echo, and nothing!

Maybe it's a fluke, an oversight, I thought? Maybe, a story arc they had to trim so they could better explore the new characters!? 

And wow, did the writers do some amazing character work in season 2! I mean, chef's kiss, 10 outta 10. Gorgeous. Give me more of that.

But then, season 3 came.

Do we see proper conversation about the loss of Tech? No.

Do we see Crosshairs reaction to learning of his death? No.

Do we see Phees reaction to his death? No.

Do we see the groups immediate interaction after Crosshair returns. No.

Hells, Omega is taken AGAIN and Hunter doesn't even blink.

We maybe get a token mention here or there, and then on to the next copy/paste rescue/escape.

The writing team leave these beautiful breadcrumbs for us, we're dying to know how X will react to Y next week, and then they just never follow through.

I love this show, I really do, but I can only excuse this so many times.

With the series almost at its end, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that the writers think action setpieces, and escape plans, and heists are what the fans want. 

Don't get me wrong, the setpieces are great. But action is a dime a dozen these days. Plenty of shows and movies give us awesome explosions and shoot outs.

Far rarer are shows, and especially animated "childrens" shows, that give us genuine, gut-punching, emotional moments.

With so little time left, I'm doubtful of a truly satisfying finale to the Batches story. 

So many threads are still dangling, and we're all dying for answers. But we'll spend the next precious few episodes watch Omega break out of Tantiss AGAIN.

Whoever's under CX-2s mask might be significant, but will we see anyone's reaction to it? Will we have time to explore it's impact? Would they explore it even if they had the time?!

The thing many fans fell in love with about the clones is not that they're badass soldiers blowing up droids, it's how they behaved as people. 

How they interacted with each other, defined themselves, pushed their individuality, morality, and goodness to forefront despite being told they are only weapons.

 It's how they reacted to the world around them and their place in it.

The point of the clones stories is not action, it's reaction.

[patiann345]

I'm flabbergasted, I'm shocked, I'm disappointed, and frankly? I'm indignant.

In a series with so, so very little in terms of representation in canon, a series that had what I THOUGHT was 2-3 confirmed POC (we'll get to that 2-3 bit btw), 1 Jewish man, a handful of women who's writing is hit-or-miss, and no queer characters because according to one of the creators "their identities don't matter"... (Tell that to the straight characters like Henry, Thomas, Allison, Susie, Linda who's not even a character and didn't need to exist in the first place-)

Preview for that graphic novel dropped! Spoilers!!

Norman Polk is white.

I'm. astonished. For the record, because I know someone will likely bring it up, I am aware that there was never a point in the series where it was ever actually confirmed that Norman was a black man. But it was very much the consensus for most people that he was coded to be POC. To see this is just.. it's disheartening.

Dreams Come to Life seemingly (egg on my face for thinking Norman was black ig???) had 3 POC characters; Norman, Thomas, and Jacob. This was... maybe changed to 2 later on, as JDS went back on coding Thomas as a black man (an announcement they made in a Discord server of all things?? Never publically???) which they may have gone back on again later since the wiki (not official, for the record) recognizes him as black.

3 characters, and we're now down to possibly one; I say possibly because it depends on how Thomas is represented in this book. If he's black, we've got 2. If he's white?

One. One character who's never made an appearance in the games; only in spinoff material in a book. One.

In the simplest way I can put it, I'm upset. There's lots more I can talk about here; how I think this opening is a disservice and bastardization of the original writing for cutting so much out, how while it can look worse (I've read a good handful of fnaf books I KNOW it can look worse) I can't say it really looks any good, how Buddy looks like he's 12, how the yellows are garish and piss-looking. But what has me the most upset is Norman, because he was 1 of 2-3 POC characters, out of a cast of dozens upon dozens. And sure, there could be more. But we only had 3 confirmed. Maybe 2.

And now we may be down to one.

I actually spoke with my partner a few nights ago about how nervous I was about the graphic novel. Because of how the cover looked, I wasn't expecting anything great. But I knew there was a chance they'd double down and be like 'Nope, actually Thomas is white, always was' I was anticipating that, and I still am. And I looked at them and told them something roughly along the lines of- "I can live with them making Thomas white, cause of them trying to back-peddle once, I wouldn't be surprised, but I don't know how I'd handle them whitewashing Norman."

I still don't know how to handle it. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. People have done amazing designs of Norman for AUs and personal headcanons. Hell, all the staff really. And a majority of them, you'll find, are black. Almost everyone thought he was black. Not this pale Afton knock-off (seriously his hair looks greasy as hell, I know it's a stylization of the lighting but it looks gross)

I'm just throwing my thoughts out here for anyone who cares. Maybe most people won't mind, and fine. Again, it wasn't stated, it was seemingly coding, but clearly, we were wrong because he's paler than the fucking moon. But this is upsetting. This is genuinely upsetting to see. We have so little rep in this series, and the number is somehow dwindling.

What. the Fuck.

[zapreportsblog]

Any fandom X female pirate reader

You can pick any fandom with the pirate reader

I like to think the character falls in love(it looks up too) the reader because of how independent she is! And so they become their loyal right hand woman/man.

I think ima do this with the one piece fandom if luffy hadn’t become a pirate captain himself

❝dreams set sail❞

✭ pairing : luffy d monkey x reader

✭ fandom : one piece

✭ summary : luffy and (y/n) are childhood best friends but before shanks came around getting the idea of being a pirate in luffy’s head (y/n) was the first to bring it up

✭ authors note : I don’t have a masterlist for this one yet but it’s in the works

✭ one piece masterlist

The salty breeze swept through the village, carrying with it the sounds of seagulls and the distant crashing of waves. Luffy and his childhood friend, (Y/N), sat perched on the edge of a weathered wooden dock, their legs dangling over the water as they watched the sun dip below the horizon.

"(Y/N), do you ever think about leaving this place and going on a big adventure?" Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned to his friend.

(Y/N) chuckled softly, her (h/c) hair catching the fading sunlight. "All the time, Luffy. Sometimes, I imagine sailing on a grand ship, exploring uncharted islands, and discovering hidden treasures."

Luffy's grin widened. "Yeah! And I'll be right there with you, (Y/N)! We'll be the best pirates ever!"

(Y/N) laughed, her voice carrying a note of genuine fondness. "You've always been full of energy, Luffy. But hey, you know what? If I ever become a pirate, you'll definitely be my right-hand man!"

Luffy's eyes lit up at the idea. "Really? You mean it?"

(Y/N) ruffled his messy black hair playfully. "Of course, silly. Who else would I want by my side?"

Luffy's excitement was palpable, and he clasped (Y/N)'s hand in his, sealing their pact. "We're gonna have so much fun, (Y/N)! We'll be the most amazing pirates out there!"

Time passed, and their childhood conversations became cherished memories. (Y/N) continued to share her dreams with Luffy, igniting the flames of adventure in his heart. The idea of setting sail with his childhood friend, becoming pirates together, was a promise that fueled his every step.

One day, a rugged pirate named Shanks arrived in the village, bearing tales of the Grand Line and the treasure-filled mysteries it held. Luffy's eyes widened as he listened to Shanks recount his adventures, his heart racing with the realization that his dreams were within reach.

"(Y/N), did you hear that?" Luffy's voice was tinged with excitement as he approached his friend by the docks.

(Y/N) turned to him, a knowing smile on her lips. "I did, Luffy. It sounds like Shanks has brought a whole new world to our doorstep."

Luffy's determination burned bright in his gaze. "I'm gonna be a pirate one day too, (Y/N). I'm gonna find the One Piece and become the Pirate King! No we’re going to become the Pirate Kings!”

(Y/N) grinned, her eyes reflecting her unwavering support. "And I'll be right there with you, Luffy. Just like we promised."

As they stood by the water's edge, their dreams stretching as far as the horizon, Luffy felt a surge of excitement unlike anything he had ever experienced. The promise he had made to (Y/N) was now intertwined with his burning desire to conquer the seas, to reach the pinnacle of piracy.

Little did he know, his journey was about to begin, and the adventures that awaited him would not only test his mettle but also bring him closer to fulfilling the pact he had made with his childhood friend—the pact that would turn dreams into reality.

Years had passed since that childhood promise made on the village docks. Luffy and (Y/N) had grown from wide-eyed children with dreams of adventure into determined teenagers, their aspirations burning brighter than ever.

The village had seen its share of farewells as (Y/N)'s departure day neared. The villagers knew her dreams well, and they supported her fully. As her sixteenth birthday approached, her family surprised her with a gift that took her breath away—an intricately crafted boat, a vessel that would carry her across the vast seas.

On the eve of her departure, (Y/N) stood by the water's edge, gazing at the moonlit waves. She felt a mix of excitement and trepidation, knowing that the moment she had been waiting for was finally here. But amidst the anticipation, a tug of uncertainty also lingered in her heart.

She spotted Luffy sitting on a nearby boulder, staring out at the sea. His straw hat cast a shadow over his features, but she could tell that his thoughts were deep. Taking a deep breath, she approached him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hey, Luffy," she began, her voice soft yet resolute.

Luffy turned his head, his familiar grin spreading across his face. "Hey, (Y/N). Ready to set sail?"

(Y/N) nodded, her gaze locking with his. "Yeah, Luffy. It's time for me to chase my dreams, to explore the world out there."

Luffy's expression held a mix of emotions—happiness, pride, and a hint of sadness. "I always knew this day would come."

She smiled back at him, her own emotions mirrored in her eyes. "I want you to come with me, Luffy."

His brows furrowed slightly in surprise. "Huh?"

(Y/N) took a deep breath, her heart racing as she found the courage to lay her feelings bare. "I know we made a promise when we were kids, but now that it's really happening... I don't want to embark on this journey without you by my side. Will you be my right-hand man, Luffy?"

Luffy's eyes widened, his grin widening into a bright smile. Without hesitation, he hopped off the boulder and took her hand in his, his grip firm and reassuring.

"You know it!" he declared with unwavering confidence. "I've been waiting for this moment, too. To set sail with you and have the best adventures together!"

Tears pricked at the corners of (Y/N)'s eyes, her heart soaring with a mixture of relief and joy. She squeezed Luffy's hand, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you, Luffy. I'm so glad I won't be alone out there."

Luffy's laughter rang out, the sound carrying a promise of thrilling escapades to come. "We're gonna have the most amazing journey ever, (Y/N)! Just wait and see!"

As they stood by the water's edge, hand in hand, a sense of camaraderie and excitement enveloped them. Their dreams were no longer solitary paths but intertwined destinies that would lead them to uncharted waters and unexplored horizons. With the moon casting its gentle glow on the sea, (Y/N) and Luffy's adventure was about to begin—one that would shape their fates and bring their shared dreams to life.