#I know they won’t last forever but these are the moments I wish the sun would rise and fall a little faster

[decembermoonskz]

.

[noctuaism]

When it’s time for his daughter to get her vaccinations it’s Satoru who almost starts crying more than his daughter. Your daughter is notably more composed than your husband who looks at your daughter like she’s about to disappear on spot.

“Do we have to do this?” he asks for what you think is tenth time. “I can protect her. I’ll keep my infinity on and then she won’t have to worry about bacteria or viruses or boys.” He says the last one with a shiver like it’s the worst possible thing on the list.

“Yes she has to get her shots,” you say, not bothering to look up at him. You already know he’s pouting. Instead, you keep your eyes on your daughter, secured to the car seat between you and Satoru. Gently you run your finger over your daughter’s cheek. She gives you a wide, toothless smile that has your heart clenching. It was hard to believe that she was just in your belly just over two months ago. She was growing up so fast. “And no you can’t keep your infinity up forever, you’ll burn your brain out.”

The man continues to mutter anxiously, only worsening your own anxiety. You hated seeing your baby cry no less than he did.

“What if I hollow purple—” he starts again and you send him a withering look, feeling a little bad when he gives you an anxious look. Fatherhood is possibly the only thing that has ever made Gojo Satoru second guess himself. You reach over and gently squeeze his hand, both an apology for the harsh look and for reassurance, and watch as his face softens. He squeezes your hand back before taking his turn at entertaining your little baby.

The rest of ride to the hospital is filled with your baby gurgling joyfully at her father as he makes silly faces at her.

When you finally reaching the hospital, you thank Ichiji and drag Satoru away before he can give the poor man a hard time. Satoru holds the car seat in his hand, the shades on the carrier drawn over to protect your baby from the Sun. You hold the hand that isn't occupied with the carrier, squeezing it for reassurance, as you make your way into the building.

Times seems to fly from there, from the moment you approach the front desk and finish filling out the forms to finally hearing your family name being called.

The nurse gives the both of you a soft, reassuring smile seemingly accustomed to the anxiety of new parents. As she leads you to the back of office she reassures the both of you that this appointment would be quick and easy. She gives a practiced debrief of the vaccines your baby would receive. Satoru takes it upon himself to be a little obnoxious with the questions he asks and she shows no irritation towards him, taking everything in stride.

3 shots. This would not be easy.

You really didn't want to hear your baby cry. You turn your head to your husband who has an unusual, grim look on his face. You try your best to remind yourself that this was for your daughters health and wellbeing. The quicker this was done, the faster the both you could go home and take care of her.

After being seated in the room, the only thing left to do was wait for the doctor. The loud crying of babies from the other room left you feeling uneasy. You watch as Satoru takes her out of the carrier to hold her up in his arms. You soften at the sight. Your two loves.

It reminds you that despite all the fears that Satoru had shared with you about fatherhood, he fell into the role quickly and with little stumble. He was as good at being a Father as he was at anything else. You lay your head on his shoulder, watching your daughter's eyes flutter in the warmth of her father. You wish she'd be this small forever. You think you could fall asleep like this, despite your surrounding. To the feeling of Satoru's lips on your forehead and your daughter tucked safely in his arms.

The little moment is broken by a short knock on the door and doctor's head peaking into the room. You sit up straight preparing yourself. The doctor briefly introduces herself as she makes her way in followed by a nurse.

"I trust that you understand what this entails," she says. "I can go over it again if you need."

"How bad is this going to hurt her?" Your husband asks, his voice taking on a serious he usually doesn't show. You watch as the nurse sets out the three syringes onto the table, each with a translucent cap.

"I will not lie to you, Gojo-san, this will be uncomfortable. The faster we get this done, the easier it will be on her." Her voice is calm. "However, I also cannot say what side effects may occur or may not occur at all." She gets up to wash her hands in the sink before putting on some gloves. "Please place her on the exam table."

"I might have to hollow purple this place."

"What was that, sir?"

"Nothing."

Satoru gives her the fakest smile you've ever seen on his face while gently laying your baby down. He gently smoothes her unruly, white hair and doesn't let go of her hand. You join him at his side, running your hands down her arm, watching as she turns and bends to look at you. Her gummy smile reminds you so much of Satoru, so full of joy and happiness. You really carried her for nine months for her to be a carbon copy of her father.

"Okay, we're gonna count to three and administer one to each thigh," you nod, steeling yourself. "One, Two, Three..."

Your daughter wails and the shots are done just like that. The doctor and the nurse work quickly and efficiently, caping the used needles. Her piercing cries hurt your heart and you take her into your arms rocking her, trying your best to calm her down. Satoru, on the other hand, looks as though he wants to throw hands with the doctor, the glare behind his dark glasses is harsh.

"I know, baby, I know," you cajole, trying to get her to stop crying. Her crying continues for a while and you give your husband a little helpless look. He catches on quickly and gently takes her from your arms, taking his turn at rocking her against him.

"We're never doing this again," he says. Your daughter finally starts to calm a little. Tears continue to stream down her face but she no longer wails in pain. You wipe her face with your hand, smoothing your hand on her cheek. Your throat feels tight.

The rest of the time from the hospital back to your house is a blur. Your daughter sleeps safely in her nursery having been lulled to sleep from all the crying and some milk.

The both of you are sat on the couch in the living room. The baby monitor placed on the coffee table in front of you. Satoru is in your arms, his head buried in your neck. You sat in his lap, gently combing your hands through his hair. You had two babies to take care of.

"I hated that," he says, a little whiny. "Can we never do that again?"

"She's gonna have to get more no matter what we do."

"If I get rid of every vaccine produced ever and the companies making them, we'll never have to do this again." The statement is ridiculous and is enough to make you laugh which has him whining into you neck again.

"I'M SERIOUS DON'T LAUGHT AT ME." Which only serves to make you giggle harder. You place a kiss on his forehead.

"You're a good father you know," you say, directing the conversation in another direction instead of the doom of pharmaceutical companies at the hands of Gojo Satoru. "She's lucky to have you."

"Of course she is, I'm THE Gojo—" you place your hand over his mouth cutting his bragging short. You take your hand away once you're sure he's not gonna say anything silly. And before he has a chance to lick it.

"I'm being serious."

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

You think back to the conversation you had before your daughter was born. The one where Satoru had spilled his heart out, confiding his fears of being a bad and absent father. You remember being in a similar position as you are now, seated in his lap and running a hand through his hair. You felt him squeeze your waist in the same way, one that told you that despite pretending he didn't need it, even the strongest needed comfort.

"I love you, sweetheart," he murmurs. "Thank you for everything."

"I love you too, toru."

Your lips lock in a soft, gentle kiss. He was your everything and more. The silence between you both is sweet and comfortable as you bask in each other warmth.

Silence, however, never lasts long in the Gojo household. Especially when it comes to Gojo Satoru.

"So what do you say about practicing for our second?"

[feyascorner]

“I love you.” The first time he says those simple three words, he doesn't mean it. Not really. And he knows you're aware of it too, with the stern glare you give him in response to his smug grin. He's teasing you—or, it looks that way anyway. In reality, he hopes that there's a glimmer, a sliver of your heart that welcomes his enticing and open arms. It’s routine. A habit. It feels more natural to lure you in with songs of promises than to simply tell you what he needs. He hopes you take his hand and ignore the sharp nails digging into your skin. He hopes you fall.

“I love you.” The second time is months later. He thinks he might genuinely mean it this time, considering how heavy his heart feels in his chest as the words leave his lips. But it’s hesitant. You can tell. And ever so patient, you only smile at him, taking his hand this time to squeeze it gently. Ah, that feels nice. Does he love you? Have you grown on his cold, dead heart? The fact that he doesn't want to recoil from your touch is enough if an answer..

“I love you.” The third time is at his grave. He’s confident now. Feeling. Wanting. He wishes he could hold your fingers against his skin forever. He doesn't want to even let go, because he fears you might vanish into thin air, like every other caring thing in his life. You're good. Understanding. Nothing like him. You deserve better than him. But he's always been a selfish man, and even though your presence urges him to be better, he remains selfish when it comes to you. He doesn't--no, he won’t lose you.

“I love you.” He’d feared he would never get to say the words again. He had faith in you of course, but an Elder Brain is no easy feat to defeat. But as he watches the brain sink into the darkest depths of the sea, the others cheering behind him, he feels the sun begin to prick at his skin again. It stings. Gods, does it sting. For a moment, he wonders if he should even run. He's had a taste for the sun kissed glow and he's not sure if he wants to part ways with it if it means he’ll rot away in the shadows forever. But when he feels you hurriedly toss a cloak over his shoulder, covering his face with the hood just enough for him to meet your eyes, you offer him something he doesn't want to ever imagine himself without again. Something he’s still in disbelief he has. Someone to worry for him.

I love you, I love you, I love you. As years pass, the words become more frequent, yet they never lose their weight, no matter how they're said or when. It’s funny, really, how he'd almost feared saying the same exact words just a few decades ago. To Astarion, they remind him that you're still here, allowing him the privilege to let him love you as much as he does.

“I love you.” The last time he says it, whether it be after an untimely death or simply from old age, he’s holding your hand again. He hates that instead of the adoration it’s supposed to convey, he hears more of the wobble in his voice as he realizes his time with you is up. Even though he's said it so many times, he finds that it still wasn't nearly enough. Open your eyes, he pleads to nobody in particular. He breathes. Why is he breathing? He doesn't need to. But the breaths become faster, and he realizes he’s crying too. Curses, how immature. Ah, your hand is so cold, almost like his own. He hates it. Don't be like him. And when he begs, he begs. Squeeze his hand again. Touch him again. Smile at him again. Live again.

Let him love you again.

[lemonlover1110]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

Satoru Gojo

[Chapter 21] The Right Decision

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Pairing: Satoru Gojo x f!Reader

Discord +18 - Twitter - Ko-Fi

The rest of your trip runs smoothly. Thankfully, Satoru didn’t try to pull another stunt that made you want to gouge his eyes out. Ren is over the moon by going to the beach daily, going to new places to explore, trying new delicious food, and what matters the most, spending time with his mother and father. Sadly, his vacation can’t last forever.

Ren is gloomy the day before you’re supposed to leave, begging you and his father to stay a little longer. Satoru wants to say yes, and he would in a heartbeat if he didn’t have to work. As much as it pains him, he can’t give up everything to be a father. The next best solution is wait for Ren to leave you alone for a minute just to ask, 

“How about I extend your vacation for another week? I’ll leave, and Sayo probably won’t stay either. Just you and Ren.” And it’s tempting. You really want to say yes, but you also want to go back and resolve other issues. Plus, Ren is getting accustomed to getting whatever he wants, and you’re worried that he might become more like his father which is something that you definitely don’t want.

“We can come back some other time. It’s about time I go home.” You answer, and he nods in response. And as selfish as it sounds, Satoru is happy that you declined because he hates the idea of spending a week without seeing his son. It’s crazy to think that he lived a whole life before Ren, and the moment the little boy came into his life, Ren became everything to Satoru.

“Alright… Guess we have to make the most out of today so Ren cheers up.” Satoru says, glancing at his baby boy who’s plopped down on the couch, lamenting himself because he has to leave soon. Unluckily for everyone, it’s a rainy day outside. 

“There’s really not much we can do.” You tell him, and Satoru sighs. He wishes there was something he could do to make the sun come out, but no amount of money can control that. Satoru ponders, wondering what he can do to cheer his son up.

“I got it.” His eyes light up, and he runs upstairs. You furrow your brows in confusion before walking over to sit beside Ren. Your hand runs up and down his back, attempting to soothe him.

“I don’t wanna go home. I like it here.” He kicks his feet into the couch, and you make sure to keep your distance. Ren doesn’t want to go home, he likes it here. He’s with both of you the entire day, and you’re giving him all of your attention, how can he not like it? He knows the moment you go back, things will go back to normal. He’s gotten used to this, he doesn’t want to go back to normal.

“We have to, Ren. Your granny and grammy miss you, and I have to get back to my job.” You tell him, hoping that mentioning his grandmothers will make him reconsider. He loves them with all his heart, but truthfully, he prefers spending the entire day with you.

“I want to stay!” He yells, and a sigh escapes your lips as you pinch the bridge of your nose. He needs to let it out, you know he’s upset. But he shouldn’t be using his voice like that. 

“We’re not coming back if you keep throwing a tantrum.” You warn him before standing up and going to your bedroom. You don’t want to yell at him, so removing yourself from the situation is the best thing to do. Ren is still going to throw his tantrum, and you can only talk about the situation after. 

“I’m here!” You hear Satoru yell from the living room. You’re going to leave him to handle it, not making an effort to get up from bed. Until Satoru calls out your name, and you groan before getting up and walking over to the living room. You smile, seeing how Ren’s demeanor has changed, kneeling down on the floor in front of the coffee table, waiting for his father to open up the box that he brought down. “I remembered I had a board game here.”

“Is this the home you used to come to as a kid?” You ask, wondering why he has the board game with him. Satoru nods in response, sitting down beside the coffee table to open the old box.

 He used to play this game with his dad after getting home from the beach. It’s a game that’s more fun when played with more than two people, but Satoru didn’t really have that option. Regardless, he still had fun with his dad. Growing up, the only time that Satoru actually spent with his parents was the little vacations that they had yearly. He has very fond memories of this place, and of the board game that he opens.

“I haven’t played this in years, I have to read the rules again.” Satoru can’t help but laugh as he takes out every piece. He remembers every time being so excited to tell you about the game, begging his father to take the game back home or buy a new one for his house so he could play with you, but both of them always forgot. Luckily, he gets to play with you for the first time, and with your son as well.

“Take all the time you need.” You answer. Your eyes fall on your son, noting his somewhat puffy eyes. You ask him, “Are you better, Ren?”

“I am.” He nods. Pulling out the game completely changed his attitude. You can’t get too mad at him, he just got into this world. He’s just figuring things out, slowly learning that he can’t get everything even if his father wants to give him the world. 

Like father, like son. Both are sore losers. After losing to you, both have pouty faces and you swear Ren is on the verge of tears. Ren doesn’t nap anymore, but you decide that after all his crying, you’ll put him to bed. You cuddle with him until Ren falls asleep, and once you’re sure he’s dreaming, you get up from bed and leave your bedroom. 

Satoru’s in the living room, going through his phone. You don’t want to be alone with him so you hope that going to the kitchen and getting yourself a glass of water will give him the hint. He can go to his bedroom and scroll through his phone there. However, when he hears you, he says, “Come join me!”

You sigh, but you still walk over to the couch and take a seat on the other end. You pull out your phone, while he turns his off. It’s completely silent for a minute before he clears his throat and asks, “Are you still talking to Suguru?”

“Does it concern you?” You quickly reply. It’s not his business, especially when he doesn’t tell you what’s going on with him and Sayo.

“I want to know if he’s the possible stepfather to my son.” Satoru answers, and you furrow your eyebrows. You put your phone down and look at him before tilting your head to the side.

“What about you and Sayo? She’s the stepmother to my son and you have yet to tell me a thing about your relationship with her.” You respond, and he purses his lips together. You’re right, you’re absolutely right, but this isn’t about him. “I have no idea about your arrangement with her either… The one that she mentioned.”

“We don’t have an arrangement.” Satoru scratches the back of his neck, clearly nervous about the question. He’s not with her out of love, he’s made that clear. Yet… Why is he denying it?

“The same way Suguru and I have nothing going on.” You answer, hoping that’ll make him speak. Although you aren’t lying, you feel as if you have nothing going on with Suguru right now. You’re avoiding his calls and texts, you definitely don’t have a future together after this. “Look, Satoru. I just want the truth, an explanation to everything. Maybe some closure.” 

The man takes a deep breath, and you know that he’s about to tell you the truth. You can read him like a book. Satoru bites down his lip before confessing, “I didn’t marry her out of love but out of convenience.”

That’s certainly a start, although you aren’t too shocked. Maybe you are a bit surprised since you assumed they fell out of love instead of straight up thinking it was arranged. He takes another deep breath before he says,

“When my father died, my mom knew that I wouldn’t be trusted with his spot… Since I was considered too immature. Also for other business purposes, merging the company that Sayo’s family owns with our own.” He begins, and you feel a pain that you haven’t felt in years. A sudden pain that consumes your body in a matter of seconds, and it only gets worse with his words. “There was another promising candidate that would’ve handled the job while I finished my studies, and my mom was scared that we would lose control. I’ve never been too well liked by them.”

You look down at the couch, feeling your eyes getting glossy as he speaks. You thought you were over this, you really were. He continues speaking, “Getting married to Sayo was my mom’s great solution… Getting married to a woman with status would show how mature I was, ready to take the spot.”

“And… I agreed. We would get married and stay like that until I had my job. I could show that I was great at what I was entrusted to do, and then I would get a divorce.” He explains, and you exhale. Your nails dig into the fabric of your pants, trying your best not to cry… This is why he did it. Money. Money was more important to him than your relationship.

He changed his number and completely blocked you out of his life. He treated you like he always did when you weren’t convenient to him. With contempt and superiority. As he speaks, you realize that you will never manage to be together without some kind of issue.

“I– I’m sorry.” He says, as his hand goes to your hand, but you jerk it out. It’s no surprise that he didn’t want to tell you, he’s right for not telling you. You almost would’ve preferred to hear that he left you because of love for someone else. 

You try not to let a single tear slip even though your heart breaks again. You would’ve left anything and everything behind for him, yet he didn’t even think twice before leaving you. And Satoru feels speechless as you’re on the verge of tears. He tells you, “It was a dumb decision, and given the option again, I would leave everything behind for you and for Ren.”

You stand up from the couch. You suddenly feel suffocated in the room. He wouldn’t choose you if he had the option, he’s only do it for Ren, and that realization makes it hard for you to breathe. But you’re glad he did it. It wasn’t his first time, just this time you realized you would never be his first option.

“No, you made the right decision.” You try to smile at him, attempting to hide the fact that tears are streaming down your cheeks. “Thank you for picking right.”

[aireia]

The night I fell in love with you. — Gojo Satoru

tw/cw: gn! reader, fluff. not proofread. ooc.

note: I wanna know how I've been sick for 2 weeks —masterlist

Social events are common amongst clans. They help strengthen the bonds and relationships between clans, which makes it easier for them to come to agreements on matters.

For all he can remember, Satoru hates social events. He can’t remember how many he’s been to since he was a child, but he can remember the whispers among the crowds and the feeling of eyes on him. He can’t differentiate whether it was admiration, jealousy, hatred, or some other emotion. 

But he has to go. He’s the head of the Gojo clan, one of the most expected people at these private events. He doesn’t really see the point in him showing up, anyway. He doesn’t agree with the views and opinions of any other person there. 

It’s by the time he’s eighteen, maybe a decade after he started attending these parties, that he finally goes to an event that’s worth remembering, because he met you. Someone who agreed that these excuses of events were a bore. The both of you ended up laughing with each other over small talk, completely unrelated to the other people talking about ways to get rid of dangerous sorcerers.

The both of you had a lot in common. For example, your hatred towards the way the elders choose to do things. Satoru didn’t take long to realise this wouldn’t be the last time he would see you at these places, and jokingly asked if you wanted to meet up at these events and go to some corner of the room to talk shit about everyone there. You accepted. 

Maybe that’s when you fell for him. You kept each other company during these times, and laughed together so much anyone would mistake the both of you for friends that hadn’t seen each other for years catching up with each other.

About a year, or two after you met, there was a gathering that required everyone to have a partner to dance with. Now this was becoming ridiculous. Who organises these?! Because he sure as hell didn’t. Satoru groaned  loudly into his pillow when he first received the notice, and reached for his phone on his nightstand to text you about it. 

“We can be each other’s partners.” “I’m sure it won’t take too long.”

He stared at the screen for too long after that. The thought of dancing with you made heat rise to his cheeks. 

“...Satoru? Are you still there?” 

-

On the day of the actual event, he finds himself looking forward to dancing. He has to stop himself from straight up dragging you towards the centre of the room as the music began.

Have you ever seen a rose bloom? Watched the way the petals slowly unfolded? 

Satoru has.

Because that’s what Satoru Gojo saw in front of him when you were dancing together. The vibrance of the petals paled in comparison to your smile, and suddenly, he felt as if he were the thorns that pricked anyone who dared to touch them, for he never wanted this moment to end. His mind flashed back to one of the texts you sent as he got drunk off the sweet scent of your perfume. 

“I’m sure it won’t take too long.” 

No. He hopes the song is a hundred, a million times longer than it is. He never wants this to end. He doesn’t wish for this to become a memory, for he wishes to live in it forever. 

He can see the flames dancing in your eyes, and he feels liquid with the way your bodies move together.

Each step you took was lighter than any falling feather, and in his mind he thinks that maybe he’d have to describe you as a free bird. And he thinks about it, over and over, all the way until the final note of the piece. 

By that time, you’re everything. You’re a rose, you’re a dove… From what he sees through his cerulean eyes, you’re the sun that lights up the sky, yet at the same time the moon that grants dreams through slumber. You’re the waves of the ocean, and you’re the calmness that resides in the deep sea. 

You are his everything.

-

“Satoru?” you walk up to him on the balcony, where he seems to be lost in thought. “It’s getting late. We should go to b– Satoru!” you yelped when he suddenly grabbed your arm and pulled you close to him. 

You know exactly what he’s thinking about, and you can’t help but smile and sigh. 

“May I have this dance?”

by user @ aireia, do not plagiarize and/or translate.

[chestersturniolo]

𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴

Matt Sturniolo x fem!reader

•the heart wrenching notion of right person, wrong time •

warnings; none apart from no happy ending!

••••••••

It was a cool evening, the kind where the air was crisp but not cold enough to make you shiver. You sat on the park bench, as the sun started to set. You could hear the soft rustle of leaves and the distant noise of the main streets, but all you could focus on was Matt sitting beside you.

Months had led up to this moment—months of late-night conversations, spontaneous adventures, and sharing parts of yourself you hadn’t shown anyone else. He was the kind of person who made you laugh without trying, who knew when to talk and when to simply sit in silence with you. And yet, here you were, on the verge of saying goodbye.

“Timing is such a cruel thing, isn’t it?” Matt said softly, breaking the stillness between you. His voice had that familiar warmth, but there was a heaviness to it now, a sadness.

You nodded, struggling to find words for a moment. "Yeah…it really is”

Matt turned to look at you, his blue eyes catching the last bits of sunlight. The conflict in them was clear—he wanted this as much as you did, but there was something bigger, something neither of you could change. “If things were different—if we’d met just a year from now, maybe we wouldn’t be having this conversation”

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “I’ve thought about that a lot too. But it’s not a year from now…It’s now…”

Matt looked down at his hands, his fingers tracing the edge of the bench. “I can’t ask you to wait for me. It’s not fair. My career... this move... it’s going to change everything, and I don’t even know what that looks like for me yet. I don’t want to drag you into something uncertain”

He was leaving to pursue his youtube career with his brothers in LA — a dream opportunity, something he’d worked so hard for. You were proud of him, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. The timing, as always, was off. The universe had a funny way of bringing people together just to pull them apart again.

“I don’t want to hold you back, either” you whispered, your voice barely audible. “You deserve this, Matt. And I... I have things I need to figure out too”

It wasn’t a lie. You had your own ambitions, your own dreams you were chasing. But that didn’t change the fact that, right now, sitting next to him, you wished things were different. You wished the rest of the world would stop for a while, so the two of you could just exist here, without all the complications.

Matt sighed and leaned back, looking up at the sky. “You know what’s funny? I’ve never felt more connected to someone than I do with you. But life… life just won’t wait”

You turned to him, heart aching. “What if we’re making a mistake? What if we’re letting something slip away that could’ve been—”

He cut you off gently. “No, don’t think like that. What we have... it’s real. But sometimes love isn’t enough to change the timing of things. Maybe we’re supposed to meet again when the time is right”

The words stung, even though you knew they were true. Maybe it wasn’t forever. Maybe someday, when your paths crossed again, things would fall into place. But right now, you were at a crossroads, and you couldn’t walk the same path.

You reached out, taking his hand in yours. His fingers laced with yours, and you sat like that for a long moment, neither of you wanting to let go.

“When you leave tomorrow...” you started, your voice trembling.

“When I leave tomorrow, it doesn’t change what we had” he finished for you. 

The tears you’d been holding back finally slipped down your cheek, but you quickly wiped them away, not wanting him to see. “Do you think we’ll find our way back to each other someday?”

Matt smiled, but it was a sad smile. “I really hope so sweetheart….but if we don’t, at least we’ll know that for a while, we found something extraordinary , something real… eachother”

You nodded, knowing this moment would stay with you no matter what the future held.

As the sun disappeared completely behind the horizon, you knew it was time. Time to let go, even though it felt impossible.

The silence between you grew heavy, the weight of unspoken words filling the air. Matt glanced at you, his eyes searching yours for a moment,as tears started brimming in his own.

He leaned in slowly ,placing his lips into yours, soft and tender, a kiss that held everything you couldn’t say. It was a kiss filled with goodbye, with love, with all the moments you’d shared and the ones you would never have. Time seemed to stop around you, and for that brief moment, nothing else existed. Just the two of you.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, and you could feel his breath against your skin. His hand cupped your face gently, thumb brushing away the tear that had slipped down your cheek.

“I love you—” he whispered, his voice trembling. 

“—I love you with my whole heart”

Your chest tightened, the weight of those words sinking into you. You felt it too, every ounce of what he was saying. “I love you too”

But you both knew love wasn’t enough to change what was happening next.

Matt hesitantly stood up, offering his hand. With a small sigh you wrap your hand around his, pulling yourself up.

He pulled you close, kissing you one last time, the taste of salty tears from both of you lingering.

You both slowly pulled away,

“I’m going to miss you” you whispered.

Matt squeezed your hand gently before letting go. “I’m going to miss you too-“ be breathed, trying his hardest to hold back his tears, but failing miserably as they continued to fall. 

“-Maybe in another life,huh?” he sniffled.

You left out a soft sob at his words, tears streaming uncontrollably. Your bring your hand up to your chest, laying it comfortingly over your aching heart. 

All you could muster was a small nod 

“Another life” you whisper.

You both stood for a moment, just looking at eachother. Trying to memorise every detail. 

Matt placed his hand on your cheek, before leaning forward, placing a lingering kiss to your forehead. He pulls away, as his thumb brushes back and forth. His teary eyes met yours, both of you silently saying goodbye. It was too painful to say out loud. You both knew it, and you knew eachother knew it. So you stood silently, letting your gazes say it all. 

Matt slowly started walking backwards, his eyes still locked to yours, with a small smile and sniffle, he turned around. 

As he started walking away from you, you couldn’t hold back the sobs, wrapping your arms around yourself as a form of faux comfort.

Matt stops in his tracks, the sound of your cries ripping his heart to shreds. He stands still, his back still facing you.

“Don’t look back Matt” you call out, voice trembling. 

He stayed paused, for what felt like an eternity. You could see the tension in his shoulders, the conflict in his stance. But finally, he took a deep breath and hesitantly continued walking, each step heavy with finality. You watched as his silhouette got smaller , and eventually disappeared into the dark, carrying your heart with him. 

••••••••••••

A/N; i’m actually distraught after writing that wtf😭 probably the saddest thing i’ve written and i hate it but love it at the same time. thankyou for reading loves!!

- 𝑺𝒂𝒈𝒆 ♡

MASTERLIST

taglist;

@sturnobsessedwh0re @nayveetbhh @phone4pills @demzzz @dripgodnay

@sturniooolos @monroesturnns @mattsbitchh @slutforsturnioloss @pvssychicken @tsturniolo4 

@brianna-grace12 @blahbel668 @stvrlighht @witchofthehour 

[changbeansss]

Summer love

Pairings : Bang Chan x reader

Genre : Angst, hurt/comfort (hopeful ending)

Warnings : mentions of break up but they get back together again

Word count : 2528

A/n : highly inspired by the song 'Summer love' by One Direction

The summer sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the small beach town where you had spent the past three months. The sound of waves crashing against the shore was a comforting background to the heart-wrenching moment unfolding before you.

Chris was standing by the door of the small beach house you had shared, his suitcase packed and ready. His eyes, usually so full of life and mischief, were now clouded with sadness. You were trying so hard not to cry, but the tears were threatening to spill over. This was the best summer of your life, and now it was ending in the worst way possible.

“I can’t believe you’re really leaving,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Chris looked down, unable to meet your eyes. “I don’t want to go, but I have to. We knew this day would come.”

You nodded, biting your lip to keep the sobs at bay. “I know. Just… don’t promise that you’ll call. Just promise you won’t forget we had it all.”

He finally looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I promise. I’ll never forget. You were mine, for the summer.”

You both stood there for a moment, the weight of the goodbye pressing down on you. It felt like snow in September, an unseasonable cold that chilled you to the bone. But you knew you would always remember this summer, and the love you shared.

“Wish that we could be alone now,” you said, a hint of desperation in your voice. “We could find some place to hide, make the last time just like the first time.”

Chris shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. “Don’t say that. It’ll only make it harder.”

You nodded, tears finally spilling over. “Just promise you’ll remember when the sky is gray.”

He stepped closer, pulling you into a tight hug. “I will. You’ll always be my summer love.”

The goodbye was agonizing, but eventually, Chris pulled away and walked out the door. You watched him leave, feeling like your heart was breaking into a million pieces.

---

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. The vibrant colors of summer faded into the muted tones of autumn. You tried to move on, but the memories of that summer haunted you. Every sunset, every wave crashing against the shore, reminded you of Chris.

One chilly September day, you found yourself back at the beach. The sky was gray, just like you had feared. You wrapped your arms around yourself, trying to ward off the cold.

“Hey, stranger.”

You turned around, your heart skipping a beat. Chris was standing there, a warm smile on his face.

“Chris?” you whispered, unable to believe your eyes.

“I couldn’t stay away,” he said, stepping closer. “I realized there’s nothing I want to change. I don’t want to move on. I want you.”

Tears filled your eyes again, but this time they were tears of joy. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

He pulled you into his arms, holding you tight into a warm hug. “You’ll always be my summer love. And now, we can make it last forever.”

As you stood there in his embrace, you knew that the summer love you thought was lost had found its way back to you. And this time, you wouldn’t let it go. It was all written in the stars.

[accio-victuuri]

ONE NIGHT IN BEIJING & other sweets 🌃

when i first saw this song being discussed earlier, i was confused cause i don’t know what’s happening. lol. what’s with the song. i cannot trace where the screenshot is from but it says one of WYB’s favorite song is this, one night in beijing.

then a fan commented that XZ sang this in our song before ( not main performance ) and someone found a recording. did he discover the song because of that? was it on zz’s playlist at some point in the past and became his fave?

the song itself tho. very 👀👀👀

Don’t wish to ask where you have been

Don’t wish to wonder if you are ever returning

I’m thinking of your heart, I’m thinking of your face

I’m thinking of your embrace – I won’t let go, I just won’t

that’s just the first few lines and i’m here nodding my head that this fits his style of bittersweet song.

but this not even the interesting part….

Fans are thinking about how this relates to what’s been happening in the past few ways. The way we have speculated about 11/19 and WYB acting as the mystery driver again. Then him sharing a post on his weibo. One night in Beijing? Does he love that particular title cause it sometimes describes their meetings? They are often busy and one night is all they can get.

People are also pointing out the change in ZZ’s work schedule today. His LOCH sched starts early and ends in the evening or very late but the 5:30-6:00 AM call time for him is almost fixed. Yesterday, 11/22, WYB posts and we think they are together. What happens today? ZZ comes in “late” to work at 11:30 AM. So why the change? Was he spending time with Bobo? This reminds me of that time he was out of his schedule too when Bobo was sick.

A common argument from haters is how is a relationship between them possible. They are busy! Well.. this is how. since 2020, they have been meeting (allegedly) and even going to each other’s workplace ( allegedly lol repeating this to be safe ) It doesn’t matter how long, they make it work. You will always find time for the important people in your life.

Next, let’s move on to XZS post. On a Thursday. Also it perfectly coincides with their WB account reaching 10 million followers. The photos shared are behind the scenes content from ad shoots but the contrast of the photos stands out. Day & Night. The kadian they use, 14:23 loving zhan forever. Which goes to show that they do use it!

The caption gives us more insight on the choice of photos. Sun & Moon. Another symbolism that is popular with CPFs Sun/Sunshine & Moon.

“It is the perfect moment, just like when the gentle light meets the rising moon.”

I think the english translation doesn’t give that much deeper meaning that we clowns love. so we gotta take it to the next level 🙃🙃🙃

"Fuguang" and "Wangshu" are both important elements in Chinese culture. "Fuguang" comes from the works of Song poets in the Southern Dynasties, which means sunlight or sunlight."Wangshu" is a god in Chinese mythology and legend, representing the moon and can be used to describe moonlight'. The two can be combined to show that lovers support each other and move towards a bright future together.

This caption aligns to WYB posting a photo yesterday that shows the 🌙. So does this mean WYB is the Moon & ZZ is the Sun/light? I have to say that it fits with their personality ( tho Bobo is warm and ZZ has his moments of being cold too but you know what I mean, for symbolic purposes only ok. ) I am loving this imagery between them! I hope we can have more reference in the future.

I’m cackling at this tho. The progression of posts, WYB’s caption was a reminder that it’s getting colder > YBO reposts and says to wear warmer clothes > XZS posts and GG is wearing a cozy sweater 😂 As if saying that yep, he has worn warmer clothes. LOL.

and xzs and ybo are at it again, the photo ybo shared yesterday was showing wyb’s back and xzs shared something similar today as the last photo in the grid. i’m sure they have lots of photos that show his face or close ups of his body like his hand but they had to choose this as the finale.

i mean thank you, this will make it easier for us to edit them together 😂😂😂

Bonus, the “light” photos appear to form an 8 = bo. (p1) is a himalaya episode about the 8 of diamonds card forming an 8. What a coincidence!

-END.

[starlightsreigns]

one last time | d. priest

summary: serena and damian need to call it quits. but it’s breaking both their fragile hearts.

word count: 726 (short & sweet)

warnings: none!

authors note: something i wrote at 2 am. i fear i might write a part two but idk. again, ignore the lowercase im obsessed with it. sorry for the errors x

“feel like a failure, cause i know that i failed you”

sarena held his arm tightly, too afraid of him walking out of that door. and surprisingly, damian doesn’t move away. he only looks at her in sadness - her puffy cheeks and red eyes broke his heart. sarena took a step forward and kissed his arm softly.

“don’t do this, damian.” she pled, resting her head against his forearm. “i don’t want this.”

damian shut his eyes painfully, “i love you, baby, but this is what’s good for us.”

“i promise after that i’ll let you go”

it’s hard to see three years down the drain for something that couldn’t be fixed. too many factors brought them to this moment in time. the screaming, the fighting, the lying and the cheating. time and age separated them and it became harder to make this relationship make sense anymore.

damian couldn’t trust sarena; she’s younger, livelier, and there was a disconnect when he was on the road. then, sarena couldn’t trust damian with the groupies, the space, and the sheer fact that he couldn’t believe anything she told him.

the love wasn’t enough to keep them together when they were tearing each other apart. it was killing them to be in this relationship any longer, but neither one of them wanted to be the one to give it up - that was until damian knew he needed to let sarena go. if he didn’t, they’d end up resenting each other.

“but i got nothing here without you.”

so, they sat on the edge of the bed together, a bed they’ve shared for the past two years, realizing it was the end. sarena hasn’t been able to stop the tears that we’re streaming down her face. yet, she wasn’t worried about herself, she spent her time wiping away his tears and clinging to him like her life depended on it.

“i don’t wanna be without ya”

“i don’t want to hurt you anymore,” damian whispered in the darkness of the room. he moved serena’s hair from her face. “i care too much about you.”

sarena nodded slowly, unable to accept this, unable to come up with something to say to him. she rested her chin on her knee, letting the sobs fall into her hands. this wasn’t what she wanted, but she knew it's what they needed.

“do you think we’d be able to get back together in the future?” she asked between sobs, needing something to soothe the ache in her chest. “you can’t tell me we have to be like this forever.”

damian doesn’t speak. he only stared at the ground and serena felt sick to her stomach.

a sad smile came onto her face, “you want this to be a forever thing?”

“we can’t be friends, rina.” his voice cracked. “i can’t pretend, i love you too much, but i can’t give you a timeline and disappoint you or you disappoint me if someone else comes around.”

“I have nothing without you, Damian, and I don’t want to be without you.” she shouted weakly. “there won’t be anyone else.”

“i know i don’t deserve it, but stay with me a minute”

it’s silent for a long time afterwards. serena had no tears left to cry as she stared at the ground. damian sat close beside her, their fingers interlocked, not wanting to separate for a moment and make this real.

“i know you’ll leave in the morning, and i’ll have to accept that you won’t call, or text, but can we just sleep here for the next three hours before this is all over?” serena fought the tears, turning to look at damian. “and then i’ll let you go?”

damian nodded, wrapping his arm around her as they laid back. neither of them slept, it was silent and as the sun rose, serena squeezed his arm in place, wishing that he’d change his mind and stay. but, she knew he didn’t.

he gave her two long kisses, two painful kisses and got out of the bed. she couldn’t even turn to look at him as he walked out of the door. he whispered one last i love you and she was left with the silence of the house.

how was she supposed to accept this? because…

“all i really care is you wake up in my arms.”

pov: i cried when i wrote this. until next time x

[ghostofaboy]

Personal Armor

Summary: Danse muses about what he likes about Nate and his thoughts drift to Cutler.

Pairing: Danse/Cutler (past) Rating: General | Word count: 546

Notes: My first time writing for Fallout. This has not been beta read so I apologize for any mistakes. This is a fic with mentions of gay/bi characters. Dividers: @saradika-graphics

If he had to put it into words, Danse would say he wished he had Nate’s way with people. While he knew he could command troops in battle and give informative debriefs, Danse knew he struggled when it came to forming connections and relationships. He thought he could remember a time when he was younger when it was easier, but when he really took the time to focus on those memories one cold night while he watched Nate talk yet another settlement into joining the Minutemen, Danse realized that it was all Cutler.

Back in Rivet City, Cutler had been the one who always made the deals, made the friends, talked to security on the rare occasions that the pair ran a foul of them. Perhaps that had been why Danse felt so drawn to the strange vault dweller he often found himself travelling with now. Nate reminded him of Cutler.

Not physically, of course. At would have been too much, even after all this time. But Danse could see it now in Nate’s mannerisms, his attitude and his sense of humor. Danse would smile to himself sometimes as he realizes that they would have gotten along so well.

But it also makes him sad, just as thinking about Cutler always does. So Danse stopped thinking about Cutler and decided to think about Nate instead. 

He thought about the way Nate laughs and the way he goes out of his way to talk to everyone when he arrives in a settlement. How he goes off on odd personal missions of behalf of people he barely knows in exchange for caps or junk. How he looks when he’s exhausted as the sun starts to dip below the horizon and the sky begins to get dark.

Nate is charming, easily striking up conversation, and Danse has found himself on more than one occasion telling him all about Cutler. Even the end. Even though it still hurts like it was yesterday. And Nate did what Nate does best and talks to Danse. About his wife, about his worries, about how he’d like to build a life. 

But amazingly, Nate also listened. He listened as Danse starts to awkwardly share personal information. He listened with that beautiful smile on his handsome face, while Danse remembered fun moments with Cutler he’d long pushed into the back of his mind. He listened with a hand on Danse’s own, while Danse laughs louder and longer than he had in a long time.

After Nate had gone to sleep, Danse found himself watching him, wondering if there could ever be something more between them. He’d never dared open up that side of himself, not since Cutler. Their last night together had been rushed, with neither of them realizing it would be the last time they would touch each other, hold each other, love each other. 

The next day Cutler had gone out on that damn patrol and Danse’s world had changed forever. As Nate sleeps, Danse knows that he wouldn’t survive going through that again. Perhaps that’s why he won’t make the first move. Why he knows it will have to be Nate that will have to pursue him. Because he can’t bring himself to step out of the shell he’s crafted around himself. 

[decarabiandivorce]

Day 2: Godhood / Alternate Forms

Venti could feel Lumine’s hands play with his hair as he laid on her lap, his stomach pressed against the grass underneath Vennessa’s tree as they enjoyed the refreshing breeze. He could sense Paimon napping near them, but she refused to talk to him while he was holding her friend like this.

He didn’t get why she was so huffy about him using his wings like this! Lumine loved it!

The traveler’s breathing was steady but her heart wasn’t. He loved listening to its melody in sunny afternoons like this one. It was so perfect, a selfish part of him yearned for it to last forever. A wish that he could dream of this moment every single time he closed his eyes. No amount of words nor metaphors could ever convey the sheer peace his mind felt holding his beloved like this.

A rational part of his brain reminded him that they were no longer inside of her teapot, but the thousand other parts chirped about the speckling of the sun’s warmth. “My warrior…” he whispered to Lumine as she moved her hands from his head to his wings. He let out a little giggle as she toyed with every single feather. A jolt going up his spine the way she would trace it from the beginning to the tip. “Mh…”

Lumine did not say anything, but he could tell had a smile on her face without ever looking at her.

She had just finished her commissions by the time they reunited, having already talked to Katheryne for the day and now he had all the time in the world to hold such a lovely lass in his grasp! They had an impromptu picnic by his statue, and while Paimon ate half of his own plate, he didn’t mind it at all as long as he could hear Lumine’s voice. She has been so quiet as of late, something must have happened in the other nations that she did not want to tell him yet. He reassured her that he loved listening to here and that she was free to vent her worries to him.

He wanted to stare up into those golden honey eyes, but his own were growing tired. The lullaby that was Lumine’s silence was unparalleled, and there was no way he wouldn’t fall asleep.

Pulling up his wings closer to Lumine, he pressed his face deeper into her.

“Good night.” She muttered to him, closing her own set as she enjoyed the breeze.

-

Before long, the couple was awake. Sure Venti took a couple minutes to just stare up at the metaphorical goddess resting, but soon even her eyes would open- meeting his own.

She pressed a soft kiss on his forehead as she leaned, “How long did we sleep..?”

“About an hour and a half.” Venti didn’t need to double check, “Give or take ten minutes.”

She hummed, running her soft fingers into his hair once more. The bard practically purred at her movements, his wings twitching as she moved.  “You might want to change back,” She looked into his teal eyes as she spoke. Venti let out a mummer and burrowed his head deeper and deeper into Lumine’s body. “Venti…”

“I love holding you like this~” He whispered.

“Venti… someone from the church might see you. I know that one of the researcher who hangs around the knight’s library studies the tree would be coming by soon. Honestly, it’s a miracle she wasn’t already there beforehand.”

“My warrior… my starlight… the sun to my moon….” Venti flipped to be on his back, his wings disappearing as he did- revealing his underlayer. Thankfully, none of the grass stained his white socks or shirt. “Where did I leave my cape?” He looked around.

“I think Paimon is sleeping on it,” laughed the knight as she pulled him close. In this new position, he could see Mondstadt in the distance while feeling his beloved’s warmth breath on his neck. It tingled more pleasant than any drink.

“Want me to carry her?”

“No that won’t be necessary,” Lumine replied, Waking up the sleeping fairy, the white-haired girl let out a sleepy sigh and then teleported away. “She is going back to the teapot to take even more naps.”

As much as he hated to move, Venti stood up, holding out his hand for Lumine, Taking it, Lumine began to dust off any leaves that fell on her as Venti picked up his cape. Venti leans forward for more kisses, and his knight happily obliges.

She stretched, “We should probably head back now, I have some time sensitive ingredients I need to use the alchemy bench for.”

Venti smiled as she tightened her grip, and the duo began to walk. The sun wasn’t going to set for a while, but Lumine looked like she needed more rest. Perhaps once they were done with whatever they were going to craft, he could spend the evening making her dinner.

“…”

Venti paused in his step, and Lumine looked at him, “Is something the matter?”

“The… wind…” He muttered, furrowing his brow, “It’s talking but refusing to say anything.”

“Huh?”

“It’s like.” Venti placed his free hand on his chin, “two people exchanging notes right in front of you but the letters look blank- however, you can smell the invisible ink from your position.” He titled his head, “I wonder what’s going on…”

Lumine frowned and quickened her step- letting go of Venti’s hand as she pressed on in a sprint. Venti would have loved to enjoy the scenery and the passing pigeons- but this was bothering them both.

The first clue should have been when Venti passed the two knights at the gate, whispering to each other with excited but shocked expressions. The second clue would should have been how the breezes in the city laughed and laughed- something they haven’t done since Alice last stepped foot in the city.

“Is there something going on?” He thought as he weaved throughout the city. There were way more people walking in the streets today- something big must have happened. Yet considering how they didn’t seem sad, it might not be a bad thing.

“--- Barbatos and --- “

“saw --- “

“--- it makes sense how- “

“Such a natural with the glider --”

“---beloved ---- “

“Excuse me!” Venti chirped, catching the eyes of the group in front of him. Marjorie, Timaeus, Cyrus, Draff, and Margaret were gossiping.  “Did you all mentioned Barbatos?”

“Oh!” Margaret’s eyes widened, “Did you not hear?” the owner of The Cat’s Tail was a friend to the bard, who almost surpassed her status in being one of the esteemed drunkards of Mondstadt. “Lord Barbatos was spotted by Draff here and a couple hunters.”

“Huh!”

Draff nodded, “I was showing Jack an alternate route when we and a couple other hunters passed by The Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero and there laid the traveler, that fairy of hers, and who was no doubt Barbatos!”

“Ah?”

Cyrus frowned at the hunter, “Until there is further proof, it would be unwise for people to talk about his return.”

Margaret laughed, poking the leader of the adventure’s guild’s branch in the side, “But what if it IS true. Could you imagine that? One of your adventurers has brought back our archon!”

“I mean he was always with us…” Timeus tried to speak up.

Margaret rolled her eyes, “You are no fun. “ She turned to Marjorie, “How long do you think they have been close?”

The shopkeeper closed her eyes, “I haven’t seen her buy gifts of such variety, unless you count her lyre. Still she had an older more vintage one with her- it could be from him.”

“Eh?” Venti mind was racing, “Are you referring to the lyre she got in Sumeru?” the group of people turned to look at him, and he raised his hands up in defense, “She asked me for tips on how to tune it.” He trailed off, attempting to think of something “Do you think Barbatos would give her an untuned lyre without at least teaching her?”

Margaret giggled at his response. “Oh? You are close to the traveler, perhaps she wanted an alibi?” The tavern owner teased.

Draff’s ears twitched, “The traveler is coming right over here, why don’t we ask her?”

Right on cue, all of them spotted a blushing traveler being questioned by an enthusiast outrider. Amber was practically leaning over her with glee. Venti quickly moved closer to his beloved, and Lumine’s face got even brighter.

Amber smiled at Venti before speaking, “Venti! Did you hear the news?”

“Is it about… Barbatos.”

“Yeah!”

“You can say they got me informed,” He motioned to the group of people standing behind him. He would have said something about they should be getting back to work, but that would be hypocritical of him.

“…” Lumine stared at him and then moved her glace towards the exit of the city.

Margaret smiled at the honorary knight, “So, Ms. Lumine? Is it true that a certain winged man was spotted next to you?” Lumine’s eyes looked like she was promising disaster upon who spread the rumor, and so Venti did the wise choice and looked towards Draff. Following his gaze, the knight frowned.

Cyrus stepped in, “Margaret we should give them some privacy! Lumine has the right to not tell us and-“

“Actually I think Barbatos would be ticked at whoever spread such a half-truth,” came Lumine’s voice.

It was silent.

Then it was loud.

Amber was jumping up and down, “Lumine! You actually know him???”

“I told you I heard a voice when Dvalin sent me flying during the stormterror stuff, right? “ Lumine tried to avoid staring at Venti’s eyes, “It was such a kind and gentle voice, I managed to catch up to him again after the whole thing and we.. talked.” She laughed, “He visits my teapot sometimes.”

“Yet you mentioned.. half-truth..” Timaeus spoke, “Was that truly Barbatos with you?”

“No.. just a relative of his.” She lied.

“Huh.” Amber put her hands on her hips, “The archon has kin.”

“The anemo archon considers everyone of Mondstadt to be his children, “Venti automatically said. The group seemingly ignored his sincere words in favor for whatever Lumine was saying. As she improv-ed more and more, he listened to the breezes no longer concealing their words.

Ugh, how troublesome. It would appear that even the sisters in the church had heard the hunters’ words. Oh? And one of them had traveled back to Springvale and now the story is spreading there as well.

“I think we should give Lumine a break-“ Venti placed himself in front of the growing crowd. He could spot the pink ears of a bartender in one by one of the windows and the blue mane of the a spindrift knight listening in.

“She just took a nap.”

Lumine looked up at the sun, “Oh look at the time I got to do commissions!” and then prepared to teleport away. Subconsciously, Venti kissed his girlfriend on the cheek and then froze.

Oh of All The Times he let habit take over.

….

At least Lumine got to run away before things got worse.

“Venti.” He could feel Amber’s pryo vision warm the air, “Do you like the anemo archon’s beloved?”

“She said that wasn’t him!”

Marjorie snickered, “She was clearly fibbing.”

Ugh. Venti hated how astute his kids could be sometimes especially when it came to him. Then again he also loved it. Just.. not right now.

“I am going to tell Jillian.” Draff muttered before excusing himself to leave.

“Lumine and I passed by her earlier, “ Amber spoke again, “She was wondering if the traveler and Lord Barbatos got wed if they both would spend more time in the city-“

“WED?” oh so that’s why her face was like a tomato.

Cyrus patted the bard on his back, it was such a shame that his ‘love rival’ as the kids called it nowadays was the windblume festival was practically dedicated towards. ‘Huh,’ the adventure thought, ‘What was the flower the star had gifted the statue? Could that be the true windblume?’

He noted how the bard fiddled with his lyre as Marjorie, Draff, and Amber yapped, ‘Perhaps this love triangle is why he sings such silly songs about the archon.’

Venti let out a sigh, this was going to be a rough couple of weeks til the misinformation died down.

Then again, with how much his kin seemed to find it funny, it seemed it was going to last a long… long… long time.

[gloryy-vs]

Huntress’ Call

chapter 6 : reconciliation

prompt: you’re an aggressive warrior, praised by the clan and close to the sully family. neteyam caught your eye but you’re convinced you’ll never be as mighty or honorable as he is. you also caught neteyams eye but he assumes he will never be as truly dedicated to the warrior life as you are. ao’nung slowly begins to fall for you, and you return the feeling. but you know that things between you and neteyam are not so simple as done.

ratings: sfw, violence, war, angsty, enemies to friends to lovers, warrior, aggression

characters: Neteyam x na’vi! reader, Ao’nung x na’vi! reader

||

You woke up to a gentle shaking, and the clacking of what sounded like beads. The light that poured in through the cracks of the Marui hit and littered the small area with sun patch and casted shadows. You sat up, shielding your eyes from the sunlight.

“I’m up, you can quit it-“ You said to whoever it was that felt determined to awake you. Then you heard his familiar voice.

“It is time to train. We must go.” Neteyam said, just as your eyesight adjusted and you could see him towering over you in your hammock.

Your heart sunk, remembering the conversation you had with Ao’nung last night. Turning to face him fully, he stifled a laugh.

“Looks like you had a night.” Neteyam said softly, patting down your unruly and probably knotted curls.

You subconsciously tried to soothe your hair down, embarrassed that he saw you like a mess. His face expressed his confusion, or at least displayed he was lost in a thought. Wanting to say something, but not able to find the words.

“I heard your conversation with Ao’nung last night. I saw…heard everything.” Neteyam said, hesitating before he sat in the hammock next to you.

“Neteyam, it was unexpected and-“ You stopped as you saw his mouth open.

“It’s okay.” He said.

You were embarrassed. If he had truly heard everything from last night, then he must’ve heard you confess your feelings for both boys. Your breath was shaky, halting when you felt his eyes on you like usual.

“But I won’t let him take you from me.” He said sternly. You whipped your head towards him.

“I thought you hated me.” You said, a confused look plastered all over your expressive azure face.

Neteyam grimaced, “Not hate. No. Never.” Pausing to hold onto your knee, “I cant,” He stopped again.

It seemed like the right words were already lined up, but he just couldn’t bring himself to express himself fully. You didn’t blame him. Being the oldest in such an important family, it was your job to keep everyone else in check. You pitied him, wishing you could crawl into his head and rip out that responsibility.

“Tell me, Ma’Teyam. What is it?” You prodded, resting your own warm hand on top of his.

“I know you’re a strong warrior, but it isn’t you. Seeing you morph into someone who I didn’t grow up with. It was like a competition on who could outcast themself more in the relationship.” He explained, eyes searching your face for a reaction.

“I felt the same. We spent every second together, and ever since you reached adulthood, the distance was killing me. You changed too.” You gripped onto his hand, and he returned the motion.

“It wasn’t easy for either of us. The war, my family, your feelings, the burdens.” He grimaced just thinking about everything and how it led them to this moment on foreign soil.

“We need to start this over.” You said. “Understand each other once again. I want to do this with you.” Happy that you were able to have a heart to heart, your mind wandered to Ao’nung, knowing the love for him wasn’t just a fleeting feeling. It was a love formed from loneliness, a deep comfort for your heart. It almost made you feel guilty.

Your heart snd brain were at wits end with your soul. Pulling you Neteyam, then to Ao’nung, then back to Neteyam. You couldn’t understand what you wanted anymore. Neteyam stared at you for what seemed like forever, his eyes going from your eyes to your lips. They remained there for a few moments. You noticed the way his lips quirked upwards and how it seemed like he was holding himself back. You knew what he wanted, but you refused to initiate it first. If he wanted it, he could get it.

He didn’t. Neteyam licked his lips quickly, backing away from you and getting up. His broad shoulders tensed up as he rolled them forwards to relieve the tension built up.

“Let’s go.” Neteyam said, grabbing your four fingered hand and subconsciously rubbing soft circles over your knuckles as he basically forced you to get up and out of the Marui.

You didn’t even have time to protest, you didn’t eat yet, or fix your hair properly before you were yanked out by the male. It’s like he read your mind, and you noticed how the direction you were being pulled in wasn’t the shore you two were on yesterday, but instead it was to his own Marui, the smell of smoking fish slapping you in the face. Your eyes dance diver his frame for any answer.

“I didn’t get time to eat either, sit down.” He commanded.

You quickly obliged, slapping yourself down with your legs bent and crossed. You watched his movements, the way his veiny arms removed the pieces of fish and placed them on a thick leaf for you, then decorating it with various fruits and a thick paste for dipping. Neteyam handed you the leaf, a small smile on his face. You took it, your fingertips gently grazing over his knuckles.

Your body reacted to the subtle touch with a smile, the apples of your cheeks aching from how easily flustered it had you. You further tore the fish, dipping it in the thicker sauce he mad for you. You hesitantly placed it in your mouth, having never eaten something like this. Your eyes widened at the combination of flavors, falling in love with it.

“Did you make this all yourself?” You questioned, covering your mouth as you spoke to him.

Neteyam gave you a cocky smile, “Go on, who’s the best cook?” He said, referring to when you two were younger.

You used to make mud pies together. Neteyams always looked so realistic and actually appealing, while yours was just mud slapped onto a leaf with a stick for decoration.

You snorted, laughing like you always would when you both were younger and inseparable. It was one only he got to hear. “Oh shut up! I didn’t think you’d take those games seriously!”

He paused his chewing, another smirk crawling on his face. “Had to, I was in it to win it, yawne.”

You halted your movements, hearing the pet name he had called you. Yawne. Beloved. You hadn’t heard Neteyam call you that in years. It made your heart beat faster, butterflies settling in your stomach. You were ecstatic to have his loving behavior towards you return. It had been so long since you felt this connected with him.

Small, all over the place conversations were dated between you two as you ate. Not paying attention to anything else but yourselves and the food that was prepared. Both of you relished in catching up with each other, a warming feeling. Similar to comfort, but with deeper love.

tags 🏷️: @mayhemories

[socially-awkward-skeleton]

tagged by @imogenkol and @thesingularityseries thank you both <3

Got a few things i'm working on right now, I am all over the place with my WIPs lately. But first some art:

On vacation this week and with the little in preschool I can delve into some major line art with this piece because I have the time and the patience. (saved the weapons for very last because I hate the intricacy of them and the body armour took enough time) Thinking this one will likely stay grey scale rather than color.

And some writing, a little snippet from the end of chapter 1 of "Penumbra" aka the Ladyhawke AU:

Dusk begins to settle, the sun fading through the shivering oak leaves that rustle in the wind. Striations of coral and tangerine blend like watercolours in the sky, dripping into one another as the trees darken into silhouette in the foreground. The last calls of the birds are a witness to the coming night and Price’s hackles begin to rise. He’s on edge, a common occurrence the closer the moon comes to rising. He needs a place to settle, to rest, travel can wait once more for the harsh light of the sun.

“We’ll make camp,” he says offhandedly, over his shoulder to his newest companion, the first one who can actually answer back in years. 

Pulling on the reins he slows Nikolai’s gallop to a saunter as they look for a clearing, and through a thicket of trees, an old serfdom farm comes into view. In the falling darkness it’s hard to tell whether the farm is in a worthwhile state or whether it's worn to nothing but rotted wood, there’s little else around for shelter and the prickle of his nerves down his spine and his clenching knuckles tell Price there’s no point in looking further, time won’t wait any longer for him. The closer they get it's easy to see that the roofs of every structure have caved inwards from the deluge of rain received in the winter, shingles crumbling, walls splintered and bowing under the pressure of standing stable without any upkeep. They’ll make do for one night, carrying on in the morning. Tying Nikolai to the nearest sturdy oak tree, Price unloads the pan and pot for cooking, ordering Garrick to go collect the firewood. 

Alone at camp, he unloads the final saddle bag, pulling the tiny lamb from inside it and cradling it in his strong arms. A calloused finger caresses the underside of the animal’s chin as large eyes stare up at him. Heart squeezing in his chest, his brow furrows as he looks down at the little being in his arms, so totally reliant on him. He wishes he was deserving of the trust she gives him – he knows he’s not. 

Carrying his most prized possession over to the barn, Price places the woolly creature down on the cloak he has draped on the hay for her. A large hand that covers nearly the entire head of the lamb strokes softly, his thumb drifting upwards along the snout against the soft wool between dark mirror-like eyes. “Rest well, my girl,” he whispers in a husk. His armour sits tight on him as muscles begin to expand and shift with the coming night, as the first stars begin to twinkle his chest swells and his back wants to hunch. He hates this in-between stage, where he can feel himself slipping away, losing himself to an instinct that isn’t even his own – everything that makes the man falls by the wayside as the silver light of moonglow threatens to overwhelm the dying sun. Stripping himself of his last vestiges of clothing, folding them neatly, handling them with the pride and respect they deserved, he packs them away. Left bare, the chill of the night settling into the scars on his skin and the patches of hair that start to sprout from him, he looks over at the little lamb resting curled up. He sighs, knowing the time will come where once more he’ll have only a fleeting moment with her. A sight for sore eyes that lasts for a fraction of a second before they are once more separated. It never gets any easier, a constant burden that follows him – Always together, forever apart. 

The sun finally dips down, darkness blanketing the world and crickets begin to chirp as the quiet of night takes the helm, and before him as he reaches out his hand, watching it transform into a massive paw with black sickled claws, stands the woman he’s been aching for every day for the last five years. Unable to touch her, his heart pounds in his chest and he could nearly weep at the sight of her beauty. It’s his fault they’re trapped like this, he’s done this to her, and he could scream at the curse that hangs over their head like the executioner’s axe. She’s his whole reason for living and this is what they’ve been reduced to: a yearning that can never be ended, a lifetime of heartbreak, a loss worse than death.

But the pain relieves itself, because in the blink of an eye he is no longer a man.

tagging: @carlosoliveiraa @strangefable @cassietrn @finding-comfort-in-rain

@cloudofbutterflies92 @theelderhazelnut @josephseedismyfather @la-grosse-patate @g0dspeeed

@simplegenius042 @voidika @kyberinfinitygems @direwombat @statichvm @clicheantagonist

@tommyarashikage @aceghosts @inafieldofdaisies @raresvtm @justasmolbard

[brewsterispunkk]

FIND YOU AGAIN

pairing: mando x reader

WC: 1.5k

rating/warnings: none yet

summary: “i will look for you in every lifetime, until we finally stay” or, the beginning of it all

a/n: heyyyy. so i’ve had this in the works for forever. i’m so happy to finally share it with you. this chaoter is mostly exposition!

series masterlist

PART ONE: a long time ago, in agalaxy far, far away

i. the beginning

You freeze in place in your seat at the dusty cantina when he walks in, commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

You’ve never seen a mandalorian before. Not a real one, anyway.

You grew up on Corellia, scavenging the streets of the bustling industrial planet. Naturally, you’ve seen a few pieces of stolen and ancient beskar through the years, but never a full set. Never full beskar armor.

If you weren’t so scared, you would ogle the imposing man like everyone else in the cantina.

You’d been licking your wounds, deciding to day-drink in the local cantina.

You knew it would be only a matter of time until Aven sends one of his goons again after you to collect what he’s owed.

The cut on your cheek from the last time he’d threatened you stings in response. You wince. If you were anywhere else in the galaxy, on a planet like Coruscant, it’d be easy to disappear into the masses. Here, though, it’s nearly impossible. You’re backed into a corner. Maybe a mandalorian is better than the Twi’lek and Zabrak Aven sends to do his dirty work. At least this will be clean.

Your breath freezes in your throat when the Mandalorian comes to a stop on the barstool next to you.

Shit, you think. This is it.

For a moment, you allow yourself to think of all you wish you could’ve done. How much of the galaxy you wanted to see before your life ended. Now, you’d be spending the rest of it in carbonite.

You take a shaky breath as the beskar-clad bounty hunter sits on the stool beside you.

“Okay,” you turn to him. “I won’t put up a fight.”

His helmet tilts toward you as you address him. You gaze into the black of the t-shaped visor.

“I know you’re here for me. I didn’t pay—I get it. But, please, can I say goodbye to someone first?”

His helmet tilts to the side at your words.

“I won’t try to run, I promise.”

“You—“

The words die in his throat as the doors to the cantina swing open. You freeze as the three men you’ve come to recognize as part of Aven’s circle storm in.

There’s the two usual suspects: the twi’lek and Zarback, plus a new man, a human with a scar and an eyepatch.

Their eyes scan through the room and stop on you.

Fuck, maybe the Mandalorian wasn’t sent to get you.

Panic rises in you as they begin to make their way toward you.

Maybe you will die today.

“Get up,” you barely have time to register the deep, modulated voice before a gloved hand is pulling you to your feet roughly.

“Eyes forward, hands behind your back,” he orders. “Now.”

You’re dumbstruck: what the hell is going on? But, you obey. It’s your best bet.

Wordlessly, he clips metal handcuffs around your wrists behind your back, grabbing them with one hand. The Mandalorian shoves you forward roughly.

“Walk.”

You do, tripping over your feet. Your eyes find Aven’s goons at the door, their own eyes watching your exchange with the Mandalorian. They look as confused as you feel.

“That’s right, don’t even think about running,” the Mandalorian pulls you backward toward his chest, the corner of his helmet kissing your cheek. “Because I will catch you.”

You shiver and nod as he pushes you out of the cantina and into the hot, dry Jakku sun.

- -

You take the job because you’re on the run, and you need to get the hell off of Jakku.

Once you leave the cantina, the Mandalorian leads you roughly to the back of the building, coming to a stop in an alley.

Without saying a word, he turns you around and unlocks the cuffs that bind your wrists.

You rub them tenderly. The metal-covered man comes to stand in front of you.

“Those were the men after you, I take it?” He asks.

You furrow your eyebrows and nod.

“I—yeah. What was that?”

“You looked like you could use the help,” he shrugs.

You blanch.

“Well, thanks,” you blink. “But, I don’t know if you’ve done more than delay the inevitable. I’ll be dead by the end of the week if I don’t get off this rock.”

He tilts his head, causing the silver of his helmet to glint in the sun. You sigh.

“I owe this guy—Aven—some money. A lot of money, actually. Then last week, he tried to get me to pay in…other ways. He didn’t take it well when I refused him.”

It was terrible. Your skin crawled just remembering the way his eyes raked over your body when you’d gone to make one of your monthly payments.

“Hm,” the Mandalorian hums.

“So, thanks, but,” you deflate, not knowing how to finish that sentence.

“What if,” he begins, his voice nothing more than a modulated grumble. “You owe me one.”

“I’m sorry?” You ask.

“I helped you out. You owe me a favor.”

“I’d be happy to return it, uh, sir,” you say, tripping over what to call him. “But, you don’t have much time to cash it in.”

“I need help. On my ship.”

“On your…ship?” You ask, heart leaping.

This could be it. Your ticket off of this planet, your freedom.

“I-I’m not a mechanic. I’m a scavenger, I can’t—“

“You good with kids?”

“—what?”

“Kids. You good with them?”

You blink, lost for words. This is …bizarre. A Mandalorian—one that just dragged you out of your favorite cantina—is asking you for …childcare? It’s so comical you almost laugh.

“I guess?”

“I need someone to watch my kid while I work. Travel with me. I can’t keep an eye on him and hunt at the same time.”

“You have a kid?”

He nods.

You stare at the impassive face of his mask and wonder. You’re at a crossroads: do you accept whatever fate Aven has planned for you, or put your future in the hands of a man you’ve only just met?

“Will you take the job?”

You take a breath, before closing your eyes tight.

You open them, and nod.

- -

“He’s …yours?”

The baby is green. The baby is green.

He has big, endless, black eyes and a little button nose situated under. His forehead is wrinkled, and he smiled under clawed hands. He’s …cute. Albeit in a strange way.

You have never before seen a life form even remotely like him. It’s fascinating. What is he doing with a Mandalorian?

“He’s adopted.”

You chuckle at the awkward admission.

The Mandalorian—or, Mando, as he told you to call him—is holding the baby at his hip, in the cockpit of his ship, the Razor Crest. What will be your home for the foreseeable future.

He’s given you the tour already.

The ship is old—pre-empire, but it gets the job done. It’s small, but you’ve never needed much space to live. You’ve never had much space to live. This is just fine.

There’s one bunk. Not ideal, but again: you’ve lived in much worse. He told you that you can take shifts sleeping, that way the kid will always have someone up if he needs it.

The way he cares for the kid is… heart-warming. It seems almost strange: a man so big and hulking, capable of causing so much damage, being so gentle with such a helpless creature. It makes you wonder why he’s trusting you, someone he just met, to care for him.

“He have a name?” You ask, looking at him. The kid just stares at you with big eyes and coos, nonsense coming out.

“Uh…no,” Mando replies. “I usually just call him ‘kid.’”

You’re taken aback, but nod nonetheless.

“Alright. ‘Kid’ it is.”

Mando nods and sets the baby down in his hovering crib.

“Do you…need to retrieve anything before we leave?”

You shake your head and fold your hands in front of you.

“Everything I can own I keep on me. I’ve never had the need for more.”

Mando is silent at that and nods.

“Before,” he says after a moment of silence. “You said there was someone you wanted to say goodbye to. Do you—“

“No,” you interrupt a little too sharply. “I mean, no. There’s nobody.”

For a moment, he looks at you, and you wonder how a visor can hold so much emotion. He stares at you like he can see right through you. And maybe he can under that helmet. Either way, it makes you squirm.

You clear your throat.

“So we can, uhm,” you sit down near one of the windows in the cockpit. “We can leave whenever.”

The mandalorian just nods and goes to prepare for take-off.

Later, before the ship makes the jump to hyperspace, you watch as Jakku fades into a sandy dot in space.

You’re struck with the strange feeling the rest of your life is about to begin

[huhniebowl]

7:13 AM

reader x dominic fike  

warnings: none

a/n: feeling incredibly soft tonight, so here’s some morning fluff :,) could very well be errors, i was too excited to get my first post out...enjoy! 

                                                          ¥

It’s truly adorable. The way the pillow half swallows up his face. How his lashes rest gently against the apple of his cheeks while he sleeps. His pink lips molded together unevenly as he breathes long, calm breaths. He looks placid. 

Bringing your hand up, you comb your fingers through his hair, scraping your nails over his scalp. He let his hair air dry after his shower last night, and it made his bleached curls soft and fluffy. You couldn’t be happier at the easy slip.

The affection causes him to stir a bit, unintelligible mumbles spurring out his lips. He peeks open one eye, then the other. The early sunlight that spills in through your sheer curtains beams onto them and suddenly it's like you're looking into clear jars of syrup.

It complimented him a little too well, but he can hardly keep his eyes open long enough for you to stare. He looks over your face and smiles lazily, bringing his large hand to your hip to give it a firm squeeze. 

“Good morning,” You whisper, shuffling closer to him under the sheets. He lifts his head to glance at the wall clock over the bed. Neck stretching his tattoo out for your prying eyes. 

7:13 am.

Dominic groans, pushes you over, and moves on top. He snuggles his head into your stomach, and his thumbs rub circles on your thighs. Absentmindedly tracing the stretch marks he adores so much. 

“It’s too early,” he whines, shaking his head. You snicker, and continue running your fingers through his hair. 

“We’ve got to get ready for the day, Dom. I have that study date with Aria and you’re supposed to be at the studio by 10.” You shuffle around a bit, your hand moving down to rub his neck.

Dominic ignores you and presses a kiss to your hip bone. 

“No,” he mumbles like a child, moving up, so he’s tucked securely in your neck. One hand wrapped around your torso and the other trailing up your t-shirt to rest on your tit. You sigh and let him lay there for a few more moments, knowing it would be fruitless to try and get him up now. 

Your eyes skim around the room in the meantime. It’s mellow and calm in the early morning of October. 

Rays of yellow light gleaming into the room with a light breeze coming in from the open window, Dominic pulled up the night before. The curtains dance with the current and floating particles of dust that were once invisible are now visible in the sun’s rays.

It’s mornings like these that make your heart swell, where you feel the most at peace. Where you wish you could pause and stay forever in your safe haven.

You glance down at Dominic to see he, sure enough, did fall back asleep. Soft snores leaving his parted lips once again. Hot breath fanning your neck.

With the morning dragging on, you reach over on the nightstand with a bit of strain and grab your phone. Thumbing a text to Aria. 

[7:21 am]

Are we still on for our study sesh? 

She replies almost instantly. 

[7:21 am] 

yeah, duh, i’m not failing this psych exam bitch 

You snort, causing Dominic to stir in his sleep and bury himself deeper into your neck if that’s even possible. Actually, is that safe? 

[7:23 am]

Alright, good. I would love to try and get my day started, but Dom’s clinging to me like a koala and refuses to get up

You hold your phone up and take a selfie of him, his face barely showing with how smushed into you he is. 

[7:27 am]

awh, cute! but please remember, I made reservations at 10:30 for breakfast before studying! don’t be late!  

[7:27 am] 

Lmao, I won’t. I promise  

[7:30 am] 

you said that last time & i almost ended the friendship because of it...

Okay, so maybe your time management is complete ass, but it’s rarely ever your fault. You toss your phone somewhere on the bed and poke Dominic’s cheeks. 

“Hey, you wanna wake up now, sleepyhead?” He shakes his head, refusing to leave your side. 

Hence, Exhibit A. 

“Why can’t we just lay like this all day.” His voice is muffled against your skin. You laugh out, your chest rumbling causing him to smile.  

“We did that all day yesterday.” You push him off of you, with much effort, and climb on top. He groans, throwing one of his arms over his face to block the sun, as your thighs now straddle his hips. 

“Yeah, and it was perfect. I just wanna cuddle again and do nothing. Eat that mega pack of Halloween Oreos too.” You roll your eyes at his laziness and tug his arm off his face. You’re met with a with a pout—such a baby. 

“When you get back this evening, we can cuddle as much as you want,” You offer, moving his hands to your hips and squeezing up his arms. 

“And eat those Oreos?” His fingertips play with the lace band of your panties. 

You scoff.

“After dinner, yes, we can eat the mega pack of spooky Oreos.” Dominic cracks a smile and holds out his pinky. You could have sworn he told you he was adult. Not 12.  

“Promise. You big baby.” You link your pinky with his and bend down to kiss his nose, giggling at the way his face scrunches up.

“Alrighty then,” You sing, swinging your legs off him and getting off the bed, 

“I’m gonna shower.” You stretch, and reach down to grab your towel off the bedpost. 

“Funny, I was gonna do the same,” Dominic starts, then without warning, slaps your ass. Hard. You gasp, turning to give him a look that he swears could kill, while rubbing a hand on your stinging ass cheek. 

“Last one in cooks dinner tonight!” He shouts, running out the room before you could land a punch on his arm. 

“Dominic!” You scream, throwing your towel over your shoulder and running after him. 

His throaty laugh and “Babe wait!” in-between the laughs, ringing through your apartment. 

[arsenal-womens-1]

Chapter 23 page 28

Page 28. I’m stuck on page 28 because I know when I turn to page 29, she won’t be there. We have to pretend we never dated or knew each other. How can I forget our story? It had just started; it wasn’t time for it to end. In the ideal world, it wouldn’t. But here I am, sitting next to her as if we didn’t just spend the last two and a half years loving each other. I still love her with all my heart; I think I will forever.

I met Georgia when we were young; we grew up together. It wasn’t until 2020 that anything happened between us. Through the whole of the lockdown, we were something, and for two years after, we were together. We were the only ones to know. Now she’s leaving to go live in Germany, and I’m going to Spain with one of her best friends, Lucy. I know I should be happy; I mean, I’m going to be playing for Barcelona, the team I’ve always wished to play for. But now I want to go with her, but I can’t.

I understand why she has never told the world about her sexuality, but her teammates, I don’t get. Getting dragged back to the present as one of the girls says something about crashing Serena’s interview. We all form a line and start singing, shouting, "It’s coming home," barging through the doors. We go around the table; Mary and Lucy get up on the table and do some sort of dance. For being the TikTok queen, Mary doesn’t know how to dance the best. I can’t really say anything; I can’t dance to save my life.

Rushing out of the conference room, we go back to the changing room. A few split off to go outside wailing; some of the German girls walk past. I walk into the locker room to see a bunch of girls dancing to "Every Time We Touch." Hanna is sitting in her cubby; I decide to sit next to her. We don’t say anything to each other. After about half an hour and a lot of alcohol later, someone walks in and tells us that the bus is outside.

We all pack up our stuff and make our way onto it, deciding to sit away from the girls. I know I will get questioned about it, but I need to think. My signing for Barcelona isn’t public yet as I’ve not actually signed it yet. I’m flying out after Trafalgar Square; I’ll be stopping there for the day, then going to Ibiza for a day or two, then back to Manchester to pack up the rest of my stuff. I know the fans are going to be devastated as they want me to stay.

Laying my head against the window, the cold cools down my face. I watch silently as the bus pulls away, leaving behind a whirlwind of emotions, knowing that the next chapters of my life were about to unfold in ways I couldn't yet predict.

We pass fans coming out of Wembley Way. I still can’t believe what we have just done; we are on top of Europe; we won. We actually won. This whole last three months have felt like a dream, from getting called up to playing in the first match to winning the whole thing.

Closing my eyes, I just listen to the girls, the staff, and the outside. After a bit, the bus stops; the sound of the doors opening tells me that we are at the hotel. I wait for everyone to get out before getting off. There are people with cameras all over the place. Getting in front of the hotel fast, all our friends and family are waiting for us. A few run to their friends and family, others walk. I just stand there; mum and dad aren’t here as they had work.

I stand, watching everyone reunite with their friends and family. I couldn't shake the bittersweet feeling that this moment marked both an end and a beginning of an era. Jill and Ellen are retiring, but that means there will be new talent going up to the bar they have.

I get six shots of vodka; I take three and walk over to Ella and Alesia and hand them one. I promised them if we won I would buy them a shot; technically, I haven’t bought them one, but it’s the same thing. A bottle of gin is passed to us; I down a bit.

Feeling something cold against my back, I open my eyes; the sun shines straight into them. What? Looking around, by the look of it, I am outside. I can see the hotel. Getting off whatever I’m on, I look back at what I was on. Where did I get a pink flamingo pool float from?

The last thing I remember was at 3 am; one of Ella or Alesia’s friends was on the table. Why was she on the table? Why am I outside walking slowly up to the hotel? My head is banging, and I feel like I’m about to throw my guts up. I’m never drinking again. Finally, I make it back to the hotel to see about sixty people.

Eating, all them very quiet heads turn when they hear the door open. Slapping my hand over my mouth, I run to the nearest bathroom. After a minute or to I stop throwing up, clinging to the wall I push my self up walking back to the room. People turn to see who it was a few look concerned, and others are amused.

I need to find Ella and Alesia. One to see if there OK and two to find out where I got the flamingo from and why I was asleep outside. But first, a glass of water and some paracetamol and ibuprofen seeing a table of bottle water and boxes of paracetamol and ibuprofen I take some. I looked up as someone walked into the room. It was Ella and Alesia—I didn’t need to go looking for them.

“Hey, girls,” I greeted them. They mumbled a quiet “hi” in response. “I need to ask you something.” Ella nodded, prompting me to continue. “One, why was I asleep outside? And two, where did I get a pink flamingo pool float from?” Confusion was evident on both their faces. Alesia spoke up, “What pink flamingo? And what do you mean, you slept outside? You went to bed around 4.” She struggled to hold back laughter as she recounted this. Now, I was even more confused.

“What do you mean you don’t know where I got it from? And how did I end up outside if I went to bed?” They both tried hard not to laugh but looked genuinely perplexed. “Well, when Alesia and I left you in your room, you had just stopped crying about something. You weren’t making much sense by then.”

After hearing their explanation, I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the fragmented memories of last night, wondering how everything had spiraled into such a blur.

"Okay, thanks for bringing me to my room." Walking to my room to try and piece some of this together and try to find my phone, getting to the hall of my room I see Jess, Carter, and someone else passed out in the hall. Opening my room door, everything looks normal; my phone is on the bed. Going over, I open it; I see a crap ton of Instagram notifications. Opening the app, I go on the notification thing and see I posted a story at 3:56 am, so just before I went to bed. You can’t really see much; all you can see is me, Ella, Alesia, Lotte, Georgia, and Ellie. Maybe one of them knows.

Walking into the bathroom, I look in the mirror. It’s then I realize I’ve got a hickey. I remember someone knocked on the door; I let them in. But who was it?