#also sorry but the sly comments from his time at Red Bull just makes me not vibe with him no more

[fcb-mv33]

https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/13wfwij/comment/jmb9bv2/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

relevant to f1 fans everywhere (also LOL @ the thought of daniel ever being good enough to replace max)

I can’t actually read it cause it’s a private form or something BUT the idea that Daniel could match max is so funny to me when you watch back older races and see how close it was between Daniel and Max when Max was inexperienced, a teenager and a car that’s engine was shit.

[bbykpoper]

𝓢𝓾𝓰𝓪𝓻𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 🍰

Inspired by this post 🌼

Pairing: patissier!mingi x waitress!reader

Index: Jongho // Hongjoong // Seonghwa // San // Yunho // Wooyoung // Yeosang

･*:༅

“Hey y/n.” Your co-worker and friend, Sorn, called out to you as you two cleaned down tables after closing. “Why are you working here?”

“What do you mean?” You asked, your apron coming undone as you finished your half of the bakery. 

“Well, you’re quite an intelligent person and I know you are smart in many fields of life, so how come you ended up working at a bakery?” Her glittering eyes looked over at you, curiosity gleaming along.

You’ve been working at Sugarberry’s for a few months now, applying for the job at a whim one summer night. It’s been a tough life for you who had to provide for herself most of your life, loosing the chance to get a college education because you couldn’t financially support yourself, not having much of any job options to choose from and simply having been surrounded by the wrong people. That one summer night, when you just couldn’t come to terms that your life was falling appart a young man noticed your heavy expression and approached you with a smile. 

A smile which had changed your life for better.

“I don’t really know.” You shrugged your shoulders at her. “I guess I just found something which made me stay.”

“Was it the boss?” A sly voice sounded from the back where the kitchen was located. 

“For your information Wooseok!” You threw your apron at his face. “No. It was not.” With a roll to your eyes you waited for Sorn to finish up cleaning and him to drag his ass out to the front. “Where the hell did you even get that idea?”

“Oh come on y/n, we all see the way you two look at each other.” He laughed. “It’s just a matter of time.” He sang along as you locked up the place.

“It’s just a matter of time for what?” 

“Eek!” Sorn and Wooseok screamed at the top of their lungs, both clinging to you for dear life.

“Mingi.” You calmly said, even though your heart was in your throat at the startle he caused you. “You came back early.”

“Yeah, our trip was cut short due to some business.” He smiled down at you, his eyes turning into half moons. “You guys finished for today?”

“You are a mean human being Song Mingi!” Wooseok exclaimed pointing his finger at the tall man, his arm still wrapped tightly around yours. “Why would you scare us?”

“I didn’t mean to guys, I’m sorry.” He chuckled, his eyes never leaving you. “How about I buy you lot dinner as an apology.”

“I’m not saying no to dinner.” Sorn giggled and pulled herself off you, going to stand next to Mingi and now latching on to him.

“Sorn?” Wooseok asked confused.

“Let’s go.”

You and Wooseok exchanged confused glances as she dragged Mingi by her side, ignoring his protests and weight in trying to stop. You decided to keep your mouth shut and just follow after them, sticking your cold hands into your pockets, ignoring Wooseok’s constant commenting on the situation.

･*:༅

“Something weird is going on.” Seonghwa sat down next to you on your break the next day, Hongjoong joining in shortly as he got his drink from Sorn who worked the counter.

“I’m on my break and have no intentions on using it up on your relationship problems.” You said, not even raising your eyes from the page you were currently reading.

“It’s weird that Sorn is hanging around Mingi so much.” He emphasized, making you stop your eyes for a second, but quickly going back to reading. “Ever since we came back from that trip she’s been clinging to him too much.”

“Well it could have two reasons.” Your eye twitched at Wooseok who decided to join in on the gossiping. “First is, she’s finally working up the crush she has for him and is shooting her shot. Or-” He looked at you who was two seconds away from smacking him atop the head. “-she’s trying to make y/n jealous and finally admit her undying love for him.”

It was the last straw which made you ubruptly stand and spill Hongjoong’s poor coffee on the floor. You picked your book up and walked away, going back on the clock and evading both Sorn and Mingi. 

“I think you just made it worse.” Hongjoong said, glancing at the boy who shamefully walked into the kitchen. “Wanna stay here and wait for the boys?” 

“Sure, we can arrange an outing with everyone.” Seonghwa said, his hands skillfully texting away. 

The day passed with you being in a bad mood. Most of the regular customers weren’t used to you being so distant and quiet, while the rest of the boys kept glancing between you and Mingi. Mingi on the other hand was pouting in the kitchen, decorating his 15th cake of the day with broken hearts and dark colours. Wooseok didn’t have the guts to tell him that it was kind of unappealing so they just said today is a gloomy day for Sugarberry’s.

“Hey y/n!” Yunho enthusiastically walked in, a girl in tow behind. “How have you been?”

“Hey Yunho...” You were taken by surprise at the sudden smiley faced pair and you just had to soften up your expression for him. He was too baby-faced to look at him mad. “Who’s your friend?”

“This is Huckleberry. My girlfriend.” The blush on his face was so cute, you just had to smile at him wholeheartedly. 

“Nice to meet you. I’m y/n.” The girl also smiled back. “What can I get you guys?”

“I’d like some tea and a piece of chocolate cake.” She said softly.

“Wow, even your order is the same!” You laughed, the sound echoing through the bakery and lifting everybody’s dark clouds. The sound managed to even bring Mingi out to the front, but his cloud only darkened when he saw you laughing along with Yunho. The bag with pink sprinkles popped open at how strongly he was holding it, the floor turning into a punk fuzzy surface. “I’ll get your order in a minute, you guys take a seat. The boys and their girls are outside in the usual booth.” 

“What are you laughing at?” Mingi asked you as you went behind the counter to prepare the order for the two.

“I’m sorry?”

“He has a girlfriend, so why are you laughing with him?” He gritted through his teeth.

“Oh, so only because he has a girlfriend I should ignore his existence and not be polite to him?” You raised an eyebrow at him. “Well that’s a load of bull coming from a man who let’s a taken girl cling to his arm like her life depends on it.”

“What?”

“Sorn has a girlfriend you idiot.” You deadpanned making Wooseok drop his croissant. “Grow the fuck up Song and say what’s been pissing you off these past few days instead of throwing childish tantrums all around.”

“You know-” He came real close to your face, the anger evident in both of your eyes. “-no man wants a woman that goes after taken man.”

“Well Song, no woman wants to date a child.” You gritted out, taking the order outside and declining nicely the invite to go clubbing with the gang later.

You both evaded each other until the end of the day and when it was closing time, you finished cleaning and left, saying good bye to your co-workers and the gang, walking past Mingi as if he wasn’t even there.

“Did they fight?” Hongjoong asked Wooseok through a whisper.

“Uh-huh.” He nodded, both of them watching Mingi’s clenched jaw tightening.

･*:༅

The small house you lived in was inherited by you from the old lady that let you live with her when you were still a teen. She had taken care of you as much as she could and in return you did the same to her. You cooked, cleaned, even sometimes gave baths to the 80 year old woman out of gratitude and in return, she left her quiant little home to you. Unfortunately she had passed away a few years ago, but you still honoured her life by planting sugarberries in the garden; her favourite flower. 

“Fuckin’ asshole.” You mumbled as you relaxed in the bathtub after a long and stressful day at work.

Candles littered the bathroom as faint piano music played in the background. You looked into the full body mirror with golden rimmed leaves which faced the bathtub. Your long light coloured locks stuck to your face, as your eyes sadly observed your soft and round features.

“What does she have that I don’t?” You whispered out, touching your cheek. “Stupid Mingi!”

You stayed in the water for another hour and finally decided to get out and dry yourself, putting on one of the many night gowns you’d gotten. The giggle that left your mouth had you remembering some better and happier times. 

Times when you weren’t in love with a childish Mingi.

You sat down on the sofa and began reading the book you had today, slowly loosing all thoughts of today’s argument, and focusing on that fictional world in your hands. 

The loud thud and banging on the front door woke you up from your book-induced-nap. Blinking a few times you shook your head and went over to the door, glancing through the peep-hole and wincing when you saw an eye looking back at you.

“Y/N!~”

“What the hell are you doing at my house at 2 a.m.?!” You flung the door open as the man in front of you straightened up and looked at you in the eyes. He kept looking at your appearance and something stired deep within him at your half asleep eyes, messy locks and long beige night gown. “Well Mingi?”

“Oh fuck it.” He grabbed your cheeks and kissed your lips, your poor knees shaking and loosing balance. You both fell on the ground, him holding you up as best as he could so as not to hurt yourself. Your lungs were screaming for air and he felt it too, pulling away with a low whine. His hair was messy, his cheeks were rosy, eyes glossy and breath stinking of alcohol. And you; your hair was sprawled out around you like a halo, cheeks and neck red from the lack of oxygen and onslought of embarrassement, the skirt of your night gown ridding up all the way to your thighs. You looked like a fucking angel to him underneath him. “God you are so gorgeous.”

“Mingi you’re drunk.” You tried to push him off and get up, but you stopped abruptly when you felt little wet droplets on your exposed chest. “Mingi? What’s wrong?”

“Why am I not good enough for you?” He asked in a low whisper. “Why do you laugh so much with Yunho and Wooseok, and the others, but not with me? Why do you only smile at me and evade me the whole day?”

“Mingi-”

“I’ve been trying so hard for you to notice me! I made new recipes from fruits you like, I baked the bread you said you liked every day, and I decorated every cake with the flowers you like.” He came closer to you and you could see the haze in his eyes which showed he was only slightly drunk but mostly sober. “Why do you keep giving out advice to my friends on how to get the girl but never to me on how to get you?”

“God you are so dumb!” You groaned out and looked at him unamused. “Everytime I gave advice to your friends I was giving it to you too. I wasn’t sure if you like me because I wasn’t exactly paying attention to the details you were setting out. I’ve never had someone go out of their way so much.” You pulled him into a hug and he relaxed in your arms. “You are good enough for me! You are more than that!”

“So you like me back?” 

“I love you.” You whispered out.

“I want to make love to you.” He whispered back. “For the rest of my life.”

“Are you asking me to marry you?” You laughed at that thought.

“I am.” He looked at you seriously. “I wanted to marry you that first day I met you.”

“You barely know me.” You sat up along with him. “Shouldn’t we get to know each other first?”

“But I already know everything about you.” He blushed. “Granny Kim talked about you a lot.”

You looked over at the picture frame on the wall where you and old lady Kim sat in the garden, enjoying the sunshine, laughter and sugarberries around you. You had to smile to yourself at this situation. That woman thought of everything it seems.

“It seems this house will become more lively then.” You giggled at him.

“Is that a yes?” Mingi grabbed you by the arms in excitement.

“Yes!” You were lifted off the ground in a hype as the front door closed and Mingi twirled you around.

“God, I need to call Wooseok and tell him to open shop tomorrow!” You blinked in surprise. “You and I have so much to catch up on and work is the least of our problems.”

The choking noise you made in surprise had him smirking as he carried you off further inside the house, his eyebrows wiggling with delight.

･*:༅

“I hope you’re not mad at me y/n.” Sorn spoke as you both sat on the side for a while, seeing as it wasn’t so busy. “I never had a thing for Mingi, I was just fed up with his constant love-sick sighs and I had to get everything in motion.” She sighed. “Sorry.”

“Nah, it’s all good.” You smiled at her. “Thank you.”

The two of you exchanged a glance and laughed at how the situation turned out. Wooseok grumbled from the kitchen something but you paid him no mind. You kept on observing Mingi who was outside with a few of his friends, talking about the big plans. It made you happy and smiley and the bakery was thriving with this low feeling of love.

The sugarberries in your garden seemed to grow brighter since Mingi moved in and you guys decided to make a sweet with them, naming it  계속 미소 지으며.

Keep smiling.

[sunmoonandeddie]

spilled wine

pairing: king!bucky barnes x reader

word count: 3,346

summary: You’re nothing more than a servant who happens to warm the bed of the king.  At least, that’s what you thought you were.

warnings: Some swearing, little bit of violence

a/n:  This was written for @cametobuyplums‘s 2000 Plums Writing Challenge!  Congratulations!  My prompt was “Pour moi, c’est toi la plus belle : to me, you are the prettiest.”  Also, shout out to my betas that basically agreed to read this because we’re in a group chat and I’m a brainless noodle that needs all the help I can get: @wastedavenger @curvybihufflepuff @siren-kitten-his @starwarsgazer Let me know what y’all think!

You were angry.

No, angry was too simple a word.  You were vexed, aggrieved, irate.  And you had every god damn right to be.

Well, kind of.

“What has you all riled up?” Wanda asked as she sidled up next to you.  You were two peas in a pod with your matching servant’s dresses.  They were slightly nicer than your usual uniforms, trading plain brown wool for dark blue muslin.

“Nothing,” you said with a huff as your eyes landed on the King, who was currently twirling Princess Natalia around the ballroom.

But your best friend was as observant as ever, her eyes following your gaze.  “She’s beautiful.”

And she was, with her red silk gown that matched her fiery red hair.  Gold was woven throughout the fabric, making it almost luminescent.  But nothing could be more beautiful than her emerald green eyes, you were sure of it.

“She’d make a fine queen.”

You hummed in response, the bottle of wine sweating in your hands.  “I’m sure she would.”

“You know, political marriages happen all the time, even with commoners such as us,” she said, her eyes searching your face.  Her voice had dropped to a low whisper to ensure that no one could overhear the two of you.  “It doesn’t mean there’s feelings between them.”

“I know.”

“Then why do you look so upset?”

Because I am upset, you wanted to say.  But you couldn’t.  It didn’t matter that Wanda was smart and had figured out about your little affair over a year ago.  Or that she had told you that you would inevitably have to watch him marry someone else.  When she told you that, you’d simply shrugged and said, “He only wants someone to keep his bed warm, and I am in no place to deny my king.”

“Y/N, please tell me what happened,” she said as she reached up to tug on one of the ribbons she had braided into the strands of hair that she’d pulled back into a half-up, half-down sort of look.

“We got into an argument,” you finally admitted as your mind flashed back to what had taken place just a few hours before.

“I have to go,” you said as you straightened out your hair in the mirror.

It wouldn’t do to look as though you’d been rolling around in the hay.

Granted, your virtue wasn’t worth as much as the nobility that walked the halls of the castle, but still.  The principle was there.  And someday you’d have to get married and there was no doubt in your head that your husband would want to know that whatever children came out of your union were his.

“The ball doesn’t begin for another three hours,” James said as he rolled out of bed.  He didn’t even have the decency to get dressed before crossing his chambers to where you were standing, peering into his looking glass.  He looked almost godly in the afternoon sun that was streaming in through the open balcony doors.  “It wouldn’t hurt you to linger, my love.”

There it was again.  ‘My love.’  The title that he had given you that would never truly be yours.  It stung your heart every time he uttered the words, though you knew that you couldn’t say anything about it.

His arms wrapped around you from behind, your hands automatically clasping over where his rested on your sternum.  His lips trailed soft, feather-light kisses against any bare skin he could find.  His hair fell in a curtain around his face.  Your eyes were locked on your own in the mirror.  You wished for nothing more than to be able to stay right there, in his arms, hidden away from the judgmental eyes of the world.  “Stay… for just a little longer…,” he purred.

“My king,” you said after clearing your throat.  You knew how much he hated it when you used his title, and for the most part, you agreed to use his actual name when the two of you were alone.   But right now, you needed to get your point across.  You wriggled out of his grasp, turning away from him to pull on your shoes.  “This needs to come to an end.”

The air in the room changed as he froze behind you.  “What?”

You swallowed, knowing that defying your king could get you thrown into the dungeons or sent to the gallows.  You could only hope that you had gained enough respect in your time together for him to allow you to keep living your life as you knew it.  “This…  This needs to end.”

“I heard what you said.  I suppose I’m just wondering what’s gotten into you,” James said, letting out a chuckle as he tried to grab your hand.  He clearly thought you were joking, playing a little trick on him before the big night.

But you snatched your hand away before he could grab it.  “My king,” you said sternly, your voice void of any warmth.  “Tonight you are choosing a queen.  You are throwing an entire ball for it.”

“I don’t see how that means this has to end,” he said, his brows furrowing.

“I don’t think your wife would appreciate me warming your bed,” you replied dryly.

James rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the wall.  There was still a playfulness in his eyes because he didn’t get it.  Because he was a man and men get what the want, especially if they have a crown on their head.  “My wife—whoever she may end up being—will have her own chambers, as is normal.”

“And what then?” You snapped, your frustration reaching its boiling point.  “I will not—no, cannot—be your little plaything—your whore—for the rest of my life.  One of these days, I will be married to a man who wants to be sure I’m not bearing another man’s heirs.”  You could get in so much trouble for this.  You could be beheaded, for God’s sake.  But you didn’t care.  You’d spent the past two years warming the king’s bed and you truly only had yourself to blame for the current situation.  You’d lost your heart to him.  You should’ve ended it the second you realized you had feelings for the man, but you couldn’t bring yourself to do it until now.

“You’re getting married?”

And maybe it was because you were so pissed off, but you could’ve sworn he was laughing at you.  “Yes, I am,” you said, your hands fisting at your sides.  “To the blacksmith in the village.”  You swallowed, willing yourself to stay strong, to not cry.  “And he may not be rich and he may not have a title, but at least I won’t be a toy to throw away when he’s done with me.”

James scowled, his hands having dropped to his sides as he stood up straight.  “I am your king.  And regardless of whether or not you’re getting married to some commoner, I want you.”

“If you want me, then you have to earn me!” You snarled as you whirled on him.  “I might just be a servant, but I am not yours!”

He was left completely silent as you stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind you.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Wanda cooed as she gently rested a hand on your arm.  Because it didn’t matter that she could be saying, ‘I told you so.’ What mattered was that you needed your best friend more than anything.

Because underneath all your anger was a deep sadness, a despair that only came from a broken heart.

“It’s alright,” you said, though it was clear that you were more trying to convince yourself.  “I’ll forget all about him once Adam and I are married.”

The redhead’s nose scrunched as she was reminded of your now fiancé.  “I don’t particularly care for that man.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you’re not the one marrying him,” you teased as you moved to refill some of the Lord’s cups.  Plus, you could see the head of the kitchen, Vision, glaring at the two of you.

It didn’t matter that he was set to marry Wanda, he wouldn’t risk getting in trouble for two of the servants under his watch talking the night away instead of working.

The music continued to play as you moved through a few of the tables that lined the edges of the room, refilling goblets whenever you saw they were half empty or lower.  There were a few sly comments here and there, but nothing too out of the ordinary of the sleazy men.

You were pouring more wine for Lord Rumlow when your eyes drifted up to the dance floor, only to find James’s eyes already on you as he danced with the princess.  His startling blue eyes met yours, freezing you in place.

But you were pulled out of it by the sound of a someone shouting.  You gasped as you looked down, realizing that you’d overflowed Rumlow’s goblet and that it was dripping all over him.

“You stupid girl!” He snarled.  His hand swept across the table so that the goblet flew towards you, wine covering your dress.

There was no way that was coming out.

“I-I’m so sorry!” You said, stammering as you tried to mop up the wine with your dress.  People were starting to take notice of the commotion, Wanda included.  You could see her from the corner of your eye across the room.  She looked more like a raging bull than a girl, pushing up her sleeves as though she was going to storm him herself.  Vision appeared behind her, though, holding her back before she could do anything rash.  “Please, f-forgive me, Lord Rumlow.”

A yelp tore from your lips as the Lord gripped your upper arms, his nails digging into your skin through your dress.  He shook you harshly as spit flew from his mouth.  His face was twisted into something so horrific, you were sure that he’d been possessed by a demon.  No holy creature could be so ugly.  “I’ll have you hanged for you insolence, you—"

“LET HER GO!”  The king’s voice boomed across the room, and everyone fell deathly silent.

You whimpered as Rumlow’s grip tightened as the king stalked towards him, murder in his eyes.  You knew there would be bruises in the shape of his hands in just a few hours.  “Your Majesty, this worthless—“

“Have you lost your hearing, Rumlow?” James asked as he came to a stop in front of the two of you.

The man blinked in confusion.  “What on Earth are you talking about?  Of course not.  This kitchen mouse—"

“Then why have you not put her down as I’ve ordered you to?”

The other man’s jaw clenched as he stared down the King for a long moment, before tossing you to the floor.  “She spilled wine all—”

“She apologized, and spilled wine no reason for you to turn into a rabid animal,” James interrupted, his eyes still narrowed.  He was making it clear that Rumlow wasn’t getting anywhere with his excuses.  He hadn’t looked at you yet, and you didn’t dare move from where you’d landed on the marble floor.  “Maybe we should have you for prey on our next hunt.”  He sneered at the lower-born man.  “Get out of my sight before I send my dogs out after you.”  When the man was out of earshot, the King turned his head to speak to his right hand, Lord Rogers.  You’d heard all about him while lying in James’s bed after a night of love-making.  He was the King’s best friend as well as his most trusted adviser.  “Ensure that he leaves, Steve.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Your cheeks flamed as you stared down at the floor, your palms pressed flat against the cold marble.  You couldn’t look your now former lover in the eyes.  Not after what had just occurred.  You were a servant.  You weren’t meant to be seen, and now every person in attendance was staring directly at you.

But James surprised you, getting on his knees so that he was on your level.  “Are you alright, my love?” He asked softly, gently tilting your chin up to look him in the eyes.

“Your…  Your Majesty, wh-what are you doing?” You stammered, eyes darting around the room to see everyone watching him.  “You shouldn’t be—”

“Y/N, are you alright?” He asked once again, making sure to enunciate each word.

You stared at him with wide eyes, swallowing.  “Y-Yes.  I’m so-sorry about the wine, I—"

James’s hands rested on your elbows so that your hands had to rest on his chest.  He didn’t care that the two of you were still on the floor.  “I don’t care about wine.  Or Rumlow, for that matter.  What I care about is whether or not you’re okay.”  He stared at you for another long moment before pulling you to your feet.  “Dance with me.”

“Wha…  What?”  You blinked at him slowly, unsure that you heard him.

“Dance with me,” he repeated, though he was already pulling you to the dance floor.

“B-But there’s people staring, and my dress, and I’m just—”

“You’re just what?” He countered, frowning as he brushed his knuckles against your cheek.  “Let them stare.  I don’t care about a dress.  And you…”  He smiled faintly as he took in your features.  “You are worth more than all of them put together.”  He held out his hand to you.  “Now, will you dance with me?”

After just another moment’s hesitation, you placed your hand in his.  He nodded towards the band and a slow waltz floated through the air.

“How is Princess Natalia?” You asked as he held you close.  You were avoiding his eyes.

“She’s fine, enjoying her engagement to Prince Clinton,” he said, though when you looked up at him, there was no cocky smirk that said he was poking fun of your jealousy.  No, he was being completely serious in wanting you to know that he wasn’t interested in her.

But even so, your eyes drifted over to the many eligible noble women that had come to try their hand at winning the King’s heart.

“What are you thinking?” He asked, his voice barely audible.

“One of them is going to be your wife.  They’re all rather pretty,” you hummed, unable to stop yourself from staring at the girls.  They stood there in their fine silk gowns with diamonds dripping from their ears and their necks.  Every single one of them was glaring at you, reminding you that you weren’t one of them.  That you didn’t deserve to be dancing with the King.  That he would never choose you as his bride.

“Pour moi, c’est toi la plus belle,” he said as he gently turned your head to look back at him.

You bit your lip as you followed his lead, surprised at how easy it was to dance with him.  The most dancing you’d ever done was in the village square during festivals, and those boys were never any good at it.  They spent most of the time stepping on your toes.  “What does that mean?”

“To me, you are the prettiest.”  Before you could reply, he twirled you under his arm and brought you back in.  There was a thoughtful look in the depths of his blue eyes.  “I’ve done a lot of thinking in the… five hours or so since you left my chambers,” he said, his voice dropping so that no one could hear.  He knew how damaging it could be for you if someone heard that you’d been alone with him.

“Oh?” You prompted, not quite sure where the conversation was headed.

He nodded, humming as he looked down at you.  “Did you know that my father was a lowborn Lord before he married my mother?”  His brows were furrowed as he recounted the story.  “He was the fifth son of my grandfather, who was the fourth son of my great grandfather.  My great grandfather, James II, was a rebel that was pardoned by his king due to his lineage.  But he was barely left with enough land and money to keep his title as a Lord.”

You were growing less and less aware of everyone’s stares on you as you simply focused on the man holding you.  The man that you considered to be the love of your life.

“But my mother didn’t care about any of that.  She was the only child born to my grandparents, the future Queen.”  He paused, his eyes flickering over to the Queen Mother.  When her husband had passed, she’d decided to step down and let her son take the throne, despite the fact that she could rule without him.  She was adored by her people, loved and respected, just as her husband had been.  “Anytime she told the story to me when I was little, she always said, ‘I loved him, which meant his title didn’t matter.  He was born my equal.  I simply raised him to my level in the eyes of the world.’”

Your throat felt dry as you stared at him, your heart beating so loudly that you were sure he could hear it.  “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I have never bowed to anyone in my entire life,” he said, drawing out the words as the two of you came to a stop in the middle of the ballroom.  “Not even my parents.  But I will bow to you as the sun bows to the moon every night, allowing it to shine for the world.”  As if to show that he was serious, he bowed deeply at the waist, shocked gasps ringing through the air.  His lips pressed to your hand before he came back up.

“James…  What does this mean?” You asked as he straightened up once again.  You thought you knew where this was heading but you didn’t want to get your hopes up just in case.

“Let me raise you in the eyes of the world.  Let me show them that you’re my equal in every way,” he said as he slowly sunk to one knee.  His eyes were swimming with tears as he looked up at you.  “Marry me.  You’re already the love of my life, my light in the darkness.  Be my wife and my queen.”

You couldn’t form words.  Tears streamed down your face as you rapidly nodded.  “Yes,” you finally gasped out, letting out a bit of a laugh.  “Yes, I will marry you.”

James got to his feet, pulling you into his warm embrace.  His lips met yours as the room erupted in applause.  When he finally set you down, he opened up his arms to present you to the room proudly.  Wine-stained dress and all.  Your cheeks flamed as you curtsied towards them, before remembering that you would never have to curtsy to anyone ever again.

“Come.  There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” he whispered, his breath hot against his ear as he led you towards where the Queen Mother, Winifred, sat on one of the thrones.  “Mother,” he said, eyes shining.  “This is Y/N, my fiancé.”

You knew the Queen Mother, of course.  You were the one who brought her tea every morning and every night.

She got to her feet, waving you off when you started to cursty.  “None of that nonsense,” she said, pulling you into a hug.  “Truth be told, I was wondering when my son would tell me about the girl he was so taken with,” she said, low enough that her son couldn’t hear.

Your cheeks flamed as she pulled away, but a fond smile tugged at your lips as your fiancé caught your gaze yet again.

James made a big show of bowing to you yet again.  “My Queen, will you give me the honor of a dance?”

Your heart fluttered as you placed your hand in his.  “I will.”

[tetrakys]

Trois Allumettes - Chapter 3

“Are we allowed to have coffee?”

I looked up from pretending to tidying up the café and saw the first costumer of the day. Clemence was at a rodeo competition an Hyun was ill, it was the first time I had to take care of business all by myself.

“Castiel! And… Lysander! Hi!”

Caught off guard, a weird high-pitched sound came out of my mouth. My heart skipped a beat when Castiel moved and I saw who was behind him. I cleared my throat and blushed.

“Relax, it’s just us” he added smirking.

“Sure, you surprised me, that’s all. I’ve been waiting for a while for a costumer to deign to sit down, I thought it’d never happen.”

“Is the waitress so disastrous? Does she chase all the costumers away?”

Castiel and his teasing, some things never changed. I cast a glance at his companion, he seemed to be far away, with his head lost in the clouds.

“That must be it, I’m a real walking disaster.”

We kept our light banter for a few more minutes while I fixed their coffees. I was surprised to find out that, even though he spend most of the time playing and touring with his band, Castiel was also a student at Anteros academy. Once the coffee was ready they both went to seat outside while I headed to the kitchen to add some sugar.

There, I grabbed the sugar and took the opportunity to look at my reflection in the stainless steel countertop. This morning I had decided to take advantage of the fact that I was going to be alone and forgo the uniform, and thank God for that! I wasn’t wearing anything particularly smart, just black jeans and an old shirt with some ruches on the front I had since high school, but it was still better than those hideous brown apron and cap.

“Here you go” I said, setting both cups in front of them.

“Thanks” one said while the other nodded, sipping the coffee “You wanna sit down a second? We can talk a little.”

“Um, sure, why not…” I pulled a chair out and sat at their table.

“I have to admit, coffee is pretty good” Castiel said with a small hint of surprise in his voice, I just smiled at him.

“By the way” he continued “did Rosalya make it home ok after the concert?”

“Yes, I called Leigh to make sure of it.”

The first words I heard Lysander speak in 15 minutes. I knew he wasn’t very talkative but he actually seemed a little upset. Then it registered what Castiel had actually said and felt my blood curdle. I thought back on the unusual conversation that had taken place last weekend. I preferred not to stay on the subject.

“She seemed a little tipsy… that happens.”

“You aren’t mad at her?” I asked surprised.

“If I had to get upset with all the slightly drunk people I run into while I am touring, I’d never finish. That said I could have done without certain comments, but I’m not going to make a fuss about it.”

“Yeah, haha, Rosalya definitely spells it out…”

“That’s the least you can say” he replied with a smirk.

Castiel kept drinking his coffee and I watched him on the sly. He was older, but… not in the bad sense of the term. I got the impression his features were sharper, and he felt more comfortable about his looks… Whether you liked it or not, he pulled it off well. I then looked at his companion.

It felt strange, at first, to know they were friends, but I could see it now. They were so different and yet, on a deeper level, there was something quite similar. Castiel had matured but he was still part defiance, indifference and a pinch of anger, all wrapped up with a nice big bow of sarcasm. Lysander instead… I didn’t know anything about him really, but I could feel it, hiding behind that calm exterior, there was something rough, possibly angst and definitely a little pain. I suddenly felt the overwhelming need to help him any way I could, whatever it was that was tormenting him.

Throughout high school, Rosa and Alexy had always warned me that my constant meddling in other people’s business was going to get me in trouble at some point. I could see the sense of those words and, as I grow up, I became less nosy and more reserved. But now, looking at his quietly sad demeanour, I felt sixteen all over again.

A few minutes later Nina, a high schooler frequent costumer who I had gotten friendly with, came with a bunch of classmates. Castiel and Lys tried to help me, but the thirsty teenagers were over excited, made a mess and left without buying anything. I didn’t miss the interested looks Nina was throwing in the guys direction, one in particular.

While I was heating up the coffee and serving it in a couple of to go cups so that Castiel and Lys could take it with them (apparently they were going to rehearsal) I ended up burning my hand with hot water. Castiel came running with a dishtowel in his hand, filled it up with ice cubes before gently pressing it on my burn.

“That must have hurt, but it’s superficial.”

“Thanks…” He kept my hand in his, gently pressing the cold towel against the burn.

“Are you going to be alright?���

“Yes, thanks, it was right when it happened, the pain is gone now”

“And so is Lysander… where is he?” Castiel looked around, but the place wasn’t that big, Lysander must have left, but why did he? We suddenly heard the door opening.

“Oh, hey Lys, where did you…”

The words died on my lips.

“Oh damn…”

It wasn’t Lysander.

“Here I was planning on sitting down for a coffee, I guess I’ll go somewhere else.”

“Nathaniel…”

“I knew I should’ve left earlier, this café definitely attracts a bad crowd.” Castiel replied with disdain.

That’s all I needed, a confrontation with these two bull-headed guys at my workplace… It had been over four years since I had seen them at it. And I hadn’t really missed it. They kept spitting poison at each other for a few more minutes until things started to get out of hand, it seemed like they were going to fight in the middle of the café, I had to break it up.

“Come on, she is right, we are going to scare the costumers” said Castiel, suddenly coming back to his senses.

“I don’t give a da…”

“I said let’s go. If you want to talk, we’ll do it elsewhere, not here.” Castiel stood up, his fists clenched. He was pretty impressive like that. Nathaniel bit his lip and walked off towards the alley without looking at him. Castiel stared at his back with a surly expression and, after a few words, he left in the opposite direction.

Once they were both gone I released a sigh of relief I didn’t realise I was holding. What was wrong with them?!

“That escalated quickly”

“Wha… Lysander! Where have you been?” he was standing at the doorstep, looking at me apologetically.

“I’m sorry, I was going to intervene if things got out of hand, but I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I know Castiel, he is not the type.”

He must be referring at adult Castiel, because high school Castiel? He was definitely the type. Nath, on the other hand, was a whole other story.

“You were here the whole time? You disappeared, we thought you were gone.”

“I left to buy this” he said coming closer, placing something on the counter. Ointment and dressings.

“Oh…” I replied stupidly. In the skirmish I had completely forgotten about my injury. I looked at my hand, it was red and felt like I was being pierced by hundreds small needles. Taking me gently by the hand he lead me to a chair and sat in front of me.

“T-Thanks… you shouldn’t have, really. Let me at least pay you back.”

“No need” he replied while applying aloe vera on the burn. I moaned in relief at his gentle massage, it felt amazing. “How are you so good at this?!”

He smiled mischievously at my words “You might have noticed I can be quite absent-minded” the understatement of the year, but I didn’t point it out, my hand still in his. “Being the type of person I am and growing up on a farm… well, I had to learn from a young age to take care of small injuries.”

“What?” I replied surprised “you lived on a farm?”

“Rosalya never told you? Leigh and I… our parents are… were farmers.”

I rummaged through my memories trying to remember “If she did, in high school, I must have forgotten.”

I was shocked, Lys a farmer? I had to admit I was a city girl and had no idea of what country life looked like, but if I had to picture it… Lysander was the last thing to come to my mind. With his classy clothes and refined attitude… he felt really out of place.

“Did you like it?” I blurted out after a few silent moments, while he wrapped my hand in gauze “I mean, did you like growing up on a farm?”

“Yes and no” he simply replied, and I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it. However, me being me, I had to open my stupid mouth and say something. When he was done treating my hand, I timidly entwined my fingertips with his and said “Are you okay, Lys? I know we don’t really know each other much and I don’t want to sound intrusive but… you look… sad.” His eyes met mine, surprised “I just want you to know that you can talk to me if you…  if you want to.”

He lowered his head and stared at our hands for a while, I thought he was going to tell me to go to hell, or at least leave, but he started caressing my fingers absentmindedly and said slowly “It’s funny that out of all the people closer to me… my brother and my best friend, Rosa… it was someone I just met to notice there was something wrong with me.” I stared at him in silence, not wanting to interrupt him. “It takes someone very special to care about a stranger” he added with a small smile, and I felt my heart sink a little “thank you, Candy.”

I didn’t know what to say, it stung a little that he still considered each other as strangers, but before I could reply he added “Don’t worry about me, my low spirit this morning is completely due to the fact that I lost my notepad. It’s not the first time and won’t be the last, but this one in particular had all my latest creations and I was thinking of adapting some to Castiel’s music” he added with a grimace “you must think I am a lost cause.”

I knew there was something else there eating him, apart from his lost notepad but… suddenly a light bulb went on in my head.

“Lys!” I said grabbing his hand “Wait!”

I run to the kitchen, quickly grabbing my bag and, rummaging through it, I immediately found what I was looking for. I run back to him and placed a black notepad in his hands. He just stared at it, utterly surprised, then opened it and leafed through the pages like he couldn’t believe every word was really there. “How…?” he managed to ask after a few moments.

“I found it a few days ago on a bench in the quad. I wanted to take it to the lost and found office but I totally forgot. And well… as I personally found out… there really isn’t a lost and found office, it’s just the admin officer and believe me… this pad was safer with me” I was rumbling a little “I swear I didn’t open it.”

He finally seemed to get out of his stupor. Looking at me again he smiled, but not one of his usual small melancholic smiles. This one was the real deal, a big, bright, full toothed smile.

“It might seem crazy to you I know… but when I noticed it was gone, it felt like a part of me had also disappeared. Like I was missing a piece of my soul.” I was suddenly in his arms, he was hugging me and he was so taller and bigger then me that I was completely enveloped by his embrace. “Thank you Candy, you really are amazing.” He said to my ear.

“Not a stranger then?” I whispered.

He pulled away a little, just enough to look at my face, which I was sure was on fire in that moment.

“I mean… I saved your soul, and you saved my hand… I think it’s enough to upgrade our relationship from strangers to, maybe, friends. Isn’t it?” I joked with only a small hint of panic in my voice. I was almost proud of me.

“It is” he replied, suddenly serious, looking at me straight in the eyes. His arms still wrapped tightly around me. My mind went blank and I had no idea what was happening, but the sound of the door opening was like a bucket of water in my face. I jumped out of his embrace in time to see Hyun entering the café.

“Hyun! Hi! Are you okay? Weren’t you ill?”

He looked between me and Lysander, uncertain.

“Yes, well, I felt bad you were here alone and I came to help. I am feeling better.”

“Lysander, this is Hyun my co-worker, and Hyun this is Lysander a… friend” I said with a small smile, and saw him hiding his while shaking Hyun’s hand.

After a few conventional words Lys, notepad in his hand, left to join Castiel for rehearsal.

“Was that really a friend or…” Hyun asked once we were alone, blushing.

“Or…?” I replied, rising an eyebrow.

“Nothing, it’s none of my business. Go have lunch, I am going to take care of things while you have a break.”

I thanked him and went to the kitchen to find a plate of food he had left for me. Seriously, the guy was sweet but he could be very nosy when he wanted.

However, I had no idea how meddlesome he could be until later that night, when he came back to the café and found me in the arms of someone else.

//////////////////////////////////////

Back to Chapter 2

Go to Chapter 4

[ladyofmind]

October Wrap Up

Hey everyone! Sorry for the silence... been busier than even I can keep up with, and also found out that the last Music Monday I had a few weeks back- well it didn’t post so I was quieter than I intended to be...

But it is NaNoWriMo time now, so there should be time to settle in and post like mad to update you all, and write my 50k! After all, I have no plans to be anywhere this November. Fingers crossed nothing else goes crazy on me.

Without further chatter, game answers after the jump.

#CharactersHell

1- Rooms for rent above an active and lively bar, for as long as you like* (*Mgmt not responsible for any damage from the cat or other beings if you leave your door open/unlocked.)

2- Not in the expected way. Most of the monsters are the human Antags. The antags are motivated by jealousy and obsession. Other characters have their own personal demons, or else they aren’t really human...

3- Not real monsters, not really. The Antags are over the top in their issues, but they are rarer. Everybody has some kind of issue though.

4- Frost? That grumpy man is actually a bit of a softy inside… If not, Sly mixes up some ugly looking boozy milkshakes that are pretty tasty!

5- That would be the Antag. Tim is a sort of threat in waiting, one that slips around a bit like the snake he is. The incidents he is involved in are hard to figure out until after it happens...

6- My world is no different than our world. There is divinity in the form of God etc, but it really plays no part in my story.

7- Same world, same dire predictions. Only difference is, it’s a brothel, so one can assume they may already be in hell…

8- Most interesting job? That’s a toss up… It’s an interesting place to work in general, but I’m torn between Woods being in a band, or Tweety, the one in somewhat charge of all the other looney tunes….

9- Best Co-worker award goes to Malta. There is no one else likely to push, prod, and sometimes accidentally beat ya up to have a good time, while respecting limits. Unlike the constant party pusher Bebe, Malta can tell when you need the push, and when you just need a cuppa tea.

10- Most of the time, the networking person is Tweety, as everyone knows her and gets connected by her. But for this, I have to give it to the guys. Nira has a lot of connections from before bar life, music man Martin is always networking and improving his career, and Frost? Well the giant makes friends thru fights. Might not be a lot, but they are the best connections…

11- This is a little bit of everyone really. Malta, Frost, and others don’t do it intentionally, it’s more of a language barrier. Sly is the master of deflection to the point you still don’t know very much. That may be why Tweety sees him as an equal, as everyone assumes they know her, but they never know a thing. She doesn’t lie, just turns things around on ya.

12- Woods is about/has turned professional famous musician, depending on which book you read… Tweet is just really good at talking to people and getting everywhere from it.

13- Antags- Sofia has some fans yes. She’s a strange boss with a back story & has some loyal workers until she does things to mess that up (her MO). Tim on the other hand? Well, he’s liked for what his skills & the more unstable/broken sorts love him to obsession.

14- The Antags are good for backstabbing! Tim and Sophia work together for the mostly common goal, but in places there’s differences. For instance, a rigged auction is supposed to end in Tim’s favor. Doesn’t mean S can’t make more money off of him if he wants it that badly…

15- Tim gives me the creeps. There’s this thing he does that makes me feel violated too, so I know it will be good in the end… I just need recovery time after him.

16- Tweet isn’t monstrous… but it is a pain sometimes, writing for an always happy sort, even if you want to have her fight back against things.

17- Tim is as direct as a blunt log to the face can be. He’s more bull in the china shop. Sophia is the mastermind, making her puppets dance in that web way. You can 100% assume she’s behind something, but you’re hard pressed to prove it…

18- With Tim, smarts is the easy part. It’s Sophia you match wits with, if you have to at all…

19- Woods isn't really vicious… maybe some biting comments while holding a grudge. Tweet is always the “kill 'em with kindness” type

20- I think the side chars are very active in their own ways to push this story forward. Some are even pushy as hell!

21- Ok, so Frost isn't exactly wrathful towards the MC so much as ornery and wrathful at everyone… but he does blame Tweety for flaring his ulcer with her ideas.

22- Not all that hard for me, as I don’t force my characters into doing things they wouldn’t do anyway. I try to learn who they are first and go from there.

23- I don’t really use red herrings, not intentionally. There may be one or two accidentally...

24- So zen! I throw on some earphones blaring my playlist and forget that people exist. The absolute worst is when you’re writing so well, and then someone scares you by interrupting you!

25- I’m not really into the sweets. Once in a while, but mostly my writing runs off potato chips or pretzels. Crunchy and salty balances the romance writing well!

26- #FF #followfriday with interesting stories by: @nomdejillian @TGNeal @SkeptiCybrarian @marshawritesit

27- Halloween was fun when I was a kid. Now I enjoy making Halloween-y cookies and giving them out to people I like, since we never have trick or treaters where I live. One year per the Halloween cookie costume rules, I dressed in all grey with a bell on… Jingle bell rock ya’ll!

28- Not a prankster, so not very wrathful at all. Halloween isn’t a big deal near me.

29- Oh I think I did that already! False arrest of the sweet one anyone?

30- So this is a boost for our Co-Host @manual_arbanassi! His amazing, well rounded character work in #Tiogair is great. Plus he totally shares that character building with all of us with both this game and #CharactersTell!

31- After work where I have to avoid a kids book sale while having a bills closing day? Relax and maybe watch a Halloween-y movie. Really, I am more excited about #NaNoWriMo starting at midnight.

#SciFiNaNoPrep

1- Hi, Nicole here. I was fairly certain for #NaNo I would continue my #RedLetters #series, but this Mars idea won’t let go. It has an outline, so maybe this prep will help me change course?

2- For this Mars idea? 50K or whatever it takes to finish this idea. Definitely looking to start it.

3- It’s very similar in that it’s our Earth, and an exploration of the Mars planet we think we know.

4- The not so very distant future. My research says I need at least 4 years, so mid to late 2020’s

5- Planet Mars for about 90% of it. There’s a little Earth training time, and possibly other planet flash backs.

6- Both generally advanced Earth tech, and some stuff for Mars that feels like #spoilers (plus I need to sort that out –Note to self on more #prep!)

7- Haven’t quite named them… but I do know there’s some diversity and a female MC/narrator

8- That’s definitely a #spoiler! I can say that it’s a “greet the way you’re greeted” thing…

9- Oh, I’m showing my age here for sure… but like Sailor Mercury from Sailor Moon or the original Power Rangers Billy the blue ranger come to mind… for their smarts and calmness.

10- There are both Earth “children” and adults, plus some Martian life.

11- Earth customs, sure, all the standard ones. Martian customs fall into “show you, you decide what happens” things. Because the message/meanings are important sometimes.

12- #FF #followfriday with #scifi writers: @RagingCyclone @authorASMcGowan @mae_mckinnon and a bunch of people at #wipworldbuilders

13- I would say somewhere in between, as it largely depends on which side you see it from. Just because it’s Utopia to one may be dystopia to another. Similar to the grass being greener on the other side theory.

14- Earth politics are the same. Mars doesn’t have politics in the same way. They have more rule, order and understanding.

15- Mars is more science and study, so they are more guardians less lawyers in that sense. They have systems for everything, but mostly they do not have crime within their own ranks. Outsiders are a different story.

16- Oh lots! I am taking some of the known things about planets and life and tying it together to give credible conspiracy theory if you will. Might even include Nikola Telsa…

17- As Mars is a drier planet- with more wind storm, less water, the idea of hydro anything doesn’t work. Plus they have a better greenhouse process that makes planting in the ground useless.

18- There is really no focus on currency in this idea, as shooting for different themes, money being the root of trouble not one of them.

19- ATV type things above ground, underground tunnels with everything from walking to hovering transports.

20- I enjoy a reasonable time travel story. Not the type that appear there just to be there, or where the tech that travels person is hokey. More like Timeless, Krypton, or Doctor Who on good days.

21- On Mars there is advanced tech where medicine as we know it is obsolete. A little more nanites and lasers a lot less oral pills and rectal anythings.

22- Mars is a dry windy planet without water, in comparison to Earth’s visible habitats.

23- Mars grows things without name at the moment, but it is edible, like all things people make do with.

24- Standard Martian wear is something of a lab coat but resistant to its environmental elements.

25- Anything can be a weapon in untrained hands…

26- #FF upcoming writers

27- Earthlings go to school and are trained for space exploration. Martians learn by doing.

#RomanceNaNoPrep

1- Hi, Nicole here. Library worker by day/night/weekend, writer every other chance. Currently two and a half books into my #RedLetters series. So far all I’ve ever written falls into womens fiction category.

2- For Red Letters? 50K is just going to start it. They end up being easily 80-100K, even if its more like 200K words that have to be split into two different books...

3- Romance is my sub genre, as it reads more like womans fiction first. But the other books in the series cover more of the slice of life/journey stuff. This one would have a heavier romantic tone.

4- I love a good believable romance. Whether it starts off as a one night stand or getting to know each other first, the characters have to be real and well rounded. Funny is a plus but not cartoony or asks me to assume too much.

5- Depends on the mood. If I need a little escape, a sweet romance will do the trick. But if I need to be reminded of what it’s like to be human outside of working too much or need a serious escape, steamy tends to have a better grip on me.

6- #RedLetters started as an RP… don’t know where the 💜 of romance came from, but I’ve been writing about it as long as I can remember. Helps that hubs & I have been together 10+ yrs & we’re good friends first. Learned lots about relationships from that alone.

7- The main characters in #RedLetters has always been Naomi, better known as Tweety and the musician Woods. There is a whole host of other characters that are important, and Greg may become an MC… if he stays Greg of course.

8- Well, it’s not really a special meaning, so much as an inside joke. Tweety got her nickname from an outfit she wore, and a drunk-ish Cockney woman. The rest as they say is history…

9- Honestly? Kind of a fan of Emma Stone. Looks sweet and innocent, but can be sassy and a bit sexy too. All around package, inside and out I think.

10- I might have the Evil Other Woman cliche… At least on the surface. Hoping the history fleshes this out to be a full story not just a mad woman scorned thing...

11- Big fan of sassy heroines (aka no weak and fainty unrealistic women) and maybe a touch of the second chance at love thing…

12- #FF #followfriday  @MaeBaumWriter @klimov_author  have been #prepping with me since day one... plus I like the stuff @K_A_Grayson  does in her rockstar #romance...

13- When they first met, Tweety was about 21/22. Woods was 24/25. When they meet again about 5 years later, Woods is 30, Tweety will have a birthday in that book.

14- The characters are struggling 20's. Woods is higher in class while trying to do it himself. Tweety's poorer & finding herself. Inside the bar/club, social status doesn’t matter, & in some cases, makes you less important the more important you assume you are.

15- Woods sister approves, eventually. Tweety doesn’t talk to her parents, instead relying on Frost the manager to be her father figure. After a good bit of threatening during a chat with Woods, Frost approved too.

16- In this book? Friendly enemies. Tweety is not happy to see him, but she is never a rude sort, more the kill with kindness type. Woods is more eager to charm her into regretting her choices and occasionally bringing up the past, even if facts are distorted...

17- What brings Tweet and Woods together? A certain book… you know when you get that déjà vu feeling? Except you have proof from your side of the tale too. Trouble is that the truth has its own version…

18- What’s keeping them apart? Lots of hurt pride, broken hearts, completely different lifestyles… But even with all that past, the thing that made them unique is still there.

19- Remember yesterday, when I said different lifestyles? Yeah. West coast musician with a wildly successful touring band vs an East coast wildly famous bar/nightclub owner. One is always on the go, the other is happily rooted to one spot. Plus the same problems as last time- other people.

20- Woods can be a bit too thick headed or obtuse for Tweet’s liking. Woods isn’t exactly annoyed by her running off tendency, but it isn’t making his days any better either.

21- Well, this pair have been together before, and neither were all that innocent then. But since then… One has gone full on flavor of the month style, while the other is much more cautious about their reputation.

22- Woods & Tweet = the infamous Ghostbusters “don’t cross the streams” thing. It’s a peppy flirt who makes you question if she’s as naïve as she sounds vs a rogue with all the manners of that bad boy you need to leave with. Their game is holding out the longest & upping the stakes…

23- Their first kiss? Very steamy yet semi polite in front of the crowd… You see, it was Halloween, and there were sexy costumes… someone didn't speak, just acted, and the rest is... in the book!

24- In this series, I love that Tweet and Woods flirt at the level of chess moves sometimes. Tweety makes a man play on her level or the game is over. If you use tired lines or give the answer she expects when giving you enough rope to hang yourself… well she’s already over it.

29- Favorite quality about-

Tweety- She’s amazing at making people feel welcome and free to be themselves.

Woods- He’s got an awesome amount of patience and tolerance. The not being jealous adds to his charms.

30- Least favorite quality about-

Tweety- Always with the bright, happy side even if it hurts…

Woods- He picks up a ghost nickname for a reason you know.

31- This has been fun, and I’m totally ready for #NaNoWriMo! (Sits and waits for the clock to strike 12…)

#CharactersTell

1/10- “Oh, it’s my favorite month! Halloween weekend parties are our best buiness, and the most fun! Of course I have to come chat about #RedLetters with you all. You all know me as miss Tweety...”

2/10- Tweety- “Why i’m your hostess with the most-ess! I run the front of house at Soulful, in addition to being a co-owner.”

3/10- Tweety- “It’s only lonely in the sense of responsibility. Otherwise, I have a ton of staff and regulars around at any given time.”

4/10-Tweety- “I guess? I’m great with a lot of things, but Nira is best with the finances, so I leave that to him. Since I started being a waitress, I had him investing & asked for what I needed to buy clothes with. Best way to pay him back for the couch surfing.”

5/10- Tweety- “My time off is usually when I sleep. Now there is some help so I can leave before I start falling asleep, but other than writing, I wouldn’t know what to do with time off.”

6/10- Tweety- “Adventure happens all around the club. You never know what Bebe will do when bored, at least my job and the respect given to me, keeps the place from falling down around it all.”

7/10- Tweety- “Well, I would hope that my kindness keeps me in high esteem… Why else would we be so packed all the time? I know there are those against me, because I built a following from scratch.”

#CharactersTell

8/10- “I'm Greg, Gus’ grandson and recent college grad with a degree in business.”

9/10- Greg- “I had a few odds jobs, some for the experience more than the money, but yeah I work a lot.”

10/10- Greg- “I'm not nefarious. Just a regular guy with an inheritance that apparently affects others…”

11/10- Greg- “That's what I'm trying to decide! A piece of a prosperous club or a life on my own…”

12/10- Greg- “Trying not to do that with this choice. You know, this isn't really helping me decide, not when you're highlighting the downsides…”

13/10- Greg- “Progressive. Smart, firm when I have to be. Not overly nice, you will know I'm the boss.”

14/10- Greg- “If I decided to take the ownership, it's really like a slow raise. Or I sell it and make a windfall quick…”

#CharactersTell

15/10- Rolls in on those shoes with wheels inside “Duranta at your service, but everyone calls me Runta! Soul’s not so resident clothing designer and somewhat personal shopping friend to Tweet, if you must know.

16/10- Runta- laughs “Of course not! It takes money and patronage to become a designer who makes money. They wanted me to have a different sort of full time boring work.”

17/10- Runta- “I’ve made a few fashion week shows, and have some amazingly supportive fans who basically are fashion influencers in their own rights...” #spoilers

18/10- Runta- “Sure, I mean clothes and fashion is how you see a person, so of course people have stereotypes based on looks, but I don’t play that game.”

19/10- Runta- “Absolutely! Networking is a big part of what I do! Connections get me everywhere.”

20/10- Runta- “Total workaholic! A friend of mine says that if you love what you do, it’s not working, but living. And I am living for this life!”

21/10- Runta- “I learned a few things from the place I got my start. Hire people good at what they do, and that you can stand being around constantly. So yeah, the people who work for me become a family, since we’re together that much.”

[victorineb]

Alana Finds Out: Freddie Finds Out

Another instalment of AFO in honour of Ladies of Hannibal week... in which Freddie Lounds lands an exclusive.

Also on AO3.

Alana Bloom was fit to kill.

She had begun the day in a great mood, feeling well rested and optimistic about the article she had finished the night before. Even having woken up without Hannibal in her bed – stay home or I'll never get this work finished, she'd told him – she was feeling good right down in her bones.

It lasted for about thirty-seven minutes.

Freddie fucking Lounds.

Alana had taken to checking the horrifying Tattlecrime website over morning coffee after Will Graham’s incarceration. She loathed walking into her office or the FBI only to be blindsided by Lounds’ latest exclusive. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid it was to pre-empt it by adding to the hateful woman's hit count. Since her obsession only seemed to escalate with Will’s release, Alana now found herself checking the site several times a day, irritated with herself every time she did it.

So she wasn't surprised to see Will's name, once again plastered all over the home page.

The headline, however, did give her a moment’s pause.

PLAYING DOCTORS AND NURSES? Hannibal Lecter spends the night with recently released patient Will Graham – does sex with your therapist improve mental health?

Below it were two pictures, clearly taken from the bushes opposite Hannibal’s house in the early hours of the morning. The first depicted Will just stepping off Hannibal’s front step, while Hannibal stood in the doorway, still dressed in pyjamas and robe. Their arms were outstretched towards each other, suggesting, if one were inclined to believe it – of course Freddie would be – that they had just been holding hands. There was even a red circle around their hands, just to direct the reader’s opinion in that way.

The second picture showed Will, turned towards the camera to open his car, with what Alana could only interpret as a disbelieving, slightly dazed grin on his face. Behind, now on the front step himself, Hannibal was watching Will with an expression of contentment. He looked like someone had just given him the best gift in the world.

Alana had to admit, she could almost understand how that expression could be misinterpreted.

But Alana knew Hannibal was often more expressive in his affection towards Will. He was working hard to re-establish their friendship – despite her misgivings – and Will had in the past responded well to Hannibal's directness with him. This picture just seemed to prove his work was paying off. They'd probably had dinner and Will, maybe the worse for wear from drinking, had spent the night in a guest room.

It certainly didn't mean what Freddie Lounds was suggesting.

Alana’s first stop that morning was scheduled to be at the BAU for a consultation with Jack Crawford. She was suddenly really not looking forward to it.

Should have known. I just should have known it.

Alana had managed to make it through the car park and into the lobby of the BAU without catching any sympathetic looks or intrusive questions. Probably, she figured, because most people still thought she and Hannibal were just friends and colleagues.

Thank god for old-fashioned discretion.

She knew it wouldn't last forever but she thought if she could get to Jack's office without bumping into anybody, she might be able to hide in there for most of the day. Jack might be aware of the change in her relationship with Hannibal but he wouldn't pry – he was only unflinchingly insensitive when it came to his cases – and he'd probably be more sympathetic as a result.

The flash of faux fur and red corkscrews put paid to this happy notion.

“Dr Bloom!” Freddie scurried in front of Alana, effectively blocking her way. “Any comment on today's story about your boyfriend? Or is that ex-boyfriend now? So sorry, by the way.”

Alana crushed the urge to grab the woman by her hair, rejecting it as far too high school a move. Instead, she crowded against her, manoeuvring them both into a corridor and away from the open lobby.

“I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of asking how you know such personal information about me. I'm just going to tell you that you have shown yourself as being even more desperate and pathetic than anybody realised to fabricate that story out of thin air. No actual stories to write, Freddie? Burned all your contacts in law enforcement? Or have you run out of gullible idiots to seduce for information?”

“Aw, I think Brian Zeller likes you, too.” Alana glared at her and turned on her heel.

“Bye, Freddie. I'd get out of here before Jack Crawford sees you. I hear he loves to eviscerate reporters of a morning.”

“Not exactly out of thin air, Dr Bloom,” Freddie called after her.

“Yeah, I saw the photos. Pretty weak stuff, Freddie, not up to your usual standards.”

“There’s a reason for that,” Freddie said, approaching carefully. “Look, Alana,” she began. Alana shot her a look that should have turned red hair white. “Ok, Dr Bloom… I like you. You seem kind, smart, an actual honest-to-god decent person. So, I kept these,” Freddie brought her camera, set to display something from its memory, to meet Alana's eyes, “off the site. Not,” she added, “for their sake.”

Alana tried to keep her eyes from widening but couldn't stop the soft gasp that escaped her. On the camera’s mercilessly large, high-definition display was another image from Hannibal's front step. In it, Hannibal was pressed up against his doorframe, with Will wrapped around him. They were engaged in a deep kiss, mouths open, and Hannibal’s hands were resting on Will's ass.

No... were very definitely squeezing Will's ass.

Alana felt sick.

She clicked back through the images, watching in reverse as Will pushed Hannibal against the door and then disappeared back into the house, hands very clearly entwined. There were also photos, apparently from the night before, of the reception area of Hannibal's office. Taken through a window, they showed the two men, locked together again, Will's legs around Hannibal's waist as they kissed.

Any room for misinterpretation was long gone.

Freddie sighed dramatically. “Such a shame I'm a slave to my better angels. Those pictures would have tripled my hit count. I mean,” she shot Alana a sly look, “you know, they might be a pair of weirdos but they're also undeniably hot. And slash, into the bargain?” She sighed again. “My moral compass will be the ruin of me.”

Alana was contemplating exactly which part of Freddie Lounds’ anatomy she was going to smash with her own camera – her nose would probably shatter beautifully – when she was interrupted. By a voice that, if it usually rattled windowpanes, had now developed the kind of force that uprooted trees and destroyed buildings.

“FREDDIE. LOUNDS.” Jack bellowed the name in two distinct sentences.

The redhead raised her eyebrows at Alana, looking nothing so much as amused at the outburst, and turned towards the oncoming man, matador meeting bull.

Jack was definitely seeing red.

“Is there a problem, officer? I mean, agent?” Freddie Lounds would have flirted with Lucifer if she thought it would get her out of a jam. Actually, scratch that, Alana thought, Lucifer’s probably just her type.

Jack glared down at the reporter, seething. For a moment Alana thought he might hijack her plan with the camera but then he turned, folded Freddie’s arm under his own and told her, in a deceptively pleasant tone, “Ms Lounds, you will now allow me to escort you to my office and we're going to have a little chat about boundaries. Alana,” he added, looking to her apologetically as Freddie tugged unsuccessfully at his grip, “I'm so sorry you had to deal with this,” he nodded at Freddie. “I might advise getting out of here for a while, though. People just can't help themselves.” He glared at a pair of technicians who ran past, sneaking curious glances at the scene. “And keep running!” he shouted after them.

Alana considered the sense of this advice but she was having a great deal of vindictive fun watching Freddie suffer and decided keeping them company would be a better use of her time. “Actually, Jack, I'd like to come with you, if you don't mind. I've always enjoyed chatting with Freddie myself.”

“Ah,” Jack looked doubtful but quickly relented, “ok, if you'd like to. Will and Dr Lecter are already there.”

“Oh, really?” Alana felt the slow smile cross her face. “That'll just make our conversation all the more interesting, then.”

Freddie suddenly looked very keen to reach Jack’s office.

“Alana! What are you doing here?” Hannibal looked surprised as Alana filed in behind Jack and Freddie.

Will looked nothing but guilty and tried to put some distance between his body and Hannibal’s. They were perching on a set of drawers, sitting very close. Alana wasn't sure but she thought she'd seen Hannibal discreetly remove his hand from Will’s thigh. From very high on Will’s thigh. At Freddie’s gleeful look towards her, she knew she'd been right.

Alana had never thought blood could literally boil in your veins. Evidently, she was wrong.

“I came to watch the show,” she told them. It was the truth, she just wasn't sure all the players knew they were participating.

“Sit, Ms Lounds,” Jack commanded and the reporter acquiesced, her gaze flitting from one face to another in anticipation. “And take that look off your face, this is not an opportunity for you to play.”

“My apologies, Agent Crawford, there are just so many interesting dynamics in this one little room, I can't help but get a little excited,” Freddie cooed.

“Be. Quiet. Ms Lounds. Now, you are going to post and print a retraction of that ludicrous story you concocted. And you are going to stop harassing my people, or I'll have you banned from every crime scene, every courthouse, every federal building in the country. Is that clear?”

“I'm pretty certain even you can't make that stick, Agent Crawford,” Freddie replied, utterly composed. “You never have before.” Jack scowled at her.

It was almost admirable, Alana thought, how brazenly tough Freddie was. Alana knew well you didn't get anywhere in her profession – or mine – without a thick skin and rock-hard confidence.

“In any case,” Freddie continued, “I haven't said anything outright untrue. They did spend last night in each other's, no doubt delightful, company.” Alana enjoyed how this statement made the two men squirm. “And they are so intriguingly… close, for two men who swapped accusations of murder.”

“None of which had any basis in reality and all of which have been quashed,” Jack reminded her.

“Will and I have had our differences, it is true, Ms Lounds,” Hannibal interjected. “However, we have been able, after some effort, to reclaim our friendship.”

Oh, just haven't you.

“I do not see,” Hannibal continued, “how there is anything salacious in that. And I would have thought even you, Ms Lounds, would not be so cruel as to warp said friendship for such a meagre headline. We could sue, you know. I have an excellent lawyer.” Will shot him a sideways glance at that and Alana knew what he was thinking.

You know she's got other pictures, why are you provoking her?

Alana had thought the same, wondering where Hannibal's near-mythical self-control had gone in all of this.

Maybe Will just has that effect on him, she considered, bitterly.

Which thought was probably why Alana found herself becoming Freddie Lounds’ knight in shining armour.

“Why don't you show them exactly why legal action would be a very bad idea, Freddie?” she suggested, looking from Will to Hannibal. Both men turned pale.

“Why Dr Bloom,” Freddie turned to face her, “only with your express permission.”

Alana eyed Will and Hannibal, who had clearly both just realised Alana had seen exactly what Freddie hadn't posted. Hannibal cast his eyes aside, unwilling to meet her gaze. Will, though, for once met her look full-on and Alana didn't need his empathy to know he was trying to silently communicate the words I'm so, so sorry.

“Would someone like to inform me just what the hell is going on?” Jack demanded.

“Do it,” Alana told Freddie, who merely held out her camera to Jack, with a demure smile. Alana watched, as Jack’s eyes widened and a look of disbelief crossed his face. At one point he turned in his chair to look Hannibal and Will up and down, turning back with an expression pitched somewhere between disbelief and amusement. Then he seemed to remember Alana was in the room, his eyes flicking towards her, and he schooled his expression back to irritation.

Alana imagined he had just reached the shot of Will literally throwing himself at Hannibal, or possibly the subsequent one, of Hannibal lifting Will up and pushing him back against the nearest wall.

Once he had finished scrolling, Jack set the camera down, sighed and glared at Freddie. “With the exception of Dr Bloom, you are all a bunch of overexcitable children who need to be given a serious timeout. Since only one of you is my employee, I can't do that, so instead I'm going to ask every one of you damn fools to get the hell. OUT OF. MY. OFFICE.”

Alana suspected Jack had needed that bellow very much.

“And Ms Lounds?” Jack added.

“Yes, Agent Crawford?”

“I'm keeping your memory card.” He had already ejected it and, keeping eye contact with her, crushed it to smithereens under a heavy glass.

Freddie shrugged. “Shame. There were a few on there I was eager to add to my personal collection.” She winked at Will, who looked horrified. Freddie was unaffected to such a degree that Alana knew she must have already backed up her booty. Likely Jack knew it too, but smashing the card must have felt almost as good as smashing Lounds’ nose would've.

The reporter rose from her chair, collected her camera and treated them all to a wicked smile. “Lovely to see you all, as ever. Do try not to behave yourself any time soon, gentlemen. I have readers to service.” Then she spun and marched from Jack’s office. Alana suspected that, were it not for her stilettos and general… Freddie-ness, she would have been skipping.

Alana moved to leave too, Jack throwing her a sympathetic look as she went. Behind her, she heard Will call her name and curiosity got the best of her progress.

This’ll be interesting.

Will came to stand in front of her, Hannibal close behind. They weren't touching, she noticed and supposed it was for her benefit.

“I'm sorry,” he started, “we're sorry.” Hannibal looked sombre but stoic. “It hasn't been going on long, we just…”

“That's a fucking lie, Will,” Alana snapped.

“Wh… no, Alana…” Will looked lost.

“It's been going on pretty much since you two first met, you and I were just too dumb to see it. He wasn't, though,” she spat, looking at Hannibal.

“Alana, seriously…” Will pled.

“I think Alana is referring less to our physical affair and more to our emotional connection,” Hannibal explained. Will opened his mouth to object, then closed it again, defeated. “And I think in this, Alana, you must take the vast majority of your rage out on me, not Will.”

No argument here.

“While I have indeed been captivated by him since early in our acquaintance, Will's feelings towards me have always been rather more complex and difficult to define.”

“Until recently,” Alana sneered.

“Indeed. And while I'm certain Will will take more than his fair share of guilt in this, it was I who was engaged in a relationship at the time and I who should bear the brunt of responsibility.”

“Why sleep with me at all?” she asked. “We’ve known each other years without going there.”

“You were a comfort when I thought I had lost forever the thing I love most in the world. And it is my great regret that I had not the strength to resist its lure when it returned to me.”

“So… you love him?”

“Yes. For some time now.”

Alana looked at Will, who was trying to keep the smile off his face. “And you?”

“Yes.” The smile had won. “Also for some time. Alana, I know it's weird and it makes no sense and…”

“Stop,” Alana interrupted. “The truth is, I always thought if the pair of you were so inclined you'd have been made for each other. Apparently I forgot all those classes I took on fluid sexuality. I'm not forgiving you but I can't see what I get from standing in your way. Just… invite me for a really good dinner in about a month. Maybe two. And I mean really good, Hannibal. Use all your special tricks.”

Will looked somewhat doubtful at this but Hannibal covered, saying, “Of course, Alana, the very least I could do.” Will shot him a look but held his tongue and took Hannibal’s hand in his own.

“We’ll leave you in peace, Alana. Thank you for… well, for being you,” Will said with a sheepish grin. They left her in the hallway, Alana noting the way the tension seemed to fall from Will’s shoulders, possibly for the first time since she'd met him.

“Well, that was intense,” Freddie said, emerging from around a corner. “Makes you wonder what the pillow talk’s like. They make quite the fascinating pair, don't they?”

Alana sighed. “They’re both strange, high-maintenance and maddening to know. And perfect for each other.”

Freddie grinned. “Can I quote you on that?”

Alana met her eyes. “Freddie, can I see your camera for a moment?”