#anyways i've been sitting on this for MONTHS

[faithshouseofchaos]

The wing man — Max Verstappen x Leo McTavish ft Carlos Sainz

Fluff and some smut it’s short smut at the end not much it’s more teasing than actual smut

Word count 7k

Mentions — Maxiel,Lestappen, McSainz (Carlos and Leo) and smut at the end

Tagged — @the-ghost-lovwr @toasttt11 @redcrescentmoons @allphatauri

Carlos was a man on a mission. Now that he knew about his friend's crush, he was determined to play the role of wing man and set Leo up on a date with the mystery man. He didn't know who it was, but he was going to do whatever it took to figure it out.

Over the next few weeks, Carlos began to observe Leo intently, trying to pick up on any little clue that might give away the identity of his crush.

He paid close attention to the way Leo interacted with other drivers on the grid, noting any signs of increased nervousness or excitement. But Leo was good at keeping his cards close to his chest, and Carlos found it damn near impossible to figure out who his friend was crushing on.

One day, as they were sitting in the driver's lounge, Carlos decided to play his trump card. "Hey, Leo," he said, feigning casualness. "What do you think about Max Verstappen?" Leo looked up from his phone, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he quickly masked it. "Why do you ask?" he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Carlos shrugged, pretending not to notice his friend's reaction. "Oh, just curious. He's a talented guy, yeah? I mean, he's been winning races left and right lately." Leo nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, he's definitely talented. And he's got a lot of potential."

Carlos mentally fist pumped as he saw the corner of Leo's mouth twitch. Could this be the clue he was looking for? Was Max Verstappen the mystery crush?

He decided to push his luck a bit further, wanting to see if he could get another reaction out of his friend. "You know, he's single, too," he said, hoping to provoke a response.

Leo's expression froze for a fraction of a second before he regained his composure. "Is he?" he said, trying to sound disinterested. "I didn't know that."

Carlos raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Leo's reaction. "Yep. He broke up with his girlfriend a few months ago, I hear. So he's back on the market, if you're interested."

Leo's cheeks went slightly pink at the suggestion, but he tried to downplay it. "Oh, um, I didn't know that," he said, fidgeting with his phone. "But I'm not really looking to date anyone right now, anyway."

Carlos suppressed a smirk at the obvious lie. He knew his friend well enough to know that he was definitely interested in someone. And all signs pointed to Max Verstappen. Now he just had to find a way to get them together.

“I didn’t say anything about you dating Max, Leo” Carlos stated. "What? I thought... I mean, you just said..." Leo stammered, blushing furiously. He was surprised at the direction this conversation had taken. Carlos chuckled at his friend's flustered reaction, enjoying seeing him squirm. "Relax, man. I was just busting your balls. I wasn't actually suggesting you date Max. I mean, unless you want to..."

Leo's face turned even redder at the implication. "What? No, no, I don't... I don't want to date Max." he said quickly, a bit too quickly. Carlos arched an eyebrow at his friend's swift denial, a small smirk appearing on his lips.

"Are you sure about that, mate?" he teased. "You seem awfully flustered for someone who's not interested in the idea." Carlos says, teasing the Scotsman. "Come on, man. You can't fool me. I've seen the way you look at him when he's around. You're smitten, admit it."

Leo protested weakly, flailing his arms in denial. "What? No, I don't... I'm not-" he stuttered, but Carlos cut him off with a knowing chuckle.

"Save it, mate. I know you better than that. You've had a thing for Max for Ages, haven't you? Don't even try to deny it." Leo groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Okay, fine. You win. I have a bit of a crush on Max, alright? Happy now?" he said, his voice muffled by his palms.

Carlos chuckled, pleased that he had finally gotten Leo to admit it. "See? Was that so hard?" he said, grinning smugly. Leo shot him a dirty look. "You're enjoying this way too much, you know that?" he said, a hint of irritation in his voice.

“I’m your best friend. I'm supposed to enjoy this Leo” Carlos says. Leo rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but smile at Carlos's playful tone. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But do you have to torture me so much?"

"It's my job, mate," Carlos said, grinning. "As your best friend, it's my duty to give you a hard time. And right now, that involves teasing you mercilessly about your crush on Verstappen."

Leo groaned again, leaning back in his chair. "Why did I ever tell you anything?" he said, but there was no real annoyance in his voice. "Because you love me," Carlos said with a smirk. "And because you have terrible taste in men, apparently."

Leo narrowed his eyes on his friend. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with having a thing for Max. He's attractive, talented, and competitive. What's not to like?"

Carlos let out a snort. "Except for the fact that he's stubborn, cocky, and arrogant. I mean, have you seen him on the track? He's like a human wrecking ball out there." "Hey, that's just part of his appeal," Leo said, sounding somewhat defensive. "He's a fighter, and he never backs down from a challenge. That's admirable, don't you think?"

Carlos rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, admirable. Whatever you say. But don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart, okay? I warned you he's a hothead." Leo playfully smacked his friend's arm. "Oh, shut up. You're just jealous because you don't have a love life of your own."

Carlos pretended to be offended. "Hey now, that’s low. I'll have you know I have plenty of admirers, thank you very much." "Sure you do," Leo said sarcastically. "I bet they're lined up outside your hotel room every night."

"You'd be surprised, mate, I’m a passionate lover remember" Carlos said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively "But we're not talking about me right now. We're talking about your hopeless crush on Verstappen."

"It's not hopeless," Leo protested weakly. "I just... haven't had the guts to do anything about it yet. But I will. Eventually."

"Right," Carlos said skeptically. "And how long do you plan on sitting on those feelings before you make a move? Because if you wait too long, someone else might swoop in and steal him out from under you."

"Oh, I don't know," Carlos said, pretending to think. "Maybe Charles Leclerc? Or Daniel Ricciardo ? Or any of the dozens of other drivers who drool over him every time he wins a race?"

Leo's heart sank even further. "Okay, okay, I get it," he said, holding up a hand in defeat. "There are plenty of people who could potentially try to make a move on Max. But that doesn't mean I have to give up without even trying."

"Who said anything about giving up?" Carlos said, his eyes glinting with mischief. "In fact, I think I might have a solution to your little predicament."

Leo looked at him warily. "What kind of solution are we talking about here?" Carlos leaned forward, his grin widening. "You know how we're hosting that big party back at our place tomorrow night? Well, I just so happen to know that Max will be attending. And I've got an idea on how we can make sure you two end up spending some time together."

Leo's stomach twisted at the thought of seeing Max in a casual setting, surrounded by other people. But at the same time, he couldn't deny the thrill of excitement that coursed through him at the prospect. "Are you suggesting... that we play matchmaker at our own party?"

Carlos chuckled, clearly enjoying this. "That's exactly what I'm suggesting. We'll make sure you two end up alone together at some point in the night, and then let nature take its course."

Leo's mind swirled with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Spending time alone with Max was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. "I don't know..." he said hesitantly. "Won't it be obvious what we're doing? Max will definitely realize we're up to something."

Carlos scoffed. "Who do you think I am, mate? Of course it won't be obvious. We'll be sneaky about it. Max won't suspect a thing, I promise."

Leo took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew this was a huge risk, but if there was even the slightest chance of getting closer to Max, he had to take it. "Alright," he said, a hint of determination in his voice. "I'll trust you. But if this blows up in our faces, I'm blaming you."

Carlos clapped him on the back, grinning broadly. "Don't worry, mate. I've got this all under control. You just focus on looking your best and being charming as hell tomorrow night."

"Thanks, I feel so reassured now," Leo said sarcastically. "But seriously, Carlos. What if Max isn't interested in me? What if he's not even into guys? Have you thought about that?"

"First of all, Max is definitely into guys. I've seen the way he looks at you when you're not paying attention," Carlos said. "And second of all, there's only one way to find out if he's interested in you. And that's by giving it a shot."

Leo sighed, knowing that Carlos was right. "I suppose you're right. I just.... I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of him. I'd never hear the end of it."

"You won't make a fool of yourself," Carlos assured him. "Just be yourself. You're a catch, mate. Max would be lucky to have you. And if he can't see that, then he's an idiot."

That comment made Leo chuckle, his nerves slowly starting to dissipate. "Thanks, man. I appreciate the confidence boost. But what if... what if it does blow up in our faces? What if Max rejects me?"

"Then we'll deal with it," Carlos said, his tone firm. "But that's not going to happen. I have a good feeling about this, Leo. Trust me. Everything will work out, you just have to have faith."

Leo let out a shaky breath, trying to summon up some courage. "Okay," he said, steeling himself. "I trust you. Let's do this. But if it goes wrong, I'm blaming you." Carlos gave him a reassuring smile. "Deal. But it won't go wrong. I guarantee it. You'll have Max eating out of the palm of your hand by the end of the night. Just wait and see."

Leo nodded, trying to believe in Carlos' words. But inside, his stomach was still tied in knots. Spending time alone with Max was one thing. But actually flirting with him... that was a whole different ball game. But he was determined to see this through, no matter how terrifying it might be.

——

Carlos' party was in full swing. Music blared from the speakers, and the room was filled with the laughter and chatter of countless drivers and guests. Leo stood off to the side, nursing a drink as he surveyed the crowd, nervously waiting for Max to arrive.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Max walked through the doors, flanked by several members of his team. Leo's heart skipped a beat as he took in his crush's appearance. Max was wearing a sharp suit that hugged his muscular frame in all the right places, and his hair was styled back in its usual manner. He looked every part the suave and confident racecar driver.

Leo had to fight the urge to go over and say hello right then and there, but he managed to restrain himself. He knew Carlos had a plan, and he didn't want to screw things up by acting too eager. So he forced himself to stay where he was, casually leaning against the wall as he sipped his drink and watched Max schmooze with the other guests. For the next hour or so, Leo kept a watchful eye on Max from across the room. He saw him talking and laughing with other drivers and team personnel, his charm and wit on full display. Leo couldn't help but feel envious of the ease with which Max seemed to navigate social situations, but he also couldn't deny that he found it incredibly attractive.

Eventually, Carlos made his way over to Leo's side, sensing that his friend was starting to grow impatient. "Relax," he said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Everything is going according to plan. Just give it a little bit more time."

Leo took a deep breath and nodded, trying to calm himself down. "I know, I know. But it's just... he's so captivating. I can barely keep my eyes off him."

Carlos chuckled. "Yeah, he's got that effect on people. Trust me I know we were teammates at one point.But you have to keep yourself together, mate. You don't want to come on too strong and scare him away."

"I know, I know," Leo repeated, feeling a bit frustrated at how difficult this was turning out to be. He knew Carlos was right, but it was so hard to maintain composure when all he wanted to do was go over and make a move on Max.

Sensing his friend's frustration, Carlos tried to lighten the mood. "Hey, just think of it as a game. A game of strategy and finesse. You're a strategic genius on the track, aren't you? Just apply those same skills to this situation. Play your cards right, and you'll have Verstappen eating out of the palm of your hand in no time."

"Believe me, I get it," Carlos said, grinning. "But you can't let your attraction to him cloud your judgment. You have to stay focused on the endgame - getting some alone time with him."

"Right, right," Leo said, nodding in agreement. "And how exactly are we supposed to get him alone? You never told me that part of the plan." Carlos smirked. "Don't worry, I've got a plan for that too. Just relax and enjoy the party for now. Trust me, everything is going to work out exactly how it's supposed to."

Leo tried to take a deep breath and relax, but his nerves were still on high-alert. As he watched Max chatting with another driver, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, wishing that he was the one Max was paying attention to. But he shook his head, trying to stay positive. Carlos was right. There was a plan in place, and he just had to go with it.

Time seemed to crawl by, and Leo found himself growing more and more impatient as the minutes ticked by. He checked his watch every few minutes, wondering when Carlos' plan was going to take effect. He tried to distract himself by engaging in small talk with fellow party goers, but his mind kept wandering back to Max. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Max turned in Leo's direction, his gaze meeting Leo's across the room. Leo felt his heart skip a beat as their eyes locked, and his palms began to sweat. He saw Max give him a brief nod of acknowledgment before turning back to his current conversation, and Leo tried to hide the wave of excitement and nervousness that swept over him.

"He noticed you," Carlos said, appearing suddenly at Leo's side. "See? Everything is going according to plan. You just have to wait a bit longer, and then we'll make our move." Leo took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But how long do we have to wait? This is torture, man."

The night wore on, and as it grew later, the party attendees started to thin in number. Leo was still by the wall, nursing his drink, when he noticed Max making his way towards him. His heart skipped a beat as Max approached, his charming smile never leaving his face. "Hey, man. Enjoying the party?" Max asked, leaning against the wall beside Leo. Leo felt his throat go dry, his palms starting to sweat. He tried to keep his voice steady as he responded.

"Yeah, yeah. It's great," he said, taking a sip of his drink. He tried to keep his gaze focused on Max's face, but he could feel his eyes continually drifting downward, tracing the lines of Max's muscular body. Max chuckled, clearly noticing Leo's wandering gaze. "You know, you don't have to act all nervous around me. I don't bite."

"I'm not nervous," Leo lied, feeling his cheeks flush red. He tried to cover up his obvious nervousness with a smirk. "Just appreciating the view, that's all." Max raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider. "Oh, really? And what exactly are you appreciating?"

Leo swallowed hard, realizing that he had walked right into that one. "Uh, just... the party. The decorations and stuff. It's all very... festive." Max chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Leo. "Right, of course. The decorations. That's definitely what you were looking at."

Leo felt his face growing even hotter and knew he was blushing. "shut up," he mumbled, taking another sip of his drink. Max just chuckled again, still amused by Leo's flustered response. "Relax, man. I'm just messing with you. But seriously though, you're as red as a tomato right now. Do I make you nervous or something?"

"No, no," Leo denied weakly, trying to pull himself together. "You don't make me nervous. I'm just... feeling the effects of a few too many drinks, that's all." He tried to take another sip of his drink, but his shaking hand almost spilled it. Max chuckled again, clearly not convinced by Leo's flimsy excuse. "Right, it must be the alcohol. Not the fact that you're standing here, stuttering and blushing like a fool in front of me."

Leo mentally cursed himself for being so obvious. He tried to come up with a witty retort, but his brain was not cooperating. "Well, maybe I'm just not used to being around someone as attractive as you, alright?" he muttered, hating himself for admitting that out loud.

Max smirked again, clearly enjoying this. "You think I'm attractive, huh?" he asked, leaning in a bit closer. "You're not so bad yourself, you know. When you're not acting all nervous and tongue-tied, that is." Leo's heart raced at their sudden proximity. He tried to keep his cool, but Max's playful demeanor and the smell of his cologne were making it difficult to think straight. "Yeah, well... you're not exactly hard on the eyes either," he managed to say, his voice cracking slightly.

Max chuckled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're really not very good at the whole being-chill thing, are you? It's kind of adorable, actually."

Leo felt his face flush even more, if that was possible. "I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, taking another sip of his drink. "I'm totally chill. Completely cool."

Max chuckled again, clearly not buying it. "Yeah, totally cool. That's why your face is beet red and you can barely string together a coherent sentence. Totally chill."

Leo groaned inwardly, knowing that Max was right. "Shut up," he muttered, taking a gulp of his drink. "I'm trying my best, alright?"

Max chuckled again, clearly enjoying making Leo squirm. "I know, I know. And like I said, it's kind of adorable. But seriously, relax. You don't have to act all nervous and awkward around me. I don't bite, remember?"

Leo forced himself to take a slow breath and calm his racing heart. "Right, yeah. No biting. Got it." He managed a shaky smile. "I guess I'm just... not used to being around someone as confident and charming as you, that's all." Max chuckled again, clearly enjoying this banter. "Confident and charming, huh? I like the sound of that. But for the record, I'm not trying to be charming or anything. I'm just being myself. If you can't handle it, that's your problem."

"I can handle it," Leo retorted, though his voice still wavered slightly. "I'm not some timid little mouse, you know. I can handle my own conversation." Max raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Leo's bravado. "Oh, really? Is that so? Then why do you look like you're about to pass out from nervousness every time I get close to you?"

Leo cursed inwardly, knowing that Max was making a good point. He tried to come up with a clever comeback, but his brain felt like mush. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, sounding unconvincing even to his own ears. "I'm not nervous."

Max chuckled again, clearly enjoying this. "Yeah, you definitely sound like a confident guy who's not at all intimidated by me," he teased, taking a step even closer. "Your trembling hands and flushed cheeks really sold it." Leo felt the heat of Max's body inches away from his own, and his heart skipped a beat. He could feel the warmth radiating off of him, and the scent of his cologne was intoxicating. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his cool. "I... I just..." he stammered, struggling to form coherent thoughts.

Leo tried to resist the effect that Max's voice was having on him, but he was powerless against it. He felt his knees growing weak and his stomach flipping in somersaults. "I..." he tried to speak, but his voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

Max chuckled again, feeling the power he had over Leo. "Cat got your tongue, eh?" he teased, leaning in even closer. "You know, this is kind of fun. Reducing the great Leo McTavish to a bumbling, stuttering mess with just a few words."

Leo felt his stomach do another flip at Max's words. He tried to summon up whatever courage he had left, but it was all lost in a wave of desire and longing. "You're... you're doing this on purpose," he muttered weakly, hating himself for how pathetic he sounded. Max chuckled again, leaning in even closer until their faces were mere inches apart. "Of course I am," he replied, his voice low and seductive. "And it's working, isn't it? Look at you, all flushed and shaking. It's almost too easy."

Leo couldn't deny how true that was. He was totally under Max's spell, vulnerable and powerless. He tried to take a step back, to put some distance between them and regain his composure, but his legs felt weak and wobbly. "I... I can't..." he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Max chuckled again, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Leo. "Can't what?" he teased, his breath hot against Leo's neck. "Can't form a coherent thought? Can't keep your legs from shaking? Can't resist me?"

Leo shuddered as Max's breath tickled his skin, sending heat coursing through his body. He felt powerless against the tide of desire that was threatening to consume him. "Please," he whispered, his voice shaking. "Don't do this. You're making it impossible for me to think straight." Max chuckled again, his lips hovering just millimeters from Leo's ear. "That's the point," he whispered back, his breath hot and seductive. "I want you to feel off-balance and disoriented. I want you to be completely at my mercy. Is it working, huh?"

Leo shivered as Max's words sent ripples of pleasure through his body. He knew he should resist, should push Max away and take back control of the situation. But he was powerless against the force of Max's charisma and appeal. "Yes," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "It's working. You're... you're driving me crazy."

Max chuckled again, clearly pleased with himself. "Good," he whispered, his lips still hovering just millimeters from Leo's ear. "That's exactly what I wanted. To drive you crazy. To make you weak in the knees. To make you want me so badly that you can't think straight."

Leo shuddered again as Max's words washed over him. His brain was a hazy mess of desire and longing, and all he could focus on was the heat of Max's body and the sound of his voice. "I... I do want you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want you so badly it hurts."

Max chuckled again, clearly satisfied that he had reduced Leo to such a vulnerable state. "I know you do," he whispered, his lips finally brushing against Leo's ear. "And I want you too. More than you could ever imagine. it’s why my girlfriend and I broke up"

Leo felt a jolt of surprise at Max's words. "Your... your girlfriend?" he managed to say, trying to force his brain to focus through the haze of desire. “I swing both ways Leo” Max says casually. Leo's mind froze as he processed Max's words. He had suspected that Max might not be straight, given his confident demeanor and charming personality, but hearing it confirmed was still a surprise. "You... you're bi?" he managed to say, his voice wavering slightly.

Max chuckled again, clearly amused by Leo's surprise. "Yeah, I am," he said, his voice nonchalant. "What, did you seriously think I was straight this whole time?"

“Well yeah?…actually but now that I think of it you and Daniel make so much sense now” Leo states.

Max chuckled at that, clearly amused by the implication that he and Daniel had given off a bisexual vibe together. "What, just because we're close friends and comfortable around each other?" he said with a smirk. "Just because we're affectionate and handsy, you immediately assumed we must be secretly boyfriends?"

"Well... yeah," Leo admitted sheepishly, feeling a little embarrassed. "I mean, you guys always seemed really close and comfortable with each other. It just kind of seemed like there was something more going on." Max chuckled again, clearly amused by Leo's assumptions. "Nah, man, it's not like that. Daniel and I are just really good friends, that's all. We're comfortable with each other because we've known each other for years. We might mess around and flirt with each other a lot, but it's all in good fun. There's nothing romantic or sexual between us."

“Ok so what about you and Charles?” Leo asked. Max chuckled again “I’ll be honest there was this one time when Charles and I hooked up but it was a one time thing” Max says. Leo was surprised to hear about Max and Charles' encounter, but he had to admit that it was intriguing. "Really? When was that?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

Max shrugged. "It was a few years ago, at some after-party. We were both drunk and frustrated and horny, and one thing led to another." He chuckled again, clearly amused by the memory. "It was fun, but it was just a one-time thing. We never spoke about it again afterwards."

Leo felt a pang of jealousy at the thought of Max and Charles together, but he tried to push it aside. He had to remind himself that it had been years ago and didn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things. "So you guys are just friends now, huh?" he asked.

"Yeah, of course," Max replied, shrugging as if it was no big deal. "We're both professional drivers and we have to maintain a certain level of professionalism towards each other. We didn't want anything coming between that."

“Now what about you and Carlos?” Max asked Leo. Leo's face flushed as Max brought up the subject of him and Carlos. He tried to keep his voice calm and measured. "Me and Carlos? What about us?"

"Oh come on, don't play coy with me," Max said with a smirk. "I've seen the way you two look at each other. There's something going on there, isn't there?"

“There was this one time” Leo whispered Max's smirk widened as he heard Leo's whisper. "Aha, I knew it," he said, leaning in closer. "Spill the details, man. What happened between you and Carlos?" Leo felt his face flushing even more as Max pressed him for details. He hadn't talked to anyone about that night with Carlos, and the memories still felt fresh and raw. "We... we kissed," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Max raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Leo's confession. "You kissed, huh? That explains a lot," he said with a smirk. "But that's all you did, right? Just a kiss?"

"Yeah, just a kiss," Leo confirmed, his heart racing as he remembered the way Carlos' lips had felt against his own. "It was... it was kind of a heat-of-the-moment thing. We were both drunk and emotional, and it just happened. and besides as much as I love Carlos he isn’t the one I want.” Leo says.

Max raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Leo's admission. "Oh really, he isn't the one you want? Then who is?" he asked, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “You” Leo says looking into Max’s eyes. Max's smirk faded, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise at Leo's bold admission. "Me?" he repeated, as if he wasn't quite sure he had heard Leo correctly.

"Yeah, you," Leo confirmed, his voice shaky but determined. "I can't explain it. There's just something about you that draws me in. I can't stop thinking about you. I want you so badly it hurts. but you always piss me off and you drive me insane”

Max was speechless for a moment, clearly taken aback by Leo's words. He had been teasing and flirting with Leo all night, taking pleasure in reducing him to a stuttering mess. But now the tables had turned, and it was Max who was flustered and off-balance. "I... uh..." he stammered, fumbling for a response. Leo chuckled at the sight of Max being flustered for once. "Speechless, huh?" he teased, emboldened by the fact that he had finally gotten under Max's skin. "It's nice to see you at a loss for words for once."

Max's cheeks reddened as he tried to regain his composure. "Shut up," he muttered, trying to sound gruff and unbothered. "You just caught me off guard, is all. I didn't expect you to be so... honest about your feelings."

Leo smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having finally broken through Max's cocky facade. "What, did you think I was just going to keep pining after you like some lovesick puppy?" he teased. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I've got some bite in me too." Max chuckled at that, clearly amused by Leo's newfound confidence. "Oh, I know you've got a bite," he said with a smirk. "I just hadn't expected you to be so direct about it. It's kind of sexy, actually."

Leo felt his face flush at Max's words, but this time it was from arousal rather than embarrassment. "Do you want to get out of here?” Leo asked. Max's eyes darkened as he picked up on the change in Leo's tone. "Hell yes," he said, his voice low and rough. "Lead the way." Leo felt a thrill of excitement run through him as Max agreed to leave with him. Without a word, he grabbed Max's hand and led him out of his apartment that he temporarily shared with Carlos, weaving between the people and the door.

Once they were out of the apartment, the cool night air hit them like a blast, bringing them back to reality for a moment. But Max quickly recovered and pulled Leo closer, pinning him up against the wall of the building. "You're playing a dangerous game, McTavish," Max growled, his voice low and seductive. "Leading me out of the apartment like this. You have no idea what I'm going to do to you."

Leo felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine as Max growled in his ear. "Is that a threat or a promise?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. Max chuckled darkly, his hands roaming over Leo's body as he pressed him even harder against the wall. "Both," he whispered, his lips brushing against Leo's ear. "You have no idea what you're in for."

Leo's breath hitched as Max continued to explore his body with his hands, his touch setting every nerve ending on fire. "Then what are you waiting for?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Do your worst."

Max chuckled at Leo's challenge, clearly enjoying the way he squirmed and shivered under his touch. "You're gonna regret asking for that," he warned, his fingers slipping under Leo's shirt and tracing a path of heat across his skin. Leo let out a soft moan as Max's fingers danced across his skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. "I doubt it," he retorted, his voice trembling slightly. "I can handle whatever you dish out."

Max laughed again, his lips now trailing kisses down the side of Leo's neck. "We'll see about that," he murmured, his tongue darting out to taste Leo's skin. "Because I'm just getting started."

Max led Leo towards his apartment, his hands still holding onto him possessively. Once they were inside, he pushed Leo up against the wall and kissed him fiercely. Their lips and tongues tangled in a heated kiss, their bodies pressing tightly together. Leo wrapped his arms around Max’s neck, pulling him closer as he surrendered to the overwhelming sensations. Max's hands roamed over Leo's body, exploring every inch of him. He slipped his hands under Leo's shirt, his fingers tracing patterns over his skin. Leo gasped as Max's touch ignited sparks of pleasure through his body, his knees weakening as his desire for Max reached a dizzying height.

Max broke the kiss suddenly, panting for breath. "Come on," he ordered, his voice low and gruff. "Bedroom. Now." Leo nodded, his brain too muddled with desire to form words. He allowed Max to lead him towards the bedroom, his heart racing with anticipation. As they entered the room, Max pushed him down onto the bed and straddled him, his gaze intense and predatory. Max leaned down, his lips trailing down Leo's neck and along his collarbone. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this," he murmured, his breath hot against Leo's skin. "How long I've thought about having you like this, all to myself."

Leo let out a moan as Max's lips found a particularly sensitive spot on his throat, his hips bucking up involuntarily.

Max chuckled darkly, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Leo. "So impatient," he teased, running his tongue along the edge of Leo's ear. "Don't worry, you'll get what you want. But first, I want to take my time with you. I want to savor every moment of this."

Max slowly began to unbutton Leo's shirt, his fingers trailing over each inch of newly exposed skin. Once the shirt was discarded, Max's lips and tongue followed the same path, exploring every contour of Leo's chest and stomach. Leo writhed beneath him, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as the heat began to pool low in his belly. Max looked up at Leo, a smug smirk on his face. "You're so responsive," he murmured, his hands roaming over the bare skin of Leo's torso. "I love the way you react to my touch. It's like your body was made for me."

Leo could only manage a moan in response, his brain too consumed by desire to form coherent words. He wanted more of Max's touch, more of his kisses, more of everything he was offering. But Max was taking his time, driving him slowly insane with every teasing caress.

Max's hands moved lower, trailing down towards the waistband of Leo's jeans. He lingered there for a moment, teasing the sensitive skin with light touches. "Do you want me to keep going?" he asked, his voice low and sultry. “Yes please” Leo begged desperately.

Max chuckled, clearly enjoying the desperation in Leo's voice. "Since you asked so nicely," he teased, his fingers quickly unfastening the button on Leo's jeans. He slowly began to pull them down, revealing more and more of Leo's skin with each inch of fabric that he removed.

Once Leo's jeans were discarded, Max took a moment to admire the sight before him. Leo was splayed out beneath him, his body flushed and trembling, his eyes dark with desire. Max ran his hands over Leo's thighs, his touch gentle but possessive.

"You're so beautiful," Max murmured, his gaze roaming over every inch of Leo's body. "I can't believe I get to have you like this." He leaned down, his lips brushing against Leo's ear as he continued to talk. "But trust me, we're just getting started."

Max began to kiss and nibble his way down Leo's body, his lips and tongue trailing over every sensitive spot he could find. Leo moaned and arched his back, his body seeking more of Max's touch. He felt like he was on fire, his senses overwhelmed by the pleasure coursing through him.

"I love the way you react to me," Max murmured, his lips moving lower and lower down Leo's body. "I love the sounds you make, the way you writhe and squirm beneath me. I could do this all night, just drive you crazy with pleasure until you're begging me to let you come."

"Please," Leo gasped, his fingers gripping the sheets tightly. "I can't take much more of this. I need you. Now."

Max chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Leo. "So impatient," he teased, his hands slowly moving to Leo's underwear. "But I suppose I've tortured you enough." He slowly pulled off Leo's underwear, his eyes darkening with desire as he took in the sight of Leo's naked body. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined," he murmured, his hands roaming over Leo's skin.

Max leaned down, pressing his body against Leo's. He captured his lips in a kiss, his tongue delving deep into his mouth as he rolled his hips against him. Leo moaned into the kiss, his body arching up to meet Max's every touch. Max pulled back slightly, breaking the kiss but still keeping his body pressed against Leo's. "Are you ready for more?" he asked, his voice low and rough. "Because I'm not even close to being done with you yet."

Leo nodded, his brain too foggy with desire to form words. He was completely at Max's mercy, his body trembling with need and anticipation. He wanted more of Max, more of his touch, his kisses, everything. Max nodded, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "That's what I thought," he said, his hands gripping Leo's hips tightly. He began to press kisses and nibbles down Leo's neck and chest again, his body still grinding against him in a slow, maddening rhythm. Leo arched his back, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Max continued to tease and torment him. His fingers dug into the sheets, desperate for something to anchor himself to as the pleasure swirled through him like a maelstrom.

Max continued his path down Leo's body, his mouth and hands exploring every inch of skin he could reach. He took his time, savoring the taste and feeling of Leo under him. Leo's moans and gasps grew louder and more desperate, his body writhing under Max's touch. "You're so close, aren't you?" Max murmured, his lips now hovering millimeters above the most sensitive part of Leo's body. "I can feel how badly you want to come. You're shaking for me."

"You're so close, aren't you?" Max murmured, his lips now hovering millimeters above the most sensitive part of Leo's body. "I can feel how badly you want to come. You're shaking for me.” max says his hand stroking Leo’s throbbing length

Leo could only moan in response, his body arching up towards Max's touch. He was so close, so impossibly close, his body wound up tight like a coiled spring. "Please," he gasped, his voice strained and broken. "I need... I need..."

Max chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Leo. "Shhh," he whispered, his hand continuing to gently stroke Leo's length. "I know what you need. Just a little more. Just a little longer."

Max shifted his body slightly, positioning himself between Leo's legs. He continued to tease and stroke him, his touches deliberate and precise. "You're doing so well," he murmured, his eyes fixed intently on Leo's face. "Just a little more. Let go for me."

With that, Max's hand moved faster, his touch more insistent. Leo's body tensed up, his breath catching in his throat as the pleasure coiled tighter and tighter inside him. And then, suddenly, it snapped. He let out a guttural moan, his body arching up off the bed as his release hit him in waves max following shortly after. Max collapsed on top of Leo, his breath coming in short gasps. They lay there for a moment, their bodies pressed against each other, both of them reeling from the intensity of their pleasure. "That was... incredible," Leo said finally, his voice hoarse and raspy.

Max chuckled shakily, still trying to catch his own breath. "Incredible doesn't even begin to describe it," he replied, his hand tracing lazy patterns across Leo's skin. "I don't think I've ever felt anything like that before."

Leo smiled sleepily, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over him now that the initial rush of pleasure had faded. "Me neither," he murmured, his eyelids drooping shut. "I think you might have worn me out." Max chuckled again, shifting his body to pull Leo closer to him. "Go to sleep," he whispered, his fingers running through Leo's hair. "You look exhausted." Leo mumbled something in agreement, already half asleep. He snuggled closer to Max, burying his face in his chest. The last thing he remembered before drifting off was the feeling of Max's arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly.

Max watched Leo sleep for a moment, a small smile on his face. He knew they had a lot to talk about in the morning, but for now he was content to just hold him close and enjoy the feeling of having him in his arms. He let out a sigh, feeling the exhaustion settle over him as well.

"Goodnight, Leo," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of his head. "Sleep well." With that, he closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep, already looking forward to seeing what the morning would bring.

[solesoldier-a]

𝑴𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑺𝑼𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑶𝑹 𝑱𝑼𝑴𝑷 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑮𝑼𝑵  …     an  independent  and  highly  selective  portrayal  of CDR. JANE SHEPARD of Bioware’s Mass Effect .  written  by  monk  and  established  in 2014 .  under  18  and  personals  do  not  interact  .   ©

[egophiliac]

felt like expanding on that earlier Malleus and Silver doodle! ...and then I immediately screwed up the resolution beyond repair so, uhhh, hopefully my lines don't look completely borked! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

[arvoze]

the fool & the tower, for the PMDWU tarot event/art gallery :-] keith & xurkitree

[meatballsander]

Decided to get silly and draw the inverse of the iconic "Victory Soldier" poster. And make it Heavymedic, of course.

Inspiration, progress pics, and alt versions under the cut

This poster! Always been a fan.

Initially I was gonna keep the same setting & color scheme, but the original poster distinctly has the top two thirds warm tones/bottom third cool tones. If I wanted to keep the piece cohesive it'd have to be RED Heavymedic vs BLU Soldier. And the more I thought about that the less it felt explicitly like Heavymedic fanart and more like propaganda for the RED team.

So I set it on Snowycoast! Its sky box and layout let me have cool top thirds/warm bottom third. Also it's one of the most beautiful maps in the game and I love drawing night scenes. Literally no downsides.

Progress pics!

Textless version, and an alt text version I made at the request of a friend:

And finally, since you've reached the bottom, some memes I made while working on it.

:)

[mgrace-art]

We're leaving the planet,

and you can't come!

[tblsomedoodles]

Donnieverse wip b/c i'm really excited about this next bit and cannot wait for it to be done : )

(EDIT: i just realized that Donnieverse turn a year old on the 17. which was a surprise. I did not expect for it to become something this big from the one ask about what the Dee and Donnie would think about Webs's coat. so thank you!)

[yansurnummu]

“I’m sorry,” Drals said, his voice just above a whisper. “Yesterday, I… said some things. Things I didn’t mean, but… I think I wanted to be true.” “Why would you want those things to be true?” Azandar turned to him, leaning his head against the opposite side of the window frame. Drals sighed, mirroring him, no longer avoiding his eyes. “It’s easier, isn’t it? When you know people don’t want to stick around. When you don’t have to look at yourself in the mirror and face the things you’ve done. It’s easier being a fuckup when you’re alone. Now I feel like I’ve got an audience.” “Ah,” the corner of his mouth turned into a smile. “Introspection is a cruel mistress.” “Never knew her, before I met you.”

a scene from my fic that I really wanted to try drawing. I just love them a lot :')

[mattodore]

found out while putting together matthias's oc page that his name has the exact same etymology and meaning as theo's name...

i’m sure this is information matthias is very normal about…

[whollyjoly]

for some reason i can't explain i know saint peter won't call my name

nothing that lives, lives forever - an immortal soldier!alton more au

(1.1k of snippets from my old guard(ish) au where alton more is old, too old, and has been living and fighting far longer than anyone should. full description/other thoughts at the bottom. tw: blood, violence, mentions of death)

Alton clicked the lighter closed, running a thumb over the silver case. The night was warm, sticky in a way that he never could get used to. He sucked in a breath from the cheap cigarette, letting his head fall back against the rough side of the barracks.

It was quiet. Typically, there would be no end to the commotion coming from the small building, one of many that littered Camp Toccoa. The wall of sound was ever-present, no matter if it was shouting or laughing or snoring. But whatever the cause, there was always noise. 

No matter if it was a blanket of noise he knew well, unchanging except for the language and the scenery. Soldiers are soldiers, and some things are a constant. It could almost be comforting, if it didn’t also mean that the need for soldiers was a constant as well.

However, tonight was a Saturday, and it was one of the few weekends that Sobel had allowed Easy the use of their weekend passes. Almost every man in the company had jumped at the chance to get off base, to travel home if they could and spend time with loved ones. The ones with farther-flung hometowns had spirited off to Atlanta, happy to spend their time drinking and dancing and fucking instead of slogging through another run, three miles up, three miles down.

Normally, Alton would have joined them in their carousing - it was easier to pass the time with the effortless camaraderie built during a training camp than bored and alone. 

But today had been a bad day. The sound of swords and the shift of sand beneath his feet followed him out of his nightmares, the humid summer of Georgia morphing itself into the baking, dry heat of the desert. 

His shouts must have been real, because when a hand came to shake him out of his dream, the first face he saw was not that of a grouchy NCO, but of a blood-caked Saracen, eyes alight with righteous fury. 

Alton didn’t think. He had grabbed the knife from under his pillow, an old thing that had been sharpened more times than he could begin to count, and was on the man in less than a breath, pressing the blade into the side of his neck. The familiar thrum of blood beat against his fingertips, the grit of sand scratched his gums. He knew what he had to do, had done it a thousand times, a thousand thousand times, what was a little more bloodshed spilled across his feet-

Alton had blinked, and came to himself in a rush.

Instead of an unnamed Saracen, the ashen face of Johnny Martin stared up at him, eyes wide behind the knife.

Alton drew back his hand, retreating almost as quick as he had lunged earlier. He mumbled a quick curse and apology as he stepped out of arm’s reach from the man. It wasn’t until Martin’s eyes widened even farther that Alton realized his tongue was slipping out Arabic of all things.

Usually, Alton was better about remembering himself, who he was almost as important as where he was. But for whatever reason, his demons had decided to catch up with him that night.

After a quick smile and some quip about the Krauts in his dreams, he managed to wave an only-slightly-mollified Martin off. The shorter man apparently hadn’t forgotten it though, if his watchful eyes during chow that morning were anything to go by.

Alton was just glad that no one else was awake to see it, at least. That was the last thing he needed.

And so, instead of joining in on a weekend of broads and booze, Alton found himself waving away the invitation by an eager Smokey and bemused Alley. When the horde made their way out of the barracks, fantasizing in bawdy terms about their planned misadventures, he felt like he could breathe easy.

Fucking finally.

~~

Alton took another drag from the cigarette. He watched the smoke curl, up and up until it faded into nothing amongst the darkening sky.

The lighter was a welcome weight in his hand, grounding him to this time, this life.

The design was worn by now, details barely visible after a half century of worrying. It still managed to amaze him, sometimes, what people could do with the smallest of canvases. Alton didn’t feel the same wonder however, wasn’t as mesmerized by the beauty man could create as he once was.

But in the quiet moments, he could still appreciate the time some French craftsman took to transform a hunk of metal into a small token carried around by a dead man.

Luz had spied the lighter one weekend, and laughed at him for using something so old-fashioned. Alton just shrugged, not caring to admit that he was still getting used to having a light at his fingertips. It wasn’t all that long ago when he was still lighting a pipe with a flintlock pistol, and not so long before that when he would carry around a flint and steel.

Time was passing all the more quickly these days, technologies changing and advancing, and everyone was obsessed with needing things to be quicker, cheaper, simpler. Alton scoffed. He could hardly find it in him to care.

He glanced down at the lighter in his hand, shifting it back and forth in a practiced motion and watched as the light skittered across the sides. 

It had shown flowers, once. A veritable garden of carnations, daffodils, and lilies of the valley, with leaves spilling across the front panel onto the back. They represent good fortune, he was told. Good fortune, luck, and hope. 

When the merchant described it to him, eyes ablaze with a passion known only to those with wares to sell, Alton didn’t try to hide the snort that escaped his throat. 

Fortune and Luck had abandoned him long ago, and hadn’t returned since waking up in a battlefield abandoned by all but the dead, sword in his chest and blood in his mouth. 

And what the fuck was Alton supposed to do with hope?

It was the quote on the back that had caught his eye, all those years ago in a street market in Reims. The beveled edges had faded with time, the familiar letters Alton traced were more memory by now than any physical mark. Une vie honorable est une vie éternelle.

An honorable life is an eternal life.

Alton couldn’t help but stare at the message, both then and now. He hated that goddamn word. Immortal. Unending. Eternal. 

They were such flowery words, used by people who craved what they couldn’t have, what they shouldn’t. The romanticized idea of the everlasting, the fountain of youth, the gift of life! Alton was sick of it.

This wasn’t life. He was a fucking dead man walking. And he sure as hell didn’t do anything honorable to deserve it.

months ago, while thinking about the absolute insanity of the almost...cavalier? attitude we see alton more have over the course of the series, an idea hit my brain: what if there was a reason nothing seemed to phase him - not panzers, not being a breath away from a car wreck, not bastogne, not speirs? what if this wasn't his first war? that thought spiraled me into a minor insanity that is this: my immortal soldier!alton more au, loosely inspired by the movie the old guard (2020). the idea is that, once upon a time, there was a soldier in a land many centuries ago. one day, he died in battle. and then, he woke up. and then he died. and then he woke up. over, and over. drawn to countless battles, conflicts, and wars, each one etching itself into the core of his soul. a never-ending cycle...until one sweltering summer, where he found himself at a training camp at the foot of a mountain. anyways. at some point, i plan on writing this as a full story, but that is admittedly a long ways away. however, in celebration of alton more's birthday today, i wanted to post my favorite scene that i've written for this au! it's set sometime at the beginning of the story, in the early days of camp toccoa. mostly, it's just a character study of this version of alton more. hope you enjoyed! and of course - happy birthday alton more!

(song insp.)

taglist: @sweetxvanixlla @coco-bean-1218 @bucky32557038ww2 @georgieluz @samwinchesterslostshoe @xxluckystrike @next-autopsy @ronald-speirs @land-sh @ronsparky @panzershrike-pretz @theredrenard @kyellin

[fivewholeminutes]

Sulfur on your breath

Granite in my chest

Photos under the cut

Listen, I know the lyrics refer to sulfur's smell, but you can't just put two crystal/rock names next to each other and expect my crystal/rock loving ass to do nothing about it

The original idea did not include a box at all, but since we have one anyway, I am thrilled to inform you that i've accidentally chosen a box in which a package with minerals and rocks came to me, so the box went full circle and it's such a fitting thing for a sleep token fanart that i've literally freaked out when i've realised that

me @ the box: get euclided, idiot

[airenyah]

How BAD BUDDY SERIES | EP.11 [4/4] Tricked the Fandom

Those who were there watching Bad Buddy live will remember the chaos that ensued after episode 11 (my beloved) and with it the episode 12 preview (derogatory) dropped. Watching a happy and hopeful episode, ending in a lovely montage with an even lovelier song, being told things such as "we became two people who can’t be just friends" or "I want you to know that this world can’t change someone like me either", only to be punched in the gut by "Pat and I broke up" in the very next moment. Those of you who were there will remember how – after the fandom had finally picked up its shattered pieces – there was a scramble to figure out what the hell was happening exactly, how the hell we even got to this point.

And you will also remember the fandom deciding on a specific scene being The Breakup Scene. But how can that be? How can a breakup scene even exist when we know (in retrospective) that they never actually broke up? Did the fandom just collectively hallucinate a scene that wasn't there?

Well, no. Of course not. I think the reason why it worked, the reason why this scene managed to trick the fandom into believing that this was actually the breakup talk was because for one terrifying moment Pran himself thinks it's a breakup talk. However, the fandom was so blinded by the ep 12 preview that it completely missed one key factor from that scene which Pran did realize: it's not in fact a breakup, but the exact opposite of it.

So let's get into it, let's take a closer look at Bad Buddy Ep. 11 [4/4] (01:58 - 05:15) and Pran's emotional rollercoaster during this specific scene:

The scene starts out with Pat sitting on the bench, lost in thought. His exact thought process here is for the viewer to decide, but whatever he is reflecting on has to do with him finally accepting the inevitability of having to back home. And considering his upcoming monologue, he's probably also thinking about his love for Pran and Pran's love for him.

His thinking gets interrupted when Pran walks into the scene, dangling the shirts into Pat's face. They have an interaction about the shirts, Pat puts one on while Pran can't keep his hands off of him, they exchange some words and Pran doesn't really notice Pat's pensive mood, when suddenly –

Pat grabs Pran's hand. Pran was not expecting that, and he looks up at Pat in surprise, asking a silent What is it, what's going on? And I think it's only here that Pran really notices the weird mood Pat is in.

Pat says "thank you" and although Pran looks concerned about Pat's sudden mood change, Pat's words also make Pran smile, though he's still very confused, having absolutely no context for Pat's emotional state and thus having no idea where this is suddenly coming from. "Thank you for what?" Pran asks, still with that searching look in his eyes that asks What's gotten into you all of a sudden? Is everything alright?

Pat replies "For trying to make a silly guy like me happy". And Pran's smile falls just a little bit as he realizes that this? really isn't just Pat being his usual sappy self, this right here is a Serious™ conversation indeed:

Finally, Pran too has arrived in serious mode completely. He now shifts his attention fully to Pat, listening intently to Pat's words, staying focused on Pat the entire time.

Pat says "I know that sooner or later we will need to go back." This gets a very subtle smile out of Pran (you can see how the corner of his mouth on the right side of the screen goes up just a tiniest bit):

Pran reacts to those words, because this has been their conflict throughout the entire episode so far: Pran being realistic, having accepted from the start that they would have to return at some point while Pat was so desperately trying to stay in that pretense that they could just make a new life somewhere else and not turn back, refusing to acknowledge that in the long run this just wouldn't work out. But now Pat is finally acknowledging this, letting Pran know that he understands and that they're on the same page about this. "I know too well",* Pat says and Pran looks like he's about to cry from adoration for Pat pls he's so in love takes that acknowledgement in, still with a hint of a smile on his face.

*(Side note: I seem to hear ทำไม​กูจะไม่รู้ว่ะ (tammai-goo-jà-mâi-róo-wâ) and I think the more literal translation of this sentence would actually be something like "Why wouldn't I know?". Though I'd have to ask a Thai native to confirm as I don't trust my own Thai skills yet. Anyway, I just thought the rhetorical question was interesting in regard to Pran reacting to Pat's statement, bc the rhetorical question addresses Pran more directly compared to the declarative sentence from the subtitles. His reaction is kind of like a reply to that rhetorical question.)

But that hint of a smile is wiped right off Pran's face when Pat continues with "But I just want to stay as long as we can."

And this the moment where the thought hits Pran for the first time that Pat's speech might actually lead to a breakup. He is confused (why would they need to break up over this?) and there is now fear and worry in his eyes. He looks a little scared, his mouth twitches a little, accompanied by the tiniest headshake and there are many questions written all over his face: What are you talking about?? Where is this going?? No, it can't be... Are you implying what I think you're implying?? I don't follow...

And Pat just keeps going: "Be with you for at least one more day."

One more day. That very much does sound like a breakup, doesn't it? Especially if you're already half expecting one. This line confirms Pran's fear of Pat actually being in the process of ending their relationship, leaving Pran on the verge of tears.

But Pran is a fighter and he's not giving in that easily. He sniffs away his rising tears and says "What are you talking about? Get dressed. The bar is opening soon."

What are you saying? We're not breaking up. We're staying here, we'll work at the bar and we'll be together. It'll be fine, don't worry.

Now it's Pran's turn to deflect. To indulge in that fantasy of being able to just run away together into the sunset where everything is all sunshine and rainbows. Because Pran would much rather face the hardships that they might run into if they actually stayed at the beach together than go back home to live a life without Pat. I can be anywhere as long as I have you.

If this is Pat letting him go, Pran really doesn't want to hear it:

Unfortunately, the scene cuts to Pat really quickly, but I just need you all to appreciate Pran's pouty puppy eyes at the end there, because they're the saddest thing I've ever seen:

I won't let you do this, his eyes say. Please don't do this to me, his eyes say. Please tell me you're not really doing this, his eyes say, tell me you're coming to work at Uncle Yod's bar with me. We're staying here, together, you hear me?

Except then Pat surprises Pran yet again. And here comes the part that the fandom completely overlooked in the light of the ep 12 preview:

Because then Pat says "Nobody works on their honeymoon."

And it's absolutely hilarious how Pran's brain immediately gets stuck in "error 404 not found" mode. You can literally see the loading circle going round and round in his brain as he tries to comprehend what Pat has just said:

Honeymoon?? Why are you suddenly talking about something that's related to weddings? Weren't we breaking up a second ago? What in the world is going on?

"You never leave me. You fight alongside me. That makes me feel very happy." Pat says and that's when Pran realizes. This conversation was never about a breakup. This is a conversation about commitment. It's an acknowledgment of Pran's love for Pat and the commitment he's shown over the course of their relationship. And it's a promise that Pat appreciates it, has appreciated it in the past and will appreciate it in the future. Pat has more or less just said his wedding vows to Pran.

And that's when Pran can no longer hold back his tears. Partly due to the relief that he won't lose Pat and partly because he's so moved by Pat's speech, by Pat's love.

And then Pat tells Pran that he's finally ready to go home: "I will let Uncle Yod know that we quit. Wait for me here."

And with that Pat brings closure to the conflict of this episode. They are finally going back home, they are finally going to face their parents. But in this scene right here Pat and Pran made it clear to each other that they'll be doing so with full commitment to one other – they will be doing so together, and that's a promise. They really did just essentially get married on their little beach getaway. They got more or less engaged on the staircase in ep 10 and now in ep 11 they are following up on that engagement. This trip really was their little honeymoon. And this calls for a celebration:

"It’s our last night on this honeymoon. I will not just stay in and be lonely. If we aren’t going to work, then let’s get drunk."

You see, for an entire week the fandom was so blinded by the ep 12 preview (derogatory) and the prospect of a looming breakup that unlike Pran it completely missed the part where Pat points out that they're on a honeymoon. And who goes on a honeymoon? People who just got married.

BONUS:

Can we just appreciate Pran's face when Pat says he'll tell Uncle Yod about quitting:

You fucker really had me thinking we were breaking up for a hot moment there when the whole time this was actually a wedding. I was worried and scared for notHING, can you believe this man

[cinna-bunnie]

having vague thoughts about E3 and the current state of AAA game development in general..

like yeah direct promotions have had more of an impact than Big Events for me, and the main thing I'd want to see out of E3 are trailers for new games or the conversations that follow online - but a few points on that

I can just as easily look up “new games for [platform] [year]” on youtube

Something about the way AAA games are built these days makes me get bored of them ⅔ of the way through, if I even make it that far, on top of them charging more for less content and hiding away the rest behind multiple DLC packs

I've mostly been buying indies the past few years and have gotten a lot of fun out of them; they continue to deliver a nearly unrivaled experience of fun gameplay mechanics and interesting/emotional stories at a ridiculously low cost

I also have emulators for going back and playing old games I really liked so I'm not exactly desperate for new games

and idk!! weird to see E3 officially ending but I also think the landscape is very different these days including the game companies themselves. I'm not a game dev so I can't rly speak to what the change has looked like on their end over the past 10-20 yrs.

[lunacias]

but I swear, when I'm ready I'll fly us out of here

[morrigan-sims]

Professor Widogast

Before under the cut. (please click + open in new tab for hq on both)

[gothprentiss]

old stone to new building, old timber to new fires, old fires to ashes, and ashes to the earth (x)