#claps for caroline

[andrewmannequin]

Claps for Caroline - Party Nerve

[slow-clap-processors]

the phases of processing GLaDOS saying “I lie when I’m nervous”

🥺 awwwwwwwwwwwww

👀 you lie a looooot around chell huh…

😢 how telling is it that GLaDOS, and likely Caroline before her, learned lying as a defensive mechanism, as perfectionists who love objective truth more than anything, especially Caroline who might’ve faced imposter syndrome and struggled to cover her mistakes working in an intense, male-dominated corporation, who were in many cases powerless in the face of the men who, in GLaDOS’s case, were literally trying to shape her to their will, and in Caroline’s, might fire her over saying the wrong thing… ahhhhHHGH

[prunesart]

Something something we all know why I’m here

[blujayonthewing]

the litmus for whether a karaoke place is good is whether you can do 500 Miles and count on your fellow karaoke-goers to have your back on the dadadatdas

[pucksandpower]

Fairytale

Charles Leclerc x Princess of Monaco!Reader

Summary: Charles Leclerc has everything he could ask for (off the track, at least) including a fairytale romance … except no one actually believes that his girlfriend is really his girlfriend

Charles sighs as he walks into the drivers’ lounge, bracing himself for the inevitable teasing. Ever since he had casually mentioned having a girlfriend, and more specifically who the girlfriend in question is, his friends have been merciless.

“Wow, if it isn’t Prince Charles in the flesh! Back from another romantic getaway with his imaginary princess,” Max laughs as he enters.

“Come on mates, lay off,” Charles pleads half-heartedly. He knows it is useless.

“I just don’t get it,” Lando chimes in. “There’s no shame in admitting that you’re single. We’re racing drivers, we don’t exactly always have time for relationships.”

“Maybe his standards are too high,” Pierre suggests. “He’s actually holding out for real royalty or something.”

The others laugh as Charles feels his face grow warm. If only they believed him.

“You know what you need?” Carlos grins. “A nice Spanish girl to set you up with. My sister’s friend Elena is single, I could give you her number.”

Charles rolls his eyes. “I told you, I have a girlfriend. Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Because we’ve never seen her!” Max exclaims. “You talk about her all the time but she never comes to races or appears in photos. She might as well be a unicorn.”

“Maybe she’s just embarrassed to be seen with Charles,” Lando teases.

Charles frowns, stung by Lando’s words. If only they knew the truth. The reality is that his girlfriend is extremely famous in her own right and values the little privacy she has left too much to be seen at races. Her life is already public enough without adding the scrutiny that anyone connected to a Formula 1 driver inevitably receives on top of it. Besides, she has her own royal duties to attend to.

“Come on guys, that’s unfair,” Pierre says gently, noticing Charles’ discomfort. “If Charles says he has a girlfriend, we should believe him.”

“Thank yo—” Charles starts to say with relief. At least someone is on his side.

“Even if she is imaginary,” Pierre adds with a smirk.

Charles groans and puts his head in his hands as the laughter starts up again. He can’t really blame them for not believing him.

You are basically a fairytale princess — beautiful, elegant, and kind. Not to mention an actual member of the royal family. Her Serene Highness Princess Y/N Grace Stephanie Caroline of Monaco is the type of girl people write epic poems and songs about. Charles can hardly believe his luck that you had chosen him.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Daniel interrupts, taking pity on Charles. “Leave the poor man alone.”

“We’re just joking,” Max says defensively. “Charles knows we don’t mean anything by it.”

Charles gives Max a tight smile. “Sure.”

“Tell you what,” Daniel says, clapping Charles on the shoulder. “Bring your mystery girl to a race soon. We’ll all get to meet her and then you can finally prove these jokers wrong.”

Charles sighs. If only it were that simple. You have been tempted to attend races in the past but the scrutiny both of them would come under is just too much. You treasure the privacy your relationship allows. But maybe Daniel is right. Maybe it is time for you to finally meet his friends. After all, you are the love of his life. There is nothing to hide.

“Alright, deal,” Charles says finally. “I’ll ask her.”

The others exchange surprised looks, not expecting him to agree.

“Can’t wait to meet her,” Carlos says with a wink.

Charles rolls his eyes again but smiles. One way or another, he is going to prove to them that his amazing girlfriend isn’t just a figment of his imagination.

***

Charles is still thinking about you when he is suddenly accosted by Silvia, Ferrari’s Head of Communications, after practice.

“Charles! Just who I was looking for,” she says briskly. “I need to discuss something rather important with you.”

Charles suppresses a groan. Conversations with Silvia are never fun. “What’s up?” He asks with forced cheerfulness.

Silvia lowers her voice. “It’s about your relationship status. We feel it would be beneficial if you were seen dating someone … compatible.”

Charles’ eyebrows shoot up. “Compatible?”

“Yes. A model. Or perhaps an actress. Someone who would look good on your arm and boost your image.”

Charles folds his arms defensively. “What’s wrong with my girlfriend?”

Silvia waves a hand impatiently. “Yes yes, this alleged princess you keep mentioning. The problem, Charles, is that no one has seen her. No one knows if she is actually connected to you in any way. So, as far as we are concerned, for all intents and purposes, you are single.”

Charles frowns. This again. “I keep telling you that she’s really my girlfriend. Y/N is just very private.”

“Private women don’t date Formula 1 drivers,” Silvia says bluntly. “If she really was in a relationship with you, she would be here. But since that is clearly a figment of your imagination, we need to take steps.”

Charles feels his blood boil. How dare Silvia insult his relationship with Y/N? Question their connection?

“Here are profiles of suitable options,” Silvia continues, shoving a surprisingly heavy folder at him. Charles doesn’t open it.

“No.”

Silvia blinks. “No?”

“My relationship with Y/N is off limits,” Charles says firmly. “My personal life is exactly that — personal. Not to be exploited for PR.”

“Don’t be foolish,” Silvia snaps. “This is bigger than you. Your image reflects on Ferrari. We need to be able to control it.”

“No. What you need to do is back off,” Charles shoots back.

Silvia’s nostrils flare. Clearly she isn’t used to such defiance. “Charles, be reasonable—”

“I am being reasonable,” Charles interrupts. “I won’t pretend to date someone just because the team wants me to. I’m with Y/N. I don’t care if you believe me or not.”

Silvia shakes her head in disgust. “You’re making a big mistake. Don’t come crying to me when this blows up in your face.”

She storms off, heels clicking angrily against the floor.

Charles takes a deep breath, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He can’t remember the last time he stood up to Silvia like that. It felt good but also nerve-wracking. He knows she won’t let this go easily.

His phone buzzes and his heart leaps when he sees it’s a text from you.

Heard you had a rough day. Wish I could be there to make it better. I love you 💋

Charles smiles, the tension in his shoulders easing. You always knew just what to say and when to say it.

He quickly types back.

I wish you were here too. No matter what anyone says, they can’t change my feelings for you. I love you so much ❤️

He hits send, imagining your smile as you read his text. It doesn’t matter what his team, the media, or even his fellow drivers think. His relationship with you is real and authentic. Someday he’ll find a way for you to be by his side. But for now, your private moments together are enough.

Charles knows staying with you is the right decision, PR be damned. You are his soulmate — the fairytale princess he never expected to find but thanks God every single day that he did. Your love is worth fighting for. And someday, when the time is right, he’ll finally be able to show the world that what you have together is very real.

***

Charles groans as he notices multiple missed calls from his brothers. He has been avoiding their calls lately, knowing they would just tease him mercilessly about his girlfriend. But he knows he can’t dodge them forever.

Taking a deep breath, he calls Arthur back.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Prince Charles himself, taking time away from his busy schedule of dating princesses to spare a chat with us commoners,” Arthur says slyly upon answering.

Charles rolls his eyes. “Very funny. What do you want?”

“We just wanted to check in on our brother and see how life with Monegasque royalty is treating you,” Lorenzo chimes in. Charles realizes he must be on speaker.

“Oh yes, Princess Y/N,” Arthur says in an exaggerated swoony voice. “Our brother’s one true love since he was 15 years old and had that giant poster of her plastered on his wall.”

Charles feels his face flush. He knows exactly what poster Arthur is referencing — a stunning photo of you in a ballgown from a high society event years ago. Teenage Charles has ripped it out of a magazine and hung it up reverently in his room, gazing at it longingly.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he sputters. “I never had a poster.”

“Oh really?” Lorenzo laughs. “I seem to recall you cutting out every picture you could find of her and keeping a little scrapbook.”

Charles cringes internally. Okay, maybe his teenage obsession had been a bit … enthusiastic. But he can’t help that he had recognized you as his dream girl even then.

“Alright, so maybe I had a tiny crush on her,” Charles admits. “But it is not crazy that we ended up together.”

Arthur cackles. “You used to kiss her photos goodnight before going to bed! You were completely obsessed!”

“Remember how he tried to sneak into that royal gala at Salle des Etoiles to see her?” Lorenzo adds. “He was totally insane.”

Charles grimaces at the memory. Okay, not his finest moment.

“Face it Charles, you’ve been in love with the imaginary idea of Princess Y/N since you were in nappies,” Arthur teases. “No shame in admitting she wouldn't even give you the time of day now.”

Charles feels his frustration rising. Why does no one believe him?

“Because your so-called relationship makes no sense!” Lorenzo says, accurately reading his silence. “She’s a literal princess and you’re … you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Charles grumbles. He knows his brothers are just teasing but it still stings.

“Come on, just admit you made the whole thing up to get everyone off your back,” Arthur prods.

Charles sighs loudly. “For the millionth time, what we have is 100 percent real! Just because it seems unlikely doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I don’t care if none of you believe me, I love her and she loves me.”

His brothers are silent for a moment.

“You alright there?” Arthur asks, his voice softening.

“Yes, I just wish everyone would stop questioning my relationship all the time,” Charles admits. “It hurts.”

“We’re only joking Charles, we don’t mean any harm,” Lorenzo says gently.

“I know,” Charles replies. “Doesn’t make it any easier to hear constantly though.”

“You’re right, we took the teasing too far,” Arthur says. “We’ll lay off from now on.”

Charles smiles slightly. “Thanks. And someday soon I will prove to you that it is real.”

His brothers are silent for a moment.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Arthur finally laughs.

Charles groans and runs a hand through his hair in frustration. Clearly nothing he says would convince his stubborn brothers that his relationship with you was real and not merely a childhood fantasy.

“Alright, well, I should get going,” Charles mumbles, eager to get off the phone.

“Chin up, we’re only teasing,” Lorenzo says lightly. “Have fun with your imaginary princess!”

Arthur and Lorenzo explode into more laughter as Charles quickly hangs up, his face burning. Someday, he will prove to them and everyone else that his amazing girlfriend isn’t just a figment of his imagination. No matter how long it takes.

***

Charles sinks into the familiar couch in his sports psychologist’s office, exhausted after a long day on the simulator and endless teasing from his team.

“Rough day out there?” Dr. Anderson asks kindly, noticing the strain on Charles’ face.

“That’s an understatement,” Charles sighs. “The car is just so slow this year. We keep trying new setups and tweaks but nothing helps. And the strategy is somehow even worse than the pace. It’s like the team wants me to fail.”

Dr. Anderson nods sympathetically. “That must be very frustrating. Tell me more about how it’s impacting you.”

Charles launches into a tirade about the endless issues with the car, the incompetent strategists, and the lack of proper communication from his engineers. Dr. Anderson listens patiently, letting him vent his pent-up anger and disappointment.

After a lengthy rant, Charles finally runs out of steam. “Anyway, it’s just been a terrible season,” he concludes glumly.

“I can certainly understand why you feel that way,” Dr. Anderson says. “It sounds like the team is letting you down in many ways.”

Charles nods, feeling some of the tension leave his shoulders after unloading. It helps to talk about it with someone whose job is not to judge.

“Is there anything else bothering you lately?” Dr. Anderson asks gently. “Any other sources of stress?”

Charles hesitates. He and Dr. Anderson have been working together for years, ever since he joined Ferrari. He knows he can open up to her.

“It’s just … well, besides the team stuff, no one believes me about my girlfriend,” he admits.

Dr. Anderson raises her eyebrows. “I see. Tell me more about that.”

Charles explains the endless teasing from his fellow drivers, the manipulation attempts by the PR team, and the doubtful reactions from his own family. How despite his best efforts, no one seems willing to accept that he is really dating Princess Y/N of Monaco.

“It’s so frustrating!" He bursts out at the end. “I don’t know what else I can do to convince them that we are actually together.”

Dr. Anderson purses her lips, jotting down notes. “I can understand why their doubt would upset you. It must be painful to have your relationship questioned.”

“Exactly!" Charles exclaims, throwing his hands up. “You get it. I knew I could talk to you.”

Dr. Anderson gives him a sympathetic smile.

Charles leaves the appointment feeling much better, confident that his psychologist believes him and is on his side.

As he is exiting, Charles notices Dr. Anderson’s notebook left open on her desk. Before he can stop himself, his eyes scan the page and focus on his name.

He feels his heart sink as he reads.

Charles Leclerc: deflecting from pain of difficult season by creating elaborate fantasy relationship. Fixation on celebrity crush indicates deeper self-esteem issues. Recommend to confront delusion directly in next session.

Charles reels, shock and anger swirling through him. Not even his own psychologist believes him! She thinks he is living in some weird fantasy.

Swallowing the bitter taste in his mouth, Charles straightens his shoulders and walks out. He has never felt more alone and frustrated in his conviction. But he refuses to give up. No matter what anyone says, his love for you is real. And one day, somehow, he will prove it to the world.

***

Charles is back at his family home in Monaco during a rare few days off. He is puttering around the kitchen while his mother cooks dinner.

“Oh, by the way, Y/N is coming over for dinner tonight,” Charles mentions casually. “I want you all to finally meet her.”

Pascale laughs lightly without looking up from the stove. “Of course, sweetie.”

Charles frowns. “I’m serious, maman. She’ll be here in an hour.”

“Mhmm, I’m sure she will,” Pascale replies indulgently. Charles huffs in annoyance.

Just then, his brothers come into the kitchen, freshly showered after playing football outside.

“Hey Charles, how’s life with your imaginary girlfriend?” Lorenzo immediately teases.

“She’s actually coming over for dinner tonight,” Charles says tersely.

Arthur lets out a loud laugh. “Yeah right! Good one.” He grabs a piece of bread from the counter, still chuckling.

Charles throws his hands up in exasperation. “Why does no one ever believe me about her?”

“Boys, that’s enough,” Pascale chides gently. “Let your brother dream.”

Charles opens his mouth to retort but just then, the doorbell rings. His eyes widen.

“I’ll get it!" He yells, dashing for the door. He takes a deep breath before swinging it open to reveal you standing there casually in jeans and a sweater, looking effortlessly gorgeous.

“Surprise!" You laugh, pulling him into a tight hug. Charles melts into your embrace, all his stress and frustration fading away.

“You have no idea how happy I am to see you right now,” he murmurs into your hair.

You pull back to smile at him tenderly. “I’ve been looking forward to this for ages. I want your family to know how much I love you.”

Charles grins and takes your hand, leading your into the kitchen where his stunned family waits.

Pascale’s mouth is hanging open in shock. The piece of bread Arthur is holding falls to the floor with a dull thump.

“Y-your Serene Highness,” Pascale finally manages to stammer out, hastily wiping her hands on a towel. “What an honor, we weren’t expecting you ...”

She shoots an accusatory look at Charles, who throws up his hands defensively. “I told you she was coming!”

Pascale flushes. “Yes, well, I didn’t think … that is … we would have prepared ...”

You step forward gracefully, immediately putting Pascale at ease. “Please, just call me Y/N. I’ve been dying to meet Charles’ family.”

As you effortlessly charm his mother and brothers, Charles stands back watching with a satisfied smile. The shock and sheepishness on his family’s faces is vindicating after so many months of teasing and disbelief.

Charles has never been one to say “I told you so” but … I told you so.

***

The cheers of the crowd are deafening as the chequered flag waves for Charles at the Monaco Grand Prix. He can hardly believe it — finally, a win at his home race!

As he pulls into parc fermé and jumps out of the car, the emotions hit him. Pure elation at ending the long wait for a home victory. Relief at overcoming the team’s doubts. But most of all, excitement for what comes next.

The podium ceremony.

And with the Monegasque royal family presenting the trophies as usual, Charles knows exactly who will be handing him the winner’s trophy.

He can barely stand still through the anthems, eager for his moment with you. The weekend has been agony, so close to you yet having to pretend that there is nothing between the two of you.

But not anymore.

At last, the royal family walks onto the podium led by none other than Princess Y/N. Charles’ heart skips a beat at the sight of you gliding towards him in a figure-hugging red midi dress, sunlight glinting off your carefully styled hair. You somehow manage to become more and more beautiful every time he sees you.

Stopping in front of him, you give him a subtle wink before launching into the customary congratulatory speech. Charles nods along, not hearing a word as he zones out while admiring the stunning woman he gets to call his own.

At last, you turn to pick up the trophy. “It is my honor to present this trophy to our victor, who represents Monaco with pride in everything he does, Charles Leclerc,” you announce, holding it out to him with a brilliant smile.

In that moment, Charles throws all caution to the wind. As he accepts the trophy, he reaches out and pulls you into a passionate kiss.

The crowd below erupts in shocked cheers and screams. You melt into the kiss for a blissful moment before gently pulling back, your eyes sparkling. Charles grins at you breathlessly.

“Worth the wait?” He murmurs.

“Absolutely,” you whisper back, squeezing his hand. “I’m so proud of you, mon amour.”

Turning back to the roaring crowd, Charles wraps an arm around your waist and thrusts your linked hands into the air in triumph.

Looking out at the paddock, Charles sees the priceless dumbfounded looks on his fellow drivers’ faces. The Ferrari PR team looks ready to pass out in horror. Reporters are screaming questions and snapping photos frantically.

But Charles only has eyes for the radiant princess at his side. At long last, he has made your love public for the whole world to see.

Later, after celebrations around the circuit have started winding down in favor of moving to lounges and clubs for the night, Charles and you escape for a private moment together.

“That was quite the reveal,” you say with an amused quirk of your eyebrow.

Charles laughs. “I know, subtlety has never been my strong suit. I hope you don’t mind.”

You caress his face tenderly. “Of course not. I’m happy to finally be by your side. No more hiding.”

Charles kisses you deeply, all the love and longing of the past months pouring into it.

When you finally break apart, foreheads touching, he murmurs, “No more doubts. No more teasing. They all know now that you’re real and all mine.”

“Forever yours,” you whisper back. And seal it with another perfect kiss.

***

“I can’t believe it. I just … actually can’t believe it,” Max mutters, staring at the large screens around the paddock that are showing you and Charles gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes during the post-race interviews.

“Lord Perceval … dating an actual princess,” Carlos muses in disbelief.

“And not just any princess, his teenage celebrity crush!" Lando exclaims.

“I guess we owe him an apology,” Pierre says sheepishly.

“Big time,” Daniel agrees. “We gave him so much crap for making her up.”

“Speak of the devil,” Max mutters as Charles strides into the room, hand-in-hand with you.

An awkward silence descends on the group. Charles clears his throat, enjoying their obvious discomfort.

“I believe you all know my girlfriend, Her Serene Highness Y/N Grace Stephanie Caroline, Hereditary Princess of Monaco and Marquise of Baux. But you can just call her Your Serene Highness or Princess Y/N,” he says politely.

The guys mumble greetings, not quite meeting your eyes. You smile graciously. “You can just call me Y/N. Any friend of Charles is a friend of mine and there’s no need for titles around friends.”

Charles narrows his eyes. “Actually I don’t think that will be necessary. I believe they should maintain protocol and address you properly.”

You shoots him a look. “Darling, it’s fine, really. I want your friends to feel comfortable around me.”

But Charles crosses his arms, not budging. “No, it’s not fine. I must insist that they observe the formal mode of address for royalty.”

The drivers shift awkwardly again. You pull Charles aside with a soothing smile.

“What are you doing?” You whisper. “I’m trying to put them at ease.”

“I know but they deserve to squirm for a bit after how much they mocked us,” Charles whispers back petulantly.

You bite back a smile. “Don’t be silly. I know their teasing hurt but let’s move past it. Can you really blame them for thinking it sounds like a made up fairytale? Put yourself in their shoes.”

Charles sighs. “I guess you’re right ... I just want them to respect you.”

“They will, in time,” you say gently. “But forcing them to be overly formal won’t accomplish that. I’m still just me.”

Charles nods reluctantly. “Okay fine, we’ll do it your way.”

You turn back to the drivers who are trying to act natural and pretending that they didn’t just listen in on your conversation with a bright smile. “I’ve heard so much about all of you,” you say. “Charles speaks very highly of his fellow drivers.”

“We’re, uh, happy to finally meet you too,” Max manages to get out.

“Yeah, congrats mate,” Daniel offers weakly.

More awkward silence follows. Charles smirks, deciding to twist the knife a bit more.

“I know you all had your doubts about me landing a catch like Y/N,” he says casually. “But I can’t blame you. Even I can hardly believe someone so incredible would fall for me.”

He gazes at you adoringly as you blush prettily while the drivers fidget uneasily.

“Anyway, as you can now see, she’s real and we are happier than ever!" Charles concludes brightly.

“We’re really sorry for not believing you,” Lando bursts out sincerely. “And all the teasing.”

The others chime in with apologies and congratulations. Charles graciously accepts, reassuring them no hard feelings.

After you have throughly charmed them all and departed, the group surrounds Charles excitedly.

“Alright, you have to give us all the details,” Max demands. “How did you meet? How did you get her to go out with you? When did it get serious?”

Charles just laughs. “It’s a long story. But the important thing is that she’s the only one for me. Despite everyone doubting us, our love was real from the start.”

“Pretty epic to have a real life princess as your soulmate,” Pierre says dreamily.

“Just remember you knew me back when you all thought she was imaginary,” Charles jokes.

“We’ll never live it down,” Carlos groans goodnaturedly.

Charles smiles, feeling lighter and happier than he has in ages. The long struggle to prove himself has been worth it. Now he has everything — the win, the girl, and the utter shock and joy of proving to the world that even his wildest dreams can come true.

And this is only the beginning for him and his beloved princess.

[nonesuchrecords]

Steve Reich was on CBC's Q to talk with host Tom Power about his early musical influences, like Igor Stravinsky, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis; his own seminal works Clapping Music, Come Out, Drumming, Different Trains, and Music for 18 Musicians; and a new generation of composers exciting him now, including Caroline Shaw and Nico Muhly. You can hear their conversation here.

[floralcyanide]

⊱ 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑 ― 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑠 𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤 ⊰

[ ᴀ ʜᴜɴɢᴇʀ ɢᴀᴍᴇs ᴀʟᴛᴇʀɴᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴜɴɪᴠᴇʀsᴇ ғᴀɴғɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ]

1960s ᴜs ᴘʀᴇsɪᴅᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ᴄᴀɴᴅɪᴅᴀᴛᴇ!ᴄᴏʀɪᴏʟᴀɴᴜs sɴᴏᴡ x ғᴇᴍ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑤𝑜: 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑡.

౨ৎ 18+ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs ᴏɴʟʏ !

⊹ summary: your first full day with coriolanus snow doesn't go without a hitch somewhere along the way. ⊹ pairing: young!coriolanus snow / fem!reader ⊹ warnings: mentions of poverty, mentions of alcohol, descriptions of alcohol, rough kissing (brief) ⊹ word count: 3223 ⊹ author’s note: so sorry for not being able to post this last week!! was high key withering away in the hospital like a frail victorian child lmao. but here's chapter two, I hope ya'll enjoy ♡

౨ৎ divider credit: @cafekitsune

౨ৎ sᴇʀɪᴇs ᴛᴀɢʟɪsᴛ | sᴇʀɪᴇs sᴏᴜɴᴅᴛʀᴀᴄᴋ | sᴇʀɪᴇs ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀʟɪsᴛ

౨ৎ this fic has been cross posted to ao3.

ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴏᴘʏ, ʀᴇᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴇ, ᴏʀ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ᴀs ʏᴏᴜʀs ᴏɴ ᴛᴜᴍʙʟʀ, ᴀᴏ3, ᴡᴀᴛᴛᴘᴀᴅ, ᴏʀ ᴀɴʏ ᴡᴇʙsɪᴛᴇ.

❝We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.❞ ― John F. Kennedy

“What shape do you want them?”

“Mickey Mouse!” “A heart!”

“Alrighty, then. One Mickey Mouse and a heart pancake are coming up, John John and Miss Caroline.”

John Jr. is perched atop the kitchen counter to your right, sitting patiently while Caroline sneakily dips a finger inside the pancake mix next to him. The three of you had worked to make the batter perfect, and you’re all fairly satisfied. You manage to make a decent Mickey Mouse shape in the pan, and a nearly flawless heart and the kids clap with delight. Coriolanus quietly watches you interact with Jack's children from behind the wall separating the kitchen and dining room. He’s initially shocked to see you so vulnerable and soft with other human beings, even if they’re small ones. Coriolanus didn’t expect you to be someone who interacts with children in general, given the snarky and stubborn personality you’ve shown him so far. But he shouldn’t be so quick to judge you yet- after all, there’s a lot to Coriolanus that isn’t as it seems, either.

Jackie, Jack, and the rest of the family present in the Compound had an obligation with their father later in the morning. So, you decided to get some food in John Jr. and Caroline beforehand. Hungry kids are cranky kids, after all. You were to stay behind with Coriolanus, as the two of you weren’t needed at the gathering. You don’t mind as you need to organize the notes you’ve taken so far, as well as finish reading Profiles in Courage. You had a lot of questions for Jack about it already, and it’d be better if you had every possible question ready as soon as possible to ask upfront. Not to mention, you need to work on your dissertation a little more briskly now, considering you’re going to assist Coriolanus in his presidential campaign. 

John Jr. graciously accepts the Mickey Mouse pancake on his favorite Superman plate, and he scurries off toward the dining room. Caroline remains by you at the kitchen counter, dousing her heart with a disgusting amount of syrup. You almost say something about the sugar but decide against it quickly. Caroline seems to hold herself together better than her younger counterpart. Speaking of John Jr., he nearly runs into Coriolanus as he dashes down the hall to your dismay.

“Oh, good morning, Mister Coryo,” John Jr. beams up at the tall blonde man before continuing his path to the table.

“What did we agree on about walking, John?” you quirk an eyebrow after the boy, who is long out of earshot.

Coriolanus walks into the kitchen casually as if he wasn’t eavesdropping the entire time, opening the refrigerator and scouring the shelves for orange juice. When he doesn’t find it, he closes the door and walks over to you.

“If you’re looking for orange juice, John John drank the rest when he woke up. Chugged every drop,” you say without turning around from the sink where you’re doing dishes.

“Oh,” Coriolanus says, “Not surprised. The boy loves juice.”

You chuckle, “I learned that very quickly. He drank almost all of my peach juice the first night I was here.” 

Caroline looks between you and Coriolanus, a knowing smile on her face as she chews her food. Without a word, she leaves the room.

Coriolanus cracks a smile but quickly brushes it off before you can see, “Need help with those?” he asks, motioning to the dishes.

You glance at him over your shoulder, “Oh, no, I’ve got it. Thanks, though.”

Coriolanus wordlessly picks up a dish and dries it off with a nearby dish towel, his neutral gaze on you. You sigh, looking at the man defeatedly as you begin rinsing your soaped-up dishes, “I said I didn’t need help.”

“I know,” Coriolanus shrugs, “But it’s the least I could do since you treat the children so well.”

You turn to him, hand on your hip, “I think every child should be treated with kindness. Besides, John John is a good boy despite his father, and Caroline is a gentle little thing anyway,” you say jokingly.

Coriolanus chuckles, “You’re absolutely right. Anyone tell you how rowdy Jack was at John Jr.’s age?”

“No,” you quirk an eyebrow, finishing up rinsing off the dishes, “Do tell.”

As you and Coriolanus dry off the pans and plates, he tells you stories of how Jack and his siblings would go buck wild around here at the Compound. You find yourselves openly cracking smiles with each other as Coriolanus describes the antics. When Joeseph Jr. is brought up, the room becomes solemn. 

“Did you ever meet him?” you ask as you put away some of the dishes, Coriolanus doing the same.

“Only once. He was a man of few words,” he admits, folding the dish towel and neatly placing it back on the counter.

You hum, closing the cabinet, “Well, I’ll probably be working most of the day. If you need me, I won’t be far.”

Coriolanus nods, watching you carefully as you leave the kitchen. He decides you, too, are someone of few words. But you always know when to use them correctly. And he admires that a little.

You feel like a ghost roaming around the house throughout the day, reading your book as you aimlessly walk into rooms and halls. Occasionally, you stop to look at things in the various studies and unoccupied bedrooms. Despite the warm and welcoming hospitality of the Kennedy family, at times, you still feel sorely out of place. You didn’t grow up lavishly by any means- no one in your neighborhood did. The outskirts of Boston during the Great Depression weren’t much better than the city itself. Food, clean water, and bare necessities were hard to come by, even in the suburbs. You learned to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and be nifty with minuscule things. It’s one thing Coriolanus notices when you wander into the den, Profiles in Courage tucked under your left arm and your notes in your right hand. Every single available space on the paper you had current notes written on was taken up as if you’d run out of paper at some point. But you had an ample amount of pages left in your notebook- one that hadn’t already been filled like your others, at that. Coriolanus is sitting at the fireplace, puffing lightly at a pipe as he skims through a book he’s half-reading. He stops fully paying attention to it the moment you enter his presence, and he notices your notes.

“How much do you plan on writing about Jack?” he asks abruptly, breaking the dead silence in the room.

Coriolanus’ voice startles you from your trance, your lips letting go of the pencil you had between them, “A lot. I sort of have to. Why do you ask?”

The tall man’s eyes flicker between your face and your notebook folded in on itself in your hand, “You seem to be writing your notes like it’s going out of style.”

Your eyes fall to your endless scribbles of words, eyebrows scrunching up for a moment, “I don’t understand?”

Coriolanus carefully closes his book and sits his pipe down on the table, taking two long strides over to you. He cradles your notes in his large hands, tracing the delicate handwriting with his fingers. The scraping of every drop of the mixing bowl earlier, the tedious way you used dish soap and warm water, your early rising, and your short showers. The way you carry yourself and your words. Coriolanus knows and knows it well.

“I still have a few rationing stamps,” Coriolanus says, his looming figure dangerously close to completely blanketing yours, “They’re in an old tobacco box of my father’s. I can’t remember the day we stopped needing them.”

Your face falters as you peer up at him, his gaze glued to your notes in a focused and avoidant fashion. You gently take your journal from the blonde, closing it before placing Profiles in Courage on top of it and pulling away from the odd warmth from Coriolanus’ cold tallness.

“I think I’ve done enough writing today.”

You don’t like being seen, and as often as possible, you hide away. It’s something you dislike about yourself. And no matter how much you work on it, when your foundation is shaken, you tend to lose your grip. The Compound suddenly felt quite small, and you needed a moment to breathe. So you scurry away to your room to put away your books and grab a thick coat, as it had snowed overnight despite being warm yesterday. Said snow crunches under your feet loudly as you descend the steps toward the beach, wrapping your arms around yourself as the breeze nips your face. All that can be heard for a while is birds overhead and waves crashing to the sand banks. You breathe in the stale, salty air while you have flashbacks of hunger pains from childhood. It’s something you don’t let bother you anymore, but the memory is still very much there. 

“Sorry if I overstepped,” Coriolanus suddenly says from behind you, his hands shoved into his coat pockets.

You physically jump, your hand flying over your heart in genuine surprise, “Jesus, Snow. And no, you didn’t overstep. I’m just too inside my head today, I guess.”

Blonde curls fly around Coriolanus’ face erratically as he stoically stares at you from behind, and you avoid him. He stands beside you now, looking down at you in a way that makes you feel odd.

“I think we both expected different things from each other, hmm?”

“How so?” you ask, your face slowly beginning to burn from the cold ocean air.

“Well,” Coriolanus says, staring out at the open sea, the grey spaciousness giving him a moment to ponder, “I didn’t think someone so outspoken could be so inside their head at times.”

You bite back a fiery retort but instead come back with a simple, “And I didn’t expect you to know humbleness, Mister Snow.”

Coriolanus doesn’t respond right away, so you follow with, “But it seems we both learn something new each day, correct?”

“Yes,” the blonde says, “And I think we’ve also both learned to always be honest with each other.”

“When have I not been honest?”

“I did overstep. I shouldn’t have assumed anything, but I did. And even though it’s only been a day of knowing you, I also know you’re the last person to spend too much time in their head. You have enough in the real world for you to care about.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll see through you, you’ll see through me.”

“Good.”

After quite some time bearing the unrelenting ocean air alongside Coriolanus, you decide to make use of yourself somewhere other than the Compound. Coriolanus retreats to his room, and you go into town. Maybe you’d find a little something for the kids or the family for Christmas while out. It isn’t absolutely freezing, so you opt for walking to the market not far from the main road leading out of Hyannis Port. It’s bustling with people despite the temperature. You pick up a basket and fill it with a few oranges for John Jr. and Coriolanus for juice in the morning. After paying for the fruit, you’re called over the aisle by a younger woman you don’t recognize. 

“Are you by any chance the young lady researching Jack Kennedy?”

“Yes, I am,” you say.

“Oh, how wonderful! I’ve known the Kennedys since we were kids. I’m glad someone is going to make Jack’s work more known!”

“I am glad to be of help with that, then,” you smile at the woman, who couldn’t be too much older than you.

“Forgive me, I’m Candice. My father is the mayor of Barnstable,” she reaches a hand out for you to shake, which you take graciously.

“Lovely,” you say, glancing around at her various tables covered in small trinkets, “What are you out here bartering?”

“Just odds and ends I’ve found throughout my travels. I don’t have nearly enough room for it all, sadly. Take a look, you may find something!”

You skim the different buttons and brooches all varying in size and design, until you’re stopped by a particular gold brooch. It’s shimmering in the winter afternoon sun, the edges of the leaves and petals of the rose pendant sharp with precision. You gingerly pick it up, studying it closer.

“One of my favorites from Europe. Never could quite find anything worthy enough to pair it with,” Candice fawns, “It’s yours if you want it. No charge.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly-“

“It’s a gift, love. Take it.”

You slip it into your coat pocket with graciousness before continuing your brigade around the market. Some solid fiction books for Caroline and comics for John Jr. join the pile of oranges in your basket. Shopping for Christmas gifts for Jackie, Jack, Bobby, and Ted would be for a more dedicated day. Upon returning to The Compound, the house is bustling with the children and Bobby and Ted working on dinner. You hurry to put away the things you’ve bought in your room before washing up and making your way to the kitchen. Jack is leaning against the counter as he watches Bobby delicately season steaks, and Ted works on vegetables, his arms crossed across his chest. He stands up straight upon your arrival.

“Good evening, how was your day with some peace and quiet?”

“Ah, it was alright,” you shrug, a small smile on your face as you watch Jackie give Caroline and John Jr. her warning look as they circle the dining room table, “Too much peace and quiet is a little harmful, don’t you think?”

Bobby scoffs, “Not when you have children. Peace and quiet are rare. Be glad the other junior isn’t here to torture ya.”

“He has a point,” Jack grins, pointing at Bobby in agreement, “Bobby Jr. is worse.”

“Oh, come on, now. You know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with John John.”

Ted snorts, and you decide to leave the brothers to their banter. Before you completely leave the room, though, Jack pulls you aside.

“Do you mind going down to the cellar? Pick out a bottle of something. We can all have some downtime after the kids go to sleep,” he says.

“Sounds good. Anything in particular?”

“Like I said, your pick.”

You wordlessly nod and find yourself at the cellar door moments later, the door already unlocked. You curiously open it and walk down the steps quietly, the lights dimly revealing a few shelves of wine varying in flavor and age. In between two shelves, you see Coriolanus pacing with a book in his hands. 

“It seems we always find each other somewhere around,” you say, being the one to startle him this time.

He snaps his head from his book, which appears to be the play Coriolanus by Shakespeare. Closing where he was reading, he disheveled looks at you off guardedly as he brushes himself off. You approach where he stands, your eyes scanning the shelves for any eye-popping bottle. A part of you feels heightened at being the one to unnerve him, and you feed on it as you stand dangerously close to Coriolanus on your tip toes to look at a wine more closely. You wonder why he’d be so nervous to be down here. Or what he had been doing to make him so uneasy of your presence.

“Which do you prefer?” you ask, pulling a bottle of rich red wine from by his head, “red or white?”

“Red,” Coriolanus says simply, his eyes shining with nerves, “I like the taste better.”

Your stare bores into his for a moment before you let yourself read the label, “A Nineteen Ten. Sounds nice,” you tilt your head at the man before asking, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Coriolanus blinks, “I just didn’t expect anyone to find me here.”

“Well, it is the cellar. Not much to hide here,” you encircle the bottle in your grasp, studying the rest of its details.

“Right.”

“Coriolanus, huh? By Shakespeare?”

Coriolanus scoffs through his nose, unbuttoning his sleeves and rebuttoning them to his elbows, “You’re familiar?”

“Not as familiar as I’d like,” you shrug, a hint behind your tone, “But maybe someday I’ll read more into it.”

The truth is, Coriolanus had been down there pacing and thinking of how to go about working with someone like you so closely. It’s been a day, and he already feels drawn to you in a way, and part of him feels disdain for it. But another feels so curious yet unnerved. Coriolanus usually reads the play when he feels he’s looking for something, and every time he is, he finds it within the play. It’s something new every time. No matter how many times the physical book has been deeply ingrained in his psyche. Your familiar and sarcastic tone from the night prior drinking similar wine makes his heart surge with something. And before Coriolanus realizes, his hand is grasping at the back of your head, bringing your face close to his.

“Maybe you should.”

Your hands are all but gripping the bottle of Cabernet, and your knuckles are white enough that you could press your fingertips into the bottle and break it if it were plastic. Coriolanus’ icy eyes are holding yours threateningly, and you don’t dare break the contact. It isn’t until Jack creaks the door of the cellar open to announce dinner is almost ready that the two of you think of separating. But you don’t. You feel bold and hungry and not like the type of hungry you were as a child, but rather bold and hungry for knowledge. A knowledge you won’t and can’t get from researching a man of power or holding a position of political power. But rather an energetic power you can’t quite explain unless you feel it. And you felt it the second you looked up to see Coriolanus standing in front of you by the fire the previous night. Again, when you walked into Jack’s office to see him standing there, and every time since. 

Your cheeks are tingling with fire, and your eyes weigh heavily on Coriolanus, unblinking and wild, “And if I don’t?” you whisper.

“I don’t think I’d allow it.”

“Hmm,” you narrow your eyes, letting your hand that’s not wrapped around the neck of the wine bottle grip the back of Coriolanus’ neck, “Try me.”

It’s almost like a dramatic scene from an old black and white your mother used to watch during the daytime, Coriolanus’ other hand flying to your cheek to hold your head firm as he gives you a bruising kiss. And your willingness to kiss back is almost as dramatized. But the tension from the start has been palpable, and it was only a matter of time before your clashing yet molding personalities came together somehow. Whether physical or mental- or both. You have to pull away to gasp for air, reluctant to remove yourself from the embrace. But you know you had to at some point, and you realize this is a dangerous game you’re already playing. What you don’t know yet is there are worse games to play.

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Klaus Mikaelson x Reader

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Written for my personal fic writing challenge for 2024, Sophie's Year of Fic! Featuring a new fic being posted every Friday, all year long :)

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries/The Originals

Summary: When a serious magical threat comes to Mystic Falls and puts Josie and Lizzie at risk, Caroline and Ric send Klaus' ex down to New Orleans to seek safe harbor for the girls with him. Or, what if Y/N went to New Orleans instead of Caroline, and Klaus was free to see them.

Word Count: 2,966

Category: Angst, Fluff

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

I chewed my lip as I stared up at the building before me. If this were any other situation, I would've turned on my heel and run by now. But there were two little girls, one on either side of me, who needed me to be strong. This was their best hope of being safe, which meant all of my stuff needed to take a back seat.

I took a deep breath, trying not to let the girls sense just how nervous I was, then started heading for the door to the bar. It was the middle of the day, so hopefully no one would mind me bringing two kids in with me.

Caroline and Ric had trusted me with Josie and Lizzie, and I refused to let them down. Some new supernatural none of us knew existed had come to town and, worse, had started going after the girls. So, I'd sat down with their parents, and we'd figured out a plan to keep them safe: take them to the bigger, badder supernatural who I used to know.

My eyes scanned the bar for the familiar face of Klaus Mikaelson, and after a moment, I found him. He was leaning against the counter talking to the bartender, and I was surprised he couldn't hear my heart beating out of my chest from here. I hadn't seen him in years, and I'd also rejected him the last time I saw him. But he was the best chance the girls had, so I was just going to have to hope he didn't hate me now.

I cleared my throat, shook my nerves off as well as I could, herded the girls into a booth where I could keep an eye on them, then turned to face the bar. I found Klaus already looking at me, his arms crossed and a curious look on his face as he leaned against the counter. A wave of emotions hit me at once, but I shoved back against the feeling, squaring my shoulders and putting one foot in front of the other until I stood in front of Klaus.

"Hello, love," he said, and my heart damn near stopped in my chest. I took a deep breath. "It's good to see you again."

"It's... it's good to see you again, too."

And it was. Most of my friends had been relieved when Klaus finally left town, and they'd freaked out the minute they found out he'd come back to see me. And at the time, I'd convinced myself they were right, and that it was better he was gone. But standing before him now, that slight smirk on his face, I realized I had really, really missed him.

"So what brings you to New Orleans?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked past me to where the girls were playing a clapping game in the booth. "I take it it has something to do with them."

I sighed. "Yeah. Yeah, it does."

"And who's the father?"

Now it was my turn to cross my arms and raise an eyebrow.

"They're actually not mine. But I'd say you don't have a lot of room to judge, considering the reason you moved to New Orleans in the first place."

"Who said I was judging? I was just trying to gauge how jealous I might need to be."

I huffed a laugh, trying and failing to hide my smile by glancing at the ground. Nik grinned at me, and for just a flash of a moment, it was like nothing had changed between us since the last time I'd seen him.

But then I heard Josie and Lizzie behind me, and I remember why I'd come here in the first place. I sighed and met Nik's eyes again.

"I need your help."

His eyebrows immediately drew together, and he straightened up from the bar, taking a half step towards me. The intensity of his worried stare made my heart melt.

"What's wrong, love?"

"There's a new supernatural in town. Or a few new ones, I guess. We're struggling a little bit to deal with them, and they've made Josie and Lizzie their targets. Caroline and Ric are their parents for all intents and purposes, and we sat down and decided our best chance at keeping the girls safe is if I left with them, alone, and came to you."

"And whose idea was that?"

"...Mine. It... actually took a lot of convincing for Ric and Caroline to let me bring them to you."

A hint of a smile flickered across Nic's face as he huffed a barely audible laugh. His beautiful blue eyes met mine with the intensity I'd seen a thousand times for both good and bad moments, and it made my heart race.

"You will always be welcome here, with me. I'll keep the three of you safe."

Relief washed over me. I closed my eyes, taking a minute, and when I opened them again I found Nik still watching me intently. I thought he might lean in for a hug or a kiss or something else, but instead, he just gave me a small smile and nodded in the direction of the girls.

"Mind introducing me?"

The girls absolutely loved Nik from the first moment they met him, and he was nothing but sweet and patient and kind. He made a few absolutely ridiculous jokes that had them falling out of their chairs laughing, and had my heart melting all over again. We left the bar together, the four of us strolling through the streets of New Orleans as Nik led us to his home. He glanced over at me a few times with the roguish smile I'd come to love, and despite the fact that I'd come here on the run to protect the girls, I couldn't help enjoying this moment with him. In different circumstances, it might've just felt right.

"We're almost home, but I just had a thought," said Nik, his arm swinging back and forth with Lizzie's as they marched down the street together. Lizzie and Josie held hands, and I did the same with Josie, making us a little chain. I turned to smile at Nik over the girls' heads.

"And what's that?" I asked. Nik smiled at me, then turned his attention to the girls.

"My favorite ice cream place in the whole of the city is very close to here. Does anyone else feel like we ought to make a pitstop?"

"YES!" the girls screamed in unison. I laughed as Nik stopped abruptly, turning on his heel and then pulling us in the other direction.

"Alright, come on then!"

The girls cheered as they marched after him, and my heart soared as I followed along behind the three of them. I'd gotten to see Nik like this every so often in Mystic Falls, but a lot of our interactions were colored by whatever drama he and his family had going on with my friends and I. Being with him, like this, and seeing him being so amazing with the girls was seriously doing something to me.

"This place really does have the best ice cream," Nik assured me as we stepped inside and joined the line, the girls bouncing excitedly in front of us as we stood shoulder to shoulder. "Hope loves it."

"Hope... how is she? How's... how's Hayley?"

Nik smirked. "They're both good. We've had our rough patches, but Hayley and I have found our rhythm as coparents despite not being together."

I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, and Nik laughed.

"Now look who's trying to gauge their jealousy."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't hold back a grin all the same.

"Whatever. But... you're happy? Being a dad, and being here, and... and everything?"

The corner of Nik's mouth quirked up, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Like anything, it's had its ups and downs. But I wouldn't trade Hope for anything in the world."

I nodded, and the two of us fell into comfortable silence as we worked our way through the line. The girls were ecstatic to try their cones, and Nik recommended his favorite flavor to me, which lived up to the hype he'd promised. The four of us wandered slowly the rest of the way to our destination, which turned out to be an absolutely massive compound in the middle of the French Quarter.

Nik pushed open the door and led us inside just as the sun began to set outside. I came to a stop in the beautiful open space just inside the front doors, staring around at it in awe.

"C'mon, love," Nik said gently, resting a hand on my back and guiding me in the direction of the stairs. "Let's get the girls settled in for the night."

I just nodded, putting my focus back on the girls as we followed Nik through the massive compound. He pushed open one of the many doors along the second floor, letting us into a bedroom with two beds. I even spotted a few kids books on the shelves to one side of the room.

I slid my eyes to Nik with a raised eyebrow, but he just shrugged.

"For Hope, and any friends she might decide to bring over when the time comes. No reason to not be prepared, especially since we have the space for it." The corner of my mouth tugged up into a smile, that warm feeling spreading in my chest again. "I'll bring a few of her pajamas in, they should fit these two alright."

"Thanks."

"Of course, love."

Between the two of us, Nik and I managed to get the girls settled down and in bed in under an hour. They'd had a long, tiring day, after all, and if I weren't practically jittering with nerves after the afternoon I'd spent with Nik I'm sure I would've been right behind them.

Instead, I found myself following him after we closed the door to the girls' room, going who knows where in this massive house in his new life since he'd left Mystic Falls. After a few moments, I couldn't really take the silence anymore, so I spoke up.

"Where are the rest of the Mikaelsons?" I asked, my voice thankfully even. "I'd expected to see at least one of the siblings by now."

Nik turned to give me a little smirk over his shoulder, and I hated that he could probably hear my heart race.

"They're busy with other things for the night. And Hope is with Hayley having a mother-daughter weekend away from everything. It's just us, tonight."

My heart sped up even more, although that shouldn't have been possible. After a moment, Nik led me into the kitchen and headed straight for the refrigerator. I took a seat at one of the high stools at the counter, watching him as he moved.

"I assume you still like hot chocolate more than most other drinks?" asked Nik without turning around. I smiled.

"Absolutely. I know it's been a little while, but come on Nik, I'm not a completely different person."

He paused to give me a smile over his shoulder, then continued in his hot chocolate preparations. I scratched at something on the counter while he worked, trying to get up the courage to talk about all the million things hanging in the air before us. Finally, I cleared my throat and forced myself to look up, watching Nik's back as I spoke.

"Thank you for this, by the way. For taking us in, even after... Well, even after I told to leave me and Mystic Falls."

Nik sighed, bringing our two mugs of hot chocolate over and setting them down on the counter before walking around to stand in front of me. We were barely an inch apart, but he didn't make a move to close the distance anymore. I'd set a boundary the last time I'd seen him, and he clearly had no intention of crossing it.

"I will always be here for you if you need me, love. If you seek me out for refuge, or to change your mind and take me up on my offer to show you the world, or even because I make the best hot chocolate in the entire world and you just can't live without it... I'll be waiting."

I stared up at Nik, a slight twinkle in his eye, as I fought to keep tears out of my own. He'd truly caused so many problems in Mystic Falls. My friends' dislike-to-hate of him made sense. But he'd always been sweet and funny, patient and kind and understanding, with me. If I was totally honest with myself, I'd been starting to fall in love with him before I'd decided to side with my friends and push him away.

"Don't cry, love. It's alright," he said, his eyes scanning my face. I hiccupped, the tears finally starting to fall, a combination of all the different emotions and stressors of my past few days coming together and overwhelming me at once. I'd held it together for the girls, but now they were in bed and taken care of, so I could safely fall apart.

I leaned forward, falling into Nik's chest, and he wrapped his arms tightly around me the moment I did.

"It's alright. You're safe with me."

That brought on a whole new wave of tears, not just for the stress of the day, but for everything I'd lost with Nik, too. He just held me tighter, rubbing soothing circles on my back as I let it all out, then slowly started to calm down.

I pulled back slightly once I managed to get ahold of myself. One of Nik's hands stayed on my arm, and he brought his other hand up to gently cup my face, wiping away a few of the tears with his thumb.

"What can I do, love? Tell me how I can help you and I'll do it."

I choked back another sob, this one turning into a half-laugh.

"You've already done enough, Nik. More than enough. It's just... it's been such a long day. I feel like I've been barely holding back a complete stress breakdown for like a week, and I always had the girls with me so I had to keep it together..."

"Well then, why don't we get you settled into a room so you can get some sleep, hm? We can always talk more in the morning."

Nik started to move to help me off the stool and up to bed, but I stopped him, hands resting on his biceps. He raised an eyebrow at me but didn't move away.

"No, Nik. I don't want to talk tomorrow, I need to say this. I... I love you."

Any hint of humor or lightness dropped off Nik's face, replaced by completely serious shock. My heart was racing out of my chest, and I knew he could hear it, but I pushed on anyway.

"I think I was falling in love with you before, and I didn't want to admit it to myself. But being with you here, now... it feels right. There are a bunch of powerful murderers chasing me, trying to hurt two kids whose parents have trusted me, exclusively, with their safety, and I'm in a strange city far from anywhere I've ever called home. But for some reason I just feel... happy. Happy to see you again, happy to spend time with you, about a thousand times calmer than I was without you. You feel like home, Nik, and I love you. I just... that just feels like something you should know."

Nik's eyes had been scanning and searching my face intently the entire time I'd been talking, the slightest hint of wetness gathering in his own eyes. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth once I'd finished speaking, and he brought his hand back up to cup my face, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek.

"I don't think I've made it any secret how I feel about you, love," he said, voice soft and tender. "But in case you need to hear it again, I love you. Always and forever."

A few tears managed to sneak out and down my cheeks again, but this time I had a smile on my face. Nik's expression mirrored my own.

"Once... once all of this is over, do you think... well, maybe I could come back here. To New Orleans, once the girls are safe back home. That is, if... if your offer to follow you to New Orleans still stands from the first time you extended it?"

Nik beamed back at me. "I can honestly tell you that absolutely nothing would make me happier."

My smile grew to the point of pain as I stared up at Nik, a light in his eyes that I'd missed much more than I'd realized. I leaned forward just slightly, Nik mirroring my move as I glanced at his lips. One corner of his mouth rose higher in the troublemaking smirk that always made my heart race before he closed the rest of the distance between us, his lips meeting mine, soft at first and then with the same urgency pulsing in my heart.

I'd kissed him before, but it had always been tempered by concern for my friends, and about what they'd think. But this time, as fireworks exploded in my chest and thousands of butterflies took off in my stomach, I couldn't bring myself to care.

I was safe and happy in the arms of the man I loved, kissing him senseless. I'd missed out on a lot of times like this, but from now on, I didn't intend to let anything keep me from spending every second I could just like this, friends and insane supernatural threats be damned. Always and forever.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989

TVD/TO Taglist: @elenavampire21

[so-long-soldier-writes]

drabble #10 - aphrodisiac

kai parker x reader

summary: you can only listen to damon ramble on for so long before you lose focus. unfortunately, this time, your zoning out manages to cause maximum embarrassment when the rest of the group follows your line of sight.

tags: pomegranates, references to greek mythology, teasing, flirting, embarrassment

word count: 936

a/n: i wrote this a little bit ago, and even though pomegranate season is over now (😭), i'm gonna post it bc i've been lagging recently!

“Elena, you’ll be here, with me, on the lookout in case he comes this way. Bonnie, you’ll be here, with Matt. Caroline, with Stefan. Kai, I only trust you with Y/N, and certainly not by yourself, and you two will be here.” With each delegation, Damon looks to the person for a nod of confirmation. Everyone’s given him one so far… except you. “Y/N? Are you listening?” 

Caroline lets out a giggle, knowing exactly where your attention has landed, and it’s definitely not on Damon’s plan. 

Damon looks over to the blonde, then to Elena, who also lets out a chuckle. “Y/N?” Stefan stifles a laugh. “Y/N…” He rolls his eyes. “Kai, can you stop plucking that pomegranate for one moment?!”

“How am I bothering you? You said I could eat it-”

“Just stop for a second!”

Startled, the boy puts down his fruit. He holds his hands above the napkin, not letting any juice drip onto the Salvatore’s thousand dollar rug. “Happy?”

“Shh! Y/N!”

You’re in a daze. Entranced. You can hear Damon talking, but none of his words register. Something much more interesting’s caught your eye: Kai. Specifically, Kai and his pomegranate that he’s been working on for the last five minutes. 

The juice looks like blood on his hands, dripping down his delicate fingers, staining his skin. He plucks out each seed individually, gently and skillfully, as he loosens them from the pith. He takes his earnings between his pink lips; you can see his jaw working against the crunch hidden inside.

You understand, now, why pomegranates are considered aphrodisiacs; how Hades captured his lover, luring her towards him by way of the fruit. 

You’re not sure when watching becomes staring, but at some point, it does. You’re not sure how long you’re staring before you attract quite the audience. 

Kai, of course, is too focused on his fruit to realize. That is, until Damon asks him to stop so that he can get your attention. Kai looks around the room, wondering why all eyes are on him, but then he notices they're all actually gazing on you. They’re watching you watch him. He’s confused, at first, then a little self-conscious, but then finds himself enthralled at the idea that you, of all people, are so focused on him. 

“Y/N!” Damon shouts and claps at the same time. 

You startle, jumping out of your trance and looking down at the carpet. You’re not sure when Kai stopped eating, but you quickly realize he had caught you staring at some point, and now you’re overwhelmed with embarrassment. “Sorry,” you say to no one in particular. Kai, mostly, maybe.

Sorry, I was completely daydreaming. Sorry, I was captivated by your fingers. Sorry, I was wondering what they’d feel like on my skin. On my…

“Y/N! Focus!”

“Shit! I’m sorry!”

“Damn, girl, you doing okay?” Caroline asks, amused. 

“Yeah… didn’t sleep a lot last night.”

“Oh that’s too bad.” She totally didn’t fall for that lie. You curse yourself in your head. “Did you hear Damon’s plan?”

“No.”

Kai’s gone back to his pomegranate. You force yourself to look away from him. 

“Y/N, you’ll be stationed with Kai,” he then mutters, “your little pomegranate buddy,” then, louder again, “because you’re the only one I trust with him, and I don’t trust him to be alone.”

“Okay.”

“Good.”

You stare at the floor for the rest of his speech, trying desperately to not look back up at Kai’s pretty pink lips. 

~~~

By the end of the “meeting”, everyone’s places are announced and Damon’s satisfied with his decision making. You’ll all go after Lily tomorrow, and hopefully, if all goes well, she’ll be in the dungeons by the following morning. 

Sometime after he’s dismissed you, you search for Kai, feeling an intense need to apologize. Luckily, he’s over by the sink. When you reach him, he’s rubbing his hands and arms clean. The juice turns the soap, then the water pink, and his skin goes back to its usual shade.

“Hey,” you approach, somewhat out of the blue. 

He smiles at the sound of your voice. “Hi.”

“Sooo… we’re partners for Damon’s little plan.”

“Yep. If you ask me, it’s totally not gonna work.”

“His plans tend to be a hit or a miss.”

“Mhm? And which will this one be?” He jokes lightly.

You tap a finger to your chin. “Definitely a miss.” He chuckles, then nods at you for a paper towel, which you provide. “Hey, Kai? I’m, uh, I’m sorry for staring at you earlier. I was completely lost in another world.”

“No biggie. You don’t need to apologize.”

“Okay. But I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable or anything…”

“You? Make me uncomfortable? Not possible. It’s not everyday you manage to get a pretty girl’s attention. Especially not when you’re eating the messiest thing in the world.”

The compliment - flirt? - speeds your heart up fast. It makes you admit the stupidest thing possible in the next couple of words. “Ah, well messy or not, you made it look hot.” Your eyes widen immediately. “I mean, like, you were- the fruit- I- um- shit.”

He chuckles. “Don’t sweat it, I’m gonna take that as a compliment.”

“Okay,” you reply, voice small.

Kai stares at you for a moment, expression unreadable. Then, “well… see you tomorrow, Y/N. I gotta go find Damon and thank him for something.”

“Damon?” You ask, surprised.

“Yeah… thank him for pairing me with the cutest girl in the gang.” He winks as he passes, and you just about die on the spot. 

[httpsdana]

𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬~𝐀 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐭 𝟔

summary: Barça players and talented footballers. Souls meet and sparks fly. But there's always a twist when it comes to love isn't there?

pairing: Ferran Torres x Gonzalez!Reader

warnings: cursing, slight age gap, angst

previous part -> next part

It was El Clasico time. The best time to be a barça femini player. y/n was buzzing. It was always her first match and now that it was her first match as a first team player, she was even more excited.

"okay girls. you know what to do. just keep the 13 wins against Madrid going" the coach said, while all the girls cheered

The starting 11 started walking down the field, lining up for the barça anthem to be played. While y/n stood next to her teammates, she glanced towards the VIP section.

Her eyes slightly widened when she saw a bunch of the men's team there. One of them being Ferran. y/n swallowed the lump in her throat.

"why are some of the men's team players here?" y/n mumbled to Aitana that was standing next to her

"oh it's just like a tradition when playing against Real Madrid" Aitana said nonchalantly

y/n took a deep breath, feeling the nervousness take over her at the thought of them watching her.

She glanced one last time on them, her eye catching Ferran's for a split second. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to cover up the smile on her face.

Kick off.

And it only took 10 minutes for Frido to score the first goal, assisted by y/n. y/n ran to Frido where she was celebrating, jumping on her back and hugging her neck

While the team was still celebrating, y/n looked at Ferran, who was smiling proudly while clapping for them. She felt herself blushing a bit but she loosened up and went back to her position.

After about 15 minutes, barça won a corner. Caroline Hansen was on the corner. She passed the ball in the air, a Madrid player clearing it off a bit. The ball was in the air, close to reaching y/n. Without hesitation, she jumped in the air and did a bicycle kick, with all her power.

She fell to the ground, hearing only the cheers which only meant that the ball was in the net. She got up immediately, running to the corner to celebrate her world class goal with her fans.

Her teammates jumped up on her, hugging her and praising her for that goal.

She couldn't help but look at where Ferran was sat at. He was standing, cheering and clapping his hands. This only made her more excited to continue the match and show him her talent.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

The match ended 3-0, with y/n also assisting Caroline's last goal. She was thrilled with her performance, and mostly for increasing her g/a this season.

The team started to walk down the tunnel and into the lockers, when y/n heard someone call her name.

She turned around and saw Ferran walking down from his seat. She smiled at him, feeling too much adrenaline in her blood to feel nervous at the moment

"what the hell was that! you were so good out there" he said, smiling widely.

He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her shorter body, lifting her up a bit, before putting her down.

"thank youu... I'm so happy with how we played" she said, her smile so wide that her cheeks were starting to hurt

"you should be. you'd win us the champions league if you played with us" he joked, making her laugh at his small note

"well I'll try to win it with my team" she shrugged, noticing how relaxed she felt around him

"can I have your jersey?" he asked, taking her back because of his request.

"oh um sure" she started taking of her jersey, thanking god she was wearing another shirt under.

"can I have an autograph too? I'm literally your biggest fan" he said in a high pitched voice, making her laugh at his mimicking

"get me a pen" she said, fixing her jersey to write on it.

Ferran walked to one of the fans, motioning for them to throw one of their pens.

He ran back to y/n, handing her the pen. She walked to one of the walls to write on the jersey. She signed it first, then thought of writing something else. She looked back and saw Ferran waiting for her.

She quickly wrote her number down and returned the pen before throwing the jersey at Ferran. He didn't look at it, but only waved at y/n who was already walking down the tunnel.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

"ayyy I didn't know you would do that" Fernando said, giving her a high five.

"i wasn't thinking straight and was too energetic after the match. I wouldn't have done it if it was just a normal day" she shrugged, biting the inside of her cheek to hide her smile

"you do like him don't you?" Fernando asked, a small smile on his face

y/n let out a sigh, thinking about what he said.

She did like Ferran. What she wasn't sure what her feelings really were. She didn't know if she just admires him as a player, or likes him for the sweet person he is.

"I don't know..." she mumbled, playing with her fingers to avoid eye contact

"you do" he said, nudging her shoulder with his.

"I just admired him so much before. But now after meeting him in real life, I know it's not just admiration, I just don't know if i like him or not" she let out a sigh, hiding her face in her hands.

"you just gotta give it some time. get to know him more and see where that leads to" Fernando said, putting his hand on her shoulder

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

y/n was sitting on her couch, after showering when her training session ended, when she got notification from an unknown number.

She got suspicious, opening the message to see what it is.

Unknown

some football player put her number on the jersey she gave me. do you any idea who it might be?

She smiled instantly, realizing that it was Ferran. She replied to his message immediately.

Unknown

some football player put her number on the jerseys she gave me. do you any idea who it might be?

thought you would've sold this by now

I asked for the jersey. why would I sell it

mhm idk. maybe barca are too broke to give you your salary so u're looking for some money?

damn why are you roasting my team like that? 😭

She laughed at his message, typing back her response

it's funny that's all

how have you been doing?

She smiled at his caring personality, glad he tried to make a conversation with her

I've been really good actually. That match changed a lot for me

you know i wasn't asking about the team precosia

She felt the butterflies erupt in her stomach at his use of this pet name. He had said it a few times now, making her blush deeper each time. She even blushed more when he noticed that she was avoiding his question.

I'm fine. when I don't think abt it it's like it never happened

are you sure? now that I have ur number and u have mine, feel free to text me whenever you want if u want to talk

thank you Fer. that's really sweet of you

anytime y/n

She grinned from ear to ear, dropping her phone and burying her face in her hands. She wondered why Ferran was so interested in listening to her or even talking to her. But at this point, she didn't want to question it, but only enjoy it while it lasted.

Her phone dinged again with another notification.

new message from Ferran

She opened it immediately to see what he sent.

another movie night tonight?

She was internally screaming and freaking out. He was asking to hang out with her.

of course. what time will you be here?

how about at mine this time? I can come pick you up in a few hours

y/n wasn't expecting that, and couldn't deny she was a bit nervous about going to his house. But she wanted to keep the confidence and not take a step back

no problem. just text me when you're here

great! it's a date then

y/n's jaw dropped at his message. rereading it a few 100 times to make sure it was correct.

a date

he asked her out for a date

holy fucking shit

[thisismysecondrodeo]

sitting on Ted’s lap in public (maybe at a party) and moving around to tease him 😈

AN: fun fun fun, we love some light teasing (also sorry I’ve been MIA! Life! Good things!)

Rating: Mature

Tags: lap sitting, private relationship, teasing, prelude to sex, light dom energy

Part 2 | Fic Masterlist

-

The Richmond bus was rocking and rolling with the enthusiasm of the boys celebrating their win. You brought up the tail end, snapping pictures for the team socials: Higgins and Will high-fiving, Keeley’s small frame slung around Rebecca’s waist, a clap on the back from Roy to Jaime as they chanted their way up the bus steps. Enough pictures taken, you started making your way towards the back of the bus, Ted catching your eye with a wink, his hand brushing yours as you passed by. 

It wasn’t a secret that you and Ted were an item but the two of you were adamant about mostly being about business during business hours. But as you passed you realized with the addition of Keeley and Rebecca every seat was taken. You turned around to see if you could find a ride with some of the support staff when the bus started rolling and you tumbled into Ted’s lap. 

“Well hello there darling,” Ted crooned playfully in your ear. 

You laughed, “Howdy there coach. Great job today.” Beard was sitting next to the two of you, a book already opened in front of him and paying the two of you no mind. “I guess I should tell the driver—” 

But before you could ask the driver to stop as soon as he’d started, the Richmond boys started singing Sweet Caroline and there was no way the driver would hear you. 

“Darlin’ I think you’re staying put,” Ted laughed as you craned your neck to try to catch the eye of the driver, the motion giving Ted a view straight down your shirt. Richard was the one who caught him staring and gave him an approving nod that made his cheeks blush crimson. You turned to look at Ted and caught his eyes quickly darting up from your chest to your face and you smirked. 

“Don’t be silly Ted it's an hour’s ride! I’m sure Rebecca and Keeley can squeeze—” You started to stand but Ted quickly wrapped an arm around your waist. 

“Please, stay put,” Ted begged, the tone sending a shiver down your spine, “or this might get mighty embarrassin’ for me.” It took you a second to connect the dots, but you shifted your hips and felt the embarrassment in question, Ted’s erection making itself known against your backside. 

Before you could think of all the ways you could drive Ted crazy for the next hour, Sam turned around from the row above to pull Ted into an argument and you giggled to yourself at how admirably he held it together as he laughed and nodded along. You crossed one leg over the other which only pressed you further against him and you heard him stutter at the same time you felt his cock twitch. 

The conversation ended and Ted dropped his forehead against your shoulder, releasing a heavy sigh. You peeked over at Beard to find that his book had migrated from his lap to his face and he was lightly snoring. You adjusted and wrapped your arm around Ted’s shoulder, pressing a surreptitious kiss to the spot behind his ear and he shuddered and groaned. Ted tightened his grip on you, his fingertips pressing into your waist before sliding down your leg and squeezing just above your knee. 

“You just refuse to act right, don’t you darlin’,” Ted’s voice was light but it brought up every memory of Ted and you in the bedroom, his southern drawl encouraging you to be a good girl for him and now it was your turn to bite your lip and squeeze your thighs together. “When we get home you’ll have to find out what happens when you don’t act right, won’t you?” Your eyes shut as you tried to hold yourself together, but Ted only squeezed his hand again, which you knew meant he wanted an answer. But you weren’t done teasing. Your arm was still wrapped around his shoulders so you ran your hands sweetly through his hair, before tightening your grip as well, feeling Ted’s sharp intake of breath as his chin tilted back, his face even closer to yours. “Yes sir,” you leaned in and whispered in his ear.

It was going to be a long ride home. 

Part 2 ->

[careforbesdaily]

STACKEDIARIES | april 22nd | “miss mystic falls”

“I actually won!”

[Caption: gifs from The Vampire Diaries. Caroline is hugging Elena, grinning with unexpected joy. She steps back, with Elena grinning back at her, and Richard Lockwood puts the Miss Mystic Falls sash on her. She’s still grinning while everyone claps at her.]

[klausysworld]

you can do a 3rd part of "you've lost your girl" where klaus and y/n are not together but have a co-parenting dynamic, obviously klaus still loves her and grieves for her and always makes sure that she and her daughter are protected and pampered, and he is hopeful that they will be together again one day. (and klaus can't be with another woman or love again because his heart only belongs to y/n forever)

You’ve lost your girl PT3

PT1 PT2

It took over year for Klaus to accept that y/n wasn’t going to be his anytime soon.

He found that out when he came to pick Hope up and she was all dressed up with Caroline fawning over her and getting her ready for a date with another man.

In fact she had been on many dates over the years, but none if them lasted more than a few months. Though each one broke his heart more and more. His siblings often had to try and pick him back up from his lows, almighty hybrid or not, Klaus couldn’t handle the emotional pain of the situation.

He hadn’t loved someone the way he loved her, especially with their child in the mix, he hated that they weren’t together anymore. He loathed that he couldn’t be her family.

She was still polite to Klaus, she never brought up the day of the pregnancy announcement again. She found no point in tormenting him for what he said any longer. And if she were honest, she forgave him fairly quickly after their baby was born, after seeing him with Hope and seeing how much he truly adored her with all his heart and soul.

They called a lot, probably too much but the truth was that they both still loved each other. And if she were to give Klaus the ‘okay’ then he would have her in his arms in a heartbeat. But y/n was too afraid of her heart being broken again. It’s why she was never able to fully commit to someone else, why none of her relationships ever seemed to work.

Hope also played a roll. She was a very intelligent child. She was already fully aware of her parents dynamic at the age of 3.

She liked to ball her eyes out whenever y/n mentioned a mans name. Crying and screaming “I want daddy!” She would yell until y/n was nearly crying herself and calling Klaus to come help her.

Klaus was ready for her call, always. He often sat with Hope when she came over and spoke to her “i wish i could come home with you and mommy” he would tell her while she played with her toys “why not?” She would ask making him smile “mommy doesn’t want me there” he sighed making Hope sad “is it cuz of Derek?” She asked and Klaus nodded “Derek gone” Hope would clap before preparing herself to ruin her mothers new relationship.

Y/n would pass Hope to Klaus as soon as he got to the door “just take her to yours, she doesn’t want to be here” she would whisper, tears in her eyes as she tried to close the door only for Hope to reach out to her

“mommy too” she would mumble with her lips pouted. Y/n would nod and come hold Hope hand “mommy hugs” she would sniffle

“you have daddy’s hugs already” y/n said with a small smile

“mommy hugs and daddy hugs” she would whine until Klaus had his arms around y/n and y/n’s arms around Hope. Effectively trapping her parents together.

At four she was even better at it. Forcing them both to take her to school together otherwise she refused to get dressed.

They were bound together by their daughter no matter what.

Klaus supported y/n no matter what. Even if she was with another man at the time, he never once disrespected her again. Even if she were with another man at the time, he knew it would make her happy and so he made no comments on it.

By 6 Hope just wanted her parents together. She made such a fuss that y/n was no longer able to have a relationship with anyone else. She began to sit around their home waiting for Hope to be finished at school. Caroline and Bonnie had their own lives to be busy with.

Y/n got a job at the local cafe to occupy her time but it wasn’t something she enjoyed. Her entire life had just been through Hope and now she was spending the majority of her time at school and the other time with her father, y/n didn’t know what to do with herself.

Once hope was 8 she became more aware of her parents pasts. She understood that sometimes her mother got upset and that she needed Hope. But she also knew that sometimes her mother needed her father. Often Klaus would get a phone call from y/n’s phone from Hope “can you come help me? Moms away in her room” she would whisper sat outside her mother bedroom door. Klaus was arrive in record timing and would have Hope with Rebekah as he held y/n gently while she cried over feeling unlovable.

Klaus realised that him egging Hope on in stopping y/n from dating was just as malicious as doing it himself. He had to convince Hope to stop and because Hope understood what was happening, she did.

And eventually y/n was with someone, and she was happy. She was truly happy and so was Hope, she liked the man her mother was with. But when he got down on one knee and proposed to her, all she could think about…was Klaus.

———————————————————————

Y/n ran all the way to Klaus’s.

It was nearly 10pm as she knocked rapidly on the door. She was dressed in a form fitted red dress and had legged in all the way there in silhouette heels. Her makeup was rubbing down her face as she nearly knocked the door down.

The door swung open and an angry Klaus opened the door before his expression faltered and he frowned looked down at y/n. “Love? What-“ he was immediately cut off as she threw herself into his arms, her lips to his making him moan in surprise and would’ve fallen backwards if she didn’t grab him to pull him to her.

His arms wrapped around her after another few seconds of shock and he began to kiss back passionately, his breathing turning unstable as he pushed her against the wall. She jumped and her legs pulled his hips closer as she moaned into his mouth and tugged at his hair.

He pulled away briefly but before he could say anything, she was pulling him back to her. Her tongue desperately regained ownership of his mouth, her hands pulled at his shirt pulling it up and her hips began to roll. He grunted in surprise and squeezed her waist gently as his body began to rock to hers.

They pulled away for only a second as his shirt was threw across the floor. His hands began to gain more confidence as they rubbed up and down her body, reminding himself of every curve she owned. He kneaded at her breasts and his hips thrust to rub against her. Her hand moved to his neck, gripping him gently with need as she kissed him hard.

Just as he tore her dress right down the middle they both heard a throat clear. He pulled away and looked to his side while she closed to eyes and rest her head against the wall.

Klaus cleared his throat when he saw Rebekah stood with her arms crossed and an amused expression on her face “and how long has this been going on?” She questioned

“About five minutes tops” klaus muttered and Rebekah’s eyes widened. Y/n turned to her with a sarcastic smile and a thumbs up

“What-why? How!” Rebekah spluttered, before turning around “oh my god you two were gonna do in on the wall!” She yelled

“What on the wall?” They heard a voice say and then a sleepy Hope wondering in.

Klaus’s eyes widened and he grabbed a blanket before covering y/n’s front up by swaddling her in it. “Nothing princess, we thought there was a mark on the wall is all” he said with a smile and Hopes eyes lit up

“Mom! Am I meant to be at home with you?” She asked and came on over making y/n begin to laugh. Klaus and Rebekah looked at each other in confusion

“I think your mother has had one too many glasses of wine dear, I’m going to put her to bed okay? You should be asleep too darling” he told her while pulling y/n along with him as he brought them up the stairs

“I was but I heard the door banging” she yawned

“Sorry sweetheart, you just go to sleep okay?” He kissed her forehead and Hope gave her mother a quick hug before going into her room.

Y/n was still giggling as she put her face in Klaus’s neck. He looked down to her both amused and concerned before lifting her up and bringing her to his room.

“What has you so giggly my love?” He asked while grabbing her one of his tops and pulling it over her head

“I just rejected Marks proposal” she said and burst out laughing. Klaus’s face dropped at her words and he frowned for many reasons

“You…you said no?” He asked confused

“Its been like ten years and I’m still in love with you” she laughed, she lead back on his bed looking up at his ceiling. He smiled slightly at her and lead down beside her. “I hated you for so long but it was so stupid” she laughs “i mean, it was pathetic really!”

“It wasn’t pathetic” he whispered, he took her hand “love-“

“Oh shut up Klaus! Stop apologising it’s so fucking annoying!” She exclaimed making him shut his mouth. “God you know I’m here to say I love you and that out whole stupid co-parenting is so stupid! You’re always at my house! Don’t lie! You live with us, you’re still in love me” she yelled and he shushed her

“Yes love if course but do remember we have a child listening to us” he mumbles pulling her to him.

She hums lazily and rolls on top of him “we should have more babies” she whispers kissing his lips.

“Love, you’re drunk” he murmurs though still kissing her as she presses against him

“I need you” she whispers

“Shh, just close your eyes love, we can talk all about it in the morning” he promises her, he spins them over and pulls the duvet over her.

“No…come back” she whined grabbing his arm.

He reluctantly lead with her, and eventually managed to get her to sleep despite her insistently kissing his neck.

He looked down at her with a soft look “I do hope you remember this in the morning”

[hippolotamus]

Tagged by my love @disasterbuckdiaz (with a super hot snippet) @daffi-990 (with a whole lotta feels) @tizniz (with a super cute new fic 🦖) @buddierights (with a sweet fic of V-day past) thank you lovelies 💖

Today I bring you two snippets because Fuck It, amirite??? The first is because I was rewatching Fellow Travelers last night and a moment in Episode 2 hit me like a freight train.

But then the skit starts.

Caroline and Carlos, dressed in a suit and skirt respectively, playing as a couple having dinner at home. Caroline sits at a small table while Carlos stirs an empty pot of imaginary soup.

Even though it’s all pretend, the whole scene is so terribly, achingly domestic. A reminder of an unattainable dream. Within seconds Tim feels as though he is submerged, drowning in heartache. It fills his lungs, taking up precious space where air should be. Every silently jagged breath burns as he tries to take in oxygen, but only receives more pain. He doesn’t know how he’s not making a spectacle of himself, attracting attention to the way his heart cracks, just short of breaking completely.

It is a relief when Carlos approaches him, holding out the wooden soup spoon. The gesture is silly but provides a much needed reprieve. Tim finds it in himself to be able to laugh again as he’s fed the invisible offering. A bright feeling that bursts forth, genuinely happy as it displaces his gloominess.

When Carlos and Caroline have bickered and teased their way to the ending, they bow and curtsy as the group claps and cheers. Some even call for an encore. Instead Caroline insists Mary put a record on so everyone can dance.

A lesser version of Tim’s earlier distress settles over him like a thick fog. It blankets him in loneliness while he watches Mary and her lover sway to the music, holding each other close with their cheeks pressed together.

Snippet #2 is noticeably more zesty (any guesses from the banner???) but with no fewer feels. Find a bit of honey, when you call my name under the cut 😏 Hoping this one will be posted very soon.

“You okay?” Buck’s face is etched with such concern and care it makes Eddie’s chest tight. A squeezing around his heart that makes him wish he could pull it from behind his ribcage. To clutch it in his palms while he shows off all the places Buck’s mended and healed for him. A way to prove that Eddie is more than okay, and only improving as they continue to intertwine their lives together.

“Yeah, baby. I’m good.” Eddie lifts his head, angling his neck so he can kiss Buck again. He pours all of his gratitude and overwhelm into it, hoping the message is clear. That their unique brand of silent communication applies here as well.

It must because Buck continues to slide in, albeit slowly. He goes inch by inch, periodically checking in with a questioning look that Eddie returns with a small nod until Buck’s fully seated. And it feels… unusual. Not in a bad way, but an altogether different sensation than the times he’s fucked himself with his fingers or a toy. Of course it would be, because it’s Buck. It’s novel and precious and life changing. An event that Eddie would scribble in his diary if he had one. But at the same time — it’s Buck. So it’s also an inevitable homecoming, like being able to finally set down his burdens and breathe a sigh of relief.

“So good, Buck,” Eddie tells him before the question can be asked, because he knows it will be. He can see it in the infinite blue staring back at him, sparkling with affection and love.

Buck dips his head down, brushing their noses together, and Eddie doesn’t miss how bright, sunny blue turns darker, like dusky twilight.

“Gonna move as soon as you say so,” Buck murmurs against his lips. “‘ve wanted to fuck you for so long.”

Eddie’s belly swoops and his muscles clench in anticipation. Because it’s a two way street and this has been years in the making for both of them.

“Oh, yeah?” Before Buck can answer he tacks on, “Do it then. You’re not the only one waiting here, y’know.”

He’s rewarded with a mischievous smirk just before he feels Buck pull back. A moan — closer to a growl — rips out of him when Buck thrusts forward again, making him feel so, so full and whole. Complete.

no pressure tagging @wildlife4life @spotsandsocks @wikiangela @jesuisici33 @diazsdimples (I know you have something to share by now!) @stereopticons @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @theotherbuckley @monsterrae1 @buckaroosheart @indestructibleheart @thewolvesof1998 @loserdiaz @fortheloveofbuddie @steadfastsaturnsrings @elvensorceress @honestlydarkprincess @spaceprincessem @apothecarose @barbiediaz @chaosandwolves @eowon @giddyupbuck @heartshapedvows @hoodie-buck @ladydorian05 @lemonzestywrites @statueinthestone @singlethread @the-likesofus @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @watchyourbuck @your-catfish-friend @vanillahigh00 and anyone else who wants to share

[infinityerlingx]

Winner

pairing - mason mount x (fem)reader

plot - y/n plays for the women’s national team, scoring the winning goal for the euro final

genre - fluff

It felt like time had stopped for a few seconds as the ball hit your feet and you had no choice but to shoot, two of the other teams defenders racing towards you. You hit the ball, praying to god that it was going to go in. The ball went in slow motion, making its way towards the net.

The eruption of cheers is what made you snap from your trance, the ball had slipped from the goalkeepers hands, hitting the back of the net with such force.

You couldn’t believe your eyes. The girls shouting your name all bounding over to you, in which you took off in a run, celebrating your goal. You had done it, you had scored the winning goal of possibly the biggest game of your life. Leah Williamson instantly took you into her arms, lifting you up from the ground, giving you the biggest hug you had ever felt. The rest of the girls doing the same, all of them cheering at you and hugging you tightly.

The last 10 minutes of the game dragged on, the stress to make sure that the opposing team didn’t score again. Trying to keep the win to your side, not wanting your near win snatched away.

When the final whistle blew, your heart dropped. You had done it. You had won. You instantly tan for Leah, your closest friend in the squad, engulfing her in the biggest hug you ever could.

Mason was watching in the stands. Cheering alongside his teammate Phil Foden, however his eyes were struck on you. You scored the winning goal, bringing you to be the European Winners. Mason had tears in his eyes watching you, he was so proud of his girl. Phil gave him a tight hug, the pair of them cheering louder than they ever had.

You and the girls couldn’t calm down your excitement, all pulling each other into hugs whenever you saw one another. Then came the trophy ceremony, you stood near the front, watching as Leah carried the trophy over to the middle of the stage. You all erupted into loud cheers as the trophy was lifted.

“This one’s for you” Leah smiled, passing you the trophy “Our goal scorer” She smiled as you lifted the trophy high above your head. Happy tears streaming down your face.

Mason had made his way down to the pitch, stood in the tunnel, watching as you did your post-match interview, a smile on his face as you spoke so quickly, wanting to join the girls back as they were doing the rounds, clapping the fans. He decided on waiting in the tunnel until you had done your rounds, wanting to join when the other families would.

You jogged back to Lucy’s side, strolling around the pitch, clapping the fans and waving to a couple of children that were shouting your name. Sweet Caroline playing in the background, making the win feel extra special. You engaged in a few pictures with the girls, holding the trophy between a few of you, smiling as the camera went off.

“Fancy a picture?” You heard a male voice speak, a voice you recognised. Passing the trophy back to Jill, you spun around meeting Mason. You couldn’t even think before you were pulled into a tight hug, Mason’s arms snaking around your waist, yours around his neck, his head nuzzled into the crook of your neck. He lifted you slightly off the ground, your legs wrapping around his waist, his hands under your thighs keeping you up. He placed you back down to the ground after a minute or so. You pulled away from the hug, however your arms didn’t leave his neck, his finding their place on your hips. Your faces mere inches from each other.

“I'm so proud of you. So proud” He smiled, his eyes creasing at the sides.

“We did it Mason, we actually did it” You spoke excitedly.

“I knew you could” He spoke again, his lips finding yours in a soft kiss. “Y/N L/N, the Euro’s winning goal scorer, that’s got a nice ring to it” He spoke as he pulled away, which brought a blush to your cheeks.

“I can’t believe I actually scored it Mason, I’m so happy” You replied, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes.

“You deserved it so much baby” He told you truthfully. Leaning down to give you another kiss, your lips brushing together softly, not wanting to take it any further, in front of millions of people. “Now, how about you go enjoy yourself with the girls for a while and then I take you back to the hotel and celebrate even more?” He winked suggestively.

“That sounds very very tempting Mason” You replied, smirking at his words.

[accidentalshifter]

[March 24-25, 2024: Unwanted dinner guest who despite being declined politely multiple times still ends up getting his way.]

⚜️ TW: My Mikaelsons are a ✨️ problem ✨️ and don't play nice at all. Death, sex, blood, violence, manipulation, and dark themes will probably be present. I don't condone any of the actions taken by these vampires, I'm just recording them. For science.

Shifting Notes:

Whelp, I lasted all of a few hours in my DR without running into an Original. 😅 What a record! For now, this DR is running on a few scripts outlined in [this post here] but seems to have a mind of its own. Which is probably a commentary on me, tbh. This trip threw me an interesting curveball. I'm still trying to corkboard strategize my next move like-

Astrological Timing: (Partial) lunar eclipse in Libra. An excellent time for shifting due to an eclipse's liminal, portal energy. This shift definitely was a memorable one; was incredibly vivid, detailed and crystal clear.

⚜️ I re-enter DR at the exact moment that Elena gives Caroline (then me) the "who is this person??" look. Embarrassed, I rub the back of my neck and respond with: 'I'm new to hearing pretty much everything about Mystic Falls. This is my first day in town. I'm still kinda acclimating, haha!' 😅 A huge lie but telling the truth right now would cause more problems. That's a conversation for a later day...

⚜️ Elena says: 'Oh', as if a great tragedy has befallen me. Caroline reacts the opposite & exclaims brightly, 'Well, welcome to Mystic Falls!'. Then, immediately tries to get me to buy a raffle ticket/s in her next breath. 'You should celebrate it by buying a line of raffle tickets!!". Elena turns to Caroline, chastising her for what I guess (??) Elena considers to be rude behavior & Caroline blows it off with no remorse when she says, 'What, Elena? It's for a good cause!'. I can see in Caroline's face that she truly believes that.

⚜️ Elena turns to me and tries to rectify the situation by saying, 'You can get like 2, that's what everyone usually buys. Or you can give a dollar to the tip jar if you don't have 20$ to spend'. Elena is trying to alleviate the weight of Caroline's "you will spend your money for this fundraiser" stare that is focused on me. I am not sure if Elena is doing this out of care and kindness or if she's just embarrassed by Caroline. It's probably the latter option.

⚜️ I decide that donating to the fundraiser is the right thing to do in this situation. 'No, no. It's cool!' I say while digging through my bag for my wallet, 'I'll buy a line for 20$.' Caroline almost literally sparkles at this response and claps her hands together, exclaiming 'YAY!!!' as if the team she's cheering for has scored a goal. Meanwhile, Elena is just...looking at me. She's got this expression on her face like she's trying to place where I come from or is surprised/shocked by something. Is it that I bought the 20$ line of tickets??? Either way, her intrigue makes me nervous. She is Elena, after all...

⚜️ In fact, Elena is so absorbed in whatever it is that she's trying to figure out that Care has to nudge her out of her focused trance. 'Uh. Elena, the tickets...?' Caroline says. The brunette blinks, shaking off the shock, and begins to size up the line of tickets from the roll placed on the table. 'Right, uh. And what name should I put on the tickets?' Elena asks me while I'm handing Caroline a 20$.

Observation: I'm super suspicious of Elena's behavior right now. My DR is going off-script again and I have no clue what ramifications this interaction is going to have in the future. 😅 Also it's Elena. The main character. Who has doppelganger plot armor. I'm uh...having my guard up on this one.

⚜️ 'Zoey', I answer immediately, then follow with my last name of St. Claire...and tack on the "Webb" reluctantly at the end. 'That's my father's name, though', I re-amend, feeling Z go through a gut twist at this moment. Elena begins marking each ticket (with my initials) using a thick, black sharpie. She hands them to me as soon as the job is done and I thank her for it. Z asks them what their names are just in case there's more causes to donate to while I continue to study Elena's face for any possible clues on what the fuck has got her so spooked.

⚜️ Caroline immediately introduces herself. Elena follows suit afterward but seems a bit more subdued about it. Almost...reluctant. I say that it's nice to meet them both & maybe I'll "catch you guys around". I quickly take the conversational out, wave goodbye to Elena and Caroline. Then, walk away as quickly as possible because I can feel the anxiety rising up in my chest.

Observation: I've tried to script out my social anxiety a bunch of times (and maybe I'm just a terrible, untalented shifter) but no matter how many times I've reaffirmed the idea that "I am a social butterfly", my DR is like 🤣 no, bitch. you ain't tho. 💅

⚜️ Walking through the Mystic Falls Square is an overwhelming task to the senses. I can see and smell and hear things happening all over the place. There's a bunch of kids and a golden retriever playing soccer, their parents watch them play from their spots on laid out picnic blankets and quilts. Drinking beer and eating or checking their phones. A vendor in a red and white pinstriped uniform is making cotton candy at a portable stall. He expertly whips up a cone of pink, edible, sugar-spun cloud and gives it to a child accompanied by her mother. I hear a brass band start playing. Their conductor is waving his wand in sharp, excited motions. They're standing in front of the monument in the middle of the square. I lose focus as I listen to them play.

⚜️ So distracted, I accidentally run straight into a middle-aged woman sporting a Karen bob, a Louis Vouitton handbag, and a rather goofy glass of beer. The kind you'd buy as a gag at Disneyland or Sea World or Six Flags. Her drink spills all over me. A little splashes onto her hand bag. Immediately, the woman gets ANGRY as hell. She starts to yell at me, 'Excuse you?! That was a Lois Vouitton that you just ruined! Do you know how much that cost me?!'. (I don't actually, I'm not a fashion brands kind of person) Just as this woman is about to explode into a fit of rage, someone interrupts her...

⚜️ Mrs. Lockwood!! 😲 She strolls right out of the crowd, immediately commanding the Karen's respect by addressing the woman by her first & last name as if she made it her job to know every (living) person within Mystic Falls. I would've paid attention to what she'd called the woman if it were not for the man standing in attendance besides her... Elijah Mikaelson. My heart instantly drops into my stomach at the sight of him.

⚜️ Mrs. Lockwood asks the woman if 'there was a problem??' while Elijah pulls out a silk handkerchief and offers it to me as I've been trying/failing to dry myself off. It's a white & black handkerchief with his initials stitched elegantly into it with obsidian black thread. Elijah gives me an encouraging smile when I decline his offer and politely replies, "I insist," so I end up taking it. I wipe my face. Almost like I'm trying to wipe the disbelief from it as well.

Observation: He just rolled right up without any warning! I wasn't prepared for this and in fact, my DR is going SO off-script right now! I had tried to plan a quiet entrance into the Grill for my first day in Mystic Falls. Instead, I got a beer festival and hitting every branch on the main character tree! And this is only a few hours into my first day in town.

⚜️ In Elijah's presence, I feel weird... Almost like someone turned on a motor in my brain. There's a thrumming inside my chest and in my gut. It's electric. At the same time, it's a bit disconcerting. Z senses it. She gives the looming Elijah a weird look for it, too. At this point, I can't tell if it's my shock, Z's vampire hunting genes, or a combo of both that has us all tongue-tied in the Original's presence.

⚜️ Mrs. Lockwood's voice cuts in, shaking me (and my DR-self) out of our stupor. The Mayor is reassuring the outraged Karen that she's sure my colliding into her was just an honest accident. 'After all,' Mrs. Lockwood adds, 'Ms. Webb comes from a good family. I knew her father when she was small. Isn't that right, Zoey?'. Mrs. Lockwood beams at me with a kind of pride that I can't place or understand...

Observation: ...Especially considering that my scripted backstory included William W being more of a priah than anything else in Mystic Falls. I guess that's another 🚫 from my DR, lol.

⚜️ A wave of embarrassment comes over Z. I hear her chuckle and say, 'That was so long ago, Mrs. L. I'm surprised you remember me, haha...' and try to play it off casually. Mrs. L replies with a cheerful smile, 'Ohhh, it wasn't so long ago~' I think I might've inadvertently made her uncomfortable about her age? She seems pretty damn smitten with Elijah right now. Mrs. L turns to the Karen and gives the woman a dismissive, cold glare. 'Speaking of costs, let's talk later about your Garden Club membership, shall we??? You've been late on your club tributes despite the extension I've given you-'. The Karen looks mortified and is now apologizing to both Mrs. Lockwood and me. She slinks off immediately afterward like a banished demon.

⚜️ Meanwhile, I've been focusing on wiping the beer off and not paying attention to the Original who is standing mere inches away from me. Mrs. Lockwood turns to me after the Karen has left our presence & welcomes me back to Mystic Falls, then apologizes for that woman's behavior/the loss of my father. Z gets super awkward about this. She replies with a stumbling: 'It's alright. Weelllll, it's not alright. One of them is alright, one isn't. And I'm pretty sure I'm the one who ran into her. So, it's my fault-".

⚜️ Elijah interrupts Zoey. He says, 'I'm quite positive it was the other way around'. Z and I simultaneously glance at the vampire, tilting our head to the side.

Observation: Was he watching me? For how long was he watching me?? I didn't notice it at all. Was he the weird feeling I got when I'd first gotten off the bus?

⚜️ Mrs. Lockwood clicks into place, realizing that Elijah was just standing there without a proper introduction. She rectifies this almost immediately by saying, 'Ahh! Ms. Webb, this is my friend, Mr. Elijah Mikaelson. He's from the Historic Society in New Orleans'. Mrs. L smiles widely, seemingly quite pleased with herself. Elijah extends his hand to me as he replies, 'Yes, I'm here to study the history of Mystic Falls. Fascinating little town you have here...wouldn't you agree??'. He's responding to Mrs. Lockwood but staring directly at me. In this moment, to save face, I have to shake his hand. But inside Z, I'm like 😬 the whole time.

⚜️ Mrs. Lockwood puffs with pride at Elijah Mikaelson's comment. Z & I are unified when we weakly agree. Mrs. L asks how I'm doing, if I'm settling in, and whether or not the trip here went smoothly. I take over the dialogue for Z and say that the bus trip was relatively smooth but super long. And that handling all the property business is a bit overwhelming but at least I have Mr. Pogue and my father's lawyers to help me out. 'So things should be evening out soon!' Z adds in optimistically. I blink. I didn't think she was going to pipe up. Like before, I try to dip out of conversation & continue on my way to the Grill. 'Well, it was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Lockwood, but I don't want to keep you from anything...'

⚜️ 'Nonsense!' The Mayor exclaims, 'I always have time for a daughter of Mystic Falls.' But ironically, the moment those words leave her lips, Mrs. L sneaks a peek at her wristwatch and does a doubletake. She yelps, 'Ahh! The ribbon cutting!' & apologizes about speaking too soon. Mrs. Lockwood turns to Elijah and suggests that: 'Perhaps you & Mr. Mikaelson could get to know each other' in her absence and then tells Elijah that the Webbs are one of the more notable, famous families of the town. Elijah raises an eyebrow at me while I feel like I wanna evaporate into the cement. Mrs. Lockwood continues, oblivious, 'Maybe you can tell him some stories about Will and your ancestors?'.

⚜️ I try to say that I don't know much about my father/ancestors but Mrs. Lockwood has already power-walked away. I see her raising her hand up, calling someone over to her. I'm pretty sure it was "Linda" or "Leslie." It makes sense if it was Caroline's mother. But I'm not sure. Honestly? I was waaaaay more focused on the looming threat of Elijah who is staring (LOUDLY) at me.

⚜️ 'Webb...?' Elijah muses to himself aloud in a sultry purr (that I wish did not sound as hot as it did) then gazes at me more attentively. As if he's realized something. Then, a whole new expression comes over his face. Intrigue & curiosity. He asks me, 'Is that any relation to the Webbs of New Orleans?' in a polite yet unsettlingly interested way. I try to brush the question off lightly by giving him a shrug. 'I think? I'm not sure on the details. We were... Uh, textile merchants??? Or something way back in the when ago. Who can remember?' I laugh but it's strained. Z's heart is racing.

⚜️ That strange, surging, electric thrum hits me again. Only this time, it's much stronger than before. Again, I try to separate myself from the awkwardness by telling Elijah that I really gotta start heading out to get dinner & that it was a pleasure to meet him. I say this just as politely as he does, matching energy. But Elijah is one step ahead of me and keeps the conversation alive by suggesting that we get dinner together. His treat. And that he'd love the company. 🫠 I attempt to decline his offer again by saying that I couldn't possibly bother him on our first meeting by making a perfect stranger like him pay the bill. But he just smiles, replying with a wave of his hand, 'Oh, it would be my pleasure to treat you.' He follows that by telling me to consider it "fair payment" for my family's stories. He is, after all, researching Mystic Falls. Great. He's not going to let this one go...

⚜️ Z doesn't know how to respond to Elijah. I step in for her, lying directly to his face when I tell him to prepare for disappointment. And that 'I'm not well-versed in any of the Webb family's history'. I mention to Elijah that my dad didn't tell me much when he was alive. It was kind of his thing. Elijah chuckles. 'That's not an issue, Ms. Webb. I'd be happy to hear everything you do know; no matter how tiny or miniscule it is,' Elijah says with a refined & effortless politeness that is really getting on my nerves right now.

⚜️ I roll my eyes. I feel Zoey follow suit. She has the same opinion as me on this. As one, we both tell Elijah: 'don't blame me if the info you get isn't much' and that William kept his mysteries to himself. Even up to his very last days... Elijah just nods, unconcerned by this, and mentions to Z that he's known the type before and not to worry. Zoey softens at that comment while I'm shrieking loudly inside of her. I feel her smile at him and cheekily ask if that's an official deal. Elijah nods in response to this. 'Consider it a sealed deal, Ms. Webb. I'm interested nonetheless.'

⚜️ At this point, I feel my CR body flash the engine checklight, telling me that it's time to return back or suffer the consequences. And unless I want to permashift right now, I need to leave this scenario to play out for another trip. I catch a few after images when I get to my CR of Elijah Mikaelson gesturing for Z to follow him through the Square towards what I imagine will be the Mystic Grill. But my DR has tricked me before so who knows??? The next few days after this shift, I spent fully in blob mode. Like I had done a 6 day workout all condensed into 2 hours.

Side Note: The outfits I observed during this shift because now I'm noticing fashion...

Elijah Mikaelson: Robin's egg blue, button down work shirt with button-up sleeves & black work slacks, black leather shoes. I'm pretty sure they were Italian leather.

Elena Gilbert: Maroon/wine-colored tank top, black camisole. Dark red long sleeved hoodie with zippers on the ends. Skinny jeans & worn-out converse shoes. Silver locket with garnet stone embedded into it. Basically her outfit during S1, E10.

Caroline Forbes: White lace camisole with baby pink, baby doll shirt. Sleeves are cut to her mid-arms, exposing her wrists, and showing off her silver, charm bracelet. Short denim skirt & cute pink pumps. Her star tattoo can be seen. She's wearing a pair of star earrings and has silver glitter mascara on.

Mrs. Lockwood: Silk, woman's business shirt that's cream colored. Beige pencil skirt with a modest slit up the side. Pointed toe high heels. Also beige in color. Gold bangles around her wrists and white pearls around her neck. Wearing some sort of Chanel perfume????