#german flag helmet

[rb9]

sebby 🩷

💛❤️🖤

[5seb5]

I love the helmet tributes, but whenever I see Mick or Fernando for a second I'm confused thinking it's Seb

[heritageposts]

This is not the first time this has happened either:

[Jul 16 2024] Berlin police is arresting children at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, in what activists say is a shocking escalation of already widespread police violence against pro-Palestinian voices. The most recent confirmed arrest of children involved the early June detention of a 7-year-old boy for allegedly hitting an officer’s helmet with his flag. In a witness statement shown to The New Arab (TNA), the boy's father said he had been carrying his son on his shoulders at a march when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by officers who lashed out at the crowd and then took the pair away to a police van. The police confirmed via email that a 7-year-old was arrested on suspicion of "assaulting" a police officer at the same protest in Berlin. Police told TNA that six children under the age of 16 were detained on June 8.   In a video posted on social media, the child can be seen screaming in a state of extreme distress while he and his father are surrounded and grabbed by 11 officers in riot gear. The father says the child now experiences anxiety and needs psychological treatment because of the incident. In another incident on the same day, a 13-year-old was handcuffed and dragged away by officers using a controversial "pain grip" after making a rude hand gesture to a police officer. Berlin police have confirmed that a 13-year-old was detained "on suspicion of insult," which is a criminal offence under German law. A few weeks earlier, on May 29, an incident was reported where two adolescents were punched in the face several times by police officers at a house entrance in Sonnenallee street in Berlin. This incident of police violence was condemned by Amnesty International Germany, and urged an investigation into allegations of unlawful police actions. 

[sinofwriting]

Points Have Been Made - Charles Leclerc/Reader/Max Verstappen

Words: 3,363 Summary: Max and Charles find out something happened to their girlfriend. Note(s): Thank you Mak for commissioning this! Mentions of medical stuff, infertility (not reader). One German word, one Dutch word, some French words. Jenson Button appears in this fic, because uh, well, I love him and honestly, I��d like to think (write) him having a weird soft spot for Max (and Charles) after seeing him more recently around Logan.

Masterlist | Support Me!

“Max.” He lets out a hum, his focus on the car and racing line into turn nine. “Box box.” “What?” His eyes flick up to where a yellow or red flag would be waved but there isn’t anything. “I’ve only done three laps on these tires.” “Box box.” His brows furrow beneath his helmet and balaclava at the non-answer.

Pulling off the track and into the pit lane, his fingers tap against the wheel as they pull his car back into the garage. He sits there expecting the mechanics to make some sort of adjustments but instead they start doing what they do at the end of a session, cooling the car down, prepping it for its next use.

He feels a slight pressure to the top of his helmet and then GP is in his line of sight, leaning into his space and car, perfectly helping to cover him with the mechanics and engineers, so the camera can’t see inside. “Something happened, Max. Session is over for you.” His heart starts thudding in his chest, panic threatening to overtake him. “What happened?” His voice is muffled by the helmet but he knows that GP hears it from the way his frown deepens. “Out of the car, Max. We’re doing our best to not let cameras see in, but who knows how long that will last.” Max looks at the mechanics and engineers and only now takes note of how they’re standing. It’s a carefully constructed wall, not allowing the cameras to see him at all. “Alright.” He murmurs.

He focuses on his hands as he disconnects the steering wheel, resting it on top of the car before pulling his gloves off. He doesn’t know why but he expects them to be shaking, but they’re perfectly still, like always. Jaw clenched, he stands, bending at the waist to grab the steering wheel and put it back on before hopping out of the car.

It’s odd to take his helmet off, passing it gratefully to Annie who whisks it and his gloves away.

“What happened?” He asks GP again. A hand is pressed against his back, pushing him to walk and he does. Undoing the near too tight collar of the race suit as he walks. It’s only once they’ve nearly disappeared behind the wall, where outside cameras aren’t allowed that GP speaks. “It’s about Y/N.” And the rug disappears out from underneath his feet.

—

“I’m okay, mama. I promise.” She says, tucking the phone between her shoulder and ear as she rubs at her head. “You're sick. And I know that neither Max or Charles is with you.” “I will be okay, I’m a big girl.” “Your my baby.”

Her heart clenches at her mom’s words. All of her friends growing up and even some now all thought of her mother as overbearing, with the weekly phone calls, daily check ins and texts, but she was her mother’s only child. She grew up knowing that she was supposed to have siblings, that she was never supposed to be an only child, but it hadn’t worked that way for her mother and it had made her protective of her only child.

“I know, mama. But I’m okay.” Her words nearly flatter as a wave of dizziness hits her, but she pushes it away, clutching at the counter with her left hand as her right rubs at her temple. “The weather just changed here in Monaco. Y’know how that goes.” Her mom makes a noise, not believing her. “Pascale will be coming over for dinner, to check on me. Charles' orders. Will you believe her?” “Oh, Kindchen.” Her voice is soft, so reminiscent of her childhood. “It is not that I don’t believe you. It is that you are always the last to notice when you are unwell.” “I will be okay and she will text you to update you. Now go to your book club. I know that it is today.” “It’s not a book club!” “It’s a book club, mama.” She laughs, wincing immediately at the way the movement makes her feel unsteady. “I’ll call you first thing tomorrow alright?” “Alright.” She agrees. “Love you.” “I love you too.”

As soon as her mom hangs up, she takes a deep ragged breath. Her hand on her forehead, that’s damp now with sweat which makes her nose wrinkles, grasps at her phone before setting it on the counter.

It’s only when it knocks into something she realizes she’s had her eyes closed and she doesn’t know for how long. Opening them, she blinks at how bright the kitchen is. Turning her head slowly, her nose wrinkles up again at how the sun is positioned in the sky. No wonder it was so bright.

Letting go of the counter and taking a step towards the living room, she swears when a wave of dizziness rushes over again and she’s clutching at the counter again. The edge of it digging into both of her palms.

“Fuck.” She breathes when it’s passed. She watches as a bead of sweat drips off of her onto arm. She needed a shower. She needed to shower before Pascale got here. With the reminder of Pascale coming in a few hours she takes a few more deep breaths before letting go of the counter and walking.

Only it isn’t just a wave of dizziness that hits her, but a tidal wave and before she can catch herself, she falls to the floor, head hitting the tile hard and knocking her out.

—

“What happened to her?” Max asks, feet seeming to be glued to the floor as GP tries to push him deeper. “GP, what happened?” GP looks around before leaning into his space, a hand on the back of his neck pressing, and Max lets him push his head down. “Pascale found her passed out, she hit her head on the way down. They’re still waiting for test results.” “But,” His mind is whirling, trying and failing to understand what is happening. “Where is Charles?” If GP is surprised by his next question he doesn’t show it. “He’s still out there. He just about told Xavi to fuck himself when Xavi told him to abort his lap.” Normally that would make Max smirk, chuckle but he can’t be bothered. “I need to tell him. He can’t hear it from Xavi or Fred.” “Andrea was going to tell him.” Max shakes his head. “She’s in Monaco. Charles can’t find out by himself.” He looks at GP pleadingly and the older man nods. “I know, go and get out of your race suit and you can go right on over. Fred is expecting you.” Max quickly claps GP on the shoulder. “Thank you. Thank you.” He rushes to say again as he moves quickly to his room.

—

Charles is grinning as his car is pulled into the garage. He doesn’t know what Xavi was thinking, telling him to abandon that lap. It was amazing. And yes he knew that his session was over, cut short due to a new setup that they wanted to try out, but it was fine. This track had always treated him nicely and with this car, it would hopefully even treat him to a win or he mused considering Max, second place.

Climbing out of the car and pulling his gloves and then helmet off, he doesn’t notice the way the engineers and mechanics are blocking the cameras from seeing anything, or the worried looks from Fred and Xavi. He just notices the worry on Andrea’s face when he catches sight of Max, standing just out of sight if you look into the garage, close to where the drivers rooms are. And he does notice the look on Max’s face, it makes his stomach drop and he rushes to him, not even murmuring a thank you to Jean who takes his helmet and gloves from him.

“Max,” he breathes, hands fluttering before they rest gently on his face. “What happened, Mon coeur?” “Charles,” his name is broken up by a stuttered breath. “Did something happen to Sophie? Vic? Luke? Leo? Jos?” Max shakes his head at every name. Dread fills him even more. “Y/N?” Max’s eyes close and he nods. “No.”

“Charles.” Andrea’s voice is in his ear, ushering him forward. “Let’s get you both somewhere private.” He nods, letting his hands fall away from Max’s face, though he can’t help but to grab Max’s hand, intertwining their fingers, needing the touch, and Max clearly does too with the way he squeezes his hand back.

As soon as his driver's room door shuts, Andrea speaks again before Charles can ask anything.

“Pascale called me maybe ten minutes ago. She went over to yours for dinner, to check on Y/N and found her passed out on the kitchen floor.” Charles makes a wounded noise and his already tight grip on Max’s hand grows worse and the barely older man doesn’t even wince or jump. Doesn’t seem to notice. “They’re at the hospital.” Andrea’s voice is somehow even gentler than before when he says it. “They are at?” “Yes.” “Oh, maman.” He murmurs, feeling tears prick his eyes and Max drops his hand, wrapping an arm around him, bringing him close. “They are waiting for test results.” Max says. “GP made me box. He told me and I rushed over here.” “I,” Charles shudders. “Is she okay? I mean she passed out on the floor. How?” “I don’t know. They only just got there or at least that’s what it sounded like.” Charles nodded. “Thank you, Andrea. For getting a hold of GP.” Andrea sends Max a look. “Of course, Max.”

Andrea leaves the room, leaving them alone and Max as soon as the door shuts, wraps Charles completely in a hug, holding him tight as he tries to comfort himself with at least having one of his partners healthy and safe in his arms.

“I,” Charles struggles again. “I should call someone to go be with maman. She shouldn’t be there alone. Not at least till I can get there.” “Charles,” Max starts to say and Charles shakes his head, pushing away. “No, Max. I know it is a race weekend. But it is just a two-hour flight away, I can be back before qualifying if it is not too bad.” “Charles,” he tries again. “I have to go. I can’t just be here while she is unwell.” “Charles,” and this time Max is holding his face, making him incapable of speaking. “I am going with you. Fuck the race. If it is bad, it is not like we will lose our spots in the championship. Everyone else is more than forty points behind, we will be fine. Let me call my pilot, the jet will be ready by the time we get to the airport.” “Merci, Max.” Charles breaths, pressing their lips together. “Merci.”

—

“Pascale?” She mumbles when she opens her eyes and sees the woman sitting beside her. “Did I fall asleep?” She tries to sit up but her head aches, making her groan, and Pascale is gently pushing her back down. “Lay down, sweetheart.” “What?” Her eyes wander around the room as she realizes this isn’t her, Max, and Charles shared place. It’s far too clean, sterile. She tries to lift her arm and winces when there’s a tugging sensation. Her eyes fall to her arm and more confusion builds as she sees an IV. “Pascale, what happened?” “I found you passed out on the kitchen floor.” “But,” she couldn’t have passed out. Right? Her mind struggled to remember it. She knew she had been feeling dizzy, but enough to pass out. “Are we at the hospital?” “We are.” Pascale’s hand pats hers. “I will be right back. I’m going to get the nurse, okay?” She nods and as Pascale darts out the room, her eyes land on someone sitting just outside her room. “Jenson?”

—

“Anything new?” Charles shakes his head, frowning at his phone. “Like before, they knew that she was dehydrated as soon as she came in but they are still waiting for everything else to come back.” “What is taking so long? Is it money?” Max runs his hand through his hair, before he looks at Charles. “Call them, the hospital. Throw your name around, prince of Monaco.” “Max.” Charles hisses. “I am not the prince of Monaco. And I can’t call them. Nothing will happen if I call.” He huffs, slumping back in his seat.

It's silent for a moment.

“Are you,” “Yes, I’m sure, Max.” He reaches over and squeezes Max’s hand before tangling their fingers together, lifting them to give him a kiss. “We will be there soon.”

—

She tries her best to focus on the doctor as they examine her but her eyes keep going to Jenson. Now inside of her room and standing in the corner, arms crossed over his chest as he watches intently.

“You have a mild concussion from the fall. The back of your head will be tender.” “But why did she faint?” The doctor frowns, “Normally I’d have the answer for you. But our lab is abnormally backed up and we are down to one lab technician. As soon as the results are in, I will be back to give them to you.” “Take your time.” She smiles.

Jenson shakes his head when the doctor leaves. “How does Monaco, of all places, have only one lab technician working?” “Jenson, what are you doing here?” He smiles at her, coming closer to her and bending quickly to press a kiss to her cheek. “Max texted me. Asked me to keep you and Pascale company. I was already here in Monaco.” She smiles at the older driver. He and Max’s friendship wasn’t too well known, but they talked often. Then she frowns, because Max had asked him. “Max asked you?” Her eyes then look over at Pascale. “I texted Andrea.” She nods. “Can you tell them I’m okay. There is no need to worry.” “Sweetheart.” “Pascale, I’m okay. I haven’t felt dizzy since I woke up, my head hurts a little from the concussion that’s all.”

Before Pascale can respond her attention is drawn away by the sound of the room door practically being thrown up and two voices on top of each other.

“Cheri!” “Schat!”

—

“We were so worried.” Charles murmurs, holding her face gently. “How is your head feeling?” Max asks, sitting beside her on the bed, arm wrapped around her. “I’m okay.” She smiles at both of them. “My head hurts a bit, but that will go away soon enough.” Charles frowns, fingers gently brushing over her cheekbones, before he drops his hands to hold both of hers. “Are you sure? I’m sure we could get you some meds.” “I’m sure, Prince Charles could get you some meds.” Max whispers in her ear making her laugh while Charles sends him a dirty look, though a smile is playing on his lips. “Don’t listen to him, Cherie.” She smiles at Charles, carefully leaning forward to press their lips together. Before being even more careful as she turns her head to kiss Max.

“Thank you both for coming.” “Of course.” “Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Charles and her both look at Max, eyebrows raised. “Okay, I can think of places I’d rather we be.” He admits. Charles shakes his head, “so silly.” He murmurs, leaning across her to kiss Max. “Now, why don’t we have your test results back yet?”

“There’s a backlog.” Jenson says, grinning when Charles jumps at the sound of his voice. “Max sent me over to keep them company as soon as you guys figured out the game plan.” Charles' entire face softens and Max flushes at the look their boyfriend sends him. “And they only have one lab technician.” Max lets out a curse. “Did you try bribing them?” “I could go try if you’d like.” Max starts to nod, but a knock sounds on the door and it opens.

She watches as the doctor blinks at the two new people in her room but ignores them, focusing on her. “I’ve got your results right here. Hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar and I mean very low blood sugar. When’s the last time you ate?” Her brows furrow.

She remembered eating Tuesday night with Max and Charles before they left. A nice dinner that her and Max made, Charles pouring them more drinks or chopping and stirring things. But she had eaten something the next morning hadn’t she? Her head throbs as she thinks, but she ignores it, trying to remember and winces from both the pain and the realization that she hadn’t eaten anything since Tuesday night.

“Tuesday night. I was going to eat breakfast on Wednesday but we were out of my breakfast bars and then I got so busy and I just wasn’t hungry.” “Are you not hungry often?” “Sometimes. But even then I make sure to eat at least one meal a day, I snack throughout. I’ve never done this before.” They nod. “As long as this isn’t a normal occurrence, I don’t see an issue. But, you need to make sure you are eating often. You don’t want to be back in here because you forgot to eat and it made your blood sugar drop.” “Of course. Thank you so much.” They nod. “I’ll get your discharge paperwork done and as soon as you're finished with the bag, you’ll be free to go.”

—

“When are you guys flying back?” She asks, Max’s head in her lap, her fingers combing through his hair as she leans against Charles. Max makes a face. “We won’t be.”

Charles and him had both talked about it as they got Pascale home and she settled in. Their teams would be unhappy, but it wasn’t like they could be overtaken in the championship. They could live. And they had two weeks after this with no racing. Two weeks where they could make sure she was eating, taking care of herself. And she’d be going to the next race anyway. This had been a sort of one-off due to all the things that had piled up at home.

“What do you mean you won’t be?” “We can miss a race. Max is twenty points ahead of me, I am forty-seven points ahead of Oscar.” “I have so many questions about that.” She murmurs, because god what was this season. Checo barely hung onto fourth in the championship with George hunting him down, Lewis and Lando hunting down George. Barely fifteen points collectively separating third to seventh. Charles snorts. “Many people would like to know the same.” “You should go though. Put more of a lead in the points.” Max and Charles share a look, a bit hard with their positions but they manage. “No.” They both agree. “I can survive not even two days. I’ll go stay with Pascale. Have Arthur stay with me. Or Jenson since he’s here in Monaco.” “No.” They say again at the same time. “You are far more important than another twenty-five or eighteen points.” Max continues. She sighs, looking at them both. “Three stubborn people is way too many people in a relationship.” “I think it’s perfect.” “Suck up.” Max coughs and Charles flicks him on the forehead. “Says you.”

“Boys, settle down.” “Love you.” They chorus. She shakes her head, sighing. “If you will not go without me, I will just go with you.” “You have a concussion.” “A mild concussion. And we all know that you have flown before with a concussion, Charles.” He pouts, “it was just once.” “Twice.” Max coughs and Charles flicks him again.

“I will go with you tomorrow. Just please make the flight later than eight am.” “Done.” Max says, already texting his flight crew. “Thank you.” She starts to bend to kiss Max, when her face is redirected to look at Charles and he kisses her. She expects Max to whine but as soon as Charles is done, Max is turning her head the other way, no longer laying in her lap, to kiss her as well.

@fanboyluvr @teti-menchon0604 @darleneslane @ironspdy @rewmuslupin @copper-boom @eutrizbea @namgification @eugene-emt-roe @skepvids @elliegrey2803 @stopeatread @hiireadstuff

[lucyrose191]

A SHARED HISTORY| S.VETTEL

Paring Sebastian Vettel x Fem!driver!reader

Summary; Moments that Sebastian Vettel and reader have had throughout their careers together both on and off track.

Warnings; None, fluff.

F1 Master List , Part 2 , Part 3

Sebastian and Y/N walked into the camera shot, sitting next to each other on the sofa, looking into the camera lens.

"We hereby announce our joint retirement at the end of the 2022 season" they spoke in unison.

📍Italian Grand Prix, 2008

"And Sebastian Vettel passes the checkered flag, taking his first ever win in formula one at the Italian Grand Prix!"

Y/N lifted herself out of her RedBull car after parking in the P2 slot, not wasting any time before running in the direction of her best friend who was getting hugs and pats from the Toro Rosso team.

She jumped into his arms just as he turned around causing him to let out an "Oof!" as he stumbled back into the barriers from the sudden surprise attack.

"I'm so proud of you, Seb! I wouldn't want to come second to anyone else!" Sebastian closed his eyes at her words before tightening his arms around her and lifted her feet from the ground, spinning her around and laughing happily.

"Sebastian, you're going to be joining Y/N at RedBull next year. What do you think she's going to be like as a teammate?"

Sebastian's face upturned into a smile at the mention of Y/N's name, to say he was looking forward to being teammates next year was an understatement. He had a very good feeling about it.

He leant towards the microphone that the interviewer was holding "Well I think it will be great, I've known her for a long time and I'm happy to say I'm at the point where I understand what she's saying, it's taken a while to get used to her accent"

"...You just wait sunshine, you just wait... I just need those two cars... Rosberg P4.... Kubica P5.... DU BIST WELTMEISTER!"

Sebastian immediately started crying, he was world champion! "Thank you boys! Unbelievable! Unbelievable! Thank you, I love you"

"Let's not forget, mate. You are the youngest world champion in F1 history, you're allowed to cry mate, you're allowed to cry"

"Y/N L/N you are a formula one World Champion!!!!"

She couldn't believe what she was hearing through her head set as she flashed by the checkered flag, tears streamed down her face underneath her helmet as she raised her fist in victory whilst driving her cool down lap.

She had done it, she had actually gone and done it.

The first ever female formula one world champion!

"Sebastian Vettel you are a two time World Champion!"

"Sebastian Vettel, Three time World Champion!"

"Four time World Champion, Sebastian Vettel everyone!"

2014

Y/N screamed as Sebastian jumped out of the door of her motor home just as she was about to open it, the German himself fell to the floor in hysterical laughter at the look of horror he saw on her face.

"What the fuck, Sebastian!" She yelled, Seb got up and ran away still laughing knowing she'd be out for revenge

2014

Sebastian, Y/N, Fernando and Lewis sat down, strapping their microphones around their head for the press conference to begin.

"Okay, let's begin"

A tall male with balding hair stood up and introduced himself, then started "I want to start with Sebastian, both you and Y/N are leaving RedBull this year, you to Ferrari and Y/N to Mercedes. Do you think you'll be able to have as a good of a relationship with your new teammate as you've had with Y/N"

"You're trying to get me into trouble here" Sebastian laughed nervously, shifting under Y/N's expectant gaze.

"No uhm" he began to answer seriously "Y/N and I have known each other and raced together for years so it was easy to battle each other while also working together, it's important to get along with the person you spend so much time with and I'll be happy if I have half the relationship with Kimi as I do with Y/N"

Y/N smiled brightly "I'm just that great!" She joked causing Seb to roll his eyes.

"And Y/N, how do you feel about joining Lewis at Mercedes?"

Y/N shrugged "I'm excited to be hopefully moving up in my career, Mercedes feels like a right choice for me to continue progressing. Lewis is a great driver and hopefully an even better teammate. I'll enjoy racing beside him whilst battling against him"

Sebastian rested his forehead against Y/N's, closing his eyes as he relished in the comfort that their closeness brought him. "I love you, Schatz" he whispered, not even realising that the words had fallen from his lips until he felt her step away from him.

Y/N looked up at him, her mouth was gaped open, wondering if she had heard him right. She had. She looked into his eyes and could see every emotion as he looked at her and sure enough there was love, so much love as he looked at her. "I love you too, Seb" she told him, laughing at the utter joy that shot through his face.

Sebastian shook his head. She loved him.

She loved him!

"Y/N L/N you officially have two World Championship titles, what a star!"

"Y/N L/N, three time formula one World Champion!!"

Y/N leant her body back against Seb's chest, he stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist with his head resting against her shoulder. She was a three time world champion, that was now seven between them.

Between them they had matched Michael Schumacher. Now if that wasn't an accomplishment, what was?

Sebastian nuzzled his head against hers, she smelt so good. "Will you be mine?" He whispered in her ear, his lips curving into a soft smile as he felt her shiver.

She didn't answer for a while, continuing to look out at the ocean and for a moment Seb thought that she was going to say no, she shook her head and he felt his heart crack.

But she had a smile on her face. "I've been yours for years, Sebastian" she told him, surprised that he hadn't known that but he wasn't the most aware person she had ever met but she wouldn't change him for anything.

"Y/N L/N, four time formula one World Champion!!"

"The rear of the car was getting all loosey goosey in the last sector there"~Sebastian Vettel

"Y/N L/N, five time formula one World Champion!!"

"Y/N L/N, six time formula one World Champion!!"

Sebastian applauded as he looked up at podium with a look of pure pride on his face, that was his girlfriend up there that was making history, not only was she a six time world champion but she was the first ever woman to achieve a world championship title for the sport.

They had shared the track together for the entirety of their Formula One careers and he felt so lucky that he had been there to witness every one of her accomplishments as she had been there for him.

They had 10 world titles between the pair of them, the history of the sport meant so much to the couple and it was overwhelming knowing that they were now a part of it.

"Everybody's a Ferrari fan, even if they say they're not, they are a Ferrari fan" ~Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian looked up at the love of his life from his position knelt on the floor, this moment had been a long time coming but he had finally plucked up the courage to ask the most important question he would ever ask "Will you marry me, liebe?"

Y/N looked down at the man that owned her heart, there was no hesitation in her answer "Yes! Absolutely!" The tears that clouded her eyes had begun to drop down her cheeks.

Sebastian smiled brighter than ever at her answer, he lifted himself off the ground and took the diamond ring out of the velvet box, grabbing hold of her shaking hand and sliding the ring into her finger. He lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips before looking her in the eyes.

He had never been happier in this moment, no number of world titles would match the feeling of having her agree to spend forever with him.

Now he felt like a true champion.

"And the Vettel's are at it!" Crofty shouted as he spotted Y/N's Mercedes get up close to her husband's Ferrari, the battles between the two were something every Formula One fan looked forward too each season.

Sebastian grinned beneath his helmet as he eyed his wife's car through his mirrors. She loved to challenge him and he enjoyed the fight.

She tried to get the inside line going into the first corner but Seb managed to block her causing her to have to lock up, he went slightly wide on the second which left a gap that might be a little too small for most but she took the risk and ended up beside him on the straight.

Side by side they shot along but at the next corner. Y/N took the inside and had managed to pull away from him on the exit, successfully leaving Seb behind her.

He couldn't be mad, his wife did well, just as she always did.

HOT LAPS

Y/N got into the passenger seat of the Ferrari, her husband shutting the passenger door before making his way round to the drivers side.

She hadn't been told they were doing hot laps for Sky Sports, her PR Officer had suddenly sprung it on her but apparently Seb knew and was very excited about it.

Sebastian settled himself in behind the wheel smiling at the camera's before nudging his wife "Are you excited!?" He asked, a big smile on his face.

Y/N rolled her eyes "I'm so excited for you to kill us" her sarcasm was clear as day, she was only joking, they were both very good drivers and had 100% confidence in each other.

Sebastian's grin widened, he switched the car on after making sure Y/N had her belt on before slamming his foot down on the accelerator sending Y/N shooting back against her seat with a grunt. "Fuck me, a warning would've been nice" she huffed.

"You're meant to be asking me questions" Sebastian told her, trying not to laugh. He couldn't wait to watch this back and see her face.

Y/N picked up the cards she had in her hands as Seb skidded around a corner "Okay, What is it like to have a wife that is a better driver than you?" Her voice wavered from the movement to the car.

Sebastian scoffed "Come off it! That is not a question"

His wife laughed "It is, I mean I have the titles to prove it"

"Yeah and you never let me forget it, ask me a real question" Sebastian said, narrowly missing the track wall as he turned around another corner.

Y/N huffed, he was no fun "Okay fine, when are you going to get Instagram?" She read from the sheet.

"I'm not, I don't need it" he simply replied. Y/N sent him a cheeky smile "yeah that's because you use mine to do all of the stalking"

"Exactly" he replied, a smirk on his face. They both kept their home life private but they did share the rare photo of some of the activities they did away from racing.

Y/N laughed as she read the next question which made Seb a little nervous "Who do you prefer as a teammate, me or Kimi?" She asked.

Sebastian guffawed "I'm not answering that" he replied which earned him an incredulous look "oh so you have to think about it?" She asked.

"You're both good for different reasons" he said.

"Okay so what is Kimi good for that I'm not?" She asked with a look that dared him to answer.

"Some peace and quiet" he muttered under his breath causing Y/N to gasp and slap his arm "That is just rude!" She said, pretending to be offended.

"I'm joking" he told her with a cheeky grin before slamming on the brakes as they reached the pits.

Y/N crept up behind Sebastian who was in the middle of an interview, she looked at the camera and placed her finger to her lips, warning the interviewer and the camera man to be quiet.

Those who saw what she was up to stopped to watch, trying to hide their amused smirks and giggles as Sebastian remained blissfully unaware, too focused on answering questions.

She got up right behind him and before he could sense the presence behind him she raised her arm up and poured the ice cold water over his head.

Sebastian shrieked and spluttered as everyone laughed, turning around he came face to face with the proud smile of his wife. He shook his head like a wet dog causing water to splatter everywhere, he launched himself at her. Y/N screamed, trying to run away but she was too slow, her husband had caught her and had pulled her into his chest, rubbing himself all over her to get her wet as payback.

Everyone in the Formula One world loved the prank wars that occurred in the paddock between the married couple.

DRIVE TO SURVIVE

"My name is Sebastian Vettel and I'm a Formula One driver for Scuderia Ferrari"

"My name is Y/N Vettel and I'm a Formula One driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas... yes! Fuck you Lewis... that's how you do it!"

"Seb's a four time world champion, and one of the most ruthless, brilliantly effective racing drivers that I've ever seen... You don't lose that ability overnight" ~Will Buxton

"Y/N just has this fire about her when she's on the track, she's one of the most determined and skilled driver's in the whole of formula one, I think her six World titles show that" ~Toto Wolff

GRILL THE GRID

Daniel Ricciardo threw his head back and sighed "I think the Vettel's will get those, they're both nerds"

"I have all the time I need?" Sebastian asked the filming crew who nodded in response.

S: "Lewis 2020,

      Y/N 2019,2018,2017,2016,2015, 2014

Y: Seb was 2013,2012,2011 and 2010

     2009 was Jenson Button

     2008 Lewis

S: Kimi 2007

    2006 and 2005 was Fernando

    2004,2003,2002,2001,2000 was Michael

Y: 1999 and 1998 was Hakkinen

     1997.... Villeneuve

Time skip

S: 1953 and 1952 was Ascari

    1951 was Fangio

S&Y: and the first one was Farina

The filming crew couldn't believe it, they clapped for the pair whilst shaking their heads in disbelief. The couple really were a pair made in heaven.

Y/N looked at the crew with a proud, excited smile on her face "Did I do it!?"

The crew nodded, Y/N's mouth dropped open before she smiled at the camera and bowed "I'm so proud of myself right now"

"Sebastian got them all right too" the camera man told her. Y/N laughed "Of course he did, who do you think taught me"

Y/N and Sebastian had just raced their last ever race in formula one, she had managed to get on the podium which was a great way to finish her career, one last trophy.

The drivers had all lined up to give the couple a last send off which was really sweet.

"Y/N! Sebastian! Can I get you for one last interview before you leave? I know you're probably sick of all the questions" Natalie Pinkham asked.

She was right, they were tired of all the questions but everyone had a soft spot for Natalie so it only felt right that she should be their last interviewer of the paddock and so the couple walked up to her.

"I was wondering if you could tell us a bit about your decision to retire together, I know you already explained a lot when it was announced but is there anything else that you have to add?" She asked, holding out the microphone between the couple.

Sebastian's hand settled on Y/N's back, his thumb stoking up and down, encouraging her to speak first.

"It wasn't an easy decision and we know that we definitely had the opportunity to continue racing but we have goals outside of formula one that we want to accomplish together and feel now is the time to work towards those goals, Seb and I entered formula one together and it feels right to leave it together too, it's great knowing that we quite literally went through the entire thing with each other"

Sebastian smiled lovingly down at his wife, she had described it perfectly. He knew she still loved racing just as she had when she first started and truly she had only agreed to retire because he had chosen to and she didn't want to race without him on the grid with her but he had lost his spark, he has tried to persuade her to continue but she was adamant.

"How about you, Sebastian?" Natalie asked, tilting the microphone closer to him.

"I think she worded it perfectly, I couldn't think of anyone better to spend my career with, formula one has given us both a lot of special memories but it's time for us to move onto the next step and you'll probably still see us around at some point"

Natalie nodded with a smile and thanked them before letting them get on their way.

Sebastian brought Y/N into a hug, holding her tight against his chest. "This is it, it's over now." He mumbled.

Y/N hummed into his race suit "Maybe. But it's the start of something better"

[sebscore]

Hi!

I wanted to request for fem!driver. Like I can’t stop thinking about two situations.

One being if she started dating a guy or a girl. Not a driver or anything like that. I would feel like everybody would either be protective or make fun of her. I can also see them stalking her date.

The other one being what if she got into a crash. How would she react? Or how would everyone else react?

(I just wanted to say that I love this series you have going on with fem!driver. It’s so fun and cute!)

LET IT SPIRAL

pairings: sebastian vettel x driver!reader / george russell x driver!reader / carlos sainz x lando norris / (indirect) lewis hamilton x driver!reader

warnings: car crashing. swearing. medics. mentions of the hospital. reader passes out for a moment.

author's note: thank you so much for the request, I had fun writing this one and I hope you enjoy reading it! 🙂 I’ll get to the reader having a significant other another time! ❣️

• • • • • • •

''Y/N? Are you okay?'' Her engineer sounded over the radio, surprised by the sudden turn of events.

Up until moments before, the qualifying had been going fine. Yes, there was a lot of rain and there wasn't much grip, but there hadn't been an incident yet and it was still manageable. She had made it into Q2 and she seemed to be on her way to make it into the next sector.

She knew she was taking a risk by going into the corner that fast, but those kinds of risks had paid off in the past, so she didn't think twice about it. Only this time her car started spinning and she crashed into the barrier at quite a high speed.

The lack of response made her team worried, her usual snarky comment not coming through the radio.

''Hello? Y/N? Can you confirm if you're okay?'' Her engineer tried again to get some sort of response out of her, not immediately wanting to think about the worst case scenario. However, nothing came through the radio again from the female driver.

Meanwhile, the two remaining cars behind her were informed to slow down and watch out for debris on the track. Sebastian and George right away reduced their speed, but reacted concerned as to why they needed to do that.

''Red flag, Sebastian. Y/L into the barriers. Lots of debris.''

Sebastian wasn't too pleased to hear about Y\N's crash as earlier he had complained to the directors that they shouldn't be allowed to drive in these rainy weather conditions. ''I told them to red flag the whole thing! There's too much fucking water! I fucking told them!''

As soon as the German saw her car, he pulled up next to her and put his car in neutral, ready to jump out if he needed to. Sebastian held his thumb up in the air, hoping she would see it and would hold hers up. His heart dropped to his stomach when she didn't do that.

He didn't waste one second and jumped out of his cockpit, running up to her and crouching down. ''Y/N! Can you hear me? Are you hurt?'' He pulled up the visors of her helmet and saw her eyes were closed. Upon seeing that, he grabbed her arm and felt her pulse, relief going through his body as her heart was still beating.

George reacted more reserved and calm than Sebastian, but still voiced his concerns for his friend. ''Is she okay? What happened?''

''She lost control of the rear, there hasn't been a response from her.''

He fell quiet when told that she wasn't responding to her engineers, it wasn't in her character to just go radio silent. ''That's not good.''

Turning into the corner, he saw Sebastian by Y/N's car and just like the older driver did earlier, he pulled up next to them and swiftly got out of his car, seeing if he could be of any help to them.

''Is she alright?'' George asked Sebastian, crouching down on the other side of her car. Sebastian shook his head. ''I think she passed out, we should get her helmet off that way she gets more air.'' He told the younger one.

They both stood up and carefully tried to move the helmet from her head, not wanting to hurt her. The two men successfully got the helmet off and Sebastian cupped her cheeks, lightly shaking her. ''Wake up, Y/N dear.''

Her eyes slowly opened, blinking due to the sudden light causing pain to her eyes. Y/N groaned, her muscles hurting immensely and also still not realizing what just happened.

''You okay, darling?''

George's question remained unanswered as the arriving marshals and medics pushed them out of the way, getting the driver out of her car and quickly getting her into the vehicle that would bring her to the hospital for a check-up.

They watched as the car drove away with their colleague in it, Sebastian holding onto her helmet. George patted his fellow driver's shoulder.

''Come on, let's go, Seb.''

In the Mercedes garage, Lewis had already made his way out of the car and was discussing with Bono when he saw the spinning car crashing into the barriers on the small monitoring screen.

''Oh, that doesn't look too good.'' He noted, his face in a frown as the red flag was called out. ''Wait, is that Y/N?'' The Brit took a closer look at the car and realized it was Y/N who had fallen victim to the rain.

Angela joined him, growing concerned for the younger woman she had grown very fond of in the last years. ''Why isn't she getting out?'' She mumbled to herself, confused as to why there was no movement coming from the car.

''Oh, Seb's getting out of the car.'' Lewis' focus was solely on the scene in front of him, his heart rate raising as now both Sebastian and George were by her car, yet there was no movement coming from Y/N's side.

''Why aren't there any fucking medics helping her?'' Lewis cursed to no one in particular, frustrated that the two drivers had to help the woman on their own.

Bono calmed him down. ''Look, they've arrived, Lewis.''

''I hope she's okay.''

On the paddock, several drivers who were giving post-qualification interviews watched with worry as the crash replayed over and over again on the big screen.

Carlos stopped talking in the middle of giving the reporter an answer, more concerned with seeing for himself if Y/N was okay or not. Lando appeared next to him, his eyes wide and attentively looking at the screen. ''That's Y/N, right?''

The older one nodded. ''Yes, that's gonna leave some bruises later.''

''I hope her nails are fine, remember the last time when Daniel crashed into her? For weeks she would walk up to him and shove her newly done nails into his face.'' Lando recalled, trying to lighten up the tension.

Carlos chuckled, remembering all the times Y/N would proudly show off her nails to Daniel and the rest of the drivers. ''Yeah, I think Daniel will think twice before taking her out on track again.''

''Look, George and Seb are with her.'' The McLaren driver pointed out, grabbing Carlos' attention. ''What are they doing?''

''I think they're trying to take her helmet off.'' Lando answered, narrowing his eyes as he tried to get a better look at what was happening.

Sighs of relief came from them as the marshals and medics helped Y/N out of her car, and they could see she was conscious and didn't have any significant injuries. They resumed their interviews and made their way back to their own respective hospitalities.

As soon as Sebastian was informed that Y/N was back from her check-up at the hospital, he made his way to her garage, knowing the young lady well enough that she would want to check out the damages that had been done to her car.

''Hi, little one.''

Sebastian's voice made her turn her head in his direction, greeting him with a soft smile. ''Hey, Seb.''

He walked towards her and pulled her helmet from behind him, handing it over to her. ''I thought you might want this back.'' She laughed as he gave her the helmet, only now realizing she had been missing it. ''Thank you, I appreciate it.''

''How are you?''

Y/N shrugged her shoulders. ''My wrist hurts a bit, but it's just bruising. Besides that, I'm fine.'' She showed off the supporting tape the doctors had put around her wrist.

''I'm happy to hear that, I was scared you might had a concussion or something.'' The German told her, recalling finding her passed out form in the car. ''I'll leave you then, I'll see you tomorrow.'' Sebastian was about to take off when she stopped him.

''Hey, Seb,'' he turned around upon the call of his name, ''I already talked to George, but thank you for helping me out there, I don't remember it, but it was very nice of you and you could have just kept driving, but you didn't.'' She thanked him, taking a few steps closer to him.

He brushed it off. ''You don't have to thank me, Y/N. It was the right thing to do and I wanted to make sure you were okay.''

''You know, I don't wanna get sentimental and all, cause that's embarrassing,'' he laughed at her words, ''but I really appreciate that you've been kinda taking care of me ever since I joined you guys, even before when I was still karting, and you didn't have to do that, but you took it upon yourself to guide me and stand up for me, and I- well, I'm just really thankful, that's all.''

The sincerity in her voice almost brought tears to his eyes. This sport hasn't always been kind to people who fell out of the usual norms of F1, especially to women. So, when he heard about a young girl that had been winning against boys older than her who had more resources, he took it upon himself to reach out to her and her family. Sebastian saw potential in her and offered to mentor her, and even financially help her out. Now, many years later, she's racing alongside him and many other top drivers.

He remained silent, but pulled the girl in a heartwarming embrace. Y/N was surprised, but nevertheless put her arms around his shoulder while his were around her waist.

''Don't make me cry, I just put on mascara and it's not waterproof.''

[youjustwaitsunshine]

Seb helmets: the long awaited sequel

Mugello 2020:

Not on Seb's website, but still on ferraris instagram, Seb had this helmet to celebrate Ferraris 1000th gp. (in the same week, he announced his move to aston martin)

Turkish GP 2021

a beautiful sea creature design to remind us to save our oceans. i personally really love the turtles

Singapore GP 2022

gorgeous neon rainbow on super light absorbent black design. now it can be said with finality (as of yet): jens munser and sebastian vettel never missed when it was about helmets in singapore. i have a keychain of this helmet so I'm especially fond of it.

British GP 2022

ngl i cried a bit just from pulling those pictures up again. he is so loved. i love how even though we know barely anything about sebs family, this helmet shows so much personality from his kids and hanna. this is the most gorgeous helmet of them all. however, shoutout to the subtle nigel mansell design hed have driven with if his family hadn't made a secret birthday helmet for him.

Abu Dhabi 2022

I'm so so proud to be a fan of a driver who loves his fans. The few times I've met Seb, he's always taken his time - often more than allotted - to greet as many people as he could, pose for pictures sign things etc. He feels very genuine in showing his appreciation for his fans and so I think this helmet is a beautiful monument to the love people have for him. He is deeply beloved and in turn, he loves his fans and has shown this from his retirement message that was so much more personal than a press release, over the time between the announcement to his last race and beyond. This helmet is a testament to the way we love Seb and the way he loves us back.

USGP 2022

Peace and Love baby! this gorgeous woodstock inspired piece is incredibly gaudy and glittery and very unapologetically so. i love it deeply but opinions were very split on it

Japan 2022

a very cleverly done thank you to helmet provider arai. who doesn't love opening packages? especially one as beautiful as this one! it's a bit sad to not have the little ninja mascot on the helmet for sebs last f1 race in japan, however, with his 2022 helmet designs being so beautiful and elevated, he outgrew it a bit. important side note about japan 2022 here is sebs battle to the line with fernando alonso.

Hungary 2021

Let us remember this GP for the joy it brought and not the desperation that followed. Seb came, saw and served cunt in his rainbow sneakers, rainbow shirt, rainbow mask and rainbow helmet. He drove to the podium and nothing bad or terrible happened after.

Brazil 2022

the intertwined bars of the german and then, further up, the climate change flag (and the brazilian one on top) are reminiscent of the 2018 german gp helmet!

Austria 2022

The iconic bee helmet! I actually have a few pics of this one from the Austrian GP that i took myself. Even though that GP specifically sucked so hard it made Seb sway towards retiring, the helmet is beautiful and iconic.

Honourable Mentions:

- Miami 2022: the snorkel helmet! first GP underwater, also premiering sebs GIGANTICALLY OVERSIZED climate change t shirt also found in his shoo

- Canada 2022: Canadas Climate Crimes/ stop mining tar sands. this one made a politician on twitter sooooo angry. it lost her rant a bit of credibility that she directly profited from the tar sand mining.

- LGBTQ+ CLEAN OUR OCEANS (Abu Dhabi 2021): the world's to do list. i mostly have to laugh at the unlucky placement of the lgbtq+ and the clean our oceans phrase. why are the cishets exempt from cleaning our oceans? questionable.

- Race4Women: Saudi Arabia 2021. a return of the beautiful day-glow paint.

almost all of sebs helmets are either on the sebsite or deep in jens munsers archives (difficult but not impossible to find)

Seb helmet masterpost

[captain-price-unofficially]

Three Soviet soldiers display a Nazi flag and a pile of military helmets and boots, captured after a German Luftwaffe Field Regiment was destroyed near Murmansk.

[fortuna-et-cataclysmos]

Ms. Sans-Culotte and the obvious French Revolution symbolism

This episode is a field day for me, so I'll need to analyse it bit by bit. Let's first start with the obvious and less obvious French Revolution references in this episode. This will be especially obvious for French viewers, but I thought that it may be interesting for others.

Sans-culotte

I know that the term sounds funny to most, but sans-culottes are a key figure in the French history. Those were the commoners who revolted to the King and aristocracy, and undertook the French Revolution of 1789. As Mademoiselle Bustier explains in the beginning of the episode, the sans-culottes were called so because:

Contrary to rich aristocrats, they would wear simple pants.

So when Mlle. Bustier is akumatised, we see the following character design:

THE PANTS. Very obviously the pants. But there are more obvious symbols in this character design.

Marianne

Marianne is the national personification of the French Republic. She is very much synonymous with the free and republican spirit of France. Yes, that's also the name of Master Fu's girlfriend, and for good reason (she was a Résistance fighter during the German occupation of France!).

By the way this exact painting is in the background in the few seconds after Mlle. Bustier is akumatised:

Marianne is usually depicted with the following symbols:

the Phrygian cap

Greco-Roman clothes

Partial nudity

We see these signs in Mlle. Sans Culotte's character design.

Mlle. Sans Culotte's helmet has the unique shape of the Phrygian cap.

2. Mlle. Sans Culotte is dressed in a Greco-Roman armour. The usual depiction of Marianne is in flowy Greco-Roman clothes, but the helmet and armour really add to that fighter spirit of Mlle. Sans Culotte. Also, even though rarer, there are some depictions of Marianne with a Greco-Roman armour.

3. Partial nudity. Obviously they couldn't actually show that on a kids show. However, I think that the character design does hint to a type of nudity. The fact that the white of the French flag covers all of Mlle. Bustier's face and body make it seem like it is not actually her clothes but her skin. And other than the golden armour she wears, she has no other clothes on her.

The Guillotine

Mlle. Sans Culotte's weapon of choice is a freaking guillotine knife. This was a device used by the French revolutionaries to behead their opponents. To this day, it is associated with the violence of the French revolution.

Now to more implicit references:

Ça ira

When Mlle. Sans Culotte hits people, they turn into balloons that chant:

Ça ira, ça ira, ça ira!

Which is a song sang by the sans-culottes during the French Revolution (thanks to @2manyfandoms2count for helping out with this one!)

Other quotes and remarks

There are various quotes throughout the episode with a revolutionary lexicon.

Monarch: The power of Jubilation will help you show the people their dream of freedom, and as such gain partisans/supporters to your cause.

Monarch: To arms, citizens! Form batallions!

This one is especially striking for me, because it is very explicit call to violence (frequently used in French revolutionary history too).

Mlle. Sans Culotte: No one stops the revolution. Long live the revolution!

She quite literally says Vive la révolution. Seriously, it doesn't get any more obvious than that.

She literally runs head-first into a group of policemen, paralleling the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. And literally afterwards Chat Noir mentions this same event:

Chat Noir: It is not the 14th of July, my Lady. Do you think that this akuma victim wants to celebrate the Bastille Day early?

And later on:

Mlle. Sans Culotte: Ladybug, Chat Noir! Help the sans-culottes (plural!) to liberate Paris from its aristocratic Mayor!

Ladybug: Terror is not the solution!

Chat Noir: To get your voice heard there are the elections!

Ok, the word "terror" here is important. I had previously mentioned in my post on Felix's anarchist revolution that the French Revolution was followed by a period of violence where all those against the revolution were murdered. The name of the period is literally the Reign of Terror. We see that Ladybug's words is a reference to that.

Ladybug: (after receiving her lucky charm) Revolution, sans-culotte, and the Mayor of Paris who acts like the King?

The parallel is there. They're not even trying to be subtle. This is the retelling of the French Revolution.

Except that it doesn't turn out like the French Revolution. In the end, Mr. Bourgeois willingly steps down, Mlle. Sans Culotte rejects Monarch's powers (as in, she drops her weapons), so there is no revolution and no bloody reign of terror.

But still, the power dynamics end up shifting tremendously in the Miraculous Paris. How and why? I'll make a post specifically analysing this. Stay tuned for part two!

(Also, I have likely forgotten or omitted some other symbols, feel free to add them to the comments - if there are enough, I can make an addition to the post :))

[fuckyeahmarxismleninism]

Remember and fight: Memorial demonstration in Berlin for Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg

Palestine solidarity as a trigger for police attacks that left numerous people injured.

By Nick Brauns, junge Welt

“Viva Palestine” could be heard from afar from the kilometer-long demonstration that marched under red flags to the Socialist Cemetery: Israel's war against Gaza was the dominant theme at the traditional memorial demonstration for Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, the co-founders of the Communist Party of Germany who were murdered by right-wing Freikorps soldiers 105 years ago, on Sunday in Berlin.

Solidarity with Palestine was also the trigger for brutal police attacks that left numerous people injured. First, a speaker from a block of mostly Palestinian demonstrators was arrested -- the reason for this was the banned slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," a police spokesman told jW. After the arrest, blocks of the front part of the demonstration turned around and the police were briefly pushed away.

The frightening results of the subsequent use of batons and pepper spray by the helmeted state power: A 65-year-old man, run over by the police, lay unconscious on the ground and bleeding from his mouth and nose. According to demonstration paramedics, 15 other demonstrators also had to be treated in hospital with injuries, some of them serious, such as broken bones. The police, however, spoke of attacks on officers during the demonstration, with 21 police officers injured.

"I'm glad that the other demonstrators immediately showed their solidarity with us. This is where our strength lies,” a Palestinian activist named Walid told jW.

According to the police, among the 16 demonstrators arrested are several musicians from Turkey's Grup Yorum, who are currently on a hunger strike for comrades imprisoned in the Federal Republic of Germany.

According to the organizers, more than 10,000 people took part in the demonstration. In addition to blocks from DKP and SDAJ, MLPD, Trotskyist groups and socialist parties from Turkey and Kurdistan, but also left-wing trade unionists and neighborhood initiatives, what was noticeable was the strong participation of mostly young supporters of Marxist-Leninist organizations, dressed in black and in orderly formations among a sea of ​​red flags. “Road free for the red youth,” “Youth, future, socialism” and “With Rosa and Karl against war and capital” were heard from these blocks.

With the banner "Defend Revolutionary History! Attack German warmongers!” and images of Luxemburg, Liebknecht and Lenin, who died 100 years ago, the “Perspective Communism” movement made it clear that commemoration is not a nostalgic end in itself. This is also how Sevda Karaca, a member of the Labor Party (EMEP) in the Turkish parliament, sees it. “Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht are revered worldwide as champions of socialism,” Karaca told this newspaper at the Socialist Cemetery. "In times when fascist ideas are increasing worldwide, it is particularly important that we reflect on the roots of our resistance."

Even before the demonstration arrived, thousands of people, including the leadership of the Die Linke party, had taken part in a "silent commemoration." The murdered labor leaders were honored at their graves with red carnations and wreaths.

Solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, the call for peace and the need for socialism also played a central role at the 29th International Rosa Luxemburg Conference. The conference organized by this newspaper took place on Saturday in the Berlin Tempodrom with a new record attendance of 3,700 visitors.

Translation by Melinda Butterfield

https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/466755.ll-demo-erinnern-und-k%C3%A4mpfen.html

[vettelsvee]

german flag themed helmet 🔥

[vinvantae]

Hiii, could you do something like you did for reader being in come and all drivers coming to visit her but instead (little less sad) reader announces she’s retiring after like 10 years of racing and every driver comes to congratulate her and when Daniel comes they get emotional because they are actually in love even if they haven’t realized it yet. Thank you 💜

I’d love to, thank you so much for the suggestion!! Hope you enjoy ❤️

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

As you crossed the line, the realisation hit you all at once - you’d just finished your final race in formula one after 10 years of being in the sport. You lifted the visor of your helmet to wipe away the tears that were threatening to fall as you did your final loop of the track to get back to the pits, waving at all of the fans who held your flag up high.

You loved this sport, more than anything, but you felt like you hadn’t really lived your life. You had just hit 30 and your bucket list was longer than a lap of Spa. Sure, you’d managed to cross off a few during summer breaks but you just wanted to be a normal adult for a while. Something you’d not really experienced joining the sport when you were only 20 years old. You’d been in 2 teams during your time, but Alpine was your last. You’d stepped out of your Ferrari seat when the car just didn’t seem to performing and decided to give Alpine, Renault at the time, a shot. It was a big change but you wouldn’t have chosen anywhere else.

As you climbed out of the car, you were greeted with the warm embrace of your teammate - his long limbs engulfing you with ease. Esteban was like a little brother to you and during your time together as a team you’d really performed and worked well. He always said he saw you as a mentor but you believed he was ready to tackle this new chapter of his career without you.

“It’s going to be so weird without you.” He admitted, pulling his helmet off. “And you’re leaving me with Pierre, of all people.”

“You’re a big boy now, Estie. I’m sure the two of you can be professional.” You teased. “Besides, it means Nyck can get a seat which is pretty cool.”

“That’s true. Speaking of, fantastic race today.” The Frenchman grinned. “You’re definitely my driver of the day.”

“Well it’s my last one, had to put on one final show.” You grinned, proud that you’d made it up to 6th from 14th after you had an issue with the car in Q2. “I need to try and catch everyone before I go.”

“We’re all coming out tonight to celebrate you and Seb, remember!”

You groaned. “You know neither of us wanted that.”

“Too bad. You’re coming out and you’re going to have a good time.”

And for the first time in a long time, you were glad you actually went. Getting to see all of your fellow drivers that you now considered friends, some even family, celebrating you and Sebastian made you feel so warm. The German in question was the first to greet you, a gentle smile on his face.

“All this for us?” He chuckled, offering you a glass of champagne.

“We must be pretty special.” You hummed, chiming your drink against his. “You won’t forget about me will you?”

“I think the kids would kill me if I did.” Seb laughed, giving your shoulder a squeeze. “Now, we better make the rounds, hmm?”

And you did just that, making your way around the room being greeted with hugs and smiles from your grid-mates - even those you didn’t consider close friends. You approached some of the boys stood at the bar, Pierre stepping over so you could squeeze in beside him.

“There she is!” He grinned, draping an arm over your shoulder. “Really can’t believe you’re leaving.”

“Hey, you should be happy, got you away from Redbull didn’t I?” You giggled softly, pinching his side gently. “Am gonna miss seeing you boys all the time though.”

“It’s going to be weird without you.” Charles hummed. “You’re such a big part of the paddock, and still so young.”

“Not all of us can be Fernando. I’d still like to experience life before my back gives out on me.” You explained. “30 is like… a nice age.”

“It’s just going to be so weird. No Seb. No Dan. No you…” the Monagasque frowned a little. “The three of you are… well you are Formula one.”

You felt so touched by Charles’ words, you weren’t sure he knew how much it meant to hear them so you simply pulled him into a tight hug. “Thank you.”

He rubbed your back and squeezed you just as tight, neither of you wanting to let go first. You moving to Renault had opened up the seat for him to move to Ferrari- you and Seb had both been there to support him during his time with Sauber, knowing he’d be taking one of your seats some day.

“We’ll still hang out right?”

“Why is everyone acting like I’ll disappear? You’re not getting rid of me that easy.” You teased, pulling away from him.

“Will you still come watch us race?” Pierre asked.

You smiled. “Duh. I still love F1, just wanna do something else now.”

“Well we thought you’d be out exploring the world, finding the man of your dreams.” Alex interjected.

Your cheeks flushed a little. “We’ll just have to wait and see won’t we.”

Despite being a bit of a household name, you’d never managed to find someone right for you. Guys were intimated by your career and those who weren’t were obsessive fan boys. As time went on, your love life fell onto the back burner - but you didn’t mind, you loved your job and your friends.

“There’s a couple more people I want to talk to, you boys behave yourselves okay?” You gave them all one more hug before continuing your lap of the room.

Your eyes quickly settled on Lewis, of course they did, the Brit’s presence demanded attention. His aura was unmatched by anyone else’s and as you approached him, you were greeted with a charming smile.

“Hello, lovely.” His voice was soft. “Pretty big turn out.”

“Might be a little much for me.” You admitted, rubbing the back of your neck. “Glad to see you’re here though.”

Lewis gave you a gentle hug. “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world, you and Seb are family at this point. It’s going to be hard not having you both around.”

“Just time for me to spread my proverbial wings I suppose.”

“It’ll be good for you. Selfishly, I’d like to keep you around a little longer but I know you need this. You’ve had a hell of a career.”

Your cheeks flushed softly and he chuckled softly - you really had and it was one of the things you were proudest of. You only had one championship under your belt but you’d worked so hard to even get into this career that it felt good. You had podiums to boot and you wouldn’t change a single thing you’d done in your time.

“Hey, you’re wanted.” He said, pointing behind you where Mick was waving his hands wildly in the air to get your attention.

You rolled your eyes playfully and made your way over to the young German who immediately wrapped you up in a friendly hug. “Hi Micky, shouldn’t you be in bed by now?”

“Oh shut up.” He laughed. “You and Seb are my favourites, not letting you both go without celebrating am I?”

“I’ll let you off this time.”

“You managed to say your piece to everyone yet?”

Your eyes scanned the room, shrugging a little. “Not quite.”

“…Daniel?”

You felt your breath catch in your throat. “I’m… I’m not ready to say goodbye to him.”

“You’ll see him again, y/n.” He gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Just see a couple more people to ease yourself and then pull him to one side. This isn’t going to be the last of you two, you’ve been in his life for ten years.”

“Good idea. Thanks, Micky.”

After one more hug, you moved away from the Haas driver and made your way over to Carlos - tapping him lightly on the shoulder. His face lit up when he saw you.

“There she is!” He beamed. “Was starting to think you’d made a run for it.”

“Aye, Carlos, not without saying a proper goodbye to you first. Who do you take me for?” You gasped softly, placing a hand over your heart. “Hurt, Carlos, hurt.”

The Spaniard rolled his eyes playfully. “Hermosa, know what I meant… you enjoying yourself? I know this is not really your thing.”

You shrugged. “It’s nice to see everyone having fun, no stress on their shoulders. I don’t mind as long as everyone else is happy.”

You felt a hand on your shoulder before you heard a British voice from behind you. “But are you having fun, hmm?”

“Hi, Georgie. I am, I’m surrounded by some of my best friends…” You smiled softly, letting him pull you into a one armed hug. “You’ll take care of all of the other kids won’t you?”

“Of course. Don’t think they’d listen to me like they’d listen to you though.” George’s voice was fond, his blue eyes bright even under the dim lights of the bar. “And, I have to admit, I had an ulterior motive for coming over here?”

You raised a brow and followed George’s finger as he pointed over to the corner of the bar, your heart skipping a beat when Dan raised his beer to you. “I.. yeah I’ll go over now.”

You threw back the rest of your champagne and grabbed another before joining Daniel on the curved booth at the back of the bar.

“Not like you to be by yourself mister social-butterfly.” You teased.

He smiled gently, cradling his beer in his hands. “Was kind of hoping to get you alone…”

The flush of your cheeks was inevitable so you lowered your head a little, not being able to cope with the intensity of his eyes boring into yours.

“Listen, y/n… I… fuck…” Dan chuckled nervously. “I’m mad it took me you literally leaving the sport to realise it but I’m… I’m fucking in love with you, y/l/n.”

“I… you are?”

A small embarrassed smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and he rubbed the back of his neck, nodding a little.

“Sorry to ambush you, I just-“

“No, I uh… I’m just shocked you feel the same way.”

His eyes flickered across your face as he processed what you said before he cautiously lent in, a cold hand coming up to cup your jaw as his lips met yours. It was a kiss nearly 10 years in the making and you found yourself feeling weak at the knees and your heart raced a million miles an hour.

“I love you too, by the way… if that wasn’t clear.” You whispered, as he pulled back, his forehead pressed against yours. “And if you thought for one second that me leaving the grid meant I wasn’t going to bother you every single day, you were wrong.”

His face split into a massive grin. “…so, we’re both unemployed next year.”

“True.”

“Fancy taking a trip? Just me and you.” He asked, his fingers laced with yours.

“…I’d like that.”

The next time you returned to the grid was Australia 2023, sure, neither of you were driving anymore but as you stepped into the paddock hand-in-hand, you were definitely the stars of the weekend.

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

Hope you enjoyed x

@laura-naruto-fan1998 @marianadj99 @tall-tanned-tattoo @wonderlandofsu @lightsoutpierre @monodreme @theplobnrgone @feminismisaflawlessbitch @eitak-t @amulhermaisfelizdomundo @readerselegance @sad-fridge2323 @haterpenny @jamieolivia27 @cringe-kats @skyslowalking @samsationalwilson @dr3lover @fic-for-readers @oneoftwoghosts @care2703 @a-distantdreamer @bigdiccricc @altheahuf @coldmuffinbanditshoe @deviltsunoda @storyteller-le @imnotcryingyouare1 @take-me-around-town @hannahholland1811 @the-scarletbitch @d0ntjudgemy50shades @glitterquadricorn @adiaz-25 @itsmycorneroftheinternet

[minie-mastermind]

Earth 3 England

Justice League of America #29 1964 is the first appearance of Earth 3 along with the England and America of that universe. The American history is reversed, Americans discovered Europe and set up colonies. The English thought against the America winning their freedom in a Revolutionary War, it is not stated if any other European countries gained their freedom.

The next mention of Europe and England came in JLA: Earth-2 2000, in which a newspaper on the wall of the daily planet states "Eurostates to bomb evil Britain". In the story this is to illustrate that journalism integrity in our free like not being biased is non-existent. This statement though implies that England is the only European country but gained independence. The rest of Europe being considered an extension of Amerika.

In the same book we see England and learn more history of its Earth 3 counterpart. Benedict Arnold was President and declared war on England when they declared their independence. We also see a statue that in the main universe is of Winston Churchill and on Earth 3 is Adolf Hitler, implying that England was conquered during World War 2. We also see police officers with the spiked helmets the Germans had further implying that their culture has had enough time to soak into English society. This could mean certain European countries are not owned by Amerika, as it is unlikely that they only conquered England given the distance and amount of effort it would take to retain it.

The main questions I would have regarding England are firstly if they have a monarchy or continued democracy which may be implied due to seeing the House of Lords in the background. Secondly would it still resemble the United Kingdom with Scotland, Ireland and Wales. If so what are they treated like States more so and furthermore would the Union Jack be known as the United Jack. Thirdly how would the flag look, we have seen multiple incarnations of the Earth 3 American flag with colours change and symbols inverted.

[racingliners]

has anyone asked you about favorite (underrated?) helmets yet? ive been drooling over lance's am helmets lately i feel like no one ever talks about them -fujispeedway

oh yes @fujispeedway we can 1000000% talk about underrated helmets!!!

I also absolutely LOVE Lance's Aston Martin helmets, the 2021-2023 designs are my personal favourites both for the all over British Racing Green and the big Aston Martin wings on either side. It's such a sleek design that's executed brilliantly. (Pics below are Lance's helmets from 2021, 2022 and 2023 - all a 10/10 for me).

Of the three the 2023 design is my favourite, but I love the creativity of the 2022 helmet in creating the Aston wings out of matte paint and neon lime accents. It's super clever!

I have an unbelievably silly amount of helmets in my helmet tag so I just know I'm going to forget some (and it's almost after half past 11 at night for me so my brain will not be braining as much - I will probably end up doing a part 2 for this).

Gonna put this under a read more to avoid dash clogging.

Lewis Hamilton - 2020 pre-season testing

Do I think Lewis was absolutely spot on in switching his helmet design to purple and black for the 2020 season? Yes. Do I miss what we could have had in this beautiful white and purple variant? Also yes. (Deep deep down, I do hope this is the route he goes for his first Ferrari helmet next year).

Purple just is Lewis' helmet colour to me, and the big splashes of white with hints of baby pink is just soooooooooo pretty. This helmet looked stunning with the silver W11 Mercedes livery and I think it would have looked gorgeous with the black livery too.

10/10 no notes.

Sebastian Vettel - Singapore 2017

Seb's Singapore helmet designs literally. never. missed. Sadly I think his 2017 design gets forgotten about because of... well... the events of the race start. But to move on very swiftly, I think this design does not get talked about enough. The reflective detailing is really fun and looks just as gorgeous as all the sparkly helmets under the circuit floodlights, and it gets a bonus point for the yellow to red to pink shift matching perfectly with both the German flag on Seb's helmet and the 2017 Ferrari livery.

Again, 10/10 no notes.

Michael Schumacher - Belgium 2011

A lot of F1 drivers do have very iconic helmet designs. But will they ever be Michael Schumacher wearing a helmet decorated with actual 21 carat gold levels of iconic? No.

(I do want to include a video about how this helmet was made bc it's just so mesmerising to watch.)

This design was created and ran in honour of Michael's 20th anniversary in F1, which he celebrated at Spa - the scene of his first ever F1 race and maiden victory.

And it's sexy as hell. 10/10.

Jenson Button - Great Britain 2014

In honour of his father Johnathan, who traditionally always wore a pink button up shirt on race days when supporting Jenson and passed away at the start of 2014, Jenson ran his helmet design in a bright pink colourway for the British GP - which also featured a pink shirt wearing Papa Smurf (a frequently used nickname for Jenson's Dad).

I was super lucky to be at Silverstone for the race weekend in 2014, and you could always know when Jenson was on track because the super bright shade of pink was impossible to miss. And it also looked gorgeous with McLaren's chrome silver and black livery that year.

As a tribute, it's very beautiful. And a helmet I always remember fondly.

Zhou Guanyu - Abu Dhabi 2022

I'm not kidding when I say that I think about this helmet design at least once a week. It's probably every two days at the very least.

It's stunning, it's gorgeous, it's beautiful. Guanyu always delivers on his helmets every single time.

again, 10/10 I want a mini version of this on my shelf.

Esteban Ocon - Great Britain 2022

So, I have the heart of a marshmallow. I am incredibly mushy and sentimental, therefore anything slightly mushy and sentimental makes me go all gooey and weepy.

Esteban's helmet for Silverstone not only featured the names of every single employee at both the Alpine factory in Enstone and and the Renault Powertrains factory in Viry-Châtillon - but the top of the helmet also included the co-ordinates of both factories. Very mushy, very sentimental. It's just lovely.

The blue gradient is also very pretty. 10/10.

(gonna end this here as it's now ten to midnight and I'm struggling to think of many more BUT I will 100% make a part 2 for this if people want).

reverse unpopular opinions: send me a topic and I'll say something nice about it

[mythrite]

Updated Switch Description

This one is just more organised, maybe with a little more info.

@olibird just use this one for the doc (:

Stuff in red and italics only applies to 19-04/Shadow Company AU Switch

Name: Silvia Mythrite

Aliases: Switchblade, Switch, Myth, Switchie (affectionate or condescending depending on the person), 19-04

Rank: Sergeant, probably just team leader in Shadow Company? Don’t think she’d get to Sergeant there

Nationality: British Ethnicity: British/Filipino

Age: 26 DoB: 01/21/98

Pronouns: she/her

Gender: Demiboy Sex: Female

Sexuality: Ace, Demiromantic

Height: 5'4/163cm

Languages: English (knows swears in Spanish and German)

Voice Claim: Edd Gould from Eddsworld

Which CoD Universe: OG and Reboot

Branches of Service: British Army and SAS

Affiliation: TF141, SpecGru, Shadow Company(?)

Specialties: Close Quarters Combat, Dexterity, Harsh Environments. But is trained in pretty much everything

Personality: Reserved, only speaks when spoken to, blunt. OR Chill, throws a joke around sometimes, painfully British. Depends how comfortable she is with the people.

Backstory: Switch was raised in a home that was rather bland. Parents didn’t celebrate holidays, or properly care for their child. By the time she was 13, her father forced her through training for the military. Three years of that. When she was 16, father sent her off to the British Army and cut contact with her. Switch joined the SAS at 18. By the time she was 22, Price selected her to join TF141 (or 24 for SC!Switch). Following the events of MWII and Price learning Graves was still alive, he sent Switch to go spy on Shadow Company with one reminder: don’t get weak.

Issues: Doesn’t cope with the trauma. Hates asking for help, especially with personal stuff. Lives to be useful to people. Constantly overworks and barely cares for self when she does. Hasn’t experienced most childhood things. Gender dysphoria. Hates being seen as weak. Touch deprived.

Habits: Flicks and spins a butterfly knife at given moment. Swears way too much. Occasional smoker. Mumbles HU lyrics to herself.

Scars: Right brow, left shoulder, right upper arm (all blade related incidents). Burn on the whole left arm. Right elbow and right leg bullet wounds. Small cuts on hands from butterfly knife accidents.

Preferred method of showing care/affection/love language: Acts of Service

Preferred way of receiving care/affection: Any but mainly Physical Touch

Eye Colour: Dark brown

Hair description: Slightly lighter brown, right side is shaved off, leaving the left side. Slightly covers her left eye at times. Hair goes down to armpit length, but is usually in a ponytail

Clothing description:

(Gear): Tactical vest with UK flag over her heart, pistol holster below it. Two mag pouches and a zipper closed bag at bottom.  Metal arm guards strapped on. Above that is another patch with a UK flag and TF141 (or Shadow Company) insignia on the right arm, and a blade strap on the left. Belt pouches for chosen butterfly knife and grenades and flash-bangs. Kneepads. Combat gloves. Headset and goggles, maybe helmet as well.

(Civvies): Would wear some kind of merch from The Neighbourhood or Hollywood Undead when possible. Other than that, it’s just the simple shirt, jeans, maybe a flannel or jacket of sort on top. And a cross bag. Black/grey/navy mask if she wants to wear it.

(SC Uniform): Uniform has a pocket on the left side for her balisong, 19-04 name tag on the right. SC insignia on right sleeve. Dark grey neck gaiter, with messily sewn on blue rim. Goggles.

Body Description: She’s worked on her body to make it as androgynous as possible. As much femininity gone, she prefers it that way. Very lean, not to the point of bulky. She isn’t slim either, in the sweet spot. Flat chest.

Favorite Activities: Staring at the ceiling contemplating her life choices, listening to music, doodling, origami, watching people do weird shit, might get involved with the weird shit if she feels comfortable enough.

Blood Type: AB-

Favorite Colour: Dull blues and purples

Favorite Animal: Doesn’t have one

Favorite Food/Dessert: Doesn’t have one

Favourite Album: “Day Of The Dead” from Hollywood Undead and “I Love You.” from The Neighbourhood

Music Taste: Rock and Metal

Would gladly blast Hollywood Undead in the car, but don’t think anyone else wants that ):

Has a whole collection of knives, and knows how to use all of them

Expert at Five Finger Fillet (The Knife Game).

Was trained to be ambidextrous, born right handed though.

Keeps track of her times and scores like Mactavish does in OG Modern Warfare. This ends up being more pressure for her, though.

Drinks tea very often

Doesn’t drink heavily, but will enjoy a nice glass of bourbon.

When drunk however, she’ll be a lot quieter, maybe say an off handed thing or two. And will do stupid shit if you ask her to. That’s exactly why she doesn’t drink heavily.

Articulated her voice to sound more masculine.

Prefers masc compliments and statements when talking about her.

Being the asexual she is, Switch will make the dirtiest jokes and fuck around with flirting at times (she doesn’t mean any of it). Only to miss the obvious stuff.

Does not know how to sew

Mask and goggles are not out of insecurity.

Doesn’t take her mask and goggles off often while she’s in Shadow Company. It’s for the sake of trying to not be identified.

[indigosunsetao3]

Keeping Lines Blurry

Chapter 12 - Summit

Masterlist of Chapters

Warnings: 18+ - No minors Please read the tags on A03 for any of your triggers

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick X Original FMC 6.1k words - AO3 Link

Gaz stood quietly just inside of the door of the building that may as well of been an old castle based on its size and architecture. The large rifle in his hands was angled downward in a relaxed position as the diplomats, politicians, support staff and others filed in the front door. The outside drive was full of rotating cars sliding in to drop off a group before disappearing and allowing the next one to pull up. Security was tight, tighter than he had seen for any other event, and while that was a comfort it also set him on edge. He didn’t know who was the enemy and who was on their side and his fingers twitched a bit with pent-up energy as he watched the French President stride in with his entourage. Britain still had not arrived. Based on the schedule he reviewed the night before, as he attempted to sleep in the back seat of his car, they were to be one of the last groups.

It was odd that the best way for Gaz to blend in was actually right in plain sight of everything. His uniform was the standard issue black with the Lithuanian flag on one shoulder and the special ops patch on the other. He had a few other distinct markings on his uniform for special achievements that he wasn’t sure what they were and of course his name patch; Petrauskas. It was a common surname in the country so easier to not stand out and easily forgotten as well. The helmet also added to the disguise, but perhaps the best part of the uniform was the fact that balaclavas were considered part of it. This ensured his face was completely covered except for his eyes which he had covered with grease paint anyway for good measure.

Germany was next and Gaz watched them stroll through casually, as if they didn’t have a worry in the world about what could happen. Of course they didn’t, there were other people paid to worry about threats and neutralize them. He shifted his feet a bit, the boots just a touch too small, and earned himself a reproachful throat clearing from the man standing next to him. It was the leader of this particular squadron and he knew who Gaz was, obviously realizing Gaz had never been part of his team before, and he wasn’t exactly pleased. He was doing as he was told, that there would be plenty of other people blending into their teams for safety measures, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed the intruder.

Gaz cut him a look but held still despite the ache in his knee and the scrunch in his feet. He didn’t want to piss the guy off right out the gate when they had four days together. The German party had finished filing through and Gaz saw the lights flash from the cameras outside as the next round of cars pulled in.

“Look alive boys,” came Laswell’s voice over the com in Gaz’s ear. She was here as well, working the security room so she had a view of everything. Gaz’s communication in his ear was set specifically on the 141 channel at the moment, not wanting to hear the chatter of all the other men and women working this operation. Laswell hadn’t shared all her information with the other teams, not sure they could trust everyone, as far as the rest of the forces knew they were just taking out a threat. No one knew the head of the threat was in the British cabinet.

“Approaching the front door,” came Price’s voice, he was escorting them in that evening from the rear.

A moment later the Prime Minister cleared the fortress sized doors and walked down the hall with his wife on his arm. Gaz’s eyes traced over everyone that filed in, doing his best to not let the nervous energy that was vibrating in his bones show as he tried to find Olivia. He knew she was here with Henry and as more and more people filled in, he finally spotted her. She had her hand delicately tucked into his elbow as they walked and she was smiling radiantly and even laughed at something Henry leaned down to whisper in her ear. But Gaz saw through it. He saw the tension in her eyes, the way her jaw was clenched in the forced smile, and how exhaustion seemed to be hovering over her like a cloud.

Just behind them in the hall were Olivia’s parents and the party had stalled in their walking since there were just so many of them and the area was bottlenecked. Gaz was staring at the point directly above the foursome so it wasn’t obvious he was watching them but he was monitoring. He watched as Olivia’s mother gestured around excitedly and her father followed her gaze after straightening his jacket and joined in her enthusiasm. They had known her parents would be joining as last-minute attendees and Laswell warned that they could be part of the collateral damage Henry was planning and should be considered a high-priority extraction as well if things went south. Gaz privately swore to himself that he would save them if he had time but Olivia was his first choice and they could rot for all he cared.

“Our friend is here,” came Alex’s voice. He was positioned in the dining hall and the sound of chatter in the background told Gaz the room was packed. “I just got a message,” he continued, “just saying they arrived and Henry had taken a call before they left and was unhappy about something.”

“I’d be unhappy too if I looked like that,” came Soap’s voice simply and Gaz cut his eyes to the man standing down the other end of the hall.

Soap and Ghost didn’t get out of being in the thick of the crowd this time, there was too much to try and cover and it was all indoors so overwatch was a bit moot. Soap was in his SAS tactical gear since he wasn’t missing, his scandalous mohawk hidden under his helmet. He and Gaz made eye contact for a moment and Gaz smirked behind his mouth covering before diverting his attention back to the group in front of them.

“Any idea what he’s not happy about?” Ghost asked from the balcony above, his skull mask in place not caring about the looks he had received.

“No,” Alex answered simply. “I asked if they knew and haven’t received any answer yet. Not that I’d expect them to be obvious but look for anyone checking their phones in the group.”

Gaz instantly cut his eyes to the British entourage who was moving again to see if he could spot anything. All of them were chittering and talking, pointing out pieces of artwork or décor as they went. The only people on phones were staffers checking itineraries or sneaking a few pictures here and there, nothing out of the ordinary. Letting his eyes drift he found Olivia again, lightly hanging onto Henry’s arm, her eyes looking vaguely to the side in a moment of reprieve of not being spoken to. She seemed preoccupied and if Gaz was truly honest with himself a bit scared, but about what he wasn’t sure. There was no way she knew about Henry’s plot; he wouldn’t risk it. Unless he just flat out threatened her which was very much a possibility.

As the last groups filed into the large dining hall Gaz was dismissed to work outside patrol. It was lightly drizzling as he stalked down the manicured lawn, walking between large stone planters filled with miniature trees and flowers. Spring was around the corner and it seemed that a few days of mild weather had prompted the landscaping staff to set out new plants. Gaz knew it was just false hope, there was always a lull of fair weather before winter came back for a final strike, no matter where you lived.

Looking over his shoulder to find he was very much alone in this part of the area Gaz dared to walk over to one of the large windows that came almost to the ground and stretched high into the air. Light from inside the dining area was spilling out onto the lawn and Gaz stuck to the shadow of one of the tall thin trees that filled the space between the multiple windows. He watched as the wait staff darted in and out between tables with trays of drinks, varying from wine to bourbon and champagne. People were laughing and talking, leaning back in their chairs to their interpreters when needed or just sipping on their drinks watching. So many were blissfully unaware that the snake was in the room with them, just waiting and biding his time.

He had to walk down a few more windows before he finally spotted them. Henry and Olivia were seated at a dark burgundy clothed table with her parents, some staffers, and the deputy prime minister and his wife. The prime minister of course was sitting with other heads of countries in an effort to promote casual conversation and strike up friendships. Olivia’s parents were chattering away, sipping their drinks, and engaging with Henry and the deputy prime minister like they were old friends. Henry’s dad even clapped Henry on the back and everyone toasted to something. Even Olivia had joined in the toast but she looked strained and uncomfortable, her hand tight around the water glass in her hand and she was stiff as Henry pulled her into a side hug and kissed the top of her head.

Gaz sat there for a while just leaning up against the stone next to the window watching, glancing around every now and again to make sure no one was there. The team spoke sporadically, checking in and making small comments about what they did or did not see happening. Gaz even ventured to the other radio channels to listen and see if there was anything of note but it was quiet everywhere. No signs of a threat, no unusual activity, not even radio chatter from the enemy was being intercepted.

“I think the biggest threat tonight will be who makes a fool of themselves on the dance floor,” Soap was saying as Gaz clicked back to their channel. “My bets on the German chancellor,” he added.

“That’s only because you’re not allowed to dance,” Gaz retorted with a laugh and just knew Soap was scowling wherever he was at.

Maybe tonight would be an easy night, for just one night they would get a small win and reprieve. Gaz certainly would like to have an actual night’s sleep. Price had secured them a place to stay so that Gaz could join them so he wouldn’t be stuck in the car again, cramped in the backseat. Gaz knew that they were only delaying the inevitable, that Henry wasn’t going to hang around and not set his plan into motion, but it would be nice if he didn’t do it on day one.

Just as he was about to peel himself away from the window to do a round of patrol he saw Olivia rise from her chair. She set her napkin down on the table reached for her glass of water and downed it before politely excusing herself. Her mother caught her arm and Olivia gently shook her off and kept walking. She crossed across the open dancefloor that no one was on yet then he lost her in the crowd of tables.

“Olivia’s moving,” came Alex’s voice. “She’s alone, Henry stayed back at the table,” he continued and Gaz darted a glance to confirm that. “She’s about to go into the hall and I’ll lose visual.”

“Copy,” came Price’s voice. There was a long pause before, “I see her, she’s rummaging in her purse, and looks like she’s headed out toward the north terrace.”

“I’m outside,” Gaz answered after a second as he moved quickly toward the terrace to see if he could spot her. Sure enough, she was pushing through the large French doors and into the slightly brisk evening air with a large glass of red wine in her hand. “I’ve got eyes. I’m keeping to the shadows,” he tacked on as he stopped and put himself up against the wall silently, as if he had been there the whole time, and watched her.

Olivia was scrolling through her phone and breathing a bit rapidly as she went, her eyes roving over whatever she found there with intense concentration. She read for a bit, answered a few messages based on how she was swiping and typing then put the phone away and stared at her full glass of red wine but didn’t drink it. Instead, she went over to one of the high-top tables in the covered area, set down the glass, leaned her elbows on the table, and put her face in her hands. Even from the slight distance, Gaz could hear her cry and he shifted on his feet a bit knowing he shouldn’t go over there but felt the intense need to. She was doing her best to muffle the sounds, knowing anyone could walk out there at any moment, but Gaz’s ears seemed to be locked in on it and he couldn’t ignore it.

“Still got eyes?” Price asked into the radio and Gaz jerked a bit realizing he was talking to him.

Careful to not give himself away Gaz answered yes in Lithuanian, one of the few words he had learned in less than a day. At the sound of a voice Olivia’s head snapped up and she looked right at him, startled and a bit confused at the fact he was there. She wiped at her face quickly and went back into her purse to try and find a napkin or something to clean herself up Gaz assumed because she dug for a bit. In the dim light, Gaz could see her cheeks were pink, though he wasn’t sure if it was from the crying or embarrassment.

“Well, this is embarrassing,” Olivia muttered as she looked right at Gaz who hadn’t moved from his spot. He swallowed once as he watched her, feeling as if she could see right through the disguise if he made too much eye contact. “You wouldn’t happen to have a tissue, would you?” She asked and Gaz simply looked at her and cocked his head to the side a bit to feign misunderstanding. This was not good; she was watching him intently and seemed to want to continue to talk which was a huge risk. Price had warned him to keep his distance, only talk if he had to, and not to interact with anyone that he knew. “Oh right,” she laughed awkwardly before miming a tissue, grabbing at the table cloth to wipe her face without actually wiping it.

Gaz shook his head no and Olivia sighed a bit before she leaned back on the table again and continued to wipe at her eyes with her hands. She had at least stopped crying but she looked downright miserable and shivered at the light breeze that was passing through. The past few nights may have been milder than others but the wind still went right through you. Gaz gestured quietly to the door as she looked up and rubbed at her arms but she shook her head no at him.

“It’s too much,” she said simply even though in her mind he couldn’t understand what she was saying. “Too loud, too many people. My parents, and my husband, are all acting like they know what is best for me and not giving me a single say in it. My,” she paused on the words and seemed to hiccup to keep from bursting into tears again, “my friend is missing and presumed dead and no one seems to notice that I’m falling apart. He was the only person that actually seemed to care despite everything and…” She shook her head a bit and gestured out to the dark expanse of lawn that melted away into the night. “It’s quiet out here, where I can just be alone for a second with my own thoughts and zero expectations. I can have a small breakdown in peace,” she laughed flatly as she continued to look out into the dark grounds and Gaz’s gaze followed hers for a moment before cutting back to her, watching her side profile as she continued to sit silently in her head. The urge to tell her it was him was burning in his chest and the impulsive side of him was screaming to just tell her, she could clearly keep a secret. He opened his mouth determined to ease some of her heartache but the universe intervened.

Her phone vibrated and in the quiet Gaz could hear it rattle in her purse on the table. She quickly dropped her eyes from his where she had been subtly staring at him and reached into and pulled it out before sighing and sending a reply. He acted like he wasn’t watching her but when she looked over at him he raised an eyebrow, that she couldn’t see, and waited for her to speak again. She seemed to take the eye contact as an invitation to continue and Gaz bit his tongue to keep his mouth shut.

“Are you married?” She asked and raised her left hand and pointed to the ring on her finger to show what she was asking. Gaz instantly shook his head no. “Good,” she replied with a bit of a bite in her voice, “do yourself a favor and never marry someone in politics. They want to rule the world and that need for control extends past their office. They want to rule everything and every one no matter the cost,” she rambled on. She apparently did not care Gaz seemingly couldn’t understand her, or was using that to her advantage to vent to someone who could never repeat the knowledge. “And now I may be bringing a child into this whole mess and it’s just,” she sighed absently rubbing at her abdomen glancing at the full glass of wine still sitting there. She had grabbed it in a fit of anger, and craving, but couldn’t bring herself to drink it if there was a chance she was truly pregnant.

Her phone went off again and she stared at the message and grimaced before shoving the phone away and packing up. “Have a good evening, it was nice chatting with you. Well sort of anyway,” Olivia said with a small smile and wave before rolling her shoulders back to stand a little taller and walked back toward the doors and inside. The glass of red wine was left on the table untouched.

Gaz felt his insides turn to a queasy mess and the wind was cutting through him with intense ferocity as he watched Olivia walk away. A child. Fuck, that would explain why she had only drank water the whole evening that Gaz saw, the clap on Henry’s back from Olivia’s father followed by the stupid toast. It was all innocuous before but with that small piece of information, everything clicked into place. Someone was talking on the radio but Gaz could barely hear it over the roaring in his ears as he continued to stare at the blank spot behind the doors where Olivia had disappeared through back to the party.

“Gaz!” Came an impatient and concerned voice and Gaz’s body visibly jerked as he came back to reality.

“Sorry Sir,” Gaz answered after a moment, his eyes darting around the area to confirm he was alone for the umpteenth time that evening. “Olivia might be pregnant,” he finally said after a beat of silence as if Price were waiting for an explanation for his lack of communication. “I don’t know for sure. She doesn’t know it was me,” he wanted to cut that accusation off before it was thrown in his face. “I was just minding my own pretending to not understand her and she just vented. She was clearly distraught about the information.”

“Her mother asked us to stop at the pharmacy to get a test,” came Ghost’s even voice a second later. “We didn’t have time to though,” he tacked on.

“What the fuck Ghost?” This time it was Soap who cut in. “Think this may be information we should have known to start with?”

“What was there to share? Didn’t change the job,” Ghost answered, “we don’t know if she is or not and we didn’t need Gaz off his game.”

If it weren’t so dim outside Gaz may have seen red. He reached for his microphone button to lay into Ghost for treating him like a child but Price interrupted.

“It was my call and a good one,” Price answered as if he could see Gaz seething. “It doesn’t change the plan, nor does what ifs add to the situation. If we knew for sure I would have told you.”

“If there is a chance she is that would mean her security would be top priority,” Soap snapped and Gaz could practically see his friend's face full of rage.

“Her safety already is,” Laswell answered, sounding completely unbothered and if anything annoyed about the conversation. “A maybe pregnancy is a distraction and until we know otherwise the conversation is over.”

Gaz snarled and lowered his hand from his microphone, Laswell effectively cutting off every argument and raging thought he was ready to spew down the comms. Instead, he turned heel and walked back into the dark of the property and continued his patrols, his mind racing. He knew it was the right call to not say anything to him, that they knew he’d react like this, but he was still mad about it either way. He was mad for himself but he was more upset for Olivia who already felt trapped and alone. Adding onto the fact that Henry was potentially going to make a ‘clean sweep’ of his life in the next few days, knowing Olivia may be pregnant, made his insides cold. The man would stop at nothing and Olivia was truly a pawn, a means to an end for him.

Olivia stared at the test in the bathroom the following morning. She wasn’t sure who had gone out and retrieved it for her but she found it wrapped in an inconspicuous plastic bag on the counter when she had awoken that morning. It was in a foreign language but there was no mistaking it was a pregnancy test and the instructions were always the same. Pee on the stick and wait three minutes to see if your life was about to change. She had taken so many of these things in the past she was an expert at not making a mess and knowing how they worked. Every other test she had taken in her life was negative, even the pregnancy scare she had with Kyle that she had never told him about, but this time could be different. It felt different. She was sick all the time and Henry was telling people about it as if he already knew. Something he had staunchly avoided in the past and said if she ever did have a positive test they would keep quiet until they knew she wasn’t going to lose it.

She couldn’t do it. She needed the answer, needed to know if everything was about to change or not, but if it came back positive she knew she was going to break. If she didn’t know she could just feign ignorance, and live in a bit of bliss before what was left of her little world came crashing down. Her life was already so far in shambles that one more bit of what everyone assumed would be good news would cause her to snap. Maybe she needed to. Maybe she need to just lose herself completely, go off the deep end like she felt she was about to, and embrace it. But not today, she couldn’t do it today because there were too many meetings happening, appearances to be made, and in a few hours a press conference about more information on Kyle’s disappearance.

Olivia had been following the case obsessively, trying to find out any and all information that she could. She had cornered Soap after dinner the night before and demanded he tell her something but he politely told her he had no news and to stop talking to him before people asked questions. So, she had instead combed the internet for information, falling deep into conspiracy theories on social media because the case had become rather large back in London. Of course, she knew the truth about how Kyle had landed in the river but she didn’t know what happened afterward. Surely by now his body would have appeared, some sort of evidence besides his jacket if he was still in the river. But nothing. Not even a shoe or evidence of what was left of him if he did in fact drown. That had to be good news, right? But if he did make it out of the river, where was he? Dead somewhere else? Hiding?

A knock on the bathroom door made Olivia jump and she quickly shoved the three-pack pregnancy test box into her large tote of a purse. Her mother made no qualms about privacy and she shoved into the bathroom not caring that Olivia was still half dressed in a smart satin pantsuit. It was a solid black number with gold buttons and a matching gold camisole to go underneath. She felt a bit out of her element but she wore it anyway with her hair twisted into an elegant knot on her head and gold heels to match.

“We’re going to be late, our security is already rushing us along,” her mother said with a couple of snaps of her fingers to hurry Olivia along as she pulled on her undershirt and then the jacket over it. Her mother was in a simply beige skirt and blouse, she wasn’t the focus of any of these meetings that Olivia was being shunted off to but she was attending as Olivia’s help. Really the wives at all these events were nothing more than good press for their husbands. They had no say on what they were doing behind closed doors in their negotiations but instead were there to occupy the public and try and win them some points in the popularity book.

Olivia and Henry’s relationship had been a huge scandal in the papers when it all started. A man so much older than his girlfriend was headline news for weeks. The tabloids had enjoyed coming up with all sorts of scenarios as to what caused the relationship. An affair gone too far and now she was pregnant with his child. Olivia was a gold digger who had tricked him. Henry was actually gay and using a pretty young girl as a distraction from his other interests. Olivia had daddy issues and Henry was stepping into that role for her. The list went on and on but as time passed, they all started to come around and actually enjoy Olivia’s relationship with Henry. Saying she kept him young, kept his policies in line with the newer generations, that she was actually smart with her degree in early childhood development and maybe she would help point Henry in the direction of fixing the education system.

It was all a huge game and Olivia knew she needed to keep playing it to keep her parents alive, as well as herself. So, if she had to go to a little fundraiser bake sale with the Prime Minister’s wife and a few other women and smile for the camera she was going to do it. Her mother was just excited to be included and was hoping to make a few new powerful friends that she could invite to her dinner parties and show off to her friends.

When Olivia stepped out of the bathroom, she found Ghost standing there and he was watching her intently. The woman he had been paired with wasn’t around, just him, and Olivia had a sneaking suspicion he was the one who had left the test in the bathroom for her. Despite herself, she found herself having to hold back a smirk at picturing this big hulking, and frankly scary looking, man at the pharmacy buying a pregnancy test in the dainty little pink box. Meeting his eyes she clutched the purse a little tighter to her body and nudged it with her elbow hoping to convey that she had them. If he wasn’t the one who left them, he would just write it off as her adjusting the bag if he did he’d hopefully get the message. The small nod of his head confirmed her suspicions and that was the end of their silent communication.

“We are stopping at the store on the way back to get a test,” her mother hissed in her ear as they got on the elevator. “I am dying to know for sure, I can’t believe it’s not eating you alive,” she nudged Olivia with her elbow and grinned ear to ear.

“I’ve had so many negatives I don’t get my hopes up anymore mother,” Olivia answered, meeting Ghost’s eyes in the mirrored wall of the elevator for a brief second. “If it’s meant to be it will happen but I’m not going to get excited. I didn’t even get sick this morning,” she tacked on and realized she hadn’t even noticed that fact until now. “I told you it could have been the wine or a bug.”

Ghost shifted his stance and Olivia glanced at him again as he pulled out his phone and typed something into it. She couldn’t see it, the privacy screen, and his body twisted to keep the screen out of her sight. It was none of her business what he was saying but she was secretly wondering if he was relaying the information to whoever would be interested.

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Tonight.

Gaz stared at the phone that Alex had passed to him with the message from the unknown number. It was just one word and they were all trying to figure out what tonight meant. There were gatherings all over the place, different dinners, and council meetings. They all couldn’t be everywhere and Laswell wasn’t trusting enough to give all their information away so they had to pick and choose the most likely strikes if that was what tonight meant.

“There aren’t enough of us,” Soap echoed what they had all been saying as he stood at the table, resting his hands on the flattop as he leaned over a map that showed all the locations. “They are as spread out as you can be,” he muttered and pushed up from the table with a frustrated huff.

“They are spread out for security on purpose,” Laswell answered from her chair as she wrote in her notebook, scratched something out, and wrote again. “If they are all apart less likely to lose them all in a hit. The dinner last night was a huge risk,” she scratched something else out before tossing the notebook on the table and digging out her cigarettes. Like Gaz, she smoked when she was stressed but no one dared say a word against it to her as she lit up right at the table, and when she saw Gaz staring she threw the pack at him.

“So we have to pick who we think is the biggest target and who is more worthy of keeping safe,” Gaz muttered as he pulled a smoke from the pack and stuck it between his lips. He patted himself down for his lighter and ignored the stares from Ghost as he slid the pack to Soap who took one as well. “We know Olivia and her family are targets but so are world leaders. Who is worth more to save?” Gaz knew the answer just as Henry did and that was why he had made sure Olivia was across the city from him and her father at an education summit. Her mother was to stay behind at the hotel for a cocktail hour with some other wives so that was three bases to try to cover not to mention everyone else.

“Olivia is alone,” Price commented as he peeled up the sticky notes to look at it. “No other members of note with her that are part of the security detail. Henry of course is meeting with the prime minister and her mother is meeting with multiple wives and staffers.”

“Which means Olivia is a prime target because we can’t cover her, which is why we should,” Gaz answered simply knowing his argument was going to get shot down once again.

“Our resources are better served elsewhere,” Ghost answered. “If this plan goes how we think Henry wants it to the world will be out half of their leaders. Well, half of the leaders that stand against Russia,” he elaborated. “We can’t risk that and you know it.” His tone was even and calm as he stared at Kyle who looked ready to fight.

“The threats have been made directly against her. He had me killed,” Gaz mimed air quotations, “to get back at her. He wants to kill her off to give himself the goddamn sympathy card. All warning signs point to her and we’re just going to ignore it?”

“We aren’t ignoring anything,” Ghost answered. “We just aren’t going to be the ones there. She isn’t going to be alone, MI6 is putting a few agents with her.”

“The same ones that didn’t stop a break-in at their house?” Gaz answered with a laugh, the cigarette bobbing between his lips. “They’re useless,” he pushed back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the ash that drifted off his cigarette onto his chest.

“It’s better than nothing Gaz,” Price tried to reason knowing this was a losing battle with him. “We’re putting the best agents they have with her. Her location is a low-level threat, it wouldn’t mean big losses, and if Henry is looking to cause chaos the attacks will be targeted elsewhere. It’d be a waste of resources to go after Olivia there and now.”

“I’m not going to win this fight,” Gaz answered finally into the silence, “but I want it noted I don’t fucking like it and I feel like it’s a trap.”

“Noted,” Laswell responded. “You’re to be back with the Lithuanian special forces and will be positioned with their president. It’s the closest spot to Olivia,” she added as a small mercy to him. “Now let’s actually discuss the plans and give me back my cigarettes MacTavish.”

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Olivia, for the first time in a long time, felt like she was in her element. She was speaking about early childhood development and education with other like-minded leaders in the field. Henry hadn’t let her get a job when they were married, wanting her at home being a dutiful wife but Olivia had never let the passion go. She had continued to study, to follow the laws and policies put into place, and even advocated for them when she could. And now people actually wanted her opinion so sitting here in the black pantsuit she no longer felt it wasn’t her style and instead felt powerful in it.

For the hour she sat in the meeting, talking and chatting with peers she had been able to forget about her other worries for a bit. Forget about the pregnancy test result from when she had stolen a few minutes away in a stall, ignoring how very high school it felt to pee on a stick in a public restroom and pray for three minutes. Forget about the deep aching guilt about Kyle and the update from the investigation that there was still no news but they were following a promising, and confidential, lead. Or about her despair with Henry and how to keep him happy to keep herself and her family alive.

It was all such a welcome distraction that when the first gunshot went off, Olivia didn’t register what it was. She just sipped her water and nodded at the man across the table, agreeing with his opinion as he spoke to the group at large before falling quiet as a hole was ripped through his neck. Olivia blinked trying to register what was happening but it wasn’t until someone down the table yelled in fear that she realized things had turned very wrong. She had a moment to note something warm and wet on the side of her face before a sudden burning pain blossomed in her arm.

Then the room erupted with screams and bullets.