rebekawarriorz

[xsumire]

Preservation path too good. It carried again for World 5 :'D

[bloodreinasbathwater]

Jacked Up Love

part 2

Jack Hughes X Best Friend! Reader

(Brothers Best Friend AU)

a.n: I have been debating whether to add some spice to this but after not seeing it fit my ending yet, it will be in part 4 or 5 instead. this one feels a little short but it's getting the story going until we have our final confrontation. I hope you guys enjoy and please message me if you have any questions or want to be added to the tag list. <3

warnings: flirting, not proofread, fuckboy jack, kissing, cursing, mentions of cheating?

masterlist link

Summary: Hurt and angry, Y/N avoids Jack for most of the night until he confronts her as the party winds down. Just as things are heating up between Y/N and Jack, Lee walks in on Y/N and Jack in an intimate moment.

word count - 4341

...

Jack chuckled as he observed Quinn and his dad bickering good-naturedly over the stove. Quinn kept trying to slather more sauce onto the ribs, much to Jim's exasperation.

"No, no, you're doing it all wrong!" Jim complained, attempting to wrestle the basting brush from Quinn's hand. "You're supposed to let the meat speak for itself, not drown it in that sugary nonsense."

Quinn rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, live a little! Everyone knows the secret to killer ribs is in the sauce dad."

Their playful argument carried across the large house, drawing amused glances from the other partygoers. Jack shook his head, grinning at their antics. He loved these laid-back gatherings in the winter, where everyone could just kick back and enjoy each other's company.

Turning his attention back to Lee, Jack tried to focus on their conversation about the latest Cardinals game. "...and did you see that pass in the third period?" Lee was saying excitedly, his hands waving animatedly as he recounted the highlights of the game. "I thought for sure they were going to score off that turnover."

Luke nodded, taking a swig of his beer. "Yeah, man, that was a close call. But the goalie really stepped up his game tonight. Those saves were unreal."

They continued to chat, their voices rising and falling with the ebb and flow of their enthusiasm. He tried to focus on the words, but a familiar laugh rang out, causing his heart to skip a beat. Jack's attention drifted from Lee's animated play-by-play of the game, his gaze inexorably drawn to where you stood by the dessert table with your girlfriends.

You were laughing at something Mia had said, your eyes sparkling with mirth. Jack watched, transfixed, as you tipped your head back, exposing the smooth column of your throat. Time seemed to slow as he took in the sight of you, the rest of the party fading into the background.

Lee, oblivious to Jack's distraction, continued chattering on about batting averages and on-base percentages. But Jack was only half-listening, his attention continually drawn back to you. "Hey, Jack! Did you catch that insane goal in overtime?"

Jack merely hummed noncommittally, his tone casual. "Yeah, yeah, I saw that. Pretty sick shot."

His gaze traced the curve of your smile, the fullness of your lips. An ache blossomed in his chest, a longing so acute it stole his breath. What would it feel like, he wondered, to have those lips pressed against his own? To trail his fingers along the silken expanse of your skin, to hear you sigh his name in the darkness?

In a trance, Jack's eyes roamed over you, drinking in every detail. The way your dress clung to your curves, the faint smell of your perfume on the jacket he had offered you outside, which of course you had given back covered in your smell. You were a masterpiece, a work of art come to life.

God, you were beautiful.

And then, as if sensing the weight of his stare, you turned. Your eyes met his across the flickering flames, and the world ground to a halt. In that suspended moment, Jack felt a jolt of electricity coursing through his veins, a pull towards you that was almost gravitational.

Your lips curved into a soft, secret smile, and Jack's heart stuttered in his chest. That smile held a thousand unspoken promises, a wealth of possibility that both terrified and thrilled him. He knew he should look away, knew he was treading on dangerous ground. But he was powerless to resist the magnetic allure of your gaze, the siren song of your presence.

Did you have any idea what you did to him? How much he wanted to pull you into his arms, consequences be damned?

He took a swig of his beer, trying to calm the riot of emotions swirling inside him. This was getting out of hand. He needed to get a grip on himself before he did something stupid.

Like confess his feelings for you, the one girl who was absolutely, completely off-limits...

Shaking his head, Jack forced himself to focus on Lee's words, determined to push all thoughts of you from his mind. At least for now.

But deep down, he knew it was futile. Because when it came to you, resistance had always been impossible. And maybe, just maybe... that was starting to feel more thrilling than frightening.

"Right? I thought the puck was going to bounce right off the crossbar, but nope - top shelf, baby!" Lee nodded, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around him.

…

"No, but seriously," Ava said, her face deadpan, "I think I'm going to start a GoFundMe for my boss's fashion sense. It's a tragedy, really. The man needs an intervention."

Sophie snorted. "What, you mean the 'middle-aged dad on vacation' look isn't working for him?"

"Please," you chimed in, grinning, "I've seen actual dads on vacation with better style. He's more like... a cross between a used car salesman and a cruise ship entertainer."

Mia nearly choked on her drink. "Oh my god, I can't unsee it now. The tacky Hawaiian shirts, the ill-fitting khakis..."

"Don't forget the socks with sandals!" Ava added, shuddering dramatically.

You all burst into laughter, the absurdity of the image too much to handle. Your shoulders shook with mirth, tears of hilarity pricking at the corners of your eyes. But then, gradually, you became aware of a prickling sensation on the back of your neck. The unmistakable feeling of being watched, the stare burning into your skin like a physical caress.

Still giggling, you scanned the crowd of faces, trying to catch the culprit. Your gaze flitted from person to person - Uncle Joe by the cooler, Quinn and Jim still arguing over the grill, a group of Lee's friends from college - but no one seemed to be paying you any attention.

Until your eyes locked with a pair of striking blue ones.

Jack.

The laughter died on your lips as your breath caught in your throat. He was staring at you intensely. The old, faded baseball cap perched backwards on his head did little to tame his unruly dark hair, and the worn grey hoodie he wore strained against the muscles of his chest and shoulders.

Your heart stuttered in your chest as you drank him in, heat rising unbidden to your cheeks. In that suspended moment, it was as if everyone else simply fell away, leaving only you and Jack, connected by some invisible, unbreakable thread.

But then Lee came into view, saying something to Jack with an easygoing grin. The spell was broken as quickly as it had been cast, uncertainty flooding in to fill the void.

Swallowing hard, you tore your gaze away, only to find Mia watching you with a knowing smirk. Her green eyes sparkled with barely contained laughter, and you knew you'd been caught red-handed.

"Shut up," you muttered, feeling your face flame even hotter.

Mia held up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I didn't say anything! But seriously, Y/N, when are you going to put that poor boy out of his misery and jump his bones already?"

"Mia!" you hissed, mortified. "It's not... I can't... he's Lee's best friend!"

Sophie rolled her eyes. "So? That doesn't mean you two can't get your freak on. Just think of how hot the sneaking around would be..."

You buried your face in your hands, torn between laughter and abject horror. "I hate you all. You're the worst friends ever."

Ava slung an arm around your shoulders, grinning. "Nah, you love us. And you know we've got your back, no matter what. Even if 'what' is climbing that tall, dark, and broody tree over there like it's your job."

Despite your embarrassment, you couldn't help but dissolve into giggles once more, your heart feeling lighter than it had all evening.

…

You snuggled deeper into the cozy embrace of the blanket, content to simply bask in the company of your friends. Ava, Mia, and Sophie had settled into the chairs around you, the conversation flowing as easily as the alcohol.

As the minutes ticked by, you found yourself growing increasingly drowsy, the events of the day finally catching up to you. Your eyelids grew heavy, and you had to fight to keep them open. Dimly, you registered Quinn hopping off rib duty, his arm slung around his girlfriend's shoulders as they made their way to the other living room, easily getting swept into his mothers conversation.

A moment later, Lee and Luke disappeared upstairs, their good-natured trash talk about the upcoming NHL game fading as the door swung shut behind them. Suddenly, feeling restless, you stood up - only to sway on your feet, the blanket flopping back down onto the love seat.

The world tilted alarmingly, and for a dizzying second, you were certain you were about to face-plant right into new glass table Ellen had bought.

quick as a flash, strong hands gripped your arms, steadying you. Before you could process what was happening, you found yourself being tugged down onto a solid, warm lap.

"Hi, Mini," Jack's deep, honeyed voice rumbled in your ear, sending a shiver racing down your spine that had nothing to do with the chill in the air. Your heart leapt into your throat, a giddy thrill coursing through you at his close proximity. This was the closest you'd been to him all night, and the heat of his body seemed to seep into your very bones.

Tipping your head back, you met his gaze, a slow smile spreading across your face. There was just something about Jack, something that never failed to bring a grin to your lips and a flutter to your pulse.

Whatever it was, you knew you were hopelessly entangled in his web, caught in a pull that only seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

"Hi yourself," you murmured, your voice coming out breathier than you'd intended. "You come here often?"

Jack's lips quirked, his arms tightening around your waist. "Well, you know me. I never could resist a damsel in distress."

You laughed, swatting at his chest. "My hero. Whatever would I do without you?"

His expression softened, something tender and unguarded flickering in his gaze. "Guess you'll never have to find out, huh?"

Your breath caught at the unspoken promise in his words, the implications hanging heavy in the scant space between you. Suddenly, the air felt charged, electric, like the moment before a thunderstorm breaks.

Awareness prickled over your skin as you stared up at him, your senses hyperattuned to every flex of his fingers on your hip, every hitch in his breathing. The rest of the world seemed to recede, fading into insignificance until there was only this - the crackle of the fire, the pounding of your heart, and the magnetic pull of Jack's eyes on yours.

It would be so easy, you thought hazily, to just lean in and close the distance between you. To finally, finally discover if his lips were as soft as they looked, if he tasted as good as you'd always imagined...

But then a burst of raucous laughter from across the yard shattered the spell, jolting you back to reality. You blinked, heat rushing to your cheeks as you realized just how close you'd been to kissing your brother's best friend - in full view of everyone, no less.

Clearing your throat, you started to pull away, only for Jack's arms to tighten around you. "Hey," he said softly, his voice low and intimate. "Where do you think you're going?"

You swallowed hard, your heart hammering against your ribs. "I... I should probably go check on Lee upstairs. He gets super sensitive over chel, you know that." It was a flimsy excuse, and from the knowing glint in Jack's eyes, he wasn't buying it for a second. But he loosened his hold, nonetheless, letting you slide off his lap on unsteady legs.

"Hurry back," he murmured, his gaze hot and heavy on your skin. "I'll be waiting."

And as you stumbled away, your pulse racing and your mind awhirl, you couldn't help but wonder...

What the hell had you just gotten yourself into?

You knew you needed to be more careful, needed to keep a tighter rein on your reactions to Jack. The last thing you wanted was for Lee to catch on to the tangle of feelings knotting in your chest.

…

You managed to tear yourself away from the magnetic pull of Jack's presence, mumbling some excuse to your friends about needing to use the bathroom. But instead of heading inside, you found yourself climbing the stairs, drawn by the muffled shouts and laughter emanating from Lee's bedroom.

As you reached the top of the landing, the sounds of aggressive button-mashing and colorful trash talk grew louder, bringing a smile to your face. Some things never changed.

Pushing open the door, you were greeted by the sight of Lee and Luke sprawled out on the floor, controllers in hand, their eyes glued to the giant TV screen. They were in the middle of an intense NHL match, their players zipping across the virtual ice in a blur of motion.

"No, no, no!" Lee yelled, his face scrunched up in concentration as he mashed the buttons frantically. "Don't let him get past you, you idiot!"

Luke cackled, his fingers flying over his own controller. "Too late, bro! That's what you get for picking such a weak-ass team."

Lee let out a growl of frustration as Luke's player scored a goal, the tinny sound of a horn blaring from the speakers. "Lucky shot," he grumbled, elbowing his friend in the ribs. "I'll get you back for that."

"Bring it on, loser," Luke taunted, his grin wide and shit-eating. "I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back."

You leaned against the doorframe, shaking your head in amusement as you watched them bicker and shove at each other like overgrown children. It was moments like these that made you forget all about the stresses and uncertainties of adulthood, transporting you back to simpler times.

"Having fun, boys?" you asked, your voice cutting through their competitive banter.

Two heads swiveled in your direction, identical expressions of surprise on their faces. "Oh, hey, Y/N," Lee said, his annoyance melting into an easy smile. "Didn't see you there."

"Yeah, we were just schooling each other in the art of hockey," Luke chimed in, puffing out his chest. "Wanna see me kick your brother's ass?"

You snorted, pushing off the doorframe and sauntering into the room. "As much as I'd love to witness that thrashing, I actually came up to see if you guys wanted any snacks. Though from the looks of it, you've already got enough beef to feed a small army."

Lee rolled his eyes, chucking a pillow at your head which you deftly dodged. "Har har, very funny. But yeah, some snacks would be awesome. I'm starving."

"When are you not starving?" you teased, ruffling his hair affectionately. "I swear, you're like a human garbage disposal."

"Hey, I'm a growing boy!" Lee protested, swatting your hand away. "I need my sustenance."

Luke snickered, ducking as Lee tried to smack him with a controller. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, buddy. I think you stopped growing in the eighth grade."

As the two dissolved into another round of good-natured ribbing, you couldn't help but laugh, your heart swelling with fondness for these ridiculous, wonderful boys.

They might drive you crazy sometimes, but moments like these? Where you could just relax and joke around, forgetting about all the complications and uncertainties of the real world?

They were priceless.

So you settled yourself on the bed, content to watch Lee and Luke battle it out on the digital ice, their laughter and trash talk washing over you like a balm.

And for a little while, at least, you let yourself forget about the heat of Jack's gaze, the confusion swirling in your heart.

…

you headed back downstairs, the warmth of your impromptu hangout session with Lee and Luke still buzzing pleasantly under your skin, you couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of resolve.

So what if you had some complicated, confusing feelings for Jack? So what if his mere presence sent your pulse racing and your thoughts spiraling into dangerous, uncharted territory? At the end of the day, he was like a brother to you - and that was something you couldn't afford to lose.

Squaring your shoulders, you stepped down into the living room, determined to put some distance between yourself and the magnetic pull of Jack's orbit. You'd just grab another drink, maybe chat with your friends for a bit, and then make some excuse about needing to head home early. Easy peasy.

Ava, Mia, and Sophie were huddled together, their heads bent close as they whispered furiously to each other. The easy laughter and playful banter from earlier had vanished, replaced by a tense, almost electric undercurrent that set your nerves on edge.

"Hey guys," you said cautiously, sinking down into your seat. "What's going on?"

Three pairs of eyes snapped to your face, wide and startled, like kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

"Oh, Y/N! We were just..." Mia trailed off, shooting a panicked look at the other two.

Sophie jumped in, her voice a little too bright, a little too brittle. "We were just talking about... boys. You know, the usual."

But there was something off about her tone, something strained and artificial that set your internal alarms blaring. You'd known these girls long enough to tell when they were hiding something - and right now? They were definitely hiding something.

"Cut the crap, Soph," you said, your gaze flicking between the three of them. "I know you guys better than that. Seriously, what's up? You're starting to freak me out."

"Y/N, we need to talk. It's about Jack."

Your stomach dropped, a cold, creeping dread slithering up your spine at the mention of his name, but you tried to play it cool. "What about him?"

Mia and Sophie exchanged a loaded glance, she nodded encouragingly, their faces grim as Mia spoke up, her voice low and conspiratorial. "We overheard him talking to Luke earlier, and... well, he said some things. About you."

Your mind raced, a thousand possibilities whirling through your head. What could she possibly mean? A cold sense of dread trickled down your spine. "What kind of things?"

Sophie bit her lip, looking uncomfortable. "He was laughing about how easy it was to string you along, how you were just another notch in his bedpost. He even said..." She paused, as if gathering her courage. "He said he had a bet going with his teammates to see how fast he could get you into bed."

The words hit you like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from your lungs. It couldn't be true. Jack wouldn't... he couldn't...not after tonight.

But even as you tried to deny it, doubt began to creep in, insidious and corrosive. All those moments between you - the stolen glances, the lingering touches, the whispered promises - had they all been a lie? A cruel game played by a master manipulator?

Anger surged through you, hot and bitter, mingling with the sharp sting of betrayal. How could you have been so stupid, so naive?

"I... I need some air," you mumbled, stumbling to your feet and away from the concerned gazes of your friends.

you wove your way through the crowd of laughing, chattering partygoers, a sudden commotion near the edge of the yard caught your attention. Frowning, you craned your neck, trying to get a better look - only for your heart to plummet straight into your stomach.

There, surrounded by his friends near the Christmas tree, was Jack - and he wasn't alone. A tall, stunning brunette was glued to his side, their arms pressed flush against each other as she leaned into him, whispering something in his ear.

For a moment, you couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't do anything but stare as a tidal wave of emotions crashed over you. Hurt, betrayal, and a searing, white-hot jealousy that took your breath away with its intensity.

You watched, frozen, as Jack threw his head back and laughed at something the girl said, throwing his arm over her shoulder. They looked so comfortable together, so natural - like they'd done this a thousand times before.

And just like that, the fragile bubble of denial you'd been clinging to burst, the illusion shattering like glass at your feet.

You were such a fool.

Of course Jack didn't have feelings for you. Of course he saw you as nothing more than his best friend's kid sister, a silly little girl with a hopeless crush. How could you have ever thought otherwise?

For the rest of the night, you did your best to avoid Jack, always keeping him in your peripheral vision but never letting him get too close. Every time you caught a glimpse of his tousled hair or heard the rumble of his deep laugh, your heart clenched painfully, a fresh wave of humiliation washing over you.

But as the party began to wind down and guests started to trickle out, you found yourself cornered by the one person you'd been desperately trying to evade.

"Y/N." Jack's voice was low and urgent as he caught your elbow, spinning you around to face him.

"Nothing," you managed to choke out, your voice cracking traitorously. "I'm fine. I just... I need to go."

But even as you tried to pull away, Jack's grip on your arm tightened, his fingers digging into your skin with a desperate sort of urgency. "Wait, please. Just talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

You yanked your arm from his grasp, glaring up at him with all the fury and hurt you could muster. "I have nothing to say to you, Jack."

His brow furrowed, confusion etched across his unfairly handsome features. "What's going on? You've been avoiding me all night. Did I... did I do something wrong?"

"Why do you care?" you spat, the words bitter and acidic on your tongue. "Shouldn't you be getting back to your girlfriend over there?" Jack blinked, a flicker of confusion passing over his stupidly handsome face. A harsh, bitter laugh tore from your throat. "Don't play dumb, Jack. I know all about your little bet. About how I'm just another checkmark to you."

Jack's eyes widened, shock and disbelief warring on his face. "What? Y/N, that's insane. I would never... who told you that?"

You scoffed, crossing your arms over your chest like a shield. "Does it matter? The point is, I know the truth now. I know what kind of guy you really are."

He took a step closer, crowding into your personal space, his gaze locked on yours with an intensity that stole your breath. "The truth? The truth is that I'm crazy about you, Y/N. I have been for years." Your heart stuttered in your chest, a traitorous flutter of hope sparking to life. "That girl... she's just a friend. I swear. There's nothing going on between us," he insisted, his voice low and fervent.

One hand came up to cradle your cheek, his thumb brushing over your skin with a tenderness that made you ache. "I could never lie to you, Y/N. You're... you're everything to me."

You wanted to believe him. God, how you wanted to believe him. But the seeds of doubt had already taken root, twisting your thoughts into knots.

"I don't... I can't..." you whispered, hating the way your voice shook.

Jack's other hand found your waist, pulling you flush against the solid warmth of his body. "Then let me prove it to you," he murmured, his breath hot against your ear. "Let me show you how much you mean to me."

And then his mouth was on yours, fierce and desperate and achingly perfect, his kiss searing away every last shred of resistance. You melted into him, a broken moan rising in your throat as his tongue swept over yours, claiming and possessing and branding you as his own.

The kiss was electric, a live wire igniting every nerve ending in your body until you felt like you might burst into flames right then and there. His hands slid into your hair, his fingers tangling in the silky strands as he angled your head, deepening the kiss until you were drowning in him, lost to everything but the heat of his touch and the sweet, dark bliss of his mouth on yours.

"It's you, Y/N," he rasped, his voice low and raw with emotion. "It's always been you." 😉

just as you were losing yourself completely in his embrace, a familiar voice cut through the haze of desire, shattering the intimate bubble you'd created. "Where's Y/N?" Lee called out, his footsteps echoing on the stairs.

You and Jack froze, your lips still locked together, your bodies intertwined. What were you doing? Making out with your brother's best friend, in the middle of a party, where anyone could see you...

Jack sensed your sudden tension, pulling back just enough to meet your gaze. His eyes were dark, pupils blown wide with arousal, but there was a softness there too, a tenderness that made your heart ache.

"Shit," you muttered. Your mind raced, frantically searching for an excuse, any excuse. "I… I'll just tell him I was in the bathroom or we were just talking," you whispered, straightening your clothes with shaking hands.

"Hey," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair back from your face. "It's okay. We don't have to hide."

You swallowed hard, your throat tight with emotion. "But Lee... what if he..."

"What if I what?" Lee's voice was closer now, just on the other side of the door.

Your heart lodged in your throat, fear and guilt and a desperate, wild hope all tangling together in your chest. This was it. The moment of truth. Once Lee walked through that door, there would be no going back.

...

Tag List <3

[lucid-loves]

Taste Like Venom ~ Simon "Ghost" Riley Part 4

Pairing: Ghost x assassin!reader (fem!reader, no use of y/n, callsign “Hex”)

Word Count: 3.6k

CW: angst, violence, blood, strong language, scars, enemies to lovers trope, slow burn, fluff, clear attraction and sexual tension, smut later on, reader POV and ghost POV, minors dni, Soap lives in this AU

Let me know if I missed any CWs.

Story Synopsis: After Makarov gets away once again, Laswell decides to force a favor from you, the world’s greatest assassin and best-kept secret. You are now expected to help the 141 with taking down Makarov in addition to playing nice with them. It’s hard to play nice when you have always worked alone. It doesn’t help that one of the team members, Ghost, gets curious about you in each interaction. 

Chapter Synopsis: While you are alone in your own hotel room, the men talk about you over Italian cuisine. This includes speculation on Ghost’s feelings for you. Meanwhile, you are already gearing up for infiltration to tap the target building. Ghost decides that he wants a front-row seat to your show.

A/N: I am adding a taglist from now on for those who want to be a part of one. I made a post asking people to like it if they wanted to be part of it. If you would like to comment that you want to be in a taglist, you can do so on this post~

Taglist: @eatingtheworldsoffanfiction @dory-98 @cum-tea-and-towels @completelymarveltrash

Part 1 ~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4 ~ Part 5 ~ Part 6 ~ Part 7 ~ Part 8 ~ Part 9 ~ Part 10

Good God, authentic pizza was absolutely amazing. The standard for pasta was incredible as well. It beat the standard cafeteria food back on base by a landslide. The 141 grimaced as they thought about someday having to return to the food back home. Even the food they’ve eaten out of your fridge has been refreshing to their taste buds. Soap was the most vocal about his dread of the mass-cook cafeteria food as he devoured another slice of heaven. “Christ, going back to bland spinach and soggy rice is going to be fuckin’ painful!”

“Remember when they tried to do a taco night. Fucking hell, the lettuce was dripping fat like a sponge.” Gaz added as he took a swig of whiskey. It wasn’t the Italian choice of liquor to pair with food, but it was the 141’s choice. Not Ghost’s though. He missed his Kentucky bourbon. 

“Last Thanksgiving was the most painful for me. Turkey was drier than my fuckin’ belt.” Soap chuckled, trying not to drip sauce onto the bed with how his whole body laughed with him. They were eating in one of the double queen hotel rooms, away from the public eye. When they were all together in a group, they often garnered attention. Such was the price for being such large, capable men.

“Anyone reckon that Hex is up yet? Food is gonna get cold.” Price inquired. They had saved some food for you. A plate full of different things since no one knew what you liked. Even Kate didn’t know when they called to ask her. Still, they tried their best anyway. And their best was getting cold on a ceramic plate.

Soap shook his head in refusal. “I’m not gonna knock on her door. The lass scares the shite out of me.”

Gaz laughed out loud. “Soap? Afraid? Never thought I’d live to see the day.” 

“Hey, you weren’t the one that nearly lost an ear! With fuckin’ car keys of all things.” He defended, taking a long swig of his own drink. He clearly wasn’t going to forgive you for that any time soon. It made him annoyed when he thought about the fact that you probably didn’t care. 

Price shrugged and poured himself another drink. “You were kinda asking for it, Johnny. I think I would’ve nearly killed you too if I’m being honest.”

“Well, Lt. made the joke first and he didn't nearly get stabbed.” He continued to argue, looking to Simon for an answer on how it was different when he cracked the joke. Ghost just stared with indifference, sitting in the corner with his mask halfway up. Even if he was with the people he trusted with his identity, he just felt more comfortable hiding his face while he ate.

The room went quiet for a moment as the men thought about it. Out of all of them, Ghost seemed to be the one that was able to get the closest to you. You still pushed him away by miles, but it was definitely closer than they were getting. Kyle took another slice of pizza, the fresh basil so vibrantly green that it looked like it was glowing. “How do you feel so comfortable pushing her boundaries, Lieutenant? One attempt at our lives is enough for us to back off. Yet, you seem to keep going back for more.”

The men waited for an answer, an idea crawling into each of their heads. Price had already picked up on it by now. He noticed as soon as Ghost lifted you in his arms. Gaz vocalizing his observation out loud just now triggered Soap to realize it too. A slow, knowing smirk crept along Soap’s lips. Simon scowled at the insinuation, reading all of their minds. “All of you can bury your ideas six feet under. I’m just trying to get her to trust us. The mission will go a lot smoother if she does. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can go home.”

All of them returned to enjoying their meals, unconvinced by Ghost’s protest. Was Simon attracted to you? Absolutely. Did he like you? Well, he certainly didn’t hate you. The biggest problem for him was that you were dangerous. Not just from an ability standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint. While he did want to get close to you, he still wanted to keep you just out of arm’s reach emotionally because he knew that you would burn him. Poison him with that venom of yours. He knew if he really did fall for you, he would never stop falling. 

For the sake of the mission and his own preservation, he convinced himself that you were only a temporary attraction. A beautiful woman with incredible power that will return to the unknown as soon as this is all over. His teammates knew better, though. In all their time of knowing Simon, he has never shown interest in women. Always too busy. Always too focused on work. Not even making time for hook-ups. When you came into the picture, you got his attention in a way they have never seen before. That meant a lot to them.

“Regardless, you have the honor of delivering our assassin her dinner, Lieutenant.” Price smirked, abusing his power as Captain to avoid feeding the feral woman next door. Ghost clenched his jaw, cursing out John in his mind as he got up.

The men continued their lighthearted conversation as Simon walked out, plate of food in hand. Taking a deep breath, he walked to your door and knocked. When there was no answer, he thought that perhaps you were still asleep. So, he took out his spare keycard to the room and welcomed himself in. 

The room was dim, large shadows casing over the beige walls. A few laptops were running on the desks, already hacked into the security cameras of the target building. You’ve actually been up for a while and have been busy getting things ready for your infiltration. It was alarming when you woke up in your hotel room instead of the car at first. However, it didn’t take you long to figure out that someone must’ve carried you. You were pretty sure who it was, but you didn’t dwell on it. There was work to be done and you had wasted too much time with sleep. 

Kate helped you get into their systems. From there, a layout of the building was mapped out along with the IDs of everyone working for Makarov. You have watched enough security footage to take note of the guard routes. All that needed to be done was planting the taps to allow you to listen in on everything. Nothing was going to be unheard. Not even the sound of a guard taking a bathroom break.

Simon watched you fasten a black belt tight around your hips that carried a collection of small throwing knives. You wore new pants, a long sleeve turtleneck with a hood, and boots. All tight. All black. His hands ached to reach out in order to trace your prominent curves. He wanted to feel the thin fabric of your shirt, the heat of your skin exuding through it. 

Instead of that, he placed the food down on top of your dresser, resisting the temptation. “Not going to eat first?”

You didn’t even glance his way, something he wanted to fix immediately. “No. It will weigh me down. I had room service bring up some fruit earlier. It will tie me over until I get back.”

“You’re leaving now?” He questioned, anger rising in his tone. You should have let them know that you were awake. That you were set up with the tech. That you wanted to proceed with the mission with a lookout. You shouldn’t have intended to do this alone.

But, you couldn’t help it. This is how you have always worked. Besides, to you, there was no reason to waste time with unnecessary things like knocking on their door to let them know you were ready. What were you? A fucking dog looking to be let out? “Now is better than later. Security usually lets their guard down after meals. It’s not too late in the night to expect intruders too. Now is the optimal time for me to place the taps.”

Simon scoffed at your unapologetic reasoning. “And you were just going to do this alone? Not even someone to watch the cameras out for you? What if you get compromised?”

Here we fucking go again. You grabbed the taps sitting on the desk, putting them in a small satchel securely tied to your belt. “Can you not criticize the way I do things every fucking conversation? I’m doing what I do best, Simon. I’ve never been compromised before. That’s a streak I intend to keep.”

He stepped towards you, his frame menacing as he towered over you. Hearing your name come from your lips was still something he wasn’t used to. Despite that, he wasn’t going to let you do this alone. This time, his tone was gentle yet resolute. “I’m letting the force know and I’m going to monitor the cameras.”

Looking up into his eyes, you could see that he wasn’t going to waver from his decision. There was no point fighting about this, you finally decided. Not even twelve hours ago was your last fight with him. A part of you was getting tired of it. Stepping back towards the hotel window to leave, you threw in the towel. It wasn’t going to stop you from getting the job done anyhow. “Do whatever you want. I don’t give a shit.”

“Hang on.” Ghost stopped you, his hand reaching out to grab your wrist. He pulled you towards him, using the advantage of his strength to have you close to him. Anticipating you to either reach for your knives or strike him with your other hand, he prepared to guard himself. However, you never used the same trick twice in a row. 

Like a forceful tango, you stepped your full weight forward to catch him off balance. You then pushed further as he was forced to step back lest you headbutt him, your hand now having the room to land on his chest with a quick, sharp force. In Simon’s fall, you swiped his sheathed knife from his own belt. Before he knew it, he was laying on his back on your bed, you straddling him, his eyes locking with yours that blazed with victory. 

Ghost’s strong hand was still wrapped around your wrist, but your free hand had his own knife pressed against his chest. Right over his heart that was thudding against his chest like it wanted to break out. The hot blood in his body was pumping into overdrive. Not in fear of death. No. In pure, passionate attraction. He swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to still pull you down and kiss you through his mask. Even if it would cause the knife to be plunged into his heart, the thought of being able to share a passionate kiss with you didn’t seem like a bad tradeoff.

Tendrils of your hair fell past your face, framing a beautiful jawline he wanted to trace with his lips. The image of you gasping in shock and pleasure as he squeezed your hips flashed in his mind for a second. It wouldn't have been hard to do. His other hand was still free but frozen as you pressed the tip of the blade into his chest. He also imagined the potential sweetness of your tongue, giving him a taste of dessert after dinner. He wanted to be the one to catch you by surprise and submit to his will. Only, you would love it and beg for more through feverish kisses and the grinding of your hips against his.

Christ, he was getting a boner. 

He wasn’t the only one who was feeling it, though. The sound of your own heartbeat was flooding your ears. You couldn’t seem to pull away from his blue eyes that so heatedly begged for you to come closer. The heat already felt from your body pressing against his didn’t feel like enough. Especially when you began to feel his growing hardness pressing against you. That just made your own sex tingle with need.

You got off of him quickly, putting distance between the two of you. What the fuck were you doing?! What the hell was wrong with you?! You haven't been with anyone for so long, but it was no excuse to get so swept up like this. Not with someone like Ghost. Not with someone like Simon Riley. You needed to get a fucking grip. Get your head on straight. Damn it, you were better than this!

Slowly, he sat up and cleared his throat, trying to pretend that what just happened wasn’t the sexiest thing he’s ever been through. His knife was tossed onto the bed next to him, your movements quick as you rushed to get the fuck out of there.

However, when Simon called your name, you froze. He sounded a little breathless, his voice making you shiver. “Hex, wait.”

Simon stood from the bed to grab something from the desk. Cautiously, he walked towards you, now learning his lesson that it wasn’t a great idea to just grab you so suddenly for multiple reasons. At a slow pace, he opened his large palm to show you a small earpiece. Still being careful with his speed and touch, he lightly brushed your hair behind your ear and inserted the earpiece for you. You flinched as his fingers brushed against your jaw, butterflies erupting within you.

“You’ll be able to hear me through this. I won’t say anything unless I really have to. You’ll be able to talk to me through it too. Whatever you want, whatever you need, just say it.” Ghost promised. 

You couldn’t bring yourself to say anything. You feared that using your voice would reveal just how flustered you were over what just transpired. Instead, you gave a simple nod and headed back to your window.

The nighttime breeze flooded in as soon as you opened the window, the chill seeping into your bones. Good. You needed to cool off. Without looking back, you slipped out into the night, leaving Simon behind to wonder if supposed enemies were supposed to be attracted to each other like this. 

~

The shadows concealed you, the moonlight accentuating them on every surface they could touch. Quietly and quickly, you moved from shadow to shadow until you stumbled upon the targeted building. From the outside, it looked like a rundown, abandoned office building up for sale. The place was hidden away, tucked behind the forefront of what Italy wanted to offer instead. Beauty. 

You watched armed men standing guard, looking out into the alleyways for enemies. Sticking to the shadows, you crept along the side of the building before spotting an open window just above you. Taking a deep breath to focus your mind, you sprung into action. With a few wall jumps, you were right in one of Makarov’s weapons depot. 

From the laptops back at the hotel, Ghost carefully watched the footage, almost holding his breath as he searched for you. His team gathered into the room once he told them you had left already. They had assumed that all the time he spent missing with you was just him helping set up the tech. He didn’t correct them on this. Like you had said before, never underestimate the power of assumptions.

Relief washed over his shoulders as soon as he saw your figure invade the building. Just as fast as you had entered, you hid, dropping a tap that was modeled to look like a dead fly onto the dirty tile. The place was dusty, the smell of stagnant air filling your lungs. The men here didn’t care about the cleanliness of the place. Fortunately for the 141, that meant that they wouldn't have to worry about anyone cleaning up the “dead flies.”

All of the men watched the footage as you swiftly made your way from room to room dropping flies. Soap double checked to make sure that the enemies’ own footage was still scrubbed as you worked. Regardless, you moved so carefully that any video of you just looked like a weird, black glitch. You were in your zone. This is what you did for years. This is what you have secretly missed doing.

Every move you made was calculated, following a strict regime based on the men’s own schedule. As you dropped more and more taps, Price began to check if they worked on his end. Sure enough, they could hear everything.

Gaz noticed that Ghost’s body was rigid, his eyes refusing to leave the screens. He was keeping track of you like he would lose sight of you if he blinked. Wanting to ease his worries, he began to prepare some tea using the hotel’s electric kettle. Kyle was always one to look out for his friends like this.

A hot cup of black tea was placed in front of Ghost, the smell already releasing the tension in his muscles. Gaz pat his stiff shoulder. “She’s gonna be alright, bruv.”

Ghost gave a silent nod, finally taking a moment to let his eyes wander off of the monitor to have a sip of tea. Now that he was more relaxed, he viewed your movements in a more admiring way. None of them could pull off how smoothly you moved. How easy you glided through like a gust of wind passing through. Even when you were close to an enemy, you kept your cool, refrained from killing, and moved on without detection. 

You were a god damn modern-day ninja. A fine one at that.

In less than an hour, you had swept through the whole building without detection. Every tap was planted. Not once did you hear Simon in your ear either. You were glad. You felt like if you heard his voice through the earpiece it would break your flow. But, a part of you did yearn to hear his deep voice so close to you. 

Getting out was the easiest part. Having no one seen you come in, you took the same route out. When you came back through the window, you were met with grateful smiles and words of praise that were foreign to your ears. Ghost wanted to be the first one to say something about your skills, but loud-mouth Sergeant Soap beat him to it. “Damn, Lass! I think you just set a record for 141!”

“That was quite impressive stuff there, Hex. It was like you were never there. Kate was right about you.” Price grinned as he thanked you in his own way.

Gaz hopped on the headphones to listen to the taps as soon as his Captain moved. “All of them are working just fine. I’ve only ever seen moves like that in movies and video games. Job well done!”

You were unsure of what to do with all of this attention, never having experienced it before. When you worked alone, there was no one to tell you that you did well when you got back. You didn’t know if all of this flattery made you feel good. In all honesty, the confusion you felt about it made you a little sick to your stomach.

Weaving past them all, you grabbed your cold plate of food that Simon brought to you earlier and left without a word through the door. After receiving some worried glances from his soldiers, Price provided some words of reassurance. “Don’t worry, men. Hex probably isn’t used to having people wait for her like this, let alone praise for good work. Give her time.”

As the team brought back some of the tech to monitor from their rooms, Ghost stepped out into the hallway to look for you. He initially thought that you would be in one of their rooms to use the microwave, but you were nowhere in sight. While he wanted to keep looking, a call by his Captain to help made him call it there for the night. 

And so he spent the rest of the night bunking with Soap, listening in on private conversations and thinking about you. Meanwhile, you spent your night eating a cold dinner alone on the hotel rooftop. Overlooking the city, your own mind occasionally wandered against your will towards Ghost and how it would feel if his heat saved you from the autumn winds chilling your skin.

[logansargeantsbabymom]

Too Good To Say Goodbye pt 10

Lando Norris x Fem!Reader

warnings: Sadness, more douche Logan, death

A/N: I’m sorry in advance.

part 1 I part 2 I part 3 I part 4 I part 5 I part 6 I part 7 I part 8 I Part 9 I Part 10

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Lando's POV

(back in the waiting room)

My chest feels like it’s collapsing in on itself. Each breath is a struggle, shallow and rapid, as if I’m drowning in the air around me. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears, a relentless drum that drowns out everything else.

I look around the waiting room, the sterile white walls closing in. The smell of antiseptic is overwhelming, making my stomach churn. I clutch the arms of the chair, my knuckles turning white. People move around me, their faces blurred and indistinct. I can’t focus on them. I can’t focus on anything except the gnawing fear in my gut.

My thoughts are a chaotic mess, spiraling out of control. What if something goes wrong? What if I lose her? The words echo in my mind, a constant, torturous refrain. I try to remember the last thing she said to me, try to hold onto something, anything, to ground myself, but it slips away like sand through my fingers.

I force myself to breathe, to count each inhale and exhale, but it’s like trying to hold back a flood with a paper dam. I can’t stop shaking. My hands tremble uncontrollably, and I bury my face in them, trying to hide from the onslaught of terror.

Minutes stretch into an eternity. I see a nurse walk by and I want to scream, to demand answers, but my voice is trapped in my throat. I’m helpless, stuck in this purgatory of waiting.

Every second feels like a knife twisting in my chest. I close my eyes, tears streaming down my face, and pray for a miracle, pray for her to come back to me.

3rd Person POV

Lando stood in the cold, clinical hallway of the hospital, the sterile scent of disinfectant filling his nostrils. The world seemed to tilt as he tried to process the doctor's words. "I'm sorry, Mr. Norris, but Y/N isn't going to survive the surgery. We've done everything we can, but the damage is too extensive."

His knees felt weak, and he grabbed onto the edge of a nearby chair to steady himself. The doctor's voice seemed distant, like it was coming from underwater. He couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. Just a few hours ago, he had been holding Y/N's hand, whispering reassurances as they prepared for the arrival of their twins. Now, everything had unraveled into this nightmare.

The doctor continued, his expression a mix of sympathy and professional detachment. "We can wheel her to a recovery room if you wish. That way, you can be with her for her remaining moments."

Lando's mind raced, struggling to make sense of the situation. He looked into the doctor's eyes, searching for some sign of hope, some indication that this was all a terrible mistake. But there was none. Only the stark, unyielding truth.

"How long does she have?" Lando's voice was barely a whisper, his throat tight with emotion.

The doctor hesitated before answering, "It could be minutes, or it could be a few hours. It's hard to say."

Lando nodded numbly, his heart breaking with every beat. He couldn't bear the thought of Y/N being alone in her final moments, of her slipping away without him by her side. "Yes," he said finally, his voice trembling. "Please, take her to a recovery room. I want to be with her."

As the medical team wheeled Y/N into the recovery room, Lando followed, his steps heavy with dread. He could hardly recognize her under the tangle of tubes and wires, her face pale and devoid of the vitality that had always defined her. He took a seat beside her bed, reaching out to take her hand in his. It felt so small and fragile in his grasp, a stark contrast to the warmth and strength he had always known.

"Y/N," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm here, love. I'm right here."

Her eyelids fluttered open, and for a moment, he saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes. She tried to speak, but the effort was too much. Instead, she squeezed his hand weakly, a small gesture that conveyed more than words ever could.

Tears streamed down Lando's face as he leaned closer, pressing his forehead against her hand. "I love you so much," he choked out. "I don't know how to do this without you."

The room was filled with the steady beeping of the heart monitor, each sound a cruel reminder of the ticking clock. He talked to her about everything and nothing, sharing memories and inside jokes, trying to fill the silence with the life they had built together. He told her about the first time he saw her, how his heart had skipped a beat, and how he knew from that moment that she was the one.

As the hours passed, Lando felt a strange mixture of peace and despair. He was grateful for these final moments, for the chance to say goodbye, but the pain of losing her was unbearable. He held her hand until he could no longer feel its faint pressure, until the heart monitor’s beeps grew slower and slower, and finally, fell silent.

When it was over, he stayed by her side, his heart shattered into a million pieces. The love of his life was gone, and with her, the future they had dreamed of. He kissed her forehead one last time, whispering, “I love you, Y/N. Always.”

Leaving the hospital felt like tearing himself away from a part of his own soul. The world outside seemed indifferent to his pain, the sun shining brightly as if mocking his grief. Lando knew that he would never be the same, that the wound left by Y/N’s death would never fully heal. But he also knew that he had to keep going, to honor her memory and the love they had shared.

And so, with a heavy heart and a life forever changed, he took the first steps into a future that now felt unbearably uncertain and empty.

When Lando got home, he sat on the edge of his bed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. In his hands, he held Y/N’s engagement ring, a delicate piece of jewelry that had once symbolized their future together. After her death, he couldn’t bear to keep it locked away, so he had threaded it onto a chain and worn it around his neck. It was his way of keeping her close, of holding onto the love they had shared and the dreams they had built.

-

(four months later)

Today was Lando’s first race back since the tragic death of his fiancée and his twin babies, it was the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The paddock was not as loud and upbeat as it usually was, for when everyone laid eyes on him, they all vocalized how sorry they were for his loss.

Some fans Lando had met and signed autographs for had expressed even more condolences to him and shared their own stories of their losses with their partners and/or children.

Lando never thought he’d ever have to live with not only losing his spouse but his two children too.

For Lando, race day seemed to come by faster than it ever has for him and soon enough the lights were out and away they went.

Lando started on pole with Oscar following suit in second, Carlos in 3rd and Logan not too far behind being in 7th.

The end of the race seemed to come just as fast as the beginning did. This was Lando’s second Formula 1 win but he wasn’t as happy as he thought he would be. How could he be? His Fiancée and babies who he should be celebrating with right now, are dead.

After the Podium celebration and even more people giving their condolences to Lando and saying how if Y/N was still here, how she’d be so incredibly proud of him and how she was the luckiest person on planet earth to be able to share this moment along with parenthood with him, Lando went to the bathroom in the McLaren garage to was rinse the champagne and sweat off.

Lando stood in the warm spray of the shower, letting the water cascade over him, easing the tension from his muscles. The events of the Las Vegas Grand Prix race replayed in his mind—the exhilaration of racing, the rush of speed, and the focus required to compete at the highest level. He had taken off Y/N's ring, carefully placing it on the bathroom counter before stepping into the shower. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for him, a brief respite from the intensity of his racing career.

As he emerged from the shower, a sense of unease crept over him. He reached for the towel, his eyes automatically darting to where he had left the ring. But it wasn't there. Panic surged through him as he frantically searched the countertop, then the floor, and even inside the shower stall. The ring was gone.

His heart pounded in his chest as he realized what had happened. Someone had taken it. His mind raced, replaying the moments before the race when he had briefly interacted with the team and a few fans who had access to the area. But there was no one he could suspect outright, except for one but there was no way he was capable of doing anything remotely that disrespectful.

Frustration and anger bubbled up within him. The ring wasn't just a piece of jewelry; it held profound sentimental value—memories of Y/N, their love, and the life they had planned together. Now it was gone, stolen in a moment of vulnerability.

Lando clenched his fists, the betrayal and loss cutting deep. He knew he had to find it. With determination fueling him, he dressed quickly, his mind focused on retracing his steps, questioning anyone who might have been near the area.

But even as he searched, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. The realization that someone had taken Y/N's ring from him—a tangible connection to his lost love—was a bitter blow. It wasn't just a piece of jewelry lost; it was a piece of his heart, a reminder of what he had lost and the pain he still carried with him every day.

-

The next day, as every day since she had been gone he had to deal with the memories of Y/N and their lost twins, Liberty and Carlos, surge through him, a bittersweet mixture of joy and pain. It had been 4 months, but the grief was still raw, an ever-present ache that never fully receded.

Lando’s phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from Carlos. The words made his blood run cold: "Have you seen this?"

Attached was a photo of Logan, down on one knee, proposing to his brand new girlfriend. But it wasn’t the proposal itself that stunned Lando—it was the ring in Logan’s hand. Y/N’s ring. The ring Lando had worn around his neck every day since her death.

Lando’s heart pounded as he tried to comprehend how Logan had gotten the ring. He remembered the last time he had seen Logan, just a day prior, at the Las Vegas Grand Prix but Lando avoided Logan as much as humanly possible.

Lando’s mind raced back to that night. At one point, he had taken off the necklace for a moment, feeling the weight of the memories overwhelming him. He had set it on the bathroom sink while he took a shower to rinse off the sweat and champagne from the race just a mere hour prior. He had thought it would be safe, but now he realized his mistake. Logan must have taken it then, seizing the opportunity to steal something so precious, so personal.

Anger surged through Lando as he stared at the photo. How dare Logan take something that belonged to Y/N, something that represented their love and their lost future? And to use it to propose to another woman, as if it were just any ring, was a betrayal that cut deep.

Lando knew he had to confront Logan, to get the ring back. He couldn’t let this stand. He grabbed his keys and headed out the door, his mind a whirlwind of anger and determination. He drove to Logan’s apartment, his grip tight on the steering wheel.

Lando stood at the door of Logan's apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hardly believe he was here, confronting the man who had taken the ring that meant so much to him. It was the last tangible piece of Y/N he had, a symbol of their love and the future they had planned together. When Logan opened the door, his expression shifted from surprise to annoyance.

"What do you want, Lando?" Logan asked, his tone edged with irritation.

Lando took a deep breath, trying to keep his anger in check. "You know why I'm here, Logan. You took Y/N's ring. That was hers, and it belongs with me."

Logan's eyes flickered with something- guilt, maybe, or defiance. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me!" Lando's voice rose, his control slipping. "I saw the photo. You proposed to your girlfriend with Y/N's ring. That ring is all I have left of her. Give it back."

Logan's face hardened. "She's dead, Lando. She's not coming back. You need to let go."

Lando felt a surge of rage at Logan's callous words. "You have no idea what you're talking about. That ring is a part of Y/N, a part of our babies. You had no right to take it."

For a moment, Logan's defiant facade cracked. He turned and walked back into his apartment, returning a minute later with the ring. He tossed it to Lando with a look of disdain. Lando caught it and immediately checked it, feeling a rush of relief that it was indeed Y/N's ring. But before he could turn to leave, Logan's voice stopped him.

"You know, Lando," Logan said, his tone venomous, "it's your fault she's dead."

Lando froze, the words hitting him like a physical blow. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Logan stepped closer, his eyes cold. "The doctors told us she wouldn’t be able to have another kid. That she was too fragile to bear another baby, let alone two. She told you, no? Maybe she'd still be here if you kept it in your pants."

The accusation sliced through Lando, leaving him stunned and breathless. He had already blamed himself in countless ways, replaying every moment, every decision, wondering if he could have done something differently to save her. Hearing Logan admit that was like pouring salt into an open wound.

"That's not true," Lando whispered, but his voice lacked conviction. He wanted to believe it, but the guilt was too deeply ingrained.

Logan shrugged, a cruel smirk on his face. "Believe what you want. But you know I'm right. You knocked her up and now she's gone. And now Yelena has to grow up without her mom because of you."

Lando's heart shattered at the mention of Yelena, Y/N's one-year-old daughter from her previous relationship with Logan. The thought of Yelena growing up without Y/N was almost too much to bear. He had tried to be there for Yelena, to fill the void left by Y/N’s death, but it was never enough. The little girl had lost the most important person in her life, and the weight of that loss crushed Lando.

"Yelena..." Lando's voice broke. "She doesn’t deserve this. But neither did Y/N. Your relationship was toxic, Logan. She was happy with me. We were building a life together, a family. She died because of complications with the pregnancy. Even if the doctors told her that she couldn’t have another baby, she never told me! You can't put that on me."

Logan’s sneer faltered, replaced by a flicker of something—regret, pain, maybe even recognition. "She chose you," he said, his voice bitter. "She was happier with you. But that doesn’t change the fact that she's gone."

Lando’s anger surged again, mingling with his grief. "You’re right, Logan. It doesn’t change anything. But blaming me doesn’t help either. We all lost Y/N. We all have to live with that."

Logan looked away, the fight draining out of him. "Just take the ring and go."

Lando turned and walked away, each step feeling heavier than the last. Logan's words echoed in his mind, stirring up doubts and guilt he had tried so hard to suppress. When he got back to his car, he sat behind the wheel, staring at the ring in his hand. The accusations lingered, poisoning his thoughts, but he forced himself to focus on what mattered: Y/N, their babies, and Yelena.

He put the ring back on the chain around his neck, feeling its familiar weight settle against his chest. Despite the pain, he knew he had to keep going, to honor Y/N’s memory and the love they had shared. Logan’s words had cut deep, but Lando refused to let them define him. He would carry the ring, and the memories it held, with pride and determination.

As he drove home, Lando made a silent vow to Y/N and their lost children. He would remember the love and the happiness they had brought into his life, even if their time together had been cut tragically short. He would find a way to heal, to move forward, and to keep their memory alive. And he would never let anyone take that away from him again.

And for Yelena, he would be there as much as he could. He knew he could never replace Y/N, but he would make sure that Yelena knew how much her mother had loved her. He would tell her stories, share memories, and keep Y/N’s spirit alive in her daughter’s heart. Because that’s what Y/N would have wanted. And Lando would honor that, no matter how hard it was.

-

I may or may not have let a tear or two slip but unless you guys want an alternative ending, this series ends here 💔.

Thank you to each and every single one of you guys who’ve read, commented, reposted or shared this post. To the ones who accidentally found it on a different chapter and gave the whole thing a chance. To those who’s been here since the sneak peek I put out in May. To the ones who comment as they read.

Thank you to everyone on Tumblr who let me post my writing and to the ones who want to see more!

I have loved writing every single part of this story (even when I had major writers block for part 7) and I’m so happy you guys are taking time out of your day to read each part as they come out!

Goodbye “Too Good To Say Goodbye” Series, I have loved every bit of you but I do have to make room for other upcoming series!

Taglist:

@luckyladycreator2 @itsmiamalfoy @jeffs77 @ilivbullyingjeongin @forevercaffeinated-lee @daemyratwst @gulphulp @callsignwidow @f1wintermoon13 @teenwolf01 @victoriassecret101 @hiireadstuff @formulaal @kazza72584 @zabwlky1999 @dark-night-sky-99 @rougekiki @xoscar03 @jess-wither @bountychanti @dhanihamidi @tellybearryyyy @a-panseuxalmess @love-simon @tallrock35 @iiaik0ii @Milkyymelanine @ilovsyou3000morgan @styl1shl1v @eddieharrington

[static-radio-ao3]

@jegulus-microfic // january 5 // prompt: withdrawal // words: 293

Regulus blinks at the little clock on his bedside table. The digits blink back at him.

3:22.

His eyes burn a little with the effort. It’s quiet save for the sound of his breathing and James’ voice spilling from the phone wedged between the pillow and his ear.

Regulus isn’t even really listening to the words, just letting the rumble of James’ voice wash over him. He realizes he’s been silent for a moment too long when James gently calls out his name, probably wondering if he’s asleep.

“I miss you,” Regulus slurs. “I think I’m going through withdrawal.”

“Uhu, sure,” James replies, sounding more awake than Regulus. It’s only 10:22 for him, after all. Half the world away and he took Regulus’ heart right with him. “Tell me more about that.”

“Feeling dizzy. Palms are sweaty. Knees weak.”

“Mom’s spaghetti?” James asks, laughter in his voice.

Regulus rolls over. Flops onto his back. The bed feels too big when he’s alone. He would never tell James, but he’s taken to sleeping in his shirts and on his side, where his scent lingers.

It’s also why Regulus likes calling so late at night. He can fall asleep with James’ voice in his ear and if he pretends hard enough, he can almost make himself believe that James never left.

James would drop everything and get on the first flight back if he knew. Luckily, Regulus has always been good at keeping secrets.

“You’re so fucking annoying, did you know that?” Regulus tells him. He tries for scathing, but he is so tired. Eyes drooping and staying closed for a beat too long, which is why the last thing he remembers hearing before finally falling asleep is:

“Maybe so. But you miss me anyways.”

[whispersofalostsoul]

RUNAWAY

Summary: Image if Lando Norris has follen in love for the first time….with a woman that he never thought he could fall for… and when his whole world turns upside down, he finds himself alone…once more...

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(Please leave comments to help me improve my story ! Would also love to hear your opinions ! thank you !)

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Chapter 1 - Encunter --- https://www.tumblr.com/whispersofalostsoul/756913230598815744/runaway?source=share

Chapter2 - Belgium ---https://www.tumblr.com/whispersofalostsoul/757021516150030336/runaway?source=share

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Chapter 3 - Dinner

Dalia was waiting in front of the apartment, anticipating the arrival of Lando who was just 5 minutes away according to his last text. The neighborhood they were in was relatively quiet, with a good selection of small restaurants. She shifted her feet nervously, trying to calm herself down, when she heard a familiar voice greeting her from behind. Apparently, Lando had parked his car further down and walked up to meet her. He was dressed in a brown shirt, denim jacket, blue jeans, and a black mask on his face. "So I don't embarrass you," he joked, gesturing to his mask. Dalia chuckled and thanked him for being considerate. "So, where to?" he inquired, gazing into her eyes. The mask somehow made him look more imposing. She shook her head, unsure of where to go for a meal. "I thought so," he chuckled. "Follow me, I know a place nearby". The shop was merely a couple of blocks away, yet the journey there seemed longer, particularly due to the silence that lingered between them. Uncertain of what to say, she simply attempted to keep up with his brisk pace. Upon entering the shop, they were greeted by the owner who welcomed Lando like an old friend, promptly locking the door and flipping the sign to closed. With a quick motion, he pulled down the curtain to shield them from prying eyes outside. Lando took a seat, positioning himself to face her with his back to the window, hastily removing his mask as if it were constricting his breathing.

"I used to come here with my friend max whenever we were in Belgium, I know the owner for quite some time, and let me tell you, he serves the best kind of fries" he explained with a large smile. Dalia was delighted, she let Lando order on her behalf and watched as he exchanged a friendly chit chat with the owner. He turned his attention back to the woman sitting across from him, crossing his arms on the table and leaning in slightly. "So, how are you enjoying the F1 event?" he inquired with a smile. Dalia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gushed about her amazing experience. Lando listened intently, his gaze shifting to the little red bump on her nose as she mentioned the incident. "I followed Oscar's advice and put some ice on it," she joked, but before she could continue, she felt Lando's gentle touch on the wound. She froze, meeting his serious gaze as he carefully massaged the bump. After a moment, he asked, "What do you think of Oscar?" before withdrawing his hand. Dalia's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected touch, her cheeks flushing as she tried to compose herself. She cleared her throat before responding, "He seems like a genuinely nice guy." Lando's gaze remained fixed, almost as if he was suppressing his thoughts. He relaxed into his seat and watched as the owner served the cheesy french fries. As soon as his friend left, he took a bite and casually inquired without making eye contact, "Is he your favorite driver?"Dalia gave him a puzzled expression, "You mentioned McLaren was your favorite team, but never told me which driver you were rooting for" he nonchalantly remarked. Dalia's heart skipped a beat as she confessed that he was her favorite driver.

Lando's face beamed with joy upon hearing her confession, he chuckled and continued eating, trying to conceal his own embarrassment. Throughout their conversation, Lando couldn't help but be captivated by Dalia's effortless charm and sincere curiosity in sharing her thoughts and experiences. He listened attentively, studying every feature of her face - from her dimples to her curly hair, glasses, and oversized hoodie. Every detail about her piqued his interest, and as she grew more comfortable engaging in their playful banter, he found himself increasingly drawn to her.

As the clock neared midnight, they mutually agreed to end the evening and escorted her back to her apartment. The cool night air drew them closer together, seeking solace in each other's company through shared laughter and joy. Lando carefully considered reaching for her hand multiple times, but ultimately chose not to in order to avoid surprising her. Instead, he opted for his jacket pockets."Thank you for walking me home," Dalia expressed gratefully as she approached her door. "It was my pleasure," he murmured, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. Despite his initial intention to leave, he found himself lingering, captivated by her. The desire to kiss her remained in his mind, unsure of her reaction. However, when Dalia gave him her familiar puzzled look, he realized they were not on the same page. Feeling a sense of embarrassment, he bid her a quick "cheers" and hurried away. The irresistible urge to kiss her took him by surprise, a feeling he had never experienced before. Perhaps it was the way she appeared so small and warm beneath her fluffy hair and hoodie, or the sweetness that always radiated from her lips, whether she was speaking, smiling, or simply lost in thought. There was something about her that ignited a spark within him, a mixture of joy and fear.

Dalia and her team woke up to fantastic news the next day. Their interview video had gone viral overnight, leaving fans ecstatic about Olivia's questions and creative game ideas. Viewers were eager for more content showcasing the drivers' personalities. Luckily, the day's schedule was less hectic, prompting Noah and Dalia to head to downtown Brussels for technical supplies instead of joining Olivia at the track. With the sun shining brightly, they decided to relax at a nearby coffee shop while waiting for their materials, while treating themselves to mouthwatering ice cream waffles. "So..." Noah began, "are you dating Lando Norris?" Dalia was surprised, almost spitting out her food, quickly grabbing her iced tea to soothe her throat. Once she regained her composure, she explained everything to Noah, clearing up any misunderstandings. 

"hmm" he spoke " I mean I know its your personal life, but I can't shake off this feeling of concern," he expressed, gazing at the pigeons soaring in the sky above the bustling square. Her gaze intensified as she awaited a more detailed explanation. With a mouthful of waffle, he elaborated, "You see, drivers often engage in hook-ups frequently, and the most accessible targets are usually the females surrounding them, who are often invited models or journalists." His eyes remained fixed ahead as he spoke. Dalia stood her ground, insisting they were just friends. but a nagging feeling persisted within her that there was something deeper between them. Despite her limited experience in relationships, she was not oblivious to the subtle hints of flirtation. The way he looked at her and the closeness of his touch and how it caused her heart to flutter. "You know Dalia, women like you are easy targets" Noah glanced over at her, pushing his sunglasses down his nose. "Um, excuse me?" she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Oh, no, that's not what I meant," he quickly backtracked, "I meant that innocent and kind-hearted ladies like you tend to attract them. Once he realizes you're not easy to catch, he'll just move on to someone else." Dalia found herself at a loss for words, feeling a pang of pain in her heart as if it had been shattered by the countless daydreams she had entertained about the slim chance of anything happening. Noah's expertise in the F1 world, not to mention his gender, seemed to validate his opinion. She shook off these disheartening thoughts, trying to reassure herself that Lando only saw her as a friend and would never consider dating her. 

As they returned to the track to set up the materials, Dalia found herself overwhelmed by negative thoughts. Earlier, she had been looking forward to the chance of seeing Lando again, but after her conversation with Noah, she just wanted to finish the task and head home as soon as possible. It was qualifying day and Olivia called for a meeting in the conference room to talk about future strategies. Noah rushed over, while Dalia decided to take a quick coffee break before joining them. She was taken aback when she spotted a couple of drivers chatting near the coffee shop, so she quietly made her way to the counter to place her order. "Wow, it looks pretty red," a deep familiar voice remarked beside her. She turned and greeted Carlos, surprised that he still remembered her. He was kind as he checked in on her and engaged in some casual conversation. He suggested they walk together since the Ferrari hospitality was close to her destination. As they went past the McLaren building, Dalia noticed a young, beautiful woman with blonde hair and a slim figure entering. Suddenly, she heard Carlos sigh as if something was bothering him. She turned to him and asked, "Who is that?" Carlos hesitated for a moment, considering whether to tell her or not, given that she was a journalist. "Magui Corceiro," he simply replied before changing the subject.

The team was still stuck in the conference room with Olivia trying to organize their busy schedule while the qualifying had started 20 minutes ago. Luckily, there was a TV set in the room so they could follow what was happening. Dalia sent an encouraging text to Lando wishing him good luck, but when he asked her to join him in the garage, she had to decline due to their meeting. Lando made her promise to be there the next day, which warmed her heart. However, that warmth quickly faded as she remembered the mysterious figure she had seen earlier. While Olivia was occupied on the phone, Dalia leaned towards Noah and quietly asked, "Who's Magui Corceiro?" She closely observed his reaction as Noah's honey eyes shifted from surprise to what appeared to be concern. "Hmm... She's rumored to be dating Lando Norris." She felt a sudden chill as she sat up in her chair. It was like a ton of bricks hitting her in the head. It was clear now that Lando was never into her. All those flirty moments were just figments of her imagination. Of course he'd be into someone like Magui, tall and stunning, not into someone like her, which was the total opposite.

She couldn't believe she had been so blind to the truth. It was a harsh reality to face, knowing that she had built up this fantasy in her mind only to have it come crashing down around her. As she sat there, feeling the weight of rejection settle in her chest, she felt Noah's hand gently placed on hers. He told Olivia to take a 5-minute break and pulled Dalia outside with him. They stood on the balcony overlooking the track, where Noah lit a cigarette and offered one to Dalia, who politely refused. Despite the noise of the F1 cars, the crowd, and the commentator, Dalia felt like she was surrounded by silence. She despised how much it affected her. She was upset with herself for feeling so devastated over something so premature. "You know," Noah's deep voice interrupted her thoughts. "The lonelier we are, the more we yearn for love, and the more likely we are to make foolish mistakes." Dalia wanted to argue, to defend herself, but deep down she knew he was right, and she resented how transparent she was to him. " I know it's a dreamy idea to feel loved by someone important and famous" he exhaled more smoke before facing her, "but a remarkable woman like yourself shouldn't seek validation from someone like that to feel worthy," he spoke sincerely. His intentions were meant to comfort, but they ended up stinging instead. 

She slowly shifted her gaze to finally lock eyes with him, seeing the soft concern in his expression. Noah, a bit taller than her, with his messy black hair, and his usual nonchalant demeanor, always seemed to have a soft spot for her. She flashed him a grateful smile for his kindness before turning her attention back to the track. In a daze, she felt compelled to confide in him, "It's been ages since I've been on a date. Sometimes it feels like I never have, or that men just aren't interested in me." Her words were met with a chuckle, prompting her to turn and see Noah grinning at her. "You've got to be joking," he said with a hint of amusement. Confused, she shook her head. He extinguished his cigarette and turned his tall frame towards her, leaning slightly against the wall. "Why do you think everyone opens up to you so easily?" he asked. "I always bring you along when shopping for the cameras because the owner enjoys chatting with you and ends up giving us a discount because he finds you charming and sweet. Olivia hired you despite a tight budget because she found you intelligent and inspiring. And I..." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing softly, "I want to always be by your side because... I like you."

Dalia's mind raced as she tried to process the weight of the words that had just been spoken. She had never expected this confession, never imagined that the person standing before her could harbor such feelings. The air around them crackled with unspoken emotions, the tension thickening with each passing moment. And as they locked eyes, a million thoughts and questions swirled in Dalia's mind, leaving her frozen in shock. She struggled to find the right words, to make sense of the situation unfolding before her. Just as she was about to break the tension, the phone chimed with a text from Lando: "Guess who's in pole position! Have you seen it ? Can't wait to see you tomorrow!"

@imboredway2much

[finnsbubblegum]

Little Joel Miller (Joel Miller X Reader)

Pairing: no-outbreak!joel miller x f!reader

Warnings: birth, needle, fluff, sweet joel, domestic joel (let me know if i missed any)

Summary (Series): reader as Joel’s neighbor. Joel’s wife left him so Joel asked his neighbor for help in babysitting Sarah. 

Summary: welcoming little Joel Miller to the world.

Words count: 1.6k

A/N: This series is ending really really soon so be ready 🥺 This is part 20 of Where It All Starts. But it can also be read as a standalone. I'm so grateful for all of you! Thank you for your comments, reblogs, and likes ❤️ Love you!

Thank you @siesie2 for your comment and idea!! 

Let's pretend the GIF is you and Joel because I can't find one that looks good for this chapter!!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Epilogue

“Remind me how you convinced me to watch a horror movie again?” Joel tapped your shoulder.

You were laying on your sides on the couch, head resting on Joel’s lap.

“I love scary movies.” You scoffed.

“Well, I hate it.” Joel clicked his tongue.

“You’re a big guy but you can’t even stand scary movies.” You laughed.

“I can handle blood and killing stuff in movies but not ghosts.” Joel protested.

*eerie music from the movie*

Guessing from the music, you knew the ghost was coming soon. You got ready to scare Joel. 

*the ghost appeared*

“Ahh!” You sat and screamed at his face.

“Fuuuck!” Joel screamed and flinched. 

You laughed so hard at his face. 

“You really have to see your face!” You laughed holding your belly.

“You’re really really bad, mama.” Joel shook his head. 

His heart was about to burst. But you enjoyed teasing him. He was cute when he was like that. 

“You need to be punished, baby.” Joel crawled to you and tickled you.

“No! No! Stop it!” You giggled.

Joel knew your weakness was being tickled. You were ticklish. But Joel had to have revenge. He kept tickling you and laughed. You kept giggling as he tickled you. Your belly moved up and down as you laughed.

“Ooh-Ooh.” You felt a gush of liquid.

“I think I just peed a little.” You giggled.

“Mission accomplished.” Joel proudly said to you as he got his revenge done.

You thought it was pee so you tried to hold it but you couldn’t. Apparently, your water broke. 

“Shit, Joel. I think it wasn’t pee.” Your heart was beating faster.

“Don’t prank me again, baby.” Joel didn’t believe you.

“Do you really think I’m joking?!” You stood up and more liquid flowed down your thighs.

“Fuck! Ughh-” You groaned as you felt a shooting pain in your abdomen.

“Fuck-I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Joel stood up and held your hand.

You glared at him. You were not okay. You were scared actually. It was your first time having a baby and you were scared to death.

“I’m not okay, Joel. I’m scared.” Your voice cracked.

“Come on, baby. Let’s get you to the hospital. Everything’s gonna be fine. I’m here.” Joel put his arms around you and guided you to the car. 

You had everything ready a week before and put the hospital bag inside the car. So you wouldn’t have to move the stuff when you were already in a panic mode when your water broke. 

Joel drove as fast as he could to the hospital. He lent his hand for you to squeeze throughout the way to the hospital. Even though it didn’t help to ease your pain, his touch and existence gave you comfort.

“Fuuucckk.” You made a low guttural sound to let out the pain.

“Wish I could take your pain, baby.” Joel sat beside the hospital bed you were laying down.

He took your hand and kissed the back of your hand. Joel kept kissing and rubbing your hand with his thumb hoping to ease your pain. His heart broke at the thought of not being able to take your pain away. He couldn’t see you in pain, his eyes were getting teary seeing you crying in pain. 

“Joel..It hurts so much.” A tear fell down your cheeks.

“What can I do for you, baby?” He raised your hand and brought it to his lips.

“Ugghh..” You squeezed his hand.

Initially, you wanted to have a natural birth and feel the pain of giving birth without epidurals. But now you were having second thoughts. You thought you could handle it but turned out the pain was unendurable. 

“Joel-please-” You cried.

“What baby? What can I do?” Joel nodded and looked at you.

“I want the drugs. I need the epidural.” You begged.

“Okay, wait here. I’ll call the nurse.” Joel placed a kiss on your forehead and left the hospital room

A few moments later, the anesthesiologist and nurse came in with all the stuff they needed to inject the epidural for you. You saw a really big needle. Your heart beat faster. You could handle the normal needle but this one was the biggest you had ever seen. 

“That..is..the biggest needle I’ve ever seen.” Your eyes widened.

“Is that going to be inside me?” Suddenly the pain was gone.

“We will inject this to your spine, Mrs. Miller.” The anesthesiologist answered.

“Ughh..” You groaned.

Then the nurse helped to sit in the correct position and get ready for injecting the epidural. Joel was there beside you. His heart beat faster too as he saw the needle that would soon be injected to your spine. 

“Hold my hand.” You asked for Joel’s hand.

Joel immediately lent his hand and gave a strong grip to your hand. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath in and out before the needle was inserted to your body. You squeezed his hand when you felt the needle injected to your spine. You hissed at the sting.

“It’s done.” The doctor tapped your shoulder.

You breathed out in relief. 

“Thank you.” You thanked the doctor and nurses.

The epidural worked so well. You felt less pain and you tried to sleep to get some rest. Joel was always there beside you. He took some rest when you sleep so he could stay awake when he needed you.  A few hours later, it was finally the time for the baby to come out. 

“Okay, I’m gonna need you to push in 1, 2, 3..” Your doctor guided you to push.

You held your breath, chin to your chest and pushed. 

“You’re doing great, baby.” Joel held your hand and leg.

He kept telling you encouraging words and being your rock. You were grateful Joel was there because you couldn’t do it alone. After a few pushes, your baby boy was finally born. Tears falling down your cheeks when you hear a cry from your baby. Joel cried too. 

“I’m so proud of you, baby.” Joel tucked your sweaty hair behind your ear then placed a kiss on your temple.

“Hi baby. Hi~” You stroked your baby that was laying on your chest.

“He looks like you, Joel. Little Joel Miller is here.” You teared up adoring your baby boy.

“Hi there, son.” Joel leaned in to get a closer look at his baby boy. He was tearing up too.

Then the nurses brought your baby to give him a bath, weigh him and check everything. Your baby was healthy and that was everything you needed. Your weak body laid on the hospital bed happy but felt weird.

“I feel weird.” You turned your head to Joel who couldn’t stop looking at his baby boy.

“What’s wrong? Do you want me to call the nurse?” Joel panicked.

“No-no. I just-It’s weird that he’s here now. I used to carry him for 40 weeks and now he’s here. And the fact that we made him.” You chuckled.

“We made him.” Joel shook his head and chuckled at your words.

“He’s a part of the two of us, Joel. Can you believe it?” You started to tear up.

“Hey, hey. Why are you crying?” Joel came to you and sat on the edge of the hospital bed.

“It’s happy tears. Don’t worry.” You chuckled as you sniffled.

“Thank you for bringing him to this world, baby. Our world. I promise I will protect our family  with my life. I love you.” Joel kissed your forehead and stroked your head.

“I love you too.” You smiled and invited him to lay on the bed with you.

Two days went by, you were finally able to go home with your newborn baby. Joel had called your mom and she said she would wait for you at your house with Sarah. Joel took the carseat with your baby sleeping in it then he helped you get out of the car.

“Hold on to me.” Joel put his arms around you. One hand holding your baby in the carseat.

“Ugh..” You groaned at the discomfort you were feeling as you got out of the car.

“You good?” Joel raised his eyebrows.

“Hmm. Yeah.” You nodded.

Joel held your weight and walked you inside the house slowly. 

“Oh my God!” Your mom squealed as she saw the sleeping baby.

“How are you feeling?” Your mom hugged you.

“I’m happy mom. But I need sleep.” You joked. 

“I’ll make you some tea.” Your mom went to the kitchen.

“Where is he? Where is he?” Sarah jumped and ran to you. 

“Hi, sweetie. Your brother’s sleeping. You need to calm down.” You stroked her head and chuckled.

Joel put the carseat on the coffee table so everyone could meet his boy.

“Sit here, baby.” Joel put a cushion on the couch for you to sit.

“Thank you, honey.” You stroked his upper arm and sat.

“Hi Sammy!” Sarah took her baby brother’s small hands and waved it gently.

You and Joel decided to name your son Sam. But he would always be little Joel Miller. 

“Do you want to hold him, babygirl?” Joel asked his daughter.

“Can I?” Sarah got excited.

“Of course you can, sweetie.” You rested your head on the couch and rubbed your belly.

“Sit here.” Joel patted the empty space between you and him on the couch for Sarah to sit.

“Place your hand like this.” Joel demonstrated to Sarah and she followed him.

“Hold his head, okay.” Joel slowly put his son in Sarah's arms. 

“That’s it babygirl.” Joel smiled, proud of his daughter being a big sister.

“You’re a big sister now, Sarah.” You stroked her head.

“I’m your big sister.” Sarah cooed to her baby brother and kissed his cheek.

Joel smiled looking at Sarah holding her baby brother. Then he rested his hand on your shoulder. You smiled at him when he rubbed your shoulder.

“I love you.” Joel mouthed to you.

To be continued…

Taglist:

@lovelyygirl8 @skysmiller @moonlightdivine @crocodiile @angie2274 @pulchritudinousrogers @peqchsoup @msecho19 @happinessinthebeing @nyotamalfoy @nakedmoondiaries @dzaga890 @pa1g3-t0mm0 @prettysbliss @wanniiieeee @one-sweet-gubler @x-ap0llo-x @feministfanboi @ordinarylokix @afterglowsb-tch13 @padgraysonssram8re @tomorrowseverything @hummusxx @iranispunk @mrsyixingunicorn10 @likeanimagepassingby2 @mediocrewallflow3r @pedr0swh0r3 @mxtokko @dorck26 @cascactus28 @cheyxfu @stupidthoughtsinwriting @undermoonlightwalk @bigmoodyjoody @humanbug @sarahhxx03 @krisviciousx @quixscentsposts @dgct2 @dgraysonss @heybabyshae @fluffyspaceprincess @toottmblr @avengersfan25 @xixxala @dianaffddz @onzayhe @violetwitchmcu @welcometomyworldwithoutrules @kelh27

[lorre-verie]

₊˚ʚ ᗢ. ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ ᴏʀ ᴅᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴛ. ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

aka, the chapter where shit really goes down (i CANNOT emphasise this enough)

the unfortunate pair: ao’nung x fem! sully! reader

chapter summary: after experiencing so many issues with your health (and beating the crap out of Ao’nung), a relaxing visit to the spirit tree was exactly what you needed. Or is it? In the end, you and Ao’nung have a bit too much fun with each other, considering your shared hatred.

warnings: mentions of death, cussing (somewhere here), fighting, crying, idk, sad stuff

word count: 6k

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | masterlist 

“Y/N? Can you hear me?” 

“I think she’s waking up.”

“Y/N, please don’t die!!”

You slowly opened your eyes to the muffled voices that surrounded you. Your body jolted forward, head spinning, still feeling like you were trapped inside the deep blue. 

“Woah woah woah, slow down, tiger.”

You felt a pair of hands steady you by your shoulders; your dad. 

A gentle hand rested on your back; your mother. 

You could hear tiny sniffles as you tried to make sense of what was going around you; Tuk.

The world was becoming more comprehensible with each breath you took, so you focused on that. Chilly hands shaking, you placed them on your face to wake yourself up, fingers delicately massaging your eyelids. 

“That’s it, princess, come back to us.” your father half-whispered, his warm hands still planted firmly on your shoulders like if he let you go, you’d start levitating. 

You blinked a few times, looking at your entire family staring at you in a rather spacious tent. You were laying in a hammock. The strong scent of herbs wafted in the air, you could almost taste them on your tongue. It seemed that you were in the metkayina’s healer tent. 

You heard Kiri’s voice somewhere behind you, “Do you need anything?” her words echoed in your brain. 

You opened your mouth, rubbing your temples. “He..hejolum,” you managed to utter, “please.”

note: hejolum is a concoction I completely made up and used for curing dizziness and nausea.

A slight pause ensued, but was followed shortly by the sounds of Kiri rummaging through the herbs to make the mixture. 

“How are you feeling?” Neteyam asked softly. He was next to your mother, Lo’ak behind him. “I think I’m good,” you responded a little bit hesitantly. 

“What happened?” your voice picked up its volume, you were finding the strength to move the rest of your body. 

Neteyam and Lo’ak shared a look. Kiri walked up behind you with a warm bowl of a greenish liquid, tapping your chin for you to open it. 

“I can drink that myse–” She disregarded your words and started pouring the liquid down your throat as you opened your mouth, and you nearly choked and spat it all out. When you were done, you gave her a sharp glare. 

“That’s what you get for requesting hejolum instead of fyorl leaves.” she smiled innocently, putting the bowl away in a corner. You wondered if she even got permission from Ronal to start using her herbs, but you didn’t feel like bringing it up. 

“Hejolum is more effective!” you scrunched your eyebrows together. “Yeah, but fyorl leaves work just as fine and I don’t have to work for it,” she rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky you had a near-death experience, or I’d be shoving those leaves down your throat right about now.”

Your ears perked up at ‘near death experience’. Memories of the purple shell and your struggle flashed through your mind like a really badly put-together slideshow. And then it dawned on you. 

“Who brought me here?” you looked at Neteyam. His hesitancy to answer said it all. 

You hopped off the hammock quickly, your body almost toppling over. “Hey, hey, easy! You still need to rest!” your father called out to you, but you were already sprinting away in search of Ao’nung. 

Neytiri sighed next to him. As he watched you stumble over yourself, Jake couldn’t help but feel a small grin make its way up onto his face. 

“She’s definitely her father’s daughter.” he smirked, earning a groan from your mother.

You didn’t know why, exactly, you were running. You just knew you wanted to thank him for saving your life. 

It felt exhilarating to feel the wind in your hair and the sand beneath your toes, and you ran to where you usually saw Ao’nung hanging around, slowing your steps. 

The broad leaves of the trees swayed with the soothing breeze, and you slipped in between the dense foliage, just so that in case you did find Ao’nung you could surprise him and make him yelp. A mischievous grin appeared on your face as you thought about it. 

And then you heard voices. They were laughing, and you recognised his deep tone among the others. You quickly headed left, towards where you could hear them. 

Weaving in between the trees, you finally spotted them. You hid behind a tree that was thicker and taller than the others, listening to their conversation. Just because. 

“Wait, did you guys hear something?” a boy that had similar hair as Rotxo said in between their laughter.

“You’re being delusional.” Ao’nung chuckled, but his head turned to see if anyone was there. You didn’t show any signs of life, even going as far as to hold your breath. 

“You’re the one being delusional. Do you like that girl now?” another friend of his commented. You assumed that he was talking about you, because everyone thought you two were interested in each other. 

But still, you wanted to hear what he was going to say. His friends jeered at him, one of them mimicking kissy faces. You gagged at the thought. 

“No way,” his tone was one of disgust. “I wouldn’t like that freak even if the fate of the world depended on it.”

You felt a sudden emptiness in your chest at those words. 

“Their whole family is a bunch of freaks, I’m going to be honest.” 

Your fingers curled inwards, your thumb pressed tightly against your palm. Your breathing became shallow as he went on. 

“And did you see how temperamental the girl is? She’s a pain in the ass to deal with,” he laughed.

Your blood was boiling. 

That fucking, 

bitch. 

Before you knew it, your arms and legs were moving on their own, hoisting you up on the tree. You made your way up on top of the tree, not caring for the way the bark dug into your palms, scratching up your hands, as his friends laughed at his remarks, his insults towards your siblings and you. 

You crouched on top of the thick broad leaves, balancing yourself with your hands and your feet planted on the section where the branch separated into leaf. 

One of his friends looked up and saw you, making eye contact. He backed up and ran without a word, making everyone else confused. 

The other two looked up and Ao’nung continued to talk shit, even mocking you and your brother. “Ao’nung–” the rotxo-looking one gasped. 

“And can you believe it? They’re such slow learners!”

“Ao’nung!” the other one hissed. 

“And– What?” he looked confused, before looking up to see what his friends were looking at. His eyes widened in horror, he didn’t even have time to react as you pounced on him from above, knocking him down onto the dirt.

His pathetic little crew ran for the hills as you delivered a hard punch to his face, an absolutely deranged look in your eye. He fought to get you off his body but to no avail, and the only thing he could do was scream bloody murder.

You thrashed and clawed at his skin, the feeling of something wet flowing underneath your nose making you stop abruptly, and the distinct red of blood tinted your fingertips when you wiped on the spot above your lips.

The skxawng beneath you took the opportunity to try and push you off him, but you bit his arm in retaliation and he yelped in pain.  

“You’re CRAZY–”

You were laying down on top of your sleeping bag in your marui, playing with your hair in between your fingers as your father paced around angrily. His heavy steps as he scolded you were the only thing you were even processing, too busy thinking about the million different methods you could use to murder that two faced donk–

“Are you even listening to me right now?” he groaned, the wrinkles on his forehead were more prominent now than ever. 

“Mhm. You can’t attack people for no reason, why would you do that, I’m growing old and I can’t see the brave sacrifice and revolutionary importance of what my daughter did for her family,” you listed, mimicking his low gruff voice.

“Princess, you know I hate having these kinds of talks with you,” he sighed, crouching down next to you, and you let go of your hair, crossing your arms to look at him.

The small sound of something dropping to the ground came from outside, and you both turned your heads in the direction of the source. “Lo’ak! Don’t touch anything you aren’t supposed to!” he shouted. 

More sounds of rummaging and a faint “damn it, how’s it he always knows?” followed, before silence returned. 

You turned your heads back to each other. 

“But it’s vital. You’re my daughter and I care about what you do. And anyway, I’m not the one you should be afraid of.” he raised his eyebrows, shaking his head. You frowned, realising what he was implying.

“Your mom is gonna freak out, I’m telling you. And I suppose that’s punishment enough for you.” he ruffled your hair with his hand, winking as if to say good luck, I can’t save you as he picked himself up, leaving through the flap of the marui. 

Your mother stepped inside, and your ears flattened. You knew how she was when she was angered. You got up quickly as she walked to you. 

“Are you hurt?” she asked, her eyes searching your body for any sign of injuries. You shook your head no, ignoring the fact your palms had tiny cuts on them. 

“Good. Now tell me why you did that to the boy.” she looked into your eyes patiently. 

“He called our family freaks, he mocked 'Teyam's accent, he said Kiri’s nose looked weird, he said dad looks 30 years older than he actually is,” you went on, listing every scathing comment he said about your family, your mother’s face either morphing into one of outrage or shock after each thing.

“And…yeah that’s it I think.” 

“So you beat him?” 

“...yes.”

“How?”

“Well I climbed a tree, and then I jumped down from the tree onto him, knocking him down, then I punched his face and then bit his arm when he tried to slap me off–”

“He tried to slap you??” she fumed.

“Yeah, and then I kicked him in the crotch before Neteyam pushed me back,” you said with a matter-of-factly tone, shrugging. You left out the part where you got a random nosebleed in the middle of the fight. After all, it was probably because you were just so enraged by Ao’nung’s stupidity.

She angled her head upwards, not saying anything for a few moments. You heard a cough from outside. 

“I am very disappointed in you,” she said loudly, but with the hint of a prideful smile on her face. Pulling you into a tight hug and pressing a kiss to your forehead, she whispered ‘play along’.

“You have disgraced our family and I hope that you understand the severity and the consequences of your actions, Y/N.” Her tone of voice was ruthless, but the look on her face said otherwise. 

You put on your best fake pout, “But–” 

“No buts.” she crossed her arms, still smirking. 

“See, Y/N? What did I tell you?” your father sauntered in, playing the good cop once more. He walked up behind your mother, rubbing her back reassuringly. “Don’t worry, my love. You don’t have to get so mad at her, she’s only a child.” 

Neytiri rolled her eyes lightheartedly when he wasn’t looking at her, causing you to desperately hold back a smile that was fighting its way to your face. 

“But,” your father said pointedly, “you must go and apologise to the boy.” 

“What?” you uncrossed your arms, staring wide-eyed with your mouth hanging open. 

“You heard me. Go find him, and apologise. You can’t be on bad terms with the olo’eyktan’s son, especially when half of the village already hates us.” he stated, hands still around your mother’s shoulders. 

You knew it was no use to fight him against it, so you let out an exaggerated sigh and slumped your way to find the dumbass. As you left, your mother turned to your father. “You were right.”

He looked at her, one eyebrow raised. 

“She really is her father’s daughter,” she laughed, remembering when her mate beat up Tsu’tey (may he rest in Eywa’s arms). Jake looked down, slightly ashamed. 

It wasn’t fair at all. Not the slightest bit. He was the one that spewed all that goddamned nonsense about your family, and you were the one that needed to apologise? 

“He had it coming.” you huffed to no one but yourself, kicking the sand as you “tried” to find Ao’nung. (You were hoping you would just never catch sight of him.)

To your utter surprise, he was also slugging his way across the sand in the direction of your marui, with the exact same sour look on his face. Your eyes met, and you both begrudgingly moved within arm-length of each other.

His face was absolutely beaten, his right eye with a huge bruise around it. There was a bloody scratch on his lip and as you glanced down you noticed the marks of your teeth still near his wrist.  

Damn, you really messed him up. 

“I’m sorry,” you muttered, looking down to not have to look at his face anymore. Cause if you did, you’d just look at his black eye the whole time. 

He crossed his arms, sighing “I’m sorry as well. I got an earful about it from my mom and she said I deserved it.”

You pressed your lips in a thin line to avoid smiling, but he saw right through it. “Ha ha, very funny,” he rolled his eyes, continuing. “Your siblings are invited to visit our spirit tree tomorrow night. You can’t not go.” 

“The spirit tree?” you half gasped half shouted. 

“Yes, little forest imp. Do you need your ears checked? If so, I can bring my mother over to have a look.” he smirked, tilting his head to the left in the same manner he always did.

You wanted to hold him against his previous actions, but you thought it was better to forget about it. But if he ever did that shit again, he wouldn’t walk out of the fight with just a black eye. 

You turned around, flipping him off as you walked away. “Bye, shit piñata!” A big smile tugged at the corner of your mouth as you imagined his offended look. Oh, how stupid he would look.

The scrumptiously delicious smell of food drifted through the air as you arrived back home, and ducking under the flap of the marui you could see dinner was ready, and your family already sitting down in their places. 

Neytiri smiled at you as you came in, gesturing for you to sit in your usual place next to Neteyam. It had only been around 3 weeks since you’d moved to Awa’atlu, but you were already addicted to the food. 

“How’d it go?” your older twin asked. Lo’ak and Kiri looked at you expectantly, hoping you’d say you beat him up again. 

“It went alright. We had a normal, civilised conversation.”

Kiri groaned and Lo’ak slapped one side of his face, Jake clicking his tongue for them to silence themselves. 

Your mother nodded and took hold of your father's and Tuk's hands, signalling for everyone to join in prayer. As all hands interlocked with one another, Neytiri started,

“Great Mother Eywa, we offer our gratitude for the bountiful meal that we are about to share. As we partake in this meal, we ask for your continued blessings and protection for ourselves, our loved ones, and all living beings on this planet. May this food provide us with the strength and energy to carry out your will and serve our purpose in this life.”

As she finished, Lo’ak quickly rubbed his hands together and started scarfing down his food. Neteyam side-eyed him judgmentally, secretly wondering how they came from the same parents. 

In between bites, you realised you almost forgot to tell everyone about the invitation. “Oh, guys.” you cleared your throat. “We’ve been invited to see the spirit tree tomorrow.” you looked towards your siblings, and Kiri’s eyes lit up immediately.

“At the cove of ancestors?” she said, mouth full of food. You nodded, and she slapped her palm over her mouth. “Hey that should be fun,” your dad smiled, nodding. 

“Can I also go?” Tuk looked up at you with hopeful eyes. 

“Of course, Tuk, all of us are going.” 

The next day, you, your siblings, Tsireya and Rotxo set off on your little journey on your ilus to see the spirit tree. Ao’nung and you are doing what you do best; annoying the crap out of each other and everyone around you both. 

Even while on an ilu, Ao’nung moved with a swagger like he was superior to everyone else, annoying the hell out of you. Snide remarks were exchanged constantly during the trip when you were above the water, which made everyone hold their breath for as long as they possibly could handle. 

But despite his annoying habits, you found yourself strangely attracted to him. There was just something about his confidence that made your heart race the slightest bit faster when you were around him (and when he kept his mouth shut). 

You weren’t sure if it was just the adrenaline from the constant bickering or if there was something…. more.

“You always have that dumb look in your eye like you think you’re invincible.” you scoffed, sending Ao’nung the next round of insults. He shook his head, looking down with a smile as Neteyam sighed behind you two, exhausted. “Honestly, it’s cute.”

His gaze flicked up to you almost immediately. You swore there was the smallest amount of purple dusted across his cheeks, causing you to double-take. But it was gone. 

“But not as cute and positively pathetic as your feeble attempts to fight back,” a subtle, but unmistakable smile of satisfaction spread across your face as if you had reached the punch line of a stand-up comedy act.

“What can I say? You’re a challenge I can’t resist.”

At this, your head whipped towards his direction. But he dove beneath the water, leaving nothing but bubbles on the surface of the sea in his wake. 

“Oh my god. That was disgusting,” Kiri practically sobbed behind you, Tuk agreeing as your hand clasped your mouth, unable to fully process what the frog had just said to you. 

Can’t resist? Does that have some other meaning behind it? Why’d he have to SAY IT LIKE THAT? Was he teasing you on purpose? Holy jesus fuckballs. 

Shaking it off, you dipped underneath the water with your ilu. There were rocks with plants growing on them suspended in the water, unmoving. You weaved in between them, ducking underneath a larger one and following Tsireya’s lead.

As you resurfaced, you audibly gasped at the beauty of the cove. “We are here,” she smiled warmly. “This is the cove of the ancestors. Our most sacred place.” she turned, watching as you and your siblings held your breaths in awe. 

It was glorious, like nothing you’d ever seen before, much like the rest of Awa’atlu. A huge almost circular structure protruded out of the beautiful blue water, towering over you all. 

“Eclipse is the best time of day to be here.” she stated as the light slowly dissipated, you needing to shield your eyes from the sight momentarily. The darkness engulfed the sky, leaving almost no light source except a giant brightly glowing flower-like plant underneath the water as you approached.

“This is it. This is the spirit tree,” Tsireya gestured, looking happily at Kiri’s overjoyed face. You gawked at the centre of the tree, which beamed with an intense glow. 

The metkayinan siblings dived in first, the rest of you following shortly after. What seemed to be the glowing leaves of the spirit tree were absolutely huge, they were bigger than Ao’nung himself. The metkayinans gestured for you all to grab your queues and make the connection; but you stayed floating, watching the others make their bonds. 

You felt a tap on your shoulder; it was Ao’nung. He motioned and pointed at your queue. You shook your head. 

He rolled his eyes, using sign language. You deserve to experience it too.

You tilted your head. And you?

I’ve already experienced this a lot of times. Go, he insisted, not wanting to reveal the true reason for his actions, and you smiled to yourself, excited.

As you made your way to one of the huge fronds of the tree, he still couldn’t shake the sinking feeling in his stomach that something horrible was going to happen. 

He stayed put, watching everyone intently, subconsciously looking your way more often than the others. 

All of a sudden, the spirit tree’s leaves started shaking, the lights flashing violently. Everyone was ripped out of their moment bonding with Eywa, all except you. The bioluminescent freckles all around your body blazed with light, your body trembling uncontrollably.

Ao’nung immediately pushed his way through the water to you, disconnecting your queue and pulling you up to the surface, Neteyam and the rest of your siblings close behind. His heart pounded vehemently against his chest, looking at your unconscious body as he pulled you onto his ilu. 

“What’s happening??” Tuk cried, trying to reach for your hand. “Is she breathing?” Neteyam asked in a panic. 

Ao’nung bent his ear to your nose, praying desperately that you were. He heard your staggered breaths, trying to gather the lost information in his brain of what his mother taught him.

“She’s having a seizure,” his eyes widened in recognition. “We need to get her to my mother, now,” he snarled, taking off on his ilu immediately. 

Ronal could not find any spiritual fault with you or find a way to wake you up, as everything she tried had failed. Your father had no choice but to call Norm and Max all the way from the forest, and it took them an incredibly painstaking full night to arrive. 

Your whole family waited anxiously, your father kneeling down next to you on the mat as Norm and Max did their thing. “Alright, I’m seeing from her brain scan that it was, in fact, a seizure. But the thing is,” he paused, looking at Jake.

“What? What is it?”

“That’s not the only thing we found that didn’t look right.” he looked at your peacefully sleeping body nervously. 

“The state she’s in right now is some kind of defense mechanism from her body because she doesn’t have the energy to fully function right now. But this injection can help her.” he gestured towards the tiny needle that Max was administering into your veins.

“She’ll regain consciousness soon, but Jake, there’s something seriously wrong–” “Please, get to the point.” your father croaked, he hated seeing you this way. 

“Defense mechanism? Wha… What kind of defense mechanism is that? Is that normal?” he asked, worry laced in his words. 

“No. This is some kind of reaction from the mixed DNA she has. She’s part avatar and part na’vi, which means she’s part human as well. Somewhere in there.” Norm explained. 

Your dad’s ears flattened as he heard that his own genes could be one of the reasons that you were suffering right now, and he looked at Norm expectantly, to keep going. 

“I took a sample from her DNA, and it’s not looking good.”

He showed Jake the tablet he had in his hands. “See that?” he zoomed into one of the strands of your DNA, pulling the digital version of your gene out to inspect it. “That singular gene right there is one that increases the risk of cancer. Specifically, leukemia.” 

“Leu- Leukemia??” Jake rubbed his hands against his face in distress. “She has leukemia?”

“..Not quite. The na’vi genes she has directly interfere with that, and if she does have leukemia, it somehow causes a mutation of some type of disease similar to cancer, running through the blood. But we need to ask her if she’s been having any symptoms.”

“If she’s been having symptoms, there’s an extremely high chance she has it. We can’t take a blood sample right now because she’s too weak. So, that’s our only option.”

“Oh.” Jake thought for a while, looking at the woven floor of the marui, trying to remember if you’d brought up any problems with your health. Besides the fever, he couldn’t think of anything that couldn’t be explained with some other reason. 

“I think she’ll be fine, right? She hasn’t said anything about any issues,” he said, trying to calm down his own heart. 

“Well, then there’s nothing to be worried about, pal.” Norm nodded, slapping Jake’s back and rubbing it reassuringly.

At that moment, your eyes fluttered open, and it felt like you’d been hit by an ikran flying at full speed. “She’s waking up,” Max said.

As the world came into focus (felt like deja vu), you were able to make out the blurred silhouettes of your father and Max and Norm’s avatar. 

“Hey princess, how are you feeling?” Jake smiled, gently shoving Max away, looking down at you. 

“Where..where am I?” you muttered, lifting up your hands and putting them in front of your face.

Outside the marui, Neteyam and Lo’ak were sitting in front of the entryway playing with the iPad Norm brought over for them, tasked to ward away trespassers. 

“No, you skxawng, press ‘O’!” Neteyam hissed, trying to take the iPad from Lo’ak’s hands. “I’m trying, bro! Stop pulling! These weren’t made for na’vi fingers!” he retaliated, his grip on the device tight. 

As they played tug-of-war with the considerably delicate piece of technology, Ao’nung walked to them. “Hey. Move, will you?” he crossed his arms, head tilted downwards. “Go away, shit piñata.” Lo’ak grumbled, trying to slap Neteyam’s grubby not-so-little hands away from their pride and joy. 

Ao’nung exhaled sharply, raising a leg to try and get past the two fighting brothers. “Hey! No entry!” Neteyam stopped his leg with his hand, pushing it back onto the sand and successfully nabbing the iPad from Lo’ak. “Give that back, idiot!”

“Let me through.” Ao’nung insisted, practically pleading. On a normal occasion, Lo’ak would’ve made fun of him for how desperate he was being. But this was not a normal occasion. An iPad was within his grasp for the first time in weeks, and he wasn’t about to let his stinky older brother ruin it all. 

“You aren’t family. Get lost!” Lo’ak grumbled, waving him away before putting Neteyam into a headlock. 

He huffed, walking away. “Tch. Watch me become part of your family, skxawng.” he scowled, as Kiri and Tuk ran past him, intent on getting to the iPad.

Of course, he was referring to Lo’ak and his younger sister. No other implications. 

You sipped the water from the cup Norm handed to you, sitting up straight. “Now, I’m going to ask you a few questions, alright?” Norm smiled, pulling out his tablet to write on. You nodded slowly. 

“Have you been getting any fevers?” 

One nod.

“Any unnatural fatigue?”

Two nods. You should have been able to handle the dive. It really wasn’t as deep as Ao’nung made it out to be.

“Lost any weight recently? Wait no, you guys don’t weigh yourselves here, sorry. Any nosebleeds?”

Three nods.

“Okay.” Norm’s gaze was starting to feel a bit unsettling. “Have you..coughed up blood? By any chance?”

You remembered the time you were training with Veyä. Four nods. 

Your dad looked at you accusingly, wondering why on earth you didn’t say anything.

His eyes darted between you, Jake and the tablet nervously. “You said…she’s been paler than other na’vi ever since she was a kid?” 

Jake’s heart sank deep into his chest. At first, he couldn't fully comprehend what his friend was implying. But as the reality set in, his lips parted in shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His little girl, his precious 15-year-old daughter, had been living with chronic leukemia for a decade without anyone noticing.

The weight of the realisation was absolutely soul-crushing. His mind raced back to all the times he had brushed off symptoms as normal childhood illnesses. The knowledge that he carried the gene that increased the risk of leukemia only added to his guilt.

As you looked at him puzzledly, not a clue as to what was going on, his whole world fell apart. He struggled to keep his composure as the pain tightened his throat. Tears streamed down his face as he tried to process what this meant for his family. The wonderfully bright and happy future that he had imagined for his eldest daughter was now uncertain.

Norm looked at the horror-stricken look on his friend’s face. He inhaled, and Max brought up Jake’s arm, pulling him up to bring him to the other corner of the marui, where you couldn’t hear them.

Norm gave you a sad smile. “Wait here, we’re going to talk about something for a bit.” Five nods. 

“There’s- There’s gotta be treatment right?” Jake stuttered.

“I’m so sorry, Jake.” Norm sighed, looking down. There was nothing more he could do for you. 

“What? There’s gotta be something you can do!” 

“We aren’t sure if normal cancer treatment would even work. Her illness combined with the na’vi genes mixed into it- It would be super risky to even try anything. We don’t have the equipment or the knowledge, and this has never, ever happened before, Jake.”

Tears started welling up in his eyes. “So- She’s just going to die?” The silence they gave him as they looked at them with pity in their eyes, it broke him.

His little girl. His first daughter, his princess. He couldn’t protect you from this. How was he going to tell the rest of the family? What would be the reactions on their faces? Most importantly, what would you think?

You had a flame that blazed brightly in your soul just like his and your mothers, you were their family’s first troublemaker. For it to be extinguished so soon, for such a reason as a terminal illness,

it was unimaginable.

Upon your family hearing the news, it felt like the world was ending.

Truly. 

Neteyam had his head in his hands, tears falling down to his lap. 

Kiri had a hand over her mouth and nose to prevent her violent sobs from reaching anyone else’s ears. 

Lo’ak looked at you in horror, still unable to believe what he’d just heard. 

Tuk was already crying, hugging Jake tightly.

And your mother. She was a mess. Her pupils constricted, her hands tangled in her hair. She tried not to scream, the only thing coming out of her mouth was an ached, hoarse whisper. 

And then there was you. 

Head tilted down, looking at the floor, you sat curled up in a ball as Neteyam went to embrace you in a hug. 

Your life was ending so soon. Just around one year left, they said. 

But to your own surprise, you weren’t sad.

You were motivated. 

That night, you were left alone in the marui to your own thoughts. You played your favourite happy song on the speakers that Norm graciously gifted you with before they left. You scribbled in na’vi a few things on a piece of paper. 

Someone walked in through the flap, and you craned your head to see who it was. Ao’nung. “Hey. You alright? I was wondering where you were,” he rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. 

(recommended time to play I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, at just 4 clicks of volume (put your volume all the way down and then turn it up by pressing the button 4 times), think of it as background music, or u can put on any fun happy song suitable for dancing to)

You looked at him silently, putting the piece of paper away. “I noticed a distinct lack of spears to my throat today,” he continued.

Ah. He didn’t know. Of course he didn’t know. “Why? Did you miss me?” you smirked, getting up from the floor and brushing yourself off. A lightbulb popped into your head, the song playing in the background giving you a gloriously fun idea. 

“What is that? Sky people contraptions? Is that- supposed to be music??” Ao’nung looked behind you, bewildered. You snickered at his reaction to the alien technology and noise, kneeling down to the speakers and turning them up. (recommended time to turn the music up as much as u want)

You walked up to him and leaned in, dangerously close to Ao’nung, and gazed up at him with an intense yet playful look. Your eyes sparkled mischievously as you locked eyes.

With a sudden burst of confidence, you leaned even closer, noses almost touching. Your lips curved into a sly smile as you watched his ears turn the faintest purple.

You pulled away, but only slightly, maintaining a tantalisingly close distance. You looked up at him with a normal gaze, as if nothing had just happened, before uttering the words, "Dance with me."

“What?” 

“Dance with me. Come on!” you pulled his arm into the center of the marui as the chorus began, and the energy of the song pumping through your veins and causing you to dance, uncaring for the horrified expression on his face. 

Your movements were outlandish to him, he’d never seen anyone dance this way before. Not to mention the incredibly strange music.

But the way you danced happily without a care in the world amused him, and not in a condescending way. He felt himself smile as you twirled and lip-synced to the lyrics that the singer was saying. 

He couldn’t understand it at all, but he felt his heart soar somewhat when you motioned for him to join you. 

But he wasn’t a dancer. So he looked on as your arms lifted high above your head, your movements fluid and graceful as if you were in your own world, dancing with reckless abandon. You moved closer to him, lifting his arm up and twirling under it. 

You only laughed as the song ended, looking at him. “Looks fun doesn’t it? You should join me.” you smiled at him. A genuine smile. 

“I don’t dance.” he crossed his arms.

“Oh come on, I’ll teach you!”

“There’s really no need for that–”

You pulled his arms, hands interlocking with yours as the next song on your playlist (Love on Top - Beyoncé or anything u want) started up. “I love this song!” you looked at him. “Just feel the rhythm. Freestyle it. I won’t laugh, I promise.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, forest imp.” he rolled his eyes. But he couldn’t deny it, the song’s beat was irresistible. 

“Move your feet, at least.” you beamed, your movement as your hands still held onto each other tightly affecting his own. He begrudgingly moved his feet to the beat of the song. 

“That’s it, let loose!” you laughed, and it sounded like an angel’s call to him.

As it turns out, you weren’t so annoying when you were having fun. 

As the night passed and Ao’nung left after you guys had a little dance competition, you crawled over to your sleeping bag, pulling out the lone piece of paper from underneath.

You crossed out the first thing that you listed.

Bucket List! 

Dance with a partner to my favourite song.

Drink alcohol

Go on your first date

Have a sleepover with my friends and siblings

Karaoke night

Have my first kiss 

Receive an oshalia flower 

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | masterlist 

Important Fun Fact!

An oshalia flower is any flower that comes from the family Oshalia (made up by me, again), which is beautifully stunning and a commonly used way on Pandora to express interest in courting someone. Remember this for later. 

YAYYY omg i finally finished this, it's the longest chapter by far! I really hope you enjoyed this u guys! Like PLEASEE i hope its good and that i didn’t make any mistakes bro 😭 thank you so so so much for everyone’s support on this series, it’s really motivated me to keep it going.  anyhow, i wonder which parts of the bucket list will be completed and which ones wont? well, all in due time, i suppose.

Taglist: @eywas-heir @elegantkidfansoul @yeosxxx @whoreforpomegranates @fanboyluvr @thecrazyswamp @shkudss @stvrligghtt @ratchetprime211 @dearstelll @littlecrisisworld @itssomeonereading @goodiesinthecloset21 @ilovejakesullysdick @larkkyoris @opalescentblog @lovedbychoi @plzfeedmebread @holysaladapricothero @arminsgfloll @lovekeeho @evans-bitch

note: usernames in red are the ones I couldn’t tag

[gojos-fr-bae]

Liar pt.8

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8

Pairing: Gojo x fem!eader

Warnings: ANGSTTTT, but fluff at the end, cussing, drinking, grinding, NOT PROOFRED, i don't think there's anything else but as always lmk if there is.

Note- the italics is a flashback, actually, Satoru's entire section is a flashback from pt 7.

Word Count: 1.3K

A/N: VFYVKD. Guys, I think this might be the last part to this series😭😭😔😔 This has been a journey, thank you so much for everyone who has read this far, I truly and deeply appreciate every single one of you❤️❤️ I don't want it to endddd, so lmk if you would like me to keep writing for this au bc I would LOOVE to.

(Requests open)

Satoru

He was beginning to feel like he was slipping. He hadn’t had a glass since the shot he took before Kaito came to spend the night with him. Although it was now night and hours since his son had left, he naively thought that he had overcome his addiction since he hadn’t felt the urge to drink the whole time he was with Kaito. 

Oh how wrong he was. He needed to get a drink and fast. He jumped into his car and began speeding to the nearest liquor store, only to find it with an eight-person line. He didn’t have the patience to wait that long and made his way to a bar. Any bar, honestly speaking, he had no idea where he even was. 

He quickly went over, ordered, and chugged five tequila shots consecutively. Once the alcohol finally kicked in, he finally began to feel like himself again. 

‘He is disgusting. What kind of pathetic, sorry excuse of a man can’t survive without drowning himself in alcohol? How was he supposed to win you back and be a father for Kaito in such a state?’ 

These were the thoughts that ran rampant through his mind as he ordered a glass of whiskey, this time much more relaxed, seated on his stool, staring lifelessly into the endless abyss. 

He was slowly sipping his drink when he felt a pair of hands clutch his shoulders before slowly gliding down his arms. Because of his inebriated state, he wasn’t able to sense them approaching, however, he just chose to ignore, only seeming to amuse the stranger. He slowly turned his seat to face them. 

He was completely unamused when his eyes landed on a young woman clearly intent on getting into his pants. She evidently thought that she was the most beautiful girl in the room, therefore deserving a chance at him, but all he could think of was how ugly she looked in comparison to you. He just rolled his eyes, trying to go back to wallowing in self-pity. The lady just wouldn’t let up, turning around before she began grinding against him to the beat of the music. Foul, Satoru thought, feeling his patience run thin.

“Get away from me you fucking slut,” he hissed, venom lacing his words as he placed his hand on her waist, trying to push her away when next thing he knows, a palm is making contact with his cheek, landing a harsh slap across his face. It was only then that he finally sensed your cursed energy. He quickly turned to face you, heart plummeting when he saw tears streaming through your face. 

Shit, he can only imagine what this looked like to you. He tried to reach out to you but you just screamed at him and ran away from him. 

He began to panic. 

His heart was racing. 

The world around him was spinning and despite how hard he tried, he couldn’t move a single inch. His vision was getting spotty and all he could hear was the ringing in his ears. He felt like he was going to vomit. 

WHY! WHY HIM, WHY NOW! WHY COULDN’T HEJUST CONTROL HIMSELF AND STOP FUCKING DRINKING! He was absolutely torturing himself in his head as he spiraled. 

He finally mustered the strength to run after you, leaving the unnamed girl where she stood, utterly confused.

He ran as fast as his legs could take him but you were nowhere to be found. 

He leapt into his car and drove as fast as the vehicle could go. He was at Jujutsu tech in about five minutes but that was the longest five minutes of his entire life. He had to get to you. He needed to explain, he needed to make sure you know that it wasn't what it looked like.

Y/N

After crying your heart out on the sidewalk, you eventually made your way back to Jujutsu Tech. You texted Shoko and asked her if she could take care of Kaito for the rest of the night. You felt so guilty for staying away from him for two nights in a row but you just couldn’t bear to have him see you like this.

Just as you were about to close the dorm door behind you, you heard running and frantic breathing approach. You didn’t even bother trying to fight Gojo as he forced his way through the door you were trying to shut.

“Y/N p-please” he took a pause, slightly hunched over as he attempted to catch his breath, “I pro- I promise it wasn’t what you looked like!” he tried to explain, clearly panicked. 

“What the fuck do you mean it’s not what it looked like, Gojo.” you questioned, putting emphasis on how you said his name. It felt like you were continuously stabbing him with a jagged dagger and he felt his knees getting weak but he couldn’t let you go, not now.

“My love please! I swear on my life it wasn’t! I wasn’t trying to do anything with her fuck! I don’t even know her name!” “Then what was it Gojo! She was grinding on you and you were FUCKING ENJOYING IT, DON’T YOU DARE LIE TO ME! I KNOW WHAT I SAW!!” You yelled your throat raw.

“I was trying to get her away from me! Please, believe me, I promise,” He dropped on his knees, reaching for your hands with his own shaking ones. Tears began to trickle down his face as his breathing grew heavy.

A small part of you wanted to believe it, but you were struggling. Deep down, you were telling yourself that he was telling the truth. But that was a part of you you hadn’t seen since Gojo was sealed. You survived this long without listening to it, so why start now?

“Gojo… this is enough, let's get a divorce-”

“NO! NO! BABY PLEASE! Don’t do this to me! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LIFE, MORE THAN BREATHING, MORE THAN MYSELF MORE THAN ANYTHING! DON’T LEAVE ME-”

“Gojo you were gone for years! I LIVED WITHOUT A HUSBAND FOR YEARS! And from what it looks like, you CLEARLY didn’t feel my or Kaito’s absence! It seems pretty obvious that you’ve moved on-”

“BUT I HAVEN’T! I HAVEN’T! I GO TO BED HOLDING A PICTURE OF YOU CLOSE TO MY CHEST EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! I HAVE NEVER TAKEN OFF YOUR RING SINCE THE DAY I GOT BACK AND FOUND YOU GONE!” He cried, showing you your ring, which laid on his finger. You would be lying if you said you didn’t notice it, but you just assumed that was due to how expensive it was. It would’ve been a waste to let it collect dust in a drawer.

“Y/N, you and our baby boy are the only fucking reason I wake up every day. You two are the light of my life and when I lost you. I was so distraught I even started drinking and you know better than anyone how much I hate that shit, but it’s the only thing that takes my mind off of everything!”

You were now crying too, touched by what he was saying. You could see in his eyes that he meant every word and it shook you to your core. 

You stayed anchored where you stood, sobbing now as Satoru got up off his knees and took you into his arms. Hugging you as tightly as he could without breaking your ribs.

You couldn't even move. You just stood there and cried with him, feeling the weight of everything that had transpired over the past couple of years wash away.

All that grief, suffering, and pain over the past few years was washing away in your tears.

You love him.

You had pushed down your feelings for him so deep that for a moment, you forgot they were even there. But you love him, and he you, and you knew that there was know way either of you could live without each other any longer.

You love him, and he loves you, and nothing was going to change that. 

Not now, not ever.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8

The End...?

@porridgesblog , @giannitaa , @c0pkiller , @havens-not-here, @starlightanyaaa

© gojos-fr-bae

[outsideratheart]

Adios Amor (Alexia Putellas x reader)

A/N: I'm back baby! This fic was inspired by a line in a movie I watched recently. I hope you guys like it.

UEFA's end of season gala is one of the most prestigious nights in football. No awards were given and ego's were left at the door. The large ballroom is filled with circular tables each hosting different teams from across the world, both men's and women's alike.

It a night to celebrate the sport and to catch with with people who for most of the year are considered the enemy. It is how you found yourself staring across the room at the woman who crossed you path many years ago. It was a night you will remember for many different reasons.

"Why is Y/N Y/L/N staring at you?" Aitana asks Alexia who not so subtly looks your way.

When you lock eyes you raise your class of very expensive champagne. It was a innocent gesture but one that makes Alexia's stomach churn. She shakes her head and hastily turns away. The lack of acknowledgement gains the attention of her fellow Barcelona team mates. The two of you had played against each other a few times at both club and country level but now they think of it, they have never seen you interact with each other than the pre and post game hand shakes.

Then Jenni comes sauntering over and their curiosity only grows.

"Are you going to talk to her or carry on ignoring her like you have been for the past 5 years?" Jenni says fully unaware of the thread she is unravelling.

"I feel like there is a story here" Mapi pushes for more all whilst wondering how in all the years she knew you did she not know you knew each other.

"No story, just history, that's all" Alexia is quick to shut down the conversation given that it took her years to stop thinking about you, or least she had tried to do so.

Alexia's watches in worry as all of her team mates eyes widen and their attention turns to something or rather someone behind her.

“Well, the history is about to become the present because she is coming this way" Jenni quickly downs her drinks knowing that she will need another before you get to them.

You can see 3 Barcelona players looking at you as you make your way towards them and one player is looking anywhere but. Just as you approach them Alexia turns to leave but stops in her tracks when she hears your voice.

"Walking away from me, i'm getting Deja Vu" Although you are joking, it becomes clear that Alexia knows the true meaning of your words.

"Y/N" Alexia says with a low tone.

"Alexia" you say in return.

The energy between you shifts. No words are exchanged but you eyes never leave Alexia's. It is only when she hears Jenni clearing her throat does Alexia break her gaze but yours remains.

"This champagne is amazing" she says in attempt to ease the tension.

"Lefevre Brut" You turn to Jenni when talking to her but by the look at her face she is clearly confused, whether is be by your french accent or something else "The champagne? that is what it's called"

Ale--" you don't get the chance to talk more to your fellow Balon d'or winner as one of Presidents of UEFA calls your name.

"I guess we will see you at the Euros" Aitana tells you only she doesn't quite get the reaction or reply that she expected.

You face drops at the mention of the summer tournament. Alexia expects a clever retort about how Spain won't win if it comes to facing France. The two of you might not have talked for a while but the passion you have when you represent your country is unmatched.

“I'll apologise now for when France beat you, if you get that far" You reply arrogantly hoping that it will cover your delay in response and look on your face which you know you didn't hide very well.

It seems Alexia is the only one who doesn't buy your act. The way you phrased your sentence, how you said France instead of we or even I, it didn't settle well with her.

This time it is her turn to watch you walk away and she couldn't help but enjoy it, she is only human after all.

"Something is wrong with her" Alexia says to no one in particular.

"Why do you care? It's not like you're friends" Mapi is clearly surprised by her friends concern.

"Because Y/N was Alexia's first" Jenni says nonchalantly before taking another sip of her drink.

"She was what?" The blonde defender says in shock.

"That's enough for you. I don't need you telling everyone in this room about my sex life" Alexia takes the champagne from her best friend's glass, downing it herself before putting it on one of the waiter's trays.

"Sex life? So it wasn't just the one time" Aitana joins in.

"We ended up sleeping together more than once over the span of a few years but then I found out she was sleeping with other people.” When she sees her friends about to ask more questions she hold her hand up “It's in the past"

That was the last time your name was mentioned until they watched France play in the first pre Euros friendly and your absence both on the pitch and bench is the hot topic within the Spanish national team. It was during the half time commentary that the world learned the reason why.

"I have spoken with Y/N this morning. She told me that she sustained an injury during the Champions League final against Barcelona which she down played in order to help her team win and she wanted to end the season on a high. She had hoped that rest alone would heal it but unfortunately surgery is required. This is why she is not in the squad today and why she won't be travelling with the team to England for the Euros"

Despite the bad blood Alexia and you shared she couldn't help but feel incredibly sorry for you in this moment. So much so that she wants to reach out to see if you're ok but when she pulls her phone she realises she no longer has your number and messaging you on social media seems too impersonal.

Little did Alexia know she would be joining you on the sidelines after tearing her ACL.

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

Alexia was limited in what she could do when she wasn't at rehab so she spent more of her spare time mindlessly scrolling through social media. If asked, she would deny it, but she had been keeping on eye on your accounts and even had a notification on for when you posted. She wanted to know you were ok but the only thing you posted was a photo of you in your hospital bed with the caption 'The cost of victory is high'.

She saw that her sister Alba has posted on her a story which wasn't strange considering the amount fo time the younger Putellas spent on social media. What was interesting is who was in the photo with her. There you stand, your arm wrapped around her sister’s shoulder with the beach as your backdrop.

It wasn't an old photo because it showed Alba's tattoo, one she had only got a few days ago. It caused Alexia to be both confused and intrigued. What were you doing in Barcelona and why out of all people were you with her sister.

Alexia only has one thing on her mind when Alba arrives at her house the next day to take her to therapy. Although she is not sure how to bring you up with it leading to more questions. The fidgeting and constant glances over to the driver’s side of the car doesn't go unnoticed by Alba.

"Ale" she turns her attention to her sister when they get to a red light "What is it?"

The two sisters are close and very open with each other. If one of them has something to say then they will say it making the current situation a little bit concerning.

"What were you doing with Y/N Y/L/N?” Alexia asks. 

“Why do you do that? Say her name like you don’t know her?” When it became clear Alexia won’t answer her question, Alba continues “I bumped into her a few summers ago. She said came to surprise the woman she loved”

This got Alexia’s attention. Whilst Alba knew the two of you were friends, she had no idea just how close the two of your were. You always said your visits to Barcelona were for work, not an international booty call. 

“In the end she never told her. Y/N didn’t want to waste her trip so she starting training here, now she does her solo off season training in Barcelona every year before going back to France”

When the car pulls up to the rehab centre Alexia is out of the car before Alba can say anything else. The midfielder’s mind was running a million miles a second. Part of her couldn’t help but think what if she is the person you came to see. 

When Alexia hears a knock on the door of her physio room your face the last one she expected to see.

"Sorry wrong room" you don't push an interaction with her and chose to walk out before a conversation could be started. 

Alexia wishes in that moment that she could chase after you, she had so many questions for you.

Like she had for the past couple of weeks, Alexia completes her therapy to the best of her ability even though she quickly becomes frustrated at her lack of mobility.

Just as they finish the session, the physio's phone goes off, rightly or wrongly Alexia glances down at the screen. 

Y/N L/Y/N is calling. 

“You can answer it” Alexia says when she notices the therapist declined your call. 

“It’s ok. You’re my patient at the minute” 

Did that mean you were her patient at a different time. 

“Do you know why she is in the city? I thought she would be in France working on her ankle” the Catalonian asks. 

“She did her aggressive rehab here. In France there are too many reminders of what she is missing out on. She, like you, has been struggling with missing out on the euros”

Alexia’s body tenses at the mention of the Euros. The fact that she is missing out of a tournament that she had been preparing for years for, has been hard for her to deal with. 

“I don’t think you should be telling me this?” Alexia knows that the therapist is bound by patient doctor confidentiality. What is discussed between you and her during your sessions should not be talked about. Had the therapist been telling you about her, about how she is dealing with things.

“Your thoughts are very loud Alexia” the therapist jokes “To answer your question, no I don’t tell her about you. The reason why you know is because Y/N told me to tell you. She knew that once you knew she was here you would ask questions”

A small chuckles escapes Alexia’s lips. You always did know her well, it should come as no surprise that you still have the ability to predict her behaviour all these years later.

“When is her next session?” Alexia asks hoping to talk to you.

“Considering we have over run I would say” The therapist looks at her watch but then there is a knock on the door “Now. Shall I tell her to come in?” 

Alexia only nods her head.

She watches you walk in the room. Your ankle is in a boot and you are still limping, the grimace on your face is clear to see.

“I just have to grab a few things, i’ll be back in 10 minutes” 

The therapist leaves the two of you alone in the room. Something that hasn’t happened since she walked out on you.

“How’s the knee?”

“How’s the ankle?”

“You didn’t answer my question”

“Neither did you”

The silence that follows is comfortable but the tension is thick. The words that has been unsaid seem to weigh you both down yet neither of you are willing to be the one that breaks first. Alexia sees you turning the ring on your pinky finger and watches are you brows furrow, you are thinking and whatever you are thinking about is making you nervous.

“Why are you nervous?” Alexia asks.

“The last time we were in a room together you walked out” the memory of that night replays in your head and the feelings that followed soon come rushing to the surface.

The frustration Alexia feels is borderline overwhelming. She recognises the hurt on your face but cannot bring herself to care, or at least she tries not to. Ever since the night of the gala Alexia has a feeling in her gut that this moment was coming.

“And who’s fault was that? You slept with one of my best friends” 

Your head snaps up in the direction of your former friend. The venom in her tone hurts. 

“I didn’t know she was your friend” When you see Alexia open her mouth to cut you off, you hold you hand up to stop her. If Alexia wanted to do this then you would say everything you have wanted to say for years.

“When we talked about exclusivity, I recall you been the one to say we should keep it casual” you remember the moment clear as day. You hated that she didn’t want anything more but you were happy to have no strings if meant be able to call her yours, even if only for a night.

“Because that’s what I thought you wanted” Alexia tries justifies her decision.

“Well Alexia, me taking you at your word doesn’t make me the bad guy, it does however make you a liar” 

It worries Alexia how emotionless you are in this moment. There is no sadness or vulnerability in your tone, it is as if you are numb.

When you realise that this conversation is not going to have a happy ending you decide to change the subject..

“Like you said at the gala, that is the past” You laugh a little at the shock on Alexia’s face, clearly she didn’t know you heard her.

“How is your ankle?” Alexia asks sincerely.

“On the mend, I guess. The doctor said that if I got treatment when the injury first happened then I wouldn’t have needed surgery”

There is something that had been bothering Alexia since she heard you got injured in the champions league final. A feeling of guilt had settled in her gut and she knew it wouldn’t go away until she knew the truth.

“It was when I tackled you wasn’t it? You didn’t even have the ball but I was so frustrated and you were unstoppable. I knew I had to do something and I guess I jus—“

“Wanted to punish my for my sins on and off the pitch”

“Y/N I’m—“

“I don’t want your apology Alexia” You says truthfully.

Alexia doesn’t get the chance to respond.

“You ready for our walk?” The therapist comes back into her room, unaware of the moment she is interrupting.

Alexia watches as you take your boot off. The scar and bruising is still there. You wince as you put on one of your trainers and its’ like Alexia feels your pain. 

“Before I go. Remember I have been where you are, be patient. I’ll see you on the pitch soon Alexia” 

Those are the last words spoken before you leave the physio’s room.

You would like to say you haven’t thought about Alexia since that day in the physio room but she is all you can seem to think about. The past has been playing on a loop in your head for days. You had debated messaging her as a friend just to see how she is doing but bailed. In the end a 3rd party ended up making the decision for you. 

The text message from Alba was unexpected given that was 10pm and you was about to go to bed. 

It read I need your help, something’s happening with Ale and I don’t know what to do. 

You knew what was going on in the Catalonian’s head because you have been having the same thoughts. 

Alba picks you up the next day and uses her key to let you into Alexia’s apartment. 

“Alba I said I needed a day by myself. Why can’t you do as I say?” Alexia snapped when she heard the door open and footsteps approaching her. 

It was hard hearing that alexia wanted to be alone but it wasn’t surprising. Alba hadn’t told you much about why she needed your help but when you looked around the apartment you see why. The blinds are closed, the lights are turned off, the only evidence that someone is home is the small sound coming from the TV. You follow it until you reach the living area. 

There she lays with her leg elevated and the look of defeat on her face. You do see a brief look of happiness when she sees you, yet you remain in the doorway waiting for her to invite you in. There had been so many things taken out of alexia’s control and having people come into her home uninvited shouldn’t be one of them. 

“I heard misery loves company so here I am. Can I come in?” You ask her.

She makes you wait a little longer than you would have liked but when her face softens she pats the seat beside her. 

“I’m not miserable” Alexia pouts. The expression stays on her face when Nala jumps over to your side of the sofa, something that shouldn’t happen given that you have never met the dog before.

“We disagree, don’t we nala?” The furball barks in agreement making her owner laugh but only a second before her stoic face returns.

“Let me guess, this has to do to with Barcelona being in France for the AMOS cup? Missing out on international duty is one thing but missing club football, that is tough” You are speaking from experience but the pain and frustration Alexia feels blinds her from seeing that.

“You wouldn’t understand” Alexia absentmindedly begins playing with the velcro on her knee brace.

“Really? Lyon is in Portland for the WICC cup and I can’t be with the team so trust me when I say I understand how you feel Alexia” 

“How are you so…” Alexia tries and fails to come up with a word to describe your energy.

“Not pissed off at the world” Alexia nods at your choice of words “because I know that me being mad and pushing everyone away won’t change anything” It has taken a while for you to come to this realisation but now you had, things seemed to be getting better.

“Really Y/N? You have pushed everyone away because you are here in Barcelona when you live in Lyon” still Alexia chooses to argue with you but you let her, you know she needs to let her frustrations out.

“You know that isn’t true. I haven’t pushed anyone away I have simply chosen to see different people. I saw Lola the other week and then yesterday I went to lunch your new team and my former team Lucy Bronze. As for me being in Barcelona, I come here every year since” you stop yourself when you realise what you are about to confess.

“Since what?” Alexia asks even though she knows the answer, well half the answer. Every since Alba told her that you came to Barcelona years ago to confess your true feelings, Alexia has wanted to know more.

“Since I came here to tell you I loved you” you shrug your shoulders when you see Alexia’s eyes widen in shock.

Alexia stumbles over her words and she cannot manage to say a single sentence.

“What? Didn’t expect me to be honest? I know Alba told you” you knew this would come up since the her younger sister told you Alexia has asked about you. 

“But you never told me. Why come all the way here and leave without doing what you came to do” Alexia wants to know why you never told her, why you let her hate you for all these years when you loved her.

“I wanted to Alexia but then I saw you at the beach with your friends. You were so happy and knowing how much I hurt you, I didn’t want to risk you feeling that way again. It was clear that you had moved and I knew in that moment that I missed my chance”

You felt like a weight hand been lifted off you shoulders and placed on top of your heart. Now that Alexia knew how you felt it opened you up to being vulnerable and you didn’t like it. Alexia’s face gave nothing away and it only added to your anxiousness.

“You’re wrong Y/N I didn’t move on and I think part of me still hasn’t. It why I still has these feelings for you, some that are obvious like pain and frustration but then I have moments like when I found you were injured and I knew that I still care about you, more than I would like to admit”

Now it was your turn to be at loss for words. Alexia has always been your what if but now things could be different.

Instead of waiting for you to reply, Alexia asks a question which you wanted to know the answer to as well.

“What does this mean for us”

“It means we have a chance Alexia”

You look down at the time of your phone. When you stand to your feet it is obvious that you are going to leave.

“What are you doing? I want you to stay” Alexia begs.

“Unfortunately today is my last day in Barcelona, I need to go home” when you see the look of disappointment on her face you know that once again time is not on your side.

“But there’s some much more I need to say”

“Alba has my number. I’m only a call away”

As you walk away you do with a heavy heart. You didn’t think you would be leaving Barcelona having said what you came to say all those years ago but you are happy you have. 

“Goodbye Y/N” Alexia reluctantly says.

“Adios Amor” A nickname you hadn’t used in years comes out so naturally and by the look on Alexia’s face you can tell she likes hearing you say it just as much as you like calling her it.

[hidden-behind-the-fourth-wall]

Sweet past - ch.3

Summary: You meet Ellie for the first time and see Sarah again after three years.

Pairing: dbf!Joel x reader

Warnings: mention of death, foul language, angst.

AN: This will be angsty for a while, so buckle up... And a slow burn soooo.... :D

Masterlist Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Source: Pinterest

“You know I’m 15, not 5, right?” Ellie’s voice carried that familiar mix of sarcasm and indignation that always made Joel smile. Of course, she would react this way—typical Ellie. But he also knew that if he hadn’t called, she would have given him hell for not letting her know he wasn’t coming home that night.

“I’m just letting you know, kid,” Joel sighed, settling into his chair, exhaustion creeping into his bones. “Not sure what time I’ll be back.”

“That bad?” she asked. Despite all the differences between Ellie and Sarah, there was one thing they both had in spades—an uncanny ability to read emotions, even when you tried to hide them.

“She’s forcing herself to be strong,” he admitted, closing his eyes as the weight of the day pressed down on him. “She’s always been like that. Doesn’t want to lean on anyone. I don’t want to push her. We’ve got time, you know?”

Ellie made a small sound of agreement, and Joel smiled softly, even though his heart felt heavy. He had spoken with Ellie about you, and she had been eager to meet you. But true to form, she had also been the first to tell him not to pressure you into talking if you weren’t ready. Ellie, after all, knew better than most what it was like to not want to talk about painful things.

“Make her that omelet you always make us when we have a shitty day,” she said, her voice softening with a surprising note of care. Joel couldn’t help but chuckle, his heart skipping a beat at the protectiveness in Ellie’s words, despite the fact that she hadn’t even met you yet.

“I’ll be fine here, so take care of her. And say hi from me,” she added before hanging up, her tone back to its usual no-nonsense self. Joel sat back, smiling quietly to himself as the line went dead. Teenagers—they were all the same.

But there was something different, too. Ellie had a way of making it seem like she didn’t care, like she was all sharp edges and quick wit, but Joel knew better. Beneath all that was someone who understood what it meant to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders—and someone who wanted to help you carry it, even if she never said it out loud.

He sighed, a soft laugh escaping him. He’d make that omelet for you in the morning. You could both use a little comfort.

Joel Miller had never been a man with all the answers. In fact, most days, he felt like he was figuring things out as he went, stumbling through life with a heart that carried more weight than he let on. Whether it was with Sarah, Ellie, or now with you, one thing remained constant—he would do whatever it took to ease your pain, as much as he was capable. He couldn’t fix everything, but he could be there. And that was something.

He never saw himself as an aggressive man, either. In his younger years, sure, there had been moments—growing up in Texas and having Tommy as a brother meant that fights weren’t exactly foreign to him. But even then, they were never his first option. He always tried to be calm, steady, to approach life with a kind of quiet logic. Emotions were something he kept on a short leash, believing that they clouded judgment. The last thing he ever wanted was to act out of anger.

That philosophy served him well when Sarah got bullied in elementary school, or when her first boyfriend broke her heart. It took everything in him not to intervene, to not let his protective instincts take over. He reminded himself that part of raising a daughter meant giving her room to grow, even if it hurt him to watch. The same went for Ellie. He didn’t punch every foster couple that rejected her, no matter how much it pained him to see her constantly uprooted. He always tried to follow his head rather than his heart—because emotions, in his mind, were dangerous.

But the day your father laid his hand on you, something broke in Joel. He had always tried to help your father, ever since your mother passed away. He’d felt this quiet sense of duty, not just as your friend, but as part of your family. He'd gone over to your house more times than he could count, trying to shake some sense into his old friend, but there was only so much he could do. He had no right to push too hard. After all, he wasn’t family, not really.

That night changed everything. The moment your father slapped you, Joel’s restraint snapped. Before he knew it, he’d punched the man—his best friend. And even though it was a moment of blind fury, he hated himself for it. Not for hitting him, but for waiting so long. For not stepping in sooner, for not protecting you from the storm that had been brewing for years. If he had done something earlier, maybe your father would’ve woken up. Maybe you wouldn’t have had to leave. Maybe you wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Joel paused at the entrance to the kitchen now, watching you, sitting there staring into nothingness. The weight of grief and guilt was written all over your face, and it hurt him in a way he couldn’t put into words. He knew you were wrestling with the same kind of pain he had felt over the years—maybe even more, because you had missed the gradual decline of your father, while Joel had watched it happen slowly, helplessly. He didn't blame you for leaving. He couldn’t. But he knew that no matter how much he tried, he might never fully understand your pain.

Still, he had made a promise to himself: he wouldn’t let you face it alone. Not anymore.

He crossed the room quietly, and without a word, he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into his embrace. You leaned into him, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade. This is what he had wanted to do since the day your mother died—take care of you, shield you from the worst of it. But life had a way of complicating things, and he had never quite managed to do it the way he should have. Now, though, there was no hesitation.

When you asked him to stay, he didn’t even think twice. He laid down next to you, offering you the comfort and security you needed. As you rested against him, his presence became a barrier between you and the nightmares, a solid, dependable force that kept the darkness at bay. Joel didn’t have all the answers, but in that moment, he knew one thing for certain: as long as he was there, he wouldn’t let you fall apart. Not again.

***

You couldn’t quite recall the last time the smell of someone else’s cooking had stirred you awake. The unfamiliarity of it was striking, but what shocked you more was the realization that you’d actually slept well. It had been so long since you’d felt truly rested that the sensation was almost foreign.

A frown creased your brow as you tried to remember how you even got into bed—or why you were still fully clothed. But the hunger gnawing at your stomach quickly overtook your curiosity. Something mouthwatering was wafting from the kitchen, and as you followed the scent, you found yourself standing in a scene you never thought you’d witness with your own eyes.

“Is the world ending?” Your voice carried a mix of disbelief and amusement.

Joel turned toward you, eyebrows raised, spatula in hand. “Joel fucking Miller in the kitchen. Cooking!”

“Keep that smart mouth of yours running, and you won’t get a damn thing,” he shot back, his lips curling in a half-smile. You surrendered immediately, raising your hands as you made your way to the coffee machine. But he stopped you with a glance, gesturing toward the table. “I got it. Sit down. You still drink orange juice after your coffee?”

You nodded, a soft blush creeping into your cheeks at the fact that he remembered such a small detail. “You taught Sarah that, and now every time she comes over, I’ve got to keep that damn juice in the fridge.” He grumbled, but you caught the affectionate undertone as you laughed—a light, quiet laugh he adored more than he'd ever admit.

“It’s good for you!” you teased, thanking him as he set your coffee down in front of you—already fixed just the way you liked it, with milk and sugar. Your heart fluttered at the thought of how well he still knew you, even after everything.

“That stuff has more sugar in it than whatever the hell Sarah’s drinking from Starbucks,” he muttered, though there was a hint of a smirk on his face as you rolled your eyes, sipping the juice anyway.

“Trouble,” he murmured under his breath, placing a plate in front of you. “I make this for girls when they’re… not having the best of times.”

The tenderness in his voice caught you off guard, and you blinked rapidly, fighting back the sudden rush of emotion. He saw it—of course he did—and for a moment, all he wanted was to pull you into his arms and hold you close.

Because you were family. Somehow, after everything, you still were.

“This is amazing!” you exclaimed after taking a bite, genuinely impressed by the breakfast in front of you.

“Stop sounding so damn surprised,” he grumbled, though there was a faint blush creeping up his neck. “Had to learn to cook at some point, didn’t I?”

You raised an eyebrow, teasing. “Does that mean you can cook something other than an omelet?”

“Shut up and eat,” he shot back, but there was a warmth in his voice that made you chuckle. And he forced himself to ignore the way his heart stuttered at the sound of your laughter.

The silence that settled between you after that was comfortable. Not the awkward kind, but the kind that feels easy, lived-in. Domestic. Joel found himself liking it more than he expected. It made him feel something he hadn’t in a long time—content. Maybe even hopeful. Despite all the time that had passed, despite everything that had changed, you still felt like someone special to him. He could only hope you felt the same.

“Joel?” The softness in your voice drew his attention, and he tilted his head slightly, noticing the shift in the air. He glanced down, seeing your empty plate, but something else had changed, something more than the mood.

“I want this to be small,” you said, your voice steady but carrying the weight of something deeper. “Just family. Just us…” His eyes widened for a moment as your words sank in. He nodded, taking your hand in his, warmth and reassurance radiating from the simple gesture.

“I’ll take care of everything,” you continued, your tone laced with a quiet determination. “But will you let me? I want it done as soon as possible. I know it sounds awful, but the longer I wait, the harder it gets to live with myself, thinking that…”

“It’s all up to you,” he interrupted gently, squeezing your hand. “It was your father, sweetheart. I’ll help however you need, or I’ll stay out of the way if you want to handle it alone.”

You nodded, grateful, though Joel could sense there was something more lurking beneath the surface, something unspoken. But he didn’t push. Ellie’s voice, her straightforward nature, lingered in the back of his mind, reminding him not to press too hard.

For now, this was enough.

***

It took three days to make everything work. The days blurred together in a quiet haze of paperwork and hushed phone calls, the weight of grief hanging heavily over you like a damp fog. When the service is small—just a handful of people, just the essentials—it can all be arranged without much fuss. That’s what the funeral director told you. No fuss, no big ordeal, just a simple burial by hand. You weren’t sure if it was the kind of send-off your father would’ve wanted. After all, how can anyone ever be certain about what the dead truly wish for?

But there was one thing you were sure of: he’d want to rest beside your mother. They hadn’t always had the easiest relationship, but in the end, they’d come together in their quiet way. So you decided to bury him next to her, imagining—perhaps naively—that this is what he would have wanted too. Together, forever, at last.

The evening before the service, you stood in your kitchen, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound breaking the stillness. You had your hands deep in the mixing bowl, trying to prepare some food for tomorrow, though your mind kept wandering. Preparing food for a funeral—it felt like such a trivial task for something as monumental as death. But what else could you do? It was easier than thinking too much.

You were just about to set the dough aside when you heard your name being called from the front door. A familiar voice, deep and steady. Joel.

"In the kitchen!" you called back, quickly wiping your hands on your apron. You turned toward the doorway, expecting to see him, but instead, you froze.

Standing there, in the middle of your kitchen, was a teenage girl. She couldn’t have been more than 5’3”, maybe 14 or 15 years old, with auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes—pale green, sharp, and thoughtful—were locked onto you, studying you in a way that felt both curious and guarded. A hint of mischief flickered in her gaze, but there was something else too. A softness, an openness, that reminded you of Joel, though he’d never admit to it. Her fair skin was dotted with freckles, and a small scar bisected her right eyebrow, giving her an air of toughness beyond her years. She was striking in her own way.

“Hi,” you managed to say, blinking away your surprise as a smile tugged at your lips. Quickly, you cleaned your hands on your apron and extended one toward her. “I’m glad to meet you.”

“Hi. I’m Ellie,” the girl replied, shaking your hand with a small, slightly awkward smile. There was something almost shy about it, despite the spark in her eyes. “Joel thought it would be better for me to introduce myself, you know… before I just barged in.”

“Ellie!” Joel’s voice came from behind her, a low growl of embarrassment as he rolled his eyes. He stepped into the room, looking more exasperated than truly annoyed.

“It’s fine,” you laughed softly, waving him off and pulling Ellie to sit at the table. “I’m happy to finally meet you.”

“Really?” Ellie asked, her tone tinged with genuine surprise. It wasn’t just polite shock; she seemed honestly bewildered by the idea that someone might be eager to meet her.

“Of course! After all the things Joel has told me about you, I couldn’t wait to get to know you in person.” Your words were warm, but they weren’t just pleasantries. From the way Joel spoke of her, you’d gathered that she wasn’t just some kid he looked after—Ellie meant something to him. And that, in turn, meant something to you. You could see her eyes brighten, a flash of innocent happiness that she tried to hide behind a casual shrug. From the corner of your eye, you caught Joel’s subtle expression of gratitude—a barely whispered “thank you” that only you could hear.

“I’m making food for tomorrow,” you said, gesturing toward the half-prepared dishes on the counter. “But I’m more than happy to take a break. Are you guys hungry?”

“Starving!” Ellie groaned, dramatically throwing her head back.

“You’re always starving,” Joel scoffed, though there was an unmistakable fondness in his tone as he reached for his phone. “Is Chinese good?”

“Let me pay this time, Joel,” you insisted, reaching for your wallet. “You paid for the pizza the other night, and you did all that shopping for me—”

Before you could finish, Joel’s hand came down on yours, firm but gentle. “Put that away before I get mad,” he said, his voice low, but there was a playful spark in his eyes. You raised a brow at him, a silent challenge, but eventually you relented, slipping your wallet back into your pocket. You’d let him win this round, but you had no intention of letting him off the hook next time.

“So, Ellie,” you began, turning your attention back to the girl who was now watching the two of you with barely concealed amusement. “How’s Mr. Grumpy over here doing?”

Ellie’s face lit up with a mischievous grin, and in that moment, you knew you’d found common ground with her. “Oh, you have no idea,” she said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “He’s a total nightmare sometimes.”

“Ellie,” Joel warned, but there was no real bite to his tone. It was all for show, and the girl knew it. You couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound of it easing some of the lingering tension in the air. Joel, despite his best efforts to maintain his gruff exterior, looked almost… content. Like this moment, this tiny sliver of normalcy, was something he had long forgotten how to enjoy.

You felt it too. This was what life was supposed to feel like—a simple evening, good company, laughter shared over takeout. It was fleeting, you knew that. Tomorrow would bring the weight of grief back down on your shoulders, but for now, this moment was enough to remind you that there were still things worth holding onto. And somehow, Joel and Ellie had found their way into that part of your heart that still believed in the possibility of family.

***

“How are you holding up?” Sarah asked, her voice soft, drawing you out of your thoughts. It was still hard for you to believe how much Sarah had changed in the three years since you last saw her. She wasn’t the teenager you remembered—now she was a young woman, a student with a quiet confidence about her. You didn’t know her mother, but every time you looked into Sarah’s eyes, you saw Joel’s spirit in them, clear and steady.

“Been better. But hell, it’s been worse too,” you replied, shrugging slightly as you leaned your head against her shoulder. The ceremony had ended. It had been brief, but it was nice, intimate. The pastor had spoken with tenderness, and for a fleeting moment, you felt surrounded by a sense of family. A small family, to be sure, but a family nonetheless. There was a strange comfort in knowing that your parents were together again, side by side. It made you smile in a way that surprised even you, like a warmth settling in your chest.

You had never known two people more in love than your parents. Their bond was the kind that people often dream about but rarely find—a connection so deep that you used to tease them, calling them lovesick teenagers. It was sickeningly sweet, and you’d always envied them for it. Even now, you couldn't help but admire how they were, like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together.

“Tired,” you admitted after a pause, your voice quieter now. Sarah, ever gentle, took your hand, her thumb tracing slow circles over your skin. It was a small comfort, but it grounded you in a way that words couldn’t. “I’m not even sure I’m hungry.” She chuckled softly, her gaze drifting to the kitchen where Joel had gone, dragging Ellie with him to heat up the food. You knew, instinctively, that he’d done it to give you and Sarah a moment alone. Joel always seemed to know when to step back, when to let you breathe.

“You did well with all of this,” Sarah murmured, resting her head lightly on yours. The bond between you had always been strong, like sisters. Despite the years and the distance, you’d never really grown apart. Even when you left, Sarah had stayed in touch, though something had shifted after your father’s illness. It was as if that change had redefined you, hardened something inside. Yet through it all, Sarah still saw the same person—the one who was kind and gentle, no matter the scars you carried.

“What’s the plan now?” she asked carefully, sensing your unease, but her tone was soft enough not to startle you. Still, her question made you stiffen for just a moment, the future feeling suddenly uncertain, as though it loomed too large on the horizon.

“Since your dad called me, nothing has really gone according to plan,” you sighed, pulling away slightly, sitting up straighter as if the distance could help you organize your thoughts. “I took two weeks off from work, hoping it would be enough time, but…”

“There’s still time,” Sarah interrupted, her tone light and reassuring. She shrugged as if to ease your worries. “It hasn’t even been a full week yet. Give yourself a break. You’re allowed to take the time you need.”

“You sound just like Joel, you know that?” you teased, though the laugh that followed was weak, more reflex than genuine amusement. Sarah looked over at her dad, who was now deep in conversation with Ellie, likely trying to wrangle her into helping in the kitchen. The corner of her mouth quirked up into a smile, but you could see the affection in her eyes as she watched them.

“How are you handling this whole Ellie situation?” you asked, grateful for the change in subject. You weren’t used to being vulnerable, and Sarah knew that, so she let you steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Ellie’s a spitfire,” Sarah admitted with a fond grin. “But damn, it’s hard not to love her. She’s good for Dad, you know? Keeps him on his toes.” Her smile softened as she continued, “It’s nice to know he’s not alone when I’m at uni. I worry about him less, knowing she’s around.”

You smiled at that, glad to hear that Sarah wasn’t feeling pushed aside. “He’s not that old, you know,” you said with mock indignation, raising an eyebrow at her. “He’s not even forty yet.”

Sarah sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “He’ll be forty this year,” she retorted, making you both laugh, the sound lightening the weight of the day just a little.

Then her expression grew more serious, her voice quieter. “Can I be honest with you?” she asked, and there was something in her tone that made you nod without hesitation, bracing yourself for what she had to say.

“I don’t know if you want to hear this, but after you left… your dad and mine—they worked things out. It was like your leaving shook your dad up. He got his act together. But even after that, I could always tell that Dad carried this… weight. Like something was still sitting heavy on his shoulders.” She paused, glancing at you to see how you were taking it, but when you didn’t pull away, she continued. “I asked him about it once, but you know him. He doesn’t talk about that kind of stuff.”

You nodded, frowning slightly, wanting to say something, but Sarah wasn’t done. She held up her hand gently, asking you silently to let her finish. “I always thought there was nothing I could do. I was just a kid, and maybe I was too afraid to admit that you might fall apart. As long as you stayed strong, I told myself everything was okay. But looking back now, I realize that we, as your family, should have done something. If I feel guilty for not stepping in sooner, I can only imagine how Dad feels. He doesn’t show it, but I think… I think he feels like he failed you.”

Sarah’s voice caught in her throat, and she squeezed your hand, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “So I’m going to ask you for one last selfish thing,” she whispered. “Talk to him. You two need to have that conversation you’ve both been avoiding. I know it’s hard, but if anyone can take that weight off his shoulders, it’s you. And if anyone understands you the way you need to be understood, it’s him. Promise me you’ll talk to him.”

For a long moment, you were silent, your heart heavy with the truth of her words. You’d spent so much time avoiding the conversation, pretending like it wasn’t necessary. But Sarah was right. You and Joel had both been carrying burdens that neither of you could lift on your own.

“You, Sarah Miller, are the least selfish person I know,” you said softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry if we made you worry. I never wanted whatever was going on between me and my dad to affect you or Joel. I just… I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

“I know,” Sarah replied, her voice tender, understanding. “But I’m glad you see it now. I just want you both to be okay.”

The sound of Joel and Ellie bickering in the kitchen drifted into the room, and you couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Joel trying—and failing—to win the argument. Sarah glanced between you and her father, something thoughtful in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to.

[silverryu25]

day 5; constellation of stars

“Have you forgotten how it all ended last time?”

;3 💖💖💖💖

Ohhhh yes~ >:3

Some nice star time for our favourite skele. Hope you enjoy it Kiran!! X3

DAY 5 - Constellation or stars + “Have you forgotten how it all ended last time?”

Tags: suggestive ending

--------------------------

Stars, the one thing that had always drawn him like a moth to a flame.

A big part of his life was spent daydreaming about the possibility of ever even catching a glimpse of the real stars as he played around with the star-like gems in the caves of Waterfall. The gems were beautiful in their own way, but they couldn’t even be called a pale imitation of the real thing. The first time he saw the night sky as the sun set right after they finally stepped on the surface he felt his soul leap in pure wonder.

It was a sight he never could have imagine.

A sight that he never believed he would live to see.

Yet there he was, eyelights gazing at an endless expanse of the Milky Way. Millions upon billions of stars sparkling so much more beautifully then any Waterfall gem ever could.

It was a sight that he would never forget.

It was the second brightest day in his life. The first one being the moment Papyrus was born.

He thought it would remain that way forever, that nothing could ever outshine the beauty and magnificence of the uncountable constellations and stars his very soul sang to him about in his dreams.

Yet, somehow, he was wrong.

Because here he was, sitting below the clear night sky. No clouds, moon or city lights to obscure the majesty of everything the naked eye could see for millions and billions miles in every direcion he turned. But instead of feeling his soul pound in joy and excitement at the vastness above him, his gaze was transfixed besides him. 

At a fellow skeleton monster that somehow took up presence inside his whole soul.

Sans’ white eyelights shone with a soft glow as his soul beat faster every time Red’s eyelights sparkled as he identified another constellation.

They had planned this trip for months, ever since Red’s people came to the surface. They had a hard time integrating in the peaceful world that awaited them outside of their underground so they needed a lot of help.

It was unanimously decided by the two monster kings that every monster would live with their counterpart until they found their footing and could start life on their own. But somehow, instead of leaving when he got a good and stable job, Red stayed with Sans and slowly, their relationship deepend.

It took a long time for them to actually confess to each other. A drunken pun fight led to something more and ended up with them confessing before their brains really caught up with what they were even saying. After that, well let’s just say things turned steamy and puns went down south real fast~.

It’s been months since then. They were both busy with work and helping out with ambassador activities that their brothers organized for both Frisks. Finally, after months of planning and postponing, they got away together for a fun stargazing camping trip. A perfect combination of a shared love of stars and lazing around doing nothing.

But instead of looking at the stars, Sans’ gaze was glued to Red.

He just couldn’t stop marveling at how lucky he got. How life actually gave him something to love this deeply and freely. It was so atypical of him, so out of character that even he was shocked when he first realized what Red actually meant to him. But slowly, he came to accept those feelings and even shared them with Red little by little.

It was a bonus that any mention of love made Red turn his namesake. It was honestly too adorable and fun to tease Red every time he could.

He was so lost in thoughts that he missed something Red told him.

“hmmm?” Sans blinked his eyelights as he tried to focus on here and now.

“wha’s wron’ sweetheart?” Red flashed a smirk his way. “head full’a stars?”

“*snort*, there’s only one star bright enough for me, red.” Sans purred as his half-lidded gaze stared back at Red. Sans’ smile spread even wider as a soft crimson blush spread over Red’s cheekbones.

“stars dammit! dat was so corny! one star!” Red turned away to hide his obvious blush, as if that was possible in the dark while they were so close.

“aw, don’t be like that red. i’m staring to think you don’t love me anymore.”

“hardy har har. yer just pullin’ on my starstrings an’ ya know it.”

“what can i do, you are the star of my show.”

With a groan Red just turned back and deadpanned at Sans, making him chuckle. Red was the best.

Before Red could snark back anymore Sans leaned forward and kissed him. Their magic sparked as their tongues intertwined, the heat of their breaths a stark contrast with cool night air. They continued kissing until they both ran our of breath, leaning their foreheads together as they stared at each others eyelights. Bright white and red stars of their own.

“ya better stop dere sweetheart if ya don’ wan’ me ta jump yer bones.”

“heh, who says i don’t want you to?”

“but…” Red’ eyelights darted to the side, almost like he wanted to look around for something or someone. “hav’ ya forgo’en how it all end’d last time?”

“...” Sans lazily smiled and gave Red a chaste kiss on the teeth. “i’m not that easily startled out of trying again. are you?”

--------------------------

The end UwU

Hope you like the value ending XD

If you’re wondering what happened last time they tired having some fun time in an open space… well it was a bit of an embarrassing mess ;P

Will they have more luck this time…………… I’ll let you guess >:3c

[coralseacourt]

Undeniably yours Part 5 by @coralseacourt

Summery:

A girl falling through darkness into a world of fae, landing right in Hybern’s Throne room. Azriel finding his mate but not wanting her. Rhysand’s & feyre’s bond severed for good. What else could go wrong? 🐚🪸🐚🪸🐚🪸🐚🪸🐚🪸🐚🪸🐚🪸

Azriel x Reader x Rhysand

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7,

Part 5

tik, tik, tik,

I was starring at the clock on the wall my head hanging of the bed.

I sighed dramatically.

I needed to be patient .

Rhys had told me to wait for him, he was planning to introduce me to an old friend.

So I would wait.

Since my accidental almost blow up I had been living in Rhysand’s townhouse.

He had given me a room for myself and declared that it was in everyone’s best interest that I would stay with him.

Which apparently hadn’t gone over well with the Shadowsinger.

He had shown up the next morning demanding answers where I had been all night long .

I had tried to listen to their conversation but after the door to Rhysand’s’ office had been closed every noise inside of it had been silenced.

Magic. I scoffed.

tik, tik,tik

“Argh .” This was enough patience.

I tried to heave myself up back on the bed which somehow made me fall off with a big thump, in the same moment the door opened and Rhysand came in stopping in front of me and starring in surprise.

“Darling, as much as I would enjoy your sight kneeling in front of me , I do have to wonder how you got in this position.”

He chuckled and stretched his hand out for me to take.

“ I was waiting for you, like you said.” My fade was heating up from embarrassment.

“And?” He asked.

“And somehow I lost my balance and fell off the bed?”

I was pulled up and into his Arms, holding me tight around my middle.

His smell intoxicated me and made my legs all soft and gooey.

Looking up in to his eyes, I could see that his pupils had widened and completely turned black.

He leaned down and softly rubbed his nose on my bare neck.

“ You smell delicious.”

He took a deep breath and sighed.

“Exactly like the lemon tarts my Mother always made for me.”

He whispered so quietly I wasn’t sure it really was meant for my ears.

I shivered , my cheeks felt like burning coal and my heart was pounding uncontrollably.

One of his Hands loosened around my middle and I realized very quickly not to let me go, instead he was leading his fingers slowly from my waist upwards.

His face was still buried in my neck.

Slowly moving up past my rips my breath started coming out faster my lips opening slightly.

His touch was so tender , as if he was scared I would reject and pull away.

But even if I wanted to I couldn’t.

I was frozen in my movements.

But my mind was screaming “more” .

It was the curiosity of what he would do next that let me control my reaction , otherwise I probably would’ve fainted.

His hand was wandering , barely touching over my chest .

My breath stocked for a moment until he passed the sensitive area.

He put his hand underneath my long curly hair and around my neck running his thumb up and down my throat. “ Your hair look like gold dust and your skin is softer than silk.”

I could feel his lips touching my skin lightly .

Kissing his way up my throat biting softly at some point.

“And you taste Devine.”

I gasped loudly. Feeling a shift in my body. My stomach tightening and my legs shake.

He groaned in to my ear.

Pulling me closer, his mouth moving over my cheek the anticipation was almost visible.

His fingers grabbed my neck harder.

Soft warm lips suddenly touching mine, moving untamed and hot.

His tongue darted out and slowly licked over my lip.

Likea invite to open up.

“Rhysand.” Came a female voice from downstairs. With a groan he pulled away and seemed completely unwilling to let go.

I sighed unsatisfied. “To be continued, Sunshine.”

He whispered darkly in my ear and without missing a beat he went on to say.

“Let’s go , Amren doesn’t like to wait.”

He made a grimace like he himself couldn’t stand the thought to anger the female.

I nodded still out of breath and uncomfortably hot, but now remembering why I had been waiting all morning and followed him nervously out of the room.

“ So what exactly is she going to help me with?” I had to ask to prepare myself mentally.

“Amren knows a lot about magic, she is a walking library. She will help you , find out what exactly is going on .We need to Control it before it controls you. But don’t worry, I will be with you”.

“ Will it hurt? It hurted the last time .”

“No Darling it shouldn’t hurt. You were charged up with emotions and energy. It’s like pressure that couldn’t find a release, so it broke out of you.”

I had to think back to that moment .

It had felt so painful like burning from the inside out.

Emotions. Yes there had been a lot of Emotions.

The water. The black figure that was holding me down.

The smell of liquor.

The darkness.

I had to shiver, and didn’t notice that Rhys had stopped walking and I crashed into him.

Smashing my nose on his shoulder blade

“Autsch.”

I groans quietly while rubbing my nose.

“ Rhys? Everything alright?”

I asked trying to figure out why he had stopped in the middle of the hallway.

He didn’t answer but started walking again and I followed silently.

We reached the office where a small sharp looking fae with black short hair and silver eyes was waiting.

“ You must be the girl everyone is talking about.” She gave me a calculating smile and narrowed her eyes.

“ Hello, i m y/n nice to meet you.” I said trying to be confident, probably completely failing and stretched my hand out to shake it.

Which seemed to confuse her. “ Girl, take your hand down you look ridiculous.”

My cheeks heated up in embarrassment and I dropped my hand stepping backwards away from the sharp tongued female.

“Play nice Amren.”

Rhys tone was clearly a warning, but Amren only smiled and her brows raised slightly.

“ What’s that smell? High Lord, is there something I should know?”

The deep growl coming from Rhysand surprised me .

Did I miss something.

I tried to detect anything in the air wrinkling my nose but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

my confusion must have shown because the tiny ancient looking one continued.

“Oh Rhys, how amusing. The little bird doesn’t even realize what’s going on.”

Her degrading tone made me feel small , child like.

“ I didn’t call you here to make assumptions or rip open truths that shouldn’t be revealed yet.”

“So what exactly do you want from me then, oh dear lord of Nightmares? Because if you want me to sit here and babysit your new shiny project then I will let you know that my time is better used.”

She planted herself on one of the sofas and started playing with a jewel covered necklace that was laid around her neck.

“Her powers, what can you tell me about them.” Was all he said his voice angry and frustrated.

she looked up with her brows raised, a calculating smile displaying playing on her face.

“Ah yes, Azriel informed me about her little performance, quite a lightball you got there.”

She chuckled loudly.

The atmosphere made me nervous especially the moment Azriel’s name passed over amren’s lips. They had talked with each other .

He hated me.

So how big was the chance that he didn’t say anything condemning?

Probably low.

“ You talked with Azriel about her? Before you talked with me?” The shock showed in his face.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“ Am i not allowed to talk to whoever i want?

But yes . He told me it looked like starlight, told me she was barely visible from the brightness.

It’s quite interesting. “

She started looking at her red painted nails.

I swallowed loudly.

I had shined?

Like a star?

Was that the burning sensation I had felt?

“I do have to ask girl, what exactly was it that you were thinking about? As far as I know you can’t remember anything isn’t that right?”

She smiled at me , but it was definitely not a kind gesture.

Did she know that I had seen memories?

“I…..I saw something when I tried to remember.”

I blinked nervously.

Rhys froze next to me.

“ Is it the same memories you thought about when we left your room?”

He had read my mind again?

Did he so easily get in to my head?

The thought scared me.

I only nodded slightly.

“Can you show me?”

Show him ?

I didn’t want to, but it felt like the question wasn’t really a question but more an order.

“Alright” I whispered.

I prepared myself for the black shadows reaching out to me.

“ I will let Amren watch if that’s alright with you, maybe then she can understand it better .”

It made me feel uncomfortable to know they would see both into my head, but I only nodded.

And then I felt him reach. Reach deep in to my mind.

He smelled what I smelled,

saw what I saw,

felt what I felt.

Silent tears were falling.

Knowing, that this was all I had from my life before and it was a thought I couldn’t accept, didn’t want to accept.

The pictures were running past my eyes.

Over and over, like a never ending cycle.

Everything started to blur.

And a voice reached through to me.

“I need you to be brave. I need you to be what I couldn’t be”.

I could feel the tingling sensation again but this time it didn’t hurt, it warmed me like a fireplace in a cold Winters night or sunshine in a spring breeze.

my eyes were closed but I could see someone standing in front of me .

Brown short Hair, blue eyes , a smile on his lips and he seemed to say something but the tone was muted.

His attire was strange nothing I had seen in the night court.

Blue pants , out of a strange material and a white t shirt with strange symbols on it.

His face started to vanish but before he could disappear completely i got a good view of his ears .

They were human.

I ripped my eyes open.

Rhys was standing in front of me and to my surprise Azriel was standing in the middle of the room next to Amren.

“Everything alright, darling?”

I blinked.

Human? Was this a memory?

Had I been human?

Was this someone important?

A brother? A friend? Something more? It hadn’t felt like a brother .

“y/n, answer me. Are you alright?”

Azriel walked with big steps over and ripped me from Rhys.

Shaking me hard so my teeth were clamping against each other.

“Answer, what’s wrong.”

“I m ok,” I whispered.

“I think I was human before I came here.”

Azriel looked over to his chosen brother.

“ Just like the Archeron sisters, but from where did you come?”

Rhys seemed to guess the answer.

“Not from our world. Whatever place she came from felt through and through human in her mind.”

He had felt it? Maybe even saw the man I had seen?

Azriel looked down at me his hands still grabbing my shoulders. “ You was lighting up again. But differently than before.”

His voice sounded fascinated?

“I need to go , I will make some research on this.”

And with that Amren disappeared from the room.

There was an awkward silence now.

Rhys still in thought not paying any attention to us.

The male in front of me looked down, curious eyes wandering over my face, and came to a stop on my lips.

My hands started sweating and I looked in Rhys direction, not sure if i wanted to be saved from the slightly awkward situation.

But he seemed completely invested in his thoughts didn’t realize what was going on around him.

“ I have some books I will look through, y/n you can wander through the house if you like.” He didn’t even look at me before he turned and walked out.

I gulped.

Azriel’s hand darted out and pulled a loose lock behind my ear.

“You are scared of me.” Scared? Scared?

I was terrified, in front of me was the same male that had made me feel small , had insulted me, yelled at me.

Of course I was scared.

I narrowed my eyes and stepped back.

“ Who wouldn’t? You haven’t really been welcoming to me.

Quite the opposite actually, you’ve been rude and condemning , accusing and insulting.

So yes I m scared. “

my voice was shaking at the last part.

His arms had dropped after I had stepped away and his face looked pained? Which changed fast to determination .

Now coming closer again it must have seemed like a dance.

I tried to get farther away but I tripped and had he not grabbed me I would have landed on the ground.

He pressed me to him and curled his arms tightly around my middle.

I squeaked surprised and he chuckled darkly.

“I cought you, do I get a reward now?”

His mouth whispered softly into my ear, lips touching my earlobe lightly.

My stomach felt like getting kicked. “ I think you should let go of me. And why would you think that you get a reward for being a decent person ?”

I almost growled the last part getting annoyed by his behavior.

But of course instead of letting go he only pulled me closer taking a deep breath and suddenly distancing himself from me? His face changed from satisfied to angry.

“Why is his smell all over you?”

He starred me down mercilessly, his arms still having an anchor grip on me.

“ What do you mean?” I asked confused.

“ I m not going to repeat myself again. Why is Rhysand’s smell all over you?”

I smelled like him? But what did he care who I smelled like?

“ I don’t know why this would be any of your concern.”

He scoffed loudly.

“ Everything that has to do with you is my concern. You are coming with me, I knew leaving you here was a bad idea ”

I only had the chance to gasp before he pulled me closer to him and we disappeared in his shadows.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part7

Tag list: @hnyclover , @judig92 ,

@immoreg4ythanyou

[decapitatedrathead]

𐙚..Love Fool.. 𐙚

Zantetsu Tsurugi x gn!reader

♡!A/N!♡: I'm writing after a whole YEAR (since I kinda...like...deleted all of my fics) but hey, a start is best when it's fresh

Hence why I have to start with one of my favorite idiots; Zantetsu

♡!TW!♡: grammar errors? Idk I'm as dumb as him. otherwise none! Just fluff! I tried to keep it gn, plsss tell me if there's an error abt ittt

You never really understood how you got the patience and nerves to put up with him, since...he's been seriously getting on your nerves by how... STUPID he is and can get

But..who wouldn't be when he couldn't understand basic math?

"So, do I just multiple this? Or..."

What did he mean by or ! There's a fricking × sign there...

"....Tsurugi..it's literally just 5×7-0,47. That's all you have to do."

He looked at his paper dumbfounded, then back at his notebook...then back at his paper before finally looking up at you...yeah he definitely didn't understand what you just said......

"Uh..can you say that again in a more....dumbed down way?"

Sometimes you wonder why you agreed to tutor him...

"...Tsu...what's 5×7..?"

He blinks for a few second...then he frowns as he thinks, then hesitantly answers.

"Uh...35...?"

Wow....the moron got something right for once, maybe cause you were about to beat him up the last time you were tutoring him and teaching him basic multiplication.

"Did you REALLY have to think for that long to answer what's 3×7...?"

"Hey!- I'm not good at math ok?-"

He huffed before going, surprisingly, silent...it was quiet for a few seconds before he spoke up again.

"...So what's 35-0,47 then?"

"You're not good at using your brain....and it's 34,53."

It was amusing how he stared at you dumbfounded for a few moments, before he looked at his notebook to check it himself. Surprise, surprise, you were right. Yet he was still dumbfounded by how easily you calculated that..

"H-how...did you do that so fast-?"

"It's grade school math at best, Tsurugi...."

After an overly dramatic groan....he put down his pencil, slouching back in his seat.

"Hey, not everyone can be a brainiac like you, y'know.."

"I'm not a braniac...I also struggle with big equations......"

With a scoff, you simply crossed your arms and looked at him..almost in a judging way

Probably judging how stupid he is

Yet... you wouldn't know how much he liked and adored the way you crossed your arms to look serious...

"....but that's like a...whole new world for you."

He rolled his eyes and lightly slapped your arm in retaliation, pouting like a 4 year old...

"Ha-ha hilarious ...not my responsibility to be good with math, I'm good with football-"

"How will football help in math or English?"

"I...I-"

He was at a loss for words...he didn't have a good comeback for that one. So he let out another frustrated groan before crossing his arms and pouting once more

"...shut up!...not my fault I'm good with sports and not good with words..."

A snort escaped out of your nose...and they way you grinned at him in that smartassed way..

"You're dumb, that's that. And I won't be mellifluous about it."

"I....am not dumb!- I just-"

Surprisingly, he let out another groan, frustrated at himself and the situation.

"And stop using your big words...I have no idea what you're saying-"

"Aaaah right right, I do solemnly apologise for using such a profound vocabulary on my dearest companion."

He put his face in his hands, groaning in frustration again, then took a few seconds to try and process what you just said before looking back up at you with his brows furrowed.

"Now you're just doing it on purpose..."

"Of course I'm doing it on purpose... you're stupid."

His eye..twitched in annoyance. So he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table as he stared at you with a frustrated but firm expression.

"Hey! I am not stupid, I'm just...not as smart when it comes to words and math and stuff...I'm good at football- at least..."

Then he leaned on to the table, his chin propped on his palm..

"..at least that's what I like to think."

That's when you chuckled... stood up, and took your school bag off the library table

"How about we pack up and finish tomorrow..? I don't want your little brain to fry.."

And with a genuine smile....you leaned down and kissed his cheek....

"See ya, Tsurugi...."

He didn't even have time to register that you left after that stunt you pulled

You left him...flabbergasted...brain short-circuiting when he whipped his head in your direction

Just to see you leave the school library...

Sure, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he could admit he was whipped for you

Oh my goodness gracious! Idk why, but it kinda feels nice to be backkk

~Posted on July 3rd, 2024~

[real-total-drama-takes]

This took a while because I dug up old emails and rang some people from my childhood for this, including my father who I haven't seen for three years. Here's how the Duncan, Courtney and Gwen saga caused my parents to divorce.

I was like 10 when World Tour came out and I used to watch it with one of my neighbours when each episode aired. We were at that sort of obsessed age where it was all we talked about, so we'd not shut the fuck up about it, I think I still have some Gwen fanart I drew. Anyway, when the greek episode aired, we got way too excited and replayed the the part we recorded a couple of times. By the time we were finished she missed curfew for about 30 minutes and I went to bed.

I woke up, with both parents gone from the home and my grandmother bringing me to her house. For about a week I stayed with her in total confusion not knowing anything, until my mother came and brought me home, my father not there. She said they split up, I was bummed but honestly more bummed that she, for some reason, banned me from ever watching Total Drama again.

It took me about 5 years until I found out what happened that night.

My friend ran home, and tried to get food from her kitchen without alerting her mom. But she was 10, so it didn't work. Her mom was pissed she came home late and without eating, started lecturing her while she made excuses. At one point she said something along the lines of "But mom! Courtney found out Duncan kissed Gwen." And that made her mom stop. Her mom asked again, she replied "Courtney found out he kissed her best friend, and she lost it"

Something happened, between the eating the food and the rushed speech, that her mother only heard "Courtney found out *gibberish* kissed gw*gibberish*"

A little bit of context I should add. My mothers name is Courtney. Well, Kourtney.

Another little bit of context.

My father was having an affair with my neighbours mother, my moms best friend.

Somewhere between the chewing, the speech impediment or just her mothers fear, she thought my mother had found out about the affair.

She sent my friend to her room and banned her from ever speaking to me again.

She called my father who was at work to tell him, so he freaked out and tried to get flowers and gifts to, I guess soften the blow?

So when he walked in to the house, flowers in hand, mistress following behind apologising, my mother didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

I don't know the specifics of what happened next, but I asked my father and he said that my mother attacked him & the mistress, and forced him out of the house. He, in turn, "reprimanded" (read, beat the shit out of) the other woman and got sent to jail. Overnight my mother decided to send me to her mother while she sorted things out around the house and asked my friends mother what the hell went on, and then filed for divorce from my father.

I didn't know this until I contacted my friend again, but there were three other consequences of the Duncan, Courtney Gwen saga (remember this is what was about). 1. My friends mother lost her position in the church due to the affair being revealed. 2. My father called in cps and alleged neglect in the home, sending my friend into foster care for a period of time. And 3. It came out about four years ago that the youngest sibling of my friend was biologically my fathers.

I didn't watch Total Drama again until I was 19. I started at the episode I never got to see, The Ex Files.

When Boyfriend Kisser came out it physically pained me so much I switched off the episode and didn't go back to it for another year.

TLDR- Not only did the Duncan, Courtney and Gwen saga cause my parents to divorce, it caused multiple physical assaults, a woman losing her job and a group of siblings going into foster care.

All for Boyfriend Kisser, the worst song I have ever heard

.

[scribefindegil]

god. i’m still real fucked up over Manga Mogami Arc, and not for any of the reasons people warned me about. like, Mogami’s world ramps up the violence above what they could show in the anime (which, thanks Bones, I personally could not have handled watching that so I’m glad they toned it down), but that makes sense for him. he’s a powerful evil spirit who’s created a hell dimension. it’s brutal, but it isn’t unexpected.

what got me was what happened before that.

[Image ID: A partial page from the Mob Psycho 100 manga. Panel 1: A psychic picks up an ornate staff and says, “So she beats us to death, one by one ... or we beat on her, all together.” Panel 2: Another psychic, sweating, asks, “You really think the client would agree to that ...?” Panel 3: A closeup of the first psychic, veins bulging and eyes narrowed. He says, “The client is currently bleeding out on the floor. Open your eyes. This is no time for questions about morals and ethics ...” Panel 4: Dialogue continues, “It’s looking more like ... kill or be killed.” The crowd of psychics looks distraught. Panel 5: Reigen, with a horrified expression, thinks “Things were already bad, but ...” End ID]

So for those of you who haven’t read the manga, there’s a point after Mogami has trapped everyone in the basement and revealed the extent of his power where some of the other psychics decide that their best strategy for getting out of this situation is murder! Cool! (Does someone point out that Mogami’s spirit has already jumped into a different vessel and there’s nothing to stop him from doing it again? Yes! Does this give them pause? No!)

I think this is really interesting, because in the anime the real threat in this arc always comes from Mogami himself, even if it’s enacted through his spirits in the mindscape. But in the manga there’s this part that still takes place in the real world, with regular people who aren’t being controlled or possessed, and because their lives are in danger they’re willing to try to kill a middle-school girl to save themselves. Mogami must have been so chuffed. Here are these people all ready to prove his point about the darkness at the heart of human nature and how no one really cares about anyone but themselves, and he hardly even put them up to it! It reminds me of the part with the astral projection stalker, where it’s one thing to see this kind of behavior from an evil spirit, but it hits harder when it comes from living humans.

Also really important to note that they got this idea because of Reigen. Obviously he was not encouraging murder! But it was his successful knee-strike exorcism of Jodo that gave the other psychics the idea that they could defeat Mogami by doing physical violence to his host.

[Image ID: Jodo lies unconscious on the floor. Someone says, “You saw what just happened. Jodo was possessed ... but that dude’s kick took him down! We can try the same thing against her.” End ID]

And Reigen can tell that he won’t be able to talk them out of it! He freezes up! It’s Shinra who, very bravely and very stupidly, runs forward and tries to stop them and gets his face bashed in for it (i’m not screencapping this because it makes me too upset).

It just. It’s already so much in the anime when Mob refuses to accept Mogami’s worldview after six months in his world. It’s even more when the last things he experienced in the real world were so bleak. But he’s so, so brave and so, so stubborn, and he’s willing to believe that all those people deserve the chance to change too.