#kevin day made to be second best

[frizzy-frizz-frizz]

the way I would actually kill to read a fic in Android!Kevin's point of view...

....maybe I should write one

[nathaslosthershit]

Interviews and Playdates (OP81)

(Part of the Teen Dad!Oscar Piastri Au) Summary: The twins have made their paddock debut! The media is asking many of the drivers about it and the kids make a friend… or two.

The twins had been unable to sit still since they woke up this morning, too excited to get to visit the paddock for the first time and finally get to see their dad race. Oscar had hoped they would finally believe that he did in fact race the cars, something the twins were still not convinced of. 

Being that it was Oscar’s home race, he had decided to fly his family out to see his home. It was an exciting moment for the whole family. 

The minute they got to the paddock, all eyes were on them. Oscar and his fiancée had warned the kids of the media and fans, that there would be screaming and a lot of people. Luckily, the noise and amount of people just made the twins shy, huddling by their parents’ legs, which the adults definitely preferred, losing the two on the paddock at their first race wouldn’t have been the best of first impressions. 

As usual, the twins had their priorities in order. Before getting to the McLaren garage, they had demanded to their father that they be able to see their honorary uncle, Logan Sargeant, who wouldn’t be racing that day.

When the twins got to the Williams garage, their favorite American was waiting to greet them, with two LS2 Williams childrens hats, as well as a bag of blue colored candy for them to share. Despite how Logan had been feeling before they had come to visit, seeing them made him feel infinitely much better. 

“Logan please, they are off naps and if we give them sugar they are going to crash. I’m not even sure they are going to stay awake long enough to make it until race time.” Oscar pleaded as he watched his longtime friend ignore him and give his kids the treats anyway.

“Oscar its fine, let him spoil them a little.” Honey, Oscar’s fiancée, said.

“Do you guys like the new hats? See the LS? That's my logo. I thought when you guys are surrounded by all the orange- sorry papaya, you’d like to be able to easily see these two with their blue hats.” Logan said, first talking to the twins then their parents. Even if half of him just wanted to have them wearing Williams and Logan merch to piss Lando off, he also thought having them sticking out would be a good idea. It was sweet how much he cared.

After the Williams visit, on the way to the McLaren garage, the Piastri family was met with the two Haas drivers with two girls hiding behind them.

“Oscar, we have two girls here who wanted to say hi to the new grid kids.” Kevin Magnessun said as he pushed his daughter in front of him.

Oscar could see the Haas media admin recording this encounter, ready to capture the cute moment on tape.

But as kids do, there wasn’t much talking between the kids as their dads talked at first, finally after a bit of convincing and nudging, once the ice was broken, they had gotten along quite well. To the point that they all had to take their kids away, kicking and screaming once they had to leave. Luckily though, they had calmed down by the time they got to the McLaren garage. 

Tired from the sugar and fighting their parents when separating from the Haas girls, the twins weren’t too enthusiastic when greeted by McLaren members, which their parents apologized tenfold for. They did luckily perk up when they saw their second favorite  honorary uncle coming towards them. 

“What the hell are these two wearing, Oscar?” Lando asked, pointing to the LS hats the kids proudly adorned. 

“We stopped by the Williams garage just cause it was on the way and got two hats from Logan, I'm sure if you had beat him to it they would be wearing your merch but I think they are too attached to them now.” It was a lie, but Oscar didn’t feel the need to tell Lando his kids pleaded to go see Logan before him. He also didn’t mention that his son said he liked the hat so much because McLaren’s orange “hurt his eyes”. 

The kids were luckily well behaved for the race, having slept through a bit of it. They were also fortunate that, due to unfortunate circumstances, Logan joined them to watch a little bit of the Grand Prix. 

The best moment however, had to be when Oscar’s daughter saw him getting out of the car and finally muttered the words, “Daddy really drives the car!” to her mother. 

With all the excitement on the paddock about the Piastri twins, it seemed the media pen was more interested in what some of the drivers had to say about it, rather than asking questions about the race.

Logan Sargeant

“So Logan, rough day for you having to give up your car, but it seems your ‘niece and nephew’ have made their paddock debut, even rocking your own merch in the McLaren garage! How was that for you?” The interviewer asked.

“Yeah, them being here and keeping me company made it all a lot better. They immediately came to Williams because according to Oscar they were demanding to see me. And they wore the LS hats the entire time even though I wasn't racing so I think that has cemented me as the favorite once again.”

Lando Norris

“So it seems you and Logan Sargeant have a bit of an off track feud going on relating to the Norris twins and who their favorite uncle is. Logan had mentioned earlier that they had begged to go to Williams to visit him, before they even got to the McLaren garage. Did you know about this?”

The smile was immediately whipped from Lando’s face at this, “I had known, yes, when they came to the garage wearing Williams hats with a bag of treats in their hand I had assumed, but Oscar told me they just stopped over on the way there. I didn’t know they had asked specifically.”

“Seems he keeps lying to you about where the twins' loyalty lies.”

“He does! Makes me look like an idiot every time he does it.” Lando scoffed, “Whatever, I will win them over somehow. Logan just has a few years head start but I’ll find a way.”

Nico Hulkenburg

“Nico, a video posted by the Haas team earlier showed you and Kevin’s girls hanging out with the Piastri twins. Is there a budding friendship there between them?”

“Yes! They met for the first time today because Kevin and I had managed to bring our girls as well. So sweet seeing them altogether. I’m glad that Noemi will have more friends here. She was already telling her mom earlier that she wanted to plan a playdate with them. Might be hard given we live in different countries but I guess we will have to find a way.”

Daniel Ricciardo

“It's been a few months since it was revealed that your fellow aussie driver is a dad, now his kids are joining us on the paddock. What were your reactions at the time?” The interviewer asks.

“Well, I hadn’t known before he addressed it that he had kids, but it doesn’t seem like anyone else did so that isn’t too much of a surprise. Definitely a shock cause he is so young but good for him. I hadn’t seen his kids but I had heard they were over playing with the Haas girls which is adorable. He must be proud to show his kids what he does.” Daniel replied.

Alex Albon

“So, it seems one of your fellow 2019 rookie seems to have beef with your teammate over who is the better uncle to the Piastri twins. Being friends with both of them, do you have any input?”

“I knew before the rumors about the whole situation because Logan accidentally told most of our team when we were all kind of teasing him about how young he is and how he might be inexperienced in childcare, to which he then showed all of us the numerous pictures and videos of the twins that he took while babysitting or visiting, which I don’t think Oscar actually knew about him telling us. But it is sweet, he takes his uncle duties very seriously. Lando on the other hand, I think Oscar has done him an injustice by not telling him he isn’t the favorite because I think if he knew he had competition he would have been working much harder. Not that he isn’t also sweet with them but I think he may have offered to watch them a few more times.”

[car-o-line]

Hi, I saw ur headcanons with Doey/Matthew, Kevin and Jack with best friend reader.

can you do hc’s of reader being turned into PJ Pugapillar (their favorite toy) and the boys reaction to it.

my underrated boy needs some love.

pj my pookie, I’m actually happy there’s that theory that mommy longlegs didn’t kill pj because player cheated or smth, he doesn’t deserve to die, but y’all did so where’s the difference

Doey souls with reader turned into PJ-pugapillar

random scientists are green btw

Jack Ayers:

When he was an actual child, he met you when he was touring the factory. You were with one of the scientists while he was visiting the game station, the scientist in question introduced you to the boy.

“Ah, hello there buddy. Having fun? Great, this is Y/n. One of our many orphans who successfully has gotten adopted, isn’t that right Y/n?”

You didn’t expect to see a kid who wasn’t an orphan to this place, so you were a little surprised by his appearance in a place like this.

Jack beamed at the sight of you and waved at you happily and introduced himself to you, you said hello back and tried to do the same but sadly the scientist decided that was enough talking between the both of you and dragged you away from the little kid.

Jack was upset but didn’t mind much, you must’ve been pretty busy going to meet your new adopted parents.

Thats what all the kids thought.

Then he went into the vat room and we all know what happened next.

After being created into Doey for a while Jack eventually got somewhat used to traveling as a large blob of dough, but one day while Matthew was in charge of Doey he came across a vhs tape, placing it into the vcr which had the following script:

“This recording is a check-in on experiment 1399. Subject was recently transferred into the toy known as “Pj-pugapillar,” birth name, Y/n L/n. Subject seems confused and weary whenever scientists go in to do physical studies on them, perhaps it’s just 1399s natural reaction to that sort of stuff. Other than that 1399 seems stable enough to be brought into the Game Station, we thinks it’s the best option for now so Y/n could get a sense of familiarity within the place and their current position-”

The tape ended there, to Matthews dismay. He himself had little to no recollection of who you were. Perhaps it was just fuzzy memories of the past for him, but Jack remembered you. Your name, last name, you said both when you introduced yourself to him, maybe it was just a one sided attachment but Jack some reason felt so comfortable talking with you even if you both just met and it was for a small amount of time.

He was absolutely devastated, not only was Pj one of if not his favorite toy out of Playcare, he also believed you were safe from all this mess. He thought that you went home to a warm and welcoming family. But he guessed wrong apparently.

The whole ordeal made his emotions go out of hand, worse than Kevin even. And while, unlike Kevin who acted out of anger and hatred, Jack started to act out from grief and fear.

It was so bad even Poppy herself got concerned about Doey.

“We need- we need to find them! They’re lonely and hurt! So sorry y/n, so sorry!”

“Doey… do you need to take a break? Who’s Y/n..?”

He wanted to find you badly and tell you everything was going to be okay, but he just didn’t know where to look. Matthew brought up how Pj was always in the game “Statutes” but that was before the Hour of Joy.

Congrats you traumatized Jack a second time, dying and becoming his favorite toy :D

Matthew Hallard:

He thought you were just the sweetest when it was just an “orphanage.”

He’d always compare you and Pj alike, such as : “Oh Y/n, you’re so sneaky just like Pj-pugapillar!”

If you’ve ever asked why he always compared the both of you he always would answer “Because you’re my favorite kid here and Pjs my favorite toy here! It’s like it’s meant to be!” And then he’d stupidly ruffled your hair like if you were an actual pug(you smacked him)

But unfortunately, one day your adoption was announced to most of the orphans in Playcare. Most were saddened but none as more as Matthew, he was sad yes. But he was happy for you, he was happy that you were finally going to get a nice family. One to take care of you and protect you for the rest of your life. Oh how wrong he was.

When the time came for his turn to be tested on, or what was vaguely known as “adoption”, almost all he could think about were what happened to the children before him, Kevin, Quinn, Theodore, Marie, and you.

As Doey became well, himself Matthew declared himself as the leader of the 2 other children, he was the one who understood most of what was going on. He eventually found out what happened to said experiments and who they had belonged to now.

He only found out who you turned to be by a document found near an office near the Prison area. It described all possible subjects that could be the official Pj-pugapillar. And your name was the underlined one, scribbled with red.

He almost dropped his normally calm and collected composure. He told Kevin to take over for a bit(and to behave😐) while he just stared into the dark abyss of whatever consciousness had been left over.

After a while he went back in control and decided that it would be good to ask Poppy if she knew about your whereabouts, or even if you were still in this place.

“P..j? Oh uhh, I’m pretty sure Pjs still at the game station, in statues I’d assume. But, if it were me I’d ask the Player. I’m sure he knows, well. Maybe.”

Disappointed by Poppy’s lack of answer Matthew decided that he’d just go carry on with what his normal duties were. He wants to check the Game Station. He really does. But thinking logically the chance of your survival with no food and no guidance is basically zero.

Maybe one day when both you and him pass on into the actual afterlife, he’ll see you again, as a real kid and not a toy masking itself.

Kevin Barnes:

Not sure if Kevin is actually one to play with the toys in Playcare. But you did, that you did. Basically storing the whole collection of each and every toy Playco has ever brought into its factories walls.

Kevin wasn’t as eager as the other orphans were about your collection, but there was one toy he did really enjoy. Pj-pugapillar. Every time you asked Kevin to play with you the very first words that came out of his mouth were that he was going to be playing with Pj. And if not then he wasn’t going to play toys at all. He’d just make you play tag or hide and seek with him.

So naturally you gladly agreed to his deal, sure you liked Pj but there were other toys you were more fond of.

You both were quite used to this routine and while Kevin would rather play physical games such as soccer, tag, or kickball. He had to admit that playing peacefully with you wasn’t as bad as he thought it would’ve been.

Though, one certain day would make that all come to an end.

He was just waking up and getting ready for the day when he saw one of the caretakers standing in his doorway.

“What?”

“This..might be a tad hard to accept, Kevin.”

“What? Go away if you won’t tell me.”

“Y/n has… Y/n has gotten adopted.”

“Y/n?”

“Yes. Last night to be specific.”

He was pissed ngl.

But unluckily for him, he would soon be announced “sick” by some of the scientists. His other friend, Joseph was concerned about him. But once he expressed his concerns to the scientist, it was too late for both Kevin and you.

After the Hour of Joy some of the only thoughts that Kevin had were either about Matthew and Jack, his hatred towards the factory, and sometimes reminiscing about playing with you.

He learned what happened to you through Matthew, Matthew was the most intelligent out of the 3 boys so he normally is the one to update Jack and Kevin about what happens when they aren’t in control.

So by that logic, it’s only natural for Matthew to sadly inform Kevin of where your, or what’s left of your body was. Pj.

Kevin was furious when he learned about what happened to you, Matthew knew that Kevin and you were somewhat close, but he never knew that Kevin would literally crash tf out about it.

All Jack and Matthew heard for the next few hours after he found out was screaming threats to the facility, because as much as Kevin pretended to find you boring, he adored you just as much(which is a lot)

He was so upset he almost caused destruction to Safe Haven and those who inhabited it. But in the end Kevin was comforted by an innocent Jack who had absolutely NO clue who you were, and a grieving Matthew who quietly but solemnly took charge of Doey.

But it’s fine because Kevin got his anger taken out on Pianosaurus!!😚😚😚

[inafieldofstarflowers]

Since my last aftg re-read I’ve been thinking a lot about Kevin Day, and specifically about whether the view we get of him through Neil’s eyes is accurate. Over the course of the series, Neil consistently fails to recognize subtext (relatable), particularly when it comes to emotions (i.e. Andrew being into him and Neil not picking up on it, Matt consistently trying to gently ask about his sexuality and Neil never really picking up on what he means, Neil being utterly confused about what the bets on him could be). Neil is, however, very open about and aware of his love for Exy: beyond being good at it or enjoying it, playing makes Neil feel human—it’s one of the first things we learn about him.

Since Kevin is also obsessed with Exy, this is the side of him that Neil sees most often. Almost all of their interactions are centered around Exy—even their conversations about the literal mafia are inextricable from the sport they play (thanks, Tetsuji), so it makes sense that, in book two, Neil is saying that “The only thing that mattered to Kevin was Exy,” especially when considering that both Andrew and Aaron make similar statements in some of their first interactions with Neil (“Where the court is, Kevin is. He can’t exist without it” and “Exy is the only thing he cares about,” respectively). Given Neil’s obsession with Kevin (the way he’s tracked his success and is fixated on his survival), it’s easy to forget that, at the beginning of the series, Neil doesn’t know Kevin. They played a game of Exy together once, years ago, and then didn’t meet again until Kevin came to recruit Neil for the Foxes. For years, all Kevin has been to Neil is a horrific memory and a set of Exy stats, so of course when they meet again in an environment centered around the sport, that obsession with the sport is all Neil sees. In many ways, I think Neil intertwines who Kevin is with who he is from the beginning: in the same breath as he’s saying Exy is “the only thing that made him feel real,” he’s stating that “Kevin was proof Neil was real.”

I don’t, however, think this is a complete view of Kevin. I think there are hints of this in the way that Andrew’s appraisal of Kevin differs from Neil’s and Aaron’s: not that Kevin only cares about Exy, but that he can’t exist without it—he’s tied to it. Andrew’s not making a sweeping claim about Kevin’s feelings so much as expressing his irritation with Kevin’s obsession with the sport, and he’s not wrong: Kevin is inextricably connected to Exy, not only because Tetsuji raised him to be the future of the sport alongside Riko, but because Exy is Kayleigh Day’s legacy, and so is Kevin’s life, and (at least in the eyes of the world) those two are never going to be fully separate. Even if they were, Kevin would choose Exy because he genuinely loves it (that much is evident in his dedication to practicing until he has his skills down just so, and in the choice of the Trojans, who rely on skill and teamwork and incredible understanding of the game to win, as his favorite team).

I think TSC in particular shines extra light on Kevin by giving us Jean’s view of him. Things as simply as his choice of major become much weightier—history is something Kevin is apparently so passionate about that he convinced Riko to study it with him and convinced Tetsuji to let them do it, even though Kevin’s literal purpose at the Nest was to be the best (or, I guess, second best) Exy player, and the stated purpose of the Ravens all sharing a major was because academics were seen as less important. Jean’s comment about how “Kevin saw nothing but the court, but Jean had stopped hoping for more than that years ago” initially seems to support Neil’s line of thought, but I think that’s a much more personal reflection from Jean, really, because the rest of Jean’s narration shows a much different version of Kevin than we see through Neil’s eyes. Even though Jean has more reason than maybe anyone to feel that Kevin cares only about Exy, given the way he left the Nest, Jean recognizes that this isn’t true. He trusts in Kevin’s care for him, trusts his judgment in sending him to the Trojans.

Kevin’s care for other people doesn’t often come through, and I think that’s a combination of the way that he is as a person and the way that he’s painted in Neil’s narration. He definitely has moments of being incredibly callous (e.g. when Seth dies and when Andrew is being taken off his meds), but he also does truly care about people. He cares about Andrew, even if his “make Andrew care about Exy so he has a will to live” strategy is deeply flawed. He cares about Jean, evidenced by the magnets and postcards he would give him ad the work he put into setting things up so Jean could be on a team where he was safe even giving up some of his own secrets in the process. he cares about Neil, who he encourages to run (even though that would destroy the Foxes’ season) and tries to stop from going to Evermore at Christmas and trains every night by request, even though they both think Neil will die, and stands up to Riko for.

More than anything, I think the biggest evidence that Kevin cares about more than Exy is the faith that he has in people, time and time again, because that faith is in such contrast to his standard disdain for people. He has faith in Wymack taking him in (Jean says that he never doubted it), faith that Andrew will protect him at the Foxhole Court, faith that Jean will help Neil at Evermore, faith that Neil has a bright future. After a childhood spent mired in, at the very least, intense emotional abuse, it’s honestly amazing that he’s able to move forward with that sort of trust in people.

All that to say: I think there’s a lot more to Kevin than we see, and I especially think there’s a lot more to him than Exy. What’s his favorite period of history to study? Did he spend a lot of time picking out the magnets for Jean on his trips? When did he start drinking to try to stop his emotions (something that Neil never deeply addresses but which is a whole different post because this is already FAR too long)? What did he think when he first found out Wymack was his father? When he re-read Kayleigh’s letter over and over again, was it because he was reveling in knowing who his father was or because it was a tangible piece of the mother that he’d lost? Was he even worse about critiquing Andrew & Nicky et al. about their food choices when he first arrived at PSU because of the Ravens’ diet thing? I need to know everything about him that isn’t his love for Exy.

[punksyeet]

- All Is Fair In Love And Revenge ❥

Plot: Who knew that losing somebody you love could lead to such sweet revenge?

Warnings: Heartbreak, cheating, angst, friends to lovers, romance, & fluffy smut!

A/N: from the second that i checked my request form and saw this idea, i sprinted here to start working on it. thank you so much @isabella-2025 for, not only your request in general, but allowing me to bring it to life. i had so much fun & i hope you enjoy it! 💐💗

fair warning: i 100% got carried away and she’s a little lengthy 🙈 (don’t say it gianna) (i have the mind of a fourteen year old)

—————————————————————————————————

“Well I better start getting ready,” I announce to my close friend Trinity, standing up and grabbing my phone from one of the many tables in catering. “My match is in under two hours.”

“Alright girl,” she replies, walking around the table and over to me. “If I don’t see you before your match, good luck tonight. You’re gonna kill it, okay?”

She wraps me into a warm embrace and I nod, immediately returning the favor.

“Thank you Trin,” I coo, my chin resting on her shoulder, a soft smile on my face. “That means the world coming from you.”

“Anytime babygirl,” she replies sweetly, pulling away. “I’ll tell Josh to stop by your dressing room when you’re all ready.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Girl, the day you stop fighting for us to be together, I think I’ll drop dead.”

She shrugs, letting out a soft giggle. “You guys would be perfect together. And you know how I feel about…him.”

I’m currently dating Kevin Owens. I have been for about 7 months now.

But since this whole feud with Cody Rhodes has been pushed, he’s gone bat shit crazy. And not just in kayfabe.

Anything and I mean anything sets him off - he’s almost become toxic.

And any time I approach him about it, he gaslights me.

“Gianna, you’re delusional.”

“Stop making assumptions. You know I care about you.”

“Have you ever looked in the mirror and realized that you’re the crazy one?”

It’s exhausting, but I feel….helpless.

And while all of this has been happening, Trinity has been the biggest advocate for her brother in law, Josh, and I to get together.

He’s become one of my absolute best friends over the years, but I just don’t think we see each other in that way.

I mean, I’d be down to give us a try, but not at the cost of our friendship.

“I know,” I reply, my voice just above a whisper. “I just feel stuck, Trin. That’s all.”

She sighs and places a protective hand on either of my shoulders. “I know you do, babe. But if you ever need anything, anything at all, a good ole ass kicking is just a call away. And Josh is too.”

She says that last part super low with a smirk, followed by a playful wink.

“Girl, what am I gonna do with you?” I tease between giggles, shaking my head.

She flicks back her hair. “Who knows? But you love me!”

We share a laugh, give each other one last hug, and say our goodbyes.

On the walk back to my dressing room, I hear two people flirtatiously giggling.

Specifically, coming out of Kevin and his best friend Rami’s dressing room.

Narrowing my eyes, I lean in closer to the door and hear a high-pitched voice. A distinct voice.

A voice that belongs to none other than the woman who I’ll be attempting to dethrone tonight: Tiffany Stratton.

“You’re gonna kick her washed up ass tonight baby,” Kevin mutters, resulting in more giggles from her. “I’ll make sure of it. This championship isn’t going anywhere.”

My stomach drops and tears uncontrollably roll down my face as I hear them share a kiss.

He’s gonna make sure of it? What the fuck does that even mean?

I go to grab ahold of the doorknob to interrupt them, but stop in my tracks.

He’s made it abundantly clear that doesn’t give a shit about you anymore. This is just Exhibit A. Don’t bother.

Before anyone can see me, I sprint to my dressing room.

Once there, I close the door, lean against it, slide down, and dig my head into my knees.

—————————————————————————————————

** Josh’s POV **

“Aight I’ll go see her now,” I tell my sister-in-law, getting up and fixing my hoodie.

My best friend, Gianna, has a title match for the Women’s Championship tonight.

And while I have all the faith in the world in her, Trin suggested that I wish her good luck regardless.

As I get closer and closer to her dressing room, I swear I hear crying.

With an eyebrow raised, I press my ear against the door.

Sure enough, the sniffles and quiet sobs become louder.

What the fuck is going on?

I knock on the door. “Gi? Gi, are you alright? Can I come in?”

All of a sudden, the cries stop and I hear shuffling around before she finally opens the door.

Immediately, from the second I lay eyes on her, I can tell something is wrong.

From her red nose, to her puffy and flushed eyes, this girl was not just crying. She was sobbing.

“H-hey,” she greets me, her voice just above a whisper. “Come in.”

I do so, my eyes never leaving hers.

As she turns back around from closing the door, I cross my arms over my chest. “Everything alright?”

She nods quickly before sniffling and walking back over to her vanity.

“You sure?” I ask, slowly walking over. “Because I swear I heard crying near the door.”

She stops in her tracks for a moment and shakes her head, going back to curling her hair. “You must’ve been hearing things. No one is here but me and I’m fine.”

I pucker my lips to the side and nod, looking down.

If she doesn’t wanna talk about it, who am I to force her?

While doing so, something on the floor across the room catches my eye: a gold necklace.

As I bend down to pick it up, I realize that it’s a locket.

The same locket that Kevin gave Gianna when they first started dating. Except now, the heart that once held a picture of them is shattered.

“What’s this?” I ask, still attempting to get answers out of her.

She looks at me through the mirror as I hold up the chain and her eyes go wide.

“Nothing!” she replies, turning around and quickly taking it from me.

She shoves it into a drawer and turns back to the mirror.

“Nothing, huh?” I ask, folding my arms again. “So that’s not the necklace that Kevin gave you?”

She shakes her head in response, tucking her lips in, as a tear rolls down her face. “N-no?”

What did this mother fucker do to my girl?

“Gi,” I exclaim quietly, pulling a chair up next to her. “What happened with you and Kevin? You know you can talk to me.”

She takes a deep breath before turning to me and looking deep into my eyes.

“He cheated on me,” she whispers, now fully crying again.

My breath hitches and heart stops at her words.

“He what?” I ask in disbelief, anger slowly building up inside me.

“I was on my way here from catering after talking to Trin and,” she takes another deep breath before continuing. “I walked past his dressing room and heard him with Tiffany.”

My leg starts bouncing and I rub my knuckles, just thinking about what I could do to him right now.

What the fuck is this asshole thinking? Cheating on a girl like her?

“Who the fuck does he think h-“ I start, but stop when her tears start up again.

I can’t show that I’m angry. Not yet anyway.

She needs me right now.

I sigh and pull her into my arms, rubbing soft circles onto her back as she sobs into my chest.

“Shhh,” I comfort her, before kissing her temple. “He didn’t doesn’t deserve you. He’s not worth your tears. Don’t give him the satisfaction. You hear me?”

She sniffles and nods in response, taking deep breath against my hoodie.

“Gianna! You’re on in ten!” a producer calls from outside her door.

She sighs and pulls away, grabbing a tissue from her desk. “I don’t know how I can win anything this way.”

“Hey,” I gently scold her, holding her shoulders. “You can do this. You will do this. You boutta be the next Women’s Champion. And ima be there to support you every step of the way. Anyone tries to take this moment away from you, I’ll deal with them. Got me?”

She gives me a soft smile and nods, sniffling once more. “Thank you, Josh. For everything.”

I smile back and pull her into my arms. “I gotchu. Forever.”

Once we pull away, she adds final touches to her look and I walk her out to gorilla.

“You got this,” I remind her once more, stroking her arms. “Just go out there and be you.”

She nods and kisses my cheek, before walking out of the curtain.

I watch on the monitor and smile, listening to the crowd go crazy for my best friend.

She’s got this.

—————————————————————————————————

It’s about fifteen minutes into the match and, because I have a match tonight myself, I’ve migrated to my dressing room to watch.

While getting my hair ready, I cringe as Gianna takes a few low blows from Tiffany.

She automatically recovers though, with an insane spear.

I smile, thinking back to the moments we shared in the gym, and the exact moment I taught her that specific move.

She couldn’t get it at first - kept charging either too high or low.

But the second she figured it out, she was like a kid in a candy store. Over the moon excited.

The way she smiled that night? Man.

The sound of the crowd cheering snaps me out of my thoughts, causing me to look back up at the TV.

Gi delivers a fire superkick to Tiffany’s face, causing her to fall back. Hard.

Moments later, she goes for the cover.

1!

Come on Gi.

2!

Just one more. Hang in there.

As the ref is just milliseconds away from hitting the mat for the third time, he’s pulled out of the ring from behind.

What the fuck?

My eyes narrow in confusion, until the camera pans to him.

The scum bag that hurt my best friend: Kevin Owens.

“Oh fuck no,” I mutter to myself, before setting down my spray bottle and sprinting out of the room.

** Gianna’s POV **

“What the hell is Kevin Owens doing here?!” Michael Cole practically screams from the announce table.

I sit there in disbelief as my ex boyfriend raises his arms, a cocky smirk on his face, looking directly into my eyes, as the referee lays there in pain.

“USOOOO!”

The crowd automatically goes from boos to deafening cheers, as I turn and see Josh running down the ramp.

“Get up, Cole! It’s time to yeet!” Pat McAfee cheers from the top of the table, moving his arms up and down with the crowd.

I watch on as he whoops Kevin’s ass at ringside with a chair and steel steps, and even puts him through the announce table.

Once he’s out cold, Josh turns to me and smiles.

“You’ve got this,” he mouths, followed up with a wink.

A tired but grateful smile appears on my face, until reality strikes once more and Tiffany pulls me back into the middle of the ring by my hair to continue the match.

After a couple of hard hits, she lays me down and climbs up to the top rope to deliver her finisher: the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

Before we can make contact, I roll away just in time, and she lands face first onto the mat.

I take a deep breath before climbing up the turnbuckles and delivering an Uso Splash.

Josh and I’s eyes meet once again, a gorgeous smile on his face, before he helps up the ref and slides him back into the ring.

One!

Two!

Three!

The crowd erupts in cheers, as Josh runs into the ring and tackles me in a hug.

I immediately hug back, crying tears of joy into his chest.

“HERE IS YOUR WINNER!” Alicia Taylor screams into the microphone. “AND NEWWWW! WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPION: GIANNAAAA NICOLEEEE!”

The ref hands me my title and lifts up my free hand, Josh lifting up the other.

I smile and, once my hands are free, hug him once again.

“I’m so proud of you,” he mutters into my neck, hugging me back ten times tighter.

I squeal and laugh as he lifts me onto his shoulder and walks around the ring, hyping up the crowd even more.

—————————————————————————————————

I lay back on my pillow, a soft smile on my face, as I scroll on Twitter.

Yes, there’s hate and disappointment from Tiffany’s fans, but there’s ten times more love and support from mine.

I’m so incredibly grateful. <3

As I set down my championship for a photo, I hear knocks against my door.

I silently pray that it’s not drama waiting to happen, before getting up and answering it.

Stood before me is my best friend, holding a bottle of champagne and pink roses.

“Room service for the new Women’s Champion?” Josh teases in an awful French accent, a playful smirk on his face.

I giggle and shake my head, stepping aside to let him in. “You’re too much, boy. Come on in.”

He chuckles and sets everything on a nearby table before turning to me. “I’m real proud of you, you know that?”

I close the door and walk over, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Mhm. You told me a good 35 times since my match ended.”

He smiles and wraps me into a hug, to which I respond to automatically.

We just kinda stand there for a while, him rocking us back and forth.

“You down for some celebrating?” he asks, grabbing the bottle of champagne and holding it up once we pull away. “I brought your favorite.”

I smile softly and watch on as he pops the top and pours up two glasses.

He takes a seat on the edge of my bed and pats the spot next to him, signaling for me to join.

When I do, he raises his glass. “To you, the most deserving champion in the world.”

I smile at the compliment and raise mine as well. “To the best best friend in the entire world. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

He flashes me a beautiful smile, before we clink our glasses together and each take a sip.

As we set them down, he turns back to me. “How are people on social media taking the win?”

I let out a sigh and shrug. “Some hate, more love. The usual.”

He gives me a sympathetic smile and nods. “Capitalize on the love and let the haters hate, mama. You know how it is.”

I blush at the nickname and nod, looking down. “Yeah.”

He gently lifts my chin and stares deep into my eyes. “Look atchu. You’re glowing, champ.”

I smile and lean into his hand, as he cups my face. “Nah, I think it’s just the compliments.”

He chuckles. “Well, you deserve every one of them.”

We just kinda sit there, staring at each other.

And soon enough, my heart moves faster than my brain, and my lips are on his.

He kisses back almost automatically, but pulls away after a few seconds.

“Sorry,” I mutter, looking down. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

Please don’t be mad.

Please don’t be mad.

Please don’t be mad.

He shakes his head. “It’s not your fault, ma.”

Thank god.

Awkward silence fills the air until he clears his throat, breaking it. “It’s getting late. I should go.”

I nod understandably, completely bummed on the inside. “Okay.”

I walk him out and he turns to face me once he’s out the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow? We can grab breakfast with Uce and Trin or something?”

I smile and nod again, holding the door open. “Sure. That sounds nice.”

He smiles back and nods, opening his arms.

I walk into them and rest my chin on his shoulder, letting out a deep but quiet sigh.

Usually our hugs are filled with such comfort and meaning, but this one feels empty.

—————————————————————————————————

I wake up to the sound of my phone receiving a text.

After letting out a loud yawn and good stretch, I grab it off my nightstand and smile when my lockscreen appears.

Josh 🥰♥️: Morning champ. How does Waffle House sound?

I shake my head, smiling.

Gi 🩵: Morningg 🫶🏽

Gi 🩵: Sounds good. I’ll be ready in about an hour.

Josh 🥰♥️: Perfect. See you then. 🩵

I pick out a cute outfit from my luggage and get ready.

“There she is!” Jon, Josh’s twin brother, calls out, opening his arms. “Our new champ!”

I roll my eyes playfully and smile, accepting his offer.

He rocks us back and forth before placing a brotherly kiss on the top of my head. “Congrats, sis. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks Jon,” I reply, pulling away and smiling even harder.

Next is Trin, who squeals before giving me a tight squeeze. “You look so gorgeous, babygirl. Out here stealing my glow.”

She playfully nudges me when saying that last part, earning a giggle and second hug from me.

“Thank you Trin,” I reply sweetly, as we pull away. “And don’t you worry, nobody is stealing your glow.”

We share a laugh and she walks over to Jon, who places a hand on her back and a kiss to her temple.

And finally, Josh.

“You up for another ‘I’m proud of you’?” he teases, wrapping me into his arms.

I giggle and hug back, resting my head on his chest and inhaling his heavenly cocoa butter scent. “What is this? Number 36? Don’t mind if I do.”

He chuckles and kisses my temple.

From behind him, Trin is watching us with puppy dog eyes and her bottom lip dramatically stuck out.

I shake my head and playfully roll my eyes, earning a soft giggle from her.

“Well,” Jon begins, rubbing his stomach, once Josh and I pull away. “I’m starving. Let’s head out.”

“Boy you’re always starving!” Josh teases, earning a playful whack upside the head from him.

Trin and I walk behind them, laughing and shaking our heads at them.

“They’re such teenagers,” she exclaims, throwing an arm over me.

I chuckle, watching Josh laugh, flashing his gorgeous smile. “They really are.”

Once we get to Waffle House, it’s relatively empty, so we pick out a random booth - Trin and I sat on one side, Jon and Josh on the other.

Instead of our own separate meals, we decide to just order food to share throughout the table including: chocolate chip waffles, hash browns, scrambled eggs, grits, and lots of lemonade.

“So girl,” Trin begins, before wiping her mouth. “What the hell was Kevin doing trying to cost you last night?”

I stop chewing and look up at Josh, who stares right back and just keeps sipping his drink.

I clear my throat before responding. “Well, to make a long story short, we unexpectedly split on my way back from our time in catering. But everything is cool.”

I really don’t want the news about Kevin cheating on me to get out.

The locker room would never let him live it down and, as much as that asshole deserves it, my championship reign just started.

I don’t need a bunch of nosy ass wrestlers watching my every move and gossiping.

Josh nods in agreement as I take another spoonful of grits into my mouth. “Yeah, she ain’t gotta worry about none of that now. I took care of it.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jon and Trin share a look.

The sound of a family about five tables away from us takes over the awkward silence, and I decide to break it.

“Well,” I announce, standing up. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom before we go.”

The twins acknowledge me before Trin stands as well, sliding out of the booth. “I’ll join you.”

As we’re walking away, the boys engage in their own conversation.

“Man, why girls always going to the bathroom together?”

“How should I know, Uce?”

Once we get to the bathroom, I head to the sink and Trin watches, leaning against the wall, arms folded across her chest.

In the mirror, I see her watching me, resulting in me slowly turning around. “Please don’t tell me I have something in my teeth.”

“Girl hush,” she replies sassily. “I know you’re not telling me something.”

Fuck.

I turn back to the sink and fix my hair in the mirror. “Like?”

She taps her fingers on her arm. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps why you and my brother in law are barely speaking? And why any time you two look at each other, you look identical to the ketchup bottle sat on our table right now?”

My eyes go wide and I turn to her again. “I do?”

She huffs and rolls her eyes. “Bitch, spill!”

“Fine,” I reply, before sighing in defeat and taking a seat on the counter.

“After our matches last night, Josh came to my hotel room and…” my voice trails off.

Her eyebrows raise and she moves closer out of curiosity. “And?”

I shake my head, smiling softly. “We may have kissed. A little.”

She squeals, clapping and jumping up and down. “I fucking knew it! Finally!”

“But,” I interrupt her, causing her to stop. “It only lasted a few seconds. Before he pulled away.”

Her face drops in disappointment. “He pulled away? Why?”

I shrug, wrapping my arms together. “The kiss wasn’t his idea. I wasn’t thinking, Trin.”

She sucks her teeth and drops her arms. “Well, shit! I was hoping to start planning the wedding soon!”

I give her a mean mug. “A wedding? Bitch, slow down!”

She laughs and walks up to me, reaching out to hold my shoulders. “Girl, you’ve gotta get alone with him again. Let him know how you feel.”

I shake my head, running a hand through my curls. “It’s not that easy, sis. I’ve been best friends with him for over five years now. If I ruin that all because of some delusional ass feelings, I’ll hate myself forever.”

“Babygirl,” she replies. “You and I both know those feelings aren’t delusional, don’t we?”

When I respond with only a sigh, she folds her arms across her chest again. “Exactly.”

“Listen,” she continues. “I’ll set it up. You just be ready around 7 tonight. Tell him how you feel. If he doesn’t feel the same way, at least you have some closure.”

I nod understandably. “I guess you’re right.”

She smiles and wraps me into a hug. “Everything will work out. Trust me.”

I hug back, a soft smile on my face. “I hope so.”

—————————————————————————————————

Pacing around my hotel room, I check the time on my phone for the umpteenth time: 6:56pm.

Only four minutes left.

Bitch, get a grip!

It’s like Trin said: if he doesn’t feel the same way, at least I have some closure.

And if he does-

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door.

Fuck, he’s early!

I take a deep breath and check myself in the mirror before heading to answer it.

“Hey girl,” Josh greets me, taking his hands out of his pockets and opening his arms.

Smiling, I accept his offer and we share a hug. “Hey. Come on in.”

He does and immediately takes a seat on the bed. “Everything okay? Trin said you wanted to talk?”

“Y-yeah,” I reply, closing the door and taking a seat next to him.

He turns to face me and reaches out to stroke my arm, a soft but beautiful smile on his face. “Everything good?”

I take a deep breath, nodding. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I just…I guess I wanted to talk about what happened last night.”

His smile fades and he looks deep into my eyes. “The kiss, huh?”

I nod, looking down at my hands. “Yeah.”

He sighs and takes my hand, intertwining our fingers together. “Look at me.”

When I do, he takes a strand of hair away from my face.

“I didn’t pull away because I wanted to,” he continues.

I tilt my head in confusion. “What do you mean?”

He licks his lips and runs a hand over his face before going on. “I enjoyed the kiss. I really did. I just….you went through a lot yesterday. Between finding out you were cheated on, sobbing in my arms, then almost being costed your title. I didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage of you.”

Taking advantage of me? Him?

I let out a quiet sigh of relief before running my hand through his curls. “Josh, I know you. How could you ever think like that?”

When he doesn’t respond, I continue.

“I kissed you because,” I stop and take a deep breath before continuing. “Because I’ve never had feelings like this for someone before. I thought I loved Kevin. I really did. Until I learned that my feelings were one-sided.”

He tilts his head. “What makes you say that?”

I sigh, pulling my hands back into my lap and fiddling with my fingers. “There’s something I never told you. I never told anyone, actually.”

Tears form in my eyes and I do my best to blink them away. “Any time Kevin wanted to get intimate with me, I’d push him away. I was scared. So scared. Scared of being used.”

Josh cups my face, as an attempt to comfort me. “Gi…”

“The only thing is,” I continue. “Whenever I didn’t give in, he’d make fun of me. Call me a baby. Gaslight me. He said he never wanted to be with me anyway. That there was hundreds of other girls in the division that would ‘appreciate him’ the way I couldn’t. And, I guess he proved that.”

As tears uncontrollably start rolling down my face, he sighs and pulls me into a hug.

I immediately hug back and quietly sob against his chest, as he rubs circles onto my back.

“Baby,” he begins, pulling away and cupping my face. “The only thing he proved yesterday is how trashy he is. How he could ever do something like that to someone as beautiful, loyal, kind-hearted, and incredible as you, I’ll never know.”

I wipe my tears with the sleeve of my hoodie and sniffle before he continues.

“But what I do know, is that you deserve a real man. Someone that’ll take their time with you. Someone that’ll make you feel like you have purpose. Make you feel important and loved.”

He moves his hands from my face and intertwines our fingers. “And if you let me, I’m willing to be that someone.”

I slightly raise my eyebrows in shock.

He? He as in Josh? As in my best friend? Wants to be with me?

I try to speak but the words won’t come.

How could they?

Instead, I lean in and press my lips to his.

He immediately kisses back, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me in closer.

Except this time, he doesn’t pull away. Not right away anyway.

When he does, it’s nice and slow. Slow enough to wake up the butterflies in my stomach that have been asleep for months.

“Is that a yes?” he teases, a smile on his face.

I giggle and nod. “Yes. A million times yes.”

He smiles and pulls me back in.

“I love you so much,” he mutters against my lips.

I smile in the kiss. “I love you too, Josh. I always have.”

Eventually, the kiss turns heated, his tongue ever so slightly grazing mine.

I let out a soft moan as he lightly tugs at my lips when we pull away.

“I wanna take my good ole time witchu baby,” he mumbles in between kisses to my neck. “But only if you’ll let me.”

I tilt my head to give him more access, my bottom lip in between my teeth, and my eyes fluttering closed. “P-Please.”

“Please what, hm?” he asks, stroking my sides. “Talk to me.”

“I need you,” I whisper, looking deep into his eyes. “I-I need you. So badly.”

A deep and sexy smirk grows on his face, as he tucks a curl behind me ear. “What my babygirl wants, my babygirl gets.”

My breath hitches in my throat before he gets off the bed and holds out his hand to me. “Cmon, lil mama.”

** smut warning! **

I take his hand and he leads us to the bathroom, where he starts a steaming hot shower.

Once the water is on, he turns back to me and helps me get undressed.

Soon enough, I’m fully naked and he scans my body up and down.

“Fuck baby,” he coos, half moan-half whisper. “Look at you.”

I smirk, stepping closer to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. “You like what you see, hm?”

He bites his lip and nods, looking down at me. “I love it. And I love you.”

“I love you,” I reply, standing on my tippy toes and connecting our lips once more.

He kisses back, grabbing handfuls of my ass in the process.

When we pull away, I tug at the hem of his t-shirt. “I believe you’re a little overdressed, sir.”

He smirks and looks down at his outfit. “I believe you’re right, ma’am. Help me?”

I giggle and kiss the corner of his mouth, before sliding my hands underneath his shirt and lifting it over his head.

From the sight of his tattoos, to his muscular chest, I’m already soaked.

I trail kisses down to his lower half, slowly getting on my knees in the process.

As soon as his sweats are off, I immediately take the waistband of his boxers between my teeth.

“Damn girl,” he mutters, a smirk plastered on his face. “You on demon time, huh?”

I nod, slowly but surely sliding down his underwear.

My eyes widen at the sight of his dick - at least eight inches, the prettiest shade of caramel with a pretty pink tip, the most perfect curve, and so so veiny.

He chuckles at my reaction and cups my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “Like what you see mama?”

“Mhm,” I hum in between more kisses, this time down his length.

“Fuck baby,” he moans breathlessly, throwing his head back slightly. “That’s right. Claim yo dick like a good girl.”

I smirk at his words and slowly take him into my mouth, grabbing it by the base and twirling my tongue around his length.

His moans become uncontrollable, as he grabs a fistful of my hair and bobbing my head up and down. “Your mouth takes this dick so good, lil baby.”

“She knows what belongs to her,” I coo, scooping foamy spit from my chin and stroking him with it.

“That’s right baby,” he replies, running his fingers through my hair. “This dick is all yours.”

I smile and pucker my lips, to which he responds with leaning down and placing a deep kiss on them.

About a minute or two later, I feel his hips buck against my face, signaling that he’s close.

“F-fuck bae just like that,” he moans, grabbing ahold of the shower door. “Daddy’s so close for you.”

As if on cue, a warm and salty liquid fills my tongue, and soon my throat.

“Cmere mama,” he coos, gently grabbing my face and lifting me up.

When we’re finally face to face again, he showers my lips in numerous kisses.

“You did so good for me,” he praises, brushing my curls out of my face before simply staring at me, taking in my features. “My beautiful babygirl.”

I smile softly and brush our noses together. “Thank you, baby.”

He smiles back and kisses me once more before we get into the shower.

He gently presses me against the wall before getting on his knees.

“Daddy’s turn,” he mutters sexily, lifting one of my legs onto his shoulder.

My bottom lip slides in between my teeth, as he feathers kisses to each of my inner thighs.

A wave of pleasure immediately washes over me, as his tongue dips in between my folds.

“D-daddy fuck,” I whisper, my hips already squirming, and my fingers tugging onto his curls for dear life.

“Feels good baby?” he reassures, pulling away and sliding a finger into me. “You taste so fucking good.”

Moans uncontrollably pour out of me, the tongue and finger combo making me practically ascend.

A few moments later, I feel a pit in my stomach, signaling that I’m reaching my climax.

“You close mama?” he mutters against my skin, fingers still doing the Lord’s work.

I nod frantically in response. “U-uh huh.”

“Go on and cum for daddy baby,” he orders, stroking my thigh with his free hand. “Let loose for me.”

And on command, I do.

He licks me clean and stands up, immediately wrapping his arms around my waist.

“You feel okay baby?” he reassures, stroking my sides and kissing my temple.

I nod and wrap my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his mullet. “More than okay.”

He smiles and pecks my lips. “Good. You ready for daddy to fuck you?”

I automatically nod in response, causing him to chuckle.

He picks me up and holds me against the wall.

“Legs around my waist baby,” he instructs, lining his dick up with my entrance.

I do as I’m told and take a deep breath as he slowly enters me.

“Fuck mama,” he groans. “This pussy was made for me. Shit feels like a glove.”

I moan in response, digging my face into his neck.

With every thrust, I feel more and more ascended to heaven.

“You gonna cum with daddy, baby?” he eventually asks, rubbing deep circles onto my hips.

I nod, my nails digging into his back.

“Use your words mama,” he demands. “Only pretty girls that use their words get to cum with their daddy.”

“Y-yes daddy,” I utter in between moans. “I’m s-so close.”

He applies a couple kisses to my sweet spot, just below my ear.

His thrusts become sloppier, signaling that he’s close once more. “Cum, baby. Cum with daddy.”

We release in sync, him in me and me on him.

** smut over! **

Panting like crazy, I climb off of him and lean against the wall.

He licks his lips and cups my face. “You good, mama?”

I nod, a tired but satisfied smile on my face. “So good. Thank you for taking care of me, baby.”

He smiles and gently grabs my face, pulling it up to meet his lips.

In the midst of rinsing out his hair, I take a moment just to acknowledge how gorgeous he is.

His gorgeously brown eyes, perfectly round nose, beautiful plump lips.

All of this is really mine now. It feels like a fever dream.

“You’re so handsome,” I coo, staring into his eyes and running my fingers through his curls.

He looks down at me smiling, stroking either side of my face. “That was random.”

I smile back. “Well, that doesn’t make it any less true.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “I appreciate you, mama. Thank you.”

With yet another kiss, we finish up our shower and hop out.

“Talk about the most perfect day,” Josh exclaims, joining me under the blanket and wrapping me in his arms. “Waffle House for breakfast and bagged the most beautiful girl in the world.”

I smile softly and place a kiss on his chest. “You’re something else, Joshua.”

He chuckles and kisses my temple. “Goodnight, ma.”

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[sam24]

String Beans and Goldfish - Part 1

Summary: Defending someone who everyone hates is hard. Especially when you're standing in front of a bunch of gang members and Mr. Serpent Hottie won't stop staring at you.

Pairing: Sweet Pea x fem reader

Part Two

*****

As soon as you walked through the door, you felt the piercing gaze of 20 something pairs of eyes on you. There was only one that truly mattered, but you pushed down your weird volatile feelings and cleared your throat, stepping up to Jughead.

“What are you doing here?” He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you were into gaming.”

You rolled your eyes with a scoff. “Sorry Jughead, I’m not here to join this fun little club you’ve got going on here. I’m here to talk to you guys.”

“See Jughead, she’s probably here to tell us how stupid our club sounds. Literally who’s going to believe this.” Fangs whined.

You avoided looking at Fangs, because you knew exactly who would be standing right next to him.

“Honestly, I don’t give a shit about your club. I just need to talk to you guys about Reggie.”

You heard a collective groan among them at the name of Riverdale High’s star athlete, infamous among the Serpents for being a complete asshole.

“Why? You here to defend that dick? You his girlfriend or something?”

Shit.

You looked to where the voice came from, although you knew exactly who it was. You made eye contact with him, his eyes, cold and proud, staring into you intently, waiting for an answer. There was an emotion rippling through his body that you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

Anger? Jealousy? Both?

Sweet Pea remembered the first time he saw you- the drag race. You were leaning against the truck Reggie was sitting on, your elbow resting on Kevin’s shoulder, looking annoyed as you squinted in the sun.

You had taken a sip out of Reggie’s red solo cup, making a disgusted scrunched up face before shoving the drink back into his hands.

Sweet Pea almost smirked from his place on his motorcycle next to Toni, but remembered he wouldn’t be caught dead smiling at a Northsider.

He couldn’t help but steal glances at you the whole time, and he for sure as hell could see you looking back at him.

The second time he saw you was on the Serpents’ disastrous first day at Riverdale High.

You were standing off to the side behind Kevin, trying your best not to cringe at Veronica’s enthusiasm and Archie’s uncomfiness. Sweet Pea wasn’t even listening to whatever Veronica was saying, instead eye-flirting with you the whole time.

You didn’t say anything when Cheryl and Reggie made their dramatic entrance down the stairs, apart from an audible groan and an eye roll. But, he did see you pull the sleeve of Reggie’s jacket back when he tried to storm up to Sweet Pea, a glint of warning in your eyes. Reggie immediately backed down, and Sweet Pea scowled at the sight, a string of jealousy pulling in his stomach.

He later learned you were in his World History fifth hour class. You and Cheryl walked in late, accompanied by Principal Weatherbee. Cheryl holding a rag to her bleeding nose, and a bruise forming on your knuckles, and your seat was coincidentally the one right next to the one he sat in.

”Damn you must be one hungry chick.” Sweet Pea watched as you pulled out yet another pack of goldfish.

“Thanks, string bean.” You smiled, trying your best to cover up the rapid beating of your heart. “It’s one of my best qualities.”

He raised his eyebrows with a smirk. “It’s actually Sweet Pea.”

“Well, Sweet Pea, maybe you should take me to Pop’s one time and I can show you much I can eat in one sitting.” You said with a wink, a playful smile tugging at your lips.

And before Sweet Pea could flirt back, Reggie stormed over, narrowing his eyes at Sweet Pea, threat clear in his eyes. Before he could throw out an insult, the teacher interrupted, loudly telling Reggie to sit down.

He grudgingly did, but he spent the rest of class glaring murderously at Sweet Pea. And of course, Sweet Pea flirted with you even more because of that.

And now you were here, at an undercover Serpent meeting trying to defend him.

That filled Sweet Pea with rage.

“Look, string- Sweet Pea. I’m not trying to make up excuses for him. I’m just trying to show you his side.”

“Those sound an awful lot like excuses, sweetheart.” Sweet Pea sneered.

You tried not to choke at the nickname.

“Look, Pea, I don’t want to get in the middle of whatever sexual tension is going on between you two, but how about we hear what she’s gotta say.” Toni tried to reason.

“Thank you.” You sent Toni a warm smile, ignoring the first part of her sentence, before facing the rest of them.

“Okay look. I know, Reggie is an asshole. But deep down . . . he’s actually still kind of an asshole- you know what, I have no clue where I’m going with this, lemme start over.” You said with the wave of your hand. “Reggie’s going through a lot right now. His dad- let’s just say he isn’t the best father.”

You paused, thinking how to phrase your thoughts. “He’s going through a lot of shit at home, and-”

“So? That gives him a right to treat us like shit? Tell Reggie to get over himself. Other kids get abused, doesn’t mean they go around acting like dickbags.” Sweet Pea snarled, venom dripping from his voice.

You narrowed your eyes at him, getting defensive. “No, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying- honestly I don’t even know what I’m saying.”

You looked down at the floor, suddenly feeling stupid. You kicked at the tile, your converse skidding on the floor.

“I’ve known Reggie for a long time, and what I’ve accumulated over all this time is that Reggie is terrible with feelings. When he’s mad, he’s angry. When he’s sad, he’s angry. When he feels like shit, he’s angry. It may not seem like it, but he’s really hurting inside. So he thinks the solution is to take it out on other people. And you guys are the perfect target.” You got quieter, the previous anger in your voice turning into sadness.

Sweet Pea suddenly felt guilty for yelling, which was a feeling he rarely ever felt.

“Look, guys. If you want to beat him up, go for it, he honestly deserves it for being so terrible.” You took in a breath. “But try not to kill him, please. He’s my best friend.” Your voice went down to a whisper at the end.

The kid next to Sweet Pea rolled his eyes. “Please. Save the acting, bitc-”

He was quickly silenced by the thunderous slam of Sweet Pea’s palm onto the desk.

“Nevermind.” His jaw clenched.

Sweet Pea’s eyes stayed on the desk, but he caught the slight smile on your face. He was too proud to tell you that he’ll try to go easy on Reggie, just for you, but you understood.

And that was what made you special.

Before anyone could say anything, Reggie’s voice echoed in the hallway, calling your name.

“You should probably go before your boyfriend gets mad.” Sweet Pea muttered angrily, falling even deeper into the dark pit called jealousy.

You turned to walk out the door, but not before looking Sweet Pea dead in the eye.

”He’s not my boyfriend, string bean.”

[witchygagirlwrites]

Jay Halstead x Reader

Jay does the unforgivable while undercover and you find out. When you walk away he knows one thing for certain, he has to get a new truck

Warnings: Jay cheats, reader ends up with Crockett Marcel 🤷‍♀️ @desimarie12 is always the sister in chaos 🔥

You were sitting on the corner of the bar, Stella leaning against your legs as she laughed at something Kelly said. You were the only woman on rescue squad and she was the only woman on the truck so you two were fairly close. You pretty much gave her credit for opening Kelly up to you being on rescue squad. You were waiting on Jay to get to Molly’s with the rest of intelligence. Since you lived in the same building as Kelly and Stella, you’d ridden into work with Stella.

You spotted Adam, Kevin and Kim walk in and whistled to get their attention. Adam nodded, Kim wouldn’t meet your eyes and when Kevin did you could tell something was off. “I’ll be right back babe” you spoke into Stella’s ear and she cut her eyes back at you then followed your line of sight to the crew from intelligence “Something up?” you shrugged “I don’t know yet”

“Holler if you need me” she told you and you grinned “I know and I know you’ll bring Sev too” she winked “You know it” 

You started to work your way through the crowd and clocked Adam and Kevin exchanging looks followed by Kim death glaring at them both. Ok, something was definitely up. You headed for the door and pushed it open into the cool night air, looking around for any sign of Jay or Erin.

You spotted his truck and her suv parked right down the way so you started to walk in that direction. You’d gotten maybe ten feet when you’d heard Erin’s voice. You’d known her for years, she was pissed. You got closer and heard your name “What about Y/N?” “What about her Erin?” Jay asked and the next words out of Erin’s mouth made you feel like your entire body had been dipped in ice, like you were frozen to the spot. Your mind and body both screaming at you to move but both refusing to do so at the same time. “She deserves to know that you fucked that girl while you were undercover. If you don’t tell her I fucking will. She’s one of my best friends Jay. She deserves better than this, better than you”

He cheated on you. Jay cheated on you. You’d been with him for three years. Three fucking years of your life. You were in love with him,loyal to him. Hell you’d been worried about him the last week when he’d been under, hoping he was ok…and he was fucking someone else…you wanted to cry but it felt like your body had locked itself into some type of numbness to protect yourself. You couldn’t even register the cold air around you biting into your skin. Thoughts of Jay, your Jay..the man you loved with another woman…kissing another woman…touching another woman..

You were gonna be sick. You turned and ran back towards Molly’s heading for the back of the bar and barely made it to the side of the dumpster before hitting your knees. Everything you’d eaten that day came up as the tears finally hit. He’d cheated on you. He’d thrown everything away. Had you ever meant anything to him?

“Sweetheart?” you flinched at Herrman’s voice before wiping your face and forcing a smile onto your face “Hey, um can I slip in the back?” he eyed you for a second “Are you sure you’re good? Looked like you were getting sick?” you shook your head “Naw, I’m good” he nodded slowly “Ok”

He held the door open behind himself after tossing the trash he’d come out with so you slipped in behind him and the moment you hit the inside of the bar you headed for the truck crew, hiding yourself in the group of men you worked with and asked Stella to grab you a shot. She raised an eyebrow “What happened?” “I promise to tell you later but for now please” she nodded and went behind the bar, pouring you a shot.

You downed it then another. You were three shots in by the time the door opened and Erin walked in followed by Jay. You looked up and downed your fourth shot, knowing your face more than likely betrayed how you felt but why shouldn’t it? If he didn’t care any more than to stick his dick into some tramp who didn’t even know his actual name then why couldn’t you let everyone that the two of you knew that he was a cheating piece of crap?

 He spotted you and the bastard had the nerve to let a smile slip onto his face? The fucking nerve. “Kelly?” you spoke his name and he cut his eyes up because normally you called him Sev or Mr Kidd. “Yeah?” you looked towards him “Don’t let me hit him. He’s a detective and I can’t afford that charge” his eyes widened but he nodded “Ok”

Jay made it to you and acted like he was going to lean in to kiss you. You leaned back and laughed “Like hell” he raised an eyebrow “What?” you shoved his chest “Don’t fuckin try to kiss me” he staggered back a bit just for the simple fact he hadn’t expected you to shove him. “What the hell baby? I haven’t seen you in a week. I missed you” you laughed and turned to try to grab another shot but Stella moved the bottle and shook her head “Nope, you’ll thank me tomorrow”

You sighed then stole Tony’s beer instead and turned to face Jay as you turned it up to your lips “Did you miss me when you were in between whoever’s legs you crawled between?” his eyes widened and he looked over the crew from fifty one that was surrounding you and going from looking confused to looking pissed very quickly. One thing you loved about the station house, you were a family unit. You fought amongst yourselves yeah but when someone on the outside hurt one of you? Everyone rallied.

He reached for your arm “Can we just talk” you flinched “Don’t touch me” “Don’t touch her” Kelly, Stella, Tony, Capp, Carver and Cruz echoed and he held his hands up “Can we talk for one second please” you cut your eyes at Stella “If I look at you send everyone” she was glaring at Jay then said “If you look at me babe, I’m coming too, charges be damned”

You followed Jay across the bar to a corner that was semi private but close enough your crew could see you. You turned to face him, feeling tears spring to your eyes despite the alcohol you had hoped would drown them out “Was she good?” his face twisted in disgust “What?” you shrugged “Just asking, I mean three years. I hope she was good”

His gaze dropped “She was a mistake” you nodded slowly, angry tears slipping out your eyes and down your face “Oh so you just slipped and fell into her pussy?” he raised his eyes to you and when you saw he had tears in them you laughed “Don’t fucking don’t” and turned to walk away.

“I love you” he called after you and you spun around with every intention to swing on him if you hadn’t been picked up and thrown across Kelly’s shoulder at that exact moment. “We’re taking you home” Stella told you from his side and looked at Jay “Back off” “I just want to explain what happened to her”

You cocked your head to the side to look at Stella despite the world being upside down in your current view “It’s fine Stel, ask him he just fell into her pussy and it’s fine because he loves me. FUCK YOU JAY.”

“Come on Kelly” Stella told him so he moved to carry you out and Jay couldn’t get the hint and followed the three of you. When Kelly put you down for you to get into Stella’s jeep you lunged to swing on Jay and Kelly grabbed you around the waist and spoke into your ear “Say whatever you need to but don’t fucking hit a detective. I’m not speaking as your friend I am speaking as your Lieutenant, calm down or I’ll suspend you from squad”

You cut your eyes at him and he shrugged “I’m protecting you” you nodded then looked back at Jay who stood on the sidewalk a few feet away “I loved you with everything I had Jay and it wasn’t enough so I hope she was worth it. We’re done, there’s no give me a second chance no baby I love you. When you fuck someone else there is no more us”

You didn’t wait to see what he’d say or do and instead nodded to Kelly so he let you loose to get into Stella’s jeep. You slammed the door and slid the seat belt into place, letting your head fall back and tears finally start to fall in earnest as she pulled away from the curb.

Jay climbed into his truck to head into work and when he lifted the console looking for his damn wallet one of your hair ties were laying there under it like a damn calling card. He picked it up, running his fingers over it. This was only the tenth one he’d found in the last month. 

Every time he closed his eyes he could see that look on your face. He never meant for it to happen. Never meant to hurt you. Now he couldn’t even sit in his damn truck without having memories of you, memories of just how bad he fucked up surrounding him. He was on the verge of selling the damn thing just to have a little bit of peace, to have somewhere that didn’t carry memories of you. The dash where the scuff from your new boots were still at, the photo of you and him that he’d yet to have in him to take off the dash despite Erin threatening to kick his ass if she spotted it again, every damn chapstick or starbucks straw he’d found since the two of you split. 

Every memory of you and him, unable to wait until you got home, tangled together with the windows so damn fogged. That weekend spent at the beach where you slept in the bed of the truck because you wanted to be under the stars. He threw the hair tie on the floor. He needed a new damn truck.

You were pacing in the hall of Med, waiting to see if Carver was ok. You heard Crockett’s voice and turned to see the doctor walking towards you with a smile “Good news, your boy’s fine” you grinned “That is good news doc. Thank you” he nodded “Happy to help”

He looked at you for a second then smiled “Y/N…I know you and Jay Halstead split a few months back but would it be too soon for me to ask you if you would want to get coffee or dinner some time?” you cut your eyes down at your filthy gear then back up at him “If you’re asking me out while I look like this? I’d say it’s perfect timing. Got your cell handy so I can give you my number?” He grinned and pulled it out of his pocket “Yes ma’am” and held it out.

You added your name and number into his contacts putting a little firetruck and fire emoji next to your name. When you handed it back he laughed lightly “Cute” you shrugged “I always add emojis to my contacts” he hit your number and let your phone ring “Make sure to add me good ones but just so you know I wasn’t saying cute about that darlin” and winked at you before he handed you Carver’s discharge papers. You felt your face warm before you said “Call me soon ok Crockett?” he nodded “I’ll call you as soon as I get a break which is in half an hour. Soon enough?” you grinned “Yes it is”

“I’m telling you they’re like perfect together” Jay tried to block out Erin most days if it wasn’t something directly to do with the case at hand. If she wasn’t giving him hell about you still she was simply just giving him hell. What drew his attention into hers and Kim’s conversation was when Kim laughed lightly “Hmm a doctor and a firefighter. That sounds like the plot a good book waiting to happen”

He barely glanced up when Erin chuckled and leaned closer to Kim, speaking in a voice barely above a whisper but he still caught it “The way Crockett was looking at Y/N? I’m fairly certain it would be fairly high on the spice level at that”  he had no right to feel the anger he did and yet the pen in his hand snapped. Crockett and you? You were moving on. Of course you were moving on. He cheated on you. He was a fucking idiot and didn’t realize what was in front of him, couldn’t keep his damn dick in his pants and now the woman he loved was no longer his.

He glanced down at the blue staining his palm and cursed, throwing the pen away and standing to head to the bathroom to attempt to wash his hands.

Crockett was different from Jay. He didn’t try to hide things, he told you about his past. You knew about his daughter, his struggles. It was nice. He understood your reservations about trust, about why you would be so cold some days. He knew Jay had completely crushed your heart but he wasn’t shying away from the job of fixing it.

Little by little he started to mend the breaks. Little by little you started to trust him. Little by little the pain left from Jay’s betrayal started to be replaced by the care that was growing for Crockett. 

Whether it was greeting you anytime you had to come to med with a kiss and a “Hey Darlin” or “Everything ok Darlin” along with a coffee   or  just being there when you had a bad call   or just calling you the nights you didn’t get together to let you know what he was up to because he knew even if you would never say the words that the thoughts plagued your mind. He won your heart. 

_______________________

You were laying across Crockett’s chest,his fingers tracing patterns on your back. The room was silent except for the noise from the traffic down below “Crockett?” you whispered and he made a noise in response before saying “Yeah darlin?” “Please don’t break my heart. It can’t take much more” he kissed the side of your head and said “I promise you darlin. I’m man enough to break things off with you before I cheat on you”

You cut your eyes up at him with a grin “Good answer” he laughed “Wasn’t it now?’ and pulled you into a kiss.

Jay handed over the signed title to his truck and took the check from the man. “What’s wrong with it?” the man asked and Jay laughed bitterly “Nothing man. I had it with my ex. I fucked things up with her and it’s got three years of memories. I had to get a new truck” 

He’d seen you with Crockett, you were happy. You didn’t have that broken look in your eyes anymore. He couldn’t even be pissed. He’d done it to himself, now he had to live with it. He just knew he couldn’t keep driving the truck that you had ridden in so many times at his side and know that you would never even be his friend again. He had to try to move on too. 

Crockett's POV

[coco-loco-nut]

Book Club - Part 8

Pairing: Grid x Reader, mentioned Lance x Reader

Summary: Headcanon-ish, book club reacting to clips of reader, short but utterly adorable

requests open masterlist series masterlist

————————

In honor of your fifth season and your birthday, the F1 social media team has gathered your best friends to comment on some moments across your five years in F1:

Moment One

When you joined your first team, a video resurfaced of you from your days in F3, you admitted that your Formula One crush is Nick Hülkenberg, "I mean, look at him when he was driving for Sauber!". Naturally, your team brought you in for a media video, made you watch it, and surprised you with THE Nico Hülkenberg standing behind you. Cue you crying, blushing, and hugging him. Kevin was there too, no one really knows why.

Nico and Kevin laugh, it's one of their favorite memories with you. Despite your mortification and admiration, they invited you to hang out with them in Haas. They genuinely wanted to get to know the newest member of the paddock, which started the best grid friendship. "I knew right away that we were going to be good friends," Kevin tells the interviewer. "My wife surprisingly found it hilarious, she loved Y/n from that moment, probably because she agreed with Y/n," Nico adds. "Not to brag, but we are her best friends,"

Moment Two

In your first year as a driver, you had the absolute pleasure of sitting in an interview with Lando, George, and Alex. It wasn't a press conference, so it was a lot more relaxed. As the three boys joked around and acted like, well, boys, your irritation was clear on your face.

"Oh! I remember that day, she went to find Nico and Kevin, who I was with at the moment and was complaining about how some of the younger drivers were too immature. We invited her to lunch with us and Valtteri," Fernando's face lights up at the clip. "I joked that we were like an old person book club, it ran from there," Valtteri says, smiling at the memory. "How many drivers are in the club now?" The interviewer asks. "We started with just the five of us, the number stands at 10 including Checo," Fernando says, having to think for a second. "I miss Checo, he really was the epitome of our club," Valtteri sighs.

Moment Three

One morning, you were walking into your motorhome, tired and not really paying attention, you slipped on a slick step, not quite having had the chance to dry after the overnight rainfall. You quickly got back up, acting like nothing happened.

"Ouch, poor Y/n, that must've hurt," Lewis grimaces, meanwhile George and Logan are laughing. "She hasn't gotten any better, still uncoordinated," Checo says, he returned just for this surprise. "Yeah, but she got right back up and acted like nothing happened, our unbothered queen," Daniel points out. "Guys, quit laughing at Y/n," Lewis looks at George and Logan disapprovingly. "Don't act like you didn't laugh when the video first came out," George replies, giving the older drivers a knowing look. "She's gonna murder us all," Logan's face loses its color, suddenly remembering the video is recording.

Moment Four

After a night out, you were dragged out of your bed by your wonderful boyfriend, you show up to the paddock with a wealth of juicy gossip. You quickly find Valtteri, Fernando, and Checo just past the gates. As the four of you speak, you spot a camera focused on you. The dirty look you sent it quickly became a meme.

"Haha, that was a great day for gossip, and I usually don't like it," Checo says. "Before you ask, no, we can't tell you what it was. Swore an oath never to share," Valtteri stares at the camera. "It was-" Fernando starts then pauses when the other two look at him. "haha, you thought I was going to spill the tea. I am not,"

Moment Five

Most of your career has been spend on bottom of the grid teams, so when you made your first podium, you couldn't help but to celebrate. Lance ran over to you as you pulled your helmet off. You pulled him into a kiss as the crowds cheered you on.

As soon as the video is shown, the group collectively gags and cringes. "We love them, but sometimes she forgets that we didn't sign up to watch them be all lovey," George tells the interviewer. "There is your proof that she loves someone more than me," Nico chuckles. "We were all so proud of her, we forced her to go to a celebratory dinner with us instead of Lance and Kimi," Logan provided some insight.

Moment Six

Your first win came with your return post injury. But the video that the drivers are shown doesn't just show that, it shows a part of one of your post-race interviews that was previously edited out. "Yeah, the car was good, I drove well too, but I genuinely think that if it weren't for my support system, I wouldn't be here. There were times when I thought about not resigning because I wasn't performing like I thought I should. My support system, they know who they are, reminded me why I drive and have reminded me of my passion. They provided so much guidance and wisdom, they introduced me to Kimi who is now, in every way that matters, my dad, I've taught them slang. More specifically for this race, they helped me recover from my injuries, especially after free practices and qualifying when I would be incredibly sore. Sorry that I'm yapping, I just love them all so much."

All of the guys are trying not to cry. "If it isn't clear by now, we all love her too," Lewis says, passing around tissues. "She really does glue us all together, doesn't she?" Kevin hums. "I've certainly enjoyed the past 4 years, it's hard to believe it's her fifth year here," Nico agrees. "She won before you did," Fernando teases him. "Seriously, we love her so much, not because she is the only woman, but because she is so easy to get along with. She is friends with everyone on the track, never spreads malicious gossip, and is just so down to earth," Daniel says, refocusing the group. "She immediately got Kimi, the Iceman, to like her, that says so much about her," Valtteri agrees.

Similarly to Nico and Kevin in the first clip shown, you are snuck in to watch the last bit. "Guys," you cry a little, pulling them into a group hug. "Happy birthday, hija," Fernando says, starting a euphony of similar comments. "I love you guys so much," you are fully crying. "We love you too, kiddo," Daniel wipes your tears, pulling you into a bear hug.

[walkingnearfoxes]

The Space Between the Lines (Homelander x Reader) - Chapter 6

2.3k words. NSFW. Warnings for the Homelander being the Homevoyeur, vague and unsatisfying smut with a nameless dude, and PTSD if you’ve used Tinder. She/Her Teacher Reader.

There are a dozen teachers who would kill for this job. You’re just not sure that you’re one of them.

The Homelander noticed how your behavior was slightly off that Friday morning. You were never exactly a peppy ball of sunshine - he certainly would have killed you by now if that was the case - but you always connected so well with Ryan. You seamlessly wove lessons, jokes, and care to keep his son engaged. The Homelander had to cut in now and then to give his opinion and he still hadn't quite forgiven you for your slight against George Washington, but he could admit you were a good teacher. His good little teacher.

But you weren't happy, which was more evident than ever on that Friday. Homelander saw the little twitch to your jaw when he offered Ryan an opinion different from yours. Maybe the average fuck wouldn't notice how your hands clenched against tighter against your mug of tea - the tea he had boiled personally for you with his heat vision - or how every muscle in your body was tight with tension, but he saw it. Oh, he saw it - and it was getting harder and harder every day to not just pin you to the table and work those kinks out.

You were afraid of him; he knew that much. All the powerless water sacs on this planet should be fearful of him. But it wasn't just fear - and if anything, he smelled less and less of that bile touched emotion in you by the day. You were frustrated.

Why? He could give you everything and more. He ensured you received a salary so you wouldn't have to worry a day in your life. He memorized your favorite tea and snacks; he even noticed a strain in your lower back before you did and corrected the chairs in his penthouse. What more did you need? Were you frustrated that you enjoyed his company more than you thought you should have? Surely you would have made some kind of complaint by now; even you in all your selflessness couldn't exist like this without a whisper of satisfaction for yourself. It couldn't just be that you enjoyed teaching Ryan. Ryan was perfect, but he was only a child. What about him kept you coming back?

You left the Homelander’s penthouse that Friday the way you usually did. You said goodbye to Ryan, reminded him about his homework, packed up your things, and gave the Homelander only the most adorable and awkward of nods. Usually, the Homelander insisted on a handshake or a pat on the back. Even through the rich leather of his gloves, he could feel the softness of your skin. The closeness would let him detect that soft vanilla scent that naturally seemed to come off you. Sweet, but not too sweet - followed by a sharpness that always surprised him. But this time, sensing that strange frustration radiating off you, he let you go with a warm smile and a soft murmur of your name. He would only say your name when you left; he kept the word tucked in his pocket like a special dessert.

Sadly, he could not immediately follow after you. Much of the rest of that day was spent in meetings where the he moved between correcting Ashley's horrid ideas, thinking about you, and imagining how fucking good it would feel to toss the Deep out the window. God, the way that Free Willy Fucker would splatter. He would have done it ages ago if Kevin wasn't such a useful little kissass. The only fun the Homelander had that afternoon was helping decide the next string of commercials Ryan would star in. After all, his son would be the second most important member of the Seven one day; he needed to be the best.

Finally, after he declared the meetings were done for the day, the Homelander sailed off to find you. The sky was just beginning to darken, allowing him to slowly weave through the skyscrapers in the setting sun's camouflage. He moved to stand at his usual spot across the street from your apartment complex; after you had nearly spotted him, he kept closer to the shadows. He couldn't even remember the last person to spot him like that - all the more reason for him to keep you.

Sadly, you weren't home. It was just your bitch of a roommate smoking in her bedroom - again. He was going to have to do something about that. He let out a sigh of aggravation and rested his hands on his hips. Had you mentioned anything about where you would be? No...no, you weren't exactly talking about your personal life with him yet. The Homelander closed his eyes and allowed his senses to open. It was something he had learned to do as a child to block out the putrid senses that wafted into the bad room; he could focus enough to central in on certain scents, certain sounds, or block them all out entirely. If anyone knew just how much effort he put into not squeezing this damned world in his fist, they would all kneel before him.

Now, he used his abilities to find you. After having to work through enough disgusting perfumes, shit, and trash to rip someone's eyes out, he found you - and you weren't far at all. Lucky him. Lucky New York.

He found you standing outside a shitty bar. He arched a brow as he sat beside a water tower, his hands folded in his lap. Over a month of keeping an eye on you, and he never saw you in a place like this - and he never saw you dressed like this. A little less modest, a little more skin. What for? 

He watched as you pulled your phone out of your pocket. You answered a text from Addie to confirm your location - God, he needed to stop this "friendship" - and then opened another app. It took him a moment to recognize that it was a dating app. The Homelander scoffed under his breath. It wasn't the first time he had seen you using it and while he disapproved, it seemed harmless. You barely interacted with the sad excuses for men or women that tried to speak to you. You even deleted the app more than once; at least you could both agree that none of those humans were good enough for you.

So why were you here?

His answer came in the next moment. The Homelander watched as a man approached you and asked your name in a question. You turned to look back at him and asked him his name back. The Homelander then watched the two of you embrace in what may be the most uncomfortable hug he had ever seen, and then you walked into the bar together.

You were on a date. From a dating app.

Rage shimmered in him for a moment. His hand unconsciously reached out to throw the water tower into the bar. This was unacceptable. Playing around with the app was fine, but actually meeting these lunatics was dangerous for all people involved. Still, thinking about you, he managed to slow himself down. He got a closer look at your date, really looked at him. And then he laughed.

The man's hair is dyed a shitty blonde. His eyes are a murky blue. He's scrawny. The Homelander could practically see this little shit in his costume parading around a Vought convention. You are on a date with the lowest tier version of him.

That's what your grumpiness was all about. You weren't just frustrated about your censored lessons; you were frustrated on a much deeper level than that. The Homelander had to use every ounce of self-control to not giggle to himself. His poor little teacher was horny.

After that, watching the date was fun. You tried your best to be your cute self with the dud, but it was useless. The man was objectively awful. His small talk was boring. His life was boring. He even excused himself at one point to smoke. Pathetic. Nowhere near good enough for someone of your caliber.

But you stayed.

The Homelander watched in amused disbelief as the dickhead invited you home - as if the dunce even had the right to breathe the same air as you. And you said yes.

He once again restrained the urge to intervene. He hated all of this, but it was also a crucial lesson. He slowly stood from the roof as he readied himself to follow the two of you.

"Go ahead and try to fix that craving, little lamb." He murmured aloud. "We both know you want something else."

The dipshit lived a block from the bar. He evidently couldn't be bothered to walk less than five minutes for this “date.” The moment you were inside of his depressing studio apartment, the swine was touching you. The man kissed you like he was trying to suck on a spoon of hot soup - painful to watch and, judging from your cringing face, painful to feel. Oblivious to your lack of passion, the man wasted little time beginning to tug the clothes off of you. You went along with it, helping him out of his clothes to reveal a bony body that had the Homelander chuckling from the fire escape. When you were down to your bra, the man roughly squeezed your tits like he had never touched a pair before. Undoubtedly, the Homelander thought, you would stop this nonsense now. 

But you persisted. The man reached for your bra and missed the hook three times. You graced him with a laugh - God, you had a sexy laugh - and undid the bra yourself.

For a moment, the Homelander debated leaving. As much as he had kept tabs on you, he had never drawn the line at seeing you bare. He was a gentleman. He averted his gaze whenever you readied yourself for a shower or wandered your room in perceived solitude. He wanted you to know he was there the first time you were naked in front of each other.

But this would do.

You were stunning. With every piece of clothing dropped to the dusty floor, the Homelander grew increasingly certain that you were perfect. He wanted to devour you. He wanted to swallow you hole, bite and suck at every crevice of you until the only thing you knew was him.

He waited. He clenched his hands behind his back hard enough to chop steel. You needed to learn. You needed to see that nothing and no one - not this man, not the toys you kept so cleverly hidden in your apartment, not any midnight fantasy - could compete with him.

The horrible hookup carried on. This fool’s idea of foreplay was fondling your boobs for about ten seconds, and then fingering you like a jackhammer. You were so kind to the bastard. You moaned prettily, you ran a hand through his hair, and the Homelander did vaguely detect some arousal - but he shouldn't have had to search for the scent. You should have been drowning in it.

Finally, after a tentative push onto the bed, the man pushed his dick into you. He engaged in the most cringeworthy of missionary the Homelander has ever seen and God, you did your best. You rolled your hips, you clenched at his hair, but despite your best efforts, the man came before you were even close. The cocksucker pulled away, he asked if you were good, and you assured him you were. You brushed sweat off of your tits and slowly sat up, dressing yourself without a care. The Homelander was hard by that point, but he would do nothing about it now - not after watching how little fun you had in this disaster of a one night stand. It wouldn't be fair, and he refused to leave even a touch of his seed at this shithole. Still, the mind wandered. Your tits had bounced so beautifully, and your sighs - even if a bit phoned in - were music. He could have you screaming for him. He could have you bent over every flat surface in his penthouse, fucking you until you saw God - him. With time, he reminded himself. That would all come with time.

The fully-dressed goodbyes were hilarious. The man wanted to see you again, and you assured him you'd text him. Of course, you told the fucker, it would take a while. You had a hectic work schedule. Homelander smirked. You're welcome.

Finally, with a forgiving kiss on the cheek, you left. As the Homelander gently rose to the sky, you called Addie. He loathed the idea of hearing her voice, but for your sake, he listened.

"That was quick." Addie teased you.

You groaned. "Dude, he had three fedoras in his room. Three. Who needs two fedoras?"

"Aw, buddy." Addie sighed sympathetically. "I'm sorry. Come home. We can watch Pride and Prejudice."

Your smile was beautiful as you descended to the subway. "Make popcorn, please."

"Done and done," Addie replied. "Oh! Before I forget. Penny has the morning off tomorrow. You wanna grab brunch at The Coop?"

"I'll be there." You tell her, and you both say goodbyes before you boarded the next train.

The Homelander watched you for a moment longer. You poor, poor thing. Your panties were soaked in unfulfilled need. He simply could not let this continue any longer; it wasn't fair to you, and it certainly wasn't fair to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, teach." He murmured fondly, and then flew back to the tower. After all, he had a son to look after.

[hamliet]

All for the Game: In Defense of Melodrama

So a friend mailed me a trilogy of self-published books (not published by my friend) telling me it had all the trigger warnings but I needed to read it. So I did.

And it took me 3 days to read through all three books of the All For the Game trilogy. So I guess you could say I liked it. A lot.

The premise is... unhinged. Think a sports drama meets a mobster story meets a college story. Plus some romance. Oh, and the sport is made-up.

But hey, every major single character is a lost, angry murder child who had no fair shot at life, and yet is given one anyways. And their development is some of the best I've read.

And the rarest gem of all? The best portrayal of identical twin characters I've ever seen. Y'all know how rare this is for me to say!

A Found Family of Foxes

Coach Wymack only recruits troubled kids to join the Foxes. Essentially, we need more Wymacks in real life. Addicts, sex workers, murderers, runaways. Everyone gets a second chance, and no one is limited by their pasts.

The author does a wonderful job of interlacing the characters' pasts. They each have their own piece to offer Neil, our main character, as he joins, insofar as learning what family means. They also all learn from Neil, and from each other, and each character feels very unique. They have their own manner of talking, and their own journey. They felt real.

Nicky was one of my favorite characters to read. Neil, Kevin, Andrew, and Aaron's arcs were the best written. Andrew, of course, is the standout. He's so angry, so hurt, and so easy to write off as a sociopath. And in real life, someone like him would be written off as one. But he's anything but.

In fact, Andrew is the heart of the story. Him learning to love despite seeming like the longest shot at the start answers the thematic question of the story... especially because that theme is twisted to ask questions of the reader, because we learned Andrew has loved deeply, and all along.

Andrew's twin brother, Aaron, shares a very complex relationship with Andrew. It's codependent and also filled with resentment and deep care. The idea that love and hate are two sides of the same coin is really embodied by their relationship. Whatever happens between them, they are never apathetic.

Their arcs are complimentary but unique, with Aaron learning to fight for Katelyn and with Andrew learning to stay for Neil. Their relationship also foils Riko and Kevin's, in that again, they are something of a "set" and there are complicated feelings about being abandoned and protected between them, as well as just what gives their lives value. Riko and Kevin's brotherly relationship was tragic, however.

Andrew's romance with Neil is also well done slow-burn. You can slowly see Neil falling for him, despite being oblivious in his narration, and his inability to open up and realize that Andrew is down bad for him (and that he's also obsessed with Andrew and has been since their first meeting).

At the beginning I assumed the romance was Neil and Kevin, and I think it was an interesting subversion that it was actually Andrew and Neil. Though apparently the author flirted with the idea of a throuple of Kevin-Neil-Andrew, and I'm not gonna lie, you can absolutely see that in the story. It could have worked, but I'm not mad it didn't either.

Neil is also a great main character. His struggles with identity and purpose mirror those of a lot of younger people, and that's without the trauma and the literal switching of identities (a way in which he and Andrew parallel each other in their first meeting, by pretending to be someone they aren't).

His slow acceptance that he has worth, and that life has value, and that he can be loved and love, that he can even trust, and that even if tragedy strikes, it's worth being loved--that was genuinely moving to read. Like, I teared up.

Fox Faith

I really enjoyed the way the author wrote about Renee's born again faith, as well as Nicky's faith. Nora Sakavic portrays them as real people, flawed too, but also people whose faith clearly impacts their lives in a positive way. And those around them as well, but not in a preachy way.

Listen, I'll take any portrayal of queer-affirming Christianity I can. And that the author does this without dumbing down the reality of living their faith? I loved it.

I also found the way the scenes between Nicky and his family at Thanksgiving went down--the utter nightmare they were--to be a somewhat accurate commentary on the state of the protestant evangelical church. I mean, the father is literally named Luther. In his judgement, he throws a hurting child into the arms of a predator, unaware he's being played by forces far greater than his (the mafia). But that doesn't break him. No, what breaks him is his son being gay. A child is literally being abused in your house, and you don't even focus on that because oh no, the gay. Intentional or not, it works as a scathing commentary on the American church today.

The Critiques and the Features

There's really only one critique I have. Well, two. But one is a critique I think actually is a feature, not a bug, and the other is really a taste thing.

The first critique though is a spoiler, so skip the next three paragraphs. This is your one warning.

I didn't like that Riko died. I think it works for the story, actually. I also think him living would have worked. Andrew breaking his arm after he's lost the game in the end was poetic justice. He had nothing left. His brother killing him was kind of just unnecessary--but also kind of the point.

Because the reality is that Riko never had a chance. His entire life he was thrown away and desperate. He was awful, yes, and did many unforgivable things... but because the entire story was about humanizing the types of people seem as monsters, it also never lets you forget Riko is human. His story is a tragedy, and his death ensures freedom for Neil and the Foxes, but I personally would have preferred him to live. However, this is more a taste thing than a critique thing.

I also think that Riko ironically mirrors Seth's arc: both died tragically and never had much of a chance. And even though they are gone, Seth is still loved and appreciated. Riko really isn't, and that is, itself, supposed to rattle.

My other critiques are not so much critiques, just acknowledgements that AFTG doesn't conform to most westerners' expectations of fiction. The good news is that it sets this up at the beginning so the unrealistic elements don't really raise eyebrows because it never pretends it's going to be realistic. Expectations are fully managed.

Still, yes, you do have to suspend disbelief a bit. Neil's dad and his goons are comically evil (yet still terrifying). The coincidence of Kevin and Neil meeting again is a bit much. Also, Andrew's nonsensical medication that is just not how medicine works. And also, Exy. Okay, Exy as sport is basically lacrosse and Quidditch.

Larger Thoughts on Genre

AFTG also reminds me of what I think is missing from a lot of traditional publishing and is why a lot of people turn to, say, fanfiction rather than traditional work now. Actually, this extends beyond just publishing and gets into the western style of storytelling in the modern era.

It's too grounded in reality.

Not that realism is bad--I like realism a lot. But I do think a lot of the appeal of, say, K-dramas, J-dramas, Spanish and Greek telenovelas, and fanfiction is the melodrama. Modern western storytelling industries frown on melodrama, and indeed there are flaws inherent in melodrama, but there are also flaws inherent in realism. I do think modern western publishing and storytelling has, to use a cliche, thrown the baby out with the bathwater and forgotten how needed melodrama is. Too much realism leads to every story I consume from the west feeling muted and stale.

Really one of the few places in the English-speaking western entertainment sphere where you don't see an emphasis on realism is fanfiction. A lot of fanfics say the hell with reality, let’s portray the wildest possibilities. The ironic thing is that many of these melodramatic stories end up with something a lot more valuable to say, in terms of emotional truth and heft, than your average sanitized product from private equity firm controlled publishers in 2025.

AFTG takes wild possibilities and uses its melodramatic plot and premise and characters to portray emotional realities that everyone can relate to, and through the melodrama gives readers a safe space to explore those feelings. Feeling hopeless. Feeling trapped. Abandoned. Terrified of the past, and of the future. And it shows a family forming, trust forming, healing happening, despite scars.

While melodrama at its worst can be full of flat stock characters who never move past their archetypes, melodrama at its best--like in AFTG--takes those archetypes and breaks them down. It invites you into the premises of a story that could never happen in real life and asks you to explore the wildest reaches of the reader's capacity for empathy and hope.

Melodrama done well reminds me of the hyperbolized worlds of novels in the past. For example, Dostoyevsky's works, in which hyperbolized reality contrasts with the brutally honest realism of his characters' psychologies. Now, I'm not saying All for the Game is on the same literary level or anything like that. Not at all. I'm just saying that this work reminded me of melodrama's greatest strength: Hyperbolized worlds that enable us to explore the heights/depths of and questions of limits to human nature.

Melodrama at its best is a tool to enhance stories, and while it's got a bad rap, it is compelling ish when done right.

All this to say, I genuinely wish traditional publishing would open up to craziness again. Yes, all the YouTube dudebros will say "this would never happen" and they'd be right. But the emotional heft of the story is still very, very real.

[minnnoru]

The Trojans thought they had seen everything on an Exy court. They had played against the best teams in the league, pushed through brutal matches, and faced off against some of the most aggressive players in the sport. But nothing, not even their grueling matches against the Foxes, prepared them for the sight of Jean Moreau and Kevin Day going head-to-head.

It was supposed to be a friendly scrimmage, a lighthearted practice to keep everyone sharp before the upcoming game. Kevin had suggested it—just a one-on-one against Jean to warm up while the rest of the team stretched. No one objected; after all, they were both world-class players and watching them play was always a learning experience.

Then the match started.

It took all of ten seconds for the Trojans to realize something was very, very wrong.

There was nothing friendly about the way Jean and Kevin moved. The moment the whistle blew, their posture shifted, their bodies settling into an instinctive rhythm honed by years under the Ravens’ banner. It was a style none of them had seen in some time—because no one played like this unless they had learned the game the way Jean and Kevin had.

Jean lunged for the ball and Kevin slammed into him with the force of someone who had forgotten this wasn’t a league match. Jean barely reacted, twisting his body mid-air to land with practiced ease, his racquet cutting the air in a defensive arc that forced Kevin back. There was no hesitation, no holding back, no concern for bruises or injuries. Only sharp footwork, sharp elbows, and sharper focus.

“Are they—are they actually trying to kill each other?” Cat whispered.

“No,” Jeremy said, though he didn’t sound convinced. “I think this is just… how they play?”

The Trojans watched horrified as Jean and Kevin tore across the court. Their movements were seamless, their aggression unmatched. Kevin pushed too hard, Jean shoved right back. Kevin pivoted, Jean countered. Jean scored, Kevin ripped the ball from his possession on the next play. There was no trash talk, no taunting. Just raw, unfiltered skill honed in the most cutthroat environment in the sport.

And they were having the time of their lives.

Jean was grinning. Actually grinning. Kevin was breathing hard, eyes alight with the kind of excitement no one ever saw outside of official matches. They weren’t teammates or opponents. They were two people who had grown up in the same fire, who understood each other’s play in a way no one else could.

The game ended only when the coach blew the whistle, looking somewhere between exasperated and vaguely concerned. Jean and Kevin stilled, their heavy breathing the only sound in the sudden silence. Then Jean smirked and tossed the ball at Kevin’s chest.

“Getting slow, Day.”

Kevin caught it easily, scowling. “You wish.”

The Trojans just gaped at them.

Jeremy sighed, rubbing his face. “We need to have a serious conversation about what ‘friendly’ means to you two.”

Jean just rolled his eyes, already reaching for his water bottle. “It was friendly.”

Jeremy gestured at the court, which looked like a war zone. “That was not friendly.”

Jean and Kevin exchanged a look, then shrugged in unison.

“It was friendly for us.”

The Trojans collectively groaned.

It wasn’t the last time Jean and Kevin would have a ‘friendly’ scrimmage, but from that moment on, the Trojans made sure to clear the court whenever they did.

[pandy-landy]

The foxes decide that for Neil and Andrew’s first marriage anniversary, they would create a group chat called ‘The Best of Andrew & Neil’. Here, they all sent in either their favourite photo or video of the two, with a ‘Happy Anniversary!’ text following. So, throughout the day, Andrew and Neil receive these photos and videos;

Nicky’s is a video he had Erik take during the monsters graduation. It shows Andrew being called up on stage, and the camera pans to Neil, who cheers and claps and grins at Andrew like he hung the stars. His grin never falters as his eyes follow Andrew off stage, and once he’s off, Neil stands and makes his way to his boyfriend. Once they meet, Andrew shrugs his robe and cap off, and they converse for a moment before Andrew pulls Neil down, kissing him.

Renee’s is a photo of them at Edens, perfectly captured, where Andrew is sitting at the table completely transfixed on Neil, who is pictured dancing with Alison. In the shot, his arms are up behind his head, he’s leaning on one hip, with his head tossed sideways, grinning. His hair is a mess, the result of having hands run through it all night. It’s tossed over his eyes, leaving his grin the center of attentions The lights in the club make the photo look surreal, perfectly focusing on both Andrew’s look of infatuation and Neil’s elated smile.

Kevin’s is a photo, one he took of them making dinner together. In the photo, Andrew stands in front of the stove where thee is a pot of something being made. His side is to the camera, and Neil sits in the counter next to him. He’s feeding Neil dinner from a big stirring spoon, presumably having Neil taste test the meal. His other hand is under the spoon, ready to catch anything that falls. Neil’s eyes are closed in a blink, but his face is contented. (No one else’s but Neil and Andrew know they’re wearing each others T shirts in that photo)

Matt’s is a video of a practice. While the team is clearing off the court, Wymack yelling at them to shower away their stink, Andrew leisurely walks over to Neil, who is lying on the ground, and starts kicking his helmet. Neil raises his stick and bats Andrew’s helmet with it, resulting in Andrew taking his stick and continuing to kick Neil’s helmet until Neil stands up. Once stood, Neil knocks their helmets together and they walk off.

Allison sends a 3 second video. It’s obviously been clipped from a.l longer video, and it’s just Neil sitting on the curb of the sidewalk with a skinned knee, while Andrew is attending to it with a water bottle and napkins. Neil looks at Andrew and says, “Drew, I’m ok.” Andrew just glared at him. Allison’s follow up text says “I sent this one because it’s the only video I can find of Neil calling you ‘Drew’.”

Dan’s video is a bit longer, showcasing the foxes piled up watching a movie and slowly moving to the couch, where Neil is laying with his head in Andrew’s lap, sleeping. Andrew is brushing his thumb absentmindedly against Neil’s cheek, other hand embedded in his hair as he stares down at him.

Aaron is the last to send his photo, and it comes privately instead of in the group chat. but to Andrew, it’s the most meaningful one. It’s a photo of them when Andrea and Nicole were born. both Neil and Andrew have a baby cradled in their arms as they sit next to each other, leaning together. Andrew is holding Andrea, and Neil is holding Nicole. Aarons text says “This is my favourite because it’s the pic that made me realize my girls have good uncles. Happy anniversary, guys.”

[cloverdaisies]

HOW TO SURVIVE SENIOR YEAR ☆

ERIC SOHN x reader 𝜗𝜚𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔

˗ˏˋ description:��ˊ˗જ⁀➴ৎ୭ : a chaotic how to guide on surviving high school with an 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 crush on the skater boy with the locker next to urs.

˗ˏˋ genre: ˎˊ˗જ⁀➴ৎ୭: pretty much chaos & fluff !

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ ʚ word count: ɞ ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆: 5.4k+

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ ʚ dt : ɞ ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆: for bar! @sohnric sorry it’s so late ! ! yk, e v e r y t h i n g that’s been going on & i’m sure you don’t mind! merry late c h r i s t m a s i <3 u very much, i tried to incorporate everything for you… i think these prompts definitely reached the right person!! ৎ୭… so for my bar ! ! …..

# FRIDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 1996

# MORNING! 🌥️

The unbearable series of screeching from the school bell, cued the sound of wheels scraping against the pavement outside. A pair of blue cargo jeans complimenting a classic pair of red jordan’s glued themselves to a skateboard as it began flipping and jumping curbs. The wire of a walkman dangling, the flimsy headphones leaking sounds of a noisy guitar through the hallway of the school.

“Eric Sohn. No skating in the corridor and you’re late to class.” A nerdy-looking hallway monitor approached the skateboard wielding boy, holding out some form of citation for Eric to sign with a wavering hand.

“I’m not signing that.” He laughed, snatching the sheet making sure to crumple it into a tight ball before throwing it behind him. “You didn’t see me. Thank me later.”

The hall monitor, whose name tag read ‘Younghoon’ looked down with eyeballs bulging from his skull at the cigarette in his palm, tears pricking his waterline. Eric continued to skate the corridors to his homeroom, biting into an apple with that jaw of his that had to have been sharpened by the gods-

at least…. that’s what you saw….

Eric was a childhood crush of yours, considering you two lived on the same street growing up and you still vividly remember the heart eyes that pumped from your skull when you watched him play basketball on his driveway from your windowsill every night after school. Everything he did was enchanting, he made the simplest things look hot and his charm was next level too.

As for what Kevin sat next to you was seeing: just some dude burping and blowing it into his friends face afterwards.

In your sick love fantasy, you still thought he was the funniest most angelic man to first stick his feet in the soil of the earth.

“If you wanna survive senior year, you need to stop staring at him like that. it’s gross and it’ll leave you the minute it gets heart eyes for anything else. How many times can we have this conversation?” Kevin laughed and scribbled down, ‘1. NO F**K BOYS (especially Eric Sohn)’ in bright red ink at the top of your page.

“So!” Your homeroom teacher waltzed into the room with a wide grin glowing from cheek to cheek. “The class of 96’ how do you feel?! Your time at this school is almost over! Some of us are setting good examples, sat in our actual chairs and not the table Mr. Sohn?”

You giggled as Eric turned with a sigh, crossing his arms and sinking into his seat, secretly you hoped he would catch eyes with you just for a second and share a smile. However, the boy just put his headphones back on and slammed his head on the wooden desk as if he were to fall asleep.

You looked down at the diary where,

“ 1. NO F**K BOYS ”

had been written so passionately by Kevin and thought, if you’re gonna make senior rules, you should at least make the best high school ‘how to’ guide the world has ever seen.

——

The entire school day, word had gotten about ‘Kyu’s first party of the semester’ renowned for his crazy mansion of a house, and parents that were home a concerningly small amount of the time. Happening tonight, you hadn’t even thought about what you were gonna wear yet, or the fact that Kyu himself was Eric’s bestfriend.

Eric had a rather large friend circle of boys in your year, from Juyeon who was into sports to Jacob who was a bit of a music nerd and closer to Kevin if anything. Despite this, neither you or Kevin had received an invite to Kyu’s house for later that day.

# LUNCHTIME ! 🍛

Filling your metal tray and sitting next to Kevin on the end of one of the empty lunch hall tables, before you you could even begin biting in the panini you’d paid for, it was snatched out of your hand by...

“Sunwoo, that was my sandwich.” You groaned, looking at your empty plate and then back at him with a glare. “Do you not have your own food?”

“This looked nicer than my food, just have it back.” He shrugged dumping the half eaten sandwich back on your plate.

“Oh no it’s all yours.” You smiled sarcastically watching as he smiled and took the sandwich back in one animalistic gulp.

“So sorry about that y/n. Isn’t he just awful? I got you a new one.” Hyunjae, as if the entire scene was staged, sits beside you with his hand smoothly rested on his cheek. He pushed a new sandwich in front of you with a carton of orange juice sat at the top of the tray.

You rolled your eyes before you almost tripped over your comically untied laces (how did both of them end up that way?) You flew backwards only to be caught by Hyunjae, once again returning to his cringey script.

“Falling for me, I see?” He smirked lifting you back to your feet as you sat down to retie your laces that had been undone by someone at some point in time.

“Is this just going to happen every lunchtime?” You cocked an eyebrow with a huff, tying bunny ears in your converse and briefly looking back up to the boy.

“Of course, however each time it just gets more creative.” He smiled confidently, you were unaware that these were romantic gestures since Hyunjae made it seem like one big joke with his extravagant concepts.

“Please make it stop.” You rolled your eyes and tucked into the new sandwich, Kevin laughing to himself. You began to zone out as you noticed Eric from across the canteen, sat on the table skateboard propped up and talking to his friends. He looked at you momentarily with a smile before you were interrupted by Hyunjae waving his hand in front of your face.

“Are you guys coming to kyu’s?” Hyunjae asked, biting into his own.

“No. We’re not cool enough.” Kevin began to fake cry, wiping invisible tears and squealing in a high pitched whine.

“He said anyone can come, of course you guys are invited. When has he ever asked anyone?” Sunwoo added punching Kevin the back lightly and taking a seat at the table. “Just show up.”

As lunch ended, you found yourself digging through your locker for the biology notes you’d written the other day. However as you dug through your shelf you just couldn’t find them.

“What you looking for?” A deep voice alarmed you, looking up to see Eric Sohn throwing his jacket in the locker that belonged to him next to yours.

“Oh. Uhm.” You stuttered for a moment, wondering if your eyes and ears were telling you the truth. “Just some notes for biology, we have a test coming up.”

“Oh yeah, you can borrow mine for now. Just slot them back in my locker on Monday.” Eric passed you a few pieces of A4 with neatly printed notes, the cigarette resting on his lips bobbing as he spoke.

“Thanks, that’s uh, really kind of you.” You smiled as he shook his head nonchalantly.

“It’s nothing, don’t stress.” He added before breezing past you to the exit of the school with a confident stride in his steps, his skateboard under his arms.

# EVENING 🌌 :📍Y/N’s HOUSE

“Okay so what are you wearing?” Kevin asked turning around in his sequin shirt and jeans, complimenting his outfit with a crossbody bag and sunglasses.

“Uhm. Not sure yet. Might go for baggy jeans and a sequin top too.. I have a lot.” You showed Kevin the options, watching as he scratched his chin and looked between them.

જ⁀➴ৎ୭ OUTFIT OPTIONS:

(feel free to mix & m a t c h!)

“Gorgeous!” Kevin smiled, fixing you a few necklaces of his behind your neck. You smiled and looked in the mirror briefly before setting off down the block.

The house pulsated the entire street as guests spilled in the front door to the infectious rhythm playing at max volume from the many speakers around the house. A kaleidoscope of vibrant lights drowned the space, as drinks circulated everyone from the kitchen.

House parties tended to be like some sort of cringe trashy and incomprehensible version of a homecoming dance for adults that you couldn’t seem to understand. Sure they were fun but, high school students embarrassing themselves sure wasn’t.

“Hey Kevin.” A very drunk Ji Changmin sauntered over to us at the entrance, “Who’s the plus one?”

As Changmin looked over with his devilish glare, apart of you started to get nervous. As if you were mixing with the wrong crowd, a gentle flip in your stomach warned you, something was about to go incredibly wrong.

“Hi, I’m y/n.” You introduced yourself with a smile, as he passed you a beer from the many in his arms.

There was one thing that would determine whether someone would survive senior year: alcohol.

“2. PARTIES = STATUS”

Probably one of the most screwed survival tips, but unfortunately for teenagers who were just short of legal age a sip of liquor was enough to emphasise them as ‘cool’. Even if drinking is not your thing, the general consensus of being popular in senior year was to attend parties, host them and make lethal mistakes whilst there.

Throughout the night, you and Kevin found yourselves bouncing from group to group eventually watching Sangyeon and Juyeon play the most intense game of cup pong ever played in the competitive sports world.

♫ ANOTHER NIGHT - REAL MCCOY playing from speakers ♫

“Do you wanna take this one?” Sangyeon asked, holding the ping pong ball in front of you with a raised eyebrow.

“Me?” You asked laughing from the sidelines as he nodded, standing up properly you walked towards the table where most eyes were fixed on the table.

You’d gotten the grips of how to play, grasping the ball with a nervous clench before watching as Juyeon stared down the table with a sly smirk, his arms folded over his white tank top.

Bouncing off the table the ball hit the top of the few cups cups before landing in the fourth, making Juyeon’s total three. The crowd watching laughed as Juyeon threw his head back in defeat, taking the cup and gulping down its contents.

“Taking advantage of beginners luck is dirty play.” Juyeon shook his head at Sangyeon who laughed knowingly. “Whatever. If I land this you’re drinking this.”

Sure enough, as Juyeon bounced the ball across the table it landed in one of the two cups left leaving one. You’d hoped he’d missed not wanting to get to drunk around a group of people you’d never met. Nevertheless you took the cup and necked it’s contents, with a cheering crowd. Juyeon eventually won against Sangyeon, seeing the close of world’s most competitive game of cup pong.

A few drinks through the night, your brain chemistry had already began buzzing and the socialite in you stepped out of hiding, as you spoke to almost everyone you encountered. Hearing commotion from the living room, you dragged Kevin to investigate.

The room buzzed with anticipation as people gathered in a circle, forming a tight-knit group. Nervous giggles filled the air, drowned out by the music playing in the background. Sunwoo placed a bottle in the center of the circle, ready to determine the first pair of an early game of ‘spin the bottle’.

With a flick of his wrist, the bottle spun, its rotation echoing the excitement in the room. Hearts raced as it slowed down, pointing towards its chosen target. The room held its breath as the Sunwoo locked eyes with a girl he’d had a crush on for most of his childhood, their cheeks flushing bright pink as he made eye contact. With a playful smile, Sunwoo picked out one of the ‘fates’ written in the hat, revealing the crumpled paper to the crowd.

“Kiss.” He laughed nervously, smiling as she was, the circle squealed in anticipation. He leaned in to give her peck which raised a “booo” from the crowd at the underwhelming gesture.

“Y/N JOIN IN.” Hyunjae yelled from the group, causing the circle to laugh at how pathetic he was. You jokingly stepped behind Kevin to hide as “Join” began to be chanted in the room, persuading you to sit down in a gap made by Hyunjae and Haknyeon.

You took the bottle and spun it, the booze causing nerves to disappear. As the bottle began to slow down, Hyunjae grabbed the glass pointing it towards him - no one protesting considering this was his life long goal.

You sighed, hoping the paper in the hat wouldn’t do you dirty in this situation, looking up you noticed a familiar figure. Eric’s eyes stared down at you, stood from the other side of the circle, rested against the mantlepiece in his tank top and baggy jeans - a bottle of beer gripped loosely in his hands.

All of a sudden, your hands began to shake in adrenaline, Hyunjae’s eyes wavering as he noticed the way you looked up at the other boy. You began to unfold one of the pieces of paper from the hat, “7 minutes in heaven” you could have screamed. This was truly a worst case scenario, as the circle cheered and Sunwoo ushered the two of you to the bathroom.

Hyunjae locked the door with a sigh, sitting both legs in the bathtub and taking a lengthy swig of his beer in a saddened manner.

“Are you not going to do anything?” You asked curiously, folding your arms and taking a seat on the toilet cover.

“No.”He sighed, resting the bottle on the side and turning to look at you with an inquisitive stare, his eyebrows furrowing as if they contemplating internal questions.

“Why not?” You asked further, leaning forward as Hyunjae’s confident demeanour seemed to have suspiciously faltered.

“I see the way you look at him.” He suddenly spat, as if something within him snapped. “You’ll never give it up will you. Everyday, I do something to make you laugh, smile and show you someone cares. Yet… Every time I try, you’re still staring at that motherfucker who wants nothing to do with you.”

“Sorry?” You asked almost confused, the outburst seemingly unnecessary as he went to speak again but was interrupted by an ominous banging at the door.

“I get you guys are probably exchanging cooties in there, but I need to shit.” The sweet sound of Haknyeon’s charming voice and vocabulary echoed through the bathroom causing you to hold back a laugh in the situation.

“Listen y/n. I need to ask a favor.” Hyunjae proposed, stopping you from reaching for the handle of the door. “My parents have been bugging me about having a girlfriend, since my brother has one now and they’re telling me I’m a good for nothing man who will never be able to commit to someone. Which is kind of true. But will you pretend to be my girlfriend to get them off my back?”

“Will I? Hmmm….” You pretend to think for a second before retorting with a loud. “NO.”

“Please. I’ll help you get him, I’ll do everything I can to help you win Eric over. I’m one of his bestfriends.” Hyunjae’s eyes glistened in genuine sparkle, an expression you’d only come across once or twice in your life.

“I’ll think about it. But for now, it’s not a yes or a no.” You closed the conversation, head spinning as you opened the door, Haknyeon spilling into the bathroom and beelining straight for the toilet.

“3. DONT PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE’s GIRLFRIEND WHILST YOUR TRYING TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE.”

Oddly specific rule, however as you proceeded down the stairs it seemed you wouldn’t have to convince people you were dating - their dirty minds had already assumed what had happened in that bathroom.

“You’re on.” You looked back at Hyunjae with a smile before linking arms with Kevin to leave, the party only dying down in the early hours of the morning.

# SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 1996

# MORNING 🌥️

The gentle rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, birds began chirping outside, and the comforting aroma of breakfast drifted from the kitchen. Your eyes stuck together and your head booming with music from the night before, on the floor Kevin was sprawled emitting gentle snores.

The sound of a car horn outside, immediately brought you to your senses, with your fingers your gently moved the curtain to see Hyunjae leant against his car.

“Your dating Hyunjae?” Kevin asked, giving you the fright of your life as he appeared over your shoulder.

“No.” You immediately refuted, getting shivers from the sickly idea of having to date such a inferior choice of male.

“So why’s he here?” Kevin asked with a sarcastic voice, laughing at the stupidity of the scene.

“We’re dating but like just so his family gets off his back.” You sighed, standing up out of bed and beginning to make yourself look more presentable.

“You’re FAKE dating, Hyunjae?” Kevin’s jaw dropped even more than it already was if that was even possible. “That isn’t gonna look good to lover boy now is it?”

“Listen, he’s helping me get him. He’s on the inner circle, if I have a chance of getting Eric this is it.” You sighed taking your clothes to change in your arms.

“I’m calling Jacob.” Kevin suddenly added, pulling out his nokia with its antenna.

“Don’t you dare he said don’t call unless it’s emergencies, he’s in exam mode.” You recalled, knowing Jacob is practically unreachable during exam season.

“This is an emergency.” Kevin emphasised each word with a sarcastic edge.

“It’s not and if you call him, I’ll make your life so difficult.” You pointed at the boy with a warning finger before walking out to meet Hyunjae in front of his car.

♫ ALL THE SMALL THINGS - BLINK 182 playing from the car radio ♫

“Hey.” You smiled, climbing into the passenger seat of his car, the soft top rolled down so the breeze would eventually leave you wind swept. “Where we heading?”

“Bowling with my parents.” Hyunjae grumbled, more than happy you were in his car but visibly stressed with the entire situation.

“Is this all I have to do and I’m not your girlfriend anymore?” You suggested, leaning your head on the side of the car and letting the wind catch your face.

“Should be. Then I’ll tell you all about him.” Hyunjae chuckled, one hand on the steering wheel and another raking through his hair.

The bowling alley downtown was lively, decorated with neon lights and the sound of crashing pins. The smell of hot dogs and nachos wavering faintly in the air. The lanes are filled with laughter and ‘friendly’ competition.

Hyunjae swiftly introduced you to his mother and father, who looked you up and down before sending him an impressed smile.

“I’ll have to warn you dear y/n, they both get a bit competitive.” Hyunjae’s mother smiled as Hyunjae age his dad began squaring up to each other in the lane.

Whilst you were putting on your shoes, you felt a pair of eyes on you from somewhere unable to tell where.

“Hey y/n!” A familiar cheerful voice greeted you, looking up shell shocked you saw Eric, dressed in his work uniform with a lollipop. You felt your heart shatter, Hyunjae had to know he worked here, he set you up, but why?

Eric looked gorgeous in uniform you had to say, his pinstriped shirt and jeans complimented by the blue cap. However, you had bigger issues.

“You on a date with Hyunjae?” He asked, polishing a pair of shoes behind the counter next to you, happening to notice how pretty his hands were. “You look pretty, he’s a lucky guy.”

What did he say?

“Oh Eric! You met my girlfriend! This is y/n!” Hyunjae wrapped an arm around you with a condescending smile, for you everything felt as if it had frozen in time.

Eric swivelled the lollipop in his mouth for a moment, observing the look of shock you’d tried to conceal with a smile on your face and chuckled to himself.

“Landed a nice one there haven’t you buddy?” Eric almost began to patronise his bestfriend, a look of suspicious nature hidden in his big smile like a cheshire cat.

“I’m just going to go to the bathroom.” You giggled before excusing yourself to the toilets across the arena with a nervous pace.

“Well that backfired.” A voice sounded, someone pulling you back from one of the booths in the canteen. Kevin and Jacob sat like spies with sunglasses tuxedos and newspapers had been watching the entire time.

“He set me up.” You sighed putting your hands in your head. “I know he’s jealous of him but i didn’t think he’d go this far.”

“It’s Hyunjae. This is probably hilarious content to him.” Kevin rolled his eyes as Jacob nodded along, them both peering around the corner to watch the scene unfold.

“Y/n have you ever considered that Eric might like you?” Jacob asked taking his sunglasses off to look at you properly before you answered.

“He definitely doesn’t like me like that, maybe as a friend?” You suggested, twiddling your thumbs together over the wooden surface.

“Well he doesn’t seem to like the entire you and Hyunjae thing.” He added looking back over to the icy conversation between the two boys at the check in desk - Hyunjae’s parents stepping in to tell him they were ready to play.

“How can you tell?” You furrowed your brows in confusion, waiting for the reply as he began to speak.

“Duck! He’s coming.” Kevin quickly hid you under table covering you with his jacket as they both got back to their newspapers.

“Kevin?” The sound of Hyunjae’s voice from above the surface startled. “You seen y/n anywhere?”

“No? I saw her come in with you.” Kevin cleverly redirected the question allowing the boy to shrug and walk in a different direction looking for you.

“I told you these disguises wouldn’t work, we needed the moustaches.” Kevin hissed across the table to Jacob, the both of them having watched a few too many over the summer.

“Listen what do I do? Because I can’t tell Eric I’m fake dating Hyunjae because then he’d find out I was doing it because I have a stupid little thing for him!” You exclaimed, frustrated as you’d fell right in to Hyunjae’s trap.

“4. DON’T FALL FOR YOUR CRUSH’S BESTFRIENDS BLACKMAIL”

“I wouldn’t call it little. But hope things work out for you!” Jacob smiled angelically ignoring the pain shimmering in your eyes.

“Me too!” They began to gather their things ave scramble, about to take flight from the situation.

“Where are you guys going?” You asked panicked they were about to ditch you and leave the sticky situation.

“Getting you out of here.” Kevin replied taking your arm and sprinting out of the nearest exit - they may have set an alarm off for opening a fire door but oh well.

“5. DO HAVE FRIENDS THAT WILL GET YOU OUT OF SITUATIONS YOU CAUSED YOURSELF”

# MONDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 1996

After hibernating in your bed for the rest of the weekend and 13 times Kevin had tried to ring the landline to check if you were okay. It was time to face them all at school and you could not think of anything worse.

“Oh my god. It’s aliveeee.” Kevin acts out a poor excuse of a Frankenstein impression as you laughed and breezed past him to your locker.

“If you see Hyunjae hide me.” You chuckled as he signed ‘rodger that’ with a salute and began rambling about the pasta he cooked for dinner the night before.

All of a sudden you were pushed into the locker, Kevin stood in front on you casually reading a book as Hyunjae walked by with a question mark above his head. He didn’t bother asking where you were, assuming if you weren’t with Kevin you weren’t there at all.

You eventually broke free of the hiding spot, fixing your hair and brushing down your clothes. The sound of wheels rolling down the corridor coming to a halt beside you.

“Were you?-” Eric was about to ask but refrained considering Kevin was signing ‘cut’ and ‘shush’ behind you flailing his arms around like a maniac.

“Here’s your notes.” You smiled, a touch of pink rising to your cheeks as your hand grazed his defined one, the notes you’d borrowed in pristine condition.

“Thanks, cutie.” He smiled, the nickname causing you to freeze up in your tracks, you knew he only said it out of courtesy or like the others that was ‘just his personality’ but it made your heart melt - as you watched him skate down the corridor, his biceps flexing to maintain balance.

You managed to survive your classes without being berated by Hyunjae or any of his friends, having to sadly eat lunch in a cubicle surely wasn’t a high moment of yours.

Soon the bell was sounding for the end of the day as students flocked out of the grounds excited for the school’s baseball match that evening.

“There she is!” You heard an annoyingly shrill voice yell from behind you, as you were about to cross the car lot. Behind you was Eric Hyunjae and Juyeon, walking in a line towards you whilst Eric was on his skateboard.

“Told you I saw her.” Eric laughed as you were clearly avoiding Hyunjae at all costs, you turned with a bitter smile as they got closer.

“You coming to Eric’s big game tonight?” Juyeon asked giving a friendly elbow to Eric, clearly nervous as it was the first big game of the season.

Eric looked at you with an ounce of hope, only to be quickly shot down, but you couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes sparkled at the idea.

“No she’s actually got a date with me.” Hyunjae answered for you with a snide tone, eyes flickering towards you.

“No,no. I think I’ll go.” You smiled, “I really like baseball.”

“I don’t wanna interrupt you guys.” Eric looked between you both with something suspicious lingering behind his eyes as he turned his baseball cap to the left.

“You’re not interrupting us! Perhaps this ‘date’ can be on the pitch.” You suggested looking at Hyunjae’s wide eyes, knowing his plan was falling to pieces but he couldn’t disagree, not in front of everyone.

“Cool.” Eric smiled smugly, “See you there.”

You watched as him and Juyeon walked to the pitch for pre-match practice. Not wanting to spare Hyunjae anymore time, you walked at lightning speed in the direction of your house, ignoring him yelling your name from behind you.

“Y/n give me a second.” Hyunjae caught up to you on the sidewalk, grabbing your arm to turn you around. “You don’t have to do this anymore, go get him. It’s clear you’ll always love him and I can’t change that. I’m sorry, I took it too far.”

Despite the fact you appreciated the apology it seemed as if it was a little to late, he’d already tried to bring everything crashing down between you and Eric and now he thinks the both of you are on a date at his game. You smiled at him and nodded, swiftly turning on your heels and rushing home.

# LET’S GO H A W K S, LET’S G O O O !!🏟️

The chanting of cheerleaders and commotion amongst the crowd sang from outside of the pitch, Kevin and Jacob having already bought snacks rushed to a bench with good sight of the pitch.

“I’m so excited for this, there’s literally no way we lose.” Kevin watched as your school team walked out on to the pitch, immediately spotting Eric and making smoochy faces at you.

You didn’t notice too much of Kevin’s torment, as you were captivated by the sight of him. Eric looked up at the bleachers as if he was scanning the crowd for someone in particular his eyes landed on you for a moment - or Kevin maybe even Jacob.

The game commenced, no home-runs were scored by the competition and our team was not looking to beat them either. Time was running out as the ball left the hand of the pitcher, Eric stood in formation waiting for the ball to reach him. He swung the bat behind him and hit the ball with astonishing force triggering a roar from the crowd. He made a run for it, it was a home-run, the winning home-run.

“Go get him girl.” Kevin said as the players began to leave the pitch, watching as you ran off immediately to find him.

You patiently waited outside the locker rooms for him, knowing the other players would be tossing him around and winding him up. He eventually emerged from the lockers, wet hair and a towel around his neck.

“Can I talk to you?” You asked as he caught eyes with you, confused to why you’d waited.

“Sure, where’s Jae?” He asked, following you as you began to walk to somewhere more private.

“I’ll explain all of that.” You sighed, looking back at the boy for a moment, feeling your heartbeat pause in time as the sunlight hit his skin.

You both made your way under the bleachers, Eric already making a joke about what happens underneath them before even getting there.

“Eric. I have to say this otherwise one day I’m going to implode.” You began, your heart facing the adrenaline kicking through your veins and it was as if a theme park was screaming in your stomach. “I like you.”

A silence sat amongst you, the conflict in his eyes bouncing back and forth making you increasingly apprehensive for what he was about to say.

“Y/n I can’t do this to Hyunjae. Listen I really like you but that’s my-” Eric tried to collect himself, holding on to the top of the bleachers with one arm and wiping his forehead with the other.

“Eric we’re not dating! I know you can see that.” You pleaded with him, watching as his gorgeous eyes twisted to confusion.

“You’re not?” He asked, more than confused.

“No…. I agreed to ‘fake’ date him to get his parents off his back and to get to know more about you. But.. he took it too far and I think he might’ve been jealous I liked you.” You admitted, chewing your bottom lip and looking anywhere but at the boy fresh off the pitch in his baseball uniform.

“I don’t know because what if you’re lying to me.” He suggested, you couldn’t get offended because what if you were?

“Eric you’ve known me since we were kids I wouldn’t lie to you, I wouldn’t get anything out of doing that.” You reassured him, watching him contemplate ideas in his head as if mini cogs were turning.

“Y/n I know I don’t show it, but I really was interested in you but Hyunjae I couldn’t hurt him. Do you mind if I?” He asked, pulling you closer to him with his back leant up against the metal beam behind him.

“Of course I don’t.” You smiled, your voice barely above a whisper as you watched that beautiful grin of his spread across his lips, his brown eyes sparkling down with the sunset peaking through the gaps of the rows.

He kissed you, so sweetly, so gently, holding your face with the palm of his hand and bringing your waist closer as your stomach flipped and your heart filled with love. As you parted he brought you into his arms, it was the warmest hug that just felt as if everything was right.

“Now that you’ve said it, it makes sense. I’ve never seen someone avoid their boyfriend so much until now.” He laughed thinking of the time you escaped the bowling alley with Kevin and Jacob and further went to extreme lengths to avoid him at school too.

You giggled in his arms, looking up to his face that smiled back down at you, gently moving in for another kiss.

“I think I won twice today.” Eric laughed, giddy with excitement the grin on his face practically beaming from ear to ear.

That’s how you sort of survived senior year.

tagging: @juyeonszn @deobienthusiast 🤍

[books]

Writer Spotlight: Jamie Beck

Jamie Beck is a photographer residing in Provence, France. Her Tumblr blog, From Me To You, became immensely successful shortly after launching in 2009. Soon after, Jamie, along with her partner Kevin Burg, pioneered the use of Cinemagraphs in creative storytelling for brands. Since then, she has produced marketing and advertising campaigns for companies like Google, Samsung, Netflix, Disney, Microsoft, Nike, Volvo, and MTV, and was included in Adweek Magazine’s “Creative 100” among the industry’s top Visual Artists. In 2022, she released her first book, An American in Provence, which became a NYT Bestseller and Amazon #1 book in multiple categories, and featured in publications such as Vogue, goop, Who What Wear, and Forbes. Flowers of Provence is Jamie’s second book.

Can you tell us about how The Flowers of Provence came to be?

I refer to Provence often as ‘The Garden of Eden’ for her harmonious seasons that bring an ever-changing floral bounty through the landscape. My greatest joy in life is telling her story of flowers through photography so that we may all enjoy them, their beauty, their symbolism, and their contribution to the harmony of this land just a bit longer. 

(Photograph: Jamie Beck)

How do your photography and writing work together? Do you write as part of your practice?

I constantly write small notations, which usually occur when I am alone in nature with the intention of creating a photograph or in my studio working alone on a still life. I write as I think in my head, so I have made it a very strict practice that when a thought or idea comes up, I stop and quickly write the text in the notes app on my phone or in a pocket journal I keep with me most of the time. If I don’t stop and write it down at that moment, I find it is gone forever. It is also the same practice for shooting flowers, especially in a place as seasonal as Provence. If I see something, I must capture it right away because it could be gone tomorrow. 

(Photograph: Jamie Beck)

You got your start in commercial photography. What’s something you learned in those fields that has served you well in your current creative direction?

I think my understanding of bridging art and commerce came from my commercial photography background. I can make beautiful photographs of flowers all day long, but how to make a living off your art is a completely different skill that I am fortunate enough to have learned by working with so many different creative brands and products in the past. 

(Photograph: Jamie Beck)

Do you remember your first photograph?

Absolutely! I was 13 years old. My mother gave me her old Pentax 35mm film camera to play with. When I looked through the viewfinder, it was as if the imaginary world in my head could finally come to life! I gave my best friend a makeover, put her in an evening gown in the backyard of my parents’ house in Texas, and made my first photograph, which I thought was so glamorous! So Vogue!

You situate your photographic work with an introduction that charts the seasons in Provence through flowers. Are there any authors from the fields of nature writing and writing place that inspire you?

I absolutely adore Monty Don! His writing, his shoes, and his ease with nature and flowers—that’s a world in which I want to live. I also love Floret Flowers, especially on social media, as a way to learn the science behind flowers and how to grow them. 

How did you decide on the order of the images within The Flowers of Provence?

Something I didn’t anticipate with a book deal is that I would actually be the one doing the layouts! I assumed I would hand over a folder of images, and an art director would decide the order. At first, it was overwhelming to sort through it all because the work is so personal, and I’m so visual. But in the end, it had to be me. It had to be my story and flow to be truly authentic. I tried to move through the seasons and colors of the landscape in a harmonious way that felt a bit magical, just as discovering Provence has felt to me. 

(Photograph: Jamie Beck)

How do you practice self-care when juggling work and life commitments alongside the creative process?

The creative process is typically a result that comes out of taking time for self-care. I get some of my best ideas for photographic projects or writing when I am in a bath or shower or go for a long (and restorative) walk in nature. Doing things for myself, such as how I dress or do my hair and makeup, is another form of creative expression that is satisfying. 

What’s a place or motif you’d like to photograph that you haven’t had a chance to yet?

I am really interested in discovering more formal gardens in France. I like the idea of garden portraiture, trying to really capture the essence and spirit of places where man and nature intertwine. 

Which artists do you return to for inspiration?

I’m absolutely obsessed with Édouard Manet—his color pallet and subject matter. 

What are three things you can’t live without as an artist?

My camera, the French light, and flowers, of course. 

What’s your favorite flower to photograph, and why?

I love roses. They remind me of my grandmother, who always grew roses and was my first teacher of nature. The perfume of roses and the vast variety of colors, names, and styles all make me totally crazy. I just love them. They simply bring me joy the same way seeing a rainbow in the sky does. 

(Photograph: Jamie Beck)

[notapradagurl7]

Unhealthy.

Franklin Saint x Black Fem! Reader

Word Count: 1,860k

Taglist: @megamindsecretlair @wide-nose-and-wonderful @henneseyhoe @satoruya @westside-rot @keyera-jackson @sageispunk @beenathembo @blackerthings @playgurlxoxo @planetblaque @partygetsmewetter-x @vile-harlot

Summary: You and Franklin were inseparable until that one day when he killed Kevin, however you have a daughter with him. But you have a date tonight with Donovan.

Warnings: Use of AAVE, spoilers of season two, mention of violence, use of drugs, guns, threats, Mention of jail, toxic smut, gaslighting. slight choking, a furious, possessive Franklin, profanity, dirty talk, the reader is stressed out, use of the N-word. oral(fem receiving) fingering. Obsession.

—————————

You reached a breaking point and decided to end your relationship with Franklin after witnessing him kill Kevin, and this incident made it so you could no longer tolerate being in his presence or allowing your three-year-old daughter, Eden, to be near him. You had your daughter during the period leading up to Franklin's act of killing Kevin, and you made a sincere effort to protect her from his actions.

Franklin explained everything to you the best way he could but after watching it. It became too intense.

He informed you about Kevin's cousin conducting sales in Mexico and subsequently being brutally stabbed, the agent witnessing the entire incident during daylight at the park, and the presence of witnesses. Moreover, Kevin's sole motivation was seeking vengeance for his cousin.

At that moment, Franklin decided to handle things on his own. You and Leon swiftly caught hold of Franklin's arms, guiding him towards the backseat of the elegant deep green Cadillac. Meanwhile, Leon comfortably settled himself in the seat next to the driver.

You assumed control of the car and promptly drove away from the park, closing the car doors with Leon. Later on, Franklin was incarcerated and subsequently released, undergoing a complete transformation of character.

Even though you never inquired about it, you were aware that Franklin was a running a drug empire. He displayed traits of being clever, driven, and constantly sought out opportunities to generate more income, not solely for his benefit, but also for you and Eden.

Franklin occasionally came over for dinner to spend time with you and Eden, and these visits were generally enjoyable for him. He cherished seeing his little one, but on this particular night in question, you had plans for a date with Donovan. Fortunately, your mom was available to babysit Eden for the evening.

You called him on the phone before your date tonight.

“Hey, Franklin, there's something i've got to tell you.”

“What is it baby?"

“You can't come over for dinner tonight because i have a date." you said, trying to brace yourself for his reaction.

His face twisted in a furious glare with his harsh breath picking up, “What did you say?” he growled, his voice low with the rasp waltzing through your ears from the receiver.

"You think you can just replace me with another nigga? After everything we've been through?" he spat, his voice laced with venom.

“It’s not about replacing you, your obsession has got to stop.” you pleaded softly, your voice cracking a bit. You nervously twirl the phone

Franklin had an unhealthy obsession with you and wanted the two of you to get back together, he wanted to be a father to his daughter.

“Y/N you really think that Eden won't miss her father?”

“We can co-parent with Eden—”

“Fuck that co-parenting bullshit Y/N, Eden needs both of her parents in her life.”

“My mom is babysitting her—”

He slammed his fist against the counter, causing a loud thud to echo through the kitchen. You flinched as if you were in the kitchen with him.

“If you think for one second you can find someone better than me, you—”

“Fuck you Franklin Saint.”

“Ma, you're mine. You've always been mine.” he declared, his rasp hits your ears.

“I know what that nigga looks like Y/N, if you invite him to your—”

You hung up the phone, your heavy breathing echoing in the dimly lit kitchen as you swiftly rose from the chair.

There was no time to worry about Franklin; all that mattered now was preparing for your date with Donovan.

A gentle knock on the door caught your attention, your gaze fixed on the sleek black dress in the mirror and your hair styled in a curly bun on top with a curly bang in front of your face. Your rich midnight skin shone underneath the lights, You peeked through the peephole, you saw Donovan standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers.

He took a deep breath, and you tightened your grip on the doorknob. But before you could react, a sudden movement caught your eye. Franklin appeared, aiming a black pistol at the top of Donovan's head.

The sound of a gunshot filled the air, and blood splattered across the grass, staining the peephole. Your eyes widened in fear, your heart pounding in your chest. Donovan's lifeless body dropped to the ground with a dull thud.

"What the hell?" you whispered under your breath, Franklin called out for Peaches, his bodyguard.

You watched in shock as he cleaned up the blood, wiping the gun with a blue paisley bandana. Peaches swiftly seized Donovan's body and tossed it into the trunk of the car. He grabbed the gun from Franklin, he looked both ways, making sure that there wasn’t anyone outside, He settled into the driver's seat, Peaches sped away, the tires screeching echoing through the neighborhood.

Franklin knocked gently on your front door, as if the world hadn't just crumbled around you. With tear-filled eyes, you swung the door open, your voice trembling with anger and pain, "What the hell is wrong with you? Come inside."

You wiped away your tears as he crossed the threshold, his face devoid of any guilt or remorse for his actions.

It was clear that the mere thought of you finding comfort in someone else's arms was unbearable to him. Deep down, you knew that you couldn't allow yourself to fall in love again, not with the person he was slowly transforming into.

"Why can't you let me—?" His hands cradled your face, preventing any further words from escaping your lips. "Y/N, I’m the only one you should be with, nobody else.." he whispered, planting a tender kiss on your forehead.

His eyes locked onto yours as his fingers gently encircled your neck, his thumb pressing against your skin, not to harm you, but to feel the rhythm of your heartbeat.

"I don't need you, you're a different person now Franklin. Ever since that day—," you sighed, unable to bring yourself to utter another word. Your hand instinctively moved down your face, attempting to erase the painful memories that you wished to forget.

“Did you know how scared I was? After everything that happened. Look at me, after this. Let's co-parent for Eden, we’ll still have those dinners so you can see her okay?”

Franklin released a quivering exhale, his gaze piercing into the depths of your pupils, yet his love for you remained unwavering. He acknowledged that this fixation was far from healthy, but it stood as the sole possible choice for the two of you.

“Okay, you're right. can I get one last kiss before I go?” He asked softly, lifting your chin with his index finger.

Franklin stepped closer to you with a warm smile, the rasp in his voice made your clit throb and your heart did a backflip his face leaned into yours. His plump lips descended onto yours, this one last kiss would eventually turn into something more.

Next thing you know, you were gently tossed on the couch with your back slouching against the plush cushion, Frankin crouched between your legs and you gently turned you around as his fingers unbuttoned the back of your dress, your dress gracefully fell on the living green room rug, you slid your panties off your ankles and unhooked your bra.

Your legs were draped over his shoulders, his hands holding them firmly in place as he pecked your clit twice, “fuck..” you moaned softly, his tongue slithering across your wet folds, replacing his tongue with his fingers as he traced shapes on your clit lazily, “You're sure you don't need me? You're already so wet..” he mumbled, Your hips moved with his tongue, The vibration from his mouth made you shudder. His hands palmed your breasts with his tongue flickering on your nipple, Your heart swelled at his words.

Why did this moment feel both perfect and flawed simultaneously? You were about to feel the absence of Franklin, but only for the positive aspects of his character. Waves after waves of pleasure washed over you with your hand gripping on his small afro earning a groan from Franklin, “More..” you whined softly, begging for him. boosting his ego while his tongue rolled around your sensitive nub.

His fingers picked up the pace with precise, his low-lidded watched your folds clenched around his fingers, “It sounds like your pussy missed me.” he groaned deeply, the soft squelching sound sent him to the edge. Your gaze locked with his, your hips gently rolled against his fingers, filling you with a wave of bliss as his thumbs lovingly caressed your thighs, pecking your dark skin.

Your legs shaken in his hands, a rapid quivering that betrayed your excitement. your climax coursed through you like a bolt of lightning. "Oh fuck, Franklin!" you cried out, clutching the armrest tightly for support. A wave of tiny tingling sensations scattered across your body, catching you off guard.

"Let it go," he whispered softly, kissing your lips twice. Despite the regular dinner visits, he yearned to be more for you. the whole neighborhood heared you as you squirted on the rug, Franklin eagerly slurped and every drop.

You were too weak to move from the intensity of your orgasm but you grabbed a grey sweatshirt from last night, you slid on your sweatshirt and got up by your hands and knees, Franklin gently grabbed your by your arms. “You good Y/N?” He asked softly, his face softened at you in concern.

“Yeah, I'm good Frankie.” you panted, lying to your knees going weak at the sound of his voice.

Franklin stood up from his crouched position and lifted your chin to look at you with a warm smile, “I’ll see you on Monday night in your with Eden.” He said softly, his thumb swiped your cheek.

After that, you bid farewell to Franklin as you watched walked through the threshold of your front door. You closed the door behind him with slow caution. Your fingers turn the lock swiftly as your back leans toward the door with tears rolling down your cheeks in a happy yet still sad type of way.

You exhaled a shaky breath from your lips, knowing that you had to figure out a way to leave him and take your daughter with you. You had to leave right? There had to be another way but for now. You had to smile through the dinners with him as if everything was fine.

——————

[jazziejax]

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - Franklin Saint x Black!Reader

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 - How, over time, Franklin Saint knew he was line love with one of his best friends.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - cursing, drugs, suggestive comments, jealousy…I’m not to sure about anything else.

𝐉𝐚𝐳𝐳𝐢𝐞’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 - This snowfall rewatch has been in a chokehold. I want to write more about him but I fear it’s going to turn into a series and I just can’t commit to that right now. UNEDITED, sorry for any grammar issues and spelling errors.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 - 4,886+

Franklin never thought he’d ever feel the way he did right now. He never thought that he would feel this way for her. The way everything seemed to slow down around him, and everyone else blurred as his eyes trained themselves on her. The way his heart seemed to pump loud within the confines of his chest, each beat resounding in his ears. He could hear the sound of his breathing as well, could almost count every intake as he analyzed her figure.

He could remember the first time he felt the way his heart jumped at her, and how confused his own feelings made him.

He first began to take notice to how she was always there.

It was supposed to be just another drop, another routine in their increasingly dangerous lives. Franklin, Leon, and Kevin had been doing it for weeks—moving product through the projects, blending in with the locals, staying low. They’d all grown used to the hustle, to the tension in the air, but there was something about that day that felt different. Maybe it was the way the street corner was unusually quiet, or the way the shadows seemed deeper than normal, but Franklin couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He wasn’t wrong.

She was there, as she always was when they made these trips. But today, it felt more intense. While Leon and Kevin played it chill and simple, talking to a few of the local fiends to solidify their arrangement of ‘I supply, you buy’, Franklin couldn't help but notice the way Juanita lingered a few feet behind him, her body positioned slightly off to the side so she could keep an eye on everything around them. Her posture was stiff, alert, and he could see the way her fingers twitched near her waistband, ready to pull out her gun at a moment's notice.

That’s something he always noticed about her.

She was always watching. Always ready, not matter how many people thought she was an easy target because of the Walkman she was always listening too. Her movements were fluid, practiced, and Franklin noticed how her eyes scanned every face that passed by, how she didn’t let herself relax, even for a second as she anticipated anyone’s next move.

Leon and Kevin were always there too, but it was Juanita's presence that stuck out to him. She wasn’t just part of the crew; she was always aware, always protecting them in a way he couldn’t quite put into words. He hadn’t realized how much he relied on that quiet vigilance until he noticed the way she instinctively moved closer to him as the deal went down. Even if she wasn’t directly involved, she was always just a few steps away, like an invisible shield around him, her eyes never straying from her surroundings.

It wasn’t like he’d never seen her before—he had. But today, there was something different. She wasn’t just standing there out of obligation; she was standing there because, somehow, she cared. Franklin didn’t know why it took him this long to notice, but as they made their way back to the car after the drop, he realized that, more than anyone else, he liked the way she cared for him. Not in a loud, obvious way, but in the way she positioned herself so that no one could touch him without her noticing.

It was subtle, but Franklin couldn’t ignore the way she made him feel safe, even in the heart of the projects, surrounded by dangers they both knew too well. Even if it was sort of odd, him being the man and all. The one that’s supposed to be protecting her. And it wasn’t like he didn’t, he just felt his heart skip a little at the thought that she was willing to go the extra mile for him. She was always there—always ready—and something about that made Franklin realize just how much he depended on her presence.

The second time was at the arcade.

The place was packed, the usual buzz of clinking tokens and flashing lights filling the air, but Franklin’s mind was elsewhere. He was busy watching the guys—Leon and Kevin were hustling in the corner, trying their luck at the shooting game, while Juanita hung back, tapping her fingers to the rhythm of the music in her headphones as she played PacMan. Franklin could see her, even with the boisterous noise around them. She always stood a little apart, a little too distant from the others, but he’d grown used to that. It wasn’t like she had a problem with them—it was just the way she was. She liked doing her own thing while being around them, even if she never said it.

Her form standing near the machine gave shit to her figure. Sine it was summer, she where nothing but a pair of regular denim shorts that cuffed at the ends, ending mere inches under her cup of her bottom. Paired with a simple red shirt, with white sleeves and collar. Her brown legs were long and alluring as they leveraged her body against the machine while she played. She was focused, music playing in her ears while tried not to die from the pink ghost.

Franklin guessed his constant checking on her over his shoulder drew the attention of the boys who finished their game. They looked over as well, watching as curly haired girl trained her gaze in the game, while Franklin stood to play a round at the space invader game in front of him.

Then Kevin spoke.

"Man, you know if she just stopped looking so angry all the time, she could get a lot more attention around here." His voice was casual as he looked his friend up and down from afar, but the way he said it made Franklin’s stomach turn. “I’d gladly like to have those legs wrapped around me.” He smirked, nudging Leon.

It wasn’t a compliment—it was a meant to be a joke, but ended up being the kind of joke that wasn’t really funny at all. Kevin was trying to make light of her while being at our nasty about someone he considered a friend, something Franklin had never been okay with.

Franklin's fingers tightened around the joystick in his hand, the irritation rising in his chest like a burning tide. He could feel his breath quicken, his mind going from calm to heated in the blink of an eye. This wasn’t the first time Kevin had said something off-color about her, but today... today, it just hit a nerve. Franklin didn’t know why it bothered him so much, but there was something about the way Kevin dismissed her, about the way he joked at her expense, that made Franklin scowl.

He didn’t think. He just reacted.

"Watch your mouth, Kev," Franklin snapped, his voice cutting through the noise of the arcade like a blade. It wasn’t loud, but it was sharp, and it made Kevin pause mid-sentence.

Kevin blinked, clearly surprised by the quick retort. "Come on, man, it was just a joke."

"Doesn’t matter, nigga." Franklin said, his tone firm. “Show some respect to someone we both consider a friend.”His eyes were locked on Kevin, and he could see the confusion flicker in his friend’s eyes at his sudden attitude, but it didn’t matter.

Kevin didn’t get it. Franklin could feel his jaw clenching, a part of him wanting to explain, wanting to make Kevin understand why the comment had bothered him so much, but he didn’t have the words for it. He didn’t know why the comment he’s heard about her from multiple guys, bothered him now. He just knew that if anyone was going to talk about her, it sure as hell wasn’t going to be Kevin, and damn sure not like that.

Kevin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, my bad, Frank. I didn’t mean anything by it."

Franklin didn’t let it go, though. He didn’t let the tension slip. He gave Kevin one last hard look, and then turned to her, who had no notice of the conversation. In fact, she was smiling at the fact that she won, clapping her hands for herself as she waited on the scoreboard to show her rank. Now privy to the rest of the arcade, she looked over at the place her friends last were, catching eyes with Franklin. He was taken back by her grin, the girl excitedly pointed to the machine that was now spewing out the tickets she won.

He blinked, nodding his head at her before he watched her bend down to getter the tickets. His mind still lingering over the conversation that ended seconds ago.

He didn’t realize it until later, but it was in that moment that something inside him shifted. The way he defended her, the way he couldn't stand anyone talking about her like that, made him realize just how much she mattered to him. She wasn’t just someone he grew up with. She was someone he cared for deeply, and anyone who tried to discredit her, even in passing, would have to answer to him.

The third time, oddly enough, was doing business.

The cookhouse smelled like chemicals, sweat, and the faint trace of something that reminded Franklin of home. The air was thick, the heat rising from the makeshift stove as the chemicals bubbled in the corner of the room, where the process was taking place. It was just him and her. The two of them putting in work in shifts, and Franklin just finished his.

There were no distractions, just the sound of sizzling and the occasional scrape of metal on glass as they worked. It was a quiet night—no loud music, no chatter—just the task at hand. And Franklin couldn't stop watching her.

She moved with precision, her focus sharp, eyes darting from the process to the ingredients. She measured everything with care, just like she always did, making sure nothing went wrong. There was something oddly captivating about the way she worked. She was calm, confident, even in this chaotic environment, and Franklin found himself watching her more than he intended. His gaze lingered on the way her hands worked, the steady rhythm of her motions as she mixed the ingredients.

She noticed. He didn’t have to say anything for her to feel his eyes on her. She didn’t acknowledge it at first, but he caught the slight smirk on her lips as she continued. The faintest laugh bubbled from her chest, though she didn’t turn her head to look at him.

Then, without warning, she spoke up, her voice light with playful sarcasm. “What are you staring at, Gumby?”

Franklin blinked. "Gumby?" He repeated, furrowing his brows at the sound of the old name as he snapped out of his staring.

She shrugged, not breaking from her work. "Yeah, that’s what I used to call you back in the day, remember?” She said, glancing over at him. “Long limbs, awkward as hell. You’d be tripping over your own feet half the time."

A chuckle escaped Franklin’s lips before he could stop it. He’d almost forgotten about that nickname. It had been years since anyone had called him that. She had started it after being picked on by him for her stutter. It stuck for a while, especially with Kevin and Leon.

“You still remember that?”His voice was soft as he looked at her back. She looked over at him for the first time, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “How could I forget? You were all legs and no coordination, always running into shit. No one else was telling you how much of a loser you really were, so I had to step in.” She snickered.

Franklin grinned, though he didn’t say much. There was something oddly comforting in the way she could tease him like this. It’s was sort of the only way they communicated, though slight jabs and jests. She wasn’t afraid to bring up the past, to remind him of the awkward kid he used to be. It was like the world hadn’t changed between them even though they were risking their lives daily. Like they could slip back into the old rhythm of childhood without thinking twice.

She shifted the dope in the bowl, making sure the mix was perfect, before adding a bit more of the chemical. “You’ve changed, though.” She added nonchalantly. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how quiet you’ve been tonight.”

Franklin didn’t respond immediately, the words catching in his throat. He didn’t know why he’d been so quiet, why his attention kept straying to her. But he didn’t mind. There was something about being with her in these moments, just the two of them, that felt... different. And it was hard to explain.

As she continued working, her back turned to him again, he couldn’t help but feel an odd shift in the air. He wasn’t just watching her out of habit or because it was a natural thing to do; something about her presence, the way she carried herself, was starting to pull him in. She’d been part of his world for so long, and yet, in this moment, she felt like she was the only thing in it.

The fourth time, it was when he could have sworn he saw jealousy on her features.

It had been a few weeks since Franklin started hanging around Melody more. They were all part of the same circle, but Melody’s presence around him seemed to shift something. He noticed it at first—the way his attention lingered on her or how they started spending more time together. He’d always had a thing for Melody, most guys did. The only difference with him is, Melody liked him back and she didn’t really hide it.

When they started getting more flirty, he kept things only the low. One, so that her dad wouldn’t kill him, and two because he didn’t really want people in his business, especially Kevin and Leon. But the long glances and the teasing smiles were there from the both of them. It was subtle, at least to him. But it wasn’t lost her.

She wasn’t a fool. She also wasn’t the type to show her emotions easily. But when she noticed how much time Franklin spent talking to Melody, laughing at her jokes, and slipping into that comfortable camaraderie they always had, something inside her tightened. Her stomach felt like it bubbled with acid, ready to rise and slew out of her throat. It wasn’t the jealousy she was used to feeling—this was different. It was a gnawing, irritating feeling that crept up her throat when she saw him smile that way with someone else.

That smile she noticed he only had for something fond. Something that made him temper better times. A smile he wore when he was in his head, thinking of possible memories to make together.

The jealousy she felt wasn't about Melody, really. Though, she couldn’t help but feel a little insecure at the fact that Mel was everything she wasn’t. Shorter, thinner, and lighter. But Melody was her friend, the only girl friends she had and she wanted to see her happy, like she was now.

The jealousy she felt was mainly about Franklin and how he'd begun to treat her differently. In the past, he'd always been teasing, picking at her, but now… it was like he was holding back. He didn’t call her "Dee Dee" anymore, didn’t talk to her like he used to, didn’t share his half-thoughts and jokes like they were still just two kids growing up in the same neighborhood. It stung a little.

One evening, they were all at the skating rink, as they often went when the crew was looking for a way to blow off steam and the arcade was closed. The air was heavy with the sounds of clinking wheels against wood and the buzz of people’s joy and nice music. Kevin was goofing off at the pool table, doing an sorts of maneuvers that weren’t doing anything to better his shot, while Melody leaned against the table, casually flipping through some random magazine that was available at one of the food tables.

Franklin stood next to her, his arm brushing hers as they talked about something that made him laugh, his grip around a pool stick.

His laugh was soft , the kind that made her stomach knot.She was over by the air hockey table, pretending to study the game she and Leon were in, but her eyes kept flicking to them. She noticed how Franklin was acting around Melody, how easily they slipped into their own world. They hadn’t had a conversation like that in weeks. And he didn’t even notice her watching them.

Leon must’ve noticed too, because he looked over at her with a smirk on his face and then looked over to Franklin. He raised his hand, doing a small flick to catch his friend’s attention. Franklin glanced up when he caught the movement, excusing himself before making his way over to the pair. Leon smirked."Yo, I see you over here looking all cozy with Mel. Don’t tell me you’re finally together?"

Franklin snorted, brushing it off. "Nah, we’re just chillin’. You know how it is." He smirked.

But that didn’t stop Leon, who glanced his eyes over at her when she pushed the disk over to his side. "I mean, she’s got the looks, and the sweet little attitude. Pretty cute, too. You two would make a nice couple."

Her hands tightened around the air hockey puck, her gaze narrowing as she glanced at Leon, then back at Franklin, waiting for what he had to say. A twinge of something hot and sour bubbled up in her chest. It wasn’t jealousy, not really. But there was an odd, uncomfortable feeling that washed over her, one she didn’t know how to deal with. She hated this.

Franklin didn’t seem to notice. He just shook his head at Leon’s teasing, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Nah, man.”

But she wasn’t going to let it go that easily. As she took her next shot, she shot Leon a look. “You keep talking about her like that, I might have to put you in your place.” She said, her voice sharp but playful. Franklin’s looked over at her when she spoke, his eyes subconsciously flicking over her figure. One of her hands was on her hip, the other sitting on top of the table hockey disk as she waited for Leonard to keep playing. She didn’t catch his eyes like she usually did, which made his brows with a little but he was grateful, or else he’d been seen chancing her out.

Kevin laughed her off. “Oh, you’re just mad ‘cause Franklin’s getting all the attention.” He teased.

She stiffened, her mouth pressing into a thin line. “I’m not mad.” She snapped back, though her tone was steady and she could feel the heat rising to her face. “Just don’t talk about her like that. She’s my friend and she’s not some prize to win.” She stated.

Leon threw up his hands, clearly amused. “Alright, alright. Chill, girl. I’m just playing.”

She wasn’t sure what stung more—the fact that Leon was making light of it, or the fact that Franklin seemingly barely even noticed. To her, not once had he picked up on the way she’d always looked out for him, always had his back, even when he didn’t ask for it.

Later that night, as they all headed back to the car, Franklin walked with Melody a few steps ahead of her, still wrapped up in whatever inside joke they shared. Franking would glance back every now and then, checking in on the file that walked with her headphones on and her hands in her pockets. He felt a connection with Melody, he really did, but his mind would always drift back to the girl that lingered. He would wonder if she would find the things he said to Melody funny, what would she would say in place of the girl next to him. And he questioned himself on if he liked Melody or was he just avoid the strong pull she had on him.

When they made it to his block, he turned to speak to her, telling her that he was gonna walk her to her doorstep, even though she just stayed across the street, but he saw the back of her curly ponytail walking away from him as Mel walked to her doorstep. His words got caught in his throat as he watched her into her home without a word to him, her door closing at the same time as Melody’s, though he didn’t turn his head to see hers. He sighed before making his way into his home.

She kept her distance, pretending to not care, but something in her twisted inside. It wasn’t about Franklin laughing with Melody or the way he treated her—it was about the way she was starting to feel invisible. The way things had changed, and she couldn’t figure out why it hurt so much. But it did.

That night, they both laid in their separates bed within their separate home, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything over and over in their heads. It wasn’t jealousy. It couldn’t be, they both thought. It was something else—something that was starting to feel too much like something neither didn’t want to admit.

When he knew he needed her, and that he loved her.

The day after Franklin tried to make a drop on his own, things hadn’t gone according to plan. It wasn’t a disaster, but the tension that followed left him on edge. He’d just been trying to do things his way—trying to show he was capable of really doing this drug shit, that he didn’t always need someone—her, there to watch his back and do the hard shit for him.

He’d treated the situation like how he did with Mel—the soft, naive approach—but he didn’t realize that she wasn’t the type of girl who needed coddling and now he had a problem on his hands.

The problem was that she’d caught wind of the mishap before he had a chance to explain it or even tell her what he did, the words coming to her from Leon. And that was when she showed up. She was always the one to confront him directly, no pretense or beating around the bush. While Franklin had changed since entering the game, bringing ham shell of his old self and more demanding and fearful, she never cared. She would always talk to him like she did when they were children and he was a little shy at first. She’d speak her mind and demand answers, and they both knew she would continue to no matter how much he changed.

So here he was now. He was at a corner booth in a diner when she slid into the seat across from him, her eyes sharp but not yet laced with anger. “You trying to shut me out?” Her voice was steady and clipped, but there was an undertone of something else—something deeper. Franklin could tell she wasn’t just talking about the drop. And after their encounter during the rink, things have been a little stiff.

He didn’t have a response right away. His eyes drifted to the side, gazing out at the busy street, avoiding her eyes. He didn’t want to say anything wrong, but he didn’t know how to explain it. He wasn’t sure why he had tried to handle it alone, knowing that she knew more about this than he did. Knowing that she’s the one that’s been with him every step of the way, never talking home down like everyone else.

“I wasn’t trying to shut you out.” He shrugged, but even he could tell how weak it sounded. “I just—I thought you didn’t need to be involved. You’ve got enough on your plate with your family.”

Her lips curled in a slight, disbelieving smirk before she scoffed. “You don’t get it, do you?” She leaned forward, elbows on the table. Her stare pierced him, and Franklin was tempted to look away, but he held his ground. He held her eyes as her pissed grinned disappeared from her face, replaced with her cold one again. And he couldn’t help but still feel his heart skip and admire her as she looked at him. “I do this shit to take care of my family.” She said. “I do this because providing for them is how I show them I care. I look after the shit you do, because that’s how I show how I care.” She spat ay him, never once breaking eye contact. Franklins jaw clenched as they started at one another, just sitting there and listening to her shaker tone that hit him again and again.

“You think I’d just stand by and let you make a mess of things? Some shit I put work into?” She hissed, harshly jabbing her finger into his chest across the table. Franking looked down at the pressure she applied, his face morphing into a frown of anger at her reaction but also at himself at the underlining pain he could hear in her voice. “Nah, I’m not gonna let you do that. Not when you don’t even know what the fuck you’re walking into.”

Franklin’s throat went dry, and he found himself scrambling for words. “I thought—I thought maybe that I could protect you from this. This shit is crazier than selling dime bags on campus at UCLA to a bunch of white people. This shit is life or death.” He stated firmly. “You know—like… I was just trying to look out for you—”

She shook her head before he could finish his sentence. “Franklin.” Her voice was softer now, almost sad, but there was an edge to it. “You’re not doing me a favor. I don’t need you to treat me like I’m weak, like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

He swallowed hard, and his gaze dropped to his hands. “And I need you to start trusting me and what I can do first so this whole thing can work out.” Franklin just blinked, his gaze moving up from his hands.

“I just didn’t want you to get hurt, DD. I’ve seen shit. I—”

“Look, you’re trying to be a good guy.” She interrupted, her tone more understanding now, but still firm. “And you are, you really are.” The way she spoke to him was the softest tone he had ever heard her use. It was light and full of emotion, and her large eyes gazing into his dark brown orbs didn’t make it any less easier for his beating heart. “And I appreciate you and what you do, Frankie. But you have enough shit on your plate and if I needed the space, I would’ve told you. Just keep me in the loop, alright? I’ve got your back just like I always have. Don’t shut me out, Franklin. That’s the last thing I need from you.” She explained to her, her voice bearing into a waver near the end, which was the only thing casing her to stop outing her heart out to the man.

She clamped her lips shut, suddenly feeling naked under his gaze after all the information she’s shared. Expressing her feelings wasn’t something she did often. It wasn’t something she ever really had to. And her doing it know, practically begging one of her friends she’s known her entire life, to not leave made her want to confess the feelings she’s been hiding deep down.

Franklin’s chest tightened as her words sank in, and for the first time, he realized just how much he had underestimated her—how much he’d been treating her like someone she wasn’t. Someone who couldn’t handle the weight of everything she’d already taken on. He just didn’t want her to take on that weight anymore. He wanted to be there for her.

Franklin finally met her gaze, his eyes full of unspoken apology. He wasn’t sure if he could say the words that needed to be said. But in that moment, she knew. That’s how things were between them. Neither of them had to outwardly speak to understand the other. She knew that he hadn’t meant to hurt her. That’s when he realized: he had to stop trying to hide what he felt for her. He wanted her in his life. He needed her to stand with him, side by side, like they always had. In the game or out, he needed to have her by his side because when she was t, things didn’t seem the same.

And for the first time, Franklin knew it wasn’t just about caring for her—it was love. He was in love with her. And her reaching across the table to cup her hands under his, looking down at the slightly sticky plywood as she rubbed her thumbs over the top of his hands, only helped him more with his conclusion. His heart skipped when she looked up and into his eyes, sharing a silent understanding.

I’m not sure if anyone is going to read this at all but I’m gonna post it anyways. I’m also going to continue to write about Damson Idris because he doesn’t have anything on here. Did he do some shady shit that I don’t know about? Or are y’all just not feeling him? Let a sista know.